No April's Fool Here

Enjoy God's Gift of Laughter

I'm not playing an April Fool's joke on you. There's no blog post this week.

I am taking this week off to spend precious time with my husband and children.

I pray you all have a blessed Easter and enjoy time with your families as well.

I'll be back with something new for you on Monday!



                                          
                                            

It Was Only a Little Slip-Up

It was only a little slip-up. Nothing bad, really.
Either we have all said, aloud, or to ourselves, “At least I’m not as bad as him.”
It seems to make us feel better to rationalize the triviality of our mistakes.

Perhaps it was something that should not have been said, or words withheld, that were needed. A small act of unkindness. A scowling glare. Lingering thoughts.

What was the tiny slip-up? Was it just a bad habit?

“I’ve been like this my whole life.”
“It’s nothing, really.”
“I’ve always heard I take after my uncle, John. It’s just who I am. I can’t help who I am, right?”
“Nobody’s perfect.”
“The devil made me do it.”

One talent we have is making excuses. We begin practicing the art at a very young age. Some of us excel at it.

Eating a piece of fruit seemed like a
 tiny slip-up to Eve.

Sometimes we become so accustomed to our rationalizations that we begin to believe Satan’s lie of big sins and little sins. Satan would like us to believe the little sins are so tiny, we don’t need to be concerned with them. And the big sins, well, they are so big God will never forgive those so why bother?

This kind of thinking shackles us to sin. Satan offers nothing good and nothing that will last forever.

Here’s the thing—we’re not bound to our past, to our relatives, or whatever. We have a choice.
We can choose let go of the former things and grab hold of the Truth, Jesus Christ.

Jesus tells us, “Very truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.”

There are those shackles again. And he didn’t say anything about how big or little the sin is. Sin is sin—it all measures out ugly. If it goes against God’s Word, it is sin.

We all know some nice people but Romans 3:23 tells us “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

The Good News is God loves us so much He gave His One and Only Son to pay the price for our sins. If we believe and truly love Jesus, we turn away from those sins. We can only do that with His help.

We have to grow in our relationship with the one, living God, by faith, through prayer, by Bible study, and fellowship with other believers.

That’s the Truth of Jesus.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

The worse slip-up we can make is denying the Truth.

Blessings Abound After Writing Conference

Cecil Murphey & Sally Apokedak
at Write2Ignite! Writers' Conference

It has been a busy, busy time with the Write2Ignite! Writers’ Conference.  A year of praying and planning has come to completion. Blessings abound.



Joanna Echols and Sally Matheny

God blessed everyone with a great conference. We came away with our hearts inspired by music and encouraging words. In our hands, we carried home a tote bag full of notes, freebies, books—all which will enable us to become better writers. Our minds are full with memories of making new friends and catching up with old ones. Our energy depleted, but our souls filled with the words God has spoken to us during our time at the conference.

While I always learn a great deal at writing conferences, one of my favorite aspects is making new friends. At a Christian conference, the ties that bind us are even sweeter.
I’m sharing a few photos with you this week. Hope you enjoy them and perhaps next year, I’ll see you at Write2Ignite!

Jan Prahl at one of the book tables




Kristi Butler talks with editor Vicki Moss




Adults & Teens at Write2Ignite Lunch





A Wonderful Bunch of Teens!

Authors: Donna Earnhardt & Kelly Starling Lyons





Kim Peterson & Sally Matheny

First Pages Panel of Agents & Editors



Our prayer for Write2Ignite is for every person to hear God speak to them during the conference.

I felt God's presence throughout the conference and witnessed Him working in different

people's lives, including my own.

 

Has God whispered to your heart this week?

 Has He asked you to try something new?

Perhaps you've been asked to move from a nice, cushy spot to a more difficult place.

Maybe He wants you to let go of something old and refresh your grip on Him.

 

I would love to hear how God has spoken to you this past week.

 

 

Writing Conference Jitters

by Sally Matheny

Packing for Writing Conference

Soon I'll begin preparing to attend the Write2Ignite! Writers’ Conference at North Greenville University. I remember how nervous I was my first year. None of my friends could go with me so I attended alone. Boy, talk about writing conference jitters!

