Devotion: Birthday Gifts and Self-Care

by Sherma Webbe Clarke | @sdwc8181 

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers (3 John 2 NKJV). 

I celebrated a birthday recently. The blinding light from my birthday cake evidenced in a humbling way the fact that I’m getting older. I figure I probably should get used to demonstrating wisdom, because older people are expected to be wise, aren’t they? It’s going to take some time to perfect this wisdom thing, but I can pick up from my previous devotional post as a warm up. 

Wisdom doesn’t come from wishing on birthday candles nor does self-care. Over the years, I have learned self-care requires effort. I must decide to act if I want to overcome feeling overwhelmed. These reminders of ways to practice self-care are excellent birthday gifts. 

1. Count your blessings. 

When we’re too busy and overwhelmed, we forget to give thanks for our blessings. Jobs, parenting, responsibilities at church, housework, or furthering our education all clamor for our attention. Shifting the paradigm helps me see these same things as blessings. A demanding job provides support for the family. Diligence in housework creates a pleasing, hospitable atmosphere. But my attitude toward deadlines and responsibilities can bear witness to God’s power to give me peace in the midst of life’s turmoil. 

2. Slow Down. 

It sounds like an oxymoron: “I have so much to do, and you’re telling me to slow down?” Recharge. Breath. How much is really going to get done in the 15-20 minutes you take to have a nap, do some stretching, or watch a bird frolic in a puddle? 

3. Take a walk. 

Short. Long. Power. Stroll. Stretch your legs while giving your brain a break from worry or to-do lists. 

4. Play. 

Didn’t it feel great to play when you were a kid? Play hasn’t changed; we did. If you have children, they’ll be glad to help you rediscover your childhood, even for a few minutes. An energetic dog with a tug toy or ball works well, too. 

5. Write it down. 

There’s something therapeutic about writing down one’s feelings. I’ve kept journals for as long as I remember. Mostly, they contain conversations between God and me, lists of blessings, reflections, and occasionally a poem or two. 

6. Count to 10. 

Before impulsively agreeing to do something that you know you don’t have time to do—or do as well as you’d like—count to ten and think about a few things. How would saying ‘yes’ impact my to-do list? Is there anyone else who could complete this task instead of me? Can the deadline be altered to give me more time to accomplish it? Do I need more information before making a decision? 

Practicing self-care means looking after yourself and recognizing that your needs are important. It’s not a new concept. Jesus gave an example of self-care in Luke 4. He separated himself from the people and went to a deserted place (verse 42). Later, when the people found him, he had been refreshed to meet their needs. 

Jesus also defended the need for self-care. Martha criticized Mary for neglecting her household duties, but Jesus gently pointed out that Mary’s desire for spiritual refreshment was “needed” and “good” (Luke 10:38-42 NKJV). Let’s promise to do what’s good and needed so we can enjoy the healthy lives that God wants for us. 

What advice would you give your younger self about managing time when life gets busy? Is there a special scripture text that puts you at Jesus’ feet when you need to feel peace? 

About Sherma... 

Sherma Webbe Clarke is a contemporary fiction writer and a 2017 ACFW First Impressions Finalist. Her inspirational writing has been included in Christian devotional books: Grace Notes and Blessed. She loves to take her husband by the hand to explore nearby and far-flung areas of the globe. This wanderlust has its perks. She credits many of her story ideas to these adventures. Quiet, early-morning walks along the railroad trails on her home island of Bermuda provide inspiration when she is homebound.

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On Antiques, Gifts, and Talents

By Iola Goulton

Paeroa is a small town not far from where I live. It has two claims to fame. It’s the home of L&P, our national soft drink which is World Famous in New Zealand. (I wrote a blog post explaining the history of L&P here.) It's other claim to fame is newer, yet older.

Paeroa is famous for its antique shops.

My husband and I visited some of those antique shops recently. We weren’ t looking for anything in particular—we were driving through Paeroa on one of our weekend drives, and decided to stop and look. It was an interesting afternoon, but one which left me feeling somewhat sad.

Some of the shops were small and cramped, filled with an eclectic mix of china, cutlery, glassware, clothes, books, tools, and telephones all mixed in together. Some items were definitely antique, while others looked more like second-hand—old and tired. Other shops were larger and more spacious, with different spaces for different categories of goods for sale.

There were many beautiful things for sale—some of which were familiar as items I remember seeing in my grandmother’s house when I was a child. A lot of the prices seemed more than reasonable, especially considering what items of comparable quality would cost today–and what the items themselves would have cost when new.

