If You're Thinking of Quitting, Don't Do It!

-By Kimberly Dawn Rempel

I almost packed it in this year; nearly quit freelancing to get a "real job". Bills were mounting, debt was climbing, and I needed an income. Fast.

So I prayerfully set a do-or-die goal – if I could accomplish it, I would count it as traction and keep pursuing my online career. If I didn’t hit it though, it was J-O-B time.

Talk about stressful. I worried at night, and sent out job applications during the day for jobs I wasn’t even sure I wanted. I even interviewed a few times and it looked like I had an in. But something inside of me just really, really, really wanted to do freelance (and not starve doing it!)

Then it happened. The goal I’d set was to double my email list during my 24-hour launch. By the end of that 24 hours – I mean in the last two hours of it! – that number was hit EXACTLY. PRECISELY doubled.

That’s when it hit me.

“Hey, I CAN do this!”

I immediately set to work writing down more goals and worked toward them with renewed vigor. I closed the door on that J-O-B option and have been working with a fire under me ever since.

Even in 8 short months I was able to :

* doubled my client list

* doubled my email list

* launched my inspiring meditations book

* launched a new course

* almost hit my goal of doubling my monthly income.

Disclaimer: I don't say this to brag. You and I both know I cannot conjure up clients, or make subscribers fall from the sky. I know what I have was provided by God. However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with celebrating the fruits of our labor and enjoying His provision either! I share this story to encourage you. 

If you’re thinking of quitting, don’t do it!!

Don’t give up!

Because here’s what I know: You CAN do this.

Whether it's taking that next step in faith, or launching yourself into a new project that scares the tar out of you, you CAN DO IT. 

Maybe the first two steps you need to take right now are the same ones I needed to take:

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:

1. Prayerfully write down 1-3 specific goals. Include numbers and a timeline.

2. Work madly to pursue them, trusting God will equip you along the way. 

I’m confident if you do that, you’ll come away with GOALS ACHIEVED and a newfound CONFIDENCE that YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

What's one goal you hope to achieve in 2018?

Drop a comment so we can encourage you in it!

Kimberly Dawn Rempel helps authors and entrepreneurs build their business and their faith through 1:1 coaching, editing, and book marketing help. Her latest course, The Book Launch Method, helps authors sell books, expand their reach, and get their important message into more hands and hearts. 

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What's In A Name by Bob Jones

I distinctly remember the early September day in my Grade One class. For the teacher it was a routine question. For me it was transforming.

Miss Marks asked me to write down my mother’s name. I’m sure she already knew the answer because all teachers have access to their students’ personal information. Maybe it was a writing exercise or something else mundane.

I wrote down, “Mum.”

In no way was I trying to be funny or sassy. Miss Marks clearly informed me that this was not the correct answer. “Your mother has a first name. Don’t you know your mother’s name?”

Confusion set in. What? I had only known her as “Mum.” My sister called her “Mum.” Even my dad called her “Mum.” What do you mean that’s not her name? 

“Your mother’s name is ‘Irene’.”

I was incredulous. “Irene?” No one had ever called her “Irene”. How could that be? Now I felt foolish.

After school, “Mum” welcomed me home me like she always did and before there was a moment to inquire, ‘What did you learn today?’ I asked her, “Is your name, Irene?”

Since then names have fascinated me. I’m intrigued why people were given their name, what their name means and how close their character and behavior come to matching the meaning of their name.

The name “Irene” means “peace.”That was SO her.

My name “Robert” means “shining fame.”

One of the prophetic names of Jesus - “Immanuel” - means “God with us.”

So rich in promise and provision.

Its not out of proper context to make the meaning personal – “God with me.” Jesus said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

Whenever I feel alone in facing my problems, I think – Immanuel.

In the moments when the specter of despair raises its ugly head, I think – Immanuel.

Fear’s icy fingers around my heart? Immanuel.

Loved ones challenged by ill health? Immanuel.

Grieving the loss of love or cherished ones? Immanuel.

God is with you.
God will be with you.

Peace to you for the New Year and for all your days ahead. 

Bob is a recovering perfectionist, who collects Coca-Cola memorabilia and drinks Iced Tea. His office walls are adorned with his sons’ framed football jerseys, and his library shelves, with soul food. He writes to inspire people to be real, grow an authentic faith in Jesus, enjoy healthy relationships and discover their life purpose.

