Whoever pursues righteousness and love
finds life, prosperityand honor.

Today we thank you (all military active, veterans, those we have lost in combat and their families) for your sacrifice, for your pursue of righteousness and freedom for all of us. We will never forget.

May God Bless you,

Happy Memorial Day!

Paula slowly threw her leg over the rail. She looked at the water, it seemed so peaceful. All of the sudden she felt a tug on her other leg. Something was stuck to her pants, it was dark and she was not sure of what it was, but she just continued to feel the tug in the cuff or her pants. She returned the leg back inside. She couldn’t believe her eyes, it was a dog.

Part of the reason why she couldn’t see it well it was because the dog was black. It was a dachshund. She couldn’t believe a dog that small could have cling to her legs strong enough to stop her from jumping. She sat in the ground looking at the dog. She quickly noticedwhen the dog sat in front of her,  that it was a female dog.

“Hey sweetie, why are you out here? It’s so cold” Paula starred patting her head.  She continued to talk to her new found friend. “Did you escape? Or where you thrown out to life like me? “Paula started to cry again. The dog walked to her and started liking her hands that were covering her face.

“I wish you could understand how sad I am. I wish I could tell you all I have gone through. I also wish you would have let me jump; all this pain would finally be over.  I’ve lost everything! I lost my parents, my job, my health, my boyfriend! I don’t have anything left to hold on to” Paula continued telling her story to the little dog as she jumped in her lap and settled herself between Paula’s legs. She started whining as she placed her little head over Paula’s knee. Paula pat her one more time.

Paula’s heart melted to the tenderness of this little animal. She felt so unloved, afraid and sad yet somehow as she sat on the ground, in the cold in the middle of nowhere, she felt at peace. Every time Paula pet the dog, she would wag her tail making Paula smile at the cuteness of this little dog.  Paula finally looked at the tag and it read, “Hope”. There was no phone number, address or an owner’s name in the tag.

“So your name is Hope” Paula said looking at the little dog still cuddled in her lap. She took a deep breath and said, “Ok Hope, I guess you’re right…all I have is you and hope, hope that just like you who appeared to save my life out of the nowhere, things will work out somehow.”  Paula got up from the ground hugging her new best friend, trying to warm her up with her own body with the hopes that after reaching the bottom things couldn’t go anywhere but up.

Sometimes just is the little things that matter the most. When you find yourself hopeless, look around…God is always handing out bits of Hope… Be blessed!

HOPE 

Paula left her apartment convinced that she was not going to return. She wasn’t sure of what she was going to do or where she was headed, but she knew that her chest was tight and she felt like she couldn’t breathe anymore. So many things had happened in the last year that she felt like she was at the end of her rope.

She was walking down the street.  It was dark outside, but there were no clouds. All the stars were distinctively able to be seen in plain sight. It was somewhat windy, but the pain in her heart was so big that she didn’t feel the cold in her body, even though she was not wearing a coat. It was so late that there was not another soul outside. She started running and running, almost as if she were trying to escape from herself, but the pain in her heart was so heavy that the more she ran the more it hurt.

Like a movie flashing in front of her eyes, the last year of her life was playing in front of her. First was the tragic accident in which both of her parents died. She had just had dinner with them at a restaurant, but she decided to allow them to take a cab back home because she was meeting her boyfriend later. She blamed herself, if she had driven them home, maybe they would be alive.

There was also the problem with her health, she had been feeling these crazy pains in her body. She thought she was too young for all these aches. She finally decided to go to the doctor and was diagnosed with RA.  How could she have arthritis and she was just approaching thirty? She was in constant pain; and it  made it hard for her to get up in the mornings to go to work. It was hard to stay in bed for long periods of time; it was hard to stay seated for long periods of time. The medication helped some, and it seemed to make the pain less intense, however it didn’t make it go away.

