Today Only Special Sale: James L. Rubart’s SOUL’S GATE

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Vicki Hinze

Jimsoulgate

nook copy

ABOUT THE BOOK

“Every now and then we get a break from reality. A glimpse into the other world that is more real than the reality we live in 99 percent of our days. The Bible is about a world of demons and angels and great evil and even greater glory.”

What if you could travel inside another person’s soul? To battle for them. To be part of Jesus healing their deepest wounds. To help set them free to step boldly into their divinely designed future.

Thirty years ago that’s exactly what Reece Roth did. Until tragedy shattered his life and ripped away his future.

Now God has drawn Reece out of the shadows to fulfill a prophecy spoken over him three decades ago. A prophecy about four warriors with the potential to change the world . . . if Reece will face his deepest regret and teach them what he has learned.

They gather at a secluded and mysterious ranch deep in the mountains of Colorado, where they will learn to see the spiritual world around them with stunning clarity—and how to step into the supernatural.

Their training is only the beginning. The four have a destiny to pursue a freedom even Reece doesn’t fully fathom. But they have an enemy hell-bent on destroying them and he’ll stop at nothing to keep them from their quest for true freedom and the coming battle of souls.”

If you haven’t read Soul’s Gate,  or you’ve read and loved it and want to gift it to a friend, there’s no better time than right now.

For today only, Barnes and Noble has the Nook version listed as its Daily Find, and that saves you a lot of money.  Regularly $10.39, just for today, you can get the Nook version for $2.99!

Want to buy it now?  Just click the button!

nook copy

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Don’t Think About the Cross this Easter by James L. Rubart

Posted on March 30, 2013 by James L. Rubart

The cross has not only become the symbol for Easter, it’s become the symbol for all of Christianity.

The reason I say “become” is because it hasn’t always been that way. For the early Christians, the symbol of Christianity was the empty tomb. And by early, I don’t mean the first few years of the church.

The cross didn’t become into prevalent usage in art or churches until the 4th century.

Forgive me for repeating myself, but it was the EMPTY TOMB that the early Christians kept in the forefront of their minds.

Do we do the same?file000874028411

I’m not trying to lessen our attention on the cross, only make sure we give equal focus to the power of the resurrection -which is the triumph of Life over death. It is the picture of our rebirth into men and women who have become the temple of God and have the Spirit living in the new Holy of Holies, our hearts.

He is risen. The tomb is empty. Let us focus and rejoice in that, the greatest news of all time, and live our own resurrected life because of what He has done.

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Who, me? Deny Christ? Never!

Posted on March 29, 2013 by yvon63

Last night I went to a Maundy Thursday supper at church where we were reminded of the events taking place before Jesus’ crucifixion. I remembered my visit to Israel.

I walked down into the same prison where Jesus was taken like a criminal. I saw the area where Jesus was beaten, the games etched in the floor where Roman soldiers passed their time and laughed while prisoners suffered in the dark, cold, stone, stagnant cells.

I walked the Via Dolorosa along where Jesus carried his cross. I saw the garden where he cried out, “If there’s any other way…not my will, but thine.” I saw the hill shaped like a skull, Calvary where he was nailed to a cross.

I walked up onto Caiaphas’ courtyard where there’s a statue of Simon Peter, where he denied Jesus. The disciple who was so sure of himself, spoke out for Jesus, claimed he’d defend Jesus to the death and tried when Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was so loyal and determined he even followed Jesus and those who arrested him.

But that strong, eager, confident, bold man not only denied Jesus, denied even knowing him, not once but three times. Would I do that? Probably not. I probably would have run and hid at the first sign of trouble.

Then, as we stood near that statue of Peter, our leader asked, “Have you ever denied Christ?” Up until that time, I had not cried although most in our group had. But then I couldn’t hold back. The tears came as I thought what it means to deny Jesus. How terrible if anyone sincerely says, “I don’t even know him.”

I wondered if that’s what I say when I miss the opportunity to tell someone I know him. Or when I’m complacent and don’t do my best with what he’s given me. When I don’t fulfill my human potential. When I want things that are in my self interest instead of his. When I take Him for granted. When I don’t take advantage of walking and talking with him.

I went inside a tomb like the one in which Jesus would have been buried. Or I should say, like the one out of which Jesus arose. While our group partook of The Lord’s Supper in the garden outside that tomb, and sang, so did another group of another race who sang in a different language. We felt as one with that group. Brought to me thoughts of heaven.

As I partook of The Lord’s Supper, the words were said, “Do this in remembrance of me,” and I did. Just as he forgave Simon Peter, he forgives me. The bread was remembering his suffering body, the fruit of the vine his blood shed so I don’t have to suffer and shed tears about my denials.

How blessed I am to be able to ask forgiveness, turn from the denials and proclaim him in thought, words and action. Thank him and praise him.

Yes, I know him. Hallelujah, he is alive!

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Happy To Be Here by Tara Randel

Posted on March 28, 2013 by tararandel

 Hello! My name is Tara Randel and I’m excited about posting here at Christians Read.

I’ve been writing for what seems like forever, but published since 2000. It’s been a long process, a lot of ups and downs along the way, but I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Writing is a passion for me and I believe that when you have a God-given gift, you should use it.  So with a giant leap of faith, I decided to take a chance and put my work out there. I’m so glad I did.

Since writers spend so many hours at the keyboard with only the stories in our heads to keep us company, it’s great to have a place to interact with readers. First and foremost I’ve always been an avid reader and love being in a community that allows me to touch base with others who love to read.  And being able to share my faith journey with others? That’s icing on the cake. We all have different paths we’ve traveled down.  Every one of us has a different life story and no matter what we’ve been through, when we band together, we grow stronger. You never know where life will take you and sitting here at my computer, writing this blog, is one of those places I never imagined I’d be.

This journey of life is not for the faint of heart, with all kinds of ups and downs and everything in between, but books help make the way more enjoyable. I know I have my absolute favorites, as I’m sure you do too, the dog-eared copies we can’t get rid of so we can reread those books from time to time. Books take us away from the day-to-day and bring us to a place where everything is right with the world as we spend a few hours immersed in a story we love. I’ve always been an avid fiction fan, but I have to say that most times in my life when I’ve needed a lift or answer to a problem or want to know God better, I reach for my Bible. No matter what I do, for me, it all comes back to books.  

In  August, Orange Blossom Brides, my newest title, will be released by Harlequin Heartwarming. I’m excited to be a part of this new line. While not an inspirational line, I believe the stories will still be an inspiration. The books I have previously published are similar to the Heartwarming line. Love. Family. Small town values. Books your daughters and granddaughters can share. I love the to write about those values. 

So I’m ready to take a new journey. Won’t you join me?

 

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Passion Play’s Supporting Characters by Julie Arduini

Posted on March 27, 2013 by juliearduini

Each year our church shares the greatest story ever told with a Passion Play. It’s a Broadway-like production with as many as 100 in the cast that also features an ensemble and live animals. The actors are lay people with a desire to gift the Lord and the community with five presentations between Palm and Easter Sundays.

We’ve been part of that church for eight years and my husband and children have been involved for most of those years. That means I not only see the presentations each year, I’m often there for rehearsals. I’m quite familiar with the story and what to expect in each scene. Thing is, each rehearsal and performance moves me. I’ve yet to watch even one healing scene and remain unfazed. When Jesus lifts the dead girl and she returns to life, I sob to the point of fearing emitting noises that would distract from the show. We nearly lost our daughter at three months old, and I envision Jesus lifting her for healing that day, something I will never take for granted. It truly is the greatest story ever told.

Our son, circa 2007.

Our son, circa 2007.

Between the play and the History channel’s The Bible, I’ve been  thinking about what writers would call the supporting characters. They are part of the story, well-developed if done right, but don’t overshadow the protagonist. When I think of Jesus and His journey to the cross, there are so many who have a story of their own.

Peter–The disciple who spoke first and thought later. He loved Jesus with fierce passion, only to deny Him when it mattered most.

Now a teen, he plays Philip, a disciple, this year.

Now a teen, he plays Philip, a disciple, this year.

Barabbas–A criminal set free. In our play, we reflect on the possibility that the one who first realized and perhaps appreciated Christ’s sacrifice would be Barabbas.

The thieves on the cross–One mocked Jesus. The other understood  they deserved their punishment, but Jesus did not. He asked Jesus to remember him, and Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43, NIV

Mary–I didn’t fully appreciate her place in the story until I saw Passion of the Christ. She sacrificed twice. First, choosing to be the vessel to her and our savior. Second,  watching His death. Not understanding how this violent murder equals redemption and life. A mama’s heart shattered.

John–He not only witnesses the crucifixion of his beloved friend, he promises Jesus to care for Mary.

Judas–Deceived by money and false promises, his kiss is remembered today. He died a tormented soul.

When I think I found the secondary story to focus on, another aspect of Christ’s love pops up and I’m enchanted by Jesus all over again.

Our daughter in her first year as a town's girl, 2011.

Our daughter in her first year as a town’s girl, 2011.

 

 

 

 

This holiest of weeks, what supporting character captivates you? Any of the above? Herod? Pontius Pilate? Someone else? I’d love to read your thoughts.

Have a blessed Easter!

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Community by Hannah Alexander

Posted on March 26, 2013 by alexanderhodde
Set in Jolly Mill, MO

Set in Jolly Mill, MO

What a life! I grew up in California, where freeways were already prevalent, crowds were the norm, and traffic in our valley north of LA was already bumper-to-bumper. Yes, I grew up as a valley girl.

My father, however, always dreamed of having a farm of his own, so when I was still too young to have a say in the matter, we packed up and moved to Southwest Missouri, where we lived 1/4 mile from the DIRT road, 1/2 mile from our nearest neighbor, 7 miles–an hour-long bus ride–from a small town school where I eventually graduated, but not before buying my own car to escape the hideous bus ride.

At first, and for years afterward, this transition was a shock to my system. My parents knew about country life. They grew up far from town, knew how to be country folk. All I knew about it I’d learned from them. I discovered that I spoke a different language from my neighbors down the road. For instance, do you know what botten bread is? My new best friend–who grew up in a two-bedroom house with seven brothers and sisters and no indoor plumbing (!!!!)–finally explained to me, very patiently, that botten bread is bread that’s been store-bought instead of homemade. Have you ever had cracklin’ bread? Daddy taught me this one when we  (meaning he) butchered our first hog and rendered the fat. Mom took what was left floating in the lard and baked it into muffins, which, if you bit into the wrong one, would break teeth. I won’t even go into the horrors of mountain oysters, and Daddy’s laughter when I found out he was going to cook them for us to eat. At least we did have indoor plumbing, for which I was exceedingly grateful after spending a few nights with my country friends.

We had a smokehouse for smoking meats, a pump house for the well pump–which, if it broke down, meant we had no water–and a barn that caught fire our first year there when we had over a foot of snow. And that was when I discovered the power of community. My parents were shoveling snow onto the fire, frantically trying to rescue animals from that barn, when we heard the put-put of a strange engine coming down the 1/4 mile driveway. Neighbors from a mile down the road had seen the glow in the sky. The snow was too drifted to drive to our house, and there was no fire department, so they hopped onto their John Deere tractor in the freezing cold and drove through the snow to our house with their shovels. Other neighbors followed, and they fought that fire as long as they could in the middle of the night in the freezing snow. With their help, we managed to save two litters of baby pigs, which I got to feed every day. I still love little piglets. Babe is one of my favorite movies

I’m still learning the meaning of community, and since I live amongst those same people who came to our rescue through the snow, I now write about it. There is a power and connection in physical community that transcends email, that shows the gritty part of human character that lives right alongside the nature of a good heart. When we post online, we usually show our best selves. It’s human nature. When we live near each other and see one another’s foibles and learn to accept one another as we truly are, that’s how a powerful community is forged. It’s why I love our small town atmosphere, why I characterize the small towns in my novels with the same kind of community. It’s what works for me.

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Soul Food and the Heart-Weary Christian by Vicki Hinze

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Vicki Hinze
Photo Credit: canstockphoto.com

Photo Credit: canstockphoto.com

 

 

 

It’s Holy Week.  Almost Easter.  A revered time for people of faith.  The most revered time for Christians.  Today, I need to chat.  That’s right, to chat.  I need to talk with like-minded people—people who believe.  My soul needs food.  

 

Most Christians go through times of sheer weariness.  We tire of the faith struggles in our own lives and in our society.  Our freedom of religion is being interpreted by some as freedom from religion, and we’re frustrated by it and weary of it.

 

How can we not be?  We look around and see children exploited, young girls being programmed that sexy is better than virtuous (look at the magazine covers targeting teens).  We see a barrage of attacks against even Christmas trees with governors wanting to call them holiday trees, and Christmas break being tagged winter holiday.  We see our leader insist that Christian statues be covered during a speech at a Catholic college and yet he speaks beneath a banner that includes a photo of the father of terrorism.  We know important things seem, well, upside down, and now comes a push to rename an Easter Egg Hunt a Spring Egg Hunt.

 

What?  We have Christians being crucified for their faith (literally and figuratively) and we (as taxpaying citizens) are giving them billions of dollars.  Why?

 

All this is just the tip of the heap, as you well know, but it’s sufficient to relay the reason for the weariness.

 

We trust God, we celebrate Holy Week and Easter.  We do not waiver on it being the holiest of holidays in Christendom.  The Resurrection…  It’s awe-inspiring and humbling.  And even those who are not Christians should respect that.

 

If they did, I doubt we’d be living in a culture of deep corruption.  In a society where half—yes, half—of the children born are born to unwed mothers.  Our values have eroded and our ethics along with them.  We’ve buried our moral compass.  Allowing it to happen, doing nothing to prevent it, condones it.  And what we condone, we own.

 

I’m not an idealist or standing on a soapbox or suggesting we become raging zealots, but I am suggesting that I’m weary and I know other believers are, too.  For me, I’m battling it, determined to follow our beliefs and to refuse not to support them.  In other words, the PC police can forget it.  They have their vision of PC and I have mine, and this weary soul is opting for faith.

