The Lord // A Poem

The Lord

The Lord is my Rock; He is my Foundation;

The Lord is my Rock; He is my Strong Tower;

The Lord is my Rock; He is my Protection;

The Lord is my Rock; He who has Great Power.

The Lord is my Strength to stop all my Angers;

The Lord is my Strength in all of my Fears;

The Lord is my Strength in all of my Dangers;

The Lord is my Strength; my Cries He Hears.

The Lord is my Help through all the Trials;

The Lord is my Joy through all the Sorrows;

The Lord is my Comfort through all the Miles;

The Lord is my Guide through all the Morrows.

The Lord is my Rock; He is my Foundation;

On Him alone I always will Be;

The Lord is my Rock; He is my Protection;

And so He will stay 'til in Heaven I'll Be.

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; 

The God of my rock; in him will I trust: 

he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower,

 and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.”

—2 Samuel 22:2-3—

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower:

the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”

—Proverbs 18:10—

Heroes, Misdeeds, & Second Chances

I was discussing a buddy-read recently with one of my buddies and we stumbled upon a topic that I believe passionately upon. This is a subject that I’ve been running against a lot and after ranting to my friend I decided to write a post about it.

I have noticed that a prominent problem in our society is constantly shoving people’s past misdeeds and mistakes in their faces. Someone posts about some good thing someone did and someone else comments talking about some stupid or scandalous thing they did three years ago. Or someone digs up the follies someone did in his youth. Or digs up the war crimes of a nation and forevermore bashes the innocent citizens & descendants for it.

Is this right?

Is that what God does to us? Is He constantly rubbing in our faces the sins and mistakes we’ve done? No! He forgot them. He put them aside. He moved on.

Nowadays the trend is to strip all the greatness off a person and expose all the meanness and ugliness and nastiness. 

“[I]t’s written down for all men to read—there have been times in our history when we fought on the side of the powers of darkness, when we did what was cruel, treacherous, mean, lazy, shabby. And now, when we want to be strong to fight for the right, half the world taunts us with the shady places in our past, and our misdeeds rise up like grim spectres, mocking us—”*

*Enemy Brothers, by Constance Savery. 

But what happened to second chances? What happened to redemption? 

There is no redemption without messing up first. 

Accept that there were mistakes and wrong. Don’t deny it. Face it. Condemn it. Learn from it. Appreciate what that which was good. Remember it. Then move on. Make up for it. Change. Press forwards instead of digging up what’s behind you. 

Why make everyone feel negative and depressed? Why make us all feel there is no good in this world? There is good. There is beauty. There is wonder. There is hope. Choose to see it. Acknowledge the bad in the world, and condemn it, but choose to believe in goodness and Hope. Choose to see the Light in the darkness. 

And what makes a true hero? A true hero is one who overcome his flaws. Who moved on despite his flaws. A true hero doesn’t always have it right. A true hero has to sweat and bleed and weep. A true hero is one who fought and didn’t give up. A true hero isn’t perfect—a true hero is a warrior.

So don’t ignore the flaws and misdeeds of the heroes. Admit them, condemn them, and determine not to imitate these. But admire the goodness of the heroes and strive to emulate that. David was an adulterer. Paul was a murderer. Peter denied the Lord. Abraham feared and lied. These men are heroes of the faith—not because they were perfect, but because they were strong in the Lord and they fought on. They didn’t stay where they were. They didn’t wallow in the mud. They stepped out and cleaned up and moved on.

And those that messed up in the past but are now doing good? Don’t shove their misdeeds in their faces. Give them a chance to redeem themselves. Admit they did wrong, and don’t copy it, but see what they do that is great & appreciate that. And know that they’ll always fall. We’re not perfect. We have to ask forgiveness, pick ourselves up, go back to the Lord for cleansing and renewing of strength, and keep going. 

True heroism is moving on despite your past. True redemption is cleansing you of your past. True love is helping you move on from your past. True hope is that there is more than the past. 

