Month: March 2016

I saw this meme on FB a few days ago. It speaks volumes, huh? Step away from the comfort. 😀 LOL

Let’s see, I started sending my Autumn Moon manuscript to publishers and agents in 2015; I started a blog a few months ago; and I signed up for a writer’s camp a few days ago. I’d say I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone quite a bit. As a result, I’ve met a lot of great writers, I’ve gained some readers, and I just received the preliminary edits for the first book in the Autumn Moon series from my publisher today. I’m very happy with the results. 😀 HALLELUJAH!! OUR GOD IS AWESOME!! 😀

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. God has a purpose for all of us that requires growth in order for us to achieve it. If we’re comfortable, we’re not growing. I’m not saying we’re not supposed to enjoy our milestones. Celebrate, but never stop growing. Oh wait, one more thing. And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  Galatians 6:9

I’m not exempt. I’m  . . .

Just blogging it out. Happy Thursday Night!! 😀

It’s a chilly night here in Southern California. It even rained a little bit earlier this evening, but that didn’t stop Scout and her guest, Royce, from playing. They ran around the backyard pouncing on each other and tossing toys back and forth like athletes. Little did I know, Yoda and Mr. Chicken were headed for toy heaven. I didn’t see it coming. One minute Yoda was lying on the ground and the next he was missing one eye and the squeaky thingy was torn out of his head. I said the first thing that came to mind, “Yoda, why didn’t you use the Force?” His eye blinked slowly as he wheezed struggling to say his last words.  “A chance, hmmm even with the force I did not have. The dark side is strong in them I sense.” And then he was gone.

Just when I thought the day couldn’t get any worse, I saw a headless Mr. Chicken. NOOOOOOO!!! There was only one thing left to do after the funeral of our toy friends. Scoop their poop. 😀 LOL

Silly, I know, but I’ve had such a good time with my two furry friends that they’re the only things on my mind tonight.

Just blogging it out. Happy Wednesday Night!! 😀

 

Our dog, Scout, has a visitor, Royce, for the next few days. After hours of playing around in the backyard, they finally fell asleep. I thought they were going to be down for the night, but I was wrong. LOL Royce is Scout’s first visitor so I’m sure they’re just excited about their new friendship. It’s almost 12 am and I have absolutely nothing else to say/write about today. I’m watching an old movie, Made of Honor, and wondering why these girls are still awake. 😀

One last thing. My writing goal is 65,000 words for the month of April. That’s 3095/day, five days/week. I wonder how many words I will handwrite before I start typing. That’s a little quirk of mine. Anyway, that’s all.

Just blogging it out. Happy Tuesday Night!! 😀

I joined a writer’s camp today. Yup, I sure did. I never even heard of a writer’s camp until today. Basically, you set a word count writing goal for the month of April along with other fellow writers of the group. I’m excited because it’s a great way to meet other writers and the goal that I set for myself will be a bit of a challenge. The last time I set a huge goal, the Lord helped me accomplish it even when I started doubting. I didn’t doubt the fact that I would accomplish what I was trying to do. I thought maybe the date I set would have to be pushed back. Thank God I was wrong. 😀

Okay, so who’s with me? What’s your goal? You have to set a deadline because without a date, it’s just a dream or a wish. Have a little convo with Jesus about what He would like you to do, set a goal, and then GO FOR IT!!

Just blogging it out. Happy Monday Night!! 😀

It’s Friday all over again; the last one this month. Wow, are you ready for April? 😀

As we continue to celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ, I’m thinking about the purpose that God has given me. Like Jesus, we all have a purpose that is uniquely designed for us by God. We have salvation because Jesus fulfilled His purpose. He handled His business. 😀 2 Timothy 1:9 (AMP) says, for He delivered us and saved us and called us with a holy calling [a calling that leads to a consecrated life—a life set apart—a life of purpose], not because of our works [or because of any personal merit—we could do nothing to earn this], but because of His own purpose and grace [His amazing, undeserved favor] which was granted to us in Christ Jesus before the world began [eternal ages ago].

The amplified version makes it plain as day, huh?

When we walk in the purpose that God has given us, we are in His will. We are being obedient to His call. If you’re called to be a preacher, you study, seek the Lord for the message (and everything else preachers do to prepare 😀 ), and then you deliver the message. Is it your responsibility to make people receive the message? Think about it. Okay, let me give you another example:  After diagnosing a disease, the doctor will then offer a treatment plan and meds to her patient. Can a doctor make the patient follow the treatment plan and take the meds? The patient’s willingness to receive from the doctor and his commitment to change his behavior will determine whether or not he will listen to the doctor, right? It’s the same with the preacher.

