God’s Gifts | Gloryteller

A Gift of Musical Joy, Peace, and Hope, Just For You

23 Dec 2013 1 Comment

by Gloryteller in Belief in God, Christ, Christian Music, Christian Poetry, Christian Writing, Christmas, God's Gifts, God's Grace, God's Love, Good News, Inspirational Music, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Salvation, Worship, Worship Music Tags: Ceelo Green, Children's Christmas Carol, Christmas, Christmas Carol, Heaven, Kari Jobe, Kristyn Getty, Mary, Sandy Howell

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A Children’s Christmas Carol for Everyone

I lift up Keith and Kristyn Getty and I thank them for this beautiful song.
Remember, JESUS is the subject of Christmas, and the object of Christmas is US.

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“The Perfect Christmas Gift”,
written and performed by Sandy Howell.
Uploaded by Bob Marshall.
Many thanks to you both.
My friend, I give you the gift of a song; music with a video. It speaks for itself.

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Hope Came Down

He came down so that we could live – really live – with Him and our loved-ones in Heaven.
Forever together.
We need that hope more with each passing day . . .

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Mary, Did You Know?

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A Brief History of “The Godsend” (I Keep Forgetting) Help Charities, Buy This Book, Please!

17 Dec 2013 Leave a comment

by Gloryteller in Belief in God, Biblicly-based Fiction, Christian Fiction, Christian Writing, Christmas, Evangelism, Faith, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, God's Gifts, God's Glory, God's Grace, God's Love, God's Provision, Good News, Gospel, Holy Spirit, Hope, Inspiration, Inspirational Writing, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Metaphor, Salvation, Thankfulness and Gratitude Tags: "The Godsend", A message, a word from God, Adoption, Adoption charities, Adullam Youth Outreach, belief in Jesus, Birth of Christ, Christmas, Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption, Godsend, History of the writing of "The Godsend", Kindle, Santa Claus, Smashwords, Sony Reader, The Call, Wendy's Wonderful Kids

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“The Godsend” is already two years old!
It was written to bring forth the message of Christmas in a new way.
It also brings messages about adoption, belief in God, and belief
in Santa Claus, all interwoven in an inspiring, Christ-centered story.
Please understand that I don’t deem myself an exceptional writer,
and I don’t think “The Godsend” is going to be award-winning literature,
but I do know that it is God-commissioned, God-ordained, and God-given.
The mission of this book, like most of what I write, is to tell the story of Christ,
present His grace, mercy, and love within a new kind of story, to reveal His glory,
to help people come to know Him, and/or to lead the reader into a new, deeper relationship
with our Highest Lord and King.
Needless to say, it’s all for His great glory, not my own.
I’m only the messenger . . .

The first version was posted here, on Gloryteller.com, in December, 2011:

The Godsend

Its late posting date, relative to Christmas, 2011, was unfortunate
because not many people had time to read it during that busy time.

I hadn’t intended to pursue the little story any further, . . . then God intervened . . .
Only a month after it appeared here, my friend,
William, told me of the “The Godsend’s” impact on him.
“The whole time I was reading”, he said, “I was seeing something
special in my spirit. It was the image of a mother reading your
story aloud to her child. It was having an effect on them both. I had
the impression that they had a lot in common with the Christopher family,
and that their family was led closer to God, and His peace,
all because of your story. You must publish this,” he insisted.
And insisted. And persisted. And insisted.
I felt the tug of the H.S. on my heart, and I thought, “Yes!
If for no other reason than for that one mother and one child, I will expand and publish it!”
So I set out on the LONG, difficult, journey into digital publishing.
I studied, I rewrote, and, as God gave me more and more each day, I edited, I re-rewrote, and re-re-edited again,
and I formatted, and re-formatted. Over and over. Like all writers must.
Then I had to learn how to make a virtual cover – oh man!
Hours, days, and months of painstaking labor (a labor of love).
In the process of making the cover, God led me to, and I became acquainted with, an artist, a woodcarver, and a Santa. Each of those Christians had an impact on my walk of faith. A wonder occurred: The Santa, (Santa Cliff ) “God-incidently” shares my last name, but is not directly related to me!

On November 26, 2012, I announced the premiere of the E-book “The Godsend”.

Announcing Publication of “The Godsend”

I was a little discouraged, though, about the low sales volume that season, even though I offered the book for free on an introductory basis.
I corresponded with one of my writer friends, Lizzie, who had written on her website about how The Great “I AM” worked in her circumstances. God used her writing for my encouragement, and healing:
” Dear Lizzie,
After hour upon hour of revision, proofreading, and formatting, I published “The Godsend” on Amazon and Smashwords. Out of the 400+ people in my church and in Facebook friends, I sold six units. Discouraging, right? I keep forgetting that I told Him that if I can help one person to know Him, the hours of work would be worth it. I keep forgetting that I AM is faithful even when I am not. I keep forgetting that, in His hands “The Godsend” cannot fail its purpose. I keep forgetting that He never gave up in the face of crushing discouragement and suffering. Thanks Lizzie, for reminding me in your lovely post that I’m not alone as a writer nor as a believer. You and I are so much alike in spirit. Finally, I’d like to report that I, too, am constantly experiencing His restoration, love, healing, peace, and forgiveness. Let us continually be aware of the miracle of the Great I AM, not only standing beside us, but occupying us with His presence!” Thanks Lizzie!

Finally, I’d like to promote the reading of this book by pledging my donation of ALL its proceeds (not just profit) to three worthwhile ministries:
“The Call” , who facilitates the much-needed adoption and foster care of Arkansas children: http://thecallinarkansas.org/about-us/

“Wendy’s Wonderful Kids“, – the “Dave Thomas Foundation For Adoption“, a national organization for the adoption of hard-to-place children: http://www.davethomasfoundation.org/what-we-do/wendys-wonderful-kids/

“The Adullam Youth Outreach”, who provide refuge, teaching, and so much more to children in distress: http://www.adullamyouth.com/index.html

“Seed money” is already on its way to these organizations. I intend to make nothing for myself from sales of this book.
So, there you go – a chance to entertain yourself and help others. That families and children who need peace might be led closer to the Lord and find His peace; that children be adopted, cared for and loved; and, that children in stressful and distressful circumstances be gathered under wings of protection and love. Give it to someone for Christmas – It’s a win, win, win, win, win, all because God told me about the plight of Davey Christopher and Nick Smith, to reveal more of His great glory.

The Godsend is available on Kindle or Kindle for PC here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Godsend-ebook/dp/B00A8TPVPM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353944048&sr=8-1&keywords=lenn+snider

The Godsend is also available on Smashwords, for PC (in PFD format), Sony Reader, Nook, Apple I-Pad, Kobo, and most e-reading apps ( including Stanza, Aldiko, Adobe Digital Editions, others) here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/256725

Many thanks, dear reader for your help by reading, helping to promote, or reviewing “The Godsend”. Blessings be yours!
Sincerely,
Gloryteller

O Christbirth Tree, O Christbirth Tree!

11 Dec 2013 4 Comments

by Gloryteller in Belief in God, Bible, Christ, Christbirth, Christian Poetry, Christian Writing, Christmas, Comparison, Faith, God's Bounty, God's Gifts, God's Glory, God's Provision, Good News, Gospel, Hope, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Love, Metaphor, Worship Tags: Bridegroom and bride, Christbirthtime, Christmas, Christmas poetry, Christmas tree, evergreen branches, garland, Happy Christbirth!, Jesus, members of The Body of Christ, metaphor of the Christmas tree, Morning Star, My Christbirth tree, ornaments, star on top, the body of believers, Water of Life

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My
Christbirth
**tree is ever-green**
**With everlasting life**
Its branches are its members
***Clothed in colorful lights***
**Lights reflected by ornaments**
******Of all shapes and sizes******
*****Which shine just as brightly*****
********It’s filled with surprises!********
*******Wrapped ’round with garland*******
*************As a bundling rope*************
************The whole tied together***********
***********With warm faith and hope***********
**************The star at its crown is**************
***************Wreathed in white light**************
***************Can be seen near and far***************
************’Cause it’s clear, pure, and bright************
*****************That’s the part of the tree*****************
*******************That ultimately pleases*******************
**************************You see*****************************
*************For the Star at the point and the apex****************
******************************Is Jesus*****************************
****************And the branches, the lights, and ornaments************
*******************************Are we***********************************
************************For He is the Bridegroom**************************
********************We are His church, bride, and wife**********************
*********************The trunk that stands in The Water,********************
***************************The Water of Life.*******************************
Water
of
Life

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Happy Christbirth!

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IT’S CHRISTBIRTH! I Don’t Like “Christmas”, But I Really Like Christmas.

