By nature, I'm an optimist. I can see the sunny side of a mud pit. I just like to have hope. But as I've grown older, and lived more, I have begun to see how hopeless life really is. I'm still optimistic, but maybe with a bit more reality thrown in. I guess I've come to realize that there are very few, if any, completely happy endings.
Except, there is One who promises us a happy ending. Up front, He tells us we will have trouble. There are days when I feel that is a horrible understatement, but accurate nevertheless. Still, He says, follow Him and He will overcome on our behalf. In fact, not even death can swallow us if we put our hope in Jesus.
The cool thing is that in His grace and mercy, we also have hope for the here and now. If we didn't have that, wouldn't we all be like, "Let us die already!" What would life mean if it was just about a good ending? But Jesus assures us that He has plans for each of us here in the present: day to day, hour to hour. Psalm 146:5 says "Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God."
It's really impossible to have hope in situations. I mean, we can certainly try. I'll be the first to admit that nothing comforts me more than believing I have complete control over a situation. But it's an illusion, isn't it? Control? We really don't have control over anything. But there is One who does.
When we put our hope in His loving-kindness, His power, His holiness, His wisdom, it completes everything. We know He knows it all, so though everything might appear to be falling apart all around us, He is the anchor that keeps us steady.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Rest
I am, by my own admission, terrible at rest. I don't enjoy it in the least bit. Once, when I was put on bed rest, it was like torture. When I have the flu, at the exact moment I feel I can stand up without passing out, I'm going around and doing something.
I'm productive by nature. If I watch TV, I also fold laundry. If I'm walking from one room to the next, I'm carrying something that needs to be moved there. It might sound like I'm a work-aholic, and maybe I am, but the fact is that I enjoy work. I like to work hard. I like the feeling of accomplishment, whether it is cleaning out a closet or making a meal.
But interestingly, Jesus talks quite a bit about rest. God famously rested after creating the whole world.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, "Come unto me, all who are weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Then right after that, in verse 29, He says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Although physical rest is important, the rest of the soul is the most remarkable. Although our body sleeps, our souls do not. And when you think about it, how do we actually get our souls to rest? How do we calm ourselves down? Even when I'm sitting perfectly still, my mind is racing through this and that.
Rest like this can only be achieved through the One who created our souls. Jesus promises us He is gentle, humble, and that we will find rest in Him. He calls to the weary and burdened. And rest in Jesus encompasses so much: physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, relational...the list is almost endless.
He only requires this: that we come to Him. Is anything quite as frantic as the holidays? As the world buzzes by you in a blurred, frenzied rush to celebrate what many don't even understand, you can stand still in Him, your soul can be quieted, and your burdens can be taken.
I am so glad He gives rest, He requires it for us, and He helps us to it.
Jesus not only tells us to rest, He is the rest.
I'm productive by nature. If I watch TV, I also fold laundry. If I'm walking from one room to the next, I'm carrying something that needs to be moved there. It might sound like I'm a work-aholic, and maybe I am, but the fact is that I enjoy work. I like to work hard. I like the feeling of accomplishment, whether it is cleaning out a closet or making a meal.
But interestingly, Jesus talks quite a bit about rest. God famously rested after creating the whole world.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, "Come unto me, all who are weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Then right after that, in verse 29, He says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Although physical rest is important, the rest of the soul is the most remarkable. Although our body sleeps, our souls do not. And when you think about it, how do we actually get our souls to rest? How do we calm ourselves down? Even when I'm sitting perfectly still, my mind is racing through this and that.
Rest like this can only be achieved through the One who created our souls. Jesus promises us He is gentle, humble, and that we will find rest in Him. He calls to the weary and burdened. And rest in Jesus encompasses so much: physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, relational...the list is almost endless.
He only requires this: that we come to Him. Is anything quite as frantic as the holidays? As the world buzzes by you in a blurred, frenzied rush to celebrate what many don't even understand, you can stand still in Him, your soul can be quieted, and your burdens can be taken.
I am so glad He gives rest, He requires it for us, and He helps us to it.
Jesus not only tells us to rest, He is the rest.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Friend
I have never quite gotten used to Jesus as friend, or even as He calls Himself: my brother. I desperately want to be friends with Him. It reminds me of how I react when I'm around people I really admire. I basically give off the exact opposite impression I want to make, only because I want so badly to know them better.
So multiply that by ten thousand with Jesus. I want to call Him friend, but at the same time, He knows all about me, and that's a problem because even my closest friends don't know everything about me.
And frankly, I've seen how some who call Him "friend" treat Him. *Use* Him, more precisely. And I don't want to fall into that category. I don't want to take Him for granted or ask for things selfishly. So instead, I keep a safe distance, like a friendly wave from a neighbor. Makes you smile but you don't have to get too close.
