Last night at church, I sat and listened to all the requests we had from our small group of believers.
There were SO many!
We live in such a broken world! A child of 3 has leukemia, her 6 year old sister is scared to death. A really sweet lady is in the hospital... The list could go on...for HOURS! There are so many things to be praying for!
But I wonder:
As desperate as we are for God to heal and fix...what are you THANKFUL for?
Showing posts with label Encouragement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Encouragement. Show all posts
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
A Time of Silence
I've read several good posts today about the waiting and listening process we writers must encounter in order to have conflicts solved, spend time with our Savior and learn about ourselves.
I have lately been writing in the early hours of the day.
Well, this week, we're doing VBS from 6-9pm. which means we get back to our house at about 10pm. No baths for the kids or nighttime routines have been done by 10 PM!!!!
Yesterday morning, I prayed as usual to receive guidance from God on what to write and where to take my story, but when I sat down to the computer, half-blank screen staring at me, blinking cursor mocking me, I just sat there, and did nothing.
I had 30 minutes alone in front of that computer, and nothing came out. I just stared at it, unable to do anything, blank. Nothing. Zilch, Nada.
I could have been frustrated, but instead, I picked up my VBS book and studied my lesson.
I'm co-teaching the youth this year, which is where my heart is, but I don't usually teach, I'm not comfortable teaching that age group. I suppose I'm used to teaching 3yr olds, and 3yr olds are so animated when they listen to stories, youth just kinda...stare at you.
However, despite recent crappy teaching sessions, where the only thing anyone ever learned was that I'm a terrible youth teacher, I taught a class yesterday...and LOVED it!
I was more animated with them, and held onto my thoughts, kept pushing toward the mark, and I know yesterday morning when I couldn't write a sinlge word on that computer, God was beckoning me toward that lesson.
The extra time I had preparing for it, and preparing MYSELF for it by focusing and BEING with God is what focused me on LETTING God teach that lesson through me.
I believe I'm entering a time of silence in my writing, at least for this week while VBS insues. After this, I look forward to spending that 5am hour on writing...and I know God's gonna give it to me, cause when He wasn't there, N-O-T-H-I-N-G.
This time of Him not breathing through me shows me that He's really there when something is left on the screen after 60 minutes pass.
Please pray for our VBS this week, and pray that through us someone will see Christ.
What are your prayer requests for this week?
I have lately been writing in the early hours of the day.
Well, this week, we're doing VBS from 6-9pm. which means we get back to our house at about 10pm. No baths for the kids or nighttime routines have been done by 10 PM!!!!
Yesterday morning, I prayed as usual to receive guidance from God on what to write and where to take my story, but when I sat down to the computer, half-blank screen staring at me, blinking cursor mocking me, I just sat there, and did nothing.
I had 30 minutes alone in front of that computer, and nothing came out. I just stared at it, unable to do anything, blank. Nothing. Zilch, Nada.
I could have been frustrated, but instead, I picked up my VBS book and studied my lesson.
I'm co-teaching the youth this year, which is where my heart is, but I don't usually teach, I'm not comfortable teaching that age group. I suppose I'm used to teaching 3yr olds, and 3yr olds are so animated when they listen to stories, youth just kinda...stare at you.
However, despite recent crappy teaching sessions, where the only thing anyone ever learned was that I'm a terrible youth teacher, I taught a class yesterday...and LOVED it!
I was more animated with them, and held onto my thoughts, kept pushing toward the mark, and I know yesterday morning when I couldn't write a sinlge word on that computer, God was beckoning me toward that lesson.
The extra time I had preparing for it, and preparing MYSELF for it by focusing and BEING with God is what focused me on LETTING God teach that lesson through me.
I believe I'm entering a time of silence in my writing, at least for this week while VBS insues. After this, I look forward to spending that 5am hour on writing...and I know God's gonna give it to me, cause when He wasn't there, N-O-T-H-I-N-G.
This time of Him not breathing through me shows me that He's really there when something is left on the screen after 60 minutes pass.
Please pray for our VBS this week, and pray that through us someone will see Christ.
What are your prayer requests for this week?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Write This Way...
I. Love. Writing.
I love it.
As tired and as overwhelmed as it can get (you writers know what I mean), I love it.
Why else would we write...it's not an easy task, and the paycheck...?
However, I have a secret weapon...and no, it's not spell check.
My secret weapon is this:
I've got God.
My characters seem to speak to me, but I know Who it really is. I have these ideas, but I know Who's they really are. I have words on a blank screen, I know Where they're really from.
They're not mine.
I've asked God to take this book, this incredible book that's been placed on my lap via a great, long time, trusted, loving caring, dear friend of mine.
It's way bigger than me. Way bigger.
I'm writing about hard stuff, and He's where I get my strength.
Each morning, before I sit down to write, I journal. I ask God to lead my words, thoughts, phrases etc and mold it into what He'd have it to be (well, as far as first drafts are concerned)
I've been given a great critique partner.
We found each other in college, but now we're actually close, and I love her. She's amazing.
God. Is. Working.
I have this idea that isn't mine, but I'm doing my best to make it God's, and He's answering back.
Each time there are words on my screen, I hear from Him.
My form of worship is writing.
I'm writing for me, and for God. That's our time.
It's sacred, special, perfect.
Okay, so not perfect, my other weapon is the backspace key...
But still, I know where the inspiration comes from, and I love tapping into that inspiration and finding how much God loves me through what He has me write.
The Bible may be the Greatest Love Letter ever written,
But my little notes from God are super special to me.
p.s. Sorry it's been so long, dear faithful followers, I love you mcuh.
