Well, I have obviously dropped the ball on the whole Write 31 Days challenge. To be truthful, I didn't so much drop the ball as pitch it over the wall on purpose. It just wasn't working out for me. I'll admit it was sometimes hard to find the time to write so much, but more than that, it was being locked into one topic/category every day.
Perhaps I'd have been more successful if I'd chosen another topic, but I chose to write in the spiritual/religious category because that interests me. The problem with that, for me, is that when I write about something in that area I want the words to be God-given...Him speaking through me. Otherwise, it just doesn't mean a thing and rings kind of hollow.
I know when something is God-given because it FLOWS. I mean I put pen to paper or fingers to keys and it just flies out in no time and with no effort. When I'm done I can sit back and say "Whoa...what just happened?" I'm often surprised by what I've written. There's no doubt where it came from.
When the words are not God-given, the process is slooooow. Each word has to be dragged reluctantly out and even then, many will be changed before "publish" is ever hit.
The latter process is what I was experiencing most days with the challenge and if I'm struggling to write it, I know it's a struggle for you to read. So....I'm done.
I will find other things to write about and pray that the Lord frees up the words again.
Showing posts with label Write 31 Days. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Write 31 Days. Show all posts
October 17, 2016
October 11, 2016
The Devoted, A Moment of Reading with God
Ruthie is dissatisfied with Amish life. She wants to be someone important and do important things...like Dok, her English aunt, the community's new doctor. However, she doesn't know what it is God wants her to do or whom He wants in her life, the handsome bad boy, Luke, or the quiet, newcomer, Patrick Kelly, who has an unshakable peace about him.
Throughout the book, Fisher takes the reader inside some very big problems facing the modern Amish. Problems the bishop must find a way to handle before they change Stoney Ridge and not for the better.
This was a good story with well developed characters and continuity from the previous books in the series (and it did a nice job of letting the reader know who the next book will feature). The writer did something that is too often lacking in "Christian" fiction. She actually did more than pay lip service to God. There was real meat to the story. Fisher included scriptures to show how the characters were thinking and followed their thought processes and meditations. Many things made this reader stop and consider.
Amish fiction isn't for everyone, but if you enjoy it or similar types of books you will find The Devoted to be exceptional.
This is part of the Write 31 Days challenge.
All posts are linked here.
October 10, 2016
Echo Like a Thessalonian
In my quiet time with God this morning I looked at the last three verses of 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10, ESV.
Let's look at the Thessalonians, themselves, to start. They were a very religious people all along. In this case, be aware that religious does not mean they followed Christ. They had many gods. Zeus was the most powerful. Aphrodite, who was the goddess to the prostitutes, was the top female god. In fact, many artifacts dedicated to her have been found in the area. The Thessalonians were serious about religion, but they didn't know the one true God...until Paul and company came along.
The other notable thing about the Thessalonians was that they lived pretty much central to everything. Their city was a busy port and it was also situated along the major inland trade routes. Basically, things came into Thessalonica and spread far and wide from there. So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that once the Thessalonians embraced the gospel of Christ it spread out into the surrounding countries and beyond.
Now you know who the Thessalonians were so, let's get back to the things in this passage that leapt out at me.
First of all, did you notice that it says they turned to God from idols? They made a conscious choice to turn to God, but they also made a choice to turn away from their idols. You and I have to do that to. We choose to accept Christ's gift and follow the Lord, but we must also choose to walk away from our past sinful lives. We cannot honestly follow Christ if we still cling to sinful things. It's worth noting that this is a daily choice we believers have to make. We still struggle with sin and temptation and each time we are faced with it, we have to choose.
The second thing that spoke to me was Paul's of the Thessalonians' faith as having "sounded forth" from them. The word used for "sounded forth" in the original Greek has it's root in another word that can be translated to mean echo or reverberate. We all know that an echo is when a sound is sent out and bounces back off of something and keeps bouncing. That is reverberation...when a sound fills up a space. So, Paul was saying that the Thessalonians' faith went out and kept echoing among the peoples and countries it came in contact with until they were full!
How did they do it and why was it so easy when it often seems so very hard for us to share our faith? I'm sure the Thessalonians talked about their new faith, but from Paul's words, I think what did it was their daily lives. The people around them saw the absolute change in them and how they were now serving only one god, the true, living God. Those in the other countries were so convinced by what they saw in the Thessalonians that there was nothing Paul could say to add to it!
