Book Review: THE RESCUE~Seven People. Seven Amazing Stories....by Jim Cymbala with Ann Spangler

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Luke 19:10

An encouraging read and hope filled book!

Publishers Description

A Wall Street broker, a party girl, a student, a homeless man, an addict, a teenage mom, a drug enforcer - all of them spiraling out of control. Each has a reason to despair and a wound that won't heal. Until something unexpected happens - something that will change their lives forever.

The Rescue by Jim Cymbala tells the powerful, true stories of men and women whose lives should have ended badly but didn't. What happens to each of them will take you by surprise and give you hope. If you or people you care about are facing challenges beyond their strength, it may be time to experience The Rescue.

My Personal Review

The Rescue by Jim Cymbala with Ann Spangler is an inspirational book that is certainly worth your time and money. It is a quick read, but is packed with some extremely powerful stories of people going through immeasurable hardships. Each individual account reveals a season of difficulties and trials in their life. Each chapter is a new story and is narrated by the person in much the same way as an autobiography.  (I liked this type of presentation, as it gave a depth of authenticity that would not have been there otherwise.)

The beauty of each chapter is revealed in the end, as the reader discovers that the answer to each of their circumstances is the rescuing power of Jesus Christ. Some of the stories within the book are very difficult to read. They're perspectives are full of such darkness that frankly, I had to put it down and take a break occasionally, because the depth of despair is a bit overwhelming. Pushing through to see how Christ brings His redemptive love to the dilemma is the reward, however, and is undeniably worth it!

Thank you to Zondervan & Handlebar Publishing for this review copy of The Rescue. The opinions within this review are my own. I was not required to write a positive review, only to provide an honest assessment of this work.

My Troubles

Psalm 119:71 (MSG)
My troubles turned out all for the best--they forced me to learn from Your textbook.

This is so true, isn't it?  When things are circumstantially difficult, I am driven to His Word for security, guidance, and truth.  When everything is coming up smelling like roses, I am less likely to fall to my knees in desperation for Him. 

Looming storm clouds.

I will never understand why some of us have to carry the weight of the world.  Nor will I ever comprehend the reasons for why there are those who bare so many more burdens than others.  Nope...I'll never figure it out this side of heaven.  But, if I were to get a tiny glimpse into a benefit of our troubles, this verse might just be the key to unlocking the first door.

For today...I take heart that my troubles might actually be assisting me to lean on Him to a greater extent.  Those trials could possibly be allowing Christ to shine out of me instead of "me" shine out of me.  Kyanne Weaver said it beautifully in her post "Camouflage" from her blog:  Cavewoman Speaks (Sending Out Hope Signals For Cave People Everywhere) when she said, "Be encouraged to know that it isn't, never has been and never will be you who shines for Christ. It's Christ Who shines for Christ...in you."  (To read her full post click here .)

Father,
Thank you for Your Word that sustains us and teaches us to learn how to glorify You....instead of ourselves.
In Christ's Name,
Amen

Promises....Promises...

Psalm 119:38(MSG)
Affirm Your promises to me--
promises made to all who fear You.

Cease His promises!

As you read this today, you may find yourself in the middle of a heartbreaking situation.  I want you to hear that God is good!  I want you to know that He promises you a hope and a future.  That He has not forgotten you!  That He loves you.....deeply...beyond what you or I in our human mind can conceive.  He sees and hears you today.....I promise...and more importantly....He promises!  His love never quits!  His love never fails! (Psalm 136)

Lord,
I know that there are those with heavy burdens today.  Lighten their loads and give them Your assurance that You will see them through.
In Jesus Name,
Amen




  

Stranger On Earth

Psalm 119:19(NIV)
I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. 

Facebook has become such an incredible venue for people to connect!  I enjoy "surfing" through the posts and seeing every one's families and the adventures that life is taking them on.  I could literally spend hours reading and looking at pictures of all the fun places people are traveling and the creative ways that they spend their time.  I have to put a Facebook "time limit" on myself when I check in or I wouldn't get anything else done in a day!  What a treat to get to read all the great updates!

 

Tonight, though, as I was doing my usual "like" button routine, I came across a very different kind of post.  It was from a sweet friend from high school that I don't get to talk to anymore.  (Think almost thirty years ago.)  I haven't seen her in about that long, but here she was with her sweet smiling profile pic and a rather lengthy post.  It started off by saying that she "hardly ever posts on Facebook, but....."  That in and of itself got my attention.  She went on to tell all of her friends that she has been sick and her husband has just been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and she wanted her friends to know. 

I stared at that post for almost thirty minutes trying to figure out what to say.  My words seem inadequate in a situation like this.  They are our best attempt to help people understand how we feel, but often times, we don't even understand how we feel ourselves.  I ended up telling her how much we love them and that we are going to pray for them and stand with them through this trial.  I told my husband about it and he immediately e-mailed the husband and we will follow through on that promise, but what I wanted to say needed to be said in person with an arm of love around them and a genuine love that expresses sincerity.

