Saturday, October 30, 2010

Book Review: Counsel from the Cross

“Counsel From The Cross” by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick and Dennis E. Johnson

Counsel from the Cross is a book that focuses us on the Gospel. It is designed not only to help us all see our continued need for the Gospel, but also to help us to see how it can impact us. It is designed to help us see that nothing we can do could ever change the way God sees us, or the fact that we need a Savior.

Counsel from the Cross was amazingly written and really helped me to see the Gospel, and my life, in a whole new way. God has used this book to help change my focus from the things of this world (including myself), and move my focus to my Savior, and His love for me and for others. It has helped me to see that there are really only 2 ways that I should be looking at others, either they are my brothers and sisters in Christ, forgiven and loved by our Savior, or they are utterly lost and in need of the knowledge of our Savior. Who they are or what they do shouldn’t matter to me. All that should matter is “Christ Jesus and Him crucified.”

Breakdown:

Worldview: Biblical

Target Audience: Christian counselors, or people looking for counsel

Positive Elements: Everything!

Inappropriate Language: None

Unbiblical Content: None

Other Negative Elements: None

*I read this book with my Women Discipling Women group. This book was not a book from booksneeze. However I finished it just in time for my new book from booksneeze to arrive! :)

Friday, October 29, 2010

Friday Funnies!

http://homesteadersheart.blogspot.com/2010/10/friday-funnies.html

Happy Friday Everyone!
It’s time for some side splitting, coffee spitting fun today! If you want to play along go on and post your family friendly funny and then link it up at Homesteader's Heart. It can be a video, joke, story, picture etc.!

Funny Faces!
Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." ~ Psalm 126:2













Thursday, October 28, 2010

Going back in time...

Mama's Losin' It

Once again Thursday brings the writers workshop, and Thankful Thursday! This week I am answering prompt 2: If you could witness (or take part in) any event in history, what would it be? Why? And I am combining it with my Thankful Thursday post, because I am so thankful for this event in history!



If I could go back in time and see any event in history, I would want to go back and see Jesus while He walked on earth. To be able to touch Him, to hear Him teach, or just gaze upon Him, would be amazing. What would I do when I saw Him? How would I react to His presence? I don't have a clue, but it doesn't matter. Seeing my Savior face to face, would have been an amazing thing.

God sent His one and only son to us, to die for our sins. I am baffled by this, but oh so thankful! I am so thankful that we are able to have a personal relationship with Him, without having to go back in time. We are able to speak to Him, and He hears us. We are able to feel His presence in our hearts. God is so amazing!

Jesus came to die for me. That is so powerful. He came to save the sinners. He came for the sick, not the healthy. However we are all sick, we just don't all know it. We are all sinners in need of a Savior, it's just a matter of whether or not we will open our hearts to Him, and allow Him to come in. If we will accept His love. I am so thankful that God softened my heart and showed me my need.

I am also thankful for the Bible, which records the life of Christ for us. So even without going back in time to see Him in person, I know what was important to Him. I can read about His birth, His teachings, His death and His resurrection. I know that He is fully God and fully man, and came to live and die in this horrific world, so that we could live eternally with Him. That's how much He loves us. I am so thankful for His love!

To read more Thankful Thursday posts, visit this months host, Lynn, at her blog: Spiritually Unequal Marriage. This is Lynn's last week hosting Thankful Thursday and she has asked us to share with her a verse that has brought us peace or comfort, or a passage that has inspired us to draw closer to Jesus. So I thought I would share a verse that I have been thinking about a lot lately:

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life..." ~ John 3:16

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Word-filled Wednesday



I hope that you are all having a wonderful Word-filled Wednesday! I have been spending much time in prayer over the last 18 hours. I would love it if you would pray with me. I don't want to give too many details, but please pray for my sister and her husband. My heart is breaking for them. If you could pray for comfort and guidance for them both that would be wonderful. And also for their salvation. Thanks!



For more Word-filled Wednesday posts, visit the internet cafe! (Word-filled Wednesday is not about books, authors, artists…it’s about God and HIS WORD ONLY. WFW is about celebrating the gift of creativity through God’s Word.)

