My Dream Come True

 I am here. My beloved and very entertaining sister and I arrived last night to Chincoteague Island, home of the Misty of Chincoteague fame, and her descendents, the wild ponies. We will kayak soon, in search of the wild ponies along the shore of neighboring island Assateague. But for now, I am enjoying coffee and breakfast on our hotel balcony overlooking the waterway.

The morning is perfect, breezy, clear, not too hot . Sea gulls are screeeching, and most of the world is still sleeping. Last night, Amy and I wandered Main St. of this lovely historic town. We had a lot of fun playing with our cameras and taking dramatic photos

I may burst from the joy of it all. Now off to the wild ponies.....
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Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Galatians 5:22 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

John 16:24 

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Bon Voyage

Today my funny sister Amy and I are off to an exciting adventure. We are going to kayak along the shore of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands in search of the wild ponies.  We will not kick any dolphins out of our viewfinder should they desire to join our trip. Then we continue on to see my folks in NY and help do whatever tasks they have saved up for us.I suspect there will be few blogs posted for the next two weeks. Instead, you can find a dose of daily inspiration by reading my books! My most popular book, I'm Listening with a Broken Ear, is only 99 cents for a few more days. If you have ever felt life is hopeless, this is a book to snap you out of that despair. Besides that, it has soared (again!) to #1 in its category on amazon, and I could not be happier!!!! (Well, I could be...my daughter also got her first college acceptance letter with a full tuition scholarship. So proud of her....)
But back to "it's all about me"...and my book:

Here is the link:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BRF2UU

One reader told me "it changed my life." There are few things that change your life for under a dollar!
Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior is free, and a far better deal than my book, but other than that, not much under a dollar is life changing.

Then, if you finish that book and need more inspirational stories, here is the site that lists all my books:
http://www.amazon.com/Vicky-Kaseorg/e/B006XJ2DWU

So bon voyage, dear readers. I will leave you with my favorite verse:
Nothing is impossible with God.

Power that Works

I leave tomorrow for the adventure of my dreams - kayaking with the wild ponies of Chincoteague Island. I also hope to bicycle on the Island and am bringing my very cute little folding bike. I have a ten year old little bike pump that I bought mostly because it was cute, but also, it fit in my tiny bike repair bag that clips on the back of my tiny bike. For ten years, I have never figured out how to get the tiny pump to work.  I decided that I wanted everything just right for this trip of my dreams, and brought my little bike pump to a bike shop yesterday.

"Can I help you?" asked the nice bike repairman.
"Yes.See this pump? Either I am really stupid, or this pump is deficient, because for ten years, I have never figured out how it works."
He laughed (at me) and took the pump.
"Well, let's see what we have here."
He let some air out of one of the store bike tires, and then tried to pump it up.
"I see what the problem is," he said.
"Yes?"
"Basically, this pump is a piece of crap."
"Ah."
At this point, the store manager came over.
"Let me try," he said. I was the only customer and that was good as the salesmen were bored and happy to try to help me.
He also (unsuccessfully) tried to pump the tire.
"He's right."
"The pump stinks?"
"Yes."
"Well, show me your mini pumps. Would you take some off the price if I give you this one in trade, or should I just give it as a gift to my brother?"
"It would make a fine gift for your brother."

So I got a new pump that works, and a gift for my engineer brother who I am sure will be able to fix the crappy pump. I carried that pump in my bike bag knowing it didn't work for ten years. I kept thinking if I got a flat tire, and needed to use the pump, some miracle would happen and I would find a way to make it work. I would muscle it into submission.  But that was stupid. What I needed was a pump that worked. Carrying a useless pump around was never going to do the job that needed to be done.

I think I was receiving a cool message from God.

The Bible says God is power. We are told God does not give us a spirit of fear, but of love and of power. The Holy Spirit that indwells us when we trust Jesus as our Lord and Savior strengthens us "with all power." Without God, we are a useless pump, with no power to do anything of eternal value. We can struggle along on our own, but ultimately, when trials come, we will be as deflated as the tire my poor old pump could not fill. Our fleshly pumps will never fill the God-sized hole in our hearts.

I thanked the bike salesmen and brought my new pump to my little folding bike and the tiny bike bag. It fit perfectly, and now I knew I had a pump that actually worked.

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2 Timothy 1:7 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Acts 1:8 

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

1 Corinthians 6:14

And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.

1 Corinthians 4:20  

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

Ephesians 6:10 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Luke 10:19 

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.

Colossians 1:11

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,

Ephesians 3:20 

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

A Common LInk Through an Uncommon Breed

I was on a run yesterday morning when I saw a dog that looks just like my dog, as all Carolina Dogs (CDs) look just like my dog. I stopped, and the friendly pup leaped on me for slurpy hugs and kisses.
"Did you know he looks like a Carolina Dog?" I asked, in between swipes of his tongue.
"He IS a Carolina Dog!" she told me. She had adopted him from a foster home, who told her about CDs, and then she did further research about the breed on her own. I told her about the CD rescue group, and the Facebook CD groups I belong to. She didn't know about them, but was very interested, so I got her email address and told her I would send her all the links when I got home. I also sent her the links to my books about CDs since you never know when a new fan might be just the movie producer you need.

Later, she wrote to tell me she had bought my book and couldn't wait to read it. (Incidentally, that book is my best seller and I never reduce the price, but it is only 99 cents for the next few days at this link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005BRF2UU . Please tell all your friends.) Anyway, she was so thrilled to have met me and found my books that she invited me for a get together at her house where some famous NYC musician was playing! I can't go -- prepping and leaving this weekend for my kayak trip to the Chincoteague wild ponies, but it was one of those "chance" encounters that make the rest of the day feel special and God-ordained.

I thought about how I used to make fun of my brother-in-law for belonging to a Miata Club. I mean, the only source of commonality is a car but they would vacation together on Miata road trips. It struck me as odd that he would go do things with strangers based on their common love of a car. YET, here I was bonding with a total stranger just because we love the same breed of dog.

And then my thoughts meandered, as they often do, to how whenever I meet a fellow Christian believer, I usually know it before they tell me, and there is an instant bond. The link with fellow believers is so strong that it can be someone I only know through Facebook, but when they say something that gives me a hint that they love Jesus, I feel as though God has just sent me a lifeboat in a shipwreck. I love those God-ordained divine encounters, those reminders that we are inextricably linked with others in a common pursuit. If it is a holy pursuit, so much the better.
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Hebrews 10:24-25 

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Romans 12:10 

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Acts 2:42 

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 Peter 4:9 

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

1 John 1:3 

That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:12 

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.

Consumed

I wrote 5,000 words again yesterday, and this despite a booming headache and feeling icky. I seem to have a little bug, but it is passing through. So I spent the day working on my Bark of the Covenant sequel, and that was a perfect way to rest, and be useful. I have 3 days to recover before my kayak trip to the wild ponies of Chincoteague, so I forced myself to drink tea and sit still writing.

Meanwhile, despite having outlined my sequel, as soon as I started disappearing into my fictional world, the outline flew out the window. It was one of those wonderful times as a writer when you become the character, and you forget you are not the highly sought after beauty that men are leaping from tall buildings to impress, with a mysterious, and tragic life that is about to be turned around miraculously. Words fly off my fingers onto the page and when I stop, it is like emerging from a trance. This is why I love to write, for days like that.

Effortless. Losing oneself in the vision.

I think that is what it is like, in a small way, to be so consumed by God that His will becomes our will, His grief our grief, His heart our heart, His desires our desires. To lose ourselves so completely that we become totally unaware of where we end and He begins. We completely step into His character. Maybe that is Heaven.

It sure was writing heaven.

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1 Corinthians 8:6 

Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

Many Words

Two weeks ago I had two followers on Twitter. Two! I don't even know how I had those two since I don't remember signing up for Twitter, nor ever "tweeting" on it, not even once. Then, I got involved with the world's best Facebook group for Authors and Readers - Clean Indies Read. They promote "flinch free fiction" which means books with none of the gratuitous sex, violence, and language you find in so many novels these days. One of their members found me, and invited me to join their group. It was a thrill to find a whole group of authors and readers who felt the same way about books as I did. (My book will be featured on their blog Oct. 3 - http://cleanindiereads.blogspot.com/) Anyway, they have been a great source of knowledge in the writing and marketing world for me, and they advised I develop a Twitter following. Today, only 2 weeks later, I have almost 1,000 followers! (PS- my Twitter "handle" is vicky kaseorg@vickykaseorg. Clever, huh?)

For those of you unfamiliar with Twitter ( as I was a mere 2 weeks ago), you are allowed 140 characters to "tweet" a message. This translates to maybe 20 or 30 words. For long-winded folks like me, this has been an enormous challenge. I only use it to promote my books and blog, and to say all I want to say in 20-30 words is daunting. However, I am learning, and even almost enjoying the economy of words.

I have been told (more than once...ok...20 million times) that one of my greatest failings is getting to the point in less than an hour. This cuts me to the quick since I personally am enthralled by my eloquence. Apparently, I am the only one who feels this way. Yet, isn't it interesting that one of my favorite artists, Henri Matisse, is famous for his economy of line in depicting the essence of what he is drawing? One of his most famous works, a series of sculptural studies of a woman's back, attempts to simplify the form progressively till the fewest lines necessary are chiseled that still clearly represent a woman. This has always interested me, since it is the artistic parallel of finding the crux of a matter, the premise, or the essence.

It is a valuable exercise to reduce all the clutter in one's heart, head, and life. For example, if I could use one word to describe God, what would I say? Love. What would you say?

How about to describe me? I am not sure it is the one word I wish it were.  How about to describe you? How about one word to describe where our heart and passions lie? 

Sometimes simplifying helps us understand not only what is right, but what is wrong.

Yesterday, I wrote answers to a blog interview sent to me, where I was instructed to keep my answers brief. When the interviewer received my answers she sent me a note, "Feel free to expand on these before I post the blog -- when I said brief, I meant for those who felt 300 words was brief."
"I was trying to cut to the essence," I answered laughing, "Too much essence?"
"Highly concentrated," she responded.
Twitter is working.

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Proverbs 10:19 

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Proverbs 17:28 

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

James 1:19 

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

Proverbs 29:20

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 18:2 

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

For Such a Time As This

Yesterday, three women chose life at the abortion mill. Two of the cases are perfect illustrations of why the church should be on the frontlines of abortion centers, fighting for the life of unborn babies. The first one was a woman who had been used in sex trafficking. The counseling, help, and resources to escape that lifestyle came because the pro-life RV was in front of the abortion mill, and offered her a free ultrasound. She has our names and phone numbers, and we will be actively working with her to set up resources and assistance.

The second woman instantly stopped when I called through her open car window, "Please let me help you."
"How," she asked, "can you help me?"
"Pull over and let me tell you."  She did instantly, and from the moment we began talking it was clear this woman would grasp at any hope we could offer to convince her to save her baby.
"Are you here for an abortion?" I asked as she stopped her car.
"Yes, I have no choice."
"Will you let me show you other options?"
"Can you find me resources to help raise this baby?" she asked, a mix of combat and pleading in her voice.
"Yes," I said, "And we can start with a free pregnancy test and free ultrasound."
"I do not want to kill my baby," she said, "But I don't know how I will manage."
"We will help you find resources. We have food assistance, clothing assistance, and baby showers to provide the first two years of your child's needs. Will that help?"
"Yes!" she said, "Can I get the ultrasound tomorrow? I have such a busy day."

Sometimes this is a ploy to make us stop talking, and then the women just drives into the abortion mill. So before another word, I made sure she had our information with my name and number, and showed her the list of resources, as well as the photo of a preborn baby at 7 weeks.
"Drive up to that RV, and we will schedule it," I told her, "I'll get my exercise and jog beside you."
I wasn't going to let her out of my sight! As she drove, I jogged beside her car telling her how we help many women, and none of them regret the decision to keep their babies.

I handed her off to the RV staff, and later they assured me she did indeed make the appointment. I alerted my baby shower group, to be sure they were on board for another shower in about 7 months. Right around then, "L", another mama who chose life some months back and is due in a few short weeks texted me, just to chat.
"Hi!" I told her, "Three women chose life today at Latrobe!"
"Awwwww," she texted, "I am so happy for them. It was the best choice for me and I will never regret changing my mind. I hope they feel the same."

God places us in just the right spot at just the right time if we are obedient. What if no one had been on the sidewalk when those women arrived, desperate and despairing...hoping for someone to show them a way they could somehow not do what they knew they really didn't want to do? Might those babies now be dead, flushed away like garbage?

I often hear the argument that the crime rate has decreased in poor areas since abortion was legalized. I have also heard people say that the risk of poverty and terrible lifestyles is increased when these women choose life rather than abortion. All this may be true, particularly if there is not a support network like cities4life that reaches these women with the Gospel, mentorship, and training programs. However, I think what we lose as humanity is far more serious than poverty. If we fall prey to the notion that human life is disposable at any age, every human being is at risk of being marginalized by some group. Either life is sacred, or it is not.

Instead, three women are hopeful, and about to embark on a journey that I pray leads them straight into the grace and mercy of God.

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To learn more about this frontline ministry, go to cities4life.org or contact Lisa Metzger at lisametzger@cities4life.org
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Esther 4:14

For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Romans 6:16 

Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Matthew 7:21 

“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.

James 1:22

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Joshua 1:8 

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

1 Peter 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

1 Peter 3:18 NIV