What Faith Teaches You by Guest Blogger A. Kathryn Trombly

At the beginning of this year, I began reading a new blog, Kathryn's Just Daily Living.  I had two really big goals, to lose weight and to write (at minimum, to finish my wip and to write another novel).  I'm always on a hunt for inspiration and I found it in Kathryn's blogs.  It was a no-brainer to ask her to share some of that inspiration with my blog readers.  Thanks, Kathryn!


What Faith Teaches You by A. Kathryn Trombly

“If I can just make it through my workout today, then next week will be easier.”

When I set out to lose weight that became my mantra. I was so out of shape, and at the heaviest I’d ever been, I frankly couldn’t see much further into my future than a week at most.

I was someone who spent most of my life focused on, well, worried is more like it, what was to come and where I would be in six months or a year. This little act, unconscious as it was, would prove to be a turning point in my life.

When I stopped looking toward a future that had not happened, or may never come to pass, I began to zero in on what I was in my control today.

I could control whether I went to the gym for my workout, made a healthy meal, smiled at a stranger, spent an hour writing, or time discovering and adding things to my daily life that made my heart smile.

So that’s what I did. I focused on what I could control, and how I was living each day, and began to allow everything to unfold.

The days went by, then the weeks, and the months, and slowly I lost weight, dropped four dress sizes, started writing again, began a blog, reshaped my relationships to others and myself, broke patterns of behavior, and experienced a host of other “firsts.”

My life was changing - it had changed - and it felt so organic, so natural, that sometimes I had to stop and remind myself how far I’d come, and who and where I once had been.

As I glanced behind me, and looked through my past, (something that for many years and months I refused to acknowledge), I saw shapes and patterns to my life that reminded me of a story.

It was as though I had been cast as both the villain and the hero, and like chapters and scenes of a story, I saw how each experience, the good and the bad, fit together to create the reflection that gazed back at me in the mirror and my life.

I looked at myself, my life and all that had happened, all that I’d been through and I began to see how each event, decision I made, and emotion I felt, had led me to that precise moment in time.

I realized that even those dark ages of my life were necessary in creating the woman I was, and that even though I didn’t know it at the time, everything was always working out for me.

And that’s when I saw it.

I never meant to find it.

I was really just some young woman who wanted to lose weight and change careers.

But there it was one day, I just happened to turn my head when I saw it walking beside me.

Actually I believe it was always there, patiently waiting for that moment when I was ready to gaze upon it, and feel it within my heart.

