Amanda Stephan's Blog: God is Good, God is Great, page 46
July 14, 2012
The One Who is Not
People. I'm not at all sure that "people who need people are the luckiest people in the world," as the song made popular by Barbra Streisand suggests. After all, some of the people I know are the last ones I can depend on for moral support when things get tough.
Relationships can be very difficult at times, often becoming the proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back. There are "poisonous people" or "silent but deadly" ones who leave us in such a state of hurt and frustration that we often become obsessed and guilt-ridden by our own negative emotions and inability or unwillingness to forgive them and simply move on. While it is possible to distance ourselves from some, quite often we find that these difficult-to-love people are members of our own families or co-workers who share office space with us each day. And sometimes, whether or not we want to admit it, the poisonous person is us.
Why do we give these people such power over our lives when instead we should be investing our affections and basing our self-worth in the One who is NOT like them? Why can't we be more like Jesus instead of allowing the ones who are not like him to bring out the worst in us?
The Bible is full of passages describing Jesus as being full of grace and truth, love, and the giver of peace that surpasses our understanding. Yet in our humanity we often miss the mark of showing grace, being truthful about ourselves and the way we feel, and loving others the way he loves us.
Perhaps the most helpful, and hard to live by, passage in all of Scripture is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. When we replace the word "love" with Jesus, we get a clear idea of his character and the way we should live. When we read that passage with our name inserted, we quickly see how short we fall of the mark. So, do we just throw up our hands in despair and abandon the effort? Not if we truly desire to be the face and testimony of God to those in our lives who need him most.
Let us endeavor to pray for one another and resolve to live as Jesus, the one who was patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily-angered, not mindful of the wrongs done to him by those like us. Let us not delight in evil but instead rejoice with the truth, always protecting, hoping, and persevering as we strive to be more like him.
Copyright © 2012 by Dee Dee
Wike. All rights reserved. www.deedeewike.com
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
Relationships can be very difficult at times, often becoming the proverbial straw that breaks the camel's back. There are "poisonous people" or "silent but deadly" ones who leave us in such a state of hurt and frustration that we often become obsessed and guilt-ridden by our own negative emotions and inability or unwillingness to forgive them and simply move on. While it is possible to distance ourselves from some, quite often we find that these difficult-to-love people are members of our own families or co-workers who share office space with us each day. And sometimes, whether or not we want to admit it, the poisonous person is us.
Why do we give these people such power over our lives when instead we should be investing our affections and basing our self-worth in the One who is NOT like them? Why can't we be more like Jesus instead of allowing the ones who are not like him to bring out the worst in us?
The Bible is full of passages describing Jesus as being full of grace and truth, love, and the giver of peace that surpasses our understanding. Yet in our humanity we often miss the mark of showing grace, being truthful about ourselves and the way we feel, and loving others the way he loves us.
Perhaps the most helpful, and hard to live by, passage in all of Scripture is 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. When we replace the word "love" with Jesus, we get a clear idea of his character and the way we should live. When we read that passage with our name inserted, we quickly see how short we fall of the mark. So, do we just throw up our hands in despair and abandon the effort? Not if we truly desire to be the face and testimony of God to those in our lives who need him most.
Let us endeavor to pray for one another and resolve to live as Jesus, the one who was patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily-angered, not mindful of the wrongs done to him by those like us. Let us not delight in evil but instead rejoice with the truth, always protecting, hoping, and persevering as we strive to be more like him.
Copyright © 2012 by Dee Dee
Wike. All rights reserved. www.deedeewike.com
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
July 13, 2012
Just For Laughs - Fun Friday
I really don't know what I'd do if this ever happened to me. I'd probably be the jerk running down the road...
What about you?
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
What about you?
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
July 12, 2012
When the Words Won't Come
I do not like to write - I like to have written. ~ Gloria Steinem
I would never have applied this feeling to myself until recently. I have said whenever asked, "I have always loved to write. I love creating characters and stories." But lately all I want to say is, "Bleck."
I am a teacher, so my summers are free from the structured 8 hour work day. My plan this summer was to finish the two works I have had started for over a year. Over a year! Every night I go to bed thinking, "Tomorrow morning I'm going to get up before the kids and spend that quiet time writing."
Nope. It hasn't happened yet. And while I have pulled up both works on the screen and have spent some time on each this summer, that "ah-ha" moment where the flash happens and I can't type fast enough for the action going on in my mind just hasn't hit. You know, those times when you finally tear your eyes away from the computer screen to realize it's 4:00 pm and you've been sitting at the computer in your pjs all day. Your children are walking around in a dazed stupor because you haven't fixed them anything to eat. Yeah. That's hasn't happened this summer.
