Luke 1:38 This is Mary’s response when told by the angel Gabriel she’s going to bear the baby Jesus.
“May it be to me as you have said,” she concludes.
This is my prayer for today.
Trying to Discover God’s Path in My Life
I’m not a people person. I’m just not.
I don’t like idle chit-chat. I don’t like talking about things that don’t concern me (weather in NY, celebrities, hair trends, etc). I have no patience. Wasting time is one of my biggest pet peeves. Self-control is my hardest fruit of the spirit.
But, I feel prompted by God to start something–something that involves people–but I don’t know what. I’m thinking a homeschool group when/if we move or a Bunko group or BSF or something.
Some days I’m gung-ho on this. It’s all I think about (besides finishing my novel, kids, life, etc) and run through the numerous benefits and psyche myself up for it. Other days, I have a melt-down or do something stupid and think, “What am I thinking? I can’t work with other people! I don’t even like these other people!”
So, I don’t know if God wants to stretch my comfort zone and make me more of a people person or if He’s trying to say, “Stop! Go back to book writing and leave the world of people to someone else!”
Any advice out there on interpreting God’s messengers? Or maybe from someone like me: a non-people person who thinks they might want to become one?
“As God Wills”
Finding kids books these days with God even mentioned is a challenge. Finding good kids books with God mentioned is an even bigger challenge.
I’m reading Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, an adaptation of the original by Miguel de Cervantes by Margaret Hodges for kids.
In chapter two, Don Quixote famously takes on the windmills, thinking they are giants. Sancho, his faithful companion who thinks Don Quixote is crazy but goes along with him anyways, being promised a kingdom as his reward. He’s the king so his wife would be the queen.
“My wife wouldn’t be worth two cents as a queen,” replied Sancho. “She would do better as a countess, and even then, God help her.”
“Leave it in God’s hands,” said the knight, “but don’t be satisfied with any title less than governor.”
After his fight with the windmills:
Don Quixote: “In the end, my good sword will prevail over his (the magician who turned the giants into windmills) evil arts.”
“As God wills,” Sancho replies.
Later, Don Quixote tells Sancho to not defend him against knights he fights as it’s against the laws of chivalry.
“I promise,” said Sancho. “I will keep that law as strictly as I keep the Sabbath.”
I wish every book I read that these truths in it. I wish I had some of these responses in my life’s situations.
How many times have I wished I said or even had the attitude or belief in challenging situations of “As God wills”? Or “Leave it in God’s hands and don’t be satisfied with any less”? How many times should I have responded “But God knows me, and that is enough” to a situation instead of with anger, resentment, and hostility?
This is great stuff for me. I recognize it when I read it but my kids only absorb it subconsciously, storing it later for future use.
This book has constant references to God:
“May God guide you”, “God be with you”, “God speed you”, “May God preserve you”, “But God knows me, and that’s enough”, “Liberty is one of heaven’s best gifts. A man should risk even his life for liberty”, “In God’s hands be it”
Don Quixote gives advice to Sancho:
“First, fear God. Second, remember who you are…”
“Remember that you have not earned this favor by your own merit”
“Don’t speak harshly to the man you have to punish; the pain of the punishment is enough…” [I substituted kids for man here.] “Show mercy, for the mercy of God shines more brightly in our eyes than His justice.”
Why do we have to go back 400 years old to get such rich stories filled with God-fearing characters as memorable as Don Quixote and Sancho? Characters who live out “As God wills”. Characters who everyone else thinks are wacko but they themselves have the strength and conviction to stick to their beliefs. Neither care what others think of them. They are the butt of practical jokes but both adhere to their beliefs better than superglue. They follow their true North.
They live their lives following their hearts and God is in their hearts.
I pray I can write such stories; ones that will reflect God’s will yet make an impact in young people’s hearts. My goal is to make Him known, subtly, through my character’s struggles and responses to life situations and live out “As God wills.”
What Does it Mean to “Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus?”
I’m reading my Bible (part of my goals this year is to finish the Bible) and I’m in Mark. My Bible is an NIV Study Bible so periodically, it offers explanations, insights, and questions. One question is “For you, what does it mean to ‘take up your cross’ and follow Jesus?”