I wanted to tell her exactly what this verse says tonight.  That "we are strangers on earth".  We are merely passing through. 

Lord,
I frequently stand upon the words that You said in John 16:33.  Tonight, I repeat them and as always gain much confidence and peace within my heart for my friends.

John 16:33(NIV)
"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."

Place Your hand under those tonight who find themselves in a fearful foreign land and gently carry them through this trouble.  Allow them to rest in Your arms and find Your peace.
In Jesus Name,
Amen 

Getting To The Top Of The Hill

Psalm 119:13(MSG)
I'll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from Your mouth;
I woke up in the usual way.  As I was rushing around from task to task before we scurried out the door to head for school, I heard my husband say something about needing to leave early because the radio was reporting slick roads.  Huh?  There wasn't snow in the forecast?  I was precisely on my usual time schedule with no buffer minutes factored in.  Uh-oh.

Shutting the car door behind me, I backed slowly out of the garage to find that there was indeed a slight snow and ice covering over the pavement.  No problem, I thought, this is not too bad.  I made quick time as I wove around the neighborhood curves and came to the stop sign that leads to the main road.  Slowly approaching the intersection, I could see cars stopped from both ways and basically parked on the road.  As I ventured the nose of my car a bit further to the edge of the corner, I was able to see what was happening. 

The main road is similar to a roller coaster as it moves up and down steep grades in both directions.  I watched as cars would attempt to go up the hill and get stuck in the middle.  They would then slowly back down and try again.  One by one, the cars would attempt to climb the hill.  Some were making it, but some were not.  Those that were unable to conquer the task remained trapped in the valley with no hope of escape.  You can only imagine the tangled, congested mess that ensued, as cars, trucks, and even buses became prisoners to the icy hills. 

Before it was all over, there ended up being two buses and numerous cars that had to be towed up the hills by fire trucks.  My daughter and I successfully made it to school, but we were two and half hours late!  The whole thing got me to thinking.  Here's what I thought.  Our lives are like those cars that got stuck.  A significant amount of time we find ourselves paralyzed at the bottom of monstrously large, slippery slopes.  We try to get up on our own,  but  our attempts are futile.  We get completely immobilized.  We spin our wheels, run off the road, and sometimes even crash before we ask for the "fire truck" to come and rescue us. 

My daughter "riding up the hill" on a local nature trail.

Why do I do that?  Why, when I have the complete counsel of God in my hands and readily available to speak from my lips, would I ever try to travel without Him?  I can choose to cling to Him and use my lips to rehearse His promises when I am in the valley, or I can keep my mouth quiet and miss His amazing grace working in my situation.  The choice is entirely mine to make. 

Father,
Thank you for Your continued Word of counsel that provides a firm hold for me when I am crawling in the valley and barely able to stand up.  Help me to respond to the trials that I encounter  with the light of Your wisdom and grace.  Lord, let me honor You in my darkest times with genuine praise to the King of Kings!  I am asking You tonight to carry those that are in the midst of a trial and deliver them safely to the top of the hill.  Place Your Word on our lips and let us glorify Your name from the highest of heights!
In Jesus Name,
Amen

He Will Take Care Of YOU

Psalm 136:25(MSG) Takes care of everyone in time of need.  His love never quits.

I picked it up and stared at it.  It was beautiful with all of it's colors intertwined and spiraling through the glass like a maze of trails running through a dense forest.  I found myself intrigued by it.  I couldn't completely follow every color through every twist and turn, but I marveled at it's beauty.  It was a gorgeous hand blown glass ornament that hung in the window, gently swaying in the breeze of my sister's home.  It was there every morning when I got up, displaying all of it's glory with the sun shining on it.  It was there every evening when darkness fell on it, revealing different hues, but just as breathtaking.
This verse is a lot like that glass ball.  I have studied it.  I have picked it up and looked all around it.  I have searched under it, beside it, and on top of it and all I can see is a beautiful picture of who God is!  I have to confess, however, that I have been struggling with these words for the past three days. 

The wrestling over these words intensifies when I pick up the paper and see the tremendous hurts present in our world right now.  In fact, I know that someone reading this must surely be going through the trial of their life.  Of course it could be spiritual, financial, physical, emotional, or other oriented, but a severe challenge just the same.  To tritely state, "God will take care you in your time of need", hardly seems fair.  And yet, that is what's being said here.  Right?

I decided to look at this verse in a few different translations:

Psalm 136:25(NIV) and who gives food to every creature.  His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:25(NLT) He gives food to every living thing.  His faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 136:25(KJV)Who giveth food to all flesh:  for his mercy endureth for ever.

Alright, for the sake of argument, I would say that we all need food to survive, right?  So, this verse says that God will provide!  But wait a minute... there are people going to bed hungry tonight.  There are children dying of dehydration and disease because they don't have clean drinking water.  There is my dilemma and why I have grappled with this post. 

 I have been at this point before.....such is the trappings of a reflective person.  I don't understand this type of hurt and I never will.  Oh, I could launch into the difference between "wants" and "needs". Obviously, I want things like: a better memory, a warm inviting house, a maid, a beautiful singing voice, etc . But, the word need is different. Webster's dictionary defines need as: a necessity; something that is required that is lacking. 

So, I have agreed (with myself) to settle upon His Words once again, because I will freely admit that I do not, can not, and probably never will understand physical human suffering.  I only comprehend what the Lord said in John 16:33(NIV): "I tell you these things, so that in me you will have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world". (italics and bold mine)

After prayer and more contemplation, I return to this foundational truth: God's Word is true.  He does supply food (His Word) to feed us and to take care of our every spiritual need.  He then asks us in return to help "feed" His sheep through the sharing of His Word with others. 

John 21:15-16~When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?'  "Yes Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."  Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."  Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?'  He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."  Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."   

He does completely take care of our needs through His Word!  The Holy Spirit, by the grace we have found in Jesus Christ, guides and directs us into all truth and removes us from the "needy list" and places us on the "abundant life" roster through His love that never quits!

As for the physical needs that sometimes appear to go unnoticed, I can only continue to trust that His ways are higher than our ways.  I will continue to call out to Him for help and stand confidently in the assurance that He has heard and He is taking care of it....even if I don't comprehend His answers. 

 I guess that's what faith is all about.  Hebrews 11:1~Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 

Father,
Thank you for the Words that you have given us to walk through every step of life!  It is our source for restoring broken and needy people like myself.  Thank you for taking care of each one of us in such an amazing way!  Continue to meet the needs both physical and spiritual of your children in Your way.  Help us to remain in You, because there we will find Your peace and Your calling on our life.

In Jesus Name,
Amen 

Serving Others

Proverbs 6:14(MSG)
Their perverse minds are always cooking up something nasty, always stirring up trouble.

                      

I went to see the theatre production of "The Hiding Place" today.  It was an amazing play put on by a dedicated group of local Christians who volunteer their time to honor the Lord through drama.  The theatre always has stories that are Christ honoring.  Today's production was an incredible depiction of Corrie ten Boom's life in Harlem Holand during the Nazi invasion of their country during World War II. 

Hitler would have to be classified in my book under a "perverse mind" as tonight's verse describes.  The ten Boom family's convictions to serve the Lord and rescue as many of God's "chosen people" (Jewish) by hiding them in their home to protect them from the slaughter at the hands of the Germans, was a testimony to the great courage and constant confidence they had in the Lord!

Corrie's story of love, strength, and faith in God during such incredible oppression is a huge challenge to me.  It makes me open my eyes and ask....."What can I be doing to really serve my Father?"

Praying tonight for open eyes to what the Lord has for me in the way of serving and loving His children. 

Working Together

Proverbs 6:13(MSG)
They wink at each other, they shuffle their feet, they cross their fingers behind their backs.

I remember having secret hand shakes and speaking in special coded words with my best friend when I was little.  This verse reminds me of that, as it tells of a communication between two people, albeit seemingly negative in this instance.  There are facial gestures, a certain swagger, and even secret hand gestures shared between these two individuals.  The problem is that what they are sharing between them, is not so good....deception, lies, and tearing down of others.  But, this isn't how God designed for friendship to be....nope...not at all.

There is really nothing like a good friend is there?  I mean truly, when you have special friends to laugh, cry, work, play, study, and pray with you should consider yourself very blessed indeed!!  This past week in my time with the Lord, I came across this scripture from

2 Corinthians 1:3~All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah!  Father of all mercy!  God of all healing counsel!  He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there or us.  (Italics mine.)

This has been lived out countless times in my life.  When I face certain struggles, I find that the next thing I know, someone around me is candid about a difficulty they are having and it turns out to be a similar situation to the trial I am walking through, or have just walked through.  The Lord allows me to come alongside them and encourage them in His name.  I have had so many wonderful friends do the exact same for me during my trials.  What a gift friends are!

I am thanking God tonight for the people that He has put in my life to minister His love to me!  I pray that I can also return this love to others in their times of trial.

The Detour

Proverbs 4:15 (MSG)
Stay clear of it; give it a wide berth.  Make a detour and be on your way.

I took a trip to Atlanta Georgia with my sister one hot summer back in the '90's.  We were traveling with her kids who were then ages ten and three and my son who was two at the time.  Did I mention it was hot?