CONTRARIETY

Stay tuned for my latest writing project.

It's Dystopian. Science Fiction. Futuristic. Speculative Fiction.

CONTRARIETY
QUADRANT 1 SERIES, BOOK 1

*** CANCELED AS OF FEBRUARY 03, 2015. ***

USA Journaling #7

USA Journaling #7

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USA JOURNALING BLOG TO BOOK: PRAYER AND CONTEMPLATION 

Written January 26, 2015, Monday, 1057 a.m.

I have the feeling that these blog posts will be turned into a book about prayer, contemplation, prayer journaling (and prayer journaling prompts), and application about what it means to be a Christian American today. Furthermore, I could also easily turn this into a memoir about me doing those things (prayer, contemplation, prayer journaling, and application). We shall see.

This is the purpose of this blog, though, everything I mentioned in the previous paragraph. Therefore, it only makes sense for me to do those things. 

I want to be the best Christian American I can be--and I want to make sure I am living it in the spirit and intent of our founders. (What is that, by the way? This provides more things to learn, pray about, contemplate, prayer journal, and apply.)

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2 Chronicles 7:14 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

14 However, if my people, who are called by my name,
    will humble themselves,
    pray, search for me, and turn from their evil ways,
        then I will hear their prayer from heaven, forgive their sins,
    and heal their country.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

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HUMBLE MYSELF

Am I humble?

Do I focus more on or about self than on others? More on or about self than on country? 

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ALL OF THE QUESTIONS I ASK MYSELF ON THIS BLOG (HOUSEKEEPING AND NEWS)

By the way, it is my goal to go through and USA prayer journal my answers to each and every question of this blog. But, first, I want to think on it and pray on it for a while before I do. I want to ruminate, ponder, think, focus on, and let it roll around in my mind and heart for a while before I commit it to the page. 

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PRAYER FOR THE USA (AND PRAYER JOURNALING FOR THE USA): HOW HAVE I BEEN DOING WITH THIS ENDEAVOR?

Written January 26, 2015, Monday, 1104 a.m.

How has my prayer and prayer journaling life been like for the USA? How have I been doing with this endeavor?

How about you?

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THE LATEST (NEWS): ALMOST ALL OF MY BLOG POSTS IN ONCE PLACE

Written January 28, 2015, Wednesday

I am sorry to do an extra blog post today, but there is a reason for it.

As I'm in the moving process, and waiting for the stars to align (figure of speech only) so we can put in an offer on a house, and as we are in the process of preparing to move and moving, I realize my writing is going to be in fits and starts--a little here and a little there--about this and that. Needless to say, I am going to do something once and for all. I am only going to write on this blog. It has almost every blog post I have ever written, in one place. 

Last night, I made sure to export and post most of my blog posts since 2009. I am quite excited to have everything here in one place. It simplifies things. Making things simpler is always a huge blessing. (To Him be all the glory.)

I am also in the process of trying to figure out what I really, truly, finally want to write when I grow up. I promise. Once I move, I will have an answer and will actually stick with it. I want to get serious about this once and for all. Therefore, I am working on getting the committed mindset and will make things work and will not switch once I do make the commitment. I might add a few bonus parts to blog posts, and even do an additional blog post series or two, but that is it. I want to write books--or more specifically blog posts to books. 

So welcome to this new and improved blog. I hope you enjoy. {Just a tip: Use the blog archive or labels to search for different topics you might find of use.}

Also, I would love to dialogue with you about any of the blog posts. Let me know if you have any questions, comments, or input--or if you want to read more of something. Just let me know. 

(Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC 2008-2015.)

USA Journaling #6

USA Journaling #6

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MY PEOPLE

2 Chronicles 7:14 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

14 However, if my people, who are called by my name,
    will humble themselves,
    pray, search for me, and turn from their evil ways,
        then I will hear their prayer from heaven, forgive their sins,
    and heal their country.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Am I one of God's people? This is the next question.

I am. I know the answer. I am one of His people because I believe in Him. 

Now, here is the next question: How do I live my belief in God?

How do I believe my belief in God as a Christian American? 

How should I--and how do I--regarding the previous two questions?

Does my life reflect I am a believer of God? And... Does my life reflect I am a believer in God as an American? And, how? And, how does it not?

The answer to all of these questions shows if I am one of His people and if I am called by His name.

Now... What about you?

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Old Glory

Image credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC 2008-2015. 

USA Journaling #5

USA Journaling #5
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I AM A CHRISTIAN AMERICAN: WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Written January 26, 2015, Monday, 915 a.m.

I am Christian.

I am American.

I am a Christian American. In that order.

What does it mean to be a Christian American? And, what does it mean to be a Christian American in today's world?

The answer to the questions in the previous paragraph are complicated, but are also simple. There are several ways to answer those questions--and that's the purpose of this blog. However, they all stem from this: God first, then country. This is the answer and is the definition. God first, then country, in 2015.

So, how do you put God first in the USA today? Or, should I say... How should I put God first in my life and in my life in the USA today?

Stop. Look at the last part of  the previous question. It makes a very important distinction. I am living for more than for myself. As I live, I am living for more than for myself and my family. I am living for more anything or anyone else. This includes for the USA. When was the last time I thought about this?

Long pause. Long pause as I try to come up with the answer.

Huh. The truth of the matter is I cannot think of the last time I thought of that before this blog.

