Book Review by Julie Arduini

Posted on August 4, 2023 by juliearduini

Do you sometimes feel as though your body is a problem to solve? Discover how to make it part of the solution instead. It’s now known that the emotional and relational pain we’ve lived through has a profound negative physical effect on our bodies. Alisa Keeton, popular fitness professional, proposes that the reverse is also true: What we do with our bodies can have a dramatic positive effect on our emotions, relationships, and our connection with God. In The Body Revelation, she shows us how to use our bodies as a means of healing past pain and promoting physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Too often, people of faith are taught to ignore, avoid, or forget our bodies, but Alisa reminds us that God calls our bodies good and cares about our pain. Offering a variety of physical and spiritual practices as well as stories from her own journey, Alisa walks us through six steps for metabolizing personal pain; shows us how understanding the mind/body/soul connection can help us make healthier choices; teaches us how to achieve well-being and live for more than a number on a scale, and more!

Other features of this book include:

  • adverse childhood experiences questionnaire for helping you process past pain
  • movement calendar
  • food journal template

You can enrich your life, celebrate your body, and find holistic wellness. Journey alongside Alisa, and discover scientifically based, biblically-sound mind-body tools to forever change how you process pain so that you can experience emotional freedom, physical renewal, and spiritual transformation.

Julie’s Review:

I rarely sign on to do book reviews because I don’t have the time. It’s very rare when I post a review from my own reading time because I’m behind on reading. Writing a review before I finish a book? Unheard of.

I felt compelled to share my thoughts on Alisa Keeton’s The Body Revelation because I receive enough feedback when I share a post here to know we live in a broken world and there are readers right now who are hurting.

I raise my hand with you.

Two years past my mom’s death, God continues to peel the onion layers of my life back, and I’m discovering things now that I believe He kept from me until I was ready to process and heal.

-I became so natural at stuffing my feelings I literally held my breath sometimes

-Anxiety has been part of my life forever, yet I never realized how much so until recently

-Stomach issues recently diagnosed I believe are in part because of stress I never dealt with

At the same time, I deal with hormonal imbalance and heavier menopause symptoms than most. My weight isn’t where I’d like it to be, but I’ve reached a place where I know it’s not time for another weight loss adventure or pyramid scheme. I want healing. If that leads to a change in my pant size, hallelujah..

Enter The Body Revelation. I read the above before the actual book release and I was intrigued. Now that I’m 2/3 done reading it, I’m transforming. My pant size? I don’t think so, and that’s okay. I’m discovering and expressing feelings. I’m asking God for help. And I’m moving more. These are all changes since I’ve started reading.

What makes this book extra special is it is more than a read. Alisa includes links with each chapter for movement. While I walk my dog, I listen to the latest chapter. She has workout music that isn’t cheesy as she leads you through the chapter. It isn’t instead of reading, but in addition to reading. She also has a meditate type link, and I listen to that before bed. The information is getting to me because I’m not just reading it. I’m hearing it, and applying it.

She also has sections to metabolize and pray, and I believe they are key.

Not only that, but her podcast has a season where it aligns with the book. I am listening to that, too.

The book contains her own story, as well as stories from people you can relate to. She includes Biblical information that backs up the principles, but isn’t preachy. She also has scientific evidence that is easy to understand but doesn’t contradict Scripture.

She says in the book that the Bible states we will have trouble. Swap out trouble for trauma. Some of our trauma is a T, and some of it is a t. All of it is painful and must be dealt with.

The Body Revelation is transforming my life and I’m only 2/3 done. Are my pants smaller? I don’t think so, not yet. However, I’m recognizing things, past and present. I’m looking at the Trauma and traumas of my life and expressing feelings, asking God for help. I’m breathing more and moving. These are all since reading. I still reach for chocolate when overwhelmed, but I’m seeing that as a choice I’m making, not blindly eating. That’s a victory. With His help, I will choose Him first.

If you’re tired of living like I was, or being in pain, I HIGHLY recommend The Body Revelation. Your body will thank you.

Posted in Julie Arduini, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Riffing Off My Pastor’s Sermon by Patricia Bradley

Posted on August 3, 2023 by Patricia Bradley

I wonder if it’s Kosher to steal your pastor’s sermon for a blog post? I hope so, but if not, I’ve always been somewhat of a rebel. However, I don’t think he’d mind.

In the spring when I was six, there were numerous tornadoes in our area, and every time someone was interviewed (there was even a segment on Queen for a Day–how many of you remember that program–) about surviving the storm, the person would describe the tornado as sounding like a freight train or a big jet warming up to take off.

