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Posts Tagged ‘Where did you find God today’

Inside an MRI

Posted in Life Experiences, tagged , , , , on December 18, 2012| 1 Comment »

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.

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In a Blog Request

Posted in Christian, tagged , , , , on December 16, 2012| 2 Comments »

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

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Through the Smoke

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , on December 14, 2012| Leave a Comment »

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.

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In a Sneeze

Posted in Christian, Devotional, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , , , on December 12, 2012| Leave a Comment »

This story was sent to me by email –

They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-two students filing into the already crowded auditorium. With their rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt.  Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and Moms freely brushed away tears.  This class would NOT pray during the commencements, not by choice, but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it.

The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families.  The speeches were nice, but they were routine until the final speech received a standing ovation. A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened.  All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED !!!!   The student on stage simply looked at the audience and said, ‘GOD BLESS YOU’  And he walked off the stage…

The audience exploded into applause. This graduating class had found a unique way to invoke God’s blessing on their future with or without the court’s approval.  Isn’t this a wonderful story? Pass it on to all your friends………and GOD BLESS YOU!!!!  This is a true story; it happened at the University of Maryland . 

May you not be afraid to say “God Bless You”, or Merry Christmas” or anything else that expresses your faith. 

Pray it – then Say it. Let God decide how it will be received.

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. (Acts 4:31 NIV)

NOTE: Snopes says it happened in 2001 and a bit differently (in Illinois) – the student sneezed and pre-planned group of students all yelled out “God Bless You” in defiance to a  court order to not have an invocation- read it here –http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/sneeze.asp

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In Baruch

Posted in Biblical, Christian, Devotional, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , on December 10, 2012| 2 Comments »

Baruch (Bar-OOK) is a lesser known prophet, and legend has it, he was the great prophet Jeremiah’s personal secretary. He lived during the time the Hebrew people were in exile in Babylonia.

That was a pretty dark time. They had been punished by God for not repenting. You might say they were in “time-out”. Like a parent disciplines a stubborn child, God removed them from all the wondrous things He had given them – the Promised Land, the Temple in Jerusalem, an identity as a nation under Him.

Yet, Baruch tells the people this, “Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on for ever the beauty of the glory of God. Put on the robe of righteousness from God and on your head the diadem [ornamental crown] of the glory of the Everlasting.” (5:1-2)

It reminded me of when Paul talks about putting on the whole armor of God in Ephesians 6.

That then led to the celestial tap on my brain — what are you putting on, Julie?

closetEvery morning I stand in my closet and decide what I am going to wear. The same is true for my attitude. Will I put on garments of sorrow and affliction, the unresolved hurt feelings, the negative attitude  I have towards someone  ( or myself) . . .or will I take them off the hangers and lay them at the feet of Jesus, stand naked before my Lord, and then let Him place on me His robe of righteousness and crown me with His glory?

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In My Computer

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , on December 8, 2012| 1 Comment »

© Robert F. Balazik | Dreamstime.com

© Robert F. Balazik | Dreamstime.com

No – God didn’t take over my keyboard. But a message did appear throughout the day at the bottom right of my screen. It was a warning that would fade in and out and block what I was trying to type, or research, or read.

I went to have a larger, faster and better hard drive installed. Cheaper than a new desktop unit. The tech left in the old hard drive so I could back up my voluminous files onto it. Yes, I have an offsite backup service, but I grew up in the age when computers  filled rooms and often lost data. I know what it is like to spend days reentering data. I am sort of phobic about that.

Trouble is, he didn’t have the cable to connect the two, but told me it would be okay and the part would be in stock within a week.  That is why I have been getting this ghost message that I don’t have enough memory.

So how does that translate into a God moment? God can give us a new ministry, or a task. It is new, exciting and we feel purposeful. Hurray, God is using me.

But if, in our excitement, we forget to connect with Jesus often, He will send us error messages that float into the corners of our souls- “Connect with me- you are running low”.  We need that Holy Spirit cable to boost us through the day and through our task we are doing to His glory. We need that daily, if not hourly, surge of power. And, through His Word in our minds and on our hearts, we need to have our faith stored up sp we can plug into Him during the day.

What message is He sending you today?

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In the Wind

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , on December 6, 2012| 1 Comment »

I remember sitting in my room decorated with peace symbol posters, bright pink and green cut out flowers, and Jesus Freak sayings. I sat cross- legged on the bed listening to Peter, Paul and Mary singing the Bob Dylan song “Blowin’ In The Wind” on the record player.

Now, as I sit in my room, which is also my office, clicking away on the keyboard, the wind whistles through the apartment complex windows. Some may think it is annoying, but I find it comforting. I equate it with God’s Spirit. You can’t see it , but you can hear, see and feel the effects of it.

Wind = power.  I’ve been in tornadoes and hurricanes. I’ve lived on the coast where a cooling 15 mph sea breeze is normal.  I’ve been stifled in the summer heat where there is no wind at all, and rejoiced when, finally, the change in weather blew in.

I can say the same for my spiritual life. Sometimes I constantly feel Him in my life like the refreshing sea breeze. Other times He literally blows me over with His grace or with a lesson I need to learn. There are times I don’t feel Him at all.

The soft humming that filters through my apartment windows reminds me that, even if I try to block Him out, He will find a way to seep through into my life. Whatever I am dealing with, well “the answer my friend is blowing in the wind . . .”  I just have to listen.

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In a Touch

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , on December 4, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Touching – today it has new meanings.

I googled images for “touch”- I’d estimate 97% of the results were about electronic devices with “touch screens”.   The new Windows 8 is huge because it has a touch screen activated commands for your desktop and laptop like smartphones have.  Today, we keep “in touch” through cyberspace without ever having any physical contact.  Okay – for families separated by job, the military or other reasons that is a wonderful thing. Skype has its purpose. But, my point is  this: a vast majority of us have more contact with our hand-held devices and computer keyboards during the day that we do with humans. What does that say about us as a society?

I hear teachers say they are not allowed to touch their students for fear of lawsuits. No high fives, no pats on the back, no hugs when they see quivering lips and swimming eyes. One I spoke with said she was so excited when she saw a student at the mall who had moved away, so he was no longer in her class. Finally she could rush up, hug him and show him how important he was as a person- something he rarely heard elsewhere in his world. She explained how many times she wanted to do that in  class to him and others but she’d be fired if she had any physical contact at all. He said he never knew- figured she was just like all the rest of the people he knew outside of his hood – all talk and no action. It turns out that he had dropped out, and that supportive hug made him rethink that decision.

lay handsYesterday in church it was different. We passed the peace, shook hands and hugged. When it came time to send out a missionary to Kenya, people rushed to lay hands on him as we prayed.  Those who could not touch him, touched those who were touching him.

No one rushed back to their seats and squirted on hand sanitizer or wiped their hands on their shirts. No one speed dialed their attorney stating someone had inappropriate contact with them. No one sent him a text message instead.

Jesus came down to earth in the form of a flesh and blood person so He could touch lives.  He physically touched people to begin their healing process.

And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.  Luke 6:19

We are to be Christ’s hands and feet today. He touches others through us. Laying of hands is a way to transmit the love of God. I have been the recipient of people laying hands on me and praying over me. It is very powerful. Any one can lay hands on a friend for healing, comfort, or strength as they pray with them.  While we have physical bodies, we need that physical contact.

True, this blog will reach out and (God willing) “touch” people I will never be able to meet in this life. And I believe the Spirit can flow through the Internet. But as a widow, I need physical contact – the touch of friends in my life. I need that Agape (Christian brotherly love) connection in a pat or a hug. Even if you are surrounded by love and family in your home every day, don’t you need the touch of Christ through others as well?

 

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At a Bazaar

Posted in Christian, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , on December 2, 2012| 1 Comment »

Her eyes glimmered and her lips pressed into a straight line. “You have touched my heart. I have to buy something so something to help.” She swallowed, her eyes panned like a camera over the wares spread on the table. She carefully touched one, then another, as if the were made of the finest spun glass. Then her lips curled into a smile and her eyes danced. “This one. Each time I wear it, I will pray for them all.”

