Happy New Year!

Can you believe it is 2013? It seems a bit strange to me, but I have yet to actually write the date. What type of resolutions have you set for this new year? Each year, I go through the motions of setting resolutions and while I follow some longer than I do others ... well, you know how that goes. Last year, I was blessed to become part of a group on Facebook that read through the Bible. Did I complete the year's worth of readings? No, I didn't. I followed the group progress, however, and stayed in touch with a few members of the group throughout the year. I am disappointed in myself with failing to complete the reading along with the group, but today begins a new year.

My husband and I discussed plans for this new year this morning. What are we going to do? Will we do anything differently than we have in the past? What changes do we want to make? As in years past, I am determined to eat healthier. Do I want to lose weight? Of course I do. Am I making weight loss my goal? Not particularly. This year, I want to focus more on putting healthier food into my body, and learning portion control. I don't plan to focus as much on the numbers, but instead to focus on the process. In keeping with that train of thought, this morning on my trip to Walmart I tried to choose snack items wisely. Knowing that I am by nature a snacker, I portioned the snacks on my return home. Instead of grabbing the box of Cheezits, I can now grab a bag that holds a single serving. It will not be easy, nor will I always be successful. My intention today? To take it one day at a time. Every day, I will make a concentrated effort to eat healthier. I don't know how it will work, but if I try, I will at least know what needs improvement.

I told Rob that I planned to read through the Bible this year, and asked him if he wanted to read with me. To my surprise, he said yes! I asked him where he wanted to start, and he said "At the beginning! Genesis!" Both of us puttered around a bit more, then he stated that he was going to bed. I looked at him and said "We didn't read yet." I then asked him if he wanted to read aloud. He agreed, and we read the first two chapters of Genesis. 

There is more to Genesis, however, than just words on a page. The first two chapters of Genesis deal with creation. Talk about an area of controversy for some! I believe in creation. I believe that God made the heavens and the earth, and all the living creatures - man included. I believe that God made apes and God made man and that we did not develop from the apes. There are many who disagree, and I respect their right to do so. 

Our reading this morning generated a discussion that lasted three times as long as the reading itself. And that, I believe, is what a good reading is all about. 

Almighty God, we cherish you and trust in you to provide. Work within us to give us strength, and to draw us even closer. May we live each day as you would have us do, and may we remember that we are your creation.

"This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created, when the Lord God made the earth and the heavens." ~ Genesis 2:4 NIV

What Am I Here For?

Ten years ago, Rick Warren had millions of people searching for the answer to that question in his amazing book The Purpose Driven Life. Touted by Publishers Weekly as the "bestselling non-fiction hardback in history", Zondervan has released an expanded edition of this explosive book in celebration of its anniversary.

Designed to be read over a period of 40 days, The Purpose Driven Life starts off by putting the reader in a reflective mode. Is it not worth 40 days of your life to find the purpose God has for you? Warren mentions several significant 40 day periods mentioned in the Bible (Noah and the rain, Moses on Mount Sinai, David and Goliath, and the transformation of the city of Nineveh), and encourages the reader to take this book a chapter at a time. What is there to be said that has not already been said over the past 10 years? The expanded edition includes video introductions to each of the 42 chapters by author Rick Warren, audio lessons at the end of each chapter that offer more than 30 hours of additional teaching by Rick Warren, two new chapters that cover the most common barriers to living a purpose driven life, and access to an online community offering discussions, feedback, and support.

This book has the potential to change your life - if you absorb its content and take it in the context in which it was written. You have to WANT a change to happen, and you have to be willing to accept that change. Approaching the possibility of change with an open heart, an open mind, and faith in Christ to lead you in the direction that He would have you go will lead you down paths you may have never considered possible. Are you willing to lead a purpose driven life?

If you took the challenge at any time during the past ten years, how do you feel about that challenge today? Are you willing to revisit the challenge? Transform your life - live with purpose.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Grace

Given the opportunity to receive books in exchange for writing a review is a book-a-holic's dream. As a fan of the writings of Max Lucado, I was more than excited to have the opportunity to read his newest release, Grace. When I received my copy in the mail, I sat down and started to read ... I had barely started the book when I realized that this book, while written in the easy conversationalist style of the other Max Lucado books I've read in the past, was speaking to me in a way that nothing I have recently read has done.

As you can see from the cover image, the smaller print underneath the title reads "More than we deserve   Greater than we imagine."

 

What do you think of when you hear the word grace? The examples used in the book (grace period, grace note, fall from grace) are familiar. Grace, to me, means that I am blessed indeed. Grace means that God gives to me - as Max outlines on the cover - far more than I deserve. "Grace is the voice that calls us to change and then gives us the power to pull it off," on page 8. Moving over to page 23, we see grace further defined as God-given "when it causes indignation ... alarm ... longing ... concern ... readiness to see justice done" (2 COR 7:11 NIV). I agree with that statement! It's a wake up call, God patting you on the shoulder saying "Wake up and pay attention!"

 

Moving further into the book, on page 98, Max explains sustaining grace far better than I would have been able to do. "Sustaining grace meets us at our point of need and equips us with courage, wisdom, and strength. It surprises us in the middle of our personal transatlantic flights with ample resources of faith. Sustaining grace promises not the absence of struggle, but the presence of God." In that final sentence, it is made vividly clear to me just how boundless God's grace is. It does not promise that we will have no struggle, but that God will be with us always. What power in those words!

 

Delve into Grace. Let the beauty of Max Lucado's words envelop you. Be thankful for God's grace and realize how blessed you truly are. The reader's guide by Kate Etue at the end of the book goes over each chapter, offering scripture review and questions to further expand your study of grace. It is suitable for a book group, or individual study.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

 

 

 

Healing Is A Choice by Stephen Arterburn

As a nurse, the title of this book curiously called out to me. A choice? Interesting. And so the journey began.

Some months ago, I received the book Healing Is A Choice by Stephen Arterburn. The cover entices you with the statements "Ten decisions that will transform your life and ten lies that can prevent you from making them". Intrigued and curious, I began to read ...

From the preface of this edition, the book spoke to me in ways I never dreamed possible. "I knew God hated divorce, but I did not fully understand many of the reasons until I went through it myself. The pain of it all is more intense than I ever imagined, and that pain lasts much longer than I had expected. It is not totally out of my system yet, even years later. It lingers deep in my heart, and no matter how effectively I grieve, I suspect that there will be some painful residue for the rest of my life." Can the author read my mind?? I didn't know what to think already, and I had not yet started chapter one!!

This book delves deep, hits home, and encourages you to ask sometimes painful questions of yourself. Answering them honestly will be one of the best things you can do to help put yourself on the road to true healing. This is not a one-time read -- I think it is going to be, at least for me, a reference work that I turn to for answers. Not only are the questions designed to make you think, but the examples and stories provided can sometimes have the effect of making you look over your shoulder to see if someone is reading your mind!

Read this book. Take his words as they are meant, to help you unlock the healing potential within. "There is no excuse good enough to lead a life less than you were called by God to lead." How true. Thank you, Stephen Arterburn, for that reminder.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. 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
Note: I received a copy of this book for free from Booksneeze and loaned it to a friend who has yet to return it. I bought another copy because it meant that much to me! Well worth the read!

How Does It Feel?

In 1965, Bob Dylan penned a song that, to this day, is considered one of the greatest rock songs ever written. Instead of the happiness that seems to permeate the music most relate to the sixties sound, its words are angry and sarcastic. Dylan jeers at Miss Lonely's fall from her ivory tower, asking repeatedly "how does it feel?"

I love music. When I have to do something that I do not particularly want to do, such as clean the house, I tend to turn on (and turn up) the music. Our cable provider has a channel that plays a mix of 60s music, and I felt like that would be a good fit tonight. Suddenly I hear a familiar intro and the in- your-face, unmistakable voice of Bob Dylan asking "How Does It Feel?"

How does it feel

How does it feel

To be without a home

Like a complete unknown

Like a rolling stone?

 

 

The harmonica, the guitar, the organ: none of these can disguise the power in these simple words.

 

Do you ever feel like this? I can't say that I do quite as much as I used to, but there have been days when I have felt EXACTLY like this! I have had days (weeks, even) when I just wondered why on earth I was even here. There have been dark times. Times when I wondered if it was worth getting out of bed in the morning ... what was the purpose? There have been days in the past when I felt as if I had no home ... even though I have never, and I do mean truly NEVER, been without a home in my life. I had so much to be thankful for, why was I acting so sullen and silly? I had family, friends, and did not want for much of anything. Even in the leanest of times, I never had to go without.

 

Tonight, this song made me think about something that the past few years has been teaching me: without Jesus as a focus in my life, I am without a home. Oh sure, I have a roof over my head and a bed to lie in every night. I have a vehicle to drive, I earned an education, and I have a job. Factually speaking, the only one of these that I have ever been without is a job, and that was by choice.

 

Further on in the song, Dylan asks Miss Lonely

 

Ain't it hard when you discover that

He really wasn't where it's at

After he took from you everything he could steal

How does it feel

How does it feel

To be on your own

With no direction home

 

What better description of the pathway of your life when you realize that Satan gives you nothing, only takes? Without Jesus, you are on your own. He is the direction home, to heaven. Jesus is everywhere ... even in the lyrics of a classic Bob Dylan song.

 

Jesus, thank you for opening my ears to hear what you were speaking to me tonight. Please help me to listen always, and to never underestimate your ability to make yourself known. Help me be the words that someone hears to bring them closer to you.

 

"So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale."~Daniel 10:8 NIV