Love the Wounded

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Lynn

I suppose it was only fitting that I wrote the last chapter of my book, “Love the Wounded” on Valentine’s Day.  I suppose that has to be a “God thing”.  It is the last book in the “Wounded Trilogy“, a wrap-up if you will of the adventures of Jake, Leigh, Mike and Dylan and all the other good folks in the fictional Albertan town of Maplewood.

As I punched out the last few lines and pressed the “saved” button, I just slumped in my chair and whispered “Done!”  My husband and kids were long since in bed, but I was on a roll and just couldn’t stop the flow of words.  I was so close to finishing, so I plugged on and that’s why at just before midnight I celebrated quietly alone in the dark by my keyboard after I had typed the last word of my story.

I guess after such a long labour, pouring my heart into a project that started with my first book in the “Wounded” series nearly four years ago, to the completion of the manuscript for the final book yesterday, I couldn’t help feeling a bit contemplative about it all.  God led me on this writing journey and to tell the honest truth I had no idea then how many curves in the road  there would be and what varied adventures waited for me around every corner.

My writer’s life has been for the most part a solitary one.  It’s basically me parked in front of a computer screen, tapping out a plotline that is only imagined in my mind and then brought to “life” on paper.  It’s a weird process really.  It’s even more weird when I consider all the other bizarre imagery and thoughts also rattling around in my head at the same time that I could have just as easily regurgitated to life and then instantly regretted.  Silly, stupid, and basically messed up things that really should NEVER be put to paper.  Fire yes,…paper…no!

James 3:1 says that “not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”  I dare say that a writer in many ways is a teacher, especially those of us who are called by God to write.  Our words may teach, empower, embolden, condemn, accuse, uplift, benefit and reprimand.  Look at history.  Mein Kampf caused an entire nation to embrace the ideology of a madman.  The book, 1984 by George Orwell coined the phrase “Big Brother is watching you.” – a phrase that takes on new meaning today in this world of interconnectedness on the internet.  The word “Twilight” will no longer be just a time in the day to sit and watch the sun go down, but now will be forever associated with vampires and werewolves.  Even a simple journal, found after a young girl’s death, has become a symbol of racial persecution, something the young Anne Frank likely never would have imagined as she wrote her private thoughts into her diary.

Books have the ability to change lives, change history, change the world.  It is no wonder that when we writers put pen to paper, or in this day and age, PDF’s to Kindle, we must be constantly aware that we will be held accountable one day for what we write.

Now I would be incredibly egotistical to think that my little books will someday “change the world”…Whoa!  Still, whenever one person picks up and reads one of my books, whatever I have written will likely elicit a response…good, bad or indifferent in that person.  No doubt when I look at my reviews later I will be able to determine what the ultimate response has been…heeheehee 🙂

So as I “birth” another book I hope you will allow me the artistic license this one time to change the wording in James slightly to keep me ever mindful as a writer Whose I am:

“Not many of you should presume to be (writers),…because you know that we who (write) will be judged more strictly.”

Posted in Proverbs 16:9 - Journey Thoughts, Write On! | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Is God a Sports Fan?

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Lynn

Catholic Church urges Montreal Canadiens fans to pray for a playoff berth the headline reads and apparently an ad has been placed in all the French-speaking newspapers in Montreal calling for the faithful to pray for their “home team” the Montreal Canadiens.

“With the playoffs just two months away and the hapless Habs currently in 14th place in their conference, perhaps there’s only one thing left to do — pray.  If you were so inclined, then you might find a new ad for the Archdiocese of Montreal a tonic, knowing, perhaps, that God was on your side.  The ad, placed in Montreal’s French-language newspapers, lists the current top teams in the league’s Eastern Conference.  Then, at spot number eight — the cut-off for the playoffs — it reads: “Let us pray.”

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1128915–catholic-church-urges-montreal-canadiens-fans-to-pray-for-a-playoff-berth

When I heard that this morning, I couldn’t help but smile.  I mean I’ve been a long-standing fan of the Montreal Canadiens especially during the “glory” years when Scotty Bowman walked behind the bench as coach and Lafleur was pure magic on the ice.  I will even admit, as a sixteen year old girl, cheering on my beloved team, I did on occasion pray for the team to have victory over an opponent.  I was convinced then that God was indeed a “Habs” fan, and at least during the 70’s God seemed to listen to my prayers and Montreal did triumph.  However, as all Montreal fans now know, it will likely take a miracle for the Canadiens to get into the playoffs, let alone hoist the Stanley Cup this year.  So what happened?  Did the Canadiens fall from grace?  Did God find a new team to bless?

