Faithchick

Joy!

The Bible has so much to say about joy, and yet, some Christians are just so sour.  They look as if they've just swallowed pickle juice.  I want to encourage you today to find your joy in Him and spread it around.  Life is hard.  There is no question, but if you focus on all you have to be grateful for, this could be a fabulous day!

Rejoice!  This is the day the Lord has made!

Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.  So speak happy thoughts! 
(San Francisco makes me happy!)

www.KristinBillerbeck.com
Kristin is the author of over 35 novels and is currently working on a young adult series for Baker/Revell and a women's fiction.

Hope does not disappoint

Life is full of disappointments. So much so, we begin to identify with it, claim it as our own, just the way life is for "me."

We agree with so much negativity and lies in the course of our life. We declare failure and ugliness over ourselves. There's a difference between recognizing weaknesses, disappointments and failures, dealing with them head and agreeing with blanket condemnation.

When we do, we mire down further and further.

But God is a God of hope. He does NOT disappoint. A seasoned woman of the Lord said to me once, "I'm afraid to believe God, that I'll be disappointed."

Something came over me. "That," I said with force, "is a lie from the pit of hell."

Who are we going to hope in if not God. Who in this life can or will disappoint us less? Our own failures, the weakness of others is what disappoints us. Often not taking a close look at our lives, being honest with ourselves.

A friend wants to be an artist. But also wants a large family. His artistic endeavors are hindered by his growing family. His wants, in some ways, are in conflict. Both are valid. Both are honorable desires. But both require a great deal of time and effort.

He's frustrated. Angry. Disappointed.

God has a destiny for every one. The Bible assures us He created good works for us to walk in from before the foundations of the earth!

Open your hand, open your heart, desire God first, and He will unlock your destiny.

If you want to write, then write! Pray and write. If you have a heart for finances, then pray and study finances, and money! If you want to learn an instrument, pray and believe God, take lessons, practice, learn!

If you want to be a great parent, give yourself to your kids. If you want to know God, seek Him, give yourself to prayer and the Word. He will reveal Himself to you!

Believe in God. His hope does NOT disappoint.

Best Selling and award winning author Rachel Hauck lives in central Florida with her husband. She is a graduate of the Ohio State Univerisity and has traveled internationally as a software trainer.

But, writing is her love, and she hopes to spread the fragrance of Jesus with her words.

Her current release Love Starts With Elle from Thomas Nelson is a 2009 RITA Finalist. Her next release, "The Sweet By and By" with platinum selling country artist Sara Evans releases January 2010. Check out all of her books and musings on her web site at www.rachelhauck.com.

Some Good News from A Deep Well

For some time now I have been on a quest to separate out Christianity from Christian culture.  I have asked God to give me two things in my quest: first, lives worth imitating, both in person and from history. Second, I have prayed that God would lead me to books that would clarify things for me. 

Water from a Deep Well by Gerald L. Sittser is such a book. The sub-title of the book is Christian Spirituality from Early Martyrs to Modern Missionaries.  I am about a third of the way through, and I have already gotten some good insights. 

First of all, if you look at the pattern of history, Christianity falls in and out of favor with the larger culture.  One Roman emperor persecutes Christians and outlaws Christianity and the next becomes a Christian and endorses it. 

I grow weary of the ways that Christians are maligned and misrepresented in media. The other day I was watching a great movie, The Soloist. However, the only Christian character in the movie is the one who is the most insensitive to the homeless man's mental condition. I have seen the pattern before in films and books. Reading Water from a Deep Well has reminded me that being a Christian might not win me any popularity contests, and it hurts to be misrepresented and maligned. But there is good news.

The book points out how attractive Christianity became to people as the pagan culture became more and more corrupt.  Unsaved people were drawn to the stability of the Christian community and the early church grew quickly.  Sometimes I feel like I need to run around and be the PR department for all of Christianity explaining that Christians aren't like the ones you see on TV. This book reminds me that it would be far better to put my energy into being a part of a Christian community that practices integrity, love and charity. 

Finally, the book reminded me that when the Roman empire fell, the only thing to rise out of the rubble was Christianity. The monastaries had towns grow up around them because they were stable in a world that had become chaotic and unpredictable.

