tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16292812357477477902024-03-05T04:30:26.003-08:00Sandy Stevener - Mystery WriterSandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-2340374949530790952013-05-12T16:04:00.001-07:002013-05-12T16:04:08.307-07:00The Voice<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXblm5BC_vIQNNevOGBorPjS7symgBeFcSxAmfH8bBXuzbiF0CmcQUmwrACJ5imUOvlfMvjUzg_XoxPMRnlLTvHda1qrUBuBspKyV_o45qHOVG5qI7EXSb8Xsq5dGHCPaz5f1TTCAPVk/s1600/file8911337416902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaXblm5BC_vIQNNevOGBorPjS7symgBeFcSxAmfH8bBXuzbiF0CmcQUmwrACJ5imUOvlfMvjUzg_XoxPMRnlLTvHda1qrUBuBspKyV_o45qHOVG5qI7EXSb8Xsq5dGHCPaz5f1TTCAPVk/s320/file8911337416902.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“Mama, Mama!” the little boy cried as he entered the tent. “Another
shepherd came in and put his sheep in the pen! Now there are a thousand!”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“I don’t think there are a thousand, Aaron,” his mother
gently chastised as she kneaded the bread.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“Well, there are a lot.” Then the boy got a puzzled look on
his face. “How will the shepherd get his sheep back? Won’t they get all mixed
up?”</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JoG5tDPkYPJ-opNE1vGB6ZrbrXMhJ6mKscdxXTk0aClCB2X-GGy1zBlvrXYM4Yj7-8Gyu3Z9PJTT4dsy7s1valiAt_xm2Z0Q1C_B6Ty1XrYQm8pJ1rdghyphenhyphenPonqCtHNwy-RwugUU5yqU/s1600/file000413383400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JoG5tDPkYPJ-opNE1vGB6ZrbrXMhJ6mKscdxXTk0aClCB2X-GGy1zBlvrXYM4Yj7-8Gyu3Z9PJTT4dsy7s1valiAt_xm2Z0Q1C_B6Ty1XrYQm8pJ1rdghyphenhyphenPonqCtHNwy-RwugUU5yqU/s320/file000413383400.jpg" width="313" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“When the shepherd is ready to go, he will come to the
gatekeeper and call his sheep and they will come to him. Only his sheep will
come because they know his voice. The other sheep will ignore him because they
don’t recognize the voice.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“How do they know his voice?”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“They have spent time with him. They have learned to listen
to him. He talks to them and takes care of them and they depend on him to
protect them and care for them. They have built a relationship with him. It is
the same as me and you. When I call your name do you know it is me calling?”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“Yes.” </span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“If Naomi calls you, can you tell the difference?”</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFIku3vm0RZAMeIgWbQ6n2ykbt63uCGG4fN5Wam1V6gUmd5L077tKy3-5Pu1m0r5JqbLqm7GBUR2zaAP25cJBNON4NQ9pqO5BUZDD5Q6KMY0jpfAuewfXy1tmzkzr4b4vEalNNHgHaDM/s1600/file6671253072530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFIku3vm0RZAMeIgWbQ6n2ykbt63uCGG4fN5Wam1V6gUmd5L077tKy3-5Pu1m0r5JqbLqm7GBUR2zaAP25cJBNON4NQ9pqO5BUZDD5Q6KMY0jpfAuewfXy1tmzkzr4b4vEalNNHgHaDM/s320/file6671253072530.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“Yes, she sounds different.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“The sheep know the difference too. If they hear someone
they do not know they will not follow because they do not trust them. They will
wait to hear the voice they trust to lead them.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“Oh,” says the boy. “I’m going to go back and watch the
sheep.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">“Aright, I will call you when supper is ready.”</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"My sheep hear My
voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them,
and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John 10:27-28</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Do you know His voice?</strong></span></div>
Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-43640610465896909952013-05-06T06:16:00.000-07:002013-05-06T06:16:26.950-07:00Mothers – Rejoice or Regret<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGAB-oqpiwEshKAsz0imCvuM-HUaIofUlXmizc7C_SVjcJZgcr9WzpyAqDOvr2y2cJCx1Q0Ze4cZ7UwOC07Mc2mz_wiq0pP6bbplDIVwy3Qqb77Ipu7d5SvVlti-ps8pm8b_fiqJVB78/s1600/file0001971678256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGAB-oqpiwEshKAsz0imCvuM-HUaIofUlXmizc7C_SVjcJZgcr9WzpyAqDOvr2y2cJCx1Q0Ze4cZ7UwOC07Mc2mz_wiq0pP6bbplDIVwy3Qqb77Ipu7d5SvVlti-ps8pm8b_fiqJVB78/s320/file0001971678256.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGAB-oqpiwEshKAsz0imCvuM-HUaIofUlXmizc7C_SVjcJZgcr9WzpyAqDOvr2y2cJCx1Q0Ze4cZ7UwOC07Mc2mz_wiq0pP6bbplDIVwy3Qqb77Ipu7d5SvVlti-ps8pm8b_fiqJVB78/s1600/file0001971678256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGAB-oqpiwEshKAsz0imCvuM-HUaIofUlXmizc7C_SVjcJZgcr9WzpyAqDOvr2y2cJCx1Q0Ze4cZ7UwOC07Mc2mz_wiq0pP6bbplDIVwy3Qqb77Ipu7d5SvVlti-ps8pm8b_fiqJVB78/s1600/file0001971678256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGAB-oqpiwEshKAsz0imCvuM-HUaIofUlXmizc7C_SVjcJZgcr9WzpyAqDOvr2y2cJCx1Q0Ze4cZ7UwOC07Mc2mz_wiq0pP6bbplDIVwy3Qqb77Ipu7d5SvVlti-ps8pm8b_fiqJVB78/s1600/file0001971678256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><h3>
</h3>
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGAB-oqpiwEshKAsz0imCvuM-HUaIofUlXmizc7C_SVjcJZgcr9WzpyAqDOvr2y2cJCx1Q0Ze4cZ7UwOC07Mc2mz_wiq0pP6bbplDIVwy3Qqb77Ipu7d5SvVlti-ps8pm8b_fiqJVB78/s1600/file0001971678256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGAB-oqpiwEshKAsz0imCvuM-HUaIofUlXmizc7C_SVjcJZgcr9WzpyAqDOvr2y2cJCx1Q0Ze4cZ7UwOC07Mc2mz_wiq0pP6bbplDIVwy3Qqb77Ipu7d5SvVlti-ps8pm8b_fiqJVB78/s1600/file0001971678256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>Mother’s Day brings different emotions to different people. </strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have a great mother like I have, you like Mother’s Day and the
opportunity to thank her for her influence in your life. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But many don’t have
fond memories of their mother. Many had unhappy childhoods full of neglect and
harsh words. How do you thank a mother who was cruel?</span></span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7-YHlii0jA61H5fUjH62vV0acanOgBep71iUBWBLHt7V_eViu_0qm7MWx90iMF1wO7_7LMQrWzDA1iU8cPJMn39904hKLfI8EK2KAbflC5mfg-kO48Rm0Fp8nYoRCBOYFSxk5d5p7wA/s1600/file6461281015948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7-YHlii0jA61H5fUjH62vV0acanOgBep71iUBWBLHt7V_eViu_0qm7MWx90iMF1wO7_7LMQrWzDA1iU8cPJMn39904hKLfI8EK2KAbflC5mfg-kO48Rm0Fp8nYoRCBOYFSxk5d5p7wA/s320/file6461281015948.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For some this day brings back the empty ache of loss: either
of a mother never known or a mother no longer with them. Still others reflect
on their own position as mothers and wish they could have changed the things
they did or didn’t do.</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I look back at the short time I had to influence my boys and
am always filled with regrets. If only I had been the Christian I am now. I
could have taught them to rely on God more, taught them to pray about
everything, to trust Him with every situation. Then they would not be struggling
with so much now. But I wasn’t, I was just a baby Christian, struggling with my
own beliefs. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JzzYswxYv1TtW1v4LMPQ9IGMHDl1PmoYTZaWxGGrDjm43ToXvngw-0o5Cv2SOwc3qP151waDXcle2III57JZn8eX4dJ5PLZo8lsmf274Q1smmdz2-sug9Se43Mr8TTIn7j8dGc6w1Ts/s1600/IMG_2592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JzzYswxYv1TtW1v4LMPQ9IGMHDl1PmoYTZaWxGGrDjm43ToXvngw-0o5Cv2SOwc3qP151waDXcle2III57JZn8eX4dJ5PLZo8lsmf274Q1smmdz2-sug9Se43Mr8TTIn7j8dGc6w1Ts/s1600/IMG_2592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JzzYswxYv1TtW1v4LMPQ9IGMHDl1PmoYTZaWxGGrDjm43ToXvngw-0o5Cv2SOwc3qP151waDXcle2III57JZn8eX4dJ5PLZo8lsmf274Q1smmdz2-sug9Se43Mr8TTIn7j8dGc6w1Ts/s320/IMG_2592.JPG" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">The truth is our walk with the Lord</span>,</strong> while certainly
