Janice Thompson's Blog, page 26

Guest Post: Letting Go by Carla McDougal

Do you remember the last time you opened the door to your junk closet? You know, the place where you put things you don't want left out in the open. Maybe an item is old and worn out, so you throw it in this closet. Or, possibly it's broken, and you don't know what to do with it.

In my Bible Study, Reflecting Him, I invite readers to take a guided tour through various rooms in our homes, and compare these areas to our spiritual lives. The first day of the tour focuses on the closet—that hidden, dark place no one enters but you. "Out of sight, out of mind" might describe those items tucked away in that small space; but couldn't the phrase also depict the things we hide in the backs of our minds and hearts? Broken, worn out, or sinful thoughts weigh heavily on our souls, and we need to let go, so they can be replaced by God's light of love, grace and mercy. June 23rd is National "Let It Go" Day. I encourage you to find something in your spiritual "junk closet" and let it go.

Do you harbor bitterness for past hurts against you? Does sin linger in the crevices of your heart and mind? Are you in need of God's forgiveness? We are all sinners, but we can be free from the closet of sin if we confess and ask for His forgiveness. Let go, and let God shine His light on you. Just like cleaning out the junk closet, once you let go of those spiritual messes in your life, you'll be left with room for the new. God's all about making things new. A new heart. A new life. A new you. It all starts with letting go of those things that fall short of His plan.

When you organize a junk closet, you might choose to use special organizers or aids to make it all work together better. Or perhaps you even hire a professional organizer. In your spiritual closet, don't forget that you can find all the assistance you'll ever need through the help of the Holy Spirit and God's Word. Are you ready to let God take the tour through the various rooms of your spiritual "house"? When you open the closet, what mess falls out? Give it to Him and see what happens!

CARLA MCDOUGAL is founder of Reflective Life Ministries headquartered in the Houston, Texas area. Her true passion for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, shines brightly, whether she is speaking or writing. She shares experiences from her own life to encourage women to live every day for Him. God is sending Carla around the world to speak to women from all walks of life—those living in the best of circumstances to those who have hit rock bottom. Carla's book, Reflecting Him: Living for Jesus and Loving It, pulls back the veil so you can see yourself and your Lord more clearly and reflect Him with transparency when interacting with others. This 10-week study exposes the dark corners of your life, opening your eyes and heart to what Jesus wants you to see. Carla's refreshing authenticity and humorous style will lift you up from a heaviness you didn't even know weighed you down. For more information on a growing number of products from Reflective Life Ministries go to: www.reflectivelifeministries.org

This article content is provided free of charge by the author through Kathy Carlton Willis Communications. You are welcome to place this article on your site or in your publication as long as 1) it's used in its entirety, 2) the full bio is also used, and 3) you previously request permission through KCWC at russ@kathycarltonwillis.com.

All other standard copyrights apply.

The Dance of Hope

Swingin' Scripture: Psalm 25: 4 – 7

Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD; point out the right road for me to follow.  Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in you.  Remember, O LORD, your unfailing love and compassion, which you have shown from long ages past.  Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth; look instead through the eyes of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.

David's Dance:

Get this… David was full to the top with hope in most areas of his life.  But in some areas he lost it all and became completely hopeless.  He knew that he needed God to show him the right path to walk in.  He also needed God's compassion.  He always asked God, "Where do I go next in life?"  He tried to be hopeful, but sometimes it was hard.  He could have given up hope lots of times, but if he had, where would his life have taken him?  Instead, David continued to put his hope and his trust in the Lord.

Questions to Keep You on Your Toes:

Do you ever feel like giving up hope?
What is hope, anyway?
Is it harder to be hopeful when you don't know which path to choose?

Set Your Feet to Dancin'

Are you like David – hopeful in some situations and completely hopeless in others? There is such a difference in the two, isn't there?  You can see hope shining through people, but when they are hopeless you can read the hurt in their eyes.  It is difficult to have hope when things are tough in your life – especially if you've been praying about something and things don't seem to be getting better.  But God is in control!  But keep on hoping!  Even when it hurts, remember that being hopeless hurts even more!

On Your Knees, Please!

Dear God,

Give me hope in every area of my life.  I'm tired of being hopeless!  Walk with me through this hard time.  In Your Name I pray, Amen!

And All That Jazz… (thought for the day)

Hoping might be tough, but hopelessness is even tougher!

Battling Defeat

Sword of the Spirit  (I Samuel 30)

Three days later, when David and his men arrived home at their town of Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had made a raid into the Negev and had burned Ziklag to the ground. They had carried off the women and children and everyone else but without killing anyone. When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families, they wept until they could weep no more. David's two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal of Carmel, were among those captured. David was now in serious trouble because his men were very bitter about losing their wives and children, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

(To find out more about how this story ends, read 1 Samuel 30)

David's Battle:  Defeat

Ever feel like giving up – like throwing your hands up in the air in defeat?  That must have been how David felt when he and his friends showed up in their hometown of Ziklag and found everything burned to the ground.  All of the women and children had been kidnapped, but what could he do?  David felt like such a loser.  In fact, he felt so defeated that he sat down and cried until he couldn't cry anymore.  Ever been there?  Just when he thought things couldn't possibly get any worse, his friends started talking about killing him.  They blamed him for everything that had happened.  Ouch!  That's a rough spot to be in!  Did David give up?  No way!  He found strength in God.  In the end, God restored everything David and the other men had lost.  All of their wives and children were returned, and they ended up with so much stuff that they had a hard time deciding how to divide it all.  It's a good thing David didn't give up!

Strategic Questions:

Are you ever completely defeated?
Who is bigger – God or satan?
When you feel defeated, where does your strength come from?

Putting On Your Armor:

We're a lot like David, aren't we?  We feel like giving up when it looks like we're about to be defeated.  The bad news looks really bad sometimes.  It makes us throw our hands up in defeat.  We can feel like such losers!  We want to curl up in a little ball, to just disappear.  The great news is, God is on our side!  He wants us to put our trust in Him and to keep going, no matter how things look – even when everyone and everything would seem to be against us.  He will restore everything we've lost, and will also restore the relationships with those who blame us for the things we didn't do.  With God on our side, we can never be defeated.

S.O.S. (Speaking to Our Savior in prayer)

Dear Lord,

Thank you for being on my side.  I'm so strong in You!  Help me to remember that You will restore everything that's been stolen from me by the enemy.  With you on my side, no one can defeat me!  I love You, Lord!  Amen.

Which Side Are You On?  (Thought for the Day)

How quickly do I give up?

Passion to Pursue

There is a passion, borne not of frustration, but love

That elevates my thinking, sets my mind on things above

This passion drives and lifts, and sets all things in motion

As I pursue the heart of God in absolute devotion

 

I did not require its presence or attempt to seek it out

It found me when I reached the point of laying down all doubt

Since this passion rose within, came knocking at my door

I'm racing toward the goal like I have never done before

 

But one last cry remains, one I simply can't erase

To reach the lost, the hurting, all of those along my way

To be used is greater still than sitting silently nearby

My passion to pursue is one I cherish with my life

 

Now driven, unashamed I walk this road with greater zeal

Reaching out to others to release this fire I feel

And the heart of God is nearer than I've ever known before

My heart now beats with His and I am shaken to the core

A gift, I know – this passion, for it rises from within

And sets my feet in motion for the journey to begin.

 

The Dance of Song

Swingin' Scripture: Psalm 33:1 – 5

Let the godly sing with joy to the LORD, for it is fitting to praise him.

Praise the LORD with melodies on the lyre; make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.  Sing new songs of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp and sing with joy.  For the word of the LORD holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust. He loves whatever is just and good, and his unfailing love fills the earth.  PS. 33

David's Dance:

David was one musical fellow.  He used all he had for the Lord.  "Praise the Lord with melodies," the Bible says.  David did just that!  He had the heart of a true worshiper – in song and on his instrument.   When he wrote the scripture, "play skillfully your harp and sing new songs to the Lord," David knew exactly what he was talking about!  This scripture also tells us that the Lord loves what is just and good.  He must have been really pleased with David's worship, then!  When David would praise and sing to the Lord, he would always do it with a willing heart – which was just what God was looking for.

Questions to Keep You on Your Toes:

Are you a free-singing David?
What does it mean to "sing a new song" to the Lord?
Do you ever sing just for the applause?

