"I’ve been writing, teaching and speaking for 40+ years and have authored books, magazine articles, blogs, educational texts, and digital books.
"I got hooked on writing when my third grade teacher assigned students to write and illustrate a book for a class project. I knew then I wanted to be a ‘real’ writer some day and see a book of mine in a bookstore and in a library.
"Every day I look forward to going to my desk. In recent years I’ve focused on writing humor for seniors, including the best-sellers, Help, Lord! I’m Having a Senior Moment and Gettin’ Old Ain’t For Wimps. Some of my books are now on CD, as well. And many titles are available for the Kindle. Please check out my Books page.
"I also take great pleasure in helping others with their writing. Over the past 30 years I’ve taught for a variety of schools and conferences, including the University of California Adult Education, the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild, the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, and currently for Bravewriter.com where I teach Write for Fun online for kids ten to fourteen.
"I was honored to be named Writer of the Year for 1997 by the San Diego Christian Writers Guild, in 2002 I received the Special Recognition Award at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference for writing and mentoring, and in 2004 I accepted the International Reading Association Award for my article for children on Kurdish refugees published in Highlights for Children magazine.
"If you’d like to explore what’s involved in writing professionally, I invite you to look into one of the many conferences available."
is an award-winning author and popular speaker from Watsonville, California. www.karenoconnor.com
"My life is a mess," I whispered, as I looked across the table at Joe, the pastoral counselor at our church. "I feel disconnected from my husband, anxious about my children, and spiritually...well, to tell the truth, Im dry. Im having a hard time praying. God feels so far away."
Joe was silent for a moment. Then he caught my attention with something I didnt expect. "Start a journal, a dialogue with God," he said. "Start today. I think youll be surprised at how quickly youll feel Gods presence again."
"But I write for a living," I said. "I dont think Id have energy to write in a journal, too!" But Joe didnt let me off.
"Tell God all the things youve told me," he added. "Do it for a month. Then get back to me."
I drove home, grabbed an empty notebook, and began writing.
"Dear God," I started, "its me, Karen. I hardly know where to begin...". I wrote down the things I had said aloud to Joe. When I finished I had a feeling of peace I hadnt felt in a long time.
TALKING WITH GOD
Then one Sunday, soon after I started my journal, a deacon at church shared a copy of a new book: Dialogue With God by Mark Virkler. He hadnt known anything about my struggle or my new commitment to keep a journal--or had he? I read the book in two sittings. The author cited many examples of Gods dialogues throughout the Bible--with Moses and David and Paul and others. Like them, I could keep track of the words I received.
I began this new way of journaling and have continued it off and on for over ten years. When I skip a day or two because of busyness or illness or travel, I notice the void immediately.
If you have never kept a journal before, consider starting one--today! There is no "right" way to do it. You can include sketches, drawings, photos or simply write--a few lines or several pages. Its up to you. One young mother I know keeps a journal for each of her three children. "Its impossible to get away from the Lord," said Sheila, "when day after day I thank Him in writing for my children and jot down all the ways He has blessed our family."
You might also choose a theme for the year. For example, during 1997 I kept a praise journal--meditating on a praise Scripture each day and then writing a short, spontaneous prayer on each daily page. My friend Jane says she likes to write love letters to the Lord. "They have helped me experience more intimacy with God," she says.
By varying the focus of each year or month, youll never be bored and I feel certain youll notice a growing connection with the Lord in every area of your life.
But journaling is not the only way to become reacquainted with God. Here are a few others to consider.
MAKING A MINI-RETREAT
Recently my husband Charles and I returned from a retreat for Christian artists. It was the most refreshing and stimulating four days weve shared in a long time. But it required time and money for airfare, meals, lodging, and so on. We cant often take such a trip. But most of us can make a half-day or one-day mini-retreat--alone or with others.
Charles and I also have been part of several one-day retreats sponsored by our church. Weve rented a nearby facility on large grounds where people can gather as a community in the morning to pray and sing and discuss a selected topic. In the afternoon, there is time to stroll the walkways, stop and rest in a little gazebo, doze under a big tree, or sit on the grass and read or write. One place had a chapel where we could sit in silence and feel Gods presence.
I have never come away from such a time unrewarded for my effort to be there. "Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near," says the Lord, "And I will heal him" (Psalms 57:19
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You might consider organizing such an event for your church. Even a lovely hotel with a spacious setting would make a good spot for a retreat.
If you or a friend has a large home with a big yard, that too could be used.
My sister and her friends head for the beach once a year for a half-day retreat that includes time to rest, read, discuss, and eat lunch. They drive home before the children return from school.
There are many creative ways to retreat from the world--if we put our minds and hearts to it.
FINDING GOD IN HIS CREATION
Connecting with God through His creation is one of the most rewarding of all. In the summer of 1988 I had an experience that forever changed my relationship with God. One day in late August I was about to ascend Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, as part of an all-womens backpack in the wilderness. To prepare for the trip I had hiked weekly for several months with a group of friends, learned about tents and sleeping bags and stoves and dried food and how to carry 30 pounds on my back!
The morning of the hike I was both nervous and excited. I was ready! I wanted a full experience--with no regrets. So halfway up the steep rock face, I turned around and stood facing out. There was no room for a false step. I held onto the cable for support. Then I took a deep breath and looked!
