Humble Praise

photo © 2007 Sukanto Debnath | more info (via: Wylio)
Such a good kind of tired as the day comes to a close and night rains down. The words struggle to find their place; there are so many, merging down a single-lane road, yet it’s “humble” that takes the lead.

Yes, humble praise flows from my lips, from tears when I think of all the glorious ways He’s blessed me. My praises, whispered and joy-cried out, well up from within and bubble into “Why me, God? Why are You so good to me?”

Then, just when my words run out, I read the thoughts of Ann Voskamp at “A Holy Experience.” She sums it up beautifully. May her beautiful words bless you today:

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/03/and-whatever-you-do/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+HolyExperience+(Holy+Experience)

I'd Like You to Meet "Keeper of the Past"

I’m taking a minute to share another tiny little “stepping stone” with you.

My first attempts at assembling the little batch of characters in my head into book form began over 20 years ago. It’s evolved over time, over marriage, children, and the stuff of life. It turns out, the main character in my story is much younger than when I first “met” her, and the plot is nothing like I first imagined.

It’s now become a real story with a beginning, middle and end (I think it wants to be a series, but that’s going to take a bit more prayer). AND, the good news??? I’ve published it in ebook form (a PDF available for download - check out the box on the left).

“KEEPER OF THE PAST”

photo © 2008 Neil | more info (via: Wylio)
There’s an elusive widow woman “with wiry gray hair all askew this way and that…” who has the townspeople of Faith’s Corner on edge. Who can she be? 12-year-old CAYLYN WEATHERBY and her best friend, MARGO STATHAM, are determined to find out.

“Keeper of the Past” is set in 1940s Vermont where Caylyn and her parents are recent inheritors of the family business, the Weatherby Family Inn. When items begin disappearing from local merchants, the town gossip, ALMA GUNTHER, spreads her suspicions about an old woman who allegedly lives in the woods behind the inn. It doesn’t take long after Caylyn receives a mysterious empty envelope and finds someone lurking in the woods that she and Margo brave the dark and eerie forest in search of answers…only to end up with more questions. You’ll be just as surprised as Caylyn to find out who’s really living in the forest! As she tries to solve the mystery, it becomes quite clear that “the mystery” is pursuing her!

-*-

It’s in a very basic form; no frills and no images, as it’s my very first ebook project. But, my main goal is to get wholesome, happy, Christian material in the hands of middle-grade readers who crave something other than the oftentimes less-than-holy assortment in the market today.

So, I'm praising God today for the dreams He ignites within me and for the daily strength I find in Him to step out in that faith. Once again, He humbles me.

“Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.” (Psalm 105:1-2) NIV

Rejoice With Me!

photo © 2007 Scot Campbell | more info (via: Wylio)
We crossed the border into Mexico beneath a bright summer sun - seems so long ago now. My wedding ring still felt new around my finger, and I was just getting the hang of writing my brand new name on checks. But life was good. Time was on our side back then; nothing but the wide future ahead of us as we strolled barefoot, care-free and in love along the beaches of San Felipe and beyond.

We spent the weekend eating fish tacos and collecting little treasures of the sea and surrounding culture.

We took refuge from the heat in relaxing whicker chairs beneath the lazy ceiling fans; the perfect spot to sit and enjoy the view of the sea lapping the shoreline as ocean breezes fluttered across the shiny, tiled floor.

That’s when I remembered the little bag I’d packed for such a moment; the one brimming with various books, magazines, paper and pen. It was there on the veranda, so far from home and anything familiar, that I first discovered the allure of Victoria Magazine.

I melted into each beautifully-written article, captivated by the amazing photography and illustrations; the inviting way it managed to capture the elegance and charm of the romantic era. I was an instant fan and immediately ordered a subscription when we returned home.

With all the issues since, never did I once even venture to imagine my own random thoughts, words sometimes pieced together and strung like an awkward paper chain, would ever find their way among its pages.

Yet somehow, by the strength and grace of my loving God, (and encouragement from Dawn Edmonson of “The Feathered Nest” http://the-feathered-nest.blogspot.com/ ), I took that deep breath, composed and submitted a brand new "paper chain,” of sorts…..

And prayed.

And prayed some more.

Then, just when the Lord got tired of hearing me whine/beg for an acceptance of my article, He answered my prayers in a big way!

I’m so happy, excited, blessed, honored, humbled, bouncing off the ceiling with joy to share with you, my sweet friends, that the wonderful people of Victoria Magazine have agreed to publish my article/essay in a future issue!!!!

I’m praising God today for allowing us to dream, and for being our strength when we dare to step out on that narrow ledge. He is SO good ALL the time, even in our waiting, our longing, our dreaming of “what if…?”

Thank you for allowing me to share my praises with you. Thank you even more for sharing in the journey.

