From My Heart to Yours

Make-A-New-Friend Monday with Lillian Duncan

2011-07-18T21:55:00.000-05:00

*Sigh* I am way out of whack! It's a good thing . . . I think. I'm really busy with The Heart's Lullaby and planning a 5K walk/run in my hometown for my best friend who passed away from ovarian cancer. Still, I wish I could stick with a schedule for this blog. Please bear with me as you always have and I'm continue to do the best I can.

Today I'm tickled to bring you a new friend . . . Lillian Duncan! Here's a little about her:

My journey as a writer began long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away. Okay, maybe it wasn’t in a galaxy that far away, but it was long, long ago.

I remember learning to read the Dick and Jane books and from that time on books grabbed hold of my imagination and transported me around the world. Where ever I went my book went.

I went on to wander about Africa, thanks to Curious George and then there was Pippi Longstocking. And Heidi and the Swiss Alps. Anyway, you get the idea.

So, loving books and loving to read were the first steps in me becoming a writer. For me, I always had stories in my head. Most little girls play house with dolls and rock them and put them to bed....but my dolls didn’t have it quite that easy. They had extensive story plots to act out.

I’m old enough to remember when Mr. Potato Head was just plastic parts that you put on a real potato. And then there was his wife, Mrs. Potato Head and a bevy of children. Well, in Potato World, I was the queen and I would make up all kinds of problems for the Potatoes and their friends. And that was just the beginning of my stories.

I can’t remember not having stories in my head. Unfortunately, that’s where the characters and stories stayed—in my head.

Fast forward a few years and now, I’m 40, restless and unhappy. And a couple different things happened at around the same time. First, I was watching a TV show, probably Oprah. And a guest suggested you write you own obituary to give you guidance as to what you want to do in your life.

I felt silly but I did it. One of the things in my obituary was that I was the author of numerous bestselling novels. But how could that be? I hadn’t ever written anything except some poetry.

And then another Oprah suggestion—I was reading this little pink book called Simple Abundance. And a major theme of the book was finding your creativity and using it.

And that’s when the light bulb went off.

These stories in my head were the stories I was supposed to be writing down for everyone to enjoy—not just something for me to pass the time with while I was driving back and forth to work.

So, I started writing that day and I haven’t stopped yet.

And we are so glad you haven't! Welcome, Lillian! Thank you for coming on our blog and letting us all get to know you better. Now, time for a little Q & A.

We kind of already know the answer to this, but when did you first discover that you were a writer?

I was a late bloomer. I was 40 when I realized all those stories rumbling around in my head were the stories I was supposed to be writing down for others to enjoy.

What other books/short stories/articles/poems have you written, whether published or not?

I have 3 other books published. They are SHATTERED, SERENITY SPRINGS, OHIO, and IN A CORNER OF HER HEART.

Do you have an all time favorite book? Which genre do you prefer to read and why?

That’s a hard one. I love Gone With The Wind, but who doesn’t? I prefer mystery and suspense with a little romance thrown in.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I walk! I’m a low key type of person and when I feel I’m getting out of balance it’s easy for me to just take a few steps back and relax.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Hard question. I hate to brag but certainly working and retiring from a large metropolitan school district is right up there at the top.

What was your greatest roadblock in writing this book and others, and how did you overcome it?

ME! I am my own worst critic. I often feel like I’m not good enough, smart enough to do this thing called writing. But God gifted me with a spirit of tenacity so I keep writing.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

READ! READ! READ! Not just in your genre but in all genres. Classic and contemporary. WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! Until you start writing, you don’t know whether you can do it or not. The more you write the better you’ll get.

Now, tell us about the featured book - back cover blurb plus what this story means to you.

BLURB: Reggie Meyers has spent her life pursing the American Dream, but now she’s the one being pursued— by an unknown killer. Putting her trust in Dylan Monroe, a man she barely knows, will either be the best decision she ever made or the last.

Reggie’s a big city lawyer and Dylan’s a country farmer. In the normal course of events, their lives would never intersect but some accidents just aren't meant to be avoided. When Reggie crashes into Dylan, it makes a bad day even worse or so she thinks. Dylan, on the other hand, is intrigued by the feisty lady lawyer and wrangles a way to spend a bit more time with her by offering to drive her home after the accident. And so the journey that will change both their lives begins…

WHAT THIS STORY MEANS TO ME? PURSUED is a story near and dear to my heart. I wanted to write a story that showed some of the differences between "big-city" and "small-town" living, but in the end those differences are only superficial. The important thing is a person’s character not where they live or what they do for a job.

Check out her trailer! It's awesome!

How can readers find the book and where can they find you on the Internet?

It’s at all the major online bookstores along with being at http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/

Bonus question: Tell us one interesting fact about you that your readers would find interesting, and maybe even surprising.

I was a group home mother many years ago for a Jewish organization. One of the things we had to do was run a Kosher house. It was a very interesting experience, especially keeping the dairy and the meat separated.

Wow! That IS interesting! Thank you again for stopping by, Lillian! If you, my friends, have questions or comments for Lillian, please leave them here and I'll make sure she gets them! Blessings to all!

Make-A-New-Friend Monday with Michele Clark

2011-07-11T11:35:00.000-05:00

Good Monday morning, my friends! And since it's Monday, I have a new friend to introduce to you. But first, quick update: I found out this past week that the release date to The Heart's Lullaby has been pushed back to March. :o( This was very disappointing news, but all things happen for a reason and maybe part of that reason was to focus immediately on the "5K for Patty" to benefit Ovarian Cancer Cancer Alliance. It's is moving along at a decent pace - even though I have NO IDEA what I'm doing - with the help and encouragement of some wonderful friends and I'm believing the Lord will bless our efforts. I have to believe this or I'll quit. Honestly. It's a big load on one's already full plate and I really would quit if I didn't believe with every fiber of my being that it will be a success. Please, PLEASE, pray this for me. I'll be posting a link for you to register (or donate) soon. But for now . . . meet Michele Clark!

Michele is a wonderful person who has been through a lot, but has sought the Lord through it all. What I will always remember most about Michele is one day when my Patty was in the hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, and I was stuck in Nashville, TN, going out of my mind that I couldn't get to my best friend, Michele selflessly went to the hospital for me to visit my Patty - someone she'd never met! She took Patty a little "Footprints" plaque, I think. It meant the world to Patty that someone would care so much and it meant the world to me. She's committed to being involved in my 5K for Patty and I love her so much for her willing spirit. You can learn more about her by following her blog: http://thenot-so-secretlifeofasoccermom.blogspot.com/. Now here's a word from Michele:

I thought coming up with a post for your own blog was difficult. Trying to decide what the right thing to write about for someone else’s blog is so hard. I mean – you guys don’t know me. You don’t know my crazy journey or my quirky personality. I’m not only showing you a little bit of myself (and I’m used to embarrassing myself) but I’m representing Jen and she’s a pretty special lady.

That being said, I guess I should give you a quick summary of my background. I became a single mom just over a year ago. It was a very difficult decision but in the end the right one. Setting out on my own after almost two decades was intimidating enough, but to move halfway across the country with three children could have been a disaster. I decided to move back home to be closer to my family. I quit my job of seventeen years and left my support system behind. Thus how I met Jen. My author friend Teresa from church sent me a copy of Jen’s first book. You know – the one about the single mom from Tennessee who moves to Ohio and finds true love? Guess where my adventure started and ended up?

(That’s me on the right. I was doing laundry right before going out. My friends didn’t believe me so I sent them a picture lol!) (This is Jen now. UNFORTUNATELY, when I copied and pasted the beautiful presentation that Michele put together for me, the pics didn't come so I ripped a pic of her FB page that I think she looks absolutely stunning in. Hope that's okay, Michele. We'll all believe you did the laundry! ;o) )

Right as this journey was beginning, the kids and I went to church camp. It was here that I got some pretty great advice: “Put it in God’s hands.” I have to admit I didn’t really grasp the true meaning of this. But I started to do it anyways. I prayed about my job search. I was going for the perfect job – the one that I would love and was exactly what they were looking for. But I had a feeling the morning of the interview. I got down on my knees and told God “I know this is the perfect job for me, but if it’s not the right one for my family please show me the one that is.” When they described more of the day to day details they mentioned that there would be a lot of 12-14 hour days. I knew right then I wasn’t going to get the job. It was down to me and another girl and she ended up with it. Two days after that I got called for an interview for my current job. The first thing my potential boss said was “family comes first.” Well, there ya go. No contest. I love my job and am grateful for the flexibility it provides. I put my family in God’s hands. What could have been a year of turmoil turned out great. The kids made friends right away. They loved their teachers. The school is awesome. We found a great church. My son asked me the first day we went if he could go there every day. I knew we were home.

The one part of my life I really resisted placing in God’s hands was dating. I figured I could handle it. Truth be told, I wasn’t exactly going about the search the way I knew God would want me to. Every so often I had a nagging sensation telling me I should really just hand over control. But I fought Him for another nine months. My conscience was really starting to bug me but still I ignored it. One day at work, one of my co-workers said “I really think you should put this search in God’s hands. I know He has the right man hand-picked for you and He’s waiting for you to let him have the reigns.” I was shocked. There was no way he could have known what was weighing on my heart. But God did. He knew I wasn’t quite getting the message. Apparently the string of really bad dates didn’t give me a clue or I was just too stubborn to listen.

Well, I figured that it was time. I’m always waiting for the big yellow flashing sign saying “Michele – this is what you are supposed to do.” This was close enough. I finally gave God control.

Less than two weeks later I met Wayne. He’s amazing! We are sooo right for each other. He told me he put the quest for love in God’s hands and He sent him an angel. How do you argue with logic like that? It’s mind-boggling that he did the same thing I did and let God take control. Wayne is from Ohio but was living in Michigan. He had lost his job in September. He truly believes that God made him lose the job so he would finally move back home. And then he found me. Or better yet, followed God’s direction and walked right into my life. By the way, the picture of me with the towel was taken the night I met Wayne :)

So, a year later, I’m sitting at church camp again. Typing this in the few minutes of peace and quiet I have as the kids take a hike. Reminiscing on all that God has done for me and my family in just a year. Excited for what he has in store for all of us in the future. Needless to say I’m putting it ALL in God’s hands from now on. He has blessed me so much. I am able to give my testimony for others because what He did for me.

I challenge you to figure out what parts of your life you haven’t given God control over yet. Pray on them. My hope for you is that you have just as incredible a year as I have. God bless!

Thank you, Michele! What a blessing that was and a reminder that God truly does have our best interest at heart even through the yucky parts! Readers, feel free to leave comments for Michele or connect with her on her blog or on FB: https://www.facebook.com/#!/manchesterclark.

Next Monday I'll be hosting author Lillian Duncan so make sure to stop back! Have a great week!

Make-A-New-Friend Monday Introduces . . .

2011-07-04T13:55:00.000-05:00

I missed last Monday as I was on vacation in Colonial Williamsburg and Virginia Beach with my family. As you can see, we had a blast and it was a much needed break but now I'm once again behind the 8-ball.

So for today's Make-A-New-Friend Monday and in honor of the birthday of our country, I'd like to introduce you to AMY BEAUREGARD, a new face in Harvest Bay.

Welcome, Amy! Tell us a little about yourself.

Okay. Well, what do you want to know?

Let's start with where you're from. I mentioned that you're new to Harvest Bay. So where do you call "home" and why did you come to Harvest Bay?

I grew up on an orange farm in Southwestern Florida, but it hasn't been my "home" since my dad died when I was twelve. My mother left when I was really little so all I had left was my grandparents. They did the best they could but I left as soon as I turned eighteen.

Is that when you came to Harvest Bay?

No. I spent a year and a half basically being a beach bum. Then I got pregnant and realized that a great tan and surfing all day wouldn't support my kid so I became a medic in the United States Army. After serving for 10 years, including 2 tours in Iraq, I got out for good and came to Harvest Bay so my son, Dominick, could meet and develop a relationship with his father.

Are you going to tell us who Dominick's father is?

I'm sorry. That's confidential . . . for now.

Okay, then, tell us about Dominick. (Great name, by the way.)

Dominick is an amazing kid. He was born early and there were some complications which resulted in him becoming deaf. He’s really smart though and he loves any game with a ball.

So does that mean you know sign language?

Unfortunately, no. I was gone too much to learn it, but I'm slowly picking it up. My grandma, who was Dominick's guardian while I was stationed in other states and over seas, learned it with him. And his new stepmom is fluent in sign language. What else do you want to know?

Uh, well, since you are a veteran, tell us what the 4th of July means to you.

I thought you might ask this. *Sigh* Since I've just recently left the military I'm presently recovering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and according to my psychiatrist I'm doing really well, but at this point fireworks are really bad. The noise and the sudden flashes of light -- they take me back to places I don't want to be. That said, I love this country. I've been stationed in other countries so I know first hand there are none better than the United States of America. I hate that so many, including my closest friend, have paid the ultimate price for our freedom, but I'm proud. Period.

I think I speak for all my readers when I say thank you for your service and I'm really sorry you experienced such loss.

*silence*

Moving on . . . so, Amy, what do you think the future holds for you and Dominick in Harvest Bay?

Hmm. I'm not sure. I've really felt "at home" here and made some really great friends . . .

Like who???

I'm sorry. That's confidential.

Right. Sorry. Please continue.

I've been advised by one of my, ahem, "friends" to open my heart to the possibilities and I'm just trying to do that. Your guess is as good as mine as to what the future holds.

One last question for today: the books in this series that you have become a part of are of strong Christian values and themes. Can you tell us where you are on your faith walk?

Well, as you can imagine, after losing my dad the way I did . . .

Which is how???

I'm sorry. That's confidential.

Right. Sorry. Please continue.

And then experiencing the, for lack of a better word, ugliness of war, I'm not at a very good place right now. But, as I said before, I'm trying to open my heart to the possibilities. And another friend told me to try seeing with my heart instead of my eyes. That one's a little trickier, but I'm working on it.

Well, Amy, thank you for stopping by today and giving my readers a little peek into your life. I want to wish you a happy 4th of July and, again, thank you for serving our country.

Yep. Now, if you'll excuse me, Angel's waiting.

And who exactly is Angel?

*Calling over shoulder* Sorry. It's . . .

I know. Confidential.

Make-A-New-Friend Monday with K. Dawn Byrd

2011-06-20T01:00:00.002-05:00

Most of you probably didn't notice but I missed my last Writing Wednesday. I'll make up for it this Wednesday and explain, but trust me. It was a good thing! ;o)

Today, I'm so thrilled to introduce you to another of my friends! Please, grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and welcome K.Dawn Byrd!

Thanks for being here with us today, K. Dawn. Tell me, when did you first discover that you were a writer?

I've always been an avid reader and decided about three years ago to try my hand at writing. It's was so much fun that I haven't looked back. I can't imagine NOT writing.

What other books/short stories/articles/poems have you written, whether published or not?

Killing Time (inspirational romantic suspense) and Queen of Hearts (inspirational WWII romantic suspense), published in 2010 by Desert Breeze Publishing, available now. My first young adult novel, Mistaken Identity will release June 15. A contemporary romance will release October 15. For 2012, a new young adult mystery series will release through Desert Breeze, the first book in January.

Do you have an all time favorite book? Which genre do you prefer to read and why?

I don’t really have one all time favorite. I prefer to read romantic suspense because I like a fast moving plot. The romance adds tension and sweetens the plot.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Writing is like therapy for me. After working what can be an emotionally charged job during the day, it's nice to come home and unwind by writing. Having a full-time job that pays the bills keeps writing from being work, allows me to set my own pace, and makes it fun.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

One of my greatest accomplishments is marrying into a wonderful Christian family. My in-laws are very special people who have always lived Godly lives before us. My husband is my best friend and I thank God for allowing me to share my life with him. My stepdaughter is the light of my life and such a beautiful Christian young woman. I'm very proud of her.

What was your greatest roadblock in writing this book and others, and how did you overcome it?

The greatest roadblock is finding the time to write. I work a full-time job and am on call several weekends a month. I've overcome it by using my time wisely.

Ah, yes! I GOT to learn to do that! :o) So tell me, what advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Learn everything you can about the craft and if you truly love to write, don't quit.

That's great advice, K. Dawn! Working towards getting something published can be disheartening, wouldn't you say? And for me personally, with everything else I have going on, it was tempting to just throw in the towel, but you just can't. Thank you for that. Now, tell us about the featured book - back cover blurb plus what this story means to you.

Book Blurb:

Eden Morgan longs for a boyfriend of her own, an impossible goal when her best friend, Lexi Branson, gets all the attention and all the guys. When they fall in love with the same guy, Eden believes she doesn't have a chance. She can only hope that sometimes the good girl gets the guy.

The Passion Behind the Story:

I admire Christian teenagers who take a stand for God so much. Life isn't easy for them in today's world. The idea for Mistaken Identity novel came to me when I wondered what would happen if a Christian girl and her non-Christian best friend fell in love with the same guy. This book is dedicated to Christian young women who strive to live for Christ and wonder at times if it's worth it all. Temptation seems to come from all sides and sometimes it's hard to make the right decision. May God bless you richly as you carry on...

That sounds amazing! So, how can readers find the book and where can they find you on the Internet?

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geWeGQ6Ueu4
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-178/K-Dawn-Byrd-Mistaken/Detail.bok

http://www.kdawnbyrd.com/

http://www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com/

Bonus question: Tell us one interesting fact about you that your readers would find interesting, and maybe even surprising.

I used to ride a Harley Davidson, but gave it up in order to have more time to write. My husband still rides, but I don't ride behind him.

If you have a young Christian woman in your life, don't pass up the chance to get her a copy of this amazing book by K. Dawn Byrd!

Testament Tuesday

2011-06-14T10:45:00.000-05:00

I picked a Psalm that I love for Testament Tuesday because it's summer and often people vacation at the beach. I made a note of this on my personal facebook page so maybe you've already seen it, but I'll bold and cap what I want you to pay specific attention to (and I wouldn't be me if I didn't throw my $.02 in a time or two . . . or three . . . )

Psalms 139

O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
² You know my sitting down and my rising up;
         You understand my thought afar off.
³ You comprehend my path and my lying down,
         And are acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue,
         But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
⁵ You have hedged me behind and before,
         And laid Your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
         It is high, I cannot attain it.

(LOVE this section!)
⁷ Where can I go from Your Spirit?
         Or where can I flee from Your presence?
⁸ If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
         If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
⁹ If I take the wings of the morning,
         And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
¹⁰ Even there Your hand shall lead me,
         And Your right hand shall hold me.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
         Even the night shall be light about me;
¹² Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
         But the night shines as the day;
         The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
(Isn't that reassuring??? Nothing you go through - good or bad times - is without the presence of God. Nothing.)

¹³ For You formed my inward parts;
         You covered me in my mother’s womb. (Is that not beautiful??? Have you ever stopped to think how amazing the human body is? How much of a miracle it is that we can just breath, let alone everything else we can do?)
¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; (Can I get an AMEN???)
         Marvelous are Your works,
         And that my soul knows very well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from You,
         When I was made in secret,
         And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
         And in Your book they all were written,
         The days fashioned for me,
         When as yet there were none of them.

¹⁷ HOW PRECIOUS ALSO ARE YOUR THOUGHTS TO ME, O GOD!
HOW GREAT IS THE SUM OF THEM!
¹⁸ IF I SHOULD COUNT THEM, THEY WOULD BE MORE IN NUMBER THAN THE SAND;
WHEN I AWAKE, I AM STILL WITH YOU.

¹⁹ Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
         Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
²⁰ For they speak against You wickedly;
         Your enemies take Your name in vain.
²¹ Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You?
         And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
²² I hate them with perfect hatred;
         I count them my enemies.
(Obviously this was pre-Jesus. David hadn't yet been taught to love your enemies as yourself.)

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart;
         Try me, and know my anxieties;
²⁴ And see if there is any wicked way in me,
         And lead me in the way everlasting.

So when you go to the beach, whether in Florida or California or the Carolinas, where ever, look at all the sand and know God loves you. Try to count the grains in just a handful. Impossible for us! But that is how much He thinks about you! Wow!

If you still have trouble believing how much He loves you, I leave you with our New Testament verse for the day: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." ~John 3:16-17

Have a blessed day, my friends, knowing you are well loved and thought about no matter where you go or what you do.

Make-A-New-Friend Monday with Raquel Dunn

2011-06-13T01:06:00.001-05:00

Yea! I love Make A New Friend Monday because I get to introduce you to some of my very wonderful friends. Today I have guest blogger, Raquel Dunn.

Raquel and I met when her husband taught at the school where I still teach third grade. Her little girl was 2 or 3 at the time and sometimes Raquel would come in to pick her up. She was always super friendly, but always "put together" and I so admired that about her. As time went on, they moved, but I continued to communicate with her periodically through facebook and I began to admire her beautiful heart even more. That is exactly what she's going to share with you in her post today. First, a little background . . .

A small town girl, with big city dreams, Raquel Dunn’s love for writing propelled her to leave her hometown of Coeburn, Virginia, to pursue a career in television news. After spending five years in various newsrooms, Raquel realized her true passion lie elsewhere and and set out to find a more creative outlet in television. In September 2006 she became a producer for The 700 Club, a truly fulfilling and rewarding career move. After two wonderful years there, her husband was called to be a pastor and she stepped down to follow God's direction for their family.

