(Melanie in her pj's and sporting her mom's karate gear.)

I haven't been around babies and toddlers on a nearly everyday basis since my own children were that young, so I'm getting old/new/recycled insights every week. I hope you don't mind that I share them with you.

Last week our daughter-in-love Ashley took Melanie (2 1/2) and Ryan (14 months) to the bank. They were all still in their pj's so they went to the drive-through. Directly across the road from the bank stands Walmart - a child's dream.

Melanie: "Mommy, I want to go the the store."

Ashley: "We don't need anything at the store."

Melanie: "But I want to go to the store."

Ashley: "We can't go to the store, Melanie, we're in our jammies."

Melanie: "But I want to go to the store, Mommy."

Ashley: "Melanie, we aren't going to the store."

(Pause) Melanie: "Just the same, Mommy, I want to go to the store!"

Those were her exact words - "Just the same, Mommy...".

The Lord wants us to go to Him with our desires and needs. He wants His desires to become our desires and for His will to become our will. Way too many times I've continued to say, "Just the same, Lord, I want..." after He's made it clear that particular request is not what He desires for me.

Do you relate? I'd love to hear your stories.

Okay, I'll admit it - I'm pretty excited about the release of my new Bible study "Joseph: Beyond the Coat of Many Colors". In fact, when I received my first copy from the publisher (AMG) I nearly cried. There it was - more than four years of hard work and my name in lights!! Well, not in lights, but on the cover of a book, anyway. Several people have written some pretty nice reviews about it, too. So, imagine my shock and disappointment when I Googled "Joseph: Beyond the Coat of Many Colors" and found several retail sites that have listed another AMG writer as the author of MY Bible study!! I know it's an honest mistake, but all my hard work, and now someone else is getting the credit!

Do you see where I'm going with this? How many times do we  take the credit, however unintentional, for the work someone else has done? We see it in politics all the time, in the work place, in families, and even in the church. But worst of all, think about how often God is denied, and credit for the creation of the universe is ignored or attributed to slime or a big bang. Imagine how He must feel when His glorious work goes unnoticed and unappreciated.

Let's remember to daily give credit where credit is due. Acknowledge someone for the good job they are doing no matter how insignificant it may seem. Most of all, let's give thanks for the work of our Creator.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0899573339/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_g14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0PR7YMDCB0VQWVEA97MJ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

(Pictured: My niece Kristen and husband Dylan and my granddaughter Melanie.)

Am I getting old, or what?

Last weekend Bill and I drove to Pray, Montana with daughter Rachel, son Jonathan, daughter-in-love Ashley, and granddaughter Melanie (2 1/2 years old) for my niece Kristen's wedding. We left Tulsa at 5:30 pm and arrived in Imperial, Nebraska (our home before Tulsa) at 3:00 am (our time), slept a few hours, spent the day with old friends, and left at 10:30 pm to drive all night to Montana (13 hours). Saturday was busy with family, rehearsal, and swimming. Sunday was more of the same with the wedding  at 6:00 Sunday evening in a beautiful grassy field below snow-capped mountains. We left at 10:30 pm, drove all night and arrived in Tulsa at 9:30 pm Monday evening - 22 hours straight! Today is Friday and I'm still tired!

I share those sordid details because the craziness of the weekend is important to my post today. After that marathon, exhausting (sometimes exhilarating) trip, we five adults are still speaking to each other and genuinely love each other. Jesus said, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (John 15:12) How did we do it? We prayed together before the trip began and we decided in advance that we would love each other during the trip and at it's end. We didn't always agree on where or when to stop; we were all unquestionably exhausted; three of us were sick at some portion of the trip. But we predetermined that we would love each other.

Is there someone in your life to whom you need to show the love of Jesus today? When you make that decision ahead of time you have won more than half the battle!

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you!"

I recently said those words to renowned speaker/author Cec Murphey (http://themanbehindthewords.com/) at the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Cec unceasingly shares his blessings with others asking nothing in return, and graciously provided scholarships for me and several other AWSA members who would not have been able to attend without financial aid.

As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I thought of the impact you and can I have for eternity. How many people will say to us one day in heaven, "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. You told me about the free gift of eternal life through faith in Christ"?

I don't think there is a person alive who has not struggled with "finding God" through times of difficult circumstances, or wondering if He even cares. If you are one of those people, I've just read a book (When You Can't Find God by Linda Evans Shepherd) that I believe will help you walk through your pain and awaken you to an understanding of God's tremendous love and purpose for your life. Your problems may not go away, but you will face them with renewed hope and joy. This is a book of substance, NOT pages of feel-good "fluff".


Linda understands what it's like to wonder where God is. Her young daughter was in a coma for a year and permanently brain damaged after a tragic car accident. Linda has walked a dark path looking for God.

For the rest of the month of May and the entire month of June I'm offering a free Leader's Guide for my book "Winning the Battle of the Bulge: It's Not Just About the Weight" and workbook "Planning for the Battle of the Bulge" to anyone starting a weight loss group and who orders any number of the sets of books. The books are on sale for $10.00 each at a huge savings.

Contact me at mary@winningthebattleofthebulge.com

(Melanie and Maya.)

I was babysitting the grandkids a couple weeks ago and Melanie (28 months old) said, "Nana, I want to watch "Puppy-matian". Puppy-matian? But I knew exactly what she meant - she wanted to watch the movie "101 Dalmatians". I smiled at her and put the movie into the VCR (yes, we still have a VCR).

Isn't it funny how we can understand what our children and grandchildren are saying and what they want when others don't have a clue? Melanie didn't know how to say the title of the movie correctly, so she just said what she knew - it was about puppies and "mations". I think it's like that with our heavenly Father. Sometimes we pray and don't know what to say, what words to use, so we just say what we know. I believe that's when the Holy Spirit intercedes, and let's the Father know exactly what we are trying to say. He knows our needs and our desires. What a comforting thought!


"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God." Romans 8:26, 27

(The empty tomb.)

I pray you had a blessed Easter weekend. We had family and friends over to our home for a wonderful dinner, egg hunt (in the house because it was raining) and an afternoon of relaxation and a movie.

A friend of mine was recently telling me about a conversation he had with a co-worker. The co-worker was saying how the Bible had some good things in it and some of those things were worth believing. He said that Jesus was really a good man and had some good teaching, but a person just can't believe everything that's in it. 

Could this be true?

The main problem I see with that philosophy is that Jesus claimed to be God; over 500 people claimed to have seen Jesus after He rose from the dead; the Bible claims to be the Word of God. If none of that is true, how can we know which parts to believe as truth? How could Jesus be a "good" man if He was a liar? It only takes two people in court to have a firm testimony as truth. With over 500 people seeing Jesus after the resurrection we can have confidence that Jesus is who He said He is and that He is worthy of our trust.

Tax season around our house is not a happy time; first because we tend to procrastinate and, secondly, because we always have to pay in so much money. On top of that, it annoys me that we are expected to pay our bills on time and balance our household budget, but the government seems to spend our money unwisely, and our county gets deeper into debt every day. Yes, I get angry and I complain, but do I pray? Do I spend as much time praying for those in authority as I do complaining about them? I think I may have things turned around a bit. How about you?


Romans 13: 1-7 "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." (emphasis mine)


I have to go now. I need to finish my taxes and pray for my leaders!

(Melanie wearing my glasses.)

Yesterday I babysat my two grandchildren Melanie (2) and Ryan (10 months). At one point, I scolded Melanie for being rough with the dog, but she averted her eyes when I spoke to her. I  repeated several times, "Melanie, look at me!" I wanted her to look into my eyes because then I knew she was listening and giving me her full attention. But, she didn't want to look at me and she didn't want to hear what I had to say.

I wonder how many times we avert our gaze from the Lord when He is trying to discipline or guide us; we don't want to hear what He has to say. God wants us to look into His eyes through the Bible and prayer; He wants to know that He has our full attention.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide (to counsel or advise) you with My eye." Psalm 32:8

Are you looking into His face?

Are you directionally-challenged like me? I love to drive, but when I travel I need a map, my GPS, written directions from Mapquest, and any landmarks that may be helpful. I even need directions on short jaunts around town. I just came back from driving nearly 1,600 miles, mostly by myself, and I didn't get lost even once! But I had good directions.

All this traveling made me think of the verse in Proverbs 23:10, "Do not remove the ancient landmarks." What kind of landmarks am I leaving for those who come after me? My children, grandchildren, even friends? Do I leave landmarks by my words or actions that may cause someone to go astray or get lost? Or are the landmarks I leave pointing them to wisdom, joy, love, peace, and Jesus? Does my life give good directions to others?

How about you?

(PS I'd love for you to follow my blog)

I'm blessed to have two incredible grandchildren - Ryan is 9 months and Melanie turned two in December. Just a few months ago Melanie would do virtually anything you asked her to do, but things began to change as she approached her second birthday! I wouldn't exactly say she's in the "terrible twos" but she definitely has a mind of her own and isn't quite as quick to obey as she was a few months ago.

I wonder how many of us are just like Melanie. When we first trusted Christ as Savior we were so grateful and anxious to obey the Lord, but as time went on we began to get a mind of our own and think we knew best. Let's get back to being like a child in the Father's arms!

Philippians 2:5 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."

How did your summer go? Anything exciting happen? Mine was busy, busy, busy, and in the next few weeks I'll be highlighting some of those events. But, I'd like to hear from you too. Post a comment and let us all know what has been happening in your life.

My brother David and sister Vivienne will be coming to Tulsa for a weekend visit and we're all looking forward to a fun time. I'll be back soon! :)

Please listen in as I'll be interviewed on WGLT Radio, Sisters on Assignment Show, 9:00 EST. I'd love to have you join us. Just click on the link www.blogtalkradio.com/wlgt

Joseph: Beyond the Coat of Many Colors

Thanks to all of you who listened to my radio interview last week. I got lots of positive emails.