In fact, every time I sit down to write something has interrupted. The phone rings. The cat decides its time to be fed. One of the neighbor kids bangs on the door (then the ensuing noise from excess children in my house just makes trying to write laughable). Has this ever happened to you? Are you feeling my pain?
So I can say, at this point in my life, I would agree with Ms. Steinem. I would rather have either of these stories finished. Then I could go back and work on some editing. At least that would be a concrete place to focus.
In desperation, I began looking at some sites on writer's block. There are tons of suggestions, blog posts, articles, even books on the subject. One of the best things I read was in an article that I lost the link to. (Sorry.) But this gentleman said he actually writes out sentences he knows good and well will not end up in his book, just to be writing something! This sentence isn't going to stay. It knows it. I know it. We're both good with that. But writing this sentence at least allows me to say I wrote something today. You get the point. I thought it would at least be something better than looking at that obnoxious blinking cursor on my computer screen.
Here are a few sites I found with suggestions for beating writer's block. If you are experiencing the same frustration I have had, perhaps these will help! Or if you have tried and true tips of your own, please share them with those of us who are still beating our heads against the wall. Or keyboard.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/brainstorm_block.htm
http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/writingroadblocks/tp/block.htm
http://www.pgtc.com/~slmiller/writersblocktips.htm
Happy writing,
Karina Harris
www.karinaharrisauthor.comLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
I would never have applied this feeling to myself until recently. I have said whenever asked, "I have always loved to write. I love creating characters and stories." But lately all I want to say is, "Bleck."
I am a teacher, so my summers are free from the structured 8 hour work day. My plan this summer was to finish the two works I have had started for over a year. Over a year! Every night I go to bed thinking, "Tomorrow morning I'm going to get up before the kids and spend that quiet time writing."
Nope. It hasn't happened yet. And while I have pulled up both works on the screen and have spent some time on each this summer, that "ah-ha" moment where the flash happens and I can't type fast enough for the action going on in my mind just hasn't hit. You know, those times when you finally tear your eyes away from the computer screen to realize it's 4:00 pm and you've been sitting at the computer in your pjs all day. Your children are walking around in a dazed stupor because you haven't fixed them anything to eat. Yeah. That's hasn't happened this summer.
In fact, every time I sit down to write something has interrupted. The phone rings. The cat decides its time to be fed. One of the neighbor kids bangs on the door (then the ensuing noise from excess children in my house just makes trying to write laughable). Has this ever happened to you? Are you feeling my pain?
So I can say, at this point in my life, I would agree with Ms. Steinem. I would rather have either of these stories finished. Then I could go back and work on some editing. At least that would be a concrete place to focus.
In desperation, I began looking at some sites on writer's block. There are tons of suggestions, blog posts, articles, even books on the subject. One of the best things I read was in an article that I lost the link to. (Sorry.) But this gentleman said he actually writes out sentences he knows good and well will not end up in his book, just to be writing something! This sentence isn't going to stay. It knows it. I know it. We're both good with that. But writing this sentence at least allows me to say I wrote something today. You get the point. I thought it would at least be something better than looking at that obnoxious blinking cursor on my computer screen.
Here are a few sites I found with suggestions for beating writer's block. If you are experiencing the same frustration I have had, perhaps these will help! Or if you have tried and true tips of your own, please share them with those of us who are still beating our heads against the wall. Or keyboard.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/brainstorm_block.htm
http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/writingroadblocks/tp/block.htm
http://www.pgtc.com/~slmiller/writersblocktips.htm
Happy writing,
Karina Harris
www.karinaharrisauthor.comLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
July 11, 2012
Appearances Can Be Deceiving
Recently, we started looking for a house to live in. We have been living with my parents for the past couple of months while my husband got situated at his job. Once he was established, we began the tedious job of house hunting. We were looking to rent.
In some ways, we felt we should wait a little while longer. In other ways, we decided it was time.
I was crying out to God; that He would show us His will. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that something big is about to happen. I just know. Sometimes I know things. I can’t explain it except to say it’s a God thing.
While I know this, my heart was still longing for a home. Some place my family and I can work in, live in and be a family in. So, I began looking on Craigslist. We wanted something in our price range (we were going for cheap so we could spend a good portion of our income on marketing).
Sundays after church became our day to drive around and look at properties. We called and left messages, we emailed, we drove by and we visited. Nothing. We received one email reply, which was spam. I was becoming discouraged. I cried out. Lord, do you not see me here? Asking for your grace and mercy?
This past Sunday we were on our usual pilgrimage. We applied for one two-bedroom house. It was small, but it would have worked.
