Christians Read

            When I was in my twenties, Billy Graham’s radio message encouraged me to reach out to the world. I was busy with my world of church work, husband, and infant daughter, but decided to volunteer a couple hours a week at Shriner’s Hospital. That led me to write an article for Baby Talk Magazine about the blessing and appreciation of having a healthy baby. That was my first published article, although I didn’t write it as a writer, but as a grateful Mom.

In my thirties, after some disappointing events, I became disillusioned and considered leaving the church. Fortunately, after six months of pondering, I rededicated my life to the Lord, seeking direction. Then I noticed an ad in Decision Magazine about the Billy Graham School of Christian Writing. Attending that conference opened up a whole new world to me and I began my writing journey. That journey was not like singing and skipping along a yellow brick road, looking for a desired destination. It was trusting the Lord to be the light along my path, even when I could see no more than one step at a time.

Eventually, that led to my founding the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference where faculty reached out to thousands during the twenty-five years of my directing and continues now under others’ direction.

Over the decades my journey continued as 50+ of my novels were published. Then the nonfiction world opened up to me with the opportunity of compiling articles for the Divine Moments books, such as this one, and ten others now published. Hundreds of authors have shared their personal stories, humorous and serious. Readers have been entertained, faith has been strengthened, lives have been changed, and families have been reunited. All royalties go to Samaritan’s Purse, the organization founded by Dr. Graham’s son, Franklin, that provides spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Each writer is touching lives throughout the world, directly or indirectly.

Billy Graham’s ministry has touched millions with one sermon. And yet, the preaching of one man led to Billy Graham’s surrendering his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. What a difference one person can make in this world.

How blessed I’ve been by Billy Graham’s life and words, beginning when I was just a young Mom and heeded the words God gave him.

His words reached me – one person – and all I had to do was surrender, take God’s hand, let him lead along the smooth or rugged paths.

God, through Billy Graham, has given me a blessed life I couldn’t have imagined –including being allowed to compile and edit a book about the world’s most famous evangelist.

In this book are 45 articles by people from all walks of life recalling special moments experienced through the ministry of Billy Graham.

Take a moment to pause and consider – What does your heart desire? Do you have a dream, a wish, or a goal? Perhaps there is something tucked deep inside your heart, and you are afraid to even speak it out loud?

That’s how I felt about becoming a writer. I always wanted to be a writer, for as long as I could remember. But it seemed like a huge dream. It was like saying that I was going to become an actress or an astronaut.

Yeah right! That could never happen. Those were thoughts I had. I didn’t always think them consciously. But in the back of my mind, that’s how I felt.

When I was in high school, I got a job at the public library. I loved my job. So when I looked around for colleges, I looked at those which had library science as a major. However, when I went off to the college, I was told that I shouldn’t major in library science, because my college was not accredited. So I was at a loss on what I should major in. Meanwhile, I got a job at the college library, and I enjoyed it as well. (Notice how both jobs dealt with books?)

The following year I took a computer class and enjoyed it. This particular class fell under the major of business, with a concentration in management information systems. So that’s what I chose to go with.

At this point in my life, the dream of writing was pushed so far back into the recesses of my mind, that I never even considered taking that route in college.

After graduating college, I had a series of programming jobs. I did like the work that I was doing. But the dream of writing was still tucked deep inside my heart. I voiced this dream only to a select few, such as my husband. But I never mentioned it to most people that I knew. I honestly thought it would never happen. And if I told someone that I wanted to write, then I would look like a failure when it never transpired.

At different times in my life, I sought programs that might help prepare me. I took a non-fiction writing class. Later I took a novel writing class. I subscribed to writing magazines. I paid good money to join various writing groups. But fear kept me at arm’s length. And I gradually bowed out of each of those programs.

As the years passed, I allowed different doubts to enter my mind: I don’t have what it takes, I don’t think anybody would want to read anything that I wrote, I don’t have an English degree, I want to write in the Christian industry and I am not a Bible scholar. I pretty much had given up completely. So I set aside my writing and allowed fear to keep ruling my life.

Then one day, I was tired of it all. I was tired of not writing. I was tired of my dreams going down the drain. I was tired of living a mediocre life.

I told my husband that I needed a desk, so that I would have a dedicated place to write. Within a week, he acquired a desk off of Craigslist.

I sat down to write every day. In about a month, I completed my first book, Every Day is a Gift.

I am still a bit stunned that this dream actually came to fruition. But I give God all the glory. He knew what my heart desired, and He helped me get there.

So tell me, what does your heart desire? Do you have a dream that seems too big to accomplish? If so, there are two steps you need to take today.

(1) Get the tools you need to accomplish your dream. Ask yourself, what is one thing you can do today to set the wheels in motion?

(2) Most importantly, pray about it. Tell God what your dream is. He cares about you and the things that you long for. He can help you accomplish your goals, no matter how big they seem.

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” – Psalm 37:4

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word. Psalm 119:9

 Every young person needs adult help to reach her/his full potential in life. In 1907, British baron Lord Robert Baden-Powell (1857- 1941) founded the Boy Scouts to help boys of mixed social backgrounds grow into responsible men of good character. The movement quickly spread to the United States. Through the years, millions of boys joined the Scouts, earning merit badges for each skill achieved and rising in rank as the badges added up. Through hard work, persistence, and conquering of many challenges, a Scout can reach the ultimate level, that of Eagle Scout. Many men in leadership today point to their Eagle Scout training as the foundation for their success. (Baden-Powell image: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-Stephenson-Smyth-Baden-Powell-1st-Baron-Baden-Powell/images-videos/media/48473/16293)

One such Eagle Scout is Art Polnasek, who, with his wife, Linda, have been responsible for eighty young men (so far) also earning that rank. Art and Linda began with their own three sons and have continued their good work, adding two new Eagle Scouts this past weekend: Brodyn E. Brown and my grandson, Forest W. Reese. (At left, Art is addressing the Scout troop.)

Forest’s father, Bill Reese, died in 2006, and my husband, David, has worked hard to fill in as “dad” in more ways than we can count. Looking for a program that would teach our grandson needed life skills, David took him to visit several Scout troops, finally finding a “home” in Troop 192 in St. Cloud, Florida. David also accepted the challenge of becoming a Scoutmaster, attending meetings, going on camping trips, helping with fundraisers, and generally sticking with Forest every step along the way as he earned his many merit badges. Our daughter Jane, who is Forest’s mother, served many a spaghetti dinner and sold many a box of popcorn as part of his various projects. He also received encouragement from his other granddad, Col. Robert Reese, US Army, ret. (At right, Col. Reese, Forest Reese, David Gouge)

 One of the requirements to become an Eagle Scout involves the Scout completing a project that serves the community. Forest chose to organize the food pantry at the local senior citizens center. If you can picture a large room filled with plastic bags of random donations, then picture volunteers trying to sort through it and hand out helpful food and health items to the needy, you can see why Forest’s project was so important. He designed and build the shelves, organized the donations into types, labeled everything, and made it easy for volunteers to find what visitors to the food pantry needed.

During a solemn, inspiring ceremony, with their families watching, Forest and Brodyn received their Eagle Scout pins. The ceremony was followed by a barbecue dinner…and cake. It was a great sendoff into adulthood for two fine young men.

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

What would you do if you woke up one day and couldn’t remember anything about your life? Not what your name was, when you were born. Not even who your parents’ are. I can imagine it would be pretty scary.

That’s what happened to Charlotte Swenson, in my upcoming novella, Ghosts From Christmas Past, part of the Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 boxed set.

Eight years ago, Charlotte Swenson was in a car accident that took her parents’ lives. Since that time, Charlotte has been in a coma. When she suddenly wakes up a few days before Christmas, Charlotte is faced with a blank memory.

With the help of her high school boyfriend, Sheriff Dylan Parker of Bitter Creek, Colorado, can Charlotte remember the past she lost after so long, and if she does, will she forgive him for his part in the argument that sent her out on that fateful night eight years earlier and almost cost Charlotte her life?

So, you’re probably wondering how a story about Ghosts From Christmas Past fits in with the invitation listed above.

Well, on September 25^th, Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 releases, including Ghosts From Christmas Past. And to help celebrate the launch, the authors are hosting a launch party from 2-7PM Eastern Time. It should be fun, with lot so games and giveaway, so I invite you all to come.  Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/247056015981253/

All the best…

Mary Alford

http://www.maryalford.net

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1

I grew up in the north. So fall was a refreshing time of year. After the hot summer days, the air would turn crisp. A virtual mask was removed from my face allowing me to breathe again. And the trees would put on a show, illustrating God’s amazing artwork.

But now I live in Florida where autumn doesn’t have the same aura. The days can still be hot. And I rarely see trees that burst with yellow leaves. (Although I can look forward to seeing the beautiful rain trees bloom with vibrant colors.)

Even though I live in Florida, I still love this time of year. It goes beyond what we see and feel physically. For me it represents change. A time to let go of old things in order to make room for the new. A time to discard old beliefs and habits, so that new opportunities and ideas will have room for growth.

I was thinking about this recently, and I wondered if my internal clock was off. To me, this time of year has such an excitement to it. And in my soul it feels like a new year. Four months before January 1st, I am ready to start a new Bible plan, ready to alter my focus, and ready for radical change. Why is that? Am I just ahead of schedule? Or is there something deeper going on?

(Photo by John Frenzel)

If we look at the Jewish calendar, we find three key events that happen around this time of year.

1 – Elul is the twelfth month of the Jewish civil year. Elul usually occurs in August–September on the Gregorian calendar. In the Jewish tradition, the month of Elul is a time of repentance. Elul is seen as a time to search one’s heart and draw close to God. This year Elul falls between August 11 – September 9. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elul)

2 – Rosh HaShanah (literally, “Head of the Year”) is the Jewish New Year, which marks the beginning of a 10-day period of prayer, self-examination and repentance. This year Rosh HaShanah falls between September 9-11. (https://reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/rosh-hashanah)

3 – Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. This year Yom Kippur falls between September 18-19. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_Kippur)

(Photo by David Austin)

So I wonder, could this be why I have such strong feelings about fall? I do not have any Jewish blood in me (that I know of). But perhaps since I have been adopted into God’s family through Jesus, maybe this is why I have an appreciation for this time of year.

Whatever the reason, I believe we all can view autumn as a time for harvest. Traditionally this means that crops will be harvested. After many months of working the soil, the people are rewarded with plenty of food for their family and neighbors.

In the same way, I feel that fall is a time for soul harvest. After spending the majority of the year cultivating your life, it is now time to pull new attitudes and perspectives up from the ground.

God has new and exciting things on the horizon. If we take time to stop and reflect on what we have learned this year, we will see what changes we need to make, which will allow for great things to come into our lives.

(Photo by Brian Lary)

Take some time this season to think about what changes God is calling you to make in your life. What old habits and beliefs need to die and flutter to the ground with the leaves? After you have cleared some room in your life by removing the old, think about what new treasures God is prompting you to uncover from deep within the soil.