Follow his writing at Pointes Of View.

It Was All Planned - Bruce Atchison

One of many  wonders of Christ's birth is that it was prophesied long before he was born. Readers of Matthew's and Luke's gospels will find frequent references to fulfillment's of many Old Testament prophecies. These references are provided to show the descendents of Israel that Jesus truly was the long-awaited messiah.

But what is that to us twenty-first century gentiles? These fulfilled prophecies show us that every event of the virgin birth of the Saviour was planned. Nothing was left to chance or whim.

We can see as early as Genesis 3:15 how Christ would be the seed of a woman and not a couple. God said to Satan, "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)proclaimed,   "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) elaborates on the method of Christ's birth. "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." And as we can read in Matthew 1:23, the name means God with us.

Even the place of Christ's birth was no accidental happenstance. Micah 5:2 (KJV) says, "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

There are so many other prophecies which were fulfilled by the birth of Jesus that, I believe, a whole book could be written about them alone. These predictions of the messiah were given to give the people of Israel hope but they also prove the divine authorship of our Holy Bible. Let's be like Mary and ponder all these things in our hearts.

Never too late for Christmas!

Christmas is technically over, but let the spirit of the season live on! If you have read our latest InScribe Press anthology - Christmas: Stories and More - please consider leaving a review on Amazon or goodreads. Even a few positive words can make a huge difference!

Or, if you haven't purchased a copy of the book, get it now!

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Born in the Shadow - Marnie Pohlmann

How did you celebrate this Christmas season?

Roast turkey?

Hang stockings?

Exchange gifts?

Gather with family and friends?

Do you decorate a Christmas tree?

What traditions do you do each year?

Do you watch Christmas movies like "Die Hard"?

Sometimes, especially for parents, the traditions of this season do not give rest like a holiday or vacation is supposed to, but rather expected practices may add to the stress and busyness to create perfect memories of those very traditions. Having a Merry Christmas can take a lot of work!

What did you do about Santa this season?

Do you have fun with Santa?

Leave out cookies and milk?

Did you give toys "from Santa"?

Make reindeer prints in the yard?

Years ago, one of my friends explained to her children that Santa got his "naughty and nice" list from Jesus because Santa is not omniscient (all-knowing); only God is omniscient.

I have an ornament made by the mom of another friend. Santa is bowing at the manger because even Santa knows the true meaning of Christmas.

How did you celebrate Christ this season?

Sing carols?

Read the Scripture story?

Attend a Christmas Eve mass?

Do you set up nativity scenes?

Are there ways you bring focus to the "reason of the season?"

Even trying to have a simple, quiet Christmas, I find my focus can be distracted by the shiny commercialism of our surroundings. It takes work to keep my eyes on God during regular days so the busyness of special times can make what seems like a simple celebration of the birth of Christ into something totally different.

How do you make your celebration

not Giftmas,

not Santamas,

not Feastmas,

not Familymas,

but a true CHRISTmas?

And even if you focus on the Christian believer's reason to celebrate this season, do you see more than a baby in a manger?

What does this baby mean to your life as a God-follower?

One year we dropped into another friend's home during the Christmas season. These friends did not set up a Christmas tree. Their focus was not on gifts. With nightly devotions, they lit menorah candles which shone through their window welcoming any who came by.

What caught me that year, though, was where they placed their nativity scene. The manger with baby Jesus was set at the base of a cross. We have placed a nativity set at the base of the cross at our church, as well. I'm not sure if others notice the poignancy of this scene, but seeing baby Jesus placed in the shadow of the cross that is His future, opened my eyes to why I celebrate this season.

The child

whose birth we observe

is the Messiah

who set aside his

divinity

to join humanity.

This child grew

to teach in the temple,

heal the sick,

welcome the lonely,

and die.

Today I try to celebrate this baby

with my eyes on the cross.

I honour this child who grew to become our Saviour.

I praise the Saviour who left the tomb empty

and my heart full.

  

I celebrate Christmas

because God came to be with us;

God came to redeem the world.

I share the Spirit of Christmas,

the Spirit of God,

who remains with us.

I anticipate Christ

Who will come again.

As you enjoy your gifts, your family, your feasts, and your traditions, 

take time to turn your eyes to the manger. 

Then lift them to the cross. 

Praise God  the babe in the manger

was born in the shadow of the cross.

