Fullfillment In the Whirlwind

Good morning/afternoon/evening! Whatever time you are reading this I am glad you stopped by. I am so honored to be asked to write a little something for you. I hope to encourage you today to be flexible enough to allow God to interrupt your plans by telling you my story of how I ended up on this site in the first place.

My name is Venus. (really) I am a single mom to two very strong willed children. While they are my daily challenges, they are also my daily blessings. 2008 has been a whirlwind year for me. For the last year and a half I feel God has really been inspiring me with ideas of things I want to do for his kingdom. Well, for a year of this year and a half I felt just plain stuck. I had this vision of what I wanted to do and I wanted to do it right then. With no finances and no idea how or where to begin this wonderful venture, I began to feel frustrated and lost. I began to think maybe this "crazy" idea was just that, a crazy idea.

June 2008: I attended my monthly Faith At Work luncheon. Once a month Christian women get together to hear speakers teach us how to bring our faith to the workplace. That month our guest speaker was Diane Cunningham, life purpose coach. Exactly what I needed at just the right time! But of course, does God do it any other way? That day I won a door prize directly related to the ideas I had been having and I just had to share with her. I told her how stuck I was and she suggested we talk. Before we had our phone session I had started a blog. I was just craving to connect with other Christian women to grow in my faith since so many of my friends are not believers. YET. I had sent her a link and asked her to check it out. http://todayschristianmom.blogspot.com/

She did, and she liked it! When we got to speak one on one she told me I was a writer and suggested I check out a site she was involved with Take Root and Write. She said it was fairly new and they were looking for writers. Well, this had nothing to do with my vision, in fact it was not even in the same category and I have never considered myself to be a writer, or at least a good one, but since I had just stumbled on the site the day before and now here she was mentioning it, I felt God's hand in it.

I contacted the site's creator and had her look at my new blog. Granted I was doing all this not really knowing what I would do if she actually asked me to write for her. Guess what. She did! She asked me to write a column about being a single Christian mom. The introduction to my bi-weekly column was published on 8/8/08. I had heard somewhere that 8 was the number of new beginnings and I thought, " how appropriate".

http://www.takerootandwrite.com/columns_single_moms/index.html

I have to say this has been the most challenging thing I have done in a long time. At first I thought I really had nothing to contribute or anything encouraging to say to other women who are in my situation, have been at one time, or are about to be. I was really nervous about the whole thing until I started getting emails from women telling me they understood exactly where I was coming from!

I am now part of this wonderful on-line ministry I do not think I would have found had God not guided me to it. Each and every one of the women involved has been such a blessing to me words just cannot express. While writing was not the original tool I had planned to use to reach women and bring them closer to Christ, it has still been just as effective. And it has been an even bigger blessing to me and I feel it is just the first step in God's purpose for my life. I am so glad he has a plan for me because if He didn't I might still be just sitting on my own plans. He has a plan for you too if you will allow him to guide you.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9 NIV

Sounds of the Season Part 1

Today, as we prepare for the celebration of the honor of the Lord Jesus' birth into this world we offer some beautiful video and sounds of the season. Jesus is not the reason for just a season, but a lifestyle. I hope you will enjoy these few sounds of the season as we share the thoughts and hopes of peace and good will towards all mankind. The last video is for all those who are serving in the military, on missions, or otherwise not home with family and friends, our prayers and wishes are for you as well. Merry CHRISTmas!

Ribs Worth the Adventure

Have you ever bought a city guide, especially in large cities this is almost a must, but found that the descriptions weren't always what you exptected? Early in my New York City experience as an Executive Assistant on Wall Street, I needed to find someplace for my boss to hold a lunch meeting. She wanted someplace new. So armed with my city restaurant guide, I began to look for the perfect place. I went back to her with a couple of suggestions and she laughed, knowing that I didn't know the city yet. Her suggestion--take a couple of hours and go check out those places. I knew they were going to be "dogs" she never let you out of the office even for lunch.

Nevertheless I did take those couple of hours and got to know the streets and what was there. Well, last night the Impromptu Party Planner described to me what she found on Google about Lee's Barbeque. We both knew it was in the hood for real. But not necessarily by Google reviewers standards. We laughed till we hurt reading the reviews.

