NEED MORE WORDS

Reflections on National Novel Writing Month

2011-12-01T12:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, November 30, NaNoWriMo wrapped up for another year. I again joined the almost 300,000 people from all over this globe, setting aside life for thirty days to challenge mind, body and spirit to a task that sounds doable at the beginning of the month. A task that takes guts, especially if you broadcast to family, friends and co-workers that you have jumped into the pool.

I hugely admire those who have full time jobs, children, marriages, volunteer jobs, and/or health issues. How have they accomplished this monumental task: by stealing hours from sleep, using lunch hours, writing while the kids are at their sporting events, dictating into a recorder while driving. I’m sure this list could be pages long, they used whatever moment they could because they had something to prove to others, maybe to themselves or perhaps there was a story in their heart that had to be put on paper. The reasons for writing a 50,000 word novel are as varied as the individuals doing the writing.

I became a NaNo winner for the fourth year in a row.

I now have four partially finished novels, one with a word count of over 83,000 words. What I have learned and how my writing has grown is the prize I focus on in this moment.

Philippians 3:12-14 in the Message translation says it so wonderfully.
I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

After this, my fourth NaNo, I will say:

I am well on my way.
I do not count myself an expert in all of this
I’ve got my eye on the goal
I’m off and running
I’m not turning back

Not a bad vision to have in front of me as I set my goal to finish the novel I am presently working on. I don’t have a title for it but I do have the chapter titles, they are taken from Ecclesiastes 3.

There is a time for everything, and everything on earth has its special season.
There is a time to be born
and a time to die.
There is a time to plant
and a time to pull up plants.
There is a time to kill
and a time to heal.
There is a time to destroy
and a time to build.
There is a time to cry
and a time to laugh.
There is a time to be sad
and a time to dance.
There is a time to throw away stones
and a time to gather them.
There is a time to hug
and a time not to hug.
There is a time to look for something
and a time to stop looking for it.
There is a time to keep things
and a time to throw things away.
There is a time to tear apart
and a time to sew together.
There is a time to be silent
and a time to speak.
There is a time to love
and a time to hate.
There is a time for war
and a time for peace.

So with the month of November behind me but much writing ahead how am I feeling today? Tired, discouraged, frantic, disappointed. Most of all fearful that I will once again end up with a partially finished novel; I count that as failure. I know that some novels don’t deserve to be finished, however, unless I am able to write The End, even to a lousy, stinking piece of garbage how will I know that I can do this. God has called and whom He calls, He equips, so it is not God’s failure but mine if I don’t press through. He gives me an answer.

Ecclesiastes 3:9-13 Contemporary English Version

What do we gain by all our hard work? I have seen what difficult things God demands of us. God makes everything happen at the right time. Yet none of us can ever fully understand all he has done, and he puts questions in our minds about the past and the future. I know the best thing we can do is to always enjoy life, because God’s gift to us is the happiness we get from our food and drink and from the work we do.

He doesn’t promise it will be easy. Contentment waits for me at The End.

Now with Christmas twenty-five days away my focus shifts to the holidays, decorating the house, sending cards, cooking, shopping, wrapping, cleaning, family time.

Today I feel sad, tomorrow may be a day of dance.

Story Setting

2011-09-30T09:33:00.000-06:00

It is said that an important part of a good story is the setting. I am claiming that an important part of a writer’s life is to have a good setting to write in.

I am on the deck of my brother-in-law and sister-in-law’s home in Illinois. This is a setting to be inspired in.

I’m thinking of asking them if they need a house sitter when they go out of town. I would relish a week in this place by myself to soak up the quiet and inspiration. I love the sound of water and if I can't be by a beach a waterfall will do. This one is beautiful.

Why does it seem so difficult to be inspired at home? Is it the laundry screaming to be done or the dog’s hair that floats across the floor when I enter a room.

“A writer should be able to write anywhere,” I get it, but my spirit craves a setting like this. I realize that part of the appeal is not having the pressure of a schedule. I understand why some writers run off to cabins in the mountains or cottages by the sea. I admire those who produce quantity and quality in the midst of caring for children and a work schedule. I also will not condemn myself for needing a solitary place to write.

I thank my God for giving me this time, even if it is only for a few hours. I relish it.

I Have an Addiction

2011-08-16T12:39:00.000-06:00

I’m on a high, writing, learning craft, writing, learning craft. Going to writing workshops, seminars, writer’s guild meetings, fellowship with other writers. I love this lifestyle. Runners get a high from running, when a writer is writing the adrenaline flowing can be addictive, a good addictive.

I challenged myself in my last blog to set a goal for my writing. I haven’t gotten as far as I would like but I am working at it. Taking a huge step in the right direction.

Today, like many of the wonderful summer days we are experiencing, I am sitting on my deck working on my craft.

This is what things typically look like:

notebook, mechanical pencil (my favorite writing instrument, I have them all over the house. Sam’s Club sells them in bulk),

cup of tea,

writing books,

reading glasses (does anyone else need these?),

my camera

and my Netbook or my laptop spread out on the table. The umbrella on the table is up to block out the scorching sun or I couldn’t sit out here.

My companion Sammy remains close by.

Occasionally I have to stop to take a picture of the wildlife around me.
Two precious fawns grabbed my attention.

Like many writer’s I struggle with not trusting my writing. If it all depended on me I should be worried but God says write and He will provide the inspiration to make it into something worthwhile. My job is to show up daily and see what He drops into my spirit for that day. It may be to add to my story, maybe to write a blog or perhaps I need to read one of my many
books on the craft of writing.

It is all a part of this business called writing, and I LOVE IT.

“When I am writing I am doing the thing I was meant to do.” Anne Sexton

What Will it Take...

2011-06-29T05:00:00.011-06:00

This weekend my daughter Coleen completed the Western States 100 mile Endurance Run.

Coleen Voeks crossing the finish line and receiving her finisher's medal.

This race began at 5am on Saturday and the runners must have completed it in under thirty hours. This involves running up and down mountains, through snow and heat, through the day and night. This is not her first 100 miler but an important one to her. Her father completed this race in 1984. Coleen finished in 28 hours and 46 minutes.

Coleen, 11 years-old, at Western States with her dad when he had completed the race in 1984.

As I thought about her accomplishment I began to think about the goals she had to set, the preparation and discipline it took to complete this race. The principles can apply to any goal.

Coleen’s accomplishment inspired me to set goals to finish my first novel, (sadly I have three particial novels), and have the finished novel ready to present to agents and publishers at the ACFW conference in 2013.

Getting a novel written and ready to be seen by agents, and publishers, is not a sprint but a long distance endurance run so, I think, I hope, I have set a reasonable goal. That gives me twenty-six months. I have begun my calendar of check-points to reaching my goal. Those who have finished a novel and presented it to agents please let me know if I need to allow myself more time.

Who am I going to surround myself with to help me reach this lofty place? Other writer’s of course. My daughter has her group of running friends; some went with her to California and paced her through the last part of the race. That is the kind of friends I need. Those who won’t let me quit and won’t let me put in any performance but my best.

I’ve been involved in a wonderful writer's group for three years and have attended two excellent writer’s conferences; my bookshelves are loaded with books on the craft of writing. I have the tools, now I need to apply them as I let my fingers fly across my keyboard. I hope there will be more "fingers flying" than "head banging."

Along this road to my dream, another goal I have set is to lose weight and get physically strong. I turn sixty-five on Thursday and I don’t want to look, or act, like a person of age. I am young at heart and my body needs to be able to keep up with where I want to take it.

It is time that I seriously begin the journey God has called me to, it is one I will be on for the rest of my life.

This is the prize Coleen received for finishing her race. A large belt buckle.

My Prize? A published novel.

What goal have you been pushing back, thinking, I’ll start tomorrow? The clock is ticking. What hints can you give to others for accomplishing the thing that won't let go of them?

Stop the Pain

2011-06-26T05:00:00.004-06:00

Pain...sometimes it creeps up on you and you have to decide what to do with it.

I’m not talking about bodily aches but the knife in your heart and twist it pain.

The, take your breath away, pain. What do you do with it?

You allow it to stay and you hold it up to the light and study it, turning it this way and that, checking out every angle and facet. The pain deepens.

Or...you accept that it is there but decide not to allow it to linger.

You offer it to God as a sweet smelling sacrifice, knowing He loves you and will never leave you and that He has carried your sorrows.

I choose to do the latter. I know the pain will return but each time I hope to send it away quicker.

So I take a deep breath, even though it is a painful breath, and REJOICE in my God.

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:11 Message

Used Books and Writing Prompts

2011-06-10T05:00:00.001-06:00

The library is my friend. Not only do I check out books from their vast shelves but I also check out the shelves with books to purchase. Our local Friends of the Library has a continuously changing array of donated books for sale and they are cheap. I appreciate cheap when on a limited budget.

This week I purchased several books, the title of one of the books is: Writing Short Stories for Young People.

I pick up any books I find on the subject of writing, I'm building my personal writing reference library. I was also lucky enough to find a copy of Chicken Soup for the Writer’s Soul, which made me very happy.

When I opened the book on writing short stories I found a card in the front of the book. It was a birthday card with a hand written note to Polly. I chuckled; my mom’s nickname is Polly.

I think God has a wonderful sense of humor. He knew I would be picking up this book and that I would appreciate a card addressed to Polly.

Have you found notes, shopping lists, sales slips or the like in books? I image we all have. Have you ever wondered about the story behind those little treasures?

What tales we writers could weave about those snippets from someone’s life.

Instead of throwing out these random pieces of paper, what about creating a file folder labeled story ideas. Who knows what could develop.

When you are being interviewed about your published book and they ask, “How did you come up with the idea for this story?” You can smile and answer, “I got the idea from a sales slip.” Watch for the puzzled look on your interviewee's face.

View From the Treetop

2011-06-08T05:00:00.001-06:00

The slats of wood nailed to the trunk shifted as I grabbed one over my head. As I grasped the bit of wood above me I lifted one foot onto the lower slat. I kept reaching and stepping until I touched the platform nestled into the crook of thick branches in the middle of the huge shade tree. When I pulled myself to the place I was seeking I sank with a sigh to the rough floor beneath me. My place, my hideaway. Peering through the leaves I could see the houses across the street, I wondered if they could see me through the leafy shade.

Do kids still build tree-houses?

It was a wonderful way to wile-away a lazy summer.

Building a tree-house wasn’t something accomplished in a day.

You first had to find the right tree and get permission to build in it.

Then there was time scrounging in the garage for wood that could be used.

It might involve a trip to the grocery store for discarded orange crates. Those had to be dismantled so the wood could be used for a new purpose.

Begging dad for permission to use his tools with the promise that they would be returned or suffer the consequences of the rest of the summer locked in your room.

Securing the steps was key to getting up into the tree. Then tying a rope to the tree so that you could haul up the lumber needed for the platform. This is definitely where a friend came in handy.

Somehow we were able to get the wood stable and secured. We didn’t have carpentry skills or an adult supervising us, just the desire to make this dream come true. Friends working together can accomplish almost anything.

There were several styles of tree-houses to choose from. You could go with the very simple platform or you could add sides, have a door opening and widow openings and a roof. The latter style took a lot more lumber than we usually had.

The tree-house was a wonderful meeting place for friends, “I’ll meet you at the tree-house,” was spoken over telephone wires or shouted across hedges.

Games were played, books read, secrets told, lasting friendships made in that place amongst the leafy canopy.

As an adult I miss the laid back, free from a schedule, time of childhood summers.

How about you? What summer memories do you miss?

Happiness

2011-05-25T16:13:00.000-06:00

“Happiness is a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Be Still Be Quiet Be Motionless

Simple, but difficult.

Shhh, hush, be still.

Happiness may be passing and it is looking for a soft place to alight.

Pull Up Your Britches

2011-05-11T15:01:00.000-06:00

Today is May 11, 2011 and there is snow falling and accumulating on my deck. I know everyone says we need the moisture, but can’t it come in the form of rain?

God has promised us the seasons and they do show-up, but sometimes there is a teasing that the next season has arrived only to have it snatched away by a sudden reversal.

This happens in our lives too.

A dark season that has been hanging on seems to be ending, light has begun to spill through and we turn our faces towards it, feeling the warmth. With our eyes closed and our face lifted to the heat, a shadow suddenly chills our heart.

We open our eyes to see the clouds have once again rolled over us. Discouragement digs its tentacles into our mind and we are tempted to shut the door on hope. That is the one thing we must never, never do. Hope is our anchor.

Just as I know in the next few days the sun will be shining and I will be outside in my yard planting flowers I know the despondancy that thinks it has a hold in our life will melt away like the snow.

We are filled with questions, screaming for answers which may or may not come. God has His reasons for not revealing all His plans to us but He gives us hope through His promises. As God guarantees that the seasons will continue He gives us assurances in His word concerning our lives.

I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering. You will turn back to me and ask for help, and I will answer your prayers. You will worship me with all your heart, and I will be with you and accept your worship. Then I will gather you from all the nations where I scattered you, and you will return to Jerusalem. Jeremiah 29:11-14 NCV

My choice: Do I throw a pity party and call all my friends to join me or do I take a deep breath, pull up my britches and call out to God:

“Good morning Lord, I'm reporting for duty, what do you have for me today.”

Dream Enemies Part Three

2011-05-06T05:00:00.007-06:00

Your Dream Enemies: you, friends and family, peers and experts.

You are determined to pursue your Dream, you have overcome self doubts, you have set yourself to press through the opposition coming from family and friends and then you are confronted with another enemy.

Yikes, is everyone against you?

Peers, and so called experts, can shoot holes in your Dream faster than you can duck for cover.

Why would they do this? Jealousy, insecurity, pride, meanness.

Those who have allowed their Dreams to deteriorate are convicted by your risk taking.

They have deserted their Dreams and they don’t want you to succeed with yours so they pile on the criticism and ridicule.

Those who attempted to follow their Dreams but were stopped by one of the other enemies want to stop you too. They have a truckload of broken Dreams and since there is still room in the truck they want you to throw in yours too.

Are you beginning to wonder if there is anyone who is for you?

You have a huge fan, He is the Dream giver:

So what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?

Romans 8:31 Message Translation

God will bring each of us the right person, or persons, who can share our Dream, not only share it but help us fulfill it.

If you haven’t found that person it may be wise to hold your Dream close to your heart and not tell others right now. Dream crushers are everywhere.

