Humble Yourself

Yesterday was a five-star day, on a four-star scale. Everything felt right in the world. First, during our stint as pro-life counselors on the sidewalks of the abortion mill Monday, four women chose not to abort their babies!! The best moment came when a couple came out of the mill at the end of our time there. We recognized the young man as one who had been listening to us for a good hour while his girlfriend was inside. He stood on the front porch, while we spoke from the sidewalk and on the sound system. We pleaded and exhorted from the word of God, and from our knowledge of the terrible truths of the brutality and after-effects of abortion. When he and his girlfriend drove out, he told us they didn't do it. They pumped their fists out the window as they drove away with big smiles, and honking wildly, joy and relief in their exuberant departure from that awful place. They left as the abortionist arrived, so we knew she could not have had the abortion.

Then, I got a text from "L", the young lady who recently had her baby. She is another "save" from the abortion mill. She not only chose life, but chose Jesus shortly thereafter, and is a new believer. She is determined to make a better life for her new little family, and the first step was finding work and getting out of government dependency. I'd been praying for her since I knew she had a job interview that morning. She texted this: Your success will be decided by who you believe. And your wisdom will decide your relationship. Your relationship decides your self-portrait. Your self portrait determines your attitude. Your attitude decides success. Oh yeah...I got the job!!!!

Then I got a note from the firm in NYC that is hosting my book signing in downtown Manhattan November 13. The agenda, and delicious food, and wonderful plans are actually all falling into place. I can hardly believe this is really happening to me.

And then, as if all that wasn't enough to make it a wonderful day, the cover artist designing the new cover for my book wrote to me. She should be done tonight! The Tower Builder's new cover may be revealed as early as tomorrow!

As I was praying and reading scripture before heading out to the abortion mill in the morning, I wrote down this verse to bring with me: Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7. I wanted to read it to the women in the mill over the loudspeaker, and I did, but most importantly, I wanted to remember if for myself.

How true those words are! It seems the less I do, and the more I fall helpless before God, the more He moves in my life. I have also noticed that if I don't humble myself, He will. Believe me, it is a lesson I must relearn time after time. In my own strength, I can do nothing, but with God, all things are possible.  Humble yourself, and He will lift you up.

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2 Chronicles 7:14 

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

James 4:6 

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

1 Peter 5:6 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

Ephesians 2:8-9 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Hebrews 11:6 

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

John 14:6 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

The Joy of the Lord is my Strength

I love my ministry with the women from the abortion mill who choose life rather than abortion. There are a couple I am following on a regular basis that are so precious to me. Lately I've started sending them a Bible verse each day, whatever the Lord lays on my heart (or is it lies on my heart? I can never keep those straight.) Anyway, this is the verse I sent to one of them yesterday:

Nehemiah 8:10

Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." 

This young lady(I will call her Lee) has had struggles with her mom, who doesn't believe in Jesus but Lee does. It has caused a great deal of conflict between the two. As a mother myself, I always counsel that Lee seek to find peace and forgiveness and gentleness with her mother. After all, Jesus died for us while we were yet sinners, willing to extend forgiveness to the worst of us! We must at least try to emulate His love and forgiveness. Lee does try, but it is not easy as her mother derides her belief in God. Lately, the relationship has been badly strained to the point where they were not seeing or speaking to each other.

At any rate, when Lee received my text with the verse from Nehemiah, she texted back instantly.

"Great scripture!"

 I told her, "Yes, I know. Sometimes my only strength is in the Lord."

She wrote back, "It talks about eating choice food. I'm about to go to my mom's house for dinner."

This filled me with joy. Things must be on the mend (for now) if she is going to her mom's for dinner. However, I know that she struggles mightily to maintain the peace, and this dinner would likely be no different. Like so many things we all face, we will never succeed on our strength alone. I reminded her that this day is sacred, as the verse tells us, and to find strength in the Lord.

