Mountains of Grace: Lifting as We Climb

By The Women of Grace Writers

Experience encouragement in your daily struggles and find hope in this seemingly hopeless world as you read the inspirational thoughts of the Women of Grace Writers in this book, "Mountains of Grace." This is the work of a group of Christian writers in Southern Arizona, USA, who, along with contributing authors, share how their lives have been inspired and changed by the unfathomable mercy, grace, and love of God, which is extended to all people. The aim is to provide glimpses of how acceptance of this gift of grace has produced 'overcoming lives' for these writers, no matter their circumstances. Their brave transparency will hopefully energize you to also 'stay the course' in difficult times and to lift up others as you climb in your own spiritual walk. You will see that sometimes this grace is manifested in very mysterious, even supernatural, ways. So, it is the overwhelming desire of the Women of Grace Writers that God will use this book to open the eyes of their readers to the blessed hope they have found in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ - How amazing is that."

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 27, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512746617

The Women of Grace Writers

"Mountains of Grace" is the third book of inspirational thoughts by this group of writers. Assuredly, more than one cook in a kitchen will certainly be chaos, but this circle of ten like-spirited women, writing and praying together, has been described as like "sitting in heavenly places." With varied educational and professional backgrounds, they openly share as one body how the grace of God goes before us in anticipation of all our circumstances. It immerses us in pure joy, love, and forgiveness. And gratefully, it energizes us to extend that same mercy and grace to each other and to those around us.

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Copyright © 2016 The Women of Grace Writers.

Cover Design by William A. Hill

Cochise College Graphics Design Student

Sierra Vista, Arizona

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Scripture taken from the Amplified Bible, copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.0. Copyright © 1996-2012 by the ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of Biblica US, Inc.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

All Scripture quotations in this publications are from The Message. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-4660-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-4662-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-4661-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016910104

WestBow Press rev. date: 07/27/2016

CONTENTS

Preface

Acknowedgement

Section 1: AMAZING GRACE

"Be still and know that I am God:

I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

(Psalm 46:10 KJV)

1. A Mother’s Love — Lynne Brown

2. Away — Phyllis Andrews

3. Balloons — Sue Walker

4. Blazing Furnace — Juanita Adamson

5. Butterflies — Juanita Adamson

6. Daddy’s Message — Sue Walker

7. David and Goliath — Phyllis Andrews

8. Derailed — Catherine Ricks Urbalejo

9. Follow Me — Sue Walker

10. God’s Mighty Protection — Juanita Adamson

11. I Know — Jaie Benson

12. Mission Possible — Cathi Rumbaugh

13. My First Love —Jaie Benson

14. Oh How He Loves Us — Kristen Welch

15. Power to Create Change — Tancy Elliott

16. Plugged In — Mae Mattingly

17. Ride Through It (Offended) — Catherine Ricks Urbalejo

18. Rise and Live — Lynne Brown

19. Send Me a Song, Lord — Lynne Brown

20. Sin — Catherine Ricks Urbalejo

21. Stains — Juanita Adamson

22. The Fire — Sue Walker

23. The Most Interesting People I Know — Phyllis Andrews

24. The Rainbow After the Storm — Lynne Brown

25. The Walk is Winding — David Walker

26. Unclean, Unclean — Phyllis Andrews

27. Where There is Life — Juanita Adamson

Section 2: THE THRONE OF GRACE

"Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence,

so that we may receive mercy and find grace

to help us in our time of need."

(Hebrews 4:16 NIV)

1. Another Seed and Weed Story — Phyllis Andrews

2. Blessed, Blessed, Blessed — Juanita Adamson

3. Chain of God — Catherine Ricks Urbalejo

4. Choices — Catherine Ricks Urbalejo

5. Complete and Unconditional Surrender — Jerry Hatfield

6. Dealing With Guilt — Jerry Hatfield

7. Death Grip — Catherine Ricks Urbalejo

8. Derelict or Divine? — Phyllis Andrews

9. Heartfelt — Juanita Adamson

10. Help, Lord — Ana J. Lucore

11. Help Me With My Unbelief — Jaie Benson

12. It’s Real — Phyllis Andrews

13. It’s Time to Forgive — Tancy Elliott

14. Kingdom Marathon — Cathi Rumbaugh

15. Little Guys — Juanita Adamson

16. Look at Me — Phyllis Andrews

17. My Heartfelt Thanks — Sonya Andres

18. The Death Wish — Sue Walker

19. The Lord Spoke — Jane Hatfield

20. The Meet-And-Greet — Phyllis Andrews

21. The Small Things — Phyllis Andrews

22. The Valleys Called Why? or Why Me? — Lynne Brown

23. Top of the World— Juanita Adamson

24. You’re Not Done Yet! — Juanita Adamson

25. Walls — Catherine Ricks Urbalejo

26. Wrestling With God — Catherine Ricks Urbalejo

Section 3: SUFFICIENT GRACE

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect in weakness…"

(2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV)

1. A Calculating Mind — Kristen Welch

2. Accept Your Healing — Tancy Elliott

3. Babble, Babble, Toil and Trouble! — Catherine Ricks Urbalejo

4. Burden of My Soul — Cathi Rumbaugh

5. Choices — Juanita Adamson

6. Getting Old is For The Birds — Sharon Byrd

7. God Is Good — Juanita Adamson

8. God Provides — Millie Wasden

9. Is My Thumb On The Scale? — Jerry Hatfield

10. I Wait For The Lord — Kristen Welch

11. I Will Lift Up My Eyes — David Smith

12. Jesus’ Last Words From the Cross — Jerry and Jane Hatfield

13. Leaving the Past Behind — Tancy Elliott

14. Mirror, Mirror — Juanita Adamson

15. Money: Blessing or Curse? — Jerry and Jane Hatfield

16. My Alabaster Jar — Juanita Adamson

17. My Laughing Place — Phyllis Andrews

18. Obey Him in the Little Things — Tancy Elliott

19. Silver Legs — Juanita Adamson

20. The Burning Bush — Catherine Ricks Urbalejo

21. The Grand Canyon — Sue Walker

22. Up to Seven Times? — Juanita Adamson

23. What Are You Growing Through? — Rev. James D. Moore

24. What Do You See? — Sue Walker

25. Whose Hands Are These? — Jane Hatfield

Section 4: ABOUNDING GRACE

"He waters the mountains from His upper rooms;

the earth is satisfied and abounds with the fruit of His works."

(Psalm 104:13 AMP)

1. A Moment In Time — Juanita Adamson

2. Answered Prayer — Cathi Rumbaugh

3. But God — Cathy Avila

4. Christmas Angel — Lynne Brown

5. Crazy Old People — Phyllis Andrews

6. Fathers — Catherine Ricks Urbalejo

7. Footprints — Phyllis Andrews

8. Forgiveness — Cathi Rumbaugh

9. Forgiveness — Sue Walker

10. God’s Magnificent Creations — Lynne Brown

11. Hummingbirds — Sue Walker

12. Humongous — Catherine Ricks Urbalejo

13. Impossible Task — Juanita Adamson

14. Lifting As We Climb — Phyllis Andrews

15. Mother’s Lavender Mum — Lynne Brown

16. My Mommy is Lost — Phyllis Andrews

17. Run the Race Upward — Tancy Elliott

18. Singing Through the Rain — Lynne Brown

19. Surety — Kaitlin Diemer

20. The Devil Made Me Do It — Juanita Adamson

21. The Fifth Commandment — Sonya Andres

22. The Light —Sue Walker

23. The Right Time — Juanita Adamson

24. The Treasure Hunt — Catherine Ricks Urbalejo

25. Uniquely Different — Juanita Adamson

26. Veils — Catherine Ricks Urbalejo

27. Words — Catherine Ricks Urbalejo

Contributing Authors

Biographies

Women of Grace Writers

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DEDICATION

PORTRAIT OF GRACE

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Paula Maldonado

This book is dedicated to Paula Maldonado — wife, mother, grandmother, friend, former Boy Scout leader, counselor and radio disc jockey. Despite numerous surgeries, illnesses, chronic pain, and family tragedies, Paula has remained an inspiration to many with her witty humor, upbeat attitude, loving kindness and gentleness, and especially her steadfast faith and trust in our heavenly Father. In the face of many of life’s challenges she is truly a portrait of grace.

PREFACE

In honor of our mentor and facilitator, author Anita Chadwick Beno¹, we asked her to share words of wisdom to enhance our writings in this book. Her following submission on Humble Beginnings is truly just that - humbling, yet it attests to the power of God through ordinary people who commit their lives and means to His will.

That’s who we want to be!

"In writing this little piece for your book, my intent was to keep it short and keep the focus where it belongs. The book is not about me. The original group was never about me. I was just the vehicle that guided the group along its journey toward self-discovery. I’m honored that you thought of me again.

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS –

LIFTING AS WE CLIMB

It was a lovely afternoon and my intentions were to go to a meeting of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in Sierra Vista, Arizona, and meet other ladies and discuss genealogy. Little did I know what God had in store for me!

As I sat in the living room of a very lovely home, my eyes were drawn to a quiet corner of the room. There, sitting by herself, was a beacon of light…Something compelled me to want to get to know her. Finding her was easy. It was like being in a very dark forest and having my flashlight zoom in on her! Wow, I thought. I really want to talk to her! I walked over and introduced myself. And so it began…

She and I became acquainted and she told me that her dream was to start a writing club someday. I said, Oh, that’s really interesting. I love writing too. I’m a retired high school English teacher. I taught creative writing! REALLY? she quipped with a cute little gleam and flicker in her eye. HUMM. That was the very modest beginning of what was soon to become the Women of Grace Writers. At first our writing exercises were very basic, but I knew that I was witnessing the commencement of something very special. Sometimes the most humble beginnings lead to the most inspiring and amazing results.

Over 2,000 years ago, something very astonishing began - something that changed the world forever. Christ was born in the most humble way possible. Naked and alone, he needed love and support. We’re no different. We all had that same humble beginning. Like Christ, we were naked and alone, and we looked to others for love and support. We had that need to be lifted up, guided, and nurtured. It’s when we receive that guidance and Christian love, that we can soar like the great birds of the sky and be strong and confident in what we cherish and in what we believe. And we can share that strength with others and help them on their journey just like the apostles did, for that’s what the word apostle really means.

As we grow and traverse through life, we sometimes tend to think that we are independent, but in reality we are not. We never lose that need to be loved, guided, and lifted up as we climb upward in our spiritual maturity. We CAN be like Andrew, the first apostle, and offer support and encouragement to others while we speak, write, share, and live our own truth. With that love and support of others and our own strength of character, we can make that journey and find our home with our Heavenly Father.

May God bless you and your families. I love you and am richer for having known you. Anita Chadwick Beno June 23, 2015"

ACKNOWEDGEMENT

Special recognition is extended to Rick Whipple, Graphics Design instructor, Cochise College, Sierra Vista, Arizona. His enthusiasm and untiring patience and professional assistance have ensured a quality format and design of the book cover, graphic images, as well as the manuscript. Without his help we could not have achieved all our publishing requirements and writing goals.

GOD’s grace is always so unique, so timely,

and eternally so Amazing.

The LORD’s Obedient Servant

"The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of wisdom,

so that I know how to comfort the weary.

Morning by morning he wakens me

and opens my understanding to his will.

The Sovereign LORD has spoken to me,

and I have listened…"

(Isaiah 50:4-5 NLT)

To our readers: This is our testimony – The Message of our work

The Women of Grace Writers - 2016

~ Section 1 ~

AMAZING GRACE

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"Be still and know that I am God:

I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

(Psalm 46:10 KJV)

A Mother’s Love

And he took the children in His arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:16 NIV)

A mother’s love! It’s so amazing and awesome to watch our female dog nurture, even caress, her puppies. She ever so gently lays her head on each one as if to hug them, with her front paws embracing them. She diligently grooms their every need, keeping them meticulously clean.

As I watch in amazement, I marvel at how fast she reacts to any strange sound that brings her to acute attention. Her protective instinct is always on guard when guests arrive to share in our delight of how God created the animal kingdom.