Escapism. Good or Stumbling Block? Healthy or junk food?

"God, who at various times and in various ways spoke..."  (Hebrews 1:1) 

I just love that. As I look through the Bible, I marvel at the different ways that God spoke to or ministered to people throughout history. I am in awe that He cares about us and even chooses to be in touch with us. He is so personal; He approached individuals where they were, and touched their lives. What really "gets me" is that He still does that today. He is, after all, "the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)

I have had something niggling my mind over these last months. Honestly, I ignored it until today when I stumbled into THIS ARTICLE. I am glad I did.

If you have ever browsed Pinterest, I am sure you have come across some amazing images, quotes, or information, as I have. I see a lot of stuff on there pertaining to a "love" for books. I have also been impacted by books, and I understand being passionate about reading. It is a tremendous privilege to be able to read, and to have so many options at my fingertips. But, is there ever a time when my privilege becomes my downfall? 

"I encourage people not to use books as an escape because anything used for escape from life/reality can then become an addiction and idol in our lives"    E. Stephen Burnett

How legitimate do you think the above statement is? 

 I can only go by my own experience. I have seen how I can have a tendency to go overboard on things I enjoy, things that please me, things that make me content; but what happens when those things develop a life of their own? What if every emotion leads me to that activitiy or thing? When I am sad, I read. When I am happy, I read. When I am scared, I read. When I am frustrated, I read. When I am overwhelmed, I read.

Escapism doesn't leave a lot of room for dealing with and confronting the issues. Escapism doesn't leave a lot of room for growing, changing, experiencing good things, being better. Escapism doesn't leave room for leaving a legacy of example to my kids. I mean, my kids watch me and learn from me, so what will my example of "escapism" teach them? To avoid? To hide? To retreat? 

Only, there are moments in life when escapism is NOT the answer. When battling for what is good, right, true is what needs to be done. So... how can I balance escapism with real life?? Well, first off, I have to pray, making sure that God is FIRST and FOREMOST in my life, heart, and thoughts. Then, I have to evaluate how things lay. Where are my priorities? Are my priorities affecting positive or negative change? If I am unsure, there is another cause for prayer. And, even if it looks positive, it is still best to pray for discernment and confirmation that it actually IS positive. Keep Jesus in the thick of life. He is the best Compass. He is the best Captain.

(Image is called Stay the Course by Keith Goodson.) 


"Let that fantasy book inspire you to pursue a braver faith and epic life." -Nadine Brandes  (Find this quote HERE.)

Essentially, it comes down to this. Jesus said, "Draw near to me, and I will draw near to you." Am I allowing myself to draw near, or putting stumbling blocks in my own way? 

We are what we eat. We are where we spend our time. David said, "May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14) Is my reaction to stress, discouragement, disappointment, frustration, anger, etc... directing my attention TO Him? Or is it being directed to something in place of Him?

Maybe I need to make sure that what I am putting into my heart, mind, life should reflect something a bit more than just escape. Even something fun, fluffy, or nonsensical can have purpose. Even to remind me to BREATHE. To smile. To be. There is "a time for everything" (Ecclesiastes 3:1)... But I need to make sure I am not making it a HABIT to escape, to be distracted. It may not be time for that. If it becomes a habit, it can make me spiritually sleepy, or complacent. And, there is NO time for that. God calls us to be WAKEFUL, to be AWARE. 

Jesus, I know that I get easily distracted. Please help me to know which things are healthy for me, and which things are not. Teach me to balance my priorities, my preferences, and my life for Your glory. Show me what may not be beneficial, or BEST, for me, and give me courage to face issues with wisdom and discernment. Help me to see and hear You, so I know where to go, and how to go. Thank You for never "leaving or forsaking" me. Amen.

If you are looking for a book that will both entertain, grab you in, lead you on a journey that is both different and exciting and personal... read A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes. It is my favorite book for 2014. To know more about the book or the author, click HERE.

YOU... Yes, YOU...

  "...writing doesn't earn my living; it fills my soul." - R.J. Larson 
 (Click on the quote above to be directed to the post where this was read. There is GREAT advice there for novice writers regarding writing, editing, publishing; and all done in a very down-to-earth and clear way. I was impressed and NOT overwhelmed, so I decided it needed to be shared.)   :-)


What, in this grand, amazing, beauty-filled world gets straight to your heart? I could name so many different causes, organizations, events, experiences, and things that might pique my interest or touch me, but, in general,  I am inspired by people and the beauty of nature. Rainbows, flowers, butterflies, waterfalls, sunsets; the colors, fragrances, textures, flavors that appeal to my senses; Acts of kindness, compasson and care; hugs and kisses; and so many beautiful and joyful moments that life brings.

Sometimes it isn't easy to focus on those good things in life. I don't much like watching the news for this reason. I can speak for my life, at least, when I say that days are already so full and heavy, wearying and discouraging, and grief-filled. But, it is critically important to remember to see and hear and do GOOD, beautiful, right things in the midst of it all. The Bible says to "Encourage yourself daily." And, as we encourage ourselves, we are also more prepared to encourage others. We need one another. We were never meant to "go it alone".

So, in this moment, I just want you to know that YOU matter. You are important, and I hope you KNOW that you are loved. Perhaps you don't feel that love from people around  you, at least, in the way you feel you need it. God loves you, and in this moment I pray that YOU will have a sense of how much He cares for you. His love is "deeper than the deepest ocean, higher than the highest mountain", and it spans as long as and wide as the horizon, as the distance from East to West.

Philippians 4: 8 and 9, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are TRUE, whatever things are NOBLE, whatever things are JUST, whatever things are PURE, whatever things are LOVELY, whatever things are of GOOD REPORT, if there is any VIRTUE and if there is anything PRAISEWORTHY- meditate on these things."

In this moment, I am thinking of you. How grateful I am for YOU, for your individuality, your uniqueness, your character. God saw you before you were born, and He said it was good. Wow. And, so, I celebrate YOU today, because you are an amazing work of art, created by a Master Creator, for a purpose. If you don't know yet what that purpose is, ask Him. He will show you. I have no doubt of that. :-)

Have a wonderful day!
CC

Happy Thanksgiving Introduction...

The holidays are upon us. Can you believe it? I am having a hard time comprehending how fast time is passing by. I suppose that part of my disbelief comes from watching my kids grow like tall, stretching, reaching saplings,and years tacking on like burrs on clothes.

Anyway, let me introduce myself. My name is CC, and I am an aspiring creative. I love music, art, literature, and all kinds of crafty things. Essentially, I love anything that tells a good story with words, color, image, sound, and I love to learn along the way. I tend to have pretty eclectic tastes, in general, so I hope that this space will encourage and bless you. Perhaps there will be times that it may cause one to think deeply, or even just to laugh and acknowledge a bit of beauty. Either way, I hope you will join me as I sift through my life and the world wide web for interesting and, even, unusual things.

For today, here is a post that broaches a subject I have never heard quite referred to in this way before. How can Thanksgiving be implemented or appreciated in a dystopian world? What do you think? Feel free to leave a comment. :-)  (Click HERE)