The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry

My husband Chris and I had the pleasure of watching "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry" this evening.  We give it a big thumbs up.  It's a wonderful movie for the whole family and it has timeless lessons for everyone.

Listening to God

Do you ever go through those seasons where God seems distant?  


David Fisher at Pilgrim Scribblings recently had a post “Powerfully Present” in which I related to his quote:  “If God seems absent tonight...He's not!  Maybe hidden but NOT gone!”


I’m going through one of those seasons right now.  I continue to read God’s word, pray, attend church and participate in Bible studies.  But God seems distant from me.  


But there have been moments when God has quietly spoken.  Such as when I start my day and I’m tempted to dive right in because there is always so much to do.  But I feel God calling me, “Susan, don’t you want to hear what I have to say to you before you start your day?”  I feel His call to pick up my Bible and read from the scriptures and read from my devotionals.


In the past, I’ve tried to keep a journal, but it’s always been something I started only to stop within a few days.  A couple of weeks ago, I felt God leading me to jot down in a notebook when I’m reading through the Bible verses that stand out to me, or record what’s going on with me that day that I’m struggling with or rejoicing over.  


As I’m going through my day I’m on the lookout for Jesus.  When I have those encounters I’m writing them down in a small notebook.  It may be the Holy Spirit bringing to mind something I’ve studied, or it might be something I hear while listening to a radio program or an encouraging or convicting word that some speaks to me.  


During this time when God seems distant, I feel led to ask the Lord is there some area of sin in my life that is displeasing or dishonoring to You?  Is there something that I need to repent of?  Do I have a wrong attitude or is there an overt action that I need to repent of?  


May my heart be tender towards the Lord and may I be sensitive to His Holy Spirit.

Five Minute Friday…Awake!

Oh my goodness, here I am awake again.  It’s going to be morning before I know it.  I have to get up and go to work.  I have a meeting and I need to be able to focus.  What time is it?  12:15 am and I’ve been lying here for over two hours. 

Lord, please help me to sleep.  What time is it…1:00 am.  With each passing minute I feel more stressed.  

Okay Lord, whom do you want me to pray for?  Help me to focus so I can at least make this time productive.  

It seems like the sleepless nights are too frequent.  I’m awake and cannot go to sleep, no matter how tired I am.  I find when I fret, I just get more stressed and stay awake longer.  

However when I take the approach that perhaps it’s a divine appointment that the Lord may have me up so that I can be praying, it takes the stress out it.  At least the time is productive and I’m not keeping my husband awake too.  

The Lord will bring different people and situations to mind for me to pray about.  I also ask that the Lord will help me to make it through that day despite precious little sleep.  

This post is being linked to 5-Minute Friday courtesy of The Gypsy Mama, where you simply write for 5 minutes without worrying if it's right or not.  Go ahead...head on over and give it a try!

October Baby

Five Minute Friday – Roar

When I read the word roar, the first thing that comes to mind was the scripture in 1 Peter 5:8 that tells us that Satan goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  


One day there will be a thunderous roar in heaven when Jesus stands up and says “Enough!” and comes to get His bride the church.  Oh how I look forward to that day.  I long for it.  There is not a day that goes by in which I don’t think of Jesus’ soon return.  With each passing day, it seems as though it’s eminent.  


There was day 2,000 years ago, when the crowd roared “Crucify Him!” and the roaring lion thought he had won the victory.  Little did he know that three days later, Jesus Christ would emerge from the tomb, not a vanquished foe, but a triumphant Victor.  A Victor over sin and death.


Now that ought to elicit a loud roar of praise from my lips…Thank You Jesus!


This post is being linked to 5-Minute Friday courtesy of The Gypsy Mama, where you simply write for 5 minutes without worrying if it's right or not.  Head on over and give it a try!

Cry Out to God

Today the Lord strengthened and encouraged me through His word, in His perfect timing.  

 16 As for me, I call to God, 

   and the LORD saves me. 

17 Evening, morning and noon 

   I cry out in distress, 

   and he hears my voice. 

18 He rescues me unharmed 

   from the battle waged against me, 

   even though many oppose me.

Psalm 55:16-18 

NIV

Courageous: What's Your Resolution For 2012?

Rock Harbor's India Team & Harvest India

Our friend Rachel has gone to India along with others from Rock Harbor Church on a missions trip.  Each day they are sharing a blog post about what they did that day.  I would encourage you to follow their missions trip and see what the Lord is doing in and through them.

Rock Harbor India Team

Please watch the video below to see the lives being touched through Harvest India.

  

Harvest India from David Trotter on Vimeo.

Fresh-brewed Life – Take a Pass

I was excited at the prospect of reading Nicole Johnson’s book “Fresh-brewed Life”.  I had seen her at Women of Faith and hoped to be inspired and touched by her book as I had been by her dramatic performances.


My expectations were soon dashed as I worked my way through “Fresh-brewed Life”. The book is about the work and changes Nicole made in her life to help her overcome her painful past.  However, I didn’t connect with the author and found it a chore to finish reading the book. 


Instead of offering something fresh and new a “Fresh-brewed Life” is filled with secular psychology and has a little bit of scripture thrown in for good measure.  God seems to be another resource to help fill our needs rather than the One Whom we worship and give an account.   


What I found most troubling is Nicole’s views didn’t align with scripture at times.  The most grievous example is on pages 58 and 59 where she describes and encounter with a woman who came to speak with her at a conference.  Sandra came and asked Nicole to pray for her because she was having an affair.  Nicole shared some of the details on what drove this woman to have an affair.  At no time during this exchange did Nicole tell this woman that what she is doing is wrong before God.  Instead she asked Sandra to tell how this man made her feel and counseled her that she needed to better understand her longings and take them to God.  At no time were the words sin and repentance mentioned.  The saddest sentence in the book, “I don’t know what happened with Sandra’s marriage or whether or not she ended her affair with Jerry.”  


“Fresh-brewed Life” is not entirely without merit.  I liked the chapter on friendships.  There were a few things throughout the book that were insightful.  However, overall the author seemed very self-centered instead of Christ exalting and off base scripturally.  Therefore, I do not recommend this book.  


I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com 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.”

Thank you Troops & Veterans

Wishing the men and women of our military and their families a very Merry Christmas.  I thank you for your service to this nation and for the sacrifice that you and your family make so that we can remain a free country.


Thank you Lloyd at Solid Rock or Sinking Sand for sharing this tribute to our military.

Silent Night by Mannheim Steamroller