In the Buffalo City Guide, Lee's Barbeque Restaurant has a 4 1/2 star review. Not bad right? If you were visiting you might just want to visit, even though one review clearly states it is a take-out only. But what the heck--we can take them home, take them back to the hotel--whatever. The true of the tale is this:

As one reviewer stated "the neighborhood is a bit rough...but you get a lot of food for your money." The neighborhood is in one of the most notorious parts of the east side. Daily shootings aren't like they were a few years ago, and Lee's still sits on the same corner, amid closed stores, boarded up windows that were broken or shot out. Drug dealers and prostitutes all over, but Lee's has never moved. ER-BOD-EE in Buffalo knows Lee's Ribs!

I remember the first time a group of us went to Lee's to pick up ribs, they told me to stay in the car [I was the only Caucasian in the group]. I realized it wasn't necessarily for my safety, but theirs. I have learned so much since then. I had just moved to Buffalo, [that was about 25 years ago].

But today--Wooeeee, I can't wait until 6pm tonight. My plate filled with ribs dripping with Lee's special sauce, three-cheese macaroni and cheese, collard greens cooked with smoked turkey wing, coleslaw, cornbread, and cheese cake will be in my hands. Yummy

But my point today is this--Don't trust the maps to tell you about a restaurant, call them, check it out! And when in Buffalo, New York go to Lee's Barbeque and get a slab of ribs, slaw and fries--Happy Eating its worth the adventure!

Love Acts of the Impromptu Party Planner

One of the ways that we seldom look at as "Love Acts" is the impromptu party planner. Yes, those dear souls who work with us in offices, on various church staffs, or family instigators. So today, the 365 Love Award goes to a person who I know personally, and have had the extreme good pleasure of tasting the outpouring of love from the perpetual spaghetti pot.

Many is the time when people were at her home, she would excuse herself and go to the kitchen. Out came the big pot and before long hot garlic bread, spaghetti that would make an Italian mama cry, paper plates and plastic forks--Let's eat!

This year, with the cutbacks at corporations, her company decided that there would not be the annual Christmas/Holiday Party. But you know, there are just times when you see your fellow workers cleaning out their desks, putting family photos in briefcases or purses, and you are grateful that you are still a survivor in the rate race of business. It is during those times that there is an unspoken need to have something to keep the momentum. Right on cue, the impromptu party planner.

Without hesitation, a December BBQ is planned. In her city is a place called Lee's BBQ, the best ribs in the country. Everybody volunteers to bring something for the table. Macaroni and cheese, broccoli coleslaw, shredded pork, cakes, pies, you name it--its coming. People from other departments ask if they can join. Nobody doesn't like a party for lunch!

When life gets depressing and there is no way around situations--the impromptu party planner has a way of making us feel good, to bring out the joy of friendship and good food. Our impromptu party planner--I affectionaly call Mother Worthey--always being a mother to somebody, better known as Ms. Candice.

Poetess Sheila Kline ~May I Love ~

~May I Love~

When I open up my heart and allow its love to flow,

May it always flow with a love that others may know!

When I stretch out my hand towards another in need;

May it hold that which allows sincere love to take seed!

When I open my eyes to see far corners of our earth;

May I see sad souls as they pray for new love to birth!

When I see a heart that is crying as a result from pain;

May my compassion help heal it to feel love yet again!

When I walk on a day's passage of a moment in time;

May my footsteps direct me to deliver gifts thus kind!

When I see a child that needs to feel love of a mother;

May my motherly desires present this love to another!

When I see one that has stumbled, and is now so lost;

May my sense of direction anchor a spirit being tossed!

When I hear one calling out for someone to please hear;

May I realize that every call is uttered from ones dear!

When I feel music in my spirit that dances about so free;

May I share these special moments of joyful discovery!

When I gather flowers that with beauty of love do grow;

May I give them to others, as my love for them I show!

When my heart is full to the tiptop and then spills out;

May others accept it as a love sincere, without a doubt!

When I experience great love that must be given away;

May it allow another needy spirit to enjoy a blessed day!

Sheila C. Kline

A Poetess of Multiplicity

Ya Gotta Love The Streets

Words like what’s up, good time’s, and Wodaa fills the air, young man chasings car’s yelling “Hey, Hey” as they whistle to make a drug sell. I see young ladies being pull to the side of the road by men twice their age some with a young child on their side already. Yup, that’s when I know I’m on the streets in the heart of the projects in my Lil town where the lost gather and broken heart s corral.

I smile as I walk sometimes nodding my head to greet a stranger even speaking the language at times (what’s up) I would say. You see, these streets are a different world those who are in them cannot see past the scales on their eyes. The people who roam these streets view the world in an different light. In fact, there is no light for them to view. When I hear a church mention the phase "street ministry" it makes me feel uncomfortable not knowing whom they will choose to be the leader of the pack. You can’t just send out anyone to the streets it must come natural you have to have a feeling for the task

Example when Christ wanted the disciples to catch a fish and gatherer money out of its mouth to pay taxes, he didn’t send the disciple who was a tax collector he sent the fishmen. Christ used the skills inside one to perform a task, I believe it’s no different than street ministry; you have know your roll.

When I move through the hood sometimes it’s just to show my face letting them see me around; other times I’m stopping to ask questions to the youngster about life. I don’t judge because the saved is just a sinner who was down and was bless enough to get up. I put myself in their shoes. I embark on conversations that they can related to, like how the police treat them, school, something they might be involved in. I allow these lost souls to talk their heart out with no perceived or hidden agenda; I listen and listen and listen.

I know someone might say isn’t the purpose of being out there is to save souls and you would be correct, but I cannot take away what God has given them and that’s a choice. So I have no agenda but I do have faith that after they are done venting and sharing that they would allow me to pray or share testimonies of what Christ has done for me. Street ministry is about showing where God could bring a person from.

For me personally, I share how I slept on the floor in the jail house and how I faced three felonies. I share how I was unfaithful to the woman I loved. I share how I used to drink and smoke weed until the cows came home. I give them a sample of who I used to be, and how God changed me into the man of purpose and integrity of today.

The streets, you got to love them. It is the one place where you could find soul’s who truly want the truth. Ask yourself when was the last time you passed thorough a rough neighbor and locked your doors as you rolled by? What do you say when you see someone's pants hanging of their (back side)? When I view that rough neighbor I see challenges but also opportunity.

When I see someone with their pants hanging down I view them as prospects of hope. How could one view this in that manner, easy it’s the same feeling you get when you see a blind man walking across the street, you want to be his eyes because they cannot see. This is the same way we should feel about the street let’s not fault them for being blind let’s try and be their eyes. But just like the blind man walking across the street he has a choice whether he will allow you to help him or not, street ministry is all about giving them a choice.

*******************************************

Be sure to check out Donald Bogen's "Bathroom Minister" videos on http://www.youtube.com/ and http://www.livinginblackandwhite.com/

Donald is a minister with Church of God In Christ in Louisiana. I met this example of Christ's love on Living In Black and White--Real Life In Christ social media site. Donald isn't afraid to keep things real in talking with people. All it takes is a few minutes either in person, blogging, or chat to know he doesn't play and has a heart for help other people.

When The Soul Mends Blog Tour and Give Away

Welcome to Blog Tour for New York Times Bestseller Cindy Woodsmall's newest book and "When The Soul Mends". This is one book that really surprised me both in the twists and turns, as well as the ending! You can usually tell by the two-thirds mark of a fiction book how it will end, not with When the Soul Mends.

I was wondering if I would be able to keep up with the list of characters that are listed in the front of the book. So many from the two previous books and any new ones that might show up. Well, Woodsmall is a great story teller and allows you to catch up in no time. I only had to glance at the list a couple of times in the beginning. I found the setting delightful, moving back and forth between the Amish world and the modern.

Hannah, one of the main characters, grew up in the Amish community, yet ran away for good reason but the question always reamained of whether she had made the right decision. Would she ever get over the feelings of her family and their opinions of life and her in particular? I found myself drawn into this character because of her situation, as I think many of the readers will.

And what is a good story without the love interests? Well, this is an area that will not only keep you guessing but rooting for one or the other--or at times all of them. You want Hannah to make the right and wise decision--but what is the right answer for her? Has she become so modern in the world of nursing school, Englisher boyfriend and modern clothes that she couldn't make the switch back? Pondering life then, now, and forever--so much for a young woman to consider. And what about the reasons she left in the first place?

This is a great story about choices; the ones made in haste out of frustration and hurt, then the more rational ones afterward. It works out for everyone in the end, but just as real life, it is the journey through the muddy spots that make for a good story.

GIVE AWAY: I have two copies of When The Soul Mends to give away. Simply post a comment on this blog, and your name will be entered to win. Contests is for US residents only, Dec 8-9th, 2008.

Author Bio: Cindy Woodsmall is a best-selling author, who has garnered strong praise for the first two novels in the Sisters of the Quilt series. When the Heart Cries was a finalist for the ECPA Novel of the Year in 2007 and received the Reviewer’s Choice Award from the Road to Romance website. When the Morning Comes was named among the Best Books of 2007 for Crossings Book Club. Cindy lives in Georgia with her husband of thirty years.