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Those Pesky —ly Adverbs
For those of you who read more stuff than you write, you may not realize the vendetta writers
have against words ending in —ly. More often than not, these words are adverbs and adjectives
used to over-describe certain actions or things. —ly adverbs are the bane of novelists. "Get rid
of 'em all," is usually the advice given.
Well, I usually try to follow any advice given to help my work work. : ) And, in the course of
my editing business, I tend to spout off that same advice. "Nix dem —ly adverbs!" What
follows below is a case of severe overuse of —ly adverbs. But, in this case, I cherish every
single one. Just wanted to share.
"Think what faith in Jesus Christ claims—that He can present us faultless before the throne of
God, unutterably pure, absolutely rectified, and profoundly justified."
Now that's some good use of —ly adverbs!! : )
(And, of course, it's from My Utmost for His Highest, from the teachings of Oswald Chambers.)
VcD!
donna
A Psalm
Praise the LORD, I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will praise His Holy Name. Praise the
LORD, I tell myself, and never forget the good things He does for me. He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases. He ransoms me from death and surrounds me with love and tender
mercies. He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle's! The LORD gives righteousness and justice to all who are
treated unfairly. He revealed His character to Moses and His deeds to the people of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious; He is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love. He will
not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He has not punished us for all our sins, nor
does He deal with us as we deserve. For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as
great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our rebellious acts as far
away from us as the east is from the west. The LORD is like a father to His children, tender and
compassionate to those who fear Him. For He understands how weak we are; He knows we are
only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind
blows, and we are gone—as though we have never been here. But the love of the LORD remains
forever with those who fear Him. His salvation extends to the children's children of those who
are faithful to His covenant, of those who obey His commandments.
The LORD has made the heavens His throne; from there He rules over everything. Praise the
LORD, you angels of His, you mighty creatures who carry out His plans, listening for each of His
commands. Yes, praise the LORD, you armies of angels who serve Him and do His will! Praise
the LORD, everything He has created, everywhere in His Kingdom.
As for me—I, too, will praise the LORD.
VcD,
donna
(Psalm 103, NLT)
And Another
O LORD, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit
down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. You chart the path ahead of me
and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment You know where I am. You know what I am
going to say even before I say it, LORD. You both precede and follow me. You place Your hand
of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know!
I can never escape from Your Spirit! I can never get away from Your presence! If I go up to
heaven, You are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, You are there. If I ride the wings of
the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there Your hand will guide me, and Your
strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become
night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from You. To You the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are both alike to You.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—and how
well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven
together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was
recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can't even count
them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up in the morning, You are still with
me!
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me
that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
VcD,
donna
(Psalm 139, NLT)
Did You Notice?
I sort of left out a few sentences of Psalm 139. The parts about . . . well, I'll let you read them for
yourself.
"O God, if only You would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers! They
blaspheme You; Your enemies take Your name in vain. O LORD, shouldn't I hate those who hate
You? Shouldn't I despise those who resist You? Yes, I hate them with complete hatred, for Your
enemies are my enemies."
Brings one very powerful question to my mind: David wasn't very politically correct, was he?
Yeah, I left this part out of my previous post, not because I wanted to "blot out" any part of
Scripture, but simply because we live in "politically correct" times. That, and also because I'm
not exactly surrounded by people who are murderers, people who want to murder me—like
David was. Complete hatred is a hard lot to carry. For me, it's more like I carry around
"complete hope in the justice and mercy of my God."
I'm not of the sort that says, "We need to fight the Devil and his cohorts—to take 'em on in hard
combat to fight and win the LORD's battles." I'm of the sort that says, "We'll stand and resist, but
we'll let the LORD fight His own battles." I don't think my God needs to be defended. At least
not by me. But I do think He needs to be trusted, honored, and loved. For all those who don't
trust, honor, or love my God, I don't necessarily feel "complete hatred." I feel mostly concern.
Hard, complete concern. If you're of the sort that says, "I don't need God," I'm concerned for
you. If you're of the sort that says, "I hate God. I defy Him and all He is," well, I can't exactly
say I'm thrilled about your attitude. If you're of the sort that says, "I don't believe there is a God,
and nothing you say or do will change my mind," I mostly feel great sadness for you.
Great sadness is not exactly "complete hatred." David had every right to hate those who actively
spoke against His God and threatened to kill him. Me? Like my Savior, Jesus, I can only pray
for those who actively speak against Him; I can only hope that in my reflection of what being a
follower of Christ really means, I can persuade some to rethink their stand. I can only leave that
rebellious soul in the hands of my God, fully trusting Him to be just and fair and right on his or
her behalf.
