What's on Heaven's Bookshelf?

Where does God keep His books? No, I’m not being facetious, for it is a fact that the Almighty has books in heaven. Who looks after them is not mentioned, or where they are stored, but they are there. I believe God was the original author and we have the privilege of following His lead. Maybe the reason for our overstocked bookcases can be attributed the sharing in this interest of God too.

How the psalmist knew of this he doesn’t say. This is what he records: ‘Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed.’ Psalm 139:16.

I wonder what God wrote beside each day the psalmist lived? Do I wonder what He writes in the columns of my days? Sometimes!

Books are mentioned a few times in Revelation. The one in chapter 5 caused John to weep loudly and feel deeply for it appeared no one could open it. That was until the Lamb stepped forward. It opened up issues people have been discussing ever since. Does that book relate to the book sealed in Daniel 12? In that chapter God made what was written an intriguing mystery. The account doesn’t say how Daniel felt but as he had been privileged with other future events I think he would have shed a tear or two also.

In Revelation 20 there are two, maybe three books highlighted. They are judicial books which will strike fear into those called before the throne. The book of life mentioned in both Testaments, (Exodus32:32-33.Psalm 69:28) a record of personal works seeking salvation through them. How sad will the verdict be as by such works no one can reach the standard required without Jesus as Lord and Saviour! Only by faith in Him can a person be recorded in another book titled ‘The Lambs book of Life.’ (Revelation 13:8). A person’s name though foreknown comes alight when that individual calls out to Jesus the crucified and risen Lord.

I have to admit I’m intrigued by a small scroll in Revelation 10:8-10. John had to take it and eat it. Was this a special and one off, limited edition? Sweet to the mouth, bitter to the stomach it had to be ‘regurgitated’ by John through his pen. None of us should have an idea that our writings are divinely inspired, but there is a principle shown here. What is it? What we receive from the Lord is pleasing to our taste. However when we share it with others they reject it. The result, we feel a sense of the bitterness of the moment, for the person and their loss which is ultimately sourness to their soul.

The final book I find on Heaven’s bookshelf is mentioned in Malachi 3:16. It is called ‘a book of remembrance.’ The name of those inscribed was because the revered the Lord and encouraged one another. They did this in troublesome times and the Lord was so pleased He underwrote their names with ‘They shall be mine. My special possession.’ Is this a one off book? Could it also be applied to Hebrews 10:23-25? There we read of a Church facing persecution. How did they rise about the pain, shame and loss? They held fast their faith. They believed in the faithfulness of the One who promised. They provoked each other to love [each other and their persecutors] and good deeds. They met together for mutual encouragement and may I add, to remember the Lord in teaching and communion.

That’s a book I’d like my name to be etched in. It is, however, Heaven’s book of those in hostile places who stand true to Christ and each other. Should you or I be facing such situations may, by God’s grace we stand true.

©Ray Hawkins September 2016.

The Warrior Lord's Sword is my latest 31 day Devotional. Scripture has a lot to say about itself. This centres around Hebrews 4:12.

My Problem with Prayer

I’ve a problem with prayer Lord. 

Not with the fact of prayer. Rather it is with the way I tend to pray. Without wanting to be critical Lord, I also have a problem with the way many others express it too. I read such passages as Romans 15:30-32 and then see its outworking as being different to what was asked. ‘I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed.

In that passage Paul asks his readers to join him in his struggles. They can do this through prayer. I’m assuming that such co-strugglers have him on their prayer list and know about his needs. He does go on to list a couple of the problems which he sees looming up. The Greek word for ‘struggle’ comes from a word describing a fight witnessed in the public games. It is an engagement in conflict. Paul wants his readers to join him in a fight. He invites them to contend with the forces opposing the Gospel and the glory of Jesus. In this case, it is centred in the ministry of Paul.

Would I sign up to that?

My prayers seem to belong to the lounge room, not the fighting arena.

My concern stems from the fact that Paul wasn’t saved from the Jewish authority’s entrapment. (Acts 21:27- 26:32) They got him on trumped up charges. He got out of these by appealing to Caesar. What went wrong with prayer?

    

I’ve prayed for a variety of matters. Some answered, quite a few not. I’ve heard some rather strong prayer requests, especially for healing, which go unresolved. (We are clever in explaining that away) What I do see in Paul’s journey to Jerusalem is that you were answering his and their prayers - but he wasn’t listening. Agabus told him what waited if he, Paul, went to Jerusalem. The apostle was adamant, willing to suffer and die for the cause. Commendable it may be but was it your first choice for him? You over ruled so as to fulfil your Word to him about talking the gospel to kings, including Caesar. On the matter of his specific request it was not answered. Why? It appears that his determination to be in Jerusalem made him deaf to the way you were answering his prayer requests.

        

I stand guilty Lord of doing the same thing. I confess however that in your mercy you over-ruled the ‘deafness’ and its consequences. You were able to fulfil your purposes another way. I am so grateful for your foreknowledge and faithfulness.

         

That’s my problem Lord. I pray and then proceed to do my interpretation of how you will answer the prayer. Forgive me is my plea. Make me more attentive and sensitive to your promptings

            Prayer is essential I know, otherwise, you wouldn’t have asked us to pray.

            Therefore Lord, teach me to pray.’

            Prayer is more than a lounge room activity. It’s made for the arena.

            Therefore Lord, train me in prayer.

