DEVOTIONS: All for Him

By Leila Halawe | @LHalawe

'For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.' Colossians 1:16(ESV)

As I read this scripture the other day, I was struck by the last part of that verse, 'all things were created through him and for him.'

ALL THINGS.

THROUGH HIM.

FOR HIM.

It was a good reminder that it's about Him, not me. And to be honest, it was a timely and necessary reminder for me. With Christmas and New Year just past, it is easy for us to forget that it is not about us. Life can so easily take over and we get caught up everything that comes along with it; relationships, work, social expectations and pressures, health and wealth all strive for top spot in our lives and we start to lose sight of Him.

I don't know about you but for me, I found that in the madness of Christmas and New Year (and my birthday) I put myself first. It was all about me. I put Him second to the pressures and expectations of this life when really, He should be front and centre at all times. Because all things were created through Him and for Him.

All things, including us. Especially us.

This verse is a reminder that we were created by Him and for Him. God created us and we are His Masterpiece, here to use our story for His glory. It's not about us, or our relationships or ministries or careers. Not that any of these are bad things in and of themselves because they are not, they are wonderful things, but they are not the end goal. Being more like Jesus and pointing as many people to Jesus as possible is the end goal. Helping people encounter their Creator and Saviour is the end goal. For us to do that, we need to keep Him in the centre of everything. We need to keep our eyes fixed on Him and offer ourselves to Him to use for His glory.

When we keep Him as the focus and remember that it's not about us, we can experience a new type of freedom. One that allows us to step out from under the expectations that society puts on us. When we live for Him and make everything about Him, everything shifts; our hearts and minds and emotions all shift and start to move in unison towards Him. We fix our vision on Him, not others, and we start to walk in the direction He has set out for us.  Our actions shift and we start to walk more intentionally in HIS Ways and in His LOVE. We start walking in freedom knowing that we are loved and held close by our Father.

A life walking in the ways of Jesus can be difficult at times. At times, it's downright crushing but it's worth it. It's worth it because being loved by the Father is better than anything this world could offer. Knowing that we are loved with an everlasting love is worth the sacrifice. When we make it about Him, we can rest knowing that we are securely in our Father's arms being made more like Jesus. And there is no better place to be in than that.

Lays Halawe is a Sydney based coffee loving nonfiction writer and blogger. She has published a short devotional, Love By Devotion, and shares her views on life and faith via her blog page Looking In . You can connect with her online at: 

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DEVOTION: Dark Trees ~ by Marcia Lee Laycock

There are three trees across the road from my house. In the spring they bloom like any other tree, into a lovely pale green, but then, as the leaves mature, they turn a dark burgundy. At times they look black. I don't like those trees. They make me think of horror movies and dark, unnatural things. I don't want to look at them because I don't want to be confronted with unpleasant things.

But the reality is that unpleasant things, even dark and evil things, populate our world. I was reminded of this today as I listened to a writer talk about his novel. I admire this man. He's a talented writer and the subject of his book is not a light topic. It's one that makes us shiver, one that makes us cringe. He spoke eloquently about how difficult it was to write the book, because it was personally painful for him. Yet he persevered because he believed the story had to be told.

He also said that he's been asked why the book doesn't emphasize the dark side of the topic more. He's been criticized for stopping too soon as the story exposed the evil. But he said "that wasn't all there was to the story - that's not what it's about. It's about redemption, reconciliation and healing. It's about the human capacity to reclaim ourselves."

As I listened to this man read from his book, I was moved not only by the beauty of the language but by the reality that the darkness will never win. Because it is in the darkness that the light shines bright. It is in the darkness that the light draws attention to itself. I've seen this firsthand in hospital corridors where the bravery of the human spirit shines forth. I've seen it in a jungle where fear and bondage are broken by the truth. I've seen it in the eyes of an abused child who comes to believe at last that she is loved by an almighty God.

So now I'm thankful for those dark trees across from my house. They are reminders that when life turns dark, when evil and chaos seems to be winning, the light will always reveal itself. God's truth will be made known and the nobility of the human spirit will shine through because it is made in God's image.

And I'm thankful that, as Carolyn Arends sings, "Love was here first." God's design was for beauty and order and harmony. All the brokenness that sin brought into the world so long ago cannot change that. Nor can it change the fact that love will triumph in the end. I'm thankful that I have seen the light of this love even though I've had to sometimes endure the darkness in order to understand the depth of it.