 

The weariness is not to the bone.  Close, but not to the bone.  In part, I thank Roma Downey and Mark Burnett for that.  Yes, the star of Touched by an Angel and the reality show guru.  They did the five-part series The Bible that’s airing on Sunday nights on the History channel.

 

Okay, so there’s been a lot of controversy on the show itself.  Of course, there has.  But considering how many don’t and never have read the Bible, and considering that this series is the only exposure they’ll get to the Bible, can’t we see the good in it?  The series is like a missionary to the U.S.  And if you’ve seen the religious decline (which has been actively sought by factions within and outside this country), you know we need a revival of spiritual matters and food for our spirits.  Give us that and the other problems decline.  We know it.  Our country was built on the premise of putting God first.  Through diligent effort, particularly in the past forty years, we’ve had our identity muddied and now we’re muddled.  For that reason, while some might find fault with The Bible’s production, I’m celebrating it.

 

It’s said to be #1—most watched.  The Examiner  had an article on it that said Hollywood didn’t understand why the series was so popular.  It confounded them.  We, of course, know exactly why it’s popular and why other films or series like it will be popular, too.  People are three-dimensional—physical, emotional and spiritual—and our spiritual selves are starving!

 

Simple.  So very simple.  We need soul food!  We don’t just want it, we need it.  We need  a spark to recognize what we need.

 

So last night, I’m watching the fourth part of the five-part series, and I notice the commercials.  Christianbooks.com had one.  Walmart had one.  Advertising the Bible.  I’m sure there were others, but these were on when the advertisers caught my attention and snagged my thoughts.  And I sat there feeling extremely emotional.  An ad for the Bible.  The BOOK.  The Word of God.  I’m choking up again now.

 

This is good.  Even if you disagree with exactly the way this or that is done in the series, you’ve got to see that this series and these kinds of commercials (which are wholly suitable for viewing by all ages [and that certainly can’t be said for many, many ads or shows]) are good.   Sparks!

canstockphoto spark

Sparks!
Photo credit: canstockphoto.com

 

I hope that this series spurs an avalanche of films with spiritual themes that get people to thinking and talking and exploring and searching.  I hope it spurs a mountain of ads that are constructive and respectful.  But most of all, I hope it touches hearts.  The weariness and emptiness and longing that crushes so many in our society can be filled by faith.  We know it can, and I pray soon those who didn’t know it discover it, too.

 

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to watch an early evening program with your family and not have to change the channel because of inappropriate content?  To have shows with content that is constructive and inspiring to viewers?

 

I boldly dare to dream that this starts a trend.  One that renews faith, depletes weariness in believers, and offers all who want it a path out of the darkness and into the light.  Wouldn’t it be terrific to see a swell of enthusiasm that leads to truth and contentment replace the current destructive behaviors that assure the absence of both?  Who knows?  Maybe, just maybe, that spark will ignite a flame and those who choose to walk and live outside the light will at least respect the rights of those who choose to walk in it.  That would be refreshing, and constructive, too.

 

What I know is this.  I write books to help the broken heal.  I read books that inspire and enlighten.  I view films for the same reasons.  And I know that this morning my heart is less weary.  A series and some commercials and because of constructive, faith-filled content, my soul is less weary.

 

And I know that without a spark, there is no flame.  A spark serves. If we recognize hunger and what we’re hungry for, we can seek it.  It doesn’t take much to recognize it, just a little spark.  If you think about it, doesn’t it kind of remind you of the mustard seed…

 

Blessings,

Vicki

 

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Tolkien Reading Day

Posted on March 25, 2013 by alandkathi66

As I often do, I got up this morning and checked to see what sort of celebration I could come up with for today—you know, National Toenail Day, International Bad Hair Day, etc. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that besides being Waffle Day and Maryland Day, it was Tolkien Reading Day. How cool is that?
Now, I suppose if you’re not a Tolkien fan you’d rather just eat waffles or move to Maryland. I personally love Tolkien, and that’s really saying something because I’m not a fan of fantasy or anything even remotely resembling it. But I have a real emotional attachment to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

Way back in the Dark Ages (1974 to be exact) just months before becoming a born-again believer on July 5, I picked up a book called The Hobbit. I have no idea how I came across it or it happened to be in my home, but I was living in Colorado Springs at the time, and it had been a long, cold winter. I’m not a skier nor do I like cold weather, so the ongoing winter months had seemed especially tedious. In response, I spent many, many hours with my nose buried in books (something I do regardless of the weather). So even though The Hobbit wasn’t my usual reading fare, since I had no alternatives handy and didn’t want to drive on the ice to try to get something else (remember, this was long before Nooks and Kindles!), I settled down to read about Mr. Bilbo Baggins and company.

Guess what? By the time I was done I rushed right out into the middle of a snowstorm so I could pick up the trilogy and continue with Mr. Tolkien’s stories. And boy, was he a great storyteller! But it was more than that. As I said, I read these just months before becoming a true believer, but already I was searching. In retrospect, I don’t believe it was purely chance that I ended up with nothing to read but The Hobbit; I suspect God Himself was directing my steps, even then, to woo my heart and open my eyes. Though it was subtle (and I didn’t even realize it at the time), Tolkien’s books were part of that wooing process.

Anyone else have similar experiences, either with Tolkien or some other author/book? As a writer of Christian books, I’d like to think God uses my words to nudge others toward his heart, and I imagine all other Christian writers feel the same. I’d love to hear from you along these lines (in between your Tolkien reading and waffle eating, of course).

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A Day in the Life

Posted on March 21, 2013 by bethrachg

elizabethgoddardOf a writer.

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. That’s a line from one of my favorite classic novels. Raise your hand if you can’t remember which one. Or Google it. (I love saying that.)

 
Those words best describe my week.  Yesterday I picked up my new laptop. That should count as the best of times. I’ve had my other laptop for four or five years and it crashes about fifty times a day. Now I have to transfer four years’ worth of information stored in every nook and cranny of software over to the new laptop. That should be easy, right?

 
How about more like getting a root canal? That seems an appropriate simile, and falls under the worst of times. Transferring my junk has been most painful and I haven’t even made a dent. I’m working off two computers now so that I can get everything done.

 
But add to that—and get this—I actually went in for a root canal this week. A root canal in addition to having to learn a new operating system and transfer all my information. What are the chances? Again, the worst of times.

 
Unfortunately the root canal turned into a complete extraction because apparently I cracked my tooth in half–thank you very much Peanut M&M’s. But I need the M&M’s to get me over the tough afternoons when my brain is drained and I need to push through a scene. (Ah, Peanut M&M’s—the best of times)

 
Since I’m a writer, I know how to turn the scene around. Having a tooth extracted means a liquid or soft diet at least for a day. Hello chocolate pudding. Chocolate ice cream. Many flavors of yogurt, oh and cream of potato, cream of everything soup.

 

 

One again. . .
It was the best of times.

Blessings!

Elizabeth
Words from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.

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Easter’s Coming! Time for a worldview check. Posted by Maureen Lang

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Maureen Lang

Of all the holidays, Easter is probably the most important to me. I love Christmas, too, but the older I get the more work and preparation that day demands. Easter, on the other hand, beyond the bunnies and eggs and chocolate, somehow remains the holiest day of the year. Good Friday service often brings tears to my eyes as I’m reminded of how Christ died for me. And Sunday is more than a symbol of spring, a time when the world becomes a picture of God’s hand of renewal. It’s the day that more than any other reminds me how deep God’s love runs for me.

Naturally this is a good time of year to revisit faith and what it means.

My small group is going through a study of worldviews, which is enhancing this Easter season for me. It’s so interesting to re-check all of the things I hold dear, and why—and to compare other worldviews. Basically a worldview is the filter through which we see the world and our place in it. Our worldview sets our boundaries and defines for us what’s right and wrong and true. It’s worth a moment of time to do more than just go though another day with our beliefs comfortably in place, but to revisit and refresh them.

So this study* compares historic Christianity, the view I hold, to several others, including ones like natural secularism – the worldview that assumes only matter and energy exist, that everything apart from fact is just opinion or faith (faith and opinion being something that can’t be proven as either energy or matter). Science plays a huge role in this worldview, but when I’m reminded that the Bible isn’t incompatible with science, and you can still believe in creation and what scientists know about the incredible (yes, miraculous) design involved in this world, my faith is only strengthened.

Many worldviews overlap one another, postmodernism is one of them—a complicated belief system that absolute truth doesn’t exist. It’s the “I’m okay, you’re okay” mentality when one person’s truth is easily doubted by those who prefer to define God for themselves, not trusting the Bible or any of its interpretations (because of its imperfect interpreters).

Eastern religions have influenced many who hold a postmodern worldview as well as those with a new age view, which seems to depend heavily on emotion and personal experience. It always makes me wonder how much self-confidence (or perhaps more precisely, pride) it must take to define God solely through personal experience, trusting only that rather than something bigger that’s outside one’s self. Picking and choosing what suits a person’s emotional need rather than accepting one faith system seems to dilute and disrespect all of them.

This has always been a good time of the year to try understanding the way other people believe what they do. I know even within the Christian community there are many different traditions and beliefs, but the central truths shouldn’t be mixed up: God is the creator, a perfect being who is both loving and just, who wanted us to love Him freely. Because freedom always comes with a price, God paid the cost of our sin by becoming Christ, the Savior, so we can spend eternity with our Creator.

Everything else either supports or detracts from that core belief.

Isn’t Easter a good time of year to look at your core beliefs or worldview, to see what your life says about what you believe?

*Chuck Colson’s Centurions Study and Portals by Glenn Sunshine

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The Verdict’s In On My Kindle and it Ain’t Good by James L. Rubart

Posted on March 19, 2013 by James L. Rubart

I just got a Kindle and I’m not sold on it.

Am I too old? Maybe that’s the problem. But I don’t think so. I love technology.

The other day a friend was selling their Kindle (an older version) very inexpensively. Since I’d been trying to decide between the Kindle and the Nook I figured, “Why not? It’s cheap and I can see if an e-reader is going to work for me.”

Kindle

Yes, it will work. If I’m flying and don’t want to haul any books with me I get the appeal. Anywhere else, forget it. It’s too much work.

Maybe it’s because I’m a visual person. I like to see all my books on my shelf at a glance. I like to be able mark a book up without having to take five minutes to highlight a section. I like to be able to find my books fast and when they’re all sitting in front of me I can do that.

My friend Randy now reads exclusively on his Kindle. Don’t get it.

Do you? Help me and explain what’s wrong with my brain. (For the Kindle! Not the other stuff!)

Posted in Honored Alumni, James L. Rubart, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Create a New Story Line for Your Life by Sarah Goebel

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Sarah Goebel

Did you know that if you are tired of the story you have been living, you have it within your power to create a new one?  It’s true. You can create a new money story, relationship story, career story, wellness story — one or all of these story lines can continue as before or they can be rewritten differently for your future. The first step in the process of change  is that you must recognize authorship of your story and take ownership of it. Without a recognition that you yourself have responsibility for your life, you will not be able to successfully assess your thoughts, behavior, and the results of your behavior in order to determine what you can change and should change. Go with me, if you will, to take a look at the role our assumptions and motivations play in creating our life stories. fountainpen

In the Bible, God tells us that we can call things that be not as though they are. What is He talking about here? He is saying if you have things in your life that are not in alignment with God’s will for you and you want to change, then begin to use your imagination and envision that change and speak it into being. Do not get me wrong here. This is not a magical formula, but a process involving godly meditation based on the Bible and speaking a godly desire aloud, that must be persevered until the desired result is being experienced in your life. The thing is, as you envision the change and speak it, you will begin to believe it. You are simply going through the process of changing your thoughts to line up with the life God has said He desires for you. As the thoughts you are now meditating on change, so does your behavior begin to change which results in bringing the new belief to pass. Scripture says that what you believe opens or closes possibilities for your life. Your beliefs and assumptions about yourself, others, life and God have a tremendous impact on your behavior, performance, and how you achieve your life or business goals. Ultimately, they construct your story lines, opening or closing the possibilities which influence your performance.

Another Scripture that comes to mind is Mark 11:24: Therefore I say unto you, What things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. God is saying whatever you believe you can be, have, or do when you ask Him for it is a possibility for you to experience in your life. Your beliefs and assumptions will manifest themselves in the decisions you make, the things you say and the things you do. On the other hand, whatever you do not believe limits the possibility for that to be a storyline of your life.  In other words, there are empowering beliefs and there are limiting beliefs. Let’s take a look at what an empowering belief might look like.Transformed-by-the-Renewing-of-Your-Mind2

  1.  I will carry through the decisions that I make.
  2. I have the ability and the perseverance to achieve my goals.
  3. I am a positive person and those around me learn to respond positively to me.

A limiting belief would look like this.

  1. No one ever supports me in what I want to do.
  2. I am not good enough to earn that amount of money.
  3. I am unworthy of good things.

Let’s look at the first example above of a limiting belief. Immediately, we recognize these statements are in contradiction with what scripture says about us or command us to think. Philippians 4:8 is a good example: Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. When you believe no one ever supports you, your behavior will become such that it will cause people to be unsupportive towards you. On the other hand, looking at the third example above of an empowering belief, your behavior will line up with the belief and you will have people responding to you in a positive way.

Romans 12:2 tells us that we are to be transformed by renewing our minds. Whatever beliefs you renew your mind to will become the story lines of your future life story.  Your thoughts will transform your behavior and your behavior will transform your life. When you think about it, we are able to know someone’s beliefs and values by looking at their behavior because behavior is a result of what we believe.  butterflyPicture4

So it is important to acknowledge that you have been constructing and are able to construct what you experience. You are the one responsible for your own choices and those choices have created your storyline. If you continue making the same choices you will continue creating the same story lines. If you begin making different choices, choices that are in alignment with God’s Word, you will begin to write a new life story that glorifies God.

God says in Deuteronomy “I set before you life and death.”  Then He goes on and commands us to “Choose life”. We make the choice as to what we are going to believe, feel and do. When we choose empowering beliefs we are choosing beliefs that lead to successful behavior which will result in a successful life and career.

Begin today by assessing your story lines and determine the underlying assumptions and self concepts they were created from. Learn to take your thoughts captive and analyze them as to whether they are thoughts that are empowering or limiting and then discard those that are not going to further the new story you desire to create. It is also important to examine one’s emotions to determine the assumption or thought it is attached to and whether that assumption is relevant to one’s present life.  If not, the assumption can be changed and the feeling can be converted to an intention.

Regardless of the area of your life you want to change, by the grace of God you can take control of your thoughts and feelings and create a new life experience. Ask God to help you apply these principles to your life and you will begin to write a new story line today.TREE

Examples of Scriptures which speak of our belief system – our faith:

Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.

Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Matthew 21:21-22 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

2 Corinthians 4:13-14 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.

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Daniel 11:32b – Those who know their God shall be strong and do mighty exploits

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Sarah Goebel

For many after they become a Christian, they are interested in searching out answers concerning the circumstances of their lives or to find the healing they need due to wounds received along their life journey. For me, my priority was to know MORE about who this God was that loved me so much. This verse was my life verse for a long time as I wanted to know my God so that I would be able to do mighty exploits. I continue on my journey with this same desire. I want to know more about and experience more of God each and every day. Because I have this desire, He continues to reveal more of Himself to me by the Spirit and His written Word.

We also learn more about God as He walks with us through the events of our lives. For example, He has delivered me out of some really traumatic circumstances and when He did, one of the things that happened is my understanding of who God is deepened. Tonight while reading in the book of Exodus, I realized the same thing was true for the Israelites. Think about it. God delivered Israel not when Egypt was at their weakest, but when they were strong and powerful!

The story of their deliverance goes like this. Even after Aaron’s staff became a snake and ate all of the snakes produced by the Pharaoh’s sorcerers, the Pharaoh’s “heart becomes hard…just as the Lord had said” (Exodus 7:13). It is clear that Pharaoh has not yet learned God’s identity. Now God sends a series of plagues to show the Pharaoh that He the Lord must be obeyed. As we read the story about the plagues it is evident that both Israel and Egypt would “learn to know” a little more about God through each plague.

The gnats were the first plague the magicians were not able to copy. The interesting thing is that all of Egypt was afflicted by this plague of flies. They filled the land, that is, everywhere except where the Israelites lived (8:20-24). What has God revealed to Egypt, the Israelites and to us in this event?

Here we see Yahweh, as our sovereign and all powerful God who is in control of everything that happens in our lives. Here we see that the disasters that had taken place were not just quirks of nature.  Then there were the locusts that ate all that was left after the hail and the darkness that covered the land – again except where the Israelites lived.  However, Pharaoh continues to dismiss Moses and his God. After all, He was Pharaoh.

There would be one more horrible plague that would free Israel. The angel of death would take every firstborn male in Egypt while God protected the Israelites giving them the instructions that would spare their children from death.  Finally, Egypt would not just free the Israelites, but they would demand they leave. God has demonstrated His authority in this one night over Pharaoh and all of Egypt’s gods.

God is revealed in the devastations and challenges of life. Without them, how would we know God? These events are a necessary part of life’s journey in order for us to know our God and do mighty exploits as He empowers to do so. These exploits glorify His name. What is holding you captive today? You can know that God has supreme authority over it. I want to encourage you to quit trying to deliver yourself. Quit trying to do exploits in your own strength and authority. Call out to God! He can intervene in your situation today!

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Saying Goodbye to a Beloved Character by Julie Arduini

Posted on March 13, 2013 by juliearduini

I admit it, I watch Dallas. I know it’s a soap opera and is a stark contrast to my Bible Series post last week.

I watch because right or wrong, the show brings back happy family memories. We had our share of adversity in our personal lives back in the day, but come Friday night at 9, the TV was on and we were taking guesses at what “good ole’ JR” had up his sleeve that week. My dad has been gone nearly 9 years and I can still hear his giggle when JR had a smart comeback. It’s nostalgia, but watching the reboot version blending the characters I grew up with and the new, it’s as comfortable as a pair of fuzzy slippers on a winter’s night.

The actor who played JR Ewing, Larry Hagman, passed away last November. Last night his character was laid to rest in a tribute episode. The hour long show impacted me on a few levels, way deeper than I expected a serial drama to.

image: dallastnt.com

image: dallastnt.com

–The nostalgia. Characters from the original show returned, honest about their run-ins with the legend. In a humorous scene, all his ex-wives gathered around the fireplace and remembered their marriages to the same man. Again, some of my happiest memories were watching this show as a family. To see the characters again  brought back my own memories, as well as show reflections.

–Family is family. You don’t have to watch the show to know the Ewings have a lot of enemies, and their own infighting. Last night JR’s nemesis, Cliff Barnes, burst on the scene to “pay his disrespects.” As soon as he opened his mouth, all infighting ceased and the Ewings bonded together. When JR’s only son with his beloved Sue Ellen, John Ross, started to raise a first to defend his deceased daddy, his cousin stepped in and offered to throw the punch for him. This reminds me of my husband’s recollections growing up. He comes from a bigger Italian family and confessed he fought often with his brothers. But if someone went against one of the Arduini brothers, the boys had each other’s backs. Even in the sudsiest of shows, Dallas proves family is family.

-Grief brings a paradigm shift. When my dad passed away, the patriarch was gone. My mom was a widow, and my sister and I were without a dad. Everything changed. Although we returned in time to a normal, it was a new one. Watching Bobby Ewing return from identifying his big brother’s body, you saw the shift take place. He immediately excused himself and went to work behind den doors. He is now the patriarch and all plans to honor his brother were on him. He’s also traditionally known as the “good” brother, and now he’s conflicted. It’s the Ewing way to avenge an Ewing death, and the burden is his to make it happen. Will he remain good, or will his remaining days on South Fork be a blend or total character change? With death, nothing remains the same.

–The Daddy Complex. What made the first Dallas so engaging boiled down was a quest of an older son wanting the love of a harsh, hard pleasing father. That became an obsession for JR’s character because after the first season, Jim Davis, the man who portrayed patriarch Jock  Ewing, passed away and Jock’s character was also gone. JR never got to hear his daddy’s approval, and his mom’s love focused on younger brother Bobby. The rest of the show was JR chasing a dad’s approval he would never get, and keeping a feud alive with a family that started with Jock’s friend turned enemy.  The fight continued between Jock Ewing/Digger Barnes sons, and the Ewing/Barnes feud continues today.

In the reboot, John Ross was constantly motivated by wanting JR’s approval, yet conflicted because his mom suffered so because of his father’s misdeeds. Before JR was killed, he let his son know he not only loved him, but approved of him, calling him a Ewing from “tip to tail.” My writing side was fascinated with the tribute episode because the quest ended, but now the story lines multiply. Why? Because the son, the brother, and those that truly loved JR will avenge his death. And in writing, of course with every action comes a reaction.

Can you think of a character on TV or a book that impacted you when they died? Did any death scene or tribute trigger something about your life?

image: TNT

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Learning From Experience by Hannah Alexander

Posted on March 12, 2013 by alexanderhodde

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Have you ever made an awkward move and tripped? Most folks do. Have you ever spaced out and found yourself unintentionally running a stop sign or a traffic signal? I have a friend who once glanced down at her cell phone to enter a number and glanced up again, too late to stop herself from ramming into the pick-up that had suddenly stopped in front of her. I have another friend who panicked when a spider lowered itself on a web into her face while she was driving and had a fender bender–which is why I always keep my windows shut tight when I park my car, even in the garage. I would have bent a fender, myself, if that had happened to me.

Another friend was driving with a puppy loose in the car–no, wait, that was me, back when I was young and stupid and didn’t know about pet taxis. I managed to get the puppy out from under the brake pedal before I had to use it. Oh, and then there was the time, when I was a teenager, when I drove along an empty interstate highway to work while applying nail polish. It’s amazing, but the only wreck I ever had was the fault of the other driver. Looking back, I realize I was danger on wheels for a few years. Never be like me.

Life is full of distractions. Driving has become almost a mindless act after decades of experience, and sometimes we don’t realize how vital our behavior is behind the wheel.

I received some stunning news last night that came as a warning to me, and I hope will warn others: Life is precious, so take precautions.

A lovely young woman named Tammy cleaned our clinic yesterday. It’s been her job for three months. She actually works three different jobs–cleaning, refereeing basketball and night shift at Casey’s. I received a call from her roommate last night that Tammy, who always wears a seatbelt in the car, somehow went off the road along that same interstate where I used to polish my nails. She was found thrown from the vehicle and is in critical condition in ICU. It’s likely she had dropped something–a cell phone, for instance–and unbuckled for just a few seconds to retrieve it. That’s all it takes. Now we’re praying she survives.

Have you ever complained because an older person moved too slowly? I understand it can be frustrating to get behind a slow-moving vehicle on a two-lane road with no place to pass, of course, but there are times when those older people have slowed their actions because of lessons learned the hard way. They’ve slipped and fallen one too many times, and now they’re suffering pain because of it. I’m beginning to understand that better. If I’d moved more slowly when I was younger, if I hadn’t been so rash and impulsive and fallen so many times and done injury to my body, I might feel younger than I do.

If you’re smart, you’ll learn from your mistakes. If you’re brilliant, you’ll learn from the mistakes of others and possibly save a bump or two along the way. Please, if you are inclined to, would you pray for our Tammy today?

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