Thursday, July 5, 2012
I've Moved! Will You Join Me at My New Location?
Easy Writer blog has been incorporated into my newly designed website (www.kathimacias.com) in an attempt to simplify things for readers/followers. Everything is now located in one spot--the Easy Writer blog, the devotional blog, my speaking calendar, books and video trailers... Well, you get the picture. So come on over, will you? I'd love to have you stop by for a visit: www.kathimacias.com
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Are You a Woman in High Def?
Summary:
Women in High Def
by
Diane Markins
Women are as unique as snowflakes or butterflies, but after
surveying hundreds of them, writer and radio host Diane Markins learned that
the top needs they feel are the same. She also began hearing a recurring theme:
I want more! I want to be better! I want to be bold!
Women in High Def aims
to propel women out of a low-def, foggy life of going through the motions in a
blur. The profound stories, intercessory prayer prompts and coaching elements
work together to catapult women into living fearlessly for God…being bolder
moms, having purposeful passions, pursuing marriage excellence, loving
themselves with gusto, laughing with abandon, transforming mistakes into blasts
of blessings and bravely seeking the Lord in all His majestic glory.
Women in High Def isn’t
a simple devotional book. There is a chapter, each filled with dynamic true
stories, for every one of the top 10 needs of women. Because women are most
inspired to take action when they can relate on an emotional level, these
stories stir hearts. Each chapter is followed by self-coaching questions
designed to assist women in taking stock of where they are, where they want to
be and tools to help them get there. Finally, there is a prompt for a time to
hear what God may be telling them.
The bonus Bible study at the back of the book points them to
scripture to gain Biblical insight and direction for each need and role they
play. It can be used alone or in a group.
Women in High Def is not
passive reading. It cries out to the spirit of readers to be unafraid as they
actively reach for clarity, vibrancy and intensity in all the meaningful areas
of their lives.
To order:
New Hope Goes Kindle with Great Savings!
New
Hope
Publishers Ebooks Discounted to Celebrate Kindle
Release
by Kristin Easterling
(BIRMINGHAM, Ala.)—July 2, 2012—Ebooks from New Hope
Publishers are now available for Kindle ereaders and Kindle apps. To celebrate
the new digital outlet, New Hope Publishers’ ebook titles will be on sale for
$2.99 from July 2–31 at Amazon.com (Kindle) and BN.com (Nook).
With free apps, titles can be enjoyed on the iPad,
iPhone, Android, or desktop computers (Mac or PC).
With more than 60 digital titles and counting, New Hope
Publishers “has jumped head-first into the digital stream,” said digital
resource editor Randy Bishop. New titles are added regularly to our
distributors’ sites.
Some of the most popular New Hope books are available, such as
Orphanology,
Live a Praying
Life, Called and
Accountable, Not in My Town, and
Live
Sent, as well as recently released titles like Character,
Compelled, and
Upside-Down
Leadership.
The entire “Extreme Devotion” series by Kathi Macias is
also available: No
Greater Love, More than
Conquerors, Red Ink, and
People of the
Book.
Novels 1 and 2 in the “Freedom” series on human
trafficking can be downloaded as well, Deliver Me from
Evil and Special Delivery.
The third and final novel in the series, The Deliverer, is
scheduled to release in August.
In addition to the new content available for Kindle
ereaders, New Hope Publishers maintains a Web site, NewHopeDigital.com, that
Bishop said adds value to the books published.
“Our authors and others are contributing articles and
columns, podcasts, videos, small-group/book club guides, and even artwork to the
site—all free to readers. Whether as individuals or as a group, our audience now
has the opportunity to read, watch, listen, and discuss ideas and concepts—total
immersion,” Bishop added.
“And we offer a free app that allows our audience to
take much of NewHopeDigital.com’s content with them wherever they go. Now with
eBooks available across a broad and significant spectrum of devices, we are
beginning to truly meet the needs of the mobile
generation.”
You may also find New Hope Publishers’ ebooks on sale at
Kobo.com, Txtr.com, and Gardners.com.
About New Hope
Publishers
Representing more than 80 authors and more
than 130 individual works, the
mission of New Hope® Publishers is to provide books that challenge
readers to understand and be radically involved in the mission of God. New Hope
Publishers is the general trade publishing imprint for WMU®, a missions auxiliary to the Southern Baptist
Convention. New Hope Publishers is a member of the Evangelical Christian
Publishers Association (ECPA).
