I’m pleased to welcome Heidi Glick to the blog this week.
Heidi has a B.A. in biology from Cedarville University, a Master of Technical Communication from Utah State University, and a passion for writing Christian fiction. Additionally, she is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Faith, Hope, and Love Christian Writers and has written two articles for Intercom. Before becoming a suspense writer, Heidi taught science to middle and high school students and edited science documents. Heidi resides in rural Northwest Ohio with her husband, two children, and six pets.
Heidi has a devotional to share with us!
Modern Idols
I remember watching a Christian cartoon show with my kids years ago and thinking how sad the Israelites kept turning away from God. The Israelites would repent and maybe even follow God for a generation or two, but eventually, they turned back to their idols. The more time has passed, the more I have realized that idolatry isn’t just an Old Testament problem. Idols don’t have to be graven images. Even good things can be idols. They can be anything upon which we are dependent, and ultimately, no man can serve two masters.
If God has created us to worship Him, then an idol is something that we worship instead. In the Old Testament, people worshipped graven images. Throughout history, various cultures have worshipped things like nature (sun, moon, stars, animals) instead of God. In our modern society, there are still cultures who worship graven images and nature.
When we view idols as merely carvings or stone statues, we can easily convince ourselves we are not in danger of committing idolatry. We think, I don’t have any graven images in my house. I pray to God. But an idol can be anything that takes up time more than God. Some people are workaholics; they worship money or success. We can give more attention to our hobbies than to God. We can make watching sports or attending games more important than Him.
But sometimes idols can be harder to spot. Even good things can be idols. We can make people pleasing an idol. Putting time and energy into pleasing a parent, or spouse, or child, or friend might be more important to us than God. When we are letting our worth depend on what someone else thinks, then we have made that person an idol. Even volunteer service at church can become more important to us than time spent cultivating our relationship with God. He wants us to depend on Him and spend time with Him in prayer and reading His Word.
Idols can be anything on which we are dependent. People can develop addictions to food, drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, or pornography. With the advent of modern technology, we can become addicted to the Internet, social media, video games, and our electronic devices. When we rely on something more than God, it has become an idol.
Matthew 6:24 states, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” We can worship God or an idol. We can spend time with God or an idol. We can depend on God or an idol. We can’t do both. Ultimately, we have to decide.
The good news is that God provides repentance through Jesus Christ and His death on the Christ. We can turn away from our idols, ask for forgiveness, and turn back toward God. He is quick to forgive and welcomes us back with open arms.
Heidi has a new book coming out next month.
Carlotta Hartman’s life is falling apart.
Although Carlotta desperately wants a child, her journalist husband just wishes their marriage would go back to the way things used to be before infertility treatments took over their schedule. While volunteering at an animal shelter to fill the void, Carlotta stumbles upon dead animals and a human body. Days later, Jake confesses to an affair with a co-worker. Hurt and confused, Carlotta moves in with her sister.
And then things go from bad to perilous.
As Jake receives counsel from a pastor, he pledges to woo Carlotta again and piece together their shattered marriage. But as Carlotta rushes out of Jake’s arms, she runs straight into danger. Like the articles Jake writes and holds for release, a psychopath, bent on revenge, vows to hang onto Carlotta until the time is right.
In the end, a secret from the past threatens to kill all hopes of a happy future.
The ebook is available for preorder from Amazon and Pelican Book Group. The ebook releases June 9th. The paperback releases July 31st.
You can find more about Heidi at the following links.
http://www.facebook.com/authorheidiglick
https://www.pinterest.com/sheglick/
Here’s my review:
Hold for Release jumps right into action and never stops. Heidi Glick doesn’t shy away from writing about difficult topics. Carlotta and Jake Hartman deal with infertility, infidelity, and are moving toward divorce. Through it all, the story kept me guessing who was behind all the sinister acts which kept happening in Carlotta and Jake’s circle. I thought I had the mystery figured out, but the twists and turns along the way told me I was wrong more than once. God’s love and forgiveness weave throughout the story, and the secondary characters provide depth. Fans of Christian suspense will want to check this one out.
Karen
I am happy to hear your son is home from college and your family is doing well. Thank you for Heidi sharing her devotional as it is so true. I enjoyed reading it. I will have to check out Heidi’s new upcoming book as it sounds like an interesting read.
I pray for God to give you and Heidi guidance in your writings about Christ and be filled with just what you need.
Thank you for the difference your inspiring devotions and writings make in my life. I am so grateful.
Have a blessed week.
Thank you so much for your kind words. God has been faithful through so much and He always gives us exactly what we need. May He richly bless you.
I cannot thank you, Karen and Heidi for not shying away from sharing your Christian values through your books! I love my Christian authors, even if they are new to me and I haven’t read one of their books, yet. Please keep up the good work!
I cannot thank you enough, Karen and Heidi for sharing your Christian values in your books. I love my Christian authors, even if they’re new to me and I haven’t had a chance to read their books yet.
I too am grateful for Christian authors. My life has been made richer through all the words I have read. Thank you for your kind comment.
Wonderful post. Filled with truth. Your book sounds great!
I loved this post with its original twist on such a deep topic. Your perspective is fresh and contemporary, yet your message is universal. Thank you for sharing your point of view, I found this very enlightening. Best wishes for success with your newest book!