| When we know the Truth, the Truth shall set us free. Entries from my blog (that has since gone the way of the dinosaur). Posts dated August 23rd, 2005 to April 17th, 2007. |
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Overwhelmed
I tend to use that word a lot when I write novels. Chris has been pretty much completely
overwhelmed by Jesus's love for her in her trilogy of stories. Erin has been overwhelmed with joy,
adoration for her husband, gratitude to her Lord, and has only begun to be overwhelmed with
motherhood. (Sorry, but you've gotta wait until Valiant Hope releases in May to hear that part of
the story.)
My content editor keeps telling me to quit using that word.
Well, right now, I'm using it again.
I'm overwhelmed.
Confusion abounds. And confusion is never a good thing. Confusion messes with my stomach. But
it especially messes with my brain.
Well, yeah. Duh. The brain is the organ of confusion.
Why are those dolts standing on that rock? Don't they know a sneaker wave could wash them into
the sea at any moment? Hope they're good swimmers. Especially since the water's 50 degrees and
the current is going OUT.
Why are we giving drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants? Why are there chips of bone in my
turkey burgers? Why did I buy a 12 pack of frozen turkey burgers anyway? At least Boca Burgers
have artificial flavoring to make them not taste like cardboard.
Why is the roadwork happening outside my window making me insane?
Oh, no. Don't even get me started on the roadwork going on in my town.
Being overwhelmed with confusion makes one of my favorite Bible verses really hit the spot.
Proverbs 3:5. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
I mean . . . schwhew. How can I possibly lean on my own understanding right now . . . when I don't
have even a shred of it to lean on?
VcD,
donna
Overwhelmed No More
It's another blue sky beautiful day. Confusion still abounds, but hey. Let's get over it, shall we?
Yeah, there's much I don't understand about life and this world I live in. Such is the nature of the
life I live. I tend to shelter myself away from . . . stuff. If something doesn't make sense to me, I'd
rather not think about that something. If someone does or doesn't do something that doesn't make
sense to me . . . well, yeah, I'd rather not have to deal with that person. Or at least comment on
what it was he or she did. Or didn't do.
We breathe. We live. We face things that are way too big for us. Way too weird and messed up
and overwhelming. Such is the nature of our lives. Sheltered or not.
There's much that Jesus Christ did for me that I don't understand. I mean, why in the world would
He do what He did? Especially for me. I mean . . . who am I? And for all of us. You're on this
same boat I'm on. Who are we, that God Himself would step down to this dusty, sin-infested world
and take on a mortal body of skin and bone? Just to die? Just to sacrifice His life for us? So we
could be free from the sin that infests us?
Wow. Now I am confused.
I love what Gayle Erwin says about his confusion, about why God would become a man. Gayle
says, "I don't understand it, but I like it."
Ahh. Yes. Me too, brother. I like it too.
Thank You, Jesus. You are not a God of confusion or chaos. You are a God of Peace. And Truth.
As I sit here and bask on Truth and Peace and the God of Compassion and Mercy, my confusion
withers to nothingness and blows away on the relentless summer breeze.
Ahhh . . .
VcD,
donna
Good Stuff
I love this. This is from the September 12th devotional in My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald
Chambers.
"There are times in spiritual life when there is confusion, and it is no way out to say that there ought
not to be confusion. It is not a question of right and wrong, but a question of God taking you by a
way which in the meantime you do not understand, and it is only by going through the confusion that
you will get at what God wants."
Yep.
Lead us on, Lord.
VcD,
donna
Does This Sound Right?
Something occurred to me last night. I've always heard the saying, "Without vision, the people
perish." Something like that. Not in those exact words. But close. I used to believe that. I've felt
like that sometimes. But last night I realized that I don't necessarily think that is true in the life of a
believer. Well, yes, I do believe it's true. For anyone. Without vision, without something to look
forward to and strive for and keep our eyes focused on, we perish. But, as believers, I don't think
the vision—or lack of vision—is the only thing that causes us to perish.
The future is important. Our pasts are important. But what is the most important moment of our
lives? Our present. This present moment. And in this present moment, what causes us to perish is
not a lack of vision, but a lack of hunger.
Okay, let me take this away from the universal. This is about me, about what I believe to be true in
my life. But it's interesting. And I share it with you so you can either find it interesting too . . . or . .
. not.
Living more completely in the present moment is something I've been learning from Margaret
Becker's teachings over the years. In Psalms 16:11 is says, "In Your presence is fullness of joy."
Margaret says, "Where else can we find the presence of God? It's not in our past, cuz that's over.
It's not in our future, cuz we haven't lived it yet. We can only experience the presence of God in our
present moment." And she is so right. (Though, as you probably already realize, that's not a direct
quote.) : )
We can only savor the presence of God in this present moment. Unless we sit in our present
moments and savor the presence of God in our lives, we'll miss Him. With or without vision. With
or without hope for the future. Without Him, we perish. Without the hunger to savor Him in our
present moments, we perish.
