Category: Disaster blogs

Posted on

Is believing God, just Donkey Love?

Hi Everyone;

I’m sure that the title of my blog, today has raised a few eyebrows. Who would ask this question and why?

Well, I have found that many people in this world  believe only in things that they can see and hold. They believe that their jobs will get them the money and acclaim that make life worthwhile, or that having a beautiful home will showcase their success or having a fancy cottage or a new car…all ‘things’ that they can grasp. It seems to be human nature to ‘trust’ that it is ‘things’ that will satisfy us. But it’s not. Obtaining things only makes you want more things…it’s an endless journey that leads to nowhere. And the things that we obtain, blow away like chaff in the wind.

Take Jan for example…she is the star in my new book, ‘Disaster! Around the Bend.’ Jan is a pretty typical, quirky twelve-year-old who is trying to figure out just who she is. She is a bit insecure, despite having a terrific family around her. In her mind, something is missing in her life. She things the thing that’s missing is a friend. A friend that is absolutely trustworthy, steadfast and sure. Someone who will guide her in making the important decisions in life. Who does Jan turn to? A donkey, named, “Gaston.” Ridiculous you say? Well you would be right, I mean who would pick a donkey as a friend? Well, a kid might, because a donkey can’t tell tales, so he is safe to tell all her secrets to. A donkey is accessible… he lives in your barn and a donkey always agrees with you, because he has no idea of what you’re saying (in real life, not in imagination).

But what can a donkey really do for Jan? Nothing! And that’s the point. What can ‘things’ really do for us? Nothing! And that’s the point.

In my story, Jan finds out that trusting in Gaston, is like that chaff in the wind – here today, gone tomorrow. She moves and can no longer sit for hours speaking to Gaston. Through this ordeal, Jan grows to understand that the only person that can do something tangible for her, who is utterly reliable, who is always present, who always gives wise counsel…is God.  Believing in God is way better, than Donkey Love!

Find out how Jan discovers this truth, in ‘Disaster! Around the Bend.’ Coming very soon.

In the meantime…if you want surety in life? Find God…find Jesus!

Until the next time

Lynn

Posted on

God Intentionally designed us

Hi Everyone;

Have you ever wondered why you are the way you are?  Have you ever looked around and said, ” If only I was like Jane, or George or Sally…because they have red hair and mine is brown or their eyes are green and mine are blue?”

As humans we are always comparing ourselves to someone else. Why? Because we have failed to grasp that we have been intentionally and uniquely designed by God and have been placed where we are, at this specific time for a unique purpose.

God has put us here to shine for Him…to share His love, in a way that only we are can do. In God’s perspective, there’s no one on this earth that He has not designed for a reason.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ , Jesus to do good works which He has prepared in advance for us to do.”

In my new book, “Disaster! Around the Bend”, I introduce you to Jan, who is a quirky little twelve-year-old girl. She is the youngest member of her family and feels like she has missed out on the genetic material that she needs to make her special. She hasn’t got the brains of her sister Susan nor the confidence and skill of her brother Brad. She is fearful of everything new and now she is faced with moving away from familiar friends, her family farm and her best friend, Gaston. She looks up to God and asks, “Why?”

But God has made her unique, for a special purpose that she will only discover through trials. You see, just like these majestic mountains are formed through the impact of catastrophic events like volcanoes, and tectonic plate collisions, so, too are we molded and shaped through adversity and trials…for purpose.

Our God is not random…He designs with a plan in mind. Each step chosen to achieve the goal for which He has made us. Never doubt, that our God has a purpose for all of us. Big or small, God loves us all. No matter what the trial…look up and trust, that God is in control.

See you next time

Lynn

Posted on

Be Intentional about God

Be INTENTIONAL about God.

Hi Everyone;

I was studying Philippians 4:6,7 this morning in my devotionals and I was struck with the thought of how often I let my worries take over…to dominate my thoughts. They interfere…because I let them.  I realized that I need to give my head a shake, because I know that God has a plan for my life, I know that I am His, I know that I can trust Him. So…I half-heartedly give my woes to Jesus, and He doesn’t instantly take them away. Why not? He is able…the Bible says so. For that matter, why do I have troubles anyway. I am saved, I am assured of eternity…then why am I still burdened?

