This word has popped up in my daily Bible reading for the past few days and a few weeks ago a verse that contained this word was sitting on my heart. One way I've noticed that God teaches me different topics is that I read a certain word (like counsel) over and over again in different passages of scripture. The continual repeating catches my eye and I take note.
Counsel is defined as "advice, opinion, or instruction, given upon request," AND "for directing the judgment or conduct of another opinion, given upon deliberation or consultation." At some point in our lives, we find ourselves seeking counsel from others. They may be friends, relatives, or someone you know through church, and you seek their advice for a certain decision you have to make, or some choice in what career path to take. Whatever it is, we need to take notice about what kind of counsel we are seeking. "The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit." (Proverbs 12:5) There is such a thing as bad counseling. You're liable to be misguided and waste a lot of time if you take the trip down this path. This path could also lead you into sin. In Psalm 33, the Psalmist writes, "The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought. . ." (verse 10) The counsel of the heathen--or the bad counsel--will be brought to nothing. There's no foundation under it to support you. Don't be so hard on yourself if you've fallen for this kind of counsel. We're human, we all make mistakes sometimes. The good thing to take away from this is that we can learn from our mistakes and move in the right direction. The direction God intends for us to go. :) The verse I mentioned earlier that was sitting on my heart is the very next verse of Psalm 33: "The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations." How many times have we heard or read the phrase in the Bible, "The LORD is good"? If He is good, then His counsel is good. His counsel, as the verse tells us, lasts FOREVER. Every generation now, and in the coming years, will always have God's counsel to lean on. If you're unsure of that career choice, seek God's counsel. Where is His counsel? In the Bible! :) Prayer is also helpful in these areas. With His wisdom and His Word to guide you, you won't be led astray. You will be guided. "The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. . ." (Psalm 19:8a) In a sermon I recently heard, the pastor defined that word "right" as straight. God's Word and His Counsel won't lead you astray. They are a straight path. . . a path that leads straight to Him. I pray that this touches your heart today, friends. :)
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Happy Thursday, friends!
I am SO excited to give you a writing update today, (FINALLY!) for the first time in a while. Between work, family events, and celebrations I didn't get much time to write at all but now I have some free time (AKA: writing time!) Eee! So, I'm currently 11 chapters into my latest story and the word count sits at roughly 27,500 words. My goal is to hit 80,000 words, which is the typical length for what is considered a novel today. That means I only have. . . hmmm. . . *calculating* 21 more chapters to go! It's also the first time in awhile that I'm "starting fresh" as it were and writing something original instead of the normal "rewriting" I do with my older stories. It took a couple weeks to plan everything out (I'm part plotter, part pantser) and getting to sit down and explore the lives of these characters has been a blessing. This project has been bathed in prayer so much already and it continues to be. . .every time I sit down and write. The Lord has graciously given me the words and it seems like they just keep coming! Sometimes I can't stop writing, my brain racing on ahead of my fingers. Ah, the problems of a writer. ;) Now I'm sure you're all wondering, What is it about? I've been trying to type out a reasonable synopsis but there isn't one I'm satisfied with so I'll just say this. It's a story about sisters and their various struggles in the current season they are in, it's about their family, the people they connect with, but it's also about legacy. Undergirding the book, is this sense of purpose in living out someone else's legacy and using the tools--even the words--they left behind to help you live more intentionally and to bloom where you are planted. (That word plays a very important role in the story! Alright, enough of me giving you spoilers. Lol! ) The working title for this story (which could very easily change) is Where Life and Memories Bloom. And as a special treat, you're getting a sneak peek at one of the scenes I enjoyed writing so far! (Quick note: Melissa and Connor are siblings and Henry is a cute guy Melissa's had a crush on since the first day of high school.) “What exactly have you said to Henry? Have you indicated that you really like him somehow?” His growl may have seemed like anger to one on the outside but Melissa could read the protective instincts in his tone. As much as the thought warmed her, she recoiled from it as well. She didn’t need protecting from Henry. She could handle him if need be. Just like she had tonight. . . submitting to his request for a hug and letting him have it. Oh, nuts. Of course, that would make her seem the vulnerable, innocent type to her overly protective brother. “No, he doesn’t know. . .” She let the sentence hang. She even added a word of her own to the end of it. Yet. Connor must’ve come to the same conclusion because as soon as she closed her door and buckled, he revved the engine and squealed out of the dark parking lot. The sound made her jump. It must’ve scared this side of Virginia. The families living across the river should consider themselves lucky. “Well, he won’t have to know if I can help it.” He grumbled, picking right up where they’d left off. “Hen—Connor! You aren’t going to do anything.” “He’s too slick for your own good.” “Then let me handle him. . . and how dare you say he’s slick. He’s not. He’s barely just a puppy out of high school.” An adorable puppy with blue eyes and that rich golden hair that so reminded her of a golden retriever. “And that makes you the kitten who needs to escape from the fangs of the loose hound dog.” Melissa shot him a glare. “Then who am I good for, if you’re so smart?” Silence fell. She speared him with another fierce look that didn’t seem to affect him at all. “Well, Mr. over protective brother?” Connor quirked a grin at that. “So, in other words, your knight in shining armor?” “Arrgh. You’re hopeless.” “I don’t know who you’re good for.” His quiet words sent a charge through her. Then why did he think he have to spout it off as if he knew of someone else for her? Men, boys, they were all alike. She couldn’t understand his thought process. “You don’t know or you don’t want to tell me?” Melissa scrutinized him to see if there was any change about his expression. Any look that would give him away. There wasn’t. Connor just sat there smirking like he had some big secret up his sleeve. She narrowed her eyes and folded her arms. She twisted in her seat to face him. “Well, if I can’t manage to woo someone and you don’t have anyone in mind for me, then what do you propose that I do?” Connor let loose a laugh. “Find yourself a dog.” ********* Hope you enjoyed! :) |
AuthorHi! I'm Carolyn, a writer seeking to glorify God with my words. Archives
February 2024
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