I don't hate those who hate God. I don't hate those who don't think they need Him. I don't hate
any person, place, or thing created by God in His image. I hate what my sin does to my Father
God. I hate that His Son, my Lord Jesus, had to die such a horrible death to free me from sin. I
hate how my enemy, Satan, has distorted Truth. I hate his subtle ways to turn away searching
hearts from Truth.
Satan is God's enemy. I hate Satan. You better believe it. Complete hatred. Hard and sure.
But I don't hate you. No matter what you believe. Or how you believe it.
This has nothing to do with being politically correct. It has everything to do with living and
being as Jesus lived and breathed. He spoke harshly to the Pharisees, but He didn't hate them. If
even one of them would have turned from their sin and sought the Truth (and it stood right in front
of them!), Jesus, who is Truth, would have embraced that Pharisee as a brother.
And I think David would have done the same, if even one of those "murderers" would have
turned to David's True and Living God.
Forgiveness. What an awesome thing.
Our True and Living God. How awesome is He?
Like, totally.
: )
VcHim,
donna
Our God Is . . .
. . . a big, good God.
I love that. : )
Sometimes I think we tend to forget just how big He is. And then, at the same time, we
sometimes forget how much He cares about the tiniest details of our lives.
Here's a true story from two weeks ago when I headed south for Women of Joy.
All ready to leave. Packed my books in the back of my truck, my tea, my purse . . . everything.
Ready to go. Needed to stop at the post office first, then to get gas. Both of these stops required
a trip north into downtown Lincoln City first. But, afterward, pointed south, aimed at Florence
for the conference, I remembered I had forgotten to pack my Bible. Well, just why would I need
my Bible? It wasn't like anyone at the conference was gonna say, "Please take out your Bibles
and turn to . . ." And it was just for the weekend. But this was my Bible. I had to have my Bible.
Such was the debate running through my brainpan as I approached the turnoff for my house.
Ahh, I need my Bible. It's my Bible! Of course I need it.
Swung in quick to grab my Bible. I could have grabbed it and headed immediately back out, but I
decided to avail myself of the facilities one more time for the road. Quick trip through my
bedroom on the way to my bathroom . . . revealed my suitcase sitting there on my bed.
: )
Vaya con Dios,
donna
Can't Stay Away
Hey, y'all! Yep, I said I was taking a break from the blogging, but look at me. I just can't stay
away.
God is so good!
Hope you know that. Hope you're saying, "All the time!" or "Amen!" or "You go, girl!"
Whatever is striking you at the moment. I hope you're not saying, "Oh, please. Not another
sermon." Or, "Yeah, yeah. Get on with telling us something juicy. Tell us about something that's
happening in the industry. About editors and how to hook 'em. About other writers. About
who's acquiring edgy Christian fiction these days."
I doubt you're saying that right now, cuz you know that's not what this blog is about. It's not what
I'm about. And I'm realizing that more and more as each day passes. Especially the last few
weeks when I've been desperately trying to get my already-acquired, bought-and-paid-for story
written. I have two more weeks. And last night I crossed the halfway point. I'm halfway done
with a book that must be turned in April 3rd.
God is so good!!!!
Of course, I'm basking. Reading through the Word, at the moment I'm in John. Today Jesus
talked about being the Living Water, the True Bread from Heaven, and the Good Shepherd. His
sheep recognize His voice and follow Him. He leads them to green pastures to feed and live
abundant life.
When His teachings were too hard to understand, many turned away from Him. Jesus asked His
disciples, "Are you going to leave too?" But good old Peter replied, "Lord, where would we
go? You alone have the words of eternal life."
Where else can I go, Lord, to find true freedom, to find Truth, and to find abundant Life? You
alone are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
I'm not goin' anywhere. This sheep is followin' her Good Shepherd. I recognize His voice. I
know where He's leading me.
Wow. With all my heart, I hope you know too. I hope you are trusting Him with every single
heartbeat and breath. Especially if you have written a manuscript you just know will change the
world. Even if you have never written a word. Wherever the Good Shepherd is leading you, I
pray you'll stay right by His side.
But especially . . . if He is leading you into this industry, I pray He alone would be your Guide.
Now, I've gotta git back to work!!! : )
Vaya con Dios!
donna
P.S. Chris and Erin say hi!
Ahhhhh . . .
Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God
because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought
us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look
forward to sharing God's glory.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us
—they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character
strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us.
For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts
with His love.
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now,
no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person
who is especially good. But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us
while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of
Christ, He will certainly save us from God's judgement. For since we were restored to
friendship with God by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly
be delivered from eternal punishment by His life. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new
relationship with God—all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us
friends with God.
Romans 5:1-11
: )
Can't Help It
Gotta share this. Romans 8:19-39
For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who His children
really are. Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God's curse. All creation
anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay.
For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the
present time. And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste
of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for
that day when God will give us our full rights as His children, including the new bodies He has
promised us. Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you
already have something, you don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we
don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for,
nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be
expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for
the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. And we know that God
causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according
to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become
like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters. And having
chosen them, He called them to come to Him. And He gave them right standing with Himself, and
He promised them His glory.
What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against
us? Since God did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won't God, who gave
us Christ, also give us everything else?
Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? Will God? No! He is the One who
has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? Will Christ Jesus? No,
for He is the One who died for us and was raised to life for us and is sitting at the place of
highest honor next to God, pleading for us.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have
trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with
death? (Even the Scriptures say, "For Your sake we are killed every day; we are being
slaughtered like sheep.") No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through
Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can't, and life can't.
The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and
even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the
deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is
revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Yay!!!!!!!
: 0
(I added that last part.)
; )
VcD!
donna
A Prayer for Us
I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will give you mighty inner strength through
His Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust
in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have
the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how
deep His love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will
never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes
from God.
Glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely
more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May He be given glory in the church and in Christ
Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.
Amen.
Ephesians 3:16-21
Another Prayer
We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what He wants to do in your lives, and we
ask Him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and
please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will
learn to know God better and better.
We also pray that you will be strengthened with His glorious power so that you will have all the
patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who
has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light.
For He has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and He has brought us
into the Kingdom of His dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with His blood and has
forgiven all our sins.
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven,
where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your
thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and
your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to
the whole world, you will share in all His glory.
Wow.
(Um . . . I added that last word.)
Colossians 1:9-14, 3:1-4
For those of you who read more stuff than you write, you may not realize the vendetta writers
have against words ending in —ly. More often than not, these words are adverbs and adjectives
used to over-describe certain actions or things. —ly adverbs are the bane of novelists. "Get rid
of 'em all," is usually the advice given.
Well, I usually try to follow any advice given to help my work work. : ) And, in the course of
my editing business, I tend to spout off that same advice. "Nix dem —ly adverbs!" What
follows below is a case of severe overuse of —ly adverbs. But, in this case, I cherish every
single one. Just wanted to share.
"Think what faith in Jesus Christ claims—that He can present us faultless before the throne of
God, unutterably pure, absolutely rectified, and profoundly justified."
Now that's some good use of —ly adverbs!! : )
(And, of course, it's from My Utmost for His Highest, from the teachings of Oswald Chambers.)
VcD!
donna
A Psalm
Praise the LORD, I tell myself; with my whole heart, I will praise His Holy Name. Praise the
LORD, I tell myself, and never forget the good things He does for me. He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases. He ransoms me from death and surrounds me with love and tender
mercies. He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle's! The LORD gives righteousness and justice to all who are
treated unfairly. He revealed His character to Moses and His deeds to the people of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious; He is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love. He will
not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He has not punished us for all our sins, nor
does He deal with us as we deserve. For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as
great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our rebellious acts as far
away from us as the east is from the west. The LORD is like a father to His children, tender and
compassionate to those who fear Him. For He understands how weak we are; He knows we are
only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind
blows, and we are gone—as though we have never been here. But the love of the LORD remains
forever with those who fear Him. His salvation extends to the children's children of those who
are faithful to His covenant, of those who obey His commandments.
The LORD has made the heavens His throne; from there He rules over everything. Praise the
LORD, you angels of His, you mighty creatures who carry out His plans, listening for each of His
commands. Yes, praise the LORD, you armies of angels who serve Him and do His will! Praise
the LORD, everything He has created, everywhere in His Kingdom.
As for me—I, too, will praise the LORD.
VcD,
donna
(Psalm 103, NLT)
And Another
O LORD, You have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit
down or stand up. You know my every thought when far away. You chart the path ahead of me
and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment You know where I am. You know what I am
going to say even before I say it, LORD. You both precede and follow me. You place Your hand
of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know!