And when we all stand there, messed up and dirty and broken, that’s when Jesus shines forth. The Perfect One. The True Hero.

My friend said something that sums the whole thing up and I’m quoting it all here: 

“It's so important and valuable to give people and everything else a second chance to do better and go on in the future, without holding up their mistakes. We are not defined by our past! We are not defined by our mistakes. That's the whole point of the Gospel. We are new, and our identity is in Christ, not in our past failings and sins. We should not dwell on those, except to overcome them. And it's so wrong for everyone else to do that and throw it in people's faces.”

It’s all about second chances. It’s about redemption. It’s about love. It’s about forgiveness. It’s about hope.

Let’s stop tearing each other down. Instead, let’s encourage and build each other up. Let’s show the Hope. Let’s show the Light. Let’s show forgiveness and love. Let’s be like Christ. 

Letters to my Past & Future Writer Self

So once more I am stealing an idea from Jenna Terese, but in my defence she told me to do this, so. ;)

She encouraged us to write letters to our past and future writer selves. This is kinda just journaling, but maybe you'll enjoy it anyways and be encouraged or inspired. <3

Letter to Past Writer Self 

It's not easy. You write stuff you think is great and then come back to it later and realize it's awful. You haven't got anyone to listen to your stories. You have all these big dreams and no way of reaching them. You feel like you're mistreated. You feel like you don't have the opportunities you should have. 

Listen. You are okay. Your awful writing? It's this way that you're gonna grow. Your lack of audience? It'll just make your audience more special when it comes.

You've got the wrong mindset. 

Those opportunities you think you don't have? That's on purpose. That's because your story isn't someone else's. God's crafting YOUR story, not replicating someone else's. 

Those dreams you have and will never reach? Listen, I know it sounds unbelievable, but they just might change. They may not be what is best for you. 

Listen. Trust God. He knows exactly what He's doing and it is all for the best. So stop fretting. 

Concentrate on writing, reading, and learning. It's more useful than you'll ever know.

Yeah, your stories are trash. But there are good ideas hidden within, and more importantly, good experience. Don't give up. Don't lose hope. <3 

I promise this is worth it. 

Be flexible. Willing to change. Willing to surrender. 

It pays. 

Letter to Future Writer Self 

I have big plans right now. I'm flying high. Maybe those ideas won't come to fruition. Maybe I'll never be a published author. Maybe I'll never finish the Kalsyian Chronicles. Maybe. Who knows?

God knows. 

I'm gonna trust His plan. So wherever you are right now, know you're on the right track because God brought you here and He makes no mistakes. He gave me these plans and dreams for a reason, but that doesn't mean they'll always turn out as I want them too.

Don't lose faith. Don't lose hope. It's okay. 

Maybe these dreams haven't come true. Maybe they won't come true. 

But the real desires of your heart, God will answer. At the best time. In the best way. 

Don't regret the past. You learned from it. Now move on. 

And cling to this promise, always: He knows best. 

Deadlines & To-Do Lists

And we have another post written a couple years ago. This one was written on October 23, 2018. I hope this can just be a little encouragement to you all\. :) 

~ * ~

You know when you have a to-do list and you just start adding and adding? Pretty soon you are just adding and barely noticing what you check off—if you even do check it off—and it just weighs on you and stresses you out... I've been struggling with that a lot lately. But I've been seeing... if you break up those huge tasks into small ones, and even check off a few of those small ones... you've still done something.

I've been really trying hard to get ready for NaNo [UPDATE: I NO LONGER STAND WITH NANO] in a little less than a week and a half. I've been stressed by all I have to do, with that + school + driving classes + life. But I just need to be willing to let things go. Not everything will happen. If I even do a little writing... it's still more than I had yesterday. Small can still be success. 

And sometimes... sometimes you just add too much to your plate. Sometimes a to-do list just lures you into writing anything on there... stuff that normally you wouldn't even really think about.

