So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.Luke 2:16-20NIV
Merry Christmas! Except for Easter, today is the most joyous day in a Christian's life. We get to celebrate the birth of our Savior. He came as a babe and grew into a man then died and rose again to take the punishment for our sins so we might spend eternity with him. Praise God! I pray you have the assurance of this salvation. If not, I pray this is the year you seek to learn who Jesus is.
One of my favorite Christmas songs and videos is this one from Francesca Battistelli, "You're Here." I know most of you are spending the day with family and not much time online, which is why I'm keeping this short and sweet. But take a few minutes to consider the wonder of our Savior's birth as you watch this.
If there's anything you need prayer for today, please leave a comment or e-mail me confidential requests. My prayer for you is that you'll find spiritual peace through the celebration of Jesus' birth. God bless you all.
For
to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his
shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of Peace…He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom…Isaiah 9:6-7
The first rays of sunlight peeked through
the curtains. Christmas morning had finally arrived! I tumbled out of bed and
ran down the hall with my brothers and sisters in tow. My little bare feet carried me as fast as I could go on the cold linoleum. I had waited months for
my beautiful red tricycle with a bell on its handlebars, red-and-white streamers, and a wooden wagon attached
behind the trike, fireman’s style, to complete the ensemble. My
anticipation heightened the closer I got to the living room and the Christmas
tree.
I stopped short. To my surprise,
a plain green tricycle sat under the tree. Where was the shiny red trike and
wagon I had asked for? Apparently, the North Pole ran out of those particular
trikes and delivered the plain green one on Christmas Eve instead. To say I was
disappointed is an understatement.
The Israelites had a similar
reaction to the gift of their Messiah. For hundreds of years, they had
anticipated Isaiah’s proclamation of a Savior to rule like no king ever had in
their history. Instead, they got a meek
baby lying in a plain, no frills manger. Adding to their disappointment was the
fact he was a mere carpenter’s son and, after a three-year ministry, was
prepared to die on a cross. To save them from their sins? Did he not see the
throat-hold the Roman Empire had on them?
The Jewish people couldn’t
embrace this kind of Messiah. He didn’t fulfill their expectations. Even one in
Jesus’ inner circle was disappointed enough to betray him.
I can’t say I got over my
disappointment any easier than the Israelites. I never forgot the shiny red
tricycle with its wooden wagon, bell, and streamers, although I had hours of
fun on the plain green trike until I outgrew it.
When our expectations of God’s
blessings don’t quite match what we receive, it’s easy to grumble and think our
solution would have been better. Why didn’t He just answer our prayer according
to our plans?
Trust God to bless you in the way
He deems best. Our Savior Jesus Christ turned out to be the most perfect gift
of all!
If you have a prayer need this
Christmas, please share it in the comments section. If your request is
confidential, please e-mail me. While you’re here, would you also take a moment
to lift up others in prayer? Thanks.
Are you struggling with loss and
grief during the holidays? The last two years I’ve shared these guest blog
posts about coping with loss through the holidays. If you’re grieving, I hope you
will find some solace in these blog posts as these ladies shared how their
faith got them through their toughest days. J
My sister Teresa
wrote about her first Christmas after losing her husband to pancreatic cancer
just four months before. Click here to read.
My friend Betty
wrote about losing her son in a motorcycle accident six months before Christmas.
Click here to read.
My friend
Kristin wrote about losing her father through a hospital error and then her three-year-old
son being diagnosed with leukemia a month later. This happened three months
before Christmas. Click here to read.
I'm excited to share that this
blog was accepted into the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid. "Bible Gateway
Blogger Grid (BG²) is an international network of independent bloggers who
meaningfully blog—and who are serious—about matters relating to the
Bible." (BibleGateway.com)...Bible Gateway is a tremendous resource, not
only for writers but for any Christian serious about Biblical research. It also
has scores of devotions you can receive through e-mail on varying topics like
Max Lucado's “Five Days of Hope,” as well as many other resources. If you've
never visited this website, take a few moments to do so. You'll be blessed.
As a novice writer, it’s what
you don’t know that’ll hurt you. Kind of like when my husband or son aren’t
listening to me when I’m talking, and suddenly they perk up and say, “What?” My
eyes narrow, and I ask, “What part didn’t you hear?”
There’s so
much to learn about the publishing world. All writers experience hard knocks as
they maneuver along this learning curve. As I mentor or have discussions with
fellow writers, similarities emerge about their journeys. Beginners are often
resistant to certain stepping stones to further their careers.
Why?
Fear of the unknown.
One avoidance in particular
stands out—writers’ conferences.
Within this resistance are
specific reasons for not attending. Again, nothing new under the sun. I say this
because they were also my reasons.
I
can’t afford to attend.
This is a valid reason. I remember when scraping together $100 for a local day
and a half conference was difficult for me. I couldn’t justify spending money
that could be used elsewhere in the family budget. Even so, it also served as a
mental crutch to avoid attending.
Practical
solutions: ·Label an envelope “writers’ conference,”
and every week put a few dollars in it. Add to it when you receive an
unexpected windfall like birthday money or a work bonus. Tuck the envelope away
in your desk and don’t touch it, no matter what. Well, unless the power company
is threatening to turn off your power. J ·Christmas is less than two weeks away. My
family complains they don’t know what to get me. They say I never want anything,
and whatever I need, I can buy. If you’re asked what you want, don’t
be shy. Speak up and say, “I’d love to attend a writers’ conference in 2014,
but I need a few sponsors to pay the fee. A donation of any size would be appreciated.”
Then, make sure the gift is tucked away in your conference envelope and not
used to buy socks for your kids. J ·Garage sales are a great way to raise
money. Or sell items you’re not using anymore on Craigslist. This is found
money, not paycheck money designated for bills. Ask your spouse to agree for a
percentage of the profit to be set aside for your “writing fund.” ·Look for free or inexpensive local writing
workshops. The first writing workshop I attended was free and hosted by a local
writing group at the library. Christian suspense author Lynette Eason was the
featured speaker. We became friends through that workshop and subsequent
e-mails. She was one of my first mentors. I learned a great deal from her about
fiction writing and the publishing industry. I also attended a half-day
workshop with guest speaker Cecil Murphey for only $15.
I’m
an introvert. Another
valid reason that’s also a mental crutch. Your thoughts may sound something
like this: “I’d die if an agent/editor/published writer speaks to me. I won’t
know what to say. I’ll probably babble something incoherent and blow any chance
of getting a contract.” I’m not sure if anyone has ever
fainted in front of an agent or editor. If they have, no doubt everyone
involved survived. And, look at it like this. You’ll make a lasting impression.J Yes, you’ll probably babble a little.
I’ve done it and survived.
Seriously, very few writers are
more introverted than I am. I prefer communicating through my keyboard, and
it’s not just a case of being shy. God wires introverts to thrive in solitude,
whereas extroverts get their energy from crowds of people. Conferences can be
exhausting for both types.
Practical
solutions: ·If it’s your first conference, your goal
could be to simply learn and network among other writers. Unless you have a
polished, complete manuscript, don’t plan to pitch to an agent or editor.
However, if you do have a book manuscript in progress, have a basic premise
memorized (a pitch) in case you find yourself at a dining table or standing
next to an agent or editor, and they ask about your work. If you have a short
pitch memorized, you have some hope of coherent words coming out of your mouth.
I promise, as you mingle with writing industry folks, you’ll get more
comfortable. ·If you’re attending a local one or
two-day conference, use your break time to get away. Resist the urge to always network during this time. It’s
called a break for a reason. For overnight conferences, I’ve used my lunch
break to catnap to rejuvenate for the afternoon/evening sessions. Solitude is a
must for an introvert or you’ll burn out. The last conference I attended, I
skipped a session on teen writing because it’s not my area of interest.
Instead, I hung out in my hotel room and worked on my current manuscript until
the next class. Pacing myself enabled me to handle the rigors of the 8:00 a.m.
to 10:00 p.m. day.
My
work isn’t good enough yet.
Okay, I’ve used this excuse myself. What if someone asks if I’m published? No
big deal. There will always be writers ahead of and behind you on the writing
path. If you truly feel your writing hasn’t reached the publishable stage, the
education you get in conference classes is invaluable to honing your skills. This
is actually a perfect reason to attend. “As
iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
There
are other ways to get published. Sure,
many paths to publication exist. But remember how I started this post? It’s
what you don’t know that
increases that time frame or might lead you into prematurely e-publishing a
manuscript that’s not ready. Most published writers will tell you that
attending conferences to network, gain writing education, and build friendships
with other writers will cut your time tremendously to becoming published and
help create an invaluable marketing platform that’s necessary for whatever
route you choose to publication.
One caveat. Don’t network solely
for the sake of networking. These are people you’ll build friendships with and
receive support from on your writing journey. Christian writing is a ministry. You have “someone” with a vested
interest in your failure. A support system to work against the negative is
imperative.
I’m going to attend Writers Advance! Bootcamp at the
Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in North Carolina in February 2014. I’m
also working toward attending the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, also in North Carolina, in May 2014. My dream is to attend American
Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) national conference one year. Maybe the year
it comes to Nashville (only five hours from my home).
It's your turn. I
want to hear about your plans to attend a writers’ conference in 2014. If you
haven’t made plans, what’s your “dream” conference? If you’ve attended a
conference, what did you learn from the experience you didn’t expect?
Growing up in a family of nine
gives me a different perspective than many folks. Large families were the norm
in my parents’ generation but not in mine and not so much since. Unless you count the
Duggars. Although I wouldn’t really consider them the norm.
My mother made our clothes. We
got store-bought clothes on special occasions—like Christmas. I looked forward
to new clothes, especially since being the fifth child I wore hand-me-downs
most of the time. My dad owned a cleaning and landscape company, and I worked
some from the time I was about eight years old.
Matching coats Mom made
As a teen, I earned enough to
buy clothes at the end of the summer for school. Now I appreciate my mom's hard work sewing our clothes, but at the time, I was happy not to wear any
more polyester and cotton pantsuits. J
Among our Christmas traditions were
dining at Pizza Hut and then attending
a Christmas Eve candlelight service at church. Given the nature of our fast-food
society, this might not seem like a big deal. But we didn’t eat out the rest of the year
unless you count an occasional stop at the Krystal
where burgers cost a quarter as did the fries. We usually got either or, not
both. Occasionally we got a milkshake instead. There were no debit or credit
cards to make purchases, so we had what
we had and nothing more. Funny thing is we never considered ourselves poor. So many people were worse off than we were.
Another tradition was the church Christmas party
after the children’s Christmas program. Santa waited in the fellowship hall to hand
out red mesh stockings filled with assorted candy. Just holding that stocking,
rich with its sugary contents, thrilled us. Again, treats weren’t readily
available as they are today, so we anticipated this event and made the candy
stretch through the following week.
I look at kids now with their smartphones
and designer clothes, many with debit cards given
to them by their parents, and I pity them. I wouldn’t trade my humble
upbringing for theirs—not in a million years. The more you have, the more you
want, and the more you cling to what you have.
Jesus
sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd
putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large
amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth
only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you,
this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all
gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all
she had to live on.”Mark 12:41-44
I have no idea what my parents
put in the offering plate each Sunday because it was enclosed in an envelope,
but I know they were faithful in giving. No matter what, that offering envelope
went in the plate. I’m sure at times this was very sacrificial for them regardless of the amount it contained. My parents’ generosity extended outside our
family to friends that we considered family. And my dad often gave his loose
change or a dollar bill, if he had one in his pocket, to homeless people who
approached him.
My parents instilled many solid,
traditional values in my siblings and me, and I look back on the good memories
and treasure the simple traditions like Christmas Eve. I wonder if, in the
hurried commercialism of our society, the most important values have been lost
amongst the department store sales, credit cards, unlimited electronic gadgets,
piles of gifts under the tree, and mountains of food that Americans feel they
need to celebrate Christmas. Maybe we’d all be better off taking the widow’s
perspective and, instead of participating in the mad rush to the 25th,
we concentrated on giving our all
to Christ and those around us instead. This has to do more with our hearts than
our checking accounts.
As I count down to Christmas this
year and celebrate traditions with my children, I hope my actions honor the
Jesus that my parents took the time to teach me about—the One who loves me, no
matter what. He gave his all
so one day, I could enter into the gates of heaven and reside with Him through
eternity.
Is there any gift under the tree
that could compare?
Praise report from Courtney: She
had her two-month follow-up MRI on Tuesday. It was clear like the last several
have been. This is especially significant as the doctors have begun to wean her
off chemo. Please continue to lift her and her family up in prayer as she
continues this battle. If you're new to the blog and don't know about Courtney's journey with an aggressive brain cancer, glioblastoma, please click on her name to read her story.
If you have a prayer request,
please share it in the comments or e-mail me confidential requests. While
you’re here, take a moment to pray for others’ requests. Thanks! J
"I'm writing a book.
I've got the page numbers done.” ~Steven Wright, author
Ever have days like that? You stare at the blank
computer screen and nothing flows through your fingers onto the keyboard? Many
issues, mostly psychological, impede our creative process, sometimes for days
on end. The danger is in these roadblocks short-circuiting our careers.
What are some of the roadblocks in your writing
career? Chances are good that at least some of the things on this list have tripped you
up at some point. The following articles and video by some of our industry’s top
professionals will reignite your passion for writing and give you the encouragement
to get around those pesky roadblocks tossed in your path.
#1- Can you think of anything worse in your journey
to publication than rejection letters? We all get them, and they stink! Writing
is kind of like baseball in the sense that getting a hit only a small
percentage of the time is considered success. But sometimes rejections can be
debilitating, especially when you don’t know why you’re getting them. In this
blog post, literary agent Rachelle Gardner gives an agent’s insight into why a
rejection might not have anything to do with the quality of your writing:
#2 – Lack of productivity. How do you get started?
How do you stay on track without constant distractions like social media,
especially when you feel mired down already? In this guest blog post by Vincent
Nguyen, from Jeff Goins’ website, he outlines unconventional ways to reignite
your writing and avoid the pitfalls of wasting time and getting distracted.
#3 – Am I ever going to be a successful writer? Everyone wants to know how famous and
successful writers reached the top. What makes them tick? Are they doing
something I’m not? Max Lucado gives you an insider’s view of his writing
process.
#4 – Pacing. Ugh. Is this one of the great
mysteries of writing or what? You know it when you read a nicely paced book,
but you can’t always judge pacing in your own work. Becca Puglisi, who wrote
The Emotion Thesaurus (invaluable book for fiction writers, by the way), shares
some of the tricks of the trade in this post.
#5 – Lack of encouragement. Ever heard of Jack Canfield? Hmmm. Chicken
Soup for the Soul. Yeah, that guy. Here’s a 7-minute video he made that shares some
insight into how he became a published writer. There are additional videos you
can sign up for at the end of this video. (While I’m not offering a guarantee
or endorsement of his program, so far the free videos I’ve received via email
have contained very good information.) If nothing else, just listening to him
speak for a few minutes in this video will inspire you to stay the course and
rededicate yourself to honing your writing skills and getting published.
Okay, so what are you waiting for? Now that your passion and determination have been reignited, get back to the
keyboard and start writing! I want to hear about your latest work in progress
(WIP). Leave a comment about what you’re currently working on.
I'm excited to welcome guest blogger and award winning writer Jenny L.
Cote today, who shares her thoughts on the true light of Christmas. Welcome,
Jenny!
What is it about lights and Christmas? Usually we decorate our tree first on
Thanksgiving weekend, then finish the rest of the house. This year, we did it
backwards. The decorations were up a week before the tree. We got the tree in
the house, but it sat undecorated for two days. Until the tree was adorned with
lights blazing forth in glory from the fir branches, neither it nor the other
decorations had any "power" on their own. Without lights, the house
just didn't feel like Christmas. With lights, the house is the epitome of
Christmas.
Our love for light is integral to who we are as humans, and it’s where
everything began. Light comprised the first day of creation: And God said, “Let there be light,” and
there was light. (Genesis 1:3).
Light enables us to function and to get things accomplished. It gives life
to plants which in turn fuels life on earth with life-giving oxygen and food.
It provides the world a 24-hour clock by which to turn from day to day and
season to season.
Light reveals things hidden in the dark. The
commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. (Psalm 19:8b)
Light removes fear, and guides us along the right path. The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? (Psalm
27:1a) Your word is a lamp to my feet and
a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)
Fear thrives on the unknown, and it can no longer thrive when it is exposed
by light. Darkness cannot exist when light is around. Light conquers darkness.
I think the true question is, what is it about THE Light and Christmas?
Isaiah penned a beautiful prophecy about Jesus' coming: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. (Isaiah 9:2a)
When I wrote the scene of Jesus’ birth in my novel, The Prophet, the Shepherd, and the Star, I took the liberty of
having God’s voice mightily exclaim, “LET THERE BE LIGHT!” For that’s exactly
what happened. Jesus even said it himself: I
am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but
will have the light of life. (John 8:12)
But John tells us that, In Him was
life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but
the darkness has not understood it. (John 1:4-5)
This picture is the best depiction of Christmas I've ever seen because the reason for the light on the tree is revealed.
