This is one word I really detest. But it's a fact of the writing life. And of life in general.
If you’d like to see the short version, (Yes, I do write some short things! LOL) check it out at my new ShoutLife page. (You’ll have to sign up to see the entire post, but this is a free, Christian online community that’s been a blast to be a member of.)
But for you all who are used to my longer thoughts, I’m going to go deeper into the reality of rejection in all of life and what I think about it.
In two words…it stinks.
And right now I’m trying to sort out in my head how to deal with a very personal rejection that I’m fighting through.
It hurts.
Please pray for me to handle this relationship with grace. And if you know me well, pray that the Lord will put His hand over my mouth until what I say are His words and His words alone. Thank you.
Back to my thoughts on rejection in general…
Earlier today I was inspired by an email from a fellow author to go dig out my rejection folder. In it are some dozen or more rejection letters and emails from various publishers. Here are some of my (now) favorite rejection blips...
"The Journey did not generate sufficient enthusiasm for us to consider publication."
"This story is not of the exceptional quality I need to see in order to acquire it."
"The author's voice seems a little melodramatic and unoriginal. It has a lot of clichés and seems to try to pull at heartstrings in familiar ways."
Ouch. They still sting a little even though all of these comments are years old. They're also all about the first book I ever wrote.
The book that is now a published novel.
But you know what? Those editors were right. Looking back on the tome I typed over five years ago, I can see all of what they saw. But God had a plan. And my editor caught the vision.
In many ways I'm thankful for these rejection blips. They mean I took a chance in following my dream. They mean I had ways I could improve. Holding them now they mean I didn't give up. I kept going when the rejections piled up and few had anything good to say.
I can thankfully say the same for many relationships in which I’ve experienced rejection. Because God and God alone kept me firmly planted in those relationships until I was willing to see His hand in them.
And in the rejection I felt from them.
Many times the rejections weren’t deserved. They had to do with something the other person was struggling with and I just happened to be an easy target.
But there were times the painful words were well warranted. Even when they weren’t, what I did with the words and feelings directed at me mattered most. Often, what I did at first was get mad. Then cry.
Finally, I took them to God.
Above all else, that’s what made the difference between me giving up or choosing to love, write, and live anyway.
Only after I’d gone to God and heard His truth about what He sees in me and says about me could I forgive. After that is when I was able to learn from each of the experiences, rejection letters, etc.
Here’s what I learned:
What matters is that God has a plan and purpose for my life. A good plan and a good purpose that no amount of rejection will alter.
You see, God looks at my fledgling and often flawed efforts to communicate to a loved one or tell a story that moves me and HE says, "It is good." Why? Because I put my behind in the chair, typed my dream, and sent it out in obedience to Him. Because I spoke the words He put on my heart or reached out to show love to another person.
In truth, I can’t say that every word I’ve spoken were God’s words. And in any conflict there are two sides, viewpoints, and things done out of emotion instead of faith.
But the test of our character is what we do with rejection. And what we do with the words and actions we sinned by saying or doing. What we do with the sins of others.
It’s hard to write and know that someone somewhere is not going to like it and tell the world about that. It’s hard to keep loving someone who continues to say and do things that feel rejecting.
But as long as God calls me to write, as long as He whispers to my heart to forgive and not give up on the relationship, my choice is to obey.
To keep writing. To remember the cross, repent of my sin, and forgive.
That’s painful. And there’s no guarantee there won’t be more rejection ahead. But when I know I’m being obedient to my heavenly Father’s direction, then I can remember this verse with joy: "I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God that which cost me nothing." (2 Samuel 24:24)
Writing and loving other flawed human beings are both acts of obedience and acts of worship. Ones that costs much. But it draws me deeper into Christ. It honors HIM. And that's why I'll keep writing and loving and running to Christ.
After all, that’s the best place to rest.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Fun in the Son
Welcome to Beach Day at Peek-a-boo ICU! Here’s our tour itinerary:Meet and Greet with Julie Carobini
Go deeper with Julie
So grab your sunscreen, beach towel, chocolate, and lots of imagination. Then join me on the beach…Chocolate Beach.
Meet Julie: 
Julie Carobini is an award-winning writer whose stories often spotlight her family, the sea, and God's timely work in the lives of those around her. She has written more than a hundred articles for all kinds of publications, including Focus on the Family, Decision, Discipleship Journal, Aspire, Catholic Parent, Beliefnet.com and many others. Julie lives California, with her husband, Dan, and their three children. Chocolate Beach is her first novel.
Dive into Chocolate Beach:
Julie Carobini is an award-winning writer whose stories often spotlight her family, the sea, and God's timely work in the lives of those around her. She has written more than a hundred articles for all kinds of publications, including Focus on the Family, Decision, Discipleship Journal, Aspire, Catholic Parent, Beliefnet.com and many others. Julie lives California, with her husband, Dan, and their three children. Chocolate Beach is her first novel.
Dive into Chocolate Beach:
Even a laid-back beach girl has her doubts....
Bri Stone has it all: the man of her dreams and their surf-ridin' teenage son, a chocolate-loving best pal, an adorable beach bungalow, and a kicky job as a Southern California tour bus host.
She also has a few things she didn't ask for: a know-it-all friend, a snobby mother-in-law, and a Fabio-meets-Dilbert boss. All three of them seem eager to share their strong opinions and suspicions about Bri's relationship with her husband, Douglas.
When Bri's rose-colored glasses crack after she finds evidence that Douglas has grown tired of her carefree ways, she resolves to win him back. Can Bri reinvent herself--and recapture his heart?
Going Deep:
What inspired you to write Chocolate Beach?
First, I wanted to write a book set in one of my favorite locales—the California coast. Then I began to think about relationships, and how people often marry their opposites. What happens to them down the road? How do they deal with their differences? Are they still charmed by each other, or bugged? In Chocolate Beach, Bri Stone has always found solace in chocolate and the beach, but will these things get her through when she faces serious questions about her marriage?
When will Chocolate Beach release?
The official release date was February 2007, but it actually made it into readers’ hands in January. Exciting times for a newbie author!
Bri Stone has it all: the man of her dreams and their surf-ridin' teenage son, a chocolate-loving best pal, an adorable beach bungalow, and a kicky job as a Southern California tour bus host.
She also has a few things she didn't ask for: a know-it-all friend, a snobby mother-in-law, and a Fabio-meets-Dilbert boss. All three of them seem eager to share their strong opinions and suspicions about Bri's relationship with her husband, Douglas.
When Bri's rose-colored glasses crack after she finds evidence that Douglas has grown tired of her carefree ways, she resolves to win him back. Can Bri reinvent herself--and recapture his heart?
Going Deep:
What inspired you to write Chocolate Beach?
First, I wanted to write a book set in one of my favorite locales—the California coast. Then I began to think about relationships, and how people often marry their opposites. What happens to them down the road? How do they deal with their differences? Are they still charmed by each other, or bugged? In Chocolate Beach, Bri Stone has always found solace in chocolate and the beach, but will these things get her through when she faces serious questions about her marriage?
When will Chocolate Beach release?
The official release date was February 2007, but it actually made it into readers’ hands in January. Exciting times for a newbie author!
Are there any new projects on the horizon?
Yes! Watch for A Curious Thing about Seashells (working title) in Summer 2008. It’s the story of Bri’s best friend, Gaby Flores.
Do you prefer to write contemporary chick-lit fiction?
Yes! I read all sorts of genres, but found my voice in Chick-lit. It’s sassy and fun, and allows me to tell stories of life’s challenges in an entertaining way.
Who are your readers?
My readers are the “young at heart.” Mostly women, they are aware of current trends and technology, yet they like to giggle through a good story. They also love to bond with other women over a hot cup of coffee or tea, and of course, designer chocolates.
What are some of the challenges you face as an author?
It can be so tough to find unobstructed time to actually write when there are so many other things vying for my attention: proposing new books, marketing current ones, writing articles, and most especially, caring for my family of five.
How do you keep your sanity in our run, run world?
Actually? I’m often overwhelmed. I must pray a lot—and God always steps in
Attending a regular Bible study helps too, because it keeps me focused on what God thinks about my busy life! I also jog on the beach, take a spinning class, and drink (too much) coffee.
Attending a regular Bible study helps too, because it keeps me focused on what God thinks about my busy life! I also jog on the beach, take a spinning class, and drink (too much) coffee.
What advice would you give to a person trying to become a fiction writer?
I address this on my new website. First, find every opportunity to read. Next, make sure you actually enjoy the process of writing before investing your life into it. Finally, get help. Go to writer’s conferences and watch how the experts do it; make friends at those conferences, the kind who will cheer you on in the days ahead (and who you can cheer along too!); and invest in yearly guides such as Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Market Guide.
Amy here: For all you snow-bound and freezing folks, Chocolate Beach is a warm vacation get-away packed with the makings for a great escape. And here’s a sweet deal to get you started dreaming about summer: leave me a note in the guestbook and one of you will win an all expense paid trip to the beach…Chocolate Beach.
Monday, February 19, 2007
True confessions
My clothes no longer fit.
I loathe exercise.
I want to quit trying to lose weight because it's far more fun to put weight on than take it off.
I hate the way my body looks.
My blood sugars are totally out of whack.
I feel guilty for all of the above.
Okay, now that I've gotten that off my shoulders here's what I'm doing about it. First off I'm doing the tried and true lessening what I eat and exercising more. This has been a huge inner struggle because I haven't eaten like I'd like to in months and yet I've lost nothing. I’ve gained weight in fact.
So God being God and loving me even when I pout brought to the forefront an even bigger problem than my weight issues. The growing attitude of entitlement that's weighing me down far more than the numbers on my scale.
By entitlement I mean the attitude that someone owes me something. Here’s how it looked in my home over the weekend...
The three-year-old version: "All toys are my toys and everybody should let me do whatever I want when I want it."
The six-year-old version: "My opinion deserves to be heard and everyone should listen."
The nine-year-old version: "I can take all the time I want to do whatever I want and no one should tell me otherwise."
The thirty-something-year-old version: "I want to eat and do whatever I want and I shouldn't ever gain weight."
In all these things there was an underlying belief that someone owes us something. There’s a “right” each of us were holding onto that brought us into conflict with each other or ourselves.
And God saw fit to give me this object lesson through my kids and my weight issues so I wouldn’t miss the message.
Again, God being God, He didn’t leave me to stew in my attitude with no hope of release or direction. In giving my girls a “talking to” about the issues of rights and how ultimately God owns all we have and our time, talents, and journeys belong to Him as well, I saw my problem far more clearly than I wanted to.
I felt like God owed it to me to make one issue in my life easier and I’d chosen my weight as the thing He “should” be fixing. After all, I was doing “good stuff” and “trying hard” especially in the area of eating healthy and exercising.
Then this morning I read in 2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
Here’s a true confession of what went through my mind when I read this verse: So if I have everything I need for life and godliness, why is my health as a whole such a wreck??? Why do I feel like I’m failing far more than I’m succeeding in any given area? AND why does it feel like God’s not giving me what I need to even get out of bed let alone live a godly life?
Not only had I been upset with God over not making my weight issue easy to fix, I realized I had fallen back on demanding God be my genie in a bottle.
I ask. He answers, “As you wish.” Life is good.
Ouch.
So I went back to this verse and in repentance prayed, “Lord help me see that You are what I need and it’s in knowing You and allowing You to permeate every area of my life that true Christlikeness shines through. Godliness and life are about being in relationship with You. Change me to seek You simply for You.”
As I’ve pondered all this today I’ve come to realize something else. My “true confession” that matters the most is this…
God is God and I’m His beautiful daughter.
That truth is not dependent on a scale’s smaller numbers or my mirror’s approval. It’s not dependent on whether I feel like it’s true or not.
It is simply the truth.
And the more I confess the truth, the more I learn about God just by hanging out with Him, the more like Him I become.
That’s what truly matters. To know Him and enjoy Him. To let His power and His plan be lived out through us.
Please pray for me! And let me know how I can pray for you. Together let’s remind each other to praise and trust and hang on.
God is good all the time. And all the time He is good.
I loathe exercise.
I want to quit trying to lose weight because it's far more fun to put weight on than take it off.
I hate the way my body looks.
My blood sugars are totally out of whack.
I feel guilty for all of the above.
Okay, now that I've gotten that off my shoulders here's what I'm doing about it. First off I'm doing the tried and true lessening what I eat and exercising more. This has been a huge inner struggle because I haven't eaten like I'd like to in months and yet I've lost nothing. I’ve gained weight in fact.
So God being God and loving me even when I pout brought to the forefront an even bigger problem than my weight issues. The growing attitude of entitlement that's weighing me down far more than the numbers on my scale.
By entitlement I mean the attitude that someone owes me something. Here’s how it looked in my home over the weekend...
The three-year-old version: "All toys are my toys and everybody should let me do whatever I want when I want it."
The six-year-old version: "My opinion deserves to be heard and everyone should listen."
The nine-year-old version: "I can take all the time I want to do whatever I want and no one should tell me otherwise."
The thirty-something-year-old version: "I want to eat and do whatever I want and I shouldn't ever gain weight."
In all these things there was an underlying belief that someone owes us something. There’s a “right” each of us were holding onto that brought us into conflict with each other or ourselves.
And God saw fit to give me this object lesson through my kids and my weight issues so I wouldn’t miss the message.
Again, God being God, He didn’t leave me to stew in my attitude with no hope of release or direction. In giving my girls a “talking to” about the issues of rights and how ultimately God owns all we have and our time, talents, and journeys belong to Him as well, I saw my problem far more clearly than I wanted to.
