An Authors Life

When God Moves

2012-01-27T19:16:00.000-08:00

Don't you just love it when God moves. I mean really moves. I have been experiencing that lately in my writing and in my life, and I must say I am always at awe.

I know in life their are times that we don't necessarily feel that God is moving in our lives, that somehow we are being given a bad hand, or whatever you want to call it. I look at myself as a positive person, a person who looks at the blessings in life, who sees what God has given her and I would say I am most definitely blessed, but like everyone else I have those why me moments. I mean who doesn't? Can you honestly tell me you have never had a why me moment? I know I have, but I have also had plenty of those moments when God moves in such an incredible way, I am just dumbstruck by his grace. I must tell you when that happens it is awesome, and right now I feel that life is pretty blessed things are coming together nicely, because I believe I am doing what God has called me to do. I am writing what I am supposed to right, and that is my ministry the written word, I work with children too, but my biggest mission field comes through my writing.

And Now I am going new places with my writing, by that I mean I am getting it out their, I have had a Christian publisher express interest in Finding Star, after I sent them my synopsis and first chapter they requested more so I am working my best to make Star shine...I have spent so much time and energy on this book, probably the hardest book I have ever written, but it is so worth it, hearing this story, and knowing someone is interested in it. An awesome moment that tells me my efforts have not been futile.

Right now I am just so in Awe of God's grace. I know that this is not an over the night process I have been working nine years and have had seven books published in order to reach this goal, but I know I could not have done it on my own. It is only by God's Grace I am where I am, and I believe I will continue to grow.

The pics of the books above are of my latest released book Shadows From Our Past!!!!

God Bless
Michelle!

Welcoming in a New Year 2012

2011-12-31T23:33:00.000-08:00

I woulds like to thank all of my friends and readers for their support in my writing, and in my decisions in general, I may not always be perfect but I am trying to lead the best possible life I can.

I hope this year finds you all blessed and happy!! And I hope you had a wonderful Christmas. 2012 is only moments away here on the west coast, but for some of you it has already come, and I pray it has come with many blessings.

2011 was a year of letting go for me, letting a friend who was dragging me down go, and sadly losing friends far to young to death, but it was also a year of learning to embrace life more, to enjoy it, to the fullest. Which is my prayer for you in 2012 may you find success in 2012 but the greatest success is learning to be the person God created you to be and to embrace the gifts he has given you. And for my fellow Authors, I hope to see many more of your books out in 2012 !

God Bless
Michelle

Italian Blessing
May your life be like good wine, tasty, sharp and clear, and like good wine may it improve with every passing year.

From the Land of Wrimo (2011)

2011-11-20T20:23:00.001-08:00

I just completed my Nano novel today, closing it out at 70,138 The novel I did this year The Scent of Summer a ya novel about a young girl coming to terms with an accident that changed her life forever, but she discovers too that with Faith, and the support of loved ones. Just as the simple act of writing this Nano novel took the support and understanding of my family, allowing me the hours on the computer when I could be doing other things, like housework which despite everything I have managed to keep semi under control. I have also managed to spend time with the boys, and work on outlining another story, not Nano related called Desert Rose, so I have been keeping myself busy. It seems last year I was barely making Nano's goal so itfeels good to have made my goal a week and a half ahead of time this year.

I will at least not have to be pushing myself on Thanksgiving, and Black Friday, which happens to be my birthday this year, and no I really have no intentions on sitting around in some line waiting for a great discount on some electronic. I plan on spending the day relaxing spending time with my family and friends.

Michelle R Kidwell

From The Land of Nanowrimo 2011

2011-11-06T19:28:00.000-08:00

I dont know who else is with me, but I am taking part in this years Nano, making this year six or seven for me. Somewhere along the lines I lost count, but so far so good. I am on day six and nearly at 18k so far I think I am ahead of schedule and praying it continues. I would like to reach the halfway mark by Tuesday. For a total of 25k. I took part last year as well, but got a late start because I was so busy with other things, but this year I decided to jump in head first, and I am doing just that. I am somehow managing.

I am writing a YA novel this year for Nano last year, and I believe the year before were both Mysteries, because that is what I generally write Christian Mystery. But The Scent of Summer (The working title was beckoning, so this is the story I am telling.

I hope my fellow Nanowrimers, are having a sucessful 2011 writing journey. And may you all have a blessed Holiday Season

In Christs Love
Michelle~

Author Photoshoot for Seventh book Publication

2011-08-02T23:58:00.000-07:00

I am sorry I know my posting have been sporatic to say the least, but I am getting ready for the Publication of Shadows from Our Past! My friend Melody of Sweet Melodies Photography was gracious enough to bless me with taking an hour out of her busy schedule to do these pics for me...

It Doesn't Seem Fair (Casey Anthony Verdict)

2011-07-08T13:45:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but the Casey Anthony Verdict sickened me. Shouldn't Caylee be allowed to rest in peace, but how is she going to do that, with her killer walking free, and even if her Mother did not kill her shouldn't she have reported her missing, who in their right mind goes a month without reporting their child missing? I am not a parent, but I would like to think if I were a parent I would want to do something right away, I would fight for that precious child.

It seriously sickens me that someone will not pay for this crime at least on this side of Heaven.

But doesn't the Lord say vengeance is mine, so I am sure she will face her judgment for her part in this.

Rest in Peace Caylee, you Deserved Better.

God Bless

Michelle~

Balancing My Two Passions, (Writing and Publishing, Children's Ministry)

2011-07-06T22:36:00.000-07:00

I guess sometimes even the best intentions fail right? I am writer, so writing a blog should not be that difficult and in concept it is not, but perhaps it is because I feel more comfortable in a land of fiction, where I have a little more control over my characters. And perhaps it is because I am dividing my time between two passions, working with Children at my church, (my faith pays a key role in what I write, and why).

I have for as long as I can remember been an avid reader, a good book, and I am a happy camper, but sometimes technology does get in the way, you know the blessing and curse of it all? Don't get me wrong I love, love, love my computer and could not have six going on seven books published without it. The seventh, Shadows From Our Past, the fourth and final book in The Marishka Tanya Alexei series, should be ready for release around the first of September, I know it is fast.

I am still writing though, currently on a wip called The Price I Pay, another Christian Mystery, because that is the genre, that I most often feel comfortable in writing, though I do try my head at Ya, and I have had books of poetry, and non fiction published as well, all for the Grace of God.

The Children are a joy to work with though, the pic below was actually taken by a preschooler with a vtech camera, got to love that they make digital cameras for kids LOL!

Back to the writing though, I have written the prologue and the first chapter in The Price I Pay, I have an idea of the direction I want it to go in, but not an exact clear picture, so I guess I will wing it LOL!

In Christs Love
Michelle~

I'm Here For You (For Amy)

2011-07-01T02:16:00.000-07:00

I'm here for you

The way you were for me

In those early days

Of childlike faith

When I felt stuck between

A little girl lost

And a girl coming of age

Finding herself

Finding her faith

You never judged me

You just loved me

And now it's my turn to repay the favor.

Your Daddy is gone

A good man for sure

A great man more aptly put

But I'm here for you my sweet

Friend who was always there

When I needed her.

The way you listened as I told

You secrets from my past

To painful to talk about

But you were one of t he first

I opened up to

And you assured me

Nothing I could do made me deserve that

Kind of treatment.

You were the friend

That would go out of her way

In those early days of faith

To make sure I had a ride for church

And a friend to pray with

Eventhough you were raising a young family

Of your own.

And your Daddy was a great man

One I trusted easily and completely

Not easy for me

But he just had a way about him

Christ shinning through

The way he'd just hand someone

Money because he felt it pressed

Upon his heart

Didn't matter he had his own suffering

He still shined Christ's love.

I'm here for you my friend

The way you were for me.

I can honestly say

I would not be the person

I am today

If it were not for you.

Copyright Michelle R Kidwell

6/30/2011

2:47 P.M PST

The Journey Begins Again (Publishing Shadows from Our Past)

2011-06-30T19:45:00.000-07:00

I am currently getting ready for my final book in the Marishka Tanya Alexei series to go into publication. This is my seventh book, and the excitment begins again, but I have plenty else to keep me busy while I wait.

The children I work with bring me such joy...

The waiting I think is one of the hardest parts of the publishing process, so it does help to keep yourself busy, with postive, uplifting things, so I will continue to work with the kids I work with, and do my work for the Church.

I am afraid one of my good friends also just lost her Father, so tomorrow I am supposed to be attending a funeral Lord willing! It hurts my heart because he was such a good man, but I rest comforted in the fact knowing he is with Jesus.

Other than the new book being published and life keeping me busy, with friends, family, ecct I really don't have much else to update on... I know I should really update this blog more, but doesn't one need something to say in order to do that LOL?

God Bless
Michelle~

The Power to Reach Hearts With The Written Word

2011-05-26T23:29:00.001-07:00

Last summer I was preparing My sixth book, my third Mystery published in the Marishka Tanya Alexei series for publication, and now I find myself preparing the fourth and what I perceive to be the final book in this series. I have journeyed with this family for a long time, writing about them long before I published any stories or novels to do with them, and I am sure you will hear from them again, but if my feeling is right, there are going to be other projects to focus on.

The working title for this book is Running For Our Lives: Subject to change at authors or publishers discretion of course, but for now that is what I am calling it. I somehow manage to find a few spare moments to write, in the sometimes hectic pace of my life. But as they say a writer is not only writing when they are sitting at a desk with a laptop but they are writing when they are living life. Staring out a window can be a moment of inspiration for an author.

I do not know where this series will take me but I do pray that in someways it reaches its readers. Writing to me has always been about that, reaching and witnessing, because when I write my faith is evident, but I am not trying to shove religion down anyones throat because my faith is not a religion it is a relationship. I am not going to tap dance around the truth in my books but neither am I going to shove beliefs down anyones throats, but I do pray that in someway my writing reaches others, that somehow the good Lord is using my words to reach hearts..

Are Parents Being Heard

2011-05-19T19:57:00.000-07:00

I went with Fran to Mikeys open house today, and it seemed like what was concerning Fran, Mikey's Mom the most was being glossed over. She would point out a concern, a kid that constantly picks on Mikey until he is to the breaking point, and everything but the issue would be dealt with?

My nephew is ten, and a very smart young man, but he has some learning issues and is in Special Ed, still he reads well, and is intelligent. But how can a child learn when they are being picked on till the point of snapping? And having a teacher not really acknowledge the issue, or just gloss over it, really isn't that helpful.

Shouldn't the teacher listen to what the parent has to say?

I for one think they should especially if it is affecting the childs ability to learn.

In Christs Love

Where Does the Time Go

2011-05-13T23:20:00.000-07:00

Where Does the Time Go??May 13th already and little Ethan graduated from preschool today, where does the time go, my best friend J had her birthday the big 33, hope you had an awesome day friend...

Little Ethans Mom Fran and I have been friends since we were little kids, and now she has kids of her own and her youngest Little Ethan is going into preschool. Mikey is ten already, and I can remember when he was born.

I am proud of these boys and proud of the fact that in a couple of week my niece Amber will be graduating eighth grade, wow time sure does fly doesn't it?

Friends play an important part of my lfie and I am blessed to have friends who are like family to me. The picture above was taken after a fuernal but we knew that the person who had passed was no longer suffering and that does bring a measure of comfort.

On another please pray for the precious little boy in the first picture above, a friends son who was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in November.2010 he just had a stem cell transplant, and his body is enduring a lot right now with the harsh chemo, this precious little boy can use your prayer. His name is Elijah and he is truly a fighter...

Preadator: Terri Blackstock: A Review

2011-02-28T17:17:00.000-08:00

Predator
Terri Blackstock
Copyright 2010

Twenty Five Year Old Krista Carmichael does not want to believe her fourteen year old Sister is dead, murdered by someone who was stalking her on a social network called GrapeVyne, but when she is called to idenitfy the body of a girl partially buried in the woods there is no denying what has happened. When she looks at her Sisters Grapevyne Page she is surprised at how easy her Sister made it, by posting personal information for everyone to read, and it quickly turns into a crusade not only to find her sisters killer but to educate others of the danger of telling to much on Social Networks. The Crusade leads her to Ryan Adkins the creator of Grapevyne which he started in his college dorm.

When another young woman is attacked raped and nearly killed and her roomate killed it leads both Krista and Ryan into action to find the Predator, the one who is out trying to stalk and murder innocent women, but the path can lead them both into danger.

Will they discover the killer before its to late, or will the killer target them?

Definitely a book that I recomend we read, and have young adults read, because though fiction it deals with very real issues, and gets you to thinking about the way you act on Social Networks!!!

God Bless
Michelle

Be Done With the Nit Picking Lets Start Living Like Christians!!!

2011-02-15T21:32:00.000-08:00

Why is it so often we are quick to judge?
Didn't Christ call us not to judge, and I am not talking about pointing out right from wrong, because that is not judgment, judgment is treating someone differently for the mistakes they make or the things they have done wrong or simply judging becase of something they could not help.

We judge others because they do things that we might not do, but again is that really our place.

I mean there are some things that are clearly wrong and should be punished, but is it really helpful to point out everyones smallest fault, there every mistake?

I believe we should point out right and wrong of course, but I do not believe we should beat a person down until they feel like there is no way they are worthy, because the fact is it is not about worth, it's about love.

The love that put Jesus on the cross for us.

God Bless
Michelle~

What is Sin to One: A Timely Reminder

2011-01-25T22:24:00.000-08:00

I was thinking about what I was going to blog on this weekend, and then it came to me.

Why not judge on why some Christians feel the need to judge each other.

It happened to me today, over a simple facebook game I play.

I wondered what gave the person the right to judge me?

What made them have the right to point out my lack of convictions when they themselves are not perfect?

I can tolerate having a spirtual mentor in my life explaining to me why something may be wrong, but someone simply saying its wrong, and you are a dissapointment, all over a game. It just didn't seem right.

Jesus reminded others he who is without sin cast the first stone.

No one could cast that stone could they except for Christ himself and Christ choose not to Cast the stone.

Shouldn't that tell us something.

I like what a dear Sister in the Lord, and older lady explained once, at a Bible Study, she reminded us, what is sin to one may not be to another. I am not talking about the things that the Bible directly forbids, but other things.

We can make anything a crutch if we lean on it to hard and to long, so instead lets lean on the Lord.

And for goodness sakes, I don't think a game is going to send me directly to Hell, I think my heart is what counts don't you?

God Bless
Michelle~

Finding Star (A Hard Story to Tell)

2011-01-21T20:35:00.000-08:00

Have you ever felt God telling you to write a story, but finding your heart tugging with each scene you wrote?

I feel that way about Finding Star?

How does one write about such abuse endured by a child without feeling emotionally drained after doing so?

Even though this story is fiction sadly abuse happens, and that is what makes this story so hard to tell, while at the same time making me feel the calling to write it.

I am only about seven pages into Finding Star now, but I am sure it will expand in time.

I was actually given this story, in a very vivid and real dream, and have had a couple of others since then that have led to more scenes in this story.

It is not an easy story to tell, but one I feel God has asked me to tell, so I know that he will give me the strength to write this very difficult piece of fiction.

In Christs Love
Michelle~

Even In Sorrow Hope Iluminuates

2011-01-19T22:49:00.000-08:00

Some people tend to think I have a "Pollyanna complex" because I try to look at the good in all things, but I must admit I am far from perfect, and I get frustrated and hurt but I do see Hope even in the darker moments of life, why because I have Christ!

Like today, in the midst of a hard time, after a friends Aunt passing yesterday, and getting a break up voice mail from the man I thought loved me I heard of good news, Gabrielle Gifford, who was shot in the horrible Tuscon Masacre, stood up for the first time, not a small thing for someone who was shot in the head.

I am reminded in so many ways that God's Grace is there, even in the darker moments of life, though I hate to admit it sometimes I am blind to that very fact.

I am a Christian yes and that in itself gives me hope, but I am human so I stumble and fall, but I celebrate victories as well, my own, and those around me. Even those I have never met!

I want the Lord to touch each and everyone of our lives, and I know he does, but it is up to us to choose to see that Illumuminating Hope that he brings.

I am going to do my best to be a vessel that God uses to bring Hope, whether it be through my books, or simply friendships, and family. I want to be a vessel.

But I must admit I know at times I am that broken vessel.

God Bless
Michelle~

During TImes Like This

2011-01-17T22:00:00.000-08:00

Well its my first blog of the new year. I wanted to blog more regulary this year, lets see if I can actually keep that goal.

I am currently working on a story the Lord gave to me in a dream that was so vivid I thought I'd wake up and find the characters sitting next to me. Such a powerful story, and not an easy one to write, but one that I feel the Lord is calling me to write nonetheless.

Like so many others my heart was grieved by the tragedy in Tuscon, but things closer to home have grieved me as well, friends and family who are sick but I know the Lord's hand is in everything. Although at times I seriously do get frustrated.

