Using your Gifts to BENEFIT Others — by Kathy Carmichael

Posted on May 6, 2021 by kathc2
One View from my Writing Patio

In my last blog post, I talked about the talents we have been gifted by God. I wrote about glorifying God through the use of his gifts.

But there is another side to this coin.

You can also put God to shame by not using His gifts for the right purpose or using them improperly.

I’m going to tell you the story of one of my neighbors. There has been some doubt about her sobriety, and maybe that’s why I have a story to tell.

I live on a canal. It’s pretty wide, but I still have a great view (and vice versa — they have of mine) of the backyard and backdoors of my neighbors across the water. This is Florida and we’re on the water, so most of us spend a fair amount of time in our backyards. 

Because I enjoy my neighbors and neighborhood, I’ve gotten to know and become friends with most of my nearby neighbors, to the point of spending a significant amount of time socializing with them. The very thing that drew us to living on the water draws us together in having similar interests.

I think my odd neighbor didn’t purchase her house. She inherited it. This may explain a lot. I don’t know. I’m just guessing.

But she rarely spends time outdoors, and when she does— well, let’s say she probably shouldn’t. She has taken it on herself to feud with her neighbors on each side. I don’t know how she gets on with other people, but I know for sure the neighbors on each side of her do not get along with her. I don’t have many details, but I do see where one neighbor boarded up the windows on “her” side of their house. And the other didn’t much like it when the odd woman sent her husband over to complain that their fishing line had blown onto “her” side of the water (And in case you didn’t know, you can’t own the water, just saying).

Apparently, she has a gift for knowing what would most bother people. But she has used this gift to deliberately bother people, rather than making their lives easier. And I will admit, not only the person she targeted (but I, too,) was bothered when she mooned him. From the end of her dock. And then she mooned him again. I hope she wasn’t sober.

But my only response was and is, “Please, do not misuse your gifts.”

Can you imagine how much more wonderful my neighborhood would be if she used her gifts as God intended? For making people feel better and more enriched?

This question pertains to me, too. I always need to keep in mind that my gifts will enrich others if I use them as God intended and I pray that I will know when I’m about to step over the line.

**********

I recently published a book: Holy Spirit: The Still Small Voice. The digital eBook is currently FREE on most retailer websites. Click here to snag it!

“Holy Spirit by Kathy Carmichael is both inspirational and thought-provoking. It’s a clear-eyed layman’s look at the power behind the whisper we often call intuition. The personal stories add authenticity and provide anecdotal evidence to back up Kathy’s own conclusions. A lovely read.” ~ Peggy Webb, USA Today bestselling author


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Thou Shalt Not: A Short Story by James R. Coggins

Posted on May 5, 2021 by jrcoggins

The words troubled him. John read them over again. They seemed so archaic. So judgmental. So negative. So out of keeping with the rest of the book. He read them again: “Thou shalt not.”

The next day, he returned to them again. Every time he read them, he felt the same things. Dirty. Sad. Confused.

So, he returned to them the day after that. The words continued to trouble him.

For a while, he tried to ignore them, pretend they weren’t there. He didn’t read them again for several days. But they remained there in the back of his mind, niggling away at his peace.

And so it went for a long time. For weeks. Months. Years.

In the back of his mind, an idea began to form, like a hidden callous gradually formed by the constant niggling. He wasn’t even aware of it at first. After a while, when he first became aware of it, he dismissed it outright. Then, in time, he paused a few seconds before dismissing it. After even more time, he began to entertain it for a bit. Question it. Examine it. Think about it. Ponder it. Finally, he put it into words.

What if he removed those words from the book? It was unthinkable. But then he began to think it. It would still be a good book. A well-loved book. Perhaps even a better book.

This went on for a long time. And then, almost without thinking, he did it. In a sudden surge of emotion, when his mind was distracted and thinking about something else, on a day when the sun was shining, the flowers were blooming, and the birds were singing, he opened the book, tore out the page, and dropped it into the recycling bin.

Nothing happened. The sun went on shining. The flowers went on blooming. The birds went on singing. And he loved the book more than ever. It was his joy, his inspiration. It was even better without those offending words.

And then one day, while reading his beloved book, he came across some other words that troubled him. He had not noticed them before. But they troubled him just as the other words had.

The process went more quickly and was easier this time. It required less thinking. Less pondering. Less soul searching. There were fewer doubts.

In only a few weeks, he reached a decision. He opened the book and tore out that page too. The book was even better now, he reflected. More inspirational. More comforting. Less troubling. The sun went on shining. The flowers went on blooming. The birds went on singing. And he was happy. Content.

One day, another thought struck him. Maybe he should examine the book closely and see if there were any other troubling words. And so he read it through, carefully. At first, he marked any troubling words he found. Later, he went back and examined them again. He thought about them deeply. Some he decided could be kept. They were not all that troubling. But some just didn’t seem to fit into his beloved book. They didn’t belong. And so he removed them, methodically and thoughtfully. He cut them out carefully, leaving no ragged edges to show where they had been removed.

