Mary A. Felkins's Blog

I, Daniel, was exhausted and lay ill for several days. Then I got up and went about the king's business. Daniel 8:27 [NIV] After a series of disturbing prophetic visions, Daniel was understandably exhausted and lay ill on his bed. This favored man of God was believed to be in his 80's at this point, exiled with his three pals in Babylon from the time he was an adolescent. Can't you just feel the ache in Daniel's bones? But after several days, Daniel got up and continued where he left off,...

You were bought at a price ... You were bought at a price. I Corinthians 6:20, 7:23 [NIV] Go ahead. Tell me the price of postage is going...

I have chosen you and have not abandoned you. Isaiah 41:9 [NIV] Last weekend, I was one of 65 authors at Copperfield's Books in Spring,...

You shall not make for yourself an idol ... for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God. Exodus 20:4-5 [NIV] Last weekend, my husband and...

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

As an alternative to making a resolution (often broken by January 2nd), I've made it my practice for several years to pray over a word for the year, wait for God's confirmation, then look for how he'll use it.

Curious ... Do you follow the popular 'one word' approach to a new year?

The word God gave me for 2025 is KINGDOM.

I puzzled over this for several days. It felt, I don't know, regal, unrelatable, impractical.

But the word kingdom kept appearing—in scripture, in writings, in conversations—and was confirmed by people I trust.

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

There's no confusion about the order of priority here:

We are told to seek FIRST his kingdom and his righteousness ahead of all the "things" (concerns, physical needs ... everything!)

Because our good Father promises to provide all the "things", it should free our minds and hearts to seek kingdom things.

But our tendency is to seek and grow our own kingdom, make much of our own name, and establish our own will. In so doing, we sacrifice God's greater, lasting rewards.

Maybe we secretly fear our heavenly Father won't come through. Goodness, with all the chaos, devastation, and upheaval shaking up the world, will he overlook our concerns?

Never. He's actively establishing his kingdom through us—as we choose to participate in building it.

All the temporal and prideful "things" we tend to prioritize over seeking his kingdom? Well, our good Father is well aware of what we need more than we are—and before we know what to ask:

Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:8, 32

This year, let's seek his kingdom and celebrate his provision of all those "things" he's promised to provide.

Questions to Ponder

*What makes seeking his kingdom difficult?

*What is your one word and/or verse of the year and how will you use it?

*When you prioritize eternal things—his name, kingdom, will—how much do you trust him to provide all the other things?

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What the Morning Brings: 52 Story-Style Devotions . The devotional inspired by Psalm 143:8 that asks, "What truth did the morning bring?"

Find the devotional in ebook, audiobook, and print HERE.

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Until next time,

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.  [Romans 12:2 NIV] 

After pondering the idea of owning an iPad, I finally caved and asked for one for my birthday last month.

I say "caved" because I’m not one to jump on the band wagon to purchase the latest shiny thing. But after listening to authors I know and respect rave about how having an iPad increased the efficiency of their writing projects, my interest was heightened.

Thus, Mary owns an iPad, uniquely etched with my initials MAF and tagline, I write Happily Ever Afters (thanks, husband )

Though I’m light years from others who've staunchly claimed that they never leave home without their iPad, I am happy to report that my iPad and I are getting along swell and I'm slowly learning its functionalities. The attempt-and-fail method is an exceptional teacher.

After tuning into multiple You Tube tutorials, I’ve learned to anticipate that point in the video when the instructor says, 

“Now, if you go to your settings …”

Ah! The gear-ish looking gray icon. Basically, the thing that tells the thing how to behave.

Once I find the correct setting to enable or disable a particular behavior, then my iPad will function as desired.

After fiddling around with my iPad settings long enough, I couldn’t help but consider the settings the Lord has graciously and wisely engineered into us.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.  [Romans 12:2 NIV] 

Our mind is what takes in and processes the stuff of the world, filters it through our existing base of knowledge and belief system, which can then direct our course of action.

☞ Ungrateful attitudes? Go to settings ...

Give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus

[I Thessalonians 5:18]

☞ Need a stronghold broken? Go to settings ...

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.

On the contrary, they have divine power

to demolish strongholds. [2 Corinthians 10:4]

☞ Time to prioritize spiritual, mental, physical rest? Go to settings …

My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. [Exodus 33:14]

To effect lasting change, we need to go to settings. The Lord has hardwired us to need and desire fellowship with him, and in so doing, He shows us in his word how to re-set our thinking to more closely conform to his.  

Questions to Ponder

*Which of your "settings" need to be reconfigured in order to behave more like the Lord?

*How quickly do you reach for his word—in reality or in thought—rather than your devices? (Yeah. That takes a hot poker to my conscience too)

What truth did the morning bring?

Thanks for reading!

If you enjoyed today's post and know others who would benefit, please share!

What the Morning Brings: 52 Story-Style Devotions . The devotional inspired by Psalm 143:8 that asks, "What truth did the morning bring?"

Find the devotional in ebook and print HERE.

Fall for Me (Autumn in Wild Rose Ridge Series, book 3) e-book will be FREE for 4 days, November 29 - December 2. It's always available in ebook, print & KU here.

For writing updates & perks & the warmth of community, subscribe to my author newsletter 

Until next time,

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3–4)

During a difficult season of suffering, I was given a brain-rattling truth by a wise and trustworthy woman who said, “You are in suffering school.” 

She’d recognized all the signs of a student enrolled in said school. 

At her statement, I felt my brows furrow. Because somehow, I’d unwillingly been registered to attend SSU, Suffering State University—a challenging place of higher education—and ushered down its narrow hallways.

With a name like that, would you apply for admission?

Right. Me neither. Especially since the school colors, as I discovered, were an ominous mix of black and . . . black. Whether we want to attend or not, we’ll find ourselves enrolled in SSU by divine intervention. And on a full scholarship, the cost lavishly paid for by the blood of Jesus.

At SSU we won’t live on campus but, rather, in God’s presence—for as many semesters as it takes. 

Our ultimate degree is holiness. Course requirements include classes on Perseverance and Character. No easy A’s here. But in the midst of suffering, they’re prerequisites for the one we’re most interested in.

Hope. 

At graduation, I imagine God, the almighty Dean of Students, placing a hard-earned degree in our hands. Mid-point across the stage, he’d offer us a robust, “Well done, child!” 

We’d likely squint our eyes at his radiance, then direct swift steps toward the exit … until his unsolicited question landed at the back of our robes.

“You’ll be considering re-enrollment?” God might say.

We might glance over our shoulder and respectfully decline, saying, “Thank you just the same, but, uh, no. Sir.”

But like the all-wise educator he is, God invites us to discover a new truth. “So, you’ve learned the secret of being content through suffering?” God might ask.

“Being content and suffering. Can these co-exist?” we might ask with trepidation.

“It’s how you’ll know hope,” he might say.

“But Lord, isn’t one degree in suffering sufficient?”

A knowing smile would dawn on God’s face while he thumbed the darkened, circular scar in each of his palms, saying, “The best way to understand suffering is to go through it.”

Then he might draw us to his side, usher us off stage and, at some point, we’d find ourselves re-enrolled.

A scan of the course offerings suggests we’re required to take Practical Perseverance II and Character Construction II. The syllabus doesn’t detail any test dates, but we’re told to expect them and to be ready. 

As promised in Scripture, which is the Professor’s required text, we’ll experience hope. Maybe develop a good bit of holiness, too.

Attentive and teachable students in SSU learn that suffering serves a useful purpose because God, the Master Engineer, works all things for his glory and our good.

A great job opportunity awaits those who persevere through the rigors of SSU.:

Head of Proclaiming Truth to Incoming Freshmen.

Questions to Ponder

1. Where are you on the road to SSU? 

2. If already enrolled or a worthy graduate, what have you learned?

What truth did the morning bring?

*Considering the immense hardships many are enduring in NC and, now , Florida, I'm reposting this devotion I wrote about 8 years ago during an intense period of hardship. SSU: Suffering State University is published in my devotional, What the Morning Brings: 52 Story-Style Devotions . This unique devotional is a collection of inspirational messages I've posted on Mary's Musings blog.

