Did you forget something?

 

There I was, in the middle of baking up something really terrific - when I went to the pantry for an ingredient, and, you guessed it - there wasn’t enough. I saw the bag on the shelf earlier but didn’t check the amount inside. So I had to stop what I was doing and run to the store. But I did find exactly what I needed. Before I knew it, I was back in the kitchen and filling the room with a scrumptious smell! And the treats were delish!

Prayer works the exact same way. You don’t have enough of something? Perhaps you are low and need another carton of strength, or a big bottle of patience, or a bag of fresh hope.  The first thing you need to do is… stop. Then you go to the place where these things are found. That would be God. You will find everything and anything you need in Him. You can just ask for it. You turn your heart towards Him and whatever it is - is freely given. (I found so many scripture verses that support this). Now you can go back to what you were doing and finish with amazing results. Just like my treats! Heavenly!

And this same God Who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:19 NLT

 “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.  For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.  Is there anyone among you who, if your child asked for bread, would give a stone?  Or if the child asked for a fish, would give a snake?  If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! - Matthew 7:11 NRSVUE

 You can never please God without faith, without depending on him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely look for him. - Hebrews 11:6 TLB

 We know that we can trust God to do the things that he has promised. So we must continue to expect those things. We must tell other people that we trust God. We should not stop doing that. - Hebrews 10:23 EASY

God said, “I dare you.”

It happened just a couple months ago. I had already signed up to attend a conference for Christian creatives. I was hoping to get some encouragement about my blogging and notecards ministry. Some direction. Some clarity from believers in the industry. But in March, God put a challenge before me. It interrupted my morning prayers. “Submit your book drafts to the contest.” You see, I had written a children’s book, goodness - years ago. And it sat on a back burner because 1) what if it wasn’t good enough, and 2) I don’t want to invest all that time and effort in illustrating it if it wasn’t good enough. I also started writing a devotional book that included much of my own artwork, along with scriptures and prayer prompts. I put together a sample copy using a self-publishing company. But the draft copy they sent me was a real disappointment. So that, too, went on a back burner. I guess I wasn’t meant to go in that direction after all…

So in March I saw the advertisement on social media for submissions to the Oasis Award Contest held by the Well Publishers and the deadline was fast approaching. And that’s when God stepped in. So I did it. I closed my eyes and just did it.

To make a long story short, here is a picture of the announcement made on the last night of the conference.

And now there is a contract with an editor and the publishing company underway. And I will be a real published author… never saw that coming… Lord, you have taken my breath away!

To God alone be the glory… (but, wow, I can’t wait to work on this with You, Lord!)

Reunion!

My husband and I just got back from a trip of seeing family and friends and attending a conference. I can’t tell you the immense joy of gathering with them to share hugs and tell stories and all the catching up. All the love flowing! Getting together with those you love - and who love you - has such a healing power.

At the conference I saw past acquaintances, plus made some new friends, all who have a love for Christian writing, artwork, worship, music… How wonderful to spend time with a group of people who love the Lord as much as I do! And love expressing it in so many creative ways! It, too, had such a healing and inspirational power.

We also worshipped at different places while we were away from home. We enjoyed different styles of worship. And it really broadened my view of just how vast and diverse the love of God and the love for God can be - and yet, at the heart’s level, we are all the same. We all love God. Praise Him. Desire Him. Invite Him into our lives. It was powerful to stand in the midst of it all and be impacted by it.

Now that I am home, I look forward to other groups I am a part of - knitting, bible studies, etc. Getting together with people who share the same interests is empowering and gives such support and encouragement to whatever it is you have in common. There is an excitement that flows between you. And joy! Certainly good for your mental health!

That’s why it is so important to gather as Christians, celebrating the love of God in and between us. There is joy in doing things together. There is joy in being surrounded by people with the same passion for Christ and Christlike living. It is healing and strengthening. There is a time for private personal time with the Lord. And there is a time for gathering with like-minded believers.

And it is so good! So good for your spiritual and mental health! And for theirs!

I encourage you to enjoy the fellowship found in so many areas of life. And know it is all love poured out from our Heavenly Father. It does His heart good to see us loving and celebrating life with each other. 

They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to fellowship… all the believers were together… they continued to meet together… and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. - Acts 2:42-47 

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another… - Hebrews 10:24-25