Christ will come again

not to live among us

but to take us to live with God. 

This hope of eternity

brought by this baby in the manger

is worthy of celebration.

Marnie Pohlmann celebrates Christmas in Taylor, BC, pondering these things in her heart. She writes more on her blog, Phosphorescent, at www.marniewriter.com 

God With Us Especially In Trials - Alan Anderson

James 1:2: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…”

During the early part of this past November my wife Terry was informed she has uterine cancer. Ten days before this she had a biopsy taken. I had convinced myself the news wasn’t going to be as serious. The doctor at our follow up visit ended that hope.

I cannot say I responded to the news about Terry’s cancer with joy. I sensed nothing joyful at the time. Even writing this post I recall the initial sadness I experienced. All I could think at the time was, “This is real, and Terry has cancer.” Time froze for a second or two.

Like Terry, in a physical sense I am defenseless against cancer. I cannot protect her from the ailments common to the human race. I wish I could. I am, however, able to choose how I respond to this trial of. For one thing, I can assure Terry she is not alone in this experience. I will walk with her every step of the way. If needed, I will carry her. Cancer cannot beat us.

By faith I recognize trials give evidence that even in this experience my wife is going through we can rejoice together. This is not saying that we think cancer is good or that I am happy my wife has cancer. I can say we can be joyful, for God knows all about it. This trial has not taken God by surprise. He has given us assurance of his love and comfort in a very real way.

This assurance has been shown to us through the love and care we have received from other people. Our children and especially our daughter have been supportive. Our daughter and son-in-law treated us to an evening out with them recently. They wanted us to have some time to unwind from hearing the news about Terry’s cancer.

God’s assurance we are not alone is also evident through the practical and prayerful support of our church family. Terry and I began attending Saint Herman of Alaska Orthodox Church in Langley, BC, six months ago. We love this church. No sooner had I asked for the church to pray for Terry that they immediately showed us how loving God’s people can be. They are going to help us out with meals during Terry’s recover period. Someone has offered to help us out financially due to the expense of parking on a hospital parking lot. We are humbled at how real the love of God is through His people.

I must include my thanks to many InScribe members who are praying for Terry and I. People are praying all over the world for God’s comfort to be on us. We sense that comfort comes from the heart of God.

At the time of writing this post Christmas will soon be here. Terry is in good spirits and in no pain. We are both somewhat anxious to have her surgery and recovery period over with. We are confident beyond doubt that God has not left us alone.

If any of my wonderful readers are experiencing a “trial,” please know I am here for you. If any of my amazing and loved InScribe friends are experiencing distress please let me know. I will not have you to be alone in this.

Writing this post has been emotional and cathartic for me as I process this trial. I conclude by encouraging my readers to count trials as joy, my dear friends. We are not in this life alone!

Blog: ScarredJoy@wordpress.com

Breath of Hope ... Breath of Heaven ... by Jocelyn Faire

Gloom we have always with us, a rank and sturdy weed, but joy requires tending.
Barbara Holland

While I wait for God as long as He remains in hiding, while I wait and hope for him, I stand my ground and hope.
Isaiah 8:17 The Message

As I write this, I am brought back to my personal version of The Worst Christmas Pageant Ever. And I can still taste and feel the despair that was ready to engulf my soul. Despair is prolific, it requires nothing from us in order to grow, but hope takes an enormous effort. The year was 2005 and I felt as though I was living my life outside of my body, trying to direct a script that kept unravelling. Nine months earlier had been the day a car accident claimed the lives of my son, my daughter and my future daughter-in-law. Although this was now history to many people in our community, (because life moves on) our household was still reeling in grief. And the festive season was about to descend. My daughter and her husband had been in Africa for the past two years, this should have been our reunion Christmas.

I dreaded Christmas for eight months that year.

The only thing I could think of was a plan to escape ... do something different ... head to a warmer climate with our remaining daughter and her husband. Arrangements were made.

Thankfully some of the events are a blur.

But the question that changed everything, came from my husband (still struggling with PTSD), two days before the planned departure ...

“How bad would it be if I didn't go along?”

How Bad? Beyond bad ... unbearable, unthinkable, unresolvable.

Later that evening, alone in the family room-now a room without a family-his words replayed in my mind. I broke down weeping on the floor, the carpet absorbing the flood of  tears. Words failed to form into prayer as my heart felt ripped apart. The silence from heaven overwhelmed me.

