Lynn U. Watson's Blog, page 5

Writer’s Voice: Music from the Soul

“Now I’ve got that song stuck in my head.” How many times have you said that? I’ve never said it. You heard that correctly. Any tune I attempt ends up a river of nonsense notes spilled out on the rocks. Sunday morning during worship I lamented once again my total lack of a voice, as the congregation joined in a lovely worship song. At that moment I believed my contribution was little more than “a joyful noise,” if that.

I threw a private pity party. Again.

When I quieted my heart a moment to listen (there’s my word of the year again), I knew God told me again, “You do have a voice. It dwells in your writing and other creative outlets.”

Google search time. I found quotes about voice (and music).

“Music is the voice of the soul.” An anonymous quote that left me empty. What if you don’t have the gift of music?

A quote from Oliver Wendell Holmes further irritated my festering wound:

Alas for those that never sing, but ice with all their music in them!

More than a little discouraged, when I opened my Bible this next morning it fell to Psalm 68.

 

Sing to God! Sing praises to His name.
Exalt Him who rides on the clouds —
His name is Yahweh — and rejoice before Him.

~Psalm 68:4 (HCSB)

The words spurred a memory from a few years ago when our young granddaughter made up a song on the piano and her words to go with it. The words I remember: “Sing to God!” She belted them out with all her heart in her beautiful voice. And I thanked the Lord for this lovely gift He entrusted to her.

Next my search uncovered a blog post from The Writer’s Cooperative: Writer’s Voice: What Is It and How to Find Yours.

Authors know their voice is their unique style of arranging words on the page to tell the story in a way no one else can. In this article describing writer’s voice I found words like rhythm and tone and personality. The writer of the article, literary agent Rachel Gardner, defines writer’s voice like this: Your writer’s voice is the expression of You on the page. She believes this voice is innate, coming from within. Sounds rather musical to me, and the reminder I needed. When I trust my “voice” to God, the music of my soul will find its way to the written page. It will touch lives, and make a difference for His kingdom. I thanked Him once again for the unique ways He equips each of us for His kingdom.

Copyright 2021, Lynn U. Watson

Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible

Image is from Pixabay

Heavenly New Clothes — Dressed by and for The King of Kings

Looking past many items in my closet in 2020 and into 2021, I reached for the super-comfy leggings and tunics time and again. My obsession with clothes quite obvious. I knew that already. I love nice things and the put together look. With few places to go the joy of shopping evaporated quickly. Uncertainty of online purchases cast its own shadow. Girlfriend trips to favorite boutiques impossible or limited at best, just not the same. Walking circles around our neighborhood required zero in the way of fancy threads

As a professional seamstress for many years, I assisted others in creating their personal fashion statements; a knockout prom dress; the perfect wedding gown. Their pleasure in the final product rewarded my efforts.

Remember the story, The Emperor’s New Clothes? The tailor he hired convinced him of the perfection of each new creation. His pride kept him from realizing each time he remained in his underwear. The clothes all make believe. A duped laughing stock in his kingdom. (I’m happy to report, no one entrusting their fashion wishes to me, left my care with imaginary clothes.)

My embroidery sewing machine makes jump stitches between portions of the design. So, where are my seemingly disconnected blog stitches hopping about? How many times I’ve read these verses in First Corinthians, but this time something new jumped off the page, and I listened: New Clothes! (After all, the first two words are “Now listen,” and my word for the year is “listen.”)

Now listen to this: brothers and sisters, this present body is not able to inherit the kingdom of God any more than decay can inherit that which lasts forever. Stay close because I am going to tell you a mystery—something you may have trouble understanding: we will not all fall asleep in death, but we will all be transformed. It will all happen so fast, in a blink, a mere flutter of the eye. The last trumpet will call, and the dead will be raised from their graves with a body that does not, cannot decay. All of us will be changed! We’ll step out of our mortal clothes and slide into immortal bodies, replacing everything that is subject to death with eternal life.And, when we are all redressed with bodies that do not, cannot decay, when we put immortality over our mortal frames, then it will be as Scripture says:

Life everlasting has victoriously swallowed death.
Hey, Death! What happened to your big win?
Hey, Death! What happened to your sting?

Sin came into this world, and death’s sting followed. Then sin took aim at the law and gained power over those who follow the law. Thank God, then, for our Lord Jesus, the Anointed, the Liberating King, who brought us victory over the grave.

