Why Listening Matters

What are you listening to at this moment?

Me?

• Steady rain pelting the windows

• Thunder pealing

• Fingers tapping madly away on a keyboard

• George Winston’s “The Cries of the Wetland 2”

• Tires playing in puddles

• And okay, and the occasional slurping of coffee

Notice I chose the word listening instead of hearing, which is the simple the act of perceiving sound by the ear. Unless you’re hearing-impaired, hearing simply happens. Listening, however, requires a pause - a decision to concentrate.

I encourage you to set aside one minute today. Simply listen. Soak it in. Pay attention.

Let's take in the melodies of life, nature, and even man-made devices and turn them into opportunities for pause and praise.

The Melodic Shrill of Steel-On-Steel

Iron sharpens iron. And one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 ESV

"I love your sermon notes, Cathy! I've been trying to take a computer-sabbatical on Sundays, so these have been great to read on Monday mornings."

Susan Stilwell recently left the above comment for one of my Sunday Snippets posts. As I read it, a faint but divine shrill pierced my conscience. Could God possibly be calling me to a computer-sabbatical on Sundays as well? 

After a few weeks (I'm a slow learner), I realized the depth of Susan's comment. God used it to sharpen -- awaken -- my discernment in regards to the Sabbath.

As a result, I now plan to take notes on Sundays, but post them on Monday mornings. Sundays on Mondays, if you will.

Yet another reminder of how melodic the shrill of steel-on-steel can be in a Christ-follower's life. 

Where would we be without one another?

Friday Fave - One Night in Bethlehem

Piper picked this Friday's favorite -- "One Night in Bethlehem", by Jill Roman Lord -- and for good reason.

From the hologram-like star on the cover to the teddy bear's fuzzy belly on the final page, pure delight awaits a child's senses as Jill skillfully weaves the birth of Jesus Christ throughout. 

Piper never fails to reach for this touch-and-feel book when she visits. If you have a little one nearby, I encourage you to pick up a copy -- and if you bring it to Blue Ridge next May, I bet Jill will be happy to sign it for you as she did for Piper. (Thanks, Jill!)  

One Night in Bethlehem was illustrated by Paige Keiser.





 

Ladies' Community Study - What's Next?

I plopped down on Lifeway's blue armless chair, arms filled with the latest bible studies, and bowed my head. I mean, one can’t go wrong in choosing a study as long as we’re in the Word, right? In the big picture, I believe this to be true—but I also believe God is in the details of our personal lives. So I pray.
 
Lord, You alone know who will attend this study. You alone know our true journey -- where we are, where we desire to be, our strengths, our weaknesses, our everything. Pour out Your wisdom and direct me clearly in choosing our next study, as I am confident You have a purpose and a plan for each of us.
 
And pour out He did. Two hours, and nearly fifteen studies later, one study stood out: Abide in Christ, by Andrew Murray and Bo Stevens.
 
"It would be easy to study this parable to gain more knowledge, but this was not our Lord’s intent when He shared this parable with His disciples. His intent was for them to experience an abiding relationship in Him. He has the same intent for you and me today. He wants us to learn to abide, not simply learn what it means to abide." -Bo Stevens
 
This modern-day version of Andrew Murray’s The True Vine invites us to dive in the Word throughout the week and come up for air on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m.
 
While the study itself is only 6 weeks, we will have an introduction the first week, and on our final week, we’ll come together for a very special Vine & the Branches tea party that you’ll not want to miss.
 
Begins: Tuesday, September 4th
Ends: Tuesday, October 23
Time: 6:30-7:45 p.m.
Place: Be Encouraged Ministry House, Simpsonville
Led by Cathy Baker and Becky Kirby

We'd love to see you there!

 

8 Weeks to a Less Cluttered Home

When it comes to the new Fiber One 90 calorie brownies, I can down two Weight Watchers points with swift success, but when it comes to decluttering? Bring on the  bite-sized chunks—they're doable, chewable, if you will—which is why I'm loving 8 Weeks to a Less Cluttered Home.

