Finding God's Presence--Daddy, I Love You

You're in for a treat with my guest blogger, Nan Jones, today! When I first met Nan at a Christian Devotions writers’ conference several years ago, I immediately sensed the fragrance of her love for Christ.Over the years, I’ve watched Nan consistently cling to that love and put her faith into action.

She is an author/speaker who “uses the words of her heart to assist fellow Christians in discovering the Presence of God in their darkest hour. Her devotional blog, Morning Glory, has become a place of community for Christians to find encouragement in God’s Word and comfort in His Presence.” 

She has been published in several anthologies as well as the online inspirational sites Christian Devotions, and Inspire a Fire. 

Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas will release her debut book, The Perils of a Pastor’s Wife June 30, 2015. Blessed to be a beta reader, I can say this book is wonderful. You’ll hear more about that in an interview I do with Nan later this summer.

Nan also features as a guest blogger on several sites and I’m delighted to have her guest blogging for me this week

Finding God's Presence ~ Daddy, I Love You 

by Nan Jones

The pitter-patter of tiny feet echoed through the hallway, running gleefully towards her dad.

"Daddy! Daddy!"

Daddy sat his briefcase by the door just in time to receive a leaping toddler into his strong arms. Father and daughter hugged, exchanging glances that reflected their adoration of one another. Hearts raced. Faces smiled. Eyes gleamed.


The child relaxed in her daddy's arms. She placed her chubby little cheek next to her father's and quietly whispered, "Daddy ... I love you, daddy."

The one the child had been seeking, she found.

Summer Fun for the Family: Pickin’ and Grinnin’ at the Earl Scruggs Center

  by Sally Matheny

photo courtesy of Wikipedia

If you've ever watched The Beverly Hillbillies, you may remember musicians Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt. Occasionally, they sauntered through the Clampetts’ mansion door pickin’ and grinnin’. 

If you missed their appearances, you didn’t miss out on their music. Scruggs and Flat performed the theme song for the show.

You can share the history of the toe-tapping, bluegrass music with your children by visiting a wonderful museum in western North Carolina. The Earl Scruggs Center, which opened in January 2014,  is located on Lafayette Street in Shelby, North Carolina.

Life Lessons From Imperfect Mothers

by Sally Matheny

 A perfect mother has never existed.

Nonetheless, God has the ability to use mothers, through their strengths and their weaknesses. There are valuable life lessons to learn, if we are willing.

Take Eve, for example. She was the first woman and the first mother. There are pros and cons to that. She didn’t have anyone to compare herself to, but also she didn’t have a mother or a mother-in-law she could call on for help or advice.

Eve gave birth without the help of a doctor or even a mid-wife. Can you imagine what the very first birth must have been like?

Date Your Mate

by Sally Matheny

May is Date Your Mate Month

Are you married? Did you know May is “Date Your Mate” month? It’s essential we put caring for Biblically based marriages at the top of our lists. Christians, our marriages are influential testimonies to the love and power of God.

Perhaps you already date your spouse on a regular basis. Fantastic! Or perhaps you’re like me, and you find date nights just don’t come around often enough.  Let’s put aside all our excuses and brainstorm for some ideas on how to make date nights happen.

Announcing the Winner of Lee Strobel's Book!

Congratulations, Diane Estrella! Your name was drawn from the honest hat. Let me know where I should mail Lee Strobel's Case for Grace for Kids book. I hope you enjoy the book.

Book Review and Giveaway of “Case for Grace for Kids”

by Sally Matheny

New York Times bestselling author, Lee Strobel, along with Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse editor, Jesse Florea have pulled together eight, true stories that exemplify grace.

Published by Zonderkidz, the target age stated for the book is for those age eight to twelve, but I think the book tends to lean towards the older youth. I’d definitely not limit it to twelve-year-olds. High school students will find the stories pack quite a punch.

Be sure to read at the end how you might win this book.

Not all of the stories are about kids. Some cover the experiences of college students and older adults. But they all show grace through various forms—from receiving it to learning how to give it.

