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Quiet Moments With God -- Trust In What He Allows

I haven't blogged about the pain I'm living with, but I read today's blog by Bonnie Leon and related completely to what she said. Following her article is a letter I wrote to her about the problems we have in common, physically and our focus on God. If anyone reads this, I am happy to share my thoughts here with you. I'm not really a blogger yet, I really don't know how...but I guess this is one way to start. How do you bring readers to a blog? I don't know. Could someone please tell me?

Quiet Moments With God -- Trust In What He Allows

I find it interesting that my last blog was about our being focused on The Shepeherd and to follow Him, trusting that He will never let us down. The day following that blog I became one of the lost sheep.

On Thursday of last week my therapist added a couple of new exercises. They didn't seem too bad at the time, but the following morning my back told me otherwise. It screamed at me first thing and I found myself, once again, stuck in bed rotating from ice to heat and taking my medications as often as allowed. I was an unhappy and hopeless sheep. I cried a lot that day and wondered if I'd ever really be a whole person again. My eyes were not on the shepherd.

It's startling and troubling how quickly adversity dragged me away from The Shepherd. There is wonder in it, however. My Lord hadn't left me. He was still with me and He longed for me to reach out to Him, to rest in Him and in His plan. Even in the midst of trouble I can rejoice. Psalm 31:7 says, "I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles and you care about the anguish of my soul." He cares . . . always.

I'm better and I'm moving forward once again. I'm doing my exercises, only more carefully now. I will see my therapist tomorrow and we'll make adjustments in my therapy plan, but I will continue to work toward health and strength. As much as I dislike it, the truth is adversity makes me stronger. But in the midst of trouble I must remember to remain close to my Lord, keep my eyes on Him and off the hardship.

I pray that next time I'm up against it, and I will be, that I will not lose sight of The Shepherd who watches over me and to trust in what He allows.


Hello Bonnie, I don't consider it a coincidence that I read your blog a few minutes ago and quickly related to your words. I consider this a Godincidence. We have pain and back problems in common, and tomorrow I will see my therapist for the first time. I'm not looking forward to it very much, although I realize the exercises I learn are for my benefit. God knows about my fearing further pain and I took solace in your words. I have been concentrating more on the pain than I have on God helping me through what comes next. My prayers from now on will be different. Thought of God and his promises will come before I groan in pain in the morning. Thank you for your encouraging words and the meaning in your message. I will keep you in my prayers knowing we are participating in the same activity to strengthen our bodies against pain and listening to what God tells us to do about it. It would be a good thing to keep in touch.

Sharing Christ's Love,
Barb Shelton
barbjan10@tx.rr.com

GREAT GIVEAWAY ON BASSGIRAFFE

#GIVEAWAY for No Throws- http://www.bassgiraffe.com/2010/11/no-throws-review-giveaway.html @bassgiraffe”

REVIEW I WROTE FOR AMAZON ABOUT "KILLING TIME"

“Killing Time” by K. Dawn Byrd was not a book chosen exclusively by me for reading pleasure. I was the lucky random winner of K. Dawn’s interview and book giveaway online the Seekerville blog. The Seekers are a group of fifteen unpublished and newly published writers that I follow. K. Dawn Byrd was a new writer that I had not read before.

The cover of the book and title suggested to me a story about a troubled young woman in jail for an unknown reason and I supposed it would be a dark dreary story. Was I in for a surprise! Let’s put that in multiple plurals. The story was full of unlikely events that weren’t realistic to me at the time; but what in life that happens is likely or makes sense in many instances. Only God knows the answers to that.

This young Christian woman, Melinda McLaurin falsely being charged for embezzlement, is a twin, separated from her twin Renee since she was three. She had come to this town to search for Renee. I began to see possible twists and interesting plot set ups as I read through the steps of Melinda being booked into jail. She was drawn right away to the handsome Counselor Drew Stone that questioned and entered her answers into the computer. His solemn hazel eyes mentioned grief as she looked in them. She declared her innocence and she heard kindness in his voice as he said he believed her. He suggested and invited her to the productive citizenship class that he was teaching the next day. Mindy asked him to find a telephone number for her as he directed her toward the phones. She left a message for a Mr. Blair with his secretary and a message on her boyfriend Mitch’s cell phone.

