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The Magazine for Inspiration and Life.
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The Magazine for Inspiration and Life The Magazine for Inspiration and Life
How to Stay on
Track
Amazing Buffalo
Chicken Dip Recipe
A Story of Bullying and
Grace
Fall 2013Fall 2013
From Clutter to ClarityFrom Clutter to Clarity Simplify Your Life Now Simplify Your Life Now
The Quiet Times The Quiet Times
Let Your Life Speak!Let Your Life Speak!
Dealing with Difficult PeopleDealing with Difficult People
2
Fall 2013
In This Issue
No Shame in My Game 4
What Might Have Been 10
The Blessing of Broken Pieces 16
Never Leave You 20
Dealing with Difficult People 23
Conquering the Spirit of Fear 24
Let Your Life Speak 30
In Every Issue
A Message from the Editor 7
What’s Cookin’ in the Café 13
A Free Gift for You 14
Love Notes from Heaven 38
Coming Soon
New Artist Feature Story: Local Christian Music Sensation
Ministry Spotlight: Fit for the King Ministries
He Said/She Said– Real Talk from Both Perspectives
What’s on Your Heart?
TESTIFY!- Real Life Stories of Overcomers
...and More!
Freelance Writers Welcome
HeartsSongs Magazine is currently accepting submissions of original high
quality content for future issues. If you are interested in having your work
published with us please contact us at via email
at [email protected] for submission
guidelines and information.
3
Editor-in-Chief
Stephanie Lyas
This Issue’s Contributors
Anonymous Contributors
Jan Ackerson
Donna Haug
Bronwyn Johnson
Abby Kelly
Molly M.
Don Pedal
Carlton Steele
Nancy Twigg
Publisher
HeartSongs Publishing Unlimited
Print & Distribution
MagCloud
Photo Credits:
FRS Photography, Master Art Collection
and Various Artists. Images used with
permission. All Rights Reserved.
For Subscription, Purchase
and Advertising Information Mailing Address:
HeartSongs Magazine
c/o HeartSongs Publishing Unlimited
P.O. Box 59763
Birmingham, AL 35259-9763
Voice & Fax:
205-575-9627
Email: [email protected]
Website/Blog:
www.heartsongsmag.blogspot.com
This publication is copyrighted. All Rights
Reserved. No part of this magazine may
be reproduced or transmitted without the
expressed written permission of the Editor.
Please contact the authors directly for
permission to reprint, distribute or re-
publish their work. All material is
reprinted with permission.
Join Our Team
Got the “write” stuff? Do you have copy editing/publishing or graphic design experience that you would like to
put to good use? HeartSongs Magazine is looking for you! Contact Stephanie at [email protected] to
learn how to become a part of our awesome growing publication.
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Thanks for purchasing this issue of HeartSongs Magazine! It is always our joy to produce
high quality, informative and inspirational content. Our goal is to encourage, inspire,
enlighten and uplift you toward the awesome life that God has designed just for you! We
welcome your questions, comments and suggestions how we can make this a top-notch
publication for your enjoyment. HeartSongs Magazine is dedicated to improving the lives
of its readers and glorifying God in all we do.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Lyas
Editor-in-Chief
HeartSongs Magazine
4
“LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him.’ But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.” Psalm 3:1-2 (NIV) Most of us have our share of embarrassing moments that are engrained in our minds.
Things that we would love to forget. Several of mind occurred during my awkward pre-
teen years. Of course, in the mind of a 12 year old, any minor incident can make you feel
like your world is crashing down with blunt force!
I’ll never forget the summer I tried out for my junior high volleyball team. Even though I
had not an athletic bone in my body, I decided to do it because one of my best friends
was trying out and convinced me to do it with her. Let’s just say that it was probably the
single most embarrassing spectacle in the history of my young life. I couldn’t do
anything right. I remember the coach yelling at me and the all the kids laughing at me.
Even those who I thought were my friends teased me mercilessly and made me want to
crawl in a hole and stay there forever. I cried all the way home and then some more once
I got there. It is a painful memory that is etched in my mind to this day. I was so
embarrassed. So ashamed.
Unfortunately, that incident would be one of many throughout my adolescence and early
adulthood that would bring about feelings of shame and regret. Some things I brought
upon myself. Others just happened to me. Nevertheless, I spent many, many years
feeling worthless and like my life would never amount to much. Although I achieved
success in some areas, the shame of what I was becoming overshadowed much of the
good that I had done. I wondered how God could ever use somebody like me. But deep
down I always felt like He would figure out a way.
As my relationship with Christ began to flourish, I learned that overcoming guilt, shame
and regret was something I had to do. I began to meditate on the fact that God was the
lifter of my head and that I was free from the shame of my past. I didn’t have to feel
condemned for anything that happened —my awkward years, my mistakes, my lapses in
judgment, my desperation to be loved. Knowing that my repentant heart and my
willingness to surrender all to the Lord made life worth living.
Maybe you’re struggling with some issue or issues that cause you pain and shame.
Maybe someone is making you feel sad and worthless because of something that
occurred in the past. Whatever the situation, I encourage you to pray and look up to the
One Who lifts your head high. He is the One who shields and protects your fragile heart.
He is the One who completely restores, heals and forgives you when you go to Him
sincerely. He is willing and able to deliver you from the bondage of shame and make you
brand new!
© Stephanie Lyas. 2013. All rights reserved.
No Shame in My Game
by Stephanie Lyas
5
He Said/She Said
1. That she has a relationship with the Lord because that is the foundation
of every good relationship. The Lord.
2. That she is attractive. That is not being superficial. We are drawn by
what catches our eye.
3. That she is able to receive love. Not bitter, rude, harsh. Not judgmental
of past mistakes of others. Kind. gentle. Not snappy or aggressive.
1. That he is truly saved and not just going through the motions.
2. That is confident in who he is. There is nothing more attractive
than a man who is sure of himself. He may not have it all to-
gether, but if a man knows who he is, he can conquer the
world.
3. A man who knows how to give and receive love.
We asked HeartSongs Radio listeners to weigh in on our question of the month.
“What Are Your Top 3 Ideal Qualities in a Soul Mate?”
6
Squirrel Sense
If you ever get bored on a lazy fall afternoon, come over, grab a cup of coffee,
have a seat inside my home office next to the window and just watch. On any
given day, you’ll find yourself intrigued by a family of squirrels that live next
door. The way they carry on would make you wonder if the they have good
sense. Some of their antics are quite entertaining-especially in the midst of a
long work day.
It’s nothing to see one or two of them gathering nuts, running up and down my
neighbor’s deck or across the power line at lightning speed. My favorite is
one I call Rocky who I’m not sure is a boy or a girl but is funny as all get out.
Every day he (or she) waits on the fence post directly in front of my window
until another one comes along. Then it’s war. Rocky hems up like a cat and
begins to attack. Then they run off somewhere out of sight and come right
back to do it all over again.
Watching those squirrels one day taught me a valuable lesson. That life
consists of an equal balance of work and play. The squirrels were no doubt
busy gathering their food for winter, but in between they found time to simply
have fun.
Many times we get bogged down with the essential things like work, chores,
errands and so forth that we forget to enjoy life along the way. Realizing that
we were created to live in balance gives us the freedom to take time to play
and enjoy the wonderful life that we have been given. We may not always feel
that we have the time, considering our long “to do” lists. But we must have the
sense to make the time for the one thing that is essential to having a happy
life– a little fun every now and then!
7
Stephanie Lyas, Founding Editor
HeartSongs Magazine
CONTACT US
HeartSongs Magazine
c/o HeartSongs Publishing Unlimited
Stephanie Lyas, Founder
P.O. Box 59763
Birmingham, AL 35259-9763
Dear Readers,
It’s here at last! My favorite time of the year for lots of reasons.
