A Time to Speak

Have you ever felt like you were in the desert and suddenly you saw the ocean? Were you on the back burner and began to bubble over? Perhaps a rock being pulled ever tighter in a slingshot, just ready to be shot forth in full force describes your situation.
If you relate to these examples, this word is for you. There was a time to keep silent, but now is the time to speak. Thank God that He has prepared you and say what He impaarts. Your heart will be thumping and you will know. Child of God, your word will be full of power and truth. Nancy

The NOW moment

Once when I was at a Christian camp, I was listening to my favorite speaker. When he was done, he wanted to pray for us. I knew that would take a lot of time and I had prepared the activity following the sermon. There wouldn't be time for both. I had put a lot of time into that activity. I was asked it it was O.K. to skip my lesson and go with the preacher. Oh, course, God was already speaking. Why go elsewhere?
Another instance: in my quiet time God was speaking to me in various ways, moving me around in the Word. I had several devotional type things to catch up on. The Lord spoke to my spirit, "what you are doing now is the most important thing. Don't worry about the rest." When God is in something, that is the important NOW moment. Get all you can out of it. Don't hurry on to the next thing.

Quiet Moments

I have been taking care of my son's cat lately. The first time I came, he was sighted but ran away and I couldn't find him. The next time, I called him - "Moooo." His name is Mr. Moo and he is a gorgeous Persian. He was under the bed. I scratched the rug by the edge of the bed and he came out. I was able to give him a couple of good hugs and pats. The next time the same thing happened. Yesterday, when I got there and called "Moooo," he came running down the hall. I patted him a lot and then took him on my lap. He just let me pet him for a long time. I don't have a pet and I love cats. I love taking care of them. As I petted, I could think. It is the kind of feeling I get when I weed the garden or go fishing. Time seems to float, as if that time frame was outside of the regular schedule of this and that. When I come again, will my fuzzy pal remember me? I hope he knows he has a friend.

On another note, I was praying for some serious stuff last night. There were tears in my eyes. I was going over my writings and scriptures that the Lord has given me to speak and proclaim. One was from the devotional, The Upper Room. It was torn in half and I had underlined one side for one specific issue. On impulse, as I was lifting my voice to God, I thought I'd read the other side where there were no underlinings. My eyes fell on the end where it said," God hears the cries of your heart." I looked up and smiled. "Really, Lord. you are something else." It was one of those times when I know that I know that I know that He exists and that he loves me and that He is in charge of all that concerns me. I am passionate about how this happens. I want others to know how very personal our loving Heavenly Father is. He gives us good things and He hears us when we pray. He gives us little quiet moments like with a pretty kitty and with a great big God. Love to all. Nancy

Another Month

This is my two month blog anniversary. I feel a lot more confident than I did two months ago. I have learned so much. This is a place where I can share my faith and encourage others. Here I can write fresh new things, not just on my blog, but on my comments. Each is a sort of mimi essay.
My knowledge of the internet is growing. I am learning to navigate a whole lot better.
Most of all, I meet wonderful people who are doing the same things - writing and reading - but they all have distinct stories to tell.
Each month expands like a flower. Hopefully there's a new computer in my next month. Personal issues are getting more exciting every day. Praise God! He is so faithful. Nancy

Family Ties

We had a wonderful Father's Day here. I knew my first son and his fiance were coming, but we were surprised that my husband's mom and dad from Az. and his younger brother could come. It was suggested that we show them the pictures of the baby, but we couldn't because my son, the baby's father, hadn't yet told them the baby was named after my father-in-law and the nane was on the pictures. So conversation turned to other things. Finally the call came from Colorado and both grandparents heard the news of the name and were thrilled. Then they saw the pictures and we all fell in love with the baby all over again. My husband got a nice toaster oven which he needed. He also got a handmade card from my lovely daughter who is very talented. We all had good fish and steak. And we talked about plans for my eldest's upcoming wedding.
In the evening, I saw internet pictures of my middle son's first Father's Day with Baby. I'm not likely to have a day quite so special in a long time. Nancy

In The Heavenlies

Scribed by Gracie Prior

Dearest One,
You are my sweet Beloved. I see your desire to change and I will honor it and answer your prayers.
Every so often, you get a glimpse of holy truth. It is not words but a flash of insight. These have been brief, I know. They have been so brief that you couldn't grasp them, but they filled you with wonder. I am going to increase these so that you will be able to hold them in your heart and live them. I will bring you up to the heavenlies with Me and there you will stay. You can be and are seated in heavenly places right now. I will help you to get your focus off yourself. I willl help you to be a truly joyflul, child-like child of God. As you seek Me, you will be who I created you to be. Eyes on Me. Follow Me. I"m smiling and beckening you on.

