Category Archives: Parting Words from The WORD

Parting Words From The WORD…

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By Vonda Skelton | May 11, 2012

Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net

Perhaps you’ve noticed there’s been a lot of recent conversation here at the Christian Writer’s Den about stress, weariness, disappointment, hurt, and other symptoms of living on this earth. You’ve seen quite a few comments on the blog, but there have been many, many more that were sent to me personally, ones that were too tender to post out loud.

For those who’ve shared your hardship with me, please know I continue to pray for you. But even for those who are just going through the daily struggles of life, the pressure can be wearying.

Regardless of what we’re going through, we’re often afraid to admit our frustrations and fears. After all, we know we have Jesus and His strength in our corners, ready and quite able to take our burdens. If only we’d admit our struggle. But we’re supposed to be strong. How can we admit such weakness to our brothers and sisters?

David, the man after God’s own heart, had similar hardships and fears. The difference is, he admitted them…in writing…for all to see. Like many of us, David was a writer, singer, and poet and his words written over 2,000 years ago speak clearly to me today. Do they speak to you?

In Psalm 3, David cried out to God while he was running from his son, Absalom, who was trying to kill him. But even though he was facing possible death, he knew where his strength came from…

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
my glory, and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3 (ESV)

What a beautiful picture. The Lord Himself as a shield, surrounding David with His protection. I can see myself in that picture too, can you? If I close my eyes I can imagine Jesus sitting next to me as I rest against Him, my head gently cradled in His arms. I’m weary and tired and hurt…but He holds me with love.

Wow.

He is my shield.

He is my glory.

He is the lifter of my head.

I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

(Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net)

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Parting Words From The WORD…

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By Vonda Skelton | May 4, 2012

Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net

I don’t know about you, but I’m tired. It seems I go two steps forward, only to take three steps back. Every week I think the next week will be better, but it’s not.

And I’m only talking about the pressure of busyness. I know some of you are really going through difficult times.

Is that where you are? Are you weary of the struggles of life? Tired of feeling like a failure or a fake or a weak-kneed soldier? Sick of being sick or broke or beaten down?

Then you’re right where God wants you…and I’m right where He wants me. I’m praying for many of you today by name and I know He will answer. But today let’s also take the time to meditate on these words, written by the great apostle Paul:

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

“We are weak, but He is strong…” we sang as children. Could we be like Paul, and boast that today?

Yes, Jesus loves you and me, and His power is made perfect in our weakness.

I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

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Parting Words From The WORD…

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By Vonda Skelton | April 27, 2012

Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net

Friend and writer, Marilyn Shipe, sent a blog to share with us: Famous People Who Found Success Despite Failure by Ben Hsu is a list of just that–famous people who found success despite failure. :-)

  • J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter was rejected 12 times.
  • Walt Disney was fired for lacking an imagination.
  • Albert Einstein didn’t speak until he was four.
  • Vincent Van Gogh only sold one painting his entire lifetime.

The list goes on and on.

Do you know anyone like that? As you look at the list, the truth rises to the surface. These non-famous people became famous people because they didn’t give up. They might have been afraid, but they took the next step anyway.

Gideon was like that. He was fearful. The Midianites were stealing their cattle, taking their crops, oppressing them on every side. Gideon was so scared he was threshing his wheat in a winepress, hoping to keep it from the enemy.

An angel of the Lord came to him and said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:11). Gideon asked if God was with them, why was all this happening to them. To which the angel replied:

“Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Judges 6:14

Go in the strength you have. Now. Take the next step. Don’t look at the weaknesses and past failures. Go in the strength–in whatever measure it is–that you have right now.

Of course, we know the rest of the story. Gideon led a mere 300 men into battle and beat the Midianites.

Gideon is a man who found success despite Israel’s previous failures and fears. He found success because God was sending him and he took the next step.

What is God calling you to do? Whatever it is, you can be assured if He is calling you, He will be sending you. But you have to take the first step.

I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

(Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net)

 

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Parting Words From The WORD…

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By Vonda Skelton | April 20, 2012

Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net

Okay, I’ll admit it. I’m a fan of The Biggest Loser. It’s the only show I anticipate each week and record. I love to watch the contestants as they realize their own power over the struggles, not only in the area of food, but in life itself.

One thing that draws me in is the backwards concept of the game and its title. Instead of working for more, more, more, they’re working for less, less, less. Why? Because the more they lose, the more they gain.

Kinda like God’s upside-down economy.

The world tells us to grab for all the gusto we can get. To step on others in order to get ahead. To use and abuse relationships and then toss them away.

But God says:

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. Mark 8:35

But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. Matthew 19:30

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Luke 6:27-28

The words don’t make sense in this me-first culture, do they? But in God’s economy, the truth is simple:

The biggest losers win. And they win big.

I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

 

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Parting Words From The WORD…

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By Vonda Skelton | April 13, 2012

Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net

This week we looked at kudos and celebrated the successes of our Christian Writer’s Den friends. We announced our upcoming Christian Communicators Conference to offer help for women called to a speaking ministry.

And what a joy that is! Encouragement and teaching is at the heart of this blog.

