JUST ANOTHER HOLIDAY

By Michael Elmore

Walk through the doors of any Wal-Mart, Kmart, J. C. Penney’s or Sears today and you will see the sparkle of bright decorations adorning evergreen trees, hear the cacophony of Christmas music filling the air and have your eyes drawn to row upon row, shelf upon shelf of holiday gifts.  Close by, anxious managers will be scurrying about impatiently waiting for them to be purchased.

In the world of marketing and sales, a season devoid of profits extends between October 31^{st –} Halloween, and December 25^th - Christmas Day. It is called Thanksgiving. In the hubbub and rush of business plans and marketing ploys one of the greatest holidays of American culture has nearly vanished. In the world of cash registers dinging and carolers singing something of great significance has become lost. In some peculiar way we have lost not only the meaning of Thanksgiving but virtually the existence of the holiday itself.

In Psalm 136: 1 the Bible instructs us to “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.” In this single verse, God’s Word sets forth an imperative to be thankful. The etymology of the Old English word “thankful” means to be “thinkful”.  Being “thinkful” and remembering the first celebration of Thanksgiving is an important way to awaken our slumbering spirit of thankfulness. Perhaps if we remember the religious, cultural and historical roots of Thanksgiving Day, we can re-instill a spirit of thankfulness within our thankless hearts.

Thanksgiving at Plymouth

In September 1620, a small ship called the Mayflower left Plymouth, England, carrying 102 passengers—an assortment of religious separatists seeking a new home where they could freely practice their faith. After a treacherous and uncomfortable crossing that lasted 66 days, they dropped anchor near the tip of Cape Cod, far north of their intended destination at the mouth of the Hudson River. One month later, the Mayflower crossed Massachusetts Bay, where the Pilgrims, as they are now commonly known, began the work of establishing a village at Plymouth.

Throughout that first brutal winter, most of the colonists remained on board the ship, where they suffered from exposure, scurvy and outbreaks of contagious disease. Only half of the Mayflower’s original passengers and crew lived to see their first New England spring. In March, the remaining settlers moved ashore, where they received an astonishing visit from an Abenaki Indian who greeted them in English. Several days later, he returned with another Native American, Squanto, a member of the Pawtuxet tribe who had been kidnapped by an English sea captain and sold into slavery before escaping to London and returning to his homeland.

In November 1621, after the Pilgrims’ first harvest proved successful, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of the fledgling colony’s Native American allies, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit. This day is remembered as American’s “First Thanksgiving”. ¹  It is astonishing to think that after the deaths of 63 of the original Pilgrim party, these God-honoring people remembered to be thankful.

Familiar story isn’t it? Although that first Thanksgiving is an archetypical story of our American way of life it is in danger of being forgotten between two other more popular, profit-producing holidays.

It’s good to be reminded to be thankful at least once a year. So in the Spirit of the holiday, I ask that in the middle of family, feasting and football games, please take a moment and remind your children and your children’s children why this holiday is so important to us. I encourage you at the Thanksgiving table to turn yours eyes toward heaven, “from where our help comes” and give thanks to God “for his love endures forever”. Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be just another holiday; it can once again become sacred to all.

¹ http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving (Accessed November 9, 2011)

²  Please watch Chris Tomlin’s video “His Love Endures forever” at this link to further inspire a spirit of thankfulness in your heart. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVYcDOXczus

Happy Birthday to YOU, TGBA*

By Gail P. Smith

One year ago on today, November 9, we officially launched the QCCWC** blog.  We named it

*“The Great Blog Adventure.”

We began with 16 writers (14 women and 2 men), a few seasoned professionals, some novice bloggers/writers and lots of us somewhere inbetween.  Along the way we’ve lost and gained bloggers and we miss those currently "on hiatus."  As of today we are 14 writers strong, each contributing once or twice every two months. We publish twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  At least that’s the goal, and most of the time we make it.

Among our writers we have a resident baseball expert, several photographers, a writer’s group leader, homemakers, a reporter and a Sister with a capital “S.”  To read more about each of our talented bloggers click on “The Great Blog Adventures/Contributing Writers” tab above.

Over the past twelve months we’ve blogged about our families, jobs, pets and other less welcome critters who've invaded our homes.   We’ve written about wise men, Thanksgiving, Psalms and Proverbs, tombstones, writers block, tests, beauty, swimsuits and spam.  We’ve confessed mistakes and shared blessings, talked about growth, writing and even reality TV. 

At least one of us had a book published this year and I think it may be more.  (In fact, if any of our bloggers were published anywhere else besides TGBA this year, please comment so we can celebrate with you.) 

