Life Can Change on a Dime by Vicki Hinze

Posted on July 19, 2021 by Vicki Hinze
Life Can Change on a Dime

Years ago, I wrote a book. The opening line was: “Life can change on a dime.” Back then, I didn’t know that life would be mine, but on June 7th, that’s what happened.

Hubby awakened me, saying, “Good morning,” then adding, “I think I need to go to urgent care.”  Considering the man is never sick, that woke me right up.  It turned out his pulse rate was at 39.  I took him to the ER.  

Long story short, he landed in ICU for four days, had a procedure, and came home to recover.  He’s doing well at a month out and is back to walking 3-1/2 miles per day and doing the things he loves to do.

All my life, I’ve functioned well in crises but then when they’re done, that’s when I react.  So I’ve been in watch him like a hawk mode, make sure he eats well, rests well, his vitals are good and, well, all you do when a loved one is recovering.

I haven’t written, have ducked into the office for a few minutes here and there, but my focus and attention has been on him, right where it belongs.  

I’m happy to report he is doing great.  But during this time, to spice up things, we suffered a lightning strike that wiped out a lot of things, like the garage door opener, the lawn pump timer, and Hubby’s monitor.  It fried my router and modem and knocked out all power for a time and who knows what else?  I’m discovering more as I look.  

This, atop the health crisis, zapped me.  Post crisis impact is here.  So I’m taking care of me, resting and avoiding stress.  Piddling a little and that’s about it.

I need a little while to recover.  Hey, I’ve had to cook!  You all know how much I hate cooking.  

Anyway, I will be back to articles and books shortly.  Just taking the respite I need to function well.  That’s hard for us all—to just pause and give ourselves time to heal and process.  But it is important to our health and sense of well-being that we do it.  And that’s the purpose of sharing this.

In the interim, I hope all is well with you and yours.  Know I’m wishing you much joy and many blessings.  Those wishes and prayers haven’t stopped.  Priorities are intact. 

Blessings,

Vicki

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Famous Coggins Quotations by James R. Coggins

Posted on July 14, 2021 by jrcoggins

After a writer is dead, some anonymous scholar often collects the best quotes from all of his written works, reducing his laboriously written tomes to a few sound bites. I decided to save this anonymous scholar some work and compile quotations from my writings myself.

“Before I studied church history, I always thought that the flying buttresses of the church were angels.”

“No revival in history ever started in a church headquarters.”

“Historically, there is no such thing as the fall of the church, in the sense that before that time the church was pure and perfectly theologically orthodox. The church was fallen before it was redeemed, and its redemption is not yet complete.”

“The Kingdom of God is a kingdom, not a democracy.”

“Those who pray in the morning pray for guidance. Those who pray in the evening pray for forgiveness.”

“I see many strong Christian leaders in Scripture, but I see none who preached strong leadership as a principle. Strong leaders lead. If people don’t follow someone, that person is probably not a strong leader, and no amount of haranguing potential followers will change a weak leader into a strong one.”

“Too often we fill our pulpits with people who hold positions rather than people who have been given a word from God.”

“The subjunctive is an obsolete verb tense used only by evangelicals in prayer.”

“Life is an inflationary currency. If it is not spent, it gradually devalues until it is gone.”

“I wondered at the man who spent so much time and energy on a car which in ten years will be a heap of rust in somebody’s backyard. But then I considered that in seventy years the man himself will be a heap of dust in some church’s graveyard.”

“Middle age is when you cease training so that you can accomplish something and start concentrating on living long enough to complete it.”

“It is good to live in a land where police search for missing persons rather than create them. It is a blessing to live in a land where polling booths are guarded by seniors and housewives rather than by soldiers with machine guns.”

“The best critics make the worst rulers. The chief characteristic of both is intolerance. The critic demands that the government be perfect. In power, he insists that he is.”

“Napoleon’s Moscow campaign was the quintessential vacation. He started out with high hopes, but the trip was long, he never encountered a friendly face, he couldn’t find adequate food or lodging, the weather was terrible, and he returned home broke, tired, and defeated.”

“Common sense isn’t.”

“Science is not an exact science.”

“That some people cannot walk does not mean that I should not run.”

“When confronted with a wild animal, a tornado, or some other natural hazard, primitive man would run. When confronted with the same phenomena, modern man grabs his cell phone and starts filming. Primitive man was smarter.”

“As any three-year-old hugging a teddy bear can tell you, giving love is as comforting as receiving love.”

“No offense, but I don’t really have time for church,” Sergeant Wesson said. “I have some murders to solve. I’m dealing with matters of life and death.” “So is the church,” John Smyth replied.  

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Looking for Peace?

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Author Mary Alford

If you’re like me, your life is busy. Whether its work, or family activities, we all have a way of cramming too much into our days. It’s hard to get it all done and still find time to rest.

As an author, my time is measured in deadlines, which determine how busy my days are. And I have a tendency to overload myself.

Of course, there are ways to take short breaks in between busy times. A walk, or a meal shared with special people. Time with family. Vacations. All are good ways to rejuvenate, but unfortunately, the busyness doesn’t go away.

But in the midst of it all, through the turmoil going on in the world, there’s a promise of peace from Jesus that assures us no matter what storm we face we can have His peace.

In John 14:27 Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

What an amazing promise. One that I find myself repeating many times during busy days.

And just like Jesus’ promise that we can have peace here on earth, His promise in John 14:1-3 tells us when have a special place prepared for us by Him.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

So, no matter how busy you are, rest on the promises made by the One who defeated death, and find your peace in His presence.

All the best…

Mary Alford

www.maryalford.net

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Summer Oasis by Tara Randel

Posted on July 12, 2021 by tararandel

Last month my husband and I put up a gazebo on our back deck. I’ve since decorated it with colorful flowers and comfortable chairs. It’s the perfect place to sit and visit with friends or read a book and take pleasure in the outdoors.

This got me thinking about summer memories. When we were kids, my parents had a big group of friends who loved to get together on the big summer holidays. My childhood buddies were always around for these parties. We’d spend the day pool hopping around the neighborhood, eating hamburgers and getting into mischief when the sun went down. We kicked off the summer with a big blast, then ended it with another party before school started.

As I got older, we’d take trips. Camping in a pop up, which I have to say was not a family favorite, after we went away exactly one time. After that, we’d stick to hotels. When friends rented a house on the beach, that became a hangout. We’d swim all day, then sit by the fire at night, making s’mores.

When my husband and I got married and the girls came along, the summer was a blast, especially July 4th when we would watch fireworks. Or we’d head over to Daytona for a long weekend at the beach, watching the cars drive along the sand.

I’m sure you have favorite summer memories. Thinking about them makes me grateful for the family I grew up in. For great friends I still keep in touch with today. For the memories I continue to share with my children.

I hope you enjoy every minute of this summer. It can be as simple as a family cookout or a day on the boat, but no matter what you do, you’ll have great stories to tell one day. It doesn’t take much, just hanging out with those we love, doing what we love, which is usually being together.

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Look for her next Harlequin Heartwarming romance, STEALING HER BEST FRIEND’S HEART, available  AUGUST 2021 . For more information about her books, visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter and receive a link to download a free digital book.

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Watched Over With God by Bridget A. Thomas

Posted on July 8, 2021 by Bridget

The empty shelves we saw in the grocery stores during the pandemic have heightened my fears. Not only did many people buy all the toilet paper, but they bought much of the food as well. And recently in my area, there was a gas shortage. I had to wonder if that would cause folks to clean out the supermarkets once again. I now worry about not being able to get food, toilet paper, or any other necessity when I need it. I have never had to do without, thankfully. But I still worry about the times we are living in and the future to come. The fear spreads to things like money, housing, and more. Will we have to worry about getting items that we are so used to having at our fingertips?

I don’t know what the future will look like. But God does. And He will be there beside us, guiding us, and providing for us. The Bible is filled with many stories of God’s provision. One miracle in particular that leaves me in awe is the manna from heaven. This was after the Israelites had fled from Egypt and they were living in the desert. For forty years, God provided manna for them to eat each day. Five days a week, each morning, they would gather what they needed for the day. On the sixth day, they would gather double so that they wouldn’t have to gather food on the sabbath. It says in Exodus 16:18 that everyone had just enough. Not too much, and not too little. God instructed them to only gather what they needed. If they tried to gather extra on five of the days, they discovered it had maggots and a bad odor the next morning. But when they gathered extra for the sabbath, that didn’t happen. (You can read all about the manna in Exodus 16.)

When I worry about the future and all the unknowns, I remind myself that God provides what we need. Jesus said in Luke 12:24,”Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds.”

What a beautiful reminder this is. When we walk with the Lord, we can be sure that He will provide for us. He watches over us with a love that cannot compare to anything else. We need not fear the future and what it entails. We might not know what tomorrow holds, but we know Who holds tomorrow.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. – Psalm 23:5

Photo by Paul Seling on Pexels.com

© 2021 Bridget A. Thomas

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The Masterpiece that is Me (and You) by Julie Arduini

Posted on July 7, 2021 by juliearduini

One thing I look forward to when summer starts is the thought of new books. Whether poolside, at a beach, ocean, or inside under a fan, I love tackling a recent release or even my TBR (to-be-read) pile. This year one title caught me eye and I jumped at the chance to order it.

The book? Breaking Free from Body Shame: Dare to Reclaim What God Has Named Good by Jess Connolly. Her work has inspired and challenged me in the past so I knew her latest would be a game-changer for her readers. My hope was that would include me.

I’m only a few pages in and am struck by the truth she presented right out of the gate.

Carrying around shame about our bodies is a spiritual issue.

Sure, I know Psalm 139 and that I’m wonderfully made. You probably know it, too. But when being twenty turns to forty and then where I’m at, fifty-one, it’s harder to reconcile. I knew about pregnancy weight gain and the battle once babies are born. What I didn’t know was menopause gain. The epic drop in metabolism. Then there’s the topical—Covid weight increase.

To add another layer to my rolls, I learned I have acid reflux issues that were traced to a large hiatal hernia. Medicine has helped, but when I feel sub-par, my ribs feel beaten. I can’t lift anything over 20 pounds without feeling pressure in my abdomen. Next up is scope number two to see what’s going on and what else will we do.

It’s hard not to step on the scale and judge everything about me based on the number in the display. That’s what the true defeated one, the devil, wants me to do. I hate that I fall for it, but I do. Reading that the body shame issue is a spiritual one made sense.

Jess Connolly reminded me with her first chapter that God makes good things and I am one of them. Although the picture we create in our minds about Him is all order— and as Steven Furtick shared in a sermon—our image of Jesus is this sappy, hippy Jesus, the truth is Christ’s grace is “wild and messy.”

Changing the shame mindset will take time. For one, Jess encourages readers to stop stuffing the toxic thoughts and tell the enemy your “body is holy and it matters.” Proclaim that your body is a good one and that “you can live free from shame.”

If you struggle with body shame, your scars are stories and lessons. Ladies, if you have birthed children and focus on the weight, the truth is your body was part of a miracle. Don’t despise that.

This is just the beginning of what I’m learning. We are masterpieces, not crumpled pieces of paper living near a trash can while God keeps trying.

If you’d like to read Breaking Free from Body Shame, click on the image below:

***I wanted to let you know I have a giveaway going on. Pure Flix has an awesome summer in mind for families with their Family Camp. Read my post, leave a comment there, and you could win a six-month Pure Flix subscription. Check it out HERE. ***

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The Love of a Parent by Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on July 5, 2021 by Nancy J. Farrier
Photo by @jontyson

I love my kids. I truly love my children. Every one of them.

When they were young, I remember walking into a room where they were playing. I would stop and stand there watching them, so overcome with love for them that I had trouble breathing. They meant so much to me I would be overwhelmed with it all. 

There were many aspects to my love for my children. I’ve thought of three to examine and to see what that means to us when compared to our relationship with God.

Provision:

I did my best to provide for my children. They had good food, beds to sleep in, clothes to wear. They also had me in their corner to encourage them, to guide them, and to listen when they needed to talk. I tried to give my best to them all the time, no matter how they reacted to me or how upset I might get with them.

Does God provide the same—or more—for us? Of course. Think of the home He provided from the beginning. In Genesis chapter one, we read how He prepared the garden for His creation, mainly to give us the sustenance and home we needed. (I love thinking of this as a parent prepping a nursery.) He walked in the garden with Adam and talked with him. He has always been there to guide us and to encourage us as we walk through life. No matter how badly we behave, God is there, His love shining through. (Genesis 1:29-31)

Punishment:

My kids were not perfect. I may have wanted to them be, but they weren’t. Because of my great love for them, I couldn’t allow them to be disobedient with no repercussions. Although the physical punishment hurt them more than it did me, I always ached from having to enforce the rules that were there for their safety. And I made sure they understood afterward that I was correcting their misbehavior, not saying they were not worthwhile. Love doesn’t allow disobedience to continue.