But even if your life is super busy... take time to pause and enjoy. Drop everything for half-and-hour and watch a video on the beauty of creation. It will relax you and you will be able to tackle the next thing better. It'll change your mood, and attitude is often half the struggle. Take time to help a sibling... your writing may not last but the memory that Big Sister was always so helpful will. Take time to laugh with a friend over a silly joke, and create memories you'll love to remember later. Take time to worship and admire the Lord. 

Sometimes you saddle yourself with self-imposed deadlines. 

Sometimes you stress out so much your thinking is skewed and everything seems worse than it is. Attitude is so important... in a bad attitude everything looks useless while in a good one you can find encouragement that things may just work out. Maybe you need to make an effort to change. 

Take time to step back and relax. Approach what stresses you out with a new attitude. See how you can make things better and work on the things you have to do to free up time for what you want to do. 

And remember to count your blessings. <33

~ / / ~ 

Truly Thankful

"O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever." (Psalm 107:1)

Thanksgiving. What a beautiful holiday. A day where we stop and count up our blessings.

... or that's the idea.

Thanksgiving, especially among Christians, is known as a day for giving thanks. But how often do we just say vaguely, "Oh, yes, I'm thankful for all God did," or 'I'm grateful for ___________"--and leave it at that?

Thanksgiving ought to be a real thing. Every day, we are called to give thanks in everything (1 Thess. 5:18). But on this day which is specifically set aside to be grateful, I think we should really be purposeful about giving thanks.

"Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness." (Psalm 97:12)

Draw up a list. Write out....

• the things that you're grateful you have. 
• The moments you got to experience. 
• The people you're grateful to have in your life.
• The works that God did in your life this year.
• The things you learned.
• The areas you grew in.
• The little pleasures (or big ones) of the year.
• The things that He's brought you through or given you throughout all your life.

Look at your blessings for real! Nothing is too small or too big to write down. Count your blessings and I promise you will see what God has done for you. 

"Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people." (1 Chronicles 16:8)

Then share some of those things with someone. Encourage them in the Lord. Bless them by sharing His works with them. Sing His praises! Let people know what an amazing GOD you have!

"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Thy Name, O most High." (Psalm 92:1)

Take time to speak with God personally in prayer and thank Him for what He's done for you. Praise Him for His wondrous works & ways. Take time to read His word & really meditate on what He's done for us & given us and continues to do for & give to us. Our God is awe-inspiring! Worship Him!

"O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto Thee for ever." (Psalm 30:12)

And remember to keep being grateful & thanking Him & worshipping Him. When you feel like grumbling, thank Him for 3 things. When you feel worried, praise Him for 3 things. When you feel angry, thank Him for 3 things. Keep on seeing what God does for you & find JOY in it! 

Just be truly thankful. 

"The blessings that you take for granted someone else is praying for." 

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed;

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost;

Count your many blessings, name them one by one, 

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. 

Are you ever burdened with a load of care? 

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? 

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, 

And you will be singing as the days go by. 

When you look at others with their lands and gold, 

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold. 

Count your many blessings, money cannot buy 

Your reward in heaven, nor your Lord on high. 

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all; 

Count your many blessings, angels will attend, 

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Count your blessings, name them one by one; 
Count your blessings, see what God hath done; 
Count your blessings, name them one by one,     
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. 

-Johnson Oatman, Jr. 

An Author's Prayer // A Poem

An Author's Prayer

Help me, Lord, to write for You;

To always say and write what's true;

To pray, and use my time for You;

Help me, Lord, to write for You.

Help me, Lord, to write what's true;

To always give the praise to You.

To sing, and use my time for You;

Help me, Lord, to write for You.

Help me, Lord, to aye praise You;

To help another though the slough.

To trust, and use my time for You;

Help me, Lord, to write for You.

Help me, Lord, to aid like You;

To try to be a blessing too.

To work, and use my time for You;

Help me, Lord, to write for You.

written c. 2016-2017

Dear Baby

Dear Baby,

you are precious. 

Dear Baby, 

you are loved.