Like a kindergartener on her first day of school, I timidly open the door and take my first steps into the Write2Ignite! (W2I) Conference. Shy at first, I slide into a back seat of the auditorium. My goal is to fly under the radar until I survey the surroundings. 
That didn’t happen. The leadership team is all over the place making us feel welcome. Then there is music—upbeat, worship music that stirs the soul. Encouraging words, announcements, and then they whisk us out the door to begin the workshops.

Carol Crane autographs "T is for Tarheel"

The workshops present a dilemma. There are several ones offered each hour. How do I decide on just one? I choose the ones I think I need the most: “Make Your Manuscript Stand Out,” “The Language of Children’s Picture Books,” and “Filling a Need—First Chapter Books.” My pen flies across the page taking notes from the wise. So much helpful stuff it makes my head swoon. Perhaps supper will settle me down.

People file into the cafeteria. Small groups are forming at tables. Did they initiate sitting with the editors or were they invited? Taking no chances, I chose an empty table. I look around for a friend I had made earlier but she is already sitting with a group. Hmmm…a little awkward eating alone but—wait! A smiling member from the leadership team beckons me to sit at her table. Conversation ensues and a new friendship forms.

Then back for another workshop followed by a keynote address given by my new friend. Funny how fast friendship roots begin to grow. I am nervous for her as she begins. I pray for her as she speaks. Afterward, we celebrate a speech well done.

Exhausted from the first day jitters, the load of knowledge received, and the friendships made, I fall into bed. I can hardly sleep because I’m excited about returning for more workshops tomorrow!

www.write2ignite.com

If you enjoy writing, consider attending the Write2Ignite! Writers’ Conference (March 27-28). It doesn’t matter how much experience you have—there is something there for everyone. The teens have their own track of awesome workshops led by wonderful authors, editors, and illustrators. Adults have a wide variety of workshops as well. Whether you have work published or not, you’ll benefit from the conference.

If you’re a parent, consider the conference as a great resource of writing instruction for your teens. Homeschool students can earn high school credit hours.

And don’t be nervous if you must attend alone. I guarantee you’ll be warmly welcomed. New knowledge and friends are waiting for you.

One of the best things about Write2Ignite! is the Christian environment. Perhaps God will stir your heart, as He did mine, to write for His glory.

Come be blessed so you can be a blessing to others.

Let Him Work, Let Him Live

Dreamstime Stock Photo

We all have had to slow down for road construction.

If you’re not in a hurry to be somewhere, it can be cool to look at all the big machines working. However, if you are in a rush, you’re probably staring down the worker who holds the golden key. You know, the one who turns the key for passage from “Stop” to “Slow.” And slow is a good description of the whole process!

Sometimes you see actual construction taking place. Other times, you see men walking around or propping up a guard rail. Meanwhile, the man with the golden key is either1) looking down the road wondering himself where his coworkers are, or 2) glaring you down, daring you to inch your car any further.

Finally, you see a glimmer of hope. The golden key keeper brings a walkie-talkie to his ear. This is it! Nope…false alarm. He must have been calling in his lunch order.

By now, you are evaluating your options.
Is there enough room to successfully make a 3-point turn without damaging the car behind you?
Is it possible to maneuver between the orange barrels (or over them) just long enough to get to the next exit?
Right when you are considering an even crazier option, you see the walkie-talkie go up again.
Wait for it, wait for it…the sign turns!

Sometimes God gives us a stop sign in our day. He brings our plans to a standstill. We get fidgety, even panicky at times. During our weak moments, we consider taking things into our own hands.

Why does the construction worker bring our cars to a halt? Work is necessary for improvements. He asks us to pause for a moment, in order to promote progress. He is protecting us, holding us still until we are safe from danger.

Hmm…makes you think, doesn’t it?

Perhaps God wants us to take a detour, a different path. Maybe He just wants us to stop for a moment and see Him at work.
Whatever the reason, it is for our benefit to trust God’s direction.

Let Him Work, Let Him Live

                (in you).

 

 

 

 

 

Five CRAZY Things About Chickens

by Sally Matheny


Six Chicken Nuggets?

