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  • Light shines brightest in darkness

    “In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it” — John 1:4–5/Amp.

    Do you realize that you speak words of Light and Life to many in darkness? As men and women of God, each of us holds within us a special, unique tale to tell. Consider: If I don’t speak, then who will?    

    Light shines on pinecones (photo by Steve Lasher)
    Light shines on pinecones (photo by Steve Lasher)

    You may feel like no one is reading, listening, or appreciating the message you share. But many are reading your words, given by God, to touch and encourage hurting hearts. Truth spoken in love may bolster someone who feels worthless. Your words can give a teenager reason to feel beautiful or give a prisoner hope.

    Just yesterday two people commented on how much they appreciated my Facebook posts and my blog. Those affirming words will help sustain me into another week of sometimes thankless wordsmithing. You and I may never know every person who reads our content. But God promises that his word will not return void — meaning those words possess the power to transform lives.

    You are making a difference in this oftentimes cold and cruel world. Your light shines brightest in the darkness. So don’t give up.

    ***

  • Maintain a steady course

    Winter Wonderland Creekside (photo by Steve Lasher)
    Winter Wonderland Creekside (photo by Steve Lasher)

    “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me” — Psalm 13:5–6 (NIV).

    Feeling a bit in the dumps today? Unloved? Unrecognized? Unmotivated? One five letter word may be what you need to hear and focus on. T-R-U-S-T. Trust in God, his unfailing love, and the gift of free salvation.

    In the Old Testament, God brought Moses and the Israelites through the wilderness, out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. The journey involved bumps, doubts, and inevitable pain. This may be what you’ve experienced with your writing career journey. Both acceptances and rejections are part of an overall plan.

    Rather than remain bogged down in the negatives, why not choose to celebrate mini-victories along the way.

    • Maybe you received a thank you for a heartfelt note you wrote to a friend in need. Success!
    • What about an article you researched and later published in a church newsletter? Victory!
    • You volunteered to facilitate the discussion in your small group meeting — another success!

      Winter berries (photo by Steve Lasher)
      Winter berries (photo by Steve Lasher)

    God is there congratulating and encouraging you to keep on writing and telling your unique story. Don’t give up; rather continue to keep trusting God through the slow and tough times. You’ll be glad you did!

    “I’ve thrown myself headlong into your arms — I’m celebrating your rescue. I’m singing at the top of my lungs, I’m so full of answered prayers” — Psalm 13:5–6 (The Message).

  • Endless circle

    “Will it hurt?” I ask
    He casually remarks,
    “Hopefully not;
    I’ve done this before.”
    “Well, this is my first time.”
    “Your finger’s quite swollen and red.”
    “Yes, it was injured.”

    A special tool
    Slices back and forth
    Vise grips pull apart
    The constricting band
    Leaving a noticeable indent
    Upon my skin
    I try to be brave

    Circle … broken now    
    Tears flow
    37 years ago
    Pastor raised this wedding band
    In front of God & witnesses
    “See, this ring has no beginning/end
    A continuous, endless circle”

    At this moment,
    there is a beginning & end
    Have I failed my commitment?
    I reason …
    ‘Tis only an object,
    a mere piece of gold
    With a touch of bling

    37 years mingled with …
    Joy
    Pain
    Doubt
    Guilt
    Elation
    Contentment

    Even though the symbolic circle’s
    Been visibly broken
    The severing cannot eradicate
    Blessings of children & grandchildren
    Adventures together
    Near-death experiences and
    Faithfulness within marriage

    The one who cut my ring
    Cannot take my soul or
    Erase memories
    It’s not really about the ring
    But about the person and
    Commitment to my mate
    And to marriage itself

  • Comfort one another

    “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” —
    2 Corinthians 1:3–4.

    We need each other. God created us to work through and live out our faith in community. When one member is down and experiencing defeat, rejection, or depression, God provides a shoulder to lean on — sometimes through another person.

    The reality is that there will be suffering. But this verse also promises the Father of compassion will be there to comfort us. And when we feel that comfort ourselves, it comes naturally to share that same comfort with a friend who is down or discouraged. This type of compassion is even more authentic when you have experienced a similar trial.

    In my writer’s group, we all bring various talents and experiences to the table. Some authors have experienced great trauma in their past; others walk through troubled waters now.  In our groups, we have married and single members, others have children and grandchildren. Yet, we share a common bond as we wait on God, his perfect timing for publication, and just the right location to see each individual story in print.

    Comfort one another

    There is not a sorrow or a joy that goes unnoticed by God. He can use each up and down in our life to encourage another. He delights when we share our emotions and encourage each other to rely on him and not on our own methods or strength.

    Dear God, Thank you for guiding me and shielding me through past times of turmoil. I need to keep on trusting in the midst of today’s circumstances. Nothing is wasted because you can use every high and low for your glory. Every day weaves a new piece of the tapestry called Life. Thank you for giving me comfort. And thank you for also providing comfort in the form of another compassionate person just when I needed it. Amen.

