Sage Words

It’s been a couple of days and I apologize. Wednesday is going to be too busy to get a decent posting in, so I had already given up on that. Yesterday… I had a migraine hangover. It’s like having the flu for a day without the fever. I have some kicking Rx migraine medicine- which I did not have with me when said migraine started Wednesday evening. Stoopid… Finally, things are back to some semblance of normal.

I found a great blog- Rachelle Gardner’s Rants and Ramblings on Life as a Literary Agent.

I find that people are missing out on some of the ‘nuts and bolts’ skills for living a God-honoring life. This is from a monthly NavPress newsletter called Bible Study Zone.

It deals with a skill we assume far too many of us have. (Wise decisions… like carrying your migraine medicine with you… Don’t worry. I learned.)

Making Wise Decisions

As small-group leaders we need God’s wisdom and discernment, especially when we have to make tough decisions. Author Gordon S. Jackson suggests using this practical decision tree.
1. Is your decision in accordance with Scripture?
If “Yes,” then proceed to next question; if “No,” don’t go any further.
2. Does your decision find support in your prayers?
If “Yes,” then proceed to next question; if “No,” don’t go any further.
3. Does the advice of others you trust support your decision?
If “Yes,” then proceed to next question; if “No,” don’t go any further.
4. Have circumstances made it possible for you to act on your decision?
If “Yes,” then proceed to next question; if “No,” consider the matter closed or go back to Scripture and prayer.
5. Having reached this point, do you have a sense of peace about your decision?
If “Yes,” then you can feel confident in your decision; if “No,” consider the matter closed or go back to Scripture and prayer.

One of Those Days

By Paula

This is one of those days… it’s cold, gray, rainy, and my mental health index is slipping. This is the kind of day in which I get overwhelmed by all there is to do, all that’s been left undone. If I don’t get a handle on it right away,

then I get pulled in to a hole that takes two or three weeks to get out of.

Here are my tips for dealing with this kind of day-

1. Admit it. Don’t say things are ‘fine’. Lying- even to yourself- makes it worse.

2. Tell a few of your best friends- those people who go their knees for you- let them know this is a shaky day.

3. Go to “the notebook”. I’ve got an ongoing notebook of verses and comments for days like this. Something in there will stick. It always does. God’s word always fulfills its purpose.

4. Go out to eat- or at least for ice cream.

Here’s what jumps out of my notebook on this ‘one of those days’- Psalm 94:19. “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul.” (NAS) or “When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” (NLT)

Renewed hope… it was there all along. I just lose sight of it.

Editing Life

By Paula

I’m getting ready for the final (I hope!) major edit on Contingency. It’s always a tough process, because it means I have to slow down and critically examine every word, every sentence, every paragraph and every scene with emphasis on “critically”. Sometimes that means paring down some things I liked, my favorite lines even, all with an eye to the finished product. Occasionally, I have to fill in things that were missing. I have to ask hard questions- Does this scene advance the plot or is it just ‘there’? Is the POV clear?

Is it tight with no unnecessary words?

My life needs regular editing, too. Have I gotten off-track, wandering aimlessly with no clear purpose? Is my life filled with things that simply add to the clutter without

contributing to the forward progress? Do I have a clear focus on the end product?

I read an article about John Maxwell and his singular focus on the ministry God gave him. In the coming days, I plan to take some time to examine what the purpose of my writing is. What is my mission, my vision? I’ve invested a good deal of time and effort and I’ve definitely seen God’s hands in it, but what is the big picture? Why am I doing this?

What do I intend to accomplish?

See why editing takes so long!

Unboxing Trust

By Paula

I read Psalm 11 this morning. Here’s the gist of it- David begins with an affirmation. I trust God.

Then he goes on- So why do expect me to run around in circles like the sky is falling?

God knows what’s going on here. He knows the true, deep motivations and I trust Him to judge us all.

I’m not worried.

Several of my characters wrestle with trusting God, Bobbi especially. She’s a capable, confident woman, and she figures she can handle almost everything. When her husband cheats on her, she reaches her limit. She struggles with how God could let that happen. Isn’t He supposed to protect His own? It causes her to reevaluate the box she had kept God in.

Do I have God in a box that limits His freedom to work in my life, to use me? Do I trust God to the point of being at complete peace with my situation? Even if that situation is another rejection or another closed door?

Reaching a goal

By Paula

Some random thoughts first-

I love the tulip trees! They remind me of KY… I need some happy things about KY in this present basketball season.

Those things you wear over your eyes when you swim… those are called “wiggles”.

Rachel said so.

The engine for my car came in at about half what we feared it would cost and it will be done by Thursday.

Yesterday, I finished the draft of the 6th book- working title: Light Affliction. It feels great to have reached the end, but a little sad too. The goal of finishing focused my attention, gave me a clear picture of what I was working toward. Plus it is a very tangible goal. Sometimes I lose sight of my goals here on this earth.

Paul talks about I press toward the goal [I remember it in the KJV- mark]. He always had a clear sense of purpose, and he kept his focus on the big, eternal picture.

The book touched on the purpose of suffering- devastating illness, specifically- and the characters are called on to look to that eternal purpose behind it.

Monday (maybe today even) I’ll get back to editing. My goal is to finish it by June…

Women of Faith

Wise Decisions

Making Wise Decisions

One of Those Days

Editing Life

Unboxing Trust

Reaching a goal

Encounters Series

Covenant of Trust Series

Foundations Series