Archives for April 2008

Power Source

Don and I had a great weekend visiting with family, spending most of our time at my Mom and Dad’s. We had a wonderful time together — just the four of us. We left their place early enough this morning to travel to our baby girl’s city and attend church with her before treating her to Cheddar’s and doing some shopping together. Even though Kelli is 24 years old now, our visits never feel long enough. This one still hit the spot, though. I’ll just need the spot hit again before long :)

Since I’ve been gone all weekend, let me just share the following quote with you. These powerful words were written by Billy Graham’s wife, Ruth Bell Graham, who passed away not long ago. How he must miss her.

Ruth said, “The center of power is not to be found in summit meetings or in peace conferences. It is not in [Beijing] or Washington or the United Nations, but rather where a child of God prays in the power of the Spirit for God’s will to be done in her life, in her home, and in the world about her.”

Are we accessing the power available to us as children of God? Do we realize that we can bring absolutely everything to Him in prayer? Let’s never forget our power source.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

*Flickr photo by ^@^ina (Irina Patrascu), Creative Commons License

Just in Time Giveaway

Anybody ready for a fun little giveaway? This time the lucky winner will receive a $10 gift card to… drum roll, please… Bath & Body Works! Now guys, before you decide you’re not interested :), keep in mind that you can win this gift for a special lady in your life. And all you gals out there — enter for a chance to pamper yourself (after all, scripture says to “Wash and perfume yourself…” Ruth 3:3a NIV!), or you could even surprise your mom with it for Mother’s Day.

Since I want to make sure the winner receives the gift card “just in time” for Mother’s Day, the deadline to enter will be noon (CST) on April 30. Just leave a comment on this post any time before then. If I don’t know you personally, be sure to include your email address. That’s all that’s required to enter.

For those who are willing, though, let’s make it fun — in your comment, share your mom’s first and middle names, and we’ll see if any of them have (or had, if deceased) the same name. You can even mention the nickname you have for her, if you dare :) I’ll kick it off here — my mom’s first name is Rayma, but she goes by her middle name of Charlene. I’m willing to bet those names will be mentioned again — that is if my sisters will chime in! :)

If you’ve not entered any of the giveaways before, what’s wrong with you??!! :) Come on and join the fun!

**By the way, in my last post, I mentioned experiencing some writing-related rejection lately. Let me balance that out today with a little good news — I found out this week that a piece of mine is currently appearing in the spring edition of Living (a regional publication in Virginia), and another piece is being held by a different magazine for possible publication. Thank You, Lord!

Something More Glorious

8688837420_9da0373351_zI could write about rejection today because I’ve experienced it two weeks in a row now (just part of the territory for a writer) — but we’re in the middle of a gorgeous spring weekend, and I just don’t have the heart for it. Today cries out for something more glorious than rejection. Today cries out for spring, for God.

I don’t know what it’s like everywhere else, but in our corner of the Midwest, the daffodils are blooming and the Bradford Pears are full of flowers. Spring has filled our little community with its delicate beauty. Color once again brightens our world. A person can’t help but smile.

There’s another side to spring in the Midwest, though, and it has shown itself this past week as well. Severe weather paid a few visits to some neighboring regions and left its calling cards scattered around — hail, flooding, tornadoes… Thankfully, nature’s fury skirted our area. We just had rain and were under a tornado watch only one day. A person can’t help but breath a sigh of relief.

On one hand, spring is graceful and beautiful and puts a song in our hearts. On the other, it can display a power and a force that makes us sit up and pay attention.

The Creator of it all is much the same. He is a gentle and loving Heavenly Father who tenderly ministers to our hurting hearts and graciously provides what we need at just the right moment. But He is also the all powerful and sovereign God who created our world and holds those forces of nature in the palm of His hand. A person can’t help but be in awe.

Yes, God is an amazing God who has given us a glorious world. What’s even more glorious is that He loves us and wants us to be His children. How I love Him, how I worship and adore Him! Praise Him with me, won’t you?

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:1

*Flickr photo by [Duncan], Creative Commons License

Sweet Surprise

My good friend Teri (and partner in chocolate crime!) surprised me yesterday with a gift she found for me while on a spring break trip with her family. Remember the Harry & David truffles I raved about a few months ago? (Jan. 6 post) Believe it or not, Teri actually came across a Harry & David store in the Seattle area! The result? I’m in chocolate heaven :)

Not only did she get me some of the dark chocolate truffles that I hunted down after Christmas, she also brought me an extra dark chocolate bar — you know, the 75% cocoa kind that’s good for your health! Don’t you just love it when your friends are concerned with your health and get you chocolate? :)

You know what I love almost more (almost!) than getting this unexpected haul of dark chocolate extravagance? The fact that Teri thought of me while she was on her trip and cared enough to cart chocolate back half-way across the country just for me. (By the way, she also brought me a cool moleskine journal from Canada!)

The only thing sweeter than the chocolate surprise is the friendship. Yes, Teri and I share fun things like chocolate and shopping trips to T-town, but we also share our joys and our sorrows — and have for 25 years now. Talk about a gift.

Has someone given you the gift of friendship like Teri has done for me? I hope so. Go ahead and brag on him or her with a comment. Tell me about something special your friend has done for you. Celebrate friendship with me!

“…there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24b