This year so far has been challenging for a lot of my family. My sweet niece and her husband have spent many hours in hospital waiting rooms. My heart is with them even when I cannot be.
It has been a comfort for this family to have so many people praying for them and giving them support through this terrible time. I am reminded that when it comes to the end of life, relationships are the thing.
We must realize that those around us are what makes up our life. It isn't the toys and trappings of life. It is the conversations, laughter, concern, tears, and love that matters. Somehow, at a death bed, we don't feel the need to send meaningless texts or play yet another game.
When we know this person will not be with us any longer, we call to mind the last words spoken, the last smile, the last hug. These are the important things.
I love my family and it hurts to lose one of those near to my heart, but I know that my great-niece, Tonya, is walking into the arms of God.
All of us are on borrowed time. Each of us will meet our Maker. The questions are: What kind of relationship do I have with Jesus? Do we talk often? Do I know what is on His mind? Do I tell him my concerns? Am I ready to meet my God? All you have to do is reach out to Him and tell Him you want Him. He will do the rest.
I would like to introduce you to an author friend of mine, Diane Head.
Juvenile Non-Fiction – emotions & feelings, social issues.
“Grammy Dee Solves the Case of the Red Hot Screamies”
Dianehead.tateauthor.com
1. When did you get the urge to write?
I’ve been a published author since my teens when the New Haven Register printed a couple of my poems. I’ve had some success freelancing articles over the years, but this is my first book in print.
2. How did you choose the genre you write in?
I’ve taught classes and counseled adults on anger management, but as a parent & former teacher, I saw the need to bring this teaching to kids while they are learning how to deal with their emotions.
3. Please tell a little about your books.
Grammy Dee is planned as the first in a series of books to help kids ages 4-9 develop a strategy for dealing positively with their emotions. The young reader is reassured that feeling anger is okay; it’s a warning signal that something needs to change.
Grammy Dee cares about kids and encourages them to be detectives and follow clues to decide what needs to change. Then she shares her super tips for setting behavior and expectation boundaries, talking out problems and making plans for change.
Readers get to solve problems, practice communicating their feelings and learn how to react when others are angry around them. This upbeat, practical guide is both instructive and entertaining.
Included is Grammy Dee’s Marvelous Mad Meter – an illustrated chart of the spectrum of angry feelings that an facilitate a helpful dialogue with a caring adult.
4. Do you speak to groups?
I enjoy speaking to church and school groups about how adults can help children not only cope with the complex feelings of anger, but use anger to fuel change.
5. Would you share something about your experiences of being an author?
My most rewarding experience as an author thus far, (aside from my Grandchildren being proud of me), has been my interaction with a local 5 Grade class. They were studying authors and I was asked to answer their questions about the writing process. This grew into an on-going correspondence with several students that has been very rewarding. Nothing like being told “You Rock” by very savvy kids.
6. What is the best response you have received with your books?
Just last week I heard from a woman who had bought Grammy Dee for a grandchild. She reported that her granddaughter loved the book and had learned many lessons from it. The highlight for me was when this child overheard her Grandpa sounding angry with someone on the phone, she ran to give him the book and told him he needed to read it. Now they wanted to buy more books for other grandchildren.
7. Where can your books be purchased?
My soft-cover book is widely available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. Anyone wanting a signed, hardbound copy can purchase one directly from me at the “author’s specials” button on my website: dianehead.tateauthor.com
8. How do you battle the times when you are down in the dumps as a writer?
I have friends who know how to make me laugh. Truly the best medicine – along with great hugs and kisses from 3 darling grandchildren. They are my joy and delight.
9. What was your favorite toy as a child?
I really didn’t have a favorite toy as a child. I loved books. I loved the escape – especially into pioneer days.
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Friday, March 9, 2012
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Jeanette Morgan, author of The Voice That Must Be Heard: Awakening Your Heart, Mind and Spirit through the Power of Divine Revelation
A Chill in the Air
In September we feel a chill in the air at times. The blustery wind catches us off guard. The same thing happens in relationships when we encounter people that we know. Sometimes, it would appear out of nowhere, there is a coolness. What happened? Have I offended someone?
At times it is only that the person is having a bad day and their usually warm personality is dampened. We have to allow for that. If it continues, then it is our responsibility to try to see what happened. If there is something that we have done, amends must be made. People are worth it. Even if they are just casual friends, they are worth it.
I want to endeavor to do this. It is always a work in progress. (If you ever open your mouth and say a word, you have to opportunity to hurt someone even if it is not your intention...be careful.)
I have heard it said that if you say few words you are more likely not to say things you shouldn't. That may be true, but my feeling is that if you say no words, it leaves people the option of trying to read your mind. Be careful for one another. Love genuinely. It will go well.
I want you to meet Jeanette Morgan, author.
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
The Voice That Must Be Heard: Awakening your Heart , Mind and Spirit through the Power of Divine Revelation
2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
I've been a Christian for 10 years and struggled with my identity for a lot of years. I worked for a big software company before God called me to be home and raise my children. It was during that time, I struggled personally, and financially and yet while I struggled and went through deliverance and healing I also became a better me through understanding God's grace and discovering my identity in Him.
My intimacy and friendship with God grew and solidified in my life. My faith has been stretched so much I believe he has made me a more authentic and transparent person. What you see is what you get and I have no desire to wear a religious mask. I'm goofy at times and love to laugh. I'm imperfect but very passionate about the Holy Spirit and God's love for His people. I'm learning everyday that I was designed the way I am for a purpose and I don't need to change who I am ultimately, I just need to abide in who He is! He smooths out my rough edges and enhances my good fruits.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
I didn't. It was a treasure God had placed deep inside me and He brought it to the surface one day and I just began to write the revelations he was downloading to my spirit through his word. never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined I would be a published author someday. God's dreams are so much bigger than ours. We often see limitations in our giftings where God sees abundance.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
I believe I am a simple writer delivering simple yet powerful revelatory understanding of what God wants his true children to know. When you read my book you will get a sense that I am having a conversation with you one to one and that it speaks directly to you.
5. Are you a reader?
I absolutely love to read. It's one of my favorite passions. Especially reading anything having to do with God. I love hearing more and more about Him and the Kingdom of Heaven
6. What are you reading right now?
Kris Valloton and Bill Johnson's-The Supernatural ways of Royalty
7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication? Tell about it.
Yes, I am currently working on two more books! One is about Spirit and Truth and how when coupled together brings Life. We were never meant to just have one or the other as they are a dynamic duo and the Church must have both in order to produce life within the Body of Christ. The other one is about dreams and how sometimes we can have the craziest dreams and we are quick to discount them as a bad pizza dream but often God is really providing a lot of counsel and wisdom to his people through his language of dreams.
8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them?
I would say my biggest obstacles to writing would be the demands of my household. As a stay at home mom with three little ones, ages 7, 5 and 18 months it can be difficult to get that time to write. But honestly God is so gracious with me. He downloads his revelation so quickly and I find myself writing a page or two within 20-30 minutes. I did however write my first book late at night or in the middle of the night while my family slept. That was the time I could have intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit without being distracted. But again God was so faithful to give me a lot in a short amount of time because he knew what my limitations were and the responsibilities I had as a wife and mother to my family.