The problem with Jesus is that He isn't satisfied with a neighborly wave. He never has been. He made a tremendous sacrifice so that I could call God "Daddy" and I could know Him as my friend.
Amazingly, He always draws me near, even when I'm uncomfortable and even when I'm acting in an unworthy manner. I'm power waving and He's trying to hug. The hug usually wins out.
At the end of the day, He is and always will be a far better friend to me than I am to Him. I can't possibly repay what I owe Him. I can't possibly give back according to what He's given.
He's that friend that you always wish you had, the friend you can never possibly be, and the friend you never want to let go.
One of these days, I'm going to completely let go of all my relational hang-ups, and I know that will be the beginning of the friendship He always wanted for us. For all of us.
So multiply that by ten thousand with Jesus. I want to call Him friend, but at the same time, He knows all about me, and that's a problem because even my closest friends don't know everything about me.
And frankly, I've seen how some who call Him "friend" treat Him. *Use* Him, more precisely. And I don't want to fall into that category. I don't want to take Him for granted or ask for things selfishly. So instead, I keep a safe distance, like a friendly wave from a neighbor. Makes you smile but you don't have to get too close.
The problem with Jesus is that He isn't satisfied with a neighborly wave. He never has been. He made a tremendous sacrifice so that I could call God "Daddy" and I could know Him as my friend.
Amazingly, He always draws me near, even when I'm uncomfortable and even when I'm acting in an unworthy manner. I'm power waving and He's trying to hug. The hug usually wins out.
At the end of the day, He is and always will be a far better friend to me than I am to Him. I can't possibly repay what I owe Him. I can't possibly give back according to what He's given.
He's that friend that you always wish you had, the friend you can never possibly be, and the friend you never want to let go.
One of these days, I'm going to completely let go of all my relational hang-ups, and I know that will be the beginning of the friendship He always wanted for us. For all of us.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Light
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,[a]
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:1-5 NLT
I have been fascinated by light for a very long time. We often think of light and dark as being exact opposites, equal in every way. But it isn't true. Think of how a tiny point of light can illuminate a dark room. Yet a tiny point of darkness in a light room is hardly significant.
I have found that the Light...the source of all light...illuminates all my dark places, in every corridor of my soul. Where ever He is, in my life or in others', He lights the way.
I think that is why I am so drawn to Christmas lights. They remind me of the twinkling inner workings of the Holy Spirit, who never lets any part of me fall into complete darkness. I have certainly seen the dark side of the moon in my life, but even then, I witness tiny points of light winking against the black sky.
Jesus has truly been the Light in my life. John 1:1-18 is my favorite passage of the Bible. I read it every Christmas season, reminding myself He is the Light to a dark world, and He is the light from which every good thing comes in my life. Oh, how I would be covered in dark hopelessness if I couldn't see the Light! The power of the Light, to chase away the darkness, has allowed me to overcome my struggles, my doubts and fears, my failures, my selfishness, and everything else that comes along with the black night.
He is the light of the world, but in His extraordinary compassion, is also the personal and beautiful light in my own soul. Thank you, Jesus, for being the warm, glowing firelight against the bitter cold realities of my life.
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,[a]
and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:1-5 NLT
I have been fascinated by light for a very long time. We often think of light and dark as being exact opposites, equal in every way. But it isn't true. Think of how a tiny point of light can illuminate a dark room. Yet a tiny point of darkness in a light room is hardly significant.
I have found that the Light...the source of all light...illuminates all my dark places, in every corridor of my soul. Where ever He is, in my life or in others', He lights the way.
I think that is why I am so drawn to Christmas lights. They remind me of the twinkling inner workings of the Holy Spirit, who never lets any part of me fall into complete darkness. I have certainly seen the dark side of the moon in my life, but even then, I witness tiny points of light winking against the black sky.
Jesus has truly been the Light in my life. John 1:1-18 is my favorite passage of the Bible. I read it every Christmas season, reminding myself He is the Light to a dark world, and He is the light from which every good thing comes in my life. Oh, how I would be covered in dark hopelessness if I couldn't see the Light! The power of the Light, to chase away the darkness, has allowed me to overcome my struggles, my doubts and fears, my failures, my selfishness, and everything else that comes along with the black night.
He is the light of the world, but in His extraordinary compassion, is also the personal and beautiful light in my own soul. Thank you, Jesus, for being the warm, glowing firelight against the bitter cold realities of my life.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
25 Things I Love About Jesus
Starting tomorrow here on my blog, I will write 25 short devotions leading up to Christmas on what Jesus means to me. I'm very excited to explore all the things He is to me as we approach the season of celebrating His birth! Some will be short, some will be longer, but I welcome all comments and I hope it will bless you as your own heart stirs in worship.