influenced by our upbringing, <span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>is a walk we must each take alone.</strong></span> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is a
personal relationship with God himself. And like any personal relationship it
can only develop through time, personal time spent together. They must make
their own way in this world and with the Lord. I must accept that what is done
is done and all I can do is be here now.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>We all must deal with memories</strong></span>. Some good and some bad, so
how do we handle them? Someone once said “if” is the biggest word is in the
English language. I must say I agree. How often do we use it to wonder what
could have been or could be? There is some advantage to evaluating the past as
long as we don’t spend too much time wallowing in regret. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my favorite scriptures is 2Corinthians 10:5 </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>We are</i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> destroying speculations and every lofty
thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">we are</span> taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zaFpgHirwENLCv9Lqm-9VYIL2Pe7bwISOXwpLV05ahtvesgxDWhhAB64A6Zwk640tb98zHipEfJOE9Zn-732jhel2I62Uoeruxvlmtt1bqGWDeFYQ7v1YgNyFSLZ7hs2f4bRAN3U1oc/s1600/file7571239907362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zaFpgHirwENLCv9Lqm-9VYIL2Pe7bwISOXwpLV05ahtvesgxDWhhAB64A6Zwk640tb98zHipEfJOE9Zn-732jhel2I62Uoeruxvlmtt1bqGWDeFYQ7v1YgNyFSLZ7hs2f4bRAN3U1oc/s320/file7571239907362.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong> We must take our thoughts captive, control them,
control where they lead us.</strong></span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We cannot control what pops into our minds but we
can control where it takes us.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>We
cannot change what has been, we can however, change what happens from here
forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can make positive changes
that will affect our future and the future of our children and grandchildren. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoR6tngjYLXDQyfQVAxpxc9k3OqayIVp2X-uR6xztmb45dPzkPJ9yugpjqCCAOqT_cvdpa5mwOOn3ZYmv0xGKqu0nJDpff2NCeB7VdMu0RnWAqfv_0dEW6rAaCoGOgVDlqKbH5N-E9jk/s1600/file0001216055275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoR6tngjYLXDQyfQVAxpxc9k3OqayIVp2X-uR6xztmb45dPzkPJ9yugpjqCCAOqT_cvdpa5mwOOn3ZYmv0xGKqu0nJDpff2NCeB7VdMu0RnWAqfv_0dEW6rAaCoGOgVDlqKbH5N-E9jk/s320/file0001216055275.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So if you have great memories of your mother rejoice and be
thankful. If you don’t be thankful that those experiences have made you the
person God intended you to be. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong> God Is Soverign. </strong></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God allows free will, parents have the choice to nurture or
neglect their children. Neglect is never God’s will. We suffer the consequences
of others’ sin as well as our own. We can trust that God can use any
situation to develop our character, make us stronger, and draw us closer to
Him. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Romans 8:28 says: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And
we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love
God, to those who are called according to <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">His</span> purpose. </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Not that
he causes <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all things</i></b> but that He causes <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all things to work together for good</i></b>.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can trust that He is ultimately in
Control.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So if you have great memories of your mother, be thankful.
If you don’t, be thankful that those experiences have given you the opportunity
to see God in a unique and precious way and have made you the person He created
you to be. Rejoice and be glad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;"><strong>What are you thankful for this Mothers Day?</strong></span></div>
Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-86720643532234438292013-04-29T07:17:00.000-07:002013-04-29T07:17:59.357-07:00Weeding Your Garden<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpUYuEtxFaN_SYk-72n17vOnH8v3sYyqUTC7w4CBdIl8_7D3VMHvEk0h-90qUxG7A6BTh2o7s7Go3-uKtbbb7oQ5lGTmkVFWdnGwTDdwU1sEu_86p9nKECuxUxi6KwKbabEXAz0Db_Cc/s1600/my+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpUYuEtxFaN_SYk-72n17vOnH8v3sYyqUTC7w4CBdIl8_7D3VMHvEk0h-90qUxG7A6BTh2o7s7Go3-uKtbbb7oQ5lGTmkVFWdnGwTDdwU1sEu_86p9nKECuxUxi6KwKbabEXAz0Db_Cc/s320/my+garden.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I was cleaning up my flower garden, getting ready for
spring. What a wonderful time of year; clearing out the old dead stuff,
preparing the soil and making way for the new spring growth. It’s a lot of work
but the results are satisfying and uplifting. My garden is all clean and
orderly. All the pesky weeds are gone, the soil is ready and waiting to nourish
the mature plants and bring fourth new life as well, helping them each to achieve
their potential. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Wow! Don’t you wish life could be like that:</span> <span style="font-size: x-large;">all orderly and
clean, free of the pesky weeds of discouragement, regret, and doubt? Don’t you
wish you could spend one afternoon cleaning it up and voila! The soil would be ripe
with nutrients ready to nourish our current talents and ideas and ready to grow
new ones too.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">But alas, my flower garden is much easier to clean up then
the garden of my soul. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP539n0Lcl9FxfqE4sIY5K06qhnq2vYt1TP4O6Y8cxQj8Vsru2xHoGWzS-0ojXIKVwuBiMoxqsdMTFioVGPFbbRSpUiFNtkfxfILNecw6cbyL-UuMLQQFL0vs1kOF6T20wTfEJktSs-VQ/s1600/roots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP539n0Lcl9FxfqE4sIY5K06qhnq2vYt1TP4O6Y8cxQj8Vsru2xHoGWzS-0ojXIKVwuBiMoxqsdMTFioVGPFbbRSpUiFNtkfxfILNecw6cbyL-UuMLQQFL0vs1kOF6T20wTfEJktSs-VQ/s200/roots.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">The weeds of discouragement, doubt and regret have much
deeper roots than the ones in my yard, probably because they’ve been allowed to
flourish for years instead of a few months. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCJ4r43tarFsbR_xUCOsoGFgAYVfggDkf44TjrQK-UKM0MYlnY0T9q4yuTVOX3R0ulkAtB2qBRd7hx7aMT2jx6xhzJnLoa2oFD7dtAO9cVhUMo-rKVWiEkesLwvPIK4hWLpwMHipeYs0/s1600/file0001168214279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCJ4r43tarFsbR_xUCOsoGFgAYVfggDkf44TjrQK-UKM0MYlnY0T9q4yuTVOX3R0ulkAtB2qBRd7hx7aMT2jx6xhzJnLoa2oFD7dtAO9cVhUMo-rKVWiEkesLwvPIK4hWLpwMHipeYs0/s200/file0001168214279.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">And my soil is too dry, it’s been
neglected for far too long, when I’ve been too busy to take time with the Lord
and soak in those all too important nutrients that only He can provide, or I
have been unwilling to do the work to remove those weeds. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>I wonder why it is that we let our lives get so out of control?</strong>
</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Is it because no one can see our soul? Because it’s not on display for all to
see? We can keep it hidden, like a dirty closet, put off the cleaning. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Oh sure,
we clean out some of the weeds occasionally when they really affect our life,
and God brings them to our attention. But do we actively take stock and seek to
keep it orderly and clean? When was the last time we evaluated our priorities?
Decided where each “plant” in our life should be placed? When was the last time
we thought about clearing out some of the business to make room for new growth?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be an overwhelming
task, but like any other task we just need to break it down into smaller
chunks. Just take a small section at a time, organize and clear out some weeds.
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Remembering not to break them off, but to dig them up by the roots and get rid
of them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Letting the Lord help us heal the
resentment, bitterness and fear and make way for new growth and beautiful
flowers! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Only then can we have the beautiful life that we desire.</strong> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">What does your garden look like? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJucQQS4F1faUy8W2PUZic49OpXBOoEq5qqsj-QYUYBT0mYBy90Umf3twE5yTEJ2hMw-CdUACRiML-EFpl2saYXnOyF92_U1gqU7HrYRCjQShtPaw64MxYkWEyQSKBJibcvWdEJbuq0A/s1600/file0001500605184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJucQQS4F1faUy8W2PUZic49OpXBOoEq5qqsj-QYUYBT0mYBy90Umf3twE5yTEJ2hMw-CdUACRiML-EFpl2saYXnOyF92_U1gqU7HrYRCjQShtPaw64MxYkWEyQSKBJibcvWdEJbuq0A/s320/file0001500605184.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"> Like this?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OFfQESP5TOnwe3iU1N_nJsU_Ugth01FoLH9ctFUxvkVPK4KYoXmb9SJcIHoTgff-dAEIi7Criz9Jlxtbslcp-c4U1HpCOjB0aNwEMgWh61iS3P03P-sYzOj6jk6yWJ1bB1KpZXxGfB4/s1600/P1010026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OFfQESP5TOnwe3iU1N_nJsU_Ugth01FoLH9ctFUxvkVPK4KYoXmb9SJcIHoTgff-dAEIi7Criz9Jlxtbslcp-c4U1HpCOjB0aNwEMgWh61iS3P03P-sYzOj6jk6yWJ1bB1KpZXxGfB4/s320/P1010026.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Or like this?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The reality is probably somewhere in-between.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Together, with the Lord’s help and a little effort, we can
all improve the condition of our garden.</span> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">What weeds do you need to
pull up?</span></div>
Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-63563785982000003882013-04-22T15:32:00.000-07:002013-04-22T15:32:53.710-07:00Discouragement and Encouragement<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnFzP88UEbBFlmz6XLA4g24P80lJJykgMQ7xn5hyKLzI70LfPq4FS6tUwiFUrwuweYN4CBwSsrnE_zoXYibvg2-5MKklaG-VnyDyReIgArJ7uPlUqGMKAgyqt6PwUVczNO8TZVjQXiaE/s1600/file0001884795802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></a>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Writing can be a lonely endeavor.</span> </h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnFzP88UEbBFlmz6XLA4g24P80lJJykgMQ7xn5hyKLzI70LfPq4FS6tUwiFUrwuweYN4CBwSsrnE_zoXYibvg2-5MKklaG-VnyDyReIgArJ7uPlUqGMKAgyqt6PwUVczNO8TZVjQXiaE/s1600/file0001884795802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnFzP88UEbBFlmz6XLA4g24P80lJJykgMQ7xn5hyKLzI70LfPq4FS6tUwiFUrwuweYN4CBwSsrnE_zoXYibvg2-5MKklaG-VnyDyReIgArJ7uPlUqGMKAgyqt6PwUVczNO8TZVjQXiaE/s1600/file0001884795802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnFzP88UEbBFlmz6XLA4g24P80lJJykgMQ7xn5hyKLzI70LfPq4FS6tUwiFUrwuweYN4CBwSsrnE_zoXYibvg2-5MKklaG-VnyDyReIgArJ7uPlUqGMKAgyqt6PwUVczNO8TZVjQXiaE/s320/file0001884795802.jpg" width="211" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMnFzP88UEbBFlmz6XLA4g24P80lJJykgMQ7xn5hyKLzI70LfPq4FS6tUwiFUrwuweYN4CBwSsrnE_zoXYibvg2-5MKklaG-VnyDyReIgArJ7uPlUqGMKAgyqt6PwUVczNO8TZVjQXiaE/s1600/file0001884795802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It’s not a team sport with
lots of friends to cheer you on. It’s done in the quietness, the stillness of solitude;
the prefect landscape for the enemy to attack. Discouragement is his most used weapon.