April is Month of the Military Child: Interviews with Seven Super Kids

by Sally Matheny

April is the Month of the Military Child

Did you know the military community makes up 1% of the American population? One percent. Wow. My gratitude for America’s military grows every day. I also appreciate the families of those service members. Military spouses and children also serve our country.

Did you know April is the Month of the Military Child? More than 2 million children have a parent in the military. Today, I salute all military children by sharing interviews I had with some special military kids I know.

Serving his country since, 1991, Jeff is a Master Sergeant in the United States Army, stationed in South Carolina. Jeff and his wife, Kristina, are blessed with three children: Haley (21), Brett (13), and Ben (9).

When asked what’s most difficult about being a military kid, both boys said the times they missed their dad. Haley added, “The most difficult thing for me, as an older military kid, is knowing that my mom has to go long periods of time without having her husband by her side.”

However, Haley says there are benefits to being a military kid.” I really enjoy being able to travel to other states while my dad is on active duty.  As a family, we have the opportunity to travel in ways most will never know. Flying on Air Force planes and being able to interact with other soldiers and pilots is a great experience.” 

Brett agrees and says riding in the cockpit of a military plane during takeoff and landing has been one of his favorite things. While some kids may find it challenging, nine-year-old Ben says he likes meeting and making new friends.

Stationed in Texas, Matt is a Major and the Brigade Chaplain for the 1^st Calvary Division Artillery. He and his wife, Jennifer, are blessed with four boys: Hayden (14), Carson (12), Bailey (11), and Parker (5).

The boys also said missing their dad when he is deployed is one of the most challenging things as military kids, especially when it’s someone’s birthday or Christmas. Carson and Bailey add that moving is difficult because they have to leave good friends behind and make new ones.

The thing military kids find the most challenging on some days can turn around and be the most rewarding thing on other days. 

Hayden says he likes making a lot of new friends.  Bailey chimes in, “We get to stay in one place for three years and make a lot of friends at that duty station.” Carson also adds, “We get to live in a bunch of different places. Even though it’s hard to leave our friends behind, moving is good because we get to see other places.”

I asked the kids from both military families if they do special things for their dad (or mom, because she is serving our country, too) to make things easier on them when their dad is away for a length of time.

Ben and Brett say they try to help around the house more. Big sister, Haley adds, “As the oldest member of my family, I find it especially important to show my dad support for choosing to serve our country.  If there is anything I can do to take added stress off both my mom and dad, I try my best to do so.  They deserve it.”  

Kids Draw Pictures for Their Parents in the Military

Carson drew pictures and mailed them to his 

dad when he was in Afghanistan. Hayden sent videos of their soccer games. Bailey made texting videos and showed his dad things in his room. And little-man Parker said he gave his dad some of his toys.

Jennifer adds the boys have taken on a lot more chores around the house, especially as they grow older and stronger.

The last question I asked the military kids was if they participated in any special events offered for military kids.

Haley says, “Over the course of several years, there has been one event offered for military kids which I remember best.  It was a day dedicated to Army and Navy children.  This event was on the base of Fort Jackson and was outside.  There were shooting demonstrations, games, water activities and food that was hot off the grill.  I really enjoyed [it].”

Brett adds, “ ‘Narmy Day’ is when the Navy & Army get their families together. We also sent treat bags with sailors as they were leaving airport for their next stop before deployment and went to see them off.”

Ben agreed. “Narmy Day, concerts, Army Family Day and little activities on base such as a penny fair have all been fun. There’s also a water park on base.”

Haley, Brett, and Ben have lived off base. Hayden, Carson, Bailey, and Parker have always lived on base. Their mom said they think of every activity as military related. Still, they mentioned they enjoy their youth group, CYS (Child and Youth Services) sports, movies on the lawn in Texas and the gym in Colorado.

I thoroughly loved hearing from these military kids. They have wonderful parents raising them to love God and their country. Sometimes I think we forget the sacrifices our military families make for all the families in America.

I challenge you all to reach out to our military kids this month and express your appreciation for how they serve our country. The majority of them don't live on military bases, so many of you will find them in your own community.

Please continue praying for and cheering these kids on because as eleven-year-old Bailey said,

“When I encourage Dad, it encourages him to fight for our country.” 

A big thank you to Haley, Brett, Ben, Hayden, Carson, Bailey, and Parker. Gift cards are on the way.

You Never Know Who Is Watching at a Writers’ Conference

by Sally Matheny

You Never Know Who Is Watching

Even though writers' conferences can be physically exhausting, I still feel revived after participating in this year’s Write2ignite Conference. Not only through the reinforcing of my writing skills, but also through the refreshing of my spirit.

If you didn’t attend the 2015 Write2Ignite Conference, allow me to share with you a glimpse of some blessings I witnessed. I’m sure there were additional blessings, because you never know who is watching at a writers’ conference.

Here’s my short list:

I witnessed an outstanding director, Jean Hall, who has the amazing gift of staying calm under all circumstances, and keeps things running smoothly. Her faith in God to bring it all together is always apparent. And she also carries a handy-dandy, tiny pair of scissors on her key chain. I’m looking for a miniature roll of duct tape so she’ll have the perfect combo set.

A super, helpful young man named Dylan came to help the team set up for the conference. Dylan maintained a quiet presence during the entire conference and was always there to help whenever called upon. He also had excellent skills for noticing items people misplaced.

I had the pleasure of transporting author, Tim Shoemaker, back and forth to the conference each day. I appreciated his helpful words as I shared with him about my pre-speaking jitters. In addition, he was kind and understanding when I missed our turn-off and when I kept juggling and dropping things once we arrived!

I knew, without a doubt, my family was praying for me back at home. Several friends mentioned they were praying for me. But what a blessing it was to have Kim Peterson and Jenny Cote individually pull me aside and whisper a prayer over me before I spoke. God heard all our prayers and his amazing grace calmed me just before I stepped behind the podium. Thank you, Lord.

I noticed smiling teens enthusiastic about writing. One teen in particular I heard go up to Tim Shoemaker and thank him for speaking. She said she didn’t write for boys but his talk about the topic helped her have a better understanding of her brother!

Tim Shoemaker talks with a teen.

I observed numerous authors and editors taking time to chat with teens and adults outside of the classrooms. Award-winning author of six books, Jenny Cote paused to offer a word of praise to those selling their first published book. Those encouraging words go a long way.

Watching members of the leadership team do their jobs with enthusiasm is always a blessing. It’s like a joyful family reunion whenever we get together and we all love the mission of Write2Ignite. 

During Praise and Worship time, I loved watching Donna Earnhardt take heed of the Holy Spirit prompting her to call on someone to give a testimony. What a tremendous blessing to hear a young teen girl, without prior notice, volunteer. She eagerly shared a vivid description of when the woman with the alabaster box poured perfume on Jesus’ feet. If that wasn't enough, Donna, who had been wiping her tears as she listened to the girl speak, then stepped up to show the audience the song lyrics that were already cued up for the next song, “The Alabaster Box.” How awesome was that?

Later, another woman shared her testimony of how God spared her life in a horrific accident, providing her a second chance to accept His love and eternal salvation. She reminded us of the importance of seizing those opportunities today, not to wait. Even though this woman still experiences tremendous physical pain every day, she is using her written and spoken words to point others in the direction of her Savior.

I watched people volunteer to help others all weekend—with an umbrella, a ride to lunch, and a seat in the auditorium. Smiles, prayers, and encouraging words weaved throughout the crowd.

Even the homeschool mom, who volunteered to help with the snacks in the Green Room, continually checked to make sure everyone had what they needed. She kept asking if the coffee was fresh enough. She cared about those she served and gave full attention to every detail. What a blessing.

There were numerous others who volunteered their time and talents to the conference, some of whose names I do not know. But one was Helen Weigt who designed our resource book and then served at the front desk during the conference. Her talent and friendly smile blessed us all.

I saw God’s blessings overflow this weekend. I can’t help but wonder what others perceived. Surely, in the crowd on campus, there was someone who was struggling with a life issue, someone who was lonely, or someone who is not in a close relationship with Jesus Christ. I hope they saw a glimpse of what I saw.

If you did attend the Write2Ignite Conference this year, what blessings did you see?