Blessing

“Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless–that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing. ” 1 Peter 3:8-9, MSG*

Our job is to bless. And we can only do this in the power of the Holy Spirit, as He enables us to follow Jesus’ example and commit our lives to the God who judges justly.

No victim mentality or martyred airs–living confident in God, with our hope securely in Him.

Peter says then people will wonder how we can carry on so well in life’s stress. When they ask the reason for our hope, we can gently tell them how Jesus sustains us.

Father, please help me fix my heart on You, live confident in You, and live to be a blessing.

I love the way John Waller articulates the choice between blessing and cursing in his song, “The Blessing”.

*The Message MSG Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

The Path of Celtic Prayer

The Path of Celtic Prayer, by Calvin Miller

I’ve just finished reading this thoughtful book by Dr. Calvin Miller, and I had to share this quote:

“In desperate times, living becomes an altar where you pray and sing because the only good news of the day is that God lives longer than you do. And God promises you that even if your days are few, your dying is not a wall, but a set of gates. Beyond this portal lies a reason to esteem your life. … your lifespan … is short. But your prayers endure forever.” (The Path of Celtic Prayer: An Ancient Way to Everyday Joy, by Calvin Miller, Inter-Varsity Press, hardcover May 2007, p. 17)

Isn’t that beautiful? There are many more gems like it in the book. To learn more about Calvin Miller, visit his website.

Who me, fret?

There’s an article at Thoughts Selected that I think we all need to read: “Fret Not Yourself.”

Author/teacher M. Hernandez begins with “Among our many human weaknesses, one of the most outstanding is fretting or complaining.” Instead of stopping there, she offers a simple, practical way to train our spirits in gratitude and praise to God.

Spiritual exercise, like physical, takes time and persistence. But it brings results.

God is on the Job

“Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.” 1 Peter 4:12-13, MSG*

Peter tells us to commit ourselves to our faithful Creator and continue to do good (1 Peter 4:19). And our doing good is to be with a willing heart (1 Peter 5:2).

Instead of fighting-our own circumstances, God, others or ourselves-Peter says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6,7 NIV**)

Peter wrote to strengthen the persecuted believers, for their own sakes and so that the people around them would see Jesus in their behaviour and attitudes. We can apply what he says, the principles and the hope, to our daily stresses and relationships.

Father, help me remember daily to commit myself to You, to live in trust of Your hand on my life. Help me recognize You in my day, help me serve You with a willing heart. Help me treat others with the love You desire. Thank You for taking care of me. Your grace is amazing.

Songs like Bebo Norman’s I Will Lift My Eyes help me pray and keep focused on trusting God.

*The Message MSG Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

**New International Version NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

Obedience

Monday was my day to post at InScribe Writers Online. If you want to check out Obedience, it carries on the theme of Let Go, Let God (my post last week here at God with Us:Finding Joy).

Blessings today!

Christian Fiction Online Magazine

The long-awaited Christian Fiction Online Magazine is now available at Christian Fiction Online Magazine.

I’ve skimmed through, and there’s plenty of good stuff to go back and read. Writers will find help and insights for their craft. Readers will find interviews with authors… and a draw for a free box of books.

Definitely check out Randy Ingermanson’s humour column, Three Reasons to Ban All Non-Amish Novels.

Let Go, Let God

“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:23, NIV*

We may not be able to change our circumstances, but we can change our reactions to them.

The Apostle Peter tells us Jesus “entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.” The Message says He was “content to let God set things right.”** That implies He trusted God to be willing and able to do so.

And in chapter 3 Peter tells us to live the same way.

Pain, tiredness, worry… whatever stresses me-I have a strong emotional response. Same with anything I dislike or think should be done differently. Control issues, I know. And who actually rules the universe? Let me think: not me!

“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” 1 Peter 2:23, NIV*

So when things go wrong in my day, my agenda’s thrown off-course, someone chooses to do something at home or at church that’s not what I’d choose… if I’m tired or in pain… I’m to entrust myself to God who judges justly.

Not to lie down and play martyr. Or passively-aggressively sulk. (Who, me?) Actively, positively… trust God. Commit my way to Him.

Father, sometimes there’s pain. Or tiredness, fears or struggles. But if I can’t walk away, please protect me from making things worse. Give me Your peace. Help me know You’re with me and that You have a plan.

Help me trust You and live submitted to Your leading. Help me cooperate as You retrain my mind into healthier patterns. Thank You for Big Daddy Weave’s version of “Trust and Obey” on the radio this morning to cement the teaching. Help me keep it simple, LORD. Help me trust and obey.

Here’s the only video I could find of our song for the week:

*New International Version NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

**The Message MSG Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson.

July’s free book

Happy Canada Day!

July’s free books is Shadows in the Mirror, a romantic suspense by Linda Hall. For more details, pop over to the free books page. To be included in the draw, leave a comment on the free books page before midnight June 25.

Blogging on “Fiction Matters”

Pop, there it is: the perfect title for your story. Perhaps it even comes first, teasing you to discover a plot to do it justice. Or perhaps it has to be coaxed from some deep pocket of your brain.

If you’re a writer who’d like some help with titling your work, pop over to Bonnie’ Grove’s Fiction Matters blog. I’m happy to be part of the lineup of guest bloggers, and I share what’s helped me in finding titles for my stories.

One Smooth Stone Winner

Congratulations to John Van Essen, winner of a copy of One Smooth Stone, by Canadian author Marcia Lee Laycock.

John, I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. For everyone else, remember the book is available through your local Christian bookstore (Augsburg is the Canadian distributor, Ingram the US one) or through Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Why not ask your public library to order a copy?