Followers

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.

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:



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
“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
“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
“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
“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

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


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!


Not only do I have a great new book to tell you about today, but if you leave a comment you could win a gift basket. How cool is that???

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

Nikki Arana, one of my favorite authors, has just released a new novel that you will NOT want to miss! Here's a brief note about it:


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!

Lisa Keck is a friend of mine, as well as a colleague and dear sister in the Lord. Despite all that, I really didn't know her story until I read The Monday Came. What an inspiration! This is a must-read book, folks. Here, let me have Lisa tell you about it.

***

I smiled for the camera but by the time the photographer took our picture in 1990 my brother had been an alcoholic 8 years. Our relationship had been severed by childhood abuse long before that.  The day our father died was the first time Paul drank on a Monday and alone. After the funeral our mother asked when he was going to quit and he said, “When my father wakes up.” Then Monday Came is a story of tragedy and triumph. I relied on my faith to get me through the tough times. These are my memories and recollections of how God worked in my life to help me forgive the past so I could lead Paul back to Christ and the ultimate rehab center: Heaven.

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

I am so excited to have MaryAnn Diorio as a guest on the blog today. I've had the pleasure of knowing MaryAnn as a dear friend and respected colleague for many years now, and I couldn't be happier than to feature her two new books on Easy Writer today. Read on--and don't miss these great books!

***

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.




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).
            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???

I've had this for a while but just came across it again and thought it was too cute not to post for everyone else to see. This is my youngest son, Chris, and his family: Kenni and daughters, Marisa and Adriana.

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"?

It isn't often that I come across a study from a new author that excites me as much as this one, but Tested by Fire is certainly one of the few that does. I encourage you to check it out as a resource for individual or group study. Though God will use it to stretch and refine you, I guarantee you won't regret it!


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: 


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“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.