Review on From the Start

From the Start by Melissa Tagg was an enjoyable read. :)

Be forewarned. There are some spoilers ahead.

Kate Walker is a born romantic turned romantic screenplay writer. There's just one problem: her own broken heart has left her closed off, and frankly, a little sick of it all. Desperate to write something real and important, Kate is looking to hit the restart button on her life and her career.

Colton Greene has been recently and permanently sidelined by an injury from the NFL. Due to his own troubled past, Colton is closed off and guarded. Football was his outlet, and now that's gone. Colton is having a hard time trying to figure out what comes next. Sure, he's got a book deal, but that doesn't bring back what he's lost.

A tornado brings Kate and Colton to Maple Valley, Iowa. Reluctantly at first, Colton agrees to stick around and help the town recover from the devastation of the tornado. There he meets Kate in a meet-cute that is guaranteed to have you grinning from ear to ear. Turns out, Colton needs a writer, and Kate needs money to finally fulfill her lifelong dream, and follow in her mother's footsteps. The answer to two un-prayed prayers.

From the Start is filled with enjoyable scenes, romantic tension, and fun characters. There isn't a Gilmore Girls fan in the house that wouldn't find the buy-a-basket-get-a-date scene awesome. There were a number of zippy one-liners that had me laughing and thinking, "Now when can I realistically say that in a conversation?" For my personal taste as a reader, the backstory and character thought process were a little on the heavy side. Tagg does a great job with dialogue, but sometimes it was too broken up with the character's long thoughts. I loved the idea of a writer in a career slump! The ending was happy, and it was great to see Kate's renewed heart for romantic writing, and Colton going after a backup plan that could only be crafted by God.

Bottom line: this is a good read. I'm looking forward to the following books in the Walker Family Series.

I was given a copy of From the Start by Melissa Tagg from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

V. Joy Palmer

Anything You Can Do

"You're just a girl."

Ellie stuck her tongue out at Tim, the annoying boy next door. The afternoon sun lit Tim up, making him look as authoritative as he sounded.

Stupid sun.

"Being a girl has nothing to do with this. I can do anything you can. If boys can do this, so can I."

He made a face at her in return. "You're just a little girl, Ellie. Get real. You can't do that."

"Yes, I can! My mommy and daddy said I could do anything through Christ!" She glared at him. Why did he have to be so mean? Sure what she was doing was hard. Maybe even kind of crazy. She was only a kid after all, and there were a lot of hungry people in the world...

But she wanted to help! She felt like God would want her to help any way she could. So Ellie had started talking to any adult that would listen, and making plans to send food to an orphanage each month.

The only probably was the meanies like Tim.

He snorted, and Ellie felt her face flush with rage. A light breeze tried to cool her, but it was too late.

Elle jerked her thumb towards her chest. "If you want to be mean, fine. Just go away. I am going to do this. I want to help. If you cared about God's people, you would stop putting me down, and help me."

"Whatever, Ellie." Tim stormed into his house.

At least he had left her alone.

So I have that ever-popular song stuck in my head from the musical Annie Get Your Gun while I wrote this post. (Bonus points if you know the song!)

 Believe it or not, this is not a girl power blog post. This is a women of God/man of God/people of God post.

I want to share some verses with you guys. Verses that I find/found really cool. Verses that  I swear must have recently been put into the Bible because they seem that new and fresh.

Verses you probably won't find that interesting.

At first!

As some of you know, I'm a youth leader at my church. So there I was at youth group, surrounding by the kids and teens. The youth pastor ask the kids to pick anything in the New Testament. So the girls sitting next to me ended up in Luke chapter 8.

There is some good stuff in Luke 8. The parable of the sower. Jesus calming the storm. The lamp under a basket teaching. Jesus casting out a demon. Jesus healing the woman with the issue of blood, and then raising the 12 year old girl from the dead are even in this chapter. Some major stuff went down here!