I felt like God owed it to me to make one issue in my life easier and I’d chosen my weight as the thing He “should” be fixing. After all, I was doing “good stuff” and “trying hard” especially in the area of eating healthy and exercising.
Then this morning I read in 2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
Here’s a true confession of what went through my mind when I read this verse: So if I have everything I need for life and godliness, why is my health as a whole such a wreck??? Why do I feel like I’m failing far more than I’m succeeding in any given area? AND why does it feel like God’s not giving me what I need to even get out of bed let alone live a godly life?
Not only had I been upset with God over not making my weight issue easy to fix, I realized I had fallen back on demanding God be my genie in a bottle.
I ask. He answers, “As you wish.” Life is good.
Ouch.
So I went back to this verse and in repentance prayed, “Lord help me see that You are what I need and it’s in knowing You and allowing You to permeate every area of my life that true Christlikeness shines through. Godliness and life are about being in relationship with You. Change me to seek You simply for You.”
As I’ve pondered all this today I’ve come to realize something else. My “true confession” that matters the most is this…
God is God and I’m His beautiful daughter.
That truth is not dependent on a scale’s smaller numbers or my mirror’s approval. It’s not dependent on whether I feel like it’s true or not.
It is simply the truth.
And the more I confess the truth, the more I learn about God just by hanging out with Him, the more like Him I become.
That’s what truly matters. To know Him and enjoy Him. To let His power and His plan be lived out through us.
Please pray for me! And let me know how I can pray for you. Together let’s remind each other to praise and trust and hang on.
God is good all the time. And all the time He is good.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Happy Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day is a hard day for many. Like other holidays there's the expectation that everything has to be "just so" or "perfect" for it to be "good."
But today I want to focus on something that's supposedly the meaning of this holiday, but is often not.
Love.
Unfailing love to be more precise.
And to do that I went back in time a little to blogs I'd written years ago because the topic of love is never really far from our minds, is it? It certainly shows up in most of my posts. And I think if we're honest, we're all longing for total, complete, perfect love that will make everything better.
So where do we find it?
First we have to get honest about what's really going on in our hearts. And then second, we need to know where to look for our heart’s desire.
Here's a clip from two years ago. While my circumstances have changed~ praise God! ~ some of the struggles still visit me with regularity. This is one of them...
“I remembered my Bible study last night on unfailing love and it hit me that I'm feeling numb inside because I shut myself down.
Because I'm so tired of my own failure and the hurt from other people failing me.
I'm even a little angry with God for not answering prayers and changing things I've begged Him to change for a long while now. There’s that forcing God to prove He loves me.
I didn’t realize it, but I was saying in effect…
Heal my body and I’ll believe You love me.
Heal my marriage and I’ll believe You love me.
Give me a book contract and I’ll believe You love me.
God says simply, “I love you with an unfailing love.”
Period.
No conditions.
Just the Cross.
And His Word.
Proverbs 19:22 “What a man desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.”
Proverbs 20:6 “Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?”
Every human alive longs for, desires, and is so hungry to have unfailing love that we'll do anything just to get a taste. Even numb out as a way to deny the pain when this need feels unfulfilled.
But only God is capable of unfailing love. In fact the Biblical words for unfailing/ agape love ONLY refer to God. We humans can't muster or get "holy" enough to love that way. And no human can love us that way all the time. We all fail. We fail to love and be loved well.
But God doesn't. He loves anyway. No matter the sin. No matter the anger. No matter the deadness inside. No matter what I perceive as unanswered prayers.
Those “unanswered prayers” are one way God got my attention to see that the fight I’m to fight isn’t about forcing Him to prove He loves me. Or to get others to love me the way I want to be loved.
It’s the fight of faith that counts. The fight to believe the truth. And walk in it.
The fight that runs to God believing that God and God alone is the only one capable of unfailing love.
We either fight the fight of faith and keep fighting or we try to deaden our hearts a little more every day. If we fight, there will be times of rest, times of healing, and- ultimately... finally...in God's perfect time - complete rest, healing, and peace.
But if we give up and deaden our hearts, what is there? No hope. No possibility of joy. Nothing. That's where the enemy wants us to stay. Because he knows who we were created to be and he fears us.
Love and joy and faith are painful. No two ways about that. But inner deadness isn't really death. It's self-protection. And it doesn’t work.
I’m reminded that self-protectiveness is a sin because it's denying God's rightful place in my life. He's my Protector and Comforter. He's Daddy and Mommy; Strength and Peace. He's everything I need. And it’s God, and God alone, that loves me with unfailing love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “God is patient, God is kind. God does not envy, God does not boast, God is not proud. God is not rude, God is not self-seeking, God is not easily angered, God keeps no record of wrongs. God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. God always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. God never fails.”
Jeremiah 31:3 "I have loved you with an everlasting love.”
Period.
Exclamation mark!
Unfailing love.
Not only is God’s love exactly what I need… it’s what I want, what I desire too.”
It’s hard to go back and read those words and be reminded that God has spoken so clearly so many times in my life. And still I fail.
And still He forgives.
All the while opening His arms wide and inviting me to receive the unconditional love I long for. Love that is mine. Love that is yours. All the time. Always.
Paul calls it the most excellent way~ LOVE.
1 Corinthians 13~ All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now. There are three things that will endure--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love.
Happy Valentine's Day!!!!
May you experience today the truth that you are LOVED totally, completely, and perfectly by a holy God who is never disappointed in you and who smiles at each and every thought of you!!!
But today I want to focus on something that's supposedly the meaning of this holiday, but is often not.
Love.
Unfailing love to be more precise.
And to do that I went back in time a little to blogs I'd written years ago because the topic of love is never really far from our minds, is it? It certainly shows up in most of my posts. And I think if we're honest, we're all longing for total, complete, perfect love that will make everything better.
So where do we find it?
First we have to get honest about what's really going on in our hearts. And then second, we need to know where to look for our heart’s desire.
Here's a clip from two years ago. While my circumstances have changed~ praise God! ~ some of the struggles still visit me with regularity. This is one of them...
“I remembered my Bible study last night on unfailing love and it hit me that I'm feeling numb inside because I shut myself down.
Because I'm so tired of my own failure and the hurt from other people failing me.
I'm even a little angry with God for not answering prayers and changing things I've begged Him to change for a long while now. There’s that forcing God to prove He loves me.
I didn’t realize it, but I was saying in effect…
Heal my body and I’ll believe You love me.
Heal my marriage and I’ll believe You love me.
Give me a book contract and I’ll believe You love me.
God says simply, “I love you with an unfailing love.”
Period.
No conditions.
Just the Cross.
And His Word.
Proverbs 19:22 “What a man desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.”
Proverbs 20:6 “Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?”
Every human alive longs for, desires, and is so hungry to have unfailing love that we'll do anything just to get a taste. Even numb out as a way to deny the pain when this need feels unfulfilled.
But only God is capable of unfailing love. In fact the Biblical words for unfailing/ agape love ONLY refer to God. We humans can't muster or get "holy" enough to love that way. And no human can love us that way all the time. We all fail. We fail to love and be loved well.
But God doesn't. He loves anyway. No matter the sin. No matter the anger. No matter the deadness inside. No matter what I perceive as unanswered prayers.
Those “unanswered prayers” are one way God got my attention to see that the fight I’m to fight isn’t about forcing Him to prove He loves me. Or to get others to love me the way I want to be loved.
It’s the fight of faith that counts. The fight to believe the truth. And walk in it.
The fight that runs to God believing that God and God alone is the only one capable of unfailing love.
We either fight the fight of faith and keep fighting or we try to deaden our hearts a little more every day. If we fight, there will be times of rest, times of healing, and- ultimately... finally...in God's perfect time - complete rest, healing, and peace.
But if we give up and deaden our hearts, what is there? No hope. No possibility of joy. Nothing. That's where the enemy wants us to stay. Because he knows who we were created to be and he fears us.
Love and joy and faith are painful. No two ways about that. But inner deadness isn't really death. It's self-protection. And it doesn’t work.
I’m reminded that self-protectiveness is a sin because it's denying God's rightful place in my life. He's my Protector and Comforter. He's Daddy and Mommy; Strength and Peace. He's everything I need. And it’s God, and God alone, that loves me with unfailing love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “God is patient, God is kind. God does not envy, God does not boast, God is not proud. God is not rude, God is not self-seeking, God is not easily angered, God keeps no record of wrongs. God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. God always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. God never fails.”
Jeremiah 31:3 "I have loved you with an everlasting love.”
Period.
Exclamation mark!
Unfailing love.
Not only is God’s love exactly what I need… it’s what I want, what I desire too.”
It’s hard to go back and read those words and be reminded that God has spoken so clearly so many times in my life. And still I fail.
And still He forgives.
All the while opening His arms wide and inviting me to receive the unconditional love I long for. Love that is mine. Love that is yours. All the time. Always.
Paul calls it the most excellent way~ LOVE.
1 Corinthians 13~ All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now. There are three things that will endure--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love.
Happy Valentine's Day!!!!
May you experience today the truth that you are LOVED totally, completely, and perfectly by a holy God who is never disappointed in you and who smiles at each and every thought of you!!!
Friday, February 09, 2007
Something to consider
Today I'd like to introduce you to a guest blogger who is ruggedly handsome, a great daddy, and the love of my life, my husband David Wallace. Unbeknownst to me David wrote a blog that when I saw it this morning, it had me reading and re-reading with my jaw dropped.
It smarts with truth and straightforwardness and it was something I needed to hear. It also dovetails well with what I blogged about the other day. So rather than sum it up, I'll share his words here...
Lust
I’m sure everyone is familiar with the concept of lust. There is the lust for power, for sex, for money. These are some of the most commonly thought of. However, the devotional I was reading the other morning opened my eyes and my heart to become aware of another type of lust.
Spiritual Lust.
I wrestled with the concept for a while, but when it came right down to it, I realized that it not only exists as a possibility, but that it is very real, so real in fact that I am guilty of it much of the time.
The quote I read from my devotion ( My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers) was this:
“Spiritual lust makes me demand an answer from God, instead of seeking God who gives the answer…The meaning of prayer is that we get hold of God, not of the answer.”
I was reminded of my favorite Psalm, the 37th. I love many verses in this Psalm, but I specifically thought of verses 4-5:
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this.”
The focus here is the Lord. Delight in Him. Commit your way to Him. The answers to our prayers are a result, not the goal or focus.
Lately, I’ve been frustrated with God for not answering my prayers quickly enough for my liking or in ways that I expected (or demanded). My focus has been on getting God to answer my prayers…not on knowing Him, His will and His ways. I’ve been guilty of what Mr. Chambers labeled Spiritual Lust.
Again I’m humbled to see I have so much to learn as I turn once again from demanding and throwing a temper tantrum when my insistencies are not satisfied and refocus to seek the One who can teach me as He makes me more like Himself.
It smarts with truth and straightforwardness and it was something I needed to hear. It also dovetails well with what I blogged about the other day. So rather than sum it up, I'll share his words here...
Lust
I’m sure everyone is familiar with the concept of lust. There is the lust for power, for sex, for money. These are some of the most commonly thought of. However, the devotional I was reading the other morning opened my eyes and my heart to become aware of another type of lust.
Spiritual Lust.
I wrestled with the concept for a while, but when it came right down to it, I realized that it not only exists as a possibility, but that it is very real, so real in fact that I am guilty of it much of the time.
The quote I read from my devotion ( My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers) was this:
“Spiritual lust makes me demand an answer from God, instead of seeking God who gives the answer…The meaning of prayer is that we get hold of God, not of the answer.”
I was reminded of my favorite Psalm, the 37th. I love many verses in this Psalm, but I specifically thought of verses 4-5:
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this.”
The focus here is the Lord. Delight in Him. Commit your way to Him. The answers to our prayers are a result, not the goal or focus.
Lately, I’ve been frustrated with God for not answering my prayers quickly enough for my liking or in ways that I expected (or demanded). My focus has been on getting God to answer my prayers…not on knowing Him, His will and His ways. I’ve been guilty of what Mr. Chambers labeled Spiritual Lust.
Again I’m humbled to see I have so much to learn as I turn once again from demanding and throwing a temper tantrum when my insistencies are not satisfied and refocus to seek the One who can teach me as He makes me more like Himself.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
What’s enough?
The other day something happened that I totally overreacted to on a grand scale. I tried to talk it over with God after I spewed angry words all over my husband and best friend.
And it wasn’t even their fault. It wasn’t anybody’s fault really.
It was just me taking one, small, innocent remark personally and letting it eat away at my soul.
Then a friend emailed a comment about being a people pleaser and God sort of tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I was listening.
I wasn’t.
I doubt anyone would peg me as being a people pleaser. My husband and those who know me best and love me anyway would call me a strong-willed, bull-headed, do-it-my-own-way-or-die type A personality. (Lovingly of course.)
But in truth, I’m a closet people pleaser in a HUGE way.
It aches in deep places when I realize I’ve disappointed someone. It hurts out of proportion to the incident or actions.
Because at the core I don’t just feel like I’ve disappointed someone.
I feel like I am a disappointment.
When I sat still long enough for God to show me my little six-year-old still wounded heart, I bawled. Mostly because it hurt to remember the pain of growing up always being told without words what a disappointment I was.
But it also hurt that I hadn’t gotten over that yet, that I hadn’t allowed God to heal me yet. That I was a disappointment to my heavenly Parent too.
I kept crying and saying things to God like, “I’m never going to make anybody’s mark. I’m never going to be the best at anything. And I’m supposed to.”