~1 Corinthians 15:50-57 (VOICE)

The clothes Jesus brings allow us to step out of our pride. Out of all our sin. We won’t be naked, and His wardrobe is perfect and eternal! Everlasting life swallows up all the evil, all the inconvenience, all the obstacles of our earthly life. The clothes He brings shine the most put-together look ever. I’m trusting King Jesus to bring my new wardrobe, when He comes for His glorious bride.

In her beautiful robes, she is led to the king, accompanied by her bridesmaids. ~Psalm 45:15 (NLT)

I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. ~Revelation 21:2 (HCSB)

I’ll clothe myself respectfully in the waiting. Rather not be seen in public (like the Emperor) in my underwear.

NOTE: The main character in my work-in-progress uses her skills as a dressmaker to provide for her family.

Copyright 2021, Lynn U. Watson

Scripture taken from The Voice. Copyright © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Photographer’s credits
Closet photo from pixabay
Emperor photo from pixabay
Bride photo from pixabay

You Are God’s Precious Valentine

Valentine’s Day —
for hearts and love

First thought —
“God is Love”
~1 John 4:8

His love so all encompassing there is no where for us to go to out-distance its reach. Whatever escape the driver of this pretty pink classic intends to make, the heart’s tied on. Might just be glued to the top, too. It’s going along, making the trip! And the heart is BIG — just like the heart of God.

One theme of my current writing project is choosing life. In the writing process I return to Psalm 139 again and again.

These verses — a huge reminder of just how far God will reach out to us with His love. You are valuable to Him. You are cherished by Him. He chooses you. Your life matters to Him. You are His precious valentine.

I can never escape from your Spirit!
    I can never get away from your presence!
 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
    if I go down to the grave, you are there.
If I ride the wings of the morning,
    if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
    even there your hand will guide me,
    and your strength will support me.
I could ask the darkness to hide me
    and the light around me to become night—
    but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
    Darkness and light are the same to you.

~Psalm 139:7-12 (NLT)

 

Copyright 2021, Lynn U. Watson
Photo from Pixabay
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Listen for the Pearls

When we hold a conch shell to our ear, we listen and delight to hear the ocean waves. Pearls are found in oysters and clams, not conchs. They do represent wisdom and are of great value when mentioned in the Bible. The above image spoke to me, and I pray I listened well, because I have chosen listen as my word for 2021

In the Bible we hear God say:

Call to Me, and I will answer you. I will tell you of great things, things beyond what you can imagine, things you could never have known.  ~Jeremiah 33:3 (VOICE)

Without pressing in and listening, I will never hear those unimaginable things. I must be at God’s door knocking in expectancy. Jesus reminds us of this in the New Testament:

So listen: Keep on asking, and you will receive. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened for you.   ~Luke 11:9 (VOICE)

Also in the New Testament, God the Father, reminds us:

Then a cloud surrounded them, and they heard a voice within that cloud.
Voice: This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him.. ~Mark 9:7 (VOICE)

The wheels in my mind are always going — sometimes in circles, sometimes, backwards, and sometimes in LaLa Land when I would be better served being mindful of the moment. That’s especially true in my worship, in my prayers, in my Bible study, in seeking direction, in how to best worship Him and live for Him every minute of every day.

I’ve asked God to still my mind in 2021 to hear Him more clearly. To help me intentionally choose to listen keenly for the pearls of wisdom and truth He imparts. I’ve asked this for every step on the path of my life, but specifically for it to be true in my writing journey this year. Only one week in, and He’s answering that prayer. I’m so grateful and reminded of these words of Jesus:

Or the kingdom of heaven is like a jeweler on the lookout for the finest pearls. When he found a pearl more beautiful and valuable than any jewel he had ever seen, the jeweler sold all he had and bought that pearl, his pearl of great price. ~Matthew 13:45-46 (VOICE).

I want to be all-in finding the hidden pearls Jesus has for me. How about you, dear reader? Are you all-in? Will you be clearing the distracting thoughts that clutter your ability to hear Jesus, and seeking His precious pearls?

