"With God's Grace Our Worst Past
Becomes Our Best Future"
Becomes Our Best Future"
“I don’t care what you pick, but pick something!”
My eleven year old son had become one with the couch. I could barely distinguish where his body ended and the cushions began. Mr. Negativity booed every suggestion I made. Finally, I passed a mandate. He’d have to find some sort of activity. His choice—but at least something.
He tried a variety of instruments from horns to reeds only to discover not only a dearth of talent but a complete lack of interest.
Thankfully, the drums fell into the latter category. We suggested perhaps music was not his thing. He tried track, dropping out in mid season when he gasped for breath just doing the fifty-yard dash. He played hockey for one season but tired of sitting on the bench because the coach only played the better skaters.
The list of failed attempts grew—sometimes because of poor effort and sometimes because adults failed to encourage him. Then he went out for the swim team. He never became a fast swimmer, but as his strength increased, so did his endurance. He became a competent, long distance swimmer, usually placing well enough to earn his team a few points. He advanced his skills to become a lifeguard and camp counselor. “He’s the best swimming instructor they’ve got,” one woman remarked. He learned that failure was merely the opportunity to try something else.
Our Father knows we are not the brightest kids on the block, yet He still gives us the power of free will. After a few blunders, we eventually learn to place our trust in His perfect wisdom. We may even come to the realization that God actually knows what is best for us and seek His will before making life-changing decisions.
The Abraham who was willing to sacrifice Isaac was not the same Abram who left Ur of the Chaldeans. As he grew in the knowledge of God’s ways, he learned to wait on God, knowing that He will bring to pass what He has promised.
Failure is a teacher that forces us to evaluate and redirect. We grow by falling down, standing up, and trying again. But, when we fail, God does not leave us crying face down in the dirt. He puts His loving arms around us, picks us up, and dusts us off. He may send us right back into the game or encourage us to try something different. With each attempt, we learn to trust Him a little more.
FOR THOSE OVER FIFTY-FIVE
5/20/2019 1:00:00 AM by: JUNE FOSTER
FAITH AND HOPE
5/17/2019 1:00:00 AM by: AMY R. ANGUISH
A CONVENIENT COMPASSION
5/15/2019 1:00:00 AM by: DONNA SCHLACHTER
NEXT GENERATION
5/13/2019 1:00:00 AM by: KATHLEEN NEELY
FALLEN LEAF
5/10/2019 1:00:00 AM by: JULIE COSGROVE
TONGUE-TAMING 101
5/8/2019 1:00:00 AM by: SUSAN G. MATHIAS
Mimi and Bop
5/6/2019 1:00:00 AM by: Melissa Henderson
GRACE & LAVENDER
5/3/2019 1:00:00 AM by: HEATHER NORMAN SMITH
WHAT'S YOUR MOTIVATION
5/1/2019 1:00:00 AM by: HEATHER SMITH
NEVER TO OLD TO START OVER
4/29/2019 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
JULIA
4/26/2019 1:00:00 AM by: VICKIE MCDONOUGH
R and I
4/24/2019 1:00:00 PM by: JULIE COSGROVE
AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE
4/22/2019 1:00:00 AM by: BARRY NAPIER
KATELYN'S CHOICE
4/19/2019 1:00:00 AM by: SUSAN G. MATHIAS
MY SINAI SAGA
4/17/2019 1:00:00 AM by: JARM DEL BOCCIO
THE WRITER'S CALLING
4/15/2019 1:00:00 AM by: SHERRI STEWART