So, I guess at least for me, I'm gonna quit worrying about the "vision." Oh, yes, you'd better believe
I have hope for my future. I have a vision. I am not a person without vision. But, even with this
awesome hope and vision, I still may perish if I'm not hungry to know more about my Lord in this
and every single remaining present moment of my life. Without hunger for Him, I will spiritually
wither away. Even though my vision remains clear.
Well, speaking of visions and hopes for the future . . . I'm still a bit floundering on that—at least for
the immediate vision of my immediate future and what it holds. And I'm still . . . waiting and
praying about that (and I'm extremely grateful for your prayers!). But I'm also still not worried in
the least about what my immediate future holds. What I'm focusing on right now is my hunger for
my Lord. To know Him, to learn of Him, to come to Him, to follow Him with all I am and all that
makes me tick. Increase my hunger for You, dear God. Lord Jesus, increase my hunger for You,
the Living Word of God. Holy Spirit, do and be in me, and with everything You do, may each act
only increase my hunger for more of You. And the Son. And the Father.
I've got a lot of present moments waiting for me today. Thanks for sharing this one right now with
me. Ahh . . . may He bless you and keep you in this present moment . . . and may our present
moments flow together into lives that are wholly centered on Him and His ever-present presence!
: )
Margaret sings, "The Hunger Stays." May it stay. And stay and stay and stay and stay and . . .
VcD,
donna
And This. Does This Sound Right?
Last post I shared something that had occurred to me. This post, I'd like to share something that has
been eating at me for years. But especially for the past few months. It's about a word, and how we
view and hallow that word. And I'm not really sure we view and hallow that word as we should.
But, then again, what do I know? As I share this, I'll keep it based in my own life. I'll never, on
this blog or anywhere, attempt to tell anyone what they should or should not believe. How they
should or should not use a simple word. What they should or should not think about God. Why?
Because, bottom line, we all must make up our own minds. We all must take and/or leave what we
hear throughout our lives. We all get preached at. Here, on my blog, I have not preached. And I
don't intend to start now.
So. Let's get on with it. Here's what I've been thinking about.
The word? Calling. This—what follows—is my humble opinion about that one simple word.
I've heard many of my Christian brothers and sisters say that God has called them to do this or that.
I believe them. God works in each and every single heart to do something new and different and
exciting. He's "called" young men and women to create and perform rap/hip-hop music that honors
and glorifies Him. How can I argue with that? You go, y'all!! God has "called" people to be
missionaries, to be pastors, teachers, encouragers, and . . . yes . . . writers. God is busy doing and
being in all of His children's lives. It's awesome and exciting and wonderful and just like God!!!
How awesome is He? You go, God! We love You, and are grateful for how You use each and
every single one of us. Keep it up!
So, what's the problem, you may be wondering. Well, I tend to wonder sometimes about the way
we tend to use the word "call." "I've been called by God to . . ." "Are you called to write? Then
write!" "Hello, this is God calling, and I'm calling you to do this and such for me, and this shall be
your calling in your life so you will feel useful and full of purpose as you live and work for Me."
Hmm. Somehow . . . I don't think that was God calling . . .
Okay. Here's zit. I'm just gonna say it.
I have not been called to be a writer. I have not been called to be a preacher or missionary or
encourager or teacher or whatever. Yes, I believe there are incredible spiritual gifts that God gives
His children. I believe He gives some the ability to preach and to others He gives the ability to
teach and to still others He gives the ability to encourage and heal and . . . yes . . . write. He gives
precious gifts—abilities to live and do things for Him. To lift Him up, to edify our brothers and
sisters, and to evangelize the world. He gives a bazillion different abilities to a bazillion different
people every single day. And, sometimes, He even gives one person a few different abilities. I
tend to believe He gives many gifts and abilities to each of us—to each of His individual children.
He's a giving God! He doesn't say, "Here is your gift of preaching—do not stray into the area of
encouraging, teaching, or writing, because you have received only one gift, and that is to preach."
That's crazy. But I think that's how we tend to look at the gifts and abilities we've received from
Him.
Okay, before I say another word and bury myself any deeper, here's the point and then I'll git.
God calls us to be His. Jesus says to us, "Come." After that He says, "Follow Me." After that He
says, "Abide in Me." And after that, He says, "Rest in Me." He calls us to be His friends, not His
servants. And He certainly doesn't call us, "His writer friends," or "His preacher friends," or "His
singing friends." He just calls us friends. And He justs asks us to, "Come, follow Me."
Yes, I believe we all have received wonderful gifts. But our "calling" from God is to know Him
first. Once we know Him, we can use the gifts He gives us exactly how He asks us to use them.