Interestingly enough, although there seems to be a concerted effort to ban prayer in schools, colleges, universities etc., praying before a sporting event doesn’t seem to be frowned upon.  I suppose calling on the Almighty to help the home team win is okay, as long as He stays out of the schools the rest of the time.

There was great controversy this year when Tim Tebow, the quarterback of the Denver Broncos prayed before and after every football game.  Many speculated that he was praying for victory and for many, many games it looked as though God was definitely listening to the young quarterback’s prayers, but when his team lost to the New England Patriots in the playoffs, the scoffers came out to lambast the young man’s faith.  Did God suddenly favour the Patriots and then pull His support from them in the Super Bowl and then divinely cheer on the Giants?  It is ludicrous.

“If people have been listening to anything that Tim Tebow has been saying, then they know that he never prays to win. He has said that publicly many times,” said the Rev. Brad Strait, senior pastor of Cherry Creek Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Englewood.

“The key is that many people who keep commenting on this situation don’t know very much about why believers pray. It seems that they think the main reason, or even the only reason, that people pray is to ask God to give them things. … It’s that old Santa-Claus-equals-Jesus thing. You mix all of that up with football and this is what you get.”  http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/religion-faith18011812/religion-faith18011812/

Now, I’m not Catholic but I did find an official blessing used for athletic events.  It’s found in the Roman Ritual (an official book of Church rituals, as  the name suggests), and it is published in English in the Book of  Blessings (you can find it on pages 437-438 of the current edition).

The introduction to it explains:

1024 This blessing is intended for those who participate in an athletic  event. The blessing asks that God may protect the athletes from injury and that  throughout the event they may show respect for one another.

1025 The blessing may be given by a priest, deacon, or lay  minister.

The blessing includes an athletically-themed Scripture reading (2 Timothy 4:6-8) and a prayer over the athletes.

According to the text:

1029 A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with  hands outstretched over the athletes; a lay minister says the prayer with hands  joined.

Here is the actual text of the prayer:

Strong and faithful God, as we come together for this contest, we ask  you to bless these athletes.

Keep them safe from injury and harm, instill in them respect for each  other, and reward them for their perseverance.

Lead us all to the rewards of your kingdom where you live and reign for ever and ever.

Response: Amen.

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/jimmy-akin/revealed-the-churchs-official-prayer-for-sports-events/#ixzz1lzm1YtI1

You will note that the blessing does not ask God to help the team win the game, but keep them safe from injury, and reward them for their perseverance.   It is a call to good sportsmanship.  Win or lose God is glorified.

Let us not lose sight of the real call to pray…salvation!  That any who compete, and all who watch, are lead “to the rewards of Your kingdom where You live and reign for ever and ever.”

That is victorious praying!

6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

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Praying for Hope

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Lynn

On December 14th, 2011 Trevor Peacock (Pastor of Harvest Chapel – Calgary) and his wife, Heather, found their nine year old daughter, Hope unresponsive at home as a result of severe complications following a routine tonsillectomy two days previous.  To say their story has touched the lives of thousands would not be an understatement.  We know the Peacocks.  My daughter, husband and grandson attend their church in Calgary.  I bump into Heather often at the Christian school where her two daughters and my youngest daughter attends.  It is safe to say that the Peacocks are very well known in the school community as well as in the community at large.  I suppose it is only natural that when we heard of Hope being rushed to hospital that day just before Christmas, our family immediately began praying for healing for her and strength for her parents and sister, Gabi.

Since that day, the Peacocks have gone through some very dark times as a family, but the prayers have sustained them.  Scripture has comforted them, God’s presense and Steadfast Love has upheld them.  The family has given glory to God through the good and the bad times.

Every day new “updates” were (are) posted on Facebook as more and more people are called upon to pray for Hope.  Before Christmas, I couldn’t help but sense the poignancy of “Praying for Hope” in the midst of celebrating the birth of our Saviour.

I won’t go into the details of Hope’s condition here, I invite you to join the Facebook group set up to give updates about Hope.  Today I just want to share the sermon that Trevor shared with his congregation at Harvest Chapel – Calgary last Sunday.  It was the first message he had preached since they rushed Hope to the hospital before Christmas.  This is a message that comes from a father’s heart, but is all about The Father’s Heart.  I share Trevor’s message because it NEEDS to be shared.  Every one of my readers world-wide, need to take time to view this video.

I invite my readers to share the video with others.  I have never prayed more for “Hope” in my life.  Please join with me as we continue to pray in the days, weeks and months ahead!

“I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.  I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

Lamentations 3:19-24

Hope – Pastor Trevor Sermon from Harvest Bible Chapel Calgary on Vimeo.

Posted in Inspiration & Devotion, Proverbs 16:9 - Journey Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment