4/7/22 4/7/22

The Lord's Model--The Lord's Prayer

After this manner therefore pray:
Our Father which are in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done in earth,
as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,for ever
Amen.
-Matthew 6:9-13

Many of us have, at one time or another, memorized this prayer that Jesus taught His disciples. At least most of us have heard it recited or read in some media.

For many, it has become a meaningless recitation of words, rather than the powerful prayer it is. The beauty of the prayer is not disputed. Most will acknowledge it lifts up and comforts those who pray it from their hearts as well as their memories.

However, Jesus taught this prayer, not as the end all for prayer, but also as an example to follow.“After this manner therefore pray,” He said. He meant this prayer to be a model for our ongoing conversations with God. So how do we pray?

First, we start by addressing our Heavenly Father with respect and reverence, and to praise Him for who He is.

Second, we are to indicate our willingness to do as God directs. (Why bother asking if we plan to ignore His guidance and do things our way anyway?)

Third, we need to honestly share our needs and desires with God. This includes our hurts, feelings, good or bad, and even our disappointment of, or questions to Him. (Share what is on your heart and mind. Don’t worry, He knows what you’re thinking anyway.)

Fourth, we need to make certain our hearts and lives are right before God. (Again, He already knows, but wants us to acknowledge our bad choices, thoughts, behavior to ourselves and Him. Reality check.) Here we humble ourselves with confession (admission of) and repentance (turning away) from things we know are not right in our lives and relationships.

Fifth, we live in a world growing more dangerous. When praying, we need to ask God’s safety and protection over ourselves, our families and others on a daily, sometimes moment-to-moment basis. Prayers for wisdom and healing also fit this pattern.

Finally, prayer is more than making demands. Prayer is also about gratitude, praise and giving thanks for what God has done in our lives, is doing and will do in the future.

The end of prayer is the beginning of leaving things in God’s hands and trusting Him for the results. Sometimes we need to ask God to help us do that as well.

Help me, Lord, pray with a willing heart and mind, not just when things are going badly, but daily and even throughout the day. Help me realize prayer is my direct line to Your help and to my relationship with You and to access it often. Help me also pray with the full expectation that You can and will answer, though, sometimes, not in the way I may expect. That’s OK, too. Amen.

Meditations:
Monday: Proverbs 15:8, 29; 16:3
Tuesday: Psalms 70
Wednesday: Ephesians 6:18; 3:14-21
Thursday: Philippians 4:4-9
Friday: Romans 12:9-21
Saturday: I Thessalonians 5:12-28

From Listen! Who Me?
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4/4/22 4/4/22

Easter more than baskets, bunnies and eggs

When my dad pastored a church in eastern Wyoming during my elementary years, we had traditions for celebrating Easter. We had new Easter outfits. (We probably needed them since we grew all the time out of our clothes and shoes.) Before the big day Karin, Paul, and I colored eggs with Mom. (I’m sure she had to scrub down the kitchen when we were finished.) We knew that later, after dinner Dad had a hunt planned. No, not for eggs.

Our parents bought each of us a large chocolate something, a cross, bunny, egg, etc. He’d hide them in the living room, and we had to find and claim one for ourselves. Since dad was into health, we were allowed to enjoy some of the chocolate, but only in moderation so the chocolate lasted for several days. It tasted all the better for eating it slowly.

Before sunrise Easter morning, we, followed by others from the congregation, drove up the hill to the former church location where the large cross still overlooked the small oil town of Lance Creek. When the sun rose, we had a beautiful view as we listened to dad share about that glorious first Easter morning.

From the sunrise service, we drove west to the Covenant church where the ladies had prepared a breakfast guaranteed to fill up even the hungriest person. The church service was one of rejoicing with songs such as, “Up from the Grave He Arose.” Dad’s sermon brought us from the commercial aspects already creeping into Easter celebrations to the true meaning of the day.

The baby born in the manger didn’t come simply to give us a joyful Christmas holiday, He came for a much more serious reason. Jesus, the Creator God, came to bring hope to a people living in darkness. He came to bring light. As an adult, he healed, raised the dead, and set individuals free as He shared His love and compassion with His creation.

He wasn’t afraid to confront the religious leaders who made all sorts of regulations, but used them not to help, but to separate their people from their finances and their God. Most of them hated Him for uncovering their actions. Others hated Him for calling out their greed, pride, selfishness, and other sins. They hated Him enough to conspire to torture and murder Him with the extreme cruelty of a crucification.