What I found somewhere between my future and my past was…faith.

~~~~~~

If you haven’t already, I can’t tell you how you’ll be introduced to faith. I don’t know the exact moment, or events surrounding that encounter –like our journeys in life, such a meeting is uniquely your own.

But regardless of your current relationship with faith, be at peace and know that it is there right now, guiding you, teaching you - showing you, a little more about life and yourself.

Faith doesn’t say everything will be joyful, all will be good, and nothing bad will ever happen. It only tells you, “Everything will work out.”

It just won’t always tell you what that means.

Faith teaches you to trust in the story of your life. Even though you don’t know how it will end; even though you don’t know what you will find on the next page or chapter; even thought you don’t know which new characters will be introduced, while others taken away.

Faith just whispers to you to trust - in your self, in the wonder of the universe, and in the unknown mystery of a higher power.

Faith wants you to believe in your self, your instincts, your intuition, your heart, your mind, and your spirit.

Faith teaches you to believe in it, because it believes in you.

It holds your hand while showing you that life is more than you’ll ever fully understand, or know. But that this place, this experience, the people you meet, the things you do, all that you are, and will become…is amazing.

To walk with faith doesn’t mean that you’ll be without doubt.

This week in fact, I battled and struggled through my own moments of uncertainty. Wondering if I should just pack all my bags, resign from my day-job and drive west.

I questioned all that was around me, all that I was and the direction I’ve been walking.

Life, and some moments, continue to bring me to my knees, and I cry out feeling incredibly lost.

But faith has shown me that it never gets angry, or annoyed when that doubt creeps in.

No, even when an experience, a moment, leaves you feeling broken, shattered in a million pieces and utterly alone, faith is there kneeling beside you whispering that it will be okay.

Because whether you are aware of its presence, want it beside you or try your best to shut it out, faith can, and will, never leave you.

Even when you curse its name, when you cry tears of frustration and your heart aches, faith is there to cradle you while quietly assuring that everything will be okay.

And it is within those moments that faith reminds you, that you need not know the answers to your questions, nor the road to your future.

Because you cannot know what lies ahead on your journey through life. The book of your life does not rest before you so that you can flip through it, skipping to the end and reading the final pages before jumping back to the middle.

You cannot know what next year will bring, next month, next week or even tomorrow, so faith teaches you to focus on how you are living your life today ~ in this moment.

But with faith walking beside you, know that today you are exactly where and who you are supposed to be, and that every choice, and every road you take will lead you to the same destination.
Let faith help you to understand, and accept, that all roads lead to you.

~

About the author:

Kathryn Trombly writes about life how you awaken to it, how it changes as you grow, how you navigate the twists & turns, and how you love who and where you are today at Just Daily Living. As she slowly becomes comfortable in the uncomfortable, and excited about the unknown, she wants to help others learn to listen to the song in their hearts ~ one day at a time.
Photo courtesy of A Perfect Heart

Featured Book: God Alone Is Enough by Claudia Mair Burney

I know author Claudia Mair Burney by way of her Amanda Bell mystery series, a mix of Christian suspense and romance.  Through her artful storytelling and sometimes lyrical prose, Burney has both pleasured and provoked my soul.  Now Ms. Burney has put her pen to paper for a nonfiction book that explores the art and power of prayer, courtesy of St. Teresa of Avila.

In this unique blog tour, each day a blogger has talked about a single chapter in the book.  (You can find the tour schedule here.) The final chapter is chapter 13, The Mysteries of the Bridal Chamber.

To bring you up to speed, Burney invites readers to take a prayer journey, guided by the provocative and powerful words of St. Teresa of Avila, a Roman Catholic saint. Like Burney, I too grew up in a church environment where "the esteemed dead in Christ are gone for heaven's sake". The "saints" were alive and well, or dead and never to be communicated with again.

Thus, I came to this blog tour with curiousity and not a small amount of apprehension. But I'm glad I did.

Regarding contemplative prayer as a means to growing closer to God, St. Teresa compares the soul to a castle with many rooms, not unlike the mansion God has prepared for each of us, the entry door being prayer.

Before we get to the bridal chamber, we must first go through rooms one through three, dark places where we must become more self-aware and get past the worldly things--possessions, accolades, business affairs, etc.--that cloud our minds and lessen our ability to hear God. Room four is a transitional place, brighter where our "holy longing" is more acute but still fraught with temptations and the possibility of falling prey to spiritual disappointments.

In this last chapter, however, Burney tells us, now that we've made it past the first four rooms in our soul's castle, we've arrived at a place that's not for the faint of heart. It's time for the spiritual "meat", and she likens this meat to "steak tartare...raw and dangerous".

Here, in rooms five through seven, is where we see ourselves as the spiritual brides of Christ, longing for Him, waiting for Him following our betrothal, and giving ourselves wholly to Him upon His return to us, the intensity of our passion for Him growing to the point of each passage into the next room growing aching and unbearable.

As Burney says, this is "heady stuff". I can't tell how many times I've heard recited or read the Scriptures likening Christ to the bridegroom.  I've mostly considered these to deal with the unbeliever coming, as the bride, and joining with Christ in salvation. Not so much have I've given thought to them with regard to continuing to seek Him after one is already in relationship with Him. But as Burney so pointedly notes, "we rarely trust what we already know how to do, which is why we miss many precious encounters with God".

Have you taken God for granted? I sure have. Not intentionally, of course. I certainly seek Him when I have need of Him or desire His grace for someone else, and I pray throughout the day, but I can't say that I walk around with a heart-wrenching longing for Christ every day. Sad and difficult to admit, but true. I've spiritual work to do.

"In the seventh dwelling things are different from before. God removes the scales from the eyes of he soul so she can understand in some way the grace she's received...What we knew by faith is now understood by sight, so to speak...The truth is, she's (the soul's) more active than before, especially where God's work is concerned, and where she's not busy serving him, she enjoys his ceaseless companionship. Unless she turns away from God, he'll keep her aware of his presence and she'll possess an assurance that God will never take the favor he's given her away now that he's bestowed it."

So go the words of St. Teresa of Avila. A ceaseless companionship such that the favor of God will never be taken away? Wow. Almost unimaginable.

But if we embark on this prayer adventure with Burney and St. Teresa, we may find the way to achieve such a state and our souls most certainly will be blessed.God Alone Is Enough is a wonderful companion guide for the journey.

ABOUT THE BOOK

