Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Monday, February 9, 2015
Writer off the Leash: Growing in the Writing Craft
Of all the writing books I've read, and I've read
a lot, this is the best one. I wish I’d had it when I first started writing
fiction. Michelle's sense of humor makes the book fun to read. Her great
explanations and advice make the book a keeper. I’ll refer to it over and over
again. She doesn’t just give the nuts and bolts of writing fiction, she gets to
the heart of why a writer writes and has the reader ask themselves questions
that reveal whether they have a heart for writing. If you have any interest in
or already write fiction, buy this book. Seriously, buy this book.
Saturday, February 7, 2015
When Love Disintegrates
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
February, the month of love.
Love does not envy, it does not boast, it is not
proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not
easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LreyM0DQL34/VNZDcqwFd2I/AAAAAAAAEtg/RwJUDgIb_MQ/s1600/Peacock.jpg)
Can you imagine people strutting around with prideful, feathered tails? When people throw pride, envy, and selfishness into a
relationship the bonds of trust are broken, abuse happens, and love
disintegrates. Paul tells us in Corinthians to turn from selfishness. Instead
of envy, appreciate. Instead of boasting, encourage. Instead of luxuriating in pride,
be humble. Show honor, be selfless, let go of anger, and throw grudges aside. Follow
Jesus example of love and put others first. He gave his life. Praise God for
his love.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Patient and Kind
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
Love is patient, love is kind.
Today, I had the opportunity to take care of my seven-month
old granddaughter all day. What a joy! She’s a sweet little one who’s easy to
love. But I was reminded of the amount of patience a baby requires. She’s
learning to eat baby food and as one spoon full goes in, half of it comes back
out because she’s still developing her skills. So I’d feed her some pears then
scoop them off her little chin and try again. Eventually we finished the task,
and she laid her head on my shoulder and napped. That’s love.
While I took care of Ella Cate, my husband went to watch two
grandsons play basketball. While five year old Max had his first game, his big
brother, Aiden, stood in the end zone cheering him on. Aiden could have been
playing with his friend, instead he encouraged his brother. That’s kindness.
Days are filled with opportunities to show patience
and kindness. Waiting in traffic, a turn in the bathroom (once upon a time we
shared one bathroom with three daughters), a spouse to get ready, a child to
put on their shoes, a coworker to complete a project and on and on. Paul, the
author of Corinthians, reminds us to pour out patience and kindness because
they reflect love. Not just good advice, but an excellent way to live life.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
He'll Give You Rest
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Exhausted,
fatigued, sapped, spent, drained—ever felt like that? Yes? Then you know what
it’s like to be weary. Not just physically tired, where a good night’s sleep
revives the energy in your body. But, weary. Exhausted right down to the soul.
Your heart hurts, your heads aches, your spirit sags. Life’s been sucked out.
This kind of life draining experience often occurs with stress, loss, when the
same frustrating situation occurs over and over again or when hope is lost. You’re
so spiritually beaten down, you want to crawl under the covers and hibernate
like a bear. Or sleep the day away like my dogs. And sometimes physical rest is
part of the process that refreshes a hurting soul. But there’s more.
Jesus offers to
take the burden, carry the stress, and restore the spirit. Anytime I’ve taken
my weariness, my burdens, my stress and anxieties to him, I find hope and
peace. Not only do I give him my burdens, I take on his ways and pray his
gentle spirit and humble heart will fill me. Spending time in prayer and
reading the Bible relieve me of the weariness the world brings. Asking others
to pray with me and for me gives me encouragement. For me being outside surrounded
by God’s creation restores my soul. I’m thankful Jesus loves me enough to carry
my burdens and give me rest. Praise God for his son!
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
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