Saturday, June 30, 2012

Come Into His Presence

Dear Readers,
I wrote this devotional a few years ago. I'm still reminded of God's faithfulness and His precious promises.


Come Into His Presence


Read: Ephesians 3:12 NLT  Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come fearlessly into God's presence, assured of his glad welcome.

As I pondered what to write this week, I received the kind of telephone call that none of us wants, that we all dread, but this inevitably is bound to come.

I got word that my step-mother had just passed away, suddenly, at home.

And as my heart aches and my mind tries to come to terms with the loss and the pain, I am reminded of God's word, that He will heal our broken hearts, that He will give us a new song.

Most importantly, I am reminded that we can come without fear to God.  My step-mother is a Christian, and I know where she is right now.  She is dancing in the arms of her Lord and Savior.  She is free of arthritis and heart disease.  She is young in body and in mind, and her spirit is free to worship Him.

I am jealous.

I envy her freedom.  I envy her new body.  I envy that she knows what I can only believe.

I recently heard a song on the radio where the chorus said, "You are living what I believe."

Momma Carrie, you are living what I believe.  Praise God!

The pain I feel right now is for my father.  He is not a believer.  This is the second wife who has died.  My mother died twenty-four years, and now his second wife has gone to be with a God that he still doesn't believe in.

A few months ago, my step-mom was seriously ill, and I e-mailed my dad with a boldness I probably wouldn't have been able to verbalize.  I told him about Jesus, and the need to have Him as personal Lord and Savior.  I told him that I felt in my spirit that this was a critical time for him.

I don't know how he received those words, because he didn't respond.  Like many, my dad ignores what he doesn't like.

When I heard the news of my step-mom's death, I began to pray for my family, especially my dad and my saved sister, who was also very close to Carrie.  And I began to recall scripture, promises for the children of God, promises that we are not forsaken, that there are no tears in heaven, that heaven rejoices at the death of one of its saints.

Already I have seen some good come from this.  I received the news from my brother who has not spoken to me for over three years.  He called me, and assured me he would call again, and we would talk some more.  God has promised me reconciliation. Life from death.

We all have people and situations in our lives that look dead.  Perhaps your dead looks like a broken relationships that seem to be past reconciliation.  Perhaps you see finances that look like they will never be in the black.  Maybe it's a job that will always be torture.  Or children who have strayed so far you can't even see their dust.

Don't give up.  In God, all things are made new.  In Christ, there is no death, only life.  Give it all over to Him again today, and again and again.  Don't give up on God.  He never gives up on you.

And then as you come into God's presence with joy and thanks, you will find, as I did, that your spirit lifts, the pain recedes, and hope springs anew.

Please, join me in rejoicing that my step-mom is now living what we believe.  Pray that my dad sees God in this, and is drawn into a loving relationship with the One Who gave His life, even for him, an unbeliever.

And please, pray for me that I will have the words God would have me speak when the time comes.

Come without fear or reservations or trepidation or uncertainty into the presence and kingdom of the God who loves you without limit.


Father in heaven, console our aching hearts.  We all have loved ones and situations who are dead to us, but never dead to You.  Remind us that You are in control, that You know what is best, and that You will not leave us.  Amen.


Friday, June 29, 2012

Boston Marathon Winner 1925

Hi,

For my research for my novel, Independence, I have been reading up on current events in 1925.

The Boston Marathon was won by a guy named Charles Mellor from Chicago. He was running his fifth time and hoped to win. Now a fellow named Clarence Demar had won three times in a row and was running hard for his fourth title.

However Mr. Mellor had other plans. He wanted to win. He ran the entire marathon with a wad of  tobacco in his mouth. He felt he needed a windbreaker so he used the morning paper called the Boston Globe. He tucked it in the front of his shirt and ran away.

Perhaps he had an extra edge with the wad of tobacco or maybe it was the newspaper. Mr. Mellor finished first and ended the winning streak of Mr. Demar.

Click here to read all about it.


Donna

Monday, June 25, 2012

Flag Pole Sitting in the 1920's

Here's a fun one readers,

In 1924 flag pole sitting became the "in" thing. It started when actor, Alvin “Shipwreck” Kelly, accepted a friend's dare to sit on a flag pole. He sat for thirteen hours and started a new fad.

Our modern day "planking" and "Tebowing" seem safer than the pole sitting of the 1920's. For the next five years, many folks sat on flag poles setting records and a few earning some money. By 1930, flag pole sitting was no longer the rage.

Click here to read more.

Donna

Friday, June 22, 2012

Heart Health

Heart Health




Read: Proverbs 3:1-2   "Do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you."

You have probably read a lot of articles and seen lots of news stories about your heart, how to keep it healthy, how to enjoy a long life, and how to find the perfect person to share your life with.

Many of these articles will give you lists of foods to eat or avoid, exercises to undertake, vitamins to add to your diet, and mental and emotional stresses that you don't want to add to your already busy lifestyle.

Few of these articles, however, will tell you what seems to be the best-kept secret of all – that only God can truly keep your heart healthy.

We see in this scripture verse that God says that when we listen to Him, and when we keep His commandments, not just with our bodies, but with our hearts (read mind, will and emotions) then we will live not only longer lives but we will also experience peace.

Peace.  Elusive as a butterfly for many.  Peace of mind.  Peace in our homes.  Peace in our schools.  Peace in our world.

And here God tells us that we can only experience His true peace by taking what He is offering us – His promises of long life.

Choose His promises today.  Experience all He has for you.  Share it with someone who is hurting.  Share your peace that comes from God with someone else today.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder this week that Your love, Your hope, and Your peace are all that really matters.  Show me how to share that with a hurting world.  Amen.

Donna



Thursday, June 21, 2012

Slang in the 1920's

Oh readers,

This site was fun. Slang in the 1920's was a bit different than what we use now. However, I found it interesting that a number of slang terms that we use currently were also used in the 1920's.

The Bronx Cheer was amusing. The term "cheaters" was entirely different. You really have to find out what an "EGG" was. Yes, it was for breakfast but it meant something else too.

Click here to find out more.

Have fun,

Donna

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Writer's Conferences

Hello,

I have been to a number of writers conferences. I have learned a lot, met fellow authors, and have pitched my books to publishers. It is worth the investment of my time and money to attend at least one conference a year.

This site features a number of writing conferences around the country. Click here to find one near you.

Donna

Thursday, June 14, 2012

The Bob Haircut in the 1920's

In my research for my novel, Independence, I came across this article on hairstyles in the 1920's.

Women started cutting their long locks off when the "Bob" haircut became popular. This trend was so in vogue that hair pins were named 'bobby pins'. This link has plenty of pictures as well. I thought it was a fascinating read.

Click here to read more.

Donna

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Wedding Photo of Harry and Bess Truman

Good evening readers,

In my research for my novel, Independence, I found a picture of Harry and Bess Truman on their wedding day, June 28, 1919.

Harry Truman would later become President of the United States, and Mrs. Truman, First Lady.

Click here to see their wedding photo.

Donna

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Recycling Writing Ideas

Hi Readers,

I wrote a guest post on the Inkwell recently.

"Today I want to share an idea about how writers can recycle. And no, I’m not talking about printing on the back side of paper, although that is one thing you could do. I don’t mean about refilling print cartridges and laser cartridges, although that is a good way to save money. And I’m not even going to suggest you walk to the library or the post office, even though walking is a great form of exercise and saves money on gas.
No, I’m going to talk to you about recycling ideas."You can click here to read more on recycling ideas as an author.

Enjoy,
Donna

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

1920's House Remodel

Hi Readers,

I saw this post on a couple remodeling a 1920's bathroom. You can see the plaster and lathe as part of the construction during that time period. The family in this post remodeled the bathroom to a contemporary unit.

I liked this link because it showed what an old bathroom might have looked like in 1925 during the setting of my story Independence. I love the old bathtub.

Click here to view the post.

Donna

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Spring Photos

Hello readers,

I love spring. I thought I would share some photos that I have taken recently.



Today's colors are purple. I thought the were pretty.

Donna

Friday, June 1, 2012

Heart Health


Heart Health


Read: Proverbs 3:1-2   "Do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you."

You have probably read a lot of articles and seen lots of news stories about your heart, how to keep it healthy, how to enjoy a long life, and how to find the perfect person to share your life with.

Many of these articles will give you lists of foods to eat or avoid, exercises to undertake, vitamins to add to your diet, and mental and emotional stresses that you don't want to add to your already busy lifestyle.

Few of these articles, however, will tell you what seems to be the best-kept secret of all – that only God can truly keep your heart healthy.

We see in this scripture verse that God says that when we listen to Him, and when we keep His commandments, not just with our bodies, but with our hearts (read mind, will and emotions) then we will live not only longer lives but we will also experience peace.

Peace.  Elusive as a butterfly for many.  Peace of mind.  Peace in our homes.  Peace in our schools.  Peace in our world.

And here God tells us that we can only experience His true peace by taking what He is offering us – His promises of long life.

Choose His promises today.  Experience all He has for you.  Share it with someone who is hurting.  Share your peace that comes from God with someone else today.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder this week that Your love, Your hope, and Your peace are all that really matters.  Show me how to share that with a hurting world.  Amen.

Donna