Feeds:
Posts
Comments

In a Drop and a Verse

January 7, 2013 by Julie B Cosgrove

Remember staring at a slide under the microscope in school?  Look what is in one drop of drinking water –

I get what is called the daily Lectionary– verses for the Psalms, Old Testament, Epistles (Apostles’ Letters like Paul, Peter and James) and four Gospels – each morning on my computer. It is designed to take you through the Bible in 3 years.

The first line of today’s Old Testament passage caught my eye –

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand? Isaiah 40:12a

Mediate on that for a moment.  How much does God handle each day? Yet Scripture tells us He knows it all. He knows every hair on every head of His people, billions of them.  Tenth Avenue North is a Christian band I like and they had a song about three years ago which stated they felt like they were just one drop of rain in a tropical downpour.  One tiny drop out of all the waters God holds in the hollow of His hand.

And yet, God know not only each drop but the movements of each of those microscopic creatures. Surely He knows each thought, each breath, each move I make as well. I may be just a tiny drop in the seas that fit in the hollow of my Creator’s hand, but that doesn’t mean He doesn’t notice me. Nor does it mean I will slip trough His fingers. I am tucked away inside the palm of the One who knows all that ever was, is and will be. So are you. And that is worth more than a drop in the bucket, isn’t it?

Posted in Biblical, Christian, Devotional | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

In a Wag

January 4, 2013 by Julie B Cosgrove

dreamstimefree_209775Visiting a friend, I noticed a little  dog in the backyard. When she heard her master’s voice she came to the slider and perched, ears cocked, and waited. She was unable to reach up and open the sliding glass herself. But she knew her master would come over and let her in.

However,  my friend waited until everyone at the gathering had come through the front door and found a seat. She didn’t want wilds of the street to be too tempting, or for the little dog to get underfoot. My friend knew when the best time to open the door would be. The dog sat there patiently and didn’t even bark. That is trust.

As my friend made her way to the glass door, the little dog sat up and wagged her tail back and forth so rapidly that it became a blur of fur. She stood, her weight shifted from leg to leg and her eyes were fixed on the hand as it reached for the handle. With each wag I could almost hear the doggie’s enthusiastic thoughts –

“My master is here. My master noticed me and is coming to meet me. My master is opening a way for me.”

Dearest Lord, May I be so eager to receive You. Your death on the cross opened a way for me to enter into Your presence. My prayers summon You to the Heavenly slider between earth and eternity. May I have the patience of that little puppy to know You will open doors for me in Your timing when it is right. May I wait in trust and obedient certainty, then be quick to respond in thanksgiving and praise. Amen.

 

Posted in Christian, Devotional, Life Experiences | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

In A Motto

December 31, 2012 by Julie B Cosgrove

new yearsIf you are like me, your emails are flooded with people listing their New Year’s Resolutions. Somehow, I guess,  if you put them in writing, then there is a sense of commitment involved.

Personally, I loathe New Years Resolutions ( click to see top ten) because they are generally very “me” centered. Some resolutions can be worthy – be nicer to that person at work that gets on my nerves, I won’t belittle my spouse, I’ll pray more, read the Bible in a year, etc. Even lose weight or exercise more are worthy goals.

I’m not saying we should not have personal improvement goals. Sure we should. But this year, spend some quiet, quality time with your Heavenly Father who created you to be you. Ask Him what He wants you to work on this year.  Then be bold enough to ask Him to help you do it. Odds are you will have a much easier time keeping this year’s resolutions if you do because they will not be yours, but His for you.

I belong to an order of women prayer and service warriors. Our motto has a phrase in it –

What I can do, by the grace of God I will do. Lord, what will you have me do?

What if we all prayed that before our feet hit the floor each morning?

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment »

In a Traffic Jam

December 28, 2012 by Julie B Cosgrove

43 QueingToday I was taking my son to work, which is usually a three to five-minute trip. But there must have been a wreck or something up by the highway because our side of the street was bumper to bumper for as far as we could see (which was pretty much the car in front of us).

