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What I'm writing in YEAR OF THE DOG

I just finished writing Year of the Dog ! It had a massive plot hole that I had to fix which turned out to be more work than I expected. Here’s a snippet: “Hey, Auntie Nell.” He wrapped his arms around her, bussing her on the cheek and breathing in pikake flowers and shortbread cookies. And suddenly he was nine years old again, and her solid presence had made his chaotic world stable once more. “What are you doing here?” He usually took her to dinner on Wednesday nights, but today was Tuesday. The edges of her smile faltered a little before brightening right back up again. “What, I can’t visit my nephew?” She angled around him to enter his home. “Is this your new house? Looks lovely.” Which was a blatant lie, because the fixer-upper was barely livable, much less acceptable to a neat-freak like his aunt. She also left four matching pink and purple floral suitcases on the stoop behind her. Only then did Ashwin notice the cab driver standing slightly to the side of the walkway. “Can ...
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Isaiah – week 5

Captain’s Log, Stardate 01.20.2007

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Blog Bible Study: Isaiah 7:1 – 8:22

This verse struck me:

(God speaking) “Unless your faith is firm,
I cannot make you stand firm.”
Isaiah 7:9b

King Ahaz of Judah didn’t believe Isaiah’s prophecy. He either didn’t believe that Isaiah heard God or that God was really speaking.

Do I hear God speaking? Do I slow down enough to listen? Maybe the reason I think God isn’t talking is because I’m too busy running around to stop and ask.

God can’t make me believe. He can’t make me slow down to listen. He can’t make me stop and ask. I need to do that myself, to make it a priority.

“Ask the Lord your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want—as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead.”
Isaiah 7:11

The study asked what this reveals about God’s character. I think it shows that God wants us to act to show that we truly believe Him. He wanted Ahaz to act, to ask for a sign, which would show that Ahaz truly believed God would do what He had said He’d do with Syria and Israel.

I think sometimes God does the same with me—asking me to act to show I truly believe. Sometimes He gives me a sign, but sometimes I have to act before He gives me a sign.

How about you? Do you ever feel sometimes like you have to act before He affirms your decision, or has He always spoken to you before you act?
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Anonymous said…
There are a lot of time when I have to take that leap of faith first. Maybe it's because I'm such a wimp who's afraid of the unknown and God is showing me that I need to strengthen my faith in Him and in myself. (well, that's just the way I like to think of it, lol)
Sat Jan 20, 08:46:00 AM 2007
Shelley L. MacKenzie said…
What a thought provoking post. Thanks for sharing :o)
Sat Jan 20, 04:06:00 PM 2007
Anonymous said…
Both I think. Depends on the situation. I love it when God does both--gives you confirmation to go forward, then gives you affirmation as you continue. He's so cool.
Sat Jan 20, 04:20:00 PM 2007
Anonymous said…
i'm just now reading your post, been away at a youth camp all weekend long and reading what you wrote really served to cement much of want GOD revealed to me. Last year I really wanted a sign from God for confirmation about a decision, but I kept coming to the verses in the New Testament about not seeking a sign. For this new year something has crept into the framing of life that once again needs confirmation, and reading what you write Camy, opened my eyes to the other side of signs from God. SO thank you!!
Sun Jan 21, 09:41:00 PM 2007
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