So many people have powerless Christmases because they don’t have the real
Light in the home of their hearts. They don’t understand it. Oh, they may have
the tree up and lights in the windows, but that gnawing emptiness of going
through the motions leaves them, well, in the dark. If that’s you, let me give
you the greatest gift I could ever share with you this Christmas: LET THERE BE
LIGHT in you. Let Jesus in and you’ll be lit up like a Christmas tree all year
long. When you let baby Jesus grow up and do what he came to do for you at Easter, there will be no more fear of the unknown,
because light conquers darkness.
If you have a prayer need, please share in the comments section or e-mail me confidential requests. I'd love to pray for you. The Christmas season can be a particularly rough time for some folks, especially those who've lost loved ones. If you're in this situation, I'm lifting you up in prayer today.
“Rejoice in the Lord always…Do not be anxious about anything, but in
every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4a, 6-7
What a powerful promise! The peace of God guards my heart and mind. This is
among the many reasons I have to be thankful this year.
Years ago, when my husband and I started out as newlyweds, we pinched
pennies and barely scraped by from paycheck to paycheck. We had a little
black-and-white TV that picked up random channels through its rabbit ear
antenna. Meals were often scant and gas for the car a luxury.
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I
have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether
well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this
through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13
Despite the fact that thirty years of hard work and God’s blessings lifted
us from that economic situation, I never forget the tough times. Like Paul, I
learned the secret of being content despite my circumstances. It is a
contentment born from dwelling in thanksgiving with my heavenly Father.
This year, as I review my reasons to be thankful, they may be similar to
yours—family, shelter, food, employment, good health, and ministry. My list
hasn’t always included all these things, nor am I guaranteed it will be the
same next year.
But do you know what I’m most thankful for?
“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his
own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him,
graciously give us all things? Who shall separate us from the love of
Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or
danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all
day long;
we are considered as sheep to be
slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who
loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels
nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height
nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from
the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31b-32, 35-39
I’m most thankful that nothing can separate me from the love of my Lord and
Savior.
Dear God, we come before your throne with grateful hearts, overflowing
with the love you’ve shown us through your Son. Despite the hardships we’ve
encountered this year, thank you for the many blessings you’ve given us and the
grace you’ll extend to us in the coming year. Thank you for always being
accessible and consistent in your love. Thank you most of all for the salvation
you’ve provided through Jesus. In His name we pray. Amen.
If you have a prayer request, please
share in the comments so others can pray or email me confidential requests. I
pray travel mercies and safety for those of you on the road today. May all of
you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!
Follow
God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love,
just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and
sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2
We’ve reached the time of year when
we pause to give thanks for the multitude of blessings God has bestowed on us
throughout the year. No matter what our trials, we can always find the
blessings.
Then we rush headlong into a
greed gorge-fest of commercialism. Americans devote one day a year for thanks, and it’s quickly
diminishing while greed is escalating.
Hurriedness and greed. Is that what God
envisioned when He sent His Son to earth? That civilization would reach the
point where the glitter and gift wrap would overshadow His gift to us?
Certainly He knew, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t grieved Him.
The Bible says Jesus wept. Since
we are made in God’s image, I often wonder if He weeps. Something to ponder.
Certainly, Black Friday would be a day that could bring tears to His eyes.
In this hurriedness, I think of
how we, as Christians, can model something different to the world instead of
racing to be the first one to put up our Christmas tree. Or the first one in
the store on Black Friday or Thursday night before Thanksgiving is even over, whatever the case may be. Or filling in
our December calendar with parties and other activities.
To truly emulate God, the most
important thing we can do next Thursday, besides bow our heads and give thanks,
is strive to “walk in the way of love” with our fellow man. The neat thing is—it
doesn’t require you to go to a department store, run up your credit card debt,
or sweat over your holiday to-do list.
Ironically, we're entering into the season of celebrating our Savior’s birth, yet nowhere in the New Testament do you find
Jesus hurrying anyplace. He craved his quiet time.
