March 2018 ruby

Warrior on My Knees

by Christina Murphy

When God Turns the Page of Our Book

by Sharon L. Patterson

The 41st Gift

by Maryann Lorts

Corsets and Crow’s Feet

by Lisa Radcliff

And he walked with God . . .

by Suzane Avadiar

RUBY Magazine Your voice, your story MARCH, 2018 www.rubyforwomen.com

In This Issue of RUBY Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice Muffins Springtime in a Muffin

by Theresa L Begin

Two are Better: Midlife Newlyweds Bicycle Coast to Coast Interview with Tim and Debbie Bishop

Hello March! We are so excited as we anticipate the arrival of spring in just a few short weeks. In this issue of RUBY magazine you will find inspirational articles and short stories that celebrate family and the upcoming Easter season.

Book reviews, recipes, and even a brand-new Kids’ Corner section complete with book reviews, historical insights into St. Patrick’s Day, a short story and a coloring page for the kids. I know you will enjoy this issue of RUBY magazine!

We would love to have you join us in the RUBY community, now on Facebook, so it is really easy for you to connect with us. Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/rubyforwomen/ Hope to see you there!

Carnegie’s Maid

by Marie Benedict Book review by Miriam Jacob

Easter Basket Drama

by Nancy Frantel

Senior Editor: Nina Newton Editorial Assistant: Theresa Begin Feature Writers: Sharon L. Patterson, Norma C. Mezoe, Shara Bueler-Repka, Carol Peterson, Maryann Lorts, Rejetta Morse, Joan Leotta, Nancy Frantel, Michele Morin, Kathryn Ross, Lisa J. Radcliff, R.G. Sharpe, Tim Bishop, Cindy Evans, Jehn Kubiak, Suzane Avadiar, Christina Murphy, Jewell Utt, Miriam Jacob, Donna B. Comeaux, Sheila von Maltitz, Debra Gray-Elliot

Biddy Chambers: A Sacramental Life Book Review

by Michele Morin

Credits and Copyrights All stories and articles are copyright by the authors.

All pictures and images are copyright by the authors and / or have been purchased, used by permission or are in the public domain. If any pictures or images have been used inadvertently, and they do not belong in this publication, please email us and we will immediately remove them.

Nothing in this issue of RUBY magazine may be reproduced, copied, or shared without the permission of the author.

Advertising information is available by contacting us at editor@rubyforwomen.com Questions? Email Nina @ editor@rubyforwomen.com RUBY magazine is published by CreativeLife All submission inquiries should be directed to: Nina Newton, Sr. Editor RUBY magazine editor@rubyforwomen.com

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What are You Wearing?

Nina Newton, Sr. Editor Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:12-13 I am the mother of two teenage daughters. Well, I am also the mother of four other grown-up children, two sons and two daughters, but at this stage of my life, my day-to-day encounters are primarily focused on the comings and goings of my two daughters at home. Teenagers can be a lot of work, especially if you have a “high maintenance” kiddo. Not that either of my girls is particularly “high maintenance,” but I will admit that they are “high” enough for this mama to get worn out on occasion.

Teenage daughters require a fair amount of cultural and social awareness, so I can’t just retreat into my old-fashioned, traditional world where things feel a bit more “ordinary” or actually “boring.” Let’s just say, I’m quite content with “ordinary” and “boring.” But these days I’m finding that getting dressed every day can be an exercise in trying to keep up with what’s fashionable and what’s apparently so “yesterday.” Or whatever it’s called these days.

So when I discover that jeans with shredded and destroyed holes in them are the latest fashion trend, I have to ask myself, “Who thought THAT was a good idea?” But if my kiddos love the Lord, and they are diligent students, and they are kind to others, responsible and hardworking, respectful and generous, I guess I really don’t care if their jeans look like they came out of my grandma’s rag bag. If they are clean and modest, I’m good with that.

But that made me think about what I wear every day. Well, my girls would suggest that I really need to buy some new things (but really . . . there’s not much money left over for mama’s clothes when those shredded jeans are so unbelievably expensive – which is a good thing that Fashion Diva daughter has a job and can buy most of her own stuff, but still – kids are expensive!).

The bigger idea as I was thinking about what I’m wearing every day, aside from the reality that yes, I probably really do need some new clothes, is what I am wearing in my spirit. These days it can be challenging to be patient, gentle, compassionate, and express a spirit of humility and kindness because of the rising current of division in our country.

No matter the cause, as we all have our own notions of where this divisiveness originated, I have decided that I need to “clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

So when I find myself being criticized, scolded, and lectured because my opinion might be different from someone else, I try to remember that a garment of kindness can bring a sense of peace, civility, security, and love. It’s amazing what those new clothes can do for each one of us!

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless”

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For inspirational articles by Beth Brubaker, visit her blog at Footprints in the Mud

Tribute to Billy Graham

by Cindy J. Evans Thank you, Lord, for Billy Graham's life and the impact it had on me.

I pray You keep growing and flourishing that long-ago planted seed.

Thank you for his wife, Ruth, and her beautiful poetry, pointing me to You, helping me see more eternally.

Bless his family as they grieve, bless and multiply his legacy...

May it result in much more ministry, All, Lord, for Your glory!

And he walked with God . . .

If Enoch had a tombstone, it would probably state just those five words and yet, it would tell us more than enough...

Enoch walked with God; this divine intimacy was his life’s testimony.

Now here is a very simple truth. There is no hidden mystery to walking with God. To walk with God is simply to seek Him with all our heart, to always set Him before our eyes, and to act knowing we are under His eyes.

Genesis 5:24 introduces and ends the story of Enoch in one simple verse: “And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” That’s all the Old Testament needed to say about Enoch.

That was what Enoch did, that was his life’s testimony. It was an ongoing lifestyle of absolute devotion and blessed companionship. THIS spiritual communion and fellowship is what led him to a kind of faith that pleased God.

Later, in Hebrews 11:5, we see Enoch’s portrait hung in the hall of faith, along with other great fathers of faith: “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: ‘He could not be found, because God had taken him away.’ For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.”

Faith is a gift; the closer we walk with God, the deeper we understand Him, and the stronger our faith becomes. Our journey to understanding the true nature of God’s heart and love for us demands intimacy.

Through the New Testament, we suddenly see a bigger picture of Enoch’s walk and his relationship with God… Enoch walked with God; this divine intimacy resulted in a faith that pleased his Father.

When we walk closely with God, it pleases Him because it always leads to deeper faith. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Enoch believed that God is; he knew his Father well because he walked with Him – not ahead, not a step behind but with Him in every step.

When we experience walking in this kind of communion with our Abba, we will always move forward. The very nature of ‘walking’ results in a steady progress BUT when it is a walk with God, it places us at the centre of His will.

Think about this…

Have you ever tried to understand someone without investing quality time alone with him or her? It’s simply not possibly. How then can we understand and know God - without spending time alone with Him? Intimacy is always birthed behind closed doors; it is in the quiet when we can “be still know that He is God” [Psalm 46:10].

It all begins in the secret place and in solitude. It is always in the quietness of our soul and surrounding that we can experience the fullness of God in absolute intimacy – through His presence and His Word.

This intimacy is the true pursuit of our Father, which we too should imitate. He yearns for us to walk as close companions with Him – no different than Enoch did. From His very first creation, God’s heart has always been to walk in close intimacy with His children. It was why He created man – for Himself.

And from that first moment in the Garden of Eden, when He called out to Adam and Eve, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9), God has not stopped searching for His beloved; He longs to run with open arms towards every prodigal child who decides to come home...

But, God’s children hid then, and many of us are hiding still; always distancing ourselves because of sin, shame, guilt, and countless other lies that the enemy has convinced us to believe!

But the truth is, NOTHING can “separate us from the love of God” (Romans 8:39).

God does not want distance. God wants communion, fellowship, vulnerability, and transparency from us, and He is waiting.

James 4:8 says, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you” so WE must take that first step forward because God honours the free will He has given us.

Your one intentional step towards Him, no matter how small, will draw in a very big God closer to you.

God wants to restore the intimacy that was lost in the garden - so much that He sacrificed His son to a horrific death on the cross, just so that we can be reconciled to Him, because two cannot walk together except they be agreed [Amos 3:3].

Don’t you long to know how it feels to walk shoulder to shoulder with God, as Adam once did?

“It all begins in the secret place and in solitude. It is always in the quietness of our soul and surrounding that we can experience the fullness of God in absolute intimacy – through His presence and His Word.”

Ponder for a moment: What can you do today to make a commitment to remove everything that stands between you and God? What will you do to shut out the world so that you can sit in the quiet and walk closer to your Abba?

About the Column: True intimacy with God is always birthed behind closed doors and In The Quiet. It all begins in the secret place and in solitude. It is always in the quietness of our soul and surrounding that we can experience the fullness of God – through His presence and His Word – in absolute intimacy. This intimacy is the true pursuit of our Father, which we too should imitate.

This monthly column will focus on journeying into the Father’s Heart through our daily lives, using biblical characters and stories as a reference and guide. Our journey to understanding the true nature of God’s heart and love requires intimacy. It is in the quiet when we can “Be still know that He is God” - Psalm 46:10

Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice Muffins Springtime in a Muffin

by Theresa L Begin It seems that as we draw closer to the end of February the pull towards all things spring is inevitable. We've bundled up and enjoyed our autumn breezes, we've celebrated with our family and loved ones for the holidays, looked, longingly, at our fireplaces and snuggled with a good book or old movie, now we look to the promise of spring.

Spring begins in just a few weeks. Yep, March 20th, by my calendar, here, in the United States.

Unfortunately, I do realize that many of you on the East Coast and in other parts of the world are still looking at lots of cold days to come this year. All while others are in the 90s. Goodness!

No matter, I have the perfect, refreshing, welcoming spring, cheer up your winter, or refresh your summer recipe right here! I have seen versions of this recipe in Allrecipes, Bon Appetit and other periodicals. The funny thing is, everyone had their own tips, twist and tricks to it, so it never reads exactly the same. I, actually, really love that.

I am no exception. I made changes to it, as well.

I think you will find this one of those recipes that you will make over and over again and your family will be asking you for your recipe or to make them some! (At least, that's what happened to me! More so, too, I think, than anything else I've made).

I can't argue with them, because I just LOVE them, too! It seems I'm making them at least a couple times a week. Okay enough prelude, here it is….. This is that recipe, “The Fresh Squeezed Orange Muffins” (aren’t they beautiful?!)

It actually tastes even better than it looks! Okay, so you ask, what's the recipe?! I'm going to give you my version and suggest some of the options others have used. It's all about making it your own and using what's available to you. They still will turn out phenomenal, even with alterations!

This recipe will make you one wonderful pan of 12. I can almost guarantee you will be making them again and probably very soon after your first batch. Isn’t that wonderful?!

Make sure you give them some good pokes! You sure want to make sure they soak up all the fresh juice glaze you can get into them!

Then, just look at what you end up with!! Don't worry; there is no way these will be around long enough for you to be concerned that there is just too many for you!

I really should be calling these “Vanishing Muffins of Sunshine”!

This is what your orange juice, pulp and zest should look like for your glaze. In no way thin or see through. No straining out the best ingredients of all!

You have all been wonderfully patient with me, and I appreciate it, here’s the recipe. I do hope you enjoy them.

