I have long felt that whatever we go through helps prepare us for what is to come, and that God is always faithful to walk through the good stuff and the bad with His children under His wing. We don't face anything alone, which is a huge part of what Dependence Day is about. While I have joked that I'm not sure that I'm ready for whatever I'm being prepared for, I am thankful that I will not need to face whatever is around the corner on my own, and that He can turn even the hardest things into blessings.It is in my weakness that God shines through, just as it was with David and everyone before and after him.
The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” 1 Samuel 17:37 (NIV)
Whatever this day holds, I can face it's challenges and opportunities knowing and trusting that God will help and guide me.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
What are you producing?
I heard a discussion on the radio this morning about our consumer culture. This caused me to think... God calls us to be producers, yet the culture teaches and encourages us to be consumers. What are you producing?
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Merry Christmas
From our family to yours... may this Christmas be one to remember and cherish, and may your home be filled with the peace of Christ.
Book Preview
July 6, 2002 — Dependence Day
Ladd had been a police officer for almost 11 years. He still loved his work. He continued to comment frequently that he just could not believe that God had given him that job, and that people actually paid him to do it! He could talk to people and have them thanking him for the speeding ticket by the time he handed it to them. Police work is dangerous, but we knew through our faith that God was with him every minute of every day. People still commented to me, "How can you be married to a policeman? Don't you worry all the time?" My response remained that I knew that God had that part handled for me. Ladd was following his calling, and God was in control........Just about halfway home, I got the call from our pastor's wife. Tami relayed to me that Ladd had been in an accident and was at the hospital. She told me that he had a broken leg and that Pastor Paul was with him. She didn't have a lot of details, but would let me know if she found out more information. We were still ½ hour to 45 minutes away from home. Adam, who was 6 years old, was asleep in the back of the vehicle. Katie (now 10 years old), my nephew, mom (who had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's) and dad were with me. After I hung up the phone, we prayed for Ladd and for our safety as I continued to drive home. Katie began to cry and pray with her cousin in the back seat. I gripped my dad's hand next to me and prayed silently as thoughts raced through my mind. I knew that things must be much more serious than Tami indicated. I thought, "Why would Pastor Paul be waiting on reports from doctors for just a broken leg?" Billings has two hospitals. Our insurance and doctors were through the other one. I knew that Ladd would have requested to be taken to the other hospital if he were able to respond and express a preference.... on and on the thoughts raced between prayers.........Ladd had been struck broadside by a pickup that was traveling at approximately 50-60 mph. After the initial impact, the pickup slammed head-on into a light pole and sent Ladd flying through a parking lot. Officer Harper did not know the extent of his injuries, but it was clear that he was in extremely critical condition. ........Life can, and often does, change in an instant. The best laid plans often cannot prepare us for what lies ahead. One plan never fails and will always prepare each one who follows it for whatever lies ahead. Are you prepared for whatever lies around the corner?
Ladd had been a police officer for almost 11 years. He still loved his work. He continued to comment frequently that he just could not believe that God had given him that job, and that people actually paid him to do it! He could talk to people and have them thanking him for the speeding ticket by the time he handed it to them. Police work is dangerous, but we knew through our faith that God was with him every minute of every day. People still commented to me, "How can you be married to a policeman? Don't you worry all the time?" My response remained that I knew that God had that part handled for me. Ladd was following his calling, and God was in control........Just about halfway home, I got the call from our pastor's wife. Tami relayed to me that Ladd had been in an accident and was at the hospital. She told me that he had a broken leg and that Pastor Paul was with him. She didn't have a lot of details, but would let me know if she found out more information. We were still ½ hour to 45 minutes away from home. Adam, who was 6 years old, was asleep in the back of the vehicle. Katie (now 10 years old), my nephew, mom (who had recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's) and dad were with me. After I hung up the phone, we prayed for Ladd and for our safety as I continued to drive home. Katie began to cry and pray with her cousin in the back seat. I gripped my dad's hand next to me and prayed silently as thoughts raced through my mind. I knew that things must be much more serious than Tami indicated. I thought, "Why would Pastor Paul be waiting on reports from doctors for just a broken leg?" Billings has two hospitals. Our insurance and doctors were through the other one. I knew that Ladd would have requested to be taken to the other hospital if he were able to respond and express a preference.... on and on the thoughts raced between prayers.........Ladd had been struck broadside by a pickup that was traveling at approximately 50-60 mph. After the initial impact, the pickup slammed head-on into a light pole and sent Ladd flying through a parking lot. Officer Harper did not know the extent of his injuries, but it was clear that he was in extremely critical condition. ........Life can, and often does, change in an instant. The best laid plans often cannot prepare us for what lies ahead. One plan never fails and will always prepare each one who follows it for whatever lies ahead. Are you prepared for whatever lies around the corner?
Monday, December 20, 2010
Welcome!
I'm Heidi Paulson, author of Dependence Day. Thanks for stopping by!
It is my hope and prayer that God will bless you today.
The most common question I seem to hear is "Where did you ever find the time to write a book?"
About 4 years ago, God really started to seriously lay this idea on my heart. I wrestled with Him for quite awhile with the "Why me?" and "Who wants to read about our troubles?....... everyone has troubles of their own." and then I moved on to "Ok, when the kids are grown up and I have more time."
God let me do this for 6-8 months, then He got serious and I found myself snowed in at a hotel in Toronto for 3 days. Half of the book came out that weekend. About a year later I was talking to a publisher. Another year later and here we are. God is at work. I don't know where He's taking this, but we're on board with wherever He calls us to be... and that's an awesome place to be! Thanks for being here with us!
It is my hope and prayer that God will bless you today.
The most common question I seem to hear is "Where did you ever find the time to write a book?"
About 4 years ago, God really started to seriously lay this idea on my heart. I wrestled with Him for quite awhile with the "Why me?" and "Who wants to read about our troubles?....... everyone has troubles of their own." and then I moved on to "Ok, when the kids are grown up and I have more time."
God let me do this for 6-8 months, then He got serious and I found myself snowed in at a hotel in Toronto for 3 days. Half of the book came out that weekend. About a year later I was talking to a publisher. Another year later and here we are. God is at work. I don't know where He's taking this, but we're on board with wherever He calls us to be... and that's an awesome place to be! Thanks for being here with us!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)