Football, boots and jeans weather, and everything pumpkin. As I
look out my window, I see brown and golden leaves from my
neighbor’s oak tree floating quietly to the ground. The days are
getting shorter. Temperatures are a little cooler. And through it
all I’m reflecting on how nature gives us subtle signs that the
seasons are changing. And I continue to be in awe of God’s
faithfulness time after time.
Maybe you’re in a season of change. Whatever the
circumstances, you are in an optimal place to experience God’s
goodness, even when change doesn’t feel good. There is always
something for which we can be thankful.
This issue of HeartSongs Magazine is a little different than the
others. While I generally like to keep the tone of our magazine,
lighthearted and upbeat, this issue deals with some real life
circumstances that people like you and I face-especially around
the holidays. I decided to recruit some very courageous people
to share their personal and heartfelt stories. It is through their
sharing that I hope to use this publication to encourage others
and offer a ray of hope. If one person is blessed then our labor is
not in vain.
I sincerely pray that this autumn is full of solemn nights, cool, sun-
kissed mornings and quiet times of reflection. Thanks always for
your love and continued support.
Faithfully yours,
Stephanie Founding Editor,
HeartSongs Magazine
8
The buzzing of my cell phone in the middle of
a hectic workday was a welcomed interrup-
tion. It was a new Facebook notification that I
just had to check. “Deena M.G. has sent you a
friend request.” Deena? The girl from high
school who hated my guts for no reason? The
girl who spread nasty rumors about me and
tried to make my life miserable? That Dena?
Surely this must be some kind of mistake. But
when I signed on and I saw her profile photo I
knew it was her. I can’t say that I was thrilled
to see her, either. She pretty much looked the
same as I remember although she was about
fifty pounds heavier and was beginning to gray
a little in the front. Also in the pic were two
kids and a guy who I assumed was her hus-
band. They all were at the beach and looked
very happy. I must admit, although Deena
looked a little different than what I remember,
this was a pretty good photo of her. Not a bad
looking family, either. Of course curiosity got
the best of me so I took a few minutes to
browse through all her pictures. Most of them
were shots of her kids and family. A few were
of her and her “hubby” on different occasions.
“Why is this girl, of all people, trying to friend
me after all these years?” I thought. We never
even had so much as a 5 minute conversation
in school. So I decided not to accept her re-
quest right away. I needed to give it some
time.
When I got home that evening, I logged back
on only to see more baby pictures that other
friends had posted, cutesy couple pictures, pics
of roses my friend got at work, not to mention
the Scandal TV show updates. It was too
much! This was beginning to really get on my
nerves. Why do I do this to myself? And of
lion photos, paying her an honest compli-
ment each time. Still nothing. In fact, I
haven’t heard a peep out of her yet.
I was convinced that she had no intention on
actually getting in touch with me. I felt like
I was being pimped for my Facebook
friendship. I was just another profile to add
to her collection. And I was put off by be-
ing ignored.
So week after week I endured her incessant
postings about what she ate for breakfast
(including photos), how great her hubby
was for fixing this or that, and how wonder-
ful her life was. I resisted the urge to write
in all caps “WHO CARES?” Instead, I just
tried my best to ignore her. Finally, I just
blocked her because unfriending her seemed
too harsh.
Why was this girl and so many others like
her getting under my skin? Was I really that
disgusted by their posts? Or was I begin-
ning to compare my ho-hum existence to
their wonderful adventures? I realized that I
needed to do some soul searching and get to
the bottom of why I felt the need to compare
and compete with them. And why their
posts made me feel so bad about my own
life?
I’m almost certain that Facebook was ini-
tially started as a way to connect with
friends and family, but over time has
evolved into much more (and not always
good). These days people pretty much live
their lives Face-hooked– constantly check-
ing to see what other people are doing. As
if we would care otherwise. Although there
are so many benefits, social media sites like
course, there was the pending request made by
Deena.
I must admit.. I wasn’t all that eager to respond to
it. I wrestled with the fact that, although twenty-
something years had passed, there was still a part
of me that wanted nothing to do with this girl.
Then I thought to myself, “What would Jesus do?
Would he have me ‘friend’ her or just politely
ignore her? What if she were friending me after
all these years as a way of apologizing for being a
complete jerk all those years? Maybe she’s really
interested in being my friend. So I bit the bullet..
And accepted.
Several hours and days went by. I waited for
Deena to respond and say how great it was to see
me after all these years or even say, “Hi”. Nei-
ther happened. In fact, I even reached out by
“liking” and “commenting” on one of her gazil-
Facebook and Twitter also have a dark side. If not used with the right heart sites like these may
foster unhealthy comparisons among people, take up too much of your time, promote self-
centeredness and the list goes on and on. I’m not saying that these sites are bad, but misuse can
have detrimental outcomes to a person’s spiritual, emotional and perhaps physical well-being. I
know.. It happened to me.
You might say, “It’s just Facebook,” but for many people who may live in isolation or are suscepti-
ble to depression, certain things can trigger negative responses. I’m not saying to stop posting pic-
tures of little Johnny. It’s your wall. Do what you want. Just be aware that everybody isn’t inter-
ested in every single detail of your life. If things are great, CONGRATULATIONS! If you are one
of those people, like me, who actually got burned out on social media (a fact confirmed by my thera-
pist), consider taking a break. Find other things in your life that add joy and meaning. Most im-
portantly, stop comparing your life with the lives of people you see online. Learn to appreciate your journey. You may not have the house, the nice cars, the 3.5 kids and the white picket fence life, but
know that you are blessed. You may not have lots of happy family pics posted all over the place,
but know that you are loved and cared for. God loves you! I pray that you discover the wonderful
life that you already have in Him while you’re on the way to the wonderful life you dream of!
With Friends Like These Avoiding Social Media Burnout
by Anonymous Contributor
9
Children & Teen Issues
A Story of Bullying and Grace
Terrorizing Rachel by Jan Ackerson
“Be one who nurtures
and builds. Be one
who has an understand-
ing and forgiving heart,
who looks for the best
in people. Leave peo-
ple better than you
found them.
Marvin J. Ashton
Rachel walks into Lit. class with an ashen face. As she passes my desk, I silently
will her to meet my eyes, to see the triumph there, but she slumps into her seat
without glancing in my direction.
She fumbles in her backpack as Mrs. Crandall starts her boring Beowulf lecture.
A wadded-up paper rolls out and she jams it back inside, blushing furiously. I
recognize that paper I taped it to her locker, knowing she'd find it between clas-
ses. It's a masterpiece, although my teacher wouldn't appreciate it; I managed to
insult not only Rachel but her wimpy religion, in vocabulary that Mrs. Crandall
might call "crude, but effective."
Mrs. Crandall calls my name “Lisa, do you have something to contribute?" and I
realize that I must have snorted.
"No," I say, and I pretend to take Beowulf notes. Instead, I compose several sen-
tences beginning with "Rachel is a --". My plan is to pass the paper to my best
friend, Shana, three rows to my right. Shana and I have made Rachel-baiting an
art form, and I know this will make her day. I add a sketch of Rachel in church,
(Continued on page 15)
10
What Might Have Been
My Story of Disenfranchised Grief
I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard
the expression, “you never miss what you’ve
never had.“ I wonder if people who say that
way really believe it, or if it’s something they
say to ease the pain of some deep, secret
loss. Speaking from experience there are
lots of things whose absence has bored a
deep hole in my heart. And I miss them
dearly.
The older I get, I try to minimize my regrets.
Sometimes, though sadness and heartache
seem too overwhelming-especially those days
when I feel like life has passed me by. As I
approach middle age single and childless (not
by choice). I can’t help feeling like God is
punishing me for something. I mean, I don’t
really ask for much. I’m not selfish and
materialistic. In fact, I’m a very loving,
nurturing and giving person. Almost to a
fault. So why do I feel like my deepest
desires are the very things eluding me?
I recently read an article in one of those self-
help magazines that summed up what I was
feeling to a tee. The article was about a
woman whose story resembled mine in many
ways. She was middle aged, unmarried and
longed for children of her own. She struggled
with a medical condition that caused
infertility, so the likelihood of her having her
own children without expensive medical
treatments was slim. Tears welled in my eyes
as I read her story of desperation. I felt in my
own heart the pain of her struggle as a single
woman to cope in our family-oriented, couple-
oriented society. I was interested in her story
of what she called disenfranchised grief- grief
that really is not vastly understood or
accepted in our culture and society. I
needed a name for what I was feeling and I
got it that day. And suddenly, I didn’t feel so
alone in my struggle.
I discovered that disenfranchised grief is not
like “normal” (for lack of a better term) grief.
For example, when parents lose their child
their grief is treated much differently than
someone who is perhaps unable to even
conceive. Of course, it’s almost like
comparing apples to oranges but for those of
us who are hurting, grief is grief. The pain
and anguish still exist. The waves of sadness
and regret linger. The feelings of heartache
and despair are very real. But with us
who only have the memory of what never
was, it is haunting reality that deserves a
level of understanding and care.
For me, the holidays are the worst times
of the year. Although I love what they
represent, I hate them at the same time.
And if I don’t plan something to do to
distract me from all the family and child-
centered festivities, I’ll find myself
sinking back into the dark hole of
depression.
I’m not writing this article to gain pity or
sympathy. I simply want to raise
awareness that there are many people
out there facing battles that most will
never know or understand. We are just
like you but our pain is masked by
smiles and they typical, “I’m okay.” The
truth is.. we’re not okay. We’re surviving
though. I want to encourage those
reading this, who can related to my
story. If I could, I would wrap my arms
around your shoulders and let you know
that it’s okay to grieve. It’s okay to
scream to the top of your lungs. It’s
okay to weep and ask God questions.
It’s okay to mourn the loss of something
you hoped for but never got. Blessed
are they that mourn for they shall be
comforted. May these words bring
healing to your heart and soul.
Ways to Help Someone
Experiencing Disenfranchised
Grief
1. Ask, don’t assume that everything is
okay. People who feel left out may not
reach out for help.
2. Don’t further isolate the person-
especially around holidays and special
occasions when they are more
vulnerable to depression.
3. Don’t ever advise the person to simply
“get over it.” Their pain and loss are
real and deserve compassion and
sensitivity.
4. Be patient and understanding.
5. Provide support when necessary. Just
being a good listener goes a long way.
Types of Disenfranchised Grief
Loss of a pet
Loss of a home or possessions Illness,
injury or disability
Break-up of a Relationship
Infertility/Childlessness
Broken promises and dreams
Missed opportunities
Joblessness
Empty Nest Syndrome
Signs and Symptoms of Grief
Trouble sleeping
Changes in mood or disposition
Sadness/Crying
Irritability/Short temper
Problems Concentrating
Hopelessness & Despair
Changes in appetite
Sources: Wikipedia, Comfort Your Heart
by Molly M.
11
The other day I was coming out of the cell phone store in my usual rush to get to the next destination I was
disappointed that the store no longer carried an accessory I needed which meant that I had to head to another
store to find it . It was a picture perfect day but I was tired of running around, since I had been to two other
stores with no success. As I headed to my car, I murmured under my breath about the phone and a few oth-
er things. Just then, I saw a young woman and her kids come out of the ice cream shop next door with their
cool treats. I could tell the kids were really enjoying their ice cream, but what happened next changed the
course of my entire day. One of the boys, who I suspect wasn’t more than about six years old, stopped to
say, “Thanks, Mom.” Normally, I wouldn’t have paid it much attention, but this was no ordinary “Thank
you.” It was so genuine and sweet. It stirred up something in my heart. And caused me to humbly repent
for my attitude. If a little kid can be grateful, why can’t I?
How many times do we go throughout the day with more complaints than thanksgiving? Many people start
their day off ranting about everything from traffic to politics. Occasionally, I listen to talk radio early in the
morning and it never ceases to amaze me how some people wake up so angry. Sure, there are many things
that agitate us during the course of the day and some things we simply cannot change. But a truly grateful
heart has little room for complaining.
On my drive home that day I thought about the kid from the ice cream shop and prayed to have a heart like
his. One that expresses gratitude for blessings great and small. One that is pure and genuinely thankful.
After all, God is a loving Father who deserves it.
Always Give Thanks
by Stephanie Lyas
12
From Clutter to
Clarity:
Simplifying Life
from the Inside
Out
by Nancy Twigg
When most people think of simplifying, the first thing they think
of is getting rid of clutter around the home or office. Cleaning out
closets and drawers is definitely a part of simplifying, but true
simplification goes far deeper than that. Clutter is much more
than old magazines, outdated clothes, and kitchen gadgets you
never use. Certainly those things are clutter, but from now on,
think of clutter as any possession, habit, thought pattern, attitude
or activity that fits into one of these three categories:
* Anything you don't need or use anymore
* Anything that doesn't fit or work for you like it used to
* Anything that doesn't add value and meaning to your life as it
once did
Under this new definition, clutter is anything that complicates
your life and stands in the way of simplicity. In the past, you may
have only thought of clutter in terms of stuff: those size 8 jeans
you hope to wear again someday or those unfinished projects in
your garage. But let me share a secret with you. These kinds of
unwanted and unneeded material possessions are only the tip of
the iceberg! What about the multitude of commitments that cram-
pack your schedule? What about the thoughts that jumble your
mind and the spending habits that sabotage your finances? All of
these things are clutter too, because they cause chaos and confu-
sion.
When you think of clutter in this new light, you begin to see what
a tremendous problem clutter truly is. You will also see that the
root causes of this ugly clutter make the clutter itself look tame.
Think about it. Why do you say yes to everyone who requests
your time and services? Are you afraid that people won't like you
if you say no? Do you feel the need to present a Super Mom im-
age to the world?
What about those clothes you hold onto even though you know
you will never wear them again? Are you afraid that if you get rid
of them you will need them again someday? If you did happen to
need them, do you doubt God's ability to provide more? And if
you have a tendency to spend more than you can afford, ask your-
self why you do that. Are you driven by feelings of discontent-
ment or the need for instant gratification? Are you afraid that if
you pass on a sale now you will never find a good price on that
item again?
These issues go much deeper than just having a messy desk or
disorganized pantry. These are issues of the heart.
Clutter is a problem for anyone, but for Christians, it spells major
trouble. Clutter does more than affect us physically and emotion-
ally; it affects us spiritually because it keeps us from following
Jesus fully. We simply cannot make room for Him when so many
other things are in the way. The more we stay focused on the junk
of this life, the less time and energy we have to focus on the im-
portant matters God and His plans for our lives.
Have you ever tried to lug an overstuffed suitcase through a
crowded airport? Not an easy task, is it? No matter how hard you
try, you simply cannot move quickly and efficiently when you're
carrying a heavy load. Think of clutter as baggage physical, emo-
tional, and financial baggage that weighs you down and holds you
back. Clutter is the heavy load that keeps many of us from ma-
neuvering effectively through our lives. Our suitcases are filled
with all kinds of deadweight: habits we need to give up, attitudes
we've long since outgrown, activities and possessions that no
longer serve a reasonable purpose. If we want to lighten the load,
we have to get rid of some of the junk.
What keeps you from moving forward at a steady pace in your
life? Undoubtedly the things that slow you down are some kind of
clutter you want to get rid of for good. Maybe you struggle with
physical clutter around your home. Try as you might, you cannot
seem to get organized. Or maybe you want to get a handle on
your finances. You are tired of making good money but having
nothing to show for it. Or maybe yours is an issue with time. You
are tired of living at warp speed. You want to stop running and
start living.
Whatever clutter challenges you face, trust me when I say you
can learn to clarify your life by putting clutter in its place. I know
because I have done it myself. My biggest clutter challenge was
not dealing with cluttered living spaces or even cluttered finances.
My challenge was to open up my emotional suitcase and go
through its contents carefully. When I did, I discovered all kinds
of clutter lurking inside. I found worry and doubt. I uncovered a
faulty self-image and an inability to set appropriate boundaries. I
even found an unhealthy preoccupation with what others thought
of me. It was a painful process, but necessary. One by one, I
learned to trade in these old clunkers for the more efficient mod-
els God offered.
I'm not saying I have it all together. Believe me, I don't. I'm not
saying I never face challenges. But I have come to a place of clar-
ity and life is much more pleasant now that I have. Is my life per-
fect? No, but it is much more peaceful and purposeful. And isn't
that what we all want to live in peace as we live out our purpose?
Nancy Twigg is an author and speaker who loves inspiring wom-en to live more simply. To learn more about Nancy's speaking and writing ministry, visit her online at www.keepitsimplesister.com.
13
Cooking & Entertainment
Amazing Buffalo Chicken DipAmazing Buffalo Chicken Dip
Perfect for parties, tailgating, game day or any day! What You Need: 1– 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch salad dressing 1/2 cup of buffalo wing sauce
1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
2 (12.5 oz.) cans of premium white chicken breasts in water, drained
How To Fix: 1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place cream cheese in baking dish. Stir until smooth.
2. Mix in salad dressing, wing sauce and cheese. Stir in chicken. 3. Bake 20 minutes or until mixture is heated through.
4. Stir again and place in serving dish.
5. Garnish as you like.
Serve with crackers, pita chips, tortilla chips or veggies.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “In order to be happy, find a thing you love to do and throw yourself into it wholeheartedly. from Simple Wisdom
14
Okay, so it’s not a coupon for a free skinny mocha latte! It’s way better! God gave us Jesus
Christ, the only One good enough to pay the sin debt for all mankind– past, present and future.
It’s not about being religious or following a bunch of man-made rules, but it is about being recon-ciled to God our Father eternally through Christ. His gift is free to us, but cost Him everything.
That’s pretty awesome!
So here’s the deal….
Maybe you’re wondering, “This sounds too good to be true. How do I take advantage of this free
gift? ” It is fairly simple, but you must receive it by faith -trusting in God.
ACKNOWLEDGE that sin has separated you from God. “For all have sinned and come short of the
glory of God.” ( Romans 3:23) Admit that you’ve broken God’s rules but you really want to
change. He’s more than willing to forgive you and help you if you are willing and sincere.
BELIEVE that God sent His Son Jesus as the only acceptable sacrifice to pay the debt for our sins.
Because God is as Holy as He is loving, He could not tolerate the rebellious, wicked state of man-
kind. So, instead of punishing us , which would have been fair, He showed us mercy and sent His
only Son to take our place. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that
whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
CONFESS or say what you believe. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in
your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) Again, this must
be done by faith. “For with the heart man believes and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation (Romans 10:10).” Be courageous enough to share with others what God has done for
you.
And finally.. make a DECISION to live your life to glorify Him.. You may think that it’s too hard, but
if you ask Him, He will empower you to do just that. Your lifestyle should represent what your new
relationship with Christ is all about.
CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve made the most important decision of your life and you are now a
member of God’s family! Develop your relationship by spending time reading and studying the
Bible. It may be helpful to connect with others through a local church or small group fellowship to
get you started. Communicate openly with God through prayer and meditation in His Word and
finally, surround yourself with others who will help you grow you in your new walk with Christ. Your
life will never be the same.
You are a new creature in Christ. Old things have passed away and all things are new!
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
And that beats a latte any day!
15
doing an activity not often seen beneath stained glass
windows.
Honestly? She makes it so easy. She carries a Bible in
her backpack, and wears a WWJD bracelet, and hangs
out with losers like Spastic Jessica and Patty the Fatty.
She thinks she's better than us, with her weirdo clothes
and her NutriSweet smile. Shana’s and my goal is to
eliminate that nauseating smile. Today's locker note
may have done it.
My counselor says I should be using my brains to get
better grades, that I'm not "living up to my potential."
Last session, I told him I'd make a deal with him. I'll
start to care about Beowulf and quadrilaterals and the
Constitution when he can put together a sentence with-
out psychobabble clichés. He responded with some-
thing about my co-dependent relationship with Shana,
who exposes me to excessive peer pressure. Guess
who's going to win that deal?
I fold the note into a compact square and wait for Mrs.
Crandall to turn her back. While she writes "Quiz to-
morrow" on the board, I lob the note to Shana. Unfor-
tunately, it bounces off her desk and skitters across the
floor, landing at Mrs. Crandall's feet.
Of course she reads it, so I spend the rest of the period
in the office, waiting for the principal to summon me.
This isn't the first time I've been sent to the office, and
I'm very familiar with my student handbook. I've
earned a five-day suspension for my literary and artis-
tic efforts.
Thirty minutes have passed when I hear Rachel being
paged, and she sidles past me into the principal's of-
fice. The door is closed for a long time, and then I'm
called inside. I wonder if I've made Rachel cry, but
she's calm, even smiling a little. “What the…?”
Mr. Hartley regards me, his fingertips pressed togeth-
er. "I've been talking with Rachel about this incident.
This isn't the first time you've harassed her, is it, Li-
sa?" While I'm formulating an answer, he continues.
"Rachel has told me of a number of occurrences. It
appears that you've been terrorizing her for most of
this semester. Unfortunately, with your record of refer-
rals, you're now eligible for expulsion."
Expulsion! Not five days' suspension? I flash on the
scene at home when they get the phone call from
school: my stepdad's furious anger and the smack of
knuckles on flesh.
Mr. Hartley continues. "However, I do have some lati-
tude, which is why I asked Rachel in here. She's shown
the most extraordinary mercy. She's asked me to fore-
go punishment altogether. And while I'm not inclined
to do so, Rachel was most persuasive. She begged for
mercy on your behalf, and so mercy it shall be. Go
back to class, girls."
I look at Rachel in disbelief and scoot out of there as
fast as possible. Biology has started, and I can't wait to
tell Shana I got away with it.
Shana slips me a note as I take my seat. "Peas 4
lunch", it says. "let’s fill her backpack."
Shana grins, and I look from her to Rachel, who is al-
ready working on today's worksheet. Perhaps she sens-
es my eyes on her; she meets my gaze for the briefest
moment. I think about the satisfying squish of peas on
canvas, and then I think about mercy.
I write a note to Shana. "Not today."
Jan is a Christian who has traveled through sorrow and de-pression, and has found victory and grace. She dedicates all writings to her Heavenly Father.
Copyright © Jan Ackerson. 2006
(Continued from page 9)
16
Have you ever tried to repair a
glass vase or something equally
precious that had fallen and
smashed on the floor? Those hun-
dreds of bits and pieces form an
almost impossible puzzle and it is
only through hours of patience and
determination that you can almost
repair the vessel. Once repaired, it
is never the same as it was before.
Water leaks through the cracks,
edges are rough and uneven. This
is because you are trying to restore
the broken item to its original state
which is impossible. The good
news is that with a little creativity
you can do so much more! Each
little piece, when examined alone
is seen for its own unique beauty.
Together they can be used to build
a new work of art, different to the
first. I've seen beautiful art works
where bits of glass were used to
make mosaics, collages, mirrors,
picture frames, and much more.
Who could even tell what their
original purpose had been? Would
I have been that impressed with the
glass chip when it was still part of
a plate or window? Yet I marveled
at its beauty as it hung proudly on
a gallery wall.
