Fleeting tide

A dear friend of ours passed away this week. He was only 40 and he had a heart attack. He spent the day laughing and hanging out with dear friends, not aware that this would be his last day on our earth. It came as quite a shock to all of us when Fred died.

He is having a blast now, I am sure of that! He is with his God, free from all that hurts in this world!

As news of his death made its way across the states via Face Book, my heart was touched by the many, many posts left by people who adored him and who would miss him terribly. But as I read all the beautiful and sad sentiments, I began to wonder...was Fred aware just how loved he really was? Are any of us aware just how loved we are?

It shouldn't take a tragedy for us to remember each other. Our world has gotten too big...we can go months without stopping by to say 'hi', either via phone, text, Face Book, or the old fashioned way...in person. And I am the guiltiest of all! I'm not a phone person so I rarely call anyone.

Let's take the time in our busy schedule to connect with those we love. Let's take just a moment to recognize them...to let them know they crossed our minds...to let them know they are important to us. If this week has shown me anything, it has shown me that we truly do not know when this will be our last day. Or when it will be the last day for someone we love.

Christmas Special!

You can purchase The Between now until December 10th for only $10 (plus shipping and handling)! That is a savings of $4.95!

Please email me at srsingley@gmail.com to place your order. You can pay via paypal.

So I wake up smiling!

My family often teases me because I wake up in such a good mood, ready for the day, little birdies sitting on my shoulders while singing, woodland creatures flocking to be near me...okay I made that last part up.

Everyday is such a blessing to me. Each morning is new...as are the mercies of God. I just can't help it! Life is incredible! It hasn't always been like this though. I had so many years filled with fear, sorrow, insecurity, bad decisions, misery, yet even then I tried to put on a good face so my girls wouldn't know.

You know how the scripture says 'he who has been forgiven much, loves much'? I think that applies to me. Life is a precious gift and I do not want to squander it. I want to live each moment...breathe in deep the mysteries of God. The Lord has blessed my life so much. I am content. What else do I need? Yet He still blesses me, everyday. My cup truly runneth over, and it is so amazing.

Now, don't get me wrong. I still get in a bad mood sometimes, and I'm still battling fibromyalgia which makes me sleepy almost all the time, but I refuse to let it get me down. One day it might...but for now, I will praise the Lord for each and every moment of my life.

24 HOUR PROMOTION!

If you order The Between in the next 24 hours, you will receive a free copy of the sequel, Benjamin's Gate, when it is finished being published (which should be in the next month). The only stipulation is you order through me so I can keep track of you!

Our Father...

How often have we heard the Lord's prayer? Our Father, who art in heaven, holy is thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil...for Thine is the Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory, forever, amen.

Notice with me that the prayer is not singular. It is not 'my father...give me this day...forgive me...lead me not but deliver me...

No. It is plural. Our prayers should not be so self-involved that we forget the bigger picture out there! We are an entire body! We should care deeply about the whole church, not just a toe or a finger. When we pray, we need to raise supplications to OUR Father for the collective body of Christ! Those who are hurting, those who are being persecuted, those who are rejoicing!

And what an incredible feeling when we pray like this! Our solitude dissipates by the time we have said our amens. How can you feel alone when you are joined in prayer with and for thousands and thousands of brothers and sisters? How powerful we are in our solidarity!

We've heard about what power there is when there are two or more gathered in His Name...we have that power every time we pray, even if we feel we are alone.

For when we pray in His Name, we are NEVER alone!

Amazing Grace...are we still listening to the sweet sound?

I get up at 4:00 in the morning to go to work and complain that it's so early!
There are thousands out of work right now who would give anything to have the incredible job I have.

I go grocercy shopping at three different stores, and complain how much I hate shopping!
There are thousands of hungry people who would give anything to be able to eat.

I put gas in my pretty car and complain at the high prices!
There are thousands who have no car.

On my days off, I mow the lawn, clean the kitchen, clean my room, do my laundry, and complain about how much I have to do!
There are thousands of people who have lost their beloved homes, or who have never owned a home, or who are living on the streets, who would give anything to have what I have.

Lord, I want to extend a humble apology to You. My heart is desperately sorry for complaining. Your Amazing Grace has given me more than I ever knew I could have...and I am no more deserving than the next guy. Please forgive my grumbling. I have all I need...and all I want. Your grace and Your love are sufficient for me every day of my life.

Please allow me to continue to hear the sweet sound of Your Grace for eternity, and to shout it from the rooftops as long as I have a voice.

Tattooed

'Just another thug'.

That's what I thought at least. This young man, baggy pants, shaved head, black socks, area code tattooed on his neck. I knew the type. I had seen them a hundred times before, and usually I make sure to walk on the other side of the street. Not because I hate them...more like I'm afraid of them. But today this thug was taking the same bus as me so he couldn't be avoided.

Up walks a little old man...wheezing, limping, leaning on the bus as he waits his turn to board. My heart goes out to the old man but it's loud and crowded. I don't take the time to say anything. But to my surprise, thug boy does.

"Hey, how you doin'? You alright? You holdin' up?" The old man smiles and nods. The young thug says 'You take care now," and gets on the bus.

Oh Father, forgive me. My eyes saw, but my heart was closed. My mind reacted, but my spirit remained silent. That boy is someone's son...someone loves and prays for him. He is a human...a soul that needs a savior.

