A VISION REKINDLED...

This past weekend I attended the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference that was held at Cairn University in Langhorne, Pennsylvania.  Since the temperatures in Philly have been climbing recently, we've been experiencing sweltering heat accompanied by soggy weather.  Thankfully the temperature dropped a few degrees this weekend so it was nice to experience the cool breeze and the sun peaking out as I toured the beautiful grounds of the university.  Many inspiring authors, editors, publishers, and speakers were in attendance.  What a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow through the teachings of these incredible individuals.  I do wish I had the opportunity to attend more sessions, panels, and appointments than I did, but alas, they had CD's available for sale afterwards. 

Writing a novel adapted towards encouraging women to break free from the shackles of their oppressive past is in the works thanks to the inspirational writers/authors I met with at the seminar.  I have no doubt that Almighty God implanted the concept for writing this book in my heart many years ago.  I will share from my personal experience of how I’ve overcome by relying on the love of Jesus Christ and some good ole fashioned talk therapy.  Likewise, there will be additional stories included of amazing women who have not only overcome their horrific experiences, but are now using their victories to encourage others not merely to survive, but to thrive!

...I will be sharing more in a later post, so stay tuned♥

Knowing When It's Time To Move On...

Seems like every time I turn around there is something breaking down or vying for my attention in this old abode. I have to admit that I do live in an antiquated house built in 1920 and have been putting off finding a new place for sometime due to personal reasons. The cost of fixing up the place and the upkeep required is definitely stretching beyond the worth of this archaic property. I have allowed it to steal away much of my time and energies for far too long. I relate it to owning an older car that keeps breaking down on you only to find out that the engine needs to be replaced in order for it to keep from failing. The wisest thing to do at that point would be to get rid of it and purchase a newer vehicle. The same goes for an older house that keeps failing. Of course, the struggle for me is not that I have to sell it and move to another residence - I'm looking forward to it with all of my heart. The challenge is the timing of it all. There are so many details and energies that have to go into selling your home. I wasn't quite ready to get it prepared to put it up for sale just yet. But the final straw came when the sewer pipe busted and the roof started to leak. At that point I was done. Nothing like being forced into a decision that you were not ready to make. 

However, I know that God had allowed that situation to happen because he knows when I need to be prodded into making a decision that I have been putting off for one reason or another. I can look back at my life and see all of the times I needed a swift kick in the pants to let go of a situation that was no longer beneficial to me. Sometimes our own stubbornness, fears, or lackadaisical thinking become an impediment to our prosperity and growth as a person. Thank God for His fatherly discipline (love) and protection in my life. I totally believe without Almighty God's (YHWH) intervention and guidance throughout the years, I would have had quite a few regrets looming over my head. Suffice to say that it is hard for me to be creative and focus on my writing when I have so many other things to juggle in my life. I'm hoping that today will be the start of a renewed commitment to keep writing despite the obstacles that are trying to prevent me from taking the time to do what I love to do.

Sadly, I have not written any new posts since February 2017.  It's funny how life seems to take you in a totally different direction than what you've planned...a direction to which you'd rather not go.  However, I will be getting back into the rhythm of posting on my blog very soon. And at some point in the near future, I will be stearing my blog in a slightly different direction and will more than likely be finding another home for it as well.         So please stay tuned♥

  The Clock Is Ticking Away...

As a single godly woman - my calling is to have an outward focus of serving others and pointing them towards a right relationship with their creator (Philippians 2:3-4, Galatians 5:13).  When I keep focused on my God-given purpose and give of my time and talents freely to others, God promises to fulfill all of my needs (Matthew 6:33).  And let me tell you from experience, He does a magnificent job of taking good care of His children. God proves His faithfulness over and over again not only in my own life, but in the lives of my brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world.  I'm not saying I have tons of money in the bank or that I am financially rich in anyway, just because I am a child of the Most High (compared to the world’s standards of wealth of course).  There were times in my life when I didn't know where the money would come from to pay my heating bill for the month or how I will find the money to get my car fixed etc...  But, low and behold the funds would always turn up (e.i. receiving an unexpected refund check in the mail or a friend paying back money they owed at just the right time).  I have no doubt that it was my awesome Father God that saved the day because He is faithful to me (1 Corinthians 1:9). 

I will say that I've become rich on a higher (spiritual) plain.  Many people in the world today do not seek the truth (God) in their own lives and therefore only have the standards of this fallen world to live by and what this world has to offer them.  In essence, they've become slaves to the powers that be (2 Peter 2:19).  Even some today who profess to be religious and say they know God (Matthew 7: 21-23, Romans 12:2).  They listen to what their bosses tell them to do without question, even when they know it's wrong. Many who are religious do what their church leaders tell them to do or what not to do without even opening up the bible to develop their own personal relationship with Jesus Christ and 'test' for the truth themselves (1 John 4:1, 2 Corinthians 13:5).  Then they complain and are embarrassed when church leaders' sins are exposed for all the world to see, but still continue to have a blind loyalty to that particular church just because they were brought up in that church.  So many people are easily led astray because it is easier to just follow the same old path they've been on because it seems safer - at least they know what to expect.  Also, they know that if they do seek the REAL truth, then they will have to turn away from the lifestyle they've been living - and ultimately their past and present sins will need to be brought out into the light and all the hidden skeletons in the closet will need to be revealed (Mark 4:22).  I don’t know about you, but I’d rather turn to God, repent of my sins, and accept his grace before it is too late. You cannot receive grace after you pass away from this earth – otherwise, it will be too late. 

 The deceiver aka the father of lies has conned so many people in this world into believing his falsehoods (John 8:44). To this day,  satan continues to whisper in their ear – that if they reveal their sins and bring them forth out of the darkness that they will be humiliated, embarrassed, and ultimately punished because God would never want to forgive such depravity (2 Timothy 2:26, John 3:20, Luke 8:17, Hebrews 4:13).  However, on the contrary, what a great blessing it is to have the weight of all of your sins finally dealt with in truth. Once you accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior and become a faithful child of God, your sins will be completely forgiven because of Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross - how wonderfully refreshing (1 John 1:19, Luke 5: 31-32, Acts 3:19).  And although they know that something is truly missing from their lives (a true relationship with Christ) they are still willing to remain in their 'comfort' zone. Ironically, most of their time is spent living in darkness, guilt, shame, doubt, distrust, misery, confusion, loneliness, complacency, and pain rather than seeking God with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength in order to be found by Him so that He can restore everything that has been broken (Deuteronomy 4:29, Matthew 13:15). 

Seeking the only 'Truth' that satisfies is not for the faint of heart by any means.  In fact, seeking the truth can be a lonely road at times, not to mention extremely challenging - but, I wouldn't go back to putting blinders on for all of the money in the world.  What a wonderful life to live, knowing that your sins will never be held against you. And I no longer have to walk around with guilt, shame, or fear of being exposed. I can live in full confidence knowing what God has done for me over 2000 years ago on Calvary (John 3:16). 

However, only a small percentage of people in this world will find the truth (because so few actually seek it). That's why in God's word He clearly states that sad fact and that the path that leads to true life (spiritual life) is extremely narrow and only a few will actually find it (Matthew 7:13-14, Romans 1: 19-20). I would not want to be found by God on that broad road, would you? 

 
 The fact is, that God wants to be your precious heavenly Father and is longing to forgive your sins and fulfill all of your needs (Isaiah 1:18, Philippians 4:19). You only need to turn to Him in earnest in order to receive the many blessings He wants to bestow upon you.  He says it very plainly in his word (Matthew 6:31 -32). God provides for His own, those that have accepted His calling to put Him first in their lives.   



I have peace of mind knowing that when I am one day freed from this mortal coil, I already have a designated place in heaven reserved just for me (John 14:2 KJV) - for all eternity - 100% guaranteed (2 Peter 3:9, Philippians 1:6).

 As we get older, you and I both know that this time on earth goes by so quickly.  The clock keeps on ticking away, but one day it will stop on a dime without any warning (Revelations 3:3, Ecclesiastes 9:4-5, Deuteronomy 30:19-20).  
 

  Will you be ready to meet your creator? 

                 HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017

 In this New Year 2017...Let us All focus on bestowing peace, love, joy, and understanding.  And let us live together in Truth.

Tis The Season...

Panting breathlessly, long chocolate twists brushing across her nose, she balances the shiny red and green bundle tightly in her arms...Tis the season to be running out to the shopping malls buying up those last minute gift items for our loved ones. The hustle and bustle of trying to beat the crowds to get that unique gift for that special someone is enough to fray anybody's nerves. Somewhere along the way, we lost sight of the real reason for the season. When did this happen?  Why have we, as a nation, allowed this to happen? When are we going to wake up and see that all this running around is for not? This is not the real reason for the season. Sure, Christmas trees and glowing decorations are beautiful to see. It does make my heart go all a flutter when I'm driving down the road and see an amazing Christmas scene set up on someone's lawn. 

However, it isn't about the presents, or the decorations, or even about our elaborate parties.  It is about someone so special, unique, and wonderful, that He knew that the only way that ALL of us could be saved from our own transgressions was for Him to decide to humble himself, step down from his mighty throne above, and be born as a lowly child here on earth.  He took our place on the cross so that all of our sins would be forgiven past, present, and future (Isaiah 53: 1-12).  He knew that this was the ONLY way that we would finally be set free from the grips of sin in this world and gain a place in heaven (Isaiah 59: 1-12); (Isaiah  42: 1-4). The things that enslave us come from our wrong desires (2 Peter 2:19).  All who believe are truly free to enjoy the fruits of Christ's ultimate act of love (Hebrews 9:1-28).  As believers, let's decide to reconcile ourselves to enjoy this Christmas season with true joy and peace within our hearts.  And let us share our faith with those who need to hear the incredible message of salvation. 

                                                 

The True Reason for the Season

Here’s hoping your Christmas

is filled with special moments,

Marked with joyful sounds of cheer;

Raising glasses by the warmth

of the fireplace, sharing heartfelt wishes

 for a blessed New Year...

Recounting precious memories

 spent with family and friends;

Especially of those who are

 no longer with us-

so that they may live on forever

in our hearts...

Forgetting our sorrows

 and putting our struggles aside-

By keeping Hope near and dear,

And joining with others

 at Christmas in celebrating life...

God’s greatest gift given to us

 to preserve and treasure,

Remembering His ultimate sacrifice

 for our salvation;

After all, this is the true

 reason for the season.

Copyright © 2016 Barbara A. Boyle. All Rights Reserved.