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Halloween decision


It's settled. My husband has to work on halloween again this year. I am thankful for this. Now we get to stay home and not trick-or-treat. I told the boys that after halloween we can go buy them discount costumes so they can play dress-up. For halloween itself though we will be staying at home and having a movie night. We will pass out candy and Scriptures to our neighbors. Last year we included thank-you cards for the kids to color and give to the adult that took them trick-or-treating, but I don't know for sure what we will include this year. If you have any suggestions, I am totally open!

I found this article at GotQuestions.org that I wanted to share with you. There is so much debate about halloween, and I think this was amazingly well written: Should Christians celebrate halloween?

We are choosing to be a light on this night. I will not shut the doors and hide, but neither will I embrace the pagan holiday.

NaNoWriMo!


Someone recently shared with me about National Novel Writing Month. While this is something that I thought would be tons of fun, at first I wasn't sure. Writing a novel in 30 days would take a ton of time, and I am already really, really busy! So I prayed about it, and prayed some more. And I kind of thought, maybe next year. But then I had this story pop into my head, and I am really looking forward to writing it. So I went ahead and signed up! I'm a little concerned that by the time November 1st rolls around that the story might not be so prevalent in my mind, but I think that once I get started writing it will come back...

NaNoWriMo is held every year in November. If you sign up (for free) you have 30 days to write 50,000 words. It doesn't matter if you finish or not, there really aren't any rewards other than the feeling of accomplishment. You do not have to stop writing at 50,000 words if your story isn't complete yet, and your story is yours to keep. You can publish it or just enjoy it.

The story that I have is a Christian Romance novel. I use to love reading Christian Romance novels, not so much any more, but I don't think that I could write anything else that would be considered a novel. Most of my writing is non-fiction, I don't think I have written any fiction stories for years... Anyway, here is a synopsis:

Elizabeth Coleman was still mourning the recent death of her husband when she was approached by her trusted pastor and his wife with unusual and unexpected proposal that left her baffled. Were they serious? Was an arranged marriage practical or completely outdated? How would the children react? Who were they suggesting? Would this actually work? She was still incredibly in love with her husband; could she ever learn to love someone else?

As she engages this new chapter of her life, she comes to find out that she does not have to face anything alone. Elizabeth has her church family, children and even new friends she is meeting along the way to help her through, but most importantly she has the love of her Savior. She knows that she is never alone, and that God will never abandon her. But can her faith really carry her and her family through this heart ache, adventure, and possibly even love?


I think I am titling it Arranged for Love, but I'm not 100% on that yet. Anyway, I just wanted to share with you!



For more information on NaNoWriMo check out their website:

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Boasting



I was looking for a song tonight that I use to have on CD, but don't anymore. It was a beautiful CD that had several Psalms put to music. There was one song that I was specifically wanting to hear, and I was very sad that I couldn't find it on YouTube. It was a rendition of Psalm 34 that sung about boasting in the Lord. Such a beautiful song. However, I did find this one, and while it's not anything like the other one, I thought I would share it.

In our Bible study in 1 Corinthians 13 we have come to the part that talks about love not boasting, and while I was looking at Scriptures tonight it was just really laid on my heart that we aren't to boast about anything that we do, but only in the Lord. We do so many things, but never by our own ability, only through God who gives us strength.(Philippians 4:13)

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Focused on the Gospel

I always think it's amazing when God just really hits you with something in a way that you can't possibly miss! That has been happening to me lately. I am reading this great book called Counsel from the Cross by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Dennis Johnson. I will write a real review on it when I'm done (even though it is not a booksneeze book), but it talks about how everything we should do should be effected by the Gospel. Since I have started reading this things are popping up everywhere that confirm this for me! I was listening to the radio tonight and a sermon came on that talked about it. I read something else that said the same thing, and then I was invited to participate in a Facebook group that is reading the Gospels in 89 days (89 days to be more like Him)!

The more I think about it the more it just amazes me. The entire Bible is Christ centered. I have known that for awhile, but because of this I have always fought people who said that the Gospel is most important. The entire Bible IS important! However, if the entire Bible is centered on the Gospel, why shouldn't we be? I totally believe that it is important to read the entire Bible and that all Scripture is beneficial, but the Gospel is what saves. The Gospel is what changes us.