There were only a few pages that he had removed. The book was now perfect, seamless. He loved it even more. He read it over and over again. And the more he read, the more he was convinced that he had been right to remove the troubling words, the bothersome pages.

His life went on as it had before. The sun went on shining. The flowers went on blooming. The birds went on singing. And he was happy. Content.

But no life is without its ups and downs. One day, John woke up feeling sad. He wasn’t sure why. The feeling persisted. He looked at the shining sun, the blooming flowers, and the flitting and soaring birds, but they brought no solace on this day.

He turned to his book, his beloved book. There were words there that always brought him comfort and joy, one set of words in particular. He flipped through the book to where he thought the words should be, but they weren’t there. He skimmed all the pages in that section of the book, but the comforting words weren’t there. He read through that whole section of the book carefully, word for word, but he couldn’t find the comfort he sought.

That night, he sat down and began reading the book from the beginning. The entirety of his beloved book. It took several evenings of careful study. On the last evening, he closed the book. He was puzzled. Confused. Unhappy. What had happened to his beloved book? Where were the words that had comforted and inspired him, that had always brought him such joy?

Very slowly, the truth came to him. Perhaps those comforting words had been on the back side of one of those pages he had removed, on the back side of one of those pages with the troubling words. With a sigh, he put the book down. The book, his beloved book, no longer brought him joy and comfort. He looked up to face a bleaker future.  The sun, hidden by a cloud, was no longer shining. The flowers had withered and died. The birds had ceased their singing.

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It’s almost Mother’s Day!

Posted on May 4, 2021 by Author Mary Alford

May is one of those beautiful months. The bleakness of winter is replaced by new life everywhere. Spring wildflowers become God’s special gift to each of us. And it’s the month we set aside to celebrate another gift from God. Our mothers.

They’re there for us from our first breath. They nurse our scrapes. Wipe away our tears. Are with us when we’re sick, or sad, or happy, or just in need of a friendly voice in a sometimes unfriendly world. For many of us, they’re the one who taught us about God.

And this Sunday, May 9th, is Mother’s Day.

Mothers are tough when they need to be, and gentle when we’re hurting. They impart words of wisdom whether we want to hear them or not. And those precious gems come to mind when we need them the most.

My mother has been gone for almost many years now, yet not a day goes by that I don’t think about something she told me, or did for me growing up. A mother’s lessons last a lifetime.

But there are other women in our lives that help to shape who we are. They are the aunts, the step-moms, and the mothers-in-law who play important parts in our lives and love us no matter what.

Mother’s Day is a great day to tell your mother how much she means to you, but don’t forget to say thank you to the other mothers in your life for the valuable contribution their presence has made in your life.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Mary Alford

http://www.maryalford.net

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The Battle Challenge by Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on May 3, 2021 by Nancy J. Farrier
Javalina with two babies.

Living in rural Southern Arizona comes with some challenges. The extreme heat. The dry weather and dust. And the critters.

We have javalina that roam in our area. Javalina look like wild pigs, but they are a peccary, not related to pigs. They have the tusks and a snout, coarse hair, and a similar shape to the wild boar. You can usually smell them before you see them and they smell like a skunk. If the dominant male feels his herd is threatened, he will give a loud bark, almost like a large dog’s bark.

These animals roam through our area at night or in the very early hours of the morning looking for food and water. They have been digging under our fences and at first I didn’t mind at all. I can live in peace with wild animals. Right?

Chewed Mammillaria Grahamii

All that changed when they started uprooting my echinopsis and eating my mammillaria. (cactus) They knocked a pot off my front porch and chewed the cactus up pretty good. The mammillaria that were in heavier pots, they ate right where they were. Not the whole cactus, just pieces of them. 

How rude of them!

We tried putting bricks or smaller rocks in the areas where they were digging in, but they just nudge them aside with their snouts and go where they please. And where they please is endangering my cactus.

So, my husband found a large rock that they wouldn’t be able to move. He had me help him and we worked it into the hole completely covering the little ditch they’d dug. Then we covered the stone with dirt, a little smug with the idea that we’d foiled the javalina.

The next morning, I went to check. Sure enough, the rock was too large for them to move. But, they tunneled right around it and came through anyway. And ripped one of my mammillaria from its pot and ate the roots. 

Oh, how I want to go to war. It isn’t fair that they have all the desert to live in and plenty of cactus to eat but they come for my plants. Of course, we’re in a drought so the desert plants don’t provide the moisture mine do, but still. 

I’ve had to stop and think about how much I hate war. I prefer to find a way to get along and work out differences. Granted, it’s hard to negotiate with a javalina. In fact, there is no negotiation. They simply do what they want.

The weather is growing warmer and soon they will move on and not be invading our property. They aren’t eating all my cactus, just taking a bite here and there. It is their nature.

Instead of starting a war I don’t want, I will allow the javalina their invasion. I will even keep the outdoor water buckets full so they can get a drink as they pass through. After all, aren’t we caretakers of God’s creation, even when they don’t behave in the way we want them to?

