Pencil in His Hand: A Mother's Journal of Stories, Thoughts, and Poems.

  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Robert Bagramov. Unsplash Dearest Readers,  I just want to keep it really simple today. I want to encourage you in these dark days with joyful thoughts of what lies ahead for each blood bought child of God. It is a command, not a suggestion that we do this. For the Lord has promised to fetch us; to hide us whilst He pours His wrath out upon the earth. No, we are not destined for wrath.  As believers, we experience much tribulation here on earth, but The Great Tribulation is reserved for the unrighteous. I have referred before to a dream I had many years ago, in which I was walking along in much anxiety whilst carrying a heavy load of books. These all tumbled to the ground as I was lifted up to meet my Lord:  Jesus, whom I confess to be my Lord and Saviour. Today, let us all remember that time is short. Like the Israelites when they were about to leave Egypt, we need to be ready, having forsaken all earthly ties. If you are not saved, read th...

  The Conversation  Gavin was so absorbed in his book, that he barely noticed that the train had stopped at a station. "Mind if I sit here?" He looked up. A young woman with friendly freckles across her nose and wide brown eyes stood in the aisle. He nodded, then smiled faintly and she quickly stowed her large backpack. "I'm Sybil." The young woman offered. "Thanks." "No problem. Travelling to Barton?"  "Nope. It's Dunmore I'm headed for. You?" "Same." Gavin was cautious. He wasn't sure he felt like a chatty companion. He'd been looking forward to finishing his book. It had hooked him from the first chapter. But thankfully, Sybil didn't bubble on. She just smiled before taking her own book out.  Gavin went back to his reading, not without noticing that it was a Bible that Sybil had opened. Unusual.   Sybil glanced towards him. She liked to study people, and would often strike up a conversation in the ho...

  Where Light Reigns Neo shouldered his pack and stiffened his shoulders. He locked the door of his childhood home and wondered whether he would ever return. It was unlikely. He'd grown up on the nourishing stories his father and mother had told him about the City of Light which lay at the centre of the world. If he could somehow make it to that city, he might  never return to the Gray Kingdom. But first, he'd need to travel through the Gray Kingdom and on to the borders of the Kingdom of Darkness. His only hope of survival would be to find the secret ways which led to the centre of the world. To journey through the neighbouring empire of evil would mean certain death. Neo shuddered. The thought of traveling so far only to be viciously murdered by thugs or thieves was more than he could bear. His steps faltered. "Neo! Neo! Wait for me!" The familiar silky voice brought him to a complete stop. Mira. How like her to turn up just when he was feeling weak. "Hi Mira....

  High tide. Author's photo Salvation's Song. Poem Salvation's song rings through my heart, A brand new life, A brand new start For He has died to set me free, shed His dear blood, now blind eyes see Salvation's song I sing each day, and share my Jesus on the way *** Copyright: pencil in His Hand *** This poem accompanies  Yesterday's story This will not be an ongoing story as I thought, but rather a stand alone story. Apologies for any disappointment caused. *** See you next week, God willing. Hope you have a blessed weekend. 🩷💙🙏💌

  Photo: Jussara Romão. Unsplash Salvation Song I woke up on that new, clear day and wondered what might be different. The previous evening had been a watershed moment in my relatively short life. I was sure that I'd turned the proverbial corner and couldn't wait to discover each sparkling discovery. My eyes widened.   He would be with me. I didn't know much, but I knew this. My energy levels were higher than they'd been in a long time. I got up, and quickly finished my morning routine. I could feel His presence; it was as though He was right beside me whilst I got myself, then my two little sleepyheads ready for the day. Morning Jesus. You see, just a few hours before, I had poured out my heart to Jesus, listed my horrible sins, and asked Him to forgive me; to save me. And He had! I was a new Alyssa now. The old Alyssa was gone. I laughed quietly to myself. Would anyone I knew even recognize me? Would Kyle. and Gabriel and Everlee? Would I even recognize myself? *** I ...