It amazes me how God orchestrates so many details in so many people's lives. How funny that of all the verses I could have sent yesterday, that would be the one. Unbeknownst to me, it was the absolute perfect verse for my friend to meditate upon. God shows us He is trustworthy in so many miniscule ways. It behooves us to pay attention, and to trust Him. How could we doubt knowing He is there and cares deeply for us, when He proclaims His presence so often and in so many details of life? Indeed, as the verse reminds me, the joy of the Lord is my strength.

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Isaiah 40:31 

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Philippians 4:13 

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:6-7 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 18:32-34 

The God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

1 Chronicles 22:13 

Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed.

Hebrews 4:15 

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

If the Sun Stood Still

It is hard to believe that I have been kayaking from March all the way till now in October, and the water is still not too cold, and the air is still warm. What a wonderful place I live in! There were very few other boats on the water. How strange! Such a beautiful sunny Saturday and I had the river largely to myself. I prefer it that way. I can cruise along singing worship songs out loud and no one hears me but the herons and God. It was glorious, and all the more lovely knowing the days left to do so were growing shorter. I was overflowing with the joy of it all.

It was but a brief respite. I'm still in a whirlwind of activity preparing for my NYC book signing of the Tower Builder. (link here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JXP8B72)
 I had several back and forth emails with the cover designer since we want a new cover for this event. Finally, we agreed we had it where we were happy with it. Then I had a tip from some author friends that it would be wise to have a stack of bookmarks to give out at the signing. I spent a few hours designing my bookmarks, and then ordering a batch of them. Before I knew it, the day was gone and I hadn't written at all on my new sequel. I have the ideas brimming out of my skull but no time to write!

Oh well. You can't do it all. I guess until the materials are all ready for the book signing, I have to resign myself to tackling that alone. If only we could freeze time for a spell! Do you know, that happened at least once? In Joshua 10 of the Bible, Joshua's army is battling their enemy, and he asks God to stop the sun so he would have time to finish the task. God obliges, and the sun doesn't set for an extra day. How many of us would love to have an extra day wedged in somewhere? Everyone who has lost a loved one, everyone who has an inescapable deadline approaching, everyone who needs just a little more time to convince foolish people from rushing rashly to destruction...and everyone who glides on a silvery river filled with jewels of sunshine in a solitary kayak.

But the Joshua passage is singular. We won't likely be given that extra day. Not here on Earth. But here is the amazing good news -- if we trust in Jesus as Lord, and believe He did all He claimed on our behalf-- we will have an eternity of extra days in Heaven. No more saying goodbye to loved ones, no more deadlines, no more rash decisions leading to death, and no more cessation of absolute beauty and peace.
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Joshua 10:13
So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. 

John 6: 50-59
⁵⁰ This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. ⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
⁵² The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” ⁵³ So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. ⁵⁴ Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. ⁵⁵ For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. ⁵⁶ Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. ⁵⁷ As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. ⁵⁸ This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread^[a] the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” ⁵⁹ Jesus^[b] said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.

Eternal Consequences

You can teach an old dog new tricks.

I taught my little art class of senior residents at the nursing home how to use pastels. They loved it, and most were happy with their work. I had never done anything but pencil drawings with them, and none had used pastels before. They are always so eager, that I thought it might be fun to try something new.

"It's nice when it looks like what it is supposed to," said one, holding hers up.
"Yes, it is! How about charcoal next month?"
"Once I did a beautiful charcoal," said Josie, "I can still picture it in my mind. It was a window scene looking out over a beautiful setting. The art teacher said she would take it home to spray it with fixative so it wouldn't smudge. I never got it back. Do you know I saw it at an art show one day, and it won a prize, with her name on it!"
She paused and shook her head mournfully, "I've never forgotten that."
The whole class commiserated with her, and I said, "Well, it is on her conscience."
"Yes, yes it is," agreed Josie, "It breaks my heart to this day."

Sin never just hurts the person doing it, and it can have life long repercussions. It is one reaon why God takes sin so seriously. It is a direct affront to loving one another, and to loving God. There is never victimless sin. Somehow, we are deluded into thinking, "My body, my choice, my sin." But sin is an octopus with countless arms reaching in directions one never considers. The collateral damage can last a lifetime.