We looked at my notes and we saw a phone number with a rent amount of $650.00 next to it. No additional information. We figured it wouldn’t hurt to call. The lady answered the phone and told us the address and to come on by. She was waiting for another possible tenant to show up.
When we arrived at our destination, our son took one look and said, “I’m not going in there.”
I replied, “Oh yes you are. We will not be rude to these people. We told them we wanted to look at the house and we will. We can always thank them then leave.”
The house looked to be in bad shape. The driveway was buckled from a tree root. The fenced in front yard was overgrown and miscellaneous junk was lying about, including a baby playpen with wood in it. To top it all off, six or seven people were sitting on the small front porch, pretty much looking like they had just stepped off the set of “The Beverly Hillbillies.”
My husband later told me he wanted to put the car in reverse and back up. I’m ashamed to say we pretty much all felt that way.
We approached the group of people, which was quite intimidating. By the outside of the house, we had very little expectations for the inside.
When we walked in the door, my husband described the experience as such: It was like when Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz left her world and entered this grand world of color. It was amazing.
I was confused. I expected to see a run down dirty house and what I was seeing was the complete opposite of that, by a long shot. It took me a little while to catch up to what my brain already knew. This house was beautiful. I glanced at the kitchen and didn’t really see it. I could see the gleaming hard wood floors but, again, I didn’t really see them. When I peered into the bathroom and my mouth dropped at the oversize tiled shower with an overhead as well as a side showerhead, I began to get it. This house is not what I expected it to be.
The landlady leaned over and whispered, “What until you see the master bedroom.”
I looked at the front bedroom and office then found my way through the hallway to the master suite. This room was huge. The walk in closet was big enough to be an office. The master bathroom had a giant Jacuzzi. French doors with stained glass opened up to the horrible back yard. We laughed.
I suddenly found myself wanting to see the kitchen again. Wow! Brand new cupboards, new dishwasher, disposal, everything is new and beautiful and gleaming. I couldn’t get over the difference between what we thought we were going to see and what we actually saw.
We will be moving in this coming weekend. The people who were supposed to come never showed up. It was like God set this gem of a house in the midst of chaos and said, this is for Darlene. I want her to be blessed, because I love her and want the best for her. I know that God did this for me. To know that He loves me that much has brought me to tears many times over the last few days. We serve a wonderful God who plans to prosper us and to give us a future.
Don’t over look what God may have for you because it doesn’t look like your expectations. It may be something much much better.
Thanks for taking the time to grow with me this Wednesday!
Darlene Shortridge
Author of Until Forever and Forever Blessed
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
In some ways, we felt we should wait a little while longer. In other ways, we decided it was time.
I was crying out to God; that He would show us His will. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that something big is about to happen. I just know. Sometimes I know things. I can’t explain it except to say it’s a God thing.
While I know this, my heart was still longing for a home. Some place my family and I can work in, live in and be a family in. So, I began looking on Craigslist. We wanted something in our price range (we were going for cheap so we could spend a good portion of our income on marketing).
Sundays after church became our day to drive around and look at properties. We called and left messages, we emailed, we drove by and we visited. Nothing. We received one email reply, which was spam. I was becoming discouraged. I cried out. Lord, do you not see me here? Asking for your grace and mercy?
This past Sunday we were on our usual pilgrimage. We applied for one two-bedroom house. It was small, but it would have worked.
We looked at my notes and we saw a phone number with a rent amount of $650.00 next to it. No additional information. We figured it wouldn’t hurt to call. The lady answered the phone and told us the address and to come on by. She was waiting for another possible tenant to show up.
When we arrived at our destination, our son took one look and said, “I’m not going in there.”
I replied, “Oh yes you are. We will not be rude to these people. We told them we wanted to look at the house and we will. We can always thank them then leave.”
The house looked to be in bad shape. The driveway was buckled from a tree root. The fenced in front yard was overgrown and miscellaneous junk was lying about, including a baby playpen with wood in it. To top it all off, six or seven people were sitting on the small front porch, pretty much looking like they had just stepped off the set of “The Beverly Hillbillies.”
My husband later told me he wanted to put the car in reverse and back up. I’m ashamed to say we pretty much all felt that way.
We approached the group of people, which was quite intimidating. By the outside of the house, we had very little expectations for the inside.
When we walked in the door, my husband described the experience as such: It was like when Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz left her world and entered this grand world of color. It was amazing.
