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Old book- old friend

September 24, 2014 by juliebcosgrove

There is was – the key in my mail slot. I had a package waiting in one of the six large lockers. It took every effort not to whoop with joy in the middle of the maIMAG0085il station at my apartments.

Recently I discovered the favorite author of my childhood, who passed from this life over 20 years ago, had written two more books while I was busy raising a family, working, and living my life. So, I ordered them from a used thrifty book store, excited, yet a little saddened,  that they had been reduced to $3.99, the price of a modern eBook novel. To me, her writing was much more valuable than that.

When I opened the package, there was no smell of fresh ink. The cover was dog-eared and a bit tattered on the edges from sliding in and out of bookshelves. The binding had been cracked numerous times, and a slight yellowing border of age eked around the pages..

None of that mattered, because the words were there. The personality of her writing, the way she described scenes, her unique dialog techniques had not faded with time. As my eyes scanned the pages, memorizes swirled between the words. It was as if I’d begun a conversation with an old friend I had not seen in decades. I cuddled down into the story.

Do I react the same with with God’s living Word? They say a person who has a tattered Bible does not have a tattered life.  And while my favorite Bible is getting on in years, I have more and more relied on my phone app instead. Not tot say I don’t enjoy having easy access to the Bible in my purse, but I have begun to miss my old friend with the dogeared pages, highlighted verses, and scribbles in the margins. So, I went to the shelf and cracked open the binding. As I cocked my head to read, a warmth cascaded over my shoulders into my heart. Prayers answered, revelations revealed, sorrows comforted. My life reflected there. My faith restored.

A plaque in my room reads – The Bible is the only book whose author is present each time it is read.

My favorite author left this earth two decades ago. She will never write again, But my Lord, who left earth two millennia ago, is still present in my everyday world, and writes on my heart.  I see evidence of Him each day in creation, in words of a song, a smile of a friend, even on Facebook.  Yet nothing beats cuddling into His Word. His Word still breathes life into me.

It took an old paperback in my mail locker to remind me of that fact.

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Are You Like Cookie?

September 20, 2014 by juliebcosgrove

As I watch this little penguin on this video, I ask myself – am I like that?

When I hear my Savior calling do I seek Him earnestly, despite scary obstacles in the way, such as walls and vacuum cleaners are to this little guy? Notice the penguin can only see part of the trainer – the hand first.,out stretched. That is enough for it to recognize it’s protector, and care giver. Then it dashes to it to receive love and attention in a display of pure joy.

Lord, teach me to be more like this precious little penguin.

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Cat Walk

September 17, 2014 by juliebcosgrove

Many of you who read my blog are aware I have cats. One is getting up in years – he is edging into his 14th birthday in December. So, he isn’t as spry as he once was.IMG_20131202_092238_869

Some evenings, I like to veg out on a good Netflix mystery.  I sit on my couch, legs stretched to the ottoman. My old kitty can hop up onto the ottoman with effort, but the leap to the couch is more and more beyond his capability. So, smart cat that he is, he has discovered he can use my outstretched legs as a bridge to walk across to my lap.

Jesus died on the cross to bridge the gap between us and God. We now have access to our Father’s lap through our Lord and Savior’s sacrifice. But we must make the walk, right? We must first take the hop of faith by confessing our sins. Then over Jesus’ stretched out arms on the cross, we can come into the Holy presence of our Almighty God. At times it may seem quite an effort, but that’s okay. Christ is more than willing to be the conduit that lead us to the throne of grace if we will only make the effort to come to Him first.

For my cat, that first leap onto the ottoman is the hardest part of the journey, but he knows he wants to feel secure and loved in my lap, so it is worth it to him. And when the time comes he is no longer able to hop to the ottoman, my hands will be there to lift him up when he comes to me and meows..

I am no different. I want to feel secured and loved in my Father’s presence. Each time I sin, I choose to make that leap of faith in order to ask Christ to be my bridge. Not saying I am as smart as my cat, but I know I am incapable of doing it on my own. I also know I can call on Jesus. He will always be there to lift me up and encourage me to cross over into my Father’s lap. He will do the same for you.

 

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In Amazon

September 11, 2014 by juliebcosgrove

This week I found God in Amazon. Not the jungle, the website…the king of book titles.

A small voice whispered from the inside out, “Go look at your stats for Hush in the Storm, (my newly released novel.)” I  questioned why, since the last time I’d looked a few weeks ago, right after it launched, it was in the 127,000th rank.  But, okay, God. I clicked on the website.  Here is what it said on 9/9

#3 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Religious & Inspirational Fiction > Christian > Mystery & Suspense

#4 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Religious & Inspirational > Mystery

#4 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Literature & Fiction > Mystery & Suspense

Tears filled my eyes, clouding my computer screen.  Of course it was short lived. Now I am #25, but out of over 500 in that category… I’m okay with that.  For three days I was a best selling author!

ID-100286871But here is the message – I am always #1 in God’s eyes. So are you, if you have claimed Him as your Lord and Savior.  Human popularity is fleeting, but God’s admiration is eternal.

He cares so much for this one author that His Spirit prompted me to look at  my book listing at just the right time. For me, it was a pat on the back to tell me I’d “done good” for Him.

Two years ago, I obediently began to write this suspense romance novel with an under plot of an ugly, but pertinent social issue – human trafficking. God led me down that path.  I won’t go into the ways He did that, but my Lord sent me so many signals, I finally had to laugh and say, “Okay. I’ll do it.”  Many Christian publishers pushed it back in my lap. But one took the chance. Not everyone likes it, but evidently enough do. It continues to get 4-5 star reviews.

The point is- I followed God into this endeavor and let Him use it for His glory. He has blessed me with my greatest  heart’s desire as a result.

Where is He calling you to use the talents He has bestowed upon you?  He will do the same for you as He has for me if you just step out there for Him. No matter what people say or do not say, God will always speak positive truths to you. Will you hear them? Or will your self-worth rely on the level of applause from other people?

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ARGGHHH!!

September 5, 2014 by juliebcosgrove

MP900444553[1]I felt it coming on. I tried to ignore it, but it kept building. Small things, like my purse dumping all over the floorboard when I turned the corner. Dropping  a sack of groceries–not the ones with the eggs, thank the Lord. Catching the pocket of my skirt on the doorknob when my arms were full. . The shower curtain collapsing in the middle of my shower. Stubbing my toe as my sandal slipped.

Each time my blood pressure inched up another point or so. Every incident piled onto the other like a tower of cards wobbling in the blast of an oscillating fan.

WHAT WAS GOING ON????

Perhaps it is because I have been instrumental in planning three large events and five talks coming up in the eleven weeks after coming off the roller coaster of launching a novel and jumping from book signing to book signing.  Then it is Toastmasters contest season and I am chief judging five of them. Plus, I am helping two people edit their books and reviewing three more. When I told a writer friend of all I had planned  over the next two months she wrote back that she became tired just reading about it.

Then,,,My computer erased my work in a brown out and the auto back up (scheduled for every 5 minutes) decided not to kick in as it should. ARGHHH!!!!

I finally sat with my head on my desk, tears swimming, and prayed. I prayed for Satan to quit messing with me. I prayed for the Holy Spirit to bolster me and and calm me. I prayed to the Lord to bring me His peace. I prayed for all these end-of-rope frustrations to stop. “What are you trying to tell me, Lord?”

Then, like a whisper in the ear, but from the inside out, came a voice. “I will see you through it and protect you from attacks, my child. But next time, pray to me before you take all this on.”

OH! Okay. Sure. My cheeks warmed and my heart sunk.

How often do we overload ourselves, and then ask for strength to endure it? How many times do we rush ahead and then reach back for Jesus’ hand and try to pull Him along with us? What makes us think we can keep running on empty and not refill through quiet God-time?

When frustrations build, stop, breathe and pray. Above all else, pray. Abba Father may be allowing these things because He is trying to call you to His side so you’ll give Him your undivided attention.

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.Mark 4:39

If He can calm a storm over a lake, will He not find a way to calm us? Lord, may I be as obedient as the waves in the Gospels.

 

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Get Me Out!!!

August 29, 2014 by juliebcosgrove

My priest, Chris Culpepper, posted this on Facebook. (click on the link)

 

 

It’s been around for a few years, so maybe you have seen it before.  But, do you see the message? There are times when, out of stupidity, or naivety, or because we are lured, we get ourselves into an awful mess. Others can bring us the ladder – Christ – to lift us out so we can again follow Him. He bridges the gap between sin and salvation.

Who can you bring a ladder to today? It may be via a phone call, giving them  a sincere smile, or even praying for them from the depth of your heart when God brings their name to your mind.

 

I will exalt you, Lord,
    for you lifted me out of the depths
    and did not let my enemies gloat over me.   Psalm 30:1

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Tossed Togehter

August 27, 2014 by juliebcosgrove

IMAG0073I munched on my salad for lunch today. Made by a friend who runs a gourmet shop, it was a special treat. Spinach, strawberries, fresh slivers of Parmesan cheese, candied pecans, and poppy seed dressing all blended into something that joyously assaulted my taste buds and made my eyes roll into the back of my head with bliss. She knows what foods enhance each other. She is a Master.

It made me think of what God does with our lives. Totally separate things can combine together in His timing to become delectable in a whole new way. Think of the individuality of each of your friends and how they enrich your life. Think of the experiences you’ve had, good and bad, and how they have shaped you into who you are today. God can use that for good as well.

You see, I am usually not a fan of Parmesan- my nose is very sensitive – but with the nuttiness, sweetness and a touch of tartness in the rest of the salad, it was just right. The same is true with my life. Experiences I thought not so great at the time have blended with others to the glory of God. People who may have not been my favorite when we met have enhanced my path or helped me make the decision to change directions. Sweet moments and biting remarks have combined together to make me look honestly in the mirror.

God said in the Psalms to taste and see that He is good. (34:8) So are all the things that happen to us: the encounters we have and the people we meet. Even if some of them make you scrunch up your nose, be patient. Swallow each down. Let them be blended into your life by the Master…Taste and see what God does with it!

Posted in Life Experiences | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments »

Longest Walk

August 22, 2014 by juliebcosgrove

ID-100108485Infants become toddlers when they begin to, well, toddle. What parent hasn’t crouched down, arms extended and coaxed their wee one to inch towards them, one wobbly step at a time, then scooped them up and hugged them once their hands reconnected? It is necessary in the child’s development to crawl, toddle, walk and eventually run. We can’t carry them around until they are in their 30’s, can we?

In prayer, my mind pictured a toddler reaching out, unsure if it could walk.  Arms outstretched, it’s attention on it’s father’s beckoning hands, just three short steps away. A soft voice whispered, “Come. You can do it. Come. I’m here. Trust me.Try.”

Sometimes, I think God does carry us. But there are other times when He sets us down and backs away, just a few steps, so we will be enticed to walk towards Him. It is a test of faith and trust, but it also helps us reevaluate how much we want to be in His arms again. Do we sit and cry, demanding He to come to us?  Or do we slowly rise onto our feet and begin to take the first toe-to-heel movements in His direction as He gently calls to us, trusting if we wobble or stumble, He will be there to scoop us up?

Our faith-walk, just as an infant’s strides, should become more sure and steady. We are never out of the peripheral vision of our Daddy’s eyes or the extent of His reach, but there are times He wants us to test our legs, our boundaries, and our trust in Him. By letting go, He encourages us to draw near, to take those first few steps back to His arms where we once felt so secure. How else can we grow strong enough to stand in His presence?

Do you feel as if God has stepped away? Maybe He has… for your benefit,  Look with your heart. There He is, crouched with arms outstretched towards you. Take a deep breath, rise and walk to Daddy. Trust Him. Try.

Posted in Life Experiences | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Mooned

August 15, 2014 by juliebcosgrove

moonThis is a photograph taken by The Blind Photographer, a Christian named Steve Rebus who has an amazing blog. I hope you check out his other photos and blog entries as well.

As I gazed at the moon through “his eyes”, I discovered I want to be more like that moon.

Created by God, the moon is dead until it reflects the sun’s light. Then, it shines into the darkness and often provides direction for people on earth. As Christians, do we not strive to do likewise? With the Light of Christ bringing us to life, we can deliver hope to a hurting world enveloped in the darkness of sin and strife.

When I was little and looked up at the moon, I saw the “man in the moon” smiling back down at me. My mother used to sing us a lullaby popularized by JAMES MERRILL BRICKMAN,  –

“God bless the moon and God bless me. God bless the someone I long to see.”

As I grew into my teens, I visualized that man in the moon as my Heavenly Father looking down on me and smiling. He was who I longed to see. I’d sneak outside in the middle of  the night and talk to Him, cry to Him, and at times just gaze at Him, filled with a peace that I was not alone. It comforted me through those tumultuous years. And to be honest, every now and then full moons still have that effect on me.

The man in the moon affect is of course shadows from the craters –  bombardments of meteors which have scarred its surface. May even my scars from life’s battles reflect God’s image as well and may others be comforted when they see the Son of Man shining in me, knowing in their hearts that they are not alone.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

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Cling or Move?

August 12, 2014 by juliebcosgrove

ID-10061708It caught my eye as I rode shot-gun with my son. A tiny, almost translucent, spider clung to the windshield of the passenger side. Smaller than my pinkie nail. It hung on as we went over the speed bumps and through the security gate of the apartment complex. The little thing clung tightly as we turned the corner and picked up speed. Five blocks later, it still was hanging to the glass, spreading its minuscule legs as far as it could. Asking my son to pull over so I could rescue a spider when we were running late didn’t appear to be a viable option. I sucked in my breath as we accelerated up the ramp to the highway.

Surely the spider couldn’t have the strength to hold on at 60 mph. You may think it silly, but I whispered a prayer for God’s protection.

Sure enough, as my son’s foot pressed down on the gas, the spider inched its way up window into the area where the metal meets the glass – a minute strip protected from the wind. Two exits later, when we pulled into the parking lot, the spider hopped to scamper over the roof of the car- safe and sound. Quite a journey for such a tiny creature.

Where are you on your journey? Do you feel the wind force against you? Are you trying to cling with all your might but are getting weary?  It might be the time to take a chance and move closer to the protection of God even when every fiber of your being says, “Don’t let go.”  What may not seem like shelter may be just the place you need to be to withstand the trek until things slow down. But it takes faith to make that step.

Something called that tiny spider to take the chance, move its legs, and scoot up into the top of the car window even as it was accelerating faster. Where is God calling you?

I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8

Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, Isaiah 32:2a

 

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