God whispered, “No, you’re not.”
On all three counts.
But I still want to.
I was totally unprepared for what God said next. I’d been hoping for some word from Him that would speak truth to the little six-year-old girl with a still wounded heart and finally heal those hurts.
But God spoke to the Amy who is three decades older.
He told me clearly I’d allowed the goal of never being a disappointment to become an idol.
And until I laid that down, I’d continue to reject His healing words of love.
I had to take a long, hard look at that and realize He’s right. A lot of what I’ve done, especially in the last year, has been done feeling like the hounds of hell were nipping at my ankles and driving me to do more, work harder, be better.
They were. But all they had to do was whisper my core lie “I’m a disappointment” and I did the rest. I shut God out and pushed and pushed and pushed to do all I can not to be a disappointment. All the while running from the still small voice of God telling me the truth.
“You are My beloved child and nothing you do will change that.”
That’s really all I’ve ever wanted. To be loved unconditionally. And I’ve had that all along.
In little ways God has been showing this to me and I’d get to a deep place and then stop short of fully stepping back into His embrace. But today the storms that have been swirling around me washed away everything but the truth.
I’d held onto my idol harder than I’d held onto God.
I cried and prayed and told God how truly sorry I was. But I still tried to figure out a way to make things right, to make it up to Him, to fix things.
Idols can’t be fixed.
And God asked me to give it to Him.
While that sounds so simple and easy, it isn’t. This lie, however awful and destructive it’s been, has been a large part of my existence for my entire life. It feels like it’s a part of me.
I don’t know how to let it go. I have no idea how to walk without it.
But God does. And He promises He will complete His work in me. That includes teaching me how to live with the new heart and new name and new life that is Christ in me.
It feels like I’m stepping over the edge into a dark, unknown void.
What I do know is Jesus is there to catch me. He never fails.
And for once in my life, that is enough.
And it wasn’t even their fault. It wasn’t anybody’s fault really.
It was just me taking one, small, innocent remark personally and letting it eat away at my soul.
Then a friend emailed a comment about being a people pleaser and God sort of tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I was listening.
I wasn’t.
I doubt anyone would peg me as being a people pleaser. My husband and those who know me best and love me anyway would call me a strong-willed, bull-headed, do-it-my-own-way-or-die type A personality. (Lovingly of course.)
But in truth, I’m a closet people pleaser in a HUGE way.
It aches in deep places when I realize I’ve disappointed someone. It hurts out of proportion to the incident or actions.
Because at the core I don’t just feel like I’ve disappointed someone.
I feel like I am a disappointment.
When I sat still long enough for God to show me my little six-year-old still wounded heart, I bawled. Mostly because it hurt to remember the pain of growing up always being told without words what a disappointment I was.
But it also hurt that I hadn’t gotten over that yet, that I hadn’t allowed God to heal me yet. That I was a disappointment to my heavenly Parent too.
I kept crying and saying things to God like, “I’m never going to make anybody’s mark. I’m never going to be the best at anything. And I’m supposed to.”
God whispered, “No, you’re not.”
On all three counts.
But I still want to.
I was totally unprepared for what God said next. I’d been hoping for some word from Him that would speak truth to the little six-year-old girl with a still wounded heart and finally heal those hurts.
But God spoke to the Amy who is three decades older.
He told me clearly I’d allowed the goal of never being a disappointment to become an idol.
And until I laid that down, I’d continue to reject His healing words of love.
I had to take a long, hard look at that and realize He’s right. A lot of what I’ve done, especially in the last year, has been done feeling like the hounds of hell were nipping at my ankles and driving me to do more, work harder, be better.
They were. But all they had to do was whisper my core lie “I’m a disappointment” and I did the rest. I shut God out and pushed and pushed and pushed to do all I can not to be a disappointment. All the while running from the still small voice of God telling me the truth.
“You are My beloved child and nothing you do will change that.”
That’s really all I’ve ever wanted. To be loved unconditionally. And I’ve had that all along.
In little ways God has been showing this to me and I’d get to a deep place and then stop short of fully stepping back into His embrace. But today the storms that have been swirling around me washed away everything but the truth.
I’d held onto my idol harder than I’d held onto God.
I cried and prayed and told God how truly sorry I was. But I still tried to figure out a way to make things right, to make it up to Him, to fix things.
Idols can’t be fixed.
And God asked me to give it to Him.
While that sounds so simple and easy, it isn’t. This lie, however awful and destructive it’s been, has been a large part of my existence for my entire life. It feels like it’s a part of me.
I don’t know how to let it go. I have no idea how to walk without it.
But God does. And He promises He will complete His work in me. That includes teaching me how to live with the new heart and new name and new life that is Christ in me.
It feels like I’m stepping over the edge into a dark, unknown void.
What I do know is Jesus is there to catch me. He never fails.
And for once in my life, that is enough.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Stories for the hero in all of us
Ever wondered if God has Big Things planned for your life? Ever been too tired to care or too busy to wonder about it much? ;-)
I can sure answer YES to both of those questions. And I'd like to introduce you to two people who have some awesome things to share on these and many more topics relevant to moms everywhere.
The first is my dear friend and amazing author Sharon Hinck. The second is her fictional character, Becky Miller, who I'd love to have in my circle of friends.
Sharon's newest book Renovating Becky Miller is at the top of my small but treasured MUST READ list. Read on to find out why...
A Little About Sharon:
Sharon is a wife and mother of four children who generously provide her with fodder for her books. She’s part of a weekly small-group women’s Bible study (very like the group described in the BECKY MILLER novels.)
Since releasing her first novel, she only rarely gets to indulge in favorite hobbies like rubber stamping, reading, scrapbooking and gardening. Actually, sleeping and eating have gotten squeezed off her list some days, too.
She loves Celtic worship music, hiking in the North woods, animated discussions around the supper table with the family, and praying with friends.
She writes stories for the hero in all of us and her books share a common theme: The life of faith is a grand adventure, and even the small choices we make each day can be heroic. Her characters discover that God can accomplish amazing things through our ordinary lives.
Sharon’s first novel, THE SECRET LIFE OF BECKY MILLER released last summer, and in addition to RENOVATING BECKY MILLER, she has a three-book fantasy series releasing with NavPress this year, and two more stand-alone mom-lit books releasing with Bethany House the following year.
What prompted you to begin writing?
I’ve been writing all my life as a way to grapple with questions and feelings that I needed to express. But as far as becoming a novelist, that came after years of prayer asking God for direction. After several years of seeking a “next step” in my service to Him, I felt a gentle prompting to “write,” but I still didn’t know if that meant parenting articles for magazines, devotions, scripts, or the kinds of things I’d written in the past. It was a process of about seven years of praying, dabbling, and seeking before I felt the inspiration to begin a novel and then the flood-gates opened.
Your website is awesome and your bio hysterical, especially THE SECRET LIFE OF SHARON HINCK. With all you've done and all you currently do, what's your counsel for busy moms who crave doing "Big Things for God"?
Thanks for the compliment on my website. PulsePoint design has been a huge blessing, because they have a special passion for Christian authors.
Moms – God’s love for you isn’t based on your achievements.
Take a deep breath and absorb the freedom of that truth. However, God will do “Big Things” through you. Some of these things may never look “big” by the world’s standards of success. But He will bear fruit of ETERNAL value (“fruit that will last” as He calls it in the gospel of John).
It’s VERY VERY hard for me to have faith in that when I’m daily confronted by my inadequacies and failures, and tempted to compare my lack of accomplishments to my friends with their very different personalities and talents. But we can take Him at His word and trust that being AVAILABLE for Him to use daily is a treasure to Him. When you get to heaven, you’ll find out a zillion ways that seemingly small choices you made were a huge blessing to someone else.
Advice for those interested in writing?
When the goal of your writing time is to deepen your relationship with Christ (to show up and be there to communicate with Him and about Him) - it will be a joyful use of time, no matter the results.
If God prompts you to seek publication, by all means do that. Pray over each step. Treasure the calling, but daily offer it back to Him. I’m trying to walk in a place where I’m passionately committed to the work, but completely surrendered in my will, so that if He says, “Okay, time to stop and go a new way,” I would be ready.
That’s tough for me, because I get very focused. Even on a daily basis, I struggle with releasing my own agenda. When God whispers, “This friend needs a meal, your child needs a cuddle, your husband needs your time, your work will have to be set aside today,” I often respond by whining about deadlines and goals and plans. Then I remember that I’m not the orchestra conductor. I’m one small instrument with a specific part to play. Sometimes (horrors!) that even includes resting for several measures.
Favorite scripture and why?
2 Cor. 4:7 Because I’m a crackled, weathered, earthen jar. Not much to look at. But God’s grace can leak out through the flaws and it’s such a comfort to know that.
One thing about you that no one’s asked, but you wish they would?
“Sharon, I have a beach front cottage sitting empty. Could I fly you out here for a week of solitude and beauty and time to write?”
For more fun, check out Sharon's website at http://www.sharonhinck.com/
Now meet Becky Miller:
Becky Miller believes in fixing things: children, friends, mother-in-law, sister, church . . . and her husband. So renovating a run-down farmhouse is right up her alley--the perfect antidote for the pressures of modern life.
But Becky's pursuit of the simple life is soon threatened. Her mother-in-law moves in, her son finds trouble at school, her sister arrives for a visit, her best friend is acting weird, all while work stresses mount. Worst of all, her marriage is in need of some major remodeling of its own.
Cinematic daydreams provide Becky with heroic drama. Maybe that's why she escapes into the scenes so often. In real life, everything is a muddled mess.
Who knew one old house could lead them to the brink of bankruptcy? Or that Becky's physical handicap could threaten to steal their dream?
Can Becky stop fixing everyone else and let God renovate her heart so she can find her own happy ending?
Amy here:
I fell in love with this book from the cinematic daydreams that segue perfectly into Becky's everyday life to the cast of characters I wanted to hang out with. I loved Becky's honest transparency and how easily I could relate to her. Not only that, but what God taught Becky in the pages of this book, He also taught me as I laughed, cried, and cheered for Becky and her family.
This book is more relaxing than a Calgon escape and (dare I say it?) even more enjoyable than chocolate! For those of you who know me, you KNOW that's a rave review.
I give Renovating Becky Miller 5 out of 5 stars and a wholehearted Heart Chocolate top pick of 2007!
I can sure answer YES to both of those questions. And I'd like to introduce you to two people who have some awesome things to share on these and many more topics relevant to moms everywhere.
The first is my dear friend and amazing author Sharon Hinck. The second is her fictional character, Becky Miller, who I'd love to have in my circle of friends.
Sharon's newest book Renovating Becky Miller is at the top of my small but treasured MUST READ list. Read on to find out why...
A Little About Sharon:Sharon is a wife and mother of four children who generously provide her with fodder for her books. She’s part of a weekly small-group women’s Bible study (very like the group described in the BECKY MILLER novels.)
Since releasing her first novel, she only rarely gets to indulge in favorite hobbies like rubber stamping, reading, scrapbooking and gardening. Actually, sleeping and eating have gotten squeezed off her list some days, too.
She loves Celtic worship music, hiking in the North woods, animated discussions around the supper table with the family, and praying with friends.
She writes stories for the hero in all of us and her books share a common theme: The life of faith is a grand adventure, and even the small choices we make each day can be heroic. Her characters discover that God can accomplish amazing things through our ordinary lives.
Sharon’s first novel, THE SECRET LIFE OF BECKY MILLER released last summer, and in addition to RENOVATING BECKY MILLER, she has a three-book fantasy series releasing with NavPress this year, and two more stand-alone mom-lit books releasing with Bethany House the following year.
What prompted you to begin writing?
I’ve been writing all my life as a way to grapple with questions and feelings that I needed to express. But as far as becoming a novelist, that came after years of prayer asking God for direction. After several years of seeking a “next step” in my service to Him, I felt a gentle prompting to “write,” but I still didn’t know if that meant parenting articles for magazines, devotions, scripts, or the kinds of things I’d written in the past. It was a process of about seven years of praying, dabbling, and seeking before I felt the inspiration to begin a novel and then the flood-gates opened.
Your website is awesome and your bio hysterical, especially THE SECRET LIFE OF SHARON HINCK. With all you've done and all you currently do, what's your counsel for busy moms who crave doing "Big Things for God"?
Thanks for the compliment on my website. PulsePoint design has been a huge blessing, because they have a special passion for Christian authors.
Moms – God’s love for you isn’t based on your achievements.
Take a deep breath and absorb the freedom of that truth. However, God will do “Big Things” through you. Some of these things may never look “big” by the world’s standards of success. But He will bear fruit of ETERNAL value (“fruit that will last” as He calls it in the gospel of John).
It’s VERY VERY hard for me to have faith in that when I’m daily confronted by my inadequacies and failures, and tempted to compare my lack of accomplishments to my friends with their very different personalities and talents. But we can take Him at His word and trust that being AVAILABLE for Him to use daily is a treasure to Him. When you get to heaven, you’ll find out a zillion ways that seemingly small choices you made were a huge blessing to someone else.
Advice for those interested in writing?
When the goal of your writing time is to deepen your relationship with Christ (to show up and be there to communicate with Him and about Him) - it will be a joyful use of time, no matter the results.
If God prompts you to seek publication, by all means do that. Pray over each step. Treasure the calling, but daily offer it back to Him. I’m trying to walk in a place where I’m passionately committed to the work, but completely surrendered in my will, so that if He says, “Okay, time to stop and go a new way,” I would be ready.
