Set Your Sights On Things Above
We so quickly get our eyes off God. Let's get back into
perspective.
perspective.
4/30/2015
Be the Bright OneHave you ever thought of writing a note to your pastor?
Have you done it? Was it a negative note, or a positive one? Your pastor needs encouragement. His family needs encouragement. But beyond that, pastor needs specific encouragement. What is he doing in your church that you appreciate? Specifically. What did he say last Sunday that resonated in your heart and soul? What did his kids do that you thought was cute? What ideas has he had lately that you thought were good? List them. Don’t put negative ones down. I’m not saying never to be honest, but the pastor has plenty of people around him to call him on things that they don’t agree with. Be someone who does agree with your pastor. Be that bright spot in their day.
4/2/2015
Family Gossip HurtsWe can be so strict with ourselves about not gossiping...when it comes to other church members, or coworkers. But what about family members? Does it occur to us that we might be gossiping about family members? Does it count as gossip when it's family? What about when talking to our husband? I was thinking about this, and seeing that gossip can turn an entire group against a person. Gossip in a family does the same thing, turning an entire extended family against one person in the family. I've seen it happen. I'm seeing it happen. Sometimes we think of it as different somehow when it's within family. I'm not sure why, I can't say I've been perfect in this regard myself. But I'm saying, it's not innocent just because you're blood related to the person. And talking to your husband? No different. Gossip can drive a wedge between your husband and your family. The husband wants to protect his wife, so when she comes to him with complaints about her family, he feels angry. It makes him angry at your family, and there are consequences. Gossip reinterprets motives, ascribes thoughts and feelings to the person's actions that may or may not be true. Gossip can turn someone already partly isolated into a permanent family outcast. Tragically, often the one being gossiped about doesn't even know what's happening until it's too late, and doesn't know what to do about it anyway. Suddenly they get the cold shoulder, they're the one no one seems to be talking to, family members seem to be talking about things they don't understand anymore, or they get harsh reactions over what they thought were little things. They didn't know it was something that needed solving until it had grown out of control. And how is it solved? Gossip takes Jesus' model of resolving conflict (Matthew 18), and throws it all out of whack. The gossipers are all offended...only it's over something they heard, rather than something done to them. Plus, if they try to approach the person, they've immediately outed themselves as having indulged in gossip in the first place. The one being gossiped about usually doesn't know who to approach...or if they do, it's only resolving one relationship. How does she heal the many relationships that were damaged? How does she even know who they all are? What do we do about this? How can a family be healed from the effects of gossip? I don't know. Do you?
3/23/2015
What Do I Want?First off, I don't have to have my kids get married for them to be happy. Yes, I believe they can be great men and women of God as single adults, just like married people are. However, IF my kids were to marry, this is what I want. Girls, I want you to marry a guy who loves you BECAUSE of who you are, not in spite of it. A guy who doesn't see some idealistic potential in you...wanting to mold you into what he thinks of as the ideal Christian woman. I want a husband for you who sees you as the wonderful girl you are, and will accept you now. I want a guy for you whose behavior you do not always have to explain away to yourself. Beyond giving him the benefit of the doubt, (which is a good thing usually), I want a husband for you who needs no excuses, because he treats you right in the first place. Most of all, I want to see you be the woman of God who deserves a man like this. Boys, I want to see you marry a girl who not only loves you for you, but also respects you for who you are. I'd like to see you marry a girl who doesn't try to mold you into the image she sees in her head. A girl who doesn't see you as a project, but as a man of God. Most of all, I want to see you be the man of God who deserves this kind of girl. You know why I say this? Because I have a bunch of wacky, uniquely wonderful kids, who frankly deserve to stay exactly that way. Of course they can and should grow and mature. They certainly aren't perfect.
But it gets me a bit steamed when people hold up one template for what they consider 'Godly', and then hold everyone up to that template to see if they match up. If they don't, then they're somehow not 'Godly'. Unless that template is the Bible, then the person matching them up is in the wrong. They've got an unrealistic, unfair template, that honestly will rob them of the rich diversity that God allows in our lives. We are uniquely and wonderfully made. Don't look at each other and expect the 'best' to fit into some sort of pre-fab construction model. And my kids (all of you - you know who you are), don't allow anyone other than God to press you into a mold. God accepts us for who we are now, and then He changes us for the better. But that's GOD's job. His ideal often looks different than ours. Let God be the One who changes you. He'll do it better anyway.
3/20/2015
Christian Fiction FridayIt's time for me to share a bit of one of my works in progress. This is a story that's been a long time coming, and has evolved from a simple, fun short story into a full-length drama. I hope to have this one done and published sometime this year.
....................................................................................................................................................................... He was drunk. Dean had come back home stinking, fall down drunk and nearly passed out on the floor in front of my baby sister. He looked utterly ridiculous, and he obviously thought it was funny as he kept laughing this sick little chuckle. If I hadn’t known he was there it would have been creepy. As it was, the moon shone directly through the big glass windows over the front door, illuminating him in all his glory. Thankfully he hadn’t thrown up yet, so I wouldn’t need to deal with that. I gritted my teeth, wishing Imee were here and I could just let her take care of the guy. But she wasn’t, I was, and my brothers and sister were all staring, wondering what I was going to do. “Is he gonna die too, Emmy?” Libby looked up at me, her light brown eyes wide with worry. The child had had so much loss that she immediately got worried whenever anyone around her was ill. “No, I don’t think so, honey.” I tried to reassure her as I turned her gently back toward our room. “Adam, please help her get back to bed. You and Trevor go back to bed, too. Greg and Kevin, please come help me.” Neither of the older boys looked real happy to be commandeered to help, but I was not dragging Mr. Superstar into his room on my own. No way, no how. This was at least a three person job. Dean wasn’t overly tall, but he was thick…plus I wasn’t about to enter his private sanctuary all by myself. By the time we reached his prostrate form he’d begun snoring softly. He had fallen asleep, of course, and the stench rising from him was not attractive at all. Greg got in front of him, Kevin pushed from behind, and I grabbed one arm. That meant when he did stand, Greg got the full brunt of his weight, while I supported his right side, and Kevin on his left. He woke up enough to stumble and grasp at the doorframes we passed, meaning Kevin had to disengage his hand so we could keep moving forward. We got him to his room, and I was unwilling to do anything more than just pull back the top blanket and throw him on the bed. Greg took his shoes off, but we left the wet jeans on. I was not going to even go there. He could deal with the soiled sheets in the morning on his own. We left his room as quickly as we could. I was sick. What had we gotten ourselves into here? Mr. Good-Guy Hollywood Superstar was a drunk. ...................................... Christian Fiction Friday is a weekly blog hop where authors post short (400-word or less) snippets from their current works in progress. It is hosted by Alana Terry and Hallee Bridgeman.
3/19/2015
Lessons Learned...1. Sometimes we act like a know-it-all This is universal. We all do it. As you get older, you just learn to realize you're doing it and stop - well, hopefully you stop. Which is why we think it's cute from toddlers, tolerate it in young kids, manage to deal with it in teens (usually)...but are far less likely to find it cute in other adults. (see? I just did it, too...right there...) 2. Someone disagreeing with us does not make them wrong (or hateful) "Haters gonna hate"? Yeah, well, disagreeing with you doesn't mean the other person is wrong. Figuring this out also allows that moment of 'agree to disagree'. Someone with a different opinion from you does not have to be convinced to come over to your side. It's ok. Let them be them. Maybe you'll improve from a different perspective. Who knows? 3. Not everyone likes you....and that's ok. We need to get over ourselves. If they don't like you, it doesn't make them not a nice person, or not a good Christian, or anything else. It means they don't like you. Deal with it. Seriously, that sounds harsh, but what is it with our constant need to have everyone around like us? I'm not saying we should work at making people hate us, but if we have an honest personality conflict with someone, it's ok. They don't need to be convinced of your wonderfulness. Just let it go. (sorry...I know...the song is back in your head again, isn't it...) (Let the song happen...play it through...you know you won't be able to read the rest of this until you just Let It Go anyway) Ok, moving on.... 4. We all have awkward social moments The kind where you yell something in a loud room - right at that moment when the ebb and flow of the conversation around you had stopped cold. Or maybe the kind where you suddenly realize you're being made fun of...or you THINK you're being made fun of, but you're not quite sure so you just go with it. Or that time you were telling a joke, people were laughing, obviously you got this humor thing down... so you tell another joke - and it falls flatter than a beach ball on a cactus. We've all been there. Shake it off and move on. There will be other great moments and other not-so-great moments. You'll live through them all. 5. Learn how to just hush You do not have to respond to every rude thing that's said, or every inappropriate comment. You do not have to point out every person's epic-social-fail moment (see number 4 above) You can have awesome moments where you see someone acting like a ....less-than-stellar-human....and you can just bite your tongue and not say anything. This might not be the epitome of all that you can accomplish, but it IS a really cool feeling to know you controlled yourself. Consider it practice. After all, tomorrow that same person might encounter you acting less-than-stellar, and will in turn hush their mouth. You never know, it could happen. ....................................................... Hey, if we figure these things out, we realize we're in the same boat as everyone else. Right? So we can accept it and move on, right? Learn these things about yourself first, and you'll be more able to accept these failings in other people around you, too. Disclaimer: I'm preaching to myself here, too...all means all...myself included.
3/13/2015
Christian Fiction FridayThe excerpts I'm sharing are from a couple different works in progress that I've got going. This is one that I've been working on only recently.
The presents had been nice...even Trevor's attempt to be funny had worked. He'd given me an actual balloon made of lead. The note on the package said it was so I could throw it at him whenever one of his jokes was an epic fail. i was always telling his attempts at being funny were 'going over like a lead balloon.' Maybe you had to be there, but I thought it was funny. The one that really stood out to me though was a little box from my dad. He'd seemed a bit embarrassed, but I'd loved it at first sight. Inside the box was a 'promise ring'. A thin silver band, except for where it formed the shape of a perfect butterfly, wings spread wide as if it was just preparing to take flight. An intricate design was carved into the top of the wings, revealing mother-of-pearl swirling colors. It shimmered and sparkled when I moved, and suddenly I felt as if a little part of me was flying. Dad said the ring would remind me of the beauty inside, and for me not to ever give that beauty away to just anyone. It was one of those normal moments, but the kind you know are special even right in the middle of it. I'd hold that memory as a special time with my dad, my mom smiling over his shoulder. What I didn't know was how quickly that memory would get buried beneath cares and troubles. Christian Fiction Friday is a weekly blog hop where authors post short (400-word or less) snippets from their current works in progress. It is hosted by Alana Terry and Hallee Bridgeman.
3/9/2015
Called to be a TestamentI know some people who have these testimonies that are outwardly such a dramatic change. The person’s life went from going a decidedly bad direction, to a 180-degree change the other direction, immediately and dramatically. They have such an impossibly abrupt, distinct, and drastic change that we put their testimonies on screen and encourage everyone to see it. Don’t mistake me here, I think this is good.
There are others of us who don’t have those dramatic conversions, though. We got saved early in life, or perhaps just very quietly. No one’s asking us to give our conversion testimony in front of crowds or cameras, and in fact, when someone asks us about our testimony, we’re just a tad taken aback because it’s so outwardly mundane. Why would they want to hear about how we got saved? (Also don’t get me wrong here – I’m not talking about sharing the gospel with our neighbors – that is every Christian’s duty regardless of how we got saved or what we were saved out of.) So today I was thinking… I can’t stand for a testimony of a dramatic, about-face for Jesus. That’s simply reality, the way things are. My brothers and sisters in Christ who can stand up and testify of that though…they are showing me something, too. They remind me of the power that changed me on the inside. As someone who was saved early, it’s easy to look back and wonder, even doubt at times. There was no gigantic change for me on the outside, but that same power that changed my friend’s life so drastically also changed me just as drastically the moment I was saved. I can’t see the change on the outside in me, but I can see it in someone else. So…those dramatic conversion stories are more than examples to others in those sorts of lifestyles, struggling with those sorts of sins and trying to break free. They are testaments to me, also. Testaments to what God did in MY life, because I need that reminder. For me. I know it can be intimidating to stand in front of a camera, or a church crowd, and give a testimony of things you’d rather forget. To admit to being involved in things that now you know weren’t right…at exactly the time you’re trying to start over, hoping that these new friends never find out about what you used to be. Don’t be intimidated though. If your pastor is asking for that testimony, it’s because he knows his people can handle hearing it, and still love you just the same. On top of that, he knows the rest of us need to hear it. Partly so we don’t give up on others around us who are struggling with things, but also to see the Power that’s alive in us right now. That little 5-year-old who bows his head in Sunday School class to ask Jesus to be his Savior, someday he’ll need to know what kind of drastic change took place in his heart and soul and spirit that day. You are a testament of the drastic change takes place whenever ANYONE is saved. So stand up and be that testimony. It’s what God intended for you to show the world. ……………………………… God says each of us are a vessel formed for a purpose. I’m learning that our lives show an aspect of God’s character, more than just forming the fruit of the Spirit in our actions. I’m talking about an overarching theme of one’s life. Look back on your life and see if it isn’t true for you. While I might not have a place as a dramatic conversion, my life does testify of something. God’s enduring faithfulness… His presence in the valley… His strength giving me boldness to witness… His provision in financial need… His words flowing through me when my words fail… God has something valuable for each of us to testify of. We are an example of something… Own it. If you don't know what I mean by a 'conversion story', please follow this link HERE to find out...
2/24/2015
Happy Birthday!Yes, today is actually my husband's birthday. So in honor of that, I'm rolling out a new service today...Legacy Transcribing.
Do you have a manuscript,old diaries or journals, or perhaps a self-published book that was never put into digital format? I can transcribe those materials into a digital file for you. If interested please EMAIL me to inquire about pricing and time needed for the project, or connect with me on Facebook.
2/19/2015
Guest PostThis time I guest posted on someone else's blog. I'll be contributing there as well at times, so I'll share when I do. But please click this link: What Should be the Christian’s Response to the 50 Shades of Grey by Sherry Chamblee to go read my article on the Sherrard's Ebook Resellers blog. The pictures below and just to share more from our trip last summer...
2/5/2015
Valentine's Day is in the air!Can you hear it? Valentine's Day is coming! The Hallmark Channel is doing it's Countdown to Valentine's Day...my children are getting adept at avoiding that channel. (Granny likes to watch it.) Of course all the books and movies about love involve instant chemistry and finding the one soul mate that will fulfill all your desires and meet all your needs. So tell me, is that what true love really is? Have you ever felt a chemical reaction to someone else, an attraction that defies all logic, even someone you barely know? What does that mean? Is that true love? Honestly, movies and books portray it that way, as if true love is all about attraction, and getting the one who will always make you happy, always do what's right for you, always see you in the best possible light. The one you can trust implicitly and lean on unfailingly. The one who never lets you down, and will always be exactly who you expect them to be. Guess what? That belongs smack in the middle of the 'Fantasy' genre. And it's a harmful fantasy. It harms your view of reality, and taints your image of your real partner - the one with whom you are supposed to create 'true love.' What's really true love? God tells us, it's not like He's made it some big secret. He spelled it all out for us in I Corinthians 13. Love is... kind longsuffering not envious not proud bears all things hopes all things believes all things endures all things Notice how all that is something love gives or does...not something love receives. We don't GET true love, we GIVE true love. That means true love endures even when it isn't convenient...or when it hurts us. Yes, God asks us to do things that are hard, and things that hurt sometimes. God asks us to GIVE true love to others. God did it. God's love is the purest, most unfailing example of real-life True Love. So this Valentine's Day, we should consider how we are giving true love to others. Let that be your Valentine's Day gift. |
AuthorI'm Sherry Chamblee, aspiring author of Christian fiction, mom of six, wife to a cool dude, and caregiver to his granny. Besides that, I am just little old me - it's just a phrase, I'm not really old, honest. Check out my new release!
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