Month: September 2016

Where There is HIS Will, There is Always A Way!

/ Bybrendat / Leave a comment

From My Personal Dear God Journals

September 28, 2016 5:55 am

Good Morning, God.

I’ve been tossing and turning since about 5:00 a.m. and finally decided to get up and spend some time dear godwith You. No need in lying—I am fretting about work and all the things that need to be done. So many people expecting so much out of me. It’s hard knowing that people are getting upset waiting on things from me just so that they can get their own jobs done. There are only so many hours in a day and I have been working at full tilt. I’m really getting tired, both physically and emotionally. I feel my body getting run down. The worst part is that I see no end in sight. Looking at the schedule ahead, it just keeps going and going and going.

But let me stop complaining and thank You, Lord. As I traverse this new valley in my life, You have also been a constant beside me. I would have never believed I could physically hold up to these relentless hours, particularly the 15-20 hour days that are coming at me weekly now. But, You have sustained me and for that I must thank You. Please continue to sustain me as long as it is necessary.

I also want to thank You for my finances. While this recent change brought a substantial pay cut; though I have substantial medical bills as well as growing maintenance bills at my home, You continue to sustain me in this area as well. Though it is easy to get stressed about this, You have showed grace over and over again, somehow making it work. I must stay focused on that as that darn devil seems to derive pleasure from continuously launching curve balls right at my head!

And thank You, Lord, for the people who are praying for me. I know there are several and I am humbled and honored that they are willing to take the time to approach You on my behalf. You know my heart, Lord. You know my desires. You know that, more than anything, I want to seek and fulfill your purposes and will for my life. Please help me to have a healthy fear of You, my Lord, but not a fear of what You have laid out for me. Help me Lord in all the areas that I need help, which are many. And help me to see You at every turn and in every corner; fill all the dark places with Your glorious light. I love You, Father. With all that I am, Amen and Ehmen.

***

Dear Child,

Oh, how easily distracted you are! It is okay, however, as I am just happy that you continue to find your way back to Me; that, here in this moment, you are taking the time to just sit with Me, just like my daughter, Mary. You recognize the many blessings I pour on you in return when you, too, slow down and take pause, basking in My presence. Stress is a sure sign that you have chosen the busy, busy path of Martha.

My child, people will always try to pile work upon you as long as you live in the world. They will stack it so high that you will feel like once more single request, no matter how small, will cause it all to come crashing down like a house built on sand. But, that won’t happen as long as you lean on Me. Continue to look to Me. When your day seems out of control; when the tasks are too many and the hours too few, call out to Me. Just whisper My name. Nothing is too hard or too unimportant to Me, because you and the purpose I have designed you for are of utmost importance. I will never let you get too bombarded that you cannot fulfill your purpose. Where there is My Will, there is always a way. Don’t forget that! Wear this word like a bumper sticker on your heart. You need not worry about anything. I have it all under My control. Just keep listening to my voice and following my lead. I love you, Child, and I am proud of you. Take on this day with that knowledge and breathe easy knowing in your heart that we will do it together.

 

Luke 10:38-42New International Version (NIV)

At the Home of Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

 

 

The Prologue of A Purpose

/ Bybrendat / 2 Comments

I realize that most writers are also avid readers, but truth be told, outside of the bible and a blog here and there, I really do not read much. And, when I do read, it usually tends to be books to which I feel particularly drawn or to which God seems to lay in front of me over and over until I pay attention.

A few years ago, it was Seven Days in Utopia.  One day as I was researching something online for work, I seven-days-in-utopia-book-movie-cover_default_550opened a random webpage. Though I had not clicked anything and my cursor blinked rhythmically within the safe confines of the search bar, my screen was instantaneously filled with not one, but multiple video advertisements. Cascading from top to bottom, video clips bombarded my consciousness–each one playing a different part of the trailer for the book’s newly-made movie.

At first I was annoyed, but after the fifth or so video popped up, I was compelled to pay attention. Determined to figure out if this had been a stroke of marketing genius or a simple computer malfunction, I noted the name of the movie and closed and reopened the page to see what would happen. This time the page remained static with just one banner ad across the top. I moved my cursor from the search bar onto the ad and clicked. The movie trailer began playing again, but this time just once. I then went to another computer at my house and navigated to the same page. Again, I had to move my cursor and click on the banner ad for it open a single time. I even had my daughter check from her MacBook and, no big surprise, one banner ad and one click to open.

“Ok, God, I’m listening,” I said as I began researching the book and looking up movie times. I did go see the movie and truly enjoyed it, but it was the story behind the movie that really resonated with me. It was about the author and how, out of nowhere, God let him know with no uncertainty that Seven Days in Utopia was something He wanted him to write and how everything just fell into place. You’ll have to Google the book/movie and the author, Dr. David L. Cook and check out his story or click on this link: http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/moviemom/2011/08/interview-david-l-cook-of-seven-days-in-utopia.html. God has done a similar thing with me as He Himself has laid an incredible story in front of me and continues to ignite a compelling passion in me to write it.  In the interview linked above, I can especially relate to the part where the Seven Days in Utopia author said:

“I’m not smart enough to write some of the things I’ve found embedded in this story.  I’m just scribing it.  When other people say it means something to them and affects their life — that’s pretty amazing.”