"Joyous, sprightly, earthy, zestful and real, St. Teresa of Avila comes bursting forth in this vibrant new book. Claudia Mair Burney is the perfect guide to lead readers into the freeing, but often misunderstood, spiritual insights of one of history's most remarkable women." -- James Martin, SJ, author of My Life with the Saints

You have the opportunity to spend a few hours listening to the wise advice of a prayer warrior--one of the most interesting women to ever follow Jesus with abandon. So pull up a chair as Claudia Mair Burney introduces you to Teresa of Avila. You'll be able to say you've met a real saint.

"A perfect read for all who thirst for spiritual waters." -- Lisa Samson, author of The Passion of Mary Margaret.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Claudia Mair Burney is the author of seven novels, including the Amanda Bell Brown mysteries, and Zora and Nicky, and Christy Award finalist in 2009. Readers familiar with her style will enjoy this rollicking journey through their own interior castles. She lives in Kentucky, where she also authors the popular blog, "Ragamuffin Diva."

Learn more about the book at Paraclete Press.

Featured Book: Stuff Christians Like by Jon Acuff

If you find humor in Christianity, this book is for you.  Jon Acuff has one of the best Christian satirical blogs there is, and keeps me laughing daily with posts on subjects like how to know whether you're qualified to usher, knowing whether an American Idol contestant is Christian, and pastors' kids gone wild.  Along the way, he also takes a serious look at faith, helping readers to lighten up and in doing so, draw closer to Christ.

It's not uncommon for me to email the link to one of his posts to a bunch of friends.  Now, the book has been released, and I can encourage everyone I know to pick up a copy.  You'll find laughter...and God.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Sometimes, we fall in love on mission trips even though we know we'll break up when we get back. Sometimes, you have to shot block a friend's prayer because she's asking God to bless an obviously bad dating relationship. Sometimes, you think, "I wish I had a t-shirt that said 'I direct deposit my tithe' so people wouldn't judge me."

Sometimes, the stuff that comes with faith is funny.

This is that stuff.

Jonathan Acuff's Stuff Christians Like is your field guide to all things Christian. In it you'll learn the culinary magic of the crock-pot. Think you've got a Metro worship leader-Use Acuff's checklist. Want to avoid a prayer handholding faux pas? Acuff has you covered.

Like a satirical grenade, Acuff brings us the humor and honesty that galvanized more than a million online readers from more than 200 countries in a new portable version. Welcome to the funny side of faith.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

For the last ten years, Jonathan Acuff has written advertising for clients ranging from the Home Depot to Chick-fil-A.  In addition to his many day jobs, he also writes a blog called Stuff Christians Like.  He and his wife live with their two daughters outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

For more information, please visit http://www.stuffchristianslike.net.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided for review purposes.

Featured Book: Sistergirl Devotions by Carol M. Mackey

For some Christians, navigating their faith in the secular corporate world is tricky. Can I talk about Jesus? If I mention church, will I suddenly by on the no-invite list for secular functions? When I order water at happy hour, will they look at me funny? If I pray for a colleague in need, will I be written up?

So a book like Sistergirl Devotions by Carol Mackey is a welcomed example of how a believer might live out her faith in the workplace. In addition to insight into topics like the ones above, it also deals with approaching one's work with excellence, avoiding stress, and when and how to take a stand.  Although the book is directed toward African-American women, I think Carol speaks to all Christian women.

Carol is like family, the wife of a childhood friend. She's also a sorority sister of mine, so I'm doubly pleased to present this timely and timeless collection of devotions, one for each day of the month, inspired by her own experiences in corporate America.

The devotions are short, perfect for a busy woman on the go, and end with a "Power Move" action step as well as a "My Confession" affirmation.  Sistergirl Devotions is a book that you read and reference again and again for pointers on living one's faith with grace, wisdom and humility and most of all, unashamedly. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Inspiration for African-American Women:  Keeping Jesus in the Mix on the Job

As the editor-in-chief of the esteemed Black Expressions Book Club, Carol M. Mackey has her pulse on  African-American women and what they’re reading, thinking about and their search for information that  speaks to their daily lives and struggles.

Struggles especially crop up at the place where most women spend the bulk of their time: at work. With  workplace stresses ranging from bad bosses to gossipy coworkers to a lack of passion for what you’re  getting paid to do, what’s a Christian woman to do? Sometimes it can feel like your faith is putting in overtime, too, just to get you through the week.

Through her book, Sistergirl Devotions, Mackey speaks to these and other hurdles that working women face  through a collection of 90 insightful and inspiring readings. Using Scripture, conventional wisdom and stories  from her own experiences, Mackey teaches readers how their faith provides timeless and trusting answers to  these daily struggles. Each devotion also offers a “Power Move,” which gives readers actionable tips for  applying these principles to their own lives and careers.

Topics that Mackey addresses through these devotions include:
o Making the most of your opportunities at work
o Establishing your identity at work
o How to serve your way to greatness
o Standing up for what’s right
o Managing conflicts and toxic coworkers
o Confronting painful situations with grace
o Bouncing back after a setback
o Keys to managing others
o Striking a healthy work-life balance
o Discipleship on and off the job
o Watch God multiply your talents and gifts
o Remain humble as you achieve success

Click to read an excerpt of Chapter 1, "Use What You Got to Get What You Want:  Making the Most of Your Opportunities".

Sistergirl Devotions
by Carol M. Mackey
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3397-1
Available May 2010; $12.99

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carol M. Mackey is editor-in-chief of Black Expressions Book Club, an award-winning book club and the  largest African American club in the nation. She has been named among the 50 Most Powerful African-Americans In Publishing by Black Issues Book Review and has been featured in Literary Divas: The Top  100+ Most Admired African American Women in Literature. Widely recognized as a leading expert on  African-American book buyers, Mackey sits on the Board for the National Book Club Conference. She has  appeared on CBS-TV’s morning news show in New York and is often interviewed by other media outlets on the state of African American publishing. She lives in New York with her family.

Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, offers practical books that bring the Christian faith to everyday  life. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with  MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.

For more information, visit www.RevellBooks.com.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review purposes.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Featured Book: Faith that Works by Anne Fortenberry

When the call went out for bloggers, I jumped on this one. A study of faith by way of the book of James? I was all over that as a way to start the new year. Because deepening my faith, my personal understanding of Christianity put into practice, brings me closer to the kingdom of God than anything else I know.