And we'll know how He wants us to use them . . . because we'll know HIM! I think this is how we
are supposed to live. And I think sometimes we tend to get the cart before the horse, so to speak.
I believe God has called me to know Him. To love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, body, and
strength. That's pretty much all of me. Then, He has called me to love my brothers and sisters.
Then, He has called me to live in my present moment, savoring His presence and feasting on the
bounty of His Word to slake my hunger, the hunger that, I hope, will never be slaked. He calls me
to remain hungry, to remain patient as I wait on Him, to remain quiet as I am still in His presence,
just knowing He is God. He calls me to, "Come." He calls me to, "Follow Me." And He calls me
to, "Rest."
Then, He gives me a task to do. For me, that task, at least in the past few years, has been to write
novels that glorify Him. Writing is not my calling, it is simply a task that He has given me the
wonderful privilege of being able to do. The ability came from Him, the stories came from Him,
the patience and endurance to survive the industry came from Him . . . and why not? It's all His
because I am all His.
Yep, I know I'm sounding a little over the edge, here. A little high and mighty. But this is just my
take on one simple word and how I've heard it used for years and years and years. Seeing this
word differently doesn't make me special or more holy or high or particularly mighty. It just makes
me more dependent on God, and more hungry to know Him more . . . and more grateful for the task
He has asked me (and given me the ability to) do.
Gayle Erwin says that when Jesus prayed before choosing the men He would say, "Follow Me," to,
did He mess up the prayer? Because, look at the twelve men Jesus chose! Ahh, but no. His prayer
was answered, because He prayed, "Father, help me to choose the men that this world would not
choose, the men that are not the most choose-able. Help me to choose the men who, when the
world sees what You have done through them, they will have to say, 'It was God.' "
When we follow Him, everything else falls into place. He provides. He takes care of our tiniest
need. Even when we need that one special word that just won't seem to come. Even when we need
5000 words to meet a deadline. He is our calling. He is our "muse." He is our reason and purpose
and meaning and joy. In Him, everything is His.
Now, that's a calling.
VcD,
donna
Called To Be Hungry
Yep, that's me.
But Zondervan's calling . . .
I cannot even begin to explain how weird the past two months have been for me. Hah!! What an
insane ride! Hey, my brothers and sisters who are unpublished novelists and who are desperately
seeking publishers . . . can I ask you something? Are you sure you want to be published? The
industry's tagline should come straight from Brandilyn: Seatbelt Suspense. Yep! When that day
comes that you get "the call," I'm warning you . . . strap yourself in and hold on!!!
What a hoot.
But, y'know? It ain't so bad. I'm sure you'll be able to handle it just fine. But I'm beginning to think
that maybe all that's been happening to me is my Lord's way of stopping the ride so I can get off.
It's hard to be hungry when I'm so dizzy I can't see straight.
Hmm.
Maybe.
VcD,
donna
Straight Up, Flat Out . . .
. . . weird, wacky, and wonderful. What a time this has been and continues to be for me.
Everything's backward! Straight up, flat out, mixed up, and turned inside out. What a hoot!!!
My publisher wants me to sign a contract even though I haven't turned in a proposal for the three
books they've already had ISBNs attached to. Even though they know I have no idea what those
stories will be about. My agent negotiated movie rights with them for stories that haven't even been
thunk up yet! How bizarre is that? Even though . . . I do love and appreciate their positive
attitudes. : )
And today. Just now. I just received a rejection letter (e-mail) from a publisher when I didn't even
submit a word to them! They said "my writing was strong, but not what they were looking for." I
told them months ago I would not be contributing a devotional to them. And yet, they still rejected
me!
It was an honest mistake, of course. But what a total hoot. Folks, if you don't think our Lord has a
sense of humor, I'm here to tell you . . . think twice. Our God is straight up, flat out, inside and out .
. . awesome. I'm so glad I'm His. In this crazy mixed-up world, He's the only One who makes a wit
of sense about anything. Even when we can't see it. Especially when we can't see it.
In Him, may we bask in His abundant life. No matter how crazy and mixed up it may get.
: )
VcD,
donna
A Word To Savor
Truth.
And that's Truth with a capital T. The Truth. Not just what we want to believe as truth.
Here's the amazing thing about Truth. We know it when we hear it. Why? Oops, maybe I should
back up a step.
What is Truth? Remember Pilate asking Jesus this same question? Ahh . . . what is Truth. Those
of us who have answered the call of Jesus Christ to "Follow Me" . . . we know the Truth. Those of
us who live each heartbeat of our lives cherishing the Holy Spirit of God living inside our mortal
bodies . . . we know the Truth. The Spirit reveals the Truth to us every single day. Jesus
proclaimed to us, to us all, what Truth is. You know the verse: John 14: 6. "I am the way, the
truth, and the life." This is Truth above all truth. This Truth demands a capital T.