 

Copyright 2021, Lynn U. Watson

Scripture taken from The Voice. Copyright © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Let Your God-Colors Shine

Add Black Spritz Cookies to the list of weird for 2020. Our granddaughters join me to bake and decorate cookies every year. 2020 would be no exception. Except in an effort to be sure we had green dough for the Christmas trees, I added an extra dash of green food color. The result: We have black cookies!

We joked they were cinders or coals for naughty children. Or — DIY home improvement shows are beginning a push toward one or more charcoal or black walls in their home renovations. Our cookies are trendy! Or not….

A few pics I shared on Facebook about our adventure were met with fun reactions. Someone suggested the cookies came from the Black Forest. Pleasant explanation, since the main character in my novel (still a work in progress) hails from the area of Germany close to that real life fairy-tale-like woods.

One thing for sure, the colorful sprinkles and candies the girls added popped boldly on the dark backgrounds. They reminded me of one of my favorite passages from The Message version of the Bible.

 

Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God–colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.       ~Matthew 5:14-16 (MSG)

God has certainly given His people — you and me — opportunities in the bleakness of 2020 to be shining lights of His love. Will you allow the beauty of His Spirit within you to draw others to Him? May the God-colors of Christmas and everyday be seen from your life lived in kindness and love, more than from the festive wrappings under your tree or the glowing lights on your home, or from brightly-trimmed black Christmas tree cookies.

Merry Christmas Blessings to All!

 

Copyright 2020, Lynn U. Watson

All Scripture quotations are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

 

“Bogged Down by Murder” in Shady Valley, Tennessee

Who would have known, two distinctly different mysteries in one weekend? And they are connected — sort of! When I offered to read and blog about Kathy Crestsinger’s recently released cozy mystery, Bogged Down by Murder I already knew it takes place in Shady Valley, a small mountain town in East Tennessee.

The same weekend, I emptied my dining room buffet to give it a new finish. This little dish, given to me by my mom’s sister many years ago, was among the treasures stashed there. I’ve wondered the history of the polka dot bowl in the past. This time curiosity won.

Southern Potteries, Inc., it turns out, is located in Erwin, another small East Tennessee town near Shady Valley. When I asked Kathy about it, she said, “Oh yes, I know Erwin. It’s over the mountain.” We both laughed because “over the mountain” is part of the story, and Erwin is across a mountain from the cranberry bog turned murder scene of Bogged Down by Murder.

(The pottery makers closed long ago, but have a special history. I’ll have to give it a blog post all it’s own. Be curious. It’s a great story!)

Both towns host a festival each fall. The Blue Ridge Pottery Festival in Erwin and the Cranberry Festival in Shady Valley.  Today we’ll make the trip over the mountain to Shady Valley to visit City-girl, Daisy McQueen, on the farm she inherited from her grandmother.

The real Shady Valley still operates on cash or checks only — NO credit cards.  An unlikely place for this uber-wealthy entrepreneur to even think of opening any part of her business. Or to convince residents to trade their fried food habits for the healthy ones her company promotes. We jump right into the story with a murdered man in a cranberry bog on her property. Enter a cast of quirky characters, family connections, death threats (someone wants her dead), and Harry. Together they deliver all you would expect from a cozy mystery. It’s a great weekend read!

Kathy, Daisy, and friends include a few of their favorite recipes for smart living.

I’m calling it a 4.5 star read!
The first chapter of Book 2, Death by Dubloons promises another great cozy mystery coming soon.

Kathy will be at the Cranberry Festival at Shady Valley School, October 10, and she will have books!

 

Here’s the back cover copy:

City girl, Daisy McQueen, inherits her grandmother’s farm in the mountains of East Tennessee, Shady Valley to be exact. Daisy owns a company, Smart Living, that teaches people how to live healthy, and she is used to city life. Shady Valley only has one small store and one restaurant.

Daisy finds a dead body in her cranberry bog, and she is the number one murder suspect. Harry Greer helps her with her investigation without realizing Daisy is one of the richest women in the world with her company, Smart Living.

Hunters are secretly entering her property from the Appalachian Trail at night. Harry wants to protect her, but Daisy wants to teach the people in Shady Valley how to eat and live healthy.

Someone wants her dead.

Kathy Cretsinger’s first three books are under the name of Katt Anderson, but the books she publishes now are under her real name. Her writing career began with stories of the Melungeon people from East Tennessee. She now writes about people in a small community in Tennessee—Shady Valley. She enjoys revisiting the mountains and the beaches and helping authors find their niche in the writing world. Her life is full of church and her family.

