Be Not Conformed~ Devotional ~ Sara Foust ~

Be Not Conformed

a Devotional by Sara Foust

“And be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

~Romans 12:2 (KJV)

I discovered this verse for the first time a little over six years ago when I was going through an extremely difficult time in my marriage. It brought me such comfort at the time. I am a bit of an overthinker, and my mind was revolving over and over the problems I was facing. Worrying, wondering, wallowing on repeat. When I read this verse, it was clear to me that the only way to stop my mind from obsessively hyper-analyzing, overplanning, and causing severe stress was to submerge myself in the presence of God. That in order to find rest, renewal, and light again, I needed to discover God’s will for me and follow it, without question, with a full level of faith. I was able to take a deep breath, close my eyes, and repeat—rather than the worries and confusion—God is capable of renewing my mind, rerouting my thoughts, and reorganizing my concerns.

I rediscovered this verse in the last few months when I, again, decided to take up the burden of fixing all my problems myself regarding my marriage. God brought this verse to me in a random moment, I don’t even remember what I was doing at the time, but He encouraged me to focus on the calm serenity inside His will for me that always allows my mind to refresh and renew. It’s easy for me to plan, organize, and plan some more. What isn’t easy is to let go of control. I’ve been working on this (and when I say working, I mean working with sweat, tears, and the constant need to be acutely aware of my thoughts and behavior) for the last few weeks. 

I’m practicing intentional relaxation techniques, the most important of which includes talking to God, telling Him my fears and worries, and then releasing them to Him and not magnifying them and revolving them over and over. It’s a practice I’m not very good at yet, but I can already see the benefits. I am sleeping better. I am waking better. I am spending my days in a more relaxed and less anxious state. After all, I trust Him completely to guide my steps and to take good care of my mind, body, and soul, so why should I create unnecessary stress? God’s got me, guiding me toward His good, acceptable, and perfect plan, giving me rest in body and mind, and renewing my faith day by day. For that, I am thankful.

About 'Of Walls':

 A struggling marriage and a mission trip to the other side of the world. What will Julie’s future hold? 

Julie Johnson's life as a mom and homemaker is richly blessed, but her marriage is struggling. Years of busyness, exhaustion, and hurt have taken their toll on her emotional and spiritual life, building impenetrable walls around her heart. When she feels God calling her to a mission trip on the other side of the world, Julie puts her faith in Him and leaves her family for ten long days. What she learns about herself, her marriage, and her faith will change her life forever.

  

Purchase Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JN368FF

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sara_L_Foust_Of_Walls?id=eiB0DwAAQBAJ

Kobo, Apple Ibooks, Tolino, and Nook: https://www.books2read.com/u/b5r8QG

About Sara:

Sara is a multi-published, award-winning author and homeschooling mother of five who writes surrounded by the beauty of East Tennessee. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). She is the author of the Love, Hope, and Faith Series, which includes Callum's Compass (2017), Camp Hope (2018), and Rarity Mountain (March 2019).  She also has a story, “Leap of Faith,” in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone. Sara finds inspiration in her faith, her family, and the beauty of nature. When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading, camping, and spending time outdoors with her family. To learn more about her and her work or to become a part of her email friend’s group, please visit www.saralfoust.com.

Where to find Sara:

• Website: www.saralfoust.com
• Newsletter sign up: http://eepurl.com/cfqP5H
• Email: sfoust25@hotmail.com
• Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/SaraLFoust/
• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Sfoust25
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sfoust25/
• Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+SaraFoustSaraLFoust
• Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/saralfoust

5 Things I’ve Learned ~ Sara L. Faust

5 Things I’ve Learned From My Debut Novel Release

by Sara L. Foust

My debut novel, Callum’s Compass, released in November 2017. In the five months since its release, I can honestly say I’ve learned a lot! Here are my top five most important lessons learned:

1.     Being an author is all about the readers. Forging relationships and being a “real” human is the best part about this whole venture. I love when readers contact me and tell me their thoughts on the book or simply tell me about their day. I’m a “people-person” and value these new relationships highly!

2.     Marketing is a lot of work! Everyone who told me that before I was published was not lying. It is a daily, nonstop part of being an author. It’s a good thing I enjoy the marketing too.

3.     I will never, ever be done learning about the craft of writing fiction. And I love learning. I really do. I’ve discovered that I’m not just passionate about the writing, I’m passionate about the learning too.

4.     I want to help other authors. I know I’m not a “big name” in fiction. But one of my biggest hopes is that I can help other newbie authors, who may be on the verge of giving up, find the perseverance and confidence to continue. If I can do it, so can they!

5.     My career path is all in the hands of the One who made the moon and stars. Okay, so it would’ve been nice if my first novel rocketed to the top and was already turned into a movie and a number one bestseller and everyone had it on their shelves. But the reality is, I’m still new even though I have a book out there, and I must continue to work at the level and pace He has planned for me. I trust that He will take me where I need to be, and who knows, maybe that will be the New York Times Bestseller List someday. But for now, I’m content knowing I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.

I truly am enjoying this journey, and I am so thankful that God has made my dreams become reality. I plan to continue to learn as much as I can each and every day and use that knowledge to become the best author I can be.

