Sunday, June 21, 2009

Girl Talk

Girl Talk

Be a Treasure
Everyone loves individuals who enhance and enrich our lives. We love those who add joy, peace, and harmony to our lives.

The in-laws love the spouse that comes into the family adding value. Employers reward workers who help promote the company. Spouse’s love the partner with whom they can communicate and work as a team. Parents love children who listen and obey.

These types of people give meaning and value to life. They are so easy to love and get along with. Everyone loves them, not because of their outward, but inward beauty.

How to be a treasure

Things to Guard with all your heart.

1. Guard your relationship with God
2. Guard your heart
3. Guard your tongue
4, Guard your reputation
5. Guard your name

Things to build while you are young.

1. Build intimacy with God.
2. Build godly character.
3. Build up your finances
4. Build your dreams
5. Build your home on a solid foundation.


Ten don’ts

1.Don’t let the foolishness of your youth separate you from God.
2. Don’t follow the crowed
3. Don’t marry into a family who does not love you.
4. Don’t let fear control you
5. Don’t say things you don’t mean
6. Don’t free load
7. Don’t live for the moment
8. Don’t allow bitterness to rule your heart.
9. Don’t be a cheat, thief or liar.
10. Don’t look at others through a microscope.

Learn early in life

1. Learn to trust and obey God.
2. Learn to stand on your own two feet.
3. learn to manage money.
4. Learn to think before you speak.
5. Learn to listen with your heart.

Stay away from

1. Stay away from things that offend God
2. Stay away from things that bind you.
3. Stay away from sin.
4. Stay away from gossip.
5. Stay out of Debt.


Try to be

1. Be true to God
2 To yourself be true.
3. Be the giver not the taker.
4. Be honest, loyal, courageous, diligent and strong.
5. Be transparent, trust worthy, and committed
6. Be real

Five things to get with all your might.

1. Get serious about your walk with God.
2. Get the Word of God in you.
3. Get a good education.
4. Get wisdom
5. Get born- again

Last but not least

1. Believe that God loves you
2. Believe in yourself
3. Believe life is worth living
4. Believe that people have value
5. Believe and invest in others

Friday, May 15, 2009

Achievements:

May 14, 2009
My Article: “OBIEDENCE IS NOT AN OPTION,” will be published by The Christian Pulse Magazine on June 22, 2009

“The Secret Place,” put out by Judson Press bought four of my devotionals.


My story, “The Miracle of the Christmas Star.” won second place in the Children’s Story Category last week at the North Texas 2010 Christian Writers Conference. That was a good feeling.

Devotional

Day of Judgment

My calling is evangelism, so for me to think about souls and eternity is normal. I think about the millions of souls in the valley of decision all the time. Inside the evangelist’s heart is a drive to witness - like the teacher is compel to teach and the writer to write.

Not long ago I went with a friend to a Lions Club Annual Pancake Event. The waiting line was the longest I had ever seen. My friend who has never met a stranger, joyfully visit with everybody in line. I on the other hand, unless someone talks to me, I will stay pretty much to myself.

It took us over an hour to reach the serving area. As we moved forward one inch at a
time, the scripture in Revelation 20: 11,15 came to mind. “I saw the dead small and great stand before God, and the books were opened. And another book was opened which was the book of life and the dead were judged out of those things that were written in the books, according to their works.”

I wondered, how fast an inch would be if we were heading towards the Throne of
Judgment. I closed my eyes in an effort to capture the terror a soul would feel on that day - but I could not. No one can imagine such feeling. I believe that the horror will be beyond anything a human soul has ever known.

Who can picture such anguish? I asked myself. There will be nowhere to run too, for help. What lie or excuse could one fine to trick the Almighty, and escape the great judgment? I could almost hear knees knocking out of control, and teeth chattering with fear. While tormenting memories, of times salvation was present and reject flooded and tortures the mind.

In my mind I could visualize weeping, groaning, wailings, and tears of regret. Suddenly I felt every hair in my body standing on end as I thought, of the dread and panic of that day. Our simple minds cannot fathom the horror of such hopelessness.

