Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

I will not be posting on this blog until January 2010. Many warm wishes to you and yours for a blessed Christmas and a very prosperous, blessed and healthy New Year.

Dealing with Illness Through the Holy Spirit

I've spent a lot of time on my knees lately with my husband going through a serious illness. One of the most difficult things to do is to watch a loved one in pain and know you have no control over the illness. It's humbling.

During the ride from the doctor's office to the emergency room, I prayed for God to keep hubby wrapped in his arms and to guide the doctors in bringing relief from his pain. Since the doctor had called to let them know we were coming, I thought we'd be immediately received. No such luck. We had to sit in the waiting room for our turn to be called. When a nurse called us for the check-in, I asked for a wheelchair. At least hubby didn't have to walk, and that was a small relief. But, then we were asked to go back to the waiting room until we were called. I watched my husband's face and knew he was about to give up. His hands were cold and his complexion was waxen. I wadded my coat and let him use it as a quasi-pillow to rest his head. I held his hands and prayed. His body shuddered and I realized he was trying not to cry. I continued to pray. I recited the Lord's prayer and the 23rd Psalm over and over between asking God to help us get into a room.

After we were escorted to a room in the emergency section, a doctor, nurse and tech arrived immediately. My husband's bladder was completely blocked and had been for three days. His bladder had swollen to eight times its normal size. While they catharized him, I continued to fold my hands and pray. They drained a liter of liquid and capped off the catheter to avoid his body going into shock and we had to wait for a half hour. My husband's worst pain had subsided, and he held my hand and tears rolled down his cheeks. "I saw you praying," he said. I assured him that God was with us and that He would see us through this setback. He replied, "I feel God is dealing with me right now." He cried, we cried together, and continued to pray. My husband has always believed in God, but he hasn't felt the presence in his heart like I have. This was his moment. In his weakness, he experienced the Holy Spirit working.

He is home now and we will see the doctor on Saturday to have his catheter removed. We are praying that he will not block again as we wait to see a urologist. And we continually thank God for his healing mercy.

Prayer Log

I've decided to keep a prayer log. Throughout the day, I find myself praying for people and situations, but I've never logged them and gone back to see all the prayers that God has answered.

He does answer prayers, all the time. The answers may not be what we expected, but we don't know God's plan. However, He is among us and he cares.

Later, I'll share some of my answered prayers with you as I check back on my prayer log.

God bless.

You Can't Outgive God...

I heard the following story from a friend a few days ago and asked permission to post it on my blog. While I wanted to give her credit, she opted to remain anonymous.

I've been reminded many times about how God will always take care of our needs, but this story truly touched my heart. Especially with Thanksgiving drawing near her in the United States. I hope the story taps on your heart as well.

"I had something really neat happen today. I normally would share something like this, by it was clearly God at work and awesome.

We have a missionary friend who was running behind on her support. She's been on my heart since last month, so I talked to my husband and asked if we could help her out. (We don't have much excess right now since we needed to replace our furnace and chimney liner last month.) Anyway, as I sat down to do some book-keeping today, I wrote out a check and placed it in our mail box.

No sooner did I do that, our mail person stopped by our box and guess what she placed inside-- a check I had forgotten that we would be receiving for exactly double the amount that I had just sent to the missionary!

It was as if it was straight from Heaven to remind me that I can never out give God. What a wonderful thought to dwell on as Thanksgiving draws closer."

May God's love fill your soul and heart and may you bless others with your knowledge by putting it in action.

When God Calls...

When I began the journey of moving my mother into our home, it was with great trepidation. She hadn't been the ideal mother. I'd never felt loved or cared for. She wasn't demonstrative, except for her bouts of anger and resentment, hair-pulling and fists on the back. But she is my mother. The only mother I'll ever have. So, we made plans and moved her here last May.

Over the past months, God has shown me how to forgive and move forward. In the first few weeks, she lashed out and said hateful, hurtful things. I cried. I wrestled with why I could never be good enough to earn her love. She told lies. She tried to create a wedge between my husband and I. But what she knows, and probably is the source of her resentment, is that my husband and I have a bond of love strengthened through our faith. None of her marriages were the kind I have. I know she's jealous. And I know the devil uses that as a weapon. But satan has no place in our house. Finally, I realized that I had to stand up to her and not let her run over me. I had become a martyr. She's changing. A little at at time. Through it all, I've drawn much closer to Jesus, and my faith has grown tremendously. God always has a plan for our lives, and even in the midst of the darkness, He walks with us and promises us a place in heaven if we accept Him as our only Lord and Savior.

Be still and listen, and when God calls, answer.

Forgiving Enemies - A Test of Faith

This year has been one of testing faith for me. I've always known a weakness when it comes to forgiving my enemies. Satan knows this and he uses this against me. He wants to shake my faith. But I have no room for Satan in my heart. The Lord resides within me and he supports me and loves me unconditionally. I find that hard to comprehend. He loved me and he loved all of you so deeply and so unconditionally that He sacrificed His beloved son to die on the cross. Jesus was scorned and torn from head to toe. From a crown of thorns, his back ripped and raw from a brutal beating-a beating to near death, to nails driven through his hands and feet. Can you imagine? This was done to save us. When I think of this, my body tingles inside. How could He love us so much?

With such unconditional love, how then can I be more like Jesus? How can I, a mere human, who has given her life to Christ, learn to be as forgiving as Jesus? He called his betrayer, Judas, a friend. He washed his feet at the last supper knowing that Judas would betray him in just a short time. Satan has been trying to chip away at me to find a vulnerability so that I might betray Jesus as well.

We brought my mother to live with us. Every day I struggle with forgiveness and with loving her unconditionally. But I pray for her and with her. The Lord sustains me. As I get closer to a new phase of my life--retirement--with no substantial savings to fall back on, I have been working hard to have full faith that God will provide for us. I know He will. So, Satan continues to attack. I told you a few weeks back that someone broke into our home while we slept and stole our television. That television was only a "thing". God protected us, his precious children. What we lost was material only. So I prayed for the salvation of the thief, that he might come to know Jesus before judgement day. It is up to God to be the judge. Satan did not win that battle.

Yesterday I realized my debit card was missing. The last time it was used was at a restaurant for lunch the day before. My heart sank. I opened my bank account online and saw someone had gone on a spending spree and zeroed out the account. The thief had purchased multiple tanks of gasoline, purchases at a carryout, purchases inside gas stations, purchases at a bar late at night, and the purchase of jewelry at an astounding cost of $1,388.00. What would we do? Shaking and terrified, I called the bank to learn that I can only dispute the charges after they post against the account. They did close the debit card so no further purchases could be made. Once I dispute the charges, it will take several weeks to determine that they are fraudelent and I will receive the funds back. I contacted the police and made a report, I contacted the restaurant and gave them details, I called the mall where the jewelry purchase was made and learned they will release video surveillance to the police. I continued to feel violated all day long. I prayed to God to keep me balanced and thanked Him for being with me. Then I realized I needed to forgive this enemy as well. How could I do that? I felt so personally violated. So, I prayed that this thief would be caught and in so doing his life of crime would be thwarted. I prayed that he would find salvation before judgement day. I haven't forgotten. But as each hour goes by, I know that I'm letting go of the anger. I went to Bible Study last night and in doing so, I received God's reassurance and grace. So many people are suffering through things I cannot imagine. My loss is temporary and is only material. God has provided a means to get through this minor fire.

He is ever loving, ever present, and ever my Father. Satan has lost another battle.

One Beautiful Lone Flower

In Ohio, we've had very cold weather, nights close to freezing, frosts in the mornings, and rain. Not a typical October. How quickly we were given our first glimpse of the winter months ahead.

Hubby and I were outside preparing the cat shelter with fresh thick comforters in preparation for their comfort over the winter. With hubby's bad health, he hasn't been able to keep up the outside landscaping. The knock out rose bushes in front of the swing have grown so large they look like the brambles in front of Sleeping Beauty's house while she slept. The arbor over the swing houses climatis vines and grape vines, both long dormant. I pulled one grape vine branch out of the chain supporting the swing and poked it back through the lattice of the arbor. I walked to the outside of the arbor to weave it one more time and God amazed me! Amid all the dormant vines and leaves rested one perfect purple climatis bloom. My heart squeezed.

What a beautiful reminder of God's ever present love and promise. God hugged me.

I was reminded that we only need to open our eyes to see God's abundant and glorious gifts.

Psalm 89:1-3 I will sing of the Lord's unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.

The Big Announcement

For two years, I've been thinking about quitting my day job. This past year, with the addition of my mother into our home, and my husband's failing health, I felt more strongly than ever that I should retire to spend more time with family.

Crippled by fear of the changing economy, I floundered with making the decision. What was God telling me? Did the fear of the future come from God telling me I was on the wrong path? Or did the fear come from Satan?

Satan's weapons include fear, doubt, shame, deception...all the things that cause us to stumble in our belief. Satan is strong, but God is stronger. As Beth Moore says, we are no match for the devil, but he is no match for God. God is stronger. Only with him can we overcome the devil's interference.

Finally, I stopped and listened to God telling me to get the priorities straight in my life. My priorities are God, family, friends. Not money, not material things. For God will provide what we need. Fear is the devil's way of distracting us from His promise. In Proverbs 1:33 "But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm."

How true those words are. Monday, I informed my superior that I would be retiring the end of this year. Since that announcement, my heart is full of peace and joy. I'm looking forward to the future. A future filled with God's love and mercy.

