So, You Want to Write!

 

SO, YOU WANT TO WRITE!

First, I want to thank each and every single one of you for remaining loyal subscribers, even as I have reduced the number of posts while finishing my degree. I’m at the end of the tunnel, and soon, my focus can return to this blog full-time!

Since starting Blessings from Cancer, I’ve received countless encouraging messages, and one of the most common questions is: “How do you select your topics, and how do you tie them to scripture and cancer?”  Today, I want to share some insight into my writing process, focusing on research and how I incorporate sources. Whether you’re writing a blog, a journal, or just personal reflection, I hope these tips inspire you to start writing, too!  

RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!

When starting any project, especially one that involves faith-based topics, it’s crucial to have a clear plan. I always begin by praying for inspiration. Once I have a direction, I narrow down my focus. For example, when I began writing my series, “Seeing God in Secular Movies,” I knew I wanted to focus on movies from my childhood. From there, I narrowed down my research to specific films, which allowed me to plan how many blogs I wanted to write and what messages I wanted to draw from each movie.

Tip: Start broad, then refine. For any topic, ask yourself:

·       What is my central message?

·       What details do I need to support that message?

·       How many parts or posts will this project require?

Research is essential not only for non-fiction, where accuracy and credibility are paramount, but also for creative fiction (fiction, poetry, prose). In non-fiction, it helps ensure that the information is factual and supports the writer’s message. For example, in my blog, I rely on research to connect scripture with everyday experiences. In creative writing, research adds depth and realism to the story or characters. Whether you’re writing historical fiction or world-building fantasies, researching locations, historical events, or even cultural norms helps make your writing more authentic and immersive.

FINDING SOURCES

Finding credible sources is key to crafting any well-researched piece. For example, when I write about a movie, I start by looking up basic information like summaries and reviews. Then, I search for articles or blogs that explore similar themes to ensure I have a variety of perspectives. Websites like JSTOR and databases from my college library provide scholarly articles, while Google and platforms like IMDB give quick references for movies.

For Bible passages, I rely on resources like Enduring Word and Logos to ensure I am interpreting scripture in context. It’s important to find sources that are trustworthy and accurate, especially when dealing with scripture.

Recommended Places to Search:

·       Scholarly articles from JSTOR

·       Bible resources like Logos and Enduring Word

·       General information from Google (look for .edu or .org for credibility)

CREDIBLE AND APPROPRIATE

Not every source is equal. To determine credibility, look at the author’s qualifications, the website’s domain, and the publication date. For instance, I trust .edu and .org websites (Educational and Not-for-Profit Organizations) more than commercial ones (like .com), unless I know the author is reputable. For my blog, I only use sources that have clear author credentials or that cite reputable experts.

When writing about scripture, context is crucial. Make sure the Bible passage you’re referencing fits the topic and isn’t being twisted to fit a narrative. I use Enduring Word to get deeper insights into context and application because they quote from Christian sources that are generally accepted by all denominations of the Christian faith, like Charles Spurgeon.

INCORPORATING THE RESEARCH AND SOURCES

Incorporating research into writing is a balancing act. You want to enhance your message without overwhelming the reader with too many facts. In my “Seeing God in Secular Movies” series, I weave scripture and research naturally into my analysis of movie scenes. For example, I might reference Yoda’s quote from The Empire Strikes Back alongside Galatians 6:9 to draw parallels between perseverance in faith and the perseverance taught in the movie.

The key is to smoothly integrate quotes and facts without overloading the reader. Use sources to support your thoughts, but don’t let them take over your voice. You can also paraphrase sources, and make sure to properly give credit where it’s due.

MORE, PLEASE!

Here are some resources I recommend if you’re looking to dig deeper into research, writing, or finding reliable sources:

·       Writer’s Digest: Offers great tips and tricks for writing in any genre, including non-fiction.

·       Purdue OWL: Excellent for basics on how to structure writing and cite sources properly.

·       Enduring Word: A fantastic Bible commentary resource to ensure you’re interpreting scripture correctly.

·       JSTOR: Perfect for accessing scholarly articles on various topics.