            Prayer is on behalf of others, more than on myself.

            Therefore Lord, show me those for whom you want me to pray.

            Prayer is allowing me the privilege of participation in the ministry of another.

Therefore Lord, I thank you for prayer.

©Ray Hawkins 2016.

check Ray's blogsite for his bio and books etc. http://rayhawkinsauthor.blogspot.com.au

The Cross before Time

You know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your fore–fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 1 Peter 1:18-20.

The Lord God’s foreknowledge made Him well aware of Adam’s future act of treason in Eden. Being expelled from the garden would seem, on the surface, a mild rebuke rather than a judicial decree. The declaration about death also doesn’t appear to be very frightening. Only as the record unfolds do we gain an appreciation of the horror and dread sin unleashed. A question remained. How could the holy God still communicate with the expelled couple, and later, their offspring?

Strange though it may be the answer is given in the closing book of the Bible. Revelation 13:8b tells us that the Lamb (a title for Jesus) was slain from the creation of the world. God could only bear with Adam and his offspring because in God’s mind the Cross had already taken place. God was able to deal with humanity because He looked at them through the Cross. This is still the only way He can deal with the world. One day, in His time, the Lord will say, ‘It’s judgment time!’ On that day He won’t be looking at people through the cross. He will be assessing them from his throne!

In the book of Job, one of the friends makes a very pertinent quote, ‘How then can a man be righteous before God? How can one born of a woman be pure? If even the moon is not bright and the stars are not pure in his eyes, how much less man…’ (Job 25:4-6a). In Genesis 3 Adam and Eve tried to make themselves respectable to God by covering themselves with fig leaves. It was an attempt to camouflage their true condition. There was no repentance and there was no indication of sin’s action being atoned.

In Genesis 3:21 is the act of real atonement. The word atonement refers to a covering. ‘The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.’ This was provided so as not to be offensive to God and thereby be destroyed. The initiative was God’s. It cost the life of a substitute animal. Here is a shadow of God’s answer to the quote from Job: the only way to be righteous before God is for someone to pay the price for our covering.

When Revelation 13:8b speaks of ‘a Lamb slain’ the word for slain refers to an act of slaying for the purpose of sacrifice. Within the sacrificial system of ancient Israel animals were slain as a substitute for the individual or nation. The shadow cast by the sacrificial system of Israel is fulfilled in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Before time had begun the Godhead knew the consequences of creation mixed with freewill. God was willing to pay the price! The Lord was without sin. He fulfilled the requirements of the Mosaic Law. Therefore He was able to offer Himself as our atonement.

We are not automatically covered, and thereby protected, from God the Father’s justice. Faith must compel us to cry out to the Lord to forgive and to cover us. Only then are we fit to stand before Him. How beautiful is Galatians 3:26-27. ‘You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.’

Ray Hawkins

This is a day's devotional  from His book 'Captured by Calvary.'

http://rayhawkinsauthor.blogspot.com.au

DEVOTION: Jesus View of Why He Came ~ by Ray Hawkins.

Christians look at Christmas through the joy of self-interest. We celebrate the fact that he came to save and sanctify people through identification and the cross. We sing carols about the event and do nativity scenes of angels, shepherds and wise men. However, do we bother to check out from the Gospels some of His explanations for humbling His deity and being clothed in humanity?

We concentrate on the Love of God and forget His Holiness which cannot abide evil.

Christmas is John 3:16. God does love His world but Jesus also came with words of judgement John 9:39. Love provides the place of safety from coming judgement. 

Luke 19:10. “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost” Why? If there isn’t any Judgment and every road leads to Heaven, it was a waste of time. However the apostle Paul’s testimony is that Jesus came into this world to save sinners, and he, Paul, was the chief of them,1 Timothy 1:15.

Christmas is also much more than a choice between salvation and judgment. In John 10:10b Jesus says He came to give abundant life. In God’s sight Humanity was dead in sin. Jesus came to bring us alive to God. To do this meant Calvary’s cross. However, in our new life Jesus still warns about forces intent on robbing us of the joy, wonder and hope of this relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He called them thieves and bandits who seek to kill, steal and destroy.

John 12:46 “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” How dark this world would be without the Light of the Lord Jesus and His power to transform a person from the inside out. There would be the despair of trying to prove to an unknown god how good you are and knowing you can never be good enough. There would be the despair of being a slave to your failures and past indifference to God and His word. Without the Light which came to us through Bethlehem we could never know forgiveness offered by a merciful God.

The lights on the Christmas tree are there to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world and whoever believes in Him will never walk in darkness but have the light of life. John 8:12.

There are many more reasons why Jesus came. Do some research and enter into the realm of the wonder of God’s grace to a lost and rebellious world.

©Ray Hawkins

Ray Hawkins writes Biblically-themed Devotional Meditations. His 31 Day Devotionals include: Children, God’s special Interest; From Eden with Love (re. Marriage); Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby; Captured by Calvary; Dynamic Ageing; Signposts to Happiness (Beatitudes in Scripture). Also a book of Poems, ‘We Love Because.’

See his blog for a list of his devotionals.

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DEVOTION: Our Heart Decides What We See ~ Ray Hawkins

What you see is dependent upon what possesses your heart.

Given the first choice by his uncle Abram Lot’s decision revealed the priority of his heart. It was infected and affected by the Egyptian interlude (Genesis 13:10). Abram was left with Canaan, which was were his heart lay. It was the land of promise and testing.