In the past few years, I've had to
pick up the pieces of a shattered
life and recover from a divorce and
other hardships. One by one I held
broken pieces up to the light, try-
ing to figure out where they be-
longed. Turning them this way and
that, I struggled to fit them back
into their original places to
restore the person I once had
been. Every now and then I'd
spot a glint of sunlight re-
flecting off a sharp shard and
I'd throw it away. Then at
times, I'd find a piece that
was different and I'd realize
that this little piece was love-
ly. After almost two years of
fruitless effort, I've come to
the realization that the person
I once had been can never be
restored to her original state.
But God has blessed me with
a unique opportunity to take
all these lovely little pieces
and to build someone new.
Little bits and pieces of me,
that were invisible in the past,
are now given a chance to
shine.
It is painful to have your life
shattered and it may seem im-
possible to pick up those piec-
es. Sometimes we don't even
know where to start. Any form
of repair and reconstruction is
a long process. But friend,
know that it is also an oppor-
tunity to re-invent yourself to
become the person you
would like to be. It is a
unique opportunity to look
closely at the beautiful bits
of you. To hold them up to
the light and appreciate the
way they shine. Don't waste
time trying to rebuild the
past, rather appreciate this
wonderful gift and build a
whole new future! One that
you would proudly hang on a
gallery wall.
Keep smiling!
The Blessing of Broken Pieces
by Bronwyn Johnson
Copyright © Bronwyn Johnson 2009.
Bronwyn Johnson is a Christian author and motivational speaker. She has published a Biblical novel as well as many articles, short stories and poems.
See www.bronwynjohnson.com
17
10 Ways to Avoid Distractions
1. Decide that the feeling of accomplishment is worth more than whatever is distracting you.
2. Take frequent breaks to avoid fatigue and burnout.
3. Set a clear goal and be determined to meet it. No matter what.
4. Prioritize. Work on what you really want to accomplish the most. Everything can’t be a top priori-
ty.
5. Create solid boundaries when it comes to certain distractions. Limit phone, television and social
media time. There is nothing more distracting than getting caught up with other people’s lives.
6. Focus. Train your mind to stay on task. Fight against the urge to quit when you hit a roadblock.
7. Know the difference between procrastination and real distractions. Procrastination is more on you.
You put off unpleasant tasks because you don’t want to do them. Distractions come from other
sources.
8. Limit caffeine intake. Coffee and caffeinated beverages may be great “pick-me-ups” but they also
cause the jitters, which hinders your ability to focus. Try drinking water or a decaffeinated tea, but
don’t drink anything too calming or you’ll end up sluggish and too relaxed to focus.
9. Break the task up into manageable bits. Remember, “life is hard by the yard, but it’s a cinch by the
inch.”
10. Encourage yourself. The boost you need may not always come from others. You have to be your
own cheerleader. One thing that helps me is to post sticky notes with uplifting words and phrases
around my workspace.
Stay On Track and Keep it Moving 10 Ways to Avoid Distractions and Get Stuff Done
by Stephanie Lyas
It never fails. As soon as I get start-
ed working on something important
the phone rings. Going against my
rule of not answering the phone
except for business during certain
hours, I answer it. It’s an old friend
from school who I have been mean-
ing to catch up with. The next thing
you know, a whole hour has passed
by, the project is still on my desk
incomplete, the breakfast dishes are
still in the sink and I have accom-
plished nothing significant. Now,
my day is ruined because I feel like
a failure.
If this sounds like you, keep reading.
We all have moments when we lose
focus. However this should never
become a habit. Distractions are a
part of life, but we can overcome
them and stay on track with our
goals.
18
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Get your
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(plus shipping)
19
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
20
Hot, salty tears fell from her eyes as
she put her trembling hand up to her
bloody lip. The excruciating pain in her
back reminded her of how she ended up
tossed over the bed and onto the floor.
Her husband left in a screeching rage a
few moment ago, headed for the local
bar. He might return with flowers this
time and offer his usual, humble apolo-
gy.
Shaking and broken in her spirit, she
began to pray that God would help her.
"Lord God, I am terrified to stay, and I
am ashamed to leave. What will my
family and church friends think? My
husband is well-known in the commu-
nity. He has a way of charming every-
one he meets. I fear, no one will be-
lieve me, when I say that he hits me.
How can I talk to anyone about this?"
As she lay on the cold floor talking to
God, she felt a calm presence come into
the room. Then all she heard was a whis-
pered sound by her ear, "Shhh. I will nev-
er leave you nor forsake you." She closed
her eyes and allowed the soft tingling
presence that seemed to touch her body
envelope her in peace. It was then that
she knew exactly what she had to do.
Slowly, she stood and made her way to
her bedroom closet. Her back still ached
as she reached for the suitcase on the top
shelf. She began to throw clothes into the
suitcase without even folding them. She
found her important papers in a desk
drawer in the den. She was able to leave
this time without looking back and with-
out thoughts of coming back. She had a
reassurance now that God would never
leave her and He would be with her every
step of the way as she rebuilt her life.
Dear Readers,
Domestic violence is real. Every day women and men
suffer physical, mental and verbal abuse by a loved one. If
you or someone you know is in an abusive situation, seek
help immediately! You are not alone. There is help and
healing for you. Contact the National Domestic Violence
Hotline at 1−800−799−SAFE(7233) or
TTY 1−800−787−3224 for information on how get help
in your local area.
In Him,
Stephanie
HeartSongs Magazine Editor
EDITOR’S NOTE
21
22
“For every beauty, there is an eye somewhere to see it, for every word of truth, there is an ear somewhere to hear it, for every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it.” ~Anon.
“A word of encouragement after a failure is worth an hour’s worth of praise after a success.”
“You can’t become what you want to be until you stop being what you are.” ~Anon.
Wisdom Wisdom Wisdom SpeaksSpeaksSpeaks
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” ~Psalm 73:25-26
23
Relationships
They are Probably Insecure– Difficult people
may come across as bold and fearless, but
the truth is they’re probably just the
opposite. In fact, they may feel pressure to
come across as tough to avoid being taken
advantage of. The need to be intimidating
and controlling hides their vulnerability to
others.
They are Not Good Listeners and have to
always have the final word. They might yell
or raise their voice to be heard. They always
have to be right (even when they’re not).
They are Selfish - Nine times out of ten
when you come across a difficult person,
they have a “my way or the highway”
attitude. They cannot easily sympathize or
empathize with the needs others.
How to Deal With Them
Most people would probably agree that the
best way to deal with difficult people is to
simply not deal with them. However, that’s
not always the most appropriate response.
Besides, you may not be able to avoid them.
They’re just a part of life. And we have to
deal with them.
Understand that you cannot control their
attitude or actions. Even healthy
confrontation is often met with resistance.
Wisdom is knowing when to speak and
Chances are you know someone who is
controlling, stubborn, argumentative and
always has to be right. It may be a boss or
coworker, a close friend or family member
or even a member of your church. It might
even be you! We all have that one person
that just gets under our skin from time to
time. No matter how hard we try, it’s often
difficult to get along with them consistently.
But we must find a way. Our witness
depends upon it.
Traits of Difficult People
They Drain You. Difficult people have a way
of sucking the life and joy out of those
around them. They are not the type who
have a magnetic personality. Instead,
people tend to avoid close interaction with
them.
They Are Overly Critical- Even when
there’s nothing wrong, difficult people
can be fault-finding, have trouble with
complimenting others and often over
look their own mistakes and shortcomings.
They easily shift blame to others and
may have a perfectionist attitude.
They Have Trouble Expressing Themselves
Appropriately. Difficult people are known
for being disrespectful, rude, blunt and
inconsiderate of the feelings of others.
when to keep your mouth shut.
Check your own attitude. Always take the
high road and stay humble, even when you
are right. “God resists the proud but gives
grace to the humble.” James 4:6
Pray for them. Honestly. They may not be
aware of how their attitude and actions
affect others. Sometimes the most
ungracious people need grace the most.
Resist the urge to judge them. Yes, they
have issues. So do you. We all do. “Judge
not lest you be judged!”
Be understanding, compassionate and
forgiving. A sign of spiritual maturity is
learning how to overlook an offense. They
may be facing a tough inner struggle of
their own that you know nothing about.
Model kindness.
“Clothe yourselves with tenderhearted
mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and
patience. You must make allowance for
each other’s faults and forgive the person
who offends you. Remember, the Lord
forgave you, so you must forgive others . . .
And let the peace that comes from Christ
rule in your hearts . . .” (Colossians 3:12-
15).
Dealing with
Difficult
People
by Stephanie Lyas
How to Deal with Difficult People
1. Understand that you cannot control their attitude or actions. Even healthy
confrontation is often met with resistance. Know when to speak and when
to keep your mouth shut.
2. Check your own attitude. Always take the high road by being humble, even
when you are right. “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:6
3. Pray for them. Honestly. They may not be aware of how their attitude and
actions affect others.
4. Resist the urge to judge them. Yes, they have issues. So do you. “Judge not
lest you be judged.”
5. Be understanding, compassionate and forgiving. They may be facing a tough
inner struggle of their own.
6. Model kindness. “Clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness,
humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each oth-
er’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord for-
gave you, so you must forgive others . . . And let the peace that comes from
Christ rule in your hearts . . .” (Colossians 3:12-15).
24
Conquering the Spirit of Fear
As a child I loved a good horror movie. But afterward I had to sleep with the lights on. As an adult, I now realize that I wasn’t really afraid of the dark, I was afraid of what might have been lurking in the dark. And as if I wasn’t already frightened enough, I can recall older people telling us kids that if we didn’t go to sleep, the Boogey Man would get us. What a strange way to get a child to bed! What it actually did was cause more fear. As adults we go through life, and acquire a whole different set of fears. Fear of the past catching up with us fear of the present as we live in tough economic times and fear of the future-What will happen to me. Will God deliver me? Will God heal me? Will God bless me? If you are a Child of God, you can put all of those fears to rest. You must remember that fear is a spirit that is the arch rival to faith. And God has not given you the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timo-thy 1:7) So whenever fear tries to creep into your mind, resist it and say, “If God didn’t give it to me, I don’t want it!” Knowing the Real vs. Fake Once I was babysitting a child of a friend, and we decided to watch a movie on TV. It was okay for about the first 30 minutes and
3 Ways to Conquer Fear
Use the Word of God- If Jesus had to use the Word of God when tempted to fear, so do we. “It is written, man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) Say it out loud. Get in agreement with God. Go back to what He said. The phrase “Fear Not” is rec-orded 365 times in the bible . That’s one for every day. Get up in the morning and imme-diately conquer the spirit of fear. Remember the promises that He made to you. Face it head on– When David went up against Goliath, he probably had some fear in his heart. His confidence in God, however, was greater and al-lowed him to face the giant and defeat him. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to carry on in spite of it. Sometimes you just have to do things afraid. Rely upon the power of God. When you get to the end of yourself, the glory of God is revealed. Realize that God is in control. Nothing is going to happen to you that God has not already equipped you to overcome. He is with you, therefore you have no reason to fear.
then all of a sudden a scary crea-ture jumped out of some bushes and began chasing people around. Worried that the child would be frightened, I reached for the re-mote to change the channel. The child, in her most calm and inno-cent voice responded “That’s not real. It’s just pretend.” At that moment, I knew that she was not afraid because she made the dis-tinction between what was real and what was fake. Fear is just like that-False Evidence Appear-ing Real. It has no power to con-trol us when we know that it is just an illusion. Do Not Feed the Fears When you go to the zoo, there are signs everywhere– DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS. Well you know something? Fear is also a hungry, ferocious beast. And when we feed it, it grows bigger and bigger. Determine to starve your fears and feed your faith through God’s Word. If you must, say out loud that fear is a liar! Feed what you want to grow. And trust that God is bigger than anything you fear. He is more than able to help you in times of weakness. Dear friends, fear and faith can-not coexist. When you live in fear, faith takes a back seat If you are someone who is bound by fear trust God to deliver you. You are more than a conqueror!
by Stephanie Lyas
25
the eye?
Can you imagine the conversations that
the children of Israel must have had in
front of their tents as they gazed at the
pillar of fire? I am sure they must have
sung songs (maybe even Miriam’s song)
and told over and over the story of their
deliverance from Egypt. As the 40 years
of their wandering dragged on, I imag-
ine there were nights that the older gen-
eration bared their souls to the younger,
confessing what happened when they
disobeyed the Lord.
Personally, I cannot imagine living in a
tent for 40 years. I think I might even
tire of staring into that pillar of fire after
that long! However, I can only imagine
the memories that must have come
flooding back every time the Israelites
made a fire after settling down in their
new land. They were reminded of God’s
eternal presence, of how He was always
faithful to guide them, and of how He
supplied their every need.
The next time you sit around a campfire
with your legs burning and your back
freezing, think about how awesome
your God is! He will always be with
you. He will direct your footsteps if you
will follow Him, and He will supply
your EVERY need!
Donna Haug is a missionary wife and moth-er who loves to write. She has spent much of
her life overseas. As a result, her writings have a 'down to earth' quality to them and
quite often an international bent.
to be reserved for just such occasions,
and the telling of tales that tend to grow
each time they are told – these are all
memory nuggets that we have tried to
bury deep into the childhood experiences
of our eager offspring.
Once the children have been tucked, for
the last time, back into their sleeping
bags, the adults linger around the fire till
all that remains are the glowing hot coals
with the reds and blacks and yellows
dancing back and forth. The conversa-
tions we have had around campfires are
some of my most treasured memories.
What is it that makes us more willing to
“bare our souls” around a fire? Is it the
absence of all the busy distractions of our
everyday life? Is it the fact that as we
stare into the ever-changing flames, we
do not actually have to look each other in
Camping is an activity I have learned to
enjoy since my husband, Mark, came into
my life. In his opinion, my growing up
years were severely deprived. Ever since
my first “roughing it” experience with the
youth group from our church, I have
come to actually “enjoy” sleeping on the
hard ground, answering nature’s call,
baring it in the wild, and bathing in a
swimming suit in the lake. Well, maybe
not “enjoy” exactly, but I am more than
willing to put up with these minor incon-
veniences just to bask in my favorite part
of camping – the campfire.
There is something about sitting around a
nice blazing fire on a fold-up lawn chair,
staring in fascination at the flames as they
flicker and change from blue to red, or-
ange and yellow. Roasting marshmallows
(which usually means burning the outside
to a crisp!), singing old songs that seem
God in the Fire by Donna Haug
26
“Come unto Me all you who labor and are
heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28
Selah
Who is thirsty? Let him drink
Who is hungry? Let him eat
Who is feeble? Let him rest
Against the Master’s tender breast
Selah.
Peace, cascade in rampant tides
Beneath your billows let me hide
Soothing balm to ease my soul
Warmness from the bitter cold
Selah.
Mercies, fall like drops of rain
Flood my heart, O Lord again
Grace, like dawn invade this space
So I may see your lovely face
Selah.
Hope eternal spring anew
My soul in earnest waits for you
That joy shall once again abound
This heart’s unfruitful fallow ground
Selah.
© Stephanie Lyas. Dwelling Places 2009.
All Rights Reserved.
“What are you doing this weekend?” My co
-worker Tracy asked every Friday at break
time. I could almost set my watch to her
weekly inquiries. She was the office social-
ite who always had some wild and crazy
weekend story to share on Mondays. It was
entertainment for most of us.
“Nothing special this weekend. Just gonna
catch up on my rest.” I might as well had
said I was gonna go out streaking or some-
thing. She gasped and gave me a look of
disbelief. “Rest?” What are you an old
geezer? You need to get out and do some-
thing. The weather’s gonna be beautiful
and there are so many great things going on
in town this weekend. Surely you’re not
going to waste it by resting.” “I sure am,” I said emphatically, “what’s
wrong with resting? You make it sound like
a dirty word. Besides, it’s been a long and
stressful week. I’m looking forward to
doing absolutely nothing.”
As I headed back to my cubicle, part of me
actually felt guilty for planning to rest. The
other part of me felt like a square who was
missing out on the fun. I shook off the un-
easiness and finished my work for the day.
On the drive home, I turned the radio off so
I could think. I thought about Tracy’s com-
ments. I decided that rest was something I
actually wanted to do, since the week had
been so full of deadlines, appointments,
meetings and just stuff. At that moment I
chose to not feel guilty about not being so
busy. I was just going rest in the peace and
quiet of my humble but cozy apartment. For
a day, I was not going to check email, answer
the phone or do anything that resembled
work.
Many times we get caught up in the rat race
of life that we forget that rest is actually a
beautiful gift from God. Jesus Himself said,
“Come to me all you who labor and are heavy
laden and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28).
He knew the value of resting in His presence-
especially when you feel stressed, weary, and
burdened by the cares of life. Rest is some-
thing that every person needs in order to re-
charge and be renewed. And it’s certainly
not just something that people do as a last
resort.
If you are someone who is constantly on the
go, I encourage you to make rest a priority.
If you must, mark it on your calendar. Time
spent alone in the presence of God is more
valuable than anything in this world.
I Will Give You Rest
by Stephanie Lyas
27
"I love everything about her life!"
The barista's comment startled me as I left
Starbucks. I knew she was talking about me.
We had just been giggling together, discuss-
ing our dogs and exchanging first names.
I almost turned around said, "No you don't!
You don't know anything about my life!" But
instead, I just smiled to myself and walked
into the sunshine. I think I know what she
loves about my life, it's what she can see. I
pray she can see that God has blessed me
with joy and a peace beyond understanding.
It hasn't always been this way. I used to spot
a girl across the room and wish to trade
places with her. I used to pray each night that
God would just kill me because I didn't want
to do my life anymore. In the midst of a 15
year battle with anorexia and a troubled mar-
riage, it seemed as if my life couldn't get any
worse. I even feared that my loved ones had
given up on me after pouring thousands of
dollars into my treatment, only to still see a
starving, depressed woman.
Looking into my heart, I hated what I saw. I
perceived my identity as intrinsically linked
to my long list of failures.
Maybe Jacob did, too. The Biblical character
of Genesis lived up to his given name,
"Deceiver". In fact, when God asked him in
chapter 32, "What is your name?" Jacob was
forced to reply, "I am Deceiver."
At that point in Jacob's life, he believed the end
was near. In mere hours, he would be face-to-
face with a man who once wanted to kill him.
Already, Jacob had a long list of mistakes to
feel guilty for. I wonder if Jacob hated who he
had become.
But God is in the business of changing identi-
ties. Over and over throughout the Bible, when
God did a massive work in someone's life, He
also changed their name, giving them a new
identity, a new way to refer to themselves, a
new way to see themselves and a new way to
present themselves to the world.
For Jacob, God told him, "Your name will no
longer be Jacob. You have wrestled with God
and with men, and you have won. That's why
your name will be Israel."
Another definition of the name Israel is, "Prince
of God".
According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, our identity
changes too, when we accept Jesus as our salva-
tion. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation; the old has gone, the new has
come!"
Isaiah 62 tells us that God changes our name to
reflect the new identity that we receive when we
accept the sacrifice of Jesus for us and the
gift of His righteousness to us.
"The nations shall see your righteousness,
and all the kings your glory, and you shall
be called by a new name that the mouth of
the LORD will give. You shall be a crown
of beauty in the hand of the LORD, and a
royal diadem in the hand of your God.
You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
and your land shall no more be termed
Desolate, but you shall be called My De-
light Is in Her, and your land Married; for
the LORD delights in you, and your land
shall be married."
As I sank into a chair on the patio at Star-
bucks, the sun's afternoon rays painted my
feet a soft yellow, then shadows en-
croached and swept me into the early
evening hours. I smiled again. I love who I
am. I love the one who gave me His iden-
tity in Christ, and I dearly love the name,
Jesus.
Abby is a Christian blogger and freelance writer
living in Georgia. Her husband is an Army officer, so their frequent moves peppers her
writing with a wide variety of experiences and observations.
Names Have Been Changed to Declare the Righteous by Abby Kelly
28
by Don Pedal
You probably have heard someone say,
"I'm having my quiet time". To some
people this might suggest a time of rest and
relaxation. It is a time to just kick back and
let your mind wander.
To a Christian, the quiet time is a time of
mental and physical quietness during which
we put aside the telephone, turn off the cell
phone, the television and the cares of the
world in quiet solitude to fellowship with
the awesome God we worship. We prepare
ourselves to enter into the presence of the
One who not only created us but also this
vast universe beyond our imagination. We
remind ourselves, humbled by the thought
that this great God of the universe cares
about the little speck of life that is
ourselves, so much that He sent His only
Son to die at the hands of His own creation,
to save us from our sins.
As Christians, we might offer our praise for
who He is ---- a time to bring worship and
honor to His name. We might want to thank
our Father for the privilege, through the
work of His holy Son, to come boldly into
the very throne room of the Almighty and
present our prayers and petitions.
Thanksgiving that He has reached down to
us, while we were still in our sins, to
enlighten our minds to the truth of the
Gospel and the wonderful, free gift He
offers us. Do we ever reflect on the
forgiveness of our sins, which enables us to
live a life pleasing to Him, bearing fruit for
the Kingdom, joy, and peace for us?
How about the blessings we enjoy every day?
We should thank Him every day for the bread
He provides so faithfully. Show our gratitude
for warm comfortable homes and how about
our health? Many people in the world and our
own country do not have health care. Do we
ever think to thank Him for leading us to Christ
-centered churches where we hear the true
Word and enjoy Godly fellowship? Do we
remember to thank Him for the gift of being
born in this wonderful free nation and can
worship without fear of retaliation? The list can
go on as we acknowledge the Great God we
serve.
You may ask yourself, “I hear all this but what
does God really want of me?” This is a
profound question. First, God desires a love
relationship with you. This relationship is more
important to Him than your service ---- that is
why an active quiet time is so important.
Jesus said, "Draw close unto Me and I will
draw close unto you”. How else can we do it
other than our quiet time? Intimate love
relationships are not built frivolously. Without
our devotion and full attention, how can we
hear that "small voice" that is our awesome
God ministering to us. God desires that we
invite Him into every area of our lives. Nothing
is too unimportant to include Him. He desires
that we walk with Him throughout our day and
be conscious of His presence. Do not be afraid
to consult Him. You do not have to wait until
prayer time. Draw upon His strength and ask
for wisdom and it will be given to you. (James
1:5). Ask for discernment when making choices
and decisions. God desires that He be included
in all the details of your life in an intimate "love
relationship". Our service to the Lord will come
as we have this relationship and He guides us
into the work He has prepared for us to do.
Where does meditation come into all of this?
Meditation is defined as "the solemn reflection
on sacred matters as a devotional act". That is
exactly what we are doing in our time with Him.
We do not need mantras, positive thinking
phrases and, most of all, the practice of
emptying our minds of all thoughts. An emptied
mind makes us vulnerable to the evil that is
around us. We fill our minds with the presence
of the Living God and dwell upon Him only.
