Do You Believe in Coincidence?

How about you? Do you believe there is such a thing as coincidence? Are there occurrences that happen just by chance?

Just today I told someone that I didn't believe in coincidence. The God I serve is much more purposeful than that. I do believe that I can thwart plans God has for me by not following in His ways.

Consider these verses from Psalm 139:
"You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways."
"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
And in Proverbs it says:
"In all ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Do these verses sound like we serve a "by chance" kind of God? I don't think so. He knew you before you were known. Hard to fathom, right? But, God created you and already had plans for you before you were that proverbial twinkle in your parent's eyes.

Now, don't misconstrue the meaning of the Proverb verse. Just by acknowledging or truly following His guidance doesn't mean that everything turns out hunky dory. Making your paths straight doesn't mean all will be positive and well. This means that you will follow His plan, the one He created you for. However, this doesn't mean that you won't have to suffer some trials along the path. Sometimes that is part of the plan.

I'll give you an example. When my father required heart surgery for major blockages, I questioned why this needed to happen. I mean, my dad is an active person who is always serving someone else and even teaching Sunday School. He came through the surgery great and had a really swift recovery. So, what was gained? Faith, testimony, and thankfulness.

Though hard to explain - Do you understand how your life can be further grounded in faith when it has been tested? How I have seen this in my life and in the lives of others. People like my dad are what we call walking testimonies to the grace of God.

Our experiences tend to not only give us a platform to witness to others but the right. A person with a blockage in his heart needn't come to me. I haven't been through that personally. But, my dad has the right as someone who has been there.

This is the reason I don't believe in coincidences. I've said before that I don't feel that God wastes any of our experiences. There is a purpose.

What about you? Do you believe in coincidence?

IT'S ALL RIGHT TO BE HUMAN

That was the first line from the Jesus Calling book for today, January 23rd. As I read it, I sighed and smiled. I just know there are many days that God looks at me and shakes His head, wondering when I will rely upon Him.

You see, I am human with my frailties and inattention, but God understands. He came to the earth in human form so I could know that I have a Savior that sympathizes and empathizes. He knows the distractions and frustrations that I face. He knows that the world is always calling me to be human and be okay with it.

The good news is that though I'm human, I have access to a God that is divine, and because He lives inside of me through the presence of the Holy Spirit, I can trust in Him to help me through. I don't have to give in to that human side and what it may want to entice me to do.

Now, some people may use this humanness to cover over mistakes. They say: I'm only human. This proclamation isn't a "get out of jail free" card for me to throw when I don't want to own up to letting the human side of me win.

Everyday and every moment I have to make the choice to practice His presence in my life, letting Him work through me. It's all right to be human, but I must recognize that because I am, I need the Lord present in my life each and every second.

As the verse says: I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. Without Him and in my total humanness, I can't accomplish much, at least not much of importance. But, when I put my ordinary next to His extra, what do I get? Extraordinary. (A frequent quote from my hubby/pastor)

Let's keep our attention on Him and His will for our lives. Let's allow Him to guide us so we're more than only human. The old is gone, and the new has come. We can be new creations led by the supernal.

Prism Blog Hop and Goals

Hey! This year I joined the wonderful authors and editors at Prism Book Group.

I joined them as an author when the anthology, Brave New Century, was released in November.


I also have another book releasing in March called Legacy and Love.


I joined back in the spring as an acquisitions editor and have worked with four authors so far.


For the purpose of this blog hop, I am to share some goals for this next year in conjunction with my work at Prism Book Group.

First and related to my overall goals for this year, I plan to balance or manage my time more efficiently this next year. I have a calendar/planner that I am using as a check-off system for the goals I achieve each day and week. So far, it is working well.

Next and related to my other guide word for this year, I want to strive to be intentional in my writing and editing. For me this means to make sure that all I do is honoring God and bringing Him glory. I want to question my motives for each project I undertake.

Those are two main goals that I have for this year. I also want to complete at least one of my two works in progress to submit for consideration. I want to work diligently so I can submit my authors' manuscripts to the editor-in-chief ahead of schedule. I want to write and submit some articles for magazines. I want to continue to pursue getting my six grad classes in English to apply for a teaching position at a local college. I want to stay faithful in writing for both of my blogs and turn the CCWCU blog into a book in the future. I want to plan and be prepared for teaching at the Blue Ridge conference in May.

Well, now that I have shared those things with my readers, I guess that provides some accountability. I pray that I will let God lead me to do exactly what I am to do in accordance with His will. I pray this for you, too.

Here are some other great blogs for you to check out. Let's see what goals each has in mind for this next year. Don't miss the Prism Blog or the Rafflecopter.

Winnie the Pooh Day

January 18th is Winnie the Pooh Day because it is A.A. Milne's birthday. Milne created Winnie the Pooh and all of his friends at the Hundred Acre Wood.

Winnie the Pooh seemed to have such a happy-go-lucky attitude as well as an innocence that just attracted me as a kid and still does today. His books and his movies saw him skipping through the woods humming or singing a tune.

When there was trouble, Pooh would search for Christopher Robbin or his other animal friends. Who can forget bouncy bouncy Tigger? Or little Piglet? Or poor ol' Eeyore? Then there was Rabbit and Roo and the Owl.

When I was a young girl, I had a big stuffed Pooh Bear. I slept with him right beside me in my little twin bed every night. He got me through a lot of storms and anything that spooked my night.

There is something to be said about such timeless characters as those from Milne's stories. The morals always seemed to center on being there for your friends to help them out in times of need and appreciating those friends.

I was glad that silly ol' bear was still around for my daughter. It was comforting knowing that when she watched a show containing Winnie and his friends there was no need to fear that she would learn bad manners or hear foul language.

To have your writing creations have such a lasting and positive legacy is commendable. I'm so glad A.A. Milne didn't keep his writings about the Hundred Acre Wood to himself and the children he shared them with. I'm glad he shared his stories with the world.

Take a moment and remember your experience with Winnie the Pooh and his stories. Bet you hear one of that silly ol' bear's songs ringing in your head right now!

Winnie the Pooh, Winnie the Pooh, silly willy nilly ol' bear.

I'm just a little black rain cloud, hovering under the honey tree. I'm just a little black rain cloud. Pay no attention to me. Mmmm.........

Dreams

Feeling a little creative today?

Scoot on over to my Creative Christian Writers' Crank Up to dabble in dreams.

Link to Creative Christian Writers' Crank Up

Peculiar People Day

Bet you didn't know that January 10th is Peculiar People Day. Yep, it sure is.

Peculiar is defined as distinctive; differing markedly from the usual or ordinary or accepted; odd; individual; separate; unique.

I resemble these descriptions in a couple of areas.

As a writer, I've been told that I'm different or unique in the way my brain seems to work. My author friends might be able to relate. After reading my books, people will inquire as to how my mind conjured such a story. I don't quite know how to explain how I can imagine so clearly the made up characters and stories that gallop across my imagination. I'm peculiar.

As a Christian, I've been looked at as odd. I've been seen as different because I seem to have a joy that circumstances can't rob. People ask how I can have such a trust in a God I can't see. I can't explain how He nudges my mind to spin stories to illustrate His love and His truths. I'm peculiar.

I can tell you that during this month, which is considered Creativity Month, that I serve a creative God. If you don't believe me, read Genesis 1. That creative God made me unique from the inside out. If you don't believe me, read Psalm 139. God created me for a specific plan and purpose. If you don't believe me, read Jeremiah 29:11.

Now, many who would call me peculiar would mean it as a slur. But, I've decided that in light of the fact that God would have me be separate and distinctive, I'm going to embrace my peculiarity. How about you?

Happy Peculiar People Day!

Author Feature

Hey, check out my first feature of the new year. I so enjoyed doing the interview with Laurie.

Laurie's Blog Link

If you haven't yet read my last post, please scroll down and do so. My two words for the year and new blog venture are discussed there.

My Two Words and A New Blog

After racking my brain for the one word to guide me this year, I've had to settle on two. These two words just keep returning to my thoughts, so I will adopt them as my theme for the year.

The first one is balance. I believe this is something I need in various areas of my life - spiritually, time. I will strive to find a balance in all I do this year.

The other word is intentional. I don't want to do any task just to be doing it. Let's face it, if it has no purpose in the Kingdom of God, it's not really worth it anyway. I want my work as an author to be intentional as well as my editing. I want to use my time intentionally. I hope to determine to make all of my efforts about what the Lord would have me to do. So, I will be intentional which is the only way to accomplish this.

BALANCED and INTENTIONAL.  That's my theme for the year.

Now for a new venture, even an adventure. I have started a new blog entitled: Creative Christian Writers' Crank Up - ccwcu for short. Please take a moment to visit this other blog and read the introduction for its purpose. I'm excited about this and would love to have you subscribe through your email to receive each and every creative crank up.

I'll still be right here providing insights that God is teaching me and great Christian literature from some of my author-friends.

Check the new blog here:

Creative Christian Writers' Crank Up

Thank you to all you readers for blessing me this year by reading and commenting.

If you have chosen a word or two to guide you in this new year, share in the comments.

You can read about this concept by looking up the My One Word site. You can also find the site How to Blog a Book to see what inspired me to create the new blog.