Big God

A few weeks ago I read the lyrics to a contemporary Christians song where the theme and question was "God, can you be small? For me?"

I understand the writer's heart. We all have those moments when we wonder if the amazing, all knowing, All Mighty is anywhere near the vicinity of our pain and grief. He feels so foreign, so far away. So silent.

I've been around the where-are-you-God mountain a few too many times. My circumstance held me captive, chained me to fear and unbelief.

The lyrics struck me, challenged me. I'm not saying the writer is wrong, it's truly an artistic expression of a sincere heart.

But, for me, I pondered. Is asking God if He can be small the real question? What if the question posed is more like "God, can you lift me up out of my despair or circumstance so I can stand on your large stage and see beyond myself?"

"God, how much of your vastness and glory can I see to help me through my pain?"

Comfort comes when I grasp God's enormity. When I grasp His ability to love me even when I fail, when I don't deserve His love.

Comfort comes when we know a big God walks among the caged girls in India and touches the sick and wounded lying in the street.

We already know God can be small. He came as a Man two thousand years ago, died on a Cross and rose from the grave. The God-Man Jesus sits at the Father's right hand interceding for us.

By this, we have access to the very emerald throne John saw in Revelation 4. We are invited in, given privilege, adopted as sons and daughters of the Most High.

If I see "larger" and "wider" my day-to-day is expanded. The mundane is not so mun or dane. If I'm dissed or over looked, so what? If I'm hurting, well, so is He. If I've e gone UP there to where He is, if I understand the "smallness" of God already dwells within me.

Colossians 1:27 says it's the mystery of the ages. Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Crazy. He's big, He's small. He's in heaven, He's in us by the Spirit! God is all over the place. Now, if I could only remember when shadows fall over my soul.

In our human condition, it's so natural to be concerned about ourselves and being earthly bound. But God is wanting us to engage Him in a more intimate and eternal way, in a grand, loving faith.

Jesus says to John in Revelation 4, "Come up here!" And a door opened in heaven. It's not poetic language, an analogy or symbol, it was real! A door opened in heaven and John was beckoned.

Paul encourages us in Philippians 3 to "Forget the things which are behind and press onward to the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

God is with us always, even to the end of the age. Our challenged is to be filled with faith, hope and love, no matter what is going on around us.

My prayer is to be like John, see the open door and ask Jesus, "Help me come up there."

My Book Therapy "From the Inside Out" Book

My Book Therapy is releasing it's first writing book based on our craft blog from last year. I got my copy in the mail today. It's awesome.

Susan May Warren, My Book Therapy's founder and fearless leader put together a GREAT project. I'm so honored to be associated with her and this business.

And, best of all, I get to help others along the way.

Check out this video on You Tube.

Want to win a copy of From the Inside. . .Out: Discover, Create and Publish the Novel in You for your very own? Leave a comment here and tell us what kind of novel you have in YOU.

Do you already have your novel down on the page? Does it need a little THERAPY? Enter to win 10% off a Book Therapy Session by leaving a comment here telling us a brief synopsis of your story!

All winners will be chosen at random. Contest ends 2/28 and the winners will be announced on March 2nd!

Join the fun!

Terri Blackstock's Double Minds is here!

Please welcome my friend, the lovely and gracious Terri Blackstock. (applause, cheers.) She's written another fabulous book!

DOUBLE MINDS

By Terri Blackstock

Were the bullets intended for her?

As talented singer/songwriter Parker James struggles to make her mark on the Nashville music scene, she finds the competition can be fierce - even deadly.

When a young woman is murdered at the recording studio where Parker works, Parker is drawn into a mystery where nothing is as it seems.

Unraveling the truth puts her own life at risk when she uncovers high-level industry corruption and is terrorized by a menacing stalker. As the danger escalates, Parker begins to question her dreams, her future, and even her faith. Does stardom even matter anymore?

