"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live." Ecclesiastes 3: 11 - 12 (NIV)
"I’m bored." How often have you heard that? I would like to experience boredom for about ten minutes, just to know what it feels like.
"I hate my job." At a time when many are underemployed or unemployed, if you have a job at all, thank the Lord and live happily while you wait for the next step of His plan. I know that is Pollyanna thinking for those of you who are holding the short end of the job-straw. If living unhappily and full of anger works better for you and your family, keep it up. If months full of anger doesn’t help your relationships and health, then change your attitude. You decide.
"Why can’t my luck change?" Luck? What does luck have to do with the eternity He has set in your heart? If you pray to God for His blessing, and then wish for luck from the Leprechauns, God may step aside and let you continue to seek help from your idols. Are you sure that’s the path you want to take? Do good each day and joy will come to you, a blessing far greater than luck. If God sat with you at every meal, would you still complain that all you had to serve was hamburger? If you do, you will have missed the miracles of every day.
"God makes everything beautiful in its time." An internship may lead to a full-time job. It will take the experience and time of the apprentice work to secure the coveted position. Years spent in graduate school will qualify you for the additional responsibility and enjoyment of a professional career. Time, energy and selfless love, invested in quality and quantity-time spent in a relationship, can yield a lasting marriage. I know the statistics are less favorable than any of us would want them to be. I cannot tell you that I have the magic answer to a long marriage. But, God does. It’s a choice, ". . . to be happy and to do good while [you] live."
We have the secrets of eternity in our hearts, not for power, success or control for us. That is why we do not know God’s work from the beginning to the end. But, our soul knows, the indwelling spirit of God knows, our essence knows. Let the presence and blessings of the Lord, rise to our surface like sweet cream from fine milk, so the blessings of this life become part of our daily experience, because He is buried in our being. Let us pray:
"Father God, creator of all that is beautiful from the beginning to whatever "end" you name, I bow before you. I am amazed that you can take that which is stale or disappointing or inadequate and make sometime beautiful out of it. For today, I ask that you take the lesser-things of my life and make of them the jewels in the crown of your glory. Let me see my burdens sparkle and shine in the light of your glory. Forgive me when I complain about the gifts you have given me. Let me see the beauty in all that is around me, so that I do not miss one blessing. I know, there are no small miracles. Each one has the power to expand in my heart and fill my life with joy. I pray to see your beauty — in the name of Jesus, your son and my savior. Amen"
Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp
Hiawassee - Child of the Meadow
Smoke from Distant Fires
Escape from the BelfryLength of Days - The Age of Silence all four can be ordered from your local bookstore or online in print or eBook form. They are all also available at www.cokesbury.com.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Monday, September 1, 2014
It is Not Autumn
Psalm 90:10 "The days of our lives are seventy years, if by reason of strength, they are eighty years . . . for our lives are soon cut off and WE FLY AWAY."
"Summer’s over." How many times have you heard that today? My friends, it is not. Autumn begins on September 22. We are rushing through three weeks of our lives - just throwing them away as if they mattered not when we dismiss September 1-21 from our thinking. Every second of our lives should be squeezed through the wringer to get all of the living out of them, every last drop. Life is for living - not for wishing - not for planning the "some-days" of our walk here on earth until we "fly away" home.
We were marvelously designed to be forward-thinking. We live today and plan for the future. But, when our planning becomes our living for today, we will never arrive at our destination, because our destination will simply become something to overlook as we plan for the next "some-day."
Let God plan our days. Let His future be our goal. Let each day be an exciting adventure of faith, living in His glorious kingdom, walking along His paths, each and every day, until we "fly away" to the source of our some-days. Let us pray:
"Holy Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Abba of my life, I lift up my heart to you. You are Holy. Your name has the power to change and should never be used for anything but blessings and healing. May I be permitted to live in your kingdom here on earth by faithfully walking each moment of every day in the light of your love. Forgive me when I make plans for you to bless, rather than walking humbly along your way toward the goals and plans you have for me. Let me wake up to your presence in my life, that your heart beat may be the cadence for my foot steps along your path. When you are ready for me to come home, may my flight be directly to the foot of your throne. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen"
Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp
A huge thank you to all those I met at the 54th Tecumseh Lodge Pow Wow in Tipton over the weekend. Thank you so much for your interest in my books.
