Encourage Someone This Week

photo © 2007 Akaporn Bhothisuwan | more info (via: Wylio)

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

(Phil. 2:1-4) NIV

It's a great day to offer encouragement to someone...but who? Why not everybody? At the end of the day, wouldn't we all enjoy the satisfaction of knowing our footprints mattered? That our actions and intentions meant something? That we spoke words from a genuine heart?

I love this passage because it reminds us to share what we've been freely given. If we've ever been comforted or shown tenderness or received encouragement that has picked us up from the low places, then what better gift to share with others?

Who are your going to encourage this week?

A Preview of "Walking in Son-Light"

When I was a little girl, I used to haul out the avocado green upright Hoover vacuum cleaner to the middle of the living room because the handle was the perfect height for a “microphone.” I’d stand there facing my stuffed animals AND my Pekingese, all decked out in doll clothes and lined up along the couch, and I’d sing at the top of my 7-year-old lungs to the Carpenters, John Denver, Helen Reddy, Carli Simon and Donny Osmond….yeah, those were the days.

I continued singing right up through 8^th grade, and by the time I reached High School Choir and trio status with my two best girlfriends, I was sure we’d “make it big” one day. We’d already picked out stage names, designed our costumes, dreamed of the cars we’d buy and special things we’d do for others with all our millions. I even made a promise to God, back in my young, naïve days when I actually thought one could do such a thing. I told Him that if He would make my singing dreams possible, that I’d make sure my very first album would be of beautiful hymns and worship songs.

Obviously, the Lord doesn’t work that way, and superstar material I was NOT…..thank the Lord!

Well, after many, many years and life lessons later, I now have an “album,” of sorts. The Lord has given me the words and the desire to reach others for Him, and together, He and I have self published my very first book, “Walking in Son-Light – A Small Collection of Thoughts to Encourage and Inspire.” (It’s actually a compilation of selected blog posts from over the past year and a half with a little tweaking and shining up.) I can’t tell you how excited I am about this – PLUS, my proof copy has been shipped and somewhere out there this very minute, lying in a basket at some post office, is a book bursting at the binding with my heart and soul and it has my name on it! Woo-Hoo!

I’m also excited to share that the cover photography (plus the back cover photo and a little one inside) was done by my daughter! I think she did an amazing job J

I just wanted to share a little preview with you, and I’ll post the link after I’ve had a chance to look over the proof and make any corrections.

I want to thank each and every one of you sweet ladies for choosing to pop in for coffee with me once in awhile always offering your encouragement and support, and for always leaving such beautiful comments that never fail to touch my heart so deeply. God bless you and I pray you’ll keep walking in Son-light.

“You’re forever beautiful to Him whether broken or whole; crumbling with the world around you or dancing on top of it. How wonderful to belong to the God who holds the missing pieces. And He does indeed hold them…there, in the scars of His hands." "Walking in Son-Light" offers hope and encouragement for women in every season of life.

Spring Break!

photo © 2010 Fréderic | more info (via: Wylio)
Well, it’s Spring Break around here this week, so it’s going to be a pretty quiet week here at the Writin’ 4 Him Café.

BUT!!! You won’t believe what I’ve been up to…..it’s a secret that I hope to be able to share with you all in just a few more days. I am SO completely excited about the many ways in which God is moving in my life. Can’t wait to share it with you.

Take care and be blessed! See you in a few!

Giving Thanks for His Presence This Week

Here we are againphoto © 2010 D. Sharon Pruitt | more info (via: Wylio)

Another week drawing to a close

Another week of prayers prayed

Requests made of the One in complete control

The One who whispers “Yes, you can because I am here.”

Because... I am

It’s the grace He’s shown this week

That allows me to sigh and reflect

To be thankful for all He’s brought me through

To consider the cost of my joy…my peace

I think of the dangers He’s kept at bay

How He’s kept me from harm

The rocks that could have tumbled

The daggers waiting to pierce the skin

The words intended to pierce the heart

Caught in mid flight by His mighty hand

How He’s protected and provided

Listened to each prayer breathed in private

Silent words spoken from the heart shared with only Him

photo © 2010 Kirsty Andrews | more info (via: Wylio)

I stare out the window

From over the rim of my coffee cup

And watch clouds come full of rain

But it’s all right

I'm settled inside – peace not only for the journey

But from it

He’s brought me through...once again

Guided me this far

And He always will

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

(Psalm 23:4) NIV

How has the Lord brought you through this week?

Share your praise in a comment – let’s give Him glory together.

Living Brightly

Exercising is a new thing for me. My body is still in shock over it and has yet to forgive me for the mile and a half I sweated out last night on the treadmill. It’s set up on the back patio and each evening I wait until the sun sinks low behind the trees. I head out there, plug in my music, pick up my 3lb. weights and get the blood moving. It feels great and I’m a happier me now that I’ve introduced a brisk walk to my daily routine.

Last night I noticed a bright yellow oriole darting between branches against the backdrop of deep green. He was gorgeous, and I, a captive audience.

photo © 2011 Srihari Kulkarni | more info (via: Wylio)

It takes one brave enough to live brightly if they’re to stand against the darkness of the world - without becoming part of it, I thought.

I think we can be easily attracted to the darkness of the world without even realizing it; whether it's taking part in coarse joking, judging others, giving in to critical thinking or even allowing our human nature to lead us into thinking the darkness somehow offers us something more than the blessing of the Lord's favor.

But to remain bright, people who reflect God in our lives, takes courage and strong faith in who we are as Christians. Like the bird whose color will remain just as vivid among the shadows, so are we to be a contrast; to shine against the darkness.

You've been graced with the gift of today - may you have the courage to live it brightly!

"But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect..."

(1 Peter 3:15)

photo © 2007 Linda Tanner | more info (via: Wylio)

One Rose Bud at a Time

photo © 2008 Barbara | more info (via: Wylio)

There’s a rose bud in a vase here on my desk; deep red, perfectly formed and surrounding me with the most heavenly fragrance. It’s here to remind me of the sweetness of life, even here – even now, as dishes sit in the sink, the floors still show evidence of a busy, I’ll-get-to-that-later weekend. Here, in the hum of it all while the washing machine spins, the groceries wait to find their homes on shelves. Yet, the breeze caresses my spirit and I rise from within to Chopin and all the wonderful scenes of spring outside my window. Yes, there’s strife in each day. We don’t have to look very far for struggles and disappointments, but my gentle, precious God grants blessings in the simplest, purist forms and I savor them…one rose bud at a time.

God bless you!

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

(Phil. 4:19) NIV

Living on Purpose

photo © 1979 Florida Memory | more info (via: Wylio)

There it is again; that voice, that finger wagging telling me I “can’t” do this, no matter how hard I try. Who am I to carry out such a task? Who do I think I am for dreaming so big – reaching for the highest star? Living my faith out loud? Negativity pushes hard sometimes, yells strong and wins me over all too often. I miss out on the blessings and sink in guilt instead. When God sets my feet on the track of His purpose, who am I to think He’ll make me walk it alone? Who am I to ever think I work towards anything… alone?

It is He…who plants the dream.

It is He…who strengthens me to accomplish it.

It is He…who gives me purpose.

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

(Ephesians 4:11-13) NIV