I was confused. I expected to see a run down dirty house and what I was seeing was the complete opposite of that, by a long shot. It took me a little while to catch up to what my brain already knew. This house was beautiful. I glanced at the kitchen and didn’t really see it. I could see the gleaming hard wood floors but, again, I didn’t really see them. When I peered into the bathroom and my mouth dropped at the oversize tiled shower with an overhead as well as a side showerhead, I began to get it. This house is not what I expected it to be.
The landlady leaned over and whispered, “What until you see the master bedroom.”
I looked at the front bedroom and office then found my way through the hallway to the master suite. This room was huge. The walk in closet was big enough to be an office. The master bathroom had a giant Jacuzzi. French doors with stained glass opened up to the horrible back yard. We laughed.
I suddenly found myself wanting to see the kitchen again. Wow! Brand new cupboards, new dishwasher, disposal, everything is new and beautiful and gleaming. I couldn’t get over the difference between what we thought we were going to see and what we actually saw.
We will be moving in this coming weekend. The people who were supposed to come never showed up. It was like God set this gem of a house in the midst of chaos and said, this is for Darlene. I want her to be blessed, because I love her and want the best for her. I know that God did this for me. To know that He loves me that much has brought me to tears many times over the last few days. We serve a wonderful God who plans to prosper us and to give us a future.
Don’t over look what God may have for you because it doesn’t look like your expectations. It may be something much much better.
Thanks for taking the time to grow with me this Wednesday!
Darlene Shortridge
Author of Until Forever and Forever Blessed
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
July 10, 2012
Eeeew....Gross!
I know. What a title, right? Read on and you'll see why I chose it. I dare you.
Last week, I purchased some fresh produce so I could do some canning. (I know. It's over 100 degrees here. What in the *world* was I thinking?!)
Well, unfortunately, things didn't work out the way I had planned, and that same produce had to wait for me to find some time to put it up. So, two days later I was able to pull a 'I'm not going anywhere' day (I'm only allowed one of those per week, and even then it's like pulling teeth) and I got the job done.
But at a high cost.
...enter...
the DREADED FRUIT FLY (think scary music here...)
I *detest*, Hate, and DISLIKE immensely any sort of bug that's flying around inside my house. Seriously. Get out or I will kill you... (they don't call me ninja for nothing) and two I hate the most? Flies and Fruit Flies.
I hate them with a passion. I mean, let's face it. It's embarrassing when you're sitting down at the table and a fruit fly zaps around your head. Please! Kinda makes ya feel dirty or something. Even though they're a fact of country life.
Anyway, we were on the verge of a FRUIT FLY EPIDEMIC. These little nasties are everywhere. And someone's either going to go crazy trying to kill them all, or they're. Going. To. DIE.
(Seeing as how hubster likes me on the less crazy side, I chose the latter.)
Oh yeah, they're going DOWN! And I'll tell you how I did it. Seriously easy. (<~ dear Aileen, this seriously is for you. Enjoy!) ;)
In a small container, (I used 2oz souffle cups because I have gobs of those on hand at the moment,) pour some APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. Squeeze a few drops of DISH SOAP and set them out where you've seen the little buggers.
Wait. (This step is NOT going to be easy, but you MUST do it. Trust me. You must wait for the little creeps, so my advice would be to go watch a movie. Or play a game on the computer. Or sew a new dress for you and tie for your husband. But do NOT pull your hair out. Wigs aren't cheap.)
Visit your yucky smelling cups after a little while, and voila! You will see some pretty disgusting tiny corpses scattered along the bottom.
Why?
The fruit flies go NUTS over the apple cider vinegar. Thinking they're oh so smart they jump right in. The dish soap actually breaks down the top layer of the apple cider and the fruit flies get trapped and drown in the vinegar.
This makes me happy.
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
Last week, I purchased some fresh produce so I could do some canning. (I know. It's over 100 degrees here. What in the *world* was I thinking?!)
Well, unfortunately, things didn't work out the way I had planned, and that same produce had to wait for me to find some time to put it up. So, two days later I was able to pull a 'I'm not going anywhere' day (I'm only allowed one of those per week, and even then it's like pulling teeth) and I got the job done.
But at a high cost.
...enter...
the DREADED FRUIT FLY (think scary music here...)
I *detest*, Hate, and DISLIKE immensely any sort of bug that's flying around inside my house. Seriously. Get out or I will kill you... (they don't call me ninja for nothing) and two I hate the most? Flies and Fruit Flies.
I hate them with a passion. I mean, let's face it. It's embarrassing when you're sitting down at the table and a fruit fly zaps around your head. Please! Kinda makes ya feel dirty or something. Even though they're a fact of country life.
Anyway, we were on the verge of a FRUIT FLY EPIDEMIC. These little nasties are everywhere. And someone's either going to go crazy trying to kill them all, or they're. Going. To. DIE.
