Being an author myself, recognizing Jesus as the author of all is supremely cool. It kind of bends my mind to realize He didn't write the word...He is the Word. He was and is and always will be the spoken Word. All was created for Him and through Him and in Him.
John chapter 1 is my favorite passage in the Bible. (OK, I have a lot but this one is definitely top 3). It stirs such awe in my heart to picture Jesus as the author of the universe and all that it contains...that He created my soul and all that makes me fearfully and wonderfully made. And that the author chose to enter the story. There are some of my stories I would NOT want to enter!
As an author, I know what it takes to form and mold and create. And I'm just working on one little book. God's majesty and power come into clear focus when I realize the amazing capacity for which He has to create. If I only look at the human body and all that it does, I'm astounded. When I look up at the stars and the sky, I'm astounded. When I watch a tree grow, a baby cry, a cloud float by, the waves crash...the list is endless. And it is all created by His hand.
His story is the greatest that ever was and ever will be, and it has infinite meaning and eternal consequence. I'm glad to be a part of His story. I'm glad for everything that He authored. And I'm thankful that He graciously passed on creativity to His people.
Showing posts with label Listen by Rene Gutteridge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Listen by Rene Gutteridge. Show all posts
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Righteousness
The "good news" of the New Testament often gets passed right over. In all that faith encompasses, we Christians often forget the good news is that it's not our "goodness" that gets us to heaven. I see this so often missed in our modern culture. People spew hateful words at those they consider "sinners" while forgetting very quickly that they're one of those "sinners". We all are.
It is by the grace of God that truth found its way into my heart and that I believe in Jesus.
There is no other way around it. We can't point our fingers and scream "sinner" at somebody. We must pat our heart, declare that we are "sinners", but we've been saved by grace. That grace is extended to everyone in the world.
The good news is that I am pure not by my own accomplishments, but by the grace of God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He is righteousness. My very best is but filthy rags. And most days, let's face it, I'm not at my very best. Those rags shouldn't see the light of day!
When snow falls during this Christmas season, don't we all just peer out our windows, marveling at how pure and white it is, how right when it falls, before a footprint touches it, it is flawless? It is gleaming with goodness, isn't it? I don't think it's any mistake that this modern society celebrates Christmas in the dead of winter. There is so much symbolism around us...fire, snow, cold, warmth...it all points to Jesus. Weren't we like those dead old trees, dormant and lifeless? But then the pure snow falls, saturates, disappears...and then the Sun comes in the Spring and we are raised in the newness of life!
It is no doubt hard to watch sin--in our lives and others'. Mostly I think it is because we know how damaging it is, how much death it brings. But God made a way. My filthy rags are as clean and white and bright as snow.
Thank You, Jesus, for making me white as snow.
It is by the grace of God that truth found its way into my heart and that I believe in Jesus.
There is no other way around it. We can't point our fingers and scream "sinner" at somebody. We must pat our heart, declare that we are "sinners", but we've been saved by grace. That grace is extended to everyone in the world.
The good news is that I am pure not by my own accomplishments, but by the grace of God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He is righteousness. My very best is but filthy rags. And most days, let's face it, I'm not at my very best. Those rags shouldn't see the light of day!
When snow falls during this Christmas season, don't we all just peer out our windows, marveling at how pure and white it is, how right when it falls, before a footprint touches it, it is flawless? It is gleaming with goodness, isn't it? I don't think it's any mistake that this modern society celebrates Christmas in the dead of winter. There is so much symbolism around us...fire, snow, cold, warmth...it all points to Jesus. Weren't we like those dead old trees, dormant and lifeless? But then the pure snow falls, saturates, disappears...and then the Sun comes in the Spring and we are raised in the newness of life!
It is no doubt hard to watch sin--in our lives and others'. Mostly I think it is because we know how damaging it is, how much death it brings. But God made a way. My filthy rags are as clean and white and bright as snow.
Thank You, Jesus, for making me white as snow.
Monday, November 28, 2011
December 2011
Dear Readers,
As you know, it’s my favorite time of year. I love winter. I do some of my best writing in winter. I think that is how Patrick Reagan and I are the same. Who is Patrick Reagan, you may be wondering? He’s my newest character, a famous but reclusive suspense writer from Maine, who winters in a notoriously obscure and private cabin where nobody can locate him…not even his editor or publisher. He writes all through the winter season and emerges in spring with a new manuscript.