  Photo: pencil in His Hand Invitation All that stuff entices, it calls to me: keep wanting, keep buying: come, worship me And busyness, it pressures me: keep going, keep doing: come, worship me But now, His call transcends their screams: Come, ye weary and lost: Come worship Me. *** Copyright: pencil in His Hand New gardening post

  Photo: A Mc Key Ready for the Rapture Five year old Mason yelled as he ran through the house: "Mom! Sophie! Britt! Jeremy! Logan! Chase! Lily! Where are you?" The little boy had woken up from his nap to find his whole family gone. Had that thing happened that his mom spoke about? Had Jesus fetched everyone but him? "Mom!" Mason pulled hard on the kitchen door and hurtled down the steps. He raced through the small orchard, then came to an abrupt stop. His mother and all of his siblings were gathered in front of the neighbour's fence, admiring a new puppy. "Oh!" Later, as Mason snuggled beneath his covers, he asked his mother the question that had been turning in his brain all afternoon. "Mommy, how can I ask Jesus to take me up in the clouds too?" ***   My Testimony *** Copyright: pencil in His Hand New gardening post

  The Sowin' Flash Fiction Tallula followed her grandmother's instructions faithfully. Her fingers trembled slightly as she dropped each bean seed in place. How terrible if she were to fail. Her fingers ignored her attempts to still them until she recalled her grandmother's gentle yet confident words. Tallula sprinkled some fine lettuce seeds into her palm before scattering them on the composted earth. Then, she breathed a prayer as the wise words settled within her heart:  "Just do the sowin', sweetheart. You just do the sowin'. It's the Lord Who does the growin'." *** My Testimony Copyright: pencil in His Hand New gardening post

  Photo: Aaron Burden. Unsplash How Can I Become A Christian? Dearest Reader, I am very glad that you are asking this question. And If you are not, I pray that you will. I will, with God's help do my best to answer it. Becoming a Christian, or as I like to say, a Jesus' follower, is not about joining a religion, or becoming a religious person. No, it is all about relationship, about becoming a member of God's family. No one can force their way into God's family or into Heaven. Many have tried to do this by observing the Law or by doing good works. But as Romans 3:23 tells us, we have all sinned. No one is good. We are all sinners in need of a Saviour. Now for the Good News!  Jesus is God. And He is good. He offers us the free gift of salvation. He achieved this by taking on human flesh, and dying on the cross. It was there, during that agonizing death that He took all of our sin on Himself. His blood was shed at the cross as a payment for our sin. Basically, Jesus took ...

  The Graphics Card Jason thought he may as well stick his neck out a bit further. He didn't have much to lose. Ryan, along with most of his fellow students already thought he was weird anyway. "It's like this," Jason smiled as he rummaged around in his backpack. Before long he held up the object he'd found. Ryan laughed. "A computer graphics card? You really are nuts." Unperturbed, Jason handed the graphics card to Ryan. "A mother board would have been better, but this will do. Tell me, Ryan, did the graphics card come about as the result of a random explosion in a lab, or did someone design it with great care?" Ryan huffed. "It was designed of course." "And so was the earth. It was no accident. Just look around." He gestured to the trees and gardens of the campus. "There's plenty of evidence for a designer. Not to mention, you yourself." Ryan was quiet for a moment as he studied the piece of hardware in his h...

  What is Really Important? Are you ready for Jesus' return? 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ESV [13] But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. [14] For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. [15] For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. [18] Therefore encourage one another with these words. https://bible.com/bible/59/1th.4.13-18.ESV Philippians 1...

    POEMS FROM A BUSY BRAIN Alison Lawrence ADD BRAIN My thoughts are white rapids tumbling, through a brain that's a roiling sea. I spy the peaceful banks and spaces, but the river is carrying me. I see a little pool of hope, where gentle waters flow and birds and flowers soothe ... where colorful swathes delight and call to enter in. With God's help I will get to that place,  of peaceful steps and thoughts where my brain will find true rest in a calm and trusting way. JOY Choosing joy when I want to grumble, choosing joy so I do not stumble, a joy that bubbles right on through the dreary gloom that threatens you. Choosing joy in rain and snow, choosing joy when cheer is low. It's not about a fake, bright smile and trying to bear it for a while, this joy is everlasting, true, and yours when Jesus lives in you. IDOLS There are so many idols, so many things  that pull for our attention, so many idols,  so many things, will Jesus get a mention? TAKE-OVER BID I...

    A Legacy for Lissa and other Stories By Alison Lawrence Copyright owner: Alison Lawrence. 2023. A Legacy for Lissa and Other Stories is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real people is coincidental. Bible quotations from: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® ESV ® Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Cover Photo by: Lance Reis. Unsplash. Dedication: To my Dad, Errol Foxcroft. Contents: A Legacy For Lissa Days of Lack, Days of Love Willow Song In His Footsteps Afterword A Legacy for Lissa Lissa found the card when she was packing her room up. She was leaving home. Long cherished memories tugged at her heart as she opened the old birthday card. "I will always love you." May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you His peace." All my love, Granny."  That was the last time she'd heard from her gran. On her...