So much of what has happened politcally this year has depressed me. I feel like my voice is not being heard and that my values will be ignored by the powers that be. Well guess what? Not only is being Chirstian not about being popular, it's also not about always having power as the world defines it.

It may be that we are on a downward slope as far as the larger culture is concerned. Whatever happens, Christianity will be the thing that shines brightly when the chaos and corruption leads to destruction if history has anything to say about it.  

Sharon Dunn has a romantic suspense called Dead Ringer due for release in May 2010. You can read more about Sharon and her books at www.sharondunnbooks.com.

 

     

Living Waters

With the end of the year looming, my Type A brain is working overtime.

I'm fine-tuning book proposals, reviewing all that's on my To Do list to see what I can graciuosly remove, and making lots of closet-cleaning and "toy-chest dumping" trips to Goodwill.

Amid this activity, there's been quite a bit of reflection,  and talks about these musings: Is life just about going through the motions - getting the kids to school on time, meeting work-related deadlines, doing the after school practice carpooling, then on to homework and dinner preparations?

Or is there more?  Isn't there supposed to be? That's what the magazine headlines and celebrity news shows insist, and that's what many women I encounter want to know.

In our fast-paced, competitive society, it's easy - even for Christians - to forget that our ordinary, sometimes-dull routines are the byproduct of a purpose-filled life, if the person blessed to be living that that life learns to trust that truth. It's easy to dismiss God's assertion that our purpose comes not through our accomplishments or deeds, but in how we execute them.

However, our long-term goal, or mission, should be to fulfill our responsibilities, interact with others and experience life's joys with some measure of love.

I recently shared that perspective with a friend when she called to lament her life's path. She felt disheartened, distracted and lacking in purpose.

We've all been there, I told her. Whether she was having a single day of the blues or experiencing something more significant, what was important was her willingness to acknowledge that she felt out of sorts, instead of pretending all was well. Next on her list, I suggested, would be to surrender her discontent, her lack of confidence and her weariness to God - to the lover of her soul who created her soul.

1 Corinthians 13:2 reminds us that we can have all of the beauty, wealth, talent and success the world has to offer - or we could be going through the motions of a routine day - but if we haven't made others feel like they mattered, spoken the truth with good intentions or made tough decisions with the best motives, we haven't really lived up to our ultimate purpose.

That purpose is to model Christ's unconditional love for others.

Thank God for grace, because who among us can say we always meet this standard?

But in striving to attain it, we stretch our boundaries. We venture from our comfort zones, and pretty soon, the same ordinary path we've been trodding suddenly seems filled with adventures only God could orchestrate.

How do you get to that place from where you find yourself now? Ask God for the wisdom, the contentment, and the joy that only he can provide, and keep asking until you see results.

When God reveals himself,  John 7:38 will become your experience: The "living waters" of the Lord's light in your life - his Holy Spirit - will come rushing forth. When you surrender to it, your life will never be the same.

John 7:38  (NKJV)
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

What we learn from Newt

I watch politics from my window, occasionally hollering out: "Hey! What's going on?" But I've written my congressmen more in the last year than my entire life.

I'm a small government supporter and prefer our Constitution remain in tack. I understand there are a lot of gray areas politically speaking. As a Christian though, I am convicted about being somewhat outspoken about the direction of our country.

The Bible is clear: God hates wickedness and He judges wicked nations. We see Him dealing with pagan nations all the time in Scripture. They could've shouted "You're not our God" all day long but He still judged their wicked deeds.

Jesus is King. Sounds "political" to me. So pray for our nation and how God might use you.

But be ready to live by the standard you set.

So, there's a political race in New York. Newt Gingrich, a vocal conservative leader with his eye on the White House, comes out in support of Republican Dede Scozzafava, a moderate at best with pro choice, pro gay marriage and pro Union stands.

Kind of makes me wonder why she was a Republican, but anyway.

These issues for the sake of debate are what conservatives are against. So why is Newt in support of such a candidate? It raised quite a stink among conservatives.

In the end, Scozzafava withdrew and supported the Democratic candidate. Egg all over Newt at this point.

