Let me count the ways…

There is an Eilzabeth Barrett Browning sonnet, “How Do I Love Thee? Let me count the ways…”

Well, I was applying this to how many opportunities to exercise faith in these last few days alone.

Sunday, it looked as if my pre-ordered taxi was not going to turn up to take me to the airport.

• Opportunity to stress

As I was about to contact him, he rang me. He had the ‘flu, so was sending his cousin, who arrived shortly after.

Managed all the luggage into airport and found the correct line to book in.

In departures, I did what all well-trained people of my generation did, headed for the ‘loo’ before the plane.

Intercepted by a man in information jacket.

“There is a problem with the water supply and the restrooms cannot be used.”

Oh, well, not important.

Apparently it became important. A number of Porta-Loos were hired and set up in the carpark. The lady on the plane with me had needed to use one and found that her backpack (carry-on luggage) would not fit in with her, so she had to leave it outside and the door open.

She told me that also it was impossible to buy a cup of tea or coffee… not water.

There was no water to the International airport. mmmm

My next potential stress was on the way into the security clearance area. I had to stand aside to let three policemen and two security guards escort a male passenger from the security area.

Who is in charge of my journey?

Well, then. Keep going.

After a four-hour layover in Doha, the plane was late in allowing boarding.

Oh dear. Would I miss my connection in Chicago?

Who is it who is in charge? LOL

Finally boarded… and plane did not take off on time.

(Repeat refrain LOL)

This was a little more of a concern. I was being met at Charlotte… the plane might

get there in time, but woud I be on it?

Ha ha. Guess Who was in charge?

The flight arrived early in Chicago.

At the last minute (well, nearly) – there was a gate change…

Made it with the help of wheelchair assistance.

So, now in Charlotte, as I wait for the next flight, it has been on the news about a potential tornado.

Ah well, next oppotunity to ‘count the ways’.

Thinking, not stressing. And for anyone who knows me… well that is a miracle in itself LOL

Till the next time

Susan

Why do Christians have ‘trials’ ?

I watched a video clip on the site of someone who followed my other blog. It was an interesting song. ‘Before the morning’ – I will link to the clip at the end.

It begins with questions about why ‘you’ are suffering if there is a loving God Who cares. Questions like this are quite common.

Remember the old song “I never promised you a rose garden’? Well God does not promise us a life without pain and trials if we accept the sacrifice His Son made for us.

In book three of the Apostle John series, I have been writing about the trials of a background character who has moved to the foreground.

Then someone who left in book two, Grow in Grace, is making a re-entry.

In this third book, The Light of Truth, things are moving toward another arrest of the Apostle John. It looks as if at least one more book will be needed.

So why am I talking about these books? Why mention the song? Because, although my book series is fiction, my primary resource book has been the Bible, and in writing this series I have learnt a great deal about why things happen.

Take for example Jesus’ words…

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

Many people are told that because Jesus said “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world’, that He has done it all for us. Not so.

Look at the lives of those first disciples… only John survived into old age. The others, according to legend, all martyred. Also, according to legend, John was put in boiling oil. That does not sound like ‘Jesus did it all’ to me.

And what about these…

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
James 1:2

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials
1Peter 1:6

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12

 

These writers, who were Apostles, make it clear that we will have trials, and as we plod through them, our faith and trust in Him grows.

 

Have you read this one?

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1: 3, 4

The trust in His Father that Jesus had to exercise must have been enormous, and another scripture says that He learned obedience through the things He suffered. Heb 5: 8

I think Ronny Graham puts it well in his essay, published on my other blog. In the introduction, he points out that Jesus was schemed against all throughout His ministry.

You can read the full post here… https://religioushistoricalfiction.wordpress.com/2015/03/30/jesus-suffering-on-passover/

Although it makes what we go through seem ‘mild’ by comparison, our trials are horrendous to us. Sometimes all we can do is ask God for help.

You might enjoy this song if you are going through a painful trial…

https://sharetheloveofgod.wordpress.com/2015/03/13/before-the-morning/

Thinking, and believing His word…

Susan

Eleven months on…

Twelve months ago tomorrow, I was told my husband was dying. He only lived three weeks after that. It was a strange and lonely journey through his dying… and, as all who have lost important people will know, a hard trek though a series of ‘firsts’.

But, as Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes,  “…And there is nothing new under the sun.”

I can think of nothing worse, but perhaps these Israelites did. Their freedom came at a great cost.

Deuteronomy 8: 15 – 18

who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the rock of flint; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end-  then you say in your heart, my power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth. And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish (confirm) His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is today.

This was part of my morning Bible study and I could not help but compare it to these last eleven months since my husband’s death.

v 15a      who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water

Only someone who has ‘lost’ someone precious to him or her would truly understand the great and terrible wilderness of loss, although most could imagine some of it.

v 15b     , in which were fiery serpents and scorpions

The pain in those early weeks was ‘fiery serpents’. Oh how they bit!

 

The scorpions, the sting of realisation that my precious husband, my best friend, was gone.

v 15c      and thirsty land where there was no water

There were only jagged rocks of pain.. oh the pain!

v 15 d    who brought water for you out of the rock of flint;

As I took my pain to Him, by His Spirit, came comfort… till the next time, and it was there again.

v 15 e    who fed you in the wilderness with manna

The truth and the promises all through His word. Eventually, the ‘tearing’ pain eased, but as anyone who has been in this position will know, the pain is always there, in the background… in the foreground sometimes. Those are the times when God’s word and truth provide the necessary help through the loneliness.

Surviving these eleven months has indeed been a test… of faith in God… in trust in God… and in love for God.

So yes, I would have to say that it has done me good in the end.

I cannot foresee ever not missing that special man, but I do know that God has the ‘big picture’ and is working His purpose out.

Physically I am not wealthy. Spiritually, I am working on it. And I know, most surely, that my ‘might’ has not brought me through this time. Comes to mind a phrase in…

1 Cor 4: 7… for what do you have that you did not receive.

And I have to recognise the support, and physical help from my daughter, from other family members, and via emails and phone calls, support, love and encouragement to keep ‘walking’  from members of my church.

Susan

Geoff’s Last Journeyings, final draft

What I hope is the final draft of Geoff’s Last Journeyings is finished. It was done in Publisher, then converted to PDF.

In the last week, when I have not had much energy, I have ‘plonked’ myself in front of the computer, and read it. Oh how many minor mistakes. (We didn’t have seats on the plane, we had seas.) So there were some smiles. A big smile was re-living the day in the hospice, when the consultant was in the room with us and Geoff wriggled and squirmed, then triumphantly handed me the little needle from  his abdomen that  the nurses used to ‘sedate’ him a little so they could wash and turn him.

Reading it, meant to a large extent – re-living it, and that was sad, painful etc. However, what shone through for me, was just how much both Geoff and I were blessed. Big blessings, and those little ones that show God’s handprint in the life of the believer.

It was a journey of faith… coming home. The very last part of Geoff’s Last Journeyings, was very much a journey of faith for him, and I am on a new journey of faith.

Holding on to our faith is probably the most important thing we must do. Regardless of the circumstances. Remember, God has the BIG picture.

I received an email last week from someone who had read the first two books in the Apostle John series, (Hold the Faith and Grow in Grace) and had been looking on Amazon for book three. Sadly, it is still a draft. The loss of my primary ‘beta’ reader, sort of stopped me. Nevertheless, I have been thinking of it more lately, and now what I have finished Geoff’s Last Journeyings… and am reasonably satisfied with it, book three might come back to life.

 

So many people have helped me during these seven months, you have no idea how much that has meant to me. Thank you and God bless you.