For more information about New Hope Publishers,
visit NewHopeDigital.com.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Another "Inescapable" Read!
Brand New Release, as of July 1:
Page-Turning Romantic Suspense Set Against the Backdrop of a Small
Mennonite Town
Lizzie Engel is used to running away. At eighteen, she left her Mennonite hometown, her family, and her faith with plans never to return. Five years later, Lizzie finds she'll have to run again. False accusations at her job, a stalker, and a string of anonymous threatening letters have left her with no other options. This time, however, her escape is back to Kingdom, her hometown.
As Lizzie becomes reacquainted with Kingdom, she realizes she may not have left her Mennonite roots and her faith as firmly in the past as she thought. She draws on the support of Noah Housler, an old friend, as she hides out and attempts to plan her next steps.
When it becomes painfully clear that the danger has followed Lizzie to Kingdom, suspicions and tensions run high, and she no longer knows who to trust. With her life and the lives of those she loves at risk, Lizzie will have to run one last time--to a Father whose love is inescapable.
Lizzie Engel is used to running away. At eighteen, she left her Mennonite hometown, her family, and her faith with plans never to return. Five years later, Lizzie finds she'll have to run again. False accusations at her job, a stalker, and a string of anonymous threatening letters have left her with no other options. This time, however, her escape is back to Kingdom, her hometown.
As Lizzie becomes reacquainted with Kingdom, she realizes she may not have left her Mennonite roots and her faith as firmly in the past as she thought. She draws on the support of Noah Housler, an old friend, as she hides out and attempts to plan her next steps.
When it becomes painfully clear that the danger has followed Lizzie to Kingdom, suspicions and tensions run high, and she no longer knows who to trust. With her life and the lives of those she loves at risk, Lizzie will have to run one last time--to a Father whose love is inescapable.
Order here: http://www.amazon.com/Inescapable-Road-Kingdom-Nancy-Mehl/dp/0764209272/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336068870&sr=1-4
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Exciting New Release!
Releasing now and available on e-book THIS WEEK ONLY for $1.99. Here are the ordering links:
Ordering
link for hard copy: http://www.amazon.com/Wedded-War-Heroines-Behind-Lines/dp/0802405762/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340388508&sr=1-1&keywords=wedded+to+war
Order
for free (week of June 24) e-book at ChristianBook.com:
Wedded to War: A Novel by Jocelyn Green
When war erupted, she
gave up a life of privilege for a life of significance.
Tending to the army's sick and wounded meant leading a life
her mother does not understand and giving up a handsome and approved suitor. Yet
Charlotte
chooses a life of service over privilege, just as her childhood friend had done
when he became a military doctor. She soon discovers that she's combatting more
than just the rebellion by becoming a nurse. Will the two men who love her
simply stand by and watch as she fights her own battles? Or will their desire
for her wage war on her desire to serve God?
Wedded to War is a
work of fiction, but the story is inspired by the true life of Civil War nurse
Georgeanna Woolsey. Woolsey's letters and journals, written over 150 years ago,
offer a thorough look of what pioneering nurses endured. This is the first in
the series "Heroines Behind the Lines: Civil War," a collection of
novels that highlights the crucial contributions made by women during times of
war.
Endorsements
“This novel left me in awe—of Jocelyn Green’s talent in
telling a fabulous story, in her attention to historical detail, and how she
brings to life a unique aspect of the Civil War.”
~Laurie Alice Eakes, author of Heart’s Safe Passage
~Laurie Alice Eakes, author of Heart’s Safe Passage
“A haunting Civil War epic, Wedded
to War is a rich historical tapestry interwoven with a gentle love story
that will steal both your heart and your sleep. Mark my words, Jocelyn Green is
an author to watch — and read — over and over again.”
~ Julie Lessman, award-winning author of the Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change series
~ Julie Lessman, award-winning author of the Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change series
“Fascinating, dramatic, and
romantic. Wedded to War by Jocelyn
Green sheds light on the harrowing world of Civil War nursing through the eyes
of a delightful heroine. Detailed research and a powerful message about mercy
make this story a keeper.”