Best of all, we shared our relationships with the Lord, how we seek Him, how we struggle and what He’s taught us.  What a blessing it's been to read how God worked in each individual life.

As as far as "stats" go,  our page has had 38 views today (11-8-11), 25 yesterday, 592 last month, and 5,185 views for the past year.  We have 18 followers (are YOU following us yet?) and our readers represent ten countries and 4 continents.  (So if you know anyone in South America, Africa or Antarctica, please invite them to take a look!)

We’ve had 228 comments on 103 posts, and we are so grateful for each person who has taken the time to read and comment on our writing.  You have encouraged us by letting us know that someone took the time to read what we had to say. 

As we celebrate this milestone for TGAB, we are most grateful for YOU, the person sitting at your computer, reading this post, right now, today.  Without you readers bloggers would be nothing and so we want to say thank to each person who has visited this blog in the past year. 

We hope this year that you have been entertained, informed, uplifted, amused, touched, encouraged or inspired by something you have read here.  Please come back soon and invite a friend. 

At the top of our blog are these words “Read~Write~Learn~Share~Trust.” That is what we've attempted to do for the past 365 days.  Thanks for joining us.

So Happy Birthday to YOU,

Great Blog Adventurers,

and many happy returns.

** Quad-Cities' Christian Writers Conference

Persistence Rules

By Kathryn Lang

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence." I grew up with this saying on my wall. The only way I would ever reach the goals I set for my life would be if I continued to do what needed to be done until I got there.

Building a Foundation of Persistence

- Believe it. "Whether you think you can or you think you can't, you are right." Henry Ford. I have to get to the point where the goal that I have for my life is settled deep in my knower.

- Support it. Find people that will believe with you, push you to continue when you want to stop and will carry you when all else fails. The right support can be all the difference.

- Say it. The things you say will be the things you believe. Create "I am" and "I will" statements that will drive you in the direction that you desire.

I set a goal of 6,000 words a few months back and made it - one day. The next day, tornadoes tore through my community and flipped my world upside down. That chaos has been a great excuse for not even attempting my goals, much less reaching them.

The other morning I woke up and realized that I was supposed to be writing. Excuses would always be available, but unless I take the action to make my dreams a reality they will continue to only be dreams.

November is National Novel Writing Month. The challenge to write 1667 words each day provided the motivation to take on my goals once again. Meeting with other writers and writing groups, in person and online, has provided the inspiration to let the words flow.  And making that one statement to my husband, "I am supposed to be writing," reminded me again that the gift and passion I have for words will only get me to my goals if I make the effort to write.

Believe that you are going to reach your goal. Find people that will support and encourage you on your journey. And say the words over and over until you are unable to say anything else.

Thanksgiving!?

By Marvin Ferguson

As the seasons moved along I knew November was here once again when I saw the decorations in Lincoln Elementary School.

Pictures of turkeys in different postures, colors, and plumes, drew our attention as we walked through the halls. And then there were the endless stories the teachers read about the pilgrims. Boring! But what else was there to celebrate about at this time of the year?

Oh yes. I can still hear that favorite tune: Over the river to grandmother's house we go... I knew it so well that I could sing it in my sleep.

As our family, usually a dozen people or so, gathered around the table, our eyes bulged looking at the selection—mashed potatoes smothered in gravy, sweet potatoes, turkey and dressing, carrots, peas, cranberry sauce, and hot dinner rolls, not to mention a red jell-o with mixed fruit inside. There was enough to make our eyes water just thinking about it. And for dessert there were a variety of pies—apple, butterscotch, blueberry, and pumpkin. No body went hungry in our house.

During lots of chatter we shared a blessing or two bestowed upon us from the past year.

Thanksgiving! Yes! It was a time to be grateful for good health, a job, friends, and so much more.

Thanksgiving? Is there a doubt? The tragedy about thanksgiving is that we often forget and take our many blessings for granted.

God has given me so much to be thankful for. And as I reflect over this past year, most of all, I'm thankful for Jesus.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody, and I hope yours is filled with many rich blessings.

 

Preschoolers

By Brenda Lysak

Preschoolers exhibit high interest and curiosity for language development. They enjoy the sounds of language in terms of stories, rhyme, singing, and developing pre-reading skills. Landmark preschool uses all of the above to encourage growth and development in phonemic awareness. 

Curriculum has been developed with language as a focus. Children are introduced to the names of the ABC’s as well as the sounds they make. We encourage participation by drawing imaginary letter s in the air and reluctant learners are able to focus when the letter is written on their back.  Note: Introducing every letter is not important as we feel that it is more productive to ‘finish’ letters and the words they create. Small groups create an art project or craft exploring the above information in yet another way.  Fine motor and early reading skills build self confidence. 