There were complete china dinner sets, with eight or twelve settings. Silver cutlery sets in beautiful presentation cases. Glass and crystal fine enough to grace any table. Classic brands such as Wedgewod, Royal Albert, and Crown Lynn. Everything was in perfect condition, even the “everyday” crockery.

Yet it was all sitting in a what was essentially a junk shop. Unused.

I wondered why. People had paid good money for these beautiful things, these beautiful unused things. I thought of my crockery at home—plates covered in knife marks, some newer than others because we’ve bought new pieces over the years to replace those pieces which have been chipped or broken.

I thought of my cutlery set, a wedding present which hasn’t had all eight pieces in a long time. The teaspoon monster strikes often in our house. And I wondered …

All these beautiful things. Had they ever been used?

Were they unwanted gifts, stored in the back of a cupboard for years, forgotten, then sold or given away when the owners moved house (or moved into an old folks’ home). Were they precious pieces, bought for “best”, and never used for fear of breaking the delicate china?

Either way, it seems like a waste.

People spent hours earning the money to buy these things which were rarely or never used. Then they were packaged up and sent off to an antique shop—donated, or sold for a fraction of their original price. I hope the original owners got some enjoyment out of these items, gifts or not.

Because to receive a gift and never use it is a waste.

To have a talent and never use it is a waste.

It reminded me of the gifts we’ve been given—not so much the physical gifts we receive for Christmas and birthdays, but the gifts God has given us. Too often, we waste or squander what we’ve been given.

That too is a waste.

May we remember to use and appreciate our God-given gifts and talents. May we not waste them or squander them by leaving them sitting on a shelf until it’s too late.

And the Gift of Salvation. May we never waste or squander that gift.

About Iola Goulton

I am a freelance editor specialising in Christian fiction. Visit my website at www.christianediting.co.nzto download a comprehensive list of publishers of Christian fiction. 

I also write contemporary Christian romance with a Kiwi twist—find out more at www.iolagoulton.com.

You can also find me on:
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DEVOTION: A Christmas Gift We Can All Afford to Give ~ by Kathi Macias

 “Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord;
and they shall be My people, and I will be their God,
for they shall return to Me with their whole heart” (Jeremiah 24:7).

Is it just me, or has the bad news added to more bad news put a damper on the approaching holiday season? It’s so easy to get focused on our country’s (and personal!) financial woes and therefore lose heart for Christmas and all it represents to us as believers. In the Apostle Paul’s words, Beloved, it should not be so!

I won’t deny that for many of us, finances will impact the extent to which we celebrate the gift-giving aspect of Christmas. But finances (or lack thereof) do not need to impact our giving of the very best gifts to those who so desperately need them.

What are those gifts?

We need to shine the Light of the world to those who walk in darkness—and we can do that because that Light lives within us.

We need to proclaim and model the Love of God to those with broken hearts and skewed perceptions of love—because that Love has already reached down to us.

We need to pray that many, regardless of how dark or bleak the days (or maybe even because of that very fact) would turn to the One who alone is the Light of the world and the Giver of unconditional Love to all who ask.

Specifically, why not offer up Jeremiah 24:7 as a prayer gift for your loved ones, as well as for those you don’t know? On a regular basis between now and Christmas, let’s agree together to pray, “Lord, give _________ a heart to know You. Show ______ more clearly each day that You are the Lord. We believe that _________ will be Your son/daughter, and You will be his/her God, for __________ shall return to You with all his/her heart.”

I’m going to do it. What about you? It’s the best gift we can give to anyone—and the Giver of all good gifts will be sure to answer.

Blessings to you all as we enter this wonderful season together!

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 40 books and ghostwritten several others. 

A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences. 

She won the 2008 Member of the Year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) and was the 2011 Author of the Year from BooksandAuthors.net. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband.

DEVOTION: Christmas Gifts ~ by Shirley Corder

It will soon be Christmas. Again! By now all, or at least most of you, have your Christmas presents wrapped and ready to put under the tree.

What have you done about greetings? How do people know the gift is from you?

Because I make my own cards, I print small greetings with appropriate pictures, depending on who the recipient is. So my little granddaughter, Samantha, may get a picture of the angel at the top of the Christmas tree. My grandson, Timmy, a few years older, may get a Christmas tree laden with gifts. I have to admit, the actual greeting lacks both the personal touch and creativity.

