Tag: writing

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Not Today Satan

Proverbs 14:23
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

It has been a long and rather discouraging day. However, I did not want it to end on a bad note. So, I spent the evening working on a project and totally lost track of time.

It was nice finishing my project. I have recently learned to create digital planners. It has taken me a couple of days to finish this last one, but I love it! I was able to incorporate Snoopy all over it.

For those that don’t know, I am obsessed with Snoopy and the whole Peanuts Gang!  I am excited to start using my digital planner tomorrow.

It feels good when we finish something. Specially, when we had to work hard at it.

Another project I am working on, my doctorate, is not going as well. It is at a very frustrating part, right now.

A friend reminded me of something today when I was in tears over the most recent set back. She told men:

“Every writer has setbacks! How many times was Stephen King rejected?  Nothing that is worth anything is ever easy. You are a writer. The best ones have setbacks and they say “NOT TODAY, SATAN” and push forward kicking and screaming..”

She is a very wise friend.

God was saying the same when he inspired our verse today:

Proverbs 14:23 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

I stepped out in faith when I quit talking about it and actually started this journey. It has been hard work, but I will succeed.

So, you know what?

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Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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What’s Your Bright Side

Psalms 106:1
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. His love endures forever.

It is Friday! So what is your bright side?

Here are my 5 for today:

1. My 6th-hour kiddos earned pizza from me. When I brought it in today they were so thankful. It was so nice to be thanked.

2. My husband who has been working so hard on my jewelry displays for my show tomorrow.

3. My friend Kathleen who I can’t wait to showcase all of our lovely jewelry with tomorrow. I know she is going to make my day fun and exciting.

4. My son made it home safe from an exciting business trip in Boston.

5. My favorite time of year is finally here and we are starting to see fall temperatures.

Autumn Trees

By Tabetha Frick

I passed a tree
In all its splendor
Its leaves it was
Beginning to surrender

Beautiful leaves
Of reds and browns
Beautiful leaves
Falling all around

I said dear tree
Please do not die
I simply slumber
Was its reply

Autumn is here
So I cannot keep
My beautiful colors
I plie in a heap

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Thank you Lord for family, friends and beautiful seasons!

Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Keep Moving Forward

Psalms 37:24

If he stumbles, he’s not down for long; God has a grip on his hand. (The Message)

For those of you who don’t know, I am working on my Doctorate degree in Curriculum and Education. I have finished all of the classwork. Two weeks ago, I had to turn in a final exam that consisted of writing two papers. The next steps should be to propose my dissertation, write my dissertation, and then finally defend my dissertation. The problem is I have hit a snag. I did not pass the exams on my first try.

Now, the good news is they sent me the rubric with all of the evaluator’s comments. One of my papers lacked a connection between two parts. The evaluator said both halves were well developed but I need to work on connecting them. As for the second paper, I got lots of nice comments on it. The only thing I did wrong was not write enough.

I was disappointed when I first read the email. It is never easy to get a rejection. However, when I sat down and read the comments, God graced me with a heart prepared to receive critique and not read it as criticism. He had also been preparing me over the past several months during training I received through Proverbs 31 ministries on becoming a writer. One issue we discuss all of the time is how to accept rejection and move one.

I have stumbled, but I am not down for long; God has a grip on my hand. I know he has called me to this path and I am going to keep walking.

What does that look like now? Well, I have two weeks to make corrections and resubmit by exam. So, I will pray and put pen to paper and do what God has called me to do…WRITE!

I would welcome any extra prayers you can send my way.

Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Give Me A Pen!

Romans 15:13 
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I need a pen
Give me a pen
I must write
My soul is swirling
My thoughts are jumbled

I am a complete mess
Nothing makes sense
My nerves are raw
My body is jittery
I am overwhelmed

I can’t control this feeling
The darkness haunts me
It is coming fast
I can’t stay ahead of it
How long will this last

I have the shakes
I want to pick a fight
A blood thirst some would call it
I need to calm down
I need to take a breath

I need a pen
Give me a pen
I must put my thoughts down.

~Tabetha Frick

Yesterday was a strong day for my depression.  I felt it creeping up on me.  Stalking me like a lion. I pleaded with God to take it away.  I didn’t want to walk down that path again.  I was afraid to walk down that path again.  I am always afraid I won’t find my way back.

Satan loves to play with me that way.  He loves to use my fears against me.  He loves to make the darkness swirl around me and try to strangle me. He likes to try and snuff out all my hope. My joy. My peace. He drives me to the one place he never wants to find me. Writing!

People ask me why I write.  I write because I have to.  God has placed this need inside of me.  It is my escape hatch from the darkness.  I fall on my knees and pray.  I grab a pen and just write.  Some of my darkest and yet most beautiful poetry has come out of these horrible places.

It is there in that desolate place I find joy and peace as I learn to trust in the God of hope. It is in that deserted place I begin to overflow with hope because of the power of the Holy Spirit.

I write because I need to leave a piece of me as a map for those who travel behind me.  I need to let them know they are not alone and that I pray over them constantly,

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

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Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

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Is God out of business?

~Ps 77:9-10 (MSG)

9 Has God forgotten his manners? Has he angrily stalked off and left us?
10 “Just my luck,” I said. “The High God goes out of business just the moment I need him.”

Have you ever felt this way before? Have you ever felt so low down that you just know God can’t even reach you. You are so sure He has washed his hands and walked off. Put up the sign, “Gone Fishing.” God has left the building! Yeah me too! I’ve been there, done that and bought the t-shirt.

I have felt the pure loneliness and complete darkness of a totally drained spirit. The total quietness. All you can hear is your screams for help. Maybe it was a loss of a loved one, another fight with a spouse or a child or maybe a stab in the back from a close friend or a bad choice that left you in this desert. You may not even know what brought you here. Heck, you don’t even remember getting on the bus.

Never fear, it doesn’t matter what brought you. I know the man who will pay for your ticket back. As a matter of fact, it is already bought and paid for, you just have to get on. OK, OK, I know easier said than done when you feel totally alone. But the Psalms doesn’t end at this verse. God gives you the way out:

11 Once again I’ll go over what GOD has done, lay out on the table the ancient wonders;
12 I’ll ponder all the things you’ve accomplished, and give a long, loving look at your acts.
~Ps 77:11-12 (MSG)

There is an old song that says count your blessings, name them one by one. That is exactly what you need to start doing right now. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

It is really hard to stay in a funk, when you remember better days. You all of a sudden find yourself smiling, then giggling. You take a deep breath when you remember where you were and realize where you are standing now. You see how far you have come. You notice all of the things God has done for you so far. You remember He isn’t done with you yet, so he will get you through this one too.

Before you know it you are claiming ~Psalms 77:13-14 (MSG)
13 O God! Your way is holy! No god is great like God!
14 You’re the God who makes things happen; you showed everyone what you can do–

Lord,
I know I can trust in you. Help me to never forget your works and keep your commands (Ps 78:7). I know your way is holy and no god is greater than you (Ps 77:13). Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name (Ps 63:3-4). 6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and give heed to the voice of my supplications! In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You, for You will answer me. There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, Nor are there any works like Yours. All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and they shall glorify Your name. For You are great and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God. Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. I will give thanks to You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and will glorify Your name forever (Ps 86:6-12).

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Punishment, Discipline or Consequence

Psalms 103:10 (MSG) He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.

punishment

  • a penalty inflicted for an offense, fault, etc.; severe handling or treatment.

discipline

  • to bring to a state of order and obedience by training and control.

consequence

  • an act or instance of following something as an effect, result, or outcome.

(http://dictionary.reference.com)

What is the difference between a punishment, discipline and consequence? They can all hurt. We probably deserve them. Unless of course we are experiencing a punishment or consequence that was brought on by someone else. Not that that ever happens huh? Well there is a difference between them.

Punishments are dealt out by someone. They are almost a revenge of sorts. You did this so now I get to do this to you. Now stop furling up your brow at me. I know what you are thinking. I punish my kids when they do something wrong. Shouldn’t we punish the murderer for his crime. I didn’t mean revenge like an evil thing. I meant it like a make things even. Kind of like a pay back. Your son or daughter break the neighbors window with a ball, he or she must pay for the window. We try to even things up. If your son or daughter learns from this punishment, you have actually disciplined them.

Wow, that just brought me to another word, discipline. Punishment is meant to bring things even for the moment. Discipline is meant to learn or gain something from it. OK, the only thing
swirling in my head right now are diet and exercise. To many these are punishments…hahaha. Are they really though? Do we gain something from them? Good health, muscles, flexibility and energy. Yep we gain therefore you can no longer say they are a punishment. It is discipline!

Consequences are natural outcomes. They just happen based on what has already taken place. Kind of like a chain reaction. People often refer to it as action/reaction. You put your hand on a hot stove you get burnt. Can you or anyone else control just the outcome? No, you can only control the outcome by controlling what you did in the first place. If that is the case then what you are experiencing is not punishment, or discipline. It is a consequence.

There is someone who controls punishments, disciplines and consequences. As a matter of fact He keeps us from them a lot of the time when we don’t deserve it. He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve (consequences), nor pay us back in full for our wrongs (punishments). As a matter of fact He loved us so much He sent His one and only Son to die for our punishments and consequences (John 3:16). We don’t have to go to Hell now. He knows we aren’t perfect and He doesn’t expect us to be. He gives us unconditional grace and love when we slip up.

Does this mean there is no discipline involved? Will we never see consequences and punishment in our lives? Absolutely not! God is and does discipline. He leads us down the path of righteousness (Ps. 23:3). That takes discipline. It takes trying and trying again until we get it right. What we don’t experience is the punishment of God not loving us anymore and turning away from us. We don’t experience the consequence of “you sinned; your going to Hell right now.” We are no longer separated from God because of our sin.

We are loved. We are dusted off our boo-boos kissed and sent on our way again. We are given advice and told how to avoid getting into the same situation. We are not just walked through it, but loved throughout it. Are there punishments that come with it, maybe. Will you face consequences for your actions, probably. But you will not get what you truly deserve. You will not be separated from God. He is still there waiting for you to put your hands out and cry help me father, so He can run to you and pick you up, cuddle you and love you. He can tell you everything is going to be alright little one. We will get through this together.

Father forgive me for my faults. Discipline me by guiding me through the paths of righteousness. I am going to walk through the valley of death, but help me not to be afraid by walking by my side. Guide me so that I can feel secure. Chase after me with love every day of my life, so I can come home to you. (Ps. 23:3-6). Thank you for not treating me as my sins deserve, nor paying me back in full for my wrongs (Ps. 103:10). Thank you for sending Jesus to die for me. To take away my sins, so that I can live with you forever (John 3:16).

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Seeds of Joy

Psalms 97:11-12 (MSG)
11 Light- seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people, Joy- seeds are planted in good heart- soil.
12 So, God’s people, shout praise to GOD, Give thanks to our Holy God!

Joy-seeds…hmmm…not so sure mine had sprouted this morning. I get up at 4:30 am every morning to take my son to work. Every morning it is the same thing. He gets up at 4:00 we have to be out the door by 4:45. Needless to say, I am still in my PJs when we leave. I always feel like I am rushing him out the door.

Instead of taking those precious quiet moments in the morning with my son, I find myself chastising him for some over looked item. I become impatient and sometimes a downright meanie. That is no way to start his day and certainly not a way I want to start mine.

This morning was right on schedule for our usual routine. I was ready to clobber him by the time we got out the door. When we got to his drop off did I offer words of encouragement? Did I say have a blessed day, God be with you? Did I pray with him? Nope, Nope and Nope. I am ashamed to say I didn’t even mutter I love you. Instead I rushed him out the door before having an argument over something he left at home that he swore I didn’t hand him.

ARGH! Now I know 4:30 in the morning doesn’t exactly scream bright eyed and bushy tailed. I am generally a morning person, but not until closer to 7:00 and 8:00 is even better. However, today’s verse does not say Light seeds are planted in the souls of God’s people at 8:00 in the morning. Joy seeds are planted at 8:30 and both die off as the day goes by.

Nor, does it say God plants, cultivates, waters and harvests light and joy. No, we have a part in this holy farm. We have to shout praise to God and give thanks to our Holy God! In other words we have to water, cultivate and harvest. Joy is always there ready for us to take on. If we do the foot work, God is faithful to bear the fruit in us. Galatians 5:22-23 (NASB) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self- control; against such things there is no law.

So, tomorrow is another day right. 4:30 am will come again. That is true, but you know what, 2:30 this afternoon will come first. I think 2:30 will bring with it an apology to my son when I pick him up today. It will bring a how was your day? It will bear burdens and share rejoicing. As a matter of fact the first thing out of my mouth today will be, “I’m sorry for this morning. I love you and will do better by you tomorrow.” Hopefully, I will help God plant a few of those Joy-seeds!

Lord today I want to belong to you. I want to be crucified by the flesh with its passions and desires. Help me to not only live by the Spirit but also walk by the Spirit. (Gal 5:24-25) I know that whatever a man sows, so shall he reap. (Gal 6:7) Today, I want to sow love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Help me to not lose heart in doing good. Give me the opportunity to do good to all people. (Gal 6:9-10) Let me walk by your rules and may peace and mercy be upon me. (Gal 6:16)