PRAY: Prayer for Those Who Need to Be Still
“In times of great difficulty and great expectation, it is our wisdom to keep our spirits calm, quiet, and sedate; for then we are in the best frame both to do our own work and to consider the work of God.”—Matthew Henry I posted this graphic (left) on my Facebook page yesterday after I saw it on the wall of Sisterhood magazine. It resonated with me because I so often run ahead of the Lord. Sure, I may appear patient on the outside. But on the inside—far too often—my emotions are churning, my mind is screaming, and my will is screaming, “Go!” Some translations render the admonition in this verse as “Be silent” and others as “Be still,” but I believe both have the same meaning: let God handle it. Wait before Him. And rest. Easy, right? Of course not. That’s why so many people shared and/or “liked” the graphic yesterday. But when Moses told the Israelites, “Be still,” I don’t imagine they wanted to listen, either. Their chariot-driving enemies were bearing down. Their number was small. Their bodies were tired. And they could do nothing to change their situation. Nothing except follow a leader they didn’t quite trust—who urged them to be still. For those of us who are tired of waiting, tired of staying silent, and tired of trusting that God will fight for us, I offer today’s prayer: Lord, I’m standing at the edge of my personal Red Sea today. The enemies are behind me, screaming their threats. And you’re saying, “Be still”? I don’t get it, Lord. And I confess: my ways are not Your ways. The things I want to do are often the exact opposite of what You desire. I want to move, and You say to rest. I want to cry out, and You remind me to be silent. I want to fight back, and You tell me You’ve got it. So, Lord, I ask You today to fulfill this work in my life. I can’t do it, but I know You can. Live through me. Be my rest and give me rest. Be my peace and grant me peace. Silence me that I may hear Your voice. Quiet me that I may know Your will. And move my heart, my mind, and my eyes to know that You are fighting for me whether I see any evidence of that or not. I trust You, God. You made the customized Red Sea before me, and You can get me across. I wait before You with the strength only You can give. I offer myself to You to use as You desire. Live through me. Move through me. And oh, my Father, give me the simple strength to be still. In Your holy, all-powerful name I pray, AMEN. Do you face a Red Sea situation? Are you having trouble remaining still and letting the Lord fight for you? Feel free to share your prayer request in a comment or email. I’m already praying for you, but I’d love to share a more specific...
read moreWRITE: Vonda Skelton’s Christian Writer’s Den Blog
Just a quick note to invite you to come visit me today over on Vonda Skelton’s wonderful Christian Writer’s Den blog. Vonda (an author, motivational speaker, and actress) does a wonderful job of connecting with, encouraging, and equipping her fellow Christian writers. I highly recommend her blog for anyone interested in writing for publication. Check out Vonda’s interview with me and leave a comment for the opportunity to win one of my books. And Vonda, thanks so much for the opportunity to visit you and the Christian Writer’s...
read morePRAY: Prayer for Those Who Are Wounded and Weary
Photograph © Andrew Pieper, 2012 I have several friends and family members who fit into the “wounded and weary” category. In fact, I’m a bit wounded by a heavy cold and some necessary time out in the wind today helping our daughters raise money for their summer mission trips. But my personal wounds seem small as I look around me: cancer here, infidelity there, multiple surgeries near, and painful recoveries all around. These precious, wounded warriors are on my heart as I lift them in prayer this evening: Dear Father, Thank You so much today for your power, might, and glory. I praise You that You are a great God and a great King above all gods. I thank You that there is no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus. Today, Lord Jesus, I pray for these my wounded brothers and sisters, that they would know You in your fullness and receive Your victory even now. I ask You to give them the crown of life that you promise to those who love You. I ask, oh Master, that You not allow them to grow weary in well-doing but that You strengthen them to stand—to stand against the wiles of the devil; to stand against sin and self; to stand against temptation and torment; to stand, fight, and win the battle. Thank You, God, that when we are in You, we never fight alone. Thank You that You have given us everything we need for life and godliness. Come to these, my dear ones, and remind them of these truths. Help them know you not only as Savior and Lord but as Lord God Almighty, mighty in battle. You are the King of glory and we will lift up the gates, lift up the everlasting doors that you may come in! We love You and we stand together, wounded and weary no longer but praising your name in which we pray, now and forevermore—AMEN. Have your circumstances left you wounded and weary, or are you praying for someone who fits that description? Feel free to share in a comment here or email me for prayer. As always, I’m honored to lift you before...
