We’ve been going through the book Thirty Days of Devotion in an effort to establish a strong daily quiet time and concentration in our walk with God. Whether you can join us fully or stop by on occasion, do share your thoughts on the topics! We’d love for you to join us!
Today’s issue is a touchy one. I’ve been teaching my girls that they have a stand they will need to take. But they have to Continue reading
The word in this scripture from 1 John 4:18 is the Greek root for phobia. It isn’t the same word as in yesterday’s scripture: “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” But you can see the thoughts from yesterday’s entry Here.
This word deals with negative connotations for fear:
Worry
Panic
Dread
There are positives involved Continue reading
Yesterday, we started a new season in Thirty Days of Devotion. Today’s topic deals with the holiness of God. Proverbs 1:7 say, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
I think the comment on the left is a valid point, but it’s missing something.
See, I’d always thought about fearing the Lord as a reverence. A holy awe. I can picture the saints with bowed heads and clasped hands or perhaps kneeling before Him.
The more I’ve experienced, the more I’ve Continue reading
Yesterday, we completed the first section of the book Thirty Days of Devotion. But if you’re just learning about this, no worries. Jump in! We’re cementing a habit of devotion with daily quiet time with the Lord. And sharing what we think or learn right here!
Today begins discussion on the spiritual season of preparation.
This is a tough season to me. I mean, I know I have Continue reading
Today’s is the final entry in this season. We’re talking about a spiritual bog today. I know we’ve been talking about waiting the last couple of days, but simple waiting can become inactivity, leading to faith-questioning, depression, and despair.
Or in this case, a foreboding.
When I start to doubt God’s hand on my life, I start believing all the lies I’ve put down in the past. (Tweet this!)
Remember when I said I’m Continue reading
Doldrums is the section of Thirty Days of Devotion that we’re going through today. The word was used as a description of windless seas. And there is such an area in the Atlantic that sailors and explorers marked on maps to avoid.
This is where the waiting place in the last section becomes stagnation. Where lack of Continue reading
Have you been following along with this devotion challenge? Jump in. There’s no requirements. We’re going through Thirty Days of Devotion and sharing thoughts, prayers, and experiences in the comments section. You are invited to join us.
But more importantly, Continue reading
Hearing my mom’s voice fill the room with this announcement always made my heart jolt and the hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up. I always knew that trouble approached and raked my mind to remember my latest transgression. Check here for Passions USED and Passions DISCOVERED! Continue reading
I was reading an article by Katie Ganshert yesterday, explaining her road to publication. She waited for 7 months after her book went before a final editorial board to hear if it would be published.
It’s one thing to tell the story after the fact, reviewing the emotions and distractions now that they have all passed, but the actually waiting must be something akin to giving birth, only without a clue as to the due date. I’m in this for the long haul so I might as well get used to the idea that waiting is part of the life of a writer.
Dr. Suess said in his book “Oh the Places You’ll Go,” that waiting was not a place we wanted to be. He inferred that the only folks that will go anywhere are the ones who don’t wait in the waiting places.
I love his book and the encouragement I get from it, but I take issue with that part of the message. Farmers wait until just the right moment to harvest. James 5:7 urges “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.”
Photographer wait for just the right light. Bakers have to wait for their dough to rise. Teenagers wait for maturity before they get their driver’s licenses (Thank the LORD!) Teachers have to wait for that bell to ring on the very last day before they can release their students and begin their vacations. Yeah, I’m dreaming, now!
What I’m getting at is that waiting is part of life, whether I’m a writer or not. Currently, I’m waiting for a charm for my bracelet to come in, for a new pair of shoes that will hopefully carry me through a grueling night of duties at prom, for some tee shirts that I ordered for the same prom, to hear from my dear boy how his rugby team did in their regional championship, to get the last 54 students (out of 1026) seated in our ballroom, and whether my story made it to a second round in a contest I entered.
It’s what I do with the waiting that makes the difference. I read another article yesterday by Sybil Bates McCormack. Her’s dealt with faith, but that has everything to do with how we deal with being in a waiting place. And it reminded me of a section from “Facing the Giants.” The coach was chatting with a man who came daily to pray over the school lockers of the kids. The man urged the coach to be like a farmer praying for rain. Not just praying and hoping for it, but planning for it enough to go out and prepare his field to receive it.
Now THAT’s the way to wait! And as I’m faced with waiting, as a writer hoping for a good report from judges, or a mom pensive over a child’s performance, or someday an author awaiting that first publication, may I be faithful. Preparing to receive the blessing whether it makes me smile or has something to teach me.
Your turn: What are you waiting for right now?
Marji Laine 