He was a man. He was God, but He willingly sacrificed His life. Why? Because there are always consequences for wrong choices and actions. He died to take the consequences we deserved. He died to offer a better tomorrow. He did more, He rose again, conquering death itself. He rose to offer forgiveness instead of guilt and a personal relationship with the Creator. To those who accepted and followed, He offered light in the darkness, life for death, and the assurance that we are never alone.

Beyond the new clothes, baskets, candy, and more, all of which are quickly discarded, Easter is about Jesus who loves you and me so much, He gave up everything to offer the one thing we need more than about anything else, especially in today’s world, --hope.

Happy Easter!

Column published in Kearney Hub 2022 April 4

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3/31/22 3/31/22

Blog Whistles, Safety and grandkids

After a surgery that left my throat injured, trying to raise my voice hurt. Yet, I needed some way to get a hold of someone if I had a need. It was difficult even to raise my voice so my husband on the other end of our one-story house could hear me. At the time, medical alert appliances didn’t work if a person fell, not automatically at any rate, which is what I would need.

I found an inexpensive solution. I bought a package of different colored whistles on expandable bands I could slip on my wrists. The colors coordinated with my outfits. If I needed to gain Keith’s attention, I merely whistled.

But the whistles became a hit in another way. My young granddaughter loved the colorful, clinking whistles. It wasn’t long before I came prepared when I visited. I’d wear several whistles on my arm. She, and later her younger brother, loved stripping them off my arm and marching around and whistling. I used my whistles to teach colors and counting.

The kids are getting older now and those whistles don’t carry the same draw as they once did. They may whistle a bit when we visit, then move on to something else. But for me, the cheap, colorful whistles still serve their original purpose, if I need to alert someone to a fall or other situation, I merely whistle.

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3/28/22 3/28/22

Blog My Special Radio

I was an active child. I loved wandering the hills behind the parsonage in Wyoming. I loved riding horses. I loved reading, but also loved being outside working on one project or another. Six months after we moved to a rural church in northern Kansas, I contracted juvenile rheumatoid arthritis—though I wasn’t diagnosed for several months. JRA was something new to the doctors and they didn’t really know how to treat the disease in young people.

My parents took me to different rehab centers. Some helped me in different ways. Some not so much. One left me with nightmares for months after I got home again. When my folks took me down to Hot Springs Arkansas to an outpatient clinic for treatments, I was in pain and in a wheelchair. I could not walk, could not even wheel my chair.

My folks had little money, but my dad felt so bad for me. As we wondered in downtown stores before an appointment, I must have indicated my liking for a small transistor radio. It was small, blue, and cool. I didn’t expect anything to come of my checking it out. Small radios like that weren’t in our budget. Nevertheless, dad bought it for me. I could hardly believe it. I wanted to cry. I knew he sacrificed to get me that radio.

For the next few years that radio helped make time go faster and engage my attention when I wasn’t reading or otherwise engaged. I could be outside and listen to the Triple Crown races that held my attention in the spring.

Most of all that radio stayed with me long after I had massive surgery to get me up and walking, long after I grew up and married. How could I let go of what reminded me of something so important, especially when I needed encouragement during those years of frustration and pain--my father’s love?

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3/25/22 3/25/22

Devotion Choice to do Right

Read: I Peter 3:10-18

For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened (made alive) by the Spirit: --I Peter 3:18

How often do we use “Christian” jargon either to excuse our behavior or (maybe unwittingly) confuse others about what we mean? It is easy for some of us who grew up in the church to use such terminology as “Jesus forgives sins”; “Jesus paid the penalty for my sins” or “He took my place.”

We spout spiritual-sounding words such as the following: new birth, salvation, sanctification, and the much-used phrase--”Asking Jesus into your heart.”

These may have meant something significant in our lives. But as time passes, we tend to lose sight of what this terminology once meant to our faith and to our walk with Jesus. We lose sight of the deeper meaning and forget those who do not know Christ may have no clue what we’re talking about when we use such phrases as worn idioms. Why should they? We’ve forgotten.

Jesus Christ, Lord and Creator of the entire universe, loved each of us so much that, when He realized what a mess we’d made of our lives and His beautiful world, He made a critical choice. He left His power and glory to be born into our world. He lowered Himself to our level. He lived as we lived, felt as we feel. He struggled with the same temptations, enticements and sins that seek to entangle us. The difference? He knew God’s Word. He chose to say, “No!” over and over again. He used Scripture to foil Satan at his own game.

Because Jesus said, “No!” to sin and temptation, He didn’t have to suffer consequences for His own sin-- He had none. It meant He could, and did, choose to take the consequences for our bad choices. He chose to take on Himself the punishments and consequences we rightly deserve. He allowed Himself to be tortured and murdered-- for you, for me, for our sin.