I have often heard this asked and wondered myself. So, first thing I usually do it google whatever I’m curious about. What a great tool–the Internet!
I found an awesome explanation about what it meant back in Jesus’s time and how it’s meant today:
http://www.gotquestions.org/take-up-your-cross.html
In sum, it means are you willing to lose everything to follow Jesus. Not that you have to give up everything. Not that this will happen. Just are you willing.
From our BSF study of Isaiah so far, we’ve learned it’s more about what’s in your heart rather than actions or deeds. You can go through the motions of doing God’s work but if your heart is not in it, then it’s meaningless to God.
I just finished Matthew and half of Mark and the Pharisees figure prominently in these books. They are the Biblical men who are always trying to trip up Jesus. Jesus chastises them over and over again for their empty actions. Their hearts aren’t in their work for they do not care about the people.
This is a great question that is often misunderstood. People, some of whom are defined by their things, have a hard time with this one. But it’s not about the doing of giving up your things. You can give up all you have and still not have a heart for Jesus.
It’s about having the heart for Jesus and striving every day to be more and more like him. This is our calling and what God desires for each of us.
And it’s a challenge. Usually every day I must repent for something or other.
Luke 9:23: Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
We must deny ourself, die to self, and follow Jesus, His will for our life, every day. His will not mine.
Today is a new day and as long as God is the one in front I can do better. For my heart is with Him.
I Believe in You
This is the title of the new series at church. I had to fight tears the whole time.
Our pastor may not be the most eloquent but he has one thing going for him: he is authentic, God-centered, and heart-felt. He often cries when he speaks about God and one can’t help but feel his passion for the Lord.
At some point or points, one person or persons believed in you. They told you, “Yes, you can” when others (including yourself) believed otherwise. Our pastor related his personal story and gave credit to his wife who admittedly he said he wouldn’t be here without her. She believed in him when he didn’t. He founded our church 28 years ago with 7 people and now it’s in the thousands.
We need to believe in others. We need to believe in our spouse. We need to invest in those nearest us–someone. We need an older mentor. We need an encourager. We need to give of ourselves in order to live.
God wants us to quit settling. God wants us to have all He has given to us; to seize it. Satan will try to talk us out of everything God wants us to do. He will lie to us.
Jesus commissioned his 11 disciples to spread his work. Jesus believed in them. He believed in Peter, who denied him 3 times.
God believes in us. He wants us to follow His call on our life. God believes in us when we don’t know if we want to go on.
Romans 8:31 If God is for us, who can be against us?
Several songs popped in my mind: Our God by Chris Tomlin, The Words I Would Say by Sidewalk Prophets, and You Never Let Go by Matt Redman
We need to believe we can do whatever our calling/purpose is in this world. This gets me through when I’m stuck. I tell myself, “This is God’s work. It’s for Him. It will be all worth it when it’s done.”
When was the last time someone told you they believed in you? When was the last time you told someone you believed in them?
You might not remember. But I bet you remember the last time you needed to hear it.
It’s Not About Me
I read Sarah Palin’s new book, America By Heart. It was good. It echoes a lot of what Glenn Beck and The 5000 Year Leap say about country, pride, faith, and America.
One book she quoted in her book that struck me was It’s Not About Me by Max Lucado. Since my husband and I have both been accused of being selfish by his family recently, I thought this book apropos. Plus, what better way to begin the New Year?
I like Max Lucado. As creator of the Wemmicks, he’s a special guy in my kids’ eyes. But I’ve only read one adult book of his until this one.
Here’s the best parts and quotes:
When our deepest desire is not the things of God, or a favor from God, but God himself, we cross a threshold.
Lucado then discusses Moses in the desert and while talking to God he asks him, “Show me your Glory.” (Exodus 33:18) Lucado asks, “Don’t we all need to be asking the same thing?” So we can be changed forever as Moses was?
We exist to reveal His glory but we must first see and know His glory and live it in our lives.
Holy is repeated 3 times in Isaiah 6:2. What other adjective is repeated to describe God?
God’s mercy makes us holy.