Because as humans we long and need human interaction, the enemy knows that
without it we are vulnerable. So when we are alone with our thoughts, mentally
or possibly even physically as we try to separate ourselves from the business
of life to concentrate on our craft, the enemy is there.</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">What does scripture say?</span> </h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">In 1 Peter – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking
someone to devour. </i>He is waiting, knowing we are vulnerable, and he has his
weapons ready, for the attack. </span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4T8Jp8s8CKHGsrdaxJJ536BE45HB0312uLs7seTfwRM4iH2V9raBQea10Sq51ktsf5Z_UpID4t-RvMNBGqdBi__7cB6E-xuqut-VCnAtBvLrwbV-9vduLjbIhl8IQnePqyPElXJJwCkY/s1600/ID-100159496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4T8Jp8s8CKHGsrdaxJJ536BE45HB0312uLs7seTfwRM4iH2V9raBQea10Sq51ktsf5Z_UpID4t-RvMNBGqdBi__7cB6E-xuqut-VCnAtBvLrwbV-9vduLjbIhl8IQnePqyPElXJJwCkY/s1600/ID-100159496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8skuYARdJ7SD2qG63D-7WMBubTm813j7I653xZU3yNXmB52lfUYAcEBkXrEDBwcFYJLTr_m-8MXk7XKsfBYfcCfTcpZN0kcqHEAPIp-kYNz_70E5x-NCQK7B2ToCNQY5k29kSp2q978/s1600/ID-100159496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8skuYARdJ7SD2qG63D-7WMBubTm813j7I653xZU3yNXmB52lfUYAcEBkXrEDBwcFYJLTr_m-8MXk7XKsfBYfcCfTcpZN0kcqHEAPIp-kYNz_70E5x-NCQK7B2ToCNQY5k29kSp2q978/s320/ID-100159496.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">But take heart, my friend, we have a defense. </span><br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-large;">1 Corinthians 3:16 says </span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>Do you not know that you are a temple of
God and that the Spirit of God
dwells in you? We are never alone, my friend, God is always present.</em></span> </h3>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">When friends don’t understand, when mothers and fathers
scoff, husbands and wives break our hearts with uncaring remarks, when sisters
and brothers tell you to do something “useful”, remember, God has given you
this talent and He has asked you to use it. You must do as He asks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am not saying to be in defiance of the authorities placed
in your life by the Creator, i.e. parents, pastors, husbands, etc; I am saying
that you cannot let discouragement deter you from the calling God has on your
life. As Matthew tells us <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But seek first
His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PcdhFEXM4bh3z7hQzupaa0qvaOnw7JXBRozXcyAhQmqLw5yqJRIi1RSdPf_g2KzMWJYZQ9xAXJWZGju6nLBWKFKNKmC0KFeE-wRjWp4S-EmiFNVGNIkl-WVm2mXPb5gj5JEU-42aPsw/s1600/file0001011949685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</a><span style="font-size: x-large;">There lies the key to it all.</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PcdhFEXM4bh3z7hQzupaa0qvaOnw7JXBRozXcyAhQmqLw5yqJRIi1RSdPf_g2KzMWJYZQ9xAXJWZGju6nLBWKFKNKmC0KFeE-wRjWp4S-EmiFNVGNIkl-WVm2mXPb5gj5JEU-42aPsw/s1600/file0001011949685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PcdhFEXM4bh3z7hQzupaa0qvaOnw7JXBRozXcyAhQmqLw5yqJRIi1RSdPf_g2KzMWJYZQ9xAXJWZGju6nLBWKFKNKmC0KFeE-wRjWp4S-EmiFNVGNIkl-WVm2mXPb5gj5JEU-42aPsw/s320/file0001011949685.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">If we are seeking God daily,
hourly, moment by moment, then He will be so present in our lives that the
enemy will have no foothold to enter in. But all too often we skip that quiet
time with the Lord because we’re too busy. We fill our lives with many things
and don’t have time for Him, and then we’re unprepared when the enemy attacks. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Did we spend time watching TV last night? Did we have time
to read or go to dinner or go shopping? We seem to find time to do the things
we want to do but we can’t find time to spend with the one whom we say we love
more than life itself. Where are our priorities? If we look at our time we will
find them. We will see clearly what we find time for and what we cannot seem to
find time for; this displays our true priorities. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">A scary thought, huh? I sure don’t want to evaluate what I
spend my time on. I don’t want my priorities revealed in the harsh light of
truth; I want to keep them hidden in the business of my life so I can keep up
the facade of excuses. But if I truly want to be strong in the face of
adversity, to stand against the enemy’s attacks, then I have to evaluate my
time and my priorities, then make some tough changes. Someone once said <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">insanity is doing the same thing over and
over and expecting different results</i>. How true. We keep doing the same
things and complain when what we do brings discouragement. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWhQwMQ3F_pOzwKEMiNUpCxC5ZYUuI9yNGqcO2Adj5X_RxScG0MsXOah6t1XWFCBeHaV4sQ6JLQ68nVT2lJ3cSOn95JMVQLW97LuF_adCertWyxCHjxErwLALxKSDCYstPG10lOWiPys/s1600/ID-10067174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWhQwMQ3F_pOzwKEMiNUpCxC5ZYUuI9yNGqcO2Adj5X_RxScG0MsXOah6t1XWFCBeHaV4sQ6JLQ68nVT2lJ3cSOn95JMVQLW97LuF_adCertWyxCHjxErwLALxKSDCYstPG10lOWiPys/s1600/ID-10067174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><h3>
</h3>
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6QSB6OOntnnCX-dPwJdKR3tGLEiGQyBNx2X08vcmPPzGll29tA56SBLoXNu4H7kF0_SKA3150qLTcJXmhafEZhosETUYHyuT85m3f2g6S9Dg34_Pyvd3O0uL-3qwVo7VOufnlNocbJ4/s1600/ID-10067174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span> </h3>
</a><span style="font-size: x-large;">Well, we all know the answer to the problem: we can choose
to ignore it or we can act on it.</span> <br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWhQwMQ3F_pOzwKEMiNUpCxC5ZYUuI9yNGqcO2Adj5X_RxScG0MsXOah6t1XWFCBeHaV4sQ6JLQ68nVT2lJ3cSOn95JMVQLW97LuF_adCertWyxCHjxErwLALxKSDCYstPG10lOWiPys/s1600/ID-10067174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWhQwMQ3F_pOzwKEMiNUpCxC5ZYUuI9yNGqcO2Adj5X_RxScG0MsXOah6t1XWFCBeHaV4sQ6JLQ68nVT2lJ3cSOn95JMVQLW97LuF_adCertWyxCHjxErwLALxKSDCYstPG10lOWiPys/s200/ID-10067174.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">
</span></h3>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span> </h3>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">What will your choice be? </span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Which road will you choose?</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If we want to be
strong writers, <span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">or
whatever He has called us to be,</span> we must first seek the counsel</span> <span style="font-size: large;">of the wisest of all, the Great
Encourager, The Author and Perfector of our Faith.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Have you faced discouragement this week? </span></h3>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">What are you going
to do about it?</span></h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Images courtesy of digidreamgrafix & Stuart Miles @</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">FreeDigitalPhotos.net</span></div>
Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-56109893551618557202013-04-06T15:37:00.000-07:002013-04-06T15:37:41.946-07:00Expectations
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why do you open the
door only to slam it in my face?</i> I yanked up more weeds. </span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbHeynQg5m5cP9T6u2rO_ooGPu7iGlXLx_5ACoptH-jDBno9XWyvqnguPb8wpD44Wgl8MwxD9aXLPdO19tJRPIGJPqkcFsornDivL7V9aiKwkgdKoaUOxaErxnc38WjcVr8xSp1APjec/s1600/weeding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbHeynQg5m5cP9T6u2rO_ooGPu7iGlXLx_5ACoptH-jDBno9XWyvqnguPb8wpD44Wgl8MwxD9aXLPdO19tJRPIGJPqkcFsornDivL7V9aiKwkgdKoaUOxaErxnc38WjcVr8xSp1APjec/s1600/weeding.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuueafZe27oLfnpX2ABx1DLGQNosOiX0_BaDailViLPNJR6XGcf7gS0iBJA2DZDCbcV07vgyIEgywSlWNfdduuDc2l_vHTaEBe-v-nYKHbSbg0QAILX1-TeQxz1OmJlIX3VQ4IEYTNuY0/s1600/weeding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I don’t understand.</i>
Dirt flew. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When I saw her name on
that blog after reading the article saying she was accepting submissions, I
thought it was a sign from you.</i> My cat scurried away after a dirt clod hit
him in the face. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why was I rejected
again?</i> I tossed the pile of weeds into the box and moved down a few feet. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Slowly
my anger and disappointment began to subside. I pulled more weeds as I continued
my conversation with God. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">It had to be from you,
didn’t it?</i> As my anger slowly faded His voice began to come through. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Was that the direction
I told you to go?</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No. I know I was
supposed to write another story and submit it elsewhere, and no, I didn’t do
that but…</i> I stopped. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But what?</i> I
asked myself. I’d just been reading in Genesis where Jacob had settled in
Shechem instead of returning to Bethel as he had promised God. I saw that Jacob’s
delayed obedience had cost him and his family dearly and here I was doing the
same thing. I didn’t want to do what God had told me. I wanted to rely on the
work I had already done to be published; I didn’t want to do more work. I was
doing the same thing that Jacob had done. Even though God had blessed Jacob
tremendously, still Jacob did not follow God’s plans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Often we will do what we want and expect God to bless it. We
seek and look for “signs” that point to what we want and then are disappointed when
they don’t work out. All the while our heavenly Father is right there holding
the blessing He has for us, waiting patiently for our obedience. How long will
I make Him wait?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
Was there a time when you expected God to bless your plans?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-60324858921976010302012-10-29T11:10:00.000-07:002013-03-25T11:11:45.756-07:00My First Official Published Work<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqbsI9lIPWhEd320fNPPxkPGR0Qeg13DujR0KOAsjxdXr7UAoKhDcwLUH1rYyRcUhAw0JP154_AT1Z36tIR3zBHfa5RA__KEtf9p5jQQdYMnk8jsrIRG9Iwz9Gdq-5EOLZzvB0WomtB8/s1600/Img_1893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqbsI9lIPWhEd320fNPPxkPGR0Qeg13DujR0KOAsjxdXr7UAoKhDcwLUH1rYyRcUhAw0JP154_AT1Z36tIR3zBHfa5RA__KEtf9p5jQQdYMnk8jsrIRG9Iwz9Gdq-5EOLZzvB0WomtB8/s320/Img_1893.jpg" /></a>So here it is folks my first official published work! <br />
<br />
Not what I thought it would be. But isn’t that usually how life is? What we think will happen, what we are expecting is rarely how it turns out. God says in his word "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8. <br />
<br />
My life is in His hands and He is faithful to me as I am faithful to Him. He has given me this gift of writing and as I am faithful to use it as He directs me He is faithful to me. I am published. A dream that I have hidden away for over ten years had come true. It did not come true in the way that I had dreamed, yet this is only the beginning, He is still teaching me to be faithful. He is still leading me down a path of discipline. As I walk with Him and follow His plan for my life He rewards my faithfulness with the desires of my heart. What a great God we serve. That He would give me such a precious gift. He does not need to give me this gift. He has already given me so much; such a wonderful life, such a wonderful family. Yet in his immeasurable abundance and grace He desires to give me more, to give me the desires of my heart. What great love He has for me and for you.
<br />
<br />
I wonder how often we miss out on those things we desire because we don’t peruse them. So many times I’ve put away my desire to write. Saying it’s trivial, it has no real value in the Kingdom. Was He all the while waiting patiently for me to use the talent He had given me? Waiting to reward my efforts with the gift of my dreams? How often do we not see his great abundance because we do not ask? We do not dare to dream? He is our father, our loving father who longs to give us good gifts. What are the dreams that you long to pursue? God has made us in His image. He is a dreamer too.
Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-71820343911725069602012-04-17T13:06:00.003-07:002012-04-17T13:18:09.888-07:00Another ChoiceHello friends, once again I need your help. Vote for your favorite "pitch". which one would make you pick up this book?<br /><br />1.) A hired killer decides to turn his next hit into an elaborate game targeting eleven people and leading local detectives on a wild goose chase. <br /><br /> When one of his victims narrowly escapes, he’s faced with something he’s not accustomed to, his own failure. The voice tells him it’s time to cut and run but his ego won’t let him leave until the game is finished. <br /><br /> The suspense mounts as the killer becomes more unstable and detectives get closer. It all comes to a head in a building rigged to explode, and only the fiery conclusion will reveal who lives and who dies.<br /><br /><br />2.) Gage Maverick has three dead bodies. The killer is careful, using fire to cleanse each scene of clues. The only connection is the package each victim received. What does the strange content reveal? Can he figure out the irrational clues before someone else dies? <br /><br /> Jenny Malone opens her mail only to discover a bizarre package that will transform her simple ordered life into one of terror, disillusionment and murder. She must find an inner strength she never knew she possessed, but will it be enough? Will she survive?<br /><br /><br /><br />3.) A hired killer decides to turn his next hit into an elaborate game targeting eleven people and leading detectives Gage Maverick and Sam Lark on a wild goose chase. <br /> <br /> When Jenny Malone narrowly escapes his attack, he’s faced with something he’s not accustomed to, failure. The voice tells him it’s time to cut and run but his ego won’t let him leave until the game is finished. <br /><br /> The suspense mounts as the killer becomes more unstable and detectives get closer. It all comes to a head in a building rigged to explode, and only the fiery conclusion will reveal who lives and who dies.<br /><br /><br />4.) It was a day just like any other day. A package in the mail, an envelope with no return address that sits in a pile with the rest of the days correspondence. How could she know that this unassuming envelope with its bizarre assortment of papers would transform her life in a matter of days?<br /><br /> How could she know that this package would put her in the cross hairs of a deranged killer? That this package would propel her into a world where she had no experience. A world where nothing is at it should be. A world of terror, disillusionment and murder.<br /> <br /> This package would give her the opportunity to find an inner strength that she never knew she possessed. But would it be enough? Could she survive?Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-9571734840285617132012-03-05T10:06:00.008-08:002012-03-05T10:35:36.573-08:00A Better PersonI just got home from the Florida Christian Writers Conference and all I can say is WOW!<br /><br />What an incredible experience. My head is spinning from all the incredible information, and my heart is about to explode from all the wonderful new friends I found. I realized that I have a long way to go but was encouraged by so many great people to keep on going. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4DtA3xBPw84KEqlga0oGRqmd4ytLSZ6SNx3zIh77W7aGYo0-7YK7GvEOoLjLos1MNoY9XZG41thL5fSt1p_It9AYARuGepopGdTbrBaAkWjvh91zcSvEMdUmA18dV2NWPoUECu86Oqg/s1600/Ginny+and+me.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4DtA3xBPw84KEqlga0oGRqmd4ytLSZ6SNx3zIh77W7aGYo0-7YK7GvEOoLjLos1MNoY9XZG41thL5fSt1p_It9AYARuGepopGdTbrBaAkWjvh91zcSvEMdUmA18dV2NWPoUECu86Oqg/s200/Ginny+and+me.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716481518802475250" /></a><br />Author Virginia Smith taught a class on Fabulous Fiction that was, well, fabulous! She poured into us all she could of what she has learned over the years about being a successful author. It will take me weeks, months, maybe even years to work though and apply all that I learned. I can say that one of my favorite authors is now one of my friends, that alone was worth the trip. Thank you Ginny!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1m6YniJoBUmQt3cdboNN2EgF4c9IgTtrVZHpYGwDQOMydle9ZOx19TLjmgMeE9dUL3kRKjHlRh28kso-SqxtRZsdVJPSuisoDmNUfmE1WKiUSvB-8btwt4aSbQe-rSMYgXSsxDqj3hQ/s1600/Cec+and+me.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1m6YniJoBUmQt3cdboNN2EgF4c9IgTtrVZHpYGwDQOMydle9ZOx19TLjmgMeE9dUL3kRKjHlRh28kso-SqxtRZsdVJPSuisoDmNUfmE1WKiUSvB-8btwt4aSbQe-rSMYgXSsxDqj3hQ/s200/Cec+and+me.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716481741221571682" /></a><br />What a great speaker Cecil Murphey is. God has blessed him with an unlimited supply of encouragement not just for writers, but for people. His words brought wisdom as well as encouragement. I feel that I left there a better person than when I got there and isn’t that what we all strive for? As Christians we realize that we can never be the best, we can only be better today than we were yesterday.<br /><br />If you have a chance to attend a writers conference do it.<br /><br />This was my first but it will not be my last. I learned so much is such a short period of time it was almost overwhelming. <br /><br />I have already marked my calendar for next year.Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-85212912946673350412012-02-27T06:39:00.000-08:002012-02-27T06:40:09.183-08:00The Votes Are InHere’s the tally <br /><br />#2 wins with 8 votes <br />#3 fell behind with only 4 votes. <br /><br />Thank you everyone for participating. <br /><br />I’ll let you know how the Conference went.Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-19147962487690834032012-02-21T17:25:00.000-08:002012-02-21T17:28:04.893-08:00Vote for your favoriteHey friends I need some help. I need a 'pitch' for my new book Gone Missing. Here are four options pick which one you would buy.<br /><br />1.) A picturesque little town at the base of the mountains seems so perfect.<br />When a young mother mysteriously goes missing, the pursuit of the truth will crack Its carefully constructed façade and reveal what lies beneath; a sinister web of deceit and betrayal that will rock the sleepy little town to its very foundation.<br /><br />2.) The quaint little town of Jasper seems the perfect place for Ana Holms to finish her novel. When a young mother goes missing, Ana’s offer to help with the children turns out to be more than she bargained for. She quickly finds herself embroiled in a dangerous investigation that will crack the facade of this sleepy little town and reveal a sinister web of deceit and betrayal.<br /><br />3.) The quaint little town of Jasper seems the perfect place for Ana Holms to finish her novel. When Devin Rylan is called home to help find his missing sister, the two of them soon find themselves tangled in a dangerous web of drugs and corruption and the only way out may cost them everything.<br /><br />4.) Ana Holms and Devin Rylan are looking for his missing sister, but what they uncover is far more dangerous than either could have expected. The ensuing investigation will reveal far more that the whereabouts of the woman.Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-38593818546079802982012-02-15T14:28:00.000-08:002012-02-15T14:33:03.434-08:00Presence<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKShMBcfeRDcpcsJAIXckt9OhohWu2L5dSjxHwmqpIiQhL9FcjrM4D1_VHiEDlii41Ckmlnrp-RKvOk8Wbd0frsH_N3Dke3JNt7P1e7Ef8a0ur9k04CiLN7yrc_tQwMJrGHnGvs83IVns/s1600/humidity.