So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the Gospel to get their living from the Gospel. -- 1 Corinthians 9:14 NASB

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved....for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" -- Romans 10:9-10, 13-15

So as I am learning how the Gospel should be the center (not the whole, but the center), and that everything in our lives should be effected by it, I am trying to grow in my knowledge of the Gospel. I don't want it to ever become old news to me (which it kind of had...) I want it to be something that I am always blown away by. Something that I think about continuously, and something that effects every part of my life.

So that's where I am right now. I'm learning, rediscovering, and refocusing. I'm still doing my study in 1 Corinthians 13, but it is becoming less about me, and more about Christ. Christ loved us with Agape love. I will never be able to love that way, but I can allow Him to love others through me.

Scriptures for when you're stressed

This is my favorite Scripture list. It is my Scriptures for when I am stressed. It was the first list I ever compiled, I did it when my twins were still babies. I took these Scriptures and wrote them in a notebook that I carried with me, I wrote them on note cards and taped them around my house and in my van. I just surrounded myself with them! They were so helpful, because having 2 babies and 2 older children was extremely stressful! I am so thankful that God gave us the Scriptures!

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. -- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. -- Ecclesiastes 7:14

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. -- Psalm 51:10

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -- Philippians 4:4-7

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. -- Colossians 3:2

He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" -- Job 2:10

But in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them. -- 2 Chronicles 15:4

Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you. -- Deuteronomy 8:5

Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. -- Galatians 1:10

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; -- Lamentations 3:25

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." -- Isaiah 12:2

So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" -- Hebrews 13:6

When I am afraid, I will trust in you. -- Psalm 56:3

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. -- Psalm 57:1

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. -- Psalm 23:4

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! -- Isaiah 30:18

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." -- Matthew 19:26

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. -- Psalm 46:1

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. -- Psalm 62:1-2

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. -- 1 Corinthians 15:58

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. -- 1 Peter 5:6

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. -- Isaiah 43:2

The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. -- Psalm 121:7-8

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven -- Ecclesiastes 3:1

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. -- James 3:17

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. -- Galatians 6:9

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. -- Ecclesiastes 7:8-9

“…We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." -- 2 Chronicles 20:12

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." -- Joshua 1:9

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. -- Jeremiah 29:12-13

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. -- James 4:10

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. -- Philippians 4:13

You came near when I called you, and you said, "Do not fear." --

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. -- Isaiah 41:10

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. -- Isaiah 58:9

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; -- Proverbs 3:5

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -- Jeremiah 29:11

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." -- John 16:33

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. -- 1 Peter 5:7

"'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." -- Mark 9:23

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. -- Isaiah 40:31

He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. -- Matthew 8:26

This is what the LORD says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the LORD. -- Jeremiah 31:16

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. -- James 1:2-3

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose -- Romans 8:28

O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress -- Isaiah 33:2

Again, all Scriptures are NIV

Writer's Workshop: Wardrobe Malfunction

Mama's Losin' It

Today I am responding to prompt #3: A Wardrobe Malfunction.

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. -- Colossians 3:12

If you were to be a fly on the wall of my home you would probably find me clothing myself with impatience, intolerance, harshness, and pride. God says that we are suppose to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. While I have some of these traits some of the time, I rarely (read never) have all of them all of the time. It is something that I am working on, but it is much easier to change physical clothes than it is to change spiritual clothing...

To read about other wardrobe malfunctions (or responses to the other prompts) check out Mama Kat's blog by clicking the button at the top of this post.

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thursday and I am so thankful! Today was my husbands first day at his new store. Instead of leaving at 7am to drive through rush hour traffic to get to work by 8am, he left our house at 7:45 and got to work early! I am going to love having him so close to home! This morning he forgot his work hat, so we took it to him. It took us less than 15 minutes to drive to his store, drop off the hat (take a picture) and drive back home! I LOVE IT!!!

I am so thankful that he has a job, but now I am even more thankful because he will have more time to spend with us. I am thankful that he won't be stuck in rush hour traffic, full of bad drivers and traffic jams. I am so thankful that we won't be spending so much money on gas (he is looking forward to next spring when he can ride his bike to work). I am thankful that God has granted us this request. I am just so thankful for this change!

Here is a picture of his new store:


For more thankful Thursday posts check out this months host, Lynn, at her blog: Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

Today we are all suppose to share 10 things that you don't know about us... so here is my list:

1. I can't stand wearing shoes or socks! I wear flip flops all year long, even in the snow!

2. I'm only 26... (It feels like I should be older...)

3. My closest friends are all online, we have amazing fellowship, and I get to talk to them more than I do real people, because I'm at home a lot!