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2

Marcia Lee Laycock lives and writes in Central Alberta Canada where she lives with her husband and two golden retrievers. Her work has appeared in print in both Canada and the U.S. and in many places on the world wide web. Visit her website to learn more about her writing and speaking ministry.

Download Abundant Rain, a devotional for writers of faith at Smashwords.

ENCOURAGED TO WRITE

My husband, Ray, regularly shares devotional thoughts with us here on Fridays. I couldn't resist asking him to write this post for us about how he started writing for publication of his own books.

Being an obedient husband plus wanting to be fed, I’ve agreed to write this guest blog for Mary. What to write about for Christian fiction writers when my interest is in another genre is an interesting exercise. Sure I’ve read Mary’s novels. No I wasn’t threatened with starvation if I didn’t. Were they enjoyable? Without fear of reprisal or starvation I can honestly say “yes.”

Personally, my preferred reading is history, commentary and devotional material. I guess that’s the preacher in me. Those with the ability to write must express themselves. This is especially true from a Christian worldview perspective and across all genres. Years before my fingers found the keyboard of a computer I’d heard Mary’s cries of anguish, frustration, joy and triumph after grappling with characters, settings and editing. Many of you know those scenarios too I’m sure.

It was Mary’s encouragement that made me begin my 31 Day Themed Devotional Meditations. No, it wasn’t “Dear, you write or you starve!” Rather it was more like, “Dear, you have something to say and others need to read it –so get to it!” So I did. However, who is willing in these tight financial times and changing reading patterns to risk taking on an unknown Australian? This is doubly difficult when you know what I like to write is over supplied.

Well, Rochelle Manners of Wombat Books and it’s division EVEN BEFORE PUBLISHING (EBP) in Queensland, Australia, took the risk. We met when Mary and I attended an Omega Writers Conference a bout three or four years ago. With her and Mary’s refining skills they polished the gems they saw under the mass of words, removed the rubble and produced four (so far) well received books. They are Children–God’s Special Interest; From Eden with Love (the Mystery and Majesty of Marriage); Captured by Calvary (Biblical insights into the Cross) and Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby (Detailing that Christmas is Heaven’s Invasion into the Usurper’s earthly darkness).They are also available as E-books.

Hovering in my mind or frozen in computer files are the following: No Soft Option (the call to the Christian Ministry); Signposts to Happiness (Beatitudes across Scripture); Dynamic Aging and The Warrior Lord Returns (The Second Coming of Christ).

After publishing comes what I think is the most onerous task Promotion. Still it must be done. I hang onto the thought even after a non-event promotional day that the person you met today could well be the purchaser of your book tomorrow. Then my publisher insisted – rightly so, that I get a website/blog . O joy! O rapture! Still, being an obedient writer I have done just that.

If you are tempted (hope, hope, hope) to have a look and read some of my writing efforts there,  CLICK HERE  

Just to show we are not in competition, CLICK HERE  too for Mary's website and her blog. (which is more uptodate, says Mary.

I have been really thrilled that after Ray and I sharing so many ministry experiences over many years, now, after all the numerous times he has encouraged me to persevere, he too is knowing the delight of having readers share how God is blessing them through his books.

We are Lost; Can We Ever Go Home?

Middle Earth is not the US, so I figure LOTR counts as international fiction. J. R. R. Tolkien was a devout Catholic. In fact, a friend of mine used to require a paper on the trilogy as an allegory of missions in his Biblical Basis of Missions class. (Wrap your mind around that for some creative thinking!) So I have good precedent for writing about some of my favorite books on this International Christian Fiction blog.

The first DVD my husband and I ever bought was The Lord of the Rings extended version, boxed set. I listen to the audio-book at least once a year (usually starting with The Hobbit and moving on through the trilogy). I have the soundtrack music to all three films on my ipod. The other day at the ice rink “Gollum’s Song” from the ending of the second movie, The Two Towers, came on. You may remember that Andy Serkis, the actor who voiced Gollum, won awards for his role that became far more than a voice-over of a computer-generated character.

Gollum was the slimy creature lurking in a goblin cave who lost the One Ring that was picked up by Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit. Throughout the trilogy Gollum follows the company, trying to get it back. In The Two Towers Frodo calls him by his old name, Sméagol, reminding him of the life he had before the coming of the Ring. Frodo’s kindness almost wins him over. In a moving scene a schizophrenic Gollum argues with his other nature, seduced by the Ring, over how to respond to Frodo’s kindness. The facial expressions alternate pitiful and crafty. Later Frodo lures Gollum into a trap and, in Gollum’s eyes, betrays him (even though Frodo did it to save Gollum's life), breaking the fragile trust that might have turned Gollum's corrupt and unnaturally-long life around.