But what verse did those girls randomly pick that did not contain any of that awesome stuff?

Verse 1.

Which had the heading "Woman Accompanying Jesus."

In Bible days, woman weren't very important. Remember when Jesus fed the 5,000? That wasn't 5,000 people; that was 5,000 men. They didn't count women and children back then.

So I find these next few verses significant.

"Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means." Luke 8:1-3

As the gospel spread throughout the land and among the people, the women made sure they were involved. They weren't missing out! Some of those women were healed of sickness. Others were freed from evil spirits! None were left wanting. None were lacking. All of them were getting some of those blessings.

Not only that, but those women were actively involved in the ministry of Jesus. They provided for them. They helped make sure Jesus and the disciples had food to eat, water to drink, places to sleep, and sturdy clothes to wear.

My brother is actively involved in missions in his neck of the world, so I know from him that these day to day things are essential and necessary in ministry. Really in any ministry. Even from my work in the youth group, these things are a big part of planning in any event. They are not to be overlooked, considered lightly, or demeaned in any way.

In an era when women were all but trash, they were still actively serving God, and I think that is beyond awesome.

What about us today? In an era when we can do so much to further God's work, are we doing it? Man or woman, young or old, poor or royal heiress, we all have a part to play. We all have a way to contribute to the kingdom of God. Do we ignore those reasons because of how the world tells us we need to live?

Sometimes I think we do... But do you know what I say to that?

Anything the world tells me to do for it or for myself, I can do better for God!

Because no one is me. No one can contribute like me. No person brings the exact same strengths to the Lord. They are all gloriously different and needed.

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23-24

I hope we are all actively serving God, because no matter what the opposition is, we can do it. It is important. Don't despise your small beginnings because it may be a life-sustaining act for someone else.

God bless you guys! I hope you have an awesome end of April! I look forward to seeing you again on May 1st!

P.S. The song was, "Anything You Can Do."  :)

V. Joy Palmer

The Hampster Wheel

Maddie dropped another slimy spoonful of gravy onto the waiting plate.

Oh, the joy.

She tried not to gag as the gelatin-like gravy quivered but retained it's ladle shape. The old man moved away smiled gratefully, and she continued to serve the homeless people in the line for the next hour.

A replacement volunteer tapped her on the shoulder. "Your shift is over."

Sighing in relief, Maddie handed him the ladle and relinquished her apron. It wasn't that she didn't like helping them. She just wondered if spooning out wobbly gravy made a difference.

As she walked to her car, she saw the old man from the soup kitchen line. He was sitting on a bench, hands folded, head bowed. For a moment Maddie wondered if he was dead. He looked up just then, smiled when he saw her, and began waving frantically.

Maddie hesitated, but then walked over to see the old man for a moment. "Hello."

"Hello, young lady. I just wanted to thank you for serving me today."

Maddie was taken a little off guard. That was so sweet! "Thank you." She gave a little wave, and was about to walk off when she noticed that the man's windbreaker was torn and ratty.

She pointed to his exposed arm. "You must be freezing."

"Oh, no. I'm fine."

Maddie shook her head. "No. Take my coat." She had slipped out of it before she had finished speaking. It was a hand-me-down from her older brother. Certainly used, but definitely warm. "Please take it."

His expression was downright angelic. "Thank you, dear. God bless you."

Maddie bid him farewell, but turned around at the sound of his voice. "It does make a difference, Maddie. It makes all the difference."

Except he wasn't there anymore. He had disappeared.

Maddie rubbed the chill from her sweater clad arms. What had just happened?

Hey guys! I hope you've all been well, and that God has BLESSED you tremendously! :)

So. Have you ever felt like Maddie? Like all you do is for naught? It's a pretty easy to trip and fall into that pit. Life just gets overwhelming. Cycles and routines are formed. Life becomes a series of events that you MUST DO.

Or else.

It's like the hamster running in that annoying squeaky wheal.