Because God knows that I need them to grow!

So life goes on…full of troubles, worries and concerns. If allowed, these things can take over our lives. They can dominate our thinking and leave us weak and weary, unable to function. They can swallow up our joy, destroy our relationships and poison our attitudes towards home, work and people.

They can carry us along on a river of despair.

Well, it’s time to jump out of that river…swim for shore, my friends.

But this is Not the life that we are designed for.

This is NOT what our God has planned for these momentary trials.

YES…God is involved in our troubles…He is aware of our problems…

He is not absent when DISASTER strikes.

He says in Romans 8:28

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

We do not control our own destiny, God does.

When worries threaten to sweep us away…

Be INTENTIONAL…give them to God…

And the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds (Phil 4:6,7)

By guard, I think that God means protect…shield from the fiery arrows of Satan, who will blow our problems all out of proportion, so that they dominate our lives. By giving them to God, we take this weapon away from the evil one.

Romans 8:31,32

“…If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Think about it…I certainly will. I am going to be Intentional about trusting God with my problems.

See you next time. Lynn

Posted on

Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus


The majesty of God’s Creation

Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His Word, just to rest upon His Promise, Just to know, thus saith the Lord

(Lyricas by Louisa Stead)

Hi Everyone:

I started writing this blog, this morning to share a little bit about the new book that I have written, entitled, ‘Disaster! Around the Bend’. But this song was mentioned in my devotions, earlier and I just can’t kick it out of my head.

I bet most of you have sung this hymn at some point in your lives. It’s a classic, written over 100 years ago, but I think that the words still ring true, today. The world we live in is filled with struggles…wars, famine, family breakdown and financial ruin. But so was the world 100 years ago…even 1000 years ago. Mankind has always struggled and likely will continue to do so.

So that begs the question, “How can I go on, how can I live well in this world?” The only answer lies in this song…JESUS! He alone provides the wisdom to go on (The Bible), and The gift of peace (His promises).

Things will happen to you, that you won’t understand, just as they have happened to me. Often I have looked up (because somehow, I always picture God as sitting in the heavens) and asked God…Why? God, generally does not answer that question in the way that I expect, but directs me to His perfect answer…found in Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

In this passage, God asks us to trust Him…so today, I’m once again going to try to JUST DO IT.

I’m going to try…I know I won’t be perfect at this, since I’ve tried before, but God does not give up on me, nor on you.

So, how does this tie in with my new book? Well, Jesus and faith, tie into practically everything I write and the new book, ‘Disaster! Around the Bend‘ is no exception.

Picture an adventurous family – the MacLeans; a family with a mom, dad and three children. It’s got all the regular family dynamics going on – a brilliant older sister (Susan), who simply knows everything, a middle brother (Brad) who considers himself an expert in all outdoor skills and the youngest sibling (Jan) who is funny, quirky, clumsy, chattery, loud and weird (she talks to donkeys…and all other critters). This is Jan’s story…told by her. Under all of her external characteristics lies a little 12-year-old girl who is afraid. Jan has hidden this guilty secret under her bubbly-blustery veneer for years. But suddenly she can no longer hide it…it spurts out for her whole family to see on their annual canoe trip…then the journey begins!

This book is a story about Jan’s journey from cowardice to courage. It’s a journey that changes her life perspective and her siblings as well. Join the fun…discover the secret that saves.

Disaster! Around the Bend

coming soon

See you next time

Lynn

 

Posted on

God is Alive and Active in our lives

Hi Everyone;

Today I want to talk about the role of God in our lives. How do you view God? Do you think of Him as the big guy in the sky, some cuddly angel with wings or do you think of Him at all? Well God has told us in scripture that He is alive and active in our lives. In Psalm 46 it says,

“God is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in trouble, therefore I will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountain falls into the heart of the sea…”

Around every bend, in every situation, God is there. In fact because He loves each of us He teaches us through all of the adventures and misadventures of life. In Romans 8:28 it says,

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” 

Furthermore, He tells us to trust Him. When things don’t go our way, He asks us to consider the question, “To what purpose has this occurred,” and not “Why me?” In Proverbs 3:5,6 it says,

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on  your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.”