During times like this I am so glad that I have a relationship with the Lord, because if I didn't I would become a bitter angry, snappy person, but the Lord has given me the grace to get through difficult times, and he has given me a gift for words.

Some people think I am to forgiving, but I forgive because God has told me to forgive, and because he first forgave me.

God Bless
Michelle~

Farewell 2010

2010-12-30T21:50:00.000-08:00

This will probably be my last blog of the year, unless I get seriously inspired to write something in the next twenty four hours or so. It's been a year of hellos and goodbyes, friends come into my life, go and come back and go again, but it shows me who my true friends are. And what matters to me most is of course the good Lord, but my family and true friends they matter to me too, in fact i care about many things, but at times I feel like I can't take anymore of some peoples not wanting to own up to the mistakes I made, and yes I make mistakes too, but what is it with some people who get it in their heads, that they don't have to live with what they have done...

I know one thing the last six months especially has taught me is that I need to spend more time with the Lord and less time with those friends who prove to be anything but...

I am not trying to be judgemental but I truly believe I have got to let somethings go and just pray for certain people because what more can I truly do? At times I feel that I have been all prayed out, but I know the Lord gives me the words I need and thats what matters.

For 2011 I want to work more on what I am doing with the Childrens ministry, I am believing that 2011 is going to show little Elijah healed and well again!!!! I am also proud to watch my niece grow up!!! She is fourteen now, and will be graduating from Middle School going into Highschool. Can it really be so close that she is off to college? And I believe she is going to make something great of herself!!! I see the future shinning bright for her!!! But for the Grace of God!

In Christs Love
Michelle~

Let Me Celebrate The True Meaning~

2010-12-24T01:22:00.000-08:00

Merry CHRISTmas from my heart to yours!

So much to celebrate this day, and yes there is still sadness and sorrow in the world but when you serve the Lord of Lord and the king of kings you know that "this to shall pass"

So instead of getting wrapped up in the hussle and bussle of the Season, getting stuck on the commercialism, the whats gift is hot and whats not of the Season I want to celebrate the gift of Salvation, and of Family and friends, those I care so deeply about.

Now I love the Spirit of giving don't get me wrong! And I enjoy finding little gifts for those I care about, but the greatest gift can not be bought with any amount of dollars, they were bought with his blood.

I want to see my friends and family happy and loved!

I am belieiving for Little Elijah to be healed.

I am believing for a finacial miracle for Karen and Karla!

I am believing for my loved ones who are not saved, to be surrounded by his love.

May everyone have a MERRY CHRISTmas and a blessed New Year!

Letting Go, Looking Upward

2010-12-20T23:26:00.000-08:00

We have all been offended at one time or another I am sure, but as Joyce Meyers points out in her book Power Thoughts "Believing the best of people is very helpful in the process of forgiving people who offended us."

Let's face it we all make mistakes we say things that are said in the heat of the moment, but that doesn't mean we have to hold on to the bitterness and anger. As Joyce Meyers points out once again in the same above mentioned book, "when we hold on to anger, we are not hurting the person we are angry at, but at ourselves."

That can be hard to comprehend sometimes, because so often our flesh gets in the way and our emotions get the best of us, but we can try and let things go and allow ourselves to heal, and though it may happen at a different pace for everyone, it should happen if we give it to the Lord.

God Bless
Michelle~

A Gift to Be Cherished

2010-12-20T21:39:00.000-08:00

Life is a gift to be cherished and around Christmas we need to remember that, because at Christmas we are celebrating life, and rebirth, because without Christ we would truly not have anything to Celebrate.

I know that without Christ we would not have anything to Celebrate, and we learn through the life of Christ that life can be both to short and amazing. There is pain far to much sometimes but if we have the Lord on our side we know that life is a gift to be cherished.

I hope as we are opening our gifts this Christmas we remember it all started with an infant babe, the Son of man come to earth!!!! Christmas should be about Celebrating Christ and his amazing life.... And we should cherish those that are brought into our lifes.

God Bless
Michelle~

2010-12-20T21:35:00.000-08:00

I write like
Margaret Atwood

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

In The Midst of Life Storms

2010-12-17T15:04:00.000-08:00

I am a firm believer that the good Lord brings people into my life for a reason, so when I am blessed with a friend I treasure them, each and everyone for the person they are. I know that we may not always see eye to eye, and some of my closest friends and I get in arguments over the silliest things, but the fact that we are still friends speaks alot to me.

The fact of the matter is I am the type of friend who is going to be there for my friends when they need me, whether they want me to be or not LOL! In the end they usually end up thanking me for sticking by them. Because I am a firm believer that a true friend will stand beside you in the midst of the storms of life.

I try to look at the postive side of life, and the postive side of my family and friends, that is not to say I don't see the mistakes people make, but i know it is not my place to judge my friend, but to love them, because the good Lord calls me to love not to judge.

I do not have to condone what a person does, in order not to judge them, I just have to love them through the situation...

In Christs Love
Michelle~

It Makes You Think

2010-12-15T21:59:00.000-08:00

There are those minutes I find myself letting that enemy get into my heart...

I'm not good enough

I don't measure up

But I know that its not about that, the Lord has saved me and I live for him, but sometimes the flesh gets in the way.

I am far from perfect, but if we are honest with ourselves we are all far from perfect aren't we?

How is perfection defined anyway, because I certainly do not want the type of perfection that is described in earthy terms, no I desire for something more.

To live for the Lord and that is what I try to do.

I admit I falter from time to time, but he always reaches out when I need him.

I pray, I cry out and he hears my cries.

When no one else is around he is.

Copyright Michelle R Kidwell

What The Things of Christmas Symbolize to Christians

2010-12-15T18:39:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year again, Carolls are being sung, Santas are lining up at Malls, Trees are going up, and Nativitiy scenes, Candy Canes are popular items once again, but what do these things symbolize to those of us who believe?

The Candy Canes shape, is that of the Sheperds staff, and the colors red and white symbolize his blood and his purity:

The wreath is in the shape of the circle because it has no begining and end, just like God's kindgom has no begining and no ending. (Revelation 1:8)

The lights represent Jesus, because he is the light of the world! (John 8:12)

The Holly represents the Crown of thorns!

The Star is to mark the place where Jesus lay.

The Christmas Tree Symbol of the Jesse Tree the symbol of David's Father Jesse. It is from Christ's earthly Lineage. (Isaiah 11:1-2)

Santa Claus was actually based on Saint Nicolas Arch Bishop of Asian Minor in the Third Century he tossed coins of gold to the needy people in his area. His feast day is celebrated December.6 but Jesus is the only one who can give us the greatest gift of all ETERNAL LIFE!

The Christmas colors of red (representing Christ blood shed for our Sins John 19:34)
Green represents eternal life
White the Purity of Christ
Gold The Kingship and Royalty of Christ

Some of the info was gathered from....

http://http://www.theromantic.com/stories/christmas/christiansymbols.htm

God Bless

Michelle~

Merry Christmas 2010

2010-12-13T21:43:00.000-08:00

May you have a blessed Christmas this year. May you remember the true meaning of the season. If we take Christ out of Christmas then what are we truly celebrating? Let's not aim to be "Politically correct" but lets opt to remember why we celebrate this day!

I hope as you are celelbrating with those you care about, you take the time to remember the true meaning of the Season, the birth of our Savior born over two thousand years ago in an animal stable.

Blog Interview: Author of the Divine Appointment

2010-07-16T18:18:00.001-07:00

1). Anita, congratulations on your new book! Can you tell us a little about it?

Yes I'd love to. I felt the need to let people know more about God's miracle on the bridge. Sometimes we focus on the outcome, and never look closer to see the details. God restored a life that day, but He had been busy a long time before then. Yes, God was in the detail-business long before that fateful day.

I awakened one morning with the book title in my mind: Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge. It is an appropriate title, as I reviewed my life and past decisions that took a specific route toward a timely divine encounter. The "appointment" was with Don Piper, the man who died and came back to life.

My husband Dick and I met Don Piper on a Texas bridge where Dick prayed for Don, a man pronounced dead. I believe it was a daring act of obedience for Dick to pray as he did, yet he was confident God directed his prayer. Don's return to life was the miracle answered prayer now shared around the world.

Many people know about the bridge miracle because of Don Piper's story in the New York Times bestseller, 90-Minutes in Heaven.

Millions have read Don's account, and now the companion story is here: a back-story about the man who prayed, and his wife who is the only eyewitness to this miracle today.

My book, Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge, chronicles the life my husband Dick and I shared, as well as the decisions that ultimately worked together to place us with Don on that Trinity River bridge.

2). Can you tell readers a little about your journey to the bridge on that fateful day? Where had you been? Where were you going?

Dick and I had attended a conference in east Texas. Don Piper was there too—although we really did not know one another. We all left the conference grounds around the same time, and within 15 minutes Don's car was crushed in an accident. There was only ONE reason Don's car was hit and not our car. Only the time required to drive through Dairy Queen for a cup of coffee made the difference! You may wonder how I know that?? Because, our car was the very first vehicle to approach the wreckage, and for the longest time all Dick and I could think was how our car would have been hit had we not stopped for my coffee.

As I pondered the events of that day, and our life, I realized how God used each major decision we made as a part of the puzzle that brought us there that Wednesday, January 18, 1989.

3). What was running through your mind when your husband, Dick, was praying for Don Piper?

I was at another location on the bridge when Dick prayed for Don.

Dick is the single person who prayed. He felt compelled by God and could not escape the strong urge to pray. He acknowledged his hesitation, and questioned his thoughts, but when God continued the urge to pray specifically for the man, Dick finally obeyed. I was amused to discover that when he decided to obey God, he prayed verbally and aloud "for anyone nearby to hear."

I learned about his prayer, and Don's return to life after we left the scene of the wreck. Dick told me God led him to pray two very specific things: 1) that the man live, and 2) that the man have no internal injuries. And—what happened next WAS the miracle. God brought Don back to life, and he had no internal injuries.

It was not unusual for Dick to stop at an accident scene and pray. Also, he was a man who typically sought God's heart as he prayed.

4). Did you realize, at the time, that your trip to the bridge was, indeed, a divine appointment? Or did you just see it as a coincidence?

I'm not sure that Dick or I saw this as a divine appointment at that time, but we were certain it was no coincidence. I do not believe in coincidence – for everything that occurs is part of the Sovereignty of God. So, we knew God had purpose. Only in retrospect did I observe our life events connecting in such a way that specifically brought us to a certain time and specific place.

I believe it was no coincidence at the role chosen for Dick and for Don. God knew which man would dare to pray, and which man would be alive to declare the story that has profoundly affected lives.

5). How did the journey to the bridge change your husband's life?

The journey of our life and ministry changed everything about my husband's life. God wrought the change, although his mother always felt God had a special call on his life. Dick and I saw our life as a journey – not as a circular thing, but moving from one place to another because of God's direction. We sought to live according to God's timetable.

6). How did the journey to the bridge change your life?

Dick died in 1996 before Don wrote his book in 2004, and before our book was published in May 2010. So, I conclude I am more changed by reflecting upon our journey to the bridge.

However, Dick wrote for our church congregation in 1993, and I used his own words and comments throughout Divine Appointment. I am privileged to have been part of our life journey, and witness to things God did.

7). Can you catch readers up? What's been happening in your life since that incident?

Dick continued as pastor of a local church in Spring Texas for seven years after the bridge miracle. God blessed our ministry there until his death.

The most significant event for me was Dick's death, because that changed every iota of my life. Suddenly everything about it seemed foreign and unfamiliar. My grief was complicated from losing my husband, and also my pastor of 25 years. I lost the open door to ministry, and so much more.

Much has changed for me since then. I remarried to Ed Wood, and this sweet man is my most significant encourager and prayer warrior.

I identified God's call on my life, and began that part of my personal journey by finishing college, and then a master's degree in Christian education and women's ministry. I graduated in 2007, and loved every minute of that challenge.

I have five grandchildren today, whereas Dick only knew our older three. All of these grandchildren are believers, and will reunite with Granddaddy one day. Until then, I trust my life will become a legacy and example for them.

While this segment of my life is distinctly different from earlier years, God moves me along His plan for my life and continuing ministry.

8). Are you still in touch with Don Piper?

Yes. Our relationship grows as years go by. Don hosted a ministry event recently, called HOPE SUMMMIT, where he was keynote. His wife Eva and I were session speakers. It was wonderful serving God with them.

Don has been a faithful voice to the miracle God wrought—the event that has forever united our lives.

And, he wrote the forward to my book!

9). Has God given you other "divine appointments" in the years since witnessing Don's amazing resurrection?

Of course, God's timing is so precise. I believe He brings people into my life, and uses me to affect others. Some appointments may seem small: like encountering someone in the store, listening to their story, and then praying on the spot. A small appointment for some, yet it's huge when you are the one needing prayer.

One specific incident captured my attention: I was attending a Bible study group when two women arrived. Introductions went from woman to woman as we attempted to learn something to connect us around the tables.

One new lady mentioned her favorite book was 90-Minutes in Heaven. About that time, the leader said to me, "Now, tell her who you are!" [Meaning I was in the book, as well as Dick being the man who prayed.]

What really caught my attention was the rest of Debbie's story, "my husband was recently born-again by me sharing this book; it was when he had surgery recently: June 6^th." I was astonished, because June 6^th
was Dick's birthday!! This was no coincidence! It was God's way of assuring me He knew where I was, and about my life.

I love how God communicates with me, and continues directing my steps toward His path for my life. I don't want to walk in any other place.

10). If you could say one thing to readers, what would it be. . .and why?

Your journey is different from mine, but equally significant to God. I think if more people grasped the significance of their life from His perspective, they would be more content, and discover life is an awesome adventure. If God cares enough to count each hair on our head, then we can trust Him with the details of our life.

Putting It Into Perspective

2010-06-25T23:42:00.001-07:00

I find myself reflecting and thinking how blessed I am, I could have got down, when the doctor told me my foot maybe broke, but then I read a note from Kristen Jane Anderson on facebook talking about letting go and moving forward, in her case she was letting go of shoes she had before she lost her legs it was kinda of a closure for her, but it put things in perspective for me.

The fact is Lord never promises you life is going to be easy, that you are not going to have any troubles, because there is no such thing as the perfect life, but when you live for the Lord, you are serving a perfect Lord.
A Couple of weeks ago Amber and I spent a couple of days reading Life In Spite of Me, Kristen Jane Andersons story of surviving a suicide attempt, that should have killed her, she lost her legs, but her life was spared, and her testimony continues to save lives!

Yes Life in Spite of Me is an intense and painful read, but it is also a story of how God can transform something negative into something used for his glory which is why I wanted Amber to read this, but I wanted to read it with her incase she had any questions.
A couple of weeks later, I still find myself thinking about what Amber and I read, and Amber continues to talk about it!
In Christs Love
Michelle~

My Niece and I just finished Life In Spite of Me, yes it is an intense book with a serious subject matter, but I believed it was important my Niece and I read this book together, because it speaks so openly of one Woman's attempt to end her life (Kristen Jane Anderson) when she was still a child really only seventeen: The book speaks of the fact that that is not an asnwer though, and that Christ has a purpose for our life, and that he loves us! I wanted my thirteen and a half year old niece to be able to hear this story, and I wanted her to see that when things are bad we can always turn to God, and there is no shame in getting help when it is needed .I both read the book to her, and she read parts of it herself, and we discussed what were the good decisons made and what were the bad, I first heard Kristens story on Oprah a few years ago and when she and Tricia Goyer announced they were writing Kristens story together, I knew that this was a book I wanted to read and to share with others, I believe Kristen's story will literally save lives, I know it already has!I work with children and I have a teenage niece, as well as other teenagers in my life, so I felt I should read this book for that reason and because it is simply a story that needs to be told needs to be read, because despite the darkness she went through it speaks so beautifully of how that darkness transformed to light when she opened her heart to Christ.I would recomend this book to anyone really, because it is such a powerful story that speaks so beautifully of how God works in lives...God BlessMichelle~

2010-06-15T01:14:00.001-07:00

Guest Author Interview Anita Higman and Janice Thompson Authors of Ozark Weddings

2010-06-11T23:13:00.001-07:00

Your Barbour Heartsong 3-in-1 collection is entitled, Ozark Weddings. Tell us a little bit about the three stories.

Anita: All three stories are set in Arkansas—Eureka Springs, Little Rock, and Hot Springs. Larkspur Dreams and Castles in the Air are romantic comedy, while the middle story, The Love Song, is more dramatic in tone.

Janice:
Larkspur Dreams is a lighthearted, whimsical tale that will appeal to inspirational romance readers, particularly those with artistic leanings. The Love Song reaches into the depths of the reader's soul, dealing with the topic of overcoming past hurts. Castles in the Air provides a humorous look at the way we are perceived by others, and teaches us that our prejudices (comical as they might be) often keep us from the very thing God has planned for us.

Anita, you and Janice co-authored the three stories in Ozark Weddings. How do writers go about co-authoring?

Anita: There are a number of ways to co-author a novel. One writer might do the research and the other writer may actually write the story. Or co-authors may each choose a character and write from that character's POV. In the three novels, I guess you could say I wrote the body and wings of the stories, and Janice helped to make them fly. She has a gift for critiquing.

Janice: Working with Anita is a breeze because she conceives and fully plots the stories then lets me add my thoughts/tidbits to give them flavor. She is so quirky and fun to work with, and I am very proud of the stories we have co-produced.

Were there times when it was hard to work together?

Anita: Janice is not only talented, but easy to work with. There were a few times in one of the novels that I found myself writing in a way that strayed from the general concept of a Heartsong romance. Janice made some good suggestions, which steered me in the right direction.

Janice: I can honestly say that I've never worked with anyone who was so willing to accept critique and/or take suggestions as Anita. She is a precious friend and collaborative partner. I already knew she was talented (even before we began this project) but had no idea how gracious she would be. Since I've written for the Heartsong line for years, I was able to "teach her the ropes" (as it were) and she was a ready learner! That's not to say she hasn't taught me a thing or two. I've learned much from her throughout this process, particularly as it applies to romantic tension. She's far better at that than I am, and I'm happy to admit it.

Why did you choose to be a writer?

Anita: Ever since I was a little girl, I had this need to express myself in some sort of artistic medium. I've tried a number of things: piano, painting, decorating, and acting. But I've never been very good at any these endeavors, except writing. I guess really then—writing chose me.

Janice: Like Anita, I've always been artistic. As a youngster, I sang, danced and played the piano. I was also very involved in theater as a young person. I've been writing since childhood. I wrote my first novella in 6^th grade, then went on to write musical comedies for the stage before turning to books in the mid-90's. Like Anita, I can truly say that I didn't choose writing; it chose me. Or, perhaps I should say that God chose it for me, as a gift.

When did you have your first success as a writer?

Anita: After several years of writing, I had some gradual success—books for children, books of one-act plays, and nonfiction for women. These successes were enough to keep me going toward my ultimate goal, which was to write novels.

Janice: This may sound a bit silly, but my first real writing "success" happened my senior year in high school, when I was chosen to help write the senior production. I had a blast, and the scene I crafted (a 1930's/Busby Berkeley-esque "The Show Must Go On" scene) was a huge success. I can't tell you what fun I had, or how great it felt for people to respond as they did.

Do you have any special methods of getting into the writing zone, such as favorite scents, music, or certain foods?

Anita: In the past I used to go to a French café, order coffee and scrambled eggs, and then write a rough chapter. The noise, music, and bustle always energized me creatively. But now I'm more of a homebody, so I sit for long hours in my office, working on my stories.

Janice: An "ideal" writing situation for me would involve someplace like Starbucks (or otherwise) with a cup of my favorite hot beverage in my hand (to be discussed below). Ironically, when I'm at home, I can't stand having music going. I find it terribly distracting... something about the "beat" drives me nutty. Having the television on is okay, but it's often muted. Crazy, I know. I'm a fanatic about my Diet Dr. Pepper and several flavors of hot tea. I particularly love Earl Grey and Chai Latte, among others. And I'm nuts about hot chocolate in the wintertime. I'm also crazy about my puppies. I have two red mini-dachshunds named Sasha and Copper. They usually settle in next to me on the sofa, Sasha on my right, Copper on my left. When we're all in place (with a cup of tea or a Diet Dr. Pepper on the end table, depending on the season) I'm ready to begin. Of course, I usually have to weed through several emails (clearing a path) before I can actually start writing. Whew! Sounds like quite a process, doesn't it?! It's a wonder I get anything done at all!

What is your best advice for aspiring writers?

Anita: If you feel called to write, don't let people discourage you. I'm sure they don't realize the impact of their words, but negative remarks can undermine our courage and joy. Comments similar to: "Maybe you weren't really meant to be published." Or, "Are you making any money at this yet?" Perhaps you've heard, "Why can't you write like my favorite author?" Honestly, I could go on and on here. Writing is a great and honorable profession—one that can challenge, inspire, and change people's lives. If you love words and love arranging them into stories, then don't let the battering influence of dispiriting comments shatter your dream. Keep pressing on!

Janice: I often say this to young/new writers: Learn the craft, but don't necessarily write what the publishers/agents/houses tell you to write. Trends change. Stick with the stories God places on your heart and if He intends them to be published, He will find the right publishing house in the right time.

What are your writing plans for the future?

Anita: I'd love to just keep doing what I'm doing. But I think I'd also enjoy writing novels for the young adult market.

Janice: I'm open to whatever God wants (and I really mean that). If He shifts me in a new direction (women's fiction, for example) I'm following His lead! If He asks me to lay the writing down for a season in order to accomplish a different task, I'm open to that, too.

We'd love for you to visit our websites at www.anitahigman.com and www.janiceathompson.com. If you're interested in our Heartsong collection, Ozark Weddings, it can be purchased in bookstores or ordered online at www.amazon.com.

Thanks for inviting us to your blog!

What About the Children

2010-06-09T03:03:00.001-07:00

I read a startling statistic the other day, 68 times more per capita on a felon than is spent on a church ministry for kids who are seeking the Lord. Perhaps you don't agree with my stand on this, but facts are facts, and the fact is that we need to reach children while they are still children, because if we do that, perhaps we could cut down the number of felons. There is no doubt that things have changed in this day and age, and danger lurks at places, but I truly believe if we give a solid foundation when the time comes children will be able to do things on their own, but not only that, they will know that when things are touch they can always lean on the Lord when times are tough.

I try to remind my thirteen and a half year old niece of just how much the Lord loves her, and we love her. Lately she has been haunted by nightmares of something that happened when she was little, but she knows that she has people who care, and that Jesus loves her. That foundation not just of faith, but of love but at the same time I do worry, because of the way things are, I want my niece to get an education that will help her to achieve her dreams, but even more than that I want her to have a foundation in faith, and so I often find myself praying for my niece. She has gone through a lot, and needs stability and needs to no that she is loved, which I make sure she does know, as does my Mom "Grandma" And my brother "Uncle Sean." When Amber is with us she is surrounded by people who care and who will talk to her and help her figure things out, I know how difficult it is to be a thirteen year old girl, but she deals with things that I did not have to deal with, because it was a different era.

That one statistic I read in has had me thinking for the last few days and has got me thinking and then when Amber came up today, after dealing with a difficult few days I once again find myself thinking of ways we could better serve our youth. I may not have a child of my own, but my niece is like a daughter to me, and I will do what I can to help her not just become some statistic, I am believing she is going to serve the Lord and show the world what it is to live for Christ…

God Bless

Michelle

Her Walls Came Down

2010-05-26T15:10:00.001-07:00

The phone rang one Sunday morning. The familiar voice of my best friend on the other end.

I could hear the tears in her voice, she wasn't one to easily cry, but she was only human and she had those moments as we all do.

"I wanted to walk into service for Easter Sunday, I really did." Melissa said.

"It doesn't matter how you got there, you were there Melissa, that's what the Lord saw." I said offering her the encouragement she so often offered me.

Mimmi was a strong one, but she would be the first to tell you she was only human, she had her battles, she struggled with questions. I asked the same questions.

I saw Mimmi's strong side, but I was one of the few who also saw her more vulnerable side. She would share with me things she did not share with many. Told me that I was the Sister of her heart, and her Sister in Christ, that stuck even after she was called home to Jesus.

Mimmi and I talked often on the phone and we wrote as often as we could, often twelve page letters. She wrote about how God revealed himself in the storms of his life, and she always told me how grateful she was that the Lord had saw it fit to bring us together. We could laugh together, and cry together.

Several years before I had met her, I had written a story about an amputee, a woman like her who had lost her leg, I can't remember the details of the story now, but I remember Melissa's reaction.

"I don't know how you did it, but you managed to capture what I felt exactly." Melissa said, wiping tears from her eyes. I hated that I made her cry, but she assured me it was a good thing, that the story had so deeply resonated with her.

Mimmi generally was not one who wore her emotions on her sleeves, she wore them inwardly to a fault sometimes, and she went through things that I will not talk about, because just thinking about its too painful, but she and I could open up to one another, and I was more than grateful for that.

I knew the Lord's hand was in it when her walls came down, and I saw Mimmi's whole self.

Mimmi the nickname Mikey and I had dubbed her, and only we were allowed to call her.

Mimmi whose now free and whole with Jesus, who is in the arms of our loving Father…

• Possible Author Photo For Buried Truths

2010-05-15T18:38:00.001-07:00

Buried truths the third in the Marishka Tanya Alexei series is on its way to publication, this series will probably be the last of the books published with my current publisher and look for a different one. I want to finish this series out and the book I am currently working on outside of the series.

I have one photo that may work for my Author photo, at least one that I like

As I get some more possible photos ill share them, but I have got a lot of good feedback on the first one...

In Christs Love

Michelle~

Front Page Love Paige Lee Elliston

2010-05-14T21:56:00.001-07:00

Book Two in the Montana Skies series:
Copyright 2006

A drought has crippled the town of Coldwater for the past year and a half. Julie a reporter for the local paper and is trying to help others with her column. She wants to show the affects of what a one and half year drought has done to this community, a community of many ranchers. But in getting to the story, she visits a town bar, that she believes has been serving a minor, but even writing this story can cause her trouble. In the midst of all of this she realizes she is falling in love with the town vet, who supports her.

The story though continues to cause her trouble, especially when the Chief of Police, the very one who is supposed to protect her, tries to hurt her, because he is friends with the bar owner...

Once again Paige Lee Elliston draws me into the characters life, and does a wonderful job of painting a very vivid and clear picture...Another book I highly recomend

Happy Reading!

Michelle R Kidwell

Book Review: Change of Heart Page Lee Elliston

2010-05-13T13:31:00.000-07:00

Book One Montana Skies

Megan is on top of the world with a sucessful ranch, a husband that loves her, it seems like she is living the picture perfect life, but when tragedy strikes and her husband dies unexpectedly it feels as if her world is unravelling. She buries herself in the work of her ranch to kind of numb the pain, but eventually she is going to have to face her life, and she will discover that perhaps her heart can love again, when she is faced with two men who like her. Will she love again?

I recomend this book, because though short, at two hundred and thirty pages, it has a lot of good messages in it. Happy Reading!

Michelle R Kidwell

Transforming Change

2010-05-11T18:57:00.001-07:00

What is it about change that so often frightens us? Change does not always represent the bad, but so often we find ourselves fearing change. What is new to us can be overwhelming, but change is a necessary part of life.

In the introduction to Joyce Meyers book The Love Revolution she says this:

"Nothing will change in our lives unless each one of us is willing to change."

We all need to do our parts if we want things to really change. I mean really change not some outward change, but a transforming change that goes from the inside and out.

The moment I gave my Heart to Christ something inside me began to change, the emptiness slowly became filled, and I began to see that the true change occurred when I thought less of my wants and needs and found time to care for others as well. We are of course supposed to take care of ourselves, but we do not have to become totally selfish.

Remember what we learned as children "It is better to give than to receive." I remember that, but living that can be hard at first though in time it gets remarkably easier.

"We shall live for others and learn that wonderful secret that what we gives away come back to us many times over." Joyce Meyers The Love Revolution

Part of our calling as Christians is to share the good news with others, and to serve others as Christ served. We are to preach the good news of course, but we are called to do more than just that.

Luke 4:18-19 (New International Version)

¹⁸"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
      because he has anointed me
      to preach good news to the poor.
   He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
      and recovery of sight for the blind,
   to release the oppressed,
    ¹⁹to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."^[^a^]

Perhaps now more than ever it is important that we help others. We live in a dark and scary times, and his truth, his love needs to come out in the lives we live. As Christians, we cannot continue to sit idly by, doing nothing.
It is time that we make that transforming change.

Hebrews 13:5 (New International Version)

⁵Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."

It is time that we stop letting the things of the world, stop us from living in God's will, we have a choice on how we use these things, and I believe it is time we start using them for his glory…

Michelle R Kidwell

May.11.2010

Words Can Be A Powerful Weapon and A Healing Gift

2010-05-05T18:45:00.001-07:00

"Before saying anything, pass it through three sieves: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?" ~ Amy Carmichael

Have you ever said anything and immediately wished you could take the words back, or have been hurt by words yourself? Has anyone said something that made you feel like you were two inches tall? I think we all have been the giver of this kind of pain as well as the giver, after all we are all human right? We are going to make mistakes, we are not perfect, that is Christ and Christ alone who is perfect. As humans we are going to make mistakes, we are not going to always say the right thing, but there are times when we can really mess up, when we can look back and realize that we really messed up, we really hurt someone with our words, or someone hurt us.

Some say that actions speak louder than words, and sometimes that can be true, but when words have a negative impact they speak plenty loud enough, and they can really hurt, whenever someone tells you, you are not pretty, you are not smart, or that they simply do not care about you and what you are feeling, then the words speak plenty loud enough.

"Yet we must say something when those who are saying the most, say nothing." Augustine Confessions

For those of us who write we know the power of words, and the same can be said for those of us who read, are very aware of the power of words, we know that words are a gift from the Lord above and that for those of us who are called to write, we are given a very special gift, we are called to write, and it is up to us how we decide to use that gift.

I am sure that some are born to write as trees are born to bear leaves: for these, writing is a necessary mode of their own development. If the impulse to write survives the hope of success, then one is among these. If not, then the impulse was at best only pardonable vanity, and it will certainly disappear when the hope is withdrawn." CS Lewis, Letters from CS Lewis to Arthur Greeves

How are you going to use your words today? Are they going to be a tool to build someone up, or break them down? What do you think Jesus would have you do?

pe is withdrawn. - C.S. Lewis, Letters of C.S. Lewis to Arthur Greeves

I Won the Sunshine Award

2010-04-28T20:09:00.000-07:00

Fellow blogger/Author and Friend Delia Latham has passed on the Sunshine award to me, and I am going to do the same to some of those whose blogs have touchecd me...

Deliah Latham The Melody Within

Lisa Buffaloe Lisa Buffaloes Blog

Tricia Goyer Real Life Inspired

Michelle Sutton Edgy Inspirational Author Blog

Lori Laws: Nothing but the Truth

Persevere...

Miralee Ferrell Novel Journey

What Do You Choose?

2010-04-23T22:49:00.001-07:00

Dictionary.com says this about Victory

1 a success or triumph over an enemy in battle or war.

an engagement ending in such triumph: American victories in the Pacific were won at great cost.

the ultimate and decisive superiority in any battle or contest: The new vaccine effected a victory over poliomyelitis.

a success or superior position achieved against any opponent, opposition, difficulty, etc.: a moral victory.

We can choose to live a life of victory or we can wallow in self pity, letting every obstacle we face stand in our way. I am not going to sit around feeling sorry for ourselves, or we can wake up and give God the glory… The fact is it is up to us to choose whether we are going to allow our lives to be that of victory or that of defeat.

Living with a disability does not mean we have to live a life of defeat, and the some of us certainly is not defined by our physical abilities, or lack thereof, it is our souls that are more important than our bodies anyway, these bodies are only temporal vessels our souls are going to be part of us even when we die. Our bodies return to the dust from which they were created our souls do not.

1 Peter 1

¹Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, ²who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Praise to God for a Living Hope

³Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, ⁵who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. ⁷These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. ⁸Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

¹⁰Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, ¹¹trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. ¹²It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Be Holy

¹³Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. ¹⁴As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. ¹⁵But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; ¹⁶for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."^[^a^]

¹⁷Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. ¹⁸For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, ¹⁹but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. ²⁰He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. ²¹Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

²²Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.^[^b^]
²³For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. ²⁴For,
   "All men are like grass,
      and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
   the grass withers and the flowers fall,
    ²⁵but the word of the Lord stands forever."^[^c^] And this is the word that was preached to you.

Living in victory to me is not necessarily about winning the race, but competing in it, the race we call life, is not about taking what we can out of it, but giving of ourselves, and we can find the victory in that, no matter what our disabilities, no matter what our differences, the choice is ours, we can live our lives for Christ, or we can let the obstacles in our lives drag us down, and let us loose that faith. The choice is ours, I pray I always choose victory over defeat.

Have We Become Closet Christians?

2010-04-21T22:24:00.001-07:00

Whatever happened to being true Christians in every aspect of our lives? Now mind you I am not talking about everyone, but it seems sometimes we have become closet Christians? We will use faith when it suits us, and deny it when it doesn't. A relationship with Jesus should not be something we should just turn on and off, only to use when it suits us, we need to speak for Christ in all aspects of our lives, not just when it suits us, and that includes in our friendships, and everyday relationships. We do not just turn off faith when it seems like it will better suite us, because believe me, it never does. We will eventually pay for our actions, for denying Christ, just because our so called friends are doing that, we can use all the excuses we want, but the fact of the matter is we need to get with the program, and open our eyes to who Christ really is, and live like we love him, not like he was just some kind of fairy tale figure, because Christ is as real as you and I.

Romans 1:18-22

¹⁸The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. ²⁰For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

²¹For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²²Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools ²³and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

I have learned that we can try and hide from God all we want, we can try to hide our faith all we want, but pretending to be something we are not is not going to work, and God will call us out on it. He is going to make sure we do not put ourselves in place that will ultimately destroy our faith, and if our faith is destroyed, that is on us, our choices our decisions, blaming God isn't going to change anything. We need to stand up, and stop pretending, (those of us) who have become closet Christians. I feel it is time we wore our faith proudly, and stopped trying to fit in simply for the sake of fitting in.

A large part of our nation have become Christian in name only, it is time we stop being Closet Christians, and started wearing our faith proudly.

Don’t You Think God Gets Tired of Our Excuses?

2010-04-17T22:40:00.001-07:00

Ephesians 4:13-15 (New International Version)

¹³until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

¹⁴Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.

Why is it that so often we do not allow ourselves to grow in Christ, that we become frozen at some point in our walk with Christ, we let hurdles stand in our way, because we cannot see beyond the obstacles that lay in front of us, but in order to grow in faith, we need to move forward, we need to make mistakes, and learn from them, not make mistakes and sulk over them. Or we let them become stumbling blocks to our Faith, we think we can't move forward because we don't allow ourselves to move forward.

Romans 8:28-31 (New International Version)

More Than Conquerors

²⁸And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,^[^a] who^[^b] have been called according to his purpose.
²⁹For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

³¹What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

How often do we get mad at a situation and blame God, or get mad at a mistake we made, and blame God? I mean really, who are we to blame God for every little mistake we make? We were given free will, but that does not mean we are not the ones making the mistakes, it often means we are not listening to the Lord speaking to our hearts.

Don't get me wrong I know there are times that things happen that we don't deserve, but every bad thing is not some kind of punishment from God, that we are going through something because we did something wrong, when often that is not the case.

The fact is bad things happen, no matter how good we try to be, and it is up to us how we react to them. We can either let this get us down, or we can use these trials to draw us nearer to the Lord, and stop spending every minute blaming God for every wrong thing in our lives.

I know there are times when we genuinely cry out, when we genuinely don't understand and the Lord is there to listen to us, but we are not being punished every time we stub or toe, or break a finger nail.

We can be secure in God's love for us, even when bad things happen we can see God's love.

I often find myself wondering why so many people fall away when times are tough, either that or go to the other extreme and only pray when they need something instead of taking the time to thank God every day.

Don't you think God gets tired of our excuses when we say we are too busy to pray, to read the word, to fellowship in anyway?

Don't you think he wonders when we can spend hours a day at the computer playing games on different networking sites, but goodness we are just too busy for Church, for prayer, for the Bible.

It’s Time to Put on the Armor of God

2010-04-16T19:17:00.001-07:00

¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Now more than ever we need to be aware of the importance of putting on the Armor of God. It is true that we live in a dangerous time, even our own nations foundations are being threatened, with a president who does not seem to care so much about the Christian values this nation was founded on. I do not believe that we should have our Christian values taken from us, if you don't want to worship Christ, fine, but why take away our national day of prayer?

It is also important that we put on the Armor of God, of course, but it is also important that we don't become so wrapped up in our lives that we forget to take the time to spend with the Creator of our Lives. Why is it that so often we either wait until a time of crisis to realize the importance of putting on the Armor of God, or we forget to do it all together, trying to fight battles that were never ours to fight alone. We are so much stronger when we have Christ on our side, and the truth is he does not leave us, we leave him.

We get this idea that we can handle things on our own, that we need to prove just how strong we are, and yet without Christ a big part of us dies, and without Christ we are not ever going to be as strong as we could be with Christ. Yet here we go through life, trying to carry the burdens on our own, or we get so busy living, we forget to look to the Creator.

Ever find yourself saying I am just too busy, too busy, to pray, to worship, to do what the Lord would have you do, yet we will sit down and watch a two hour movie, but we are too busy to listen to a forty five minute sermon, or spend a few minutes in prayer.

Something is wrong with this picture, so let's get back to putting on the Armor of God…

Apr.16.2010

Cast Your Cares

2010-04-15T17:28:00.001-07:00

1 Peter 5:7-9 (New International Version)

⁷Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

⁸Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Ever feel anxious? Of course you have, if you tell me you haven't I am going to wonder if you are being truthful, after all we are only human, humans with human emotions, and human patience with worries, but we do have hope, when we are feeling overwhelmed with the worries and the cares, we can give them to the Lord. We are not supposed to spend our lives worrying, full of fear, because the good Lord wants us to cast our burdens on him.

I am reminded so often of God's Grace, when I truly give my cares to the Lord.

If I let myself be anxious, or worry about every little thing in my life, then the fact is I would be so overcome with worry that I would not have room for faith, and I want my relationship with the Lord, to be the first thing that.

In the book of Matthew it is made clear that the Lord does not want us worrying about the things that he takes care of, even in this day and age, when we seem so overwhelmed by worried, the Lord is still providing, when we truly believe:

Matthew 6:25-31 (New International Version)

Do Not Worry

²⁵"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^[^a^]?

²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

Worrying does not add a moment to our lives, in fact it only serves to make us sick, to pull our hair out, to bite our nails, perhaps literally, perhaps figuratively, but if we worry about tomorrow before it comes what point is that?

I admit I am a worrier, but I am focusing more on worrying about other things like whether or not those I care about have given their hearts to Christ.

April.15.2010

Book Review: From a Distance Tamera Alexander

2010-04-15T16:19:00.001-07:00

Book Title From A Distance

Author Tamera Alexander

Elizabeth Westbrook travelled from Washington D.C to the Colorado Territory, to take photographs for a Washington Paper, she wanted to secure her place as a photographer for the paper, and she hoped the cool dry air would cure her mysterious lung ailment.

Elizabeth hires an assistant when she gets to Timber Ridge a former slave named Josiah, an unlikely paring perhaps but Josiah is a quick learner and quickly becomes a person Elizabeth can trust despite the things being said about him.

She also meets a former Confedorate sharpshooter who acts as a guide to help her on some of her trips to photograph, bur when her equiptment is vandalized, she begins to wonder if this entire trip was a waste of time and effort. In the 1870's women were still having trouble finding any place in a professional sense, and women photographers were rare, but Elizabeth was determined to show the world just what she saw in her lenses.

From a Distance will take you on a fun and educational journey, and it will show you that some things are not always as they seem. If you are in the mood to travel back in time, with a woman ahead of her time, you will enjoy From A Distance.

It Taught Me to Embrace the Moment

2010-04-13T22:44:00.001-07:00

I've lived with aspects of my condition all of my life, but for most of my life, the condition was unnamed, I was told over and over again that it was in my head, that I was faking it, by doctors, by teachers, by many of the people who should have been listening. I knew it was not in my head though, that bladder issues, that weakness, that falling, were just not some psychosomatic thing, that I was not just imagining it all. I had one teacher who always thought I was faking it no matter what I did, that teacher to this day is one of the teachers that stand out in a negative way, not positive, yet strangely I do not remember her name, maybe that's my way of dealing with the way she made me feel. I was a sophomore, fifteen or sixteen at the time, and I did not need her making me feel even more confused than I already was, but as vividly as some of the things this teacher said, the ones who offered me support, who actually taught me things, beyond the school learning, beyond the books as important as they are to me especially as a writer, the gifts that they gave me that I carry with me are great, and I cherish those gifts, those were the teachers who made a difference in me.

In a strange way my disability itself has been a teacher, or perhaps it is not so strange, the fact is the condition has taught me things I might not otherwise learn.

I am certainly more empathetic to others, I have learned to be more understanding, to be more patient, and it has taught me to slow down and enjoy life a little, because tomorrow is not a promise, but if we do have tomorrow it is a gift, a gift from God, a gift that we should not take for granted.

Living with a disability has also made me realize that there are others a lot worse off than I am. I have a neuromuscular condition, but I can still walk, and do many of the things I did before, I just have to give myself more time, than before, and have to prepare myself before. Granted there are times when I need the aide of cane, or I use my AFO's probably a lot less often than I should, but to me those things do not confine me, nor do they define me they allow me the freedom I need, they are the tools that have allowed me to be independent, that have allowed me to do the things I want to do, and I thank God for that. Whether its playing with my nieces and nephews or my friends children, taking care of my thirteen year old niece Amber, or taking care of my dog and cat.

I've learned through this that I have to be patient with myself, and that I have to be patient with others, it has taught me to listen better and understand better. I am not saying that I am perfect, that I don't make mistakes that I don't grow frustrated, and ask myself why me, because the fact is I do, but I have learned to be more understanding, and I have learned to accept what this condition entails. What my life entails, and I try my best, to live my life to its fullest, and live for the Lord. This condition and the faith I have in the Lord has taught me to embrace the moment, not take it for granted.

God’s Grace Was There

2010-04-13T15:26:00.001-07:00

I am often reminded of Christ's love in the everyday things I do, and it is an amazing love, even when I am feeling like the weight of the world is on my shoulder, I know I can lean on Jesus.

As a Christian I know I am not perfect, but Jesus' blood bought me forgiveness of my sins, does that mean I just go around sinning, because I know I am forgiven, no of course, not because that is not the way it works, we learn from our mistakes, and when we know we've done wrong we ask for forgiveness.

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."- Romans 3:23-24

No one but Christ himself was free of sin, but that does not mean as Christians we go around intentionally sinning, and it does not mean we go around judging everyone, because that is certainly not our place, like everyone else, I weigh the facts, and I look at the different sides of things then I state what I am feeling, my feelings are often based on the facts or the things I have experienced, but my faith is so much stronger than even my emotions, because even when I am an emotional wreck, I know somewhere deep down that the Lord is there, that no matter how emotional I am feeling the Lord is there for me.

The fact is the Lord has seen me through things I would not have gotten through on my own.

The lost of loved ones, including my best friend, who died when she was only thirty six, and other looses that weighed heavy on my heart, but I rest comforted in the fact that they are resting in the arms of Jesus.

I am reminded of the ways he has touched my life, and the ways he has brought gifts into my life. Gifts that perhaps in the end were simply there to teach me to lean on him, even when I have lost people, even when people ultimately ended up hurting me, I knew that the Lord's hand was still evident, despite the pain I was feeling, I knew somewhere God's Grace was there.

Through rejection, and hurt, through illness, and disability, through struggles I can still see his grace.

In the laughter of a child I can still see his grace.

I look at things differently now than I did before I came to Christ, and the fact is I believe I am a better person, not the shy timid, scared girl I once was, not the one looking for answers where no answers lay, but I see Christ, in the simple things, and I embrace the small gifts in life. And the fact is because of God's Grace I have better been able to deal with my weakened muscles, in a way it has taught me to lean stronger on the Lord.

This Writers Dreams

2010-04-10T22:28:00.001-07:00

As a writer I am also an observer.

Often writers are told they have their heads in the clouds and sometimes that is true. Which one of us have not been guilty of putting our head in the clouds? I mean who can honestly tell me they have not day dreamed. Truth is there is nothing wrong with day dreaming, but there are times when we have to be acutely aware that is not true for only writers but everyone, but as writers, we learn to study people. A certain mannerism, a certain figure of speech anything can be an inspiration for a story idea a character.

Some of my greatest ideas have actually come from dreams, dreams that the Lord blessed me with, and let me remember.

It was a dream that gave birth to A Sister's Justice, Followed By Deception Beneath, and Buried Truths. A dream was what created Marishka Tanya Alexei Character.

Anna was dead, just like that, she had taken her own life. I thought she was getting better, that she was going to start a new life, I never imagined that she would end her life. I was the oldest sister, I should have known something like this. I should have seen it, made her get help.

I prayed that I would wake up and this would all be a nightmare. Anna really couldn't have killed herself, yet deep down I knew it was real.

" We need you to come down and identify the body, we are sure it's her, but it's part of the procedure."

The body, my sister was more than a body! A Sisters Justice Page.40-41 Published 2009 PublishAmerica.

Books of course are another great source for ideas, as are pictures, a single image can spark a myriad of ideas. Different authors will see different stories in that same photograph that same image.

As a writer and a Christian I find myself praying that I am able to touch others for Christ with my words, and to educate others. We as writers are learning from the past in more ways than we realize, and we live in a day and age where that knowledge is right at our fingertips, the internet can be a tool for evil if we allow it, but I choose to use it for good. I am by no means perfect, but that is not the point I do serve a perfect Lord, who has blessed me with the gift of words.

And I never know what dreams the Lord might bless me with and how they may turn into stories, stories that show just what others are capable of, stories that look beyond a person's disabilities or differences, and show the love of Christ shining through them.

From Deception Beneath Book Two In The Marishka Tanya Alexei Series Published October 2009

As I watched my children though, I had faith that they would not

follow the path Anna followed, and I had faith that they would learn from

my mistakes as well. I wanted them to understand that it was okay to talk

about things that were bothering them. I did not want them thinking they

had to bottle everything up. Something Sophia, Anna and I had believed

growing up. It was Ana who first broke the silence about what happened

to us as children. Page.13

Dreams can carry us to places that we may never see otherwise, and I truly believe that the Lord gives us certain dreams, for certain reasons, and I believed he wanted me to tell Marishka's story, something I am still telling to day. Book three has been submitted for publication and I am currently mapping out book four. All for the glory of the Lord.

In Christ's Love

Michelle~

He Could Not Silence Her Even In Death

2010-04-10T02:13:00.001-07:00

Sunday April.11 is Holocaust Memorial Day, and I for one believe it is important that we take a time to remember what Hitler put so many through during his reign of terror, that we stop and reflect on just how blessed we are to not be living through what was lived through in the Holocaust, but the sad fact is even today, ignorance and Hatred exist, and I am sure it always will, but in third world companies it is so bad, that children are forced to fight in war. The LRA reared its ugly head and Uganda taking the lives of many children, and forcing them to kill.

As a Christian, I believe in showing others the love of Christ, and the power of forgiveness, but I also believe that the Lord will have his time with others, and men like Hitler have found their punishment in the fiery pits of Hell. There is no way to sugar coat that man's evil, and there is nothing to admire about a man who thought he could wipe out an entire people, sadly he nearly did, but there were those who at the risk of their own lives fought for those that were persecuted.

Miep Gies, who died earlier this year, is perhaps the best known of the "Helpers." To the Frank family and a woman who saw wrong and was not going to sit idly by.

Every day she risked her life, as she went into the Secret Annex to bring the Frank Family food and news, she knew the dangers, and she knew that if she was caught she would face the same punishment that those who were Jewish or imperfect in any way did. Hatred consumed Hitler at every end, but women and men with a bravery like Miep Gies, gave a glimmer of hope.

Unfortunately two and a half years into hiding, someone told the Gestapo about the Franks and everyone living in the Secret Annex was taken to Concentration Camps, Anne Frank and her Sister Margo were taken to Bergen Belsen where they both died of typhus Anne Frank died only three weeks before they were liberated.

Otto Frank was the only survivor out of the secret Annex and he committed his life to getting his youngest daughters diary's published, because it had been her dream to one day be a rider.

Her dream was released after her death, and to this day the Diary of Anne Frank is one of the most read books in the world. Hitler's evil, and his evil empire could not silence a young girl even in death, and other stories were told, because of the bravery of a young girl who confided everything in her Diary Kitty, and because of Miep Gies who picked up the diary after it had been thrown on the floor of the Annex when the Gestapo men took them away.

It is stories like this, true stories, that remind us, that evil exists, but there is greater power in love, and courage…

Let’s Be Honest: Insecurity

2010-04-09T17:35:00.001-07:00

Let's be honest with ourselves, and I mean truly honest.

We've all been at a place where we have felt insecure right?

Insecurity may cause more problem to some that others, but my guess is at one time or another we have all had problems with our security.

I know I have, and many I call friends have. Even the greatest, and most beautiful have, if we look at the lives of even the most beautiful, the most popular we can see insecurity.

Actresses and actors hooked on drugs, famous people committing suicide.

Insecurity has become a real problem. And if we don't address the problem it is going to continue to destroy lives literally.

There is hope though, hope in Christ.

In her book so Long Insecurity Beth Moore says this:

God knows we are insecure but we do not need to be. And He will not leave well enough alone. He has enough security for those of us who call Christ Savior. He slipped his own secure spirit within our simple jars of clay." Beth Moore So Long Insecurity Pg 143

We in this generation have perhaps more that can cause us to be insecure than the generations before us. We are inundated by media images, of what perfect is, we are constantly told we are to fat, to thin, or to whatever, to tall, to short, our hair is not the right color, we aren't wearing the right brand of shoes, we don't have the newest electronic gadget, but in no way should those be the things that feed our insecurity, yet they do.

When we embrace Christ though, when Christ is our Savior that is the place where we can truly find our security.

Now's the time to be honest, what has made you insecure and how has your relationship with the Lord changed that insecure feeling that once swallowed you whole?

Michelle R Kidwell

This Writers Prayer!