My alarm goes off. I smash the snooze button in an attempt to get a few more minutes of shut eye. The cat starts to bat my face because she heard the alarm go off, and you know what that means.

"Time to feed me, human!"

After shielding my face for the hundredth time, I drag myself out of bed to fed the cats, post blogs, read my Bible, and get ready for work. Nine-ish hours later I return home to write or work on more blogs, eat dinner, and collapse into bed.

Rinse and repeat. Over and over. Running and jogging, and I have got to tell you guys that isn't easy. I'm out of shape. (That's what happens when you are a writer, and your brain food is double-stuffed Oreos.)

The days seem to quick. The nights are over in minutes. There just isn't enough time, and you don't feel like anything is getting done. What difference have I made? All the while, that stupid wheal squeaks underneath me, irking me more.

Because I'm on the wheel, focused on what I need to do. It's a cycle, and sometimes I forget what I working towards.

And no, I don't mean my career in general. I'm working towards showing the light of Jesus in my life. My day is about the person in a foreign country (that forbids God's Word) who reads a blog I wrote to survive another day. It's about the kids and teens in the youth group who listen to my crazy lessons. It's about the scared and nervous person who is new to the area, and how they calm down when I offer a smile and friendship. My day is about so much more then I give it credit.

It is worth it. What I do, does make a difference.

"'For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" Matthew 25:35-40

Every time you work at a soup kitchen, give away your coat, or visit the sick, you make a difference. God sees it, and He will bless you for it. Those little things in your day matter. All the hearts you are touching, directly touch God's heart.

Don't give up friends! Keep doing what you're doing! Keep living for God! Keep showing His love to the least of these.

I just really love this song, guys! And it goes with today's thought. :)

See you guys on April 20th!

V. Joy Palmer

Hide-and-Seek

A horrible sounding sputter and  a dark cloud of smoke emanated from the hood of April's car.

Uh-oh.

Pulling over as fast as she dared, she turned the car off,  threw the door open, and leaped out.

Just in case it exploded.

Tentatively walking to the hood, April yarded it open. "No, no, no , no. Please don't do this to me , you steaming heap of metal."

More smoke billowed from the car's engine in the shape of a mushroom as she propped the hood open. April didn't know a lot about cars, but she was guessing that was bad.

April Fool's Day. What a perfect day for a practical joke from God.

All the months of frustration, heartache, and weariness started to overwhelm her. This was it. This was the moment she would loose it , forever becoming the crazy lady who walked the side of the road.

"Urgh! Why God? Why? I'm going to loose my job. Then I won't be able to pay my bills, and I will get kicked out of my apartment!" God had allowed so many horrible things to happen to her. Where had God been in those times? Where was He now? She had tried to go to church and find Him. It was like she was playing hide-and-seek with God in the dark.

But all she could find was darkness.

Collapsing by the side of the road, tears flowed down her face. A warm breeze ruffled her bangs. "Where are you, God?"

Her whisper was answered with another breeze.

Like God was wiping away her tears.

When I was a kid, my friends, family, and I would play hide-and-seek for hours after school. Even as an adult, I love hide-and-seek. I love playing it with the kids in the youth group. The part that I love the most is when I find the best hiding spot, and the kids completely miss me! They could be waving their arms two inches from my face, but not see me. And when that chair leg crashes down on my ankle, they don't hear my muffled cry of agony. That's right!

We are the champions!

Sorry. Back to the subject.

I tried to illustrate through my short story that sometimes people feel like they are playing hide-and-seek with God. Some people will say they are looking for God, but no matter how many tables and chairs they look under, they can't find Him.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

 

That's not true. If you will look for God, you will always, always, always find Him!

 

So my favorite Psalm is 139. This is my favorite part:
 

"Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."

Psalm 139:7-10

 

God's got you. He's never left you. He's holding your hand.

Some of you may be giving me a dubious look, with a half glare on your face. With an arched eyebrow you might say sarcastically, "Joy, what about when the hard times come. What about when disease, death, and disaster strike out lives. Where is God then? Answer that one all wise and knowing, dolt."