The test came when the son of promise faced death and Abraham’s (with his name changed) trust in God’s assurance. That would require Isaac’s resurrection. By God’s grace both were spared the ordeal. God called on Abraham to lift up his eyes and stay his hand. What did he see? A ram caught in the thicket. The ram became the substitute for Isaac.

The psalmists tell us on numerous occasions to ‘lift up ‘ either our eyes in psalm 121, our soul in psalm 25:1 and our voice in psalm 28:2 and our hands in psalm 63:4. The question to be asked concerns the reason and motivation for doing this. In turn what colours the heart determines not only what we see but how the Lord responds. James 4:10 shares with us the necessary heart set. It is humility. We have surrendered our lives to Jesus as the Christ and Lord.

Why would we do that?

Because we have realised this Jesus is the Son of God. He was lifted up for us according to John 8:28. 12:32-34. He was lifted up to draw all eyes to Him as the one Promised according to the Scriptures. It is also stated in John 3:14-17 that people might look to Him and in believing have eternal life. His resurrection and His fulfilment of Scripture plus the transformation of our lives and destiny are our grounds of assurance. Others have looked at the ‘lifted up’ Jesus on the cross and only see a fool, failure or martyr. Their heart of pride, prejudice and ignorance caused them to choose to deride or discredit Him and the cross and dismiss the resurrection and Biblical testimony.

It is when we lift up our hearts through faith in Christ as Lord and Saviour we experience a beautiful benediction. Given by Yahweh to the tribe of Aaron it was to bless the nation of Israel and one I like to believe also applies to us. ‘The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.’ Numbers 6:26.

©Ray Hawkins August 29 2015.

Ray Hawkins writes Biblically themed Devotional Meditations. His 31 Day Devotionals include: Children, God’s special Interest. From Eden with Love (re. Marriage). Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby. Captured by Calvary. Dynamic Ageing. Signposts to Happiness (Beatitudes in Scripture). Also a book of Poem ‘We Love Because.’

Blog site: http://rayhawkinsauthor.blogspot.com.au

DEVOTION: Mistakes in the Bible ~ by Ray N. Hawkins

Reading: 2 Timothy 3:10-17

The open air preacher stated his theme. It was ‘Mistakes in the Bible.’ Someone in the crowd yelled out “Good on you preacher, I always knew there were mistakes in the Bible!”

“Yes” said the preacher, “There’s the mistake of Adam, the mistake of Cain, the mistake of the rich young ruler! There are so many mistakes recorded and who made them. In the Bible you’ll find your mistake there too!”

The mistakes we make, in the Biblical terms are not merely misdemeanours. We understand the mistake of imagining we are good enough for God. Romans 3:23 speaks to that. However as a Christian I find I have a recurring mistake which subtly undermines my walk with the Lord. It’s called ‘taking God for granted.’

How? Oh, in so many ways. I expect Him to bless me even when I’m not walking in the light of His word. I pray, not for wisdom to witness for Him in difficult circumstance, but for an escape hatch. I long for God to change people’s attitude but leave mine alone. I wonder why God isn’t pulling out the weeds in my soul, even though I keep opening ‘the packets' they’re stored in and ingesting them.

One thing I’ve learnt about the Lord when I’m in that spiritual wasteland, He won’t leave me that way. He has His ways and means to ‘open my eyes to my condition.’ Sometimes it has been gentle. Sometimes it has been tough. Every-time it has been with love and mercy.

I’m so thankful that our Lord and Saviour will not endure being ‘taken for granted’ for too long. Making us see ourselves as wanderers in a spiritual wasteland is not a pretty sight. Then He points us to the ever-flowing stream of cleansing, refreshing and re-invigorating grace. We do not need to be prisoners of our mistakes, or blackmailed by Satan because me made them. Rather, after being made right with God, let mistakes be stepping stones of praise to God for His care for us.

Ray Hawkins is retired after 30 years as a minister and lives in Tasmania with his author wife, Mary Hawkins.

His books of Biblical meditations include: 31 day devotionals on Children: God’s Special Interest. From Eden with Love (Re Marriage). Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby. Captured by Calvary. Dynamic Ageing. Signposts to Happiness (the beatitudes from Scripture). See them on his blog, ttp://rayhawkinsauthor.blogspot.com.au

DEVOTION: When God Smiles~ by Ray Hawkins

In a previous devotional we read about God’s desire to bless Israel with the Aaronic blessing. His promise was to look upon them and ‘smile’ as they kept His covenant. The Psalmists claimed this fact of grace during their difficult experiences.

Unfortunately, Israel broke the Covenant too many times. This caused a sad record to be written up by Isaiah in 64:7b: you have hidden your face from us, and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity. Why had this happened? They had become unclean and their righteousness was as a filthy cloth. After the Babylonian exile and Malachi’s exhortations and warnings had ended it seemed around 400 years of silence descended upon the nation.

Would God ever smile upon them again? Did this mean the Gentiles would be left to their despair and spiritual darkness? Again, it is Isaiah who pointed the faithful to a future event. ‘The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them the light has shined.’ Has that happened? How would we ever know for how can God’s ‘shining’ be tangible? Read Matthew 4:12-17. Isaiah’s prophecy is quoted. It is applied to Jesus and His ministry.

There God smiled with a radiance into history through His Son who would become, and now is our, Saviour and Lord. For two thousand years God’s smile has beamed onto this planet and its people. That’s the power of the Gospel and the privilege of letting it be known. 2 Corinthians 4:6 It is God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

For Israel and the Gentiles God can still shine upon them through His Son. How it is possible to gaze into the unseen face of our Lord? Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit making His word alive to our heart and mind. What does that do for us? Unveils our lord and Saviour to our spirits for the Holy Spirit delights to make Jesus Christ known to us individually. The strength of our knowing and ‘seeing’ Jesus depends on how faithfully we are walking in the light of His teachings. (1 John 1:5-7)

Is there yet another aspect associated with God’s ‘shining’ and history? Definitely! There are numerous portions dedicated to this future event when Christ returns. Again Isaiah points us to it. Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples, but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Then the fullness of the Aaronic blessing will be seen and we by God’s grace will bask in it also. Thank you Lord. There, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east; the sound was like the sound of mighty waters; and the earth shone with his glory. (Ezekiel 43:2) 


http://rayhawkinsauthor.blogspot.com.au

Ray Hawkins: Devotional books: 31 day devotionals on Children: God’s Special Interest. From Eden with Love (Re Marriage). Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby. Captured by Calvary. Dynamic Ageing. Signposts to Happiness (the beatitudes from Scripture)

DEVOTION: When God Shines On Us ~ by Ray Hawkins

The Lord gave a beautiful blessing through Aaron to Israel recorded in Numbers 6:24. The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

How would they know that the Lord God Almighty was pleased with them? They could be kept even when faced with great opposition. There would be the awareness of God’s covenantal grace. They would know Yahweh’s indwelling peace. When the nation walked contrary to their covenant the result seemed as though God had looked away. The nation was vulnerable, grace seemed in short supply and there certainly wasn’t any inner or outward peace.

There are some quotes in the Psalms dealing with the ‘shine’ from the face of God. Asaph wrote Psalm 80 and it highlights the nation’s longing through their disgrace and defeat. Three times Asaph appeals to God to shine on them so that they might be saved. (Psalm 80:3,7,19). David in Psalm 31:16:’Let your face shine upon your servant; save me in your steadfast love.’ In Psalm 119:135 the writer equates the experience of knowing God’s smile through knowing and keeping God’s word.

It interests me that various writers hark back to the blessing by Aaron. They sought His face, acknowledged their errors and as it were, claimed His promise.

Is there something similar we as Christians can cling too? Is there a blessing for us from the triune God? 2 Corinthians 13:13; ‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.’ How awesome is that? Grace for us through life’s turbulence. Love for us even though He knows us. Communion with the Holy Spirit so that we can share with God our everyday events, hopes and fears. What is the place where this takes place? Where His breath is felt! 2 Timothy 3:16 (the word for ‘inspired’ is ‘God breathed.’)

The wonder of that relationship is expressed in 2 Corinthians 3:18 ‘All of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.’

___________________________

Ray Hawkins. Devotional author of ‘Children: God’s Special Interest.’ ‘From Eden with Love’ (Re. Marriage) 'Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby.' 'Captured by Calvary.' 'Dynamic Ageing.' 'Signposts to Happiness (31 insights from Scripture on the term Beatitudes)'


http://rayhawkinsauthor.blogspot.com.au

Shirley's Writing Process--blog tour relay

This post is part of a blog post relay for which I received batons from two different authors. You wouldn't think I was running a relay here as I sat in the sun working on my laptop! Great for inspiration. Not so good for the eyes!

The first baton came from Marion Ueckermann, a South African writer whose debut novelette, Helsinki Sunrise, will be released 22 August 2014 by Pelican Book Group (White Rose Publishing) as part of the Passport to Romance series.

Marion blogs for International Christian Fiction Writers and Beauty for Ashes. She belongs to Christian Writers of South Africa and American Christian Fiction Writers. Marion lives in Pretoria East, South Africa in an empty nest with her husband and their crazy black Scottie, Wally. You can read about herwriting process at the ICFW blog, or visit her at her website, http://apebbleinmypocket.com/

The second baton came from LeAnne Hardy, an author who has lived in six countries on four continents as a writer and missionary librarian. Her plots and settings are inspired by these diverse locations. She currently writes and does freelance editing from a lake in the Northwoods of Wisconsin where she and her husband enjoy visitors, especially grandchildren. You can read about LeAnne's writing process here and you can also visit her at her website, www.leannehardy.net.

Thank you both of you for this fun blog relay!

In order to participate in this blog tour, I have to answer four specific questions, then pass on the baton to a further three writers whom you can read about at the end.

So here goes:

1) WHAT AM I WORKING ON?

I have two works in progress. The working title of the main project is Out of the Shadows: Reflections of Lesser-known Women in the Bible.

What was it like to be the first and only woman? How did it feel to live on a giant boat with every type of living creature? Who was the first Christian evangelist recorded in history, and how thrilled was the old lady? And yes, I said old lady!

Have you ever thought of how it was to be the first woman to ever be pregnant? No other woman to assist you? No diapers? No books to read about dealing with two-year-olds? I am really enjoying the research as I look at the rarely-spoken-of characters behind some well-known names,like Sarai who was later called Sarah. Or Eve. Then there are the women whom we rarely hear mentioned in a sermon, such as Huldah, Jael, Anna and Elizabeth, not to mention the ladies who don’t have a name in Scripture—the Phoenician woman, the prostitute of Luke 7, the woman with the gynaecological problem, and others.

