Connie Cameron's Blog -- Spread the Word

No “Do Overs”

2012-01-26T13:45:00.003-05:00

Do you remember playing a game as a child, and if it wasn’t going the way you wanted (you weren’t winning) you’d call out, “Do over!” You might even have kept repeating those two words until you actually won. Or maybe you were practicing a musical piece and goofed up during the first stanza. Again, “Do over!” you’d exclaim.

As adults, how many times at the end of a year do we look back and long to beg, “Do over, please!” Maybe what leads us to that desperate request were some poor choices we made, such as our mortgage – we never should have agreed to those painful balloon payments. We assumed our income would increase and that the value of our home would, too, but instead we lost our job and our house. Or maybe it was that new car scent that got us to sign on a whim. “It’s been so long since I’ve had a new car…” we yearned. Or perhaps your “do over” doesn’t have anything to do with money. Maybe it was words spoken in haste or in anger. “If I’d just walked away and kept my mouth shut…”

We all have them – regrets. Oh sure, I’ve run into people who say they live their life so that they don’t have any, but I believe that in most cases they are either very young, they are fibbing, or they haven’t done much with their life. We all have sin in our life and the Bible says we are to hate sin. In that respect we should be regretful of our sins so that we humble ourselves before God and ask His forgiveness.

Because I am human I will not stop sinning this side of heaven, but I have found the secret as to how to lessen the longing for “do overs” in my life. Actually, John nailed it when he said:

“I must decrease so that He will increase in my life”, (John 3:30).

How do we do that? How do we decrease and how do we increase Jesus in our life? For starters, we need to put Him first. As soon as you awaken talk to the Lord, then ask Him to help you throughout your day. Spend time in God’s word, studying it and praying it back to Him. Put God above yourself, humbling yourself, obeying Him, and putting others before your own wants and needs.

I’ve had the privilege of visiting several people on their deathbed, praying with them as they prepare to leave this world. Not one of them has ever said they regret what they did for Jesus. Most are feeling quite the opposite, wishing they could have a “do over” and put Him first instead of last, or maybe He wasn’t even in their life at all.

We are in a race and we can’t go back and salvage any time lost from 2011, but we can resolve not to waste 2012. We can do our part to make disciples in all nations, share His message of hope with a hurting world, and love our neighbor as we love ourself. In other words, we can resolve to live this year as if it will be our last.

Because, when our heart truly yearns for Home, we won’t want to stay here and do it over.

Jesus said, “The time has come. The holy nation of God is near. Be sorry for your sins, turn from them, and believe the Good News,” (Mark 1:15).

Believing in Him,
Connie

Prisoner of Love

2011-12-21T11:49:00.003-05:00

When I think of Jesus’s physical birth and how God could have arranged the birth anywhere and in any setting, it speaks of “humility” right off the bat. God purposely chose such humble beginnings (a young, poor couple as parents and a dirty, stinky stable for the location) as the opening scene in the greatest love story ever told. Fast-forward to the final scene of Jesus’ natural life and you see Him being treated as the worst of criminals. He was spat upon, beaten and flogged beyond recognition, yet He was completely innocent. Jesus was a prisoner of love, by His choice, and He even chose to forgive every single person who mistreated Him.

Corrie Ten Boom was a prisoner of love, too. She was an amazing Christian woman who survived extreme brutality in a German concentration camp. Corrie and her family were arrested after having rescued many Jews from certain death during the Nazi Holocaust. I have seen a quote by her twice in the past few days: "Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you." It led me to revisit her book, The Hiding Place, and an excerpt that revealed how God miraculously changed her hardened heart. You may have heard this specific story, too, about when she spoke at a church service in Munich and was confronted by a former guard from Ravensbruck. As soon as she saw him, the memories of the horrible mistreatment came flooding back.

The guard approached Corrie, following her message about forgiveness, to thank her, adding, “To think that, as you say, He has washed my sins away!”

When he thrust his hand out to shake hers, Corrie kept her hand at her side. Even though she had preached so often about the need to forgive, angry thoughts coursed through her veins. Immediately, however, she saw the sin of her own unforgiveness and realized, “Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him.”

As she took his hand an amazing thing happened. Beginning in her shoulder and running down her arm, a current of love seemed to pass from her to him. It was of such intensity that it almost overcame her.

Then Corrie wrote two amazing sentences: “And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world’s healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself.”

This Christmas season, allow God to change your heart. Instead of being a prisoner to hatred and unforgiveness, allow God, through the power of Jesus Christ, to make you a prisoner of love. You can forgive those who have wronged you. It is the greatest gift you can give yourself. In exchange, you will receive the priceless gifts of peace, joy and love.

“If you forgive people their sins, your Father in heaven will forgive your sins also,” (Matthew 6:14).

In awe of His love,
Connie

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2011-12-09T08:48:00.007-05:00

One of my favorite Christmas songs is, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”. I can be grouchy, tired, hungry, whatever, and then that song comes on and suddenly I’m energized and happy. The lyrics and upbeat music remind me of everything good in this world. Images of cheerful visits with close friends and eating warm toasty marshmallows, or caroling out in the snow, can’t help but put a smile on my face.

There are some lyrics in that song that touch on the true meaning of Christmas, yet we usually skim over them: “tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago”. These words refer to Jesus’ glorious birth, more than 2,000 years ago.

Go back with me, for just a moment, to that night. Imagine you are one of several shepherds, sprawled out on the hillside in the dark with your sheep. You are softly chatting with each other in an attempt to stay awake and alert to a hungry wolf or a prowling thief. Suddenly, the sky changes and a “being” appears engulfed in a luminous glow. This radiant angel tells you not to be afraid, (yeah, right) and proceeds to give you a message. You are barely able to breathe, and dare not blink, suddenly extremely grateful for the other shepherds nearby. As the angel begins to speak it slowly dawns on you…this message is not bad news. Rather, it’s the extreme opposite; the fulfillment of prophecy spoken hundreds of years ago:

“I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger,” (Luke 2: 10-12).

Still staring in awe-struck wonder at this angel before you, you struggle to comprehend his wonderful message that the long awaited Messiah is here. When, suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests,” (Luke 2:13-14).

No one knows how many a great company of the heavenly host is, but we can be sure it was a whole bunch. Battalion after battalion lit up the night sky; their shouts and acclamations of praise bounced off the hills and filled the valleys. If you could have moved your feet, you would have seen that you were surrounded by them.

Goosebumps continually rolled over your skin and the hair on the back of your neck seemed to stand at attention as you became immersed in their praises, “Glory to God in the highest!”

Moments later, with your head back and your jaw still hanging open, you witnessed the last angel disappear up into heaven as the sky become dark again. For a few seconds, no one moves or speaks. And then… everyone speaks at once, reliving and replaying the event over and over again. Without asking each other, it was agreed to head straight to Bethlehem so you could “see this thing the Lord had told you about” (Luke 2:15).

When you arrive in Bethlehem you find Mary and Joseph. You quickly look down, and behold… the baby lying in the manger… just as you were told.

You tell everyone you know, day after day, of this heavenly announcement, until gradually the story evolves into a yearly celebration. Even when you are elderly, your face still lights up when you relive the story…making that anniversary celebration truly the most wonderful time of the year!

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” (John 3:16).

In His Love,
Connie

A Change of Gratitude

2011-11-24T06:18:00.002-05:00

A year ago I was struggling with the upcoming holidays. My husband had recently lost his job and we had put the brakes on all unnecessary spending. Like many Americans who have gone through a similar situation, suddenly my focus was not on what I had, but what I didn’t have – extra money.

Also during this time the Lord was continually nudging me to go to Africa. As I’ve shared in previous columns, I did not immediately embrace that nudge. Why go to a land of poverty and willingly give up the comforts of home? But now that I’m officially part of that “been there, seen that” club, I can’t go back to my previous attitude of “going without”. When you live among people who don’t have many of the basics that we take for granted, it can’t help but change your perspective.

One afternoon, while in a village outside of Nyasoti on their market day, we visited what I referred to as an “outdoor Wal-Mart”. There was everything that the locals needed in one open area with shack-type stores connected all along the perimeter. I discovered how extremely frugal Kenyans were – nothing went to waste.

Actually, I was indoctrinated into that lifestyle the first evening we arrived in Kenya. We ate dinner at a nice restaurant and most of us ordered tilapia. (Little did I realize then that tilapia would be our dinner for the next 9 days.) I sat beside a local who spoke fluent English and shared fascinating stories about their way of life. I couldn’t help but notice how he skillfully dissected with his fingers, and consumed, an entire tilapia, eyes and all. To be honest, I found it to be both fascinating and nauseating.

Another female missionary witnessed it, too, and questioned him, “You eat the eyes, too?”

He broke up laughing, and said, “Yes. We waste nothing.” And then, (I knew it was coming) he encouraged us to do likewise. There were about seven of us at this table, and one by one (I was last) we became indoctrinated into the Kenyan way of life.

That was my first “taste” of being frugal in Africa. Another was at the outdoor Wal-Mart when I saw two vendors who sat by a fire, surrounded by plastic bowls and metal pans. When plastic bowls (the several gallon size that women carried on their head) got a hole in them, they were taken to one of these men and patched. It was the same for their metal pots and pans. Items were repaired or patched, but seldom thrown away.

Another time I learned of their extreme frugality was while walking through a village. Along the way there were huge aloe plants, taller than me. Americans sometimes use aloe plants to treat minor burns, but there they cut the plants down and let the huge stalks dry. Then, they painstakingly pull the thin strands apart, and entwine them together to create strong, thick ropes to tie up their oxen and donkeys. Amazing.

While thinking about Thanksgiving the other day, I couldn’t help but see an analogy between the Kenya lifestyle (for most of the people), and that of the New England Pilgrims (minus the cold). If you pause to think about it, our country has come a long way in a relatively short time. God’s hand has obviously been on it. Remember to give Him thanks, for He has richly blessed us.

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds (Psalm 9:1).

Thank you, Veterans!

2011-11-11T14:45:00.004-05:00

This week we celebrate a well-deserved holiday for those Americans who have served in the military, especially those who have fought in a war. According to Wikipedia, Veterans Day is: a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world and falls on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.)

In 1954 America renamed the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. By doing so, it gave the holiday the added significance of honoring all veterans of all wars…as we should.

My husband, Chuck, fought in the Vietnam War and was stationed in Da Nang. When he enlisted he was trained to be a computer operator; however, the need for more protection on base became great and he was switched to guard duty, six nights a week. It was tough to stay awake during the night, so he found ways to entertain himself. One story that he tells has to do with a “pet” rat. While Chuck was eating his dinner on guard duty (cold Spam from a can) a rat took interest in the Spam, too. My husband was so bored (and lonesome) that he started feeding and talking to this rat. They stayed buddies for an hour or so, until shots rang out a little too close and his new friend skedaddled out of there.

My husband has shared another story, too, but not very often. This one is about the reaction back home in America upon their return from Vietnam. There was no fanfare to speak of, no parade, no one patting him on the back for a job well done; not that he was seeking that. He enlisted because he felt it was the right thing for him to do. Even though the Vietnam War was not popular, brave men and women were still needed to come forth.

I am glad to see that the negative reaction to our soldiers faded along with the Vietnam War. Whether we agree with being involved in a war or not, we should still show appreciation to those who are willing to risk their life so that the rest of us may enjoy our freedom. It is fitting and right that we have a day set aside to honor those who have served in the military. Actually, I think the spirit of Veterans Day should be in our heart every day of the year as we openly express our appreciation to the men and women who readily sacrifice so much.

Unlike other countries, Americans are not necessarily a particular people from a particular place; we are the melting pot of the world, representing all nationalities and allowing all religions. Americans are the embodiment of the human spirit of freedom. We are unique, in that way. If we want to continue to enjoy such freedom, it will mean even more brave men and women stepping forth.

Thank you, dear Veterans, for serving our country. May God richly bless each one of you, and may He continue to bless America.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace,” (Numbers 6:24-26).

In His Service,
Connie

2011-10-09T08:18:00.002-04:00

A New Beginning in Africa

While in Africa, our missionary group visited with several families in nearby villages. I was impressed with how neat and clean their simple, mud hut homes were. The people were very gracious, too; most insisted that we sit down and visit. I couldn’t help but wonder what they would think if they caught a glimpse of our American homes. Even the smallest, barest American home would be looked upon as a mansion to them. And what would the women, especially, think of our indoor plumbing? Absolute heaven, I’m sure.

Most homes had bare walls– there were no family pictures to speak of. One hut had an old calendar left up, obviously for the beautiful scenery. It was heartwarming to see a picture of Jesus on the wall in a few homes; and equally heartwarming to learn that many of the people we visited knew the Lord. But, as time went on during our stay in Kenya, it became painfully obvious that a lot of the people did not fully grasp Christianity. Many who claimed to be Christian (including pastors, police, and government officials), were heavily involved in corruption.

We were to experience that corruption firsthand. Our hopes of meeting and spending time with our sponsored children were dashed when we were told there was a court order against us to stay off the property. In the months prior to our arrival, the Kenyan pastor who was appointed to direct the school and orphanage we sponsored in Magunga, had been caught by our American board members embezzling funds and abusing the children. Because of his wealth, when our teams arrived he was able to pay off many in the community, including government officials, convincing them to ignore the proceedings against him, and to also stop us from being at the center.

The people of the village begged us to stay longer to help them fight “the system”. In many ways we were looked upon as their heroes, their hope; they did not want us to leave. They were afraid of the control that this one man had, and rightfully so. But, as guests in their country, there was only so much we could do. We prayed with them and encouraged them to be strong, to stand together and (peacefully) fight the corruption. We explained that we had to get back to America in a few days; although one American missionary did stay. Still, we were all disappointed and saddened for the oppression of these people.

Then, just a day or two before we were to leave, a breakthrough came. Several landowners in the Nyasoti area who had originally donated land for the children’s center were once again offering to do the same. But this time, our American director told them the school would be comprised of a board of directors from Nyasoti; never again would one man be allowed so much control.

Lessons had been learned all the way around. And amazingly, God has blessed the work of the labor of the hands in Nyasoti already. In the few short weeks since we were there, a temporary new school has already been built and approximately 200 children have signed up to attend.
And the name of this new school, which will offer protection, education, food and shelter to many precious children who are orphaned or whose families cannot afford public education, is appropriately named, New Beginnings.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

Blessings,
Connie

Lessons Learned in Africa

2011-09-16T09:16:00.003-04:00

It’s been a few weeks since my mission’s trip to Africa, and I am still processing all that I saw. I’ve been told it would be eye-opening, if not life-changing; it definitely was both.