"Summer’s over." How many times have you heard that today? My friends, it is not. Autumn begins on September 22. We are rushing through three weeks of our lives - just throwing them away as if they mattered not when we dismiss September 1-21 from our thinking. Every second of our lives should be squeezed through the wringer to get all of the living out of them, every last drop. Life is for living - not for wishing - not for planning the "some-days" of our walk here on earth until we "fly away" home.
We were marvelously designed to be forward-thinking. We live today and plan for the future. But, when our planning becomes our living for today, we will never arrive at our destination, because our destination will simply become something to overlook as we plan for the next "some-day."
Let God plan our days. Let His future be our goal. Let each day be an exciting adventure of faith, living in His glorious kingdom, walking along His paths, each and every day, until we "fly away" to the source of our some-days. Let us pray:
"Holy Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the Abba of my life, I lift up my heart to you. You are Holy. Your name has the power to change and should never be used for anything but blessings and healing. May I be permitted to live in your kingdom here on earth by faithfully walking each moment of every day in the light of your love. Forgive me when I make plans for you to bless, rather than walking humbly along your way toward the goals and plans you have for me. Let me wake up to your presence in my life, that your heart beat may be the cadence for my foot steps along your path. When you are ready for me to come home, may my flight be directly to the foot of your throne. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen"
Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp
A huge thank you to all those I met at the 54th Tecumseh Lodge Pow Wow in Tipton over the weekend. Thank you so much for your interest in my books.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
IN THE LIMELIGHT
"But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14: 10-11
Are you uncomfortable in the limelight? I know a lot of people are. They feel called by God to a task of His creation - whether it is to sing to His glory, market a book He has given them to write, lead a group (whether large of small), or let their friends know they have opened a new business - then they’re afraid if they speak out, people will think they’re trying to outshine others. If you are given a blessing, it is your responsibility to let others know about it! That is called "witnessing for Christ!"
What is "the limelight, beside being in the center of attention?" Webster defines "limelight" as: "a stage lighting instrument producing illumination by means of an oxyhydrogen flame directed on a cylinder of lime and usually equipped with a lens to concentrate the light in a beam." It was a method for producing a very bright, concentrated beam of light. Not because the person in the center of the beam wanted all of the attention. The light was trained on the individual in order for those watching and listening to be able to focus on what they were saying without the distraction of things around them.
When we read Luke, we discover it is all about attitude and focus. When you are talking about a gift God has given you to share, the light isn’t on you; it’s on Him. The only way it would shine on you is, if you stole the light from God. If you have an attitude of blessedness and appreciation while you present or lead, your listeners will hear, through you, the message God had given you for them. Anytime you are in the limelight, humbly exalting God, He will be lifted up. Share what God has given you in love, and the light of God will shine on all those around you. Let us pray:
"Father of Light and Life, I bow before your throne. You are to be praised, as the angels sing of your greatness. May I also speak truth to your presence in my life. Father, I pray for freedom from fear of being branded a braggart, a center-seeker, when all I want to do is tell of your marvelous peace and love. Forgive me when I fail to listen to another’s story because I am so excited about telling them of your work in my life. May I let others know that I bring your message, because they are truly loved. May the limelight seek only your face, with your white-bright center of love. In the name of Jesus, your son, I pray. Amen"
Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp
Hiawassee - Child of the Meadow - available to order from your local bookstore or online in eBook or print form. I will be signing it and Smoke from Distant Fires at the Pow Wow in Tipton, Indiana on Saturday, August 30, 2014.
Are you uncomfortable in the limelight? I know a lot of people are. They feel called by God to a task of His creation - whether it is to sing to His glory, market a book He has given them to write, lead a group (whether large of small), or let their friends know they have opened a new business - then they’re afraid if they speak out, people will think they’re trying to outshine others. If you are given a blessing, it is your responsibility to let others know about it! That is called "witnessing for Christ!"
What is "the limelight, beside being in the center of attention?" Webster defines "limelight" as: "a stage lighting instrument producing illumination by means of an oxyhydrogen flame directed on a cylinder of lime and usually equipped with a lens to concentrate the light in a beam." It was a method for producing a very bright, concentrated beam of light. Not because the person in the center of the beam wanted all of the attention. The light was trained on the individual in order for those watching and listening to be able to focus on what they were saying without the distraction of things around them.
When we read Luke, we discover it is all about attitude and focus. When you are talking about a gift God has given you to share, the light isn’t on you; it’s on Him. The only way it would shine on you is, if you stole the light from God. If you have an attitude of blessedness and appreciation while you present or lead, your listeners will hear, through you, the message God had given you for them. Anytime you are in the limelight, humbly exalting God, He will be lifted up. Share what God has given you in love, and the light of God will shine on all those around you. Let us pray:
"Father of Light and Life, I bow before your throne. You are to be praised, as the angels sing of your greatness. May I also speak truth to your presence in my life. Father, I pray for freedom from fear of being branded a braggart, a center-seeker, when all I want to do is tell of your marvelous peace and love. Forgive me when I fail to listen to another’s story because I am so excited about telling them of your work in my life. May I let others know that I bring your message, because they are truly loved. May the limelight seek only your face, with your white-bright center of love. In the name of Jesus, your son, I pray. Amen"
Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp
Hiawassee - Child of the Meadow - available to order from your local bookstore or online in eBook or print form. I will be signing it and Smoke from Distant Fires at the Pow Wow in Tipton, Indiana on Saturday, August 30, 2014.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Resurrection Healing
Paul said . . ."Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12: 8-10
Have you heard the painful accusation, "They are sick because they didn’t have enough faith in God to be healed." How cruel. Where does the Bible say, if we have enough faith we will be perfect? As Paul tells us, God’s power is perfected in our weaknesses. Some are healed in the body and some are given power to do God’s will in spite of their affliction to prove His strength.
All will be made perfect on the Day of Resurrection. For most Christians that is understood as, we will be made perfect when we come into the presence of God, whether that be when we die or when the Lord Returns. This, however, is not a few sentences on a centuries’ old argument over when Jesus will return, or when the faithful will be raised from the dead. I believe He will return, the timing is totally up to God and my opinion will not cause Him to tarry one moment or speed His return by a nanosecond.
We will be given the power to do God’s will here on earth, regardless of our physical limitations. Then, the world will see the might of God in spite of our disabilities. We will be made perfect - have resurrection healing - when we cast off our earth-bound body and soar to the throne of God.
Do not be discouraged if you cannot run fast, preach eloquently, sing beautifully, or even get up off the floor once you have sat down. God has a plan for you that will be fulfilled when we give ourselves over to His power in our lives. Let us pray:
"Holy Father, Abba, Daddy, I bow before you and your plan for my life. You are Holy; I am not worthy of having you direct my life, but I give it over to you willingly. Whatever I do in your name, it will be by your grace and power. Please, accept this flawed life I give you and use it to fulfill whatever you have in mind. Forgive me when I have given away your blessings because it didn’t fit into my busy schedule. May this be the day when excuses stop and I accept your power to perfect my weaknesses. I am healed when I believe in your power to heal, and I let you decide what needs to be healed in me, my body, soul, emotions, relationships, career or flaws I’m not even aware of. In the name of your son Jesus, I pray. Amen"
Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp
Hiawassee - Child of the Meadow - available to order from your local bookstore or online in eBook or print. I will be signing it and Smoke from Distant Fires at the Pow Wow in Tipton, Indiana on Saturday, August 30, 2014.
Have you heard the painful accusation, "They are sick because they didn’t have enough faith in God to be healed." How cruel. Where does the Bible say, if we have enough faith we will be perfect? As Paul tells us, God’s power is perfected in our weaknesses. Some are healed in the body and some are given power to do God’s will in spite of their affliction to prove His strength.
All will be made perfect on the Day of Resurrection. For most Christians that is understood as, we will be made perfect when we come into the presence of God, whether that be when we die or when the Lord Returns. This, however, is not a few sentences on a centuries’ old argument over when Jesus will return, or when the faithful will be raised from the dead. I believe He will return, the timing is totally up to God and my opinion will not cause Him to tarry one moment or speed His return by a nanosecond.
We will be given the power to do God’s will here on earth, regardless of our physical limitations. Then, the world will see the might of God in spite of our disabilities. We will be made perfect - have resurrection healing - when we cast off our earth-bound body and soar to the throne of God.
Do not be discouraged if you cannot run fast, preach eloquently, sing beautifully, or even get up off the floor once you have sat down. God has a plan for you that will be fulfilled when we give ourselves over to His power in our lives. Let us pray:
"Holy Father, Abba, Daddy, I bow before you and your plan for my life. You are Holy; I am not worthy of having you direct my life, but I give it over to you willingly. Whatever I do in your name, it will be by your grace and power. Please, accept this flawed life I give you and use it to fulfill whatever you have in mind. Forgive me when I have given away your blessings because it didn’t fit into my busy schedule. May this be the day when excuses stop and I accept your power to perfect my weaknesses. I am healed when I believe in your power to heal, and I let you decide what needs to be healed in me, my body, soul, emotions, relationships, career or flaws I’m not even aware of. In the name of your son Jesus, I pray. Amen"
Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp
Hiawassee - Child of the Meadow - available to order from your local bookstore or online in eBook or print. I will be signing it and Smoke from Distant Fires at the Pow Wow in Tipton, Indiana on Saturday, August 30, 2014.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Beginnings
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
"School already?" Perhaps it’s hard to think of school and football games in crisp night air and family dinners in the autumn, because . . . it all leads to winter, and quite frankly, I had enough of that season to last for several years. Life does go on and we enter another academic year this week or next, depending on your school.
What does that have to do with people who have no children or who have reared their family? We all have a wonderful opportunity to begin again, just like the students. Sometimes we have become discouraged or delayed, or maybe we have finally answered God’s call to live life for Him. Every day is a new chance to begin, and the second part is not only the answer to, "Begin at what?" After the call, it is about how we live.
I heard Elizabeth Elliot (Through Gates of Splendor) speak at a Women’s Spiritual Retreat many years ago. She said, "God doesn’t care what we do. He cares how we do it." You may or may not agree with her on our life’s work and following God’s call into it, but, there is a lot to be said about, "How we do it." We are to work at our job and/or school with all our heart as we would if we were working for the Lord, not for our boss or teacher. In so doing, we will receive an inheritance from the Lord. If our inheritance were absolutely no more than living each hour in the company of God, wouldn’t that finally be enough? Let us pray:
"Oh God, my God, how blessed it is to walk with you, to talk with you, to be with you in all our work and activities. It is not labor when we serve you. It is the dance of life, the music of our soul, the love of our heart. Today I choose to begin again, with a freshness like the morning dew. Forgive me when I have doubted, or been ungrateful, or complained about life until I die to the work you have for me. Life is for the living, not the dying. I choose life and the beauty of being near you, walking and talking with you along my way home. Give me the clarity of vision to see you in every turn, in every fork in the road. Let this be the day of new beginnings for us all. In the name of Jesus, your son, who lives in the spirit within and in the gentle hand that leads me on, I pray. Amen"
Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp
Hiawassee - Child of the Meadow - available to order from your local bookstore or online. Amazon still does not have the eBook up but has the print book. Cokesbury.com will have it soon. Barnes and Noble online is missing the cover but can be ordered. I will be signing it and Smoke from Distant Fires at the Pow Wow in Tipton, Indiana on Saturday, August 30, 2014.
since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
"School already?" Perhaps it’s hard to think of school and football games in crisp night air and family dinners in the autumn, because . . . it all leads to winter, and quite frankly, I had enough of that season to last for several years. Life does go on and we enter another academic year this week or next, depending on your school.
What does that have to do with people who have no children or who have reared their family? We all have a wonderful opportunity to begin again, just like the students. Sometimes we have become discouraged or delayed, or maybe we have finally answered God’s call to live life for Him. Every day is a new chance to begin, and the second part is not only the answer to, "Begin at what?" After the call, it is about how we live.