How self-serving, self-focused, egotistical, narcissistic can I be? There is far more to my life than myself, my husband, and the everyday stuff of life. I am an American and it is my duty to make sure I am contributing to the embetterment of the country, not making it worse. The embetterment is on the and for the whole, and is not just for self, family, or job.

Pause. I am stuck now. Not sure where to go with that. It made me think. How am I making the USA the best country in the world?

Answer: I have no idea.

There is the rub. I should have several answers to that question.
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GOD AND COUNTRY
Written January 26, 2015, Monday, 930 a.m.

I know this for certain. I cannot be the best American I can be if I am not right with my Maker. I also know that the USA will fall if she is not right with God. Period. End of story.

So, how can I, and how can every American citizen be right with God? And, how can every Christian American be right with God, myself included? The answer lies in the following verse:
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2 Chronicles 7:14 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
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2 CHRONICLES 7:14
Written January 26, 2015, Monday, 941 a.m.

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2 Chronicles 7:14 GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)

14 However, if my people, who are called by my name,
    will humble themselves,
    pray, search for me, and turn from their evil ways,
        then I will hear their prayer from heaven, forgive their sins,
    and heal their country.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group
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"However" marks a change. It's a change from current behavior or thought.

What is my current behavior and thought?

I cringed as I USA Journaled and typed that last question. My shoulders sag and I feel a tug in my heart as I think how much I have missed the mark as a Christian American in general--and as I read this verse of 2 Chronicles 7:14. I have blown it. Big time. There is no other answer. I refuse to excuse it or justify my behavior, or lack thereof.

If I read the rest of the verse of 2 Chronicles 7:14, after I read the word, "However," then I see how I have not been thinking on, praying on, applying, reviewing, or contemplating the verse in my life. No wonder why the USA is falling, failing, sliding,  in every way. I've blown it.

How about you?

HOWEVER!

That word gives me great hope. HOWEVER, if I start reading, re-reading, memorizing, praying, thinking on, contemplating, applying, reviewing, re-applying, re-contemplating this verse, THEN God will heal our land, the USA.

But, I just got ahead of myself. There is a great deal to be done before God will heal the USA and each of us has a part to play, according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. The first being, to meditate on, contemplate, ponder, and pray this verse repeatedly every single day and make sure we are living it.

I'm going to write this verse out on a few note cards to carry with me everywhere I go--and am going to keep it on my tablet and cell phone so I can look at it and allow each and every word to sink in as I try to live that verse every moment of every day.

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USA Journaling #4

USA Journaling #4

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HOUSEKEEPING (NEWS): WHAT TO EXPECT BETWEEN NOW AND MARCH 

Written January 26, 2015, Monday, 838 a.m.

Over the next few months (from now to March or so), I am moving across country. In the process, my husband ("B") and I will take a vacation and then will get unpacked in the new house. Therefore, I will be a little quiet on this blog at points. I just wanted to warn you so you knew I wasn't stopping this blog. But, rather am doing the moving thing. Thank you for bearing with me during the transition.

This past weekend, and several weekends coming up, will consist of cleaning our house to its bones so that we can vacate the premises. I am sore in muscles I didn't know I had, and in the muscles I forgot I had, but it feels great. Then, B and I were a little crazy and decided to do a 5k as well for our exercise last night, which only added to our insanity and my tired and achy muscles. It was well worth it, though. 

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TIME TO THINK

Written January 26, 2015, Monday, 843 a.m.

I have not been journaling or keeping up closely with the news, thanks to the cleaning thing, therefore I think it's time for me to change that. However, I did have time to think about things and came up with more questions and things to journal in the meanwhile. What else are you supposed to do when you're cleaning mirrors, cleaning turtle tanks, and scrubbing the kitchen sink, stove top, and counters--never mind the toilets?

The truth of the matter, one of the reasons I am writing this blog is so that I force myself to have time to stop and think. The reality is, I do not think nearly enough. If I did, I would not be such a bonehead at times and make the mistakes I do. Never mind, how I would not be as tired as I am (tired in the spirit). 

I sit here, thinking, trying to figure out where to begin--breathing--trying to slow my breath and take some time to breathe, relax, and focus. I look around and see that Kara Oreo (our black and white cat), Shelly Turtle, and Zack Beagle are all sleeping. It's one of those days. I drink another sip of Yorkshire Tea and try not to succumb to the sleepies myself as I want to take time and think. 

How am I personally helping with the USA? 

How am I hindering the USA?

Am I a productive citizen? Overall? Today? 

Am I increasing morality in the USA or decreasing it? And, what about ethics? 

Am I increasing in knowledge of the history, historical documents, in the words of the founders, and in the civics of the USA? Or, is my knowledge stagnate? I know I do not know nearly enough. 

What is the state of the USA? What can I based off of fact and not emotion?

What is my part in the USA?

Thinking brings up questions--more questions as well as the questions I still need to find the answers to in time. This is a good thing. Questions prove I am at least thinking. 

The truth of the matter is I think the USA is in the state she is in because we have stopped thinking or are not thinking nearly enough. 

So, what are you thinking today about the USA? How are you helping the USA? How are you hurting the United States of America?

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JOURNALING STUFF 2015 #14: JOURNALING PROMPTS

JOURNALING STUFF 2015 #14: JOURNALING PROMPTS
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JOURNALING PROMPT
What do you think of the condition of your country?
Of the USA?
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