Monthly Archives: October 2010

God Doesn’t Compare

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 Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

 

Lately I have had several discussions about the saints and martyrs of old. On first observation many of us have concluded that today’s people and followers could not or would not be able to live through and make the sacrifices of the saints. I acknowledged today that even with a minimal pressure I run and hide. I consider myself a good Catholic and believe that I have a strong faith, but compared these men, women and even children it pales. I’m a wimp.

But then I hear God’s still small voice. “Why do you compare yourself to them, I don’t?  I gave them what they needed. For didn’t I give Peter and Paul the words they needed to spread my Gospel, and John the Baptist, who do you think had his back? These all were simple men and yet once they believed and let me into their lives, they were able to do my work with no trouble.”

And if you argue that was then, this is now, “You don’t speak to people in this day and age like you did then.” Well God would have to point out people like Mother Theresa, Cassie Bernall and so many others that are still hearing His voice”

I guess the thing God wants us to remember and put in our hearts is that first of all; He is comparing each and every one of us to no one else. We are all judged on ourselves alone. Second; when we are put in those situations where we need God, guess what, He’s there. He will give us what we need to handle and survive, if that is His plan. Third; God will celebrate your victories, no matter how small.

So forget the comparisons, God has, celebrate your faith and count on Him to be there when you need Him, for He always is. You are blessed by God.

Most gracious and merciful Jesus, please be there when I need your strength. Don’t compare me to the saints, but instead judge me on my use of the gifts you have given me. Finally when I need you please be there. Thank you Lord for all that you have given me and for all that you will do for me in the future. Thank you for being there when I needed your words, your actions to spread your gospel. Thank you for the words of this devotion. All this I pray through your almighty son, Jesus. Amen

All for the Glory of God,

Chris

http://www.todayisagooddaywithgod.com

Making Friends Monday

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Tristi Pinkston hosts a wonderful writing blog and is inviting and chatting with other bloggers on her sight on Mondays. I have a little blurb up there this week. So trot on over to her sight and check it out.  Thank you Tristi.

Here is a little bit about Tristi: Read and enjoy, then head over to her sight and check it out.

Tristi Pinkston has been blogging since 2006.  On her main blog, (http://www.tristipinkston.blogspot.com) she covers everything from writing tips and the life of a published author to kid funnies, spiritual thoughts, and embarrassing moments.  She also has a weight loss blog, one for writing challenges, another for her fictional characters … and she lost count of how many others she has.  You can find the links for them on her sidebar.
Tristi is the author of five published novels and a whole kit ‘n caboodle of unpublished novels.  Right now she’s focusing on cozy mysteries, although she has written historical fiction in the past and plans to write more in that genre.  She works as a freelance editor and a virtual book tour coordinator.  She loves taking long naps, being charmingly annoying, and watching good movies.  She’s a Mormon, a homeschooler, a Cubmaster, and most of the time, a headless chicken.

God Bless,

Chris

God Always Hears and Answers

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If we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (1 John: 14-15)

We cry out to God, we don’t get an answer. We cry out again, and still we don’t get an aswer. We cry out one more time imploring Him to listen and answer our pleas. How often has this scenario played itself out in our lives? How often have we gotten angry because the answers aren’t slapping us in the face. And yet again, how often do we not hear the answers and decide that we don’t deserve to have our prayers answered?

Now after all of this, how many of us stop and consider, maybe we didn’t wait long enough? Maybe we weren’t quiet enough or maybe God answered, but we didn’t like the answer.

God always hears and always answers, but it is up to us to stop long enough to listen and then accept the answer. For God knows best and even though we think we know best, sometimes (most of the time) we don’t know what’s best for us. God does and He always answers in that knowledge. Be quiet, be still, be patient, for the answer is just in front of you and it is always what God knows is best for you.

Oh most gracious and ever loving Jesus. By saying your name I pray and with that prayer, I implore you hear and answer my cries. Lead me down your chosen paths and let me never be seperated from your glorious and all satisfying wisdom. Thank you Jesus for knowing what is best for me even when I can’t or won’t see it and for only answering my prayers through your wisdom. This thing I pray to my most beloved God, through your son, the most Holy Jesus. Amen

All for the Glory of God,

Chris

http://www.todayisagooddaywithgod.com

Look Unto Jesus

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Looking unto Jesus… who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross… and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

 

Do you have anxiety, fear? Do you want something to happen, but don’t want to wait for it?

Look to Jesus; lay your burdens at His feet. In your anxiety and fear, you will see His calm. In your impatience, witness His patience.

