A Word Fitly Spoken

Real Heroes

2012-02-02T05:00:00.000-05:00

I don't usually do this, but would you mind if I rant a little today? I saw a sign yesterday that just rubbed me the wrong way. In fact, it downright irritated me. It was a billboard for a jewelry store. Naturally, there was a picture of a huge diamond ring. But what infuriated me was the caption which read, "We're making husbands heroes." Excuse me, but not all women are that shallow! My husband is not a hero to me because he buys me diamonds (chocolate, yes; diamonds, no -- just kidding!). Seriously, is that all it takes in today's society to be considered a hero? How sad!

Allow me to share with you why I think my husband is a hero, and it has nothing to do with diamonds (we can't afford those).

1.) He loves me and cherishes me with his words and actions.

2.) He works hard day after day to provide for me and our children (the dogs).

3.) He strives to provide me with anything I need and a lot of things I want.

4.) After 14 years of marriage, he still opens doors for me, including the car door.

5.) He treats me like a lady and challenges anyone who does not treat me as such.

6.) He puts my desires and needs above his own.

7.) He spends his time off with me, even if that means running errands or scrubbing bathrooms.

8.) He holds me when I cry and encourages me when I'm down.

9.) He counsels me in spiritual things and helps me to see dangers in my path.

10.) He is faithful to me and makes me feel special enough that no other could ever take my place.

Now that's a hero! Ladies, please don't judge your husband by the materialistic ways of this world. Instead, use the Bible's guide for a Godly husband, and see how your man measures up. After all, we don't need diamonds. We need true heroes.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. - Ephesians 5:25

Ken Davis - The Preacher

2012-02-01T05:00:00.000-05:00

Courageous

2012-01-31T05:00:00.000-05:00

I don't do a lot of movie reviews, but every now and then one comes along that I just have to tell about. Courageous is one of those few. Courageous is the newest film from Sherwood Pictures, the makers of Flywheel, Facing the Giants and Fireproof. As with all their other films, the movie is an inspirational story with a Biblical message. The main theme behind the film is how to prioritize our lives around what is most important while also addressing how to cope when catastrophe strikes.

The first thing I will tell you is to have plenty of tissues nearby. This is a tearjerker! Oddly enough, though, at times I found myself laughing so hard my sides hurt and jaws cramped. Just as other Sherwood films, it's the perfect blend of comedy, tragedy, adventure and inspiration. From the very first scene, I was on the edge of my seat with anticipation. The story is good, clean and wholesome, making it appropriate for audiences of any age. Some scenes do contain violence as the main characters are police officers going about their jobs, but there is no foul language, nudity or other negative features. It is a true Christian film with a Christian message.

If nothing else, I walked away from the movie being reminded that my family is important. In fact, they're worth fighting for and even dying for. I was reassured by the reminder that we don't always have to understand God's plan. We just have to have faith that He is in control.

The film is an absolute MUST SEE! You'll won't regret it.

Good Versus Easy

2012-01-30T05:00:00.000-05:00

I read an article yesterday about choosing the good things in life over those things that are easy. To be honest, the article really hit home.

It's good to exercise daily, but it's easy to sit on the couch and read a book.
It's good to eat a healthy lunch, but it's easy to grab a soda and a bag of cookies.
It's good to spend time with God, but it's easy to rush into my day without giving Him a thought.
It's good to study and prepare for my lessons, but it's easy to drag out and use old material.
It's good to encourage others, but it's easy to tear others down.

Good versus easy. The process usually involves a difficult decision and a lot of conversation with myself. Remember in the cartoons when a character was having to make a moral or ethical decision, a little angel popped up on one shoulder and a little devil popped up on the other. The two proceeded to argue, and eventually one of them won out. That same process (minus the physical forms of angel and devil) goes on in my mind each time I'm faced with a difficult decision. One side of me says, "What's it going to hurt? Yes, a salad would be a better lunch option, but you've worked hard, so you deserve that double deluxe cheeseburger with fries." The other side of me says, "No! You have worked hard. That's why you don't want to blow it now. Go with the salad. Take care of your temple." And as time presses on, each voice seems to get louder and louder.

I wish I could say that I always listen to the sensible voice and choose what's good over what's easy, but if I did, it would be a lie. Too often, I choose the easy, only to regret it and wish I could go back and change my decision. During these times, I have to remember that I can do all things through Christ because He does give me strength. Yes, I may have messed up this time, but that doesn't mean I'll mess up next time. And I've discovered, the more I listen to the sensible side (which is the Holy Ghost, by the way), the easier it is to drown out the voice that wants it easy.

Are you facing decisions today and torn between choosing what's good and what's easy? If so, remember that Christ will give you the strength to make the right choose. Give the problem to Him. Ask for His advice. And when He gives it, follow it. We know the difference between what's good and what's easy. It's not rocket science. But knowing and doing are two different things. It's not enough to know. We must act. And trust me, it won't be easy!

One-Way Journey

2012-01-27T05:00:00.000-05:00

Wednesday finally provided a break in the cold, rainy weather we've had here in the upstate of South Carolina. After being cooped up in the house for so many days at a time, I think the dogs and I were about to go stir-crazy. Fortunately, the Lord worked it out to where Jason could have the day off, so we packed up the gear, hoisted the dogs into the back of our new Xterra, and headed toward Pickens County to hike to Virginia Hawkins Falls.

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. The temperature was perfect. The sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze provided just the right amount of crispness to the air. Being the middle of the week, the trail was deserted, so we had the entire place to ourselves. The dogs were thrilled to be out, and I was thankful to be able to enjoy such a beautiful day with my family.

We had hiked this particular trail before, but I had forgotten that it begins with a steady uphill climb and then later descends and descends and descends. Because of the steep descent in several areas, wooden blocks have been staked to the ground, providing narrow and uneven steps.

After all the previous days of cold rain, my knees were already aching with arthritis. Still, I thought some exercise would do them good. After the hundredth step, I wasn't so sure. To make it worse, I kept thinking, "You know, once we get to the falls, we're going to have to turn around and go back up all these steps we've just come down." That thought had me groaning almost as much as my knees.

But when I reached the falls, all other thoughts were forgotten. The steps weren't even a memory. The pain in my knees seemed non-existent. In the presence of such beauty, my mind couldn't comprehend anything else. The toils of the journey were forgotten.

We sat at the base of the falls for a little while, and then noting the time, decided to start back. Jason, who had been smart enough to study the map at the trailhead, pointed to where the trail continued on past the falls and commented, "I think if we continue down the trail, it will take us to a short connector trail that will lead us back to the parking lot. We can make a loop."

We decided to give it a try. Boy, am I glad we did! The trail widened out into an old logging road that sloped up and down gently the entire way back. The hike back to the Xterra was pleasant and painless. I was so thankful we didn't have to go back the way we had come.

You know, that's the great thing about life too. Yes, it has its ups and downs. Sometimes our steps get weary, and those water crossings get numerous. But through it all, it helps to keep in mind that we are on a one-way journey, and if we'll pay attention and heed God's direction, we won't have to retrace our steps. Once we've reached our destination, it will be smooth sailing from then on. And, as I was at the falls, we will be so awed by the beauty of Heaven and the wonder of our Savior that the toils of the journey will be forgotten.

Whatever trail you're walking today, remember it's a one-way trip. Keep heading toward your final destination and trust that it will be worth every step. And smile because it can only get better!

Duck Dodging

2012-01-26T05:00:00.000-05:00

Okay, it was a typical day with everyday activities. I had just finished my two-mile power walk/jog/flight with Mitch. It was time for my cool down stroll with Tippy, who just turned 11 years old this month. After all the many days of rain, she seemed a little stiff and sluggish, but nothing unusual. Determined not to wear her out with too much activity at once, I decided to cut down a side street, trimming our walk nearly in half.

We walked along, taking in the scenery and watching for traffic. The sound of yapping alerted us to two small dogs tied up in the yard we were about to pass. Tippy paused, assessing the danger to both me and herself. After being assured that the dogs couldn't get us, she continued her walk, but stopped short when she spotted "it." I had already seen the unusual sight and had turned around to witness Tippy's reaction. Her entire body went rigid. Her ears sloped forward. Her eyes focused on the sight she just couldn't figure out. There, in the yard with the two dogs, was a HUGE white duck. No pool. No cage. Nothing. Just a white duck waddling around the yard.

Unfortunately, Tippy hadn't quite figured things out before the duck spotted her. The duck charged after her. I pulled on the leash, coaxing Tippy to follow me to safety. She'd walk three steps and then turn around to look at the duck. Walk three steps; turn around and look. Walk three steps; turn around and look. Obviously, the duck was gaining on us. I tried to use soothing words with Tippy, assuring her that I was going to take care of her. "Just follow me," I pleaded. "I won't let it get you, but you've got to keep walking." She finally caught on and followed my directions. It wasn't long before we were safely out of Daffy's reach.

Many times in life, we're sidetracked from our journey because we're too busy looking back. Focusing on past mistakes. Second-guessing past decisions. Mourning wasted time or money. And often, waiting for all those things to finally catch up with us. And, like Tippy, instead of trusting the guidance of our Master, we feel the need to keep looking back. Unfortunately, each turn back only leads us closer to danger--the danger of losing our way and getting off track.

It's time we stopped looking back and instead listened to the gentle voice of our Savior as He whispers, "Just follow me. I won't let it get you, but you've got to keep walking." The choice is ours -- follow the Shepherd or dodge the ducks!

Jeff Allen - Gas Leak

2012-01-25T05:00:00.000-05:00

Who's Doing the Talking?

2012-01-24T05:00:00.000-05:00

Do you talk to yourself? I hope so. I'd hate the think I'm the only one who carries on a conversation with myself. I've found that the times I'm most likely to talk to myself is when I'm upset with myself over something stupid I've done. Those conversations tend to go something like this:

"Brilliant, Dana! That was a lovely display of stupidity."

"Dana, what's the matter with you. What were you thinking?"

"Well, that's great, Dana. You blew it again."

"How many times is God going to have to beat you over the head with this before you get it right?"

Yes, I know, I'm hard on myself, but it wasn't until this morning that I realized that I expected God to react the same way. Somehow, through my warped thinking, I had it in my mind that if I react this way to my mistakes, God must do the same. I can imagine Him up in Heaven, looking down and shaking His head. "Yep, she blew it again! When will she ever learn?"

But as I read through the pages of the Bible, I've discovered that my assessment of God's reactions to my mistakes is all messed up. Sure, I may be mad at myself, but God's not mad at me. He's grieved, but not mad. There is a difference. He doesn't fuss at me or get frustrated with me. He doesn't beat me in the head and threaten to leave me to resolve my own mess.

You see, I was thinking of God as holy and just (which He is), but I had forgotten that He is also loving, compassionate and full of mercy. I had forgotten the example of the prodigal son. That father wasn't angry. He didn't scold his son when he finally returned from his riotous living. No, he displayed joy, compassion, mercy and love for the wayward child who had made his way back home. God is the same way. Instead of scolding, He guides. "Yes, Dana, I know you're upset, and I understand your feelings. Let me show you where you went astray and the events that led to your current heartache. Then let me show you how to avoid making the same mistake the next time. I know it's hard, child, but remember I'll be right here by your side. We can do this."

When looking at the attributes of God, we have to be careful not to single out any one thing. Yes, He is the Judge, but His is also a loving Father, a wise Counselor and an enduring Friend. We can come to Him boldly with any problem, situation or concern. He will listen. He will understand. He will help. And when we fall, He will forgive.

So who's doing the talking in your life? Are you listening to your own dialogue of criticism and accusation or God's dialogue of love? It makes a difference in how we live each day. It determines whether we walk through life defeated or delighted. There are many voices calling out to us each and every day. To whom are we listening?

The Little Engine That Couldn't

2012-01-23T05:00:00.000-05:00

This morning I read an e-mail from a dear friend who is going through a heart-breaking family trial. Things have been sketchy for a while, but events have recently taken a new turn, requiring much of my friend's strength, time and money. As I read through the update, I felt a nudge within my heart to give something to this friend in need. "Give her some money or buy her some groceries," the still, small voice said.

My mind immediately balked at the idea. "No disrespect intended, Lord, but are you kidding me? You know how tight finances are right now. We're having to replace a vehicle. We just had to buy a new microwave. Jason's workload this week was puny, and next week looks worse, which means he's going to have some skimpy paychecks. We're going to be lucky to make ends meet ourselves, and you want me to give some away?" I felt like the opposite of the The Little Engine That Could: "I think I can't, I think I can't, I think I can't." I pushed the urging aside, telling myself that it originated from my desire to help this friend in need, but not from God. He knows all we can do right now is to help ourselves.

I went on to do my Bible reading and then to read the next chapter in the Charles Stanley book I'm reading, "How to Listen to God." I cringed when I read the chapter title, "Identifying the Voice of God." I almost set the book down but felt compelled to read the chapter as I had planned. God had a lesson for me.

In the chapter, Stanley gives the following guidelines for identifying the voice of God:

1.) It will not contradict Scripture, - Last time I checked, the Scripture encourages helping other believers, so the prompt to help this friend was certainly Scriptural.

2.) It will conflict with human wisdom. - Ain't that the truth! That's just what I was saying. I'm looking at the numbers. I'm looking at the bills. It just doesn't add up. Human wisdom says, "Look after yourself. You can't afford to help anybody else."

3.) It will clash with fleshly nature. - If I give money to someone else, will I have enough to buy the things I want, not to mention the things I need? Hmm.

4.) It will challenge your faith. - Giving money that isn't there to give is certainly a trial of faith. It will require me to trust God to meet my needs instead of trying to manage and budget every penny myself.

5.) It will require courage. - Am I brave enough to give away what I have to a friend in need when I have no idea how to make ends meet myself? Do I have that kind of courage?

By the time I had finished the chapter, I knew there was no denying it. God was speaking to me. He was telling me to do something, but because I didn't see how it would work out, I tried to dismiss it. Well, I can't dismiss it any longer. It's quite evident what God wants me to do. I don't know how things will work out. I don't know what God will do through my obedience. But I know I will be worse off if I don't obey.

Do you feel an inner nudging today that you're dismissing because of the improbability of the situation? If so, put that nudging to the test. Follow the guidelines above and see what you discover. The prompting could have come from an errant voice, or it could have been God trying to guide You into His will. No, it may not make sense. No, it may not add up. Yes, it may seem completely insane. But, as the old saying goes, "Where God guides, God provides." He'll work everything out better than we could have imagined. I'm willing to put it to the test. How about you?

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. - John 10:27

Due to Rising Energy Costs. . .by Karen Scalf Linamen

2012-01-20T05:00:00.000-05:00

In her book Due to Rising Energy Costs, the Light at the End of Tunnel Has Been Turned Off, Karen Scalf Linamen manages to address some very serious issues in a fun, lighthearted manner. Being a huge Linamen fan, I had been wanting to read this book but had not yet purchased it when my mom gave me her copy to read. At the time she gave me the book, I had no idea how much I was going to need it in the very near future. But as with every Linamen book I've read, I laughed my way through the tears that fell as I related to the circumstances detailed within.

To summarize this book, I'll quote a short excerpt from the last chapter. "I don't know about you, but I want to live above--not under--the rocks in my life. I want to stop letting painful stuff in my life smash me down or hold me under, and start letting it take me forward. After all, the same slab of granite can be a millstone, tombstone, or a stepping-stone. It can crush, signal the end, or create a path. I'm voting for the path."

The subject matter is deep enough that one chapter gives the reader plenty to meditate on. However, the catchy (and hilarious) chapter titles make it nearly impossible to put the book down. Her witty chapter discussing the positive traits of MacGyver had me nodding my head and saying, "Yes, I remember that episode" and "Wow! I never thought about it like that."

By the end of the book, I was refreshed, re-energized and ready to face the gloomy circumstances that surrounded me. While Linamen didn't extol on any new means of finding joy and peace I hadn't known before, her words served as a reminder that Jesus is the source of my song. My circumstances do not dictate my attitude. It's up to me how I use the slabs of granite in my life, and I choose to create stepping stones.

Worse Than a Four-Letter Word

2012-01-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

Why do they call cuss words four-letter words? I mean, not all cuss words are four-letter words. A lot of them, sure, but not all. Besides a lot of good words in the English language are four-letter words. For example, "good" is a four-letter word, as is "four" and "word". Am I the only one baffled by this terminology?

I guess it doesn't really matter right now though because the word I want to discuss is a three-letter word. But be warned! This three-letter word is dangerous. It can wreak havoc in your life. And unfortunately, it's used too frequently in the nasty now and now. Okay, I'm about to tell you what it is, but before I do you may want to plug your child's ears (or perhaps the dog's). I don't want to be a bad influence.

Ready? The word is "but". Yep, that's it. It looks innocent enough, doesn't it? Just a common little conjunction. What harm could it possible do? Read the following examples, and see if you can figure it out:

I know smoking is bad for me, but it makes me feel better, at least temporarily.
I know I shouldn't eat this piece of chocolate cake, but I've had a hard day.
I know this isn't the best decision, but I'm honestly just tired of trying to figure it out.
I know God's promises are true, but I really don't see Him working in this situation.
I know I have a loving wife at home, but my secretary really understands me.
I know I should read my Bible more, but I just don't have the time.

Whether the situation be big or small, the word "but" seems to somehow make our excuses permissible. We know what's right, but we still do what's wrong. And for some reason, we act like it's okay because we do know better. How messed up is that? It's not better; it's worse. The Bible says so in James 4:17, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." It doesn't get any clearer. If we know to do right, and we don't do it, we're sinning against God. No "ifs", "ands", and especially no "buts".

The Lord brought this to my attention a few weeks ago, and I've not been able to shake the lesson. Every time I catch myself using the word "but", I force myself to go back and examine the sentence. More times than not, I've found that I use the word to justify my fleshly desires. Then I have to seek forgiveness and proceed with my day, doing those things that I should do and not the things that I shouldn't. It's convicting, there's no doubt about it. But at the same time, I feel like a new person. I feel like I have more control over my thoughts and attitudes. Why? Because I'm not excusing them anymore. I'm dealing with them appropriately. It's actually quite refreshing.

Yes, we must watch out for those four-letter words, but some of those three-letter varieties will get us in just as much trouble. Remember the old children's song, "Oh be careful, little mouth, what you say"? Might it be time for us to practice what we preach?

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go walk (another four-letter word) my dogs. I would say I'm looking forward to it, but. . .well, never mind.

Mike Williams - Stupidity is a Gift

2012-01-18T05:00:00.000-05:00

You Want Me to Do What?