What others are saying:
"Blackstock's superior writing will keep readers turning pages late into the night to discover the identity of the culprit in this amazing mystery. The unique setting and peek into the Nashville music scene are fascinating. Suspense lovers are in for a delightful treat." Romantic Times, February 2009.

About Terri:

Terri Blackstock's books have sold six million copies worldwide. Known for her "Up All Night Fiction," Terri has had over twenty-five years of success as a novelist. Terri makes her home in Mississippi, where she and her husband Ken are enjoying their empty nest after raising three children.

See the Video Trailer for Double Minds at www.terriblackstock.com

Available now at Amazon, www.christianbook.com, www.bn.com, and your favorite bookstores everywhere.

Visit Terri on Facebook.

A political lesson from my ice cream

For Valentine's Day, hubby and I went to Outback Steakhouse. We had a gift certificate so I saved some of my Weight Watcher's points for the evening. Not enough, but I went moderate on the bread and ate a small steak.

On the way home, Husband suggested ice cream. Before I knew it, I was in Baskin Robbins ordering a small Heath  Bar Crunch milk shake. I figured, Ah, it'll be a few points too many, but I'll dip into my weekly bonus points.

I didn't stand by the counter to see how many scoops of ice cream the kid ladled into the shake cup. I really only wanted one scoop, but did I order ONE scoop? No. Did I want to know how many went into a small shake? Not really. If I did, I'd have stood there and watched.

Arriving home, I decided to log my points online. Guess how many that small shake consumed? Twenty-two points. TWENTY-TWO. That's a whole day's worth for me.

And I wonder why the weight loss is going so slow.

I think many of us view politics, especially those in the main stream press, like I did that Heath Bar Crunch shake. We don't really look beyond our emotions and desires to see what is really going on.

If I'd have asked, "How many calories is that shake?" Or, "How many scoops of ice cream are you using, and what kind of milk?" I'd have changed my mind.

But deep down, I wanted the shake. It was Valentine's Day. I wanted to feel good, indulge in a little ice cream pleasure.

I listen to what's going on in Washington and I wonder why no one is asking the hard questions. "How are we going to make up the money spent in this stimulus package?"

Or "Why does Acorn or Sexually Transmitted Diseases deserve millions of dollars in an economic stimulus package?"

Joe the Plumber was eviscerated by the press. Does anyone know the story behind Henrietta Hughes, or Julio the McDonald's malcontent?

No, because people don't want to know. The press is afraid to ask. I've found out interesting tidbits on them.

Tom Brokaw said about Obama, "We don't really know much about him." YET, he advocated the man being president. Really? Tom? NBC Nightly News Anchor for umpteen years. You admit gladly you're voting for a man you know nothing about?

Why? Because Obama made Tom feel good and he didn't want to know our country really couldn't afford the "calories."

Obama, the Heath Bar Crunch milk shake of American Weight Watcher's politics. He makes people feel good. He was what we wanted because we just decided. We didn't want to know what or who was behind the man. So, we just didn't ask.

Then, when it's too late, we discover he's going to cost us more than we wanted and take us farther than we intended, down a road with possibly no return. And, like my Heath Bar shake, he won't have been worth it. Wasn't that good.

Not just Obama, or other politicians. We do the same with abortion. Advocates don't want to know that at eight weeks there's a heartbeat. At twelve, there are hands and feet. They don't want to call it a baby unless it's "wanted." They don't tell the stories about counting body parts.

What about socialized medicine. Have you dealt with a government agency? Stood in line at the DMV? Dealt with taxes? The same government who bankrupted Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac, and are on the verge of robbing social security want to be in charge of health care?

Think? Look deep? What's it going to cost you? Right now, if a company took government bail out money, their CEO's have a salary cap.

Do you want your doctor being a man or woman who can't earn what he's/she's worth? Do you want him being capped and restrained by the government? What short cuts do you think he'll take on sanitization or equipment in order to save money? Do you want your Lasik surgery done by a five year old machine because the doc can't afford a new one. Worse, the government won't let him buy one?