When Valleys Bloom Again
4/12/2019 1:00:00 AM by: Pat Jeanne Davis
You Asked for It
4/10/2019 1:00:00 AM by: STEVE STROBBLE
PLAYING THROUGH THE FOG
4/8/2019 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
One Door Between Us
4/5/2019 1:00:00 AM by: Tom Donnan
Counterfeit Detectors
4/3/2019 1:00:00 AM by: Leeann Betts
SOMETIMES WE JUST NEED TO TURN OFF THE GPS
4/1/2019 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
BURIED MOUNTAIN SECRETS
3/29/2019 7:48:00 AM by: TERRI REED
LANDING HARD
3/27/2019 1:00:00 AM by: ERIN UNGER
DON’T CALL HER MA’AM
3/25/2019 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
CAPTURE ME
3/22/2019 1:00:00 AM by: SHERRY KYLE
LOVING ONE ANOTHER
3/20/2019 1:00:00 AM by: JERRI HARRINGTON
When Your Past Looms Longer than Your Future
3/18/2019 1:00:00 AM by: Debra Coleman Jeter
UNDER PRAIRIE SKIES
3/15/2019 1:00:00 AM by: CYNTHIA ROEMER
TAKIN' IT TO THE LIMIT
3/13/2019 1:00:00 AM by: TAMMY WHITEHURST
OUR MCDONALDS
3/11/2019 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
A Tender Hope
3/8/2019 1:00:00 AM by: Amanda Cabot
DON'T HIT THE FAN
3/6/2019 1:00:00 AM by: Julie Cosgrove
BORN TOO LATE
3/4/2019 1:00:00 AM by: DIANNE BARKER
PARHELION
3/1/2019 1:00:00 AM by: LISA LICKEL
NOT OF THIS WORLD
2/27/2019 8:07:00 AM by: JUNE FOSTER
PERSPECTIVE
2/25/2019 1:00:00 AM by: LISA LICKEL
CAROLINA GRACE
2/22/2019 1:00:00 AM by: REGINA MERRICK
THE POWER OF "WITH"/OVERCOMING ANXIETY
2/20/2019 1:00:00 AM by: BARBARA BRITTON
IS IT THE BEGINNING OR THE END
2/18/2019 1:00:00 AM by: KATHLEEN NEELY
A LOVE MOST WORTHY
2/16/2019 9:59:00 AM by: SANDRA ARDOIN
HITTING YOUR SPIRITUAL GROOVE
2/13/2019 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA HANNA AND DEBORAH DULWORTH
MY TO-DO LIST
2/11/2019 2:16:00 PM by: SHERRI STEWART
YOU'RE AMAZING
2/8/2019 1:00:00 AM by: JULIE ARDUINI
STIRRED, NOT SHAKEN
2/6/2019 1:00:00 AM by: JULIE COSGROVE
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
2/3/2019 9:07:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
LOVE'S RESCUE
2/1/2019 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA SHENTON MATCHETT
COURTING DANGER
1/25/2019 1:00:00 AM by: NIKE CHILLEMI
A CHURCH PLANTER'S WIFE
1/23/2019 1:00:00 AM by: Meredith Kendall
MAMA, I CAN'T TAKE A BATH THERE'S A FISH IN THE TUB
1/21/2019 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
JOHN ALDEN ... A SHORT STORY
1/18/2019 1:00:00 PM by: LYNNE BASHAM TAGAWA
FIG LEAVES RIPPING?
1/16/2019 1:00:00 AM by: Kathy Collard Miller
EAT RIGHT NOW LIVE LONGER LATER
1/14/2019 1:00:00 AM by: Jude Urbanski
THE OTHER NEIGHBOR
1/11/2019 1:00:00 AM by: Gail Sattler
A BEFORE I
1/9/2019 1:00:00 AM by: Julie Cosgrove
AM I STRESSED?
1/7/2019 1:57:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
NO TURNING BACK
1/4/2019 1:00:00 AM by: H. L. Wegley
EVERYDAY CHOICES
1/2/2019 1:00:00 AM by: Gail Pallotta
SHOULD VS WANT
12/31/2018 3:58:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
ALLEY'S PERFECT ANGEL
12/28/2018 7:36:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
YOU ARE THE APPLE OF HIS EYE
12/26/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Kathy Collard Miller
I'LL BE ALONE FOR CHRISTMAS ... YOU CAN COUNT ON ME
12/24/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Julie Cosgrove
A SILVER MEDALLION
12/21/2018 1:00:00 AM by: James Callan
WHY WE SING JOY TO THE WORLD!