Her job was less than tolerant and with all her absences due to her illness, she started having problems at work. Also, even though she was trying really hard, her productivity had declined because she was constantly not feeling well.  So that morning they had let her go.

Pain and sadness struck her as she walked into her apartment.  Her boyfriend was using her place as his bachelor pad. Paula felt a range of emotions, anger, betrayal, shock and heartbreak. This was a time where she needed him the most. On her drive home she had been hoping to find some comfort in his arms, instead she found treason and another woman.

After he left she sat on the sofa for hours in shock. She didn’t even cry. She couldn’t move. Her mind was racing, but she felt like the world around her had stopped. When the numbness started to fad, she decided that she couldn’t take it anymore and took off running out the door.

Paula ran until she came to a bridge. She stopped to catch her breath. She noticed there were very few cars driving by.  She was panting and as she stood there trying to catch her breath; she  finally started crying. She bent over the rail of the bridge wailing in pain.  She looked at the water and had an idea. Jumping over would be the solution to her problems. She finally would be able to end her pain.

Come back on Wednesday as we get to share the second part and the end of this story of Hope…until then. Be Blessed!

When we fall instead of quickly repenting and quickly returning to the path of righteousness we dwell in our mistake thinking that God can’t forgive “this” one…or “this again”. Like this song says, How many times have you felt like you are just one mistake away from God giving up on you.

We are not perfect beloved, but it is perfect He who we love and serve. He who created us know that we are not perfect and has new mercies for us every new day. He will always welcome you with open arms

Happy Friday!

WF: Worship Friday

As someone who embarked on an unexpected journey of becoming a passionate memoir writing instructor and author at mid-life, I have noted that sometimes people begin backing away from me when they find out what I do. “Is it my breath?” I used to wonder. Perhaps I should carry mints.

Then I discovered that there are more than just a few people in the world who despise having to sit down and write something of significance. Even more shocking to me was  realizing that there are people who hate to read. When I wrote my first novel, Eyelash, I hesitate to tell you how many people said to me, “I only read this book because I know you, but I really enjoyed it! It’s the first actual book I’ve read since college”…or high school…or in the last ten years…or, “This is only the second book I’ve read from cover to cover in twenty years.” Really????

When you are in love with the written word and are aware of how beneficial this is on multiple levels, it is unthinkable that some folks don’t feel the same inclination to curl up with a good book and become completely unaware of the time because they are so engrossed. It is equally unimaginable that everyone doesn’t want to select the important and significant events of their lives and preserve them with their pens for future generations to receive a gift of at least snippets of their family history.

And yet, I must remember that God made each of us with different interests, talents, and drives. I’ll never be able to convince everyone I meet that children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews would someday appreciate knowing more about their ancestors any more than I can convince people that reading is the most amazing escape from the difficulties of everyday life.

What I always attempt to convey, however, is that everyone has a worthy story to share. Sometimes I meet people who believe that their lives have been so dull and mundane, no one would care to read about their experiences. Consequently, they have never had an interest in capturing their memoirs. Then the longer we chat, the more they begin to realize that they really do have interesting stories about the paths they traveled in life.

Consider our stories of faith—how we initially came to faith, how God’s grace has brought us through difficult times and stories which reflect instances when we knew beyond any doubt that God’s presence had a profound impact on the outcomes. Our faith chronicles are the most important stories to pass along from generation to generation. With these documents in hand even the most reluctant reader, many years down the road, will see how God’s love and provision for us through Jesus, gave us lives with peace and purpose. If you preserve your stories for loved ones to read, they will appreciate having a better understanding of you!

Now, where did I leave those mints?

Psalm 90:9 (KJV)…..we spend our years as a tale that is told……

Short bio:

Mary Anne Benedetto is a speaker, blogger, Certified Life writing Instructor, ghostwriter and author of 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!, Eyelash and Never Say Perfect. She enjoys world travel and walking the spectacular South Carolina beaches. Web site: http://www.awriterspresence.com  Blogs:http://www.maryannebenedetto.blogspot.com

and http://www.4womenwholove2travel.blogspot.com

“Be Bold!”