Walt Disney had a dream of an amusement park for children and adults. He had to overcome discouragement too. Concerning Disneyland this is what he said: “Many people thought it was great, some thought it wasn’t going to work. Never Give Up. Don’t listen to people who discourage your ideas.” What kept him going was the belief that nothing was impossible.

Your Dream is not just for you. It may be for millions, or for one, but it has purpose. Someone is waiting for you to complete your Dream, don’t disappoint them.

Close your eyes, picture your Dream, see yourself in your Dream, know that it is yours. Write down your Dream, write the steps needed to accomplish it. Do the first thing on the list.

You are now one step closer to the fulfillment of your Dream.

Dream on.

Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, But there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above. Phil 3:13-14 NCV

Knock Your Socks Off

2011-05-04T05:00:00.001-06:00

Dream Enemies Part 3 will be posted on Friday.

I wanted to talk about Customer Service today.

Growing up I was taught customer service is key to a company’s success. Company loyalty was also ingrained in me. You work hard for a company and stay with them and they will take care of you.

It saddens me these two principles, which had a huge impact on the growth and prosperity of our nation, have been tossed aside and the principle that seems to reign now is: Our doors are open but don’t expect us to be excited you are here, we may help you and then again we may not because I don’t know if I will have a job here tomorrow.

Because it has become rare to experience exceptional customer service, knock your socks off service, we are surprised and definitely take note when we are the recipient of it.

Yesterday was a day of pleasure because it was wrapped in this gift.

The morning started with a trip to Rudy’s. A friend from church told me about their breakfast tacos so my husband and I went on a date. The food was good. We each had a taco, you choose your toppings, I had a small coffee (it wasn’t really small) and Bob had a large. This yummy breakfast rang up at $6.15, total, not each. It wasn’t just the food that impressed us but the friendliness of the staff. The manager stopped by and visited us several times. My husband asked if the tacos would freeze well. The manager didn’t know the answer. Bob said the next time we came in he would order a couple of extra ones; we would freeze them and let them know how well they did. Before we left the manager came to us and handed my husband two tacos wrapped in foil. You know we will be going back and we will let them know how those tacos tasted after being frozen.

My next stop was Discount Tire on Forrest Hills Rd. in Colorado Springs where I was having my studded snow tires removed and my regular tires installed. While waiting I was able to observe experts in action. These trained service men watched their customers exit their cars and observed the make of the vehicle. Each person entering was acknowledged even if the service person was involved with another customer. Because I am a repeat customer I am in their computer system. I only needed to give my phone number and my account was displayed. There was more than one car on my record but since they had observed me when I existed my car they knew which one I was getting serviced. I have only one set of wheels and they suggested purchasing a second set to avoid having to pay a mounting charge each time I came in. They showed me what was on sale and what my cost would be. I declined, it wasn’t in my budget, but I appreciated them suggesting it.

After changing out the tires, the snow tires were placed in plastic bags so my trunk would not get dirty. The individual who changed my tires called me to the counter and gave me the paperwork and told me my car would be brought to the front door.

Every customer was taken care of quickly, each phone call handled with efficiency in a personal way. Doesn’t it mean a lot to you when a person actually looks at you and calls you by name? Did I mention how bright and clean the place was and there was free coffee, hot chocolate and tea?

My next destination was Delmonico Cleaners, I love this place. The owners are Christian Koreans and they always have a Christian radio station playing. As soon as a customer enters the shop the owner stops what he is doing and comes to the front. There is always a sincere smile of welcome.

They are experts in cleaning; I have had some bad experiences, but never at this place. The owner carried my cleaning to my car and hung it up for me. I was wished a Happy Mother’s Day and I am always told to have a nice day.

I remember the day I went into the shop and they had small American flags and red, white and blue bunting displayed all over. I smiled realizing what they were celebrating, they had become citizens. It truly was a celebration to them. I congratulated them and smiled all the way home.

You can sense a spirit of thankfulness on them, they are grateful to have the opportunity to own their own business and they understand how important customers are.

I had to share these experiences with you because they made me feel so appreciated and these businesses need to be recognized for the good job they are doing.

Where have you experienced exceptional customer service recently?

Dream Enemies Part Two

2011-05-02T05:00:00.001-06:00

In Dream Enemies part 1 I asked if you were your own worst enemy when it came to following your Dream. Okay, you have gotten past the self-doubts, you know what your God given Dream (your calling) is and you have set your face like flint to immerse yourself in it. In your excitement at this discovery you begin to share your Dream with family and friends.

You are stunned when the news is received with less than enthusiastic stares and head shakes. Mumbling words slip out of their mouths, “You can’t do that. Who do you think you are?” They bombard you with reasons why this can’t possibly succeed. Each phrase sends you deeper into a hole of dejection. You begin to think they are probably right. You must have heard wrong.

Well meaning family and friends can be added to your list of Dream Enemies. They discourage you because they love you and they don’t want to see you get hurt by your failure.

The Bible has examples of these well-meaning people.

When David volunteered to kill Goliath, he felt totally able to accomplish the task because God had prepared him and he felt called to do the work.

He was met with ridicule from his brother Eliab.
“Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.”
“Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” I Samuel 17:28-29

When David was brought before the king, Saul was apprehensive about the ability of this young boy to complete the task of a warrior.
David said to Saul, "Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him."
Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth." I Sam 17:32-33 NIV

What if David had listened to Eliab and Saul. Would the Israelites have ever defeated the Philistines?

A young man had two dreams about his future and he shared them with his family.
Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it."
His brothers said to him, "Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?" And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.
Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me."

When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?" His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. Genesis 37:5-11 NIV

The dreams were not received with joy in fact they led to a life isolated from his family.
Genesis 37, 39-46 is the story of Joseph’s life.

The dream Joseph shared with his family was ultimately fulfilled but not without many detours.

Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the one who sold grain to all its people. So when Joseph's brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. Genesis 42:6 NIV

Opposition comes from a quarter we didn’t expect. We erroneously believe our family and friends are going to back us and when the discouragement is slung at us we begin to doubt ourselves again and back away from the Dream.

If we press through and begin the process of bringing our Dream to pass, each setback or failure will be met with “I told you so’s.” It’s not easy to keep on keeping on in the face of disapproval from those closest to you.

What do you do? Remember, this is your Dream, not theirs. They won’t be standing with you on judgment day when God asks you what you did with the gifts He gave you.

You can’t use the excuse, “I buried them because my friends and family didn’t think it was a good idea.”

"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'
"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
"'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Matthew 25:24-30 NIV

If your Dream is cemented in your mind and heart you will be able to thrust through the resistance coming from yourself, your family and your friends.

If not, you will begin to see Dream deterioration on all sides.

Is the cement of your Dream dry?

Dream Enemies

2011-04-29T05:00:00.007-06:00

Are we our own worst enemy when it comes to our dreams?

Do we sabotage ourselves with thoughts like these: I’m too young, I don’t have an education, I’m a woman, I’m too old, I’m afraid, I’m not rich, I’m too fat, I was born on the wrong side of the tracks, I was told I would never amount to anything.

Walking towards our dream is like walking on thin ice, we are sure any minute it is going to give way and we will drown.

Staying where we are is easier than stepping into the unknown. The comfort zone is so comfortable.

What might happen if we turned from the comfort zone and entered the twilight zone?

Our dream just might come true but we will never know unless we take the risk.

One of my favorite risk takers is Susan Boyle. When she stepped on the stage for the Britain’s Got Talent Show the audience snickered.

She was judged before she opened her mouth. If she would have quit before performing, the world would have suffered a great loss.

This is a link to Susan singing "I Dreamed a Dream"
http://youtu.be/RxPZh4AnWyk

Susan Boyle became a symbol of personal heroism for all those who are stuck in their comfort zone.

This woman who dreamed a dream sold fourteen million albums in fourteen months. If she can dare to dream, so can you and I.

I will be sixty-five-years-old in a few months, it would be easy to use the age card but each time I hear Susan Boyle sing it gives me the courage to pursue my dream.

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:11 Message

What thoughts are keeping you from stepping onto the stage of your destiny?

The Tomb is Empty

2011-04-24T05:00:00.002-06:00

The tomb is empty and my heart is full.

Jesus, you have changed my life, I give you all of me.

Take this broken, humbled person, who desires to give back some of what you have bestowed on me, and hold me in your nail pierced arms. Let me lay my head on your shoulder and breathe in your fragrance, the fragrance of a life poured out for my sins.

My tears dampen your tunic and you wipe them away with your gentle touch. You whisper to me, “I love you my daughter,” my tears come harder. All the longings of my life: acceptance, purpose, forgiveness, love are wrapped up in you.

Death could not hold you in the grave. I sing hallelujah to the King of kings and my Lord.

The one and only, the great

I AM.

In Need of Resurrection

2011-04-23T05:00:00.000-06:00

Day seven of Passion Week
While the apostles struggled with their grief the chief priests and Pharisees were experiencing fear. They went to Pilate with a request to have the tomb guarded. They were fearful that the disciples of Jesus would come and remove the body. They remembered that Jesus had said in three days He would rise.
Pilate was done with these people. He suggested they find their own guards.
They sealed the tomb and set guards to watch.

Those who loved and served with Jesus were devastated that He was gone. Perhaps they met together to remember all that had happened while they walked with Jesus and what had happened in Jerusalem the day before, the horror of the beating and the crucifixion. Perhaps each one of the apostles was closed up in their own home grieving alone.

Scripture says nothing about this day except for the sealing of the tomb.

It is as if the earth is holding its breath…

http://youtu.be/D6GlTHQ1A2c
Resurrection by Nicol Sponberg

The Day of Crucifixion

2011-04-22T05:00:00.001-06:00

Day six of Passion Week

Friday

1 A.M. In the Garden of Gethsemane – Jesus asked if possible that the cup of suffering could be removed
from Him. But He submitted Himself to the will of His Father. His apostles slept while he agonized.

2 A.M. When Jesus returned from his prayers for the third time and found his apostles asleep once again he told them to sleep. Lifting his eyes he was the lights of the crowd that had come to take him away.

3 A.M. The crowd approached Jesus. Judas stepped forward and threw his arms around Jesus and kissed him on the cheek. Jesus said to him, “Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?”
Since the soldiers were looking only for Him, Jesus asked that the others be allowed to leave.
Peter, desiring to do something, picked up a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus told him to put the sword away, he touched the servant’s ear and healed him.
Jesus was taken to Ciaphas.

4 A.M. Jesus was brought to Annas. John and Peter were in the courtyard, three times Peter denied Jesus and three times the rooster crowed. Peter left and wept.
Jesus is returned to Ciaphas for a trial that broke the law saying a trial could not be held while the sky was dark.
Jesus was tired, he had been awake for almost 24 hours. He said nothing in His own defense.
In frustration Ciaphas asked, “I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.”
Jesus’ answer condemned himself.
Caiphas shouted, “He has blasphemed.” The judges declared their verdict. “He is liable to the penalty of death.”
Some of the judges spat in his face and some hit Jesus with their fists.

5 A.M. The guards took part in the torture of Jesus, slapping and punching Him.
Jesus is taken to the temple for sentencing

6 A.M. At the meeting of the elders the charges are read, the roll call is taken and all proclaimed, “He is guilty! Death.”

7 A.M. Judas appears before the court of Priests and declares, “It was wrong for me to betray innocent blood.” He threw the coins on the floor, then ran away and hung himself. The branch he hung on broke casting him to the jagged rocks below.
Caiphas is at the Fortress Antonia asking to see the Procurator about Jesus.

8 A.M. Jesus arrives at Antonia. He stands before Pilate. After questioning him Pilate finds no guilt in him. When the priests mention that Jesus is from Galilee Pilate sends Him to Herod, Tetrarch of Galilee.

9 A.M. Jesus is taken to Herod. Herod is disgusted that he cannot get Jesus to perform miracles for him and his friends. Jesus is sent back to Pilate.

10 A.M. The crowd shouts for Barabbas’ release and for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate orders Jesus to be scourged.

11 A.M. The crowds would not allow Pilate to free Jesus. Pilate washed his hands in front of the crowd and told them he would not be responsible for this man’s death. He turned Jesus over to be crucified.
Jesus is unable to carry his cross because of the beating he has received. Simon of Cyrene is ordered to carry the cross.

12 Noon Jesus and the two thieves reach Golgotha. They are nailed to the crosses. The sky begins to darken.

1 P.M. One of the garments belonging to Jesus is a garment made without seams, it is valuable. Lots are cast for it.
Jesus looks up to heaven and cries loudly, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!” He was asking forgiveness not just for those who crucified him but for all of the world. Jesus has been without food and water now for 14 hours.

2 P.M. The final hour. Darkness still covered the land. Jesus nearing the end cried out, “Eli Eli! Lema sabachthani!” (My God, my God! Why hast thou forsaken me!”)
“I thirst!” Jesus called out. A soldier stuck a sponge, dipped in vinegar, on the end of his spear and lifted it to the lips of Jesus.

3 P.M. Jesus lifted himself one last time and spoke, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” His final cry was, “It is finished!” His body sagged.
The earth quaked and the veil in the temple was rent in two from top to bottom. Graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints arose.
The guards were hastening the deaths of the men and came to break their legs. Jesus was already dead, a soldier pierced his side with a sword.
Joseph of Arimathia went to Pilate to request the body of Jesus so that he might bury him in his tomb. Nicodemus helped Joseph with the burial preparations.

4 P.M. The body of Jesus rested in the tomb. The men rolled the stone over the opening.

The work was done. Each of the grievers returned to their homes, the Sabbath was about to begin.

This day was lived to its completion for you and me.

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 NAS

Preparing to Wait

2011-04-21T05:00:00.001-06:00

Day five of Passion Week
Passover day dawns and Jesus’ disciples are asking where they are to prepare and celebrate the Passover meal. Following his directions they find the place and begin the preparations. A celebration meal but the mood is somber.

When the full moon of the evening appeared Jesus sat with His disciples.

A servant came to Jesus with a pitcher and basin to wash his hands and a strange thing happened. Jesus took the basin and the water and wrapped the towel around his waist and went to each disciple to wash their feet.

He took the most humble position to show them what was expected of them. Strange things were happening this night.

The atmosphere changed when Jesus stated that one of them would betray him. They asked “is it I.” How sad they still had doubts but would I have done any better?

Jesus whispered to John that it was the one to whom he would give the morsel after dipping it. It was given to Judas Iscariot. Judas left the gathering after this revelation.

At the end of the supper Jesus took bread and wine and with words and actions He instituted the Lord ’s Supper, Holy Communion.

This was a departure from the Passover ritual.

Jesus waited until Judas was gone to institute this new sacrament. It could not be defiled by a sinner.

It was almost midnight when they left the room where they celebrated the Passover. Jesus spoke with his disciples as they slowly walked to the Mount of Olives. He continued His teaching when they arrived in the garden.

Jesus spoke to his apostles for hours trying to fill them with what they would need to know to carry them through the next few days. Were they fearful, Jesus said he was going to be put to death, would they be also? What did all the words He spoke to them mean? They would have a fuller understanding in a few days.

At about 1 a.m. he finished with several prayers and then asked Peter, James and John to follow him.

Jesus had completed everything. The preaching and teaching were over, the miracles over.

Now it was time to wait.

As I have been writing during this Passion Week I am sobered by the process of my deliverance. Doesn’t it seem like God could have come up with an easier plan of redemption, one that didn’t involve the suffering and death of His Son?
He made it easy for me; all I had to do was accept that Christ took the punishment of my confessed sins and turn my life over to Him.
Jesus’ part in this plan was total relinquishment of His will to His Father’s.
Daily He asks you and I to do the same.

His end was my new beginning.

Love and Betrayal

2011-04-20T05:00:00.001-06:00

Day 4 of Passion Week

Passover, the reminder to the Israelites of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. On that day each Israelite family killed a lamb and placed the blood on the door posts and lintel so that the death angel would pass over them and not slay their first born.

Now Jesus was one day away from His final Passover celebration on earth. He would change the world forever in a few days.

On this Wednesday He spent time at the home of Simon the leper having dinner with his friends. A woman entered the room carrying a box made of alabaster. She broke the box and poured the contents of spikenard on Jesus’ head. The room was filled with the fragrance. Did the conversation stop? Some were indignant that this costly perfume was wasted. Jesus, touched by her actions, rebuked them. He let all those in attendance know this was in preparation for His burial. What she did would not be forgotten but included in the preaching of the gospel.

A small thing, this anointing? Maybe to some, but to Jesus it was an act of love.

While this loving act was being talked about another act was about to take place.

Judas Iscariot was walking into his destiny. A destiny of betrayal.

The chief priests were excited to have this disciple, one of the chosen twelve, coming to them with a plan to turn Jesus over to them. They gladly accepted and agreed on a payment of thirty pieces of silver.

As Jesus was being pressed to be seen by certain Greeks He spoke again about dying.

“Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:24

He was beginning to feel the weight of what was to come and He cried out:

“Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say?

Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.” John 12:27

His hour was very close at hand.

So Little Time...

2011-04-19T05:00:00.001-06:00

Day three of Passion Week

A few days left. So much to do… so little time…

Jesus once again resorted to speaking in parables to teach his followers. Stories are easy to remember and remembering was important because He would no longer be with them.

Religious leaders came at Him, one group after another asking Him questions, trying to trap him so they might be able to condemn Him. But being who He was His answers amazed them so much that they quit asking the questions.

His words were meant to shake up the religious and they hit its mark. The leaders were furious with Him and their talk of finding a way to have Him executed became desperate.

Encouraging His disciples to be always prepared and to use the gifts that had been given to them came through in stories that showed the consequences if they ignored His warnings.

With the pressing weight of His death He took time to notice a woman and drew His disciples’ attention to her. They would have certainly overlooked her; she was a poor widow, why would she garner their consideration. As she dropped her two mites into the treasury Jesus spoke some powerful words about what she had done, “Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury; …but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” Her head hung low as she dropped in all she had, wishing she had more to give to her God. Jesus was smiling, He knew her heart; He knew His Father would take care of her. She would not go without.

We don’t know how old she was, what color eyes she had or even her name, all we know is that she was a widow who gave all she had to show her love to God.

She was demonstrating what Jesus would walk out in a few days.

He would give all He had to show His love for His Father and for all of sinful mankind.

"As you know, the Passover celebration begins in two days, and I shall be betrayed and crucified."

Matthew 26:2

Purity, Prayer, Power and Praise

2011-04-18T05:00:00.003-06:00

Day 2 of Passion Week

Each day of this week Jesus draws closer to the agony, and the glory, His Father has sent Him to.

Knowing there are only days left to your life what do you do with the remaining hours?

Jesus has spent two and half years pouring into his disciples preparing them for the time when he would no longer be with them.

He showed them how to live in victory and now he would show them the ultimate victory of life over death for eternity. This was why he came, to redeem man back from the sin committed in the Garden of Eden.

On this day when Jesus entered the temple area His fervor for the House of God erupted in a fiery anger at what He saw. The area was filled with money changers and merchants. The Passover celebration meant big business to them. What Jesus saw was a blasphemy of what the temple was meant to be.

When they arrived back to Jerusalem he went to the Temple and began to drive out the merchants and their customers, and knocked over the tables of the moneychangers and the stalls of those selling doves, and stopped everyone from bringing in loads of merchandise.
He told them, "It is written in the Scriptures, 'My Temple is to be a place of prayer for all nations,' but you have turned it into a den of robbers." Mark 11:15-17 TLB

Those who came to the temple to celebrate the Passover were robbed by these merchants when they were charged exorbitant prices for animals for the necessary sacrifices and when they were cheated on the exchange rate of their international currency for temple coins. How can a person worship with a pure heart after this kind of treatment at the “house of God?”

The holiness of the temple and the Passover celebration were defiled by the deceitful practices of the sellers. Jesus was desperate to bring purity, prayer, power and praise back to the house of God, even using violence to reestablish it.

God yearns for us to examine our personal temples and plant the seeds of purity, prayer, power and praise so that our temples may once again be a dwelling place for Him.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Ps. 51:10 NIV

Woo Hoo Here He Comes

2011-04-17T05:00:00.002-06:00

Day 40 of 40 days of Lenten Posts - Day 1 of Passion Week Posts
Today begins Passion Week, Jesus’ final week on earth as God-man, by the end of the week He would take up His rightful position at His Father’s right hand.

The time had come for Jesus to be proclaimed as their king, fulfilling the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9.

Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt, the throngs shouting, “Hosanna, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the King of Israel.”

Palm branches were waved and placed on the ground as the colt carrying the King of kings and Lord of lords slowly made its way through the crowd into the waiting city.

How far did the sound of those shouts travel? All of Jerusalem might have heard the cry from that mighty crowd.

Were the disciples excited by this demonstration or did the words that Jesus spoke echo in their minds, “I must die.”

As Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and talked to them about what would happen to him when they arrived."I will be betrayed to the chief priests and other Jewish leaders, and they will condemn me to die. And they will hand me over to the Roman government, and I will be mocked and crucified, and the third day I will rise to life again." Matt 20:17-19 TLB

The triumphal entry was a prelude to the climax of His journey to earth to die for the sins of all mankind. On His mind were those who would receive the freely given gift of eternal life and those who would reject it. It overwhelmed Him and He wept.

But as they came closer to Jerusalem and he saw the city ahead, he began to cry. "Eternal peace was within your reach and you turned it down," he wept, "and now it is too late. Luke 19:41-42 TLB

It is not too late for you.

Will you accept His gift?

Alabaster Box

2011-04-16T05:00:00.003-06:00

Day 39 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

Jesus Christ affirmed on Calvary: grace, forgiveness, love that knows no boundaries.

How could a man of perfection die for all of sinful man, die for a sinful woman like me?

I don’t understand it but I embrace it with a heart broken for the times that I have disappointed Him and turned my back on Him. He gathers my tears in His bottle and writes them in His book.

I am filled with gratitude for His loving arms that lift me up and embrace me when I have fallen. Over and over He drenches me with His love.

Seeking Him

2011-04-15T05:00:00.001-06:00

Day 38 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

We are getting close to the time we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus.

It is a time of sorrow, His death on a cross, and a time of joy, the empty tomb.

May we seek Him more and more.

The More I Seek You by Kari Jobe

I Tell You the Truth

2011-04-14T05:00:00.007-06:00

Day 37 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

Below are quotes taken from the prologue of: The Lost Choice by Andy Andrews.

As I was reading these words, used to describe a possession the father had, the only thing he would be passing on to his son, I was struck by how these words described the power of writing.

“It is an object of fear and an object of promise. An object of ridicule and of power. The possession displays abject poverty and incredible wealth. It contains death and birth and blindness and sight. And one day, it will be yours to protect.”

Do you see: this is what the written word can and does do?

He further says to his son:
“I told you exactly what it is. As for what it does? It does nothing. It does, however, represent the power to do everything. It is believed and doubted, contemplated and ignored, pursued and avoided. Men will kill for it…and I would die to protect it.”

Individual words do nothing, but strung together in a particular order they represent the power to do everything. The Bible is an incredible example of this. It is believed and doubted, contemplated and ignored, pursued and avoided. Men kill others for possessing it and men die to defend the truth it contains.

“He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue.” Psalm 15:2-3

Another quote:
“It is a gift from a father to a son.”

The Bible is a gift from our Father God to his sons and daughters. Our writing: stories, articles, novels, fiction and non-fiction are given to us by our Father, a gift to be used rightly to bring light or with evil intent to take others into darkness.

"He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but he who works for the honor of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him." John 7:18 NIV

“The possession itself—the object—will never, alone, do anything.
“An object can inspire, arouse, prove, encourage, justify, and confirm. But it can never produce.”

My writing by itself will never do anything.

“Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding.” Proverb 23:23

“It is only by your hand that the mind’s choices bear fruit. Intentions are like physical beauty—they mean nothing. At some point, a person must actually do something. One’s beliefs must become works. By your hand, you establish evidence for others in the truth of what you believe.”

It is what people choose to do with my words…change the world…or destroy it… that gives it power.

One person, changed by my words, brings something new into their world and to those around them…like a pebble thrown into a still body of water, the ripples extend on and on.

Long after I am gone the words I have written will continue on. Would I be pleased with what remains? Would my great, great grandchild be proud of what I have placed on paper or would there be shame because of the pain my words have caused.

“I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, O Lord; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” Psalm 119:30-32

If my words are truth there will be no shame.

Jesus continually said: I tell you the truth… Why did He have to repeat this phrase over and over? Was it because there was so much deception, was it because there would be many who would doubt His words? He knew His words were truth so He could declare them with boldness.

If Jesus felt it necessary to declare the truthfulness of His words should we not at least check our hearts and ask ourselves, is what I am writing truth?

I am not saying we shouldn’t be writing fiction, novels are filled with life impacting words.

I am challenging us all to consider what message we are coveying.

How are we handling the words He has put in our possession?

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” John 3:31 NIV

Writer's Block Solution

2011-04-13T05:00:00.001-06:00

Day 36 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

I am at a loss for what to write. I think I have writer’s block. Ugh.

Block, chunk, hunk, lump, wedge, cube, brick, slab, bar, piece.

Okay, I’m starting to crave cheese. I like cheese, most any kind will do. I was introduced to goat cheese while on a missions trip to Romania.

What kind of cheese does the character in your WIP like?

Their cheese preference could be used as a quirky thing.

Each time they have a salad in a restaurant they ask for

Feta cheese and if they don’t have it they leave the restaurant,

this could make their friends crazy.

Your character has to have a piece of cheese each night just before going to bed. If they are out of cheese this could cause late night runs to the store. What if something happened at the store…

What if a wrapper from Mini Babybel cheese is found at

the scene of a murder and everyone knows that you always have some

in your pocket.

Okay I’m done being cheesy.

Keep At It

2011-04-12T05:00:00.001-06:00

Day 35 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

A few words of wisdom about writing.

“Don’t buy the myth that writing is easy.
It’s not. I heard one author say, ‘Writing is like giving birth to barbed wire.’ Others say writing is 5 percent inspiration and 95 percent perspiration. Many books that are hard to write are easy to read. Books that were easy to write are invariably hard to read. Some writers seem so natural, so effortless. Don’t be fooled. It takes a lot of effort to appear effortless. With everything else competing for your reader’s attention, you must work to earn it. Many people say they want to write a book, but what they really want is to have written a book. Big difference!” Randy Alcorn

“Write. Remember, people may keep you (or me) from being a published author but no one can stop you from being a writer. All you have to do is write. And keep writing. While you’re working at a career, while you’re raising children, while you’re trout fishing—keep writing! No one can stop you but you.” Katherine Neville

And the Lord said to me, "Write my answer on a billboard, large and clear, so that anyone can read it at a glance and rush to tell the others." Habakkuk 2:2

Memorable Characters

2011-04-11T05:00:00.007-06:00

Day 34 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

Writers are constantly striving to create memorable characters.

We want to read about interesting
people who overcome impossible obstacles.

Some characters are the good guys; they are the ones wearing white hats in case you forgot. The bad guys are sporting the black hats.

Okay, I just showed my age, I of course got this from watching westerns in black and white.

Creating interesting characters is serious business for writers.

There are two definitions for character:

1. A person, man, woman, soul, creature, individual.

2. Personality, nature, disposition, temperament, mentality, essence, integrity, honor, moral strength

When a writer is creating her protagonist and antagonist a decision has to be made concerning their moral fiber, what are they made of? This will determine what they are capable of doing, or not doing, in the story.

As a novelist I have the freedom to play with my characters but in my own life I don’t have that liberty. My belief in Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord carries with it restrictions. Restrictions I don’t mind having, they are not barriers but guardrails. My integrity, or lack of it, will keep me out of trouble, or get me into it. With my moral compass set it is easier to stand against temptation when it arises and it will arise.

I have determined to develop a character worthy of the title, Child of Christ.
I want to become a memorable character.
How about you?

Every story needs a turkey.

Writing, Writing, Writing

2011-04-10T05:00:00.004-06:00

Day 33 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

I have been posting daily on my blog since March 9th. It has not always been easy to come up with a topic but the challenge has been fun. I have limited myself somewhat to doing posts which include a picture or pictures I have taken. Sometimes I go through my pictures three times before I come up with a topic. If I think of a topic but don’t have pictures to go with it I will go about my house seeing if I can stage a shot or two. I need to get some pictures off my husband’s computer, and then I will have more options.

While doing all these posts and keeping my regular schedule my mind has been massaging my WIP. This is the novel I started in November for NaNoWriMo. Several weeks ago God prompted me to make a major shift in it. Today He gave me more changes.

He even gave me a working title: Whitewashed.

(If you are not a writer I am going to give you a peek into how the mind of a writer works. I came up with the title when the sound of a buzzer woke me from a nap. I came out of that sleep thinking, oh, that is the buzzer on the dryer, my load of white wash is done. I sat up and wrote in my notebook, which I always keep handy, “Whitewashed.” I then went looking for definitions and they fit perfectly with the story. Weird huh, that’s how we think.)