Raquel now resides in Knoxville, Tennessee where she stays at home with her two children and has now taken on the role of homeschooling her daughter. Since writing has always been a job for her, Raquel is excited to see where God will lead her as she allows Him to use her talent to share some of the amazing ways God has worked in her life. You can check out her blog to read more of her story. http://www.myjavawithjesus.blogspot.com/

Fill My Cup Lord

Cup...it's a simple word really with many definitions, but the first thing that come to mind is an object you pour a beverage into. Webster's defines a cup as, “a small vessel of capacity, used commonly to drink out of.” The phrase, “a small vessel of capacity” is a striking statement really because as we look at our own lives, that's exactly what we are...small vessel's of capacity. We are God's cups.

Jesus told told the Pharisees in Matthew 23:25,and 26, “Woe unto you...for you make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.” David, the great king of Israel, who beautifully orchestrated so many of the Psalms, knew what it meant to be the Lord's cup. Three times in the Psalms, he alludes to the portion of a cup. In Psalm 11:6, “Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and a horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.” Then in Psalm 16:5, “The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup:”and finally the most famous Psalm of all...Psalm 23:5, “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies: thou anointest my head with oil: my cup runneth over.” Each and everyone of us is a small vessel, or cup, in which God wants to pour into, but that can only happen when we allow Him to do so. All too often, we choose to fill our own cups, never realizing what God is waiting to fill us with.

Examine what you fill your cup with and then think about what God wants to fill you with. Perhaps you find yourself in one of these categories.

• You worry, while God wants to fill you with peace.
• You choose resentment, but God wants to teach you how to love.

• You allow yourself to be overcome with greed as you try to keep up with “The Jones” but easily forget that God has supplied all your needs.

• Sometimes you allow anger to reign when God is asking you to forgive...because He first forgave you.

• Frustration boils over and you damage important relationships, but God wants to instill patience in you to endure those hardships.

• You busy yourself with work to avoid anymore heartaches, when God says rest and be still. It is then that you can know He is God.

• So many areas of your life are affected as bitterness spreads like a cancer within you, when if you just stopped focusing on your pain, you could see God's blessings as you walk with Him.

• There are days your cup is overrun with hopelessness, but God says He will give you hope and an expected end.

• Trials of life can bring so much sadness, but God is there asking you to let Him to restore the joy of His salvation.

None of us can ever be a completely empty vessel. We must be filled with something. It's our nature. It's how we function. Just like a car needs gas, oil and so many other parts to run...we need something to fill our hearts, minds and souls with. Think about it. Have you ever really been able to stop feeling or thinking or just being? Of course not!! God did not create us to be that way. He created us to be filled with His greatness.

So, How do we keep from filling our cups ourself? How do we allow God to pour His majesty into us? It's simple really. Where we allow our cups to be filled depends on where we go when life overwhelms us. Are we turning to the world? Finding our answers in magazines or horoscopes. Perhaps you look to Oprah or Dr. Phil, when the first place you should turn to is the Word. God breathed His Word into the pens of men so that you might find a way to fill your cup with something better than the world has to offer. He's there waiting to mold you and shape you. He is the potter and you are the clay...but what goes into your cup is up to you.

Just take a moment...maybe it's time to empty your cup with whatever you've allowed in and be filled with what God desires for you. Maybe your cup is like David's and overflowing. Wherever you find yourself today, let's just be still and know He is God.

Writing Wednesday

2011-06-09T12:04:00.000-05:00

So I'm a day late on Writing Wednesday. It's because I was . . . WRITING!!! :o) Actually, struggling to write more like it as I wasn't feeling too good yesterday. I had a bad headache. Not good when a deadline is looming. :o(

The Heart's Lullaby is coming along, still slower than I'd like but, hey, I'm a mama first. I watch two kids a couple days a week over the summer and today when they get picked up their aunt is taking my two girls with them to watch Kung Fu Panda 2 so I'll write a lot then! Well, the little boy wanted to know what I was going to do at home all by myself! (He just graduated Kindergarten, thus life revolves around kids in his eyes.) I told them that I have to work on my book because I can't get anything done on it while the girls are home! He said, "Yeah, but you'd rather have them then your story." AMEN TO THAT!!!

I got my new author pic yesterday. What do you think??? My friend that shoots my covers took it and took several of my family. I've got them up on facebook. So things are coming slowly but surely. I'd appreciate just a few prayers for continued inspiration these next few weeks. And may my fingers fly!

Testament Tuesday

2011-06-07T01:00:00.001-05:00

Confession moment: I am not as knowledgable about the Bible as I should be. I can't pull verses to mind when I need them and I admit it's because I don't spend the time I know I should studying the Scripture. It makes me feel really inadequate, but I have a feeling I'm not alone. It's why I've felt led to start Testament Tuesdays where I'll post a verse from the Old and New Testaments for us to meditate on throughout the week. Maybe it'll speak to your heart. Hopefully it'll make us more familiar with the Bible which should be our goal, right?

This week's verses are two of my favorites: Isaiah 40:31 and Romans 5:3-4.

Isaiah 40:31 says, "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." This verse has been a comfort to me when I feel I'm pursuing an unattainable goal. It means different things to different people but to me it means that if we keep our sights on the Lord, in His time, we WILL achieve HIS WILL which is more important than our goals. He will never disappoint.

Romans 5:3-4 says, "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope." Kinda makes you feel good about the trials we go through, doesn't it? It does for me. It reminds me of the story of the silversmith. When a silversmith makes silver he has to hold the piece over the fire. He can't take his eye off of it and he knows the piece is ready when he sees his own reflection in it. Through every fire we're held over, we develop the drive to make it through. As we make it through, we learn more about ourselves and our place in God's world. We develop our character and we develop a deeper desire for our Lord to see Himself when He looks at us. That's the hope. That's what I get out of this verse.

What do these verses mean to you? How do they speak to your heart?

Make-A-New-Friend Monday with Kaye Dacus

2011-06-06T01:00:00.024-05:00

Some authors can blog every day of the week. Most have some sort of schedule. I can't ever reach a good balance between blogging and writing and besides that I can't believe I have anything to say that others would be interested in. But consistency is key, so I came up with a mon-wed schedule that I think I can maintain and anything above and beyond that is bonus.

So, introducing . . . MAKE-A-NEW-FRIEND MONDAYS! On Mondays I'll introduce you to my writer friends (both published and prepublished because there are a lot of talented prepublished writers out there!), other friends with important missions, and maybe even some of my characters! I thought today it'd only be right to start this new blogging schedule with an interview from a talented author who I'm blessed to be able to call one of my mentors, Kaye Dacus.

Humor, Hope, and Happily Ever Afters! Kaye Dacus is the author of humorous, hope-filled contemporary and historical romances with Barbour Publishing and Harvest House Publishers. She holds a Master of Arts in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, is a former Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers, and currently serves as President of Middle Tennessee Christian Writers. Kaye lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and even though she writes romance novels, she is not afraid to admit that she’s never been kissed.

Welcome, Kaye! Thank you for joining us today and being my first "new friend". Also, on a personal note, thank you for all the advice and help you've given me with The Heart's Lullaby (update on that coming up on Writing Wednesday). When one pursues writing for more than a hobby (in addition to having a "real" job, and kids, and a husband, and a house to take care of . . . Need I go on???) it's so important to have a network of writers that truly supports and encourages and you have. So thank you! :o) Now I know my readers would like to get to know more about you, so on to the interview!

Q. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Even though I started writing when I was a young teen (because I wanted to be able to continue the next day the story I’d been playing out with my Barbies—until one day, I forgot to pick up the dolls and just went straight to the pencil and paper), it wasn’t until I was sixteen or seventeen when I really felt like writing was what I really wanted to do with my life. I just didn’t have anyone around me who knew how to direct me. My parents encouraged me, but they weren’t sure how to give me guidance. I had a wonderful Creative Writing teacher in high school and that was when I knew for sure that I wanted to be like him—I wanted to be able to teach others how to do what it was I loved doing so much. But it wasn’t until much later in my life, at the age of thirty, that I truly thinking about and pursuing publication.

Q. What other books/short stories/articles/poems have you written, whether published or not?

Having started writing when I was young, I have a bunch of “stuff”—lots of first chapters and story ideas which never got finished (and never will), along with a more than 200,000-word tome that I wrote for almost ten years, based on the imaginary/fantasy lives of my college friends and me—more of a long series of slice-of-life vignettes than a true novel with a single driving plot line. It wasn’t until after I attended my first writers’ conference in 2001 that I stopped playing and got serious about crafting a novel. From 2001 to 2003, I wrote three complete manuscripts. In 2003, I came up with an idea that would, several years later, become my first published novel, Stand-In Groom, which was published in December 2008. Since then, I’ve written eight additional novels, which means that by the end of 2011, I’ll have nine published novels out:

The Brides of Bonneterre

Stand-In Groom

Menu for Romance

A Case for Love

(All three are now available in a one-volume Brides of Bonneterre omnibus)

The Ransome Trilogy

Ransome’s Honor

Ransome’s Crossing

Ransome’s Quest (August 2011)

The Matchmakers

Love Remains

The Art of Romance

Turnabout’s Fair Play (November 2011)

Q. Do you have an all time favorite book? Which genre do you prefer to read and why?

I’ve been such an avid reader since childhood that it’s hard to choose just one book as a favorite. The book that had the greatest impact on my life was one of a series of historical YA romances from the 1980s—Victoria by Willo Davis Roberts. Even more than wanting to remember the stories I’d been playing out with my dolls, this book is what drove me to write, as I couldn’t let go of the characters after their happy ending, so I began writing a sequel. I never finished it—because too many of my own story ideas started taking precedence.

My favorite genre to read is historical romance, especially British and Scottish medievals, probably because those are some of the first historical romances I ever read.

Q. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

You’re implying that I’m sane? ;-)

My friends and family keep me as grounded as I ever get—I know I can call my mom or closest friends at any time and they’ll talk me off the ledge. It’s also one of the reasons why I spend so much time online between Facebook, Twitter, and my blog, communicating with family, friends, colleagues, and readers—sometimes, those online interactions are the only communication I have with others for days at a time.

Q. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

After dropping out of college at age twenty-one, my proudest moment came at age thirty-five when I walked across the stage at Seton Hill University to be “hooded” and accept my Master of Arts degree. Although I know it made my family proud, the greatest sense of accomplishment came from completing what God called me to start in the first place.

Q. What was your greatest roadblock in writing this book and others, and how did you overcome it?

I had two pretty big roadblocks with this book—the first was a very short turnaround time—only two and a half months from the time I finished writing another book (Ransome’s Quest) and the due date for The Art of Romance. And then, two weeks after the book was due—and with me only about two-thirds of the way finished, I fell and really messed up my ankle—breaking both bones and dislocating the foot, causing a lot of soft-tissue damage. Because I live alone—and in a house with steps to get in and out—I ended up relocating to Arkansas to stay with my parents while I went through surgery and recovery. And while it would seem logical that being laid-up with a broken ankle would be the perfect time to concentrate on writing, it actually made writing harder. Because I’d spent the previous two years constantly on writing deadlines and not being able to take a break from it, my creative well was already dry, so the stress and turmoil of surgery and doctor appointments and everything that went along with the injury, as well as being away from home for so long just compounded that lack of creativity. But what a blessing my parents were (and are)—taking care of me, chauffeuring me around, and giving me the room/time I needed to get my work done. The book was due October 15, and I finally got it finished and turned in on January 3.

Q. What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

The best writing tip I ever received was from Davis Bunn at the 2001 Blue Ridge conference: “Above all else, FINISH YOUR FIRST DRAFT!”

We learn more about writing by actually completing novels than we do by obsessively polishing and editing our first three chapters. So set the beginning aside and get that manuscript finished! And then finish another one. And another one. And another one.

If I hadn’t learned how to write a manuscript all the way through from beginning to end without getting caught up in that revision loop, I never would have been able to publish nine novels in less than three years.

Q. Tell us about the featured book, Art of Romance, - back cover blurb plus what this story means to you.

It was fun to dig into the psyche of an artist for Dylan Bradley’s character—especially since both of my grandfathers were hobbyists (one was an oil painter the other a sketch artist). And then having a heroine who’s a romance novelist. . .let’s just say a lot of me went into Caylor Evans’s character!

This book gave me a chance to write a different kind of hero—a creative-type who’s more in touch with his emotions and who’s more sensitive than most of the male characters I write. . .even more than me in some instances. I know this has created difficulty for some readers who expect the “alpha male” type of hero in a romance novel. But it was nice for me to be able to write a story which turns those stereotypical hero/heroine roles on their head. She’s older, she’s stronger, she’s settled, she’s successful; he’s younger, he’s just come out of an emotionally abusive relationship, he has no job, he’s trying to figure out who he is and what he wants to do with his life.

Here’s the official blurb:

Sassy Evans and Perty Bradley are determined to get their older grandchildren married off, but when twenty-eight-year-old Dylan comes home after being fired from his teaching position because of the betrayal of his ex-girlfriend, Perty knows her grandson has more important issues to deal with first.

Sassy understands her friend’s reservations about timing, but she also sees so many ways in which Dylan would be the perfect match for her thirty-four-year-old granddaughter Caylor. With his record of acclaimed paintings and Caylor’s bestselling novels, they could complement each other’s talents and provide each other support and encouragement. And there’s no denying the spark of attraction between the English professor with the untamed red hair and the painter with the unusual tattoos.

But neither grandmother realizes the secrets both Caylor and Dylan are keeping from each other. Will pain and embarrassment from the past keep Caylor and Dylan apart, or will they develop the courage to be truthful with each other and discover the true art of romance?

Q. How can readers find the book and where can they find you on the Internet?

You can find out more about my books (with links to all the different buying options) here: http://kayedacus.com/books/

I blog five days a week at http://kayedacus.com/. I also love connecting with readers on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/kayedacus) and on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/kayedacus).

Bonus question: Tell us one interesting fact about you that your readers would find interesting, and maybe even surprising.

It’s usually most surprising when people find out that, even though I’m a forty-year-old romance-novel author, I’ve never been kissed—never even had a boyfriend!

Wow! That is interesting. All I can say to that is the fellas don't know what they're missing! And there's so much to be said for your character that you're waiting for your special hero and not settling for a secondary character in the meantime. I hope and pray my two little girls have the same integrity.

I haven't been able to read this book but it's first on my list after I meet my deadline so my review will be coming. In the meantime, my friends, go grab you a copy and let us know what you think! 'Tis pool reading season after all and I'm confident you WON'T be disappointed!

A Post for the Graduates . . . and Anyone, Really.

2011-05-28T11:29:00.000-05:00

Today is my birthday! So I'm taking the day off. :o) But I sincerely wanted to post an encouraging word for all of the graduates out there. Recently, one of my dear writer friends, Teresa Lockhart, wrote a blog entry on SerendipiTee, her blog, that reminded me of the graduates in our school but also about my life personally. My daily goals - things I have to get done and things I want to get done - all require my FOCUS! Teresa said she'd be happy to share her blog post on focusing with us so I'm happy to had the reins over to Teresa Lockhart for today!

Quick bio: Teresa Lockhart's been a freelance writer for several years, interviewing celebrities about the way God is working in their lives. Her work has appeared in several Lifeway and Vox publications in addition to many others. She's a frequent writer for the Living Light News out of Edmonton (Canada).

When she's not writing, she spends her time teaching high school journalism. She says, "I get my greatest inspiration and laughter from my students." She's been named an Outstanding Teacher of the Humanities, a Tennessee Regional Teacher of the Year, a Middle Tennessee Scholastic Press Association Media Adviser of the Year, and a Tennessee High School Press Association Media Adviser of the Year. She's just recently been named a Certified Journalism Instructor by the Journalism Education Association.

For the last year Teresa's been writing, revising, and polishing her first YA novel. She says, "I have a strong passion to help my readers see how wonderfully and serendipitously God works in their lives." I think you will agree with me that Teresa is incredibly talented and as she shares her heart with us, you'll see just how amazing she really is. Now, without further ado . . .

You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus. ~ Mark Twain

I grew up a very creative only kid on a very limited budget, so I had to improvise to have fun.

I lived to play softball, league team, community team, tournament team, etc. I played on multiple teams at one time. We didn’t have fast-pitch “back in the day,” and we didn’t have hitting facilities. I was one of the smallest kids both in my class and on my team, so I had to find something I could do to make up for my inability to hit homeruns like my superstar teammates.

I learned how to place hit.

Because I wasn’t strong enough or quick enough to hit the ball over the outfielders’ heads, I learned to do the next best thing—place the ball where the players weren’t.

The key to place hitting is having a good eye, good timing, and good position. All of those details require focus.

“Back in the day” my mom had a clothes line to dry our laundry. I rigged up my own hitting helper. I put a softball in an old tube sock and tied a shoe string around the end and then tied the shoestring to the clothes line so that the ball in the sock was about chest level.

I took my bat and practiced standing in different positions, envisioning the different angles where the ball might cross homeplate. I tapped the ball and watched the direction it went. If I put my right foot to the back of the box and turned my body so that my left foot was in front, I could make the ball go toward first base. If pulled my left foot to the edge of the box, I could make it go in the opposite direction.

I spent hours focusing on the ball. When I tried out my new skills at practice, I discovered I could put the ball pretty much wherever I wanted. My ideal placement was down the chalk of the right field line. This type of hit makes it extra hard for the fielders to throw out runners headed for second or third base. Even if they threw me out, I would at least advance the lead runners.

If I happened to hit several right field fouls, I then switched my feet and dropped the ball over the third baseman’s head. Surprise! I always got a kick out of the look on the faces of the opposing coaches after they adjusted their players to the right.

I was a pretty decent pitcher, much better than a hitter. But when you’re an only kid, it’s hard to practice pitching all by yourself.

Again, I came up with a way to practice alone. My little house had a concrete front porch with two posts. If I stood next to the road in my front yard, I could pitch my softball so that it would hit the post on my front porch and then bounce back to me. I had to be accurate. Otherwise, I might break my mom’s window.

After spending sometimes hours a day doing this, I developed a pretty accurate pitch. I could almost always throw the ball over the plate. I also learned a special backspin release that made the ball pop up when batters hit it.

My downfall was that I put such a high arch on the ball that sometimes I threw it too deep behind the plate. I had to find a way to remedy the situation. The only thing I knew to do was to put a glove on the ground and practice pitching the ball over and over so that I could drop it into the glove every time.

It worked.

I didn’t realize back then that I was fine tuning more than my softball skills. I was developing focus.

Focus is everything in life.

Without focus, we risk roaming and never reaching our goals. It’s great to have a goal, but no matter bad badly people want something, they may never achieve it unless that find out how they’re going to get there and what’s holding them back.

I came to this little epiphany when I was practicing my guitar the last week. It took a Beatles song to help me learn where I wanted to go and what’s holding me back. I realized that I could practice for hours and learn nothing unless I was focused on finding my own way to master a technique.

Over the past few months I’ve dealt with a lot of stress and sorrow, and if it weren’t for the music I’d probably be a basket case. As much as I live to write, I became so discouraged that I lost my focus on writing. Sure, I write every day. But I found myself writing in circles, going nowhere.

I finally asked myself again EXACTLY what I wanted from my writing, what I wanted from life. It sounds simplistic, but if I really I need to pinpoint my destination, figure out how I’m going to get there, and figure out what’s holding me back so that I can remedy the situation.

How about you? What is it you want? Where are you going? How are you supposed to get there? What’s holding you back? How can you fix the problem?

Ultimately, we can do all the right things and still find obstacles that are too difficult to overcome. That’s where our faith in and dependence upon God come along. I believe He wants us to grow, to be the best we can be, but I also believe He wants us to rely on Him and to give credit where credit is due.

In less than two weeks I will leave my classroom for a summer break. I have dreams that I want to come true. If there is anything in this world that irks me, it is to hear a person say, “I wish I could do that”—and then do NOTHING to make it happen, be it practicing or pushing beyond the comfort zone or praying.

Doing nothing leads to regret. I’ve already traveled that road one too many times.

It’s time to arise and go…in focus.

A Face in the Clouds

2011-05-16T22:00:00.002-05:00

Oh my! How has it already been 2 months?! Well, now that school is almost out for the summer, I'm going to attempt to put together a schedule . . . AND STICK WITH IT!!! Some of you have given me ideas of what you might want to read about on here, so that helps. Sometime the first part of June I'll update the blog with a schedule and let you all know how it will go. Cool???

One great thing, is The Heart's Lullaby is going great! Funny how the Lord works things out for us. I never intended it this way and heavens knows I'd trade this book in a heartbeat to have my Patty back, but it's really turning into a tribute to her and the wonderful mother that she was. I hope I make her proud with this project. But more on that later. This blog post I want to introduce you all to a new author friend, Marianne Evans.

Welcome to From My Heart to Yours, Marianne! I'm so excited to talk about A Face in the Clouds, but first let's get to know you a little better.

Q. When did you first discover that you were a writer?

Back in middle-school, when I wrote stories, and handed them out to my friends a chapter at a time. They kept coming back for more, and I loved, loved, loved the process, so I kept at it!!

Q. What other books/short stories/articles/poems have you written, whether published or not?

My writing career began with Kensington Publishing and their Precious Gem line of contemporary romances. For Kensington I published: Friends & Lovers, Right Hand Man, and Hannah’s Heart. My writing life took a several year hiatus, but the muse came back with a vengeance, and I contracted another contemporary romance with The Wild Rose Press titled With This Kiss.