"Have a Happy Christmas Timmy, Love Granny and Grandpa."

"Merry Christmas Sammy, We love you, Granny and Grandpa."

When our own children were growing up at home, one of our sons always caused a chuckle. He either couldn't be bothered with labels, or he forgot them. I'm not sure which. But we could always be sure the gifts under the trees without labels were from him. If we picked one up without a label, he would call out, "That's for Dad," or "That's Debbie's."

The other day, I read of a man who was coordinator for an organisation that sends gifts from incarcerated fathers to their children. He described the sort of greetings these fathers, who had all the time in the world to think, wrote to their children.*

"You are precious, perfect and deeply loved. Merry Christmas."

"Always and forever I think of you and love you. Happy Christmas."

Are we in too much of a hurry when we scribble those last-minute cards or stickers to attach to our hastily-wrapped presents? Or is it that we think, probably correctly, that the recipient is going to be in so much of a rush when they rip open the gift, they'll barely glance at the message. So why waste the time?

Over 2,000 years ago, God sent us a gift. It was one He had planned ever since Adam and Eve took their illicit snack and were expelled from the Garden of Eden. He sent His one and only Son to carry that special message to you and to me. "God so loved the world" - that's you: Mary, Lisa, Ruth . . . put in your own name - "that He gave His only Son, that whoever" (i.e. if you -  Mary, Lisa, Ruth . . . ) "believes in Him will have eternal life."

The gift? Salvation.

The Message? God so loved . . . (you)

The Messenger? Jesus Christ.

All planned from the beginning. All sent with such love. All given with so much thought and care for our well-being.

Maybe we should revisit the Christmas greetings we use this year. It's easy to say, "Happy Christmas!" But is there something more we should be saying?

My prayer for each of you is that this Christmas season you will remember the very first Christmas gift. May the message you receive and pass on be one that speaks of God's incredible love for each one of us. No matter your circumstances, may you be blessed by our Lord and Saviour this Christmas time.

(*Illustration by Charles P. Axe--The Secret Place--December 15 2010)

Sign up here to receive a short devotional message from Shirley in your inbox once a week.

SHIRLEY CORDER lives on the coast in South Africa with her husband, Rob. Her book, Strength Renewed: Meditations for your Journey through Breast Cancer contains 90 meditations based on her time in the cancer valley, where God gave her so many gifts that she's still unwrapping some of them. 

Please visit Shirley through ShirleyCorder.com, where she encourages writers, or at  RiseAndSoar.com, where she encourages those in the cancer valley. You can also meet with her on Twitter or FaceBook.  

Precious Gifts

What kind of gifts bless your heart?

As a writer, some of the most precious gifts I've received are emails and Facebook posts from readers who have enjoyed one of my books, and most especially when something about the story has touched their heart. God seems to know just when I need these little notes of encouragement to spur me on when I'm struggling with my current work-in-progress.

This past Christmas, I also received a delightful surprise in the mail from one of my readers--a selection of European chocolate all the way from Slovakia!

With my daughter spending three months in Australia and New Zealand this past year, I also have a special place in my heart for my friends and fans down under. Ellie Whyte, founder of Soul Inspirationz, sent two delightful NZ fantasy picture books home with my daughter to share with my grandchildren, which she did...on Christmas Day.

As you can see, they were a big hit.

I've also gained a whole new perspective on the world from my international readers and fellow writers. In my wildest dreams, I would never have imagined that "going camping" was a common way to spend the Christmas holidays!

This is how we spent Christmas afternoon:

And since this post is titled "Precious Gifts", you'll forgive me for including the gratuitous newest grandson picture. :)

But more heart-warming than an encouraging note, sweeter than chocolate and more joyful than a grandchild's smile is the precious gift God has given us through his son. His mercies are new every morning.

What a privilege and delight it is to share through story God's love for each one of us and the hope and peace he desires us to know in Him. In 2014, may you experience His love in an ever deeper and more meaningful way.

Sandra Orchard is an award-winning Canadian author of inspirational romantic suspense/mysteries with Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense imprint, and Revell Publishing. She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America and The Word Guild (Canada). A mother of three grown children, she lives in Niagara, Canada with her real-life-hero husband and writes full time…when not doting on her young grandchildren.  You can learn more about Sandra’s books and bonus features at www.SandraOrchard.com or connect at www.Facebook.com/SandraOrchard

GIFTS AND ABILITIES



After completing her nursing training, Mary met her husband, Ray, at Bible college 50 years ago. They have ministered in churches in Australia, two years in England and now enjoy living in Tasmania. Mary has had 19 titles published and Ray has five devotional books out also.