9. Please put a description of each of your books here. (back matter is ok)
Do you feel as if you’re wandering in desert places? Are there times in your spiritual walk when you feel frustrated, confused, and exhausted? If you have, then be still and listen for The Voice That Must Be Heard. Author Jeanette Morgan shares a God-sent collection of revelations from the Father of Creation that expresses his love and grace for his children, dispensing wisdom to experience all that humankind was created for—his glory. The revelations in this Holy Spirit-inspired book will help to bring clarity, encouragement, understanding, and knowledge in a grace-infused manner.
The Voice that Must Be Heard will ignite the fire in you once again to continue on your journey of faith, healing, and deliverance and to grow into deeper intimacy and greater freedom with Jesus.
10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here.
My book can be purchased at Tate Publishing, BN.com, borders.com, and amazon.com.
I can be contacted at: jeanettecmorgan@yahoo.com or my facebook fan page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Voice-That-Must-Be-Heard-Jeanette-C-Morgan/236490558461?ref=mf
In September we feel a chill in the air at times. The blustery wind catches us off guard. The same thing happens in relationships when we encounter people that we know. Sometimes, it would appear out of nowhere, there is a coolness. What happened? Have I offended someone?
At times it is only that the person is having a bad day and their usually warm personality is dampened. We have to allow for that. If it continues, then it is our responsibility to try to see what happened. If there is something that we have done, amends must be made. People are worth it. Even if they are just casual friends, they are worth it.
I want to endeavor to do this. It is always a work in progress. (If you ever open your mouth and say a word, you have to opportunity to hurt someone even if it is not your intention...be careful.)
I have heard it said that if you say few words you are more likely not to say things you shouldn't. That may be true, but my feeling is that if you say no words, it leaves people the option of trying to read your mind. Be careful for one another. Love genuinely. It will go well.
I want you to meet Jeanette Morgan, author.
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
The Voice That Must Be Heard: Awakening your Heart , Mind and Spirit through the Power of Divine Revelation
2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
I've been a Christian for 10 years and struggled with my identity for a lot of years. I worked for a big software company before God called me to be home and raise my children. It was during that time, I struggled personally, and financially and yet while I struggled and went through deliverance and healing I also became a better me through understanding God's grace and discovering my identity in Him.
My intimacy and friendship with God grew and solidified in my life. My faith has been stretched so much I believe he has made me a more authentic and transparent person. What you see is what you get and I have no desire to wear a religious mask. I'm goofy at times and love to laugh. I'm imperfect but very passionate about the Holy Spirit and God's love for His people. I'm learning everyday that I was designed the way I am for a purpose and I don't need to change who I am ultimately, I just need to abide in who He is! He smooths out my rough edges and enhances my good fruits.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
I didn't. It was a treasure God had placed deep inside me and He brought it to the surface one day and I just began to write the revelations he was downloading to my spirit through his word. never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined I would be a published author someday. God's dreams are so much bigger than ours. We often see limitations in our giftings where God sees abundance.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
I believe I am a simple writer delivering simple yet powerful revelatory understanding of what God wants his true children to know. When you read my book you will get a sense that I am having a conversation with you one to one and that it speaks directly to you.
5. Are you a reader?
I absolutely love to read. It's one of my favorite passions. Especially reading anything having to do with God. I love hearing more and more about Him and the Kingdom of Heaven
6. What are you reading right now?
Kris Valloton and Bill Johnson's-The Supernatural ways of Royalty
7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication? Tell about it.
Yes, I am currently working on two more books! One is about Spirit and Truth and how when coupled together brings Life. We were never meant to just have one or the other as they are a dynamic duo and the Church must have both in order to produce life within the Body of Christ. The other one is about dreams and how sometimes we can have the craziest dreams and we are quick to discount them as a bad pizza dream but often God is really providing a lot of counsel and wisdom to his people through his language of dreams.
8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them?
I would say my biggest obstacles to writing would be the demands of my household. As a stay at home mom with three little ones, ages 7, 5 and 18 months it can be difficult to get that time to write. But honestly God is so gracious with me. He downloads his revelation so quickly and I find myself writing a page or two within 20-30 minutes. I did however write my first book late at night or in the middle of the night while my family slept. That was the time I could have intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit without being distracted. But again God was so faithful to give me a lot in a short amount of time because he knew what my limitations were and the responsibilities I had as a wife and mother to my family.
9. Please put a description of each of your books here. (back matter is ok)
Do you feel as if you’re wandering in desert places? Are there times in your spiritual walk when you feel frustrated, confused, and exhausted? If you have, then be still and listen for The Voice That Must Be Heard. Author Jeanette Morgan shares a God-sent collection of revelations from the Father of Creation that expresses his love and grace for his children, dispensing wisdom to experience all that humankind was created for—his glory. The revelations in this Holy Spirit-inspired book will help to bring clarity, encouragement, understanding, and knowledge in a grace-infused manner.
The Voice that Must Be Heard will ignite the fire in you once again to continue on your journey of faith, healing, and deliverance and to grow into deeper intimacy and greater freedom with Jesus.
10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here.
My book can be purchased at Tate Publishing, BN.com, borders.com, and amazon.com.
I can be contacted at: jeanettecmorgan@yahoo.com or my facebook fan page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Voice-That-Must-Be-Heard-Jeanette-C-Morgan/236490558461?ref=mf
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Health
I remember thinking when I was a kid that people were very odd when they would say things like, "at least I have my health..." I thought at the time that of course you have your health. What are you talking about? Through the years I have learned to appreciate the sentiment.
When I was 18 yrs old and at Bible College my room mate grabbed my Pepsi and took a drink while I was in the bathroom. When I entered the room and took another swig of the drink she said, "Oh yeah, I might still be contagious. I had mono." After a time I became very sick and sure enough I had mono. My body has not been terribly strong ever since.
I have enjoyed seasons of great health and seasons of challenges.My 20's were filled with hospital visits not only for the births of my three sons but for bouts of pneumonia, gall bladder, and other things. My 30's and 40s I was pretty healthy. Now I am challenged with fibromialgia. My doctor is wonderful and he has helped me a lot in management of all the stuff that goes with it. I have been attempting to go by all the suggestions he has given me and taking all the vitamins and meds etc.
Today, I feel great! I know that is trivial to a lot of people, but there are very few days in my life that I have been able to say that I am experiencing no pain...at all! How great is that? This is a "red letter day"! (Someone asked me what a red letter day was? What does that mean? On our old calendars all the holidays and Sundays were marked by having the numbers in that square written with red ink. We looked forward to those special days so when something great happened we said it was a "red letter day".)
I realize that there are a whole bunch of people who are in a lot worse shape than I will ever be. I pray that one day you will be able to feel better. I am praying for your "red letter day"!
When I was 18 yrs old and at Bible College my room mate grabbed my Pepsi and took a drink while I was in the bathroom. When I entered the room and took another swig of the drink she said, "Oh yeah, I might still be contagious. I had mono." After a time I became very sick and sure enough I had mono. My body has not been terribly strong ever since.