4. I'm dyslexic.

5. Because I'm dyslexic I hated reading until a few years ago, then I decided that I really wanted to read my Bible so I would work through it! Now I love reading (well, as long as it's a good book... I still struggle with books that aren't interesting...)

6. I have 4 sisters and 2 brothers...

7. My oldest son is exactly 9 months younger than my youngest brother (to the day!).

8. I love math!

9. I am not a pet person... really, I would rather not have any pets... but my husband is, so we have a lot of pets... I would list them, but there are too many...

10. The only bone I've ever broken is my pinky toe...

Upcoming book!



I just requested my third book from Book Sneeze. They didn't have a lot of options... okay, they only had one book available, but it looks like a good one!

Book Sneeze's Book Description of "A Year With God":

It is a 365-day devotional featuring the actual spoken words of God as presented in the Bible.

Too many times the impact and grandness of the actual words God spoke, as recorded in the Bible, are lost in the telling of the story. In A Year with God, the primary focus is to allow the scriptures that contain God's dialogue and the revelations of himself to uniquely speak to the reader. The author follows each reading with insights and applications to help explain the context and nuances of the text. The unique titling of each meditation and the nontraditional themes and organization help bring God to our daily lives. Topics include: Hope and Fear, Love and Hate, Perseverance and Quitting, Faith and Doubt, Loyalty and Betrayal, Companionship and Isolation, Mercy and Judgment, Forgiveness and Anger, Joy and Sadness, Peace and Conflict...


I am really looking forward to reading this book (I will not be taking an entire year to review it). It looks and sounds really good!

I review for BookSneeze

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Word-filled Wednesday!

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;It will not return to Me empty,Without accomplishing what I desire,And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. -- Isaiah 55:11 (NASB)

I love this Scripture. It is so true to me. I love compiling lists of Scriptures to help me in certain times. I have recently posted 4 of them. You can click the links below to check them out:

Good Morning Scriptures
Good Night Scriptures
Scriptures for a rainy day
Winter Scriptures

I also have a list of Scriptures titled "Scriptures for when you are stressed", that I hope to post later on, and someone recently asked me to compile a few other lists that I will post when I am done. :) I love God's Word! Happy Word-filled Wednesday!

To read other Word-filled Wednesday posts visit the Internet Cafe Devotions website by clicking the button below:




(WFW is not about books, authors, artists.. it’s about God and HIS WORD ONLY. WFW is about celebrating the gift of creativity through God’s Word.)

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Good Night Scriptures



Psalm 3:5
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

2 Samuel 14:17
"And now your servant says, 'May the word of my lord the king bring me rest, for my lord the king is like an angel of God in discerning good and evil. May the LORD your God be with you.' "

Deuteronomy 33:12
About Benjamin he said: "Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders."

Psalm 4:8
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 68:13
Even while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold."

Proverbs 3:24
when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

Exodus 33:14
The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Job 11:13-19
"Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.

Psalm 16:7-11
I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 62:1
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.

Psalm 62:5
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.

Psalm 91:1
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 116:7
Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.

Proverbs 19:23
The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.
Isaiah 32:18
My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.

Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Mark 6:31
… he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

Hebrews 4:10
for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.

And my favorite:

Psalm 127:2
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Once again, all Scriptures are NIV



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“The Grace of God” by Andy Stanley

The Grace of God was an amazing book! Andy Stanley did a wonderful job fleshing out the grace of God as he takes his readers on a journey through the Bible. Starting in Genesis and working his way through to present day, Andy Stanley portrayed God’s grace in its purest since.

I loved the writing style that Andy Stanley used in this book. It was very fun to read and kept my attention. Most everyone leans either to the side of truth or grace in their beliefs, I am a truth girl and was very touched by this book. I will most certainly recommend it to others (with a small caution that while every story is from the Bible, not everything said is a biblical fact).

I review for BookSneeze
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Breakdown:

Worldview: Biblical

Target Audience: Anyone!

Positive Elements: This book does a fabulous job describing God’s grace and doing so in a way that you can relate to.