Also, in the spirit of Christmas cheer, I'll be giving away books! To qualify for the random drawings, you must sign up as a follower. Keep an eye on the blog to see if you've won!
May God bless you this Christmas season with a deeper connection to Him and a heart for what He loves and who He is.
Also, in the spirit of Christmas cheer, I'll be giving away books! To qualify for the random drawings, you must sign up as a follower. Keep an eye on the blog to see if you've won!
May God bless you this Christmas season with a deeper connection to Him and a heart for what He loves and who He is.
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
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Hey friends,
Sorry it's been so long since I've updated my blog. Summer is typically a time I try to set aside for my kids. It's hard to get work in when they're on summer break! Hope that you are having a great summer and enjoying time with your family and friends. Mine has been filled with water parks, movies, vacation and more. I am looking forward to Fall. It's been the 100's here and I feel like I might melt soon! It was so hot here that I opened my front door, returning home from being gone all day, and my fire alarm went off because of the rush of heat that hit the inside of my home!
In other news, I want to thank all of you who've read LISTEN and who've written to tell me how it has changed your life. I continue to run into people who've been deeply affected by words. One of those people is Susan Richardson, a fellow writer, who has graciously allowed me to post an article she wrote on the power of words. You can read more about Susan at http://www.nextlevelcritiques.com/. Below is her powerful essay. Hope you enjoy. We'll talk soon.
Rene
When Words Wound the Soul
by Susan Richardson
Lunch was the worst, I think. If I didn’t get to the cafeteria early enough, then I had to run the gamut of insults to try to find an empty space that wasn’t close to anyone else. Too close and I’d get “What are you sitting THERE for?” or “We don’t want YOU here.”
After that it was the restroom. Going in was like entering enemy territory, never knowing when an ambush awaited. Who knew who else might be in there? Some days I tried not to go at all. Other days I chose lesser used restrooms or went at odd times. Anything to avoid being ridiculed and told that I had no business being in there.
Each time something like Virginia Tech or Columbine happens, the shooter’s story turns to bullying. He or they were outcasts living in a world of rejection. Finally the pain and anger built to the point that they made a terrible choice. While their actions are horrific, I understand the pain and anger, because their story was mine, too.
School didn’t start out badly for me. The first three and a half years were fairly uneventful. Then I moved to a new school and somehow slid further and further down the pecking order until by sixth grade I was at the bottom of the heap. From then until I graduated from high school, I endured regular abuse from my peers.
In fairness, I have to say that some of the others in my class did not pick on me. Many merely ignored me as outside their group. A few tolerated me, and I had a friendship or two along the way. But the relentless taunting of a core group made my life miserable. The wounds from such treatment are deep and the scars remain lifelong.
Self worth erodes to nothing and a feeling of unworthiness takes its place. Because this violates a basic need every human has, the victim then tries to find some way to make the abuse stop and regain a sense of self. When that’s unsuccessful, anger builds over the growing sense of helplessness, hopelessness, and depression.
Trying to ignore what’s happening doesn’t help. The old “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” sounds good but isn’t true. Cruel words seep through barricades erected to keep them out. Confronting doesn’t work, either. I tried that, but my tormenters just asked why they should stop, because they were having fun.
In the end, I withdrew as far as possible. I dropped out of band after junior high, unwilling to face the hazing of joining the high school band. I wanted to be as invisible as possible. If no one saw me, then hopefully they wouldn’t tease me.
I also had an explosive temper. Most of the time I pulled away, but the anger built and sometimes I’d try to strike back verbally. My peers probably thought that I wasn’t a nice person. In many ways I wasn’t, as I tried to find some way to cope with the pain.
Through the years since then I’ve continued to struggle with the scars left from my school days. Regaining that damaged sense of worth isn’t easy. The message that you’re not worth liking or being around continues to replay.
The other challenge is how such abuse damages faith. After all, many in my world told me I wasn’t worthy of a relationship, so it was hard to believe Jesus wanted to have one with me. Then there was the question of how God could care when He never intervened. We do live in a fallen, broken world, but I’m thankful for the Lord’s protection even in the midst of abuse. The wounds are there, but He helped me survive.
Getting out of the situation helps. So does time. The more positive interactions you have over time, the more healing can take place. I’m grateful to my college pastor for his patience as I struggled. He helped me make the first steps into wholeness. But you can’t erase years of abuse easily.
More recently I’m thankful for a Godly counselor who worked with me to uproot and overcome many of the old patterns with the Lord’s help. Beginning to understand how deeply He loves me and how precious I am in His eyes is balm to a wounded spirit. He’s also shown me people who love and care about me.
Bullying isn’t a matter of “kids will be kids.” It is soul-killing abuse, whether the abuse is physical or verbal. If your child is being bullied, do whatever it takes to get him or her out of the situation and find help to overcome the effects. The good news is that Jesus is strong enough to heal and restore. He offers power and strength for the lifelong journey through death to true life.
Susan Richardson
Sorry it's been so long since I've updated my blog. Summer is typically a time I try to set aside for my kids. It's hard to get work in when they're on summer break! Hope that you are having a great summer and enjoying time with your family and friends. Mine has been filled with water parks, movies, vacation and more. I am looking forward to Fall. It's been the 100's here and I feel like I might melt soon! It was so hot here that I opened my front door, returning home from being gone all day, and my fire alarm went off because of the rush of heat that hit the inside of my home!
In other news, I want to thank all of you who've read LISTEN and who've written to tell me how it has changed your life. I continue to run into people who've been deeply affected by words. One of those people is Susan Richardson, a fellow writer, who has graciously allowed me to post an article she wrote on the power of words. You can read more about Susan at http://www.nextlevelcritiques.com/. Below is her powerful essay. Hope you enjoy. We'll talk soon.
Rene
When Words Wound the Soul
by Susan Richardson
Lunch was the worst, I think. If I didn’t get to the cafeteria early enough, then I had to run the gamut of insults to try to find an empty space that wasn’t close to anyone else. Too close and I’d get “What are you sitting THERE for?” or “We don’t want YOU here.”
After that it was the restroom. Going in was like entering enemy territory, never knowing when an ambush awaited. Who knew who else might be in there? Some days I tried not to go at all. Other days I chose lesser used restrooms or went at odd times. Anything to avoid being ridiculed and told that I had no business being in there.
Each time something like Virginia Tech or Columbine happens, the shooter’s story turns to bullying. He or they were outcasts living in a world of rejection. Finally the pain and anger built to the point that they made a terrible choice. While their actions are horrific, I understand the pain and anger, because their story was mine, too.
School didn’t start out badly for me. The first three and a half years were fairly uneventful. Then I moved to a new school and somehow slid further and further down the pecking order until by sixth grade I was at the bottom of the heap. From then until I graduated from high school, I endured regular abuse from my peers.
In fairness, I have to say that some of the others in my class did not pick on me. Many merely ignored me as outside their group. A few tolerated me, and I had a friendship or two along the way. But the relentless taunting of a core group made my life miserable. The wounds from such treatment are deep and the scars remain lifelong.
Self worth erodes to nothing and a feeling of unworthiness takes its place. Because this violates a basic need every human has, the victim then tries to find some way to make the abuse stop and regain a sense of self. When that’s unsuccessful, anger builds over the growing sense of helplessness, hopelessness, and depression.
Trying to ignore what’s happening doesn’t help. The old “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” sounds good but isn’t true. Cruel words seep through barricades erected to keep them out. Confronting doesn’t work, either. I tried that, but my tormenters just asked why they should stop, because they were having fun.
In the end, I withdrew as far as possible. I dropped out of band after junior high, unwilling to face the hazing of joining the high school band. I wanted to be as invisible as possible. If no one saw me, then hopefully they wouldn’t tease me.
I also had an explosive temper. Most of the time I pulled away, but the anger built and sometimes I’d try to strike back verbally. My peers probably thought that I wasn’t a nice person. In many ways I wasn’t, as I tried to find some way to cope with the pain.
Through the years since then I’ve continued to struggle with the scars left from my school days. Regaining that damaged sense of worth isn’t easy. The message that you’re not worth liking or being around continues to replay.
The other challenge is how such abuse damages faith. After all, many in my world told me I wasn’t worthy of a relationship, so it was hard to believe Jesus wanted to have one with me. Then there was the question of how God could care when He never intervened. We do live in a fallen, broken world, but I’m thankful for the Lord’s protection even in the midst of abuse. The wounds are there, but He helped me survive.
Getting out of the situation helps. So does time. The more positive interactions you have over time, the more healing can take place. I’m grateful to my college pastor for his patience as I struggled. He helped me make the first steps into wholeness. But you can’t erase years of abuse easily.
More recently I’m thankful for a Godly counselor who worked with me to uproot and overcome many of the old patterns with the Lord’s help. Beginning to understand how deeply He loves me and how precious I am in His eyes is balm to a wounded spirit. He’s also shown me people who love and care about me.
Bullying isn’t a matter of “kids will be kids.” It is soul-killing abuse, whether the abuse is physical or verbal. If your child is being bullied, do whatever it takes to get him or her out of the situation and find help to overcome the effects. The good news is that Jesus is strong enough to heal and restore. He offers power and strength for the lifelong journey through death to true life.
Susan Richardson
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