I have enjoyed seasons of great health and seasons of challenges.My 20's were filled with hospital visits not only for the births of my three sons but for bouts of pneumonia, gall bladder, and other things. My 30's and 40s I was pretty healthy. Now I am challenged with fibromialgia. My doctor is wonderful and he has helped me a lot in management of all the stuff that goes with it. I have been attempting to go by all the suggestions he has given me and taking all the vitamins and meds etc.
Today, I feel great! I know that is trivial to a lot of people, but there are very few days in my life that I have been able to say that I am experiencing no pain...at all! How great is that? This is a "red letter day"! (Someone asked me what a red letter day was? What does that mean? On our old calendars all the holidays and Sundays were marked by having the numbers in that square written with red ink. We looked forward to those special days so when something great happened we said it was a "red letter day".)
I realize that there are a whole bunch of people who are in a lot worse shape than I will ever be. I pray that one day you will be able to feel better. I am praying for your "red letter day"!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Jon and Kate Plus 8
I have to admit that over the years Jon and Kate + 8 has been a favorite television show of mine. I realize that "reality tv" is usually not reality, but watching those little kids grow up has been fun. The situation Jon and Kate are in is very sad to me. The thought that comes to mind everytime I see anything about them is that they need prayer. Prayer is the one thing I can to that will help them. I don't have to know the details of their need. God knows and that is enough.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Do Not Be Afraid.
Yesterday some of the ladies of my church and I were praying. The Lord impressed me strongly with this message to give to anyone who will receive it:
Do not be afraid. The same water that flows from under the throne of God is that which flows from out of your belly as a river. It was given for these last days. Don't waste the Holy Spirit flowing from you. You will speak to your children and loved ones and they will listen to the voice of God. You will be carried on this river through this dark time. The Holy Spirit of God will carry you.
Psalms 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Come behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he had made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted in the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
John 7:37-39
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Revelation 22
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, In the midst of the street of it and on either side of river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there: and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
BEHOLD I COME QUICKLY.
vs. 12
And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
vs 20
He which testifieth these things saith, SURELY I COME QUICKLY. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
If you read all of that, hang in there with me a minute more. I am not a preacher. I am a person who loves Jesus and I love people. I feel urgent to tell you that the time is short. I know that the Scriptures were from the King James Bible and some of you may find it hard to understand. Please get a translation you do understand and study the verses I have written here. Read the Bible. You will see that it is time to quit playing around and get serious with God. He loves you and wants to help you.
Spend some time reading Revelation, the last book of the Bible. I know that it will be difficult to understand for you, but pray for understanding. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. Ask Him to show you what to do. Find a good church that believes that the Bible is true and current for our lives today. Read the Bible starting with St John and go through the whole New Testament. You will find the road map to show you what to do in these uncertain days. If you need prayer please contact me at elainel45@msn.com . I don't take offerings or anything like that. Time is short. Like the Lord said...He is coming quickly!
Do not be afraid. The same water that flows from under the throne of God is that which flows from out of your belly as a river. It was given for these last days. Don't waste the Holy Spirit flowing from you. You will speak to your children and loved ones and they will listen to the voice of God. You will be carried on this river through this dark time. The Holy Spirit of God will carry you.
Psalms 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Come behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he had made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted in the earth.
The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
John 7:37-39
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Revelation 22
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, In the midst of the street of it and on either side of river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there: and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
BEHOLD I COME QUICKLY.
vs. 12
And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
vs 20
He which testifieth these things saith, SURELY I COME QUICKLY. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
If you read all of that, hang in there with me a minute more. I am not a preacher. I am a person who loves Jesus and I love people. I feel urgent to tell you that the time is short. I know that the Scriptures were from the King James Bible and some of you may find it hard to understand. Please get a translation you do understand and study the verses I have written here. Read the Bible. You will see that it is time to quit playing around and get serious with God. He loves you and wants to help you.
Spend some time reading Revelation, the last book of the Bible. I know that it will be difficult to understand for you, but pray for understanding. Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. Ask Him to show you what to do. Find a good church that believes that the Bible is true and current for our lives today. Read the Bible starting with St John and go through the whole New Testament. You will find the road map to show you what to do in these uncertain days. If you need prayer please contact me at elainel45@msn.com . I don't take offerings or anything like that. Time is short. Like the Lord said...He is coming quickly!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Are You a Catfish or Do You Have a Catfish?
You may be wondering about that title about now. Yesterday I was listening to John Hagee on television. He gave an interesting example in his sermon that I will paraphrase here. He said that in the eastern United States when the cod fish industry was just beginning to get orders for their product in distant areas, they began by freezing the cod fish and sending them. The fish did not taste very good when the consumers prepared them so they went with plan B. They shipped them alive in water. If anything, they tasted worse. One of the men came up with an idea to try. He put a catfish in the water with the vat of cod fish. Catfish are natural enemies to cod fish. When they arrived they were better than fresh caught! The catfish kept them active and fresh.
His point was that God gives us conflict to keep us fresh and alive. When I told Terry this story I informed him that I was changing his nickname to Catfish! He didn't say it but I think he was thinking the same thing about me.
I have wondered why there is always some conflict whether large or small and nagging in my life. I guess it keeps me on my toes and on my knees. There is nothing like a crises to increase your prayer life. That is for sure. It shouldn't be that way, but let's face it; it is.
Next time someone gets on your nerves just smile and think..."catfish".
His point was that God gives us conflict to keep us fresh and alive. When I told Terry this story I informed him that I was changing his nickname to Catfish! He didn't say it but I think he was thinking the same thing about me.
I have wondered why there is always some conflict whether large or small and nagging in my life. I guess it keeps me on my toes and on my knees. There is nothing like a crises to increase your prayer life. That is for sure. It shouldn't be that way, but let's face it; it is.
Next time someone gets on your nerves just smile and think..."catfish".
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Hunger for God
God is up to something inside of me and I am so happy about it! For the past two weeks I have felt the Presence of God in my life stronger than ever before. It began with an insatiable hunger for more that so so christianity. I wanted to feel the way I did as a child when I first gave my life to Jesus.
I went to the big women's conference where the logistics limited the amount of prayer offered and I was dissapointed. The next day a young woman in my church was seeking God at the altar. Several women were kneeling in prayer with her. I stayed back in my seat. I don't really know why, but maybe it was laziness... who knows? One of the women in prayer looked up and motioned for me to join them. I am so glad I did.
Upon approaching the girl, I felt her hunger for God and it was infectious. I wanted more as I even prayed that God would answer her prayer. It reminded me of a group of mid-wives bringing forth a baby in birth.
The Power of God came in the midst of us all and I swear that it felt like my blood was burning. A wave of electricity flowed through all the women in prayer and especially the seeker. She had her answer. The Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way among us.
Since that night Jesus has been even more real to me than ever. I know that some people will think that all of this is emotionalism...if it is I don't care. I am an emotional person. I cry and laugh and get depressed and love with all my heart. Doesn't it stand to reason that God deals with me in an emotional way. I haven't had this much joy in my soul in a long time. My circumstances are exactly the same, but the Presence of God is still so close. I am so glad that He is available to anyone who asks and hungers for Him. The "table" is spread....eat up!
