One Body to Glorify God ~ His Church, His Bride

 

Windsor Castle ~ photo courtesy of Jeanne Henriques Collage of Life

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.  Romans 12:5 (KJV)

 

            I attended a Christian writers’ conference.  Every morning we began the day with prayer, songs of praise, and a faith-filled message.  In the evening, we ended in a similar manner.  We enjoyed this peaceable community all week.  Such was the fellowship and atmosphere of love that some attendees said it was “better than church”.  I think I laughed when I heard that statement, but that's not really anything to laugh about.

            I was struck by the fact that no one asked, “What church do you go to?”-- like they do in my town with a church on practically every corner.  At the conference, no one represented any particular church or denomination.  We were all just Christians who want to glorify God through our writing.  We wanted to draw others to the light of Jesus Christ.

            The things that we held in common were much more important than the differences that normally separate us in our churches.  We were brothers and sisters in the body of Christ, and as that we are members of His body, and that is Christ’s true church. 

 

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  Ephesians 4:4-6 (KJV)

 



My daughter Katie is the blond next to her best friend Becky, the bride.

 

I wanted to use this wedding picture because I often think about the glorious Wedding Feast of the Lamb.  There will be joy when Christ meets His Bride.

Thank you so much for visiting Write Moments with God.  It really means a lot to me.  You are welcome to share your thoughts below.  I hope you have a wonderful day. 

A Well-Spring of Life ~ plus, Winner of Book Give-Away Announced

A mountain stream ~ Google image

Thus said the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, said the LORD.  Jeremiah 9: 23, 24AKJV

 

I wrote the above verses on an index card and read it several times a day over the past week.  The more I thought about it, the more excited I got about it. 

 

There is real reason to glory when we have conquered our pride. 

 

When we realize that all our wisdom (and all our advantaged degrees) are foolishness in the light of our all-knowing God.

When we realize that in ourselves we have no strength--for we are dust.

When we realize that riches and worldly possessions are just vanity. 

And all is fleeting.

Then we can REST in HIS PEACE trusting only in God and His Will.  Desiring nothing but what comes from His hands.

 

And in what things does He delight?

 

 Loving kindness—I totally depend upon it.

Judgment—All His judgments are true.

Righteousness—Our righteousness is in Him.

 

In what can I rejoice?

 

That I understand and know the LORD. 

And my prayer is that we will seek to understand and know Him more and more until we see Him face to face in all His glory.

Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it.  Proverbs 16:22a KJV

And the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.  Psalm 49:3b

Fay Lamb's beautiful picture taken in the NC mountains

 

 

I am honored that you have visited Write Moments with God.  I pray that God blesses you with His grace and peace today.  Thank you for visiting.  I welcome you to leave your comments below.  I always like to hear from you.

 

And now, drum roll please!  The winner of last week's book give-away.

 

Jeanette Levellie will be receiving a copy of Fay Lamb's novel Charisse (book one in the Ties that Bind series).

 

Fay and I would like to thank all of you who visited and commented last week.  We appreciate your kind words and encouragement.

 

And remember, the first Monday of every month, there's a featured author and a book give-away.







Meet Fay Lamb, Guest Author -- Plus Book Give-Away

Fay Lamb, author and editor

 

Today’s special guest is Fay Lamb, an acquisition editor for Pelican Book Group. I met Fay in August at the Catch the Wave Christian Writers Conference.  Besides getting to know her, I had the pleasure of taking her workshop on characterization which is now available as a paperback, The Art of Characterization.   

Fay’s emotionally charged stories remind the reader that God is always in the details.  She has recently contracted with Write Integrity Press for three different series. Stalking Willow, the first in the Amazing Grace romantic suspense series and Charisse, the first release in her The Ties That Bind contemporary romance series are currently available. Both second novels in the series, Better than Revenge and Libby will release this month.

 

Fay is a past-secretary for American Christian Fiction Writers. She served for four years as the moderator for ACFW’s critique group, Scribes. For her volunteer efforts for ACFW, she received the Service Members Award in 2010.

 

Fay and her husband, Marc, reside in Titusville, Florida, where multi-generations of their families have lived. The legacy continues with their two married sons and five grandchildren (with the sixth also to be released this month).  Enjoy the interview.

 

Fay, could you tell our readers what inspired you on your writing journey?

Would you believe that I have never needed much inspiration for my writing journey? I have always had a tremendous imagination—one so large that I couldn’t contain it within myself. It had to pour out in storytelling and in writing.

 

When did you start thinking of yourself as a writer?  Did that come before or after publication?