Inappropriate Language: None

Unbiblical Content: Because he was so intent on making the Scriptures something that we were able to understand Andy Stanley added some details to the Bible stories that he shared that aren’t in the original writings. If you read this book, just remember that he wants it to be something you can picture, but not everything is fact.

Other Negative Elements: This book was endorsed by Joyce Myer. Because of that, I would have never bought this book at a book store. However, Andy Stanley did not portrait her beliefs of Jesus going to hell, and did mention that when He died on the cross and said that it was finished, that was what He meant.

**I also want to add that I did disagree with a few things that he said, if you would like details, just let me know. I don’t want to include them and give too much of the book away.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Winter Scriptures



Job 37:6
He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'

Psalm 51:7
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 147:16
He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.

Job 37:10
The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen.

Psalm 74:17
It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.

Job 38:29-30
From whose womb comes the ice?
Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens
when the waters become hard as stone,
when the surface of the deep is frozen?

Genesis 8:22
"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."

Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.

Zechariah 14:6-7
On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime—a day known to the LORD. When evening comes, there will be light.

Isaiah 55:10-11
As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

We also read through Job 36:27- the end of Job 37 when it snows. :) It's one of my favorite passages, as you all know!

(Once again, all Scriptures are NIV other than the one in the photo which is KJV)

Scriptures for a rainy day


(Above Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27)

Job 37:6
He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'

Genesis 9:12-16
And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

Leviticus 26:4
I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit.

Deuteronomy 11:14
then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil.

Deuteronomy 28:12
The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.

Deuteronomy 32:2
Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.

2 Samuel 23:4
he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth.'

Job 5:10
He bestows rain on the earth; he sends water upon the countryside.

Job 29:23
They waited for me as for showers and drank in my words as the spring rain.

Job 36:27
"He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams;

Job 38:24-28
What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth? Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain, and a path for the thunderstorm, to water a land where no man lives, a desert with no one in it, to satisfy a desolate wasteland and make it sprout with grass? Does the rain have a father? Who fathers the drops of dew?

Job 28:23-26
God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters, when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm,

Psalm 72:6
He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.

Psalm 135:7
He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

Psalm 147:8
He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.

Isaiah 30:23
He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows.

Isaiah 45:8
"You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it.

Jeremiah 10:12-13 (also Jeremiah 51:16)
But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

Jeremiah 14:22
Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, O LORD our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.

Ezekiel 1:28
Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.

Hosea 6:3
Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."

Joel 2:23
Be glad, O people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.

Zechariah 10:1
Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone.

Matthew 5:44-45
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Acts 14:17
Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."

Hebrews 6:7
Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.

Psalm 29:3
The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.

Psalm 107:28-30
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.

Isaiah 25:4
You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.

Luke 8:25
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."

Psalm 65:10
You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.

Ezekiel 34:26
I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.

Micah 5:7
The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for man or linger for mankind.

Job 36:26 - Job 37
26 How great is God—beyond our understanding!
The number of his years is past finding out.
27 "He draws up the drops of water,
which distill as rain to the streams;
28 the clouds pour down their moisture
and abundant showers fall on mankind.
29 Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds,
how he thunders from his pavilion?
30 See how he scatters his lightning about him,
bathing the depths of the sea.
31 This is the way he governs the nations
and provides food in abundance.
32 He fills his hands with lightning
and commands it to strike its mark.
33 His thunder announces the coming storm;
even the cattle make known its approach.

Job 37
1 "At this my heart pounds
and leaps from its place.
2 Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice,
to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
3 He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven
and sends it to the ends of the earth.
4 After that comes the sound of his roar;
he thunders with his majestic voice.
When his voice resounds,
he holds nothing back.
5 God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.
6 He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'
and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'
7 So that all men he has made may know his work,
he stops every man from his labor.
8 The animals take cover;
they remain in their dens.
9 The tempest comes out from its chamber,
the cold from the driving winds.
10 The breath of God produces ice,
and the broad waters become frozen.
11 He loads the clouds with moisture;
he scatters his lightning through them.
12 At his direction they swirl around
over the face of the whole earth
to do whatever he commands them.
13 He brings the clouds to punish men,
or to water his earth and show his love.
14 "Listen to this, Job;
stop and consider God's wonders.
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds
and makes his lightning flash?
16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised,
those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 You who swelter in your clothes
when the land lies hushed under the south wind,
18 can you join him in spreading out the skies,
hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
19 "Tell us what we should say to him;
we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
20 Should he be told that I want to speak?
Would any man ask to be swallowed up?
21 Now no one can look at the sun,
bright as it is in the skies
after the wind has swept them clean.
22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor;
God comes in awesome majesty.
23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power;
in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
24 Therefore, men revere him,
for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?"

