Life is Like a Jigsaw Puzzle...or not ~ plus announcing the winner of the monthly book give-away

Liberty Leading the People, Eugene Delacroix ~ like the puzzle I bought in the Louvre. Google image.

I’ve always loved putting together jigsaw puzzles, not only as a child, but as an adult.  My mother and I still buy them for each other.  Once I even bought a puzzle of a Delacroix painting in the gift shop of the Louvre in Paris.  I examine the picture, shake the new box, then I'm ready to master its 1,000 easy pieces.  The designs and variegated hues and shadows intrigue me.  As the pieces are fitted together, satisfying glimpses of the big picture come into view. 

I am creator.

I have total control.

Sometimes an elusive bit will send me searching high and low, examining every piece until I find the elusive one.  I savor the moment when I have put the final one into place to complete the picture perfect. 

Life simplified into 1,000 pieces in a box.  Thus, the perennial charm of puzzles.  A real sense of satisfaction for a low price.

Hello!  Life isn’t 1,000 easy pieces. We may want the big picture completed neatly now so we can see the results of all God plans to do in and through our lives. But, in reality, we need an eternal view.  We can't know the final plans.  God’s purposes are for eternity.  We will see and understands parts of His plan for our lives, but some things we can't know and understand this side of heaven.  It's enough to know I can trust Him to design each scene along the way.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.  Philippians 1:6

I believe that the God who knows the number of hairs on my head can be trusted with all the bits and pieces and mysteries in my life.  I know I can trust Him.  If I cooperate with Him and play my part, God who is the Master, will put it all together perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear ye not therefore.  Matthew 10:30, 31a

The girls doing French braids.

 

Thank you for visiting Write Moments with God.  You are important to me.  I appreciate you, and pray God will bless you.  Please consider leaving your comments below.

 

Congratulations to Rebecca Waters, who has won a copy of Cynthia Ruchti's new novel, When the Morning Glory Blooms.  Thanks to all of you who visited and commented when Cynthia was our guest.  We enjoyed it very much.

A Life of Service

My daughters Melanie and Katie, with grandsons Jonah and Nathan, and my sister Margaret.

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. Matthew 16:25 NIV

 

 

Today's blog post is dedicated to mothers everywhere, and to those who dedicate their lives in the service of others.  This meditation is an excerpt from my devotional journal, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments, which will release in July from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas.  I hope you enjoy this preview.

 

I remember the time, some twenty or so years ago, when my little children revolved around me like the planets circle the sun. I felt like I was holding them all in place, but God was holding us all. He was ever present.

One especially exhausting day, as I was changing a diaper and hurriedly juggling many tasks, I said aloud in exasperation, “I don’t have a life!”

Without hesitation, the Lord responded emphatically to my words. In my spirit, I heard: No, you don’t have a life. Didn’t I tell you that whoever will save his life shall lose it, and whoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it?

These words came directly to me, personal and real—interjected into my train of thought by a voice of authority.

At that moment I knew the Lord had spoken to me. I realized I was doing exactly what He wanted me to do; I was taking care of the needs of my family. My service to them was not an obligation, but a holy calling; a vocation to serve the needs of those in my care.

 

Jesus became a servant to all, taking on the form of a servant in his earthly life. His service was love in action. His selfless love, for our redemption and God’s glory, is a model for all believers. It is with this same spirit that we can dedicate our lives to His service and, by so doing, we are strengthened to give of ourselves to others, in our families and beyond, as we go about our everyday lives.

 

Photo courtesy of Jeanne Henriques ~ Collage of Life

 

For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 1 Corinthians 9:19.

Dear Lord, I want to be at your service, doing whatever it is that you have called me to do this day. Strengthen me to serve those in my care. Give me the love I need to put into my actions. Show me the tasks you have called me to do, that I might live my life for Your glory. Amen.

 

 

Thank you so much for visiting Write Moments with God.  I'm glad you've made this a part of your day.  Please consider leaving a comment below.  I'd love to hear from you. 

 

And it's not too late to leave a comment on the previous post which features author Cynthia Ruchti.  On Saturday, one of the readers who leaves a comment will win a free copy of her book, When the Morning Glory Blooms.

 

 

Cynthia Ruchti, Featured Author ~ Plus, Monthly Book Give-Away

 

Cynthia Ruchti ~ www.cynthiaruchti.com

 

Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I many continually resort:  thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.  Psalm 71:3

Dear Readers, today I'd like to introduce to you Cynthia Ruchti.  Cynthia tells stories of hope through her novels and novellas, nonfiction books and devotionals, speaking for women’s events and retreats, writers’ events and retreats, drawing from 33 years of on-air radio ministry.  I've asked Cynthia to write our devotional today.  Let's welcome her.

* * *

Another Mother’s Day without a mother. I remember the moment I became an adult orphan. My dad had died in 1993 of a massive heart attack in the middle of the night. I feel the loss of him every day, but I also feel the joy of having known him.

 

Mom sold the house and moved three hours north a couple of months after Dad died. We say it was so she could be close to the hugs. Her three daughters lived within 25 miles of her new apartment-for-one. She stayed there, within the circle of our embrace, for seventeen years until heart disease stole her last breath.

 

The moment she was gone, we siblings sang, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow,” because she’d gotten her wish after a long, hard, oh so hard illness—to shake free of this earth, see Jesus face to face, and be reintroduced to my dad in glory-form.

 

The second moment after she was gone, I realized I was an orphan. The fact that I was a full-grown adult didn’t erase that sober realization.

 

And now, another Mother’s Day is here and I’m not searching for just the right card or just the right gift for her.

 

Mother’s Day doesn’t bring joy to everyone. It’s a hard day for those who’ve lost a mom. It’s a hard day for those who long to be moms and aren’t. It’s difficult to watch others receive flowers and fancy cards when your children are missing, misguided, estranged, or gone.

 

When I wrote When the Morning Glory Blooms, I knew some readers would celebrate its babies and its mothers. Some would mourn never knowing the weight of a daughter or son in their arms. Some readers would watch the characters struggle through the aftereffects of unplanned or unwed pregnancies and relive those scenes from their own lives. Some will recognize the sacrifices their moms made for them. Others will long for the kind of love they see expressed in the pages. 

 

I wish I could give my mom When the Morning Glory Blooms for Mother’s Day. I’d love to point out that the maternity ward in the 1950s story is taken from her descriptions. I’d love to show her that her tenacious prayers for my writing life are still having an impact.

 

Two weeks before she died, my debut novel’s Advanced Reader Copies arrived in the mail. After having prayed for me and for that project for so many years, she held it in her hands and said, “Oh! My book!” Then she paused and added, “I mean, our book.”

 

My Mother’s Day card to her this year would have read, “Mom, thanks for your prayers. Another novel is born.”

 

Thank you, Rose, for letting my thoughts wander to the rich heritage of loving parents. I’d love to hear from readers about the kinds of thoughts Mother’s Day evokes for them. If readers would like to connect with me, they can do so through www.cynthiaruchti.com, www.twitter.com/cynthiaruchti, or www.facebook.com/cynthiaruchtireaderpage. When the Morning Glory Blooms is available wherever books are sold or through the direct “buy now” link on my website.


Now, for an opportunity to win a beautiful copy of  When the Morning Glory Blooms:

At least ten readers must comment and share in order for there to be a book give-away. So come on everyone. It's easy.  Join in. Follow these steps to qualify for the random drawing.

1. Leave a comment on this blog (my favorite part!) which includes your name and email address if you want to be included in the drawing. I will use your email address to contact you if you win. To leave a comment, click on the pencil icon or the word comment at the end of this blog post.

2. Share this blog post on Facebook so your friends will read about it and visit too.

3. Tweet, tweet, tweet IF you have twitter, and mention the book give-away on your own blog if you have one. It would be great as well and an extra perk for me if you would become a follower of this site, so you won't miss a single post. But, #3 is optional.

Complete these steps by 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 11th.   A winner will be announced here on Monday, May 12th, so be sure to check back to see if you've won. 


Thank you for participating in the monthly give-away.  This feature of Write Moments with God is so much fun for me.   I'll leave you with one of Cynthia's favorite verses.

For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.  Psalm 71:5

 

One Touch Caused Jesus to Pause and Ask "Who Touched Me?"

Google image ~ reminds me of my Daddy plowing the corn and cotton fields

And Jesus said, Who touched me? Luke 8:45a

When I walk down the hallway during class changes in my high school of 1800 students, the kids don’t move aside like the Red Sea parting.  I’m the petite (five feet tall), grey-haired French teacher.  I am treated with courtesy; still I am swallowed up in the sea of teenagers.  I barely notice all those who brush against me as I make my way through the crowd.

So, I’m not surprised by Peter’s words to Jesus in this story. (See Luke 8:43-48)

…Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? Luke8:45b

What really grips my attention and my heart is what Jesus says and does.  The multitude pressed in on him as he made His way through the streets, and many had to have brushed against Him or touched Him outright.

Yet, one touch was different from all the others. 

One touch caused Him to pause, and ask, who touched me?

This woman had suffered for twelve years with some unclean illness that had basically ruined her life.  None of her efforts had led to a source of healing. Her condition only worsened, and she had spent all she had.  She was without hope.  Then, having heard about Jesus, she reasoned in her heart that she had to get to Him.  She knew He was her only source of hope.  She believed that she would be healed, if she could but touch the hem of the Master’s garment.  And what did she do?  She touched the Master.

(She) Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment; and immediately her issue of blood stanched.  Luke 8:44

And Jesus felt her touch.  He felt virtue--the very power of God--go out of Himself when she touched Him.

And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole: go in peace. Luke 8:48

I am struck by the simplicity, yet profundity of this event.

You see, Jesus knows us.  He knows our hearts.  He knows our thoughts.  He knows why we come to Him and whether we love Him or not.  All the power of God resides in Him.  All through the gospels we read stories of Jesus’ healing the sick and saying to many of those who have received His healing, “thy faith hath made thee whole.” 

This woman’s faith released His healing power.  Her faith connected with His spirit.  That kind of living faith releases the very power of God. 

I want to approach Jesus like this poor sick woman did, in faith believing. I want to touch Him with living faith. 

So again, I say to the Lord, “I believe, help thou my unbelief.” (See Mark 9: 23-24)

Photo courtesy of Jeanne Henriques ~ Collage of Life

 

Thank you for visiting Write Moments with God.  I pray that by His grace God will give you living faith.  I hope you touch the Master today.  May He give you peace.  Please consider leaving your comment below.  I really enjoy reading what you have to say. 

 

On my next post, I will introduce another featured author and the monthly book give-away, so I hope to see you then.  Even if you've already won a book on here, you can still win another.  Blessings to you and yours.



How Do We Touch the Indifference and Unbelief in the World?

My grandson Nathan when he was hospitalized last spring.



By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another. John 13:35

I had been asking myself some questions.  How do I touch the indifference? 
How do I touch the unbelief that I sense around me every day?
How do I make a difference for the Kingdom of God?

Then I read John 13:35.  I felt God was reminding me of Christ's command to love. 

By loving others, I demonstrate the love of Christ to the world.  As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I am empowered to do that by the Holy Spirit who lives in me.  My realm of influence is my little world--those people I come into contact with as I go about my life every day.  Through reading the Word of God in the Scriptures, I felt He was giving me more understanding regarding my questions.
 

Then that last night I received the monthly newsletter from "Living Hope Pregnancy Support Services" in Whiteville, N.C.  This ministry opens its doors to the community, providing counseling as well as practical and material assistance to those who come through their door.

Janet McPherson, the Director of the center, wrote,
 

 "There are many hurting people and extremely limited resources in our community.  Sometimes there is little that we can do aside from giving a Bible, providing a listening ear, and praying.  As Mother Teresa once said, 'We can do no great things, only small things with great love.'" 
 

Again, God spoke to my heart through her words.  As those kind volunteers listen to each person's story, they touch the indifference.  As they wipe each tear and hold each hand, they touch the hurt.  As they give out baby clothing, car seats, and so much more, they touch the unbelief.  They are manifesting the love of God. 

 

And this is how the world comes to know Him.  By the love that Christians demonstrate to others.  That's how we promote the gospel of Christ in the world.  That's how we touch the indifference and the unbelief.  By providing hope to one heart at a time.



Google image

 

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Since you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.  Matthew 25:40

 

May God bless you today. You make a difference in your world. Thank you for visiting Write Moments with God.  I appreciate you so much.  

 

( And a special note to those of  you who read this blog regularly, I hope you don't mind that I've used a meditation from the fall.  Expect something new on Thursday.)

 

Please consider writing your thoughts below--click on the little pencil icon to leave a comment.  Blessings...





Cries of the Heart and Renewal of Our Minds

Grandson Nathan's kindergarten graduation~2012

 

Do not be conformed to this world, but continuously be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God's will is—what is proper, pleasing, and perfect. Romans 12:2

 

I was thinking how much I need continual renewal.  God’s mercies new every morning are a wonderful gift.  Each new day an opportunity to live for His glory.  Each morning full of promise and hope.  But I need His constant renewal.  I need that constant transforming of my heart and mind to know Him. 

My daily prayer should be...

Transform my heart to know Your love and compassion

Transform my mind to understand the Great I Am and my relation to You and what that means to how I am to relate to this world ~ to my family, my neighbor, and every one that comes into my realm of life.

My pastor once asked us, “Can you really love God without loving your neighbor?”

Indeed, Jesus Christ is our model.  I want to see as He sees.  But that’s only possible by the transformational power of God working in me, or else I am spiritually blind and deaf and numb to the cries of humanity.

For over twenty years, I've worked with thousands of children as a teacher.  By His grace my eyes were opened to the invisible ones, and my heart has reached out to them...seeing many grow and blossom in the light of His love.  I’ll share a simple poem I wrote years ago.

Invisible child, with your eyes cast down,

Did I hear you say look in my eyes?

I look in your eyes, and a speechless voice is asking,

“Do you see me?”

I look in your eyes.

I hear them patiently asking,

“Be with me long enough to understand

What it is that I cannot say;

Long enough to believe I mean it.”

I look in your eyes and what do I see?

A heart hoping for love,

A soul searching for salvation,

A hand reaching for another’s hand to hold,

Eyes trying to understand the voiceless cry of my heart.

I’ve looked in your eyes and what did I see,

Someone just like me. 

For it is God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

 

Birdie playing in the rain

~photo courtesy of Julie Lyda

 

Thank you for bearing with my rambling thoughts.  I am glad you took time out of your day to visit Write Moments with God. Please consider leaving a comment below.  I appreciate everything you share.  May the light of Christ shine on you and through you today and always.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



How Do You Like Your Coffee? Hot, Cold, Lukewarm?

 

Photo of flat white coffee courtesy of Jeanne Henrique's ~ Collage of Life

 

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?  1 Peter 4:17 

As I read, I absentmindedly reached for my cup of coffee.  I took a sip, expecting the bold, fresh taste of hot coffee, but instead it was lukewarm. Yuck! That was not what I wanted.  I poured the coffee in the sink and made a fresh cup.  Hot or iced, it’s delicious.  Does anyone like coffee lukewarm?

I thought of the Lord’s message to the seven churches in the Revelation. 

The church at Laodicea had become lukewarm. (See Revelation 3:14-22)

I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot.  Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.  Revelation 3:15-16

Spew us out of His mouth!  Just like we might do a bland sip of coffee that has gotten lukewarm.

I used to think that statement was too harsh.  It sounded rather like a kick in the seat of the pants accusation.   The Lord rebuked the church, but He goes on to say that He chastens those He loves. 

The church at Laodicea needed revival.  They needed to repent of their sins and return to God with their whole hearts, ready to embrace their calling with renewed enthusiasm. Not unlike the Church today needs revival.  We all know far too many Christians that could be described as lukewarm. 

We need repentance…renewal…fresh fire in our souls.

I remember the time when I had newly dedicated my life to the Lord.  I was so excited about the Good News of Jesus Christ and so grateful to God for my salvation.  Joy filled my heart with love and hope.  I wanted to tell everybody about Jesus.  No one could have accused me of being lukewarm then. 

We ought to pray as David did.

Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12-13



Mya showing off her new princess skirt.

 

I'm glad you've visited Write Moments with God.  I pray that you will have renewal in your heart and it's warm glow will give you strength.  Remember, the joy of the Lord is your strength.  Please consider leaving a comment below.  I always appreciate hearing from you.