read moreWRITE: Florida Christian Writer’s Conference–Celebrate the Awe
How do you describe that moment at the top of the roller coaster before it plunges down the first hill? A friend of mine uses the word awe, which he defines as “great joy and excitement mixed with tremendous fear.” Borrowing his definition, then, I can say I’m in awe of my role as chaplain for the 2013 Florida Christian Writers Conference. A chaplain ministers God’s truth. A chaplain gives care, comfort, and encouragement. And although I’ve done all of those things in various ministry opportunities (including writers’ conferences) through the years, I’ve never had this particular title at a conference. And sometimes, I allow the fear portion of my awe too much freedom. What if the prayer letters I send prove ineffective? What if I say the wrong thing when I address the conference or speak to an individual? What if I miss out on opportunities because I’m too busy teaching workshops or meeting with those interested in writing for Sisterhood Magazine (some of my other responsibilities at the FCWC). Did you notice anything about those questions? They all center on me. And that’s the focus God’s shifting as I pray toward the conference. Those who are self-focused minister only to one person. So I’m asking God to help me turn my what-ifs into prayers that He’ll move through me both now and during the conference. After all, I can only live in awe if I step aside and watch Him work. I may not have a perfect understanding of my chaplain role, but He does. I may not know what to say or when to say it, but He promises wisdom to those who ask. And I’ll trust Him for the timing of appointments, planned and otherwise. God loves to use my weakness as a vehicle for His strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). Because I remember my days a confused first-time conference attendee, I can offer words of calm assurance. Because I long for God to use my writing to make a difference, I can pray for others who have the same hope and desire. And because I continue to slip, stumble, and start over again in my own writing journey, I can encourage others at all stages of theirs. I hope to see you at the Florida Christian Writer’s Conference (for more of my thoughts about why you should attend, go here). Come find me. I’ll be the one watching for His great work—and celebrating the awe. Do you have questions about the conference? Feel free to ask by leaving a comment or emailing me. For more information, check out the conference website and Faculty...
read moreWRITE: Words with Friends: Joyce Magnin, author of CAKE
Today, I’m proud to share with you an interview with award-winning author Joyce Magnin as the start of a new blog feature, Words with Friends. God has allowed me to build some great relationships with other authors, and I don’t want to hide those when I feature their books. In Words with Friends, I’ll share an interview and a bit of personal information, too. Joyce and I first met a few years ago when we both served on faculty at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference. At our first in-person encounter, I bowed at her feet to show my extreme appreciation for her talents. We share an off-center sense of humor, a love for great literature, and a deep appreciation for Lemon Squares. Elsewhere on this blog, you can read my earlier interview with Joyce and my review of her most recent work, CAKE. Joyce, a frequent conference speaker and writing instructor, is the author of the popular and quirky Bright’s Pond series along with two recent middle grade novels, Carrying Mason and Cake. When she’s not writing or reading, Joyce enjoys baseball, needle arts, video games, and cream soda, but not elevators—especially glass ones. She listens to many kinds of music, shamelessly confesses to enjoying American Idol, and has never eaten a scallop or sky dived. Joyce has three children, Rebekah, Emily, and Adam; three grandsons, Lemuel, Cedar, and Soren; and one son-in-law, Joshua. Joyce, her son Adam, and their crazy cat Mango live in Havertown, Pennsylvania where Joyce cares for an eighty-year-old onion plant. Welcome, Joyce. Let’s jump right into our discussion. What were some of your favorite books as a child? Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books. Loved them all. Still do. Emily of New Moon, she was one of the lesser-known heroines of Lucy Maud Montgomery, although Anne of Green Gables was a favorite also. The poems of Emily Dickinson even though I didn’t understand most of what I was reading, I just loved to read the words. Harriet the Spy Winnie the Pooh Grimm’s Fairy Tales Pippi Longstocking made me want to have big feet and strap sponges on them to scrub the kitchen floor. Oh, and to have a monkey. Mom wouldn’t allow it, which was kind of disappointing considering our mother let us keep every animal we brought home, including dogs, cats, a flying squirrel, snakes, birds, guinea pigs, mice, and a pig for a short while, but my favorite was the dogs. Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales But, believe it or not I became enamored with Sherlock Holmes when I was around eleven years old. When and why did you decide to start writing for young readers? I was nine. No, really. Middle Grade literature has always been my first love. I love this age group. Everything that is difficult, crazy, scary about this time in the kiddoes’ lives is also what is wonderful about it. I think middle grade literature is some of the best writing out there. I love being part of this. 3. Both CAKE and Carrying Mason have a heroine who triumphs over others who in some way have rejected her. Did you make a conscious decision to champion the underdog? Yep. Heroes come in many shapes and sizes. As I have been thinking about and reworking my vision/mission statement for...
read moreWelcome
I've asked God to use my writing and speaking to count for eternity. I'm passionate about relationships and creativity.