Jesus Christ is the Truth. He is the Way; He is the Life. He is the central, most important, most
significant, most alive, most True Being in our universe, from before that moment when Time
began, to the moment when Almighty God will say, "It is finished." At that moment, Time will
cease. In eternity, there ain't no Time. Only Truth. And in eternity, we'll be free to live in the
Truth that has, indeed, set us free.
Um . . . maybe I should just let Jesus say it. John 8:31-32. "If you abide in My word, you are My
disciples indeed. And you shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free." Down in
verse 36, He cinches it. "If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
Ahhhhh . . . I'm basking in this. Hope you are too.
If we abide in His Word, we are His disciples. If we are truly His, His Spirit lives in us, showing
us Truth. (That's the Holy Spirit's job. To show us Jesus.) The Spirit does His job in us. He
reveals Truth. We learn and begin to know Truth. And . . . ahhhhhh . . . in the process . . . we are
made free.
Maybe this is enough to savor for today. But can we talk more about this tomorrow? : )
VcD,
donna
Savoring Truth
What a great word to savor.
Truth.
Yep, that's Truth with a capital T.
The kind of Truth that doesn't need to be followed by the words, "Trust me." You know that kind of
truth. "Ahh, yes, this car runs great! That's the truth! Trust me . . ."
Who would give a wit's worth of faith to those words? Or to the one saying them? Or to that car???
Jesus Christ is Truth. He is the only way to know the loving, eternal, Father God. He is the only
way to know true Life. The Life He gives is forever, abundant, and real. Ahh, another word to
savor. The Truth is REAL.
And we know it. The Living Spirit of God is working hard in us who have heeded Jesus's call to
"Follow Me." He is revealing Truth in our innermost beings. And it's such a delight when we read
or hear words from our brothers and sisters that validates and enforces that Truth already planted in
our innermost beings by our Resident Teacher of Truth. You know what that feels like, don't you.
We have those moments at church. When we read devotionals. When we talk to each other about
what Jesus is doing and being in us and through us.
Truth is real. And it can't be changed by society, culture, or the words of any man. When we hear
words spoken about Truth, but those words don't exactly "jive" with what the Spirit is revealing to
us about Truth, whom do we listen to? The Spirit is awesome at helping us discern what is Truth
and what is just "a truth." And we all know that "truths" come and go all the time. Like green shag
carpet and bright orange dinette sets. Fads. That's all most "truths" are.
But Truth remains. We know it, and can discern if we're hearing it correctly. Or not.
But . . . only if we're fully listening to our Resident Teacher of Truth.
Listening. Learning. Knowing.
Following. Resting. Trusting.
Truth. Only in the Truth.
More . . . tomorrow?
VcD,
donna
We Know It When We Hear It
Truth.
It's like a warm, gentle fire suddenly burns in our souls. We want to jump out of our chairs and
holler, "Yeah! It's exactly like that! You've got it just right!!"
Many of our brothers and sisters, right now, and down through time, have gotten it right. Where
have they gotten "it"? From their Resident Teacher of Truth. And what has this Resident Teacher
of Truth been teaching? "The Truth is a Man. Jesus Christ is that Man. Fully human, fully God.
He is the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life."
Well, okay. He may not be saying it exactly like that . . . but, then again, He wouldn't say it any
other way! : )
I love it when I hear a brother or sister who "gets" it. Oh, not that I "get" it all the time. I'm still
learning, you better believe it. Sometimes I "get" it flat wrong. (Usually when I'm not listening . . .
but we won't go there.) : )
The only way I know if what I'm hearing is from someone who "gets" it, is when the truth of what
they are saying completely "jives" with what my Resident Teacher of Truth has placed in my
innermost being. I hold on to that Truth tighter than anything else I hold on to. I cling to it. What
else is worth clinging to?
I hear a lot of words coming from my brothers and sisters . . . and sometimes I'm not exactly sure
that they seem to "get" it. Not that they, or what they are saying, is necessarily bad or wrong, but it
just doesn't totally match up with what I know to be Truth. These are the moments when I discern.
And discerning doesn't have to be destructive to the person or the words that I'm discerning. That
person is still my brother or sister in Christ, no matter what words they are saying. But I
reeeeaallly love it when the Spirit leaps inside me and shrieks, "She's got it!! This is Truth!! And
she's expressing it exactly as I've given it to her!"
I love that!!! : )
Tomorrow, may I share one such moment with you? Well, many moments recently, because I'm
reading bits of teaching from a man who I think the Spirit is saying to me, "He's got it. Listen to
what he's saying." This man's teachings come at a perfect time for me (just like God to use Time so
perfectly in our "time-infested" lives) and they completely validate what the Spirit has been
revealing to me lately. I think what this man has to say is something the Spirit has been trying to
reveal to all of us from the moment He became our Resident Teacher of Truth. Since He became
our Supernatural Resident Revealer-of-God Friend.