I can't offer a review, because this isn't that kind of book, at least not on the front end. It's a workbook for Bible study, one with an introduction/overview and 45 lessons. It's designed to be completed in 9 weeks via group study, but I think it might take me a little longer as I truly mull over the material by myself. From the introduction, I can tell you that it's written in plain language with lots of Scripture references and thought-provoking questions. So I'm excited about examining Faith that Works: A Topical Study on the Book of James by Anne Fortenberry.

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!

You never know when I might play a wild card on you!

Today's Wild Card author is:

Anne Fortenberry

and the book:

Faith that Works: A Topical Study on the Book of James

Hannibal Books (July 7, 2009)

***Special thanks to Jennifer Nelson at Hannibal Books PR for sending me a review copy.***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Anne Fortenberry was born in the southern U.S. and lived in Gulfport, MS, during her childhood. She has served for the past 10 years as a Southern Baptist missionary. She has also been a university lecturer and division chair, a health-care consultant, and registered nurse. She holds a doctor of nursing science degree from the Louisiana State University Medical Center School of Nursing, a master of science from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a bachelor of science from Mississippi College. She and her husband, Archie, are parents of three grown children.

Listen to her interview HERE.

Product Details:

List Price: $15.95
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Hannibal Books (July 7, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1934749494
ISBN-13: 978-1934749494

AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:

Faith That Works: A Topical Study on the Book of James

By Anne Fortenberry


WEEK 1: TESTS OF FAITH

Day 1-- When Troubles Come

Day 2 -- A Doubtful Mind

Day 3 -- Responding to Temptations

Day 4 -- Listen Twice, Speak Once

Day 5 -- CHARACTERISTICS OF FAITH, Characteristic 1: Faith Obeys the Word



This week initiates the beginning of our daily Bible Study on the Book of James. We are in for some pretty heavy material even this first week, so make sure you are prayed up, have God’s Word open, and are ready to proceed with some real introspection. As you see, chapter one covers a wide variety of topics; however, some topics will be discussed in more detail as we progress through the chapters. Just looking over the topics makes me either cringe or laugh because I have ‘been there and done that.’ As believers, we know that our Heavenly Father walks with us wherever we go and we have the assurance that things always work out for our good as painful as some things might be. By the way, a sense of humor really helps to get us through most anything. Reckon I’ve rambled enough. So pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea, get into your favorite study chair, and let’s begin. I am so happy that you are in this study with me as we explore His truths together.




Day 1 -- When Troubles Come



Today’s Focus: James 1:2-4, 12; Matthew 8:25-27; 9:35-38;

1 Peter 1:6-7; 4:12-16; 5:10; Psalms 3:3-5; 56:3: 66:10-12

In our introductory session together we established that James was the half brother of Jesus and that this book was one of the earliest letters written, possibly even preceding the four gospels. We also know that after Stephen was martyred, persecution increased scattering the Jewish believers throughout the Roman World. Consequently, because these believers did not have the support of the established church, they were besieged with problems testing their faith; evidently they had succumbed to impatience, bitterness, materialism, disunity and spiritual apathy. Hmmm, sounds like today, doesn’t it? Anyway, James, a prominent leader of the early church, felt the responsibility to warn as well as encourage these believers in their faith struggles. Wow…don’t we need the same warnings and encouragement today? I know I do!

James does not waste any time and immediately after his greeting in verse one, he delves into the topic of experiencing trials. The Greek word for trials is peirasmos pronounced pi-ras-mos and means adversity, troubles, experiences of evil, and putting to proof by experiment. It is interesting to me that trials can be viewed as an experiment which in actuality is an assessment of who we are and how we hold up under the stress of troubles. Hmmm, does that mean trials build our character? Of course it does. Let’s see what God’s Word says...

♥ Read Psalms 66:10-12. In reflecting back over some trials or troubles you have experienced, how did you feel when it was all over and you moved on? _____________

______________________________________________________________________

According to Psalms, when we experience trials, we are purified like silver melted in a crucible. Trials test our faith, build our character, and give us an opportunity for growth. Maybe we should consider trials to be a gift from God because after the experience we are better people. But, sometimes when we go through trials, we feel really abandoned. You know dear friend, so did King David. However, when David felt abandoned he always told God about it. What do you have in common with King David? How do you differ? Do you tell God what you really think and feel? Do you truly recognize who is listening to your prayers? If you open your heart and are totally honest with your Heavenly Father, your understanding of Him will grow. Read further…

♥ Read Psalms 3:3-5. What assurance can you gain from these verses? ___________

______________________________________________________________________

David firmly believed God protected him when he slept and when he was awake. He had the assurance when everything went wrong, God was there for him. David knew God was his shield, and he could overcome all fears by trusting in God for protection. What about you? When troubles come, can you trust God for protection? Can you say, “What time I am afraid I will trust in thee” (Psalms 56:3)? If not, why not? Let’s see what Jesus does…

♥ Read Matthew 8:25-27. What did the disciples witness in these verses? __________

______________________________________________________________________

Wow…Jesus even controls the forces of nature. Folks, do you realize who Jesus really is? Do you comprehend who God really is? Do you realize that He can control the storms that you encounter in your life? Whether your storms are from nature or from the troubles you face, He has the power to control them. Jesus is willing to help, but first we must ask! That means we must pray first for His help. Hope and confidence in our Heavenly Father far outweigh our fears and troubles. Believe it or not, trials will make us stronger and prepare us for the future. What makes the difference? Do I really have to be joyful in my troubles?

♥ Read James 1:2. When you read this verse, how did you respond?______________ ______________________________________________________________________

Note that James does not say ‘if’ trials or troubles come, instead he says, ‘when’ trials or troubles come to let them be an opportunity for joy. Also, notice that he uses the plural not the singular form for troubles which is an indication that we will experience not just one trial but perhaps several as we walk through our life. Now I have to admit, I did not always understand what it meant to be joyful when troubles come. Through the years, I have come to realize that it is not necessary for me to pretend to be happy about facing pain. However, it is important to have a positive outlook when trials come and to consider it an opportunity for joy because of what can be produced in my life.

