Dude, what is up with the I’m-on-crack or really-need-to-sneeze face? Whatever, here it is! I forgot to tell everyone, the reason I’m on my bed is because my morning starts with getting out of it!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Category: Uncategorized
Spiritual Death by Asphyxiation Part 1
I have a book. Shocker, I know. It’s titled, Howdunit Forensics: A Guide for Writers by D.P. Lyle, M.D.
In chapter 8, Dr. Lyle discusses Asphyxia: Depriving the Body of Oxygen. Trust me, people, I’m going somewhere, just hang on and breathe deep (pun intended).
There are several ways to deprive someone of oxygen, but as I read through it, the Spirit began to speak to me turning what I read into something spiritual. And I want to share that with you.
Today we’re talking about ways the enemy tries to suffocate you, spiritually.
Environmental Suffocation: “…if the oxygen content of the air is deficient, it is of little use to the body. Normal air is approximately 21 percent oxygen. When this percentage drops to 10 to 15 percent, judgment and coordination suffer…”
The enemy studies us. Creepy, I know. Our weaknesses become apparent to him. Think for a moment about some of yours. I personally have more than one.
Let me tell you one I don’t have. I’m not tempted to gamble (but I never say never and guard myself anyway). I live near casinos, but the thought of spending money, that I’ll probably lose, makes me nauseated because I’d rather spend the money on something I’ll have forever, like house décor or books!
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| photo credit: Grant Cochrane/freedigitalphotos |
But there are people who fight the urge to take their paycheck to the casinos every day. Those who don’t fight it, don’t understand it. When my stomach is full, I fight the urge to go back for one more plate, because it just seems so good. And I usually lose that fight. Therefore, I may not have gambled away my money, but I have poured away my self-control and sinned. It’s called gluttony. It really is a sin and not a social faux pas. I’m guilty of it often. Those who don’t fight it say things like, “Just push back from the table. Just stop eating.” If you struggle with it, you understand the difficulty and people like that make it worse not better. An excellent bible study for this can be found here, by Dee Brestin. And here, the Lord’s Table.
And some women and men struggle with insecurity and their identity. They want to be noticed, loved, and wanted (which is good thing–God made us that way, so we would want Him). And this is the example I’m using today because we live in an adulterous generation.
What is spiritual Environmental Suffocation?
It’s this:
Molly is in her 30’s. She’s been married over ten years, has two children and loves her family, her church, and God. She teaches on Wednesday nights–the girls’ class on purity. She reads her Bible and truly loves Jesus. She wants to do something wonderful for the Kingdom, but she’s not sure what that is yet. She’s been asking God.
Molly goes to work Monday through Friday, just like her husband and on the weekends, they work around the house, shuffle kids to programs and sports and maybe catch a movie once a month as a date night.
One Sunday, Molly fits into a new dress and she’s proud of the few pounds she’s lost. She takes extra care with her make-up and even wears a shoe with a heel! When she steps out of her bedroom, her husband, who loves her very much says, “You look nice.”
Nice? Really? Her heart plummets, but she smiles and say, “Thanks. It’s new.”
After church she and her husband decide to go for a drive, like old times. They laugh, hold hands. He even kisses her knuckles a few times like when they were first dating.
On Monday, Molly wears the same dress to work. Getting her money’s worth. Chris, an attractive man–married– drops a few papers on her desk, makes small talk about little league and as he’s leaving he says, “That dress looks great on you.”
Not nice. Great. And Molly’s heart does something odd…it skips a beat. Someone looked at her and found her attractive.
The oxygen level just went down a few percents.
It was subtle. She didn’t even realize it. But on Tuesday, she takes extra care when she gets ready and lingers before her husband as he sips his coffee. “Have a good day, I’ll be home in time for dinner. Love you.” He kisses her cheek, knowing not to smudge her lipstick, and leaves.
At ten a.m. Chris blows through the office, a frown on his face. He didn’t notice her. But Molly liked the way that felt. So she follows him to the coffee pot. “You okay?”
“Not really.”
She presses, and he tells her about the fight with his wife.
The oxygen level just went down another percent.
*You don’t share intimate details of your life with a person of the opposite sex. It bonds you emotionally.
After the conversation, and good, godly advice from Molly, Chris says, “Did you do something different with your hair?”
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| photo credit: George Stojkovic/freedigitalphotos |
As the weeks progress, something happens. Molly feels guilty over her feelings for Chris. She’s looking forward to work just to see him. It’s nothing, she just likes the fact she’s being noticed as more than a decade old wife and mother. And she’s helping because some of her advice she’s given Chris has worked. He said so himself. Right? I mean, she’s a Christian who loves God and would never do something like that.
“Hey, you want to grab some lunch? We can take separate cars so it doesn’t look bad.”
The oxygen level has just plummeted to about 10% causing judgment to suffer.
“Sure. Where?”
And in a few more weeks of that a full-blown affair has taken place. It’s been going on emotionally for awhile, but one day instead of lunch, they end up at a hotel.
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| photo credit: Victor Habbick/freedigitalphotos |
“…below 10 percent loss of consciousness occurs, and at around 8 percent death is all but assured.”
This is how the enemy suffocates us environmentally. He uses settings to trap us. It’s subtle.
He slowly takes away the oxygen level. Until we’re operating in the flesh. We like the way whatever he’s dangling at us feels. We stop praying because we don’t like the conviction. We stop reading the Bible for the same reasons. We don’t switch on praise music in the car.
The levels continue to drop. Until, we refuse to hear the wooing of God.
“… he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” Proverbs 28:14
Had Chris come onto her in a huge flirtatious way, she probably would have seen the red flags and ran. Chris didn’t see her neediness, she was only helping him and yeah, she looked pretty and maybe he felt guilty for saying it, but she cared enough to help him. And his wife didn’t seem as interested.
Slow deprivation of air.
I don’t need to re-enact the aftermath of the affair, we all know they never turn out well. They destroy families, friendships, and ourselves.
Maybe this has been you. Maybe you’re in the aftermath. Maybe it’s not an affair, but something else you’re weak to–a setting the enemy has created to rob you of life-giving air.
Know this:
God never quits. He can take the aftermath and bring healing and beauty. It may not be in the form of getting your family back, but it could be. Either way, He’ll forgive you. He can reshape your life and who you are.
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| photo credit: freedigitalphotos(dot)net |
He can breathe new life back into you. Bring the oxygen level up to keep you going for days, months, years.
But it’s important to pay attention. Pray God will use His Spirit to nudge you when the levels drop. To guard you against falling into temptation and give you the strength to withstand the strikes of the enemy.
“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. ” 1 Corinthians 10:12-14
God always makes a way! Don’t let the enemy hide the door to get out, don’t let him fool you into thinking you can’t escape. You can. We can.
Next Wednesday, we’ll look at ways the enemy suffocates us through smothering.
I’m over at LivingBy Grace! Come over and let’s chat about environment.
Have you ever said, “I’ll never do that.” And found yourself in that exact sin? You don’t have to be specific, just share how God brought you out and what you learned.
Let’s Chat!
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| I took this picture as we rode elephants in Burma. Random picture, much like today’s post! |
So, last week, Brandi Boddie at Penning Praises tagged me and asked 11 questions, so today I’m going to answer them. Thanks, Brandi!
1. Book or movie and why?
Book. Books have more details and internal dialogue that I can’t see in a movie. Although, I will say I love movies. Huge movie buff! Not to be taken as I watch movies in the buff. It means…well you look up buff.
2. Real book or eBook?
Either. As long as I get to read, I don’t care. I will say having a Kindle makes reading more convenient. I can take hundreds of books with me to one place and if I don’t care for a book, switch easily. *Writing craft books and non-fiction, I prefer in paperback because I like to write notes and highlight and it isn’t the same on an eBook.
3. Funniest thing you’ve done in the last five years?
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| Feel my pain? Stupid, worn out, friggin hammock! |
LOL! Funniest to me or funniest to a spectator? Because on Friday, I took my Perrier and Kindle to my old worn out hammock, kicked off my flip flops and stretched out only to have the blasted thing rip down the middle sending my backside onto the metal thingy that holds the frame on the ground. I know the neighborhood heard my wails and I lost my good Christian witness to my neighbor with a four-letter word as my expensive mineral water spilled all over my lap and my Kindle fell to the ground! What? You never say, “Ouch!” 😉
4. How would your best friend describe you?
I have more than one. But “Jane” says, I’m the smartest person she’s ever met. So I’m picking her. I try to keep her sheltered from other people so she won’t realize, I’m not.
I’d say my friends would describe me as fun, honest–
maybe too honest, and someone who gives good advice.
5. Do you put yourself into the books you read/write or movies you watch?
I don’t put myself into books or movies I watch. I can relate and sometimes God shows me how I’m like a particular character, but I never see me. When I write? Yes, I think I see a part of me or a part of my experiences in each character at a times.
6. Favorite kind of car and why?
I’m not a car fan but when writing one of my novels, I fell in love with the Bentley Azure but that could just be because Peter Lance was driving it. *I am now fanning my face.
7. Would your choice of party be a catered meal or a BBQ out back?
BBQ out back. Each month we get together with friends, each one takes a turn hosting. Those are the best times for me. And it’s kind of catered when it’s not at my house! 🙂 And BBQ doesn’t mean you have to eat BBQ. It just means cooking out, at least down here.
8. What’s your favorite season and why?
Fall/Autumn. I love the temperatures, the color changes, I love weenie roasts, bonfires, hayrides, caramel apples, hoodies, and quilts on the patio.
9. What specific lesson have you learned? Spiritual, educational or occupational.
I don’t know if I can answer that since I’m learning a specific lesson on a regular basis. I suppose the biggest lesson learned that has effected all of my life in all areas, is if I beat my family up, spend my morning studying and in prayer before anything else, I’ll be equipped with what I need to face what the day holds when the sun rises. It’s a lesson I had to learn from experience, one I should have paid attention to by reading the word and taking Jesus’ example.
10. Besides writing, what’s your favorite thing to do when you get some extra time?
Read! I like hanging out with some girlfriends over coffee (during the day when everyone is gone). I like seeing movies with my hubby and chatting with my kids. They make me laugh.
11. What’s one place you can be found at least one time each week?
I’d say the grocery store, but that’s not true. Sometimes I put it off long enough my husband says, “Text me a list or we’ll starve.” A nice wife would say, “I’ll go.” I just text the list (it’s pre-typed but I wait about 15 minutes before sending). I don’t have a place I regularly go that isn’t part of my daily routine. Some might say a coffee shop or the library and while I love both, I’d have to get out of my pajamas to go there so…
I’m not tagging anyone, I’m tagging everyone! If you need fodder for your blog or you’re a procrastinator, cough…Julie… this ought to make your day! If not, answer one, a few, or all here in the comments!
3 Words and Your Imagination! Bring it!
That’s right, ladies and gents. It’s time for another round of Urban Translation fun!
Here are the three words and their definitions. Make up a sentence using these words and I’ll choose the top three. Then I’ll post them and let you vote for the winner!
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| photo credit: Ambrose freedigitalphotos |
Mizzled: Mizzled is when somebody deliberately misleads or dupes you with malicious intent.
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| photo credit: imagerymajestic freedigitalphotos |
Yacht Snot: This is normally a young person who has access to large – and often times – unlimited amounts of money. The money comes from their parents. This person can be either male or female. A typical place to find such a person around your local university campus.
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| photo credit: Ambro freedigitalphotos |
Phone-Yawn: The act of taking out a cell phone from one’s pocket or purse, resulting in other people in the vicinity taking out and checking their phones as well.
*all definitions came from urbandictionary(dot)com
Okay, everyone! Have fun using the words, can’t wait to see what you come up with! And it’s Friday the 13th so if you toss that in, you’ll get bonus points!
Guest Blogger: Ben Adams, Hold the Basket
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| Ben and his beautiful family! |
Today I’d like to introduce you to Ben Adams. Ben attends my church and is a dynamic leader, great speaker, and all around funny guy. He’s married to a fabulous and funny woman and they home-school their 4 girls! I’m always inspired by Ben and his beautiful wife, Lisa. I’m thrilled to have him here guest posting. I know you’ll be inspired as well.
Heeeere’s Ben!
A few days ago my wife returned home to share her latest adventure at Kroger. As she began to tear up I was already preparing to go confront some rude checker or maybe put a GPS tracker on the person who had hurt her feelings. As I listened further I discovered that the tears were from watching an elderly mother push her basket out of the store while her grown “special needs” daughter clung to the cart. The mom looked tired not just from age, but probably also due to years of caregiving to her daughter. My wife wondered just how many times over the years that the daughter had heard her mom say,”Now hold on to the basket”. It had obviously sunk in.
These kind of scenes always tug at our hearts because we have a “special needs” daughter who is only 9 years old. From time to time we allow ourselves to look into the future and imagine what our retirement years might be like when our Sweet Caroline is an adult. We know God will provide our needs in all situations, but some days the task seems large. As the Kroger story finished I was quickly taken back a few years to a trip to Sam’s Club. I have always loved shopping at that massive warehouse. I get excited not only with the size of the store, but with the fact that I can purchase office supplies and milk in the same place followed by lunch at the deli. It was just Caroline and me on this trip. Caroline’s delay in speech was very obvious at that time and she maybe had about 15 total words in her vocabulary. Caroline had been to Sam’s numerous times and gotten a bit bolder in trying to wander away from the basket with each trip.
“Hold on to the basket, Caroline.” I would tell her repeatedly. I made it to the bakery section and she wanted to look at all of the birthday cakes on display. In the brief moments that I studied which loaf of bread would offer the most savings I turned to see that Caroline was out of view. I quickly scanned the bakery area and saw no sign of her. I noticed an entry to a restricted worker area, but nobody had seen a small child wandering around. I began to feel my heart race a little faster as I jogged from aisle to aisle and could not find my daughter. I worked my way from the back to the front and after 5 minutes of searching I ended up at the exit door and asked security if they had seen any small children pass by. They said nobody matching Caroline’s description had been by. I asked them to check every kid that moved their direction to see if they could spot her. I don’t panic easily but I had never lost a child for this length of time. I was already wondering how I would explain this to my wife. How could I have been so careless with our weakest and most vulnerable little one? God help me!!!!
As I ran back towards the refrigeration section on this 10 minute search I finally spotted a nice lady just standing in place holding Caroline’s hand. Her face said she recognized that she had a lost child and was determining her next course of action. Caroline looked quite confused as to why her dad would have disappeared from her for so long. As I drew closer Caroline used one of her few words and exclaimed, “Daaaaaaaaaaaaaddddddddd”!!!! A baseball sized lump grew in my throat. I was unable to even thank the “angel” lady who took the time to stand there with my girl until her Dad showed up. I swept Caroline up in my arms and went to a private corner of the store and began to sob as I kissed those sweet cheeks a million times. One passerby asked if everything was OK and I said, “They are now”! Caroline seemed puzzled by my tears as she stroked my hair and asked, “OK, OK”? I have never forgotten that experience and can’t begin to count how many times I have told Caroline to hold on to the basket every time we make a trip to a store.
As I continue to grow daily in my walk with Jesus I realize more and more of just how many times I tend to wander off from His Guidance because I see something flashy that catches my eye. I don’t intend to wander away, but there are just so many things pulling me from where my focus should be. Before I know it I am several aisles away in a large warehouse type world wondering where my Dad is. I am so thankful that Jesus continues to pursue all of us the way I chased down Caroline in that store. Jesus willingly leaves the 99 to go out in search for the ONE!! Those reunions are just as wonderful as when I held Caroline in the corner. The sign of maturity in our spiritual walk is when we finally learn to “hold on to the basket” because if we do , Jesus will always lead us HOME.