I opened my eyes and almost cried aloud, “But Jesus!” I restrained myself and whispered, Praise God for Jesus, who is the bridge of love, and compassion between us, and that day. He made a way where there was no way! Even today, one can repent, and escape that dreadful hour.

My heart leap with joy as I said in my heart, “How glorious, is this massage of salvation.How wonderful His forgiveness? What joy to know that His love is greater than our sins.Sweeter than honey on the honeycomb is His grace. Fortunate to be envied is the soul whose trust is in the Lord!

Finally we reached the dining area where the smell of pancakes and sausage send out a scrumptious aroma. To my growling stomach, it was like music from heaven. The place was jammed packed with people of all color shapes and sizes. Hundreds everywhere feasting on the mouth-watering pancakes. Many had finishing and were leaving, while hundreds stood in line.

The line had moved so slowly, I thought that we would never get there, but we did. The thought crossed my mind that God has a set time for that Day - much like when
we set our own alarm clock to wake up in the morning.

The eternal time is set - we are just waiting for the alarm to ring. It seems at times, like that day will never get here - but it will, just as sure as our time came to eat pancakes.

Even though I could not imagine the horror of that hour, it did stir me to pray for lost humanity,and be thankful for what Jesus did for us at Calvary.

Father I pray, please sent harvesters into the harvest. Send me. I will go.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

INTERVIEW: with my friend Marty Norman , author of
“Generation G – Advice for Savvy Grandmothers Who Will Never Go Gray”
1. “Generation G” is a really fun book on grandmothers. What made you feel you needed to write it?www.amazon.com and in local bookstores. Check out her website
at
www.martynorman.com, and her blogs at http://martynorman.blogspot.com, andhttp://savvygrandmothers.blogspot.com.






It was not so much that I felt a need to write “Generation G”, but rather I felt compelled. When I started, the book was just a series of essays for my grandchildren. No one was more surprised than I to discover that having a grandchild is just the best, truly a gift from God. Your heart is so full it just pours out. Mine poured out on paper. I wanted to couple that pure grandmother joy with thanksgiving to God for the miracle of the grandmother experience.



2. What do grandmothers’ today need to know that their grandmothers didn’t?



You know, when I think back, life was simpler in my grandmother’s day, slow and easy with more time for family, talking, and just being together. Life is so fast now. Carpools, cell phones, ipods, tv’s. Making time for grandchildren is more complicated than it used to be. I find that I need lots of patience for there are schedules to coordinate and issues to deal with that my grandparents just didn’t have – divorce, long-distance and step-grand parenting, financial issues. And technology – that’s another issue. It takes a lot of time to keep up in that arena.



3. What is “Generation G” and how did the book get that name?



Generation G is the title the publisher’s created. Actually it has grown on me. To me “Generation G” is a term for my generation - godly grandmothers who have the time and desire to pass on their legacy of faith to the next generation. The scripture tells us that generational healing will pass down to the third and fourth generation. In Roman numerals “G” is one thousand. Wouldn’t that be great if our godly heritage was passed down for a thousand years!



4. You write about “savvy Grandmothers”. Who and what is a savvy grandmother?



A savvy grandmother’s many things: seasoned, silver, sophisticated, wise, and hip. Willing to be involved, she listens with two ears and one heart and keeps her mouth shut most of the time. A savvy grandmother knows the difference between giving advice and making suggestions. She keeps a guard on her mouth practicing what she preaches. But above all, a savvy grandmother’s a godly woman, boldly sharing her faith and witness as she passes on a godly legacy to the next generation.



5. How did you come to be a writer?



For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved to write. Even as a child I made up songs

and poems. “Lollipop On The Window Sill” was my first big hit. I even began a

novel when I was seven. The seed was planted. All it needed was sunshine, water,

and fertilizer. In the early years I wrote mainly for friends. In my adult years I

wrote for newsletters and in-house magazines. But it wasn’t until I got a monthly

assignment for in-house magazine that I got the bug. And I’ve been at it ever since.



6. What is your writing style?



I am a free-association sort of writer, though everyone has a different style. I get an

idea, maybe a couple of words or a title. Then I just sit down and let the writing flow.

