- from Amy Carmichael in If
You might also be interested in my first post about Amy Carmichael.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Amy Carmichael - "If" Quote
"If . . . I know little of His pitifulness (the Lord turned and looked upon Peter), if I know little of His courage of hopefulness for the truly humble and penitent (He saith unto him, 'Feed My lambs'), then I know nothing of Calvary love."
You might also be interested in my first post about Amy Carmichael.
You might also be interested in my first post about Amy Carmichael.
Friday, March 25, 2011
What I'm Reading This Week - March 25th
Looking for something to read
this weekend? Here are some recommendations.
Decreasing for His Purpose | by Oswald Chambers
Chambers points out the
necessity of letting others go through the hard times that God has
allowed into their lives.
The Holiness of God by R. C. Sproul (free audio book from christianaudio.com)
Sproul presents a
solid discussion on how our view of God and His holiness shapes how
we interact with God.
I also finished reading The Money Book mentioned in last week's post. I'll reiterate what I said last week – if you're self-employed, this is a great book to read. I wish I had read it years ago.
Enjoy your weekend!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Amy Carmichael - "If" Quote
"If . . . I do not feel far more for the grieved Saviour than for my worried self when troublesome things occur, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
- from Amy Carmichael in If
You might also be interested in my first post about Amy Carmichael.
Friday, March 18, 2011
What I'm Reading This Week - March 18th
This week was a quieter one for
me. I haven't read as much online this week; instead I have spent
more time on reading books and listening to audio books.
How Writers Can Use Twitter for Networking and Success | Guide to Literary Agents | by Alexis Grant
This article has some great
points on using twitter for networking. It's really worth a read,
even if you aren't a writer. The points that Grant makes can easily
be adapted to any area of business.
The Money Book for Freelancers, Part-Timers, and the Self-Employed by Denise Keirnan and Joseph D'Agnese [book]
I'm only about half-way through
this book, but already I have found this book to be invaluable. It's
written in an easy-to-understand style with lots of “apply it right
now” tips and worksheets.
If you are a freelancer or are self-employed, this is a must read!
The Matters at Mansfield by Carrie Bebris [book]
Some
fun reading! Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen in this continuation
of Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
Have a great weekend!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Amy Carmichael - "If" Quote
"If . . . I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think and unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
- from Amy Carmichael in If
You might also be interested in my first post about Amy Carmichael.
- from Amy Carmichael in If
You might also be interested in my first post about Amy Carmichael.
Friday, March 11, 2011
What I'm Reading This Week
Here's my weekly dose of
recommended reading.
A
compilation of advice for writers from writers.
Encouragement
in keeping on in the little things.
Looking
to write a book and get it published? Here's some insight on the
time frame it will take.
If
you are looking to do any freelance writing for blogs, websites, etc.
read this first!
If
you write longer pieces, this is a great (free!) program that will help
you with organizing your material.
Monday, March 07, 2011
Amy Carmichael - "If" Quote
"If . . . I can enjoy a joke at the expense of another; if I can in any way slight another in conversation, or even in thought, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
- from Amy Carmichael in If
You might also be interested in my first post about Amy Carmichael.
- from Amy Carmichael in If
You might also be interested in my first post about Amy Carmichael.
Saturday, March 05, 2011
What Do You Fear? What Should You Fear?
“Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, Him you shall honor as holy. Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.” (Isaiah 8:12-13 ESV)
Oil prices are up. Gas prices are up. The housing market is still struggling. Taxes are probably going up. Jobs are uncertain. Politicians are wrangling about one thing or another. The news headlines bring one story after another of unrest and upheaval. It would probably not be a far cry to say that our times are uncertain. Many people are worried about the present. Many people are worried about the future. As the tumult swarms around you, what are you afraid of?
Although Isaiah lived over 2700 years ago, the words he penned under inspiration by God still ring true for today. The people of Isaiah's day were besieged by uncertainty. Assyria was on the rise as a dominating power. Kings came and went. The times were uncertain. In the midst of all this uncertainty, Isaiah's words ring out: “Do not fear what they fear.” Don't be alarmed. Don't ring your hands in agitation. Don't look at the world around you and fall into worry.
So also for us. Do not fear what the world around you fears. Do not fear the economic situation. Do not fear the financial situation. Do not fear the political situation. Do not fear the global situation. Do not fear the things that are around you!
Now, to some of you, this might seem to be easily said and yet hard to act out. So, Isaiah tells us how to keep from fearing our situations. In contrast to his exhortation to “not fear what they fear” he says, “but the Lord of hosts . . . let Him be your fear.” This is the only cure to fearing our situations. We must let God be our fear.
What does that look like in practice? Isaiah spells it out: “Him you shall honor as holy.” God is holy, set apart from all of the tumult on this planet. In fact, nothing happens here that is beyond His control or outside of His control. As we focus on who God is, as we focus on making our lives reflect who He is, our focus is turned away from our situations. We no longer fear “what they fear.” Our primary concern – even fear – becomes having a life that is God-centered and God-focused.
What about about the economic situation? God is in control. My fear needs to be to remain focused on God. What about the financial situation? God is in control. My focus needs to be on the God Who can provide all my needs. What about the political situation? God is in control. My focus needs to be on the God Who sets up rulers and takes them down. What about the global situation? God is in control. My focus needs to be on the God Who formed this world and Who is working out His plan for this world.
If you are struggling with fearing “what they fear,” ask God to help you to regain a right focus upon Him. He should be our fear. Nothing else.
Oil prices are up. Gas prices are up. The housing market is still struggling. Taxes are probably going up. Jobs are uncertain. Politicians are wrangling about one thing or another. The news headlines bring one story after another of unrest and upheaval. It would probably not be a far cry to say that our times are uncertain. Many people are worried about the present. Many people are worried about the future. As the tumult swarms around you, what are you afraid of?
Although Isaiah lived over 2700 years ago, the words he penned under inspiration by God still ring true for today. The people of Isaiah's day were besieged by uncertainty. Assyria was on the rise as a dominating power. Kings came and went. The times were uncertain. In the midst of all this uncertainty, Isaiah's words ring out: “Do not fear what they fear.” Don't be alarmed. Don't ring your hands in agitation. Don't look at the world around you and fall into worry.
So also for us. Do not fear what the world around you fears. Do not fear the economic situation. Do not fear the financial situation. Do not fear the political situation. Do not fear the global situation. Do not fear the things that are around you!
Now, to some of you, this might seem to be easily said and yet hard to act out. So, Isaiah tells us how to keep from fearing our situations. In contrast to his exhortation to “not fear what they fear” he says, “but the Lord of hosts . . . let Him be your fear.” This is the only cure to fearing our situations. We must let God be our fear.
What does that look like in practice? Isaiah spells it out: “Him you shall honor as holy.” God is holy, set apart from all of the tumult on this planet. In fact, nothing happens here that is beyond His control or outside of His control. As we focus on who God is, as we focus on making our lives reflect who He is, our focus is turned away from our situations. We no longer fear “what they fear.” Our primary concern – even fear – becomes having a life that is God-centered and God-focused.
What about about the economic situation? God is in control. My fear needs to be to remain focused on God. What about the financial situation? God is in control. My focus needs to be on the God Who can provide all my needs. What about the political situation? God is in control. My focus needs to be on the God Who sets up rulers and takes them down. What about the global situation? God is in control. My focus needs to be on the God Who formed this world and Who is working out His plan for this world.
If you are struggling with fearing “what they fear,” ask God to help you to regain a right focus upon Him. He should be our fear. Nothing else.
Friday, March 04, 2011
What I'm Reading This Week
Here are the top articles that stood out to me this week.
How to Write Faster | Lifehacker | post by Melanie Pinola
How to Write an Article in 20 Minutes | Copyblogger | post by Jim Estill
10 Writing Tips from the Masters | Pick the Brain
For the Love of Airports | by Chris Guillebeau
How to Estimate Project Time Effectively | Elance
How to Write Faster | Lifehacker | post by Melanie Pinola
- Looking to refine your writing time? Check out this post. (and the next one, too)
How to Write an Article in 20 Minutes | Copyblogger | post by Jim Estill
- Do you write a lot? Are you crunched for time? Here is some invaluable advice.
10 Writing Tips from the Masters | Pick the Brain
- Great advice culled from writing masters of the past. See what Twain, Chekov, Goethe, and others have to say about writing.
For the Love of Airports | by Chris Guillebeau
- As someone who has traveled a lot – although not as extensively as Chris – I really appreciate his upbeat post on airports.
How to Estimate Project Time Effectively | Elance
- Some really practical tips on how to estimate project time. If you're a freelancer or do any other sort of work where you need to estimate project time, I highly recommend this post.
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