Web and blog: http://www.mary-hawkins.com






The joy of receiving that first book

I’m currently trying to prepare a Bible study for an elective at a Christian women’s conference on “Wisdom in the way you develope your gifts and abilities”. I intend to share about spiritual gifts God gives for His specific purposes too but on this blog want to focus on talents we have been given as natural parts of our personalities from birth.
There is so much to share but where to start has been difficult to decide. Sounds like that first sentence, first paragraph of our novels?

The first thing before we can ever develope our abilities – which I think most of us would call natural talents – is to discover just what they are. There are many who may be multi-talented but is there one that stands out, one that God wants developed so He can use it to bless others and glorify Himself? For some, discovering this may be easy, but I suggest there are many folk who take their lives so much for granted they don’t stop and wonder about any specific one they have which God wants them to develope for His specific purposes.

I was certainly one such person. As many of you may have heard before, it was not until I was thirty years old I had any idea about writing more than my diary and letters. Would these years of being a published author ever have happened if my husband had not read my diary and simply told me, “You have a talent for writing, what are you going to do about it?”

But was that really the beginning of my writing career? What if I’d never met that wonderful man? What if I’d never had a Dad who wrote diaries and thus inspired a fourteen year old to start her own? What if I had never enjoyed books, never become an avid reader long before I was fourteen?

For me as a committed Christian, it ultimately goes back to the time I completely surrended my life, my will, all that I was and could ever hope to be to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. For me, it was my husband He used to show me a talent I had never considered before, never realised it should be developed, refined, worked hard at so He could use it where and how, and even more importantly when He wants to.

Over the years I have been saddened when I have met lovely Christians who obviously have a real talent in some specific area but shrug off any suggestion of trying to develope it. Because I am a published author, I’ve heard this said too many times about becoming a writer, but also from talented people in many other arenas. The reasons are many and varied. While some are definitely quite valid, the ones that concern me and even grieve me are ones like, “Me? I could never be as good as...” And then they mention someone in that area of expertise they know of who has achieved success.

When thinking about this journey of mine I glanced at my bookshelf and there was that Famous Writers Course set of books. It was supposed to take me eighteen months full time but becoming pregnant and moving to minister at another church meant they let me take four years. This is the list of assignments and I noticed that the last few were in 1974. Seems nearly a lifetime away now. Only the deep knowledge that this was indeed what God wanted me to do kept me persevering all that time. Then I discovered it was only that first "step" to have my first published novel in the photo above. That took too many years to write but then thirteen years before that pile of books above fnally arrived.
Some of the biggest reasons for not wanting to recognise a talent that should be developed include the fear of failure, not being prepared to do the hard work to improve, and perhaps the most important one of all is the lack of perseverance when the rejections and criticism of our efforts come. If God wants that talent, that ability he has given, to be used by Him, not to do so is simply disobedience and that earns a heavy price.

And that perseverance is certainly something we writers know only too well we must deal with. How do we persevere? Why should we persevere? The specific answers are many and varied for each person but I know personally it is because I know this is what God wants of Mary Hawkins. Because of my intimate relationship with Jesus, He has been and remains my comforter, my guide, my strength, my all in all. But He does use not only the Scriptures but fellowship with His people to bring me all of these. I can only pray that perhaps He has used me too to help others as they seek to obey Him in developing their talents to glorify Him and bless and challenge whoever He wants to.

A Gratitude List

Gratitude and thankfulness seem to be severely lacking in our world at times. People expect others to cater to their needs yet often when they do, there is not even a word of thanks. This attitude can even rear its head in the way we treat God. How often have you or I prayed and then forgotten to give God our gratitude, praise and the glory when He answers, often even more wonderfully than we could have imagined?

So today I thought l would share some of the things I am grateful for in my life. I’m grateful for:

 God’s grace that called me into His family and the salvation won for me through Jesus and His death on the cross.

God’s Word which helps me learn more about God, his mighty plan of salvation and what He expects of me.

The privilege of prayer and knowing the value of praying for others, as well as being prayed for.

My husband of over forty years who is still the love of my life, my best friend and the one I enjoy spending time with. I love that we go to church, pray and share God’s word at home together.

Our married adult son and daughter who are walking with the Lord, married to believers, serving the Lord in their own churches and communities and who are teaching their children His ways. What a huge blessing that is.