Why'd he do it? "Because she was chosen by the party." And Newt wanted to support the Republican Party, get another R in the House. Who cares if she's going to vote R or not?

Now of course Newt is supporting the conservative Republican candidate but it's a bit too late.

Now, here's what we learn from Newt's foible. STICK TO YOUR CONVICTIONS!

Despite party lines, Newt should've endorsed the candidate that fit his convictions! Not the one who fit his "party."

There is going to come a day when people will tell us Jesus is not the Christ. People we know and love will try to convince us Jesus is not the only way, that He didn't die for our sins, or raise from the dead.

Know what you believe and stand by it even if it means going against "the party." Or even your family or culture or church.

Look, it's not hard to know what God is about. Pray. Read and study the Word. Ask for Ephesians 3:17 - 19 -- A spirit of wisdom, revelation and knowledge of Jesus. He will give it to you!

Knowing God isn't for the theologians or elite, it's for you and me, and the uneducated mountain man in Peru! We can KNOW God. As much as our human weakness and God's divine nature can interact.

God longs to partner with us for His kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. We are not puppets. We are the Beloved.

I don't have to wonder if homosexuality is a sin. The Word tells me it is. Same as gossip. Same as lying or stealing. I don't have to wonder if gay marriage is something I should support.

But I do have to have a right heart toward the lost. I do have to behave and love as Jesus did toward the downcast and hurting.

I need to listen to wise council and learn from teachers int he Body of Christ, but ultimately, I have to believe in Him. I trust Jesus safe leadership.

Know what you believe and prepare to stand by your convictions. Even if your whole church or family is going the other way, stand firm. Jesus PROMISES in Revelation we will not lose our reward.

Best Selling and award winning author Rachel Hauck lives in central Florida with her husband. She is a graduate of the Ohio State Univerisity and has traveled internationally as a software trainer.

But, writing is her love, and she hopes to spread the fragrance of Jesus with her words.

Her current release Love Starts With Elle from Thomas Nelson is a 2009 RITA Finalist. Her next release, "The Sweet By and By" with platinum selling country artist Sara Evans releases January 2010. Check out all of her books and musings on her web site at www.rachelhauck.com.

Reviews...

As a writer, I'm often confused by younger writers who write scathing reviews.  Especially as Christians.  What is the point of that?  Other than to make a few enemies and harm someone's feelings.  I confess I don't really read reviews, but I do get peeved when I see them for friends and they're a. rude b. ignorant and c. poorly-written.  

One in particular cracked me up, where the reviewer talked about a climatic ending -- the weather must have been wild!  As an author, I'm privy to what other authors go through to get their books published.  Hard editing they don't agree with, no editing of substance, great editing but a bad cover, etc., etc., For a reviewer to assume they know it all, it smacks of pride.  And God has a little something to say about that.  Be careful little mouth what you speak...be careful little fingers what you type.  Just sayin'

www.KristinBillerbeck.com

So, the lady next to me on the plane ordered a Fresca

Flying out to Kansas City Monday morning for a week of prayer and writing, I had a small mishap. In all my years of flying, never even came close to this morning's stunt.

The flight attendant took the drink orders for my row: me, a mom and her daughter. Nothing for me (I had a bottle of water), Fresca for the mom and Coke for the daughter.

Intent on reading my book, I was mildly aware of what was going on around me. The flight attendant had given me my cookies. Yum.

But, I was cold. Planes are always cold. The flight attendant was talking to the man in front of me as I gazed up at the AC nozzle. I reached to shut it off.

My hand smacked into the flight attendants just as she handed over the woman's Fresca. It went everywhere. Mostly on the tray table. Amen, hallelujah. I apologized profusely. I couldn't have timed that stunt any better.

Her pants were a little damp below the knee, but not to bad. I got a splash, but nothing like the mom's.

Cleaned up, I went back to reading. As we deplaned in Atlanta, she confessed she was a mom of four, used to spills. I said, "Yeah, but not one from an adult."

At least it was Fresca. Colorless and sugar free.

As I pause to check on my Gate for the Kansas City leg of my flight, I notice a Mexican woman needing help. The airline rep was trying to tell her how to take the shuttle to Concourse E. "Choo, choo," she said, holding up four fingers. "Fourth stop. Go down. Ride the train. Choo, choo."

Oh brother. So, I broke out my rusty, rudimentary Spanish to tell the woman I would go with her to her concourse. She asked me something about her "maletas." I told her they'd be on the plane. I didn't say anything like "choo, choo" but I held out my arms to the side. "Plane."

Finally, I called my friend Javier and told him to tell her where we were going, why and that her suitcases would make it just fine. In theory.

She was a sweet woman who blessed me in God. And I did the same to her.

So, it was a balanced day. I tipped Fresca into a woman's lap, then got to help a woman find her way home.

Best Selling and award winning author Rachel Hauck lives in central Florida with her husband. She is a graduate of the Ohio State Univerisity and has traveled internationally as a software trainer.

But, writing is her love, and she hopes to spread the fragrance of Jesus with her words.

Her current release Love Starts With Elle from Thomas Nelson is a 2009 RITA Finalist. Her next release, "The Sweet By and By" with platinum selling country artist Sara Evans releases January 2010. Check out all of her books and musings on her web site at www.rachelhauck.com.

the squeeze

So like many of you, we here on the greater San Francisco peninsula,
have been affected by the economic crunch.
Our next door neighbors are selling their house and moving which is not
cool with me since I really like them a whole lot.
And lots of friends are looking for jobs where there do not seem to be any jobs.
When anyone gets a job we celebrate together.
I have started subbing at Addie's school and Scott is working after school hours.
We are all tightening our belts, so to speak, and yet the squeeze continues.
Have you ever noticed that when you squeeze something real tight that it eventually pops and whatever is inside comes gushing right out?
Well that has happened, lo, even here in my house.
And I have found out that when I am squeezed by financial issues or time issues or ministry issues or family issues that I am full of a whole lot of complaints.
Yep, I am. It seems I am a never ending fount of grumbling and un-thankfulness.
I can wax eloquent about our lack of funds, the good old days, my shattered expectations, that whatever is squeezing me is not what I signed up for and I have been known fill a day or 23 with my over-the-top complaining.
The Israelites have nothing on me.
A while ago as I was going over the bills with some wails and gnashing of teeth and how there is never ever enough money, Scott had the gall to say to me,
"Sue, you used to complain when we had all the money we needed."
Now, people, let me tell you something.
When I am doing bills it is not the greatest time to point out my personal shortcomings.
I am already on edge and usually have a pointy pen and computer handy
and will chuck them at you at the slightest provocation.
But that observation stopped me mid-sob (I like to cry as I write out the checks).
And I realized (darn him) that Scott was right.
Complaining is just as natural to me as breathing.
The funny thing is I can hardly stand to be around people who complain all the time.
When my children complain I feel the urge to make them write sentences like
"I will be grateful" and "Some cheese is better than no cheese at all" and
"I appreciate my mother and the fact that she birthed me and I promise never to complain in her presence again" and things of that nature.
So I have been taking note of my own words lately.
And I am growing weary of the sound of my own complaining.
(Scott is now crying with joy.)
Maybe I need to write some sentences like
"I am glad I have two legs" and "Some cash is better than no cash at all" and
"I appreciate God and the fact that he saved me from my sins and I promise never to complain in his presence again" and things of that nature.
Reinforcing this is the fact that I have started reading this book:
Behind the Soiled Curtain: Project Rescue's Fight for the Victims of the Sex-Slave Industry by David and Beth Grant.
It is the story of how Project Rescue working to save children and women, girls who have often been sold into the industry as young as 7 and 8 years old,and give them a home and new life in Jesus.
I can only read 2 chapters at a time because my mind simply can not wrap itself around the thought of children the age of my boys, living their lives in tiny rooms subjected to the daily hell that they are.
(oh, I will be holding some church bake sales to send Project Rescue some money and will be praying heavy on behalf of these babies and also praying that certain people who enslave children come down with the boils...they do not promote this type of prayer on the Project Rescue website but you should know that they are way more holy than I am.)
And on a non-related odd note, I am realizing that no matter what type of squeezing is going down here on the peninsula, that I am incredibly blessed.
Period.
It's safe to say that if Jesus has his way with my grumbling and discontentedness, that Scott may not know what has hit him.
Maybe someday soon when I feel squeezed by the economy or feel some road rage coming on, instead of letting fly with my usual "woe is me" diatribe,
I will burst into song and perform a praise and worship dance
complete with some pirouettes and a complimentary grapevine.
I'm sure the children would enjoy that.
I know Jesus will.

Susanna Aughtmon is a freelance writer, married to church planter Scott, and mom to three sweet boys, 8 and under.  She likes to spend her free moments trying to resurrect plants in her garden, eating chocolate, reading fiction and checking the comments on her blog, Confessions of a Tired Supergirl.

I’ve been thinking about aging lately.  Not so much for me, of course, because I plan to be twenty nine years old well into my nineties, but for my mother.  She’s ready for more help than independent living offers and it is a difficult adjustment for her.  This makes me think about what it is we have that can make the natural process of aging easier for people.  Good health care and nice living conditions come up first but even if we take care of the body, that leaves little nurturing for the soul.  And the soul has to be happy in order for someone to be at peace.  Being riddled with arthritis or needing two hip replacements ties down the body and what’s left?  The mind and the soul. 

 

There are lots of prescriptions for good health for our aging populations (and I thought those boomers would figure out a way to prevent getting old!) but the big one is having God in one’s life.  He is cheerleader, encourager, comforter, best friend and much more.  He’s up all night if you can’t sleep and need company.  He’s around all day and can be found by opening the pages of a Bible.  He’s always willing to chat if you are willing to converse with Him in prayer.  Sometimes aging creates a devastating loneliness in people as they lose friends or family, health and agility.  But with God as a companion, there is Someone to talk to, Someone who knows how to bring peace.  May everyone cultivate that relationship with God now so that, if the time comes, if you feel lonely and alone, you know Who to call on and you know Who will be there, no matter what.

Our Vices

I've been working on a new book, a suspense, and as I was thinking of my main character, I wondered what vice I should give him.  All my characters have had vices.  This one should be no different.

And then I wondered, what if I make him have no vices?  Is that possible?  Do I even know a single person who does not have any vices?  I thought hard.  Couldn't think of one.

So I decided to make my character ultra weird and give him no vices.  Then I decided that was so way over the top.  I gave him one vice.  Fresh air.  He might seem too perfect to relate to, but he's actually very screwed up in a lot of other areas, so I'm sure you'll love him.

But it got me thinking...why the vices?  And why do I have so many?  I use vices like I use condiments...on everything and in all appropriate and sometimes not occasions.  I have my morning coffee, my afternoon Dr. Pepper, my mid-morning dark chocolate square, my mid-day peppermint patty, my late afternoon vitamin cocktail, my evening magazine, my late evening novel, my nighttime fan.  And those are just off the top of my head.  Those don't even include sub-vices, like how I have a can of Dr. Pepper at my desk, but must have a straw and ice if I'm on the road.  Already my new character is sounding very normal compared to me, isn't he?

I'm actually suspicious of writers who don't have some sort of drinking vice.  I've run into a few over the years who claim to drink nothing when they write.  And I truly wonder if they write at all.  But that's a whole other topic.  Anyway, I must have a beverage at all times when I write.  Someone told me it helps stimulate creativity.  OK, I'll take that if it'll cause people to judge me less.  I think I'm weak minded and it's the beverage equivalent to a pacifier.

So.  Where exactly am I going wrong in my spiritual life.  Yes, I think this comes back to God, as I believe most things do in my life.  I think it's fairly simple. I am not filling myself up with him, so my body tells me it must be filled up with something.  I wonder what would happen if at that moment when I head to the kitchen for whatever it is I think I need, I might stop and seek God.  Does that sound corny?  I don't know.  But I think it might just work.  Because really, I drink and nibble and sip and crunch because my mouth needs to, in some way, keep up with my mind. And as much as I'd love to say my mind dwells only on the lovely, it doesn't.  It is most often wrapped up in worry.

I'm going to go contemplate this.  After my coffee.

Rene Gutteridge is the author of fifteen novels, including Never the Bride, her newest romantic comedy, and Listen, her new suspense that comes out in February.  Visit her at www.renegutteridge.com.