I used to say to myself, "I realize all this but
when do I have the time"? I had all the excuses
down pat and was quite satisfied until, one day;
God convicted me back to reality. It came in a
simple question, "How much time do you spend
watching TV every night?” When I counted the
hours, I had to confess to the Lord that my
problem was not a lack of time but a lack of
priorities. I was convicted to put Him first.
Maybe your problem is not TV but other things.
Daily tasks seem to have no end. Go to the Lord
in prayer and ask Him to help you manage your
time.
We are all given the same amount of time each
day. "Time is the coin of life," to quote Carl
Sandburg. How we spend it determines our
course in life. Can we afford not to spend it on
the One who longs to fellowship with us, guide
us and provide wisdom to make critical choices
each day? Are we so busy that we have no time
to minister to the needs of our brothers and
sisters around us, as He reveals them to us?
The phone will ring. Family needs will demand
attention. So many other things will suddenly
become important. The Lord will show you how
to deal with these difficulties as you share your
concerns with Him. Remember, you are not
dealing with problems alone now. As time goes
on you will look forward to your quiet time.
Remember, The Lord is faithful and there for
you.
© Don Pedal. All rights reserved.
The Quiet Times
29
My Sunshine
By Carlton Steele
Thoughts of joy,
Thoughts of happiness,
Walking in the sunlight full of bliss,
Gazing into the sky with a praise on my mind,
Upright in the Lord staying in line,
Singing and smiling on this wonderful day,
Not wavy or staggering,
My time,
My season,
To stay
My Lord is my sunshine,
I lay my life on the dotted line,
Victorious as I am,
I'm His,
I will follow and diligently seek Him,
My sunshine,
My Lord
Jesus
The one without sin,
Praise his holy name,
Praise him from within,
Full of Joy,
With my sunshine, I will not lose,
I win
Born and raised in New York, reside in Virginia. Carlton found his calling as a inspirational
writer in 2011. Praising God and writing to save His people is my enjoyment.
A Joyful Noise. Carlton Steele. Copyright 2013 by Carlton Steele. Smashwords Edition
Contact Carlton at: www.Heavenlyworldofinspiration.com
30
One of my favorite movies of all times
is The Wizard of Oz. Imagine what that
movie would have been like if all we
saw was Dorothy & Auntie Em in Kan-
sas living a perfect life. Then fast-
forward to the end when she’s back in
bed with no memory of what happened
as if she never went through anything?
HER STORY WOULD BE INCOM-
PLETE! The whole point of this partic-
ular story is the journey not the destina-
tion! The writers had to include the de-
tails of the journey or else the whole
thing would have been a bust. They had
to include the times when she was lost,
discouraged and afraid in order to
demonstrate the powerful message at
the end. We had to see that God, in His
divine providence sent people in her life
to help her along the way. In fact, we
can see throughout her tumultuous jour-
ney, God’s provision every step of the
way. And ultimately, what she searched
for outside of herself was there all
along. Of course she had to go through
something to realize it. And the same
is true for us. God desires to use our
struggles, hardship, even our joys and
triumphs to demonstrate his faithfulness
and power to others. At every oppor-
tunity we should allow Him to do it.
Why should I let my life speak?
1. Because someone is “reading” your
life. You have faced and overcome
extraordinary obstacles and there
I. Purpose
The purpose-driven life begins with
God, not you. You won’t discover life’s
meaning by looking within yourself.
You’ve probably tried that already. Pur-
pose is directly connected to a greater
goal than just satisfying yourself and
your desires. More than likely it will
involve serving others.
II. Passion
What makes you come alive? What
drives you? What gives you joy? That
is probably your passion. One of the
hardest questions that I’ve ever been
asked was by a good friend who helped
me through a difficult time in my life.
She asked, “What do you want?” I was
stunned. My initial response was, “let
me get back to you on that…” She said,
it’s time that you found that out. You
will find success in the things that you
are passionate about.
III. Power
It’s not enough to have know your pur-
pose and passion. Without power, we
are still incapable of achieving success.
You must be connected to the power
Source, which is God. To get a desired
result you have to be plugged in. For
example, if the lamp is not plugged in to
a power source (or equipped with batter-
ies), no light will be produced. It
doesn’t matter how pretty the shad is. It
must be connected to some power!
Letting your life speak means allowing
purpose, passion and power to work
together to produce a story worth read-
ing and a life worth watching.
are those who are wondering how you did
it. Don’t let the story of your life go un-
told.
2. Someone else’s deliverance, healing
and well-being may depend upon you. If
Dorothy had kept her issues to herself, her
friends would have never received what
they were looking for either. Your journey
is not all about you!
3. We must tell it all.. the good, the bad,
the times we cried, the times we strug-
gled— ALL of it without fear of rejec-
tion, or ridicule. It’s all a part of the
story.
Now, let’s talk about the three main com-
ponents of letting your life speak: Purpose,
Passion and Power.
It’s not about you.
The purpose of your life is far greater than
your own personal fulfillment, your peace of
mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater
than your family, your career, or even your
wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to
know why you were placed on this planet, you
must begin with God. You were born by His
purpose and for His purpose. ~Anon.
Let Your Life Speak When Purpose, Passion and Power Meet
by Stephanie Lyas
31
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Love Notes From Heaven
by Stephanie Lyas
I love the old hymns of the church. Songs that spoke directly to
and from the heart of God. It seems that hymns have almost
become an endangered species in light of the new, contempo-
rary culture of worship. Don’t get me wrong, I love the modern
tunes. I love the foot-stompin, raise-the-roof type songs that
bring down the glory! I have too many favorites to name. But
there is something wonderful about a balanced approach to
praise and worship. I just thank God that I grew up in a time
where the music that “got us over” was respected and appreciat-
ed.
As a child, my family and me would visit my grandparents on
the weekends. I personally liked visiting them because one
thing I could always count on was a big bear hug from Grand-
ma and a kiss on Grandpa’s scraggly cheek. They had no prob-
lems expressing their love for us grandkids and wanted to make
sure that we were raised right. I remember getting caught in
what they called “devotional service” that was a regular occur-
rence in their home-especially on Saturdays. I never could fig-
ure out why we had to waste a perfectly good play day indoors
being still and reverent. That meant, bible reading, prayer and a
whole lot of singing. I say getting “caught,” because prayer,
bible lessons, and singing did not particularly interest me, espe-
cially on a nice sunny day when all of the other neighborhood
kids were outside playing. But to this day, I am grateful for
them making me sit still. It established the significance of wor-
ship in my life that I appreciate as an adult today.
My Grandma loved her hymns. She was the only person I’ve
ever known to have a literal collection of hymnals and memo-
rized every verse of every one of them. I’m convinced that,
because of her, I trained myself to do the same thing over the
years. One hymn that I grew to love is “How Great Thou Art.”
When I reflect on the lyrics of that powerful song, I’m remind-
ed of how faithful God is to me. Then, I began thinking back to
times when I really needed Him and He was right there show-
ing just how great He really is. I can’t help wondering who else
but God could work things out just right? Who else but God can turn a chaotic situation into perfect bliss? Who else but
God knows me inside and out? And loves me still?
My heart rejoices every time I think back to those days on War-
rior Street- once despised but now adored with a thankful heart.
My Grandma would be proud to know that, like her, I’ve come
to love the old hymns of the church. She would beam with
pride knowing that the seeds she planted early on were spring-
ing up into a beautiful life of worship.
Thank God for Grandma and Grandpa. Thank God for His love
and grace. Thank God for simply being Who He is.
Every now and then, I like to turn off iPod and just sit in the
quiet presence of God. Every now and then I find myself sing-
ing the words that brought us through the good times and the
bad:
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee How great Thou art How great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee How great Thou art How great Thou art.
Then I remember that, no matter what, I will always have a
song in my heart.
35
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Providing a Variety of Inspirational Electronic and Print Media Products
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P.O. Box 59763
Birmingham, AL 35259-9763