♥ Let’s compare James 1:2-4 with 1 Peter 1:6-7. As you read these verses, what major similarities and differences can you identify in these verses?

________________________________ ___________________________________

________________________________ ___________________________________

________________________________ ___________________________________

Both James and Peter tell us that our faith will be tested and to consider it joy when that happens as it will make us strong. However, James says it is for our endurance to have a chance to grow which will make our character strong and ready for anything. The Greek word for endurance is hupomone pronounced hoop-om-on-ay and means cheerful waiting, patience, withstanding, and persevering. Peter says trials will make us strong and purify us like gold which will bring us praise, glory, and honor when Jesus comes. In the refining process of gold the impurities are burned away making the gold beautiful and shiny. So whether it is for endurance or purification, trials will definitely affect our lives.

As you know, we will face trials when we let our light shine into the darkness. Thus we should accept troubles as part of the refining process that burns away our impurities and prepares us to meet Jesus. Trials teach us patience and help us grow into the kind of people God wants to use for His glory. However, we have a choice, don’t we? We can turn tough times or trials into opportunities for learning perseverance and that will help us grow into godly people; or we can grumble, criticize, and feel sorry for ourselves. Whatever our choice, trials will come. If you think about it, they are a lot easier to handle if we turn them over to our Heavenly Father and allow Him to walk with us through them. What is your choice?

♥ Think of a situation where you have been unpleasant and complained about your troubles? What was the result? ___________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

♥ Now think of a time when you have been joyful in your troubles? What was the result? _____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

♥ Did you notice any difference in the way you responded in the above situations? ____ ♥ What made you results different? _________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Sometimes we do not know the depth of our character until we see how we react under pressure. Can we still be kind to folks that mistreat us? What about people who are prejudiced against us, or lie about us, or treat us unjustly? I believe with all my heart that God wants to mature each of us. So, instead of complaining about our struggles, let’s see them as opportunities for growth. Let’s thank Him for His promise to walk with us and carry us in His arms through the rough times. Let’s ask Him to help solve our problems and to give us the strength to endure them. Then, wait, be patient, and believe He will help.

♥ Read James 1:12. What does God promise to do if people patiently endure testing? ______________________________________________________________________

God promises not only to bless us but to give us the crown of life, our reward of eternal life…WOW, we will be there in heaven with the living God forever! Peter tells us not to be surprised at the trials we are going through. Instead, be happy because these trials make us partners with Jesus in His suffering. Just think, afterward we will have the joy of sharing His glory when it is displayed to the entire world. Peter further tells us to be happy when we are insulted for being Christians as there is NO shame involved in His name. He also tells us the Holy Spirit will come upon us (1Peter 4:12-16 NLT).

One of my favorite verses is 1 Peter 5:10 which reads, “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (NAS). Now what do these four words mean?

♥ Think about it…how would you define the following words?

Perfect _______________________________________________________________

Confirm_______________________________________________________________

Strengthen_____________________________________________________________

Establish______________________________________________________________

To me this verse is God’s promise to us when we suffer trials or troubles. The God of all creation, our Heavenly Father, promises to restore us completely, to support us unconditionally, to give us His power, and to place us on a permanent foundation. WOW! Isn’t that awesome? Keep in mind and be encouraged because our greatest lessons in life come out of the pain we experience. Why? Rick Warren has said that troubles make us focus more on God, build our character, draw us closer to others in fellowship, provide us with a ministry, and give us a testimony to share. But, as believers, we have a greater responsibility…

♥ Read Matthew 9:35-38. What did Jesus encounter in every place he went? ________

______________________________________________________________________

Every where Jesus traveled He encountered people with problems so great they did not know where to go for help. Thus, He told His disciples He needed workers who would know how to deal with the problems of other people. Folks, that’s you and me! Do you realize that every trial you endure will help you to comfort another person who is dealing with a similar problem? As believers, we are commissioned to help others with their troubles, to comfort them, show them the way, encourage them, and give them hope.

When troubles come, how have you decided to react? A faith that works considers it all joy when trials are encountered because we know the testing of our faith produces endurance. We may not be ‘happy’ that a trial has occurred, but we can certainly be joyful in knowing that Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, will be with us through all of our trials and troubles. We have a choice. What’s your choice? Let’s count it all joy!

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Your Thoughts:

Questions

Comments

Prayer Requests

Prayer Answers

Day 2 -- A Doubtful Mind

Today’s Focus: James 1:5-8; Mark 11:23-24; Genesis 3:1-6;

Matthew 11:4-6; 14:28-31; 21:21-22

What does it mean to have a doubtful mind? The Greek work for

doubting is diakrino pronounced dee-ak-ree-no and means to

withdraw from, to hesitate, or to separate thoroughly. In today’s

language it may mean to be ‘wishy washy’ or to have a lack of faith. So what does faith mean? The Greek word for faith is pistis pronounced pis’-tis and means assurance, belief, persuasion, and/or system of religious truth. Obviously, these two words form a dichotomy and have opposite meanings. With these definitions in mind, let’s see what James says to the scattered Jewish believers.

♥ Read James 1:5-8. After reading these verses, can you relate to the analogy used to describe a doubtful mind? Please give an example.____________________________

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In verse six, James uses the analogy that a doubtful mind is as unsettled as the waves of the sea driven and tossed about by the wind. Can you picture that in your mind? Close your eyes for a moment and try to picture yourself standing in the water on a beach and waves from the sea are splashing against your body. How are you feeling? Are you rocking to and fro from the force? Are you loosing your balance? Are you feeling any apprehension? What do the waves look like to you? Are they gigantic or small in nature? Well, if you have as vivid of an imagination as I do, I’m not getting into that water if the waves are really big…in fact, I prefer to stand on the shore and watch instead of being in the middle of them. Ouch! If we are believers, are we supposed to watch from a distance and not get our feet wet? Hmmm, is that what a doubtful mind is like?