We do not need to castigate ourselves over sins for which we’ve regretted and for which we’ve repented and turned away. Jesus forgives all those sins, bad things we’ve said, thought or done. He took our punishment and set us free of the guilt. Our part is simply to accept His gift; a gift freely given, which cannot be earned.

Jesus made the sacrifice for one reason. He loves us. He created us and desires a personal relationship with each one of us. He wants us to follow Him, that He might give us the deep, rich life He has planned for us. Jesus accepted death, that He might conquer death, evil and hell. Those of us who choose to follow Him, He offers His peace, hope, new life today and a place with Him forever in heaven.

He doesn’t want robots. He doesn’t force me to serve Him. With His death and resurrection, He provided us a choice. We do not have to choose His gift of forgiveness, guidance, hope and life. There is always choice to make. We never lose our right to make choices that either bring us life and light or selfishness, heartache and, ultimately, separation from Him. Satan entangles, manipulations, entices and intimidates. Only Jesus offers choice. Only Jesus offers true freedom. The choice is mine--yours.

Thank you, Father God, for the gift of Your Son. Help me commit or recommit my life to You. Help me not merely spout words of faith, but live them out as a follower of Christ. Help me make choices that lead others to You. Amen.

Meditations: Monday: James 4:1-8

Tuesday: Revelation 2:1-7

Wednesday: Matthew 27:15-25

Thursday: Luke 18:18-30

Friday: Revelation 3:14-22

Saturday: Hebrews 25

From LISTEN! WHO ME?

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3/22/22 3/22/22

Blog Bio It has been a long journey to my latest book

As we contemplated whether or not to offer this series as individual books or as a collection, I decided I liked the idea of offering my readers one book for the entire series. I am glad I went this direction. Who knows what tomorrow might bring with health and other issues? The full trilogy is now published, and I am happy with the result.

Three Sisters of Stanhavon Castle has been released. It is a collection of three complete inspirational Regency romance novels that make up a series. We decided on this direction because it takes enormous effort not only to write and prepare a book for publication but also to market a book properly.

As a child, I loved listening to Dad read everything from Alice in Wonderland, the original to books about people from Martin Luther to Bible storybooks and Bible passages. Those characters on the page fascinated me. Long before I entered school, I learned the alphabet. I learned to put letters together At, Bat, Cat on down, even little rhymes.

How exciting to actually read in school and to be able to take home my very first book. I became a voracious reader. My imagination flew. In elementary school, I began writing some stories. By third grade, I dreamed of being a writer.

Once my parents read my writing, they encouraged me. In Kansas, I contracted Juvenile Rheumatoid arthritis and soon rode a wheelchair, not my horse. Those years were filled with pain and frustrations, I poured out in my writing.

In high school, I placed in some writing competitions. When dad took a church in Iowa, we discovered a published author in the congregation. She showed me how to format my work, research, and send my work to appropriate markets. With her assistance, I began selling children’s stories and features. Features led me to pursue a comprehensive degree in journalism from UNK (then KSC). In fact, we moved to Kearney so I could attend college--at a time no one was too concerned about wheelchair accessibility.

By the time I graduated, I regularly sold features and program material (skits, recitations, plays) to several different markets. I also had extensive surgery to walk again. After I married, I continued to freelance. For my birthday one year, my friend Gloria gave me a novel. She challenged me, “You can do better than this.”

I took the challenge. It was ten years of learning my craft, effort, and time before I sold my first novel. I wrote several books for Barbour Publishing’s Heartsong Presents line before moving to Trebleheart Books where I released several more books—including my first complete series.

I also worked with several small publishers, had some good agents, and finally landed contracts with Harlequin--the publisher with all those books in Walmart, Target, etc. Then a company bought Harlequin and forced them to delete some lines. One was the line I wrote for. After I had a severe fall my writing was sidelined. When I returned to writing, I worked on updating books for which I’d received back my rights. Some I resold. Others I brought out under my own imprint. I also wrote the draft of a new series. I worked on it now and again, while I released other non-series books.

In 2021 I returned to my series Three Sisters of Stanhavon Castle. This time I rewrote, reworked, and edited. It took most of the year, but it was done and ready for release before the holidays. It was such fun to give away this book to friends and family. For now, my attention will be on my novel and my Hub columns. We’ll see where my writing takes me after that. Who knows, I may be more surprised than anyone else.

Have a dream? Don’t let it go. Take the steps needed in practice, education, and growing—including the willingness to accept suggestions and constructive criticism--to make that dream come true.

