Grammy Award

I have so many precious memories of my grandmothers. Both my paternal and maternal grandmothers loved the Lord. They came from two completely different doctrinal backgrounds, but each had a vibrant faith. (This probably explains why I am a Heinz 57 Christian.) There's no doubt about the permanent and eternal "footprints" they have left in my heart. And not a single day goes by that I don't think of them and remember some tidbit of wisdom they gave me.

My maternal grandmother loved music. She enjoyed singing while she worked around the house. I have her to thank for knowing so many timeless hymns. She sang the glory down while scrubbing pots and pans. She never skipped a verse of a hymn. So that means all of us, who were fortunate enough to be in her home, learned all the verses, too. Grandma also had a large stack of gospel records that she played every day. When I was a little girl I never realized the impact her music had on me, but yet to this day when I hear one of "Grandma's" songs, my eyes fill with tears.

Grandma often sang about heaven and how Jesus grew sweeter each day. I remember the Speer Family singing one of Dad Speer's old classic - "Sweeter Each Day."

I have a Savior who loves me I know.
He guiding and guarding wherever I go.
He walks beside me along the bright way.
His love grows sweeter each day.

Sweeter each day.
Sweeter each day.
His love grows sweeter along the bright way.
Sweeter each day.
Sweeter each day.
His love grows sweeter each day.

If you are burdened with sin's awful strife.
Just come to the Savior, He'll give you new life.
Then you can say as you travel the way.
His love grows sweeter each day.





I'm a grandmother now of two of the most precious little boyzz - Tristan and Easton. We are expecting our third grandchild in May. I had the wonderful opportunity of babysitting our grandsons today. As I rushed around, tending to the wee ones, I had a blast from the past. I remembered being at my grandma's house when I was a small child. In my mind's eye, I could see the kitchen table, Grandma's favorite chair and my special drawer. But most of all I remembered my Grandma's soft, silky hands and how she prayed for me.

As I rocked our little men today, I had a greater understanding of my grandmother's love and her prayers for me. I closed my moist eyes and thanked the Lord for giving me such wonderful grandmothers and adorable grandsons. They are priceless! And I pray that I can mirror the love of Jesus to our grandchildren like my grandma did to me.

Mirror Mirror Off the Wall

Bezalel made the bronze washbasin and its bronze stand from bronze mirrors donated by the women who served at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Exodus 38:8 NLT

These women made a great sacrifice giving their bronze mirrors to Bezalel. For some, it possibly meant never being able to see their reflection again.

There are days I feel Jesus is asking me to give my mirror to Him. There seems to be a “Call” from Heaven, pleading with me to look at myself less and to fasten my eyes upon my Savior more. This simple token of my love is not as easy as it seems. Giving my mirror to Jesus means that I can’t always be looking out for “me.”

There are days I fail. I clutch my mirror like a toddler clinging to his favorite blanket and insist on peering at my reflection and making sure I'm watching out for myself and all that concerns "me." Those are the days I am most miserable.

But there are other days, I take the mirror off my wall and offer it to Jesus. A miraculous transformation takes place. Heaven changes this earthen vessel as I gaze into His face and begin to reflect His image. Looking at Him helps me see from Heaven's point of view. I have learned all the mountains I face are just small hills from Heaven't point of view. My eternal vision becomes so keen I minister to the needs of others.

I can't help but burst forth into song when my eyes are fastened on Jesus. I begin to sing a song my beloved grandmother taught me when her eyes had been anointed with the Spirit's eye salve. –

Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus.
I’ve lost sight of all beside.
So enchained my spirit’s vision,
Looking at the Crucified.

I will begin today by taking my mirror off the wall and giving it to my King. Maybe there is someone that I can love for Jesus today.

“Mirror, mirror off the wall.
Today I give to Christ my all?”

The Lord Hath Need of You

And they said, The Lord hath need of him. Luke 19:34

Friday is ladies' prayer meeting for the women of Gospel Lighthouse. For nearly thirty years, our ladies have met on Friday mornings and bombarded Heaven. Today we were praying for one of our precious young mothers, who had come to pray with us. It was apparent that the Lord is moving in her life in a new and fresh way. And that He wanted to use her to bring Jesus to her generation. Oh, the sweetness of the Lord's manifest presence! As we prayed, the words "The Lord hath need of him..." rang in my soul.

I'm sure you remember the familiar story found in the nineteenth chapter of Luke's gospel:

And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,

Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.

And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.

And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.

And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?

And they said, The Lord hath need of him.

And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.

And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.

And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;

Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

I've heard ministers thunder from the pulpit that God didn't need anyone or anybody. I think I might have even spoken those words myself. God forbid, but I think I have.

But I see in these Scriptures how Jesus needed a colt to accomplish what His Father wanted Him to do that day. He also needed two of his disciples to go and fetch the colt.

God has a divine plan for each one of us. He wants to use our homes, cars, kitchen tables, teacups, teapots, our very lives, everything we have to help reach others for Him.

The Lord has need of you today. May He use your hands filled with the love of Jesus to help mend a broken heart today.

Important Announcement

Contact: Lynda S. Burch, Publisher
(314) 276 8482

Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. teams with Be There Bedtime Stories’ new technology to bring families together from around the globe.

St. Louis, MO, USA: In a time where families are spread further apart than ever before ‘Be There Bedtime Stories’ is a technology that puts video of a Storyteller onto the page of a children’s book, to be displayed on a computer and read to your children. http://www.betherebedtimestories.com

“We are very excited with this new adventure,” said GAP President and CEO Lynda Burch. “Our partnership with Be There Bedtime Stories will allow for an unprecedented availability of family sharing reading time with kids and grandkids around the globe. What a wonderful way to “Be There” for your kids whether on assignment out of the country, traveling for work, or just wanting to participate daily in your children’s reading habits; encouraging reading skills that will last a lifetime. It increases literacy awareness and wellness and strengthens family bonds.”

The Sedona International Film Festival, Tuesday night cinema film series displayed the concept, with 5 local leaders, including the Mayor of Sedona. They recorded a bedtime story for presentation that was made to the audience of nearly 500 patrons, right on the big screen of a movie theatre!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jcBuWI2qo8


http://www.betherebedtimestories.com/bookstore.aspx?search=guardian+angel+publishing


For more information on Guardian Angel Publishing or to schedule an interview with the publisher, email Lynda S. Burch at publisher@guardianangelpublishing.com.

Books

For all my writing buddies:

Books have an unexpected way of drifting to those hidden places where the soul of man walks alone - for not even his nearest neighbor knows that he is there, but God knows.... and uses His scribe to write words of comfort. These words give the weary traveler strength for his journey.

Keep writing for the KING,
Dixie

Hidden Saints

Many of you know the special bond I share with my beloved grandmothers. The strange thing about our relationship is that Grandma Meyer and Grandma Holtz have been gone now for a decade and I love them now more than I did when they were alive. So often I see them in my mind's eye setting the table or bursting forth into song, usually they would sing a favorite hymn while washing dishes.

Well, a few years ago the Lord brought a family to our congregation. A precious young couple with four amazing kids. The father is a chiropractor and I go to him regularly to keep my neck from getting "bent out of shape." :-) We have often swapped stories about our grandmothers. His mother's mother, Gladys Hamilton, is still alive and living in the Branson, Missouri, area. She and her husband, who is now in Heaven, were church planters. They started numerous churches across the United States. What caught my attention was the fact they had planted a full gospel church in Charles City, Iowa, in the early '60s - around the same time my great-grandmother and my grandma were involved with a Spirit-filled work of their own in the Charles City area.

As a child, I was often present during my Grandma Meyer's prayer meeting. She always prayed for souls to come to know Jesus and she asked the Lord to bless the church and help it to grow and thrive. I've often wished she could have lived to see all God has done with the Gospel Lighthouse in Floyd. I know it's because of her prayers.

This week Paul and I took a little break and headed for a much-needed vacation in Branson, Missouri. Because of ministry demands, we had been guilty of burning the candle at both ends and needed time to recharge our depleted batteries.

The tourism is out of this world in Branson. There are shows every day with star studded entertainment. Paul and I both agreed. We weren't interested in any shows. We planned to rest, rest and rest some more. I only had one request I wanted to meet Gladys Hamilton.

Yesterday we took a little road trip to find Gladys' Hamilton's nursing home. We took a few wrong turns, but eventually found it. We arrived around supper time and the nurse pointed Gladys out to us. Gladys eyes oozed with the love of Jesus. The minute we started talking... Gladys shared what Jesus meant to her. I looked at Paul and his eyes were wet with tears, too. Before we left, Gladys took our hands and prayed. She asked the Lord to make the Gospel Lighthouse a soul winning church. (So like my grandmother) She prayed for the Lord's blessing, strength and favor to be upon our family and ministry as we returned to the ministry front back home.

I can't really explain what happened in those moments with Gladys except to say she took us straight to the Father's throne and into His Presence. She is one of the Lord's hidden saints - overlooked by the world, but the Father's eyes are always upon her. Somehow I felt of all the stars whose names were on Branson's marquees, Paul and I were blessed to spend a few minutes with the one whose name was on Heaven's marquee. Shhhhh! I think if you'll listen, you'll hear the clapping of the nail-scarred hands.

I know Jesus will one day say to each of His hidden saints, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant..." I hope to be in that number.

Vanishing Act by Liz Johnson

I'm not a detective, but it didn't take me long to figure out why Liz Johnson titled her newest book Vanishing Act. Not only does the main character Nora Jones "vanish," but you will, too, when you read her book. Vanishing Act is so riveting you can't put it down until you have read it from cover to cover. I "VANISHED" from my family's sight for several hours. I couldn't help myself. Once I started reading Johnson's book, I was hooked and had to know the ending.

You'll dampen a few handkerchiefs before finishing the book and heartstrings are will be strummed when readers discover the special bond Nora shares with her father and the twists and turns that take place. (I don't to ruin the story for you by giving too many details.)

Vanishing Act has it all - suspense, romance and a Christian message. I was waving my pompoms and cheering when Nate and Danielle's (aka Nora) faith finally devoured their fears.

Johnson's book could easily be a movie and I would be first in line to buy a ticket.

I was provided a free copy of Vanishing Act by Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense Line in exchange for an honest review.

To learn more about Liz Johnson's books go to www.lizjohnsonbooks.com






DRUM ROLL PLEASE! TA DA.....

Enjoy Liz Johnson's interview below.


1. Did you always know you wanted to write?

I always wanted to write! I started writing stories when I was 7. I don’t know that I always thought about being a professional writer, but I always knew that writing would be part of my life. It’s something that I love.



2. Do you write full time or have another day job?

When I sold my first novel, my brother asked me if I was going to quick my day job. I had to laugh at him. It takes a lot to support yourself just as a writer, and it’s going to be a while until I get there. But until then, I get to work in marketing at a major Christian publisher. Working in the industry is the next best thing to writing full-time.



3. Where do you write most of the time? Other than your home, where is your favorite place to write?

I usually write at my dining room table. But sometimes I take my laptop to bed with me and slouch against the pillows until I finish the next chapter. When I’m not at home, I’ve found a nice little booth at the local Panera where I can tap out 2,000 words in a few hours. The background noise is just enough to help me focus and tune out everything else.



4. What kinds of materials have you written on when paper wasn’t available?

Probably my favorite was when I was working on the timeline for my first novel. I was at a coffee shop and only had napkins to write on. I still have 3 napkins worth of that timeline.



5. How long does it take to write a book?

It took me about 3 months to write my first book, once I really started writing it. But the last book I wrote after completely a full synopsis, and it took me about 2 and half months—while I moved across the country, started a new job, and survived the Nashville floods. I think I could have done it in 2, if I hadn’t moved. :)



6. What advice would you give a kid who is thinking about writing?

I think the best thing kids can do is practice. And read everything they can get their hands on. Get a library card and spend a lot of time surrounded by books. Writing is often less about the specific classes you’ve taken and more about finding your own voice. Keep at it!