God Hasn’t Forgotten About Blessing You

Our vegetable garden is producing baskets full of blessings daily! My husband and I got a late start in planting, but we’re both amazed at how well it’s doing.

He worked for several days transforming my neglected, weed-filled flower garden into a sun-loving, vegetable-producing haven. He tilled and tilled and tilled once more adding several wheel barrows full of composted chicken manure from the coop until finally…he was satisfied that the soil was ready to go.

We planted zucchini, crook-neck squash, watermelon, green onions, English cucumbers, several rows of various peppers and chilies, sweet corn now 10-feet tall and a pot full of culinary herbs. It’s amazing and a lot of fun.

One of the things I’ve learned over many years of gardening is, whether growing a space overflowing with vegetables or a flower-filled paradise for butterflies and hummingbirds, the garden forces us to be patient. It forces us to watch and wait and during all that watching and waiting, the garden doesn’t forget to grow. It doesn’t forget to produce or bloom. It just takes time…precious, necessary time.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time 

we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9)

When we’re waiting for the blessings to emerge, it’s easy to believe that nothing is happening, when in fact there’s so much happening beneath the soil that we never see. The root structure forms gaining in size and strength to support the weight of the blessing; each little component reaching, searching through the soil undeterred by every obstacle because that which is planted in fertile soil will, in fact, produce and bless.

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, 

we wait for it patiently. (Romans 8:25)

The enemy wants you to believe that your prayers, your hopes and dreams have gone stagnant and now lie on deaf ears, but God hasn’t forgotten to bless you. He IS blessing you. Sometimes, the blessings aren’t out in the open…yet. Maybe they’re a little hidden, growing the necessary root structure and waiting to be revealed at just the right time. And when God sheds His perfect, beautiful light on your blessings, you’ll see that they are bigger and more amazing than your dreams allowed you to imagine.

Blessings come in all shapes and sizes, my friend. But all require time spent in fertile soil and, of course…a bit of SONshine.

Don’t. Give. Up.

Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop,

 some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times." (Mark 4:8)

Have you registered yet???

Well, I don't often share press releases, but I am definitely sharing this one!

I'm going to be at the Orange County Christian Writers' Conference April 15th and 16th and I would love for you to join me! This is going to be such an amazing event - check it out!

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 Christian Writers' Conference to Host Well-Known Professionals as Mentors

            Modern traditional publishing, self-publishing, and the blogosphere are creating more and more opportunities for writers. But writers of all genres can profit from all-day mentoring clinics and one-on-one help from industry professionals at the 2016 Orange County Christian Writers' Conference.

            The conference will be held Friday and Saturday, April 15-16, at the First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, 2904 Brea Blvd., Fullerton, CA., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

            Well-known authors Cindy Woodsmall, B. J. Taylor, Aaron Gansky, Kathi Macias, and others will head mentoring clinics in beginning, intermediate, and advanced fiction and nonfiction as well as a teen track and a young-adult track. One-on-one appointments with industry professionals in the Resource Room will be available to all attendees.

            On Friday evening, conferees can attend an informal meet-and-greet to chat with faculty members, industry professionals, and fellow attendees. Anyone who registers for either a mentoring track or a day in the Resource Room is welcome to attend the Friday evening event. Giveaways will be an added bonus throughout the evening. Come to network, fellowship, and have fun!

            To register: http://www.occwc.com.

My Tribute

It was the weight of the past two weeks and the love of 27 years that brought me out to the garden this morning. It was there that I sought comfort and found it in my sad, neglected space among the weeds and forgotten plants still fighting against the seasons; there with my robe and coffee cup and tears.

And there in the first light of this new day, this beautiful gift meant to be cherished and lived because we’re still standing and still breathing, God broke through the heaviness of death and grief to show me life. Right there in the garden in the middle of my mess. Life triumphant. New and just beginning.

In that moment, God showed me that we’re to nurture the living; the wife now without a husband, the children now without a father and countless others left holding hearts full of love, admiration and cherished memories. We’re to honor the lives of those who have gone before us simply…by…living.

And as they who pass from this world and into the next are to forever rest in the peace and comfort of our savior, so shall we when we remember that they have received their reward in full. We are to rest and live in peace knowing God’s promises are true and it’s the faith of the believer that brings us full circle.

Revelation 7:15-17 “And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear

 from their eyes.” (NIV)

 I will always love you, Bruce. I will never forget you.

Thank you for embracing me as your own and welcoming

me to your family so many years ago. And thank you for

loving me unconditionally ever since.

Debbie

Let This be the Year

It’s 6am here.

Dark and early.

That wonderfully quiet time with the perfect cup of coffee and the soothing warmth of the fireplace…and my heart stirs.

I think of this new year stretched out long before us with its possibilities and opportunities. I think of how we each enter into this clean slate of promise, of hope and dreams yet be realized.

Friend, let this be the year not only for dreaming big, but for taking long, big-girl strides toward turning our biggest, wildest dreams into reality.

Let this be the year of seriously moving toward a healthy mind, body, spirit and lifestyle and for helping others to accomplish the same.

