Margaret McSweeney's Blog, page 68

The Weekly Pearl

Good morning, Readers!

Be on the look out this week for some great advice for moms, wives, and a special review opportunity! I hope you have a wonderful week — this week I’ll be heading out with my family for a much needed vacation. We’ve been looking forward, and counting down the days, and it’s finally time!

I’ll leave with a great prayer from Paul in Ephesians:

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Ephesians 1:18-21

Walk in wisdom… redeeming the time | Kathi Macias

[image error]It’s been a busy week, but that seems to be the rule rather than the exception these days. But does a life lived in “emergency mode” allow us to “walk in wisdom…redeeming the time”?

I log a lot of activity in my everyday life, but in the midst of all that I am determined and disciplined to maintain my quiet times of communion with the Lord—and I do. Yet I sometimes worry that I allow that time to be reduced to the level of some of my other must-do activities.

Then along comes a God-ordained encounter that puts it all into perspective. I was running some errands with my mom and had stopped to pick up a few groceries. Mom stayed in the car to read while I ran into the store. In the express check-out line, the woman in front of me seemed to take longer than any twelve people should, and I was feeling more than a bit frustrated when I finally emerged with my single bag of groceries. As I stepped out into the sunlight and headed for my car, I heard these words: “Ma’am, can you spare some change?”

My natural inclination was to ignore the interruption and get into the car and drive away. But a still, small voice said, “Stop. Look at them.” So I did.

The thin, dirty, disheveled young couple, carrying what was no doubt their only earthly possessions in satchels on their backs, broke my heart. They could have been my children—or grandchildren.

I asked them to wait while I put the groceries in the car, and then I returned to hand them a few dollars. “May I pray with you?” I asked. They readily agreed.

As I laid my hands on their shoulders, I felt the young woman tremble as a sob escaped her throat. I prayed that God would reveal to them how very much He loved them, and that He would hold them in His hands and draw them to His heart. When I finished, the girl looked into my eyes and I knew that she had walked with God at one time. It was obvious she had recognized my words and remembered the unconditional love that fueled them.

I have prayed for that young couple many times since that brief encounter, and I will continue to do so each time God brings them to my mind. I will also thank God for allowing me to have that redeeming moment in my otherwise busy week of hamster-cage activity. It was the highlight of all I experienced these past days, as well as a reminder of why I’m here and why I do what I do. Whether it’s writing or speaking, praying or teaching, we’re here for the purpose of fulfilling the Great Commission, of completing the ministry of reconciliation. If we want to see that purpose fulfilled, we need to “walk in wisdom…redeeming the time.” We can only do that when we heed that still, small voice that says, “Stop. Look at them.”

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Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 40 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences. She won the 2008 Member of the Year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) and was the 2011 Author of the Year from BooksandAuthors.net. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband.   

Five Ways to Rejuvinate You | Mary DeMuth

[image error]I don’t know about you, but my life’s been hectic lately. I traveled far too much, and I need a break. So I write these words to myself (and to you) in hopes that we’ll all take a holy breath and find ways to refresh. Here are five ways.

Take a day off. Set aside a day each week where you rest. On those days, get away from the computer and phone, if possible. Go outside. Create something—take photos, play music, draw pictures. If you haven’t yet read The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan, I highly recommend his book. Life changing.
Cultivate spiritual disciplines, particularly silence and solitude. Spend extended time with God for your own spiritual development. Write out your prayers. Fast from media. Take long walks.
Indulge in a life-giving hobby. Find a hobby that limits adrenaline demand. Consider something you’ve always wanted to do but never gave yourself permission to enjoy. Like art? Take a class. Always wanted to fix up old cars? Join a local car club.
Invest in quarterly retreats. Once every three months, take a planned break from everyday life for rest, reflection, and prayer. Read classics or novels for personal growth, no “how to” books allowed. Find a place where God’s natural beauty will rejuvenate you.
Hang out with friends who are outside of your work responsibilities. Having a rich tapestry of relationships unrelated to your job will keep you sane when inevitable needs arise. You need safe relationships where you can let down your hair and be you, where you’re not required to play a role.


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I am a writer, speaker and book mentor who took a long path to publication. Ten years spent in obscurity. Years and miles of unpublished words. I‘m the poster child for Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers, where he shares the secret of “genius.” (Here’s the unglamorous truth: Genius comes from 10,000 hours of practice.) So I wrote my 10,000 hours, then started finding success in small venues–regional magazines, a local paper, then national magazines. Be sure to visit Mary on her blog www.MaryDeMuth.com