That’s when tides turned in my writing life, and I began to write in the genre of my truest heart, Christian fiction and romance. I won a writing contest with White Rose Publishing that earned publication of my debut Christian inspy, Hearts Crossing. From there, a four book series was born and contracted. Hearts Crossing followed as book 2 in The Woodland Series, Hearts Communion will be out later this year, and Hearts Key will see publication in the spring of 2012.

My work in progress is a mainstream Christian fiction title called Devotion. Devotion explores the issue of temptation and a marriage on the rocks. What happens when a picture-perfect Christian marriage begins to falter and crack, how do a loving and committed couple find their way back to one another?

Q. Do you have an all time favorite book? Which genre do you prefer to read and why?

I love Christian romance and Christian fiction – so I’m a fan of anything by Karen Kingsbury. She’s an amazing talent. Beyond Christian fiction, I also very highly recommend the book “Tell me no Lies” by Elizabeth Lowell – such a wonderful suspense/love story!!

Q. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

I don’t even bother to try. LOL!!! Seriously, it’s a day-to-day thing, but I think the best thing I do is make sure to spend time in prayer, especially when I feel overwhelmed. When I rest, and go still for a few minutes, I find the tensions ease away and I receive a re-charge. Sure, stress issues still need to be dealt with, but I emerge with a fresher mind-set, and a calmer, open attitude.

Q. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

MY FAMILY. I absolutely love my kids, and my husband, and consider them my pride and joy!!!

Q. What was your greatest roadblock in writing this book and others, and how did you overcome it?

I’d have to say the biggest frustration comes in the form of those moments when I have a block of time to sit down and write and the words just won’t come. Instances like that leave me gnashing my teeth, because it feels like such a waste. But then I remember, the words may not flow ‘on demand’ – but my mind is still working the plot, and the characters, and ultimately, once the percolation episode passes, the words start to pour out.

Q. What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Never, ever, ever give up. EVER. Don’t let rejection have the last say. Stack up the rejection letters/e-mails, toss a nice linen cloth over the top and use them as an end table. That’s what I did.

Q. Tell us about the featured book, A Face in the Clouds, - back cover blurb plus what this story means to you.

A Face in the Clouds is a bonus short story to my award winning Woodland Series. You meet the heroine, Sandy Pierson, in Hearts Crossing. She’s the hero’s ex-fiancée, and several readers asked me about her, wondering if she’d get a Woodland story of her own. This story is the answer to that call. This story is also a precious ode to my sister-in-law’s art ministry, which is a highlight of this book that I hope readers will explore even further! Here’s the blurb!

Reporter Paul Hutchins is all about finding facts and uncovering the truth. Verification, authenticity and quantification are the fuel of his spirit…Until he falls in love with producer Sandy Pierson.

Sandy sees Christ alive in every aspect of her life. No need for quantified facts. Faith is the fuel of her spirit. But her love for Paul puts her at odds with God's call toward faith and all of its mysteries.

Paul considers Christianity to be well-meaning myth—hyperbole. To Sandy, it’s everything—and she can accept nothing less from the man she loves.

Can a miracle happen? Can the touch of God Himself keep their relationship from shattering?

(This is Jen talking now.) This mini-book (only about 50 pages) was a wonderful, touching read. Here is my review of A Face in the Clouds:

"An Easter release for was perfect for 'A Face in the Clouds', though this is a story for every day of our lives.

I, personally, could relate with not being able to make sense of it all, something Paul struggled with. I can also understand desiring to know more about our loved ones' top priorities. God was Sandy's top priority, a priority Paul just could embrace because he didn't understand Christianity. To him, Christianity was not practical because it was not factual.

Through this story, so eloquently told by talented author, Marianne Evans, you see how the Lord uses people OTHER THAN SANDY to illustrate to Paul His love and His constant presence. His realness. Gradually, the clouds in front of Paul's eyes are lifted as he sees A Face in the Clouds.

This story was powerful to me because this is real life. People are touched by the Holy Spirit every day the way Paul was. Miracles like this really do occur. This story has the ability to give hope to the hopeless and strength to the weak. For Christians, reading this book will challenge them to look deeper, try harder to see God in everything around us. Thank you, Ms. Evans, for obeying the Holy Spirit's promptings and writing this quick, yet life-changing read. I will certainly do my best to look a little deeper in my own life to find . . . A Face in the Clouds."

Q. How can readers find the book and where can they find you on the Internet?

My web addy is: http://www.marianneevans.com/ – stop by and visit! I can also be found at http://www.whiterosepublishing.com/, and at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Marianne-Evans/e/B001KHZN0Y/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

I also have a blog: http://www.marianneevans.blogspot.com/ and a facebook readers page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Marianne-Evans/308711716744

I love connecting with readers, so, please, don’t be shy!! J

Bonus question: Tell us one interesting fact about you that your readers would find interesting, and maybe even surprising.

I collect antique salt cellars. These are small, bowl-shaped pieces crafted of glass, porcelain, or metal and they come with small spoons. Back in the era before pourable salt, these were placed on the dinner table and you chipped off a bit of salt from a block that was placed in these bowls and you could then season your food. They’re beautiful, and I have fun shopping for them!

That is very interesting! Thank you so much for sharing about you, your life, and your books. I know my readers will find your stories every bit as compelling as I do! To purchase your copy of A Face in the Clouds, Kindle Edition from Amazon.com for only $1, click on the title, grab a cup of coffee, and get ready to be inspired! And guess what! Marianne's going to give away a PDF copy of Hearts Crossing, mentioned above, the novella that started it all for her as an author of Christian fiction, and actually introduces the heroine of A Face in the Clouds, to one of our lucky readers! Yea! All you have to do is leave a comment here and I'll draw a name ON MY BIRTHDAY, May 26th! FBing this contest will give and extra entry and so will tweeting it. Also following Marianne's blog and subscribing to my blog will give you TWO extra entries! Don't miss out! Thank you again, Marianne, for stopping by my blog today and for helping to change hearts and lives with your wonderful stories!

Harvest Bay Goes TEAL!

2011-03-09T23:46:00.000-06:00

What exactly do I mean by saying Harvest Bay is going TEAL? Are you wondering right now if I'm changing the color of my covers? That answer would be no. I still have two beautifully PINK covers. But there are some BIG changes going on with my writing. Let me start, well, not at the beginning, but a little further back . . .

I've blogged before about my best friend, Patty Smith. Here she is with her husband and 5 awesome kids. Isn't she beautiful??? Well, my Patty has been battling ovarian cancer for about 6 years. From my point of view (which may not be accurate at all) it seemed as though she had the upper hand. It'd knock her down, but she'd get right back up. Until this past October. It started to spread. She had a lot of pain and she wasn't getting right back up. It got in her lungs and after that, it wasn't long before Patty's body wore out. She passed away on Feb 24, 2011.

I could fill pages and pages about the wonderful qualities about Patty, but I suppose after a while you'd get bored. But one thing I can tell you that I'm sure you could appreciate is Patty was a true friend. The kind that you can go for a period of time without talking to and then pick right back up. We did that, and I'm so sorry for that now. There was a period of our lives, though that Patty and I just had to walk seperate paths. I missed things in her life I wish I hadn't and she missed some things in mine. When we reconnected, though, seldom a day went by that we didn't communicate in some form. She was a HUGE source of support for my writing. She was at all of my events in Ohio. Here we are at Borders in Sandusky. She had a migrain that morning and still came out. She was amazing. But what I admired most about her was her unshakable faith. She wrote this on FB as a comment to one of my status updates where I asked for prayer for her just TWO DAYS before she passed away: "I'd like to thank you all. Many of you I don't even know, but God has brought us together. I know He didn't give me this horrible disease, but He is sure letting me use it for great things. My God is a wonderful God. I have no plans of giving up until God, not the cancer, calls me home. Like the song says 'should I go or should I stay, I'm a winner either way.' Love you all and thanks again." Kind of gives you chills doesn't it? Like I said, she was amazing.

So I spent all this time while she was sick about 500 miles away from her - she was in Ohio and I was in TN - feeling very helpless. I wanted to DO something for her. I love to cook for people who are sick. I couldn't even do that. I couldn't help her with her kids. All I could do was pray. We all know that's no small thing but I still felt like I wasn't DOING enough. A week after she passed away, I had an idea. I cleared it with my publisher and Harvest Bay Goes TEAL was born. Teal is the color ribbon for ovarian cancer and today I completed the small amt of simple paperwork to make it official: a percentage of sales from ALL of my books will be going straight to Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (http://www.ovariancancer.org/) for Patty, all the women that went before her and all the women that will one day follow in her shoes. For my mom and grandmas. For my sisters and my girl friends. For all of the wonderful women in my life. I don't want to lose another lady loved one to this rotten disease! This includes The Heart's Journey Home, already released and available immediatey in paperback, Kindle, and Nook. Also, The Heart's Lullaby is available for preorder. It may never amount to much, but it's something and I believe God can take a little something and make it a big something. After all, He fed 5,000+ with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread.

I'd be so honored if you would help me in this endeavor. Besides the obvious purchase of the book, just spreading the word, sharing this blog with your friends, is a HUGE, HUGE help! I don't think people know how very valuable word of mouth is. More than anything please pray that God will use this effort for His purpose and make it all He wants it to be. Thank you!

And the Greatest of These is LOVE!

2011-02-13T17:03:00.004-06:00

Well, it's been two weeks since my last blog post and I'm still trying to figure out what direction to go. I'd LOVE suggestions! But tomorrow's Valentine's Day. Cause for celebration, yes? Eh, not really in my house. What?! What romance writer DOESN'T celebrate the holiday of LOOOOOOVE and ROMANCE and blabbity blabbity blah?! Well, this one. Sorry to disappoint. Tomorrow I do NOT want chocolates or flowers or any gifts at all. (However, I will take a home cooked dinner or the dishes to be done, laundry folded, etc.) BUT, I DO CELEBRATE LOVE. Real love, not Cupid love. The 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, 13 kind of love.

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails . . . And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

One of my talented writer friends, who has become a respected advisor/crit partner while I'm writing The Heart's Lullaby, recently wrote an article for Reflections in Hindsight blog (http://reflectionsinhindsight.wordpress.com/) and I was so touched by it, I sought and was granted permission to repost. I just love how candid she is about how her idea of love and romance has changed. See if you can relate:

"I was 21 when I met the man who would eventually become my husband. Poor guy. I was every emotionally bad thing there is about 21 when he met me. You couldn’t have created a more moody, self-centered, no-self-esteem heroine if you tried. And yet…he loved me. The problem is, I didn’t always see it.

If you had known me in my younger years, you’d have had the “privilege” of being acquainted with the world’s most hopeless romantic. It shouldn’t surprise anyone that I became a romance writer. I had notebooks full of ideas about perfect dates, perfect songs, perfect this, perfect that… My best friends would call me and say, “Tell me a story.” For hours, I’d sit on the phone with them and weave these crazy romantic stories about the guy of their dreams (usually named Danny, Donnie, Joe, Jordan, of Jon. It was 1990. Think about it.) By the time I met the man who would become my husband, my sense of what made “true love” was fully formed… or fully DEformed, which might be the better word. I wanted flowers, reading poems to each other in the park, and slow dancing on the deck in the moonlight. (And for the record? My thirty-seven-year-old self just gagged.) Oh, and after growing up in a military town, I also wanted a civilian, thankyouverymuch. There was this ideal in my head, and my poor husband met none of it.

Funny thing is… He was nothing that I wanted, and everything I needed.

The man I married is a skydiving, Harley riding, farm boy turned soldier. (He just read this and said, “Gee, honey. Throw ‘beer drinking’ in there and you’ll have the perfect redneck.”) We’ve been together 16 years, married 14… He has sent me flowers three times. Twice while he was deployed to Iraq and didn’t have any other choice. He has never slow danced with me anywhere outside of a dance floor, would rather eat chicken than read poetry (My boy does not eat chicken anywhere for any reason or for anybody), and couldn’t make a romantic mix tape if you have him the list of songs you wanted on it. And you know what? I don’t care. His “love language” is all him, and it’s all wonderful.

I put him through the ringer before I figured out how much he loves me. I used to sulk over not getting flowers. I called him unromantic and maybe even cold. But then I really figured him out, and he is the most romantic man in the world. He may not bring me flowers, but he brings me good ink pens (which I love) and Vanilla Coke. He once made me a CD with a song about chimpanzees on it because we used to sing it together in the car. (And hon, that’s more romantic than the sappiest love song out there.) He may not lay on a blanket in the park and read poetry to me, but he signs onto Skype at 1:00 AM Afghanistan time and stays up all night long just to talk to me about nothing, because he wants to see my face and hear my voice. (That right there is enough love to bring tears to my eyes.) And he talked me into riding that Harley with him. Me. The girl who used to be the biggest ‘fraidy cat in the world. I sit behind him, and after a while, when we really get to cruising down a back road, he’ll rest his elbow on my knee. That’s the definition of our marriage to me, his elbow on my knee. Think I’m crazy? Well, I know this… There is not any other person in the world he’d do that to. I’m the only one. So there’s something magical and totally romantic about helmets and boots and riding jackets and a V-twin engine that speaks love to me. When he’s in Iraq or Afghanistan and I drive down the road and hear a Harley pass, it’s almost like I hear a whispered “I love you” in that roar.

Yep. Love languages are all different, and I thank God for teaching me how to translate my husband’s. He is the bravest, most loving, most giving, most amazing man in the world. It terrifies me to think what I would have missed out on if I had continued to insist love looks like my high school fantasies did. God’s grace brought us together, and God’s grace has kept us together. Thank God for grace…"

What really struck me in this article (besides the elbow on the knee thing *sniff, sniff*) was when she said, "It terrifies me to think what I would have missed out on . . . " Isn't that the truth??? On Valentine's Day I think about the love I have for my husband, my children, my family and friends . . . and then I think about the love my Lord has for me. He loves me so much he stretched his arms out and DIED for ME! And it truly terrifies me to think what I would have missed out on if I never knew His love and accepted his ultimate Valentine's Day gift of everlasting life.

To find out more about my dear friend, Jodie Bailey, visit http://jodiebailey.com/. And if you have any suggestions for this blog - what you'd like to read about - I'd love to hear it! Either leave me a comment or send me a message through email or on facebook.

Day 31 - Proverbs 31

2011-01-31T01:31:00.000-06:00

Proverbs 31

Speak Out for Justice

1The words of King Lemuel, the strong advice his mother gave him:

2-3 "Oh, son of mine, what can you be thinking of!
Child whom I bore! The son I dedicated to God!
Don't dissipate your virility on fortune-hunting women,
promiscuous women who shipwreck leaders.

4-7 "Leaders can't afford to make fools of themselves,
gulping wine and swilling beer,
Lest, hung over, they don't know right from wrong,
and the people who depend on them are hurt.
Use wine and beer only as sedatives,
to kill the pain and dull the ache
Of the terminally ill,
for whom life is a living death.

8-9 "Speak up for the people who have no voice,
for the rights of all the down-and-outers.
Speak out for justice!
Stand up for the poor and destitute!"

Hymn to a Good Wife

10-31 A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!

Day 30 - Proverbs 30

2011-01-30T01:00:00.000-06:00

Proverbs 30

The Words of Agur Ben Yakeh
God? Who Needs Him?

1-2 The skeptic swore, "There is no God! No God!—I can do anything I want!
I'm more animal than human;
so-called human intelligence escapes me.

3-4 "I flunked 'wisdom.'
I see no evidence of a holy God.
Has anyone ever seen Anyone
climb into Heaven and take charge?
grab the winds and control them?
gather the rains in his bucket?
stake out the ends of the earth?
Just tell me his name, tell me the names of his sons.
Come on now—tell me!"

5-6 The believer replied, "Every promise of God proves true;
he protects everyone who runs to him for help.
So don't second-guess him;
he might take you to task and show up your lies."

7-9 And then he prayed, "God, I'm asking for two things
before I die; don't refuse me—
Banish lies from my lips
and liars from my presence.
Give me enough food to live on,
neither too much nor too little.
If I'm too full, I might get independent,
saying, 'God? Who needs him?'
If I'm poor, I might steal
and dishonor the name of my God."

10 Don't blow the whistle on your fellow workers
behind their backs;
They'll accuse you of being underhanded,
and then you'll be the guilty one!

11 Don't curse your father
or fail to bless your mother.

12 Don't imagine yourself to be quite presentable
when you haven't had a bath in weeks.

13 Don't be stuck-up
and think you're better than everyone else.

14 Don't be greedy,
merciless and cruel as wolves,
Tearing into the poor and feasting on them,
shredding the needy to pieces only to discard them.

15-16 A leech has twin daughters
named "Gimme" and "Gimme more."

Four Insatiables

Three things are never satisfied,
no, there are four that never say, "That's enough, thank you!"—
hell,
a barren womb,
a parched land,
a forest fire.

17 An eye that disdains a father
and despises a mother—
that eye will be plucked out by wild vultures
and consumed by young eagles.

Four Mysteries

18-19 Three things amaze me,
no, four things I'll never understand—
how an eagle flies so high in the sky,
how a snake glides over a rock,
how a ship navigates the ocean,
why adolescents act the way they do.

20 Here's how a prostitute operates:
she has sex with her client,
Takes a bath,
then asks, "Who's next?"

Four Intolerables

21-23 Three things are too much for even the earth to bear,
yes, four things shake its foundations—
when the janitor becomes the boss,
when a fool gets rich,
when a whore is voted "woman of the year,"
when a "girlfriend" replaces a faithful wife.

Four Small Wonders

24-28 There are four small creatures,
wisest of the wise they are—
ants—frail as they are,
get plenty of food in for the winter;
marmots—vulnerable as they are,
manage to arrange for rock-solid homes;
locusts—leaderless insects,
yet they strip the field like an army regiment;
lizards—easy enough to catch,
but they sneak past vigilant palace guards.

Four Dignitaries

29-31 There are three solemn dignitaries,
four that are impressive in their bearing—
a lion, king of the beasts, deferring to none;
a rooster, proud and strutting;
a billy goat;
a head of state in stately procession.

32-33 If you're dumb enough to call attention to yourself
by offending people and making rude gestures,
Don't be surprised if someone bloodies your nose.
Churned milk turns into butter;
riled emotions turn into fist fights.

Day 29 - Proverbs 29

2011-01-29T01:00:00.000-06:00

Proverbs 29

If People Can't See What God Is Doing

1 For people who hate discipline and only get more stubborn,
There'll come a day when life tumbles in and they break,
but by then it'll be too late to help them.

2 When good people run things, everyone is glad,
but when the ruler is bad, everyone groans.

3 If you love wisdom, you'll delight your parents,
but you'll destroy their trust if you run with whores.

4 A leader of good judgment gives stability;
an exploiting leader leaves a trail of waste.

5 A flattering neighbor is up to no good;
he's probably planning to take advantage of you.

6 Evil people fall into their own traps;
good people run the other way, glad to escape.

7 The good-hearted understand what it's like to be poor;
the hardhearted haven't the faintest idea.

8 A gang of cynics can upset a whole city;
a group of sages can calm everyone down.

9 A sage trying to work things out with a fool
gets only scorn and sarcasm for his trouble.

10 Murderers hate honest people;
moral folks encourage them.

11 A fool lets it all hang out;
a sage quietly mulls it over.

12 When a leader listens to malicious gossip,
all the workers get infected with evil.

13 The poor and their abusers have at least something in common:
they can both see—their sight, God's gift!

14 Leadership gains authority and respect
when the voiceless poor are treated fairly.

15 Wise discipline imparts wisdom;
spoiled adolescents embarrass their parents.

16 When degenerates take charge, crime runs wild,
but the righteous will eventually observe their collapse.

17 Discipline your children; you'll be glad you did—
they'll turn out delightful to live with.

18 If people can't see what God is doing,
they stumble all over themselves;
But when they attend to what he reveals,
they are most blessed.

19 It takes more than talk to keep workers in line;
mere words go in one ear and out the other.

20 Observe the people who always talk before they think—
even simpletons are better off than they are.

21 If you let people treat you like a doormat,
you'll be quite forgotten in the end.

22 Angry people stir up a lot of discord;
the intemperate stir up trouble.

23 Pride lands you flat on your face;
humility prepares you for honors.

24 Befriend an outlaw
and become an enemy to yourself.
When the victims cry out,
you'll be included in their curses
if you're a coward to their cause in court.

25 The fear of human opinion disables;
trusting in God protects you from that.

26 Everyone tries to get help from the leader,
but only God will give us justice.

27 Good people can't stand the sight of deliberate evil;
the wicked can't stand the sight of well-chosen goodness.

Day 28 - Proverbs 28

2011-01-28T01:00:00.000-06:00

Proverbs 28

If You Desert God's Law

1 The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to run off even when no one's after them;
Honest people are relaxed and confident, bold as lions.

2 When the country is in chaos,
everybody has a plan to fix it—
But it takes a leader of real understanding
to straighten things out.

3 The wicked who oppress the poor
are like a hailstorm that beats down the harvest.

4 If you desert God's law, you're free to embrace depravity;
if you love God's law, you fight for it tooth and nail.

5 Justice makes no sense to the evilminded;
those who seek God know it inside and out.

6 It's better to be poor and direct
than rich and crooked.

7 Practice God's law—get a reputation for wisdom;
hang out with a loose crowd—embarrass your family.

8 Get as rich as you want
through cheating and extortion,
But eventually some friend of the poor
is going to give it all back to them.