Let this be the year of gathering up all the loose ends of our lives and bringing organization and structure where it’s needed.

Let this be the year of living more aware of those needing prayer, friendship… the love of Jesus. I pray we will go about our days with eyes wide open and sensitive to the needs of those around us.

Let this be the year of breaking down the barriers of fear and worry that we may find strength to turn worry and fear into faith and trust; trust in the One who moves mountains.

Let this be the year of salvation for loved ones who have turned away and against it far too long. I pray you and I will be that light to those living in darkness, and may they realize that the truest, purest form of happiness isn’t found in the things of this world but only when we run to the open arms of our Savior.

Let this be the year.

"'If you can'?" said Jesus. 

"Everything is possible for one who believes." 

(Mark 9:23)

I would love the opportunity to pray with you for the big things you'd like to accomplish in 2016. You're welcome to share your thoughts in the comment section. ALL things are possible with Jesus!

Called to be Strong

All too often, it’s the thin and narrow ledge we’re forced to walk that grows us the most. Sometimes navigating the tight rope stretched out long before us is our only option…and we’re called to be strong. It’s when putting one foot in front of the other with no hand rails, no support system, no one to keep us steady that we draw on our own knowledge of what inner strength really is.

So many times I’ve found myself perched up there on that highest peak alone and unsure. It’s a scary, unsteady place to be, yet it almost seems as if each scenario is perfectly orchestrated, perfectly timed with situations I certainly wouldn’t choose on my own. Most of which seem to take place each time my husband is out of town and unavailable to encourage or support me. When moving forward alone is my only option and I do so with trepidation, it’s sort of like jumping into the deep end of a pool for the first time. How deep is it really? Will I sink to the bottom or will I be able to grab the side of the pool if I need to?

It’s only after I emerge from the situation, however shaken, that I clearly see once again. Since I can do nothing apart from Him (John 15:5) I couldn't have possibly acted in my own strength, but in God’s.  

“In the day when I cried out, You answered me,

and made me bold with strength in my soul.” (Psalm 138:3)

It’s God’s strength that keeps us from sinking to the bottom. It’s His love for us that brings us safely through the dark unknown to the light on the other side. And I’ve learned that it’s not a challenge or even a test but a command to go boldly forward in the Lord. To put action to His words in every situation, our faith before our fear…each and every time we’re called to be strong.

“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,” (Acts 4:29)

Celebrate Fall with the New Sept/Oct Issue of CW Voice!

Well, it's here!!! The new September/October issue of CW Voice is ready and available.

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IN THIS ISSUE...

Certified Health Coach, Nancy Sullivan shares her incredible journey of weight loss and better health in "Winning at Losing."
Heidi Avery talks about the constant and unwavering presence of Jesus in our lives in "Live in His Presence."
Christine Wright shares her struggle as a new Christian with letting go of our old self and beginning our new life in Christ with "Scared to Change."
Frugal Living expert, Kim Wolf shares her dear grandmother's recipe to help fight the cold and flu season in "Easy Cold Remedies with Horehound Herb."
Family-Friendly Movie Reviewer, Maggie Johnson gives her honest and in-depth review of "Minions" and "Inside Out."
"Peace After Divorce" Author, Renee Ettline talks about a common problem people face after divorce in "Dealing with Guilt and Regrets."
Robin Prater shares how she made the choice to follow Jesus in "A Love Journey."
"If you're having a difficult time letting go of summer..." these two recipes will plunge you right into fall! Debbie Dillon shares her recipe for "Ban-apple Bread" and "Chicken Penne Casserole."
This article from National Mill Dog Rescue is wonderfully written (by Princess Eleanor) from the unique perspective OF THE DOG! Learn what it's like to BE a puppy mill dog in "Dog Beautiful."
Fit2B's Bethany Learn answers reader's questions about exercise, pregnancy and maintaining a healthy you in "Q & A with Bethany."
In "Robin's Book Nook," Robin Prater shares her review of "A Sparrow of Terezin."

There truly is something for every heart in each issue of CW Voice! Order yours today: http://christianwomensvoice.org/

How Do You Know?

It was the question of the day. The one that resonated with me long after the final Amen and dismissal.

Funny how words can echo through the heart like that.

It was the question asked by many still yet to believe and how we, as those who’ve surrendered ourselves to the One who saves, should respond.

How do you know God exists? How do you know He’s real?

Insert the collective awkward shuffling in the pews…but for me, the answer was simple. I guess I wasn’t prepared to speak it out loud, yet I could hardly contain the words.

Inside, I wanted to stand up and proclaim, “If there was no God, I would have perished in the fire! When it seemed the flames of evil intent rose up around me, I would have been destroyed. I would have been swallowed up by unimaginable pain and devastation, and when my world crumbled from beneath me, it was my Jesus who put the pieces back together again and showed me that I was not a pile of brokenness meant to stay lifeless at the bottom of that pit! It was my Jesus who gave me hope and purpose. It is He who rebuilds the broken! That's how I know He's real!”

Sometimes, the answers we seek are not in front of us. They are behind. We have to look at where we’ve been. How far we’ve come from where we were to where we are to truly see Him.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance 

about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)