Love,

Your Abba

The Big Shoes

Fathers seem to get a bad rap these days and are nearly always portrayed as "the goofus" of the family. That's not the real story. Fathers have a definite role to play in the life of a child that no one else can fill.
There's a "Dad" kind of nurturing that's not as soft as Mom's. Dad is a teacher, a demonstrator, a role model, and a "liver of Life."
Dads are hearty. They clean the snow off the windshield in winter and bring the car around in inclement weather.
Dads smell good - of leather, wool, and Old Spice. They have scratchy whiskers that rub your face and great big smiles. Dads have warm hands, long arms, and listening ears.
Dads are dependable and show up at all the ball games - even the away ones and the ones that no one else wants to see.
Most Dads like to fish. You'll see them above quiet, sparkling waters, wearing their floppy old hat with the fish hooks still in it.
Dads raise their hands in church when no one's looking, and even when they are.
Dads like country music, oldies and silly songs.
As a surprise, Dad picks out a present, just for you - without Mom's help..
Dads aare so busy that they always need alarm clocks.
On summer days, you'll hear Dad out mowing, as the aroma of cut grass makes its way to you through the window, reminding you of summers that have passed.
Whose wallet is more worn out than Dad's? It is usually full of ONES and there's always trails of money going out to you.
Dad's junk drawer is a fun to explore; it is filled with tie tacks, handkerchiefs, coins, and old souvenirs like the "prized" bowling pin.
Dad's closet has lots of shirts handging in a row. How many red checked shirts can he possibly use? There are also a few dress shirts, way in the back.
Dads like trips to a lake or to a pool, and they become the greatest of turtles. They swim and dive as we hang on for dear life!
Some Dads bake homemade cookies and create special salads; some love barabequing and covr themselves with silly aprons, as they flip burgers into the air.
Dad is the chauffeur - always behind the wheel. He is a silent companion, that is, until he speaks a "word of wisdom" that only he can give.
They're tears, yes tears, at his daughter's wedding as he prepares to give her away. Dad is looking expecially handsome in his starched tuxedo. You ask yourself, ":Is that really MY Dad?"
Dads shy away from babies, "No, no! I don't want to hold the little guy?" And later, they carry the "precious bundle," here, there, and everywhere, proudly showing him off.
Society thinks it has little use for Fathers. Society is wrong. Fathers walk across the landscape of the family with strength and grace. They are firm and gentle, weary and wise.
They wear themselves out for those they love. If it seems that they get a "little" back, Dads just give more. They know that their gift is good. Time will show, through matured lives, that all their sacrifices were worth it.
Oh, Dad! Your shoes are mighty big to fill!! (Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there! Nancy)

The Next Step

My son and his wife are thrilled to finally be holding their baby. I'm so glad he's here and that he's healthy. We have all waited a long time for him. My kids and the baby will now go to a cute little cottage and wait for legal stuff and then they can come home from Col. to Mi. and I can finally see and hold the baby. It's hard to wait, but I'm just so blessed.

Special Day

Tuesday I became a grandma for the first time. I am so excited. My son and daughter-in-law just adopted a baby boy. He is beautiful. I already downloaded his pictures on the internet. You can see him on Heart Cries, which is on my blogger reading list. The whole adoption story is truly amazing. I am so happy for them.
Next week, I would like to publish one of my essays from my file. See you then. Nancy