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Nora’s Review: The Key to Everything by Valerie Fraser Luesse

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Vicki Hinze

The Key to Everything

By Valerie Fraser Luesse 

Published by: Revell 

348 Pages

NORA’S REVIEW: This novel reminds me of the movie Forrest Gump (as both characters went on an adventure that had them meeting fascinating people). There is a Forrest Gump kind of feel mixed with a coming of age story minus the graphic sexual side of things.

From the start readers get to know Peyton and his mother after a tragic event. They are waiting for medical news about their loved one. It’s then Peyton learns the details of his mother and father’s love story and a few surprising things about himself.

This is a heart-warming and delightful story of Peyton and his quest to go on the same journey his father went on when he was 15 years old. He sets out with his bicycle and backpack filled with his stuff and goodies from his mom.

The expedition begins in GA and goes all the way to Key West, Florida. I enjoyed Peyton’s adventures and the interesting people he meets. I lived in Ga and Florida, so I appreciated the trip through the streets of GA and Florida and all he saw there. Peyton says to Lisa, “Do you think my father found it” Peyton propped on his elbow, looking down at Lisa. “Yeah, I think he did. But the sad thing is, he left it here.”

“I don’t want to do that, Lisa. Because there’s something else I’ve figure out. You can’t follow anybody else’s path, like I tried to do with Daddy – Like Daddy thought he had to do with Granddaddy. Somewhere along the way, you gotta draw your own map.”

Good point. I loved the charming cast of characters (including the ones you were not meant to like) with a captivating deep story I could not stop reading. It was a grand adventure mixed with a splash of young romance, family drama and a remembrance of a life well lived.

At the end the author shares what inspired her to write this story, “…General Patterson really did ride his bike to Key West and back, Sleeping in police and fire stations,..Like Peyton, General Patterson loved to fly, completing 101 missions as a US Air Force fighter pilot during the Korean War… couldn’t resist giving Peyton Cabot just a little bit of my own dad, Junior Freser, whose creative, adventurous, take-it-as-it-comes spirit always amazed me growing up. There’s just a touch of Daddy in my protagonist. I don’t think Holly will mind. There’s room for both of our heroes in Peyton.”

This is a book that would work well for a book club pick. There is so much to talk about. If you have not read a book by this author, I highly recommend you read this heart-warming tale that will leave you with a smile on your face and a happy heart.

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent 

TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! 

The Book Club Network Blog www.bookfun.org

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Our Eternal Home by Bridget A. Thomas

Posted on April 29, 2021 by Bridget

There is a meme that I saw on social media a couple of months ago that brought tears to my eyes. I saw it on my dad’s timeline, but I am not sure who originally posted it. I wish I did, so I could give proper credit. See the picture below. Depending on how we look at it, it can be sad, but it also can be beautiful. Overall, this meme reminds me of some important things.

The meme reminds me that life is short. I have a friend who passed away from sarcoma one week after her thirty-fourth birthday. I have a sister who didn’t reach her fiftieth birthday. I have a nephew who passed around his twentieth birthday. And it seems that when we blink, a decade goes by. Yes, life is definitely short.

I don’t say this to depress you, and I am sorry if it does. It’s just that this meme also reminds me of the importance of living our days with intention. Every day is a gift. We should enjoy life. But we also should put God in first place and love those who God put in our path. We should spread the love of Jesus to those around us. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring (Proverbs 27:1), so we should be quick to share the gospel. And we should always be ready for the day when we will meet Jesus (Matthew 25:1-13).

But this meme also reminds me of something very beautiful. While this life is temporary, we also have an eternal home to look forward to. As children of God, we are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20). Jesus called heaven paradise (Luke 23:43). In heaven, our bodies will be transformed (Philippians 3:21). God will wipe away every tear. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4). We have eternal life to look forward to (John 3:16). God will dwell with His people (Revelation 21:3). This means that if you are His, then He will dwell with you. And this also means if your loved ones are saved, they will be there too. Heaven will have many mansions and Jesus is preparing a place for us (John 14:2-3). We’ve heard it said, and perhaps we thought it was a myth, but there really will be pearly gates and streets of gold (Revelation 21:21).

As children of God, we have so much to look forward to. When we depart from this earth, it is not the end for believers. It is the beginning to an infinite life, where we will praise and worship the King of kings and the Lord of lords. The things we suffer through on earth will be nothing in comparison to the beauty we find in heaven, when we see the Lord’s glorious face. As the old hymn goes, “When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be. When we all see Jesus, we’ll sing and shout the victory.”

© 2021 Bridget A. Thomas

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The Calling One One Wants: Pioneer by Julie Arduini

Posted on April 28, 2021 by juliearduini

I learned a few years ago there is such a thing in faith as the pioneer. The pioneer is someone who sees/hears/reads/receives information from the Lord a little bit ahead of everyone else. It’s a lonely calling full of rejection and waiting.

