Soaring on a Challenging Journey

As we moved through another year, I find myself reflecting on a past writing entitled "Words of Faith". The past several years have truly been challenging and life-changing. As I faced each life challenge, I was (and still is) strengthened and comforted by God's Word because the words of faith to me are like the sweet nectar to a butterfly.

Legacy Butterfly V (c) 2012 Sally Cherry

Legacy Butterfly VI (c) 2012 Sally Cherry

Words of Faith
As nectar nourishes...
 a butterfly,
The words of faith...
 nourish me.
So, I feed on...
God's Word
For it strengthens me. 

Verse © 1999 Sally Cherry

   Each challenge has been an essential step toward a deeper and stronger faith. As I move forward, I wrap myself in God's love, pray for His grace, seek His mercy and cling to His Word. The blessing of God's presence inspires me to reflect and share through my blog, photos, and verses better known as "My Butterfly Story". The butterfly which symbolizes "metamorphosis" (or "a marked change") serves as a personal reminder of my ongoing journey. When I reflect on the amazing story of the monarch butterfly, I am in awe of its journey as depicted in the 2014 documentary based on the critically acclaimed book, "Four Wings and a Prayer: Caught in the Mystery of the Monarch Butterfly" by Sue Halpern. It follows the migration of the Monarch butterfly from its Canadian birthplace to its wintering spot in the rainforests of Mexico. As I reflect on this "great mystery", I prayerfully feed on God's Word and soar forward on my journey.

Glorifying God with Christian Writing

 

MCC Christian Writers Group Meeting (2005)

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

 Since the late 90s, I have been blessed to be a member of Mountain Christian Church (MCC) Writers' Group, a supportive community for Christian writing. As a Christian and a writer, I embrace the blessing of collective prayer, uplifting fellowship; and skill-enhancing information received within the open community. Throughout the years of growth and development, the MCC Writers Group's leadership and members have been true to its mission. 

MCC Christian Writers Group Retreat (2005)

As a member of the MCC Writers Group, I embrace its mission… Desire to glorify God by providing a supportive community for Christian writing by: Enhancing our spiritual growth and writing skills; Encouraging one another at regular meetings that include Bible study, prayer time, motivation and skill enhancement; and Equipping Christian writers to minister using the Word and their talent to inspire others.

Perdix perdix (Grey partridge) by Marek Szczepanek

The MCC Writers' Group publishes a weekly blog, Portions of Grace to glorify God through devotions. For the next twelve days, the MCC Writers Group will be posting a devotion for each of the twelve (12) verses of the popular Christmas song, The Twelve Days of Christmas. I am honored to write the first day’s devotion, “A Partridge in a Pear Tree”. During my research, I discovered several unfamiliar accounts pertaining to the origin of the song. Thus a devotion with a deeper look at the first gift noted in the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas.

You are invited to read, reflect, and comment on Portions of Grace's Christmas devotional, The Twelve Days of Christmas as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. 

Portions of Grace
MCC Writers' Group weekly blog to glorify God through devotions. 

Mountain Christian Church (MCC) Writers Group
A ministry for Christian writers to help each other grow professionally and spiritually.

The Twelve Days of Christmas: A Partridge in a Pearl Tree
On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me a partridge in a pear-tree

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Resources for Christian Writers

Faith Bloggers
Help Christian Blogers Find their Place Online 

FaithWriters.com^®
FaithWriters.com, the Ultimate Community for Christian Writers.  

Compassion Bloggers.

The Christian Writer's Market Guide 2013
The most comprehensive and highly recommended resource on the market 
for Christian writers, agents, editors, publishers, publicists, and writing teachers.

Weebly - Website Building
Create a FREE website for your Christian Blog and/or Ministry!

Weeping for Joy and Thanking God for the Years

Wow... Today is my birthday! I thank God for every year given.

My Birthplace

Sixty-one years ago,  a doctor in a small town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland turned to an awaiting father to tell him that "She would had been a nice, little girl." Years later, the father would expressed that it was a sad moment Not to hear his baby girl cry out. It was only as the doctor was placing the small, lifeless bundle at the foot of the bed when he sensed a flicker of life. Years later, the awaiting mother  would comment that if the baby was not dead before, "she should have been after the ice water and 'body slinging' used by the doctor". 

As the baby cried out, the father would weep for joy and thank God for his new baby girl who would remind unnamed for an entire month.  When she was named, the father and mother agreed to give her the name of his beloved mother, "Sally".  

Clockwise: Mother, Me, Father, Daughter

As you may have guessed, I was that baby girl... Sally Shervonne (Sharvonne) Cherry. Needless to say, I will forever be grateful for that attentive country doctor. I thank God for guiding the doctor to do "whatever" it took to revive his small, lifeless patient. I thank God for a mother and father who would love and nurture their "small bundle" until their respective homegoings.

So I embrace each day and experience placed on my path. For God has a plan. Today, I am excited to see what The Lord has planned for my birthday. I pray for discernment, wisdom and strength as I focused on Jesus Christ who loved me even before I was born. God said "I will take care of you!" I hear it... I believe it... End of discussion! He has taken care of me for 61 years and He will not leave me now. So giving all praise to God I go forth on the day of my earthly birth. God is so good!

Going about my way... Steps of Faith

Hello to you and another God-given day,

 Filled with anticipation and excitement, I greet another day... unlike yesterday or tomorrow. No day is ever the same! Indeed, I am excited and humbled about discovering what (or who) will be placed on my path today. What will I learn... who will I meet... What will I see... Who will I help! Each day is truly a gift. So I venture out to see what awaits me today. If our paths should cross, let's walk together... Connecting, Reaching, Growing, Serving, and Giving together.

I humbly thank God Almighty... for each and every amazing day...for walking with me... for carrying me... for His grace, patience, and amazing love. Over the years, I have traveled various life paths. Some were overwhelming, and The Lord cleared my mind. Some were blinding, and The Lord opened my eyes. Some were painful, and The Lord was my comfort. Through it all, my faith and I have grown stronger during the darkest hour and in the lowest valley.

How is that even possible? Simple answer... Steps of Faith.

I know that throughout my "walk", I am Never alone. God Almighty walks with me each and every day! Some days, He carries me. I am so thankful that our God Almightly loves me so much!

Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

My Butterfly Story: The Words of Faith

Over the years, many of my "Steps of Faith" have been bookmarked with a butterfly symbolizing the metamorphosis or marked change in condition brought with each step. Thus, "My Butterfly Story" is a collection of inspired verses, photos, and thoughts from my quiet moments with God. "My Butterfly Story" is my personal reflection on "marked changes" in my spiritual condition as I grow deeper and stronger in faith.
"The Words of Faith" A beautiful, brown butterfly is a special bookmark...
Photographed on a bright Sunday morning after I had listened to a spiritually moving message at my church. As I was walking and reflecting on the message, the butterfly crossed directly in front of me. Then, it perched on a blossom-covered bush beside me. So, I paused to watch as it fed on the nectar of the nearby blossoms. It never moved from the blossoms. Not even when I slipped out my camera and took several photos of it. The butterfly's attention was solely focused on the source of it's nourishment... the nectar.So, this feeding butterfly is a bookmark for me...

Words of Faith
As nectar nourishes a butterfly,
the words of faith nourish me.
So, I feed on God's Word
For it strengthens me.

Bible Scripture
"If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained."
1 Timothy 4:6 (KJV)

Text and photographs © 1999 Sally Cherry. All rights reserved.