Dear Baby,

you are wanted. 

Dear Baby, 

you are deserving of life.

Dear Baby, 

you are worth fighting for. 

Dear Baby, 

you are not a choice.

Dear Baby, 

you are a miracle.

Dear Baby, 

you are not a mistake.

Dear Baby, 

you are not a problem.

Dear Baby, 

you are a blessing.

Dear Baby, 

you are not forgotten.

Dear Baby, 

you have not died in vain. 

Dear Baby, 

you are being fought for. 

Dear Baby, 

you are special. 

Dear Baby, 

you are not unseen.

Dear Baby, 

you are not unheard.

Dear Baby, 

you are wept for. 

Dear Baby, 

you are cherished in our hearts. 

Dear Baby, 

we know you are safe in the arms of Jesus.

Dear Baby, 

we stand for your right to live. 

Dear Baby, 

we will not yield.

Dear Baby, 

we will not give up.

Dear Baby, 

your death will not be in vain.

Dear Baby, 

we will choose life. 

Dear Baby, 

we will help the mothers scarred by this horror.

Dear Baby, 

we will not be silent.

Dear Baby, 

we will not be passive. 

Dear Baby, 

we will try to make a difference. 

Dear Baby, 

we will continue to stand for the Right.

Dear Baby, 

we will continue to fight in God's strength. 

Dear Baby, 

you are not forgotten. 

~ // ~ 

Today is Chain Life Sunday. Please think & share about this. Stand for life.

A Message to Anyone Who Feels as if They Failed This Year

Hi, guys. Today I have a really short but hopefully an encouraging post. It was written on this day last year. Of course things have changed since then, but the message still applies. <33

~ * ~

This year, I was really hoping to form good habits. Read my Bible every day. Get up early. Exercise. Eat well. Read books. Write a lot. And so forth. 

Well, I failed most of them. But you know what? It’s not too late to start over again. And that’s what I’m going to do. 

This September, I challenged myself to write 100 words a day. I surpassed that goal most days. And I’m determined to keep on. If I miss one day, I’ll catch up the next and keep on. 

This year, I challenged myself to read 365 books. Next year, I’m not going to set myself a reading goal—I’ll be busier—but I will challenge myself to read at least a chapter a day. 

Starting now, I will strive to read my Bible every day—if I fail, I will pick myself up and go on.

I’m going to take another try at losing weight. If I miss one day, I’ll pick myself up and go on.

I’m going to set 10 minutes a day aside to do some stuff I’ve needed to do but don’t have the time to do. If I miss one day, I'll just get back to it the next day. 

Making good habits take effort, but it also takes forgiveness. Have you failed your resolutions for this year? It’s not too late. Pick yourself up, and start working on them. 💕 The Lord forgives us when we fall—let’s forgive ourselves and move on in His strength.

~ / / ~

My Thoughts on Writing Historical Fiction

A Disclaimer before you start: This might a slightly controversial blog post. These are 100% my opinions and I'm not trying to shove them down anyone's throat or say that you are wholly mistaken for taking the opposite view. I'm just offering my perspective on a subject that I have thought deeply about. I'm also not bashing anyone or trying to make anyone sound/feel bad, or say that anyone's a bad writer for not doing this. It's just my thoughts. :)

Historical Fiction is my favourite genre. I love Historical Fiction. I read a lot of it, both old and modern. 90% of my favourite books are Historical Fiction. It makes up a huge portion of what I read. 

But although I've read a TON of really good Historical Fictions, I've also read some that were really not that great. And often, what makes or breaks a Historical Fiction book for me are these two things disregarded. 

#1: Improper Language.

