Happy Thanksgiving (repost)

Dear Readers,

Happy Thanksgiving!

May you rejoice this day as you count your blessings (maybe even discovering ones you hadn't considered). If you are with family, enjoy them. If your family lives far away, pray for them. If you are all alone, know that God loves you and has promised to never leave you or forsake you.

Many years ago, a young speaker named Ann Kiemel used to delight audiences by singing in her childlike voice, "God loves you and I love you and that's the way it should be." May that be our song today!

May God bless you. He loves you and I love you and that's the way it should be . . . .

Julie

Thanks for the Memories!

Hard to believe this year has drawn to an end. When I began blogging on September 4, 2009, I had no idea what to expect. Neither did I realize what a grand adventure this would be.

Cranking out an article every morning (except Sundays) is good discipline. Yes, some posts were better than others, I'll admit that. But it forced me to put BIC (butt in chair) and WRITE. Of course, my other writing slowed.

I didn't produce any novels this year--but I did spend time studying how to write better novels.Since deciding to write fiction, my learning curve has been high!! But let it never be said of me "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." I'm going to keep at it until I get it. And that's my final word on the subject--for now.

Until next time, thanks for the memories! And may God bless you!!

Thanks for Your Comments

When people blog, they sit in their "offices" and tap away at keys. Often, after sharing their inmost thoughts and fears, they preview what they've said (hopefully, deleting anything compromising) and hit "Send." And then their words are gone--off into cyberspace--to connect or not, to resonate or not, help or not, please or not.

Why do people blog? Why does anyone take the time . . . and the risk? Do they like to see themselves in print? To hear themselves talk? To influence? It could be all of those things. It could also be that God has given them something to say, some way to help, to encourage (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

For me, it began as a lark. I'd seen the movie Julie & Julia, and blogging for a year seemed like a good challenge. At first, I used it as a teaching tool and spent 2-3 months in the Selah passages of the Book of Psalms. But, as time went on, I began to see blogging as a way to connect with others.

In a day when people, either by choice or circumstance, have become isolated in their day-to-day interactions, social media has sprouted up to meet a need for interconnectedness. And blogging is part of that. When I would blog about life or death or pain or joy, I could generally expect a response in the comments section or on Facebook or in person.

Thank you for those comments and for the social connection you provided this writer--for writing, of necessity, involves many long hours of isolation. Your responses were an encouragement to me and are why I will, doubtless, continue to blog (though not daily) in the months ahead.

Still Missing My Mom

Three years ago this morning, Mother left this earth to join Jesus in Heaven. I know she's happy there, deliriously happy with Jesus and Dad and her parents and aunts and uncles. I know she's met saints and angels and that's she's learned things that would have eluded her finite mind on earth. I wouldn't wish her back. But I miss her.

We're leaving in a few minutes to visit the cemetery. She's not there--I know that. But it's something I can do to show I miss her.

As I pick the best roses I can find in my yard, I'm thinking about her and the joy she brought into my life all my life. I have no memory of a raised voice, no recollection of out-of-control actions. But I have plenty of memories of loving and giving, of cookies and milk, of "being there" whenever I needed her. And, did I mention I miss her?

I'm thankful for having had such a mother. I realize not everybody does--and I'm sorry for you if you didn't. But I sure do miss her.

When Jesus Takes the Wheel

Have you ever been in the middle of a project or on a career path when you felt Someone's hand on your shoulder? Maybe the hand has even taken the wheel and changed your life's direction.

That happened to me recently. At the Oregon Christian Writers Conference, I clearly felt God speaking to me through a number of voices and situations.

• Agents I respect said my pro-life agenda continues to overpower my story lines--despite the fact that I have pointedly tried to keep that from happening. (FYI, agendas are expected and fine in non-fiction writing but not so fine in fiction.)
• A highly-respected editor taught her coaching class that, in today's publishing world, authors must be entrepreneurial, meaning they must expect to market their books and to take a long-term businesslike approach to doing so. (I'm at a stage in my life where I'm looking at shorter-term projects.)
• A young woman I love and admire has found a beautiful non-controversial way to promote the sanctity of human life in her compelling non-fiction picture gift book, and she is an effective and eager marketer of her book. (Karen Wells' The Miracle of You combines Scripture passages and faith statements with endearing illustrations to promote life.)

