The Place of Security {and Radical Departures}

31 Jan 2013 8 Comments

by enthusiasticallydawn in Writing Life Tags: , , , , ,

 “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
Jim Elliot

Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.
 When he had finished speaking, 
Jesus left and hid himself from them.
John 12:36
Why is yes like light, and no like dark?
Yes, light and good go together; dark, bad and no are all intertwined.
Don’t tell me there is no difference between light and darkness, good and bad. That evil doesn’t exist.
That everything is true.That just because you decide that truth is not convenient, it is a lie, or that it is to be discarded, tossed out as garbage. 
I despise arguing with illogical people but worse still is the one who borders genius at 12 and can logically argue with me beyond years…
Yet is not yielded to light, but walking toward darkness.
I have always felt uncomfortable when people have applauded my mothering or parenting.
Or when they criticize and boo it. Even more so when others look at my child and commend me or chide me depending on the circumstance and behavior. It felt wrong. I have observed much in my life. I consider myself a professional observer. 
I have observed children rebelling against godly parents. And I have observed children of the ungodly exceed morally upright expectations and example. I have seen offspring of God-fearing, Believing Christians, embrace darkness and I have seen children with the worst possible beginnings end up walking in light and truth victoriously.
Who escapes darkness?
Who gets the credit? 
It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall.
Psalm 75:7
Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.”
John 7:24
I have been on an unexpected journey this week.
A radical departure from the “plan”.
In life there are a few things I did not plan.
Oh, heck there are a slew of things I have experienced that were not in my plan. 
I do know this today:
If I belong to Jesus, and I do,
He will not let me depart from the path He has for me.
If I make a mistake, He will surely guide me back to the path of safety.
If I run far from fear and fail to trust,
He will lead me back to the Everlasting Arms and give me rest again,
cradle me close to His bosom.
The place of security is not always the place you think, but sometimes the place you fear to travel, though long to go. 
“It is a safe thing to trust Him to fulfill the desires which He creates”
Amy Carmicheal
Is there something the Lord is calling you to do, believe or trust that feels a little scary? Why?
Or is God calling you to depart from the road your on for the road less traveled, and you doubt? Why?
“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5a
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
I promise to tell you more about this unexpected journey on Monday.
No, it does not include Hobbits. 
But something precious…yes, that it does. 

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Reign of the Black Wolf

29 Jan 2013 10 Comments

by enthusiasticallydawn in Writing Life Tags: , , , , ,

Credit

Dark, growling, growing stronger
every day
He consumes her waking hours
devouring the scraps of goodness that still remain
tears into purity and hope
ripping flesh from bone
hungry for every morsel…
This dog will settle for nothing less than soul meat
Glaring from the corner 
he rests
yet
never will he be satisfied
On guard every minute
in case a turn toward 
hope
He waits
ready
to pounce upon 
his opponent
teeth clench down
hard on truth-
drawing blood
life seeps out 
pooling
red moon,
victory howl
but his reign
is temporary
Though he mutilates her beauty
she will not remain his prize
for though deceived by his cunning, fierce appeal
she belongs to another
He will not share, 
nor slumber forever
He will return to rescue 
His precious child.
Gone will be the dark days then…
he will be no more.
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Joining in sleepy eyed but happy at the pub!

What’s A Few More Mistakes To Add To My List on Monday?

28 Jan 2013 9 Comments

by enthusiasticallydawn in Writing Life Tags: , , , ,

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Heloooooooooooo friends, So right from the starting gate, the year is certainly not turning out as I expected. Although I am not completely comfortable at this time to reveal too much. Let’s just say it involves, a certain strong -willed girl, school, choices, decisions, fears, doubts, options, insecurities and lots of opinions of others from many walks of life. One thing remains true…although I may not have all the answers (and I do get slightly annoyed by those who think they have them all), I am confident the one who holds me in His palm HAS them, thank you very much. I do not know what tomorrow will bring and I will say this family has been on a roller coaster ride emotionally since September (with a jump-start that happened in @ May of last year). I remember hearing a Pastor teach that there is always (at least) one thing you may not know about a person or situation which would be THE key puzzle piece you need to complete the puzzle…or judge accurately that which you perceive. But you DO NOT have that piece- only God sees ALL the pieces. Let’s be careful with our words, conclusions and quick fix advice. There may be more to the picture than meets the eye and we may not be able as we think to accurately judge a situation. But there is grace…and love that never fails. There are baskets of fruit we can offer those going through difficult times. Instead of those boxes of criticisms, judgments and inaccurate conclusions packaged prettily with pride and prejudice, then handed over with a smug smile. Ouch!

I promise to share more as appropriate and once there is clarity in the situation. OK?
If you want to pray that for us, I would be grateful.

In the meantime lets have some fun, it is MONDAY after all!

My Girl and I had a little Art Project going on this weekend.
We decorated clipboards using collage with random favorite clippings. 
In progress…almost done here.
It felt good to create something! Hooray for us!

Announcement!

Credit
Announcing the “My Husband is Awesome” Link up– PLEASE Join me to link up all of the reasons our Hubby’s are awesome February 3rd-13th! Write up a post and come link up to celebrate our men! Honestly  I do this because I know I am guilty of not appreciating my hubby as much as he deserves, so let’s join together in an exercise of honoring our hubs and God by focusing on the many wonderful attributes we take for granted daily and sing out the praises of our great guys and faithful God for providing them! I will put the link up at 12 AM on Sunday, February 3rd. I will choose one of the linked Husband posts to be shared on my blog in full as a special Valentine feature. Does that sound fabulous to you? It can be short and sweet, lengthy, in letter form to him, or a few points or bullets, sappy, silly, dry or poignant! I promise this exercise will be a wonderful gift to your hub, yourself and God!
See my first “My Husband Is Awesome” post  HERE. The Remix HERE. 
*Oh and can you pass this Link Up info along to others so many might join us in our celebration? Share it anyway you see fit! Facebook, Twitter etc. 
Thanks in advance for your support!
You still have time to make your HUBBY a cute Valentine’s Day Gift like this Love Album I made a few years back. It really is easy and fast. You can make a simple version- really you can do it! 

Catching up on Book Reviews! 

Reviewed this excellent book by Ruth Myers and I have to say with conviction: Please do yourself a favor, Grow with God and read it. You will not regret it. This is one of those books you will re-read and recommend to all of your friends, and they’ll tell two friend, and they’ll tell two friends, and so on and so on. Oh sorry, commercial FLASHBACK!
Finished (FINALLY) Lifted By Angels. Read the Review. I will say this, it packs an awful lot of history into seven chapters. Seriously has me looking over my shoulder. (smile)
Counting Gifts To 1000…

371. Peace in the morning
372. Peace to my core
373. Peace even while approaching the rockiest shore
374. Knowing that though the ship may rock, be battered, tossed and smashed, sunk to the bottom of the sea…He IS there. Always faithful.
375. The words that he brought to my mind…even when others (Christians) fail, I (God) will prevail. 
376. That mistakes, if bringing us CLOSER to the truth of His good and perfect will, though painful to endure, ultimately serve His purposes. 
This will be my Mantra forever:
Even when Christians fail, God still prevails.
He is Faithful.
His will will be done.
Nothing and No One. Can Stop. Our. Great. God.
Amen?
My eyes, remain fixed on Heaven, my feet still walk these dusty roads and in the end I will see Him face to face, for His mercy endures forever. Great is His faithfulness. 
Keep your eyes skyward friends, He is coming soon…
but until then keep on serving, loving and living, His sees you. He sees me. His eyes are on us, His little flock. 

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Lifted By Angels by Joel J. Miller {Book Review}

27 Jan 2013 1 Comment

by enthusiasticallydawn in Writing Life Tags: , , ,

When was the last time you felt awe with regard to the spiritual reality of and in your daily life?
I trudged slowly through Lifted By Angels- The Presence and Power of our Heavenly Guides and Guardians for a number of reasons. This book, although only 7 Chapters and 152 pages is quite an interesting read, packed with meat to chew on and ponder long after the reading is done. Consider 30 pages of referenced notes! I was awed by some of the details I came across while reading Lifted By Angels. I woke up to the reminder of the angels among us like I never have before as I journeyed through time and history with some of the most respected leaders, thinkers, theologians, philosophers, pastors, artists and teachers
Seeking to clarify the presence, position and potential of angels and angelic activity from the beginning of time to our current period, Mr. Miller pulls back the veil of the unseen spiritual realm and draws our eyes to see what Christian history confirms and recognized readily.
Reading this book was eye opening, and a little bit sobering. Siting, reminding and recalling the numerous angelic interactions with humans throughout the Bible and beyond reminded me of the realm we so often forget in the daily bustle of life. That our great cloud of witnesses includes an angelic, always present, host. That these beings are designed and designated specifically by God, as guides, guardians, protectors, meddlers of the divine conspiracy in the best of ways! 
I am excited to consider all the more the reality of our invisible to the naked eye cheerleaders and co laborers in Christ. Be prepared to be awed. Awaken within your soul a new sense of wonder. 
In this way you too, might just be lifted by angels!

Published by: Thomas Nelson
Book Description:Explores the relationship between people and angels, through the eyes of the early church. Heaven is closer than we realize. Its boundaries overlap our own, and angels move in and out of our porous present, this moment that seems to us so solid and concrete. If that reality seems dim to us now, it beamed for the early Christians. Through their writings, sermons, songs, and art, the ancient faithful confessed a powerful and vivid belief that angels help carry us on our journey to God.

I received this book from Booksneeze in return for review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

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I review for BookSneeze®

31 Days of Praise- Enjoying God Anew {Book Review}

26 Jan 2013 8 Comments

by enthusiasticallydawn in Writing Life Tags: , ,

31 Days of Praise- Enjoying God Anew by Ruth Myers is a must read book for every Christian. The book is broken mainly into three specific parts. Part One is designated as the “How To” chapter as well as an invitation into entering into praise with scriptural support and definition of praise and how it is instrumental to worship.

” Praise can be quiet and meditative. But it can also include celebrating and exulting in the Lord’s majesty and splendor, His sovereignty, His limitless power, and His bountiful love-which we do not in the least deserve. In praise we exalt and magnify Him. Praise includes speaking highly of God to other people, as well as directly to Him.”

It is mentioned that one of Satan’s strategies is diverting Christians from praise, and I wholeheartedly agree. How often do we find ourselves grumbling, complaining, cursing in response to the small details of the day.

Part Two is the actual 31 Day plan of practicing praising God. These day by day scripture referenced pages of prayers will do the same thing for your prayer life that physical exercise does for your body. Initially the benefits seem unseen, but they allow for a wonderful paradigm shift that we all need and desire at the core of our being. Confidence in the presence of God and stronger faith in all circumstances is the goal of every Christian for in these we glorify God.

Part Three seals the deal on the importance of choosing praise in light of our unique purpose, despite circumstances, secular values, and for victory in our daily walk on this earth.

“Through praise you  give God something no one else in Heaven or Earth can give: the love and adoration of your heart.”

“Did you know that praise can help you fulfill your destiny, your chief purpose in this life and the next? The Westminster Catechism condenses volumes of scriptural truth when it says: The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.”

This book is both rich and concise with truth. Not a word is wasted. Heavily hi-lighted and highly recommended I offer this excellent book, Christian resource and review with hopes that you will be empowered and blessed at the outcome of reading it for yourself.

 *I bought this book myself and am reviewing it because I believe it is worthy of sharing my thoughts and opinions. I do a blogging program with Blogging For Books through Waterbrook/Multinomah but this particular book was not one received as part of that program. I chose to add the link for convenience and further information as a courtesy to my readers.

Sharing with Barbie’s weekend Brew!


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