At 8 o'clock yesterday morning, I tried to brush the sleepies out of my eyes and convince myself to get into the shower so I could get to Sunday School on time. (Those of you from ARBC will laugh. You know how rarely I made it to 9 a.m. Sunday school. But weekends are no longer my only chance to sleep.)
I'm so glad I went.
Last week I visited a megachurch here in Oklahoma City. The services were great, and they responded with 4 contacts during the week. But I had missed that personal touch during Sunday school--no one took the time to talk with me. But I returned, and asked God, Please let them welcome me into their midst. And if I should meet another writer--so much the better, Lord.
God answered that prayer. They invited me to a French-themed pot luck supper & movie night on Saturday. One lady asked me to sit with her during the worship service. And lo and behold ...
Yes, I met a writer! Who is also a musician. Out of a church of 1200, in a class of 12 people, I met another writer. She invited me to her local group, and we've made arrangements to go to a Toastmasters meeting on Friday night. Fridays, yay! When I always feel at odds and ends.
Thank you, God, for leading me. Amen.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Jolene Speaks
Daddy I say as I run to you
I then fall in your arms
As you give me a big squeezy bear hug
I look into your face
A face of love and wonder
I shall find a place called home in your arms
You say loving and comforting words to me
Tell me that I am all right and no harm shall come
And though I close my eyes you put me
on a soft cloud and sing a lullaby
Oh Little One you shall find peace in me.
By Jolene Franklin
January 19, 2001
Darlene's note: This one makes me want to cry. Jolene ran home to her Father, and this prayer came true for her.
I then fall in your arms
As you give me a big squeezy bear hug
I look into your face
A face of love and wonder
I shall find a place called home in your arms
You say loving and comforting words to me
Tell me that I am all right and no harm shall come
And though I close my eyes you put me
on a soft cloud and sing a lullaby
Oh Little One you shall find peace in me.
By Jolene Franklin
January 19, 2001
Darlene's note: This one makes me want to cry. Jolene ran home to her Father, and this prayer came true for her.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
One Writer's Mind: Progress
Wow. Is God good or what?
When I talk about good times, I have to remind myself that God is also good when times are tough. His nature doesn't change when my circumstances do!
But this past week has had some amazing developments.
It's official: I have received a contract from Barbour for the first of a three book set of historical romances set in Vermont. In the past week, I have written over 10,000 words for Prodigal Patriot, a love story set during the American Revolution, scheduled for publication next summer.
I also have received a contract for 30 short pieces for a nonfiction book for Barbour.
So God is blessing my decision on both fronts.
Thanks for your prayers and encouragement as I work on both these assignments.
When I talk about good times, I have to remind myself that God is also good when times are tough. His nature doesn't change when my circumstances do!
But this past week has had some amazing developments.
It's official: I have received a contract from Barbour for the first of a three book set of historical romances set in Vermont. In the past week, I have written over 10,000 words for Prodigal Patriot, a love story set during the American Revolution, scheduled for publication next summer.
I also have received a contract for 30 short pieces for a nonfiction book for Barbour.
So God is blessing my decision on both fronts.
Thanks for your prayers and encouragement as I work on both these assignments.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Lullabies and love songs
I've mentioned before that I make up silly songs, or sing silly lyrics to well-known melodies.
Often I'm singing to my cat, Talia. She follows me around and looks at me with round blue eyes (Siamese blue), and so I add her to my song. "Talia, Talia, where have you been? I've been to London to visit the queen. Talia, Talia, what did you there? I frightened a little mouse under her chair." Every time she hears her name, her ears perk up and she looks at me. Sometimes she graces me by jumping next to me on my bed or onto the computer desk or the box I am unpacking.
I sing to Talia because she is precious to me and because I love it when she knows I'm talking to her.
Do you suppose God feels the same way?
One of my favorite verses from the minor prophets is found in the third chapter of Zephaniah: "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (emphasis mine. verse 17)
I pray I will hear His song, perk up my ears, and bask in His love.
Often I'm singing to my cat, Talia. She follows me around and looks at me with round blue eyes (Siamese blue), and so I add her to my song. "Talia, Talia, where have you been? I've been to London to visit the queen. Talia, Talia, what did you there? I frightened a little mouse under her chair." Every time she hears her name, her ears perk up and she looks at me. Sometimes she graces me by jumping next to me on my bed or onto the computer desk or the box I am unpacking.
I sing to Talia because she is precious to me and because I love it when she knows I'm talking to her.
Do you suppose God feels the same way?
One of my favorite verses from the minor prophets is found in the third chapter of Zephaniah: "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (emphasis mine. verse 17)
I pray I will hear His song, perk up my ears, and bask in His love.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Blank Page
There is little more daunting to a writer than a blank page. It stares at me, challenging me, making me doubt my ability to put anything meaningful into words, to match let alone improve previous successes.
I should know. I've had three "blank pages" in the past two weeks, writing first chapters for a number of different projects I hope will sell. And the beginning always seems heavy, uninteresting--nothing anyone would want to buy.
Yet a blank page is exactly how I want to be before God. I want to come to Him without my ideas pencilled in. To allow Him to write His plans, His thoughts, His prompts to action on my heart, day by day, hour by hour.
And then maybe the blank pages of my writing will fall into line.
FYI: Mom left the hospital on Tuesday and is in a skilled nursing facility for rehab.
I should know. I've had three "blank pages" in the past two weeks, writing first chapters for a number of different projects I hope will sell. And the beginning always seems heavy, uninteresting--nothing anyone would want to buy.
Yet a blank page is exactly how I want to be before God. I want to come to Him without my ideas pencilled in. To allow Him to write His plans, His thoughts, His prompts to action on my heart, day by day, hour by hour.
And then maybe the blank pages of my writing will fall into line.
FYI: Mom left the hospital on Tuesday and is in a skilled nursing facility for rehab.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Jolene Speaks
On Calvary
Written 1-19-2001
On Calvary you washed away my sins
The price was big
And my sins were as scarlet
So you came to man as man to die
Now I am as white as snow
Now you show your love for my at calvary
Oh the price you had to pay
Written 1-19-2001
On Calvary you washed away my sins
The price was big
And my sins were as scarlet
So you came to man as man to die
Now I am as white as snow
Now you show your love for my at calvary
Oh the price you had to pay
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
One Writer's Mind: Pursuing the Dream
After 18 years of writing almost every day, a few hundred articles and seven books, I am at last taking the plunge. I am going to try to make my living writing.
I don't know much about how it will work. My agent, Chip MacGregor, talks about thinking of income in terms of quarters. How much do I need every three months to get by? And I know I am close.
The question comes, how will I make up the difference? It's a business. I have to treat my computer as my office and sit down each and every day and write for the length of time I would be working at Echostar--probably more. I have to explore open markets and introduce myself.
And trust God to open and close doors.
When I say "write," I don't mean I am writing a novel or an article for eight hours a day. That includes time spent researching, marketing, planning--even blogging. Writing and editing take up only a portion of my work time.
Pray with me for discipline for getting "to work" in a timely manner each day, and for a balance between my family's needs (where will Mom go after the hospital?) and my need for income.
And start pursuing your own dreams. What do you need to do to get there?
I don't know much about how it will work. My agent, Chip MacGregor, talks about thinking of income in terms of quarters. How much do I need every three months to get by? And I know I am close.
The question comes, how will I make up the difference? It's a business. I have to treat my computer as my office and sit down each and every day and write for the length of time I would be working at Echostar--probably more. I have to explore open markets and introduce myself.
And trust God to open and close doors.
When I say "write," I don't mean I am writing a novel or an article for eight hours a day. That includes time spent researching, marketing, planning--even blogging. Writing and editing take up only a portion of my work time.
Pray with me for discipline for getting "to work" in a timely manner each day, and for a balance between my family's needs (where will Mom go after the hospital?) and my need for income.
And start pursuing your own dreams. What do you need to do to get there?
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