What a Friend! What a God! Jesus . . . You are . . .
Thank You.
Join me tomorrow? : )
VcD,
donna
I tend to use that word a lot when I write novels. Chris has been pretty much completely
overwhelmed by Jesus's love for her in her trilogy of stories. Erin has been overwhelmed with joy,
adoration for her husband, gratitude to her Lord, and has only begun to be overwhelmed with
motherhood. (Sorry, but you've gotta wait until Valiant Hope releases in May to hear that part of
the story.)
My content editor keeps telling me to quit using that word.
Well, right now, I'm using it again.
I'm overwhelmed.
Confusion abounds. And confusion is never a good thing. Confusion messes with my stomach. But
it especially messes with my brain.
Well, yeah. Duh. The brain is the organ of confusion.
Why are those dolts standing on that rock? Don't they know a sneaker wave could wash them into
the sea at any moment? Hope they're good swimmers. Especially since the water's 50 degrees and
the current is going OUT.
Why are we giving drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants? Why are there chips of bone in my
turkey burgers? Why did I buy a 12 pack of frozen turkey burgers anyway? At least Boca Burgers
have artificial flavoring to make them not taste like cardboard.
Why is the roadwork happening outside my window making me insane?
Oh, no. Don't even get me started on the roadwork going on in my town.
Being overwhelmed with confusion makes one of my favorite Bible verses really hit the spot.
Proverbs 3:5. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
I mean . . . schwhew. How can I possibly lean on my own understanding right now . . . when I don't
have even a shred of it to lean on?
VcD,
donna
Overwhelmed No More
It's another blue sky beautiful day. Confusion still abounds, but hey. Let's get over it, shall we?
Yeah, there's much I don't understand about life and this world I live in. Such is the nature of the
life I live. I tend to shelter myself away from . . . stuff. If something doesn't make sense to me, I'd
rather not think about that something. If someone does or doesn't do something that doesn't make
sense to me . . . well, yeah, I'd rather not have to deal with that person. Or at least comment on
what it was he or she did. Or didn't do.
We breathe. We live. We face things that are way too big for us. Way too weird and messed up
and overwhelming. Such is the nature of our lives. Sheltered or not.
There's much that Jesus Christ did for me that I don't understand. I mean, why in the world would
He do what He did? Especially for me. I mean . . . who am I? And for all of us. You're on this
same boat I'm on. Who are we, that God Himself would step down to this dusty, sin-infested world
and take on a mortal body of skin and bone? Just to die? Just to sacrifice His life for us? So we
could be free from the sin that infests us?
Wow. Now I am confused.
I love what Gayle Erwin says about his confusion, about why God would become a man. Gayle
says, "I don't understand it, but I like it."
Ahh. Yes. Me too, brother. I like it too.
Thank You, Jesus. You are not a God of confusion or chaos. You are a God of Peace. And Truth.
As I sit here and bask on Truth and Peace and the God of Compassion and Mercy, my confusion
withers to nothingness and blows away on the relentless summer breeze.
Ahhh . . .
VcD,
donna
Good Stuff
I love this. This is from the September 12th devotional in My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald
Chambers.
"There are times in spiritual life when there is confusion, and it is no way out to say that there ought
not to be confusion. It is not a question of right and wrong, but a question of God taking you by a
way which in the meantime you do not understand, and it is only by going through the confusion that
you will get at what God wants."
Yep.
Lead us on, Lord.
VcD,
donna
Does This Sound Right?
Something occurred to me last night. I've always heard the saying, "Without vision, the people
perish." Something like that. Not in those exact words. But close. I used to believe that. I've felt
like that sometimes. But last night I realized that I don't necessarily think that is true in the life of a
believer. Well, yes, I do believe it's true. For anyone. Without vision, without something to look
forward to and strive for and keep our eyes focused on, we perish. But, as believers, I don't think
the vision—or lack of vision—is the only thing that causes us to perish.
The future is important. Our pasts are important. But what is the most important moment of our
lives? Our present. This present moment. And in this present moment, what causes us to perish is
not a lack of vision, but a lack of hunger.
Okay, let me take this away from the universal. This is about me, about what I believe to be true in
my life. But it's interesting. And I share it with you so you can either find it interesting too . . . or . .
. not.
Living more completely in the present moment is something I've been learning from Margaret
Becker's teachings over the years. In Psalms 16:11 is says, "In Your presence is fullness of joy."
Margaret says, "Where else can we find the presence of God? It's not in our past, cuz that's over.
It's not in our future, cuz we haven't lived it yet. We can only experience the presence of God in our
present moment." And she is so right. (Though, as you probably already realize, that's not a direct
quote.) : )
We can only savor the presence of God in this present moment. Unless we sit in our present
moments and savor the presence of God in our lives, we'll miss Him. With or without vision. With
or without hope for the future. Without Him, we perish. Without the hunger to savor Him in our
present moments, we perish.