From the very first, God set down rules for our benefit. When Adam and Eve disobeyed those rules, they paid the price by having to leave the garden He prepared for them and by beginning the process of dying. The consequences for sin resonated throughout history and is with us today. When we are disobedient, God allows for our punishment, not because He is cruel or uncaring. He corrects us for our good and because He loves us more than we can ever understand. (Hebrews 12:3-11)

Affirming Love:

All of my children faced obstacles at one time or another. Friends who hurt them. Disappointments in life. Uncertainties in their faith. And on the list goes. As a mother who loved them above almost anything else, I tried to be there for them. Not to fix what went wrong, but to let them know I loved them no matter what they faced. I wanted them to know my love for them was unchanging, something they could count on no matter what.

Throughout the Old Testament, we can see how God’s love for His people is constant. When they turned away from Him over and over, preferring the gods of the people around them, He was always there waiting for them to return. God is still there for us today. When we face trials, when friends betray us, when life hurts, He is there. His love is constant and unchanging. (James 1:17)

I often think of those times I would stand and watch my children, overcome with love for them. And I wonder—does God do that with us? When He looks at us is He filled with overwhelming love? Does His breath catch, and is He thankful that we are His? 

With all the love God has demonstrated toward us, perhaps His love for us is beyond overwhelming. Beyond anything we can imagine. We have an awesome God.

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10 NKJV)

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Life at the Lake by James R. Coggins

Posted on June 30, 2021 by jrcoggins

As usual this spring, the babies appeared at the lake where we sometimes walk. It is an opportunity to consider different parenting styles.

The families of Canada geese glide across the water like convoys of battleships. They always travel in a tight formation—with one of the parents leading the way, the goslings following right behind, and the other parent bringing up the rear. They remain as close together on land. While the goslings eat grass, the parents stand guard, ready to hiss and run at any intruder who comes too close.

Mallard ducks take a much more laid-back approach to parenthood. The little ducklings are just as cute as the goslings. However, their family groupings usually feature only one parent. Mallard fathers are usually long gone by the time the ducklings have hatched; like absentee fathers, they seem to feel that their job is done once the eggs have been fertilized, and they are almost never around while the babies are growing up. Sometimes, if she is disturbed, the mother flies off to the other side of the lake as well, leaving the ducklings to fend for themselves. And, in contrast to goslings, who obediently stay close to the parents, the eight or so ducklings scatter in fifteen different directions, scooting all over the place while the mother vainly tries to hold the family together.

It is not surprising, then, that Canada geese families often remain intact, staying in family groups even after the babies have grown to mature size. I suspect these family groupings form the basis of flocks. The mallard duck families, on the other hand, are often reduced in size, with half of the ducklings being pulled under the water by turtles or picked off by eagles before they have a chance to grow up.

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Put On The Full Armor Of God

Posted on June 29, 2021 by Author Mary Alford

One of my favorite passages in scripture is Ephesians 6: 11-17

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

What is the whole armor of God?

The Belt of Truth

The belt of truth hold the entire armor in place. Strive for honesty and Integrity in all that you do. Search for the truth of God in all things. Test everything against the Word. If it goes against the Bible, it is not from God.

The Breastplate of Righteousness.

The breastplate protects our most valuable organ…our heart. As Christians we are made right or righteous with God through Jesus Christ.

Putting on the breastplate of righteousness means keeping our hearts close to God at all times, because though we are made righteous through Jesus, Satan still tries to tempt and make us doubt our relationship with God.

Feet Fitted with the Gospel of Peace

Just as having the proper footwear is critical for traversing rough terrain, so is having the Gospel of Peace written on our hearts. Jesus’ teachings about the Kingdom of God are the Gospel. Stand firm in the Gospel of Peace no matter what Satan throws your way.

Put on the Shield of Faith

Faith is believing and trusting God no matter what you are going through. It is putting your faith into action and making decisions that are focused on God.

Helmet of Salvation

The helmet of salvation protects our heads from the enemy’s attacks.

We are set apart by God when we become Christians. We are saved, and nothing Satan can do will take that away. Though he attacks our thoughts, we can rest in the assurance that God has given us that our present struggle with Satan will not last forever, and we will be victorious in the end.

Sword of the Spirit –The Word of God

The greatest weapon we have in our arsenal against Satan is the Word of God.

Even Jesus was tempted by the Devil, but He quoted the Word and won the battle.

As the days continue to grow darker, before you venture out into the world, be sure to put on the whole armor of God, so that you can fight off all those fiery arrows Satan throws your way.

Blessings always,

Mary Alford

www.maryalford.net

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Worry-Free With God by Bridget A. Thomas

Posted on June 24, 2021 by Bridget

I was on my way home, driving down a local road, with dinner boxed and warm in the passenger seat. It was Friday evening and I was happy to embrace the weekend that was ahead. Suddenly the car in front of me decided to make a U-turn and I had to do a quick maneuver to avoid a collision, as our dinner hit the floor. The incident was a little scary. But God got me through it. I felt a little unsettled, but I also felt peace. I knew that He was looking out for me, in that moment, and in every moment. When we spend our days walking beside God, we learn that He is trustworthy. He is faithful. He is loving. He is caring. When we have a close relationship with Him, we know He has our backs.

One of the most famous battles in the Bible was David’s encounter with Goliath. David didn’t waver when he faced the 9 foot 9 inch giant. That is because David faced him “in the name of the Lord Almighty” (1 Samuel 17:45). David faced many trials in his life, but he walked worry-free because he walked beside God. Over his lifetime, David saw firsthand that God was trustworthy and that God was always there to protect him.

We can see David’s strong faith in all the beautiful Psalms he wrote:

  • But you, Lord, are my shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. – Psalm 3:3
  • In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. – Psalm 4:8
  • But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. – Psalm 5:11
  • The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. – Psalm 6:9
  • I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High. – Psalm 7:17
  • Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. – Psalm 9:10
  • Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. – Psalm 16: 5
  • I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. – Psalm 18:1-2
  • Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. – Psalm 34:8
  • Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. – Psalm 54:4

These are just a few examples of David’s faith and trust in the Lord. We can see how brightly it glowed. David faced many difficult circumstances in his life, but he always tried to keep his eyes on the Lord. And this helped him to walk worry-free with God. And we can do the same, when we cling to the Lord every day of our lives.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

© 2021 Bridget A. Thomas

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A Writer’s Imagination by Tara Randel

Posted on June 21, 2021 by tararandel

One of the fun things about being an author is creating the world my characters live in. World-building is a must in plotting a book, whether it’s an elaborate, epic fantasy or a fictional town nestled in the mountains where I have set my newest romance series. Either way, a hearty imagination comes in handy.

Think about the books you’ve read and loved, like the classic stories created by J.R.R. Tolkien or C. S. Lewis. These books capture our senses, our craving for a well-told story. I love historical fiction, and while it is based in reality, the writer still has to create the world he or she is introducing me to. Contemporary fiction also must pull in a reader, without feeling like we’re dragged into the daily life we’re trying to escape from.  Any good story has its foundation in a creative mind.

I create my world, the characters who inhabit it and also what happens to them. Sometimes these ideas pop into my head and form easily, other times I have a mere whisper of an idea and have to really work on how I want to portray that world.  But I enjoy getting lost in the creation and hopefully when my book is finished, the reader is swept away for a few happy hours.

A few weeks ago my daughter and I were at EPCOT and stumbled upon this miniature village. As I took these pictures, the tiny houses and trains reminded me of how I love to be transported when I read a book. How descriptions and clever details can make the story so much more of an adventure. It’s why we read anyway, to escape to a new world, whether totally make-believe or set in a current reality.

Consider the book you’re reading right now. You might be the type of reader who devours a book in no time at all or one who reads slowly to stretch out the enjoyment. Hours can pass without you realizing how long you’ve been lost in the book. All because an author created a world you couldn’t pull yourself from.

Yes, that is a perk of the job.

Look of my next book, Stealing Her Best Friend’s Heart, available  August 2021.

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Look for her next Harlequin Heartwarming romance, available August 2021. For more information about her books, visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter and receive a link to download a free digital book.

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Writing by James R. Coggins

Posted on June 16, 2021 by jrcoggins

The trend was obvious early on.

• Grade 1: four A’s, four B’s, and a C in Writing.

• Grade 2: six A’s, one B, and a C in Writing, which was “not so well done.”

• Grade 3: seven A’s and D in Writing: “Anybody that can get A’s in every subject should be able to write better.”

• Grade 4: six A’s, three B’s, and a C in Writing. “Jim’s writing is still not as good as it should be.”

• Grade 5: four A’s, four B’s, and a C in Writing. “Jim should try harder to improve his writing.”

• Grade 6: three A’s, four B’s, and a D in Writing. “It is unfortunate that Jim’s careless writing has spoiled an otherwise excellent report. His writing is still poor.”

• Grade 7: five A’s, a B, and a C in Writing.

• Grade 8: Five A’s, three B’s, and a D in Writing (including an E in first term).

And so, of course, when I grew up, I became a writer.

The anomaly can be explained by the fact that the teachers were grading what could properly be called “penmanship” rather than writing ability. My excuse was that my ideas always flowed faster than my pen and that I was far more focused on what I was trying to express than on a minor detail such as the look of the individual letters. The result is that my handwriting today is illegible to anyone but myself (or perhaps a doctor). 

On the other hand, I have since learned enough history to know that “penmanship” should not be taken lightly. In earlier centuries, when all business and government records were written by hand, business schools stressed the importance of penmanship. In those days, when records had to be read and understood by people many months’ travel away or possibly many years later, accurate writing was essential. Sloppy penmanship could create business and legal disasters. As hard as it is to believe now, skilled clerks could produce writing as uniform as any typewriter or computer can deliver today.

The same is true for literature and even the Bible. Without scribes who could accurately and clearly make copies of cultural and sacred texts, these valuable writings would not be available to us.   

Today, we have computers to provide the clear records that humans used to be able to deliver in the past. Computers are even supposed to provide spelling and grammar expertise. Without computers, I fear that many modern people are barely literate. If we ever happen to find ourselves in a world with no electricity, we might be unable to communicate. We could find ourselves back in the Stone Age or the Dark Ages. I wish now that I had applied myself more diligently and learned to write better when I was younger.

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That Other Thing I Do by Julie Arduini

Posted on June 16, 2021 by juliearduini

I’ve been staring at a blank screen for quite awhile. Sadly this seems to be my new normal as I return to the routine I had before my mom passed. I sit and get ready to write, but nothing comes. The ideas are there, but transferring them from head to laptop seem to be taking a bit longer than I’d like.

For this post the only thought I had was to share something perhaps you aren’t aware of.

I love taking nature pictures.

I’m not a professional and I have no idea what the process should be. I use my phone and have for a decade. No fancy lighting. No tripod. I’m constantly looking for outdoor opportunities that show God’s majesty.

Sunsets are my favorite, but I’ve also enjoyed capturing fog. Snow. Mountains. Water.

I have pictures from my hometown region, the Finger Lakes in Upstate NY including my hometown, Corning.

Of course I have lots of pictures from around Ohio. The picture at the top is beyond my backyard, through the woods, across the road, and at a place called Molnar Farms. The long driveway leads up an incline that gives the most spectacular views.

There are shots from all the seasons, but fall is my favorite. So many colors.

Sunset in Horseheads, NY
Speculator, NY/Adirondack Mountains
Corning, NY
Sayre, PA. I drove by this tree countless times visiting my mom in the hospital. The red on the ground and the sheer volume of leaves on the tree were so breathtaking I believe it was a gift from God to keep me going.

My little phone has even captured night.

Big Flats, NY
My backyard. Check out the stars!

I’m not a loud person overall. When I’m at church, I’m not the one rushing the altar with a lot of emotion. I used to feel so guilty because my love for the Lord is as genuine as someone who is more public about their faith. Once I started collecting pictures like this I realized THIS is a form of worship. So much so there are times I force myself to put my phone down. I love sharing pictures so much that I miss experiencing His beauty just for me. I’m working on that.

Brian sent the original moon picture to me and I shared it on SnapChat. He had special lenses for his phone.

My favorite part of taking pictures is that both my kids understand my love and in my daughter’s case, share it. She is all about capturing a good shot outdoors that shows off God’s handiwork. Her speciality? Sunsets.

Hannah took this picture at our church and sent it to me when I was away caregiving for my mom.

You can find all my nature pictures on my Facebook page in my albums as well as Instagram.

What hobby or passion do you have that others might not know about?

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Redeeming The Time

Posted on June 15, 2021 by Author Mary Alford

This is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately and I hope that I get better at redeeming the moments that make up my life. If you are like me, it’s so easy to get caught up with the day to day things to be done that you can forget to enjoy the little moments that make life special.

Sure, the birthdays, the holidays, the graduations that come into our lives are easy to remember and keep up with, but those fall on only a few days of the year. There’s plenty of other moments that sometimes get lost in the worries of the day.

Like a breathtaking sunset streaked with color.

Or the beauty of the outdoors.

A simple smile or touch of someone you love. These are all ways of redeeming the moment.

For me, I find so much blessings in redeeming the moments I have with my granddaughters. They are all unique and special and they bring so many happy moments to my life.

Baking with my granddaughters is one way that I redeem the time we have together. One of our favorite recipes to make is chocolate chip cookies.

So I thought I’d share the recipe I found on Allrecipes.com with you. It is awesome and my girls love it.

So I thought I’d share the recipe I found on Allrecipes.com with you. It is awesome and my girls love it.

Outrageous Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep 15 m. Cook 10 m. Ready In 25 m

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup white sugar

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 egg

 1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup rolled oats

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

I add chopped pecans as well. 

Directions

1Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the peanut butter, vanilla and egg until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the batter just until moistened. Mix in the oats and chocolate chips until evenly distributed. Drop by tablespoonfuls on to lightly greased cookie sheets.

3Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges start to brown. Cool on cookie sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Enjoy!

In Ephesians 5:16 the Bible tells us we should be, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

I believe God wants us to redeem every moment of our day for as long as we have one left on this earth.

So what about you? What do you do to redeem the time?

All the best…

Mary Alford

www.maryalford.net

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Blooming in the Desert by Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on June 14, 2021 by Nancy J. Farrier
Ocotillo Bloom

The western United States is in a terrible drought. I live in Southern Arizona and the drought is so severe almost nothing bloomed this spring. In a desert where the cactus blooms bring much beauty and joy, having a dearth of that beauty is very noticeable. This spring only the ocotillo and saguaros bloomed, but I enjoyed those flowers more than I can say.

My heart is sick when I go on walks and see all the plants that are dying or already dead. I want to take a bottomless watering can with me to water all the cactus and other plants. Of course, I don’t have one of those, but I often wish I did.

Now the fires are starting. Hundreds of acres are burning. Mountain forests. Desert landscape. Towns. Homes. It’s heartbreaking to watch and makes me feel helpless as the already depleted water supply sinks lower.

Part of me wants to cry out to God, “Why? Why are You allowing this to happen? Why don’t You answer the prayers for rain?”

Perhaps the answer can be found in the Bible. There are many accounts of drought and famine in the Scripture. God allowed His people to go through these difficult times. Was there a purpose in those droughts? In the famine?

In Genesis 41, Pharaoh has a dream and Joseph, who is in prison at the time, is brought out to interpret that dream Joseph tells Pharaoh there will be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, probably caused by drought. Why does this happen? At the time, it makes no sense, yet looking back we can see God used the drought and famine to free Joseph and raise him to a position of authority. Then God brought Joseph’s family to Egypt and provided a place for them to grow as a people. God’s name was made great by the events then and those that followed. He had a purpose.

We can read about drought and famine during Elijah’s time and during King David’s. Each time God had a purpose that was evident after the fact. 

Of more concern than the physical drought is a spiritual one. There are many references to people needing refreshed in their spirit. To them being dry spiritually and needing the water that gives life.

“The poor and needy seek water, but there is none,

Their tongues fail for thirst.

I, the Lord, will hear them;

I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.

I will open rivers in desolate heights,

And fountains in the midst of the valleys;

I will make the wilderness a pool of water,

And the dry land springs of water.” Is. 41:17-18 (NKJV)

Jeremiah 17: 13 refers to God as the “fountain of living waters.”

We are all familiar with the story of the woman at the well in John chapter four. Jesus asks her for a drink and then tells her about the living water. 

“Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” Jn. 4:13

When we face a drought in our lives, a famine, or are consumed with the fires of doubt, we can turn to Jesus. He is the source of the water of life. He can quench our thirst. His word can satisfy our hunger. We must not let drought and famine steal the beauty from our lives. Instead, we must seek the One that satisfies and bloom in the midst of a desert.

Saguaro Bloom
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