Friday, August 7, 2009

Friday Fun

I'm at my writer's conference, but have preposted this song. Though it's a metaphoric song, it's lyrics are literally perfect for the conference: "Staring at the blank page before you...reaching for something in the distance...so close you can almost taste it...today is where your book begins!" Enjoy!




Chatty Kelly

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

On the Road Again

Kelly & Sonya at She Speaks Writers Conference '08

My friend Sonya (Truth4theJourney) & I are heading on a road trip to a Christian Writers Conference! We are so excited to be going, and ask your prayers for us that we are safe, learn a lot and that God open the doors of opportunity He chooses for us.

Pray also for patience and wisdom for our husbands as they care for our kids, and for our sweet kids to be safe and well cared for in "mom's" absence.

I've prewritten a fun post to publish Friday while I'm gone.
See you then, and thanks for your prayers!

Chatty Kelly
My Examiner article CORRECTED LINK on Sales Tax Exempt weekend is here.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Who's Your Daddy?

I have breakfast with my dad almost every Saturday morning. His wife, and my family all come. We've been doing it for 10 years now, and it's a tradition we enjoy.

Last Saturday his wife pointed to my shirt and nudged my dad with a proud smile. My dad looked at my shirt and asked, "What's your shirt say?" "Princess," I responded reading the main text. My dad then read the subtext out loud: "My Father is the King of Kings." As he read it, I got a guilty feeling like I'd been caught cheating on my dad with another father. "Jesus, right?" he asked. "Yes." "I got it," he said, "my wife didn't, but I got it."

My dad can be critical. He doesn't hesitate to tell you if he thinks you've gained weight, or your kids look heavy. He doesn't mind telling you where he believes you are parenting poorly, or that you'd be better off working a job with a salary then staying home and writing for free. I know he's proud of me, but he's more likely to tell someone else that than me.

Then there's my Heavenly Father. When He looks at me, He sees only my heart. And yes, sometimes He does rebuke me, but only in pure love. And this free writing I do, well I know He doesn't just like it, He is glorified by it. But my relationship with THIS Father does something else that's pretty amazing.

Because I am filled with, and my expectations met by my Heavenly Father, I am free to have a great relationship with my earthly dad. Because I can take him like he is, and love him for it. I don't expect him to be the greatest dad in the world, because I already have that. He can just be the dad he is.

I'm blessed because of my two dads.

Luke 14:26 -- You cannot be my disciple, unless you love me more than you love your father and mother, your wife and children, and your brothers and sisters. You cannot come with me unless you love me more than you love your own life. (CEV)

Matthew 7:11 -- If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Revelation 19:16 -- On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.


Chatty Kelly

Read my Examiner Article on The Grocery Game here.