Published Hub Column 3/21/2022

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3/16/22 3/16/22

Devotion True or Temporary Value

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

We desperately want things to hang onto, things that last. Yet how often do we neglect what has eternal value--God's Word and a relationship with Christ?

In the morning we fuss about clothes, and for women, makeup, yet often neglect what will truly give us the right start to our day--time with God in prayer and meditation on his Word.

How long will we substitute the temporary for the things that truly matter?

Help me, Lord, evaluate my priorities and make You and time in Your Word central in my heart, my life and my daily plans. Amen.

Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

From First I Bow
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3/15/22 3/15/22

Blog Following the Example of St. Patrick

***Photo by*** ***K. Mitch Hodge*** on ***Unsplash***

St. Patrick’s Day decorations, etc. fill the stores in March. In some locations, drinking green beer is a must. In fact, St. Patrick’s day has become a day of releasing prohibitions. Such celebrations would sadden the actual man known now as St. Patrick.

Patrick was the son of a well-to-do British family. As a teen, he was captured and sold as a slave in Ireland. Patrick spent his time out in the hills with the sheep. He had little in the way of food, clothes or companionship, but he found a personal relationship with Jesus, which fueled his life from then on.

After six years, he escaped. He desired not only to share Jesus with others but also to return to Ireland to share Jesus with those who held him captive. With that in mind, he became a priest. He grew in knowledge of his faith and deepened his walk with Christ,

Many years later, he was allowed to return to Ireland. His love and care for those whose lives were filled with darkness and superstition changed lives and changed the nation from one of darkness to one of Christian love. Many slaveholders even released their slaves. While there are all sorts of miracles and legends assigned to Patrick, the truth is simple. His life modeled the love of Jesus Christ and it made all the difference.

Want to live your life for Jesus as did the man who became known as St. Patrick? All it takes is asking Jesus to be your Savior, Friend and to make Him the center of your life.

3/14/22 3/14/22

Blog Ugh! DST

I really do not look forward to Daylight savings Time (DST). It is humans seeking to change the natural order of time to suit the perceived wants of some. Whatever the truth, I remember as a kid learning about this change in time in the spring.

I heard that DST was passed to give wealthy golfers more time to play golf in the daylight. Now, I realize this was probably a sarcastic viewpoint. But I understand the sentiment.

We lived in Wisconsin when I became aware of DST. Wisconsin is the dairy state with herds and herds of dairy cows. From time to time, I had the privilege of staying with an aunt who lived on a very small farm. She milked several cows. Those cows had a milking schedule.

When their udders were heavy with milk, they were anxious to enter the barn where my aunt milked them. At times, I even got to holler at them to come—and they came.

DST meant twice a year, herds and herds of Wisconsin milk-ready cows had to be milked an hour earlier or later, depending on the time of year. Like that was going to happen. Instead, it was the farmer who had to completely change his/her schedule to match a nature-bending schedule.

We’ve grown up with DST. Other than when we must change the clocks Spring or Fall, most of us groan, lose sleep, get a bit confused and simply grumble. I wish DST would disappear.

But in light of all the other serious situations we’ve been facing, DST is down the list. Meanwhile, I’ll suck in a breath and hope my aging body and mind will adjust once again. Welcome to DST.

3/13/22 3/13/22

Devotion Matter of Trust

Who am I to get mad at God when life gets difficult, tragedies happen and things don't go as planned? Jesus was God. He didn't have to go along with His Father's program for humankind.

Jesus didn't have to leave Glory to live in poverty, be ridiculed, and have no earthly home. He didn't have to allow Himself to be tortured and murdered and treated like a common criminal.

He did it out of trust in His Father and love for us. Nothing that happened to Jesus was His fault. Can we say the same? Nothing that happens to you or I rises to the level of what Jesus went through.

He took responsibility. He lived without recriminations, or turning His back on His Father. He trusted, and in that trust offered a way for you and I to know life—now and forever.

Jesus was, is a victor, not a victim. In Him, we can be victors, too. It's a matter of trust—and obedience.

Joshua 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve the LORD.

FromFirst I Bow
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3/11/22 3/11/22

Blog Politics Is There a Reason to Ban certain Books?

Years ago, when I did the research for someone working to stop pornography, I learned about grooming. A pedophile chooses a child and seeks to spend time gaining the child’s trust. The pedophile shows the child explicit pictures to help normalize the act in the child’s mind.

Eventually, this leads to sexual assault. Such graphic material if found by someone near a playground or a school or on a computer might well get that person arrested.

Now we’re hearing about parents calling for banning books at schools and libraries. The idea may make a person cringe. I remember when a group tried to get Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn banned. More recently some schools and libraries are banning Bibles and even historical documents that mention, as many do, God.

