Why Thank God During a Hard Time?

My husband, Kevin, recently endured a kidney stone for a couple of weeks. According to women who have experienced both kidney stones and labor pains, I've heard the kidney stone pain is worse. 

Poor guy!

In spite of that horror, Kevin continued to pray, read his Bible, and thank God every day. "Why would you do that?" someone might say. "Sickness is not a good thing."

That someone is right; kidney stones are not good. And we know God is Absolutely Good. So why would we continue to keep up our relationship with Him during this hard time? Here are a few reasons: 

1. God did not cause the kidney stone. He is the giver of good gifts. The bad things come from satan. So we choose to trust God to deliver us. 

2. God has the answers to every dilemma. In this case, we knew God would provide for the removal of the stone, whether he used a doctor, medicine, or a miracle. He used a doctor, who has become our newest hero!

3. To have an attitude of thankfulness, no matter what our circumstance, helps us remain in a heart-state of peace rather than turmoil. If our eyes are fixed on God, not the problem, the answer comes sooner. 

Drawing copyright Ron Levellie

          Perhaps you can think of additional reasons to thank God during a hard time. If so, please share them. Have you had a kidney stone or other horrible circumstance? How did God solve it? 

To AI or not to AI?

AI seems to be the hot topic this summer. And probably will be for many summers to come. 

I'm an author. But I REFUSE to use AI to help me write. I may occasionally refer to what AI has to offer in the way of research. But I'm generally wary of it. 

How do you feel about AI? Do tell. 

What's the Big Deal with Spring?

Most people love Spring. And there are excellent reasons:

Baby animals are everywhere, giving us hope for the future.

Flowers and butterflies fill our senses with joy.

Warmer weather means more time spent outdoors. What's YOUR favorite aspect of Spring?  

12 Ways to Increase Your Brain Power

12 Ways to Increase Your Brain Power

We already know how smart you are, since you're reading this blog post! But if you'd like to increase your brain power, these 12 ways will help. I found the first 11 on brain specialist Dr. Daniel G. Amen's blog, and the 12th--a fun method I use to stretch my brain muscles--is my own idea. I have also added some of my thoughts to Dr. Amen's.

1. Learn something new--an obscure president's name, a variety of flower, even a little-known verse to a song.

2. Learn more of something you already know about, on a deeper level. Are you an expert on cats? Study a particular breed. Do you know a lot about novel writing? Read an article or a book about non-fiction techniques.

3. Make new friends. Meeting new people and getting to know them keeps our brains active, and helps our emotions thrive as well.

4. Hang out with smart people. Go to the library, the art museum, or join a history club. Smart people will pull us up to new levels of intelligence.

5. Analyze, compare and contrast. Don't just say "Mom and I are nothing alike." Tell us how Mom loves to cook, clean and sew, but you would rather plant a garden and read romance novels. These type of mental comparisons  are good workouts for  our minds.

6. Cross train with someone at your job. Even if you only work with one other person, ask them to show you how to create a spreadsheet or make a car part, while you teach them mail merge.

7. Learn a new word. Then use it at least 12 times in the next month, to keep it active in your brain.

8. Read a book or take a class on something you never considered studying. For me, that would be astronomy, oil painting, or Asian history. What about you?

9, Forgive. The mental and spiritual work of telling the Lord, "I release this person to you--deal with them in Your love and mercy," opens your mind to new levels of creativity and sets your spirit free from judgement.

10. Do something kind. Stepping out of our me-me-me world to help someone else is a lovely way to relax and rejuvenate our brains.

11. Turn off the TV. TV is a mindless way to entertain ourselves. We watch others do their lives--whether exciting or silly--rather than experiencing life for ourselves.

12. Memorize Scripture. This one is the most fun, as it helps you overcome the devil while five ways memorizing Scripture enriches your life and Fun tricks to memorize Scripture. 
increasing your brain power. For some fun ideas on how it can help, see my posts on

Which ways to increase your brain power stood out to you? What will you do today to help yourself to grow even smarter than you are already? 

What do colors have to do with your heart?

   

I have a thing for colors. You too? 

I love color combinations in fabric for clothing and upholstery, in jewelry, and in nature. I even have a favorite color of cats! 

I believe the colors we are drawn to tell about what's in our hearts. 

   As a writer, I enjoy finding new ways to use color:

• Scarlet heat creeping up my neck
• Mauve and rose washing across the horizon
• The blackness of a bitter memory

How does color enrich your life? What are your favorite colors?