Close your eyes and meditate for
a moment on the phrase “fragrant offering.” A fragrance that isn’t found in the
most beautifully scented potpourri or Christmas candle. The image evokes a
peace not present in the hurriedness of shopping and baking, nor in the massive
stack of gifts accumulating under the tree.
Be
very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of
every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians
5:15-16
Paul’s admonition is well taken.
December has become an entity all unto itself where absolutely nothing gets
done to move life forward. Instead, it’s a race to the 25th to get
everything “Christmas” accomplished and then, suddenly, life resumes January 1.
A whole month every single year wasted in commercial greed.
Sing
and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the
Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 19b-20
This year as we sit down to
turkey dinners across the nation, I challenge you to celebrate an authentic
Thanksgiving, “sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,” and then spend the rest of the day in family
time enjoying those God has blessed you with along with peaceful anticipation
of our Lord’s birthday.
If you have a prayer request, I’d
love to hear from you. Leave a comment or email me confidential requests. If
you haven’t read Monday’s post about the upcoming changes in my blogging
schedule, click here to read. Next week, I’ll share another Thanksgiving post,
but if you’re traveling on Wednesday, know that you’re included in my prayers
for travel mercies and safety.
I’ve prayed about the direction
and content of A Word of Encouragement
headed into 2014. As discussed from this blog’s launch, its posts are designed
to encourage you through earthly trials and your spiritual walk with Christ.
We have different gifts, according to the grace
given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance
with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give
encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do
it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.Romans 12:6-8
God has led me on a path of
encouraging others, and the mission of this blog will continue to be centered
on encouragement.
Those of you who are regular
followers and e-mail subscribers know I’m passionate about many things. Among
these are people hurting (physically, mentally, and spiritually), missions, my fellow
Christian writers, the persecuted and oppressed worldwide, and the role of
Christians in a secular progressive society. This makes for a broad genre of
writing topics.
Because of how hectic my life has
been in the past year, I discontinued Writers’ Corner to devote my attention
solely to devotion/prayer posts each week. Occasionally, I’ve mixed in hot
topics, current events, or mental health issues. I’ve reserved the most
hard-hitting issues for my other blog, Count
The Costs.
My life isn’t any less busy now.
In fact, it’s probably more so, but this is where change, through more clearly
defining my blogging schedule and topics, will be good for me, as well.
Beginning the week of December 1,
this will be my new blogging schedule:
Wednesdays will remain the
devotion/prayer blog post. If you need prayer or want encouragement,
this post is for you. Please e-mail me at any time during the week for your
prayer request to be included in the upcoming post.
Fridays will be posts
to encourage my fellow Christian writers. This may include author interviews, writing
tips, resources, book reviews, and insight into my own writing journey. If
you’re an author who has a book releasing or already published, feel free to
email me for an interview. I’d love to highlight your work for other authors to
be encouraged by and readers to discover your intriguing books.
One thing impressed upon me when
I first began writing is that writers are on a journey. You never “arrive”
unless you’re J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, Jan Karon, or someone of that
caliber. Therefore, writers are on the path behind you and ahead of you.
Everyone helps everyone else. I’ve been fortunate to have had some wonderful
Christian authors help me, and in turn, I mentor other writers and belong to
critique groups. I ghostwrite and edit, as well. So I’d like to use Fridays as
a forum to share with other writers so we can all encourage each other.
I will still share an occasional fun
post, as I did about Mayberry after Andy Griffith died, or some other current
event. Or I might blog live from a writing conference when I attend one. These
will be extras.
As for more hard-hitting posts
about current events or hot topic issues related to Christianity, these will be
exclusively on my other blog, Count The
Costs. These will typically be more in-depth and heavily researched topics.
An example of something I might
blog about on CTC would be a news report I read this week of eighty-five people
publically executed in North Korea for possessing Bibles, pornography, or South
Korean videos. Keep in mind in North Korea, anything religious is considered
pornography, so it’s safe to assume a large percentage of the folks executed were
Christians. They were all lined up and then mowed down with machine gun fire
for everyone to witness. Though it’s difficult to verify any news coming out of
North Korea, these questions can still be asked: How does this effect American
Christians? We’re often soft and comfortable within our
shores where religious persecution typically doesn’t cost someone their lives,
but would we dare own a Bible if it meant we could be killed for it? What is our role to help our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ worldwide?
