{Minute Meditation} Water Balloons at Work?

She has done what she could (Mark 14:8). A friend of mine pointed out this verse a few months ago, and I have embraced it as my own ever since. I tend to get busy with life and then find myself disappointed because my to-do list sits half checked off. I pine over the things I wanted to do but couldn't squeeze in as life threw water balloons at my work party. I wish time could extend or I could warp back in time and do things differently.

What on your to-do list has been pushed aside or left undone this winter? Have things slowed down for you, too? Do you find yourself moving through this season at a turtle's pace?

Here are some water balloons that have come my way:

My good intention of starting a new blog in 2014. God redirected my attentions and reminded me I already have a platform for that particular ministry. It's called Inspire a Fire. So now I have to refocus my thoughts and schedule myself to post on a site I already run.

Moving. Yes, you heard me. Moving. Again. This will be the third time within a twelve-month period. Which has put a wrench in a lot of things. Not stopping them. Just slowing them down a bit. Because now I have to pack again. And take a few days off to make the move again. And then unpack again. Thankfully I've mastered the art of spacial concepts. I am now a super packer. (And a super thrower awayer.)

Sickness. That nasty flu bug fell in love with me this week. Although I want to break up with the flu, it's nasty mucus is clinging for dear life. All but one of my children has had at least a mild amount of symptoms. Some more than others. Thankfully, it's on its way out.

Plans change all the time. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The question remains: how do we handle the water balloons? Do we dive for cover and pray they don't drench us? Do we stand firm and allow them to water us? Do we fall to our knees as they break against us? Or do we allow God to guide us to safety?

Maybe the water balloon of an interruption to life is actually God trying to get through. Like with my website plans. Maybe it's a road that will bring us closer to a dream fulfilled, like this next move (which is bringing me closer to my writing core of friends). Maybe it's a call to rest and soak in His Word, like an illness.

Whatever your water balloon is today, take a moment to stop and consider if God could be in the midst of it.

Friday {in focus} ~ In Someone Else's Words

Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

{2 Corinthians 3:1-6}

This Friday in Focus is a little different than usual. The above is one of my favorite verses to turn on myself as a mirror. Is my epistle one of Christ or one of myself? Does it minister to others? Or is it bitter and selfish, keeping the glory of God buried or hidden beneath my own dingy exterior wall? Will my friends and family and those who I work for receive encouragement or love or a glint of faith and hope when they look upon this epistle? Or will they read a horror story of how lousy my day has gone or review the creases of an argument that occurred before I walked out the door that morning?

It's one thing to be transparent and hang your dirty laundry out for all to see so you can receive others' commendations for how horrible you should be allowed to feel in any given circumstance. It's another to be transparent with the love of Jesus, sharing your testimony of how His blood overcame your worst nightmare in this earthly life to bring you into a place of His grace and glory.

There are a few books on my desk right now that I am savoring every word of. Why? Because I've gotten to know the authors, and every one of them is an epistle of the heart of Jesus Christ. I love every one of them. You know you're close to an author when you can hear their voice reading their written word to you. The Pastor you've listened to for twenty-plus years, who has lead you and challenged you to grow in your walk of faith. The woman whose voice resonates in your heart because she thinks like you when you always thought you might be weird. The woman who takes those things you've hated about yourself but realized there was a purpose for them and exposes the weirdness for what it really is - the image and likeness of God. The woman who tells you its okay to find your voice and use it; others will listen. You have something to say. And the women who continue to encourage you onward in your own writing dreams. These are the hearts I love to read, who I perk up in my seat and listen to as they spill their hearts across the written page.

The Word of God is most important. His truth comes first. But He's also blessed us with fellow epistles to glean from. Others who understand our deep desires and heart needs. Today I celebrate them. Who do you enjoy fellowship with and the opportunity to glean from? What living epistles do you enjoy reading? Who has turned your life upside down for the kingdom of God?

Here are a few of mine mentioned above and where to find their writings:

Pastor Robert Engelhardt - Speaking in Tongues (Heaven's Language)

Mary DeMuth - Not Marked / The Wall Around Your Heart

Jo Ann Fore - When a Woman Finds Her Voice

Laurie Wallin - Why Your Weirdness is Wonderful

DiAnn Mills - The Dance of Character and Plot 

Edie Melson - The Write Conversation 

Friday {in focus} ~ Same Road, Different Season

Have you ever noticed how the same road can look and be so different 

based on the season of life you're in?

Thankfully, God is the same today as He was yesterday and will be tomorrow.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

{Hebrews 13:8}

What road has your character traveled many times in many seasons?
How has that season changed his/her perspective on life?
How has that road changed them throughout the years they've traveled it?
Has your character discovered something new on that journey?

A Book Review ~ Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta

Jessica Dotta presents us with a gripping story of a desire to be loved in the midst of a tale of intrigue within the pages of Born of Persuasion. Here is the back cover copy to whet your appetite for a gothic story that will keep you up late at night:

The year is 1838, and seventeen-year-old Julia Elliston's position has never been more fragile. Orphaned and unmarried in a time when women are legal property of their fathers, husbands, and guardians, she finds herself at the mercy of an anonymous guardian who plans to establish her as a servant in far-off Scotland.
With two months to devise a better plan, Julia's first choice - to marry her childhood sweetheart - is denied. Then a titled dowager offers to introduce Julia into society, opening a realm of possibilities.
Treachery and deception are as much a part of Victorian society as titles and decorum, however, and Julia quickly discovers her present is deeply entangled with her mother's mysterious past. Before she knows what's happening, Julia finds herself a pawn in a deadly game between two of the country's most powerful men. With no laws to protect her, she must unravel the secrets on her own.
But sometimes truth is elusive and knowledge is deadly.

Mark of Distinction, the second book in Dotta's Price of Privilege Trilogy, cannot release soon enough. I read Born of Persuasion in three days, which is fast for me. An average book will take me anywhere from a week and a half to three months to finish, depending on my schedule. To finish a book within three days means I sat and read because I couldn't put it down. I truly didn't want Born of Persuasion to end.

Dotta's characters are gripping, and I found myself in a love/hate relationship with more than one of them. Mrs. Windham is the annoying and vocal woman you'd expect to find in any novel set in the Victorian era. Julia draws sympathy from the reader immediately as everyone around her feels they know what's best for her future. The villains are charmingly deceitful, leaving one wondering who is good and who is evil. It's been a long time since I've hated a villain this much. Of all the aspects of the story, these characters are what made it such an incredible read.

Jessica's novel reminds me a lot of Jane Austen's books, but Jessica certainly has her own voice that rings loud and clear throughout the novel. I truly look forward to reading more from her.

Find a copy here:
amazon
Barnes & Noble
CBD
Parable

{Minute Meditation} Messy Faith

I've always liked to think that faith was something resembling strength, stability, and fearlessness. I've hoped that my faith would be unwavering in the storms of life. That I would stand firm against the gale winds and come out the other side without a tear in my sail. I never imagined faith as being messy or uncomfortable.

Until my New Year rolled in like a thunderstorm. I've spent the last week wavering between faith and joy and tears and despair. When I've seen the will of God, I've experienced an onslaught of desperation. It's been an unusual beginning, to say the least. My faith stands strong and knows God's will is in wonderful progress. My flesh begs for a break and wants to lay down and sleep the month away, spurring me into moments of breakdown tears while I scratch and claw trying to grasp a moment of peace and joy.

BUT GOD. During church on Sunday, I caught glimpses of the prophetic coming to pass. I heard still small whispers of promises kept and hope declared. God said, "Write it down." And while I write, I need to look for His reminders to my heart and soul. To dig deep for that joy and peace within. To remember that He is still standing alongside of me, holding my hand, wiping my tears, and preparing the way for my new year.

And I am reminded of this:

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

{Psalm 51:10 & 12}

Are you experiencing an emotional start to the new year? Do worries and concerns weigh you down? Are you grasping, like me, for joy and peace in the midst of the storms? Allow God to cleanse your heart from doubt, fear, hesitation, unbelief. Allow the generous Spirit of our Lord to renew a steadfast spirit within you, restore the Joy of His salvation, and uphold you.

This too shall pass. And sunny skies are always ahead. I pray God's peace and joy overwhelm you today.