Quiet Moments With God -- Living Out Our Faith

I want to introduce you to my mother--an incredible woman. Though she often felt as if she lacked faith she has lived a life full of faith. During my growing up years, she was the neighborhood savior--always willing and able to help in a crisis--she was steady when it counted. And to this day, I don't think I've ever met anyone who has a more grateful heart. Though she's had her share of tragedy and lives a simple life with few frills she's thankful for each day and never fails to thank God for her "wonderful" family.

Tonight Mom waits in a hospital. She's having open heart surgery in the morning to repair or replace a valve and to repair an artery. She's eight-six years old and understands the risks, but as always all she can talk about is how blessed she is. When she set off for the hospital earlier this evening, all I saw was faith and peace. She knows God has her in His hands and no matter the outcome of tomorrow's surgery all is well.

I am blessed. She lived out her faith and that faith changed my life.

In the days to come would you please pray for my mother and for the family who loves her?

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God--They will know us by our love.

I just returned from the Oregon Christian Writers Summer Conference. If I were limited to using only one word to describe what I experienced it would be, LOVE.

My first encounter with the summer conference was in 1992. I remember being overwhelmed. There was so much to learn. But what really took me by surprise was the open, giving hearts of the people who offered their time and gifts to eager students. At the end of a long day some of the writers took my short stories to their rooms to critique my work. They taught me so much, not just about writing but what it means to live out our faith. John 13:34-35 says, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Christians have many opportunities to be witnesses to unbelievers. The writing world offers unique opportunities because it's a competitive business. Yet I can’t remember even one instance when a Christian writer betrayed another just to get ahead. In fact, I’ve seen the opposite. My experience with Christian writers is that they want to help and encourage one another in any way they can. Our Lord fills us with a love that outweighs our desire for personal success.

I’m not saying Christian writers are perfect. Of course we’re not. Like everyone else, we struggle with sins like envy and frustration, and sometimes we may even get angry about someone else’s success. However, we belong to God’s family and as heirs of the King we're held to account, and straying hearts are brought back into submission to Him. God loves a humble heart.

It is God in us that enables us to sincerely love one another and to lift up each other even when it means setting aside personal goals. So, let us draw close to God and allow Him to reign in our hearts. May our example draw others to Christ where they will find rest for their weary souls just as we have.

Grace and peace to you from God.