I went to the big women's conference where the logistics limited the amount of prayer offered and I was dissapointed. The next day a young woman in my church was seeking God at the altar. Several women were kneeling in prayer with her. I stayed back in my seat. I don't really know why, but maybe it was laziness... who knows? One of the women in prayer looked up and motioned for me to join them. I am so glad I did.
Upon approaching the girl, I felt her hunger for God and it was infectious. I wanted more as I even prayed that God would answer her prayer. It reminded me of a group of mid-wives bringing forth a baby in birth.
The Power of God came in the midst of us all and I swear that it felt like my blood was burning. A wave of electricity flowed through all the women in prayer and especially the seeker. She had her answer. The Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way among us.
Since that night Jesus has been even more real to me than ever. I know that some people will think that all of this is emotionalism...if it is I don't care. I am an emotional person. I cry and laugh and get depressed and love with all my heart. Doesn't it stand to reason that God deals with me in an emotional way. I haven't had this much joy in my soul in a long time. My circumstances are exactly the same, but the Presence of God is still so close. I am so glad that He is available to anyone who asks and hungers for Him. The "table" is spread....eat up!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Mega Churches-Micro Churches
Last weekend a friend and I went to a mega church in Oklahoma City, OK for a women's conference featuring Lisa Bevere. It was great to worship with the thousands of women within the large walls of the church. The Presence of the Lord was there and many people were touched. Lisa had pertinent messages that spoke to my heart in particular.
One statement she made really ministered to me where I am now. She said that the Body of Christ needs the daughters who ask questions and the mothers who find the answers although they are the busiest ones but also the grandmothers who have the time to nurture and do works of ministry. At this point in my life I am 52 years old. I am a grandmother who also is available to my children to answer questions they throw at me. I try very hard not to offer unsolicited advice... I am in two of the generations although I lean more to the grandmother one. I am not intimidated by my age. I still have a lot to offer. The Lord has placed a desire on my heart to write good books until I die.
Many wonderful things happened at the mega women's conference. The women were moved to come to the front for prayer. There were so many who responded that the prayer team was told to just touch each one of the ladies so that they could move back to their chairs and give room for the others. The logistics of the day demanded that sort of response, but my heart broke for the women who needed more care.
On the way home my friend and I discussed the tragedy of the women who needed more... more time at an altar with sisters engaged in urgent prayer until something broke in the spiritual realm. My soul was grieved. The next day was Sunday. I guess you could say that I attend a "micro" church. There were less than 70 people present. We had a special speaker for morning and evening services. The call for prayer came at a few minutes until noon. People responded and stayed at the altars until 1 p.m. The people were in need of breakthroughs in their lives and there was time and room at the altars to stay until the needs were met.
Sunday evening was especially poignant. Many came to the altar and stayed but I want to focus on two young women in particular. The evangelist asked one of my friends, a 82 year old retired minister lady, to come and pray with one of the women. It was a beautiful picture of the grandmother nurturing the mother. Others were praying with the other young woman who had been seeking a special touch from God for weeks. She had an insatiable hunger that was not met. I joined in the prayer for her as well as my 82 year old friend and the young woman she had "prayed through" with. When the second girl broke through to victory a shout of praise erupted from every one's lips. We hugged and cried and rejoiced. I loved the intimacy of praying together with my sisters.
There is a Scripture that says "do not despise small things". I think sometimes we get frustrated with our small churches. Of course we want them to grow and reach more people and not to become a small exclusive club, but we can attempt to keep the small church care and concern for one another no matter how large we grow. I wonder what would have happened at the mega church if the women who had desperate needs knelt down and the leaders asked everyone to lay hands on them and pray until they had a breakthrough. I think the rejoicing would ring out in every one's heart.
One statement she made really ministered to me where I am now. She said that the Body of Christ needs the daughters who ask questions and the mothers who find the answers although they are the busiest ones but also the grandmothers who have the time to nurture and do works of ministry. At this point in my life I am 52 years old. I am a grandmother who also is available to my children to answer questions they throw at me. I try very hard not to offer unsolicited advice... I am in two of the generations although I lean more to the grandmother one. I am not intimidated by my age. I still have a lot to offer. The Lord has placed a desire on my heart to write good books until I die.
Many wonderful things happened at the mega women's conference. The women were moved to come to the front for prayer. There were so many who responded that the prayer team was told to just touch each one of the ladies so that they could move back to their chairs and give room for the others. The logistics of the day demanded that sort of response, but my heart broke for the women who needed more care.
On the way home my friend and I discussed the tragedy of the women who needed more... more time at an altar with sisters engaged in urgent prayer until something broke in the spiritual realm. My soul was grieved. The next day was Sunday. I guess you could say that I attend a "micro" church. There were less than 70 people present. We had a special speaker for morning and evening services. The call for prayer came at a few minutes until noon. People responded and stayed at the altars until 1 p.m. The people were in need of breakthroughs in their lives and there was time and room at the altars to stay until the needs were met.
Sunday evening was especially poignant. Many came to the altar and stayed but I want to focus on two young women in particular. The evangelist asked one of my friends, a 82 year old retired minister lady, to come and pray with one of the women. It was a beautiful picture of the grandmother nurturing the mother. Others were praying with the other young woman who had been seeking a special touch from God for weeks. She had an insatiable hunger that was not met. I joined in the prayer for her as well as my 82 year old friend and the young woman she had "prayed through" with. When the second girl broke through to victory a shout of praise erupted from every one's lips. We hugged and cried and rejoiced. I loved the intimacy of praying together with my sisters.
There is a Scripture that says "do not despise small things". I think sometimes we get frustrated with our small churches. Of course we want them to grow and reach more people and not to become a small exclusive club, but we can attempt to keep the small church care and concern for one another no matter how large we grow. I wonder what would have happened at the mega church if the women who had desperate needs knelt down and the leaders asked everyone to lay hands on them and pray until they had a breakthrough. I think the rejoicing would ring out in every one's heart.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Reputation
Thursday at John's funeral there was a time of sharing memories with the 100+ people who were gathered there. I was impressed with everything I heard about him. It was clear that everyone was referring to the same person.
I think it speaks well of John that he was the same person with the same characteristics to everyone who knew him. People he went through school with or who served with him on the police force or in the maintenance department of the city, every niece and nephew (no matter which side of the family) said the same things about him. He was the same teasing, funny, and caring man to everyone.
As I sat there I wondered about the perception people have of me. Am I the same to everyone? Of course, you are closer to some people than others because people have differing degrees of openness, but for those who allow you to know them...I want to be the same person. Does that make sense? In a way I felt sort of possessive of him. He was MY brother-in-law! He joked with me! Upon listening to the eight or so people speak of him in the service, I rejoiced that he did allow everyone the opportunity to know him.
Anna Mae will have challenges living without her dear husband. Please keep her in your prayers. She will make it through with the help of our Lord and her friends and family. One thing is certain, she has no doubt about her husband's reputation. He was a great man.