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKShMBcfeRDcpcsJAIXckt9OhohWu2L5dSjxHwmqpIiQhL9FcjrM4D1_VHiEDlii41Ckmlnrp-RKvOk8Wbd0frsH_N3Dke3JNt7P1e7Ef8a0ur9k04CiLN7yrc_tQwMJrGHnGvs83IVns/s200/humidity.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709493928923095890" /></a><br />The other day it was dreary outside, not uncommon for this time of year. It must have been 100% humidity, it wasn’t actually raining, but the air was so saturated with moisture that when you passed through it you got wet. <br /><br />It got me thinking; wouldn’t it be great if our lives were like that? If God’s presence so permeated our lives that whoever passed though them; whether by our words or our presence, that they would be covered with the love of Christ? How much more would our written words do, if we were so filled with God that it poured out with our words? How many hurts could be healed, bruised eased and souls filled with joy and laughter? <br /><br />So often we get busy and put-off our quiet time with God. We use the excuses of the world: we have too much to do. People are counting on us. We have a deadline to meet. We can’t get up early to spend time with God because we need our sleep. We are too tired, have too many responsibilities. <br />As writers I believe it is even more important to spend time with God. When we write we are pouring out what is inside of us. It needs to be re-filled. I have to intentionally re-fill my soul with God and not the world, so that when someone passes through my world they will get some Jesus all over them.<br /><br />What part of your life do you need to fill with God?Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-20186587257639656432012-01-21T09:03:00.000-08:002012-01-21T09:42:36.173-08:00Taking Our Thoughts Captive<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAPiQsYS_MJqbdXm8fVqnMKK4xxVaSjpOGwWX-6OtinDI9WaJACpwWuLAelVVI9Nlrudir6p4V1gUWcDf4RPHc-f9VelJV2Fr6vP2JeKk0MkwNk102_kEOoSivkomNg1oJBNRx26gV1A/s1600/thought.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAPiQsYS_MJqbdXm8fVqnMKK4xxVaSjpOGwWX-6OtinDI9WaJACpwWuLAelVVI9Nlrudir6p4V1gUWcDf4RPHc-f9VelJV2Fr6vP2JeKk0MkwNk102_kEOoSivkomNg1oJBNRx26gV1A/s200/thought.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700140649443885330" /></a><br />Recently a verse caught my attention…<br /><br /><br /><em>We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and <strong>we are taking every thought captive</strong> to the obedience of Christ,</em> - 2 Corinthians 10:5<br /><br /><br />I thought <em>How can we take every thought captive?</em> Apparently there is power in this action. We cannot control the thoughts that “pop” into our heads, but we can control what we do with them. We take a thought and follow it into a line of thinking, but where does that thinking lead? It can lead us to one of two places: it can lead us to the foot of the cross (drawing us closer to God) or it can lead us to the trash-heap of life (I heard that term once and really liked it – isn’t that what life feels like sometimes, a trash heap?).<br /><br />It is up to us. So before we follow a thought, we first need to decide what direction we are going to let it take us. Is it going to help us heal, help us understand ourselves or others, help us realize the need for a savior? Or is it going to lead us down a path of self destruction, depression, and helplessness? We choose what direction it will take us. How? We take the thought captive and we make it take us toward the cross. We have the control and the power because Christ is in us, it’s His power and He will lead us if we let Him.<br /><br />What thoughts do you need to take captive today?Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-68838783267836453202012-01-13T12:15:00.000-08:002012-01-13T12:17:36.022-08:00An Exciting LifeToday I got my first post published. How exciting. For years I have been writing and hoping that one day I could be a published writer. I write fiction. This last year the Lord has given me some little nuggets of insight and provided an avenue to share them with others. Today seeing my words published on a Magazine’s blog was uplifting to say the least.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcelaQ03cHjBN0qv-yTYLXz9x0j6bWVE47jWuY1XtlNDD3NGSIigbPT1Ez6Ho0OBqHDJiNtHYV-2K8IzPNVuVszV9leJ-16FW4PnDKT8h6pkGI2CrxDedWa6o6toXo4WOrAugg2zYd-c/s1600/2012.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcelaQ03cHjBN0qv-yTYLXz9x0j6bWVE47jWuY1XtlNDD3NGSIigbPT1Ez6Ho0OBqHDJiNtHYV-2K8IzPNVuVszV9leJ-16FW4PnDKT8h6pkGI2CrxDedWa6o6toXo4WOrAugg2zYd-c/s320/2012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697213155850246178" /></a><br />I am looking forward to 2012. I have a feeling that it is going to be a great year; but then again every year with the Lord is a great year. Today was just a glimpse of the possibility that my dreams of being a writer might come true, but let’s not get the cart before the horse.<br /><br />I have been working hard toward this goal, off and on, for many years. Nothing worth having is easy. The Lord has taught me that if I just do the best I can do, He will provide the rest.<br /><br />For many years I was in a sales field and attended, what felt like hundreds of seminars on how to be successful. Their focus was on worldly success, which is not a bad thing, but through many trials and errors I learned that my success was in the Lord’s hands. He taught me to concentrate on what is important, my clients, and do the very best job I could do and He would handle the rest. I became successful and with that success was the assurance that I was doing it His way not mine.<br /><br />So this has become my life’s philosophy, to do the very best I can at whatever I am involved in and leave the rest up to Him. Not only is it more profitable, but it’s much less stressful.Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-58350992618583031052012-01-09T09:23:00.000-08:002012-01-09T09:45:55.983-08:00A New Year<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThsqa_cZjaoW7f1wuG7gDIbKqylbPsTLyzjIS3AB1EHfFbkSoGO1O2Yj4Bw6XtMaTXCNH9bgQOYLCHgsQYTbYi7_Szd0ILW1Te8yFG1gBa0N9CvJzD_O4TPaUH22u7j3vlskuVYZrGaM/s1600/writing.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThsqa_cZjaoW7f1wuG7gDIbKqylbPsTLyzjIS3AB1EHfFbkSoGO1O2Yj4Bw6XtMaTXCNH9bgQOYLCHgsQYTbYi7_Szd0ILW1Te8yFG1gBa0N9CvJzD_O4TPaUH22u7j3vlskuVYZrGaM/s320/writing.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5695689857110397122" /></a><br />I have started blogging this year and am finding it a daunting adventure. I am a mystery/suspense writer, so I’m generally lost in a world of my own creation. Even when I am not in my imaginary world, I tend to be quiet, more comfortable observing than participating. <br /><br />The Lord gives me profound insights but not on a daily basis. Maybe He gives me more insights than I realize, and I just need to be more open to His leading. So my quest is to pay more attention to what He is trying to show me.<br />I have joined a few writers’ groups this year and have met some great people who I hope will become great friends.<br /><br />I am going to my first Writer Conference in March. I am so excited at the prospect of meeting people in the literary profession. I am sure that the Lord will connect me with some great people.<br /><br />I’m going to concentrate on my writing more this year, not quite a “New Year’s Resolution”, (I believe those to be a recipe for failure.) but a goal. We all need goals in our lives to strive toward weather we succeed or not, it’s the journey that counts. Along the road is where God can mold us and direct our paths, if we are not moving how can He direct our path?<br /><br />And so my new adventure begins. I know from past experience that the following His leading is always and adventure; sometimes scary, sometimes fun, sometimes full of discovery and wonder, sometimes solemn and reflective, but ALWAYS an adventure. So here’s to 2012 let the adventure begin!<br /><br />What adventure are you participating in this year?Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-19253131243145540972011-12-07T12:32:00.000-08:002012-01-04T14:09:42.400-08:00Welcome to my blog<span style="color: rgb(31, 24, 40);"><span style="font-family:georgia;">As an aspiring writer it has become clear that I need a blog. I need to enter the social media world we all now live in. So here I go. Just a quick warning : this is a new adventure for me so I make no promises to be entertaining or even thought provoking.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">My first thought as I enter into this new adventure is why would anyone want to hear the random musings of my slightly twisted mind? Possibly there are some slightly twisted minds that can relate or it could just be a huge waste of time. But nothing ventured nothing gained.</span><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_-npq-h-Rzqi-gd4PtuV9m6Fd1AFneJcnI-Xhl7-7VNunl_ZElSY8nAyHvtr947fewd-1SifT-oN1WOVtEAbbxDjZyFjBNdl3OnJipqypXP-Q4TnE4URozzwF2Gxe4QSsU-VkYovRJM/s1600/DSC_0289.jpg"><span style="color: rgb(31, 24, 40);"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; float: right;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683516443027989970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_-npq-h-Rzqi-gd4PtuV9m6Fd1AFneJcnI-Xhl7-7VNunl_ZElSY8nAyHvtr947fewd-1SifT-oN1WOVtEAbbxDjZyFjBNdl3OnJipqypXP-Q4TnE4URozzwF2Gxe4QSsU-VkYovRJM/s320/DSC_0289.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color: rgb(31, 24, 40);"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I woke up today to a beautiful scene, it was snowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The clean crisp white snow falling gracefully from the sky and attaching itself to whatever it comes in contact with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to run some errands so I was driving and have some difficulty keeping my eyes on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The contrast between the white snow and the dark bark of the trees was enchanting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like living in a Thomas Kinkade painting. </span><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1-uxvLYmWAoGEfDkHuJbSdD1Se0jwxy_2s3ROOnTex5qOmMADYAI2yDl8yceFga5oc6U95aRVvZqapGZvJhczEFYCEU_MTj3lwDWLFVjAiM7Es8iR82W-Wjf8-1U4oUyujF3McbUj78/s1600/DSC_0287.jpg"><span style="color: rgb(31, 24, 40);"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 311px; height: 250px; float: left;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683514187276227826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1-uxvLYmWAoGEfDkHuJbSdD1Se0jwxy_2s3ROOnTex5qOmMADYAI2yDl8yceFga5oc6U95aRVvZqapGZvJhczEFYCEU_MTj3lwDWLFVjAiM7Es8iR82W-Wjf8-1U4oUyujF3McbUj78/s320/DSC_0287.jpg" /></span></a><span style="color: rgb(31, 24, 40);"><span style="font-family:georgia;">When the car in front of me skidded a bit on the wet pavement I realized that beneath this enchanting scene lies a treacherous reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am warm and dry in my car so I am able to view the scene with wonder and appreciation, but what if I wasn’t in my car?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if I was homeless?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then my view would not be so enchanting. This side of heaven there will never be pure beauty, this earthly beauty must always be accompanied by stark reality.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Today I choose to live in my make-believe world where beauty exists without reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have the ability to see only what I want to see, however ridiculous that sounds, sometimes it’s the only way we can face the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I will enjoy the wonder and beauty of the snow and choose to not look any deeper.</span></span>Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-38792607800404357902011-11-13T09:00:00.000-08:002012-01-04T14:11:04.430-08:00God Uses Our Mediocrity<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#1f1828;">Today I saw a picture on Face book; it was of a child in Paraguay receiving a quilt. My heart leapt with joy and God used it to teach me another life lesson.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPrG03smypLnPfZvZdhvmPtrTXwo3a6NvRJ8josTPamkdbgytr1EWo8QRBY6lz6XXMPVIflMJVHx_XpcI_uxWGP-cSvFneBLKHtUqPh3P87rLzpXAfUH5cS9lXc1f_tDIAODEnl9VJTo/s1600/recieving.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#1f1828;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683786893982283890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPrG03smypLnPfZvZdhvmPtrTXwo3a6NvRJ8josTPamkdbgytr1EWo8QRBY6lz6XXMPVIflMJVHx_XpcI_uxWGP-cSvFneBLKHtUqPh3P87rLzpXAfUH5cS9lXc1f_tDIAODEnl9VJTo/s320/recieving.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#1f1828;">Last summer I was in Paraguay on a mission trip. One of the pastors we were working with took us to a children’s home that he works with. As we toured the facility and interacted with the children I thought: What can we do to help? When I got back home I started a group at church to make quilts for the children. I’m not an experienced quilter; I had only made a couple of very simple quilts. We took in donations of fabric and dove right in! That is my personality, when I get an idea, I don’t research options or even think through the consequences, I just jump right in and deal with the fall-out later. Not generally a good tendency but occasionally God uses it to His advantage.<br /><br />Last week our merry little band of quilters went to a quilt show. We were feeling pretty good about ourselves. We had just sent eight quilts to the children’s home in Paraguay. We were accomplished quilters! Once we entered the show it only took a few minutes for my bubble to burst. I suddenly felt like a little girl holding a drawing behind her back because she had just ran up to the front of the class to show her teacher and saw that the drawings of the girls in front of her were much better than hers.<br /><br />These women were REAL quilters, we were just mediocre. We weren’t in the same league as these women; I’m not even sure we were playing the same sport! I felt alternately awed and deflated as I ogled the incredible creativity on display. Over the next few days the feeling didn’t subside, it settled in a little deeper. Until today. Today I saw the face of a child who had received one of our mediocre quilts. What that child’s face reflected was not mediocrity, it was pure joy.<br /><br />I dream of being an author. I dream of what it would feel like to be on the best seller list or at a book signing. I think my writing is pretty good until I pick up a James Patterson or Nora Roberts novel and realize how mediocre my writing is in comparison. Then I think this is stupid, I’m just wasting my time pretending to be a writer.<br /><br />Today God showed me once again that when I take my eyes off of Him and begin to compare myself to others I will always be disappointed. He reminded me that He has never asked me to be James Patterson, or an expert quilter; He has only asked me to use the talents He has given me to do the best I can to show His love to the world around me. God has used my mediocrity to comfort children who have been battered and bruised by life.<br /><br />Although I don’t know what it would feel like to be an award winning author, I’m pretty sure it would pale in comparison to the feeling of knowing that you made a child smile.<br /><br />What lessons has God taught you when comparing yourself to others?</span>Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-31102123753680062552011-05-18T08:33:00.000-07:002012-01-04T14:12:07.878-08:00The Trap<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#1f1828;">A few months ago we (my husband and I) spoke at church about being missionaries to Central and South America. Afterward several people came to us to express how excited they were about what we were doing and how much they admired us for our commitment. </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#1f1828;">Since that time I have thought about these looks of admiration, and wonder if so many people seem to view me as some kind of super Christian. Do they see me in a white robe with a halo or what? I wondered why that bothered me so much. Don’t we all strive for the approval of our peers? Shouldn’t I be basking in the glory? Patting myself on the back? But I knew that I was not here because of anything I did. I felt like a hypocrite; still hiding behind a mask. I didn’t intend to wear a mask, but in reality we all do. We hide what’s really happening in our lives behind the mask of what we think we should be, what we’ve been told we should be or just what we wish we could be. It’s the trap.