When the voices and situations aligned, I felt (as it were) the Spirit of God whispering a commendation to me. "You have been faithful to do what you could to affirm the sanctity of human life through your stories. But I am relieving you of the burden of carrying the pro-life message. I am placing that responsibility on Karen Wells' shoulder. Your responsibility is to encourage her and to pray for her."

And so I embrace my new responsibility. It's a joy to encourage Karen and to pray for her. It's a joy to endorse her wonderful book and to point you to Karen's website www.themiracleofyou.com.

And it's a joy to head on down the road, on the passenger side, with Jesus at the wheel. I'm wondering what new adventures He has in mind for me to write about--and I'm excited!

The Emmy Awards

Every year television hosts an award show to honor professionals who have distinguished themselves in some fashion (acting, producing, writing, etc.) Because there are relatively few awards, it's a big deal to be nominated in your category, an even bigger deal to win!

There isn't an award for every actor who learns his lines and shows up day after day, or every producer who arranges finances and makes things happen so that his movie can be made. There isn't an award for every hairstylist who does her best to make actresses look good. Despite hard work and sleepless nights, no recognition is given to these hard-working souls.

The very good news is that there is One who notices all the uncelebrated acts of faithfulness that each and every one of us does day after weary day. We may not receive an award on this "success-oriented" planet, but  . . .  

one day, 

the Greatest Producer and Director of all time

will welcome into His presence 

those who belong to His cast of characters 

and delivered His lines

or worked on His sets

and He will say to them,

"Well done, good and faithful servant!

You have been faithful with a few things;

I will put you in charge of many things.

Come and share your master's happiness!"

~ Matthew 25:21

Doesn't that help put things in perspective for you? I know it does for me.

A Little Boy's Birthday Party

With unbridled joy he tore into his presents--shouting with particular joy when opening a Bak-u-gon or a Bionical or Legos. Most boys like to build things.

Made me think how something good can be taken to extremes, like man's desire to build the Tower of Babel.

"Come, let us build ourselves a city,

with a tower that reaches to the heavens,

so that we may make a name for ourselves

and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."

~ Genesis 11:4

At first glance, one might wonder what's wrong with that building plan. Well, how about this? God's initial blessing to mankind (Adam and Eve) included these words:

"Be fruitful and increase in number;

fill the earth and subdue it.

Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air

and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

~ Genesis 1:28

From the very beginning, God intended man's role to be great--his was to be a  worldwide presence with dominion over all other creatures. God didn't intend for man to cluster together with the intent of making a name for himself. Rather, God intended for man to go into all the world and take with him the Redemption Story of Genesis 3. Man was to make a name for the coming Messiah who would crush the serpent's head.

Can you think of other worthwhile pursuits that, taken to extremes, eventually run counter to the will of God?

The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength

Do you face the impossible today? Is there some task, person, or thing that is threatening to overtake you? Are you afraid--of that situation or your reaction to it? Here's how you can find overcoming strength . . . .

Nehemiah faced a daunting task--to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. 

1. He had to convince the king for whom he was cup bearer to give him a leave of absence, safe passage, and enough timber to build the wall (as well as beams for the gates of the palace and for the house that he would live in).
2. He had no building team--it had to be assembled. 
3. He couldn't just go to Lowe's or Home Depot to get his materials. They had to be brought in from the king's forest.
4. He faced opposition from difficult men who challenged him at every turn.

Yet, despite all of these difficulties, Nehemiah finished the wall in fifty-two days. How did he do it?

1. He trusted God to give him favor in the sight of Artaxerxes (the king for whom he was cup bearer) which resulted in his leave of absence, safe passage, and timber.
2. He conveyed his vision for the wall to the religious leaders in Jerusalem who helped him accomplish his God-given mission.
3. He overcame his enemies by keeping his eyes on his mission and letting God deal with them (Nehemiah 4:14).

And when his job was complete, Nehemiah spoke to the people of Israel:

"Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, 

and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared;

for this day is holy unto our Lord.