I lay there till the sobs finally subsided.

“Will you trust me?” was the tiny question that I perceived.

Lord you have taken my two children, will you take my husband as well?

More silence as the questions hung in the air.

And all I have to go on is that you will be with me?

No reassurance, no guarantees, but a tiny spark of hope, a sense of His presence.

And so, following an emergency family counselling session ... three out of four of us still climbed aboard the flight to depart for Christmas.

I had never felt so alone. My husband had been part of the last thirty-two Christmases. I kept looking along the street, somehow thinking/hoping his truck might appear.

December 24^th our trio walked up and down the palm lined street, looking for a Christmas Eve service to attend. A board advertising a candlelight service at 8pm caught our eyes. We planned for it. Later that evening flickering candles lined the walkway to the stone building. Arriving five minutes before 8, we were surprised by the empty church, there were no others in attendance. What had we missed? Too confused and emotionally fragile, we took a balcony seat to catch our collective breath. From out of the darkness a woman stepped onto stage and sang for an audience of three—

Breath of Heaven ...

♪♪ I am waiting in a silent prayer
I am frightened by the load I bear
In a world as cold as stone
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now ...

Breath of heaven
Hold me together
Be forever near me
Breath of heaven ...
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me your holiness
For you are holy
Breath of heaven ♪♪ ...

The only thing that broke the silence were the tears that dropped to the wooden floor. After the song we walked along the water's edge until it was time for the official 9pm service, even though all three of us had read 8pm. My daughter told me this was the song she had brought along to share with me on Christmas day. She knew the power of the words. She knew I needed being held together. The Spirit also knew and I believe provided a private divine encounter ♪♪ to remind us that the gift of Christmas truly was and remains as Immanuel—God with us. He was with us that dark Christmas, and has been present every Christmas since.

When we can begin to grasp that God-With-Us is all we need, we have hope to live through every dark day.

Because when all is said and done, the last word is Immanuel—God-With-Us. Isaiah 8:10 The Message

This is a link to Amy Grant's version of Breath of Heaven (originally written by Chris Eaton/revised by Amy Grant)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW2OBT-5qfc

Jocelyn wishes you a Blessed Christmas from North Africa, where Christmas will be celebrated with her daughter and family. She is the author of Who is Talking Out of My Head, Grief as an Out of Body Experience. 

Ponderings ... Wonderings by Joylene M. Bailey

My husband and I raised three daughters. So when our first grandson came along things felt different. Not just because he made us grandparents, but because he was a boy.

I was privileged to meet him on November 21, 2013, the day after he was born. And in the month between his birth and Christmas Day that year, I found myself pondering the birth of Christ in a whole new way. He was a baby boy too. In fact, I pondered much more than His birth. And I pondered it from the perspective of a mother. More and more, I found myself thinking of Mary.

I watched my daughter fall in love with her new son. I watched her care for him and coo to him. I thought of Mary, loving her new baby boy, cooing to Him, cuddling Him. She knew He was very special, but did she know anything about what the future would bring? The angel Gabriel had only told her that she would bear a son and name Him Jesus, that He would be great and that there would be no end to His kingdom.

As I watched my daughter with her new son, my heart broke for Mary.

Joy and pain; love and fear. A mother’s heart goes through many things as she raises her child, but I wonder … could anything be more heartbreaking than watching your child suffer to the point of death? Mary, on that first Christmas Day, did you know your Son would have to suffer so?

It is probably a God-given kindness that we cannot see into the future.

Our grandson turned four this year. Every year that has passed, I have thought about Jesus at that age. More than that, I have thought about Mary, raising this boy she is growing to love more and more with each passing year; how He and His siblings are filling her mother-heart to overflowing and then …

I wonder ... Once Jesus had risen from the dead, and appeared to His disciples. Once He had taken His rightful place in heaven ... was her heart healed? Or, like Jesus’ risen body bore the scars of his death, did her heart still bear the scars of her heartbreak?

Perhaps I’ll ask her one day, when I meet her in heaven.

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Joylene will be relishing her time this Christmas with four-year-old Little Man, as well as Sweet Thing, Sunny & Bright, all of their parents, her Cowboy, Babe, and a cat named Calvin. 

She blogs at Scraps of Joy.