~Sarah Sundin, award-winning author of the Wings of Glory series
~Sarah Sundin, award-winning author of the Wings of Glory series
“Jocelyn Green lends her considerable talent to
a tale both historically interesting and emotionally absorbing. Her Heroines
Behind the Lines series is sure to draw readers eager for accurate stories
of the Civil War, but also grab readers yearning for well-drawn characters who
battle forces bigger than themselves in a quest for acceptance, grace, and
love. Wedded to War does a fine job with both.”
~Ann Byle, author of The Making of a Christian Bestseller
~Ann Byle, author of The Making of a Christian Bestseller
“Although fictional, Wedded to War brings to life the
important, and often dismissed, story of women’s entrance into Civil War
nursing – and, in particular, the virulent opposition they faced from military
doctors. It reminds us all that the access to employment and political
rights that American women take for granted were achieved on deeply-contested
ground, and that women showed both ambition and courage in opposing those who
wished to defend their own turf.”
~ Dr. Lori Ginzberg, Professor of History & Women’s Studies, Penn State University, and author of Women and the Work of Benevolence
~ Dr. Lori Ginzberg, Professor of History & Women’s Studies, Penn State University, and author of Women and the Work of Benevolence
About the Author
JOCELYN GREEN is an award-winning author, freelance writer
and editor. A former military wife, she authored, along with contributing
writers, Faith Deployed: Daily
Encouragement for Military Wives (Moody 2008) and Faith Deployed . . . Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives
(Moody 2011). Jocelyn is also co-author of the award-winning Battlefields & Blessings: Stories of
Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan (AMG Publishers
2009), and Stories of Faith and Courage
from the Home Front (AMG 2012). She maintains her own award-winning Web
site for military wives at faithdeployed.com . She holds a B.A. in English from
Taylor University, and is an active member of
the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Evangelical Press Association, the
Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and the Christian Authors Network.
She and her husband have two children and reside in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Visit her at jocelyngreen.com .
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Great Resource/Books on Human Trafficking
Human Trafficking...
Asha knew nothing about it before meeting 16-year-old Rani, stolen
form her home and sold into sexual slavery in Kolkata, India. Asha must help
this girl escape; but Mark, a 3rd-generation missionary, keeps warning her way
from the red-light district and its workers. Will she ever discover why? And
will they ever stop their intense arguments long enough to admit their even more
intense feelings for each other?
When Asha sneaks out one last time in a desperate attempt to rescue
her friend, someone follows her through the night. Is freedom possible? Or will
she, too, be taken?
To order:
FB Page: Human Trafficking Stolen
Woman
Whose Plans/Path Are You Following?
A man’s
heart plans his way, But the
LORD directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9).
Have you ever
heard the saying, “If you want to make God laugh, just tell him your plans”? I’m
not sure if God laughs when we outline our plans to Him, but I do know He doesn’t
change His plans to fit ours. And seriously, aren’t we glad of that?
When I look back
on my life (and trust me, there’s a lot to look back on these days!) I find
that my greatest regrets came about as a result of trying to pursue my own
plans instead of God’s. Conversely, when I chose to walk in His ways—even if
they didn’t make sense to me at the time—I always ended up in a place of
blessing and peace.
So why do I
still try to make my own plans and go my own way—and then, almost as an
after-thought, ask God to bless the outcome? Okay, I know, I know. Even after
nearly forty years of walking with Him, I’m still trapped in this imperfect
physical existence and living on a broken planet. Hence, the call to serve self
still echoes in my heart, despite the fact that I know better than to heed such
a deceitful siren song.
You can relate,
can’t you? You too are trapped in an imperfect physical existence and living on
a broken planet. It won’t always be so, and that’s something to anticipate with
joy. Until then, however, let’s continue to pray for one another and to commit
our hearts to follow hard after Him, rejoicing that He is directing our steps, that
His plans for us are good (see Jeremiah 29:11), and that He will never lead us
down the wrong path.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Leaders, Followers...and Victory
“…the leaders led
in Israel,…the
people volunteered” (Judges 5:2, NASB).
After a great
victory, Deborah and Barak sang a song that included the above words. I find it
significant that in reference to victory, they mentioned the leaders leading
and the people volunteering, don’t you? I believe it’s a concept that would
serve us well today.