10 Dec 2013 2 Comments

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Please let me explain my title.
No, I don’t like the word Christmas.
I don’t like the word Easter either.
But I very much love what those two words represent.
Words are only symbols that we use to convey,
or identify, things, events, or ideas. Often, the words
we devise (or, in this case, that are devised for us) are
less than ideal, or appropriate, to represent the actual thing
being described. I believe that “Christmas” is such a word.
I’ll leave it to you, dear reader, to delve into the origins,
meanings, and protests concerning the word “Christmas”.
I have been through it, and it’s not pretty.
Some say it’s downright blasphemy, wickedness, and sin to use it.
However,
Nevertheless,
and, Be That As It May,
The event that has come to be known to us as “Christmas”
is the event that shook the earth.
It is the truth of the event that is important, not the word we have adopted to
describe it. To me, the birth of Jesus was, and is, the most momentous
occurrence in history. It is to be celebrated – its story told and retold in truth
to the ends of the earth.
So ( Blast semantics!) I say Merry Christmas, and by that I mean
Rejoice!
Celebrate enthusiastically!
For, to us a child is born! Our Savior lives!

I prefer the word
“Christbirth”
(which I think I have invented, haha, but probably someone beat me to it)
to represent this wondrous, marvelous Event,
but, no matter what word we use in reference,
in His birth, the very Word of God came to live among us, with us,
and in us, so that we too might be “born” into a new world, a world
of faith, of hope, and of love;
born in a new, a wondrous, and a marvelous way.
Happy Christbirth!
Merry Christmas!
Rejoice!

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Image by Gloryteller

Happiness Is Being Born TWICE!

04 Dec 2013 2 Comments

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Today is the anniversary of my second-birth day.
My rebirth day.
My original birth was kind of like Christmas;
Without it, there could have been no Resurrection Day.
Without my first birth, I could not have been reborn.
My life could not have been repaired, resurrected and redeemed.
First was my birth day,
Then an Advent of sorts – a long time of waiting and preparation.
(even if I didn’t realize some of that stuff, that garbage was preparation)
Then the great gift of joy in a second-birth day!
Needless to say, for my birth and rebirth
I am extremely thankful!

Happy birthdays to me,
Happy birthdays to me,
For both, I am thankful!
Happy birthdays to me!

Thank you, Jesus,
For making it possible!
For me, and for all people!
Thank you, our Highest Lord!

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Image by Gloryteller

A Brief History of “The Godsend” (I Keep Forgetting) Help Charities, Buy This Book, Please!

02 Dec 2013 Leave a comment

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The first version was posted here, on Gloryteller.com, in December, 2011:

The Godsend

Its late posting date, relative to Christmas, 2011, was unfortunate
because not many people had time to read it during that busy time.

On November 26, 2012, I announced the premiere of the E-book “The Godsend”.

Announcing Publication of “The Godsend”

“The Adullam Youth Outreach”, who provide refuge, teaching, and so much more to children in distress: http://www.adullamyouth.com/index.html

The Godsend is available on Kindle or Kindle for PC here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Godsend-ebook/dp/B00A8TPVPM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353944048&sr=8-1&keywords=lenn+snider

Many thanks, dear reader for your help by reading, helping to promote, or reviewing “The Godsend”. Blessings be yours!
Sincerely,
Gloryteller

Thank You, My GREATEST Audience

30 Nov 2013 5 Comments

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As a writer, it is of extreme importance that I have an audience.
A readership.
My Highest Lord and Editor has graciously given me that.
I thank Him for you, my reader.
Most of all, I’m extremely thankful for His own attentiveness to my words.
He attends to my words, here, and in prayer, personally.
He listens, He hears, He reads me,
and, best of all, He responds!
So . . .

I thank you, Oh Highest Lord,
For seeing the words from my hands,
For hearing the audible words my mouth has spoken,
For hearing the silent words my mind has formed,
For attending to the words from my pen,
For reading the language of my body,
For embracing the singular manuscript of my soul,
And, most of all, for hearing the words
constantly uttered by my remade, worshipful heart.
I thank You, Lord, for hearing me,
Understanding my prayer,
Attending to the many parts, and forms, and sounds of my voice;
And responding,
In Your own time,
In your own way,
For my good,
In this holy, ongoing, conversation we have, Lord.
I thank You.

Image by Gloryteller

Thankful for a Grateful Heart

28 Nov 2013 4 Comments

by Gloryteller in Christian Poetry, Christian Writing, Evangelism, Faith, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, God's Bounty, God's Gifts, God's Grace, God's Love, God's Provision, Good News, Inspiration, Jesus Christ, Life, Personal Testimony, Prayer, Redemption, Thankfulness and Gratitude, Worship Tags: Christ, God, grateful for a life, grateful for Christ, grateful for grace, Gratitude, Jesus, life not taken away, redeemed moments, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving prayer, the gift of a heart of gratitude

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Ten thousand million billion moments
With which my life is filled.
Each one shorter than a second,
Less; even shorter still.
Each one begins, and each one ends,
But is not taken away.
And each one has no meaning, then,
At the end of the average day.
Meaningless moments, but for Christ,
Who redeemed them all for me,
Tied them all together,
Made them all to be.
A whole life – a life that begins and ends,
But is not taken away.
As if that were not enough,
He also gave me words to say
A prayer of thanks for a grateful heart,
The gift of which is precious.
A heart to embrace the building joy
Of gratitude for Him, so gracious.
So, I give heartfelt thanks
For the moments,
For the life,
For redemption,
For Christ,
For the gift of a grateful heart,
And for more,
Much more,
I thank You;
Thank You, Lord!

