Seasons~Days~Years

Psalm 119:66(MSG)  Train me in good common sense;  I'm thoroughly committed to living Your way.



What season of life are you in?

Oh my goodness!  What a beautiful day in the Ozarks, both from a weather standpoint and from a worship point of view.  It's been simply incredible!  The outside temperature is a breezy 78 degrees with slightly cloudy skies and gently chirping birds in the background.  If I didn't know that it was the middle of August, I would certainly think it was October. 

More importantly, however, was the contagious atmosphere inside the sanctuary of God this morning, where a message of hope found in Christ reached the chaos of our hearts!  This has become a weekly occurrence from the preaching team at our church and unless I'm confused, it should be an experience happening in all Gospel preaching churches throughout the globe!  Why?  Because the Word of God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow and it is most certainly a life giving force!

Today, that Word was delivered by Pastor Robert Madu.  It was clear, concise, and received with complete joy to the gathering of believers!!  We laughed.  We cried.  We prayed.  We worshipped the King of Kings!  Can I get an "Amen?!" 

Pastor Madu had a lot to say about "God's Word power" and a clear message for us to quit trying to do life with our "will power"!  He eloquently reminded each one of us that we need the Word of God in our lives to understand and respond appropriately to the season of life that we are currently in.  If we will remain responsive to His Words and aware of the season of our life we are going through, then our days will be good and our years will be fruitful for the Lord!

You will be able to access his message at JRAG (click) within a day by simply scrolling over and then clicking the "message and resources"  tab on the website, followed by a search for his name and today's date.  If you are able to set aside 30 minutes to listen to his encouraging words, you will most certainly be refreshed and rejuvenated and thoroughly committed to living His way", as today's verse directs!  Seriously good stuff!!

Dear Almighty God,
Refresh and renew our hearts today and give us the common sense to remain in Your Word and to dedicate our lives to living through Your "Word power" instead of our willpower.  Please continue to bless Your message through Pastor Robert Madu.
In Jesus Name,
Amen

Be Good To Your Servant

Psalm 119:65(MSG) Be good to your servant, God;  be as good as Your Word.

Good-bye summer....

Well, something happened to the summer!  It's gone and I'm left with a school supply list.  I have no idea where the weeks went, but apparently it is almost time for academics to get back into full swing!  Oh my....that does not seem remotely possible.

I love this scripture.  It is the ultimate succinct prayer.  It clearly requests for the Lord to be good to us; for God to be as good as His word.  There are two things that I treasure about this verse.  First, I cherish that it calls to mind that I am a servant.  I am a servant to the living God.  The labor that I perform here on earth is for Him....to bring Him glory.  Secondly, I hold fast to the fact that God's word never changes and that He always keeps it...His word that is.  So, for Him to be "as good to us as His word" helps me to comprehend that when He says that He will not leave me or forsake me...He means it.  When He says that His love endures forever...it most certainly will.  When He promises a room in His house after this life on earth is done...it will be there.  It is written...and so it shall be.
That is as good as it gets.

Father,
Bless Your servants tonight.  Fill us to overflowing with the love and promises that You have written in Your word for us, because You are as good as Your word says that You are!
In Your Holy Name,
Amen 

Book Review: AFLOAT by Erin Healy

Great book!!
 

afloat, (click here) by Erin Healy combines suspense, mystery, humor, love, forgiveness, and faith all in one novel!  How did she do that?!  This is one book you want to read!

afloat, by Erin Healy is a great novel!  I became lost in the pages of this exceptional work to the point that no outward distraction could tear me away.  That, in my opinion, is the definition of a good book!  The narration and character development are phenomenal!  I chose to limit my information about this author and book before I read it to allow for a blank canvas to capture my imagination and therefore inspire a fresh review.      

As I moved through the pages of her story, I felt similarities in this author’s writing style to the works of Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker.  It was very interesting that I found out after reading it that she has coauthored two books ( KISS and Burn) with Ted Dekker.  The novel, afloat will take the reader on a journey of unpredictable adventure in addition to behind the scene looks at spiritual happenings.  In the middle of all of it, I also found myself pondering deeply personal questions of faith, forgiveness, and the true meaning of the word love.  There is a dual experience of entertainment, as well as, profound gems of truth sprinkled throughout the pages.  Again, how did the author do that?! 

Erin Healy’s book, afloat, ends with discussion questions to allow further reflection into the areas of security; confidence of God’s existence; reaction to adversity; levels of forgiveness; and the nature of life and death.  It becomes clear through her questioning, that she wants the reader to respond to the love of God and to search deeply within our heart for His truth.  The book goes well beyond the boundaries of entertainment and stirs a responsive state within the reader.  What a great job!!  I’m off to read some more books written by this great author, Erin Healy.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing through the Booksneeze program for providing me with this complimentary Review copy of afloat by Erin Healy.  I was not required to give a positive review.  The opinions within this review are strictly my own.