Two Great Books from a Dear Author Friend

 My friend Marlayne Giron is offering her two new books on my blog today, and you can get autographed copies by going to this link: http://marlaynegiron.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html

You can also see the videos for the books at that same site or on YouTube:
Make a Wish: http://youtu.be/80OipjQ_KNA
In Plain Sight: http://youtu.be/uDA7hTR1cQU

Blessings, dear readers!

What Does the Lord Require of Us?

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

(Micah 6:8, NKJV)

            I’ve always loved this verse, but lately it’s been rolling around in my heart and mind a lot, stirring up thoughts and feelings I hadn’t considered before.

            First, I’ve been impressed by the opening words: “He has shown you.” That’s God speaking to us, isn’t it? He has shown us. But what has He shown us…and how did He do so?

            He showed us that He requires three things of us: to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with Him. And, of course, knowing that we are unable to fulfill those requirements on our own, He sent His Son to model and live those requirements for us.

            If you consider the life of Christ as depicted in the gospels, I believe you can find that every act or deed falls into one of the three categories of God’s requirements for us. Isn’t that amazing? Another proof that God is righteous and requires righteous behavior from His children, but also another proof that He is merciful and provides a way for us to fulfill those otherwise impossible requirements.

            The next time you read through the gospels, I challenge you to consider each scene of the Savior’s life and ask yourself which of God’s three requirements Jesus models in that scene. I believe it will give you a fresh appreciation for the amazing life of our beloved Lord and Savior during the time He walked this earth.

Perfect Mother's Day Gift--Enter to Win a Free Copy!

I'm giving away three copies of Mothers of the Bible Speak to Mothers of Today as Mother's Day gifts. All you have to do to enter is LIKE http://on.fb.me/Ia29Tz and leave a comment. You can also become a follower of this blog (if you aren't already) and leave a comment here for a SECOND chance to win. This book is also available in Spanish, so if you win, you have a choice of either language. To see more about the book go to:

http://www.christianbook.com/mothers-the-bible-speak-to-today/kathi-macias/9781596692152/pd/692152?product_redirect=1&Ntt=692152&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP

A Thriller to Keep You Turning Pages

Cassidy Christensen is running.
Running from the mercenaries who killed her parents.
Running from a scheming redhead intent on making her life miserable.
Running from painful memories that sabotage her dreams of happiness.

With two very tempting men competing for her attention, she hopes she'll finally have someone to run to, but can she trust either of them? When secrets from her past threaten her family, Cassidy decides to stop running and fight for her future.

Buy Link - http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Running-ebook/dp/B007PJ70MA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334868019&sr=8-1

Contest info - Win amazing fitness products from Mio Global, Hugger Mugger, Running Chics, Fitcore Fitness, iFrogz, Altra Zero Drop shoes, Lebert Fitness, and more. Click here for details (http://camicheckettsbooks.blogspot.com)

An Audience of One

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14, NKJV).

            In addition to polishing a couple of manuscripts that need to go in to the publishers shortly, I’m focusing a lot right now on preparing for several speaking engagements, including keynotes, teaching, panel discussions, TV and radio. I enjoy all that, particularly the impromptu, spontaneous events that require few if any notes, such as media interviews and panel discussions. But the keynotes and teaching demand that I at least have a few notes jotted down about what I will say and how I will say it.

            All of that’s important, I know. So much more important, however, is what I say and how I say it in light of the Lord, who not only hears each word I speak but knows the meditations of my heart as well. How I want both to be acceptable in His sight! And how much more likely they will be if I am careful what I put into my heart and mind, for the Scriptures are clear that whatever words we speak come out of what we have stored in our hearts.

            Knowing that ultimately I speak for an audience of One, I must be much more careful of what I choose to store up in my heart, for that will determine my meditations as well as my words. No matter how much time I spend trying to perfect and polish the words I speak to others, it is God alone who knows the purity of my intent. We live in a world that bombards us with thoughts and words that demean our faith walk with Christ; may we continually ask the Lord to strengthen us and not allow those negative influences to enter our heart and taint our meditations and words.     

Excellence Marriage Resource!

Before there was community, there was family. Before there was family, there was one man and one woman created to be family and to be the prototype for community.

For more than 40 years, David Stevens, D. D., pastor/founder of Christ Center Church of God,CEO of Sound Marriages has researched, developed and presented vital materials designed to help families reach their best life.

Sound Marriages over the last four decades has looked for opportunities to share the message of healing and wholeness by producing marriage and family videos, booklets, workbooks, workshop materials, family counseling, and countless seminars around the country.

Dr. Stevens is an energetic speaker who demonstrates a rare talent for presenting scholarship in a simple and humorous wrapping. He speaks from a solid scriptural base with the conviction that it supplies the only reliable foundation for marriage and family. He has authored, to date, four books on the affairs of the heart and as a relationship coach and counselor, many have continued to seek his wisdom and expertise. Now you can avail yourself of Dr. Stevens' vast experience and expertise through this excellent marriage resource, Marriage: Catching a Second Wind, by going to http://bookstore.xlibris.com/Products/SKU-0070226049/MARRIAGE-Catching-A-Second-Wind.aspx

The Scars of Devotion

But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions…what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me (2 Timothy 3:10-11, NKJV).

The Apostle Paul was no stranger to suffering, yet he was no whiner either. He patiently endured whatever hardships came his way as a result of his bold proclamation of faith in the risen Christ, knowing his Lord would keep him safe whatever happened.

Notice, however, that though Paul knew God would keep him safe, he didn’t expect Him to spare him from suffering. Paul understood that such things were part of the cost he must pay for serving the One whom the world rejected. Nothing much has changed in that regard, has it? Though we in many countries are free to worship God as we wish, others around the globe are not so blessed.

Jesus Himself set the example, didn’t He? Another Apostle, Thomas, wanted proof of that example. When he was told that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead, he didn’t ask to see Christ’s face or to hear His voice. He said he must touch His wounds, the scars that proved His suffering on our behalf, before he would believe. Graciously, Jesus accommodated him.

Our redemption was bought at a great price, so great we can scarcely begin to fathom it. The scars on the risen Christ’s body are testimony to that redemption and the unconditional love that sealed it.

Can we, as followers of Christ, expect any less? Even if we are not openly persecuted for our faith, there is always a price to pray, a part of self that needs to die daily so our risen Lord can live within us. There’s no room on the throne for two; only Jesus has earned the right to sit there. When we are called to any sort of suffering in our walk with Him, may we endure it humbly, knowing that the scars it produces will provide evidence of Christ’s love for others to see, that they too might believe and be saved.