That’s exactly where I want to be!!
I’m over at Living By Grace today! Come chat!
Easter Holiday Hangover
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| Myles dying eggs. Bailey said she was too old this year. Waaah! |
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter holiday! My mom came to visit and dragged me all over town to shop. I’m not a shopper. In fact, I’d buy everything online if I could. But the kids did need spring clothes. They insist on growing. It’s annoying.
We dyed eggs, took Myles to a Easter egg hunt at church, we made coconut cupcakes, and bought $30 worth of bread from an Italian bakery.
I almost took a blogging break just to spend extra time running it all off on the treadmill, but…I’d miss you! So, I’m not. I mean, I am going to be running, but not taking a break! I will be a little scarce though, because I have some heavy duty editing to work on this week.
So tell me the highlight of your weekend. Of course, celebrating our risen Savior was the BIGGEST. I woke up, came into the living room where my husband sat drinking coffee and reading his Bible, raised my hands in the air and shook them as I said, “Heeee’s aliiiivve!” in my Frankenstein voice.
TP shook his head, but smirked and I said, “What? Jesus thinks it’s funny. I already said it to Him. ‘You’re Aliiiivve!’ Now where’s my Easter basket?”
It was on my desk–on my laptop. Cadbury eggs, iTunes card, and a gift card to a Home store.
So I repeat: What was the highlight of your weekend?
Shootin Straight with Erica Vetsch
A few weeks ago I ran a contest. You had to come up with a sentence using several words from the Urban dictionary. It was a blast and everyone who participated whether on facebook or the blog had great and hilarious sentences. We’ll be doing it again soon!
The winner had several options as a prize. You all voted and the winner was the fabulous Erica Vetsch! I love her writing, her personality and I CAN. NOT. WAIT. to meet her in PERSON! She chose a fun interview! And to make it even wilder, I’m over at her blog doing her Friday Five! So after you crack up at her answers, pop over there and say hi to me and answer the questions! It’s fun! I’ll have a link at the bottom of the blog!
Let’s get this party started!
What did you do for fun growing up?
We played outside. Rode our bikes all over the neighborhood without wearing helmets. Drank straight out of the water hose. We watched a lot of tv, played Pong on the Atari, and caught lightning bugs and frogs. It was a good childhood.
Sound a little like my growing up, only I never liked drinking from the hose and frogs…nope. What was the dumbest thing you did as a teenager?
Honestly, I did so many stupid things, but we were pretty sheltered so nothing that had lasting consequences. I got grounded once for a semester because of my grades. That was pretty dumb.
I can relate to doing so many stupid things. Grounded once? If I was UNgrounded my friends thought something was wrong. If you were offered 100 million dollars to stop writing books, would you? Why/why not?
Boy, that’s a tough one. I don’t think so. I’ve got more than enough $ for my needs, and I feel like I’m called to write.
I bet so many of writers would agree with you! If you could be a criminal and get away with your crimes (no threat of hell either), what kind of criminal would you be? Why?
Global domination has a certain appeal. Supreme Dictator For Life?
I like that. Bossing everyone around. Sweet. Me? I’d have to go with jewel thief. Like what a cool crime, yah know! What’s your favorite TV show, if you can’t decide, top 3?
In no particular order: Criminal Minds, Psych, Castle.
AH! Three of my faves too! We should hang out and watch TV sometime! 🙂 If you could own a yacht or a private plane, which would you choose and why?
Plane. I get seasick.
I get sick on planes. A really big yacht…you wouldn’t know you were moving. Okay now…fill in the blank: I would rather poke my eyes out with rusty nails than________.
Eat seafood.
Fill in the blank: On my private island, there would be a ________and my favorite_______but it wouldn’t be complete without a ______and _______.
Satelitte Dish, Steakhouse, Library, my husband.
Are you a concert person? How many you been to? And who?
Not so much. In fact, I can’t remember the last concert I went to. I love music, particularly country music, but I don’t go to the concerts because I’m not such a fan of beer-induced lack of inhibition.