I pray that I can look past the marks of sin that are branded on mankind, and see the spirit within. I pray that You give me Your sight Lord so I can see what You see, so I can love like You love...

...so I can perhaps smile at a thug at a bus stop, and maybe even let him see You in me.

Funny thing happened on the way to my 50's...

In my twenties I was terrified. I married young (18) had my first child when I was 20, second when I was 25, divorced when I was 26. I felt so alone and scared...I had no idea what I was doing. I don't think I was ready to be a grown up.

In my thirties I went back and forth between making dumb choices and making smart choices. It was all pretty much a blur. I was insecure, unsure of myself as a parent and a person. I was a good mom, though. I will give myself that.

My forties were much better (I think I finally understood what being a grown up was about). Although I endured some great tragedies and hardships during that time, I learned and grew. I made better choices for my life. I was still a little unsure of myself, but I was realizing that I was far more capable than I had given myself credit for. I started seriously writing and was able to do what I had always dreamed...complete not just one novel, but a series!!

I am only two years into my 50's but I have to say I am really liking this age! I am self-confident (in a good way), I am poised, composed, peaceful, yet I still have my goofy side. I went from terrified to do anything, to a person who will not take no for an answer until I know that there is truly no way to make it happen.

I don't know what the future holds for me, but I do know that the Lord is true and faithful. He took a scared, insecure little girl and grew her into a mature, joyful woman. It only took 30 years!! And He isn't finished with me yet. I can't wait to see what happens next!

10 years ago...

I was driving to work, on my way to pick up my carpool partner. I turned on the radio, ready to hear some uplifting music while entering the not so beautiful traffic of Southern California. Little did I know that what I was about to hear would send a permanent chill down my spine, and would change my beloved country forever.

I know none of us will ever forget where we were when we heard. Neither will we, or should we, forget the countless acts of bravery and selflessness the world witnessed that day. Let us also not forget that we were attacked by Muslim terrorists. Were they extremists? Probably. But extremists or not, it is part of the Muslim belief system to kill those who do not believe in Allah.

Our United States, in an effort to appear non-prejudicial, has since then embraced the Muslim community. We are allowing them to build their mosques and hold meetings, even in places that Christians are not allowed to.

Our country screams 'freedom of religion' when it comes to Muslims. Islam is not even a recognized religion in the United States! It is also not a religion. It is more of a tyrannical government, and its people want to conquer every nation that opposes it. All one must do is read their Quran to see this.

Now please understand, I do not advocate hating them. Jesus instructed us to pray for and love those who hate us. I am asking that we all do so for the Muslims. However, we are also supposed to be wise...we can love them, we can pray for them, but we should always remember what their 'religion' teaches...what it is about. And we should always protect ourselves from it.

I pray we learn that lesson before it is too late...before another hideous attack has come or before our freedom has been injured yet again.

Transitions

How easily one season transitions into another in Tennessee. Overnight...literally...we went from Summer's heat to Autumn's crisp coolness. We went from tank-tops and flip-flops to digging in the back of the closet for our warmest sweaters.

Although I love the weather changes and enjoy each season, I feel tired when the change first happens. Don't you? My mind says 'Yay! Time for a new season!' My body says, 'Go away...I'm not ready for this yet.'

I think this is the way we handle all of our 'new seasons' in life. It takes time to grow accustomed to a change...even if it's a change we wanted. I think it would do us a world of good if we understood this, and if we quit pressuring ourselves. The Lord made us resilient, but he made us human as well.

When a new season comes in your life, don't be disappointed if you need a minute to get used to it. Just rest in His Love, and in the knowledge that ALL seasons are in His Hands. Soon enough you will be running in the rain, or playing in the sun. Give yourself time.

Acts Project

I have been inspired by a group of believer's in the UK...they live the second chapter of Acts each day. I am praying about the possibility of starting something similar here in Rutherford County called The Acts Project.

The body of Christ is too separated...we all have our own churches, our own denominations, our own set of people. But if we only associate with our small groups, how will we help the rest of the body? If we as a finger only communicate with the hand, how will we help to heal a broken foot?

My thought is a Christian Co-op. Start a group that reaches across the denominations. The only prerequisite is that you are a Christian, you believe Jesus is God incarnate, that our God is One God, but is a triune God...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You believe Jesus died for our sins and rose again, and through Him we have eternal life. That's it! It doesn't matter how you worship, or how you take communion, or how you baptize, it doesn't matter if you speak in tongues or do not.

What we would do is start a facebook and/or a blog group. If a member of the group has a need, they would post it. The need could be something as simple as 'family needs a haircut but can't afford it' to 'need a new starter. Can pay for parts but can't afford labor.' Or, 'I'm sick this week, can someone run some errands for me?' Once a need is posted, a group member who can help responds. It's that simple.

Please pray for this project. Let's see if we can live as Christ intended, as a whole body helping each other and lifting each other.

Beginnings...

This is my first blog! I'm not sure who will read it, but at this point it doesn't matter. I'm still trying to figure out this entire 'blog' thing. I guess I will start by saying how blessed I am to have my book published. I have worked on this story for years! I know it shouldn't take that long, but I actually had to write three stories, then cross reference, then edit. And guess what?? There are still errors!! Gotta love it.

Anyway, I will figure out this blog world one day. And when I do, I will be sure to post more exciting stuff.