Heart of Wisdom

It's been over a month since my last post and I am approaching another birthday...#76!

My Christmas celebration with my family was very special this year as I am feeling so much better and able to do more. I went to the Christmas Eve candlelight service. [It's been at least five years since I've been inside a church.] I wrapped my own gifts and, with the help of my caregiving elves, I made Christmas dinner and some goodies to share!

Then on New Year's Day, I pondered my 3/4 of century life and once again chose the above verse as my 2020 goal. In keeping with that goal, I would like to recommend the book I am using as a daily devotional: Jonathon Cahn's The Book of Mysteries. 

I am not always consistent with my desires, but so far I've followed through by reading the devotion for the day every day for 31 days. That's how much I am enjoying it. Each one-page mystery challenges me. It stirs up my little gray cells and leads me to think where I haven't been before. It prompts me to look at myself and note my shortfalls and to fix them. Truly, the "heart of wisdom."

To my delight, I have been able to write again. Two short stories have been submitted to the Chicken Soup for the Soul books and more are in process.

Before sending my stories, I have shared them with my caregivers. Their responses have encouraged me and I hope my stories have encouraged them. For 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says "Encourage one another and build each other up." Being home-bound doesn't free me from that command.

I also finished reading Billy Graham's last book, Nearing Home, which he wrote seven years before his death at age 99. I related to much of his writing as I, too, am nearing home. He wrote several bits of wisdom that touched my heart. I'd like to share a few with you.

      "...every day--without exception--is a gift from God, entrusted to us to use for His glory."

      "Old age does not exempt us from fulfilling our purposes in life...for the time He has given you is not without purpose."

      When asked what surprised him the most in the aging process, Billy Graham replied, "The loss of strength to do the simplest things: getting up from a chair, having the endurance to visit with someone longer than an hour, or just going to the doctor's office... the loss of strength, the sheer inability to keep going." Wow, can I relate! This week I had four doctor appointments. The last one I agreed to use a wheelchair. I am exhausted.

      There is no fountain of youth. "The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life (Proverbs 14:27)." I love how he explained "the fear of the Lord."

      "It is contrary to being afraid of Him. God would not have sent His Son to earth to communicate with us if He wanted humanity to be fearful of approaching Him. This wonderful phrase throughout Scripture is a reminder to be in reverential awe of God, to love Him with our whole being and commit ourselves joyfully to Him in all things."

I'll let you ponder those thoughts.

'Til next time,

             4Him2u, I am Connie

Pain Is a Microphone, Part 2

When the apostle Paul was saved, a prophecy was given to Ananias, who had the unique challenge of discipling this recently converted terrorist. God told him that Paul would stand before kings, gentiles, and the nation of Israel and that he would suffer many things for Jesus’ sake (Acts 9:15–16). There are two elements there that we must not miss: (1) Paul would be used powerfully, and (2) Paul would suffer greatly. But I believe those are actually two sides of the same coin that exists within every calling. It would be while he was suffering for Jesus that he would do the great things (speaking to the Jews, speaking to the children of Israel, and speaking to kings).

Here’s where this concept comes to your front door. Just as Ananias was to tell Paul that he was a chosen vessel, so you are part of a chosen generation. No ordinary child. You are royalty, remember? A unique part of God’s forever family. But there’s a catch: just like Paul, you will suffer many things on the way to your destiny being fulfilled.

Pain is guaranteed. The Bible says that the rain falls on the evil and the good alike (Matthew 5:45). Part of living on this fallen planet cursed by sin is that trials are inherent. That’s just the way it is.

What about for the child of God? What happens when you give your life to Jesus Christ? The difficulties ramp up to a whole other level.

Jesus said that He wants us to shine brightly. He didn’t just say,

I am the light of the world. — John 8:12;

He also said,

You are the light of the world. — Matthew 5:14, emphasis added

Daniel said that those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever (Daniel 12:3). Guess what? God wants to make a star out of you. That’s wonderful — but as the great theologian Spider-Man said, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

The enemy is not going to let you capture his flag without some serious flak. When you stand up as a Christian, attempt to share your faith, and live to see lost people won, you’ll invite suffering, persecution, and opposition your way. This is why Paul told Timothy,

All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. — 2 Timothy 3:12

Adversity is going to happen. In fact, it’s part of your calling. We’re told in 1 Thessalonians 3:3,

No one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. (emphasis added).

Jesus warned His followers that the world hates Him, and if you’re trying to follow Him, the world’s going to hate you too.

Selah, think on this

Connie

Part 3 Crushed Like an Olive next post.

Or go to https://www.faithgateway.com/pain-is-a-microphone

Do You Write? Are You a Writer?

When Can You Call Yourself a Writer? 

Guest Post by Jerry Jenkins

Do you ever wonder whether you’re really worthy to call yourself a writer?

You have a deep desire to impact people with your words.

But doubt creeps in and you ask yourself:

• “What makes me a writer? I’ve never published anything, let alone a book.”

• “What I have written is no good. I’m not even sure I should be doing this.”

• “I can’t honestly call myself a writer. I’m nowhere near good enough!”

Sound familiar?

If you let it, that voice will keep you from ever sharing your message with the world. So let’s fight the voice of doubt with a dose of truth.

How Does a Person Actually Become a Writer?

Every once in a great while you’ll hear of someone who decided to write something, or was badgered into it, and surprised everyone by becoming known as a writer.

But, usually, becoming a writer takes a normal course. You become a writer the way you become a bicyclist or a gymnast or a dancer, singer, cook, or plumber.

See where I’m headed with this?

You walk—and trip and tumble and plop—before you run.

Your bike tips over and you skin your knee, perhaps a dozen times, before you catch on to riding a bike.

You ruin a lot of recipes, burn cakes and pies and assorted fowl and bovine, before you become a cook.

You soak your clothes and floors and everything else in sight before you learn the ins and outs of plumbing.

Being bad at something we want to succeed at is part of the process. It’s how we pay our dues.

If you’re not willing to fail, to stink, to be lousy, to make mistakes, to accept correction and criticism and counsel from experts, you’re not likely to progress.

So When Can You Call Yourself a Writer?

As soon as you’re willing to dive in—regardless how good or bad you are.

Just do me one favor:

Don’t decide you’re not a writer before you’ve mustered the courage to try.

Accept that you will be bad at first, just like we all are at everything we try for the first time. Humility is not only a good starting point, it’s the posture to adopt for your writing career.

Wannabe Vs. Writer

But if you’re only talking about being a writer, only reading blogs about it, only going to writers conferences, hobnobbing with writers, dressing like a writer (whatever you think that means), you’re not a writer. You’re a wannabe.

Wannabes talk about writing. Writers write. They may not write well yet, but they write.

When your seat is in the chair and your fingers are on the keyboard and the words are appearing on the screen, you’re in the game.

Otherwise, you’re talking, but no one is listening.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be a writer.

But if you want to call yourself a writer, you have to write.

Do You Have the Right Stuff?

I can tell within the first minute of critiquing a writing student’s work whether they have what it takes to succeed.

How?

I’m not mean, but I’m straightforward. I assume they want honest input on how to improve, and so I tell them. It can be hard to hear.

Their expression and body language tell me immediately whether they are eager to learn and grow or if they were merely hoping to be discovered.

I know it’s hard.

It can be scary to show your work to a professional, even more so to an editor or publisher who will decide whether to buy it or reject it.

But real writers want the feedback. They want to get better, to learn, to grow, to succeed.

Are You a Writer?

If you’ve failed and are still writing, if you’re scared and are still writing, if you’ve stood up to a stinging critique and made your piece better by applying what you learned, if you’ve stayed at it despite that pervasive fear of failure, you are!

How do you know when you’re really a writer?

When you’re writing. Good, bad, fearfully, courageously—regardless.

If you’re in the game and plying your trade, say it loud and say it proud:

I am a writer.

My response: 

YES! I am a writer. I love sharing life lessons. I love learning how to do it better. I am an encourager through spoken and written words.

I am still the seven-year-old who wrote stories in her head every night before falling asleep. Only now I write them down. And I am a forever student. Improving my skills includes sitting in silence while listening and watching what's happening around me. 

My last published story was written after sitting in my recliner with no sounds to distract me. I watched the robins in the tree outside my window. After a while, I looked deeper and was entranced by the dance of the trees. I moved to the computer and wrote "A Touch of Red." 

My writing was by choice when I was young. At age 60, it became a calling/a ministry.

YES, I Am a writer!

Pitiful Pearl

 

Illustrator William Steig was the creator of Pitiful Pearl. 

In the 1950s, Pitiful Pearl left the page and became a popular doll.

        For as long as I can remember, I associated her with this song from the 1940s:

I'M A LONELY LITTLE PETUNIA IN AN ONION PATCH 

Of all the saddest words 

That I have ever heard 

The saddest is the story 

Told me by a bird 

He had spent about an hour 

Chatting with a flower 

and here ís the tale the flower told

I'm a lonely little petunia in an onion patch, 

an onion patch, an onion patch 

I'm a lonely little petunia in an onion patch 

and all I do is cry all day 

Boo hoo, boo hoo.

Listen at :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8p4u7ZcOWnA

I relate to poor Pearl for in the last year or so I have had quite a few lonely, boo hoo days. 

Since I have been dealing with multiple health issues, those days have increased. 

Chronic illness can take the stuffin' right out of you: little or no energy, no stamina, 

fatigue and whatever symptoms are causing your limitations, including pain.

I came up with a way that helps me get out of the onion patch. It allows me to be that

lovely petunia, who is able to say, "Be gone, Pitiful Pearl!"

The next post I'll share my Pity Party Bashers

Selah-

Connie

.

Turning Over a New Page of Life

Dear Reader,

In spite of circumstances related to health issues, my writing has been sporadic.

However, I now have an incentive: Through Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild I have just joined a group of 5-6. We will help each other, encourage one another, hold one another accountable and do critiques. 

We're just setting up a system that will work for various time zones.

One is 37 & I think I'm the oldest... we're still getting to know one another. But the mix seems good: 2 men & 4 ladies. Mostly non-fiction writers.

The Guild also provides teaching and resources for success.

My glass is half full & I'm not giving up.

Erma Bombeck said it well: "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would have not a single bit of talent left and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'"