From that point on, everything that happened to Mindy was against all she had been accustomed to during her lifetime. The kindness shown her by Counselor Stone was diabolically changed when Officer Delacy enters the scene and adds to Mindy’s terror and horror. Mindy bravely asked for a Bible. She found one in the bottom of her box after she was placed in a cell. She felt God’s presence with her through the Bible even in this ungodly place. Problems were only beginning for Mindy. Her first cellmate Roxie proclaimed dislike and hate toward Mindy. She showed animosity in threatening Mindy when an officer ordered Roxie to move to another cell instead of Mindy. Enemies were already lining up against her. She trusted no one and even wondered about Counselor Stone.

An interesting twist begins when Mindy’s new cellmate, Candi, arrives. Candi appears to have led a rough and hard life and might have been beautiful at one time, but Mindy has a nagging feeling that she’d seen her somewhere before. She became more disconcerted. She learns that her private investigator boyfriend, Mitch, won’t bail her out because he wants Mindy to remain inside the jail to help him investigate a prior murder inside the jail.

The plots thicken and become more wicked as Mindy finds herself a suspect when her cellmate Candi is murdered in the same method that the prior murder occurred. Mindy is still drawn romantically to Counselor Stone as she attends his classes. But, she doesn’t know who is friend or foe anymore and trusts no one. Even the guards prove untrustworthy and Officer Delacy has a very steamy dislike for Mindy. She’s not sure of trusting Mitch and perhaps not Drew Stone. The constant and what could be considered harassment by the Major of Mindy causes challenges to Mindy’s investigation of the murders. She is beleaguered with problems from the guards as well as abusive jail mates before she is finally miraculously released.

I have read the fine reviews here by published authors Shawna K. Williams, Michelle Sutton and Tiffany Harkleroad that covered many of the intriguing points, twists and plots of this talented creative writing of K. Dawn Byrd. I feel no need to be repetitive of their reviews. “Killing Time” has everything to keep the reader glued to the story. After Mindy’s release, the mystery vacillates as well as the reader’s tension and fear of Mindy’s safety as she faces danger upon danger. The villain’s imagined identity keeps changing, as well as those that Mindy can continue to trust. The only one for sure is the adorable puppy, Zippy, that enters and steals the love scenes in a special way. You might suspect who the killer is before the end, but don’t be too sure. K. Dawn is too creative to let you guess on your own.

Nevertheless, big surprises are still in store for Mindy, and I won’t even give a hint about any of them. I know this is one romantic suspense mystery that you will grasp hold of until the last word before you let your breath out and sigh in relief……and in love.

I have been honored to give my review and opinion of K. Dawn’s wonderful imaginative story at her request. I could never give it the true justice due in my own meager words. She is the true author here. I can’t wait until her next publication. She hasn’t let me in on that secret yet…but I’m sure she will when the time comes.

Response to Newly Published Editor

Oh my goodness, all these replies are so encouraging and full of my own favorite scriptures that I don't know how to follow that up. I too have favorites that change daily depending of where I am in my walk with the Lord. One of my favorites is Psalm 139, so personal to me; Psalm 91 for my security and protection. I am far from being a published author and really admire you for persevering thru all the obstacles to your first publishing. I am pursuing a new creative endeavor of writing for the Lord at the present time and have so much to learn. The authors that I have made friends with and have spoken to about what I am doing are so helpful. They are very positive and build my confidence. It is no coincidence that we are all believers in God's truth and son, I call it a Godincidence. I do feel a gentle prodding from the Lord to share my traumatic/dramatic episodes of my life to help others. I wonder if I am saying anything that sounds familiar to your journey, Lynn? I'd be interested in learning more about the paths you have traveled to get where you are today. I pray God continues to bless you with success and a close walk with him always.
Sharing God's Love,
Barb Shelton
Arlington, TX