As some of you many know, I'm writing an eight week Bible study on the life of the Old Testament character Joseph for AMG publishers (I don't have a release date yet, but will let you know). I think many of us know the story so well that we miss some important points that are so very applicable to our own lives. We think of Joseph from a Sunday School perspective - the coat, the pit, slavery, and the rise to vizier (prime minister) of Egypt. But there are so many exciting and fascinating details that are missed.

During the next few months, I want to blog with you about Joseph. Let's share thoughts and ideas.

Joseph was the eleventh son of twelve boys and one girl. His father Jacob had two wives who were sisters and two concubines (lesser wives). He had children by all four women. What do you think it was like growing up in that family?

Hey Everybody! Join me tonight January 7 at 6:00 pm CST for a live radio interview on my book Winning The Battle of the Bulge: It's Not Just About the Weight.

http://www.agingoutsidethebox.net/

Happy New Year to you all! I'm not crazy about resolutions, so I'm just going to say I'm going to make an effort to post more often on my blog.

I don't know how many of you are big fans of college football, but you would have to be on another planet not to have heard about Tim Tebow, the Florida Gators quarterback. My husband attended the U of F for one year, so our family are definitely Gator fans.

If you don't know much about Tim Tebow, take a moment to Google his name and read some of the articles about this fine Christian man. He characterizeds all that a Christian should be and is a wonderful role model. If you have children involved in sports, here is a man they can look up to.

Just had to share this video with you. Hope you'll take a moment to watch and listen with your heart. Do you ever struggle with forgiveness - yourself or someone else? Perhaps this will help.

http://209.200.98.30/ZenCart/preview/neverbeenunloved/nbu.htm

I have a radio interview at noon Central Time. You can listen on the Internet at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/webtv4women . If you log on early you can sign up for a free account and join us in the Chat room, and call in with comments or questions at: 347-215-7328

WebTV4Women on Blog Talk Radio
Source: www.blogtalkradio.com
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Below is an interview by Cara Putman with author Sara Mills - enjoy!



***NOTE: Sara Mills, whose new book Miss Match (to follow the first release, Miss Fortune) from Moody Press, has just lost her husband to a heart attack. Please pray for her and her children as we help her promote her new book. Thanks to Cara Putman for allowing us to use her excellent interview. You can find Sara at http://www.saramillsbooks.com/.

Miss Fortune and Miss Match are delightful books set in NYC in 1947. Tell us how you got the idea for Allie and these books...

I got the idea for Miss Fortune in the middle of the night, when all good ideas come to me:One sleepless night I was watching The Maltese Falcon and I started to wonder how different the story would be if Sam Spade had been a woman. She'd never have fallen for Miss Wunderly's charms and lies. She'd have been smart and tough and she would have solved the case in half the time it took Sam because she wouldn't spend all of her time smoking cigarettes and calling her secretary Precious.

The thought of a hard-boiled female detective got my mind whirling.I paused the movie and sat in my darkened living room thinking about how much fun a female Sam Spade could be.

Intrigued but not yet ready to dash to my computer, I changed disks and put on Casablanca (my all time favorite movie ever). The sweeping love story, a tale full of hard choices and sacrifice was what finally made the whole idea click in my mind. If I could just combine the P.I. detective story of the Maltese Falcon with the love story from Casablanca, and make Sam Spade more of a Samantha, I could have the best of all worlds.

These books are so good, I wish I'd written them. How did you set the stage to capture that gritty PI feel without being dark?

I find that a lot of PI stories are gritty and dark, focusing on the worst of the humanity, and while I wanted the Allie Fortune mysteries to be exciting and tension-filled I didn’t want them to be stark and hopeless.One of the things I tried to do to counteract the darkness was to give Allie a multi-layered life. She has cases, relationships, friends and family, all of which I hope combine to make the stories textured, rich and full of life.

Allie is a character I'd love to have coffee with. What did she teach you while you wrote these books?

Allie was a great character to write. One of the things I learned from her was that human relationships (man/woman, mother/daughter, friends) are complicated and full of unspoken rules and expectations. Allie is a rule-breaker at heart and it complicates her life on a regular basis. One of the storylines I loved most is Allie’s relationship with her mother and how it grows and changes and how it’s shaped her.Another dimension of Allie’s character that really taught me a lot was her willingness to do whatever was needed to help those she loves. There is no price on that kind of friendship and it’s a characteristic I’d like to see more of in myself. Okay I admit it, I’ve got a bit of a friend-crush on Allie. LOL.

One last question: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would that be and who would you take with you?

If I could go anywhere right now I’d head to Monterey, California (I’m writing a book set there right now) and I’d plant myself on the beach with a notebook, writing my story as the waves crashed. Sounds like my idea of heaven on earth. There’s something about the wind-shaped Cypress trees and the crash of the surf in Monterey that calls to me. I don’t know why, it just is.