12/19/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Ada Brownell
THE ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE
12/17/2018 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA SHENTON MATCHETT
THE AMISH MIDWIFE'S SECRET
12/14/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Rachel Good
Coming Home For Christmas
12/12/2018 1:00:00 AM by: MICHELLE DE BRUIN
LIVING WITHOUT REGRET
12/10/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Grant Ferguson
CHRISTMAS WITH THE ENEMY
12/7/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Mary Vee
WHY DO WE NEVER LEARN
12/5/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
GROWING UP CAN BE FUN SO IS GETTING OLDER
12/3/2018 1:00:00 AM by: ELLIE GUSTAFSON
RETURN TO WALHALLA
11/30/2018 1:00:00 AM by: LAURA HODGES POOLE
SAVED BY THE LAMB
11/28/2018 1:01:00 AM by: Julie Cosgrove
SOARING WITH BROKEN WINGS
11/19/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
HOMELESS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
11/16/2018 1:00:00 AM by: PeggySue Wells and Marsha Wright
FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS
11/14/2018 1:00:00 AM by: Sandy Kirby Quandt
HAIR CALAMITIES AND HOT CASH
11/9/2018 10:55:00 AM by: GAIL PALLOTTA
NEVER TOO LATE
11/5/2018 8:33:00 PM by: DIANE TATUM
MEET ME IN GALVESTON
10/26/2018 1:00:00 AM by: ANDREA BOESHAAR
The Not So Good Good Old Days
10/22/2018 1:05:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
HARVEST OF BLESSINGS
10/19/2018 1:05:00 AM by: JUNE FOSTER
MEET JENNIFER SLATTERY
10/5/2018 1:05:00 AM by: Jennifer Slattery
HONESTLY SPEAKING
10/3/2018 3:22:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Perceptual Blindness
10/1/2018 3:56:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE PUTTING GREEN WHISPERER
9/14/2018 1:10:00 AM by: ZOE MCCARTHY
The God of the Mundane
8/30/2018 9:29:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
WHEN I WAS THREE
7/16/2018 11:52:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
He Passes By
6/15/2018 8:50:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Bryan's Homecoming
6/8/2018 1:11:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
EMERGENCE
6/1/2018 1:31:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE PURSUIT OF PEACE
5/30/2018 2:39:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Live Long and Prosper
5/24/2018 12:13:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE REAL DEAL
5/16/2018 7:40:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
Antiquainted Man
5/11/2018 1:06:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
SOMETHING NEW
5/4/2018 11:23:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED TAKE A BUBBLE BATH THEN TRY AGAIN
2/26/2018 8:29:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
REMEMBERING CHRISTMAS
12/24/2017 1:00:00 AM by: John Brewer
FOOTPRINTS
12/20/2017 12:40:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
FUNNY WITH A POIGNANT MESSAGE
12/8/2017 2:28:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
MUTUAL SUBMISSIVENESS
11/29/2017 9:25:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
CASTING STONES
11/17/2017 3:59:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
HEADLINE HYSTERIA
10/31/2017 6:41:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
COUNTRY ROADS
10/12/2017 1:00:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
STUPIDITY IS NO EXCUSE
10/7/2017 8:25:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
Beauty Queen and Humorist Shares Her Latest Book
6/13/2017 12:27:00 PM by: JANE JENKINS HERLONG
AS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH/WHO PUT THE VINEGAR IN THE SALT/CHAPTER 2A
6/7/2017 3:44:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
WHO PUT THE VINEGAR IN THE SALT/CREATED TO BE SALT PART B
5/30/2017 7:25:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
WHO PUT THE VINEGAR IN THE SALT/ CREATED TO BE SALT/PART A
5/20/2017 1:22:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
CELEBRATE YOUR FEMINITY
4/13/2017 1:08:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE FIFTY-FIFTY CONUNDRUM
4/6/2017 1:53:00 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE ROCK OF OUR FUTURE
3/31/2017 7:28:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
FRIENDSHIP IS STICKY BUSINESS
3/14/2017 8:30:00 PM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
PASS THE LOVE, PLEASE
1/17/2017 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
STRANDED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
1/10/2017 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
BATTLE WITH A BUMBLEBEE
1/3/2017 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
BATTLE FATIGUES
12/27/2016 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
ACQUAINTED WITH GRIEF
12/24/2016 11:22:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
LOVE IN A SUITCASE
12/20/2016 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
FRIENDSHIP IS STICKY BUSINESS
12/14/2016 8:42:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM
12/13/2016 1:00:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
KERI'S CHRISTMAS WISH
12/5/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
Raising a Child With Autism
11/30/2016 8:33:00 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
SHOULD OR WANT
11/22/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
CONFESSIONS OF A GARDENS SLUGGARD
11/16/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
GRANDMA PRAYED WHILE IRONING
11/8/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
The Day Super Mom Died
11/1/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
FOLLOW WHICH LEADER?