Neither be ye grieved;

for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

~ Nehemiah 8:10

So as you face the impossible today, keep these things in mind:  

1. Trust God to give you strength to do the work He's called you to do
2. Keep your eyes on the mission He has given you
3. Enlist others to help you
4. Do not let others keep you from doing the will of God
5. Rejoice when the work is done. 

The joy of the LORD is your strength.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

In this crazy world, where wrong often seems right and what we see as good is often "spoken of as evil," it's easy to be confused. Many saints have followed popular thinking to their own destruction. How can we be in the world without allowing the world to distract us from the mission God has given us?

What is our mission anyway?

• Generally speaking, Jesus' disciples are to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Wherever we live, we are to represent Him--talk as Jesus talked, walk as Jesus walked. In doing so, His joy will remain in us (John 16:24) and we will shine as those who have hope (I Thessalonians 4:13).

• We are to give others a reason for the hope that we have (I Peter 3:15). And that reason is, of course, Jesus who is coming again to receive us unto Himself (John 14:1-3).

•  We are to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). In an age of injustice, cruelty, and pride, we are to act counter-culturally evidencing that God's ways are not man's ways (Isaiah 55:8).

Will we stick out? 

Will we become objects of ridicule? 

Possibly. 

What do we do then?

Sing.

Like Paul and Silas in Acts 16--imprisoned for following Christ--they sang to God through the night and He shook the ground for their sakes, releasing them from prison that they might continue to serve Him.  Sing!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

Knowing When to Throw in the Towel

As children, we knew that almost everything took practice. We accepted the fact that we couldn't tie our shoes on our first attempt--or ride a bike, or swim across the pool. We knew that it took a year (at least) of training before we were granted a license to drive a car.

Perhaps we were grittier then than we are now. Perhaps we've fallen victim to the cultural "need" for instant gratification. Perhaps that's why so many of us throw in the towel long before we should.

How many of our relationships, or goals, or desires, have fallen by the wayside simply because we lacked the determination to press on? Have you ever changed course only to look back and wish you hadn't acted so hastily? How do you know you need to hang in there even if things seem hopeless?

This is not to say that there isn't a time to move on, but when is that time? What are some signs that God wants us to change course?

Paying Homage to a Godly Man

There are scores of Bible verses extolling the virtues of a godly woman--how she blesses her husband and her children, how she cares for her servants, how she benefits her community. Proverbs frequently reminds men of the value of a godly wife as opposed to a quarrelsome one or, worse, an evil woman whose intent is to draw him in like an ox going to the slaughter.

Today I want to pay homage to a godly man--my husband. Dick is 67 years old today and has spent the past 36 years walking with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What makes him great is the Spirit of God living inside of him.

For him and for all godly men, I'd like to share Psalm 112 today. Read and be blessed!

Psalm 112

Praise the LORD.

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,

who finds great delight in his commands.

His children will be mighty in the land'

each generation of the upright will be blessed.

Wealth and riches are in his house,

and his righteousness endures forever.

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,

for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.

Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,

who conducts his affairs with justice.

Surely he will never be shaken;

a righteous man will be remembered forever.

He will have no fear of bad news;

his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

His heart is secure, he will have no fear;

in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.

He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,

his righteousness endures forever;

his horn will be lifted high in honor.

The wicked man will see and be vexed,

he will gnash his teeth and waste away;

the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

If you know a godly man, tell him today how much you appreciate him and encourage him to continue his walk with the Lord. The more godly he becomes, the more lovely it will be to follow him.

When There's No Clear-Cut Answer

Sometimes there's no clear-cut answer as to how to proceed. Then what do you do?

I'm facing a minor dilemma--to do or not to do_________ (fill in your own blank).
I love what my former supervisor advised when it came to just about any option she faced. She would ask herself:

Do I have to do it?

Do I want to do it?

If the answer to either of these questions was yes, then she would proceed.

In other words, if it's something I know I should do--something scriptural or something the Still Small Voice warns me to do, then I should go ahead and do it, even if I don't want to?

On the other hand, maybe it's something I feel no NEED to do, but it's something I WANT to do (besides sin, of course). Then I ought to go ahead and do it. Christians can have fun, too.

And that answers the question for me today: I have to do it. Moreover I want to do it. So, goodbye for now. I'm on my way.

Five Places for Retirement

Yahoo's front page this morning featured Five Places for Retirement as "havens offering tax breaks and leisure." I'm always curious to discover what other places offer that my own home town doesn't--so I scanned the article. Was the grass greener on the other side of the country?

Well, let's see.Charlottesville, VA offers a mild climate, proximity to golf courses, parks and wineries, art & theater scenes, developed downtown district. On the downside, there's an above-average cost of living & moderate tax breaks, with a mid-sized public transit system. Sounds like home. Guess I won't be moving to Virginia.

As I looked at the other four cities, I discovered they offered nothing positive (except for a low cost of living in Pittsburgh, PA) that I don't have right here in Portland, Oregon. On the downside, however, they offered these negatives: high tornado risk, high hurricane risk, higher than average cost of living, and high crime rates. No thank you!

I believe I'll remain content where I am and yearn for only one "retirement" destination: the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10).

What about you? Are you content to stay where you are? If not, what compels you to find "heaven" on earth?

Lasting Friendships

"There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24).

Do you have a friend(s) who sticks closer than a brother? If so, you are a blessed individual. You know the kind of person I'm talking about.

Now let's consider the Friend Who sticks closer than a brother--the Lord Jesus Christ.

• He came that you and I might have life abundantly (John 10:10)
• He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6)
• He died for your sins and mine (John 3:16)
• He sent His Holy Spirit to guide you and me into all truth (John  16:13)
• He will never leave you, nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)
• He is coming again so that where He is you may be also (John 14:3)
• He is coming soon (Revelation 22:20)

This is a friendship that lasts because it was initiated and is sustained by God Himself.

County Fairs and Paradise

Today's the day--we're going to the county fair! I don't know who's more excited--the grandkids or me. Luke wants to try his hand at the carnival games--that'll be an education in itself! Viv is excited to try the cotton candy--pink! Sam will enjoy riding around in his wheelchair and looking at the goats! Me? I'm excited to watch the children have the time of their lives!

Don't you just love county fairs! They're fun, pure and simple. Seems like the older we get, fewer things float our boat. Perhaps disillusionment sets in as life knocks the wind out of our sails. The "rides" seem less exciting and more perilous.

One thing never fails to excite--the prospect of Heaven. Our loving heavenly Father--who cannot and does not lie--has graciously provided descriptions in the Bible of what awaits us in Paradise:

• What it will look like
• Who will be there
• What to expect
• What not to expect
• What we'll do
• What we'll learn

It's going to be an incredibly beautiful place populated with the best and most loving associates God could save. We will accomplish the "impossible" unfettered by doubt and fear and pain and sorrow. The universe and beyond into infinity will be our classroom, and our teacher will be none other than the Almighty Himself.

Read about it. Start in Genesis and work your way on to Revelation. It makes terrific Summer reading (and Fall and Winter and Spring). 

Looking at Our Words and Thoughts with "Critical" Eyes

I'm off to critique group. For you non-writers out there, that's a meeting of fellow-writers who look at each others' work and comment on it. We consider things like punctuation and grammar. But, more importantly, we attempt to help one another strengthen the piece. Does it resonate with the reader? Is truth being presented in love? Does it "flow"? We look at our words with "critical" eyes.

Perhaps that's what the psalmist had in mind when he said:

"May the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."

~Psalm 19:14

Sometimes we pay little attention to the words we speak or to the things we think about. Yet, our words are perhaps more powerful than sticks and stones that break others' bones--words wound the heart. And as for our thoughts, they lead to actions whether good or bad.

That's why it's essential for us to think before we speak and to guard the walls of our heart against evil thoughts.

Let's look at our words and thoughts with "critical" eyes.

Have you tasted the Lord's graciousness?

In I Peter 2:1-3, we are told to lay aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and all evil speaking. Then, having done that, we are, like newborn babes, to desire the pure milk of the word that we may grow by doing so. The passage concludes with this proviso: "If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious."

Not everyone, it seems, is able to lay aside all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and evil speaking . . . only those who have tasted the Lord's graciousness.

Have you tasted the Lord's graciousness?

~~

"Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;

Blessed is the man who trusts in Him."

~Psalm 34:8

Not everyone, it seems, is able to place his trust in God . . . only those who have tasted and know that the LORD is good.

Have you tasted the Lord's goodness?

~~

The Book of Romans speaks of God's forbearance with mankind through the generations. After listing man's multiple transgressions and concluding all under sin, Paul assures us that, without forgiveness, we will not escape the judgment of God?

"Or do you despise the riches of His goodness,

forbearance, and longsuffering,

not knowing that the goodness of God

leads you to repentance?"

~ Romans 2:4

Not everyone, it seems, is able to enjoy the riches of God's goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering . . . only those who have tasted God's goodness and repented.

Have you tasted the Lord's forbearance and long-suffering? 

If you can answer yes to these three questions, you are blessed indeed. If you cannot, perhaps you should spend some time today asking God to give you a taste of His graciousness, goodness, forbearance and long-suffering for it is the goodness of God that will lead you to repentance and Son-ship.

The Letter That Was Received Too Late

This morning I read online (Yahoo.com) of a letter written by John Lennon to a younger musician thirty-four years ago. The letter encouraged the younger man, headed for stardom, that he need not let riches change him. In fact, he could use his money to help others if he wanted.

The letter didn't arrive while Lennon was alive. In fact it arrived twenty-five years after his death!

The recipient felt cheated. He would have cherished the letter, and would have wanted to respond to Lennon's kindness in writing it. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, he wasn't able to do that.

In a similar manner, God sent mankind an encouraging letter--the Bible. He wanted to give us good directions on how to live life, wanted us to know what He expected.

Unfortunately, for whatever reason, many people have not received His letter.

• Perhaps they live in an unreached area of the world. Perhaps they have not yet heard. Missionaries are working feverishly to get the Bible translated in the language of all speaking-groups.
• Perhaps they've turned a deaf ear to things of God. He is faithfully sending believing friends and family into their lives to "preach" the good news.
• Perhaps they're children. God is again faithfully placing people around them who can invite them to vacation Bible school or backyard Bible clubs or release time at schools.

Those of us who have received the Good News and who have great expectations for our eternal future need to do more than rejoice at our good prospects. We need to share our blessings with those who have not yet heard--before it's too late.

Please share ways you've found helpful in telling others about Jesus.

Eighteen Days and Counting

On September 4, 2009, I committed to blogging everyday for one year--everyday except Sundays. I honestly didn't know how I'd fill the posts, but day-by-day, God has given me material to share with you.

Day-by-day. That seems to be the key to life, doesn't it. God provides for us day by day, just like he provided manna on a daily basis for the children of Israel on their trek through the desert.

Yet we look ahead at the complexities of life and wonder how things will all pan out. We stress and strive and connive and manipulate--usually to no avail.


And God sits back and shakes His head. "Relax. I told you to trust in Me with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. I told you to acknowledge Me in all your ways and I would direct your paths. Didn't I tell you that?" Yes He did, and, as one who has walked with Him for more than 35 years now, I can tell you that He is faithful to do all that He says.

This year of blogging has been great discipline for me. Only three weeks remain. I want to thank you for your comments both on the blog and on Facebook. They have been a source of encouragement to me to press on and, in so doing, I've had the blessing of looking to our faithful God for inspiration.

A Crown for Me

Today I may be getting a crown--for my tooth. But it set me to wondering what it will be like to get a crown from the Lord. To the church of Smyrna the apostle John was told to write:

"Be faithful, even to the point of death,

and I will give you the crown of life."

~Revelation 2:10

And to the church of Philadelphia, John wrote:

"I am coming soon. 

Hold on to what you have, 

so that no one will take your crown."

~Revelation 3:11

In heaven,  whenever God receives glory, honor and thanks, the twenty-four elders fall down before him and worship him. 

"They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

'You are worthy, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they were created

and have their being.'"

~Revelation 4:10-11

Think of it! One day we'll be in that glorious company and, along with the twenty-four elders, we'll lay our crowns before the throne and proclaim the glory of our worthy Lord and God. Surely the hymn writer had this in mine when he wrote:

"Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.

Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns

all music but its own.

Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee;

and hail Him as thy matchless King,

through all eternity."