9 God has no use for the prayers
of the people who won't listen to him.

10 Lead good people down a wrong path
and you'll come to a bad end;
do good and you'll be rewarded for it.

11 The rich think they know it all,
but the poor can see right through them.

12 When good people are promoted, everything is great,
but when the bad are in charge, watch out!

13 You can't whitewash your sins and get by with it;
you find mercy by admitting and leaving them.

14 A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life;
a hardhearted person lives a hard life.

15 Lions roar and bears charge—
and the wicked lord it over the poor.

16 Among leaders who lack insight, abuse abounds,
but for one who hates corruption, the future is bright.

17 A murderer haunted by guilt
is doomed—there's no helping him.

18 Walk straight—live well and be saved;
a devious life is a doomed life.

Doing Great Harm in Seemingly Harmless Ways

19 Work your garden—you'll end up with plenty of food;
play and party—you'll end up with an empty plate.

20 Committed and persistent work pays off;
get-rich-quick schemes are ripoffs.

21 Playing favorites is always a bad thing;
you can do great harm in seemingly harmless ways.

22 A miser in a hurry to get rich
doesn't know that he'll end up broke.

23 In the end, serious reprimand is appreciated
far more than bootlicking flattery.

24 Anyone who robs father and mother
and says, "So, what's wrong with that?"
is worse than a pirate.

25 A grasping person stirs up trouble,
but trust in God brings a sense of well-being.

26 If you think you know it all, you're a fool for sure;
real survivors learn wisdom from others.

27 Be generous to the poor—you'll never go hungry;
shut your eyes to their needs, and run a gauntlet of curses.

28 When corruption takes over, good people go underground,
but when the crooks are thrown out, it's safe to come out.

Day 27 - Proverbs 27

2011-01-27T01:00:00.000-06:00

Proverbs 27

You Don't Know Tomorrow

1 Don't brashly announce what you're going to do tomorrow; you don't know the first thing about tomorrow.

2 Don't call attention to yourself;
let others do that for you.

3 Carrying a log across your shoulders
while you're hefting a boulder with your arms
Is nothing compared to the burden
of putting up with a fool.

4 We're blasted by anger and swamped by rage,
but who can survive jealousy?

5 A spoken reprimand is better
than approval that's never expressed.

6 The wounds from a lover are worth it;
kisses from an enemy do you in.

7 When you've stuffed yourself, you refuse dessert;
when you're starved, you could eat a horse.

8 People who won't settle down, wandering hither and yon,
are like restless birds, flitting to and fro.

9 Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight,
a sweet friendship refreshes the soul.

10 Don't leave your friends or your parents' friends
and run home to your family when things get rough;
Better a nearby friend
than a distant family.

11 Become wise, dear child, and make me happy;
then nothing the world throws my way will upset me.

12 A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks;
a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.

13 Hold tight to collateral on any loan to a stranger;
be wary of accepting what a transient has pawned.

14 If you wake your friend in the early morning
by shouting "Rise and shine!"
It will sound to him
more like a curse than a blessing.

15-16 A nagging spouse is like
the drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet;
You can't turn it off,
and you can't get away from it.

Your Face Mirrors Your Heart

17 You use steel to sharpen steel,
and one friend sharpens another.

18 If you care for your orchard, you'll enjoy its fruit;
if you honor your boss, you'll be honored.

19 Just as water mirrors your face,
so your face mirrors your heart.

20 Hell has a voracious appetite,
and lust just never quits.

21 The purity of silver and gold is tested
by putting them in the fire;
The purity of human hearts is tested
by giving them a little fame.

22 Pound on a fool all you like—
you can't pound out foolishness.

23-27 Know your sheep by name;
carefully attend to your flocks;
(Don't take them for granted;
possessions don't last forever, you know.)
And then, when the crops are in
and the harvest is stored in the barns,
You can knit sweaters from lambs' wool,
and sell your goats for a profit;
There will be plenty of milk and meat
to last your family through the winter.

Day 26 - Proverbs 26

2011-01-26T01:00:00.000-06:00

Proverbs 26

Fools Recycle Silliness

1 We no more give honors to fools than pray for snow in summer or rain during harvest.

2 You have as little to fear from an undeserved curse
as from the dart of a wren or the swoop of a swallow.

3 A whip for the racehorse, a tiller for the sailboat—
and a stick for the back of fools!

4 Don't respond to the stupidity of a fool;
you'll only look foolish yourself.

5 Answer a fool in simple terms
so he doesn't get a swelled head.

6 You're only asking for trouble
when you send a message by a fool.

7 A proverb quoted by fools
is limp as a wet noodle.

8 Putting a fool in a place of honor
is like setting a mud brick on a marble column.

9 To ask a moron to quote a proverb
is like putting a scalpel in the hands of a drunk.

10 Hire a fool or a drunk
and you shoot yourself in the foot.

11 As a dog eats its own vomit,
so fools recycle silliness.

12 See that man who thinks he's so smart?
You can expect far more from a fool than from him.

13 Loafers say, "It's dangerous out there!
Tigers are prowling the streets!"
and then pull the covers back over their heads.

14 Just as a door turns on its hinges,
so a lazybones turns back over in bed.

15 A shiftless sluggard puts his fork in the pie,
but is too lazy to lift it to his mouth.

Like Glaze on Cracked Pottery

16 Dreamers fantasize their self-importance;
they think they are smarter
than a whole college faculty.

17 You grab a mad dog by the ears
when you butt into a quarrel that's none of your business.

18-19 People who shrug off deliberate deceptions,
saying, "I didn't mean it, I was only joking,"
Are worse than careless campers
who walk away from smoldering campfires.

20 When you run out of wood, the fire goes out;
when the gossip ends, the quarrel dies down.

21 A quarrelsome person in a dispute
is like kerosene thrown on a fire.

22 Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy;
do you want junk like that in your belly?

23 Smooth talk from an evil heart
is like glaze on cracked pottery.

24-26 Your enemy shakes hands and greets you like an old friend,
all the while conniving against you.
When he speaks warmly to you, don't believe him for a minute;
he's just waiting for the chance to rip you off.
No matter how cunningly he conceals his malice,
eventually his evil will be exposed in public.

27 Malice backfires;
spite boomerangs.

28 Liars hate their victims;
flatterers sabotage trust.

Day 25 - Proverbs 25

2011-01-25T01:00:00.001-06:00

Proverbs 25
Further Wise Sayings of Solomon
The Right Word at the Right Time

1 There are also these proverbs of Solomon, collected by scribes of Hezekiah, king of Judah.

2 God delights in concealing things;
scientists delight in discovering things.

3 Like the horizons for breadth and the ocean for depth,
the understanding of a good leader is broad and deep.

4-5 Remove impurities from the silver
and the silversmith can craft a fine chalice;
Remove the wicked from leadership
and authority will be credible and God-honoring.

6-7 Don't work yourself into the spotlight;
don't push your way into the place of prominence.
It's better to be promoted to a place of honor
than face humiliation by being demoted.

8 Don't jump to conclusions—there may be
a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw.

9-10 In the heat of an argument,
don't betray confidences;
Word is sure to get around,
and no one will trust you.

11-12 The right word at the right time
is like a custom-made piece of jewelry,
And a wise friend's timely reprimand
is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.

13 Reliable friends who do what they say
are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!

14 Like billowing clouds that bring no rain
is the person who talks big but never produces.

15 Patient persistence pierces through indifference;
gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses.

A Person Without Self-Control

16-17 When you're given a box of candy, don't gulp it all down;
eat too much chocolate and you'll make yourself sick;
And when you find a friend, don't outwear your welcome;
show up at all hours and he'll soon get fed up.

18 Anyone who tells lies against the neighbors
in court or on the street is a loose cannon.

19 Trusting a double-crosser when you're in trouble
is like biting down on an abscessed tooth.

20 Singing light songs to the heavyhearted
is like pouring salt in their wounds.

21-22 If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch;
if he's thirsty, bring him a drink.
Your generosity will surprise him with goodness,
and God will look after you.

23 A north wind brings stormy weather,
and a gossipy tongue stormy looks.

24 Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack
than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.

25 Like a cool drink of water when you're worn out and weary
is a letter from a long-lost friend.

26 A good person who gives in to a bad person
is a muddied spring, a polluted well.

27 It's not smart to stuff yourself with sweets,
nor is glory piled on glory good for you.

28 A person without self-control
is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.

Day 24 - Proverbs 24

2011-01-24T01:00:00.000-06:00

Life Guidelines 19-30

Proverbs 24

Intelligence Outranks Muscle

19
1-2 Don't envy bad people; don't even want to be around them.
All they think about is causing a disturbance;
all they talk about is making trouble.
20
3-4 It takes wisdom to build a house,
and understanding to set it on a firm foundation;
It takes knowledge to furnish its rooms
with fine furniture and beautiful draperies.
21
5-6 It's better to be wise than strong;
intelligence outranks muscle any day.
Strategic planning is the key to warfare;
to win, you need a lot of good counsel.
22
7 Wise conversation is way over the head of fools;
in a serious discussion they haven't a clue.
23
8-9 The person who's always cooking up some evil
soon gets a reputation as prince of rogues.
Fools incubate sin;
cynics desecrate beauty.

Rescue the Perishing

24
10 If you fall to pieces in a crisis,
there wasn't much to you in the first place.
25
11-12 Rescue the perishing;
don't hesitate to step in and help.
If you say, "Hey, that's none of my business,"
will that get you off the hook?
Someone is watching you closely, you know—
Someone not impressed with weak excuses.
26
13-14 Eat honey, dear child—it's good for you—
and delicacies that melt in your mouth.
Likewise knowledge,
and wisdom for your soul—
Get that and your future's secured,
your hope is on solid rock.
27
15-16 Don't interfere with good people's lives;
don't try to get the best of them.
No matter how many times you trip them up,
God-loyal people don't stay down long;
Soon they're up on their feet,
while the wicked end up flat on their faces.
28
17-18 Don't laugh when your enemy falls;
don't crow over his collapse.
God might see, and become very provoked,
and then take pity on his plight.
29
19-20 Don't bother your head with braggarts
or wish you could succeed like the wicked.
Those people have no future at all;
they're headed down a dead-end street.
30
21-22 Fear God, dear child—respect your leaders;
don't be defiant or mutinous.
Without warning your life can turn upside down,
and who knows how or when it might happen?

More Sayings of the Wise

An Honest Answer

23 It's wrong, very wrong,
to go along with injustice.

24-25 Whoever whitewashes the wicked
gets a black mark in the history books,
But whoever exposes the wicked
will be thanked and rewarded.

26 An honest answer
is like a warm hug.

27 First plant your fields;
then build your barn.

28-29 Don't talk about your neighbors behind their backs—
no slander or gossip, please.
Don't say to anyone, "I'll get back at you for what you did to me.
I'll make you pay for what you did!"

30-34 One day I walked by the field of an old lazybones,
and then passed the vineyard of a lout;
They were overgrown with weeds,
thick with thistles, all the fences broken down.
I took a long look and pondered what I saw;
the fields preached me a sermon and I listened:
"A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there,
sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next?
Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life,
with poverty as your permanent houseguest!"

Day 23 - Proverbs 23

2011-01-23T01:00:00.001-06:00

Life Guidelines 6-18. LOVE these!

Proverbs 23

Restrain Yourself

6
1-3 When you go out to dinner with an influential person, mind your manners:
Don't gobble your food,
don't talk with your mouth full.
And don't stuff yourself;
bridle your appetite.
7
4-5 Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich;
restrain yourself!
Riches disappear in the blink of an eye;
wealth sprouts wings
and flies off into the wild blue yonder.
8
6-8 Don't accept a meal from a tightwad;
don't expect anything special.
He'll be as stingy with you as he is with himself;
he'll say, "Eat! Drink!" but won't mean a word of it.
His miserly serving will turn your stomach
when you realize the meal's a sham.
9
9 Don't bother talking sense to fools;
they'll only poke fun at your words.
10
10-11 Don't stealthily move back the boundary lines
or cheat orphans out of their property,
For they have a powerful Advocate
who will go to bat for them.
11
12 Give yourselves to disciplined instruction;
open your ears to tested knowledge.
12
13-14 Don't be afraid to correct your young ones;
a spanking won't kill them.
A good spanking, in fact, might save them
from something worse than death.
13
15-16 Dear child, if you become wise,
I'll be one happy parent.
My heart will dance and sing
to the tuneful truth you'll speak.
14
17-18 Don't for a minute envy careless rebels;
soak yourself in the Fear-of-God—
That's where your future lies.
Then you won't be left with an armload of nothing.
15
19-21 Oh listen, dear child—become wise;
point your life in the right direction.
Don't drink too much wine and get drunk;
don't eat too much food and get fat.
Drunks and gluttons will end up on skid row,
in a stupor and dressed in rags.
Buy Wisdom, Education, Insight
16
22-25 Listen with respect to the father who raised you,
and when your mother grows old, don't neglect her.
Buy truth—don't sell it for love or money;
buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight.
Parents rejoice when their children turn out well;
wise children become proud parents.
So make your father happy!
Make your mother proud!
17
26 Dear child, I want your full attention;
please do what I show you.

27-28 A whore is a bottomless pit;
a loose woman can get you in deep trouble fast.
She'll take you for all you've got;
she's worse than a pack of thieves.
18
29-35 Who are the people who are always crying the blues?
Who do you know who reeks of self-pity?
Who keeps getting beat up for no reason at all?
Whose eyes are bleary and bloodshot?
It's those who spend the night with a bottle,
for whom drinking is serious business.
Don't judge wine by its label,
or its bouquet, or its full-bodied flavor.
Judge it rather by the hangover it leaves you with—
the splitting headache, the queasy stomach.
Do you really prefer seeing double,
with your speech all slurred,
Reeling and seasick,
drunk as a sailor?
"They hit me," you'll say, "but it didn't hurt;
they beat on me, but I didn't feel a thing.
When I'm sober enough to manage it,
bring me another drink!"

Day 22 - Proverbs 22

2011-01-22T10:53:00.002-06:00

Notice this Proverbs gives us "thirty sterling principles— tested guidelines to live by." The first 5 are listed in this Proverb. The rest are to come.

Proverbs 22

The Cure Comes Through Discipline

1 A sterling reputation is better than striking it rich; a gracious spirit is better than money in the bank.

2 The rich and the poor shake hands as equals—
God made them both!

3 A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks;
a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.

4 The payoff for meekness and Fear-of-God
is plenty and honor and a satisfying life.

5 The perverse travel a dangerous road, potholed and mud-slick;
if you know what's good for you, stay clear of it.

6 Point your kids in the right direction—
when they're old they won't be lost.

7 The poor are always ruled over by the rich,
so don't borrow and put yourself under their power.

8 Whoever sows sin reaps weeds,
and bullying anger sputters into nothing.

9 Generous hands are blessed hands
because they give bread to the poor.

10 Kick out the troublemakers and things will quiet down;
you need a break from bickering and griping!

11 God loves the pure-hearted and well-spoken;
good leaders also delight in their friendship.

12 God guards knowledge with a passion,
but he'll have nothing to do with deception.

13 The loafer says, "There's a lion on the loose!
If I go out I'll be eaten alive!"

14 The mouth of a whore is a bottomless pit;
you'll fall in that pit if you're on the outs with God.

15 Young people are prone to foolishness and fads;
the cure comes through tough-minded discipline.

16 Exploit the poor or glad-hand the rich—whichever,
you'll end up the poorer for it.
The Thirty Precepts of the Sages
Don't Move Back the Boundary Lines

17-21 Listen carefully to my wisdom;
take to heart what I can teach you.
You'll treasure its sweetness deep within;
you'll give it bold expression in your speech.
To make sure your foundation is trust in God,
I'm laying it all out right now just for you.
I'm giving you thirty sterling principles—
tested guidelines to live by.
Believe me—these are truths that work,
and will keep you accountable
to those who sent you.
1
22-23 Don't walk on the poor just because they're poor,
and don't use your position to crush the weak,
Because God will come to their defense;
the life you took, he'll take from you and give back to them.
2
24-25 Don't hang out with angry people;
don't keep company with hotheads.
Bad temper is contagious—
don't get infected.
3
26-27 Don't gamble on the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,
hocking your house against a lucky chance.
The time will come when you have to pay up;
you'll be left with nothing but the shirt on your back.
4
28 Don't stealthily move back the boundary lines
staked out long ago by your ancestors.
5
29 Observe people who are good at their work—
skilled workers are always in demand and admired;
they don't take a backseat to anyone.

Day 21 - Proverbs 21

2011-01-21T01:00:00.002-06:00

Again I'm using the Message translation. Just because. I want to bring your attention to verse 31: "Do your best, prepare for the worst—then trust God to bring victory." Wow! You know sometimes that's all we can do, isn't it?

Proverbs 21

God Examines Our Motives

¹Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God; he directs it to whatever ends he chooses.

² We justify our actions by appearances;
God examines our motives.

³ Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors
mean far more to God than religious performance.

⁴ Arrogance and pride—distinguishing marks in the wicked—
are just plain sin.

⁵ Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run;
hurry and scurry puts you further behind.

⁶ Make it to the top by lying and cheating;
get paid with smoke and a promotion—to death!

⁷ The wicked get buried alive by their loot
because they refuse to use it to help others.

⁸ Mixed motives twist life into tangles;
pure motives take you straight down the road.

Do Your Best, Prepare for the Worst

⁹ Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack
than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.

¹⁰ Wicked souls love to make trouble;
they feel nothing for friends and neighbors.

¹¹ Simpletons only learn the hard way,
but the wise learn by listening.

¹² A God-loyal person will see right through the wicked
and undo the evil they've planned.

¹³ If you stop your ears to the cries of the poor,
your cries will go unheard, unanswered.

¹⁴ A quietly given gift soothes an irritable person;
a heartfelt present cools a hot temper.

¹⁵ Good people celebrate when justice triumphs,
but for the workers of evil it's a bad day.

¹⁶ Whoever wanders off the straight and narrow
ends up in a congregation of ghosts.

¹⁷ You're addicted to thrills? What an empty life!
The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied.

¹⁸ What a bad person plots against the good, boomerangs;
the plotter gets it in the end.

¹⁹ Better to live in a tent in the wild
than with a cross and petulant spouse.

²⁰ Valuables are safe in a wise person's home;
fools put it all out for yard sales.

²¹ Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind
finds life itself—glorious life!

²² One sage entered a whole city of armed soldiers—
their trusted defenses fell to pieces!

²³ Watch your words and hold your tongue;
you'll save yourself a lot of grief.

²⁴ You know their names—Brash, Impudent, Blasphemer—
intemperate hotheads, every one.

²⁵ Lazy people finally die of hunger
because they won't get up and go to work.

²⁶ Sinners are always wanting what they don't have;
the God-loyal are always giving what they do have.

²⁷ Religious performance by the wicked stinks;
it's even worse when they use it to get ahead.

²⁸ A lying witness is unconvincing;
a person who speaks truth is respected.

²⁹ Unscrupulous people fake it a lot;
honest people are sure of their steps.

³⁰ Nothing clever, nothing conceived, nothing contrived,
can get the better of God.

³¹ Do your best, prepare for the worst—
then trust God to bring victory.

Day 20 - Proverbs 20

2011-01-20T01:00:00.001-06:00

I decided to take today's Proverb from the Message translation. Everyone has their favorite translation - I do most of my studying from NKJV - but sometimes just using a new translation sheds a new light on God's Word, brings it to life in a whole new way. I like the way it's laid out almost like a poem. The most important thing is that we are spending time in the Word, an area I want and NEED to grown in. Again I've highlighted passages that spoke to me (verse 13! Wow!). I pray something in Proverbs 20 speaks to your heart in a special way and uplifts you as only God's Word can do.

Proverbs 20

Deep Water in the Heart

¹ Wine makes you mean, beer makes you quarrelsome— a staggering drunk is not much fun.

² Quick-tempered leaders are like mad dogs—
cross them and they bite your head off.

³ It's a mark of good character to avert quarrels,
but fools love to pick fights.

⁴ A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring
has nothing to harvest in the fall.

⁵ Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart;
a wise person draws from the well within.

⁶ Lots of people claim to be loyal and loving,
but where on earth can you find one?

⁷ God-loyal people, living honest lives,
make it much easier for their children.

^8-9 Leaders who know their business and care
keep a sharp eye out for the shoddy and cheap,
For who among us can be trusted
to be always diligent and honest?

¹⁰ Switching price tags and padding the expense account
are two things God hates.

¹¹ Young people eventually reveal by their actions
if their motives are on the up and up.

Drinking from the Chalice of Knowledge

¹² Ears that hear and eyes that see—
we get our basic equipment from God!

¹³ Don't be too fond of sleep; you'll end up in the poorhouse.
Wake up and get up; then there'll be food on the table.

¹⁴ The shopper says, "That's junk—I'll take it off your hands,"
then goes off boasting of the bargain.

¹⁵ Drinking from the beautiful chalice of knowledge
is better than adorning oneself with gold and rare gems.

¹⁶ Hold tight to collateral on any loan to a stranger;
beware of accepting what a transient has pawned.

¹⁷ Stolen bread tastes sweet,
but soon your mouth is full of gravel.

¹⁸ Form your purpose by asking for counsel,
then carry it out using all the help you can get.

¹⁹ Gossips can't keep secrets,
so never confide in blabbermouths.

²⁰ Anyone who curses father and mother
extinguishes light and exists benighted.

