Connie Writes

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...

March 13, 2020 We are certainly living in difficult and perilous times. From all parts of the earth, we hear a steady stream of news describing calamities and social unrest. Some 2,000 years ago, the Bible foretold that the world’s troubles would climax in “the conclusion of the system of things." Matthew 24:3.   People are saying, "Don’t panic, God will take care of us."   Nevertheless there is world-wide panic. Perhaps, God is trying to tell us something.   Consider some of the biblical prophecies that mark our time as unique: “Nation will rise against nation. there will be food shortages." Matthew 24:7. (People hoarding toilet paper and hand sanitizer.)  I'm shaking my head in disbelief. "There will be great earthquakes.”Luke 21:11. Because more people live in earthquake-prone areas, the number of lives lost or disrupted as a result of earthquakes has sharply increased. "In one place after another will be pestilences.” Luke 21:11.  Despite me...