Do You Live What You Claim to Believe?

There's an old saying that goes something like this: If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? In other words, does your life prove out your claims of faith?

Author Laura Ross Greiner has tackled this question in TruthDare: Dare to Live the Truth You Believe. It is a book that will challenge you at the very core of your faith--and encourage you to walk in that faith on a daily basis. Here is a description of this excellent book, as well as some information about the author:

Life is full of dares—challenges that require sufficient courage, bold behaviors, and an adventurous spirit. Yet, when it comes to faith, people lack the same courage, choosing instead to stand idly by and wait for permission to live what they say they believe. It’s time to wake up, says author Laura Ross Greiner.

It’s time to fully embrace the dares God has given us: Dare to say yes. Dare to have faith. Dare to trust. And more. With inspiring, captivating, and sometimes heart-wrenching stories of people who dared to believe in the face of great pain, Greiner challenges Christian women to stand up, live big, and embrace the truths of the gospel no matter what. The story of a three-year-old stricken with cancer dares women to see proof that God exists even in hard times. The struggles that a single mom has with depression teach readers to trust that God can change us, if we dare to let Him. The plight of a woman whose husband is having an affair dares us to wait for God’s direction.

While most Christian-living authors promise peace, few stare Truth in the face as boldly as Laura Ross Greiner. The provocative challenges of TruthDare will bring readers on a fulfilling—albeit uncomfortable—trek to a fuller, deeper life spent in God’s grace.

About the Author: Laura Ross Greiner (MA, University of Colorado; PhD, University of Denver) is an author, women’s event speaker, and professor. She is coauthor of Where Women Walked, Refresh, and Rendezvous and the author of Through Fire and Water. Her books have been nominated for several awards, including the 2004 Gold Medallion Award, the ECPA Bible Study Award, and Outreach Magazine’s Resource of the Year Award. Laura and her husband, Bruce, have three children and live in Boulder, Colorado.

Get to know more about Laura and find out how to order this remarkable book at www.lauragreiner.com.

The Christmas Book Signing Bash has officially begun!

The Christmas Book Signing Bash at Christian Review of Books has officially begun! Whether you're looking for my books or books from other Christian authors, you don't want to miss stopping by this site to browse and purchase your Christmas gifts (for yourself and others!). Here's the link:

http://christianreviewofbooks.com/index.php?page=view/article/756/Kathi-Macias

Everlasting Love

“I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3, NKJV).

Human nature doesn’t change much, does it? Down through the ages and across all national and cultural borders and boundaries, we all long for the same thing: to be loved and accepted by someone who will not betray or abandon us.
God knows that longing in us, better than we know it ourselves. We can’t always identify it, but to one degree or another, that longing drives us—often to foolish choices. We put our hope and faith and dreams in the hands of other fallible humans (much like ourselves), and then wonder why we are disappointed, rejected, or heartbroken.
That longing was never meant to be met by another person (or a profession or success or drugs/alcohol or limitless possessions), but by the One who never changes and never fails us. There is only one place to turn when that longing for unfailing love drives us onward, and that’s to the very God of the universe Himself—who stands waiting with outstretched arms and nail-scarred hands.
With Thanksgiving nearly upon us, I’ve chosen to focus this devotional thought on the most basic of all human needs…and the One who longs to meet that need. If you haven’t already run into the Father’s arms and received that everlasting love, I encourage you to do so today. If you have, then pray for someone else who also needs to experience that love.
We are entering the busiest season of the year. Stop often and listen. I guarantee you will hear His voice whispering to your heart: “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Let Him wrap you in that love, where all the storms of earth and even the great divide between this world and eternity cannot separate you from that everlasting love and security. May God increase our longing to climb up into His lap, nestle against His chest, and listen to His great heart….

Are You Chosen?

November 11, 2010

“I have chosen you,” says the Lord of hosts (Haggai 2:23, NKJV).

Remember standing in line on the playground while the team leaders chose their groups? Remember being the one not chosen? Remember the humiliation of hearing the leaders argue over who “has” to include you on their team? Maybe that wasn’t you. Maybe you were one of the first ones chosen, and you remember the joy and exhilaration of hearing your name called early on. Or maybe you were somewhere in between, in which case you may remember hoping to be called as soon as possible so you wouldn’t end up too close to the end.
Whatever the case, we all experienced some of the effects of being “chosen”—or not. If we weren’t, perhaps we pretended as if it didn’t matter, but it did, didn’t it? No one wants to be rejected. We all want to be chosen. And God knows that better than we ever could…because He designed us that way. He wants to choose us, and He wants us to respond accordingly. It is His heart’s desire that we willingly choose to belong to Him. But inherent in that choice is a willingness to respond to His call as well as His choice.
What is that call? It’s a call to serve on His team, shoulder to shoulder with the others He has called and chosen. Just as the leader or captain of a sports team chooses team members so they can participate in the game, God chooses us so we can participate in the work of His Kingdom. We aren’t chosen simply so we can know where we will end up when we breathe our last here on earth. We are chosen to serve our team Captain in the fulfilling of the ministry of reconciliation, which Jesus began and has now committed to us.
If you haven’t already responded to God’s call and joined His team, don’t wonder whether or not He’s calling you; He is. Now you need to respond. And then you need to listen and find out what He has purposed for you to do once you’ve joined the team.
We are called, we are chosen…and we are on the only winning team. But no one is called or chosen to sit on the sidelines. God has a purpose for you. Find out what it is…and then dedicate the rest of your life to fulfilling it. I promise you, there is no greater joy!

Titus 2 Women--and Free Books!

Hop on over to: http://www.thetitus2women.com and leave a comment, then come back here and leave a comment telling me you did so (along with clear contact info). The first three to do that will win their choice of one of my new novels.

Christmas Book-Signing Bash!

Now here's something you REALLY do NOT want to miss! 75 of your favorite Christian authors (including yours truly!) will be signing/selling/sending copies of their books in time for Christmas gift-giving. Pass the word!










Check it out at www.ChristianReviewofBooks.com or www.CrossPurposesBooks.com!!!

Win a Copy of Transformed by Desire by Patty Mason

What are the desires of your heart?

Transformed by Desire: A Journey of Awakening to Life and Love invites the reader to answer this question and more. It encourages her to search her soul, to dig deep, and to discover her heart’s truest desires, as she allows Christ to share with her the desires of His heart. Desire is the first step in embracing all of who she is meant to be in Christ. This book will stir her heart and invite her to recognize the desires that will capture her soul, and thrust her life into new levels of meaning and purpose.

Both books are similar in text and content, however, the book version lays everything out for the reader. Scripture verses are all written out, the sections are shorter for easy reading, and include journal prompts at the end of each section. The Bible study, on the other hand, challenges the reader to go deeper, inspiring her to dig in the Word. The Bible study also comes with an 11-week video series and a free-downloadable Leader’s Guide for group facilitators.)

What People are Saying:

"My heart is bursting; God used this book to transform my life." —Jessica Dotta

“Transformed by Desire put my life as a believer in Jesus Christ on a completely new level. I never realized it was possible to have such an intimate, personal relationship with God.”—Vivian Good

“I knew, in the first week, that Transformed by Desire Bible Study was different. It focused completely on building the most intimate relationship with Christ, so that you know and feel His love on a personal level. This book took me deeper than I ever imagined. It's a must read!”—Lisa Greer

"Transformed by Desire challenged me more than I bargained for. --Aileen Burke

"Transformed by Desire Bible Study is a wonderful expression of intimacy with God. The biblical teaching is right on. If you are looking for more of Him, you have found an invaluable resource." --Rev. David Noel

Link to book page and video trailer:

http://libertyinchrist.net/books.aspx

Link to Website:

http://libertyinchrist.net/default.aspx

To order go to:

www.libertyinchrist.net or

Book:

http://www.amazon.com/Transformed-Desire-Journey-Awakening-Life/dp/098297180X/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1288803013&sr=1-6

Bible study:

http://www.amazon.com/Transformed-Desire-Bible-Study-Awakening/dp/0982971818/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1288803132&sr=1-1


***Don't forget to leave a comment (and clear contact information) for a chance to win a copy of this excellent book!

Results of Kindle Contest

Bethany LeBedz is the winner of the FIRST Kindle contest, but we had such a great response that I'm going to offer a second Kindle. Again, all you need to do to enter is to read/review Red Ink and post your review on your blog and/or at Amazon, CBD, etc. You must also be a follower of this blog and alert me to your entry by emailing me at ezyrtr@ca.rr.com. So keep those reviews and entries coming for a chance to win a Kindle in December--right in time for Christmas!