Well, it just so happened that I lived near the Memphis airport. Yep, every time one of those big jets fired up, it sounded like distant thunder. And to make matters worse, the older boy across the street from me discovered the sound terrified me, and he would yell, “Run! There’s a tornado coming!”

Well, my little six-year-old heart would go into overdrive and my stomach would clench even on a clear day, and off I’d run home to hide with tears streaming down my face. (I often wonder whatever happened to that kid…got into serious trouble, I’m sure…)

I wish I could tell you that I depended on Jesus to help me, but at that point, I knew little about Him. No, eventually I got a little older, and learn ed that storms didn’t generally come out of a blue sky. It was only later in life that I found Jesus and Philippians 4:6.

Philippians 4:6 is one of my go-to verses even when I’m not anxious. But how does one not be anxious with everything that’s going on in the world? Some of those reports send my heart racing like the rumble of jets did when I was six. And it’s not only world happenings–how about those personal events, and for writers, deadlines? How do you shut everything off at night and go to sleep?

For starters, I would stop watching the news. Or what passes for the news. Years ago, we found out what was happening when we tuned into a thirty-minute broadcast at 6 p.m. from one of four TV stations or caught an occasional report on the radio.

Now the news is called entertainment, and every report is sensationalized. We’re bombarded with all the terrible happenings 24/7. If we choose.

And don’t get me started on social media. I know, it’s great for keeping up with family, but there’s something much better–like sitting down around the dinner table and everyone talking about how their day went. Again, it’s a matter of what you choose.

It’s no wonder we have such a hard time going to sleep at night. So what do you do when you can’t turn your mind off at night?

I don’t know about you, but I’ve found that when negative thoughts bombard me and keep sleep at bay, running Scripture verses through my mind helps calm it down. Or, I’ll pick up my Bible and read a few psalms.

If that fails, I start with A and go through the alphabet praising God. For example, Almighty God, Blessed Savior, Christ the Lord…you get the idea. By the time I get to Z, my heart is lifted up and my mind is calm.

How about you? What ways do you suggest to stop anxiety from squeezing the breath out of you?

Posted in Patricia Bradley, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Questions by James R. Coggins

Posted on August 2, 2023 by jrcoggins

John 21, the story of the resurrected Jesus appearing to His close followers on the shore of the Sea of Galilee raises a number of questions that Christians would do well to ask themselves. These questions call for self-examination. Some of these questions will be more relevant to some Christians at some times than others.

1. The disciples did not at first recognize Jesus’ presence (verses 4-7). Where might Jesus be working in my life right now that I have failed to recognize? Do I really believe Jesus is working in my life?

2. One focus of the passage is Peter’s restoration after he spectacularly denied Jesus. What failures/disloyalties/sins do I need to be restored from?

3. Jesus first provided the disciples with a miraculous catch of fish from the sea and then fed them fish and bread he had cooking on a fire on shore (verses 6-13). How is God ministering to me and supplying me with the things I need today?

4. There is nothing wrong with being a fisherman, but God had called Peter to do something else. What is it that God has called me to do? What has He called me not to do?

5. Jesus called Peter to feed other sheep. What is my responsibility to other people in my life? Is there something I should be doing to feed, supply, assist, or encourage someone else?

6. When Peter looked over His shoulder and asked about John’s fate, Jesus rebuked him. Could I be guilty of comparing myself to others, priding myself on my greater faithfulness, or envying someone else’s easier journey? For what could Jesus be rebuking me today?

7. When Jesus challenged Peter, “Do you truly love me?”, He used the word “agape” (self-sacrificing love). In this challenge, in Jesus’ prophecy of Peter’s end (like Jesus, he would be crucified), and in Jesus’ call to Peter to “follow me,” there is a suggestion that “When God calls a person, He calls that person to come and die.” What is it that I need to die to? What do I need to sacrifice, to lay down on the altar?

8. Jesus did not ask Peter whether he loved his work, his fellow disciples, or the sheep he would feed. Rather, Jesus’ fundamental question, before commissioning Peter to minister, was: Do you love Me? Jesus asks the same question of us. Do I love Jesus?

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Prayer by Peggy Webb

Posted on August 1, 2023 by Vicki Hinze

I play piano for church services every Sunday evening, and I always tell the congregation the history of the song. This past Sunday, I played a song that reminded me of the power of prayer and the many ways God has cared for me because of it—”How Long Has It Been” by Mosie Lister.

Mosie was a minister, a singer (most famously with the Statesman Quartet), and a composer. Many of his songs have become gospel classics because of both the beauty of the music and the powerful message he delivers in the lyrics. 

He says he wrote the lyrics for “How Long Has It Been” in ten minutes because he was on fire with the need to tell others about prayer. He grew up in a household where the family prayed together, and he started thinking. Do families still teach their children to pray? Is prayer still important to them? Do they still understand its power? How long has it been since anybody talked to God?

