Words to Live By

To write the love of God

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

And were the skies of parchment made,

Were every stalk on earth a quill,

And every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God above

Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole,

though stretched from sky to sky.

                                           The Love of God | Frederick M. Lehman

Words to Live By

Spread your wings

Every year, this is a day of thoughts and memories. Every year I try not to allow this day to get me down, or swallow me up. But there are just some things you cannot forget.

Thirty seven years ago my sweet Mom left her place here on earth and walked the streets of gold. She left suddenly and quickly. Which does not make it easy on family.

"Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted."

I know thirty seven years seems like a very long time, but when you are young and you lose your Mom, there is a hole left in your heart. It really does not heal, but it becomes like a wound that has a scar over it. You always know it is there.

With time the pain does subside, but the memories are still there. And I am so thankful that our loving Lord comes along side of me to lift me up on the days when the memories bring back pangs of pain.

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Spread your wings............

Acting and writing

 source

Acting. I've had a little experience in the field. I was a professional child actor from the time I was old enough to learn lines until my teen years. At that point, we moved from the Big Apple to a much slower pace and a "normal" life.

In this day and age, there are so many actors and actresses haunting the audition halls. Some are destined for great fame, while others will be playing second fiddle off Broadway or traveling the country in stage shows.

I've felt that the caliber of acting has reached a low mark. You see, from my viewpoint, an actor's job is to bring to life the words from the script. In years past, most actors got their training performing before a live audience. They were able to gauge their performances by the reaction of the people sitting out front. In practicing how to deliver a line, the actor's use of facial and vocal expressions weighed in to perfect their craft. If a line was delivered like a wet noodle, many key points were missed. So you learn to change the expression, or wait the pregnant beat to deliver it with more flair or punch.

The point is, you always get a second chance with the next group that comes to the theater.

Unlike live performances, writing uses words to bring your characters to life. You cannot physically look at the person and gauge what they are thinking. You have to actually write words that will fill your imagination with scenes. Crafting the words to draw and keep your readers. Not an easy feat. As I have been studying writing, I also read a lot. Some authors seem to have a natural gift of expressing the thoughts of the characters they are writing about. Perhaps I could equate it to someone who has a gift of speaking. There's no "um" or pauses to collect thoughts. They just glide with a speech, enchanting their audience.

When I first started writing a novel, I thought it would be just as easy as what I am writing now. But I am learning there is more to the craft than just sitting at the keyboard and letting the letters fly on the page. A lot more!

Words to Live By

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"If we desire our faith to be strengthened, we should not shrink from opportunities
where our faith may be tried and strengthened." -George Mueller

Thank a soldier

Several members of my family have served in the armed forces. Today we honor all those who have served and are serving to keep our country free.

 

Veterans Day

Will you trust?

Is anyone among you suffering?  Then he must pray. James 5:13 NASU

Through the seasons of life, it is always difficult to walk through a painful time.  Spurgeon said " The God of prayer is the ear of God."  Attaining the ear of God can only be reached by patient and persistent waiting upon Him.  By pouring out our hearts and permitting God to speak to us, we come to know God better.  And as we know Him more, we will spend more time in His presence. 

During times of testing, God reflects His faithfulness. A few years ago I read this -

"Will you trust Me?  Will you trust the God you know?  If you will trust the God you know, you will be at peace."

 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.   What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?  Who will bring a charge against God's elect?  God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns?  Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.  Who will separate us from the love of Christ?  Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  Just as it is written,  "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."   But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:29-39 NASU

Words to Live By

Sweet Memories

Sometimes November starts out on a sad note. My mother's birthday was in November. She also died in November. I was a young bride when she passed away. So I did not have all the years that many people have with their parents.


But another very special lady stepped into her shoes.

She was my teacher, my friend, and my soul mate in treasure hunting for over 30 years. I used to tag along with her to yard sales, antique shops and all kinds of second hand stores. She loved paper weights, and she also loved vases. She had quite a collection of both. She had a heart of gold. She loved her kitties and was a generous friend to everyone she met. She shared her stories with me. About her youth, growing up a little on the wild side. About the time when her husband was away in the war, and so many of her adventures.She certainly loved life, and lived it to the fullest.

She loved my children and was a huge part of their growing up years. She never had children of her own, but she "adopted" me and became like a grandmother to my own children.

I think of her during this time of year, on the day it would have been her birthday. She lived to be 96, although her last few years were less active, she knew all of us and loved us still. We were blessed to  have her in our lives, and I cherish the sweet memories that she so freely gave from her heart.

Thank you Hanna.