Then, when the masses get on board, no one remembers the prayers/decrees/proclamations the pioneer uttered all along.

When I learned about the modern pioneer, the Biblical role model wasn’t very encouraging. John the Baptist was a pionner. He foretold the coming of Christ and begged people to make a way. His reward?

He was beheaded.

Sigh.

I definitely identify as a pioneer. There will be things I can discern from the Holy Spirit’s leading that are coming down the pike. Sometimes I’m meant to share it, but more than not, I’m to sit on it and pray. Either way, it’s hard. Lonely.

Since 2019, God has been asking me to pray for justice and for things happening behind closed doors that went against His will. I assumed it was the presidential election and prayed for that, but also for God’s justice and the end of those back door meetings. I certainly didn’t have a lot of information to work with. As 2019 ended and 2020 began, I sensed the year would be big.

I thought perhaps we would receive perfect vision about the matters I’d been praying about. That justice would be served. I kept praying.

Then Coronavirus. Quarantine.

I kept praying.

I sensed that Passover would be a breakthrough.

I prayed and praised.

And it was hard, because nothing in the natural seemed to prove I was on the right track.

I switched focus to the election and just prayed and prayed.

I felt that the back door meetings were tied to the election and that bad plans were in the works. Election night I was certain the pioneer prayers worked and injustice was avoided.

Until the results and the forthcoming witnesses and testimony from those who tried to vote or count votes and were denied justice.

We know where things are at and the pioneer ride for this prayer quest God has given me for justice has been as comfortable as a wagon ride down a mountain. Add to it the months I was away taking care of my mom, missing my family, and then devastated once she recovered to lose mom.

Quit?

I’ve wanted to play dead and hope God passed me by.

But true pioneers don’t quit, especially if standing in the gap in prayer is their calling.

I haven’t forgotten to pray for justice and the end of secret meetings.

I did forget it wasn’t for me to define what that meant.

And in surrendering that, God has opened my eyes to a piece of what the praying pioneers are fighting for.

The justice goes way beyond the election and anything secret going on in the USA.

Same for all the secret meetings and agendas.

The fact that we were recently at a Defcon 3 or that global leaders/business people are resigning is not a surprise or scary to me. Why? It’s one of the puzzle pieces God gave me as I prayed this out. These pieces are coming together fast and it’s hard, because most people are still unaware of the scale of this assignment.

Here’s what I can say.

You don’t mock God.

You don’t mess with His children.

God is loving but His wrath is real. Not something to guilt you into doing something religious, but it’s a true story when a person or people intentionally work to harm God’s people and His way. When those people start to think they are God, well, their future isn’t pretty.

I write all this because I believe very soon the masses will receive information that will unveil the justice puzzle and the behind the door meetings. It will be devastating. There will be names we know and love who have done awful, awful, horrific things. There will be names we never trusted or cared for, maybe even actively spoke against who were good guys all along.

It will be life changing.

Can I be wrong?

Certainly. I’m human. But He is a promise keeper and I know enough about Him to know children are everything to Him. He exacts justice. And I’m pretty sure reading in His word, you can’t mock Him for long and not suffer consequences.

If you have that pioneer spirit, I pray you are encouraged and hold on tight. Don’t give up. Press in. Press in with your relationship with God through prayer and reading the Bible. Avoid putting all your focus in the world. It’s easy to make idols out of something, even in your quest for information.

If the whole pioneer thing is foreign to you but you sense something is off, that the world just isn’t adding up the way you thought it would, I encourage you to ask God to show you. Read Elijah. Jeremiah. Ezekiel.

If you feel like the news you use isn’t giving you the information you seek, I challenge you to download Telegram. If you need names of channels/people to read, I’m happy to help.

May we all, pioneers and the masses unite and not divide. That justice be served.

And to God all the glory.

This first appeared at juliearduini.com.

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Aspects of God by Kathy Carmichael

Posted on April 22, 2021 by kathc2

BookBrushImage-2021-4-19-11-57

Recently I worked on two nonfiction Christian projects and, as I worked on them, I believed and still do, that in doing so I was fulfilling my calling. God has given each of us gifts, talents and skills He hopes we will use to His glorification.

I once met another writer, a particularly gifted novelist, and she said that once she realized she had the God-given gift for writing and telling a story, she knew He intended that she would use the gift. It was (at least) part of her calling. At the time I was struck with how sure she was about this, and it took me many years to find the self-confidence to be able to say the same thing about myself and my writing.

7 To each person has been given the ability to manifest the Spirit for the common good. 8 To one has been given a message of wisdom by the Spirit; to another the ability to speak with knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit; 10 to another miraculous results; to another prophecy; to another the ability to distinguish between spirits; to another various kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages. 11 But one and the same Spirit produces all these results and gives what he wants to each person. ~ Corinthians 12:7-11 (ISV)

One of my delights is in making someone laugh–through my writing or my words. God gave me the talent to write and communicate well with readers. I’m trying my best to use this gift to God’s glorification, whether what I’m writing is fiction or nonfiction.