2012-01-17T05:00:00.000-05:00

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. - I Thessalonians 5:18

This verse has been on my mind a lot this past week. We've talked before about the importance of paying attention to every word of this verse, especially the first one. It doesn't say to give thanks "for" everything, but "in" everything.

I'm not especially thankful that our only vehicle went out in a blaze of glory (literally) and that we are now left with the unpleasant task of finding a replacement vehicle that we can purchase with the measly amount of money we're getting from the insurance company. I'm not very thankful that I had just spent over $60 to fill the tank up with gas or that we had spent over $600 to put tires on the truck just a few months back. I'm not terribly thankful that my two new Southern Gospel CD's that I had gotten a week earlier were destroyed in the fire.

As the week passed, however, I thought of a lot of things about the situation I am thankful for.

1. I am thankful no one was hurt.
2. I am thankful that the fire did not reach the gas tank of the truck or the propane tank fifteen feet away.
3. I am thankful we were not in the truck when it caught fire.
4. I am thankful we spotted the fire as soon as we did.
5. I am thankful we live less than a mile from the fire department.
6. I am thankful that we had not gone to our annual concert in Georgia the night before.
7. I am thankful that my brother had an extra car we could borrow while we shopped for a new one.
8. I am thankful that we had comprehensive insurance and that they gave us a fair price for our vehicle.

The more I think about it, the more things I think of for which I am thankful. "In every thing give thanks." It's not as difficult as it seems. Even when the problem looks bad, it could be much worse. I challenge you to give it a try. Look at the situation you're facing today. While you may not be thankful for the situation itself, find things about it for which you can be thankful. Not only will it change your outlook, but it will also change your attitude.

We Can't Stop Now!

2012-01-16T05:00:00.000-05:00

I recently finished another Lynn Kurland novel. For those of you who are not aware, Lynn Kurland is my all-time favorite non-Christian author. While I do have to tiptoe around a few cuss words here and there, her books are overall clean and most intriguing. Most of her novels revolve around time gates in England and Scotland (which makes it really odd for me to like them since time travel gives me a headache). Her characters, the majority of whom belong to three main family groups, bounce around through time, seeking love and adventure. The danger I find in reading a Kurland book is that once I start, I just can't stop, and because so many of the characters are related, I'll read something in my current book that will make me want to read another book of hers to obtain all the details about something she briefly made mention of. She definitely weaves a tantalizing web.

And she is the queen of hook endings. You know, chapter endings like, "This was his last chance to make it home. It was now or never. He gathered his courage and stepped through the gate. He made it through, but he certainly hadn't anticipated the scene before him" (my words, not Kurland's). What? What did he see? Was it good or bad? Don't leave me hanging. And so, I find myself reading the next chapter, only to discover she does the same thing at the end of that chapter. Four hours later, I've finished the book. Oops!

That's just how I'm wired. I like to know what's next. I'm motivated by anticipation. I can't stand to stop in the middle of a story. And because of that, I wonder why so often in my life's story I'm so ready to throw in the towel. "Nope, it's too hard. This just isn't what I expected, and I don't know how to deal with it. I quit. I'm done!"

What's the matter with me? I've read enough books to know that the darkest circumstances precede the best part of the story. When everything looks hopeless, I know that the story is about to get really good. Things are just getting interesting. Problems are the elements that make a great story. I can't stop now in the midst of the storm. I have to keep going. I have to see how things turn out. I need to find out how the characters overcome what appears to be a hopeless situation. I want to be awed by the Hero who sweeps in and saves the day. No, I can't stop now, and neither can you. Our happily ever after is just around the corner.

And fortunately for me, no time travel is involved!

Faith Versus Fear

2012-01-13T05:00:00.000-05:00

I was reading an article today, and I stumbled upon a familiar phrase. The words took me back to a time long ago. I remembered myself walking through the front door of my parent's home (which was also my home at the time). I had just returned from work. I stumbled to my room, weary from work and heartbroken from my recent breakup with my boyfriend of three and a half years.

As I set my belongings down, I noticed a small booklet lying open on my dresser. It was a tiny book of religious poems. A paper clip was holding it open to the current page. Across the top of the page in bold print were the words, "Faith Is Stronger Than My Fears". I read the poem and allowed the tears to flow freely. When I could finally see clearly, I went out to hug my mom and to thank her for the encouragement.

My memory is a lot like Swiss cheese. There are many things I simply cannot seem to remember, but that memory is so clear and vivid. And when I stumbled across the same phrase today, I knew I had to share the poem with you, for I've saved the book of poems all these years. That's how much it means to me!

Faith Is Stronger Than My Fears

Sometimes my cross is hard to bear
For there is darkness everywhere
And troubles pile around my door
Like autumn leaves forevermore.

The morning light seems far away
Like I am stuck in yesterday
My heart is beating like a drum
I try to pray, but words won’t come

But then the sun begins to rise
And hope is born within my eyes
A rainbow forms among my tears
For faith is stronger than my fears

P.S. - Mom, I don't know if you remember this poem or the day that you shared it with me, but I want you to know how much it has helped me throughout the years. I love you!

Go Away!!!

2012-01-12T05:00:00.000-05:00

I often say that there is never a dull moment around my house. Well, this past Saturday was certainly no exception. It started off as a pleasant day. Jason had to work in the morning, so I spent the time curled up on the couch reading a book I received for Christmas. After he got home, we had some lunch and then took the dogs on a hike. The temperature was mild, but the rain came in sooner than we had anticipated, causing us to make an early departure.

We arrived home around 4:00 and settled in for a lazy afternoon. Around 5:30, we determined we should probably bring in some firewood before the rain started in earnest. So, we spent about 30-45 minutes splitting and stacking wood in the wood box where it would hopefully remain dry. We piddled the rest of the evening and sat down for a late dinner around 8:30.

We had just sat down when I noticed a puff of smoke through the living room window. Since we have a wood stove, seeing a stray puff of smoke is not unusual. This puff, however, was accompanied by a strange orange haze. My heart immediately beat faster. "What is that?" I asked Jason as we both ran toward the door.

He jerked open the door, and we quickly discovered that the hood of our only vehicle was on fire. He ran to the back of the truck to remove the gas can he had for his chainsaw and anything else that might lead to a larger catastrophe. I ran back inside to call 9-1-1. About twenty minutes and several little explosions later, the fire was out, and all that was left of our vehicle was a stinking pile of blackened carcass.

The past few days have been a blur of talking with the fire chief, receiving the fire report, dealing with the insurance company, meeting with the insurance adjuster and trying to get my heart to stop pounding from all the excitement. With all that behind us, yesterday the adjuster finally told me the news I had been waiting to hear: "I'll schedule for the remains to be picked up tomorrow." It was the best news I had heard in weeks! I am tired of looking at the charred carcass. I am tired of checking every few moments to see if anything else has caught fire. I am sick of the smell of burnt metal and plastic. I want it gone! Nothing can be saved from it, so I just want it out of my sight! As far as I'm concerned, they can't get here soon enough. The truck is now nothing more than a source of anxiety and stress.

As I think of the relief I will have once the carnage is removed, I can't help but to think of other things in my life that might need to go with it. Fears, doubts, worries. They, too, are nothing more than sources of anxiety and stress, so shouldn't I be just as eager to get rid of them?

Sometimes we have no control over what comes into or goes out of our lives. But most of the time, we do. We decide what feelings we'll keep and which ones we'll toss. We decide what memories to hold on to and which ones to neglect. We decide what promises we'll cling to and which ones we think are too good to be true. We make the decisions, and those decisions affect our daily lives and attitudes.

It's still the beginning of the new year. We still have time to change our old ways. Let's make every effort to get rid of the things in our lives that do nothing more than cause stress and pull us away from God. We don't need our worries. We don't need our negative thoughts. We don't need our bitterness. We don't need our pride. Let's get rid of them and never allow them to come back.

The future is full of possibilities, and we'll be able to reach those opportunities much easier if we will first remove the stumbling blocks.

"Open Heart Surgery" by Mark Lowry

2012-01-11T05:00:00.000-05:00

Making It Through

2012-01-10T05:00:00.000-05:00

I came across a marvelous passage this morning while reading on another blog. I'd like to share with you what touched my heart and encouraged my soul.

"Often the Christian life is beset by dangers, and duty seems hard to perform. The imagination pictures impending ruin before and bondage or death behind. Yet the voice of God speaks clearly, Go forward. We should obey this command, even though our eyes cannot penetrate the darkness, and we feel the cold waves about our feet. The obstacles that hinder our progress will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit. Those who defer obedience till every shadow of uncertainty disappears and there remains no risk of failure or defeat, will never obey at all. Unbelief whispers, Let us wait till the obstructions are removed, and we can see our way clearly: but faith courageously urges an advance, hoping all things, believing all things.

The cloud that was a wall of darkness to the Egyptians was to the Hebrews a great flood of light, illuminating the whole camp, and shedding brightness upon the path before them. So the dealings of Providence bring to the unbelieving, darkness and despair, while to the trusting soul they are full of light and peace. The path where God leads the way may lie through the desert or the sea, but it is a safe path."

Amen and amen!

What's the Difference?

2012-01-09T05:00:00.000-05:00

Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. - Ecclesiastes 11:1

I've recently become aware of two different songs based on Ecclesiastes 11:1 concerning casting our bread upon the water. One of the songs reminds me of the Biblical principle of sowing and reaping while the other hints of karma. For this reason, the first song is a blessing to me while the other always makes me uneasy. But as I struggled to pinpoint the source of my uneasiness, I found myself wondering, Exactly what is the difference between karma and the principle of sowing and reaping? So, I've studied it out and would like to share my findings with you.

First off, let's define karma. According to Dictionary.com, karma is "action, seen as bringing upon oneself inevitable results, good or bad, either in this life or in reincarnation". According to Buddha,"whatsoever fortune or misfortune experienced is all due to some previous action". So my question is where is God during all of this? Does He or does He not control the universe and everything contained within? If everything in our lives is based on previous actions, then we are in control of our own lives and destinies, not God. And that, my friend, is not Biblical. Sometimes God allows things to happen in our lives because it's His will, nothing more. It's not a reward for good we've done or a punishment for wrongs. Yes, sometimes God does offer rewards and punishments, but sometimes it's just part of His plan and has nothing to do with our past circumstances or decisions.

In contrast, the teaching of sowing and reaping (or casting our bread upon the water) simply says that God rewards faithful workers and givers. If we give our tithe, God will ensure we don't lack for anything. If we give to the poor, He will reward us accordingly. If we work, we'll get paid, perhaps not in money, but in other ways. God does reward the generous and the diligent. It's in the Bible, over and over again. Remember the widow of Zarephath who fed the prophet Elijah with the last of her food only to discover she had just enough each time she went back to the barrel. She gave, and her generosity was rewarded.

My husband and I recently experienced this firsthand. We were attending a Southern Gospel concert in Tennessee over the Christmas holidays. It was a fabulous concert with The Booth Brothers and Greater Vision, my two favorite groups. We had two friends at church who really wanted to attend but one had a prior obligation and the other simply didn't have the money to go. On our way to the concert, I shared with Jason, "I want to get a CD for each of them." I knew money was tight. I knew we really didn't have it to give. But I also knew in my heart that it was something the Lord wanted me to do, and I couldn't wait to see the look on the ladies' faces when I handed them the CD's. I knew it would be a blessing to them, so I followed the Lord's leading.

It was worth it to see their joy! But the reward didn't end there. The next week was extremely cold, and Jason pulled out his heavy coat that he hadn't worn since last winter. We were carrying on a conversation when he begin patting his chest pocket. His forehead creased as he struggled to unbutton the flap on the pocket. "What is that?" he asked. I shrugged and waited for him to pull out the offensive item, assuming it was probably a receipt or something like that. My eyes widened as he pulled out a piece of money. I recognized it right away, but until he unfolded it, I could only guess how much. It was a $20 bill. Twenty dollars--the exact amount we paid for the two extra CD's. Because we followed the Lord's leadership, we got to be a blessing and to be blessed by seeing the joy on the faces of friends, plus we got the $20 back. We sowed, and we reaped. God's so good!

One last difference I would like to point out is motive. Motive plays an important part in sowing and reaping versus karma. Those who believe in karma do good deeds for the sole purpose of reaping reward. Their motive is impure and selfish. Those who follow the Biblical principle of casting their bread upon the water follow a different procedure. They do good because it's right. They do for others because they long to be a blessing. They give to give, not to get. There's a big difference!

Well, I hope I've done an adequate job in describing the difference between sowing and reaping and karma. Do you have thoughts or opinions on the topic? I'd love to hear from you.

Don't Look Before You Leap

2012-01-06T05:00:00.000-05:00

What do the following people have in common: the boy who gave his lunch to Jesus at the feeding of the 5,000, the woman with the issue of blood, the disciple Peter, Christopher Columbus and Indiana Jones? Don't worry; this isn't a test. In fact, I won't even make you think too hard because I'll tell you the answer. What did they have in common? They all took a risk, a giant leap of faith.

The boy risked ridicule and embarrassment as he handed over his miniscule sack lunch as an offering to feed thousands.

The woman with the issue of blood risked rejection from Jesus and even stoning from the crowd for daring to be so bold, in her state of uncleanness (according to the customs of the day), as to touch another individual.

Peter risked his very life as he took hold of his faith and courage while stepping out of the boat to walk on the storm-tossed sea.

Columbus risked his life, the life of his crew and his entire reputation on his belief that there was no edge of the earth because the earth was, in fact, round.

Indiana Jones, in The Last Crusade, risked taking a deadly fall as he faced a vast precipice and dared to have faith that he could cross it, even when there appeared to be no bridge spanning the gap.

And while it's important to note this common ground, it is even more important to note another similarity. They each received a blessing for the faith.

The boy had the opportunity to witness a miracle take place right before his eyes. Not only that, but he lived the rest of his days knowing that he had had a part in that miracle. And for all of time, his story of giving will live on through the Word of God.

The woman received not only physical healing, but I believe she also received a spiritual healing that day. Because of her faith, she received a new life. She was able to return to her family and friends. She was forever changed.

Peter learned an important lesson that he would carry for the rest of his life. Not only was he the only man (besides Christ) to walk on water, but he learned firsthand what happens when we take our eyes off the Lord and focus on our circumstances. Through this knowledge, his ministry flourished, and he reached many for Christ, and is still reaching others today through the books of the Bible God allowed him to pen.

Christopher Columbus changed the world as it was known. His discovery began a new era for explorers, and his name lives on in history as the greatest explorer to ever live.

As for Indiana Jones, his step of faith was rewarded with a bridge, invisible to the naked eye, upon which he traversed the canyon. His journey led him to the Holy Grail, which he used to save the life of his father.

May I make a suggestion for the new year? Take a risk. Throw common sense and logic out the window. Be willing to take a step of faith. Tithe more than you think you can afford to. Give to others when it appears you don't have enough for yourself. Start that business. Quit that job to go into full-time ministry. Obviously, I don't advise you to do any of these things against God's will, but if He's been urging you to do something, and fear has been holding you back, I want to remind you that faith is always rewarded. Things may not turn out the way you want, and the reaping may not take place as soon as you want, but don't give up. Take that step of faith, and wait for God to work.

Henry Clay Trumbull put it this way: “The Lord never builds a bridge of faith except under the feet of the faith-filled traveler. If He builds the bridge a rod ahead, it would not be a bridge of faith. That which is of sight is not of faith.” If you want to see the second step, you have to take the first. If you want to see what God can do in your life, you have to first take that leap of faith. I don't know what he's calling you to do today, but whatever it is, take the risk and reap the reward. Don't try to figure it out; just do it. Don't look; just leap!

A Day of Thanks

2012-01-05T05:00:00.000-05:00

I'm thankful this morning for my wood stove and heat,
For the dog in my lap and the one at my feet,
For the sunrise I was able to witness this morn,
And the love for my husband that is daily reborn.

I'm thankful for the good food that I like to eat,
Some of it salty and much of it sweet.
I'm thankful for the time to spend with my Lord,
Praising His name and reading His Word.

I'm thankful for the privilege to work from my home,
For not having to go out and in this cold weather roam.
I'm thankful for all the things that create ease in my life,
And that I have the honor of being a "mommy" and wife.

I thankful to be thankful for all I've been given,
To know I'm a child of God with sins all forgiven,
To be given the chance to lift my voice up in praise
And to honor my God for the rest of my days.

John Branyan - The Three Little Pigs

2012-01-04T05:00:00.000-05:00

The Lucado Inspirational Reader by Max Lucado

2012-01-03T10:11:00.000-05:00

The Lucado Inspirational Reader is a collection of excerpts from numerous books by award-winning Christian author, Max Lucado. The excerpts are short and divided into categories such as "The Cross", "Encouragement", "Relationship with God", and so on. The layout makes it easy for the reader to read a passage no matter the amount of time they have available. When pressed for time, one short excerpt can be read. For a more thorough study, an entire category can be read. Either way, the book makes an excellent accompaniment to daily Bible reading.

I have been a fan of Max Lucado for many years now, and I have yet to find one of his books that I don't like. While there are a few gray areas we don't necessarily agree on, I have found his books to be doctrinally sound and extremely encouraging. His knowledge of the Bible is refreshing, and his clear, down-to-earth writing style makes each of his books a page-turner. And even though I've already read all his books, when I saw this collection, I knew I had to have it. I was not disappointed and enjoyed every page.

The day I received the book was a difficult day. I opened the book and turned to the section on "Encouragement." Within half an hour, I had read the entire section. Tears had been shed, but my heart felt immensely better, and I was ready to face the remainder of the day. Like any good Christian author, Lucado seeks not to replace the Bible, but merely to remind the reader of what the Bible says and to direct him back to God's Word. And to me, that's extremely important!

If you're a Lucado fan, you'll definitely want to add The Lucado Inspirational Reader to your collection. If you've never read any works by Max Lucado, this would be a perfect place to get a taste of his beliefs and writing style. Whatever the case, this is a must-read!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Perfect Gift

2012-01-02T05:00:00.000-05:00

This past Christmas, I was resolved that I would not "settle" for any gift. I was determined to find the perfect gift for everyone on my list. With the meager budget I had for Christmas this year, the task turned out to be quite an undertaking.

I scoured eBay for weeks, looking for quality items that I couldn't afford elsewhere. I wracked my brain to come up with something more original than a gift card or a card filled with money. I wanted the recipient of each gift to know that I had put a lot of time and effort into those Christmas offerings. Thankfully, my hard work was rewarded. Not only were others impressed with the Christmas gifts I managed to purchase, but I even received a few "oohs" and "aahs" over the four birthday gifts I had to procure during December as well.