I also have a picture in my mind for the cover. I know that writers don’t get to choose their own cover but what I see in my mind is perfect for keeping me on point with the story.

I’m excited to see what story God wants written. After all it is His story.

“This is what the Lord God of Israel says: Write in a book everything that I tell you.”

God’s Word Translation

Love Your Neighbor

2011-04-09T05:00:00.001-06:00

Day 32 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

“The second most important commandment is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:31 God’s Word Translation

Each loving act says loud and clear, “I love you. God loves you. I care. God cares.”

A warm-from-the-oven casserole taken to the home of a sick friend…
A bouquet of flowers from your garden given to a neighbor…
A thank-you note sent to the performers who did such an excellent job during a concert or play you attended…
A loaf of freshly baked cinnamon bread brought to the office for coffee break…
A box of cookies taken to the police station on Christmas day to encourage those who are “on duty” during the holiday…
A call to ask with genuine care and concern, “How are you doing?...”
We may not think of these as acts of Christian witnessing, yet they are. Every act of lovingkindness reflects God’s lovingkindness for His people. We give because Jesus Christ has so freely given His love to us. He is the example we follow.
Never dismiss an act of lovingkindness as being too small or inconsequential. God will magnify even our smallest deeds to reveal His love to others.
From: God’s Little Devotional Book for Women. Honor Books

Love Path

2011-04-08T05:00:00.001-06:00

Day 30 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

Love Path

God Loves Me

I Love God

I Love my neighbor

When I know and experience the love of God toward me I overflow with love back to Him.

Mark 12:30 commands me to “Love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind, and with all my strength.” Good News Translation
All – not some, but all of me. That means putting His will before mine.
Putting away self serving thoughts and actions.
Loving Him with my heart above my husband, family, ministry, job, money, fame.

I love Him for promising me eternity with Him in heaven.
I love Him for changing my life, for showing me what real freedom is.
I love Him because while I was still a sinner He loved me.
I love Him because I can’t not love Him.

God's Love Toward Us

2011-04-07T07:00:00.003-06:00

Day 29 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

God’s love is:

Limitless

Overwhelming

Victorious

Everlasting

The unfailing love of the Lord never ends. By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. Lamentations 3:22-23

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.” John 3:16-18 The Message

Image: Jim Marr's Book It Was Out of Love

The Gift

2011-04-06T05:00:00.001-06:00

Day 28 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

This morning I was given a gift.

A fresh twenty-four hours to relish life.

One-thousand-four-hundred and forty minutes.

What I do with those minutes is totally in my hands.

I may give twenty of them to prayer, thirty of them to my husband, one-hundred and twenty to watching television, four-hundred-eighty plus to working. I better allow some time for my children.

I end the day with no minutes leftover, every minute has been used up. But I have to question myself, “Did I use them in the best way I could have?”

Henry David Thoreau said, “Why should we live with such hurry and waste of life?”

Indeed, hurry is a waste of life.

Each day of creation God took on a new task. Notice that He spread creation out. He could have done it all in one day, He was certainly capable. I think He was showing us how to live our lives, focusing each day on the task ahead, not trying to do too much. At the end of each day of creation it says that God saw that it was good.

Can we say at the end of each day, “It was good.”

Being always in the moment and attuned to His voice I believe we can.

My Fingers Keep Slipping Off the Keyboard

2011-04-05T05:00:00.000-06:00

Day 27 of 40 days of Lenten Posts
“I’m a writer. I don’t cook and I don’t clean.” Dorothy West

Oh if only we could get away with this. I put off the cleaning for as long as I can.

The cooking unfortunately happens every night. My husband is tolerant, very tolerant but putting dinner on the table is not optional.

I enjoy cooking and baking but I begrudge the time it takes to do it. I can spend most of an hour planning, chopping and cooking my meal and in five minutes it is eaten.

I then spend the next ten minutes cleaning up the dishes and putting away the leftovers. Somehow that seems out of proportion.

Shouldn’t there be a lingering time of enjoyment, an inhaling of the aroma of the meat and the sauce that covers it? Shouldn’t we hold the food on our tongue allowing our taste buds to experience each individual ingredient and flavoring we have so carefully chosen?

Eating should be an occasion, everyday.
I look for menus that are quick to prepare but my husband would like variety.

I don’t think he would accept the statement: “But honey, God fed the Israelites Manna for forty years.”

When I get to heaven I’m going to ask God if I can have a taste of Manna. It sounded pretty good.

The people of Israel called the bread manna. It was white like coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey. Exodus 16:31 NIV

I’m hiring a housekeeper and a cook as soon as I sell the first 50,000 copies of my novel, the one I haven’t finished writing. I wouldn’t have to stop reading and writing for anything, except to put food, prepared by my chef into my mouth.

Why is my keyboard greasy?

Do...or Not

2011-04-04T07:00:00.000-06:00

Day 26 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

“When I am writing I am doing the thing I was meant to do.” Anne Sexton

How about you?

Are you doing the thing you were meant to do?

If not, why not?

Jerry B. Jenkins, Writer extraordinaire

2011-04-03T07:00:00.004-06:00

Day 25 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! John 4:34-35

Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the Mountain of Authors at the Pikes Peak Library.

The keynote speaker was Jerry B. Jenkins, author of the Left Behind Series.

This was the first time I met him in person. He is a fun speaker and a prolific writer.

He has authored more than 175 books with sales of more than 70 million copies. Twenty of his books have reached the New York Times best-seller list (seven of those debuting at number one).

His newest book is The Brotherhood/A precinct 11 novel. This is a police thriller set in Chicago, it is the first of a trilogy. I’m excited to get into this book. I now have a signed copy.

I was impressed by this man who has given his life to the gift God placed within him. He is using writing to bring glory to God.

At the beginning of this journey he had no idea he would be so incredibly successful, he set his mind and heart to the task and God honored his heart with overwhelming success.

Mr. Jenkins does not keep this gift to himself but encourages other writers through the Christian Writers Guild and the annual Writing for the Soul Conference.

Is writing a novel easy? If Jerry Jenkins were asked he would have told us it is work. He knows how many words he has to produce per day to meet his deadlines and he works toward that.

Here is something for us to keep in mind. He said only one author in a hundred meets their deadline. As Christians, wouldn’t it be great if we always met our deadlines. It would be nice to hear it said: Christian writers are always early or on time.

I am so pleased with the quality of books by Christian authors that are showing up on bookstore shelves.

The Spirit of God within us will lead us to the stories that need to be written. Our part is to learn the craft of writing and put down the best story we can and do it without delay. With the help of writer’s groups, critique groups, conferences, agents and editors, our dream to have those stories published for the Kingdom of God can become a reality.

God Wouldn't Use Me

2011-04-02T07:00:00.001-06:00

Day 24 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

The World might say there are many reasons why God wouldn’t want to use you or me. But don’t worry.

Moses stuttered
David’s armor didn’t fit
John Mark was rejected by Paul
Solomon was too rich
Abraham was too old
David was too young
Timothy had ulcers
Peter was afraid of death
Lazarus was dead
John was self-righteous
Naomi was a widow
Paul was a murderer
So was Moses
Jonah ran from God
Miriam was a gossip
Gideon and Thomas both doubted
Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal
Elijah was burned out
John the Baptist was a loudmouth
Martha was a worry wart
Mary was lazy
Samson had long hair
Noah got drunk

Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter, Paul – well lots of folks did.
God doesn’t require a job interview.
He doesn’t hire and fire like most bosses, because He’s more our Dad than our boss.
God doesn’t look at financial gain or loss.
He’s not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy or brassy, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need.
As much as we try, God’s gifts are free.
We could do wonderful things for wonderful people, and still not be wonderful.
Satan says, “You’re not worthy.”
Jesus says, “So what? I AM”.
Satan looks back and sees our mistakes.
God looks back and sees the Cross.
He doesn’t calculate what you did years ago, or even days ago! Why, it’s not even on His record!
Sure, there are lots of reasons why God shouldn’t want us. But if we are utterly in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, He’ll use us in spite of who we are, where we’ve been or what we look like.

Step out of your “limitations” and into the measureless (boundless) nature of who God is!

Author Unknown

Words Aren't Enough

2011-04-01T07:00:00.001-06:00

Day 23 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

Yesterday I blogged about our life being like a race, we will all cross the finish line at some point.

I have a heavy heart today. Three of our church families are suffering pain from deaths that occurred this week and another family from the loss of their husband/father that happened last month. A very dear friend lost her sixty-four-year-old sister, another member’s eight-year-old son died of pneumonia and another family lost their four-month-old daughter to SIDS.

All those who crossed the finish line this week, were sudden, there were no prolonged illnesses. Death can make its appearance that way. It is not required to send us notice that it is showing up.

The pain they are experiencing is their pain; we can’t compare ours to theirs.

We are at a loss for words when we see these families but that is okay. Hugging and sharing tears can be better than a fountain of words that wound more than heal.

We have the comfort that each of these are in their eternal home in heaven and we who have chosen to believe Acts 16:30-31 “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They relied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved… will be reunited with them for eternity.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life.

Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7 NLT

Finish Line

2011-03-31T07:00:00.002-06:00

Day 22 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

Life is like a race.

“We’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit!” Hebrews 12:1-2 Message Version

We start out feeling strong and ready. We get into a grove and are feeling pretty good until we hit that first obstacle, it slows us down a little but we keep pushing on.

The stream we had to cross ended up being deeper

than we had thought and it was cold.

We are no longer comfortable but we still have a long way to go. We decide to take a break and get some nourishment and to talk with other people and before we know it we have wasted precious time.

Now we need to make up for it so we push ourselves hard.

At some point we realize we have gotten off the right path, we wonder how far off we have gotten. We have lost more time and have expended energy that we couldn’t afford to lose. We work our way back to the correct path feeling discouraged wondering if we are the only one who has lost their way.

At this point
we are
barely
running, head down. People are passing us saying encouraging things to us but we are not feeling real receptive to their comments. The hills are getting steeper and running in the dark is scary and dangerous. Occasionally we see the light of another night runner and think “I am not alone.”

“I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.” Acts 20:24 NIV

Our body will no longer permit running it has brought us to a slow shuffle. The finish line seems so far away and yet the longer we go we know the finish line is getting closer.

We all run the race to the finish, no one avoids getting there, some get there quicker than others but it is inevitable that we will cross under that banner.

“This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause!” 2 Tim 4:7-8 Message

In the Garden

2011-03-30T07:00:00.001-06:00

Day 21 of 40 days of Lenten Posts
I love gardens because of what I find there. Each flower is a masterpiece of the creator. Some look like an artist has taken the tiniest paint brush and applied delicate lines or dots of paint to their centers.

The varieties of shades make it difficult to put a name to the various colors of reds, pinks, yellows, whites, purples.

Some have a strong fragrance while others have a subtle scent and some have none at all but that does not take away the pleasure of their beauty.

A garden can be a variety of flowers spread across a vast landscape

or it can be a pot hanging from a house.

When I am around flowers I sense my creator.

What fun He must have had on the day He created flowers.

He knew that for all generations there would be those who found Him in these things of beauty.

The hymn In the Garden, written in 1912 by C. Austin Miles, a hymn writer and church music director, came about when this amateur photographer was waiting for film to develop. He saw a vision of Mary Magdalene visiting the empty tomb. He saw her leave the tomb and walk into the garden where she met the Master and heard Him speak her name.
When the vision ended the words of the song poured out of him. Later that evening he composed the musical score.
Now almost 100 years later this song is still sung, and treasured, as it brings together the creator with his creation. What a perfect song for this Lenten season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLjWivg4YUw&feature=related

Murmuring + Discontent = Deadly

2011-03-29T07:00:00.002-06:00

Day 20 of 40 days of Lenten Blogs

Life is rough, unkind and at times totally unfair. It is easy to complain and there are lots of people who will agree with you and add their list of complaints to yours. But special and precious is the one person who will remind you of all the things in your life that haven’t gone wrong.

If you don’t have a person like this in your life then you have to be that person to yourself. You have to recall the right things in your life and be thankful for them.

Murmuring and causing discontent is deadly.
We must be careful not to stir up discontent; discontent destroyed them. I Cor. 10:10 Message
The Israelites had first-hand experience with this. Numbers 14:26-29

A thankful heart is a full heart; an unthankful heart is one that is squeezed shut with bitterness.

When your world is spinning out of control and you wonder if you have any faith left to get you through, try this exercise. Make a list of those things you are thankful for.

Right now I am thankful for feeling good. Sunday I was sideswiped with twenty-four -hour flu. I hate being sick so I am thankful when my body is acting as it should. I am thankful my husband has a job after being unemployed for over a year. He isn’t real happy with this job but we are thankful for it. God will bring something else when the time is right. I am thankful for a car that runs well and a roof over my head. I am thankful for a free voice to write this blog. I am thankful for my dog, Sammy, she is a sweetie. I am thankful for my children and my grandchildren. I am thankful for a chair to sit in, for food on my table, and for friends. The list could go on and on but I think you get the idea.

I won’t give you a list of complaints, I could probably come up with a bunch of those too but I would rather put my thankful heart to work and watch my faith grow.

When I review all the good things in my life and all the times God has been faithful I know whatever I am going through right now my heavenly Father is with me and will bring me through this as I lay my requests before Him with thankfulness in my heart.

So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. Matt 7:11 NLT

Sammy

2011-03-28T09:03:00.002-06:00

Sorry, the pictures for the post titled Weeds are not showing. If you click on where they are supposed to be you can see them.

Weeds

2011-03-28T07:00:00.001-06:00

Day 20 of 40 days of Lenten Posts
Have you been neglecting your quiet time with God?

Did you have a special place that you met with Him?

Is that special place broken down and overgrown with weeds?

Don’t despair. Cultivate your quiet time and your special place can be restored.

In that quiet place you will find answers to your questions and peace for your anguished soul. Don’t allow your calendar of events to steal the most important thing from your life. Make your time with your creator the highest priority.

Ears and Eyes

2011-03-27T06:00:00.001-06:00

Day 19 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

Ears to hear

And Eyes to see

Both are gifts from the Lord. Proverbs 20:12 NLT

I want to understand the path to integrity.

When will you come to me?

I will live in my own home with integrity

I will not put anything wicked in front of my eyes.

I hate what unfaithful people do.

I want no part of it.

Psalm 101:2-3 God’s Word Translation

Father, may we use our eyes and ears in a way that

is pleasing to you.

Log Jam

2011-03-26T07:00:00.002-06:00

Day 18 of 40 days of Lenten Posts
You can see the speck in your friend’s eye.

But you don’t notice the log in your own eye.

How can you say, “My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye, “when you don’t see the log in your own eye? You show-offs! First, get the log out of your own eye. Then you can see how to take the speck out of your friend’s eye. Luke 6:41-42 CEV

At times we can be quick to point out sin in a friend’s life when it is outwardly visible to the world. But what about our own sins, the ones done behind closed doors, the ones no one sees or knows about.

Until we deal with the sin in our life, do we have the right to point out another’s sin?

When we try to remove the speck from our friend’s eye, while harboring a log in our eye, we become the Pharisee in the parable that Jesus told in Luke 18:10-14.

Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a proud, self-righteous Pharisee, and the other was a cheating tax collector. The proud Pharisee ‘prayed’ this prayer: ‘Thank God, I am not a sinner like everyone else, especially like that tax collector over there! For I never cheat, I don’t commit adultery, I go without food twice a week, and I give to God a tenth of everything I earn.
But the corrupt tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed, but beat upon his chest in sorrow, exclaiming, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home forgiven! For the proud shall be humbled, but the humble shall be honored.”

When the sin in our life has been dealt with, then when we go to our brother to help him recognize the sin he has in his life, it will be done with humility. We will stand with that brother, holding him up, encouraging him and keeping him accountable to walking in righteousness.

May we pray as David did.
Look deep into my heart, God, and find out everything I am thinking. Don’t let me follow evil ways, but lead me in the way that time has proven true. Ps. 139:23-24 CEV

The Real Thing

2011-03-25T07:00:00.003-06:00

Day 17 or 40 days of Lenten Posts

In 1969 Coca Cola introduced the slogan, “It’s the real thing.”

Now Coca Cola may think it is the real thing but I can guarantee you it is not.

There is only one real thing and that is Jesus.

He is it. The one and only.

He is our Advocate, Almighty, Alpha and Omega, Amen, Author of Life, Author and Perfecter of our Faith, Author of Salvation, Bread of Life, Chief Cornerstone, Chief Shepherd, Christ, Creator, Deliverer, Eternal Life, Faithful and True, Faithful Witness, Firstborn from the Dead, Good Shepherd, Great High Priest, Head of the Church, Healer, High Priest, Holy and True, Hope of Glory, I Am, Immanuel, King Eternal, King of kings, Lamb of God, Light of the World, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Living One, Living Stone, Lord of All, Lord of Glory, Mighty God, Morning Star, Only Begotten Son of God, Our Holiness, Protector, Redeemer, Our Righteousness, Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb, Precious Cornerstone, Prophet, Resurrection and Life, Rock, Savior, Son of God, Son of Man, the One Mediator, True Bread, True Light, True Vine, Truth, The Way, The Word.

Try to beat that Coca Cola.

Not Two but One

2011-03-24T07:00:00.001-06:00

Day 16 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

I grieve when I hear of another couple who have separated or divorced.
I try not to judge because I don’t know what is going on behind closed doors.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 says:

Finishing is better than starting.

I pray that we will begin to see a turnaround in marriages. May forgiveness always be in our hearts and on our lips and may peace reign in our marriages.

Then they are no longer two people, but one. And no one should separate a couple that God has joined together.

Matthew 19:6 CEV

His Big Hands

2011-03-23T07:00:00.001-06:00

Day 15 of 40 Days of Lenten Posts
With so many tragic things happening in the world it is frightening to watch the news.

What do we do with the questions that seem to have no answers?
We bow our heads in prayer weeping for those who have lost loved ones, homes, businesses.
We wonder; what would I do if that were me? Would I lose all hope? Who would I turn to for strength and peace?

Even though the fig trees have no fruit

and no grapes grow on the vines,

even though the olive crop fails

and the fields produce no grain,

even though the sheep all die

and the cattle stalls are empty,

I will still be joyful and glad,

because the Lord God is my savior.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 Good News Translation

We put our trust in God and He promises:

I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you

on the palms of my hands
Isaiah 49:15-16 NIV

He knows our pain and He weeps with us and then we must remind ourselves that He has the whole world in His hands. The whole world! He has not forsaken us.

One Equals 810,000

2011-03-22T07:00:00.001-06:00

Day 14 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

Fruitfulness – conducive to an abundant yield; abundantly productive

Our God is a god of increase.

Look at a kernel of corn. It is small and hard, a handful ground up could be made into a biscuit.
Planted, one kernel of corn will produce a stalk with three to four ears.
On each ear you will find over three hundred kernels. A stalk of corn with three ears would produce over 900 kernels.
Take those 900 kernels and plant them, now you have 900 stalks with three ears, that’s 2700 ears with over 300 kernels on each ear. Now that adds up to 810,000 kernels of corn, all starting from one kernel and only two plantings. Keep planting and the harvest is truly plentiful.

Increase is God’s way.

Then he took some of the seed of the land and planted it in a fertile field; He placed it by abundant waters and set it like a willow tree. Ezekiel 17:5 NKJV

Does God desire increase for you?

Second Corinthians seems to say that He desires you to be fruitful in all areas of your life.

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Cor 9:10-11 NIV

That excites me. I am into abundant blessings from my Father God, not so I can horde it but so I can share when I see a need.

Spring is coming and we will soon see God’s increase bursting forth all around us.

Light in the Darkness

2011-03-21T07:00:00.001-06:00

Day 13 of 40 days of Lenten Posts
Financial devastation, rebellious children, a marriage in danger of disintegrating, a diagnosis of a life changing infirmity.
Darkness surrounding you, gross darkness.

Is this your life?
He despairs of escaping the darkness Job 15:22 NIV

The Message translation goes into more detail.
Every little sound terrifies them.
Just when they think they have it made, disaster strikes.
They despair of things ever getting better—
They’re on the list of people for whom things always turn out for the worst.
They wander here and there,
Never knowing where the next meal is coming from—
Every day is doomsday!
They live in constant terror,
Always with their backs up against the wall.

When it appears that darkness is total, open your eyes, observe the pin pricks of light that God has sent your way.
The phone call with encouragement when you thought no one cared.
The surprise check that comes in the mail when you needed it most.
Your child obeying you without arguing.
Your husband calling you to say he loves you.
A neighbor bringing over a meal when you are so worn out you were ready to put peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the table.

These pin pricks of light are strong against the darkness. The more you observe, the more light you see.

When you have noticed the pin pricks then lift up your eyes and observe the greater light of God. He is watching over you, never leaving or forsaking you.

You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light. 2 Samuel 22:29 NIV

Legacy of Love

2011-03-20T07:00:00.002-06:00

Day 12 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

Isn’t this a great picture of two happy people?

This picture is of my mother’s parents.

When I think of the hardships they faced it is good to know that they could smile through life. My grandmother gave birth to 14 children. One child was still born, one died of pneumonia at 2 months old, one died of crib death at 8 months old, one died of Diphtheria at 5 years old, and one died of a brain tumor at 14. The other nine children lived to adulthood.

When he was 56 years old my grandfather was killed while riding his bike to work.

While together my grandparents lived through World War 1 and the Great Depression.

Supporting so many children had to be hard on them but I never heard any stories from my mother or aunts and uncles about them being given anything but lovefrom their parents.

All of my mom’s brothers and sisters remained close. My mother, at 90, is the only one living of those nine children.

I thank my grandparents for leaving me a legacy of love and family.

"but showing love to a thousand [ generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments." Exodus 20:6 NIV

Here is another picture of a happy couple.

This is my husband Bob and me on vacation last year.

I pray that you are able to leave a legacy of love, even if you haven't had one passed down to you.

Spring Come Quickly

2011-03-19T18:46:00.000-06:00

Day 11 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

"The rain

and snow

come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth.

They cause the grain to grow producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry." Isaiah 55:10 NLT

I am so ready for spring. I want to put away my heavy coat and boots and see flowers bloom. Colorado Springs has to get through the month of April before we can breath a slight sigh of relief that our snow times are over. Sometimes we are surprised with one last covering of white in the month of May.

How about where you live, has spring started to show with green grass and buds on trees?

Go Ahead Laugh

2011-03-18T12:46:00.000-06:00

Day 10 of my 40 day of Lenten posts

Today as I was reading Facebook posts it seemed that most of them made me laugh, out loud laughter. It felt really good. They say that laughter raises your serotonin levels and reduces stress. It worked.

I hope that you have a laughter filled day.

If you are cheerful, you feel good;

If you are sad, you hurt all over. Prov. 17:22 CEV

Beginning to End

2011-03-17T11:38:00.001-06:00

Day nine of my 40 days of Lenten posts

God has made everything beautiful for its own time.

He has planted eternity in the human heart,

but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work

from beginning

to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT

Not seeing what God has in mind for our lives, from our sunrise to our sunset, we trust in Him.

Quick Moves

2011-03-16T18:31:00.001-06:00

Day 8 of 40 days of Lenten Posts

How quick are your moves?

Would you run to put a stop to the sin that angers God?

In my daily bible reading in the book of Numbers 25:1-13 I came across the story of God’s anger against the Israelites for having sexual relationships with Moabite women and then worshipping the gods of Moab.

All those who participated were to be executed.

In the midst of this showing of God’s wrath one of the Israelite men took a Midianite woman into his tent, right in front of Moses and all the people who were mourning the loss of the 24,000 who were destroyed. A stupid act, but arrogant people can be a mite stupid.

One man, Phinehas, was so grieved by what was grieving God that he picked up his spear and RAN to the man’s tent and put a spear through the man and the woman. This act turned God’s anger from the people.

One man who took up the cause for God was able to stop death.

That man had a heart that hurt with what hurt God’s heart and he moved quickly.

I want to be like that.

I want the things that grieve God’s heart to grieve mine.
But for me, and you, it must go one step further, we must be willing to do something about it. I am not suggesting that we go around killing people who are sinning; if that were the case we would have to kill ourselves because we are all sinners.
I do suggest that we can take up causes that are dear to God’s heart, the poor, the helpless, the widow, justice, the unborn, etc.

How do you choose what to get involved with?

What are you passionate about?

If your heart is for the poor look into programs your community has and get involved.

If your heart grieves for those who find themselves in the position of an unwanted pregnancy go to your local crisis pregnancy center and find out how you can help.

Are you fed up with how things are run in your community; get involved in the government locally. Something as simple as being on your homeowner's association board is a start.

Does your blood boil when you hear of someone being killed by a drunk driver? Get involved with MADD.

I am a writer of fiction and I see this as a vast and wide open field to be used for bringing righteousness back into the world. No preaching please, it only turns people off. A well written story, dealing with the issues of life in a God fearing way, that is believable, will reach people that a preacher in a pulpit will never touch.

What tugs at your heart strings, look there first.

If the madness of the world is to be brought back into order it begins with us.

Detours and Paths

2011-03-15T07:00:00.001-06:00

Day 7 of 40 days of Lenten posts

Life for Christians can suck; don’t let anyone tell you that when you become a Christian all your problems will be gone. You will still sin, mess up and wonder if you are even saved.

When you give your life to Christ it is like painting a target on your back, the enemy of your soul will come after you with discouragement, temptations, and lies.

John 10:10 says the thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. He’s not after the non-Christians, he already has them. You have become his prey. God’s purpose is to give you a rich and satisfying life. It may seem a contradiction that you will have all these problems but still have a satisfying life. Think about it, isn’t there satisfaction in overcoming obstacles?

God doesn’t always deliver us from the messes we get ourselves into or from all that the enemy throws at us, instead He steps up alongside of us and shows us the way through, and out, of the muddle we have gotten ourselves into.

As we read the Word and listen carefully we become better at discerning when the enemy is speaking and when it is the Spirit of God directing us. When peace descends you know you are on the right path.

And if you leave God's paths and go astray, you will hear a Voice behind you say, "No, this is the way; walk here." Isaiah 30:21-22 TLB

Doors

2011-03-14T07:00:00.040-06:00

Day six of 40 days of Lenten posts
Doors, we encounter them everywhere we go. Some are big and some are small. Some are pretty and some are plain.

Doors keep out elements and intruders.

Doors are openings we pass through on our way to opportunities.

Surprises reside behind each new door we face. Does the design of the door give a hint of what is hidden by its closure?

They can hold excitement or fear.

We would be excited to open a door that leads us to our loved one.

Fear might grip us as we stand outside the door of the business we hope will employ us.

Standing in front of a hospital door there may be hesitation before it is swung open.

Unlocking the door to your first home is a celebration, one that is not easily forgotten.

Going to a car dealership and opening the door of a car, you are assaulted with the distinctive fragrance of new car.

Opening the door of a barn you are assaulted with the odor of animals.

Quietly pushing against the bedroom door to peek in on your newborn child brings a rush of love and joy.

Of all the doors you will encounter in your life I pray that you will open the most important one.

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” Rev. 3:20 NLT

Jesus is inviting you to open His door of salvation.

All Ears

2011-03-13T07:00:00.002-06:00

Day five of my 40 days of Lenten posts.

Listen to me! For I have important information for you. Everything I say is right and true, for I hate lies and every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing of evil in it. My words are plain and clear to anyone with half a mind-if it is only open! My instruction is far more valuable than silver or gold." Proverbs 8:6-10 TLB

Are the words we speak worth listening to?

False Accusation

2011-03-12T07:00:00.005-07:00

Day four of my 40 days of Lenten Posts

He was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before the shearers, so he opened not his mouth... Acts 8:32-33 TLB

How do we react when we are falsely accused?

Hot - Cold - Lukewarm

2011-03-11T14:34:00.000-07:00

Today is the third day of Lent. I have set a goal of posting a blog for each of the forty days before Easter.

What is the temperature of your Faith walk?

Hot - Cold - Lukewarm

I know your deeds,

that you are neither cold

nor hot:

I wish you were either one or the other!

So, because you are lukewarm-

neither hot nor cold-

I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Rev 3:15-16 NIV

If like me, you sometimes find yourself lukewarm in your Faith and spiritual walk, I think you will agree it is a very unsatisfying place to be. I am the only one who can change the unsatisfying lukewarm to the over the top satisfying Hot Faith walk.

God’s very Word tells me how to increase my Faith.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Rom. 10:17-18 NIV

There is the answer: my Faith fire will be fed by reading, and reading, and reading the Word of God.

My pastor has placed a challenge on our church that in 2011 we will all read through the entire Word of God. How could we not have spontaneous combustion.

The days leading up to Easter, our Lord's resurrection, is the perfect time to turn up the fire in our life.

Trust

2011-03-10T08:48:00.000-07:00

How complete is our trust in our Heavenly Father?

But I trust in your unfailing love;

my heart rejoices in your salvation.

Ps 13:5 NIV

When I am overcome by a situation and feel like I am walking alone, I remind myself that this state of affairs was not a surprise to God. He did not suddenly throw up His hands and say, “Wow, I wasn’t expecting that to happen to Diane. I don’t know what to do.”

He was aware from the beginning that this was going to take place and He has a plan for my good. That brings a level of peace to me. My part now is to trust, listen and obey.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD... Jer 29:11-14 NIV

May the Lord give you peace in whatever crisis you are currently facing. The cross proves that He can be trusted.

Washing Up

2011-03-09T15:28:00.003-07:00

Today is the start of Lent, a time of preparation for the celebration of Easter.
A time to reflect on our lives and consider a little clean up.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:4-7 NIV

Destination

2011-03-06T20:27:00.000-07:00

What happens when you come to the end of the track?

You have two choices:

Continue on and derail

back up

and get on a track that takes you

to your destination.

Where are you?

Check Engine Light

2011-02-23T17:33:00.001-07:00

I am sitting at home waiting until it is time to take my car to the mechanic. Yesterday the dreaded check engine light appeared. My car was serviced on Feb. 11 for an oil change and inspection so that light turning on was not a welcome sight.

I am quick to want to have it checked. I don't want to break down on the road.

It made me ponder how quick I am with other check engine lights in my life. Am I swift to respond to them?

We know we need to care for all areas of our lives to keep balanced.

Spiritual – Reading God's Word, praying, attending church, praising God

Family – Keeping open communication, forgiving, sharing time, loving

Emotional – Spending time with friends, reading uplifting books, having the ability to laugh with others and laugh at ourselves, knowing our purpose and setting ourselves on the path towards it

Health – Eating right, exercising, getting regular check-ups, proper sleep

Finances – Proper stewardship of what we have, not overspending, sharing what we do have, giving to the kingdom of God

This is not an exhaustive list, just a few things to get you thinking.

Is your engine fine-tuned?

Have you been ignoring the check engine light in any of these areas?

Overwhelmed

2011-02-18T16:26:00.001-07:00

Overwhelm: Swamp, submerge, engulf, bury, deluge, flood, inundate, overcome.

Listen to people and their stories: Long term illness, divorce, financial devastation, cancer, job loss, loss of homes, death. It’s overwhelming to our emotions.

Today I came to the realization that this is where I am at.

When overwhelmed I withdraw. I withdraw from seeing people and speaking to them on the phone. If I keep myself from being around people I won’t hear their story and it won’t be added to the overwhelming weight I already feel.

Why do I feel the weight of other’s problems? Because God has put a love in my heart for people. When they hurt, I hurt. I want to remove that hurt and I can’t, I wasn’t made to, that is God’s job. But that doesn’t stop the ache in my heart.

I feel helpless when all I can offer are a few words; however, I may be overlooking a very powerful tool. Maybe at the moment I am in their presence a few words, given by the Holy Spirit through me, is all they need to get through another burdensome day. So if I am withdrawing from contact with people am I adding to their burden? Maybe, if God intended to use me in their life that day.

Does this possibility cause me to desire to run out and find people? No. I want to protect my heart. It’s selfish I know. Forgive me for this but at times my heart feels like it is hemorrhaging. I could blame God for this pain, He made me this way but He knew what He was doing when He gave me a soft heart.
Psalm 33:12-15 The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks on all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.

For all my family, friends, and those I have never met, who are going through sorrows my heart cries for you. I desire you to be at the end of your trial, I long for you to have the victory that you are battling for, I cry out for you to have wholeness.

1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

Only “for a Little While.”

Photo: MorgueFile

Footsteps

2011-01-09T20:30:00.000-07:00

This evening my husband was putting some cans of soda in the refrigerator before sitting down for dinner. He bumped a large container of yogurt. It fell out and landed on the floor, the container landed on its bottom but it split open. He pitched the container in the trash and I started grabbing paper towels to clean up the mess. There was yogurt on the floor, the refrigerator, the wall and the cabinet. My husband sat down to eat his hot food while I was wiping things up.

When I finished cleaning up the mess I sat down to eat my cold dinner and a thought ran through my mind: Why did I have to clean up the mess he made?

I heard myself telling myself: “Jesus cleans up your messes.” That was a paradigm shift.

I am grateful that Jesus follows behind me washing me clean from my messes when I ask Him to. He shouldn't have to do that, He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords yet He humbles Himself and extends His love and grace to me over and over.

So it was okay that I cleaned up the mess, I was just following in Jesus' footsteps.

Didn't you know that Jesus wears running shoes? He has to to keep up with all of His sheep. :)

NaNoWriMo Confession

2010-10-29T12:57:00.000-06:00

Monday November 1, NaNoWriMo kicks off. For the third year I am setting aside the month of November to write a novel of 50,000 plus words.

The story that is rolling around in my spirit is going to be a difficult one to write because it will deal with heavy issues. After I had the idea I wanted to put it aside because I am so unqualified to write the story and it will require a lot of painful research, not painful to me, but for those I will seek out for the help I need.

I asked God if this was my idea or if it was the story He wanted me to write. He confirmed this was the direction He wanted to me go. Each time I think about this story the tears want to come.

It will be a story of healing and redemption but there will be much pain in getting to that place. Knowing this, I feel the weight of this project.

This morning while reading in the book of John so many scriptures spoke to me of God’s guidance over this story. I realize I need an extra heavy dose of inspiration and I should start each writing day seeking the Holy Spirit’s help.

I took the scriptures from John and made them into a personal prayer. I will lift this prayer to God at the start of each writing day to remind myself: I am not alone in this and I better not go off on my own tangents but have an ear to what the Holy Spirit is speaking to me. This will be the start of each of my writing days.

Father, your Word says to make use of the Light while there is still time, may I be the light bearer that you have called me to through my writing.

I thank you that the stories I write are not my own ideas, but the Holy Spirit will tell me what the Father says to tell me. I know His instructions lead to eternal life; so whatever He tells me to say, I say!

Father, I haven’t any idea where I am going with the story, so how can I know the way? I thank you that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life and He will lead me in this. This is Your story.

“The words I say are not my own but are from my Father who lives in me. And He does His work through me.”

I pray I stay attached to You during this time of consecration to this work, for apart from You I can’t do a thing.

I remind myself Father that You chose me. You appointed me to go and produce lovely fruit always, so no matter what I ask for from the Father, using Jesus name, Father, you will give it to me.

Father, thank you the words You give me for this story will be used by the Holy Spirit to convince the world of its sin, and of the availability of God’s goodness, and of deliverance from judgment.

May love, grace and mercy ring through this work bringing healing and deliverance to the captives.

May I keep distractions to a minimum during this time but also include in my life the people You send to me.

Father, bring glory and honor to Your name.

In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.
Scriptures: John 12:28, 12:36, 12:49 14:5, 14:10 15:5, 15:16, 15:26 16:8

Happy writing to all who are participating in NaNo 2010.
My NaNo user name is Shortstuff if you would like to follow my progress.

Mirror, Mirror

2010-10-17T22:20:00.000-06:00

Don’t you hate being wrong. I do.

With age comes wisdom, or at least that’s what the world says and what I hope manifests in my life someday.

God gets down and dirty with me and I cringe when he uncovers the unlovely in my life. Today He started it during Praise and Worship and went deeper during the sermon. I wish He would wait until I get home to deal with me and my issues.

He knows me too well. In church He has my undivided attention. At home there are too many distractions, including the three hour nap I took today.

I didn’t sleep much last night, maybe I should have asked God then what was up. I might have saved myself the yucks I felt during service as God unpeeled some ugly, rotten layers in my life.

Today He was knocking on the door of my heart asking me to check with Him instead of thinking I know all the answers. I need to do some back tracking and cut through the brambles that I have allowed to grow around me and find my way back to that door to let Him in.

When I know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that is rebellion. It’s not the big things, but the seemingly insignificant, that trip me up.

When He holds His mirror up for me to peer into I don’t like what I see. There is a way to clear away the unwholesome reflection, I confess my sins and ask His forgiveness. Now the reflection is covered in the blood of Christ and He no longer sees my sin.

How long will I maintain this perfected reflection, probably not for long but there is always His grace waiting to be poured onto, and into me.

Tomorrow is a new day and a fresh opportunity to get it right. I am thankful.

photo: MorgueFile

I Can See Clearly Now

2010-10-13T13:53:00.000-06:00

This morning my world was encased in a shroud. It wasn’t caused by my fuzzy mind but a beautiful fog had descended, hiding the spectacular view that I normally enjoy each day.

The fog was keeping me from seeing what I knew was there. My mind has been in a foggy state for some time and the pity parties I kept throwing myself were getting downright disgusting.

Letting go of what I didn’t have—that sounds strange, how do you let go of something you don’t possess—and embracing, with thanksgiving, all I do have is bringing transformation into my life.

When Jesus hung on the cross and said, “It is finished,” the curtain in the temple was torn top to bottom. If man had done that he would have torn it bottom to top. God was telling us, “Come on in, I took care of the hard part. Sit down, let’s talk, let’s converse. I want to hear all about your pain, your doubts, your needs and then, if you will be still in my presence, I will speak to you.”

I am learning that God’s love fills all the longings that I have, the longings that no person can fulfill because people disappoint.

When hurt comes, and it will, I have a choice—will I allow the hurt to take root and reap a crop of bitterness or will I allow the sweet love of Jesus to wash over me and encase me in a shroud of peace. I choose the peace He extends to me continuously.

Life is so much sweeter.

View from my deck, isn't it pretty?

SUMMER RECAP

2010-08-29T20:06:00.000-06:00

Summertime is over and it was a hot one in Colorado Springs. We have enjoyed some spells of rain with beautiful thunder. I love to feel enveloped by it when it rolls on and on.
In June I attended the Glen Eyrie Writer’s Workshop and it was fabulous. If you are looking at conferences for next year I recommend this one. I had such a great time with the featured writers/speakers, Angela Hunt, James Scott Bell, Nancy Rue, and Kathy Mackel. We laughed and learned. The location is beautiful, lots of places to walk, hike and spend peaceful time with God. It doesn’t get much better. The picture is of the members of Words For The Journey Writer's Guild with author James Scott Bell.

In July my husband and I headed to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for a family reunion with his brothers, his sister and their families. We had fun, his family knows how to have a good time. I did learn a very important lesson: Don’t go to Florida in July, can you say hot and humid, record breaking temperatures.
Family picture without all the kids.

July 28th our writer’s group Words For The Journey had a write-in at the Broadmoor, lots of ladies came and the click, click of computers could be heard all day.

August has been a hot month in Colorado Springs. I have spent the month reading and playing with my granddaughter. Did I mention that I will be a grandmother again in November, another girl is expected. Yeah!

This last week of August has been an unpleasant one for me, I picked up a bug and spent a whole week in my house. I am still recouping from the cough and I need to recoup fast, because I have a busy week ahead.

Monday I will be getting my hair done, it is time for a trim and color. I wonder how gray I am? Not ready to find out yet so, touch up here I come. I would like to try a new style but I have no idea what look I would want. Ugh, hair issues, you love them and hate them at the same time. I’ll also be spending time with my granddaughter.

Tuesday evening our writer’s guild Words For The Journey will kick off our return to meetings, we took a break during the summer. The guest speaker will be author Robert Liparulo. The meeting will be held at the Barnes & Noble Lone Tree by Park Meadows Mall. Join us if you are in the vicinity, we start at 7pm.

Wednesday is church night and also more time with my granddaughter.

My daughter Coleen will be flying into Denver from Kansas City on Thursday morning. Thursday night my other kids and families will be congregating at my not very clean house, remember I have been sick for a week, for dinner.

Friday morning Coleen and I will leave for Silverton where she will awaken on Saturday morning to begin a 48 hour running race. She has participated in many ultra runs; she completed the Leadville 100 mile run last year. She takes after her dad who has run many ultras. You can read my story about them in the Chicken Soup for the Soul Runners book that came out in July.

See what I mean about a busy week.

I am planning on September being the month I settle down and get serious about my writing again. I’ll keep you posted.

I hope you had a summer full of fun, frolic and fulfillment.

Why I Am Not Writing

2010-05-28T16:11:00.000-06:00

As a writer I constantly read the advice that a writer should be a voracious reader, well I’ve got that down pat. The problem is I am spending all my time reading and not writing. Now how can I possibly become a good writer if I am not writing?

I go to my weekly writers guild meetings, read lots of books on the craft of writing and read novels by my favorite authors, boy aren’t I good. NOT.

Unless I sit myself in my chair and put fingers to keyboard or mechanical pencil (my favorite non-computer writing tool) to paper I am not a writer. DUH.

So, if I say I am a writer then I must write.

I sat myself down today with a couple of writing prompts and wrote away. What I wrote was entertaining for me and showed me that my mind can still go to those strange places that writer’s minds go. I enjoyed myself too.

I am happiest when I am writing because that is what God has called me to do. So I asked myself, before I took off with those writer’s prompts, why I was hesitating to write. I also asked God if I should attend the Writer’s Workshop that will be held at Glen Eyrie beginning June 6th. The atmosphere of this workshop is small and intimate with writing time included. I have hesitated because I didn’t want to hear from the presenters that I should find something else to do with my time, you know, “step away from the computer do not put your hands to the keyboard.”

The answer I received from God was not very comforting but truth telling. I love that He loves me so much that He is straight with me.

I doubt that you have this issue but for me it is PRIDE. See, if I go to the conference I will receive criticism in front of all these great authors. I want everyone to love me and everything about me including my writing. I want to hang onto my dignity.

As I clutched my chest and pulled the dagger out of my heart I saw that if I choose to go to the conference as one who knows nothing, but is willing to have a teachable heart, I can learn to become the writer that God wants me to become. Simple change of mind and the answer to whether I should go is simple, of course I should. God has gifted me for this and I must receive and use the gift.

James 1:17 in the Message Bible says: Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. THE GIFTS ARE RIVERS OF LIGHT CASCADING DOWN FROM THE FATHER OF LIGHT.

Rivers of light cascading down, those are the kinds of words that I want to put on paper or computer screen.

So, I will stop reading a novel every two days and throw myself into my passion for writing and leave the results to God. Smile.

BELIEVE

2010-05-12T16:11:00.000-06:00

I’m sitting in my office comfy chair, as opposed to my desk chair, and in the mirror on the wall I see the reflection of a gift from a dear friend. It is a decorative stand with an encouraging word attached, that word is Believe. It is my reminder that whatever I have need of, the first step in receiving is believing.

I smile when I look at that sign. It is an answer from God when I have a question.

“God, will spring come to Colorado Springs?”
God: “Believe.”

“God, will I ever be a published author?”
God: “Believe.”

“God, can our nation get back to its firm roots?”
God, “Believe.”

Sometimes it is easy to believe, but in the deep, painful places it is hard. When the believing stretches on for twenty plus years and I ask, “When God?”

His answer is still, “Believe.”

Spring Road Trip Delights

2010-04-23T09:56:00.001-06:00

It is good to get away from home. A driving trip to Kansas City, not looked upon as an exciting event, has sights for the eyes to feast upon, if one has eyes to see.

The Kansas countryside displays trees dressed in their spring fancy. There is something so alive in the intense green of early spring leaves, unlike the deeper green that comes in the heat of summer. This bright green is an assault to the senses. I miss the Midwest offerings of spring; it comes so very late in the semi-arid region of Colorado.

In the Midwest each season arrives with intensity.

Spring offers bright green trees, tulips, daffodils, lilacs and fragrances drifting through windows thrown open, driving out the staleness from a house closed up tight against the cold of winter.

Summer is warm sun, beaches, flowers growing everywhere, and fruits and vegetables growing on the vines and stalks. The smell of fresh mown grass, the prickle of the cut grass stuck to your sweat covered skin.

The autumns in the Midwest are a riot of colors on the trees and ground. Maple leaves, as big as plates, the color of the sun, hanging on the branches and littering the ground. The reds, oranges, yellows and browns of the leaves raked in a huge pile ready to experience the giggles of children who leap into the mound with joy. The air has a distinct smell of decaying leaves and plants, but it is a good smell, earthy, a fragrance whispering, “what is happening in this death will be life giving in the spring.”

Winter is harsh, dropping in like a parachute refusing to be rolled up for months. The air so cold it hurts your lungs with each breath, snow piled on top of snow, some beautifully white but most caked with the dirt splashed from passing vehicles.

Intense, full on seasons, no sliding from one season to another, you know when you have entered a new one.

This morning Kansas offered up thunder, lightning and rain, a gift I received with a smile. I love the sound of thunder, a beautiful, rumbling percussion. Each entrance and exit is different, the duration long or short.

God is so gracious, giving us delights for all our senses, imagine the world in black and white with no fragrances or textures. He created us with five senses to experience all of His glorious creation, are we using them or blindly lock stepping through each day unaware of His gift.

Photo:Morguefile

Final Lesson from the Wedding at Cana

2010-04-20T17:44:00.000-06:00

Part four
This is our final lesson for this scripture.

1 The next day Jesus’ mother was a guest at a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. 2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother spoke to him about the problem. “They have no more wine,” she told him.
4 “How does that concern you and me?” Jesus asked. “My time has not yet come.”
5 But his mother told the servants, “do whatever he tells you.”
6 Six stone waterpots were standing there; they were used for Jewish ceremonial purposes and held twenty to thirty gallons each. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled to the brim, 8 he said, “Dip some out and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So they followed his instructions.
9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “Usually a host serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone is full and doesn’t care, he brings out the less expensive wines. But you have kept the best until now!” John 2:1-10 New Living Translation

Verses 9-10

What Scripture tells us:
The obedient servants brought the water, now turned into wine by Jesus, to the
master of ceremonies and he was surprised that this wine was better than the wine
served at the beginning of the celebration.

What we would do:
Either we would be disobedient and not even bring the water to the master of
ceremonies, or we would be apologizing all over the place for bringing him a
dipper of water. We would put the blame, for doing something so foolish, where it
belongs, on that Jesus person. Our mouths would have dropped open when the
master of ceremonies declared this the best wine ever. Then we would have
pranced around proudly, thinking we had something to do with the miracle.

What Jesus did:
Jesus gave instructions to the servants and when the dipper of liquid was brought
to the master of ceremonies it was no longer water it was now the finest wine, a
wine so good that the master of ceremonies questioned the bridegroom.

What God wants us to learn from this:
When He gives us instructions, and we follow them, no matter how silly, foolish,
or impossible they seem, the results will be the BEST.

In my humanness I have ideas of the best way God can take care of my difficulties, I plan it all out in my mind. I am so glad He doesn’t listen to my strategies, I would continually be short changing myself. His ways are higher than my ways.

Has God given you instructions or led you in a direction that seemed to be the worst thing you could do? Have you followed those instructions and seen that He knows best?

When the awesome answer comes remember who to give thanks to.

Part Three: More Lessons from the Wedding at Cana

2010-04-13T20:19:00.000-06:00

Part three

6 Six stone waterpots were standing there; they were used for Jewish ceremonial purposes and held twenty to thirty gallons each. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled to the brim, 8 he said, “Dip some out and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So they followed his instructions.
John 2:1-10 New Living Translation

Verses 6-8

What Scripture tells us:
The servants were given some strange instructions by Jesus but they followed them. They were told to take a dipper of the water to the Master of Ceremonies.

What we would do:
We would have grumbled about the hot, sweaty job of filling the waterpots. Who
is this Jesus guy who is giving us instructions. Weren’t we supposed to get
our instructions from the Master of Ceremonies. After finishing the long task of
filling all six of those pots we would have thought we were done and turned to
walk away, but before we could, this Jesus tells us to take a dipper of water to the
Master of Ceremonies. What? That is even dumber than filling the jars. The M of
C is going to look at us like we are crazy. He’ll be asking us why we are bringing
him a dipper of water? This Jesus person must be crazy, I’m not participating in
his antics.

What the servants did:
The servants did as they were instructed: “Do whatever he tells you,” Mary had
said. Jesus said: “Fill the jars with water,” “Dip some out and take it to the master
of ceremonies.” I don’t see them questioning, complaining or being fearful to
follow all of the directions given by Jesus.

What God wants us to learn from this:
Follow His instructions, even when they sound foolish. He knows what He is
doing.

How are you at following directions? God uses other people to bring the answers to our prayers, are we willing to listen to what they are telling us even if it doesn’t seem logical? Testing is hard on us. God is looking to see if we will trust Him even when we don’t understand the direction He is giving us. He sees the whole picture, we only see in part. It is not easy following Christ and at times it can seem to be painful.

Image: Morguefile

MORE LESSONS FROM THE WEDDING AT CANA

2010-04-10T07:30:00.000-06:00

Part two of Lessons from the Wedding at Cana
Story from John 2:1-10

4 “How does that concern you and me?” Jesus asked. “My time has not yet come.”
5 But his mother told the servants, “do whatever he tells you.”

Verses 4-5

What Scripture tells us:
     It looks like Jesus is not going to do anything about the problem.

What we would do:
     When we don’t get our prayers answered right away or in the way we
     think they should be answered we loose our faith in God and His
     promises. We turn away from Him and think, and say, that prayer (our request for God to fix our
     problem) doesn’t work.

What Mary did:
     Mary told the servants to “Do whatever he tells you.” She prepared them to receive instructions from
     Jesus. She knew who Jesus was.

What God wants us to learn from this:
     Trust God for the timing and the way He will answer your prayers. Be prepared to receive instruction.

How do you react when it doesn’t seem that God is hearing your prayers? Do you continue believing and listening for His voice? There may be instructions coming before your answer arrives.

Image: Yahoo Images

LESSONS FROM THE WEDDING OF CANA

2010-04-08T14:57:00.001-06:00

In reading from the book of John, God showed me lessons He wanted us to learn from the story of the wedding Jesus attended with His mother and His disciples. I will be dividing this up into several posts to keep it from becoming toooo long. I want you to get all of it.

Part one

1 The next day Jesus’ mother was a guest at a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. 2 Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. 3 The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother spoke to him about the problem. “They have no more wine,” she told him.
4 “How does that concern you and me?” Jesus asked. “My time has not yet come.”
5 But his mother told the servants, “do whatever he tells you.”
6 Six stone waterpots were standing there; they were used for Jewish ceremonial purposes and held twenty to thirty gallons each. 7 Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled to the brim,8 he said, “Dip some out and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So they followed his instructions.
9 When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. 10 “Usually a host serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone is full and doesn’t care, he brings out the less expensive wines. But you have kept the best until now!” John 2:1-10 New Living Translation

Verses 1-3

What Scripture tells us:
     Mary saw a problem; they had run out of wine.

What we would do:
     Like all women we would want to fix it. Now if we were a typical woman we would have gone to
     our friends, our mother and then our rabbi to tell them all about the problem. When we got around to
     telling Jesus we would have given him a list of suggestions for the best way to fix the problem.

What Mary did:
     Mary went straight to the one she knew could, and would, do something, she went to Jesus. She knew
     who He was. She didn’t know how He would fix the problem and she didn’t give Him a list of
     suggestions, she left the solution up to Him because she knew He could handle it.

What God wants us to learn from this:
     He wants us to follow Mary’s example. He wants us to bring our problems to Him, directly to Him,
     do not pass Go, do not collect $200, just come straight to Him. Then He wants us to trust Him that He
     knows the best way to solve the problem.

How are you doing with the first part of this lesson? Do you take your problems directly to Jesus or is He your last resort? I hope that you know Him like Mary knew Him and trust Him like she trusted Him.

Image: MorgueFile

Life Lesson from an Ordinary Woman

2010-04-05T18:55:00.000-06:00

Author Kathy Eberly has published a book titled Extraordinary Life Lessons from Ordinary Christian Women. I have not read the book, but the idea of honoring those women who had impacted her life got me thinking about women in my life.

Fresh out of High School I began job searching. I needed something close to home, without a car I had to be able to walk there. The small town I lived in had a limited selection.

I applied at several places looking for office work to put my typing and bookkeeping classes to use but no one would hire me without experience. That always stumped me, how can you get experience without someone taking a chance on you. I finally resorted to applying to a small department store. They hired me, as a sales clerk. Happy for a job I threw myself into it totally.

A male manager and two women ran the business office of the store. Both of these women where older and one was having health issues so retirement looked good to her. Elvira Smith, went to the store manager and told him she wanted me to have the office position. She then talked with me. I hesitated because I had only been there three months; surely someone else working there longer would want the position. She assured me I was the one she wanted working with her. The manager did not have her confidence. He agreed to give me a trial period to see how I would do, not guaranteeing me the job. My mentor knew the quickest way for him to see I could do the job, and for me to prove to myself I could do it, was to take a vacation. After two weeks of training Miss Smith took off for a week, I ran the office on my own. Her excellent training helped me pass my trial by fire.

Because of her faith in me I went on to computer night school and left the store to take a position with opportunity and a much higher salary. Because they couldn’t find anyone right away to replace me I worked at the store on Saturdays so Miss Smith wouldn’t be working six days a week. They also gave me a big raise for a one day work week. Miss Smith shook her head and told the manager, “Maybe if you paid her well when she worked full time she would have stayed.” She always rooted for me.

Forty Five years ago I needed someone in my life who believed in me, especially since I didn’t believe in myself. I know my future success grew from one woman who said, “I know you can do it.” I have tried to follow the example she gave me by encouraging women wherever God has taken me.

Is there someone in your life you would like to thank for believing you had what it takes?

DETOUR

2010-03-26T18:20:00.001-06:00

Well, I’m back. Did you miss me?

Do you have those times in life when everything demands to be done now?

Well that is how it has been for me the last three weeks.

I had to take a detour from my writing and I have missed it.

We have a rental property we had to get ready for new tenants. There was painting to do, cleaning, doors to be replaced, a light fixture to replace, new trim to put in, etc. My husband and my son put in many hours and I was working right alongside them.

I am pretty exhausted with all I have been doing and I feel like my word tank is empty.

When my body has a chance to rest this weekend I believe it will all come back as I sit myself down to create, at least I am hoping so.

In the midst of getting the house ready and some other major things happening with family, we got some really, really great news. My son and daughter-in-law will be blessing us with another grandchild. They have a little girl who is three, she is our only grandchild. We are excited for the addition that will arrive in November.

On Wednesday I heard from Chicken Soup about two stories I had submitted. One of my stories for their Running Book is accepted. The book will be out in July.

God knew I needed a boast in the midst of all the happenings in my life.

Life is good; spring is coming to Colorado Springs, sometime. It is snowing as I write this.

Photo: Diane Shaw

WILL YOU BE REMEMBERED?

2010-03-12T14:24:00.000-07:00

Do you recognize these Old Testament names?

Shummua, Shaphat, Igal, Osea. Palti, Gaddiel, Ammiel, Gaddi, Sethur, Geuel.

These men had something in common, something I hope you don’t share with them.

Are you wondering what they had in common?

They lacked vision. Instead of seeing opportunities, they looked at the difficulties that presented themselves. They focused on what appeared to be impossibilities and they quit.

How do you react when roadblocks present themselves? Do you throw up your hands and quit or do you look for a way around, over, or through the roadblock?

I left two names off the above list they are names of men who had vision and did not let what they saw keep them from what they knew could happen, you will recognize them: Joshua and Caleb.

We remember their names because they did not quit, the other ten men, no one remembers them.

Being in the minority, pushing against popular opinion that says it can’t be done, takes the kind of strength not many people possess. Joshua and Caleb stood up and said, “We can do this”, and the people said, “Let’s stone them.”

Yikes, I doubt you have heard those words when you have shared your vision, at least I hope not. Joshua and Caleb didn’t back down when threatened with their lives and God honored them by allowing them entrance into the promised-land. (You can read the whole story in Numbers 13:1-14:10)

Is it easy to push through to the fulfillment of your vision? God had to tell Joshua three times (Joshua 1:6-9) to be strong and courageous.

Visionary men and women are hard to forget or ignore, they refuse to give up, back down or walk away.

So I ask you “Are you among the two or the ten?”

Photo: morgueFile

LIVING GETS IN THE WAY OF LIFE

2010-03-03T13:56:00.001-07:00

Well it’s been a while since I have shown up at my blogsite.

Sometimes living gets in the way of life.

Guess that is where I have been at the past few weeks. I am beginning to poke my head out of my hole. Punxsutawney Phil poked his head out to see if he would see his shadow, I am poking my head out hoping it won’t get shot off. Seems I have been the target of spiritual attacks.

Not spending time in God’s Word and letting thoughts run through my mind that are clearly not God’s thoughts have caused some pretty scary feelings. Forgetting to admonish the scripture to take every thought captive and think on good things, makes for a lousy life. So glad God doesn’t give up on me. Getting myself back on the right track. I crave the peace that He is so willing to give to me and His forgiveness, oh, His soul cleansing forgiveness.

