Beverly Varnado's Blog, page 5

The Love that won't let go

A hymn that has long been one of myfavorites is the nineteenth century work, “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go.”

The story behind it makes it even moremeaningful.

The author, George Matheson, had been partiallyblind since birth when at eighteen his vision failed rapidly, and he becametotally blind. Still, a brilliant seminary student, he  became a pastor of a large church in Edinburgh,Scotland. In June of 1882,  he suffered adevastating heartache which cannot be verified, but some think it the rejectionfrom a fiancé. He wrote this hymn which came from that time. In his words, “Iwas the quickest bit of work I ever did in my life. I had the impression ratherof having it dictated to me by some inward voice than of working it out myself.I am quite sure that the whole work was complete in five minutes .  All the other verses I have ever written aremanufactured articles; this came like a dayspring from on high. I have neverbeen able to gain once more the same fervor in verse.”

Matheson went on to pastor the same churchfor thirty-three years and write fine devotional literature, but he is bestremembered for this hymn which came from one of the most challenging times inhis life.

I have recently read a line in Streams inthe Desert which said, “No calamity will ever bring only evil to us, if we willimmediately take it in fervent prayer to God.”

This is what Matheson did. I find itinteresting that if the story is true of Matheson’s rejection in love,  he turned to the Love in which He would never sufferrejection.

“OLove that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee;

Igive thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depts its flow may richer,fuller be.

“OJoy that sleekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee;

Itrace the rainbow thru the rain, and feel the promise is not vain, that mornshall tearless be.” 

When we go throughrejection, loss, or fearful times, what a comfort to remember there is a Lovethat will never let us go—a Love in which we may rest, find new life, and hope. 

The last verse ofthis hymn reminds us of the great work God has done for us through Jesus andwhat we find in surrendering to Him: 

“OCross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee;

Ilay in dust life’s glory dead, and from the ground there blossoms red life thatshall endless be.” 

I am reminded of words the prophetJeremiah wrote, “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying, ‘I have loved youwith an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness’” (Jeremiah31:3).

That everlasting Love has gone before us,is with us now, and will be with us all the days of our lives. What a blessingto know it will never, never let us go.

Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023

The lists, the gifts, the chorus, the critics, and the daring

One of my church kids asked me last week regardingmy writing, “Mrs. Bev, are you famous?”

The answer I gave of course was aresounding, “No.”

But the question begs a bit of further explanation.One of the people who has helped me see my place in publishing with moreclarity was an author at a writer’s conference who likened those of us who are noton big bestseller lists as being members of a chorus. Since I sing in a symphonychorus, this example resonates with me. As chorus members, our job is to showup and do our part contributing to the whole. We do not stand out as a soloistwould. As Christian writers, all our efforts contribute to the larger goal ofspreading God’s good news around the world.

Madeleine L’Engle wrote, “The amount ofthe artist’s talent is not what it is about.” She was on big bestseller lists,but still said, “ . . . my little trickle adds hardly a drop of water to thelake, and yet it doesn’t matter; there is no trickle too small.”

L’Engle is famous for saying, “Serve thegift.” She elaborates, “If we’re given a gift—and the size of the gift, smallor great, does not matter—then we are required to serve it, like it or not,ready or not. I have seen people of great talent who have done nothing withtheir talent who mutter about ‘When there’s time . . . ’  or who bury their talent because it’s toorisky to use.”

This instruction applies to so many other areas besides writing. If we have a gift, we use it to the best of our abilityas long as possible. All of us want to be successful, but what’s most importantis being good stewards of what God has given us.

I’ve written here before that one of myfavorite quotes comes from Teddy Roosevelt,  “It’s not the critic who counts; not the manwho points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds couldhave done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in thearena whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; whoerrs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without errorand shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows thegreat enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause;who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who atthe worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly . . . “

To dare greatly is a good mantra to live by.

So, let’s get out there in the arena usingthe gifts we have for God’s glory, and no, we may not be the most talented, themost popular, or win our culture’s top awards, but the gaze of the One whoreally counts is always on us.

“I can do all this through him who givesme strength” (Philippians 4:13).

var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023

When you need more grace

Nineteenth century songwriter, AnnieJohnson Flint, knew what it was like to live with loss and suffering. She lostboth parents at an early age, began experiencing symptoms of what we would call rheumatoidarthritis in her first year of teaching, and both of her adoptive parents dieda short time later. Forced to quit her job because of her illness, she waswithout a means of support. Yet, out of her great love of literature andpoetry, she began to write her own poetry and hymns by forcing a pen in herarthritic fingers and writing despite her pain.

Two national publishers took note andbegan publishing her work. And God provided for her in this way.