Anyone out there struggle with boldness? Oh, I have no trouble telling either a total stranger or a close friend why they shouldn’t eat junk food or drink pop, but put me in a situation where I could share my faith, and I often freeze up.

This is the polar opposite of how I was brought up. My parents were both born and raised in conservative Mennonite homes in southern Manitoba, Canada. In my dad’s case, in particular, “religious” things weren’t really spoken of. Faith was private. Even in the home, it was assumed that it would be absorbed by osmosis. My dad was a teenager when his mother died. About the last thing she said to him was that she hoped she’d see him again in heaven one day.

My father began searching for answers. It wasn’t enough for him that he’d been baptized into the church as a 12-year-old. That had been about rules, not repentance. He didn’t know if he was going to heaven. He didn’t know how to know, but he was determined to find out. When he and my mother met, they saw in each other a parallel spiritual hunger. They’d both had enough of vagueness.

A group of Mennonite families, including several of my dad’s brothers, decided to move farther north to get away from the worldly ways invading their culture. My parents, now with three little girls, chose to move with the group–not to fortify themselves against the new community, but to reach it for Jesus. My parents started a Sunday School in a nearby town. My dad met many people as he delivered eggs door-to-door, and he spoke to them about their need of salvation.

As you might imagine, this didn’t make them popular with the status quo. When Daughter #5 (that would be me) was 7, my parents left the Mennonite church just before they were kicked out. They joined a mission to the Canadian First Nations people and continued to reach out. Three of their daughters became career missionaries and raised their families overseas. Three of their kids are now following suit.

All this because my dad, once he had found the truth, proclaimed it to anyone who would listen. So why am I shy to do the same?

I don’t have the answer to that, but I did explore a related situation in a contemporary romance novella that releases May first. It’s called “Topaz Treasure” and is part of Rainbow’s End, a 4-in-1 volume in the Romancing America series from Barbour Publishing.

I gave my heroine, Lyssa, a father who handed out tracts on street corners. I made him practically obnoxious, something my own dad was not. I made Lyssa into a closet believer, someone even more cautious about sharing her faith than I have ever been. And then I put them in a situation where those traits brought things to a head. As an author, I always find it interesting to see what happens next!

Closet believer Lyssa Quinn steps out of her comfort zone to help coordinate the Rainbow’s End geocaching hunt her church is using as an outreach event. She’s not expecting her former humanities prof–young, handsome, anti-Christian Kirk Kennedy–to be at the Lake of the Ozarks at all, let along in a position to provide sponsorship to the treasure hunt. How can she trust someone who once shredded her best friend’s faith?

Kirk’s treasure hunt takes him down a path he hadn’t intended as he searches for opportunities to connect with Lyssa and her intriguing sparkle. How can he convince Lyssa there is more than one kind of treasure? And can she remind him of the greatest prize of all?

Valerie Comer‘s life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie grows much of her own food and is active in the local food movement as well as her church. She only hopes her imaginary friends enjoy their happily ever afters as much as she does hers, gardening and geocaching with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters. Check out her website and blog at http://valeriecomer.com.

Connect at:
• Website: http://valeriecomer.com
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/valeriecomer.author
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/valeriecomer
• Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/valeriecomer
• Blog: http://valeriecomer.com/blog
• Blog: http://romancingamerica.com

Joshua 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

As we surrender the deepest layers of ourselves to the one who created it all, the deeper our intimacy with Him will be…

Happy Friday!

Basically, faith is belief that is not based on proof. In other words, we don’t need to see something in order for us to believe that it is there. But faith isn’t based on the absence of proof. It is based on previous experiences or testimonials from those we trust. It is a knowledge based not on evidence but on witness within our Spirits.