About a year later after my experience with Seven Days in Utopia, a post by a local Christian bookstore seemed to leap off a very busy Facebook newsfeed. It was about a new book entitled The River by the-river-bookMichael Neale. I was unexplainably drawn to the post and, as I learn to be more obedient, went straight to Amazon, found the book and bought it. When it came in the mail a few days later, I immediately began reading it. Two things stirred me to my very soul in the very first pages. The first was this quote by Barry Lopez in the “Note From The Author”: 

“If stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive.”

Wow!

The second thing which struck me to my core were the first sentences of page 1, the author’s prologue:

“Every now and then, you have an encounter with someone who changes your life. A conversation or interaction so profound, it seems otherworldly. You can’t get his (or her) story out of your head and heart. It’s hard to explain how powerful stories can resonate within us on many levels, but it’s often because they speak with passion, heartache, or even joy…I don’t think these encounters happen by chance. I think there is a reason, although we will never understand the full weaving of life’s tapestry of events this side of the eternal. I have had such an encounter with someone. It moved me to my core, so much so that I had to share it…”

I had such an encounter with someone as well. Indeed, it was not an accident that I met my friend Denny over a virtual scrabble board and it was not an accident that, since that very day, our lives have been intertwined and interwoven in such remarkable ways that no one, much less either one of us, can refute that there is a purpose behind our predestine. Indeed, I can’t get this story “out of my head or my heart.” It has changed my life, moved me to my core and I know, without question, that there are people out there that need this “more than food to stay alive.”

May God–the author of our lives–continue to nudge me and keep me on the path to putting this story and others on paper.  And I ask that you, too, the reader of this, pray for me as all too often I let satan and life dampen my passion for the purpose He has lay before me. 

I will pray the same for you–that passion for your own purpose is reignited each and every day. Amen and Ehmen!

 Yours in obedience,

Brenda

Don’t just talk to God…Listen…

/ Bybrendat / Leave a comment

I needed this again this morning. I love the way God brings me just the Word I need when I need it most. Have a great day, all, for you and I are already blessed beyond measure.

amen and ehmen!

Writer’s Note: When you pray, make sure to listen, too. God has many wonderful when you pray, listenthings to say. Thanks to Facebook “Memories,” I ran across this early morning conversation I had with Him back on September 18, 2011. It was a tough period when two of my dearest friends had just been diagnosed with life-threatening diseases. And, while there was much sadness and grief surrounding the circumstances on that day and days to come, I have to admit that it drew me closer to our Lord and Savior and I learned to really listen. And for that I am eternally thankful. God, I love you so very much. Thank you for always being there for me! Amen and Ehmen!

Me: But, God, why are testimonies so important? Why can’t we just write fiction? Why do people have to actually live these trials and tribulations; these nightmares?

And the answer came:

“Because, my…

View original post 211 more words

It’s not just a promise. It’s an oath.

/ Bybrendat / Leave a comment

Preface: What beautiful words and the most fitting and perfectly-timed message. I still can’t believe that God, without fail, shows up when I sincerely seek His face in the early morning hours, keyboard at hand. Though I had no idea where he might lead me, this morning He sent me to Hebrews, Chapter 6.  The name of the Book and the Chapter just floated to the forefront of my conscience as I finished typing my prayer to the Father. I read the scriptures, wide-eyed and intently, soaking it in, and typed those verses that I felt particularly led to. How many times will He have to remind me that what He has promised is already mine? I hope I don’t need reminding so much in the future, but I am oh so thankful that He has been so patient with me. I just have to wait like Abraham. Hanging on to this precious message and Word from God. Thank you, Jesus. Praising you, with all that I am! Amen and Ehmen!

 

September 15, 2015 6:00 AM

Good Morning, Lord.

As you know, I have been awake for a couple of hours already, since around 4 a.m. I have much rattling around in my head regarding work and I find myself fighting internally overdear god worrying about that and wanting and needing to spend time with you.

I feel that you have something to do with me waking up so early and not being able to go back to sleep. And so, after praying profusely in the dark and then being distracted by various media, I am finally here. Here, in front of the blank page as you so often beckon me.

There is a certain comfort in staring at the blank page as I know that this is where You often meet me. The rhythmic blinking of the cursor mesmerizes me and the cadence is strangely familiar, like the beating of a heart. I like to think of it as Your Heart, dear Lord.

Show me Your Heart, Lord. Give me direction and instruction and accept my praises. I love you. I need you. Come close for I am finally here.

 

Turn to Hebrew 6, my Child.

Hebrews 6: 1-3

“So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgement. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.”

Hebrews 6:11-19

For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:

“I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”

(15) THEN Abraham WAITED PATIENTLY, and he RECEIVED what God had Promised.

Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise (Brenda!) could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind.

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.”

 

Remembering Gary…

/ Bybrendat / Leave a comment

It’s hard to believe it has been a year since my brother left us. Although I am thankful to know he is now seated in Heavenly Places and I am happy for the memories, it still hurts not having him around. Memories don’t breathe, laugh, smile and talk. Miss you like crazy, my brother.

amen and ehmen!

My brother, Gary,  passed away this week, but before he did, the entire family got to spend some one-on-one time with him in his final days and hours. We talked about everything, including some thoughts and words he wanted to share with his family and friends after he was gone. He had wanted to write them down himself, but ran out of time, so instead I was asked to do so. While it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, it was, at the same time, one of the easiest as, with prayer and thanksgiving, the ink flowed…from his heart to the page. He also asked that his good buddy, Burton, read it at the memorial service. He insisted that Burton had the perfect voice and boy was he right.  I so wish we would have recorded it, but since we didn’t I have decided to share the written version…

View original post 1,765 more words