(Again, all Scriptures are NIV except the one in the photo which is KJV)

Good Morning Scriptures



Genesis 1:4-5
4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Isaiah 50:4
The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

Psalm 88:13
But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

Lamentations 3:22-24
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."

Psalm 90:14
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Isaiah 33:2
O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.

Psalm 92:1-2
1 It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, 2 to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,

Psalm 143:8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

2 Peter 1:19
And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Psalm 30:5
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Psalm 59:16
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Ecclesiastes 11:6
Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.

Psalm 108:1-3
1 My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. 2 Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. 3 I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

Psalm 57:8
Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

Psalm 65:8
Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.

Proverbs 31:15
She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.

1 Thessalonians 5:10
He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

Proverbs 20:13
Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare.

Psalm 17:15
And I—in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

Proverbs 6:9
How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep?

Psalm 3:5
I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

Jeremiah 31:26
At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been pleasant to me.

Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made: I will rejoice and be glad in it.

(All Scriptures are NIV, other than the one in the photo, it is KJV)

Sunday, October 17, 2010

WDW: Afflictions



Wednesday night was our Women Discipling Women meeting. I find these meetings so encouraging! The topic of this week was Comforting the Afflicted. We watched a video from the WDW conference by Dr. Laura Hendrickson (you can learn more about her by visiting her website or her blog). She is a fabulous speaker! I loved hearing what she had to say, and I am so glad that she is willing to speak about this subject!

The main core of our meetings is that in all situations the Gospel is most important. It can be applied to every aspect of life, in this case afflictions. Jesus suffered so many afflictions, and He endured it all for us, because of His love for us. Dr. Laura spoke of boasting in our afflictions, like Paul. We can thank God for our trials and afflictions. My personal testimony of praising God for my afflictions is one that I love to share. Some of you have already heard this I believe, but I will share it again:

When I was a baby my mom noticed there was something wrong with my right eye. She kept taking me to the doctors, just to have them tell her there was nothing wrong with me. She knew better, and I am so thankful that she didn't give up! When I was 2 years old I was diagnosed with Retinal Blastoma. I had tumors on the retina of my right eye, and it had to be removed so that they didn't spread down the optic nerve and into my brain. I use to hate this. I saw myself as damaged, an imperfect human. Everyone else's face was perfectly symmetrical, but not mine. I felt ugly because of it. I tried to be mad at God, but it never worked. He always reassured me that I was the person I am because of this. I don't judge others by what they look like. I am honestly thankful for that, but I still prayed that He would grant me healing and I would wake up one morning with two good eyes.

My parents were divorced when I was 2 also. I always blamed myself for this. It was even worse when I found out that they got divorced because of financial issues. I completely convinced myself that if I hadn't had cancer that they wouldn't have had so many bills. They both re-married. My Dad and his new wife had more children. His wife didn't really like having my sister and I around. She told my Dad that he couldn't see us unless he paid child support when she was spending all the money in other places. My new step-father sexually abused my sister and I, and I kept telling myself that if I hadn't had cancer, then my parents would still be married, we wouldn't have to endure so much. I have since learned that it is not my fault. I was 2, what could I have done? I am so thankful that that is no longer a burden that I must carry!

When I grew up, I graduated high school a year early only to be married at the end of the summer. I was ready, I had waited my whole life to have my own family that I could love and provide for. However, when I got pregnant my husbands feelings changed. He started running around with a much younger crowd and hitting on other girls. When our first child was born, he quit his job so that he could be at the hospital with me. This might sound sweet, but it was the last job he had for quite some time. Even though he was unemployed I still had to take our son to someone else to watch him while I was working. I eventually found out my husband was cheating on me and we separated. I didn't want a divorce, but I couldn't live with him while he was seeing another woman. He didn't see anything wrong with this and tried to justify it by saying the men in the Bible had multiple wives. At one point he told me that he had called it off with her, and wanted me back. So I returned home with his son, only to be chewed out the next morning by his girlfriends sister because I was in my house... He explained to her that they had broken up, and she said she knew but her sister still loved him. I held my tongue, but it wasn't easy. He chose me and I was thrilled! Only to have an extreme wake-up call when I announced that I was pregnant with our second child. His response: "What's my girlfriend going to say?" The girlfriend that he assured me he wasn't seeing anymore. He called me almost everyday while I was pregnant to see if I had had a miscarriage yet. During my pregnancy he also filed for divorce. However, I refused to sign the papers because he wouldn't include our baby in the divorce decree. Our divorce was finalized shortly after our second son was born.