     Whenever my children and husband go to an animal feed and seed store or an animal sale somewhere, I get a little nervous.      
     Every so often, they will call home and say something to the effect of “We bought you a present,” or “we’ve got a surprise for you!”       
     See, I don’t know why they think by saying they have something for ME, how that's supposed to sweeten me up for the load they’re about to drop.
     Five horses, three goats, a very fat miniature pig, three dogs, two cats, four turkeys, a couple of goldfish, and a handful of chickens are enough, don’t you think?
     So, when Z-man and Dad go grab a bite at MickeyD’s after swim practice one night, I’m a bit surprised with the six “chicken nuggets” they bring home.
     Nevertheless, one look at my son’s face, and a peek at the peeps, is all it took. Absolutely adorable! What kind of mother would I be to say no to those seven sweet faces?
     Our family loves fresh eggs, and we were down to two laying hens, so it was time to replenish the chicken coop. We’ve raised baby chicks before but this is new stuff for Z-man. I thought I would Google some interesting facts about chicks for him to learn (always homeschooling!)

 





Adorable Baby Chicks

     Interesting facts is putting it mildly. Let me just preface this by saying I’m a big supporter of poultry science and agriculture programs. Our middle daughter attended poultry science institutes and considered majoring in poultry science.

     However, the “Top Ten Facts About Chickens,” posted by The Division of Agriculture at the University of Arkansas, left me puzzled. The following are five of their (crazy) facts followed by my comments in italics.
 

1.    “Chickens will be less ‘flighty’ if while tending a pen or chicken house the caretaker walks backwards.”

Okay, I will try this in order for the chickens to be less “flighty”. However, I may be less “walk-y” if I am trying to navigate backwards in a chicken pen. Hopefully, I will not slip on chicken poo, step in the food or water dishes, or upset the occasional black snake that makes its’ way in. When I walk backwards and land on top of a chicken, I agree, he will be less ‘flighty.”

2.    “It is thought that the nearest relative of the Tyrannosaurus Rex is a chicken.”

 Pleeezze…don’t get me started on this one. Seriously?

 

3.    “Christmas has different meanings in different countries. Christmas Eve in Japan is a good day to eat fried chicken and strawberry short-cake.”

There’s only one meaning of Christmas for me, which is celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

However, I think ANY day of the year is a good day to eat fried chicken and strawberry shortcake!

4.   “A chicken's gizzard will likely have gravel to help "chew" the food for digestion.”

Some people eat chicken gizzards, right? I searched and found three ways to prepare chicken gizzards. None of them mentioned removing the gravel before cooking. I guess you should go for the fried recipe to avoid noticing the extra crunch.

5.   “You can literally hypnotize a chicken by holding it and drawing a line in the dirt over and over. The chicken will stay still right there as long as you do this.”

I can’t help but wonder if the chicken is staying still because 1) you are holding it, or 2) he thinks you’ll eventually reach the worm you’re scratching for, and he would like first dibs on it.

Pardon me, University of Arkansas, I think Z-man and I will do a little more in depth research and come up with our own Top Interesting Facts about Chickens.
 

Join in on the conversation! What do you think is an interesting fact about chickens? Or maybe you just know a crazy one!

Be Secure--Love Never Fails

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

Where I live, the mere mention of snow will ignite response teams for our “homeland security.” Adults will travel wherever necessary to retrieve survival supplies such as bread, milk, and chocolate in various forms. Committee members quickly communicate strategies for early dismissals from schools, churches, and workplaces. In addition, young people make sure all sledding equipment is ready for deployment as the need arises.

However, I live in the isothermal belt, which means the weather forecast is not always accurate. Most of us get excited about a snow prediction but usually snow doesn’t appear very often.

Therefore, many of us tend to doubt the weather forecaster’s enthusiasm.

When a mini-blizzard of two inches occurred yesterday, some of us were caught by surprise. Trying not to panic about the lack of milk and bread in the house, (the chocolate stash is always maintained); I headed outside to take some photos of the beautiful snowfall.

Swirling, white cotton candy fluffs were coming down fast. I perched on a corner of my front porch and watched the birds flitting about on the bird feeders. They took turns on the feeder. Some even pulled out seeds for those waiting on the ground. Their brown and white feathers blended with the snow quickly covering the ground.

A bright red spot appeared among the white limbs of the tree. The stately cardinal was not pushy, but persevering in hopes of acquiring some food for his beloved.