(Seeing as how hubster likes me on the less crazy side, I chose the latter.)
Oh yeah, they're going DOWN! And I'll tell you how I did it. Seriously easy. (<~ dear Aileen, this seriously is for you. Enjoy!) ;)
In a small container, (I used 2oz souffle cups because I have gobs of those on hand at the moment,) pour some APPLE CIDER VINEGAR. Squeeze a few drops of DISH SOAP and set them out where you've seen the little buggers.
Wait. (This step is NOT going to be easy, but you MUST do it. Trust me. You must wait for the little creeps, so my advice would be to go watch a movie. Or play a game on the computer. Or sew a new dress for you and tie for your husband. But do NOT pull your hair out. Wigs aren't cheap.)
Visit your yucky smelling cups after a little while, and voila! You will see some pretty disgusting tiny corpses scattered along the bottom.
Why?
The fruit flies go NUTS over the apple cider vinegar. Thinking they're oh so smart they jump right in. The dish soap actually breaks down the top layer of the apple cider and the fruit flies get trapped and drown in the vinegar.
This makes me happy.
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
July 9, 2012
The Continuing Saga...
Last week I shared with you Emily's first adventure in cooking and the pictures of her journey to lovely brownies. The very next day she asked her father and I when she could fix us dinner. We had quite a few leftovers in the refrigerator that I was trying to use up, so I assured her as soon as we polished them off I would oversee her dinner preparation efforts. A few days later when the fridge was once again barren of the remnants of days gone by, I let her make her first complete dinner. "What did we have that day?" you ask. To which I reply, "Yellow Chicken Curry a favorite in the Stewart household."
For those of you who might not be familiar with curry recipes, curry is an aromatic spice used widely in India. We use both powdered yellow curry, found at our local Amish bulk food store, and red curry paste which comes in a jar. I prefer Patak's Original Hot curry paste which can be found at several grocery stores or online. For those of you who would like to try this recipe but like your dishes a less bit spicy, I would suggest the mild curry paste. Our curry recipe is in essence like a stew that we put over minute rice and is replete with carrots, potato slices, and chunks of chicken. Served with toasted, buttered french bread it is a delightful trip to an exotic land without leaving the comfort of your own dining room.
Because we opt to use canned carrots and canned sliced white potatoes this recipe is not only delicious, but fairly quick to make taking only about a half an hour give or take five minutes. So without further ado, here is Emily's first lesson in making an entire dinner.
Making Minute Rice
Cooking the Chicken
Buttering the Bread
Stirring in the Yellow Curry Powder
Stirring in the Carrots and Tatees
The Finished Product!
So if you and your junior chefs feel like taking the next cooking step and you want an easy but exotic dish to try, pop on over to my site Fun With Aileen for this and other great recipes.
So ends another episode of Kids Korner with me, Children's Author Aileen Stewart. Join me next week for another exciting episode same krazy time, same krazy channel. And feel free to drop by my personal blog Aileen's Thoughts any day of the week for even more on reading, writing, and life in general.Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
July 8, 2012
Sundays with Kristi - Blessed: Peacemaker
“Can’t we all just get along?”
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
Ever heard or said that phrase? I know I have plenty of times throughout my life. The peacemaker is today’s topic for the Blessed series of devotionals over The Beatitudes. Don’t forget to check out the previous devotionals by clicking on the Sunday tab above. Also, be sure to comment and share this with your friends (you can use the links below, we’re all about making things simple ‘round here). You never know who will be encouraged by just that simple act.
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
What is Peace?
I mentioned simplicity above and today’s devotional is no exception. We’re just going to look at two questions that are associated with this verse. This first one, “What is peace?” is the crucial first step. After all, how will we know if we’ve made peace unless we first define what peace is.
Very simply, God is peace. God’s desires, God’s creations, God’s ways are peace. Think of the garden of Eden just after creation when God is standing around saying, “It is good.” (Genesis 1-2). Everything is at peace with everything else. We experience peace when we are following God. We discussed this in more detail a few weeks back while studying the Fruit of the Spirit. We want peace? We must be following God.
Why do we start here? Because I think a lot of people have a misconception about what it means to live in peace with other people. For example, I’ve heard some married people talk about how they achieve peace in their relationship and they say things like, “I just give in and let the other person have what they want, that keeps the peace.” The problem with that is that peace is not about what I want or what you want; peace is about what God wants. In my marriage, my husband and I have to come together with God to determine what He wants to our relationship. That is the only way we have true peace; God’s peace.
How do we make peace?
