Connie Writes

 Yesterday it was the beginning of summer; today it's October 31st! The leaves are falling to the ground faster now than they were yesterday. The lazy, hazy days of summer are gone. The weather goes from 66 to 43 and once it was 39 degrees! Winter is coming whether I want it to or not. I have to remind myself that each new day is an opportunity to start over again...to cleanse our minds and hearts anew and to clarify our vision. Let us not clutter up today with the leavings of other days but look forward to the coming tomorrows. You never know what a new day will bring.  The  happiness of life depends upon the quality of our thoughts.  So, think spring!!

  Connie’s Corner Treasures  by   Connie Hawkins   I have been trying to downsize which means getting rid of some of those things that I have treasured over the years. It’s never easy parting with things that were once considered a treasure, paying attention to the ‘important’ rather than the trivial. Life on this earth is temporary. As Christians we should constantly live to lay up treasures in heaven.   Matthew 6:19-24 English Standard Version (ESV) says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves, treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” As I gently wrap and store collectables, books and other odds and ends for next year’s rummage sale I am finding that I don’t feel as bad about getting ready of these treasures as I thought I would be f...

  His Banner – August 202l Connie’s Corner The Dog Days of Summer By Connie Hawkins   The dog days of summer, which actually began on July 3 and ends August 11, are the hot, sultry days of summer. They were historically the period following the heliacal rising of the star system Sirius, which Hellenistic astrology connected with heat, drought, sudden thunderstorms, lethargy, fever, mad dogs, and bad luck. They are now taken to be the hottest, most uncomfortable part of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Considering our   start to spring, cold one day, hot the next and freeze warnings in early May I doubt there’s too many of us that are objecting to the ‘dog days of summer.’   I really don’t mind the month of August with the exception that we know summer will soon come to an end. Have fun with these strange celebrations! Aug. 1–7: International Clown Week. Aug. 8: “National Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbors’ Porch Day” (Or, use up that bounty with ...

April 11 – “Truly my soul finds rest in God, my salvation comes from him.” Psalm 62:1 Sometimes with life’s busy schedules it’s hard to find time to rest in the Lord. I turned 75 years old  on April 11; I have plenty of time to rest – maybe too much time.  It's a good thing I don't make a living writing a blog! I spend way too much time resting, thinking, researching and very little time actually writing! But, you have probably figured that out.   In my early days as an author I put myself on a schedule where I would write almost everyday. In a sense, I am still writing everyday  mostly in my journal. I also keep a devotional journal where I spend time with Jesus every day. I admit,  I do have to remind myself that physical rest is not the same as resting in the Lord.  Finding time to spend with Jesus is spiritual rest. In His presence is where I truly find the best rest.

Proverbs 23:7, “ As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he .” is one of my favorable scriptures. When I was teaching Creative Writing, I would often remind struggling students who desired to become authors that part of the process involved thinking, acting and being a writer in their hearts.  That quote was usually followed by an encouragement or reprimand that what you are thinking of yourself is a self-fulfilling prophecy, directly from the Bible. A prophecy is a prediction, a forecast, a prognosis, a message that typically involves inspiration, interpretation, or revelation of divine will.  I knew at an early age that I was destined to be a writer.  It was in my blood but more than that, it was in my heart. What’s in your heart?   Your life can be one filled with peace if you fill your heart with love. Remember that old song we learned as a child, “Lord I want to be like Jesus in my heart.”  

As our nation finds itself in a highly divisive election season, our tendency can be to draw firm lines between ourselves based on which candidates we support, and that can in turn lead to personal dislike for one another, anger towards those who lead, and eventually division.   The election, and all the debates that go with it, is over. Yet foolish controversies, arguments and quarrels about the law prevail. These arguments filled with anger and divisions are unprofitable and useless. If our country is going to survive – we must show unity.   As Christians, we are to live in a fine balance; standing for that which is true while seeking unity amongst ourselves whenever possible, standing firm in the faith while showing grace to those who do not, holding our leaders accountable while praying for their wisdom and well-being.   We are to learn from the words of Ezekiel 22:30, "I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap...

January 16, 2021 The start of every New Year, I vow (a resolution, if you will) to do a better job at keeping up with devotions, time spent with God. And every year I procrastinate and fall behind. A New Year’s Resolution generally goes in one year and out the other!   And, I am living proof of that.   Here it is 16 days into the New Year and I still haven’t developed a routine where I devote my time and energies to God.   So I am now jump-starting. (It’s going to be a long afternoon.) Looking back at what I missed. New Year’s Day – Friday, January 1 scripture of the day “Psalm 139:16 “Your eyes saw my unformed body, all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them come to be.”   Like many, I constantly complain about my body, and yet, God knew me before I was even born. I need to lose weight…I don’t like the way I look…my hair isn’t right…etc. I am reminded that God created me in His image and He loves me just the way I am.  And ...

Praying that 2021will be a better year than the one we are leaving behind, a year of health and prosperity a year of love and kindness toward all mankind. A year of peace. My New Year resolutions:  To keep my blog spot up to date. To be a little kinder to my fellowman.   Drop the negativity and practice positive thinking.  There is power in our words. Work on my prayer life, although I’ve had plenty of prayer practice in 2020, and spend quality time in the Word.  The world is in His hands. Read more physical books and spend less time on tablets and other devices. Connect with friends and family. Make my bed every day – not just once a week. Reorganize my closet space and get rid of shoes that I don’t wear anymore. And of course…writing. I resolve to try and keep these resolutions. (Notice lose weight and exercise does not appear on the list. J )

  I recently heard from a friend following my blogs who said, "It's a good thing that you don't make a living writing a blog because I haven't heard from you in months." Wow, did I even write at all in 2020?   If I did I can 't remember.   2020 – End of the year reflections – Sunday, December 27 (From the journal of Connie Hawkins)   It doesn’t really matter what day I share my reflections on 2020 it isn’t going to change the fact that it’s been a hell-of-a-year. Everyone I know will be glad when 2020 is over…praying for a better new year, one that is Covid free.  If I never hear that word again I wouldn’t care.  January 1, 2020 – it was 33 degrees and sunny. The girls were here for games New Year’s Eve afternoon; they left about 5:30. I had made sloppy joes for a light supper but since they went to Applebee’s for lunch (without me) then enjoyed lots of munchies here, no one was hungry. I managed to stay up and watch the New Year’s ball drop and even ga...