No Longer

II Corinthians 5: 15 "...and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for him who died and rose again on their behalf." 

We sort of went the wrong way home from Chino Hills tonight, a little longer loop around the city. 

"That's OK, my husband says. We'll drive by the church and say hi!" 

It's Friday night. No one is there. 

We skirt around Peyton from Chino Hills Pkwy. and the property is dark. 

But Ted doesn't miss the opportunity. 





"Hi CVCC. See you on Sunday!"

I just smile and feel the blessing for a time existed when seeing or even stepping inside the church only happened for him on Easter and Christmas, maybe an Awana event. 

No longer.  






I liked reading poetry, great multi-chaptered novels and dabbled in my own rhymes, my own stories. I always took great notes. I kept a journal now and then.  Sometimes, my words spoke back to me and I felt God. 

No one will get this stuff. It's too personal. Maybe I'm just a crazy dreamer. 

"That's OK, the Lord says. Trust me and I'll do wonders."

I type out a few things, create a blog or two and I hit send. I enter a room in a library with other "aspiring writers" opening journals and sharing. I witness an amazing  community with other  "crazy dreamers" and God sits right in the center. 

I just smile and feel a blessing for a time existed when my heart felt heavy and my words messy, tripping along a very uncertain path. 

No longer.  

NO LONGER!   

Thank you Lord for Your Resurrection and mine.  You are NO LONGER dead, but alive in me and through me. Never did You hold anything from me. Your sovereign plan allowed for times when I waited, I prayed, to find hope, and began to trust--a process of story, building up a faith and long-lasting joy in the outcome. No longer do I wonder if You are active in my life for You show Yourself everyday. Thank You, that I know that all things work together for Your glory. You Lord,  turn those "how much longer God?" moments into praises of glory, no longer doubting in Your plan. Help me to keep at it, no longer drifting as if unanchored. Show me everyday the way to press into Your plan in every thought and deed. Amen.  


Reflection for your journal: What is your "no longer?" praise to the Lord.  

Comments and sharing is encouraged.  Thank you.  

No Words

II Corinthians 9:15 "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" 


As a co-leader in a unique ministry called Aspiring Writers' Forum, I anticipated our first class for the 6th season with immense gratitude and a humbling yet confidence-in-God- attitude, more than ever.  You see, my special friend and co-leader gracefully encourages me, reminds me, inspires me and anticipates right along side me. Because of her health issues and other obligations, I am taking on a few more responsibilities in the group. Glad to do it, I never want to see that seat empty next to me. We had over 22 sign-ups and 18 in attendance on Wednesday.

I organized the recruitment, wrote the first week's curriculum, typed up a roster,  corresponded in other e-mails with our ministry pastor,  sent out several e-mails, cleaned out last year's notebook and repacked for this year. I arrived a half hour early to enjoy a coffee and a little dinner, then greeted old friends and newbies to our group.

The first 45 minutes of class proceeded with introductions and business. The time finally arrived to get to the meat of the evening, "the journal question."  I wrote it out on Sunday after church--three days prior.  With everyone writing vigorously, collectively inspired...I sat there...my pen scattering words that didn't gel, didn't have my voice, didn't convey something super spiritual, super devotiony....(Yes, I just made that word up).

I CANNOT HAVE WRITER'S BLOCK IN MY OWN WRITERS' GROUP...ESPECIALLY WHEN I PROPOSED THE QUESTION -- (3 days ago)!

With several brand new writers around the table, we began to share what we wrote and one by one, each piece spoke transparently and truthfully, and the Kleenex box took its active role on our table. Christ, who anchors our souls, and we, the chain on a link attached in grace to Him, unite in purpose. It's a beautiful thing to witness.

The reading is back around and upon me,  and I say..."I PASS."

And it is OK.

It was not stress. It was not lack of inspiration. It was not time. All I had on my heart that night was GRATITUDE.  My scrappy words could not possibly convey all that  brewed inside my head. How in the world do I get to do this...?

That's just it. It's not of this world. It is in a spiritual realm that only He, as a sovereign God,  purposed. I get to do this wonderful thing with twenty or so others spinning out sentences, plucking out prose and beginning blogs, dabbling in devotion writing and navigating through narratives, marching through manuscripts and memoirs--smashing the stereotype that writer's are lonely, troubled, isolated souls.

NOT IN OUR GROUP!

So, thank you Lord, for NOT giving me words at times. Thank You for just listening to my heart. Thank you Lord that the words and encouragement from others anchor me closer to the depths of your will. Thank you Lord for strength, discipline and eyes to see, ears to hear what You want to show me. Thank you Lord for the chains of love You have given to link me to serve You. What a great crew! Bon Voyage!  

It is Still Called "Today"

Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “today,” lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

We all know a “Debbie Downer,” a “Negative Nate.” They only see the struggle, not the strength, the evil, not the good, the sweat and labor, not the finished product, the mistakes, not the chance to try again. They live their life in a pit of discouragement and a raincloud follows them around.

It’s hard to be around these people.

I know there existed a time in my Christian life, I felt that way, probably acted that way.  Overwhelmed, tired, crabby, hopeless.

You know what the problem was? Really? ME! My circumstances were not ideal. People and stuff did not seem to want to cooperate, but the sin of complacency, of idleness and hypocrisy hardened my heart.

The Word stagnated on my desk, no involvement in ministry and accountability, and my prayer life? Well, let just say I needed a major tune-up and then some.

When I thought things couldn’t get worse, I found a spiral notebook, and my journal days began. I dated the pages, and I wrote, and wrote.

TODAY…this happened and that happened…blah, blah, blah.  My journals, a conversation with ME, suddenly started turning into a conversation with HIM. Happening gradually, God began to encourage me in His quiet, loving voice and I began to feel hope again, as my words sought after His Words.

The Holy Spirit, the Great Encourager, longs to massage our attitudes and change our names. When we allow His voice to fill our hearts, listen to His Words to gain wisdom, and ask for His strength to walk a different path in our head, we can be around ourselves again, and bring the overflow within us to become encouragers to others.

Lord, Every day, this world in desperate need to know Your hope God, discouraging things are happening around us every minute.  In this week of graduations and hopeful futures, help me, help Your church, to thwart the deceiver of discouragement. I bow my head and praise You for the Grace of yesterday, the Good things of TODAY, and the HOPE of tomorrow. TODAY God, encourage me, and help me TOMORROW, to pay it forward. To You be the glory, Amen.