And yet, there is a place and time to ban certain books. Today when parents call for the banning of certain books, not all may agree on the precise list. However, I can scarcely conceive of the administrators, teachers and librarians, and others who insist certain books should be available--even for elementary-age children.

These books with graphic text and pictures show adults performing sex acts with children. Some are child-on-child assaults. This isn’t a gender issue. It is an age-appropriate, health and well-being of children issue.

Sexually explicit books and material in libraries and/or curricula is probably illegal. Anyone pushing this type of material shouldn’t be in education, they should be in jail. Parents, are you checking everything your children are seeing and learning in school? You might be shocked!

These books groom our children for sexual assault, yet too many adults are pushing for such access. I doubt I would let any child I know be alone with any adult pushing for such access for children

Parents and grandparents and anyone who truly cares for the mental and physical health of a child need to step up and say no. It is time we take a serious look at what books are being offered to our children and teens, what books they are allowed access and what books they may be assigned to read.

Check out what books are available at your school or public library. Check out those running for office, making sure they don’t condone such books. It is truly a time to stand up and ban certain books.

For more specific information and books check: https://omaha.com/news/local/education/nebraska-ed-board-member-says-books-are-hyper-sexualizing-kids-others-say-it-s-a/article_e8bbd00c-8dee-11ec-a2a8-e79907017a0f.html

3/10/22 3/10/22

Bio Book Press Release Three Sisters of Stanhavon Castle

Author Carolyn R Scheidies Latest Novel is a Historical Romance Collection

“Three Sisters of Stanhavon Castle” is the title of Carolyn R. Scheidies’ latest novel series released late fall last year 2021. The Inspirational Regency Romance collection is now in Public and church libraries across the Midwest.

Sheidies who lives in Kearney, Nebraska said, “Most of my book series have been released one at a time. This time we decided to release a volume with all three full-length novels of the new series included.”

That means the “Three Sisters of Stanhavon Castle” volume is a three-book collection all in one. Easy to take along to read, easy to store, and, always, all three novels are available together.

Scheidies said, “I’ve been working on this series on and off for several years, writing and reworking the stories until they felt like a cohesive whole.”

The books are a good balance of plot and character-driven that allows the depth required to create memorable characters that stay with you after the final page is turned.

The Three Sisters of Stanhavon Castle collection includes:
Book 1: The Solicitor and the Marquis’ NieceBook
2: The Earl’s Brother and the Healer Book
3: Sara and the New Marquis

Synopsis: Three sisters have been raised by their loving Uncle Rupert, the Marquis of Stanhavon, since the death of their parents. Though Stanhavon Castle is a crumbling ruin, and the war with Napoleon left the family coffers practically empty, the Marquis raised the girls with an independent spirit and faith. On his death, they are left to fend for themselves.

Jerusalem (Jerri) is the oldest. At 19 she wonders how she’ll care for her younger siblings, especially when their new, handsome, lawyer has few helpful ideas.

Bethlehem (Beth) only a year younger, is a healer, but what is she to do when the new doctor doesn’t believe a young innocent woman should be in the medical profession?

Younger sister Sara struggles with her health, but she is determined to save the castle. What will she do when an heir suddenly shows up, furious at the wrong done his branch of the family generations earlier?

But there is a legend about a hidden treasure. Would discovering it change the heir’s heart about the castle’s future? And what about other strange things happening in the Castle?

The three very different young women deal with their situations in various ways as three unique men enter their lives. They must deal with misunderstandings, danger, and more as they learn that God’s plans are very different from theirs. Will those plans be revealed in time to save their home, their hearts…and their lives?

Scheidies writes for those who enjoy books that lift up and are filled with love and faith and hope.“Three Sisters of Stanhavon Castle” can be ordered through Amazon and most book outlets. Available in print and Kindle versions. http://idealinhope.com/books https://booklocker.com/books/12085.html

3/9/22 3/9/22

Blog A Schedule and the Truth About Control

I like having my days scheduled. Not entirely, of course, but I do like to make lists, so I know what to focus on each day. At this point in my life, I have a pretty good idea how much energy I have and can plan accordingly.

There is so much of my life that I cannot control, I relish the control I do have. Yet, life doesn’t often follow my plan.

I get unexpected phone calls. Some days I don’t feel well. In fact, many things in life take away control. There was the blizzard years ago that was so bad our daughter Cassie and her classmates had to spend the night at the middle school.

Our high school son Chris made it safely to a friend’s house. Keith a counselor at YRTC at the time was forced to stay at work. Some had phone service. Some could only call out or in. I had phone service and made calls to let family know where their loved ones were.

I let our dog into the house, and I spent the night, without power, with our dog and cat. Schedules all over the area were disrupted. We like to think we’re in control, but it only takes a blizzard, health crisis or unexpected loss to show us, we don’t have all that much control over our lives--no matter how much we plan.

It is during those times, I realize all my efforts can turn to ashes in a single moment. It is also during those times, I am glad I am not alone. Those times force me to turn to the only one who knows both my past and my future, and yours. It is during times of crisis, I bow my head and relinquish my way to God’s.

It is also during times of crisis I realize I need to be talking to Jesus not only when my world is rocked, but also daily. It is acknowledging God is in control of life itself. He knows. When I follow Him, my plans may be toast and the way may not be always roses, but Jesus promises to walk beside and never let me go.

That provides the incentive to foster my relationship with Him every day, to know Him, to learn to listen to and trust Him. Then when those difficult times come, it is not hard to turn to my Savior and Friend knowing He’ll see me through if I follow that simple but difficult idiom, “Let go and let God.”That’s also a good way to start each day.

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.--Psalm 55:22

3/5/22 3/5/22

Blog Politics Don't Forget Russia

While we focus on Ukraine and what they are going through, it is easy to forget about the needs of the Russian people. Putin never consulted the citizens on whether or not they wanted him to go to war and try to take over Ukraine. Some citizens are courageous enough to protest.

But Russia has a long history of ignoring its own people or simply cutting them down when certain segments prove rebellious. While we pray for the believers in Ukraine, let us not forget the 87% or so in Russia who claim to be believers.

While the Russian constitution gives lip service to freedom of religion, there is a specific law making Christianity unconstitutional. Those caught sharing their faith may not ever be heard from again, or they are made an example of. Those attending the elegant stained-glass churches, those still open for services, are mainly attended by the elderly who are left alone if that is all the attenders do.

Christians meet in secret, behind closed doors, and in unexpected locations. They move often and meet in small groups. But they do find ways to communicate and meet. Even the decades and decades of repression hasn’t managed to stamp out Christianity nor has repression managed to stop the sharing of the Christian message of hope.

The church may be hiding and underground, but it is real and thriving--despite persecution, despite the risk. When we pray, let us not turn anger at what the Russian government is doing onto its citizens. Instead, let us pray for them as fervently as we pray for our Christian brothers and sisters in Ukraine. The key to change is fervent and serious, believing, prayer. Let’s pray.

3/3/22 3/3/22

Blog Russia, Ukraine and Prayer

Right now everyone is concerned about Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Many of us have read requests for prayers for missionaries--some who feel called to stay, some even with families, while others feel called to leave. Both have proved difficult. Leaving is not that easy.

Staying means-who-knows-what danger. Ukraine has been a country that has a high Christian population, While there are many different religions represented, according to a survey by Razumkov Centre in 2018, 71.7% of Ukraine citizens claim to be believers. This includes Orthodox, Catholics, and Protestants. Many are not only believers.

These persons of faith firmly believe in sharing their faith and have been active in sending missionaries to other countries. They follow Matthew 28: 18-20 NKJV. “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “...Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

It is no wonder the evil one wants to shut them down. But as Christians, we have power in Jesus. Let us support Ukrainian Christians and other citizens by getting serious with prayer.

Let’s not simply throw a quick word of safety. Let us take time to pray in Jesus’ name for the needs of those who are being attacked. Pray for citizens. Pray for Christians and missionaries. Pray for wisdom and weapons for those fighting.

As you pray think and listen to and allow the Holy Spirit to show you how best to pray. Support our brothers and sisters in Ukraine with prayer.

2/28/22 2/28/22

Blog Bio There are a few bright spots during tax season

My birthday is in January. That used to make January a special month for me. My mom always made birthdays special, so it is no wonder I anticipated the first month of the year. Then I grew up.

Oh, I still enjoy celebrating my birthday, but much has changed. As an author, January is the time I need to do a book inventory and fill out the state form itemizing how many books I withdrew from my inventory for gifts, promotions, or discards. I need to figure out how much sales tax I owe from books I sold personally--as opposed to those sold through brick-and-mortar and online bookstores.

As soon as the new year begins, I gather my information and start putting everything together because documentation is due mid-month. Much of the information will also be used to complete our regular federal and state taxes.

Though I can gather much information online, I do need to wait for tax documents on my book royalties and revenues. Because I don’t trust my math, I usually recheck my figures several times. It is always a relief when I finish and send in the sales tax documentation.