Gollum is a pathetic creature. That second film ends with Gollum leading Frodo and his faithful companion Samwise toward what readers of the books know will be a trap. The song that runs through the credits is slow and anguished.

Where once was light,
Now darkness falls;
Where once was love,
Love is no more.
Don't say goodbye;
Don't say I didn't try.

Gollum thinks his feeble efforts to break out of his isolation and addiction should have been enough, but they weren't. As he closes the door to any sincere human compassion, he blames Frodo for his failures.

These tears we cry
Are falling rain
For all the lies you told us,
The hurt, the blame!
And we will weep to be so alone.
We are lost;
We can never go home.

As someone who has moved around A LOT! that’s the line that tears me apart the most. “We are lost; we can never go home.” I find myself comparing Gollum to the human condition. “We are lost; we can never go home.” To use the old religious language, sin has separated us from God. The relationship our heavenly Father planned for us in Eden was broken, not just by Adam’s sin, but by my own selfish choices. Much as I would like to blame my pride, my thoughtlessness, my resentments and my ingratitude on someone else, I can’t. As the Apostle Paul said, “I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway.... Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.” (Romans 7, The Message)

Gollum is tragic. He has suffered so much from years of isolation. He was tortured by the orcs of Sauron for information about Bilbo. The power of the Ring has created in him (as it does in Frodo) an overwhelming addiction to its possession, which has corrupted his very soul.

It’s not his fault! I want to say.

And yet Gollum is not innocent. His possession of the Ring began with murder. Across the years he has committed many terrible deeds without pity. He had choices, as Frodo has choices, . . . as I have choices. Sam is right to call Gollum vile ... as God is right to call my sin vile. And yet God didn’t turn away from my vileness. When he found me like an abandoned baby tossed on the rubbish heap, covered with blood and filth (Ezekiel 16), he didn’t reject me.

Jesus tells the story of a young man who told his father he wished he was dead, took his inheritance and squandered it (Luke 15:11-22). But when he came to his senses and returned home, his father had been waiting for him and ran to meet him.

Without Christ we are like Gollum:

And you will weep
When you face the end alone.
You are lost;
You can never go home.
You are lost;
You can never go home.

 In Christ, I can go home.

.

___

When LeAnne Hardy has lived in six countries on four continents. Home is wherever her family is together. Her books for children and young people come out of her passion for stories that will stay with them throughout their lives. Find out more on her website. (This post is reprinted from her blog, My Not-so-ordinary World.)

THE SAMPLE LADY---by Christine Lindsay

Have you ever tried to give away---for free---something truly good and people stride past you as if you were offering them poison?

In order to support my writing habit I have a part-time marketing job that I work at on weekends. I demonstrate various products at a large department store. On any given weekend I could be giving out free samples from everything from cat food to serving pancakes to free chocolates.

Now granted we don’t all like the same things. What a boring world that would be if we did.

If shoppers don’t want what I offer then a polite smile and a no-thank-you would suffice as people move past me and my serving tray.

But alas, when I’ve held out my tray of chocolates in their cute little plastic cups, I’d swear some people think I’m trying to shorten their life.

Thankfully most people realize it’s only a free gift, something with no cost to give them a moment’s joy. And they’re under no obligation to buy. My job is to give out the samples. No coercion involved.

It often reminds me of the times I try to tell others about my relationship with Christ—how wonderful it is. How free I feel to enjoy life, and how I obtained this relationship by simply recognizing it as a gift and reaching out to take it and enjoy it.

Sadly, too many of my relatives and acquaintances look at my bond with the Lord as something that will rob them of fun and good times. They fail to see it as the most wonderful thing in the world.

But I often find that when someone does take a tiny bit of a risk and decides to try something from my sample tray, their eyes widen in surprise. And they make speak with a mouth full and say, “Oh my, I didn’t think I’d like it, but that’s really good.”

As far as the greatest free gift of all---a relationship with the King of Kings, well, I’ll keep gently holding out my metaphoric sample tray, and one day those people around me will look up into the Lord’s face and say with awe, “Oh my, I didn’t think I’d love you, but your love for me takes my breath away.”

That’s what I’m praying for them.

Have a very Merry Christmas, and I pray that if you've never accepted the greatest gift of all, that you will this year.

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jeus our Lord."

I invite you to drop by my website www.ChristineLindsay.com and visit me, or if you like a Historical novel that will sweep you away to India then you may like Shadowed in Silk.