At least, that’s how it’s supposed to go. But something has gone terribly wrong with Patrick Reagan, and now he’s accused of kidnapping his biggest fan. Nobody knows where either of them are. And for officer Chris Downey, hunting them down is very personal, because the kidnapped is the widow of his deceased partner, Jason.
So is Patrick Reagan a madman? Or is he saving her from something more sinister?
Well…you’ll have to read MISERY LOVES COMPANY to find out! Hopefully it will be released toward the end of 2012. Keep track of that release date and more through my newsletter, which you can sign up for on the Contact the Author page of my website.
What else is in store for 2012? HEART OF THE COUNTRY is a novelization and family drama I wrote with filmmaker John Ward. You’ll be hearing more about that in the upcoming months. And I will be releasing my very first short story! I promise, this is about a character you will not want to miss. He’s living very deeply in my heart, and I think he’ll find his place in yours, too.
I’m also teaming up with screenwriter Cheryl McKay again (NEVER THE BRIDE) for another comedy called GREETINGS FROM THE FLIPSIDE. I am so excited about this novel and eager to get started. It’s my next project to write. Can’t wait to type “Chapter One!”
Before I let you go, I have to mention to you my FAVORITE book I read in 2011. It was a tough year because there were so many good ones! I loved AREA 51, THE HELP, HUNGER GAMES and more. But one book topped all of them: UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand. If you read one book in 2012, make it this one. You won’t be sorry!
I hope you have a blessed and warm holiday and winter season. I’ll catch you on the “flipside” in the spring!
Warmly,
Rene
Dear Readers,
As you know, it’s my favorite time of year. I love winter. I do some of my best writing in winter. I think that is how Patrick Reagan and I are the same. Who is Patrick Reagan, you may be wondering? He’s my newest character, a famous but reclusive suspense writer from Maine, who winters in a notoriously obscure and private cabin where nobody can locate him…not even his editor or publisher. He writes all through the winter season and emerges in spring with a new manuscript.
At least, that’s how it’s supposed to go. But something has gone terribly wrong with Patrick Reagan, and now he’s accused of kidnapping his biggest fan. Nobody knows where either of them are. And for officer Chris Downey, hunting them down is very personal, because the kidnapped is the widow of his deceased partner, Jason.
So is Patrick Reagan a madman? Or is he saving her from something more sinister?
Well…you’ll have to read MISERY LOVES COMPANY to find out! Hopefully it will be released toward the end of 2012. Keep track of that release date and more through my newsletter, which you can sign up for on the Contact the Author page of my website.
What else is in store for 2012? HEART OF THE COUNTRY is a novelization and family drama I wrote with filmmaker John Ward. You’ll be hearing more about that in the upcoming months. And I will be releasing my very first short story! I promise, this is about a character you will not want to miss. He’s living very deeply in my heart, and I think he’ll find his place in yours, too.
I’m also teaming up with screenwriter Cheryl McKay again (NEVER THE BRIDE) for another comedy called GREETINGS FROM THE FLIPSIDE. I am so excited about this novel and eager to get started. It’s my next project to write. Can’t wait to type “Chapter One!”
Before I let you go, I have to mention to you my FAVORITE book I read in 2011. It was a tough year because there were so many good ones! I loved AREA 51, THE HELP, HUNGER GAMES and more. But one book topped all of them: UNBROKEN by Laura Hillenbrand. If you read one book in 2012, make it this one. You won’t be sorry!
I hope you have a blessed and warm holiday and winter season. I’ll catch you on the “flipside” in the spring!
Warmly,
Rene
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
When you become a mom, there is nothing you wouldn't do for your kids. But as you soon realize, there are often situations where you feel completely helpless. That's what happened to me this February when this adorable, sweet and unique little boy, my son John, was verbally bullied at school, by not one of his classmates, but twenty. I'd love to say that his case is rare, but it's not. Thousands upon thousands of children are verbally bullied. According to Paul Coughlin of www.theprotectors.org, an anti-bullying organization, 160,000 children stay home a DAY due to fear of being bullied. And that statistic is from the 1990s. Imagine the number today.Tomorrow I am going to post my personal story, of how my son John became the target of extreme verbal bullying, and the touching true story that followed. Please tell everyone you know who is interested in combating verbal bullying to come visit my blog tomorrow. Help me spread the word about the Power of Words. When I wrote my novel LISTEN, I never imagined that I would be living out the nightmare I wrote about. But God has a plan, because all things work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Help me work out the good. Spread the word about LISTEN. Come follow me on Twitter. And join me in a word revolution!
Rene
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