Word of Inspiration: The Promise of Long Life and Peace

"My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you." (Proverbs 3:1-2)

So many people wander through life seeking a magic potion to keep them looking and feeling younger. They invest in herbs, vitamins, cosmetics, lotions and moisturizers. Others pay for exercise programs they don't use, such as memberships to the YMCA or YWCA or some other gym. Still, others become vegetarians, eat organic foods, and try very hard to keep their internal body healthy. I believe these are great ways to help our mortal bodies last longer, but we often forget our spiritual wellness, which is what really completes the BIG picture of our life. The verse above is another PROMISE that if we allow our HEARTS to keep God's commandments, long life and peace will be added to our lives. We can't know God's commandments if we don't read, study, and covet them. To covet something means you don't view it as a list of rules you must abide by, but a treasure of promises that will keep you safe and well. 




 

CFBA Blog Tour: "His Steadfast Love" by Golden Keyes Parsons

The Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing His Steadfast Love Thomas Nelson (November 1, 2011) by Golden Keyes Parsons

#ChristianFiction

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Golden Keyes Parsons writes historical fiction for Thomas Nelson Publishing, and is also a popular retreat/conference speaker. Her highly acclaimed Darkness to Light Series chronicled the journey of her French Huguenot ancestors in 17th century France. Her newest novel, His Steadfast Love, a Civil War novel set in Texas, just released November 2011. Golden lives in Waco, TX, with her husband, Blaine, where they enjoy their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and are avid sports fan of their alma mater, Baylor University.



ABOUT THE BOOK:

It isn't until the Civil War comes to her doorstep that Amanda Bell must choose between love and family.

It's the spring of 1861 on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Amanda never thought she would marry because of a promise she made to her dying mother, but her attraction to Captain Kent Littlefield is undeniable.

When Texas secedes from the Union, her brother Daniel aligns with the Confederate States, while Kent remains with the Union troops.

Her heart is torn between the two men she is closest to and the two sides of the conflict. Amanda prays to God for direction and support, but hears only silence. Where is God in the atrocities of war-and whose side is He on?

Amanda senses her life is at a turning point. She must trust God to deliver her family through the chaos of war with her heart and her faith intact.

If you would like to read the first chapter of His Steadfast Love, go HERE.

Word of Inspiration: Restore Friends in a Spirit of Gentleness

"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

Many of us have friends and family members going through lots of difficult situations. Some were self-inflicted by poor choices, while others are just a circumstance of life and no fault of anyone. Either way, pain is still pain regardless of how we got there in the midst of it. Continual pain wears us down, even the spiritually strong. This is why your support and your friendship will mean so much to them in their time of weakness. Keep encouraging your friend. Don't give up on them when they reject your counsel or question God. Intercede in prayer. 

The last part of this verse cautions those of us trying to help our loved one to consider ourselves so we aren't tempted to be weak. This means you might need to take a break from your loved one to refresh and renew your mind with the Word of God. Otherwise, their complaints might start making too much sense and tempt you to think negative, especially if you see and sympathize with their plight. Even if what is happening to them isn't fair, negative thoughts won't help anyone. You can't help your friend if you fall in the pit with them.

Dream: How the Holy Spirit Imparts Comfort

Dream Description

I'm floating over the ocean facing a sandy beach. There are five small islands in a semi-circle facing the shore. In the middle of these islands is a long boulder where the waves are crashing upon it and spraying sea water all over this rock. It was almost large enough to be an island by itself. In a deep, authoritative voice I heard, "Your home is in the lagoon between the last island and the land."

My Interpretation
At the time I had this dream, we were between churches. I kept worrying and stressing over finding a new home church. The only thing between the last island and the shore was the huge boulder in the lagoon. My home was on the rock, and this gave me comfort because I knew that Jesus was the rock, the chief cornerstone. I didn't need to worry about getting "plugged in" because I was already "plugged in" to the Most High. I was unnecessarily worrying and stressing.

While it's true that as Christians we need to find a home church where we can fellowship with other Christians and receive the true word of God, it isn't meant for us to "settle" on something out of guilt, impatience, loneliness, or pressure from others. We need to wait on Him. He will show us the way and it isn't His desire for us to stress on the way there. I believe He gave me this dream to comfort me while I waited. 

Word of Inspiration: The Path of Justice Will Perserve Us

"He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice. Equity and every good path." (Proverbs 2:8)

Satan plants an evil deceptive path in front of us all, tempting us to error out of fear and the unknown. This is why God's people must walk in faith. Sometimes the wrong path looks easier with less controversy than the right path. But if we will walk in faith, cling to what is right and just, even if it doesn't look easy, God will preserve us on that righteous path. When the time is right or after we've made the journey, we will understand. We'll see the good that came out of the bad. This verse is a PROMISE to us.