Connecting Places

I had a wonderful weekend. It started Thursday evening when my daughter's boyfriend won a singing contest. I had no idea how talented he was. I could imagine him using his gifts for the Lord. I also had an opportunity to meet the parents. It was a great time.
Friday, my husband and I went fishing. I loved the peaceful setting: the willows, reeds and quiet. I used my new lure which is purple and silver that I call a chandelier. It caught the sunlight and was so pretty. Together we caught and kept thirteen fish, about half of them mine. My husband cleaned them, a messy job. Then I thought of Jesus at the Sea of Tiberius where he met the disciples a third time and was cooking there on the shore. "Bring some of the fish which you have just caught." John 21:10. This is one of my favorite stories. I can see Him smiling as He offered breakfast to the weary men. We got the fish home, cooked and ate them, all within less than two hours.
Saturday we went to the Tigers-Pirates ballgame in Pittsburg. The city is so beautiful with its arches, bridges, flowers and architecture. We lost the game, but during the T-shirt shoot, we raised our hands to catch a freebie. As I did this, I just praised God and sang to Him. It wasn't expecially brave, but we connected.
The next morning at the hotel, I found a Gideon Bible and notes someone had taken on Psalms 102-104. I wondered at how many travelers are cheered and given hope because of those placed Bibles. I did my devotions and smiled. There are many connecting places along the way. I love it when that happens. Nancy

Frozen Again

I had a wonderful blog going, but there is something going wrong with the library computers. Mine froze and lost my lovely article when I was almost done. I'll write it at home and put it on soon. I just want to say now that I just have to go over, around, through, or whatever it takes to get to where I'm going. I know that I'll get there. I have that promise.
Some very nice prople helped me, here at the library. I'm thankful for them.

That Gift

Read Proverbs 22:17-21
"Do not neglect the gift that is in you..."1Tim.4:14 NKJ
I saw some stickers at a grcery store with that scripture on it. They greatly encouraged me. I love to see a witness for the Lord out in the open market.
I thought hard about that word. "Don't neglect your gift." You know what it is. It may not be operating now, but if God has whispered it in your ear, it will. How many times during the years have I seen God's promise about my writing. I would think, yeah, yeah, sure. I wanted it, but I couldn't see down the road. There was a curve up ahead and the longed-for thing so distant.
Sometimes you have to lay you gift on the alter. I had children to raise, I had work to do. Still God would whisper, there's that gift. Keep at it.
Now I see a little bit of what He had in store. Even now, so much is hidden. But His voice keeps repeating, hear there, and everywhere, "don't neglect your gift." You know what it is.
Father, how we thank you for your encouragement. We lift up these secret gifts to you as our offering. Use them mightily in your Kingdom. Amen
(So glad for this place to share. Blessings on all. Nancy)

Living and Writing

There are several reasons why I haven't blogged for a few days. The first one is that I have been so enchanted with this whole process, that it takes up a lot of my time and thought and I haven't done too much else. They say you need to do a lot of livin' to be a writer. I needed to go out and live a little bit. My creativity was going dry.
The other reason I am pausing now and then is that this old computer is on its last legs. I hope it lasts until I can get a new one. I am planning that even now. If by chance these messages get even thinner, you'll know that it is reason number 2, not number 1. I'm black in the flow again.
This was a party weekend. June seems to be almost as hectic as Christmas. I went to a high school graduation party for one of my husband's relatives. I love to see all of the family. How wonderful for God to give us so many extra people to love.
On Saturday, I helped my daughter make lasagna and muffin-top cookies. I don't like to cook, but helping her is always fun. Her goods turned out very well and we got a lot of excellent fellowship into the mix. On Sun, there was a graduation/going away party for a young friend. It was fun, but I will miss her. Later in the day, my husband and I went to a first year birthday party for the little boy I watched some time ago. He had grown so much. The part that touched my heart was when I held him and talked to him, his smile lighted up and he was just so happy. That he remembered my voice was so important, because I had sung all those songs and talked his head off at meal times. He and I could still relate.
Now that I am back, I am so excited about all the new projects and people to meet through this blog. Thanks for all your comments. Hope to be back very soon. Nancy

Defensemen

I showed you how I want you to be a defense player. As you block and take obstacles out of the way of my quarterbacks of workers, you will be an equally important part of the kingdom. What good is a person who carries the ball (Gospel) if the enemy tries to pull him down or succeeds?
You block those attacks. It takes courage. You get wounded. You don't always get credit for pulling down the ball carrier of evil. You may get no notice for a block or tackle, but you are very useful to Me.
Once in awhile, you get the ball and run with it. Sometimes you may even get a touchdown. But that is the exception. Though you get knocks and little glory, I love you. So don't be sad or worry about your place. You are a mighty defenseman as you help my ball carriers have an easier run down the field. A lot is riding on your being in your place and doing your job. You just have to block one play at a time. You can do that. I'm counting on you.
(Intercessors, givers, hospitality people, exhorters - this could be you.)

Something New

One day I was trying to get a string through the hole in the band of my husband's pants. I tried every which way. As I was about to give up, (the end had no plastic piece to help push it through,) I saw a new opening I hadn't seen before. I thought at first it was just thick material like a seam (an obstruction.) Then I saw that it was another hole. I only had about 1/2 " to go to the finish. After pulling the string through the new hole and putting a pin on it for a pusher, I was able to finish. I actually had five minutes left on the time I had given myself to do the job.
God is saying (in many different ways it seems,) there's a new opening sooner than you think and I'll get you there. Keep working. You'll succeed.

Surprise!

There was a time when I had an election sign out front in my yard. On looking out my window one day, I didn't see it. I immediately thought it was stolen. I was totally upset that anyone would do that. Then as I went on my walk that day, I saw that it was lying on the ground. My husband must have laid it there when he mowed the lawn. Just because I couldn't see it, I thought it wasn't there. But praise God, the sign was still there!
There was another time when I had a tiny piece of bone wedged in my teeth. I can't stand that feeling. I couldn't get it out with any amount of force. The next day it was just gone. God can remove the strongest obstacles.
People and things are better than you think. Aren't you glad that God is in control?

Meditation

I was just thinking how sometimes I get away from the Lord a bit by being busy. It may be only a scheduling problem, not deliberate. But it can take my mind away from Him. One night, I just talked to God and had fellowship. I only went one-half step back to Him and He came barreling back to me, as if I had been lost for a long time. I was awed and overwhelmed by His love.
How He came to me was in confirmation. I had been enjoying the Bible, and He had been causing the Old and New Testaments to fit together for a specific day, using the same words and themes.
Then He used a prayer partner to confirm a truth about success that I had been asking about. Finally, He double confirmed the message in Unger's Bible Handbook where I was checking on something from Matthew.
I wish I could tell my lost and searching friends how He does this and how it touches me. Would they understand? So I am writing it down. Maybe "the God who is there" will reveal Himself to others in this way. That is my hope. That is my prayer.

Introduction to Children's Literature

I would like to tell you about my children's literature course at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. I had the most fabulous teacher. I'll call her Mrs. R. because I don't rememver her exact name. How any student could slouch in there I don't know. For me, from day one she had me. She told the class that children should have only the very best literature. I learned about early children's books like Johnny Crow's Garden and we were introduced to the Newberry and Caldecott awards. The Caldecott for that year was Drummer Hoff. She also read a poem called A Reading Mother by Strickland W. Gillilan which ended, "Richer than I you can never be- I had a Mother who read to me." That notion hit my heart. It stayed locked there for many years until one day, I had children of my own and could read to them. I always felt like I was giving them treasures, the riches of the poem, whenever they snuggled on my lap and we opened a book.
Mrs.R. was responsible for many of my choices: Where the Wild Things Are, The Snowy Day, Madeline's Rescue, The Little Island, and The Little House, all Caldecotts. When she talked, she had such a passion to get the good stuff out to the next generation. I wanted to carry on her torch.
It was in this class that I first heard about The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I pictured the witch with a black gown and a black pointy hat, the wardrobe as a bunch of clothes, and then the lion. I didn't see how they could all go together, so I wasn't interested, even though she was very enthusiastic. It wasn't until many years later that I found the Narnia books by picking up a copy of The Last Battle. I had heard that it was about Revelation in the Bible. Then I was hooked on all of the books.
One more thing Mrs. R. did for me was introduce me to The Wind In The Willows. I could either read that "classic" or Alice in Wonderland. Since I had already read the latter, I chose the former. I soon fell in love with all the little woodland creatures in Kenneth Grahame's wonderful book. The illustrations from various artists from that book are some of my very favorite.
From that class on, because of Mrs. R's enthusiasm and love of good children's literature, I have been a follower of picture books, chapter books, and children's novels. Thank you Mrs. R. for your legacy, which I intend to pass on.
(Hope this finds you well and happy. Nancy)