Who Knew?

"Who knew" has become a trendy phrase. Used it lately? Who knew? In this case, I have the answer: God did!! This is a personal who knew/God did blog. Shameless self-promotion, but it's soooo Him not me that I want to share.

If you've known me long, you know I'm an avid fiction reader. My mother said I was born with a book in my hand. (ouch!) In the late nineties, I learned about Christian fiction and began to primarily read those books, which several of us swapped about. (Kudos to Lee for buying many of them, btw.) In 2002, Cheryl Williford asked me why I didn't write since I read so much. And I thought, I wonder why? I learned of a Christian writers' group and joined. My journey began. You know where this is going. My first book, Dog Gone, releases at the end of the month. (If you choose to know more details, e-mail me.)

But this story isn't so much about my book. It's about the desires of my heart. Books=Eileen. Check. Writing=Eileen? Who knew? GOD did! He knew how tickled I'd be when He dropped me in the center of the publishing industry to learn at the feet of amazing writers. He knew what a charge I'd get from seeing my first publication: four prayers in a Barbour Prayers for the Military. He knew the frustrations I'd feel from rejection letters and the drive that imparted to learn and polish my craft more. He knew the Internet would be invented just for moi to touch base with other writers in remote places. (Kansas?) HE knew!

Psalm 37:4 "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Eileen didn't even know that was her heart's desire. Who knew? GOD did!

And yeah, shamelessly I show off my first novel.

A Mighty Force

Caron said: This is from my cousin Louise near Longview.... where they had hurricane force winds. We lost five trees, but none in the yard or on the house, thanks to our Awesome God, right? As many as we have around here, He was the only one who could have protected us in all that wind and with the ground already saturated. As I spoke with Mom this morning, she said, "Look at the tiny stem of the Spider Lily. God protected them as a sign to us of His power and care for the smallest details :)"
"In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be put to confusion." Psalm 71:1

Eileen here: Caron and Lee's house at Surfside still stands, though the town lies forty miles down the coast from Galveston! How blessed we are this day to serve a Mighty King. Thankful that though many we love are without power as I write, they still have their lives. It's easy for me to say "things" can be replaced, but it's true.

Read the inscription on the inside wall of the beach house. We do have God as our Anchor when we make the choice to hang on! Despite the wind, despite the rain, despite the tree branches, long lines, no gasoline, heat--despite it all, we HAVE it all when we have Jesus!

A Mighty Force. Unfathomed.

Truly One to be worshipped.

Amazing Grace.

Just As We Are

Sunday after church several of us headed to our favorite chow hall: Grady's. Nothing like their catfish dinner or chicken fried steak. Disclaimer: the picture on the blog is one from the Internet! Not our friends. But they could be!

I know this because at lunch I sat with a couple I'd never met before and thoroughly enjoyed their company. We were brother and sister in Christ. Another couple joined "our" church band and fit like fingers in a glove. Different churches, but no denominational barriers existed. New friends, old friends.... just ordinary Jesus lovers happening into the same dining room at the same time, having a "family reunion."

Isn't it amazing that we can differ in opinions yet share the same faith? Our love of Jesus is what is paramount. I was blessed Sunday with the ease and comfort of sharing our table with others.

Wonder who the people in the picture are? Wonder if they could claim the same relationships we did? For that's what it's all about: relationship.

Today think of one person you could contact and strengthen your relationship. Who knows! Maybe it's the guy in the Stetson.

Colossians 1:3,4 (NLB) We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God's people.