We can endure any challenge for a moment when our reward is eternity.
If it’s all about you, then it’s all up to you. God loves us too much to give us such a burden. He loves us too much to give us too much. He knows our limitations and weaknesses. Because He loves us.
Side Note: Lucado told a story about Queen Victoria’s daughter, Alice, and how she loved her sick son so much so kissed him even though he was in quarantine. She died a few days later. I immediately looked this up on the internet because I had never heard of this story. Great stuff. Be prepared to shed a tear.
As we behold His glory, we become it. As we become it, we reflect it for all to see.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
Our body is interwoven with the soul. “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself?” 1 Corinthians 6:15 So whatever touches the body, impacts the soul.
Your body, God’s tool. Maintain it.
Your body, God’s temple. Respect it.
God does leave us to the consequences of our stupid decisions. But our pain has a purpose: problems, struggles, heartaches, and hassles cooperate toward one end–the glory of God. Is there any change you have been selected to struggle for God’s glory? “To suffer for Him.” Philippians 1:29
God will use whatever He wants to display His glory. Nations. People. Problems.
God can be seen through your problems.
Your success is all about God. God lets you excel so you can make Him known. You are good at what you do for God’s sake.
We exist to give honor to his name. If they know His child (us humans), then they know His heart.
There is a great section in here discussing Isaiah and when he saw the glory of God, was cleansed by the seraphs, and said, “Here am I!” This was especially satisfying to me since I knew exactly what Lucado was getting at–all thanks to BSF!
This was a great reminder book. Easy read and relatively short. Great ideas and lessons from the Bible. Everything in our lives: our bodies, our struggles, our success, our salvation, and our messages are for God’s glory. It’s all about God, not us.
Live for God.
It’s Great to Be Writing BUT…
I’ve spent the last few days concentrating on editing my novel. Today was especially good because I finished reviewing the whole text again for the sixth or seventh time.
But, now I’m finding my excitement waning as I know the hard part is still ahead.
I got a critique back on my previous novel, basically ripping me for numerous things including character characterization contradictions, passive tense, telling not showing, and much more.
So, now I have to review my novel with these things in mind, looking for each specific problem–one at a time. Which is fine but I’d rather be writing instead of editing. This is where the real tediousness begins…
But I’m determined not to rush this one and make it as good as I can.
So, I’m going to have to take my list of edits from the top and work my way down (cringing the whole way). But until I am Stephenie Meyers and can pay someone to do this for me this is what will get me an agent and a publishing deal.
So as much as I hate it, I’m gonna suck it up and get to work. What are my other options? This is my passion, my purpose. No one said it would be easy.
Finally–A Writing Related Post
I’m feeling immensely unsatisfied right now; down on everything–BSF, my family, my Bunko group, unanswered questions and uncertainties in terms of moving, my husband’s job, and schooling.
So, I started writing again.
I began re-reading for the umpteenth time the draft of my latest YA novel and am working on that. I think it’s my best work yet but I always think that. I’m sure others will think it utter crap.
Bored at editing (many of you know I HATE editing), I began to surf the internet. Curious as to what genre my novel falls into, I began researching science fiction, fantasy, and the like. I decided to see what Twilight is classified as since it’s just about everything and has a lot of my same elements. It’s considered all over the board: YA, romance, fantasy, etc.
Then I visited Stephenie Meyer’s website and found this nugget: “With writing, the way you feel changes everything.”
She is speaking in regards to Midnight Sun being leaked on the internet.
But I couldn’t agree more. I write when I feel like it. I don’t write when I don’t feel like it. It definitely takes a certain mindset you have to be in. It’s not like a job with your hands or repetitive. It involves emotion–and for me, a lot of it since I throw myself into it tooth and nail. When I’m down, my characters are down. When I’m up, so are they.
I’m resolved to get this project wrapped up in the next couple of weeks. I’m dying to begin the query process and see if this thing is any good or not or if it will be relegated to just another file on my computer as I move on to my next project. But, I’m taking my time this time, making this as good as I can and then see where it takes me. I’m itching to get started on my next project but I know this one is not finished. I don’t like to multi-task; I have to bring my characters to fruition and then move on to something else.
