It’s Settled, Oh Yeah!

It’s Settled, Oh Yeah!

Pens of Praise April 12, 2013

By Susan Marlene Kinney

 

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessings and favor] Who has called you to His {own} eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make your what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely and strengthen, and settle you.  

1Peter 5:10 Amplified Bible

 

It seems that I keep running into the truth that God accomplishes such a huge work inside and around us. Much of his provision is beyond our notice. What is He planning today? What does our future look like to Him? We can be sure that he loves us enough to swiggel his hand into our situations to stir us up.

Picture this with me, a glass filled with clear as Chrystal water, until we pour in a package of Kool-Aide and begin to stir. The water clouds up with an uneven dose of the powdery mixture. What then? More stirring. This kind of agitation is necessary to blend the mixture and water. Only in this way is the flavor balanced and water made smooth again so that they can taste as though they were one.

 



 

Aren’t we like that glass of water? First, we’re real happy to be still, not looking for or wishing to be disturbed. Here comes the spoon of our situation. Our agitation. The waves of disruption start with the pouring of our own personal Kool-Aide. The agitation, which we will symbolize as a spoon, dips into what was our smooth clear concentration, making our life muddy with confusion. Everything seems to swirl around and within us. Oh no! Everything or at least significant relationships and situations in our world are changing!

Until the agitation does its work we usually don’t see the purpose of disruption. Once our Kool-Aid make us better tasting and smelling we find that we like our new flavor and color. Oh, when we draw a smile from Him or we pour out comfort to someone we care about or even a stranger that’s when we realize it was all good to experience what we did. We didn’t enjoy the swirling confusion and annoyances or pain but somehow they matter in the big scheme of things. The swirling, agitating, disturbance and even the pain make a little sense. Sometimes. But even when we don’t understand, as in when the pain is too gripping and raw, but we stay faithful to Him there is an even greater reward. The Lord is pure, faithful and undefiled.

When He offers me my personal Kool-Aide, I may cringe; try to make my own waves to escape. But, deep inside I know He has my personal best and the blessings of many others in mind. Yeah, bring that Kool-Aide and spoon on over here Lord. I hope you stir gently, but I really do want to taste and smell better.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessings and favor] Who has called you to His {own} eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make your what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely and strengthen, and settle you.

I want that – how about you? 

 

 

Oh Zoey! I turn my back and look who wants to benefit from my Kool-Aide!

 

 

 

June Gallogher

My precious friend, June! What a perfect name because your smile holds the warmth of a summer day! I’ve thought of you so often, but not called enough. It’s true I’ve allowed the urgent and busy to get the upper hand. But each time your face danced across my mind a smile plays upon my lips. The thought of you swells my heart with gratitude for we shared talks and laughter that time cannot erase. You graceful, spunky lady! You showered kindness upon all who came in contact with you. Your obliviousness to your own beauty made you all the more lovely to me.

We met at one of the first Pens of Praise meetings. Remember us few, eager, and excited writers, so thrilled to meet with those who understood the power that pen and paper held over us. Together we realized the need to communicate, comfort, and inspire. The passion of expression pumped through our veins, igniting ideas and hope.  Your warm and encouraging ways touched my heart and changed me forever. I am so grateful that I know you! Your unselfishly written poetry, shared to comfort grieving hearts unaccustomed to the temporary separation of a loved one, quickened the memory of joy filled and treasured moments.  Your ministry of comfort brought a balm of healing to those caught off balance by the realization that we are mortal after all.  How many fortunate people did you write your precious poetry for? Even if you knew the number of them, you have no way to measure the sweet comfort you’re willingness to serve provided. When I asked you to write one of your poems for my own daughter’s friend with very short notice, you put your hand and mind to the task to serve someone you'd never met. You never looked at what you could receive but only what you could offer. I wanted to write you a poem today, but I don’t have your knack. So I thought I would write you this note instead to share my admiration, love, and gratitude for your influence on my life.

I keep the creative, pizzazzy Valentine’s Day card you made me in my writer’s room. It rests in plain sight on my book shelf. This is my favorite room though it is small, so I only include the most important books and memorabilia on the shelves. You wrote a note of gratitude to me for organizing a great writers group and you blessed me! My darling friend, you were of more help and encouragement than you ever realized. (You gave a card like this to Becky too!) The poem you and your friend Mary Melberg had pasted inside went like this:

Love is like a flower,

So beautiful and true.

Today I’m sending Lots of love….

Especially for ….YOU!!

Happy Valentine’s Day.

I know that you’re not feeling up to a hug or a phone call my friend. But, I’m wishing you all the love and comfort and joy your sweet spirit can hold! I think of you more often then you know! As I think of you it is almost as rich as our telephone calls and our walk that summer day I visited you at your home. Thank you dear friend for your listening ear and words of encouragement, which were always laced with wisdom and kindness! Your love for family and friends and those in need always shines through like the sun kissed warmth of a summer day.

Oh how I do appreciate and love you June Gallogher…

Blessings to you and yours,

Susan Kinney J

 

 

A Time, Abide IN, Secrets of, Lessons From...

NOW YOU WOULD THINK THAT..A Time, Abide in, Secrets Of, Lessons From …would hold no special bond or tie. But to me they do.  I want to share with you the unique journey of discovery I’ve enjoyed recently. It stated when I began to read Chris L. Kincaid’s book called a time for every PURPOSE under heaven. Chris has a fun blog and she is devoted to sharing ideas, thoughts, and photos each week. I bring this up because her book has the same wonderful voice, as though she had all the time in the world with me as she shares her missionary tour to Africa. The warmth and reality of her struggles makes me feel as though I’m there too. The vivid imagery of the people and the challenges they face is not overshadowed by hopelessness. God is with them.

When I decided to make Andrew Murray’s book abide in CHRIST my daily devotion for this month I was pleased to find that he wrote from one of my favorite passages John 15:1 – 12.  Each day I read about abiding, resting and trusting God, so important when we endeavor to do anything for him or for his kingdom and for anyone in need. God knows what He is doing and when to do whatever needs done.  I was tickled to discover that Andrew Murray was also from Africa.

 Several days later I decided to start reading Secrets of The Vine by Bruce Wilkinson. I saw the tie between these three books when I read what he wrote about John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.” The vinedresser works hard to provide and nurture those vines. Chris’s book showed me courage and devotion and love in action from generous people. People like you and me. All the while I’m recognizing that God is working a bigger work behind the scenes. He is available and attentive toward His people. His love and dedication is the bigger work. I’ve driven past vineyards before and appreciated the fruitful vines and exquisite fragrance, but I’ve never caught the vinedresser working. Though I never saw the work being done I admired the fruit from such efforts.

I’ve been passing over the book called Lessons from a Sheep Dog for two years. On Easter Sunday I was sick and so I stayed home from church. When I picked this book off the shelf it just felt right. This was the day to read it. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the author, Phillip Keller, was from Africa. He wrote a touching and very personal accounting about how God taught him spiritual truth through working with a sheep dog. Lass had been abused and started life in a home where her abilities were not appreciated or allowed. Mr. Keller demonstrated the care, love, and discipline of a shepherd, which so reflects God’s relationship with us. When I read that book I felt as though I had eaten a full meal. His down to earth and humble thoughts touched my heart.

Sometimes life gets pushy. Sometimes people expect something more or different than what we can give. Those are the right times to draw back and rest in Him. Wait on Him and find refuge in Him. All these different books have spoken to me that God is working harder for our good then we ever could.  He is there when I or you need a drink from His living waters. I suppose I just needed a bigger picture of what He has been accomplishing in the background, beyond my notice. It’s been nice to realize that though I pay attention to what I should be doing, or what others expect, or what is happening now…Father God is still working on being the master of my (our) situations, the tiller of the soil I (we) have the opportunity to grow and flourish in.

I invite you to take one or all of these books in hand and gain a BIGGER picture of our  FATHER GOD, I doubt you’ll be sorry that you did!

FOUNDATIONS

Foundations

Devotion for Pens of Praise

  March 9, 2013

By Susan Marlene Kinney

 

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like the foolish man who builds his house on sand….

Foundations and cornerstones, their purpose is to supply integrity of strength and stability to a building. All other stones, bricks or materials for construction are set in reference to the cornerstone and depend on a sturdy foundation. Hopefully, the structure is situated on something stronger than sand. Quality building, learning, writing, or relationships begin with attention to the foundation.

 Now here is where I get personal. My foundation does depend upon my relationship to the Lord first and foremost. When His presence touches that wounded or jubilant place in my heart and mind and spirit then the foundation for my relationships or writing or whatever needs my attention is securely set. Out from that safe place of relationship, flows ideas, dreams, and grace that I could not have hoped to imagine before.

It has been said in the book called, Wired For Story by Lisa Cron that our brains are hardwired for story. To quote her, “Story helps us survive not only in the life-and-death physical sense but also in a life-well-lived social sense.” Maybe that is why our Lord spoke in parables. He reached into that place where our minds hunger for truth, for survival, and quality relationships. We desire to know why, how, and when to do something. How do we react or respond? We want to watch or read how a character handles a knotty situation without physically experiencing the trial. I believe we are motivated by story because we want to apply what we learn. Story teaches us to be courageous, clever, and offers us a blueprint for what could possibly work in our own tragedies and difficulties life tosses our way.   We want to be accepted, appreciated, and smart when it comes to our accomplishments and decisions.