OK, so if we’re supposed to be peacemakers and only God is peace, how do we do this? In answering this, let’s take a look at our example: Jesus Christ. Jesus came to be a peacemaker between the two most distant and divisive foes ever imagined: Holy God and sinful humans. God is peace and we openly rebelled against God’s designs for us. We messed up and as such, drove an impenetrable wedge between us and God. Jesus came to make peace between us. How did he do that? Jesus was a peacemaker by His sacrifice. He was so committed to seeing peace restored between these two parties that He came to live the life that God required of us, die the death that was meant for us, and rose again triumphant so that through Him we might truly live forever at peace with God.
Before we can be a peacemaker between anyone else, we must first have made peace between ourselves and God. Have you experienced the saving grace of Jesus Christ by asking Him to forgive you for your wrongs and to come and live through you each day as you submit your life to Him?
After that, being a peacemaker between other people is difficult, tiring, and often requires sacrifice on our part. Jesus understands that. His role in being the peacemaker for us wasn’t easy, either. Being a peacemaker between people often is about helping those two people to see God through their situation or circumstance, or at least see what God would have them be doing. Yet, it is also very rewarding to help people reconcile their differences and be at peace with one another. After all, Jesus promises that the blessing for peacemakers is that they will be called “sons of God.”
Father, I am so thankful for Your sacrifice to make peace between You and me. I pray that You will give me the courage and determination to be a peacemaker and help lead people to Your peace in every area of their lives as well. I know that You are peace and only by seeking what You want for my life will I be able to find Your peace in every other relationship in my life as well.
RESPONSE: How about you? Have you tried to be a peacemaker before? How did it go? What went well, what went wrong? How would you go about it differently the next time?
Kristi Burchfiel, Christian devotional author and speaker
Living in the World – Living out the Word
Check out my website and daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook page
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
July 7, 2012
What Will Remain?
For the past four months I have been praying for a young man in our community who was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer at the tender age of fifteen. A godly young man with a bright future ahead of him entered the gates of heaven on July 5, just shy of his sixteenth birthday. Life isn't supposed to work that way.
Trey Erwin faced his cancer courageously. His mother, Lisa, journaled throughout his illness on his CaringBridge page. Because of their incredible faith and courage my life has been forever changed. Lisa held nothing back from her posts. They were descriptive, detailed, and at times revealed her own sorrow. But never were her posts without praise for the God who held Trey and their family in his hands. (I encourage you to click on the links in this paragraph for Trey's testimony and Lisa's journal entries. Although I do not personally know either of them, I am humbled by their faith and courage.)
People from around the world mobilized to pray for Trey (#prayfortrey) and provide financial and emotional support for his family. Celebrities and sports heroes visited or called him and gave him gifts and encouragement. Their lives were changed, too. The day Trey died, Tim Tebow tweeted, "In just one phone call @treyerwin13 truly inspired me. You will be missed by many brother but I look forward to seeing you in heaven one day."
We are still praying for the Erwins and all the friends Trey left behind. But no one is praying for Trey any longer because we know he is happy and healthy in the presence of his Father in heaven. What a triumph for Trey!
When we die, I think perhaps we all hope we will leave a legacy of faith as this young man did. As a mom, I pray that my children will see in me the kind of strength and faith that Lisa Erwin demonstrated through the four month battle her son fought against pancreatic cancer. Lisa has forever changed the way I view my children for in her posts she taught me what it means to cherish those I love and the time we have together.
May we all live, as Trey did, with the sole purpose of bringing glory to God in every aspect of our lives.
Copyright © 2012 by Dee Dee
Wike. All rights reserved. www.deedeewike.com
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
Trey Erwin faced his cancer courageously. His mother, Lisa, journaled throughout his illness on his CaringBridge page. Because of their incredible faith and courage my life has been forever changed. Lisa held nothing back from her posts. They were descriptive, detailed, and at times revealed her own sorrow. But never were her posts without praise for the God who held Trey and their family in his hands. (I encourage you to click on the links in this paragraph for Trey's testimony and Lisa's journal entries. Although I do not personally know either of them, I am humbled by their faith and courage.)
People from around the world mobilized to pray for Trey (#prayfortrey) and provide financial and emotional support for his family. Celebrities and sports heroes visited or called him and gave him gifts and encouragement. Their lives were changed, too. The day Trey died, Tim Tebow tweeted, "In just one phone call @treyerwin13 truly inspired me. You will be missed by many brother but I look forward to seeing you in heaven one day."
We are still praying for the Erwins and all the friends Trey left behind. But no one is praying for Trey any longer because we know he is happy and healthy in the presence of his Father in heaven. What a triumph for Trey!
