How God Shows Me He Cares

I just have to share the incredible highs and lows of this weekend. My day job has turned into quite an abusive situation and Friday things really went downhill. Now you can't know me personally but you'll just have to take my word for it when I tell you that while I may often get a little annoyed at something or someone, I am rarely flat-out, full-blown angry. And that's how the work week ended.

I met with my writers group Friday night and came home, my mind churning all the while trying to figure out how to deal with the incredible anger surrounding this very unjust, unprofessional situation that has been boiling over at work. It is about the lowest of low points for me. When I am reduced to the point of wanting to cry, it is very, very severe.

But let me tell you how God has been working this weekend. A clear symbol to me that He cares, and also a very clear injection of His sense of humor.

After writer's group Friday night, I didn't get home until shortly after 10:00 p.m. I was emotionally drained, physically exhausted and dreading the weekend, where I knew I was going to stew and fume over the work thing. The message light on my answering machine was blinking and my first thought was "Oh great. What now?"

It turns out I had an automated voicemail nessage from In Touch, announcing that Dr. Stanley would be in Phoenix doing a book signing on Sunday (today). I can't tell you what that did for my troubled heart--anticipating nothing but a weekend of misery, then to be given a glimmer of hope and assurance that something good would indeed happen this weekend. I needed that. You have no idea how much.

And God's sense of humor came in the next part of the message--Dr. Stanley was here to sign copies of his book "Surviving In An Angry World." That is so consistent with how God has used Dr. Stanley in the roughly 22 years I've been watching him on television. The reason Dr. Stanley means so much to me is because God uses him to get across just the message I need at just the right time, and there has never been anyone better at teaching God's word in a practical way than Dr. Stanley. God has gifted him tremendously in this way.

So I knew I couldn't miss this book signing. I went about an hour and a half early because I knew the line would be long and I was right. Fortunately, the first 15-20 of us who got there had chairs to sit in and wait. The rest had to stand for a very long time. They had this book signing organized to a T. Get 'em in, get 'em out. Bless him, Dr. Stanley is going to be so tired when this book tour is done!

The whole time I sat there waiting for it to start, I had to fight back tears. There's no way I could describe what he has meant in my life or in the lives of other people I know. And the thought of finally getting to meet him in person, to finally, FINALLY have an opportunity to say the very insufficient words "Thank you" just overpowered my heart. I prayed that God would keep me from bawling like a baby because I could already feel it coming.

I only had a few seconds whle he signed my book, but I said something like "Dr. Stanley, I wish there was a better word than thank you to express my gratitude for how God has used you to work in my life." or words to that effect. He thanked me and shook my hand and that was it. And while I was on the verge of tears, thankfully I managed not to cry.

I have never met him before today but Dr. Stanley has the gentlest spirit, the most humble manner of anyone I've ever met. If I yield myself to God even a third of what Dr Stanley has done, then boy what a difference I will be able to make in life.

I don't know how many people total showed up for the book signing. This was at Borders in Phoenix, and the signing was on the upper level. When I had my books signed and left, the line stretched all the way across the upper level of the store. When I came back at 1:30, about a half hour before the signing was to end, the lines still stretched far back into the store though not all the way.

Zowie. I'm so grateful to have been given the chance to say thanks. All my troubles seem pale in comparison to that.

If You'd Like To Pray For Our Nation

At InTouch.org, they're doing a sign up to pray for our nation for 140 days beginning on July 5th.

There's a link (pasted below) where you can sign up. You'll receive a weekly email with the scripture focus and the subject being prayed about that week. You can also download a PDF file which gives an overview of the topics covered for those 20 weeks.

If interested, click this link:
http://www.intouch.org/site/c.cnKBIPNuEoG/b.6096313/k.6D2F/140_Days_of_Prayer.htm

Have a great weekend!

Don't Let Distractions Derail Your Writing

So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” – Nehemiah 6:3

I mentioned a few weeks back that finaling in Genesis was like a signpost on a dark empty stretch of road. I now have confirmation that I'm on the right path after all. That's awesome.

But now that I have that confirmation, I have to continue learning the ropes as a writer. Which means writing. 8-) More importantly, it means writing and not being derailed by distractions.

I was listening to a radio message on In Touch this morning that deals with this very same subject. And as I listened to the message, I instinctively found myself taking the lesson to heart regarding writing in my life. Based on the book of Nehemiah, here's how he dealt with distractions and rebuilt the wall in just 52 days, all of which can be applied to our lives as writers:

1. Nehemiah recognized that this work he was called to do was the will of God. Since he knew it was the will of God, he stuck to it.

2. Nehemiah kept a clear picture of his ultimate goal. He had the end goal in mind so he didn't waver in heading straight toward it.

3. Nehemiah was aware of the magnitude of the task before him.

4. Nehemiah kept his goal constantly in prayer from the very beginning.

Is America A Christian Nation?

I didn’t have time to post this yesterday but want to be certain to do it today.

If you missed the July 4th weekend broadcast of In Touch featuring guest speaker David Barton, you have another opportunity to hear his talk which was re-broadcoast this past Sunday due to popular demand. Here’s the link:

http://www.intouch.org/site/c.cnKBIPNuEoG/b.4945473/k.BE35/Home.htm

This week, following the broadcast, Dr. Stanley visits with Mr. Barton and does a brief interview.

However, the full version of the interview (which they didn’t have time for in the broadcast) is featured in the below link (simply click on the link and scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and click on full audio interview:

http://www.intouch.org/site/c.cnKBIPNuEoG/b.5576275/k.82BC/In_The_Service_of_Freedom.htm

The radio interview is extremely helpful for many reasons, but one important one is because Mr. Barton addresses what we mean when we say “Christian nation.” A frame of reference it is important to understand.

I truly believe every person in America needs to see this broadcast. Even my youth group, some of whom are admittedly not fond of history, were very interested in this broadcast.

May we be diligent in seeking God’s guidance for our nation.

Our Nation Based on Christian Principles

I watched a broadcast on In Touch this weekend that every American should see. All about our founding fathers, and why a nation determined to live by biblical standards is critical - even to those who don't believe.

I encourage you to go to In Touch at http://www.intouch.org and view this video of the talk by historian David Barton. Through Friday, this video will be right on the main home page. By Saturday it will be moved to the video archives. Simply go to Broadcast, video, and select the July 5th broadcast "Is America A Christian Nation?".

Even if your interest is historical only, not religious, you will get a LOT from this broadcast. David Barton is an outstanding speaker. I would love to be able to have him come here to Arizona and speak some day.

In the midst of our trying times, it is easy to feel dejected. This message will lift you up and encourage you. And I hope it will do one more thing we haven't been especially good at - a nation of prayer.