After a deep breath, I start going through the saved receipts I will need for completing federal and state taxes. Each month as we donate to charities, I print out a receipt. At the end of the year, I gather those monthly statements to calculate how much we gave to the different charities.

Usually, these monthly receipts are replaced by a single receipt, documenting what we spent the whole year. At that point, I shred the monthly receipts. (Keith isn’t happy with how many times he has to empty the shredder during January.)

Over the years, I created a tax template that I fill in each year. As I receive information, I add the information to the template. I also start a file for documents I need to keep for tax purposes. Other papers get shredded. I’ve looked toward the end of January because I understood all business and government entities had to send out their tax documentation by the end of the month.

Only February came and we still had not received some needed documentation. When I mentioned to our financial advisor we hadn’t received some of our investment documents, I learned things have changed. Now, these entities have until mid-February to send out that documentation. Sigh!

As frustrating as doing taxes can be, I look back and realize I finally have all my information. Another week or so, I hope, I’ll be able to hand this off to my daughter who takes my information and actually does the taxes. Then I can breathe again.

But, you know, I can handle tax frustrations in January when I think not only about my birthday but the birthdays of loved ones I care about, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, niece, Most of all I look forward to January when we celebrate the birthdays of two very special persons--our granddaughters whose birthdays are thirteen years and one day apart. Makes tax frustrations almost worthwhile.

Meanwhile, I will continue to carefully keep receipts until the tax season starts all over again--next January.

2/15/22 2/15/22

Blog Bio Adulthood definitely not what I thought it would be

As a child, I believed adulthood meant security and doing what I wanted to do. It was better than having to be told what to do all the time. That viewpoint was skewed since my parents treated my siblings and me with respect, never laughing and making fun at our expense. They shared their faith through reading God’s Word, prayer and their daily lives.

We also had consequences for things we did that we shouldn’t have said or done. I saw consequences, and learning from mistakes, as part of childhood. It was learning to be responsible as well as learning to treat others with kindness and respect. Love, respect and kindness were part of our faith.

Jesus created and loved me just as I was, but making wrong choices, hurting myself or others in some way, brought consequences. I learned about someone who loved me even more than my dad. Jesus loved me enough to take the consequences for my bad choices.

I wanted to accept Him into my life. That too, I figured, was growing--learning how to live and love like Jesus. I knew I needed to learn a whole lot to make that happen, considering I was a scrapper who gave as much as I got on and off the playground.

One day the learning stage would be over. I’d be an adult and no one would tell me what to do. Then I got so sick I ended up in a wheelchair I was unable to wheel myself. My future seemed a black hole of pain. Only my folks kept telling me God loved me and had a plan and purpose for my life.

I hung onto those words and kept fighting during my teen years. I fought to be as independent as possible. Eventually, that led to massive surgery once I graduated from college, braces, crutches and a year of relearning how to walk. It meant continued surgeries to keep walking as I married and we raised our family. My life was anything but simple or static.

Growing up wasn’t something one simply attained. It was using experiences to deal with real life. I looked back and was thankful. God had given me so much, especially in good loving friends and family. Adulthood wasn’t security. At any stage of life, there are no guarantees.

I realized problems faced mattered less, than how I dealt with them. Attitude matters. Choices matter. I realized my parents and others in my life modeled something very important--lifting up instead of tearing down, reaching out instead of wallowing in anger, selfishness or pride. It was taking my faith and, as did my parents, living it out in my daily life.

My idea of adulthood was far from realistic. Yet how many dream of some ideal life rather than living each day to its fullest? At my stage in life, I look back, realizing what I’ve gone through isn’t some tragedy.

All I’ve experienced has helped me become the person I am today. Adulthood doesn’t stand alone. We are the sum of our past. Our choices make the difference in how we see not only the past, but today, tomorrow and beyond.

I look back and am grateful and look forward with anticipation knowing my faith will sustain me.

Life is waiting. What choices will you make today?

2/4/22 2/4/22

Poetry What is Wind

Love is a soft, quiet wind
Sometimes gentle
Sometimes Exciting...
Deep
Other centered
Life

Evil is a wind storm
Sometimes subtle
Sometimes obvious
Tempestuous
Alluring
Tempting
Deceptive...
Destructive
Death

Jesus is love
Sometimes gentle
Always strong
Lifting
Protecting
Destroying death
In resurrected
Renewing life—In Him.

2/1/22 2/1/22

Blog Charities—how to choose wisely

I’ve written before about some of my problems with charities. Overall, I do not have problems with the fact that they exist. Most were started for a very good reason and to deal with a problem, a disease or research. Most were started with a lump sum but can only continue their efforts with regular large and small donations to cover expenses.