Whether in the
local church, a social organization, or a family, leaders leading implies
strength of conviction. It also provides safety for those who seek wisdom and
guidance from their leaders. When followers feel secure with leadership, they
will also feel free to volunteer whatever they may have to offer—time, talent,
devotion—regardless of personal cost.
When any
organization operates under these guidelines, chances of victory are greatly
increased. Of course, that premise works best when the leaders who are leading
are submitted to the One who fought for Israel and enabled them to prevail.
That same One fights for us today when our leaders are submitted to Him and
leading accordingly, and the followers are selflessly volunteering whatever
they have to offer in the cause.
Conversely,
those who consider themselves leaders and yet are “doing their own thing”
instead of pursuing God’s heart and purposes are not truly leading at all. The
followers will then be led astray and lose confidence in their leaders,
therefore holding back on volunteering and giving their best. Ultimately, failure
and defeat are sure to follow.
Heeding the
words of Deborah and Barak, may we as leaders truly lead as God directs us, and
as followers commit to freely give our best in whatever trials or battles come
our way. For we all follow a God who has promised to fight for us and to bring
us to that place of complete victory.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Two Excellent Books from a Great Author
THROUGH THE TEARS
(Book two of the SANDY COVE series)
Fairfield Lab, Portland, OR. The return address seemed harmless
enough. But Michelle Baron knew that the
information inside could change her life forever.
Keeping vigil at the hospital as her father clings to life
in the aftermath of his failed suicide attempt, Michelle finds solace and hope
by gazing at the newborns in the nursery.
But a subsequent painful journey through the maze of infertility leaves
her and her husband struggling to hold their marriage together.
Will medical science provide their answers? Will they
discover a road to parenthood through adoption?
And how will this issue impact their future?
Michelle clings to her faith as she navigates the
unpredictable storms they encounter while they search for answers. Agreeing
with her husband, Steve, that she should use this time to complete her teaching
credential, she finds herself in a course with a professor who has an
anti-Christian bias to his lectures. As she seeks support from like-minded
students of faith, she becomes involved in a Campus Crusade for Christ outreach
to the local family planning clinic. Faced with the infertility issues she and
Steve are experiencing, she is devastated by the multitude of babies losing
their chance at life through the abortions performed at the clinic.
Through the Tears ~ the second novel in the Sandy Cove
series~ delivers a message of hope in the midst of longing and disappointment.
Praises for OUT OF A DREAM
(Book One in the SANDY COVE series)
Rosemary Hines weaves an intricate story, which immediately
draws the reader into a relationship with her characters.
NANCY TUMBAS, English Professor, California
State University
Long Beach
Out of a Dream held my
interest from the first chapter. I wanted to know what would happen to Michelle
and had to keep reading. The story was interesting and realistic, with suspense
and a touch of romance -- just the way I like it!
JAN MCCANTS, Administrative Assistant, Christian Liberty
School
I felt compelled to keep reading, completely consumed by this
tale of one girl’s search for truth.
MISTY STUTES, Graduate Student, Vanguard University
Hines quickly introduces you to characters that parallel people
in our own lives. Shaped by traits that enhance the plausibility of the plot,
you could swear that you’ve met them all before.
IRENE DUNLAP,
Co-author of Chicken Soup
for the Kids’ Soul, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul,
and Christmas
Treasure for Kids
The content, storyline, and character development in Out of a Dream are excellent. As a book
reviewer for Calvary Chapel ministries, one thing is of utmost importance to me
in recommending a book, especially a novel -- does it have ministry value? The
answer for Rosemary’s book is an off-the-charts YES!
KATHY GILBERT,
Book Reviewer, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa
Order copies here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Out+of+a+Dream+by+rosemary+hines
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
God's Word Never Fails
“Not one thing has
failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke
concerning you. All have come to pass for you;
not one word of
them has failed” (Joshua 23:14, NKJV).
One of the
things my late father taught me was the importance of keeping your word. If you
made a promise to someone, you must do everything possible to follow through.
That was such an important concept in my parents’ generation (and those
previous) that a handshake was enough to seal an agreement.
Times have
changed, though, haven’t they? We sign multi-page contracts when we buy a
house, a car—even a cell phone. And still we sometimes look for ways to break
our contracts and renege on our promises.