Do you ever wonder what was going through God's mind as He created the world? Was He, like me, determined to not settle for anything less than exquisite? Was He, too, looking to create the perfect gift for each of us?

Let's see here. I'll make the sky blue. Dana loves blue. I'll stretch the neck of the giraffe. That'll make Susie laugh. How about flowers the size of a human hand? Yeah, Tina will love that. Babbling brooks? Perfect for Jason. Oh, and I can't forget about those breathtaking sunrises. Max needs those to get his day started off right. Colorful birds for Ed. Mischievous cats for Christi. Scottish terriers for Abby. Mountains for Patrick and trees for Jamie to climb. Yes, won't my children be pleased?

On the heels of that thought, I can't help but wonder if God lives in constant expectation of our response to His gift. I don't know about you, but I'm more excited about giving gifts than I am receiving them. I love to see the look of wonder or astonishment on the face of someone I love. I'm blessed to see such an expression of joy that I don't even have to ask, "Do you like it?' Don't you think God feels the same way?

Take a look around you. Gaze into the blue sky. Survey the myriad of colors. Listen to the fluttering of bird's wings and the buzzing of the insects. Take a deep breath of the clear, cool air. And in the midst of your observations, listen for the whisper from the God who made it all--"Do you like it? I made it just for you."

Making a Fresh Start

2011-12-30T05:00:00.000-05:00

I can't help but look forward to the dawning of another day, the start of a new week and the beginning of a new year. Each one offers what other parts of life seldom do--a chance for a fresh start. The opportunity to begin on the right track. The privilege to take the mistakes of yesterday and turn them into tomorrow's accomplishments. No matter what happened yesterday, today deserves a chance. Despite how much I failed last week, this week holds the promise of success. And whatever the past year held, this coming year has the potential of being the best year ever. And I have the chance to start it right.

Many people begin their new year with resolutions. I don't fault them for this. In fact, I've been known to make a few resolutions of my own. But the problem with resolutions is that they only seem to last about a month with me. Beyond that, I lose the motivation which means I lose the discipline which means I stop doing it which means I feel guilty which means I drown my sorrows in chocolate which means. . . You get the picture, right? I'm just no good at making resolutions, but that doesn't stop me from planning "the new me" for the new year.

As I look at the "me" I want to be, I am reminded that I will never reach my goal if I'm depending on my own strength. It is only through the strength of the Lord that I will be able to improve myself. I need His strength to find the motivation and discipline I need to fulfill my health goals, my writing goals and of course, my goal of spiritual growth. In order to run this race, I need God by my side every step of the way. And with Him there, nothing is impossible!

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. - Psalm 118:24

The Faithful and Forgotten

2011-12-29T05:00:00.000-05:00

For the first time in a VERY long time, I was able to spend Christmas with my grandmother. She lives in Delaware, nearly 600 miles away, so visits with her are few and far between. This year, however, she was able to book a round-trip ticket to Greenville, allowing her to spend a full two weeks with us. She is staying at my parent's house, but I've taken the opportunity to spend several days over there with her. We've chatted. We've baked. We've laughed. It's been joyous.

On one of our days of baking, she shared with me how she had made "goodie plates" for several people including her hairdresser, the mail carrier, the cafeteria ladies, and so on. Naturally, she also made some for her friends, neighbors and church family, but in regards to the former list, her words were "No one ever thinks of them." How true!

Don't you hate being expected to do something, yet never receiving any words or actions of appreciation? Even if the thing you're expected to do is part of your job, it's still nice to hear a "thank you" every once in a while. My husband is a carpet cleaner. Cleaning carpet is his job. Still, he will occasionally receive a tip for doing the work well. It doesn't happen as often as it should, but it does happen. Just because someone is paid to do a job doesn't mean that he/she shouldn't receive any recognition. Aren't we grateful for cashiers, lunch ladies, mail carriers, house cleaners, etc.? Don't they deserve some kind of recognition?

My grandmother's words hit me hard because I had been complaining about the very thing myself. The problem was that I was complaining but not doing anything about it. Since that little talk with my grandmother, I've been meditating on that thought and how I can do better to give recognition and gratitude to those who are often overlooked. As if on cue (and I believe it was), I read the following verses yesterday in my daily Bible reading:

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. - I Thessalonians 5:12-13

I especially like that part in the middle: "esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake". Let's make a point in the coming year to be more mindful of those who labor among us. Whether they're working the same job, a better job, or a lousy job, they are fellow laborers, and they deserve a little respect. Give a smile. Say "thank you." Think before you complain. Let them know you appreciate their help.

Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all showed a little more gratitude toward one another? We know it would, and while we can't change the world, we can change ourselves. Who knows? The trend may catch on. And it can begin with us!

That being said, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your faithful following, your comments, your recommendations to others and your kind words of encouragement. You are my support team, and you've helped me more than you know. I truly appreciate all that you do.

Tim Hawkins - The Christmas Puppy

2011-12-28T05:00:00.000-05:00

Whose Child Are You?

2011-12-27T05:00:00.000-05:00

Probably one of the most famous stories in all the Bible is that of David and Goliath. Even most children can tell that story from beginning to end in flawless detail. Yet no matter how many times I hear it or read it, I'm still amazed at David's faith.

Here's a shepherd boy gearing up to face a giant of 9+ feet. Goliath is mean. He's ugly. He's fierce. He's trained and battle-hardened. He wields his sword with strength and agility. Then, there's little David who has to set aside his harp to pick up some stones for his sling. Is it just me, or does this picture seem a little lopsided?

It does to me, but it didn't to David. You see, David had enough faith to see what I often fail to see: with God on my side, all things are possible. There was no doubt in David's mind that he would succeed. He told Saul in plain language that he would kill the giant. No doubt. No worry. No anxiety. When David stepped out on faith, he stepped out running. The Bible says he ran to Goliath. Hmm, when was the last time I ran toward my giants instead of running away from them?

There's so much to be learned from this one story in the Bible. It's a story of great faith. But even more than that, it's a story of how our faith reflects on our Father. When Saul witnessed David's great feat, he asked his guard, "Whose son is this youth?" When people see us conquer our giants, don't they ask the same thing?

God's desire for us is that we will face our giants with great faith, so that all around us will look at each other and say, "Whose child is this?' At that point, it will be our great privilege to tell them all about our Father and how He is able to conquer any giants.

It's hard to be a witness for the Lord when we say we believe His word, but don't act like we believe it. Let's stop running away from our giants. Let's run toward them in faith as David did. Let's show off our Father and make him proud. After all, we are His children, and our actions reflect on Him.

Faith -- it's a powerful weapon!

The Light of Eidon by Karen Hancock

2011-12-26T05:00:00.000-05:00

Abramm has dedicated the last eight years of his life to becoming worthy to touch and tend the Sacred Flames of Eidon, and he expects to be blessed for his devotion and sacrifice. But on the eve of taking the vows that will irrevocably separate him from the life he was born to—as Abramm Kalladorne, fifth son of the king of Kiriath, he is betrayed by his spiritual mentor and sold into slavery by his own family.

Swept along by the winds of a new destiny, Abramm is forced to compete as a gladiator. When the oppressed masses rally around his success, he discovers his suffering has molded him into something greater than he ever thought possible—to serve a purpose he never imagined.

I really wasn't sure if I would like this book or not when I picked it to review. The premise sounded interesting, so I figured I would give it a try. To be honest, after reading it, I'm still not sure how I feel about it. The premise and plot of the story were very good. The story is set up as an allegory with Eidon being the representation of God. The theme that seemed to run through the entire story was Abramm's unbelief that salvation could really be as simple as just accepting the offer. He believed he had to make himself holy and prove himself worthy. The symbolism was excellent and powerful.

That being said, I don't think I've ever spent so long trying to get through a book. The book itself was very long (432 pages), and many times, the story was bogged down with too much detail and description. By the time I finally reached the end of the story, I no longer remembered the characters who were re-introduced in the final chapters. As intriguing as the plot was, I was just glad to finally be finished with the book.

Overall, I feel that the author wove an excellent story, but the story could have been told in fewer words. The entire tale was drawn out, and to me, the story lost most of its appeal. I believe this would be one of the few books for which I would enjoy the abridged version much more. Less fluff; more meat.

This book was given to me as part of the review program for Waterbrook Multnomah. The opinions expressed herein are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

Piper's Night Before Christmas

2011-12-23T05:00:00.000-05:00

The Hidden Meaning Behind the 12 Days of Christmas

2011-12-22T05:00:00.000-05:00

People often think of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' as the days preceding the festival. Historically, Christmas is the season of the Christian Year for the days beginning on December 25 and lasting until January 6 (the Day of Epiphany) when the church celebrates the revelation of Christ as the light of the world and recalls the journey of the Magi. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly. During that era someone wrote 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' as a kind of secret catechism that could be sung in public without risk of persecution. The song has two levels of interpretation: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the church. Each element in the carol is a code word for a religious reality.

The "partridge in a pear tree" is Jesus Christ.

The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.

The three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.

The four calling birds are the four Gospels.

The five gold rings recall the torah (Law) the first five books of the Old Testament.

The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

The seven swans a-swimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit.

The eight maids a-milking are the eight beatitudes.

The nine ladies dancing are the nine fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5).

The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

The eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples.

The twelve drummers drumming symbolize the 12 points of belief in the Apostles Creed.

There you have it... the hidden meaning of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and the secret behind the song.

The Names of the Lord - The Prince of Peace

2011-12-20T05:00:00.000-05:00

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

Peace is defined as "freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility; stillness." Is it just me, or does that seem like a foreign concept these days? As I type this post, it is less than a week before Christmas, the time of peace on earth, good will toward men. Yet, I can only shake my head as I read horror after horror of just how mean, hateful and selfish mankind has become.

I read the story of a woman who pepper-sprayed over twenty people on Black Friday because she wanted to "beat the line" to get to the great deal on an X-box. A few days later, I heard the tale of a woman who was stabbed to death at a local Wal-mart. News footage shows evidence of the sad state of men's hearts as people fight one another with a "me first" attitude. Good grief! No deal is worth hurting another individual. What is wrong with people?

The world, as a whole, is missing peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Without Him, peace does not exist. I can have peace in my heart because Jesus resides within me, but as I mingle out and about in the world, I find it more and more difficult to remember that the peace is there. Additionally, in the hustle and bustle of everyday activities, I struggle to find time to seek peace.

It's no accident that the words "be still" are in the Bible. We are commanded to "be still" and know that God is God. The only way we can do that is to step away from the chaos and determine in our hearts that we will be still and quiet for a period of time. We all need that time, and I believe it would be much easier to find peace the rest of the time if we would set aside some time to become reacquainted with the Prince of Peace. The One who spoke peace to the storm can speak peace into our lives as well. We need only to allow Him to perform His work.

The Names of the Lord - The Everlasting Father

2011-12-19T09:07:00.000-05:00

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

Okay, you may want to grab some Tylenol before we try to tackle this one. This verse in Isaiah is obviously foretelling the birth of Jesus Christ. The baby in a manger. The son of Mary. The Son of God. The everlasting Father? How can one Person be both the Son and the Father.

The Trinity is a concept that always gives me a headache if I try too hard to wrap my brain around it. It's simply impossible for my poor brain to comprehend. Three in One. The fact that the Father can also be the Son. How God the Father could forsake God the Son on Calvary. The entire thing just baffles me. I believe it is so, but I certainly don't understand it.

And if the title "Father" isn't baffling enough in this passage, Isaiah throws in the adjective "everlasting." You talk about something that will get your brain turning! Everlasting means without beginning or end. I can't fathom that. I get confused watching movies and shows dealing with time travel, so you can imagine my dilemma in trying to understand God who lives outside of time. There are no watches, clocks or calendars in Heaven. God doesn't need them. He's a big God and is not contained within the limits of time.

In fact, He is currently everywhere at all points in time. He is with me as I type this post, but He's also witnessing the very first Christmas while simultaneously watching the death of His Son on Calvary. It's all one big picture to Him, and that truly boggles the mind. I guess, though, it serves as an excellent reminder that Jesus is Wonderful and the mighty God.

The everlasting Father -- what a concept!

The Names of the Lord - The Mighty God

2011-12-16T05:00:00.000-05:00

The word mighty is defined as "powerful, strong, verylarge, vast, very great in extent or importance." Not the thoughts that come to mind when we picture baby Jesus in the manger. Powerful? Not likely. Strong? Impossible. Very large or vast? Laughable. Very great in extent or importance? Now we're getting somewhere. Yet, while many of the definitions just don't seem to fit, they do, in fact, describe Jesus, the mighty God.

Do you ever find it difficult to remember that the tiny Baby in the manger is the same One who spoke the world into existence? It's just so remarkable and difficult to wrap our finite brains around. Jesus is the mighty God, the One who created Mary, of whom He would be born. Mind-boggling, isn't it? But it shouldn't be.

Follow His story. Witness His miracles. Turning water into wine. Healing sickness and disease. Calming storms with the power of His voice, the same voice that called Lazarus up from the death. Yes, in fact, Jesus is so mighty that death itself could not hold Him. When He gave up His spirit on the cross, He cried, "It is finished", not as a cry of defeat, but as one of victory. It was a shout of "I've won!!!" And so He has. Despite his thoughts to the contrary, Satan cannot and will not defeat Him. Jesus is the Mighty God, and nothing can stand in His way!

And just think, He's on our side! Isn't it great to have a Friend in high places?

The Names of the Lord - Counselor

2011-12-15T05:00:00.000-05:00

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

A counselor is someone who offers advice or counsel. The best counselors are those who have not only been trained to deal with various circumstances, but have also lived through the circumstances themselves. No one can relate to us better than someone who has faced the same situation we're facing. And that, my friend, is what makes Jesus the best counselor of all.

He left the splendor of Heaven to come to this earth so that He could walk in our shoes. Weary? Jesus understands. Feeling betrayed? Jesus has been there. Wonder if you have a friend left in the world? Jesus can relate. Lonely? Overwhelmed? Brokenhearted? No matter what we may face on this earth, we can rest in the knowledge that Jesus understands. He's walked the same paths before. He's faced the same trials and temptations. He's borne the very same burdens. He knows. He understands. He can relate.

And with that knowledge and understanding, He offers us counsel. He listens wholeheartedly to our every plea. He allows us to cry on His shoulder. He understands our tears. Then, He guides us with His love. He directs our paths and encourages our hearts. He leads us out of our depression and discouragement and into a place where we can hear His voice more clearly.

His counsel is wise and never in error. We needn't fear following bad advice if we are heeding the voice of the Savior. Oh, what a blessed Counselor!

Kids Being Kids

2011-12-14T05:00:00.000-05:00

The Names of the Lord - Wonderful

2011-12-13T05:00:00.000-05:00

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. - Isaiah 9:6

This is a very popular verse that is most often quoted around Christmastime. But what does it really mean? I'd like to take the next few posts to pick apart this verse and define each of the names of the Lord listed here.

The word "wonderful" is defined as "marvelous,astonishing, unusually good." Wow! Doesn't that describe Jesus? From His angel-announced birth to His bodily resurrection, everything about Him is good and astonishing. His sinless nature and state of being makes Him unusually good, not to mention His unending patience in the face of worldly opposition, faithless disciples and fickle followers. Yes, Jesus is truly Wonderful!

The Greatest Christmas Story Simply Told

2011-12-12T05:00:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time, there was a great King. He was good, kind, holy, and just. He loved His people, provided for them, and kept them safe. But the people were not good people. They did wrong and lived wickedly. In the great kingdom, the punishment for these acts was death. But the great King loved His people and did not want them to suffer. Still, He was just, and He knew their evil could not go unpunished.

In His great love, the King went unto His Son and said, "The people of the kingdom have broken our laws. Punishment must be administered." The Son spoke up and said, "Then punish me, Father. I will suffer in their stead." This grieved the King, but He knew it was the only way to save His people.

And so, He sent us a precious Gift in the form of a babe. This babe would grow to become the Savior of our sins. He would die in our stead so that we would be able to one day live with the King. On a starry night over 2,000 years ago, the greatest Christmas story took place. The Son of the King left the splendor of Heaven to be born in a dirty stable so that He could relate to anything we will ever suffer. He became a son of man so that we could become the sons of God.

Sorry, Charles Dickens, but stories just don't get any greater than that!

God's Presence Amidst Chaos

2011-12-09T05:00:00.000-05:00

This is the time of year for joy, love, and peace. But it seems that the feelings provoked in me are not those of peace, but those of stress. Between shopping and parties, cantatas and cards, banquets and business, I find myself turning in circles wondering which direction I'm supposed to be headed in.

Having two dogs in the house certainly makes the experience a little more "interesting." Mitch keeps carrying off my firewood so he can chew it into mulch. Tippy refuses to get off the Christmas tree skirt so that I can actually put presents under the tree. And I have to be very careful about what I put under the tree. If the dogs think it's food, I'll find the package unwrapped and usually out in the back yard. So, I keep food gifts in a safe place, although that didn't help the banana nut muffins that I made yesterday. There were eleven when I left for the Christmas banquet, but only five when I returned. Since Mitch is the only one who can reach the kitchen counter, and Tippy has been nursing a hurt leg (courtesy of Mitch landing on her when he jumped off the bed), I'm pretty sure I know who the culprit is. No, there's never a dull moment around my house.

Amidst the chaos, however, I am reminded that God is with me. I see Him in every sunrise. Feel His breath with every breeze. Sense His love in every smile. And cherish His joy in every unusual circumstance that happens around my house (from hijacked firewood to stolen muffins). Yes, through it all, God is with me, and better yet, He understands. He can relate to every tear and every chuckle.

So, as you rush about today from task to task, take time to notice the many ways God has made His presence known in your life. And don't just notice, but rejoice in it. Let it wash over you and bring you peace. From what I can see, that's the only way you'll find it this time of year.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. - Isaiah 41:10

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

2011-12-08T05:00:00.000-05:00

For the past week, I've been reading the book, "Hurry Less, Worry Less at Christmastime". I've found it to be a wonderful guide to replacing holiday stress with joy and turning seasonal duties into desires. I've been enjoying it, but the next to the last phrase I read this morning caught my attention. "Allow your actions to reflect your priorities."

I guess one reason it caught my eye was because of the feeling of being overwhelmed by the holidays. By focusing my attention on the perfect gift, the perfect musical piece for the Christmas celebrations, the perfect food, the perfect card, etc, I'm losing sight of what really matters. My actions are not reflecting my priorities.

