The CLASS Christian Writer’s Conference I just went to gave me all kinds of fresh new ideas. I feel a little like a kid examining all my new school supplies. I can’t wait to for the chance to use each one.
The first place I am going to start is this blog. For the most part itwill remain the same,but I am going to add some new and exciting elements. It won’t happen all at once, so be on the lookout.
My first addition is a monthly challenge. Each month I will issue a challenge that requires a little bravery. I will explain it step by step, so that we can all participate in it together. This will give us a chance to encourage each other and witness all the cool things God does in each of our lives.
My plan is to give the challenge on the first day of each month. Since this is our first one, I am giving a sneak peek.
This video is your clue.
I am sure you have tons of questions. I will explain in detail on December 1.
Leah
Thanks for stopping by. Here you will find my daily musings, Christian devotions,inspiration, bible verses, quotes, and lots of other great stuff to help women live faithfully and fearlessly for Christ.
11/30/10
11/22/10
CLASS Christian Writers Conference Ghost Ranch, New Mexico
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Whew, I am back, and no, I didn’t fall in the remains of the well located a few feet from our front door. Instead of a pit, I was on a mountain top, literally and spiritually. A precious person in my life gave me an all expense paid trip to the CLASS Christian Writers Conference in New Mexico. It has taken me a week to process my time there, and the only description I can come up with is, it was AMAZING.
For starters, I got to experience some feelings I haven’t felt in since high school. No, not raging hormones, but raging emotions. Emotions, that centered around me and what God was/is doing with me. I hate to admit it, but there is a name for what I experienced and its called, All About Me. I am guessing I’m being about as clear as the water in the well I mentioned, so I will elaborate. The conference felt like church camp for adults times ten. For the last 15 years, all the similar trips I’ve been on, I went as a sponsor. I’ve been blessed to watch God move, speak and change teen’s and adult’s lives. I’ve been a witness to numerous answered prayers and even miracles. This time, instead of watching, I received and it was AMAZING.
My room, #8I stayed up late giggling and dreaming in the bunk house with my new friends, then tore thru the cold for a morning shower in our “shared” bathroom. Good food just appeared without any of my menu planning, grocery shopping or cooking. I attended remarkable chapel services that required none of my greeting, set up, tear down, or ministry skills. I sat for hours at the feet of pro’s learning the ins and outs of writing. Editors, agents and authors shared their wisdom.I even got published in another book. I was loved on, encouraged and prayed for. Best of all, God’s presence was there. If for some reason you couldn’t feel it or sense in the people, all you had to do was look up. His beauty was everywhere and it was AMAZING.
Me and Bruce Wilkinson
The bunk house I stayed in (far right corner)
God opened some huge doors for me and spoke clearly about the direction He wants me headed in. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. All I can offer in return is my obedience.
I’ll keep you posted on how it goes. . .
10/30/10
10/28/10
The David Crowder Band's New Video "Shine" (a great piece of brave)
One of my favorite things to use as a piece of brave is music. There are tons of song lyrics out there that remind me how big God is and that he already has everything under control. Sometimes I play the music to get pumped up before I have to do something scary, like Rocky did when he was getting ready for the big fight. I can hear the theme song now.......
The David Crowder Band is one of my all time favorite worship bands. I love David's voice and the style of the music. Their songs have been a source of strength for me during hard times. I got to go hear David at his church in Waco this summer. It was amazing. The church is geared towards college students. Since it was summertime, only a few people were there. I secretly pretended I was at my own private concert.
Besides an amazing time worshiping God, the best part of visiting the church was seeing how humble and real David is. He held open the doors, greeted people and hung out drinking coffee just like everyone else. When it was time for him to lead the music, he and the band played as if they were playing a concert for thousands. It didn't matter that only a handful of us were in the audience. The Band just wanted to honor God with their best. I don't know about you, but it feels good to know that David is the real deal. Just a regular ole' person.
The David Crowder Band has just released this video. I LOVE it. I know you will too.
The David Crowder Band is one of my all time favorite worship bands. I love David's voice and the style of the music. Their songs have been a source of strength for me during hard times. I got to go hear David at his church in Waco this summer. It was amazing. The church is geared towards college students. Since it was summertime, only a few people were there. I secretly pretended I was at my own private concert.
Besides an amazing time worshiping God, the best part of visiting the church was seeing how humble and real David is. He held open the doors, greeted people and hung out drinking coffee just like everyone else. When it was time for him to lead the music, he and the band played as if they were playing a concert for thousands. It didn't matter that only a handful of us were in the audience. The Band just wanted to honor God with their best. I don't know about you, but it feels good to know that David is the real deal. Just a regular ole' person.
The David Crowder Band has just released this video. I LOVE it. I know you will too.
I chose to post it on my blog because it's a great example of using a "piece of brave". Did you notice how the couple used a flower as a symbol throughout their lives? The words are incredible too. The band and people from the church made all the light bright scenes themselves. I love that David leaned on his church family for help. So great. Did I mention I LOVE this video?
Leah
10/25/10
I Admit it, I Stole From My Kids
Getting ready for the first day of school is hectic for our family. My four children and I usually scurry around town like squirrels, anxiously gathering everything we need. This year was different. My husband’s lack of a job, meant we didn’t have money for school supplies.
Since shopping wasn’t an option, I decided to prepare for our first day, by registering the kids early, so the paperwork wouldn’t delay us the next morning. We drove to the school, met the teachers, and checked out the classrooms. The secretary seemed kind, so I hid my embarrassment, gathered my courage, and asked her if there was anything left from the fill-a-book-bag-for-needy-child program. She told me it was doubtful, but she would give us whatever she could find.
That night, I gathered the few supplies we already had and tried to sleep. Even though I prayed and asked God to provide for us, I tossed and turned, trying to come up with a solution. It made me sad to think of my kids missing out on the sharp points of new crayons and the chance to enjoy the new plastic smell of a back pack before it’s filled with sweaty gym clothes. I could still see the fear on my kids’ faces when they told me they were worried everyone would know they were “poor”.
This arrangement was too much for my motherly instincts to allow, so I took matters into my own hands. I drove to a 24-hour superstore and bought their 4 cheapest backpacks. I couldn’t buy anything to put in them, but at least it was a start.
That morning, I heroically swooped into each child's room and surprised them with a backpack. Their smiles said it all. When we got to school, the secretary was wearing a huge smile too. I saw tears in her eyes, as she told me the staff had gotten together and dug up backpacks and supplies for each one of my children. God had provided.The kids were ecstatic. I was relived.
Oddly, on the drive back home, I didn’t feel like smiling. Instead, I felt guilty. I wondered if the secretary was disappointed when she saw my kids already had backpacks. I realized what I had done. I had allowed fear and anxiety to seep into my life again. Playing the hero by buying backpacks had stolen a huge blessing from my kids. I had robbed them of a lesson on trust. I had also stolen the joy of giving from the secretary.
If I hadn’t stepped in, my kids would have experienced a direct answer to prayer. They would have understood how much their teachers cared for them. Most of all they would have known they could put their trust in God, instead of me.
God is good, so even though I messed things up for my kids, and their teachers, He allowed me to learn an important lesson. From now on, I will try to let go of my pride and let God do things His way. I will trust Him to meet our needs.
Lord, open my eyes to see when you are at work. Help me resist taking matters in my own hands. Instead, allow me to humble myself and trust you completely. In Jesus name, Amen.
Leah
Since shopping wasn’t an option, I decided to prepare for our first day, by registering the kids early, so the paperwork wouldn’t delay us the next morning. We drove to the school, met the teachers, and checked out the classrooms. The secretary seemed kind, so I hid my embarrassment, gathered my courage, and asked her if there was anything left from the fill-a-book-bag-for-needy-child program. She told me it was doubtful, but she would give us whatever she could find.
That night, I gathered the few supplies we already had and tried to sleep. Even though I prayed and asked God to provide for us, I tossed and turned, trying to come up with a solution. It made me sad to think of my kids missing out on the sharp points of new crayons and the chance to enjoy the new plastic smell of a back pack before it’s filled with sweaty gym clothes. I could still see the fear on my kids’ faces when they told me they were worried everyone would know they were “poor”.
This arrangement was too much for my motherly instincts to allow, so I took matters into my own hands. I drove to a 24-hour superstore and bought their 4 cheapest backpacks. I couldn’t buy anything to put in them, but at least it was a start.
That morning, I heroically swooped into each child's room and surprised them with a backpack. Their smiles said it all. When we got to school, the secretary was wearing a huge smile too. I saw tears in her eyes, as she told me the staff had gotten together and dug up backpacks and supplies for each one of my children. God had provided.The kids were ecstatic. I was relived.
Oddly, on the drive back home, I didn’t feel like smiling. Instead, I felt guilty. I wondered if the secretary was disappointed when she saw my kids already had backpacks. I realized what I had done. I had allowed fear and anxiety to seep into my life again. Playing the hero by buying backpacks had stolen a huge blessing from my kids. I had robbed them of a lesson on trust. I had also stolen the joy of giving from the secretary.
If I hadn’t stepped in, my kids would have experienced a direct answer to prayer. They would have understood how much their teachers cared for them. Most of all they would have known they could put their trust in God, instead of me.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
God is good, so even though I messed things up for my kids, and their teachers, He allowed me to learn an important lesson. From now on, I will try to let go of my pride and let God do things His way. I will trust Him to meet our needs.
Lord, open my eyes to see when you are at work. Help me resist taking matters in my own hands. Instead, allow me to humble myself and trust you completely. In Jesus name, Amen.
Leah
10/13/10
Family Night Out with a Human Trafficking Gang and a State Trooper UPDATE
Children are amazing creatures aren't they? Kaylee, my 11 year old daughter, showed me her journal entry about our stolen truck ordeal. Her perspective on that crazy night left me speechless. I wanted to turn it into a devotion, so she gave me permission to share it with you.
Incredible. She wasn't scared. She wasn't worried. She didn't see any reason that she needed to be. The stolen truck was a side note in her mind. She focused in on a "little thing".
Despite being one of four wiggly kids, squeezed into three seats, for over an hour, she chose to treasure the memory of her irritating little brother falling asleep on her shoulder.
Thank you Kaylee for reminding me what is important.
4Whoever will humble himself therefore and become like this little child [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving] is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4
Lord, forgive me for being too distracted with worry to see your blessings. I must have missed out on thousands of them over the years. Thank you for allowing me to see your world through a child's eyes. Please help me hold on to that kind of faith and innocence. Amen
Despite being one of four wiggly kids, squeezed into three seats, for over an hour, she chose to treasure the memory of her irritating little brother falling asleep on her shoulder.
Thank you Kaylee for reminding me what is important.
4Whoever will humble himself therefore and become like this little child [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving] is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4
Lord, forgive me for being too distracted with worry to see your blessings. I must have missed out on thousands of them over the years. Thank you for allowing me to see your world through a child's eyes. Please help me hold on to that kind of faith and innocence. Amen
10/10/10
Family Night Out with a Human Trafficking Gang and a State Trooper
Life is always exciting when you hang out with the Clancy's. My parents learned that lesson the hard way Friday night.
We love dollar shows.It usually costs our family $52 to see a movie. If we get crazy and add popcorn and drinks, it can run us a much a $75. So, you can imagine my excitement when I recently discovered a dollar theater outside of Austin. This past Friday seemed like a great night to try it out, so we invited my parents to come along.
Since we were going to save so much money on the movie, we decided to go out to eat a local Mexican restaurant before the show. The food was great. We took our time, savoring each nacho and every last drop of free ice cream.
When we finished, my parents and daughters headed for my Dad's truck and the rest of us piled into our Odyssey. As we backed out, we noticed my parents standing awkwardly in the parking lot and the girls looking around as if they had forgotten where they parked. We pulled the van over next to them and realized the problem wasn't that the parking spot had been forgotten, it was that the truck was just flat gone.
Stolen.
I have never had a car stolen. To me, that is something happens to people on T.V., not to a random, country family like ours. It felt strange. Why us? Why our truck? It wasn't even new or fancy. Just a quality, useful truck for my cowboy Dad. The only distinguishing feature on it was a American Paint Horse Association sticker on the back window. So weird.
Of course, we immediately called the police. My kids were super excited to hang out with a state trooper. Who needs a movie when real life is just as interesting? There wasn't much the trooper could do for us at the time, except file a report. So, we squeezed in the the van and went on our way, feeling a little creeped out.
Amazingly, the next morning, my dad got a phone call saying his truck had been found. I personally thought we would never see it again. Apparently, a seasoned, professional human trafficking gang had stolen the truck, driven it all the way to Mexico, brought immigrants over the border, then abandoned the truck near Laredo, TX., after a high speed chase. We were told that the gang was probably sitting there waiting for us (or someone just like us) when we pulled up. Chances are, we saw them and didn't even know it.
Some family night together! Our savings at the dollar show turned into a $20,000 deficit. I have to confess, I don't have a profound spiritual thought for this story. I just wanted to share it with you. I don't know why this happened to us, especially with everything else that is going on in our lives right now. There was a time when I would have spent a lot of brain power trying to make this event make sense, but in this case, I think we were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. We wern't special, it could have happend to anyone.
There is one thing I do know, God can and will use all things for good for those that love Him. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
I will keep you posted!
Leah
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