Luke 14:27-33 states we are to
count the costs of following Christ. Some of you might not want to read or
discuss these type issues, nor others I’ve discussed like abortion or Hobby
Lobby’s religious battle with the government, genocide, or human trafficking.
That’s fine. But if you do want to be a part of these
discussions or just become more informed, head over to Count The Costs and become a
follower or e-mail subscriber. As always, both of my blogs are interlinked, and
the link for each can be found at the top right of each blog.
Though I’ve used a few select
guest posts in the past, new in 2014 is my plan to open up Count The Costs as a writing opportunity for guest bloggers. Please
read the guest post submission guidelines at the top of the blog before submitting,
though. Thanks!
Hopefully, this clear delineation
of where we’re headed on AWord of
Encouragement and Count The Costs
for the upcoming year will make it easier for everyone to find the posts they
most want to read and then become involved in discussions or prayer for others.
I’ve enjoyed the past two and a
half years of blogging and getting to know some of my readers better. You’ve
been a blessing to me through your faithful following and prayer support. I
look forward to a wonderful new year of blogging with you.
“Hope
is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without
the words.”~ Emily Dickinson
Emily’s quote paints a beautiful
image of a seemingly supernatural abstraction we all long for and find
impossible to live without. Yet, hope often feels elusive, just out of reach of
our grasp. When we suffer hardships or walk through trials, despair can easily
nudge it aside.
Hope is mentioned throughout the
Bible, often coupled with other positive words.
“Be joyful in
hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12
Hope isn’t born in a vacuum,
unaffected by outside influences. Hope is birthed as we journey through
life’s trials.
And we
rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice
in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint
us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
whom he has given us. Romans 5:2a-5.
Despair does not defeat God’s
supernatural hope which strengthens and edifies our souls. Hope whispers to us
that tomorrow will be better, our problems have solutions, and healing can take
place.
What is troubling you today? I
want to assure you of the miraculous hope God can instill in your soul, despite
your circumstances. All you have to do is believe then reach out and take hold
of his hand. His strength will see you through.
“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.”Jeremiah 29:11.
If you have a prayer need, I encourage you to leave a request in the comments below, even
anonymously, so others can pray for you. Feel free to email me confidential
requests. The permanent prayer list is at the top of the blog. Please take a
moment to lift those folks up in prayer, as well. If you have a praise report, I’d
love to hear it! J
Prayer request from Betty: After having emergency surgery,
her Uncle Jerry was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He’s in a great deal of
pain. He is in his 70s. Also pray for the three young teenagers of her late
cousin he takes care of. Those poor kids have been shuffled around so much.
This is the first time they’ve had any stability in their young lives and a
church home. Also pray that he truly knows the Lord. The kids' names are Buddy,
Elisa, and Evoyna.
As we take our petitions and
intercessions to the Lord, enjoy a moment of worship with Brandon Heath’s “Your
Love.”
Betty Maye was the winner of last
week’s book giveaway, “The Liberty of Obedience,” by Elisabeth Elliot. Hope you
enjoy the book as much as I have, Betty. Stay tuned for more giveaways in the
future. God bless you all!
“It’s a sin to be shy.” The
normally kind church lady took my hands in hers, and in her sweetest voice
shared her revelation with me. Even in my early teens, I had enough spiritual
discernment to know bunk when I heard it. I withdrew my hands while she
continued to “help” me not hide my light under a bushel but share it with the world.
Her way.
I didn’t doubt God’s love for me.
He was the One I could count on when I couldn’t count on anyone else. I knew
her viewpoint was wrong. But, oh, how it hurt my already fragile teen psyche.
Not until I was an adult, and learned about introvert and extrovert
personalities, did I quit feeling “less than” around others simply because I
wasn’t the bubbly one carrying the conversation. God hardwired me to shine my
light in other ways that would probably drive an extrovert crazy. J
But inevitably, it’s always the not
so well-meaning folks who feel they have to ensure someone else’s Christian
life measures up by their own spiritual checklist.
The Bible is crystal clear on
some sin—adultery, homosexuality, stealing, and murder, to name a few. Why?
Because not only is their presence an abomination against God’s holiness, they
are a reflection of the person’s spiritual condition.
Disputes arise over the
interpretation of daily activity, beliefs, and lifestyles that aren’t
specifically spelled out in the Bible as sin. The Apostle Paul refers to this
as “disputable matters.”
Accept the one whose faith is weak, without
quarreling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat
anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who
eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one
who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has
accepted them. Who are you to judge
someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they
will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. (Romans 14:1-4)
In her book, "The Liberty of Obedience," Elisabeth Elliot writes that she thought she had a clear
understanding of what sin was until she went to live with the Auca Indians
who’d murdered her husband and four other missionaries. With no way to communicate
verbally with them, she spent a year observing their lifestyle. The “savages”
took care of their families, showed grace to one another, and lived by a moral
code. Although adultery is rampant in western
civilization, the Aucas wouldn't think of helping themselves to another man's
wife. But…when Elisabeth’s husband had put his arm around one Indian to show
affection, it meant that the missionaries were cannibals and had to be killed
for the safety of the tribe. Elisabeth’s willingness to spank her toddler when
she misbehaved was perceived as barbaric by the Indians. During her “quiet” year, Elisabeth wrestled with the
concept of savage versus civilized. Her conclusion was that each culture has
their own definition of disputable sin which often conflicts with other
cultures. (Great little book that can be read in one sitting.)
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one
another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle
in the way of a brother or sister…For the kingdom of God is not a matter
of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy
Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and
receives human approval. (Romans 14:13,
17-18)
Recently, the media descended on George
W. Bush about his parents’ public acceptance of gay marriage. I loved his
response. Rather than disrespect his parents or restate his past stance, which
has always been fairly clear, he said he was too busy trying to get the log out
of his own eye to get the speck out of someone else’s.
Do I know his heart? No. And I
wouldn’t have condemned him if he’d restated his belief that marriage is a
covenant union between one woman and one man, as ordained by God since the
beginning of time.
Do I know for a fact his beliefs
haven’t changed? No. But he took the high road when confronted with a situation
that would have disrespected his family. God’s definition of marriage is clear
in the Old and New Testaments, so Bush didn’t have to argue his position. A
“gotcha” forum isn’t the place for that. Instead, he left it for God to judge
each person’s heart involved.
The most important way we show our
Christian character is through our fruit (Matthew 7:14-21). Instead of wielding
a spiritual yardstick, we can come alongside fellow Christians and encourage
their spiritual growth through Bible study and praying for discernment. If you
ask, God will provide discernment through His Holy Spirit on matters. As
Elisabeth Elliot said, to expect God to give us a rule book with every rule
spelled out is to assume we’ll be spiritual dwarfs during our earthly
residence. He wants us to seek His wisdom to grow spiritually.
What may be perfectly clear to
one Christian may not be so clear to another. In her book “The Hiding Place,”
Corrie ten Boom and her sister Nollie argue over whether lying to the Gestapo
about hiding Jews was right or wrong. It was interesting to watch how each
sister’s stance played out in their lives—both honoring God with the ultimate
cause of protecting His people.
At times, we must take stands on
issues of gray areas. God calls us to count the cost of our discipleship and be
willing to buffet the storms, even inside of our Christian fellowship. In doing
so, let’s be sure we have the Biblical knowledge and spiritual discernment to defend our
stance in a loving way. One way to do this is to ask questions such as: Does this edify my (or others) Christian walk? Does my stance conflict with God's nature as portrayed all through Scripture?
Let
us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual
edification.Romans 14:19
Sometimes Satan’s most effective
attack against God’s people is to set them against one another and divert from
the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). When we behave as Pharisees measuring
our fellow Christians against a checklist, we’re not “going and making
disciples.” Our time is better spent praying for true discernment of God’s
will, sharing Jesus’ love, and working on the log in our own eye.
My friend, Christian writer Ginny Brant, recently spent time with Elisabeth Elliot, her husband Lars, and her
daughter Valerie. (I’m trying not to be jealous.) The article and photos are
amazing. I pray you’ll be as blessed as I am by Elisabeth’s inspiring story. Click here to read.
In honor of Elisabeth Elliot, who
has made such an impact on my Christian journey, and her years as a faithful
servant of Christ, I’m giving away a copy of her book, “Liberty of Obedience.”
To be eligible for the drawing, leave a comment about the post or
share a thought about how the Great Commission has impacted your life—either in
showing the love of Christ to others or how someone shared Christ with you. Or
you may simply leave a prayer request, if you have one. Please feel free to
e-mail me confidential requests. I’d love to pray for your needs. J
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