The 5000 Year Leap
I picked up this book by W. Cleon Skousen based on Glenn Beck’s recommendation. It was phenomenal! If you ever wanted to know in a snap-shot about the Founders beliefs, where they got their ideas, and how this was incorporated into the Constitution without doing years of research, then this book is for you.
Take this quote from the book that sums up my exact feelings:
I was completely, totally, functionally illiterate when it came to a working knowledge of the principles and practices of freedom. I had no knowledge that I had no knowledge.
Lately, I’ve been feeling that a lot is missing in my education and from my general knowledge base. In school, we always ran out of time before we ever got to study the 20th century. We never, ever studied the Constitution in depth if at all beyond who wrote it and when. This is one reason driving my need to homeschool my kids. I don’t want them to be 33 and just learning this stuff. I don’t want them to learn frivolous garbage from schools. I want to learn the stuff I never got to learn, the stuff that is important like where our Constitution came from instead of the latest fashion or what have you.
Anyways, The 5000 Year Leap lays out 28 Principles the Founders believed that drove the founding of the Republic of the United States of America.
God is prevalent throughout this book and describes in length out the Founders believed God was driving the country and its founding. The Founders were bound by the laws of God as the rules of their conduct. The Founders based the Constitution on Anglo-Saxon Common Law and the People’s Law of Ancient Israel (God’s Law). The Founders were remarkably well read and mostly from the same books: the Bible, Greek, Roman, Anglo-Saxon, European, English history and philosophers: Cicero, Montesquieu, John Locke, Polybius, Thomas Hooker, Blackstone, Coke, Adam Smith.
Natural Law is the laws that the Supreme Creator has already established. Reasoning, God’s gift, leads to common-sense conclusions. Love God first, Man as yourself second, and teach those who follow us the same principles so these truths never die.
This book emphasized the importance of virtue. Some quotes:
Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. Benjamin Franklin
Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. John Adams (Also quoted in Glenn Beck’s book, Broke)
The sum of it all is, if we would most truly enjoy the gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people; then shall we both deserve and enjoy it. Samuel Adams
The quality of virtue and morality in the character of a nation is the secret to its survival.
The best citizens should accept major roles in public life. One must be prepared (study politics) and experienced and should not be in politics for the money.
The natural aristocracy is based on virtue and talent, not birth and wealth.
America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great. Alexis De Tocqueville.
I loved the Fifth Principle: The Role of the Creator which basically lays out that God has to exist and why. It’s based on John Locke’s arguments. If you know an atheist, this would be the logical argument to prove he or she is just not thinking when it comes to God’s existence. A persistent pursuit of the truth would bring them to the threshold of reality, where the Creator could be recognized and thereafter have a place in their lives.
Other nuggets:
Society provides equal opportunity but not equal results.
Inequality would exist as long as liberty existed…as an unavoidable result of that very liberty itself. Alexander Hamilton
Guarantee the equal protection of rights to ensure the freedom to prosper.
Whenever we attempt to mend the scheme of Providence, and to interfere with the government of the world, we had need be very circumspect, lest we do more harm than good. Benjamin Franklin
Life, liberty, and property existed beforehand that caused men to make laws to protect them in the first place. Frederic Bastiat
With rights comes duties imposed by God. P.134-5
God’s law is the supreme law of the land.
The US is a republic, not a democracy. See book for definitions.
The Constitution was designed to control something which has not changed and will not change–human nature. Human nature never changes and every person in power must be watched and questioned least egos and self-aggrandizement takes hold.
Private property is an extension of a person’s life, energy, and ingenuity so to take it is an attack on the essence of life itself. (Locke’s theory)
Property is the fruit of labor. Otherwise, why work?
Four laws of economic freedom: the freedom to try, buy, sell, and fail.
Adam Smith–specialized production–let each person do what they do best.
Separation of powers–began with Polybius, then Montesquieu, and then John Adams.
To solve problems by peaceful means was the primary purpose of the US Constitution.
What has destroyed liberty and the rights of man in every government which has ever existed? The generalizing and concentrating all cares and powers into one body….Thomas Jefferson
Without the protection of law there can be no liberty.
It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood…James Madison
Education includes morality and politics and extensive Bible reading which provides moral standards.
Avoid alliances. The book recounts how Washington wanted the US to be neutral and how the US should have been the peacemaker and not the policeman of the world. Now, seeing how other countries hate us for our involvement in their affairs (no matter how noble our cause), I agree with this assessment. We would do better being an example of prosperity and peace rather than aggression and coercion.
An orderly life is the surest path to happiness. Alexis De Tocqueville
Neither is a man without a woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:11)
Marriage is the most natural state of man, and therefore the state in which you are most likely to find solid happiness. It is man and woman united that make a complete human being. Together they are more likely to succeed in the world. Benjamin Franklin
Debt is borrowing against the future. Frugality a virtue.
Poverty often deprives a man of his spirit and virtue. (Ben Franklin)
Americans believed they were to lay an everlasting foundation of God’s Kingdom upon Earth.
The Founders formed the design of a great Confederacy, which it is incumbent on their successors to improve and perpetuate. James Madison
I found this book enlightening. It took the author 50 years of research to put all of this together and it was worth every bit of wait. The power of the truths in this book, especially for believers, is amazing. You will realize how powerful God is when He designed the US and how terrible we have fallen as society has moved away from Him.
I got this book from the library but I plan to purchase it for Christmas and eventually have my kids read it. You can get bogged down in the language (something the people used to value–eloquent speaking) so keep a dictionary handy but if you keep plugging away, you’ll be glad you did.
The 5000 Year Leap does an excellent job of not pushing an agenda and keeps an opinions to a very minimal. The facts and quotes are laid out for you, the reader, to decide.
I have gotten a few comments on my blog about Glenn Beck being a Mormon and the author of this book was a Mormon as well. To me, that does not matter; the message is the same: turn to God, religion, morality, and virtue and the US would be in a much healthier state. Anyone in today’s society who promotes a higher power and the reliance of man on a higher power should be admired even if it’s not exactly what others believe.
Glenn Beck is using his forum to promote good, morals, and values. Who can fault him for that?
Glenn Beck’s Broke
I like to read and mostly it’s kids books since I read out-loud to my kids constantly. But occasionally, in-between writing tasks, I like to read my stuff.
So, I picked up Glenn Beck’s Broke at Sam’s Club the other day and have been devouring it ever since. It’s a sobering look at where our country is heading financially due to our out of control spending and enormous debt.
If you read nothing else, I would recommend the chapter on religion. It reads like a summation of Isaiah’s Bible Study so far.
First line of Chapter Fifteen: When was the last time you trembled while thinking about God?
Here are some of my favorite highlights from the chapter:
God expects us to take care of the gifts we are given.
We are broke because we are broken.
Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for a government of any other. John Adams
A republic can only function if a specific percentage of the population is virtuous. But virtue requires morality and morality requires religion.
“Faith is more than just a belief in a specific religious doctrine; it’s something that fills us from the inside. It makes us whole. If you strip that away, something has to fill the void.” P. 252
The void is meant to be filled by God (my addition.).
This last one hit me hard. Straight from the Notes on Isaiah Lesson 7: All sinful acts find their origin in the sin of refusing to acknowledge God as the Supreme Authority in one’s life. God has created each human being with a void that must be filled by something or someone outside of himself or herself. Failure to look to God to fill that void will result in looking elsewhere.
I was a fan of Glenn Beck before but now I’m an ubber-fan. I wonder if he does BSF? Or maybe his wife?
Broke is a great book to get you inspired and remind you of our revolutionary roots. It gives me hope that I can make a difference in our backwards world. It is chalked full of history lessons I never learned and facts about the economy that no one else will tell you. It’s sobering, scary, and heart-wrenching. It’s eye-opening and informing. It’s encouraging and just plain good.
It emphasized the primacy of religion in our founders’ lives and its indispensability in the governance of our country. Remember the Pilgrims? People risked their lives to come to America just to worship the God of their choice–Yahweh. Everything comes back to God.
You are reminded of what made this country great and how it can be that once again. And God plays a big role in our survival.