 

Find Kathy on
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100 Years of Women’s Suffrage, August 18, 1920-2020

Roaring Twenties — The phrase brings to mind flappers, fringe and long beads; rising hemlines; jazz; Art Deco; economic prosperity; movies, telephone, automobiles, radios all gaining popularity.

In the first year of the 1920s women received the right to vote. The date: August 18, 1920.

My grandmother turned 38 years old the next day, and was expecting her youngest child (my mother). I remember Grandma as full of life and laughter and  ready for adventure (even if only the armchair variety in later years). An expert with needle and thread and crafty endeavors, she created costumes in the early days of the film industry. Sewing skills allowed her to serve many wealthy members of her community with custom clothing and draperies.

She believed in the power of a woman, and I’ve often said over the years, she may have been born in an era ahead of her time. As a working woman, wife, and mother, raising a large family, I can’t imagine much time for community involvement in the Suffragette movement, but I’m sure she encouraged anyone at every opportunity to do their part to secure the vote for women. I also believe, though I have no proof, that she would have been in line at the local polling place to cast her ballot in the November 1920 election. She would have educated herself on her choices, and voted.

We stand at the threshold of a new twenties decade, and at a crossroads in our country. Our votes are important. Along with the obvious challenges of virus-induced locked-down businesses and schools, and our free republic vs socialism, abortion is also a large player. Will we vote to protect unborn lives? I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt she would have. You see, her mother’s pregnancy with her was one of much inconvenience — an embarrassment to her noble family, and one that sent her away from home and family to make a new life as a single mom in America. Throughout history options were available for a woman to bring back their time of month (a subject I tackle in my work-in-progresss, working title: Clara’s Cameo.

How thankful I am my Great Grandmother chose life for her child. Choose Life is a theme I promote in my own life. I use my reflexology credentials to serve women at Life Choices, our local free pregnancy medical center; sponsor children in poverty through Compassion; and support the ministry of Focus on the Family. I’ll be using my right to vote to choose candidates who support life beginning at conception. Focus on the Family will be hosting a transformational pro-life online event September 26. We’ve included the trailer. I encourage you to watch and to exercise your right to vote in November. I pray you, too, will vote pro-life.

I have very few photos of my grandmother. My best guess, she is around six or seven years old in this one.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (in Heaven), GRANDMA!

 

 

A Touch of Victorian with Modern

My current work-in-progress (WIP) keeps me looking at all things Victorian. This article, How to Create Modern Victorian Interiors, caught my attention. Just last fall, I had the opportunity to drive by my Great Grandparents’s home in Chicago and click a few photos. The home was built for them in the 1890s, and it’s current owners have kept it well-maintained. The workers you see are creating a native garden area.

Unfortunately, I was unable to see the inside, but looked for photos of furnishings the way they might be or may have been during the time period. I love the colors and the ambiance in this photo. I’ll let my imagination wander. According to my WIP, I believe it also had a piano. If my main character’s plans to use her sewing skills in her friends couture shop fall through, she may be able to teach piano to neighborhood children.

To create our own modern victorian settings requires combining the old with the new. The rocking chair in the last photo has a million stories to tell. I wonder how many babies it rocked. It rocked mine, and it rocked me. It rocked my dad and his siblings over 100 years ago. I believe it was a family piece my grandmother received from her aunt. It’s been in my home for nearly fifty years. The teapot and cups belonged to my other grandmother. She would have been a teenager living in the Chicago home. I’ve successfully combined the old and the new. Go to our Facebook page and share some vintage pieces you have brought into a more modern setting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are You Suffering from Touch Starvation?

We’ve been forbidden human touch. We’ve become afraid of human touch, but we’re also missing it. In these days of COVID-19 lockdowns and social distancing extending far beyond the two weeks to flatten the curve, we’ve had one of our most basic needs stripped from us.

Basic needs are usually considered to be water, shelter, food, and clothing. Consider this: an article on Touch Starvation includes this quote from Asim Shah, M.D., a professor and executive vice chair of the Menninger Department of Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine.

“Human beings are wired to touch and be touched. When a child is born, that is how they bond with their mother—through touch, Our wiring system has touch everywhere, so it’s difficult for us not to think about physical contact.”