Wow! I want to be like the Thessalonians. I want to not only follow God but turn away from sin. I want to have a faith that reverberates through my circle of influence (and beyond!) to completely fill the space, and I want to live a life that is so grounded in God that it points others to Him just by being lived.
8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.There are so many nuggets of truth and wisdom in this tiny passage. Things we can learn from and still apply to life today.
Let's look at the Thessalonians, themselves, to start. They were a very religious people all along. In this case, be aware that religious does not mean they followed Christ. They had many gods. Zeus was the most powerful. Aphrodite, who was the goddess to the prostitutes, was the top female god. In fact, many artifacts dedicated to her have been found in the area. The Thessalonians were serious about religion, but they didn't know the one true God...until Paul and company came along.
The other notable thing about the Thessalonians was that they lived pretty much central to everything. Their city was a busy port and it was also situated along the major inland trade routes. Basically, things came into Thessalonica and spread far and wide from there. So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that once the Thessalonians embraced the gospel of Christ it spread out into the surrounding countries and beyond.
Now you know who the Thessalonians were so, let's get back to the things in this passage that leapt out at me.
First of all, did you notice that it says they turned to God from idols? They made a conscious choice to turn to God, but they also made a choice to turn away from their idols. You and I have to do that to. We choose to accept Christ's gift and follow the Lord, but we must also choose to walk away from our past sinful lives. We cannot honestly follow Christ if we still cling to sinful things. It's worth noting that this is a daily choice we believers have to make. We still struggle with sin and temptation and each time we are faced with it, we have to choose.
The second thing that spoke to me was Paul's of the Thessalonians' faith as having "sounded forth" from them. The word used for "sounded forth" in the original Greek has it's root in another word that can be translated to mean echo or reverberate. We all know that an echo is when a sound is sent out and bounces back off of something and keeps bouncing. That is reverberation...when a sound fills up a space. So, Paul was saying that the Thessalonians' faith went out and kept echoing among the peoples and countries it came in contact with until they were full!
How did they do it and why was it so easy when it often seems so very hard for us to share our faith? I'm sure the Thessalonians talked about their new faith, but from Paul's words, I think what did it was their daily lives. The people around them saw the absolute change in them and how they were now serving only one god, the true, living God. Those in the other countries were so convinced by what they saw in the Thessalonians that there was nothing Paul could say to add to it!
Wow! I want to be like the Thessalonians. I want to not only follow God but turn away from sin. I want to have a faith that reverberates through my circle of influence (and beyond!) to completely fill the space, and I want to live a life that is so grounded in God that it points others to Him just by being lived.
I am participating in the Write 31 Days challenge.
Find all my posts under the label "Write 31 Days"
or HERE.
October 8, 2016
God Is Good
Today's moment with God is short, simple and sweet. We had my daughter's baby shower this afternoon. It went off without a hitch and she (and also me) was blessed abundantly by all the love and generosity of family and friends. For that I am extremely thankful. Thank you, Lord!
Also, I am in a good bit of pain now...arthritis in my ankles, plantar fasciitis, and from the feel of things, my sciatic nerve is joining the party...but it stayed at a bearable level until the shower was over. I thank you and praise you for that, Lord!
My God is an awesome God!
Also, I am in a good bit of pain now...arthritis in my ankles, plantar fasciitis, and from the feel of things, my sciatic nerve is joining the party...but it stayed at a bearable level until the shower was over. I thank you and praise you for that, Lord!
My God is an awesome God!
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| The awesome, amazing cupcake tree! |
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| Decorated and awaiting the guests. |
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| My daughter's best friend and her mama. |
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| My bestie (on the right) and all the girls from my Bible study group. |
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| Another of Megan's friends and her daughters. |
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| My granddaughter and daughter-in-law on the left, cousins from my dad's side at the far end of the table. |
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| My mom (right and set back) and two neighbors I've known all my life. |
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| My great-nephew took a major shine to his cousin (my granddaughter) and stuck like glue. |
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| Opening presents. |
October 7, 2016
Serenity Now!
There are not enough hours in the day....or maybe there is too much day in my hours right now. I am feeling rushed and stressed as I wrap up the work week and also prepare for my daughter's baby shower tomorrow.
Typically, I don't do so well in these high pressure situations. (Please, don't ever come to visit the day before Christmas or the day of a big family gathering.) I do, mind you, crank out some of my best work. The problem is that I tend to do it with a short temper and a notable lack of grace. Not exactly a good example for the ones watching to see how you, the Christian, are living out what you say you believe.