</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#1f1828;">I realized once again that I had fallen into the trap, the same trap I’d fallen into so many times before. The trap that says I am not worthy. The little voice that says if they knew the real you they wouldn’t look at you with admiration they would look at you with distain. The voice that says if you don’t keep up the facade, keep on the mask, they won’t accept you. You won't let you be part of them.</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#1f1828;">Don’t you wonder how many times God is thinking “How many times do you have to tell you?”</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#1f1828;">I know that in His eyes I am worthy, not because of what I've done but because of what He has done. Because of the blood of Christ, God sees me in His righteousness. The trap is a lie and it gets me every time. But this time, just like the last, it’s a little easier to get out. </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#1f1828;">I realized that my mask is not hiding my unworthiness it is hiding His glory. If I don’t tell them my story, the real story, they won’t see how far God has brought me. They won’t see how much He had to overcome to get me to this place. How it had nothing to do with what I had done, it was about what He had done. And if they don't accept me afterward that's OK, because the only one who matters is God. He accepts me as I am. He made me what I am today and anything He's made is something to be awed, not mocked. </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#1f1828;">I am going to tell my story to whoever will listen, are you willing to tell yours? </span><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></p>Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1629281235747747790.post-38756481914505952512010-04-13T08:04:00.000-07:002012-01-04T14:13:56.171-08:00Another Amazing Gift<span style="font-family:georgia;color:#1f1828;">I just want to share another amazing gift God has given me. 32 weeks into the treatment and I’m tired. It is getting much harder to motivate myself to get up and go to school. We went to Nicaragua to renew our visa again. I got there and was so tired from the trip that I slept all day Sunday and was not able to go to the small church that our friends worked with. This church had planned a service for us to attend followed by a dinner and cultural dancing by the children. I was really looking forward to it but didn’t feel I was up to the long bus ride and the heat so I stayed in our rental house and rested. By Tuesday I had an upset stomach so I didn’t go on the beach trip, cathedral tour or the boat ride around the lake where monkeys actually came onto the boat and sat in people’s laps. By the time we got back home I was really sick. For the whole next week I couldn’t go to school, could hardly walk ten feet. Everything I ate went though me in a matter of minutes/hours so I was getting no nutrition and adding to the weakness and headaches. I was getting very depressed. I was ready to quit, there were only two more weeks of school. What could I learn in only two more weeks? I just wanted to stay home and be sick.</span><br /><div><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#1f1828;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJ5Z7dlPnhGLSOVL9jOCDOQPFihmi6eQp7PkdzC54tEopJiOHViSp7esuyBAiN9R05MzEXrVnIaOEGt5_YO-j1QDsfpYITZSmfDd3dc-EOlGvHW8eE0Am4rBGDJg5sxwERxECCaAMrWc/s1600/SandyMarsha.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 316px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 277px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683807438010174258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJ5Z7dlPnhGLSOVL9jOCDOQPFihmi6eQp7PkdzC54tEopJiOHViSp7esuyBAiN9R05MzEXrVnIaOEGt5_YO-j1QDsfpYITZSmfDd3dc-EOlGvHW8eE0Am4rBGDJg5sxwERxECCaAMrWc/s320/SandyMarsha.jpg" /></a>Then my sister came to town. She is ten years older than me so when we were kids we didn’t get to really know each other. She was moved out by the time I was eight. It has only been in the last several years that we have actually gotten to talk and get to know each other. She came to Costa Rica from Canada (where she lives) to have some dental work done. She had no idea where in Costa Rica I was in relation to where she had be recommended to go. She had made her reservations last year. Turns out she was a 15 minute taxi ride from us. So she had three days off while they were making her crowns and she came to visit.<br /><br />I had gotten some antibiotics from the doctor and was finally felling a little better when she arrived. We had a great time chatting away “like cackling hen” as a dear friend of mine would say. As I went to bed after the first evening with her some puzzle pieces fell into place. (that’s how I describe what happens when God shows me how He has orchestrated events in my life)<br /><br />That very morning my husband had shared with me that a couple of weeks ago in a bible study he went to he had an epiphany. The study was on Job. The story of Job is a very profound story with layers of meaning and revelation. Like all of God’s word reviewing it only reveals a new angle and insight previously overlooked. He shared the fact that satan had to ask permission from God to test Job. Showing God is more powerful than the satan is or ever will be.<br /><br />If you don’t know the story here is a brief re-cap. Job was a devout man of God. He had a personal relationship with God and God had blessed him with a wonderful family, prosperous fields, wealth, and great stature in the community. Satan was allowed to take away each of those blessing one by one to prove that Job would relinquish his God if he didn’t have all the “stuff”. But Job did not, he lost his family, his money, his crops failed, he became sick. His best friends told him that it was because of sin in his life but Job knew that he was right with God and held fast to that belief. What my husband shared with me is how it related to our situation. Job did not know that God was aware of this process; he did not know that satan had asked permission and that God had granted permission. Job only knew that his life was falling apart around him. But what he did know was his God. He knew that God was faithful and that whatever he had or didn’t have was more than he deserved. My husband shared that he saw the parallel to me. That God is in control and is aware of everything I feel and go through. I am not saying that this illness was brought on by satan. It could have been or it could be circumstances of life – that is not the point. The point is that God is in control of EVERYTHING!<br /><br />So when my depression was getting the best of me, just when I couldn’t take any more, God sent me my sister to lift my spirits and cheer me up! How great is our God that such a detail was not missed? That he would care so much for me, that He would bother to arrange such an encounter? And not a last minute solution but one planed almost a year in advance. God knew a year ago that this week I would need encouragement. If she had come one week earlier we were in Nicaragua and I would have missed her. Two weeks later and we would have already been headed back to the states. She had no idea where in Costa Rica we were when she made her plans; Perfect timing as always.<br /><br />I feel so rejuvenated and ready to go to my classes and finish my task. And so humbled that the God of the universe cares so much for me that He would make the effort to arrange so many details just to lift my spirits and give me the encouragement to finish the task that He has placed before me.<br /><br />I bow before Him once again in awe that a sinner such as I should have such a privilege.<br /></p></span></div>Sandy Stevenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09059450218147208405noreply@blogger.com1