A doubtful mind is not completely convinced that God’s way is the best way. This type of mind treats God’s Word like any ordinary piece of advice. Instead of obeying all of God’s Word, this type of mind retains the option to disobey if it doesn’t agree. It vacillates between following God’s way and the desires of their own heart. Doubt has left this person as unsettled as the waves of the sea. James says that this type of person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord because they waver back and forth in everything they do. Who or what causes doubt?

♥ Read Genesis 3:1-6. Who or what caused Eve’s doubt? ______________________

♥ In what way can you relate to Eve? ________________________________________

From these verses we know it was Satan that caused Eve to have doubts about God’s goodness. He made Eve forget all that God had given her; instead, he made her focus on the one thing she was not supposed to have. Isn’t that how we also get into trouble? Rather than counting God’s blessings, we focus on what we do not have. Read further…

♥ Read Matthew 11:4-6. How did Jesus handle John’s doubt? ___________________

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As John sat in prison doubts began to plague him as to whether Jesus was really the Messiah. Jesus answered John’s doubts by pointing to the evidence… His miracles, healings, and preaching. Folks, sometimes we can only see and understand from our own human perspective rather than God’s perspective. If our doubts lead to questions and those questions lead to answers, then doubt has done some good. Questioning can help sort out our beliefs and strengthen our faith. However, questioning can make us vulnerable as doubt can cause us to sin; which harms faith. Satan knows that once we begin to question, it is easier to make us do what he wants. Actually we can let doubt deepen our faith or divide it. But, be careful my friend, as a divided mind only causes problems. We cannot be self-centered and God-centered at the same time.

♥ Read Mark 11:23-24. What two things are required if we have faith? ________________________________ ________________________________

Several times in scripture we hear Jesus say, “O you of little faith.” Those words make me feel so sad because we know that all things are possible with God. Dear precious folks, if we have the faith He requires of us, then we must really believe and not doubt in our hearts. WOW…He says we can pray for anything, and if we believe, we will have it. I could go on and on about prayer, but James covers it at length during our last week of study. Just know prayer is truly one of my favorite topics as my life is a testimony to the power of prayer.

You probably have read the story many times of Jesus walking on the water, but let’s focus for a minute on Peter (Matthew 14:22-33). Remember Peter’s reaction when he saw Jesus coming…Let’s discuss what happened:

♥ Read Matthew 14:28-31 and answer the following questions:

♥ What did Peter desire to do?_____________________________________________

♥ What happened to Peter when he was able to carry out his desire? ______________

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♥ What did Jesus say to Peter in this situation? ______________________________

♥ Think about these verses, have you ever gotten ‘out of the boat’ to take a step of faith? Explain.__________________________________________________________

Bible scholars have often criticized Peter and given him a hard time because he doubted. But we must give Peter credit for the fact that he was the only disciple who actually got out of the boat. Oh, we can speculate as to why Peter wanted to walk on the water in the first place. We can also see that when Peter allowed fear to overcome him, he began to sink and Jesus rebuked him for doubting Him…but, who did Peter call on when he began to sink? And who immediately reached out and grabbed him? Think about it!

How decisive are you? Do you rely on God? Do you totally trust Him? Or, are you straddling the fence? Do your actions reflect your words? Are you letting doubt deepen your faith or destroy it? Are you depending on the Holy Spirit for guidance? Are you seeking mature Christian companions? Are you reading and studying God’s Word? To have a faith that works and removes doubts, we must do these things!

At one time or the other, we will all have doubts, especially if we focus on the waves that difficult circumstances produce around us, and then we too may sink. However, if we maintain our faith when situations are difficult and focus on the power of Jesus instead of our own inadequacies, we may soar like the eagle. Jesus said “I assure you, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,’ and it will happen” (Matthew 21:21-22). WOW… Go away doubt, I want faith! What about you?

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Through his devices of doubt, distrust, discouragement, and deception, Satan tries at every turn to prevent or steal your harvest and keep you from reaching greater fruitfulness. Bruce Wilkinson

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Your Thoughts:

Questions

Comments

Prayer Requests

Prayer Answers

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Freefalling Faith

Growing your attitude of faith, raising your expectations of God--not because God suddenly got better but because you realize you've been shortchanging yourself, not to mention possibly insulting the Lord by believing and expecting so little--is not easy.

Faith is not for the fearful.

You're got to be a cliff jumper to have big faith.

We serve a big God, capable of big things. Some people say that God's miracles ended in Biblical days, that we're wrong to believe and to expect to see miracles of the sort that were witnessed when Jesus walked the earth.

Why? God is no less God. He's just as big a God as He was then, just as powerful a God. He might choose not to perform miracles before us, but it's not because He is incapable of performing them. Since He is capable, and to my knowledge, He's never said He wouldn't do great things in our sight, we should expect them.

But that's easier said than done. We've been hurt. We've been disappointed. We've seen our dreams and desires go unfulfilled. We've let ourselves and others down. We harbor sins and lies and unforgiveness. Evil still abounds. Our prayers have gone unanswered.

In this environment, it's easy to lower one's expectations, to be grateful for simple things like getting up every morning, "in your right mind and with the activity of your limbs". It's easy to thank God for shelter, food, clothing, and a job.

When you lack these blessings, which so many take for granted, trust me, it gets even easier to lower one's expectations. You may no longer expect to have a clean change of clothing every day. You may not expect to sleep upon a soft mattress. You may not expect to be able to buy and cook fresh food for yourself and your family, to eat in nutritious, life-giving ways.

But we fail to remember that even those simple things are a test of our faith. When we lie down at night, we're not assured that we'll wake up. When we eat a good meal, there's no promise that we won't get sick.

If you're not careful, by the time you're done lowering your expectations based on your circumstances or past experiences or multitude of disappointments, you'll find yourself at a point where you don't expect anything at all. From God. for your life.

Now, this is not easy for me. I have never been a proponent of "prosperity gospel", at least not as it appears to be practiced in current times. It's not that I don't think God's people should prosper financially. In fact, I'm all for that. But, I do have a problem with boasting about it, flaunting it in the face of others who may not be quite as fortunate, and most of all, continuing to acquire way above and beyond one's own needs. I mean how many mansions can one live in at one time? How many cars can one drive?

So I'm not talking about compiling a list of every material blessing you've ever imagined. This is not about writing your wishlist. But I am talking about having wonder-working faith, a faith that expects greatness.