A drunk guy passed out at Memphis in May during a Charlie Daniels concert and fell on top of me. My husband wanted to beat him senseless, but he already was… and comatose on the ground. Anywho, if you could pick one of your books to put on the big screen, which one would you choose and why?
At the moment, I’d choose Light To My Path, because the avalanche would be cool on the big screen.
Avanlanches! Suh-weet! I also like that title! This has been a blast, Erica! Everytime I talk to you I find out we have more and more in common! Before you leave this dog-and-pony show, do you have a question or want a reader to answer one of these?
I’d love to have folks answer #8.
Okay everyone fill in the blank:
On my private island, there would be a ________and my favorite_______but it wouldn’t be complete without a ______and _______.
Come by Erica’s blog and do Friday Five with me! CLICK HERE! Hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend!
No Sleep for the Saints
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| Photo Credit: graur razvan ionut |
It makes me sad to say I finished Donna Pyles’ Your Strong Suit Bible study this past week. It was truly a wonderful study. If you haven’t done it, I encourage you to!
“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— ” Ephesians 6:14-18
We’re down to the last part of the passage.
Prayer.
When I think about “praying always…being watchful…with all perseverance and supplication…” I think about a man who spent the night in a beautiful garden with his Master.
Exhaustion from traveling, rising early, going to bed late, fishing, not to mention emotional exhaustion pulled at his eyelids, his limbs. I bet he couldn’t even think straight, yet his Master begged him to stay awake.
Something was about to happen, about to change the world in a epic way and the turmoil raging inside the Master was overwhelming. He needed this man, not as a student but as His friend. He needed Peter.
“My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” Matthew 26:38
I think Peter tried. He’d finished telling Jesus earlier that he’d go to the grave for Him, surely staying awake would be easier.
But he couldn’t.
What was going to happen in several hours overwhelmed Peter’s Master.
“He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39
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| Photo Credit: Danilo Rizzuti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net |
When He raised up, He found them–His friends–asleep for the second time. “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26: 40 (emphasis, mine)
Peter didn’t understand. What temptation? An hour? An hour seemed like days this late. And he fell asleep again.
Jesus asked His Father to take the cup that was about to be poured on Him away, but then He asked for the Father’s will to be done. Again, He came back. Yet, He said nothing. In that moment what do you think Jesus thought? After going back to pray, He awoke them a third time.
The hour had come.
We know after that, Jesus was arrested. Peter denied Christ as many times as he had fallen asleep. Three. I wonder, had he stayed awake, watched, and prayed what would have happened.
Peter swore he’d die with Christ. His spirit was willing. But he failed to gear up through prayer, and his flesh was weak.
We scoff at Peter, shake our heads and think, “How could he spend three years with Jesus and leave Him at the worst hour of His life?”
But I’ve known Jesus more than three years, and I’ve turned my back on Him as well. I can relate to Peter.
When you feel tired, lazy, indifferent that’s when you’re at your most vulnerable. When you don’t pray, you open wide the door to attacks.
Pray in the Spirit. Let the Spirit who lives inside you, guide and direct your prayers. Let Him take over dreams that hold glory for yourself and shape them into dreams that glorify the One Who prayed alone in the garden, to gear up for becoming your sin, and mine. The One Who stayed awake. Not only in the garden, but on the cross. When He refused the gall. When He chose to feel the pain, the sin–to keep a clear mind.
I need to work on staying awake.
How about you?
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| photo credit: bela_kiefer / FreeDigitalPhotos.net |
This is Holy Week. A time to remember what our Savior did for us. To remember how beautiful the Passion was–is. Still, Jesus intercedes for us. He knows the mind of the Spirit (His spirit) that lives within us and prays God’s will for our lives. Just like He did for Peter. He has confidence in us. Shocking isn’t it?
“And the Lord said,“Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke: 22:30-32
Just like He had confidence in Peter, knowing the mistakes he would make before returning. That’s a God I wan to worship. That’s a God that inspires and motivates me to pray.
So what about you? Could you stand to stay awake more? Ever found when you didn’t pray over something the outcome was a failure?
**What’s the Point of Passover? I talk about it, HERE!
I’m over at Living By Grace! Come by.
Faith Readers Group Review: Pearl in the Sand
The story of Rahab is a fascinating story in the Bible, full of faith, hope, and happily ever after. It’s also a beautiful picture of God’s saving grace and a testimony to all that He doesn’t care about our past. He can use anyone for His glory. I love this story. Don’t you? There’s so much to unpack.
For the month of March, we chose Biblical fiction. The book: Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar. Here’s a peek:
“Can a Canaanite harlot who has made her livelihood by looking desirable to men make a fitting wife for one of the leaders of Israel’ Shockingly, the Bible’s answer is yes. Pearl in the Sand tells Rahab’s untold story. Rahab lives in a wall; her house is built into the defensive walls of the City of Jericho. Other walls surround her as well–walls of fear, rejection, and unworthiness. A woman with a wrecked past; a man of success, of faith…of pride. A marriage only God would conceive! Through the heartaches of a stormy relationship, Rahab and Salmone learn the true source of one another’s worth and find healing in God.”
Mixed feelings arose about this book. Here are some of everyone’s thoughts.
“It stayed on point and accurate to Biblical history.”
“I could identify with Rahab wanting her father’s love. Everyone wants to feel safe and loved.”
“I was grabbed from the beginning. I laughed and cried.”
“I like to read to escape and this was an easy, quick read. I enjoyed it.”
“I didn’t like this book at all. The author rushed through the beginning and never really engaged me. I didn’t have any emotions for Rahab, so I didn’t care as much when she became a prostitute.”
“The author used phrases and words that were not around during that time. I seriously doubt Salmone would look at a tired Rahab and say, ‘You look spent.’ This happened several different times–using modern phrases and words. And she thought the water was cold as ‘ice’ which they didn’t have then.”
“I thought it was more of a told story. I never felt like the character going through the events.”
“I thought the author said some really good things about life and any woman who’s had a past, not necessarily as a prostitute, but a promiscuous past would benefit from reading this. There’s a lot of healing in this book.”
As you can see, not everyone agreed but that makes for great discussion! We also enjoyed the desserts and fruit with our coffee!
Overall rating out of 5 stars (it was literally divided down the middle between 4 stars and 2 stars): 3 star average
This won’t be anyone’s last Biblical fiction read, that’s for sure. We’re reading She Walks in Beauty for April!
Have you ever read Biblical fiction? What did you read? Do you like it or not? Why?
Tag-a-doodle Doo
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| I rode this elephant in Burma (Myanmar) Yep. I did. |
So it’s very possible I’ve been watching too many Modern Family episodes. One of my favorites is when Cam calls his drink a Drink-a-doodle doo. I say that now. Apparently, it’s carrying over to my post titles. Whatayagonnado?
I want to say thanks so much to Cathy over at Thoughts on Books for tagging me! Whoop! Go check her blog out. Click the red letters. RED LETTERS.
Here’s the deal: I have to tell 11 random things about me, which I’m not since I already have 10 random things about me on another page (side bar) but…I’ll post 1 random thing, yah know in honor of following the rules. Then I have to answer 11 questions and make up 11 new questions for the people I tag.
Everyone take a breath with me.
Random thing about me: I’ve literally scared the pee out of the SAME woman, TWICE! Once, at a lock-in (thought I was gonna say Band Camp didn’t ya?) I put on for the Women’s Ministry. While they were doing a scavenger hunt in the dark, I hid in the Pastor’s old shower, knowing they had to come there. When they pulled back the curtain….RAAAAAAARRRRRHHHHH! She went home and changed and came back. Priceless! The second time we went rolling/tp-ing houses and I turned the corner and scared her. I laughed then, but I get it now. I can’t jump on a trampoline without wetting myself. Having babies does stuff to yah. Anywho…
QUESTIONS:
Would you rather go for a run or a walk?