What can we learn about these women and what they went through? And more importantly, what do their lives say to us today? As I studied these ladies who appear in Scripture in the shadow of their famous husbands or other person, I was thrilled to learn how much their lives have to say to women who live today, perhaps under the shadow of an important husband or child, or an abusive relationship. Sometimes the shadow is even caused by the church they attend, or even the very fact that they are women. God created us all in His image, and He has so many exciting lessons for us, even if we think we live in the shadows.

My second project is Naomi's Long Road Home: Living with Heartbreak and Shattered Dreams. There are many books about Ruth. This is the story of Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law. What can we learn from the life of this brave woman of faith that will help us deal with our own times of heartache and shattered dreams? It would appear that this book would have come out of the previous one, but it actually worked the other way round. I had almost finished drafting this book, which I intend to release as an e-book, when I realised there were a whole lot more lesser-known women in Scripture with stories to tell. 

 
2) HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS OF ITS GENRE?

I have a problem deciding on my genre. All my published work is non-fiction, although I love writing novels for fun. (Seven times through NaNoWriMo proves that!) So the closest I can get is to say I write to inspire and encourage.

Where most Bible-based inspirational books stick with what is obvious in the Scripture passage, my goal is to enable readers to identify with the character’s emotions and behavior. I use anecdotes from modern situations where applicable, to bring the character to life in the minds of the readers, without departing from the truth as revealed in the Bible. In my current works I include background material taken from historical material and other parts of Scripture.

In Strength Renewed, Meditations for Your Journey through Breast Cancer (Revell/Baker 2012) I take the reader on a typical cancer journey, linking it with true-life anecdotes and relevant Scriptures. My desire is to encourage those facing this life-threatening disease as they see that God is with them all the way, even during the darkest times. This book truly was a miracle in progress all the way along the line. If you are interested in reading more of how it came about, you can follow this link.

I do not want people to see me as a wonderful writer of a true book, but to see a true book about a wonderful God.

3) WHY DO I WRITE WHAT I DO?

I love God’s Word and have a passion for helping others to apply it to their lives. Scripture tells us that all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. Sometimes it is difficult to associate what we’re going through with the Word of God. I see my writing as an opportunity to help people bring the two together. I also enjoy looking for God at work in every day life, and I love to turn those events into story form. 

4) HOW DOES MY WRITING PROCESS WORK?

I do have a desk in an office which I share with my retired-pastor husband. However, I tend to write in different locations, one of my favourite being outside with my laptop as you can see above, or first thing in the morning before getting up. I do this particularly when I get inspiration for a devotional message during my Quiet Time.

Because I write mainly non-fiction, I start off with an idea of what I want the final work to be like. However, I am very much a seat-of-the-pants writer in that once I know where I’m headed I just go. I am also an inveterate note-taker. I jot down ideas in note-books, on the back of envelopes, on scraps of paper, on the back of important documents (!), and if all else fails on the palm of my hand. When I open my Bible in Church I have to be careful not to scatter pieces of paper in all directions.

Out of the Shadows, came out of my daily Quiet Time with the Lord. I noticed how many women there were in the Bible whom I really knew very little about. For example, Noah had a wife three sons and three daughters-in-law. That’s virtually all I knew about the women. They existed, and they went on a boat trip. A very long boat trip. I started thinking about Noah’s wife and all she must have gone through. I realised how much we could figure out about her from the Scriptures and from what we know about the culture of the time, and I knew I had to write about her. I then drew up a list of just about all the women in the Bible that we didn’t know much about. In some cases, the names were quite well known, but not the personalities.

It was nearly November, and I wanted to enter NaNoWriMo once last time. (This is the third time I've done it for the last time.) So I created two characters, Carey and Ross, and set one of them (Carey) to work to write the book. Ross, a fledgling Christian kept asking questions or disagreeing, which gave Carey opportunity to explain more about the character of the day. So I could honestly say I was writing a novel, although I had no intention of that being the final outcome.

Commencing on November 1, I wrote and researched flat out, completing the initial draft in three weeks. I then left it for two months partly because of Christmas and other deadlines, but also because I felt I needed to step back from it for a period. Where I had originally intended it to be a book of devotions, I realised it had turned out to be more of a book of reflections based on these women. The theme changed to be more of an encouraging meditation on their lives and the encouragement for us to stand tall, out of the shadows, and be the women God ordained us to be.

And so in February with a clearer picture of what the finished book should be like, I started a rewrite of the book. I am feeding the chapters to my critique group as I go, and once I’ve finished the rewrite I will start the editing and polishing process.

Because I live in S.Africa, publication is an even bigger challenge that for many other writers. My last book, Strength Renewed, Meditations for Your Journey through Breast Cancer, was published as a result of contacts made when I attended a Christian Writers Conference in America. I don’t see that happening again, so I’m hoping to find an interested agent.

And so now it gives me great pleasure to pass three batons on to the following gifted writers and cyber friends:

Ray Hawkins is a retired Churches of Christ (Australia) minister. Married to Mary, a multi-published Christian Romance author, their three children and six grandchildren are their pride and joy. Ray still preaches, and he writes themed devotionals printed by Even Before Publishing. He assists at his son’s Seahorse World tourist business in Tasmania. Ray and Mary have been on three short-term mission trips to Africa. You can read about Ray's writing process on his blog on May 19th.