When you hear that someone's been stricken with cancer or some other life-threatening illness, is your first reaction one of sorrow, that their time is near? Or, do you expect to see that person healed? Do you expect to see someone who's never had much in the way of material wealth to suddenly amass a fortune? Do you expect an ordinary, unassuming person to be elevated to a higher stage, to assume a place among kings, queens, and world leaders?

On a personal level, have you placed outer limits on how influential you can be, on the great things you can accomplish?

We say we can do all things through Christ from whom we gain strength, but do we really believe that? Do we live and operate as though we do?

It's not quite so easy to believe and expect great things to unfold right before your eyes and in your life.

But believe and expect we must. To the glory of God.

When you do, it's like jumping off a cliff, freefalling in God. No safety net. No guarantees. A little scary, but very invigorating.

It's the best place in God you could ever be. A place of limitless faith.

Is there something that you want to believe or expect from God, but you've held back? Have you stepped right up to the edge of your cliff, but been afraid to take that last step of faith?

Remove the shackles and unleash your faith.

Then step off the cliff and rest in God.

I can't say I'm fully there, but God's moving me closer and closer to that point. And I'm enjoying life so much more. Won't you join me?

Peace & Blessings,

Patricia

God-Thoughts

Thinking about God-thoughts. Not what I think of God, but more importantly, what He thinks toward me.

Still studying The Attitude of Faith by Frank Damazio.

God-thoughts.

How does God see me?

What does God desire for me?

What does God have planned for me?

What does God believe for me?

Sometimes we slip up--not in a bad, criminal or hurtful to others way, but certainly hurtful to ourselves--because we forget about the God-thoughts. We forget what God has said in His Word as an encouragement and reminder for us, about what He thinks. Thoughts like:

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. -- Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

or

This is what the LORD says—he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. -- Isaiah 44:2-3 NIV

See, God thinks more highly of us than we could ever think of ourselves. He crafted and created us. He desires more for us than we could ever desire for ourselves. He believes the best of us, even when we and others believe the worst. He has the best of plans for our lives, despite the bad or negative things that surround us.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. -- Isaiah 55:8-9 KJV

We may never know the full mind of God, but we need to steep ourselves in God-thoughts and push aside everything else. With God-thoughts, we'll believe and expect more for our lives. God-thoughts will fuel our faith, and thereby propel our actions in ways that are pleasing to God.

Have you been having God-thoughts?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Faith Unimaginable?

Still in a season of faith renewal, and looking to God for the unimaginable.

Just what do I mean by "unimaginable"? What does that look like?

That I'll finish a novel manuscript, submit it and get the agent of my dreams who will then sell it to the publisher of my dreams, after which it will become a best-seller, followed by another and another and another...

Odds are against me?

Maybe. But it could happen. So this is only slightly unimaginable.

That I'll be get a brand new car for my family even though everything suggests that's never gonna happen, and that with no money down (and maybe some "Cash for Clunkers", my payments will be lower than I currently pay.

Possible although not probable, but it will happen. Likely in some way that I least imagine.

Okay, maybe those things aren't so daring. How about this? That my brother and my mother, both of whom suffer from multiple sclerosis--my mother for over 40 years--are 100% healed.

What say you to that one?

See, the thing about unimaginable faith is that it is a daring kind of faith. It doesn't ask how or why. Rather it asks "why not?" and doesn't limit itself to the "how's" for which my mind can make sense.

But it's not an illogical kind of faith. Oh noooo...

No, there's nothing illogical about it. It might be, if we didn't have the word of God. But we do.

See, faith in God is preceded by knowing God. It comes from hearing and reading about God's promises and blessings, and by seeing God at work everyday all around us. It's remembering how God blessed Abraham and Sarah with a baby of their own seed, even as they should have been resting in their rocking chairs and eating a diet of soft foods. It's remembering how God first kept, then delivered Daniel from the den of lions that logic says should have destroyed him. Raising Lazarus from the grave. Healing the bleeding woman and the blind man. It's remembering how Christ rose from the grave and reappeared to prove that He had before ascending into heaven.

Don't you know stories of people who have survived horrific car crashes or fires? People who've been healed from fatal diseases, like cancer and even AIDs? Babies who weren't supposed to make it? People who swear they "died" on an operating table yet are walking and talking like you and I?

It's not just remembering, but embracing these and many other unimaginable things. Meditating on the stories and allowing the Holy Spirit to whisper a word into your spirit. For you. Today. In your current situation.

Because when you do, it doesn't seem quite so daring, so ill-conceived, so risky to believe God for BIG things. In fact, you begin to feel as though you are short-changing yourself by not expecting great things.

One of my favorite Scriptures is Jeremiah 29:11 "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."

Let me recap:

• God has a plan for you.
  
  
• God knows what it is.
  
  
• God plans to prosper you.
  
  
• God plans not to harm you.
  
  
• God plans to give you hope.
  
  
• God plans to give you a future.

Isn't that exciting stuff? Knowing this, how can we expect little and accept even less? God is bigger than that.

And I'm not talking simply material things here or even healing. I'm talking peace in the midst of a storm bigger than you've ever experienced. Joy when you are alone in the darkest of places fighting to stay sane and alive.

How big is your faith? Is your faith of the unimaginable variety?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Expecting The Unimaginable

I'm reading Frank Damazio's The Attitude of Faith. I've been a churchgoer my entire life. I came to know Jesus as my Savior in my teens, although it took me well into my twenties to embrace living like I knew him.

Now in my forties, I'm examining my faith anew. I've seen and heard of God doing miraculous things in the lives of others, and in my own life. My family has never slept on the street or missed a meal, even in times when I surely thought we might.

Everything hasn't been a bowl of cherries. I spent my childhood watching my mother grow increasingly debilitated by multiple schlerosis. I lost my father right after I graduated from college, before I had a chance to discuss with him, one adult to another, his life and his perspective on how the world was evolving. I gave birth to a stillborn baby girl and felt like I was folded up into myself, that taking care of my toddler son, being a wife, and going to work everyday was an out of body experience. I've experienced eviction and losing 99% of my material goods.

Through all of that and more, God has always in my mind still been God, capable of more than I could ever imagine. I've never questioned His love for me. Yet, there have been times when I've felt bound by my past, stuck in a rut and found myself considering whether I truly expected Him to do the unimaginable in my life.

