Friday, May 30, 2014

Self-Controlled

Time to get back to our study on WORTH. Not worth in the world's eyes but in God's.

We have made it to the O in worth which stands for obey. Last time we used our focal passage of Titus Two to realize one way we show worth is through loving our husbands and children.

There's more to this O of obey. The next directive we should obey is to be self-controlled. This always makes me think of controlling anger or our emotions.

Let's face it, we need to exercise control over our tongues.

James 3:9-10 says: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."

We are told there shouldn't be praise coming from the same mouth that spouts curses at another brother or sister.

How often have I spewed words at another person only to wish I could take them back? Just like the toothpaste illustration proves, once those words are out, they can't be taken back. This is where self-control comes in. We must work to bridle our tongues just like a horse is controlled through a bridle and a bit. Can we accomplish this on our own? No.

When we give control of our lives over to God, we must be very specific about giving Him control of our tongues. But, what does this look like in practice?

First, we think on the things of God and we look on others through God's love. This renewed perspective can help us to see people as God sees them. Who has more of a right to look on sinful people with scorn than God? And yet, He doesn't. We must pray for Him to help us see people as He sees them and to control our tongues. We should speak encouraging words, not ones that tear down.

Practicing self-control is a characteristic that God sees as worthwhile.

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Blue Ridge and New Friends

The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference was a wonderful experience I am still digesting. Very few people know what a "God thing" this was for me to even be able to attend. I have never been able to afford to attend a conference. And, even though I have tried for scholarships, I was never awarded one.

Last year, I proposed a class for the At-Home ACFW Conference and it was accepted. Not long after that I appeared on Tiffany Coulter's blog to do a little teaching series. She mentioned teaching at Blue Ridge. I wasn't feeling confident enough at first to even approach Edie Melson as Tiffany recommended, but I pushed forward. Edie suggested I send in class proposals for the conference.

When I received the invitation to be on the Blue Ridge faculty, you would have thought I had won the lottery. Not only do I love to teach, but this meant I could attend my first writing conference.

In the months leading up to the conference I prayed that whatever "divine appointments or moments" I was supposed to encounter, God would not let me miss them. Honestly, everywhere I turned while there was a God moment. The following is just a short list of all of those experiences.

Happy to meet people in person I have only had the privilege of interacting with online.
Impressed by those writers who pitched their work so passionately and expertly to me.
Thrilled to teach and hopefully impart some wisdom my attendees can use in their writing.
Inspired by the beautiful worship music of Rachel Hauk.
Encouraged and challenged by the keynote speakers as well as Alton Gansky's devotions.
Enjoyed just dining with writers from all over the country and hearing their precious stories.
Completely overwhelmed when my name was called for a Selah Award.

This is just scratching the surface. I know as I continue to let the whole "drinking from a fire hydrant" experience sink in, there will be more things that touched me.

If you are visiting here because I met you at the conference, please consider subscribing to this blog through your email. Or, should you have just stumbled across my ramblings, please consider doing the same. This is the place I try to share what God is teaching me. I also like to feature my fellow authors and let them share their God-given work.

I will close this post by simply encouraging you. If God calls or even just nudges you toward something, act upon it. He really is in the blessing business. And, He really does want to use His children to do the things he created them to do.

Please consider connecting with me on Facebook as well. Paula Mowery on Facebook

Another place I would enjoy connecting with you is through my other blog which features creative exercises just for Christian writers. www.ccwcu.blogspot.com

To quote a line from my first book, The Blessing Seer, "Go out on a limb for God." The view is really breathtaking up there!



Tuesday, May 13, 2014

WORTH - Obey

Time to return to the discussion of worth that we began a couple of posts ago. Remember, we are using Titus Two as a guiding passage to instruct us on how to be people of worth.

The W in worth stood for worship. The O stands for obey.

Titus Two begins with a verse that says: "Teach what is in accord with sound doctrine." We as Christians are to teach and obey God's instructions. His Word isn't out of date; it is the living Word of God.

First thing mentioned in the passage that we must obey is to love our husbands and children. Why would Paul even have to say this? There must have been some reason that he felt he needed to remind us to teach women to love their husbands and children.

I believe they might have suffered from the same problems many of us do. We don't always make our husbands (or spouses) and children the priority they deserve.

We find ourselves focused upon our careers or our own interests so much that we don't show our spouse or offspring that they are loved and more important. We think it is enough to just tell them that we love them. Love is an action word.



God's kind of love is shown to us in 1 Corinthians 13: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

This is God's kind of love and should be the kind of love that we practice in regards to our spouses and children. Loving our spouses and children is worth much in God's eyes.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Selah Award Finalists


BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE 2014

                                                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


May 7, 2014
Ridgecrest, NCAlton Gansky, Director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, and Eva Marie Everson, BRMCWC Contest Director, announce the finalists in the 2014 Selah Awards, awarded to published authors each year during the Blue Ridge conference.
The Selah Awards are open industry wide and internationally to authors published by traditional and nontraditional publishing houses during the previous year. The awards will be given during the awards banquet held on Wednesday evening, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The 2014 Book of the Year award is chosen by the contest director from the top scores/first place recipients.
This year, finalists have been named in thirteen categories. They are (in alphabetical order according to the authors last name):

