Finding Your Way Back To God

The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren is one of my all-time favorite books, so to read his comment on this book's cover "Absolutely life-changing!" definitely made me sit up and take notice. I have to say, Dave and Jon Ferguson's Finding Your Way Back To God is seriously worth the read, in my opinion.

I challenge each of you who feel as if your connection with God is not what you want it to be to take this journey with me! The Brothers Ferguson start the book with a bang, reminding us on page 1 that we are not alone, and putting forth a challenge on the very next page to "see if God responds." They then boldly ask "Do you dare?"

I am a child of God. When I was 9, I proclaimed my belief and was baptized. Forty-plus years later, I'm still struggling with my identity. Do I believe? Absolutely! Am I a child of the King? Of course! Do I hear that small, still voice? Sometimes. Or at least I think I do. I want to.

The five awakenings - longing, regret, help, love, and life - are part of what the Ferguson brothers call a pattern for the "journey in God's direction." Did you forget about God? Or do you feel God forgot about you? The authors say that more than 90 percent of us believe, but do not feel as if we belong. Sound familiar? It did to me!

Longing - "There's got to be more." While I don't necessarily believe that life is supposed to be perfect, I do believe that there is more to this life than I am currently experiencing. What am I missing? I think a closer relationship God is that something more, and I am seeking Him.

Regret - "I wish I could start over." Surely I'm not the only person in the world who thinks this! There are so many moments in my life that, even now, make me shake my head in disbelief at my sheer stupidity. In God, I am made new, and my sins forgiven if I but ask and believe. If that isn't starting over, I don't know what is!

Help, Love, and Life. My explanation for these three? He can, He does, and HE IS. Find your way back. I invite you to take the journey with me. Need a copy of the book? It's available most anywhere Christian books are sold. Let me know if you can't find it and I'll see what I can do about getting you one. This book has touched a chord deep within, and I feel it needs sharing.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ~ Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Blogging for Books for review purposes. My review is my own opinion, and was required to be neither negative nor positive, simply honest. 

Ten Days Without

Daniel Ryan Day writes an eye-opener in his unassuming Ten Days Without. How much of what we have is simply taken for granted? Will anyone even notice if we do without 'necessities?' If they do notice, will they consider it just a publicity stunt or something to gain notoriety? I don't believe either of these was behind Day's adventures in discomfort (as he terms them). I believe he truly wanted to make a difference by showing how insulated we truly have become.






Ten Days Without was an adjustment, and one that made me realize just how much I don't even think about things in my life that so many would consider luxuries. As I grab my coat or slip on my shoes, I wonder if I could take on - and complete - such a challenge. I don't think so. I am a 'barefooter' by preference, but only within the comfort of my own home or yard. I won't even run an errand barefoot. Maybe that goes back to years of childhood and my mama not letting us 'go to town' or anywhere outside the yard without shoes. I applaud Day's perseverance and agree that our vision needs adjusting. Reading his book was humbling, and made me question what I can do.

I don't know that going without shoes or a coat for 10 days will make me more like Jesus, and I'm not necessarily sure that such a public statement is needed. If I live each day and my life reflects Jesus, will going without shoes make my statement louder? I don't think so. Was the book worth a read? Definitely. Did it open my eyes? It did. Will I take the same path? Doubtful.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books in return for my honest review. I was not required to like or dislike the book, only to provide an honest opinion of its contents.volume Ten Days Without. 

Psalm 86:11 "Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." NIV

Oh, Elizabeth

Honey. Granny. Mama. Ma. Mom. Elizabeth. Liz. Jorlyn. Mama went by many names, but she was never Betty or Beth. Granddaddy always called her Elizabeth. Her siblings usually called her Jorlyn. Coworkers called her Elizabeth or Liz. Her 15 favorite people, however, called her Mama, Ma, Honey and Granny. She was stubborn, outspoken, opinionated, and one of the most loving people I have ever known. The three of us were lucky enough to call her mama.

She was born just off Highway 2 in northern Jackson County, Florida, near Malone. The fourth child (second girl) of eight children born to Woodrow and Joyce Hall, Elizabeth Jorlyn Hall attended Central School, then Malone High School. Graduating in 1958, she headed to Virginia to stay with her oldest sister Jessie Fay for a while. At Fort Belvoir, Virginia, she met a young soldier from Ohio named Paul Abel. They married in January of 1960 and had three children - Paul, Jr., Denise, and Cheryl. Mama and Daddy moved around some, settling in Houston County in 1970 on what is now known as Plantation Drive.

Life happens and Elizabeth later married Red Davis, in November 1978. Paul, Jr., and Cindy were married in January 1980. In October, Christopher Paul was born and mama became Granny! Denise had Victoria (Nikki) in March 1986, and mama became Honey. Cheryl gave birth to Elizabeth Ann in January 1987 making mama Granny again. Creighton Michael was born in November 1988, Gideon Troy was born in October 1989. Danielle Elaine was born in September 1992, Ethan Wayne was born in November 1993. The caboose was Cassidy Taryn in May 1998.

Generations continue, with Samantha Mackenzie in January 2007, Catharyn Faith in February 2010, Jonathan David in February 2012, and Alyson Harper in November 2012. Mama's fifth great-grandchild is due January 2015.

Today, December 2, 2014, we let mama go. She is free, whole, and healthy. We love you and miss you!! We will see you again soon ... 

Elizabeth Jorlyn Davis - August 3, 1940 - December 2, 2014

We love you forever!

We Choose to Laugh

Dr. Barry Reisberg developed a staging system framework for Alzheimer's Disease. There are seven stages, although the first three to four stages may be undetected by not only those closest to the patient, but also to the medical professionals who provide their care. Stage 1 presents as no cognitive impairment, no memory issues. I don't understand how this is stage 1; why is there even a stage 1? Stages 2 and 3 seem remarkably similar, although stage 3 is still innocuous enough that some cannot detect the early symptoms of the disease, instead choosing to write them off as part of the normal aging process (alz.org, 2014). Stage 4 is where we found ourselves in January 2013. At this point, mama was still living alone, driving herself, and taking care of every aspect of her life ... or so we thought. Seemingly out of the blue, we receive a phone call telling us that mama had gotten lost on the way to Uncle Robert's house (a fact she vehemently denied) - before sunrise. The three of us come home, trying to find out what is going on with a round of doctor's appointments and testing. A geriatric neuropsychiatrist tells us she can no longer drive, and does not need to have any appliances that do not have an automatic shutoff. The Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) is quite the eye-opener.

This leads to a few months of staying with both myself and Cheryl, and we soon realized that mama could no longer safely live alone. Once the decision was made, we placed her in the Memory Care Unit. At that time, she was teetering between stages 4 and 5 - still fairly lucid for long periods of time, she knew us and our children, knew her siblings and nieces and nephews. Paul, Cheryl, and I decided that we would laugh as often and as much as we could, for we knew the tears would come.

Alzheimer's, like many other diseases, seems to have a mind of its own. While it is 'staged,' some sufferers do not go through all the stages. Each person's journey down this heartbreaking path is unique. Because I am a compulsive reader, I pore over available information, hoping against hope that there will be one bright spot in the grim forecast. There isn't.

Today's visit was not a good one. Although mama eventually called me by name, I am not certain that she knew who I was. I asked her if Paul had come to see her and she immediately responded "no" even though he was just there yesterday. I asked her if Michelle had come to see her and she said "yes, the other day, and Paul came the other day." We give each other progress reports after every visit, good or bad. And we recall good memories, and we laugh.

I started taking pictures as much as I could, of mama and of us, and of us with mama. I take pictures with the grandchildren, and with the great-grandchildren. Earlier this summer, Danielle and I were taking Samantha and Jonathan to see mama. We reminded Sam (she's 7) that Honey's brain was sick, and that Honey might not remember her name. Samantha's response? "That's okay, I'll tell it to her." We laughed.

Today, I cried. She sat in the chair in the dining area, feet swollen and bare, vacant stare looking through me. I said "Hey, mama" and she responded "Hey, mama." No recognition crossed her face. I sat beside her and took her hand. She told me she was okay. She took my hand in both of hers, turned it palm up, and traced every finger on my left hand with her forefinger. Did she do this when I was a baby? I did with my own children - and my grandchildren. And I cried. Not the big ugly nose running red faced cry (that came later), just silent, painful tears.

I'm sorry, mama. I don't think you noticed, and I hope you didn't. When I left you, you were dozing off in your chair, insisting that you were not ready to go to bed. I gave you a hug and told you I loved you, but you were drifting in and out at that point. The tears are not over, but I remember mama calmly walking in the house where an iron skillet was on fire, throwing baking soda on the pan, grabbing a pot holder and walking back out the door with the skillet. When the fire department got there, we were all sitting outside in the yard.

I remember driving down I-95 on the way home from North Carolina when we approach a state trooper. Mama always did have a lead foot, and she slowed down, sure she was about to get a ticket. When the trooper paid her no mind, she sped up and kept on heading home. And I laugh at the memory.

Find the memories that make you laugh, for tears come in abundance. Look for the laughter. Jesus, I ask that your strength enfold us in the days to come. Help us to find the joy and peace that comes with knowing You are in control.

Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, And will have mercy on His afflicted.~Isaiah 49:13 NKJV

alz.org. (2014) "Seven Stages of Alzheimer's." Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_stages_of_alzheimers.asp?type=eNews_thankyou_page

The God-First Life

Matthew 6:33 tells us "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (NKJV) There are often as many ways to approach a problem as there are problems to approach. In seeking God, which approach is the right one to take? In this book, Stovall Weems reminds us that often, the best way to look at something is to strip away the extraneous and view what matters - in this case, living a life that puts God first. If we follow the instructions given in Matthew 6:33 - it is broken down into its most basic level. Seek first the kingdom of God!

Putting God first in your life does not mean, in my interpretation, to do so when you get around to doing so. If HE is at the front and center, all else will fall into place as it should. Put God first! He will work things out according to His plan. His plan for my life is different from His plan for your life, and that is okay because we are different, even though our ultimate goals may be very similar. Everyone has a different journey, even if their final destinations are the same. When the priority (God First) is established, the way becomes clearer.

Putting God first does not mean that the road will be always smooth, nor does it mean that every answer will immediately become clear. What it does mean is that you are not, nor will you be, alone in your travel. If you put God first, He will be your guide through rough spots, your calm in the storm, and your GPS with correct directions! The most complex can be made simple, by making your number one priority making God first.

A relatively quick read, filled with useful information and no platitudes. Read it. You won't regret it.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers 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 : Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.