What happens when the Feds do to health care what they did to Fannie and Freddie? WE will be out cold. WE will be left holding the bag.

I heard a woman on a talk show describe her ordeal with Medicare. By government standards, she could not receive the health treatment the doctor prescribed for her condition. That will be the norm for all of us if this government has his way.

Come on. Aren't we the America that is built on the notion of the free and the brave. Let's get brave. Value our freedoms. Take care of yourself and your family. Washington is arrogant and woefully out of touch.

Look, I don't mean to bash Mr. Obama. While he seems genuine about his beliefs and politics, I adamently disagree. His plans and socialist ideas are not where I want this country to go. I don't believe makes for a strong country.

I only write this because I believe many are going along, just like I did in the Baskin Robbins shop. Not really wanting to know the truth. Ask questions. Then, if you still agree with this administration, then you do so for good cause. You know the score.

I've asked the hard questions. I've looked into the stimulus package. I've researched gov'ts with nationalized heath care. I understand socialism and communism. Outside of being run by a benevolent leader, they don't work.

I know what this administrations policies will cost us. So, I speak out. No more Heath Bar shakes for me!

Evidence of Murder by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

A good book is hard to find!

Please welcome author and friend Jill Elizabeth Nelson to tell us about her new release from Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense. Great cover by the way, Jill.

About the book:

The photographs Samantha Reid uncovers in her new store are shocking. Horrifying. And dangerous. This new evidence could reopen a decade-old multiple homicide case that someone wants desperately to keep closed. And when the evidence comes out, a reluctant Samantha is drawn straight into the spotlight. Then she meets Ryan Davidson, the last surviving member of the murdered family. In spite of herself, she's drawn in by his need to find the truth. Together, they work to unravel the mystery, while the killer works to keep the secrets buried - forever.

About Jill:

By day, I'm a manager at my local health care complex. By night, I morph into a wild and crazy writer, itching to share with my readers stories full of adventure seasoned with humor, romance, and faith. My husband and I have been married for over 27 years now and we enjoy life in rural Minnesota where we raised four children and now have a grandbaby due any day.

Loving Facebook

I am loving Facebook these days. 

The design and layout is simple, easy to read. It's the same for every member so I don't get lost in a bunch of whacky designs.

The best part? Connecting with family. Siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins. The other night I came home to find a friend request from a cousin I hadn't talk to or seen in years. He's a few days older than my oldest brother - they're like twin cousins - and it's been great to catch up with his life. And with all the cousins.

Because that cousin joined, I was able to get my big brother to join. Mom and middle brother, we need you now! You're our last hold outs.

Facebook, for all the cyber communities out there, is the best, friendliest and least likely to assault me with half naked ladies asking if I want to go out with them. Girls, have some respect for yourself.

Otherwise, I'm writing. Working on book two in a series. I'm having fun with it because I already know the characters and their back story so I'm right into the writing and working toward my plot points.

More later...

God is kind

Recently, I recalled my commitment to not grumble or complain this year. I'm doing so-so, but I'm glad the resolution popped into my head.

Think it might have had some help? (wink)

Anyway, I'm not happy with our new government. Our new president has said some things the press would've skewered our former president for saying or doing but have said nothing about the new president.

I was reading in Luke 6 and Jesus says this, "Love your enemies. Lend and do good, expecting nothing in return and your reward will be great. You'll be the sons of the Most High. For He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men."

Let's stew on that a moment. God is kind to ungrateful and evil men? Like who? Stalin? Hitler? Obama? Is he even evil? Bush? Some considered him evil?

What about that Jones guy who made his followers drink the Kool Aid?

Pharaoh? Saddam Hussein? Osama Bin Laden?

Me?

I qualify and quantify gratefulness and evil to fit my values and standards. But it's God's standards that matter. Not mine. Not yours. His.

We are to be conformed to His image, His ways, His thoughts.

The truth is, despite our personal experience with church, Christians, or whatever, God is kind. He is love. He is good.

Eph 1

1 John 4