Thursday, December 31, 2020

Bless the Lord

 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”  Psalm 103:1

We are standing on the threshold of another new year. The past year has brought sorrow and happiness to each of our lives. Events and memories that we carry forward as we face new challenges. Even though we can’t foresee what lies ahead, we can be assured that we won’t face it alone. Our Lord knows the future and walks with us.

The book of Psalms is of particular comfort to me when I am troubled. The Psalms flow with such emotion. Prayers and praise. They speak of real life and the struggle of reaching out to God, but also give us the encouragement to walk closely with Him. Hope and peace are found in the Lord and we can celebrate His goodness. When everything around us seems to crumble and despair overwhelms our hearts, lift His name in praise. Bless His holy name.

Some of the most memorized and quoted verses of the Bible are found in the book of Psalms. They offer light and truth. A balm to our hurts and fill our hearts with song during our personal worship time.

Many of the Psalms have become “scripture songs” that contain a partial or entire direct quote of scripture. These songs are short and designed for easy memorization so they can be sung as long as the Spirit moves. Andrae Crouch wrote such a song, Bless His Holy Name, using Psalm 103:1 in 1973. It became a staple of his repertoire and is still a blessing today. 

My prayer for everyone is that, whatever we find in the days to come, we will realize the blessings of God in our lives. That there will be comfort found in the Word of God, love found with family and friends, and hope found in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for giving me another year. Help me live each day as a reflection of You.

 

Friday, December 25, 2020

Savior

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” — John 3: 16-17

Every year, the Christmas season brings a flurry of new holiday movies with the hope that they will become new favorites and join the classics that return for another repeat performance. While the Spirit of Christmas is captured, not all tell the true story. The religious story. Christ’s story.

Recently, I had the chance to watch a cute, animated, film that originally appeared in movie theaters in November of 2017 — The Star. The main character is a little donkey who dreams of becoming a part of the royal caravan. Through a series of events, he ends up with Mary and Joseph at the stable. There, he realizes that the king he was destined to serve is his creator. 

Amidst the chaos and confusion, trials and troubles, the Savior came. God’s gift to the world. His one and only son, Jesus. Our Redeemer. 

So many people looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. Just like the little donkey, they dreamed of being part of a royal caravan. An earthly kingdom. Only a handful of shepherds found their way to the stable to bow before the true king. 

God so loved, He gave. Wholly and freely, He gave. Salvation from sin, offered to all.

Dear Lord, 
Thank you for loving me so much. Help me live a life that reflects You.


Sunday, December 20, 2020

"His Name is Wonderful"

 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God , The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”  — Isaiah 9:6

The Christmas season is my favorite time of year. Memories of my childhood flood my mind with every Christmas song I hear. Those especially close to my heart are the hymns. Christmas Eve candlelight services and the joy of the children’s programs carry their own special blessing. There is a peace and closeness to the Savior that gives comfort in the midst of a troubled world.

Too often, we get caught up in the material side of the season. The gift-giving, the party-going, and the decorations. While these are fun, they can also distract from the purpose of celebration. Many times, we can fall short in our gift-giving, but God gave us His most precious and perfect gift. His Son.

One of my favorite hymns, “His Name is Wonderful,” was composed by Audrey Mieir in 1955. Watching the children’s Nativity scene during their Christmas program at church and following the sermon afterward, went deep into her soul. At the conclusion of reading the scripture Isaiah 9:6, her pastor lifted his hands, closed his eyes, and said “His name is wonderful.” Mrs. Mieir quickly wrote the words on the flyleaf of her Bible three times, then added the name of her Lord. A few days later, she completed all of the music and a fuller description of Jesus.

Not only are the words of this song a personal testimony of the relationship between Mrs. Mieir and Jesus, but it also captures the testimony of every Christian. How praiseworthy He is. Let us bow down, love, and adore Him.

Audrey Mieir died in 1996 at the age of 80. Some of her last words were: “‘His Name is Wonderful’ will outlive the chubby human hands chosen to write a few black notes on five lines and four spaces. But it will never outlive the Father who glories in His Son’s name and who glories in our praise.”

Dear Lord,
     You are the Word made flesh and I’m filled with wonder and praise. I bow before Your throne of grace and proclaim You King.

Monday, December 14, 2020

A little bit of everything good!