God is for us…not against us, so walk with Him.

Until next time…

Lynn

Posted on

Disaster! Around the Bend

Coming Soon!!

My new book is a great story for all ages.  To be released in the winter 2025 Can’t wait!

Here is a quick blurb;

Twelve-year-old Jan Amelia McLean (or Jantastic, as she likes to be called) is afraid of lots of things – like finding new friends, being accepted at a new school and wild rivers, though she tries to hide it under her carefree, rather zany mask. The only person to whom she reveals her true hopes and fears is her best friend, Gaston, who listens well, but speaks little (after all, he is a donkey). After the big move, Jan is excited to go on the annual family canoe trip. Something familiar during this time of change. However, disaster strikes and once again she is proven to be inferior, when she throws down her paddle and hides her eyes, rather than face the, “I don’t wanna chute”.  She is mortified that her cowardice is revealed to her whole family, but is determined to prove that with her new found faith she can overcome this flaw. She devises a plan to take on the challenge of a kids-only canoe trip to the very same chute to prove that she is no longer afraid. But her high hopes seem to be dashed when calamity strikes just around the bend. Will Jan’s faith prove strong enough?

But, what is a donkey doing in a canoe??

Stay tuned – more details to follow.

Posted on

Ger…it’s not fair!

 

Hi Everyone;

Today I’m going to comment on a topic that I think all of us have thought about at some time in our lives. And that is…”Ger, life is not fair!” (I’m sure some of you are wondering about my spelling of the word…Ger, well that’s kind of a joke. You see, my husband and I were hiking in Newfoundland and found the half-sign that I am pointing at in the picture and it reminded us of the disgruntled sounds our very ferocious Jack Russell Terrier makes when he doesn’t get his way…haha. )

Ok…back on topic. “Ger”…I’m not really complaining, I’m just commenting on the vast number of times that things don’t work out as we think that they should. You know- like when you work really hard at your job or on a project at school- you do your very best and you are certain that your best is good enough to win the prize…the promotion, the recognition, the gold medal. But at the end of the day, some “nobody” who hasn’t worked half as hard as you wins that coveted reward. Outwardly you smile and sometimes congratulate them, but inwardly you scream…”not fair.” In this world we expect to succeed. We expect the rewards for effort. We expect to be able to be “number one” at something…perhaps always. We take aim at our chosen targets, put in our best effort and go for it, with our own power and strength. Then DISASTER strikes. We lose the race, miss the goal, lose our health, lose a loved one, fall off the cliff that we’ve climbed…just when we are about to say…”ta da.” And we sit down and cry, “not fair.” Sometimes we look up and ask, “where are you, God?”

Oh, my, why do we suddenly blame God, when we haven’t really consulted Him before? Probably because we do not wish to blame ourselves. Now that we’ve fallen off of our pedestals, and are sitting in abject defeat, we have time to ponder…our condition, our goals and our relationship to God.

In the Bible, God presents a different picture of our relationship with Him, of our potential goals in life, of what our expectations should be. He says, “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be your slave-just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:25-58 If there was one “person” on this earth that could scream, “Ger…not fair,” it was Jesus, who came to earth to live an unmatched life of service and love, then was judged guilty by sinful mankind and put to death on the cross…for what? For loving us so much, that he sacrificed himself for OUR SINS. Totally not fair, totally LOVE IN ACTION.

So, next time I get lost in my own projects and plans and am tempted to “Ger…not fair,” when things don’t work out, I plan (I hope) to stop, breath and thank the Lord who made me for giving me an opportunity to grow.

See you next time

Lynn

plynnhallidaybooks.ca

Follow me & join the adventure. Sign up today to download your free copy of

DONKEY LOVE

introducing you to Jantastic—the quirky hero of Disaster! Around the Bend

Read more