Set Your Feet to Dancin'

Let's give this praising thing a try, OK?  It's not as hard as it looks.  Praise God in your own way with a pure heart and you'll be fine.  God honors those who honor Him!  "Praise the Lord with melodies on an instrument.  Sing new songs of praise!"  Now, that doesn't mean that you have to be a great vocalist or instrumentalist.  Just don't be afraid to sing out whenever you feel led to worship God with your voice.  Remember, God loves "whatever is just and good."  It has nothing to do with quality.  It has everything to do with your heart.  If we have a worshiper's heart like David, we can't go wrong!

On Your Knees, Please!

Dear God,

Help me to be like David.  I want to open up and sing praises to You without being ashamed – and yet I don't want to be too prideful, either.  I love You, Lord.  Give me a worshiper's heart.  Thank You!  In Your Name I pray.  Amen.

And All That Jazz… (thought for the day)

Am I afraid to sing out a new song?

Battling Sexual Sin

Sword of the Spirit  (II Samuel 11: 2 – 4)

Late one afternoon David got out of bed after taking a nap and went for a stroll on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, "She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite." Then David sent for her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her.  (This one has a pretty sad ending.  For more about David & Bathsheba, feel free to read II Samuel 11 & 12)

David's Battle: Sexual Sin

This battle started with David's eyes.  He saw Bathsheba and his eyes pretty much just popped right out of his head.   Why? She was gorgeous – a real knock-out.  He was immediately tempted to do the wrong thing.  Ever been there?  Problem was, Davod didn't resist the temptation.  He invited her to the palace, then he slept with her.  They weren't married to each other.  In fact, Bathsheba already had a husband – a man named Uriah.  Uriah was a good man, who was out fighting battles to protect David.  Things got complicated really quick.  Bathsheba ended up pregnant with David's child.  He knew that when Uriah showed up at home, he would have a lot of explaining to do.  David tried all sorts of tricks to keep Uriah from figuring out the truth, but nothing worked.  In the end, David did the unthinkable.  He had Uriah killed in battle.  An innocent man ended up losing his life because of David's sexual sin.

Strategic Questions:

Is it possible to commit sexual sin without actually having sex?
Is sex before marriage OK?
How can one person's sexual sin end up hurting many?

Putting On Your Armor:

"Sexual sin?  Me?" you might be saying.  David probably said the same thing at one time.  But remember, his problem actually started the minute he laid eyes on Bathsheba.  We hear it all the time, "He's such a hunk" or "Man, she's gorgeous!"   It's all innocent enough, right?  We never thinking of where it might lead.  David's thoughts went from pure to impure really fast.  His sin actually started at that time.  Maybe like David you've already committed sexual sin.  It's quite a battle for many.  But just like David, you can be forgiven.  Just ask God to forgive you, then be sure to dress yourself in His armor to stay protected

S.O.S. (Speaking to Our Savior in prayer)!

Oh Lord!

Help me to fight this battle in the right way.  Help me to learn from David's mistakes so that I don't make them myself.  Please forgive me for any impurity in my life and help me to be strong in You.  Guard my thoughts and the things I watch with my eyes.  Let me stand as a light in the darkness.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Which Side Are You On?  (Thought for the Day)

Is lusting the same thing as sexual sin?

The Dance of Worship

Swingin' Scripture: II Samuel 6:16

But as the Ark of the LORD entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she was filled with contempt for him.  (To find out more about David's dance of worship, read II Samuel 6:9 – 23)

David's Dance: WORSHIP!

Get this!  After many years, the Ark of the Covenant was finally coming back to Jerusalem.  David was ecstatic!  Thrilled!  Overjoyed!  He couldn't help but praise the Lord.  David's heart was filled with so much joy that he began to dance like a maniac before the Lord.  There were others watching, but he didn't notice them.  All he noticed was the Lord's presence!  He was dramatically worshiping when Michal, his wife, came storming towards him.  She was ticked off.  She started chewing him out, giving him a huge lecture… "You impure, thoughtless man," she exclaimed.  She stated her opinion, and then he stated his.  He tried to make her get it into her head that he was worshipping the Lord.  He let Michal know that he was more than willing to act like a fool anytime for the Lord.  The Lord was so disappointed with Michal's reaction to David's dance that He punished her.  She was no longer able to have children from that day on.  That's a pretty high price to pay for criticizing someone else's style of worship!

