Tag Archives: God’s word

by

Moving Forward Through Adversity

322-1221364961vgdG[1]

Job 23:10-11
“But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come for the as refined gold [pure and luminous]. My foot has held fast to His steps, His ways have I kept and not turned aside.”

Poor Job. There his is minding his own business, being a witness, doing good, praying for his kids…and then the enemy enters the scene. With God’s permission! His world tumbles down around him, literally. He is tried and refined in a way that most of us wouldn’t wish on our worst enemies.

Why did God allow it? (He is even the one who pointed out Job to the enemy to begin with!) Job figured it out. After self pity, after anger, after getting rotten advice and false counsel from three so-called-friends.

Only the fire can refine precious metal. Only great pressure can make a precious stone.

We go through what feels like Hell. There is a saying, that I particularly like, and have quoted, “You may have to walk through the valley of death, but you don’t have to set up camp there!”

What would “setting up camp” entail? Self pity, anger at God, SITTING DOWN, or just plain giving up. Don’t drive in a single tent stake. Job said he stayed on the path, that means he kept moving forward. Command your feet to hold fast to HIS path. It leads to life, to righteousness, to Love. Don’t let Satan distract you. I know, Job went through big stuff! But ultimately it was all just meant for a distraction. He was trying to force Job to take his eyes off of God, and put them on his circumstances.

We live in a fallen world, with a real enemy seeking who he may devour. Bad stuff happens to good people. But continue with Jobs story. His ending was better than his beginning. He came out better! Stronger! And he came out Praising God!

When you come out of the other side, when the valley is behind you, tell someone!

Are you going through something hard?
Here are some resources I found helpful (after the bible)
“What To Do When Everything Falls Apart” by Van Crouch
“Throw Yourself a Party” by David Duell
“The In-Between” by Jeff Goins

by

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

by

Book Review for “The Warrior”-Christian Biblical Fiction

I was given a copy of this book by the author, Wanda Ann Thomas, in exchange for an honest review. I really liked it. This story is set about 45 years before the birth of Christ. There is plenty of history, romance and suspense. All without swearing and explicit sex. Good, clean romance. I will be looking for more from this author. I give it 4 stars and can recommend for ages 16 and up.

by

Book Review for “Breaking Free”- Christian Woman’s Non-fiction

This was a wonderful Woman’s Bible Study! I think everywoman should read it. Beth Moore gives insight into some of the common problems that women have gone through from infancy and how to break free from your past. I give the book 5 stars. The writing is simple, yet in depth. This book will change the way you think. Great for individual study or for a group study. I highly recommend this book. Appropriate for high school age and up.

by

Screen Your Thoughts

http://static.freepik.com/free-photo/semi-precious-stones_2528366.jpg

Let’s pretend that it is spring. We have been cooped up in the house all winter and there is a fresh spring breeze blowing outside. The first thing we want to do is open all the windows wide and blow out all the stagnant air in our homes. Unfortunately, there are these little (or if you live in Wisconsin-BIG) pesky things called mosquitoes. Thank God for the invention of a simple thing called a screen! They allow the fresh breeze to come in and keep those irritating blood suckers out. The screen has little holes that are too small for those bug and creepy things to come in through.

God’s word is like a screen. But like most Godly things, it works the opposite of our window screens. The screen of God keeps the good stuff in and allows the bad stuff to fall through. Picture this in your mind for minute. This screen isn’t vertical, but it is horizontal. Now picture a shovel full of rich dirt, with some clean flowing water. This screen will catch all the precious stones and allow the silt and dust to flow on through.

We all have some thoughts that are just plain “puny”. God’s thoughts are so much bigger than ours. (Isaiah 55:8-9). Here are a few examples:
“I can’t afford to tithe.”
“It’s flu (or cold) season.”
“If I just had enough to pay my house payment.”
“I hope I have a good day.”
Can you say PUNY? Those would all fall through!

Now let’s allow the screen of God’s word to do it’s work and see what is left behind.
“God said to “try” Him in paying my tithe and promised to open the windows of heaven and poor out blessings. (Malachi 3:10) So I can’t afford not to tithe!
“Flu doesn’t have a season in my body, because Jesus took my infirmities, and by His stripes I have already been healed.” (Matthew 8:16-17)
“I not only have enough for all of my bills, but I am debt free and owe no man anything but to love him. I have enough to give into every good work.” (II Cor. 9:8)
And instead of just a good day, why not a God directed and planned day. “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. The plans you have for me this day is to prosper me, not to harm me.” (Jer. 29:11)

Can you see a pattern? Allow all those “puny” thoughts, those no expectations, too little for God’s children, stinkin’ thinkin’, UNGODLY thoughts to flow through. Don’t hang on to them. If they don’t line up with God’s word and His 8,000 promises, they need to be flushed away-literally! Allow the big dreams, great hope, huge expectations to remain. Keep them as precious stones! Look at them, think about them, show them off! Nothing, absolutely nothing, is too difficult for Him! Or for His children. Matthew 19:26 says, “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” He makes a way where there is no way. All His promises are Yes and Amen! To God’s glory through us. We have to hang onto, declare and receive those promises to give God the glory. The world will see how He takes care of us, and they will see His banner of Love over us, clearly defining our leader and our general. When things get hairy, which side will they flock to? The ones with the puny thinking, who’s banner over them is depression, sickness and poverty? Or the one who’s banner is LOVE! Those ones who possess peace and portray life? Who can share their abundance and stand in faith? The family of God who have a great Hope, for the One who has promised is able to do what He promises.

Don’t have a screen? Ask God to be your Lord and Savior. Give up, surrender your heart to Him. He’ll take such better care of it then you ever will. Is your screen ripped and torn, wore out? Get into His word, do some repair. Look up some of those promises. Write them on note cards and memorize them. Ask God how much He loves you then listen for His answer. David said he his God’s word in his heart to keep him from sin. Ask God to engraft His word into your heart. When you engraft one branch of a tree into another type, that engrafted tree becomes part of the host. Let God’s word not just hide in your heart, let it become part of you! You ask, and apply yourself, He’ll do it! He is faithful.