Looking for a place to feel inspired and challenged? Like to share a smile or a laugh? Interested in becoming more familiar with Canadian writers who have a Christian worldview? We are writers who live in different parts of Canada, see life from a variety of perspectives, and write in a number of genres. We share the goal of wanting to entertain and inspire you to be all you can be with God's help.
Monday, January 22, 2018
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Singing In The Rain-by Heidi McLaughlin
“I’m singing in the rain,
Just singing in the rain,
What a glorious feelin’
I’m happy again.
I’m laughing at the clouds
So dark above
The sun’s in my heart.”
And then a lot of doo-dloo-doo-doos.
It’s a catchy, happy song and before I know it I’m snapping
my fingers and moving my feet.
And I’m happy again.
January in Kelowna, British Columbia is a dreary and cloudy
place. We live in a valley; hence the
clouds cover the mountaintops and a dark blanket covers the Okanagan
basin. January 2017 was not a good month
for me after the death of my beloved Jack, so I am trying very hard to create
new memories and feelings for 2018.
This week as I drove home with the rain/slush hitting my
windshield, I felt the gloominess creeping in.
Then I remembered the song, “Singing in the Rain!” I started to sing and
before I knew it was doo-dloo-dooing and tapping my steering wheel. When I
pulled into my garage I grabbed my grocery bags and bounced into the house.
Yes, I know happiness depends on our circumstances and joy
comes from our glorious hope within. Joy is our assurance that we have an
eternal hope in Heaven and that God is involved in every detail of our lives.
But some days we just need something to make us happy. Bouncy. Singing.
Especially for us writers behind our computers during these long winter months.
I challenge each one of us to make intentional efforts to
doo-dloo-doo through this cold and gloomy month. I’m creating new memories in several ways:
·
I had my Bible Study group into my home for a
potluck dinner and afterwards we made bead bracelets. The camaraderie and laughter was contagious.
I went to bed full and happy.
·
Get above the clouds. I’m going snowshoeing this
week to find some blue sky and fluffy snow.
Again it’s best to do it with friends who light a fire within us.
·
I’m going to see a musical, “Sister Act.” Now
that will make me happy. How about you, is there a live musical near you? You’ll soon be tapping your toes.
·
Have people into your home for a game of
cards. There is sure to be a truckload
of laughter.
·
Do a puzzle or a paint by number.
·
Read the books that have been laying by your
bedside for years.
·
Simply taking a long walk and breathing in fresh
air and new hope, always refreshed the soul and recalibrates our thoughts.
The Bible says: “This is the day that the Lord has made, let
us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24 TLB)
God is a good Father to us and He desires that we live our
very best life. Some days are harder
than others, especially when we are reliving grief and darkness. But there are
ways to lift our spirits. I’m determined to be happy again and God is helping
me every step of the way. Doo-dloo-doo-doo.
Her latest book RESTLESS FOR MORE: Fulfillment in Unexpected Places
(Including a FREE downloadable Study Guide) is now available at Amazon.ca;
Amazon.com, Goodreads.com or her website: www.heartconnection.ca
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
THE HIGH ROAD by Susan Harris
When it rains in the countryside where I live,
one could take the high road to avoid flooding that is certain on the roads in
the low-lying areas. But the title of this blog does not refer to the path
described by geographic elevation.
The phrase “take the high road” is ascribed to
American origin, and means “to approach an
endeavor or problem in a fashion that is above pettiness, to travel the moral
high ground, to behave decently”.
Noble callings! Our natural
instinct is to defend, to retaliate, to give her “a piece of our minds” (hmm,
what percentage remains?). Taking the high road is not easy as a person has
to consciously choose not to make a defense of himself, and this noble act
itself can become an object of criticism.
Long before America came into existence, our Lord
disclosed His noble standard to the prophet Isaiah. “For my thoughts are not
your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the
heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my
thoughts than your thoughts” Isaiah 55:8,9 (KJV).
Father God identifies the high road, His Way, and
this road is superior to our lower ways.
David writes in Psalm 18:30. “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is
tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. (KJV). The question of
whose way is better, nay perfect, is established (and it’s not my way.)
A prophecy of the millennium echoes, “And thine
ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it,
when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21
(KJV) The Lord seeks to deliver us from contrary ways that goes against His
perfect will for our maturing. Biting our tongues, filtering our responses is
the fruit of taking the high road.
The conclusion-
· There is a higher way.
· That way is perfect.
· We are asked to walk in that way.
I can approach an
endeavor or problem in a fashion that is above pettiness. I can travel the
moral high ground. I can behave decently. It may be an uphill climb. It may be
tiring. It always has a treasure at the
top.
It taking the high road easy? No.
Is taking the high road doable? Maybe
Is taking the high road a choice? Yes.
I choose to take the high road. How about you?
I choose to take the high road. How about you?
SUSAN HARRIS, author of 12 books, is often
tempted to step off the high road but is pulled back by Grace as she navigates her terrain. https://www.facebook.com/SusanHarrisAuthor/
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