So, knowing my weakness, I have asked the Lord to help me keep it (my stress levels and my mouth) under control...or rather to put it all in His hands. I asked Him to help me hang on to that bowled over feeling of amazement from yesterday, to know with assurance that He is bigger than anything, and He is in control even when I'm not. Especially, when I am not.
Then God reminded me that I missed Thankful Thursday yesterday with Rebecca Jo and the rest of the gang and that counting blessings always brings peace. With that in mind, here, a day late (again!) is a list of a few of the things I am thankful for this week.
* The financial help from my mom and my future grandson's other grandmother in paying for the baby shower. My daughter gets the shower she hoped for and none of us gets poor...or at least not any poorer than we already were.
* A couple of new friends I've made through putting the shower together. One is the cupcake lady. I can't wait to see the cupcake tree she is putting together. I promise to share pictures. She is so creative!
* My mom, who has been supportive, helpful, and encouraging through all the preparations. It's such a welcome surprise. She is usually quite critical of everything. Oh, how I hope and pray, she is changing for good.
* The extra bus run at work and what it means in my paycheck. That extra bit has come in very handy in planning this shower. I can't believe how much baby stuff costs!
* I'm really not missing Facebook. I still check my notices to see if I need to respond to anything, but I'm not cruising my newsfeed to see what y'all are doing every day. Nope, all I do is play games for a little bit before I go to bed or during lunch and honestly, I'm likely to fall asleep doing it.
* These absolutely breath-taking fall days and nights. Perfect weather!
* Little Colton is growing just as he should and should be here right on time somewhere around Christmas.
* The hated truck is still running just fine!
* Arby's has pumpkin cheesecake shakes.
* All of you!
And now, it's time for me to rush back to work. No stress...all is calm...it's in the best of hands.
Typically, I don't do so well in these high pressure situations. (Please, don't ever come to visit the day before Christmas or the day of a big family gathering.) I do, mind you, crank out some of my best work. The problem is that I tend to do it with a short temper and a notable lack of grace. Not exactly a good example for the ones watching to see how you, the Christian, are living out what you say you believe.
So, knowing my weakness, I have asked the Lord to help me keep it (my stress levels and my mouth) under control...or rather to put it all in His hands. I asked Him to help me hang on to that bowled over feeling of amazement from yesterday, to know with assurance that He is bigger than anything, and He is in control even when I'm not. Especially, when I am not.
Then God reminded me that I missed Thankful Thursday yesterday with Rebecca Jo and the rest of the gang and that counting blessings always brings peace. With that in mind, here, a day late (again!) is a list of a few of the things I am thankful for this week.
* The financial help from my mom and my future grandson's other grandmother in paying for the baby shower. My daughter gets the shower she hoped for and none of us gets poor...or at least not any poorer than we already were.
* A couple of new friends I've made through putting the shower together. One is the cupcake lady. I can't wait to see the cupcake tree she is putting together. I promise to share pictures. She is so creative!
* My mom, who has been supportive, helpful, and encouraging through all the preparations. It's such a welcome surprise. She is usually quite critical of everything. Oh, how I hope and pray, she is changing for good.
* The extra bus run at work and what it means in my paycheck. That extra bit has come in very handy in planning this shower. I can't believe how much baby stuff costs!
* I'm really not missing Facebook. I still check my notices to see if I need to respond to anything, but I'm not cruising my newsfeed to see what y'all are doing every day. Nope, all I do is play games for a little bit before I go to bed or during lunch and honestly, I'm likely to fall asleep doing it.
* These absolutely breath-taking fall days and nights. Perfect weather!
* Little Colton is growing just as he should and should be here right on time somewhere around Christmas.
* The hated truck is still running just fine!
* Arby's has pumpkin cheesecake shakes.
* All of you!
And now, it's time for me to rush back to work. No stress...all is calm...it's in the best of hands.
October 6, 2016
Awesome Wonder
My quest for a deeper connection with God, a regaining of lost ground, began when I stepped out on the deck with the dogs at 3:49 this morning, just a few minutes after the alarm clocked beeped me awake. It was cold and clear and my eyes were drawn upward as if by a magnet. And what was up there?
Stars!
So often in this area the sky is filled with clouds and we miss out on the sun during the day and the stars at night. When the clouds do part, the ambient lighting of the town keeps all but the brightest of stars invisible. Not so this morning. I was treated to a sky filled with stars twinkling from across the universe. Not nearly so many as must have met Abraham's eyes when God promised him descendants in numbers to match the stars, but definitely many, many more than I am used to seeing.