Walk. I think better and day-dream better. When I’m running, I’m just focused on surviving.
What is your favorite movie?
I LOVE movies, so that’s a tough one. Right now, Lindsay Harrel and Melissa Tagg are screaming, JAWS! She loves JAWS! But that’s not my favorite. I love too many to have a favorite, but I’ll tell you I’ve seen Underworld: Rise of the Lichens at least 50 times! LOL…And I’ve seen CLUE 50 X 50 times. I just don’t know!
Do you have a pet?
Unfortunately. Let’s leave it at that.
What book in the Bible has moved you the most?
Song of Solomon hands down. HANDS. DOWN. Changed my life with Jesus. In a way that moves me to speak about it.
What is your favorite meal?
All my friends are screaming, “Sandwiches and soup!” They’d be right. I love a hot Turkey club on wheat and a bowl of veggie soup…or potato. LOVE.
If you could go back in time to live, what period would you choose and why?
Well, I’m not good with dates, so it’s hard for me to say a year because even when I’m reading historicals, sometimes I have to flip to the front again to remember what era I’m in. And I can’t tell you any of those years after the book is done. I remember periods by Cowboys and Indians, during slavery, during the war with Germany…or right after, when they wore flapper dresses, victorian–but I’m not sure how long that era lasted and it doesn’t matter I won’t remember if you tell me, Little House times, Dowton Abbey and Gosford Park times, and Biblical times.
I’d like to live during Dowton Abbey times but only if I got live upstairs! LOL I didn’t say Biblical because I’d only get to experience Jesus when He rolled into town. Now I get Him all the time. (Before death that is–after death…well it’s too hot and hard and who cares)
Do you enjoy watching sports? If so whats your favorite?
Ok this has zip to do with sports but DH just asked me if I was going to eat before the circus and I said, “No, my stomach hurts. I don’t know why.”
He grinned. “If you’re eating a lot of salad now, like you say you are, it’s a shock to the system.”
“Then I’m appalled.” I thought that was funny. I hate sports. I write while my hubby glues himself to football and baseball. Works for us.
Country or City Girl?
I like the country. It’s gorgeous but the truth is, it’s overrun with critters and mice and I’d prefer those things to stay outside my house and pantry. But not the city like New York, because crowds and rushing brings out my pre-saved self. It’s ugly. Real ugly.
Suburbs.
What kind of music do you enjoy the most?
I love all sorts of music, but I tend to gravitate towards haunting contemporary music with an acoustic and piano in the background (it’s the Jesse Patch genre), or usually the last song of every Vampire Diaries because I download them all on iTunes! Great for imagining scenes.
Beach or Mountain Vacation?
Mountains are pretty but once you’re up them, what’s there to do but get altitude sickness, see some wildlife, and come back down? Beach.
What author has influenced you the most in your christian walk and why?
Beth Moore because her Bible studies are amazing. When I want deep intimacy, I read Spurgeon. I’m a huge fan of Bob Roe but he only wrote 2 studies before he died. When I found out he was in heaven, I cried. I’m selfish like that. And I love Tozer and R.C. Sproul. That’s more than one, but it is what it is. Oh wait! Jerry Bridges. Not the actor, that’s Jeff.
My 11 Questions:
1. Chocolate or Vanilla and why?
2. Have you ever shoplifted? Ever thought about it?
3. Colored polish or French manicure?
4. Where’s the last place on earth you’d want to visit and why?
5. What’s your least favorite food?
6. How many licks do you think it really does take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?
7. Hotels or camping?
8. Which celebrity that is alive (there is no Jesus loop-hole here, people) would you like to meet and why?
9. Do you have a smart phone? Can you live without it? Be honest…okay you can. Would you want to? Be honest.
10. If you could be any animal which one would you be and why?
11. Home cooked or 5 star meal?
I’m tagging EVERYONE, mostly because I want to read all your answers! 🙂 If you don’t blog, do this in a facebook note or post. Or email me. LOL
Hap, Hap, Happy Friday! If you can’t play the game, answer one or more of the questions in the comments!