When our second son was around a week old I noticed that his pupil of his right eye was yellow instead of black. I knew from what my mom had told me that this meant that he had Retinal Blastoma. I was extremely upset with a certain doctor, because when our first son was born I had him checked for it and they insisted that it wasn't genetic and there was incredibly rare odds that one of my children would get it. So I didn't have our second son's eyes checked. Only to find out that it is genetic, and he does have it. We spent months going in and out of the hospital he had his right eye removed at less than a month old, then had to return for multiple laser surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments to save his left eye. I spent the entire time praising God that I had already had retinal blastoma and that I knew some of what my baby would go through. I now see my own cancer experience as a blessing instead of a curse. During this time God filled me with an amazing peace about the whole situation. I am so thankful to him!

My ex-husband made life almost unbearable for me. He would call me at all hours of the night to cry about his girlfriend cheating on him or anything else that was going wrong. I eventually chose to move away. I left my boys with my mom, and went to college in another state. There I met my now husband, and I am so thankful that my ex-husband divorced me, and then made my life miserable! I am so happy with my new husband. We have our fair share of issues, but God has truly used all of my heartache to bring me a happiness that I would have never known.

So that's the my life story in a nutshell! God has used every heartache for His glory. Everything that has happened to me has turned out to be for a good reason. It's not always easy to see it when you are going through it, but looking back, God is soo good!

After all, Jesus' suffering on the cross could be seen as a bad situation, but through that, all of us have the opportunity to believe in Him and be saved from our sins. By His blood we are saved. God is sooo good!


And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ~Romans 8:28

Busy!

The last week was an incredibly busy one for me! I don't know what made it different than usual, but it most certainly was! It felt like I was running non-stop and never getting caught up. I am so thankful that it's Sunday! Sunday is our day of rest. I did have to go to the grocery store... otherwise we wouldn't have been able to have dinner tonight... we were really low on food! But that's done now, and I am enjoying getting caught up on the stuff that I like to do that I haven't be able to do this week (reading, writing, studying God's Word...you know, the fun stuff!)

We went to church this morning, we enjoyed seeing everyone, but we had to leave right away so that I could go shopping before my husband had to leave for work. As of right now he has to work on Sunday evenings, but hopefully not for much longer! He starts managing the Quiznos near our house later this week!!! God is so good to us! It will mean that his schedule will change, but I don't know what the new one will look like. He might be forced to work Sunday mornings for a time... Only God knows what lays ahead for us.

Anyway, that's just kind of what's been going on around here. I have a ton more that I want to post about... but maybe later :)

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Writer's Workshop: Seeing Myself

This week for the writer's workshop I am responding to prompt #4: Share a photo that represents how you see yourself. This took some thought, and then some searching to find just the right photo, but here is what I came up with:

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; -- Colossians 3:12 (NASB)

I think this photo represents me in so many ways. For one thing, I live near the mountains, and love spending time outside in God's beautiful creation. But on the deeper side of things I have been chosen by God, I am His beloved. I am not the most compassionate, kind, gentle, patient person that you will ever meet (not even close!) but God is working in me. He is perfecting me, and will continue to do so until the day I die. These are all qualities that I am working on, and as a matter of fact I am in the mist of a study about 1 Corinthians 13 and we are discussing these topics. Striving to be more like Christ each day. I see myself as a chosen child of God. I see my self as God's beloved. I see myself as a work in progress.

To read others who posted to this weeks writer's prompts visit Mama Kat's blog by clicking the button below. My personal favorite this week was Aimee at tHis beloved life. Check it out!