Anthologies

Blackbirds First Flight
By Various Authors

⇨ An unhappy wife can't decide what to do about her boorish husband until an uneaten meal gives her a dark idea...
⇨ Something is raising zombies in Tulsa, and Justina Grave is the only one who can stop it...
⇨ When a fat farm promises to make Edyth thin again, her dream comes true. She will never be fat again—or safe...
⇨ Hopping a freight train can be a cheap way to travel. Unless you pick the wrong boxcar...
⇨ One kiss gives Francois immortality, but at a cost he doesn't see coming...
⇨ A woman warrior must choose her fate as the Romans ravage her land...
⇨ Stalked by terrible creatures seeking vengeance, a band of robbers runs for their lives in medieval France...
This anthology will lead you into dark, twisted places filled with mystery and delight. Enjoy thrilling stories and chilling poems by authors Stephen B. Bagley, Kent Bass, Wendy Blanton, Gail Henderson, Tamara Siler Jones, and Jean Schara.
Buy on Amazon


Blackbirds Second Flight
by Various Authors
Enjoy new dark and twisted stories and poems from Stephen B. Bagley, Wendy Blanton, Gail Henderson, Ken Lewis, Jean Schara, and Heath Stallcup
Buy on Amazon







Blackbirds Third Flight
by Various Authors
Enjoy these dark fantasies:
✥ A dead girl asks one final question.
✥ A young man rides a forbidden dragon.
✥ With claw and fang, Malone will fight.
✥ Justina Grave battles a dangerous witch.
✥ A father faces his family's terrible secret.
✥ The end of the world begins in a backyard.
✥ A predator prowls on Halloween night.
✥ Thunder Mountain will kill the careless.
✥ Learn the final truth of the Tooth Fairy.
✥ A wolf reveals the face of the true beast.
And much more in this anthology of thrilling tales and poetry from Kathy Akins, Stephen B. Bagley, Wendy Blanton, Michael Canton, D.E. Chandler, Erin Cochran, Gail Henderson, Mariana Llanos, Jean Schara, and Heath Stallcup.
Buy on Amazon


Prosateurs: Tales & Truth 
by the Prosateurs
Enjoy articles, essays, memoirs, poems, recipes, short stories, and more from members of the Prosateurs writing group, including
➼ 13 Ways to be More Creative in your life.
How NOT to curse like a sailor.
➼ A daughter endures her mother melting away.
What's alive in that garage can?
➼ How to bake a Fruit Cocktail Cake.
Relish a sonnet for Autumn.
➼ Learn the amazing secret of the Thanksgiving Tree.
How do you deal with doubt?
➼ An Air Force wife confronts her future.
Special Bonus: Prosateurs share Writing Tips.
And much more!
Buy on Amazon!


Yule Tidings

by the Prosateurs

The Prosateurs celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's with articles, devotionals, essays, memoirs, poems, recipes, short stories, including:
Be the Hostess with the Mostest!
Enjoy Tasty Christmas Sausage Balls
Awake Prayer and Thanksgiving!
Marvel at the Ancient Yuletide Origins!

Listen to the Christmas Bells Sing!
Survive the Holidays with Ease!
When Does One Plus One Equal Eleven?
The Other Serving Girl Tells her Tale!
The Turducken Hits the Fan!
Realize You're Not Poor at All!

And much more!
Buy on Amazon!
Buy on Lulu!
Buy on Barnes & Noble!
Buy on BooksAMillion!




Sunday, October 4, 2020

Love Them Anyway

“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

I am a dog person. There has been at least one in my household as far back as I can remember. Always my special companion and best friend. Growing up in the country, we also had cats, but they were designated as “barn cats.” I interacted with them in a totally different way than with my dogs. I liked them, but on a different level of understanding.

A year ago, a little orange and white kitten decided that he would adopt my family. This included six dogs, one of which detested cats. Knowing the danger he faced, I did my best to run him off. After an unsuccessful month, I made him an appointment with the vet to have him neutered and vaccinated. He would be part of the family in spite of the difficulties ahead.

As I have watched the attitude changes from hostility to tolerance, to acceptance, to playfulness, I realized that Christians deal with some of the same attitudes with each other. Yes, we are all part of the family of God, but our personalities don’t automatically mesh because of it. We are still individuals with likes and dislikes that sometimes cause hurt feelings when complaints are given voice to.
 
How do we, as followers of Christ, overcome the hurt or hard feelings toward a fellow believer? We must make demonstrating the love of Jesus toward others our first priority. We all suffer from imperfection. We still fail to obey God at times. When another believer has offended us, love allows us to overlook the hurt and build each other up.

Keep using God’s gifts to serve one another. It is difficult for resentment to flourish in a community that is rich in Christ-like love. Just like my dogs accepted the cat and his quirky personality, Christians can accept that God calls us according to His purpose and each person has a place in the family. 

Dear Lord,
Thank you for my community of fellow believers. Help me overcome any past hurts and encourage them through Your power.

Sunday, August 9, 2020

Despite being "social distanced," Paul writes of joy

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 3:14 (KJV) 

August. Usually, the hottest month of our Oklahoma summer and the beginning of a new school year. The time when life settles back into a routine. Teachers, parents, and children look forward to it. But, this is 2020 and we are still dealing with the pandemic. 

Social distancing seems to be the most effective way to limit the spread of this virus. However, humans are social creatures, and the “distancing” is starting to take a toll on many of us.

I have recently taken up the challenge to read through the book of Philippians every day for three weeks. Each day, I write down five things I learn from my reading.

This book has always been a favorite of mine because Paul writes so encouragingly to the church of Philippi. His affection for and appreciation of these believers is evident. 