These lyrics flew from his pen:

How long has it been since you talked with the Lord

And told him your heart’s hidden secrets?

How long since you prayed? How long since you stayed 

On your knees till the light shone through?

How long has it been since your mind felt at ease?

How long since your heart knew no burden?

Can you call him your friend? How long has it been

           Since you knew that he cared for you?

How long has it been since you knelt by your bed

And prayed to the Lord up in Heaven?

How long since you knew that he’d answer you

And would keep you the long night through?

How long has it been since you woke with the dawn

And felt this day is worth living?

Can you call him your friend? How long has it been

Since you knew that he cared for you?

One of the most powerful prayers I ever prayed was also simple, three little words, God protect me. I wrote about it in a recent post here. Those three words were spoken as I left the pool at the aquatic center. Forty seconds later, I slipped and fell on the apron of the pool–BUT, a small rubber mat moderated the damage the concrete would have done to my face, and doctors say the towel I had slung around my neck that day (I usually hang it over my shoulder) kept it from breaking. 

Prayer. I won’t go a single day without it.

God is good.

 Peggy Webb

Posted in Peggy Webb | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Growing Pains by Nancy J. Farrier

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Nancy J. Farrier

This past weekend we were visiting our daughter, son-in-law, and newest grandson. The baby is two months old. He’s trying to move but doesn’t have the coordination to go anywhere. His arms wave, his legs bunch up, but he’s still on his stomach, head lifted, and an expression that looks like utter frustration.

I’ve always thought it’s good that babies have no memory of these early months and years of life because the difficulty of learning all the motor skills and speech skills might be depressing if they remembered. Their lack of agility might seem like they are tied down with no way to get free, as if their lack of knowledge and understanding keep them immobilized.

I am reminded of my early days as a Christian. My only knowledge of the Bible were some Bible stories I heard as a child, and many of those memories weren’t all that accurate. I didn’t know scripture or what God wanted me to do. I had the desire to tell people about my new-found beliefs but was often immobilized by my ignorance of the Christian faith.

It took time for me to study God’s word and to learn enough to feel a modicum of comfort when I tried to tell people why I believed in Jesus. I had to start with baby steps, with memorization and reading, and then I graduated to greater understanding as I read commentaries and did deeper studies.

Imagine that little baby giving up as they try to move across the floor without the coordination to make their arms and legs move properly. They never learn to sit up or crawl. They can’t feed themselves, walk, or even talk because it’s just too hard to learn.

This is not the way babies are. They struggle, and in that struggle, they grow and develop. They learn to crawl, then walk, run, and jump. They don’t give up but persevere in order to learn what they need to be the person they are supposed to be.

The same goes in our Christian walk. Sometimes it’s a struggle to understand God’s will for our lives or to plumb the depths of the Bible and share with others. It’s easier to sit in a pew once a week and let the Pastor talk about the scripture and call that good enough. However, that does little good if we don’t exercise our ability to grow in grace and knowledge by working to deepen our faith. If we only listen to a Pastor we are stunted Christians with no real depth or understanding.

Daily Bible study, prayer time, interaction with fellow Christians, and ministering to non-Christians are all part of growing from babies in Christ to become seasoned Christians. It isn’t easy, but it is necessary. 

Just like that little baby works to learn small motor skills and then goes on to develop more skills, we must start small but persist in our Christian growth. There is always something to learn, whether as a person or as a Christian. Embrace the effort and continue on. Press on every day to grow in knowledge and understanding. Become a seasoned Christian.

“…as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby…” 2 Peter 2:2 (ESV)

“…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)

Posted in Nancy J. Farrier | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Nora’s Review of: Cold Light of Day by Elizabeth Goddard

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Vicki Hinze

Cold Light of Day by Elizabeth Goddard

Published by: Revell, 352 Pages

NORA’S REVIEW: Buckle up for a grand adventure in Alaska as author Elizabeth Goddard takes readers on a memorable ride through the small town of Shadow Gap where we meet Police Chief Autumn Long and Grier. Autumn and Greer are chasing the bad guys and fighting the elements of the Alaska wilderness, including avalanches. 

 Grier couldn’t stand by and not help in the rescue. He was supposed to lie low and wait on a word from his contact, but the police chief had grabbed his attention. He could see she needed help. Grier was trained for times like these. Therefore, he could not stay hidden.

This is an exciting, adventure that showcases the beauty and dangers of the Alaskan terrain. I loved it. There is a mystery to solve, a murderer to catch, and Who was this mysterious man name Grier, who just happened to be at the right place at the time Autumn needed him?