So, I guess at least for me, I'm gonna quit worrying about the "vision." Oh, yes, you'd better believe
I have hope for my future. I have a vision. I am not a person without vision. But, even with this
awesome hope and vision, I still may perish if I'm not hungry to know more about my Lord in this
and every single remaining present moment of my life. Without hunger for Him, I will spiritually
wither away. Even though my vision remains clear.
Well, speaking of visions and hopes for the future . . . I'm still a bit floundering on that—at least for
the immediate vision of my immediate future and what it holds. And I'm still . . . waiting and
praying about that (and I'm extremely grateful for your prayers!). But I'm also still not worried in
the least about what my immediate future holds. What I'm focusing on right now is my hunger for
my Lord. To know Him, to learn of Him, to come to Him, to follow Him with all I am and all that
makes me tick. Increase my hunger for You, dear God. Lord Jesus, increase my hunger for You,
the Living Word of God. Holy Spirit, do and be in me, and with everything You do, may each act
only increase my hunger for more of You. And the Son. And the Father.
I've got a lot of present moments waiting for me today. Thanks for sharing this one right now with
me. Ahh . . . may He bless you and keep you in this present moment . . . and may our present
moments flow together into lives that are wholly centered on Him and His ever-present presence!
: )
Margaret sings, "The Hunger Stays." May it stay. And stay and stay and stay and stay and . . .
VcD,
donna
And This. Does This Sound Right?
Last post I shared something that had occurred to me. This post, I'd like to share something that has
been eating at me for years. But especially for the past few months. It's about a word, and how we
view and hallow that word. And I'm not really sure we view and hallow that word as we should.
But, then again, what do I know? As I share this, I'll keep it based in my own life. I'll never, on
this blog or anywhere, attempt to tell anyone what they should or should not believe. How they
should or should not use a simple word. What they should or should not think about God. Why?
Because, bottom line, we all must make up our own minds. We all must take and/or leave what we
hear throughout our lives. We all get preached at. Here, on my blog, I have not preached. And I
don't intend to start now.
So. Let's get on with it. Here's what I've been thinking about.
The word? Calling. This—what follows—is my humble opinion about that one simple word.
I've heard many of my Christian brothers and sisters say that God has called them to do this or that.
I believe them. God works in each and every single heart to do something new and different and
exciting. He's "called" young men and women to create and perform rap/hip-hop music that honors
and glorifies Him. How can I argue with that? You go, y'all!! God has "called" people to be
missionaries, to be pastors, teachers, encouragers, and . . . yes . . . writers. God is busy doing and
being in all of His children's lives. It's awesome and exciting and wonderful and just like God!!!
How awesome is He? You go, God! We love You, and are grateful for how You use each and
every single one of us. Keep it up!
So, what's the problem, you may be wondering. Well, I tend to wonder sometimes about the way
we tend to use the word "call." "I've been called by God to . . ." "Are you called to write? Then
write!" "Hello, this is God calling, and I'm calling you to do this and such for me, and this shall be
your calling in your life so you will feel useful and full of purpose as you live and work for Me."
Hmm. Somehow . . . I don't think that was God calling . . .
Okay. Here's zit. I'm just gonna say it.
I have not been called to be a writer. I have not been called to be a preacher or missionary or
encourager or teacher or whatever. Yes, I believe there are incredible spiritual gifts that God gives
His children. I believe He gives some the ability to preach and to others He gives the ability to
teach and to still others He gives the ability to encourage and heal and . . . yes . . . write. He gives
precious gifts—abilities to live and do things for Him. To lift Him up, to edify our brothers and
sisters, and to evangelize the world. He gives a bazillion different abilities to a bazillion different
people every single day. And, sometimes, He even gives one person a few different abilities. I
tend to believe He gives many gifts and abilities to each of us—to each of His individual children.
He's a giving God! He doesn't say, "Here is your gift of preaching—do not stray into the area of
encouraging, teaching, or writing, because you have received only one gift, and that is to preach."
That's crazy. But I think that's how we tend to look at the gifts and abilities we've received from
Him.
Okay, before I say another word and bury myself any deeper, here's the point and then I'll git.
God calls us to be His. Jesus says to us, "Come." After that He says, "Follow Me." After that He
says, "Abide in Me." And after that, He says, "Rest in Me." He calls us to be His friends, not His
servants. And He certainly doesn't call us, "His writer friends," or "His preacher friends," or "His
singing friends." He just calls us friends. And He justs asks us to, "Come, follow Me."
Yes, I believe we all have received wonderful gifts. But our "calling" from God is to know Him
first. Once we know Him, we can use the gifts He gives us exactly how He asks us to use them.
And we'll know how He wants us to use them . . . because we'll know HIM! I think this is how we
are supposed to live. And I think sometimes we tend to get the cart before the horse, so to speak.