When life becomes overwhelming for me, Ioften find myself singing one of her hymns, “He Giveth More Grace.”  I thought maybe it was a song only known to someoneof a certain age who has been doing church music all her life, but I wasdelighted to find it in a just published hymnal our church recently purchased.For me it is a standard.

Hegiveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,

Hesendeth more strength when the labor’s increase

Toadded afflictions, He addeth his mercy,

Tomultiplied trials, His multiplied peace. 

Chorus:

HisLove has no limits, His grace has no measure,

Hispower no boundary known unto men;

Forout of His infinite riches in Jesus

Hegiveth, and giveth, and giveth again. 

The second verseis just as powerful: 

Whenwe have exhausted our store of endurance,

Whenour strength has failed ere the day is half done,

Whenwe reach the end of our hoarded resources,

OurFather’s full giving is only begun. 

Taken from James4:6, “He gives more grace,” Annie Johnson Flint wrote of how when troublesincrease, God’s grace also increases. And there is no limit to that grace. Weget what we need when we need it and not before because God’s timing isperfect. 

When life feelslike things are piling on like one of those dogpiles we saw in the footballgames we watched this past Saturday, remember God’s grace is piling on as well.

Beverly Varnado is an award-winning multi-published author and screenwriter as well as a blogger and artist. Her most recent book is a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, In Search of the Painted Bunting.

Her blog, One Ringing Bell, has nearly 1,000 posts in its archives. Her work has been featured on World Radio, in the Upper Room Magazine, a dozen anthologies, and other periodicals, and online sites. One of her screenplays was a finalist for the prestigious Kairos Prize in screenwriting. More at link bio. 

 

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Hope and the small things

Many folks I know personally right now areway past overwhelmed due to medical, financial, family, and other issues. Andthen there’s a swath of people all through the southeast who are one thousandmiles past overwhelmed with the aftermath of these two hurricanes that havecome through. Their struggles seem insurmountable in the natural.

But in thinking about these huge concerns,the Lord has reminded me again to find comfort in how He is at work in the small things.

I still have hummingbirds coming to thefeeder, and last week as that monster of a hurricane Milton was churning in thegulf, I kept saying, “Don’t go yet, little birds. Don’t go.” This time of year,they are getting ready to make that long trek to the Yucatan peninsula and otherpoints south. I was concerned the hurricane would throw them off.

But when I did a bit of research, manyreported that these tiny creatures can sustain hurricane force winds over land as shownby the fact they return to feeders once the storm moves through. They dohowever suffer when they get caught over water, but most birds wait until theweather is optimal before beginning that flight. Their God given internalguidance systems help them know their departure time.

In times of distress, I have often found solace in these words, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one ofthem will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care” (Matthew 10:29).

The all-seeing God knows when one sparrowfalls, how much more is God concerned about the tragedies unfolding in theworld. He comforts us with these words, “So don’t be afraid; you are worth morethan many sparrows.”

We are highly valued to the Lord, and it’sthings like knowing the little hummingbird can withstand the fiercest winds and understands when to go and when tostay that reinforces this for me. God’s love is so vast!

So go outside, and if you have a feedertake a last look this season at these creatures who remind us of a big God. Andyou can absolutely believe He cares about the details touching us and all thosesuffering in these hurricanes and other circumstances.

This brings me hope. I pray you find it,as well. 

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When you need peace

Several times inthe past week, I have found myself quoting these words from Philippians 4:8 tomyself and others:

“ . . . whatsoeverthings are true,

whatsoever thingsare honest,

whatsoever thingsare just,

whatsoever thingsare pure,

whatsoever thingsare lovely,

whatsoever thingsare of good report:

if there be any virtue,

and if there beany praise,

think on thesethings.” 

And in Isaiah26:3, the King James reads:

“Thou wilt keephim in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth inthee.” 

We are haunted bythe images and stories we see in the news these days and some of the circumstancesare striking us either directly or indirectly. What I find is to be of help toothers as well as ourselves when circumstances seem overwhelming, we keep oureyes on the One who never changes and whose truth is unwavering. 

If we only immerseourselves in the spiraling vortex of one sad thing after another, we will find wegrow spiritually weaker. 

It can be helpfulto meditate on the verses above and remember what it is true, right, just,pure, lovely and of a good report even in much difficulty. In the worstsituations, we can see God at work in small and large ways using His people to bringhope in what seem hopeless situations.

We need to knowwhat is going on in the world, and stay informed, but we also need to rememberthat despite what may happen, we keep our eyes on Jesus, who “ . . .  is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).

And it is in thetruth of his powerful words we find great hope and peace.

We continue to bein prayer for all those so devastatingly affected by Hurricane Helene as wellas those in the path of Hurricane Milton in the next few days.  