There is nothing so irritating as picking up a medieval story and finding the characters talk like 21th Century teenagers! I can’t repeat too often that to write believable historical fiction you must read old books. Are you writing a story set in 1400s England? “The Prince & the Pauper” by Mark Twain. Are your characters Scottish? “Rob Roy” and “Kidnapped” are indispensable. Are you writing about a knight and his fair lady? “Ivanhoe” by Sir Walter Scott can be a big help. I could go on and on but I think I’ll save that for another blog post. But you get the point. To write believable historical fiction, your characters must talk like the people of that era! That doesn’t mean you need to drag up exact replicas of their language! But using older, more formal words mixed with their archaic or obsolete language will boost your historical fiction. Don’t go overboard, but better more than not enough, in my opinion. Add a glossary, if you have to! I strongly recommend reading Henty’s medieval stories if you’re writing anything set during the Middle Ages.

Consider also where your story is set. Dutch sailors don’t act or talk like English ones. Frenchmen aren’t Americans. Their language will depend on their roots. It’s extremely annoying to read about Englishmen who sound like Americans living casually in London, or Americans who sound like they were exported from England! This is a very important topic which I may discuss in another blog post as well. 

And the language of the narrator should be dignified. By which I mean, don’t have the narrating voice full of "‘twas" and "nay" and such unless you’re paraphrasing the thoughts of a character. But don’t go along with too many modern expressions and words. The narrator should straddle the middle. I think being formal and dignified is really the key. Study the old books and pattern your writing after theirs. It will make it feel more authentic. 

There are some geniuses who can pull off modern language in an old setting, like Esther Forbes in Johnny Tremain. But unless you known you're a genius, I don't recommend believing you can pull it off. 

#2 Improper Feelings.

The other most annoying thing in historical fiction is improper feelings. Middle Ages people saw nothing shocking in 13-year-olds getting married. Everyone in the 1700s saw nothing wrong with hard drinking. Smoking was everywhere in the 1930s. And so on. What happened in the era was commonplace to them. If it’s a wrong thing (drinking, for example), by every means have your character refuse to do it! But he shouldn’t be shocked. It was normality. For example, I don’t agree with speeding, but it’s not shocking to me to see people doing it. It’s normality in our world, sadly. And so forth. You can doubtless thing of more examples for this one. 

And consider the historical prejudices. In 1770s England, there was nothing unusual with having a higher class and a lower class. No one thought anything of it, or of changing it. It was life. Again, your character can disagree with prejudices & common ideas, but don't make him too avant-garde. 

It all boils down to one word:

Read.

Read about the culture of the place. Read about the happenings of the time. Read about the history around the time. Read about the language of the time. 

Read the old books. Read the research. 

I promise that it’s worth it. Even if for some reason your historical fiction story isn’t liked (although it would be hard for that to happen, in my opinion), you will have grown and learned yourself in your studying. You get much food for thought as you study history. 

And finally, yes, it is possible to write a book that is very un-historical and have people love it. But it's also a sort of cheating. If I pick up a book about 1830 Australia, I expect a book that will make 1830 Australia live for me. A honest, true book, with accurate information. Historical fiction is just teaching history under the guise of a story. Make it true. This is your chance to make an impact. To change history. To remind people of what mistakes or great things were done. It's a chance to make a difference. 

So be worthy of the charge upon you. 

~ / / ~

So there are my thoughts on it. What are yours? I'd love to hear your opinion. 

7 Days of Hope Blog Tour

                 

Hope.

Don't we all need it?

Aren't we all looking for it?

When I heard of this blog tour I was really impressed. And I knew I had to join in if I possibly could.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvA6PYa54sg&list=PLc59ZMsm8vK9ypZejk704KWCdGNGxyU0u&index=5&t=0s

This song has recently become a huge comfort to me. Particularly the third verse:

O Joy that seekest me through pain,

I cannot close my heart to thee;

I trace the rainbow thro’ the rain,

And feel the promise is not vain

That morn shall tearless be.

There is hope, dear. There is a rainbow in the rain. There will be a tearless morn. God is good. There is beauty in the rain. His promises still hold, even in the storm.

Two of my favourite quotes are the following:

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." (Psalm 30:5). 

"It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23). 

