Friday, July 13, 2012

God Speaks: Real Stories of God's Guiding Hand...

The book "Treasuring Grace" was inspired by a dream in which co -author Tracy Roberts feels that God spoke to her and directed her hand in the writing of the story. Many people feel God's special influence in their lives in direct or indirect ways.  This recurring column seeks to bring you some of their inspirational stories.

"John's Story"



“ I remember it was a Dark street with a lot of people walking, looking for something.  Jesus looked at me and asked “what do you see John?
 I said, “I see a lot of people who look poor and need help.”
Jesus said to me “you’re right, these are my children. What they are looking for is help.” A tear came to my eyes because I could not help his children.
I saw next to this street a series of brightly lit yards and nice sidewalks leading to the doors of churches. Each one was beautiful, covered with gold and embellishments, filled with followers. At that time that gave me hope in my heart.  

 Jesus said to me “John, look.” and some people came out with food and gave to the street people and then they were walking back to their church’s very happy with what they have just done.
They were being followed by a few of the people. Now, they were not dressed nicely and they asked if they could come in, they wanted to belong to the churches on the block but they didn’t know or look right for the church they were asking to enter and after a while the doors were closed and no one enter from the street. 

Now it was raining and terrible weather outside and I ask Jesus what happen? He said to me “Is it the children in the church or the children in the street who need to learn?”
Just after he said this I didn’t have time to ask him enough questions when a chariot landed right in front of us.  The doors opened and the doorman held them open then all the Church doors opened and the people inside came out to see what was going on.  They quickly jumped into the chariots, pushing the people who were on the streets off.
 As the last car was being filled Jesus reached out his arm, saving the last seat for me and said “John, do you wish to go with them? 
I waited for a short time and said “I don’t deserve to go Jesus I am not worthy” and I backed away from the car I turned to Jesus and ask if he was going he said “No John, My children need to learn and there is still time” and then The Chariot lifted off the ground and soared into the sky. 

A bright light began to build in the sky and the people in the chariot were excited because they were going to Heaven. Suddenly the bright light turned into a hot and fiery Volcano, and the Chariot rode right into the middle of it, with all the Church people inside.
 After I saw what had happen I didnt know what to say, so I asked, “how do we enter into heaven Jesus”. 

As tears ran down my face and I found my self kneeling in front of him for I was one of those people doing what was being ask of me. No more but no less. In my heart I know I was doing works just to get my place in the chariot to heaven.
As Jesus leaned down to me he asked me to stand.  As I look through my tears I could see we were no longer on the street.  It was still raining and windy but in front of us was a rocky mountain with water running down it and a cable like off a crane but it was frayed he told me to grab the cable and put my hand on it and said “John this is the only way.”
 So I started to pull my self up the cable it was ripping through my skin on my hands and the sides of my feet were bare and the rocks did not help much.   

 “The road to heaven is not easy John it takes a lot of hard work and must give your body and soul to your work” that was the last thing I head from Jesus.  

  As I was squeezing through a tight hole I could see at last a bright light and I felt peace falling through the hole onto me. My hand was ripped up and bleeding but as soon as it reach the light it was healed and then I woke up feeling the pain in my hands and turning on the light I could see little cuts all over my hands. I fell to the floor and prayed.   The next morning I showed my wife and told her of what the dream was and where I thought the cuts came from .

Have you been touched by God or inspired by a dream? Share your story with us here.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Treasuring Grace Book Clubbers! Discussion Questions for Ch. 8 and 9

Hi Treasuring Grace Book Club Readers!

We hope you are enjoying your summer read of Treasuring Grace. If you havent started, its not too late to enjoy all the cool author insights and discussion questions, so start up a book club group and get reading!
For those of you who are staying on schedule here are your book club questions for chapters 8 and 9.

In Chapter 8, how can you explain Liz’s choice of seats for the trip and her explanation for sitting there?

 
You’ve seen Liz and Scott together for several chapters. What observations do you have about their relationship, especially as it relates to their children?
 
In Chapter 9, why do you think Jake is so worked up about Alyssa’s feigned interest in Drew?
 
Why does Liz’s expression cloud briefly at the end of Chapter 9?

SPOILER ALERT:  
Discussion questions with authors insights:

 
In Chapter 8, how can you explain Liz’s choice of seats for the trip and her explanation for sitting there?
 
Liz initially states her reason clearly: so that Grace can see the horses. Alyssa didn’t hear her, and as people frequently do, Liz didn’t simply repeat her statement. Instead, she said that she wanted to be near each of her children, which was plausible. Alyssa’s teenager response about togetherness was easy to ignore, and could have just as easily been attributed to an empty window seat as to a bigger person sitting in the middle.
 
You’ve seen Liz and Scott together for several chapters. What observations do you have about their relationship, especially as it relates to their children?

Outside of a few jobs and note cards, their relationship is almost entirely sustained by their children. Their conversation is about them. Their activities include them. Liz even sits in the back of the truck when the seat could easily slide forward to give Jake more room. The loss of Grace created the void between them, but Jake and Alyssa prevent it from getting bigger.
 
In Chapter 9, why do you think Jake is so worked up about Alyssa’s feigned interest in Drew?

Jake is a good brother, and of course he doesn’t want his sister involved with someone who moves from girl to girl and brags about his conquests.  He also fears where an unwanted pregnancy may lead.
 
Why does Liz’s expression cloud briefly at the end of Chapter 9?