If you know anyone personally who could use a word of reassurance that God is present in their sufferings, please let me know. I'd love to send them a free copy of the book!

Thanks for reading!

If you were inspired by today's post and know others who would enjoy it, please share!

Find the devotional HERE.

My upcoming release, Fall for Me (Autumn in Wild Rose Ridge Series, book 3) is available in ebook and print here!  

For writing updates & perks & the warmth of community, subscribe to my author newsletter 

Until next time,

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened to … his incomparably great power for us who believe. [Ephesians 1:18-19]

A friend from the pacific Northwest conveyed concern.

ARE YOU READY FOR HURRICANE BERYL?

Um, hurricane?

I responded with nonchalance because one, that’s my default disposition, and two, our unfinished half bathroom.

Yes, after months of pondering myself into a frenzy, I was more focused on what color I wanted to paint the walls—something that would make Joanna Gaines envious. Settling on a soothing sage green, I believe I succeeded. 

We updated the light fixtures and added an arched mirror and wall art to create a rustic farm house look.

The first morning after the bathroom was completed … 

BAM!

Hurricane Beryl barreled throughout Houston and Kingwood and gave us a ferocious howdy handshake. The storm snapped trees of all heights and strengths. Limbs and leaves littered our roof and lawn.

We were without power for 10 days; others for quite a while longer.

I’d made an olympic sport out of feverish and repetitive checks on the website for updates on power recovery.

Will we recover power today, Lord?

Discomfort can lead to restlessness which can lead to fits of helplessness without the ability to push buttons and switches and remotes to make our world light up. 

The degree to which we rely on our devices, Wi-Fi, cell service, and appliances is astonishing and only realized when we’re stripped of it. 

Note: Without power, Blue Bell doesn’t stand a chance beyond a 24 hour period. 

But what we lost over the course of those long, agonizing days of darkness and heat was access to electricity to power the things we’d become dependent on.

Spiritually, we never lost power. Because of Jesus, the living, almighty God, we never will.

When we plug into him, the power of our unlimited, mighty God is always available to us.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you … Apart from me you can do nothing. [John 15:4, 5]

God imparted us with strength. But in his intelligent design, he put limits on it. Otherwise, we’d have no need of him.

I got this, Lord. I’m good. 

When we perpetually draw from our own strength, it serves like a battery which will reach an inevitable point of uselessness, destined for an ever-growing trash heap of double AAs. 

God’s power is unmatched. It was mightily exerted when God raised Jesus from the dead. [Ephesians 1:20] 

His power is sufficient to conquer the enemy that tempts us to rely on ourselves.

When we feel powerless or weak, it isn’t because God pulled the plug. We’ve refused to draw from his power.

When we acknowledge we’ve reached the inevitable dead end of our own strength, He is compassionate and welcomes us back with open arms.

Points to Ponder

✶ How readily do you draw from God’s strength in situations that feel unsurmountable?

✶ When have you experienced evidence of God’s strength at work in you?

✶ What hinders you from relying on God’s power?

Thanks for reading!

If you were inspired by today's post and know others who would enjoy it, please share!

My latest release, By Summer's End (Summer in Wild Rose Ridge Series) is here, ebook and print!

Next up, the fall book, Fall for Me, releases October 15th.

For updates & perks & a pre-order link, subscribe to my author newsletter

Until next time,

You have searched me and you know me … you are familiar with all my ways. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me to attain.

Psalm 139:1, 3, 5-6

My son just got married in North Carolina on June 7th (weighty pause as I absorb the reality that I’ve risen to mother-in-law status).

My daughter-in-law (another pause that I have one …) is a lovely, thoughtful soul who did not grow up in an intact family. Her family's interactions with one another are respectfully and pleasantly civil but very different from what I've always experienced—and come to expect from my family.

Case in point.

Though it required a lo-o-o-o-ng road trip or air fare for several of my siblings and a couple nieces to travel from Texas to the Atlantic coast of North Carolina, everyone who had the ability to attend the wedding did so. Those who weren't there had been praying over this big day since they got engaged, a vital act of love!

That's what we do. Because that's what the love of God does.

The evidence of love and support overwhelmed my daughter-in-law during the rehearsal dinner and reception. Like King David's conclusion about the love of God, it was "too wonderful" for her. A box of tissues would have been a nice addition to the table decor.

During a tender moment at the reception, my husband glanced around the table where we sat with my siblings and two dear friends of ours. Overwhelmed by the show of support, he tearfully expressed his gratitude.

A beat of silence followed.

One sister boldly and compassionately answered him with, “That’s what we do.”

Yes, that’s what love does. It travels far and wide and reflects the sacrificial love of Christ, overwhelming us with its eternal, boundlessness, and far-reaching nature.

God's love isn't deserved and can't be earned or revoked.

Such knowledge, when we receive it, is too wonderful for us, too lofty for us to attain.

How precious to me are your thoughts, God! Psalm 139:17

At the beginning of Psalm 139, a guilt-ridden King David is doing his level best to flee from God's presence but without success. But by the end of the Psalm, he comes to welcome and trust God's love and invites him to search his heart and to know him fully.

Because God's overwhelming love should motivate us look and act like his Bride, the Church he died to redeem.

Points to Ponder

✶ When have you been overwhelmed by the love of God?

✶ When have you been given an opportunity to exhibit God's love to another and what was the result?

✶How readily do you welcome God's probing presence in your life?

Thanks for reading!

If you were inspired by today's post and know others who would enjoy it, please share!

My latest release, By Summer's End (Summer in Wild Rose Ridge Series) is here, ebook and print!

Until next time,

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

“Is it time yet?”

Sound familiar? We've heard it from restless children who start the persistent inquiry as soon as we’ve pulled out of the driveway—miles and days ahead of the intended destination.

We've asked it of others, and we've asked it of God.

I have a prison pen pal who has frequently asked God to bring about the time of his release. I’ve joined him in that request. “Lord, when will you free him to return to his family?”

And because God said it’s time for my husband and I to return to our family, we're preparing to leave western North Carolina to move back to the Great State.

With this transition ahead of us, the Lord has held my attention on Ecclesiastes 3 that contains all the infamous “times”, such as:

A time to be born and a time to die, A time to plant and a time to uproot ...

A time to weep and a time to laugh. (vs 2, 4)

We are currently engulfed by boxes, packing paper, unwanted furniture, and donation piles, which means there’s a time to keep and a time to throw away. (vs 6)

There’s so much tension between these two opposing times in our lives, isn’t there?

I find myself looking ahead to the positive side of these poignant time pairings, wondering when I’ll get to the easier-to-bear stuff like healing, building, laughing, dancing, mending.

Peace.

But when we're focused on the destination rather than the journey, it prolongs the difficulty of waiting for the reward on the other side of it, and we miss the fullness of and purpose for the time we're currently in.

No matter what time God has us in right now—whether it’s a joyful, frightening, or downright difficult—we can hold fast to the promise that he’s made everything beautiful in its time (vs 11) He calls us to create lasting beauty where we are and to seek his face in every season and in the move from one “time” to the next.

Points to Ponder

✶ Based on Ecclesiastes 3, what season of time are you currently in?

✶ When has God made it clear that it was time for you to move from one season to the next season?

✶What did the transition cost you and what did you learn from it??

Thanks for reading!

If you were inspired by today's post and know others who would enjoy it, please share!

Latest release, When You Smile for Me, Book 3 in The Heart of Moreland Manor Series.

A military romance with a thread of mystery.

What if a woman rescues the man she's hired to keep her safe?

Available in ebook, print, and Kindle Unlimited here.

Exclusive cover reveal: By Summer's End, book 3 in the Wild Rose Ridge Summer Series will release May 28!

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✏️What the Morning Brings: 52 Inspirational Story-Style Devotions (Gardenia Press)

Perfect for those who want a breezy, soul-stirring message to jump start their day.

Until next time,