Recently I have struggled hard with finding hope. Everything was so broken, so miserable, so uncertain. But one thing God has taught me this year is to choose to have hope. He has taught me there’s good coming around the bend. There’s wonder and beauty in everything. There’s always joy and love to be found. Choose to live a happy, beautiful life and life will be happy & beautiful for you. Choose to love and be happy, and you will make others love and be happy. It’s your attitude and choices and lifestyle that makes life hard or ugly or unhappy. Choose joy, and don’t give up hope. Good things are coming, dear ones. Keep noticing the roses. Choose to have a lovely life, and life will be lovely. God is good. Don't give up hope. 

Because our God is a God of Hope. 

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4). 

Everything in the Bible was written ahead of time—because God knew we’d need it—to give us knowledge, patience, and consolation, so that we might have hope. Knowledge—“we know that all things work together for good to them that love God….” Patience—we wait for His hand to work, His time to come, and we continue to serve as we wait. Consolation—we know He loves us and allows all for our good, that His plan is best and will come to pass. And from all this, we have hope—a firm belief and knowledge that all will be well and that the ending to our story is Heaven—the Father’s house.

Keep holding on to hope, friends. <33

And now, here's the rest of the blog tour. Definitely go check out these ladies!

Day 1 (August 16) - SawyerMarie (https://sundropgirls.wordpress.com/)

Day 2 (August 17)- Brooklyn Elysse (http://bensshowersofblessings.blogspot.com/)

Day 3 (August 18)- Katja (https://littleblossomsforjesus.blogspot.com/)

Day 4 (August 19)- Brooklyn (http://fiveshekels.wordpress.com/)

Day 5 (August 20)- Emma (https://sevenbillionsmiles.home.blog)

Day 6 (August 21)- Ellen (http://musingsbyellen.blogspot.com/)

Day 7 (August 22)-Abby Elissa (https://abbyelissa.blogspot.com/)

10 Ways to Make a Friend's Day

Hi, friends. :) Today I have a list of things that I have found to bless me. They're things that have made a grey day better, touched my heart, and made me feel loved. They're things which I want to remember to do for my friends. I hope this list can be inspiring for you too. :)

1. Make them a compliment.
It's always nice to let someone know how beautiful they are, or how creative their project is, or how cool their story is, or how nice their new hairstyle is. It always brightens my day when someone tells me something along those lines. It doesn't have to make me prideful (I'm trying hard to combat that) but it can just make me happy to know someone thinks I did a good job or that I actually look nice today. :)

2. Listen to them & offer sympathy &/or advice.
We all need a shoulder to cry on, or a listening ear to pour our troubles in. We need Godly friends who'll point us to Christ and offer sage advice. It can make a big difference to spill it all out, even if the friend can't really do much but let us know they care. It's very freeing to know I have friends who let me vent and love me hard even if they can't fix my problems. Let your friend know you're always ready to listen and help if you can. It makes a difference. 

3. Pray for them & let them know you are praying. 
This I am guilty of often forgetting. It's easy to say "I'm praying" but how often do we actually remember? Write out a list. Hang it in a prominent place so you remember to pray often for the people on it. Make it a priority. And let them know it's a priority. Randomly asking, "Hey, how can I pray for you today?" or "I'm rewriting my prayer lists--is there anything I can pray about for you?" lets them know you're serious. There was a time when I would message people and say, "Just wanted you to know I'm praying for you today" and the responses I got were amazing... "I've been really struggling today and your message really encouraged me." You never know when a message like that can make a difference.

4. Randomly check up on them.
I can tell you nothing warms my heart like suddenly seeing a message in my inbox that says, "Hey, dear, I'm thinking of you today. How are you?" It's a small act of kindness, but it goes so far. <33 

5. Express interest in their moments.
Is your friend enjoying the arrival of a new kitten? Worrying over a computer problem? Struggling with editing? Screaming over a new car? Whatever is happening in their life right now, big or small, that they share about--let them know you care. A one-sentence comment, an emoji... it means you are willing to make time for them.

6. Tell them what they mean to you. 
Whether it's a random message or the end of a conversation, a birthday post or a quick shoutout... let your friends know what they mean to you and how God has used them in your life. When a person gets bogged down in all the things they've done wrong, all their problems the reminder that they touched someone's life, that their pain was used to help someone else--that really blesses and gives new courage. 

7. If they have a business, book, blog, anything like that, give them a review or shoutout on social media.
Reviews &/or shoutouts make a difference! Share about your friend's book, business, blog, bookstagram, etc. Talk about it. Let people know how awesome it is. xP If you can't honestly recommend it, then don't; but if you can, do! 

8. Send them a letter or card, maybe a little gift. 
Mail is just so special to get. Just adding stickers, wash tape, quotes, & pretty lettering makes a letter even more special! 'A little gift' needn't be big, either. A bookmark, a keychain, a painting, a poem... there are many inexpensive little gifts you can send your friend. Birthday/Christmas presents are super fun, but so are random, unexpected ones! 

9. Share with them what God’s been teaching you.
It can be really encouraging to hear of how God is working in people's lives. We are supposed to build each other up and encourage one another in Christ, but how can we if we never talk of Him? Share the Bible verses, the sermon notes, the passages from your devotions, the hymns... Talk of your mutual Saviour & God and rejoice together. 

10. Ask how a current project of theirs is going. 
When you're working hard on a book, blog, painting, or any other project, it's heartening to know someone else remembers you're invested in it and is genuinely interested in how it's coming along! You encouragement might just be the thing to get them through writer's block, discouragement, or weariness. :)

~ / / ~

There you are! What are some ways you bless/are blessed by your friends? 

Speaking Truth

Many of you know I've been on a challenge to read through the English Bible in a year. So far I've made my way through most of Israel's history. I am currently going through the life of Jeremiah and the history surrounding his lifetime. 

Jeremiah had a hard life. He started his ministry as a young man, maybe my age, and was afraid of how he'd be treated for prophesying and saying God's truth. 

"Then said I, Ah, Lord God! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord." (Jeremiah 1:6-8)

So Jeremiah began his ministry. It was hard. He was unable to marry or have children. He was hugely disliked by basically everyone. The King and the leaders wanted to kill him or at least harm him (and tried to/did more than once). He was in and out of prison. He was thrown down pits full of mud. He was placed in stocks. His name was slandered.  Jeremiah spoke for YEARS to the King and to the people (about 40 years or so, they say). Warning them. Pleading with them. Agonizing over their bad choices. Begging God to have mercy on them. Speaking the truth in spite of being threatened and hated. 

That is a loooooong forty years. 

There are two episodes in Jeremiah's life that really strike me. 

"And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the Lord, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the Lord’s house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon: and I will bring again to this place Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, with all the captives of Judah, that went into Babylon, saith the Lord: for I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. 

"Then the prophet Jeremiah said unto the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests, and in the presence of all the people that stood in the house of the Lord, even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the Lord do so: the Lord perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the Lord’s house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place. 

"Nevertheless hear thou now this word that I speak in thine ears, and in the ears of all the people; the prophets that have been before me and before thee of old prophesied both against many countries, and against great kingdoms, of war, and of evil, and of pestilence. The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the Lord hath truly sent him. 

"Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah’s neck, and brake it. And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. 

"And the prophet Jeremiah went his way." (Jeremiah 28:1-10). 

There is this man, Hananiah, who is standing up and blatantly LYING in the name of God, and is being believed. (In verse 15 God sends Jeremiah to tell Hananiah, "Hear now, Hananiah; The Lord hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie."). Jeremiah spoke up and told the truth. Hananiah went on and lied again. So Jeremiah left. He didn't stand there and argue the point, or scream at Hananiah. He just left. Later on, God told him to go back and talk to Hananiah. But right then wasn't the time. 

Later on, Jeremiah is imprisoned and then rescued and talks with the King. 

"Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon’s princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house: but if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon’s princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand. And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me. But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the Lord, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live. But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the Lord hath shewed me:" (Jeremiah 38:17-21).

Jeremiah knew the King had to choose for himself what he was going to do. He told the King plainly what the issue was, and warned him of the consequences if he chose the wrong. He begged him to choose what was right. But he couldn't do more. The King chose to do what was wrong anyways. I'm sure Jeremiah was heartbroken and frustrated. Maybe he even blamed himself for it. But there was nothing he could do. Zedekiah had to choose for himself. Jeremiah couldn't choose for him.  

Jeremiah ended up getting captured and chained by the Babylonians. He was placed among the other captives to be transported. Perhaps he felt rather bitter. For about 40 years he'd preached and warned and begged and endured hatred and imprisonment and mistreatment of all kind... and no one had listened... and now the city was in ruins, thousands of people were dead, the country was at the mercy of another empire, and he himself was a captive possibly facing slavery. That's a long 40 years or so with apparently no result. 

But Jeremiah's story doesn't end there. He was freed, given food, and sent away to go wherever he wanted to go. He kept ministering. He kept warning and preaching. In the end, he was taken to Egypt because the people still refused to obey God and turn from their sins even a little. His very last prophesy is a warning about the fate of Babylon. But the very end of the book of Jeremiah is overall positive. It tells of all the spoiling of Jerusalem and carrying away of captives, but ends with Zedekiah being taken out of prison and very well treated. 

Recently I've felt a lot like Jeremiah. 

Just this week I was obliged to state some unpleasant truth. And the person I stated them to was not happy and began to try to browbeat me into taking down the truth I'd said (and let go of certain convictions). This was... not easy. I love people and I hate disappointing anyone or hurting them. I was told I was "mean," "vindictive," "hurtful," and "lying." My name was passed around to people and I was told that people were outraged and disgusted with me. I lost a blooming friendship. I was verbally attacked. No one listened to my explanations or my reasoning. At one point I was upset enough that I almost backed down. Thank God for the one friend who stopped me in my tracks and told me with brutal honesty what I was about to do. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, y'all. 

But if there's one thing God's taught me this year, it's the value of Truth. God's Truth must be spoken. It cannot be compromised. It can't be silenced. 

It started when He put it on my heart to speak up and share some truth that I was terrified people would dislike. He led me on to talk more and more boldly about more and more Truth. So now here I am. Messiest, painfullest situation I've ever been in my life--but I am all right, really. I'm scared and upset, but overall, I'm calm and confident in my God's Truth. 

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:33)

That's so true, guys. I've lived it. If anyone had told me what I'd go through and tell me that I could be this happy and this calm and this untroubled about it, I would have disbelieved them 100%. Yeah, I am scared and upset and unhappy about it at times. BUT overall, like I said--I'm at rest. Because I know I am standing on the Truth. That is the most restful thing ever. 

I had to stop talking to the person because it was pointless. No one listened to anything I had to say; all they wanted was for me to take back the truth I'd said. I felt very sad because the person was making some really bad choices that were really hurting them. But I couldn't do anything about it. They already knew that it was a bad choice. They made those decisions. It wasn't my job to make them choose otherwise. I showed them the truth. They had to choose to believe it for themselves. 

I had it easier than Jeremiah. But it's still hard.

But I still believe that the story isn't over yet. I am free right now. Free from guilt. Free from shame. Free from fear. Free from hurt. It keeps coming back and trying to whisper in my ear that it's back, but with God's help I won't let it win. I will stand firm on the Rock. I'm being fed by God's word and the wise advice and help of good friends. I'm being loved and blessed by so many good, true friends.

I'll keep sharing the Truth. I'll keep warning. I'll keep loving and caring even if it hurts. I'll keep choosing to do what's right, in God's strength and by His grace. If it means forty years of speaking Truth and being hated and mistreated, so be it. Forty years is nothing compared to eternity. 

And when you stand in the Truth, you are truly free.