Truly, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t think of myself as a writer. Well, maybe before I could put the words onto paper, but even before that, I told myself stories. My sister was thirteen years older than me, and she married before I was seven. I spent a lot of time by myself. Well, not exactly by myself. I had many, many imaginary friends, and I told lots of stories about them.

 

What was your journey to publication like?

A very long one, and looking back, I have to say that I was more discouraged than not when I looked at my writing in terms of publication. Now, that I’m on the other side of publication, I’ve discovered that in just writing, I was always the happiest. I wasn’t worried about when my time would come, and when it did finally arrive, I had more than one book ready.

 

Fay, is there one piece of writing advice you wish you’d had from the beginning.

Keep writing. Practice not only makes perfect but it makes for more than one story for contract.

 

What do you think the Lord is teaching you through your writing?

The Lord had continually worked with me on pride. He is very faithful to help me live out Proverbs 11:2. I’d say that I’ve whipped that particular sin, but I don’t want to have to be taken back to the woodshed. I believe He sat me on a shelf for two years because of my pride. I wasn’t happy with Him at the time. I wasn’t happy with myself either. In fact, I believe I was the most miserable I’ve ever been in my life. I wanted to write, but I was so depressed during that time that it wasn’t an option. When I finally woke up and realized that it isn’t about me, but it is all about Him, I became a much happier person, and I learned that humility comes with servitude. I have learned what a pleasure it is to work with and for other writers.

 

Where can we find you on the web?

Oh, I’m all over. *Smiling* I love to make friends on my personal page on Facebook (www.facebook.com/fay.lamb), and I have an author page (www.facebook.com/AuthorFay), and I offer daily editing tips as the Tactical Editor on Facebook (www.facebook.com/TacticalEd).

I’m an editor for Pelican Book Group, and I write the weekly Tactical Tuesday: Advice for Self-Editing. (http://pelicanbookgroup.blogspot.com)

I tweet: www.twitter.com/FayLamb

 

You have graciously offered to give away a book to one of our readers today.  Tell us about it. 

Charisse is the first novel in The Ties that Bind series, which follows the lives of four different women who live in Orlando, Florida. Charisse is a widowed mother of a seven-year-old, and she is struggling to make ends meet and to attend law school. When she’s forced to give up her dreams of becoming a lawyer, her prayers are answered, but not in a way she expects. She ends up working as a law clerk for her ex-friend, Gideon Tabor. The problem is, Gideon’s rare ruling in favor of a defendant released the man that Charisse holds responsible for her husband’s death.

 

This novel and the three that will follow are set closer to home than most of my novels. In fact, Charisse grew up in my hometown of Titusville, Florida. We both graduated from the same high school. She even loves the same drive-in restaurant I frequent on a daily basis.

 

As each woman’s love story unfolds, the four women and the men they love form an unusual family, and they’ll see each other through love and loss. The second story in the series, Libby, will release this month and Charisse and Libby’s friends, Hope and Delilah will have their stories released in 2014. 

 

 

Do you have a favorite Scripture, Fay?

Romans 8:28 is my Scripture for writing because the basic lesson is that God is in the details. This is why I write, and what I try to show in all of my novels. I want the reader to know that it doesn’t matter what he or she has done, God has never been far away. Whether the mistakes that have you in a mess are yours or others, God has never has His hand off of you. All things happen for good…

On the other hand, that Scripture’s lesson runs as deep as the cross. We don’t often ponder the fact that God has suffered, but He did. He suffered Christ’s death on the cross. And He suffered as the Father and the Son. Why? So that it could be said, “All things happen for good …”

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  Romans 8: 28


Thank you all for visiting Write Moments with God.  I just love introducing you to Christian authors.  Now, to qualify for the random drawing of a signed copy of Fay's novel, Charisse:

1.  Leave a comment in the comment box below for one chance to win, which includes (1) your email address, and (2) how are you going to share this blog post.  It's easy to share this on Facebook.  Plus, Twitter fans could tweet.  We appreciate lots of shares in order to help us get the word out.

2.  Become a follower of Write Moments with God for an additional chance to win.

Please do this by Saturday, October 12th by noon.  I will announce the winner on Monday, October 14th.  Thank you so much for participating. 

The Love Over Me that Gathers Together

A little figurine that sits in my kitchen window reminding me of my childhood.

 

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that kill the prophets, and stone them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens, under her wings, and  you would not!  Matthew 23:37(AKJV)

What an analogy our Lord Jesus Christ makes!  He compares Himself to a hen.

To grasp the full extent of this analogy, you need to have observed a mother hen with her chicks.

Until I was 10 years old, we lived in a whitewashed shotgun house beside a corn field with chickens cooped in the backyard.  My sister, Margaret, and I gathered the eggs before school.  We had up-close encounters with the biddies, mama hens, and roosters for years.  I could tell you some stories, but that’s for another time.

If you have a minute, watch this short video courtesy of YouTube:

 

I am struck by the fact that Jesus compares himself to a mother hen—a creature that scratches the dirt.  Not a mighty eagle, a majestic bird of prey that soars and lives high in the sky.  A hen is a humble creature that lives in the dust.  I’ve seen a mother hen cover her chicks with her body.  She outstretches her wings and gently guides them under.  She tenderly claims her brood, yet she’s fiercely protective.  You learn this lesson, if you’ve ever been chased by chickens or rooster.

God allows us to know Him through His son Jesus Christ, who delights to do the will of His Father.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Through the Scriptures we can discern the truth about Jesus’ nature, which is like the Father’s.  Over and over we see the love He has for us.

Christ lived out that love—He laid down His life for us.

This is my commandment, That  you love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:12, 13

By using this simple comparison, Jesus reveals how He cares for us. 

And he would have gathered them together.

Christ desires unity for us with Him and one another like that between Himself and God.

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.  John 17: 21

And indeed, such unity would be divinely inspired.  The greatest of these is love.

Love is the fulfilling of the law.  Romans13:10b

For me, the analogy of the hen and her chicks is a picture of God’s love, and the love He desires us to have in the body of Christ.  To illustrate His love, Jesus didn’t hesitate to show Himself meek.

Oh the love He has for us, that he would humble himself so low to claim us for His own.  But indeed, Jesus did say, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”. (Matthew 5:5)

Similar style house I lived in by the cornfield -- except

ours was white on a dirt road with oak trees in front

 

Thank you for visiting Write Moments with God today.  God bless you today with His love and protection over you.

Be sure to come back on Monday for my guest author and our monthly book give-away.

A Good Medicine

me LAUGHING (2007)

A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22 (AKJV)

 

Many of you have prayed for me this week, offered kind words of encouragement, and sent get-well wishes.  You have blessed me more than you know.  My sincere thanks to each of you. 

So, today I want to share a devotion with you from God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea about a good medicine.  I hope it speaks to your need and touches your heart.

 

            The therapeutic value of joy and laughter can not be denied. Who doesn’t enjoy a good belly laugh?  I believe I’ve even heard a story about a sick man who laughed himself well.  Charles Dickens wrote in his cherished classic A Christmas Carol that “it is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour.”  This astute observation brings a smile to my lips.  Noble, indeed, he says.  God is good.

            Job spoke with faith when he said “He will yet fill thy mouth with laughter, And thy lips with shouting” Job 8:21 (ASV).  He expected to see the goodness and joy of the Lord, even though he was in the midst of suffering and sorrow.  God wants us to enjoy the life He’s given us.  The Scripture says that Jesus came “that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.”  An abundant life implies ample joy and laughter.  He wants His joy to be a constant and abiding benefit of our relationship with Him.  Joy comes from a heart content in Christ Jesus. 

“The Lord has done great things for us; whereof we are glad” Psalm 126:3. And we need to share that joy with those with whom our lives touch.  Share the joy through kind words of encouragement and hope.  Share the joy with a million laughs.  A happy heart is “irresistibly contagious”.  It does good to dispense it freely.

 

Scripture Readings:  Job 8:21; Psalm 126:2; Proverbs 12:25; Proverbs 17:22; Luke 6:21, John 10:10. 

Journal Considerations:  What do you think of Charles Dickens observation that there is “nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter”? 

Do you think God wants His joy to be a constant and abiding benefit of our relationship with Him?   

Prayer:  Dear Lord God, You have done great things for us.  Thank you for putting joy in our hearts and filling my mouths with laughter.  Help us find joy in our everyday lives, and help us share that joy with others.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen. 

Today’s Sweet Tea Moment: Laughter does good like a medicine, plus there’s no need to pay a deductible. 

Prayer Focus:  Those suffering from depression.

 

My grandson Nathan. 

Thank you for visiting Write Moments with God.  May God bless you with His joy and peace.

