It all started with a telephone call. "Hello. Is this the home of Rosemary
Hagedorn, who writes devotionals for the local newspaper?"
The person on the other end of the phone line was asking me where I get my
inspiration from. It is so amazing how quickly one's pride rears its ugly head
and we have the choice to say either "I wrote those articles and stories all by
myself," or "I am but a vessel, and my inspiration comes from the Holy Spirit."
I chose the latter reply, because it is the truth. I never completed high
school. I never attended any workshops or took any training regarding the way I
write. Yet, Christ in me has inspired many people who have read my stories on
the web or in the newspaper.
I am truly thankful for that telephone call, because the person went on to
encourage me to continue to write. I have recently found myself stagnant and not
able to write. Oh, I create picture stories for my grandchildren, but I have not
written anything spiritual lately.
After that call, I thought about our entire conversation and asked God to help
me get back to writing and sharing the good news.
"What good news?" You may ask.
The news that I am talking about is Jesus' sacrificial death on a cross, as an
atonement for our sins. I am talking about the hope of the empty tomb and Jesus'
victorious resurrection.
1 Peter 1:3-4 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance
which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven
for you. (NASB)
Prayer: Dear God, we ask that You help us to share this good news, and we ask
for Your forgiveness for not having done so in the past. We have lost our vision
and mission; we have buried and neglected our gifts; and we ask that You
reawaken our hearts, rekindle our zeal, and make us brand new, in order that we
may enthusiastically share our gifts with a lost world. Amen.
Rosemary Hagedorn
Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada.
Rosyhagedorn@gmail.com
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.