The secret of being content

The art of enjoying any journey

The motivational calendar on my desk has beautiful pictures of nature and people on mountain bikes flying in mid air against a clear blue sky. Early this morning I tore off yesterday’s page and crumbled it slowly in my hand thinking how odd it was that I was about to throw away a day that would never return. At the same time I scanned the words for today, “The really happy man is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour”.

With or without bicycle, I want to be that (wo)man! I want to be able to say
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation
(Philippians 4:12)
I am trying to picture ‘any and every’ situation. It’s like being forced to take a detour on the bike of life and ending up in the rain and the mud or on a dead-end road. It is realizing you forgot to bring your rain gear and after the longest struggle uphill arriving too late for the party and not getting the sympathy you’d hoped for. It is like feeling all alone on that steep hill and knowing there is no way back, no side tracking and no changing your mind until you reach the viewpoint, where you can finally look back and say: it was all worth it! Hey, and if you'd been singing all the way, then you have truly mastered the art of enjoying even the hardest journey.
The good thing is; you will have a story to tell!

Promise about our climate

The Lord brought order in His creation... and a promise

It rained, again, in Southern California… A winter storm in this part of the world brings more than snow in the mountains and welcome water in the wells and reservoirs; it causes havoc on the burned hillsides. A steady flow of debris and dangerous mudslides make their way to the Pacific and leave a trail of destruction behind.

In view of all the discussions about the warming of our global climate, the extreme weather in the USA seems to be out of place, sort of like a practical joke from the Creator. Ha ha folks, you can discuss and debate all you want, but I am still in charge here!

Worldwide meetings and conferences, scientific research, millions of dollars in campaigns and media coverage… and we’re still missing the point; it is pathetic, really...
After the biggest climatic disaster in human history, the Flood, the Lord brought again order in His creation and added a promise. He said:

As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, will never cease.
(Genesis 8:22)
Storms, floods, extreme cold or heat and changing numbers and statistics, it doesn't frighten me. God has the first word and the last. That settles it for me!

Working on a vision?

We all have something we want to accomplish

An author spends months writing a book, and maybe puts his heart's blood into it, and then it lies about unread till the reader has nothing else in the world to do.

W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965)

Writing books is part of a bigger vision I have, it is part of the fulfilling of a dream that is slowly developing and growing in my heart. Writing might not be your thing, but I am sure you’ll have something you want to accomplish; a dream, a vision, a project you’re working on. No matter what your assignment is, no matter how big or small the goal you’re aiming for… it will help you to understand a few things. Stick this at a place where you can see it every day!

Regarding the fulfilling of my vision I must understand:
1. That I pay the price for completion
2. That discouragement and disappointment will come, I must be strong
3. That I must live by the principles of God’s Word
4. The power of prayer, my prayer life must be committed
5. That I will need patience

Contract for 4th book signed!

Tate Publishing will publish 4th book in series

The other day I read something about the writing business that, if it wasn’t so funny, could easily make all of us writers, bloggers, poets and thinkers want to break down and cry! I quote:

“Writing is the hardest way of earning a living, with the possible exception of wrestling alligators.” Olin Miller

I thought that was hilarious… hilariously true.
However, a passionate writer is the one that never gives up, so I am extremely happy to announce that I have signed another contract with Tate Publishing, this time for the publication of the 4th book in the series I am working on.
Grace of Giving, as I’ve named this one, is inspired by the 8th commandment: do not steal! Well, actually it is a book about giving, as the opposite of taking, gathering, stealing, collecting, keeping for oneself.
Maybe you wonder, “Marja, I am not a thief, why in the world should I want to read this book?” Well, it is one thing to say you are not a thief, but what are you then? Are you a giver? Do you give wholeheartedly, joyfully, cheerfully and abundantly or do you rather be on the receiving end? Is it possible to give away freely and not worry about lacking anything?
Giving is something that doesn’t come naturally to most of us; that is why we need this grace of giving as mentioned in the Bible (2 Corinthians 8:7).

In the coming months I will share a bit more about this new book, so stay connected and visit this weblog from time to time. May I take this opportunity to remind you to order my books (if you haven’t done so already) at your internet bookseller so you can get familiar with the ideas, thoughts and philosophy I present when it comes to the Ten Commandments. The books can be read separately ofcourse, but it is definitely interesting to see the common thread woven through my writings as a whole.

PS: one of Webster’s descriptions of philosophy is: a study of human morals, character and behavior.

Motto 2010

Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power!

As I was setting my threefold goal for 2010 (spirit, soul, and body) I realized I needed more than sheer willpower (or good intentions) to accomplish this. Let’s face it: willpower will work, for a while at least, but will wear you out at the same time. Good intentions…. Well, they are nothing compared to the smallest deed!
So, this is where my motto for 2010 comes in:
Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power! (Ephesians 6:10)
I want to be spiritually, emotionally and intellectually, and physically strong and I know that I can grow towards that goal with the help of Almighty God and His Holy Spirit power! I desire to seek my strength in Him and His Word, not in my accomplishments, ideas, gifts or talents. I desire to become stronger in my faith, stronger in my trust in Him and stronger in living a disciplined life!
In 2010 I want to rely on the Holy Spirit’s power in everything I do and say. For me personally, that means: more breath prayers, less automatic pilot, total surrender.
Hey, I am excited about getting stronger. I do not want to be where I was last year, I want to grow and change. Philippians 2:13 says that God is always at work in me to make me willing and able to obey His own purpose.
I want to work with Him, not against Him and this motto will be a great reminder throughout the coming year!