That’s where promotion comes in. As the charity grows, the need for funds increases. These charities then hire promoters to draw in more patrons to donate. These promoters use social media, news sources, ads, the post office, and live events to reach those who might have a reason to donate. Of course, they seek the deepest pockets possible.

One of my problems has always been that while we donate to several charities, those charities turn around and send us magazines we don’t want or read, and a continuous stream of email and colorful letters and brochures.

I hesitate to donate to a charity that isn’t on our regular list. Why? Because we don’t only receive a simple thank you, but also get on a list that assures we will be inundated through regular and email. Oh yes, and we may also receive address labels, note pads, or other unordered or desired “gifts.”

Recently we received mittens, socks and more from charities to which we’ve never donated. I am sure we were on a list somewhere. This year, we have received so many notepads I am making a stack of them. I hate to throw them away, so I am trying to figure out ways to use them. Maybe I’ll pass some onto my young grandkids to scribble on.

We also have enough address labels to last for the rest of our lives. Our mailbox is filled with emotional appeals for charities--some of which I have never heard of before. Others are perfectly legitimate charities. Yet coffers must be almost empty to spend the money to send fancy literature to individuals and families who have never given to them before.

Many charities, like regular businesses, buy and sell lists of possible donors/customers. Since Keith’s retirement, our finances are not as tight as they were while he worked, and we lived paycheck to paycheck. Add to that some inheritance and we have upped our giving significantly. Still, we do not give indiscriminately.

We gave back to places that helped with things like Keith’s cancer medications. Most of our giving goes to charities who’ve we’ve given to for many years--our church, certain missionaries, organizations who reach out with practical needs to those without, etc.

Those charities we do not support waste their promotion money by calling--we do not give online, emailing--emails are sent to the junk folder, regular mail that gets opened, then trashed.

I do hope charities doing good work and spending wisely receive the donations required to continue. But, I also wish these charities had a more narrow, targeted focus, not a shotgun approach that, more often than not, misses the mark and wastes some of those dollars they need so much.

Before donating check out the charity. Is it legitimate? Do most of their income go to promotion, salaries, and offices or to the reason they exist? Give only as it works for your budget and don’t get pulled in by emotional appeals. (One reason we stopped giving via phone call was that urge to give in to an emotional appeal before checking things out.)

The constant appeals do get old, so scrap those that hold no interest, Sort out the few that do, and brighten someone’s life by reaching out with a donation. After all, generosity is a good thing. Not only does thoughtful giving make us feel good, but also helps others.

1/17/22 1/17/22

Blog Why we must nourish hope

A new year always brings a sense of newness and hope. We let the old year go, sometimes with regret, lately more with relief. Surely the new year will be better, safer, and more back to normal. Of course, that’s what we were told about 2021. And yet, hope still rises for a future better than the past couple of years.

We have hope because that capacity is built not in our culture or race, but within the very fabric of our DNA. A farmer may plant a crop looking for a harvest due to years of farming and experience. But however many years of experience a farmer may have, farming carries risk.

It is hope that makes a difference, providing the farmer the edge that there will be a harvest and it will be good. Hope is a large component of almost every endeavor from investments and inventions to personal relationships.

Marriage begins with love, faith that the relationship will last, and hope that it will. When we do something to hurt someone, when we apologize we do so with the hope a relationship can be restored. What is interesting about hope is that it is often dashed in light of reality, and yet, we move forward with an element of hope.

Orbison Sweet Marsden said, “There is no medicine like hope. No incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow.

Hope may not seem all that important until it is gone, leaving only darkness and the belief that life is no longer worth living. Losing hope means losing everything. Losing hope leads to depression, anger and even quitting to the point of taking one’s life.

This is why we need to nourish hope in ourselves and others, especially our children. It is filling our minds with life-affirming words, pictures, and other media. It is lifting up through encouragement--a letter, a phone call, an email, or even a text can make a difference in someone else’s life.

Only a short time into the new year and our resolutions are most likely broken. We wonder why we bothered to make them. But broken resolutions can become the foundation for hope and a better tomorrow--regardless of our circumstances.

Life will never be all roses and sunshine. Bad days, weeks happen. There are illnesses, cancer, and death. Tragedies happen. Hope is the difference between wallowing in the hurt and pain and allowing time to grieve, but still moving forward with faith and hope.

John Greenleaf Whittier wrote, “Behind the cloud the starlight lurks,
Through showers the sunbeams fall,
For God, who loveth all His works,
Has left His hope for all.

In this new year, let us choose to always keep hope alive.

Faith will help us get there.

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