Satan's Stumbling Blocks

When Jesus was tempted on the mountain, He immediately recognized Satan and saw through his taunts. Even in His weakened state, He remained strong. For us, however, it is harder to recognize Satan. He is sneaky, cunning, and relentless in his quest to take our souls.

Satan's main stumbling blocks for me are self-doubt and fear, which lead to indecision. When praying for answers from God, I have tried to listen, but instead the outside influences of the world around me begin to distract and the voice I hear is that of Satan instead.

For me, pushing aside the self-doubt and fear has been difficult. My saving grace lay in constant prayer, immersing myself in God's word, and allowing Him to enter my heart completely. Faith is such a comfort and joy.

I realize Satan still has a few stumbling blocks for me, but with God all things are possible. I can banish Satan's temptations through the power of the cross.

May God bless you today.

Priorities

Sometimes I find myself spinning in circles and going nowhere, trying to sort out the priorities in my life.

At work, a phone call might mean a new project, or a problem with one I'm right smack in the middle of completing. Sometimes hours of work might be tossed away. What is important one day takes a backseat to a new "emergency."

At home, I know what needs to be done and I have good intentions to get through all the weekend chores. But, good intentions go awry. Things happen.

A telephone call or a knock at the door might mean an unexpected visit with family members. Cleaning will have to wait. That trip to the grocery store...how will I manage that?

At times like this, I have to step back and look at the priorities in my life. What is really important to me? Spending time with family centers my soul. It also throws off my "to do" list. Perhaps at the end of the weekend, my laundry will not be completed, dust might remain in a light layer across my furniture, the kitchen floor still needs to be mopped. But, my heart is full.

Spending time with God each day is also important. Starting each and every day with God is the greatest blessing in my life. With God, I can see what the true priorities in my life should be. It's not the "to do" lists in my life. Lists are only pieces of paper. God, family and friends are lasting treasures.

The Man I'll Never Know

A couple of days ago, as I headed to pick up lunch, I got stuck behind a city bus. The bus stopped to pick up passengers and I just wanted the vehicle to move on so I could get my food and head back to work. The bus moved ahead a bit and stopped for a red light leaving me a clear view of the covered bus stop. On the sidewalk, in front of the bench, I saw a man sleeping. His knees were bent, just as mine are when I fall asleep. His head rested on his arm instead of a pillow. A plastic bag snuggled close to his stomach. He wore a blue ball cap with an insignia I couldn't read, light tan pants, a red shirt, and what appeared to be leather loafers. In his sleep, he didn't hear a thing. No passing traffic, no footsteps. He rested in the sun, his gray beard unkempt. I knew this man. I'd seen him walking along the busy four lane highway, staggering to the point that I worried one day he'd be struck by a car. As I watched, I prayed for him. I don't know his story, but I know once a mother gave birth and loved him. Someone held him as a baby, dressed and diapered him. Did he grow up and fall in love? Did he marry and have children of his own?

The sight of that man has stayed with me. I worry for him. He doesn't know this. He doesn't know a stranger cares, a stranger prays. But God knows, and God hears. With prayer, miracles occur. When was the last time you prayed for a stranger?

God's Blessings in Troubled Times

I don't normally blog on Tuesdays, but I feel compelled to write my thoughts this morning.

I woke up at 5:20AM and wondered why the furnace was running and I was so hot. I turned on the downstairs hallway light and the further down the stairs I walked the colder the air felt. I headed to the thermostat and immediately saw the problem. The basement door was wide open and the screen door was also propped open! I immediately thought hubby must have been painting in the basement and forgot to shut the doors. But then I knew that I would have felt the cold the night before and I had been in the basement to do laundry and everything was locked and secure. As I walked back toward the family room, I saw pictures on the floor and thought the cats must have done it...probably spooked by something. No! Our flat screen TV was missing. I quickly scouted the area and noticed nothing else that seemed to be missing. My office was intact; my purse intact and all my computer stuff...fine. I hurried upstairs and woke up hubby and told him we'd been robbed. We came downstairs and couldn't figure out how anyone could have come in through the door. It had two slide bolts as well as a regular lock. Nothing was disturbed. The door hadn't been removed from the hinges.

I went upstairs and saw the entry point. Someone had come on our deck, removed a bug screen from one half of the window (inside the deck), and then had gone outside, used our ladder and climbed up to lift the window screen and the window. They came in through that half window area and went downstairs to get the TV. As we investigated the path, we realized they had snipped the alarm wire on the door they used to exit. Not too smart of a crook, because if we had actually set the alarm before retiring, that would have broken the circuit and set off the alarm.

Anyway, we are out one 42" flat screen television, but no one in our home was injured. Nothing else was taken.

I truly believe God was watching over us. It could have been so much worse. In today's world, we might have been killed. If we had woken up and caught them in the act, who knows what might have happened.

I also believe God is giving us a wake-up call. We have safety measures on our windows to keep them from opening. We have locks, and the kitchen window was unlocked. We have an alarm system and we hadn't set it. From now on, we are utilizing all our safety measures, and we are thanking God for the blessing in the violation.

God is good, all the time.

Love is Universal

I am a writer. I write about romance with happy endings. God is all about love. He loves us, each and every one of us, unconditionally.

God sent His only son to earth, to walk with us, to be one with us, and to die for us, that we might have eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. He loves us so much. Those who believe and confess their sins will be saved and will have a happily ever after.

Perhaps that's why I write stories about real people in extraordinary circumstances who find their way to true happiness and love. God created us to be creatures who bond together in love and compassion. I believe that. I believe God wants us to be happy. And one day, the greatest happiness of all will come when He reveals his eternal kingdom to us, His children, whom He loves more deeply than we can imagine.

May you be blessed today by God's love.

The Lord is My Shepherd

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." When I was a little girl I memorized Psalm 13. At that time, all it meant was earning a bible. I was so excited when I received that black bible with my name engraved on it. The words I'd memorized meant little to me as a child of six. Only in recent years have I looked back at these words and found comfort and peace. These nine words are like a soothing salve to heal small doubts and fears.

The Lord is my shepherd - He leads me where I should go. He is always with me. He has a purpose for my life. He is my salvation.

I shall not want - He will provide what I need. I needn't worry about storing up warehouses full of gold and food, for the Lord knows my needs and He will provide. My faith needs to be fed continuously and He provides those opportunities in abundance. He is my salvation.

Jesus--Picture Him

I have been taking the Beth Moore Bible Study, Jesus the One and Only, and what a blessing. My mind has opened to the phenomenon of Jesus as He might have looked when God sent Him to save us.

Imagine Jesus as a baby! He would have appeared as our own little babies did. Can you imagine Mary cuddling this miracle? She probably counted all his toes and fingers, nuzzled his hair, kissed his cheeks and fingers. A real live child. And he grew as all other children do. He would have gone through a gangly stage before growing into his body. He would have lost teeth, skinned his knees and elbows. And He worked as a carpenter. Hard, skilled labor. His arms would be muscled, his body strong. He would have dark skin, dark hair, dark eyes, facial hair. I'm sure his legs were strong and muscled as well from walking not only around his village, but later as He journeyed far and wide to teach. His feet would have been very dusty, his beard thick and his face dry from the sun.

When I close my eyes I can picture Jesus, the baby, Jesus the man. Can you see Him?

Worry Not, But Walk in Faith

I was saddened to hear that my son-in-law lost his job last week due to downsizing. Right now so many are unemployed and the numbers keep rising. Knowing how first-hand how difficult the situation, I was appalled to hear this story yesterday.

A senior manager at my place of employment told the story about having to rent Escalades complete with drivers for some "big wheels" who were coming to Ohio to visit our locations and promote new products. Fourteen people are flying in on a private jet to be escorted in these large vehicles to our location and they will have a huge catered lunch. Rather than ask them what they want to eat, the caterer has been instructed to bring fourteen steaks, fourteen fish, fourteen chicken, etc. The waste and pretentiousness sickens me when I think of how other employees in our facility struggle just to make enough money to feed their families.

Wealth makes greed. It is the devil's delight.

For me, I take comfort reading Luke 12 22-28.

"Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food to eat or enoughclothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. ANd you are far mor valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?

"Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?"

God, please bless those who read this message today. I pray they turn to you and walk in faith. Amen.

Free Inspirational Fiction Books

Fellow authors from White Rose Publishing are hosting a contest where you can win free inspirational fiction ebooks. Each week for the next seven weeks, you will have an opportunity to visit author websites and blogs and find a colored mug filled with white roses. Identify the mug color and send your answers via email. One person will win one of the ebooks listed. This will continue for seven weeks. At the end of the seventh week, everyone who entered in any of the weeks will get their name entered in the Grand Prize drawing. The Grand Prize winner will win one of our White Rose Publishing mugs, nine e-books, a box of organic White Rose Tea, and a basket of Arbonne beauty products.

Visit www.whiterosesinbloom.blogspot.com to read the details and enter the contest.

Romance should be all about the wonderful joy of finding one special person. With our books, you'll experience the sexual tension as our characters fall in love with each other, but never will they make love outside of marriage, and if the couple is married, such scenes remain behind bedroom doors, not on the pages.

Our books convey life as it is lived, or could be lived, by people of faith.

I hope you decide to check out what we have to offer at White Rose Publishing.

Habituation

To habituate is to become accustomed to something. For instance, when I was seven years old, our house was situated next to a railroad track. The trains traveled by quite often during the day. The floor would tremble and the clickety-clack of the cars passing by soon became an ordinary sound. I became accustomed to the noise. It was part of everyday living and really quite ordinary. I could sleep without waking, even though the engineer would blow the whistle as a warning before reaching a cross road. I heard the train so much that I had become habituated to its presence.