The Very Steps We Take

²¹ A bonanza at the beginning
is no guarantee of blessing at the end.

²² Don't ever say, "I'll get you for that!"
Wait for God; he'll settle the score.

²³ God hates cheating in the marketplace;
rigged scales are an outrage.

²⁴ The very steps we take come from God;
otherwise how would we know where we're going?

²⁵ An impulsive vow is a trap;
later you'll wish you could get out of it.

²⁶ After careful scrutiny, a wise leader
makes a clean sweep of rebels and dolts.

²⁷ God is in charge of human life,
watching and examining us inside and out.

²⁸ Love and truth form a good leader;
sound leadership is founded on loving integrity.

²⁹ Youth may be admired for vigor,
but gray hair gives prestige to old age.

³⁰ A good thrashing purges evil;
punishment goes deep within us.

Day 19 - Proverbs 19

2011-01-19T01:00:00.001-06:00

Proverbs 19:20 says, "Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days." It's not always easy to take advice. Depending upon where that advice is coming from, however, you may learn a lot from it. My daddy was a wise man. If you've had a chance to read The Heart's Journey Home, he was wise like Grandpa Clayton. He made sense. He let us live our lives and make some mistakes on our own, but he was always there to help, too. I'd like to think I'm a little bit wiser because of his counsel and instruction . . . I just wish I had longer to learn from it. :o( I love and miss you, Daddy, today and every day.

Proverbs 19

1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. 2 Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet. 3 The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the LORD. 4 Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend. 5 A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape. 6 Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts. 7 All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him. 8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good. 9 A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish. 10 Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule over princes. 11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression. 12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass. 13 A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping. 14 Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD. 15 Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger. 16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die. 17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given. 18 Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction. 19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. 20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days. 21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand. 22 What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar. 23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil. 24 A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl,And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. 25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge. 26 He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach. 27 Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28 A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. 29 Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.

Day 18 - Proverbs 18

2011-01-18T01:00:00.001-06:00

A man who has friends must himself be friendly. Enough said.

Proverbs 18

1 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. 2 A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart. 3 When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach. 4 The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook. 5 It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment. 6 A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows. 7 A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul. 8 The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles, And they go down into the inmost body. 9 He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer. 10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. 11 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, And like a high wall in his own esteem. 12 Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility. 13 He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him. 14 The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit? 15 The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, And the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. 16 A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men. 17 The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him. 18 Casting lots causes contentions to cease, And keeps the mighty apart. 19 A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle. 20 A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. 22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD. 23 The poor man uses entreaties, But the rich answers roughly. 24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Day 17 - Proverbs 17

2011-01-17T01:00:00.001-06:00

I think everyone knows the first part of the first verse I bolded. I have some really wonderful friends. I could fill this whole blog up with their names and what makes them so special to me (And I hope if you're reading this you know exactly why you're special to me because every one of you are.) But instead, I'm going to focus on why my friends are special as a whole. The other day the proverb talked about choosing friends wisely. I have consciously chosen my closest and dearest friends because of Provers 17:22. They make my heart merry! They help me when I have a down day. They laugh with me and sometimes cry with me. They pray with me and teach me how to pray better. I have writer friends and teacher friends, I have just-be-crazy-with friends and spiritual sisters (and a few brothers). My best friend in this whole wide world you all know is Patty Smith. (This is a picture of us that was taken just this past summer.) What makes her my best friend? Well, we have history. We did EVERYTHING in high school together and I'm not exaggerating. Our senior year we were voted "sisters". But more recently she has taught me the true meaning of life and love and faith. She has 100% made me a better person. That is a true friend. A friend LOVES at ALL times. My friends are so very important to me. I honestly could not have accomplished what I have (and still am attempting to accomplish) without my family and friends' support and encouragement. I truly appreciate and cherish every kind word, every cheer rooting me on, every Scripture passage shared. So to all my friends, as The Golden Girls theme song says, "Thank you for being a friend."

Proverbs 17

1 Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife. 2 A wise servant will rule over a son who causes shame, And will share an inheritance among the brothers. 3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts. 4 An evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue. 5 He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. 6 Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father. 7 Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince. 8 A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers. 9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends. 10 Rebuke is more effective for a wise man
Than a hundred blows on a fool. 11 An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him. 12 Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly. 13 Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil will not depart from his house. 14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water; Therefore stop contention before a quarrel starts. 15 He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD. 16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom,
Since he has no heart for it? 17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. 18 A man devoid of understanding shakes hands in a pledge, And becomes surety for his friend. 19 He who loves transgression loves strife, And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction. 20 He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil. 21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow, And the father of a fool has no joy. 22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. 23 A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back To pervert the ways of justice. 24 Wisdom is in the sight of him who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. 25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him. 26 Also, to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to strike princes for their uprightness. 27 He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. 28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

Day 16 - Proverbs 16

2011-01-16T01:00:00.000-06:00

Proverbs 16

1 The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits. 3 Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established. 4 The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. 5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished. 6 In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil. 7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8 Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice. 9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. 10 Divination is on the lips of the king; His mouth must not transgress in judgment. 11 Honest weights and scales are the LORD’s; All the weights in the bag are His work.
12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness. 13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right. 14 As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it. 15 In the light of the king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain. 16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. 17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul. 18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he. 21 The wise in heart will be called prudent,
And sweetness of the lips increases learning. 22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly. 23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips. 24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. 25 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 26 The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on. 27 An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire. 28 A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. 29 A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good. 30 He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil. 31 The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness. 32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. 33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.

Day 15 - Proverbs 15

2011-01-15T01:00:00.000-06:00

Proverbs 15

1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. 2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness. 3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good. 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit. 5 A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent. 6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble. 7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so. 8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who follows righteousness. 10 Harsh discipline is for him who forsakes the way, And he who hates correction will die. 11 Hell and Destruction are before the LORD; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men. 12 A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise. 13 A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. 14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness. 15 All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast. 16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble.
17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred. 18 A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention. 19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, But the way of the upright is a highway. 20 A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother. 21 Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, But a man of understanding walks uprightly. 22 Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established. 23 A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, And a word spoken in due season, how good it is! 24 The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below. 25 The LORD will destroy the house of the proud, But He will establish the boundary of the widow. 26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, But the words of the pure are pleasant. 27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, But he who hates bribes will live. 28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. 29 The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy. 31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life Will abide among the wise. 32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding. 33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.

Day 14 - Proverbs 14

2011-01-14T01:00:00.002-06:00

Do you have a dream? Did you have a dream and lost it? Or maybe it just changed. Dreams can change as your life and priorities change. Mine have. I want to challenge you today to STRIVE TO MAKE YOUR WHOLE LIFE YOUR DREAM. That doesn't mean expect that everyday will be blissful. Quite the contrary, actually, because it will have to take work. Sometimes, depending on your dream, lots of it! But guess what, God didn't make you for you. He made you for HIM. He has a purpose for you that may be far greater than you even imagine for yourself. There's a song by John Waller called Something Big that I just love. I listen to it whenever I start to get in a funk, feeling like what's the point. Before we get to our daily Proverb reading, please read the words to this song. I pray it inspires you to strive for something big:

I wanna see something I've not seen
Something so big
I wanna be a part of something great
Greater than me

It's time to dream big dreams
To see Your vision
Become reality
‘Cause it’s for You, by You, those who
Love You wanna do

Something so big
It’s destined to fail without You, Lord
It’s gonna fail without You, Lord
Something so great
It takes a miracle to do
We, Your children
Wanna do something big for You

We, yes, we are gonna sing a brand new song
Something so strong
We will be the sound that wakes the dawn
Something so loud

It’s time for breaking through
‘Cause there are no limits
For he who holds the truth
When it’s for You, and by You, and those who
Love You wanna do

Something bigger, something greater
For the glory of Your splendor
Something bigger, something greater
Tell the story of Your wondrous love
Your wondrous love
Those who love You wanna do

As long as we live, let us do something so big for You

Proverbs 14

1 The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands. 2 He who walks in his uprightness fears the LORD, But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him. 3 In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride, But the lips of the wise will preserve them. 4 Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; But much increase comes by the strength of an ox. 5 A faithful witness does not lie, But a false witness will utter lies. 6 A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, But knowledge is easy to him who understands. 7 Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge. 8 The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, But the folly of fools is deceit. 9 Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is favor. 10 The heart knows its own bitterness, And a stranger does not share its joy. 11 The house of the wicked will be overthrown, But the tent of the upright will flourish. 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 13 Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, And the end of mirth may be grief. 14 The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above. 15 The simple believes every word, But the prudent considers well his steps. 16 A wise man fears and departs from evil, But a fool rages and is self-confident. 17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated. 18 The simple inherit folly, But the prudent are crowned with knowledge. 19 The evil will bow before the good, And the wicked at the gates of the righteous. 20 The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, But the rich has many friends. 21 He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he. 22 Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good. 23 In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty. 24 The crown of the wise is their riches, But the foolishness of fools is folly. 25 A true witness delivers souls, But a deceitful witness speaks lies. 26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. 28 In a multitude of people is a king’s honor, But in the lack of people is the downfall of a prince. 29 He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly. 30 A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones. 31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, But he who honors Him has mercy on the needy. 32 The wicked is banished in his wickedness, But the righteous has a refuge in his death. 33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known. 34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. 35 The king’s favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against him who causes shame

Day 13 - Proverbs 13

2011-01-13T01:00:00.001-06:00

So I thought I'd try something new today. I bolded all the "good" in this chapter and left the "bad". (Honestly a few verses I wasn't quite sure of.) If you go through and just read the bolded words, it sounds pretty nice, doesn't it? Now if you go back through and read the UNbolded, ugh! Sounds, I don't know, kinda like our society today - violence, destruction, having nothing. I got an email from a friend yesterday. I don't know the author of this little story so I can't give credit where credit is due, but it's been around the internet so there's a good chance you've already read it. It goes like this:

"A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl. She wanted to know what the United States looked like. Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to her and said, 'Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole country today...' After a few minutes, she returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together. The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly. 'Oh,' she said, 'on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together."

Now, don't mistake me. I LOVE our country. There's no doubt that we live in the best country in the world. However, I believe our SOCIETY has gotten off track. I think people's priorities have shifted. Is there such a thing as having too much mercy? I don't know, but I know that wrong actions have consequences. Verse 24 says, "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly." It doesn't say, "but he who loves him gives him 10 chances and then puts him in the 'time-out chair'". It also doesn't say, "but he who loves him beats his kid to death." I've told you I don't have all the answers. I promise you, most of the time I have no idea what I'm doing. I lose my patience, and sometimes my temper. I've been known to give a few too many chances. I say things I don't mean and sometimes don't do things I say I'm going to do. At times like that, I - we ALL - need to head to the only right answer - Jesus. Put Him where He belongs and EVERYTHING comes together.

Proverbs 13

1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth, But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence. 3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction. 4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich. 5 A righteous man hates lying, But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame. 6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, But wickedness overthrows the sinner. 7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches. 8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches, But the poor does not hear rebuke. 9 The light of the righteous rejoices, But the lamp of the wicked will be put out. 10 By pride comes nothing but strife, But with the well-advised is wisdom. 11 Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase. 12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. 13 He who despises the word will be destroyed, But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded. 14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. 15 Good understanding gains favor, But the way of the unfaithful is hard. 16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly. 17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble, But a faithful ambassador brings health. 18 Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored. 19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil. 20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed. 21 Evil pursues sinners, But to the righteous, good shall be repaid. 22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous. 23 Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor, And for lack of justice there is waste. 24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly. 25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.

Day 12 - Proverbs 12

2011-01-12T01:00:00.001-06:00

If I read Proverbs 12:1 in an elementary school classroom (say grades K-3rd) I'd surely hear a soft gasp followed by, "Mrs. Stephens said a bad word!" The bad word? STUPID! Yes, folks, it IS a bad word to many children I come in contact with every day and, yes, it IS in the Bible. The Bible contains other bad words, too. I'm not going to list them. You can probably figure out at least two of them. So . . . if they're bad, why are they in the Bible??? Because we as humans have chosen to use them the wrong way and in a way God never intended. Verse 26 instructs the righteous to choose their friends wisely. Why? Because of the laws of human nature. People influence people. I'm very fortunate to have the best friends in all the world - some near and some far away. I've chosen friends that set a good example for me, that help me to grow in my walk with the Lord, that make me feel good about myself and what I try to accomplish in my life especially with my girls, my teaching, and my writing. So what happens when I make a mistake? . . . Which I do . . . A lot. Proverbs 12:1 says, "Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid." Well, I'm not stupid, okay? When I screw up, I don't like it - no one does - but I learn from it. These two verses I've bolded brings back all sorts of sayings that my mom and daddy used to say, and guess what. I know that I don't know all the answers, but I'm beginning to think they did!

Before we get to our Proverb reading for today I wanted to update you all on Eric and Karen Phillips. This is part of an email from a relative: Eric is fighting a staff infection with a portable battery-powered infection wrap. He has been trying to work a few hours a day, mostly on the computer. He just can't lose his job. Medical insurance is through his company. Karen and I go to Akron Children's Hospital on Thursday for genetic testing. We won't know the outcome for several weeks. That should tell what type of surgery Karen needs. Cami is doing good, growing and starting to coo and smile, actually laughs out loud at times. Burke is OK. Doesn't know what to make of it all. He is doing good in school, has advanced to the accelerated classes. We are thankful for that. We are just helping where we can. We are at their beckoning. As you can plainly see this family is in desperate need of diligent prayer. Eric, the husband, daddy, and provider for this family CAN'T START CHEMO FOR HIS COLON CANCER UNTIL HE BEATS THIS INFECTION. Karen still has to have her surgery, and while Cami is too little to understand what's going on, Burke needs God's peace and comfort more than anything else during this time of uncertainty. I just can't imagine what must go through his mind at times. Prayer, as many of you know, is incredibly powerful. James 5:13-15 says, "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. AND THE PRAYER OF FAITH WILL SAVE THE SICK, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." This is the Word of the Lord. This is God's promise. Please, please, pray.

Proverbs 12

1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid. 2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn. 3 A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved. 4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones. 5 The thoughts of the righteous are right, But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked are, “Lie in wait for blood,” But the mouth of the upright will deliver them. 7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, But the house of the righteous will stand. 8 A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised. 9 Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant, Than he who honors himself but lacks bread.
10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 11 He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding. 12 The wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit. 13 The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble. 14 A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him. 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise. 16 A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame. 17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit. 18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. 19 The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy. 21 No grave trouble will overtake the righteous, But the wicked shall be filled with evil. 22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight. 23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness. 24 The hand of the diligent will rule, But the lazy man will be put to forced labor. 25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. 26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession. 28 In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death.

Day 11 - Proverbs 11

2011-01-11T01:00:00.000-06:00

Proverbs 11

1 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight. 2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them. 4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. 5 The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, But the unfaithful will be caught by their lust. 7 When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, And the hope of the unjust perishes. 8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, And it comes to the wicked instead. 9 The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered. 10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation. 11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted, But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace. 13 A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. 14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety. 15 He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, But one who hates being surety is secure. 16 A gracious woman retains honor, But ruthless men retain riches. 17 The merciful man does good for his own soul, But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh. 18 The wicked man does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. 19 As righteousness leads to life,
So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death. 20 Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the LORD, But the blameless in their ways are His delight. 21 Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered. 22 As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion. 23 The desire of the righteous is only good, But the expectation of the wicked is wrath. 24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. 25 The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself. 26 The people will curse him who withholds grain, But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it. 27 He who earnestly seeks good finds favor, But trouble will come to him who seeks evil. 28 He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage. 29 He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind, And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart. 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise. 31 If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, How much more the ungodly and the sinner.

Day 10 - Proverbs 10

2011-01-10T10:56:00.002-06:00

Today is a day of truth. I haven't been completely honest with myself. I convince myself I'm doing the best I can in certain areas of my life, but having the best of intentions is NOT doing my best. Good thing God gives us new mercies every day.

Please pray today for my friend's boyfriend, T.D., who will be having open heart surgery this week. Also, pray for my friend Tracy.

Also, an update on Baby Annabelle: her parents, Krista and Scott, have been advised to consider putting her on the heart transplant list now.

This is an emotional, overwhelming time for Krista, Scott, Tracy, and T.D. But our God knew about these situations before He breathed the world into being. As Krista said in one of her blog posts (If you haven't yet, please check it out by clicking the tab under my favorite blogs/sites titled Krista's Reflections.) thank goodness God does not get overwhelmed!

Proverbs 10

Wise Sayings of Solomon

1 The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother. 2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death. 3 The LORD will not allow the righteous soul to famish, But He casts away the desire of the wicked. 4 He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. 5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame. 6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 7 The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot. 8 The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall. 9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known. 10 He who winks with the eye causes trouble, But a prating fool will fall. 11 The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins. 13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding. 14 Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction. 15 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; The destruction of the poor is their poverty. 16 The labor of the righteous leads to life, The wages of the wicked to sin. 17 He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray. 18 Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool. 19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. 20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom. 22 The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it. 23 To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom. 24 The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25 When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation. 26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him. 27 The fear of the LORD prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened. 28 The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish. 29 The way of the LORD is strength for the upright, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. 30 The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth. 31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut out. 32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

Day 9 - Proverbs 9

2011-01-09T01:00:00.004-06:00

I've run out of things to say that is remotely related to Proverbs. I could ramble or get on a soap box, but I doubt you'd like to read that. What I do want us to do today is pray for the congress woman and others involved in the Arizona Safeway shooting. I don't know all the details. I've been wrapped up today in my girls' basketball followed by laundry, dishes, supper, etc. Basically, I've been absorbed in my safe little world. I do know the congress woman (I don't even know her name.) was shot in the head and is in critical condition at this time. Also, a judge was killed as well as a 9-year-old. I don't know about you, but when I hear about something happening to a kid, I immediately think of my girls. I say, "She was the same age as Alison" or "He was a year younger than Olivia" or whatever. My Alison is 9. I shudder to let my brain go there and I know with every fiber of my being that that child's parents need prayer tonight. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Oh, if only everyone studied, understood, and FOLLOWED these words of wisdom.

Proverbs 9

The Way of Wisdom

¹ Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; ² She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table. ³ She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city, ⁴ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, ⁵ “Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed. ⁶ Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding. ⁷ “ He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. ⁸ Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. ⁹ Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. ¹⁰ “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ¹¹ For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. ¹² If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”

The Way of Folly

¹³ A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing. ¹⁴ For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city, ¹⁵ To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way: ¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”; And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, ¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet, And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” ¹⁸ But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of hell.

Day 8 - Proverbs 8

2011-01-08T01:00:00.001-06:00

What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge? From what I gather, knowledge is the information while wisdom is applying the information to life. Application is not always easy. Often my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak and I want to do my own thing. It's a control thing, I think. I'm pretty sure it's why I hate flying. I like to be in the driver's seat. Lately, though I'm learning to turn the wheel over. Pretty wise, don't you think??? :o)

Proverbs 8

The Excellence of Wisdom

¹ Does not wisdom cry out, And understanding lift up her voice? ² She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, Beside the way, where the paths meet. ³ She cries out by the gates, at the entry of the city, At the entrance of the doors: ⁴ “To you, O men, I call, And my voice is to the sons of men. ⁵ O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart. ⁶ Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things; ⁷ For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips. ⁸ All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them. ⁹ They are all plain to him who understands, And right to those who find knowledge. ¹⁰ Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; ¹¹ For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her. ¹² “ I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, And find out knowledge and discretion. ¹³ The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. ¹⁴ Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength. ¹⁵ By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice. ¹⁶ By me princes rule, and nobles, All the judges of the earth. ¹⁷ I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. ¹⁸ Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness. ¹⁹ My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold, And my revenue than choice silver. ²⁰ I traverse the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice, ²¹ That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries. ²² “ The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, Before His works of old. ²³ I have been established from everlasting, From the beginning, before there was ever an earth. ²⁴ When there were no depths I was brought forth, When there were no fountains abounding with water. ²⁵ Before the mountains were settled, Before the hills, I was brought forth; ²⁶ While as yet He had not made the earth or the fields, Or the primal dust of the world. ²⁷ When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep, ²⁸ When He established the clouds above, When He strengthened the fountains of the deep, ²⁹ When He assigned to the sea its limit, So that the waters would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth, ³⁰ Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; And I was daily His delight, Rejoicing always before Him, ³¹ Rejoicing in His inhabited world, And my delight was with the sons of men. ³² “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways. ³³ Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. ³⁴ Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. ³⁵ For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD; ³⁶ But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.”

Day 7 - Proverbs 7 . . . and the Never-Ending Battle of Good vs. Evil)

2011-01-07T01:00:00.001-06:00

Have you ever just been overwhelmed by the Lord's goodness??? Just over the past few days I've seen it, folks! I've felt His blessings on me and my house. We'd had some pretty cool things happen just since Christmas and I'm not stupid enough to say it was luck or coincidence! I KNOW that everything that happens in my life is by the Lord's doing. I know it like I know my name is Jen. I trust that with all my heart. I believe my heart is on a direct line to the Lord and He knows my deepest desires AND my worries and fears. Will bad things happen? Yes. Does the Lord cause it? NO! Because the Lord IS NOT BAD! BUT, listen to this: The Lord can make good come from any bad situation. It's true! We were just talking in my 3rd grade class about which is more powerful: a pitch black room or a simple little flashlight? The flashlight is. No darkness can win over light. My third graders' memory verse this week is one we should ALL remember and carry in our hearts: Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before others that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." What does that have to do with Proverbs 7??? Hmmmm . . . I don't know. Perhaps it's an illustration of the never-ending battle of good vs. evil. But don't take my word for it. Decide for yourself . . .

Proverbs 7

Warning Against the Adulterous Woman

¹ My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. ² Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. ³ Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁴ Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.” ⁵ They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words. ⁶ At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice. ⁷ I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense. ⁸ He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house ⁹ at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. ¹⁰ Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent. ¹¹ (She is unruly and defiant, her feet never stay at home; ¹² now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.) ¹³ She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said: ¹⁴ “Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home. ¹⁵ So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you! ¹⁶ I have covered my bed with colored linens from Egypt. ¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon. ¹⁸ Come, let’s drink deeply of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love! ¹⁹ My husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey. ²⁰ He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon." ²¹ With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk. ²² All at once he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer stepping into a noose ²³ till an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare, little knowing it will cost him his life. ²⁴ Now then, my sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. ²⁵ Do not let your heart turn to her ways or stray into her paths. ²⁶ Many are the victims she has brought down; her slain are a mighty throng. ²⁷ Her house is a highway to the grave,leading down to the chambers of death.

Day 6 - Proverbs 6

2011-01-06T01:00:00.001-06:00

Oh, boy! This just keeps hitting home, doesn't it??? "Go to the ant, you sluggard"? Yikes! I guess I'd better get out of my comfy and cozy bed after all! The thing is, God has made the little insignificant ant to know that he has to work hard for a period when he might not have much. I wonder why human beings can't seem to get that. Me personally, sometimes I get complacent. I get to where I just know I'm always going to have fill in the blank. I also was convicted as I read verses 16-19. How quick am I to criticize others, yet the Lord HATES a lying tongue??? Who can say they have never ever lied before??? Not me, unfortunately. The Lord also HATES hands that shed innocent blood. Does that make me any better than a murderer??? Shrug Maybe I just better learn a thing or two from the ant!

Proverbs 6

Warnings Against Folly

¹ My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, ² you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth. ³ So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go—to the point of exhaustion—and give your neighbor no rest! ⁴ Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. ⁵ Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler. ⁶ Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! ⁷ It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, ⁸ yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. ⁹ How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? ¹⁰ A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—¹¹ and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. ¹² A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, ¹³ who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, ¹⁴ who plots evil with deceit in his heart—he always stirs up conflict. ¹⁵ Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. ¹⁶ There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: ¹⁷ haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸ a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, ¹⁹ a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

Warning Against Adultery

²⁰ My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. ²¹ Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. ²² When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. ²³ For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life, ²⁴ keeping you from your neighbor’s wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman. ²⁵ Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. ²⁶ For a prostitute can be had for a loaf of bread, but another man’s wife preys on your very life. ²⁷ Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? ²⁸ Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? ²⁹ So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.³⁰ People do not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. ³¹ Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevenfold, though it costs him all the wealth of his house. ³² But a man who commits adultery has no sense; whoever does so destroys himself. ³³ Blows and disgrace are his lot, and his shame will never be wiped away.³⁴ For jealousy arouses a husband’s fury, and he will show no mercy when he takes revenge. ³⁵ He will not accept any compensation; he will refuse a bride, however great it is.

Day 5 - Proverbs 5

2011-01-05T01:00:00.001-06:00

Now, I can't say I know a single thing about this topic, thank You, Lord, but I know plenty about temptations. Oh my goodness, the things of this world that tempt me! One of the worst - my bed! I love the coziness of my bed, especially in the winter when I have my flannel sheets on. So I HAVE to work extra hard to free myself of the temptation to spend an extra hour (that I'm not going to end up missing anyway) snuggling in my bed and start the day out walking, followed by some time spent in the Word. Here's the other kicker: when I do the right thing, I feel great ALL DAY! When I give in to temptation and stay in bed, I feel like a FAILURE. We all have temptations, and guess what, they're tailor made for us by Satan. He knows exactly what buttons to push to lure us away from giving all our love to the Lord. When I read this Proverb, the verse that caught my breath right in my throat was verse 21, which I bolded. He knows, he knows.

Proverbs 5

Warning Against Adultery

¹ My son, pay attention to my wisdom,turn your ear to my words of insight, ² that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge. ³ For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; ⁴ but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. ⁵ Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. ⁶ She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it. ⁷ Now then, my sons, listen to me; do not turn aside from what I say. ⁸ Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her house, ⁹ lest you lose your honor to others and your dignity to one who is cruel, ¹⁰ lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich the house of another. ¹¹ At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. ¹² You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! ¹³ I would not obey my teachers or turn my ear to my instructors. ¹⁴ And I was soon in serious trouble in the assembly of God’s people.” ¹⁵ Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well. ¹⁶ Should your springs overflow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? ¹⁷ Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. ¹⁸ May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. ¹⁹ A loving doe, a graceful deer— may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love. ²⁰ Why, my son, be intoxicated with another man’s wife? Why embrace the bosom of a wayward woman? ²¹ For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths. ²² The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. ²³ For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.

Day 4 - Proverbs 4

2011-01-04T01:00:00.002-06:00

Okay, so once again for like the millionth year in a row I'm vowing to get healthy this year. I'm trying to start an exercise program, but, good heavens, is it ever hard to start! Even just walking! So . . . guess what the Lord brought to me tonight . . .

Proverbs 4

Security in Wisdom
1 Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding; 2 For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law. 3 When I was my father’s son, Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother, 4 He also taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live. 5 Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. 8 Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her. 9 She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.” 10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. 11 I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble. 13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life. 14 Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. 15 Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on. 16 For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. 17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. 18 But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. 19 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble. 20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.

Day 3 - Proverbs 3

2011-01-03T01:00:00.001-06:00

I'm doing Experiencing God Bible study, reading the Proverbs, and keeping a prayer journal. The following was a quote in my prayer journal (Great is Thy Faithfulness journal from Lifeway - go get you one!): "God takes care of His own. He knows our needs. He anticipates our crises. He is moved by our weaknesses. He stands ready to come to our rescue. And at just the right moment He steps in and proves Himself as our faithful and heavenly Father. ~Charles Swindoll" I don't know about you, but this is how I needed to start the New Year! My dearest, sweetest, closest sister friend in the whole wide world is very, very sick in the hospital once again and I'm 500 miles from her. But God's got it covered. My book is coming along not as fast as I want (or need) it to. I can't stop life from happening. My girls need me and that's so much more important than anything in this world. God recognizes that and I believe in my heart He'll bless my efforts. Chris and I make our ends meet month by month and sometimes I get frustrated that there's nothing left to, you know, have fun, do something special, but we have "this day our daily bread". I know God is taking care of me and my family. I know He knows our needs. And I know He's always ready to be our Daddy.

Proverbs 3

Guidance for the Young
1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. 9 Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. 11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights. 13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; 14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her. 19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens; 20 By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew. 21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes— Keep sound wisdom and discretion; 22 So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck. 23 Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. 25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; 26 For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught. 27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you. 29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor, For he dwells by you for safety’s sake. 30 Do not strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. 31 Do not envy the oppressor, And choose none of his ways; 32 For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD, But His secret counsel is with the upright. 33 The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just. 34 Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble. 35 The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

AMEN!

Day 2 - Proverbs 2

2011-01-02T01:00:00.002-06:00

This was my last status update on facebook: "I'm wasting time, I'm wasting time. I must write 1K words tonight in addition to starting my prayer journal but instead I'm checking everyone's status updates (which basically all say the same thing: Happy New Year!). Why can't I be more focused??? More diligent??? More ambitious??? Guess I know what my first journal entry will be! *Sigh*" Then I read this Proverbs and bolded the words that really spoke to me:

Proverbs 2

The Value of Wisdom
1 My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, 2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; 8 He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. 9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice, Equity and every good path. 10 When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, 11 Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, 12 To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, 13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who rejoice in doing evil, And delight in the perversity of the wicked; 15 Whose ways are crooked, And who are devious in their paths; 16 To deliver you from the immoral woman, From the seductress who flatters with her words, 17 Who forsakes the companion of her youth, And forgets the covenant of her God. 18 For her house leads down to death, And her paths to the dead; 19 None who go to her return, Nor do they regain the paths of life— 20 So you may walk in the way of goodness, And keep to the paths of righteousness. 21 For the upright will dwell in the land, And the blameless will remain in it; 22 But the wicked will be cut off from the earth, And the unfaithful will be uprooted from it.

AMEN!

I'm Baaaack!

2011-01-01T10:41:00.003-06:00

I can't promise that I'll be updating this blog regularly - in fact I should've made this post yeaterday and took care of all the "catching up" that needs to be done - but I missed more than anything else, sharing prayer requests with you. So in this post, I'll update this list as much as I can, give you an update on The Heart's Lullaby, and then share with you what I want to do to strengthen my relationship with the Lord and the most important people in my life in 2011.

The first update is that my sister, Karen, is expecting again! A baby boy they're naming Nolan and he's due in April. Praise the Lord for that! Please continue to pray for a safe and healthy pregnancy and a healthy, happy baby.

Krista Phillips, my writer friend, had Baby Annabelle about 5 months ago, I guess and she does have heart problems. She has not left the hospital in the 5 months. They were hoping to take her home for Christmas, but Annabelle started running a fever and she couldn't leave. They spent Christmas in the hospital. Please pray for healing for Annabelle and for strength and peace for Krista, her husband, Scott, and their three daughters. For more information, and an incredible testimony to REAL faith, click on Krista's Reflections under My Favorite Blog/Site List.

Patty Smith, my best friend is still fighting ovarian cancer. In fact, she just had surgery for and issue caused by cancer. It seemed to go well, but please continue to pray for her for healing and for her family. I'll tell you more about Patty in the days to come.

Unfortunately, Richard "Jim" McDonald and Robin Baughman, a 40-year-old mother of 4, both lost their battles with cancer withing the past few months. Please pray for their families as they face their first year without them.

Lastly, for now, the unsaved husband of my Christian friend . . . WAS SAVED!!! Just before Christmas, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.

Now for a brand new prayer request: Karen and Eric Phillips (no relation to Krista). This is just terrible, unimaginable even. Karen was discovered to have cervical cancer while she was in that las stages of her second pregnancy. The baby was born with a minor medical problem. It is "fixed" now, but while Karen awaits treatment for her cervical cancer, her husband Eric was discovered to have cancer. A few weeks ago, a tumor the size of a grapefruit was removed from his colon but now his liver has 5 very large spots of cancer. Usually the bad section is cut out and you just live with part of a liver. That can't be done because they are on all sides. Chemo will be the next step. Spots were seen on his lungs also. Please pray mightily for this whole family! This is a desperate situation.

Now for a brief update on The Heart's Lullaby. I have a cover! Have you seen it? If not, here it is. Pretty, isn't it? It's coming along well - slowly but surely. My deadline for the rough draft is March 1st. I'll spend the rest of the spring and probably part of the summer editing it (which is my favorite part of the writing process) and it is scheduled to release October 3rd, 2011. It is turning out to be much more intense - bigger, harder issues and emotions - than The Heart's Journey Home. I didn't plan it that way. It could be a good thing or a not-so-good thing, but I'm trying not to worry about it. I'm just trying to write it the best I can and leave the rest up to God. Stay tuned for further developments.

Speaking of The Heart's Journey Home, it has recently been converted to Kindle format so if you got a Kindle for Christmas and haven't read The Heart's Journey Home yet, you can pick it up on Amazon.com for $2.99!

Well, it's a new year. For me, 2011 is a year of renewed hope. I intend to refocus, set my priorities right, and strengthen the things that REALLY matter on this earth - relationships between family and friends and, most of all, our Lord. In addition to trying to be the best wife, mama, teacher, and writer I can be in 2011, I'm focusing on my body and spirit this year. I'm committing to exercise and healthy eating this year AND spending time in the Word and in prayer EVERYDAY. I may not be perfect, but even a small improvement will be better than the past few years. My biggest hurdle to conqure: TIME. I never have enough of it. None of us do. A friend of mine bought me a prayer journal, I'm about halfway through Experiencing God - a Bible study I HIGHLY recommend to anyone seeking the Lord, and I'm reading a chapter in Proverbs everyday this month. A good friend of mine is exercising and reading Proverbs with me so at least I know I have an accountability partner. That helps. I encourage you to read a chapter in Proverbs a day for a month and see how the Lord moves in your life. To make it easy for you, I'm even going to post it right here everyday. So, if you want to start with me on Proverbs 1, keep reading. If not, I pray you have a remarkable new year. This is YOUR year!

Proverbs 1

The Beginning of Knowledge
1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; 4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion— 5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, 6 To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Shun Evil Counsel
8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother; 9 For they will be a graceful ornament on your head, And chains about your neck. 10 My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent. 11 If they say, “Come with us, Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; 12 Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit; 13 We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil; 14 Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse”— 15 My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path; 16 For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood. 17 Surely, in vain the net is spread
In the sight of any bird; 18 But they lie in wait for their own blood, They lurk secretly for their own lives. 19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners.

The Call of Wisdom
20 Wisdom calls aloud outside; She raises her voice in the open squares. 21 She cries out in the chief concourses, At the openings of the gates in the city She speaks her words: 22 “ How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. 23 Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. 24 Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, 25 Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, 27 When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. 28 “ Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. 29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD, 30 They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. 31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies.
32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; 33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.”

AMEN!

A Leave of Absence

2010-09-21T14:35:00.002-05:00

Obviously, it's been a while since I posted last - over 2 months to be exact. This post is to let you know I'm taking an indefinite break from blogging. If I'm at my computer I must be writing. With being a wife, mama, and teacher, I have to use every second I get! Please, if you aren't already, follow me on facebook. My facebook page will allow me to get to know you and vice versa as I will post questions, thoughts, prayer requests, and of course updates on the books. Speaking of which, The Heart's Lullaby is coming along well. I have a beautiful cover that is up on facebook - take a look and leave a comment. The release date is May 2nd, 2011. Can't wait! Talk to you all soon!

Want a GREAT Read???

2010-07-08T22:31:00.009-05:00

I recently read a book that has easily jumped to my Top 5 ever list. That is not an easy feat because I'm a self proclaimed SLOW READER. If a book is not good, I can't finish it. This book titled, The Weight of Shadows, was phenomenal. Listen to me. RUN, don't walk to your local store to get this book. It's powerful and captivating and, well, made me think about a lot of things in a whole new light. Let me start by introducing you to Alison Strobel, the very talented author (with a great first name, spelled exactly the same as my Ali's! :o) ). Then I will give you my review of the book. So, without further ado, please welcome Alison Strobel!

Q. Alison, when did you first discover that you were a writer?

A. I started writing stories when I was in kindergarten, but I didn't think of myself as A Writer until I was in high school. Until then it was just something I liked to do, but I took a creative writing class in high school (thank you, Mr. Leece!) and at that point began to think maybe this was something I actually had a talent for, and not just something I did as a hobby. It wasn't until I got my first contract, though, that I thought I could be a career writer, and I think that's when I started to consider myself a professional and not just a dabbler.

Q. What other books/short stories/articles/poems have you written, whether published or not?

A. Oh gosh, floating around in some Illinois landfill are all sorts of beginnings of novels and stories! I probably started a new book every summer, including one that was very similar to the show "Party of Five" (but mine came first!). I completed my first book in junior high, full of all sorts of tween drama--the world is a better place for its disappearance. :D In high school a friend and I (Meg Gronau, actually, who is also part of the blog tour) wrote two stories by going back and forth and picking up where the other left off. Meg is much funnier than I am, and it was always very clear what sections she wrote--they make me laugh out loud to this day.

I had a couple articles published a few years back in Relevant magazine, and a couple years ago I wrote 2 different 8-page booklets with Easter themes for Outreach that churches can order and use as invitations to their Easter services.

And, of course, I have three more books coming out over the next 18 months--Reinventing Rachel in September, Memory of the Heart next spring, and a currently untitled novel coming out next fall.

Q. Do you have an all time favorite book? Which genre do you prefer to read and why?

A. If I could only have one book to read for the rest of my life...probably Microserfs by Douglas Coupland. The expression of community the book portrays is really beautiful to me. And Coupland's just a great writer. In terms of genre...just plain old contemporary fiction is probably my favorite, because the stories typically ask some really intriguing questions and challenge how I think.

Q. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

A. Quite often I feel like I haven't kept my sanity. Run, run, run is a pretty good description of what my life has been like for the last year. Just in the last few months I've made some changes so that I don't get completely burned out. No more working on the weekends, at least not while the girls are awake. I take an entire month off after I finish a book. I try really hard (though quite often fail) not to spend too much time on the Internet when I've got the girls in the morning (my husband watches them in the afternoon so I can work), and I try to give them as much of my time, energy, and attention as I can. I took up crochet--partly because I wanted to have a hobby, partly because I really love making things with my hands, and partly because I think it's important to have a variety of skills. I've found it's really relaxing, though, too, which was a great plus!

Q. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

A. I have to cheat and give two: my daughters. I love them so much. Though I guess technically they're God's accomplishment and not mine! So that being the case...I think having a successful HBAC (homebirth after cesarean--Abigail was born via c-section, and Penelope Jane was born naturally at home) is an accomplishment I'm extremely proud of. A close second is actually getting published!

Q. What was your greatest roadblock in writing this book and others, and how did you overcome it?

A. Trying to balance writing an accurate portrayal of domestic abuse without making the reading too heavy and graphic. I didn't want my readers to get depressed, or give anyone nightmares--but I also didn't want to gloss over it, because I felt like that wasn't doing justice by the women who have experienced it. I achieved that (I hope I did, anyway--you readers will have to tell me what you think!) by not describing the abuse blow-by-blow, but in more general terms, and then trying to let the reader into Kim's head whenever possible, to sort of give them an escape.

Q. What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

A. Write and read, write and read, lather, rinse, repeat. Write when you are inspired, when you're not inspired (that's an even more important time to write), when you're totally and completely stuck...studying the craft is important, but if you never implement what you learn then what's the point? And don't just read books on the craft, or books that are similar to what you want to write--read the best in a lot of different genres, because even if that genre isn't what you most enjoy reading, that author may be really good at a particular facet of the craft and you'll learn a lot by reading their work.

Q. Tell us about the featured book - back cover blurb plus what this story means to you.

The book is The Weight of Shadows--here's the back blurb:

After a difficult childhood, Kim has built a successful life for herself ... but she'd leave it all if it meant being rid of the guilt she harbors over a tragic mistake she made years ago. When she meets Rick, she finds everything she needs---including a way to pay for her sins every time he hits her. Kim and Rick's new neighbor, Joshua, knows more than Kim realizes about Rick, but Joshua has battles of his own to fight. Soon to intersect Kim's and Rick's lives is Debbie, who has saved countless women from abuse through the shelter she runs, but Debbie might be as desperate for love as the women she serves. Meanwhile, as Rick's wrath extends to their baby, Kim must decide if her penance is more important than protecting that innocent life---and if she should dare leave Rick when he has the power to bring her hidden crime to light.

This book means a lot to me, though not exactly because of its themes or story line. It represents a big change in the kinds of stories I write, as well as highlights the ways in which I've grown as a writer. If you've read my first two books you'll see quickly that this is a very different story. It also represents what I hope will be some big growth in my career. I really do want to make my living doing this--very, very tough to do, but with four compelling books coming out over the next two years I think I may have a chance of at least establishing myself as a writer to be watched, and that's the first step.

Q. Please give us the first page of the book.

A. Unfortunately I only have a PDF of the first chapter, so I can't easily copy off one page--BUT you can download the ENTIRE first chapter on my website at http://www.alisonstrobel.com/downloads/.

Q. How can readers find you on the Internet?

A. My website, AlisonStrobel.com, has everything a reader might want--my blog, my books, trailers, first chapter downloads, calendar of events, stuff for book clubs, newsletter sign-up, etc. Stop by and leave me a note in the guest book!

Bonus question: Tell us one interesting fact about you that your readers would find interesting, and maybe even surprising.

A. When I was in college, I was addicted to an internet-based roleplaying game (a "MUSH" -- multi-user shared hallucination) called Shadowrun. It was set in the 2050's and was modeled after the cyberpunk literary genre--super high-tech, somewhat dystopic (though I think I may be inventing that word--spell check thinks I am, anyway), with some magic thrown in. What I loved about it, though, was that you were basically writing a story by playing your character. It was all text-based, no graphics at all, so when you walked into a room you got a description of what it looked like, and then you just wrote what you did, dialoged with other characters...I think the fact that I got to be creative in such a different setting was as addicting as the social aspect of it. I really enjoy that literary genre now--William Gibson and Neal Stephenson are two of my favorite writers--and I never would have even tried it had it not been for that game.