Another reason that statement seemed so profound this morning was because it fit so well with my devotional reading in the book of Acts. Look at the following passage:

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.- Acts 4:13

In the beginning of the book of Acts, we witness the disciples' leap into service. While Jesus was with them, they were content to follow along, allowing Him to do the talking. No more! Filled with the Holy Ghost, the disciples are now bold and unashamed, and they prove it. In the first chapters of Acts, we find them preaching and performing miracles. Countless times they were threatened and imprisoned, yet they were not deterred from their purpose. Their actions reflected their priorities. So much so, that the people around them "took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."

When people look at us, can they say the same? Do they see Jesus in our lives and actions? Do our daily activities reflect our priority to serve God no matter what? Lord, help us!

Tim Hawkins - Do You Hear What I Hear?

2011-12-07T05:00:00.000-05:00

Becoming the Christmas Grinch

2011-12-06T05:00:00.000-05:00

I made a comment the other day that I had to retract as soon as the words left my mouth. The comment was, "I hate this time of year." But as soon as I had voiced the words, I realized that wasn't true. I don't hate this time of year. I love it. I love the Christmas season. I love bundling up in my favorite snowman sweater, hanging Christmas decorations, buying (and receiving) gifts, and spending time with family and friends. What I meant to say was "I hate myself this time of year."

As much as I love the season, I find myself so stressed out. Trying to find the time to get everything done and the money to buy gifts drives me crazy. The number of events I feel obligated to attend grieves my spirit. The growing commercialism and the lack of "good will toward men" aggravates me. To put it bluntly, I become the Grinch. It's not that I hate Christmas; I just hate the person I become this time of year.

Because of the overwhelming stress and the many obligations, it doesn't take much to send me into a whirlwind of despair and self-pity, not to mention anger and bitterness. "What do you mean I have to give up two of my Saturdays to come to play practice?" "Don't tell me I have to buy a gift for her too." "Sure, I'll put together that Christmas presentation. After all, I don't need sleep anymore, do I?"

See what I mean? Things have already been so bad this year that I was beginning to think I'm a truly horrible person. What kind of Grinch complains so much at Christmas time? The one who has lost sight of what Christmas is all about. Christmas is not about programs, presents and cards. It's not about finding the best gift for each person on your list or doing up the house with a boatload of decorations that are going to have to come down again in a month. It's not about presenting the perfect cantata or Christmas program. Christmas is about Christ. It's His birthday.

It's easy to get so bogged down with all the to-do lists of Christmas that we lose sight of why we're celebrating. No wonder I've lost my Christmas joy. I've had my priorities all messed up. So I've decided to make a few changes. First of all, my friends, I will not be sending Christmas cards this year. I don't have the time and money to invest in them, so I'm not going to stress about it. Second, I made a point to not volunteer for any programs or presentations this year (although I've been drafted for a couple). Third, I decided to shop from my heart. No, the gift may not be expensive, but the recipient can rest assured that the gift came from my heart. Lastly, every time I start stressing about how much I still have to do before December 25th, I'm going to make myself stop and think about the Reason for the season. After all, the celebration is for Jesus. Shouldn't He get something out of the deal?

God's Story, Your Story: When His Becomes Yours by Max Lucado

2011-12-05T05:00:00.000-05:00

Each of us is living out our own story. For most of us, the characters have been revealed, the theme is pretty evident, and the setting, while it may change from time to time, is established. The plot, however, can leave us bewildered and wondering if there is a reason for the chaos and confusion that surround us. Who would write such a story? What kind of writer would leave their main characters in such turmoil, facing one trial after another and dealing with insurmountable odds? A good one!

We all know what makes up a good story. Good versus evil. Danger around every turn. Tragedy and triumph. Scenes that leave us wiping our tears or perched on the edge of our seats. These traits merge together to form the perfect story -- that is, until we find ourselves as the main characters. But never fear, for the Author of our story knows exactly how everything will work out in the end. He has the story planned out, and it's not over until He writes, "The End".

I've never picked up a Max Lucado book that I didn't like, and this one was certainly no exception. From page one until the final chapter, I was enthralled by the web of hope and encouragement Lucado weaves. He equates our lives to a story and God as its author. Each page demonstrates God's love and grace in helping us to live out our stories even when we don't understand the twists and turns. Through the Scripture, and with his unrivaled wit, Lucado reminds us that God is in control. He is not writing out our story; it's already written. He knows the outcome and every trial we may face along the journey. He knows and understands each character, and He has placed each one in the proper setting. With every word, I was encouraged that not only does God know what I'm going through, but He also cares.

If I had to pick out one negative in the book it would be the way that Lucado blurs the rapture and the second coming of the Lord into one event instead of two distinct events. I prefer a clearer distinction between the two, but the important fact was made quite clear: Jesus is coming back, and those who are saved will rise up to meet Him in the air, and that is only the beginning of our eternal lives with Him.

If you're looking for the perfect gift for a loved one, offer them this item of hope, encouragement and comfort. It's a must-read for Christians at any stage in their Christian walk.

Steps in the Darkness

2011-12-02T05:00:00.000-05:00

With winter coming on rapidly and the time change having already taken place, Jason and I have been reminded to get off the hiking trails a lot sooner than normal. At five o'clock, it may still look like day time, but within a half an hour, it gets dark. . .very dark! The trick is knowing how much time to leave ourselves before beginning the trek back to the parking area. It always takes a while to get used to the different times and seasons. We may think we're leaving in plenty of time, but before we're halfway back, the sun disappears, and the trail becomes very difficult to follow.

Yes, unfortunately, we've spent many evenings picking our way along a trail with only two small flashlights to illuminate the path ahead. Not only is the process difficult, but it's unnerving. The darkness can make the woods a very creepy place to be, and when the beam of one of the flashlights shines on the eyes of one of the dogs, well, that just scares the daylights out of me (get it, daylight, ha ha. . . anyway. . .)

The thing I hate about flashlights is that they're great for seeing the step just in front of you but not much else. Sure, you can shine it around, making things a little more visible, but for the most part, it's only good for the next step.

Many times in life, I feel like I'm walking in the dark with only a flashlight to light my way. And just as the example above illustrates, only the step before me is illuminated. I long to see the whole path. I wish to see the entire way. I would find comfort in examining the entire trail before setting my course. But alas, only one step is visible. And that, my friend, is why we must have faith.

God has set each of us on a course. We may even have a destination in view. The path, however, often remains a mystery. God has provided us with everything we need to take the journey, but we must trust in Him to take one step after another. Only with each step will the next step be revealed and the final destination be reached. It's daunting. It's downright scary. It's tempting to turn back or to stand still, but neither of those options will benefit us. Our only true choice is to carry on one step at a time, watching and waiting for God's light to illuminate the next step He would have us to take.

Before long, we'll be out of the woods and headed home, where there is no darkness!

The Greatest Deal of All Time

2011-12-01T05:00:00.000-05:00

Last Friday, millions of shoppers left their homes in the middle of the night in search of the greatest deals. Many stood out in the rain and cold for hours as they waited for the shops to open. They braved the cold, the traffic, and the crowds in an effort to save money on this year's Christmas shopping.

I used to be one of those people, but not anymore. I have learned the joy of online shopping with free shipping, and I'll never go back to "the old way." Yes, while millions were freezing their bottoms off, I was sitting in bed reading an e-book. I was warm. I was comfortable. I was happy. For those who enjoy the thrill of the day, that's fine. I won't begrudge them that, but I prefer to stay in my warm bed.

I wonder, though, if sometimes we get so worked up about the latest and greatest deal that we forget the true "greatest" deal. What deal am I talking about? Salvation, of course. We didn't have to stand in line to get it. There wasn't a limited supply. We didn't have to get up early. We didn't have to fight the crowds. And best yet, we didn't need a credit card. Salvation is a precious gift, and while it didn't cost us a thing, let us not forget that it cost Jesus His life. Yes, the greatest deal of all time was when we traded our filthy rags of sin for those holy white robes of atonement. We gave Jesus our guilt and shame, and in return He gave us a home in Heaven. That's a deal you won't find in the Black Friday ads!

Tim Hawkins on People

2011-11-30T05:00:00.000-05:00

Progress Through Perseverance

2011-11-29T05:00:00.000-05:00

As I prepared the lesson for my Child Development class this morning, I realized how the topic can be applied to all areas of life, not just teaching. Yes, the topic of perseverance is a deep one that has been discussed since the beginning of time itself. The Bible is full of passages dealing with perseverance. Our history books contain motivational quotes by famous men and women throughout the ages. Yet despite all the advice, the lack of perseverance still abounds today.

If I may, I would like to share with you the brief outline I shared with my class. It highlights three areas in which we should persevere.

1. Persevere through fear.
Fear is not necessarily a bad thing. Moses was afraid. Joshua was afraid. Gideon was afraid. Paul was afraid. The key in dealing with our fear is to face it head-on. We should never run from our fear, but rather, we should allow it to drive us to our Source of strength. Only then can we persevere.

2. Persevere through failure.
Failure can teach us more about perseverance than success ever could. Remember the old saying, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again"? What a wonderful thought! Failure gives us the chance to complete a task over again, and this time, to do it better. It offers an education that cannot be gained elsewhere. Again, though, there is a trick to dealing with failure; otherwise it can discourage and overwhelm. When looking at our failures, it is imperative we don't forget to look at our successes as well.

3. Persevere through favor.
Sometimes people tend to "give up" when things are going well for them. They allow money, success or fame to distract them from their true calling in life. They're content to sit and enjoy the fruits of their labor without giving a second thought to how much more they could accomplish if they just kept going. Yes, we all need to rest now and then, but there's a big difference between a catnap and permanent slumber. Slow and steady wins the race. We'll never reach the finish line if we're distracted by the pleasant things along the way.

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points outhow the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could havedone them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually inthe arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, whostrives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; becausethere is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who doesactually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, thegreat devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the bestknows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at theworst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. It is farbetter to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even thoughcheckered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits whoneither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilightof life, knowing neither victory nor defeat.” - Theodore Roosevelt

Shelter in the Shadow

2011-11-28T05:00:00.000-05:00

With the weather gradually turning cooler, I'm trying to take advantage of every opportunity to work outdoors. I love to sit outside in the sun. I can write or read. Somehow, I seem to focus better when I'm surrounded by nature. Mitch also loves the chance to run and play. He digs holes, chases squirrels and races with the neighbor's dog along the fence line. Tippy, on the other hand, is not terribly fond of the back yard. Take her on a hike, she's happy. Let her swim in the lake, she's content. But send her to the back yard, and she acts as if I've sentenced her to some form of cruel and unusual punishment. She reminds me of the giraffe on Madagascar, "Nature! It's all over me! Get it off!!!"

So when we're outside, I always know where to find her. She is generally tucked securely behind my chair, resting in the shadow I cast. While there, she is content enough to rest and seems more or less undisturbed by her surroundings.

As I watched her the other day, I was reminded of my need and desire to stay in my Master's shadow. I long to find that peace and contentment that can only be found under the shadow of His wings. I seek to be less disturbed by the world around me, and I know that is only possible if I abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

Sometimes, I feel just like Tippy. "The world! It's all over me. Get it off!!!!" And so, just as she does, I seek shelter in the shadow. I guess my fat, little beagle is smarter than I give her credit for.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.- Psalm 91:1-2

Thanksgiving Poem

2011-11-23T05:00:00.000-05:00

Today I am thankful for so many things
Houses and family, my hopes and my dreams
A husband who loves me, a church family who cares
Nights that are free from fear and despair
Knowing that God has my best interest at heart
Showers of blessing that I know will soon start
Grace and mercy to get me through every day
I'm thankful for how the Lord guides my way
Victories that have come, and defeats to inform
I can do nothing without the strength of my Lord
Now on this day, I remember these things
Giving glory to God for all the goodness He brings.

Poem by Dana Rongione

May I Never Forget to Be Thankful

2011-11-22T05:00:00.000-05:00

And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. - Luke 17:11-19

My, my, my! How rude! How completely and totally ungrateful. I'm sure those healed lepers were anxious to go home and see their families, but certainly they could have spared a moment to say, "Thank you," right?

How about us? How often are we guilty of the same thing? So often we come to God with our expectations. We expect Him to work. We expect Him to meet our needs. We expect Him to answer our prayers in the way we see fit. When He doesn't, we get angry, we pout and complain. When He does meet our expectations, we often have no reaction. We're pleased that God did what we asked, but we don't voice that pleasure in the form of thanks. We expect so much and give thanks for so little. Shame on us!

Today, be thankful for all things, even the little things that don't seem like a big deal. Let's spend the day giving thanks and praising the Lord for who He is and for all He's done.

Four Reasons to Be Thankful

2011-11-21T05:00:00.000-05:00

As we approach the holiday season, our minds turn to thoughts of our many blessings . . . or at least they should. When we turn on the news or listen to conversations around us, it doesn't seem like there's much to be thankful for. Wars. Layoffs. Economic crises. Violence. Greed. The world is becoming a very dark place, and in that darkness it becomes easy to forget how good God has been to us. Just like the children of Israel in Psalm 107, we gripe and complain about how bad things are and neglect to praise God for how He has blessed us. But in that blessed Psalm, God gives us four reminders of why we should be thankful.

1. He leads us in the way we need to go. - vs. 7
If we are faithful to follow the Lord's leading, we will stay in His will. If we are in His will, then all will be well. Does that mean no bad things will happen? No, but it means we will have peace knowing that we are where God wants us to be.

2. He brightens our days. - vs. 14
Ever feel like you're surrounded by darkness? Ever feel like there's no light to be found? I have, but the truth is Jesus is the Light. He can brighten even our darkest days if we'll allow Him to. Spend a few minutes with Him and see if you don't notice a ray of light on the horizon.

3. He speaks to us - vs. 20
What a privilege to know that the God of this world takes time to speak to His children! He has given us His Word as a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. He speaks to us through messages and songs. He nudges our hearts and whispers to us in His still, small voice. God still speaks. The question is, "Are we listening?"

4. He calms either our storms or our souls - vs. 29
The McKameys sing a song entitled "Sometimes He Calms Me." The message of the song is that sometimes it is God's will for us to go through a storm, but during those times in which He will not calm the storm, He can calm us. He gives us sweet peace to make it through the trial. He knows what we need, and as much as we don't like it, sometimes we need the storms. But even during those times, we need to not stress, for God can calm our troubled hearts.

I encourage you to take time to read through this entire Psalm, but if nothing else, meditate on these four points. God deserves our thankfulness. He deserves our praise. Whether we praise Him through the sunshine or praise Him through the storm, let's remember to give all glory to Him for He alone is worthy!

Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindess of the LORD. - Psalm 107:43

If I Had Known

2011-11-18T05:00:00.000-05:00

Typically, Wednesday is my errand day. If there's shopping to do, it gets done on Wednesday. It just works for me. This past Wednesday, however, was nasty. It rained all day. Thunderstorms darkened the sky, and I had no intention of going out. I didn't need anything that badly. I decided it was the perfect day to pull my laptop into my lap and work from the bed. I didn't even get out of my pajamas until it was time to get ready for church. In this instance, procrastination seemed to be the way to go.

Imagine my dismay when I awoke Thursday morning to find the same dreary skies and pouring rain. "Well, that's just great!" I complained. "The rain was supposed to be over. That's why I waited." Not only was it rainy, but it was cold. At least Wednesday had been warm. But because I had put my errands off, I now had to go out in the cold rain. I was not pleased.

If I had known it was going to be so cold and rainy on Thursday morning, I would have gone ahead and run my errands on Wednesday. But I had no way of knowing. All I could do was rely on the forecast, and we all know how reliable that truly is.

Wouldn't life be easier if we knew what tomorrow held? If we knew what was in our future, wouldn't it make our present a little easier to deal with? But we don't know, and that's why we have to trust the One Who does. That's why it's not wise to make decisions on our own -- because we have no idea what the future holds. But God does.

Plowing through life without heeding God's direction can lead to much worse than soggy shoes and goosebumps. Let's ask God what He wants us to do and follow His leadership. Not only does He know what tomorrow holds, but He's already there. And with such knowledge, He can help us make the right decisions. We need only to listen and obey!

I'm happy to report the storms abated and the skies cleared. . .on my way home. But hey, I'll take sunny skies anytime!

The Nature of God by Mona Hanna

2011-11-17T05:00:00.000-05:00

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:35-39.

In her book, The Nature of God, author Mona Hanna explores the limitless depths of God's love and acceptance. She details the nature of God by describing His mercy, forgiveness, patience and grace. Each of the fifty short devotions delves into a deeper understanding of the attributes of God. We are reminded that even when we feel unlovable, God is there. His love in unending. His mercies are new every morning. His faithfulness is without end.

The book is well-written, and the structure allows for the reader to begin each day with one of the short devotions. What better way to start each day than with a reminder of God's love!

Doctrinally, the book had a few areas that troubled me. There were a couple of topics on which the line between truth and error was blurred. For example, many times God's acceptance is described in such a way that it seems God accepts our sins as well as ourselves. I Peter 1:16 says, "Be ye holy; for I am holy." It does not say, "Do the best you can, and that will be good enough for God." Yes, God accepts us as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way. He longs for us to grow in Him. He will forgive our sins, but He will not accept them or excuse them.

Another area that brought me grief was how the author made the relationship between God and the Christian seem like a one-sided arrangement. From what I read, I inferred that Christians can live their lives as they see fit, and as long as their happy, God is happy. They are not required to be separate from the world and do "Christian" things. I disagree. I Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." The word "Christian" means "Christ-like". Everything a Christian does should be Christ-like and for the glory of God. Yes, God wants us to be happy, but He also wants us to follow His plan for our lives.

Whether or not these blurred lines were intentional, I do not know. I may have totally misunderstood what the author was trying to say, but if that is the case, there needs to be more clarity. For stronger Christians who have studied the Bible and are firmly grounded in their faith, this book might be a beneficial addition to their libraries. For weaker Christians, I fear there are too many gray areas for me to recommend it.

Taylor Mason - I Wanted to Be a Muppet

2011-11-16T05:00:00.000-05:00

Never Satisfied

2011-11-15T05:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday evening, we came home from church to find our pantry had been ransacked. Spices lay in the floor. Boxes and pouches lay askew on their assigned shelves. Cans lay on their sides, overturned at some point during the process. And from the way Mitch, our shepherd mix, turned and ran the other way, I had a pretty good idea who the culprit was.