Stephanie @ The Keeper of the Home invites her readers to assess their belongings, keeping only those things we truly need, use, and love. The best part? She offers a FREE download on how this can be accomplished in 30 minutes or less per day, in 40 days. 

Care to join me? Simply visit Stephanie's delightful site The Keeper of the Home to download the FREE PDF file. 

[And our homes take a collective sigh of relief.]

 


 

Sunday Snippets - Gospel Centered Friendships

The Gospel changes all our relationships.

• Relationships are hard—they’re a mess, exhausting, and draining—but they’re also life-giving. So we don’t walk away.

• The way we do life testifies that Jesus is Who He says He is. This is why we cannot say, “I’m done.”

• One mark of a Gospel-centered friendship is that we’re willing to give our life away. We’re able to do this once we’re fully convinced of God’s love and acceptance for us. This kind of confidence frees us to love others unconditionally.

Brothers and sisters, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Galatians 6:1

• Who are the spiritual? We are. Every person in whom the Holy Spirit dwells—Christ followers. A Gospel-centered friend neither enjoys confrontation or avoids it.

• The legalist says to one in sin: "I will never understand how you..." The Gospel-centered friend realizes the same potential for sin exists within him/her and says “I’ll get involved.”

• We can be available to bear burdens of our friends because we know there is a true and better Friend who bore the ultimate burden of sin and death for us.

Two questions:

Do we have these types of friends?

Am I being that kind of friend?


- Notes taken from today's sermon at Summit Church Upstate, given by Jason Malone. To listen to the sermon in its entirety, please click here. 

My Friday Fave - The Writer's Plot

 

 

This week, I decided to join The Writer's Plot, a local group led by the amazing Pam Zollman. The group meets on the third Saturday of every month -- and the timing could not have been better! Tomorrow, Saturday, July 21, The Writer's Plot will host The Story Continues, a writer's conference to be held at Furman University.

It's not too late to join us!

 

Register online:  www.thewritersplot.com

10% discount for TWP members for all prices

Presenters include:

Harold Underdown – consulting editor, former vice president & editorial director at ipicturebooks, former editorial director at Charlesbridge, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Publishing Children’s Books 

Edie Melson– social media marketing expert, author of best-selling ebook, Social Media Marketing for Writers and a devotional, Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home When Your Soldier Leaves for Battle

Vonda Skelton – author of Seeing Through the Lies (for women), three Bitsy Burroughs Mysteries (for children), and numerous magazine articles for adults

Patricia Thomas – author of 7 picture books, including “Stand Back,” said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!” as well as numerous magazine articles and short stories

Pam Zollman – award-winning author of 40 children’s books, hundreds of short stories and articles (for adults and children), and former editor at Highlights Magazine

Alan Gratz – award-winning author of six children’s and YA books, short stories, magazine articles, plays, and several episodes of A&E’s City Confidential

Jessica Alexander – Associate Editor for Peachtree Publishing

Katya Jensen—Editorial and Subrights Coordinator for Peachtree Publishing

Diana Flegal– Literary agent with Hartline Literary Agency

Expectation in Motion

Anticipation is a beautiful thing—especially when expressed through the laughter of a child.

Last night, during one of Piper's giggle-fests, I noticed that her favorite part of our exchange came in those few moments between giggles, just before I repeated a goofy voice, one created purely for her entertainment. 

Although she wasn't certain of my next move, she sat completely still, wide-eyed, and primed for pure delight. Oh, the anticipation!

Being aware of something - or someone - is part of anticipating, but the second part of the definition states that because of this awareness, action is taken in order to be prepared. Expectation in motion, wouldn't you say?

The delightful anticipation I caught on my granddaughter's face last night is the same anticipation I want my heavenly Father to find on mine as I wait in expectation of His next move, fully prepared for action, trusting in its good.  

As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. Philippians 1:20 ESV

Sunday Snippets - Bringing Fruit to Life

Welcome to Sunday Snippets!

Kyle Estepp led today's topic in Galatians 5 on the Fruit of the Spirit. He brought a fresh perspective to one of the most studied passages of Scripture. To enjoy the sermon in its entirety, please visit Summit Church's sermon archive. 

A few favorite quotes from today:

• It is fruit of the Spirit, not fruits. We can't have one without the other. Unless we're growing in all of them (to differing degrees) we are not growing in any of them.  
• We're only as mature as our weakest character trait. 
• Practically speaking, spiritual fruit is grown only through intentional biblical community. 

Kyle also listed specific definitions, but my fingers couldn't keep up. Below is a similar list from Timothy Keller, along with opposite and counterfeit traits.

Agape - love

Definition – To serve a person for their good and intrinsic value, not for what the person brings you.

Opposite – Fear: self-protection and abusing people.

Counterfeit – Selfish affection. Rescuing someone but really rescuing self. Attracted not to a person, but to how this person’s love makes you feel about yourself.

Chara – joy

Definition – Delight in God and his salvation for sheer beauty and worth of who he is.

Opposite – Hopelessness, despair.

Counterfeit – Elation that comes with blessings not the Blesser! Mood swings based on circumstances.

Irene – peace

Definition – Confidence and rest in the wisdom and sovereignty of God more than your own.

Opposite – Anxiety and worry

Counterfeit – Indifference, apathy, not caring about something. “I don’t care.”

Makrothumia – patience

Definition – Ability to take trouble (from others or life) without blowing. To suffer joyfully.

Opposite – Resentment toward God and others.

Counterfeit – Cynicism. Self-righteousness. “This is too small to be bothered about.”

Chrestotes – kindness

Definition – Practical kindness with vulnerability out of deep inner security.

Opposite – Envy. Unable to rejoice other’s joy.

Counterfeit – Manipulative good deeds. “Right hand knowing what left hand is doing.” Self-congratulation and self-righteousness.

Agathosune – goodness. (integrity)

Definition – Honesty, transparency. Being the same in one situation as another.

Opposite – Phoniness; hypocrisy.

Counterfeit – Truth without love. “Getting it off the chest” for your sake.

Pistis – faithfulness.

Definition – Loyalty. Courage. To be principle-driven, committed, utterly reliable. True to one’s word.

Opposite – Opportunist. Fair-weather friend.

Counterfeit – Love without truth. Being loyal when you should be willing to confront or challenge.

Prautas – gentleness. (humility)

Definition – Self-forgetfulness.

Opposite – Superiority: self-absorbed self-aggrandizement.

Counterfeit – Inferiority: self-absorbed, self-consciousness.

Egkrateia – self-control

Definition – Ability to choose the important thing over the urgent.

Opposite – A driven, impulsive, uncontrolled person.

Counterfeit – Willpower through pride or through more “functional” idols.

My Friday Fave - BookQuest

Wafting aroma of well-worn books greeted me like an old friend when I recently stumbled into BookQuest, a local jewel but mere miles from my home. The only thing missing from my Christmas in July experience was Bing Crosby playing in the background. 

I marveled at the multitude of shelves filled with used and rare books, many with seasoned autographs inscribed on their flyleaves.

Among my finds that day...a book by a local poet, Bernard Meredith, a late 1800's poetry book by George Eliot, and a petite paper-bound book of beautifully illustrated poems that may just end up framed on my wall. 

BookQuest is located in downtown area of Fountain Inn, SC. If you live nearby, I encourage you to stop by and support this local find -- but if you live a little too far away to enjoy this bookstore, be sure to explore a nearby town in search of your own jewel. 

 

An Interview with Marcia Moston

Today, I'm excited to introduce you to friend Marcia Moston, author of Call of a Coward: The God of Moses and the Middle-Class Housewife. We're in for a treat as we learn more about Marcia and her amazing journey.

Tell us about yourself. 

Although I hold degrees in sociology and Christian education, most of what I’ve learned has been by the proverbial seat of my pants. I’ve taught English in a Christian high school, worked with orphans in a Mayan village, led mission teams to Central America, delivered Yellowbooks, stuffed vending machines, and lived in everything from tepees to parsonages.
   
Your writing experience is unusual in that until 2008, you’d never written anything, but by 2011 you had a book contract with Thomas Nelson. How did that happen? 

