Joy and Peace in Believing

Hope you come visit my guest post over at baaaaa.com. Here's a snipet:

Joy and Peace in Believing

On all my Christmas cards last year I wrote: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing…” (Romans 15:13).  This passage has special meaning to me right now as my teenage daughter struggles with the hard questions of faith. Recently after youth group, she asked me

• How do you really know there is a God? 
•  How do you know Christianity is the right faith? I don’t want to die and find out I picked the wrong one. 
•  Was Jesus a real person? How do you know for sure? 
•  Is it documented anywhere besides the Bible that Jesus did miracles?  

  
To read the rest, click here.

Muddy Slush - A Poem

by Dawn M. Hamsher

Like muddy slush upon the road
before the plow has even showed
my life gets pushed by many treads
splashing, spattering, I spread
till I am scattered on the ground
cold and lonely, I lay unsound

This week has been just like that slush
I struggle under weightful crush
problems, misunderstandings, stress
things I'm struggling to address
I cannot do it on my own
I need to take it to the throne

I look beyond the dirty street
pure white sidewalks seem to greet
contrasting with the filth and grime
reminding me that it is time 
to take my troubles up above
for God to handle with His love

I lay my prayers out one by one
messy piles by the time I'm done
but God is faithful, kind, and just
He offers to take all I entrust
and to the grimy slush I bestow?
He'll turn it all as white as snow


"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool". Isaiah 1:18

Get Organized!

Last Saturday, I attended an writing organizational workshop with three 1st Writes' friends. We drove to the Lancaster Christian Writers group and heard Linda Lawmaster Hess talk about organization.  

Linda spoke of different styles. 

I am a "Need to be busy" person who "drops stuff and runs". My piles need put away. I was going to post a photo of my writing desk, but thought it would scare you away, so instead let me describe it to you.

The skinny wooden desk bends under the weight of piles of papers and books. An abandoned manuscript and editing binder lurk under the pile. A half-written comic book from taking an art class sits with colored pencils waiting to be finished. Old lesson plans for writing group are scattered everywhere. Mail and bills (oops, I forgot to pay this one!) poke out from the pile. A sewing pin cushion also decorates the space. 

As writers, we need to keep our space organized so we can find things easily. This will encourage us to write. No one wants to sit down at a desk that has no available space. 

The way to organize is up to you. Some people might like clear plastic tubs with lids. Others prefer accordion files or filing cabinets. Some need to have their items out to be seen, but just need to organize the place they go in. Whatever works for you is great, just do it!

Tips:

• label everything 
• cut empty shoe or food boxes down to use inside drawers (keeps everything in place)
• handle clutter immediately (don't let mail pile up)
• invite friends over frequently (this will give you a reason to tidy up)

Do you have problems with organization?
Do you have any great organizational tips? I'd love to hear them! 

Photo by Dawn M. Hamsher, 2013

Pam, Brianna, Virginia, and I stopped off at Isaac's Deli after the workshop to talk about writing and organizing. 

P.S.I highly recommend the "Goonie Bird" sandwich and Pepper Jack Tomato Soup.

 

Free Fonts!

Twelve FREE Fonts for You!

Found this in my bloggy travels today from Shadowhouse Creations.

12 Free Must Have Fonts

Here is a sample of some of the fonts:

1942 Report

Quicksand Dash

Ornatique  

Quicksand Bold 

To use:

1. Go to the link and click on the font name you like.
2. Click "Upload", "Save File", and "OK". 

3. Open your downloads, find the font, double click it, double click it again, and then click "Install".

4. It will now be available in Word.

Daily Opportunities

I wanted to share this short video that I saw over at The Daily Dose. 

We're given opportunities every day. What do you do with them?

"A Thousand Words" Video by Ted Chung

Obedience Training Needed

This is my dog, Barlow.

He used to be obedient.

See Barlow sneak up on the couch.

See Barlow steal socks.

See Barlow snuggle under bed covers.

"Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient..."

Titus 3:1

When Barlow was a puppy, I meticulously trained him to the commands of "sit", "stay", "roll over", "off" (which means do not eat your food until I tell you to), and "go" (eat food now). He was a star pupil!  I could leave the room and he still wouldn't move until I told him to.

Seven years later, he is slacking. He has taken to eating before being told, helping himself to lounge on the couch, and worse of all -- pawing my bed blankets out of the way and snuggling underneath. I am appalled at his behavior, but wait...

What about me? 

Spiritually, I've been just as disobedient. I'm too independent, tending to only seek God when things go wrong. My prayers have been half-hearted snippets as I'm falling asleep. My praises have been half-hearted, as well. Consequently, I haven't felt very close to God lately. I've been a slacker. 

I, like Barlow, need remedial obedience training. 

God, please help me get back on track, to make time for You, for reading the Bible, for prayer. Forgive my disobedience. Amen.


Do you have trouble with obedience in your house (with dogs, children, or God)? 
How do you get back on track?