Fist off, harsh.

Second, God is still there. I know that's not what you want to hear, but it's true.

Have you guys spent any time in the book of Ruth. There you will find a dear woman by the name of Naomi. In Ruth 1:1-5, you learn that Naomi was once very happy.

Once.

She had husband and two sons. Then famine struck. She and her family moved out of Israel and into the land of Moab. The last box is finally unpacked, and then her dear husband died, leaving her with just her two sons. Those young men each married, and for awhile things were good. Naomi spent her days among family and friends, anxiously awaiting her first grandbaby. Then both her sons, the light of her life, died. Leaving her alone.

She and her daughters-in-law were going to travel back to Bethlehem, but Naomi tried to persuade them to go home. One of them did, but Ruth stuck with her mother-in-law, totally adopting her and her lifestyle.

Once they arrived in Naomi's home town, Bethlehem, people started to flock to their sides. Everyone was flabbergasted at the arrival of Naomi. But Naomi's bitterness was etched upon her face. In her anger she declared, "Don't call me Naomi anymore! Call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?" She felt like God had abandoned her, and taken away everything she loved. She blamed God, and was giving up.

Okay, I don't know about your Bible, but the footnotes in my Bible give the meanings for Naomi and Mara:

 

Naomi-Pleasant

Mara- Bitter

My husband noted something really cool. Even though Naomi said, "Don't call me Naomi; call me Mara," all throughout the book, she is still referred to as Naomi-like God didn't acknowledge her angry name change. Like God was saying, "I've still got so much in store for you. You will be pleasant once again."

 

Like the story in the beginning, we will be going along fine, and then hit a brick wall. We get out to look at the damage, kick the torn up bumper off our car, and freak out. We've all responded like Naomi. We've all taken a situation, and instead of trusting God or even being pleasant about it, we purposely choose in our hearts to become bitter.

Naomi would come to find out that God had not abandoned her. That even though the perils of this world broke her heart, He was putting it back together.

What about us? What about you? When death, disaster, and destruction hit, does your view on God change? When your car breaks down, do you scream and blame God?

Can you find God in the dark?

I love these two songs. And I couldn't pick just one.

Life won't always go to plan, but if you will look for God, you will find Him. Even in the dark times. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with you. He's holding you. What you need to hold onto is that God is real. And He will never leave you empty or thirsty. He will never let you go.

And that is no April Fool's joke.

See you guys on April 10th!

 

V. Joy Palmer

Window of Opportunity

The world beyond her glass prison held more allure.

They say the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. Molly was certain that no one would ever say her grass was greener. Her pastures were narrow and surrounded with an electric fence. They were sparse and dry. They were her prison.

Molly would give anything to climb out this window and slide down the trellis. To experience freedom. Her friends always used to talk about all the doors her wealthy family could open. They thought she had the world at her fingertips.

She saw one door to her future, and she was being pushed through it. Her Dad said that one day she would understand, but Molly had yet to understand why she had to live her life this way. This reserved lifestyle while everyone else did what they wanted?

Once she was on the other side of that door, there would be no turning back. Not ever. The only way out was to fail. Fall on her face. Destroy her life.

Or run now.

The window of opportunity sat in front of her. It beaconed a siren song to her soul. It gleamed like a portal to freedom. It tempted everything within her. Goodness, she could almost smell the new world waiting for her.

Molly had stared out this window ever since she was a child, noting the quick run to the wood's edge. To her new life.

Even as a child, this window of opportunity had always held more allure.

Have you ever felt like the girl in this story? She felt trapped. Suffocating. Confined to her prison. There are so many movies and books that depict a princess bound by duty, and thus unable to follow her heart's desire.