It happened over and over again throughout the day. People would listen to why I was there and who I represented (Christ above all else.) Some talked of missionaries they knew. Many just donated money. Lots more bought some of the items and talked about Christ in their lives. One couple’s two daughters had gone into the field in third world countries.

Others backed away and shook their heads as if the jewelry and purses in front of them represented something so horrid they couldn’t stand it.

imagesCAJ1YR52I am a representative for Women at Risk International (WAR). They are a Christian missionary society who saves women and children from slavery and trafficking in 13 countries. They teach them that, through Christ, they have worth and how to make jewelry and handbags. We sell those here in the USA to support their efforts. We sell their wares and items donated to their cause  at home parties and, for me, at conferences and bazaars as well.  They also have a store online. For more info – go to the Help A Woman tab on this blog site.

Today I found God in many faces of strangers. He linked us in a common purpose His love. He links me with all those women and children who have been abused and have discovered His healing power. He calls me to pray for those yet to be liked, and for their tormentors and those who choose to participate in the tormenting.

Will you link with us as well? Through Christ, the WAR can be won.

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In a disappointing body

Posted in Christian, Devotional, Life Experiences, tagged , , , , on November 29, 2012| Leave a Comment »

courtesy answerfitness.com

Do you love your body? A recent study  published by Glamour Magazine showed the average woman has 13 negative or destructive inner thoughts about her body every day.  I admit, most of my life I have been disgusted with my short, frumpy body that seems to want to hang onto weight as if it was the rarest gold. Even as a child I was “well-rounded”.

Paul told the church in Corinth –“Our earthly bodies, which die and decay, will be different when they are resurrected, for they will never die. Our bodies now disappoint us, but when they are raised, they will be full of glory.” (1 Corinthians 15: 42-43, NLT)

I don’t think he meant “disappoint” the way I do, and the way most modern women do. He meant the aches and pains, age setting in and chronic ailments. After all, he admitted he had a thorn in his flesh.

Paul stated the thorn in his flesh was one way God was keeping him humble. To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.                        (2 Corinthians 12:7NIV)

My thorn is my own, lifelong negative image. God is calling me, and perhaps you, to turn to Him for the renewal of our thoughts about our bodies. I know I do not have the gumption on my own to lose a bunch of weight. I also know I must call upon the name of Jesus each time a negative inner thought about my appearance surfaces to the forefront of my brain. Otherwise I will turn to the fridge for comfort instead of to Him.

Now that mid-age sag has become a reality and my bones and muscles ache a bit more each day, it seems as if my body is holding me back from doing what I want to do. Of course, sitting at computers all day writing doesn’t help – I know that. So,  another negative thought would loom to the surface as if in a Magic Eight ball- “you need to exercise but you are too weak  and achy to do it.”  This blame the body game is a bad habit.

A dear friend from Canada, who is also a Christian writer, blogged this today: “…we know that these human bodies will be one day glorified and be with God forever.  I have gained a new appreciation for the unique way our bodies are made. We need to respect and take care of them, knowing that we will still have issues and our bodies will one day say ‘enough’.   Because of our faith, we are guaranteed a glorified body in a glorified forever  home.

As my friend likes to remind me, “God is good–all the time.”  He is. He will help us walk through our aches and pains with a promise of new health, new bodies, and a forever future. When we get discouraged with our physical bodies we can be encouraged because we have a promise to cling to.  (To read the whole devo, go to http://powertochange.com/blogposts/2012/11/29/the-skin-i-am-in/)

 

Today, I found God in a devo from a friend, and subsequently when I looked in the mirror and began to see my body in a new way – through the helping strength of its Maker.

Dear Lord, may I concentrate more on not disappointing you as being your hands and feet in this world. Let me dwell less on my disappointing body which only spirals me into a negative image and blocks You from working through me. Help me to take my eyes off myself and focus on You. You will provide the strength I need to get this temple in better shape, but to also accept it is what it is – flawed and aging but still something You can use. Let me thank you for the parts that do still work well and are my assets. Above all, let me truly absorb that I am precious in Your sight, as we all are. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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