We crept along at 5 miles an hour max on an otherwise 35 mile an hour road. Then we stood still for almost a full song on the radio. Creep a bit more, stop. Inch a few more car lengths, stop.

In  the rearview mirror I saw a ribbon of cars behind me in both lanes. There were no side streets to provide a detour. We were stuck.

That seems to describe my life at the moment. I am creeping along at a speed that is far slower than I want when it comes to my writing recognition, career and monetary situation. I should have gotten to the destination of being where some of my writing friends are by now. I have worked hard for years, studied techniques, attended conferences, hobnobbed with publishers and agents, read “how to write the best novel in the world” books, promoted myself over and over. I want ot stand on the car top and sceam “Here I am! Look at me. Let me through.”  But that would only make me look foolish at best.

I get a commission to write for a missionary society and they like what I wrote, so I creep forward. Then stop. I get a letter saying I am published in a magazine. Creep forward. I get a royalty check off my one of my Bible Studies – under a $100. Creep some more. Had another radio interview. The tires roll a few more rotations. Yet, I feel stuck.

But, just like the traffic jam today, I can’t see what is up the road. I can only see directly in front of me. There are no detours. So, I must plod along only as fast as the car directly in front of me moves. That car is God’s will. He made this road, He made the road blocks, He is setting the pace. I will try my level best to be patient and not blow my horn, or my cool. Neither would accomplish a thing.

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.  Psalm 62:5 NLT

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Still in Christmas – even if it wasn’t merry

December 27, 2012 by Julie B Cosgrove

Christmas should be a time of joy, laughter, family and friends. It should also be a time of quiet worship and thanking God for the

© Winterberg | Dreamstime.com

© Winterberg | Dreamstime.com

fact that he chose to become a man and walk in our shoes. As my minister said in his Christmas sermon, “The watchmaker became the watch so He could understand us fully from the inside out.”

But this Christmas there were parents and grandparents, brothers and sisters in Connecticut who had children brutally taken from them. In my own corner of the world was a wife at bedside of husband who had emergency surgery, a friend with shingles, a priest who hurt his knee and couldn’t tend to his flock over Christmas, people stranded by freak Texas snows who couldn’t be with family, a family whose house burned, a friend who fell and broke her shoulder while tending to her husband recovering from a knee replacement – the list goes on.

Where is God? Right in the manger, right on the cross, and also in Heaven above preparing a place for us all before He comes back for His own. He is in our hearts, in our tears and in our hands as we help each other down this less than fairy tale life.  The world as a whole didn’t end on 12/21/12.  For some, though, it may have well had.  Let us reach out, and then get down on our knees to show them God is there to bolster them through another day- as He is for us all if we choose to believe.

Tidings of comfort and joy.

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment »

Have a White Christmas- Anywhere

December 22, 2012 by Julie B Cosgrove

The weather predictors keep dangling the carrot by saying that my part of Texas may have snow on Christmas – most likely flurries or a powder sugar dusting for a few hours at most. Being a native Texan and having lived no further north than Fort Worth except for two years in college, I have seen two white Christmases in my almost 60 years of life.

To be honest, that is not something to dream for- sorry Bing Crosby. Since people are not used to snow  and our roads can’t handle it, it means people would be stranded and not able to be with family. More than likely mine who are traveling from 1-4 hours would not make it. Nor would I want them to try!

But wherever we are we can have a White Christmas – because it is Christ’s mass. Jesus came, and then died to make our sins white as, well snow.  So here is what you do –

Like the shepherds, kneel before the manger in humble reverence.

Like the animals in that stable, make room for Him in your life.

Like the Wise Men, bring the Christ child presents – but not material ones. The one gift He wants is you. Box up all your hurts, anger, prejudices, mistakes, should’ve done thoughts, and self-judgments. Lay it at His manger and ask Him to forgive you for hanging onto them.

Walk away into the New Year with His love shining in your heart, bright as the sun glistening on new fallen snow.

Merry White Christmas

PS: you can have a white Christmas all year round by following the same steps every night before your eyes close onto your pillow. That’s why He came – that’s why He’s here. Hallelujah.