I think it speaks well of John that he was the same person with the same characteristics to everyone who knew him. People he went through school with or who served with him on the police force or in the maintenance department of the city, every niece and nephew (no matter which side of the family) said the same things about him. He was the same teasing, funny, and caring man to everyone.
As I sat there I wondered about the perception people have of me. Am I the same to everyone? Of course, you are closer to some people than others because people have differing degrees of openness, but for those who allow you to know them...I want to be the same person. Does that make sense? In a way I felt sort of possessive of him. He was MY brother-in-law! He joked with me! Upon listening to the eight or so people speak of him in the service, I rejoiced that he did allow everyone the opportunity to know him.
Anna Mae will have challenges living without her dear husband. Please keep her in your prayers. She will make it through with the help of our Lord and her friends and family. One thing is certain, she has no doubt about her husband's reputation. He was a great man.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Oh Death, Where is Your Sting?
Sunday, August 31st at 5:10 p.m. a dear friend and family member died. John was my brother-in-law. We enjoyed many times of laughter at family gatherings. He was the guy my sons looked for every time we had a family event. Uncle John teased and joked and was never at a loss for a good story to tell. He was the kind of guy that would find where your "goat" was tied and then "get your goat"! If John wasn't at a holiday dinner we all felt the void.
January of 2007 John had a near fatal heart attack. He told about his experience to everyone who came close to him. He was shy in front of people he didn't know, but after his heart attack he had boldness to tell even a church full of people about his experience. It still scared him but he had to declare the mercy of God. The last time we spoke he told me part of it again.
He said that his heart stopped beating. He found himself at a door and walked through it. On the other side of the door was a terrible desolate feeling. "Desolate" was the word and he could barely speak it. Tears sprang to his eyes as he told me. He felt panicked and alone. A force was drawing him deeper into this place and he knew there was more horrors beyond. He screamed, "Help me Jesus!" A hand grabbed him from behind and pulled him through the door. He was back in his hospital room. He began praying in his bed saying, "Lord, I don't deserve another chance."
He saw many things during his hospital stays. He saw an angel in the corner of the room and other things that comforted him. He felt bad because he waited so long to come to God. He probably told more people about Jesus in the last year and a half than many people do in a lifetime. He never forgot the mercy of God.
One of the things he stressed when he spoke publicly and privately was the "levels of prayer". He came to realize that every prayer prayed was not of the same intensity. The first level is surface. That would include prayers by rote. The second is prayers that are a little more personal, and the third level is fervent and urgent. John stressed that we need to be more serious and urgent when we pray. Those prayers are of utmost importance.
The last few months John was in a lot of pain. Now he is not. He is in the Presence of the One he found those months ago. The One who literally rescued him from the pit. He was a wonderful man and an example of all who have made the decision to follow Jesus. I want to fearlessly proclaim the gospel of Jesus like John did. He was an inspiration to me and we will all miss him.
January of 2007 John had a near fatal heart attack. He told about his experience to everyone who came close to him. He was shy in front of people he didn't know, but after his heart attack he had boldness to tell even a church full of people about his experience. It still scared him but he had to declare the mercy of God. The last time we spoke he told me part of it again.
He said that his heart stopped beating. He found himself at a door and walked through it. On the other side of the door was a terrible desolate feeling. "Desolate" was the word and he could barely speak it. Tears sprang to his eyes as he told me. He felt panicked and alone. A force was drawing him deeper into this place and he knew there was more horrors beyond. He screamed, "Help me Jesus!" A hand grabbed him from behind and pulled him through the door. He was back in his hospital room. He began praying in his bed saying, "Lord, I don't deserve another chance."
He saw many things during his hospital stays. He saw an angel in the corner of the room and other things that comforted him. He felt bad because he waited so long to come to God. He probably told more people about Jesus in the last year and a half than many people do in a lifetime. He never forgot the mercy of God.
One of the things he stressed when he spoke publicly and privately was the "levels of prayer". He came to realize that every prayer prayed was not of the same intensity. The first level is surface. That would include prayers by rote. The second is prayers that are a little more personal, and the third level is fervent and urgent. John stressed that we need to be more serious and urgent when we pray. Those prayers are of utmost importance.
The last few months John was in a lot of pain. Now he is not. He is in the Presence of the One he found those months ago. The One who literally rescued him from the pit. He was a wonderful man and an example of all who have made the decision to follow Jesus. I want to fearlessly proclaim the gospel of Jesus like John did. He was an inspiration to me and we will all miss him.
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Today's Wild Card author is:
and the book:
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
Publisher: FaithWords; Lrg edition (November 12, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
JOYCE MEYER is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, she has written more than seventy inspirational books, including The Confident Woman, Look Great, Feel Great, and the entire Battlefield of the Mindfamily of books. She has also released thousands of audio teachings as well as a complete video library. Joyce's Enjoying Everyday Life® radio and television programs are broadcast around the world, and she travels extensively conducting conferences. Joyce and her husband, Dave, are the parents of four grown children and make their home in St. Louis, Missouri.Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $16.99
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: FaithWords; Lrg edition (November 12, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446509396
ISBN-13: 978-0446509398
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Introduction
Everyone has them: those days where nothing seems to get done, except maybe what you’ve added to your already lengthy to-do list. Are you tired most of the time? Are you spent? Do you find yourself wish- ing for a better day—a simpler day? Too many things compete for your limited resources of attention, energy, and time. You may be suffocat- ing and not even know it. If you feel like this, you’re not alone.
Most people today live complicated lives that leave them frustrated and confused, weary and worn out. But I have good news: your life does not have to be that way. You can choose a life of simplicity, fruitfulness, fulfillment, peace, and joy. I want to warn you, however, unless you are determined not to, you will do what everyone else does. You will get sucked up in the system and spend your life wishing things were different, never realizing you are, in fact, the only one who can change things. Unless we are resolute and remain undaunted in our quest for simplicity, we are destined for complication and frustration.
I recall a time when I was complaining to God about my schedule being absolutely insane. How could anyone be expected to do all I had in front of me? Then the realization hit me that I was the one who made my schedule and nobody could change it but me. You can spend your lives wishing things were different, but wishing won’t change anything. Smart decision making and decisive action is what changes things. If you picked up this book looking for change, are you willing to make a decision and follow it up with action?
I wasted many years hoping life would change and things would calm down until I finally realized life itself doesn’t change; in fact, it has the potential to get worse. I understood my only real option was to change my approach to life. I had to say no to another day of rushing around and feeling frustrated. I didn’t want the doctor giving me another pre- scription to mask another symptom of the real problem—stress.
In my search for simplicity, I have come to believe life can never be simple unless I learn to approach all things simply. It is my attitude toward each event in life that determines how easy or complex each situation will be. Perhaps life is complicated because people are compli- cated. Is it possible that life is not complicated, but rather, individuals complicate life in the way they approach it?
I discovered it wasn’t really life or circumstances or other people as much as it was me that needed to change. My problem wasn’t the problem—I was the problem! When you spend your life in frustration trying to change the world and everyone in it, you fail to realize it could be you just need to change your approach to life. It can be very easy for someone to live an entire lifetime and never entertain the notion that the way they do things is the real problem.
