Francy's New Morning

www.francesjudge.com If you have ever tried to create a website, and are a newbie like me, you will understand why I want to celebrate. After two weeks of pulling my hair out, I finished it. At least it’s functional…could use some fancy improvements, but for now I’m happy. On my not-new-enough laptop, the program for creating the website was so glitchy. Sometimes I could swear the screen had hiccups. It often cooperated like a two year old in the middle of a temper tantrum. Whenever I tried to drag words, they went too far one way then too far the other way…until I screamed for my son to help. In ten seconds, Elijah typed some numbers and moved my words exactly where I wanted them. My thirteen year-old daughter helped with the slide show of my illustrations. I had pictures disappear then reappear and sometimes hide behind an invisible wall. Just when I thought I got rid of an extra picture, the crazy wall would open and let the twin drawings say hello. Thank God for c...

Drawing by my son, Elijah Judge I had plans to become a famous artist. If I didn’t achieve instant recognition, I would teach at Harvard University until galleries began requesting my paintings. But here I am…after four years of art school, I stand on an alphabet rug and attempt to gain the attention of fifteen pairs of eyes.   Instead of demonstrating the importance of the subtle variations in line thickness as the artist feels the edge of his subject through his medium, whether charcoal or paintbrush, I draw a line with chalk. “Can anyone tell me what I drew?”   Many hands wiggle in the air, so I call on the last hand raised, belonging to Anniah with large eyes and braids to her waist. “It looks like my shoelace before my mommy ties it into a bow.”   I need to change the subject before tears well as the class misses mom and wants to go home. “Well, it could be a shoelace. Does anyone else have an idea?”   I point to Liam who bounces o...

Our very tired guard dog Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV “Let us not become weary in doing good.” But sometimes I don’t even feel like being nice. Forget doing good! I’m tired. Irritable. Overwhelmed…in an Oscar the Grouch mood. All I want to do is hide from the dishes and dust that pile up while I work full-time. Is there any time left in my day to do good? God knows how hard it is for us to combat these emotions—He must, because he reminds us to persevere many times in His word. And He says He will help us . Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. Psalm 54:4, NIV. Our little Yorkie runs around yapping most of the morning as she barks at neighbors who dare to walk their dogs. Usually she is able to leap up on our bed, but after a morning of playing guard dog, she will look up at me with pleading eyes, begging for some he...

Coffee date with my husband. When I remember our love matters more than burnt toast. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.  I started my day reading this scripture, one of my favorites because I need it drilled into my brain. My troubles are trivial compared to eternity, so why do I stress about the stupid stuff? Could be because I’m human. I want to be focused on the end of the race and what matters along the way. So how did I do in listening to that scripture today? Hmmm. Displayed morning bad mood when my toast burnt because husband changed the setting on toaster—          it’s too early....

UNWRAPPING LOVE By Frances Judge If love were wrapped in golden paper, tied with silken strings, It couldn’t reach around the world Or open up its wings. Love isn’t placed on pedestals, positioned for display; It needs the flexibility Of a potter’s clay. Love doesn’t need embellishment to prove its fortitude; Its strength is in its meekness And forgiving attitude. Love risks its life and swims the depths to save a drowning friend, But Christ risked all for enemies, And who can comprehend? So love was wrapped in swaddling clothes and destined once to die; Christ would pay the sacrifice, God’s love, exemplified. He didn’t wear His royal robes though he was born a king; He wore the love His Father gave Of which the angels sing. Love doesn’t wait for storms to stop to cross the swirling seas; Jesus walked across the water, Turned tempest into breeze. Love washes feet, love heals the blind, lov...

On Sale:  Amazon / Randi's Steps Randi's Steps did not win the Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards, BUT... The judges wrote a wonderful review that I'm thrilled to share. "Randi’s Steps is a beautiful, bittersweet story told by Francie, the little girl neighbor who befriends Randi when she moves in next door. Judge captures a wonderful narrative voice, real and warm and very human. Francie loves having a best friend like Randi, who is different in seemingly tiny ways, like being Jewish, but who loves enough of the same things that Francie loves to make her the best of best friends. I liked the description of Randi’s Tinker Bell laugh with the occasional snort (13). Right away, Randi is described as being subject to headaches, which of course adults will understand. I think Judge conveys a progress of Randi’s illness perfectly. For all that Francie loves Randi, Francie is healthy and in need of healthy friends. She reacts with joy to...

One of the Few by Jason B. Ladd ‘’A Marine fighter’s reconnaissance with the Christian Worldview” One of the Few begins with the fascinating account of a Marine’s life. Jason Ladd takes us through his childhood as a Marine’s son to his adult years as a Marine fighter pilot in the war with Iraq. He describes the rigorous training he underwent in the Marine Corps to build the strength, endurance, and character needed to protect our freedom. He learned the discipline of accuracy and control needed to land a fighter plane on a carrier runway at night. Throughout his story, Ladd weaves the lessons he learned in searching for the truth. One of the Few gives fresh insight into the Christian life and overcoming the battles faced in this imperfect world. This book can instruct new Christians and encourage steadfast believers to trust God with every aspect of life’s daily challenges. I was captivated by the fresh look at Bible truths and scripture that Ladd ...