I think prime time for this is when we go through our teen years. The time of terror. :) Too old to ignore the coming future and responsibilities ahead. Too young to actually do all the stuff you are looking forward to doing. Mix that together, and you get the "trapped" feeling we all know and despise. Add in your family's plans and expectations, and you have got yourself a Disney princess movie in the making. ;)

I call it the Princess Complex.

Then that window of opportunity presents itself. A temptation that looks so fine. A time to let down your hair, stop living by the rules, and run with the wind.

Do you take it? Let it go by? What is the right answer? And how much coffee does one need to consume before figuring this out?

Well, I like to look at a certain section of Scripture when faced with that "window of opportunity." Somebody just like us who faced temptation, and triumphed over it.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, “‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and “‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

Matthew 4:1-11

You know, I can't get over how Jesus handled this time of testing. It's like I always forget and then remember this one key piece of information.

Jesus was just like us.

That feels wrong to say. He was the Son of God. The Son of Man. The Savior. Prince of Pease. Chosen. Bridegroom. Beloved Son. Christ. Bread of Life. Messiah. Deliver. The list goes on and on! There is over TWO HUNDRED names for Jesus!

Saying He was just like us seems like a slap in the face to all that He is, was, and did.

But it's not.

If Jesus wasn't born into a sinful world, and if He didn't face all the same kinds of temptations as us, then how could he have been the perfect Lamb of God? It would have been perfectly easy for a "God" to walk this earth and say no to the devil. Jesus, He had a choice to make. The same choices we make every day.

Follow God? Follow the world?

I always read about this time of testing for Jesus, and I forget just how difficult it was for Him. These forty days and nights in the wilderness were no vacation before for He started His traveling ministry. He wasn't relaxing with a frozen lemonade (How great are frozen lemonades, by the way?!) while working on His summer tan. This was so difficult for Him! He was like us. He could have rebelled against God's plan. He could have looked to the sky, shook his fist, and declared, "I want to be a painter! Find somebody else for your twisted plan!" He could have given in to the devils tricks of earthly power. He had the window of opportunity right there in front of Him.

But my Lord held His own. He didn't back down. He fought the devil tooth and nail with the Word of God.

In my humble opinion, this is one of the most poignant examples of Jesus that we have in the Bible. A flesh and blood man, with thoughts and dreams of His own, totally focused on God. This example was for you and me. People who screw up. Who decided they would rather sleep then read their Bible. People who decided that compromising a little doesn't mean anything. People who claim it's impossible to be like Jesus.

I'm not going to lie to you guys. We are going to screw up. A lot. Goodness, since writing this post I've probably screwed up a hundred times over. These verses in Matthew 4 remind me that it is possible to take the high road. If my Lord, who previously had an existence of privilege, could do it without failing, then I most assuredly can!

You guys have an awesome end of March! Throw a little a party and I will see you on April 1st.

April Fool's Day. I will have to come up with a prank for you guys! ;)

God bless!

V. Joy Palmer

The Speaking Apprehension

Oh, she was going to throw up, right here, right now. Possibly in that plant over there. Perhaps it would function as a type of fertilizer.

Or not.

Her hazel eyes, for which she was named, darted back and forth in the huge, curtained off-area of the stage. Why did it appear like everyone else was fine? They weren't nervous, terrified, or queasy. No one else was experiencing this strange twitching in their right eye. No one else was bent at a slightly odd angle to hold their churning stomach. No one else was shifty back and forth, clearly contemplating how much more embarrassing it might be to hop from the stage and run away.

Assuming one didn't break their ankle doing this.

"Oh, God, I can't do this."

The chair where Hazel was supposed to sit on stage sat empty. A single, golden spotlight shone on it. It was her turn.

People were looking at her, and someone pushed on her back. Her feet remained firmly rooted in place. She looked down at the verse she was supposed to read from Isaiah forty-one, verse ten.

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

She found the words oddly comforting. Yes, they were soothing to her soul. More then just words, but more like a motto by which to live.

But did she dare read them to an auditorium full of people?

Hello everyone! I hope you've had a good month of March thus far.  :)

So, do you have a worst fear? Is it heights? Is it public speaking? Is it spiders, snakes, or the number thirteen? Perhaps your worst fear is that one day, all the coffee bean plants will die, and that the world will run out of coffee.

That would be truly tragic... *Shudder*  I think I've just added a new fear to my list.

Well, one of my fears is speaking in public. It's certainly under snakes, spiders, and the evil tramway, but well above things like the boogieman or being peed on by my future children.

I still remember the first time I spoke in public. While I had been singing on the worship team at church for years, I came to find out that speaking was an entirely different story.

I had to give my first speech for my required   trust me, I tried to get out of it   speech class.

I got up there, all prepared to talk. I had my lines memorized. The words were on the tip of my tongue, I knew to look around the room, make eye contact, and move around a little. I knew all this stuff.

But I would place my hand on Abraham's thigh and swear to you that all those things flew out of my mind when I stood at the front of the room with ALL EYES ON ME.

I shifted back and forth like I was bouncing to a rap song, and to make matters worse, my right eye started to malfunction. It would not stop twitching!

That dreadful day still haunts me. While I've certainly gotten better, and I can speak before a group of youth group kids pretty effortlessly now, speaking in a room of adults is still a little difficult for me.

Ever since then, I've avoided any unnecessary public speaking. God apparently decided that was a silly plan, because I've never been able to escape it.

Speaking of God...  ;)

"I open my mouth and pant, because I long for you commandments." Psalm 119:131

My church started a new Bible study a few months ago. As a youth leader and the daughter-in-law to the pastors', I figured it was kind of important I be there. While it's not always easy fitting in that time every week that I was spending on writing, blogging, connecting with the youth group kids, or being insanely lazy with my husband, I knew it was important that I be there.

Anyways, at this Bible study it's common for us to read the verses that go along with the lesson. Out loud. To the group.

Something I detest.

Seriously. I can't even believe I'm saying that, but it's true. While I like to fool myself into thinking it's because I know this stuff already, I know it's really because I hate looking like a fool. Every time I open my mouth I have flashbacks to the first time I spoke in public in high school and my right eye started twitching like I was having some kind of spaz attack.

I came across this verse in my personal Bible reading last week.

"I open my mouth and pant, because I long for you commandments." Psalm 119:131

I remember thinking, "That's a cool verse." I underlined it, but didn't give it much more thought.

Little did I know God was placing a wedge, and unfortunately, it was not a pair of cute shoes.

One night we were doing our normal thing. I had to suffer through reading a verse. People were talking and asking questions about the lesson. My pastor shared with the group about how much he loved to read his Bible.

While I certainly love God and love reading the Word, it's easy to fall into the habit of reading your Bible because you "have to read your Bible." God shows me new stuff in His Word all the time, and I love finding new spiritual trinkets to treasure and hold in my heart, but sometimes the duty to read my Bible takes precedence over the love.

There was a gentle tap of a hammer on the wedge, preparing for the forthcoming hard hit.

Suddenly, the hand of a young man from the youth group shot up. He said, "It's my turn to read a verse!"

And then the hammer smacked into the wedge, shedding light on my erring ways.

This kid wanted to read the Bible out loud.

WANTED TO DO IT.

What was wrong with him?

What was wrong with me?

Oh, dear.

I know this seems like a silly thing, but it struck me. All I could think about was that verse I had found. Why wasn't I longing to read like him?

"I open my mouth and pant, because I long for you commandments." Psalm 119:131

I will tell you the truth: I still don't like reading out loud, but I did learn a lesson. It caused me to stop and revaluate how I read my Bible. It reminded me to slow down, and make sure I'm reading my Bible for the right reasons. It's not about meeting my Christian "deadline." It's not about reading the verse really fast so I can just be done. It's not about my public speaking phobia. It's about God. It's about what He shows me. It's because I genuinely love reading His word. I love finding new things in my Bible, and that's what I need to hold onto every time I read my Bible.