2010-04-09T01:18:00.001-07:00

After a little over a year of writing and rewriting, I finally put the final touches on Buried Truths the third book in the Marishka Tanya Alexei series, and now I already find myself thinking in terms of book four, while writing yet another book Love Illuminated. I find myself doing a little celebration treating myself to a Rice Krispies Treat, and just relaxing for a few, okay well I am writing this blog, and working a little on Love Illuminated, but after getting Buried Truths finished I find myself relieved but I do not believe this is going to be the last that is heard from the Alexei family, Marishka and her families story is far from over. I have lived, breathed ate and slept these stories for so long, that I have become rather attached to the characters LOL!

I am sitting here after one am having finished Buried truths, yet still wide awake, Abby (my precious poodle laying on my bed) looking over at me hinting, and our rescue kitty Cindy under my desk keeping me company as I write, and contemplate on the blessings of this writer's life. The fact is I have a lot to celebrate the most important of course is the fact that I serve the Lord, without him I would not be sharing.

As I am writing this, I am reminding of John 1:1-14

¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning.

³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴In him was life, and that life was the light of men. ⁵The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood^[^a^] it.

⁶There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. ⁷He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. ⁸He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. ⁹The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.^[^b^]

¹⁰He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹²Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³children born not of natural descent,^[^c^] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

¹⁴The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,^[^d^] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

As a writer but more than that as Christian those words intrigue me, in the beginning was the word and the word was God. I think of the gift of words the Lord blessed me with, and I find myself praying:

Lord let me use my words to glorify you, let my words draw others to you.

I remind myself daily that whether I am writing fiction or writing fact, I am writing to glorify the Lord, and though I am not perfect, I do serve a perfect Lord, who gave me the gift of words, how could I not write for him?

April.09.2010

1:17 A.M PST

Could You Forgive?

2010-04-08T16:24:00.001-07:00

Last night I found myself watching a program on prayer late last night, early this morning and one segment talked about a woman who talked about forgiving the Nazi's who had imprisoned her family in Bergen Belsen, forgiveness is a powerful tool and we all have the power to forgive but to forgive something like that prayer is needed, and we truly need to lean on the Lord.

I have been hurt before and have forgiven, but never have I experienced the pain of not knowing whether or not I was going to be gassed In Nazi showers, and perhaps even praying that I would, because so much hope was stripped from me, forgiveness of something like that is done with the hand of God, and with a lot of support, it was a Christian friend, nearly twenty years later and in California instead of the Dutch camp of Bergen Belsen, in California, Vera gave the hurt and pain she was holding onto to God. Like she said forgiveness is not about letting someone go scot free but about letting God take care of the justice.

I listened intently to Vera Schlaam's story and found myself thinking of our own power to forgive, far too often, we hold onto the smallest offenses not giving them to God. I am not talking about putting ourselves back into a situation where we know we are going to be hurt or bullied again, but what I am talking about is letting go of the anger and hurt and giving it to God, and then moving on with our lives. Sometimes the Lord shows us that we need to be put back in a situation where we were hurt before, sometimes he so drastically changes hearts that he wants you there to encourage them, but often he just wants us to step back, and pray. "Pray for your enemies." It Is not an easy thing, but what Jesus did for us is not easy either.

As I listened to Vera Schlaam's story, and the power she found in forgiveness, I thought of my own life, and how I have forgiven those who had hurt me, only to find the blessings in the act of forgiveness.

Is It Really that Easy?

2010-04-07T23:32:00.001-07:00

I sit here trying to form words for this blog, I am a writer, my gift is words, a story a poem, a novel can all be inspired by a single image, but writing is not that simple. You live breathe and eat words, one author says even when you are not writing you are writing, and I believe in a sense that is true. Life gives you plenty to write about, whether fiction or non-fiction. Imagination has a way of running away with you.

I began writing as a way to escape but more than that as a way to discover myself, I was a teenager, facing high school life, in the fall of 1992-93 and the words just began pouring onto a page, I had always loved to read so maybe writing was a natural graduation for me, but looking back some of those writings were no good. I would have years of work, writing courses and sheer living, before I would write anything that I dared send to a publisher.

Writing became a way of me to understand myself better, and the disabilities that I had, I was born with Hip Dysplasia and was diagnosed with Dyslexia when I was in Kindergarten, but the Dyslexia never slowed me down much, later I was also diagnosed with Dyscalculia which makes sense because math had always been a struggle for me, reading, writing and history not so much. My hand writing was affected as I got older but I could get things done with a computer. I was more than grateful when I got my first computer, a gift from my aunt and uncle, when I entered college.

When I was about seventeen I began having strange symptoms, bladder issues, muscle weaknesses, frequent calls, which at first I attributed to sheer clumsiness, but after a time I knew it was something more than that, and I had to look in to it. I was falling far too often, dealing with severe muscle pains and spasms, and trying my best to deal with the pain, once again my writing helped but more than that my faith helped. I found that spending time in prayer helped me a lot more than popping some pain pills, though they certainly have their place.

I went through years of tests, doctors who at first told me it was all in my head, that I was making things up, before I finally had a doctor and a psychologist who listened. My psychologist assured everyone that nothing about my condition was in my head, and the doctors took the time to listen. I was sent to more specialists who told me who said it was all in my head, but thankfully I had a doctor who refused to believe that, she saw my symptoms and saw the family history of neuromuscular disorders in my family, two cousins on my Mother's side were diagnosed with Beckers, my diagnosis was not finalized, I have the wide term of Neuromuscular disorder placed on me, which leaves about forty plus conditions, a few have been ruled out, but more tests are to come. I find that writing about this condition, and what I have been through not only helps me but it helps others, and writing stories whether fiction or non-fiction that show that those with disabilities can do almost anything they set their mind too. Braces, Canes, walkers, wheelchairs, crutches, prosthetics, hearing aids, blindness, deafness, do not have to be the definition of a person and it does not need to be how we define what they can and can and cannot do, when I wrote A Sisters Justice and Deception Beneath I wanted to show the world that things are not always as they seem, and that someone in a wheelchair is completely capable of defending others.

Now as I write this and work on the books to follow A Sisters Justice, and Deception Beneath I once again find myself determined to show others that in no way should a person be defined by their disability…

Michelle R Kidwell

Book Review Angel Train By Gilbert Morris

2010-04-05T13:07:00.001-07:00

Are you ready to go on a journey back to the mid nineteenth Century, the days of Wagon Trains, long before the modern convinces of today. A devout Religious community in Pennsylvania picks up roots and heads to Oregon when economic recession threatens to tare this community apart. A young girl named Charity Morgan plays a pivotal role in convincing her Father to make this journey despite his misgivings, because the Lord speaks to her in a dream, and the message is confirmed through her Father. The journey by no means is going to be an easy one, they will face loss, and trials unlike anything they have ever faced, but despite all that they will also have moments of celebration.

When during the journey Cholerea affects members of the wagon train, they face more loss, and more questions, but despite this all, many members of this group survive.

If you are ready for an adventure to the days of Wagon Trains and month longs journey west, Angel Train is highly recommended…

The Risen Savior

2010-04-04T00:41:00.001-07:00

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
(NIV)

Can you imagine how Mary Magdalene felt as she saw Jesus risen from the dead, what an honor it must have been for her, to be the first to see the risen Messiah.

I can't even begin to imagine the thoughts going through Mary Magdalene's mind, but I am sure she felt at that moment the good Lord found favor with her but more than that I am sure she was humbled. Who was she to have the Risen Christ revealed to her? What it must be to see the nail pierced hands of our Savior, and to know that he died for humanity, suffered a death unlike no other. Who else but Jesus would walk through hell for us who are but sinners?

Matthew 28:1-10

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

I can only imagine what those who saw Jesus risen that Sunday must have thought, the joy they must have felt, and the realization that they had truly been following the Lord. I know there were moments of doubt and betrayal amongst some, but Jesus used the imperfect then just as he does today.

Jesus suffered death, the cross, even Hell, and became the ultimate lamb sacrificed, the symbol of God's great love, no longer did perfect lambs have to be slaughtered, because the perfect lamb was sacrificed on that cross, and he rose on the third day: What an amazing gift, the Risen Savior…

Mark 16:1-8

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "

Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

The time to grieve is now over, let us rejoice, rejoice in a Saviors unconditional love…

Struggle Stages Guest Blogger Sarah L Tagert

2010-04-03T14:59:00.001-07:00

Many smart people have proposed their model of how we develop, how the struggle are laid out. Now I will present my own. I believe each stage of our lives have their own unique struggle. We begin and also end our lives with a struggle of limitations abilities. Young and middle adulthood are unique in having their own struggles, specific to the particular stage of life.

As children age, they develop strengths and weaknesses. Some children naturally become more adept at sports than others. Even with little or no formal training, some children will develop a natural talent in music. Even before they can walk, in rare cases, a child will shoot a basket ball . These children may not struggle with accepting their abilities at an early age, but often suffer later in life. Children who do not exhibit extraordinary abilities will struggle more. They must find the thing which makes them unique and accept what they cannot do. Failing to resolve this struggle sets the stage for later success. Parents are key in children becoming well adjusted and confident.

Adolescence brings a shift from the inward to a struggle to change and accept the outward appearance. Teenagers struggle with feeling adequate compared to their friends. An effort is made to change what can be of the physical appearance, often going as far as eating disorders and in extreme cases, self mutilation. It is common knowledge the teen years are a volatile time. Parent and child are often at odds. Loud, heated debates are frequent. Raging hormones are blamed, but the underlying psychological aspect is often overlooked. Teenagers today are under immense stress to conform to social norms while finding their own identity. Frustrations arise from the parents' apparent lack of understanding. Teenagers struggle to blend in with their peers, not wishing to stand out. The latest fashions and fads are sought. Standing out because of a disability or deformity can be difficult to accept. Peers play a more crucial role in resolving this struggling. Finding a reliable group of friends can be essential in this stage.

Early adulthood is marked by the struggle to make something of one's life. The young adult enters the world for the first time on their own. They alone determine if they make something of themselves or fail. The focus is no longer on their abilities or appearance. It's time for them to put all of the experience and knowledge to work. Childhood is completely in the past. For most, the first task is to find a job which allows them to live independent. Social obligations also make up part of the recipe for success. Being proficient in the dating world, not just having friends is a unspoken requirement of typical social interaction. Young adults are expected to date, meet someone and eventually settle down and start families of their own. Accomplishing these tasks reflects not only on the individual but on their family and support system as well. If one fails, they both fail.

Middle adulthood is shaped by how the individual maintains their functions and interactions. Continuing to work and care for family, both children and aging parents are central tasks. Middle adults are in many ways a sandwich generation. They often have teenage or young adult children, and aging parents. They are often torn between responsibly to both and struggle with finding balance and time for themselves. It is often during this time they also notices declines in their own health and abilities as well. Eye sight and hearing might start to decline, though not markedly. Women will enter menopause, and men often try to regain youth. Accepting the impact and effects of decline is key to resolution. Middle adults must accept they are entering a new chapter of their lives.

Late adulthood is marked by a sharp decline in ability and function. Elderly people often find they are less able to care for themselves and their needs than in previous years. Assistance is often required, even for the most basic and intimate tasks. The struggle is maintaining dignity while obtaining proper care. Family is important in this stage, as in early childhood. Seniors must recognize the abilities they still have and balance this with the loss of function. Family support can make the transition into late adult more seamless. Development of strategies to preserve dignity can bolster psychological health and make the situation easier on everyone involved. The senior years can be enjoyed fully, despite declining health and function.

Each stage of life is marked by it's own struggle. How we handle these struggle depends on many factors. The most important element is support of family and friends. Those without support have a more difficult struggle and often go through life without resolving key internal conflicts. Understanding the feelings of people in different walks of life can make understanding their struggles easier. I'm not an expert in psychology, these are simply my own observations.

Words Hurt, But We Hold The Ultimate Power When We Forgive

2010-03-26T21:27:00.000-07:00

There is a fine line between speaking your mind and being hurtful, we can say what we need to say or what comes to our mind without being mean and if it comes down to being mean we should really think twice before we say what may hurt others, intentionally, unintentionally or otherwise.

As a writer I know that words can hurt, and that they have the power, they can hurt more than a physical blow in some ways, they come at us harder and the effects are more lingering...No wonder that so many people have such low self esteem...

You're not pretty enough (Blow)

You're not good enough (Strike)

This person says this about you, and this person says that:

I know sometimes in the heat of the moment, in the heat of anger, or in just plain confusion we say things we should not say do things we should not do, and no matter what anyone says I would wager that everyone is guilty, because we are all human after all, but like Jesus forgave us. We need to forgive just as Christ forgave us, and I am not saying that the pain is going to be wiped away over night, I am not saying that suddenly everything is forgotten and perhaps in the process of forgiveness we will loose those we care about, but our focus does not need to be on that, it needs to be on forgiveness.

So for all of those who have hurt me, whoever you are, wherever you may be, whatever you are doing in life, I forgive you...

And that is where the power lies, the power of forgiveness....

Copyright Michelle R Kidwell

March.26.2010

Book Review, Never Say Never By Lisa Wingate

2010-03-25T20:46:00.000-07:00

Never Say Never

As an author I love to read as well and Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate, was not a dissapointment the story takes place during a hurciane and its aftermath. Kai Miller has not been one to settle down and stay in place for long instead she is more like a piece of driftwood drifting from one place to another, until a Hurricane lands her in Daily Texas, and she meets a hometown boy named Kemp Elderidge, whom she quickly falls for and can almost see herself settling down with this man, but the only problem is he may be promised to someone else.

This book is one I would definitely recomend...Happy Reading

What True Courage Is

2010-03-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

I have not given birth but I do cherish children and find myself often touched by their stories...Today when I logged on I read the story of a family that had to make a choice, watch their daughter slowly die from the seizures that were destroying her, or have the surgery to remove half of her brain, the surgery was dangerous but so were the seizures...

The young girls Mother admitted to Anne Curry that the decision was a scary one, but it was one that had to be made...

As a writer I find myself drawn to stories like this, and thankfully this story has a happy ending, the young girl was saved by having this surgery, she lost some perephial vision and wears a brace on her left leg, but she no longer has the seizures...

It is more than the fact that I am a writer that draws me to the story, it is the fact that this story touched the very heart and soul of what true courage is.

One Writer's Life...My Words His Gift...

2010-03-25T01:59:00.000-07:00

I sit here trying to think about what to write, how I should be better at updating this blog, this is the life of me, Michelle R Kidwell a five time published author, nothing glamourous but I get by, I cherish the ones I care about friends and family alike, but sometimes I care to much and get hurt in the process of caring, I am told I am overly sensitive or a dreamer, well in order to be a writer I would think I would have to be a dreamer so that one does not really bother me.

One author says even when I am not writing, I am writing and I find that true in my life as well, when I am walking, dreaming, sleeping even talking I am in an essence building seeds for writing, but the glory is not mine but the good Lord's.

I am sensitive and feel things deeply, easily hurt, and easily walked on unfortunately but am learning to develop a thicker skin. I do not think being sensitive is a bad thing in itself, but when it gets to the point that people even so called friends look at you and see a target on your head that says go ahead and hurt me.

Whether I am writing fiction or non fiction I pour myself into my writing, my emotions, my feelings, and my experiences are poured into what I do...

My writing to me has saved me in more ways than one but the Lord's blood was what truly saved me and I give him the glory for the gift of words, even if I have moments when I feel like hitting my head against the keyboard when the words won't come...

What About Me

2010-02-23T18:35:00.000-08:00

This has been a time of reflecting, reflecting on who my true friends are and what truly matters in my life.
I try to be a good friend, but lately certain friend(s) make me feel like I have the plague or something, someone to be avoided at all costs.
Don't get me wrong I have some great friends, and I am blessed, but lately I am being made to feel like I am the bad friend, the only one with issues and well frankly its getting old.
Like I said this does not refer to all my friends, because I have friends who have been there for me through the trials and the struggles, when I felt like my walls were crumbling around me they were there to cheer me up, but you know it does not take a much for a friend to crush your spirit, even if they are not meaning to.
I am not by nature a selfish person, but there are times that I need others, that I need friends to see that I am only human and yes that in fact my feelings do get hurt, like I said the majority of my friends would never intentionally hurt me, but I have seen how spiteful some people can be, and it really hurts.
Don't get me wrong I understand people get busy, bu that is not what I am talking about at all, I am talking about being ignored completely, treated as if I don't exist, or being belittled. Being made to feel as if somehow your not worthy. Not all friends, but some do this, and it does hurt.
I try to be a good friend, but truth be told certain friends seem to think that I am nothing but rude and well its getting old...And people wonder why I have been feeling down?
I've been spending alot of time keeping to myself thinking these things over, and am trying my best to give it to the Lord but the truth is I am tired of being hurt, by the very ones who are supposed to care.
Copyright Michelle R Kidwell
Feb.23.2010

edit

Life Has A Way

2009-12-02T22:16:00.000-08:00

I find myself sitting here taking the time to blog something i have not done in far to long. My life has seemed to went in a tail spin alot of good, some bad, but the Lord always has a way of working on us when we need to be working on and bringing the people into our lives that we need to have in our lives.

The last thing I posted on blogger was in April and since then alot has happened, I have a new book out, a good friend, a brother in the Lord passed away, and the Lord has sent me a new sister of my heart, and my friend Fran and I are once again close friends, like sisters, its important to keep friends like that, hard to believe we've been friends since she was four she is twenty nine now.

A few days ago I turned 32 and a couple of days after that my friend and I spent a few hours together which was nice, like I said the Lord has a way of brining the people into our lives that we need.

I am working on researching for a new publisher and am devouring Writers Market 2010.

In Christs Love
Michelle~

On the Verge of Legalism?

2009-04-11T23:23:00.000-07:00

CurrentlyCalled Out of Darkness: A Spiritual ConfessionBy Anne Ricesee related

I had a rather intesting response made to one of my articles, well maybe not so much intersting as thought provoking. The person reading my article said something that made me think of legalism coming in, I had said I am aware that Chocolate Bunnies and Easter eggs, are not what Easter is about, but I stated too that I felt nothing was wrong with either. I enjoy hiding Easter eggs for my niece and my neighbors kids, and I enjoy seeing the kids open Easter baskets on Easter Sunday, just because Easter Egss have pagan roots does not mean that we are going to be condemned because we dyed a few Easter Eggs, or created Easter baskets.
Today the kids at our church, and the Saturday Kids Klub program celebrated Easter, gifts were brought in, Eggs were boiled and Dyed, plastic egss filled with Candy were hidden does that mean that we are doing something wrong? I would only say yes, if the true reason For Easter was not being celebrated, if we were not telling them about the Cross.
Jesus and the Cross are of course the reasons we celebrate and the fact that he rose, was our greatest gift, I do not think a few hard boiled eggs, and Chocolate Bunnies lessen the value of this day, only if we allow them to lessen them.
If we start going around thinking everything is evil, everything is wrong, then we are going to find ourselves trapped into legalistic views.
God Bless
Michelle

Lyrics
Christ the Lord Is Risen Today
Christ, the Lord, is risen today, Alleluia!All creation joins to say, Alleluia!Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!Sing, O heavens, and earth, reply, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!Where, O death, is now your sting? Alleluia!Dying once, He all doth save, Alleluia!Where your victory, O grave? Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ hath led, Alleluia!Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Cruciftion Friday

2009-04-10T17:24:00.000-07:00

Friday, April 10, 2009

CurrentlyThe Joy of Believing Prayer: Deepen Your Friendship with GodBy Joyce Meyersee related
Crucifction Friday
Luke 23
The Crucifixion
26As they led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. 28Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. 29For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' 30Then " 'they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!" '[d] 31For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"
32Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."[e] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
35The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."
36The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself."
38There was a written notice above him, which read:sc THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."
42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[f]"
43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Jesus' Death
44It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.
47The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." 48When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
Jesus' Burial
50Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. 53Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
55The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
What a sacrifice Christ made for us. The pain the agony of Crucifiction is beyond words, I doubt most people could describe it today, and who would give up what Christ gave up, who would die in the shear agony of nails built by human hands, pierced to a tree, cut down and rebuilt in the shape of the Cross. It was once a sign of degregation, but when Jesus accepted to take the Sacrifice it became something more.
Jesus faced agony and horror, as he was crucified and then spent three days in Hell! Can you imagine the king of kings in the fiery pit, a perfect man, a perfect Christ, sacrificing three days of horror beyond words, so we may have a chance at forgiveness.
I think in this day and age we to often find ourselves wrapped in the Commericialism, Easter Eggs, Chocolate Bunnies, Dresses, now I do not think anything is wrong with giving those things, but when you give them I think you should also remember to tell them about what Easter is really about. Today was the day Christ was Crucified, but his Crucifction was not the end of the story, but only the begining.
Jesus rose again, as Mary Magdalene rolled the stone away from the tomb, she found the tomb empty, Christ had risen, and it was Mary who he revelaed himself too, our Savior risen!
Can you imagine what must have went through the minds of the disciples, not only that but to all who defied Jesus, what must have they felt?
I wonder how many fell to their knees in repentance?
We are free now because Christ died and rose again, all he asks is that we accept the gift of his blood!
Yet sometimes for some that seems to much to ask.
Hmm I wonder how they figure, I would not want to face the alternative!
Copyright Michelle R Kidwell
April.10.09

A Life Unveilled

2009-04-10T17:23:00.000-07:00

Friday, April 10, 2009 Currently Relentless By Natalie Grant see related A Life Unveilled I believe in being upfront, so here it goes. I am a thirty one year old Christian, who is proudly a Conservative, I do not believe in Abortion, but before you get me wrong, I also do not believe it is my place to judge. We all have our own issues to deal with, so if someone has had an abortion I am not here to condemn them. Jesus said "He Without Sin Cast the First Stone." I would be unable to cast that stone, I am sorry to say. I work with the Children at my Church part time, and I am a full time Author, my fourth book A Sister's Justice released this year, by the Grace of God, a five year project paid off, praise the Lord. I also happen to have Muscular Dystrophy, but please don't think I want you to know this because I seek pity, because what good does Pity do? We all have our own crosses to bare right? I have a twelve year old niece who I pray will grow up with a faith in the Lord. I am so blessed to be part of her life. The fact that I am here is a miracle, I have had so many near misses, but the Lord has always pulled me out of that danger. I was blessed to meet Amy Grant and Vince Gill once, and at that time all worries about my health vanished, I was living a dream come true. They are both very nice and down to earth. I use my words to serve the Lord, to share my views. Another thing I must tell you is by no means do I seek to be politically correct, that is just not me, I am going to say what needs to be said, and say it plain and career. Well I guess that's a start, thank you for stopping by. In Christs Love Michelle

What Is Sin to One

2009-04-07T00:29:00.000-07:00

We all have our own issues, our own crosses to bare, and a dear Sister in the Lord, a sweet elederly woman, once said something that got me to thinking.What is sin to one may not be to another. One's weakness does not mean it is anothers.I have heard the argument sin is sin, and that is true to a point, but if we are using somnething that may not be sinful as a weakness, as an obstacle in our own life, we may lean on something as a crutch instead of leaning on the Lord.I like what Hebrews 12 says about Sin:Hebrews 12God Disciplines His Sons 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."[a] 7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13"Make level paths for your feet,"[b] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.Warning Against Refusing God 14Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears. 18You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20because they could not bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned."[c] 21The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am trembling with fear."[d] 22But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. 25See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens."[e] 27The words "once more" indicate the removing of what can be shaken?that is, created things?so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29for our "God is a consuming fire."[f]In this day and age it seems that even talking about sin, even mentioning someone may be wrong has become a taboo concept. In this day and age pushing ourselves to new limits, with so much staring at us, asking us to step into the world, even some of the greatest Christians fall.Several years ago I heard about an evangelist I once respected taking money from his "Charities" and pouring it into his pockets. I don't know what drove him to do this, well I do actually, it is one word greed. He had taken something good, a well known television show, that preached Christianity, and sullied it. I still watch some televangelists, but I can not watch this man. I do not know whether or not he repented, but I believed the allegations, and I believed he was guilty and in being guilty, I believe he added questions to both believers and non believers.Now by no means am I saying I don't sin, I have my own crutches, my own insecurities and weaknesses, but in the thirteen years of walking with the Lord, I have learned to move past them.God BlessMichelle~

Healed? Made Whole? Called Home?

2009-04-07T00:26:00.000-07:00

Healed? Made whole? When that doesn't happen sometimes we grow frustrated, or are made to feel guilty because we aren't healed. Maybe a well meaning friend, or even head of church, tells us some sin is blocking us, that the Lord isn't healing us because of that.I don't believe that is always the case though, sometimes the Lord uses us even in our weakness, sometimes that weakness is what draws us closer to Him.I tend to take offense, (Maybe I shouldn't) when someone tells me that sin was blocking healing, because then I get to thinking about my dear friend who died, who suffered so much in her life, and I know that what she went through was not some kind of punishiment, instead what she went through made her stronger spirtually, it made her lean on Him more.The way my own condition makes me lean on Jesus more than before. In my sickness I found strength, and I find it everyday.There are moments when I questioned whether some sin, something in my life was blocking my own healing, and then I read so many stories of so many other Christians who had suffered far worse than I, and yet they remained, strong, steadfast in faith, and I find that sometimes it is in my own weakness that I am strongest.I know too that one day, I will receive that ultimate healing, that I will be Called Home to glory, a body made whole, my Spirit carried to the Lord!

At Jesus's Feet

2009-04-07T00:23:00.000-07:00

The past several days I have been battling a cold bug, so I spent alot of time resting, but the one thing I continued to do was read, and right now it is Sheila Walsh's book Get Off Your Knees and Pray, that sits on my bedside with my Bible, I know that when you are sick it is as important to get your Spirtual nourishment.I find it a bit strange that during times of trouble some run away from God, instead of turning to Him. They want to turn to God only in good times, but when things get rough, suddenly we serve an uncaring God, but that is not how it works.They find it hard to believe that a loving God, could have our best interst in heart, when bad things happen. When the economy tanks, when we face loss, of home, of a loved one, whatever the case maybe. Matthew 21:22 (New International Version)22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."People tend to assume that this means God is going to answer all our prayers, and he does, but he is not always going to give us what we want, especially if what we want may harm ourselves or somebody else. The Lord really does have our best interst at heart, but sometimes we fall away from the Lord, but that is us falling not the other way around.Prayer is not always something we feel we want to do, the flesh gets in the way, and suddenly we feel ourselves drifting apart, We may have gone through a life changing event or maybe we have just hit a valley."Prayer is not always easy, nor is it always joyful." (Walsh 13)Sometimes we tend to think that prayer has to be a formal prayer, but often I find that when I go for a walk, I spend alot of time talking to the Lord, praying, and I often found that was the most joyful times of my day, but I have also prayed, when my heart was wrenching and my flesh was fighting every minute of it."it's not about how well we pray, but about who is listening to our prayers." (Walsh 33)I am reminded often of the importance of prayer, and not only as an everyday thing that we just do, but prayer, is our way of communicating With God, but it is not a one way communication, he speaks to us as well, but sometimes we get so wrapped up in life we forget to listen...."Prayer isn't supposed to offer a simple solution. It's meant to be a place to take our concerns and lay them at Jesus'es feet." (Walsh 40)1 John 1:8-9 (New International Version)8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.To Be Continued...---

One Nation Under?

2009-04-06T23:54:00.000-07:00

President Obama saying that we are not a Christian nation got under my skin. Why are we forgetting the very foundation of our country? We were founded as a nation of people fleeting religious persecution. The earliest settlers among us were Christians.If we are no longer a Christian nation, I would like President Obama to say what he feels we are. I am a born again Christian, as are hundreds of thousands of others in this great nation, so I am sure I am not the only one who took offense in his comments.Our nation has changed in the years since our foundation, since the first people landed in Roanokke and a hundred or so years later on Plymouth Rock.When Obama speaks of the Bible he does not give us full facts. I think he needs to take a look at the foundation of this nation, at our forefathers. So often we hear that the Early Americans were not Christians, but that is far from the truth, before they signed the declaration of Independence, the signers of the constitution met daily for prayer. Yet that little fact is so often forgotten.God BlessMichelle R KidwellObama: America No Longer a Christian NationJune 23, 2008 by Jeff White Now that Barack Obama is the official Democrat nominee his past words are coming under more scrutiny. In a June 2007 speech Obama said "Whatever we once were, we're no longer a Christian nation. At least not just. We are also a Jewish nation, a Muslim nation, and a Buddhist nation, a Hindu nation and a nation of nonbelievers"How much longer will God protect and bless this nation if we not only don't act like a Christian nation, but also openly proclaim we are not a Christian nation? Could this be why America is not mentioned in prophecy as a factor in world events during the end times?Not a Christian nation? Here's a sampling of quotes from just a few of the nation's early leaders:First Supreme Court Justice John Jay (served from 1789 to 1795)"Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the priveledge and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story (served from 1812 to 1845)"I verily believe Christianity necessary to the support of civil society. One of the beautiful boasts of our municipal jurisprudence is that Christianity is a part of the Common Law. There never has been a period in which the Common Law did not recognize Christianity as lying its foundations."

Anauthorslife

2009-03-25T19:19:00.001-07:00

Two Words But It Said So Much More

2009-03-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

I was reading in John 11 last night, when Jesus went to go raise Lazarus from the dead, and I found that perhaps the strongest statement in the new testament.Jesus Wept! A short statment but one that shows that Jesus cared for his friend.
John 11The Death of Lazarus 1Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. 3So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." 4When he heard this, Jesus said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it." 5Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6Yet when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days.
7Then he said to his disciples, "Let us go back to Judea."
8"But Rabbi," they said, "a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet you are going back there?"
9Jesus answered, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world's light. 10It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light."
11After he had said this, he went on to tell them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up."
12His disciples replied, "Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better." 13Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.
14So then he told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead, 15and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him."
16Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with him."
Jesus Comforts the Sisters 17On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. 18Bethany was less than two miles[a] from Jerusalem, 19and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. 20When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. 21"Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."
23Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24Martha answered, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
27"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ,[b] the Son of God, who was to come into the world."
28And after she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. "The Teacher is here," she said, "and is asking for you." 29When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.
32When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34"Where have you laid him?" he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied.
35Jesus wept.
36Then the Jews said, "See how he loved him!"
37But some of them said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?"
Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead 38Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39"Take away the stone," he said. "But, Lord," said Martha, the sister of the dead man, "by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days." 40Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."
The Plot to Kill Jesus 45Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in him. 46But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. 48If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place[c] and our nation."
49Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! 50You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish."
51He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. 53So from that day on they plotted to take his life.
54Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the Jews. Instead he withdrew to a region near the desert, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.
55When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple area they asked one another, "What do you think? Isn't he coming to the Feast at all?" 57But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, he should report it so that they might arrest him.
Wow Jesus wept, showing the human emotions, and yet some think Christians need to be these straight laced individuals, who do not show emotions, but Jesus himself wept. The shortest verse in the Bible, continues to make me think.
God BlessMichelle~

A Sister's Justice: Now Availalble

2009-03-17T00:18:00.000-07:00

My fourth book, first novel from PA is now available from Amazon.com the cost is 24.95 for those who are interested. Thank you everyone who have supported me in the long process of getting this novel published. God Bless Michelle~ http://www.amazon.com/Sisters-Justice-Marishka-Alexei-Mystery/dp/1608137600/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236060612&sr=8-2

What You Don't See

2008-09-01T23:52:00.001-07:00

I am disabled and though some of the disability is visible, a good part of it you can not see, and I have had people look at me as if I were "faking it" or making to much out of it, when the truth of the matter is I am disabled, I have something wrong with me, but who doesn't. I find strength in my faith though, for years I went from doctor to doctor, seeking answers, even had one tell me "It's all in your head", but when I finally found a decent doctor after tests, they saw that I was not lying or pretending, that in deed I have something wrong with me in the physical sense and when I finally found a doctor who listened, who ran the necessary tests, and had a preliminary answer a NMD, (Neuromusuclar disorder)and steps were taken to make sure I had what I needed, AFO's (Braces that Support Weak ankles) prescriptions for pain, and spasms, as well as other things, and yet through it all I have been told I am strong, and I continue to be active, because though my muscles may be betraying me, my mind is still active, and i am blessed to still have the ability to walk, which is no small thing with a NMD, I have learned that no matter what others say when my body tells me its time to rest, I better take heed and listen though, so I have learned that if I want to lead an active life, if I want to continue to work with the kids at the church, if I want to continue to spend time on my next book, and working for my dear friend, and have my weekly Bible Study with my friend Lisa, I better listen to what my body is telling me, and not pay attention to those who look at me as if somehow I am faking all this.In Christs LoveMichelle~

Let Go, Let God ( Strength Found In Him)

