God is Present in Every Circumstance by Lynn Dove

I was going to Aquacise three times a week in preparation for swimsuit weather in the summer.  This was going to be the year I was finally going to take charge of my increasing waistline, get in better shape and become much more active.  That’s not to say I wasn’t active before, but I thought starting my 6^th decade, it was time to think about the retirement years coming up and I was in such serious denial about it, I wanted to push the hands of time backward a bit!  I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions, but I felt duly motivated to get a membership in January to our local sports centre and faithfully began swimming three times a week.  I was winning the bulge battle and I was feeling great…until the first week of April.

I didn’t understand why I wasn’t dropping weight.  In fact, I was actually starting to feel uncomfortably rotund in the tummy region.  The ballooning bulge became more and more burdensome; I wondered if there was some kind of obstruction, and within two weeks of experiencing pain and discomfort I reluctantly called my family doctor.  Within days of that meeting with the doctor, I had an ultra-sound, a CT scan, and was booked to visit a surgical oncologist at the Tom Baker Cancer centre in Calgary. 

To say I was shocked by this turn of events was a vast understatement.  I had been cancer-free for just about nineteen years, after breast cancer in 2001.  Now I was facing another cancer diagnosis, with the discovery of a large fast-growing mass on my right ovary.  With my past health history, everything seemed to be fast tracked for me to get in to see doctors, finally ending with extensive surgery to remove the mass on May 13^th. 

Where was God in this?

He was EVERYWHERE!

I had no way of knowing what these last few weeks (and the months ahead) would hold in store for me but God did.  Being prone to blood clotting issues, I needed to be in good shape to endure the rigours of surgery and to be able to heal quickly afterwards.  God used a friend to nudge me into going with her to an Aquacise class in early January.  It was so much fun and kick-started my fitness goals that helped strengthen my body and made me stay the course right up until April.  Doctors said it was “remarkable” how quickly I have bounced back from surgery.  I credit some of that to the months of exercise leading up to surgery.  Who knew?  God did!

When my discomfort began, I was ready to just chalk it up to normal aches and pains associated with working out harder than I had before, but when the pain persisted, I prayed for direction and felt prompted to call my doctor.  As much as I thought the wait was a long and excruciating one to get in to see doctors and finally undergo surgery, it was just over six weeks in total.  That’s pretty quick in the health-care scheme of things!  Through that waiting time, the Lord spoke to me through His Word daily.  He gave me peace in the midst of uncertainty and laid on the hearts of so many people to pray for me.  The prayers continue!

One of my biggest disappointments was having to cancel our 40^th Anniversary cruise.  I actually wrote about my excitement leading up to that cruise on the InScribe blog in March.  “We've had our share of many peaceful cruises on life's ocean, intermingled with some unexpected tidal surges and rough waves over these past forty years.  Still, we keep walking hand in hand, looking forward, full speed ahead, our eyes focused on the horizon and praying for calm waters in the years ahead.” I had no way of knowing when I wrote that post that another storm surge was coming up for us so soon, but God did!  My husband had been pro-active in getting trip insurance and all the costs were covered so we could recoup all monies spent.  I was still upset about not going on this “trip of a lifetime” but then we started to think about the “what ifs?”

What if I had gotten sick overseas?  What if I had to be admitted to hospital in Rome?  The more we added up the “what ifs?” the more we praised God for His impeccable timing.  Here at home, I got the medical help exactly when I needed it!  Had I elected to set sail and ignore the nagging symptoms rather than seek help when I did, well, that’s a “what if?” I don’t like to ponder upon right now. 

Of course, I have experienced my share of “down” days during the waiting period leading up to surgery.  I will no doubt experience more lows in the weeks and months ahead as I come to terms with a new cancer diagnosis.  There were times before my surgery when I felt disheartened and too weak and vulnerable to move, let alone to write.  I specifically asked friends to pray, and I felt those prayers envelope me like a warm hug.  On one such day, I asked God to encourage me and within hours I learned I was up for two Word Awards that celebrates Christian writing in Canada.  It was such a timely encouragement for me that it instantly propelled me out of my emotional doldrums, and has revitalized me in ways I never imagined.  (I have gotten clearance by my doctor to fly so I am able to attend the Gala in Hamilton.  I am beyond excited to be there!")