That’s tough for me, because I get very focused. Even on a daily basis, I struggle with releasing my own agenda. When God whispers, “This friend needs a meal, your child needs a cuddle, your husband needs your time, your work will have to be set aside today,” I often respond by whining about deadlines and goals and plans. Then I remember that I’m not the orchestra conductor. I’m one small instrument with a specific part to play. Sometimes (horrors!) that even includes resting for several measures.
Favorite scripture and why?
2 Cor. 4:7 Because I’m a crackled, weathered, earthen jar. Not much to look at. But God’s grace can leak out through the flaws and it’s such a comfort to know that.
One thing about you that no one’s asked, but you wish they would?
“Sharon, I have a beach front cottage sitting empty. Could I fly you out here for a week of solitude and beauty and time to write?”
For more fun, check out Sharon's website at http://www.sharonhinck.com/
Now meet Becky Miller:Becky Miller believes in fixing things: children, friends, mother-in-law, sister, church . . . and her husband. So renovating a run-down farmhouse is right up her alley--the perfect antidote for the pressures of modern life.
But Becky's pursuit of the simple life is soon threatened. Her mother-in-law moves in, her son finds trouble at school, her sister arrives for a visit, her best friend is acting weird, all while work stresses mount. Worst of all, her marriage is in need of some major remodeling of its own.
Cinematic daydreams provide Becky with heroic drama. Maybe that's why she escapes into the scenes so often. In real life, everything is a muddled mess.
Who knew one old house could lead them to the brink of bankruptcy? Or that Becky's physical handicap could threaten to steal their dream?
Can Becky stop fixing everyone else and let God renovate her heart so she can find her own happy ending?
Amy here:
I fell in love with this book from the cinematic daydreams that segue perfectly into Becky's everyday life to the cast of characters I wanted to hang out with. I loved Becky's honest transparency and how easily I could relate to her. Not only that, but what God taught Becky in the pages of this book, He also taught me as I laughed, cried, and cheered for Becky and her family.
This book is more relaxing than a Calgon escape and (dare I say it?) even more enjoyable than chocolate! For those of you who know me, you KNOW that's a rave review.
I give Renovating Becky Miller 5 out of 5 stars and a wholehearted Heart Chocolate top pick of 2007!
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Six Weird Things About Me
My friend Meg Moseley tagged me today to play "Six Weird Things About Me."
Read on if you dare and learn some off the wall stuff about Amy....
1) When I was pregnant with my first child I told my husband I'd sock the first person who tried to rub my protruding belly. That person ended up being my body builder brother-in-law. My husband grabbed my hand and kept the peace. No one but my hubby ever knew.
2) The ONLY writing book I have ever actually finished reading is Snoopy's Guide to the Writing Life.
3) One of my favorite gross metaphors is, "Her hair flowed like snot on a spring day."
4) I often look at the last chapter before reading a book.
5) Until I had a talk with my daughters about outward versus inward beauty, they would check their behinds in the mirror before leaving the house. Why? They wanted to be "just like Mommy." Ouch. And no, I don't still do that.... much anyway.
6) I've taught my girls a plethora of James Taylor songs that we sing often. Along with them we sing TV tunes: Green Acres, Gilligan's Island, and Beverly Hillbillies. We also belt out the lyrics to every song in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Even my three year old sings along!
Okay, now that I've totally embarrassed myself in cyberspace I'm tagging a few people to play along. Jen K, Heather, Sally, Laurie, Keer, Tricia
Read on if you dare and learn some off the wall stuff about Amy....
1) When I was pregnant with my first child I told my husband I'd sock the first person who tried to rub my protruding belly. That person ended up being my body builder brother-in-law. My husband grabbed my hand and kept the peace. No one but my hubby ever knew.
2) The ONLY writing book I have ever actually finished reading is Snoopy's Guide to the Writing Life.
3) One of my favorite gross metaphors is, "Her hair flowed like snot on a spring day."
4) I often look at the last chapter before reading a book.
5) Until I had a talk with my daughters about outward versus inward beauty, they would check their behinds in the mirror before leaving the house. Why? They wanted to be "just like Mommy." Ouch. And no, I don't still do that.... much anyway.
6) I've taught my girls a plethora of James Taylor songs that we sing often. Along with them we sing TV tunes: Green Acres, Gilligan's Island, and Beverly Hillbillies. We also belt out the lyrics to every song in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Even my three year old sings along!
Okay, now that I've totally embarrassed myself in cyberspace I'm tagging a few people to play along. Jen K, Heather, Sally, Laurie, Keer, Tricia
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Missing footprints
I'm not a morning person. But I live in a home of early birds, so I've worked hard to become a reformed night owl.
It hasn't worked.
But lately it's not been pure circadian rhythms that have kept me in bed. It’s been more along the lines of dreading another day’s trials. And instead of getting up anyway to spend time with God in the morning, I’ve slept later and later…
And later.
Today it hit me that I was being passive aggressive with God.
Odd thought. But when I started to look at it I realized that was exactly what I was doing. Without allowing my conscience to process it, I’d decided if God wasn’t going to answer my prayers and make things easier to handle, then I’d just sleep more to feel better.
It didn’t work.
So this morning I got honest with God. I poured out all the things I wanted Him to change and exactly what I thought of Him not changing them. Then I apologized for playing games with Him.
It felt good to cry. Good to come like a little child caught with her hand in the cookie jar: humbly embarrassed over my foolish actions, but confident God had forgiven and loved me still.
Then I asked Him to show me how to stay present with Him in the pain and not run from it. How to keep praising Him in the storm when the experience of His closeness faded.
He took me back to a place I’d forgotten. The place where I used to run at the first sign of trouble.
God took me back to the Psalms.
Asaph’s lament in Psalm 77 echoed through time and resonated in my soul. “Will He never show His favor again? Has God forgotten to be merciful?”
I felt the Lord whisper, “I do understand how you feel, Amy. I see you. I know.”
The reminder that I’m not invisible in my pain, that God is not ignoring me broke the vice grip that pain had clamped around my heart.
Reading on, the next words took my weary mind and body and wrapped them in a warm embrace.
“I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds…You are the God who performs miracles.”
“Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.”
In black and white, there was the simple truth of missing footprints.
Even when His presence in our lives feels absent, He is still here. And He’s already walked through the mighty waters.
So that we can too.
It hasn't worked.
But lately it's not been pure circadian rhythms that have kept me in bed. It’s been more along the lines of dreading another day’s trials. And instead of getting up anyway to spend time with God in the morning, I’ve slept later and later…
And later.
Today it hit me that I was being passive aggressive with God.
Odd thought. But when I started to look at it I realized that was exactly what I was doing. Without allowing my conscience to process it, I’d decided if God wasn’t going to answer my prayers and make things easier to handle, then I’d just sleep more to feel better.
It didn’t work.
So this morning I got honest with God. I poured out all the things I wanted Him to change and exactly what I thought of Him not changing them. Then I apologized for playing games with Him.
It felt good to cry. Good to come like a little child caught with her hand in the cookie jar: humbly embarrassed over my foolish actions, but confident God had forgiven and loved me still.
Then I asked Him to show me how to stay present with Him in the pain and not run from it. How to keep praising Him in the storm when the experience of His closeness faded.
He took me back to a place I’d forgotten. The place where I used to run at the first sign of trouble.
God took me back to the Psalms.
Asaph’s lament in Psalm 77 echoed through time and resonated in my soul. “Will He never show His favor again? Has God forgotten to be merciful?”
I felt the Lord whisper, “I do understand how you feel, Amy. I see you. I know.”
The reminder that I’m not invisible in my pain, that God is not ignoring me broke the vice grip that pain had clamped around my heart.
Reading on, the next words took my weary mind and body and wrapped them in a warm embrace.
“I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds…You are the God who performs miracles.”
“Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.”
In black and white, there was the simple truth of missing footprints.
Even when His presence in our lives feels absent, He is still here. And He’s already walked through the mighty waters.
So that we can too.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Praise in the storm
There's a song about the storms of life that I can't get out of my heart and I suppose that's a good thing. Except the song I'd rather have is one where life is rosy and without trials.
Guess that one will have to wait until Heaven.
Here are the lyrics....
I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen," and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
This is Casting Crowns song "Praise You in This Storm." And it's a fitting anthem for where I continue to find myself these days.
I'd hoped 2007 would be different than 2006. Funny thing is the same stresses and fears are pounding my heart and tearing at my faith, but I'm different.
And God is not.
He's still here.
It's so easy to forget that when physical and emotional pain pummel like an unrelenting winter blizzard.
When all I want is to come in from the rain and never be away from the warm fire and shelter again.
But that’s not life down here.
On planet earth we are daily faced with the “pray harder, stretch farther, and just get it done” attitude that comes from within and without. We live with bodies that grow older each day and illnesses that strip away our smiles like the last leaf of autumn in a thunderstorm.
But we don’t have to collapse and let the storm destroy us. Or our faith.
Easier said than done, yes.
But it can be done. In Christ. By believing the Truth. By lifting our weary and wet hands and remembering…
He’s still here.
And that makes a difference because when we look in His face we can rest assured He knows the purpose and plan for our lives. He knows what we can’t see. Regardless of whether we understand or not, He has measured our burdens and charted our path for good.
For glory.
That truth may not keep the bite out of the wind, but if we allow the Holy Spirit to whisper to us of Home, of God’s love, His provision and protection~ no matter how invisible they seem~ we’ll catch a glimpse of the sun again.
And maybe even pause and rest a bit in the light and shelter of the Son.
Then when we stand to walk again we’ll do so in His strength, knowing there is an end to this rain. It’s coming.
Until then, we can praise Him in the storm and fix our eyes firmly toward Home.
Guess that one will have to wait until Heaven.
Here are the lyrics....
I was sure by now
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen," and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
This is Casting Crowns song "Praise You in This Storm." And it's a fitting anthem for where I continue to find myself these days.
I'd hoped 2007 would be different than 2006. Funny thing is the same stresses and fears are pounding my heart and tearing at my faith, but I'm different.
And God is not.
He's still here.
It's so easy to forget that when physical and emotional pain pummel like an unrelenting winter blizzard.
When all I want is to come in from the rain and never be away from the warm fire and shelter again.
But that’s not life down here.
On planet earth we are daily faced with the “pray harder, stretch farther, and just get it done” attitude that comes from within and without. We live with bodies that grow older each day and illnesses that strip away our smiles like the last leaf of autumn in a thunderstorm.
But we don’t have to collapse and let the storm destroy us. Or our faith.
Easier said than done, yes.
But it can be done. In Christ. By believing the Truth. By lifting our weary and wet hands and remembering…
He’s still here.
And that makes a difference because when we look in His face we can rest assured He knows the purpose and plan for our lives. He knows what we can’t see. Regardless of whether we understand or not, He has measured our burdens and charted our path for good.
For glory.
That truth may not keep the bite out of the wind, but if we allow the Holy Spirit to whisper to us of Home, of God’s love, His provision and protection~ no matter how invisible they seem~ we’ll catch a glimpse of the sun again.
And maybe even pause and rest a bit in the light and shelter of the Son.
Then when we stand to walk again we’ll do so in His strength, knowing there is an end to this rain. It’s coming.
Until then, we can praise Him in the storm and fix our eyes firmly toward Home.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Arms of Deliverance blog tour
Arms of Deliverance is a book written by a dear friend, Tricia Goyer, who is a master at writing haunting depictions of the autocracies of war and the triumph of faith. Through the power of story Tricia brings history alive.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tricia Goyer has written hundreds of articles, Bible Study notes, and both fiction (three WWII novels: From Dust to Ashes, Night Song and Dawn of a Thousand Nights) and non-fiction books. She's married to John, and they have three great kids whom she homeschools: Cory (17), Leslie (14), and Nathan (12). They make their home in Northwest Montana with their dog, Lilly. And especially for Gen Xers: Tricia's parenting blog Generation NeXt
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Arms of Deliverance
The fourth and final novel in this exhilarating series capturing the tales of men and women swept into World War II.
EUROPE, 1944
Katrine, a Czech Jew, is so successful in her attempt to pass as an Aryan that she finds herself dating a Nazi officer. Having convinced him of her genetic purity, the officer sends her to stay at a Lebensborn home--a Nazi breeding program in which children are raised and indoctrinated by the state.
Meanwhile, two friends, Mary and Lee, one a socialite, the other a working class girl, land similar reporting jobs at the New York Tribune on the eve of the war’s outbreak. Now rivals with assignments on the frontlines of war-torn Europe, Lee joins troops sailing for Normandy, while Mary's destiny lies in the cramped quarters of a B-17 bearing down on Berlin. Before the presses roll, their lives will be indelibly marked by a caring American navigator, brave French resistors, and a maniacal Nazi officer. Arms of Deliverance is a story of unexpected redemption.
Read Chapter One on Tricia's Blog.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Ten Things About Parenting
Here's my tongue in cheek take on parenting. Enjoy! And please let me know I'm not the only one who's often worn out by the monumental task of parenting but loves my kids to infinity and beyond. ;-)
Ten Things I Wish I'd Known About Parenting
1) Three year olds really do think they rule the world.
2) So do tweens.
3) Mommies really can take a nap and the world will not self-destruct.
4) Pet fish aren't flushable; they must be buried.
5) Chocolate is a food group.
6) Children can be reasoned with and will be obedient...as long as there's chocolate involved.
7) A piece of chocolate not only makes the medicine go down, but also peas, broccoli, and carrots too.
8) Subtle hints will be categorically ignored.
9) As "the baby" grows up, moms learn how to cry and cheer at the same time.
10) That the same instruction can be repeated ad nauseam and still be ignored...but somehow they really do "get it." Eventually.
1) Three year olds really do think they rule the world.
2) So do tweens.
3) Mommies really can take a nap and the world will not self-destruct.
4) Pet fish aren't flushable; they must be buried.
5) Chocolate is a food group.
6) Children can be reasoned with and will be obedient...as long as there's chocolate involved.
7) A piece of chocolate not only makes the medicine go down, but also peas, broccoli, and carrots too.
8) Subtle hints will be categorically ignored.
9) As "the baby" grows up, moms learn how to cry and cheer at the same time.
10) That the same instruction can be repeated ad nauseam and still be ignored...but somehow they really do "get it." Eventually.
For those of you who don't know "the rest of the story" here's a little bit about me... Amy is married to a hunk, a homeschool mom of 3, writer, youth Bible study
leader, and avid chocoholic. Those are some of the hats she loves to wear,
but who Amy really is can be summed up in this: Amy is a daughter of the
King learning to live and love with laughter.
leader, and avid chocoholic. Those are some of the hats she loves to wear,
but who Amy really is can be summed up in this: Amy is a daughter of the
King learning to live and love with laughter.
Defenders of Hope~ There's still time to sign up for the DOH newsletter and enter to win an amazing gift basket of books, chocolate, Starbuck's gift card, and DOH merchandise!
And for those of you who do know me and love me anyway, thanks for hanging out here and listening to me jabber away.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Looking back to move ahead
Sometimes it's good to take a minute and reflect on where you've been. To remember the lessons learned in the past. Mistakes too, so maybe next time around they won't get repeated.
Here's my list for 2006:
1) Living a dream is awesome, but like true worship it costs a great deal.
2) Family time lost will never be regained. But instead of wishing for a different season of life or more hours in a day, I can make the best of what I've been given and cherish the moments I have.
3) Putting my behind in my chair is the best way to meet a deadline. But I have to get out of that chair to exercise or I'll stop fitting into said seat.
4) The wide-eyed wonder of Christmas doesn't have to get packed away with the decorations. A glimpse can be caught even on sick days when everyone is snuggled up watching a favorite movie. It's in those unexpected moments I've found the best reminders to wonder and worship.
5) Treating my husband and myself to an overnight spa trip for our 12th anniversary was an excellent way to usher in a year of REST.
6) The best things in life come when I stop trying to capture them and simply live them.
7) Life is a journey where bad stuff happens, and it's easier to flop down ask "why?" then it is to trust anyway and keep walking. But the why's don't make life any easier to swallow. The strength to get up the next day only comes from remembering God is God and whatever the reasons the simple truth is we are loved and there is a good future for us~ guaranteed.
8) I don't have to keep up with the Joneses or the Clarks or any other "ideal" family, writer, Christian, etc. I am me and my job here is to love God, obey Him, and leave the consequences and how others judge them in His hands. (I'm sure this lesson will show up on my next year's list too because I need the reminder often.)
9) There is suffering in the world and in my backyard that I'll never be able to fix or understand. But I can pray. And only then can I do whatever God shows me to do.
10) There is great joy and reason to celebrate in the world and in my backyard. For them I can be thankful and remember both the rain and the sun come from the all-wise and loving hand of God.
For those of you who know the tears behind every number on this short list, thank you. For your prayers, your listening ear, and your needed reminders to keep walking.
For those of you who have allowed me the privilege of sharing some of your tears and smiles, thank you. Your love and friendship are treasured gifts.
Here's to moving ahead and daily asking with childlike faith, "Daddy, what adventure awaits us today?"
Here's my list for 2006:
1) Living a dream is awesome, but like true worship it costs a great deal.
2) Family time lost will never be regained. But instead of wishing for a different season of life or more hours in a day, I can make the best of what I've been given and cherish the moments I have.
3) Putting my behind in my chair is the best way to meet a deadline. But I have to get out of that chair to exercise or I'll stop fitting into said seat.
4) The wide-eyed wonder of Christmas doesn't have to get packed away with the decorations. A glimpse can be caught even on sick days when everyone is snuggled up watching a favorite movie. It's in those unexpected moments I've found the best reminders to wonder and worship.
5) Treating my husband and myself to an overnight spa trip for our 12th anniversary was an excellent way to usher in a year of REST.
6) The best things in life come when I stop trying to capture them and simply live them.
7) Life is a journey where bad stuff happens, and it's easier to flop down ask "why?" then it is to trust anyway and keep walking. But the why's don't make life any easier to swallow. The strength to get up the next day only comes from remembering God is God and whatever the reasons the simple truth is we are loved and there is a good future for us~ guaranteed.
8) I don't have to keep up with the Joneses or the Clarks or any other "ideal" family, writer, Christian, etc. I am me and my job here is to love God, obey Him, and leave the consequences and how others judge them in His hands. (I'm sure this lesson will show up on my next year's list too because I need the reminder often.)
9) There is suffering in the world and in my backyard that I'll never be able to fix or understand. But I can pray. And only then can I do whatever God shows me to do.
10) There is great joy and reason to celebrate in the world and in my backyard. For them I can be thankful and remember both the rain and the sun come from the all-wise and loving hand of God.
For those of you who know the tears behind every number on this short list, thank you. For your prayers, your listening ear, and your needed reminders to keep walking.
For those of you who have allowed me the privilege of sharing some of your tears and smiles, thank you. Your love and friendship are treasured gifts.
Here's to moving ahead and daily asking with childlike faith, "Daddy, what adventure awaits us today?"
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Welcome to 2007!!!
I'm excited to be back at work (some moments; others I'm still totally missing my beautiful Christmas tree and all the caroled reminders of God with us) and back to doing some blog tours.
Pray for me as I work through a tight deadline for my galleys (pages and pages of Ransomed Dreams in book form that are my last chance to catch any mistakes) and as I start writing book 3. This book will be the toughest yet because of content and the research awaiting me in January.
Now for the blog tour...
This week's author is VERY SPECIAL to me. She's my mentor, friend, and all-around amazing woman. The featured book is part of a series I've been privileged to see built from scratch and the stories are as beautiful as the heart they flow from. Enjoy!
This is Marilynn Griffith. Isn't she awesome??? I love the bio found on her website where you can read more about the amazing topics Mary speaks on and find more info on her Serious Fun fiction parties or book club call-ins.
About Mary...
Marilynn Griffith is mom to a tribe, wife to a deacon and proof that God gives second chances. While best known for her colorful novels about friendship, family and faith, Marilynn is also a speaker and nonfiction writer. Her nonfiction has been included in CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN'S SOUL and several other devotionals and magazines. Currently, Marilynn is editor of the SISTAHFAITH:BELIEVING BEYOND SHAME anthology. She is also the founder of Faithchick.com, a devotional site for women.
Marilynn is the author of six novels dealing with issues such as teen pregnancy, AIDS, abstinence, stress relief, single parenting and marriage. Her novels include Made of Honor (Steeple Hill, Jan. 2006), Pink (Revell, Feb. 2006), Jade (Revell, June 2006), and If the Shoe Fits (Revell, 2007). Marilynn has served as Vice President and Publicity Officer of American Christian Fiction Writers. She speaks to youth, women and writers about believing beyond boundaries and daring to reach dreams. Marilynn lives in Florida with her husband and seven children whom she taught at home for seven years.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Tangerine is the third book in the Shades of Style Novels.
Fans of Pink and Jade will eat up Tangerine, the third book in the cutting-edge Shades of Style series. Jean Guerra, a designer at Garments of Praise design firm, doesn't like surprises. These days though, the unexpected meets her everywhere. Since Jean's return to the church a year ago, her God-encounters occur with increasing frequency, along with thoughts of her husband-the one she vowed to divorce and gave up on long ago. The one nobody at work knows about, not even her best friend, Lily, or her boss, Chenille. But when the designer assigned to work with Jean on a line of men's suits shows up, her heart flips. It's her husband, Nigel Salvador. Jean is finally rendered speechless. Can her bruised heart become whole enough to love again? Or will she remain in the trenches of loneliness forever?
Amy here: Mary's books are sure to engage and challenge you to think and dream beyond boundaries. I hope you'll check out Tangerine and the other Shades of Style novels. Be sure to check out the acknowledgements pages too... everything Mary writes is time well spent reading.
Happy 2007!
Pray for me as I work through a tight deadline for my galleys (pages and pages of Ransomed Dreams in book form that are my last chance to catch any mistakes) and as I start writing book 3. This book will be the toughest yet because of content and the research awaiting me in January.
Now for the blog tour...
This week's author is VERY SPECIAL to me. She's my mentor, friend, and all-around amazing woman. The featured book is part of a series I've been privileged to see built from scratch and the stories are as beautiful as the heart they flow from. Enjoy!
This is Marilynn Griffith. Isn't she awesome??? I love the bio found on her website where you can read more about the amazing topics Mary speaks on and find more info on her Serious Fun fiction parties or book club call-ins.
About Mary...
Marilynn Griffith is mom to a tribe, wife to a deacon and proof that God gives second chances. While best known for her colorful novels about friendship, family and faith, Marilynn is also a speaker and nonfiction writer. Her nonfiction has been included in CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN'S SOUL and several other devotionals and magazines. Currently, Marilynn is editor of the SISTAHFAITH:BELIEVING BEYOND SHAME anthology. She is also the founder of Faithchick.com, a devotional site for women.
Marilynn is the author of six novels dealing with issues such as teen pregnancy, AIDS, abstinence, stress relief, single parenting and marriage. Her novels include Made of Honor (Steeple Hill, Jan. 2006), Pink (Revell, Feb. 2006), Jade (Revell, June 2006), and If the Shoe Fits (Revell, 2007). Marilynn has served as Vice President and Publicity Officer of American Christian Fiction Writers. She speaks to youth, women and writers about believing beyond boundaries and daring to reach dreams. Marilynn lives in Florida with her husband and seven children whom she taught at home for seven years.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Tangerine is the third book in the Shades of Style Novels.
Fans of Pink and Jade will eat up Tangerine, the third book in the cutting-edge Shades of Style series. Jean Guerra, a designer at Garments of Praise design firm, doesn't like surprises. These days though, the unexpected meets her everywhere. Since Jean's return to the church a year ago, her God-encounters occur with increasing frequency, along with thoughts of her husband-the one she vowed to divorce and gave up on long ago. The one nobody at work knows about, not even her best friend, Lily, or her boss, Chenille. But when the designer assigned to work with Jean on a line of men's suits shows up, her heart flips. It's her husband, Nigel Salvador. Jean is finally rendered speechless. Can her bruised heart become whole enough to love again? Or will she remain in the trenches of loneliness forever?
Amy here: Mary's books are sure to engage and challenge you to think and dream beyond boundaries. I hope you'll check out Tangerine and the other Shades of Style novels. Be sure to check out the acknowledgements pages too... everything Mary writes is time well spent reading.
Happy 2007!
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Celebrate Anyway
Tomorrow while many are ringing in 2007 I will be celebrating my 12th wedding anniversary (and ringing in 2007 as I happily say good-bye to 2006).Here's my PSA about New Year's Eve weddings...It's great for the wedding and awesome to help you remember your anniversary. But BAD with a capital B for getting a baby-sitter when the kiddos join you.
Thankfully, tomorrow grandparents are keeping our kiddos so my hubby and I can spend the night at a near-by Chateau in the mountains. We'll dance, eat some fabulous food, and likely reminisce about our 12 years of married life.
Then again, maybe we won't do the memory lane walk. Why? Because our 12 years have been anything but the happily ever after fairytale. I love my husband and he loves me, but when we got married we still had A LOT of growing up to do. And that makes the normal fights about toilet paper and toothpaste tons harder.
We've weathered Christmases where we didn't think we'd make it to our anniversary still married. There were a few we almost didn't.
But God is still on His throne and for reasons only He understands He would not allow either one of us to sign divorce papers. Where I sit at the edge of 2006, I'm thankful. Very thankful.
God is far from through with me, my husband, or our marriage. And after a few years of far more good days than bad, I can name many reasons to celebrate our anniversary.
Here's the short list:
We have three precious, delightful kiddos and one waiting for us in heaven with Jesus.
My husband and I are now walking in freedom from the addiction that nearly destroyed us.
We know without a doubt God DOES take you THROUGH the hell on earth times. We've lived some of them and survived to see the other side.
God has shown us He is faithful and always present when no human can be.
My husband and I still love to dream together.
We're still committed to helping each other achieve those dreams and teaching our kids that with God all things are possible. Dream big.
After 12 years there are some great photos in our albums to remind us there were good moments.
Those same photos remind us there will be more good times ahead.
We still love long walks and snuggling up by Christmas tree light.
God has used our story to show one more facet of His amazing grace.
We've learned the immeasurable value of growth because we've seen how far we've come.
My husband and I still look at each other like we did on our wedding day when we thought we'd found "the One." We did. We still do.
So even though my husband and I haven't reached the 12 year mark without scars, we have reached it. That alone is a reason to celebrate anyway.
As we look back on 2006, I have a feeling there are many like us who won't be jumping into 2007 without the scars to prove life is hard. But instead of wishing for a different set of memories...
I pray you'll join me in receiving the good things God has for us in 2007. Not grasping for them or striving after the wind and changes that only God can accomplish. But opening your hands and hearts to accept God's very arms around you, carrying you through the tough times, rejoicing with you in the victories, and singing over you all the time.
A favorite quote comes to mind from the pages of King David's life...
"I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God that which cost me nothing." (2 Samuel 24:24)
That's how I look with joyful expectation as I glance back on the last 12 years and then look ahead toward the future. Because I know that with every fallen tear and every hardship endured, in giving them back to God and praising Him still, He will receive the offering.
He will strengthen and settle us.
He will be near us.
He will comfort us.
He will grow us up even more.
And through it all He will sing over us and smile.
Because He knows the end of the story. One day we will too.
But I doubt I'll care a bit about the why's then. Because when that time comes, I'll actually get to see Jesus face to face.
And never again lose sight of His loving smile. Not for a single second.
In the meantime, I will celebrate and praise Him anyway. Because that's what He created me to do. He created me to dance with Him and remember His goodness even so.
Happy 2007!!! May it be for you a leap closer to your Heavenly Daddy through the sunshine and the tears. Here's to the rainbows ahead.
Happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Word for the year
At the suggestion of a good friend and fellow blogger, Mary Griffith , I started praying and asking God to show me a word for the year. One small string of letters to help me focus on God and a word that would summarize what He has in store for the coming year.
For 2006 the word God gave me was ENJOY. A Word for the heart is the post I wrote about the vision God put before me for 2006. Here's a little excerpt...
Enjoy the sunrises I’m blessed to see, the precious moments I have talking with my Daddy before the day swings into motion, connecting with my hubby, the sweet hugs of my girls, talking with my friends, and feeling the pleasure of God as I do the work He’s called and created me to do.
The vision God cast before me, including my word for the year, can be summed up in one simple favorite phrase John Piper slightly altered from the Westminster Shorter Catechism …
The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.
Last night my husband and I sat by the Christmas tree and talked over 2006. Sadness cloaked my heart as I remembered all the ways I'd failed to ENJOY God in the past year. All the sicknesses and my grumbling about them, the pressures of book deadlines, and missed time with my family. I felt heart weary at the realization I'd failed to understand and live out my word for 2006.
But before I went to bed, God whispered a new word for 2007 and a few needed reminders:
"I will never give up on you."
And that He never measures me the way I do: with a scale, popularity vote, a mirror, or praises. He simply loves me. He loves you too.
2006 is slipping through our hands and 2007 looms large on the horizon. But God has already been there. He knows what's ahead. And He isn't at all upset by what we think we didn't accomplish in the last 12 months. He knew that too.
Last year when the Lord cast the vision before me there was with it a clear reminder to simply trust Him, to rest in Him with a quiet heart.
I failed more than I succeeded.
But God reminded me as I woke this morning there were times I lived my word for 2006. Times I truly ENJOYed Him and the myriad things He sent my way last year. Times when His life was lived through me.
Not my success. HIM.
So my word for 2007 brings me hope that God is indeed not finished with me yet. Because this word includes all the lessons of 2006 that are tucked in my heart, and all the ones I’m still struggling to understand.
God’s word for me in 2007 is REST.
If it’s anything like last year’s word it won’t be the fun I looked forward to with the hope that ENJOY meant I’d have a happy and exciting 2006.
A year wiser, I’m looking forward to the lessons of 2007 knowing there will be hard fought battles, tear filled circumstances, and quiet times of refreshing.
Those battles and tears go hand in hand with the refreshing like two sides of a coin.
This coming year my heart’s desire is again to know God and to step deeper into His REST. I already know He’s there, having prepared in advance the good things He has in store for me to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
For you too. Will you simply trust Him and in rest in Him with a quiet heart?
Or maybe He has a different word for you. I pray you’ll ask Him to show you. When He does, please let me know. I’d love to pray with you about it too.
Together let's look forward to 2007… a year full of promise and possibility.
For 2006 the word God gave me was ENJOY. A Word for the heart is the post I wrote about the vision God put before me for 2006. Here's a little excerpt...
Enjoy the sunrises I’m blessed to see, the precious moments I have talking with my Daddy before the day swings into motion, connecting with my hubby, the sweet hugs of my girls, talking with my friends, and feeling the pleasure of God as I do the work He’s called and created me to do.
The vision God cast before me, including my word for the year, can be summed up in one simple favorite phrase John Piper slightly altered from the Westminster Shorter Catechism …
The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever.
Last night my husband and I sat by the Christmas tree and talked over 2006. Sadness cloaked my heart as I remembered all the ways I'd failed to ENJOY God in the past year. All the sicknesses and my grumbling about them, the pressures of book deadlines, and missed time with my family. I felt heart weary at the realization I'd failed to understand and live out my word for 2006.
But before I went to bed, God whispered a new word for 2007 and a few needed reminders:
"I will never give up on you."
And that He never measures me the way I do: with a scale, popularity vote, a mirror, or praises. He simply loves me. He loves you too.
2006 is slipping through our hands and 2007 looms large on the horizon. But God has already been there. He knows what's ahead. And He isn't at all upset by what we think we didn't accomplish in the last 12 months. He knew that too.
Last year when the Lord cast the vision before me there was with it a clear reminder to simply trust Him, to rest in Him with a quiet heart.
I failed more than I succeeded.
But God reminded me as I woke this morning there were times I lived my word for 2006. Times I truly ENJOYed Him and the myriad things He sent my way last year. Times when His life was lived through me.
Not my success. HIM.
So my word for 2007 brings me hope that God is indeed not finished with me yet. Because this word includes all the lessons of 2006 that are tucked in my heart, and all the ones I’m still struggling to understand.
God’s word for me in 2007 is REST.
If it’s anything like last year’s word it won’t be the fun I looked forward to with the hope that ENJOY meant I’d have a happy and exciting 2006.
A year wiser, I’m looking forward to the lessons of 2007 knowing there will be hard fought battles, tear filled circumstances, and quiet times of refreshing.
Those battles and tears go hand in hand with the refreshing like two sides of a coin.
This coming year my heart’s desire is again to know God and to step deeper into His REST. I already know He’s there, having prepared in advance the good things He has in store for me to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
For you too. Will you simply trust Him and in rest in Him with a quiet heart?
Or maybe He has a different word for you. I pray you’ll ask Him to show you. When He does, please let me know. I’d love to pray with you about it too.
Together let's look forward to 2007… a year full of promise and possibility.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
A Christmas Thought
I have endeavoured in this Ghostly little book, to raise the Ghost of an Idea, which shall not put my readers out of humour with themselves, with each other, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly, and no one wish to lay it.
Their faithful Friend and Servant,
C. D.
December, 1843
And from the first words, "Marley was dead, to begin with." to the famous last ones, "God bless Us, Every One!" this little book of five staves or chapters has held my family captivated and gone beyond raising a Ghost of an Idea.
We've talked about Christmas kindness and charity, and why old Scrooge needed the three ghosts to truly "see." And we've touched on what we need to see too. But today I saw my two favorite lines lived out and just how much I have yet to see.
The first line is from Fred, Scrooge's nephew:
"I mean to give him the same chance every year, whether he likes it or not, for I pity him. He may rail at Christmas till he dies, but he can't help thinking better of it~ I defy him ~ if he finds me going there, in good temper, year after year, and saying, 'Uncle Scrooge, how are you?'"
I love this quote because it reminds me in simple human terms how one small act of kindness, repeated no matter how it's received, has the power to change a heart.
The second quote is one that I can barely read through the emotion tightening my throat:
"... for it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself."
What I saw today that made these lines come alive was my children playing. The application of the second quote is pretty easy to see, but what hit me this afternoon was that Jesus was a child himself.
Maybe you’ve already considered that, but watching my children run for the sheer joy of running brought that thought alive. I can imagine Jesus doing the very same thing.
Me doing that takes far more imagination. Therein is the more I have yet to see.
Another pondering point based on the line about doing a kindness over and over no matter how it’s received came from watching my children go from running for joy to pestering. (Yes, Virginia, my kids really aren’t perfect angels. Though they come mighty close as true messengers of God to this mommy’s heart.)
It’s what I saw next that reminded me of Fred’s lines. After they were told to come inside and asked about their behavior, both sat quietly and prayed. Then they talked to each other and apologized for being mean, asking forgiveness for their actions.
This in and of itself is not a startling thing because it happens at least once a day in our home. We often live the truth that forgiveness is a daily requirement. What opened my eyes was that day after day and year after year my children offer to me and to each other a grand act of kindness… forgiveness. And they do it as a normal part of life.
I have so much to learn in that. And I’m praying I won't need three spirits to hammer the point home. ;-) I like my sleep too much.
I’m sure there are dozens upon dozens of deeper and weightier lessons to be learned from A Christmas Carol. But for today this is what my heart is pondering…
The grand kindness of day after day, year after year forgiveness.
The wide-eyed wonder of children at Christmastime and how I, like its mighty Founder, can be a child too.
May you also come as children this Christmas, regardless of circumstances, and worship. It is a gift we give to our great God and to ourselves at the same time.
Merry Christmas!!!
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Family Support
Isn't this picture awesome??? In case it's hard to decipher the details, this picture is all about love.And the support my awesome family gives me every day.
My middle princess gave me this card printed with "famle mal" on the outside. (That's 'family mail' phonetically since she did this all on her own during a quite time one afternoon.)
On the inside is her rendition of my first book cover and the keyboard that I'm attached to many days.
She gave it to me beaming a smile alight with six-year-old pride not only in her gift, but that mommy does something mommy loves and she's a part of it.
She's also beaming because mommy is taking some much needed time off to do cookie baking and ornament making. I'm loving that too. We're not doing much hustle and bustle now that the ballet recital is over and the twenty dozen cookies are mostly all given away to teachers and neighbors. We'll be spending the last few weeks of this year reading The Christmas Carol, singing songs, and sharing giggles.
I'm also going to take my little girl's advice written on the inside of this special card. She wrote simply, "Dear mommy, have a fun Happy Birthday God!"
I hope you will join us in wishing Jesus a very special Happy Birthday with a few moments of restful quiet wrapped up in family.
Merry Christmas!!!
Monday, December 04, 2006
What do you wish you'd have known?
A good friend of mine got me started doing these lists about life and once I typed one, I couldn't stop. So now you all get to hear them. ;-) Below is my list about what I wish I'd have known about life. If you'd like to hear more, check out this blog of Tricia Goyer and her GenX blog too.
10 Things I Wish I'd Known about Life
by Amy Wallace
1) What many people didn't learn in Kindergarten, they didn't learn in college either.
2) Choosing to be kind might not get you further "up the ladder" but it will make falling asleep at night much easier.
3) It really does take more muscles to frown than to smile and that's energy wasted.
4) A good night's sleep covers a multitude of sins you might otherwise commit.
5) Chocolate might not be good for the backside, but it's great for the heart.
6) Walking probably is better than chocolate, but it's not near as much fun.
7) A good kiss burns far more calories and less bridges than a fight.
8) Words spoken in anger have the worst boomerang effect.
9) Chocolate body paint only sounds like a fun idea.
10) Each day is a precious gift best unwrapped after a strong cup of coffee and a good dose of prayer.
If I'm spreading the list addiction, please leave me a note with your great list ideas in the comments or email me and I'll share your ideas with a link to your blog too.
Merry Christmas y'all!!!
10 Things I Wish I'd Known about Life
by Amy Wallace
1) What many people didn't learn in Kindergarten, they didn't learn in college either.
2) Choosing to be kind might not get you further "up the ladder" but it will make falling asleep at night much easier.
3) It really does take more muscles to frown than to smile and that's energy wasted.
4) A good night's sleep covers a multitude of sins you might otherwise commit.
5) Chocolate might not be good for the backside, but it's great for the heart.
6) Walking probably is better than chocolate, but it's not near as much fun.
7) A good kiss burns far more calories and less bridges than a fight.
8) Words spoken in anger have the worst boomerang effect.
9) Chocolate body paint only sounds like a fun idea.
10) Each day is a precious gift best unwrapped after a strong cup of coffee and a good dose of prayer.
If I'm spreading the list addiction, please leave me a note with your great list ideas in the comments or email me and I'll share your ideas with a link to your blog too.
Merry Christmas y'all!!!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Cool stories for parents and kids!
I'd like to introduce you all to an author whose website is as cool as his books. My kiddos have yet to make it through a Narnia book, but when they do I'll be heading to the store for the books highlighted below...
Christian parents are finally offered a true Potter alternative...All the adventure of Harry Potter...None of the sorcery!
Landon Snow and The Island of Arcanum
by R.K.Mortenson, published by Barbour Publishing (October 2006).
About the AUTHOR:
R.K.Mortenson is an ordained minister with the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. He has been writing devotional and inspirational articles since 1995. He currently serves as a navy chaplain in Florida and lives with his wife, daughter and son in Jacksonville.
Randy got the idea for this series one late night, when flute music woke him from a sound sleep. As he stood at his window, trying to locate the source of the sound, he spied a library across the lawn. Suddenly, he envisioned an eleven-year-old sneaking out of his bed and stealing to the library in the dead of night...And thus Landon Snow was born.
The BOOK:
In the latest adventure of Landon Snow And the Island of Arcanum, Landon, once again visits his grandparents in Button Up, Minnesota. If your familiar with the first two books, Landon Snow and the Auctor's Riddle, and Landon Snow and The Shadows of Malus Quidam, you'll know that Landon's adventures always start at the Library in Button Up.
This time, Landon's most dangerous journey yet, begins in a rowboat-shaped tombstone that floats. And it's lucky for him that it floats because a few drips from the library ceiling turns into a powerful waterfall.
The stone turns into wood. The stone book propped up in the prow of the boat turns to paper. The left page says "ANCHOR". The right page says "AWEIGH".
"Anchor aweigh?" said Landon.
Holly whispered, "Did you hear that?"
No one has time to respond, however. The next instant saw the water before them dropping away as the water behind them grew into a giant swell, pitching them headlong into the abyss.
Landon will have to protect his two younger sisters, Holly and Bridget, who wind up in the boat with him headed towards The Island of Arcanum. On the Island, the animals of Wonderwood are imprisoned and the evil shadows of Landon's nemesis, Malus Quidam lurk!
With the help of some old friends, a horse named Melech, an odd fellow named Hardy, a girl named Ditty, and the poet/prophet Vates--Landon seeks to unlock the island's dark secrets and escape with the animals intact.
But first, he must navigate his way through unchartered waters and battle the villainous Archans...Can Landon and his friends rescue the animals from deep within the island's stronghold?
Cool author tidbit...
Landon Snow short story is appearing in Focus on the Family's Clubhouse magazine for kids in December. The story is already online at their R.K.Mortenson will be talking about his adoption experiences at Heather Ivester's mom2momconnection blog next week. It's not about the books, but something even more important: kids.
Christian parents are finally offered a true Potter alternative...All the adventure of Harry Potter...None of the sorcery!
Landon Snow and The Island of Arcanum
by R.K.Mortenson, published by Barbour Publishing (October 2006).
About the AUTHOR:
R.K.Mortenson is an ordained minister with the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. He has been writing devotional and inspirational articles since 1995. He currently serves as a navy chaplain in Florida and lives with his wife, daughter and son in Jacksonville.
Randy got the idea for this series one late night, when flute music woke him from a sound sleep. As he stood at his window, trying to locate the source of the sound, he spied a library across the lawn. Suddenly, he envisioned an eleven-year-old sneaking out of his bed and stealing to the library in the dead of night...And thus Landon Snow was born.
The BOOK:
In the latest adventure of Landon Snow And the Island of Arcanum, Landon, once again visits his grandparents in Button Up, Minnesota. If your familiar with the first two books, Landon Snow and the Auctor's Riddle, and Landon Snow and The Shadows of Malus Quidam, you'll know that Landon's adventures always start at the Library in Button Up.
This time, Landon's most dangerous journey yet, begins in a rowboat-shaped tombstone that floats. And it's lucky for him that it floats because a few drips from the library ceiling turns into a powerful waterfall.
The stone turns into wood. The stone book propped up in the prow of the boat turns to paper. The left page says "ANCHOR". The right page says "AWEIGH".
"Anchor aweigh?" said Landon.
Holly whispered, "Did you hear that?"
No one has time to respond, however. The next instant saw the water before them dropping away as the water behind them grew into a giant swell, pitching them headlong into the abyss.
Landon will have to protect his two younger sisters, Holly and Bridget, who wind up in the boat with him headed towards The Island of Arcanum. On the Island, the animals of Wonderwood are imprisoned and the evil shadows of Landon's nemesis, Malus Quidam lurk!
With the help of some old friends, a horse named Melech, an odd fellow named Hardy, a girl named Ditty, and the poet/prophet Vates--Landon seeks to unlock the island's dark secrets and escape with the animals intact.
But first, he must navigate his way through unchartered waters and battle the villainous Archans...Can Landon and his friends rescue the animals from deep within the island's stronghold?
Cool author tidbit...
Landon Snow short story is appearing in Focus on the Family's Clubhouse magazine for kids in December. The story is already online at their R.K.Mortenson will be talking about his adoption experiences at Heather Ivester's mom2momconnection blog next week. It's not about the books, but something even more important: kids.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
And the winner is...
Hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! Ours was very nice and very quiet...well as quiet as a house with three little ones can be. ;-)
Now that I have all my decorations up and gifts wrapped... (Please don't throw rotten tomatoes at the screen! It's self-preservation and protection of all mankind that I do not go into a Mall during the holidays.)
I'm kicking off December by giving some cool stuff away.
First up is Rachel Hauck's blog tour book Lost in NashVegas. Deborah was the blessed and happy winner of Rachel's new book.
We'll be doing more blog tours in the coming months, so keep checking back for those.
Next up are some fun Defenders of Hope items that we're giving away monthly and then some will be included in the Grand Prizes that will be given away in February on my website and in April at my book launch party.
We just ordered these way cool puzzles with the Ransomed Dreams full cover on them. Talk about amazing what they can do with a puzzle. We now have some yummy chocolate bars with a Ransomed Dreams wrapper, and those are over the top cool! My incredible web designer had a blast working on the wrappers with some fun stats on the back. The third DOH item is a Ransomed Dreams mug with a hard-for-me-to-give-away Starbucks gift card inside.
So how do you put your hands on these things???
Come visit the Defenders of Hope website and the Heart Chocolate site and sign up for the DOH newsletter.
Okay, now I'm done with the self-promotion stuff. Those of you who know me know how yucky it feels for me to say, "Hey, go buy my book!" At the same time, I hope you all know some of the why behind it. If not, here it is in a nutshell...
I write because God gave me the stories and nudged me little by little down this particular path. That's the (sometimes) easy part. It's the promotion that's far harder because so much seems like hawking wares. But the reality is my publisher, a Christian business, took a chance on me because they believed in the story I had to tell. The story I believe in or I wouldn't have told it in the first place.
So for me, promotion is my way of giving back to a publisher I believe in too. They will spend upwards of $50,000 just putting one novel out there. I want to be a good steward of both God and my publisher's money and their belief in me.
I also want to see Ransomed Dreams do well because God changed me in the writing of it and I pray He will use the reading of it to draw hearts closer to Him.
Do I hope to make money in promotion? I'd be lying if I said no. Yes, I would love to earn royalties and see Ransomed Dreams sell well so that I'll be offered another contract. But another reality of working in Christian industry is that I won't be earning money for exotic vacations or to have towel warmers in my bathroom (people really have those, but I'm not one of them). More like I'll put braces on my kids without going into debt, help my husband go back to school for his Masters, save for three little ones' college education, and help keep our used cars repaired and running.
Even after all that reality, my goal is that there are other winners in the promotion game. Who?
My hope and prayer is it's you all.
Deep down the reason I keep coming back to in why I do what I do is sheer obedience and the heart desire that God use me to serve and encourage you.
Please pray that I hit that mark with a bull’s-eye. Because in doing so, that brings glory to our loving heavenly Daddy.
And in the end, that’s what it’s all about.
Now that I have all my decorations up and gifts wrapped... (Please don't throw rotten tomatoes at the screen! It's self-preservation and protection of all mankind that I do not go into a Mall during the holidays.)
I'm kicking off December by giving some cool stuff away.
First up is Rachel Hauck's blog tour book Lost in NashVegas. Deborah was the blessed and happy winner of Rachel's new book.
We'll be doing more blog tours in the coming months, so keep checking back for those.
Next up are some fun Defenders of Hope items that we're giving away monthly and then some will be included in the Grand Prizes that will be given away in February on my website and in April at my book launch party.
We just ordered these way cool puzzles with the Ransomed Dreams full cover on them. Talk about amazing what they can do with a puzzle. We now have some yummy chocolate bars with a Ransomed Dreams wrapper, and those are over the top cool! My incredible web designer had a blast working on the wrappers with some fun stats on the back. The third DOH item is a Ransomed Dreams mug with a hard-for-me-to-give-away Starbucks gift card inside.
So how do you put your hands on these things???
Come visit the Defenders of Hope website and the Heart Chocolate site and sign up for the DOH newsletter.
Okay, now I'm done with the self-promotion stuff. Those of you who know me know how yucky it feels for me to say, "Hey, go buy my book!" At the same time, I hope you all know some of the why behind it. If not, here it is in a nutshell...
I write because God gave me the stories and nudged me little by little down this particular path. That's the (sometimes) easy part. It's the promotion that's far harder because so much seems like hawking wares. But the reality is my publisher, a Christian business, took a chance on me because they believed in the story I had to tell. The story I believe in or I wouldn't have told it in the first place.
So for me, promotion is my way of giving back to a publisher I believe in too. They will spend upwards of $50,000 just putting one novel out there. I want to be a good steward of both God and my publisher's money and their belief in me.
I also want to see Ransomed Dreams do well because God changed me in the writing of it and I pray He will use the reading of it to draw hearts closer to Him.
Do I hope to make money in promotion? I'd be lying if I said no. Yes, I would love to earn royalties and see Ransomed Dreams sell well so that I'll be offered another contract. But another reality of working in Christian industry is that I won't be earning money for exotic vacations or to have towel warmers in my bathroom (people really have those, but I'm not one of them). More like I'll put braces on my kids without going into debt, help my husband go back to school for his Masters, save for three little ones' college education, and help keep our used cars repaired and running.
Even after all that reality, my goal is that there are other winners in the promotion game. Who?
My hope and prayer is it's you all.
Deep down the reason I keep coming back to in why I do what I do is sheer obedience and the heart desire that God use me to serve and encourage you.
Please pray that I hit that mark with a bull’s-eye. Because in doing so, that brings glory to our loving heavenly Daddy.
And in the end, that’s what it’s all about.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
I'm giving thanks today in a writerly way while my kiddos are resting up for more fun this afternoon. This is a day where nostalgia meets the present. Last year I introduced my little ones to one of my family's traditions: watching the "Macy's Day Parade." My husband insists on calling it by its full name, "The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade."
Either one works for me. ;-)
I wax nostalgic thinking back on all the years I watched this parade with my Gram and family while the turkey cooked and the pies were cooling on the back porch.
But today I smile and get misty eyed watching my three year old dance to "Cooby Doo" (Scooby Doo for those without the 3 year old dictionary translation) and remember this is the same balloon I watched growing up.
Then after we've waved to all the balloons and danced with all the marching bands and singers, we head upstairs and my husband does the honors and places the big bird into the oven. Then we do my favorite Thanksgiving thing...
We dance to Christmas music on the radio.
We laugh and twirl and have a blast. And by the time my kids are tired, my husband and I are ready for a nap too.
Before that nap, I'll close with my top ten list for Thanksgiving…
Either one works for me. ;-)
I wax nostalgic thinking back on all the years I watched this parade with my Gram and family while the turkey cooked and the pies were cooling on the back porch.
But today I smile and get misty eyed watching my three year old dance to "Cooby Doo" (Scooby Doo for those without the 3 year old dictionary translation) and remember this is the same balloon I watched growing up.
Then after we've waved to all the balloons and danced with all the marching bands and singers, we head upstairs and my husband does the honors and places the big bird into the oven. Then we do my favorite Thanksgiving thing...
We dance to Christmas music on the radio.
We laugh and twirl and have a blast. And by the time my kids are tired, my husband and I are ready for a nap too.
Before that nap, I'll close with my top ten list for Thanksgiving…
Amy's Top Ten Reasons for Giving Thanks
1) I'm thankful I can call God Daddy.
2) I'm thankful I have a family who loves me and who I adore and enjoy.
3) I'm thankful I can walk. (Did I mention I'm in a cast again after yet another foot surgery? Trust me, walking is a big thing to be thankful for!)
4)I'm thankful for the gift of sight~ both to see the world God has made and for the spiritual gift of seeing deeper with discernment.
5) I'm thankful for heart healing.
6) I'm thankful that God says I'm beautiful.
He says you're beautiful too!
1) I'm thankful I can call God Daddy.
2) I'm thankful I have a family who loves me and who I adore and enjoy.
3) I'm thankful I can walk. (Did I mention I'm in a cast again after yet another foot surgery? Trust me, walking is a big thing to be thankful for!)
4)I'm thankful for the gift of sight~ both to see the world God has made and for the spiritual gift of seeing deeper with discernment.
5) I'm thankful for heart healing.
6) I'm thankful that God says I'm beautiful.
He says you're beautiful too!
7) I'm thankful for little kids' prayers and that I get to hear them every day.
8) I'm thankful that my husband and I have careers where we use the gifts and talents God has given us for His glory.
9) I'm thankful for an inner circle of friends who love me anyway and always point me to Jesus.
10) I'm thankful for blogs. ;-) And I'm thankful for the ability to make online friends and enjoy the community offered here.
What about you? What are you thankful for?
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
You are Beautiful
Happy Thanksgiving Eve!!!What are you going to say tomorrow when someone asks why you're thankful? With my family, we’ll go around the table as we eat and name blessings we remember from this past year. My children will go far beyond their five pieces of corn we give to each person to name one blessing per kernel. My husband and I will too. But for me it wasn't always that way.
So today I wanted to share a little about a reason to praise I wonder if you've thought of~ because God says you are beautiful.
Do you believe that? Do you thank God for that? Most people don't.
I didn't for years and years. I grew up in a painful home and jumped into a relationship as a teen that I knew I shouldn't be in. But I did it anyway because he said I was beautiful.
Then he raped me.
I didn't feel beautiful anymore. I felt like trash. And I spent the better part of my young adult years knowing God loved me, but feeling that I was "less than" everyone else. Ugly. Used goods.
My story in God Allows U-Turns for Teens is about how I went from saying "If Only I Were Beautiful" to knowing and receiving what God says is truth. I'd like to share two quotes and what made my U-Turn happen.
"No love of the natural heart is safe unless the human heart has been satisfied by God first." (Oswald Chambers)
"We are not wrong to think we desperately need to be loved. We do. Our need does not constitute anyone else's call but God's" (Beth Moore)
So how did God make those two statements “real” to me? He had me teach them to a group of young ladies who didn’t believe God said they were beautiful either. I looked deep into their gorgeous eyes and into their even more stunning souls and caught a glimpse of the beauty God sees.
Then God led me to the mirror and said the same about me.
I wanted to turn away because I still didn’t see what God saw. But He kept speaking to my heart over the next few weeks. I became convinced that my bottomless need to be loved, to be seen as beautiful, would be satisfied first in God.
Or it wouldn’t be satisfied at all.
So I stopped saying, “If only I could lose a few pounds” or “I would be beautiful if only _____ changed."
We can all fill in that blank, can’t we?
What I started saying instead were the words God had spoken to me. “I see you. You are beautiful. You are loved and you are Mine.”
I still don’t always believe that. But those times are far less frequent. What happens more often now are the times I look in the mirror and smile simply because that’s what my heavenly Daddy does.
So this Thanksgiving I’ll enjoy some turkey and pumpkin pie and I will not step on the scale later. Instead, I’ll look in the mirror and smile.
I’ll listen to the words God says. Will you join me?
Take a good look in the mirror. God has much to say about what He sees there. Listen closely. He is enthralled with your beauty. (Psalm 45:11)
The King is enthralled with you. Enjoy Him.
Happy Thanksgiving y’all!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
What about when you don't want to praise?
This week I'm guest blogging over at God Allows U-Turns. Please come check out Allison's site or blog and leave a comment. ;-)
What about when you don't want to praise?
Yesterday we talked a little about what we're thankful for, but the thought God gave me this morning centered on when I'm not thankful.
Have you ever felt that way?
Everyone around you has hands lifted in praise at church, or every friend has great stuff happening and you feel any thing but grateful.
Yep, me too.
I wish I had written a great U-Turns story detailing an about-face from overwhelming sadness, depression, or dare I say anger at things not going the way I'd prayed. My story "For This Child" in God Answers Mom’s Prayers deals with hearing God say "No" to a prayer and how I learned to trust Him and be thankful even when I didn't understand.
But truth be told I still struggle with praise and thanksgiving at times. Life is never just what I want it to be. It's hard. It's more work than I thought I signed up for and more often than not, it just plain hurts.
So God had me doing Thanksgiving cards with my kiddos this morning. I was so NOT in the right frame of mind.
But God's funny like that.
So I went through the motions until I read this quote from Francis Schaeffer, "We are not only to sing the doxology, but to be the doxology."
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen.
The book I was reading aloud went on to talk about the birds, how they throw their whole being into singing and that being an example of how we’re to praise God.
Now that set my mind spinning. Birds sing because that’s what God created them to do. They don’t analyze it, argue with it, or decide they don’t want to sing. They just do.
So can I in terms of praising God simply because that’s what I was created to do: to glorify God by enjoying Him forever and singing the song that is my life. Sad notes and all.
So can you.
I’m not suggesting we ignore depression nor am I saying we should “put on a happy face.” There are reasons behind why we don’t feel like praising that we need to explore with God.
I’m praying as I write this that you’ll hear the Father call you to come talk and listen to Him and discuss those very things going on in your heart. He cares. He loves you. And He wants you to come real.
At the same time, I think there is much wisdom to be gained in doing what Job and King David did in their dark nights…
Praise Him anyway.
Turn to Him and just talk to Him, remember who He is. That simple act, however hard it may be at times, is praise.
Instead of recalling all the hurt, remember the times God Himself—with nail-scarred hands—carried you through.
Instead of focusing on what isn’t right, praise God for the little things that are right and consider that your journey through pain and joy is working in you something good.
Also, instead of trying to “be the doxology” consider that you already are. And God welcomes the words or groans of your life song as He sings right along with you.
Praise Him.
Tomorrow, I’ll share my continuing U-Turn toward praise in the form of my story in God Allows U-Turns for Teens about date rape and my healing almost two decades later.
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15)
What about when you don't want to praise?
Yesterday we talked a little about what we're thankful for, but the thought God gave me this morning centered on when I'm not thankful.
Have you ever felt that way?
Everyone around you has hands lifted in praise at church, or every friend has great stuff happening and you feel any thing but grateful.
Yep, me too.
I wish I had written a great U-Turns story detailing an about-face from overwhelming sadness, depression, or dare I say anger at things not going the way I'd prayed. My story "For This Child" in God Answers Mom’s Prayers deals with hearing God say "No" to a prayer and how I learned to trust Him and be thankful even when I didn't understand.
But truth be told I still struggle with praise and thanksgiving at times. Life is never just what I want it to be. It's hard. It's more work than I thought I signed up for and more often than not, it just plain hurts.
So God had me doing Thanksgiving cards with my kiddos this morning. I was so NOT in the right frame of mind.
But God's funny like that.
So I went through the motions until I read this quote from Francis Schaeffer, "We are not only to sing the doxology, but to be the doxology."
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen.
The book I was reading aloud went on to talk about the birds, how they throw their whole being into singing and that being an example of how we’re to praise God.
Now that set my mind spinning. Birds sing because that’s what God created them to do. They don’t analyze it, argue with it, or decide they don’t want to sing. They just do.
So can I in terms of praising God simply because that’s what I was created to do: to glorify God by enjoying Him forever and singing the song that is my life. Sad notes and all.
So can you.
I’m not suggesting we ignore depression nor am I saying we should “put on a happy face.” There are reasons behind why we don’t feel like praising that we need to explore with God.
I’m praying as I write this that you’ll hear the Father call you to come talk and listen to Him and discuss those very things going on in your heart. He cares. He loves you. And He wants you to come real.
At the same time, I think there is much wisdom to be gained in doing what Job and King David did in their dark nights…
Praise Him anyway.
Turn to Him and just talk to Him, remember who He is. That simple act, however hard it may be at times, is praise.
Instead of recalling all the hurt, remember the times God Himself—with nail-scarred hands—carried you through.
Instead of focusing on what isn’t right, praise God for the little things that are right and consider that your journey through pain and joy is working in you something good.
Also, instead of trying to “be the doxology” consider that you already are. And God welcomes the words or groans of your life song as He sings right along with you.
Praise Him.
Tomorrow, I’ll share my continuing U-Turn toward praise in the form of my story in God Allows U-Turns for Teens about date rape and my healing almost two decades later.
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15)
Trusting and praising anyway,
Monday, November 20, 2006
What are you thankful for?
This week I'm guest blogging over at God Allows U-Turns. Please come check out Allison's site or blog and leave a comment. ;-)
We'll be talking about a few of my U-turns stories, but even more importantly as we prepare our hearts for Thanksgiving it's my prayer we'll delve a little beyond our blessings to learning more of God's character.
Here's my first guest blog...
What are you thankful for?
I'm thankful for ripped tendons and scars. Why? Because almost five years ago I took my eighteen-month-old daughter's place in the ER and learned that when God said "No" to my request for protection, what He was really saying was "I have something better."
For me God's "better" meant a painful surgery and six weeks in a cast. Those six weeks of having my wonderful husband take care of our children, cook, clean, and do all my mom duties plus his allowed me to write my very first fiction novel, Ransomed Dreams. Plus, my surgery left me with a scar that I look at now and remember that God's "best" is often difficult to comprehend, but in the end it is always GOOD.
You can read more about this experience in "For This Child," my very first U-Turns story in God Answers Mom's Prayers.
Welcome to Thanksgiving week at God Allows U-Turns! I hope you'll join me again tomorrow as we look at more of the myriad reasons we have to give thanks.
Abundant blessings!!!
We'll be talking about a few of my U-turns stories, but even more importantly as we prepare our hearts for Thanksgiving it's my prayer we'll delve a little beyond our blessings to learning more of God's character.
Here's my first guest blog...
What are you thankful for?
I'm thankful for ripped tendons and scars. Why? Because almost five years ago I took my eighteen-month-old daughter's place in the ER and learned that when God said "No" to my request for protection, what He was really saying was "I have something better."For me God's "better" meant a painful surgery and six weeks in a cast. Those six weeks of having my wonderful husband take care of our children, cook, clean, and do all my mom duties plus his allowed me to write my very first fiction novel, Ransomed Dreams. Plus, my surgery left me with a scar that I look at now and remember that God's "best" is often difficult to comprehend, but in the end it is always GOOD.
You can read more about this experience in "For This Child," my very first U-Turns story in God Answers Mom's Prayers.
Welcome to Thanksgiving week at God Allows U-Turns! I hope you'll join me again tomorrow as we look at more of the myriad reasons we have to give thanks.
Abundant blessings!!!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Awesome interview with Rachel Hauck
This is my good friend and a fantastic writer, Rachel Hauck and her new book Lost in NashVegas.
Rachel is a multi-published author living in sunny and sometimes hurricane plagued, central Florida with her husband and ornery pets. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a BA in Journalism. Visit her blog and web site at http://www.rachelhauck.com/.
I REALLY encourage you all to check out Rachel's site. It's fun and full of the depth of character and love for Jesus that radiates from Rachel.
Now we're in for a real treat today...
Besides learning about Rachel's new release Lost in NashVegas We'll be learning a little more about Rachel and some about "the writing life."
Here goes...
Amy: What is Lost in NashVegas first line?
RH: Good question! "How I let Daddy and Granddaddy Lukeman talk me into singing a 'couple' of my songs at the Spring Sing, again, is beyond me."
Amy: What fun things did you do to research Lost in NashVegas?
RH: I went to Nashville, visited the Bluebird Café, talked to songwriters, toured the Country Music Hall of Fame, sang on the steps of the Ryman stage, hung out with my editor and another WestBow staffer, Lisa Young. Very fun. Toured around the city with Rebeca Seitz and Kaye Dacus.
Amy: What prompted you to begin writing?
RH: I always wanted to write. My dad spoke destiny over my from the time I was ten until I published my first book at 43. You’re a writer, Rachel, he would always say.
Amy: Is there such a thing as a “normal” writing day? If so, what does it look like for you?
RH: I’ve been thinking a lot about this and am about to change my schedule so I have a normal writing day. Not every day will work out like I planned, but I believe we need scheduled lives to a high degree (flexibility allowed) but writing and creativity doesn’t happen in a vacuum. I need to be in my office, at my desk, writing. I usually write during the day, but get so interrupted with other busyness. I’d like to get up early and use that quiet time of the day to get writing done.
Amy: What’s the highest praise you could receive for your writing?
RH: I think just hearing people love the story, related to the characters, found some sort of renewed hope.
Amy: Best writing moment?
RH: Making the first sale. Always thrilling.
Amy: Worst writing moment?
RH: Missing my first deadline by 12 days. Yuck.
Amy: Advice for those interested in writing?
RH: Join a writers group like American Christian Fiction Writers or RWA, and read, read, read, then write, write, write, then read some more. Also, schedule time to write and don’t let anything but emergencies get in the way. Learn to say no.
Amy: Favorite scripture and why?
RH: Song of Solomon 4:9. It shows how pure in love Jesus is with us!
Amy: What's one thing about you that no one’s asked, but you wish they would?
RH: “Can we make your book into a Broadway play?”
Here's a blurb from Lost in NashVegas...
Last week, I stocked groceries in Freedom, Alabama. This week, I live in Nashville, Tennessee about to take the stage at the famous Bluebird Café.
Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it? Only one problem. I’m terrified to sing in front of people.
But after twenty-five years of being ruled by fear, hiding from my dream, I confronted my limited reality and left home. Forget the hometown hunk who wants to make me queen of his doublewide. Forget Momma’s doubt-inspiring tirade. I can make it in Music City… Can’t I?
God put the longing to write songs in my heart. If He’s for me, who can be against me? Not even my own fear can overshadow His love. So, I gathered my old guitar, my notebook full of songs and packed up my ’69 Chevy pickup. Look out NashVegas, the next hit songwriter is coming to town.
With the help of my cousin, and a few new friends, especially handsome contractor, Lee Rivers, my dream finds the light of day. As I face my first night at the Bluebird Café, I realize… I might just do what comes naturally. Look for the nearest exit, and run!
Doesn't that sound awesome?! This is a story for everyone longing to live a dream but not sure how to jump that doubt hurdle and go for it.
Have you ever had a dream burn inside but you weren't sure how to let it come alive? Leave me a note in the comments about your dream. Not only will I pray with you about that dream, but I'll draw a name and send you a copy of Rachel's book Lost in Nashvagas.
I'm looking forward to praying and watching to see what God is up to in your life!
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Launching a Dream
At this very moment I'm feeling pretty on top of the world! I just turned in one of two last round edits on my almost ready-to-go debut novel. Boy does that feel great! And my wonderful webmaster hubby has done it again, creating a book series site I'm proud to call mine.Please come check out the Defenders of Hope website and let me know what you think! Also, if you're a fan of great fiction be sure to check out the newsletter sign up page for your chance to win an amazing grand prize gift pack of 22 top fiction novels, Godiva chocolate, a Starbucks gift card, and some other fun things.
As excited as I am to share all this, I'm praying what people see in all that I do is Jesus. I wrote in the last post about how God is searing my heart with 2 Samuel 24:24~ True worship is costly. These books, this website, living a dream come true have all been costly acts of worship. So much so that many times I've wanted to walk away. Why don't I? At the core it's simple obedience. Writing these books, sharing my heart, and inviting people deeper into Christ are what drive me to keep on taking one more step in this dream journey.
Please pray for me! I'd so appreciate your prayers that in all I do it's Christ who is glorified.
Launching a dream is a frighteningly incredible thing. For me this means giving my all, my best, and then leaving it at the foot of the cross, trusting my Daddy to do with it as He pleases.
Thanks for walking this road with me. You are true gold to this writer's heart.
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