What you will need: Dry Ingredients:  2 cups All-purpose flour  1 cup sugar (save 1/3 cup aside for your glaze)  1-1/2 Tbsp Baking Powder  1/3 tsp salt Wet Ingredients:  1 cube or 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (others use oil, I prefer butter) Now here is where you have some choices My favorite & what I use, now, is:  1 container of honey or blood orange yogurt  2 Tbsp of sour cream. (others have used 1 full cup of sour cream or 1 full cup of greek yogurt plain) The first time I made it, I didn't have any of the above ingredients and I used 2 Tbsp of cream cheese, filling the rest of the cup with buttermilk, It was wonderful!)  1-1/2 Large eggs, (if you've never done this, simply whisk you first egg and add it to wet mixture, do the same with the 2nd, only pour half of it out and use the rest, 2 really is too much and I didn't find 1 to be enough!  2 oranges, juice, pulp and zest, added to the wet mixture Directions: Preheat your oven to 400F.  Combine dry ingredients and use a whisk to combine and aerate the flour mixture.  Set aside.  Combine your Orange juice, pulp and zest, with your melted (and cooled) butter, eggs, with yogurt and sour cream preference.  Pour over your dry ingredients and, with a spatula, fold together until just combined. do not overwork your muffin batter.  Butter or line your 12 muffin tins and divide the dough into all 12 tins. Don't worry they grow.  Bake @ 400 until toothpick comes out clean, approximately 13-16 minutes. Depending on your oven.  Remove and place tin on wire rack and lay a warm, clean towel over them for 5-10 mins. (the towel prevents any cave ins!)  While your muffins are cooling, some, you're ready to make your glaze!

Glaze   

In a saucepan, combine the juice, pulp and zest from 2 oranges, med sized or 2 tangerines if you like.

Add your remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and, 2/3 cup of powdered sugar on medium heat until you get a nice glaze consistency, about 5-7 minutes on medium heat.

Set aside, briefly.

Now, with a toothpick, poke the tops of your warm muffins about 4-5 times each and then spoon your orange glaze over them. The little holes will allow some of the yummy goodness to soak into the muffin.

Cool and Enjoy! If you can't wait for them to completely cool, just enjoy!

Recipe adaptation by Theresa L. Begin

Winds of March Fly Over the Sea

by Rejetta Morse God commands strong winds to blow – He raises His powerful hand, “Arise! Awake! “Strong winds of March,” while snow melts over the land.

Soon gusty winds blow over the sea, strong waves begin to flow.

They crash and curl with tall splashes, as blustery sharp winds blow.

Three sailboats sail upon the sea; high winds begin to roar, as the harsh winds blow within the tides – they rush towards the shore.

Soon after winds begin to cease; the sharp winds start to pass.

Away, the sailboats sail from dry banks – they smile with fresh green grass.

And lifeless daffodils arise – they shake their heads and swing, and birds splash into calm cool waters with joy to welcome spring.

Family Resemblance

by Norma C. Mezoe I’m striving to look like my Father, and struggling each step of the way.

When someone notices the family resemblance, it brightens and lightens my day.

Oftentimes I’ll talk with another; one I have not met before.

And I’ll be strangely drawn to them, and open to them my heart’s door.

We talk of life’s many problems, of earthquakes and famine and such.

Then I realize they look like my Father…

That’s why I love them so much.

First Rights – The Gem, published 11/11/12

When God Turns the Page of Our Book

by Sharon L. Patterson

For several years, I have ordered a lovely hardback book/calendar/diary from a company that I like very much. Vibrant floral prints adorn the cover and a coordinating colored ribbon functions as a bookmark. Bits of life’s wisdom from authors past and present are written in the margins of each page which is divided into 7 segments for each week.

My life’s activities are recorded there, whether significant family events, mundane tasks, major purchases or business transactions. Emotional highs and lows, prayer requests and answered prayers are often highlighted as well.

Sometimes, I sigh as I turn the page to begin recording the next week’s occurrences. I am hopeful that this next page’s entries will have more wins than losses, greater joy than sadness, more hope and less anguish.

If I seem a bit emotional, it is because last year was a quite difficult one. Weeks, not just days, passed with crises that did not lift and heaviness that was painfully tangible. I could not sleep and anxiety haunted the early morning hours before daylight.

I circled the day’s date when someone would call and tell me that the Lord brought me to mind. Had it not been for the kindness, intercessory prayer, and love displayed to me, I do not know how I would have come through my year of anguish concerning my special son who has lived with us for forty years.

God has brought answers with his life many times, but for the past two years he had been in a cycle of unending hospitalizations and crises. There was no controlling anything and my husband and I tried everything to bring an order to the chaos.

As the year progressed I realized I was not only dealing with my son’s depression but my own as well.

More used to being the one who prays for others, I found my need to be very great for others to pray for me. All I could do was cry out to the Lord, pour out my anguish, and let him lead me.

Life was like a thick, impenetrable fog. Little made sense and the healing I prayed for seemed unattainable no matter how often or fervent my requests.

Then, quietly, as my soul emptied out the heartache, disappointment, and grief, I began to sense that God was turning the page of my book.

Hope dug into the hardened soil of my heart and opened a hole in the thick fog.

I could see daylight and feel warmth in the cold recesses of my painful grief. I knew who was in control; I sensed His Spirit stirring life in the dead limbs of my wintry existence.

The page’s texture was smooth and new: I could smell the ink and anticipate the entry He was about to start writing. At this week’s end there would be more wins than losses; joys would run past sadness, and hope would send anguish to the bottom of the ocean.

Circumstances are changing even as anxiety is abating. Sleep is sound and sweet. Even understanding is emerging as to what this period was about. His strength is greater than any crisis.

He needs to test what He has formed in me and change what I cannot do by myself.

Should you find yourself in a senseless fog or find deadness in the limbs of your being or sigh with anxiety as the new week unfolds...hold on, pour out what is inside until it is gone and wait…God is about to turn the page of your book. God is no respecter of persons. What He has done for me, He will do for you.

The 41st Gift

by Maryann Lorts

Last year, I hash-tagged about how 40 is the new 30.

I can’t claim the fame on coining the phrase, but I am taking on #41isthenew31. Can I get an Amen? Amen, and amen! And with those 41 years of wisdom, I am tackling my next year of life with bravery and fearlessness.

I would like to give myself the 41st gift, and that is accepting the truth of 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

With the lack of fear, I move into my next year of life, speaking truth, love while living out the commission that the Lord has given me. But in the meantime, I would like to share with you a gift for this 41st year of life from the woman who gave me life.

My mom is a very talented knitter. She is also a famed seamstress for she not only designed and sewed her own wedding gown; she did the same for mine.

Do you know what her other talents are? She is a morally driven lawyer full of integrity and honor. She leads Sunday school for the littles of her church while volunteering for the craziness of summer Vacation Bible School.

My mom occasionally leads a Bible study for her women’s ministry as well as crafts, knits, crochets, and sews goodies for all six of her grandchildren, husband, and occasionally her son and in-law children.

My husband received a knitted blanket nearly 20 years ago, at the beginning of his naval career, and still snuggles up on cold deployment nights. Not only was I gifted with one amazing shawl for the cool nights of star-gazing in Hawaii, I was gifted with a second one for drinking coffee in the pre-dawn hours out on my front lanai.

When I faced this month last year, I felt slightly gloomy, hitting a milestone in the middle of the ocean on a small rock and away from the loved ones I wanted to live life with. I dragged my weary head off my pillow and said to myself, “Hey, this is your year .Even if you face some hard times, it is YOUR YEAR!” Man, I thought I was wrong as soon as I stood before the coffee pot waiting for the java to brew.

Shaking my head, the Lord reminded me that He already had it all planned out. I didn’t need to face a milestone alone. Jesus was right there with me, not for the ride, but as the driver. Yes, He didn’t just take the wheel; He had been driving all along.

Gently, He gave me the verse that would guide me all year, and for the rest of this life.

The Ten Finger Prayer: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 Put that on a bumper sticker and live it out loud.

This year He is calling me to more. Being fearless is a daunting thought in the mind of this introvert. I have been taking baby steps for the last few months, but when the word BRAVE blasted me from all directions, I think the Lord made it clear. Don’t be afraid. Age is just a number. At 41 years wise, I can move forward in confidence of faith and humility. No mid-life crises here. Come join me, to live fearless.

“Jesus was right there with me, not for the ride, but as the driver.

Yes, He didn’t just take the wheel; He had been driving all along.

Gently, He gave me the verse that would guide me all year, and for the rest of this life.”

Warrior on My Knees

by Christina Murphy Have you ever heard someone say, "Prayer is a powerful tool?"

I grew up hearing this regularly; my grandma is a God-fearing woman, my grandpa a pastor and if there was one thing that was drilled into me as a child, it was the power of prayer.

However, it was not until I was well into adulthood that I understood the power that prayer holds. You see my true understanding did not come while I sat in church listening to sermons and singing hymns. No, it came when I was betrayed, it came with loss of comfort and security, it came with hopelessness and despair, and it came with having my heart broken by the man that promised to love me through better or worse.

Marriage can be trying, even when you have the healthiest marriage. It is unlikely that you will go through life with your spouse without encountering a battle or two, but what I have learned is that we so often fight against our spouse instead of for our spouse and for our marriage. We make them the enemy and forget who the real enemy is. Remember we are told he comes to kill, steal, and destroy, (John 10:10), and our battle is "not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places� (Eph. 6:12). This was a hard concept to understand, until one day the Lord made it clear as crystal.

Walk with me down memory lane and allow me to share what I learned as a warrior on my knees. In January 2016, just after our one year anniversary, my husband asked me for a divorce.

My head was spinning, my heart was aching and I felt like I was drowning in a sea of hurt, mistakes, and regrets.

We had always had a rocky relationship, early on before marriage he was unfaithful a few times and this led to so much mistrust, that when he was finally choosing to be faithful, open and honest, I could not find it in me to believe his sincerity. I was always waiting for the pain to resurface, for lies to peak their deceitful heads out; I had chosen not to accept that love keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5) and this added to our struggle.

I remember vividly pleading with my husband not to file for divorce, but his mind was made up; it was as if he had morphed into a stranger overnight, and I did not even recognize him. It was when I was in Texas visiting family during the great loss of my grandfather that he told me he wanted a divorce. I rushed home and what I found was a shade of darkness that I had never encountered before. Here was my husband standing before me yet I could so clearly see Satan's hand in his words, actions, and choices.

He was out partying, getting wasted, spending too much money on items unneeded; he was on dating sites, flirting with women, talking to his ex-girlfriend and even going after his sister's friends. He was in such a dark place and unreachable to me.

This is where I found a deeper relationship with the Lord, He showed up and He showed off and miracles began to happen.

We were separated three months, and in those three months I learned that my words to him did not matter, but my actions did (1 Peter 3:1). I learned that I was fighting for my husband not against him, no matter what he said or did.

I was standing for our marriage and going to war on my knees before a capable God. In those three months, I faced so much heartache, betrayal, and lies, but I also learned some valuable lessons that I would never have gained otherwise.

I learned that circumstances change but God doesn't. He is always present, always loving, always capable, and I learned that not everything was my husband's fault. Yes he cheated, lied, and betrayed our marriage, but I held on to the past. I chose not to truly forgive him, and even though true love holds no record of wrongs, I held a long laundry list of his faults and failures.

By doing this I was not only failing to love him in a biblical way, but I was wrapping him and us in the past, making him relive his mistakes every moment I felt insecure. I too had to change; the Lord made that clear.

The miracle within the brokenness began on March 18th, 2016, a week before Good Friday. I was home and I began to lose our baby. By Saturday I was positive the Lord had taken our child home; I laid in bed crying while he was having a night on the town with his sister and some friends. It was a weekend of despair; I felt so alone.