Aren’t you
glad God isn’t like that? When He makes a promise, you can not only “take it to
the bank,” you can rest the destiny of your very soul on it. When Joshua, like
Moses before him, had led and served the Jewish people for many years and was
approaching the time of his death, he found it important to remind them of the
faithfulness of God’s promises, using God’s faithfulness in the past as an
illustration: “Not one word of them [God’s words/promises] has failed.”
I wish
people could say that about me; sadly they can’t, though I hope I’m doing
better at keeping my word as I grow and mature in the Lord. I also wish I could
say that about the people closest to me—and most of the time, I can. But we
humans aren’t as faithful as God, are we? There really is no one besides Him
who can be counted on to fulfill His every word…all the time.
Isn’t that
amazing and comforting? We serve a God who says what He means and means what He
says. Furthermore, He follows through on His word and makes sure his promises
are fulfilled in the lives of His people. He is the only One we can depend on,
no matter the worst attacks from the enemy of our souls, the dire circumstances
of our lives, or the failings of our own character. No wonder the Prophet
Isaiah declares to God, “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You”
(Isaiah 26:3, NKJV).
If we will
just remember to trust in the One who keeps His word and fulfills His promises
in our lives, we won’t need to worry about loopholes and litigation to break
contracts, for God will keep us in perfect peace.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Great New Book--and a Chance to Win a Gift Basket!
Parables & Word Pictures is from my author friend Cheri Cowell. Here's a little info on it:
Book Description:
Parables and Word Pictures from the New Testament
is a 13-week workbook-style study of 118 parables from Jesus, Paul, and the
apostles. This comprehensive look at the New Testament parables will help
readers develop an ear for the message they convey—that the Kingdom of God
is both here and near. Through the study readers will be challenged to live
faithful and holy “Kingdom lives” in a broken and unholy world.
Of the thirteen weeks,
the first nine explore the parables of Jesus in the four gospels; the next
three look at the parables in Acts and those from Paul and the apostles. The
study culminates in a look at what the author calls living parables,
with Jesus as the Parable
of all parables. Through Him we come to know God the Father, and through Jesus
we come to live as living parables in a world begging to “see God.” Living
story-shaped lives allows others to see God in
us—this is Kingdom
living.
The
workbook includes a chart of parables in chronological order, a chart of
parables alphabetically arranged in the four gospels, a chart showing
the locations in Israel
where the parables were taught, and an index of scriptures to make
finding parables quick and easy. A Leader’s Guide is available.
Author Bio:
Author, speaker,
and sidewalk theologian, Cheri Cowell is passionate about discipleship and
challenging the body of Christ to holiness of heart and life. As the
author of Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life (Beacon Hill, 2007) and over 300 articles, Cheri’s
love of story and the Holy Word shines through in her writing and
teaching. In 2009 she was one of six journalists chosen for a tour of the Holy Land by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, a blessing
that only deepened the love of the parables Jesus told. Cheri is a graduate of
Asbury Theological Seminary where she learned the Inductive Bible study method
used in this study to encourage, challenge, and equip the body of
Christ to live story-shaped lives.
Preferred Ordering Link:
Trailer Link:
Contents of Gift Basket (contest will run through July 6):
1.
Parables and Word Pictures from the New Testament (workbook Bible study)
by Cheri Cowell
2.
Women of the Bible: Book One (workbook Bible study) by Barber, Rasnake,
and Shepherd
3.
Mocha on the Mount (Coffee Cup Bible study) by Sandra
Glahn
4.
Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life by Cheri
Cowell
5.
Direction Bible study workbook by Cheri Cowell
6.
God: Knowing Him By His Names by Bill Bright
7.
See
For Yourself: Daily Devotionals (ebook DVD) by Cheri
Cowell
8.
Bible tabs
9.
Bookmark
10.
Bible highlighter
11.
Hunter Green gift basket
So leave a comment, get a copy of the book, and have a blessed June, dear friends!
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
When extremists murder Austia Donatelli’s student and then set their sights on her, she must untangle a web of deception to save herself, her underground ministry to Muslims in L.A., and the women she serves.
Intrigued yet? You should be! Click on this link to order it. Warning: It might keep you up at night, but it will be worth the sleep you lose!
http://www.amazon.com/The-Next-Target-A-Novel/dp/0781404312/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1335567786&sr=1-1
Go...and Sin No More
“Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (John 8:11,
NKJV).
