Heart of a Ready Writer

Monday

A to Z Blogging Challenge Reflections

The April A to Z is finished! Wasn’t that fun? I am so glad I participated again, as I was blessed to be part of this annual month-long blogging event.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.(2 Timothy 4:7, ESV)

A to Z Blogging Challenge finishers:

You are welcome to use
this checkered flag badge,

created by Working in Words,

if you wish.

As a courtesy,

please link back to Working in Words,

if you do!

Thank you.

This year, I finished the A to Z Blogging Challenge with six blogs.

Like other April A to Z bloggers, I found the marathon of daily posting trying at times, but the momentum was marvelous. I loved the opportunity to push myself creatively and spiritually. The A to Z Challenge kept me digging into God’s Word, hunting for insights, and pondering pieces to share.

Sure, I had dry days. But God is faithful, and He always gave me something new to consider and communicate.

Overall, I loved it.

Here’s the full listing of April A to Z posts for Heart of a Ready Writer:

You can join us for A to Z Blogging Challenge next April!

Image/s:

A to Z April Challenge Survivor badge by co-host Jeremy

at Retro-Zombie – used by permission

A to Z 2012 Checkered Flag
created by Linda Ann Nickerson
for Working in Words

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A to Z Answers: April Blog Challenge Post Digest

Finishing matters! The April A to Z Blogging Challenge offers a prime example of a race that counts completion.

Many years ago, as a fledgling writer, I wrote several articles for a now defunct publication titled Finishing Matters. The magazine focused on wood finishes for various carpentry applications.

A to Z Blogging Challenge finishers:

You are welcome to use this badge,

created by Working in Words,

if you wish.

As a courtesy,

please link back to Working in Words,

if you do!

Thank you.

That’s a different story altogether.

Today is the first day of May, and the April A to Z Blogging Challenge is over. Like a marathon road race, running just over 26 miles, the blogging event included 26 entries. I completed the A to Z Blogging Challenge for six different blogs, totaling 156 blog posts.

Here’s the full listing of April A to Z posts for Heart of a Ready Writer:

Did you miss any of these blog entries? Check ‘em out.

They’re alphabetical. Some posts are ecumenical, hypothetical, theoretical or even parenthetical. None are medical, and hopefully, none are heretical.

Dig in.

And why not join the A to Z Blogging Challenge next April?

Image/s:

A to Z 2012 Checkered Flag
created by Linda Ann Nickerson
for Working in Words

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2012 logo

Fair Use

A to Z Answers: Zero Tolerance in Heaven?

Zero tolerance is a popular phrase, drawing a firm line against everything from bullying in school to manufacturing mistakes. When we call out against error or evil in any form, we call it zero tolerance.

Does God honestly have a zero tolerance policy against sin? Could a loving God actually be wholly intolerant to the foibles and failings of flawed humans?

You bet He can.

God is holy, through and through. In fact, He wouldn’t be holy, if He could coexist comfortably with evil.

Imagine a gallon jar, filled with fresh drinking water. What if someone added just a drop or two of arsenic or cyanide into the jar? Wouldn’t it be poisoned, even with a scant bit of toxicity? Would you be willing to drink from that vessel?

It doesn’t take much to corrupt the whole supply.

The Almighty Jehovah is good and pure and just. And goodness, purity and justice cannot stand for evil, corruption and injustice.

Having said that, it sure sounds like we mortals are out of luck.

How can any of us measure up to God’s perfection, if a single sin counts us out? Does anyone have a chance of being saved?

Thank God for grace!

Sin costs dearly, but God paid the price. He bought us back from the clutches of death and demise by calling on His own perfect Son to sacrifice and pay the penalty in our place.

Christ offered himself to God without any flaw. He did this through the power of the eternal Holy Spirit. So how much more will his blood wash from our minds our feelings of guilt for committing sin! Sin always leads to death. But now we can serve the living God.

(Hebrews 9:14, NIrV)

The Holy One gave His life for all of us who are unholy.

For Christ diedfor sins once and for all, a good man on behalf of sinners, in order to lead you to God. He was put to death physically, but made alive spiritually,

(1 Peter 3:18. Good News)

Hallelujah. God makes us holy enough to join Him in eternity. He cleanses us from our own dirt and wipes away our wickedness.

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.

(1 Corinthians 1:30, NLT)

So God is both loving and holy. He made a way to make up for our inability to reach His holiness, preserving both His perfection and His infallible justice and covering us with His amazing love. And it cost Him everything to offer us eternity.

What a great God.

Image/s:

Clean Water

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A to Z Answers: Yes, Lord!

Have you ever heard God calling?

Some have said they have perceived the voice of God audibly, while others may claim they have experienced a tug in their spirits. Others may have been drawn divinely through varied means.