10/25/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
ROYAL LEGACY
10/18/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
MY SHEEP KNOW MY VOICE
10/11/2016 12:05:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING
9/28/2016 12:30:00 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
THE POWER OF ONE
9/20/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
A LIFELONG PURSUIT
9/13/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
A TEENAGED ROBIN HOOD
9/5/2016 7:36:16 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
NUGGETS OF GRACE
8/31/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
THE CHOICE TO FAIL
8/24/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
DOUBLE CHOCOLATE TROUBLE
8/17/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
JUST LIKE MY DADDY
8/9/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
PATIENT PRAYING
7/26/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
MEET DARLENE FRANKLIN/SCAVENGER HUNT/LAST STOP
7/17/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
PATIENT WISDOM
7/12/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
OF PETS AND PERSISTENCE
7/5/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
God's Server Never Shuts Down
6/10/2016 6:56:27 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
Blessed to be a Blessing
5/18/2016 7:57:49 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
Mama, I Can't take a Bath 'Cause There's a Fish in the Tub
5/4/2016 9:18:13 PM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
SOUR GRAPES OR BLESSED FRUIT
4/28/2016 7:28:32 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
IT'S WHAT THEY DO
4/17/2016 12:00:01 AM by: LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
MEET JOHNNIE ALEXANDER
2/3/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
FROM LIGHT TO BRIGHT
1/15/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
SURRENDERING TO THE CALL
1/8/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
MY QUEST
1/4/2016 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
MY INTIMATE JOURNEY WITH MY HEROINE BY NIKE N. CHI
12/22/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
ACQUAINTED WITH GRIEF
12/8/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
When Art Imitates Life: An Author's Book Journey
12/4/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Settled By Faith
11/27/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING
11/24/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
From Little Golden Books to Summer's List
11/20/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Roundeau
THE EDUCABLE MOMENT
11/17/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
There's love in them there casseroles
11/4/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Searching for God With All My Heart
10/30/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
I RUN TO YOU
10/27/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Sweetening Our Sour Grapes
10/23/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE FALL THAT LIFTS
10/20/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
A Walk With God
10/9/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Disappointment and Discouragement
10/6/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
STIRRING TRUTH
10/2/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
PENNED BY GOD'S OWN HAND
9/25/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
The Masterpiece
9/22/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
RESTORED HEARTS and a Writer's Journey
9/18/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE WRITER'S JOURNEY: Meditations on the Road
9/11/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
DIALOGUING OUR FEARS
9/8/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
WHY A BOOK OF PRAYERS?
9/4/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
From Lettuce to Pages
8/27/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
AND NOT TO YIELD
8/24/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
BONNIE LEON WRITES TO ENCOURAGE THE DISABLED
8/21/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
FAITH WORTH THE FIGHT
8/14/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
CANT HAVE ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER
8/10/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE WINDING TRAIL
7/31/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
The Flavorful Church
7/28/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Commitment Phobia
7/24/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
God knows our hearts
7/21/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
God Had Other Plans
7/17/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT
7/14/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
God's Writer: Jan Elder
7/10/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
THE CURE FOR THE WEARY SOUL
7/7/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Surely Goodness and Mercy Gail Kittleson
7/3/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
OF THEE I SING
6/30/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
A HUNGER FOR GOD
6/26/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
What Do We Ask God For?
6/24/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
BUCK STORM SINGER/SONGWRITER/STORYTELLER
6/19/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
STRESS: THAT OTHER HOMEWRECKER
6/16/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
A Dream Come True of Being A Writer
6/12/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
COURAGE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF FEAR
6/9/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Meet Shannon Vannetter Christian Author
6/5/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
JOY COMES IN THE MORNING
6/2/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
EMPTY NETS
5/26/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Bucketwish
5/23/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Loyalty that Springs from Spirituality
5/20/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Wonderfully Made
3/8/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
Lighthouse of the Carolina's Author Carol Heilman
2/7/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
HAPPY NEW YEAR
1/4/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Linda Wood Rondeau
