Real Life is Better Than Fiction

After dealing with a bit of a kafuffle this week, some apologies are necessary. Then a friend of mine sang this song for special music on Wednesday night at church. It was exactly what I needed to hear. No matter how many times I hurt someone or someone hurts me, forgiveness is always there. Even if someone chooses not to forgive me, I can still go to God with a repentant heart and no that he will never turn away his forgiveness from me. So this week, listen to the song and think about forgiveness from both sides. Think about those you need to forgive and think about those who need to forgive you. Then think about Christ and know that He has already forgiven you.

It’s another “oldie but goodie” this week. In honor of Father’s Day, the song is “My Father’s Eyes.” I was born into a Christian hoe with a godly father. I he taught me many things, as any good father should. One of those things he exemplified was standing strong. I was pretty young, but old enough to remember, when he stood strong for what was right at his place of employment. He may have gotten fired, but he showed me what the right thing to do was – in God’s eyes, not man’s. My family was often in situations where there was a lot of drinking. My father never drank or got drunk as his friends around him did. He stood strong for what he believed in. He stood by my mother’s side and prayer for her daily as she battled cancer. He looked to God for (and received) a strength he wouldn’t have had by himself. He showed me what it was to stand for Christ in a world that constantly mocks Him. He showed me what it was to be a reflection of the Father’s eyes. Thanks for that, D...

So often I hear people talking about being inadequate to serve the Lord. We all feel inadequate from time to time, but we have to remember that we ARE inadequate. It’s only through God that we can do what we do. I think that keeps us humble in our serving. Without God we can do nothing. As you listen to the song this week, ask God to use you. If you are one of those people (like me) who seem to fumble when you’re trying too hard, ask God to use you without knowing it. Allow yourself to serve, in spite of yourself, and be a blessing to someone this week. You only need "The Touch of the Master's Hand."

Just for the moment, forget that I’m a writer. I’m a reader. This past week I read a book (I can’t tell what that book is because it’s not out yet) that touched me in a way that I doubt the author intended (I can’t share that, either, for personal reasons). Has a book ever just secretly made you smile? Has a book ever confirmed at least one purpose you have a life? That is exactly how I feel about this particular book. What did I do? I looked up the author’s contact information and sent her little note. I hope it was encouraging to her to know what it was that I took away from her work. Okay, now I’m back to being a writer. Having been an author on the receiving end of those types of notes, I tell you they ARE very encouraging. And they always come at just the right time… those moments when I’m too tired, too discouraged, and never want to put pen to paper again. I encourage you as a reader to let authors know what they meant to you, whether it’s a personal message, o...

There are some songs that when I hear them, I think of a particular person. Maybe it is that person’s favorite song. Maybe I heard them sing it at some point. I think God does that on purpose. When I hear that song, I pray for the person that it brings to mind. This week’s song always reminds me of my friend Ashley. She sang this in church for special music one day, making it officially “her” song in my mind. Whenever I hear this song I am reminded to pray for her and her husband as they are now missionaries. It’s a powerful song. Give it a listen, and if you think about it, say a little prayer for Ashley, her family, and their ministry. I know God will hear and answer your prayers. 

I missed the Song of the Week last week simply because life was crazy. There are times when life makes me feel like breaking out in song. Do you ever feel that way? If I had to choose a song for last week it would definitely be the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah . My husband and I got to take a long weekend together…by ourselves…with no kids…alone for our anniversary. Hallelujah! Then my son finished school for the year, which deserves another rousing rendition of Hallelujah! The song of the week this week is much more subdued. With today being Memorial Day, I wanted to encourage you to take a moment and remember all those who have lost their lives fighting so we can have the freedoms we have today. Yes, there is much to complain about because of what is happening within our country and government, but we still live in the greatest nation on earth and there were those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Can you remember your first best friend? All of us can think of at least one classmate we considered our dearest friend. For me it was Eileen. We met in first grade and hit it off the very first day. I was the new kid at school and she shared her snack with me. We did everything together at school and away from school. We remained best friends until several years later when her dad’s job transferred him and the family to another city. Over the years people have come in and out of my life. Have you ever wondered why people come and go so quickly? I have often wondered why God allowed me to get close to someone when He knew we would lose contact two weeks later. Friends are often in our life for a season; for some purpose that needs fulfilling. There was a girl I grew close to while we were going to the same school. We ended up going to different high schools, but kept in touch because the guys we dated were relatives. We even kept up with each other for a while after we were married...