The thing I have yet to figure out is why. Unlike most Sunday afternoons, Jason and I had been able to come home for the afternoon. That being the case, I was able to feed the dogs right before we left for evening service. So Mitch wasn't hungry. We had taken him for a nice hike on both Thursday and Saturday, so he wasn't overwhelmed with excess energy. He has never gotten into the pantry before. Never! He's taken a few things off the counter or nightstand when we've been foolish (or forgetful) enough to leave it out. In fact, he once ate an entire pan of banana nut muffins when I left them easily within his reach. But he's never taken anything from the pantry. So, I can't figure out what possessed him to scrounge around in the pantry, settling for the hamburger buns on the third shelf up (nearly six feet off the ground). He bypassed the Poptarts, the crackers, the open bag of chocolate chips that sat innocently on the bottom shelf. Instead, he went for the buns. How do I know? Because I found the wrapper out in the backyard, along with a tattered bag of instant mashed potatoes.

The only thing I can figure is that Mitch, like myself, had a battle with discontentment and lost. He wasn't hungry. His needs had been met. But he still wanted more. He simply was not satisfied with what he had. After I got done lecturing Mitch, I had to lecture myself because I act the same way sometimes. God has met all my needs. I've never been truly hungry. I've never been without a roof over my head. I've always had clothes and shoes to wear. In addition to that, I have luxuries that most of the world can only dream of--a television, a radio, computers, a truck, a cell phone, and so on. Yet at times, I still find myself wallowing in self-pity for all the things I don't have. I find myself wanting more. My, my, my! How ungrateful I can be!

Benjamin Franklin put it this way: "Contentment makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor." Well said. We are rich in so many things, but without contentment, we might as well not have them. Be wary. Discontentment is one of Satan's favorite tools. It can rob us of our gratitude and shift our focus. It can burden us with discouragement and convince us that God has not been good to us. It can plant a seed of bitterness that flourishes with every area in which we feel we've been treated unjustly. It is a powerful tool that slips in often unnoticed until it has overtaken the mind.

Let's stop ransacking the pantry of life and start being satisfied with the many things God has given us. We have been so blessed. It's about time we started acting like it.

I Have a Plan!

2011-11-14T05:00:00.000-05:00

I'm a planner. I like to make plans and stick to them. I enjoy a routine. I don't feel bound by it or suffocated by it. On the contrary, I relish the freedom it gives me. By having a plan established, I don't have to waste my time walking in circles, trying to figure out what to do next. It's all laid out for me. All I have to do is follow the plan.

My love for plans goes far beyond just my writing. I like to plan out my day, my meals, my errands, the songs I'll play for the church offeratories, and anything else that needs to fit into my overwhelmingly hectic schedule. I try to even plan for the unexpected because I just never know when I'll get a last-minute phone call from someone requesting my time for something.

But the hardest area for me to plan is my finances. Jason gets paid hourly. If the work is there, he gets a good check. If the work's not there, well, that's when we really tighten our belts. I'm paid by the job or by the sale (in regards to my books and e-books). Again, when there's work or people are in the mood to buy books, I get a little pay. When the opposite occurs, we tighten our belts a little more. It's impossible to budget because I never know how much money will be coming in on any given week. For that reason, I have to plan. I have to look ahead and see which bills are coming, when they're coming, how much they are, and whether or not I can afford to go to the grocery store this week or wait for the next paycheck. It's a depressing procedure, for in trying to plan, I'm forced to focus on a very unpleasant reality. That focus always leads me to the same place: fear and worry.

You see, I'm still struggling to find the balance between planning for tomorrow and worrying about tomorrow. Planning is good; worrying is not. There's nothing wrong with being prepared and organized. In fact, there's everything right about it. The Bible says that God is not the author of confusion. He does things in an orderly fashion, and we are to be like Him. The key is to seek His will, plan accordingly and then leave the results up to Him. I'm okay with the first two parts, but I really struggle with the last. Even when I think I've left the results up to Him, I find myself wondering, "But what if the mortgage comes out before the next paycheck goes in?" That's where the following verse comes into play: Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (II Corinthians 10:5)

Bringing every thought into obedience. That means catching those sinful thoughts, those thoughts of worry and fear, and saying, "No, I will not harbor you. Get out. You have no place here." It's the process of getting our thoughts under control, which is important because when our thoughts are out of control, our emotions follow. Worrisome thoughts lead to discouragement, depression, resentment and unthankfulness, among other things. We cannot let these thoughts run wild. They must be expelled.

Before I wrap up this post, I want to make it clear that God has been good to me and my family. Despite our fluctuating income, we have never gone hungry or done without anything we need. God has always provided, and I know He will continue to do so. Yes, even when I've not been faithful to Him, He's been faithful to me. That being said, I would appreciate your prayers as I seek to find the balance between planning for tomorrow and worrying about tomorrow. My prayers will be with you as well!

Yes, You Matter

2011-11-11T05:00:00.000-05:00

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. - Luke 16:19-31

This is a bittersweet passage in that we are told of Lazarus passing on to Paradise and the rich man passing into hell. It's important to understand that the rich man was not cast into hell because he was rich. No, it was because he was trusting in those riches to get him into Paradise. But no matter how good or how rich he was, he didn't have the key to entrance into Paradise. He didn't know Christ. He had not accepted the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus.

What I find so fascinating about this passage, however, is that the beggar is named while the rich man remains anonymous. That's backwards from the way things are done today, isn't it? The wealthy are known. The names of the famous grace the covers of magazines. Many people today are striving to make a name for themselves. Why? Because no one likes to go unnoticed. Everyone likes to be recognized for who or what they are. We all like to feel at least somewhat significant in the grand scheme of things.

Yes, if it had been left up to man to write the Bible, I believe this story would read somewhat differently. The facts would be the same, but I think the rich man would have been named and the beggar would have been left anonymous. Thankfully, the writing was not left to man. Sure, God used human instruments, but He told them what to say. He specified for Luke to name Lazarus and not the rich man. Why? Could it be that He wants to remind us that no one is insignificant in His eyes? Could this passage serve as a reminder that we are all special to Him? Could it point out that it isn't wealth or fame that makes someone "stand out" but those who have accepted Christ?

To this day, the rich man remains anonymous. Until we reach Heaven, we'll never know the man's name. But we will always know Lazarus, the name of the lowly beggar.

Perhaps you're going through a time where you're wondering if anything you say or do really matters. It matters to God. You may be going through a spell where you feel lost, alone and insignificant. Never fear; the eyes of Heaven are watching. No deed goes unnoticed. No tear is missed. No cry is unheard. God loves you, and He knows your name. Never forget that!

Provisions, Prophets and Promises

2011-11-10T05:00:00.000-05:00

And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. -- I Kings 17:1-9

There is some very important information in these few verses, and it can easily be missed. I know I didn't notice it until my pastor pointed it out a couple of weeks ago.

God commanded Elijah to go to the brook and wait for further instruction. But before Elijah left, God said "I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there." Notice that--"I have commanded," not "I will command." God had already made provision for Elijah. Before the prophet even realized he had a need, God had met that need.

Now, if you'll notice, in verse 9, God commands Elijah to go to Zarephath. He tells the prophet, "I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee." Did you catch it again? "I have commanded" means that it was already done. God knew what Elijah would be needing, and He met those needs.

I know that many people right now are going through difficult times. It seems like darkness is all around us and our prayers are going unheard. Don't despair. Just as with Elijah, God knows our needs, and He will meet those needs in His time. It's hard, and often, it's confusing, but we must have faith. God will pass by at the right time!

Excerpt from Random Ramblings of a Raving Redhead,

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Thor Ramsey - Thou Shalt Laugh 2

2011-11-09T05:00:00.000-05:00

The Creepy, The Crawly and The Cowards

2011-11-08T05:00:00.000-05:00

Our home seems to be the social gathering place for a variety of peculiar bugs. Sure, we have the typical garden variety of bugs which include ants, mosquitoes, grasshoppers, etc. But we have bugs in our yard (and unfortunately, in our house) that I've never seen anywhere else. The most common one around our home is this mutant cricket/grasshopper creature. It is brown and thicker around the body than a grasshopper. It has three legs that are the same size and one back leg that is four times the size of the other legs. (I'm not sure what his other two legs look like. I haven't examined one that closely.) I honestly don't know how the crazy critter stands up. Its most interesting feature, however, is its antennae, which are at least twice as long as its body. It is a freaky-looking bug. Oh, and did I mention that it jumps. . .really high?

I hate these bugs. I'm terrified of them. Jason just doesn't understand. He questions, "What is there to be afraid of? They don't bite. They don't sting. They're harmless. Why are you so scared?" My answer is very logical, "Because they might jump on me." Enough said! Yes, if I walk into my bathroom and one of those creepy critters is in there, I turn around and go to the other bathroom. I don't like to get anywhere near those things. They give me the creeps, even if Jason thinks my fear is irrational.

As I think about irrational fears, a few verses come to mind:

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. - Hebrews 13:5-6

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? - Psalm 118:6

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. - Matthew 10:28

How many times do I live my life afraid of what others might do or say? The Bible basically says, "Who cares? What does it matter what others do or say? As long as you're doing what I've commanded of you, don't worry about it. It's no big deal." That's not always easy to remember when being reprimanded by a boss or criticized by a coworker. It's not easy to remember when it seems you're doing all the right things and being rewarded with suffering. But God's Word is true, and He is faithful. We need not live in fear, for God is in control, and He will make all things right.

I'm happy to say I've already applied this principle in dealing with my creepy crawlies. Yes, I actually touched one the other day. . .with my foot. . .when I accidentally stepped on it. I didn't realize it was there until I heard (and felt) the crunch under my foot. But I got up my nerve, and after a couple of days of having his disfigured body crumpled in my bathroom floor, I got the broom and dustpan and disposed of the critter. After a few more times, I might be ready to take on a live one. Maybe!

Stained Glass Hearts by Patsy Clairmont

2011-11-07T05:00:00.000-05:00

Can people be likened to objects? Best-selling author, Patsy Clairmont, seems to think so. Clairmont likens us to stained glass windows, molded together into something beautiful despite the shattered fragments we possess. In fact, the subtitle of Stained Glass Hearts sums it up masterfully: "Seeing Life from a Broken Perspective." We've all experienced brokenness of some kind -- broken hearts, broken dreams, broken families, etc. In her witty style and conversational tone, Clairmont discusses the issues of brokenness and the beauty that can be attained when we allow God to re-create us using those jagged shards.

This was not one of Patsy Clairmont's most humorous books. In fact, because of the seriousness of the topic, there were times I found myself crying rather than laughing. Nevertheless, the book brought a smile to my lips and peace to my heart. Through her heartwarming tales and personal revelations, the author reminded me that I'm not alone in my journey through the Christian life. Her stories of struggle and triumph encouraged me to face my own troubles head on instead of running away in fear.

In addition to her delightful writing, Patsy included an "Art Gallery" at the end of each chapter. Each gallery contained information and links to paintings, sculptures, music and Scripture related to the topic of the chapter. I discovered some new favorites and was reacquainted with some old. Each time I set the book down, I felt renewed and refreshed, and while I would have loved to have read it all in one sitting, I found that reading only one chapter at a time gave me time in between to meditate on what the chapter taught me.

If you've ever experienced brokenness, you'll be able to relate to the stories within this book. It's a must read for every Christian who's ever asked the question, "Am I the only one who feels like this?"

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Stillness and Smiles

2011-11-04T05:00:00.000-04:00

Each year in November, Jason's parents (who are photographers) gather the immediate family together for a group photo to be placed on the year's Christmas card. By immediate family, I mean Ed and Tina (my in-laws), Brad (Jason's brother), Pearl (their dog), Jason and I, and both are dogs, Tippy and Mitch. The entire ordeal is comical and frustrating all at the same time. It is nearly an impossible feat to get all five people and three dogs looking at the camera at the same time, and getting everyone to smile is like trying to cut an oak tree down with a butter knife.

This year, because the weather has been so pleasant and the foliage so divine, it was decided we should do pictures outside. From the moment I heard the plan, I knew we were in for a LONG day. For my dogs, outside time means hiking, especially since we went to a state park for the pictures. We went for a car ride and attached leashes. In the minds of my furry children, they were going hiking, and they were excited about it. The last thing they wanted to do was to sit still for the camera. . . especially Mitch (aka the Energizer Bunny).

It took every bit of effort and patience I possessed to get that dog to be still long enough to take a picture. He ran, hopped, flopped, jumped. He wanted to lay on his back and get his belly rubbed. He wanted to face his mommy and daddy instead of the camera. He was confused and agitated. He didn't want to be still; he wanted to hike! He wanted to commence with his plans for the day, and those plans did not involve staring into a funny-looking black box and being blinded by its bright flash.

Oh, how much I understand what Mitch was feeling, for like him, I do not like to be still. I don't like for someone or something to waylay my plans. I don't appreciate feeling confused and agitated when things are not going as I had foreseen. My natural tendency, just like Mitch, is to try to go about my plans anyway. I'll run, hop, flop and jump, struggling to have my own way, heedless to the Master's pleas to be still.

In my eagerness to do what I want to do, I forget that God has brought me to this place for a reason. We took the dogs to the park so that we could capture their likeness in a picture we could share with others. God has brought me to this place for the same reason, only He doesn't want to capture my likeness, but His own likeness within me. He wants to instill that likeness within me so that I can share it with others. But for that to be done, sometimes I just have to be still. Even when I don't understand. Even when I'm frustrated. Even when I think I know a better way.

You see, what Mitch didn't know was that I had stowed the backpack in the back of the truck early the morning of pictures. Jason and I had every intention of taking the dogs for a hike once the photo session was done. The reward had been planned and was only a moment away. How much sooner could we have begun the hike had Mitch been more cooperative in the first place? How much sooner could he have gained his reward? How much sooner can I gain mine if I'll only learn to be still?

Lord, I ask You today to show me Your will,

But above all else, please help me to be still.

Sophie, Pay Attention by Susan Barnett Braun

2011-11-03T05:00:00.000-04:00

As a teacher of nine years, I understand the difficulty of finding good stories for children. Many of the stories being written today are not appropriate for young audiences, and some of them are not appropriate for audiences of any age. Disrespect, bad language, and bad attitudes run rampant in many of today's stories. Unfortunately, many Christian works, while clean and free of negative traits, have a tendency to be dry or predictable. "Sophia, Pay Attention" is like a breath of fresh air to the Christian children's market.

Ms. Braun does an excellent job of weaving together a realistic tale with a familiar Bible story. The main character, Sophia, makes the reader laugh and at times, feel sorry for her. In a sense, I believe every reader, young or old, can relate to Sophie's desire to stay more focused yet falling short of that goal. Her character is lovable and a joy to follow around through the wonderful tale of her efforts and the important lesson she learns from the Bible via her Sunday School teacher.

This book would make a wonderful addition to any library for young readers. The story is easy to read and short enough to be read in one sitting. But I think what I love most is that the book offers more than mere entertainment. It offers an insight into how Biblical principles are not outdated and can be applied to our lives today. Even a young child can find valuable truths in the Word of God and apply those truths to his own life. "Sophie, Pay Attention" fits the bill of being a book that both teaches and entertains.

Thor Ramsey: Overreacting Wife

2011-11-02T05:00:00.000-04:00

Decisions in the Dark

2011-11-01T05:00:00.000-04:00

Today I would like to deal with a very sobering topic from a lesson I taught in Sunday School this past weekend. The entire lesson was from my newest book (the one that's not even finished yet) called "Footprints on the Water." God revealed several interesting nuggets for the lesson, and I was eager to share them with the class and later with you. But as I prayed over what portion to post this morning, I strongly felt the Lord leading towards the following excerpt from the story of Paul and Silas in prison. I don't know why He chose this portion or who it's for, but I pray it will be a blessing to someone.

Andthe keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing theprison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killedhimself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. - Acts 16:27

Poor guy! He was just trying to do his job, although I don't thinkhe was actually supposed to be sleeping, but that's another thoughtfor another day. This poor soldier is awakened from his sleep, nodoubt by the earthquake, and the first thing he notices is that allof the cell doors are standing open. He naturally assumes theprisoners have escaped. Why wouldn't they? Why, indeed! In hisforlorn state, his first instinct is to take out his sword and endhis life.

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, yet sadly isthe only solution some can see when surrounded by darkness. Statistics show that suicide is attempted once every 40 seconds inthe US alone. For a myriad of reasons, people see death as theironly option or escape. The Philippian jailer felt the same way. Wecan only imagine the thoughts that must have been running rampantthrough his mind, but I feel they were thoughts many of us can relateto.

I'msuch a failure. Despite his desire to do his job, the jailer thought he had failed,and failure is a powerful thing. It can sap you of your strength andyour joy. It can bring about feelings of worthlessness. It is apopular tool in Satan's workshop, one that's proven its effectiveness. It's a shame the jailer didn't have the words of Winston Churchill,“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it isthe courage to continue that counts.” Yes, failure is hard. Sure, it's difficult to get back up, dustourselves off and try again. But our effort is not in vain, and wemust remember that we are not walking alone.

My family would be better off without me. Ioften wonder how many times these have been someone's last words. They messed up (as we are all prone to do), but rather than bringdisgrace to their family, they decide to end it all. The cause seemsnoble, but I guarantee you that if you asked that person's loved oneswhat they thought about it, they would tell you that they would muchrather have lived with the shame than lost their loved one. In theheat of the moment, in the midnight hour, everything seems so darkand hopeless. That is not the time to make a decision. Wait for thedawn. If the jailer had waited until the light of dawn filled theprison, he would have seen that the prisoners were still there. Hewouldn't have needed Paul's intervention. No matter how hopeless thesituation may seem, give it time, and talk to your family. I'm surethey're willing to walk the road with you.

Ihave nothing left to live for. At this point, the jailer realizes that as soon as his superiorsfind out the prisoners have escaped, they're going to kill him. Mercy was not shown to those who failed to do their jobs. From thejailer's point of view, there was no reason to live. What he didn'tsee, however, was God's point of view. God wasn't done with thisman. He still had a plan, a job that only this man could accomplish. From God's point of view, this man had so much to live for. When itseems as if you've lost everything and there's nothing worth livingfor, remember that you're only seeing from one point of view. Godstill has a plan for you. He's not done with you yet. He has a jobthat only you can do, and He'll give you everything you need toaccomplish that job. Don't quit on God. He didn't quit on you.

The Itsy, Bitsy Spider

2011-10-31T05:00:00.000-04:00

At the end of last week, I was driving to the grocery store, minding my own business. I hummed along to the CD in the player, occasionally blurting out a stray chord or two. Thankfully, no one else was in the truck. . .or so I thought.

A quick movement directly in front of me caught my attention. A small, black spider was descending via her web which seemed to be attached to my visor. "Okay," I said to myself, "don't panic. It's just a spider--a little, tiny spider. Just watch the road." But as hard as I tried, I couldn't seem to focus on anything but that stupid spider hanging only inches from my face.

My first instinct was to swing at it, but I knew that would only cause the spider to fall into my lap, and then I would spend the rest of the day feeling like something was crawling on me. No, blindly slapping at it was not an option. I prayed for a stoplight where I could carefully wrap the spider in a tissue or something. Why is it you can't catch a red light when you want to? As I stared ahead, willing my eyes to stop focusing on the spider, the unthinkable happened. . .the spider fell.

If it survived the fall, it didn't survive the lap-slapping I did for the next ten minutes. I'm sure fellow drivers were concerned about this crazy woman squirming around in her seat and slapping herself repeatedly. It's a wonder I didn't get pulled over. Wouldn't that have been an interesting conversation? "No, officer, I haven't been drinking. I was just playing pat-a-cake with the itsy bitsy spider." To which his response would be, "Ma'am, would you please step out of the car?" Thank the Lord for ALL his blessings!

As I laughed/slapped my way to the store, one thought kept ringing through my mind: there's a lesson in this somewhere. Immediately, Hebrews 12:1-2 came to mind: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

"Looking unto Jesus." Some days it's just as hard for me to look unto Jesus as it was for me to look past the spider and out the windshield. No matter how hard I try, there's always something to distract me. Family, friends, work, hobbies, personal desires, doubt, fear. The list could go on for miles. It's so easy to lose my focus. It's so easy for me to focus on anything and everything but Christ. But then I am reminded of what could have happened if He had lost his focus. What would life be like if Christ had been distracted from His true purpose: the cross? Life would not be worth living, and He knew that. That's why He didn't allow anything to distract Him. He set His face toward the cross and never looked back. If Christ can do that for me, the least I can do is attempt to do the same for Him.

He carried His cross. It's time for me to carry mine. But you see, I have an advantage. Christ will help me carry mine. He will add His strength to mine. He will accomplish through me what I could never accomplish on my own. I only need to be willing!

Did I mention I hate spiders and all other creepy crawly things?

Psalm 77 Revisited

2011-10-28T05:00:00.000-04:00

About a month ago, I wrote a post on Psalm 77. As I read through that passage this morning, a few things struck me. I'd like to share them with you. Let's look at the first nine verses.

I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.

In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.

I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.

Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.

I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?

Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?

Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.

Does any of that sound familiar? Here's what I see so far in this passage. I'm troubled to the point of tears. I've tried to find the Lord, but I still feel all alone. I'm overwhelmed, and I can't sleep. I remember the happiness and joy I used to feel, but it's gone. Where is the Lord? Why won't He speak to me? Did He forget about me? Is He angry with me? Oh, I feel so confused and forsaken.

Anybody ever felt that way? I know I have. It's like we know all the right answers and all the proper steps, yet we just can't find comfort or joy. Let's look at the next three verses.

And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.

I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.

I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

Wow! Now that's a change of attitude, isn't it? The psalmist says, "Things are bad, but no matter what I'm going through, I won't forget what the Lord has done for me. I will remember!" Not only does he remember, but he ponders it and tells others as well. Have you ever noticed that when you tell someone else about something, you get emotional about it? If the situation is bad, you get angrier the more you talk about it. Well, the same thing works when you tell others about God's goodness. The more you talk about it, the more excited you will become. Want proof? Read the rest of the chapter. Check out the new attitude of the psalmist who only minutes before was singing, "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen."

Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?

Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.

Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.

The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.

The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.

Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.

Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

So, the next time you're feeling down, here's a three-step plan for cheering you up:

1. Remember what God's done

2. Meditate on it for a little while

3. Go tell someone else

It worked for the psalmist. I'm sure it will work for us too!

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Do You See God at Work?

2011-10-27T05:00:00.000-04:00

I heard something a couple of weeks ago that truly blessed me. I had heard it once before, and I may have even written about it before, but it's been on my mind a lot lately, so I'd like to share it with you.

We all know the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were three Hebrew children who stood up for what they believed in and faced a fiery furnace as a result. I want you to read the following passage carefully:

And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, [and] spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, [and] spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come [hither]. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. Daniel 3:23-26

Did you see anywhere in that passage where the three Hebrew children saw God in the midst of their fiery trial? No? I didn't either. We know that Nebuchadnezzar could see God walking through the fire, but could Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? They knew God was with them because they believed in His promise that He would never leave them nor forsake them, but did they actually see Him walking with them in the midst of their trial? We may never know the answer until we get to Heaven, but I think there's a powerful lesson here.

Have you ever been through a trial where you felt you were all alone and no one cared? Have you ever struggled to see God in the midst of your troubles? Have you ever questioned if God is really working on your behalf? Honestly, I have.

For me, the past few weeks have been filled with unanswered questions, doubts, worries, and fear. At times, I've even asked God why things in life had to be so difficult. I'm still waiting on that answer. But, by thinking on this story of the three Hebrew children, I realize they must have felt the same way I do now. They stood up for what was right. They did what they knew to be right, and the next thing they knew they were being thrown into a literal "hell on earth." Though their faith was strong, I'm sure at some point they wandered why life had to be so hard and why God wasn't there to help them.

Although I feel I face many of life's fiery trials alone, I can have faith that God is with me. I can know that even though I may not see Him walking with me through the fire, He's still there. That's what faith is all about--believing without seeing. The real blessing comes in knowing that others will be able to see His presence in the grace, strength, and peace He gives me through the difficult times. Nebuchadnezzar and his entire kingdom were changed because of what he saw that day. When we allow God to work through our lives (even the tough times), we can make a difference in the lives of those who witness His presence. Will you allow God to work through you today?

(Excerpt from Random Ramblings of a Raving Redhead, now available for $2.99 in all e-book formats.)

Click here to order from Amazon. (Kindle version)
Click here to order from Smashwords. (all other versions)

Rex Havens - The Towel

2011-10-26T05:00:00.000-04:00

Heeding the Instructions

2011-10-25T05:00:00.000-04:00

A rather embarrassing thing happened to me last Sunday morning. It was not the first time I was embarrassed in my role as the pianist for our church, nor do I think it will be the last; nevertheless, I hate being embarrassed. It took hours for my complexion to return to its normal color instead of resembling a rather extreme sunburn. Allow me to set the scene.

We had just finished our fellowship time where we all go around and shake hands while recorded music plays softly in the background. I make a habit not to wander too far from the piano lest I find myself stuck in the aisle when it's time to move on to the next song. Seeing the song leader returning to the platform, I weaved my way to the piano and looked around for the guitarists to give them the key for the next song. They were both halfway down the side aisle, trapped by a flurry of people trying to greet one another before they ran out of time.

The song leader began announcing the song. I made sure my music was in the right place, looked around once again for the guitarists, and upon spotting them approaching, mouthed the key of the song. That done, the song leader gave me "the nod" to begin the introduction of the song. The church sang through the first verse and chorus of my favorite hymn, "When We All Get to Heaven." I looked up at the song leader who looked toward the congregation and opened his mouth. I struck the opening notes for the second verse of the song, then froze. No one was singing, but rather everyone had turned to stare at me. In my embarrassment, I burst into laughter. The preacher declared that we needed to go ahead and sing the last verse since I was so eager to play it. They sang. I played, but all the while, I would have loved nothing more than to have disappeared. I can only imagine the different shades of red my face had become.

After church, I found out that the song leader had indeed said that we were only going to sing one verse of the song. I had been so busy and distracted by trying to give the key to the guitarists that I hadn't heard that important bit of information. When I saw the song leader look out at the people and open his mouth, I naturally assumed he was getting ready to sing. He wasn't. He was getting ready to call the ushers forward. My bad! I can tell you this, though. . .I listened VERY carefully to everything that was said the rest of the service.

The Bible is full of many wise and valuable instructions. It informs us how to live, how to walk, how to fight the world and Satan, how to love, how to forgive, how to grow in Christ and so much more. Every word has meaning. Every sentence is part of a paragraph, every paragraph part of a story. Every story part of the knowledge God wants us to have. No word is insignificant. Every part has meaning. Failure to heed any instruction contained within, no matter how brief, can lead to embarrassment and much worse.

The Bible is God's holy Word. It is a gift. Are we heeding the instructions contained within, or are we, like I was Sunday morning, too distracted with other things (even good things)? Take it from someone who knows. . . it pays to pay attention!

Something Worth Singing About

2011-10-24T05:00:00.000-04:00

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song. - Maya Angelou

When I stumbled across this quote the other day, all I could do was read it over and over again. Since that day, I've not been able to shake the thought from my mind. It has blessed me, convicted me, bewildered me and encouraged me.

Sometimes in this life, I feel imprisoned by doubts and plagued by uncertainties. I often bring my burdens to the Lord in the form of questions. "Lord, how is this going to work out?" "Lord, why is this happening?" "Lord, what should I do now?" "Lord, how am I supposed to pay the bills?" "Lord, why can't I have what others have?" "Lord, when will my work bring forth the fruits I desire to see?" When? Why? How? Where? What? Yes, life is full of so many questions.

And often, I convince myself that my happiness depends on having the answer to all my questions. I tell myself that I would truly be content if only I knew the "hows" and "wheres" of my life's journey. I don't know about you, but things seem easier when I know the plan. I like to have a plan. I'm not a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of girl. No, I like blueprints, outlines and note cards. I find security in knowing what to expect and what to be ready for. And when life doesn't cooperate, I find myself in a pity party that would put Eeyore to shame.

But I'm so thankful for a patient God, who, in the midst of my most recent pity party, took the time to remind me that I have a reason to sing. No, I may not know all the answers, but I know the One who does. And that, my friend, is worth singing about!

The Land Beyond the Portal by J.S. Bailey

2011-10-21T05:00:00.000-04:00

Alone in an old house with no connection to the outside world, Laura replays the tragic accident over and over in her head. The ring of a phone startles her from her thoughts and forces her to run toward the source of the ringing. In her haste, she tumbles down the stairs, knocking herself unconscious. When she awakes, she has no idea who she is, where she is, or how she ended up at the bottom of the stairs. Little does she know, however, that her journey of intrigue has only just begun.

In her efforts to search the house, Laura stumbles upon a portal that transports her to a quaint village that harbors its own secrets and mysteries. Overall, the people seem kind enough, but there is an undercurrent of malice and discontentment that forces Laura to seek out the truth, even if it means putting her own life on the line.

J.S. Bailey created a masterpiece with this spell-weaving tale of mystery, fantasy and science fiction. The book was a real page-turner, and each page unfolded a new twist that made me cry, "Huh?" Bailey literally dumps you in the middle of a story, giving you enough information to follow along, but not enough to figure out what's going to happen next. And nothing could have prepared me for the ending! Just when I thought the story was about to wrap up, Bailey threw in one last surprise. The Land Beyond the Portal was one of those books that I just couldn't put down, but when I was done, I was sorry to have finished it so quickly.

I don't think I've ever read a book with such a thorough and well-balanced blend of Christianity, mystery, fantasy and science fiction. Typically books fall into one genre or another, but somehow Bailey pulled off a blending that is sure to satisfy readers of all ages and tastes.

The only negative comment I have about the book is that a couple of the characters (even the "good guys") occasionally took the Lord's name in vain. In my mind, that is the way of the world, and a Christian should know better than to disrespect God by using His name in such a way. I feel it has no place in a Christian work, for as Christians, we should be set apart from the world.

All in all, however, if you're looking for a clean book with detailed characters and an intriguing plot, The Land Beyond the Portal is for you. Get a copy today, but make sure you have plenty of time for reading, for once you start, you won't want to put it down!

When Life Gets Gooey

2011-10-20T05:00:00.000-04:00

A couple of days ago, I decided to make a pan of brownies for my incredibly sweet husband. He had been going out of his way to help me extra around the house, and I wanted to do something for him in return. (Yes, that's right, my main purpose for making the brownies was for him, not me. Got it?) Anyway, I mixed up the brownie mix according to the directions, baked them for the proper amount of time, checked them with a toothpick to ensure they were actually done, and pulled them out to cool.

Hours later, when I went to cut the brownies, I realized these brownies had some major issues. Typically, when cutting brownies, I place my knife at the edge of the pan and simply drag it across, slicing the brownies into nice little squares. However, when I attempted to do that with this pan of brownies, the brownies followed the knife. These were the gooiest brownies I've ever seen in my life. They were cooked all the way through; they're just extremely gooey. After several attempts at cutting them, I finally gave up and told Jason that we'll just have to spoon them out. How odd is that? (They still taste really good, just in case you're wondering.)

As I sat there that first day, spooned brownie in hand, I only laughed and said, "These certainly didn't come out the way I expected them too." Boy, is that an understatement when it comes to life! My life is not what I imagined it would one day be. In some ways, it's much better than I ever thought imaginable, but in other ways, there are some things I would change if I could. Yes, if I were in control of my life, things would be different. . .but I don't know that that would be a good thing.

I know I've said this many times, but it bears repeating. God sees the entire picture of what our lives can be and what they should be. He created the road map for each and every life. He knows which roads we should take and which decisions we should make. He sees both the beginning and the end. All we see are the immediate circumstances surrounding us. When life hands us something we're unprepared for, our first instinct is to throw up our hands and cry, "I can't handle this! This isn't what I was expecting." But I think the best response would be for us to trade our knife for a spoon. No, it doesn't work as well. Sure, it can get messy. But in the end, you'll still get to enjoy the fruits (or chocolate) of your labor.

When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade. When it hands you gooey brownies, grab a spoon. Make the best of each day and every circumstance. After all, God means it for our good.

Spoon, anyone?

Thor Ramsey at Thou Shalt Laugh

2011-10-19T05:00:00.000-04:00

Feeling Mighty F.I.N.E.

2011-10-18T05:00:00.000-04:00

You know how sometimes you just have "one of those days"? Well, for me, last week was full of "those days". It seemed like everything that could go wrong did. (Of course, that's not really how it was; it just seemed that way at the time.) One little thing after another turned sour, taking my attitude right along with it. By Friday, I was pleading with God, "Please let this be a good day. I have a lot on my plate today, and I need everything to go right." It didn't.

I had several errands to run, including picking up the decorations for a bridal shower I was to decorate for Friday evening. As I set out Friday morning, the decorations were the least of my worries. I had already scouted the store and picked out the items I wanted. All I had to do was purchase them. In addition, I had to find the tablecloths, but that was no big deal . . . or so I thought. I had no idea that finding round, plastic, white tablecloths was like finding a needle in a haystack. I went from store to store. Most only sold rectangular ones, but those that did sell the round ones sold them for three times the price and didn't have enough to meet my needs. In a panic, I called the lady who usually decorates for our church functions. "Where do you find round tablecloths?" I asked her. She referred me to a place and told me she was out running errands herself and had to go right by there. She offered to pick them up for me and drop them off at the church on her way home. Grateful for her assistance, I hung up the phone and muttered, "Finally!" A few minutes later, she called back to inform me that the store was out of white tablecloths. I felt like screaming!

And so the day went. I couldn't find what I needed. Nothing I wanted was on sale. I couldn't find a decent parking space to save my life. Straw. Straw. Straw. By the end of the day Friday, my camel was looking very weary!The funny thing is that I must have had fifty people during the course of the day say, "Hi, how are you doing?" Did they really want to know, or were they just being nice? Either way, I figured they didn't need to hear my poor, pitiful tale. Besides, I didn't think I could get through it time and time again. So, I gave my usual reply. "Fine." Now before you accuse me of being a liar, allow me to explain. When I said "Fine", others naturally assumed I meant that all was going well, but that's not at all what I meant. In her book, "From Clutter to Clarity," Nancy Twigg gives an excellent definition of "fine."

When people say "fine," what they really mean is that they are Frustrated, Irritated, Neurotic, and Exhausted. Look around. . .We may not be neurotic, but many of us are running on fumes. Every day, we are stretched taught like a rubber band waiting to snap. Demands from our spouses, children, employers, friends, neighbors, and church--there never seems to be enough of ourselves to go around. In trying to please everyone, we end up depleted and depressed, overtaxed and overwhelmed.

So, time after time on Friday, I smiled my secret smile and said, "I'm fine," and I knew exactly what I meant. By Saturday, however, my attitude had caught up with me. I found myself suffering from the first migraine I've had in months, maybe even years. My head pounded. My stomach flip-flopped. My entire body felt like it was made of trembling jelly. I was too sick to enjoy the bridal shower I had decorated for, too sick to spend any time my my husband on his only day off , and too sick to rebuke myself for having such a lousy attitude.

My purpose in sharing this post with you today is to remind you of a powerful lesson. Not only it is wrong to have a bad attitude, but it's also painful. Bad attitudes create stress. Stress wreaks havoc on the body. You know the verse, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine"? Well, the opposite is true, as well. An angry heart doeth bad like a sickness. I don't know about you, but I suffer from enough health problems as it is. I don't wish to add any extra. So I need to watch my attitude.

Are you feeling fine today, or are you feeling F.I.N.E.? Be careful. I can assure you, you could feel much worse. I know I did!

Oh, one final word of advice. If you need round, plastic, white tablecloths for an event, be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to find them. You'll be glad you did!

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. - Proverbs 4:23

Faith Comes First

2011-10-17T05:00:00.000-04:00

The next time you have the chance, read through the gospels in your Bible, paying close attention to the miracles. Something caught my attention the other day while reading through the book of Matthew.

The woman with the issue of blood was healed when she touched the hem of Christ's garment. Why did she do that? Jesus answers that question when he says, "Thy faith hath made thee whole." She believed that just touching Him could heal her.

The paralytic was healed when his four friends, believing that Jesus could heal him, let him down through the roof.

The ten lepers were healed only after they followed Christ's command to go and shew themselves to the priest. They took a huge risk by going into the city. Because of the laws concerning lepers, they could have been stoned going there in their condition. However, they obeyed in faith, and along the way they were healed.

The Syrophenician woman's daughter was healed when she approached Jesus and requested that He heal her. Jesus paid her a great compliment by saying, "O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt."

The centurion (yes, a Roman centurion) came to Jesus asking for healing for his servant. Listen to what Jesus says about him: "Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." Wow!

Do you see what these miracles (along with many others) have in common? They didn't occur until after the faith was displayed. Each person came to Him, believing that He could do what they asked of Him. Do we do the same? Could it be that you've been asking God for a miracle, but are disappointed time and time again when it doesn't come? It may be that what you're asking for is not part of God's will for your life. Or it may be that He's waiting for a little evidence of faith. I think how we approach the Lord makes a big difference in how our requests are handled.

Without faith it is impossible to please God. - Hebrews 11:6

Lessons of the Pencil

2011-10-14T05:00:00.000-04:00

A pencil maker told the pencil 5 important lessons just before putting it in the box :

Everything you do will always leave a mark.
You can always correct the mistakes you make.
What is important is what is inside of you.
In life, you will undergo painful sharpenings which will only make you better.
To be the best pencil, you must allow yourself to be held and guided by the hand that holds you.

When I Feel I'm Going Under

2011-10-13T05:00:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine recently posted the above cartoon on Facebook. When I saw it, I was immediately reminded of myself. What's sad is that my husband directed me to the exact same cartoon with the message, "This reminded me of you." Does he know me or what?

The truth is I've been in a spiritual battle for the past couple of weeks. I've been bombarded with weapons I didn't even know Satan possessed. I've grown tired and weary, and to be honest, there have been a few times when I just wanted to give up. I've prayed. I've cried. I've read my Bible. I've quoted Scripture. Yet, the attacks keep coming. It seems I barely have time to recover from one battle before another is beginning.

Some kind-hearted onlookers have tried to help by saying things like, "Well, consider it a good thing. It just means you must be doing God's will. Satan wouldn't waste his time with you if you were out of God's will." I understand what they're saying, and I appreciate their help. But truthfully, it doesn't make the battles any easier.

Too often, over the course of the past couple of weeks, I've felt just like the little girl in the cartoon above. I've felt scared. I've been paralyzed by the unknown. I've felt like I was sinking and like I would soon go under for the very last time. Yet, every day, through some means or another, God has reminded me that He is holding me up. Through a verse, a devotion, a song, a sermon, and even a cartoon, my loving Father has assured me that He won't let me sink.

I know the battle's not over, but through His reassurance, God has given me some new weapons to use. With Him, we will claim the victory. Praise the Lord that "when the waves are over my head, they're under His feet."

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. - Psalm 56:3

Daren Streblow - Wrong Video

2011-10-12T05:00:00.000-04:00

The Realms Thereunder by Ross Lawhead

2011-10-11T05:00:00.000-04:00

The Realms Thereunder is a Christian fantasy, and the first in a new series entitled, "The Ancient Earth Trilogy." It is the story of two children, Daniel and Freya, who discover a hidden world of unique and interesting characters that dwell in tunnels within the earth. When the two children wander off during a field trip, they quickly find themselves on the adventure of their lives. Yet, the escapade is not entirely pleasant, for the lands in the center of the earth are at war. Daniel sees the clash as an opportunity to do something important and to become a hero. Freya wants nothing more than to return home to her normal life. The book tells of their journey both in the present and the past.

When I chose to read this book for a review, I wasn't entirely sure if I would like it or not. I enjoy a good fantasy (providing it doesn't get dark), so I felt it was worth a try. What I discovered was that the plot and characters have a lot of potential. Overall, Lawhead has a good storyline, but I feel he could have told the story in fewer words. The story was burdened with excessive description and a lot of filler that didn't have any bearing on the story. In addition, the constant bouncing back and forth from past to present and from character to character made it very confusing.

To be honest, if I hadn't agreed to read the book in its entirety, I would have put it down before I reached the halfway mark. I kept waiting for it to get interesting, but it really didn't pull me in until the last few chapters. This being the first book in a trilogy, the story really doesn't end. That being said, I'm not sure how many loose ends the author intended to leave, but I felt that several things were truly odd, and I have yet to figure out where they actually fit into the story.

Lastly, for a Christian fantasy, I didn't see anything in the story that distinguished the book as Christian. On the contrary, there were a few words and phrases that I felt were inappropriate for a book in the Christian market.

I'm not saying that I hated the book or that I would never read anything else by this author. However, I prefer a clean book with lots of meat and less filler. Good story. Great potential. But not a compelling read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Coming, Going, or Staying?

2011-10-10T05:00:00.000-04:00

I was reading a Christian fantasy this morning, and a certain chapter hit home with me. Overall, the book has been quite uninteresting. In fact, if it weren't for a review, I would have set it aside by now. You'll hear more about this later, but for now, I wanted to share with you something that I did get out of the book.

The last chapter I read was an encounter with three different groups of gnomes. The first group was content to sit in the middle of a cave filled with tunnels and go nowhere. Their philosophy was that they weren't either happy or sad where they were, and if they left and ended up somewhere they didn't want to be, they would be much worse off, so it was better to just stay put. The second group loved to explore, but they were very indecisive. They would barely explore the beginnings of a tunnel before they would decide that maybe they should try a different tunnel instead. Thus, they had explored the beginnings of most of the tunnels but had no idea where any of them led. The third group explored the tunnels to their fullest extent and made maps along the way so they could keep track of where they had been and where each tunnel led.

As I read, the tale was both comical and convicting. The question soared through my mind: which group of gnomes am I most like? Am I content to stay where I am in life, neither happy or sad, unproductive but never having to take a risk? Do I wander around aimlessly, never finishing the things I start and always second-guessing the Lord's will for my life? Or am I willing to explore the open doors set before me, following the map (the Bible) that God has given me to guide my way?

The more I thought about it, the more I felt I resembled the second group of gnomes. I thought about the many projects I felt the Lord was leading me to complete that now sit unfinished on my hard drive or in my office. I thought about the many times I forsook my calling to chase after the latest scheme or money-making effort because I felt I wasn't contributing enough financially to our family. I thought about the many times I started down the same path again and again. Yes, to my dismay, I related the best with the second group. But I don't have to stay that way, and I don't intend to.

What about you? Where are you in life? Which group of gnomes do you resemble most, and are you happy about your findings? If not, rest assured that we can grow. We can become better Christians. We can learn to trust more and to follow better. Our only limit is our unwillingness.

How Heavy Is Your Load?

2011-10-07T05:00:00.000-04:00

Last weekend, Jason and I took the dogs on our longest hike since Mitch's accident back in July. We've done several small trips, but nothing more than three miles or so. But there was a trail we had been wanting to try, the weather was beautiful, and the dogs seemed raring to go, so we figured we give it a try.

After not doing any serious hiking for over two months, I had forgotten how heavy my backpack is when we start off. Jason's pack held his water, food and water for the dogs and the two leashes (you know, the extended leashes with the heavy plastic handles). My pack held my water, our lunch, Mitch's hiking shoes (in case we ran into rough terrain), an extra shirt and pair of socks, and the first aid kit. Jason's pack was heavier than mine, but still, when I first pulled my pack into place on my back, I thought, Man, why does this feel so heavy? The answer came to me pretty quickly. I'm out of shape and out of the routine!

We hiked to the waterfall on the trail and sat there to have lunch. It was really a nice hike, and the weather couldn't have been better. After lunch, I placed my pack on my back and sighed in relief at how much lighter it seemed now that we had eaten lunch and drunk nearly half the water. Although I was tired, the trip back seemed easier because I was carrying a much-lighter load.

Do you think maybe that's why Jesus offers the invitation found in Matthew 11:28-30? Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

How about I Peter 5:7? Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Jesus knows all about the load we're carrying. He knows how weary we are. He knows how weighed down we feel. He knows how discouraged we become because of the weight we carry day after day. Yes, Jesus knows, but more than that, He cares. He doesn't want us to be weighed down with the cares of this world. He doesn't want us to be discouraged. He doesn't want us to feel like there's no hope. And so, He offers the sweetest invitation of all time. He bids us come to Him and cast all our burdens at His feet. He offers us the opportunity to unload our bags of guilt, fear, shame and bitterness. He longs for us to pour out our hearts to Him so that we can find the rest we need.

When I accept Jesus' invitation, you know what happens? The same thing that happened after we ate lunch that day on the trail. My load becomes lighter and my steps easier. Though I'm still tired on the journey, I find relief in the lightening of my load. I find peace. I find renewed hope. I find the strength to go on.

Are you weighed down today with the cares of this world? If so, accept the invitation that Jesus offers. Allow Him to lighten your load. Cast your cares on Him, for He truly cares for you.

A Poem to Share

2011-10-06T05:00:00.000-04:00

Today, I would like to share with you a poem from the book, Poems to Ponder for God's Glory. This book is by first-time author, Irene Collins. I had the opportunity to meet Irene at her book signing a few weeks ago. It was a true joy to sit down with a fellow author and discuss the pleasures and pains of writing, publishing and marketing. I purchased Irene's book, and I've been enjoying her poetry. I would like to share one of my favorites with you.

Send Blessings

Lord, I come before you.

I do not understand

All the hurt I'm feeling;

I've taken all I can.

I need to see the beauty

I feel from all the pain

I ask for sweet refreshing

Of blessings in the rain.

Extend your hand of mercy

And take away my fear.

Let me feel your presence,

To know that you are near.

Bring comfort in my sorrow

And balm to soothe my pain,

Hope for my tomorrow

And blessings in the rain.

You are a God of mercy.

Do take away my fears.

Lord, uphold me by your hand,

And dry up all my tears.

To find out more about Irene's book or to purchase a copy, click here.

Ken Davis - Feelings and Dunkin Donuts

2011-10-05T05:00:00.000-04:00

I'm using two short videos today because they go together so well. These are two pieces of a live show Ken Davis did, but the second video is much funnier if you watch the first with it. Don't worry -- they're both short. Enjoy!

Seize the Day

2011-10-04T05:00:00.000-04:00

My first thoughts this morning were not "What a beautiful day!" My first comment was not "Thank you, Lord, for a good night's sleep." My first thought was not "Isn't it wonderful to be alive." I wish I could claim to be that spiritual, but alas, I cannot. And it's not because it's Monday. I know Mondays get a bad stigma, but I have nothing against Mondays. No, it wasn't the day that had me in a foul mood, but rather what I knew the day held.

Last week, I promised myself that I would get some things done and caught up this week. Today marks the beginning of the week, and my "to-do" list for today alone is a mile long. There are errands to run, articles to write and marketing to complete. The laundry basket is overflowing. There's a wedding shower to plan, dinner arrangements to be made, a meeting to attend. And my house--well, let's just say I won't be winning any "Housekeeper of the Year" awards any time soon.

As I lay in bed this morning, I thought of all that needed to be done, and my heart sank. I just want to sleep, I thought. I'm so very tired. Everyone needs to rest every now and then, right. Why must every day be so hectic? Truthfully, I wanted nothing more than to pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep. I wanted to sleep away my worries and cares. I wanted to dream rather than do.

But then I was reminded of the title of a book on my bookshelf: Every Day Deserves a Chance. I realized that I had used my attitude to doom the day before it had even begun. I didn't give the day a chance to be a good day. I took one look at my day's obligations and allowed my feelings of fatigue and stress to dictate the kind of day I was going to have. I had the chance to make it a good day, and I blew it! Instead of giving up on the day, I should have taken my thoughts and concerns to the Lord. I could have showed Him my "to-do" list and explained how overwhelmed I was feeling. I could have asked for strength and energy to conquer the items on my list. I could have handled it so much better, but I didn't give the day a chance.

There's nothing I can do about today. I started it off wrong, and I'm trying to make the best of it now. That's all I can do. But I have a goal for tomorrow. Tomorrow morning, when I awake, I pray the Lord will bring to my mind Psalm 118: 24: This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. I hope I will then commit my day to the Lord and allow Him to guide me through each task.

Did you give today a chance? Are you allowing your doubts or worries to dictate the kind of day you'll have? Remember that every day is a gift from the Lord. Let's not waste any!

Stinking Thinking

2011-10-03T05:00:00.000-04:00

I read a statement this morning that truly stomped all over my toes. Why? Because I realized it was true. The statement was this: "A person who is worrying either does not know the promises of God or they do not believe them." A sharp pain pierced through my heart as I read the statement over and over again.

I am a worrier! I worry when I don't have things to worry about. I worry about how to pay the bills, how to get everything done in a day, how to help my husband more, how to be a better Christian, how to be a better wife, and on and on. Around our house, it's a big joke about how much I worry. We use phrases to describe me like "I make coffee nervous" and "You're such an Eeyore Christian." But I realized this morning, that my worry is no laughing matter.

I know the promises of God. I read them daily. I memorize them. I quote them. I even just finished teaching a series of lessons on the promises of God to our ladies' Sunday School class. Yes, I'm quite familiar with the promises of God, yet I still worry. According to the statement above, what does that mean? It means that I don't believe them.

At first, I argued the point. "I do believe. I know God's promises are true. I know He says what He means and means what He says. I know God never lies." But is that really belief? The more I examined my life, the more I realized the truth. I don't really believe. I approach life expecting to be disappointed. I ask for things knowing that there's no way my prayer can be answered. The sad part is that I don't even realize I'm doing it.

How is this possible? It's called "stinking thinking." It occurs when I allow my worries and negative thoughts to outweigh my faith in God's promises. Worry takes place because I allow my mind to be so filled with the negative that there's no room left for the positive. My trust has been displaced by worry and fear, and I allowed it to happen. You see, worry doesn't take over in one fail swoop. No, it is patient. It works slowly, delving into your mind day after day and slowly replacing each of God's promises. Then, when trials arise, the first thing that comes to mind is not one of God's promises, but one of the many worries that have taken root.

I admit that I knew I had a problem with worry, and I have been trying to work on it. But I think I've been going about it the wrong way. I've been trying to just conquer the fear and doubt, and I'm ashamed to say, I think I often try to do it in my own strength. But worry cannot be uprooted this way. To get rid of worry, I have to get rid of the "stinking thinking" and to do that, I need to replace those negative thoughts and fears with God's promises. Yes, I know them, but I need to bring them to the surface, and I need to believe in them with all my heart. I need to take what I know in my head and apply it to my heart.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of being weighed down by "stinking thinking." I'm ready for a change. I'm ready to live life to its fullest. I'm ready to start my days with confidence and expectation. I'm ready to become a better person by thinking better thoughts. I'm ready to believe God's promises are true with all my heart, soul and mind. Will you join me?

And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. - Mark 9:24

Obstacle Course

2011-09-30T05:00:00.000-04:00

Walking the dogs through our neighborhood this morning was quite an adventure. First off, I have to walk the dogs separately. Mitch sets a pace where I have to nearly run to keep up. He also has the energy to walk/run for at least a couple of miles. (He'd do more if I'd let him.) Tippy, on the other hand, sets a snail's pace and is content to walk less than a quarter of a mile. My walk with her is a cool down after my walk/run with Mitch.

I don't like walking through our neighborhood because there are so many other dogs. Tippy usually ignores them, but Mitch is far too protective of me to let another dog challenge him. He's sweet, loving and gentle, but if he feels his mommy is being threatened, he turns into Mr. Hyde. Trying to control a 90+ pound dog who is determined to "get at" the threat proves very interesting for me at a little over 120 pounds. But no matter which direction we go, there are other dogs to deal with, so usually I take the path of least resistance.

As I tried to take that path this morning, there was a very large dog standing in the middle of the road waiting for us. I don't know if he had escaped from his fence or what, but he was all alone and looked ready to rumble. I turned Mitch around (with great effort) and determined to try Plan B which was to go past the fence with two aggressive dogs that Mitch really didn't like. Still, I thought we could get past quickly and be on our way. When we passed, however, we were greeted by four aggressive dogs instead of two. It took every ounce of strength I had to keep Mitch going forward. He so wanted to protect me.

With this added twist, I decided we would take a different route home. It took some thinking on my part, but I devised a path that should have allowed minimal confrontation. As we took the main road I had in mind, I looked ahead to see two grown cats playing and wrestling in their yard. Just yesterday, I had to battle Mitch because he had seen a gray cat that he wanted to "play with." I knew two cats would be far too great a temptation. That left only two options: go WAY our of the way to get around or go back the way we came. I had a brief, but stern, talk with Mitch, and we hustled our way past the four aggressive dogs. Mitch did splendidly, and I was relieved to finally be through with the drama.

Do you ever have days where it feels like no matter which way you turn, there's an obstacle? You're trying to do what you know is best, but you find yourself staring at one dead end after another. You're trying to serve God, but resistance seems to be your constant companion. If this sounds all too familiar, take heart. There is a way out. Sometimes God will provide a way around the obstacles you're facing. And sometimes, you may have to go through them just as Mitch and I had to go past the aggressive dogs. But do not be afraid, for you are never alone. He will walk with you. He will strengthen you. He will guide you. Trust in Him, and you'll find your way.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to see if I can get my shoulder back in its socket.

Reasonable Service

2011-09-29T05:00:00.000-04:00

Okay, I have another bee in my bonnet today, so please forgive me as I rant for a few moments. There is a point to my ranting, I assure you. So please bear with me.

Last night I was browsing around on a website where people provide services for a certain fee. I was looking to see if the site would be something I could use in my writing business, both to provide services and find services. It was an interesting site with some of the normal ads like "I will edit your term paper for $5" and "I will write articles for you." There were also some very strange ads and some that were rather embarrassing.

Exploring my niche, I typed the word "Christian" in the search field. Pages of results showed up. I was excited to see that so many people were providing and/or requiring Christian services. However, as I began to read, I became very dismayed. The majority of the ads were things like "I will pray for you for 30 minutes for $5" and "I will read the Bible to you for $5" and "I will explain salvation to you for $5." I had to pick my jaw up off the floor. People were charging others to pray for them or to share the gospel with them. What in the world?

My first question was "Are these people Christians or just people looking to make easy money?" My second question was "If these people are Christians, what in the world are they thinking?" As Christians, part of our responsibility is to evangelize the lost and edify the saints. That means it is expected of us to pray for others, to tell others about Christ, to do anything we can to spread the love of God. Not only that, but as Christians, we should want to do those things. It should be a desire that runs through our being and directs our actions. As Romans 12:1 puts it, it's our reasonable service.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Aaron Wilburn - Misc. Comedy

2011-09-28T05:00:00.000-04:00

What Does Salvation Mean To You?

2011-09-27T05:00:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I saw a church sign advertising "Internal Life Insurance." First off, I think they meant "Eternal Life Insurance." Second, I was dismayed that the great gift of salvation is being advertised as nothing more than "fire insurance." Doesn't salvation mean more than just being saved from hell? Doesn't God's gift offer us so much more than just a "get out of hell free" card? I fear signs like that are one of the reasons so many "Christians" today live no differently than the world. Honestly, it makes one wonder if they got the real thing.

Consider this. You are given a free pass to a theme park. This pass allows you unlimited access to the park during its off-season months. You can come and go as often as you like. The park is there for your enjoyment, and the free pass doesn't cost you a thing. You need only accept it. Keep in mind, however, that during the off-season months, all the rides and shops are closed. The merchandise is stored away. The staff is unavailable. But, enjoy that free pass!

Isn't that what people are doing when they look at salvation as nothing more than "fire insurance"? They're accepting the free pass but missing out on all the benefits that actually come with that free pass. Don't they realize that God is standing before them with His arms loaded down with blessings for them? But no, I fear too many are content to wander around the empty park day after day.

Salvation is a priceless gift. It cost Jesus His life. It cost God His Son. It does ensure us a place in Heaven and freedom from hell. But it does so much more. It allows us to grow close to God. It allows us to know Him in a way the lost never will. It enables us with strength that is indescribable. It fills us with power that cannot be obtained through any other means. It gives us grace to live and to grow. It makes us new and gives us a second chance in life. It brings joy and comfort.

Oh, my friend, I pray that salvation means this and so much more to you. If not, you may want to check up. Have you accepted Christ as Savior? Have you given your life over to Him? Have you surrendered your will, your desires, and your dreams to the Lord? Have you asked Him to forgive you of your sins and to make you a new creation?

If so, that's wonderful, but you may want to find out why you've settled for so little when God has so much more to offer. If you can't answer "yes" to the questions above, then you're missing out on everything. Give your heart to Christ. If you're not sure what to do or how to pray, contact a friend, a pastor, or myself. But whatever you do, don't wait. Time is growing short. Today is the day of salvation.

When Prayers Seem Unanswered

2011-09-26T05:00:00.000-04:00

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.- Matthew 7:7-8

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. - Matthew 21:22

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. - John 15:7

If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. - John 14:14

At first glance, it seems that the Bible is saying that if I want something, all I need to do is ask God for it, and I'll have it. Let's give that I try. I want a million dollars in my bank account. I want an enormous slice of chocolate cake. I want perfect health, effective immediately. Hmm. Nothing happened, so does that mean that the Bible isn't true? Has God failed to keep His promises?

Unfortunately, that's the first conclusion many jump to. They claim, "Well, I asked God for this, and He didn't give it to me, so I guess He can't be trusted after all." Admittedly, I've found myself wondering about it a few times. But what we must understand is that when we study the Bible, we must study it as a whole. It is vital that we compare Scripture with Scripture. So what does the Bible, as a whole, have to say about why our prayers sometimes seem to go unanswered?

1.) We don't ask. James 4:2 says, "Ye have not, because ye ask not." Yes, God is omniscient. He knows what we need and what we desire. Still, He longs for us to ask. Why else would He have commanded it so many times? I think sometimes we're afraid to ask God for things because we don't want to set ourselves up for disappointment if it doesn't happen. But God longs for us to ask and leave the rest up to Him.

2.) We're not specific. I think often God does answer our prayers, but we don't realize it because we didn't pray specifically. For example, when I pray for God to help us financially, I may be thinking about a bigger paycheck, an unexpected monetary gift, extraordinary book sales or something along those lines. So, when none of those things occur, I assume God didn't answer my prayer. However, God may have answered that request by making the tires on my vehicle last longer or by having meals provided by others at a gathering. Didn't those things save me money? Sure, it just wasn't what I was expected. If we want something specific, we should pray for something specific.

3.) We don't believe. James 1:5-7 says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord." I'm not one of those people who thinks that if you believe in something enough, you can heal the sick, cast out demons, perform miracles, etc. If God wants you to, sure, but I don't believe it works that way. On the other hand, faith plays an important part in our prayers. How many times in the gospels did Jesus commend someone for their faith. Of the many people Jesus healed, He often commented, "Your faith has made you whole." After all, if we don't believe God can give us what we want or need, why are we asking for it in the first place?

4.) We ask for the wrong things. James 4:3 says, "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss." Sometimes God doesn't give us what we ask for because He knows it's not a good thing for us to have. Some things are just not in His will. If we want God to give us the things we ask for, we need to learn to ask for the things He wants to give. To do that, we need to heed Psalm 37:4 which says, "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." That doesn't mean that He'll give us what we desire but rather that He will teach us what to desire.

God still answers prayer. It may not be in the way or at the time that we expect, but He will fulfill His promises. Remember, He is a loving Father and a faithful Friend. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to live fulfilling lives, and He'll give us everything we need to do that. The rest is up to us.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. - Ephesians 3:20

Extraordinary by John Bevere

2011-09-23T05:00:00.000-04:00

Extraordinary is a self-help book for Christians who are seeking the to live life the way God intended it to be lived. It urges Christians to reach beyond mediocre living and expectations. It is meant to be a guide for every Christian who has ever wondered, Is this all there is to life?

This book was not at all what I expected. I imagined it to be a book filled with encouragement and reminders of God's promises that we are more than conquerors through Him. I expected a book to lighten my load, strengthen my resolve and increase my spiritual growth. I was sadly disappointed. Admittedly, there were a few portions of the book that were helpful and a few statements that were profound. Beyond that, the book had several issues.

Red flags went up within the first few chapters when I felt Bevere was dancing around certain issues that are of utmost doctrinal importance. Somehow he managed to discuss these points while making it unclear as to where he stood on the points. But since the book is set up to where each chapter builds on the next, the truth was finally revealed.

After reading the book, this is the impression I was left with on what Bevere believes: First of all, he believes in a health-and-wealth gospel that states that God wants all of his children to be healthy and wealthy. He also believes that if a Christian is not healthy and wealthy, it is because of a lack of faith on the part of the Christian. He also concludes that with proper faith, we can accomplish anything that Jesus accomplished while on this earth. We can heal the sick, cast out demons, and make earth just like heaven. To this statement, I would love to ask why he doesn't have a full-time ministry visiting hospitals, nursing homes and asylums, but I digress. He even went so far as to say that man can and does limit God in what He can do here on earth. His proof was that God couldn't calm the storm on the sea of Galilee; He needed Jesus (in bodily form) to do that. What? Another statement that truly bothered me was when Bevere was discussing the woman with the issue of blood. He stated that Jesus had no idea what was going on until He felt His power leave Him when the woman touched the hem of His robe. That's insane. Jesus knows everything! Jesus knew that woman would come to Him before she was ever born.

In addition to the doctrinal differences, Bevere uses several versions of the Bible and often paraphrases to make the verses say what he wants them to say. I feel this is very misleading and can cause great confusion to the reader. Not only that, but Bevere has a knack for picking and choosing the verses that seem to support his point while leaving out others that would clarify the verse and give its true meaning. For example, in his chapter on faith, he used the verse in James that says, "Ye have not because ye ask not." He goes on to say how we can have anything we want if we only ask and believe. However, if he would read the very next verse in James, he would see, "Ye ask and receive not because ye ask amiss." We must compare Scripture with Scripture. We cannot pick one verse or one part of a verse and use it out of context to meet our needs.

As an author myself, I dislike writing poor reviews. I know how it feels to receive negative feedback. However, as a Christian, it is my duty to point out false teachings, and this book is full of them. If you're looking for a health-and-wealth, supremacy of man resource, this is it. However, if you're looking for the truth, I strongly suggest you look elsewhere. As I mentioned earlier, there were some really good points made in the book; however, there wasn't enough to warrant reading the book.

I received Extraordinary as part of the Blogging for Books program from Waterbrook Mulnomah. The opinions expressed herein are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

Old Habits Die Hard

2011-09-22T05:00:00.000-04:00

I have a confession to make. Over the past week, I have harbored a less-than-Christ-like attitude. In fact, I've been having the pity party of all pity parties. (Poor me!) I don't know about you, but when I don't feel well physically, I am an emotional and spiritual mess. Who knew physical sickness could bring about such feelings of sorrow, loneliness, discouragement and bitterness? And of course, those feelings would not be complete without their comforts.

Yes, chocolate cake calls to me and offers me solace. Sodas and sweets sing songs of peace and contentment. Processed foods promise me joy and delight. And the combination of all of the above is surely the remedy that cures all ills. And so I've indulged in all they have to offer, and I'm sorry to say that they fell short of living up to their claims. I didn't receive solace, peace, contentment or satisfaction. On the contrary, I received only guilt (and a lot of unnecessary calories). I'm guilty of allowing my emotions to, once again, turn my heart from the one true Source of comfort. Yes, old habits do die hard.

I'm reminded of Peter after the death of Christ. With the Messiah gone and dreams destroyed, Peter told his fellow disciples, "I go a fishing." All hope seemed lost. Everything was in shambles. What seemed like a good thing had not turned out very well after all. And I'm sure Peter was plagued daily with guilt over denying the Lord after his bold proclamations of standing strong. Yes, Peter could relate to feelings of sorrow, loneliness and discouragement. And so, in the midst of such feelings, Peter did the only thing he could think to do--he went back to his old ways. He had been a fisherman before. He would be a fisherman again. I think Peter sought comfort in something that came naturally to him, fishing. What a blessing that true Comfort came to him instead.

If you're not familiar with the story, turn to John 21. For the sake of time and space, I'm going to jump in at the point where John tells Peter that the figure on the shore is Jesus. First, I think it's interesting that John had to tell Peter it was the Lord. Peter was so distracted by his frustration and his "comforts" that he failed to recognize the Comforter, even when He was standing before him. But when he did realize who it was, something clicked. It was like Peter finally realized that only Jesus could comfort his hurting soul. And in Peter's mind, he couldn't reach the shore fast enough. He wasn't willing to wait on the boats. He threw himself into the water and swam with all his might. In desperation, he hurried to Jesus, and it was there he found his comfort.

How about you? Are you seeking comfort today from things that never fully satisfy? Are you turning to other people or things to bring you peace? Are you so distracted by the trials of life that you fail to recognize the answer to all your problems standing before you? Look up, my friend. That's Jesus standing there with outstretched arms. He is the one true Source of comfort. Run to Him. Cry on His shoulder. Allow Him to heal your broken heart. And leave the bad habits in the boat, or better yet, toss them into the sea from whence they can never be recovered.

Tim Hawkins - Hedge of Protection

2011-09-21T05:00:00.000-04:00

Yes, I've done this video before, but I've heard the phrase "hedge of protection" several times in the past few days, and I just can't get this video out of my head. Enjoy!

Friends in High Places

2011-09-20T05:00:00.000-04:00

This morning, I had the rare opportunity to hear beautiful music played on a 17th century violin that once belonged to Nicolo Amati. If you don't have any idea who Nicolo Amati is, don't worry. You're in good company. I didn't know either until the violinist told us. Nicolo Amati was the mentor of Antonio Stradivari. Does that name sound a little more familiar? If not, here's a little clip from Wikipedia:

The name Stradivarius is associated with violins built by members of the Stradivari family, particularly Antonio Stradivari. According to their reputation, the quality of their sound has defied attempts to explain or reproduce, though this belief is controversial. The name "Stradivarius" has become a superlative often associated with excellence; to be called "the Stradivari" of any field is to be deemed the finest there is. The fame of Stradivarius instruments is widespread, appearing in numerous works of fiction.

A member of the audience asked the violinist how much the violin was worth. She basically said that it's worth several houses. Strativarius instruments have sold for millions of dollars, so I can only imagine what an instrument built and owned by Stradivari's mentor would cost. But I do know that the music played on it this morning was priceless.

As I drove home, I imagined what it will be like when I reach Heaven. The Lamb's Book of Life will be opened, and my name will be read. The throng gathered around will say, "Who?" Then my Father will speak. "Dana Rongione is my child. I sent my Son to die for her. She may not be famous, and she may not always do right, but in my eyes, she's priceless."

Isn't it good to have Friends in high places?

Running Shoes or Bedroom Slippers?

2011-09-19T05:00:00.000-04:00

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2

"Run the race." Now there's a phrase I understand, not that I'm a very good runner. Being flat-footed, I look a bit like an uncoordinated duck when I attempt to run, but still, I understand the concept. But "run with patience"? That's where I need some help. In the words of Mia from The Princess Diaries, "The concept is grasped. The execution is a little elusive."

I get the meaning. Run with patience. Go, but wait. Be fast, yet be still. Am I the only one who has trouble executing this principle of running with patience? I have the running part down; it's the patience part that leaves me scratching my head. Here, I'll give you an example.

At the beginning of last week, I came down with a nasty little bug. I don't know if it was a cold or allergies from the change in weather, but whatever it was, it had me feeling pretty yucky both Monday and Tuesday. By Wednesday morning, I felt a good bit better, so what did I do? I started running. I did my exercises, cleaned the house, completed some writing, washed and folded laundry, and so on. By mid-afternoon, I realized the error of my ways. In fact, one of the first things that popped into my mind was "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Yep, my spirit was ready to go and tackle all the things that had piled up from the days before. My body, however, was not quite ready for that much vigorous activity. By Wednesday evening, I was back in the bed with a terrible headache and a great sense of frustration.

I tend to be that way about everything. When I see something that needs to be done, I want to get it done. That's just the way I am. The problem is that I don't approach the race with patience. I approach it like the hare from the old fable in the sense that I just want to get it done. Unfortunately, my body refuses to cooperate, and I find myself snoozing under an oak tree while all the tortoises of this world pass me by.

You know the worst part, the part that makes me cringe every time I think about it? By running the race without patience, I'm constantly starting the race, but never finishing it. Think about it. Every time I have to stop to rest, I have to get up and start again. Granted, I don't have to start back at the starting line, but I'm still just starting. I have to work up my speed again. I have to warm up my muscles again. I have to get my focus and direction again. For each time I stop, I have to start again. If, however, I were like the tortoise, I would be consistently plodding along. And while the speed may not be much, at least I'd be moving in the right direction.

Patience. My dogs think it's a dirty word. To be honest, I often agree. But the longer I live and the more I run this race, the more I realize that I would do well to learn more about patience. It may mean the difference between finishing the race or spending my days in bed because I pushed myself too hard in the beginning. Running shoes or bedroom slippers? The choice is yours!

First Impressions

2011-09-16T05:00:00.000-04:00

Do you know how difficult it is to make a good first impression? For some, it may be easy, but for others (myself included) it can be daunting. As a writer, every piece of writing I do is an impression of me and of my other work. Within just a few sentences, a publisher can determine whether or not he likes my style, my voice, my tone, etc. A few sentences--that's all I have to make a good impression.

This blog is no different. People browse through my blog and pick a post that sounds interesting. They read it and often determine from that one post whether or not any of the rest of my work is worth reading. What if it wasn't one of my better posts? What if I was having an "off day"? It doesn't matter. The first impression has been made.

What about our encounters with the unsaved? We have one chance with each individual to portray a good first impression about Christianity. How many times do we blow it? How often are our first impressions those of negative attitudes, doctrinal bickering and holier-than-thou speeches? Shouldn't the first impression of a Christian be one of love, joy and encouragement? But that's not often the case, and if you don't believe me, visit any Christian forum or chat room. I've seen some of the ugliest talk in those places. It's no wonder so many people are turned away from Christianity if that's what they see of it.

We only get one chance to make a first impression. People are watching us. What are they seeing?

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

2011-09-15T05:00:00.000-04:00

My favorite time of year is swiftly approaching. I love the fall. I love the temperatures, the colors, the fresh air, the hiking -- everything except the cinnamon (which is already out heavily in some stores). The other part I don't like is the transition process from summer to fall. It wreaks serious havoc on my sinuses. Hot, cold, hot cold. Back and forth. It's torture. I welcome the cooler weather, but the back and forth is painful. Even now, as I type this post, my nose is running, my eyes are burning, my throat is sore, and my lips are chapped. And I know that I am not alone. Tissue, anyone?

Wouldn't it be great if we could jump from one season to the next with no side effects? It's summer, and then it's fall. The temperature gradually cools, and no one is adversely affected by the change in weather. Yea, that would be great, but you know what would be even more great? Spiritual growth without the painful process.

You see, transitioning from an immature Christian to a mature Christian is a lot like the transition between seasons. There are certain requirements that, while necessary, can be quite painful. For instance, we want to learn to be more patient, but isn't patience a result of tribulation? Who wants that? We want a stronger faith, but isn't faith a result of trials? We want the maturity, but frankly, we don't want the process required to attain that maturity.

Unfortunately, it just doesn't work that way. Growth, in any sense, is a process that requires both the good and the bad, the pleasant and the unpleasant. It's all part of the process, and unless we want to stop growing, we must learn to accept it for what it is and move on.

I long for fall enough that I'm willing to go through the transition time of sniffles and sneezes. As I look at my spiritual life, I have to decide if I long for growth enough to accept the trials and tribulations that will help me get to where I need to be. It's a tough decision, but the alternative is simply unacceptable.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.- Romans 5:1-5

Jeff Allen - Overweight Dog

2011-09-14T05:00:00.000-04:00

It's A Matter of Timing

2011-09-13T05:00:00.000-04:00

I love to listen to someone play the piano. As a pianist myself, I enjoy hearing the different way each individual plays. Everyone has their own style or combination of styles. Each instrumentalist has his/her own strengths and weaknesses. Even piano students have something to offer the listening audience if the audience knows what to listen for.

Probably the most common mistake for new pianists is to fly through the song at break-neck speed. I remember playing "Onward Christian Soldiers" at one of my first recitals many years ago. With each verse and chorus, my tempo increased. By the last verse, my poor soldiers weren't marching off to war; they were running. I had no idea how fast I was going or how much I was taking away from the song by rushing through it.

Now, as I listen to new pianists (and some more experienced ones), one thought seems to permeate every fiber of my being: Slow it down! Songs lose so much of their beauty when they aren't played at the appropriate tempo. Knowing now what I wish I had known long ago, I attempt to keep a firm check on my tempo through every song I play. Why? Because the timing is there for a reason. The timing is what gives each song its beauty, its flow, its life. The proper pauses and appropriate tempo is what makes or breaks a song for me.

Now, I only wish I could adopt the same philosophy about life. You see, in life, I don't usually appreciate the pauses and timing. Why? Because it's not the timing I want. It's God's timing, and in my mind, it just doesn't seem right. I need money in the checking account now. I need healing today. I need these prayers answered before I say, "Amen." My timing seems appropriate to me, but God, as the Master Musician says, "No, slow it down, child."

When I adhere to my own timing, I'm one of those little soldiers running off to war. No time to stop and smell the roses. No time to enjoy life. No time to wait on God and His will. Run, run, run! And all the while, God is listening to my life's melody and whispering, "Slow it down. Don't allow the music to suffer. Slow it down, my child."

And when I do, the music really is much more pleasing to the ears!