Faith requires trust. If you hear a testimony from someone you trust about something, you believe what they are saying even though you haven’t experienced it for yourself.

In Hebrews chapter 11, we are given several examples of biblical personalities who exercise faith. My favorite is Abraham who was willing to sacrifice his son in response to God’s test. He had faith that God who promised him this son (and many other things through him) could raise the boy up again or in some other way fulfill him promise to him. (Hebrews 11:17) Talk about blind faith.

Believing in God requires a tremendous amount of faith. Believing that the earth was created by this same God; yet another vast amount faith is required. But God doesn’t leave us on our own with this one. He knows that our human nature will require a bit of help, so he gives us that by proving His existence with his presence in our lives, His solutions to our circumstances and His Spirit bearing witness with ours.

Faith is believing in the seemingly impossible but upon closer examination, you’ll see that your faith in God makes perfect sense really. It makes less sense not to believe.

Joana James – Author of From Redemption to Maturity,   Nightmare at Emerald High & Alana and Alyssa’s Secret

Joana Melisia James is a young Christian author from the island of Saint Lucia in the Caribbean. Her work includes the two-part series “Alana & Alyssa’s Secret: Rise from the Ashes”, a Christian Thriller “Nightmare at Emerald High” and her latest devotional series Soul Food, with book one, “From Redemption to Maturity” currently available.
Joana is multi-talented. She has been a dancer for over ten years and a singer for most of her life. She is an Information Technology Professional but her passion is writing. She spends most of her free time relaxing with her kindle or in front of the computer screen.

Joana has plans to release several other titles in the coming months, including her newest project, a three part series called “Her Cross to Bear”.

You can grab a copy of the Joana’s Devotional “From Redemption to Maturity” for kindle today for free.

Recently a Christian astronomer spoke at our church. He has a giant telescope and goes out on his driveway in the middle of the night and takes pictures of what he sees. His photos of the universe have been published by some of the most prestigious scientific journals in the world, including those of the National Space and Aeronautics Administration.

Dr. Richard Hammer is a chemistry professor at Evangel University, and his work with astronomy began as a hobby. Now he’s teaching astronomy as well.

After showing slide after slide of the sun, moon, stars and planets spreading endlessly across the sky, he showed us several awesome photos and pointed out how earth is only a little speck humankind can see through the windshield of our technology.

He reminded us David asked, “What is man that God is mindful of him?” (Psalm 8:4).

A whole universe, with galaxy after galaxy, and God chose this wad of whirling dirt moving at just the right speed with the correct amount of gravity and oxygen as the place to form a man and woman—His creation. We all know those humans rebelled and didn’t believe if they ate of the forbidden tree that they would die. After all, the serpent laughed and said, “You won’t die.” But not long afterward, they stood beside a dead son and then they died.

The last slide I remember Hammer showing was a photo of bloody hands, representing the nail-scarred hands of Jesus coming to deliver humankind from sin and death, and I couldn’t help but remember we are only a speck in the universe.

That night after we returned home I read 1 John 3: 1-3: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are the children of God and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.”

John says it all.

© March 30, 2011

Ada Brownell bio

ADA BROWNELL spent 17 years as a newspaper reporter, mostly at The Pueblo Chieftain in Pueblo, CO. She has sold approximately 275 articles and fiction stories to 45 Christian magazines and wrote one story on assignment for US Magazine. Her new book Swallowed by Life is available at http://amzn.com/1466200936

The Kindle version is http://amazon.com/swallowed-by-life-ebook/dp/B007BGCVSU/ref=sr_.1_3?s=books&ie+UTF8&qid=1330035854&sr+1-3

Her blog: http:/www.inkfromanearthenvessel.blogspot.com

Website: http://www.ada@adabrownell.com

Our evil hearts should be very grateful that he doesn’t think and forgive like we do because we would be the first ones in trouble. Let’s Praise He who created it all and who loves us in spite of us.

WF: Worship Friday