I think it's easy to get into a mental and emotional pattern of life that includes God but doesn't embrace all that God is moment by moment. It's the reason so many Christians, in my opinion, "live beneath their privilege", as the old folks used to say. We believe in God and all that He is; we just don't expect God to be and do all that He can in our lives. We're the first to shout "Praise the Lord" when He blesses someone else, then we go about our way with the same doubts and negative thoughts filling our hearts and minds.

This is what Damazio addresses in his book. One's attitude toward their faith.

I discovered that my faith attitude needed a wake-up call. It needed to be aired out, brushed off, shined up, and fluffed. I need to renew it so that I could once again live within my privilege as a child of God.

There's a prayer in the first chapter of Damazio's book that I find myself now reciting throughout the day, and that I plan to teach to my children:

Lord, I believe that You are good, and that You desire to release into my life wonderful, unimaginable, miraculous, great, and mighty things. Today, I pray with large expectations by the power of the Holy Spirit. Enlarge my vision. Increase my faith. Secure my future. Amen.

Out of habit, I always insert a "In Jesus name" before the "Amen", but I find myself meditating on the words of this prayer and really thinking about the extent to which I believe them and what they mean for my life.

The word that twirls around most in my head is unimaginable. It's more than just things that I haven't imagined. I know that God can do above and beyond the things that I imagine. Yet, it's more than that. To me, unimaginable also means that even after God has worked His work, that I see and experience the benefits thereof, that it's more than my mind can imagine, more than I can envision, more than I can comprehend.

That's the level of expectancy that I desire in my faith.

It's not about God being a genie and granting my wildest wishes. No, it's about living securely in the knowledge and sure belief that God is able. Period. In my life as much as in anyone else's.

What's your attitude regarding your faith? What do you expect from God? Do you believe your tomorrow is destined to be the same as your today, or do you expect great things from God?

Try it. It's liberating.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

What Kind of Faith Do You Possess?

After being in church my entire life, I occasionally need to be reminded of spiritual lessons I've previously learned but may have tucked into the recesses of my spirit mind.

I had such a reminder yesterday where the message was about faithfulness and the pastor talked about three kinds of faith.

The first type of faith, he called "conditional" faith. It tends to follow the path of "God, if you will only ______________, then I will..."

In order to believe, or to grow in that belief, God must first prove Himself. This is the most elementary of faiths. I call it "If" faith.

Then there's what the pastor called "thanksgiving" faith. I call it "Because" or "Payback" faith. This type of faith focuses on worshipping God because of what He has done for you. "Because you ______________________, I trust/believe/worship you, Lord."

This is secondary faith. You already believe, but your belief is strengthened each time God proves Himself again. Every blessing becomes a faith deposit.

Of course, a corollary of this is that every (perceived) missed blessing or unanswered prayer is a faith withdrawal. Not a good way to be living your life in times like these.

The third type of faith is the strongest and most desirable faith. The pastor called it "Regardless" faith. I call it "Yet" faith.

This is the faith exemplified by the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace, determined to worship God and only God even in the face of death; the faith of Job when he said, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him..." or of David when he wrote "But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more...; and lastly, the faith of Jesus.

Is your faith of the "If", "Because" or "Yet" variety? I believe it is entirely possible to experience different levels of faith in different areas of your life. Like people who believe God wholeheartedly for a medical miracle while not trusting Him fully for their daily provisions.

Without regard to how tough the times may be, it may be wise to sure up the foundations of one's faith by spending more time with God, studying His Word more, seeing Him in action.

Whether God does or doesn't bless as we desire, He's still God, and that alone is enough.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Finding Faith Support

I love finding about people, places, and things that undergird my faith. In this day and age, when it's almost sport to knock Christianity, and Christians frequently bring this ire upon themselves (but that's a whole 'nutha post), I appreciate stuff that supports my faith.

Hubby stumbled across a great Internet radio station over the weekend, 102 Gospel Jamz, on RadioTime. They play the full versions of contemporary Christian music, with little talking and few commerical breaks. My kind of station. We played it in the house most of Sunday.

I also get a lot of faith support through books. I read and write Christian fiction, but every now and then, I also pick up a non-fiction book. I've got one that I'll be featuring here tomorrow, Apologetics for a New Generation.

Overall, it was a great weekend, beginning with a family outing to the NY Yankees-Cincinnati Reds game on Friday evening.

Aside from going to church and your Bible, of course, what do you use to support your faith?

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia

Back from the Abyss

Last week was rough. Still working through some stuff and my middle son took ill. A case of food poisoning at school via a corn dog.

Took 6 days for this to pass through his system, three of which he didn't eat at all. We had to force him to drink so he wouldn't get dehydrated, and Friday night, when his temperature hovered in the 103.5 range, I was sure we were destined for a trip to the ER.

But a little God-enabled Motrin, and some mother/father love, prevailed. The fever broke and my baby awoke feeling a little better. After a quiet Saturday, he got up Sunday morning and began devouring everything in his path, it seemed.

Now Littlest One is not feeling so hot but I'm hoping it's more fatigue than the stomach bug, which the doctor assured us was indeed contagious.

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I've been listening to Pastor Bill Winston lately. I've always enjoyed his no-nonsense, straight to the point teaching style. He's been talking about faith. When he talked about the need to fuel our faith, it hit me that I haven't really been doing that. It's possible to live in a godly manner, attend services, listen to Christian music, read Christian books, fellowship with other Christians and talk faith but not really live it.

Because faith believes when evidence suggests impossibility.

Faith knows no boundaries or limits.

Faith doesn't argue against well-thought out analysis; it simply can't fathom the not side of things.

Faith doesn't fear spreading its wings or receiving blessings that appear unimaginable.

Faith doesn't seek to control or contain circumstances.

I realized that even as I've been acknowledging the glory of God and thanking God for recent blessings, because of circumstances, I've put my blinders on, reducing that which I desire or expect God to do to fall within my limited purview.

God forgive me.

I don't want to be bound by my lack of vision, lack of belief, or lack of faith.

My God "...is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us..."

For that which I desire from the Lord, which includes a deeper walk, I'd better start refueling my faith.

Peace & Blessings,
Patricia