A Writer's Prayer

I claimed an old copy of  In the Arena by Isobel Kuhn from my parents' house. My mother and father often talked about her writings, but for some reason, I had never read them. Maybe out of regret, maybe looking for a way to be close to my parents, I picked it up and began reading.

I like to read the forward at the beginning of a book. I've learned that is where you can find an insight into the author's background and motives for the book. This one overwhelmed me, for it was speaking thoughts that were close to my heart.

"Dear Lord Jesus,

         I want to write a love letter to You. Not the 

ordinary  I-love-you kind. Nor the usual just-between-

you-and-me kind; for others will read what I write. 

Something like Elizabeth Barrett Browning's;

                      How do I love Thee?

                      Let me count the ways.

And yet not like that one either, for the subject of 

the letter is not to be my love for You. That has

been too puny, too shoddy, too besmirched with 

failure to be a theme.

        I want this letter to be a revelation of You. When 

people read it I want them to see You. when they 

find me in a perfectly hopeless situation, as so often

I was, I want them to know clearly it was You who

pulled me out,. I want them to see Your infinite

patience, Your unwavering faithfulness. Although

You work so silently, so delicately, there is a 'shining

forth' when You are present. But how can one

make other see it?

        Lord, dear, please will You help me write? I 

cannot put Your beauty into words, but if I can

show You working in the back ground of all that

happened (even as I watched You) that will be

enough. As You did revel Yourself to me, please

reveal Yourself to them!

   You own - by right of purchase, then by 

self-surrender.                Isobel S. Kuhn "

In The Arena by Isobel S. Kuhn

(written in 1958, the year I was born)

Too Busy to Get Anything Done

Did you ever have so much on your mind 

that you can't focus enough to accomplish any of them? 

This month sets off a domino cascade of events for me. 

* Church Activities and Ministries

* Showing a Visiting Friend Around Maine

* Trip to Kansas for our Son's Wedding

* Maine Wedding Reception

* Gifts for Birthdays and Christmas

* Writing Projects and Polliwog Pages

* Travel to Alaska for New Baby

* Travel to Texas for Another New Baby

I know there are so many things to do to prepare for each of them, but my mind doesn't seem to be able to focus on one at a time and ignore the others. I find myself going from here to there (not accomplishing  much), or fiddling at mindless activities (procrastinating to do anything at all).

Also this time of year brings back many memories -

 some happy ones, some not so happy.

Dear Lord, help me to accomplish the things You want me to do today. Help me not to worry about all the things I think need to be done in the next few weeks and months. Help me to let go of the things that don't matter. Amen

Sweet Smelling Scent

Don't you love the sunbreeze scent 

of clothes hung outside in the springtime? 

In the Old Testament, the high priest was instructed to "burn sweet incense every morning; when he dresses the lamps, he shall burn incense upon (the altar); and when (the high priest) lights the lamps at evening, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the Lord . . ." The priest's clothing would carry a specially made sweet scent, showing that he had been in the holy place - that he had been with God. 

"Lord, may I leave the scent of being with You

to those around me today."

"I Will Be With You"

Real peace isn't a grassy field on a dewy morn; 

it's a calm heart in the midst of a storm.

Real love isn't walking together in a summer rain; 

it's a helping hand in the midst of pain. 

Real faith isn't singing hymns in a church pew;

 it's knowing the Lord is in the midst of you. 

This poem is a tribute to so many who are in pain today - suffering because of a sinful world - cancer, bombs, floods, war, terror, hate . . . death.

What can I do? How can I help?

 I can pray and hold your hand and be your friend 

and tell you about God's gift of love and life. 

"I Will Be With You"

I know you're afraid,

Because I am too;

But you won't be alone;

I will be with you.

You are uncertain,

Not sure what to do;

Trust Him who holds tomorrow;

I will pray with you.

Your tasks tower high,

There's so much to do;

You are weary and worn,

I will toil with you.

Temptations and doubt,

Trying tests to go through;

Victory over trials;

I will sing with you.

I know you're happy,

Because I am too;

But you won't smile alone;

I will laugh with you.

When you're in the right,

Faithful friends are few,

It's hard to stand your ground;

I will stand with you.

You face accusers;

They prick and taunt you.

Their words can't defeat truth;

I will defend you.

I know you're afraid,

Because I am too;

But you won't go alone;

I will go with you.

  

Nights of searing pain,

Waves overwhelm you.

Wishing I could do more;

I will stay with you.

Facing Dark Valley,

Last journey 'fore you,

With tears, I let go your hand,

For He will be with you.

"Nevertheless I am continually with you;
You hold me by my right hand."
(Psalm 73:23 NKJ)

Do you know this God of peace? Is He your Savior and Friend? 

Is He holding your hand? 

I have peace because I know I am His and He is mine. 

Do you know if you have eternal life?

  (CLICK HERE)

You Never Know

Today Zeke the Peddler's route is way up in the corner of the country 

- in Fort Kent, Maine.

I've never been to Sue Morneault's house, 

and I didn't even know her a year ago . . .

(A Heart to Change Our Generation for Christ)

But God brought her into my life last fall, and within minutes, it was like we had known each other all our lives. There was an instant bond - the bond of the God's Spirit between us. The more we talked, the more we realized how much we had in common.

Sue's daughter, Mindy , suffered a brain injury while playing soccer. Because her therapy sessions were hours away from home, she was staying at Gary's House in Portland, and that's where we met. Now Mindy and her family are raising funds for a building like Gary's House, but for others with brain injuries who need a temporary home during their treatments.

(All Things Become New) 

You never know know 

when God will bring a new friend across your path 

just when you need them most.

Comment on my FaceBook Author Page page
(or any of the participating blogs)

 for a chance at winning a FREE copy of A Home for Phoebe.

Suspended Time

Isn't time strange? 

In reality, time ticks along at a standard rate, but some days it seems to zip by - while other days it seems to crawl along or even come to a complete stop. Then there are days when time doesn't seem to matter at all.

Right now, it's hard for me to tell you the date or even the day of the week. My life has been put on hold because my mother is in the hospital waiting heart surgery and my father is there with her.We take each day one at a time. I haven't dropped my usual routines, but yet I have to be flexible enough to change my plans at a moment's notice.

The hospital is two hours away, so between taking care of their house, doing errands, and driving back and forth, I've been on the road quite a bit and I have quite a bit of empty time on my hands. While on the road, I pray  . . . I remember times past . . . I wonder about the future . . . I pray again . . . I cry . . .  I listen to the radio . . .I make plans . . . I pray again . . . I sing . . .  (It helps the miles go by.)

While I'm at home, I keep writing (I have a short story book being published!)  . . . I keep knitting (a shawl, mittens, a baby blanket, etc.). . . I keep tutoring (Yep! I'm still teaching.). . . I keep going to church (Sunday School, JOY Club, playing piano for prayer meeting, etc.)  . . . I keep doing chores (cooking, dishes, laundry, etc.)

It helps me if things are kept as normal as possible. If not, I worry - and not only is that a lack of trusting God, it's sin, and it doesn't accomplish one single thing.

God isn't bounded by time. I find that when things of life come to a place of crisis, then time seems to disappear also. Maybe it's because that's when we are drawn much closer to God.

I'd appreciate prayers - not only for my mother, but my father, for me and my family, too. Pray for wisdom and healing and peace of mind.

Monday Manna - Peace in Your Heart

Each week, I hope to share what God is teaching me through His word. Feel free to join me each Monday. What have learned about God recently? Post your thoughts on your blog or website and link to mine at the bottom of this page.

(Mid's Pix)

With a new year comes the effort to make it a better one. Many people resolve to lose weight, spend less money, or accomplish some project. They hope that their lives will be happier and more peaceful.

Our pastor, Russell Bonin, gave a great soul-searching message yesterday about finding lasting peace in your heart using this Scripture.

