What I Know For Sure and more...

Hello! This is Barb Twigg with another What I Know For Sure. Let’s not work!

 

Dear SUMites

Ann here. Oh, it’s good to be back after the ‘summer’ break! That said, it has been winter here in New Zealand!! Yes, we are topsy turvy down here

Now, it has been SO long since I last wrote, I thought I would tell you a little about three big faith activities going on for me at the moment. I’ll pop a scripture next to each part, as we go along.

Here’s what I’ve been up to:

First, I have been continuing to attend a wonderful fortnightly women’s life group. Oh SUMites, what joy. Those women are so important to me now, after several years of walking through our faith lives together. Here’s a photo with some of them.

Have you got a group you’re part of? If not, I pray that God will meet that desire.

He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them (Psalm 145:19)

The second thing is that God led me to a new church about six months ago, by surprise. It’s a Presbyterian church in a different suburb from where I live. It is also a different style of church to what I’m used to. So, I am attending it on faith.

Four other people have also been led to that church, and they and I have formed a little team of ‘quiet cheerleaders for that church’. We chit-chat about why we might be there. It’s fun.

Sometimes you go somewhere purely because you sense God has asked you to. And that is enough of a reason.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21, NIV)

And finally: Bryce and I bought a house quite unplanned earlier this year — in the countryside! We are city people. But we went for a drive one day to a lovely far-off peninsula, and there was a house for sale. Bryce slammed on the brakes, one thing led to another, and before we knew it, it was ours!

I didn’t press the point with Bryce, but I felt that God was in the purchase.

The house is far from where Bryce works, so we can’t live in it yet. We go up there and do work in the garden instead. But I have in my heart to turn it into a retreat where people can come and rest. Bryce knows about this

I have a lovely leather notebook, sitting permanently in that house — And I am dreaming with God about the retreat, scribbling all ideas down…. and talking to him about the fact I think I’m building something there.

This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength …” (Isaiah 30:15)

So, those are three big faith-based ‘things’ going on.

God certainly takes us through bends in the road, and twists and turns of seasons in our lives. We really never know what’s next — whether it’s easy or difficult. But any which way, it is RICH when we walk it with him.

SUMites, do you have any summer developments that have happened with you? Has God done something ‘rich to your heart’ this summer?

Much love

Ann

I started writing in 2006 and didn’t have a clue, but I took courses and attended Christian writers’ conferences. Because of those efforts, I have now been writing for 20 years and am about to publish my eighth book.

There are so many ways to write now, so many places to publish your work, and many opportunities to earn money.

I will be teaching Crafting Devotions and Beginning Non-Fiction at the West Coast Christian Writers Conference in November. You can attend in person or online.

Here are the course summaries:

Workshop For Beginning Non-fiction Writers: Start Your Non-Fiction Book Today

And finish it in 90 days!

As a new writer, starting a project is an overwhelming prospect. In this workshop you will acquire writing skills, and the “MUST Haves” for writers: The Power of 48 minutes, writing technology, nuances to craft chapters which compel your readers to action and positive change, editing, defining your market and more. You will take with you the courage to share your work and become a published author.

Craft Inspiring and Compelling Devotionals

Writing with passion inspires readers into greater faith and transformation. In this workshop we discover how to write a strong devotional by exploring the personal nature of devotionals, the key elements of effective devotional writing, and what to and what not to include in devotionals. We will learn how to develop ideas for different devotional markets and social media. This is an inspiring and faith building workshop for authors who desire to help others grow in their faith in Jesus.

BIO: Lynn Donovan is a speaker, prayer minister, writing teacher and award-winning author of multiple Christian living, devotional, and spiritual warfare titles. She has written for newspapers and magazines and has been a featured guest on Christian television and radio networks. Her passion is inspiring aspiring writers to follow their passion and write for the Kingdom of God. She

Here is the link to find out more: West Coast Christian Writers Association

Hi! Ian here. I trust all of you in the northern hemisphere have enjoyed a glorious summer season and managed to get away to enjoy some rest and relaxation.

Spring has certainly sprung here in Sydney, even though winter is trying this week to remind us that maybe there’s still some cold around the corner.