About Collum's Compass

KAT WILLIAMS’S brother died in a gruesome accident in the mountains of East Tennessee. She blames herself.

RYAN JENKINS’S fiancée was murdered. He couldn’t protect her.

With the death of her brother, Kat believes she is unworthy of love from anyone—even God. When a good friend elicits a promise that she will stop living in the past and then leaves her clues to a real-life treasure hunt, Kat embarks on an adventure chock-full of danger. To find the treasure, Kat will have to survive wild animals—and even wilder men. Can she rely on Ryan, the handsome wildlife officer assigned to protect her . . . without falling in love?

Ryan swore off love when his fiancée was murdered, but feelings long-buried rise to the surface around Kat. He volunteers to help with her treasure hunt, vowing to keep her safe. Together they venture deep into caves and tunnels . . . and even deeper into the depths of their unplumbed hearts.

Buy Links:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076B9PBZL

About Sara:

Sara writes Inspirational Romantic Suspense from a mini-farm in East Tennessee, where she lives with her husband and their five homeschooled children. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Tennessee Mountain Writers. Her debut novel Callum's Compass won second place in Deep River Books' 2017 Writer's Contest. She also has a story, “Leap of Faith,” in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone. Sara finds inspiration in her faith, her family, and the beauty of nature. When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading, camping, and spending time outdoors with her family. To learn more about her and her work or to become a part of her email friend’s group, please visit www.saralfoust.com. 

Where to find Sara:

·       Website: www.saralfoust.com

·       Newsletter sign up: http://eepurl.com/cfqP5H

·       Email: sfoust25@hotmail.com

·       Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/SaraLFoust/

·       Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Sfoust25

·       Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sfoust25/

·       Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+SaraFoustSaraLFoust

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sfoust25

·       Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/saralfoust

The Love of God Never Ceases

Peg here: (This post was originally scheduled to post yesterday, Oct 9, but we didn't have the preorder link yet.)

Today's guest, Sara Foust, shares a combination of a lovely devotional, and information about her upcoming book release, Callumn's Compass. So sit back with your favorite hot beverage on this cool October day, and enjoy.

God’s Everlasting Love

by Sara L. Foust

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, [saying], Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3 [KJV] 

We all have pasts. Good memories and bad. Things we have done we are proud of. Others we are ashamed of. Those are the ones I find that keep me awake sometimes at night. The memories of my shortcomings before I came to know God. And, though I know He has forgiven me, sometimes when I am weak I wonder, “Have I truly forgiven myself?” Jeremiah 31:3 reminds us that not only does God love us with a kind of everlasting love we can’t completely comprehend, He created us, drew the plans for each of us, with a lovingkindness that required forethought. He knows the ins and outs of me, good and bad, and chooses to love me anyway. No part of me is random.

My first novel, Callum’s Compass, is available for eBook preorder today! (See below) It is fiction, but I hope its truths speak to my readers.

My heroine, Kat, and my hero, Ryan, both have past events they are ashamed of. Ones that keep them rooted to a moment in time which leaves them filled with guilt. It is my hope that readers will see the journey they both take from broken and guilt-filled to finding freedom and forgiveness in God. That their stories will speak to someone who is still dealing with regret, guilt, or fear and help them realize that God loves us, from the moment He thinks to create us, with an unexplainable, unending, perfect love. 

 About the book:

Author:          Sara L. Foust

Title:               Callum’s Compass

Publisher:      Mantle Rock Publishing

KAT WILLIAMS’ brother died in a gruesome accident in the mountains of East Tennessee. She blames herself.

RYAN JENKINS’ fiancée was murdered. He couldn’t protect her.

With the death of her brother, Kat believes she is unworthy of love from anyone—even God. When a good friend elicits a promise that she will stop living in the past and then leaves her clues to a real-life treasure hunt, Kat embarks on an adventure chock-full of danger. To find the treasure, Kat will have to survive wild animals—and even wilder men. Can she rely on Ryan, the handsome wildlife officer assigned to protect her ... without falling in love?

Ryan swore off love when his fiancée was murdered, but feelings long-buried rise to the surface around Kat. He volunteers to help with her treasure hunt, vowing to keep her safe. Together they venture deep into caves and tunnels … and even deeper into the depths of their unplumbed hearts.

NOTE: Callum's Compass is available for preorder as of today—October 11, 2017—for $2.99 (price goes up to $3.99 on November 7th at the official release). Just click on the link: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076B9PBZL

About the Author:

Sara writes Inspirational Romantic Suspense from a mini-farm in East Tennessee, where she lives with her husband and their five homeschooled children. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Tennessee Mountain Writers. Her debut novel Callum's Compass won second place in Deep River Books' 2017 Writer's Contest. Sara finds inspiration in her faith, her family, and the beauty of nature. When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading, camping, and spending time outdoors with her family. To learn more about her and her work or to become a part of her email friend’s group, please visit www.saralfoust.com. 

How to reach Sara:

·       Website: www.saralfoust.com

·       Email: sfoust25@hotmail.com

·       Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/SaraLFoust/

·       Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Sfoust25

·       Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sfoust25/

·       Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+SaraFoustSaraLFoust