Thanks for stopping by, Alison! To find out more about Alison, check out her blog: http://www.alisonstrobel.com/alison-blog/2010/6/12/let-the-tour-begin.html

To find her book on Amazon, click here: http://www.amazon.com/Weight-Shadows-Novel-Alison-Strobel/dp/0310289459/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

To find her book on Christianbook.com, click here: http://www.christianbook.com/the-weight-of-shadows/alison-strobel/9780310289456/pd/289456?item_code=WW&netp_id=636667&event=ESRCN&view=details

ALSO, YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK!!! DON'T MISS THIS CHANCE! SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT HERE BETWEEN NOW AND JULY 18TH. I WILL PICK A WINNER AND SHE WILL PICK A WINNER FROM ALL OF THE BLOG SITES (LISTED ON HER BLOG) THAT HAS HOSTED HER ON HER TOUR. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LEAVE A COMMENT, FOLKS. I PROMISE YOU, IT'LL BE THE MOST WELL SPENT TWO MINUTES OF YOUR LIFE! ;o)

Now, just in case you need a little extra incentive to get this book, here's my review:

In The Weight of Shadows, Alison Strobel tells a powerful story that vividly illustrates the torture that comes when we fail to leave our burdens at our Savior's cross. As a result, of a terrible, unresolved event from her past, Kim, succumbs to abuse, first at her own hand and then at the hand of another, as a means of justification. Likewise, Debbie is a stranger at love because of the guilt she harbors from a tragedy she feels she could have prevented. Ms. Strobel delicately interweaves these characters lives and circumstances, eventually leading to a shocking twist that left me breathless, and ultimately proving that God's mercy and goodness will truly guide a lost soul home. The Weight of Shadows made me want to cry, scream, laugh, and dance. It will definitely minister to anyone who has ever had a tortured spirit, and it will remind us all that shadows only occur when WE STAND IN THE WAY OF THE LIGHT. Well done, Ms. Strobel! I'm sincerely looking forward to your next release!

PRAYER REQUESTS: Unfortunately, I have quite a few. Please forgive me today as I simply list them and ask that you pray mightily however you feel led.

Please pray for: Wilma Hohler and Sandy Venable who were both recently diagnosed with breast cancer and will begin treatment soon, Megan Allen and Andy Marino who recently lost their not-quite-three-year-old, Monica who suffered with a cardiopulmonary condition from birth, Connie Maxwell Scoggins and Carolyn Koch who both recently lost their mothers, Karisa Martin Strickland who was recently in a car accident, and Marilee Joy Neal who has just left the states for a five week long mission trip to Albania a poor area that has a strong, primarily young Muslim population.

If I have missed your prayer request, please forgive me. This summer is turning out crazier than I expected. Crazy is good, but I'm often feeling like I'm losing my mind! :o) Thank you for stopping by when you could be hangin' out at the pool! Don't forget to leave your comment for a chance to win The Weight of Shadows by Alison Strobel and I'll be updating you about The Heart's Lullaby in just a week or two!

What a Difference You've Made in My Life

2010-06-21T02:30:00.000-05:00

What a difference I've made in this blog, too! What can I say? It was time for a make over.

Did I ever tell you why I named the contest "What a Difference You've Made in My Life"??? Well, it seems appropriate in many ways for me to take just a sec and tell you now.

My daddy was that person for me. The day after Father's Day is not the easiest for me to talk about him because I still miss him so much every day. Well, Ronnie Milsap was one of our favorite singers. I can remember listening to 8 tracks of Ronnie in his old Cougar. Yes, I know I'm dating myself. Once he told me a bedtime story about a little boy who became bind and here it was the biography of Ronnie. When we'd go on vacations we'd listen to Ronnie, Alabama, and Randy Travis. After Daddy died, Ronnie's song "What a Difference You've Made in My Life" took on a whole new meaning, as you can imagine. Listen to the words, and I hope it takes on a whole new meaning for your very special loved ones - parents, children, siblings, friends, teachers, pastors, whoever that person is for you.

A few hours ago my second contest ended and I HAD to draw 2 names from a hat, though the entries were all so very touching I wish I could just put them all in the book . . . don't think my publisher would like that too much! :o) I had a low number of entries this time - 7 females and only 4 males. I want this to be a part of every book I write. Selfishly speaking, getting to know Cassie's and Dan's family for The Heart's Journey Home was one of my biggest blessings in writing the book. They are my friends now and I will always carry Mindy and Tammy (Cassie's mom and aunt) and Brenda and little Jon (Dan's wife and son) and the rest of their families in my heart. If your nominee wasn't one that was drawn, please don't let it stop you from entering him/her the next time I hold this contest, I'm just guessing in about a year. Nothing would make me happier than to see some of the same names.

Okay, so onto the winners of my 2nd "What a Difference you've Made in My Life" contest for my second book in the Harvest Bay Series, The Heart's Lullaby, scheduled for release in March 2011. Drum roll please . . .

For the female entry the winner is . . . Janet Haase who nominated her grand daughter, Stephanie McCorkle. Congratulations, Janet!

For the male entry the winner is . . . Lou Ann Gibson who nominated her daddy, Bill Gibson. Congratulations, Lou Ann!

Bios for Stephanie and Bill will be posted here after I get them written.

Again, thank you all for sharing your precious loved ones with me! I sincerely wish there was room in my book for you all, but trust me when I say there IS room in my heart for you all and you've ALL touched my heart with your stories.

Changing Seasons

2010-06-07T21:10:00.010-05:00

Finally! After the excitement of Memorial Day weekend, with graduation and all, we are finally starting to settle into a routine that feels like summertime. I've been reading by the pool while the girls play ALL afternoon. LOVE IT! And working a lot, too, but it's different that school year work. Most of my work now consists of cranking out as many words as I can on The Heart's Lullaby, which is coming along well. I wrote a pretty important scene last night that I'm actually happy with, so that's good! I just LOVE the laid back, easygoing feel of summer. It's one of my favorite times of the year.

Amazing how in just a few weeks, we'll all be complaining about how hot it is and more than ready for the changing leaves and slight chill in the air that autumn brings. Then the leves get brown and crusty and we're ready to see that much anticipated first snow. That gets real old real fast and soon we're craving the warmer temperatures of spring . . . until we're tired of the allergies and ready for school to be out again. What exactly is the point I'm trying to make???

Everything changes. Not just the seasons, but our lives. Kids grow up in the blink of an eye. We go from elementary school to high school to college to "the real world". We may move to a different state or just down the street. Some lose their jobs, some get promoted. Babies are born, loved ones pass away. That's the hardest change of all. I don't have to tell you that. And quite obviously from my last post, many are going through that difficult change as I type. I've gone through loss and many of you have, too. Loss that you felt like you just couldn't get through . . . but you did, right? Or you're getting through it one day at a time, maybe one moment at a time, right?

Sometimes change stinks royally! Believe me, I know! As a kid, there were times when I wished that my mom and dad would get back together so I wouldn't have to go from my mom's house to my dad's. It was a weekly change, that's all. Now, let me be quick to add that my mom and my dad made our situation as good as humanly possible, and I have wonderful step parents that have helped raise me to make me exactly who I am today. But, still, EVERY kid wants their parents to get back together. It's as sure as Newton's law. Now that I'm a rational thinking adult (most of the time) I can see how different my life would've been if that change hadn't occurred.

You all know by now that my daddy passed away 9 1/2 years ago . . . when I was 4 months pregnant with Alison. I had A LOT of change go on at that point in my life. Too much for me to handle on my own. Thankfully, my pastor helped me deal with some of it. Some of it I had to deal with on my own. Some of it I'm still dealing with. Like the fact that on a hot summer day like today I can't go for a boat ride with my daddy. We used to love that! Like the fact that I'll never get a call from him on special occasions again in this lifetime. That's some hard stuff to swallow. I didn't want that season to change, but it was just time.

See, sometimes the seasons in our life change NOT when we want them to, NOT when we expect them to, certainly NOT when we're ready for them to, but always in the Lord's perfect time. And as children grow with the change of the physical seasons, we can use these difficult changes to grow, too - in the Lord. I'm growing little by little every day. Are you?

The Lord brought a new friend into my life, literally. It's a story I'll share with you another time, but, in the meantime I'll just tell you she is "Ethan's author", Ms. Sherry and she has agreed to be a guest blogger on here at an undetermined date. She will be able to shed light that I just can't on a little of what Ethan went through and how he and his family changed lives in the process. It's really a tragically beautiful thing to have witnessed and through her I believe you'll be able to have a little taste.

UPDATE ON BOOKS: The Heart's Journey Home is still doing well. It's on it's third printing and it won the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) book club selection for August! I AM THE FEATURED AUTHOR ON http://www.divinedetour.com/ AND KATHY, THE HOST, DID A GREAT JOB ON SOME DIFFERENT AND INTERESTING QUESTIONS. LEAVE A COMMENT ON HER BLOG AND YOU WILL BE ENTERED IN A DRAWING TO WIN A COPY OF THE HEART'S JOURNEY HOME. LEAVE A COMMENT HERE AND THAT WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL ENTRY. SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG AND THAT WILL BE A THIRD ENTRY. SUBSCRIBE TO DIVINE DETOUR AND THAT WILL BE A 4TH ENTRY! THAT'S RIGHT, YOU HAVE 4 CHANCES TO WIN THE HEART'S JOURNEY HOME!

Other updates, The Heart's Lullaby is coming along well, as I said earlier. It still has a ways to go though by my deadline, so please pray for inspiration for me. We did the photo shoot for the cover a few weeks ago. I have the same team working on this cover as on The Heart's Journey Home so I'm excited to see what they come up with! ALSO, DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE "WHAT A DIFFERENCE YOU'VE MADE IN MY LIFE" CONTEST. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS EMAIL ME (jen@jenstephens.net) THE NAME OF A MALE AND/OR FEMALE THAT HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE. ON JUNE 21ST, I'LL DRAW THE NAME OF A MALE AND A FEMALE TO PUT A SHORT BIO IN THE FRONT OF THE HEART'S LULLABY AND MAKE THEM A MINOR CHARACTER IN THE BOOK.

PRAYER REQUESTS: Please pray for Howard Holt who has resently been diagnosed with cancer in his lungs, pancreas, adrenal glands, spine and hip. He has a strong faith and a positive attitude, though, which sometimes can mean more than anything the doctors can do! Please pray for strength for Howard as he goes through treatments. Pray for peace for him and his family, for comfort in their moments of weakness. Pray for wisdom for the doctors to do exactly what it takes to get him better.

Please pray for my new friend, Lou Ann Gibson and her family, especially her mother Wilma, as they grieve the passing of her father. Father's Day is quickly approaching and I understand the loss she will feel on that day, and every Father's Day after this one. I can't imagine the grief Wilma has experienced/is experiencing. Please pray at this point for strength for their family, that they will draw ever closer to the Lord and to each other, that they will find comfort in the promise of everlasting life through Jesus Christ.

Also please pray for the family, friends, and students of Bill Kruger, high school teacher, varsity football coach and junior high wrestling coach, who recently committed suicide. This is a change that won't make sense to Bill's loved ones for a very long time. Help them to deal with it the best they can until the time comes that they can say, "I still don't understand it, but I HAVE to move on." Pray that our Father will wrap His loving arms around his loved ones and comfort them, give them strength when they are weak, give them rest when they are weary and they feel like they can't go on a minute longer. Please, remember to pray for them in the days, weeks, and months ahead, when the rest of the world has gone on with life and their world remains unmoving.

Change isn't the only guarantee in this life. Thank heavens we are guaranteed hope in Jesus Christ . . . through EVERY season.

Emotions Running Wild

2010-05-31T15:02:00.005-05:00

Whew! What an emotional couple of weeks it's been! For a lot of reasons, really, but the end of the school year is always emotional for me and, in addition, this year my baby graduated from Kindergarten. What a special little girl! I'm so ridiculously proud of my Olivia!!! Livi's graduation reminded me of two things: #1, time goes WAY TOO FAST and #2, chapters close, everything on this earth MUST come to an end.

Okay, so I'm gonna get right to the prayer requests and updates because this also is part of the reason why the last couple of weeks have been so emotional.

UPDATES: I'm so sad to report to you that our 9-year-old friend, Ethan Bibb, went Home on May 16th. He battled his cancer bravely for about 15 months. I didn't know Ethan personally, but I'm telling you, he moved an entire town like I've never seen before! A whole town uniting in prayer is a beautiful thing, even if the reason is unbelievably heartbreaking. This was really hard for me to deal with as a teacher because he was about the same age as my students (including my Alison) and my students prayed diligently for his healing. How do you explain this to a third grader when I don't understand it myself??? Somehow, though, my class handled it with the faith of a child - okay, so he's in Heaven now. In fact, when I told my girls, my Livi said, "So you mean Ethan's happy but his family is sad?" Yeah, that's about right. That's not to say the kids weren't shaken a little. They just were at peace. It's the only way I can explain it. His family I'm sure is doing about as well as can be expected. It was very bittersweet because at the services, I'm told, they were given one last gift - a rainbow. Not just any rainbow, but a double rainbow. From what I understand, Ethan wrote a story with the help of a family friend, called Ethan's Rainbow. It was touched upon at his service and as the family and friends left, they were greeted by a beautiful double rainbow! Isn't it amzing how even in our darkest times, God will give us signs of His amazing love for us? I'm going to see if "Ethan's Author", as she is so lovingly called, will make a guest appearance on here to elaborate on what a special gift that was. I can't do it justice. In the meantime, please pray for Farris (daddy), Robin (mama), and Lanna (sister) Bibb in the weeks and months ahead as I know they will go through waves of grief. I can't imagine what they are goign through. I just can't wrap my brain around it. I'm praying for them to find strength first in the Lord and secondly in each other and for them to experience a peace that passes all understanding - one that could only possibly come from our Lord. If you've been through the loss of a child, you would know even more specifically how to pray. Please, leave a comment to give us some insight. But above all else, just pray for these precious people!

Also, just as heartbreaking, our friend Tyler, has lost his battle with cancer jus a few days after Ethan. He was almost 3. I'm really at a loss for words for this one. I've been shaking my head for two weeks now. 3 years old! That doesn't even make sense! But I've learned that it is when we continue to trust the Lord WHEN IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE that exhibit true faith. I'm being honest here, I have a hard time with this. I'm a very cause and effect type person. When my girls make a bad choice, my first question to then (whether right or wrong of me) is, "Why did you do it?" When things happen like an innocent baby getting cancer and dying from it, I want to know why. We can't know why. That's just life and life just happens sometime and often it stinks royally, but I am choosing to trust our Lord. My prayer for Tyler's family is that they are leaning on our Lord right now, too. I pray that they will draw close to each other and to the Lord through this very difficult time.

Also, please pray for Robin Baughman, who is nearing the end of her battle with cancer and is struggling with leaving her young children. I guess she needs peace more than anything right now. Peace, assurance of her salvation, and the hope that Jesus himself spoke of in John 11:25, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."

Please pray for my sister, Karen Pantaleo, who miscarried at 12 weeks. Obviously, she's taking this loss pretty hard. My prayer for her is also that she will draw close to the Lord through this unique grieving process and that her faith will be strengthened in a way it couldn't be otherwise.

Please pray for my friend, Krista Phillips, whose baby DOES have significant heart problems which will require surgeries after birth and later on, too. Krista appears to be holding it together well, but I can only imagine the worry that must constantly lay on her heart for her baby. We need to pray for Krista and Scott and especially for Baby Annabelle.

Now for NEW PRAYER REQUESTS: Please pray for 15-year-old Rachael Barman who was recently diagnosed with melanoma in her eye and will be starting radiation on the 11th. How scary that must be for her! And I know her parents are worried. Please pray for quick and complete healing. Pray for wisdom for her doctors. Pray for peace for her parents and a comfort that can only come from the Lord for our precious Rachael.

Also, I need you to pray for the family of 18-year-old Sierra Barrier who was killed in a car accident late last week. Pray for her family as they try to make sense of this tragedy. Pray that they will rely on their faith. Pray that through this loss they will grow in the Lord, pour themselves into Him until He is all they can think about.

Really that is what we all should be doing everyday anyway, isn't it? I admit, the hustle and bustle of my everyday life (And there is no time more hustling and bustling than the end of the school year!) sometimes get in between me and my Lord. If this heavy list of prayer requests have taught me anything it's that the hustle and bustle should be my second thought, and that's exactly what I'm gonna spend this summer working on. How about you???

ALSO, DON'T FORGET YOU HAVE 20 DAYS TO ENTER YOUR LOVED ONES IN THE "WHAT A DIFFERENCE YOU'VE MADE IN MY LIFE" CONTEST. IT ENDS AT MIDNIGHT ON JUNE 20TH - FATHER'S DAY. YOU MAY ENTER 1 MALE AND 1 FEMALE, LIVING ON THIS EARTH OR IN HEAVEN, THAT HAS MADE A PROFOUND DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE. JUST SEND ME AN EMAIL (jen@jenstephens.net) AND TELL ME WHAT MADE THEM SO SPECIAL AND YOU WILL BE ENTERED! THE WINNERS (1 MALE AND 1 FEMALE) WILL HAVE A SHORT BIO IN THE FRONT OF THE HEART'S LULLABY AND WILL BE A MINOR CHARACTER IN THE STORY! I'LL BE WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU!

It Is Time

2010-05-08T22:14:00.005-05:00

For what, you might ask? It is time for my second "What a Difference You've Made in My Life" contest! For those of you that have read The Heart's Journey Home, you might've noticed at the front of the book the bios of Cassie Ground and Dan Olien and, a little farther on in the book, met their characters. A few summers back I ran this contest, wondering how it would go, and I'll tell ya, it's been a wonderful blessing to me! Cassie's aunt nominated her and Dan's wife nominated him. Through their memories and stories I feel as if I got to know Cassie and Dan. Their families became friends that I will always cherish. Actually getting to meet Brenda and all of Cassie's beautiful family was the highlight of my trip to Ohio this past March. Hopefully they would say they've been equally blessed.

So, I'm doing it again. Beginning tonight at midnight CST (which would be Mother's Day) and ending at midnight CST on June 21 (the day after Father's Day) I will be taking nominations for the person/people who've made a profound difference in your life. All you have to do is send me a personal message through facebook or email (jen@jenstephens.net) telling me about the person/people. You may nominate a male AND a female - thus beginning it on Mother's Day and ending it on Father's Day. I just thought it was appropriate - but NOT two of each. Monday morning, June 21st, I will draw a name from the list of females and one of the list of males. Those two individuals will have their bios in the front of The Heart's Lullaby and they will be a MINOR character in the book. That's all there is to it! So what are you waiting for??? :o)

Last time I did this, I told you who I would nominate if I could and they were my daughter, Alison, and my daddy. So I suppose I should do the same this time, too, eh??? For the male nominee, I would have to pick my husband. Chris is just an amazing person, which isn't too surprising because he comes from an amazing family. He's a wonderful father. He reminds me a lot of mine, actually, in the fact that he plays with the girls even when I know he doesn't really feel like playing. He does a much better job at that than me. It's too easy for me to forget to I won't have my girls little forever and it doesn't take long to play a game of Rummy but it means a lot to them. (He wrestles with them a lot, too, as you can tell by the picture!) He works very hard to provide for us and to maintain our humble little house. And, most of all, he's always supported my dream of writing. He understands it like no other because he is a writer and he sets a good example for me by his perseverance and determination. He's just "the one". God hand picked him for me and I'm so thankful.

My female nominee would be my very best friend in the whole world, Patty (Spears) Smith. Here we are in our Senior year of high school. That was prom, I think. Patty would know. She remembers everything about high school! And here we are at our 15 year reunion this past October. I only just realized the color scheme was just about the same! But that's the thing about Patty and me. LOTS of things have changed over the years, but not our friendship. If anything it's only gotten better, stronger. Patty made high school bearable for me. I was teased and picked on, but I knew that if Patty was there, I had someone on my side. We were inseparable. Our poor English teacher tried to keep us apart by putting us on opposite sides of the room, but we'd find a away to sit by each other again. Imagine her surprise and maybe dismay when we drew each other's name for a class project! :o) After high school, we just slowly drifted apart, I'm sorry to say. Still, all along, even though the phone calls and letters grew fewer and farther between, I knew she was there. Then one day a few years ago now, my mom heard from another classmate that Patty had cancer and that she was having a hard time with it. When Mom told me I just had to get back in touch with her . . . and I did! And I haven't been out of touch with her since! Rarely a day goes by that we don't text or message each other on facebook. She's taught me more about true faith than anyone else. I don't think she'd mind me telling a little of her story in hopes that it gives someone else hope. Patty was married shortly after high school and had a son. Unfortunately, her marriage ended. Fortunately, the PERFECT guy for her came along a few years later. It was FIVE MONTHS into this blessed marriage that they found she had a rare form of ovarian cancer. I can't say everything she's been through, and is still going through, with it, but she is always thanking God and praising Him for the good reports AND THE NOT-SO-GOOD ONES! With all she's been through, her attitude is so uplifting that it makes me feel like a better person just to be around her. Her husband Ken and his three kids just magnify the positive energy. And in the midst of juggling her son, his kids, and cancer stuff, they adopted the most precious boy you'd ever want to meet. My in-laws invited them over for Olivia's birthday party because I was so busy I didn't know if I'd get to spend any time with her otherwise and everyone there, most of whom had not met them, were so touched by her and her family. Her faith and strength, kindness and compassion, her nurturing spirit and forgiving nature, everything about her is exactly what I wish I could be. I just love her.

PRAYER REQUESTS: Please pray for the people in Nashville and the surrounding areas. I cannot tell you what devastation so many has seen here in the past week with the flood. If you haven't seen pictures Google it. It has been one of the two worst thing I have ever seen in my life.

Don't forget to get those nominations in and TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS! Also, leave a comment with last week's post right below here and you'll be entered to win Shawna K. Williams's book No Other. That contest will end this Friday the 14th.

To my mom, if you're reading this, happy Mother's Day! I love you very much! And to all the other moms that had touched my life in one way or another I hope you have a very blessed day!