As I stood there in the darkness, head tilted back, dogs snuffling around my feet...I.Was.Awed. The majesty and creativity of what God has made hit me full force. With the heavens spread over my head I thought about what a tiny, insignificant, speck in all of creation I am and yet, the God who created it all down to the very last detail...He knows my name. He knows everything about me...and He cares.
That amazement has stayed with me today. On my drive to work, a time when I normally pray, I did so again today, but rather than a bit of thanks and an outpouring of requests, I praised Him who is the Alpha and the Omega, the Creator, the lover of my soul, the great I Am, God Almighty!
Stars!
So often in this area the sky is filled with clouds and we miss out on the sun during the day and the stars at night. When the clouds do part, the ambient lighting of the town keeps all but the brightest of stars invisible. Not so this morning. I was treated to a sky filled with stars twinkling from across the universe. Not nearly so many as must have met Abraham's eyes when God promised him descendants in numbers to match the stars, but definitely many, many more than I am used to seeing.
As I stood there in the darkness, head tilted back, dogs snuffling around my feet...I.Was.Awed. The majesty and creativity of what God has made hit me full force. With the heavens spread over my head I thought about what a tiny, insignificant, speck in all of creation I am and yet, the God who created it all down to the very last detail...He knows my name. He knows everything about me...and He cares.
That amazement has stayed with me today. On my drive to work, a time when I normally pray, I did so again today, but rather than a bit of thanks and an outpouring of requests, I praised Him who is the Alpha and the Omega, the Creator, the lover of my soul, the great I Am, God Almighty!
October 5, 2016
31 Moments with God
I've been hearing about the Write 31 Days challenge for a couple of weeks and the temptation has been great. The challenge is to write daily for 31 days on one topic. For a while now it has felt like that creative place inside me, that well from which ideas spring, that force that has always driven me to write, has dried up and died.
It makes me sad.
It frustrates me.
But the last thing I need in my life right now is one more thing to do. This is a hectic season in my life. I'm so busy and so tired that my relationship with God has suffered. It's been quiet between us. My efforts have been half-hearted...most times I sit down to read the Bible and study I end up falling asleep. Prayers feel like they are hitting the ceiling. Answers don't feel like they are coming down.
Except for today. God very clearly suggested that I sign up in the Inspiration & Faith category. I asked what I'm supposed to write about since He and I, we've been having communication problems.
The answer is that I'm going to carve time out of my day somewhere and spend time getting quiet with God. I'm going to spend time in His presence and be still. I'm going to wait for Him to speak to me.
So, I have no idea where the next 31 days are going to go, but you're welcome to check back and see what happens in these 31 moments with God. This is a late start, so if I stick to the entire 31 days and not just the month of October, this will last into November.
I'll have a link over at the Write 31 Days page in the Inspiration & Faith category or you can bookmark the permalink for this post as all future posts will be linked here.
Day 1: 31 Moments with God
Day 2: Awesome Wonder
Day 3: Serenity Now!
Day 4: God Is Good
Day 5: Echo Like a Thessalonian
Day 6: The Devoted, A Moment of Reading with God
It makes me sad.
It frustrates me.
But the last thing I need in my life right now is one more thing to do. This is a hectic season in my life. I'm so busy and so tired that my relationship with God has suffered. It's been quiet between us. My efforts have been half-hearted...most times I sit down to read the Bible and study I end up falling asleep. Prayers feel like they are hitting the ceiling. Answers don't feel like they are coming down.
Except for today. God very clearly suggested that I sign up in the Inspiration & Faith category. I asked what I'm supposed to write about since He and I, we've been having communication problems.
The answer is that I'm going to carve time out of my day somewhere and spend time getting quiet with God. I'm going to spend time in His presence and be still. I'm going to wait for Him to speak to me.
So, I have no idea where the next 31 days are going to go, but you're welcome to check back and see what happens in these 31 moments with God. This is a late start, so if I stick to the entire 31 days and not just the month of October, this will last into November.
I'll have a link over at the Write 31 Days page in the Inspiration & Faith category or you can bookmark the permalink for this post as all future posts will be linked here.
Day 1: 31 Moments with God
Day 2: Awesome Wonder
Day 3: Serenity Now!
Day 4: God Is Good
Day 5: Echo Like a Thessalonian
Day 6: The Devoted, A Moment of Reading with God
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