The other day while cleaning out a closet I ran across old manuscript copies of "The Kissing Spot". I have many of them scattered throughout the house in different files. Honestly, the material hasn't changed much in the fourteen years I have been working on it, but I have changed. The manuscript represents something more than just a book as I reflect on it now. It represents a life changed. Being a mother for the last 20 years to a special needs daughter has taught me how to trust in God. One of my greatest weaknesses has been thinking "I am in control". Through my own growth I have learned I never was. I have a daughter who is special needs and nothing I have been able to do has changed the fact that she cannot walk. I cannot "fix" her. I have struggled to control MANY things through the last 25 years and over the last 4 years I have truly learned how to LET GO and LET GOD. These words have true meaning now and my actions reflect what has changed in my life. The lie attached to "staying in control" was "it is up to me".
This year is the start of a new beginning for my family. I am remarried to a beautiful Godly man. I have a grateful heart for all that the Lord has done in my life as I have followed Him and loved Him. God has truly blessed me and I am humbled.
I plan to continue on the path to publish "The Kissing Spot" as God leads me. I know who is in control and all along He has been at work. May it not be another 14 years 'til I see this book published, however if it is, I will wait for the Lord! In many ways I believe God has been waiting on me.
Praise be to the Lord,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trust in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy......Psalms 28:8-9
God's blessings on you~
Terri Kellogg
Friday, December 30, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
GOD BE GLORIFIED
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
I love to live in the truth of God's word, there is freedom beyond comprehension. Sometimes I am in the fullness of this freedom and obedient, but it is a minute by minute act of discipline to stay there. I am praying constantly as I walk through this life that I may give glory to God and not myself.
Inpatience attempts to come in and steal my peace in knowing God is in control. I bowed my head today with frustration and my "feelings" of inadequacy in this publishing arena. I want someone to take over and tell me what to do. I was gently reminded I don't have to do it on my own...I have my helper a prayer away and I had to again commit my way to the Lord.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope. Psalms 130:5
As I prayed, the Lord showed me again what direction to go with The Kissing Spot ,I felt a peace to move forward with self-publishing when I have the finances. I am convicted to pray for God's provision. Now to him who is able to do immeasureable more than all we ask or imagine...to Him be the Glory!!! Ephesians 3:20-21
Terri
I love to live in the truth of God's word, there is freedom beyond comprehension. Sometimes I am in the fullness of this freedom and obedient, but it is a minute by minute act of discipline to stay there. I am praying constantly as I walk through this life that I may give glory to God and not myself.
Inpatience attempts to come in and steal my peace in knowing God is in control. I bowed my head today with frustration and my "feelings" of inadequacy in this publishing arena. I want someone to take over and tell me what to do. I was gently reminded I don't have to do it on my own...I have my helper a prayer away and I had to again commit my way to the Lord.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope. Psalms 130:5
As I prayed, the Lord showed me again what direction to go with The Kissing Spot ,I felt a peace to move forward with self-publishing when I have the finances. I am convicted to pray for God's provision. Now to him who is able to do immeasureable more than all we ask or imagine...to Him be the Glory!!! Ephesians 3:20-21
Terri
Friday, February 4, 2011
The Kissing Spot...book excerpt
Throughout Hope's early childhood years, she had several frightening febrile seizures (seizures caused by fevers), which were very frightening to me, even as a nurse. Watching as her body stiffened and her eyes stared off is frightening enough. But then her breathing appeared to stop for what seemed like hours. Having no control over the situation magnified my fears to the point of dread that I would lose her. One particular time when she was about five years old and hospitalized following a seizure, I called my mom.
“You need to give Hope to God. Just give her over to Him. You can’t live in fear,” Mom said. “I’m going to pray for God to give you peace.”
As she prayed I let go knowing that God loved her even more than I and He had the ability to protect her, so that I could set worry aside and rest.
The following morning Hope woke and said she’d had a dream. It was the first time she had mentioned dreaming except for nightmares that sometimes woke her up crying.
“I was flying,” she said.
“I’ve had that dream before,” I replied. “And it was great! I loved that dream.”
Hope’s eyes widened. “Did you ride on the angel’s back, too?”
“No. Did you?”
“Yes!” she shouted, her smile stretching from ear to ear, as her body stiffened with excitement.
I was a little apprehensive as I asked, “What did you do, Hope?”
“We went to heaven and saw Jesus.”
Goose bumps covered my arms. Only the night before I wondered how long I would have Hope. My question remained unanswered, and the thought of her going to heaven soon didn’t comfort me at all. But she was excited! That picture of Hope riding on an angel’s back to heaven and into the arms of Jesus was planted in my heart that morning, giving me something to hold on to when that day ever comes.
As much as we might not want to believe it life and death are far out of our control. It’s frightening to realize that life can change in a split second, forever changing life as we know it. And when you have a sick child, tomorrow doesn’t matter; today is all that matters. You can barely look past one second to the next. God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we would wish for, but we can be confident that He is in control and we can trust Him. Thank you, Lord for answers to prayers. Even when I don't understand I will trust in You always.
Book update:
I am still waiting on the right publishing company. A couple encouraging turns along the way, God seems to know just when I need them. These words from a publishing company, "This is an endearing story, well written. Life-affirming, told with gentleness and poignancy.I think this is a story that needs to be shared."
I am comforted by God's word:
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21
Sign up to follow me on my blog! I would love that!
“You need to give Hope to God. Just give her over to Him. You can’t live in fear,” Mom said. “I’m going to pray for God to give you peace.”
As she prayed I let go knowing that God loved her even more than I and He had the ability to protect her, so that I could set worry aside and rest.
The following morning Hope woke and said she’d had a dream. It was the first time she had mentioned dreaming except for nightmares that sometimes woke her up crying.
“I was flying,” she said.
“I’ve had that dream before,” I replied. “And it was great! I loved that dream.”
Hope’s eyes widened. “Did you ride on the angel’s back, too?”
“No. Did you?”
“Yes!” she shouted, her smile stretching from ear to ear, as her body stiffened with excitement.
I was a little apprehensive as I asked, “What did you do, Hope?”
“We went to heaven and saw Jesus.”
Goose bumps covered my arms. Only the night before I wondered how long I would have Hope. My question remained unanswered, and the thought of her going to heaven soon didn’t comfort me at all. But she was excited! That picture of Hope riding on an angel’s back to heaven and into the arms of Jesus was planted in my heart that morning, giving me something to hold on to when that day ever comes.
As much as we might not want to believe it life and death are far out of our control. It’s frightening to realize that life can change in a split second, forever changing life as we know it. And when you have a sick child, tomorrow doesn’t matter; today is all that matters. You can barely look past one second to the next. God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we would wish for, but we can be confident that He is in control and we can trust Him. Thank you, Lord for answers to prayers. Even when I don't understand I will trust in You always.
Book update:
I am still waiting on the right publishing company. A couple encouraging turns along the way, God seems to know just when I need them. These words from a publishing company, "This is an endearing story, well written. Life-affirming, told with gentleness and poignancy.I think this is a story that needs to be shared."
I am comforted by God's word:
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21
Sign up to follow me on my blog! I would love that!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)