On Next Week's Episode About Healing, Spring in Florida on Film, & DIY Eastertide Crafts
definition of "Eastertide" below
Writing with Jesus is a reader-supported publication where laughter is found, tears are shed, and faith is made steadfast. Writings on wrestling with God, motherhood, and some comedy to lighten the mood.
🚨QUICK EASTER ANNOUNCEMENT!
All new Paid Subscribers (including existing ones) have access to a downloadable e-book, “A Therapist & You Through the Passion: A Two-Week Bible Study Devotional Activity Workbook”, I created (in addition to the regular Annual Subscriber benefits. Click button below for details).
AND from now until Easter Sunday (April 20th), the Annual Paid Subscription will be 40% off. So, instead of $50 USD for the year, it will only be $30 USD (that’s about $2.50/month!).
What to expect in this post:
-Updates on writing about miraculous healing
-Spring in Florida on film (baby ducklings included)
-Spring inspired DIY crafts for you, your family, and friends!
Hi Substack friends,
This past week I posted this Substack note about sharing some miracle healing stories:
The Lord has been nagging me lately to share more of the miracles He has performed in my life, specifically that of miraculous healings (chronic pain from an injury, internal bleeding, cancer, etc.)
So much so it’s been keeping me up at night.
My Spirit rejoices and says, “Yes! Finally! I’ve been wondering when He will tell me to write these down and share them with the world!”
My flesh says, “The last time I shared a miracle story of Him healing my body I lost more subscribers in the span of a few days than ever before. Dozens gone, just like that.”
My Spirit says, “SO? We are here to glorify JESUS. To make Him KNOWN. To spread the Gospel! Nothing else is more important than that. We are called to share our testimonies and help make new followers of Jesus.”
My flesh says, “I hate the rude comments and messages from fellow Christians telling me this is prosperity gospel teaching, that it’s harmful to share these stories. Or worse, they think I’m somehow lying. I hate that some Christians would rather argue with me why they should stay in pain and bondage than have faith that God might heal them.”
My Spirit says, “I would rather get to Heaven and Jesus tell me I talked about Him too much, shared too much about His grace, His authority, His sovereignty, than look the Lord in the eyes as He asks me why I didn’t talk about Him enough, or worse, I didn’t share His mighty works at all.”
This is the wrestle in real time, Substack friends. Going to start prayerfully working on the post.
My flesh will brace itself for the inevitable backlash from angry (hurt) Christians. My Spirit will rejoice that God has helped us overcome the fear of man, that Jesus has given me these stories to share, that He has revealed Himself to me at all.
I am overwhelmed with all the kind and encouraging comments and messages I received, and even some individuals already sharing their own miraculous healing testimonies! Praise Jesus. It’s giving Thessalonians 5:111 and for that I am grateful. I am still working on responding to everyone, so if you are one of those people, thank you so much for your patience.
I am continuing to prayerfully write the post and hope to publish it next week. I feel the joy of the Lord to share these stories, while I also feel the wounded hearts of those who might read a story of miracles and feel anything but joy while they presently stand in the midst of their own affliction or a loved one’s.
With that said, I am praying for the Spirit to guide my typing fingers. To write such a story feels like a heavy stewardship. How to rejoice and praise the One who heals, to make Him known to the world and unbelievers as the one and only true and living God, while also stewarding the space where many are tired of being told to have more faith, where prayers feel exhausted, where God’s will seems confusing, and lament has become the language of life. If any of that resonates with you, feel free to read this liturgy I wrote a while back: A Liturgy for Unanswered Prayers.
I am confident that the Spirit guides us in all things, that the Lord still desires to be glorified no matter the condition of our heart, that He works in mysterious ways. I am confident for some that healing and deliverance are still around the corner and for others, the thorn in their side might be the tether taking them through wisdom and sanctification, or driving them on the road to salvation, or a spiritual warfare battle not yet won, or be for some other reason entirely. His ways are indeed higher than ours.2 Who can know for sure.
In the meantime, I ask you to pray for me friends, as I pray for you. Thank you for edifying me. May the Lord bless you and keep you. Oh, and until next time, feel free to enjoy these snippets of spring in Florida on film and some DIY craft projects for you, your family, and friends.
(And some photos from the camera roll because they are just too good to not include: a true wildflower bouquet, blooming tulips, and the baby ducklings just one more time because I mean c’mon…)
DIY Eastertide Crafts:
Eas·ter·tide [ˈēstərˌtīd] noun: the Easter period
"She painted eggshells at Eastertide"
Similar: springtime, springtide
Side note: This is just what I had laying around my craft dresser. I was craving stickers instead of cutting out these little butterflies, but alas, we were working with what we’ve got. So, feel free to use whatever you have too, and I hope this helps with inspiration to celebrate spring!
Ingredients…No, that’s not right. What’s the word? Darn it, mom brain…I mean, Supplies:
-Ribbon
-Paper doilies
-A pocket 2024 butterfly calendar
-Old scrapbook paper/magazines
-Paperback book of Bible verses
-packaging tape or a laminator if you’ve got one
-Scissors, glue, hole puncher
Supplies:
-Gold double glass frame for pressed flowers
-Nontoxic paint
-Real pressed flowers OR pressed flower stickers
-The patience only the Holy Spirit can give if doing this with a fussy teething baby
Special shout out to
for putting this craft together and for making sweet young mama memories.
Supplies:
-Downloadable e-book, “A Therapist & You Through the Passion: A Two-Week Bible Study Devotional Activity Workbook” available to all paid subscribers! (Annual Subscription 40% off until Easter Sunday, 4/20!)
-Art mediums of your choice. For me that’s black ball point pen and markers!
See you next time, Substack friends!
Katie Donohue Tona
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“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up”
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55: 8-9
Love everything about this and romanticising the springtime! 💐 Glad to be making memories with our babies together ❤️