LeAnn Campbell is a retired special education teacher in SW Missouri, wife, mother, and grandmother. She is the author of a four-book Century Farm mystery series for kids (book #5, Secret Wall Mystery, to be released soon), published by OakTara. Book #6, Abandoned Schoolhouse Mystery, is her latest Work-in-Progress. The books are Christian, and she takes them into public and private school classrooms, where the students eagerly contribute ideas for the stories. You can read more about LeAnn's writing process on her blog on May 19th.


Heidi M. Thomas grew up on a working ranch in eastern Montana. She had parents who taught her a love of books and a grandmother who rode bucking stock in rodeos. Describing herself as “born with ink in her veins,” Heidi followed her dream of writing with a journalism degree from the University of Montana and later turned to her first love, fiction, to write her grandmother’s story.

Her first novel, Cowgirl Dreams, has won an EPIC Award and the USA Book News Best Book Finalist award. Follow the Dream, a WILLA Award winner, is the second book in the “Cowgirl Dreams" series about strong, independent Montana women. Dare to Dream completes the trilogy.

Heidi is a member of Women Writing the West and Professional Writers of Prescott. She is an avid reader of all kinds of books, enjoys the sunshine and hiking in north-central Arizona, where she writes, edits, and teaches memoir and fiction writing classes. Read more about Heidi's writing process on May 19th.

DEVOTION: Love Does Not Boast ~ by Ray Hawkins

Self promotion is an art form today. It’s made easier with so much computer technology and social networking being available. Such an attitude may be advisable for job interviews but it has its dangers. As writers we are called upon to promote our work. Nothing wrong in that, unless. Unless what? Unless we live, breathe, believe and inflict our press releases upon others as though there isn’t any other dimension. Proverbs 27:2 gives us some positive boundaries on this matter: ‘Let another praise you, and not your own mouth – a stranger, and not your own lips.’

However, what Paul is on about to the Corinthians is about relationships not selling. In 1Corinthians 13:4b two close knit words are used to describe what Love isn’t. Boasting is one and implies the flaunting of one’s abilities. Proud is the other and as the King James Version has it, ‘puffed up’ which implies vanity and self deception. It would seem that such an attitude was the atmosphere of Corinth. The old song ‘anything you can do I can do better’ descriptive of pagan society seems to have found its way into the Church. That made esteeming others better than yourself difficult at best, galling at worst. This was especially so when the ‘elite’ of society were worshipping with the ‘lower classes’ and everyone was called ‘brothers or sisters.’

Paul’s challenge to his readers was to understand the real problem of the heart. It was a dearth of Christ’s love within the believer’s. The answer, fall in love more deeply with the Lord. That will control the ‘I’ problem. How does that come about? By love’s ability to create a sense of awareness of others! It does not deny the facts about personal ability or achievement. It simply rearranges their priority in relational terms.

In God’s presence we realise that no matter how important we think we are, when compared to God we are all slum cities. The awesomeness of what He has done in our life through commitment to Jesus is seen in what we are now called. We are Temples of the Most High God. He has made us beautiful. That old hymn still rings true as it states, ‘Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.’ All within the community of grace are undeserved recipients of Christ’s favour and transformation

That is why self exaltation is so dangerous. It makes us deaf to the pain and needs of others. The grace of the Lord Jesus puts us all on a level foundation, each with particular gifts, abilities and histories, yet all are valued members of the family of faith. We all have stories worth listening too. Love gives space for that to happen even to the most unlikely of persons Love helps us look at others from the bible’s viewpoint, not social status or worldly achievement. Love cleans our ears to hear what they’re saying. Love opens our eyes to see how others are travelling.

Love for Christ Jesus allows the Holy Spirit to unleash His word and influence through us without any sense of self–delusion or superiority. His presence within releases us to be genuinely thrilled at the successes, achievements and even the attempts of others. Love delights in the Lord. Therefore it can appreciate the worth and achievements of others. Love ennobles those with whom we live, work, worship and play. When that happens, appreciation, intimacy and unity begin to permeate each of our lives.

I guess that is one reason why I appreciate the Christian Writers scene. Sure we do our promotions, however we also help promote the work of each other. Sure we have to talk up what our writing and stories are about, but we also acknowledge the work and worth of our colleagues. Sure we have not met everyone in our scene, yet there is an interest and a support for those still unknown. That must be love!

DEVOTION: Love Keeps No Record ~ by Ray Hawkins

Forgetting is the prerogative of God.

This is an act of His sovereign choice and power. It is possible because of the grace and work of Jesus Christ on the cross. ‘I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more’ emphasises God’s forgiving and forgetting.

Humanity finds forgetting impossible.

Memories may lay dormant for years, then someone presses a certain ‘button’ and up surges pleasant or unpleasant events. As Christians this can be very annoying, especially in relational matters associated with worship and ministry. Such a fact of life can make us feel depressed with our spiritual maturity or lack of it. When we read Paul’s statement that Love keeps no record of wrongs done against it we smell failure. Love may want to lock bad experiences, malicious words, disappointments in a chest and throw away the key, but memory won’t let it.

How impossible this makes the fulfilling of Love’s desire.