Posted in Life Experiences | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

In Sayings Abounding

December 20, 2012 by Julie B Cosgrove

 This has been the week of sayings and poems – must be the season. The first two are from a principal at an elementary school in a speech he gave – not sure if they are original or quoted – but they hit my heart.

Inch by Inch with God its a cinch.

 

There are many things that seem impossible to man.

But with (Hope) the ability to conceive it,

The faith to believe it,

God can set you up to receive it.

 

Then a friend forwarded this in an email – it is long, but worth the read.

Twas’ 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38

when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate.

their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.

They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

They were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say….

They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

“Where are we?” Asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

“This is heaven.” declared a small boy. “We’re spending Christmas at God’s house.”

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their Savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring

those children all flew into the arms of their King

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

one small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face.

And as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”

then He looked down on earth, the world far below

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe.

He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!”

“May this country be delivered from the hands of fools”

“I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my schools!”

Then He and the children stood up without a sound.

“Come now my children, let me show you around.”

Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

“In the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT.”

Written by a Gentleman in Southern Pa

 

Posted in Christian | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment »

Inside an MRI

December 18, 2012 by Julie B Cosgrove

I have a phobia about the MRI donut – cylinder coffin, white hole- call it what you will. Bedsides the fact that I had an adverse reaction to the dye a few years back and they had to pull me out, shoot me up with Benadryl and apply oxygen, I feel confined and not in control. Those of you who know me know “control” is my thorn in my flesh. It is the major issue on which God constantly works with me . “I’m here, Julie. Let go, Let Me.”

I pondered if I was relying too much on my own flesh and not my faith as I popped the mild sedative pill the neurologist had prescribed before my son drove me to the appointment. I asked God for forgiveness and swallowed it back.  Within ten minutes the world fuzzed. Now I really felt out of control!

The tech was nice enough to place a washcloth over my eyes as they strapped my head and neck down to keep them from moving. Oh, this is going to be really fun.  Then they slid me in head first. My heart pounded in my ears. Don’t squeeze the panic button. You are a big girl. It’s only 20 minutes. You can do this. If you have never heard one, then watch this —-

Ear plugs DO NOT help.

Then it came into my head  – Casting Crown’s song Praise You in the Storm. Per copyright laws you are not supposed to write out the lyrics, but they sing of God being God no matter where we are and how He has held every tear we cry in His hands. So I began to sing praise songs through the buzz. Each time the knock, knock, knock sounded I praised Jesus that He was knocking on my heart. He whispered you are doing this because I am here. My breathing calmed and the ten ton weight on my chest left.

I survived. Obviously, because I am writing this, though with residual grogginess even after a four-hour dead-to-the-world nap! I hope this “mild” sedative wears off soon!

When we are in a scary situation we have two choices. Praise God because He is there in all circumstances, or panic. We can focus on Him, of focus on our situation. Today I found God as close as my breath inside and MRI- and a precious reminder – that is where He is every moment, every day.

He and I are still talking about whether or not I really needed that sedative. Doesn’t matter. He was with me anyway. His mercies are new very morning.

Posted in Life Experiences | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment »

In a Blog Request

December 16, 2012 by Julie B Cosgrove

A fellow author, Anne Sanders, http://blog.annesanders.net/2012/12/works-in-progress.html has forwarded on this “Next Big Thing”. Yes, it is a blatant attempt for us autors to advertise, but then it is also to show we support each other and our goals are the same – Tell of God’s love, grace and redemptive mercy.

Hi Anne- in response to Your Next Big Thing –

which I am to then forward on to other authors (who will

journalinghopefully respond back so more of you will see what cool things God is leading them to write in order to spread His Word.) So here goes:

Ten Interview Questions for the Next Big Thing:

What is your working title of your book? Hush in the Storm

Where did the idea come from for the book? My sister actually. She said, “you love to read mysteries, why don’t you write one. I didn’t think God wanted me to m bump anyone off, so I went for suspense with a hint of romance instead.

What genre does your book fall under? Contemporary Christian Suspense

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Perhaps unknowns, like me, so they can make a name for themselves.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?Jen, a young widow tossed in a storm of grief is kidnapped by a coworker named Tom, at the request of her late husband, or so Tom says.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Have a publisher “nibbling” now. Wathcing the string bob in the water – bite, please bite hard – hook, line and sinker!

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? Five weeks- remember, you asked about the first draft. The second…and third…and fourth took much longer.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Vengeance Squad by Sid Frost, Deliver From Evil Trilogy- Kathi Macias, Terror by Night  by R.W. Ley  (all are  recently written Christian based novels worth reading.)

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My sister, and believe it or not, God. Really. He took it in a direction I never expected. As I wrote I kept thinking, where is this going and why are You leading me into these subplots? At the end, I knew.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
Tom kidnaps Jen and fakes her death to protect her from the cartel whom he says caused her husband’s fatal car accident. As Tom and Jen dodge human traffickers, the Feds and the reporters who discover she is alive, clues surface to suggest Jen’s husband may not be so dead after all. 

Yes, I am starting the first draft to the sequel = Legitimate Lies

I am forwarding this onto these Christian authors and bloggers – so, please check out their sites as well.

Diane Gates, Joy Brooks- Prayer For Freedom, Peggy Consolver, Lynn Hobbs and R.W. Ley

Posted in Christian | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments »

Through the Smoke

December 14, 2012 by Julie B Cosgrove

It has been a rough week. I have been smelling sweet, pungent smoke  – all the time!!! It began intermittently , then gradually became more and more frequent. I wake up several times at night gagging. I smell it in the grocery store, in the car, at friends’ houses, in church. Then, yesterday my left eye began to act up.

I’ve spent two days being shuffled from specialist to specialist – trying to come up with some diagnosis other than the two elephants in the room – TUMOR or STROKE.  So after much prodding and discussion, the consensus has come back – it is time for the brain MRI early next week whenever they can get my measly insurance policy to approve it.  I am very phobic about them, the way some people are about needles. Truly – my blood pressure rose 20 points when they told me.

In the meantime this  intermittently half fuzzed-out and gagging from the phantom stench writer is trying to get work done, earn a living and keep from asking God why?  Warriors have been praying. Still, for the past two days questions have kept surfacing as if in a Magic 8 Ball- Will this get worse? What if I go blind, or have to stop writing? Please God, no. Take a leg, take this cup, but don’t take my writing. Okay- thy will be done. What window will crack open if this door shuts? (I have a Bible study on that by the way.  The radio interview with the Christian Authors Show airs on Dec 19th. I’ll share the link then when it is live.)

God in His sweet timing brought to me three gifts. God always has a way of doing things in threes for me. Three is an important number for me personally so it is an added touch of His grace – like a bow on the present.

The first was an email from Truth Media’s Editor Claire for a website “Power to Change -Christian Women Today” that I write for on a weekly basis –

Good morning Julie,
As I was going through emails this morning I was delighted to see that someone had written in specifically to praise one of your devos. Here’s what she said:

I was reading this on my phone so the screen was small and I had expanded text for legibility. As I read I thought, “Wow! This is really well written.” Curious I scrolled up to the top to see who had written it. Of course! Julie Cosgrove! What a gift she is to all who are lucky enough to discover her writings.

As soon as I read it I knew that you needed to see it too… So be encouraged, God is using the work of your hands for His good purposes.
Thank you for all the work you do month after month. You are very much appreciated!
Claire

Then I got five copies of The Journey  Jan-Apr 2013 edition in the mail- with a month’s worth of my devos  accepted in it for April, 2013.

Third- I got a letter from the couple I stayed with in England. I had donated several of my books and she said everyone there in the village has been reading them and love them.

They were My Sweet Lord’s reassurance that no matter what, and it is probably a lot of fuss and money over something that will turn out to be as simple as a nasty sinus infection, three things are true –

He is by my side,

He has been glorified through my work for Him, and

He is pleased.

Three reminders that I can do all things through Him who gives me strength (Phil 4:13) Even endure an MRI – again.

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »