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Shalom!

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Peace. To be safe, to be complete.

Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”

The worlds definition of peace is the absence of war, dissention, stressful situations or strife. But that isn’t God’s definition. His peace is a quiet confidence in your heart that God is for you. It’s a heart that trusts in Him. His ability and His willingness to always be there for you. He doesn’t always take you out of the storm, but He can calm the storm in your heart, if you let Him.

God’s peace gives you a sound, whole and complete mind and an un-divided heart. It gives you the courage to fight and the strength to stand. It moves us forward.

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. It is not as the world gives that I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not let it be afraid.”

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My Never Again List

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Let me first start by apologizing for being away for so long. My computer was in the repair shop and I just couldn’t get the hang of typing on my kindle!
Next let me say this list is not of my own making, but I received permission from our Senior Pastor at New Testament Church, Dr. William Hohman to use his compilation.

“My Never Again List”
Never again will I confess “I can’t”, for “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

Never again will I confess lack, for “My God shall supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Never again will I confess fear, for “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Never again will I confess doubt and lack of faith, for “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).

Never again will I confess weakness, for “The Lord is the strength of my life” (Psalm 27:1). “The people that know their God shall be strong and do exploits” (Daniel 11:32)

Never again will I confess supremacy of Satan over my life, for “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world” (I John 4:4).

Never again will I confess defeat, for “God always causeth me to triumph in Christ Jesus” (2 Corinthians 2:14).

Never again will I confess lack of wisdom, for “Christ Jesus is made unto me wisdom from God” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Never again will I confess sickness, for “With His stripes I am healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus “Himself took my infirmities and bare my sickness” (Matthew 8:17).

Never again will I confess worries and frustrations, for I am “Casting all my cares upon Him, who careth for me” (I Peter 5:7). In Christ I am “care-free.”

Never again will I confess bondage, for “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Never again will I confess condemnation, for “There is therefor now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1) I am in Christ; therefore, I am free from condemnation.

Never again will I confess loneliness, Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20) “I will never leave thee, nor forsake the” (Hebrews 13:5).

Never again will I confess curses or bad luck, “Christ had redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ: that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:13-14)

Never again will I confess discontent because “I have learned, in whatsoever state (circumstances) I am, therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11)

Never again will I confess unworthiness because “He hath made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:12).

The confession of our mouths will eventually bring forth the things we speak.

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Book Review for “Water & Storm Country”- YA Fiction/Post Apocalyptic

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Let me start off by saying I begged the author for this book! I have read the others in this series (some I paid for and some I was given) as well as book one in the “Dweller” series. I loved them all. Easy to read, fast paced, full of different cultures and slang. The stories can be read alone, but are part of a growing story line. One more in the series and I am looking forward to reading it. YA fantasy, post apocalyptic at it’s greatest. I can recommend for Jr. High and up. Does contain violence and fighting. Nothing too graphic. No swearing (at least not words used in our world) and no sex. The characters are so likable, flawed and realistic. David has a great understanding of the young mind. I give “Water & Storm Country” 5 solid stars. Only now, having finished this book, I realize you should read the “Dweller” series first as they all cumulate in the final book “Earth Dwellers.”

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Fairy Tales and Super Hero’s

Ok, so I love both. I grew up on fairy tales, being a lover of books and stories. My fondness for superhero’s came much later. Some people think me crazy or living in a fantasy world, but I beg to disagree. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and so many other fantasy writers take what we loved as children in the classic happily ever after fairy tales and shown the dark side of man, and the love of God. Good versus evil, never gets old, especially when good wins out every time. I think the longing in us all to be saved, to save, to be part of something bigger, to have a purpose is why I love those stories. Almost every superhero story starts out with a flawed individual who ends up doing good, putting the needs of others before themselves.

Jesus told stories to get his point across. I think modern day story tellers can do the same. Unfortunately, our society seems to like the dark, satanic stories of torture and torment. Sometimes I even hate walking down the isles of the local movie rental place, the covers themselves enough to cause nightmares. I have to thank those who continue to show that good is better than evil. That a story should have a moral and a point. There are even a few who are brave and take chances and risks. Ted Dekker is one of those authors who couldn’t find a publisher at first due to talking about passion, sex and intimacy. But he stuck to his guns, and his convictions and is a writer of renown, not just in the Christian world. I have had the privilege of reading a few good Christian fiction books lately that have the message that I think our world needs, and they entertain as well. I am giving you their links. Please check them out and support those brave men and woman who continue to press on!

From Ted Dekker:
The first book of his that I read and it got me hooked! http://www.amazon.com/Blessed-Child-Bill-Bright/dp/0739423231/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=
His fantasy that caught my heart! Passionate, romantic and full of God’s love!
http://www.amazon.com/Circle-4—1-Ted-Dekker-ebook/dp/B0052FTNJ2/ref=la_B001IODFIQ_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392491291&sr=1-2
My favorite Dekker books! http://www.amazon.com/Heaven-Trilogy-Heavens-Wager-Thunder-ebook/dp/B005K0CM7O/ref=la_B001IODFIQ_1_19?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392491338&sr=1-19
Epic Christian books:
Francine Rivers, Mark of the lion series- http://www.amazon.com/Voice-Wind-Mark-Lion-ebook/dp/B0096W5GK2/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=&qid=
Bodie Theone, full of history! Zion Chronicles (only one of many wonderfully moving series)http://www.amazon.com/Gates-Zion-Chronicles-Bk/dp/1414301022/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392491775&sr=1-1&keywords=9781414301020
New authors! Up and coming Christian fiction authors.
Guy Stanton- http://www.amazon.com/Warriors-Redemption-Warrior-Kind-ebook/dp/B00G72MF6M/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1392491953&sr=1-1&keywords=9780991056507
Nicholas Downing- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GL4IOIE?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00GL4IOIE&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2
J.J. Herbert- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/098196480X?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=098196480X&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2
Tracy Groot- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/098196480X?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=098196480X&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2
Ronie Kendig- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1616265949?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1616265949&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2
Renee Riva- http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1589190912?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1589190912&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2