What's So Good about Good Friday?

What's Good about Good Friday?

You see them throughout the world. We make them of gold and jewels and drape them around our necks. We carve them of exotic wood and adorn church buildings with them. We fashion them of different sizes and shapes of stained glass, pieced together to form exquisite works of art that fly our souls heavenward.

            But the cross was not designed to sparkle on throats or beautify a place of worship. Invented before the 4^th century B.C. by the Persians, its purpose was as an instrument of slow, torturous execution. By the time of Jesus, the Romans had begun using this way of hanging their worst criminals. Making it a public spectacle served as added humiliation. Anyone could walk by a murderer or thief as they hung on the rough-hewn boards and spit on them or cast abuse up at them.   

          Thus hung Jesus, naked before the world, nailed between two real criminals while the world gaped, supposing Him a fool. After all, He’d raised three people from the dead, multiplied food for thousands, and healed multitudes. Why was He submitting to this mockery and abuse, like a stupid lamb? They railed at Him, “You saved others; but you can’t even save yourself!” Why did He not use His power to subdue the Roman guards and come down from that cross, if He truly was the Son of God?        

            The answer to this question, my friend, is why we call the Friday before Easter “Good Friday.” The goodness in His heart compelled Him to hang in our place, so you and I could have a relationship with the God of the Universe.

            Don’t believe for a second that if Jesus had wanted to, He could not have freed Himself and jumped down. He told the crowd, “Don’t you know that I could at this very moment call ten legions of angels to come and rescue me?” Yet He remained to the end, although it meant God turning His face from Him. Not because He was a fool. No. Because He loved us too much to let us die in our sins and spend forever in Hell.

No one kept Jesus on the cross but Jesus.

            Next time you put your favorite crucifix around your neck or gaze upon the loveliness of a stained glass cross, remember how it came to mean a sweet symbol of love and beauty, rather than an instrument of death. Remember that Jesus went there of His own free will, to give you a future and a hope.

            And, if you’ve made Him the Lord of your life, you’ll hear Him say one day very soon, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into my joy” as He welcomes you to Heaven. Cross my heart.

Have you made Jesus the Lord of your life? If not, please email me at Jeanette@jeanettelevellie.com. I'd like to share the Gospel with you, so you can share Heaven with me.

Why Listen to Jesus?

I have an old, ratty wind-up timer (much more grungy than the one above).  I love that thing. It's face often. falls off in my hand or onto the kitchen floor  I've bought newer ones--a bright red apple, a fun yellow chicken to name a few. But none of them work as well or have that same familiar "ding" that reminds me of baking cookies with my mom when I could barely see over the counter to frost them. 

Some people might think I'm silly for using something that's probably an antique. They might be the same people who think the words of Jesus are obsolete, or only for His contemporaries. Yet Jesus's words contain powerful truths that are always relevant. 

"Don't keep the children from coming to Me. You need to become child-like if you want to be part of My kingdom."

"Take the speck out of your own eye first; then you can see clearly to help your neighbor with their faults." 

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can get to God apart from Me."

"I came to give you life, and life in all its fulness, till it overflows."

"Don't be afraid." 

That's what I mean. Timeless. Words of life. Words to live by. That's Jesus for ya. 

Do you have a favorite saying of Jesus that helps you live life to the full? 

How God Gives and Gives and Gives

I've always wanted to invite people over for holiday meals that had nowhere else to go, or no family nearby to share with. This Thanksgiving we get to have two extras--a friend of our daughter whose husband is traveling and a friend of our granddaughter who merely wants to hang out. 

Hooray and Hallelujah for dreams come true! God is Absolutely Good. He doesn't only give us what we need, but a lot of what we dream for. He is all about giving. 

I hope your Thanksgiving this year brims over and bursts with dreams come true, and new things to thank Jesus for!

What's the Big Deal about Jesus?

What’s the big deal about Jesus? Why are millions of Jesus’ followers willing to risk their lives and reputations to follow him?

   Because they believe he is who he claimed to be—according to historical records of his talks—the Son of God and the only way to God. They’ve experienced his love and forgiveness in their own lives.

  When a person realizes they’ve sinned and can’t change themselves, it leads to either despair or a search for someone who can give them hope.

     Jesus is that someone.

    Jesus lived a sinless life, taught about what God was really like, and healed the sick for three years.  

    Then he willingly let others kill Him to take the punishment for all our sins—everyone in history, including me. And you.

 

  After three days, he rose from the dead, proving that he was God in the flesh.