Mama's Losin' It

Thankful Thursday



On this wonderful thankful Thursday I am thankful for my Chiropractor, Dr. Jeff Cartwright. I have only been going to him for around 3 weeks, and already I am feeling so much better! I have just finished weaning myself off of the medication that my doctor had put me on to prevent my migraines. I do have a terrible withdrawal headache, but in all honesty I am thankful for that too. I am thankful that it means that there will be no more drugs in my body and that I am healing. I am also thankful that it will be my last withdrawal headache, as I have had one each time I cut my dose down. I am thankful that God has provided the means for me to be able to get this help, and that my body is reacting so well to it. They haven't done a re-exam yet to know exactly how much damage is left (it's only been 3 weeks!) so I don't know exactly where I am as far as healing goes, but I do know that I feel better, I don't need the drugs to keep the migraines at bay, and I am SOO thankful for that! God is so good!

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers. -- 3 John 1:2


Dr. Jeff Cartwright




To read more Thankful Thursday posts visit this months wonderful host Lynn at her blog: Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Word-filled Wednesday!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. -- John 1:1

Since today is Word-filled Wednesday, I have been thinking about THE WORD. So I thought that this verse was fitting. I hope that you are having a wonderful Word-filled Wednesday and that you are filled with The Word today and always!

And a beautiful song about God's Word, accompanied by a slide show with more Scriptures about God's Word:



To read other Word-filled Wednesday posts visit the Internet Cafe Devotions website by clicking the button below:




(WFW is not about books, authors, artists.. it’s about God and HIS WORD ONLY. WFW is about celebrating the gift of creativity through God’s Word.)

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

My book has arrived!!!



My new book from Book Sneeze just arrived!! I'm so happy! I was beginning to worry that it was lost in the mail! They say to allow 2-9 days for delivery, my last one was here within 2 days and this one took 12! Scary! Anyway, it's here now! I am getting ready to dive into The Grace of God by Andy Stanley. Woo Hoo!!!

I review for BookSneeze

Monday, October 11, 2010

Sunshine and rain

I shared in my Thankful Thursday post this week, about Job 36:27 through the end of Job 37 being one of my favorite Bible passages. It truly is. I love reading it when it rains, when it snows, or even when we are in tornado watches or warnings. It is so comforting to me. However I have been convicted today about the fact that I don't read it very often when there is sunshine. The end of Job 37 speaks of the sun and heat, and I really think that this verse could have just as much meaning to me during the sunny days if I would read it when it the sun was out, if I would stop and consider God's wonders...

Job 37:14-24

"Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God's wonders. Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of Him who is perfect in knowledge? You who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind, can you join Him in spreading out the skies, hard as a mirror of cast bronze? "Tell us what we should say to Him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness. Should He be told that I want to speak? Would any man ask to be swallowed up? Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean. Out of the north He comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty. The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in His justice and great righteousness, He does not oppress. Therefore, men revere Him, for does He not have regard for all the wise in heart?

These verses just speaks to me about the love of our God. He loves us even though we are unworthy. They speak to me about how lowly I am compared to Him, and I am so thankful that He loves me anyway!

And then I couldn't help but think of this song, and I wanted to share it with you :)

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Mountain Drive



We went for a beautiful drive in the mountains yesterday. As we drove up, we saw a beautiful mist in the mountains above us. And while it was not our goal to drive to the mist, that was where the road we were on took us. Pretty soon, I noticed little white flakes in the air. The mist that we had seen was actually snow!



It was so beautiful! I love driving in the mountains and seeing God's beauty all around us. I love it even more when He surprises us with beautiful things like mountain snow! It was so wonderful to watch the white snow falling against the green pine trees! We enjoyed driving through the snow and at one point the wind caught it and made it look like a blizzard across a lake, even though it was more like flurries.



Eventually we decided it was time to come home. We stopped and got some hot chocolate and some food for supper at the store and then parked beside another lake to eat. It was no longer snowing, but it was beautiful watching the water ripple across the rocks.



We decided to come home a different rout than we went up "the scenic rout" is what we called it. It was beautiful. We would have loved to get out and do some hiking but it was much too cold. We even got to watch the sun start to set behind the mountains and turn the sky beautiful shades of pink and purple.



It was a wonderful drive. I'm so thankful that God gave us the ability to be able to do so. I was very thankful while we were driving for our van, for the gas money, and just for our family. I have been blessed with a wonderful family, and I am so glad that we are able to enjoy God's creation together!