Words Can Build You Up by Diana Flegal

This past Saturday, the day before Mothers Day, Hartline client and dear friend Margie Houmes was killed in a head on collision. Margie was a woman that impacted every one she met. Her passion was tangible. No one could resist her joy or deny her vibrant faith was very real to her. She made us all hungry for the same. Her prayers brought down heaven and I was changed by them.

Margie was a writer. Her bible study on Ruth is right now sitting on several publishers virtual desks. Knowing others were interested in what she had to say made her happy.  

A popular song sung by Hawk Nelson came to mind when I was thinking about Margie this morning. It is a song about the importance of our words. It goes, “words can build you up, words can break you down”. (Please listen to the youtube here).

Margie lived to encourage and her words “lifted us to places we’ve never been”.

I struggled to write a tribute for her. Then I decided to use a few of her words.

Margie shared with so many:

When dreams die …unimaginable restoration is still on the horizon.

Margie listened to everyone’s story and then offered this when some asked:

            Is there a way out? Can good things—or a good life-- ever come my way? The answer is a resounding yes. There is hope... the same God who restored Ruth and Naomi has made a way—for you!  

Her mission was to help women learn their value and worth through a revelation of God’s kindness - knowing His devotion to exalt them would liberate women to make godly choices and walk into their destiny.

Last week Margie sent me a powerful prayer. Here is just a portion of it:  

Dear Diana,

I have really had you on my heart...even during the night. The Lord will finish what He began. … Do not lose heart, only look to Jesus. … That is all you need to do...look at Jesus...at His goodness...at His faithfulness. He is wonderful. He loves you. He loves your son.

I love you,

Margie

I am just one of the many blessed by her encouraging life. She will be missed but what an example of how to live out our faith. Let’s all step up and speak life to those we meet as Margie did. Our words have power. And life is fleeting.

Thank you for keeping her family and friends in your prayers. She is sorely missed.

A Word Fitly Spoken or Written by Diana L. Flegal

Many of us have heard or read something that redirected the steps of our lives. We were perfectly positioned for a word in season. It is usually when we have exhausted all our effort, say 'uncle' and allow God to speak.


God delights in orchestrating our lives. Similar to the conductor of an orchestra, who gathers many skilled musicians and brings them into a harmonious tune, He gathers us together for the purpose of drawing out of us the skills we posses, for the glory of His name.


 I am a curious seeker of truth. Throughout my life, words I have heard or read have redirected my life's path.


A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Proverbs 25:11


A small word, like a rudder can steer a huge ship or can change the course of our lives. Might that be why God cautions us to let our words be few, and seasoned with salt? (a little salt goes a long way in bringing out the best)


I have read nonfiction and fiction titles and received encouragement. Sometimes the word on a coffee mug sent to me by a friend or coming across a quote I wrote down a long while back, is just what I need to be reminded of. Receiving a note in the mail from a friend saying simply, I was thinking of you today.


Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21


Chose wisely what you say and write; socially and in your WIP. (Work in progress).


Short or long, speak and write life.

Honoring the Life and Writing of Brennan Manning by Diana Flegal

Saturday April 13th I was in Hamilton Ohio presenting at the Mad Anthony Writers Conference. Just prior to lunch, I was checking my inbox via my phone when I saw this FB post from David C. Cook Publishers:

ANNOUNCEMENT: Author and Friend Brennan Manning went to be with Jesus yesterday. As Brennan challenged us time and time again "Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.” Brennan was a true Ragamuffin in Christ and is now celebrating with the Beloved. Our prayers are with Brennan's family.

When I read this, I wanted to go off in a corner and sob rather than eat lunch and chat about writing. I had lost a wonderful friend. Brennan had held my hand and spoke words of love and grace to me the last six years of my life, six difficult years. I never met Brennan face to face. But I knew him. Very well. A friend had introduced us. She was downsizing her library and moving into assisted living. She told me to help myself to her extensive personal library. I didn't want to be piggish, but I was salivating. She mentioned Brennan Manning as a favorite of hers and I came home with copies of his Ruthless Trust and Ragamuffin Gospel. At a later date, I added The Signature of Jesus, The Importance of Being Foolish and Souvenirs of Solitude when I came upon a collection at Half-Price Books. I was rich.

In Brennan's memoir, All is Grace- Philip Yancey said in the introduction:  and yet by different routes we had both stumbled upon an artesian well of grace and have been gulping its waters ever since. 

Yes,  I too gulped Grace along with Brennan. 

Brennan is a master of the art of piercing the soul with a gentle scalpel... John Ortberg 

Brennan writes with unvarnished honesty, and profound spiritual insight...Gary W. Moom

I found deep comfort in realizing Jesus loves even me, a ragamuffin, just as I am. Michael Card

Brennan does a masterful job of blowing the dust off shopworn theology and allowing God's grace to do what only God's grace can do--Amaze. Max Lucado

In the forward of the Ragamuffin Gospel, Michael W. Smith said, "Here was the purest picture I'd ever seen of God's relentless pursuit of His raggedy creation. Not that I could sin more so Grace could abound (Romans 6:15), but grace abounded more because I could find it in the darkness as much as in the light. God wanted me just as I am. I am loved. Brennan took every cliche' I had ever spouted or had spouted at me and turned it into gold". 

Authors, never doubt the power of your words. Words produce life or death in your reader. Choose them wisely, for they will outlive you.

Thank you Brennan.  I look forward to meeting you face to face. In the meantime, may I share the love of Christ with others as you have shown it to me by your life.

Diana

Ragamuffin