Journal Jots – Blog

Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless.

Cultivate God-confidence.

–1^st. Corinthians 10:12, Message Bible

You know, there was a time when I would NOT go anywhere — not even the mailbox — without lipstick and fixing my hair. I am now four months away from turning 65 and all I have to say is:

What a monumental waste of time!!

A waste of time to put my confidence in things like pretty clothes, a stylish haircut, or how many books I sell. Oh, don’t get me wrong — those things are nice and feel good for the moment, but they focus on self, and focusing on self is never the way to true confidence.

That is only one of the many invaluable lessons I learned during my 8-month sabbatical, and a lesson God used to set me free from a lie all of us believe all too readily.

That “self”-confidence = happiness.

Please understand me — I’m not against self-confidence. We all need it in a world where we have to stand up against trials, challenges, etc. But the truth is real “confidence” — the kind that keeps us steady and strong through adversity — doesn’t come from self. It comes from the God Whose strength thrives and grows in the midst of our weaknesses and inabilities.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

 — 2nd Corinthians 12:9

Isn’t it just like God to counter our “self-confidence” with a statement that true power and strength can only come when we are weak? Ever wonder why He did it that way? Sure, we all know it’s because He wants us to focus on Him and trust Him in all things, but I also believe He wants us to understand that all those things we DO put our trust and confidence in — appearances, money, success, and even family or a good marriage — only encumber us with false hope and trust in things that can never fully provide the joy and peace we seek.

After almost sixty-five long years, it took me laying many of those things down (although a more accurate statement would be “it took God prying my fingers open to make me let go of those things!”) before I realized that true confidence does not come from anything to do with me AT ALL, but in trusting God for His strength and power to become the woman, Christian, wife, mother, friend, sister, author He wants me to be.

A liberated one.

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

— John 8:32

And that “truth” is, that the only confidence that will buoy you up and keep you afloat is “God-confidence.” To know deep down to the core of your being that in the midst of anything, be it trial or blessing, He loves us and wants to bless us abundantly, exceedingly more than we hope, think, or pray. So the next time you’re in a position that needs confidence, toss the “self” away and go for God’s confidence instead.

Hugs and Happy Weekend!

Julie

MEGA HUGS TO ALL OF YOU WHO CAME TO THE “TIME FOR TEA & ROMANCE” TEA PARTY THIS WEEK. I thought I’d show you the two fun pix my talented hubby made for me for the tea party, which made it all the more fun!

I had a blast, so I hope you did too. I wish everyone could have won, but the winner of the Heart of San Fran trilogy, Ghiradelli chocolates, and a Starbucks gift card was Susan Stitch. SUPER CONGRATS, SUSAN!

ONLY A FEW MORE DAYS LEFT !!

The June sale for the Heart of San Francisco series is almost up, so don’t miss out on these low, LOW prices!

LOVE AT ANY COST — $1.59 to $1.99
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1EVOshW
B&N: http://bit.ly/1RJrWSP
CBD: http://bit.ly/1vBWtoZ

DARE TO LOVE AGAIN — $5.59 to $6.99
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1HKsDE8
B&N: http://bit.ly/1cNpbZa
CBD: http://bit.ly/1FTrewY

SURPRISED BY LOVE — $4.99 to $6.99
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1EVOshW
B&N: http://bit.ly/1xuqA5I
CBD: http://bit.ly/1Ftyk7U

Thank God for Fathers …

Especially our Heavenly One!

Obedience = Blessing. This was something I learned from my father … but, uh, not my earthly one.

You see, my earthly father kicked me out of the house when I was 21 and I was bitter … until I became a Christian at 23. God’s first directive? Love your father. “But I can’t,” I argued, “he physically and emotionally abused me, and I hate him.” “Love him,” came God’s response. Groan. “But how?” I whined, “when I don’t feel any love for him?” “Just do it, Julie,” God persisted, “and I’ll put the feeling there.”

All righty then. So I did the only thing I knew to do—I repented of my bitterness and prayed for my widowed father diligently. And then I put feet to those prayers by taking homemade beef stew (his favorite) once a week and watching TV for an entire evening without talking except for commercials. When I left each night, I would hug him and tell him I loved him, but he would never say he loved me nor hug me back. 

Repentance-Prayer-Action. I was relentless … until lo and behold, I found myself looking forward to our evenings even if it meant watching The Untouchables in total silence. A word here, a smile there, and pretty soon the “untouchable” became touchable. “Good night, Daddy, I love you,” I said months later with my usual hug. “Good night, Julie,” he whispered, his arms slow and awkward as they inched around to hug me back. “I love you too.”

Obedience = Blessing. One lesson. Two fathers. Infinite blessings.

Hugs and Happy Father’s Day!

Julie

TUES., 6/23/15, 6-9:30 EDT–TIME FOR TEA & ROMANCE!!