When we die, I think perhaps we all hope we will leave a legacy of faith as this young man did. As a mom, I pray that my children will see in me the kind of strength and faith that Lisa Erwin demonstrated through the four month battle her son fought against pancreatic cancer. Lisa has forever changed the way I view my children for in her posts she taught me what it means to cherish those I love and the time we have together.
May we all live, as Trey did, with the sole purpose of bringing glory to God in every aspect of our lives.
Copyright © 2012 by Dee Dee
Wike. All rights reserved. www.deedeewike.com
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
July 5, 2012
Prologues: A Useful Beginning or a Waste of Space?
What is your opinion of prologues? From what I have studied, apparently many people skip them. As I was reading all the reasons why prologues should not be used, and how many people don't read them anyway, I tried to remember when I might have felt the same way. But I couldn't. So either I have not read as much as others, (which is probably the case), or I haven't read books with awful prologues to shadow my opinion of them. In my naivety, I always figured the prologue must be there for a reason. I better read it so I don't miss something important. (Not to be confused with a Foreword. Sorry, but I very rarely read those.)
That being said, I did read some compelling instruction on the appropriate use of prologues.
A prologue should be short and concise. If it is long enough to be your first chapter, then consider making it so. Most people expect prologues to be less than four pages. Two is even better, because we know inherently that this is an introduction, and we do want to get to the meat of the story. I recently finished a novel where the writer had sectioned it. This is a great device for stories that are epic in nature and show dramatic change throughout the character's story. However, this author gave a title to her first section, then called it a Prologue. The prologue was 33 pages long. I found myself flipping to see how much longer I was going to be there. While this is a best-selling novel, written by a much beloved author, I was confused by that choice. Why couldn't the prologue simply have been chapter one? Of course, the fact that it is a best-selling novel just goes to show that sometimes the great authors break the rules successfully.
A prologue can give the reader a brief glimpse of back story that helps understand the motivation of a character. If a particular event in the character's past caused a drastic change in that character's life, it might help the reader to know that. But consider if knowing this information at the beginning of the story is important enough to place it in a prologue. Flashbacks can achieve the same effect. And remember the word "brief." If your prologue ends up telling your character's whole sordid childhood, you might lose your readers.
A prologue can help establish theme. If your story is set in another time or place, a prologue might be helpful to create that atmosphere for the reader. Therese Walsh used Seabiscuit as an example. In the prologue, the author reminds us of the Great Depression's effect on the psyche of Americans who lived through it.
So when you are considering how to begin your story, know that prologues have a much maligned reputation, whether deserved or not. Decide if a prologue is vital to your story. If its not, most people would say don't use it.
Here are some links I found that expound upon the matter quite eloquently.
http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/7-deadly-sins-of-prologues-great-novel-beginnings-part-2/
http://thewritingplace.wordpress.com/2009/07/24/story-elements-using-a-prologue/
http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/22/once-before-a-time/
Happy writing,
Karina Harris
www.karinaharrisauthor.com
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
That being said, I did read some compelling instruction on the appropriate use of prologues.
A prologue should be short and concise. If it is long enough to be your first chapter, then consider making it so. Most people expect prologues to be less than four pages. Two is even better, because we know inherently that this is an introduction, and we do want to get to the meat of the story. I recently finished a novel where the writer had sectioned it. This is a great device for stories that are epic in nature and show dramatic change throughout the character's story. However, this author gave a title to her first section, then called it a Prologue. The prologue was 33 pages long. I found myself flipping to see how much longer I was going to be there. While this is a best-selling novel, written by a much beloved author, I was confused by that choice. Why couldn't the prologue simply have been chapter one? Of course, the fact that it is a best-selling novel just goes to show that sometimes the great authors break the rules successfully.
A prologue can give the reader a brief glimpse of back story that helps understand the motivation of a character. If a particular event in the character's past caused a drastic change in that character's life, it might help the reader to know that. But consider if knowing this information at the beginning of the story is important enough to place it in a prologue. Flashbacks can achieve the same effect. And remember the word "brief." If your prologue ends up telling your character's whole sordid childhood, you might lose your readers.
A prologue can help establish theme. If your story is set in another time or place, a prologue might be helpful to create that atmosphere for the reader. Therese Walsh used Seabiscuit as an example. In the prologue, the author reminds us of the Great Depression's effect on the psyche of Americans who lived through it.
So when you are considering how to begin your story, know that prologues have a much maligned reputation, whether deserved or not. Decide if a prologue is vital to your story. If its not, most people would say don't use it.