For the church we are part of and the concern for each other shown in this church. For the feeling of belonging.

For good friends who share our lives and for Christian friends online who share the trials and joys of being a writer.

The place where we live, where God’s creation is so evident. Just yesterday morning as my husband and I went walking, we were blessed with the sight of kangaroos that we share our space with. At present a number of them have joeys in their pouches. They look so cute.

Sweet peas in our garden flower pink and purple. There is nothing like the smell of sweet peas to lift the spirits, so I’m, thankful for the gift of smell. Orchids and moth orchids brighten up our dining area and sweet peas and pansies are on the table in the living area.

The cheerful yellow and orange of browallia in my front garden. This photo is the parent plant of mine given me as a cutting from a friend.

Sunrises and sunsets. Two of my favourite times of day. These photos were taken at a beach near to our home.

The ability to be able to walk and stand and do things after my spinal operation over a year ago. Relief from pain and the outstanding result of the operation which came through prayer and plenty of it as well as the doctor’s skill.

Singing at church, in the car and just about anywhere else. The gift of music.

Sight to see all of the wonders God has made and to be able to read. I can’t imagine a world without books. I’m thankful for writers who write the kinds of books I like to read and for variety in reading.

Imagination. Without imagination and creativity we would have no books, no stories, no art, no craft, inventions and spectacular l buildings. The Sydney Opera House is one of my favourite buildings.

Words to communicate to my loved ones and friends how much they mean to me and words to use in my writing.  Poetry - I love the way words can be used to make different and beautiful patterns of sound and meaning.

Last but by no means least, my football team that just won the 2012 AFL premiership and my husband and I were able to see it and share in the joy. If that’s an amazing experience, and it was, it made me think how much greater it will be when we are around the throne of our Lord and God all praising Him together.

Over to you now. I’d love to hear some of the things you are thankful for.

 Streets on a Map, Dale’s latest novel was published by Ark House Press. Prior to that, Dale has had seven children’s books and Kaleidoscope a collection of poetry published. Many poems in Kaleidoscope have been previously published in Australia’s literary magazines. She has also written bible studies and Sunday school lessons.More information about Dale can be found at www.daleharcombe.com or on her Write and Read with Dale blog http://www.livejournal.com/users/orangedale/

 

What's in your dash?

    There is an advertisement running on my television these days that uses the phrase "what's in your wallet?" and then goes on to extol the virtues of a particular credit card.   It's a cute ad and a catchy phrase.  Probably sells credit cards.

   Last week I attended a memorial service for a member of our church.  The dates on his tombstone are too close together.  He died in what could still be considered the prime of life.  The dash between his dates is not long enough, and yet that dash was filled with love and service.  The preacher said our friend was blessed with a "servant's heart."  He went where there was need, just because there was a need.  He didn't set out to win accolades, or affection or brownie points.  Our friend volunteered because he saw a need.  At the service, his children repeated their family motto, "do your best and give back to your community."  My friend's dash will go far beyond his final date.

    Got me to thinking about other dashes.  My grandmother had a very long dash.  She lived to be 98.  What was in that space?  Ten children, a happy marriage, a  commitment to community and an abiding faith in God.  Pretty good dash. 

    As a young princess,Queen Elizabeth II, pledged her life to the service of her people.  She is now celebrating sixty years of that service.  A long and significant dash.


     I know of other dashes that don't hold much except the passage of time.  Some dashes are filled with the pursuit of fame and fortune.  Others are filled with scandal and shame.          


     Got me to thinking about my own dash.  What's in there?  Friends, family, a couple of books, love, faith.  Is it enough?  Can I give more?  My friend was my age when he died.  I'll have a longer dash than his.  Can I make it count?

      It's a tough question.  God gave us each unique gifts.  Much as we admire someone else, we are not that person.  Romans 12:6-8
reminds us that we are to preach or heal or encourage by the grace God has given us.  So my dash won't be the same as my friend's, or my mother's, or yours.  But I hope it's a good dash.

    So, "what's in your dash?"

 Alice Valdal is a wife, writer, volunteer, singer, friend, choir leader, cat lover, sister, aunt, great-aunt, papergirl, knitter ... 
She doesn't keep a regular blog, other than for her church, but she does up-date her home page every month.  You can visit her at http://www.alicevaldal.com/
Check out her church blog at 
http://saanichpeninsulapc.blogspot.com/