My Comment to Maureen Lang's "Whisper on the Wind"

Maureen indeed has a brilliant writer’s mind. What a difficult subject to wrestle with and come out with a champion of a story. The danger, fears, and suspense of the story is exciting, tense, and realistic. Just reading the first chapter and review caused my imagination to vividly see the scene. Her faith carries her through some tough times…especially when her Bible was found among her belongings in the satchel…but the diary, loving words about her lifelong love being thrown away by the guide….and then finding out the guide was none other than her love of life….EDWARD! There would be no stopping my reading at that point. This book is very appealing to my reading appetite. I would want to devour the entire story and keep hoping for a good and happy loving end to satisfy my reading hunger. I haven’t read the entire book yet, but I’d already give it 5 stars. I will add this book to my TBR list and move it to the top of the list quickly.

Thanks for asking for my comment.
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Comment by Barb Shelton — September 20, 2010 @ 7:01 pm | Reply

My Comment to Maureen Lang's book

Maureen indeed has a brilliant writer’s mind. What a difficult subject to wrestle with and come out with a champion of a story. The danger, fears, and suspense of the story is exciting, tense, and realistic. Just reading the first chapter and review caused my imagination to vividly see the scene. Her faith carries her through some tough times…especially when her Bible was found among her belongings in the satchel…but the diary, loving words about her lifelong love being thrown away by the guide….and then finding out the guide was none other than her love of life….EDWARD! There would be no stopping my reading at that point. This book is very appealing to my reading appetite. I would want to devour the entire story and keep hoping for a good and happy loving end to satisfy my reading hunger. I haven’t read the entire book yet, but I’d already give it 5 stars. I will add this book to my TBR list and move it to the top of the list quickly.

Thanks for asking for my comment.
Barb Shelton
barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

Comment by Barb Shelton — September 20, 2010 @ 7:01 pm | Reply

Last night was a good evening with Jack. Amy and I had gone to a Pampered Chef party at Blanche's home and had a great time. We returned home and Jack seemed to be in a good mood, I knew he had been drinking...probably too much already by then. He was talking with Angelita on Skype and the telephone. He handles her like she is a baby bunny....he strokes her so sweetly. He is so understanding of her hangups....she had to live life for 38 years without him and she wants him to be the father she had imagined all the years he was not there for her. He empathizes with her. There I sit at my computer, listening to his side of the conversation, thinking to myself about the 31 years now that he hasn't touched me, had sex with me, or treated me like his wife. That's only 1/10th of the problems we have. How am I to deal with his cruel decision to cut intimacy from our life for all these years without any plausible explanation or apology; and treat Angelita like a little princess about her 38 years that he didn't even say her name. Remember, Barb, the times that phone calls came from Panama, her aunt...and you wouldn't take the phone call...I was left holding the phone telling the woman on the other end of this conversation that I didn't know why he had never made contact with Angela or her mother when he left Panama for the states. Her Aunt was requesting that Jack sign a paper saying that he is her father, which makes her have duel citizenship because she wanted to attend law school in the states. The Aunt asked me if the reason he hadn't contacted them was because he had a family. I told her that was probably the reason, I was his wife, but I didn't know much about his relationship with Angela and Angelita. He didn't sign any papers, even when they sent them to the airport where he worked. He ignored them and threw them away.

Jack spent years being cruel to my daughter Amy, only 6 when we married. He can be cruel to our own daughter, Shanna also. He's been very cruel to me in our marriage. I've been oppressed, suppressed and depressed. It doesn't stop. He has to be in control....big controller!

Barbara, get back to last night. OK...I was still on my pc when Jack and Angelita's conversation ended. He went to the garage to smoke his pipe. I kept wondering why he hadn't come back and realized he had been gone a very long time. I limped into the kitchen and looked through the garage window to see what he was doing in the garage. I was shocked to see him laying flat on the floor, face up. Homer, the cat, was laying against the top of his head. The refrigerator door was standing wide open. He was laying on cat food and the filthy rug on the floor. His cellphone was laying in the catfood. It totally scared me, I thought he was dead or had a heart attack. He must have fallen. He was passed out. I quickly went to him and realized he was passed out. It took me a long time to get a reaction from him. I tried to then help him up...but he wouldn't let me. He kept pushing me away and telling me not to touch him. He was soused. He began to get angry at me the more I tried to help him. He was so drunk, I don't think he knew where he was, kept saying he was ok and to leave him alone.