A friend once suggested that I’m a talented teacher and she wondered why I hadn’t pursued that as a career. I hadn’t, and I explained that teaching as a vocation didn’t appeal to me. However, teaching in my interactions about and during writing definitely appeals. If as a result I can lead even one person to Christ, I have done as God wished, leading to His exaltation.

BookBrushImage-2021-4-19-11-107

Have you been given a talent for singing, for playing a musical instrument, for organizing things, or other gifts? You can use such gifts to the Lord’s glory, thereby testifying without the need for sermons or Biblical talks.

Each of our talents highlights an aspect of our Everlasting God. He is the Creator and the creative mind who invented rainbows and sunsets too beautiful to capture on canvas. He oversaw the writing of the Bible, with it’s many textures and layers. He created the heavens and the earth. He gave words to the Apostles and others when they most needed them. He is the peacemaker and even a team builder. The talents and skills He possesses are too numerous to list, but humanity is the beneficiary. Many of those talents are available to us as His gifts.

Merely by you, being you, to the best of your abilities, using your talents, background and interests is a wonderful means of demonstrating how God and Christ in our lives helps us to help others. Their presence leads us to happier lives as well.

Knowing that every step I take in my writing journey is not only condoned by God but the progress has been prepared for me by Him through the talents and gifts he blessed me with. Each of us have been given gifts to help us move forward through life.

I feel so beholden at being a Christian, beloved by our Heavenly Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. I am embraced by a soul-deep peace and love.

My hope for you is that you will experience such unconditional love and peace, too. May God bless you.

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An Unintended Legacy by James R. Coggins

Posted on April 21, 2021 by jrcoggins

The patriarch Joseph was undoubtedly a moral and godly man. He is credited with saving Egypt from a disastrous famine. Because of Pharaoh’s dreams and the interpretation of them which God gave to Joseph, Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of the Egyptian government. In this position, Joseph made arrangements to store grain during seven abundant years, which was later used to help all of Egypt and many people in surrounding countries through the seven years of famine that were coming. Saving for a rainy day is a wise practice in any age.

But that does not mean that everything Joseph did was right and wise. Because he had been put into his position by Pharaoh, Joseph saw himself as a servant of Pharaoh and did what was best for his master. But that does not mean that what he did was good for everyone else.

An often overlooked passage in Genesis 47 reveals that how Joseph distributed the grain during the seven years of famine was not good or wise. The Egyptian government under Joseph had been able to buy up surplus grain very cheaply (or possibly for nothing) during the seven good years. But Joseph then sold that grain back to the Egyptians and other people during the famine, probably at elevated prices. At first, they paid with money. Verse 14 (NIV) says that “Joseph collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan in payment for the grain…and he brought it to Pharaoh’s palace.”

The next year, the people again came to Joseph asking for grain. However, having had no income that year due to the famine, they had to admit, “Our money is all gone” (verse 15). Joseph replied. “Then bring your livestock” (verse 16). So, Joseph “gave them food in exchange for their horses, their sheep and goats, their cattle and donkeys.”

The next year, the people came again to ask for grain in order to save themselves from starvation. They said, “Since our money is gone and our livestock belongs to you, there is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land” (verse 18). Verses 20-21 describe the result: “So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh…The land became Pharaoh’s, and Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other.”

Joseph essentially reduced the Egyptian people to the status of serfs or slaves. This greatly increased the power of the pharaohs, and later pharaohs would use that power to oppress and enslave the people of God. This was an ironic and unintended result brought about by a man who had himself once been enslaved. I am not sure that this is what God had in mind when He gave the dreams to Pharaoh.

Governments are a gift of God and necessary to maintain order in society (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). They are a necessary evil. Without Pharaoh’s government, the Egyptians would have starved to death. Today, governments do much good. They provide police and fire protection, transportation infrastructure, utilities, health and safety regulations, schools, health care, social assistance, and much more, and for that reason we give them great power.  But we should be wary about all power structures because those who have power usually want more. We should be careful about what we ask and expect governments to do because when governments give something, there is usually a price to be paid farther down the road.

There is also a lesson to be learned here about who we put into power and how to consider them once they are in power. In the 16th century, the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther once said that he would rather be ruled by a wise Turk than a foolish Christian. The “Turks” were the Muslim armies that had brutally invaded and enslaved Palestine, the Middle East, Turkey, and parts of Eastern Europe and had only recently been stopped at the gates of Vienna, Austria. Like many of his other statements, this observation by Luther was hyperbole, an exaggeration to make a point. Luther was not really yearning to live under Turkish oppression. The point he was making is that Christians, believers in the true God, remain human. They do not automatically receive wisdom and knowledge because they are believers. (Remember that Solomon had to ask for wisdom.) This means that Christians in power in the state and in the church, even with the best intentions, can make very unwise decisions. Therefore, we should not blindly follow them just because they are Christians. Their policies need to be evaluated on their own merits. Similarly, Christian leaders in church and state should remain humble and open to correction, knowing that they are not infallible. They should recognize that they are human and can be wrong.

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God Doesn’t Give Us More Than We Can Handle

Posted on April 20, 2021 by Author Mary Alford

How are you feeling today? Stressed? Too many things demanding your time?

We live in a fast-paced world. Demands come at us from all directions. Today we are never unplugged. With modern technology, we are able to connect with work, family, and friends, twenty-four hours a day. And it’s easy to feel stressed. Especially when you look at the news. The world is filled with tragedy, and sometimes that strikes close to home and we cry out—God, why?  

But God’s grace is sufficient.

At some point in our lives, we all lose someone we love. In that time of grieving, it’s sometimes hard to see our way out. The grief bears down on us like a storm and it feels as if we’ll be sad forever.

In 2012, I lost my mom at Easter, and we lost my father-in-law at Christmas.  That year tested my faith. Yet through each moment, and through every tear, He was there.

If you’re feeling stressed, or in the middle of a storm that feels as if it will never end, know this: God is our strength, and because He is our strength, He will never give us more than we can handle. And through it all, His grace is sufficient.

So, whatever you are going through, know that you can always come to Him with your troubles and He will give you rest.

All the best…

Mary Alford

www.maryalford.net

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Delight In the Lord by Tara Randel

Posted on April 19, 2021 by tararandel

Last month, my daughter and I went to EPCOT for the Flower and Garden Festival. It was a beautiful day, as it always is when I get to spend time with one of my favorite people. Walking around the park, it was encouraging to see people out and about. Disney is really good about taking measures to protect their guests, which you can see as everyone wears a mask because they want to enjoy a day at EPCOT.

As usual, the garden displays were beautiful. The character topiaries are always fun to view. Every year they add more food vendors, so we were able to stroll the World Showcase, enjoy the scenery and eat some really good food along the way.

As we came upon the Mexican Pavilion, one of the cast members showed us an almost hidden path that leads to the side of the building. As we stepped inside, we came across the most breathtaking array of orchids. It was like finding hidden treasure. I didn’t realize orchids came in so many different colors. I have to say, it was the highlight of the day and I wanted to share these pictures with you.

Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Psalm 111:2

I hope these pictures brighten your day!

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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Grateful for the Little Things by Bridget A. Thomas

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Bridget

In my normal routine, I drive to work Monday through Friday. My husband likes for me to call him when I arrive at work, to let him know that I got there safely. My husband will later send me an “I love you” text, which I answer. And I have friend who sends me a “Good morning” text message each day. On my lunch break, via my cell phone app, I get on our Furbo. This is a neat little device with which you can see your pets, talk to them, and even throw them treats. Then I call my hubby for a few minutes. When I leave work, I call my husband for a few minutes again. Then on the remainder of the drive home, I often listen to praise music, usually streaming from my phone. And on most days, my sister and I will also text each other about different things that are going on in our lives.

I recently had an odd week and wasn’t able to follow the routine on two of the days. On Sunday my phone had died. We live in a small town and no one was able to look at it, since it was Sunday. So my husband took my phone on Monday to see if it could be fixed. It couldn’t, sadly. Therefore, I had to get a new phone.

However, this meant on Monday I had to drive to and from work without a cell phone. While I don’t like being glued to my phone, as people are these days, it made me thankful for the technology we have. My commute is fifty miles one way. I felt uneasy about driving all that way without access to a phone. My husband did offer to drive me, but I knew my worries were a little farfetched, so I declined. He also offered to give me his phone. But we do not have a landline, so that meant he would have been without a phone. Therefore, I declined that offer as well. By the grace of God, all went well. On that day, I was especially thankful for a reliable car and for God’s protection.

But as James R. Coggins pointed out recently in his post “The Man on the Park Bench,” life these days appears hopeless when you lose your cell phone. This story that James shared has so much truth to it. And I felt the pains of it recently. Even when I did get a new phone, I had to stumble along as I added apps onto my phone, tried to remember passwords, and so on.

On Thursday of this same week, while on my way home, there was an accident on the interstate. I was stuck in traffic and even turned my car off for a while. I was thankful that I had a new cell phone, so I could tell my husband I would be late. Years ago when we didn’t have this advantage, spouses would arrive home late, while their mates worried about what was keeping them.

As I sat in traffic and thought about this, it also made me thankful for my husband and how much we communicate throughout the day. I realize not all spouses are like this. They might not even bother to tell their husband or wife that they are going to be late. They might not talk to their spouse every day on their lunch break or on their way home. And when I saw my spouse that evening, I was sure to let him know that I appreciated him.

I also have a few coworkers who drive this road. When one of us knows of an incident, we are usually good about sharing with each other. A few weeks prior, one of my coworkers emailed a few of us about an incident that caused traffic to be backed up. So on this particular Thursday, since I was parked on the interstate, I was able to return the favor. I was thankful for the technology to do so, and for knowing I had thoughtful coworkers who looked out for one another.

