Enjoy your holiday.
Have fun.
Love your family and friends.
Live your life to the fullest.
Be thankful.
Thank God for your blessings.
Don’t forget to turn your bathroom scales back 10-pounds!
Tag: DivineCreativity
Help in Planning
Proverbs 16:9
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
Our Dreams and God’s Guidance
Life is a beautiful blend of our dreams and God’s guidance. We may map out our journey, but it’s God who shapes the path and adds purpose to every twist and turn.
His Perfect Plan
Trust the process, lean on Him, and know that even detours and delays are part of His perfect plan.
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Ideas for Writing
Feral Cats
A slick, treacherous pool deck glistened underfoot as I delivered the morning room service—a ritual our feral cats expected, perhaps even demand.
The overcast skies hung low, draped with a suffocating fog that twisted the air into something sinister. The black cats with their piercing yellow eyes prowled like an army of dark sentinels, their gazes cutting through the mist. They moved as one, a shadowy legion conjuring whispers of forgotten rituals and unspoken curses.
Children of the Corn
Children of the Corn had nothing on these creatures; their presence was a macabre warning etched into the morning’s gloom, each pawstep a silent herald of something unspeakable.
Note:
In 1988, I was at a writer’s conference with the late Dr. Calvin Miller. He shared with me that writer fail to take advantage of the opportunities they have to work on their craft.
He said, “You might write a regular column for your church newsletter or book club. Why not give them your best writing and develop your craft simultaneously?”
I thought of him this morning as I wrote a caption for a picture I took as I began my morning cat feeding.
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Where Do You Write?
A Cool Morning
A crisp 55 degrees and a gentle breeze whisper through the morning air as the shaded patio of my favorite Starbucks becomes my open-air office.
Hot Coffee
My steaming coffee sits beside me, inviting and warm, as I let go of life’s challenges and let the narrative nonfiction piece I’m working on flow from my mind to the page.
If you’re a writer, where do you write?
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Election Reflections
Election Reflections
If you were in favor of the reelection of the former president, I know you’re happy.
If you were hoping the vice-president would ascend to office, well … it didn’t happen. And so goes life. Ups and downs. Thrills and disappointments.
God Still Reigns
Remember, our God reigns and is ultimately in charge. Even if someone doesn’t believe in God, that doesn’t change the fact that He’s still there, still in charge, and His will be done. That’s how I can accept any election results.
Remember, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”. Genesis 1:1.
The stock market seems very happy with the election results.
What The Bible Says
While these verses are from the Bible, I borrowed the verses from an excellent article by my writing friend Dr. Katherine Passour. All other content in the post is my original content.
Here article can be found at https://www.katherinepasour.com/blog/submit-to-who/.
Here are a few versers that help me through each day as I reflect on the government and our leaders.
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. Hebrews 13:17
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:13-15
Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it. Luke 11:28
If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:10-11
And so goes the week and must trust in God.
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What I Learned From Time Change Sunday
Time Change Sunday
It’s “time change” Sunday. Last night we moved the clocks back one hour. For most people, that’s a big deal.
Moving clocks forward and back for time changes have become routine because of my travel. On my trip to the British Isles, France, Portugal, and then returning to the United States via a transatlantic cruise, I changed time zones eight times.
Last fall when I did a transpacific cruise I crossed sixteen time zones. The trip was from Dallas, Texas, USA to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Yes, I’m fortunate to travel. An interesting lesson learned was God was always with me. I could read His word and pray to Him in Scotland or Paris as easily as I could in Tahiti or New Zealand. I could be still wherever I was and know He is God.
A Lesson From the Bible
In the Bible, we read in Psalms 124:1 King James Version, “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” It reminds me that my God is all powerful. He keeps watch over His chosen nation of Israel. And, He never sleeps or slumbers. He’s always there for them and He is always available anywhere for me, regardless of which time zone I’m in.
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Terry Pratchett on Writing
Embrace the evolving journey of writing!
Sir Terry Pratchett shares: “I, on the other hand, am a technophile, so there is no such thing as a first draft. The first draft plunges on, and about a quarter of the way through it I realize I’m doing things wrong, so I start rewriting it. What you call the first draft becomes rather like a caterpillar; it is progressing fairly slowly, but there is movement up and down its whole length, the whole story is being changed. I call this draft zero, telling myself how the story is supposed to go.”
Writing is an ever-changing process. Draft zero is a living, breathing entity, constantly evolving as you uncover the true path of your story. It’s a journey of discovery, where revisions shape the narrative from start to finish.
Don’t be afraid to dive in, knowing that transformation is part of the process. Allow your story to grow and change, like a caterpillar inching towards its final form. Embrace the fluidity of draft zero, trusting that each rewrite brings you closer to the story you’re meant to tell.
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Jon Acuff on Creativity
Embrace your unique journey! Jon Acuff reminds us: “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.”
Every creative path is different, and comparing your early steps to someone else’s advanced stages can hinder your growth and joy.
Each artist, writer, and creator starts somewhere, and it’s important to honor your own progress. Celebrate your beginnings, for they are the foundation of your future successes. Focus on your growth, learning, and development without the weight of comparison.
Remember, every expert was once a beginner. Embrace your journey with patience and pride, knowing that your unique path will lead to extraordinary places.
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Creativity is Rooted in Love
Creativity is rooted in love, reflecting the essence of God as love, as stated in 1 John 4:8.
Christians see creativity as a beautiful expression of this divine love, mirroring the boundless compassion and creativity of the Creator. When we create, we channel this love, infusing our work with purpose, meaning, and beauty.
Through creative acts, we share a piece of our hearts, connecting with others and spreading joy and understanding. This sacred process allows us to participate in the divine act of creation, celebrating the love that flows through us from God.
Embrace your creativity as an act of love. Let it shine through your work, touching lives and reflecting the divine love within you.
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Creative Expression Reflects God’s Glory
Let your creative expression shine forth as a reflection of God’s glory!
Rooted in the belief that every talent and ability is a divine gift, Christians find inspiration in 1 Corinthians 10:31. Just as the heavens declare the glory of God, so too does your creativity serve as a testament to His greatness.
Whether through art, music, writing, or any other form of expression, each stroke of brilliance echoes His magnificence. As you cultivate and share your unique talents, you become a vessel through which His splendor is revealed to the world.
So, embrace your creativity wholeheartedly, knowing that in every creation, you are reflecting the beauty and wonder of the Creator Himself.
1 Corinthians 10:31 KJV, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