I heard Elizabeth Elliot (Through Gates of Splendor) speak at a Women’s Spiritual Retreat many years ago. She said, "God doesn’t care what we do. He cares how we do it." You may or may not agree with her on our life’s work and following God’s call into it, but, there is a lot to be said about, "How we do it." We are to work at our job and/or school with all our heart as we would if we were working for the Lord, not for our boss or teacher. In so doing, we will receive an inheritance from the Lord. If our inheritance were absolutely no more than living each hour in the company of God, wouldn’t that finally be enough? Let us pray:
"Oh God, my God, how blessed it is to walk with you, to talk with you, to be with you in all our work and activities. It is not labor when we serve you. It is the dance of life, the music of our soul, the love of our heart. Today I choose to begin again, with a freshness like the morning dew. Forgive me when I have doubted, or been ungrateful, or complained about life until I die to the work you have for me. Life is for the living, not the dying. I choose life and the beauty of being near you, walking and talking with you along my way home. Give me the clarity of vision to see you in every turn, in every fork in the road. Let this be the day of new beginnings for us all. In the name of Jesus, your son, who lives in the spirit within and in the gentle hand that leads me on, I pray. Amen"
Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp
Hiawassee - Child of the Meadow - available to order from your local bookstore or online. Amazon still does not have the eBook up but has the print book. Cokesbury.com will have it soon. Barnes and Noble online is missing the cover but can be ordered. I will be signing it and Smoke from Distant Fires at the Pow Wow in Tipton, Indiana on Saturday, August 30, 2014.
Monday, August 4, 2014
A Quiet Thunder
"He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.’" Psalm 46: 10
"Be still . . . ." Is it actually possible, in our time, to be still? When I think of all we do, regardless of age: work, school, sports, home, friends, church, family and . . . well you get the idea. To know God, we must first be still.
You can practice stillness by selecting a favorite Bible verse and meditate or focusing upon it for five or ten minutes. When the mind drifts off to the worries or tasks of the day don’t be concerned. Brush the thoughts away like a pesky fly and return to the holiness of God’s presence in His word. Be still . . .
. . . and know. The verse doesn’t say, "I think maybe there must be a god up there - somewhere." Or, "I wish it were true." It says, ". . . and know . . . that I am God." When we know that God is real, when we know that He is present, when we know that His promises are true, we become filled with His Holy presence. Others may not see the mountains in our life move or the lightening crack open the sky and let down a golden ladder into Heaven. But, there is a rolling thunder of the soul when the voice of God vibrates within our heart and brings all our melodies into perfect harmony with Him. Be still and know . . . . Let us pray:
"Father God, when you speak, your words are like the timpani of a song, the climatic roll of the kettledrum and its quiet beat that provides hope and constant measure, a rhythm to which we move. Holy is your name and precious is your beat of life. I choose this day to be still. I choose this day to know. I choose this day to allow the quiet thunder of your beating heart to measure my stride and give me life. Forgive me when I have walked cautiously along your paths. The only true walk is to the drumbeat of your melody, written and composed just for me. I pray that each of us may know you through the stillness of our lives. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen"
Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp
Hiawassee - Child of the Meadow - released today at your local bookstore or online at Cokesbury, Amazon (a little slow this morning), Barnes and Noble (on line missing cover) and others.
"Be still . . . ." Is it actually possible, in our time, to be still? When I think of all we do, regardless of age: work, school, sports, home, friends, church, family and . . . well you get the idea. To know God, we must first be still.
You can practice stillness by selecting a favorite Bible verse and meditate or focusing upon it for five or ten minutes. When the mind drifts off to the worries or tasks of the day don’t be concerned. Brush the thoughts away like a pesky fly and return to the holiness of God’s presence in His word. Be still . . .
. . . and know. The verse doesn’t say, "I think maybe there must be a god up there - somewhere." Or, "I wish it were true." It says, ". . . and know . . . that I am God." When we know that God is real, when we know that He is present, when we know that His promises are true, we become filled with His Holy presence. Others may not see the mountains in our life move or the lightening crack open the sky and let down a golden ladder into Heaven. But, there is a rolling thunder of the soul when the voice of God vibrates within our heart and brings all our melodies into perfect harmony with Him. Be still and know . . . . Let us pray:
"Father God, when you speak, your words are like the timpani of a song, the climatic roll of the kettledrum and its quiet beat that provides hope and constant measure, a rhythm to which we move. Holy is your name and precious is your beat of life. I choose this day to be still. I choose this day to know. I choose this day to allow the quiet thunder of your beating heart to measure my stride and give me life. Forgive me when I have walked cautiously along your paths. The only true walk is to the drumbeat of your melody, written and composed just for me. I pray that each of us may know you through the stillness of our lives. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen"
Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp
Hiawassee - Child of the Meadow - released today at your local bookstore or online at Cokesbury, Amazon (a little slow this morning), Barnes and Noble (on line missing cover) and others.
Monday, July 28, 2014
When All Else Fails . . .
"For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6: 32-34 (NIV)
We’ve all heard, "When all else fails, read the directions." Biblically, we know, "Seek first the kingdom of God."
Believe me, this day has troubles of its own. I/we are trying to upload the eBook for Hiawassee - Child of the Meadow. It keeps being rejected for things like "embedded fonts." Does anyone out there know how to embed or un-embed a font? My friend, the computer guru, knows how. To clarify, she is learning how to convert to ePub so she can help me upload the manuscript. Another point of clarification, there is no real "we" in this final process. I wrote it and she is converting it.
The part I need to continue to learn is to trust in God to handle the "grief" of technical detail. It takes time and it takes skills I do not possess. God will carry the tension of the job if I will just let go of it. Before all else fails, turn to God to gradually let the process unfold. Seek Him and everything will, eventually, fall into place. Let us pray:
"Holy Father, your name is precious above all names. The mention of your name heals the sick and give patience to the foolish who put too many details into one day. Let me put away patterns of behavior that cause me to run ahead of you. Everything has a time, when that time is your time. Forgive me for when I have forgotten that. I love you Lord and I want to live within your plan, for your plan brought us your son Jesus. What more evidence of your love would anyone need, than the day you brought love and hope and forgiveness and song and grace into the world. In the name of Jesus, your son, I pray. Amen"
Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine." Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp
I will be signing Smoke from Distant Fires and Hiawssee - Child of the Meadow at the Pow Wow in Tipton, Indiana on Saturday, August 30, 2014.
Hiawassee - Child of the Meadow will be available the first part of August.
Length of Days - Beyond the Valley, the second in the Length of Days series, will be out late in the fall, 2014. It will be available in paperback and eBook.
"For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6: 32-34 (NIV)
We’ve all heard, "When all else fails, read the directions." Biblically, we know, "Seek first the kingdom of God."
Believe me, this day has troubles of its own. I/we are trying to upload the eBook for Hiawassee - Child of the Meadow. It keeps being rejected for things like "embedded fonts." Does anyone out there know how to embed or un-embed a font? My friend, the computer guru, knows how. To clarify, she is learning how to convert to ePub so she can help me upload the manuscript. Another point of clarification, there is no real "we" in this final process. I wrote it and she is converting it.
The part I need to continue to learn is to trust in God to handle the "grief" of technical detail. It takes time and it takes skills I do not possess. God will carry the tension of the job if I will just let go of it. Before all else fails, turn to God to gradually let the process unfold. Seek Him and everything will, eventually, fall into place. Let us pray:
"Holy Father, your name is precious above all names. The mention of your name heals the sick and give patience to the foolish who put too many details into one day. Let me put away patterns of behavior that cause me to run ahead of you. Everything has a time, when that time is your time. Forgive me for when I have forgotten that. I love you Lord and I want to live within your plan, for your plan brought us your son Jesus. What more evidence of your love would anyone need, than the day you brought love and hope and forgiveness and song and grace into the world. In the name of Jesus, your son, I pray. Amen"
Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine." Copyright 2014 Doris Gaines Rapp
I will be signing Smoke from Distant Fires and Hiawssee - Child of the Meadow at the Pow Wow in Tipton, Indiana on Saturday, August 30, 2014.
Hiawassee - Child of the Meadow will be available the first part of August.
Length of Days - Beyond the Valley, the second in the Length of Days series, will be out late in the fall, 2014. It will be available in paperback and eBook.
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