For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD,

my confidence since my youth. (Psalm 71:5) NIV

I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;

therefore I will wait for him.” (Lamentations 3:24) NIV

Striving to Bloom

photo © 2009 jillyspoon | more info (via: Wylio)
The garden blooms blue-gray, the color of rain. Foliage bubbles with tears of joy savoring, drinking in morning showers clear to the roots.

As a sweet friend shared recently, it seems as though my garden reflects my state of mind – state of my heart and well being. And she’s right. An extension of my soul, it lies beyond the gate struggling through soil and weeds, standing defiant against tossing winds and determined to bloom, to bring glory...God-pleasing glory.

Aren’t we all just striving to bloom?

To grow and flourish where we're planted...despite the elements, the disappointments and dry spells?

The praises are there, breathing shallow these days, buried beneath the rubble of my mind and tangled upphoto © 2010 Christine | more info (via: Wylio)
in the forcing of round words through square holes. The dishes in the sink, the dinner yet to be, dirty socks tossed by the door, the guilt and self-inflicted pressures of clearing the hurdles one at a time. Yet, once again, I'm shown His strength in my weakness:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9) NIV

Reclaiming My Joy

I’ve spun starry-eyed and squealing this week; heart pounding, racingphoto © 2008 Josep Lamesa Andreu | more info (via: Wylio)

Brushing away tears of joy

Rejoicing in the mighty work of His hands

And praising Him out loud

For the dreams coming full circle…one by blessed one

And all the while, the lion prowls, waiting

It’s the praising of our God that calls him out

Ready to dig into my joy, chip away at the blessing and grip it firm

A relentless attack

His daggers pierce and stab away at God’s good work

Casting worry, fear and doubt in its place

And I want to shout, fist pounding, “This is my blessing! The Lord gave it to me, and you can’t have it! You’re not going to steal my joy today – it’s not yours to take.”

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us

rejoice and be glad in it”. (Psalm 118:24) NIV

He goes for the biggest, brightest blessings

Those too big for a box

The brightest light in the darkest night

But I’m bruised and swelling from the enemy’s negative jabs

And I raise my head against it

Claim it and claim it strong!

My God is greater! My God is greater! My God is greater!

“Fear not: for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your

name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will

be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you:

when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned;

neither shall the flame kindle upon you. For I am the LORD

your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…” – Isaiah 43:1-3

Triumphant, the words go beneath the skin and I return to what I know is real

That I am a child of God – the God who does not author such fear, worry or doubt

The One who fills my soul with a love that covers all

And the joy is mine.

Peace

photo © 2007 D. Sharon Pruitt | more info (via: Wylio)

I sink into the couch with my “One Thousand Gifts” open and waiting to be read and savored. The intoxicating aroma of fresh focaccia baking teases from the kitchen and I wrap the moment snug around me. I smile grateful that the hum of family confines itself upstairs for awhile and I read words that reach out and embrace – words written from one heart to another…and I wonder.

Have I found it yet? I mean, really found it?

Peace.

Not simple peace rationed, held on the tongue only to melt away when the pleasure’s gone, but true washed-in-the-blood, new-creation type peace; the God-breathed peace that bridges the deepest gaps and safely carries you across the widest channels. Float-on-the-breath-of-God peace.

The peace that considers the cost.

photo © 2010 Johan Hansson | more info (via: Wylio)

I speak of walking in the light of His Word, and confess that God is in control and my faith is in Him – but He went to the cross for so much more than words! It’s the faith lived out and learned when the rocks give way to the valley below and the ground beneath crumbles. Faith is the branch I reach for…and peace, the reward for knowing I can.

Have you found it yet?

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”

(Romans 14:17-19) NIV

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

(John 14:27) NIV

Saturday Mornings

photo © 2010 Ted | more info (via: Wylio)
The squeaky stairs announce to the rest of the house that I’m up and awake, heading for the coffee pot and fireplace. It’s the early hours that I love best before the house comes to life and words and demands clutter the air; with steam of fresh coffee swirling, the comfort of the fire and the welcome silence to keep me company as I plan out my day.

But, how good are my plans if I've truly given them to God? My lips speak prayers in the earlyphoto © 2008 George Eastman House | more info (via: Wylio)
darkness and the flames dance, but are they really from the heart? I ask Him to be Lord over my day, over all I do and say. I know what I'd like to accomplish, but how much room does that leave for His work in me when my Saturdays are all about accomplishing and checking off my tasks one by one, and that sense of satisfaction of a job well done at the end of the day?

The chimney smoke floats past the window and the clouds shift beyond the garden. A break in the storm and I inhale the few last precious moments of quiet before I set out to accomplish and do...whatever He asks me to.

Praying you spend the day in the light of His will.

Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do to those who love your name.
Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
Redeem me from human oppression,
that I may obey your precepts.

(Psalm 119:132-134) NIV