Friday, July 11, 2008

Okay...

I'm sick. Yes. I have some kind of soar throat, no voice thing going on and it happens every time I go to a conference or writer's event.

Well, almost happens every time. What up?

I'm getting a little better, but still sluggish and not in favor of talking much. Maybe that's a good thing. I'd rather be known for what I don't say than what I do say.

It's hard to keep quiet, not speak, hold the tongue, keep our opinion to ourselves. I've been working on this lately and find that I feel "empowered" when I remain in check, quiet, thoughtful.

One, keeping quiet is often respecting others, letting them speak. Two, most of us just plain ole talk too much and we're not really saying anything.

I want to be effective with my speech as well as my writing. I had an encounter with God about taming my sarcasticness. Let me tell you, I haven't forgotten it, and have been on a journey to speak well and wise for many, many years.

Most of you are thinking, "Rachel, we must speak up. We have to stand against evil."

Yes, we do. We must be vocal about abortion and sin-that-runs-amuck in our country. But we have never really taken the time to learn to love. Our words are often as lifeless and fruitless as our counterparts.

They are speaking wind, and so are we.

What is God doing and saying?

I was speaking with author and pastor Randy Alcorn today and he told of a talk he gave at a Bible school. His opening line was a quote from Hebrews, but he spoke without the reference. He asked how many believed his statement. "All will face the judgment seat of Christ, giving account of all his deeds, good or bad." (Rachel translation.)

Only two people out of about 150 raised their hand. Two. When he clarified chapter and verse, then asked again, "who believes this is true?" only half raised their hands.

If we are going to claim and cling to Christ, we should know Him. Lose the notion it's not possible to know God. It is possible. Not in His entirety and completeness, but more than enough for me and you, and the human spirit.

Anyway, I say all that to remind myself the beauty of silence. Letting the weightiness of God seep in to my soul.

7 comments:

  1. Rachel, I'm so sorry you are not feeling well. I want to call but won't - you don't need to talk. What an opportunity to speak w/Randy Alcorn. I'm praying for your healing.

    Love Mom

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  2. I hope you're feeling better today.

    I finished "Love Starts with Elle" today. I really enjoyed it. Great story and characters. Will you have a blogroll for that book?

    ~Susan Lee

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  3. Hi Rachel,
    I stopped by from Angie Hunt's blog. Always a joy to find another author to get to know through their work. I hope you get to feeling better soon. I only know of Randy through his books and his blog, but I would love to hear him teach sometime.
    I love how your Mom comments on your blog! That rocks! Mine used to, but I think she's just a lurker now.

    Lisa

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  4. Hi Lisa,

    So nice to meet you! Thanks for stopping by.

    I am feeling much, much better, but the vocal cords are still on vaca. :)

    Rachel

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  5. I hopped over from Creston Mapes' site. God Bless you special today.
    I went through a time like that and had to take antibodics as I had larnitis and sinus infection. I pray for a healing for you today In Jesus name.

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  6. I'm glad you're feeling better. I just Twittered that I posted reviews for "Love Starts with Elle," and I included your website.

    ~Susan

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  7. "taming my sarcasticness"

    sigh. I don't wanna!

    hope you're feeling better!

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