Encouraging Word Devotional

My friend, David Stearman has been writing for years--mostly songs, including some for singers we all know and love: Amy Grant for one. But lately he's penning novels and most recently a great new devotional called Encouraging Word that just hit number ONE on Amazon's Christian Meditations list. AWESOME

He has graciously agreed to share one of his devotionals with us today.

Winter's End

Song of Solomon 2:11-12--For behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

Proverbs 4:18--But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn that grows brighter and brighter to the perfect day.

Winter. Not my favorite season. Sure, sometimes it snows and everything looks beautiful. Even the air is exhilarating. But here in the Southern US, most winter days are just cold and gray.

But before long the Earth tilts, tipping us closer to the sun. The days grow longer, the flowers appear, the songbirds return, and soon we’re reveling in spring’s warm embrace. This change is inevitable. The natural forces God set in motion at Creation cannot be prevented or circumvented.

And your life will get better, too, for God promises so in the Bible. The spiritual forces He set in motion by way of His word are irresistible. By placing your faith in these promises, you align yourself with the Power that drives the seasons. Yes, the God who created the universe declares that your life will get better and better until the Perfect Day.

Today’s Prayer: Lord, things seem cold and gray in my life today, but I know they won’t stay that way. You promised my days would grow brighter and brighter, and I trust you to bring this to pass. Soon enough it will be springtime in my life and these challenging days will be behind and forgotten.

To order the .99 ebook go here: http://www.amazon.com/Encouraging-Word-Days-Uplift-ebook/dp/B00A1SM1ZS/ref=zg_bsnr_158398011_1

Hope always Opens another Door

Day Two:

Why so downcast, o my soul? Put your trust in God.

I love that David talked to himself. Encouraged himself, reminded himself that God is bigger and there is always a better day ahead.

Some days, I just have to tell myself that Jesus never fails. That He sees, He hears, He knows. His heart is so big and directed toward me, that if I wait it out, I'll see the Goodness of God in the land of the living.

And some days, that Goodness overflows. Maybe not in a big, fat check. But in small, constant ways like: A letter from a reader, thanking me for brightening her day with one of my books. Some days, we get little surprises like the dog actually "stays" when I tell her to :) Or Mike makes curfew. Ha! A phone call from a someone who just wants to love me, have coffee or lunch. Someone who remembers I'm still here. Days when I feel alone and tired and in need of kindness.

We've had a tough couple of years. I'm not going to lie. And with the very real truth that the military funding will be cut even more, it's unlikely Rusty will find another military position. So we have to turn our eyes elsewhere. What's the next step, Lord?

Hope always opens another door. It takes wisdom and courage to walk into change, but we're listening. Willing to do whatever God says as He directs us forward to tomorrow. Grateful for family and friends who love us and want God's best for us.

God's ways make me scratch my head, but this I know, I TRUST Him. I Believe He is working out my life, and later (however long it takes) when I look back, I'll see His hand as He has faithfully met eveyr need against overwhelming odds.

He's just that cool...

The Morning After

A couple weeks ago my agent, Karen, told me I must start blogging again. Normally I don't enjoy bossy people, but my sweet friend, Karen is RIGHT. I am so inconsistent. My friend Larry is in the process of editing his book called 40 Days With the Devil (see his fantastic blog www.larrydugger.com), and he encourages his readers to take 40 days for real change. Helping him with this book has actually changed my life! But I've decided to apply the principles to getting consistent with blogging so for the next 40 (weekdays) I am going to blog. Even if it's something stupid.

Day One:

Yesterday was a BIG day for me. I love election day, the process of rising, cooking a special breakfast, teaching the kids how important it is--this freedom our soldiers have fought and died for over the course of our country's 236 years.

Went with my eighteen-year-old son, Stevan, as he cast his first ever ballot! It matters. Three of my kids are now registered voters. I don't tell them how to vote (not that it would do me any good--they're all pretty much independent thinkers), I mainly care only THAT they vote. It's their hard-won right.

I made fattening, carb-loaded food fit for a holiday, and we waited. And waited. By eight o'clock central time, I had a feeling the president would be re-elected. My mood shifted from celebration to resignation.



But then, guess what happened? Morning came. God didn't fall off his throne, my puppy is still having puppies, Will still went to school (despite his best efforts to stay home and "comfort me"--which loosely translated means, "how about you just get over it, while I play my video game?), I still have an edit to do and Jesus still loves America and all its people, even the Democrats (smile).

Lots of emotions milling around in America today. Anger, elation, sadness, joy, fear, hope. Depends on your affiliation. I doubt there's a lot of apathy going on. At least not from those who weren't already apathetic.

I hope and pray our nation will come together, One Nation Under God. If we truly, truly believe that every, single word of the Bible is true and not just Mark 11:23-24, then we MUST believe that God had a hand in this election, regardless the outcome. Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. Rom. 13:1 NLT Vs two is even more sobering. It says if you rebel against the authority you're rebelling against God and what he instituted.

I'm not a bible scholar. But I do believe the Word of God. I believe in our country, and even though I do not agree with many of the policies of our current administration and I mourn for the life of the unborn, President Obama is in my prayers.

God bless this nation