Blog Archives - The Remarkable Blog

How do you write a book?

3/16/2018

People are asking me all the time about the subject of writing a book. First you have to have a passion about the subject you have chosen to write about. What do you stay up thinking about? What experiences do you have that others want to know about? How can you help your fellow man? What do you dream about?

I have always loved to write and read. I read a lot. Sometimes I notice there is a vacancy about a subject. When I find the vacancy then something inside of me jumps, so then I write.

Write a lot. Write about things that interest you. You may be surprised at what starts to evolve. If you have already researched something put it into a book for others. Don't waste your research. Make your time matter by giving it as a gift to the world.

My mantra has always been, "Be what your looking for." This is the main reason I wrote, "The ABC's of Being A Mother". Many of us that have birthed children, didn't have a good role model. We did not have a manual called, "How to be a Mom?" Sure there were books that explained pregnancy and what to expect while you are expecting, but what about when they start to become little humans and your own humanity starts to come forward? Then what? What about when you know that you aren't doing everything right, and wish you were? What if you want to quit because you feel like you don't measure up? Read my book, "The ABC's of Being a Mother".

These were the questions I answered in my first book. It is a book of encouragement for the things you can do or are doing right already and need an, "At a Girl."

My second book was a friends idea to gather some of the articles I wrote for a local magazine. My friend talked about how hard I worked on the articles, and how they could better bless people. "Moments that Matter" was birthed.

Once you get the idea of what you are passionate about, and that you want to write about, start writing. Don't worry about the way it will all come together. I find my titles come after the book is finished. Then chapters get shifted once you have several chapters written. When the book is finished you decide who to thank, and who to dedicate it to. When looking for endorsements ask yourself who cares? Who knows me? Who can vouch for you? Contact those people and ask them? You may get some, "No's" but you may also get some, "Yes's".

Next look into self publishing. I love Palm Tree Publishers. Here is their website http://www.wendykwalters.com/publishing.html

Catch me on Monday when I continue to share on the subject of "How to write a book?"

What would be the appraisal of your life?

3/15/2018

I love the story of Alfred Nobel, as related by Randy Alcorn in his book, "The Treasure Principle."

Alfred Nobel dropped the newspaper and put his head in his hands. It was 1888. Nobel was a Swedish chemist who made his fortune inventing and producing dynamite. His brother Ludvig had died in France. But now Alfred's grief was compounded by dismay. He'd just read an obituary in a French newspaper — not his brother's obituary, but his! An editor had confused the brothers. The headline read, "The Merchant of Death Is Dead." Alfred Nobel's obituary described a man who had gotten rich by helping people kill one another.

Shaken by this appraisal of his life, Nobel resolved to use his wealth to change his legacy. When he died eight years later, he left more than $9 million to fund awards for people whose work benefited humanity. The awards became known as the Nobel Prizes.

Alfred Nobel had a rare opportunity — to look at the assessment of his life at its end and still have the chance to change it. Before his life was over, Nobel made sure he had invested his wealth in something of lasting value.

The face of the medal of the Norwegian Nobel Committee shows Alfred Nobel in a pose slightly different from that of the other medals. ... translated "For the peace and brotherhood of men".

Each of us chooses, either purposefully or passively, how we invest our time and treasure. The wise man invests his life carefully, using the temporary currencies of this life to gain riches that will last forever.

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

The Power of a Generational Blessing

3/13/2018

Regardless of where you have come from and regardless of the state of your natural family God has a blessing for you. Issac was blessed because of his father but we are blessed because of Abraham. God's blessing is greater than your physical genealogy.

There is a Master Key that all parents possess, but very few actually use to unlock God’s identity and destiny for their children.

The actual Hebrew meaning of the word (Baruch = blessing) that describes this key is “to empower to prosper.” So parents who understand and use this key will naturally empower their children to prosper in many areas of life, while parents who don’t understand, or fail to use this key may inadvertently hinder or actually empower their children to fail.

My earthly father never told me I couldn't do anything. No matter what I wanted to be, or what I wanted to do, he always said, "If you make it we will find the money for you to do it!", and he did. If I wanted to be in the band he found a way to buy the instrument. If I wanted to be a majorette he found the money for the baton and boots. If I wanted to be a cheerleader, he found a lady to make me the uniform and bought the shoes. My earthly father believed in me. Today, I still miss my Dad. He celebrated me and loved me, no matter what I did. I know I am a strong woman with little fear to go for it, because of my Dad.

But, this I know, our Heavenly Father is even more concerned with our success. Our Heavenly Father wants us to succeed. The word of God tells us He rejoices in the prosperity of His Saints. God has blessed us. He has empowered us to prosper. He calls us to be the head and not the tail. He tells us that everything we lay our hand to will prosper, and everywhere our foot trods is blessed.

I encourage you to read the promises and blessings of God over your life. Bless your children. Believe in your children. I am not just talking about biological children but spiritual children as well. It is never to late to bless. Lay hands on someone today and bless them. Speak good words over those you love and over those that God has put in your care.

Your capacity for darkness is as great as your capacity for light. Therefore, choose light.

Friends, faith and our future

3/13/2018

When you have lived as long as I have, you have had friends longer than many people have lived. My husband and I laughed one day at our Board Meeting when we said, "We were married in 1977", and one of our board members said, "That's the year I was born Pastor Rena." I must admit I laughed, but it did get me thinking. Then, I ran into a friend at Heritage Point retirement Village while ministering with a group of ministers, and when I said how long we'd been friends I realized yet again, we had been friends longer than many of the ministers had been alive.

Life is a vapor. It goes by so quickly. I feel the same mentally and in my mind nothings changed. However, when I look in the mirror I can see a lot of things have changed. The biggest change of all however, has been my love for God. I love Him more today, than I have ever loved Him. As a matter of fact I love Him more than anyone or anything in this world. It's true. He never leaves us. He never fails us. He is forgiving. My favorite part is the way He continues to teach me. Everyday I learn something new about Him, or His creation. He will talk as long as we will listen--and obey.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words."

I'm planning on living till I am 120 years old, because that is what the New Testament promises us. So, I plan to keep making and keeping the friends I make. I plan to keep sharing the word of God with those I love, because eternity will last a lot longer than this brief time on earth. My greatest achievement will be that I fell in love with God through the power of Jesus Christ, and that changed everything, including me.

When you can't get your child out of bed?

3/12/2018

There are many stories you could write here as my ghost writer. My memory was jogged when I arrived at 7AM to get my eldest grandson up for school, after he spent the night with his aunt. My eldest daughter usually breaks all the rules and of course the nap rule. So, this morning he refused to get out of bed. I literally had to lift him out of bed and transfer him to the floor where he continued to lay.

This got me thinking about when God tries to get us up and get us moving. God knows where he wants us to go. God knows our desired destination, but like an overstimulated child the world has drained us of our energies and made us into sleepy, apathetic zombies.

John 9:4 (KJV) "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."

So today, I'm the adult. I am one of the examples they are following so, I choose to do the right thing. One day they will choose to do right. Children learn what they live. God knows that too, so He sent Jesus to be our example.

Miracles bring gratitude.

3/9/2018

Luke 17:12-16 (KJV) "And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

In America we have so much. Food for many of us is unlimited. We throw more things away than most people of the world ever own. We have hot water to bath. We have a bed to sleep. We make a decision what car to drive or if we want to ride together? Most of the time, our prayers start with, "Lord Bless", our food, our trip, my day.... The prayers of generations before us began with, "Let's give thanks" or "Who would like to say the Thanks?". Times have changed but being grateful shouldn't.

However, in the scripture above we see that one leper out of ten came back to say, "Thank you." Jesus even asks, "Were not ten lepers healed? Where are the other nine?"

Luke 17:17-19 (KJV) And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Do you want to live a radical God filled life? I do! Do you want to not only receive a miracle but change the culture of America, to one of expectation instead of disappointment? Spread the "Good News" of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Be contagious with something worth catching! Be grateful! Be grateful for what others take for granted.

Giving thanks began in the four Gospels with Jesus. Up until Jesus no one gave thanks for their bread. Jesus never missed an opportunity to thank His Father. Jesus is our model. WWJD? We know what He did! It's in the Word. Read it! Do it!

Obedience brings the miracles.

3/8/2018

Luke 17:14 (NIV) "When He saw them, He said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they were going, they were cleansed.

Obedience brings miracles. Had those 10 lepers not obeyed God they would not have been healed. They were healed as they went. Check out Luke 17, where we find that 10 lepers were healed.

If you are wanting to see miracles check your obedience level.

Moses had to stretch out his rod before the waters parted. Esther had to fast before the King changed his mind and sin was exposed. The blind man had to go wash in the Jordan before he received his sight... How many more can you think of that had to obey before they got the miracle?

Challenge for today: Ask yourself what was the last thing God told you to do? Now go do that!

When God talks

3/7/2018

To hear God's voice we must belong to God. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). Those who hear God’s voice are those who belong to Him—those who have been saved by His grace through faith in the Lord Jesus. These are the sheep who hear and recognize His voice, because they know Him as their Shepherd. If we are to recognize God’s voice, we must belong to Him.

While God could speak audibly to people today, He speaks primarily through His written Word. Sometimes God’s leading can come through the Holy Spirit, through our consciences, through circumstances, and through the exhortations of other people. What matters is what we do with what we hear. The more we obey the more God speaks. Think about it. If every time you spoke something to someone they acted on it, shared it, and prayed it through, wouldn't you speak to them more often? Wouldn't you want to bless them? Do something special for them?

There is a spirit that is rising in these last days that I refer to as the "Enoch spirit". The Bible tells us that Enoch had this testimony before God took him, and that testimony was that he pleased God. The very next verse says that it is impossible to please God without faith.

Hebrews 11:5-6 (KJV) By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Could it be, those that learn to walk with God and seek to please Him through faith will once again walk with God, and that God would take them? I think so.

Rising Spirits in a Fallen World-"Sex yes, responsibility...no."

3/6/2018

Most of you that know me, realize that I have been working on a particular book for several years called, "Rising Spirits in a Fallen World". It covers several spirits that are arising in these last days. I could never get a release from God to finish it. I would ask people to help me and they would get attacked of the devil, and taken out. My manuscript left in the dust. I would pick it up and dust it off, and breathe life into it, only to have to pick it up and dust it off again. I have been greatly grieved over all of the warfare over this book. Finally!!!! Studying last week God gave me the final spirit that will arise in these last days, and I am overwhelmed with joy. Let me just share one of the many spirits that will arise in these last days. The "Onan Spirit."

Genesis 38:8-10 (NIV) Then Judah said to Onan, “Sleep with your brother’s wife and fulfill your duty to her as a brother-in-law to raise up offspring for your brother.” But Onan knew that the child would not be his; so whenever he slept with his brother’s wife, he spilled his semen on the ground to keep from providing offspring for his brother. What he did was wicked in the Lord’s sight; so the Lord put him to death also.

The sin of Onan was his greedy, selfish refusal to sire a son on behalf of his brother. Judah said to Onan, "Go in to your brother's wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother." But Onan knew that the heir would not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in to his brother's wife, that he emitted on the ground, lest he should give an heir to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the LORD; therefore He killed him also."

The spirit of Onan says, "Sex yes, responsibility....No!" This spirit is all about selfishness and making things look like they are in obedience, when in reality they are in defiance. This spirit will grow stronger and stronger as we see the Lord's Day approaching. More and more people will be having sexual relations with no intention of every having children. They refuse to sow into the next generation. The spirit of Onan only considers how the consequences of having a child will affect them. They are void of honor and have no fear of God.

Deuteronomy 25:5 (KJV) "If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband's brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband's brother unto her.

We don't get to make the rules. Our job is to obey the Lord fully. Partial obedience is disobedience. Disobedience cost loves.

I watched the Golden Globes

3/5/2018

I am sure so many of you reading this today, watched the Golden Globes last night. Regardless, of what we think of what went on last night, we must admit that we were affected. If you are over 60 years old, it was like a flash of our lives. Most of the movies I had seen, or at least watched the repeat, or knew of. We realized America has changed. Movies have changed. Ninety years have not only changed our faces and our bodies, but the face of America and the Body of Believers at large.

The clothing has changed. The norms are not normal. Truth competes with lies. Reality rivals rumors. The world in ninety years of golden globes has failed to be golden, but rather rusted and paled in comparison to the morals for which we were once were know.

I was pleased that the true story Dunkirk did so well. I believe there is hope for America in that we still believe that there are real hero's, and we still applaud them.

1 Peter 1:7-17 (The Message) "Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him - with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation. The prophets who told us this was coming asked a lot of questions about this gift of life God was preparing. The Messiah's Spirit let them in on some of it - that the Messiah would experience suffering, followed by glory. They clamored to know who and when. All they were told was that they were serving you, you who by orders from heaven have now heard for yourselves - through the Holy Spirit - the Message of those prophecies fulfilled. Do you realize how fortunate you are? Angels would have given anything to be in on this! So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy." You call out to God for help and he helps - he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living.

I thought about my life. I thought about my accomplishments. I must admit I was saddened and thought that by this time in my life, I would have done more, made a bigger difference. I was reminded of how good God has been to America. I was moved at how talented and creative, God's creations are, and what we can do. Few thanked God. Most thanked one another.

I am sure, we all have different take-a-ways from last night, and perhaps many of you think I'm a heathen because, I even watched the Golden Globes. Whatever you may be thinking, there are things we will not escape, no matter how great we are, or what great things we have done. None of us will escape death.

Perhaps none of you reading this will ever receive a Golden Globe award, but I want to encourage you they are truly just a piece of pavement in heaven. The accomplishments we make here on earth, pale with the accomplishments we are to make for the Kingdom of God.

Revelation 21:21 (KJV) "And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass."

So, I challenge you to be the best you can be. Compete only with yourself. With others be an encourager and motivator. Walk each day as an example for others to follow. Hold your head high, not because you are proud, but because you look to the one who created you, and from which your help comes. Perhaps, you'll never hold a golden globe award, but you can reach for the hand who created all that is, and was, and is to come.