I believe God has called me to know Him. To love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, body, and
strength. That's pretty much all of me. Then, He has called me to love my brothers and sisters.
Then, He has called me to live in my present moment, savoring His presence and feasting on the
bounty of His Word to slake my hunger, the hunger that, I hope, will never be slaked. He calls me
to remain hungry, to remain patient as I wait on Him, to remain quiet as I am still in His presence,
just knowing He is God. He calls me to, "Come." He calls me to, "Follow Me." And He calls me
to, "Rest."
Then, He gives me a task to do. For me, that task, at least in the past few years, has been to write
novels that glorify Him. Writing is not my calling, it is simply a task that He has given me the
wonderful privilege of being able to do. The ability came from Him, the stories came from Him,
the patience and endurance to survive the industry came from Him . . . and why not? It's all His
because I am all His.
Yep, I know I'm sounding a little over the edge, here. A little high and mighty. But this is just my
take on one simple word and how I've heard it used for years and years and years. Seeing this
word differently doesn't make me special or more holy or high or particularly mighty. It just makes
me more dependent on God, and more hungry to know Him more . . . and more grateful for the task
He has asked me (and given me the ability to) do.
Gayle Erwin says that when Jesus prayed before choosing the men He would say, "Follow Me," to,
did He mess up the prayer? Because, look at the twelve men Jesus chose! Ahh, but no. His prayer
was answered, because He prayed, "Father, help me to choose the men that this world would not
choose, the men that are not the most choose-able. Help me to choose the men who, when the
world sees what You have done through them, they will have to say, 'It was God.' "
When we follow Him, everything else falls into place. He provides. He takes care of our tiniest
need. Even when we need that one special word that just won't seem to come. Even when we need
5000 words to meet a deadline. He is our calling. He is our "muse." He is our reason and purpose
and meaning and joy. In Him, everything is His.
Now, that's a calling.
VcD,
donna
Called To Be Hungry
Yep, that's me.
But Zondervan's calling . . .
I cannot even begin to explain how weird the past two months have been for me. Hah!! What an
insane ride! Hey, my brothers and sisters who are unpublished novelists and who are desperately
seeking publishers . . . can I ask you something? Are you sure you want to be published? The
industry's tagline should come straight from Brandilyn: Seatbelt Suspense. Yep! When that day
comes that you get "the call," I'm warning you . . . strap yourself in and hold on!!!
What a hoot.
But, y'know? It ain't so bad. I'm sure you'll be able to handle it just fine. But I'm beginning to think
that maybe all that's been happening to me is my Lord's way of stopping the ride so I can get off.
It's hard to be hungry when I'm so dizzy I can't see straight.
Hmm.
Maybe.
VcD,
donna
Straight Up, Flat Out . . .
. . . weird, wacky, and wonderful. What a time this has been and continues to be for me.
Everything's backward! Straight up, flat out, mixed up, and turned inside out. What a hoot!!!
My publisher wants me to sign a contract even though I haven't turned in a proposal for the three
books they've already had ISBNs attached to. Even though they know I have no idea what those
stories will be about. My agent negotiated movie rights with them for stories that haven't even been
thunk up yet! How bizarre is that? Even though . . . I do love and appreciate their positive
attitudes. : )
And today. Just now. I just received a rejection letter (e-mail) from a publisher when I didn't even
submit a word to them! They said "my writing was strong, but not what they were looking for." I
told them months ago I would not be contributing a devotional to them. And yet, they still rejected
me!
It was an honest mistake, of course. But what a total hoot. Folks, if you don't think our Lord has a
sense of humor, I'm here to tell you . . . think twice. Our God is straight up, flat out, inside and out .
. . awesome. I'm so glad I'm His. In this crazy mixed-up world, He's the only One who makes a wit
of sense about anything. Even when we can't see it. Especially when we can't see it.
In Him, may we bask in His abundant life. No matter how crazy and mixed up it may get.
: )
VcD,
donna
A Word To Savor
Truth.
And that's Truth with a capital T. The Truth. Not just what we want to believe as truth.
Here's the amazing thing about Truth. We know it when we hear it. Why? Oops, maybe I should
back up a step.
What is Truth? Remember Pilate asking Jesus this same question? Ahh . . . what is Truth. Those
of us who have answered the call of Jesus Christ to "Follow Me" . . . we know the Truth. Those of
us who live each heartbeat of our lives cherishing the Holy Spirit of God living inside our mortal
bodies . . . we know the Truth. The Spirit reveals the Truth to us every single day. Jesus
proclaimed to us, to us all, what Truth is. You know the verse: John 14: 6. "I am the way, the
truth, and the life." This is Truth above all truth. This Truth demands a capital T.