God has surrounded me with caring individuals who have fed us and even cleaned my home!  I am so thankful for those practical ministrations that allow me to rest and recover.  I am thankful for an army of prayer warriors who lift me before the Lord daily.  I will have challenging times in the weeks or months ahead, but I know God is with me.  He never leaves me or forsakes me, and I can trust Him in every circumstance!

Lynn Dove is the award-winning author, of the YA “Wounded Trilogy”- a contemporary Christian fiction series with coming-of-age themes.  A wife, mom, grandmother, and free-lance writer with articles published in several magazines and anthologies including Chicken Soup for the Soul books, her blog, “Journey Thoughts” is a Canadian Christian Writing Award winner.  Readers may connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and at lynndove.com  

Hope Beats Fear by Nina Faye Morey

Long ago God spoke in many different ways to our fathers

through the prophets, in visions, dreams, and even face to face,

telling them little by little about his plans.

~ Hebrews 1:1 TLB

“Hope Beats Fear” is the title of an article I wrote about my personal struggle coping with cancer that was published in the February 2014 issue of the Canadian Messenger. The goal of this monthly magazine was to help readers with their daily Christian living. This article was one of several articles and short stories that I was fortunate to have published in this magazine.

When I first received my devastating cancer diagnosis, I felt a deep sense of fear. My reason for sharing my story with others facing this kind of fear was to speak to them about the comfort I experienced when I placed myself in God’s hands and refused to let my fear evaporate my hope and erode my faith. Therefore, it was extremely gratifying when I received this comment from the magazine’s associate editor: “…one of the most uplifting articles I have ever read.”

For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word,

but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, 

in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

~ 2 Corinthians 2:17 ESV

God made me a writer. As a Christian, I believe He has called me to use my gift with words to serve Him and minister to others. God intends me to use my creativity not only as a means of self-expression, but also as a way to speak to others about Him and His Word, so they might come to know Him and develop a relationship with Him. He wants me to bear witness to the marvelous things He has done and is doing in my life. Like the fishermen He called to be His apostles, God calls ordinary people like me to share our stories and our faith as a form of Christian ministry.

Declare his glory among the nations,

His marvelous works among all the peoples!

~ Psalm 96:3

In today’s high-tech world, God has opened up countless opportunities to witness to people around the globe. We no longer have to rely on someone else to publish our words. For a while now, the Holy Spirit has been urging me to write and self-publish my work in books and ebooks, in online newsletters and magazines, and on my own and others’ blogs or websites. Consequently, I’ve been researching how to set up my own blog/website, commenting more on other’s blogs, and considering joining social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. But I’ve wavered due to my fears about having an online voice. Internet trolls love to tear down others rather than lift them up. I need to keep reminding myself that my focus is to share God’s love, not to receive “likes” on Facebook.

Therefore encourage one another

and build each other up,

just as you are doing.

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

So, once again, I must place myself in God’s hands and refuse to let my fear

override my hope. God knows there is plenty of trouble and suffering in this world (John 16:33), so He calls on us to encourage one another daily (Hebrews 3:13). I don’t need a theological degree to witness for Christ. The gospel message is simple: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). I only need to pray for the Holy Spirit to speak to me; to guide me to the right words and scriptures at the right time. Therefore, I’ll continue to use my gift to the best of my ability and rely on God to take care of the rest.