Some people write in outline form but so far that doesn’t fit my personality. At some

point, I look up and see what I have. Usually there is a book or an article in there

somewhere.



7. What was the hardest part of writing “Generation G”?



For me, the writing of the book was not the hardest part. That just sort of flowed out

of me. But once I decided to make it into a book, I was overwhelmed! So much

paper, so many stories - how to organize? What to put first? Which stories have I

already used? Because of my free-flow style, I did not write the chapters in order.

Figuring out where they fit was a huge challenge. I am a big picture person. I finally

just had to lay it all on the floor so I could see the book in its entirety. Then I went

about the business of organizing sections and getting the flow of the book.



8. What are your favorite grandmother activities?



I love everything that has to do with grandchildren. If I had my druthers though, I love early mornings in bed, singing songs, telling stories – beginning the day in joy. I also love baking. I don’t even mind the mess on the floor, the flour, powdered sugar, and assorted candies that are everywhere. Picnics are big too. Most of all I love to pray with my grandchildren. When I look in their eyes, tell them I love them and how much God loves them, it doesn’t get any better than that!



9. What ministries are you involved in?’



Right now my main ministry is to exhort and encourage grandmothers to share their faith and tell their stories. I also involved in many prayer groups. I am also involved with an organization that is building community across racial and denominational lines through worship, prayer, and sharing. Missions is my call, and I have been on three mission trips. I am also heavily into disaster relief and orphan fund in Malawi, Central Africa. Currently I am feeling God’s nudge in a new direction and am seeking him in prayer in this regard.



10. Do you have other books in the works?



Actually I do. I have completed a number of children’s books but right now I am concentrating on my very first book which I believe to be my first fruits to the Lord. I am researching publishers and markets to determine my next step. I also am working on a book about the spiritual walk. It is always interesting to see the direction these things go. I don’t know what God has planned but I am on board and ready to roll when the time comes.



11. Do you have advice for other writers?



Yes - don’t give up. Whatever you do don’t give up. Writing is a passion, a way of

life. If you think you might be a writer, you are one. Writing can be a talent or a

learned craft. Writers come in all shapes and sizes, topics and themes range from

the whimsical to the sublime. There is no right or wrong in writing. Just write what

you know. The more you write the better you get. One of the hardest things about

being a writer is the rejection factor. So write for whoever will let you. Above

everything else, listen to your heart and trust your instincts.





12. Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?



Absolutely. My prayer for the book has been that it will bless each one who reads it. I

pray that it will open up hearts to everyone’s own journey and inspire women to

generate ideas in how to make a difference in families. I pray that all grandmothers

will be inspired to boldly pass on faith to the children and grandchildren of the world.

With the state of the world, I am convinced that grandmother wisdom is needed. With

our energy, influence, and resources we can truly change the world for good. I believe

it is time for us to speak up. Grandmother power and being a power of one has great

potential.





Marty Norman is a wife, mother, and grandmother, who lives in Fort Worth, Texas .

She is the author of “Generation G – Advice for Savvy Grandmothers Who Will Never
Go Gray” found on

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Seasons

In memory of my sisters

Seasons : To everything there is a season, and a purpose under the heavens. A time to be born and a time to die. Ecclesiastes 3:1,2T (NKJV)

In 2008, we were four sisters and best friends, and now we are two. In August, I lost a sister, and three months later, another. The sense of loss I felt was beyond words. I miss them more than I can say.

The years went by so swiftly -- like a rushing stream, time flew out of our reach into eternity. Whatever, joy, love, divine appointments, or opportunities we did not cherish or embrace, they are now gone.

We get so many seasons in life and when they’re gone, all the crying, regrets, or repentance we feel, is of no help now.

Once the time, the moment, the opportunity has flown away in the wings of time, it will return no more.

Sometimes we learn to late; to love the season. Please, take my wise counsel.

In the springtime of your life: Lavish yourself in God’s showers of blessings. Endeavor to color your world with joy, and purity of heart, in the mist of every storm.

In the summer: Run in the strength of your youth. Give God your best. Do all you can to change the world for Christ, leaving your name written in the sands of time.

In the autumn: Embrace the pruning season, trust His wisdom and His love. Live life with such resilience for eternity sake, let go of the things that bind you. Cling loosely to life, and allow only the wind of his Spirit to move you were He will.

In the winter: Clothes yourself with His Word. Laugh aloud at old man winter. Use your toboggan of faith to ride the high and winding snowy slopes of life, without fear. Say to the gloomiest nights of the season, “You do not intimidate me.” The Lord is on my side!

We shall bloom again in the springtime of eternity. The only thing that will matter then is how we ran the race.

Father in Heaven, Here I am take me and mold me after your will.




Maturing in Christ:

12 tips on maintaining loving and godly relationships.

1. Be gentle, kind, and merciful.
2. Do not declare war, by raise your voice, and attacking with words.
3. Do not throw little hints, as if the other person were a mind reader.
4. Look at it from the other person’s point of view.
5. Avoid the silent treatment
6. Accept responsibility for your own actions.
7. Desire to solve the problem, not add fuel to it.
8. Be honest and transparent.
9. Do not use words to stab another person’s emotions.
10. Do not be critical or judgmental.
11. Do not talk behind their back.
12. Love sincerely.



Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Estaciones

¡Abuelita, Enséñame Sabiduría!
Marzo 2009
Devocional en español En memoria de mis hermanas.
Estaciones.
Para todas las cosas hay sazón, y todo lo que se quiere debajo del cielo, tiene su tiempo. Tiempo de nacer, y tiempo de morir. Eclesiastés 3:1,2T (KJV)

En el año 2008, éramos cuarto hermanas y intimas amigas, y hoy somos solo dos.
En agosto murió una, y en diciembre otra. El dolor y vacio que sentí en mi alma, no tiene expresión. Las extraño tanto.

Nuestros años son contados. Se pasan como las aguas de una Corriente. Y vuelan como las aves afuera de nuestro alcance, para nuca volver jamás.
Cualquier gozó, amor, oportunidad, o citas divinas que no logramos, ya todo termino.
Te concejo amigo/amiga, confórmate y logra los años que Dios te da.
En la primavera de tu vida: generosamente regocíjate en las lluvias del Señor, y colorea tu mundo de gozó. Anda en Su santidad en el medio de las tempestades!

En el verano: corre en las fuerzas de tu juventud con gran animo, as gran desfuerzo par cambiar el mundo para Cristo. Deja tu nombre escrito en la arena.
En el otoño: Acaricia las podadas del Señor. Confía en Su sabiduría y Su amor. Con eternidad en tu alma vive tu vida. Suelta todo lo que te tiene atado.Y deja que solo el viento del Espíritu Santo, como un hoja suelta te mueva.
Y, en el invierno: cúbrete con Su palabra. Ríete a carcajadas del frio. Súbete a tu tobogán de fe, y vuela por los montes nevados, sin temor. Y por la noche dile a la oscuridad. Tú no me asustas - . Dios está contigo!
Y veras que, otra vez brotaras en la primavera de la eternidad. Y en aquel entonces lo único que importara, es como corriste la carrera. Simplemente, vamos pasando por aquí, no te quedes estancado.

Señor mi Dios, Toma mi vida, y hazme de nuevo, hace de mi un vaso nuevo.

Madurando en Cristo.

12 puntos para mantener relaciones llenas del amor de Cristo

1. Deja que tus acciones sean dulces, amables, y llenas de misericordia
2. No levantes tu voz, ni ataques con tus palabras, declarando guerra.
3. No tires habladas, ni tampoco insinúa algo; nadie puede leer tu mente.
4. Trata de ver la situación por el punto de vista de la otra persona.
5. No te agás del rogar, ni voltéales la cara.
6. Acepta responsabilidad por tus acciones.
7. Tu eres parte de la solución, trata de resolver la problema no hacer la peor.
8. Siempre hay que ser una persona honesta y trasparente.
9. No uses tus palabras como un cuchillo, para herir emociones.
10. No critiques, ni juzgas.
11. No seas hipócrita, no hables detrás de las espaldas.
12. Ama sinceramente.


Coming Soon!

I just started my new blog, more to come later.