Jesus Christ is the Truth. He is the Way; He is the Life. He is the central, most important, most
significant, most alive, most True Being in our universe, from before that moment when Time
began, to the moment when Almighty God will say, "It is finished." At that moment, Time will
cease. In eternity, there ain't no Time. Only Truth. And in eternity, we'll be free to live in the
Truth that has, indeed, set us free.
Um . . . maybe I should just let Jesus say it. John 8:31-32. "If you abide in My word, you are My
disciples indeed. And you shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free." Down in
verse 36, He cinches it. "If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
Ahhhhh . . . I'm basking in this. Hope you are too.
If we abide in His Word, we are His disciples. If we are truly His, His Spirit lives in us, showing
us Truth. (That's the Holy Spirit's job. To show us Jesus.) The Spirit does His job in us. He
reveals Truth. We learn and begin to know Truth. And . . . ahhhhhh . . . in the process . . . we are
made free.
Maybe this is enough to savor for today. But can we talk more about this tomorrow? : )
VcD,
donna
Savoring Truth
What a great word to savor.
Truth.
Yep, that's Truth with a capital T.
The kind of Truth that doesn't need to be followed by the words, "Trust me." You know that kind of
truth. "Ahh, yes, this car runs great! That's the truth! Trust me . . ."
Who would give a wit's worth of faith to those words? Or to the one saying them? Or to that car???
Jesus Christ is Truth. He is the only way to know the loving, eternal, Father God. He is the only
way to know true Life. The Life He gives is forever, abundant, and real. Ahh, another word to
savor. The Truth is REAL.
And we know it. The Living Spirit of God is working hard in us who have heeded Jesus's call to
"Follow Me." He is revealing Truth in our innermost beings. And it's such a delight when we read
or hear words from our brothers and sisters that validates and enforces that Truth already planted in
our innermost beings by our Resident Teacher of Truth. You know what that feels like, don't you.
We have those moments at church. When we read devotionals. When we talk to each other about
what Jesus is doing and being in us and through us.
Truth is real. And it can't be changed by society, culture, or the words of any man. When we hear
words spoken about Truth, but those words don't exactly "jive" with what the Spirit is revealing to
us about Truth, whom do we listen to? The Spirit is awesome at helping us discern what is Truth
and what is just "a truth." And we all know that "truths" come and go all the time. Like green shag
carpet and bright orange dinette sets. Fads. That's all most "truths" are.
But Truth remains. We know it, and can discern if we're hearing it correctly. Or not.
But . . . only if we're fully listening to our Resident Teacher of Truth.
Listening. Learning. Knowing.
Following. Resting. Trusting.
Truth. Only in the Truth.
More . . . tomorrow?
VcD,
donna
We Know It When We Hear It
Truth.
It's like a warm, gentle fire suddenly burns in our souls. We want to jump out of our chairs and
holler, "Yeah! It's exactly like that! You've got it just right!!"
Many of our brothers and sisters, right now, and down through time, have gotten it right. Where
have they gotten "it"? From their Resident Teacher of Truth. And what has this Resident Teacher
of Truth been teaching? "The Truth is a Man. Jesus Christ is that Man. Fully human, fully God.
He is the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life."
Well, okay. He may not be saying it exactly like that . . . but, then again, He wouldn't say it any
other way! : )
I love it when I hear a brother or sister who "gets" it. Oh, not that I "get" it all the time. I'm still
learning, you better believe it. Sometimes I "get" it flat wrong. (Usually when I'm not listening . . .
but we won't go there.) : )
The only way I know if what I'm hearing is from someone who "gets" it, is when the truth of what
they are saying completely "jives" with what my Resident Teacher of Truth has placed in my
innermost being. I hold on to that Truth tighter than anything else I hold on to. I cling to it. What
else is worth clinging to?
I hear a lot of words coming from my brothers and sisters . . . and sometimes I'm not exactly sure
that they seem to "get" it. Not that they, or what they are saying, is necessarily bad or wrong, but it
just doesn't totally match up with what I know to be Truth. These are the moments when I discern.
And discerning doesn't have to be destructive to the person or the words that I'm discerning. That
person is still my brother or sister in Christ, no matter what words they are saying. But I
reeeeaallly love it when the Spirit leaps inside me and shrieks, "She's got it!! This is Truth!! And
she's expressing it exactly as I've given it to her!"
I love that!!! : )
Tomorrow, may I share one such moment with you? Well, many moments recently, because I'm
reading bits of teaching from a man who I think the Spirit is saying to me, "He's got it. Listen to
what he's saying." This man's teachings come at a perfect time for me (just like God to use Time so
perfectly in our "time-infested" lives) and they completely validate what the Spirit has been
revealing to me lately. I think what this man has to say is something the Spirit has been trying to
reveal to all of us from the moment He became our Resident Teacher of Truth. Since He became
our Supernatural Resident Revealer-of-God Friend.
What a Friend! What a God! Jesus . . . You are . . .
Thank You.
Join me tomorrow? : )
VcD,
donna