Have you ever had such an experience? What about your spiritual life? Have you prayed for something and not received an answer? Or have you become habituated to God's voice? God speaks clearly to us if we listen.

When Samuel was a young boy, his mother took him to he house of the Lord at Shiloh. There Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli's tutelage. One night the Lord came to the temple and called Samuel. Samuel though Eli had spoken and went to where the old man slept and said, "Here I am; you called me." Eli told him he had not called and ordered him to lay back down and sleep. After the third time the Lord called Samuel, Eli realized what had happened. He told Samuel that if God called again to answer, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." Samuel did as he had been instructed, and the Lord revealed what he was about to do. The Lord was with Samuel from that day forward and all Israel eventually recognized the Samuel was a prophet of the Lord.

Sometimes we become so busy with our lives that we forget to stop and spend time speaking and listening to God's word. Today, I pray for you, dear readers, that eyes might be opened to the answers contained within the Bible, and that you ears will be opened to hear God's word.

Read: 1 Samuel 3:1-21

Intruders

Lately we've had spiders of various kinds invading our home. They are silent intruders who show up in the least likely places to freeze my progress. I'm so afraid of spiders. I don't know where the fear came from, but it's truly debilitating. I've had a hard time learning to stand up to the challenge of banishing these eight-legged intruders. Once they are gone, the fear, too, is gone.

The devil works in the same way. Throughout the day he sets intruders on a path to invade my thoughts. Negative thoughts lead to self doubt. Self doubt is the devil's joy. But the threat is unseen. With spiders, the threat is visible. Spying the devil at work inside me is difficult. The devil sets his intruders on a treadmill inside my life that moves me in a path opposite of the path Jesus would have me walk.

But I have the ultimate weapon. I have God. God lives in me and through me and walks with me. With Him, I have the power to banish the devil. I speak aloud and tell the devil he is not welcome and that I will walk with God. I pray. I feel the power of His eternal love and the warmth and hope that replaces the self doubt.

Hope is eternal.

May the joy of the Lord fill you today.

Prayer for Breakfast?

How often do you pray? Do you make it a daily ritual or do you just send up a prayer when you are in trouble?

Making prayer a daily ritual has brought many blessings into my life. Each morning, I begin my day by spending time with God, with His word and by praying for those on my prayer list.

Today, I am praying for you, my readers. I pray that God blesses you richly today and that you will pay the blessing forward by praying for others.

Last night I started a new Bible Study, Jesus The One and Only, by Beth Moore. I met new friends who will walk the journey with me. We'll be studying the life of Jesus as He walked the roads in Jerusalem. I'm excited to take the journey and I hope to bless each of you with the discoveries made along the way.

Dealing with Difficult People

In my life, I come across people who are difficult to work with. This causes an internal struggle to "bite my tongue." I have a tendency to be sarcastic...my family can attest to this.

The hardest thing to remember is that we are all unique individuals. We think differently, react differently to different situations, and what we hear is a matter of perception--our perception.

When I get into a difficult struggle with a person or situation, I try to remember the Serenity Prayer. Repeating it several times always helps me to clear the fog and focus on what God would have me do.

God bless, and thanks for reading.

God grand me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference. Amen

The Futility of Wealth

As a country, we have become complacent and greedy. So have our people. We have long enjoyed "The American Dream." People from other countries have sought their dreams by coming to America. Many have succeeded. Crime rates have grown. Some believe they shouldn't have to work to have the dream and they seek to rob others so that they might live in luxury.

I prefer to seek happiness in the simple things. God provides what I need when I need it. I walk in faith knowing He walks with me. He doesn't promise our path won't be strewn with rocks, or an occasional mountain, but He never abandons me.

Ecclesiastes 5:8-12 (New Living Translation, The Holy Bible)

"Don't be surprised if you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and if justice is being miscarried throughout the land. For eery official isunder orders from highter up, and matters of justice get lost in red tape and bureaucracy. Even the king milks the land for his own profit! Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth--except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers! People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night's sleep."

Laughter is God's Gift for a Happy Soul

God doesn't promise that we won't have trouble in our life. But He promises that if we love and follow Him, we will have joy and everlasting life.

The secret to facing each new day is to look at the positive things rather than the negative. Find joy in the small gifts...sunshine, flowers, children, family, pets, friends, and so much more. Start each day with a smile and laugh often.

It is a proven fact that those who laugh often life longer. Laughter is healthy, it is calorie free, and it lifts spirits. Take pleasure and enjoy life--the life God has given.

Negativity breeds negativity. Laughter breeds laughter. Both are contagious. Which would you rather have in your life?

Try smiling and laughing. Tell the devil to remove himself from your life. Tell him OUT LOUD. Then thank God for being with you and go into the day with a smile on your face.

God bless you and may your day be filled with much laughter and many smiles.

Choices at the Fork in the Path

My life has followed many paths and I've had to make choices when confronted with a fork. Which way to go? Many times I chose without first asking God for direction. God knows the complete path of our life. He placed it before us on the day we were born.

I'm now faced with a fork in the road that I once thought clearly defined. There are two different paths branching before me. For the past two years, I've prayed and have heard God answer me directing me to go one way. As the time draws near, many obstacles are being placed along the way. Are these obstacles the devil trying to lead me astray, or are they being given to me by God showing me I've misread His instructions?

I'm troubled and fearful. As I stand here at the fork in the road, undecided, I am praying for God to show me HIs will. With all the devil's handiwork abundant in the world, the noise is so loud that it's difficult to hear God's words. I must be still and turn my ears and my heart to Him.

I share this for others who might be facing similar decisions. Before you run down the wrong fork, take time to pray and then to be still and listen for God. He will provide you guidance if you give your heart and soul to Him.

Dressing for God

This morning I have been thinking about what to wear to work. Usually I pick out an outfit before I go to bed, which I failed to do last night. I sat at the computer and opened the blog and bowed my head asking God to bless my hands and words. Still unsure of what I would write, I picked up my Bible and it opened at this page.

I Peter 3:3-4 "Don't be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."

God is always with us. He sees our struggles, even the little ones. And he speaks to us through the words of His precious legacy.

Disappointed by God? Unanswered Prayers?

Have you ever felt disappointed by God? Have you ever felt He isn't listening when you pray? Have you ever felt angry and disheartened because you feel He has abandoned you?

What about Jesus? When he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, he asked God to take the cup of suffering away from him. But Jesus went one step further and prayed, "Yet I want your will to be done, not mine."

How often when you pray, do you add these all important words?

We Christians live in a world filled with temptations. If we turn on the television, we are bombarded with ads for things that promise to enrich our lives. Unfortunately, many of us turn to idolizing things which are meaningless. We pray for God to give us what we crave. And, when we don't receive, we feel disappointed or angry because God wasn't listening--He didn't answer the prayer.

God is always listening. We just have this one-sided belief. A belief that we can achieve what we want if we just ask God to provide. But, God asks us to walk in faith, not in sight.

If you are disappointed or feeling abandoned by God for unanswered prayers, look at what God has given you. He always answers prayers, but not always with the outcome we prayed for.

Romans 5:3-5 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Prayer for today: Lord, if it be Your will, I pray that You will bless each person who reads this and that You will help them see how You have answered their prayers. I thank You Lord for the gift of Your son, so that we can find our way to You through the cross. Amen.

Gloom, Despair, and Agony on Me...

Deep dark depression, excessive misery...

I remember those words from a skit on the Hee Haw television show. A rather funny segment where they sat on a porch and sang funny lines about the tragedies in their lives. There are a lot of people who live their lives this way. They talk about all the bad things that happen to them, worry excessively about the bad things that will happen tomorrow and the next day. And no matter what suggestions you give, they are shot down with reasons that won't work. How easy to get caught up in that negativity and become depressed yourself!

Last night I picked up a booklet I received from Guideposts. The title is "Expect a Miracle--Make a Miracle Happen". I realized how true this is. Miracles occur every day. They may not be as spectacular as the Red Sea parting, but they exist! We just have to open our eyes to see them.

God promises to provide all that we need if we have faith in Him. Having faith is the first step in aligning our lives for God's purpose. And having faith and believing in miracles will get us through those times when trouble visits our doorstep. God doesn't promise only good things will happen to us, but He does promise to be with us through it all. Having that promise is so uplifting and so healing.

When trouble visits your doorstep, what do you do? Moan and weep in despair? Or do you expect a miracle?

Expect a miracle--make a miracle happen. What a wonderful motto to live by.

Looking Up

I'm sitting in my office which is half-way below the ground level and looking upward. Outside my windows are a plethora of flowers, yellow and orange coneflowers, lavendar coneflowers, purple butterfly bush, brilliant pink knock-out roses, hostas... What a busy world my garden is! Honey bees and bumblebees flit from one coneflower to another. Back and forth they fly in a never-ending journey. Butterflies blow softly in the breeze as they flutter on the tips of the purple flowered bush of their namesake.

It's Sunday, yet they continue in their efforts. It makes me wonder if we haven't fashioned our lives too much after these industrious creatures. Sunday is meant to be a holy day, a day of rest, a day to honor our Lord, and embrace our family.

Do you honor the Lord's day or are you one of those busy bees?