No Other

2010-04-30T22:32:00.004-05:00

I'm excited to do something a little different this weekend. I had the distinct pleasure of previewing Shawna K. William's debut novel, No Other. This was my review:

No Other is indeed a story like no other. Shawna K. Williams has succeeded in telling a heart-warming, and often heart-wrenching, story of love, compassion, acceptance and redemption. This well-written story dates back to 1947 when World War II was still fresh in everyone’s mind the lines between social classes and ethnic groups were clearly drawn. A modern day Romeo and Juliet in many ways, No Other beautifully illustrates the promise we have that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

--Jen Stephens, author of The Heart’s Journey Home

Guess what. I invited her to be a quest on my blog today! Without further ado, I'd like to introduce to you, Shawna K. Williams. (Applause! Applause!)

Welcome, Shawna! Tell me, when did you first discover that you were a writer?

I was struck with the desire to write about eight years ago after a really bizarre dream, unlike any I'd ever had. Prior to that, this wasn't something I'd ever considered doing.

The dream was a complete story, in scenes, of a man and woman's life. First as they fell in love, then as young parents, then they faced the challenges of career and family, and last was from the perspective of an old woman, who watched her children from afar because she was a stranger to them. Weird, huh?

I couldn't stop thinking about it. For about six months I pondered on it, trying to fill in gaps about how they met, why did they choose certain career paths, why did she end up estranged from her family? It eventually grew so complex in my mind that I couldn't keep track and had to start writing. When I first began I didn't want to tell anyone, including my husband, because I thought they'd think I was crazy. As the story progressed though I eventually shared it with my husband, who was supportive from the start, then a few close friends.

By the time I was done, the book was around 167,000 words. And it was awful! I just didn't know it at the time. Over the next six years I revised, put away, pulled out and revised again, put away. Finally, a little over two years ago I felt like God was telling me it was time to get serious. That's when I started studying the craft of writing through books and critique groups. I also started submitting short stories, and was blessed to have several accepted for publication right away. That gave me the encouragement to rewrite the first part of my awful novel into a separate book, which comes out in May, and the sequel will release in November.

What an awesome story! We'll hear about No Other in a minute, but first, tell us about other books/short stories/articles/poems have you written, whether published or not?

I've had three short stories published. The first was called, My Father's Oldsmobile (which is also the name of my blog), the second was, What Happened Next (which was actually published twice), and the title of my third published short was, Anticipation. I've written a several articles and short stories for blogs and newsletters too.

As far as books, No Other is my debut novel. In All Things is its sequel. It's nearing completion and will be released in November. I also have another book I'm working on which is an expansion of a novella length story. It was accepted based on that, with the publisher knowing I wished to make it longer. It's a Christmas themed story called, Orphaned Hearts, and it will come out in December.

I'm also currently working on a novella length story with the working title, The Summer of '51. This will be available as a free download. It involves the characters from No Other and In All Things, and covers a transitional time between the two novels. This period is referred to in In All Things, and while it isn't necessary to read the novella to understand the book, I thought readers might enjoy an in depth account.

Do you have an all time favorite book? Which genre do you prefer to read and why?

My favorite all time books, are the three from the Mark of the Lion series; Voice on the Wind, Echo in the Darkness, and Sure as the Dawn. The series works so well together that I can't break them apart. I love Redeeming Love too! Bet you know who my favorite author is now, huh?

As far as reading, I actually don't have a favorite genre I think. I've been able to get into suspense as easily as romance. I love scifi, and plan to try my hand at writing it one day. I enjoy a good fantasy tale too. The only genres I don't read are horror and erotica.

As far as writing, I think almost everything I write will have a degree of romance in it because finding the love of your life is kind of a big deal. Having said that, I want my stories to be about life. Romance is a part of life, but so are a lot of other things.

I'm a bit of a history buff, and super nostalgic, so I do gravitate toward historicals set in the first half of the 20th century. Being a fan of science fiction, I do want to write one. I have a story brewing, but it's still very foggy.

How do you keep your sanity in this ridiculously crazy world?

Who said I was sane? Lol! Love to say I'm joking, but...

Honestly, this is a real struggle and I haven't figured out that balance. My family is most important, and we have teens and an active 12 year old that are always on the go. Sometimes I can't do everything they want and I feel guilty for that. My house is never as clean as I'd like. I worry about the kids' schooling (we homeschool). I'm so entrenched in writing two books at the moment (deadlines looming) that I forget to check on my friends who are going through rough times. I feel like my dog doesn't get enough attention. I forget to appreciate the beauty of where we live, and I wonder when I'm going to get around to all of those other projects that have nothing to do with writing. I'm definitely not the person to ask advice from on this question. I just do the best I can, and usually end the day thinking, "Tomorrow I'll try to do better."

Thank you for being so candid. I feel the same way much of the time, and I think many other women do, too!

So, what is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Raising my kids. Hands down! God gave me such wonderful kids, and they've been such a joy. They're really great, and I'm so very proud of them. All three! I know I've made a lot of mistakes, and am far from being the perfect mother, but God seems to have worked it out okay.

As for me, personally, I can't really say. I'm very excited about this book -- and my future ones -- but I feel more blessed than proud.

What was your greatest roadblock in writing this book and others, and how did you overcome it?

One word. Clarity!

I have the story before I have the spiritual theme. And while I know there is a theme, I'm not exactly sure what it is. It's like life in that way. What will God teach me through my experiences? Same thing with my characters.

My first drafts are always just the story about what happens to my characters – with maybe just a vague idea of the spiritual message -- and they're never complete. I only write two thirds – three fourths of the book. The reason is the last third or fourth is where all the intricacies are woven together, and until I know the spiritual theme in full clarity I can't do that. I liken it to building a house. A builder never closes up the walls until an inspector signs off on the plumbing and wiring and such. Once I know the story's plumbing and wiring are just right, I can start closing up the walls, float, tape and texture, and trimming with a nice coat of paint.

Now, finding that message is like untangling and stringing miles and wire, and assembling a network of pipes. And to get there sometimes I have to ramble. I have so many files full of gobbly gook where I've hashed out my character's motivations. Why they feel what they feel, and how it led them to certain actions. I just blather on and on, like a therapy session, until I start to see what my character needs spiritually, because if he/she is like me, there is always something. The part where they learn, and God provides seems to work in naturally after that.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Hmm...first off, be true to yourself. Write what's in your heart. Second; study, study, study, Third; don't be too scared to go for it. Fourth; be prepared to get your feeling hurt, and know that it does get easier. Fifth; find others who share your goal. They'll pick you up on those down days. And the most important is to pray about it – the downs, the ups, when you struggle with a story, for balance, all of it -- pray, pray, pray! You can do it!

Yes, six very good tips - all of them so important to success, but I especially relate to being true to yourself. Many writers starting out tend to want to write what's in, what's selling, but it may very well NOT be the story the Lord wanted them to tell. Thank you for sharing that!

Now, here's No Other. Isn't it pretty??? Shawna, tell us about the featured book - back cover blurb plus what this story means to you.

In the aftermath of WWII all Jakob Wilheimer wants is to get over his pain, get on with life, and if at all possible, forgive those who've wronged his family -- including himself. But it's hard to do when there are constant reminders. One of them being his former schoolmate, now teacher, Meri Parker -- Miss Port Delamar Pearl, Mayor's daughter, Belle of the town -- Meri Parker. After enduring the stigma and isolation associated with the internment camp, the awkwardness of going back to school should've been a cake walk. But Jakob didn't expect to find himself inexplicably drawn to Meri. Or to discover that the pain and loneliness of her life surpassed his own. She needed to be rescued from the domineering people seeking to control her life. And more than anything, he needed to be the one to save her.

I wrote No Other because I wanted to tell an inspirational story about getting up after you fall. About how Christians don't just struggle, sometimes we blow it, but God doesn't abandon us. Even when our efforts to right things fail, He's still in control. Him, and No Other.

Can you give us the first page of the book?

Stop shaking.

Crouched next to his small oak desk, Jakob clenched its side to steady himself, and took in a deep breath. Then he reached into the narrow space between the desk and the wall, and pulled the envelope from its hiding place and fell back onto his bed. The paper was folded into a square the size of a matchbook. Jakob studied it as he turned it in his fingers, but didn't open it. Instead, he held out his still-trembling hand, holding the paper in his palm.
What was wrong with him? Now, after everything, he had the jitters? Good heavens, he was supposed to be the strong one, the provider. Thank goodness his brother, Joe, had come back and assumed those duties. Jakob could drop the façade before he managed to ruin what was left of his family.

Letting out a sigh, Jakob unfolded the envelope -- little by little -- revealing the bold words stamped onto its surface. The knot in his stomach tightened with the unbending of paper, forcing the last remnants of breath from his lungs.

He knew every bleed of the scarlet ink, every wrinkle made from angry, crushing hands, but the letters still served their purpose.

Within him hatred stirred. It paced and tested, like a caged animal sensing opportunity. Soon it would try to maul its way loose -- unless he stopped agitating it with this thing he held in his hands.

CENSORED ENEMY ALIEN MAIL.

A snarl pulled at the corner of his mouth. Why not stamp traitor? Or to be more specific: Nazi. With a last name like Wilheimer, the internment camp address, and the giant label 'enemy alien' -- what other assumption could be made?

It's what everyone thought. And if there were a few who weren't convinced, plenty of town folk would attest.

The FBI don't snatch people from their home without good cause. No siree, I tell ya. A person gotta be downright dangerous to drag'm away like that, leaving all those little Hitler lovin' Krauts behind. Serves'm right, being booted from their house. Otta chase'm all out town while we're at it.

Jakob's lungs burned with the need of air, and heat flamed in his cheeks. His nostrils flared, expanding his chest, only for his lungs to seize again. The envelope was doing its job.
But wasn't that why he kept it?

As a reminder? One he could use -- when needed -- to justify, fuel his rage. Hadn't the emotion been his faithful companion for the past five years? Motivating him. Pushing him to work harder, endure more. Didn't he need it for the sake of his family who depended on him? He owed them.

It was your fault.

Ah, the little voice. Why couldn't it just leave him with his anger? That's all he wanted.

Because it's the truth.

Wow! Awesome! How can readers find you on the Internet?

Readers can find me at my website,http://shawnakwilliams.com/;
my blog, http://shawnawilliams-oldsmobile.blogspot.com/ (There's a funny story about why the word 'oldsmobile' is in the title.)
Here's my Facebook fan page. I post a lot on it.
http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#!/pages/Shawna-K-Williams/236629884245?ref=ts
And I'm on twitter, http://twitter.com/shawnakwilliams

Time for a bonus question: Tell us one fact about you that your readers would find interesting, and maybe even surprising.

Oh boy...I'm so dull. One interesting fact, huh?

We're often asked why we moved to Mena, AR. It's a beautiful little town, nestled at the base of the Quachita Mountains – looks like it belongs on a postcard. But, it's one of those places that I think you have to move to from another area to fully appreciate. The economy isn't great. There's not a ton to do in terms of "exciting" stuff. I'm not a huge shopper and I like quiet moments along a hiking trail, so it's perfect to me. When people ask us why we moved here -- with that bewildered look on their face -- the truth I tell them, is that we pretty much did it on a whim. It was something my husband and I had talked about in the sense of, "Wouldn't it be great if..." but financially it didn't make a lot of sense, so it was always just one of those 'what if' sort of things. However, after losing two friends – my age – to cancer in a relatively short amount of time, we decided that there are some things you just have to close your eyes and jump into. We didn't want to be those people who looked back and said, "Wish I had done that when..." So, here we are, living on a ranch with cattle, horses, goats, and rabbits. We had pigs and chickens for awhile too. It totally suits us. My kids are happy with lots of friends. I'm still a girly girl, but I've picked up a few ranching skills along the way. For example, in an emergency, I can deliver a foal. My friends in Texas still can't imagine that.

I understand you're holding a contest. Tell us about that.

Here are details of a contest I'm running throughout the month of May:

On the last day of the month I'm doing a drawing for three prizes. The first includes:
Grand prize
Book, Poster, Notebook, Sterling silver-gold overlay Locket, Goat's milk Soap & lotion, Postcards, $10 Amazon Gift certificate, Pearl bracelet and earrings.

2nd Place
Book, Poster, Notebook, Postcards, Pearl bracelet and earrings, Honey Soap. $5 Amazon Gift certificate

3rd Place
Book, Notebook, Postcards, Pearl bracelet and earrings, $5 Amazon Gift Certificate

This contest runs the whole month, and you can enter multiple times. For everyone who leaves a comment today on Jen's blog, there's one entry (please include your email with the comment. I promise these will all be destroyed after the contest). If you follow me on twitter, my blog or my Facebook fanpage, that's an entry for each. Throughout the month, check my blog for a question (http://shawnawilliams-oldsmobile.blogspot.com/) or the latest blog I'm touring on (like Jen's today) and email me the answer (Shawnawilliams(at)allegiance.tv) and you either get one to three entries, depending on how hard it is to find the answer to the question. Leave a comment on any blog on the day I'm touring, (like Jen's today) and that's an entry. If you want to know where, check my blog. If, at some point in the month, you decide to purchase my book email me (honor system) and I'll enter your name five times. And last, if you post this contest on your blog, let me know and I'll enter your name three more times.

The question for one extra entry today is, "What is Jakob burning in the first chapter of the book?" You can read the first chapter on my blog, click the coverart and it will take you there. A sample can be downloaded for free on Kindle and you can also read the first 4 chapters on Freado. http://www.freado.com/book/6928/no-other-by-shawna-k-williams

Wow! That sounds great! So get searching for those answers, and make sure you leave a way to notify you should you be the winner of one of Shawna's cool prizes!!!

Shawna, I always close my blog entries with prayer concerns and/or updates. Is there anything you might need us to pray for?

Yeah, I'd love prayers that God will pull me through these next two books, and pour HImself through me. And, the balance thing, while trying to write these other two books. It's wonderful stuff He's blessed me with, but I just stink at finding a balance.

You got it!

PRAYER REQUESTS: Please pray for Shawna today as her debut novel releases. It's such an exciting time for her. Pray that she can soak it in and enjoy every moment of the accomplishment her hard work has produced. Pray in the weeks to come that she will experience clarity and balance in all of the areas of her life, and when she starts to feel herself get off kilter, pray that she will run to the sturdy arms of our Lord. Pray that she will have clarity to know exactly what the Lord wants her to write, the themes He wants her to stress, the story He wants her to tell.

Please pray for my friend Sandy Bradley, who recently lost her brother, Bill. Bill had a rare genetic disease and was not expected to live to his teens. He turned 50 in February. He was much like a toddler, and he loved to play and laugh. He had been wheelchair-ridden for probably 20 years. He only spoke a few words. Over the last few years, he had several bouts of pneumonia and contined to have declining health. Eventually, he became resistant to antibiotics, and the doctors said there was nothing else they could do for him, so he was put in hospice care, and recently went Home. Pray that Sandy and her family will be comforted by the fact that they had so many more years than expected to spend with Bill. Pray that the Lord will hold them close to Him during this time of grief.

Please pray for the family of Carter Cummings, a three-year-old little boy who past away earlier this week of a type of cancer. Please visit his Caringbridge site http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/cartercummings to find out more about this sweet little angel and in the meantime pray for strength for this family in their time of great weakness. Pray for a peace that passes all understanding. Pray for heavenly comfort to surround them like a warm, soft blanket. Pray that they will draw closer to each other and to the Lord as they walk through this valley.

Sadly and strangely enough, please pray for the family of Dylan Pospisil, another little boy with a type of brain cancer. This was his latest Caringbridge update: "I'm updating for Ryan (Daddy) and Felicia (Mama) while they spend time with their sweet son. Dylan has stopped responding to light and touch. The tumors the MRI showed are inoperable and are causing considerable pressure on the rest of Dylan's brain. They sent him down for another CT this morning to check on the changes they've seen in the last 24 hours. The results show his condition is worsening. They're now sending Dylan for an EEG to check for brain activity. They suspect he may already be brain dead. Praise God, the doctors have said Dylan is not in pain right now. Please pray for their family as Kailyn (Sibling) (so sorry if I spelled that wrong) struggles to understand what's going on, and the Pospisils have many difficult decisions ahead of them. They are spending every minute with Dylan that they have. Please begin to pray for peace for them if you haven't already." Unfortunately, I found out from my friend this afternoon that little Dylan went Home sometime today. I'm including his site because I like to have a mental picture of those I pray for. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dylanpospisil

Just pray, friends, however you feel led for both Carter's and Dylan's family. I just can't even imagine the heavy grief they must be feeling. Thank goodness we have the hope of Jesus Christ, and the promise of eternal life. I just can't imagine.

I will give updates of those already on the list next week as well as make a pretty exciting announcement! I want to thank Shawna for the privilege of spending this time getting to know her. Now, go find the answer to her question and enter to win!

Until next time . . .

What Am I Thinking?!?!

2010-04-18T20:03:00.003-05:00

So last weekend I took a deep breath . . . and registered to walk/run (but mostly walk) a half marathon in Nashville on September 25th. And then came the question: What am I thinking?!?!

This is what I'm thinking: I have 1 body in this life and I wasn't taking very good care of it. It was too EASY to grab fast food on the way from here to there with the kids. It was too CONVENIENT to sit on my butt and wait to be inspired to write more in The Heart's Lullaby. I have finally had it with feeling dumpy. So, after talking with Chris, I decided I need a BIG goal with a date attached to work for. Chris said to me, "If you're going to do this, you have to look at your writing and your training as one otherwise writing will always trump walking." Amazingly, the two really are connected. Some of my writer friends have said that it has something to do with getting an increase of oxygen to the brain. Whatever the reason, in just one week of eating right and exercising regularly, I not only feel so great, I'm more inspired than I have been since I started The Heart's Lullaby.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, I figured out every twist and turn of The Heart's Lullaby (But mark my word, there'll be more that surprise even me. There always is.) I thought you might like a small, unedited snippet of what is to come. So . . . here's the first page:

The clock on the wall ticked off the seconds. Still the three minute wait seemed unending. Elizabeth Truman sat on the edge of the bathtub, pressed her hands together and slipped them in between her knees.

"This could be it. The wait may finally be over and in just three minutes our lives could change forever."

She glanced down at her flat belly, imagining how she’d give Elijah the good news, smiling at the thought of how happy he’d be. Just the other day when they were strolling through the mall together, a ball and glove caught his eye from the window of the toy store and he made a comment about playing catch with his son someday. He was ready to be a daddy.

And there was nothing she wanted more than to be a mother. Over the past several months the deep longing had intensified, preoccupying her thoughts during the day and her dreams at night. Her arms ached to hold their baby—a perfect combination of her and Elijah. Her soul yearned to nurture their child, to watch him or her grow day by day. She already loved this little miracle that she was sure the Lord would bless them with.

The second hand finally returned to twelve for the third time. Her heart thudded inside her chest. A hard knot formed in her stomach and she pressed her hand against it in a feeble attempt to ease the discomfort. She stood and slowly moved to the sink where the results were waiting on the end of a little plastic stick. Hand trembling, she reached for it and examined it closely.

One line.

I want to encourage you today to reach for your dreams whatever they are and no matter how unattainable they seem. Believe it or not, the saying the words "What am I thinking?!?!" can be a good thing. A very good thing! :o)

PRAYER REQUESTS: Please pray for the family of Cindy Conatser who was recently killed in a motorcycle accident. She had 3 children and 1 grandson. Pray mightily that her family will feel the love of Jesus all around them. Pray that they will feel His arms around them, comforting them in their time of grief. Pray that they will find rest and solace in Him. During this time of questions and confusion, when they want to ask, "Why?" pray that they will find their answer in Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."

Also pray for the family of Tommy Williams who died at age 46 from a massive stroke. Again, pray for comfort and peace. Pray that his family will feel Jesus in their time of need like never before. Pray for these families not just in the days ahead but in the weeks and months ahead as those of you who've lost a loved one know, the pain and sorrow may weaken, but it never really goes away.

I'm also asking you to pray for the families of 8-year-old Devynne Seale and 10-year-old Sierra Littrell-Ellenberger, siblings who recently died in a house fire. Pray especially for their mother as I could not even begin to imagine the pain she must be feeling at the loss of two of her children. Pray that these children didn't die in vain, that their community will take the extra precautions to make their homes safe. Pray that our Lord will draw this family and the community close to Him during this terrible, terrible time of loss.

I also want you to remember my writer friend, Krista Phillips, who is expecting her FOURTH baby girl in August, I believe, and has to go in for special PRECAUTIONARY tests on the baby's heart this week. Krista seems as calm and positive as can be, which is much better than I would be doing, but please send her some prayers that will bring her peace and that of course Baby Girl Phillips will be just perfect! :o)

Please also pray for my sister, Karen Pantaleo, as she has recently found out she is pregnant with their first baby (YAY!) but has hurt her knee badly and has to have surgery (BOO!). Please pray that the doctors will know exactly what to do to help her knew without harming the tiny little life (my niece or nephew) growing inside her.

UPDATES: I'm so sorry to report that Sarah Dotson has gone to her home in heaven after battling cancer. Please pray for her husband and little girl and they grieve this loss.

If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, please send me a message and I will be happy to include them on our list. I truly believe there IS power in prayer!

In the next couple months, I will be interviewd by several different bloggers. I'll give you a list of dates and web addresses in the next post. Until then, keep reaching for your dreams!