I had lost my child and my husband; I understood how Job must have felt when all that mattered to him was taken away, yet it was in this brokenness that I learned that God will never forsake me even when the world or in this case, my spouse, did.

Sunday came around, a week before Easter, the day we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. I climbed out of bed, dressed and asked the Lord to bring my husband home or get me over him because I could not do this anymore. “Please show me a miracle,� I pleaded with the Lord. I had reached my trialenduring limit, but I left for church and that night, sisters in Christ, my husband came home to me. Jesus resurrected our marriage!

No matter what you are facing, whether it is divorce, separation, or just hardship within your marriage, understand that God is bigger than anything that stands before us and if we choose to go to battle on our knees, we will stand triumphantly.

Two are Better: Midlife Newlyweds Bicycle Coast to Coast Interview with Tim and Debbie Bishop RUBY: Tell us about your work, your ministry, and your writing.

Tim and Debbie: God has blessed Debbie and me with a wonderful testimony to His goodness, which we’ve been sharing creatively in hopes of touching the otherwise unreachable. I’m curious where God is going to take us on this journey. It’s not over yet!

Before I married Debbie, I was entrenched in corporate finance.

Yet I felt God was preparing me for something else. I was restless. And things around me were swirling. I wasn’t sure about my purpose, but stepping out of the lifeboat was one way to find out.

I left that job and married Debbie. It was a huge change after 26 years in the same company and 52 years single. I also left Maine, my beloved home for most of my life. God was up to something.

Debbie and I went for a very long bicycle ride after our wedding. A few months following our return, I was laid up on the couch for weeks with a blood clot. How ironic! I was in the best shape I’d been in for years.

My immobility presented me with an easy choice. I could watch daytime television or begin to write.

Writing had been a strong interest for years. With a digital picture frame displaying photos from our wedding and bicycle trip in clear view, I had to share what God had done in our lives.

Now I spend most of my time writing and publishing, but Debbie and I have had the privilege of coaching people with life issues on the internet. I never imagined God could make this finance guy into a hope coach, but that’s what He did.

RUBY: I'm intrigued by your book, Two Are Better, and would love to hear your story of how God brought you together. And I would love to hear all about your bicycling honeymoon!

Tim and Debbie: Debbie and I met online (users beware!) in 2003 and in person the following summer for a bicycle ride. Wow, was that activity ever foreshadowing! We lived five hours, two states, and a culture apart.

For several years, we corresponded as email pen pals, and a meaningful friendship budded.

From the keyboard, I “saw” Debbie through two broken relationships. (Ha, God knew all along!) Meanwhile, good ole Tim had his nose to the grindstone with his eye out for Mrs. Bishop. She was nowhere to be found in Bangor, Maine.

God’s timing and provision were undeniable when I left conventional employment and the single life. Two Are Better tells all about it!

The honeymoon adventure was indescribable, but we wrote about it anyway. Blend two lifelong singles 24/7, sprinkle in the rigors of a 3,500-mile bicycle tour, beat thoroughly with a heaping helping of life change, and heat with the thrill of a new life in tasty places with fresh faces. It’s the perfect recipe for Two Are Better: Midlife Newlyweds Bicycle Coast to Coast.

RUBY: Tell us about your other book, Wheels of Wisdom. What prompted you to write it and what message are you sharing with your readers in this book?

Tim and Debbie: After our honeymoon tour across America, Debbie and I had caught the bicycle-touring bug. In 2012, we set out from Naples, Florida, where Debbie’s mother lived, to Houlton, Maine, on the Mom-to-Mom Tour. We expected it to be our last long excursion because I had accepted a job offer.

Relocation and another new life awaited us at journey’s end. Shortly after the trip, however, the job fell through. I continued working on the Two Are Better project and wrote a business book.

Two years later, we decided to go all out on a fundraising tour for a ministry we held dear. The 4,300mile endeavor was intense. Not only did we cycle but we also blogged, pitched media, and solicited support. People’s prayers—and God’s presence—were palpable. We were so overwhelmed with “God moments” that we would have been derelict not to share them. Two first-place awards for this book attest to God’s imprint on its inspirational content.

Wheels of Wisdom is a thought-provoking devotional with longer stories than the traditional norm. The adventuresome and dual narrative help hook people who want more out of life but may be reluctant to consider how God can help.

The book’s bottom line? God is active in our lives even though we may not always see it or believe. A reviewer, Stacey Louiso, characterized the book as “a unique perspective of how God makes His presence known.”

RUBY: I'm really interested in Debbie's story! I hear she has returned to college as a "non-traditional" student. I can relate to that as I also completed my college experience as a mom with four kids at home. Tell us about her journey.

Tim and Debbie: Debbie is amazing. She still yearns to learn and loves to read. Her interest in new things makes living with her delightful. And her outlook certainly contributes to our exciting bicycle travels.

She studied psychology in college, but her vocation has been teaching. As a junior high home economics teacher years ago, she recognized that some of her students had difficulty reading. She went back to school and earned a master’s degree in literacy to help children read.

In 2013, she transitioned from full-time to part-time teaching. She recently felt an urge to apply her psychology background and her past recovery from addictions to counsel people. Therefore, she began studying Christian counseling online through Liberty University. I think anyone who starts a master’s program at age 60 qualifies as a lifelong learner. More power to her!

Join Tim and Debbie Bishop on their Coast-to-Coast Bicycle Journey as Newlyweds in Two are Better At age 52, with no prior experience in either bicycle touring or marriage, newlyweds Tim and Debbie Bishop pedal away from the Oregon coast to discover their new life together. The odyssey that follows on their self-supported honeymoon across America will bring smiles, chuckles, and tears.

Two Are Better is a unique and entertaining story that proves it's never too late to make your dreams come true. Purchase to find out why the Midwest Book Review called Two Are Better “insightful and charming.”

Tim and Debbie’s Books are now available from RUBY’S Reading Corner!

Wheels of Wisdom: Life Lessons for the Restless Spirit Two are Better: Midlife Newlyweds Bicycle Coast to Coast

RUBY magazine is now available in print!

Every issue of RUBY magazine can now be purchased as a print publication.

Join us in the RUBY Community for our weekly Bible study lessons from the series

by Carol Peterson,

“With Faith like Hers” A new lesson is posted every week from the study guide,

“I am Elizabeth.”

We would love to have you join us soon!

To purchase RUBY magazine in print, please visit the RUBY blog at www.rubyforwomen.com where you will find the link for each issue.

Bottoms Up – It’s Another Birthday!

by R.G. Sharpe

My eyes went cross-eyed as the cake began to crumble. I rushed to add frosting so we could light the candles, but the cake was still warm. Under my own pressure to make everything perfect, I panicked.

I did the only thing I could think to do: I purposely broke up the white cake and tossed it into a glass trifle bowl, stirred in the aqua blue frosting and threw silver sprinkles on top. Breathless, I carried it out to the waiting party and feigned confidence, as if this was the plan all along. They loved it.

One birthday down, six more to go. Inhale, exhale. One thing was for sure: I was tired of birthday cake! We’ve got our winter birthdays (January, February, & March) and summer/fall birthdays (July, August, September, & October). In between our birthday months we have Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. If you have children every other weekend like us, you’ll appreciate this: we celebrate a special occasion every other visit! It’s an entire year of highlight reels! It can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned along the way: Cross that bridge when you come to it or build a new one.

While you can throw a surprise birthday, birthdays are not a surprise. Everyone in your family has a birth date that comes around every year, on the same day! Financially, this can feel like a burden at times, but birthdays can be budgeted. Have a plan and do your best to follow through. This may mean letting go of old traditions and starting new ones.

For example, my husband’s family used to go to the birthday honoree’s favorite restaurant for dinner to celebrate. Since the divorce (and subsequent child support), he has had to reconsider this tradition; instead, our children can request a favorite meal and special dessert that I can cook for them. Some of our birthday “cakes” have been banana pudding, strawberry shortcake, and coconut cream pie.

This has been a lot of fun and the kids are getting more creative with their requests.

In the heat of the moment, don’t bite off more than you can chew.

I know first-hand how easy it is to feel guilty for the divorce and attempt to overcompensate with gifts.

Don’t cave to impulsive shopping. Not only does this throw your budget off, but it can create competition between siblings if they notice that one received a more extravagant celebration than they did. January is the perfect time to decide how all the birthdays will be recognized throughout the year so that all children receive equal treatment.

Did you just get a bonus at work or big tax refund? Don’t splurge on the next birthday and skimp on the next when the money runs out. It’s better to spend the extra money on an “off-birthday” weekend as a surprise family adventure. It’s important not to over-indulge and risk coming off as playing favorites.

Hit the nail on the head or pull out the sewing machine.

I love sentimental gifts. My late mom was quite crafty and gave homemade or handcrafted items away for birthdays and other special occasions. It is fun for me to remember and honor her memory by continuing this tradition. One year it was a simple photo album for each child. Another time a knotted throw blanket, and my favorite was repurposing beach towels to make giant pillows for the younger kids. We’ve found a joy in giving them our time and talents.

As our children get older, their gift requests seem to get more expensive. What may be perfectly acceptable to receive from their custodial parent (who receives child support) may not be a practical or possible gift from the non-custodial parent (who pays child support). This reality is extremely hard for us to accept. As parents, we want to get them what they want. But what if we can’t? Giving them a handmade gift could make them just as happy.

Kill two or three birds with one stone.

We have found that sometimes it’s not feasible to celebrate individual birthdays due to our custody arrangements, vacations, inclement weather, or health issues. At times we must combine birthdays and celebrate two or three at the same time. It’s not ideal and not preferred, but often this is more practical. Let go of the guilt and know that acknowledging each of your children’s special day is more important than separate birthday parties. Bring something individualized to the party – perhaps a personalized gift, special message for each, and their own requested birthday “cake” with a smile.

Thank heaven for little girls (and boys).

Above all, leave a legacy of faith for your family.

Keep your children in your daily prayers, even when they are not with you – especially when they are not with you. Let them know you pray for their health and safety, for them to stay in the Word, and to grow in their faith. Offer a brief birthday prayer for each child before blowing out the candles and ask the Holy Spirit to give them courage to share the love of Jesus in the year to come.

Filters Purify – Truth Restores

by Jewell Utt We filter our water. We filter our air. We even filter our email.

So why don't we filter our speech? Verbal assaults are widespread on social media, in public places and via gossip.

Many of us have weathered the humiliation of unfiltered dialogue.

Sadly, the most regular attacks come from the enemy within…It's the abuse we heap upon ourselves.

Negative self-talk has evolved into an acceptable form of flagellation. This is a dangerous habit to cultivate because widespread negativity follows close behind.

Before we realize it, our internal dialogue includes opinions about everyone else's business. That's not an attractive quality, nor is it pleasing to God. But there is a remedy.

Proverbs 23:7 says, "For as he thinks within himself, so he is."

(NASB) Here are a few suggestions: Think about solutions, not shortcomings, this focuses our mind on hope not error.

Think in terms of truth, not exaggerations. People are not consumed by our mishaps.

Think about friends. Would they talk to us, the way we do to ourselves?

Proverbs 4:23 says, "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts." God created you and sees you through the righteousness of Christ. As you love others, love yourself, too.

A quote by Dale Carnegie: “By far the most important lesson I have ever learned is the importance of what we think. Our thoughts make us what we are. Our mental attitude is the x-factor that determines our faith."

The Bible's prescription is found in Philippians 4:8.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

May God bless you as you consider how loved and valuable you are to Him.