Recently, I had an opportunity to have a crucial piece of writing critiqued, with the possibility that the agent looking at it would ask to see more pages and possibly take on my project. I spent hours working on the piece, even showed it to several people. I convinced myself that the final piece I sent to her was sure to garner that request and I would be able to shortcut the query process. However, once again though, I had made the mistake of not considering Jesus in the equation, much to my future chagrin.

So anyway I sent the piece to the agent, and then sat back on my laurels, just waiting for the inevitable invite. This morning in my email, there it is the excitement bubbles as I open it. I read through, notes in red start to appear. Just notes for future reference, I’m sure she still wants it. Then the last paragraph: The query isn’t quite to the point yet where we would ask for sample pages. My heart hits the floor. How could they not want my pages?

I chat with a friend and go over the points of the note, and then I run off to physical therapy for my foot. Now I am back home and have gained a little perspective thanks to this devotional.

I should have put it in Jesus’ hands, but I thought I did. Well if I was disappointed by the outcome I didn’t. I would have graciously accepted the results and planned how to move forward. Now two hours later that is what I am doing.  From here on out (at least as much as my human foibles will let me) I will place my trust in Jesus and accept whatever He has planned. I pray that it will be this novel someday, but if not then I will follow His lead to wherever that destination may be.

Most awesome, powerful Jesus I pray that you take my burdens, my worries, my impatience as I lay them at the foot of your cross. And please take them before I can grab them back. Teach me how to live patiently, calmly and in your perfection, to realize that I can do nothing without you, to wait on your time and not rush things to my idea of perfection. This I implore you my most gracious Savior, Jesus. Amen.

All for the Glory of God,

Chris

http://www.todayisagooddaywithgod.com

Writing Emotions

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My writing journey has been on an interesting path this last week. I’m not sure what can be learned, but I’m sure that as writers many of us had some of these same experiences.

Part of my journey recently has included discontinuing anxiety medication that I have been on for the past several years. I made a conscious decision to do this and turn at least that part of my life over to God. One of the side effects of the medication was an emotional shutdown. I used to be a crier, but while on the medicine I hadn’t cried. This past weekend, I cried. This may sound crazy, but I was so happy to cry, to feel enough emotion to make me cry. Not that I want to go through what I went through this weekend again, but if felt good to cry.

So you may be asking “What does this have to do with my writing?” Well I’m going to tell you. I’m sure you remember my wip and the twin princes who are having a lot of teen angst. Connect the dots, if I’m not feeling my emotions completely, I have trouble writing an emotion, filled scene, one that tears your heart out or makes you shout with joy. My writing was suffering, because my emotions were being blocked. So now the medicine is out of my system, I can cry, but can I write that scene.

As I said the last weekend was an emotional one for us. We had some family issues that I won’t go into here, they aren’t important, except for the help they gave. But that is the end of the story.  So for the beginning: I didn’t start out writing an emotional scene, it was on my list, but because of the circumstances of the weekend was low on the priority list. Instead I have been reading Natalie Goldberg’s book Wild Mind. (www.nataliegoldberg.com)

 In it she gives a lot of hints about getting down deep within yourself and writing from there. So that’s what I was doing. I had been praying to God to bring me out of this place and wasn’t hearing any answers, but this was all in my head. Then it hit me, why don’t I write this down, everything that I am feeling. That’s what I did, I wrote everything that was bouncing around in my head, down on a sheet of paper, with no intention of everyone ever reading it.

Slowly my family worked their way out of the quagmire we had been embroiled in and life slowly got back on a more even keel. My list shifted and things on the bottom moved to the top. Enter my prince supposedly torn apart by good and evil. How do I write this scene? How do I find that emotion that I know is there and put it on his sleeve? Wait, I was there yesterday. That prayer, the crying of my heart and soul, is just what this prince needs. Now this inconsequential prayer of mine becomes Joachim’s prayer. A few minor changes, a few deletions and now I have a prince torn by emotions. And my critique group thinks so to.

So what did I take from this, what words of wisdom can I give to you? I’m not sure, for me I realized first; you have to be able to feel the emotion, relate to it. The drugs were blocking what I needed to be able to access. Don’t misread this and go out and stop taking your prescriptions for depression or anxiety, you and your doctor have seen a necessity for this. For me it was time to stop and get in touch with myself, it may not be that time for you.

For me feeling those emotions was the necessary catalyst to create the emotional scene. I hope I don’t have to do that every time, but for this time I am thankful that we had an emotional weekend.

Anyway I don’t know what you can take from this, but I know I had to write it. So there it is do what you want with it.

Thank you and God Bless,

Chris

http://www.literarygumbo.com