Change

We SUMites pray and hope our pre-believing partners will change and come to find the Lord. We often, especially in the early years invite our partners to join us at church, meeting Christian friends, etc in the hope these will assist them in their discovery process.

Two things I’ve learnt over almost thirty years together with my wonderful wife, Fiona, is:

• God is responsible for our partners coming to him. He has them in his very trusty hands. Yes, our prayers are important and having our partners share in our friendships, and such is very positive for them and your relationship.
• Expecting our partners to be the only one who changes is flawed thinking. We too need to change. Think of it as setting an example.

Transformation is a better word

Standing still in a relationship isn’t generally a positive thing. Whether that’s with a spouse, a friendship, sibling and of course our Lord. All relationships require positive momentum if they are to survive and thrive. There are mountains of books and such that will affirm such.

As partakes our relationship with the Lord, once again, he is responsible for the transforming, he does it, not us. We simply choose each day to abide with him and position ourselves so he can do the work in us.

Remember those words in John 15:

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (v 4-7 NIV)

I’ve highlighted two phrases that keep convicting me:

• ‘for apart from me you can do nothing’

Yes, we can do lots of things but anything of heavenly consequence doesn’t count for much if we do it without abiding with him.

• ‘And my words abide in you’

I’ve recently appreciated how slack I’ve been in the old-fashioned practice of memorising Scripture, so I’ve started it again. Funnily, it coincided with my church doing similar in our current prayer season. I’m loving it. I use my morning walk to recall me memory verses. My chemo fogged up brain makes everything a bit slower but I know it’s good for me and helps in my abiding with Jesus.

The effects of memorising Scripture is it gets inside and transforms us. “For the Word of God is alive and active …” (Hebrews 4:12). It’s supernatural and the more we have it chewing around inside us, the more God’s Word grabs our hearts and minds to change us.

And maybe our partners take note that there is something going on inside us as the Word bubbles around and transforms some of the things we say, giving us more patience, greater willingness to forgive and greater kindness. Yes, this doesn’t happen overnight but over time, perhaps a long time as is God’s way, and our relationships deepen as one possible outcome.

If you haven’t tried memorising Scripture or it’s been a while, start small. Take your favourite verses, write them down and take as long as you need before moving on to another verse. Try it. See how you go and give yourself lots of grace. Don’t let it become a chore or burden. Try to enjoy it and celebrate the little wins like recalling that first verse you try and then the next one.

Let us know how you go.

Who amongst us already has a regular memorisation habit? Love you to share a little about your experience. What works, doesn’t work and what transformation you’ve seen in yourself as a result. And whether anyone else noticed those things.

Go well, dear SUMites.

HALLELUJAH

For the past two weeks I’ve been unable to login to the site and write a post. I’ve missed all of you so much.

Let’s have an update. Because of my technical issues with the host site, we missed our timeline to finish the Healthy Relationships posts, and I missed the start of the fall Bible study. Perhaps it’s for the best.

I would like to actually draw your attention to something I believe is more important today. This Friday is Rosh Hashanah. If yo have been a reader here for a while, you know that I have shared how much this season reflects changes in my life over the years.

Here is what you need to know. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish calendar New Year. I’m convinced

I believe God doesn’t change and He views this day as a start of His year and timeline. Year-upon-year I’ve watched many things end in August and September. Relationships end. Employment ends. Ministry has ended. Living in one place and moving to another. All of these things have happened right around this time.

And this is why. God is closing out seasons, relationships, participations; both good and bad, to make room for new assignments.

So, as we lead up to Friday, I want you to take five minutes and share with me what you have seen come to a close in your life. Then if you have a hint as to what new assignments might be ahead. Share that too.

For me, I often find things coming to a close in September and the new assignments begin in November. I also encounter tremendous spiritual warfare that month. So, just a heads up.

Okay, let me know what is happening in your life. I love all of you so much. I can’t wait to share with you what I am learning about healing…. I had a profound experience praying for a woman on Sunday. Jesus showed up and blew all of our minds.

Stay tuned because this fall into the holiday season is going to be EPIC!!!!  Love and hugs, Lynn