The author keeps readers guessing until the very end. There are plenty of twists and turns to make things interesting. I enjoyed the natural spiritual thread and the splash of romance as readers wonder if this couple will ever get together. This was a fun escape and one to is book club worthy.

 Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent

TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! 

The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

Posted in Nora St. Laurent | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Dare I Hope? In all things?

Posted on July 27, 2023 by Ann Malley

How many of us have fallen short of dreaming big for fear of disappointing ourselves? I’m not speaking of fame, fortune, or a power position at some Fortune 100 company. The hope I’m speaking of is that which we grasp in lieu of tears and terror during those dark nights that grind our spirits into the mud.

Sorry for being all doom and gloom, but most of those reading this post will have at least one experience of the above. When serious illness strikes, we often gird ourselves by expecting the worst so positive news will come as a joy. The loss of a job, a home, a or reputation can devastate us. During contentious times when a family splits for seemingly petty or even wholly justifiable reasons—we’ve been there, too—we shield ourselves by shunning all thought of hope.

We hide out in the shadow of the Valley of Tears, and tell ourselves that this is how life goes. Don’t think about it. Distraction is the answer because there’s zero that we can do outside lower our expectations.

When a beloved child goes his way, heading toward known danger with a full head of steam while entertaining the same invincibility that we once had, it tears flesh from bone. To see said child aided and abetted by those who were friends but are really accomplices sparks the need to fret, badmouth, pull the been-there-done-that card, and generally give up Christian principles by doing the opposite of what Christ told us we should do for a perceived enemy.

Matthew 5:43-48

You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.

Who is the enemy, though? Those evil influences? The older, bolder pal or family member who leads the way toward a so-called pleasure garden? Sure. There are plenty of black hats in the scenario of a wayward anyone. Yet, oftentimes we are the enemy, hating on ourselves for perceived failure. What we did or didn’t do becomes the beating stick for choices over which we, ultimately, had no control.

God is in the driver’s seat and thank God.

When we fail to acknowledge that logistical realty, we become the worst enemy of all. We miss the truth that we are the one being tested when cherished attachments are torn away. Yes, our child is facing dangers. But didn’t we? Weren’t we allowed to burn our hand on the stove now and again to reinforce the truth that actions have consequences?

Our children are not our own, precisely. We’re stewards, really, granted the privilege of nurturing particular souls who, whether we’ll have it or not, will be tested. Or do you still carry your grown children around in a snuggle sack?

My poor mother suffered immeasurably when each one of her eight children put her through trials of which I am now ashamed. The late 60’s and 70’s and 80’s provided more than wild times in the San Francisco Bay Area. Haight Ashbury calling. Love-Ins. Protests of all kinds. The Night Stalker. The Zodiac Killer. Short shorts & micro-mini skirts. Communes & the Vietnam War. I hope you’re smiling a little recalling your own exploits and God’s ultimate goodness.)

But such is life Mom would say by the time I came along. Witnessing faith and patience in action was one of many benefits to being the youngest as I watched classic movies with Mom till wee hours. Monitoring the when/where/how siblings would slip into the house was a must. And, meanwhile, I learned Mom belonged to an all girl’s ‘gang’ in the 30’s. She was a jitterbug queen who broke curfew. She dared to wear scarlet lipstick and hid in the barn from a blazingly angry, alcoholic dad.

She stole watermelons only to motorcycle through orchards with my father of equal repute. They married when she was only 16. (Amazingly she turned 18 when crossing the CA/NV border, tying the knot in Carson City after being foiled in CA for being under age.) Southern Comfort was my tea-totaling mother’s drink of choice. She even accompanied the Portuguese milkman on his rounds and was the talk of the neighborhood since she and Dad were courting. The vamp!

Was my grandmother beside herself?

Absolutely. The Swedish-speaking immigrant with barely two words of English, the same farmer’s wife who never left the house, visited the high school. Surely the principal could help with this wild child. But no. God had his plan. And none of the above was my grandmother’s fault. She was being, however. Grandma Wilhelmina (Minnie) used to turn the clock back to keep my mother from being caught being late. I’d hardly label that a grave sin as Grandmother did whatever possible to keep peace in the house.

This is how my mom understood that she was being tested by me and my siblings when her turn came. I’m in the hot seat now. We are, tasked with hoping in all things, while sadly doing the opposite and often making matters worse. (If you haven’t experienced that, good for you. Thank God!)

But hope is not putting a bag over one’s head. It’s not being in denial. Or walking around like a tranquilized zombie who fails to notice the dangers all around. Not at all. We need to do all that we can when we can. Christians are called to spread the faith by practicing what we preach.

That means leaving off the pretense that ‘we’ could have done x, y, or z to obtain a better outcome. Doing something different would have led to an entirely different set of trials. That’s the truth. The wanting isn’t nearly as sweet as the having. Who hasn’t learned that?

So, cut the self-loathing if you’re in that dark night. Advise those you love and those you don’t—yet—to do the same. God is God.

Each individual is his own closest neighbor. And if we’re to love others as we love ourself, we should focus on forgiving ourselves first. Be compassionate. Understand that you’re human, too. Our children and families belong to God. We belong to God.

So do HOPE in all things. Give up the lie of ultimate control because we all know how baffling it is to be helpless. It’s crazier still to pretend we can solve other people’s problems when we’re busy hating on our closest neighbor. And sometimes when you let go, and let God, he’ll supply what you’ve earned by way of trust. An answer to prayer that’s far more glorious than you ever hoped.

I’ve recently received a joyous answer to unceasing prayer. My petitions weren’t always spoken but experienced by way of ongoing yearning, hope, tears, desperation, & the attempt to trust God and not myself. I failed more often than not, but Mary Alford’s previous post about Failing God can help with that.

The prayers of others very dear to me, those suffering similar trials, helped tremendously. I’d dare say the prayers of others helped almost instantaneously and that has only girded my faith that God’s word IS. I am not. And…

Matthew 18: 20

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Remember it, yes, but live as if these words are reality because they are despite what fear hisses to your heart. God bless and thank you one and all for your prayers and well wishes! I pray God’s will to be done for one and all, as his plans are perfection itself.

Posted in Ann Malley | Leave a comment

Imperfect Voices by James R. Coggins

Posted on July 26, 2023 by jrcoggins

I grew up in a small town with limited cultural opportunities. We didn’t have television until I was about seven. The only movie theater lasted just a short time. High school plays and band concerts were the extent of the arts on offer.

Going away to university greatly broadened my horizons. The university had a good music program, and I remember going to a Christmas concert there. A soloist sang, “I’m Just a Poor Wafaring Stranger.” It was the first time I had heard the song, and I was mesmerized. I mentioned to a friend how much I had appreciated the song, but she said she had not. I was not surprised. She was musically gifted and far more cultured than I was, and, to be fair, the singer’s voice and performance had been far from perfect. But that did not lessen my appreciation.

I was reminded of this event recently when I had a discussion with my cousin about the music we have listened to and still listen to. The conversation turned to Bob Dylan. I stated that Dylan was a great poet and songwriter and a cultural icon. He had a profound impact on the world in ways that went far beyond music. But I added that Dylan was not a very good singer. I have Dylan songs on my iPod, sung by other artists, but none sung by Dylan.

My cousin is far more knowledgeable and gifted than I am when it comes to music. He was in a rock band, after all. He agreed that Dylan’s voice can be “pretty harsh,” but added that his voice worked well on select material, including the songs “Like A Rolling Stone,” “Sweetheart Like You,” and “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”

My cousin is correct, of course. A good song requires an appropriate blend of singer and song. If you are singing about heartbreak and brokenness, it helps if your voice is rough and slightly imperfect—not terrible and out of tune like my voice, but still flawed. If a singer (or a choir) sings about brokenness in a perfect, clear, and beautiful voice, then it comes across as unauthentic. If you are heartbroken and in pain, your voice should not deliver joy and beauty. Brokenness needs to be expressed by both the voice and the lyrics.

The same is probably true for authors and books. You cannot write about pain and anguish (or love and joy) if you have never experienced any. An editor once advised me, “If you want to be a great writer, live deeply.” The best singers and writers are poor, wayfaring strangers traveling a path that is hard and steep, facing sickness, toil, and danger, on the way to a perfect place.

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What if I Fail?

Posted on July 25, 2023 by Author Mary Alford

We all have a God-given purpose for our lives. We pray and ask God to reveal what He wants us to do for Him and He is faithful to let us know the purpose and equip us. But what if we fail?

I don’t doubt that God called me to write for Him any more than I doubt that I have failed Him many times.

The Bible is filled with flawed characters who all they had to do was what God asked them to do and everything would be fine. But guess what—they didn’t. They failed.

Beginning with Adam and Eve. They lived in the Garden of Eden, God’s paradise on earth. They had everything they needed. God’s only direction to Adam was don’t eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Which they did of course, and because of it, sin entered the world. Hope seemed lost. It wasn’t. God already had a plan in place to fix their mistake.

Abraham and Sarah took matters into their own hands and decided to “help” God along in His promise and look how that turned out. Yet still, God made it work and blessed Abraham.

David was a man after God’s own heart and yet he committed adultery and then murder. God forgave David and got him back on track. And from David’s line, the Messiah came.

One of Jesus’ chosen followers failed Him. Peter denied he knew Jesus and yet he later became a great apostle and served God until he was martyred.    

There are so many examples of people who failed God in the Bible and yet He made it all work out.

So, no matter what your purpose is for God, even if you’ve failed miserably in the past, don’t give up. God is in the business of fixing our mistakes and setting us back on the right track.

What an amazing God we serve.

2 Corinthians 12:9 says, And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Many blessings!

Mary

www.maryalford.net  

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Please Don’t Let Me Go by Julie Arduini

Posted on July 21, 2023 by juliearduini

Thanks to a very anxious dog, I spent late afternoons through late night in our basement movie room where the sound drowns out the massive fireworks. This schedule started weekends in late June, a few days before and after the 4th, and weekends after.

I watched a lot of movies during that time.

Fast X, a few Mission Impossible movies, and not quite a movie, I started and finished, The Chosen, Season 3.

I’m glad I was isolated in the basement because I ugly cried. As I watched, I was silently bemoaning that I know Jesus is real. I know He’s working miracles across the globe. Yet there are prayers I’ve prayed for years that remain unanswered. In most situations. the people are worse off than ever.

To see the woman with the issue of blood basically take a nosedive in the crowd to access the hem of His garment, that’s faith. And His response? It sent me to another ugly cry. I lamented if Jesus even hears, and there He is portrayed as He truly is. Hearing. Caring. Loving. Moving.

But my lesson wasn’t over.

Simon, oh abrasive, spontaneous Simon. In Season 3 his faith is tested. He understands he’s part of history. He’s blessed to walk with the Messiah and carry out the mission to tell others about Him. He’s watching miracles. He’s participated in them.

But.

But like us all, Simon faced personal storms severe enough for him to ask great, raw questions. He wrestlec with it all and wore emotions on his sleeve.

I’ve been there.

Bet you have, too.

Without giving too much away, Jesus of course knew all the pain and questions. He wanted to deal with it, and His way was to test Simon Peter’s faith.

The scene ended with a broken Simon clinging, clinging to Jesus. Over and over he repeated to Jesus, “Please don’t let me go.”

I can’t get that scene out of my mind. Every time I’m frustrated I think about it. When I feel God doesn’t hear, I think of Jesus holding Simon and loving him. When I hear about those I’m praying for not doing well, I repeat the words from that episode, “Jesus, please don’t let me go.”

I never want to be so bitter I cast Jesus away.

I never want to be so proud that I’m cavalier about needing Him.

I never want to believe the lie that I’m too far gone for Jesus to show up and care.

Show up?

He’s there.

With open arms, ready to accept us no matter what we look like or have done. Or didn’t do.

If you’re battling discouragement, I pray this touches you. If you haven’t watched The Chosen, I encourage you to give it a chance. It’s not perfect, but it presents the Gospel in a way I personally find Biblical.

God bless you as you seek His Son today.

Posted in Julie Arduini, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Let Him be the gate of your life.

Posted on July 20, 2023 by dtopliff

Delores Topliff

John 10:7-11

7 Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

I don’t have a photo from that special day except this that I found online. On my first trip to Israel in 1984, the Lord connected me to a network of friends that opened many opportunities for me. For volunteering to assemble lecture papers and paint benches for Biblical Resources Learning Institute then between Gilo and Bethlehem, I was included on several unforgettable day trips. On the north side of the road midway between Jerusalem and Jericho, our guide led us through a dry field to a stone corral. It had thorn brush piled high above its walls to keep out foxes and other predators, but no gate. We asked our guide why the gate was missing. He had us offer several guesses and then he gave this answer.

“The shepherd folds his own body into that space each night to close the opening and protect his sheep. He sleeps there or fights there as the need may be.”

Those words still give me chills. Some Bible versions translate the term door instead of gate, but in Strong’s Concordance entry #2374 its meaning is the same:

  1. a door
    1a) the vestibule
    1b) used of any opening like a door, an entrance, way or passage into the door through which sheep go in and out.

How blessed we are that our good shepherd interposes his own self between us and all harm. All we have to do is stay near him and graze, and drink, and then rest where He guides us. Many other scriptures speak of our shepherd leading and caring for us, but those of the shepherd protecting us with his life mean the most to me. May they also bless you today and every day.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Wounds of Christ by James R. Coggins

Posted on July 19, 2023 by jrcoggins

A few years ago, my wife had major surgery. Fortunately, it was laparoscopic surgery. Rather than one massive incision, the surgeon made four small incisions an inch or two long to insert scopes and tubes into the interior of her body. This approach is less invasive and leads to faster healing. After about twelve days, a doctor removed the two dozen staples and assorted stitches holding these incisions closed. When the supports were removed, the cuts bled a little. When the stitches were removed from the largest hole, from which the last drainage tube had been removed, a channel about an inch long and half an inch deep opened up. A month after surgery, two of the wounds still had scabs over them and were still weeping a little. My wife was still in considerable pain and relying on pain medication to make the pain bearable.

We somehow have the idea that, after the resurrection, Jesus’ wounds would have been healed completely. But the crucifixion had been only a few days before, and, as John 20:19-31 reveals, His wounds were much larger and deeper than my wife’s. They might have been scabbed over, but they were still there. There were nail holes in Jesus’ hands large enough for Thomas to put his finger into and a gaping hole in Jesus’ side large enough for Thomas to put his hand into. We should not underestimate the bodily and spiritual harm caused by human sin and the tremendous cost Jesus paid to overcome it.

The recent surgery was not the only one my wife has endured. Our eldest daughter was born by emergency caesarean. Because of the urgency, the surgeon made a vertical incision rather than the more cosmetic bikini cut. The result was what might be considered an ugly scar. But, other than doctors, I am the only one who will see it, and I think it is beautiful. You see, the vertical incision was faster, and my wife accepted it in order to save our daughter’s life. I know that that scar is a love mark, a sign of love.

The same is true in the story in John’s Gospel. It is only the eyes of faith that are allowed to clearly see Christ’s wounds, and to such eyes those hideous scars are lovely, the marks of a tremendous self-sacrificing love that have brought life.

Posted in James R. Coggins | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

God’s Children, Part II by Peggy Webb

Posted on July 18, 2023 by Vicki Hinze

Whoever receives one such child in my name, receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.  Matthew 18: 5-6

Kaylee is one of the adorable children who come to my Sunday school class every Sunday, full of innocence, joy, and a love that overflows in spontaneous hugs and giggles and songs. As you can see from the picture of the purple house, Kaylee is an artist. She loves drawing and coloring, and she particularly enjoys decorating her art with stickers of dogs, cats, hearts, butterflies…and rhinestones. Her love of bling makes her a girl after my heart!

She drew the purple house and wrote the sweet letter to me after the horrific slip-and-fall that kept me out of the Sunday school class for a while. She brought me a lovely journal, too. The gifts were her ideas. What a beautiful, giving heart she has! It will be one of her best qualities when she’s a grownup.

She’s a cowgirl, too, and is the cutest little equestrienne in the arena when she enters horse shows. Nurtured by family–loving parents, grandparents, and a large church family–she’s going to grow into a fine Christian woman. 

She will be nurtured and protected by all of us. We will be watchful to protect her from the terrifying trend of usurping parental rights and letting radical public figures destroy her with ideologies that take away her innocence and confuse her about who she is.  

Kaylee knows who she is. She’s an adorable little girl who loves her parents and worships God. Every Sunday, she says, “I love Jesus.” She prays for her family. She listens to Bible stories, and if she doesn’t know the answer to the questions I ask, she always says, “God.” Because…of course, she’s right. God is at the center of everything. She loves freely and with the exuberance and innocence of a child.

We must do everything in our power to protect her and all God’s children.

God is good!

Peggy Webb  

Posted in Peggy Webb | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Finding a Hidden Gem by Tara Randel

Posted on July 17, 2023 by tararandel

At the end of this month, my husband will be traveling to Colorado with some friends to hike up Mount Bierstadt, a 14,065-foot-high mountain summit. (I’m very jealous that I don’t get to guy. Guys trip.) We live in Florida. Where it’s flat. So back in February I suggested he start walking every day to work up his stamina. He’s a healthy guy, works out at the gym regularly, but has never been to that altitude. The round trip to the summit takes about eight hours. Certainly not a stroll in the park.

As the trip grows closer, I wanted to find a place close to home to go hiking so he’d get used to walking a good distance. Ten minutes from my house is Brooker Creek Preserve, which has turned out to be a wonderful place to hike. I’ve driven by the entrance to the park dozens of times and have never stopped to check it out. Did I quickly discover what I was missing!

Our first time there, we walked 5.6 miles in 2 1/2 hours. It didn’t take us long to acclimate to the heat. We went early in the morning, which helped. The paths are shady and once we got moving, our rhythm helped to make the time enjoyable. When we finished, the temperature was hovering close to 90 degrees.

The main loop is 4 miles. If there is no standing water blocking the way, that is. Of course, we didn’t know that, although the name Blackwater Cutoff should have given us a clue. We had to backtrack a few times, which made the trip longer, but I had my trusty walking stick to help me along.

For our second trip, we had a better idea of which trail to follow. No water! We did the entire loop in 2 hours. Still hot, but we got so caught up in the beauty of the preserve, it wasn’t uncomfortable. We had plenty of water, just in case. My husband also carried the backpack he’ll be taking on the trip, filled with necessary items to get used to the weight. What started out as a way for him to get used to walking for miles was a great time for me too. (Especially since I didn’t carry any weight!) I’m actually the one in the family who likes to hike, usually dragging everyone else along when we go on vacation.

We will certainly return to hike the preserve before and after my husband’s trip. It’s amazing that the natural hiking paths are so close to home, yet we’ve never been there. A gem of a find and a great place to spend a few hours minus the phone, social media, and all the stresses of everyday life.

It’s also a reminder of what a magnificent world God has given us. You can’t walk through a place like this and not marvel at God’s creation. God is good!

Tara Randel is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery and of course, love and romance, are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Look for her latest Harlequin Heartwarming romance, HER SURPRISE HOMETOWN MATCH, available now. For more information about her books, visit Tara at www.tararandel.com. Like her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TaraRandelBooks. Sign up for Tara’s Newsletter.

Posted in Tara Randel | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I’ll Take Patience Please!

Posted on July 13, 2023 by Ann Malley

Are you blessed with endless demands and too little time? How about a short fuse? If so, patience is the cure.

Patience is a virtue.

But how do we get some?

Prayer, confidence in God, and plenty of practice dealing with life’s crazies is the way to go. Growth in virtue demands increased trials. Practice makes perfect. Patience will eventually sprout, right? Sounds good on paper, but my breaking point hovers just below the surface more often than I’d like. (That’s pride talking.)

Yet frustration leads to outreach. And while life’s struggles try us, sharing them in all patience strengthens the bond we have with our fellow man. Being honest, vulnerable, and admitting the truth about being just as flawed as the next guy is one way to get the help we need while keeping us humble.

Check out this treasure from my library:

“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them—every day begin the task anew.”

― Francis de Sales

According to the Bible, patience is a virtuous quality that comes with some seriously sweet rewards. It tells us to hang tight with a calm and peaceful heart, knowing that everything will fall into place at the right time. As the Psalmist wisely puts it, “Relax in the Lord and wait patiently for Him” (Psalm 37:7). Basically, it’s all about trusting a higher power and having faith that our wishes will be granted when the moment is just right.

My family has just been blessed with an answer to prayer. Think, “Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” and you’ll get the idea of the past three years. Fear, flagging faith, human instincts, & a host of other temptations are thrown by the devil to derail the patient, fully engaged trust God desires. And for our own benefit…I haven’t been this happy in far too long. Thank the good Lord!

The Bible serves up a host of stories about those who chose the patience game in the face of tough times.

The Book of Job in the Bible is a powerful account of a man named Job who faced tremendous trials and tribulations. It portrays his unwavering faith in the face of immense suffering. One verse that describes Job’s hardships can be found in Job 1:13-19:

“One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, ‘The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!’

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, ‘The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!’

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, ‘The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!’

While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, ‘Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them, and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!'”

Wow! Job’s story is intense, over-the-top. His trials seem to impossible to endure. (Deliver us from temptation!) Yet, through it all, Job still blessed the Lord and waited patiently on his mercy. Job was rewarded. Yes, he likely grieved for his lost loved ones, as we must at times, too. But he never lost faith and was rewarded in kind, not only with a return of earthly goods but a deep and abiding awareness of God’s sovereign goodness.

And it’s not just the Bible that has patience on its VIP list. The Quran says, “Believers! Seek help in patience and in Prayer; Allah is with those that are patient.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:153). That verse is all about how patience brings us closer to the Divine and gives us the strength we need when life gets bumpy.

“Patience is like the ultimate form of self-control,” according to the Buddhist Dhammapada 184). It’s like a spiritual superpower that helps us grow and find freedom from suffering. By nurturing patience, we can rise above our desires and find that inner peace we’re all searching for.

Confucius, that wise old Chinese philosopher, tells us, “Slow and steady wins the race. It doesn’t matter how slowly you go, as long as you don’t stop.” Basically, progress may be turtle-paced, but as long as we keep pushing and stay patient, we’ll reach our goals eventually. (So, stop rushing if you’re able. You’ll feel better.)

Let’s face it, in a world that’s obsessed with quick fixes and instant gratification, developing patience can feel like wild hare herding. We’re constantly bombarded with messages telling us to hurry up and get everything right now. But amidst all the noise, let’s not forget the timeless wisdom of the Bible and other religious scriptures. Patience isn’t a sign of weakness, my friends. This quintessential virtue empowers us to endure, grow, and find contentment in the present moment.

So, take a deep breath and make patience your new BFF. Trust that everything will fall into place when the time is right, because it will!

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments