Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Arise, shine ...


Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.

For behold, darkness will cover the earth
And deep darkness the peoples;

But the Lord will rise upon you
And His glory will appear upon you.

Nations will come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.

(Isaiah 60:1-4, NASB)




Thursday, November 3, 2011

Proverbs 3:5,6

“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind
and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct
and make straight and plain your paths”
(Proverbs 3:5-6, AMP.)

     A few years ago, our Bible Study leader urged us to select a Life Verse from the Bible. My thoughts went immediately to Proverbs 3:5, 6. During the early years of life-changing decisions, I would admit to still being on a “milk diet” – spiritually speaking. But my faith in the Lord was strong enough that I knew to turn to Him, lean on Him to direct my paths.


     The first turning point was the night I was driving home from choir rehearsal and having a conversation with the Lord. The subject? The person I would marry. I laid out my case before Him, specifically naming characteristics that were important to me- like He didn’t already know. Within that hour, His plan was in motion. It would be a year before that request was met when the day His choice for me literally showed up at my door. Time would reveal that the check list was simply a description of my husband of almost 39 years. The one God had already selected. I was merely praying His will for my life.


     The second critical request was for the timing of our having children. There were many issues surrounding that prayer. Trusting Him resulted in bringing a precious three-year-old daughter into our home. The second sweet bundle of joy would be born three years after I silently acknowledged to Him that He knew what was best for us and, again, leaving that decision completely up to Him. These two young ladies continue to bring more joy than we could ever have known to ask for.


     When our younger daughter reached pre-school age, I was ready for another baby, a baby that never arrived. During that difficult time, I could go back to that specific prayer and know that God was in control, and our family was complete. Because He knew what was best, I could trust His perfect will.


     When we decided to pursue my husband’s dream of living in the country, we simply prayed the open door/closed door prayer. That time away from my family and friends resulted in a closer walk with the Lord. He took me out of my comfort zone so I would have to lean on Him. The door swung the other way when it was time to return to our roots; we are now near my mother who needs my help and our children and grandchildren – at least for now.


     My Life Verse has been at the core of every major turn in my journey. I’m confident it’s a prayer that will be prayed for future events, and just as certain that it will be answered as concisely and lovingly as all the other times.

     So tell me, what’s your Life Verse?



Orphans

One of the sad things about living on the outskirts of the city is the constant parade of helpless animals left by owners who, for reasons we cannot know, wish to abdicate their responsibilities to total strangers.


These little jewels appeared in our back yard a few days ago. Hungry and thirsty. Deserted. With occasional coyotes howling and hawks circling, we had to offer them refuge within our fenced back yard. Sadly, the puppy did not survive a severe case of Parvo. The cold evenings mean the mom is sleeping in the inside quarters for our two Shih Tzu’s. She rests quietly inside, willing to accept the care of her providers.

Last year a Bassett Hound was left on the blacktop road that adjoins our short all-weather road. Several of the residents, including my husband and myself, tried to rescue this squatty little body, but she would have nothing to do with us. Plastic bowls holding food and water accumulated in the bar ditches. One night there were four or five cars parked alongside the road as we used flashlights and an officer’s high beam light to try to locate her. A few of us had decided to adopt her. Guess it would have been first come, first serve had the search and rescue been successful.


But, one afternoon, my husband spotted our little neighborhood project trotting confidently down the road – two or three miles from her hiding place. He said she was running with resolve like she had remembered where her home was, and she was on a mission to return there on her own. Sadly, we’ll never know if she reached her destination. Unlike the terrier, she preferred to run from those who wanted to take her in.


Isn’t it reassuring that, in God’s economy, there are no orphans? We are all His children. We can run to His open arms at any time through the grace of His Son, Jesus Christ. We need to be an extension of that love to those around us who may not be aware of a Heavenly Father Who is theirs for the asking:


“A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows,
Is God in His holy habitation.
God makes a home for the lonely;
He leads out the prisoners into prosperity,
Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land”
(Psalm 68:5-6, NASB.)


We can choose to be orphans, like the deserted little pet who chose to wait for the one who abandoned her rather than accept the love and provision from ones who desired to be providers.
Or we can choose the sanctuary of the Heavenly Father Who promises:


I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU”
(HEBREWS 13:5B, NASB.)



Enjoy Avalon’s “Orphans of God”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BkN-4NYQj0

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Mid-Life Crisis

I've heard the stories of strange things people do when they reach a certain age: Buy a sports car, take up ballroom dancing, and get chased by bulls down the middle of narrow streets in Spain. Not us.

We're the sensible ones, my husband and I. We enjoy our quiet little existence. You won't see us spending our kids' inheritance (as if there were one) on fast cars and faster bulls. No siree! We plan to stay in our own back yard. Dressed in jeans ... and boots. Spending our twilight years mosey'n into the sunset on these:


Meet "Rowdy" - a 2 1/2 year old quarter horse who has already settled into his temporary corral. Rowdy has never been ridden, but given his friendly demeanor and Bud's experience with horses, I'm guessing he will adapt to a saddle and rider pretty quickly. He loves to "nuzzle" and never shys away from being petted.

Chigger is a 12-year-old that doesn't look like the grand Palomino I had pictured, but this was taken after a long-awaited rainy day in Oklahoma. Hopefully, some gentle grooming will spruce him up a bit. He's waiting to come for a "try-out" period once the corral is completed. Bud will have to spend some time bringing out this one's gentler side before I saddle up the first time. It's only been 30 years since the last time I rode a horse.

I guess I should have been more specific about wanting a Mustang. You know the kind I mean - one with four wheels, a top that goes up and down and On-star, for goodness' sake.
 
"For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways."
Psalm 91:11

Happy Trails.


 

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The LORD ...


“The LORD is my light and my salvation…
For the LORD is great and is highly praised; He is feared
above all gods … For the LORD is a great God, a great
King above all gods …The LORD is my refuge
The LORD reigns! He is robed in majesty…But, You, LORD, are exalted forever… For You, LORD are kind and ready to forgive, abundant in faithful love to all who call on you… The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected … For the LORD GOD is a sun and shield … The LORD gives grace and glory. He is the LORD our God …For You are my hope, LORD GOD … The LORD is Great and is highly praised The LORD is my strength and my shield.”


“LORD, OUR LORD, HOW MAGNIFICIENT
IS YOUR NAME THROUGHOUT THE EARTH!”


(Scriptures taken from I Chronicles, Psalm, and Proverbs, NASB)



Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Peculiar People



Amy Michelle Wiley is another talented author I had the privilege of meeting a few weeks ago. She is from Washington State and the founder and director of Peculiar People, a group of special writers that includes several members of FaithWriters (www.faithwriters.com) as well as authors and artists from six different countries in the two published books; a seventh international contributor will be added in an upcoming project.

There were twenty-seven authors of the first compilation, Struggle Creek, and twenty-six of the second, Delivered. They've written two wonderful novels the likes of which have never been published before now. The third novel will bring a special element. For more information, visit: 



I just finished reading Struggle Creek,  and this community of "Peculiar People" delivered an entertaining book complete with interesting characters and intrigue - all tied up with a great ending. I look forward to reading Delivered.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

The Audition



Last October I published my very first article on A Softer Voice (thanks to Patty’s great teaching and a generous measure of perseverance on her part). It might as well have been typed, stuffed it into a tin can and buried in the back yard. Well, maybe nothing that drastic. After all, the other members of the Clearing the Blog Fog class knew it was there. It was also tagged with a few words that would draw a few unsuspecting surfers to this new endeavor.

The name of my blog tells the story. I’ve always struggled with whether to remain invisible or step forward. Do I audition for a solo, or wait for one to drop into my open rehearsal folder?

About four weeks ago this hide-and-seek dilemma resurfaced. I was posting to my blog, adding buttons and pictures, tiptoeing through the blogs of others and leaving calling cards. Suggestions of sites from other bloggers led to following and being followed. But I remained comfortably seated in the back of the room.

It was time to “audition” once again. Facebook was the next obvious choice for baring my heart and soul publicly. But would that be self-promotion or a genuine desire to witness through writing? It all came down to the right motivation.

Occasionally, when I seek an answer from God’s Word, I open my Bible and begin to read. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. On this particular Word search, my Bible opened to James 3:13-18 (NASB). Verse 14 addresses “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart” and warns that arrogance lies against the truth.


Ruling out bitter jealousy was easy. The “selfish ambition in your heart” put my Facebook debut temporarily on hold. I continued to read:

“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every evil thing.
But the wisdom from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and
good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in
peace by those who make peace.”

Once again, Satan taunted me: “Be safe. Don’t put yourself out there. What if someone thinks you’re just looking for attention? What if someone doesn’t like what you’ve written? Are you sure you want to be called a hypocrite?”

Do I measure up to God’s heart standards? Not by a long shot. But I know my heart’s desire: Share God’s love and spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

Armed with God’s Word, I could say, “Get thee behind me,” to the discourager and, “Facebook, here I come,” to cyber space. The invitation to join Jewels of Encouragement (www.jewelsofencouragement.com) soon followed. Coincidence? Maybe.

Is something keeping you in the shadows when you should:

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NASB)

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Fun for the Younger Readers

Yvonne Blake taught "Tips and Tools for Writing Children's Literature" at the recent FaithWriters Conference. Her class was explained this way:

"Children's stories are more than cute animals and happy endings. Yvonne  Blake shows how to use basic literary techniques and reading-level word lists to make children want to read your sories, over and over again."

Follow the links below to two ebooks written by a lady who knows how to make reading fun for children (and, I must admit, for adults.)

 
Peeper and the Great Hawkins -









The Important Message -

Learn more about Yvonne's work here:
http://www.yvonneblake.com/