Keep a Short Rope

Many of you know I have often commented on and quoted from the little book, Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young. This morning, once again, her words were so penetrating and insightful.

"An anchor on a short rope lets a boat drift only slightly before the taut line tugs the boat back toward the center. Similarly, as you drift away from Me, My Spirit within you gives a tug, prompting you to return to Me. As you become increasingly attuned to My Presence, the length of rope on your soul's Anchor is shortened."

As Christians we are to be focused upon Jesus, but there are so many things that can cause our minds to wander off. We can get wrapped up in another person, crowding Christ out of the central position. We can focus upon ourselves and what we want to accomplish.

The key to truly centering our lives in Christ, is to practice His Presence - always bring our focus back around to Him and His will. What is our goal in this life anyway? To become more like Jesus everyday.

I can remember being out in a little fishing boat on the lake with my father and brother when a storm started to blow in. Because our small vessel didn't have an anchor, we headed for the shore so as not to be tossed around by the wind and waves. We jumped out as the rain began to pellet us and entered the shelter of a covered pavilion with a concrete foundation. We sat there in the safety until the storm had passed.

Similarly, I have gotten caught trying to do something my way, ignoring God's direction. Just before the big flop, I've returned to the stability of His Presence, realizing my foolishness in trying to venture out on my own. I've learned each time I've strayed to become more attuned to the Spirit's nudging so I don't drift too far away.

How about it, Christian? Will you strive to keep a short rope on your soul's Anchor?

OVER-THE-TOP GOD

Please click the link below to visit a group devotion blog that I am appearing on today. Thank you, Linda Rondeau for including me in this venture.

Now, let's talk about getting out of the blahs -

http://fullflavoredliving.blogspot.com/

Tuesday Teaser

Here's a new one from Brandilyn Collins. If you read novels by her, you might be surprised by this story which doesn't have the usual suspense. I joked that maybe she did some of her research for this Southern family at my house.

Here's your teaser quote:
A "quiet" gal, he'd told Ruth and Sy. "Kinda reserved." In other words, everything the Dearing family was not. To put it mildly. Ho boy.

 Meet the Dearings, a crazy, loving, boisterous family in small-town Mississippi. There’s mom and dad, three daughters and their families, and the youngest—twenty-five-year-old Ben. Oh, and the family dog, a Yorkie who thinks she’s royalty.

“This one’s perfect,” Ben says about his new fiancée, Christina, when he brings her home for a family reunion. Ben is just sure everyone will love Christina, and she’ll fit right in.

He always did tend to wear rose-colored glasses.

Christina loves Ben but secretly fears their relationship will never work. They’ve only known each other ten weeks. She hasn’t told him about her horrific past as an only child—the beatings, the neglect, and verbal abuse. Christina doesn’t know how to trust or be honest about her feelings. Being thrust into the middle of a tight-knit family like the Dearings is sure to send her over the edge.

With poignancy and humor, That Dog Won’t Hunt explores the complexities of relationships and the inner strength needed to overcome a difficult childhood. The Dearings are no perfect family, but they know how to love—if only Christina will accept it.

Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist of over 25 books. Her awards include the ACFW Carol (three times), Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice. Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors. Visit her website at www.brandilyncollins.com.

Get your Southern on and add this one to your to-be-read list. 

Lord, Steady My Heart

Need to share a song whose lyrics have been running through my mind and coming to my lips. I hope it will encourage you today. Thanks Kari Jobe for this great song.

Just press the link for the song below. Let it minister to you today and maybe even challenge you as it has me to not worry, knowing God holds you in the palm of His hand.

Steady My Heart

I Gotcha Back!

Most of my readers know that as a part of my quiet time I read from the One Year Bible. Once again the Spirit made a passage stand out for me.

"When Joab saw that he would have to fight on both the front and the rear, he chose some of Israel's elite troops and placed them under his personal command to fight the Arameans in the fields. He left the rest of the army under the command of his brother Abishai, who was to attack the Ammonites. 'If the Arameans are too strong for me, then come over and help me,' Joab told his brother. 'And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, I will help you. Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the Lord's will be done.'" 1 Chronicles 19:10-13

Isn't this just what the soldiers of the Lord should do?

We Christians so often go off in pursuit of our pet projects and ignore the needs for help from others around us. Then we wonder why our efforts fail to make a difference.

As the body of Christ, we are to work together to accomplish God's will. We are on the same team.

Would you expect a football team to win if there were only two players against a full team? No.

Paul talks about this unity in Christ and being one body often in the New Testament. The idea is to bring your God-given gifts into the body and together He can cause us to accomplish what He wants.

So, how about it? You got my back? I've got yours!

July 11th - Cheer Up The Lonely Day

Admittedly, I've never heard of this day. But, sounds very much like a Jesus-like thing to do.

When Jesus was on this earth, he was most likely found among the lonely. These were the diseased and crippled who others shunned. He healed the blind and told the lame to get up and walk. He even touched the most lonely of all - the leper.

"But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds - his name is the Lord - and rejoice before him."
Psalm 68:3-4

How can the Psalmist ask that we rejoice when we are diseased, crippled, left-out, and lonely?

"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, ..." Psalm 68:5-6a

This is why we can rejoice and praise God. He is near to the lonely. He even sets them in families. Guess who that family is? Me and you. Other Christians having been made brothers and sisters in Christ.

We have the promise that we are never alone for we have God ever-present and near to us. But, in our striving to become more and more like Christ, we must cheer the lonely. We are to show love and care for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Christ was sensitive to those who needed a touch. Let's follow His example and be sensitive to those around us who might need cheering through Christ's love flowing through us.

Since Last Birthday

July 8th is my birthday, and I spent a few moments thinking back to what all God has allowed me to do and experience in the last couple of years.

Last June, I traveled to Haiti for a mission trip which I will never forget.

 My first book released on July 6th - THE BLESSING SEER.

But, my father had to have heart surgery which was a shock to us all. Thank God for keeping him safe while on a fishing trip in the wild. No heart attack - doc got him fixed up and ready to go.

God also allowed me opportunities to speak about the message of THE BLESSING SEER.

Still humbled and delighted that God has blessed me in so many ways.

You overwhelm me God. Please continue to lead me on this adventure.

"In all ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path." (Mamaw Lindsey was right.)

Preparing for Next Book Release

The final galley of BE THE BLESSING came for me to check over just last week. Imagine my surprise when I found the paragraph below on one of the front pages.

Praise for The Blessing Seer
 Mowery’s gentle first person story of a woman
 who needs to be heard as much as she hears is one of
 joy in growing and loving God, of living and walking
 without fear, and being faithful to Him who calls us.
 The included Bible study guide will surely be a favorite
 with your group. Using the gifts of the Holy Spirit is a
 favorite subject, and I am delighted to read such a
 lovely story that makes such a thing natural. Whenever
 you need a dose of personal encouragement, bring out
 Paula’s book for a refresher course.
 ~Reflections

I pray that the message of BE THE BLESSING will be just as encouraging and touch lives for Christ.

Thank You, God, for granting me this story and its sequel.

Announcing: Author Facebook Page

Hey blog followers, in case you didn't get the "memo," I have a new Facebook Author Page.

Please drop in for a visit.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paula-Mowery/175869562589187

If you "Like" my page, I'll try to reciprocate.

And, I'll have to admit to my author and editor friends that it has been fun to connect with new friends through this Facebook page. Thanks for the advice and the "push."

Rodeo Regrets Winner

Hey - Shannon Vannatter has randomly chosen from the commenters. And, the winner is ...

VICTORIA PITTS-CAINE

Please contact me through the Prism Book Group Author Loop so I can get your email and in turn get your address.

Congratulations!

And, thanks to everyone for the great discussions and comments!