May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Psalm 128:1
Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
who walk
in obedience to him.
Obedience to God is an act of faith.
For as long as I’ve walked with God on my writing journey, He’s
only asked one thing of me—to be obedient. With every word I’ve typed, class I’ve
taken, conference I’ve attended, He has opened doors for me to walk through.
Mind you, I didn’t have to step through any of them. The free will He gives us
to choose our own adventure could have kept me from the journey He planned. And
at times, I know I stepped off the path, but He waited patiently for me to turn
around and seek Him again. You see, I had a dream to be a writer, and I prayed
about my desire. I had no idea where the journey would take me, but I knew God
walked with me.
He’s my writing partner. The One who knows my every thought
and prayer. He understands my heart’s desire and He’s given me the tools to follow
my dream. I know this because He’s the one who placed the dream on my heart
from the beginning.
Scott and Lori Conley had a dream to provide food to
children, offer scholarships for camp, and provide pillows to kindergartners.
They prayed about the possibility of beginning a ministry to empower children and
provide for their unmet needs. Lori and Scott got the program off the ground
with much prayer, and Empower Youth soared. Since then Lori has made her way to
heaven, Scott remarried, and the dream has continued. Even though Lori is in her
heavenly home, Scott has remained obedient to God’s call.
We don’t know where our passions might lead. I pray my words
encourage and bring hope. I know Empower Youth feeds the hungry both physically and
spiritually.
My question now is, do you have a dream, a desire, a passion
you want to pursue? Is it something God has placed on your heart? Pray, read
the Bible for guidance, and seek people who will encourage you and give you
wisdom, and be obedient.
Have faith in the One who created you for your adventure.
Are you gathering your beach reads? Maybe your sit by the pool reads? Or summer reads under a shade tree. I hope you'll consider Home Away from Home, set in the summer on an island.
Order:
Amazon
Romans 12:16-18
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to
associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone
evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If
it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (NIV)
When music sings in harmony it is sweet to the ears.
May is a busy month for end-of-year school activities. This week two of our grandsons participated in the Middle School’s band concert. Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders, along with high school jazz and concert bands performed instrumental renditions of a variety of songs. These kids are blessed with excellent teachers who create an atmosphere where the students want to learn. |
| I love this photo of our grands with their friends! |
With Eli on the trumpet and Zeke on the baritone the notes
of It’s Raining Tacos danced across the gym. The sixth-grade band played
a song they wrote themselves. Their band teacher, Mr. Glader, explained that
one student played a riff, a short, repeated phrase in music and jazz, then
another student on a different instrument played their version until the entire
band played a part. Their song was inspiring.
Listening to all the different instruments come together in
harmony and create excellent music reminded me of the church. Not the building
we meet in, but the people. The believers who meet together and then go into the
week with Jesus on our hearts. God wants us to be in harmony with Him and with
one another, which often means we aren’t harmonizing with the world. Instead,
we’re humbly serving others and attempting to live at peace.
As a believer and an instrument of God, I want to be in tune
with God’s word and His people. I love singing together with folks in church,
we raise our voices as the musicians on stage play their instruments. I try to
carry the joy I find in sharing music into my week.
It’s hard enough to live in this world without being in
discord with fellow believers. Instead of discord, let’s encourage and spread
God’s hope and love.
Be in harmony, serve others, and live in peace.