The above referenced article goes on to say that when touch is limited or eliminated individuals are faced with the very real condition of Touch Starvation along with its many manifestations. Stress hormones may be increased. Digestive challenges may arise. Heart rate and blood pressure may increase. Read the entire article for more scientific explanations of this. (Link found at bottom of page.)

Another article, Hands On Research: The Science of Touch, from Greater Good Magazine (UC Berkeley) tells how profound human touch is in our lives. Here’s a quote from its author,  Dacher Keltner.

“A pat on the back, a caress of the arm—these are everyday, incidental gestures that we usually take for granted, thanks to our amazingly dexterous hands. But after years spent immersed in the science of touch, I can tell you that they are far more profound than we usually realize: They are our primary language of compassion, and a primary means for spreading compassion.”

Jesus would surely agree. Here are just a few examples.
~The woman anointing Jesus’ feet (Luke 7:36-50); Jesus welcomed the sinful woman’s touch.
~Jesus encouraged the children women to come to Him, and He touched them. (Matthew 19:13-15
~Jesus touched Peter’s mother-in-law, her fever left. (Matthew 8:14-15)
~He touched the deaf-mute’s tongue and ears. His sight and hearing were restored. (Mark 7:31-35).
~Jesus washed the disciples feet, and told them to do this for each other. (John 13:1-17)

As we begin to gather together again in socially distanced settings and with touch still forbidden, our touch deprivation continues. I for one am ready to hug my friends without fear, and touch the babies, and hold someone’s hand (without gloves or mask). In the meantime I’m holding to this promise from God.

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.” ~Isaiah 41:10 (HCSB)

 

Copyright 2020, Lynn U. Watson

Photos from Pixabay.com
Grandfather photo
Girls hugging photo

Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Article from Texas Medical Center found here.

Coffee or Dinner with Jesus while We Stay-at-Home

If I were to ask what you miss most during these days of stay-at-home orders because of COVID19, I believe most would say it is gathering with family and friends — sharing a meal or a cup of coffee, celebrating a birthday, attending a wedding, hugs. . .  It wouldn’t be the trappings dollars can purchase, or even the exotic places we would love to visit. Perhaps that’s because we are built for relationship.

Jesus reminds us of the relationship he desires to have with us. His theme focuses on gathering together.

“I am the bread of life,” Jesus told them. “No one who comes to Me will ever be hungry, and no one who believes in Me will ever be thirsty again.” ~John 6:35

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” ~Revelation 3:20

 

 

Jesus invited Himself to spend time in  Zacchaeus’ home. Like the little girl in the photo Zacchaeus was up a tree. Zack wanted to see Jesus. Here’s the story:

He entered Jericho and was passing through. There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since He was about to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today I must stay at your house.”

So he quickly came down and welcomed Him joyfully. All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to lodge with a sinful man!”

But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much!”

“Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”     ~Luke 19:1-9

 

Do you hear the excitement in Zacchaeus’ and in Jesus’ voice? They looked forward to special time gathered together at Zack’s house  Not everyone around them was thrilled with the arrangement. Those who witnessed the encounter complained about “who” exactly Jesus would be visiting. Perhaps they were jealous because their own relationships lacked. Maybe they remembered a dinner or a birthday party they hadn’t received an invitation to attend. Zacchaeus confessed his sins. Perhaps the onlookers were fearful their own would be exposed, but Jesus showed only joy — no condemnation.

While we’ve been sheltering at home, away from parties, and dinners, and crowds, Jesus has continuously extended His invitation to spend time with Him. To have morning coffee with Him. To have dinner with Him. To just sit and chat. The very activity we all long for during this time. He’s listening to our confessions. He offers forgiveness and salvation. He’s so happy we choose to spend time with Him.

God’s given us a gift of time drawn away from the business and rush of activity. How much of it have you spent in His presence, getting to know Him better? As we approach the end of this time of stay-at-home orders, have you grown closer to Jesus — sitting and chatting with the Dearest Friend you have?

When you gather together with friends again, how will your gatherings look different because you have spent more time in the presence of Jesus?

For those who do not own a Bible, check out this amazing website: Bible Gateway You will find nearly all if not all English translations and several Spanish translations available on this website. All FREE!

Photos from Pixabay
Birthday Party
Girl in Tree

All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Copyright 2020, Lynn U. Watson