Join me, Carrie Turansky, Melissa Jagears – Author, MaryLu Tyndall, Tamera Alexander, Gina Marie Welborn, and Carrie Fancett Pagels for a TIME FOR TEA & ROMANCE tea party, where you can chat with each of us on Facebook and win WONDERFUL prizes from each of the authors in addition to a grand prize. My giveaway is signed copies of my Heart of San Francisco trilogy, a cable car tin of Ghiradelli chocolates, and a $10 Starbucks gift card, and that’s just my prize — each of the authors have their own PLUS a grand prize of a beautiful Tea for Two Set with teacups and saucers, table cloth, tea, chocolate, and scone mix.  

NOTE: THIS IS A PRIVATE PARTY, SO TO BE INVITED, SIMPLY GO TO MY FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE AT JULIE LESSMAN’S FACEBOOK PAGE OR ANY OF THE FOLLOWING AUTHORS’ FACEBOOK PAGES AT THE LINKS GIVEN ABOVE AND REQUEST AN INVITE, AND WE’LL SEND YOU ONE, OKAY? HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

NEW RELEASE!!!

Grace Like Rain, a novella about Blake “The Rake McClare” from the Heart of San Francisco series is available NOW in the WITH THIS KISS HISTORICAL COLLECTION, which includes novellas by award-winning authors Mary Connealy, Pam Hillman, Cara Lynn James, Julie Lessman, and Ruth Logan Herne for ONLY $2.99, so here’s the link!

WITH THIS KISS HISTORICAL COLLECTION

ON SALE!!

A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW IS ON SALE ON KINDLE FOR ONLY $1.99! My Irish love story, A Light in the Window—winner of three awards—is over 80% off right now, so please take advantage! Here’s the video my hubby did for A Light in the Window with my daughter as the model for both the book and video, so take a peek. ALITW Video.

SALES ON THE FINAL BOOKS IN O’CONNOR FAMILY SAGA!! HUGE savings on A Heart Revealed & A Love Surrendered, so check them out!!

Let it go …

— Kristen Anderson-Lopez and

Robert Lopez, from the movie Frozen

Well, we did it — we let it all go — the house we lived in for the last 18 years and the nearly 40 years of accumulation that came with it.

And, gosh, does it feel good! Tired, but good. 🙂

For the second time in a row, please forgive me for not posting my Journal Jot last Friday, but I’ve been a weeee bit busy with closings. Closing on our house in St. Louis, closing on our townhome at the Lake, and closing the door to a wonderful era in our lives.

But, oh, the new doors that are opening!!!

We feel SO much lighter (not weight-wise, trust me, because other than packing and moving boxes, exercise has gone by the wayside), but priority wise. Once we get truly settled, I hope to dive back into writing with a vengeance, so I will keep you posted on my progress right here on Journal Jots.

Sooo … since there are still boxes to unpack and weekend guests to entertain, I’m going to make this short and sweet with a few announcements and pix. Thanks for your patience with me these last few weeks, and I sure look forward to getting back to normal … whatever that is! 🙂

Hugs and Happy Weekend!

Julie

WINNER OF MY GIVEAWAY IN THE NORFOLK CHRISTIAN FICTION EXAMINER: Thank you to all of you who came by to leave a comment on my interview at the Norfolk Christian Fiction Examiner website, and the WINNER of my comment drawing to win a free ecopy of any of my novellas is:

PAM K

Super congrats to Pam and mega thanks to everyone who participated.

TUES., 6/23/15, 6-9:30 EDT–TIME FOR TEA & ROMANCE!!

Join me, Carrie Turansky, Melissa Jagears – Author, MaryLu Tyndall, Tamera Alexander, Gina Marie Welborn, and Carrie Fancett Pagels for a TIME FOR TEA & ROMANCE tea party, where you can chat with each of us on Facebook and win WONDERFUL prizes from each of the authors in addition to a grand prize. My giveaway is signed copies of my Heart of San Francisco trilogy, a cable car tin of Ghiradelli chocolates, and a $10 Starbucks gift card, and that’s just my grand prize — each of the authors have their own. So check it out here, and be sure to put the date on your calendar. Here’s the link, and hope to see you there!! 

CLICK HERE FOR “TIME FOR TEA & ROMANCE” GIVEAWAYS

AND SPEAKING OF THE HEART OF SAN FRAN SERIES … if you haven’t had the chance to read about the fun and quirky McClares of San Francisco, including their deaf and near-blind lovable butler, crotchety housekeeper, and sarcastic parrot, you are missing out on a whole LOT of fun! Normally $9.99 each, these ebooks are on MEGA SALE in June only for $1.99 for LAAC, $6.00 or lower for DTLA, and $4.99 or lower for SBL, so if you are interested, now’s the time to check them out.

Love at Any Cost —– $1.99                        
Dare to Love Again — $6.99              
Surprised by Love —- $6.99