 

For this post, I consulted:

Holy Bible, ESV, 2007 (esv.org)

Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back: Quotes (IMDB.com)

Logos (logos.com)

Enduring Word (enduringword.com)

JSTOR (jstor.org)

All Children are God's Children

 

All Children are God’s Children

In today’s culture, children seem to be the red flag on a long tug-of-war rope. Our political system has declared children as a tool to win or lose elections and our media and news outlets have removed the rights and voice of parents. I can no longer sit and keep quiet. I am not apologetic for what I am about to say, it needs to be said, boldly, loudly, and to whomever I have at my disposal to reach. I rebuke the current administration’s approach that says “All children are our (as in the US Government’s) children”. No, all children are God’s children, and as such we must inform, raise and educate them not only of that fact but of what it means to be a CHILD OF GOD.

INFORM THEM – WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS:

In Matthew 9:14, Jesus says “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” His love and concern for the innocent children baffled his disciples and challenged Jewish tradition and understanding of the importance of children. Jesus showed that the protected innocence which is reflected in youth is to be our compass to heaven. Children are inquisitive, imaginative, expressive, innocent, thirsty for knowledge and reason and have the ability to see things as they should be – this is what we are to aim to be like.

RAISE THEM – WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS:

Be vigilant in what goes into your child’s head. There are so many distractions the evil one has at his disposal to get into our children’s heads and hearts: social media, television, school, etc. Allowing after-school satan clubs to take place in public schools is insulting to me as a Christian. However, if evil wants to educate my children, then I must fight back by petitioning for an after-school bible club. We cannot defeat evil by being quiet – no more being still in the presence of disobedience and evil. Stand up to it! Fight back (the right way) – insist on equality. For every evil program, there should be a righteous program. Disconnect them from social media. Interact with them. Make talking about God fun and exciting. Go do nature things and experience the truth that is in all of God’s creation.

EDUCATE THEM – WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS:

The Bible teaches that every child is formed and known by God, as written in Psalm 139:13-14: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." What an incredible reminder that God intimately forms each child and already knows them before they are born. We must stand firm in educating them that they are made in the image of God and that he made them as they are to be. We should not be allowing children (whom we as parents are called to mold, teach and bring to God) to mutilate and question God’s design. It is unholy and direct disobedience to God when we reject how he made us. He is our creator. He is our architect. Physically altering one's body to reject the created plan of God is equivalent to spitting in the face of God.  

As Christians, we are called to model Jesus' heart for children. Ephesians 6:4 says “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” We must guide kids with patience, compassion, and grace.

The Bible assures us that children have a special status in God's kingdom. May we nurture each child as the wondrous, worthy human being they are. When we look at every young person as one of God's beloved children, it changes how we see and treat them. Our kids need to know they are children of God.

In order to do this we must take a stand for children. We must do everything we can today – not tomorrow – to protect the innocence that was naturally created in our children.

 

Check the following fighters:

https://www.momsforliberty.org/

https://www.facebook.com/CaseyDeSantis  (she is fighting to protect children)

I would love to share more – but Google has limited search parameters allowing me to copy links or to find them all.

 

 

A Season of Thanks

(Halloween 1983 - 4th Grade - that's me in the Witch Mask)

 A Season of Thanks

There is something so majestic about this time of year. Autumn is the season of being grateful and living off the fruits of your season of sowing (Spring) and your season of growing (Summer). I know that my Lord and Savior created each season with care and design, but deep down, I believe Autumn must be his favorite as well.

This time of year, memories are always flooding my mind and they warm my heart and usually give me insight and wisdom. Whether it is the memory of my mom making candied apples for Halloween, or the many years gathering with her family for Thanksgiving, or the setting up and working the Christmas Tree Lot with my stepdad and his parents (Papaw and Mamaw). This is the season of blessing and love.

I know that I wanted to do a deep dive into faith and secular movies, but then CANCER reared its head again and I have been going through radiation. Just like Chemo and Surgery, Radiation has taken a lot from me, but unlike Chemo and Surgery, I haven’t had the downtime, as Radiation is an everyday relentless treatment. My body and mind have been unable to rest on Jesus this go-round. Maybe it is just the exhaustion that has kept me away from my bible readings and my nightly devotionals, or maybe something in me just checked out. I know that this treatment season, I have rested solely on the prayers of those around me, and like my Autumns of yesteryears, I have once again acted like a child, a bit helpless and a bit dependent.

Nothing could be more fitting right now in the month of being thankful than to realize how many people I am blessed to have in my life. Whether it was the countless prayers from my church, the food and financial gifts of my bible study group, friends, family, and strangers, or the generosity of my employer in allowing me the time I needed to recover.

Even though I have not had the mental acuity, time, or energy to be in constant prayer, I know that Jesus has been by my side this entire time. Do you know how I know this? Calmness and no worries! I have not once agonized over whether this treatment will work, or what the outcome will be. I have not been in despair or held an anxious mindset. I have been at peace this entire time. You cannot walk-through cancer treatments with peace of mind, without GOD! I have been appreciative of all the kindness and every morning when I would drive across the James River Bridge at 6ish in the morning for treatments, God would always remind me that he and he alone is on the throne. The morning sky with the sun rising is so majestic that it brings tears of joy to my eyes each morning. Each sunrise was different and each one was just as majestic as the day before. It was always a little ray of hope to start my treatments with. Another reminder that even in my hurt and suffering, I am blessed, and God is with me.

I have so much to be thankful for right now – and to those to whom I owe gratitude– please know that your kindness and generosity got me through the hardest days. I have one more treatment to go to (next Thursday) and then some scans; no matter the outcome or what lies ahead, God knows it is well with my soul!

There are some passages, some words from the Apostle Paul, that have given me comfort in this season:

1.       1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

2.       2 Corinthians 9:15 “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”

Have a blessed week!

April

 

Links:

Radiation: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/what_is.html

How to be Thankful – when everything seems crazy: https://denisepass.com/cultivating-gratitude-thankless-broken-world/

How to give yourself a restful break - https://bcbstwelltuned.com/2020/10/02/intentional-rest-what-it-really-is-and-how-to-make-the-most-of-it/

The Freedom in Obedience

 

The Freedom in Obedience

              Wow we made it through to the last of my blogs where I use songs from my past to highlight my faith questions and spiritual needs. I don’t know about you, but for me that has been a long, hot and trying summer. There have been tests, many stumbling blocks, tears and pain, but there has also been a renewal in my soul to use prayer to guide me through these times.

              I feel like everyday this summer, there has been one horrible death after another on the news. The deaths have seemed pointless, senseless, and unjust. Whether it was a toddler dying in a hot bus (Richmond, VA), a man being crushed to death on a bridge (Newport News, VA), a young mother dying in her sleep on a plane (UK), school shooting victims (Texas), etc. etc. etc. Sometimes I wonder if this is just a pre-rapture moment in time – because between you and me – these moments are becoming more and more every day. Our innocence is gone. Our earthly dominion is deeply cracked, and those cracks are decaying us at a rapid rate. I truly believe this is all due to our lack of relationship and obedience with God.

              And of course, there’s this disease in my body called cancer. It is back – still small – but still it is back. I had to give myself a time out last weekend to allow myself a safe intimate space to break down and cry. It took all the way until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday for me to let it out and scream and cry. You know who was waiting for that moment – Jesus! I know he was waiting for me to LET IT GO – because when I did, he stepped right in. He calmed me, he reassured me, he wiped my tears and gave me PEACE. Then he started giving me little affirmations.  I leaned in, I listened to his word and he started working.

              Once I let go of my “me thought” and surrendered all of this to God, I began to once again remember that our loudest call is to OBEY. Sometimes we don’t want to obey God when we are not happy about the situation that God has called us into. But in these places we are reminded of Paul’s words “ To live is Christ, to die is gain”. Maybe these words get lost in translation or through the chaos that is our daily lives. These words simply mean as long as I have breath, I have the opportunity to do work for God and to try my best to guide souls to him and that at death, I gain eternal life. That’s it! That’s our call – obey him where we are, do his work for him, guide his lost sheep and be rewarded in Heaven.

              Once this peaceful reminder hit me – well I had no choice but to let go of my fear and doubt. Because it is a reminder that we all have breath today, because Jesus isn’t done with us. When Jesus is ready to let you rest in your eternal salvation, well that will be your last day on this earth. Until then – you must live to the fullest in total obedience and find Joy even in the pain and chaos.

              We always talk about “free will” and how that is the gift we received from God. How we have the choice to believe or not believe. That free will also is given to us as to whether or not we will obey his word. It is the gift within the gift. For as we believe, truly believe, we are compelled to want to please God. That pleasing comes from our obedience. I know some of you are waking up to hurt, confusion and a sense of loss. You are questioning whether your prayers and devotion to God mean anything to him. I have been there. I walked a very long season in what I called “What’s Up God”. I lost both of my parents, my marriage and was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer in just a short span of time. I was truly lost.

              But if I had not walked through that long dark valley, I would not have God. I found him to be just and faithful. I found him to be gracious and loving. I found him to be my rock and my provider. He has never let me down. He has pulled me out of the valley and given me many mountain top moments. Yes, I am going to get treatment again, but that’s just part of life. I recall, and hold dear to my heart, that in the book of Job – God had to give permission to Satan to “touch” Job. God didn’t give this permission because he wanted to hurt Job – but he believed that Job could endure and that through the endurance his relationship with God would be even better.

    That’s my hope. That’s my plan. That’s why I choose to Obey HIM today and every day.

    The song for this week, once again comes from God. I was trying to figure out a song that ties together love and obedience, and this song title floated in my head. I dismissed it; I could not remember the words minus the main chorus. Then this morning the song played on the radio and I knew! So this is definitely an early birthday present to me from God – because I LOVED this artist growing up. So much so, that my daughter has “threatened” to play “Purple Rain” at my funeral (y’all are forewarned). I feel Prince is truly misunderstood by many. He was a very active and very devout Jehovah’s Witness and although I disagree with many of their teachings, I do recognize it as a form of Christianity. Prince had an entire album written and recorded based on his beliefs “Rainbow Children” – which isn’t all about God. He has a lot of songs about faith and God. One even titled “God”. Song’s like “The Rainbow Children”, “The Work”, “The Cross” – many songs.

    This song this week is probably one of his more known hits and surprisingly about faith. It was part of the movie “Purple Rain” and the video directors and movie producers took it out of context and converted it into a love type song. But it isn’t. It was actually written around the same time as “God” (which did not make the cut for the movie or soundtrack).

Song: I Would Die for You  - from 1984 – Songwriter Prince

I’m not a woman

I’m not a man

I am something that you’ll never understand

I’ll never beat you

I’ll never lie

And if you’re evil I’ll forgive you by and by, ‘cause

You, I would die for you, yeah

Darling, if you want me too

You, I would die for you

I’m not your lover

I’m not your friend

I am something that you’ll never comprehend

No need to worry

No need to cry

I’m your messiah and you’re the reason why, ‘cause

You, I would die for you, yeah

Darling, If you want me too

I would die for you

You’re just a sinner, I am told

Be your fire when you’re cold

Make you happy when you’re sad

Make you good when you are bad

I’m not a human

I’m a dove

I’m your conscious

I am love

All I really need is to know that you believe

Yeah, I would die for you you, yeah

Repeat

 

    I am not posting a link this week to the video of the song for a couple of reasons, one there is no official video to the song, there is footage of the song via the Movie and since the movie was Rated R – and I don’t know the age of audience, I just feel safer not posting it.  The second is that I really want you to soak in the message of our savior, Jesus Christ, dying for us – I want to end my music and message series with that – after all – that is the foundation of our faith.

    I hope you enjoyed this series. I will take a week or two off (to deal with medical stuff) and then I will return in September with a new series “Movies and Faith”. Until then, enjoy the remaining weeks of summer and keep your heart and mind rested in Christ.

Love all!

Let Your Struggles Be Your Testimony and Praise

 

Let Your Struggles Be Your Testimony and Praise

I started this Blog years ago when I had conquered the beast named Cancer the first time. I wanted to share with everyone how my belief in God allowed me to view Cancer as a blessing. Then I got cancer again and by the grace of God I beat it a second time. Now I write this post today to say  - I will battle it a third time and will beat it a third time.

As I have only ever wanted to be honest with you about the ups and downs of cancer and the strength I draw from Jesus to get through this disease, I continue to promise to be honest, even now when I am not fearful, but angry, I am not in the depths of despair, but determined, when I am no longer seeking isolation but reaching out to many for their strength and comfort. I have learned a lot in these four years with this disease. I don’t honestly know if this “different” approach is going to net me a “different” outcome, but I do know that even if cancer takes my body, it can never take my joy and peace of mind that I have only through Christ.

Two days ago, I opened up a fortune cookie and my fortune was ironic (now that I know my cancer is back). It said, “Your fears will become your greatest strengths soon.” Read that again – is that not the greatest comforting phrase. God tells us repeatedly in the bible that we are not planned and purposed for fear and doubt, that we are designed to have faith and believe that he alone has worked this all out.

I told friends recently that I felt like I was living in the “bonus”. I have seen with my own eyes how God has kept promises to me, promises he gave me when I was battling the cancer the first time and desperate to see things in my daughter’s life. I have seen them. If my “bonus” time ends sooner than I would like, I cannot allow myself to be angry at God (I am angry at Cancer), because he has never let me down.

To any non-believers please hear this out: Yesterday I am sure my report was able to be sent to me early in the day. However, my doctor waited to send it to me at 6:30 p.m. when I was pulling into the church parking lot to have my weekly bible study with my lovely Vessels. I have been teaching (and co-teaching) the Gospels and now Acts the past few weeks and it has been amazing to spread my knowledge and the ministry of Jesus with these ladies. God knew that I was going to be angry, that I would need to process “bad news” and instead of me being alone with this news, he gave it to me at a place filled with hope, love and comfort and most importantly a room full of BELIEVERS that got down on their knees (well some – let’s be honest we are some old gals and that knee thing isn’t always doable) and called out to God for my healing, in my presence and wrapped me up with hugs and encouraging thoughts and prayers. I was exactly where I needed to be. AND THAT WAS ALL GOD!

I can’t tell you that I won’t have moments of fear and doubt as I go through this again, what I can say is that I am definitely more determined, more focused and more hopeful this time. I don’t doubt that this process is meant to teach me something, show me something, teach someone else something. Nothing is by chance or unplanned. I have full faith and belief that God is about to work again on my behalf. The struggle is real, the pain will be real, the physical toll will be real – but I believe in God’s love, grace, will and timing. I don’t have to know the outcome or worry about this anymore, because he’s got this and he's got me.

Even though this disease is a part of me – let me shout it out – this CANCER DOES NOT DEFINE ME. Nope! JESUS DEFINES ME. You see getting to the part of your life, where you count it all as “Bonus” means that you accept death. Finally accepting the realities that are inevitable for all of us, frees me to live completely in this moment, plan for this moment and give this entire moment to Jesus. I live now to spread the joy of the WORD to others. I live now to demonstrate how good our GOD truly is. I plan now for joyful moments. I give nothing to the enemy. I give no time to things that try to steal my JOY. Afterall life is so precious and so fleeting. None of us are promised a tomorrow, but you woke up today and that means God still has purpose for you.

So, I am going to keep smiling about all the joys God gives me today, while laying seeds down for my future tomorrows. I trust completely in the timing of God and he knows that I have already seen my earthly blessings (the things I most wanted) and he knows how thankful I am to him for those and that I see this as the “BONUS – THE EXTRA BLESSING”, and that as stated in Psalms 23:5 “My cup runneth over”.

Don’t stop believing in miracles. Don’t stop believing in the power of prayer. Don’t give up on today, because God has so much planned for you and if he calls you home sooner than you would like, hold on to the promise that is Heaven and Eternal Salvation.

This week’s song is from Poison. LOL – I know this may shock some, especially those that think all heavy metal is bad. But I have to say I understand the song writer’s pain and anguish. The song “Something to Believe In” was released in 1990. Bret Michaels (the band’s lead singer) wrote the song after learning of the death of his friend bodyguard. The lyrics are deep and I think they express our shock and grief when bad things happen. I believe God is always looking for ways to show us “Something to Believe in”.