You may have a story or poem burning in your heart today. You may have a true story or memoire, which needs to be written. My advice is to know your characters so well that the story emerges from their situation or pain. I believe that fiction is an important vehicle for tapping into teaching others how to make good choices.  Fiction is useful. It’s not just entertainment or fluff. Not if we are responsible about learning how to write those characters and their situations so strongly that the reader will think they are looking into the mirror. I believe if we do listen to Jesus’s words and apply them to our lives habitually, then we will write about those concerns hardwired to the everyday mind. People are searching for reason and purpose.  What is that gut wrenching truth our reader has to know? What is it they anxiously fear? What is imperative to their life socially and spiritually? What can we write that matters for our readers to believe so that they can apply truth to their life? The gauntlet has been tossed to you writer, will you accept the challenge to write about essential, worthy matters that will encourage or provide that blueprint to your readers before they turn off the lights and consider some other dream?

Consider your foundations and please don’t build on sand….

 

 

 

 

 

PENS OF PRAISE CHRISTIAN WRITERS GROUP

Christian Writers Group

Next meeting…

Saturday, March 10th  ~  10:00 am – 12:00 pm

at

Faith Church

2201  42^nd Street, Manitowoc, WI  54220

§   Faith Church is located next to Festival Foods

§   Not far from the Manitowoc exit off Interstate 43

The teaching for March is called

“Foundational Basics Level A” by Jim and Tracie Peterson. This is an American Christian Fiction Writing (ACFW) 2009 teaching. Jim and Tracie enjoy helping beginning novelist learn the ropes for the writing industry.

Our prompt for March is…

 An incredible moment in your life.

Also, you are invited to bring a short five minute sample of you own work in progress if you so desire to share it in a safe friendly environment. This is not required to attend the meeting.

We may share a book report on a novel or a “how to” for writing!

Remember - visit a local shop and bring your coffee or cappuccino with you.

Let us know if you’re attending so we can save a seat just for you.

If you have questions or concerns call Becky McLafferty at (920)758-9196 or e-mail her at    

        mclafferty@lakefield.net or call Susan Kinney at (920)242-3631 or e-mail her at                     

 cal-suek@charter.net or susanmarlenekinney@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you there! May God bless you richly and always as you write for His glory!

MORNING REFLECTIONS OF THE MOST HIGH

Oh Lord

Hear my prayer

I thank You and seek audience with Your Majesty

Oh to discover that thrill of You… the MAGNITUDE of Your GLORY

You knock us off our knees and we bow down before You

The heavens shake, yet we haven’t plumbed one inch

into Your immeasurable depth

HOLY* HOLY *HOLY

YOU ARE GOD ALMIGHTY

WORTHY TO BE PRAISED

EXCELLENT IN ALL SITUATION

You provide for the poor

All those who seek you sincerely,

hearts unshackled from other gods

Cleanse, purify, and eradicate me from known and

unknown sins alike

Visit me with Your Beauty on High

I long for Your courts and to see Your kingdom come

and your will

SHINNING*SINGING & FRAGRANT

around me

Lord glorify Yourself in my

thoughts

words

&

deeds

Today and each day after…

AMEN

Memoir Summary With Kathleen Marsh

I didn't take a photo when Kathleen Marsh presented her wonderful teaching on memoir writing June 2009. A wonderful group of writers gathered at the Lighthouse Christian Writer's Group meeting anticipating the wonderful memories they could write. She inspred each one of us and gave healthy guidelines such as: never write a negitive report about those you write about in your memoir. Doing so would only hurt the person, possibly others, and could bring a separation with your family and or friends. Write those memories to encourage, build, and edify! As I looked over the notes I thought iw would be a true motivator if I looked over some photos to trigger some ideas....

Alex's birthday party...a few years ago. So many friends

hanging out and enjoying a good time. Do you think they hate

cake?

 

 Becky McLafferty and me at a writer's conference!

Sorry, I don't know how to turn the phot! You can see what an

aweful time we had there! 

 Same birthday party for Alex! Family loving time together.

So much laughter, our daughter Jackie taking care of

business. She organizes  family parties and get-togethers so well!

Pat my sister and MeKenzie (sp) Ha ha!! My sister's grandaughter is

all grown up now-- practically...this is also an old photo!

Pat and I've shared so many perfectly precious moments!

 

Kathleen Marsh has a wonderful, whimsical way of inspiring others to dip the tip of their pens in the intriguing ink of positively  personal storytelling. If ever a person wanted to leave a legacy, which would be viewed with eager respect and wide-eyed expectation, they'd doubly want to delve into the experience of memoir writing. Kathleen left me hungering for those special blocks of time where one can write and write and write some more to one’s heart’s desire. There are so many positive, uplifting true stories that I would love to share with my great-grandchildren. This would be as exciting for me as touching fingertips with them over the forbidden time line. Don’t worry, I’m aware that only the written word can cross such barriers. Take a stroll down the quiet, scented gardens of your mind. Dig deep into the riches of your vast experience and keen observations and prepare to share your delightful and thrilling memories with those who are not yet born. Dare to reveal that splash of surprise and curious moments, which would be lost forever had you not shared….



 Check out those muscles boys!! Strutt your stuff! Didn't they all

collapse when they got done showing off..Oh I'm not

supposed to tell that part -- right!!

 My brother, just as I think of him. He has that quirkey humor..

What is on his mind anyway? This was taken a few

years ago also!

 My two grandsons and some of Pat's grandchildren also.

We had so much fun with them that day!

Goodness another photo of Alex's party....looks like writing

material..where is my pen??????

 

Here is the challenge, pick a memory,one that stirrs your hear and start writing!



Theodore the Invading Inspiration





My husband and I have recently attempted to lose weight, diet so-to-speak. Well, he has been sneaking extra chips and MY cereal into his man cave for snacking.  The whole reward for losing weight was to be a new kitchen. You see the current kitchen is awkward, small, and offers very little counter space. It’s vital to have adequate counter space when the lady of the house likes, needs, and always seems to ‘stack’ important papers and catalogues in the kitchen. Of course, I informed him that since he is cheating and eating more than the allowable amount, I alone would have to lose weight to win the kitchen!

I needed something out of the basement freezer, so I went down stairs. Hold on reader, this is related I promise! A sound caught my attention. That creepy scratching and digging that you instinctively know is food being pushed around inside a box. It must be my cereal that was being invaded. (By the husband the previous night and something else this morning. Sometimes it’s awful to be right. There in the bottom of my fiber cereal is the cutest mouse. Well, to my surprise the mouse had never knocked over the box. It had merely climbed up, crowned the top of the lid, and fell straight in.

I pinched the box shut, forgetting the freezer, and made my way upstairs. Truly my husband would know what to do. I should give ‘it’ a name. I don’t care to call it– ‘it’ throughout this entire true story. Theodore, how is that for a name of a smart mouse? Dear reader, please forget any chipmunks you know by that name. Focus on this story.

I told my husband he had to kill the mouse. He of course refused and told me that was my job. We finally decided to flush the mouse. It seemed the quickest, most humane way to kill a rodent. (Previously I set traps that only provided a feast for Theodore and his friends. They were so talented and skilled at robbing a mousetrap that, well, they have never sprung one of my traps.)

My flushing attempt not only cost me a lot of stress and anxiety, it also didn’t work. Theodore held on to the bottom of the bowl as the water swirled down the hole. My husband had mercy and took over. Flushing finally worked for him--how—I don’t know and don’t care. I was almost hyperventilating by this time and had to leave the room. My husband teased me and asked if I would be afraid that the mouse would climb out of the toilet. What a ridiculous thought of course.

A week after this event the cat still seemed too interested in the small space behind the wood cabinet in the bathroom. She would sit and wait and watch the unseen hidden area. I couldn’t stand it anymore and moved the small cabinet and found…Theodore euwwwww!!  Zoey chased the him. This looked disgusting but promising. I shut the bathroom door while my hubby slept away unaware. Theodore ran back and forth. I jumped up and down and yelled softly making myself cheer Zoey on. Maybe with a little encouragement… Unfortunately, our cat is useless in the art and capture of mice. First hand I witnesses boredom settle into Zoey’s expression then she turned her head to find something more interesting. She ignored a perfectly terrified mouse and allowed Theodore to get away. Theodore climbed up the shower curtain and perched on top of the rod. This capture depended totally on me now. How terribly disappointing. I ran to the kitchen and grabbed an old container. Eventually this very fast, energetic mouse found itself trapped inside walls of plastic.

When I placed the clear container on the bathroom counter the cat walked right past, never realizing the furry invaders presence. I escorted our unwelcome intruder to the kitchen and our perfect puppy, Porschea, knew we had company. This leaping Leo has one talented nose. She sniffed all around not suspecting the presence inside the container. Later on my way to work, I asked for assistance from a young lady I give a ride to in the morning. She bravely held  Theodore’s container. We drove to Lake Michigan’s shoreline and dropped Theodore off to his new forever home. This time he ran in circles of joy, even running back to me before he turned and ran in the opposite direction. I only knew Theodore for a few minutes, stressful ones for both of us for sure, but when I visit this spot on the lakeshore in the future, I will always watch my step. He could be running around carefree and I wouldn’t want to give him a scare. His zest for life and fullness of joy at this fresh opportunity for a new start was rather inspiring.

Thank you Theodore, wherever you are. You’ve made a new home; hopefully, not among any of the houses which line the other side of the highway.  Reader imagine Theodore’s view of the lake, stunning skies, and beautiful flowers when springtime arrives. Oh that we would open our eyes with his joy and expectation. We have so much to look forward to! Okay everyone, get ready and run….

 

 

I Believe LOVE is the Answer...LOVE Will Find the Way

I Believe LOVE is the Answer

I Believe Love Will Find the Way

By Susan Marlene Kinney

January 12, 2013

Ps. 31:16 Let your face shine on your servant, save me in your unfailing love.

Love stories. We are drawn into novel land, whether we plunge into the romance of the century or are warmed to the tale of men and women who brave wars or other seemingly insurmountable situations. Yes, something larger than the customary and mediocre happenings grabs our attention. But the glue, which holds us captive, is relationships.

I believe the love we seek and crave is bundled with magnanimous hues of strength and grace. We were born to seek out love. We certainly need acceptance and to know that we are significant in this troubled world. I believe LOVE is the answer. I believe LOVE will find the way through troubled valleys or slippery cliffs. I don’t believe the counterfeits of sordid love affairs that the world promotes, has any value. I believe those shallow tales have done the greatest harm and have caused many young women and men to settle for selfishness. The greatest love story is God’s love letter to us. The holy word speaks of the purest love, the kind of love we really need. It begins with the Trinity creating the earth, our setting, and Adam and Eve, the human race. It ends with the Son of God, our savior, whisking us away, rescuing us from unimaginable terrors and suffering to bring us to our forever happy ending.

Passionate, perfect love for us shows forth every day, through glistening sunshine or blacked clouds zigzagged with lightning bolts. His love pierces our darkest days, bringing our significance to light. Let your face shine on your servant…and so it does. How precious it is that we are more than servants, we are daughters and sons of the King of Kings! He woos our hearts, all we have to do is respond to His call.  Then we will have the sweet victory and witness that LOVE will find a way.

We long for courageous, unselfish heroes, individuals willing to enter the fray on our behalf and risk it all, because they are strong, valiant, and able to win our hearts. We long for the lasting, uncommon exciting love story. Whether we write romance or contemporary, no matter the genre, we desire to find answers, to find and be inspired by perfect love. My advice is that we spend time with the Lover of Our Souls for He is our Anchor, our Bright Morning Star. He is our Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace our Bridegroom. He will inspire and thrill our hearts as we draw near to Him, seek Him out like precious silver and gold. The story of His creation of the earth (HEBREWS CHAPTER 1), sacrifice on the cross, and the great day when He rescues us, bringing us to our heavenly, eternal home is fantastic. But the relationship… that is the glue and what makes our hearts race to find LOVE.

Love is the answer. Love will find the way….   

 

 

PENS OF PRAISE MEETING



PENS OF PRAISE

Christian Writers Group

Next meeting…

Saturday, January 12th  ~  10:00 am – 12:00 pm

at

Faith Church

2201  42^nd Street, Manitowoc, WI  54220

§   Faith Church is located next to Festival Foods

§   Not far from the Manitowoc exit off Interstate 43

§    

The teaching for October is called “Perfect Pairings: Crafting Hero/Heroine’s Who Were Made For Each Other” Taught by Susan Kinney

Our prompt for October is…

 Write a recommendation for a book you enjoyed or felt useful.

Also, you are invited to bring a short five minute sample of you own work in progress if you so desire to share it in a safe friendly environment. This is not required to attend the meeting.

We may share a book report on a novel or a “how to” for writing!

 

Remember - visit a local shop and bring your coffee or cappuccino with you.

Let us know if you’re attending so we can save a seat just for you.

If you have questions or concerns call Becky McLafferty at (920)758-9196 or e-mail her at mclafferty@lakefield.net or call Susan Kinney at (920)242-3631 or e-mail her at                      cal-suek@charter.net or susanmarlenekinney@gmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you there! May God bless you richly and always as you write for His glory!