Have you ever attempted to have friends over for what you initially intended to be a simple afternoon of food, fellowship, and fun, but somehow, it turned into a complicated nightmare? I remember those days vividly. I’d be at church on Sunday and, without much forethought, invite three couples over for the following Sunday to a barbecue. My initial thought was hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, baked beans, potato chips, and iced tea. My motive was fellowship and fun, but by the time the guests arrived, I didn’t even want them there. Fun was not going to happen, at least not for me. Why? I turned my simple get- together into a nightmare of preparation, expensive food, and fourteen people instead of the original six. My complicated approach to life and my complicated thought process convinced me hot dogs and hamburg- ers weren’t nice enough so I bought steaks we could not afford. My potato chips turned into a huge bowl of homemade potato salad. The simple baked beans became four side dishes I labored over.
Insecure and wanting to impress everyone, I had to spend the week cleaning and getting everything in the house to the point where I thought it would be impressive. Of course, the lawn chairs were old, so I bought new ones. I got angry at Dave because I thought he wasn’t help- ing me enough, and by the time our friends arrived, I resented them, wished they hadn’t come, and had a miserable day of pretending to be the happy hostess when in reality I was frustrated and miserable.
I could not figure out why I wasn’t able to enjoy much of anything in life until God revealed to me I was killing my joy with complication. For years, I prayed God would change the people and circumstances around me when, in reality, He wanted to change me and my approach to life. He wanted me to simplify so, ultimately, He could be glorified.
Let me share with you 100 ways to approach living that can simplify your life and, in turn, release and increase your joy. I believe they will dramatically improve the quality of your everyday experience if you incorporate them into the way you do things. Jesus said He came so we might have and enjoy our life in abundance (see John 10:10). His prin- ciples are simple. Faith is simple! Trusting God is simple! A childlike approach to Him is simple! The plan of salvation is simple!
Jesus offers us a “new way of living,” and I believe it is a simple, yet powerful way that enables us to enjoy everyday life. Are you ready to simplify your life? Are you ready to say good-bye to the complexities you’ve allowed to take over? Let’s get started.
Do One Thing at a Time
When we do things without truly focusing our minds on them, we immediately decrease our strength to do the work before us and do it well. By putting our hands to one thing and our mind to another, we divide the muscle behind our abilities and we make the task much more difficult. It’s like removing an egg yolk from the egg white—both can be used separately but the result isn’t as effective (or tasty) as it would be if we leave the egg whole. However, by directing all of our faculties to the one thing we are doing on a particular day, at that hour, at that moment, we find it much easier to do. The ability to concentrate and stay focused can only come from discipline.
The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 to be anxious for nothing. Anxious people are always trying to live ahead of where they currently are. They spend today trying to figure out tomorrow and the result is the loss of simplicity. God expects us to trust Him with tomorrow just as He instructed the Israelites to do when they crossed the barren wil- derness, pressing toward the Promised Land.
Practice living one day at a time; give yourself—your thoughts, your conversation, your energies, every part of you—to the day at hand.
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
1. Develop an ability to give yourself to what you are doing. You will sense an awareness enabling you to enjoy the current activity, instead of going through each day in a blur of activity and confusing thoughts which leave you drained and exhausted.
Do you fear you will not accomplish as much if you try to live this way? It’s true you may not do as much, but you will also enjoy what you do a whole lot more. One key to simplicity is realizing that quality is far superior to quantity.
Everyone has them: those days where nothing seems to get done, except maybe what you’ve added to your already lengthy to-do list. Are you tired most of the time? Are you spent? Do you find yourself wish- ing for a better day—a simpler day? Too many things compete for your limited resources of attention, energy, and time. You may be suffocat- ing and not even know it. If you feel like this, you’re not alone.
Most people today live complicated lives that leave them frustrated and confused, weary and worn out. But I have good news: your life does not have to be that way. You can choose a life of simplicity, fruitfulness, fulfillment, peace, and joy. I want to warn you, however, unless you are determined not to, you will do what everyone else does. You will get sucked up in the system and spend your life wishing things were different, never realizing you are, in fact, the only one who can change things. Unless we are resolute and remain undaunted in our quest for simplicity, we are destined for complication and frustration.
I recall a time when I was complaining to God about my schedule being absolutely insane. How could anyone be expected to do all I had in front of me? Then the realization hit me that I was the one who made my schedule and nobody could change it but me. You can spend your lives wishing things were different, but wishing won’t change anything. Smart decision making and decisive action is what changes things. If you picked up this book looking for change, are you willing to make a decision and follow it up with action?
I wasted many years hoping life would change and things would calm down until I finally realized life itself doesn’t change; in fact, it has the potential to get worse. I understood my only real option was to change my approach to life. I had to say no to another day of rushing around and feeling frustrated. I didn’t want the doctor giving me another pre- scription to mask another symptom of the real problem—stress.
In my search for simplicity, I have come to believe life can never be simple unless I learn to approach all things simply. It is my attitude toward each event in life that determines how easy or complex each situation will be. Perhaps life is complicated because people are compli- cated. Is it possible that life is not complicated, but rather, individuals complicate life in the way they approach it?
I discovered it wasn’t really life or circumstances or other people as much as it was me that needed to change. My problem wasn’t the problem—I was the problem! When you spend your life in frustration trying to change the world and everyone in it, you fail to realize it could be you just need to change your approach to life. It can be very easy for someone to live an entire lifetime and never entertain the notion that the way they do things is the real problem.
Have you ever attempted to have friends over for what you initially intended to be a simple afternoon of food, fellowship, and fun, but somehow, it turned into a complicated nightmare? I remember those days vividly. I’d be at church on Sunday and, without much forethought, invite three couples over for the following Sunday to a barbecue. My initial thought was hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, baked beans, potato chips, and iced tea. My motive was fellowship and fun, but by the time the guests arrived, I didn’t even want them there. Fun was not going to happen, at least not for me. Why? I turned my simple get- together into a nightmare of preparation, expensive food, and fourteen people instead of the original six. My complicated approach to life and my complicated thought process convinced me hot dogs and hamburg- ers weren’t nice enough so I bought steaks we could not afford. My potato chips turned into a huge bowl of homemade potato salad. The simple baked beans became four side dishes I labored over.
Insecure and wanting to impress everyone, I had to spend the week cleaning and getting everything in the house to the point where I thought it would be impressive. Of course, the lawn chairs were old, so I bought new ones. I got angry at Dave because I thought he wasn’t help- ing me enough, and by the time our friends arrived, I resented them, wished they hadn’t come, and had a miserable day of pretending to be the happy hostess when in reality I was frustrated and miserable.
I could not figure out why I wasn’t able to enjoy much of anything in life until God revealed to me I was killing my joy with complication. For years, I prayed God would change the people and circumstances around me when, in reality, He wanted to change me and my approach to life. He wanted me to simplify so, ultimately, He could be glorified.
Let me share with you 100 ways to approach living that can simplify your life and, in turn, release and increase your joy. I believe they will dramatically improve the quality of your everyday experience if you incorporate them into the way you do things. Jesus said He came so we might have and enjoy our life in abundance (see John 10:10). His prin- ciples are simple. Faith is simple! Trusting God is simple! A childlike approach to Him is simple! The plan of salvation is simple!
Jesus offers us a “new way of living,” and I believe it is a simple, yet powerful way that enables us to enjoy everyday life. Are you ready to simplify your life? Are you ready to say good-bye to the complexities you’ve allowed to take over? Let’s get started.
Do One Thing at a Time
The feeling of being hurried is not usually the result of living a full life and having no time. It is, on the contrary, born of a vague fear that we are wasting our life. When we do not do the one thing we ought to do, we have no time for anything elseówe are the busiest people in the world.
ÓERIC HOFFER
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].
—Hebrews 12:2
When we do things without truly focusing our minds on them, we immediately decrease our strength to do the work before us and do it well. By putting our hands to one thing and our mind to another, we divide the muscle behind our abilities and we make the task much more difficult. It’s like removing an egg yolk from the egg white—both can be used separately but the result isn’t as effective (or tasty) as it would be if we leave the egg whole. However, by directing all of our faculties to the one thing we are doing on a particular day, at that hour, at that moment, we find it much easier to do. The ability to concentrate and stay focused can only come from discipline.
The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 to be anxious for nothing. Anxious people are always trying to live ahead of where they currently are. They spend today trying to figure out tomorrow and the result is the loss of simplicity. God expects us to trust Him with tomorrow just as He instructed the Israelites to do when they crossed the barren wil- derness, pressing toward the Promised Land.
Practice living one day at a time; give yourself—your thoughts, your conversation, your energies, every part of you—to the day at hand.
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
1. Develop an ability to give yourself to what you are doing. You will sense an awareness enabling you to enjoy the current activity, instead of going through each day in a blur of activity and confusing thoughts which leave you drained and exhausted.
Do you fear you will not accomplish as much if you try to live this way? It’s true you may not do as much, but you will also enjoy what you do a whole lot more. One key to simplicity is realizing that quality is far superior to quantity.
The Blog Tour for "Nan's Journey" Begins July 23
It is time to play a Wild Card! Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour. Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his/her book's FIRST chapter!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:
and his/her book:
Tate Publishing & Enterprises (January 2, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Littau is a life-long resident of Perryton, TX. She met husband, Terry at the Apostolic Faith Bible College in Baxter Springs, Kansas in 1974. They married March 1, 1975 and reside on a small acreage near Perryton where they enjoy spending time with their family and friends. They raised three sons and now have three daughters-in-law and four grandchildren added to their family. They also enjoy visiting with their extended family located in Perryton, Clear Lake, Laverne, and Amarillo.
Author Elaine Littau is a busy woman who by profession is the church secretary for Harvest Time First Assembly of God Church in Perryton. Among other things she has led women’s groups and taught preschool, and was a mentor for the M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Preschoolers) group in her community. She has been active in Toastmasters and enjoys painting, crafts, and playing piano and organ. She was recently appointed to the Campus Education Improvement Committee for Wright Elementary in Perryton. She belongs to Christian Storytellers and Faith Writers writing groups.
“Nan’s Journey” was written over the course of several years. “A salvation message is at the core of the book.” Littau says. “If it weren’t for the Lord, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. I truly enjoy meeting new people.”
Littau is currently working on two other books that are continuations of “Nan’s Journey.” Book signings and speaking engagements are currently set up for venues in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Oregon.
Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $12.99
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: Tate Publishing & Enterprises (January 2, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1602478325
ISBN-13: 978-1602478329
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Chapter One
It was late. The moon had risen and the night symphony was in full force. Crickets chirped at their rivals, the frogs, and dominated the night chorus. Only one sound in the forest was foreign—a whimper from under the ferns. At the base of the largest pine in the woods was a small form crying, moaning, and whimpering. Black hair, matted and dirty, hung in long ropes down the front of the tiny girl. She had been in this spot for hours. At least that is what it felt like to her. Stretching, she cried out in pain. The blood-covered welts burst open to bleed again. Her back was wet with blood, and her dress was torn and useless.
Why had she dared to speak to the woman that she was obliged to call mother in that way? She knew that talking was not allowed from children before chores were finished. The accusations being made by “Ma” were totally false and she could not let Elmer take the blame for something she herself had forgotten to do. She shut her eyes tight against the memory, but it intruded anyway.
She had just gotten up to take the water off the stove to make up dishwater for the supper dishes. Ma had stepped outside the room to turn down her bed and prepare for sleep. When she reappeared in the kitchen, she realized that the wood supply next to the stove was low. Elmer was standing next to the table gathering the plates for washing. “Elmer, where is the wood you were supposed to bring up to the house?” Before he could answer, a hand had slapped him across his face. Getting back onto his feet and standing as tall as a five year old can stand, he looked her in the eye and said, “Ma, I was sick today, ‘member?”
“So, Elmer, you’re going to play up that headache trick again. Nan, didn’t your good for nothing Mama teach you people how to work, or are you just lazy?”
“Our Mama was good! Don’t you say mean things about her!” Nan yelled as her heart raced at the assault against her real Mama’s character.
“What about it, Elmer, are you like your weakling Mama or what?” Elmer’s eyes became very large and filled with tears. He could barely remember his real Mama, but when he did, he remembered soft kisses and sweet singing and a beautiful face. “I’m sorry; I’ll get the wood now.”
“No, Elmer, don’t. I promised you I’d do it today when your head was hurting, but I forgot. I’ll get it after I do these dishes.”
“Listen here, Nan, I’m the boss around here and Elmer will do what I say, when I say, and you will respect me.”
Nan’s eyes widened.
“Don’t look at me like that, little girl.”
Nan held her breath.
“Well, I guess you will be making a trip to the wood shed…with me!” Ma had grabbed her by the arm and jerked her along behind the shed. The strap was hanging there, waiting. Whippings were becoming more and more frequent. After Ma’s husband left, they had taken on a more cruel form. The last whipping was more like a beating. It took days for the marks to scab over and heal. Little Elmer had come in that night and brought some horse medicine from the barn and applied it to the oozing marks.
The next afternoon when the schoolteacher came over, Ma had already formulated a story. “Mrs. Dewey, we missed Nan and Elmer today at school. Are they sick?” Ma lied the first time in her life and said, “Well Miss Sergeant, since Mr. Dewey is going to be gone for another four weeks, I need more help around here to get things done. I’m holding the kids out until he gets back.” Week after week went by, and Mr. Dewey still hadn’t come home. Everyday Ma grew more and more angry. It became more and more impossible to please her. When she began hitting Elmer, it was too much. Nan had to do something— right or wrong; things couldn’t stay the way they were.