Lyrics:

Well I see him on the TV

Preaching ‘bout the promised lands

He tells me “believe in Jesus”

Steals the money from my hands

Some say he was a good man

Lord I think he sinned, yeah yeah

 

Twenty two years of mental fears

Cries a suicidal Vietnam vet

Who fought a losing war on a foreign shore

To find his country didn’t want him back

Their bullets took his best friends in Saigon

Our lawyers took his wife, his kids, no regrets

In a time I don’t remember

In a war he can’t forget

He cried “forgive me for what I done there

‘Cause I never meant the things I did”

 

And give me something to believe in

If there’s a Lord above

And give me something to believe in

Oh, Lord arise

 

My best friend died a lonely man

In some Palm Springs hotel room

I got the call last Christmas Eve

And they told me the news

I tried all night not to break down an’ cry

As the tears rolled down my face

I felt so cold and empty

Like a lost soul out of place

And the mirror, mirror on the wall

See my smile it fades again

 

Uh, give me something to believe in

If there’s a Lord above

Uh, give me something to believe in

Oh, Lord arise

 

Sometimes I wish to God I didn’t know now

Things I didn’t know then

Road you gotta take me home

 

I drive by the homeless sleepin’ on a cold dark street

Like bodies in an open grave

Underneath the broken old neon sign

Used to read “Jesus saves”

A mile away live the rich folk

And I see how they’re livin’ it up

But while the poor they eat from hand to mouth

The rich are drinkin’ from the golden cup

And it just makes me wonder

Why so many lose and so few win, ha

 

Give me something to believe in

If there’s a Lord above

Give me something to believe in

Oh, Lord arise

 

Yeah, sometimes I wish to God I didn’t know now

Things I didn’t know then, yeah

And give me something to believe in

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5uamDMoW4o

 

Peace be with us all!

 

I am Beloved by my Beloved

 I am Beloved by my Beloved

Sometimes I find myself in total awe of everything that God has created and done for us. Just this morning my only praise/prayer was “Thank you GOD for EVERYTHING – because you made and created EVERYTHING and because of that I do not have to worry about ANYTHING.” Isn’t that great knowledge, that we have this creator that did it all so that we have it all and need nothing. We do not have to worry, we do not have to fear, we do not need to be weighed down by doubt – because he made everything and made it all perfect and whole.

I know, I know, you are suffering, you are lost, you are full of anxiety and fear, or someone close to you is sick and hurting, and you are saying “did he make this too” or “how is this fair”. If you’ve been reading my blogs than you know my answer is simply “we are the product of a fallen world – and you can’t blame GOD for what we as humans did to his creation.” Trust me when I say we are his BELOVED CHILDREN and HE intended only joy for us.

If you have read the bible than you recall that the world “BELOVED” is mentioned in many different books and verses. You can’t get through the Song of Solomon without reading it at least ten times. The English meaning of “Beloved” is: dearly loved, much loved. The biblical meaning of this word is a bit different, “prefer, long for, breathe, precious”. The word beloved is spoken in the bible by both the believer (Jewish/Christian) and by God (GOD/Jesus). We are his beloved and he is our beloved.

As you go through these turbulent times, I want you to say this in your head (over and over), “I am beloved by my beloved.” You are much loved by the God you long for. You are seen as precious by the God you most love. Someone that sees you as precious, never intends harm on you. Someone that sees you as a vital necessity (like breathing), never takes you for granted. Someone that prefers you (or calls you/separates you from the rest), never mistreats you. You are chosen. You are loved. You are his BELOVED.

If you are having a hard time accepting that God loves you, then close your eyes. Think of a dog or a cat (your preference). If you recall them as puppies, then you remember that they just eat, drink, poop, pee, nap and repeat. Their created bodies are designed to take in, void, rest, repair and repeat. It’s the wholeness of HIS creation. How every function is interlinked and dependent on another function for the whole entity to work – if one thing fails (too much water, too much food, not enough play time, too much sleep) then serious issues start to form. As the bible says (over and over) we are perfectly made in the image of GOD, because he LOVED and WANTED US – our systems were designed to work perfectly – he intended no harm – he saw us as his BELOVED children. Then we sinned and as a consequence, that now perfect creation is “susceptible to malfunction, sickness and brokenness.” But again – this is due to our failure – not GOD’s. And even in our sinful, broken existence, HE STILL LOVES US.

So, stop wallowing in the negative and remember “I am beloved by my beloved.” That’s my message for today. Short and sweet!

Go spread the Good News of Jesus – be a disciple – be a catalyst to something greater than yourself. Remember 1 Corinthians 13:13 “So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Go LOVE! – Song of Solomon 6:3 “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.”

There is a song for this week (2 more weeks with songs). I hit up a few friends for song selections and this one was on the list. I don’t know any girl that didn’t want to be Ione Skye during this movie. Who doesn’t swoon over John Cusack’s character holding up a boom box and playing this song to win the affections of the girl he most BELOVED. To be wanted like that – that was every girl’s dream. The reality is that we are indeed wanted like that by our BELOVED JESUS CHRIST.

Song: “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel. He wrote the song for a relationship he was in but said that he saw it as also a song about man to his God. Song hit the charts in 1986.

 Love, I get so lost sometimes

Days pass, and this emptiness fills my heart

When I want to run away, I drive off in my car

But whichever way I go, I come back to the place you are

All my instincts, they return

The grand façade, so soon will burn

Without a noise, without my pride

I reach out from the inside

In your eyes, the light, the heat

In your eyes, I am complete

In your eyes, I see the doorway

In your eyes, to a Thousand Churches

In your eyes, the resolution

In your eyes, of all the fruitless searches

In your eyes

In your eyes, oh, I see the light and the heat

In your eyes, the light, the heat

In your eyes

Oh, I wanna be that complete

In your eyes, the light the heat

In your eyes

I wanna touch the light, the heat I see in your eyes

Love, I don’t like to see so much pain

So much wasted, and this moment keeps slipping away

I get so tired, working so hard for our survival

I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive

All my instincts, they return

The grand façade, so soon will burn

Without a noise, without my pride

I reach out from the inside

In your eyes, your eyes, your eyes

In your eyes

In your eyes, the light, the heat

In your eyes, I am complete

In your eyes, I see the doorway

To a Thousand Churches

In your eyes, the resolution

In your eyes, of all the fruitless searches

In your eyes

Oh, I wanna be that complete

In your eyes

I wanna touch the light, the heat I see in your eyes

In your eyes

 

I bet you never hear this song again the same way. The lyrics are absolutely beautiful. I have to say, that this is not the only song by Peter Gabriel that has “Godly” meaning.  Check out: “Solsbury Hill” “Sledgehammer” – and many more. His lyrics are quite moving.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kU8OJAOMbPg

Have a great week!

With love

 

 

 

Gifts from Jesus

 “Gifts from Jesus”

If I told anyone that God picked this song for this week, I’d be laughed at. But in all seriousness, I do feel like God wanted this song for this week’s blog. I generally don’t listen to too much secular music, but last week I was listening to an Amazon curated “Best of Summer” playlist. Most of those songs took me down many memory lanes, some good and some bad. I was singing along and driving, skipping songs here and there. Then, this week’s song came on, and all the lyrics started jumping out of the radio and hitting me - hard, in a way that they hadn’t done previously. I have come to know this feeling – it is the Holy Spirit “gripping” me. So yes, God wanted this song to be the song of the week.

God does that a lot with us, it’s just most of the time we do not see it as “God Winks, God Nods, God Inspired or God SPEAKING” – we just shrug it off as “emotional or coincidence”. If only we would stop ourselves when these moments happen and just pay attention to what it is that God is trying to say, trying to point to, trying to save us from…well then, we would not be in quite the mess we are today.

So, this feeling that this song was supposed to be written about hit last Thursday (07/14) and again it came on yesterday and today. I just want everyone that is reading this to look at the lyrics of the song and iamge Jesus singing this. Jesus wants you to know that he has gifted you love, joy, mercy, and salvation. He gave up his life so that you could have these gifts.