The story
of how Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery is an all-time favorite for
many of us. We love that the Savior was merciful and compassionate, even
turning the spotlight from the woman to her self-righteous accusers. But to
focus on the Lord’s lack of condemnation to the exclusion of His admonition to
“sin no more” is to misrepresent the truth and power of His words.
A few
decades ago I came across a popular book titled I’m Okay, You’re Okay, and it struck a chord of concern in me
because the book was selling like crazy and readers were extolling the virtues
of its anything-goes message. Some years later I had the privilege of working
on Josh McDowell’s manuscript for his book The
New Tolerance, in which he cautioned the Church not to get caught up in the
world’s ever-increasing love affair with that “I’m okay, you’re okay” type of mantra.
Josh rightly predicted that our society was well on its way to making tolerance
the number-one virtue and intolerance the gravest sin. We now live in that culture,
where the most oft-quoted (and misused) verse in the Bible is “Judge
not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1, NKJV). Though it is true we are not
to judge others based on our own opinions or personal values, neither are we to
toss out the absolutes of God’s Word in fear of being considered intolerant.
The
Scriptures are clear that murder, stealing, lying, adultery, and other
behaviors contrary to the character of Christ are absolutely wrong. Period. Not
because we say so but because God says so. To proclaim His Word is not judging;
it is simply believing that what He says is True because, after all, He is
Truth, and God cannot contradict His own nature and tell a lie.
The
Scriptures also instruct us to “[speak] the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15, NKJV).
Certainly we need to proclaim God’s truth from a heart of love, desiring to see
people saved and healed and set free, for truth without love causes terrible
damage to the hearers. However, love without truth becomes license and allows
people to remain in their sin and continue in their separation from God.
And
that is why Jesus so clearly said to the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do
I condemn you; go and sin
no more.” He assured her that she did not have to live under condemnation, but
He also admonished her to change her ways. “Sin no more,” He warned her, for if
she truly understood His message and received His forgiveness, her life would
be marked by repentance, an “about-face” from her previous walk away from God
to one heading straight for His heart, a life epitomized by a desire to please
her Lord and reject a life of sin.
By
all means may we refrain from imposing our opinions and personal values on
others, but may we also love enough to speak the truth of God’s Word so others
can turn from sin and enter into eternal life.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Touching True Story You Won't Want to Miss!
***
About the Author:
Lisa Keck is a wife and mother of two. She loves stories of God's redemption and shares them on her blog, When My Father Wakes Up (www.owstowows.wordpress.com)
Thursday, May 24, 2012
***
Here at last! A dynamic book that will help you overcome negative
feelings about yourself and put you on the road to success in every area of your
life. Using sound Biblical principles, nationally known author and life coach,
Dr. MaryAnn Diorio, deals with such life-changing topics as overcoming worry and
fear, taking charge of your life, learning to accept yourself, and finding your
life purpose.
PREFERRED ORDERING
LINK: http://www.amazon.com/You-Were-Made-Greatness-ebook/dp/B0067PZMZK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337866139&sr=8-1
Are you frustrated with where you are in your writing career? Have you
been trying to get published, but to no avail? Do you wonder if there are
secrets to writing success? If these questions describe you, you need The
ABCs of TopNotch Writing. Learn how to turn your writing career around with
the three key elements of writing success: Attitude, Business, and
Craft. Get your copy now!
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Do Names Matter?
“There is no other
name under heaven given among men
by which we must be
saved” (Acts 4:12, NKJV).
When we
were young (or maybe not so young) and people called us derogatory names, it
hurt our feelings. If we ran home crying about it, our parents may have tried
to make us feel better by telling us that names don’t matter. But is that true?
In many
cultures, names matter a lot. Parents don’t choose their children’s names based
on current trends or popularity contests. The names they assign to their
offspring mean something, whether the name of an older relative or a name
denoting the parents’ dreams or wishes for their child’s future.
God didn’t
pick a name out of a hat for His only Son. He called Him Yeshua (Jesus), meaning
“God’s Salvation” or “Rescuer/Deliverer from God.” Later, in the Book of Acts,
we see Peter and John confronted by the Jewish religious leaders and asked in
whose authority they preached. Peter proclaimed the name of Jesus as not only
his authority but as the ONLY name given by God and carrying the power of
salvation for mankind.
No other
name. None. Only one. Exclusive? Absolutely. Not Buddha or Mohammed or Moses or
anyone else. Only Jesus. Do names matter? They certainly do. And the enemy of
the souls of mankind knows this full well. It is the reason you never hear
people use the names of other religious leaders as curse words—only Jesus. It
is the devil’s attempt to mock and denigrate the only Name that can bring
salvation. May we, as Christians, be found faithful to not only honor that Name
when we speak, but also in our everyday lives and actions. For names truly do
matter—especially the Name above all names, the Name of Yeshua/Jesus.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Maintaining Your "Right Mind"
And at the end of the
time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned
to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives
forever:
For His dominion is an everlasting
dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation (Daniel 4:34, NKJV).
And His kingdom is from generation to generation (Daniel 4:34, NKJV).
Have you ever
caught yourself saying something like, “I think I’m losing my mind”? I have,
and it’s usually because my brain is overloaded with multi-tasking. All I
really need to do is slow down a bit and things come back into focus.
It wasn’t that
easy for the once great King Nebuchadnezzar, who had gazed upon his empire and
boasted that it was all of his own doing. God quickly gave the arrogant ruler a
reality check, driving him out into the fields to eat grass with the animals.
It wasn’t until he lifted his eyes to heaven that his understanding returned to
him and he finally gave glory to God, recognizing Him as the sovereign ruler
over all.
How easy it is to
become like Nebuchadnezzar and gaze out over our own little kingdoms (home,
family, occupation, possessions) and begin to think that we’ve achieved it all
in our own strength! And how important it is to keep our eyes lifted toward
heaven so we don’t do such an evil thing! Apart from God’s mercy and grace we
could not take our next breath, let alone amass fame or fortune. May we never
be so foolish as to think we are in charge of anything, for it is only in Him
that we “live and move and have our being” (Acts
17:28).
Personally,
I find that very comforting, don’t you?
Monday, May 14, 2012
How Cute Is This???
Sometimes it just blesses a mom's heart to see something like this and share it, don't you think?
Blessings!
Friday, May 11, 2012
Are You Ready to Be "Tested by Fire"?
Do your beliefs about Christianity align with God’s Word? Are
you missing God’s power because of your approach to Him? Tested by Fire: Will
What You Build Survive? is a practical roadmap to experiencing God
personally. This four week, interactive study will help you
consider:
·
Do you really know Jesus?
·
Do you have the ability to hear from God?
·
Are you building your life according to your plans or God’s
purpose?
·
Do you need to understand before you obey?
·
Are you wearily struggling to make something of your own
life, or are you living evidence of God’s power?
Discover what it really means to walk with Jesus and become a
"living stone," propelled by the power of the Spirit. Allow Jesus to reveal
Himself in you, and leave a legacy that survives the flames.
To order this excellent book click here:
To learn more about the author click here:
“FINDING
LIFE AND LOVE IN THE PURSUIT OF JESUS”
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
A Promise You Can Believe In
“Be strong and of
good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them;
for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes
with you.
He will not leave
you nor forsake you” Deuteronomy 31:6, NKJV).
Fear. Sometimes its identity is terrifyingly
clear; other times it is but an unnamed, vague sense of unease. Either way, it
can be a formidable enemy, one that may drive us to make unwise choices or to
stand paralyzed, unable to move in any direction.
God hasn’t
purposed for fear to control us in any such manner. Fear does not come from
God; it is a tool of the enemy of our soul. And our faithful Lord has provided
all we need to defeat it. “Be strong and of good courage,” He calls to us. “Do
not fear nor be afraid.” Why? Because there is NOTHING in our lifetime that we
will ever have to face on our own. The Lord our God, He is the One who goes
with us, who stands with us, who fights for us, and who carries us when we are
too weak to stand.
Today,
whether fear whispers your name or screams its threats, stand strong, beloved,
for underneath are the everlasting arms, strengthening and holding you,
fighting for you and declaring victory over you. Be strong and of good courage,
for God has promised NEVER to leave or forsake you. And that’s a promise you
can believe in.
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