He finally worked himself to a standing position...kind of. He angrily pushed me away and went through the kitchen door. As he turned into the kitchen toward the dining room, he knocked a copper pan off the wall and staggered to the green chair and fell into it. He wasn't making any sense at all.....really out of his mind drunk. That gets scary. He's either a happy drunk...or a mean drunk. Last night he was a mean drunk. I couldn't persuade him to come to bed, so I left him in the chair and went to bed. My soul yearns for the Lord to intercede.

I read in bed for awhile and finally fell to sleep for a short time. Woke several times because of the pain in my back and legs. Can hardly stand this emotional pain and physical pain. Emotional pain is worse but just like my legs and back, the pain is always there. Dear Jesus, help me....help Jack.....help us....help this family.

Knowing we needed to take our bull mastiff to the animal clinic early this morning, I didn't sleep well until about 6 AM, of course....by the time I'm sleeping I wake suddenly and realized it was a little after eight. I went into the family room to wake Jack in the chair. Finally got him conscious and I asked him how many scoops I needed to put in the basket to make coffee. He thought I was pushing him and said, "OH SHIT, I'll make it!" Then he moved out of the chair grumbling angrily and went to make the coffee. Since my illness and immobility problems, he's had to take over a lot of my jobs....and he's getting sick and tired of doing everything. I try to help. It doesn't work. So, I did make my own breakfast and he went to the bath and bedroom to get ready. When he came out, he was still angry at me for "yelling" at him to try to get him up....and I think he was more angry with himself for his overindulgence....and like a little boy...he takes it out on mama.

Barb, this is getting harder to talk about. You need to go to bed. Amy and I ae going to a Beth Moore Simulcast at Crossroads church tomorrow, an all day event. I'm looking forward to going. God I need some sweet time with you...closer to you. It's hard for me to pray when I feel like this. Please, Jesus, help me find the words to pray before I fall to sleep.

JUST SHARING

A young 72 year old that is entering a different phase in my life. The Lord is prompting me to write about my relationship with him during the traumatic/dramatic/miraculous events in my life so that others don't give up hope for themselves and their loved ones. God has opened my mind to so many truths that I want to share them for encouragement and enlightenment to others. I'm depending on Him to give me what I need and write according to his prompting. I'm always open to tips and advice from others who have made it in the writing industry; and even those who haven't yet. I need all the help I can get!! Thank you in advance for listening to my sharing.

QUESTION ASKED OF ME ON PURITY

Do you think the subject of Purity in all areas of a woman's life is important? Please answer below and feel free to give your opinion why. *

Yes, of course. Are women naturally pure? I don't believe so. We must be sanctified by Jesus Christ, baptized by the Holy Spirit and a loved child of God. We are pure through forgiveness of our sins and the forgiveness of other's sins toward us. Pureness is Godly. We must be Godly toward others and follow the teachings of Christ. Pureness is in attitude, actions, speech, thoughts, mannerisms, and our relationship with Jesus Christ. Pureness is in respect for others and self. Pureness is in unconditional love and acceptance. We are washed clean and pure by the blood of Jesus Christ and we can't be pure by our own choice. We must practice purity to perfect it. We pray daily, "Jesus cleanse me and make me pure so that I may touch others to seek holiness in your name."

Beyond Infinite Sadness - Pamela Abraham I spent many years in silent screaming mode, beyond sadness. I call it the time of Infinite sadness, when nothing was bright even the clouds and the stars were dimmed. I truly thought that i would never emerge from this place, but I have and I have been renewed and I am now able to enjoy the simple things in life again with out every cloud having a grey lining.

I wish I had written that....