I smiled at sweet, gentle Josie.
"Well when we do a charcoal next time, you will know what to do, and I promise, I won't steal your picture."
"Yes," she said smiling.
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Psalm 38:1-11 

A Psalm of David, for the memorial offering. O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath! For your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand has come down on me. There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness,

2 Samuel 12:14 

Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die.”

Genesis 3:15 

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

Genesis 2:17 

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Beware the Messenger

I had the nicest people help me today. First at the  Apple store, Hillary not only showed me how to download the app for the card reader I will need to register credit card sales of my book on my phone, but she even talked me through a mock sale using the new reader.

Then I went to a clothing store and the sweet young sales clerk asked me, "Can I help you?"
"Yes," I told her, "I am doing a book signing in midtown Manhattan. I want to look artsy. Dress me."
She not only found me a lovely artsy outfit, but it was 60 % off. And if I got the store credit card, I saved an additional 15%.

My ONE concern was I sent a photo of the outfit to 3 family members on my phone instant message to ask if they liked the outfit. I got a message back that said, "I like it. very sexy and trendy." BUT I don't know who the message was from. I shudder to think I sent the photo of me in a dressing room to a total stranger. I asked the person to identify him or her self, but he or she did not.

This is why technology is dangerous in the hands of stupid people.

Then later in the evening, I got a garbled message on my instant message app of my phone from a normally very sane friend. I don't think it really came from my friend.  And this morning I got a long email from an "old friend" I don't know at all about a conversation I never had about what house she should buy in NJ. I am increasingly concerned that either my phone security has been compromised by someone, or the End Times are here.

Either way, I hope nothing blows up before my NYC book signing. I am all set with my card reader and nice outfit. If only the world could hang together one more month.

But it made me think about messages, and trying to decipher credible sources, and if the messenger is worth paying attention to. I listened to the Apple Expert because she was trained and an expert. I have had many interactions with the Apple Geniuses, and they rarely steer me wrong. I listened to the sales clerks at the clothing store because they took delight in helping "A real author" (albeit a BROKE, real author) find the perfect outfit at a low price. I deleted the email message from the person who claimed to know me since I didn't know or trust the source. I ignored the garbled text message since that source never speaks in garble.

From those experiences, some general truths emerged. Only trust sources that are excellent in what they do, have a history of providing excellent guidance, delight in what is in my best interest, and have a clear message worth paying attention to in line with what they have consistently spoken. Ignore anything that does not meet these criteria.

Which is why I trust God, and reject any message that is not consistent with Him.

PS: The Tower Builder is still on sale for 99 cents, one more day! It is a book about messages, in part, and trustworthy messengers. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JXP8B72 . Feel free to share the book link and let them know the author is going to be in NYC for a book signing November 13.
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1 John 4:1 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Matthew 24:24 

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Matthew 7:15 

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Matthew 7:21-23

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

2 Timothy 4:2-4 

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Desires of My Heart

I spent 8 years writing The Tower Builder, and it was finally published. It briefly soared to #1 in its category, and then sales plummeted. So much work, and so little interest. I felt sad, because I knew it was a good book, with mystery, love story, little known history, colorful characters, and at its core, God... but that is the life of a writer. Sometimes one is not appreciated till after she dies...if at all.

And then, out of the blue, a big NYC firm executive read the book and loved it, and offered me a book signing in the heart of Manhattan. They will do all the invitations and promo. All I have to do is show up with some books. It is a dream come true! The hero of my book, who works on the Empire State Building tower, will be there signing as well. His story is inspiring and amazing. Can you imagine hanging by two safety cords from a tower on top of the Empire State Building? No, neither can I. I wrote the book in a constant state of vertigo just thinking about it. 

I am having so much fun planning the big NYC book signing. I ordered a card reader so I can get VISA payments from the throngs of people buying my books ( insert smiley face) on my phone. I have notified my zany Aunt Val that I will be staying with her and likely taking the train into NYC with her. I have also exchanged texts with my brother and am plotting his trip into the city. My cousin is planning my day along with lunch with thousands of relatives. And my cover artist is busily sending me proofs of my new improved book cover. Next week I will go shopping for the perfect NYC book signing in November outfit ( I believe November in NY calls for a fashionable full body layer of ten inches of down and wool, with perhaps some clever hydraulic pump of heated water circulation system.) If all goes as planned, I should come out only a few thousand dollars short of making a profit on this venture.

But money is not everything.

I have had a few dreams come true this month, and now here is one more. Sometimes, I think what God is telling me is that He loves me, and longs to lavish joy and delight upon me. There have been so many struggles of late, so much heart ache. And then...this.  Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

(PS- the ebook of the Tower Builder is on sale this week for 99 cents at this site: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JXP8B72)
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Psalm 37:4

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:5 

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.

Matthew 6:21 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Proverbs 16:1-3 

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Proverbs 16:9 

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

Healing Wounds Lightly

I don't like going to the dermatologist. Having had melanoma, I have to go twice a year for a skin check. Each time, the doctor cuts off a suspicious mole or freckle and I can barely stand it. It is not supposed to hurt (much) but I have a very low pain threshold. So this time, I steeled myself for the trauma to come, but prayed, "Lord, please don't let there be any suspicious moles."

The doctor, to whom I owe my life for having found a malignant mole before it advanced beyond level one, and was one I would NEVER have suspected, is my hero. Still, I felt like kicking her when she peered at some freckles with her magnifier and said, "Hmmmmmmm." Her assistant was taking notes, and when commanded, photographing these "hmmmmmm" moles. I resisted the urge to run from the room, made easier by the fact that I was naked save for a gown that ties in the back.

If only she would ignore the moles that give her pause. I mean, if they are outright no doubt cancerous, well sure, then alert the marines. But good grief, can't you relax your standards just a bit on those iffy ones, those ones that make you say "hmmmmmm" but not "AH HA!!!"?

Well, she could. And if she had 3 years ago, I might have died, cause melanoma is deadly. She would be showing no love, doing me no favors by pretending danger and destruction didn't lurk where indeed it did.

I thought of the abortion mills, where the word of God is despised and we pro-life counselors face anger and derision regularly. No one wants to hear naysayers shatter their peace, least of all those who already are wrestling with guilty consciences. No one wants to think the dangerous path they are on needs to veer across new, less comfortable terrain. No one is thrilled to suppress selfish desires for God's desires when they conflict. No one wants to hear one's choices are like cancer, leading to death of spirit and soul.

On Monday, one very vocal woman was shrieking at us as we tried to urge her to encourage her daughter not to kill her grandchild in the womb. A woman standing on the porch came closer, as we pleaded and shared God's word in exchange for the grandmother's anger. I thought she was being drawn to our sincere offer of hope and love and help to those who choose life. But instead, she tapped the grandmother on the shoulder and hugged her. Feeling supported now in her desire to kill her own unborn child, she then went in the abortion mill.

I'd have a lot more friends at the abortion mill if I just told the abortion-minded women what they were doing was great, and surely God would approve, or at least forgive, even though they were knowingly defying Him.

My thoughts were snatched back to the doctor. She slowly stood up from her intense inspection of all my flaws. I was sure the mole that got the longest "hmmmmm" was about to be whacked off. I have dutifully applied sunscreen, worn SPF clothing, and abided by everything the doctor has told me to do over the years. I held my breath as she stepped back, and looked at me.
"You look great!" she said.
"Nothing needs to be cut off!?" I exclaimed.
"Nope."
I clasped my hands above my head in prayer and thanks, "That is just what I prayed for!!"
"Your prayers were answered," she said, smiling, "Keep doing the right things."
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Jeremiah 6:14
They have healed the wound of my people lightly,
saying, 'Peace, peace,'
 when there is no peace.