How do you look at writing?
Is it worship? Release? Comfort?
What drives you in what you do?
Why do you love this so much?
I love it.
As tired and as overwhelmed as it can get (you writers know what I mean), I love it.
Why else would we write...it's not an easy task, and the paycheck...?
However, I have a secret weapon...and no, it's not spell check.
My secret weapon is this:
I've got God.
My characters seem to speak to me, but I know Who it really is. I have these ideas, but I know Who's they really are. I have words on a blank screen, I know Where they're really from.
They're not mine.
I've asked God to take this book, this incredible book that's been placed on my lap via a great, long time, trusted, loving caring, dear friend of mine.
It's way bigger than me. Way bigger.
I'm writing about hard stuff, and He's where I get my strength.
Each morning, before I sit down to write, I journal. I ask God to lead my words, thoughts, phrases etc and mold it into what He'd have it to be (well, as far as first drafts are concerned)
I've been given a great critique partner.
We found each other in college, but now we're actually close, and I love her. She's amazing.
God. Is. Working.
I have this idea that isn't mine, but I'm doing my best to make it God's, and He's answering back.
Each time there are words on my screen, I hear from Him.
My form of worship is writing.
I'm writing for me, and for God. That's our time.
It's sacred, special, perfect.
Okay, so not perfect, my other weapon is the backspace key...
But still, I know where the inspiration comes from, and I love tapping into that inspiration and finding how much God loves me through what He has me write.
The Bible may be the Greatest Love Letter ever written,
But my little notes from God are super special to me.
p.s. Sorry it's been so long, dear faithful followers, I love you mcuh.
How do you look at writing?
Is it worship? Release? Comfort?
What drives you in what you do?
Why do you love this so much?
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Write What Hurts
Lately, I've been finding it hard to move past the simple daily tasks:
Brush teeth,
Get kids ready
Work for 10 hours
Get kids home
Softball?
Church?
Bed
Do it again the next day.
But, thank God I'm a Christian, I don't know how the other half of the population survives w/o Christ in their hearts.
I have to confess this:
One morning, I awoke to my dastardly alarm clock. I shut if off, quite forcefully, and went back to bed.
That's not the bad part...that's the mild part.
I HEARD my Savior calling to me. I literally HEARD Him.
What happened?
I was already lost in sleep.
Yeah...ouch.
Can you imagine the special time we could have had?!
But what did He offer when I woke up alert at six, saddened by my mistake?
Joy.
Yes. That Joy Unspeakable.
I love my Savior. If you don't know Him, ask me, but what a JOY!
..."They will soar on wings like eagles"
I was happy to read that.
Despite the energy sapping days I have, I can STILL have joy.
Amazing.
Purely Amazing.
..."but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31
As a runner, I GET the not grow weary part, walk and not faint...if you're in Florida, you'd better have a gallon o' wata waiting at the end of your run!
...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength...
I just can't get over it.
Praise God He's so...Complete.
I've got joy again.
It's hard to hang on to it...but I just keep repeating those words over and over and over again. I CAN hope. I have all the tools I NEED to hope. the LORD will renew my strength. Not just sleep, not circumstances, not excitement for things on earth...only God can do it *write* :D
Now, on to the day's post...lol. It's not long, I promise. We done had church, so not much more can be said! lol
Not in a million years did I think I could write so passionately again.
I love it.
However, I've been afraid of my work in progress.
Why?
Becuase it's a scary subject.
One that has been battled for years.
In a nutshell, it's about abortion, and in some smaller light, government.
How do you find the courage to write what hurts?
Note:
Check these out. They're great posts!
http://emergingnotemergency.blogspot.com/
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2010/06/risky-gift.html
http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2010/06/courage.html
Brush teeth,
Get kids ready
Work for 10 hours
Get kids home
Softball?
Church?
Bed
Do it again the next day.
But, thank God I'm a Christian, I don't know how the other half of the population survives w/o Christ in their hearts.
I have to confess this:
One morning, I awoke to my dastardly alarm clock. I shut if off, quite forcefully, and went back to bed.
That's not the bad part...that's the mild part.
I HEARD my Savior calling to me. I literally HEARD Him.
What happened?
I was already lost in sleep.
Yeah...ouch.
Can you imagine the special time we could have had?!
But what did He offer when I woke up alert at six, saddened by my mistake?
Joy.
Yes. That Joy Unspeakable.
I love my Savior. If you don't know Him, ask me, but what a JOY!
..."They will soar on wings like eagles"
I was happy to read that.
Despite the energy sapping days I have, I can STILL have joy.
Amazing.
Purely Amazing.
..."but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:30-31
As a runner, I GET the not grow weary part, walk and not faint...if you're in Florida, you'd better have a gallon o' wata waiting at the end of your run!
...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength...
I just can't get over it.
Praise God He's so...Complete.
I've got joy again.
It's hard to hang on to it...but I just keep repeating those words over and over and over again. I CAN hope. I have all the tools I NEED to hope. the LORD will renew my strength. Not just sleep, not circumstances, not excitement for things on earth...only God can do it *write* :D
Now, on to the day's post...lol. It's not long, I promise. We done had church, so not much more can be said! lol
Not in a million years did I think I could write so passionately again.
I love it.
However, I've been afraid of my work in progress.
Why?
Becuase it's a scary subject.
One that has been battled for years.
In a nutshell, it's about abortion, and in some smaller light, government.
How do you find the courage to write what hurts?
Note:
Check these out. They're great posts!
http://emergingnotemergency.blogspot.com/
http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/2010/06/risky-gift.html
http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2010/06/courage.html
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