Happy Giving of the Thanks today!

Friendship Matters

28 Oct 2013 3 Comments

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(I like a title that can be read two ways.)
(I like how, together, words can play.)

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A week ago, it came “to light” that:
“Our friendship has made a difference.”
That difference, not just to us (and for us),
although that is very significant to me,
but to the various communities to which we belong.
And not only because we completed a worthwhile project together,
but in the larger sense, in which a 1+1 relationship, when blessed, can equal “3”.
In the matter of friendship, “blessed” is the key word,
for I had been relatively alone, friend-wise,
for many years, in this city,
before He saved and transformed me,
and blessed me in many ways.
Now I have many meaningful Christian friendships.
I understand something of Christian love,
and the love of Father God which surpasses full understanding.
I hadn’t known what I had been missing!

~A treasure greatly precious, and rare,
is the time spent with a close friend.
Life spins and circles smoothly there,
Where, on a bond, one can depend.~

I’m reminded of how Jesus called the unworthy disciples
His friends,
and of how he calls us unworthy believers
His friends.
(We are unworthy by ourselves, but with Him,
our friend IN us,
we are made worthy.)
He taught His friends.
He showed them the Way, the Truth, and the Life,
through His companionship,
through showing them Himself –
His true Self.

He knew this verse:
Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”

~As crystal dust polishes crystal,
so one believer polishes another.~

His brother knew something astute about errant friendship:

James 4:4 “. . . don’t you know that friendship with the world
is hatred toward God?
Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world
becomes an enemy of God.”

Undoubtedly, Jesus is THE best friend that any and every person could have.
(What A Friend We Have In Jesus)
All that He hears from the Father, He shares with us.
I am His personal friend, and He is mine!
That friendship made, makes, and will make,
the greatest difference in the whole world,
of all time,
for everyone,
forever.

Remember that a friend is more than the condition of having access to someone’s social media page.
It takes more than accepting a digital request to be a real friend.
It takes precious time to be a companion,
~and companionship is the jelly on the bread of friendship.~
To anyone who is “a friend of the world”,
and not a friend of Jesus, you are like I was –
you don’t know what you are missing,
and I say that in the kindest, most compassionate way possible.

The best friendships are based on a mutual relationship with God.
David and Jonathan come to mind as Biblical best friends.
“Let God be between us,” said Jonathan, who had everything to lose,
yet, because of his love,
was loyal in saving brother-in-law, and close friend, David.

Friendship makes a difference!
And not only to the friends involved,
but in an expanding sphere
which engulfs all creation.

Let God’s blessing be between us, as well,
as it has been,
as He has seen to it that friendship
has indeed inspired this message,
and it matters.

Yes, our friendship has made a difference,
is making a difference,
and will make a positive difference,
just as Jesus’ holy friendships
Have always,
are now,
and always will
make THE BIG difference.
All the difference in the world.
All the difference in His everlasting Kingdom.

Image by Gloryteller

Beauty Never Gets Old

09 Aug 2013 8 Comments

by Gloryteller in Belief in God, Bible, Christ, Christian Poetry, Christian Writing, Creation, Evangelism, God, God's Bounty, God's Gifts, God's Glory, Hope, Inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Life, Worship Tags: A joy to behold, Ancient of Days, Beauty, BEAUTY NEVER GETS OLD, Behold Him, God, Illustrated poetry, image of His character, Light of The Eons, the Word and Son

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Beauty never gets old
In the eye of its beholder.

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For it is already old,
And the beholder’s eye sees more
Than it ever expected to allow inside:
The Light of The Eons.

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A mere wondrous thought of the Ancient of Days.
An idea from His creative mind.
An image of His character.

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Beauty — an attribute of His Word and Son.
At once ancient, timeless, and present.

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At once, fresh, and young, and new, and most pleasing.
A joy to behold,
Beauty never gets old.

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Hold it!
Embrace it!
Behold . . . Him!

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Beauty never gets old
In the eye of its beholder.
For it is already old,
And the beholder’s eye sees more
Than it ever expected to allow inside:
The Light of The Eons.
A mere wondrous thought of the Ancient of Days.
An idea from His creative mind.
An image of His character.
Beauty — an attribute of His Word and Son.
At once ancient, timeless, and present.
At once, fresh, and young, and new, and most pleasing.
A joy to behold,
Beauty never gets old.
Hold it!
Embrace it!
Behold . . . Him!