He does have a beloved, you know. Cardinals mate for life and stay together all year long. Sometimes they sing together but usually they take turns singing to each other. The male sings to his mate while she makes the nest. She enjoys the variety of music. After all, he knows at least two dozen songs.

Red Cardinal in the Snow

His mate also feels his protection. He will defend his territory against other males. She also appreciates his provision; when she is sitting on their eggs, he brings her food.

I watched the cardinal for a long time. He never fought for a place on the feeder but persisted in retrieving seeds from underneath it. He didn’t linger as long as the other birds but hurried home with his gift of love.

Jesus was right about the birds. They don’t sow, reap, or store up, and yet God takes care of them. (Matthew 6:26)

Sometimes the unexpected happens in our lives. We may feel inadequate and unprepared.

The Truth says we’re more valuable to God than the birds. He loves us and provides all we need. He will never fail us. If we trust Him, He will be by our side for eternity.

 “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.“  Corinthians 13: 6-8

 

 

Expressions of Love-Valentine's Day Ideas

Regardless of whether you agree with the commercialism of Valentine’s Day or not, you may want to be thinking of a special way to express your love this Valentine's Day.

Why? Well, women tend to like this special day. In fact, 53% of women in America told the U.S. Census they would dump their boyfriends if they did not get them anything for Valentine’s Day.

You can’t really blame people. Valentine’s Day specialness is ingrained early in childhood. Remember poring over the whole box of valentine cards and selecting just the right one for each classmate? It’s estimated over 41 million children will exchange valentine cards this year. Maybe the boys outgrow Valentine’s Day specialness but the girls don’t. Trust me.

Women are more sensitive to this holiday. I didn’t find any statistics about men breaking up with their girlfriends if they didn’t receive a gift on Valentine’s Day. Face it, the ladies like to be treated special.

For some it may be a material thing, but for most, I’m guessing it is merely a reaffirmation of love. Perhaps many days slip by before women hear a sincere “I love you.” Or they feel unappreciated for the daily juggling act they do to keep the home and family intact.

Flowers, candy, dinner…all those things are great. But, I bet most women would be just as blessed, if not more so, by expressions of love that don’t cost a penny. They have to be real, though. Women have a keen radar for what’s sincere.

One of my favorite memories is a time when my hubby and I were dating. It was raining and we were driving to some event. I can’t even remember what event, but I do remember he suddenly pulled over on the side of the country road and hopped out of the car. A smile slowly spread over my astonished face as I watched him run over to a wild, pink rosebush. Pinching through the thorns, and in the soaking rain, he picked me a small bouquet.

Over the years, he has bought me beautiful flowers but none compare to that spontaneous bunch of rain-soaked roses.

The same with cards. There have been fancy ones and funny ones. All were appreciated but there was always something more special about the hand-written love letters. It was the time invested that made the impression.

Gifts are great but are more meaningful when thoughtful consideration has gone into them. Most women can tell if something was picked up at the last minute.  Cherished is the man who is attentive and searches for something he thinks will make you smile.

So, put a little thought and a whole lot of heart into your expressions of love this Valentine's. I’m not saying never buy flowers, cards, or gifts. Just make your gesture a sincere expression of your love.

What is something she would love to hear from you? Are you able to say it genuinely from your heart?  Remember that keen radar—she’ll know if you’re for real or not. If you haven’t told her sweet things in awhile and feel awkward—it’s okay. She’ll love it as long as they are heartfelt sentiments.

While this post is geared mainly for men, I challenge all the women out there to be just as diligent in their expressions of love. Remember, it’s not all about serving the ladies. Love is a two-way street. Men like to hear sweet things from you, as well.

Perhaps, there’s not a sweetheart in your life this year. I hope you know how special and loved you are. You have a different purpose this Valentine's Day. Seek out others you can bless with expressions of love. Is there a child craving  attention? A lonely, elderly neighbor needing a visit?

You may still be wondering what to get someone for Valentine’s Day. There will be plenty of ads and you may even Google ideas. Want to try something really radical? Pray and ask God the best way to show your love. That may be something new for you. God is awesome and has huge ideas about love so be prepared for some incredible suggestions!