Dressing to Please God

This morning as I dressed for church, I thought about how much trouble we put into our clothing, makeup, and hair to look pleasing to other people. Today, many people commented on my purple suit and how good I looked. At one time, I might have loved to hear such compliments, but they don't do anything to warm my heart these days. I've learned that God doesn't care what I'm wearing. He doesn't care if my face is void of makeup. He doesn't even care if I took time to style my hair. God sees me as I really am. He looks inside my heart and knows if I'm dressed to please Him.

I suppose I dress to please other people, to blend in, or perhaps to feel a part of the crowd. Too many times, we look at the outer appearance of our friends and acquaintances. We make judgements based on our first impressions.

Instead of looking at the tatoos, the piercings, and spiked hair, black nail polish and lips, we should look into a person's eyes. Only there will we see the reflection of what is inside. Is it a frightened soul, a timid soul crying out for acceptance? Is it someone who has been hurt and hides behind their exterior coverings? God knows. God sees. And God loves all His children. Thank God for that!

Blessed are the Merciful...

...For they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7, NIV)

So many times, it is easy for me to see both sides of a issue. And, when someone is accused, it is easy for me to say things like "innocent until proven guilty." This works as long as it doesn't directly affect my family or someone close to me.

How do we show mercy when we have been injured? It isn't easy. God knows. He sees. And if we realize our mistake in placing judgement and ask forgiveness, He shows us mercy.

Showing mercy to another person doesn't mean we absolve them from sin. It is not up to us to do that. It's God's job.

I don't like to hear others condemning another without really knowing a thing about the situation. The media abounds with stories where it is easy to be judgemental. String him up! They should put her behind bars for the rest of her life! What if the accused person would be someone we know or someone in our immediate family? Would we respond with such bitter judgement?

Daily I ask God to forgive me of my sins. He sees me when I don't show mercy to others. But, He forgives me when I ask. And, then I pray for those whom I have accused. If God can be mericiful to me, a sinner, then I must try to be merciful to others.

Healing the Spirit

So many times I've prayed for God to heal my loved ones from their physical afflictions. It hurts to see them struggle day after day.

I read an Upper Room devotion today and it really hit home. Perhaps I'm praying for the wrong thing. When God heals physical problems, we are always so thankful. Miracles occur every day. Prayers matter. But what about healing the spirit? Doesn't healing the spirit come first? I believe it does.

So today, I will change my focus to healing the spirits of my loved ones, so that physical healing may come after.

Lord, please bless the person reading this, and may their spirits be healed. Amen.

Kids, Humor, and God

I know God has a sense of humor. I mean, look...He created me!

My youngest daughter gave us many smiles along the way. When the family was together for a birthday gathering last weekend, we were reminiscing and this particular snippet came up.

We were riding in the car looking at all the Christmas lights one night and listening to traditional Christmas carols. Youngest daughter, who loved to sing, kept getting louder and louder, singing the verses to Silent Night...and this is what we heard. Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright, brown eyed virgin

And that's when the laughter arose. Non-plussed she asked, "Well, what is it? Brown eyed surgeon?" Yes, laughter once again. Thank goodness, she had a sense of humor and could laugh at herself, too.

One of my favorite grandkid stories with mixed up song lyrics happened when the boys were in our back seat and we were heading to dinner and a movie. The youngest was singing along with a country tune...can't remember the title right now...but it was about by-gone days, being young and carefree. The line talked about the funny clothes that were worn followed by: "Man, did we look cheesy." My grandson said he really liked the song and repeated the verse singing: "Man, did we love Jeesy!" Then he said, "I guess that's a nickname for Jesus, right?"

May you be blessed with a laugh, a smile, a fond memory.

Healing Hands of Jesus

I suffer from foot cramps. They usually occur at night, waking me so that I walk the floor trying to relieve them. But, occasionally they occur during the day. Once I was shopping when a cramp seized my foot and calf. I tried to walk but the pain continued. Suddenly the other leg cramped as well. I left everything in the cart and slowly, painfully made my way to the car. Ten minutes of pain and tears and then the pain blessedly left.

That was several year ago, when I believed in God, but I hadn't truly put him first in my life.

Two weeks ago, as I drove to work, my right foot began to cramp. The pain intensified, but I couldn't stop the car. The road I travel has no place for a vehicle to pull off the road. I began to pray and asked Jesus to let me please get to work without harming anyone. I prayed that He would help to ease the pain. Nearly blinded with the pain, I continued to pray, over and over. As I approached a dangerous blind curve in the road, I knew Jesus was with me. I saw the road. I knew I was driving, but I also saw a beautiful outline of his white robe and felt his hands surround my foot. The cramps eased and quit.

Even today, miracles occur. He is with us. Please don't forget to say thank you when He blesses you. I did.

When God is Your Top Priority

He is always with you. I had a nice talk with my daughter last night about this very thing. Sometimes we find ourselves running in circles, working hard, trying to meet all our obligations, and pushing God to the outside. These are the things that make us stressed out and the more we do, the more there is facing us.

However, if you just take a step back and find God, then make Him a part of your daily life, FIRST AND FOREMOST, then you will find that there is time to do so much more than you ever did before.

God is a part of my daily life. I talk to Him all the time. And the most important thing is listening for His words. No, He doesn't talk to me in a loud booming voice that rocks the walls of my home, but He is a voice that speaks to me softly. I hear Him loud and clear. He directs my life, and He is so good. He is always with me.

No, He doesn't make everything a garden of roses, but He's always with me through all the storms of life. He loves me. How can I not love others?

Lord Jesus, I pray that everyone reading this blog today will open their hearts to let You in, to accept Your unconditional love, and that they in turn, will share that love with others. Amen.

Through the Storm

On Friday, we had a terrible storm. The sky was a strange yellowish green color as it rolled in with lightning and thunder just in time for rush hour. I am so frightened of lightning and the loud booms of thunder (which is why I avoid fireworks). The thought of having to drive to work in the storm had my muscles clenched in terror.

The rain pounded against the ground like the sound of horses galloping across an open plain. Before I made it out of our subdivision, a huge bolt of lightning complete with jagged forks of fire flashed in front of me. Hunching my shoulders, fingers tight on the steering wheel, I began to pray.

I prayed that God would not let me hurt anyone else on my journey, and that he would get me safely through the storm. I kept praying over and over those same words and then moved to repeating the 23rd Psalm. One mile down the road, the rain began to let up. The sky looked even more ominous, but no further lightning or thunder resounded across the sky. I only had three more miles to travel. I drove through deep puddles of water as the sky continued to whirl in deepening threat. I kept praying the 23rd Psalm, eyes on the road, and arrived at work. I walked into the building without having to put anything over my head to protect me from the rain.

As soon as I went through the double doors, the rain resumed with crashes of thunder and galloping horses.

I thanked God for sending Jesus to ride with me. Every day there are small miracles which occur. God is good, all the time.

Healing Hearts with Love

Recently we moved my mother into our home. She had two furry cat babies, Maggie and Blacky. Both were elderly and Mom felt they wouldn't survive the long trip to Ohio, so she chose to leave them behind. It's hard to adopt out elderly cats, but we found a no-kill shelter and have hope that someone will open their hearts and adopt them. I know how sad she was to leave her beloved family home and her babies, but there there was no choice. She couldn't afford to keep up her home any longer. When she called with her decision, we immediately made plans to remodel and rearrange our home to accomodate her.
I'm so blessed to have her with me, and she's so much happier now with having people around her to talk to. But, I could tell how much she missed her babies. We have three cats, Charlotte, Wilbur, and Templeton (yeah, can you tell I'm a writer!). Charlotte, like most Divas, chooses the time she wants to spend with us mere humans. However, the boys are a different story. Inquisitive, and very loving, they are people cats. They sensed Mom's need for feline companionship. Wilbur sleeps with her, and when she's in her recliner watching television, he's either on the arm of the chair, in her lap, or laying on the back of the chair, swinging his big furry tail in front of her face. Templeton has been in her lap, too, but he's so much more inquisitive.
Yesterday something really cute happened. If I'd been home I would have taken a picture. He's been investigating her walker. It has a little area where you can sit things, or yourself, and a basket which she uses to keep things handy. Mom has taken over making our bed and hers. It's one thing she can do which makes her feel helpful. Anyway, yesterday Templeton jumped on the walker and was sitting on the little "chair" part. Mom got out of her chair and said, "Do you want to go for a ride? Come on, I have to make the beds." She proceeded to walk down the hall to our bedroom and Templeton just stayed on for the ride. He waited while she made that bed, then she took him into her room and, again, he just sat there watching. Finished, they both came back down the hall! Templeton now believes her walker is his domain, and quite fun, and Mom is so happy to have these furry buddies to help relieve the pain of moving.
We made a lot of changes to try and make her comfortable, but it took our cats to really lift her depression.
I love animals. Guess that's why I always include them in my books!

Love is the Key--Forty Days of Love

As I began my journey through the 40 Days of Love, I had no idea how it would change my life...or rather how it would change me. Through the six week journey, I learned the one thing that had kept God outside the door of my heart. Though I had accepted Jesus as my Savior, I hadn't had a life-changing event like some people. I asked God to come in, I prayed, but something kept that door closed. That something was forgiveness. Thought I had asked God to forgive me and I thought I had forgiven myself, and my enemies--the truth remained that I hadn't.

How could I be forgiven? I knew Jesus died on that cross for all of us, so that we could be forgiven, if we believed and if we asked. That's where the faith must come in. I had to believe that I was worthy of being forgiven. God loves all his children and he trusts that we will come to him with open hearts and open arms to receive his forgiveness and mercy.

As I moved through the 40 Days of Love series, I found myself believing that I had been forgiven and I truly forgave all my enemies. All the old baggage that reared up from time to time to grab me and bring out the anger from old hurts has disappeared. I haven't forgotten, but these things no longer have any control over my emotions. I don't hurt any longer. I feel truly cleansed.

Subsequently, love has filled my heart. I feel joy and face each new day with excitement and anticipation. I want to share my joy with everyone.

Love is the key. Love. Once you can love your neighbor as yourself, then true happiness will flood your soul. That love can only come through Jesus. Through believing, through faith, through true forgiveness.

May God's mercy touch you today and always.

Happiness is...

Hearing from a friend who is far away.

Sometimes you make a soul connection with someone who becomes a great friend. I remember having wonderful mind-stirring conversations while we belabored the state of the world, the little idiosyncracies of humans, and some amusing and not so amusing health concerns with this friend. Though miles separate, the heart remembers.

God teaches us to cherish our relationships. What a blessing that he gives us friends.

May your life be blessed with the gift of friends.

When God Holds Your Hand...

Isaiah 41:13 (NIV) "For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."

Even in the darkest of times, God is with us, if we believe. God doesn't send the darkness, although He knows it is going to happen. He can't prevent the darkness, but He can help us through it.

When I reached a bottom and felt the despair of all being lost, God took my hand and led me out of the darkness into the light. Yes, there are those times when things go wrong, when I am uncertain what will come next, but through it all I have the comfort of knowing God is in control when I put my faith and trust in Him.

My book, JOSHUA'S HOPE, is about a woman who has to learn to trust. Only when she has lost the most important thing in her life does she let go and let God into her heart. And when she does, a miracle happens.

I hope God blesses you richly today. Thanks for stopping by.

Why God? Why?

I had a lunch conversation with a very dear friend not too long ago. We were discussing all the tragic things that happened over the past year in her oldest daughter's life. Truly, one thing after another had happened--a heart attack, followed by complications, a job loss, and a legal battle. My friend thanked me for all my prayers on their behalf. She stated her daughter couldn't understand why God had made all these things happen to her.

In these words, I saw myself a few years ago. When bad things happen, people are quick to blame God or to ask Him why. However, as I told my friend, God doesn't make bad things happen. He is with us always, helping us as we stumble along life's path. If we turn to Him and ask for His help, He will lift us up. How we deal with the potholes in the road says a lot about our faith.

When bad things happen we are quick to blame, but when good things happen, how often do we thank God?

True peace comes from having faith, believing in God's grace and mercy, asking for the things we need, and thanking Him for the blessings bestowed. God doesn't always answer our prayers in the way or even the timing we would like, but He is with us and He does listen. Trusting in God is the only way to reach true peace and tranquility.

May God be with you.

How Do You Pray For Patience?

Lately, I've been praying for patience, compassion, and strength as I move into a new phase of being caretaker for my mother. My daughter has told me I am praying for the wrong things. It appears God has answered my prayers by presenting situations in which I must practice, "patience, compassion, and strength." Maybe that's not a bad thing. I'm learning. But, I'd like to have less opportunities to learn.

Love is Patient, Love is Kind...

Recently I attended my grandson's wedding. I always cry at weddings, but I didn't cry this time. The setting was beautiful, outdoors beside a beautiful pond in a local stat park. I focused on the faces of my grandson and his bride as they spoke their vows. Shining faces filled with love and the excitement of a future together--forever.

God smiled down that day, blessing this couple, and blessing those who observed.

I felt so blessed to spend time with my grandson and his new bride at the reception, but even more so, when they came to the house on two separate occasions before they left for Arizona again. My grandson has grown into a strong, compassionate young man. I watched him grow up. Home videos capture the baby, the toddler, the school years, and now a man in a uniform who serves his country and has taken a bride.

I've never felt so blessed.

May God smile on your today.

God is Outside My Window

I see God peering back at me through my office windows this morning. He's in the drops of rain clinging to the petals of the brilliant pink knock-out roses, the yellow petals of the newest perrenial hubby planted. I see him in the stillness of the wind, the blue sky with a hint of clouds on the horizon. The beauty of His hand meets my eye in every direction I gaze.

So many times I get caught up in everyday life and forget to thank Him for all the blessings. As a writer, I create fictional towns, but nothing can compare with what God created. There is no mor wonderful and peaceful way to start the day, than in stopping to appreciate the beauty God has created.

May your day be blessed with God's touch.

And Then There Were Three...

Finally, the wait is over. My mother is now here in Ohio and living with my hubby and me. Memorial Day, the day after we arrived in Illinois, eleven inches of rain fell! I've never seen such a deluge. The rain didn't help to ease my mother's distress. After including her in the decisions of what to pack and what to throw away, she seemed a little better with the process. There were a few tense moments when she "snipped" at us, and a few tears along the way, but overall a fairly smooth transition. I feared she would be tearful as we left, but she surprised me.

Now that she's here, she seems so much happier and peaceful. She doesn't have to worry about the house falling down around her, and though she says she enjoyed being alone, I know she's much happier having people to talk with. She's adjusted very well, probably much better than I have.

With her poor eyesight, things are a bit rocky. I need to follow behind her and clean up without letting her know. In many ways, it's like having a child in the house again. However, cleaning after her is a labor of love. God has blessed me, and I know He is with me and I find comfort in his supporting arms.

May God bless you richly today.

Taking Vacation Time

This blog will be closed until June 1.

See you then!

Family Love

My husband's sister and her husband drove from Michigan to visit us this weekend. We had such a wonderful time. Our home filled with laughter and warm conversation from Friday evening through Monday morning. Saturday we visited with out of town family and Sunday afternoon we had a cookout with several other family members. Nothing lifts my spirits more than having family together.

Studying the Relationship Principles of Jesus has helped me to focus on the most important relationships in my life, which are those with family. I've been blessed with a large family and too many times they are taken for granted. My hubby and I tend to be alone and wait for our family to reach out to us. We use the excuse that lead busy lives, and we understand how that is...after all we raised eight children. But, I realize it is up to us to keep the family ties together.

This summer I plan to focus more on bring our family closer through planned functions. It doesn't matter that we don't have a lot of room in our house, what matters is that our hearts have all the room in the world.

God gives us all opportunities to build relationships, but we tend to overlook them, focusing on what we think are important things in our lives. But, without relationships, we are nothing. God created us to have relationships. Nurture them and cherish them.

Words Can Kill

I've always believed that the pen is mightier than the sword. But I've always thought of this in terms of the written word.

However, the words we speak can be more wounding than a physical blow. With words we can tear down self-esteem and inflict lifelong damage to others. Our tongues are weapons.

Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians (I Corinthians 13:1-1 NIV)says that if we speak without love, we are nothing more than a clanging cymbal. To speak with love, we need to have unconditional love for another person. The words must come from our heart, and have no ulterior motive.

Do you remember hearing this? "If you loved me, you would...." or "After all I've done for you, this is how you..." That, dear friends, is manipulative speech. I've been guilty. How about you?

We need to think before we speak. And, before we are quick to ridicule or judge, remember that God loves us unconditionally. Through His grace we are saved.

Belated Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers reading this. You are blessed by God to be placed in a nurturing role. Do so with love.

How Do You Love Like Jesus Loved?

How do you love as Jesus loved? This is a question that sticks with me every day. Remember when the big rage was wearing jewelry with WWJD? That was to remind us to think before acting..."What Would Jesus Do?"

Sometimes we get mixed up on loving unconditionally. We are afraid to show our emotions, whether anger, frustration, fear, or pain. Do you picture Jesus as being a man who walked the earth without showing his emotions? If so, you are wrong. Jesus showed his emotions. He wasn't afraid to be angry, or even to grieve? He shared his soul when he asked God to take his cup if it be his will when he prayed in Gethsemane. What about when he raised Lazarus from the grave? When he arrived at his friends' home, do you remember what he did? He wept.

Building relationships with others, and especially with God, means you must learn to trust, to ask, and to believe. Ask God to help you channel your emotions into the right action. Ask before you act.

Have a blessed day.

Laughter is Good for the Soul

Do you remember when you were a small child gathered together with your friends for a sleepover? Remember how you made each other laugh and the laughter became contagious and you couldn't stop? I do. We'd hide our heads under the covers trying to keep the noise from carrying and that just made us laugh harder. I still smile at those memories.

I believe laughter is good for our souls. It revives the spirit. But, there are many who don't know how to laugh and they don't understand those who do. These are the people who press oppression on the souls who lift their hearts with laughter.

Today, I pray for all those who do not know the joy of laughter.

Gaining Patience with Forty Days of Love

Amazing how the Forty Days of Love helps to put the things that matter into perspective. It's much easier now for me to focus on relationships first. I'm finding more patience and in doing so peace replaces irritation. Not all the time, but I'm working on it!

Talked to Mom last night. She had another really bad day. I could hear in her voice that she felt bad. She was having trouble moving even a few feet without feeling totally out of breath and exhausted. She explains that she has a "tingly" feeling all over her body on these "bad" days.

I'm trying to put this into God's hands, but it's hard. If you read my blog, please say a prayer for my Mom.

Thanks for stopping by!

Not My Will, But Yours Be Done

These words Jesus spoke in the garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:42)"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

This is probably the hardest thing so far in my Forty Days of Love. It's easy to say these words and mean them when it comes to my spiritual life. But what about the other aspects of my life? My work, my writing, my family? Very hard. I try to say a prayer at my desk each morning before I begin to work. I sometimes remember to pray for His will before I begin to write. But when it comes to family, it's been more difficult to remember that I can't "fix" anything. I must turn to God in prayer and ask for Him to be the healer.

I do love God with all my heart, but do I love Him with all my soul? In order to do so, I must be able to say, "Not my will, but yours be done, Lord."

Today, I send you blessings that you might in turn bless another.

Repairing and Renewing Relationships

I reached out to a friend because God laid her on my heart as the person I needed to love. Did you ever open your mouth and say something that hurt another person and you didn't mean the words in the way they were taken? I did. And it nearly destroyed a relationship. I've been praying over the situation which incurred two weeks ago. Finally, I sent an email and poured out my heart. I wasn't sure how she would react, my only intention was to apologize and let her know that I loved her.

God is good!

Last night I received a positive response from her. I feel so blessed.

I've been thinking a lot about putting relationships first. It's not easy. "Things" still want to dominate my life, but when I choose the relationship instead, I feel like sunshine is filling my soul.

May you have a blessed day!

It's Not Easy Living 40 Days of Love

This week we need to pick someone we haven't shown love to recently and do just that. Show love. Hubby's comment was..."It will be easy to pray for someone, but hard to actually take the step to show the love."

Guess that says it all, right?

I've been struggling with choosing someone, too. I'm sure the first step will be the hardest. Why is it so hard to show love to someone besides our children or our spouse?

I do things for people and don't think much about it. I suppose that's showing love. But to consciously do an extra thing takes thought. Perhaps that's why I'm having a problem with this assignment. Should we show love by planning it?

Lots of questions. Hopefully I'll receive answers as we progress through this study.

If you've already participated in this Bible Study, I'd love to hear from you! Feel free to leave a comment.

Blessings!

The Attraction of Lesser Things

Day Two of Forty Days of Love--Today the focus is on seeing what is most important in our lives. We learned that love is the supreme value in life and that God created us for relationships. But we are easily distracted. As an example, when I'm busy writing a scene in my latest manuscript, it really irrates me when my husband pops in to read me something from the newspaper or share something that he just saw on television. When I allow my writing to be more important than my relationship with my husband, I've gone against what Jesus would have me do. Jesus was the supreme example of patience and understanding. He always had time for people. His relationship with us is of prime importance.

If we follow the greatest commandment to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, then we become like Jesus. We personify love. And when we love God, we then extend that love to all we come in contact with.

Focus on relationships as the highest priority in your life. First, your relationship with God and then your relationship with others. God said we should love our neighbors as ourselves.

What is the first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning? What is the last thing you think of before you go to sleep?

On what do you spend most of your time? Your money?

The answers to these questions should help you see what you place the highest priority on in your life. Is it time to make a change?

Nothing is More Important Than Relationships - Day One

Jesus taught that nothing is more important than relationships. When God created us, he created us to have relationships. We need to nurture the relationships we have with God and with the other people in our lives. There are many types of relationships: husband and wife, parent and child, friends, co-workers... You get the drift. Each of these relationships takes effort on our part to keep them going. Sometimes we are hurt by a relationship and become disillusioned. But Jesus taught that we should love unconditionally. He taught that we need to understand the importance of our relationshps and nurture them. Walking away from relationships is the easy way out. Instead, we need to place relationships at the top of our priority list.

Read Mark 12:29-31

Forty Days of Love

Our bible study group is going to participate in the Forty Days of Love series. We begin the journey on Sunday. It's going to be an enlightening six weeks full of devotions geared to help us improve our relationships with others through love. I'm excited and uplifted going into this series.

It's my belief that if we could only step back and look at everyone with the heart of Jesus, the world would be a much better place. But, we humans are shallow. We are flawed. No matter how far we've fallen, though, God never gives up on us.

I'll be sharing devotions based on this Forty Days of Love on this blog beginning Monday.

On a personal note, we did find no lein on Mom's house. She should have been relieved. However, she has transferred her worry to herself. She believes there is a lein against her personally. Sometimes, her fiction is even better than what I can create. But, I'm not laughing at her. It's a deep-seated worry that troubles her and I need God's help to understand how to help her with this.

Have a blessed day!

Inspiration for Writers

Now that I'm considered a writer by my friends, family, and co-workers a common question is "when is your next book coming out." I guess that's a good thing. They must like my writing or they wouldn't be anxious to read the next release. Once I was clueless of the publishing world, too, so I understand their confusion when I try and explain the lengthy process.

However, one doesn't become a writer by talking about it, thinking about it, or reading about it. Granted, all of the above are necessary, but the truth is a writer becomes a writer by writing, submitting, and never giving up on the dream.

There are so many ways we can talk ourselves out of being a writer without being cognizant of our self-defeating behaviors. Few of us have the opportunity to spend 8 hours a day writing. We have commitments, responsibilities, and a daunting to do list. But, no matter how full a day may be there are opportunities to write. There is an email floating around about the teacher who brought in a jar filled with rocks and asked the class if the jar was full. Then she added some small pebbles and they settled between the rocks. Next she added sand, which again settled among the rocks and pebbles. Now the class unanimously agreed the jar was full. But, then she added water. We can find a few minutes or maybe more in each day to write if we want it. Remember, one word leads to a sentence. A sentence leads to a paragraph. A paragraph leads to a scene. A scene leads to a chapter. Chapters lead to a completed novel. Even if you write one page a day, you'll have a novel written in one year.

So, what's holding you back? Take an honest look at your schedule and see where you can fit in time to work towards fulfilling your goals.

Hope Courtland had an impossible goal in my latest release, JOSHUA'S HOPE. Read about how she overcame the obstacles and after letting God take the reins, she fulfilled her happily ever after. You can save a tree and read an e-book. Click Here to purchase and be entered in a giveaway to win a free Sony e-Reader.

What's a great way to try an e-book? How about for FREE! Yes, FREE! My free read, Lethal Legacy, an inspirational romantic suspense is available now at White Rose Publishing.

Blurb: When Jessie Carter learned she’d inherited her great-grandmother's home and land in Tennessee, she took it as a sign from God to move away from the hurtful reminders of a broken relationship. Starting over seemed like a great idea--that is, until she arrived and found a dead body as part of her legacy. Just click on free reads at www.whiterosepublishing.com to see all the great free books available.

Thanks for stopping by!

I was busy writing my inspirational blog for The White Rose Press when I found that my free read, Lethal Legacy, is now available. It's an inspirational romantic suspense.

Blurb: When Jessie Carter learned she'd inherited her great-grandmother's home and land in Tennessee, she took it as a sign from God to move away from the hurtful reminders of a broken relationship. Starting over seemed like a good idea--that is, until she arrived and found a dead body as part of her legacy.

Download now for free

Have a day full of blessings.

And A Little Child Shall Lead Them...

I've been trying to cheer Mom up and make her see the positive side of moving in with us. She's accepted it, and she acknowledges that it will be all right, but perhaps it's my own feelings of sadness for her that's causing the problem.

Last night I called her and she said she'd spoken to Julie (next to youngest daughter) and Kody and C.J. (Julie's sons aged 11 and 9). Those two wonderful boys have her excited about moving here now. Their enthusiasm and loving hearts reached across the miles and created a remarkable emotional healing.

Sometimes God works miracles through those who are willing to be shepherds.

Thank God for kids.

Walking with God

Walking is cathartic! There is nothing more inspiring than walking on a beautiful, sunny day, beneath a perfect cloudless blue sky. I live for these days. After a long, dreary winter, sunny days make me smile inside.

Walking brings me closer to God and makes me believe that I can achieve my dreams if I work for them. There are times when I brainstorm plots and characterizations while I walk, and sometimes I walk to relieve stress.

When I'm troubled, I walk and talk to God. Nothing makes me more aware of His presence than seeing in nature all the things His hand has created.

One of my favorite hymns is "In The Garden"..."He walks with me and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own." I love to sing this song in my mind as I walk. It brings a smile to my face and my heart that I just can't hide.

Have you taken a walk lately?

Have You Opened the Door?

Happy belated Easter!

Yesterday was a day of rejoicing the resurrection of our Lord and Savior. A day full of thankfulness, smiles, and love. Our latest sermon series has been Extreme Makeover, focusing on the different rooms of the house and how these relate to our lives. The room on the stage yesterday was the front porch, but the door to the house had no knob on the outside. Why?

Because there is no knob on the outside of our hearts. Jesus knocks, but we have to open the door to allow Him inside.

Have you opened the door yet?

*************

I spent a few hours on the phone with my mother yesterday. Her body is going downhill fast, but her mind is still active. That's so true for all of us really. Our minds are full of dreams, ideas, and good intentions, but sometimes we let our physical body and lives interfere. Live life well. God has a purpose for each of us. Open the door.

Have a blessed day and thanks for stopping by.

After the Dust Settles, Look for God

On Wednesday while getting my clothes out for work, I felt extreme pain in my thumb. Since I have arthritis,I'm used to these events; however,this time the pain did not go away. To make a long story short, I took off work and went to the doctor. Hubby drove. On our return, our house alarm trouble alarm was sounding.

If I had gone to work, I would have been in a Senior Manager's Meeting and my hubby wouldn't have known what to do. Thankfully, I was home and able to contact the right people to rectify the situation.

Three hours later, we had the alarm fixed and signal going to the alarm monitoring company, my telephone line corrected, and I had a thumb stabilizer to help with the medical situation.

Sometimes, God works in ways we don't see until after the dust settles.

Moving Right Along...and Giving Thanks

This weekend we managed to move my office from the upstairs floor to the downstairs spare bedroom. Not an easy task with a bi-level. It's that 180 angle at the bottom of the first flight of stairs that's the killer.

Now, I only have a few things to move from upstairs closet and find a spot for. I think Mom is going to like her new bedroom. It warms my heart to know I can give her a nice place to rest. And the best part is...our cats promptly jumped on the bed and took a nap. I hope they do that when she arrives. She's used to having her cats sleep with her.

Maybe they know already that she will need their comfort.

I'm putting my trust in God on this and it has been like a burden lifted from my shoulders. I chatted with Mom last night and she was enjoying the country music awards. I flipped the station and watched it while we talked. One thing that stood out was the way the award winners all thanked God for the win. Carrie Underwood thanked God first and foremost.

God is good, all the time.

Whoa! You Want Me to Do What? Trust?

Trust is something we have been taught is an earned reward. When my children would lie to me and I would find out the truth (as most parents do), I told them they would have to earn my trust again. I'm sure my parents said the same thing to me. Is it any wonder we have trouble trusting in God?

The theme woven through most of my books is trust. We tend to be individuals who depend on ourselves rather than others, we trust ourselves, but trusting in another person is harder. Throughout our lives we run into issues of trust. How do you trust someone who has proven themselves to be untrustworthy? It's difficult. We need them to "earn" our trust.

I participated in a group leadership seminar once where we had to "trust" in our fellow members in various scenarios. What a humbling experience. It taught me a lot about having trust in others...not easy for me.

How about you? Do you trust easily or do you expect others to earn your trust?

I'm sure that's what God experienced when He sent His son to earth. He had to earn our trust by allowing His son to die on the cross for all us, so that those who believe in Him could have everlasting life.

Still, many times we question God in times of trouble.

Prayer for the Day: Dear Heavely Father, Help me to place my trust in You. Amen.

Not Just a Material Thing...

I spoke with Mom again last night. Though she tried to hide the tears, I could hear them in her voice as she told me she had definitely made the decision to take her beloved sixteen year old cat, Maggie, to the animal shelter rather than bring her to our home. My mother and Maggie are inseparable, especially since Dad passed. It hurts me when I empathize by trying to imagine how I'd feel if I was all alone and had no choice but to move in with a member of my family hundreds of miles away and hand off my best friend to an animal shelter.

I keep telling myself this is her decision and I must trust in God that He will take care of this. I pray with all my heart that some kind soul will offer a loving home to Maggie where she can live out the rest of her life in comfort.

Mom's Memories

Last night I talked with Mom. She spent the day reminiscing. She talked about being a little girl and how her mom had been the only one who loved her unconditionally. My mother's mother died when Mom was only five years old. Her dress caught fire from a wood stove and my Mom witnessed the event. So traumatic for a young child. After her father died a year or so later, Mom was adopted by her paternal uncle and aunt. But that relationship wasn't a healthy one.

I felt sad listening to her telling her story and I could hear the sadness in her voice. But then she started talking about happier memories. Memories of how she loved my dad and how much they wanted a baby. Though they were young, 17 and 18, they married in November and the following October I was born. But there were sad memories involved in this as well. Evidently, my dad wanted to be married and have a family, but he wanted his freedom as well. Though she didn't elaborate, she said she didn't like to share, so I have to assume that he cheated on her. I never knew my dad. He died when he was 18 on a naval boat during World War II.

She told several more stories all building to happier remembrances. Then she blessed me by telling me a memory that brings her great happiness. About twelve years ago I took her to Tennessee to visit the Great Smoky Mountains. My dad didn't like to do sightseeing vacations so she had never done anything like that before. It was a fun time...just the two of us...and we shared stories, laughter, and she got to see things that left her with fond memories.

Our conversation made me realize that material things really don't matter in the big scheme of life...it is our memories that will sustain us in our final hours.

Hello, Auctioneer

My mother has already contacted the auctioneer who will take the majority of her furniture and auction it after she moves away. I'm not sad about this any longer. I know she's at peace with this and I believe she's looking at starting a new life...hopefully an easier one for her.

These are only material things.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that I will can give her some peace of mind in her final days on earth. This is going to be a big transition for all of us, but Proverbs 3:5 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart" and that is what we're doing.

They Are Only Material Possessions

One of the hardest things about moving my mother here is that I feel it would be so hard to walk away from the possessions she's had in her home for so many years. Each one holds a memory. Furniture that goes back into past generations. But they are only material possessions. The memories remain. My Alpha Group helped me to realize that while my mother has made peace with her decision, I haven't.

I keep imagining how I would feel if I had to say goodbye to my home and my pets. I only hope that if this is in the future for me, that I can approach it with the dignity that my mother is doing. My mother is independent and stubborn...so am I. She will make it. So will I.

I'm now praying for God's will, and for His peace as we move closer to the merging of two households.

Changing Directions...Changing Roles

For the next couple of months, I'll be writing on this blog about my internal conflicts regarding moving my 85 year old mother from the home she's lived in for nearly fifty years into our home. The distance between us now is nearly 430 miles and a lot of buried feelings.

My mother is dying. She has a bad heart valve and made the decision not to have the operation. Two years ago, the doctor told her she shouldn't be living alone, but she wasn't ready to give up. Lately, her symptoms have increased. She is having dizzy spells, and when she lays down, the fluid builds around her heart and she has to get up because she feels like she's drowning. Despite all this, my mother would not have given up and agreed to move in with us if she hadn't run out of money.

Stubborn and independent, she has held out as long as she can. My goal is to make the transition as painless as possible for her. The hardest part for me is not allowing myself to look at the negatives--how she has to leave everything she loves behind--and to look at the positives.

Thus, begins my journey.

Whose Fault is It?

How many times have you turned to God and asked him why He let something awful happen in your life? I'm guilty.

We take credit for the things that go right in our lives. We pat ourselves on the back and puff out our chests and accept all the reassuring words that come from others. We've accomplished a great thing. And we forget all about God, who has given us the blessing. But, when the bottom falls out, we are quick to blame God.

So, how about you? Have You thanked God for your blessings lately? Or have you only turned to him in times of stress to place blame?

Prayer for today: Mericful Father, please forgive me for my sins. Thank You for all the blessings You have provided which I have taken for granted. Amen.

I Saw God Working Through Authors...

Saturday my fellow authors met for our monthly meeting. One of our members has been sending personal packages to soldiers through anysoldier.com. When we all learned of her mission, many wanted to help. On Saturday, she expected to receive a couple cans of shave gel, some wipes, and maybe some beef jerky. The outcome was fantastic. Instead of a bag full of items, her trunk was overflowing! She sat in the middle of the floor and cried at the outpouring of love from the group. I cried right along with her.

Truly, I saw God in that library meeting room. Tears on everyone's cheeks, hearts overflowing.

Thank You, Jesus, for your spirit among us.

Dressing for Success

Several years ago, my husband and I stopped attending church. It wasn't a planned event, nor did it happen overnight. We slept in one Sunday, then it became easier to find reasons we needed the extra hours church took from our life. We still believed in Jesus as our savior, we just didn't live like it. One day, we looked at each other and admitted that we were missing something in our life. That something was the association with other Christians, and the fulfillment of worship in God's house. Once we realized how we'd let God slip from our life, we started looking for a new church home.

When we walked into our current church for the first time, dressed in our Sunday finest, we were shocked at seeing an array of younger men and women in jeans, shorts, sandals, and tennis shoes! Why, wasn't that being discourteous to God? But when we saw the large attendance and heard the voices raised together to praise God, we had to admit that perhaps we had our priorities mixed up. What does God care about our external clothing? Maybe we were outwardly dressed for success, but inwardly we were very lacking.

After all, didn't Jesus walk in sandals wearing humble clothing? God doesn't care how we look. In His eyes, we all look the same, for we were created in His image.

Now, we look at dressing for success differently. It isn't about the latest trend in clothing, expensive suits and dresses...it's about allowing Jesus into your heart, into your life. When you have a personal relationship with God, then and only then, are you truly dressed for success--and ready to live an eternal life.

But...How Do We Forgive?

Jesus said we need to forgive our enemies. I believe forgiveness is one of the hardest things to deal with as a Christian. When we are outraged at injustices, outright meanness, and blatant taking of innocent lives...how can we forgive?

In my own life, I have things that I find hard to let go of. When I'm upset, I pull out the old grudges and rattle them around like worry stones. They help me justify why I'm feeling like a doormat. I can wallow in self-pity and cry "poor me." In doing so, I'm not helping my situation at all. I know that. What I need to do is pray that God will help lift these things from my soul. I need to pray and turn these things over to Him. Only then will I be able to forgive and move on.

Life is full of love and happiness, when we let go and let God.

A Story of Inspiration for All

Today on my "Inside the Writer's Mind" blog, I posted an interview in my "Live Blog Studio" with author Sharon Donovan. Sharon is a true inspiration and one of God's walking miracles.

To learn her story, please visit INSIDE THE WRITER'S MIND

The story this week that I'd like to share of God working in our everyday lives came from the reality show "The Biggest Loser." On Tuesday, the two teams were in a contest to see who could be first to fill boxes with food for those in need and load a complete truck full. Every member of the winning team would win a full year of groceries. The team that lost had a woman with five children and she really wanted the team win to help her with the costs of raising a family. The winning team had a young man in college. After winning, he told the lady with five children that he'd like to give his prize to her. What a wonderful thing to do. It was a touching moment that brought tears to my eyes, and I'm sure a lot of others.

God bless you today in all that you do.

A Prayer for Today

Dear Heavenly Father,

Today I ask You to place Your healing hands on all my friends and their families. Heal those who need Your touch. Enter the hearts of those who are seeking You. Bless their homes, their work, and their daily activities.

This prayer is being sent through Your precious son, Jesus Christ, whom You sent to save us all. Amen.

First Day of Lent

Have you decided what you are giving up for Lent? I've decided to give up my Diet Caffeine Free Cola. Love that stuff.

Do something nice for somebody today!

Being Blessed by an Act of Kindness

Yesterday I had to purchase some craft gloves, and on the journey I asked God to show me an opportunity to bless someone with an act of kindness. I walked through the store for several minutes and found what I needed and headed back to the checkout lanes. The lines were long and a new cashier opened her lane. A young man stepped in first and I followed. We had to wait while the cashier put her drawer in and got it ready. She kept apologizing, but I kept looking at what the young man had on the counter as his purchase. He had one bottle of black acrylic craft paint, like one uses for ceramics. I knew it wouldn't cost much. He also had a 40% off coupon. I wondered if this was the opportunity God had planned. The cashier rang his order and it came to only fifty-seven cents. He started to hand her his bank card and I said, "Please put your card away. I will pay for your purchase with mine." He looked at me and said, "Are you sure?" I smiled and said, "Absolutely. Have a wonderful day and one day pass it on." He smiled back and thanked me. The cashier was gushing about how I had made her day...how she'd hoped that would happen one day in her line. I felt that I'd actually blessed three people, the young man, the cashier, and myself. My heart was full of happiness. Then when my register tape printed out, the cashier was amazed. She said, "You got a 20% discount for your next purchase! You blessed someone and received a blessing in return." I thanked her and told her that was something we should all remember.

So, have you blessed someone recently? If so, please share your story by sending it to me. You can do so by using the "contact me" link on my website. I will post it here on my blog. The goal is to show everyone that acts of kindness are happening all around the world, every single day.

God bless and thanks for reading!

Sometimes It's the Little Things that Count

In the morning commute, we all tend to keep our eyes straight ahead intent on getting to work on time and wishing everyone would get out of the way. I try not to dwell on that mentality, but I must admit that it does happen. I've been that person sitting at a crossroads wanting to turn when no one will give me the courtesy. So, I decided yesterday that I would be kind to anyone who needed to turn. Since I travel on a two lane road all the way to work, this wouldn't be difficult. My first opportunity was a school bus driving the opposite direction. The driver was trying to turn left into a subdivision but the long line of traffic kept moving. When I got close enough, I stopped and signaled the driver it was safe to turn. I got a wave in return. As I traveled along the road, I found two more opportunities to allow people to move out of their subdivisions into our lane of traffic. Each person acknowledged the kindness. By the time I reached work, I felt happy and upbeat. Doing little kindnesses will bring a happiness to your soul.

I'd love to share your stories of "keeping hope alive" in our troubled world. It doesn't have to be big and it doesn't have to be monetary. Email your story to me from the "contact" page on my website. I will be happy to keep your name annonymous if you prefer.

HOPE IS THE THING WITH FEATHERS

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
--Emily Dickinson

God bless and may your day be filled with His blessings.

Spreading Kindness One Story at a Time

Hello dear friends,

I've decided to reopen this blog after being inspired by another writer friend. There is so much talk about bad things happening, the spiraling economy, depression, and destruction flooding the internet, the newspapers, the radio and television. But, there are wonderful things happening every day that aren't reported. Even though evil is invading our world today, it is no different than in the beginning, when Eve took that first bite of the apple.

But God is still active and he is touching people every day through his followers. My writer friend pulled through a drive thru one morning and asked how much the order was for the car behind her. She then paid for that order as well as her own. When the cashier asked if she knew the people, she told her no, but that she hoped the people in turn would do an act of kindness for someone else. The cashier smiled and said she would pass that on to the unsuspecting recipients of my friend's generosity. Now my writer friend has been inspired to do something good for another person each week, and she has issued the challenge to others.

I've decided to pick up the challenge. Each week, I will look for an opportunity to do something for someone else. And, I'm asking each of my readers to take up the challenge as well. Send me your story of kindness through the contact info on my website (Click here) and I'll post it here on my blog.

Last week my act of kindness was to pay the membership dues for another writer who didn't have the money to pay before having late fees. What about you? Care to share?

I believe God gives us opportunities every day to do a kindness for another person, but sometimes we aren't listening. It doesn't have to be monetary. Perhaps you know an older person who might be lonely. You could visit and share your time. You could visit a nursing home. You could write a letter to a soldier. There are many, many ways to reach out and help someone with a smile, a kind word, or a deed.

I'm looking forward to posting my weekly act of kindness, and I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

God Bless and thanks for stopping by.

Closing...

Due to too many commitments, I'm going to close down this blog. You will find me blogging with my fellow inspirational authors on:

www.whiterosesinbloom.blogspot.com

You can keep up with my happenings on my other blog "Inside the Writer's Mind"

www.carolannerhardt.blogspot.com

Thank you and God Bless!

Got at Work Today

A true story as told to me by a friend who works part-time in a grocery store:

A young man pushed his cart of groceries to the counter. He watched as the items were keyed into the register, but his mind was home with his pregnant wife. It was late and he wanted to be home with her. The cashier ran the final item through and told him the amount he needed to pay. He reached into his back pocket...and found he'd forgotten his wallet.

Embarrassed, he asked if she could hold the groceries while he went home to get his money. The cashier told him she'd have to void out the items and he would need to run them through when he returned.

The woman in line behind him told the cashier it was all right. She would pay for his groceries and for hers, too. And she did, despite his protests.

This is a true example God working in today's world. You won't see it in the headlines of the newspaper. You won't hear it in the news. But this one deed will endure and spread and the rewards await in heaven. Amen.

Back on My Feet

I had a stomach virus hit me on Wednesday night that put me in bed for two days. It hit me fast and hard and debilitated me. Hope you all had a better start to the New Year.

While I was lying in bed, I found very little to do. I flipped the television stations until I got to the Hallmark channel. I did enjoy watching some episodes of 7th Heaven. I'd never watched the show before. If you haven't seen it, I'd recommend it highly. It depicts the average, every day life of a family and the father is a minister.

I've always been in awe of our pastor. He is so diplomatic, so soft-spoken, and his sermons always touch me. He's a very sensitive man who is sometimes moved to tears when he tells of real-life emotional scenarios, which then starts my tear ducts leaking. I guess it's hard for me to relate to him as a husband and father for I seem to have him on this pedestal. But watching 7th Heaven made me see him as a person, with problems and issues to face, just as the rest of us do.

Sometimes God may stop our lives for a brief time, like he did mine. I'm thankful for the time to reflect on the many blessings He's given me.

Thanks for coming by and reading! May God bless you today and every day.

The Biggest Loser

I'm a fan of the television reality show, THE BIGGEST LOSER. Watching these people change their lives inspires me and touches my heart, and I rarely watch an episode without shedding a few tears. Tonight, I looked at the exrays of the insides of several contestants. Frightening how the fat can deposit in and around our internal organs.

It reminds me of how the devil sows seeds of doubt and greed to corrupt our minds and our hearts. And just as the personal trainers will open the doors to a new life for The Biggest Loser contestants, God can open new doors to eternal life for each and every one of us.

Hebrews 10:24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

God bless, and thanks for stopping in.

A Simple Thank You

My hubby and I were having dinner at Boston Market on Christmas Eve before attending candlelight service. While we were there a young city policeman arrived, but didn't get in line to order food. He sat at one of the tables and I wondered if he was supposed to be providing security. From time to time he'd get up and walk around staring out the windows as if looking for something or someone.

We'd been eating for about ten minutes when another policeman came in. The first one told his friend he'd been worried about him. Voices low, they shared a story...perhaps about a call he'd been on. Then they ordered their dinner and sat conversing.

I thought about this being Christmas Eve and these two men being separated from their families to protect us. This tugged at my heart continually until we finished our dinner. Before we left, I approached the policemen's table and said "Excuse me."

They both looked up and said, "Yes Ma'am," probably expecting me to complain about something. I just smiled and said, "I just wanted to tell you thank you for what you do and God bless you."

The smiles and expressions on their faces spread a warmth through my heart. They thanked me and we left.

Perhaps this wouldn't be such a big deal for someone else to do, but for me, the eternally shy one, I had to step way out of my comfort zone to approach those total strangers. I've felt so blessed after this experience, that I know God used that moment to teach me how to share his love with others.

God bless, and thanks for visiting.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Have you made any New Year Resolutions? Each year I jot down a few things that I plan to accomplish through the year. Being a writer, I set goals to accomplish a certain number of pages per day or number of manuscripts per year. I usually set goals to focus on getting healthy--eating better and getting daily exercise. Two years ago, I set a goal to read the entire Bible in one year. I purchased a Bible that had daily readings and by reading the alloted passages each day by the end of the year I would have read it all. I accomplished that and I'm so glad I did. But...it shouldn't stop there.

Whenever I open my Bible, I find something that inspires me in one way or another. So, this year, I'm setting a priority to read from my Bible daily. Last night I opened my Bible to this passage: Colossians 3:16-17

"Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father."

It spoke to me of what I need to be doing not only this year but every day of my life. So this year, not only am I going to set aside time to write, time to exercise, time to read the Bible, but also take time to share God's love with others.

So, how about you? Are you setting any resolutions for this new year?