God requires us to worship and serve Him with a clean relational record sheet. Calvary is the ground on which grace made such a clean sheet possible. Putting the cross between our memory and the offending person will prove our memory’s protection. This is the merciful power of Love. It reaches up for the covering of Christ, His atonement, to place over our personal hurts. Then by His grace we can honestly pray for the one or many who have cut our soul. In Christ’s strength we will wait opportunity to speak with the person or persons concerned. Then when we worship the Lord in the company of those who have hurt us we are delivered from hypocrisy. Jesus Christ sees our scars as we perceive His in the joy of the Eucharist. In God’s sight, scars can be beautiful expressions of Love. The unhealthy alternative is a festering sore on heart and mind with its detrimental impact on our worship, witness and walk.

The clean relational sheet is also God’s way for our spiritual sanity. It protects us from being blackmailed by past events. This saves our minds from emotional overload, sour relationships within or outside the Church, and the tendency towards revenge. Love saves us from such tyranny.

Love’s not keeping record of offences indicates that the issues have been dealt with biblically. There is no residue of animosity. Forgiveness has been offered. Reconciliation attempted.

We cannot forget!

We can forgive!

By the atoning power of Love we can cover our memory’s record sheet. If and when something arouses the matter again what is our response. Praise the Lord it has been dealt with and settled in God’s sight. Why do we desire this?  It is what the Love of God has done for us. Applying Love to our own heart and then to others creates both the healing process and the joy of the Lord to our hearts. Then we can genuinely care for, worship with, work alongside and walk in  the same direction with those who have had an unfortunate imprint upon our memory.                                                                             

Ray Hawkins has a Christmas devotional published by Even Before Publishing called ‘Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby.’ 

It is a 31-day biblical meditation on aspects of Christmas as written in the Scriptures. It is also available as an Ebook. 

Visit Ray's blog or e-mail him.


©Ray (not keeping accounts) Hawkins. http://rayhawkinsauthor.blogspot.com.au

MORE THAN A FEVER

My husband, Ray Hawkins, gave me this fun article and I can’t resist sharing it with you. Okay, he doesn’t write fiction just devotional books and articles which God often uses to bless and challenge me. Some are included on this blog’s Friday devotions.

I am wondering if any other writers can identify with his thoughts!

Sitting around in an easy chair seemed like a great idea. Recovering from day surgery provided the excuse. Sunshine drew me into its beams. There I sat lost in daydream land. Not for long. Words began to run riot in the mind. I tried to erase them but they wouldn’t disappear.

 

Gone, yes gone was my lazy day in the sun. I couldn’t resist the urge to grab pen and paper. Ideas and quotes required attention. Then it was off to renew my acquaintance with the computer. (It had been twenty four hours since last we inter-faced). The mouse squealed with delight at the touch of my fingers and the computer jumped into life.

My body wanted to lie on a bed. My stomach longed for sustenance. My mind was as light as fairy–floss (cotton candy) but my fingers danced upon the keyboard. Through fuzzy eyes (or was it a mind shrouded in the aftermath of anaesthetics?) words assembled themselves. Captured! Yes I was captured, if not enraptured, by the marshalling of words on screen. 

 

As I typed away I felt as if I had run a marathon. That was strange as I had never run more than the length of a cricket pitch. Not that I’ve done that lately either. The body was screaming, “To the couch old boy, to the couch”. But the chair held me fast. 

 

Time passed. Was it hours? No! Ten minutes of delightful agony had crawled by.

“That’s it! Yes, that’s it!”

Somehow or other the missing element of my world shattering, devotional meditation has invaded my empty space. (Some define that as my mind.) The lure of the couch was overcome. I must record my invasive thought before it is swallowed in the black hole of forgetfulness.  

The computer screen reflected my feverish inspiration. Was it not brilliant? Well, maybe it was just simply wonderful. I couldn’t decide which at that moment as nature called. I pressed the ‘save’ icon and went. I tried to find my way back to the computer but exhaustion led me to the bedroom.

Tomorrow (maybe even later to night?) I would be in better shape.

 

Something inside of me whispered, “I doubt it!”

 

Was it referring to my aftershocks from surgery or my infection and affliction defined as ‘Manuscript Mania.’ Whatever the term my seat in the sun will be empty until…!

 

Ray (a victim of M.M.) Hawkins.

 

And was this the book being released next February which was the end product of the above?

 

If not, perhaps it is the one next May, "Signpost To Happiness". 

 

 I am so delighted that  my husband sits for so long at the keyboard these days to share his deep thoughts from God's Word the way he does.

 

Would love some comments how you can identify with my husband's being a "victim of Manuscript Mania."

Mary is multi-published in Inspirational romance. All except her Baragula single title trilogy are now out of print. However, she is delighted her Barbour Heartsong Presents novels are again available to readers as e-books through their Truly Yours Digital Editions.

 

Check out the video trailer for her historical Great Southland series: http://youtu.be/mN5Mym_3doU

 

 

Oh yes, and another single title is in the pipeline for release in 2014.

 

 

DEVOTION: Lesson from a Seahorse ~ by Ray Hawkins

At the sea horse business our children own I often do the late night check. This simply means ensuring the water and air are on, there are no leaks and the lights are turned off with doors secured.

Most of the time things are okay. Still the need is there to make sure. There have been times when some little things have needed adjusting or after storms equipment requires checking. The sea horses are indifferent to all this. However should something go wrong they would feel it.

I would apply that to my own spiritual health. I need constant check-ups to see that my spirit is functioning well and my spiritual journey is going in the right direction. To read the bible,worship, pray and put into practice God's word is the way the Lord checks me out.

I'm glad my Lord and Saviour takes the time to cast His eye into and over my life. Across the years His intervention has saved me from some unpleasant failures. The sea horses don't appreciate my care for them. However I certainly appreciate the Lord keeping His eye on me.

Over to you: Can you name just one way in which the Lord has looked after you?

Ray Hawkins is retired after 30 years as a minister. 

He is author of five books of Biblical meditations which you can see on his blog site. His newly released, Bethlehem's Warrior Baby is about to hit the shelves.

Do visit his stunning new blog and say hello!

DEVOTION: The Craft Shop ~ by Ray Hawkins

The robbery of the Beaconsfield bank of its gold was sensational on July 23rd 1884. The amount stolen was 2,600 pounds equal to over $2 million dollars today.

Time has passed. So to has the bank. It is now a craft shop for the West Tamar craft creating people. The skills of the people from the area is wonderful. From wood turning to wool garments. Paintings and miniature dolls to jewellery and books. All and more is on display and sale.

I’m a volunteer there as my books and Mary’s sit begging people to peruse and purchase. Twice a month my days come around. It is interesting as folk from all around the world drop by.

As I look at the variety of the crafts it reminds me of the creative power the Lord has bestowed upon us. More than that I read in Ephesians 2:10 that when we give our lives to Christ Jesus by faith He makes us His unique masterpiece.

For many of us we remain works in progress. There seems to be some chip to smooth, a few loose threads to mend and maybe a fair bit of polishing to attend too. None of that detracts from the fact each of us are the Lord’s work. As the shop contains a wide range of creative work, so too does the Church.

When the Lord displays to the world what He has done it is often through people such as us. People com into the shop looking for something special for themselves or others. When people come to the Church there is a similar attitude. How wonderful it is when they spy what they need in your life or mine. Greater still the thrill to show how Christ Jesus through his word can create in that person also.

Over to you: In what area of your life is the Lord presently working?

Ray Hawkins is retired after 30 years as a minister. 

He is author of five books of Biblical meditations which you can see on his blog site. 

Do visit his stunning new blog and say hello!

DEVOTION: Fancy Fins ~ by Ray Hawkins

Saturday September 22nd I was involved with a new venture. I only had a very small part to play in it, as did Mary, but we were there! Craig and Rachelle Hawkins opened a new venture associated with Seahorse Australia. This was in their shed on Inspection head Wharf, Beauty Point Tasmania.

Fancy Fins is the name of their fresh water aquarium shop , officially opened that day. Included were a garage sale and sausage sizzle. Four of our six grandchildren helped out by selling books and videos or cooking and selling sausages.

It was a beautiful sunny day and drew lots and lots of people. There are still facets of the shop still to be finalised, still the people who came gave it the thumbs up, especially the local fish lovers.

God seems to delight in taking His disciples into new and challenging dimensions so as to make Himself known in a deeper way. For Craig, who is a professional forester with many years leadership in the area, the Lord has literally given him a ‘sea-change’. Our son is the first to admit the change-over was hard to adjust to.

Our Lord sometimes requires us to trust Him with new ventures of faith and obedience. Often it requires perseverance and determination, confident in the call of God. That fragrance permeates their whole business and has produced a testimony to the Lord’s faithfulness, especially through demanding days.

Over to you: What change has God led you into recently?

Ray Hawkins is retired after 30 years as a minister. 

He is author of five books of Biblical meditations which you can see on his blog site. 

Do visit his stunning new blog and say hello!

DEVOTION: Vitamin D for Good Health ~ by Ray Hawkins

I went to the doctor’s recently. He gave me a good pass considering my age. However he did write a script for me to purchase some vitamin D. I wasn’t sure if it was because of my being indoors too much or simply Tasmania’s weather through Autumn and Winter.

This vitamin is essential for producing calcium and sound bones which in turn prevents rickets. So a tablet a day keeps rickets and other nasties at bay.

Being a preacher I thought how good it would be if I could prescribe vitamin D in its spiritual form. Too many Christians suffer from a deficiency of being in the Son-light and suffer from a lack of stamina in their faith. Their spiritual strength and motivation suffers from the spiritual equivalent of rickets. Their Christian life, worship and enthusiasm is disjointed and unable to stand the strain of an ungodly society.

The most efficient manner for spending time in the Son-light is by a daily dose of Scripture and prayer. The Bible society has become alarmed at the poor spiritual health of church goers. To assist in their recovery of strength to handle life and motivation to obey the Lord it has produced a great ‘vitamin kit’. It’s called ‘Live Light in 25 words’. The idea is to take the time to read approximately 25 words from the Bible daily. This will bring the Light of God’s grace into your life. In return it will counter the spiritual ailments of living in the shadows of ignorance and unbelief.

Do you want to know where to begin this ‘treatment? Genesis is best. Next I’d recommend Gospel of Mark followed by the Psalms. Doing this will help you enjoy the promise of the Lord Jesus in John 8:12:’I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life’.

So in the words of the Apostle John in 3 John 2 ‘Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul’.

Over to you: How is your spiritual life today? Do you read your 25 words a day? Is that enough? Or do you read more?

Ray Hawkins is retired after 30 years as a minister. 

He is author of five books of Biblical meditations which you can see on his blog site. 

Do visit his stunning new blog and say hello!