Curiosity is encouraged and developed with high interest learning centers. We have a magnet, ABC, play dough, cutting, literacy, sorting various materials, train, counting, paint, magnifying glasses to explore natural material, building, and sewing stations. These are rotated according to interest, need, and or theme.  The various stations are designed to encourage imagination, creativity, and independence.

Colors, shapes, and counting skills are included in the moment. During morning rituals, kids count concrete objects in a holistic fashion.  This provides staff with an opportunity to assess counting development. Puzzling is often included in the day’s activities.   Staff helps children choose puzzles with appropriate challenge. Birthdays are celebrated by singing to BD child and counting candles together. Expected outcome is growth of self esteem, fine motor and social skills. 

Free play is respected at Landmark Preschool by utilizing sensitive transitions from one activity to another. We do not hold to a rigid schedule although we do have a schedule. For example when large motor activities is scheduled we observe play to see if children are ready for a change and initiate transition when they are ready. For example: if they have had 45 minutes of free play, and demonstrate an interest or need for large motor play.  

Social skills are developed in the moment as well as outside of the moment. During circle time children are encouraged to respect each other’s space, and share attention.  They share attention by listening to each other and by learning to raise their hands instead of all talking at one time. During play time they are coached through conflict in terms of looking out for each other. For example if someone has grabbed a toy or hit someone the offender is encouraged to say they are sorry and look after the offended child by asking if they are ok. If a child tattles we try not to fix, instead empathize thereby encouraging independent conflict resolution and healthy boundary development.

Outside of the moment, we sing a sharing song during circle time and talk about what to do if someone has upset you or if you have upset someone else. This is done through questions, “what should you do if you hurt someone?”  We practice saying together, “I’m sorry” and “are you ok?” Children’s sense of safety after this conflict coaching increases resulting in more friendship and bonding. Landmark Preschool endeavors to provide a learning environment that is appropriately challenging and pleasurable preventing misbehavior while encouraging healthy relationships. 

Questions/concerns: At the beginning of the year we have a “greet the teacher” Day where children and parents meet the teacher and board members. Also once a month we have a newsletter that communicates learning activities, outings, and birthdates of children. There is a picture from the previous month included. 

There are 2 bulletin boards in entrance with various postings. At the sign in table handouts such as scholastic or newsletters may be found. Children’s names are found on table by each child upon arrival and taken to the classroom.  At Christmas we have a short play the children do for their parents and we all celebrate after with treats at tables. We love volunteers and need you to have an optimal learning environment. Teachers are available at the beginning and end of each day and at events for questions and concerns as well as by phone or email.

Meditation on Psalm 97:11

By Helen Knueven

(Psalm 97:11 KJV)  Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

How do you sow light? Sowing represents something going into the ground – being buried in darkness; a seed.  (You haven’t seen the last of it though!)  It will revisit the earth in beauty.  But for a time – darkness will be the companion of the seed, along with dirt.  Not such a great sounding situation.

I pondered the scripture and the meaning.  To me, it is a fascinating concept.  I know that light cannot be overpowered – and by one strike of a match a dark room is lightened.  It seems that light would be overpowered if it was sown.

And yet, God’s Word says the light is sown.

I remembered that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World –and I thought about the utter darkness of the Cross.  And yet – the brilliant light that Christ gives to all who believe.

Yesterday, I received an email from a missionary friend in Cambodia.  She said, ‘Please pray for us – things are not right.  Our children had their house broken in – My husband fell into a pit, and my own wrist is broken.  And on top of all of that,  sickness has attacked.

Then I remembered  the scripture. “Light is sown for the righteous.”  Cambodia is a dark place where sex trafficking is done without restraint – and God has sent our friends there to bring His love into this dark corner of the world.

Our friends are sowing the light of Christ into  Cambodia – perhaps you know missionaries that have gone into dangerously dark places to spread Christ’s love.

I believe that we can pray for them and sow light into the darkness too.  We can be partners with them drawing upon the light that only Christ gives; expecting to reap a harvest of light.  Our efforts can seem so weak – so lacking and yet all God expects us to do is give our best.  He will pick up the slack and cause seeds to grow. 

How will you sow light today?

Prayer:  Lord, help me to go into the darkness, declaring your goodness in the midst of a crooked generation, and shine as your light, in Jesus name.  Amen.

Photo courtesy of Motion Worship

 

LET THE GOOD WORDS FLOW

By Narola (Rolie) Grady

A month ago, I went through a writing drought.  My soul felt like baked earth, and a deadline was looming in the distance.  Desperate for help, I emailed Robin, a fellow writer, and our dialogue changed the atmosphere in my spirit.  This blog entry is our conversation.  I hope it will touch some dry spots in you that need moisture.