God certainly speaks through His Word, open-hearted believers, His own creation and other avenues of communication.

However He calls, how will we respond?

God willing and by His strength, I hope to answer “Yes, Lord,” when He beckons me. Belonging to God is a divine privilege, and I pray for the presence of mind to hear His summons, as I have heard many times.

I only wonder how many times I may have missed His voice as well.

I want to be like young Samuel, who answered positively, once he realized he heard the voice of the Lord.

Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out, "Samuel! Samuel!"

Samuel answered, "Speak. I'm your servant, ready to listen."

(1 Samuel 3:10, The Message)

It only took Samuel a few times (and some wise counsel) to discern God’s voice. Surely the Almighty One will be both patient and persistent with the rest of us as well. May we not miss His message.

(Raise your hand, if you thought I was gonna embed “Yes, Yes, Lord,” rather than the Rich Mullens classic.)

Image/s:

Samuel Answers God

Society for Promoting Christianity

1900

Public Domain/Copyright Expired

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A to Z Answers: eXtol the eXcellent One

Let us exalt the Lord together and extol His Holy Name.

What is extolling?

The word “extol” may be traced to the 14^th Century Middle English term “extollen,” which is derived from a Latin word meaning “to raise” or “to lift up.”

Today, “extol” has several synonyms. To extol is to acclaim, applaud, celebrate, comment, exalt, glorify, laud, magnify, or praise. When we extol the Lord, we pay tribute to Him. We bless His Name.

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before Him with thanksgiving
and extol Him with music and song.

(Psalm 95:1-2, NIV)

Who’s ready to praise the Prince of Peace?

Authors and teachers, gurus and speakers ask a common question: “What is excellence?” We need only look upon the Excellent One, and we will know. Excellence is extolling the Creator who deserves all praise.

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Raised, by John

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A to Z Answers: Wisdom Adds Wonders

Wisdom is wonderful when it comes from the almighty all-knowing One!

A favorite traditional hymn by William Cowper spells this out so well. Cowper was a personal friend of John Newton, penning several songs together. Cowper’s best known hymns included “There is a Fountain” and “O, for a Closer Walk with Thee.”

Take a look at these lyrics by 18^th Century English poet and humanitarian Cowper (from Olney Hymns, London: W. Oliver, 1779, No. 52).

Ere God Had Built the Mountains

(from Proverbs 8)

By William Cowper

Ere God had built the mountains,
Or raised the fruitful hills;
Before He filled the fountains
That feed the running rills;
In me from everlasting,
The wonderful I Am,
Found pleasures never wasting,
And Wisdom is my name.

When, like a tent to dwell in,
He spread the skies abroad,
And swathed about the swelling
Of Ocean’s mighty flood;
He wrought by weight and measure,
And I was with Him then:
Myself the Father’s pleasure,
And mine, the sons of men.

Thus Wisdom’s words discover
Thy glory and Thy grace,
Thou everlasting Lover
Of our unworthy race!
Thy gracious eye surveyed us
Ere stars were seen above;
In wisdom Thou hast made us,
And died for us in love.

And couldst Thou be delighted
With creatures such as we,
Who, when we saw Thee, slighted,
And nailed Thee to a tree?
Unfathomable wonder,
And mystery divine!
The voice that speaks in thunder,
Says, Sinner, I am thine!”

Wow. I wanna be wise! Wouldn’t anyone?

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18th Century Hymn Sing

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A to Z Answers: Vision is Vital

Blindness can be a terrifying experience.

Have you ever stepped out of a dark theater and found yourself blinded temporarily by bright sunlight? Blindness is baffling.

As children, we used to consider crazy hypothetical questions. We’d test one another’s mettle with daring queries about the grossest things we’d be willing to eat or the scariest things we’d ever done.

A popular debate focused on this dichotomy: “Would you rather be blind or deaf?” Although I am certain that hearing impaired life is challenging, I always thought blindness would be the worse choice of the two. Growing up, I discovered what a visual person I am.

Don’t ask me why. We were kids.

Of course, I never actually considered that I might become blind, even temporarily. But I did.

A few years ago, I lost vision in one eye. Depth and color perception vanished, along with most of my sight on that side.

Doctors were befuddled. An emergency room doctor prescribed antibiotics for a possible sinus infection, but it wasn’t. Two optometrists suggested brain cancer or lupus, but it wasn’t.

A battery of tests and scans revealed optic neuritis. A specialist put me on medication, and people prayed.

For several weeks, I learned more than a little about depending upon others for such basics as driving, reading product labels, and picking out clothes in my own closet. Walking in town, I occasionally noticed one of my kids would grab my sleeve to keep me from bumping into something or someone.

As a writer and an avid reader, I had to step back for more than a month. But I saw something I may not have seen before.