My Bible is a love letter from the Lover of my Soul. There's no chance I'm ever letting that go.

Blessings to you guys this coming week! I will see you again on March 20th!  :)

V. Joy Palmer

The Cliff

Her white dress whipped back and forth as the wind used her skirt to play it's haunting melody. She sidestepped a rather pointy rock as she walk closer and closer.

Closer.

She could see it coming. The jagged line where rocky earth met gray blue.

Closer.

The salty sea air tickled her nose. A new gust of wind assaulted her, pushing her back like it didn't want her to see what was ahead.

The edge.

Closer still.

Two tantalizing steps more. Finally. Here she was.

The edge.

Murky waves crashed against the side of the rocky wall. Closing her eyes, she spread her arms wide. She felt like a bird. She felt like she could fly. She was almost certain in fact. All it would take is a little trust, and one...

Single...

Jump...

Heather gasped. She looked around her room. She was in her bed. In her coffee cup pajamas. Safe. Sound. No where near the edge of a cliff.

Except for the one in her heart.

The one where God whispered, "Trust me."



 

One of my absolute, all time favorite books is...

Wings of the Morning by Lori Wick.

This is such an amazing book. I have read it so many times, that I have lost count, but it's well over twenty. Probably approaching thirty times, and the reason why the pages are yellow, the corners are rubbed circular, and why it's being held together by tape. This is such a beautiful story of trusting God. Jumping where you see no answers. My love for my favorite Psalm came from this book.

"Where shall I go from your spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me." Psalm 139:7-10

If you hang around me a lot, you will see that I quote these verses a lot. All the time. This is why.  ;)

Lately I've been thinking about some stuff that I'm trusting God for personally. Man, is that tough! I always describe it to the youth group kids as jumping off the edge of a huge, rocky cliff.

And I'm afraid of heights.

Spiritually, it's like I'm wearing an inflatable ducky inner tube. There's a rope tied around it, securing it safely to a tree on land. I have rock climbing gear and a parachute strapped to my back.

Why do I look like such an idiot?

Because I won't let go and trust God.

The problem is that I kept struggling with trusting God for this. Somewhere in my spirit I keep thinking I'll have my "Damascus moment" and get it sooner or later.

You guys know about Saul/Paul, right? (Acts 9) He seriously persecuted the early church after Jesus was resurrected. Saul/Paul had permission from the religious leaders to kill anyone who claimed to be a Christian. So one day Saul/Paul was on his way to Damascus to do just that when a bright, Heavenly light stopped him in his tracks, and a voice said, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"

From that moment on, Saul was changed. He was Paul.

I've been expecting this grand, insane, perfect moment to fall on me, and from that moment on be changed.

Not doubting anymore.

Not afraid of what's next.

Not worried about the future.

Not lacking in faith.

But changed.

A Damascus moment.

However...

That has not been the case.

I've come to figure something out. Something I thought I had figured out. Something I've literally learned, like, a billion times. (Excuse the cringe worthy cliché.)

It's step by step. Day by day. Moment by moment.

Second by second.

I guess I use to think that the reason you had to take this trusting God stuff step by step was because something new, bigger, and even worse had come along. However, sometimes it's the same hard, difficult, heart-wrenching thing as before, and you just have to trust God all over again. Sometimes you have to give it over to God again just that fast. I've learned that trusting God with my life doesn't always mean there is a big, moment where I suddenly just get it. A lot of times, it's about the little moments where I jump off that proverbial cliff a billion times a day.

Into God's arms.

I love this picture. Instead of being afraid and frantically clinging to the edge screaming, "No, I won't let go!", the girl is open. She is ready and waiting for God to do her thing. She embraces the cliff of faith. She's not afraid.

"Where shall I go from your spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me." Psalm 139:7-10

God bless you guys! I will see you on March 10th!  :)

V. Joy Palmer