It is our responsibility to fulfil our purpose. To do whatever it is that God called us to do. We can only control ourselves. We can encourage and pray for others, but we cannot make them do anything. Have you ever gone to a church service with a friend where you felt God was really speaking to you, but the other person was like, meh? LOL What happened? You received because you had the heart to receive and your buddy, well let’s just leave that right there. LOL

Do what you are called to do and stay focused on our Lord Jesus Christ. And let us always pray for one another. I will end my last post for the week with 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22, ¹⁶ Always be joyful. ¹⁷ Never stop praying. ¹⁸ Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. ¹⁹ Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Do not scoff at prophecies, ²¹ but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. ²² Stay away from every kind of evil. (Read the entire chapter if you have time.)

Jesus handled His business. Now let’s handle ours. 😀 I’m not exempt. I’m  . . .

Just blogging it out. Happy Friday Night! Oh and HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY!! 😀

 

As we enter this weekend to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am reminded of how blessed I am. Not because of anything that I’ve done, but because of the love that God has for me. We are all familiar with John 3:16 which says,  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.

The few times I attended church when I was a child, I really didn’t understand much about this holiday season. For me it was all about that good chocolate candy all wrapped up in the colorful tin foil and watching the Ten Commandments. Shhhh, I have a secret to tell. Promise me you won’t laugh too hard. I always wondered why on earth did they show the Ten Commandments around Easter. I didn’t realize until my early twenties that it was for the observance of Passover. Duh, right? Don’t shun me please. I grew up heathen. LOL Okay, maybe not exactly heathen, but close. Real close. 😀

Anyway, I’m thankful for His unconditional love. I don’t deserve it, but I sure do receive it.

Just blogging it out. Oh and Happy Thursday Night!!

Galatians 1:10 says, Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

Have you ever been a people pleaser? I sure have, but not for long. Once I realized it was impossible to please everyone, I decided it was better for me to try to please God. Some people won’t see the good in you no matter what you do. In fact, some people open themselves up to be used by the enemy by spreading rumors and gossiping about you in hopes to ruin your reputation. I heard Joyce Meyer explain it this way: “Trying to please people gives them control and can cause you to lose the call that God has on your life. Focus on your relationship with God rather than your reputation with people.”

Pleasing God and following the word will keep you on the right path. Worrying about what people think of you will cause unnecessary stress which can lead to sickness and disease. I’m not saying go out and live any old kind of way. I’m saying follow Christ not man. I’m not exempt. I’m . . .

Just blogging it out. Happy Wednesday Night!!

It’s always a bit shocking when someone doesn’t meet our expectations especially if the person is a leader in the church. In fact, it’s quite disappointing. But we should never get so caught up in the messenger that their shortcomings causes our faith in the Lord to be shaken. Sure, we don’t expect certain behaviors from leaders in the church, but just because we don’t expect it doesn’t mean they don’t struggle, right? The word says, no one is righteous, not even one. (Romans 3:10) We all NEED Jesus in more ways than one. Never put your faith in man. I mean, how many times have we disappointed ourselves? Or maybe it’s just me. LOL 😀 Psalms 118:8 says, It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

Don’t get so caught up in the man or the woman that’s delivering the message that you lose focus of who the message is about. We have to stay focused on God and study the word for our strength. Let’s continue to pray for each other and pray for our leaders. I’m not exempt. I’m . . .

Just blogging it out. And Happy Tuesday Night!!

Have you ever been in one of those situations where you have every right to think bad thoughts about someone? I’m talking the person was just low down, but worse because they did everything except admit it. One of those situations where everyone agrees with you that the person was lower than dirt. Even your super-powered Christian grandmother who never says anything bad about anyone. I mean the closest she gets to sin is burping without saying excuse me. LOL 😀 Now if the most holiest person you know thinks that person is the scum that produces the residue that leaves the dirt, then surely you have every right to think bad thoughts, right???

Deuteronomy 30:19 says, 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!  (If you have time, read Deut 30:11-20)

Life and death, blessings and curses. Yes, we could choose to think negative thoughts about someone who wronged us. In fact, it would be easy to find a few people to share those negative thoughts. But, that’s actually choosing death and curses. God wants us and warns us to choose life and blessings. We have to strive to be like minded with Christ EVEN WHEN we’re in one of those situations that screams “BE UGLY!!!” If you’re having a hard time resisting the temptation to react, quickly picture yourself giving the enemy a high-five because we are giving him exactly what he wants when we react negatively. And we must not forget to pray for the person that wronged us. 😀 Choose LIFE! I’m not exempt. I’m  . . .

Just blogging it out. Oh and Happy Monday Night!!! 😀

 

One of these days, I’m going to  . . . when I have more money.” “One of these days, I’m going to  . . .when I have more time.” Moving forward in your purpose is a must. If you know what your purpose is, but you’re still trying to make things perfect before you make a move, you may be wasting valuable time. Believe me, I know from experience. Perhaps I’ll write about it one day. 😀 If things are perfect, why do we need God? We have to move in faith. Start doing research, learn more about your gift, and if you don’t know what your purpose is, ask Him!

Hebrews 11:1 says, Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

And please, don’t let “one of these days” turn into “none of these days”. I’m not exempt, I’m . . .

Just blogging it out . . .Oh and Happy Friday Night! Have a blessed weekend!! 😀