 Coming soon, A New Thing from Beverly Varnado, another volume in the small-town romance series set in Worthville, Georgia. Beverly Varnado is an award-winning multi-published author and screenwriter as well as a blogger and artist. Her most recent book is a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, In Search of the Painted Bunting.

Her blog, One Ringing Bell, has nearly 1,000 posts in its archives. Her work has been featured on World Radio, in the Upper Room Magazine, a dozen anthologies, and other periodicals, and online sites. One of her screenplays was a finalist for the prestigious Kairos Prize in screenwriting. More at link bio. 

 

 

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The hurricane and help

 

“God is our refuge and strength,an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

We are all so burdened for neighborsin our own state of Georgia as well as neighboring states who are suffering from the devastatingeffects of Hurricane Helene. Our prayers have been constant for them as theyface perhaps unprecedented challenges.

If it is within your power tohelp, please do so. Samaritan’s Purse is operating a five- site response to thehurricane from bases in Perry and Tampa, Florida, Valdosta, GA, Watauga CountyNC, and from the Billy Graham Training Center in Asheville, NC.

As you have probably seen on thenews, many of these areas are underwater, out of power, cell service, and freshwater, and we have heard directly from those in affected areas that foodsources are dwindling.

There are a myriad of ways to help, but if you would like to donate to Samaritan’s Purse (this is not a sponsored link) you may do so HERE.

We are praying hope and help for all those affected as well as a special sense of the Lord's presence in these days.

 

var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023

The banner, the love, and who is for us

In my daily Bible reading thispast Wednesday, I read Psalm 60:4, “For those who fear you, you haveraised a banner to be unfurled against the bow.” It’s as if the print liftedfrom the page in front of me. I’d never heard anyone quote or speak on thisverse before, but I knew the Lord was highlighting it for a reason. It seemedas if God were saying, I am raising a banner over you amid the onrushing tideagainst you. And as those words settled into my spirit, a verse from the Songof Solomon came to mind. “He brought me to his banqueting house, and his bannerover me was love” (Song of Solomon 2:4).

His banner over us islove.

As I wrote last week, Jerry hasbeen dealing with seeming cardiac issues for about two weeks. An hour after theLord gave me the verse, we would have another medical consultation, which leadto Jerry having a heart catheterization and an additional stint (up to fournow) placed in his heart this past Friday.

Often, the Lord will give me away to reframe difficult episodes. And he certainly did this time. As we sat inthe hospital room awaiting Jerry’s return from the catheterization, I kept seeingthat flag of love flying. And even though it meant another piece of mesh in hisbody, the relief was instant when we learned the problem had been remedied.

I’ve written here before about mylove for the contemporary song “The Blessing,” taken from the Aaronic blessing,“God bless you and keep you, God smile on you and gift you, God look you fullin the face and make you prosper,” (Numbers 6:22-27). The song includes a linethat is repeated many times, “He is for you.” And folks, when stuff startscoming at us, it’s good to remember God is for us and flying that love flagover us. I believe it’s the only way we can face that onrushing tide I wroteabout earlier.

So, here’s to banners and love,and God being for us.

Selah.

 

var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023

Fear and the Telephone Booth

My dear writer friend, Marion Bond West, using a visual image from back in the day, has said that when it comes to fear, you have to get into the telephone booth with Jesus alone, and tightly shut the door.

Her words have proved true for me many times when fear threatened.

But this past weekend, I cracked the door.

Big mistake.

We had to make a trip to the emergency room because Jerry was having symptoms which could potentially be heart related. With his cardiac history, we can’t hesitate when these things happen. After a night in the hospital and numerous tests, they were no conclusions, so we returned home to face more evaluations this week.

The evening of our return is when the “what if” thoughts began assaulting me and fear raised its ugly head. I could feel myself sinking into a black hole as I pondered the possible calamities that might lie ahead. The attack went on for hours, and I spiraled.

But then, as I stepped into the shower that evening, a place God often speaks to me because the world is shut out, I remembered who I was and whose I was. “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world,” I said aloud as the water poured over my head (a paraphrase of I John 4:4). I didn’t have to crack the door of the telephone booth and entertain those thoughts, but what I needed to do was to put my mind on what is true, noble,  just, pure, lovely, and of a good report. (Philippians 4:8 paraphrase) What I needed to do was stay in the present moment and not borrow a thousand tomorrow’s trouble.

And folks, just like that, the fear left. When I stepped from  that shower my fears had gone down the drain.

“Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 italics mine)

I think it is no coincidence that when Jerry preached the next morning (He’s almost unstoppable when it comes to preaching), his topic from his spiritual warfare series was “The Belt of Truth.” He concluded his message by saying, “Friends, we can be free of the garbage the devil has heaped on humanity if we will only believe and act like children of the King.”

That’s what God had helped me do the previous evening. We need to remember whose we are and use the word of God as our defense when the enemy threatens.

So, if the enemy is rearing his ugly head with fear in your life, get into the telephone booth with Jesus, remember who you are, and focus on God’s truth.

Trust me, it’s a great place to be.

Coming soon, A New Thing from Beverly Varnado, another volume in the small-town romance series set in Worthville, Georgia. Beverly Varnado is an award-winning multi-published author and screenwriter as well as a blogger and artist. Her most recent book is a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, In Search of the Painted Bunting.

Her blog, One Ringing Bell, has nearly 1,000 posts in its archives. Her work has been featured on World Radio, in the Upper Room Magazine, a dozen anthologies, and other periodicals, and online sites. One of her screenplays was a finalist for the prestigious Kairos Prize in screenwriting. More at link bio. 

var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023

When the flag is at half-mast

At the University of Georgiafootball game on Saturday, the flag flew at half-mast as all flags in Georgiawill until the last interment of the four who perished in the Apalachee schoolshooting. As we observed a moment of silence for them, many of us took that time to pray on behalf of thevictims and their families.

We’ve read firsthand accounts from brave teachers and students at Apalachee High School whoacted in heroic ways during the school shooting this week. Every time I do, tearswell in my eyes at the unimaginable difficulty they went through.

Somewhere, people read about thistragedy in a few news cycles, then after several days, the feed segues and their attention is drawn to morecurrent news . For those who went through those horrifying few minutes, whetherthey were physically injured or not, they will carry effects from being theretheir entire lifetimes. Hopefully, God will bring healing and help so that theyeventually do not experience the memories in the same intensity— still they will remember.

Jerry pastors a church onlyseventeen miles from the high school in an adjacent county. And though we donot personally know anyone affected, we know many who do know someone who wasthere. Some of our church youth know students in the school. We continue topray for all our young people, their teachers, and their families for healingfor how this has affected them. A tragedy like this has a ripple effect goingout and affecting more than we can imagine.

At the beginning of the pandemic, I wrote a piece from 2 Chronicles 20 about how Jehosophat handled facing a vast army. Those verses were again brought to mind this week.

“If calamity comes upon us . . .we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and willcry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us” (2 Chronicles 20:9) Andlater these words, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2Chronicles 20:12).

The question on our minds is whatcan be done to keep a tragedy like this from happening again. The answer is complexand multi-faceted, but to quote lyrics we sometimes sing at our church, “Godwill make a way where there seems to be now way.” I am praying that is true.

And while we search for thatwisdom, we keep our eyes on Jesus just as Jehoshaphat instructed as we cry outto Him in our distress. We pray for God’s revival power to come and refresh ourland and turn hearts to Him, and we hold on to our hope.

Here at our house, Jerry and I willcontinue to remember in prayer those affected and injured by this tragedy and offer ourheartfelt condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. 

var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023

What can happen when we focus

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In a recent Bible study in which I participated, the last chapter focused on unity. I haven’t ever given as much thought to how unity affects God’s ability to work and bring revival as I did during that last week of this study.

In our lesson, the author, Joanne Moody shared how when Gentile believers were invited to join Jewish believers, they were able to come together despite their vastly diverse cultures. “Yet when they gathered together, the anointing of the Spirit fell, and they were united by their love of God. This is what happens when we see beyond our differences and center on Jesus.”

I have experienced that unity in greater and lesser measures at various times and places in my life. When I am part of a body where there is great unity, it seems anything is possible, but when there is discord, well, not so much.

As I’ve reflected on unity in these past weeks since our study ended, I sense that in these days particularly, we need to strive for unity in the body of the Lord. That requires being intentional about achieving the goal. And the most important aspect of that intentionality is to focus on Jesus. Our gaze is not on each other and zeroing in on our differences in appearance or opinion, but on the one who created us and who loves us with an everlasting love.

There’s plenty in this world to take our eyes off the Lord, but again, it’s with intention that we keep our eyes fixed on Him.

You may be like us and have situations where you’d like to see the Lord move in power, and we all want to do what we can to set the stage for Him to do that. We want to see the Lord bring revival to our own hearts as well as bring transformation to our land.

The Psalmist wrote, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Aspects of the meaning of unity in the original language include unitedness, altogether, and one accord. Of course we read in Acts 2:1, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place” (KJV). And we know what happened that day with the Spirit of the Lord falling on them. So, that’s my prayer that as we gather, we would be in one accord and I believe if we do what we can do, then God may do what only He can do.

Related:

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Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023