Determining to get back to first things first. God, His Word and Prayer. Truly, it is that simple.

Do you ever look up at where you are and wonder, how did I get here, it’s not where I was intending to go? The good news is you don’t have to stay there. Yea God, He provides a way out. Glory.

Photo:MorgueFile

FINDING GOD IN SILENCE

2010-02-19T13:07:00.000-07:00

We need to find God,

and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness.

God is the friend of silence.

See how nature—trees, flowers, grass—grows in silence;

see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence…

We need silence to be able to touch souls.

Mother Teresa

Photo: courtesy of Morguefile.com

BAD COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD CHARACTER

2010-02-05T10:53:00.000-07:00

Recently I found myself in a position where I had to receive correction. That is never a pleasant experience. Why did I end up here, again? I saw that it was a choice I had made to allow someone else’s beliefs to influence my response to a situation.

This morning I saw that this has become a repeating pattern. I reviewed in my mind the situations that led me to act out of character. All the situations involved other people. People who were spiritually mature, ones I thought could be trusted in what they were speaking. I Cor. 15:33 says: Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” NLT

I see that I can be adversely influenced by other people. This is definitely a weakness that the enemy has found. I recall five situations over the past fifteen years like this. That may not seem like a lot but I consider it three times too many. The first time I wouldn’t see that it was a pattern because it wasn’t, yet. But when it happened the second time I should have recognized that something was wrong.

Considering myself a mature Christian I am ashamed that I did not wake up to this sooner. Now I must root out what causes me to do this and make the changes necessary to keep my life clean from this sin. I don’t blame the other people, if I acted in character I might have been able to help them avoid the direction they were going also. Prov. 4:15-15 says: Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. KJV

I am responsible for my own behavior and for the behavior of others that I can influence for good. Eph. 4:29 tells us to Let no corrupt communication out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

I am so grateful for God’s grace and mercy, that He loves me enough to not allow me to stay the way I am. I have repented and received His forgiveness. My desire is to always bring froth good fruit.

Matt 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. KJV

Do you have an unhealthy pattern in your life that God is trying to bring to your attention?

Image: MorgueFile

LIVING

2010-01-27T14:02:00.000-07:00

It is almost the end of January, the first month of the year 2010. Everyone has been talking about their plans and focus for this New Year. Contemplating that one month of the twelve is already gone, I let my mind wander to what I see my life encompassing for this year and beyond.

Life Changes

Stages

Seasons

Never stagnant

New horizons

Excitement

Vision

Hope

Letting go

Grabbing on

Embracing tenderly

Laughing

Dancing

Tears

Gentleness

Organization

Simplifying

Getting tough

Saying no

Saying yes

Mourning

Rejoicing

Priorities

Family

Friends

God

Sounds like a full life.

GRUMBLE

2010-01-21T17:50:00.000-07:00

I hate not feeling well. It messes up your day(s), week, however long it hangs on. My husband picked up a cold somewhere; if I knew where he had gotten it I would have made him take it back for a refund.

I kept my distance from him, loaded myself up with Black elderberry and Emergen-C and stayed healthy, for about six days. Friday night it made the transition from my husband to me and tacked on a few things he didn’t have, like that ache all over feeling. I’ve had good days and bad. Since I want to be done with this quickly I’ve stayed home a lot and rested.

It is hard to get enthused about anything when your body is under the weather. I don’t feel like eating, so I don’t feel like cooking. However, I do have a husband (may I remind you that he brought the cold home) who likes to eat. Do sandwiches count for a meal? I hope so because that is what he had last night, a chicken panini sandwich and tonight he gets a hot brisket sandwich.

I read five books since Friday and have done a little writing. I finished a story to submit to Chicken Soup and sent it off and have been working on my NaNo novel this afternoon. The Kleenex box has become a part of my necessary writing tools along with my Writer’s Thesaurus.

You would think that when I can’t do much physically I would be able to get a lot of writing done. Writing isn’t physically taxing, but I found that the creativity part of me is off. The scene I wrote for my character ended up being kind of nasty, hum, I may keep it, we’ll see. Anyway, all the above is to say sorry that I haven’t been blogging.

Hope you all stay healthy. I told my husband that the next time he gets sick I am sleeping in another bed.

Image:Yahoo Images

Yes or No?

2010-01-13T11:48:00.003-07:00

“What would have happened to Mary (and to all the rest of us) if she had said No to the angel? She was free to do so. But she said, Yes. She was obedient, and the artist, too, must be obedient to the command of the work, knowing that this involves long hours of research, of throwing out a month’s work, of going back to the beginning, or, sometimes, scrapping the whole thing. The artist, like Mary, is free to say No. When a shoddy novel is published the writer is rejecting the obedient response, taking the easy way out. But when the words mean even more than the writer knew they meant, then the writer has been listening. And sometimes when we listen, we are led into places we do not expect, into adventures we do not always understand.” Madeline L’Engle

Whatever we write, when we are writing for the Kingdom, fiction or non-fiction, God has a purpose for that article, book or even a blog. That purpose may be to bring light to one person who has been in darkness, hope to someone who has been feeling hopeless. If a person is crying out to God He will answer that plea and you may be the one He has chosen to use, but if you say No, I’m too busy right now, what is lost?

At times our desperate cries to God seem to go unanswered, it is not because God did not hear, it’s because someone did not listen to His summons or they refused to respond with a Yes. Even though we are free to say No, we will be held responsible for our missed moments.

There have been many times in my life, and there will be many more, when I was the one calling out to God and He answered with words that someone was obedient to pen. I am indebted to those who said Yes.

Will you say Yes when He summons you?

Photos: Yahoo Images

IMPACT

2010-01-06T01:18:00.001-07:00

Whose life are you impacting?
How much are you willing to abandon?
How much of what you do is chosen with self interest in mind?
Where do you put your energies, money and time?
What makes your gut twist into a knot and a lump form in your throat?

When are you going to do something?

There are two current movies, The Blind Side and Extraordinary Measures (debuting January 22nd) based on true stories, which have generated these questions in my mind.

I haven’t seen either of the movies, only their trailers. They are movies that bear witness to the impact we can have when we do something instead of uttering purposeless words implying that someone out there ought to be doing something.

As I look at the questions I have posed and apply them to myself they become a challenge to me as a writer. I must put aside my self interests, abandon myself to the story, put my energies, money, or lack of it, and time into writing stories that will impact lives. Anything less than that is dishonorable to God.

If my life is tangled with obligations, meetings, and activities I will miss the moments set before me, moments that may transform another person’s life and my own.

I’m at a loss to describe the ache inside me to become a person who can bring hope to another lost human being.

What do these questions mean to you?

Image: MorgueFile

2010 IS ON THE WAY

2009-12-31T22:45:00.000-07:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY BLOGGING FRIENDS
It seems everyone is posting their resolutions, goals or plans for this new year which will make its appearance in 1 1/2 hours. I will make this post very short because this year is almost gone and you don't have much time to read it before 2010. :)
I want to give you a word from the Lord for your life:

I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. Jeremiah 29:11 Message

How can we worry and fear when we have this promise for our lives.

Image: Diane Shaw

TARGET

2009-12-28T15:15:00.000-07:00

I’m fidgety, grumpy and my heart is racing. I’m depressed, dispirited and want to throw things.

“Oh no, what’s wrong,” you might be asking.

It’s simple, I haven’t been writing. I’ve been doing lots of reading: books, facebook, blogs, etc. but I haven’t put my fingers and mind to the task of writing.

How can I say that God has given me a burden to write when I don’t do it? If I was my boss I would fire me.

When I was participating in NaNoWriMo I wrote every day and I was in my sweet spot. I didn’t get a lot of things done in my home, and my relationships suffered, but I wrote. There is a balance between these two, writing and the rest of life, and I will unearth it.

I have always been one of those people who can escalate my work volume when under pressure, not the greatest thing for my health, but I can produce, and do it competently, when I am under deadlines.

Do you need incentives or are you so disciplined that distractions are not an issue? I am not at that place so I need tools to keep my focal point in front of me.

Recognizing that there are lots of publications looking for short stories, the end of the year is a good time for me to start a spreadsheet listing publications and upcoming deadlines for stories.

I can envision myself starting each week at my computer, spreadsheet open, my eyes scanning the list, seeking my goal for the week: Get a story written and submitted. “Isn’t that publication fortunate that I know when their deadlines are so that they aren’t missing my incredible story?” (Smile)

Since I am a target oriented person my trajectory towards the bull’s-eye is researching publications and getting the spreadsheet established. I already have a folder filled with web pages of publications who accept submissions, transferring the information to the spread sheet shouldn’t take much time.

Although writing a full length novel is my goal I am hoping that using the press of meeting deadlines for short stories will keep me writing.

Who knows maybe one of those short stories will be the jumping off point for a new novel.

Photo: Dreamstime

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

2009-12-25T17:24:00.002-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

Enjoy this Birthday Wish to Jesus

Christmas Vision

2009-12-18T14:28:00.000-07:00

Christmas Eve, the house will be filled with people and dogs. My son and his girlfriend will drive down from Denver to spend the night and my daughter and son-in-law from Kansas will be spending several days with us. Our son and daughter in law, who live in Colorado Springs, will be coming over with our granddaughter.

I close my eyes and take in the sounds and smells. The noise of laughter and voices talking over each other is sweet to my ears. My mouth is watering from the smell of the brisket cooking merrily in the oven. I open my eyes and peer at the lighted Christmas tree, the presents pushed under it spill out into the room.

For the first time in over six years all my children will be together. My heart swells with joy. I will be like a mother hen gathering her chicks under her wings.

Do you remember being disappointed as a child on Christmas morning when the one thing you really wanted wasn’t under the tree? It didn’t matter that you got boxes and boxes of gifts; the one thing you ached for was missing.

That ache is in my heart right now. After waiting for six years to have my children together we will miss the opportunity by one day. The vision is gone like a vapor blown away on the wind. My daughter will start a job on December 23 and they will not be able to make the drive from Kansas. She and her husband closed their retail business this summer and they have been looking for jobs for months. This job is a wonderful Christmas gift for them but their gift is my bitter pill.

Only another mother can understand the dull pain in my heart and the tears that well up at this loss. Some may think I am being foolish but this is what I am feeling right now and feelings are real. There is something precious and fulfilling in having your all your children around you at the same time. It is seeing and experiencing the fruit of your labors, loving and nurturing your children into adulthood. I would give anything to make this gathering happen, but I can’t.

I know that God will bring the healing balm of Gilead to my soul and that I will be able to have a thankful heart, but allow me a few days of lamenting and please don’t judge me.

Picture: MorgueFile

PURPOSE

2009-12-06T18:31:00.000-07:00

NaNoWriMo 2009 is over, but the writing continues. I finished the month with 72,479 words. I have another 20 to 30,000 more words to write to finish the rough draft. Then the fun begins: the editing. I am looking forward to taking my novel line by line and making it the best I can, then handing it over to others. I think it is a good story that others will be able to read and say, yeah, been there, done that.

God has a purpose and plan for every person He has created, yes that means you too. When you ask God what your purpose is He doesn’t say, “oops I forgot to plan something for you, I’ll see if I can find something in this bucket of left over bolts.”

You know that bucket, the one you have, the one that contains all the leftover screws and bolts from those assembly projects you have done. God doesn’t reach down in that bucket and pull something out, hand it to you and tell you to see if it fits. "Nope, that screw is too big," you hand it back to Him and He digs in again to try something else. And, no, He never throws up His hands and says, “I just don’t know what to do with you.” I’ve heard parents say that to their children but our Father God is never at a loss.

My Main Character thinks she knows what God’s purpose is for her life, but she has never asked Him, she is pursuing her own goals. All her striving to reach HER goal brings nothing but frustration, tears, anger and ultimately the worst betrayal, the Judas kiss from her father. When everything is stripped away she finally asks God, “What do you want me to do with my life?” And surprise, He has the answer for her. It has been in front of her all along.

Do you know what your God ordained purpose is? If you do, are you pursing it and stripping away those things that are a hindrance to that goal. There is nothing that will give you greater pleasure in life than being in the center, the bull’s eye, of God’s target. Every person in their place participating in God’s plan for their life brings total life to the body of Christ and the world at large. I know that sounds grandiose but think about the individuals called to be researchers, teachers, politicians, writers, mothers, accountants, carpenters, doctors, musicians, etc., each performing their God given purpose brings the world into harmony, like a symphony.

I’m sure you have heard of, or you know people who have worked for 20-30 years at a job they hate when their real love is fixing broken lawn mowers, they just have a knack for figuring out what is wrong. That knack may be God’s purpose for their life. Just think where we would be without someone to fix our lawn mowers. That may seem like a silly example but it is fact. No position is greater than another position. If fixing lawn mowers is the right position for you than you shouldn’t stoop to be the mayor of your town.

At the end of a year and the beginning of a new year most people give at least a brief glimpse back and forward to see where their life has been and where they are going, wouldn’t this be a good time to ask God what His purpose is for your life? Once you know, it is your responsibility to begin working towards that goal. Yes, I said work, it won’t be handed to you just because it is God’s purpose.

Here is a question for you. What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail and money was not an issue?

When I was asked that question five years ago my answer was, to be a writer and a speaker. I was doing neither. Now I have had a short story published and I am working on a novel. This is God’s calling for my life and I love it.

photo image:flickr

TOMORROW

2009-11-22T17:51:00.000-07:00

“Tomorrow I’ll call my family, tomorrow I’ll think about what I need to do to become a missionary, tomorrow I’ll talk to that friend of mine, tomorrow I’ll think about that book God wants me to write.”

Sound familiar?

How do you know what is going to happen tomorrow? For the length of your lives is as uncertain as the morning fog-now you see it; soon it is gone. What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we shall live and do this or that." James 4:14-15 TLB

Today an anointed man of God went home to be with Jesus. Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty of Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, OK died at 4:04am. He was diagnosed with cancer in October. Pastor Daugherty was 57 years old. The people he has pastored for 30 years are so grateful that he didn’t say, “I’ll start pastoring tomorrow.” They received the gift that God placed in him because he used it to minister life to those God put before him.

I am grieved at the loss of a great man of God but it has pricked me to think on my life. Am I giving each day of my life to the role that God has placed before me? Or am I wasting time thinking I’ll always have tomorrow?

What about you? How are you capitalizing on the days that God has given you? Are you filling up and emptying out every day?