(Philippians 4:6-9)

"Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received,

and heard, and seen in me, do:

and the God of peace shall be with you."

We will never find peace in life until we find peace with God in our hearts. Our attempts to change our life will not be successful until we have an inward change.

It starts with prayer. We must focus on who God is and worship Him. The closer we are to God, the more we will know His will and align our will to His. When we present our requests, they will be given in an attitude of thanksgiving and yieldedness.

Peace will rule in our hearts as we trust in His sovereignty. Our prayers will change, our hearts will change, our attitudes will change. We will become calmer, knowing that our God does everything best.



Changes in our hearts also comes from the way we think. We are pummeled by evil thoughts constantly. God says to think on things that are -

True

(not what we imagine things to be)

Honest

(honorable)

Just

(things that are upright)

Pure

(without stain)

Lovely

(beautiful, sweet spirited)

Good Report

(good news, not critical)

Virtuous

(moves us to do better)

Praise-worthy

(something worth telling others)

What we think is how we will act. When our minds and hearts are in tune with God's, then our actions and our lives will change. We will have true and lasting peace.

Lord, draw us closer to You. Teach us to pray. Search us for wrong attitudes. Fill our minds with good thoughts. May we feel Your peace in our hearts today. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Is It Fair?

Is It Fair?

We never forget to say "give me,"

When needy how quickly we plead,

But how oft we forget to say "thank you"

When the Lord has supplied every need.

It seems that we only say "thank you"

Each time that Thanksgiving draws near;

Is it fair to say "give me" so often,

And "thank you" just one time a year.

We never forget to say "help me;"

In trouble how quickly we pray,

But how oft we forget to say "thank you"

When he's chased all our trouble away.

It seems that we only say "thank you"

Each time that Thanksgiving draws near;

Is it fair to say "give me" so often,

And "thank you" just one time a year.

We never forget to say "spare me"

From sorrow, from sickness, and tears,

But how oft we forget to say "thank you"

To the One who has kept through the years.

It seems that we only say "thank you"

Each time that Thanksgiving draws near;

Is it fair to say "give me" so often,

And "thank you" just one time a year.

Where Were You?

Everyone has their story of
where they were when the
World Trade Center was hit.
Here's mine -



THIS IS THE DAY


It was like any other chapel day at school. The classes filed in from various parts of the school, some chatting, some giggling, some still trying to wake up. The primary class was always late. They squished all together at the end of the pew in front of me, even though there was plenty of room next to their teacher. The little kindergarteners gazed up at the tall high school boy leading the singing. Another teen practiced her skills on the piano, as she played the introduction of the first song, “Beulah Land”. The little kids knew this song well and bellowed out the chorus. After singing a couple more songs, the high school students returned to their seats and their teacher, Mr. Ron Gross, leaned against the podium.

“What was the first song we sang?” This was his usual question and hands wiggled in the air. Getting the correct response, he then asked, “What does Beulah Land mean?” This was a harder question and he had to call on an older child for an answer.
He looked at his watch and asked the administrator, “Is our special speaker here yet?” Receiving a shake of the head, he proceeded to the next song, “Redeemed.” He talked of the wonderful plan God created to buy back his children back from the power of sin.

The last song we sang that morning was “This is the Day that the Lord hath made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Mr. Gross gave a thoughtful smile and asked a youngster, “Would you be glad if your bike broke, or if your cat ran away?” The whole first pew of students all shook their heads. “Did God know it would happen?” They all nodded in unison. “God knows everything that will happen. Even if we think it may not be good, it’s all part of God’s plan. We need to trust in His wisdom and not let things upset us or make us angry. ‘This is the day that the Lord hath made.’ We should rejoice in the fact that He is our God and that He is in control of everything.”

The special speaker never arrived, so with a closing prayer, Mr. Gross dismissed everyone back to their classrooms. I thought of his words as looked over my lessons for the day. I wondered what the day would bring our way. As my students sharpened their pencils and opened their spelling books, I wrote the date on the chalkboard, September 11, 2001.

Freedom of Religion

Are you celebrating your freedom today?

(painting by Norman Rockwell)

Just Ask

I invite you to join me in learning John 14. Each week I plan to learn a new verse. I will "recite" what I have learned before and give a short study of the next verse. You may email your "recitation" to me or put it as a comment below the post. I am using the KJV. If you use another, please let me know. I am starting the second half of this chapter, starting with verse 13. I will learn this block of verses and then attempt to recite the whole chapter later.



NEW VERSE
John 15:13-14

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it."

Is this a blank check?
Can I fill it in with ANYTHING?

Yes and No

Yes, because my God is so big and powerful that there is nothing He can't do.
No, because He only allows things that are within His ultimate plan for me.

I don't think I ask for MARVELOUS things because I sometimes doubt that God would ever do them. He not only gives me all my needs, but He also takes pleasure in providing my wishes.

Our church just benefited from such a prayer. A woman at the doctor's office asked our pastor if we'd like a grand piano. He laughed. Our little church can't afford a grand piano, but she wanted to give it to us. Actually, she wanted a smaller piano and made a trade with us. Last Saturday, a baby grand piano that had been played at Carnegie Hall was delivered to our little church.



One of our church members, who had been away all winter, exclaimed, "God answered my prayers!" She had noticed other churches with nice pianos and thought it would be nice if ours had one, too. So, she began praying about it. God dropped a piano in our laps because of her faith and prayers!

Do we lack because we don't ask?

Our Father is the King of everything!
He loves us. He wants to give us good things.

God doesn't always say "yes." If He chooses not to give us all our wishes, we must trust that He has said "No" for a good reason. There is something we must learn. There is some reason we should go without it. Whatever He gives or denies, we must be content in His will.

"...in my name..."

As a wife, there have been times when I have needed to say, "My husband says..." Sometimes it's when I'm at the garage having the car repaired. Sometimes it's over the phone to a salesman. I am speaking in my husband's name. He is the authority behind my request. It gives power to my words. I should be careful not to abuse that power or bring shame to my husband's name. I should be quite sure he agrees with what words I have spoken.

This is similar to when we pray in Jesus's name. We should be careful that our attitudes are in agreement with Him. We should not use His name selfishly or flippantly. He will give our words power before God the Father when we are in His will.

Have you talked with your Father? Have you told him your wishes and needs? He's waiting for you to crawl on his lap, like a child, and talk with Him.

Graduation Days

Yesterday, I attended a very touching graduation. The valedictorian, Hillary Hoyt, was one of my former students. As she gave her speech, she choked a bit when she thanked her parents for being there. Only those who knew her well knew why.

Last winter, her father was diagnosed with cancer and was given only two months to live. Many prayers began rising to the Throne of Grace. "Lord, could you please let him live long enough to attend his daughter's graduation?" The two months came and went, but he was getting weaker.

His joy of looking forward to Heaven was very evident. He spoke to whomever would listen about his wonderful Lord and Savior. Hardened hearts were softened; souls turned to God.

As June arrived and Hillary's graduation neared, prayers poured to Heaven on his behalf. Would he make it to his only child's special day?

Tears of gratefullness filled my eyes as I saw his thin frame wheeled into the auditorium. I knew this was the biggest gift Hillary would recieve today. "Thank you, Lord, for Your wondrous mercy and love!"




Graduation means moving up to something better and higher. Hillary is moving from childhood to adulthood, into college life full of adventure and excitement. Her father will soon be moving into another life, more wonderful than we can ever know. He will be graduating with High Honors, for a faithful life, well-lived.




I ask you to pray for this family. Larry, (for opportunities to share his love for the Lord and family in his last days), for his wife Ellen (that God will give her ways to fill her emptiness without them), and for Hillary (that she will carry the strength of the Lord in her future endeavors)

"Rejoice! I have found my ....paper."

I feel like the shepherd searching for his sheep, or more like the woman sweeping her whole house looking for her lost coin.