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The images above hardly begin to portray, nor depict, the beauty of His created works.
Hardly an iota.
Certainly not alpha to omega.
Because:

It is said that Lord Jesus, The Son of God,
The Word Who Is God and was God,
And was with God, at and before The Creation,
Made everything from nothing.
I propose that He made everything, not from nothing,
But from Himself,
Who is Everything at once!
That is why we have beauty.
It is part of His image,
His attributes,
His wonderfulness.
For He IS Beauty.
Lord Jesus is the one, , , true, , ,
Beautiful One!

Gloryteller
8-9-13

Momentously Graced

28 Jul 2013 1 Comment

by Gloryteller in Apologetics, Christian Poetry, Christian Writing, Evangelism, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, God's Bounty, God's Gifts, God's Grace, God's Provision, Inspiration, Life, Metaphor Tags: blessed by grace, Divine grace, God, Grace, Life is a comment, momentous gift, who is John Salt?

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Grace comes moment by moment,
Abiding until the next.
Life, a momentary comment,
By grace is momentously blessed.

L< Gloryteller
7-28-13

Therefore, I Must Write

17 Jul 2013 2 Comments

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Write, write, write!
Must write, must write.
Must write uniquely,
as uniquely commissioned,
or die an invisibly unique
and uniquely individual,
empty. . . living. . . death.

I write, therefore, I yam, therefore, I . . .

Image by Gloryteller

Seeing A Scene Between The Lines — Another God Nod !

10 Jul 2013 5 Comments

by Gloryteller in Bible, Christian Humor, Christian Writing, Evangelism, Faith, God's Gifts, God's Grace, God's Provision, Inspiration, Metaphor Tags: A God Nod, A scene between the lines, Ayn Rand, drawing nearer to God, grace undeserved, line upon line, precept upon precept, reading, Reading the depth of His word, something anomalous something amazing something astounding something bizarre something "coincidental" something "crazy" something epiphanic something exceptional something extraordinary something myst, something mysterious something remarkable something super-natural something surprising something unconventional something unique something unusual and/or something whimsical, The John Galt Line Upon Line, who is John Galt?

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It happened completely unexpectedly on my birthday, while reading a major novel.
I have never experienced this particular peculiar “special effect” while reading,
so I’ve been trying to assemble the right descriptive words with which to relate it:

I was reading, and I’m still reading, a “real”, hardcover, paper-and-ink version of the classic “Atlas Shrugged”.
As I was reading along, eyes moving along at a fast clip, my attention was drawn to the space above the line which I was reading.
I noticed something materializing there.
Without slowing down or stopping, I noticed a three-dimensional scene beginning to appear above the line.
It was as though I was driving at highway speed, watching the scenic countryside “moving past” as I watched out of my side window.
It was only a second before I reached the end of the line and thought, “What in the world was that? What’s going on now?”
(It seems I hardly ever have to wait long for
something anomalous
something amazing
something astounding
something bizarre
something “coincidental”
something “crazy”
something epiphanic
something exceptional
something extraordinary
something mysterious
something remarkable
something super-natural
something surprising
something unconventional
something unique
something unusual
and/or
something whimsical
to occur).

So, I immediately returned to the beginning of the line and read it again, scientifically, looking for a cause for this effect, a connection, or an explanation.
There was nothing special about that particular line nor the sentence which it was a part of.
The “effect” was still there, fence posts in the foreground zipping by, green hills farther out “moving” more slowly, and the mountains and clouds on the horizon not appearing to move at all. As I kept reading, the background scene expanded to fill all the spaces between several lines as though I were actually there at that particular time and place. Then the scene began to fade quickly and was gone in a few short, but pregnant, seconds.
I thought:
“What a thrilling thing!”
I wondered:
“What are You trying to tell me?”

“He’s gone hallucinatory”, you’re thinking.
Over the edge,
Delusional,
Imagining things,
Lost his mar……
You get the picture — I know what you’re thinking.
Yes you are! I know it!
Well, maybe you have a point, but I don’t think so, and even if you do, God can still work with it.

You see,
It’s another instance of grace — a most-undeserved nod from God timed perfectly,
tailored uniquely for me, a personal revelation prepared for my use in my personal testimony and my personal ministry.
It’s typical that I should get a God Nod — my term for a message from God — while reading a book authored by a pro-abortion atheist (Ayn Rand, a very, very talented, enjoyable, and skillful writer/novelist), but what do I do with this? How can I use it? What do I write?
Reveal yourself, John Galt!
Hmmm, The John Galt Line…..
It came to me…
The scenery between the lines reminds me of pieces I have written about reading the Bible as a living text. It’s about what’s in the lines, and what’s between the lines, but it’s more than that. It has a depth of scenery that appears to be whizzing past the moving reader, yet it is still and stationary. The trick is, I gather, to stop, turn ninety degrees, and look past the lines, deeper into the page. I did, and as I did, the faraway, unmoving Mountain began to draw toward me (and also get larger) as I approached It, just as it would happen if a driver turned directly toward his/her desired objective.

“Line upon line, precept upon precept” is, to my mind, a good thing — a good way to build. The lines are stacked in two dimensions, the precepts in three, or more! The Word of God has layers and unfathomable depths to be explored.
Turn into it when it seems everything is whizzing past.
When you seek to move closer to Him, He will move closer to you, dear reader.
My trust in our Lord has led me into the most amazing life I could have imagined.
I wish you even more than you can imagine, and pray that you, too, will get unexpected Nods from God
as you read, write, and travel through the scenery of your life.
Bless you!
L< Gloryteller
P.S. – I would be very interested to hear of your God Nods!
Has anything remotely similar ever happened to you?
Join the discussion, or start one. You are appreciated!

He Returns On Fire In The Third Person

22 Jun 2013 4 Comments

^
^^
^^^
^^^^^
^^^^^^^

Gloryteller has returned in the third person, on fire to write. (Who even missed him or noticed a lack of recent posts?)
He was “on retreat” in The Mountains once more.
He is, once more, humbled.
He is humbled beyond his usual daily state of humbled-ness.
Unexpectedly.
Surprisedly.
Hiking and climbing joyously with his youngest son, “College Guy”,
who is such a one that there should be no surprise at being humbled by him — by him and of course by Creator God, Who lets Gloryteller,
and indeed helps him,
do what he can’t do,
go where he can’t go,
see what he can’t see,
and be what, and whom, he can’t be.

As the mountains caught fire, he did too, in the spiritual sense.
Humbled, yet on fire? Yes, like the lightning-sparked blazes in the forests, it was completely natural.
Fire is a muse to him.
So is driving.
So is hiking.
So is lightning.
And thunder-like-a-cannon is a muse to him.
And sitting on a peak, and watching the clouds, and living a life.
So are many writers a muse to him. (You might be one of them)
So are extraordinarily ordinary people, and not so ordinary,
like Tim The Waiter, who most likely will never read about his genuine, inspiring self here.
Sources of inspiration —
Muses.
Nothing more than types and shadows of The One Source of his true inspiration.
He’s back, yet still away.
Humbled.
Emboldened.
Muse in his own right.
Blazing with ‘musement.
‘Mazement.
He contemplates.
He ruminates.
He wonders.
He ponders……..

What fire burns there?
What does a muse muse about?

He picks up his flat-keyed ‘pen’ and begins to spark lightning-fires,
His muses prompting, chittering, talking excitedly all at once.

~~~
^^^^

Father, Son, Pinnacle

Image by Gloryteller

You’re Living On The Surface

01 Jun 2013 6 Comments

^~ ~ ~^

I don’t remember what mood or incident triggered this rather “different” drafting;
rather more outspoken, and opinionated, and, maybe, judgemental than my usual.
It is almost a rant – a departure from my normal voice, but I feel
that it was put in me for a reason; that it is a rant against the enemy,
and that a special someone will benefit by hearing it, and I pray
the Holy Spirit sends it where it should go:

^~ ~ ~ ~^

You’re Living On The Surface

I see you up there where my own self once languished,
Pleasure seeker.
(Never think that I deem myself better than you,
For I have been you
And am you)
But at the same time,
This is how the Endteller said it would be;
That most would not see past their hands
Feel past their skins
Think past their morning coffee
Their all-day coffee-chased pills
Their evening intox
Giving themselves away in so many imaginative ways
Their narco-laced, caffeine-based,
Red-saffron blood-fed
Self-stimulated gorge
And surge
And purge
And urge
Huge, insatiable appetites whet
Tiny, urgent, skimming lives.

Food, drink, pleasure, weep;
Slather, blather, rinse, repeat.
Rat-race to anxiety,
Retreat into a fetal sleep.

Where Me, Myself, and I is a
meaningful relationship.

Loving only love is false.
Where the tee-vee is the mirror
And the mirror is queen,
Where desperation-devastation has the taste of sinn-amon
Sin-ammonia
Sin-pneumonia
Stinking poison
Sin euphoria
Where life’s meaning wades in a shallow, muddy puddle
And no new taste
(sing this part to your favorite tune)
No new place
No new clothing
No new feeling
No new art
No new wine
No new toy
No new noise
No new bauble
No new ring
No new car
No new poem
No new scenery
No new skin
No new lie
No new anything can satisfy for long.
No new association is a satiation anymore
And even the plaintive inside voice
That says “there must be something more”
Is fading.
This is how the Endteller said it would be
Oh, Beautiful,
Oh, sad, lost, desperate pleasure seeker.
Oh youthful, doomed, nightmare dreamer.
And there’s no way out but more of the same
More of the same
More of the shame
More of the same…

The elusive answer is hiding in plain sight:
Awaken from surface sleep,
For morning awaits with gifts in her hands.
Transforming and new
For there is much more than you have seen or imagined.
Dive deep beneath the flotsam of an empty existence,
Dive deep to where Love Himself waits well beyond the shallows
Though you may not love Love yet,
There, in the depths where you are loved so intensely,
Is a start
Is your ransom
Is your beginning
Is your only hope
Dive deep, drown in Love
Oh, Beautiful, becoming, emerging seeker.
Astound the Endteller.
Dare the depths and be saved from the nowhere-place
The nothing-time
Of a surface-self existence.

Image by Gloryteller

I Shared My Everything

30 May 2013 4 Comments

^~^

^~ ~ ~^

With you

Not only some cash

Not only some time

Not only my past

Nor pain

Not only my failure and success

My love

True, and again, yes

But most of all I shared my faith

Spurned or embraced

That is all I have that really matters

Even Faith-So-Small

My everything and All-In-All

My joys and my sorrows

To make a difference

THE Difference in hope for your tomorrows

A deposit with endless interest

Awaits you there

When and where

And if you will accept the prayer

Of faith

Of everything with you I gladly share.

Image by Gloryteller

Defending His Words With My GPS

24 Apr 2013 Leave a comment

^^^

A GPS plays a special role while traveling strange roads. It tells us where we are, where to turn to reach our destination, how far we have come, how far we have yet to go, what the speed limit is, and where the landmarks, restaurants, and gas stations are. It keeps us from getting lost! It also increases our overall understanding of areas unfamiliar to us. A GPS can greatly enhance the enjoyment of a trip.

It occurred to me that I, as a writer (and we writers, collectively), have a special role, since our craft is expressed through use of our language. It matters how we use our GPS…….. GPS? I see the questions in your eyes.

Grammar, Punctuation, and Spelling!

GPS!

It’s a matter of words – how we string them together in a proper, coherent manner into phrases and sentences.

G,P, and S are our tools – the paint on our canvasses which color our written thoughts.

They are the instruments by which we give tone and texture, pitch and resonance to the songs of our printed voices.

They are the rich furnishings that embellish an empty house (blank page) and transform it into a home (poem, article, story).

Without the order furnished by the use of good grammar, punctuation, and spelling, (and, here, I must add vocabulary) there is confusion and chaos. There is reader discomfort. Instead of the stream flowing smoothly, their cognative canoes encounter obstacles which impede progress. Instead of the intended float-trip through a beautiful landscape of understanding, there is a laborious detour through a swamp of lost meaning.

Today our language, (both the written and the spoken) is under attack by laziness, carelessness, apathy, ignorance, and lack of meaningful use by the general public. It seems few people actually care anymore about The Queen’s English (meaning the standard, correct, conventional, most easily-understood-worldwide form of the language). It is dying a slow death – even in the “media” – even in schools. Our language is undergoing a deliberate “dumbing down”. It seems to me that bad grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary are somehow becoming more socially acceptable to many people than good grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary. To me, that is a very sad circumstance. The consequences are tangible, for example, when thousands of job applications are rejected for not having been written properly. It is essential to be able to express one’s thoughts and ideas clearly, concisely, and in an intelligent manner.

As writers, we find ourselves in a unique position. We have a responsibility, and an obligation to make proper use of our language, not only for our readers’ benefit, and our own benefit, but for the benefit of the English language itself, and Society itself.

I must now state that I am not a journalist, nor an English major. I’ve never had a creative writing course; the way I write is God-given. All my knowledge of reading and writing came from grades one through twelve in public school, way back when “reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic” were considered very important, and were taught classically. There was no “dumbing down” back then, only “smartening up”. That being said, this post may still contain some GPS errors, but it’s not for lack of trying, and it’s not for lack of caring about English. I’m no expert, but whatever my shortcomings, I’m still a writer. Writing is my passion, my delight, and, most importantly, my calling.

As writers, we find ourselves the appointed guardians, supporters, and defenders of The Language, and not only our language but God’s language; His words. HIS WORD. Writers and readers alike should gain proficiency in GPS and vocabulary, especially if they happen to be reading or writing about The Bible, God’s people, or King Jesus — The Word of God, Himself.

Image by Gloryteller

Country Life

10 Apr 2013 2 Comments

DSCF0673

Oh, the poetic beauty of country life.
If I had slept ten thousand nights,
I could not have dreamed the like
Of birdsong sounds,
Of visual delights.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

Image by Gloryteller

One Last Mountain

04 Apr 2013 2 Comments

by Gloryteller in Allegory, Belief in God, Christian Poetry, Christian Writing, Evangelism, Faith, God's Gifts, God's Grace, God's Provision, Good News, Holy Spirit, Hope, Life, Metaphor, Personal Testimony, Salvation Tags: Climbing, Death and resurrection, doubt, Faith, Life, Metaphor, Mountain, Mountaineering, old age, One Last Mountain, Testimony, the final frontier, uncertainty

One Last Mountain

painting by John McNaughton

Re-posted for R. L., a dedicated reader who liked the way this format “walks” across the page.
It’s actually a quirky glitch in the WordPress transposition of the way I really wanted it displayed. 🙂

I only recent conquered one
Not so distant past
But each peak now seems harder than
Was climbing up the last

Perhaps I’m almost finished
My climber says I’m not
My will is not diminished
My body not quite shot

But one can hardly ever tell
When one’s nice trail will end
What waits beyond horizon’s hill
Or ’round next river bend

And there will be that one higher
More fright’ning to attempt
Looming there one last hard climb
Where no one is exempt

Daunting doubts I reckon
Uncertain and unknown
Cold airless shadows beckon
To scale it all alone

You fool you will not be alone
The trail well-marked and lit
The crags will have beginner’s holds
You surely will not slip

Up toward my final peak
The one on which I’ll stay
I’ll wait until He finally speaks
Then lifts my soul away

Thus will it be that in the end
I’ll rest there where He Is
In the beauty of the Endless Land
With Him and all of His

I AM, I Must, I Overflow

02 Apr 2013 2 Comments

I, Writer

I AM an artist who has a painting inside,
Begging its colors be seen.

I AM a sculptor who has a statue inside,
Screaming to take form in stone.

I AM a singer who has a song in me,
Shouting to be given a voice.

I AM a songwriter who has a streaming score of notes in me,
Imploring that I arrange them into music.

I AM a minister with a message that wants out,
Pleading to be given life.

I AM an actor with the line of a lifetime,
Prompting me incessantly to be delivered.

I AM a poet, an epic verse within,
Oh, how it longs for its flight into the world.

I AM all the above and too many more to name,
Having gifts within to be shared and un-contained.
Too full!
Alas, it is a cloying form of cruelty,
A pretty kind of pain.

I AM
All the above,
For Real and in Figure,
I AM a writer with untold stories stewing,
Steaming, brewing,
Lines and verses,
Of characters, and plots, and loves, and loss, and joy,
And glories
Ready to burst forth from my heart, and chest, and breath, and pen.

Only a writer could know…..
Especially,
A Writer like God……

Image by Gloryteller

Gloryteller

A Gift of Musical Joy, Peace, and Hope, Just For You

A Brief History of “The Godsend” (I Keep Forgetting) Help Charities, Buy This Book, Please!

O Christbirth Tree, O Christbirth Tree!

IT’S CHRISTBIRTH! I Don’t Like “Christmas”, But I Really Like Christmas.

Happiness Is Being Born TWICE!

A Brief History of “The Godsend” (I Keep Forgetting) Help Charities, Buy This Book, Please!

Thank You, My GREATEST Audience

Thankful for a Grateful Heart

Friendship Matters

Beauty Never Gets Old

Momentously Graced

Therefore, I Must Write

Seeing A Scene Between The Lines — Another God Nod !

He Returns On Fire In The Third Person

You’re Living On The Surface

Defending His Words With My GPS

Country Life

One Last Mountain

I AM, I Must, I Overflow

Me, Myself, and I AM

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Me, Myself, and I AM

Follow Me On Facebook

Latest Musings

Pages: My Way of Glorytelling by Storytelling

Archives – My Saved Works

Please Scroll To The Bottom Of This Page To Find Links To Christmas Music, Book Reviews, A Map, And Other Delightful Info

About The Music Links Below

Christmas Music Videos

The Basic Christian Library

Compelling Christian Fiction Reads

Copyright Licensing

Write Me Here:

Email Subscription

My Signature Story

Great Sites and Sounds

For Your Reading Enjoyment, This Is Like A Park, Use It, Enjoy It, and Leave Everything Where You Found It.