Writing from a Roman prison, Paul has been forced into an extreme “social distancing” situation but still finds joy in the Lord. His faithfulness to Christ opened the door to others, who would not have heard the Gospel otherwise.

Paul portrayed Jesus Christ as a humble servant. This is the core of his teachings in this letter to the Philippians as he urges believers to live out their faith in joy and unity. 

Living in harmony can only come through mutual humility as modeled by Jesus Christ.

Centering our lives on Christ Jesus will allow true joy to fill our lives. As we pursue the spiritual prize promised by God, the strife and troubles of this earth will fade in importance and our peace will increase.

Let us be content in our circumstances, for we know they are temporary, and find joy in the Lord.

Dear Lord, Thank you for reminding me that the troubles of this world are temporary and true joy comes from You.  

Saturday, July 4, 2020

The Cost of Libery

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."ー Galatians 5:1  (KJV)

As we celebrate July 4th, 2020, our nation seems to be consumed with fear and controversy. Historic figures and statues honoring leaders of our past are being dismantled and defaced. An effort to erase the ugly parts of our nation’s history has exposed the dangerous attitude that all citizens should be held accountable for the dreadful actions of a few.

When compared to other nations of the world, America is still a new country. The principles established by the Continental Congress were drawn from a strongly held belief that liberty was a gift from God. This gift should be available to all people. It was a gift worth fighting for – and dying for.

Our 66th U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, defined America like this:
“The essence of America – that which really unites us – is not ethnicity, or nationality, or religion. It is an idea – and what an idea it is: that you can come from humble circumstances and do great things. That it doesn’t matter where you came from, but where you are going.”

I love my country and am blessed that God saw fit to put me in this place and time. My concern for the chaos reported daily by news media, is that those trying to destroy the past will doom us to repeat it. History must be remembered to learn from the mistakes made.

Without God, we are destined to continue through life in turmoil. Ultimate liberty can only be found in Christ. He has already paid the highest price for our freedom and offers it as a free gift. In the confusion of world events, Christ offers peace.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for the peace and freedom from the chaos of this world. I pray that others will see you in me.

Sunday, June 21, 2020

A True Father

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” — 3 John 4

As I pondered the Father’s Day celebration this month, many memories of my own father flooded my mind. Wonderful memories of a man who took his role as a husband and father seriously. I’m sure he stumbled and had faults. He was human. But, through this daughter’s eyes, he could fix any problem, mend any hurt, and protect against any enemy. He was my dad.

When we look at biblical fathers, the one that stands out for me is Joseph. Perhaps one of the most overlooked, yet greatest examples of a true father. His role was crucial in God’s plan for Jesus to fulfill His earthly destiny. Without Joseph, a pregnant Mary would not have had protection and Jesus would have been denied the love and leadership of a man of God.

God chose Joseph because he had a strong love for the Lord. That love would support Jesus’ formal and informal learning as he grew. Joseph’s involvement in the physical, spiritual, and emotional well being of Jesus had a great impact.

Just like Joseph, today’s fathers can continue to set an example for their children. Daily choices and actions teach and every decision affects the future of a child.

It is difficult for children to begin to understand the heart of God without the leadership of a man who loves and fears and worships the Lord.

In his book, How to Raise Your Children for Christ, Andrew Murray said “Every experience of the love and blessing of a home on earth can be a ladder by which to rise up and get nearer to the Great Father-heart in heaven.”

As a father, each man plays a distinct and important role in the lives and future of the children God placed in his care

Dear Lord, Thank you for placing a true father in my life, His example pointed to You always.

Sunday, May 10, 2020

A Praying Mother Lifts Up Her Children

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and to minister.” Hebrews 6:10 (KJV)

Much good can and has been said about a woman who prays. Evidence of a prayerful heart is carried through her attitude toward others and in dealing with daily life events. But a praying mother lifts her children up to the Lord in an unceasing labor of love.

One of the most popular examples of a praying mother in the Bible is Hannah, the mother of Samuel. She shows us that even when things are hard to see and understand what God is doing, we can be confident that He hears our prayers and is at work. Hannah was faithful and committed to God’s plan and sovereignty.

A more modern example of a praying mother is Susanna Wesley. She bore 19 children, but only 10 survived infancy. Of the surviving children, were three sons: Samuel, John, and Charles. The family faced poverty and hunger, accidents, and illness. Still, Susanna prayed for her children and led them in family devotions. She educated them for six hours per day of home school but was also intent on making her children disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. She too was faithful and committed to God’s plan and sovereignty.

These two women were centuries apart, but they had these things in common with today’s praying mothers:
● They knew to take their concerns and problems to the Lord.
● They knew that God’s timing is always perfect.
● They knew that God has the power and ability to work on their behalf.
● They believed God would do what He said He would do and He has the final word.
● They praised God for His faithfulness.

Just as God never changes, we can be confident that He hears our prayers and is at work. He is secure and holds us steady, even when we can’t see past the present situation.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for the blessing of a praying mother and the love and example she gave.