2026: A Year for Divine Connections

“I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding…” (Jeremiah 3:15)

I look back at the past year, and on my life’s journey, and see there truly are no coincidences in God’s world. Yes, life is strewn with potholes and even death-defying cliffs but it is also full of glorious mountaintops if we stay focused on the path ahead, one step at a time. And if we have a partner who is walking that road with us, or better yet, guiding us, it’s all the more enjoyable and rewarding. Yes, Jesus is our shepherd…but for me (and I’m sure for you too) He often speaks through human hearts here on earth.

An Answer to Prayer

I have been blessed to become partners in a new film production company, Word Alive Films, with the amazing actress Catherine Lidstone who plays Mary of Bethany in “The Chosen” TV and movie series. Not only will Catherine star in our first movie, The Jealous Son, a modern murder mystery based on my novel that re-imagines the story of Cain and Abel, she will lead the production team. I prayed hard, back when I parted ways with a wolf in sheep’s clothing, that she would help me turn my novel into a movie.

But We Are Only Human

I have met wolves in sheep’s clothing…not once but a few times…because I wasn’t discerning enough. Or perhaps, I was meant to meet them as a test of my steadfastness to my purpose given to me by God. It does make success all the sweeter by paying a hefty price. But perhaps our decisions…hasty in my case, without slowing down to listen to God and do my due diligence…bring these consequences. Whatever the case, I encourage you to avoid my mistakes by always slowing down, praying and discerning whether someone is sent from God to show you the way…before you follow them. People are people and not all are after God’s heart. But it’s how we get up when we fall, dust ourselves off, and learn from our mistakes that truly matters in the end.

Be Open to the Teacher

The disciples on the road to Emmaus following Christ’s Ascension into Heaven after his Ressurection were met by Jesus reincarnate as they walked, yet didn’t realize it was Him until he broke bread with them later at their house. Sometimes we don’t see people right in front of us bearing the message or a helping hand or guidance. We need to be able to take off our blinders…of doubt, worry, and self-centeredness to truly see Jesus in others.

Do Greater Things

Not only is Catherine stepping forward in faith with me on this story, but with all five of my novels. I truly believe she was a divine connection, the first of many I hope on this new journey! It’s a scary and exciting road ahead, but I always believe that’s the case when I’m about to embark on a new God-ordained project. I also believe as long as our mission to make contemporary biblical suspense films is God’s will and purpose for us, Jesus will continue to show us the way. After all it was He who told us we would do “greater things” than He when He was about to leave this earth.

Dear Lord, please help us to be open to, and to make, divine connections in order to fulfill our ministry, mission and purpose here on earth for Your Glory, Amen.