As imagined, the needs were huge and overwhelming. America’s slums would be considered “the good end of town” for most parts of Kenya, the poverty was that extensive. There was no sanitation system which meant trash was everywhere. There were also no street lights or sidewalks. To save money, they used speed bumps instead of stop signs or traffic lights.

Some of the homes resembled our sheds or “lean-to’s”. We visited several widows, however, who lived in mud huts with thatched roofs. Many of these widows were raising young grandkid, due to their adult children being sick or having succumbed to Aids. When we inquired of their prayer needs they would often request prayer for the childrens' illness, usually malaria. For themselves, their prayers were more for their vision and their joints. Their bodies ached all over. Was it simple arthritis, or something worse – who knew? There was no money for doctors or medicine, regardless. And very few Kenyans wore glasses; too much of a luxury when food was a constant daily struggle.

We stayed at a gated compound on the edge of Lake Victoria. Our last day there about six of us missionaries went to visit more local widows and give them gifts. These were not gifts of flowers and candy; rather these were practical gifts of soap, flour, matches, sugar, salt and oil. An interpreter really wasn’t needed to relay the heartfelt appreciation of some as they dropped to the floor and repeated, “God bless you, God bless you,” in their native Swahili or Luo tongue.

As we felt led, each missionary took a turn praying for a widow and their family before exiting their home. At the last home I sensed I should pray, but the lump in my throat wouldn’t let me talk. All I could do was stare at the meager supplies we had brought…and desperately wish it had been more. To say I was convicted and humbled wouldn’t begin to cover the myriad emotions welling up inside me – emotions that I had struggled with for days. On all levels I was exhausted: physically, spiritually, and emotionally. And knowing we would be leaving the next day only made matters worse. I was certain that if I tried to speak, a flood would gush forth.

During the entire trip, the one question that I kept repeating to God was, “Why? Why does most of the world live in such poverty? Why was America so blessed?” And on a personal level, “Why did You call me here?” It was my first mission’s trip and first time out of the country. I knew for the past year that God wanted me to go and I had fought it for several months. After all, I wasn’t a spring chick. I was in my mid-fifties and had a few health issues. Also, the air was thinner in Kenya; I struggled sometimes with keeping up.

All along I thought I was going to Africa so that I could be a source of encouragement to our sponsored daughter. I thought my mission would be to speak words of faith into her heart about how God had big plans for her life; about how He wants to use her to minister to, and build up others in her village. But I never even got to meet her. I was disappointed and confused.

Now that I’m home and have had some time to reflect, though, I believe part of the answer to the question of why I went to Kenya, is to write and share with others what I saw. Through my writings, maybe they, too, will be nudged by God to give, go, or pray. It might be to go to Africa, or maybe it will be to sponsor one of the many orphans who desperately need cared for and need an education. Maybe they’ll be encouraged to just go across the street to minister to their neighbor. But one thing I’ve learned the past few weeks is, we all need each other. We all need encouragement. We all need a helping hand. We all need prayer, and… we all need Jesus.

“There is one who is free in giving, and yet he grows richer. And there is one who keeps what he should give, but he ends up needing more. The man who gives much will have much, and he who helps others will be helped himself” (Proverbs 11:24 NLV).

Blessed beyond measure,
Connie

The Man on the Bicycle

2011-09-05T14:47:00.002-04:00

You’ve probably heard the saying, “the third time is a charm”. For me, I have a general rule of thumb that whenever something is brought to my attention three times, I sense God might be trying to tell me something and I pause to pray about it.

So that’s why, just days before leaving for my mission’s trip to Africa, when I saw the same man three times within two days, I had to ask the Lord, “Why?” Why do I keep seeing this stranger? This man was the thinnest man I had ever seen. Each time I saw him he was riding his bicycle in almost 100 degree heat, intent on collecting cans from alongside the road and placing them in the wagon hitched to the back of his bike. He was obviously working very hard just for pennies.

That third occurrence was mid-morning, and already a scorcher. I quickly swerved around him, determined to put distance between us. But then I remembered my “third time” rule. Since I was running a little late to meet a prayer warrior friend for coffee (who was going to pray for me to “grow closer to God while in Africa and be used by Him to bless others”), I decided to just pray for the man on the bike to be protected and blessed, and keep driving.

Usually I feel better after praying – as if a burden has been lifted, but not this time. This time the burden actually increased.

Ugh.

I knew what that meant. But what could I do? Even though many generous people had helped offset the cost of my mission’s trip, my husband and I had still raided our savings account to pay for last minute supplies, shots, and inoculations. I needed my money to carry out God’s mission in Africa, didn’t? Couldn’t He lay it on the heart of another Christian who didn’t have all these expenses, to help this man out?

And then, deep in my heart I heard, “So, you’ll trust and obey Me to go part-way around the world to minister to others, but you won’t trust and obey Me for this one who I’ve placed before you three times.”

Oh, why do I have to keep learning the same lesson over and over? When will I get it that God owns it all, that I am simply a steward of His money? And when will I truly let go of money and stuff and trust God to take care of my needs, everyday, no matter where I am?

The man on the bicycle was obviously a proud man. He humbly accepted my assistance and expressed appreciation for prayer, yet made it clear he needed to get back to work.

When I returned to my air-conditioned car, it was with mixed emotions. Was this God’s way of preparing my heart for Africa? Was He teaching me (again) to put the needs of others first? To spontaneously give to and pray for others; especially those who have so much less than I do? (And I didn’t know it then, but owning a bicycle in some parts of Africa would denote wealth. Even the poorest among us can be considered rich by others.) We have so much to be thankful for.

Oh, and if you're local and you’ve seen the man on the bicycle, too… his name is Robert.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” (Matthew 25: 40).

Blessings,
Connie

In It to Win It

2011-08-18T06:19:00.003-04:00

You’ve probably heard of the popular game show titled, “In It to Win It”. The gist of the show is to play a series of games that get more difficult as the stakes get higher, in hopes of winning the grand prize of a million dollars. The contestants have to weigh the odds before moving on to the next challenge, knowing they could lose the money they have accrued (until they get to a certain guaranteed level). The question is, do they want to take a risk and keep going, or do they stop and be content with what they have.

The rules of this game remind me of the Christian faith. Do we want to “play it safe” and stay at an infant level, keeping our salvation to ourselves (having just enough of Jesus to keep us out of hell, but not so much as to impact another life), or do we want to live a full, purposeful life – one that glorifies God and draws others to Him.

The Bible is full of biblical greats who were “in it to win it”. Paul suffered untold beatings and imprisonment for his faith, yet he wasn’t deterred. Instead, it seemed the more he was punished the more encouraged he was. Paul even gave us hints as to how to stay in the race, by “throwing off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” He also added, “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Another biblical great was Esther. She was confronted by Mordecai (her uncle who adopted her) to step out in faith, risking her life to save the Jewish people. Mordecai challenged her by asking:

“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).

For such a time as this…

Those six words have been forefront in my thoughts for months, as I prepare for my mission’s trip to Africa. Whenever a new fear would arise concerning the situation, I would hear those six confirming words and would instantly be filled with peace. Then, just last week, as the mission’s director distributed our team tee-shirts, chills ran up and down my spine as I read the theme at the bottom of our shirts, “For such a time as this.” More confirmation; I love the way God works.

After Esther decided to obey the mission God had for her, and before stepping out in faith, she also added another set of powerful words… “If I perish, I perish.” Esther had finally allowed her heart to be molded by God to the place where He could truly use her. In response, God gave her favor and not only spared her life, but lifted her to the position of queen. For me, the message is clear: 1) God orders our steps, 2) we are in a battle, and 3) the time is short.

Each one of us is in a race to share the gospel while there is still time. The heart attitude that God is searching for, and that pleases Him, is one where we are completely sold out to Him. Where our words and actions speak loudly that, “we are in it to win it; for such a time as this; and, if we perish, we perish”. To God be the glory!

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).

In it to win it,
Connie

On Mission

2011-07-24T07:25:00.002-04:00

In last week’s column I shared about obeying God; going where, and when, He nudges us. We shouldn’t let anything stop us; not others, not the fear of the unknown, and not even a lack of funds. Whoever God calls, He also equips.

This biblical principle has proven to be true many times in my life; whenever I’ve felt nudged to do something out of my comfort zone. And He has never nudged me out of my comfort zone more than now. In a few weeks I will be leaving for a mission’s trip to Kenya, Africa. (First time out of the country, first time on a mission’s trip.) I have been completely amazed at how everything has come together. For starters, the same month that I committed to going on the trip was the same month that my husband lost his job. Needless to say, the funds were a huge leap of faith, but God has come through.

This tugging to go to Africa first began three years ago. For a while I kept quiet and prayed…a lot, sharing it with no one. Then finally I shared the desire with my husband. I have to confess, neither one of us immediately embraced the idea. But as we continued praying and watching how God responded, we both came to the realization that I had to go.

Those three years were a time of preparation. God was instilling in me a burden and a love for all people (inmates and Africans); the lost and hurting among us. Then a year ago, when the tugging was at its peak, my husband and I prayerfully decided to sponsor a child from an orphanage in Kenya. We decided that the next child that became available would be the one, male or female, older or younger, we didn’t care. The next child was Fiona. When we saw her picture we immediately fell in love with her. But when we discovered she was 14, at the top of her class, loved to write, and her favorite subject was...English, the intense pull to encourage her in person began. Quite honestly, I could think of nothing else but getting to her and the other children, and sharing the love (and hope) of Christ with them.

Last fall we traveled out of state to meet the director of the mission’s team for this orphanage, and other missionaries. The highlight of the evening, though, was meeting Fiona, via Skype, and hearing her tell us she “luuuved” us, in her rich, South African accent. She told us that she prays for us every day and thanks God for us. To say she was appreciative of being sponsored would be an understatement. Before tearfully saying our goodbyes, she asked me to come visit her soon.

That night I knew, I was going to Kenya – I had to go. It was time to put my piddly insecurities aside, stop whining about giving up the comforts of home, and step out in faith and trust.

What about you? Are you sensing a call to serve outside of your comfort zone? Pray, obey…and trust God to lead the way.

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen (Hebrews 13:20-21).

In His Service,
Connie

Serving Where He Leads

2011-07-18T19:24:00.007-04:00

A while back, I heard a prominent preacher speak about “the mission field”. He became loud and passionate as he shared his feelings about those who travel half-way round the world to reach others for Christ. Interestingly, his message wasn’t to “go”, rather it was to stay. He encouraged the congregation to stay home and spend their time and money locally because, “lots of souls are perishing here, too”.

Lately, I heard another preacher make a similar comment. This time, though, I couldn’t help but smile inwardly. I could recall, not long ago, when I felt the same way as both those preachers. I couldn’t understand why people would spend thousands of dollars on a trip to love on strangers, when they had family members and neighbors who also needed ministered to. It made no sense to me. While I could understand a “calling” to stay and live among the people of another country, a simple two week visit seemed to me (back then) to be a waste of time and money.

My husband and I have supported many missionaries over the years. We committed to praying for them and financially giving the amount God laid on our heart. We always believed supporting them was “our part”. And usually, on the day the missionaries departed from the United States, I would give a silent sigh of relief that I hadn’t been called to go with them. I have even commented out loud on several occasions, “I’m glad it’s not me!” Several of my friends have heard me confess that, “I could never give up the comforts of home and go do that.”

Be careful what you say you’ll never be able to do. I am personally convinced that is exactly what God will nudge us to do, just to prove that He is God, and that by His power He can enable and equip us to do those things we may never have thought possible. He can change our desires and mold us into men and women of integrity and character, if we surrender our will. When we humble ourselves and get ourself out of the way, completely submitting to God’s authority, we will know true freedom, peace, and yes, even joy.

While there is nothing wrong with ministering to our neighbors, there is something wrong with busying ourselves by doing good deeds in order to get out of obeying God’s nudges to go and do what He is telling us to do. It can also be wrong to listen to others (no matter how well-meaning they are) who tell us to stay home, when we know we have clearly heard from the Lord to “Go”!

The main message that we need instilled in our heart is…obedience. The preachers who discouraged overseas missionary work forgot – if God is telling you to go, you must obey. God will take care of local needs (and your own needs); He is big enough to do that. What He wants from us is such a close relationship with Him (which comes from spending time in His word, in prayer, and with other believers) that we recognize His voice, and then immediately obey.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Trusting Him,

Connie

Speak From the Heart

2011-06-30T14:18:00.003-04:00

Sometimes when God wants to get my attention on a matter, He will keep bringing up a certain word or concept. I don’t always catch on right away, but when I do I’ll ask Him “Why”? Why, Lord, are you giving me that word or thought?

He might answer me immediately (and I love it when He does), but other times it takes a while. Take this column, for example. I usually have a draft finished by Saturday morning. But as of Sunday morning, I still didn’t have the theme. I began four different columns; each one fizzled out. Thankfully this doesn’t happen very often. I know the Lord will come through, He always does. Sometimes though, I get a little nervous as the hours tick by.

So while prayerfully waiting for the message, that word popped up again, silently in my mind; "misunderstandings". It has surfaced several times the past few weeks and in many different situations, ranging from basic conversations with my spouse (we take each other the wrong way – a lot); to watching the evening news and seeing more murders committed by those who believe they are doing the right thing when they annihilate those who don’t agree with them. Then more recently, I heard "misunderstandings" at a gathering of loved ones, when one person was openly snubbed by another.

And that’s when I had my light bulb moment… misunderstandings was the concept He wanted me to write about. (Free writing lesson here, to answer those who ask where I get my ideas from; they’re not mine.) Misunderstandings stem from a variety of things, but when we really think about it, the root usually involves the heart. After all, if we are careful to put the needs of others before ourselves and to think the best of each other, then there is no room for jealousy, greed, or insecurity, which is the breeding ground for misunderstandings. And that’s what many of our deep hurts in life start out as; simple misunderstandings. Sometimes we are able to let them go, or nip them in the bud, but other times they escalate into huge divisions.

Jesus knew we would struggle in this area, that’s why His teachings focused around love and matters of the heart. Lest we forget, we live in a fallen world – people, including ourselves, make mistakes. When we choose to act from our fleshly nature, disregarding the promptings of the Spirit to do good, we can expect problems. But God didn’t leave us hanging. He instructed us to fight these battles by putting on our spiritual armor first thing in the morning when we seek Him (Psalm 5:3). That might mean rising at 5 a.m. to do this, but it will be worth losing a little sleep over.

Jesus also warned us that, “They hated me, they will hate you” (John 15:18). We can expect people to misunderstand us and not like us, just because we are Christians. We need to love them and pray for them.

As long as we stay in tune with the Spirit and obey God’s nudges, we will have fewer misunderstandings. These nudges might include apologizing to others. Here, too, we are to be sincere and speak from the heart. The resultant fallout will then be between that person and God. While we still need to pray for them, we can walk in peace knowing we obeyed.

Have you been bound in any misunderstandings lately? Speak from the heart, cover it in love, and then watch it untangle.

Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

From My Heart,
Connie

The Perfect Father

2011-06-15T09:28:00.001-04:00

When I was a child, I was amazed at how my dad seemed willing and able to fix anything. I could give him my broken bike or a necklace with a knot in it, and he could repair it. I had complete trust in my father’s abilities. It was only when I got older that I realized it was out of necessity that dad had to repair things; we couldn’t afford replacements.

A few years ago those childhood memories resurfaced while having car problems. I was driving on the highway when I heard a formidable vibrating sound from the front dash of the car. It kept getting louder the faster I drove. I began to panic, expecting the car to break down at any moment. There wasn’t time to stop at a repair shop; I was already running late for an appointment due to storm damage from the night before. Tree branches had littered our long country driveway forcing me to keep stopping to remove them. Thankfully the car had not been damaged, since we didn’t have a garage.

The drive home was equally as terrifying. As the noise continued I kept gripping the steering wheel. Then, a wonderful scripture verse popped in my mind: Some trust in chariots, some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God (Psalm 20:7).

I realized God had just sent me that timely verse to comfort me and to remind me that I needed to call on Him. I obediently prayed and thanked Him for the reminder. I also asked for safety and inexpensive car repairs.

Immediately after praying, I remembered my dad didn’t live far from the highway. He was retired and not only enjoyed visits, but like most parents he enjoyed being needed by his kids. When I told him about the noise, he lifted the hood and quickly discovered a 5” twig embedded in the back of the engine, close to the dash.

“That’s most likely the problem,” Dad said smugly, tossing the twig aside. “It must’ve blown in during the storm.”

We shook our heads and laughed, relieved that it was such a simple problem. Again, my father had repaired something for me; my father had come through in my moment of need. Dad has passed on now, yet my precious memories of how he could “fix it” still make me smile. My dad wasn’t perfect (and he’d be the first to admit it), but he did try to help out.

Our earthly father gives us but a glimpse of our heavenly Father. As wonderful as our earthly dads may be, they won’t always be there for us. Our heavenly Father, however, will. Our earthly dad will sometimes let us down, or disappoint us; but our heavenly Father won’t. And our dad might even leave us or forsake us, but God the Father never will (Hebrews 13:5).

This Father’s Day, as you remember and honor your earthly father, be sure to give your heavenly Father first place. You can trust Him completely, for God’s love is all-encompassing, unconditional, and never ending.

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments (Deut. 7:9).

In Him,
Connie

Remembering Our Loved Ones

2011-05-29T13:59:00.003-04:00

The month of May is difficult for many, including my family and I. Over the years, we've endured several losses during this month. I find it ironic, too, that May is the first full month of spring; the earth is awakening with fresh new life, while memories of painful goodbyes crowd my thoughts. It seems appropriate that the month would culminate in a national holiday of remembrance. Memorial Day helps bring closure to weeks of reflecting on those who have gone on before us.

Witnessing the dead, dormant, earth being transformed with new, colorful life reminds me that the dead in Christ have new life in heaven with Jesus. What appears to be gone, actually is not. A Christian’s demise may seem like “the end of the story”, but in fact, it is the beginning of glory. Death is not final; we are temporarily separated from them, not eternally separated.

After a Christian loved one passes, it can be comforting to envision the analogy of what is happening here on earth, to heaven, and what might be going on there, simultaneously. For instance, while we are mourning their passing, they are celebrating their homecoming. Wile we are meeting with the funeral director, they could be escorted into the King’s presence. While we are selecting their casket, they could be inspecting their glorified mansion. While we are being comforted with soft organ music, they, along with a host of angels, are probably harmonizing, “Holy, Holy, Holy” in a worship service to outdo all worship services. While our faces are red from tears, their face is glowing with joy. And, while we are receiving guests who have come to pay their final respects, they could be introduced to generations of saints who have gone on before them.

Yet, until we are called home to join them, there will always be a part of us that will miss them, and long to be with them. If our loss is fresh, waves of grief can threaten to consume us. In time, however, our precious memories of our loved ones will bring us much comfort.

The God of promise wants us to remember that in the midst of those waves of grief, He is with us. We are not alone. If we hold fast to the Lord’s promises – eternal life with Him, and eternal life with our loved ones – it will give us the hope and encouragement we need to keep going on…until He calls us home, too.

As I delight in my purple irises and reflect on their struggle to get to this beautiful, alive state, I can’t help but smile at their transformation. And this Memorial Day, as you reflect on those who have so bravely given their life for your freedom here on earth, reflect, too, on the hope that you have in the One who appeared to be dormant for three days, but burst forth in new, eternal life for you and I. Jesus paid it all to keep us from an eternity of separation from God. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice so that we (and our loved ones) could have freedom in Him, and abundant life in Him … now, and forevermore.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8: 38-39).

Forever His,
Connie

My Mother’s Daughter

2011-05-26T13:18:00.002-04:00

With the recent celebration of Mother’s Day, I was reminded of a piece I wrote about motherhood that was published in the Chicken Soup for the Soul Empty Nesters book a few years ago. I would like to share an edited version of the story to hopefully bless and encourage other mothers, too.

My mother was in her mid 60’s. She was still a lot of fun to be with, she was still hard-working, and she was still a beautiful woman inside and out, but she had this habit that made me uncomfortable… she worried.

Throughout the years of raising my own children, whenever a mishap occurred I would sometimes call Mom. But the past few years I have fought the urge so as not to burden her.

My mother used to be carefree and happy-go-lucky. She used to deal with the endless mishaps of raising us five kids with take-it-in-stride abandon. I am the middle child and decades ago, one by one, we each left the nest to begin building nests of our own. I don’t recall mom worrying much as we packed up and moved out. It seemed to me that she was actually relieved because we noticed that following each departure, Mom immediately re-decorated the room that had just been vacated.

One day, after recently dropping off our son at college for the first time, I asked my mom, “How did you do it?”

The pain of “cutting the cord” was so raw that I wasn’t even able to say my son’s name without getting a lump in my throat. And our daughter was sixteen; we knew we’d have to do this again. My mother, however, had to let go five times.

“How did you ever get through letting go of five kids?” I asked, dabbing at my eyes.

My mother smiled reflectively, nodding her head slightly.

She’s smiling?

“Well,” Mom momentarily paused, “There was such constant commotion for so many years, that I guess I reached a point where I became anxious to get my own life back.”

“But you made it look so easy,” I added.

“Oh no, it was never easy. It’s just that there was always so much to do; I worried as I worked. As a mother yourself, you know you start worrying from the moment you find out you are pregnant – it never stops.”

It never stops? Why did I think this job had an end to it?

For years I daydreamed about what I would do after my children moved out. I had mistakenly assumed I would go back to being my carefree self again.

And that’s when it dawned on me. It wasn’t my mother who had been the lighthearted one—it was me. Mom had always been worried about us, I had just been so busy spreading my own wings and making my own nest that I never stopped to think about the adjustments she had to make with each of us leaving.

Suddenly this “letting go” thing became clear to me: as I watched my children spread their wings in anticipation of leaving our nest, I, like my mom, wanted them to never forget – my wings were bigger than theirs. My wings would always be able to wrap around them.

While cords have to be cut, heartstrings never do.

Her children arise and call her blessed… (Proverbs 31:28).

From my heart to yours,
Connie

A Fear of Beginning

2011-05-17T17:57:00.002-04:00

It took years, but I finally accepted the call on my life to be a writer. However, what I continued to have trouble with, was how to overcome the anxiety of beginning a new piece. From the first nudge of a story idea I would usually have to fight an almost paralyzing fear of revealing my innermost thoughts on paper. And knowing, too, that those words would be permanent, only added to my apprehension.

In an effort to stall the beginning of a story, I have been known to paint something that didn’t really need painted, wash my car and clean it out, or cook a meal for others. While there is nothing wrong with those projects, there is something wrong with not dedicating time to fulfilling a calling.

Lord, how can I overcome this?

I keep a hard copy of every article and book that I’ve been published in. It used to be that I would scan my accomplishments to boost my insecurity, but even that little trick was not working. Instead of feeling encouraged when I would read my past successes, I felt pressured to produce at the same level. And I felt pressured from a financial standpoint, too, as we had two kids in college.

As the days passed I became more frustrated. One day, in an effort to avoid writing, I decided to clean up my computer files. I skimmed over old files and weeded out those I no longer needed. But when I came upon the writing file titled, “Appreciation”, I gasped. I had forgotten all about it.

Immediately after my first book came out I had received dozens of emails from friends, family, and even total strangers, thanking me and expressing their appreciation of my work. I had completely forgotten that I had merged those emails into one file. As I read through the notes of heartfelt acknowledgments of how my book had encouraged, blessed, and even changed their lives, something wonderful began to happen. A surge of warmth spread through my body as I realized…this is it. This is why I write. It’s not about me and it’s not about the income; rather, it’s all about helping others and pointing them to the Lord.

My focus had been all wrong. I had been concerned about “measuring up” to my past successes, and about the permanence of the words that I was choosing. I completely forgot about the reader— the one who was hurting from the disappointments and mishaps of life; those readers who may have lost a child or a spouse, or who had recently been diagnosed with a deadly disease.

That one little file reminded me that I had been given a gift to help the hurting by pointing them to the Lord, that Higher Power who can comfort them, anytime and anywhere.

Thank you, God, for reminding me that it’s about You, not me.

Not only did my writer’s block of beginnings disappear, but my writing productivity increased, all due to adding one new habit; the most important habit of all. Each morning I ask, “How can I help others through my writing? Show me, Father, how to begin.”

As I roll up my sleeves to begin a new piece, I am thrilled to say that finally, my fear of beginning…has ended.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Writing for Him,
Connie

Pure and Simple Joy

2011-05-05T07:14:00.001-04:00

I live in the country and enjoy early morning walks with our rescued dog, Colby. Some mornings I am so full of joy (especially during a rare, sunny, spring morning in Ohio) that I feel I could burst at the seams. Since I don’t have many neighbors around to hear me, I am comfortable to share my excitement over a new day out loud with the Lord. I also share whatever else is on my heart. Oftentimes, and without a conscious effort on my part, my gratefulness seems to take on a life of its own as it inexplicably evolves into songs of praise and worship. Just this morning I witnessed that transition. While singing, I realized, too, how hard it is to complain or worry. Even though I might begin my walk by sharing with the Lord something that is bothering me, between the beauty of the earth, coupled with my appreciation for all that I have, any negativity, sadness, or depression I might have previously been struggling with dissolves away.

As I exercise my body, endorphins are released which also help to lift those everyday pressures. Early morning walks benefit me physically and spiritually as they change my heart from self-focus to God focus. As I witness the dawning of a new day, it cements into my being that the Father of all creation is doing a fresh, new thing in my life, also. And, being amidst His creation reminds me that He is in control of all things, from the largest planet to the smallest insect.

It astounds me that God enjoys these times together as much as I do. He actually wants to hear my off-key voice sing songs of worship, along with my simple words of thanks for the gift of another day. Amazingly, that is His heart’s desire for us – pure and simple fellowship and thankfulness.

And He wants the same with you. Out of all the different life forms that God created, only man was given the ability to reason; to think and to choose. We have a choice, everyday, whether to turn our heart and mind toward God and choose to live for Him, or we can tune Him out and live for ourself, giving in to our petty wants and desires.

I promise you, if you choose the first you will be blessed, and …you will know pure, simple, joy. There’s no better way to start your day.

"Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” (Deut. 30:19)

Blessings,
Connie

It Is Finished

2011-04-24T08:39:00.002-04:00

Like many writers, I have lots of incomplete articles that have been started on scraps of paper or filed on my computer. Those unfinished pieces won’t bless anyone unless I make the effort to get them published. Not completing a writing project or not sending it out is similar to addressing a birthday card for someone and not mailing it. Or, telling a hurting friend, “Let’s do lunch sometime,” and not following through. All good intentions, but if we don’t stick a stamp on the card or set a date on our calendar, that’s all it will be – a good intention. Unless carried out, our intentions won’t bless a soul. The words and actions that God wants us to say and do to minister to others won’t happen if we don’t make the effort.

After years of working on my first book (over 30 inspirational stories that at one time were only half-finished pieces), I distinctly recall the moment when it was finally completed, edits and all. I remember saying out loud with a huge sense of relief and accomplishment, “It is finished.” I was acknowledging that after years of accumulating story ideas, and months of writing, my efforts had finally culminated into a finished work.

Two thousand years ago Jesus spoke those same words as He hung on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Those three words, spoken right before He died, acknowledged that the law had been fulfilled and grace was being ushered in. Jesus was making a statement that He had accomplished what He had set out to do, what had been prophesied that He would do, and what the Father wanted Him to do, since the beginning of time. His work on earth was completed and the scriptures had been fulfilled, up to this point. (The plan of redemption, however, was not complete until three days after His death on the cross, when Jesus was raised from the dead.)

In speaking those words, Jesus was stating that He had finished the task at hand. During His short life on earth, He had suffered a lot; however, He chose to endure it all, including the cross, not for Himself, but for us.

I can’t help but wonder; what if Jesus had chosen not to finish the work of the cross? What if He had chosen to settle for the easy way out; or for just “good intentions”?

This Easter season, let the finished work of the cross spur you on to finish what you have started for the Kingdom. Spend some time alone with the Lord and ask Him to set your priorities. He will nudge you to do what is eternally important. “Finishing” is all about obedience. Whatever it is, don’t delay in doing your part to fulfill the great commission.

Jesus kept us in mind when He finished the work on the cross. We need to keep Him in mind as we finish our work for Him.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

In Him,
Connie

Attitude Adjustment

2011-04-01T09:35:00.002-04:00

Four years ago, after living in an old farmhouse for almost a decade, we were finally building a ranch home. We stopped by the new house one morning to talk with our electrician, who was finishing the wiring. He greeted us with three scary words: “You’ve been robbed!” He went on to say that someone had stripped all the copper wiring that he had installed.

My emotions went from relief that it could have been worse, to anger, especially after being informed by the Sheriff that there wasn’t much he could do. He would record the incident, but added, “This type of crime happens far too often. Most of the time it’s for drug money – they get desperate.”

The insurance company wasn’t encouraging either. We were basically out the money with no recourse.

All afternoon I struggled with my emotions. I felt violated and angry. How could someone stoop so low as to steal from others? What goes through a person’s mind to think it was okay to take something that didn’t belong to them?

When we finally returned home to the farmhouse there was a message from Pat, another volunteer from the jail ministry I was involved in. She said a female inmate, “Marla”, was having a tough time adapting…could I come and visit her and offer her some hope and encouragement?

Still frustrated about the robbery, I called Pat back and lamented about it until I finally remembered Marla. I couldn’t visit her right away, but I would soon because, “My plate’s pretty full right now.”

“That’s okay,” Pat responded understandingly. “I’ll visit her tonight; no problem.”
“But Pat, you’re going through a lot now, too.”

“Well,” Pat continued, her voice calm and peaceful, “You know how it is. When you reach out to others who are suffering, it helps keep your own problems in the right perspective. Marla’s hooked on drugs. She’s in there for stealing. She’s devastated over what she has done and wants to stop, but the addiction is so strong. I’ll visit her tonight and …”

“Wait,” I interrupted, my eyes suddenly filling with tears. “I think I need to visit her.”

I slowly hung up the phone, humbled by the plight of this woman. The anger over what a stranger had done to us, all probably due to a drug addiction, was giving way to compassion and pity.

Our jails and prisons are overcrowded with people who are battling substance abuse. Oftentimes these offenders were previously upright citizens who never intended to get hooked. Their addictions led them to commit crimes that they would never have considered before. Sadly, many programs that offered assistance to addicts have been cancelled, and the waiting list for inmates to enter half-way houses is usually way too long. Add to that the lack of jobs and poor economy, and it becomes a vicious cycle.

Now, more than ever, Christians are needed to come alongside prisoners of despair and offer them hope. Many offenders have never heard of the life-saving truth of the gospel. They often don’t know that Jesus can offer them a new start in life, that He loves them and will forgive them.

That visit to Marla four years ago culminated into one of the biggest blessings of my life, as we are still good friends. She has stayed clean since getting out, restored her relationship with her family, and knows without a doubt, that God loves her.

…I was in prison, and you came to visit me (Mathew 25:26).

“Lucky” or “Blessed”?

2011-03-17T13:11:00.002-04:00

This time of year you see a lot of green. Lawns that had been blanketed with snow all winter begin to acquire a hint of that refreshing color. Stores are decorating their windows with displays of shamrocks, along with promotions for corned beef and cabbage. Even McDonalds has gotten into the act by offering mint green milkshakes.
Like many parents, my husband and I would have fun on St. Patrick's Day with our kids, by fixing green food. While not appetizing to look at, it was priceless to see their faces when they awoke first thing in the morning to green scrambled eggs and green milk. And of course many people wear something green today, too, even though they may not be Irish.

Interestingly enough, Saint Patrick wasn’t even Irish. He was actually born in Roman Britain in the 4th century. At the age of sixteen he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken captive to Ireland as a slave. He was told by God in a dream to flee from captivity to the coast, where he would board a ship and return to Britain. That dream must have had a huge impact on him, because upon his return to Britain he studied to be a priest. In the year 432, Patrick sensed the Lord calling him back to Ireland, but this time as a bishop, to help spread Christianity to the Irish. Legend has it that he used the shamrock to explain the Christian doctrine of the Trinity to the Irish people. Patrick died on March 17, 461, after nearly thirty years of evangelism.

Over the centuries the celebration of his life has become more of a pagan holiday. St. Patrick’s Day, in this country, is commemorated with parades and parties, along with getting pinched if you don’t wear green. The original celebration seems to have lost its original Christian meaning.

On this day, too, we often hear a lot about “the luck of the Irish”, although I doubt Saint Patrick originated that term. To be lucky means to have something happen by chance. A person can be lucky or unlucky, depending on the way things come to pass. Some people believe tangible items can bring them luck, such as a rabbit’s foot or four-leaf clover. Believing in luck has its roots in superstition and magic.
Blessings, on the other hand, come from Almighty God, our Creator, our helper, and our divine protector. To bless someone means to ask God to bestow good upon them; to be divinely or supremely favored.

Most Christians don’t believe in luck. We don’t believe that things randomly happen to us, causing us to be lucky or unlucky. Rather we believe in the sovereign hand of God. We know that, if we don’t get the blessing that we may long for, we can rest in the knowledge that it is for our own good; that God has a better plan. We stand on God’s word, especially Romans 8:28: “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose for them”.

Being truly blessed can only come from having a relationship with God. He is calling us to know Him…are you answering His call?

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).

God Bless You,
Connie

Role Reversal

2011-03-12T06:35:00.000-05:00

If you are a married woman, you probably made lots of assumptions about your husband from the day you married; such as, he would be alongside you through thick and thin, taking care of you and your children. Besides maintaining the house, yard, and cars, he would be your helpmate and would be there for you physically and emotionally. Maybe you assumed your spouse would be the main breadwinner so you could stay home with the children. Regardless of your original plans, you counted on him to be your support system and available to help you through life 24/7. You never planned on becoming the sole financial breadwinner, the full-time parent, or bearing the burden of home responsibilities all on your shoulders alone. But now (and maybe through no fault of your own), your mate is out of the picture.

Or maybe it is your child who has veered from the path that you assumed he would walk, and has become entangled with people who make poor choices. Ever since he came into this world you may have had a vision that one day he would be there for you, in your time of need, to help you with life as you aged. However, due to his bad decisions, not only do you continue to have to be there for him, you may even have to care for his children in the process. This certainly isn’t how you envisioned your golden years.

When Jesus was talking with his disciples about His kingdom that was to come (Mark 10: 35-45), the disciples assumed Jesus meant that He was about to take control of an earthly throne, the throne of David. And they probably speculated, too, that this new kingdom would be complete with a palace and an army and lots of important positions. James and John even asked to be His left and right hand men. Their vision of the future included Jesus becoming something that He never did become. They saw Jesus fulfilling a role that He never intended to fill.

Oftentimes our loved ones’ lives do not match up to our vision of what we had for them. Dreams are dashed, hopes are crushed, and our loved one makes a terrible choice that affects our life forever. And on top of everything else, we may end up having to be both mother and father (or parent and grandparent), to the innocent children involved.

Life is unpredictable and oftentimes not fair, but with God’s help we can perform a role that was not of our choosing. No matter what our situation, God’s will for us right now is to be satisfied in Him and to trust His plan for us at this time in our life. We need to learn to let God be our helpmate through this journey; and to believe that He will take care of us into our future. After all, He sees tomorrow; we can’t.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17).

In His Service,
Connie

Our Secure Identity

2011-02-27T06:44:00.002-05:00

Identity theft, in today’s world, is all too common. Usually due to greed, someone takes the good name of another and uses it for selfish, materialistic desires. For the victim, getting your name cleared can be time consuming and expensive.

A person’s identity consists of a lot of different aspects, including our titles. When a woman marries she becomes known as “Mrs.”, not “Miss”. Her last name will oftentimes change, too. When we have children and become a parent our identity changes again. We are now so-and-so’s mom or dad. And yet a third aspect can be found in our career; our vocation is a big part of who we are.

Depending upon our life choices, along with circumstances beyond our control, we can have many different titles. Our titles will even change throughout our lives, affecting who we are for better or for worse.

For instance, maybe you have recently retired or lost your job. For decades you defined yourself by your career. It was part of who you were; part of your identity. Or maybe you’ve suffered through an unwanted divorce, or become suddenly widowed. Or maybe you have not obeyed the laws of the land and now your identity is your last name and a number.

If we have a title taken from us (especially if we didn’t want it taken), it can leave us feeling jolted and displaced. It can be a painful, constant reminder of our loss. If we aren’t careful, we can focus on our loss to the extent that it consumes our every thought and hinders us from living in the moment.

During those times when we are unexpectedly reminded of our loss, we need to take comfort in, and concentrate on, the one identity that we have that can never change. If we have accepted Christ as our personal savior, no one can take away our identity as a Christian—a child of God. No matter what title society wants to place upon us or strip from us, we are still God’s precious son or daughter. As born again believers we know who we are in Christ. As God’s child, we have inherited His promises; and one of those promises is: He will never leave us. Unlike our spouse, God will never divorce us or die. Unlike our boss, He will never lay us off or let us go. Our identity with God is secure.

“Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one” (John 17:11).

Forever His,
Connie

All for Love

2011-02-16T11:59:00.002-05:00

Valentine’s Day is that wonderful holiday where we express our love to someone near and dear to our heart. It is (thankfully) not a controversial holiday; it’s simply a day when we tell and show our loved ones that we love them. Whether it’s with chocolate, jewelry, a card, a nice dinner, or something that costs us nothing but our time, we devote this day to honoring someone special to us.

There were several Christian martyrs who were known as Valentine centuries ago, but none of them are the author of love; God is. As a matter of fact, love is such a big deal to God that the word “love” is found 686 times in the Bible (New International Version). Many Bible scholars agree that the most powerful usage of that word is found in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Love began with God. He loved us first, and then to express that love He subsequently “gave”. He gave His only son as a gift to mankind – and all out of love for us. God’s gift of His son to bear our sins was the ultimate act of love; nothing has, or ever will, top that.

I don’t know about you, but I still find it hard to believe that the God of all creation loves us. With all of our sins, faults, and failures, the fact that our heavenly Father would still woo and pursue His people is amazing to me. It’s not enough for God (and it shouldn’t be enough for us) to be saved from an eternity in hell, rather the God of the universe wants to hear from us, and speak to us – regularly – and all because He loves us.

When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He could have responded with, “Obedience. Obey your Heavenly Father.” Or, He could have said, “Honesty. Be honest with God and those you encounter.” Instead, Jesus responded with, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).

In other words, Jesus said to give Him first place in your life. Be sold out to Him every day of the week, all day, and not just Sunday morning.

Our Lord is the epitome of true love. Jesus loved children, He loved the poor, and He loved those whom society loathed, such as the lepers and prostitutes. He even loved those who killed Him, telling His father to “forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).

Jesus loved the unlovable, and that is exactly what He expects Christians to do, too, through Him. God’s grace enables us to reach out to the down and out. When we give Him first place in our life, He gives us mercy and grace to love others.
Jesus loves you, this I know…the question is, do you love Him?

Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them” (John 14:21).

In His Love,
Connie

Who Is Your Hero?

2011-02-10T05:54:00.002-05:00

Hopefully you have at least one hero. A hero is someone (living or dead) who you look up to and admire for their brave deeds and noble qualities. Pilots become heroes for safely landing airplanes in rough conditions. Doctors and firefighters are considered heroes when they save a life. Those who serve in the military, especially in a time of war, are also deemed heroes by most citizens.

Many Americans consider Abraham Lincoln to be a hero. President Lincoln battled many obstacles in his life, including: the loss of his mother at a young age, a lack of a college education, falling in love with a woman who married another, fighting for the presidency, struggling to keep a divided nation together, struggling to keep his unhappy marriage together, burying two young sons, and battling depression most of his adult life.

It is remarkable that with all the pain and despair he endured, President Lincoln could still have such a keen sense of humor. Once, when he was accused of being two-faced, he responded by saying, “If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?”
Mr. Lincoln knew that it was our outlook on life that would make us or break us. As someone who read the Bible regularly he was probably aware of the verse, “…the joy of the Lord is your strength,” (Nehemiah 8: 10). Those who have researched Abraham Lincoln’s life say that, as the Civil War raged on, Abraham Lincoln turned toward his faith in God more. He knew that in order to have any level of inner peace, he would need to keep his faith and trust in God. With the weight of the nation on his shoulders, and feeling somewhat alone with the many huge decisions he had to make, President Lincoln was wise enough to know he needed Divine help. President Lincoln gave homage to the One true Hero, God.

We need to remember that the Lord is no respecter of persons. The same God who listened to a President’s plea for wisdom as to how to govern a divided nation, also hears the desperate cries of the one who battles drug addiction, and the heartfelt remorse of a convicted criminal.

Who is your Hero today? There is only One worthy of the title; only One who can truly “rescue” us. Turn to Jesus and make Him your hero. Not only will Jesus rescue you in this life, comforting you when you hurt and giving you wisdom when you don’t know the way, but He can save you from an eternity in hell, too. Don’t delay. Make Him your Lord, today.

... “at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow …and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father,” (Phil. 2: 10-11).

In Him,
Connie

The Anchor Holds

2011-01-11T11:11:00.002-05:00

Every January first, for several years, I would flip through my daily journals and extract highlights to write a one page “Year in Review”. Recently, while in a reflective mood I went back and read the previous annual reviews. It was interesting to reminisce on the different ways my children had grown; physically, academically and spiritually. I would smile as I was reminded of their personal goal setting, such as auditioning for the lead in a school play or pining for an award at the Science Fair, and then remember how their lives had transpired.

When my children were in elementary school many of my journal entries were typical motherly concerns, such as, “Is this illness something serious or just a 24 hour bug?” Then came the pre-teen years and with them came a whole new set of challenges (and a much deeper prayer life for me) as I had to learn to make the transition from having fun-loving children to dealing with hormonal havoc. Many journal entries were desperate pleas for wisdom, patience, and understanding.

As parents we raise our children with the goal of them someday being on their own and independent. Not only is parenting a learning experience for us as we learn to let go and trust the Lord more, but it is an emotional and challenging time for our kids as they sprout their wings and learn to fly. I remember one of my longest weeks as a mother came when our oldest child, a son, was in the 5th grade and went to school camp. It was his first time to be away from home for more than a night and he returned exhausted, but with an unmistakable increased maturity about him. And I realized that I, too, had gained a spiritual maturity as I had to learn to trust God on a whole new level.

Reading previous entries and remembering how God came through, continues to give me much hope for the future. Remembering how I worried during those years, yet seeing now that God had everything under control all along – encourages me. I can’t help but notice how my own faith has grown, too, along with my children. It is finally sinking in that God is all-knowing and I am not. That He loves my children (and now our grandchildren, too) more than I do. Words can’t describe how comforting it is to know that nothing is going to happen to them or to me that isn’t first filtered through His merciful and loving hands.

As I go back in time and relive the ups and downs of marriage and children, one common thread stands out: the anchor holds and scripture doesn’t lie. Jesus is a rock, a safe place in a world that seems to have gone mad. He never changes. All He asks is that we turn to Him, trust Him, and put our faith in Him.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold (Psalm 18:2).

In Him,
Connie

Christmas Flowers

2010-12-25T17:04:00.002-05:00

Some Christmases stand out more than others, and our first Christmas in the old farmhouse was one that I’ll never forget.

With only one large bathroom and two teenagers, we immediately set out to add another bathroom. Carpenter’s tools were strewn about the living room where gaily-wrapped presents should’ve been. My usual holiday spirit was buried deep beneath the never-ending layers of sawdust. The closer it came to Christmas the more I desperately wanted restoration – in my house and in my life.

One snowy day, while sorting through boxes of old wall décor in an attempt to make the place feel more like home, I suddenly got a longing for something new for the walls. However, with all the expenses of remodeling, there wasn’t money for non-necessities.

I tried to get over it but the longing only grew. I even prayed and asked God to take away the desire, but strangely, when I did, I immediately saw a clear vision in my mind of a beautiful dried-flower spray, full of shades of burgundy and pink. I shook my head in an attempt to make sense of what had just happened. The image was so vivid; there were even glitters of gold sparkling throughout it. I knew I had never laid eyes upon that spray, yet it had been clearly detailed in my mind.
The closer it got to Christmas, the more I thought about that floral wall display, almost looking for it with a sense of expectation.

At last it was Christmas morning. Even though I had told no one about my desire, I tried hard not to show my disappointment when the gifts were all opened and there were no flowers.

So, after putting the turkey in the oven I decided to pamper myself. I stayed in my robe (oblivious to the after Christmas mess), curled up on the sofa with my new book, and settled in for a comfortable read.

Suddenly my husband called from the kitchen, “Honey, were you expecting your mom and your sister?”

“Uh… no.” I had just seen both of them the night before, and besides, they always call before coming way out to our house.

But sure enough there was my mom carrying a plate full of goodies and my sister by the trunk of the car. I momentarily panicked, realizing there was no time to clear a path in our living room or to get dressed.

As my mother bounded through the front door she gave me a big hug, saying, “Your sister’s coming. She has something for you in the trunk.”

“What?”

None of this made sense. My sister Sue and I had not exchanged Christmas gifts since we were kids. I had nothing to give her.

Sue finally came inside, breathless, carrying a long, narrow box. She handed it to me, hugged me at the same time and excitedly exclaimed, “A co-worker makes these and I just had to get you one. I didn’t know what color to choose, but something told me to . . .”

With chills racing up and down my spine, I lifted the lid of the box. Without her needing to tell me the colors, I knew exactly what they would be . . . pink and burgundy . . . with a sparkle of gold throughout.

“Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago” ( Isaiah 25: 1).

He Sees You When You're Sleeping

2010-12-17T12:54:00.000-05:00

He’s popping up all over the place. Now that his presence has been officially ushered in at the end of the Thanksgiving parades, that plump, jolly, white-bearded man in a fuzzy red suit will be found in every mall.

While some say Santa is a myth, many scholars agree that Santa Claus was actually a real man named Saint Nicholas. It was believed he was a 4th century Greek Christian bishop from the area that is now known as Turkey. Old St. Nick was a true saint; holy, charitable, and with a heart for the Lord evidenced by the way he sacrificially gave to others.

It can be hard to find fault with the likes of Santa; his personification is one of joy and giving. Still, it is a shame that many children (and even adults) know more about the mythical aspects of Santa Claus (where he lives, what he drives, and what his eight coursers names are); than they do about the real reason why we celebrate Christmas – the birth of Jesus Christ. The real reason for the season has become even more obscured over the years, yet ironically even St. Nick worshipped the One who was born of a virgin. St. Nicholas knew the price Jesus paid for redeeming sinners; he was so humbled by this fact that he dedicated his own life to being a blessing to others.

There is an image that has become popular in the past few years. You’ve probably seen it; Santa Claus removes his hat and is bowing down to the infant Jesus as He lies in His manger. It is a perfect reminder of the proper perspective that almighty God wants us to have. After all, one day every knee shall bow to the Lord (Romans 14:11).

Personally, I like the fun of including Santa Claus in the celebration of the birth of Jesus, but not at the expense of the Truth. Christmas should be one huge birthday party with Jesus in the center. Lest we forget, Jesus is the One who “sees you when you’re sleeping; He knows when you’re awake”. And He knows whether or not you truly love Him and whether you are truly sold out to Him. He knows whether He is a priority in your life or not. In actuality, Jesus knows us better than we know ourselves. The question that this season begs to ask is, how well do we know Him?

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely (Psalm 139:1-4).

A Thanksgiving to Remember

2010-11-24T12:57:00.001-05:00

When I reflect on past Thanksgivings, there is one that stands out more than the rest. It was not the meal that was so unforgettable; rather it was the awesome way God came through during a time of desperation.

It was 1997 and we were moving for the second time in a year. We had rented a house while waiting for the old country farmhouse we had purchased to be vacated, and then remodeled. Finally, the remodeling was finished and it was time to move – on Thanksgiving Day.

Even though the day was hectic, we stopped long enough in the afternoon to dash to my mother’s house and inhale turkey and all the trimmings, barely tasting the food. On the way home we stopped by our storage shed and emptied it, including loading the old washer and dryer into our pickup truck. How we hoped they would both work; with all the unforeseen expenses from the remodeling, money was tight. And, just the other day the previous owner had shared with us that there were muskrats tearing apart the dam on our pond.

Ugh.

It was dusk when we finally got home and unloaded the truck. I held my breath when my husband plugged in the appliances. Sadly, just as we suspected, nothing happened.

Then I remembered my brother Danny was an appliance repairman – I’d call him! But when his wife answered the phone and explained that Danny’s schedule was jam packed with furnace repairs, I plopped down at the kitchen table, exhausted from the move, and wept. All these expenses and now we need a washer and dryer?

And, along with that problem were those pesky muskrats; I didn’t even know what one looked like, much less how to get rid of one. Why does life have to be so hard?

I found myself crying out to the Lord, and was suddenly, painfully reminded… I had not been praying about our situation. I had been so stressed from moving that I had neglected the Lord. I hadn’t been reading my Bible, praying, or spending any quiet time with Him at all. I had put God on the back burner; that is, until now.

I prayed from my heart, pouring out my concerns about our finances, the appliances and even muskrats. I praised God for who He was, believing He would take care of everything. Instantly I was filled with peace and went on to bed, knowing somehow, that God would work it all out.

But the next day when the phone rang, nothing could have prepared me for what would transpire.

The caller was Phil, a co-worker of Danny’s. He explained that Danny had told him about our old appliances, and Phil hoped we could work something out.

Shocked, I gasped, “Sure! What did you have in mind?”

Phil began, “My teenage son likes to trap.”

“Great!” I anxiously butted in. “He can trap in the forest. No problem.”

“That’s not what I had in mind,” Phil continued. “I heard you have a pond and, well, if you and Chuck would “let” my son trap muskrats on your pond, I’ll fix your washer and dryer.”

Chills ran up and down my spine as I recalled my prayer from the night before. Only God knew my desperate plea, and only He could orchestrate something this awesome.

And now, years later, I continue to gain strength from the memory of how God came through one exhausting, yet incredible, Thanksgiving.

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.” (Psalm 34: 17).

Give Thanks to God

2010-11-16T19:13:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving is in the air and most of us are anxiously anticipating a traditional celebration. In today’s culture that celebration is defined by the three F’s: food, family, and football.

Earlier celebrations of Thanksgiving were defined by three F’s, too, but those F’s represented: food, fellowship and…the Father. God was a huge part of the day. According to www.earlyamerica.com: “A Thanksgiving Day two hundred years ago was a day set aside for prayer and fasting, not a day marked by plentiful food and drink as is today's custom.”

Hard to imagine, isn’t it? Instead of pigging out, they went without. Instead of gathering around a table laden with food, followed by a nap or staring at the tube, they focused their mind, mouth, and heart on their provider – God.

While it is wonderful that we continue the tradition of setting aside a day to (hopefully) give thanks, in actuality, God wants us to give thanks to Him daily. And we can even take that a step further to say that He wants our heart to be in a state of regular thankfulness throughout each day.

We don’t have to look far to see something to give thanks for: air, water, food, and clothes are good starters. However, as Americans we are blessed to have many types of assistance to cover our needs, such as The Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, local food pantries, unemployment checks, homeless shelters, and emergency hotlines. We often take this wonderful assistance for granted. It can be easy to forget that not all countries have such provisions for their citizens.

Two other privileges that we are blessed to have in this great country are freedom of speech and freedom of worship. Because of them both, I am able to freely write this column, a privilege that I don’t take lightly.

Having an attitude of gratitude is also the secret to a powerful prayer life. For Christians, being thankful lays the foundation for constant fellowship with the Lord. Actually, having a thankful heart is God’s will for us. In first Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul writes: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Another added benefit to cultivating a thankful heart is inner peace and joy. When we continue to praise God, even when our circumstances are gray, God blesses us with incomprehensible peace. We are not denying the problem; we are simply not giving in to it. We are keeping our joy in the Lord and in the knowledge that He is in control of all things. He has our best interest at heart, and promises to work out all things for our good.

And that alone is something to be thankful for!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever (Psalm 118:1).

Thanksgiving Blessings to You and Yours,
Connie

Tis Only A Season

2010-11-05T17:30:00.002-04:00

God is a God of change. This is especially evident by the seasons He created. Spring represents a season of new growth, summer is a season of embracing life, fall is a season of colorful preparation, and winter is a season of rest and dormancy.

God even created seasons in our lives that seem to parallel our earthly seasons: infancy through childhood is an innocent time of exploring our world, teenage years are wrapped around discovering who we are, adult years are dedicated to raising our family and working for our future, and our senior years are a time of rest and reflection.

The first two stages of our lives quickly fly by, but our adulthood can last for decades. This begs the question: how does our Creator want us to spend this very long tenure of life? Does He have plans for us, and if so, how can we know what those plans are?

Throughout Jesus’ ministry we find one major theme: servant hood. Jesus’ life was centered on service to others. He healed people, fed people, and even washed their feet. God has gifted each Christian to serve others, too, and all within the midst of living our daily lives. While pursuing an education, marrying, starting a family and earning our living we are to be sensitive to filling the needs of others. In other words, servant hood is to be part of who we are, day in and day out, all of our lives.

It’s relatively easy to serve others when we have the time, energy, and the financial means to do so. The hard part comes when we don’t feel good, when we are pinched for time, or when we lose our job.

My husband recently joined the ranks of the unemployed, and not by choice. After almost 40 years of service to our country (in some capacity, including the Viet Nam War), he was given a ten day notice that his contractor position was being abolished. Even though we knew this day would eventually come, it wasn’t our plan to have it arrive so soon. And quite honestly, we panicked; that is, until we remembered that God had allowed it. While my husband’s job loss was a surprise to us, it was not a surprise to God. God knew it was coming and He has a purpose for it. My husband and I both know this will be a season of leaning on the Lord in a new way, but we also know it is no time to stop serving or to stop giving. When we do our part and stay obedient to God, He promises to do His part and take care of us.

There are a lot of people in this country who have recently been forced to switch careers or move into smaller living quarters due to a sudden job loss. It’s tough out there right now, but if we remember that it is only a season, and that God has allowed it for a reason, it can be easier to face. After all, He is a God of change. When He says, “I want to do a new thing,” we need to trust Him and keep our hand in His. We need to face it, not run from it. We need to remember that this “imposition” is part of His overall plan for our life. Someday we will look back and see the good that came from it. We will see several secondary changes that turned our scary journey into an intimate time of growth with the Lord, which could not have taken place any other way.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Eccl. 3:1)

Praying you enjoy this season of your life,
Connie

Everlasting Evergreens

2010-10-19T06:47:00.002-04:00

Dusk was falling and the dishes were piled high that evening in late October. As I filled the kitchen sink of our old country home with hot soapy water, I felt compelled to keep looking out the kitchen window. Our tree farm was dotted with thousands of sweet-smelling pine trees and evergreens. They looked beautiful to me, yet the previous owner told us they were unmarketable because they hadn’t been trimmed for years.

“Maybe we should bulldoze them and start over,” my husband Chuck had begrudgingly suggested.

I couldn’t believe they were worthless. With the soft light of dusk shadowing their majestic frames, the trees seemed alive to me and glowed with an ominous allure.
I continued washing the dishes, yet my mind was on the pines. Then, out of nowhere, I heard a luring voice inside me say, “Walk among those trees and pray over them.”
I obediently peeled off my gloves and without a word to anyone, slipped quietly out the front door.

The air was cool and crisp and smelled of rich earth and heady pine as I made my way through row after row of Norway spruces and white pines. How I loved that holiday scent and the happy, carefree, childhood memories of Christmas past it conjures. Add to that the fact that pine trees don’t completely shed their needles, giving a sense of permanence and stability, was comforting, as well.

I found myself connecting to the trees in a way I never had before. They were part of God’s creation, alive and vibrant. Like me they weren’t perfect, yet they still had a reason for being. I noticed the matted grass under the trees, evidence of where deer had rested. And I heard the light rustling of feathers as birds settled in for the night in the thick pine boughs. I realized these trees were being used by God to bring protection to His creation. Suddenly Psalms 148: 7 and 9 filled my heart: Praise the Lord from the earth… you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars.

I prayed over the trees, thanked God for them, and asked Him to bring us a buyer. I knew in my heart the trees had worth, and with the many expenses of the farm we needed the money. Even though I had previously contacted several nursery owners and none were interested (including our friend, Bill), I still had hope.
As I descended the hill toward home I thought of Philippians 4:19, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” God had shown me the needs of His creation and that He was taking care of them. He knows our needs, too, and will take care of us.

Chuck was on the porch as I ran up to him, exclaiming, “I was praying over the pine trees. I know they are worth something.”

“Okay, Honey. I’ll call Bill again tomorrow if it’ll make you feel better,” he responded, half-teasingly.

At that moment the phone rang. I expected it to be Bill… and it was!

When Chuck finished talking to him, he shook his head in disbelief. “Bill wanted to know…if we still had some trees for sale.” Chuck paused and swallowed hard. “He has an interested buyer.”

God will supply all our needs. Our part is to walk with Him and be obedient, trusting in His perfect timing.

The Missing Piece

2010-09-24T05:58:00.004-04:00

When my daughter Chelsea was young we enjoyed going to garage sales together. They were like treasure hunts to us; we never knew what unique item or great deal would be unearthed with each stop.

When Chelsea was of preschool age she would scour every sale in search of board puzzles, thoroughly scrutinizing each one to make sure all the pieces were accounted for. She loved putting them together and would spend hours at it. As soon as she finished one, she would flip it over and assemble it again, thrilled each time her picture was complete.

Before long she wanted more of a challenge and she quickly graduated to several-hundred-piece puzzles. As a teenager, she enjoyed displaying her completed masterpieces on her bedroom walls.

But one garage sale gamble of a large, 500 piece puzzle, did not pay off. After several days of laboring over it, just as Chelsea was putting the last few pieces into place, she realized it was one piece short.

“Oh, no. I have to throw it away, Mom,” she lamented. “It’s missing a piece.”

I felt bad for her and quickly suggested that we search for it. We looked all over her room, on the floor, under her bed, and even inside her closet. The search, however, proved futile.

“I wonder if we could make a fake piece to fit in its place?” I offered, knowing when I said it that it wouldn’t work, but wanting desperately to help.
Finally, I begrudgingly assisted Chelsea in throwing it away.

Later that evening I began to ponder the similarities of how each one of us is just like that puzzle; each of us are incomplete, too. God purposely creates in us an emptiness in our lives that can only be filled by a relationship with Jesus. While many of us attempt to fill that void in our life by “making a fake piece” through indulging in outward pleasures, God’s word tells us that we will not have inner peace until we make peace with His Son. When we sincerely ask Jesus to forgive us of our sins and come into our heart to live, He fills the void inside of us, causing our hearts to overflow with love and joy, and especially …peace.

Jesus completes the picture between God’s holiness and man’s sinful state. Jesus is the perfect fit.

2010-09-13T13:50:00.002-04:00

Always an Example

We are always being watched by someone. Each one of us is an example to others, good or bad. Christians in particular are being watched by the world, especially when we go through tough times. While some people watch us to see how strong our faith is, others are actually looking for a good example to follow when they themselves face challenging situations.
I was blessed to have one of those life changing Christian-based examples when I was just a child of eleven. While attending my grandfather’s funeral I witnessed an inner strength in my grandmother that has stayed with me all of my life. My grandparents had been married for more than 50 years and I knew that Grandma loved the Lord with all her heart. But what really surprised me was the peaceful countenance she displayed throughout the entire funeral process. I had assumed she would be absolutely devastated; after all, fifty years is a very long time to live with someone. But when I witnessed her serene demeanor, I was taken aback.
I did not know Jesus personally during that time. I did know, though, that my grandmother had a relationship with the Lord that was a priority in her life. She made an impression upon me at a young age simply by praying out loud regularly and leaving her Bible lying open when I visited her. I knew she regularly had Bible studies with friends and that she attended church whenever the doors were open. Grama was a sweet, peaceful person who would readily throw her head back in laughter when she was tickled by something.
Even though I didn’t completely understand my Grandmother’s faith, I was definitely drawn to it, and never more so than at my grandfather’s funeral. When I finally saw my Grandma’s face in that sea of mourners, and then witnessed her inner peace throughout the funeral process, it drew me to her Jesus, even as a child.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14).
God has used that memory of “faith amidst the storm” countless times in my life. It is one of those “pillar of strength” reminders of the peace that can only come from a relationship with Jesus; a peace that passes understanding. Most gratefully, that same peace is now helping me to endure my own struggles in life.
That’s not to say we shouldn’t cry or grieve over the loss of a loved one; even Jesus openly wept. But God wants us to “not be as one without hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). That is, in our sorrow we still believe that God is sovereign. We are to live our faith, even through the tough times, with the hope of tomorrow.
While weeping may remain for a night, rejoicing comes in the morning (Psalm 30: 5). We can rejoice in the promises that God give us, so that after we are gone, our memory, too, will be a pillar of strength to others, pointing them to our heavenly Father.
The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7 NLV).

Reflections on Reunions

2010-08-31T15:47:00.004-04:00

A few weeks ago was yet another high school class reunion. It has been ten years since I’ve attended a reunion and I was very excited about it. Before the actual date, one of the organizers sent me a list of those who were confirmed to attend. As I scanned the list I smiled at many of the names, reliving some of our fun times.

The week after our class reunion we had an out of state family reunion on my mother’s side. I wasn’t able to attend due to a writer’s conference, but as I reflect on family times together, they too, cause me to smile at the memory of the good ole days with beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Of course not all memories are pleasant. For instance there was the classmate my sophomore year who spread a false rumor about me, devastating me for weeks. Then there was the uncle who chided me for being in the dessert line – again. Not all of our gatherings create good memories, and understandably some reunions can leave you feeling inferior. It can be hard not to compare yourself to those who are the same age, whether it is an ex-classmate or a cousin, and hear how they have become the CEO of a large corporation or the principal of a school. Some get-togethers can cause you to feel as if you haven’t done anything significant with your life, which isn’t always a bad thing; it can spur you on to taking that leap of faith to change your course in life for the better.

But this recent class reunion was somehow pleasantly different from all the rest. Gone were the masks that we girls, especially, would wear as we would try to impress others with our outer appearance. Of course we all wanted to look our best, but quite frankly that was not what mattered the most. Over the years the masks have fallen off and in their place was a heartfelt love for one another. What seemed to matter most was that we were all still here, especially since eight boys from our class have passed on. And one of our girls almost didn’t make it; Mary, a veteran of the Iraq war. It was especially touching to see her as she walked into the room with a cane. It was obvious that Mary had been through hell and back, but most thankfully, in the process she found God. Of course He had always been there; she’d just never been so desperately in need of Him before.

And that was my prayer as I drove home in the dark that night following the reunion; that each one of my classmates would, if they haven’t yet, come to realize that Jesus died for them and that they needed to open the door of their heart and invite Him in. As I rounded the final curve of my drive home I suddenly came upon a brief, light fog in the valley where we live. It reminded me of the verse from James 4:14: “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”. And it’s true; much like that patch of fog – we are here one minute and gone the next.

As another reunion closed, our goodbyes to one another were bittersweet, all of us probably wondering if we would ever see each other again. Yet for those of us in Christ we know that our earthly goodbyes are always temporary, for we have an eternal reunion to look forward to.

I couldn’t help but see a few similarities between the two: at our class reunion we sat on picnic tables with cement underfoot, in heaven we’ll be walking on streets of gold. And a few guys brought guitars and we had a “jam session”, but in heaven ear has not heard the melodious sounds of the majestic, heavenly choirs singing praises in chords that we can’t imagine. And then as we shared our physical ailments and how almost all of us were wearing bifocals now, I couldn’t help but ponder how in heaven our bodies will not decay or age. (And of course the women are hoping chocolate will be there in abundance – and we won’t have to worry about it going to our hips!)

Yes, there is much to look forward to at that Reunion to beat all reunions. I truly hope you’ll be there.

“I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3 NIV).

The Passing of the Torch

2010-08-20T17:36:00.007-04:00

(As of July of 2010 I have become the weekly inspirational columnist for 5 newspapers in central Ohio. The following article is my first column, giving homage to my dear friend and fellow writer, Faye Landrum. I hope to blog my columns a week or so after they are published. Enjoy!)

The Passing of the Torch

It is with both a heavy heart and a twinge of excitement that I write this first column. The usual author, Faye Landrum, has been a dear friend for almost 15 years. If you’ve been following her musings you know of her love for the Lord, and how she lives to serve Him. However, all things must pass, and Faye is now passing the writing torch on to me.

When I first met Faye at a monthly writer’s meeting she shared that she was approaching 70 years of age. I was immediately impressed because not only did she not look 70, but she did not act it. Most of us, as we age, become increasingly drawn to our comfort zone and are less excited about stepping out of our box. We hesitate to try new things and we don’t like to push ourselves; instead we look for the easy way out. But when Faye was faced with a challenge she would most often choose to embrace it, wanting to know the best and quickest way to deal with it so she could get on with life. And over the years, as I came to know, admire, and respect her, I witnessed almost every new decision being bathed in prayer.

Not only was Faye my dear friend, but she was also my mentor. The dictionary defines “mentor” as, 1) a wise and trusted counselor or teacher, and 2) an influential senior sponsor or supporter. Faye was both, and more. She was my spiritual mentor; I was her Timothy and she was my Paul (New Testament scriptures). And she was my writing mentor, too, regularly encouraging me to keep at my gift of writing; reminding me that there were a lot of hurting people in this world who needed to hear that God loves them and is there for them. Her dedication to the craft would remind me to only submit my best work, because “after all, we are writing for the Lord”.

Yes, I knew early on that I was sitting at the feet of a wise servant of the Lord. And seeking wisdom myself, I took advantage of every opportunity to learn from her. We traveled many states together, attending writer’s conferences and book signings. I regularly witnessed her humble demeanor in action, especially when strangers would tearfully share their grief over the recent loss of a loved one. Oftentimes Faye would freely give away copies of her “Moments of Comfort” book, or her “Final Mile” book, reminding the recipient to keep trusting the Lord and that He would get them through.
And if one of our many adventures should result in having to take a detour due to a wrong turn, she would usually laugh and remind me that, “getting lost by yourself is a nightmare; but getting lost with a friend is a journey!”

Now it is time for yet another journey, and sadly it is one that Faye and I must each travel alone. I am deeply honored to be filling her shoes in the “passing of the pen” as a columnist for the Post, although they are certainly big shoes to fill. I hope you don’t mind that I dedicated my first column to her; and yes, I promise to only submit my best work. After all, I am writing for the Lord.

Well done, good and faithful servant… the pleasure has been all mine.

For the Love of Facebook

2010-04-15T07:08:00.004-04:00

I, like millions of others, have become caught up in the world of Facebook.

I told myself I wouldn't - but after much pressure from my kids and ex-classmates, I caved. And...I am glad I did. The ministry opportunities are endless! There is such a relaxed atmosphere about Facebook and the way it seems to allow/encourage users to be more open and willing to sharing their heart, that I could spend all day just encouraging total strangers!

Of course, you do see a lot of selfless advertising, and that, too, doesn't seem to bother me too much. If I'm not interested, I simply don't click on the prompt.

But, there is one prompt that I hope, if you see posted on fb, you won't skim over. Yes, I too am unashamedly blowing my own horn. And I have to ask ...is it bragging or promoting yourself, if you are using the gift that God gave you to "promote" Him and how Jesus has changed your life? I truly think not. But this promotion thing is something that Chritstian writers, especially, struggle with a lot. Most of us are very uncomfortable with it, and quite frankly, we don't like the way it takes up our time and keeps us away from doing our actual writing. However, if we want to get the "Word" out, then we have to promote the "words" God gave us. Ohhhh, a vicious cycle, but one we must travel, nonetheless.

So, if you have a few minutes to spare, and would like to learn more about me, please go to the below site that was posted on fb today. (Don't delay, there is a free book giveaway if you sign up at the end of the interview.)
Facebook Author Interview Today: www.sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com Enjoy!

Facebook Blessings to You,
Connie

Hope Springs Eternal

2010-03-15T06:07:00.010-04:00

With spring (finally) in the air, I couldn't help but see the analogy of the physical end of hibernation for some of God's creatures, and the spiritual ending of a personal dark, cavelike experience in my own life.

My husband and I have been going through a challenging time in our lives that is new to us. We are traveling a path (thankfully together) of obedience to God which involves a new ministry at a new church. We don't like to think of it as abandoning our "family", but rather enlarging our family.

When we really stop to think about it, as born again Christians we will all be together, every denomination, and forever. For reasons that only God knows, He sometimes pulls us away from a body of believers for a season, to grow us and to serve Him in different ways. It is not necessarily our choice to go, and we don't always know where we are going. But like Abraham, we step out in faith and in obedience.

I can imagine that Abraham, too, was afraid. I can imagine that some of his godly friends that he left behind were maybe even disappointed in him. They didn't get it. Some of them probably thought, "Could this really be God? To take you and your family away from us and put you on a path to...somewhere?"

And I can imagine, too, that while he traveled to the unknown, he also endured a cavelike experience. A time of darkness - a time of not fully understanding. As head of the household, he probably felt the weight of the world on his shoulders.

And maybe he was even hurt by the reaction of some of the faithful that he left behind; especially those who were not encouraging him to be obedient. There were gossips back then, too, and I can imagine some of them saying, "There has to be another reason why Abraham left us."

Iimagine the joy, though, that Abraham and Sarah experienced when they finally arrived at their destination. They had been obedient. They had fought the good fight of traveling a hard road to an unknown territory. They had seen God's hand all along the way.

We can't let others stop us from moving on. We can't wait for their understanding. God will take care of that in time. Our part is to pray and obey.

Oh, hope does spring eternal! And our eternal hope that we have in Jesus trumps the enemy's attacks every time.

May you have eternal hope in Him, too.

Connie

Protect Your Joy

2010-01-25T05:20:00.014-05:00

I don't know about you, but there are times when I regret watching the news. While I feel a need to keep up with current events, I also feel a growing need to protect my peace and joy.

I'm not talking about the morning entertainment shows, where all three or four hosts are gabbing at the same time about the latest you-tube video. Rather, the evening news, with the depressing war statistics; almost daily "natural" disasters (what's so natural about a disaster?); and the horrendous crimes that mentally unstable people inflict upon others, especially precious innocent children.

I've even noticed that some of the national news broadcasters attempt to soften the repeated blows by ending their half-hour segment of depression with a feel-good piece. And I have to admit, it does help a little. But oftentimes, an hour after the show has aired, my blood pressure still continues to feel stuck at a number much higher than it was before I viewed the tube.

Something interesting along these lines happened a few weeks ago, while writing under deadline. Time was of such the essence, that I had to forego almost everything outside of my office, including the daily news. (Probably a good thing, since my writings are inspirational.) And, in order to finish the book proposal that I was working on, I had to have my nose in the Bible for five days straight verifying scripture verses and parables that I was referencing. And guess what? Even though I was feeling the stress of a deadline, I had incredible peace (and dare I say, joy) during each one of those 12-hour writing sessions.

And interestingly, when I finally did resume watching the evening news on the sixth day, I realized how little I had missed. The same issues were being discussed with the same pro liberal twist, along with the same negative conservative slant. The same war was being fought, and the same terrorists were up to no good.

I could say that those five days of peace were due to not watching the news and not taking into my mind and spirit the horrible happenings of the world. But we all know that ignoring the negative doesn't necessarily bring about the positive. No, the true inner peace and joy that I experienced those five days, and that I have been experiencing on a daily basis ever since I invited Jesus into my heart 21 years ago, can only happen as a direct result of knowing the Prince of Peace. I am not referring to knowing facts "about" Jesus, but truly knowing Him on a personal level. As in a "best friend" forever level. As in someone who "knows you inside out" (warts and all) and loves you anyway, level. As in a "sticking to you closer than a brother" level. And, as in a "I will always love you and never leave you" level.

While I have been blessed to have had lots of friends some of them came into my life for a short season and some came in for a simple reason. Many have come and gone, and a few have stayed through the decades. But, if I am completely honest, not one of them has been there exclusively for me, filling all of my needs (as I have not been there exclusively for them, either).

Yet, never has the Lord failed to be there for me. Never has he failed to comfort me when I was sad, or pick me up after I had been knocked down. Sure, there have been a few times when I did not sense His presence, but never has He completely forsaken me.

But I have to humbly admit, I work at this relationship. Besides being in the Word regularly to write inspirational works, my husband and I begin almost every day with a Bible study (usually at 4:15 a.m.!). Filling our mind with God's word before facing our day is like putting on a spiritual suit of armor. Only God knows the daggers that are going to be thrown at us each day, so it makes sense to turn to Him for protection.

After seeing the difference it has made in my peace and joy level by saturating my mind with the Word and not taking in the biased and depressing news, I've come up with the perfect antidote, for those times when I do watch the news. Besides watching Wheel of Fortune afterwards :-), I put Philippians 4:6 into action: Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. I say a quick prayer over what it was that troubled me.

And another personal favorite scripture verse for these stress-filled times is: He keeps in perfect peace all who trust in Him, all whose thoughts are fixed on Him! (Isaiah 26:3 )

May His peace be with you, too,
Connie

Worrier or Warrior?

2009-11-11T11:08:00.003-05:00

Ever have too many things on your plate? I'm sure you have; most of our "To Do" lists seem to never end, they just keep getting longer and longer.

As a member of a fairly large church, which posts a prayer line on its web site, my "Prayer To Do" list is definitely one of those lists that never ends. If you are a prayer warrior, you know what I mean. Quite frankly it is a wonder that we warriors are able to get anything done; the burden to pray for every situation that tugs at our heart is constant. And in today's economy, with so many people in need, we coud remain on our knees 24/7.

Sometimes the weight of it all can bring us to the point where we throw up our hands and say, "Whew! Where do I begin?"

And I have to confess, that at times I have even allowed that overwhelming burden to cause me to spiritually freeze, the weight of it is so heavy. I momentarily forget that the perfect antidote is prayer. We cannot fix the world, but we do know the One who controls it. And we (if we are born again) have direct access to Him anytime and anywhere. Instead of being "worriers", God calls us and enables us to be "warriors".

Whew! Worry burdens are not mine to carry. Never have been and never will be. My part is to simply be faithful to lift that familiar tugging of my heart up to Jesus, and then to resume my peace, knowing the Prince of Peace has it all under control.

Peacefully Yours,
Connie

Back to Normal

2009-09-17T05:37:00.003-04:00

Not too long ago I was tired of "normal". Today, I am embracing that word.

Sometimes we get in a rut in life and we want things shaken up a bit, yet neither my huband nor I wanted this. My hubby had to have open heart surgery a few weeks ago and our world was (temporarily) turned upside down. A very serious heart problem was discovered while undergoing pre-op testing to have a torn rotator cuff and torn bicep operated on. He was immediately admitted to the hospital. Strange how, one day he was complaining about shoulder pain, and the next day we were both very grateful for it!

It was and still is a long painful journey for him (including his shoulder, which can't be operated on for a while), but you can be sure that we both have walked away with some new perspectives on, and appreciation of, life.

This morning, as my husband pulled out of the driveway for his first full day back to work, I couldn't help but think just how good it felt to have things finally becoming "normal" again.

And, every 3rd weekend in September in Thornville, Ohio, it is "normal" to attend the awesome Backwoods Arts & Crafts festival, where you can meander through the woods, checking out the 250+ vendors selling their handmade treasures, while enjoying bluegrass music and eating kettle cooked chips and popcorn. Besides the delicious food and unique gift ideas, there are fun activities, too. Once again it looks like God will bless us with gorgeous autumn weather.

Come enjoy the ambience and be sure to check out booth number 183. That's where I'll be with my 10 titles (4 new ones), and my writer friend, Candace Pope. She c0-authored the book, "Wheelchair for Sale" with Marvin Sallee. It is a delightful true story of miraculous healing and Pastor Marvin hopes to be there on Saturday to sign his books with Candace.

Strap your walking shoes on and come out and enjoy the fun. Don't forget to stop by and say hi. (For more info. on the fest, see my "Appearances" tab to the right.)

Praising the Lord for "normal",
Connie

Our Awesome God!

2009-06-24T07:56:00.003-04:00

Have you ever wondered why God led you to a certain place at a certain time? Have you questioned Him, not knowing or seeing what He was up to and maybe doubting that you had even heard from Him in the first place?

I had one of those moments yesterday. A loved one is battling cancer. While my husband and I were in the waiting room with her family they told us that the main surgeon had just told them that he was going to perform radical surgery. This doctor had no bedside manners and he did not even want to review the recent tests reqested by another doctor. He was adamant that a lot of extreme facial surgery was necessary, involving the removal of an eye and some teeth. The family was numb with grief, as you can imagine.

My husband and I left them alone in their grief, so they could come to grips with the news. We all had known that there was a possibility of this happening, yet we hoped, up to the last minute, that it would not be so. After an hour, a nephew of my loved one walked by me and said they still had not begun surgery - she was still in pre-op. Suddenly I KNEW why we were there. My husband and I immediately joined hands and prayed hard that God would divinely intervene - that extensive facial surgery would not be necessary, that the main surgeon would be overuled by the other doctors and that proof would be given to convince that doctor that the cancer was isolated to one small area; that the cancer had not, in fact, spread as they feared.

And guess what? The surgery was completed in half the time estimated and no incision on the face was even necessary!!! They were able to enter under the lip and do all the operating that way, because it had stayed contained to one small area. And... instead of a 5-7 day stay in the hospital, she may get out this afternoon!

Praise the Lord for His mercy and for answered prayer! Our entire church has been praying for her for several weeks. God heard the heartfelt cries of His kids, and yesterday I KNEW why I was to be where I was.

Oh taste and see that He is good! His mercy endures forever!

Praising His name forever,
Connie

Prison Ministry Update

2009-05-29T05:50:00.002-04:00

My prayer warrior friend Pat, and I, went to the Ohio Reformatory for Women this week and were blessed to be able to donate 14 digital conversion boxes to the incarcerated women there. Several of the recipients are inmates in wheelchairs who live for their television and who have no one on the outside to assist in the cost of a conversion box. Even with the $40 coupons, it is still tough for many of them to come up with the remainder of the cost. What a blessing to be a part of this much needed ministry.

Special thanks go to our church family, First Baptist Church of Heath, for supporting this project. They allowed me to hold 2 book signings after worship services, with all the proceeds going toward the jail and prison ministry. And, following my speech at the mother/daughter banquet a few weeks ago, Ms. Valerie, the hostess, took up a collection for the inmate boxes. What a great church family Pat and I are a part of!

Like most of us I am thrilled that winter is finally behind us. It was a long one this year. But now I am torn between writing, yardwork and housework. Not enough hours in the day, or energy in the body! :-)

Please pray for my current book projects. One of my proposals is being considered for publication and is before the Book Review Committee at Beacon Hill Press. In this age of cutbacks, book publishers, too, are facing huge financial hurdles. Christian writers covet the prayers of the saints to assist in getting the Word out, now more than ever!

Writing for Him,
Connie

Ministry Request (It's Free!)

2009-05-12T14:13:00.002-04:00

I don't usually ask for contributions on my blog, but I feel the need to do so now. No, not financial contributions, but coupon contributions. The warden of a local state prison has given my prison ministry friend, Pat, and I the go ahead to gather the digital conversion converter boxes to donate to inmates who cannot afford a box. Since there is no cable or satellite service available at this prison, many inmates will not be able to afford a conversion box and will not be able to watch television after the conversion in June. (Many lifers and handicapped inmates LIVE for televison.)

We are asking people to please donate the coupons that they are not going to use (the coupons are for $40 off the purchase price of the boxes) , and we will purchase the boxes and take them to the prison. IF you are interested - God bless you! It is real easy to do: Just go to www.dtv.gov. Please email me and I'll tell you where to send the coupon after you receive them.

Thank you and may God richly bless you!

In Him,
Connie
Matthew 25: 36 "I was in prison and you came to visit me."

"A Cup of Comfort" Book Series

2009-03-27T06:48:00.004-04:00

Every time I do a book signing, I encounter lots of people who have never heard of the Cup of Comfort book series. I usually tell them that they are similar to the Chicken Soup series, as they are full of short, inspirational stories targeted at a particular genre and written by different authors (contributors). The books are published by Adam's Media and they are a good value and make excellent gifts. If you aren't familiar with the Cup of Comfort book series, you might want to go to http://www.cupofcomfort.com/ sometime and check it out.

I have been published in several of their titles, including their two newest books: A Cup of Comfort Women of the Bible Devotional, and A Cup of Comfort Devotional for Mothers and Daughters. These two new titles are hardback; their previous titles are paperback. If you'd like autographed copies of these titles or any of my books (go to my "Books" tab for selections) drop me an email, or go to the "Signed by the Author" link on my site.

I personally read several different daily devotionals every day, some from these books and some from periodicals - and throughout the day. Most often their brief, inspirational messages are very timely - as if they are handpicked just for me and just for my unique need for that day! Imagine that...

Happy reading!
Connie

A Heavenly Book

2009-03-23T08:41:00.003-04:00

I just finished reading a wonderfully uplifting and inspiring book, "My Glimpse of Eternity", by Betty Malz. I started reading it last night and didn't want to stop, but the light in our bedroom interferes with my husband's sleep (we arise at 4:15 a.m.), so I begrudgingly obliged. It was easy to dash out of bed this morning, knowing I would be able to return to the captivating gem.

After my morning Bible study (today I'm in James, chapter one) and hurriedly scribbling in my journal, I resumed my place in my new found literary treasure. By 6:45 - it was finished. Whew! Talk about moving! It took me to heaven and made me want to stay there.

It was first published in 1977 and recently re-released by Baker Revell publishers, and deservedly so. We need more books that remind us to live with eternity in mind; to make each day count for Jesus; to encourage us to let His neverending love ooze from our pores. We need books that gently prod us to be less self-absorbed and more God focused.

It has nudged me, as an inspirational writer myself, to get back on the saddle and keep the reigns on the horse.

Read any good books lately?

God bless,
Connie

Blog Email Updates

2009-03-20T16:24:00.001-04:00

I just added a new feature to my blogs - you can sign up for my updates to be sent automatically to your email! Hope you'll try it out.

Blessings,
Connie

For the Love of Homemade Vegetable Soup

2009-03-18T07:37:00.003-04:00

Do you remember the dreaded homemade veggie soup when you were a kid? I sure do. As soon as I saw my mother emptying the fridge of all the leftover veggies and tossing them into one big pot, I knew what I and my four siblings were in for. (And this almost always followed a dinner of a large pot roast from the night before.)

In the midst of the whining, I'd pick out and gobble up the beef, green beans and the corn, but then I'd stare cross-eyed at the rest of the mess for an hour, fighting the next bite. My brothers and sister were just as bad as me. And yes, you guessed it, now we love the stuff! Go figger.

Last week something divinely comical happened, in regards to this soup. I gave a speech to a bunch of sweet little ladies and I began it with this cute joke: "A Sunday School Teacher asked little Johnny; "Now, Johnny, tell me the truth, do you say prayers before eating?"
"No ma'am," little Johnny replied, “I don't have to. My mom is a good cook .”

I immediately followed that introduction with a statement that my mom is a good cook, too. I went on to describe how she makes the best homemade vegetable soup ever, but back when I was a kid I didn't like it at all. As a matter of fact, I knew I was called to be a missionary when I was only 8 years old. One day, while pouting over a bowl of that stuff and listening to mt mother's reminder of how: “You should be grateful to have that soup. There are starving children in India who would love to be eating it right now,” I got a bright idea.

I found a shoebox, put my bowl of soup in it, wrote “INDIA” on the outside, taped it shut and stuck it in our mailbox!

Yep - I was destined to become a missionary. (But so far, not overseas.)

When my mom called a few days ago and asked how my speech went, I told her it went well, and then I proceeded to share my veggie soup tale.

She couldn't stop laughing.

Yes, it was funny, but not that funny.

Finally, when she came up for air, she told me why she was laughing so hard. It seems the same day as my speech, and even the same hour of it, she was eating some homemade vegging soup. And, she had my niece and her 2 young children over for lunch. And...not only did my niece gobble up her soup, but her 2 kids gobbled it up, too. They even asked their mom to ask great grandma how to make it so they could have it again soon.

Go figger.

"Toto, We're Not in Kansas Anymore"

2009-03-03T16:36:00.002-05:00

I just returned to the midwest from Florida yesterday - what a shock. Going there was like a scene from the old version of the Wizard of Oz when the color suddenly comes on and everything is breathtakingly beautiful. Flowers, warm breezes and sand - on my! On the return trip, the pilot announced in balmy Orlando that the temperature in Ohio was all of...12 degrees. Ugh! My hubby and I tried to convince each other that it was good to be home, and it is always great to be back in your own bed with your favorite pillow; but our frigid winters are starting to get to me. To help ease the pain he bought me some fresh-cut flowers. It helped, but there was no way he could purchase the warm air and sand to go with it.

Now for some good news - the Christian publishing industry seems to be standing its own, or at least the publishers that were at the conference said they were planning on publishing the same number of titles this year. With the downturn in the economy I was concerned how it might affect the numbers of new books. But it was mentioned that the medium of the traditional published book seems to be changing, with the onset of the popular Kindle that's out now. However, that doesn't affect writers and how we write.

All-in-all it was a good conference, but then, how could it not be? Warm breezes and bright smiles were thoroughly enjoyed by all. And lest we forget, the common reason that each one of us were there - to learn more about the craft of how to spread the written Word - is always a joyful experience. One of the editors reminded us that Christian book conferences have only been around for a couple decades. God is rising up new writers to get the Word out in these last days. What an awesome time to be alive!

Praying you answer His call,
Connie

Holding Hands with Jesus

2009-02-18T06:36:00.005-05:00

I'm knee-deep in conference preparations again. Each time I get ready for one I am amazed anew at how much work is involved (and I'm not even teaching at this one!). Creating the proposals, one-sheets and query letters, and getting them ready for scrutinization is a lot of writing. Still, like other attendees, I want to get the most bang for my buck, so I try to have a variety of materials ready. Of course I gear them toward the publishing houses who I want to represent me, but I also try to prepare for those "chance" meetings with editors who aren't necessarily on my list.

But what I seem to struggle with most is, anxiety. I begin stressing over the connections weeks before the conference: the flight connections, the luggage connections, the rental car connections, the conference location connection, and especially the editor connections.

Thankfully though, God gets my attention way before I leave my house, and reminds me that He is the great Connector. And oftentimes He even uses another writer to remind me. Whew! The burden is instantly lifted and placed on the shoulders of the One who is big enough to handle it. And it stays lifted, as long as I remember to turn to Him.

The bottom line is, I have saturated this conference in prayer. I belive God has led me to attend it, therefore He will see me through it. Period. I will get there when I am supposed to. I will meet those editors whom He wants me to meet. And lest I forget, He also wants me to be available to be used by Him to bless other attendees, especially those writers who have never been to a conference and who have no idea what to expect.

Just another lesson in the "it's not all about me" saga. God sees the big picture and He knows how situations in life are going to turn out, even before they begin. My part is to keep my hand in His hand and trust Him. Every time I remember to keep God and His Kingdom plans first, my needs are not only met, but are usually surpassed -and in more ways than I could ever imagine.

Keeping my hand in the hand of the Author of the greatest book ever,

Connie

Looking Back - to Look Ahead

2008-12-31T06:01:00.007-05:00

I don't have to tell you, but it's here again. Another year.

For me, before I can move ahead and look forward to the new year, I first have to look back. At the risk of sounding like one of those "old folks" who seem to constantly talk about how fast time is flying, suffice it to say that this year was the quickest yet. It was full of a lot of good stuff, and of course, some bad. God blessed us with a beautiful granddaughter, Elaina Sophia, but sadly, God chose to take my brother, Gary, home. While I fully believe it is not "sad" for my brother (I feel confident that he is in heaven and finally at peace), the circle of us five siblings has been broken. There is something about that missing link that is causing the rest of us to cherish each other more, I think. And oddly, Gary passed the day after my birthday - the day after I had been wondering which one of us would go first...

As the new year dawns upon the horizon, what new lives will enter - and what lives will pass on? Are we cherishing our loved ones like we should, realizing it could be our last day with them? More importantly, are we looking in the mirror and asking ourselves, "if I died today would I have accomplished the plan that God had for my life?" And on the heel of that question is the question to top all questions: "If I died today, where would I spend eternity?"

This year I am resolving to live my life with eternity in mind. I hope to stick to the lifelong habit of seeking God first every day, and asking Him what His agenda for me is. Then, after making a daily list, keep it before me and check it throughout the day - knowing God can, and most likely will, change it. Some of my best blessings from 2008 were a result of "spur of the moment" nudges I received from the Lord to do, to go, or to speak to someone. I want to become more in tune to the Holy Spirit and make myself constantly available to be a blessing to others, especially my loved ones.

Here's to a new year in Christ,
Connie

The Countdown is On

2008-11-30T12:01:00.004-05:00

In my last blog I referenced the countdown to Election Day, when our country would appoint a new leader. In this blog I reference the countdown to Christmas Day, when the entire world pauses to honor Jesus Christ our redeemer, a man who is appointed by God - yet is God.
And that, dear reader, is what so many people have trouble with.

I can't explain it any better than any other human being can - it falls under the category of "God's ways are higher than our ways." How Jesus can be both man and God is something the human mind will never be able to reconcile unto itself; it makes the brain go...tilt, tilt, tilt. But God said it, so that settles it.

God also said, "By faith, childlike faith", we are to come to Him. It's something so simple, yet we make it complicated. We embark in denominational wars and we pick apart baptism, speaking in tongues, what day of the week is the true Sabbath, how we should pray, traditional music or contemporary, a parking lot out front of the church or in the back, blue carpet or red, the list goes on and on... In the midst of it all I imagine God sitting along the sidelines shaking His head and thinking, They don't get it.

So many of us Christians spend so much time fussing about the small stuff, that we completely miss the big picture. We miss 1) that the time is short and people are dying without Jesus, and 2) how unattractive Christianity can seem to lost people - especially when we pick apart the small stuff. We are called to be doers of the Word; to go about doing good. That is our mission. And by "doing" so, others will see Jesus in us and be attracted to that.

My inmate friend, Micky, does not get to see a lot of God in action in prison. Sadly, in that environment, the adversary is more well known than God is. But in her last letter to me, she shared something that still has me smiling, and yes, causing my head to go tilt, tilt, tilt. There was another female inmate who I'll call Candy, who was very mean to Micky - picking fights with her and causing her to spend several days in the hole (a very lonesome, cold place that no one wants to go to). On one of my visits to the prison, I distinctly remember praying with Micky for Candy. I also remember writing to Micky about forgiving Candy and praying for Candy's salvation. Well, just last week Candy chased Micky down while out in the Yard (which of course scared Micky - at first), so that she could give Micky... a bag of chocolate chip cookies! They were "forgiveness" cookies from a retreat Candy had recently attended through Kairos. Dear Micky got to see a rare glimpse of Christ's forgiveness and love in action. And, she also got to see the power of prayer in action, too.

May you, too, get to see (and BE) the love of Jesus this Christmas season.

In Christ,
Connie

Politics and Prayer

2008-10-21T14:42:00.004-04:00

Less than two weeks to go until the election and like many Christians, my heart is heavy with concern for our country. I could easily fall prey to watching CNN 24/7 and keeping myself all rattled with worry. And knowing that there are a large number of Americans who don't seem to place a priority on basic morals and values, and who are easily swayed by the eloquence of a speaker, could keep me fretting all hours.

But lest we forget, our great country was founded on Christian principles. I believe that is why God has chosen to abundantly bless our nation for the past two centuries, because we have put Him first. However, in the past few decades or so, many of us have turned our hearts away from Him, causingHis hand of protection to pull away from us, as a country...and it should. God deserves to be first in our lives, not a forgotten last.

Nevertheless, He is still on the throne. For those of us who know the Lord personally there is nothing to fear, no matter who gets elected. God is still in control and it will go the way He wants it to go, period. Our part is to pray. Pray for the elections. Pray for whomever gets elected and pray for the lost to seek Him...before it's too late.

God bless you and God bless America.

Prayerfully submitted,
Connie

The Fest Draws Near...

2008-09-10T06:00:00.003-04:00

I have been consumed with Backwoods Fest preparations for days now: gathering decorations for our booth, making signs, price stamping hundreds of books and ordering thousands of new bookmarks. While I've held dozens of book signings in the past, this one is different - I'll be there 3 days in a row and there will be thousands of people. Thankfully, I only live 15 minutes away and can go home each evening; lots of vendors either camp there or get motel rooms. But, there is nothing quite like the atmosphere of the Backwoods Fest - very rustic and earthy with bluegrass music, kettle cooked food, and even an outdoor church service on Sunday morning for the workers/vendors. Who knows, maybe for once I'll actually get my fill of the fest - but don't count on it!
I did learn that the new Christmas book that I've contributed to (Christmas Through a Child's Eyes) will be released in time for the festival, but not the new Chicken Soup for the Soul: Empty Nester's. I will be taking (autographed) orders for the Empty Nester's book, though, and I'll pay the shipping. Also, if by some miracle I sell out of books at the fest, I will take orders for each book and pay the shipping for them, too.
In the meantime, my agent (from Hartline Literary Agency) told me that the proposal for the new boomer humor book I'm working on has been making it's rounds to various publishers. It is about one-third written, so I'll have that to finish writing after the fest.
If you're looking for books to challenge you to come up higher in your Christian walk, I can highly recommend two books by Jerry Bridges, The Practice of Godliness and The Pursuit of Holiness. I seldom re-read books, but these two I definitely will!

Enjoy these fleeting autumn days (that white stuff will be here before we know it), and...hope to see ya at the fest!

Connie
(Proverbs 3: 5-6)

On the Cover of a Magazine...

2008-08-05T13:02:00.003-04:00

Hey everyone,

I had a family member get after me for not announcing that I am on the cover of a magazine. So, Now Hear This: I am on the cover of the current issue (August 2008) of The Christian Communicator.

There. I announced it! :-)

Seriously, if you don't subscribe and would like to read the article, drop me an email and I'll email a word file to you of the article.

In His Service,
Connie

The Brevity of Time

2008-07-27T17:20:00.005-04:00

The slowest two months out of the year (when you're a kid, anyway) was always November and December; you counted down the days until Christmas. But as an adult, January and February are the ones that drag on for me. And for most of us the quickest two months out of the year have to be June and July. One day school is out and parents scramble to find sitters while anticipating vacations, the next day, or so it seems, they are shopping for school supplies.

As a matter-of-fact,I always thought that the new year should begin the first of September. I mean, even as a kid the first day of school WAS a new year; new teachers, new classmates, new clothes, new school supplies, sometimes even a new school. Why not make September 1st the beginning of the new year? It makes more sense.

It's the end of July right now and there's something distinctly different in the air as fall approaches: a crisp, earthy scent. And there are different sounds in the air, too; crickets and cicadas blend their shrill chirps and screeches, announcing the lazy, hazy days of summer are coming to a close. It's time to get the books out - it's time to get back into the habit of studying again. I, too, still have a desire to "go back to school" every fall or attend a writer's conference. Hopefully that urge to learn will never disappear.

How I long to hold onto these next few weeks - if only there were a way to bottle them up for those ice-covered, frigid days of February. With each passing year, everytime I mention how fast time flies, I hear myself sounding more like one of those seniors that I used to roll my eyes up at.

Speaking of flies - there's one in my office.

I guess I did find something about summer that I won't miss...

Blessings for your summer,
Connie

After the Writer's Conference, Now What?

2008-06-12T16:18:00.002-04:00

The 2008 Columbus American Christian Writer's Conference has come and gone. As usual I loved the atmosphere. At Christian writer's conferences we are all on the same team, pulling for each other. Our unified goal is to build the Kingdom of God and to be the best writers we can, for God's glory.
I've been to a few secular conferences, and while I always learn how to improve my writing, I am usually disappointed in the attitudes of most of the writers. They seem almost secretive about what they know, not wanting to build their competition.

Anyway, suffice it to say, I was a fish in water this weekend.

After each conference I attend my creativity screams to be unleashed. The problem is, not only was I gone for several days at the conference, but prior to the conference I (like the rest of you) was very busy preparing for it.
Most of us have a zillion things waiting for us at home that have to be done. Our creativity has to be put on the backburner for a little while.
So, what to do?
Quickly scour your notes while the info. is still fresh, and find those gems of article/book ideas and jot them down. Organize your list by those projects that you are the most passionate about, or that have an upcoming deadline. Write as much info. about each one as time permits, then assign a date beside each one to finish them. Try to carve the time needed, a little each day, to meet those deadlines.

As we learned at the conference, as long as we pray, we are patient, and we are persistent, we will achieve our writing goals .

Writing for His glory,
Connie

Breaking the Chains that Bind

2008-05-19T13:00:00.002-04:00

Our speeches at the prison were awesome. No, not because of the speakers, but because of Who was speaking through us. The Holy Spirit showed up in a big way and there were many lives touched, including mine.
Besides myself, my speaker friend Pat Collins spoke, and our guitarist friend, Carolyn Logsdon, led worship. None of us will ever forget that night. We set out to BE a blessing, yet WE were the ones who were blessed. The women were starved for words of hope and encouragement. I shared with them how there were 2 things that I've told the Lord for years that I did not want to do: 1) be a speaker and, 2) minister inside prisons. I warned them to be careful what you tell God you don't want to do! That is the exact thing He will ask of you, so that HE will get the glory (as it should be). I also added how incredibly blessed and enriched my life has become since (finally) obeying God in those 2 areas. If God brings us to it, He WILL see us through it, and He will not only use us to be a blessing to others, but in the process - He will bless our socks off!

It was incredibly humbling to see the changes that came over them within one hour. As they arrived we greeted them and many kept their eyes downcast. Afterwards most of them held their heads high and looked us straight in the eyes.

We received many heartfelt thank-you's, and one inmate even whispered in my ear, "Please come back soon. We need you."
We were deeply moved by the professions of faith and rededications to the Lord. We even brought home dozens of prayer requests.
It will be an honor to lift their burdens to the One who see's them and loves them...just as they are.

Thanks for your time...Connie (Matthew 25: 36.)

Finally with the 90's!

2008-05-09T07:07:00.005-04:00

I'm new to the blogging world. As my daughter Chelsea says, "Mom, you're finally with the 90's!" Better late than never, though, as the old saying goes.

The radio interview went well. As usual, after each interview/speech I give, I scrutinize myself and wish I would've said or not said something. But I'm learning that as long as I remember to pray first, (which I do -- a lot-- before each speaking engagement or interview) then I need to leave the results in the Father's hands. I need to trust that He heard my prayer and that He led me to speak or not to speak, what HE wanted.

Speaking of speeches: My friend, Pat, and I, will be speaking to a total of 200 female inmates at the Franklin Pre-Release Center on Sat. May 17. There will be 2 sessions of 100 inmates each. While she and I are not afraid of going into prisons, we are afraid of missing what the Lord wants to say through us. We want to speak words of hope and encouragement to these ladies - as they live in a very negative atmosphere. We also want to make sure these women know they can be forgiven by God, and that He has an awesome plan for their life. Please pray for Pat and I as we prepare our messages, and for Carolyn, who will be playing the guitar for praise and worship.

Radio Interview, Wednesday, May 7, 2008

2008-05-05T16:52:00.002-04:00

Radio Interview

AM 880
WRFD

The Bob Burney Live Show

Both Faye Landrum and I will be joining Bob from 3:30 to 4:00 on Wednesday, May 7 to discuss our writing backgrounds, and to give information about the upcoming American Christian Writer's Conference in Columbus, Ohio. We will each be teaching a workshop during the 2-day conference on June 6 and 7.

If you've always wanted to write a book, but didn't know where to begin, you won't want to miss this conference!