Liz is deluded.  But even in her fantasy, she sees herself as unsuitable for guiding her happy, mischievous daughter through life’s difficult decisions.  

Start reading chapters 10 and 11 for next week!

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Making Whole: Art Therapy Process: Mandala


by Diane Steinbach 

Welcome to our first Making Whole Column. This will be a bi monthly column focusing on art therapy to help heal inner trauma or promote healing and personal growth. As an art therapist I have helped people connect with art medium to  express themselves for decades and our hope is that you can use it in your own personal way for healing, relaxation or to help work through stress. As time goes on all the Making Whole posts will be gathered together on a separate Page for easy reference.

Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning “circle” or “completion” and has been part of artistic expression in many cultures for hundreds of years. Considered  a valuable  tool by some of the very founders of Psychology like Carl Jung, the use of the Mandala as a path towards healing and a means of reflecting our own inner thoughts and nature make it  ideal  to use in art therapy.

The Mandala is basically a circle with artwork contained within. A perfect way to provide structure to a basically unstructured, guided art process; Mandala can be used over and over again to help work through inner thoughts and feelings.

Begin by drawing a large circle on a piece of paper.  Begin thinking about your path, your journey through life thus far or however you are feeling at the moment.  Use colors and lines within the circle to represent your inner soul, your inner thoughts, chaotic or organized, the mix of happiness, relief, guilt or remorse you might feel.  Anything you do is acceptable. Divide your Mandala into parts to represent different aspects of your emotions if you want.  Just follow your instincts and create in a free and unplanned way. Whatever you are feeling at the moment will guide your Mandala.

Your Mandala can be done with paints, crayons, and markers, anything that allows you to create in color freely and easily. You should create in a relaxed state or in the hopes of expressing whatever emotions you may be experiencing at the moment. By placing your images and thoughts into the Mandala you can release them from your own mind and lower your bodies stress and anxiety levels.

Once you have completed your Mandala look at the colors, shapes, use of lines and overall effect of your work. Write down any connections you feel between the emotions and thoughts you were feeling or thinking while creating your Mandala. The insights you gain can further help you towards your journey of healing.

Keep a Mandala journal, where you can “doodle” into the familiar circular form anytime you feel uneasy, anxious or upset. 


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Friday, July 6, 2012

A Secret Revealed: The Development of the Human Face

I remember a story about how we, humans, got that indentation under our noses and over our lips. The story goes that before we are born, an angel tells us to keep the secret of heaven to ourselves when our souls go to earth-- get born, and the angel presses her finger to our lips, creating that impression.
Well, science once again dispels the myth. lol... but that's okay.. it's still interesting, and shows how quickly the fetus becomes a person in the womb.  Check out this video from the BBC.


Thursday, July 5, 2012

Shining the Light: On Baby First Site: Educational Website for Baby

Hi friends,
I recently posted a note about our new Resources for New Moms tab on our TG home page, but I wanted to call your attention to one of the links, because I know you won't have time to check them all out.

Baby First is a nice little website that could be an invaluable resource for those who home school, or want to give their kids a head start with some early learning at home.

It offers free videos, lessons and games that support learning of all the basics... colorful and bright, your little ones will be both entertained and educated.

There is plenty for Mom and Dad as well, including some resources for online books for kids.
Don't have a small tike? Please share this resource with someone who does.
You'll find them here:  Baby First TV

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Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Treasuring Grace Book Clubbers! Discussion Q's for Chapters 6 and 7

Hey Book Club Members! We hope you are enjoying Treasuring Grace as your summer read! Below are your discussion questions for chapters 6 and 7.


Questions:
In Chapter 6, where does the granola bar come from that Alyssa finds?

 
In Chapter 7, Liz reflects on the teaching position that she didn’t get.  What part of this wasn’t true?  


SPOILER ALERT:

Questions with Authors Comments and Insights

 
In Chapter 6, where does the granola bar come from that Alyssa finds?
Liz imagined that she gave it to Grace, but she just left it on the floor of the bedroom.
 
Is there anything in the story that gives you a hint that Grace isn’t real?
It’s pretty subtle, but nobody but Liz ever interacts with her.  When Liz interacts, Grace never actually does anything.  Liz just sees her doing things.  The narrator never says that Grace does something.  It’s always through Liz .  For example, Liz bent down to hug and kiss her, but she didn’t bend down and hug and kiss her.  It’s always her intent or what she saw but not what actually happened. 
 
In Chapter 7, Liz reflects on the teaching position that she didn’t get.  What part of this wasn’t true?  She didn’t have Grace to help her through the disappointment.  The loss of Grace was the reason that the disappointment was so bitter.



Start reading Chapters 8 and 9!

Monday, July 2, 2012

Announcing the Resources for New Moms Tab

We are really excited to share a new development on our Treasuring Grace Ministries Blog. Part of our mission here is to support those who have chosen to accept the role of Motherhood (or Fatherhood) in spite of what may be difficult circumstances. Our new Resources for New Moms tab is part of that commitment.

You'll find it at the top of our blog page, and if you click on the tab you'll find links to a continuously growing list of online resources that can help get you both information and real help when you need it.

Places like Birthright.org are there, which can help pregnant women get counseling and information as well as pregnancy tests and support throughout your pregnancy.

You'll also find awesome information and links on practical stuff like how to get free diapers and baby care products, free downloadable baby books, and a really great website to help support early childhood education.
We will be adding to this resource list on an ongoing basis, so if you have a resource you'd like to share, please let us know so we can link it up for everyone's benefit.
Spread the word!

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