2008-09-01T23:48:00.000-07:00

As I had time of personal devotion and prayer last night, I thought I would once again write about a subject that we as Christians all need to work towards and that is forgiveness. In my early walk with Christ I learned the importance of forgiveness when the Lord spoke to my heart for me to forgive my Father for the innapropriate ways he had touched me as a child, so I forgave Him, it's not always easy, because something like that lingers with you for life, but you can't dwell on it. A few years ago I sent my Dad an email letting go of the past and starting a new relationship with my Father, it is not conventional in any sense of the word, but I call him and he calls me from time to time, visits are rare because he lives over three hundred miles away, and he is remarried, but I actually like my step family, my step sister Dannielle spent some time with us a few years ago, wanting to get away, she was and I am sure still is a sweet young woman, but she had been so indoctrinated by the Mormon church that was a subject we avoided, though I spent alot of time praying for her, I had been a Mormom myself as a child, but from the time I was little something just didnt ring true about the truth, I attended the Catholic Church with my Grandmother as well, which I liked alot better, because of Father Kelley, a red haried priest who was by no means a conventional priest, in fact he would blow some of the theories of the catholic church out of the water. In my final year of highschool my life did a oeneighty, and I once again found myself in the town I had spent half my life in, graduating from the same high school my Mom and Dad did, and meeting a wonderful group of Bible believing friends who pointed me to the true light found in Christ, when I told my Mom I was leaving the Mormon church she told me that was my decision and she was not going to stand in my way, I was so thankful she had not, because in April of 1996 I gave my heart to Jesus, and that July I was baptized in the Waters of Pine Crest lake, my friends had spent alot of time praying for me, believing for me.Sadly some of those same friends have fallen from the Lord, but Amy is still Amy, the sweet friend that first pulled me aside and told me Jesus loves me, the first that told me that I was part of ehr circle of friends, and that made Senior Year my Best Year, because I had the Lord in my heart, and friends who loved me for whio I was, I see Amy and Alissa from time to time, they both have children now, Amy's oldest nearly as old as my niece already, and her youngest nearly four, she has a little girl in the middle who is about eight or nine, they named her Tommie after Amy's Father, who was incidently one of the first men I truly felt comfortable around, he was and is such a kind and gentle soul.It was around the time I was saved, perhaps a year or two before, that my body began betraying me, bladder weakness, a nasty spill that left me with a cracked lip, six months later at Graduation that lip was still split and fat, and from this day I find that my lips chap easily and I get sore, fatigue that was not normal for someone so young, and for nearly ten years doctors gave me different answers, people told me different things, and some well meaning believers told me I must be doing something wrong, because I was not healed, but that never rang true with me, because though we all will receive the ultimate healing in Heaven, sometimes the Lord can use our infirmities in some deeper way. Like giving you grace in a fall, today I found myself meeting intimately with the payment, my muscles just gave out, my legs became like rubber and suddenly I was on the ground, a few seconds later after getting my barings I managed to pull myself up and go home to clean the scraped knees and hands, I am a little sore, but this is nothing I can't handle. I am sure there are moments when I shake my fists in the air and ask God why, but today wasnt one of those moments, I just came home laid down for a bit until my cousin Frankie came over, and suddenly my concern turned to Him, he looked so lost, so depressed, trying to drown his sorrow in a forty ounce bottle of Coors, he rarely drank before, but things have changed since Nonna passed away nearly five years ago, and all the years of having parents that kind of push him to the side has weighed on his very spirit, I found myself praying for him, telling him I loved him we have always been close, as children we were always giving my Mom a reason to gasp and say "Those two are going to kill themselves." Like the time we went skateboarding straight down the mountain, or the time we were at Nonnas and hid in the neighbors house, nobody lived there yet, and to us that was our personal play house.Its no wonder he comes to us when he has trouble, reaching out to someone, someone who is not going to judge him unfairly, someone who is going to truly pray for Him, I find myself praying that he learns to let go and let God, just as I have learned to do, he and I are still close, in some ways more like brother and sister than cousins, we were the ones who used to wait for Santa to come, thinking that sitting on the porch swing, sipping on Lemonade when we were younger was going to make July magically turn into December. In many ways my family and he are closer than he is to his parents, he calls his Mom and Dad by their first name, and my Mom Auntie, and of course Sean and I are Cuz, but right now it is only a shell of Frankie I see, and my heart breaks for him.Lord reveal Frankie to you, I pray, and give him what you have given me, the ability to let go of past hurts and pains and to give them to God..
.In Christs Love Michelle~

Even In This, Especially In This He Teaches Me

2008-09-01T23:46:00.000-07:00

How many times have I had judgement passed on me by both the disabeld community and the non disabled community because of the way I look or act, I want others to look beyond the AFO's ( the braces I use to support my weak ankles, and the meds that keep my body functioning the way it should be, I have been judged by believers and non believers alike, maybe you're to weak, maybe your doing something wrong, but I do not see it like that, I see that even in this the Lord can teac me, especially in this he can teach me, patience, understanding, and he can give me the ability to reach out to others in understanding...

Daughters: Let A Zeal for the Lord Awaken In Us

2008-07-24T00:06:00.000-07:00

Prayerfully I find myself preparing for Bible Study, and once again find myself turning to Joyce Meyers as well as a few other Christian Authors to prepare this devotion for the Bible Study. Isaiah 54:13 reminds us that:13 All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace.I believe this is saying that if we raise our children up in the fear of the Lord, their lives will be different than if we did not teach them to fear the Lord at a young age, they will have a better sense of right and wrong if they are raised up as believers, not just raised up in the church, because as Joyce Meyers points out, I can stand in a Garage, that doesn't make me a car, anymore than going to Church makes me a Christian, but I am talking about raising children up in the genuine fear of the Lord.Joyce Meyers points this out:"Every time you make a right choice it affects a lot of people, and every time you make a wrong choice it affects a lot of people." Joyce MeyersAnother words our choices have affects on those around us.Joyce Meyers also points this fact out, the statement is true in every sense of the word."Alot of people have a relationship with the Church, not with Jesus." Joyce MeyersToday it seems alot of people are spending alot of time in the church without really being filled with the Saving Grace of Christ, they have not opened their hearts up and let him be their personal Savior, and sadly more churches in order to be "politically correct" are not preaching Pentecost.Isaiah 59:21 (New International Version)"As for me, this is my covenant with them," says the LORD. "My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever," says the LORD.As Woman of God, as Daughters of Christ, we have our place in the body, and we need to lead the future generations to Christ by the examples we lead.We need to remind our children, that Jesus would have died for you alone, because the Lord does not delight in seeing his children suffering, Jesus came to save the souls of sinners, every sinner, but we are given the choice, we are born with free will, so we can choose to deny Christ. We want to show others the importance of giving their hearts to Jesus, yielding to Him."God awakensan inquisitve questioning in us when he wants us to Go Searching for Answers (Bevere 5, The True Measure of A Woman)Psalm 139:14I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.As Daughters of God, The Lord is calling us to step out in Faith, and to set examples for the generations younger than we are."God is calling us to be more than we have ever been-more than we have ever envisoined that we would become." (Bevere 8)John 13:34-3534"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."Let's stand up as Daughters of God, and let that fire for the Lord awaken in us.

Marked for Life

2008-07-22T22:38:00.000-07:00

As they lay bullets flying around them under the table of the library of Columbine Highschool on April.20.1999, Crystal realized that she needed to get right with God, because she could very well be facing her own death. She came to realize the importance of getting right with God and therefore gave her heart to Christ.Crystal turned that tragedy into something greater, now she finds herself serving others, sharing her testimony around the world.As I read this book I find myself wondering what kind of difference I am making, what kind of mark I am making for the body of Christ.Joyce Meyers said something powerful that I have taken to heart..."If you lead one person to Christ, in all probablility you will lead a thousand people to Christ."Isaiah 59:21:21As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.I am blessed to not have had to go through anything like Crystal, but the Lord has taught me important lessons as well, lessons that have left me Marked for Life...

We Dont Know What Tomorrow May Bring

2008-07-22T22:37:00.000-07:00

We don't know what tomorrow may bring, so I try to cherish each day, I try to live life, like it could be my last day and it really could be, but I also look for the promises of tomorrow, I wonder what God has in store for my life, I find myself praying, my physical weakness, does not affect my spirtual strength, unless I let it, and sometimes being weak in the body can make you strong in the Spirit, having a condition that leaves you weak in the body, makes you grow closer to the Lord, makes you appreciate life more, cherish your loved ones, praise God for the blessings in your life, if you let it, and I choose not to dwell on the "I can't ir what if's" Instead I am going to focus on what I have...

Where Does Self Pity Get You

2008-07-22T22:36:00.000-07:00

I've discovered in life, that spending to much time in self pity is just a waste of energy that can be used elsewhere, I was born with hip displacia, Jaundice, and a slight curvature of the spine, later on I would be diagnosed with Dyslexia, and more recently the doctors gave me a life changing possiblity, I likely have a Neuromuscular disorder, two of my cousins are in a wheelchair from a neuromuscular dystrophy, but by the Grace of God, I am able to walk, sometimes with the aid of AFO's, instead of focusing on the things in my life that are hard though, I have learned to look at the immense blessings, that are in my life, and it is through the grace of God, I am able to do that...

On Pause or On Fire

2008-07-22T22:34:00.000-07:00

As I reflect on todays Bible Study, (we had to postpone a couple of days because Lisa could not come Thursday) I find myself thinking on how some believers feel they can put their faith on Pause, which is stepping into dangerous territory, it can lead to spirtual blindness and following the ways of the world, some of us tend to think we can have one foot in the world, and one foot in the life of faith, and if we continue to live like that we are truly going to fall.Spirtual blindness is a dangerous territory to step into, and as I read from one of Janet Perez Eckles blogs I realized that physical blindness can be overcome, but if we continue to live in Spirtual blindness we are doomed, we need to live our life, our faith, on fire, instead of living it on pause...Maybe the fact that we live in a society that puts the dollar in greater reverence, than the creator, has something to do with so many of us walking with those spirtual blind folds on. I'd rather live my faith on fire, than on pause...

Let's Not Tip Toe Around the Truth

2008-07-22T22:31:00.000-07:00

What are we going to have to account for, what sins do we think we can hide?As I find myself getting ready for Bible Study, I once again catch myself reading one of my favorite Christian Authors Joyce Meyers, her book the Secrets to True Happiness is rich in the things of the Lord, and the importance of finding hapiness in him.As I was reading a quote caught my attention, and perhaps becomes the focus of this weeks bible study:"I have to stand before God and give an account of my life, and the gift God has put in me and so do you. God is not going to want to hear we disobeyed him because we did not want to make anyone angry." (Meyers, 200)Another words lets not tip toe around the truth because we think we are sparing someone's feelings, because feelings are fickle, and they are not as important as sharing the truth with others, sharing what we know the good Lord wants us to share.We are called to witness to those with a doubtful heart, and not to tip toe around the issue.Romans 14:23 says:23But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.As believers we are called to walk in faith, and in so doing we may find oruself in a situation that may not feel comfortable in the flesh, but is completely natural if we are walking in the Spirit.We are also called as Christians to wait on the Lord, the Lord has perfect timing, but sometimes we feel the need to rush things, when in reality everything comes about in God's perfect timing.Psalms 27:13-1413 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."Faith is the postive view of God, and the ability to and willingness to help us, and faith always expects something good to happen."(210)Faith is not in any way shape or form waiting for the shoe to drop to borrow a cliche, it is not looking for the dark cloud in a clear sky, but it is the believe that things will get better, that the bad times are not permanent, it is not being pessimistic, but having an optimistic view of life.When we have faith we realize that God is in control of all the moments of our lives:"God does not only speak to us in the urgent or important matters in life. He also guides us in the most seemingly insignificant situations." (Meyers 220)Sometimes the Lord can use the smallest most insignifacnt gestures, to ignite a soul for Christ.It was the spark of a friendship with my friend Amy that led me to the Lord, that led me away from a path that would have no doubt led to destruction.Martin Luter King Junior summed up the path of faith well in a few words:"You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."Powerful truth right?Many have taken that first step, but how many have started on the journey and froze in the same place?Remember Christ will spit us out if we are lukewarm!Copyright Michelle R KidwellJuly.15.08

Get Over or Go Under

2008-07-22T22:30:00.000-07:00

After church today I found myself flipping on TBN tuning into one of my favorite shows which is Everyday Life with Joyce Meyers, I love her no nonsense apporoach to subjects, the fact that she pulls to punches, she said a couple of things that got me to thinking, and I found myself feeling once again as if she had hit the nail on the head, to borrow a cliche:You need to get over it, or go under it.Sometimes we have the tendency to prolong the pain, to make something last longer than it nneds to last.Another quote from Joyce Meyers once again proved to be ture."You need to get better or get bitter."Then she read from the Deuteronomy 8Do Not Forget the LORD 1 Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers. 2 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. 4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. 5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you. 6 Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and revering him. 7 For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land?a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; 8 a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; 9 a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. 10 When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. 11 Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. 12 Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, 13 and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, 14 then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 15 He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. 16 He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. 17 You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." 18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. 19 If you ever forget the LORD your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. 20 Like the nations the LORD destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the LORD your God.

The Courage of Esther

2008-07-22T22:26:00.000-07:00

If our people were in danger would we have the courage of Esther? I read the Story to my niece today at Church, and was reminded once again of just how courageous this woman was, and just what was up at stake when she made the decision to help her people, King Xeres had no idea she was a Jew, and she knew that if he found out it would mean certain death for her, but yet she was brave enough to listen to Mordecai and in so doing save her people...Esther 4Mordecai Persuades Esther to Help 1 When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. 2 But he went only as far as the king's gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. 3 In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes. 4 When Esther's maids and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. 5 Then Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why. 6 So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king's gate. 7 Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. 8 He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to urge her to go into the king's presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. 9 Hathach went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. 10 Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, 11 "All the king's officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king." 12 When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." 17 So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther's instructions.

Gasping With Grace

2008-07-22T22:25:00.000-07:00

Gasping with Grace (Part One)
Wednesday, July 9, 2008 - 2:24 AM
As I prepare for Thursday Mornings Bible Study, I find myself reading Jill Briscoe's Little Book The New Normal, and finding out just how prevalent it is, this book was written in 2005, four years after 9'11 the day that will mark my generation in perhaps a deeper way than any generation before, but I digress, the book talks about the different 911's you might face, whether it be the death of a loved one, a brioken relationship or any number of things, but whether we believe it or not, the fact of the matterIn Herbrews 11:6 it says6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. There is something in page ten of Jill Briscoes book I want to quote, because it so abtly states what I have experienced in my life:"I was to dicover the peace that wouldn't quit and thay flooded my heart and soul and left me gasping with grace."Gasping with Grace, I love that phrase, Grace is that most amazing ahh feeling when we realize that we have the living God directing our lives.I know those who have gotten so angry with God, that they claim they can no longer believe in him.I am left opened mouth wondering, how you can not believe in something, and yet be angry with someone, and I am wondering what can make someone who was once so strong in faith fall away, I have seen it time and time again and truthfully it is hard to watch, they are left searching, searching for something, that amazing Savior that had once been such a part of their lives.Another 9'll, having someone you love fall away from the faith that you once thought they were so firmly rooted in.Being angry with God or claiming not to believe in Him is not going to change who he is, another quote I found in Briscoes book again sums what is important up well:"It isn't in who is in any Great White House that matters in the end, it is who is on the Great White Throne." BriscoeWe have a tendency to get angry for God, when the reaction is a result of one of our actions, like a child putting a hand on a hot stove, we have a tendency to put our hands, in hot water, but as we grow in faith, we learn not to do that as much, just as a child learns not to touch what is hot.To Be Continued

Author Blog Tour: Mike Delosso

2008-05-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

1:) When did you first start writing?I started writing September of 1998. I remember like it was yesterday, where I was, what I wrote, and the emotions surrounding it. Those "early days" of writing are some of my fondest because I was truly writing just for the love and freedom and expression of putting words on paper unhindered. I was exploring my new freedom and was totally uninhibited.
2:) What prompted you to put words to paper?It's a unique story, actually. I never really liked writing. It was not something I enjoyed and "always wanted to do." In September of 1998 my brother-in-law was in a very serious motorcycle accident, wound up in a deep coma, and was not given a promising prognosis at all (death or persistent vegetative state). My wife and I (living in PA) travelled to Albany, NY to visit my sister and Darrell in the hospital and when we got home I was so full of a hodge-podge of emotions I thought I'd burst or do something very extreme. So I did the only thing I could think to do--grab a pen and pad of paper and start writing. And you know what? I haven't stopped since. I've always struggled with stuttering and when I put that pen to paper and started pouring out my heart I found a voice, a fluent voice, I never had before. It was all very liberating. It was freedom. I know it sounds a bit melodramatic but that's because it was and why I remember the day like it was yesterday. Oh, and by the way, Darrell pulled through and is just fine now. Praise the Lord.

Thistles, Rocks and Sin

2008-04-11T17:23:00.000-07:00

When I was younger my Dad used to take me rock climbing, (before our relationship became strained) and I felt safe on those rocks that rose hundreds of feet from the earth, because I could feel my Dad's strong arm gripping my hand. I never once fell, he always kept me safe, while my Mom sat back teeth gritting.Sometimes I feel like I am on those rocks again, but these rocks are built with sin, and I need to reach out for my Abba Fathers hands. He reaches out for me when I fall just like my Dad did when I was a little girl on those larger than life rocks.As I was reading Amy Grant's Memoir entiled Mosaic, I came across a quote that I found would fit my thoughts for today. "Sin is alot like a thistle, it can look beautiful to the eye, and be pleasing to the sentence, that you hardly notice the seeds spreading until whole fields are taken over by them." Paraphrase mine.That's alot like the sins in our life one sin will often lead to another until our life is immersed in sin, I am not saying as Christians we will never sin, but as Christians we should be quick to repent. We should not let the sins choke the life out of us, the way the thistles choke the life out of the plants.

A Diviniely Inspired Gift

2008-04-10T19:01:00.000-07:00

Well maybe I am a little prejudice, but I am impressed with this young girls talent, I used to teach her in Childrens church, and now our church has closed, and this little girl is now a teen, fourteen, but her voice is impressive to say the least.I am praying that Kennedy continues uses this gift, to sing her praises to the Lord, in this day and age, it is refreshing to see our next generation singing for the Lord.

Valleys Low, Mountains High

2008-02-06T00:43:00.000-08:00

We all go through Valleys those places when we feel that our Spirit is dry and it needs a refreshing of the Spirit, I felt that way at the end of my time at my previous church not because of anything the Pastors did, in my opinion they should not have been called out the way they were, fellow members of the church people who called themselves Christian acted in a very unchrist like way, making accusations without the facts to back them up and hurting two of the sweetest people I ever knew, they were both kind and generous, and were called out of the church in a very negative way, but something postive did come out of all of this, after that we decided to move closer to my niece and nephew, which has been a blessing and a trial, getting an eleven year old to do homework is always fun, but I digress, the good thing is I went back to a church I had attended long ago when my niece was little, and I am once again getting that spiritual bread I needed, and my Spirit no longer feels as if it needs a major watering, which in itself is a blesisng.

Encouraged to Be An Encourager

2008-01-10T20:55:00.000-08:00

In Jill Briscoes book Spirtual Arts: Mastering the Disciplines for a Rich Spirtual Life Briscoe talks about how we need to be encouraged to be an encourager and I believe that is a large part of the reason I write what I do, whether it is fiction or non fiction, because I want to encourage others, I believe that is a large part of my calling as a Christian. I want to offer hope in situations that may seem impossible to get through with some but the fact of the matter is that what is impossible for man, is possible with God.I pray that I have offered at least a measure of encouragement to the people in my life, though I know there have been times when I have fallen short, times when I have failed, when I have let my flesh get into the way of the working of my Spirit.I know what it is to be encouraged as well, before I went through the death of my best friend, I did not think I could ever get through something like that, but with the comfort of family and friends, and especially with the comfort of the Lord I got through it, and as I write about it I am not only able to help myself heal, but maybe help someone who is going through something similar.

I Believe She Has a Place With Jesus

2008-01-03T17:28:00.000-08:00

I Believe She Has A Place with Jesus
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Bhutto, a prominent opposition leader, was assassinated Thursday as she was leaving a political rally, part of her campaign for parliamentary elections scheduled for January 8.Police say a suicide bomber fired shots at Ms. Bhutto, then blew himself up seconds later, killing at least 20 other people. Ms. Bhutto was in an armored car at the moment of the attack, but was exposed, standing up in the sunroof and waving to her supporters. She was rushed to a hospital, but doctors could not revive her. She was 54 years old. http://voanews.com/english/2007-12-28-voa4.cfmSince hearing this news I have been reflecting and praying for this women who I have been following on and off for a few months now. I want to believe that heavens gates opened up to her because in the last monements of her life as she faced death she gave her heart to Jesus, but who am I to say one way or another, what I am going to say is I believe she was doing something good working to change the Pakinstani ways, and I believe in my heart that she does have a place with Jesus, just as Mary Magadelene did, and so many men and women who were not deserving, I believe Jesus was working in her heart from the very start.

Rhyme Or Reason (A Political Blog of Sorts

2007-11-28T01:37:00.000-08:00

I am currently in the middle of reading Ann Coulters book If Democats had Any Brains They'd Be Republicans, she once again brings some valid points, but the way she brings them about can be maddening at times. I have for awhile now admired Anne Coulters guts, in the ways she speaks about things, but when she calls Katie Couric the equivallent tot Hitlers Wife, I grow upset. I do not believe as Christians we should stoop that low.One area I do agree with her is in the are a of abortion, we really can not sugar coat the fact that a baby is being murdered. I have reasearched what happens in abortions because I often write about what the baby and what the Mother go through and when a baby is being aborted, the chances are they are going to feel pain, because the pain receptors that come along as the pregnancy progresses are not there yet, so we can imagine how it would feel to us, and intensify that by about a hundered.In the book I also found a quote she used that I liked about President Bush, like her I am Conversavtive and a Christian and I support Preseident Bush, although I do not think I could ever say some of the things she says, at least I hope I never get to the area where I do, that's not what Christ asks of us, but I digress, this qhote however hits the nail head on."President George W Bush is evidently the first mentally retarded person to get a Harvard M>B>A graduate from the U.S Air Force Flight School, be elected governor of Texas and be elected president of the United States Twice."The truth is far to often President Bush is judged as something he is not for the mistakes he has made, instead of being looked at for the things he has achieved.Copyright Michelle R KidwellNov.27.07

Don't Let the Sunset (Fiction)

2007-10-22T20:19:00.000-07:00

We fought that morning, over something pety, I don't even rember what, but we fought. " God why did it have to be like that? " I remember him storming out of the house, something about being late for a buissness meeting, kissing the kids, who were both laying on the floor watching Seaseme street, telling them you loved them, promising them you'd read to them that night. We didn't even kiss each other that morning, didn't even say goodbye. We never got so mad we didn't say goodbye. We always made up, why not that day? I dropped the twins off at their Granny's and went to the library. I needed time to myself, time to think, time to write, time to read. Oprah's book club had a good selection that summer, and I hadn't read it, maybe I would see if they had it in. First I'd sit down at one of the round medal legged tables and write. I'd write Gary, and tell him I was sorry we got in argument, later when I got home I'd copy it on to lavender scented stationary and place it on his pillow, he'd read it while we were laying there. Jessica and Jimmie would probably come and crawl in between us, claiming there were monsters in their closet. Gary would fly them into there room, one at a time. lifting the child over his head, telling them to lay their arms and legs out straight. I'd smile as they gigled all the way into their room. " Daddy could you check the closet for monsters?" Jimmie would ask in that sweet way of hers. Gary would go through the closet until the girls were satsified there were no monsters in there, then they would smile that of their's that could melt the hardest of hearts and say: " Daddy we love you, you're the bestest Daddy in the whole wide world. " " And Mommy's the Bestest Mommy." One of the girls would add. Gary that night wasn't like that though. It was the nightmare that never ended. " The Towers have been hit, two planes have flied in to them. " Someone cried. Men, Children, Women, women carrying little children, running for there lifes. " Oh God where's Gary? " I held on to hope until the Sun began to set that night. I remembered we had once vowed never to let the sun set on our anger. It was a promise we had kept until that day. " Oh God I hope he knew I loved him, loved him from the very depth of my soul. " I didn't go back to that house until late that night, knowing that when I did I would feel, hear, and smell Gary everywhere in the house, but I had to go back, something told me I had too. When I saw the flickering red light on the answering machine, I knew who it was , before I even played the tape. " I love you vicki, I love you more than you know, if I don't get out of here I want you to know I died thanking God for you. " Oh Lord how am I going to explain to the girl's their only four? How do I tell them there Daddy's gone to Heaven, in a way they can understand. (c)Nov.14.2002 Michelle Renee Kidwell I've written about the 9/11 events before but never in the point of view of the wife of a victim. This is fictional, but the event was all to real!..

The Obedient Heart

2007-10-22T20:12:00.000-07:00

Deuteronomy 5:3 "You shall have no other gods before [a] me. 4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments. 7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 8 "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 13 "You shall not murder. 14 "You shall not commit adultery. 15 "You shall not steal. 16 "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." 18 When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." 20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." 21 The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was. Idols and Altars 22 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Tell the Israelites this: 'You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven: 23 Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold. 24 " 'Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, [b] your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you. 25 If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it. 26 And do not go up to my altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.'
Working with Children, I know the importance, of teaching our children obedience. I have seen how children act when they have no guidelines set before them. Children who are obedient, are more likely to succeed in life, because they already have those rules set down before them, and we need to teach them that obedience is important from a very young age. The guidelines the Lord has given us is the ten commandments, and we can teach our children the commandments in a simple way at a very young age. We want the children to understand that Jesus wants them to be obedient, Jesus loves an obedient heart.I am not a Mother, but when I have my nieces and nephews over, they have a few guidelines they know they must live, by and they know that when they are bad there will be punishment. It is important that they know that when they disobey God’s laws there will be repercussions as well. We need to follow God’s laws because just as our earthly parents set down rules for our own good so does our Heavenly Father. The Lord gives us these laws for our benefit, just as we teacher our children not to touch a hot stove for their benefit.As a child I learned the importance of being obedience, because when I wasn’t obedient I knew that a punishment would come. My parents were not overly strict, but they knew the importance of teaching me obedience, and because of that I am able to live by that example. I may not have always agreed with the punishments given to me for disobeying, but I learned quickly what was acceptable and what was not and I am able to pass those lessons on to the children I work with. I am able to show them by example what it is like to have an obedient heart, and serve Christ.Having an obedient heart and being perfect are to very different things. We can live our lives to serve Christ, and still not be perfect. Only Christ himself walked this earth living a perfect life, but we can repent when we are disobedient, and ask the Lord to forgive us he will forgive.Being obedient to Christ, in a world that more and more seems to be going against the very values, the very ways we as Christians are brought up by isn’t always easy. Our children are getting conflicting images of what is right and wrong, which makes it even more important that we teach our children what Christ wants from us, and we teach them what it means to have an obedient heart. We also need to teach our children how to make decisions that Christ would approve us, that is a very large part of having an obedient heart.Today I worked with the kids as I normal do, and the three year old decided she did not want to be obedient, so we had to discuss with her the importance of doing what Jesus would want her to do. I told her that Jesus wants her to be obedient, in the way a three year old can understand. She had to be told that Jesus does not like it when we are disobedient, it may not be easy for a three year old to understand, but if we share the lesson with them over and over again, they will understand.The three year old is the youngest child I work with, we go to a small church, and there are generally only a few kids, so I find it important that I lay down the rules in a way that they can all understand. The older children also know that they are expected to set an example of what it means to have an obedient heart. They know that the younger children are watching them, and that the younger children tend to follow by example, and if the older children are respectable generally the younger children will be too.I know too that as a member of the body of Christ, I need to lead by example. If the world sees that I am not leading a life that is pleasing to the Lord they will think that they don’t need to be a believer, because I am showing them that I do not follow the Lord’s commands, but if I lead my life with an obedient heart, and show the joy that I have in serving the Lord, that example will shine through in my walk with Christ. As I have stated it is important to show our children and non believers what it means to be obedient to Christ, babes in Christ need to have an example set before them just as parents set rules and boundaries before there children. The rules and boundaries are set to show what is acceptable and what is not, and are set for the good of us. We can not live our lives in a way that is not pleasing to the Lord, we have to follow the guidelines set before us by the Lord, through his word. The Bible.

Fight On (Life with NMD)

2007-10-21T00:05:00.000-07:00

Fight on
But sometimes
I am so tired
I pray
And get the strength
I need for the day
But slowly things progress
Throat issues now
Falling a little more frequent
New meds help
Finally a doctor listens
But other issues as well
Sometimes I feel as if I am
Viewed as helpless
That I am not
Don't Judge Me please
I am going to Fight on
And in the end
I will have victory
Either way.
Copyright Michelle R Kidwell
Oct.20.07
11:46 P.M PST

How Your Blog Can Help You Land a Book Deal

2007-10-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

I have been keeping a blog for a couple of years now, and althought it has not given me a book deal it has helped publicize the books I already have published. I have foound that myspace can be used, but I am partial to a Christian blog site I belong to that has opened up new doors for me, and it has helped me to see the joy of blogging. I believe keeping a regular blog is crucial if you are an author, because it shows whats going on in your writing, it gives you a chance to post teasers, and network with other authors, as well as anyone who is interested in reading your book and that could lead to more book sales. Blogging can be almost addicting, and I know I have enjoyed not only posting teasers for my books, but ancidotes from the kids I work with in church, as well as my Nieces and Nephews. When I first began my journey as a blogger I didn't know what I was getting into, I was almost afraid of blogging at first, but now it seems like it has become second hand, it has helped me in my writing, and helped me through the grief of loosing the best friend who was like a sister to me. I know that my blogging buddies offered me encouragement through that, and have offered me encouragement for my writing as well. Keep Writing and Keep Blogging... http://www.myspace.com/michellerkidwell http://www.shoutlife.com/michellerkidwell http://anauthorslife.blogspot.com/ http://360.yahoo.com/my_profile-5ZTLJs08cqXudq_Ur5vpedDE8C.GXcvR;_ylt=AhRd8AT_U8_tAOFGFtni9Uq0AOJ3

Divided We Fall

2007-10-19T21:38:00.001-07:00

A Nation divided can not stand...
How long can a nation divided against itself last? We may not think we are a divided nation, but that is quickly what we are becoming. A nation divided against itself, and in that case their are no winners only loosers. In a recent letter by David Wilkerson he talks about this being a bruised society, as well as posing several questions such as How Can a Nation that kills it's unborn stand? It's a good question, because abortionists and Mothers who really do not understand what they are doing or just don't care are slowly killing our future. When a nation is divided against itself and especially when it is divided against God it will certainly fall. In the Bible Jesus tells us A House Divided against itself can not stand (Luke 11:17) We are a divided nation but it is though who continue to seek the Lord, who are praying, fasting, reading the word and being intercessor for the Lord who are keeping the country from falling, but how much more can we take? David Wilkerson wrote in his letter entitled He Will Not Break A Bruised Reed about how in New York a teacher can bring a playboy or Koran to school, but if he brings a Bible he does so at the risk of loosing his job! What is wrong with this picture? Why is this happening in a society that's very foundation began with the pilgrims seeking for a way they could worship God freely, now we are taking God out of everything. Non Christians keep on throwing the seperation of Church and state into our face, but that was written to keep the state from running the Church not to keep the Church out of the state, but we are slowly pushing God out of our lives, and we wonder why this nation is on the brink of clasp. For several weeks after 9-11 we found more people returning to church and prayer, than we had seen in a long time, but now our numbers in the Churches has dwindled, and some churches have had to close their doors, we need to keep praying these people back in. We need to see Revival. A man that turns from God is going to face calamity in the Proverbs it shows us that, we need to turn to God and not from him like so many Americans have been doing lately. Proverbs 1:24-33(KJV): 24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. Why have we turned away from our Savior? Why have we as a nation taken God out of nearly everything, or tried to push him in a neat little corner to turn to when we need him? We should turn to him again, because without him we can not get through the trials in our lives, we can not face our Savior when our time comes and here him say Well done my good and faithful servant. Believers and non believers a like will be facing the Savior, and a Nation Divided will be facing his wrath, so lets keep praying, keep that ember burning for Christ, because an ember is the start of a fire, and we need to be on fire for the Lord! Copyright Michelle R Kidwell July.12.05

Divided We Fall

2007-10-19T21:38:00.000-07:00

Welcome Addition (Its a Boy)

2007-10-19T19:29:00.000-07:00

Welcome Addition (Its a Boy!)
Friday, October 19, 2007 - 9:23 PM
One of my cousins had her second child at the end of September, just got pics of him and her oldest today, had a nice conversation as well...

Welcome addition

A small bundle of joy

You are a treasure

That's for sure

I pray the Lord Watches over

Both YouAnd Big Sister

And that he watches Over Mommy and Daddy too.

May you always know whatLove and laughter is.Both of you.

Approach With Humor

2007-10-19T03:56:00.000-07:00

Warning Humor may be hazardous to your depression.

Approach With Humor
Monday, September 17, 2007 - 12:02 AM
I have learned through the children I teach and through the life I lead, the things I suffer, that there are times you need to approach life with humor, laughter is truly a healing balm and so I try to have a time for laughter sometimes its playing with the babies in my life, on Saturday Nights its Bannana's, and on week days, its turning on Reruns of Reba, because laughter is truly a healing balm and its not something you can overdose on.I love reading funny books as well right now I am reading Barbara Johnson's book I am So Glad You Told Me What I Didn't Want to Hear, I have read many of her books and often find myself rereading them, one of my favorite quotes from the book is Mental Floss Regularly with God's Work to Truth Decay, followed by Warning Humor may be hazardous to your depression.I believe the Lord does not want us always to be sad but he wants us to laugh, he wants us to feel joy, he wants us to experience joy as well as sorrow.So I say lets approach life with humor...

Reflections on Life (First Book Preview)

2007-10-19T03:35:00.000-07:00

Category:
Poetry
Publisher:
PublishAmerica
ISBN-10:
1598677677
Type:
Pages:
111
Copyright:
Jan 1 2003
Non-Fiction

A collection of my poetry being published by Publish America
Words Unspoken Words unspoken, Don’t necessarily go unheard, A Mother’s smile, A child’s laughter, Tears shed, A quiet moment shared, Can not be captured With a thousand words. (C) Michelle R Kidwell