Plodding on,

Susan

 

 

 

 

Hold the Faith, another 5 star review

I appreciate this review, many thanks…

Susan

Imagine! Experience! Live! Early Christian Life trials and tribulations., April 4, 2014

By

Sheena Smith

·

This review is from: Hold the Faith (The Apostle John Series) (Kindle Edition)

“Hold the Faith” is an interesting story of Christian life as it may have been in biblical times. Although the characters are fictional, they are vividly described in detail and the reader can easily imagine the experiences of their lives: the joys, the hatred and cruelty of others towards Christians.
The descriptive scenes of this era are depicted as though they were realistic to what I would have imagined that it may have been like to live in those tumultuous times. The story draws you in to want to know more.
Readers of all ages may find this interesting for book group discussions and religion class projects as well.

·
Due to Mrs. Preston’s take on the story, I can see this book turned into a movie because of the story line and it’s take on Christianity and religion. Its uniqueness has added more to the story than what we’ve previously have been taught and it has created curiosity for me wonder what surprises a sequel will hold.

·

Book 2 – Grow in Grace is available on Kindle and at Smashwords where there is the choice of several formats.

·

A word about the person who reviewed this…

Sheena Smith is a ‘Trafford Gold  Seal Recipient for Literary  Excellence’ for her book “Life Simply Put”. Check it out here… http://lifesimplyput.com/book/

Interview with Sheena L Smith

I found a review on Sheena L Smith’s book, “Life Simply Put”, and reflected on her thoughts, then compared living now with how our first Christian ancestors lived.

They had little by today’s comparison… but vast riches in terms of faith, trust and happiness. Their joy was elsewhere but I found myself asking – how is it possible to look heavenward in joy when weighed down by cares.

I invite you to consider Sheena’s book, her thoughts may help you.

Shalom

Susan

Sheena L Smith

Interview with Sheena…

Susan: What is the working title of your book?

Sheena “Life Simply Put: 18 Simple Words for an Abundant Life”

Susan: Where did the idea come from for the book?

Sheena It came from me thinking and wondering what would I tell my 6 children about life. What have I learned can help an individual have a great life. What’s important to know about life, about treating others, about being happy.

Susan:  What genre does your book come under?

Sheena It is under non-fiction: self-help, personal transformation

Susan:  Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Sheena It would have to be someone funny and adventurous. Maybe Jennifer Aniston.

Susan:  What is a one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Sheena I hope that by reading it you will be inspired to dream big, laugh often and live a life full of adventure and truth.

Susan:  Is your book self-published, published by an independent publisher, or represented by an agency?

Sheena My book is self-published. It is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Chapter/Indigo and other book venues all over the world.

Susan: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

Sheena It is a short book therefore, it didn’t take long to write. What took the time, was laying it out and deciding upon the perfect pictures and quotes to go with each specific word.

Susan: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Sheena The Secret, Law of Attraction, Power of Intention are other books that my book my somewhat be compared to, although mine is more simply put.

Susan: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

Sheena I was inspired to write this because of my 6 children that I treasure and would love for them to be happy with their choices and lives. I have also had a lifelong dream to write a book one day. I decided there’s no time like the present. I have a much longer book in mind –actually in rough but I knew that I needed to “learn the ropes” so to speak because I am teaching myself everything that needs to be done with my book due to limited finances. I’m happy to be learning that anyone can write a book if they are creative enough and persistent it can all come together.

Susan: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Sheena Many are using my book as a great gift for their family members and friends because it is heartfelt and unique. I am honored that it is an Amazon Best Seller and I have recently won a Gold Seal for Literary Excellence from my publisher.

Dr. Wayne W. Dyer has read it and said “Every page is a delight to contemplate”

I also, recently received a positive review from the US Review of Books.

Full US Review of Books Review can be found here-

http://www.theusreview.com/reviews/Life-Smith.html

It is available in soft cover and as and e-book. Available at many book venues…Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Chapters/Indigo

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/LIFE-Simply-Put-Simple-Abundant/dp/1466923237

May happiness always be yours!

Sheena Smith