Home » Writer's Blogs » Deborah-Hall-Branch

Faith To Believe

Deborah Hall-Branch ⁽¹⁷⁶⁾ Red Level Author

Deborah Hall-Branch

Fruit of the Spirit Ministry

"Surprise Almost Killed Me Before ..."

Posted Wednesday, June 24, 2009 (150 days 20 hours ago.) Viewed 286 times.

A few days ago while in a deep-hearted conversation with a young aspiring writer, we somehow managed to invade the subject of trust. It seems he'd lost his for anything proven to be human. Sitting there listening to the deeply embedded hurts forming themselves as words from his mouth, I carefully watched the huge lump of disappointment in his throat ascend and descend.

He concluded each narrative with "Nothing surprises me any more. Surprise almost killed me before." Although I'd suffered many hardships in my own life, unable to imagine the measure of pain he felt in his grief stricken heart. Distraught, the young man went on to share more intimate secrets of previously trusting those who soon showed to be unworthy.

With a marriage of twenty years three days away from being legally over, I couldn't help but think how so many have thrown away valuable relationships, friendships, associations taking them ever so lightly. In this person's mind, whatever fates still awaited him, nothing would ever come as a surprise anymore.

His life appeared before him as a script being written daily, the editors changing characters at any given time without warning him. Remembering lines gave the impression of being pointless. Hope, laughter, joy had been canceled.

Refusing to bombard him with biblical scriptures, my ears remained attentive to his hidden weeping. At the end, we both sat back in our chairs and exhaled. Glancing into his eyes, softly I said, "Jesus wept," and the young man began to weep uncontrollably.

In slowly succumbing to the voices of betrayal, loneliness, his heart melted away when he discovered Christ wept also. It was then he confessed reaching the end of his own strength. If Christ knew how he felt, perhaps He'd be willing to help him.

Psalm 147:3 says, "He healeth the broken heart, and bindeth up their wounds." That day he found trust again, and in one whom'd remain faithfully his friend forever, Christ the physician of broken hearts and wounds.

Every time I get opportunity to view someone being resuscitated back to life after the flat line has been called, then "nothing surprises even me any more." Disappointments in life being ever so strong, stormy cannot maintain under the love of our Creator. It is then when we become weak, He becomes strong. In moments of despair, voids of finances, tolerance running low, He remains faithful.

Today, let not your heart be troubled with life's negative inclinations. If you've misplaced your hope in the boundaries of your tears, there's a way of finding it again. There's nothing wrong with discovering nothing surprise you any more, but remember, "Jesus Wept."

Permalink Comments (38)

"Jesus Wept"

Posted Tuesday, April 07, 2009 (228 days 22 hours ago.) Viewed 646 times.

Alone in the garden as the disciples slept, did you know that Jesus wept?

Full of sorrow, in deep distress,
prepared for the cross, before His arrest.

Betrayed, denied by those He loved;
yet, kept His eyes focused on heaven above.

Bearing the sins of all humanity,
He walked through the town carrying that tree.

They blasphemed Him …
cast lots for His garments while wagging their heads.

With authority! He could have pronounced them dead.

Someone yelled, "If you are King of the Jews, save yourself."

His response became, "Father, Forgive them" instead.

Darkness came, the veil split,
Jesus cried, "Into your hands I commit my Spirit."

On that third day-He rose with even greater power.
Seen by many, and then ascended to the Father.

On the throne, again they sit side-by-side.
The one whose face they had spat.

With keys to hell in one hand, the sting of death in the other,
Filled with love, He kept His promise to send another.

Now, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess
"No greater love has ever been shown,

Except by the one who paid the debt."

Permalink Comments (32)

"A Merry Heart Doeth Good ..."

Posted Monday, March 16, 2009 (250 days 18 hours ago.) Viewed 269 times.

It never surprised any of us that where ever we traveled one of us would do something so hilarious we'd laugh about it for months. Earlier this summer, along with six other associates we took an overnight business trip from Atlanta , Georgia to Huntsville , Alabama . Before leaving home, everyone had been assigned their roommates for our hotel stay. Mostly on these trips, we stayed four to a room.

There were only a few important specifications for lodging, other than that we all blended quit nicely. We'd arrived kind of late that evening in Huntsville . By the time everyone got checked in, gathered up our luggage and located our rooms, it'd already started getting dark.

As way of showing their appreciation, the staff board members at their expense took the liberty to make reservations for dinner at one of Huntsville 's elegant restaurants, but insisted we relax first. One of my roommates put her luggage away and ventured off to the lobby, while our other friend quietly lied across the bed for a quick nap.

In the midst of everyone off doing their own thing this gave me opportunity to take complete advantage of practically having the room to myself. After styling my hair, I decided to iron my clothes. Let me just say this before going any further, for two years I'd managed to remain off our "Hall of Fame" list for embarrassing moments. But, this trip would go down in history. No doubt it would make "Top Ten" on the chart. All thanks to me.

While retrieving the ironing board and iron from the closet, I couldn't help but notice the metal tan box resembling a microwave sitting on the closet floor.

"Great! We can have popcorn later." I thought to myself.

Excited about my new discovery, standing there with iron in hand, and a huge smile on my face, I made the announcement of the year.

"There's a microwave in the closet. We can have popcorn later."

For a split second nothing but silence, then all of a sudden the sleeping friend burst out into this uncontrollable laughter. Trying desperately to speak, with her hand waving around in the air, all she could manage to say was, "That's, that's not "

"It's not what." I said. Finishing her statement.

"A, a microwave, it's a safety deposit box."

Warmth of embarrassment began to flush my face. My ears burned while every saliva gland in my mouth dried up.

"Oh, my God, I'll never live this down." I said.

Her infectious merriment soon grabbed me, and before you knew it, we were both in tears from laughing so hard. Of course, I did make the "Top Ten" list, but soon didn't care.

Proverbs 17:22 declares, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine" That evening, we both needed the laughter.

Permalink Comments (14)

Keys of a Successful Juggler

Posted Monday, March 16, 2009 (250 days 18 hours ago.) Viewed 22 times.

As a child I developed a great fascination for jugglers. Their magnificent ability to perform and concentrate all at the same time repeatedly drew my curiosity. Glancing back over this year's planner, I discovered my assistant had already begun to arrange my appointments. Between meeting publishing deadlines, book promotional trips, seminars, family, doctor's appointments 2009 definitely started off with a full schedule. Wondering how I'd strategically be able to fulfill each appointment without becoming overwhelmed, staring at the two soft balls on top of my desk they reminded me of the jugglers. Researching their tactics, I discovered some key points of being a productive juggler while keeping your audience content.

1. There's a grave difference from knowing how to juggle vs. an effective performance. The most effective performer learns from those who have done it before. Use others around you successful ways of limiting stress as your format.

2. Juggle with style. Don't let the many balls overwhelm you. One day I woke up married (sounds like Eve doesn't it), later on an author, elder, mother, and the list goes on. We have two adult daughters who still daily anticipate me answering their noon day calls for great words of wisdom on solving problems with over bleached hair, the baby throwing his shoes in the trash for the third time, and antidotes for undoing overcooked pasta. Although I'm nine hundred miles away, long distance care and supervision for my eighty-three year old mother who refuses to live with me. In the midst of quick whispered prayers for help so that I can maintain style, professionalism, understanding, effectiveness in juggling, there's an email from my publisher reminding me of important deadlines. Then comes point number three.

3. Don't try to fit in all your tricks. A happy performer is an effective performer. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and He shall direct your paths."

4. The important element of your performance, involvement. If you're married, let your spouse help with some of the daily tasks. There's nothing wrong with them coming home from work and preparing dinner. Get the children more active in the performance. My youngest grandson Caleb loves to sweep the floor. We let him! Believe it or not the best audience is an audience who's allowed to participate.

5. Keep the pace of juggling going. You drop one ball, keep going. It takes more energy to start up again. Know when you've become overwhelmed. Grab a hot cup of tea, piece of fruit. It's lunch time! As an author I've found that when I'm suffering with writers block because I've become overwhelmed with another situation, walking away for a few moments starts my creativity back up again. Do whatever it takes to keep your show going.

6. Jugglers are more prosperous in groups and one person always does the most talking. Get up early enough to spend time in prayer. Seek Him for instructions and guidance. Rely on His strength. You'll need it to get you through your daily performance.

7. Audiences like to feel special. I'm the CEO of my home based business. Majority of the calls that come through my office are for me, and from those who refuses to speak with my assistant, but insist their calls be handled with specialty. Despite their rude tone, void of patience, blend into your performance the remembrance of a name, their children's birth date, or pet's name. It'll help end the call in a more delightful fulfillment for you and them.

8. End your performance at its peak. Resist the temptation of letting your family suffer the volcano erupting inside of you from the last horrific incident of your day. Go away, sit down, and exhale first. Ignore the "anger heckler." Plan your next day wisely then place the itinerary in God's hands. If He erase away some of the bullets without consulting you, give Him "Thanks."

9. After dinner and everyone is tucked neatly away, light the candles, put on some comforting music, and if you're married, pull your spouse onto the shores of romance before saying good night. A good juggler also knows how to recreate emotional security over and over again.

Permalink Comments (8)

Archives:

November 2009
M	T	W	T	F	S	S
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30
« Oct

All Posts by Deborah Hall-Branch

Faith To Believe

"Surprise Almost Killed Me Before ..."

"Jesus Wept"

"A Merry Heart Doeth Good ..."

Keys of a Successful Juggler

Archives:

Previous Posts:

Related Posts:

Blogroll