We just finished up studying the Gospels and last night we studied the Gospel of John. The Gospel of John concludes with Jesus forgiving Peter three times for each time Peter failed him. Jesus asks him three times if Peter loves him. The Greek words used are equivalent to “Peter do you love me unconditionally” the first two times. Peter responds that he “loves him like a brother” and then Jesus asks the third time, “Peter do you at least like me like a brother”, to which Peter responds Yes, that he loves him (still like a brother, but with more heart in what he is saying). That’s the thing about my Jesus, he asks so very little from us, he is always willing to come down to our level, meet us right where we are and give us all he has. If you are in the pit, he is in the pit. If you are knee deep in sin, he is in sin with you. If you are on a rooftop about to jump, he is on the rooftop with you – trying to hold your hand. He goes to the ends of the earth to be with us…ALWAYS, IN EVERY SEASON AND IN THROUGH EVERY STRUGGLE. He is the loudest cheerleader when we make it to the Mountain Top and our loudest voice of compassion when we are at the bottom of our valleys.

All he wants is our heart, our kindness, our love, and he wants that to pour out of us and into the people, his people, that we meet. We focus so much of our attention on the hurts, the division, and the things that this world uses to try and divide/separate us from one another. We need to stop! Seriously we need to stop. We need to be kind. We need to be a helping hand, not a dividing knife. We may disagree with some agendas and some laws – but when we die, those political agendas and worldly laws don’t follow us into heaven. My God is going to have a heaven full of sinners, sinners like you and like me. At my homecoming meal, I will be a table with adulterers, murderers, thieves, prostitutes, homosexuals, dishonest people, gossipers, etc – and MY GOD WILL LOVE US ALL EQUALLY. He wants us all. He died for us all. He gave it all up – so that each of us could have OUR UNIQUE STORY. If you accept him into your life, as your Savior, confess it all to him and truly repent – you will be at that table one day with your story, a story that includes valleys and mountain tops and one that is full of love and redemption.

So, take this song – take these words, put them in your heart today and give freely of yourself to those that needed it the most – be a Peter, go tend, feed and care for the lost sheep of God.

Song: “Give a Little Bit” by Supertramp, released in 1977 (covered by the GooGoo Dolls 2004). The song was written by Roger Hodgson (Supertramp’s singer/guitarist) when he was a teenager, but didn’t record it until much later. He says he wrote it during the end of the “peace, love, hope” movement late 60’s early 70’s. He says it’s a song about sharing care and love with your fellow man.

Ooh, yeah

Alright

Here we go again

Na-na, whoa, no, da-na, hey, hey, hey

Give a little bit

Oh, give a little bit of your love to me

I’ll give a little bit

I’ll give a little bit of my love to you

There’s so much that we need to share

So send a smile and show you care

(Alright)

I’ll give a little bit

I’ll give a little bit of my life for you

So give a little bit

Oh, give a little bit of your time to me

See the man with the lonely eyes

Oh, take his hand, you’ll be surprised

Oh, take it

Ah, yeah

Come along

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Come a-long

Give a little bit

Oh, give a little big of your live to me

I’ll give a little bit

I’ll give a little bit of my life for you

Now’s the time that we need to share

So find yourself, we’re on our way back home

Oh, going home

Don’t you need, don’t you need to feel at home?

Oh, yeah, we gotta sing

Ooh, yeah, gotta get a feeling

Ooh, yeah, come along too

Woo

Come a, come along too, yeah

Come a, come a ,come a, come a long

Cha-ka-doom, yeah

Ooh, yeah, come along too,

Yeah, come along too, yeah

Sing

Come along too

What along ride

Come a long way

Oh sing it tonight

Ooh, yeah

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_leMA3_maBU

SIDE NOTE: I started writing this blog yesterday, but felt a heavy darkness in my soul and just couldn't finish it. I find myself weighed down sometimes over the ugliness of the world we live in. I often find myself asking “why” or “where” in situations. I must remind myself, or have others remind me, that we are not meant to know some of the why’s and where’s about things in this world. Everything that is happening has been seen by God (at the beginning of time) and nothing surprises him. We (I) have to learn to truly surrender to God’s will and let what is happening – happen, for I trust completely in the fact that “ALL THINGS ARE WORKED FOR THE GOOD AND GLORY OF GOD”  - THAT THERE IS BEAUTY EVEN IN THE PAIN AND UGLINESS.

Have a blessed and joyful week!

 

Links:

Great study on the Gospel of John: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BS60dqqlFE

 

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