In front of me and to the sides, up, down--everywhere I gazed was a visual feast of massive pines hovering over giant cliffs, powerful boulders poised among lush greenery, and majestic peaks jutting into the deep blue sky. I could scarcely take it in. It was so much more than I had expected.
This is a holy place, I thought to myself. God is here.
I had been so caught up in the planning and preparations that I hadnt thought much about the spiritual impact. But there it was. I couldnt miss it.
"Oh God," I stammered, "thank you for this... I nearly missed what its really about."
On the way down I thought about all the ways the Lord had provided for me. A bed of pine needles had made a comfortable carpet for my tent. There were tree stumps to sit on, limbs for hanging wet socks, and branches for shade. God was there with me--in that wild place--meeting my every need and desire.
But you dont have to climb a mountain to reconnect with God. You can go to a neighborhood park or your own backyard with lawn chair in hand, a sack lunch, your Bible, and a good book or two. Read and pray, think and ponder, and listen and watch for the Lords loving presence, so beautifully reflected in His creation.
It takes so little to become reacquainted with God. If youre feeling separated, choose today to reach out to Him in writing, through His creation, on a mini-retreat or in whatever way seems right for you. And if you feel so detached that you cant make any effort, there is still hope, for the Lord has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5
Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,"I will never fail you. I will never abandon you."*
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). Simply call out "Help! I need You." And He will answer you.
"For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from Him; But when He cried to Him, He heard" (Psalms 22:24
For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help.
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Karen O'Connor is an award-winning author, retreat speaker, and writing mentor. She lives in San Diego, California. You can reach Karen through her web site: www. karenoconnor.com.
Dad was pressing on towards the goal! He was in the final sprint of the race of his life. Of course he couldn't squeeze my hand. Of course he couldn't turn and acknowledge our presence. Of course he was preoccupied with what was happening to him. And of course he was breathing hard and fast. That's what runners do — especially when they are coming down to the line. They press on towards that goal.
It was a private moment between the Lord and my father. And I had the privilege of observing it. My somber mood began to lift. Little tendrils of peace — even bits of joy — crept to the surface. I couldn't explain it. My father was about to die and I was feeling happy!
My sister and I kissed our mother and father good-night at 9:00, intending to return at 7:00 the next morning. Later that evening the phone rang. It was the nurse.
"Your father is gone," she said.
Reality. Finality. Dad had died.
He had crossed the finish line — and now he was in full possession of the prize for which he ran so long and hard — the call of God from above. What a moment — for us both. Praise the God who comforts us in grief by turning our mourning into joy!
"Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them." Psalm 126:5-6 (NIV)
As I look back on my life I see many examples of this lack of integrity--even though I am considered by most people to be a person they can count on. By and large, I am. But there are those nooks and crannies in my life where the dust collects, where I cut corners, where I close my eyes to the debris that is accumulating.
But now I see that keeping my word is really a duty, in the highest sense. It is something I not only owe other people--but I owe it to God and myself, as well. And as I give I receive. When I am truly present to what I say and mean and do, important things happen to others and to me. I am renewed in friendship and love. Rhonda's response was a perfect example of that. And I am restored emotionally and spiritually. I feel peaceful when I stand for the truth and speak it.
I realize from my experience and from Scripture, that keeping my word is at the very core of the Christ-centered life.
"... For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of" (Luke 6:45
A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
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NIV).
When I am in line with the Spirit of God my mouth speaks the truth my heart knows!
Lois stood listening with eyes wide in disbelief. And Nancy didn't know what to say. I stopped. Lois spoke. She told me how she had worked so hard to get that little plant going. She couldn't imagine why anyone would be so cruel. Of course she was right. It was a cruel thing to do–even though I didn't see it that way at the time. I was so caught up in my opinion of what looks good that I took action regardless of how it might affect another person. I certainly did not consult with the Lord about what to do. I simply had done what I wanted to do.
I apologized profusely, hoping Lois would understand that I wasn't motivated by spite (though I wasn’t sure at that point). I was only tidying things up a bit!
She thanked me for being honest, dried her eyes, and we parted. The rest of the day was pure misery for me–not so much because of the plant. I knew it would keep growing. I hadn't destroyed it. But I had hurt a neighbor. Someone I like. A person who lives close by.
I couldn't let it rest. I prayed about what to do. And the Lord spoke clearly. I needed to make amends. There was no second guessing his guidance. I ran downstairs, jumped in the car, and drove directly to the local nursery. I spent some time selecting a beautiful, thriving, flowering plant that looked similar to the one I had cut. I bought it, wrote a note on a card, acknowledging my fault once again, and asking for Lois' forgiveness.
Within moments of leaving the gift at her doorstep, I received a phone call. Lois accepted my apology and thanked me for such a thoughtful gesture. I was stunned at how easy–and how difficult–that experience had been.
That day had turned out differently than I expected, but still, it had turned out. I had made things right when I had been wrong—by asking for and receiving forgiveness–and in turn, my neighbor did something for me. She, like the Lord, gave me the gift of a second chance.
"Do not judge and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned." Luke 6:37
"Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.
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