Lions and Lambs

by Joan Leotta “In like a lion, out like a lamb.” So while I know that this old saying refers to the weather, mostly in the Northeast, I look at March as a month bracketed by two of my favorite animals.

In ancient times March was the beginning of the year— spring was the first season of the year.

In Biblical iconography, lions can represent courage and strength, or they can be outside forces waiting to devour the children of God. But there is no ambiguity when it comes to the lamb.

Lambs are a sacrificial animal (as well as a useful one) and the lamb stands in often for Jesus, who, as the Lamb of God, made the ultimate sacrifice of His life for our sins, who conquered death with that sacrifice and made possible eternal life with Him, for us.

Keeping that in mind, this year, March literally goes like a lamb—the last days of March include Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, the eve of Easter.

These past weeks of Lent, I have been thinking—as a follower of Christ, do I literally, go “out like a lamb” when I go into the world in person or via my writing?

Do I model Christ’s love for others, His willingness to serve, to save?

Am I a new creature in Christ, content to have given up my old self so that others may know Christ through me?

Sadly, I cannot say this is always true. I must admit I am often the blustering lion, looking to worldly praise for my work.

However, thanks to that ultimate sacrifice of Christ Himself, I can start each morning again, confess my sins, repent, and renew my commitment to live for Christ.

I do not need to look for large things to do to “prove” my love for the Lamb. He asks that I offer Him my heart— sacrifices do not delight Him. He wants the small, everyday bits and pieces of my life. Am I kind to my husband? Do I meet my commitments? How do I answer those who disagree with me? Do I do all in love?

This is the lesson of March. Live like the Lamb.

Corsets and Crow’s Feet

by Lisa Radcliff

Three nurses, an author, a church secretary, and a drama teacher walk into a wedding dress shop. If you are thinking “Is this a joke?” the answer is “no,” but uncontrolled laughter is about to ensue. One of the nurses in our group of friends is getting married.

You can probably guess, we are not the typical entourage at a wedding dress appointment.

In fact, we more closely resemble an entourage found at senior living open houses. But on this special Saturday, we were just like the 20somethings of the other entourages.

We were giggling, excited about the dresses, the colors, the lace, the sparkly sneakers. We could rock sparkly sneakers. They would be practical for our bunioned feet. Maybe we could bedazzle our own.

And when our bride came out in her first dress, we oohed and ahhed and told her how beautiful she looked. The dress had the perfect shape, pretty train, and just the right amount of bling.

As the matron of honor, I practiced fluffing the train of the gown and getting back up again. The bridesmaid helped me. Women of our age need to practice.

Bending down and returning to the upright position without slipping a disc or having a knee go out on you requires practice and maybe pre-medicating the morning of the wedding.

The laughter from our group was unfettered. We were having the time of our lives. And we have it all on video.

Well, except that our videographer had her phone’s camera facing the wrong way and only recorded her coat and some good shots of her feet. But you can hear us laughing, and that is the important part.

The other entourages in the store must have thought we were out of our minds—a bunch of midlifers behaving like a high school cheerleading squad picking out new uniforms. We didn’t care.

We offered our opinions to the other entourages. I mean, they were young and inexperienced.

Between the six of us, we have had six of our own weddings and a dozen of our children’s weddings.

We know weddings.

But they looked at us like we were not the experts we were portraying ourselves to be. It could have been the giggling about the two-piece wedding dresses.

Someday they will tell the story of the crazy old ladies who were there the day they bought their wedding dress.

Although we were sure that the first dress was THE dress, we had the day full of appointments, so off we went. At our last appointment of the day, our middle-age entourage was beginning to wear down.

That last shop didn’t have enough chairs, especially with our aging, aching knees having done more than should be expected of them. We plopped down on steps and shoved mannequins out of the way to make a place for our tired bodies to rest.

More dresses, a few veils, but nothing outdid that first dress. It was time for dinner and debriefing and more wedding planning and plenty more smiles and laughter.

While this was a fun day, it was much more than that. This special friend of ours lost her first husband 15 years ago. Half of us were together then, too. We were vacationing together, having our typical eye-watering-laughter kind of time.

Three days into our vacation, her husband had a fatal heart attack. She was suddenly widowed with three children, two in college, and was at that moment 600 miles from home.

On that difficult night fifteen years ago, I stood by her side as she told her children that their father had died and that, while it was hard to see, she was sure it was God’s plan.

But she was with three of her best friends. And God was there in our midst. We’ve been together through the toughest of times, which made a day of wedding dress shopping especially joyful.

One thing she didn’t know was what his future plans would be for her. Now I get to stand by her side and fluff her train, praying my old knees don’t let me down, as a new chapter of God’s plan for her unfolds.

As my friend tried on beautiful wedding gowns that day, I was reminded of the words of Isaiah 61:3 - “... to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

But even if I need a helpful hand, a little laughter among friends is a great way to start a new adventure.

In the Name of Jesus

by Norma C. Mezoe A young man approached my car as I pulled into the parking lot of a business. I was somewhat wary of him as he apologized for bothering me. Obviously embarrassed, he asked to use my cell phone.

“I’ve lost my billfold and I need to phone my mother.” I was hesitant at first, thinking it could be a scam, but I eventually handed him my phone and he stood beside my car as he dialed a number. “Mom, I still can’t find my billfold. I found thirty cents in my car and I’m going to buy gas with that to get home.”

When he thanked me for the use of my phone, the young man again apologized for disturbing me. As he turned to walk away, I pulled a five dollar bill from my purse and offered it to him, saying, “I give this in the name of Jesus.”

Surprised, because he hadn’t asked for money, he asked, “Are you sure?” “Yes,” I replied. And once again I stated, “I give this in the name of Jesus.”

It was a simple way of witnessing, but I realize God can use my words to point the young man to Jesus, or if he is a Christian, my words may encourage him to grow in his faith.

Some may believe I was naïve in giving the man five dollars, but I felt the leading of the Holy Spirit and followed the leading.

Christians are witnesses in the words and the actions we say and display. A smile or a friendly greeting may be what someone needs to encourage them when they’re having a bad day.

When we take time to talk with a person alone and lonely, we can lift their spirits because they are aware someone cares. When we send a greeting card or write a simple note to say, “Thinking of you,” and add an appropriate verse from the Bible that may be the encouragement that person needs to face another day.

A good verse for us to remember is: “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus….” Colossians 3:17a (NIV)

Carnegie’s Maid

by Marie Benedict Book review by Miriam Jacob With captivating insight and great sensitivity of heart, Marie Benedict tells the mesmerizing tale of an unknown woman who might have inspired an American dynasty, transforming Andrew Carnegie from wealthy industrialist into the world’s first philanthropist.

In the 1860s, Irish immigrant Clara Kelley seeks employment as a lady’s maid in the home of Andrew Carnegie, head of the Carnegie Empire. Unfortunately, Clara Kelley is not who she appears to be. Posing as a knowledgeable, well-experienced Irish maid, she is actually a poor farmer’s daughter with nothing to her name. Another woman named Clara has gone missing, and Clara pretends to be her, in order to earn some precious income to send back to keep her family alive.

Clara tries her level best keep up the ruse though it requires special talents and skills that she does not possess. But she does have a stern resolve as strong as steel, along with an uncanny, unique gift of business skills, that makes Andrew rely upon her. But Clara cannot afford to let her guard down even for a single moment. It was too dangerous. Revealing the true state of her past might only serve to ruin her own future and that of her family’s, who depended solely on her for sustenance. Soon, Clara and Andrew care for each other deeply. When Clara suddenly goes missing, Carnegie’s fruitlessly persistent search for her eventually laid the foundation for his lasting legacy.

In this well chronicled and impeccably researched novel, that highlights the hitherto unsung role of all unknown women like the mysterious Clara, who with extreme courage and selfless determination, made their silently, unannounced mark upon the renowned pages of history, we witness with breathless awe the stunning stamp of the relevance of history in the early immigrant experience. In a deeply human narrative of incredibly complex, extremely vulnerable, sensitive characters and peculiar twists and turns of fate, this book reveals the arresting power of ambition to realize the American Dream.

With captivating insight, Marie Benedict’s clever intellect is dramatically displayed in her well-drawn characters and well-crafted plot, utterly well-suited to historical fiction, in an engaging read, with excellent description and perfectly good balance of emotional tones.

Extremely realistic to accept and confront the vicissitudes of life head-on, the clear-headed, pragmatic Clara Kelley is firm in her convictions and careful to protect herself from impropriety. She struggles to understand Carnegie’s inconsistent behavior and stubborn refusal to confront his flaws. Despite the shared chemistry between them, Carnegie’s mercurial behavior is revealed in his double personality – the ruthless businessman and the egalitarian, erudite young man. Clara’s musings and revelations are interestingly portrayed.

Equality with passion is stressed, as the epilogue rushes the story to its logical conclusion. It is sad that in this heart-moving story, Clara and Andrew could never develop their relationship due to the sharp differences in their own particular positions in the echelons of society, forcing Clara to leave the Carnegie home for a life of total oblivion. In this fictional book, although readers are deprived of the ‘happily-ever-after,” that magical moment when true satisfaction comes to the reader, we derive a

small measure of comfort from the fact that Clara’s loss becomes Andrew’s gain, when he pledges to pursue her lofty ideals for the ultimate good of mankind.

The climax of the story takes place on December 23, 1868 in the luxurious interior of the study of a hotel suite in New York, where ensconced behind his desk, Andrew Carnegie wielded his fountain pen with a fury, in dire contrast to the gentle melody of a Christmas song wafting through the air.

Haunted by memories of Clara, Andrew had spent most of his time searching for her, without success. There was not even the slightest hint of her trail. Clara had covered her tracks so well that it was as if she had never existed except in a dream.

Andrew was alone with his thoughts of Clara. In the seclusion and privacy of the study, intimate memories of Clara washed over him. Andrew was filled with a longing so intense as to give him physical pain. He remembered her demure manner and averted gaze, and the few times when she met his gaze unflinchingly, revealing fleeting glimpses of the sharp intelligence that lay concealed beneath her placid demeanor. Andrew had vowed to Clara that he would carve out a different path for himself, choosing a life that would be the most elevating in character and principles. He would honor his vow even though she had disappeared.

Through his inexorable pain and agonizing despair at losing Clara, Andrew found healing grace. He might not have Clara, but he would wield her beliefs like a sword. The twin idols of status and money would be worshipped no longer. Instead, he would utilize them for the benefit and betterment of others, in creating ladders for immigrants to climb to success. The document Andrew so painstakingly drafted would have pleased his Clara. And this thought gave him a small measure of happiness. It was the tiniest of appeasements that was to set Andrew on the path to glory. Clara had won the battle at last.

Carnegie’s Maid by Marie Benedict is now available from RUBY’S Reading Corner

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Your Temple

by Donna B. Comeaux

“11

Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord. 12 ‘Go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for my Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel. 13 While you were doing all these things, declares the Lord, I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen; I called you, but you did not answer. 14 Therefore, what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears my Name, the temple you trust in, the place I gave to you and your ancestors. 15 I will thrust you from my presence, just as I did all your fellow Israelites, the people of Ephraim.’” (Jeremiah 7:1115)

“19Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

After God and Joshua led the Israelites across the River Jordan and into the Promised Land, they established the Ark of the Covenant in Shiloh, and it remained a religious and political capital for over 300 years1.

I thought deeply on Jesus’ words: “. . . your bodies are the temples for the Holy Spirit.”

The city was later destroyed because of the Israelites’ disobedience.

It blows my mind that God sees fit to place a holy part of himself inside me. I’m not sure you heard me the first time. Let me say it again. It blows my mind that God sees fit to place a holy part of himself inside me.

Shiloh is also where Hannah went to the temple to pray for a son. Later, God answered her prayer, and she gave birth to Samuel.

Days before Jesus gave his life on the cross for our sins, he went to the temple. There he found money changers selling over-priced animals for sacrifice.

He was angry. Jesus over turned tables and took deliberate time to braid a cord and use it to drive them out. He is quoted as saying:

My goodness! Could it be . . . Is it remotely possible I’ve sometimes turned my body into a marketplace? Made it available to the highest bidder? Allowed the world to send me misleading messages which pull me away from the Holy One? It saddens me to say, “Yes, I can. And, I have.”

Wow! God made my temple and caused the Holy Spirit to dwell within it.

I have no right to misuse my body or act in ways unbecoming of a follower of Jesus Christ.

Neither do I have the right to compare it with another. I am unique and holy and without blemish if I’ve been washed with the blood of Jesus Christ.

“16To those selling doves, he said, ‘Get these out of here! How dare you turn my father’s house into a marketplace!’” (John 2:16)

When God looks at those who follow and obey him, he doesn’t see our filth. He sees a spotless child who has been made whole by the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I had to read John 2:16 several times before I followed the Holy Spirit’s guidance to:

I rob God when I do not return his precious gift, which is my body, to him spiritually unblemished.

To become disobedient, I mar his perfect gift.

And we have no right to do such a thing.

Please look at yourselves through God’s lens.

See who God sees. We are beautifully made, a royal priesthood.

9

“ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10

for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.

12

Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (I Peter 2:9-12) It’s not enough to say you are wonderfully made. We must act out our beliefs and convictions by honoring God with our bodies, to live righteous lives, and heed the Holy Spirit’s direction for us.

Upon doing so, our deeds will naturally reflect our love and obedience to the Holy One. Amen.

1

“What Happened to Shiloh?” by Wayne Blank, Daily Bible Study, All scripture is quoted from the New International Version Bible (NIV).

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Katherine’s Corner for a new giveaway every month!

For inspirational and creative articles, visit Theresa Begin on her blog, Shoestring Elegance.

Batter Bread recipes are a quick and easy way to put a fresh loaf of bread on the table each and every day if one wants. These breads are quickly mixed together and then usually baked in a round bowl or dish or even a casserole. They are usually yeast breads and come in a myriad of different types, from white to dark whole grains.

Here is my favorite that I often bake up just in time for our supper – hubby is very pleased by this beautiful bread each time I make it!

Quick White Batter Bread Ingredients:

Directions:

1 pkg. yeast 1 1/4 cups warm water 2 tbsp. sugar 3 tbsp. vegetable oil 1 egg 2 tsp. sea salt 3 cups all-purpose flour

Pre-heat oven to 375oF. Butter (or use cooking spray) a 10 inch round or oval casserole.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Combine yeast and water, stir and let sit to activate yeast.

Add sugar, oil and egg, mix well.

Add salt and half of the flour and beat with a mixer for 1 minute.

Add remaining flour and beat until thick batter forms.

Pour batter into the well buttered casserole, set aside and allow to raise until double in bulk.

Bake in a 375oF preheated oven for 25-30 minutes it will be nicely browned. Remove from oven, allow to cool 5 minutes in pan after baking and remove to a cooling rack.

Slice one piece of this for you while it’s warm, eat it at once with butter and jam!

The varieties of batter breads are probably limitless; this recipe can be made, white, whole grain, whole wheat, with fruits mixed in or with molasses, oats, and cornmeal.

Nevertheless, the truth is in the tasting and you won’t be disappointed when you bake batter bread and, neither will your husband!

Curried Asparagus Bread Pudding Casserole Editor’s note: I’ve read that this is the perfect make-ahead side dish for Easter dinner, and it goes perfectly with the traditional ham or lamb on that celebration day.

Thanks to Sheila von Maltitz for sharing this wonderful, creative recipe with us as we look forward to celebrating Easter and the resurrection of our Lord!

Image via annarbor.com / Peggy Lampman

Do not substitute plain bread for the onion & herb sourdough here, this bread adds to the flavor of the dish.

Ingredients:      

1 quart Half & half 1 cup heavy cream 1-1/2 tsp. curry powder 1 tsp. allspice 6 whole eggs, beaten 2 tsp. sea salt

    

2 tsp. black pepper 1-1/2 lbs. fresh pencil thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1” pieces About 6 cups onion & herb sourdough bread, sliced thick and cut into cubes 1 tbsp. butter ½ cup Asiago cheese, grated fine

Directions: Trim crusts off the bread, butter each slice on one side, stack together in small stacks and cut into 2 inch cubes then toss the cubes in a large mixing bowl. In a separate mixing bowl add half & half, cream, eggs, curry powder, allspice, sea salt, and pepper; whisk with a wire whip to combine well, it should be a bit frothy. Butter a two quart and at least four inch deep casserole, preheat oven to 350oF. Add the asparagus to the egg mixture and stir; immediately pour over the bread cubes in the first bowl. Press the bread down into the liquid until it begins to soak up the mixture then let this sit for 10 -15 minutes (refrigerate if desired) to finish soaking up all the half & half/cream/egg mixture.

Now, stir the mixture just before pouring into the buttered casserole. Spread Cheese over the top, cover with foil and bake 35-40 minutes, remove foil and bake 10 minutes more to allow cheese to brown. Remove from oven; allow casserole to sit five minutes before cutting and serving.

Kids’ Korner Kids’ Korner is a monthly resource featuring short stories, book reviews, puzzles, and coloring pages created by some of our RUBY writers. So call the kids and grandkids, and share the Kids’

Korner fun with them!

Facing My Fear

by Shara Bueler-Repka “Run, run, run!” my friends yelled as I chased the kickball across the playground.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Buster. Buster was the loner kid at our school. He never said much unless he was sneering at someone. The kids stayed away from him because he was just plain mean.

Leaning against the jungle gym, Buster followed me with his glare as I flew past him. I ignored him as I caught up with the ball. Catapulting it toward my friend, Katie, I took off like a racehorse headed toward another strategic position.

And then it happened.

I galloped past Buster just in time to see a foot flash under my feet. The playground whirled around me as my legs twisted together like a pretzel and I spun through the air.

The next thing I knew, I was staring up into the anxious faces of my friends. In the distance, the evil chuckle of Buster made its way through my brain fog.

“Girl, that was messed up,” Katie said as she helped me to my feet.

Anxiety turned to panic as I realized there was no way I could skip school from now until the rest of my life. My thoughts started to bounce around like the kickball and my head hurt.

Suddenly, I remembered the Bible verse I’d memorized. I decided to say it out loud: “Psalm 23:4Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff comfort me.” And I prayed, “Lord Jesus, Buster’s mean and I’m scared of him. Please help me believe that You will work this out.”

My muscles relaxed and my head stopped throbbing.

It seemed as though only a few minutes had passed when the sun’s rays peeked through the curtains. I slowly pulled on my jeans and buttoned my favorite shirt. “Today is the day,” I sighed as I looked in the mirror. “I won’t be afraid. Jesus is with me,” I encouraged myself.

“Something on your mind?” My mom eyed me over her coffee cup. I guess I was being pretty quiet, for me. I set down my breakfast fork and spilled the whole story.

“Hmmmm.” The concern on my mom’s face turned to anger. “Where were the teachers?”

“Tell me about it,” I shook my head, dusting myself off.

“I don’t know. But that’s kinda how Buster works.

He’s like a snake. He hides and then strikes so fast no one ever sees it coming.” I rolled my eyes. “And then he disappears and never gets caught.”

That night I lay on my bed and stared at the shadows on the ceiling. What if Buster blitzed me again? This was only Monday! The whole week was ahead of me! I shuddered at the thought of seeing him again.

“Well, I’m putting in a call to the principal’s office,” Mom fumed.

“Mom, please don’t,” I pleaded. “If word gets back to Buster that you called Mr. Dean, I’m toast.”

Mom looked down at her coffee cup, sighed, and stared at the stucco on the ceiling. The rumble of the school bus sounded on our dirt road. “I’ve got to go, Mom,” I said, grabbing my backpack and kissing her on the cheek.

I paused at the door and looked back. “I’ll be fine.” I declared this with more confidence than I actually felt, but I had to believe I would be OK. The bus bounced along as I stared out the window.

“Give me courage, Jesus,” I prayed. A small voice inside me spoke. “A bully is just a person who’s full of fear.” What? Where’d that thought come from?

And then, for the first time, my thoughts turned to Buster. Not the how-am-I-going-to-deal-with-him thoughts, but thoughts about Buster himself. What made him a bully? Why did he act the way he did?

And, surprising myself, I started having a bit of compassion for Buster. A compassion that grew.

“Jesus? I pray that whatever makes Buster mean, You’ll fix that too.”

Suddenly we were eyeball to eyeball. Like a rocket, the words shot out of my mouth before my mind could grab them. “Would you like to play kickball with us today?”

Alrighty, I thought. Not sure why I said that, but I’ll go with it. At that moment, the most amazing thing happened. Buster’s face contorted into all kinds of expressions that were impossible to read. I didn’t know whether he was going to hug me or slug me.

“Sure,” he said quietly.

At recess, Buster slowly walked to our playing field.

With new confidence I announced, “You’re on our team, Buster!” He nodded, and from then on, it was game on. In fact, Buster became one of our best players.

I learned a thing or two that week. I don’t have to be afraid because God loves me and wants the best for me. And the real eye-opener? He also loves those who act mean, and He longs for them to know His love and be part of His family, too.

The bus rattled to a stop and the doors squealed open. I shouldered my backpack and stepped onto the sidewalk. Buster leaned against the brick wall next to the school’s entrance.

The moment of truth. Do I run? Or do I let Jesus do His thing?

It seemed like an eternity as I inched my way toward the door. Buster’s eyes locked on mine like a homing device. My heart pounded as I reached for the handle. “I will fear no evil, ‘cause You are with me,” I muttered under my breath.

You can find books that will help your children or grandchildren to understand the issue of bullying from RUBY’S Reading Corner

Kids’ Korner Holidays and History

by Carol Peterson Who was Saint Patrick?

Saint with a capital S is a title, like Mrs. is a title for a married woman or Doctor is a title for a person who earned that degree in school.

When certain churches want to honor a Christian for having lived a life dedicated to Jesus, they sometimes give that person the title of “Saint.”

Hundreds of years ago, a young boy was kidnapped and sold to a tribe of people in the land we now call Ireland.

Years later, the boy was rescued and became a Roman Catholic priest. He took the name of Patrick.

He then returned to Ireland to tell the people living there about Jesus.

One of the ways, Patrick taught about Jesus was by explaining that the three leaves of the shamrock—a very common plant in Ireland—were like the three persons of God. Christians believe that God has the nature of God the Father, God the Son Jesus, and God the Holy Spirit.

All three persons of God work together. Just as the three leaves of the shamrock are individual, they are also all part of one plant.

Largely because of Patrick’s work, the people of Ireland became Christian. After Patrick died, the Roman Catholic Church honored him by giving him the title of Saint Patrick.

Sometimes we forget that Saint Patrick’s Day began as a day to honor a Christian man. We can think of that this year when we celebrate the work of Saint Patrick with decorations of shamrocks that remind us of God.

For more books on the history of St. Patrick’s Day, visit RUBY’S Reading Corner

Kids’ Corner St. Patrick’s Day Coloring Page

Easter Basket Drama

by Nancy Frantel Leaving an Easter basket full of candy alone is dangerous in my house.

Why? My family enjoys partaking of another person’s candy.

Now that the truth is out, I feel better.

The majority of the time, child takes from another child.

But sometime adult takes from child.

I know, it sounds terrible. However, I’m not sure my family is the only one who commits the “candy crime.”

It’s not that some family members receive baskets, and others don’t. The Easter Bunny is an equal opportunity bunny, and leaves treats for us all.

Including grandparents, if they are visiting us for the holiday.

Each basket is complete with jelly beans, creme-filled chocolate eggs, and themed candy bars.

Yes, I know there are really big chocolate bunnies out there, but the Easter Bunny delivers those somewhere else.

After the children survey the basket for surprises, they focus on the bunny.

You can see it in their eyes, brains, and taste buds, as the most important decision is made – where to start.

If the bunny has really big ears, you know the location of the first joyous bite. Then it goes straight down from there. If there is a hat, flower, or carrot, a temporary change in direction takes place. Unless an ear breaks off.

And then there is the chocolate bunny, towering above the other candy, as if it is the most important member of the basket.

Depending upon the child, a cry of disappointment may be vocalized.

Well, let’s face it. In my family, the bunny rules.

The other child goes, “Cool. If you don’t want it, I’ll eat it.”

And yes, I intentionally left the marshmallow chicks off the list because no one in my family likes them.

This brings, “No, you can’t have it!”

I divert. Now back to the bunnies.

The larger bunnies always seem to make their way into the kids’ baskets.

Does that make sense? Bigger person gets the bigger bunny. Nope. For obvious reasons.

Seeing the kid’s expressions as they pull out their “larger than life” bunny (of course not, but it’s fun to say) still brings a smile to my face.

After the initial excitement settles, and a few more bites of candy enjoyed, we concentrate on getting ready for church.

“Hurry up, or we’re going to be late.”

Everyone piles into the car, and we arrive at church just a few minutes away.

Predictably, someone ends up with chocolate on their clothing.

With mom radar, the chocolate stain, even if a minute spot, sets off an alarm. As if the tattling spot wants to get the kids in trouble.

“Did you bring chocolate with you in the car?”

“No,” replies the first child.

“Me neither,” responds the second.

Inviting my comment, “Hmmm, guess the chocolate hitched a ride and jumped onto your shirt?” which results in laughter.

We enter the church sanctuary, sing songs of praise, and listen to the beautiful sermon. Prayers are lifted up, thanking our heavenly Father for the gift of Jesus and His resurrection.

Before heading back home, we pause to talk with friends. If another mom is a part of the gathering, no words are spoken about the stain. No doubt her kids have them too.

As we enter the car, the evidence of a wayward chocolate bunny segment lays waiting in the back seat.

Silly bunny.

Stop by RUBY’S Reading Corner where you will find a wide selection of Easter books for children and adults!

Giving the Redeemer Control

by Jehn Kubiak

“I've had plans Shattered and broken Things I have hoped in Fall through my hands You have plans To redeem and restore me You're behind and before me Oh, help me believe” -Control by Tenth Avenue North It’s 7:30 a.m. and school starts at 8 a.m. The kids should have woken up, but they fell back asleep and aren’t even dressed. Peanut butter and jelly with bread slices sit on the counter, but the sandwiches still lay disassembled. Dishes with leftover bits of chicken Alfredo and salad dressing from last night’s dinner still sit in the sink. Your mind instantly wants to scream, “I don’t have control over anything!”

Perhaps you’re not a mother––consider a different scenario. You’re a single woman who recently lost her job. You live alone and don’t have any other means of support––asking other family members is simply not an option. Where will your next meal come from? What happens if you can’t find another job soon?

Our society constantly tells us we must have things in control. If we don’t we’re not responsible adults and our reputation suffers. We so quickly forget someone else controls our life––the Creator of the universe, who gave us the life we live. Without Him, our lives wouldn’t have meaning.

We so quickly obsess over circumstances and try to fix things on our own, but therein lies the problem. As finite human beings, we cannot mend what’s broken. Only one can restore our fragmented lives.

Easter celebrates the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. He broke past death’s grip, rose from the grave, and sits at the right hand of the Father. He knows your struggles, anxieties, and the greater plan for your life. God sent his son to redeem His people and have a relationship with them, but we miss out on this relationship if we push God aside and believe we can do everything ourselves.

As the obedient Son, Jesus always did what his Father commanded. In psalm 22, David originally cried out to God about the suffering he faced, but this was actually a prophetic psalm Jesus recited during his death on the cross.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?”

- Psalm 22:1 (NIV); cf. Matthew 27:46 Here, the psalmist feels as though he has lost control. He knows God watches over him, yet he still suffers. However, he recognizes God’s sovereignty just two verses later as he recalls how God delivered his people from slavery in Egypt.

“Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.

In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.

To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.”

-Psalm 22:3-5 (NIV) When He prayed in the garden at Gethsemane, Jesus prayed something similar to these words because He knew He’d face tremendous suffering on the cross.

“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.

Yet not as I will, but as you will.’”

-Matthew 26:39 (NIV) Jesus knows the struggles we face. He knows what it feels like to lose control––but He has also overcome the world and, because of that, we can find peace and rest in Him. That is why Tenth Avenue North’s song has become an anthem of sorts for my life. As someone who struggles with panic disorder so severe that it requires medication, feeling life slip through my fingers shakes my soul. However, this song reminds me I can take my hands off my life and give God control. If Jesus rose from the grave and is the ultimate source of life, we can rest assured He knows our worries and, as the Good Shepherd, watches over us.

Biddy Chambers: A Sacramental Life Book Review

by Michele Morin Published in 1927, My Utmost for His Highest has sold more than 13 million copies and has never been out of print. Over the course of its 90+ year history, it has been translated into 40 different languages, and Oswald Chambers’ unique and timeless wisdom is quoted far and wide.

However, until recently, little thought has been given to the fact that My Utmost was not published until ten years after Chambers’ death, and that it was his wife, Gertrude “Biddy” Hobbs Chambers who took on the mammoth task of compiling and editing nearly twenty years’ worth of sermons and lessons. Michelle Ule has traced this process in telling the story of the woman behind the world’s best-selling devotional: Mrs. Oswald Chambers.

“It Is God Who Engineers Circumstances” Trained as a stenographer, Biddy learned to type as well with the goal of financial stability and the lofty hope of one day becoming the first female secretary to England’s prime minister. While she remained very private about her spiritual life, it’s clear that her spiritual journey began under the ministry of Oswald Chambers’ brother Arthur. At some point after she was baptized, Oswald led a week-long mission at his big brother’s church, representing an early interdenominational para-church organization, the League of Prayer.

To riff on Jane Austen, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a [budding ministry], must be in want of a wife,” and although Chambers did not come seeking, he found, and to frame it with his own words: “Love is not premeditated, it is spontaneous, i.e., it bursts up in extraordinary ways.”

The “bursting up” was followed by a long distance courtship which evolved into an on-the-road marriage in which Oswald and Biddy crossed the Atlantic and covered the Eastern U.S. as far south as Maryland, as far north as Maine (!), and as far west as Ohio, with Oswald speaking at camp meetings and Biddy faithfully taking shorthand at every venue.

When the newlyweds returned to England, they soon took up residence and took on leadership roles in a Bible Training College started by the League of Prayer. While Oswald lectured, Biddy served as the school’s superintendent and together they grew into the kind of wisdom that taught them the folly of playing the role of

“amateur providence” in other lives and the deep faith that comes with depending upon God for every need to be met.

A man of “perpetual motion” (55), Chambers became a bit of a celebrity in his small circle with everyone wanting a piece of his day. In quietly cherishing his words and in unraveling the administrative nightmares of life together in an educational setting, Biddy began to live her way into a calling of her own in an era when a Christian woman was largely seen as an adornment for the arm of her more influential husband. After the birth of their daughter Kathleen in 1913, summer traveling and school-year activities resumed in full force with a small, blonde curly-haired addition to the ministry team.

“God’s Purpose Is Never Man’s Purpose” When England entered World War I, the Bible Training College era come to an end, and the Chambers family traveled together to Egypt where Oswald served as a YMCA chaplain. Early in their parenting life, they committed themselves to raising Kathleen themselves and keeping her with them, rather than sending her off to boarding school as was the custom of that day.

Life in Egypt was characterized by a “ministry of interruptions” in which Biddy and Oswald made themselves available to anyone who needed to hear the Truth. “Washing the disciples’ feet” often meant feeding hordes of service men under challenging circumstances, and, for Biddy, it always meant patiently recording every word of her husband’s many sermons and devotionals.

With amazing prescience for this time, Oswald referred to Biddy’s great contribution to their ministry in his letters:

Image via michelleule.com

“As for Biddy I love her and I am her husband, but I do not believe it is possible to exaggerate what she has been in the way of a Sacrament out here — God conveying His presence through the common elements of an ordinary life.”

When Oswald passed away in Egypt on November 15, 1917, from complications following a ruptured appendix, God’s Word to Joshua became a comfort to Biddy: “As I was with Moses, so will I be with thee. I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee . . .Only be strong and very courageous.” (Joshua 1:5) Amidst the fires of sorrow, Biddy continued what Oswald had begun and was comforted by the understanding and appreciation of the servicemen she and her husband had served together. One by one, she began producing books and pamphlets taken from her careful notes and publishing them at her own expense, and this became the scaffolding of her life in England when she returned home to a “home” that did not feel like home with a young daughter who had no memory of the family there and who was used to living amidst the bustle of an Army camp.

“Faith is Deliberate Commitment to a Person Where I See No Way.” Because Chambers had not been employed by the military, Biddy had no pension, and times were lean for her and Kathleen as they moved from one situation to another, always typing, always publishing, and always just short of enough resources to make ends meet. The notion of publishing a daily devotional from work that compiled Oswald’s teaching followed on the heels of the enthusiastic response to a devotional calendar Biddy had produced.

Thus, it was in October 1927, in the days when Lewis and Tolkien were lunching at the Eagle and Child pub, when Winnie the Pooh was holding court at the London Zoo, in the year that Amy Carmichael’s Dohnavur Fellowship came into being in India, and that someone made the first transatlantic phone call to North America that My Utmost for His Highest was first published in England.

Biddy went on to run a boutique publishing house, editing and launching Oswald’s writings to an enthusiastic readership that still profits from his words — and from her skill and determination.

Image via Wheaton College Archives

Personally, my appreciation for Chambers’ work has been heightened by this introduction to his wife’s story.

Because I learned that Biddy carefully chose the meditations for Oswald’s birthday, their wedding day, and the anniversary of his death, I want to make a notation in my copy to remind me that the message for that day is specifically assigned. As a single mum who persevered through two world wars and lived all her days under challenging circumstances, Biddy Chambers lived out the title of her husband’s book, offering her utmost in faithfulness and focus for His highest purposes in her own life and in the lives of her readers every day.

This book was provided by Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Mrs. Oswald Chambers: The Woman behind the World's Bestselling Devotional is available from RUBY’S reading corner

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My New Life

by Norma C. Mezoe It was my first Easter Sunday without my husband.

As I looked around the church where my husband and I had worshiped and served together, I saw couples sitting side by side. The scene emphasized the undeniable fact that I was now alone.

It was to this church that my husband had been called to begin his first full-time ministry. He had given up the highest paying job he’d ever had to accept that position at the age of forty-five.

It was in this church that he began having an affair with a young wife who was the mother of two small children.

From this church, they sped away in the darkness of midnight.

On that first Easter Sunday without my husband, the sermon was the joyful message of Christ’s resurrection. It was a jubilant proclamation that the grave could not keep Jesus a prisoner.

It was a promise that he had risen from the tomb to bring new life to all who would accept his gift of salvation. To those who had suffered losses and were mourning, he gave the assurance and the hope of new beginnings.

Romans 6:4b (NIV) gives this good news of encouragement: “…just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

As I sat alone on that Easter morning, I felt pain and loneliness, but I was also aware of the Lord’s presence. I experienced the joy of His Spirit as I accepted the new life He offered.

I could have stayed home that Easter morning, telling myself it would be too painful to attend the worship service alone. Had I made that decision, I would have missed the blessing and the joy that awaited me.

If you have experienced the loss of a loved one, either through death or divorce, you can choose to dwell on the memories of the past or you can move forward to the new life that Jesus Christ waits to give you.

11 Steps for Contentment

by Debra Gray-Elliot

When you are feeling distressed or hopeless, consider these eleven steps that helped me overcome any doubts I had about myself and I know will help you as well.

Trust after a traumatic experience is a major key in renewing your life. Without trust, you cannot grow and thrive.

The steps are simple and through God's wisdom and inspiration are found in the word "contentment".

The Lord already knows what you've gone through and what you are going through. You have to trust Him to see you through any storms that come your way.

Cast your cares unto the Lord: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Encourage others: Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

When you cast all of your doubts, fears and hopelessness unto the Lord you are able to move on. You can begin to live your life to the fullest and experience the joy God wants for you.

When I am discouraged and in despair, I find one of the best ways to crawl out of self-pity is to encourage others. Encouragement is a great hope builder.

Overcome your fears: Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. Isaiah 54:4

You can give others hope because you have already been there. Be a great encourager to others in your walk after a traumatic experience. It helps you as well!

When you are able to overcome any fears left over from the past you can become strong and will no longer feel unsure of anything.

Do not lose hope: For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Psalm 71:5 ESV Remember you cannot lose hope. Hope is what sustains you through the tribulations and turmoil after an abortion. Hope gives you strength and courage to press forward.

Trust in the Lord: Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. Proverbs 3:5 AMPC

Nothing is impossible: I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV Through the Lord you can do all things. You can heal yourself, you can forgive yourself, you are a person of value. You can respect yourself and gain your confidence back because nothing is impossible with God. Triumph over obstacles: The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies. Psalm 118:7 NIV The Lord is always with you, he is your helper when you stumble and fall over obstacles.

Obstacles will always be there, but you can be triumphant over the shackles of the past and break through all obstacles.

Mend your heart: The troubles of my heart are enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses. Psalm 25:17 (NASB)

Never look back: My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course. Proverbs 23:19 (NLT)

Your heart is heavy with burdens from your past and you are suffering. I have been there. My heart was troubled with distress and troubles of my past, but I turned to Psalm 25:17 which became my beacon in the rescue of my heart. To go forward, you have to mend your heart and find contentment within your soul.

What happened is gone, long forgiven. Keep yourself focused on today. Do not ponder on "what if's" or "why's".

Throw away the past: Forget what happened in the past, and do not dwell on events from long ago. Isaiah 43:18 (GOD'S WORD® Translation)

Everyday counts: So, remove grief and anger from your heart and out away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting. Ecclesiastes 11:10 (NASB)

The last statement says it all: "throw away your past." You have come far in your journey and have forged on toward being content in your life. If you hang on to the past, you will never be content. You cannot go back and change what happened to you.

You can only move forward in your new life, a life of forgiveness, a life of joy, and a life of contentment.

Every day of your life counts! Do not store away grief and anger. You are somebody. You have purpose, you have worth. God sees only the best in you.

From Ashes of Pity into Beauty of Purpose

by Debra Gray-Elliott From Ashes of Pity into Beauty of Purpose by Debra GrayElliott brings emotionally charred women out of the pits of fire, through the ashes into the beauty of purpose. With the direction of God, hurting women weather through the painful journeys, become women of spiritual beauty, find God's purpose, and learn to live again.

From Ashes of Pity into Beauty of Purpose by Debra GrayElliott is now available from RUBY’S Reading Corner.

The Hannah Experience: When Nothing seems to be Producing the Desired Effect

by Jennifer Workman “This book extends inspiration to every bibliophile to press forward in prayer and trust God unequivocally despite what they may encounter in life and trust that God is the way and that he will ultimately supply their needs and bring them to their final destination at the appointed time.”

Now available from RUBY’S Reading Corner

Dream Bold!

Break through Walls!

Possess the Gatekeeper’s Key!

by Kathryn Ross Here’s a treat for our RUBY Magazine readers! I’m excited to announce my latest book, The Gatekeeper’s Key, is nominated for the Christian Indie Award for 2018 in the devotional genre. Yes! I choose to dream bold.

The book literally grew from a dream and an allegorical short story I wrote in January 2016, related to my spiritual journey as a writer. That year, I wrote and recorded three other audio posts, simultaneously published in RUBY Magazine, which eventually became full chapters in the book.

If you’ve ever felt stuck within walled confines, paralyzed by fear, intimidated by risk, blocked from crossing the threshold of your full potential into the field of your dreams, desires, or calling in life, the metaphorical story-world meditations I explore in The Gatekeeper’s Key provide hope to help you persevere in uncertain days.

Learn to discern your place and season, with encouragement to see purpose in boundaries, find comfort in trials, and gain fortitude in going forth. I use short story, personal testimony, excerpts from classic literature, visual imagery, challenge questions for discussion, and journal prompts for writing assignments to draw you before the Gatekeeper with the Keys.

Enjoy this RUBY exclusive, abridged short story excerpt from chapter one of The Gatekeeper’s Key. Chapters two through seven further explore the book’s themes, inspired by this allegory—one key at a time: In Wannabe Village, separated by a great wall from a vast Field of Dreams, an artist resides.

She weaves words, capturing and taming their fibers in her imagination until they are useful in spilling from her lips with sound, or her fingers to the printed page. The wonder of letter threads, deftly handled and woven together into connecting cords, form her words. The intangibles of meaning and thought find a highway to understanding and apt communication.

A powerful craft through which to transform lives.

Clutching her words, kneading them, ripping them from one place to another, Weaver works them like a bird feathering a nest in anticipation of a new creation. Something of herself is born through the work of her words.

She mounts threads and cords on a loom, shuttling them about, lining them up just right, each atop the last. One between, over and under another. Her words weave sentences, strung together with more threads. Three-fold cords become yarns—spools of thought spun in Weaver’s inventiveness.

Paragraph skeins link like chains, following the pattern of a concept working in Weaver’s mind, soul, and spirit. Word pictures develop, a framework of activity for characters, plots, and motives of the heart.

Weaver plies her trade as a resident in Wannabe Village, enclosed roundabout by Muchado Wall, so named for the many fear-filled blocks cemented one onto another, in a tumult of complaint. Built thick and high through the years, with bricks hardened in the ovens of Treadmill Kilns, this formidable fencing confines, as much as comforts.

Some in Wannabe are content to keep to the comfort zones at the center, giving little thought to worlds outside. They know only what they see in the scope of their narrowed vision. With hands to work and eyes cast down, they live their entire lives unaware of wonders beyond their village. Blissfully ignorant, they toil. Safe and secret. Unburdened by a want of more in the shadow of Muchado.

Except for the residents on the outskirts.

These fence-sitters are the restless ones, having glimpsed beyond Muchado Wall through cracks in its mortar. The Field of Dreams lies on the other side. Once sighted, seeds implant within hearts. A sense of calling roots within souls. These citizens of Wannabe are never the same again. Desire to breach the wall’s limitations spurs their work. They relocate outside the village center to the border streets nearest the only place of coming in and going out: The Gateway of Greater Things.

Here, on the fringe of Wannabe Village, is where Weaver lives on Waiting Lane. She has resided there for some time, bemoaning her lack of skill, often entertaining old Mistress Doubts-A-Lot at teatime. When she returns to her efforts in the aftermath of their repast, she notices her clumsy fingers drop words. She misses stitches, making her story uneven. Letters, jots, and tittles fall out of place. Perhaps she has overindulged on the scones.

The lack of a Master Story-Weaver to mentor her efforts towards greater purpose stirs bouts of despair in her heart.

She knows where to find him, though. The Master.

He is the Gatekeeper to the Field of Dreams so near, yet out of reach. The Gatekeeper holds the Key of Opportunity. It is a key she has long desired to have—but shrinks back from fully pursuing.

One day, Weaver ventures into the marketplace where words and tapestries trade hands. There stands the Gatekeeper. Eager weavers reach out to him in a flood of tales. Some limp about, tripping over their words for all the loose threads and yarns, falling flat on the ground before him. Others push and shove, staking a claim by his side, aggressively petitioning for a key.

But, the treasuries therein are not to be toyed with, and the gate’s portal not to be opened to antagonists. The Gatekeeper knows the worth of each word tapestry laid before him and allows only those who prove themselves worthy of the key to have access. By invitation.

Weaver has spent a lifetime tending her threads and yarns and looms. Her reputation in the village is linked to such pursuits. She has gifted many with her word tapestries in one form or another. But, sharing word tapestries risk of rejection. Bearing one’s heart and art through the works of one’s hands opens the door to evaluation. She remains selective in publishing her works abroad to a wider audience.

Even so, recipients of her weaving regularly encourage her to seek out the Gatekeeper to the Field of Dreams on the other side of Muchado Wall, and cross the threshold of the Gateway to Greater Things.

But she is unsure the benefits of expanding her tapestry’s borders would be equal to the risk.

Weaver sighs. She so desires to be a Gatekeeper holding keys herself. But she has yet to receive an invitation.

Cheers rise up, now and again, when the Gatekeeper grants a worthy recipient a Key of Opportunity. Their work may be displayed within castle halls, exhibited far and wide to other approving Master Story-Weavers. She admires their tales and gleans valuable treasure threads from them to add to her crafting tools, as much as she despairs in her heart when she measures her worth by their weavings.

Today, like every day, the Gatekeeper holds court by his portal. She watches from a safe distance in the shadows at the end of Waiting Lane, holding her best tapestry close to her. From afar she sees the Key of Opportunity shimmering in the sun from the Gatekeeper’s belt.

The Gatekeeper slips his hand into a leather pouch and pulls out a smattering of small envelopes. The invitations! He passes them out to a few who petition him. She eyes the envelopes with desire— and trepidation.

READ THE REST OF CHAPTER ONE OF THE GATEKEEPER’S KEY ON THE RUBY BLOG Want to hear more from The Gatekeeper’s Key? Visit Miss Kathy at TheWritersReverie.com and click on the PODCASTS page, or direct to Update Episode #5: The Gatekeeper’s Key, including links to THREE more podcasts, published in RUBY Magazine, that became the foundation for chapters in the Christian Indie Award 2018 Nominated book, The Gatekeeper’s Key, by Kathryn Ross. Your VOTE (ballots close March 31) and support is greatly appreciated.

Wheels of Wisdom: Life Lessons for the Restless Spirit by Tim and Debbie Bishop is available from RUBY’S Reading Corner.

Bring Some Spring Beauty into Your Home for Less Than $20

by Theresa L Begin Happy March! Can you believe that it's already March?! My goodness time sure flies. I posted this beautiful little arrangement of mini hydrangeas and these sweet pink roses on Facebook a couple days ago and it was eaten up with popularity! So, I wanted to reshare it with you and let you know how you can recreate the same, and many more beautiful bouquets, in your home for less than $20!

I love how these little arrangements and flowers can always keep away the winter, post-holiday blues! Which is why I decided to share the whole story with you! You see, whenever financially feasible, usually once or twice a month, if I’m lucky, I head over to Safeway's floral.

They really do have absolutely stunning roses. I think most people are not aware of that, but, as long as you aren't buying their premade arrangements, they are really quite reasonable and easy to fit into your budget!

For example these beautiful mini hydrangeas run for only $6.99 and they are more than enough for many little arrangements throughout your home.

I managed, not just this arrangement in my favorite little white teapot, but 3 other beautiful arrangements from 1 6stem bunch of mini hydrangeas and 1 dozen of these lovely pink roses. Yes, you are reading that right! If you forgo the baby's breath and fern and just buy the dozen roses, you pay only $9.99.

What color do you fancy? There's always a wonderful assortment.

These little beauties in green glass sit on my desk and brighten my day, while I work away sharing with you all. I made a very similar one for my dining room table.

My neighbor and friend, just had a hip replacement a couple of weeks ago, I was so pleased to take her a little 'cheer' while she's recovering! She was off to physical therapy when I dropped them off, but later told me she knew immediately I had been there! Citing the Mason jar and roses must have meant I was there. She was right and her words made my heart smile!

So you see, I don't have a giant bankroll or live next to a florist. I just know how to stretch the beauty as far as possible and now you do, too!

I hope you'll use these tips and bring some spring into your home. Remember, anything you love (that holds water) can be the perfect vase for your taste.

Ruby Writing Team Sharon Patterson, retired educator, career military wife, and leader in women's ministry, has written inspirational encouragement in various forms from greeting cards to short stories, poetry, and Bible studies for over thirty years. She has authored three books, and is a contributing author for several of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. She and her husband Garry live in Round Rock, Texas. They have three sons and five grandchildren.

Carol Peterson, Author My mission as a writer is to educate, entertain and inspire– children, their teachers and parents, other writers, and readers of all genres. As a children’s writer I try to “Make Learning Fun” by helping busy teachers address curriculum accountability standards, and encouraging other writers to do the same. You can connect with Carol at her blog, Carol Peterson, Author Carol is a member of the Ruby Book Review Team.

Theresa Begin lives in Northern California, where she was born and raised. She is a Christian who loves her family and says, “I have been blessed with the world’s best parents!” She has three sisters and one brother, as well as 16 beautiful nieces and nephews who “mean the world to me!” She is “differently-abled,” and chooses not to allow her limitations to define her life. She loves to write and share her various projects on her blog, “Shoestring Elegance,” which came about as she discovered that living on a tight budget did not mean compromising on style. “Nothing is impossible with God.” Luke 1:37 NLT

Shara Bueler-Repka is enjoying life as a singer/songwriter/recording artist, freelance writer, and award-winning author. She and her husband, Bruce, live in their living quarters horse trailer and call “home” wherever their rig is parked. Their mail-base, however, is Hallettsville, Texas. She also loves riding/ministering with her husband and their horses (aka The Boys) in the backcountry and writing about God’s grace in the various adventures on the trail less-traveled. Join the fun and be encouraged on their website: www.ponyexpressministry.com and her blog: www.trail-tails.blogspot.com, or come for a visit on Facebook.

Writer-speaker, Kathryn Ross is Pageant Wagon Publishing—igniting God’s Word and biblical principles as a vibrant light of literacy and learning in the life of your Christian family. Her recent book, The Gatekeeper’s Key, is nominated for the Indie Book Award 2018. Inspired by the stillness of birdsong, silent reflection, antiques, and teatime, she filters her love of history, classic literature, and the arts through God’s Word, to inform her words. Miss Kathy blogs and podcasts at www.thewritersreverie.com and www.pageantwagonpublishing.com.

Michele Morin is a teacher, blogger, reader, and gardener who finds joy in sitting at a table surrounded by women with open Bibles. She has been married to an unreasonably patient husband for nearly 27 years, and their four children are growing up at an alarming rate. She blogs at Living Our Days because “the way we live our days will be, after all, the way we live our lives.”

Cindy Evans is a published poet living in the greater Atlanta area. When she's not writing, you may find her a faith-based movie with her husband, making trail mix or serving at the local Christian hospice.

Christina Murphy (Christy) is a God fearing, Bible believing, woman; she attended Barclay College and achieved her bachelors in Ministry Leadership. She is an ESL teacher, a social work student and mentor to women standing for their marriages. She loves coffee, and cheesecake is her weakness.

Rejetta Morse enjoys writing poetry so she can write about God and how He speaks through nature. Writing poetry is a new found purpose and hobby she discovered over recent years which brings her joy, peace, and encouragement. She also enjoys reading poetry and is working to learn more about the craft of poetry. She spends her free time singing with her church choir and listening to gospel music, watching biographical movies, and encouraging other people.

Joan Leotta has been playing with words since childhood. She is a poet, essayist, journalist, playwright, and author of several books both fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. She is also a performer and gives one-woman shows on historic figures and spoken word folklore shows as well as teaching writing and storytelling.

Joan lives in Calabash, NC where she walks the beach with husband, Joe. www.joanleotta.wordpress.com and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Joan-Leotta-Authorand-Story-Performer/188479350973 Christian author and speaker Debra Gray-Elliott turned her passion for the Lord's words into possibility by sharing hope for the lost and healing for the broken. In her two inspirational non-fiction books, From Ashes of Pity into Beauty of Purpose gives hope to the broken woman's heart and heals her lost soul. Dancing through the Storms 365 Day Devotional-Surviving the Loss of a Child gives hope to grieving parents sorrow and heals their brokenness. Debra lives in Trussville, Alabama with her family and can be reached through Facebook and her website http://anngrayelliott1960.wixsite.com/authordebraelliott

Nancy Frantel lives in Virginia, and is a published author of three history books, public speaker and researcher. Prior to becoming a writer she worked in corporate management.

A “life interruption� injury in 2010 limited her ability to work as a writer. In 2017, she attended several Christian writing conferences, and felt led to start over in a different genre. Her goal is to write inspirational and encouraging stories based on her experiences, lessons learned by trusting God, and individuals He provides along the way.

Donna B. Comeaux has been writing for the RUBY Magazine (http://rubyforwomen.com) since 2013. In 2014, Donna wrote devotionals for Hopeful Living, a publication designed to encourage senior citizens, and for Believer Life. Her website is located at: www.awriterfirst.wordpress.com. Not only will you find other inspirational stories on her website, you will also find tips for writers, devotionals, and a few of Donna's political views as well. Donna and her husband, Glenn, have two grown sons and eight grandchildren.

They reside in Oklahoma.

Norma C. Mezoe began writing after a crisis in her life. She has been a published writer for thirty years. Her writing has appeared in books, devotionals, take-home papers and magazines. She lives in the tiny town of Sandborn, Indiana where she is active in her church as clerk, teacher and bulletin maker. Contact at: normacm@tds.net

R.G. Sharpe is a freelance writer bringing faith and fortitude to blended families. She is happily remarried with five beautiful children now ranging in ages seven to fourteen.

She is a co-author of two devotionals and is currently writing a children’s book to help young readers process their emotions after their parents' separation and divorce. You can learn more and subscribe for updates at www.rgsharpe.com.

Maryann Lorts: Life is full of choices and wandering. The Lord called me in my desert and poured life and truth into me through conviction by the Holy Spirit. I am now called to grow His kingdom by sharing the joy I have found in my king. Most days you can find me with my children as I disciple them through Bible study and homeschooling amongst other volunteer opportunities in our community. Visit Maryann’s blog, Coming to Light, and you can also find her on Facebook.

Suzane Avadiar is a freelance writer, cat-lover and avid traveler. Over the last 16 years, she has written extensively for various publications and companies in the global marketplace. Writing is not only her full-time job but also her passion and instrument of worship. She now writes solely about her faith and has a deep desire to reveal the heart of God through her writings. Suzane writes daily devotions on social media for her church, C3 Subang and is currently completing her first book, Sent to Journey - a Devotional for Travelers. She blogs at www.senttojourney.wordpress.com and resides in Malaysia.

Lisa Radcliff is a writer, speaker, women's Bible study teacher, and a 35-year volunteer youth worker, residing in Pennsburg, PA. She is a wife, mom, and mom-mom who loves God's Word but also loves football, chocolate, shoes, and Maine. Her hobbies include quilting, shopping, cooking, and raising Seeing Eye puppies. You can reach her at lisajradcliff@gmail.com.

Jehn Kubiak is a Biola University journalism graduate and current pastoral care and counseling major at the Talbot School of Theology. She is a San Diego native who enjoys distance swimming, , coffee, dogs, and painting. She loves researching and writing about people, sports, activities, and more.

Sheila von Maltitz is an author and publisher at DoveQuill Publishing where you can find Nana’s BIG Storybook featuring fun stories for children. She is also the creative cook and owner of Country Lady Foods which specializes in “Dry Mixes for Your Good Life.” You can find Sheila on her Facebook page at Country Lady Foods.

Tim Bishop has co-authored four books with his wife, Debbie, about their midlife launch into marriage, cross-country bicycle touring, and other matters of faith and inspiration. He serves as a volunteer Hope Coach for TheHopeLine, a nonprofit organization that seeks to reach, rescue, and restore hurting teens and young adults.

Jewell Utt Jewell is a Freelance Writer and Speaker. Her passion is to teach and support the body of Christ to serve in church and community. She is the Director of a Food Outreach and the Women's Ministry Leader at her church. Her retreats encourage women—through the hard places of life—to seek a deeper relationship with Christ. You can visit her website www.jewellutt.com or contact her by email:jewellutt@yahoo.com.

"While we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith." Galatians 6:10

Miriam Jacob is a reviewer at Oxford Academic, Oxford University Press; a blog reviewer at Revell Reads, Baker Publishing Group; member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid, Christian Authors Network and Ruby Book Review Team; Google Scholar and Researcher at Academia.edu; ebook author and poet; top reviewer at NetGalley, Christian Book Distributors, Barnes and Noble, Google Books and Goodreads. Miriam is a reviewer at Tyndale House Publishers; Moody Press; Barbour Books; Harvest House; New Hope Publishers; Penguin; HarperCollins Christian; Abingdon Press; WaterBrook & Multnomah; and Discovery House. Miriam's articles and poems are published at Blogger, Faithwriters, PoemHunter, ProBoards, Weebly and WordPress. Her writings are published on her two blogs at www.miriamjacob.wordpress.com & www.authorsforchrist.blogspot.com

Nina Newton, Sr. Editor:

When my four older children were in school, I returned to college as a “non-traditional student.” Eventually, I earned degrees in Classics and Philosophy, and a graduate degree in Medieval Studies: History of Theology. After teaching at a small community college in Michigan for seven years, my husband and I were blessed with the adoption of our two beautiful daughters, Gracie and Annie. We live in northern Indiana in a small farming community where I work on RUBY magazine in my home office. I have worked for several years offering my handmade and refashioned garments and accessories in a local boutique under the creative name of “Vintage Mama’s Cottage.” My personal blog is at www.vintagemamascottage.com

RUBY magazine is now available in print!

Every issue of RUBY magazine can now be purchased as a print publication.

Now you can have a copy of our beautiful magazine to share with your friends and family.

To purchase RUBY magazine in print, please visit the RUBY blog at www.rubyforwomen.com where you will find the link for each issue.

RUBY magazine is published by CreativeLife