Children (Tie for Third)
Michelle Medlock AdamsGod Knows You (Candy Cane Press)
Burton W. ColeBash and the Pirate Pig (B&H Kids)
Hannah C. HallGod Bless You and Goodnight (Thomas Nelson)
Jill Roman LordIf Jesus Came to Visit Me (Candy Cane Press)

Inspiration and Gift
Debora M. CotyFear, Faith, and a Fistful of Chocolates (Barbour Publishing)
Cynthia Howerter & La-Tan Roland MurphyGods Provision in Tough Times (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)
Rose Chandler JohnsonGod, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

Christian Life
Jo Ann ForeWhen A Woman Finds Her Voice (Leafwood Publishers)
Cynthia RuchtiRagged Hope (Abingdon Press)
Linda Evans ShepherdFinding Gods Presence (Revell)

Bible Study
Nick HawkesThe Bible on the Key Issues of Life (Wombat Books)
Beebe KauffmanIsaiah: Setting Things Right (Lighthouse Bible Studies)
Erica WiggenhornMoses: Every Life Proof of Gods Promises (Crossbooks)

Young Adult Nonfiction
Bethany JettThe Cinderella Rule (Regal)
Kelly McIntosh (Gen. Ed)God Hearts Me; Daily Devotions for a Girls Heart (Barbour Publishing)
Cyle YoungBelly Buttons & Broken Hearts (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

Young Adult Fiction
Elaine Marie CooperFields of the Fatherless (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)
Tessa Emily HallPurple Moon (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)
Eddie JonesDead Low Tide (Zonderkidz)

First Novel (Tie for Third)
Dianna T. BensonThe Hidden Son (Ellechor Publishing House)
Carole BrownThe Redemption of Caralynne Hayman (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)
Aaron D. GanskyThe Bargain (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)
Tessa Emily HallPurple Moon (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

Fiction: Novella
Paula MoweryBe the Blessing (Pelican Book Group)
Linda Wood RondeauA Christmas Prayer (Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)
Gina WelbornMercy Mild (Barbour Publishing)

Fiction: Speculative
Ian AchesonAngelguard (Lion Hudson)
Lisa BelcastroShenandoah Crossings (OakTara)
Lisa BelcastroShenandoah Nights (OakTara)

Fiction: Suspense
Richard L. Mabry, M.D.Stress Test (Thomas Nelson)
Linnette R. MullinFinding Beth (CrossRiver Media Group)
Jordyn RedwoodPoison (Kregel)

Fiction: Historical
Vikki KestellJoy on This Mountain (Faith-Filled Fiction)
Ann TatlockSweet Mercy (Bethany House Publishers)
Liz TolsmaSnow on the Tulips (Thomas Nelson)

Fiction: Romance
Rachel HauckOnce Upon a Prince (Zondervan)
Maureen LangAll in Good Time (Tyndale Publishers)
Davalynn SpencerThe Ranchers Second Chance (Love Inspired / Heartsong Presents)

Fiction: Contemporary Women
Normandie FischerSailing Out of Darkness (WhiteFire Publishing)
Anita HigmanWinter in Full Bloom (Moody Publishers)
Cynthia RuchtiWhen the Morning Glory Blooms (Abingdon Press)

Thanks to the generous support of Crossbooks and LifeWay/Ridgecrest, the banquet will be telecast live over the internet. To access the live stream during the awards banquet, click on: http://ridgecrestconferencecenter.org/christian-writers-live#.U2k6Y_ldUuc.
For more information, you may email Eva Marie Everson at BlueRidgeCWC@aol.com.


Saturday, May 3, 2014

WORTH

Please allow me over the next several posts to share some of the content of the speaking engagement I did. This particular event was for a women's ministry, but I believe anyone can learn about our godly worth.

Worth is defined as the value of something measured by it qualities.

In the world, we might examine the worth of a person by such qualities as the amount of money she makes, the position she holds, or the possessions she has accumulated.

In God's economy those things are not of worth and will be burned when tested. See 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. Those things that God counts as worth are those treasures stored in heaven. See Matthew 6:19-21.

How can we become women (people) of worth? Allow me to use the word, WORTH, and Titus 2 in order to get to the things that are truly of worth in the Kingdom of God.

Let's start with W. The W stands for worship.

Titus 2:3a states: "Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live." NIV (The "likewise" refers to the verse before it which tells the older men to do just about the same as the women.)

Reverent means honor or respect felt or shown. Worship is defined as to honor or reverence as a divine being or supernatural power. To regard with respect, honor, or devotion.

My husband often defines worship as worth-ship. We are to show God how much His is worth.

This verse in Titus Two doesn't say to be reverent in church. It states we are to be reverent in the way we live.



Truly everything we do should be done as worship to God - showing Him how much He is worth to us by the way we live and conduct ourselves.

Let's face it, we often "worship" people and things we shouldn't. We devote our time and attention to some TV star or gaining a sleek possession like a new boat. These things will pass away. But, the time and attention we give to honoring God with our money and putting no other person or thing before Him, will pay eternal dividends.

Having money, position, and possessions isn't wrong unless these things are what we are devoted to. We as Christians are to live in such as way that we honor God in all we do and everything we have.

Let's set our minds and hearts to making sure we show God how much He is worth to us in the way we live.