I had a request to re-send an article to a magazine, but the file on my computer had been lost. My heart sunk. It had been over three years since I wrote it. I could never rewrite it.

My mind flipped through all possible places a copy of it might be. Could it be on another computer? Did I send it to someone to proofread it? Would they still have it after three years? Did I print it?

Yes, I did print it! I remembered that it was in a folder in my teacher's desk. All the folders were in a box though and packed in the corner of an unused bedroom. I looked at the wall of boxes and stored furniture. Too tired, to tackle the daunting task, I turned to leave the room.

What's that? There was a bookbag on the floor near the door. There are folders in it. Could it be in there? Maybe...maybe... YES! I found it! I found it!

Why was this particular folder not in the boxes with the others? What made me put the bag there? Maybe someone else storing things in this room left it there.

God knew I would need this paper. He knew I would lose my files. He set it right where I could find it today...months...years after I packed up my school things.

Shamefully, I realized that I didn't stop to pray specifically for the Lord to help me find it. I knew my heart was crying out in frustration. But, He knew where it was. He showed me where to look. He answered my heart's cry.

I read in my regular Bible reading this morning,

Psalm 126:3
"The Lord hath done great things for us;
whereof we are glad."

With My Whole Heart

Recently, I've been feeling like my life has been all of ME and MY wants and dreams. I thought I was happy, but I felt something was missing. I knew my focus was in the wrong place. I was talking about me and thinking about me...not about what God has done for me, or what God wants me to do. Convicting verses popped out at me as I read the Bible, shaking their accusing fingers at me.

Revelation 3:15-19
"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot:
I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,
I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods,
and have need of nothing;
and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable,
and poor, and blind, and naked:
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire,
that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed,
and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear;
and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."

Romans 12:1

"I beseech you therefore brethren,
by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service."

Have I given my writing COMPLETELY to the Lord?
What if I never sell anything?
What if I never know if people like it or not?
Is it my writing or God's writing?

These thoughts pestered me like mosquitoes!

"Lord," I said, "I wanted to serve you. What do you want from me?"

I heard Him say, "I want ALL of you...ALL of your writing and ALL of your time and ALL of your thoughts."

With humble heart, I bow to His will. "Lord, take it. It's not worth anything without YOU. Use me, use my writing, use my time as You see fit."

This little song filled my heart:

Let the Lord have His way
In your life everyday;
There's no rest, there's no peace
Until the Lord has His way.
Place your life in His hand;
Rest secure in His plan.
Let the Lord,
Let the Lord have His way!

Not a week later, God blessed me with a wonderful blessing and assignment from Him. Connie Hodsdon Champeon, with Bibles International, wrote me and asked me to help her. She wanted me to write some Bible storybooks that would be translated into newly written languages, to be used a reading primers. It was as if God was waiting for my heart to be in the right attitude before He offered me the job. Even though there won't be any payment, and probably not even any recognition, I don't care. It is something God wants me to do with my HIS writing and time.

I will be continuing my blog and my involvement with FaithWriters and Christian Writers Forum, but only as a secondary priority. I have something more important to do!

Pray for me. Pray that I will write only what He wants me to write. Pray that I will keep my focus on the Lord, that I will "abide" in Him.

"Count Your Blessings"

“Count your blessings; name them one by one
Count your many blessing, see what God has done”

I love that song, and its message has lifted my spirits many times.

Children know how to thank God for their blessings. I smile just remembering some of the things my little ones thanked God for.

At school, for our Thanksgiving chapel time, we would go around the room as many times as we could, thanking the Lord for his blessings. It often sounded like this:

The Bible
My parents
My friends
Food
Recess
Computers
My eyes
Emails
Phones
Hotdogs
Music
My ears
My bed
Salvation
Heaven
My father’s job
Money
Airplanes
Water
Books
Being able to read
Trees
Kittens
Clocks
Grandparents
Snow
Rainbows
Warm house
Chocolate
Our church
Firemen
Dogs
School
Hospitals
Able to walk and run
Etc.

I Thes.5:18 “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Do we look for things to be thankful for in EVERYTHING, even in hard times? I like the story of Pollyanna. I think we ought to play the Glad Game everyday. It beats being gloomy and discouraged!

Lord, teach me to look for ways to thank you for everything, even when it's hard to see. Help me to trust your plan for my life and take all that I receive as a gift from You, knowing that You do all things well. Amen.

PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercesions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peacable life in all godliness and honesty."
I Timothy 2:1,2

Lord, our Great God and Creator, Ruler of all, we bow in earnest prayer today. We ask you for mercy and justice. We know that You raise up nations and bring them down. Lord, we rest in Your wisdom and plan for our land. Lord, we would ask that You would place in our captital, the person that You know is best for our country. We pray that we will have peace and be able to live without fears, to be able to raise our children to honor and worship You. Lord, we pray for our land, that it may honor You and your Word. Teach us to trust your will and judgements. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Making Wishes

"If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride."

We all wish for things. We make wishes on the first star, before blowing out our birthday candles, when we toss a coin in a well or fountain, pulling on a chicken bone, and all kinds of silly things.

Children wish for a puppy or new bike. As we get older, those wishes get bigger and more complex or just impossible. We may wish for a trip around the world or to win a sweepstakes ticket or for world peace.

Our family makes Christmas wish lists. It actually started as a remedy for greed, surprisingly. Every November, a thick colorful book came in the mail; the Sears toy catalog. My kids would wear it out, dreaming and begging for things they hadn't even known existed until they saw it in that catalog. It soon became banned until after the holidays.

I decided that since I didn't always know their wishes, I'd like them to list ten things that they would like or needed for Christmas. The list had to be completed in one day, without looking at a catalog, thus showing what was already in their minds. They also knew that we had the option of giving them only one or two or even none of the items listed. (Of course, we tried to find some of the things they wanted, but always surprised them with things they didn't ask for.)

Even now, as the kids are grown, we still make lists for each other. I think it's one way to see how they are growing and changing in their interests and needs.

Do our children think to ask us or God for something, or do they ask Santa? Do our children think of prayer as wish lists? Do they hear us saying, "If it's Your will, Lord" in our prayers? Do they know that often God has something even better for us? Do they see us get upset when our prayers are not answered the way we thought they should?

"Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

How we deal with wishes and dreams should reflect how we give our requests to God. He wants to hear our thoughts and dreams, but He will fulfill the ones that are best for us.

Lord, teach us to come to you as little children. Let us trust our dreams with You, knowing that You love to hear our prayers. Teach us to believe that You, as our loving Father, will always give us what is best for us. Amen

God is Near

Genesis 28

When I was a child, I was not too happy with the family of Isaac and Rebekah and their boys. Why would they be so deceptive with each other? Why couldn't they get along? How horrible that Jacob had to run away from his twin brother, Esau!

God didn't give up on Jacob. He doesn't let his children run too far away before calling them back to Himself.

Who hasn't heard of the wondrous story of Jacob's dream?(Sleeping on a stone pillow would give anyone a restless night!) A ladder stretches from heaven to earth with angels walking up and down, with God, himself, at the top. He reminds Jacob that He is still there, that He is God, that He keeps His promises.

Jacob is humbled and afraid. "This is none other than the house of God,(Bethel) and this is the gate of heaven." Jacob recognizes the presence of God in his life.

Do we acknowlege God in our life? Do we try to run from God's will for us? With his Spirit living within us, we have the presence of God in us constantly. We should be in an attitude of prayer unceasingly...seeking His will in all we do. Even though these words were spoken to Jacob, I think we can apply them to ourselves:

"And, behold, I am with thee,
and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest,
and will bring thee again into this land;
for I will not leave thee,
until I have done that
which I have spoken to thee of."

Lord, teach us to listen to Your voice. Keep us in an attitude of prayer, seeking Your will for our lives. In Jesus' Name, Amen