I am grateful to have experienced such abundant grace and blessing on my work. When we moved to the South a few years ago, I had a singular image in my mind: buy a house with a pool where I could sit and write.  Although I didn’t know what I would write, nor did I know how to write a book, it was as though my story’s time had come, and I needed a nesting spot. II took a writing workshop taught by the editor of the city journal. At the end of the class, she offered me my own weekly column. That’s when I realized I could write something that people would read. 

I continued to take workshops and go to conferences. In 2010, my manuscript won at the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference. I also won a self-publishing package, but turned it down because I felt constrained to wait. 

Later in the year, I entered the Women of Faith Writing Contest and won a self-publishing package from WestBow Press. Unbeknownst to me, Thomas Nelson was looking at my book, and a month after it came out, offered me a contract.
 
Many traditional publishers avoid memoir. Do you have any advice for someone who hopes to publish a memoir?


The first agent I approached told me no one would publish a memoir from an unknown. He suggested I turn my story into magazine articles. Although I didn’t do it at the time, I think his advice is good. Memoirists need the exposure magazines give. 

My path to publication, however, was through contests. I also made sure my story was about something more than me. Thomas Nelson must have agreed because they categorized my book as Christian living/spirituality.

Tell us about Call of a Coward-the God of Moses and the Middle-Class Housewife. 

It’s about laying aside your hopes, dreams, and fears to follow God even though where He’s leading seems to require credentials you lack and courage you don’t think you have. And about discovering just how personal and gracious He is. Here’s an excerpt:    


The road exceeded my worst expectations. Cliffs rose straight up on one side and plunged straight down on the other. The dusty, rutted trail between the two was wide enough for one vehicle. It was one thing to ride a scary road with a husband you could yell at; it was another to ride a scarier road with a stranger who said with the same equanimity. “There’s a good view from the overlook up ahead,” and “The brakes are bad, that’s why I have to pump them.” 

Hernando downshifted, pumped the screeching brakes and entered the river. I couldn’t decide whether to look ahead at the slippery rocks on the steep bank, look behind from where we had safely come, or simply bury my head in my lap. If I needed a sign from God, this was it. I decided there was no way I could ride this road to go shopping, to get our mail, to find a doctor, to do anything─ever. When, and if, I met up with Bob in the village, I was going to have to tell him so.

Permission link: Excerpted from Call of a Coward: The God of Moses and the Middle Class House-Wife. Thomas Nelson ©2012. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc. www.thomasnelson.com.
   
How were you personally impacted working on the project? 

Recording events and later rewriting them helped me to see just how involved God was (and is!) in my journey. I gained a deeper appreciation of his grace, and then after the manuscript won several contests, including the Women of Faith writing contest, I realized it was a message bigger than my personal story.
 
What do you hope readers will glean from your story, Call of a Coward: The God of Moses and the Middle-Class Housewife?


A fresh confidence in the Living One who sees them. A sense of expectancy in encountering him. Both the story and its path to publication are examples of the possibilities of an ordinary life in the hands of an extraordinary God. I hope readers will be inspired and encouraged that whether they travel a thousand miles or a thousand feet, God can do exceedingly more than they imagine. 
 
What advice have you found helpful to you as a writer?    
 
To do my part—learn the craft, be open for critique, write with guts, and then rest in Flannery O’Connor’s advice: “When a book leaves your hands, it belongs to God. He may use it to save a few souls or to try a few others, but I think that for the writer to worry is to take over God's business.”

What or who has influenced you? 

I’m sure influences from thousands of books are floating around my brain, but most recently, I’ve been inspired by the  imagery and metaphors of the Bible, the essays of E.B. White and Annie Dillard, and the stories of Rick Bragg—people who capture the extraordinary in the ordinary.
 
Are you working on a second book? 

Yes. My working title is Going South-the God of my Mistakes. When we moved south, we didn’t expect our plans to go south too—but it’s really a story of hope. 
Is there anything else you would like readers to know?
 
It was with fear and trembling that I put my name on the same line as Moses’, but the story is not about me or Moses; it’s about the God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Call of a Coward: The God of Moses and the Middle-Class Housewife is available online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christian Book Distributors or from your neighborhood bookstore.






Visit me at http://marciamoston.com 

I'm a tremendous fan of Marcia's. She's the real deal -- an authentic and dynamic Christ follower. I encourage you to pick up a copy of her book and then would you consider leaving a comment on Amazon or other distributors, sharing your honest opinion of Call of a Coward: The God of Moses and the Middle-Class Housewife?

Enjoy!

Favorite Pics of the Week

Some of my favorite family pics of the week...

 Piper, wondering how many more pics her Grammy will take of her in one evening.

Piper at the Red, White, and Blue 5K on July 4th cheering on her 

Mommy, Daddy, and Pappa

 Piper with her other sweet Grandma

 Brian blazing by in blue!

 Zach and Sarah heading towards the finish line (far right)

Cutest. Baby. Ever. In Red, White, and Blue.

Sunday Snippets - The Why of Obedience

Welcome to Sunday Snippets!
 

Jason Malone brought a timely message from Galatians 5:1-15 this morning. As with all Snippets, I try to jot down everything verbatim, but it's not always possible.To listen to the sermon in its entirety, I invite you to visit Summit's site. 

As we know, Galatians was written to Christ followers, reminding them that anything added to the Gospel of Jesus Christ results in slavery.

• Some confuse the Gospel for spiritual milk, believing it to be a necessity for new Christ followers only, but we never outgrow the Gospel. It's just as critical for new followers as those who've walked with Christ for many years. We never "move on" from the Gospel. 

• Only one leads to true freedom: Gospel transformation (motivated by love) and moral reformation (behavior modification).

• The "why" of our obedience is everything, as is seen in Charles Spurgeon's The Tale of the King, the Carrot, and the Horse:

Once upon a time there was a gardener who grew an enormous carrot. He took it to his king and said, “My lord, this is the greatest carrot I’ve ever grown or ever will grow; therefore, I want to present it to you as a token of my love and respect for you.” The king was touched and discerned the man’s heart, so as he turned to go, the king said, “Wait! You are clearly a good steward of the earth. I own a plot of land right next to yours. I want to give it to you freely as a gift, so you can garden it all.” The gardener was amazed and delighted and went home rejoicing.

But there was a nobleman at the king’s court who overheard all this, and he said, “My! If that is what you get for a carrot, what if you gave the king something better?” The next day the nobleman came before the king, and he was leading a handsome black stallion. He bowed low and said, “My lord, I breed horses, and this is the greatest horse I’ve ever bred or ever will; therefore, I want to present it to you as a token of my love and respect for you.” But the king discerned his heart and said, “Thank you,” and took the horse and simply dismissed him. The nobleman was perplexed, so the king said, “Let me explain. That gardener was giving me the carrot, but you were giving yourself the horse.

• If we are clothing the poor, feeding the hungry, attending church, or anything else to gain more love, favor, or blessings from the Lord, then we are doing these things for ourselves, not Christ. 

• Anytime we catch ourselves doing something good, pause for a moment and ask: Did I do that so Christ will love me or because He loves me? 

Today's snippets don't begin to do Jason's sermon justice. It was superb teaching on true freedom in Christ—so much so that I often found myself listening more and writing less. I encourage you to visit the link above and listen to it in its entirety.
 


Additional reference: Mere C.S. Lewis

 

Friday Fave - Encouragement

Chances are, we all know someone who is battling cancer. Do we know how to love and encourage them? Often times, if you're like me, we feel helpless in knowing how to meet their needs—spiritually, emotionally, and physically. If we're not careful, we can let that helplessness hinder our opportunities to minister.

I recently experienced this frustration first-hand while trying to prepare a care package for a friend in the midst of the battle. I wanted to include helpful items but came up a little empty in the idea department.

Thanks to Susan Stilwell's post this morning, we can toss frustration out the door and make way for meaningful ministry. Kim Vander Poel, Susan's guest blogger, briefly shares her own journey with breast cancer, along with practical tips on how to encourage others through both words and actions.

Click here to read this enlightening post. (Thanks Susan and Kim!) 


Encouragement. It's a wonderful gift from the Lord. Let's use it for His glory!

Be sure to check out Kim's blogs – Hope Lives Now and Kim’s Ponderings Beyond Breast Cancer

Knock, Knock. Who's There?

Today, one of my favorite bloggers, Allison Martin, invites bloggers to share ten things about themselves. It's a fun way to build community and to get to know each other a little better. If you'd like to join in the fun, simply visit her blog, The Budget Maven, and add your blog link to her comments.

As awkward as this feels, here goes.


I am...Cathy. Wife. Mom. Mom-in-law. Grammy. Writer. Blogger. Office supply junkie.

I want...McDonald's Frappes to register as a big fat “O” on the Weight Watchers point system. If I can’t have that, I’d like this perched on the side of a mountain.

I have...Barnabas (son of encouragement) for a hubby. He supports my staying home to pursue writing opps, encouraging me at every turn. Add two amazing sons, beautiful daughter-in-law’s (inside & out), and an adorable granddaughter (with a grandson on the way!) Thank You , Jesus!

I wish…home organization came easier for me.

I hate… how fear doesn’t stay put. Give it an inch, it takes a mile, invading more space than you ever desired or thought possible.

I fear… being misunderstood, a world without coffee, snakes, highway travel.

I hear…the humming of our A/C (thankful alert!), a snoring Lhasa Apso, and the sweet rhythm of silence. 

I search…for vintage poetry books, sea glass, ideas, ways to spend time with family and friends.

I wonder…what plans God has for Piper, our granddaughter, and if our future grandson is born, or waiting for Brandon and Megan’s arrival in Uganda. They should find out more details soon.

I regret…past decisions, but refuse to dwell on them. Jesus paid too high of a price for me to wallow in the sea of regret. He has cleansed me, therefore, I am clean.

Care to join in the fun? Let me know if you take Allison up on her invitation. I'd love to get to know you more!

Trading Bitterness for Blessings

I’d not passed it in months.
Now I pass it every Sunday morning.
“It” is the church we left under difficult circumstances in 2008.
It was a church we loved.

When we drove away that April morning, our Christ-knit “family” wasn’t the only thing left behind. The dust cloud also included my dream job and creative ministries I loved, so to say the departure was difficult would be a vast understatement.

And yet...I’m reminded every time I pass the church that, although we now differ theologically, there’s no doubt that it’s full of people who know, love, and pursue Christ— and for that, I rejoice. 

I believe it was Charles Stanley who said you know you’ve completely forgiven someone when you can pray God’s blessings for them, and I believe this to be true. Don't believe me? Try it.
 
Now, when I pass by each Sunday morning, I pray wisdom, discernment, and blessings for their staff and the body. I desire God's best for them.

Does a twinge of disappointment remain? Absolutely. But I'll take that twinge over the lasting sting of bitterness any day. 


Am I alone here? Perhaps there's a family member, friend, co-worker, pastor, or church body that needs you to trade in your bitterness for blessings. You'll both be blessed and God will be glorified through your obedience. Go for it!


 
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32

Sunday Snippets - Sheer Grace

Welcome to Sunday Snippets!

Kyle Estepp delivered this morning's message, based on Galatians 4:21-31. As with all the Snippets, I try to jot down everything verbatim, but it's not always possible.To listen to the sermon in its entirety, I invite you to visit Summit's site.

• Any addition to the gospel is no gospel at all. It’s legalism.

• Our sonship is no longer based on perfection, but that of Christ’s.

• If we are depending on moral excellence to rescue us, we are in as much spiritual slavery as Hagar was in physical slavery.

Paul quotes Isaiah 54:1

"Sing, barren woman,
you who never bore a child;
burst into song, shout for joy,
you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband,"
says the Lord.
“Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes.
For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
your descendants will dispossess nations
and settle in their desolate cities."

• God chooses to save the world through the barren woman—for this is how the grace of God works. His grace isn’t just for the fertile Hagar’s, but also for the barren Sarah’s.

By what means of rescue are we depending on?

What does our life declare?

Reference: Tim Keller's, Relating to the Law: Four Kinds of People