in the blur

sun rising

through rain

softening the edges

we inhale

living in the blur

waiting for what the day 

will bring

and His voice

quiet as ever, whispers

look through My eyes

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. 
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 The Message

Billy Coffey on writing and a giveaway!!!

I have been moved, inspired and encouraged by the words of Billy Coffey since I first started reading his blog years ago.  He is a writer's writer and a down to earth, God fearing, sit awhile on the front porch Virginia man.  With his latest novel When Mockingbirds Sing releasing next week, Billy was gracious enough to take time to answer a few questions for us.

Billy, with three books published and another on the way, I believe you’re qualified to speak a bit about the art and craft of fiction writing.

Do you feel like you design your characters or do they develop a life of their own as you begin to put words to paper?

I usually begin with a name, a problem, and how that problem gets solved. Novels aren’t about events as much as they’re about people and how they change between the first chapter and the last. Those three things are all I allow myself to think of at the beginning. After that, they sort of come alive on their own. By and large, though, I think every character in every story is in some ways a reflection of the writer. At least, that’s true for me. 

Do the paths your stories wind down ever take you by surprise?

Occasionally, yes. I've always been better at characters than plot, so I have to approach plotting carefully. It’s a balancing act. If you sit down and try to outline every single moment of your story, there’s a good chance it will grow stale. I have in mind where I want to start, where things need to be at the middle, and a rough idea of how it all ends. I let the rest take me by surprise.  

How much have your characters taught you, or changed the way you look at this life?

I think they've taught me much more about myself. All the characters in When Mockingbirds Sing are segments of my own personality—Leah’s shyness, Allie’s belief in life’s magic, Reverend Goggins’s sense of entitlement. They’re all me. Seeing me laid out on the page wasn’t very comfortable, but it made me see my own strengths and weaknesses.

I know we have talked about how much courage it takes to pour your self into words.  Where do you turn when that courage begins to fade?  How do you keep yourself going?

To me, writing is a huge blessing. It’s also a huge responsibility. Readers don’t owe writers anything, and to pretend otherwise is only to court disaster. But writers owe readers plenty, and chief among that is honesty. You have to give the very best of yourself to the page, even when it hurts. Especially when it hurts. That responsibility is what I most often turn to when the courage begins to fade.

Any other words of wisdom or encouragement for those of us still working on our first novels?

Write every day. For every hour you spend on social media, spend three on your work. 

Read every day. Not just the genre you’re writing for, either. Read anything. Everything. The broader your knowledge, the better you’re writing will be.

Kill your darlings. 

Polish, submit, wait. And when those rejections come (they will, and often), always try one more time. I cannot stress that rule enough. Always, always. Just once more.

I hope this peaks your interest in Billy's work.  If you haven't already, you really should read Snow Day, Paper Angels and next week his latest becomes available When Mockingbirds Sing.  Here's a little peek into this new novel:

Thomas Nelson Publishers has been kind enough to make a copy of When Mockingbirds Sing available for me to give away to one lucky reader.  All you need to do is leave a comment below telling me what gives you courage and you'll be entered into a random drawing.  To earn extra entries, share this via Facebook, or Twitter or Google+ and come back and leave me another comment for each shout-out.

Keep watching here. Winner will be announced next week when I post my review of this wonderful story!

 

Surprised by dawn

Don't be surprised by the darkness 

come it will

and come again

heavy, thick with lying voices

that accuse, condemn

tell you you're the only one

that ever lost the light

Don't be surprised by tears

come they will

and come again

instead of running

let them wash you clean 

Allow the surprise

of rising dawn

to shake you, wake you

give yourself leave

to explode with joy

reach hard, grab hold

pulling down truth, 

light, life

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. 

In this world you will have trouble. 

But take heart! I have overcome the world 

John 16:33 NIV

Walking with Emily and the broken

 

Lettuce for a disciple's spirit

I often have cravings for tossed salads, the mix of fresh in a bowl always jumps with flavour, each ingredient enhancing the taste of the others.
 
Sunday's message was the third in a series about:

#1 - Following
#2 - Jesus
#3 - Together

The big screen behind the pulpit displayed a head of green leaf lettuce, or perhaps it was buttercrunch, I couldn't be sure.  The reason became apparent as our pastor began to read from the Word of God in Hebrews 10:

let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10-22-25 NIV

What an exceptional way to allow our brains and spirits to soak in these truths from the lettuce chapter, I mean the let us chapter.

After church we almost always gather with others for a meal at a local diner.  Most ordered breakfast, as usual.  I however ordered a garden salad!

Next time you see a bowl of mixed greens, I suspect you'll think of these words of encouragement too, words we need to feast on and live out daily.

Joining Michelle and others as we try to live out what we learn...

 

Healing a heart

Yesterday I received Bonnie’s email informing me that the topic for this week Faith Jam was to share a heart healing moment and before I had even a moment to ponder what I would write about I received another message in my inbox from Compassion International with the subject line Blogger assignment - 6 year old boy needs heart surgery

I don’t believe God could have spoken more clearly than this seeming coincidence.

There have been countless occasions when God has reached into my heart to touch exactly the spot that hurt most, healing in ways not possible for anyone but Him. These were places of raw emotion, aching areas in my mind and spirit. In all of my pain and distress, however, my physical heart remained sound.

In southwest Burkina Faso, Abdoul Fatao Kone is living a different story. Six year old Fatao has a ventricular septal defect, a hole in his heart. His parents have known about his condition since he was one year old but have never been able to afford the proper medical care. They attempted to heal little Fatao with traditional methods which left him with scars and small holes where healing herbs were placed in his body.

In December 2010 Fatao was registered with Compassion’s Sponsorship program and was seen by a physician and a cardiologist who confirmed that he requires surgery. For this surgery, Fatao needs to travel to India. The total cost of his surgery, including passport, visa, travel, the surgery itself and follow-up care, is $23,000.

Would you take a moment to pray and ask the Lord how He might want you to help.
You can read more about Fatao on Compassion’s blog and you can donate online as well.

Fatao’s parents will not be able to travel with him to India.  I can’t imagine how frightening this will be for such a young boy.  When you give online you will be able to write a letter to Fatao which will be read to him before his surgery. Your words can encourage and strengthen him and breathe the hope and love of Jesus into his spirit.

Together, as the body of Christ we can surely give this young life the heart healing moment he needs.


Jamming with Bonnie today as I pray... for Fatao and all other broken hearts


 

A year of encouragement

This is the time of year when people look back and post retrospectives on their blog.  Many choose their favourite posts or those that drew the most traffic.  Because God has created me to be different from the crowd I have decided instead to share some of my favourite comments from 2011, one for each month of the year.

January 8th Bonnie Gray who blogs at The FaithBarista left these words on my post Persevere and Expectation:

I love coming by here for my cup of brew. I'm getting used to coming through the door, that you leave ajar for me. :) I feel today you're standing up and letting out a battle cry, as I read the last part of your post. Wonderful words matching persevere & expectation! loved your link.

February 15th Brian Miller of Waystation One commented on Heartstrings:

having heard a string or two break in my day...it is a powerful image...and the restringing bringing the instrument back to life as well... 

March 2nd Jerry of Under the Door Frame noted on Icy Heart:

A heart of ice melted into living water... A heart of stone transformed into a heart of flesh. Thank God for his pursuit...and our often hesitant response. Good. good.

April 27th Nance Marie of various blogs added to Finding light:

grace of the Lord
to cover the sea of bitterness within
the light of the Lord
to shine into my dark soul

May 11th master encourager Glynn of Faith, Fiction, Friends said this on Shouts and whispers:

Beautiful, Karin. Prayer is like an ongoing conversation, "heartbeat to heartbeat," punctuated by those whispers and shouts

June 21st the poet Dustus left this comment on In the blood:

"how the eyes see a laugh so familiar it turns the heads of those who hear" This passage made my head spin. So good and expressed through multiple sense modalities. Great composition.

July 14th Debbie of Heart Choices commented on For each other, by each other:

Very interesting post on faith. If only more believers would be transparent and share their struggles with one another. We can then encourage one another and turn our eyes on Jesus. It helps to know we're not alone

August 8th Linda added these thoughts to Be still:

Oh, my.... That's gripping stuff. I've experienced times like that, too, so my heart goes out to both you and the new pastor. God bless you both as you remain still and rest in the Lord; and wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him. He is good and He is at work, even if you can't see just what He is doing right now

September 30th Beth Werner Lee (link not active) commented about Finding my voice in His:

Thank you, so right you are to ponder on Jesus saying he spoke only what he heard, and was sent to say. Oh, that I could be like him! Only through his Spirit who does the same. Today we were just studying James 1:19,20: quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger...I need to apply this now, daily! Thank you, writing from the fire.

October 4th Sandra Heska King left words on Season of seasons:

I love the contrasts.
Moving too fast while stuck in place.
Softened and hardened.
Decay and hope.
And the spices and scent and aroma and fragrance.
Oh, and that photo. Clever girl.

November 7th Nancy of Out of My Alleged Mind shared her thoughts on Believe?:

I'm really good at trusting God theoretically. Not so much when I can't connect the dots to see how the plan is taking shape. I keep trying to remind myself to look back toward his faithfulness in the past and asking him to increase my faith, even only enough to take the next step.

December 24th Doug Spurling commented on Christmas Tears:

Amen. You are opening the greatest of Christmas presents with your tears, your heart meshing with His to seek and save that which is lost ~ His Presence.

Though I write in obedience to my Lord, not for hits or applause, words of true encouragement help greatly along the way. Please take a moment when you can to visit the blogs of those who so richly blessed me.

I also thank each and every one of you who has wandered about inside these words, even those who never leave a trace of themselves before they leave.  You are truly a gift to me.  May the coming year bring with it the richness of His love.


 

A blanket for Sandy

You capture slivers of beauty
in digital space
the sun's rise
and fall
wind on water
leaves adrift on the breeze
like taking a moment
to breathe
even when lungs burn

diving deep
to find Him
when chaos, fear
and sorrow close in
hoping that
somewhere
there is glory in all this

Hold on
when there is nothing
to hold
but the holding

I watch as
prayers of friends
strangers, angels
weave a blanket
to wrap you
in His love

and yes,
there is glory here.



 

Seasons will change

The other morning as I wrapped a blanket around my shoulders to chase away the chill of the early morning air, I asked the Lord what He wished to share.  I believe His words are for me, but not for me alone.  If the following sparks something in your spirit, take it as your own.

It is not quite time for the seasons to change, this is simply a reminder that they will, a sign of the time that is coming.

I always give you warnings before changes are upon you, but not all have eys to see or ears to hear, and yes, even those who do see often choose not to look.  Have I not said in My Word that I do nothing without first telling my prophets?

Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7 NKJV

So while the seasons are not yet turning, they will turn.

But, little one, what will be a time of dormancy for the land shall not be a time of dormancy for My people but instead a season of accelerated growth. 

Even covered, like the ground, in thick blankets of snow, and hidden - hearts will be expanded, faith will be renewed and fresh wisdom and revelation will be released.

It will not be a time to sleep, no, for I say there will be much to feast on in the coming days.

The door into My Father's heart shall be open unto you.  Those who sleep will indeed miss this very special time.

The days may grow short, but you will see by My light.

Words and The Word

I love books, as a writer, I love words. Writers open their hearts and pour out whatever they find there. Words can be funny, critically important, frightening and encouraging, stirring the heart and spirit in powerful ways.

But…

I'm talking about the power of God's Word today at The Everyday Testimony Project.  Click here to read the rest of my post.

Breathing Him

Away from the noise
static, harsh spirits
on the road
I inhale Jesus
and peace comes

Finding home in Him again
as kilometers click away
we find each other
and the Christ identities
that seemed lost

This was the view from my seat during a relaxing meal along the shores of the Chippewa River.
I soaked in the beauty only God could fashion
and exhaled "yes"
Amen

The battle rages

I sent an email out to friends yesterday, asking for prayer support to withstand the harshness of the spiritual environment we find ourselves in.  I am overwhelmed by the richness of their responses:

I'll be interceding (more like doing battle) on your behalf. Remember: you are richly blessed and highly favored; He will never leave or forsake you. Keep crying out to Him to do the battle on your behalf. Even though it feels like nothing is happening, there's major fighting taking place for territory. Do not forget to put on your armor several times during the day. Remain protected ... remain offensive!

Praying for you, sweet friend. Knowing that He is holding you when you are numb to it.

The Lord is looking after you both, he knows the struggles that you are going thru and he is right there, that's why we are praying for you. 

This morning, I crawled out of bed early to have a few minutes with my Lord Who had words to share:

I know.  I know.

I Am well aware of the wall before you, but rest in the truth of the wall around you.

When you sent out your call for help - it was indeed a battle cry, rousing others to stand strong in your weakness. 

This allowed you to see again.

Trust that even as you fall, you move the unmoveable, bit by bit.

There is a war that is more real than what flesh can experience - and you, little one, stand as My warrior.

What is depleted in battle will be restored in My arms.

Sharing with others, imperfect yet lovingly redeemed at Emily's








Jamming with Bonnie on time with the Lord

A Confident Heart by Renee Swope

Ever feel like you're not good enough?  Have you spent your life trying to measure up?  In A Confident Heart - How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises,  Renee Swope addresses the problem.

Weaving the story of her own life through the pages, Renee attempts to bring hope to others lost in the maze of self doubt.  I've been there and I must admit I still visit that place often, so I was looking forward to reading this new book.

I found myself disappointed, the words felt thin and the scriptures, though rich felt offered more as platitude than meaty truth.  Perhaps it is because of my own journey to live through  Colossians 3:1-4 NIV

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

that I find myself struggling here.  I have been choosing to lose myself to be found in Him and so this book  feels far too "self" focused.

I am sure there is much to encourage and inspire readers, but at this stage of my personal journey I was left wanting more.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Where there are rocks...

I have always loved moving water, be it waves, rivers or waterfalls.  But often things seem to block the flow....

Come over to Internet Cafe Devotions where I'm sharing today about rocks in the way.

Be still

The new pastor arrived last week and began work.
She spoke from the pulpit for the first time yesterday morning. 
The air was electric, breath was held.
"We have been waiting for this moment" spirits whispered.

She talked about the frantic pace of packing, and moving; the heart ripping pain of saying farewell to the people and lives they knew on the West Coast and the swamping sense of being overwhelmed.  Then she shared the brief precious words the Lord shared with her.

Be still.  Shhhh.  I've got this.

And the room exhaled.  Wheels stopped churning.  Peace descended.  A holy hush as the Spirit shifted, settled, calmed each heart.

Today the Lord continues to speak to me.

It has been a long road.  It's okay to rest now.

The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.  Exodus 14:14 NIV

Be still, and know that I am God Psalm 46:10a NKJV

Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him Psalm 37:7a Amplified

What joy comes from resting in His love, surrendering to His ways, opening our hands and releasing all that we have been clutching for so long.

Be still.  Shhhh.  I've got this.

Stop by Graceful to visit Michelle and others using it on Monday

For each other, by each other

How appropriate that Bonnie, the Faith Barista would choose to have us write about "faith" verses for this week's Faith Jam.  She writes:

Pick a verse that includes the word “faith” and let it inspire you to share a post.

I am drawn often to the words of Paul:

For I am yearning to see you, that I may impart and share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen and establish you; That is, that we may be mutually strengthened and encouraged and comforted by each other's faith, both yours and mine  Romans 1:11-12 Amplified

This is why we gather
to build up what the world wants to tear down
to walk beside, look inside
offer a hand, a word, a touch
a glimpse of holy
and to turn our own eyes
back to the Master

This is why we share our words
our wounds and our victories
for as we allow others to see
how we run to His arms
it opens doors imagined closed
so if I seem to have left my clothing behind
inappropriately bare
and transparent
it is for the sake of us all
that I choose again and again
to stand naked here

We shall be humble, together
and more and more His.



Stop by Bonnie's to read what others have shared this week

Knocking down mountains

I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.
Psalm 121:1-2 The Message

I have looked to mountains
created mountains
sought support and encouragement there.
Am I smart enough? Am I warm enough? Do I have and use the gifts God gave me?
Am I clever?  Am I wise?  Do I have enough empathy?
Do I go to the Source with my questions and insecurities?
Sometimes.  But too often I turn to my mountains.
And here, where I crawl out of my cave
and pray for boldness to (as Billy Coffey said) write naked
and live with transparent integrity
with my words from the inside out
I have looked to the mountains of comments, mentions,
tweets, and retweets
to tell me I'm okay
soaking in that affirmation
like drinking from the wrong well

For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me—the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all! Jeremiah 2:13 NLT

So today, the encouragement I seek
the encouragement I need
is that you would help me
shatter the mountains
and direct me back to my Lord
the lover of my soul
my thirst quencher

and if I see you
looking up to the mountains
I'll do the same for you.




Jamming with Bonnie where we're taling about the need for encouragement

Love that is true...

You know the ads that fill the sidebars of your computer screen? You know, the ones you try to ignore while you’re reading your mail, or typing a tweet, or composing yet another blog post?

Earlier today I was trying to respond to some emails and couldn’t ignore the flickering on the right side of the screen. It was an ad for an online dating/match making service.

At first the ad said:

What if you could be loved for exactly who you are?

Then a flash and the new text read:

Love is out there. We can help you find it.

Both my heart and spirit exploded. There is One Who loves us exactly as we are for He created us. We don’t need to hide or pretend or pretty ourselves up for Him because He sees through all of our camouflage. Imperfect, smeared with the lusts of the world, marred by sin, need and greed, there is much to make us unlovable, and yet He loves us. Exactly. As. We. Are.

The second part of the ad remained on my screen and it struck me as a brilliant evangelical campaign, a new way to share Jesus with those who don’t yet know Him.

Love is out there. We can help you find it.

Have you been keeping the Lord’s love to yourself or reaching out to others? There is no better time than now. 

Have you been looking for love and not finding what your heart desires?  I'd love to introduce you to the One Who loves me more than I can truly comprehend.  Just. Ask. Me.

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation Mark 16:15 NIV

His voice

Yes He can
thunder
He can
roar
He can
make the mountains
tremble
and disolve
with His mighty voice
but...

He prefers
intimate whispers
to know
that we are
listening
hungry
aching
for a word
a touch
a brush of His fingers

I have heard Him
in a raindrop
a dove's cry
a quickening heartbeat
the slippery
silvery sound
of chimes
both real
and spirit rung

May I ever
strain
to heed the smallest
sound
the lightest touch
to treasure Him
enough
to listen well.

Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out, "Samuel! Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak. I'm your servant, ready to listen." 
1 Samuel 3:10 The Message

Joining the other warriors today at Jason's Connecting to Impact - sharing on The Voice of God

How green is my valley

This morning dawned bright and clear
and while the next days call for more and more rain that we do not need
the lushness of our valley acres fill me with hope and joy in the land He gave us.

Who but our amazing God could create so many different shades of green?

Words on stones

Bonnie asked us to write about encouragment.  I share below a post I wrote for (In)Courage last October.  In the process of encouraging others I learned how God desires to encourage me!

I delight in giving gifts, little trinkets, tokens of beauty to surprise the people I love. I find that it is a way to encourage someone who might need a touch from the Lord. So imagine how thrilled I was to find stones engraved with words of inspiration at a bargain store. I piled all of the packages they had on the shelf into my cart, well pleased with my discovery.

I gave a heart marked love to my mother the afternoon I accompanied her to the first of her chemotherapy treatments. As tears flowed with equal abandon down both of our faces, I suggested she keep it close as a reminder of both God’s love and mine.

I gave one faith stone to a young friend departing for five months of bible and missions training in Africa. This would be her first time away from home, and I wanted her to remember that the plans God has for her are good.

Another stone bearing the word joy served as a farewell gift to a church friend moving out of town. She was sad to be walking away from our customary Sunday morning greeting hugs. I told her to consider herself embraced and cherished each time she felt the stone in her pocket.

I began to carry a few stones in my purse, so I would always have one on hand should the Holy Spirit prompt me to share. The other day I noticed that one rock at a time, I had given away almost all of them.

Only three remained; truth, faith and hope. As I spread them out on the table before me something shifted and settled in my spirit. When I know the truth I can walk in faith that God is Who He says He Is which allows me to live in hope.

I sensed God telling me:

Know Me – know truth

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 NIV

Know Me – know faith

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God Romans 10:17 NKJV

Know Me – know hope

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NLT

I am keeping these three as a gift to myself, a reminder of where to place my focus and my trust. I will carry them with me in the same way I carry His Word in my heart. When I feel the cool smoothness in my hands, I will look forward to the day He promises to me.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it. Revelation 2:17 NKJV

What promises are you storing in your heart?




Come join us at Bonnie's to read more, share your heart and take part in a special giveaway!