    When we believe these facts about Jesus and open our hearts to him, the Bible says we are “born again.”  Jesus comes to live in us, exchanging our sinful selves for his eternal life, making us God’s children.    

You can know that God has forgiven your sins, and that you will become a new person and one of God’s children simply by saying “Yes” to these questions:

1.      Do you believe that Jesus is God’s Son?

2.      Do you believe that He lived a sinless life, and died in your place, so you could be forgiven?

3.      Do you believe He resurrected from the dead, proving His deity?

4.      Do you acknowledge Him as Lord and God?

5.      Do you desire to live for Him?

     If you answered “yes” to these questions, the Bible says you are a Believer. Find a Bible teaching church to attend, be immersed into Jesus Christ, and you will be a new member of Jesus’s family!

     If you made this life-changing decision today, please email me at jeanettelevellie@gmail.com and let me know. I'd love to rejoice with you!

How do you celebrate?

   Every year on Independence Day, Kevin and I love to attend our local City Band concert. These talented musicians play marches and other patriotic songs, and the atmosphere reverberates with patriotism. 

What's your favorite way to celebrate the 4th of July?

How Can Good come from Bad?

       I had surgery in April to replace three wonky discs in my neck. The surgery went well, but the recovery was rough. I whined most days about what I couldn't do, even though Kevin, my Prince of a husband was willing to do everything for me (including housework and cooking!). After I got the dreaded collar removed and the dr. released me with no restrictions, I realized that not only was my nerve pain relieved, but also my posture had improved. What I thought was hindering me actually helped me!

          Kevin's aunt passed away a couple weeks ago. She was 98 and very sick.  Although we and all her family will miss her, we are happy she is in heaven with Jesus and her late husband, rejoicing and celebrating. 

         

          Jesus promised us in Romans 8:28, "I will work all things for your good if you love me." He will work the bad things in our lives for good. Our part is to love Him and put our lives in His hands. He knows how to redeem the worst situation and turn it around because He is God. 

Have you experienced Jesus making lemonade from your lemons? Do tell. 

Why We Love Spring

Most people love Spring. And there are excellent reasons:

Baby animals are everywhere, giving us hope for the future.

Flowers and butterflies fill our senses with joy.

Warmer weather means more time spent outdoors. What's YOUR favorite aspect of Spring? Mine is everything!

Laughter or Tears? Sometimes Both

Our daughter's birthday is today. I gave her several gifts and a sparkly purple card. We are taking her to one of her favorite restaurants for dinner. I'm excited she was born! But she's not. She doesn't like adding another year to her age. It depresses her. Sigh. If only I was her age again! I wouldn't get lightheaded when I stand up from squatting down to clean out the cat boxes. I could stay awake later than 9 p.m. every night. I wouldn't need pills for high blood pressure and pain that bounces from my hips to my head. So. I'm laughing but she's crying. Over the same event! We are different, all right.

If you have a loved one who's vastly different from you, that's a good thing. It means you complement one another. When she's crying, you can encourage her. And when you're depressed, she can lift you up. If you both have Jesus in your lives, better yet. He shares in every little and big event, whether it brings laughter or tears. He's the Best Friend anyone can have. Is Jesus in your life? If not, contact me and we can chat about Him.

Wanna Write?

This year's Blue Lake Christian Writers Retreat has a star-studded faculty that will help you make your dreams of writing come true! I got my start at a writers conference like this one, where I met editors, publishers, agents, and BEST of all, fellow-writers who were gracious enough to show me the ropes. I think conferences like these are the best way to hone your skills and find encouragement in your writing journey. My two classes, Shock the Clock: Time Management Secrets for Creatives and Humor Helps and Sells, are included in this year's line up. I'd love to meet you!

Why Hope?

My word for the year is HOPE.

Why should we hope? What's there to hope for? Isn't the state of the world pretty hopeless?

To the first question First of all we should hope because "Nothing is impossible with God," and "Jesus can change a circumstance, a person's heart, or an entire nation in an instant. So never give up hoping for the best."

What is there to hope for? And end to abuse and wars. A spiritual revival in our land and all nations. And most of all, for the return of the Lord Jesus! I hope for that miracle daily! And yes, the state of the world is hopeless. But we as Believers in Jesus and His ability to fix the worst issues and change the hardest hearts, are not bound by the world's systems. We are in the world but not of the world. We are here to change the world and make it better by giving it Jesus.

So, go ahead, get your hopes up! Do you have a word for the year? What are you hoping for?