Questions to Keep You on Your Toes:

Was it improper for David to dance as he did before the Lord?
Who corrected his behavior?
Would you be open-minded about The Dance of worship before the Lord?

Set Your Feet to Dancin' (application)

This isn't just a story about a crazy man who danced in the streets and a young woman with a temper.  This goes much deeper than that.  This is a message about how David chose to worship.  We are all worshipers in our own way.  The question is – are we willing to put the opinions of others aside and focus fully on God, even if it means looking like a fool in front of our friends and family?  It's up to each of us to decide to worship the Lord like David did.

On Your Knees, Please!

Dear God,

Give me a worshiper's heart like David!  I want to be willing to praise You in any environment, even it means having to look a little foolish.   I am willing to worship with abandon.  Teach me the dance of worship so that I can celebrate your goodness.  Thank You, Jesus.  Amen.

And All That Jazz… (thought for the day)

Am I willing to look foolish for the Lord?

A New Writing Contest for Fiction Writers

Dear Writers,

Details for entry to the Writers On The Storm "CATEGORY FIVE" Writing Contest are below. The contest is open to unpublished and non-traditionally published FICTION authors, both members and non-members of the Writers on the Storm group. NOTE: If you have previously been "traditionally" published, you are not eligible. However, if you paid to publish your book(s), you are eligible and encouraged to participate.

Judges are all published authors and/or industry pros, though not members of our chapter. Entering a writing contest is a great way to get feedback or accolades, and we hope you will enter this one with great enthusiasm! The WOTS Chapter Board invite you to BLOW THE JUDGES AWAY with your fiction writing brilliance!

Our Cat Five Writing Contest OPENED on JUNE 1st and CLOSES on Friday, JULY 29th. Judges will receive entries for review on August 1st, 2011. Winners will be announced at our MEET THE CHRISTIAN AUTHOR event on September 17th, 2011 and winners will be notified by phone.

Our Five Categories (novels and/or short stories)

1. Romance (Historical and Contemporary)

2. Women's Fiction

3. General Fiction

4. Mystery/Suspense

5. Young Adult/Children's

Contest Fees:

Members-$20 per entry (Two or more entries $15/per entry)

NonMembers-$25 per entry (Two or more entries $20/per entry).

Make checks out to: Writers on the Storm

PRIZES:

The overall grand prize (for the highest scoring entry) is the FICTION WRITING MASTER COURSE from www.freelancewritingcourses.com, a $249 value. The grand prize winner will also receive a plaque, a press release he/she can share with others and a news splash on our website. The category winners will each receive a free edit of the first chapter of their book from a multi-published author, along with a certificate. Their names will be listed on our website, as well. We will also post the list to facebook, twitter, the ACFW loop, etc.

Instructions:

Send the first 15 pages of your novel or short story. If you have a prologue, you may send the prologue and part of chapter one or just 15 pages of chapter one if chapter one exceeds 15 pages. The total pages of your entries may not exceed 15).

Entries must be double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 point on white paper.

Entries should reflect a Christian world-view.

Entries with inappropriate content (i.e. profanity, pornography, extreme violence) will not be considered.

Entries will not be returned to contestants via the U.S. Post Office unless a SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope) is enclosed with each entry submitted.

Judges are all published authors and/or industry pros, though not members of the Writers On The Storm chapter.

Send your entries via SNAIL MAIL to:

Linda Kozar

7 South Chandler Creek

The Woodlands, Texas 77381

Questions? Contact Linda Kozar at zarcom1@aol.com

 

 

 

 

 

Reflections on an Empty Page

As I sit with pen in hand, ready to face the stark, white reality of the empty page, I find myself consumed with thoughts that pull me away from my task.  "Am I writing out of passion?" I wonder, "or am I writing to fill a need?"  The sheer bluntness of the question brings instantaneous guilt.  It also sends my mind off in a thousand different directions.

I can't help but think of Laura Ingalls Wilder in her prairie home… eyes darting quickly across the rough pages as her crude pen scratches frantically – and I feel like a traitor.  My fingers tip-toe across near-silent keys as I write.

