I like what Jen Hatmaker had to say in chapter 2, page 26, "...the truth is, we approach God's Word without any strategies to make it come alive." When I first read this I realized just how true that statement is. I've always look at the Bible as something, obviously, very important. I knew God had given it to all of us as sort of a manual for how to live our lives, how we should treat ourselves as well as others, to know how to get to know Him more. It's a book like no other out there today. … [Read more...]
Week 1 Day 1 (On my journey…)
Today there were some really great insights the author, Jen Hatmaker, made in chapter 1 of her book A Modern Girl's Guide to Bible Study. On page 16, "God never intended for His Word to be tidy, hands-off package with crisp edges and a wealth of mysteries that we set aside until Sunday morning." And on page 14, "The insights of the Bible are not reserved for pastors, their wives, and Billy Graham." Psalm 119:130 NIV "The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the … [Read more...]
Deadlines
I'll be honest, I don't think I've ever had a job where I had constant deadlines for things. Don't get me wrong, for obvious reasons you will always have deadlines in any job you do it's just how many you might have. However, I'm hoping that will change very soon as I continue to write my novels and working my way to be published where the publisher will have deadlines for when editing must be done and the different things that will be required to get a book out for publication. In a way, I'm … [Read more...]
How often do you go back for seconds?
Man, I wish I could say never because I know I'd be a lot thinner than I am now. I remember when I was in my teens to early 20's being able to eat whatever I like and as much of it as I wanted. And then that pesky metabolism decided to start slowing down when I was around 24/25 year-old and I slowly gained some weight. It wasn't terrible but I could no longer fit into my size 10 pants that I'd worn since I hit puberty. After having Mari, that's where I gain the most weight like so many other … [Read more...]
Feeling Un-hopeless
Un-hopeless. Nope. Not a word. However, I think it's obvious what it mean. In life we have those times where it seems like whatever is going on we feel hopeless or we can't control what's going on around us. But when we think about it do we really ever control anything? On the surface, it may appear that we are in control. But what if our carefully laid plans all of a sudden take an unexpected turn. Do we feel hopeless? Is all lost because it didn't go the way we wanted? The answer is no. When … [Read more...]
Day 123: An Empty Swimming Pool
Life. The unexpectable waiting around any corner for us to come and find it. Yet, so many of us fight the unknown. It can scare the you-know-what out of us, and its even worse for those we affectionately call “control freak.” It’s in their nature to try to stay in control of everything. However, life has a way of deciding when and where it will take us. It’s like a pool that sits right in your backyard. You know it like the back of your hand. You swim in it every day as it brings you … [Read more...]
Day 107: A Love Story
Great loves of our life. Depending on the person, there can be many great loves or only a few to maybe only just one. For me, my first great love is for my Heavenly Father in heaven. It is through Him all things are possible. My next great love is for my husband Keith. In my childhood there were many kinds of abuse that happened to me and as a result shaped who I am today, or at least partly shaped. I don't have the greatest self-esteem. I have issues with letting go of control. I don't … [Read more...]
Day 88: From the Desk of God
This one is interesting. When we write we are writing out what is playing in our heads. Read this section from the book: "Writing a novel is like living in a parallel universe. A universe that, unlike reality, you can more or less control. Every day, you find your characters sitting around like polite house-guests waiting to see what you have planned for them. It can be exhilarating on good days, and on other days so difficult and frustrating you think your head might explode. But if you keep … [Read more...]
Day 84: How to Be a Writer
There's an age-old saying that says "patience is a virtue." However, God skipped the boat with me on that front. Sometimes I can feel the frustration boiling up to where my lid could blow a hole through the roof. I know my voice can suddenly shoot up to screaming in a second. This has been a flaw of mine since I can remember. Through all of this, God decided in His infinite wisdom that I could handle a blond hair, Caribbean blue-eyed beautiful little girl who happened to have severe classic … [Read more...]
Day 3: The Holy Calling
Its amazing sometimes how God works. Many say His ways are mysterious. The bottom line, no matter how much we want to control every thing, we simply do not know His plan for all of our lives. His plan is greater than any of us can fathom. For me this hit me head on like a Mac truck (I know clique but it's true) when God decided to answer our prayers about healing my precious baby girl by telling us all no, that it was time to bring her home to heaven where she will be free from autism. God … [Read more...]