Dear Robin,

Great blog this week. You are so honest in your struggle to wait on God, especially  when you see doors for ministry fly open for some of your friends.  I’ve had that experience too.  One of my reactions (inside) is to roll over and play dead, in a manner of speaking.  I get so taken by the gifting displayed in someone else, and then wrongly discredit what God has placed in me.  Not good.

So, Robin, here’s your chance.  Speak into this unhealthy spot.  Pour weed killer on it if the Spirit leads.  There needs to be a focus adjustment…one that promotes growth.  I’ll start the conversation with myself:

Rolie,

God has given you many gifts with words and music.  You have been stoking the proverbial fire with good, positive kindling from people like your new friend, Robin.  Sometimes it doesn’t seem to be enough.  But this isn’t the time to retreat and play Freecell on your computer.  Will there be challenges as you take the next step?  Yes, just like there have been for every one of your brothers and sisters in Christ. But God wants to show Himself strong on your behalf against enemy weapons that beat you down……….   Take it away, Robin.

(Robin’s response)

Rolie, you can step into this next place of faith – of speaking out what you agree with God concerning your beautiful design.  You have no competition in God’s Kingdom.  He is lifting layers that reveal more intricacy and gifting and worship.  No retreat is needed, but forward advancing is the order of the day.  You are stepping, your feet hitting the ground, and everywhere you place your foot is your life’s territory!  It feels new, but it’s the path designed for you from the foundation of the world.  You are doing it.

And it’s not works.  It’s that beautiful, unconditional love pouring into you, helping you become the you He already sees you to be.  Redeemed, valued, with eyes that wait to see into the depths of the things of God and bring them out with words – because it’s with words that things come into being – your spirit words flow and you are changed and people who read your words are changed.

And your willingness to be on the journey required of you shortens the path of someone else's journey.  And they find fulness of life because you were willing.  And He shows you the beauty and connects the dots, and you see the grace that holds it all up.

God is always doing something new.  Do you not see it?  He can make a way through a wilderness and cause streams to flow in a desert!  (Isaiah 43:18)

Google, God and Me

By Gail P Smith

“Oh Lord,

There are so many wonderful things to know in this world.  But Your knowledge is better than any other-- timeless, true, and never changing.

Help me to FOCUS-on You and Your Truth. 

Help me to prioritize the incredible flood of information that comes at me

as relentless as waves of the ocean,

as demanding as a screaming child,

and as uncontrollable as a run-away train.”

I prayed this prayer last week as I sat on my porch one morning trying to corral my own run-away thoughts for my time alone with God.

I opened my Bible to Proverbs 23, verse 1 and what I read is in italics. (What I heard, in my heart, is in parenthesis.)

When dining with a rich man (when online on your computer)

Be on guard and don’t stuff yourself, though it all tastes so good: (Watch out, you don’t have to read everything that looks interesting, funny or so good)

For he is trying to bribe you (Cyber space would steal your time and your attention from, the crucial, the eternal to the trivial and meaningless.)

And no good is going to come from his invitation. (It will not help you become the person you want to be.)

I joyfully wrote in my journal:

"Wow, Lord, even as I pray today in October of 2011, You had already answered my prayer thousands of years ago, speaking to my heart through the wisdom you gave to a king so long ago.  You are an awesome, amazing and incredible God.  There is none like You!"

Dear Father,

Let neither my head nor my heart be bribed away from You, for reverence for You, Lord is the beginning and the ending of all wisdom.

Amen

I will answer their prayers before they finish praying (in my case about 3,000+ years before) 

Isaiah 64:24

It's our choice, isn't it?

Identity Crisis:

By Shelly Akins

 

Identity: identifying ones self as something.

All summer people have been asking me, “What have you been doing now that you quit your job?”  I find myself struggling to answer this question.  I’m not a stay-at-home mom because my kids still go to day care; I’m not working on writing seriously, so I’m not a writer; I’m not a teacher because I just sub.  I started thinking, I’m not really anything. 

That’s not really a true statement.  Of course I’m a wife, mother, daughter, friend, but why isn’t that enough?  Why do I feel like I need a job to have an identity?  Maybe it’s because we spend most of our lives telling people what we want to do and be.  When we’re five people ask: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”  When we’re in high school we’re asked, “What are your plans for after graduation?  What are you going to do?”  When we’re leaving college people ask “Do you have a job?  What are you doing next?”  Our jobs dictate where we live, what kind of car we buy, the house we live in, what vacations we take.  We are identified by what we do, for better or worse.

So how do I answer the question, “What do you do?”  I substitute teach.  I do laundry.  I’m a consultant.  I hang out with my kids.  I play Wii games.  I watch Project Runway.  I write on occasion.  I go to lunch with friends.  I quilt. 

I love having control over my time.  Time to discover my new identity and a new way to answer the question, “So, what do you do?”  I do what I need and want to do. Each day is a new adventure and I am enjoying not knowing what it is I do.

Look Again

By Kristi Paxton

At first glance, my daughter’s Brooklyn neighborhood is disgusting. I wove my way down broken sidewalks as discarded papers blew across my path. Inside a tiny café, I feasted my eyes on authentic antique dirt, permanently affixed to the walls with ancient kitchen grease. Can’t you just smell it?

     But I made myself look again and I saw America’s melting pot still simmering on the stove. In one block I found three Chinese bakeries and a kosher deli next door to a grill cook creating made-to-order tacos for breakfast. He knows what his customers will order before they open their mouths.

     Across the street I found a combination of shops to put Mall of America to shame. First was a window full of “fine furs.” Next door a row of Peking ducks garnished the window like swags of Christmas garland. Adjacent to the ducks was a storefront full of wedding dresses. All in a row, just steps between them. A bride could receive a proposal, buy a gown and a fur for the evening, then fling a dozen ducks over her shoulder for the reception, all in a couple of hours.

     And in Midwood Brooklyn, I could assemble supper from fresh produce gathered from one of two gigantic markets, a number of international bakeries and a corner grocery all a half-block walk from my daughter’s apartment. And though the people in the store don’t speak much English, they recognized me and soon knew the products I preferred.

     In my Iowa town, I drive my gas guzzler 20 miles to a big box store where I’m pretty sure nobody will know who I am or what I like.

     After a few days, I came to embrace the colorful clutter that is lower middle class Brooklyn, nothing like the Disneylandish Times Square that pops up when I think of New York City.

     Sometimes it is refreshing to revisit our preconceived notions:

Big cities are unfriendly.

Teenagers are lazy.

Old people are slow.

     Really?

     Second impressions are becoming my favorite kind.

Autumn's Abundance

By Jeannette Doran

 While every season has its own unique beauty, this time of year

 overwhelms one with splendor. Surrounded by fall's harvest of rich

 color, the taste of pumpkin pie and fresh apples, the gentle warmth of

 wind rustling the orange and red leaves, our lives are enriched with

 the fruit of the seed.

 In beholding the beauty of the tiny seed brought to fruition, we are invited to look at its journey.

Perhaps as tulip and daffodil bulbs are fall-planted in the rich soil, soon to bear the depth of winter's cold, or, as the spring seeds are folded into the earth after the last spring frost awaiting their growth, we develop a longing for God. There is a period of darkness amidst cold dampness before the

 tiny green sprout emerges one morning. This is like our own lives.

 Living in Iowa close to corn fields, this reality is clarified.

 Since this year's floods delayed the spring planting for many farmers,

 once the furrowed fields were neatly sown in long rows, we watched and

 waited for the first sign of green. This did come about after more

 periods of threatening rain storms, hot, humid days and warm sunlight.

 While the corn this year was not as "high as the sky on the fourth of

 July," still a few weeks later we watched vast fields sway in the wind

 like waves of the ocean. Now the tall stalks have turned rusty beige,

 a drying out time before the harvest begins. Some years the farmer

 works day and night to beat the coming frost.

 Our garden has nurtured us these last two months with juicy

 tomatoes, green beans, butternut squash and a wealth of broccoli that

 came from a packet of little seeds. This year, a profusion of colorful

 flowers graced our land; it seemed every corner one turned, we

 delighted in a petite blue cornflower or a bright red rose. Such is

 the beauty of creation. We need only to open our eyes to behold God's

 gifts everyday.

 As we remember the seed's journey, we are reminded of our soul's

 path to deeper delights. We believe in the indwelling of the Blessed

 Trinity. Through God's gifts of gentle awareness of this holy presence

 we desire more. We experience long periods of darkness and emptiness.

 Gradually, we find deep in our being a tiny light and warmth that

 begins to emerge after much waiting. As the psalmist teaches, the Lord

 delights in our waiting in love. Our hunger for God grows in the

 dark, and we come to understand that, after long spaces of solitude

 with quiet prayer, we will come to delight in God's holy presence and

 will learn to carry this with us into our daily lives. As the earthly

 seed comes to fruition in the soil's depth, so our spiritual growth is

 nurtured in the night. St. John of the Cross writes to us of our

 spiritual fruition, with this attentive waiting, in this stanza of his poem, The Dark Night:

                          

"O guiding night!

O night more lovely than the dawn!