My mind roams to Thoreau… strolling silently, solemnly through the sanctuary of his wilderness home, breathing in, giving out – and I realize that I haven't even stepped outside to check the mail yet today.

I drift to Louisa May Alcott – that adventurous soul, who dared to imagine that her ink-stained hands could push open doors in a man's world – and I glance down at my finely manicured nails, completely clean, yet completely stained with guilt.

My mind gravitates towards George Orwell, who sought to change his world by writing something so bold, so unique that readers for generations to come would study the complexities of its simplicity – and I am forced to admit that I have become completely oblivious to the political machine in my own world.

I imagine Shakespeare… acting out his plays in his head as he scribbles, scribbles, scribbles away.  Enter Puck, Stage Left.  Enter Hermia, Stage Right – and I recognize that  my own characters haven't spoken to me in quite some time.

I recall the story of Emily Dickinson – so withdrawn, so melancholy, and yet so full of verse that she would flip the world of poetry up on its ear – and I realize that I've never graduated beyond the simplest of poetic forms.

I ponder the writings of Herman Melville… a man tormented by allegorical beast, tossing and turning on the sea of life – and must admit that I haven't used an educated adjective in days.

I wonder at the imagination of a Franz Kafka… in whose clever characters I often find myself hidden – and recognize that my creative juices are in much need of a spin around the juicer.

It is in these moments, as the paper moves from stark white to blur, that I thank God for placing the desire to write in me.  Guilt shifts.  Reality convenes.  I am a writer.  I am passionate.  I am fanning the flame.  I am so grateful to be counted among those who, in touching pen to paper, hope to impact their world.

My fingers begin to dance across the keys – silent no more.  The race has begun.  Yes, others have run that race before me.  They have cast a shimmer of light on the road that I now travel.  For that, I am forever grateful.  But there is plenty of road ahead for one like me.

To learn more about the writing process, feel free to visit my online courses site.

Battling Persecution

Sword of the Spirit  (I Sam. 18: 10 – 12)

The very next day, in fact, a tormenting spirit from God overwhelmed Saul, and he began to rave like a madman. David began to play the harp, as he did whenever this happened. But Saul, who had a spear in his hand, suddenly hurled it at David, intending to pin him to the wall. But David jumped aside and escaped. (To learn more about Saul's persecution of David, read I Samuel 18:1 – 16)

 

David's Battle: Persecution

After David returned from killing Goliath, the people thought he was pretty amazing.  He was quite a hero!  They went on and on about how he had handled himself in battle.  They said, "Saul has killed his thousands and David his ten thousands."  That made David feel really great, but it ticked Saul off.  He wasn't going to let this young punk make him look bad, but what could he do?  Saul thought about it all until he was really bugged. The more he thought about it, the more bugged he got.  In a fit of rage, he decided to kill David.  When that didn't work, he made it his business to make David's life miserable.  But David fought this battle with great wisdom.  He didn't feel sorry for himself.  He refused to take his eyes off of the prize.  He would soon take Saul's place as king, and a good king must be strong.  Even though he had to get away from Saul, running from place to place to avoid a confrontation, it was worth it all in the end.  He used common sense and cunning to outfox Saul at every turn.  With God's help, he turned persecution into strength and honor!  Another battle won!

Strategic Questions:

Is persecution ever a good thing?
How did David react to being persecuted?
How do you react to being persecuted?

Putting On Your Armor:

The problem with this battle is that we often don't see it coming.   We might think that someone is our friend one minute, only to find out that they are our enemy the next.   Often we are targeted because of what we believe.  We must be on our guard when persecution hits.  We can't let fear creep in.  We need to be wise like David!  We must remember that we are called to take a stand for right.  Remember the words of Jesus:  "God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven."  (Matthew 5:11 – 12)

S.O.S. (Speaking to Our Savior in prayer)

Dear Lord,

Sometimes I feel like there are so many people who are out to get me.  I don't understand it.  I know that I can't control how they feel about me.  But I can control what I do.  When I'm persecuted, please help me to stay as strong as David did.  Help me to remember that, with your help, I am strong enough to make it through this.  I love you Lord.  Amen.

Which Side Are You On?  (Thought for the Day)

Am I most often persecuted or the persecutor?