Sometimes vision has little to do with eyesight.

God met me in my blindness. I gained a new focus, even while my eyesight was dim. Sometimes God speaks most clearly when we curb all the extra input.

Finally, my vision returned. God is able.

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
   along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
   and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
   I will not forsake them.

(Isaiah 42:16, NIV)

Honestly, I hated being blind, even in one eye. But I loved seeing how God stepped in.

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Blindfolded

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A to Z Answers: U-Turns Are Uplifting!

U-turns may be illegal in some states, but they are the stuff of Heaven. At least, they may provide entertaining fodder for fellowship in the eternal kingdom someday.

Earnest believers will likely confess to making u-turns often … maybe even daily … in this life. Oh, how we need His grace and mercy every single day!

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.

(Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT)

Several years ago, a popular automotive bumper sticker said, “God is my co-pilot.” Maybe that’s more often true than such drivers would like to admit. For as long as the Lord is the co-pilot, rather than actually steering the vehicle, the journey may require u-turns.

How often do we grab the steering wheel, insisting on our own directions?

Once we do, we’re likely headed for another u-turn.

As much as I am enjoying the journey, I find myself looking forward to the day when I will no longer veer off course and need to make a u-turn. For only then will I know I have arrived … exactly where I was created to be.

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U-Turn Sign

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A to Z Answers: Trust is a Test

From time to time, perhaps even the most faith-filled believer may be fearful for a fleeting moment. Does fear signal a lack of trust in God?

Of course, we know that God is omnipotent, or all-powerful. We understand that Jesus has already won the eternal victory. We have banked our hearts in His hands for Heaven.

Still, don’t we have those scary little moments, when something sets off an alarm inside of us? Can you remember a moment when you wanted to creep under the covers and pull the coverlet right up over your head?

Yes, we know that God is greater than all of our fears.

We get that, and we are more grateful that we can even express. In the big picture, we lean on the Lord for His powerful protection.

We may confess wholeheartedly and sincerely that we are willing to go to the mat for the Master. And we mean it. So why do we tremble when we stumble down scary streets, listen to rumblings of potential layoffs at work, or await a potentially unfavorable medical diagnosis?

Welcome to humanity. We’re still fighting with our own flesh, aren’t we? The battle has been won, but we’re still living it out.

But He is bigger than our battles.

Personally, I just wish I could remember that in those temporary times when something scary startles me. When I feel threatened momentarily, I want to react faster in faith.

After all, even when we’re not paying attention, He is holding us.

The LORD is my light and my salvation--so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?

(Psalm 27:1, NLT)

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Clara Bow in Wings

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A to Z Answers: Sound Mind

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7, KJV).

What is a sound mind?

When we speak of the limbs of men or beasts, soundness is something akin to strength. Sound legs are able hold weight with balance and athletic firmness. When horses’, hounds’ or humans’ legs are sound, those creatures can stand securely.

Conversely, an unsound limb can lead to a fall.

A sound mind is strong and balanced and secure as well.

The Amplified Bible puts it this way:

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

What a promise!

As the years pass, I must admit that I occasionally suffer from the “Here-After” syndrome. Perhaps you’ve heard of it.

Here’s an example. I might climb all the way upstairs in my home, only to ask myself:

“What did I come up here after?”

Thank God for His promise of a sound mind!

God’s guidance and His infinite knowledge are tremendous helps. When we look to Him for insights and understanding, He leads us into greater clarity.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you.

He will not rebuke you for asking.

(James 1:5, NLT)

Whether we are digging in God’s Word for scriptural truth or simply hunting for a lost item at home, He can be our Guide.

Now … where did I leave those car keys?

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Reading Directions

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Welcome!

I'm not a perfect Christian. Sometimes, I'm not even a very good Christian. But God loves me enough to hold onto me, even in those times.
All I know is that I have been blind, and now I see.
I have been weak, and He has made me strong.
I have been crushed, and He has cherished me.
I have been broken, and He has made me joyful.
I have been rejected, and He has restored me.
I have been lost, and He has found me.
And He is not finished with me yet.
Will you join me in the journey, learning to love Him back?

Kindle Countdown Deals

Monday

A to Z Blogging Challenge Reflections

Tuesday

A to Z Answers: April Blog Challenge Post Digest

Saturday

A to Z Answers: Zero Tolerance in Heaven?

A to Z Answers: Yes, Lord!

Wednesday

A to Z Answers: eXtol the eXcellent One

A to Z Answers: Wisdom Adds Wonders

A to Z Answers: Vision is Vital

Saturday

A to Z Answers: U-Turns Are Uplifting!

Friday

A to Z Answers: Trust is a Test

Thursday

A to Z Answers: Sound Mind

Amazon

2017 A to Z Challenge

2016 April A-Z Challenge