Images: Pixabay

Call of the Heart by Tracy Krauss

Long ago God spoke in many different ways to our fathers through the prophets, in visions, dreams, and even face to face, telling them little by little about his plans. (Hebrews 1:1, TLB)

I love this month's prompt and quite honestly had many different thoughts about how I could write on this theme. I sincerely believe that God has called some of us to write, and include myself in this group. Does this mean it is easy? Never! Sometimes (quite often, in fact) I feel as though I am 'writing against the grain'. Firstly, I believe God can use fiction to affect the lives of believers and non-believers alike and prefer writing it, although I have also written some non-fiction. I've written several posts on this topic including one called The Power of Fiction. 

As well, my novels seem to fall into what some might call the 'edgy' camp. My tagline, "Fiction on the edge without crossing the line" sums up what readers can expect. I do not purposely use vulgarity or gratuitous elements, but my stories are not always squeaky clean. I've had feedback from both those who appreciate the authenticity of my work and those who are uncomfortable with certain topics or character behaviour. I have come to terms with it. I will probably never have the large fanbase that some Christian novels do such as 'Amish' stories or sweet romances, but I believe that there is a place for my work. Reader feedback tells me this and so I persevere in writing what I feel God has called me to write.

Beyond the call to write, the verse used as a prompt this month really caught my attention for another reason. Many have already heard the story of the vision God gave me while I was waiting for open heart surgery two years ago. I was in St Paul's Hospital in Vancouver waiting for an angiogram and saw a very clear picture of my heart with four words emblazened on it. The words were: FEAR, DOUBT, ANXIETY, and PRIDE. I admit that I do not know whether this was in a dream, a vision while I was awake, or whether it was drug induced since I was on a lot of medication. However, it impressed me so much that I drew a picture of it in my journal. 

After my angiogram, I was given a picture of my heart showing four blocked arteries. The blocked arteries coincided exactly with the ones in my vision! I felt God saying that the physical by-pass I was about to go through also had spiritual application. Since then I have purposed to renounce all fear, doubt, anxiety and pride, for they have been by-passed in my life. 

I have been encouraged and inspired by other people's posts this month. Even when I feel discouraged about my writing, I need only think back to the many times that God has proven Himself. He has called me to write for Him and has by-passed all fear, doubt, anxiety and pride in my writing journey as well as in my life as a whole, including serving as InScribe's current president. 

Tracy Krauss lives in northern BC - http://tracykrauss.com

When God Lifts Me Up by Wendy L. Macdonald

I’ve noticed there’s a particular time when God speaks to me about my writing and lifts me up. The rest of the time I need to show up and trust that my efforts will be used for a Higher Purpose. Being an inspirational writer parallels the faith walk in many ways. We need to trust that during the lean times (when time to write leans near nil), God still multiplies what we offer to feed those He has in mind.

Often, in the process, we—the writers—are the ones who are fed first.

I’m a needy writer. I regularly hunger for affirmation from God. It’s not a daily need. I can write for weeks before the desperation sets in. But when a bottoming out of my writing sprints occur, I sit on the side of the racetrack, stare at my untied running shoes, and wonder if I should bother tying them up again.

 I think things like:

• No one needs what I have to say.
• I’m not worthy to write worthwhile words.
• I might as well go back to my former hobbies and forget about writing for others.
• My journal is enough to satisfy my cravings to write (Insert laughing emoji here.).

Then, I tie my laces up and head down the track because I’ve done enough laps to know that if God thinks I need encouragement, He’ll send it. If He doesn’t send it, then maybe I am supposed to hang up my writing shoes.

The last time my writerly enthusiasm bottomed out, an email arrived with a contract for me to sign regarding something that had previously been shortlisted for an inspirational magazine. Once again, God spoke to me about my writing:

 Keep running.

As I read the devotional that had been contracted, I was ministered to just as I had been when I wrote it. It was about being content with our little corner of the world—being content with where God has planted us to grow (or write).

And this reminds me of something the apostle Paul wrote:

I am not saying this because I am in need,

 for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.

 I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,

 whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 

Philippians 4:13 NIV

I'm nosy-to-know:

 
How does God lift you up when your writer’s heart is down? 

Blessings ~ Wendy Mac