  • One corner at a time

    “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way” —
    Martin Luther King, Jr.

    Sometimes I find myself thinking big ideas. For instance, I gaze around my home office and dream about what it could look like. Visions of neatly, categorized books, periodicals, DVDs line freshly painted walls. Pens, colored pencils, paperclips all stand at attention ready for the artist’s hand to reach for them at any given moment.

    When I open my eyes, all I really see are piles and stacks of books, magazines, hard copies of stories and chapters started with perfectly good intentions. Christmas bags and cards remind me of the holiday past. Clean laundry unfolded but not put away stare at me from another corner. The tasks before me feel overwhelming. I sit and stare. Nothing gets accomplished.

    Then I begin to daydream — what if I organized my floor to ceiling bookcase, giving away books I’ve already read and probably won’t read again, dusting and putting items in some form of order so I might find them again. I could just get rid of this jam-packed cabinet and move in a comfortable chair to cozy up in during break time. Maybe read a book or write something poetic in a relaxed position.

    So much to plow through and so little energy and time. It would be impossible to organize every nook and cranny of my office or query every targeted publication in one day or even one week.  

    But I can work through one pile at a time. One corner at a time. I can set a goal to send an article idea to one or two editors a week. I can share my goals with my writer’s group and they will hold me accountable.

    “For nothing is impossible with God” — Luke 1:37

  • Fashion Tip of the day

    “I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!
    For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation
    and draped me in a robe of righteousness.
    I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit
    or a bride with her jewels.
    The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world.
    Everyone will praise him!
    His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring,
    with plants springing up everywhere” — Isaiah 61:10– 11 (NLT).

  • His grace is an ocean

    “And we are His portion and He is our prize
    Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
    If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking
    And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss
    And my heart turns violently inside of my chest

    I don’t have time to maintain these regrets
    When I think about the way
    Oh, how He loves us, oh
    Oh, how He loves us, how He loves all …” — How He Loves Us, by David Crowder band

    I recently listened to this song several times. I still have a hard time comprehending or beginning to understand the depth and immensity of God’s love. For me. For you. For humankind … knowing we often fail to show our love toward God. I say and do things I know displeases and makes him sad.

    Grace. Forgiveness. Love. All these characteristics are clearly evident in God. I claim this New Year — 2013 — to be a year of fresh starts. How about you?

    Dear God, I chose to be more aware of your love for me, my family and friends. I chose to recognize daily and even minute-by-minute blessings you freely give. I chose to learn more of you in your love letter, the Bible. I ask for your strength to accomplish these activities. Without you, I can do nothing. Amen.

    ***

  • New Year’s Resolutions

    Last year I did some rotten things.
    This year I will be better.
    Here are some resolutions
    I will follow to the letter:

    I won’t make dumb excuses
    when my homework isn’t done;
    when the truth is that I did no work
    ‘cause I was having fun.

    I won’t fly paper airplanes
    when the teacher isn’t looking.
    I won’t sneak in the kitchen
    just to taste what they are cooking.

    I will not twist the silverware
    to see how far it bends.
    I will not take the candy bars
    from lunch bags of my friends.

    I will not skateboard down the hall
    or skateboard down the stairs.
    I won’t run over teachers,
    and I won’t crash into chairs.

    I will not do these rotten things;
    my heart is full of sorrow.
    But I have got some brand-new tricks
    to try in school tomorrow.  [by Bruce Lansky]

  • Vicks VapoRub = comfort & healing

    Just opening the blue jar of Vicks VapoRub® brings back fond memories of my Mom. Whenever I was sick, she would gently rub the ointment on my throat and chest and carefully cover the area with a towel. Then I’d top the cloth with a tee shirt or pajamas – something to keep the healing vapors in place.

    As I rub the balm in today as an adult, I consider this downtime a waste of time. I should be going somewhere/doing something. Yet, due to a nasty cold, I’m resigned to coughing, blowing my nose and taking medications. I feel unproductive and count these days as lost. But are they really? I’ve been able to enjoy time at home watching movies with my husband who is also sick.

    Days spent horizontal can be rejuvenating. There’s nowhere to look but up! And maybe that’s why I’m down. I’ve been in such a panic to make the holidays special that I’ve failed at the most important item: always remembering the Christ that makes Christmas possible.

    The season should be all about Him (not decorated cookies, presents, or visitors). Since the noise has diminished, hecticness subsided, quiet reigns around me now. As I lay facing the ceiling, I realize what I missed. Chats (in the form of prayer) with my heavenly Father and time spent reading from my Bible.

    God is the one who grants me breath, health and life. I’m not promised tomorrow. But I do have this day on earth to rejoice and give Him the glory — even if it’s spent in bed or on the couch.

    Prayer: God, thank you that I am alive. I don’t feel well, but I can still find a reason to be thankful. Amen.

  • The gift that keeps on giving

    “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” –
    2 Corinthians 9:15