Momentary Light Afflictions

The beautiful pictures today are courtesy of Eileen DeCamp
taken near her Virginia home.  She is most talented and generous to share.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.  2 Corinthians 4:17 (NKJV)

            “Kiss it and make it better, Mommy!”  I often heard those words when my six children were growing up.  Many scrapes and injuries would cause them to run to me.  My kiss was a promise that the pain would soon pass.  As an added consolation, I applied a kiddy themed Band-Aid.  Those minor sufferings are part and parcel to life.  As adults, it’s not so easy to see it that way.  Indeed, the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.

            So here I find myself suffering with an extreme case of shingles.  After ignoring symptoms for days, I ran to Jesus when I realized what was upon me.  “Heal me, Lord, I trust in You,” I prayed.  Having delayed going to the doctor, my condition worsened . . .  in more ways than one.  My focus was being drawn more and more into my burning pain that was spreading over my trunk and limbs.  The pain was becoming all consuming.  I couldn’t concentrate due to it.  I couldn’t sleep. 

            Now, it had occurred to me when I first prayed for myself to pray for those who were suffering in their bodies with chronic pain and sickness.  I included that in my prayer, but the focus was still me.  It took about four days for me to really turn my prayers and thoughts to others and to the heart of my compassionate Lord Jesus to ask if He might want to teach me something through this. 

How His heart must ache for His children.  He is our Advocate.  He has sent us the Comforter, God the Holy Spirit, to be with us.  He wants us to be an advocate for others—intercede for them.  He wants us to be a comforter—share the burden in prayers and kind deeds.

            I am ashamed of myself for being so slow to catch on.  I even hesitated to ask for prayers.  But when I did, what kindness and generosity poured forth from my friends and fellow brothers and sisters in the body of Christ.  I could feel the Holy Spirit ministering to me.  I could feel God’s mercy.  And I am encouraged even more to pour out my heart for others who need His compassion and mercy.

            We have the story of our compassionate Lord in the gospels—His actions revealed His heart.  Christ’s resurrection is His promise to us that our present suffering will be turned into glory.  Our faith in Him is the remedy against despair.  The body of Christ in lifting up each other in prayer, brings glory to the cause of Christ.  

And so, like the scraps and pains we had as children, all this suffering too is but momentary light afflictions compared to the suffering of our Lord—momentary light afflictions compared to the glory of eternal life and joy without end in His presence. 

I pray that we will be encouraged and find patience in our present suffering knowing that in that perfect day we will spend eternity with HIM.

My thoughts and prayers for you who have prayed and encouraged me during this time.  I am very thankful and grateful for you.  May God bless you with His mercy and grace and multiply back to you all your kindness.  Thank you for visiting Write Moments with God.

You are welcome to leave comments below.  I always like to hear from you.

Jesus Challenges Us to See a New Reality

Google image

The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.  Matthew13:45-46 (NIV)

We pay dearly for all we invest our time and money into.  But when everything is said and done, what’s of greatest value to you?  If you found your pearl of great price, would you sell everything you had to buy it?  That's no easy question.  How dare I ask it?  But Jesus himself drew the comparison.

I read a story last week which sparked my imagination.  I thought of the parable of the pearl of great price.

In June, Carole Ryan returned home from Prague to find her Arizona home and many of her pets destroyed by wildfire.  This 65-year-old’s home had burnt to the ground. 

Observers said that she was “remarkably upbeat.”  Her daughter who lived with her was safe.

Ms. Ryan explained.   “I owned too much stuff. . . .  In a way, the fire set me free to start all over again.”  Then, she received an unexpected joy.

While sifting through the debris, with a sifter provided to her by Red Cross workers, she was astonished to find her most prized possession, her mother’s wedding ring.

That’s the moment I thought of the parable.  It was as if she had just found her pearl of great price.

I thought --what is my most prized possession? 

I daresay that we are often deceived by the things of this world, and focus our attention on and set our affections on counterfeit pearls.

In this parable, Jesus is showing us a truth about the kingdom of heaven.

He challenges us to see a new reality.  By using this comparison of the merchant finding a pearl and selling all that he has to buy it, He is showing us the great and true worth of the kingdom of heaven.   This challenges us to look at our attitudes about what we value and see this new reality—the reality of the kingdom of heaven—more precious than all that we own.

Jesus Christ is a pearl of great price and when we have Him as our Lord and Savior, we have enough of true worth to bring us satisfaction and joy in this life and for eternity. 

Might we abandon all that stands in the way of our discipleship? 

 

Amazing photo courtesy of Aaron Baron

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.  Matthew 13:44 (NIV)

Thank you all for visiting Write Moments with God.  I appreciate you so much.  Feel free to share your thoughts below.  May God's grace be with you and keep you safe.