O night that has united

The Lover with His beloved,

Transforming the beloved in her Lover."

DOWN IN THE BLOG BOG

By Sharon Wilhite

How can some bloggers write epistles with deep spiritual insights accompanied by tasteful photos and links to related websites EVERYDAY?!!! Why can't I also blog prolifically? Why can't I even blog in a timely manner at least once a month? Here are some excuses - I mean REASONS: (get the beat going first!)

 

My drain had a clog,
I had to walk my dog,
Too much fog (as in brain),
Time to butcher the hog,
Went out for a jog,
Slept like a log,
Oh, I'm down, down, down in the blog bog! 

(oh, yeah)

 

Well, enough of the "Blog Bog Blues." I am always telling my children, "Don't make an excuse, make an EFFORT."

 

Time to make time for some serious writing effort not some sorry excuses.

Top Five Things to Love About Conferences

Lisa Lickel's 

Top Five Things to Love About Conferences

1. Networking

2. Teachable Moments Abound in Every Arena

3. Book Fairs

4. Food

5. Autographs

The weekend of September 23-25 wasn’t only for the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference, but also Wisconsin Writers Association, which met in Stevens Point. While I claim being one of those Introverts, I recognize that meet and greet is a necessary part of the writing and publishing business and it’s slowly coming a little more easily. I was given the opportunity to teach a workshop on a topic that was new to me – editing vs. critiquing, so while I prepared to teach with great handouts, the reality of fifty minutes goes by too way fast, and I was woefully under-prepared for the amount of participants. Lesson for me: focus more tightly next time! I enjoyed the book fair more this time around and had fun talking to people who stopped by my table. Lesson for me: when I stop worrying about what I’m going to say or if I sound nosy and focus on other people, I have more fun. I loved meeting the poet laureate of Wisconsin and buying an early signed Christmas present for my hubby. The hotel served great food, and that always seems to loosen up the crowd.

How about you? What do you like about conferences? Let’s share our favorite moments.

Skydiving

By Charis Seeley

               The tiny plane rose higher and higher into the sky. I hunched over on the floor, sandwiched between the pilot and small door. My instructor, Dennis, sat in front of me. Only the pilot had a seat. Too late to go back now.

                I pressed a finger to my carotid artery. My heart pumped stronger, but no faster, than usual. I fought the urge to fiddle with the chest straps on my harness. Are these tight enough? I looked at the pack on Dennis’ back. I check my altitude bracelet. The needle danced at 9,000 feet.

                Dennis turned around. He joined our harnesses so that my back touched his chest. He checked a bunch of clasps I couldn’t identify. His right hand extended over my shoulder and gave me goggles. “Are you ready to jump out of a fully functioning airplane?”

                I’m not sure if I nodded or said yes. Whatever it was, it wasn’t a ‘No’.

                He twisted the handle, and the plane door popped open. At that height, there’s almost no way to conceive how fast you’re going. I remembered the instructions he gave me on the ground. He’ll put his right foot onto the step. My right foot goes outside his. Then I’ll move my left foot onto the step. He’ll pull back on my head and count into my ear. Then we’ll jump. While in freefall, I only need to let my arms and legs relax. He’ll do the rest.

                I moved closer to the doorway. Something in my body railed against this. In that moment, I knew I should be afraid of falling. I laughed in my head. That’s why I’m here! And the fear was gone. I looked down and saw his right foot on the step. I guided my foot to the place it should be. Or I try. The wind was so strong that it blows my whole leg around like a flag. I don’t remember how my left foot ended up outside of the plane. Neither of them ever touched the step.

                Dennis spoke and counted. Then we fell, twisted and flipped in the air. My body was not relaxed and concave.  I had pulled a ‘Superman’; my legs and arms were stiffer than a sheet of plywood. I felt his ankles wrap around mine and yank them back. We steadied out. His hands gripped my biceps and cracked them into the proper position.  I felt something snap on my left shoulder. My arm had come out of socket and he pushed it back in.

                The rest of the flight was smooth. At 6,000 feet, I pulled my own parachute. We landed to the cheers of friends. It wasn’t like the drop on a rollercoaster, but it was definitely fun.

                My right foot reminds me of when God asks something of us and we obey without commitment. On the ground, Dennis said “I have a vested interest in your safety. We’re strapped together with one parachute. I want to live. You’re going to be fine.” It put my mind at ease. I knew I didn’t really have to try very hard. Dennis would fix it. When we obey God’s original call to action but do not follow it through with the actions He requires of us, we’re bound to get hurt. It is important to put your right foot onto the step, but a lack of commitment will have you uncontrolled freefall and your endeavor will not bear fruit.

Heaven Has No Coda

by Robin J. Steinweg

“It’s fall,” my friend says.
“No!” I surprise us both with more volume
and vehemence than I meant.
More meekly, I explain my stand.

“It’s summer still. You want proof?

The trees are green; the grass wants mowing.
I still see Japanese beetles ravaging roses.
The calendar says there’s still one more day.”

(my friend laughs)

“Hang on if you want. As for me, fall’s the season.
Rip up the garden, toss out the old vines
and spent blooms. Till the soil, add organic material
to rot over winter. Cool nights make great sleeping.”

(I press my point)

“There’s still harvest to be had! More flowers;
all they need is a little extra care—to be covered
when it’s cold.

(I feel hot tears prick my eyes)

…to be enjoyed just a little longer.”

“Are we still talking about the change of season?”

(All at once I understand my emotion)

My friend has born no losses yet of family. No loved one

 has grown stooped with summer’s passing. 
No frost has nipped the bloom from a cherished vine.
Fall seems short and cruel when winter looms.         

But hurrying in to interrupt my desperate grief
comes the truth with its solace and
unwavering calm, its unending joy:

“Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be

away from these earthly bodies, for then
we will be at home with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8 NLT).

Life in Christ is a song. Fall is the bridge and

winter the outro. Heaven has no coda! The Composer
keeps adding voices and melodies in an eternal Arioso
Giocoso.

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am

He who will sustain you. I have made you and
I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (Is. 46:4 NIV).

(I smile at my friend)

“You know, you’re right. Fall has the bluest skies 
and the brightest surprises under the chlorophyll in the leaves.
It has all the beauty of spring, the wisdom of summer, and
the promise of new beginnings.”

Suspended in Time

By Narola Rolie Grady

I took a trip of epic proportions this morning.  I didn’t set out to do that, but it just happened.  It reminded me of those time line exhibits in a museum…..the kind that kids race through, while parents are torn between learning something new or corraling their offspring. 

My journey began in the early silences of a new day.  It was the words of a national leader that caught my attention.  “LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.”  Psalm 90:1.  Moses’ heart is full as he looks back over a tumulteous life  with one foot planted in sandy desert and the other in eternity. 

A dwelling place.  I bow my head in reverence as I listen to this private conversation between man and his God.  The One who formed that baby in the womb, and quietly filled his mother’s heart with a determination to keep him alive, even if it meant releasing him to an Egyptian princess. 

Moses carries that dream for his people, one so filled with the fire and power of the Almighty, that it almost destroys him when he attempts to take on Egypt singlehandedly.  But even as he retreats to the back side of a desert, God’s eye follows His every move, waiting until the flesh is broken and Moses no longer trusts in his own strength.

Moses goes on to voice this fiery relationship between Jehovah and a nation bent on living out of darkness.  Now in later years himself, this leader- turned-worshiper yields to a sovereign majesty who makes earthly joys pale in comparison.

Around verse 14, my heart joins in the refrain.  “Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days!”  I’m straining along with those early forefathers to fully enter the Promised Land.

Then I watch as Moses circles back around at the end.  “And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us;  yes, establish the work of our hands.”  Peace invades the room, fills the day, and I slowly stand, knowing that this 24-hour time capsule is safely preserved for eternity. 

Criteria for Selecting Leaders in the Church

By Michael Elmore

There is a push today in many churches and denominations to advance leadership within the local church. 1 Timothy 3:1 commends those who have the desire and the initiative to seek leadership within the church: “Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.” However, a considerable number of pastors and Christian leaders select leaders in their churches without considering the biblical qualifications for choosing leaders.

2 Timothy 2:2 is a pivotal verse which depicts three qualities in selecting Christian leaders: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” The apostle Paul depicts three key characteristics that must be followed in choosing those to lead the Church of Jesus Christ. Look at the verse carefully. Note that Paul does not say that these qualities should be on the job training program, they should already be inherently part of a potential leaders Christ-like character based a certain level of Christian maturity.

First Paul states that potential leaders must be someone who can be entrusted. To be entrusted means to hold a trust of someone else’s property or well-being. As we raise individuals into leadership positions we must recognize that we are entrusting them with the greatest responsibility of all: other people’s spiritual lives and destinies.

Second, Paul states that a potential leader must be reliable. Reliability is the quality of being someone that can be counted on consistently. Consistency is a mark of Christian maturity and leaders without this quality are not fit to lead.

Third, Paul states that potential leaders must be qualified. What does Paul mean when he states that they must be qualified? Simply this: a qualified individual being considered for Christian leadership must have been mentored in Christian service. Whether this is through formal education or an in-depth mentoring process taking the time for necessary preparation for leadership is essential. Again, Paul states in 1 Timothy 3:6 that a leader should “not be a novice, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.”