I was thankful for my sister, who lives hundreds of miles away, yet who stays in contact with me throughout the week. And I was thankful for my friend who texts me each day, just to check in.

These two incidents that happened within only a few days of each other have made me take note of the little things in life. We have so much to be thankful for, yet we often take many of those things for granted. I try to live a life of gratitude. Each evening I try to think of several things that I was grateful for within my day. But I too often miss the small things in life. These incidents have encouraged me to be more thankful for the blessings all around us. Will you take some time today to take note of all the little blessings God has planted in your life?

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. – Psalm 95:1-2

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

© 2021 Bridget A. Thomas

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Choose the Golf Club by Julie Arduini

Posted on April 14, 2021 by juliearduini

If this picture could talk! This was how my teen daughter, nephew, sister, and I spent Good Friday. My sister and nephew now live in what was our mom’s home, and it is 300 miles from my house. When we discussed Easter, we knew one thing—we wanted to do everything as opposite from tradition as possible.

Plans started with them coming to Ohio instead of us traveling to Upstate NY. We decided to kick our long weekend off by visiting Fits of Fury, a rage room type experience at a nearby mall.

When our mom first became ill last September and one minute the doctors are preparing for her to pass, only for them to come in and talk discharge, and that bounced back and forth for weeks, we were fatigued in every level. We sure didn’t want her to pass, but the toll of saying goodbye and mentally preparing for it is excruciating. Then she was home and we were caregiving her through months where her pain level was heartbreaking. She received a diagnosis of h.pylori and that addressed the pain, yet other challenging things were happening. Just when she rebounded and was basically back to her old self driving, shopping, getting her haircut—she was gone. Just like that.

I don’t care how strong your faith is, that roller coaster will mess you up.

—Julie Arduini

I’m no exception. When I entered that room with carefully chosen plates, glasses, mugs, and even a hard drive and monitor, I thought about 2020 and these last months. I was separated from my husband and kids for almost nine weeks. I missed out knowing the daily in their lives and it was only when I returned did I realize what a huge impact that was for all of us. Certainly none of us regret my leaving to stay with mom, but it was a hard, hard time.

My sister eyed the glass as a daughter, a single mom, and a teacher. Through all of these months she had to pack her son up and drop him off different places because of remote learning. She was expected to be ready for anything as a teacher with news changing last minute and resources rarely at her disposal because of protocol. She was there when mom fell ill and needed transport and again, because of protocol, wasn’t allowed to join her. We never saw mom again.

We had the choice of a hammer, sledgehammer, baseball bat and golf clubs to use on these items. We wore protective gear and took turns. Sometimes just hurling it against the wall was enough.

For me, I found the most damage—and healing—came from the golf club. Although actual golf is my husband’s game, I had no trouble picking up that club and taking a swing. Once things shattered, I hit again and again to take those big pieces down to slivers.

It felt good.

Obviously this experience is not the same as a counseling session, a time of prayer, or anything that can be classified as therapy. Yet, it was therapeutic if that makes sense. My nephew showcased a powerful swing with the bat and it helped him get some pent up emotions out. I know I felt the same way.

Days later I had to drive mom’s car from NY to Ohio where my son and his fiancee will use it. The emotions that spilled out as I drove it across state lines surprised me, and I honestly would have done near anything to trade that drive for a return to the rage room. I sobbed, and just depleted myself of words and tears.

When I arrived home and cried some more as I unpacked her things, I focused on much needed sleep, but ran to His word. The Bible is my comfort and guide and when it’s extra busy, I miss the reading plans I have in place. I couldn’t wait to get back to it. It is in the Psalms, and the prophets where my plans have me that are helping me heal.

But if you want affordable entertainment where you can swing out some frustration, I definitely recommend the experience. For maximum damage, use the golf club!

PS

In the picture we were supposed to give angry faces. My sister and I were so excited to be there we just look goofy. But the younger ones, they gave a great game face!

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When God Says Wait…

Posted on April 13, 2021 by Kristin

They say there are three answers to prayer: Yes, no and wait. I’ve been in a holding pattern for a very long time. I remind myself that when Saul became Paul he was sent off to study for 11 years. During that time the man who knew Judaism better than anyone was suddenly called to preach to the Gentiles. I really identify with Paul at this time. I’ve been training for something with all the books I’ve written: Romance, Chick Lit, a non-fiction title about a missionary in Iraq who lost her husband to the people they were witnessing to…and yet, I feel like God is doing a new thing in my life. I’m not sure if it will include the written word or not. And since I don’t know which way to go, I stand still and wait.

Well, I’m not exactly standing still. But my purpose is definitely changing and I’m having to listen to that still-small voice that doesn’t shout, “Do this!”

I’ve seen enough of God’s work to know that even if I make a mistake, He will direct me to the right path eventually, but for now, He is saying, “Rest in Me.” And for someone from Silicon Valley who has been a go-getter all my life, it is not an easy place, this rest stop. I want to go. I want to do. I want to hear what’s next, but I keep getting pushed back. So for now, I’m resting in it. I’m figuring out what I like to do while relaxing and going in that direction. For now, the only word I’m getting is, “Be still and know that I am God.”

I suppose we are all in this wait pattern a bit with the virus lockdowns, but it’s good to remind ourselves that God’s timing is always perfect.

This is my dog Fiona on Lake Tahoe. My daughter is getting married there next Summer. It’s our “go-to” place and the perfect environment to wait for God’s answers.

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A Test of Trust by Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on April 12, 2021 by Nancy J. Farrier

We had a wild and crazy end to our past week. One of those times when you wish you could hit rewind and have a chance to change events. But that isn’t an option. Instead, you have to move forward and trust God to get you through the good times and the hard times.

I did find out how hard trusting can be in those excruciatingly difficult moments, hours, even days.

On Thursday, my husband took me for an eye doctor appointment, over an hour drive from our house. After the appointment, we stopped for lunch when a neighbor called. He said there was a fire behind our house and our whole neighborhood had been evacuated.

We were over an hour from home. Our pets were there. No one would be able to get them out but us. A weight settled on my chest as I thought of the cats trapped in a house that might be burning, or our dog who could go in and out of the garage but would be so frightened at the flames roaring. Breathing became a chore as we contemplated what we could do from so far away.

I prayed on the interminable drive toward home. I wanted to trust God with my pets, with the people, with the homes in the area but I had trouble letting go and finding peace. That heaviness persisted, like a boulder resting on top of me.

By the time we got within two miles of our house we were stopped by a roadblock. Many of our neighbors were waiting by their cars watching the thick cloud of smoke boiling above our homes. Sudden bursts of black smoke in the midst of the gray and white plume told us something else caught fire. A home? A vehicle? 

I argued with the men blocking the road, telling them we needed to check our pets. They wouldn’t let us in.  we waited until after eight at night when they said we would not be allowed back in that day. We ended up driving forty-five miles that evening to spend the night with our brother-in-law. On the way, I prayed more, realizing we had no change of clothes, not even a toothbrush or toothpaste.

The next morning we were scheduled for our second Covid shot. As soon as that was done, we headed home. As we travel, we normally listen to an audiobook but this time neither of us could concentrate on the story. I spent the time praying.

The fire was still raging. We hoped to see less smoke but the thick cloud was the same with the intermittent black burst that spoke of some new structure catching fire. 

We checked in at the command center and were told they were escorting people to their homes one at a time depending on the area you lived in and if it was safe. We waited for an hour before our turn came. I had argued with them (politely) that we wanted to go in and be at our home. One of the men we talked with tried to stop the officer from taking us home, but he was too late.

When we got to our place, we would have fifteen minutes to check on our pets, feed and water them, and gather a few things. My husband started checking things immediately while I talked with the deputy who followed us to our house. I told him we were going to stay unless they would arrest us. He had to call in to see what they said, but they couldn’t arrest us, although they would not come back in to rescue us either.

He was not happy with our choice. He pulled out a notebook, wrote down our address, and asked for our names. He said, “That way we know who you are when we have to come back and scrape you up.” I laughed. I assured him we would be careful and thanked him for doing his job.

Somewhere during the past day, my prayers had changed my attitude. Trust had settled in, easing the weight from my chest. I knew God was there. I knew He had our best interests in mind. We had previously lost two homes to disasters, and I knew that no matter what, God would see us through.

That was a long day. We had no power or gas service so my husband set up the generators to give us minimal power and water. No hot water, but that was okay. We checked on neighbors who had chosen to stay. We drove around in the evening to see the damage and were horrified at the number of houses destroyed completely.  We knew many of those who lost their homes and it’s so sad to see. (In all a dozen homes in our small community were destroyed.)

What did I learn from this experience? I learned that neighbors are good people who pull together and help each other. (We had a fire start in the overgrown lot behind our house. The neighbors on the other side saw the fire and carried their pool water to put it out. Otherwise, we would both have lost our homes.) 

I saw the sovereignty of God in action. Not all homes were spared but all lives were spared. 

And I learned that trust doesn’t always come immediately when we pray. Sometimes through a lot of prayer that trust trickles in unnoticed until you are resting in His grace and mercy and have no worries even when the flames are licking high and breathing the smoke hurts your chest.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Prov. 3:5

There is no way my understanding can grasp why this happened. But I am thankful for the prayers of family and friends that carried us through. I am thankful God was there even when my trust in Him faltered.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…” 2 Cor. 4:7-9

These words from Paul in 2 Corinthians wove through my thoughts this past weekend. The picture above is one taken of our white house and barn by the Forest Service and Fire Management people and shared across the internet. When I saw the flames right there, I knew only the power of prayer and the grace of God kept our home from burning. 

Why were others not spared? I don’t know. But I am grateful to learn this lesson of trust and grateful to all God taught me through this experience.

Trust in God. He is worthy.

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