But I never want readers to think that success–at least not the way the world sees success–is the goal here. After all, the scripture says:

“All men are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of the Lord stands forever.” 1 Peter 1:24

No, the goal of the Christian Writer’s Den is to encourage each of us in the journey He has called us to take, and then to trust God with the results.

If He has planted this desire to write or speak in you, you can be assured He will use it. It may not be for the masses. Perhaps His plan is for you to simply reach your family or a neighbor.

But whatever He’s called us to do, as long as we rightly stand on His Word, we can know it will be successful…even if we don’t see the evidence of it.

I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

(Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net)

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Parting Words From The WORD…

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By Vonda Skelton | April 6, 2012

Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net

Today is Good Friday. In my earlier days of following Christ, I often wondered how the day could possibly be called good. After all, Jesus suffered unimaginable pain and torture as He died on the cross. What could be good about that?

Later, as I began to mature in my relationship with Christ, I reasoned the day was considered good because without Jesus’ death and ultimate resurrection, we couldn’t go to heaven. All that’s true, and I believe it even more at this stage of my life.

As I got older, I wanted to know more. Where and when did the term begin? So I searched and found a bunch of commentaries on the origin of Good Friday. They were helpful and full of information.

But today I read the prophesy of Jesus in Isaiah…and the goodness of Good Friday became even more clear.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.  Isaiah 53:5-6

Yes, He:
…was pierced
…was crushed
…was punished
…was  wounded
…ultimately died and rose again

But as I read and meditated on the words, a deeper appreciation for the good of Good Friday jumped from the page:

…He was pierced for our transgressions
…He was crushed for our iniquities
…The punishment that brought us peace was on Him
…By His wounds we are healed
…The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah’s words pierced my own heart and I embraced anew the foundational truth of grace:

  • He suffered it
  • We caused it
  • He paid it
  • We are free

And that is the good of Good Friday.

I hope you’ll grab your tissue and watch “The Bridge” an excerpt from the short film, Most, written by Bobby Garabedian and William Zabka. A modern day parable of the love of our Father. A powerful picture of sacrifice. You can visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/mostthemovie. I’ve got to get the full DVD. Watch this and you’ll see why!

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I pray God’s richest blessings as you celebrate Good Friday today.

Vonda

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Parting Words From The WORD…

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By Vonda Skelton | March 30, 2012

Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net

As writers and speakers, we often feel compelled to rate ourselves and our ministries. We look at our schedules and count our sales in search of honor and respect.

We’re looking for validation.

But in Psalm 62, David reminds us that our rest, our Rock, our validation is in Him alone.

Lowborn men are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie;
if weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath. Psalm 62:9

Whether we’re highborn or lowborn, rich or poor, a respected writer and speaker or the new kid on the block, our worth, our honor comes through God alone.

My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Psalm 62:7

May we honor Him with our words and our works this week, regardless of how many may hear and see.

I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

(Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net)

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Parting Words From The WORD…

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By Vonda Skelton | March 23, 2012

Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net

As Christians, we know we have been set free. From the moment we truly give our hearts to Christ and seek to live for Him, we know our sins are as far as the east is from the west, hidden beneath the deepest ocean, and no longer remembered by God.

But we aren’t God. We remember. And we hold tight to those memories, giving an ear to Satan and his condemnation. Perhaps you’re like me and have a relative or acquaintance who never lets us forget how miserably we fail at being perfect, like Christ.

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Parting Words From The WORD…

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By Vonda Skelton | March 16, 2012

Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net

This year I’m thrilled to be participating in the Through the Bible in a Year Living Power Online Bible Study with Shannon Mullins. It has already been an amazing study and I’ve learned so much from Shannon as she pulls out details of the passages I’d never noticed before.

As I write this I remember that just this morning, Shannon pointed out that when Jesus was in the wilderness and Satan tempted Him, all three of Jesus’ responses were scripture (which I already knew) AND that all three were taken from the book of Deuteronomy (which I didn’t know).

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Parting Words From The WORD…

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By Vonda Skelton | March 9, 2012

Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net

This week I was introduced to a video that was on a friend’s blog. I’m sorry, Friend, but I can’t remember whose it was, but t was the first time I had really listened to the lyrics of the Casting Crowns song, “Jesus, Friend of Sinners.” As I watched the words flash across the screen, my heart was broken for my more-often-than-I-want-to-admit failure to be like Christ.

One line in the song written by Mark Hall and Matthew West, gripped me at my core, stabbing me with the reality of my own sin:

“The world is on their way to You but they’re tripping over me…”

Immediately I began to see the faces of those I’ve tripped on their way to Jesus through the years. Where possible, I’ve asked for forgiveness. Some have granted it; others, I’m sure, haven’t.

Here’s the message in song from Casting Crowns. Am I the only one who’s heart is broken? Whose face do you see as the words appear across the screen?

But even in the midst of our failures, we have a God Who loves and forgives.

…who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time… 2 Timothy 1:9

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May we be faithful to do what He’s called us to do.

I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda

(Photo courtesy of www.ChristianPhotos.net)

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