The Bible states that potential leaders must be able to be entrusted, be reliable and be qualified. In today’s church there are great needs to be met in the realm of leadership. However, when out of desperation we select immature or unqualified leaders in the church we are only hurting ourselves and our congregations. This type of leader almost always falls short. Often, they are a source of constant frustration for those in authority above them. And usually they end up shirking from their leadership role.  Sometimes they must be involuntarily replaced. This is indeed a painful task to perform.

Christ-like character must be shaped and molded carefully. Galatians 4:19 reminds us that developing character takes times. “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.” Christ-like character must be formed. Forming character takes time, it takes nurture and it takes patience. Leaders should not be selected too early in the process of becoming more like Jesus.

A Day in the Life of a Home School Mom

By Sharon Wilhite

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A...

H - HONOR God with prayer and Bible reading to begin day

O - OATMEAL for breakfast (grins or groans!)

M - MAKE beds so do NOT fall back in them!

E - ENERGIZED by exercise (or dark chocolate)

S - SCIENCE, social studies, Spanish, second grade, Silliness!, etc. etc.

C - CHAPTER books read aloud at lunchtime

H - HEAD to library, bank, post office, grocery store, etc. etc. etc.

- "O" says "ah" as in "octopus"

O - OPPORTUNITIES:  music lessons, volunteering, sports, jobs

L - LAUNDRY, laundry, laundry washed, dried, folded, hopefully put away

M - MEALTIME in the evening with Dad

O - ORDER everyone to bed, ORGANIZE the next day

M - MEDITATE on Scripture, read for enjoyment to end another day 

Meet Me in St. Louis

by Marvin Ferguson

 Our daughter's boyfriend, Tim, held season tickets to St. Louis Cardinal baseball games. And so, Judy and I jumped to the invitation for an exciting weekend.

It was 4:30 a.m. when I put our suitcase in the trunk of our car. Then, in the dark, we traveled through the back roads toward the main highway.

Already traffic was moderate. People were off to visit friends, family, or perhaps going to work or joining us to the airport.

The parking lot at General Mitchell Airport in Milwaukee was quiet. A few cars parked in designated spots while people rushed toward the terminal.

Inside the airport apprehensive passengers scanned the arrival and departure schedule. Long lines of people anticipated checking in along with the necessary body search. There was so much to do at the airport.

Down a long corridor Judy and I searched for Gate 15. When the ticket agent mentioned our name I knew we had arrived. "Airtran flight number... is now boarding." How were we supposed to know all the other passengers were already on board?

Twenty-five minutes ahead of schedule and we were airborne.

As some passengers stared out the window at the vast landscape, others either slept or read a magazine. Meanwhile, the flight attendant stayed busy serving us beverages along with a snack.

One hour and fifteen minutes later we were in Lambert International Airport with other people browsing through a gift shop or searching for a luggage carousel.

Finally, with a small overnight bag, two very special people greeted us. After a smile, a hug, and the usual chatter, we traveled toward The Renaissance Hotel downtown. Later that day, it will be an exciting baseball game at Busch stadium.

It was a pleasure to visit our daughter and her friend. But what I liked best was watching all the people. And God loves them all.

NEW BOOK PROVIDES PRACTICAL TIPS FOR PROVERBS LIVING

By Gail Smith

Did you know one of our bloggers has a new book?  Congratulations to Kathryn Lang on publishing Practical Proverbs.  In celebration we share her press release below.

Life comes at you hard and some days it takes all the strength you can find just to get through the day. The Book of Proverbs is packed full of advice and steps to help make it a little easier to push on through to the place you desire to go.

 

"This book is right on target - practical advice and simple steps!" Troy works in Alabama as a contractor and craftsman. He enjoyed the humor and honesty of the way the book unfolded.

"It says practical, and it is! Kathryn Lang writes with the experience her life has given. This is a great read for anyone. I learned so much!" Bethany is a student from Colorado and beginning her own journey to the Proverbs life.

 

Practical Proverbs breaks down eight of the traits that can be found in the Book of Proverbs. Each trait comes to life with tips and ideas that allow each reader to mold that trait into his or her unique life.

 

Kathryn C. Lang speaks and writes about encouragement and positive living. Her website, www.thepeculiarclub.com, carries articles about living the Proverbs life and pursuing a life of peace, joy and hope. 

 

Practical Proverbs is available for eReaders through Smashwords.com and other formats. It is available in paperback form through Amazon.com and CreateSpace.com. 

 

Join me in congratulating Kathryn!  We are all so thrilled for your success and we're praying God will use your book to influence and encourage all.