Here are some links I found that expound upon the matter quite eloquently.
http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/7-deadly-sins-of-prologues-great-novel-beginnings-part-2/
http://thewritingplace.wordpress.com/2009/07/24/story-elements-using-a-prologue/
http://writerunboxed.com/2007/02/22/once-before-a-time/
Happy writing,
Karina Harris
www.karinaharrisauthor.com
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
July 3, 2012
Thankful for Freedom!
What Freedom Means
I love my country. Yes, I know this country has ventured far from what it was intended to be. Nonetheless, I love it. Every 4th of July brings me to tears. I would stand proudly and fight for her and I would defend her with my dying breath. The feeling of pride I get as I watch fireworks light up the sky, reminds me of the freedoms I have been granted.
Living in this country affords us opportunities and freedoms rarely seen in other parts of the world. We are not ruled by classes and aristocrats. We do not have boundaries on how far or how high we can rise. We are only limited by our own lack of vision and/or ambition.
I have the freedom to choose to support my country. I have the freedom to work and make my life into what I choose. I have the freedom to raise my son the way I see fit. I have the freedom to embrace my faith and unashamedly proclaim it to the world through the stories I write.
I am thankful for my freedom. It was fought for with sweat, tears and men willing to die for what they believed in. Every day men and women put on a uniform to remind people that the United States of America is a force to be reckoned with. Soldiers have a special place in my heart and it makes me smile to know I have passed this love for our country and respect for our uniformed men and women to my son.
This November you will see my husband, our daughter and myself at the polls, exercising our right to freedom. It is our right as well as our responsibility to make sure our freedoms are not threatened.
When I think about freedom, there is one more that has come at a very high price. A freedom that was also paid for with blood, sweat and tears. It is a freedom that many choose to ignore.
I’m talking about the freedom that Jesus offered to us when He died upon a cross for us. Jesus fought for us. He gave up everything, more than we can imagine, so that we might experience freedom. He left a heavenly home so extraordinary, so full of beauty and peace, that there are no earthly words to describe it. And he did this for a people who for the most part laugh at his gift of love. Who spit in his face and ignore the love he poured out.
This fourth of July, as you celebrate your freedom, remember to thank the one who through his grace and mercy allowed you to be citizens of this great country. While you are at it, thank Him for dying for you and rising again so that you might have the ultimate freedom, the freedom to live for Christ.
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Happy Fourth of July!
Darlene Shortridge
Author of Until Forever and the soon to be released sequel, Forever Blessed
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
I love my country. Yes, I know this country has ventured far from what it was intended to be. Nonetheless, I love it. Every 4th of July brings me to tears. I would stand proudly and fight for her and I would defend her with my dying breath. The feeling of pride I get as I watch fireworks light up the sky, reminds me of the freedoms I have been granted.
Living in this country affords us opportunities and freedoms rarely seen in other parts of the world. We are not ruled by classes and aristocrats. We do not have boundaries on how far or how high we can rise. We are only limited by our own lack of vision and/or ambition.
I have the freedom to choose to support my country. I have the freedom to work and make my life into what I choose. I have the freedom to raise my son the way I see fit. I have the freedom to embrace my faith and unashamedly proclaim it to the world through the stories I write.
I am thankful for my freedom. It was fought for with sweat, tears and men willing to die for what they believed in. Every day men and women put on a uniform to remind people that the United States of America is a force to be reckoned with. Soldiers have a special place in my heart and it makes me smile to know I have passed this love for our country and respect for our uniformed men and women to my son.
This November you will see my husband, our daughter and myself at the polls, exercising our right to freedom. It is our right as well as our responsibility to make sure our freedoms are not threatened.
When I think about freedom, there is one more that has come at a very high price. A freedom that was also paid for with blood, sweat and tears. It is a freedom that many choose to ignore.
I’m talking about the freedom that Jesus offered to us when He died upon a cross for us. Jesus fought for us. He gave up everything, more than we can imagine, so that we might experience freedom. He left a heavenly home so extraordinary, so full of beauty and peace, that there are no earthly words to describe it. And he did this for a people who for the most part laugh at his gift of love. Who spit in his face and ignore the love he poured out.
This fourth of July, as you celebrate your freedom, remember to thank the one who through his grace and mercy allowed you to be citizens of this great country. While you are at it, thank Him for dying for you and rising again so that you might have the ultimate freedom, the freedom to live for Christ.
Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Happy Fourth of July!
Darlene Shortridge
Author of Until Forever and the soon to be released sequel, Forever Blessed
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
God is Good, God is Great
A little of this, a little of that. I love doing many different things, but I'm going to share my love of good books, fun crafts, freebies, contests, and scrapbooking with this blog. Enjoy!
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