I can never escape from Your Spirit! I can never get away from Your presence! If I go up to
heaven, You are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, You are there. If I ride the wings of
the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there Your hand will guide me, and Your
strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become
night—but even in darkness I cannot hide from You. To You the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are both alike to You.
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—and how
well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven
together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was
recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
How precious are Your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can't even count
them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up in the morning, You are still with
me!
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me
that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
VcD,
donna
(Psalm 139, NLT)
Did You Notice?
I sort of left out a few sentences of Psalm 139. The parts about . . . well, I'll let you read them for
yourself.
"O God, if only You would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers! They
blaspheme You; Your enemies take Your name in vain. O LORD, shouldn't I hate those who hate
You? Shouldn't I despise those who resist You? Yes, I hate them with complete hatred, for Your
enemies are my enemies."
Brings one very powerful question to my mind: David wasn't very politically correct, was he?
Yeah, I left this part out of my previous post, not because I wanted to "blot out" any part of
Scripture, but simply because we live in "politically correct" times. That, and also because I'm
not exactly surrounded by people who are murderers, people who want to murder me—like
David was. Complete hatred is a hard lot to carry. For me, it's more like I carry around
"complete hope in the justice and mercy of my God."
I'm not of the sort that says, "We need to fight the Devil and his cohorts—to take 'em on in hard
combat to fight and win the LORD's battles." I'm of the sort that says, "We'll stand and resist, but
we'll let the LORD fight His own battles." I don't think my God needs to be defended. At least
not by me. But I do think He needs to be trusted, honored, and loved. For all those who don't
trust, honor, or love my God, I don't necessarily feel "complete hatred." I feel mostly concern.
Hard, complete concern. If you're of the sort that says, "I don't need God," I'm concerned for
you. If you're of the sort that says, "I hate God. I defy Him and all He is," well, I can't exactly
say I'm thrilled about your attitude. If you're of the sort that says, "I don't believe there is a God,
and nothing you say or do will change my mind," I mostly feel great sadness for you.
Great sadness is not exactly "complete hatred." David had every right to hate those who actively
spoke against His God and threatened to kill him. Me? Like my Savior, Jesus, I can only pray
for those who actively speak against Him; I can only hope that in my reflection of what being a
follower of Christ really means, I can persuade some to rethink their stand. I can only leave that
rebellious soul in the hands of my God, fully trusting Him to be just and fair and right on his or
her behalf.
I don't hate those who hate God. I don't hate those who don't think they need Him. I don't hate
any person, place, or thing created by God in His image. I hate what my sin does to my Father
God. I hate that His Son, my Lord Jesus, had to die such a horrible death to free me from sin. I
hate how my enemy, Satan, has distorted Truth. I hate his subtle ways to turn away searching
hearts from Truth.
Satan is God's enemy. I hate Satan. You better believe it. Complete hatred. Hard and sure.
But I don't hate you. No matter what you believe. Or how you believe it.
This has nothing to do with being politically correct. It has everything to do with living and
being as Jesus lived and breathed. He spoke harshly to the Pharisees, but He didn't hate them. If
even one of them would have turned from their sin and sought the Truth (and it stood right in front
of them!), Jesus, who is Truth, would have embraced that Pharisee as a brother.
And I think David would have done the same, if even one of those "murderers" would have
turned to David's True and Living God.
Forgiveness. What an awesome thing.
Our True and Living God. How awesome is He?
Like, totally.
: )
VcHim,
donna
Our God Is . . .
. . . a big, good God.
I love that. : )
Sometimes I think we tend to forget just how big He is. And then, at the same time, we
sometimes forget how much He cares about the tiniest details of our lives.
Here's a true story from two weeks ago when I headed south for Women of Joy.
All ready to leave. Packed my books in the back of my truck, my tea, my purse . . . everything.
Ready to go. Needed to stop at the post office first, then to get gas. Both of these stops required
a trip north into downtown Lincoln City first. But, afterward, pointed south, aimed at Florence
for the conference, I remembered I had forgotten to pack my Bible. Well, just why would I need
my Bible? It wasn't like anyone at the conference was gonna say, "Please take out your Bibles
and turn to . . ." And it was just for the weekend. But this was my Bible. I had to have my Bible.
Such was the debate running through my brainpan as I approached the turnoff for my house.
Ahh, I need my Bible. It's my Bible! Of course I need it.
Swung in quick to grab my Bible. I could have grabbed it and headed immediately back out, but I
decided to avail myself of the facilities one more time for the road. Quick trip through my
bedroom on the way to my bathroom . . . revealed my suitcase sitting there on my bed.
: )
Vaya con Dios,
donna
Can't Stay Away
Hey, y'all! Yep, I said I was taking a break from the blogging, but look at me. I just can't stay
away.
God is so good!
Hope you know that. Hope you're saying, "All the time!" or "Amen!" or "You go, girl!"
Whatever is striking you at the moment. I hope you're not saying, "Oh, please. Not another
sermon." Or, "Yeah, yeah. Get on with telling us something juicy. Tell us about something that's
happening in the industry. About editors and how to hook 'em. About other writers. About
who's acquiring edgy Christian fiction these days."
I doubt you're saying that right now, cuz you know that's not what this blog is about. It's not what
I'm about. And I'm realizing that more and more as each day passes. Especially the last few
weeks when I've been desperately trying to get my already-acquired, bought-and-paid-for story
written. I have two more weeks. And last night I crossed the halfway point. I'm halfway done
with a book that must be turned in April 3rd.
God is so good!!!!
Of course, I'm basking. Reading through the Word, at the moment I'm in John. Today Jesus
talked about being the Living Water, the True Bread from Heaven, and the Good Shepherd. His
sheep recognize His voice and follow Him. He leads them to green pastures to feed and live
abundant life.
When His teachings were too hard to understand, many turned away from Him. Jesus asked His
disciples, "Are you going to leave too?" But good old Peter replied, "Lord, where would we
go? You alone have the words of eternal life."
Where else can I go, Lord, to find true freedom, to find Truth, and to find abundant Life? You
alone are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
I'm not goin' anywhere. This sheep is followin' her Good Shepherd. I recognize His voice. I
know where He's leading me.
Wow. With all my heart, I hope you know too. I hope you are trusting Him with every single
heartbeat and breath. Especially if you have written a manuscript you just know will change the
world. Even if you have never written a word. Wherever the Good Shepherd is leading you, I
pray you'll stay right by His side.
But especially . . . if He is leading you into this industry, I pray He alone would be your Guide.
Now, I've gotta git back to work!!! : )
Vaya con Dios!
donna
P.S. Chris and Erin say hi!
Ahhhhh . . .
Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God
because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought
us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look
forward to sharing God's glory.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us
—they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character
strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us.
For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts
with His love.
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now,
no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person
who is especially good. But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us
while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of
Christ, He will certainly save us from God's judgement. For since we were restored to
friendship with God by the death of His Son while we were still His enemies, we will certainly
be delivered from eternal punishment by His life. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new
relationship with God—all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us
friends with God.
Romans 5:1-11
: )
Can't Help It
Gotta share this. Romans 8:19-39
For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who His children
really are. Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God's curse. All creation
anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay.
For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the
present time. And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste
of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for
that day when God will give us our full rights as His children, including the new bodies He has
promised us. Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you
already have something, you don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we
don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should pray for,
nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be
expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for
the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. And we know that God
causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according
to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become
like His Son, so that His Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters. And having
chosen them, He called them to come to Him. And He gave them right standing with Himself, and
He promised them His glory.
What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against
us? Since God did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won't God, who gave
us Christ, also give us everything else?
Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? Will God? No! He is the One who
has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? Will Christ Jesus? No,
for He is the One who died for us and was raised to life for us and is sitting at the place of
highest honor next to God, pleading for us.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have
trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with
death? (Even the Scriptures say, "For Your sake we are killed every day; we are being
slaughtered like sheep.") No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through
Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can't, and life can't.
The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and
even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the
deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is
revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Yay!!!!!!!
: 0
(I added that last part.)
; )
VcD!
donna
A Prayer for Us
I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will give you mighty inner strength through
His Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust
in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have
the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how
deep His love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will
never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes
from God.
Glory be to God! By His mighty power at work within us, He is able to accomplish infinitely
more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May He be given glory in the church and in Christ
Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.
Amen.
Ephesians 3:16-21
Another Prayer
We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what He wants to do in your lives, and we
ask Him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and
please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will
learn to know God better and better.
We also pray that you will be strengthened with His glorious power so that you will have all the
patience and endurance you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father, who
has enabled you to share the inheritance that belongs to God's holy people, who live in the light.
For He has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and He has brought us
into the Kingdom of His dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with His blood and has
forgiven all our sins.
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven,
where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your
thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and
your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your real life, is revealed to
the whole world, you will share in all His glory.
Wow.
(Um . . . I added that last word.)
Colossians 1:9-14, 3:1-4