The coolness of the earth had settled into Nan’s bones. She stood silently for a minute and carefully crept up to the farmhouse. As she opened the door, she saw that Elmer was in the pallet at the foot of the stove next to her bedroll. Ma was asleep in her room. The door held open with a rock. Slowly she began peeling off the dress and the dried blood stuck to it. She reached for the old shirt she normally wore over her wounds and under her dress. She had washed it today. It had bloodstains on it, but it would keep her from ruining another dress. She retrieved the old work dress that she wore when chores were messier than usual; it was the only one left. She put it on swiftly and shook Elmer awake with her hand over his mouth. “Baby, we must leave. Do you understand? Stay quiet and I will get some stuff to take with us.”
She found large old handkerchief and began looking for food supplies. There was one sourdough biscuit and about a cup of cold brown beans. She located her tin cup and another rag. She would probably need that. Three matches were in the cup on the stove. She would just take two. Suddenly she heard a sound from Ma’s room. A scampering sound… just a rat. Ma turned over. Her breathing became deep and regular. For once Nan wished that Ma snored. She tied the handkerchief in a knot over the meager food supplies, grabbed their bedrolls, and slowly opened the door.
“Come on, Elmer. Can you carry this food? I’ll get your bedding. That’s a good boy. We must hurry!”
The cold air bit at their faces, but they walked bravely on.
“Elmer, we must go tonight so we can get as far away as we can before Ma wakes up and sees that we are gone.”
For the next half hour the pair walked in silence through the familiar woods past the graves on the hill. In one, a mother dearly loved, in another, an infant who had died the same day as his mother, and the third, a father that only Nan had memory of. Elmer was only two years old when Pa died in the logging accident. Nan snapped out of her reverie and urged Elmer on. Molasses, Pa’s good old workhorse, stood in the pasture. He skidded the logs Pa cut with his axe. His legs hadn’t healed quite right, but Mama hadn’t let Mr. Dewey kill him because he was all she had left of the husband of her youth. Molasses was a faithful friend to Nan and Elmer. He stood there and waited for them to mount him.
“Molasses, take us to…” Nan realized then that they had nowhere to go. Mrs. Dewey had said that they were ungrateful little imps who didn’t realize she and Mr. Dewey were taking care of them out of kindness, and they could easily be put into an orphanage. Nan didn’t know anything about orphanages except what Mrs. Dewey…uh, Ma had told her. “Molasses, just take us out of here.”
Why had she dared to speak to the woman that she was obliged to call mother in that way? She knew that talking was not allowed from children before chores were finished. The accusations being made by “Ma” were totally false and she could not let Elmer take the blame for something she herself had forgotten to do. She shut her eyes tight against the memory, but it intruded anyway.
She had just gotten up to take the water off the stove to make up dishwater for the supper dishes. Ma had stepped outside the room to turn down her bed and prepare for sleep. When she reappeared in the kitchen, she realized that the wood supply next to the stove was low. Elmer was standing next to the table gathering the plates for washing. “Elmer, where is the wood you were supposed to bring up to the house?” Before he could answer, a hand had slapped him across his face. Getting back onto his feet and standing as tall as a five year old can stand, he looked her in the eye and said, “Ma, I was sick today, ‘member?”
“So, Elmer, you’re going to play up that headache trick again. Nan, didn’t your good for nothing Mama teach you people how to work, or are you just lazy?”
“Our Mama was good! Don’t you say mean things about her!” Nan yelled as her heart raced at the assault against her real Mama’s character.
“What about it, Elmer, are you like your weakling Mama or what?” Elmer’s eyes became very large and filled with tears. He could barely remember his real Mama, but when he did, he remembered soft kisses and sweet singing and a beautiful face. “I’m sorry; I’ll get the wood now.”
“No, Elmer, don’t. I promised you I’d do it today when your head was hurting, but I forgot. I’ll get it after I do these dishes.”
“Listen here, Nan, I’m the boss around here and Elmer will do what I say, when I say, and you will respect me.”
Nan’s eyes widened.
“Don’t look at me like that, little girl.”
Nan held her breath.
“Well, I guess you will be making a trip to the wood shed…with me!” Ma had grabbed her by the arm and jerked her along behind the shed. The strap was hanging there, waiting. Whippings were becoming more and more frequent. After Ma’s husband left, they had taken on a more cruel form. The last whipping was more like a beating. It took days for the marks to scab over and heal. Little Elmer had come in that night and brought some horse medicine from the barn and applied it to the oozing marks.
The next afternoon when the schoolteacher came over, Ma had already formulated a story. “Mrs. Dewey, we missed Nan and Elmer today at school. Are they sick?” Ma lied the first time in her life and said, “Well Miss Sergeant, since Mr. Dewey is going to be gone for another four weeks, I need more help around here to get things done. I’m holding the kids out until he gets back.” Week after week went by, and Mr. Dewey still hadn’t come home. Everyday Ma grew more and more angry. It became more and more impossible to please her. When she began hitting Elmer, it was too much. Nan had to do something— right or wrong; things couldn’t stay the way they were.
The coolness of the earth had settled into Nan’s bones. She stood silently for a minute and carefully crept up to the farmhouse. As she opened the door, she saw that Elmer was in the pallet at the foot of the stove next to her bedroll. Ma was asleep in her room. The door held open with a rock. Slowly she began peeling off the dress and the dried blood stuck to it. She reached for the old shirt she normally wore over her wounds and under her dress. She had washed it today. It had bloodstains on it, but it would keep her from ruining another dress. She retrieved the old work dress that she wore when chores were messier than usual; it was the only one left. She put it on swiftly and shook Elmer awake with her hand over his mouth. “Baby, we must leave. Do you understand? Stay quiet and I will get some stuff to take with us.”
She found large old handkerchief and began looking for food supplies. There was one sourdough biscuit and about a cup of cold brown beans. She located her tin cup and another rag. She would probably need that. Three matches were in the cup on the stove. She would just take two. Suddenly she heard a sound from Ma’s room. A scampering sound… just a rat. Ma turned over. Her breathing became deep and regular. For once Nan wished that Ma snored. She tied the handkerchief in a knot over the meager food supplies, grabbed their bedrolls, and slowly opened the door.
“Come on, Elmer. Can you carry this food? I’ll get your bedding. That’s a good boy. We must hurry!”
The cold air bit at their faces, but they walked bravely on.
“Elmer, we must go tonight so we can get as far away as we can before Ma wakes up and sees that we are gone.”
For the next half hour the pair walked in silence through the familiar woods past the graves on the hill. In one, a mother dearly loved, in another, an infant who had died the same day as his mother, and the third, a father that only Nan had memory of. Elmer was only two years old when Pa died in the logging accident. Nan snapped out of her reverie and urged Elmer on. Molasses, Pa’s good old workhorse, stood in the pasture. He skidded the logs Pa cut with his axe. His legs hadn’t healed quite right, but Mama hadn’t let Mr. Dewey kill him because he was all she had left of the husband of her youth. Molasses was a faithful friend to Nan and Elmer. He stood there and waited for them to mount him.
“Molasses, take us to…” Nan realized then that they had nowhere to go. Mrs. Dewey had said that they were ungrateful little imps who didn’t realize she and Mr. Dewey were taking care of them out of kindness, and they could easily be put into an orphanage. Nan didn’t know anything about orphanages except what Mrs. Dewey…uh, Ma had told her. “Molasses, just take us out of here.”
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