CFBA - "The Captive Heart" by Dale Cramer

The Christian Fiction Blog Alliance  is introducing The Captive Heart Bethany House  by Dale Cramer#ChristianFiction


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dale Cramer spent his formative years traveling the world as an Army brat, then settled in Georgia at the age of fifteen when his father retired.

After high school he became an electrician, a job that took him to places as diverse as power plants, stadia, airports, high-rise office buildings, and a hard-rock mining operation.

Twenty-five years of experiences in the trades provided him with the wealth of characters, stories and insights that populate his novels.

When he married his childhood friend, Pam, in 1975 he had no way of knowing they would not have children until fifteen years later.

In his early forties, when Dale left his job to become a stay-at-home dad, he suddenly found himself with time on his hands, so he pursued a lifelong dream and taught himself to write.

Using an online writer’s forum as a training ground, he wrote his first short stories in 1996. As his writing skills improved he turned to novels, publishing his first book, Sutter’s Cross, in 2003.

Since then, Dale has published four more novels and garnered a measure of critical acclaim with two Christy Awards, a listing among Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Books of 2004 and numerous other Best lists. Dale and his wife Pam live in Georgia with their two sons.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Bandit troubles intensify as Caleb Bender's family tries to settle into their new life in 1920s Paradise Valley. When El Pantera kidnaps Rachel and leaves her brother, Aaron, for dead, Jake Weaver and the Mexican native Domingo pursue the bandit leader to his mountain stronghold in a hopeless rescue attempt. Jake and Domingo manage to escape with Rachel, with the bandits hot on their trail. In a desperate attempt to avoid recapture, Domingo puts himself squarely in harm's way, giving Jake and Rachel time to get away. This is not the quiet life Caleb Bender envisioned when he led his family out of Ohio. What is a father to make of his daughter's obvious affection for a man outside the fold? And how will a pacifist Amishman like Caleb respond to the events that threaten his family and their way of life?

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Captive Heart, go HERE.

Word of Inspiration: Shine as Lights in the World

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” (Philippians 2:14-16)

Complaining causes us to look at we don't have rather than the things we do have. It tempts us to think about how we'd like things to be rather than being grateful for how they are. Likewise, disputes causes us to say things we might later regret and hurtful things to others. We are not completely blameless and harmless when we complain and dispute with others. 

It says we live in a crooked and perverse generation, so that means we might have good reason to complain at times. Things aren't always fair. We're not going to agree with perverse people, but neither will arguing cause them to change their minds. Many are too stubborn and arrogant to admit their wrong doing. You can try to reason with them, but when it becomes clear that all they want is to argue, step aside and let them be.


Be a positive light to those who are willing to listen. Share the Word with those who hunger for it. Be an example of love when no one else will. Show people that Jesus still works through His people today as much as yesterday. 

Sharing Dream Experiences

On Mondays I'm going to start sharing my dream experiences with you as a testimony of how God has used them in my life. I can't teach you how to interpret dreams, as I believe that will need to come from the Holy Spirit Himself. However, my dream experiences can be a witness to you.

For centuries God has used dreams to communicate. He appeared to Old Testament people such as Jacob, Jacob's son Joseph, Joseph who was Jesus' father, Daniel, David, Pontius Pilate's wife, and so many more. Also, there is a biblical scripture that is used twice, both in the Old and New Testaments, so it must be very important. It talks about about how God will pour out His Spirit on ALL flesh--that's everyone--and He will use dreams and visions in the last days.

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and daughters shall prophesy. Your young men shall see visions. Your old men shall dream dreams." (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17)

Some dreams I receive interpretations before the dream comes to pass, but others I have to wait until I understand  them. There are times when I only received a partial interpretation and the rest later becomes clear. Not every dream is prophetic or has a spiritual meaning. I call these regular dreams, but those dreams that stay with me even after I wake up are significant dreams. These are the ones I meditate and pray over. 

To protect the privacy and identity of friends and family, I'll use fictional names of individuals who appear in my dreams. If it's too personal, I won't share it. 

You may be wondering how can I remember all the significant dreams I've had over the years. The answer is, I can't. Years ago, I felt led by the Holy Spirit to start writing down my dreams and praying over them. I now have a whole collection that may help others begin to understand how God wants to use dreams to communicate in their lives. I keep a prayer/dream journal. It also allows me to see how God is answering my prayers. It builds my faith as I look at all that He's done in my life.

I hope you will find this dream testimony encouraging and that you will share some of your own dream experiences. I'll post the first one next Monday.

Word of Inspiration: How to Obtain Godly Discretion

"When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you. Understanding will keep you." (Proverbs 2:10-11)

Seek wisdom in God's word and as you read it, you'll gain wisdom and knowledge without even realizing it. When we're filled with sin and the ways of the world, sometimes knowledge isn't pleasant. We're afraid we'll have to sacrifice things we like and make changes in our lives that we don't want. Yet, when God's knowledge is pleasant to our soul, that's when discretion is clear, because our wants and desires aren't getting in the way of making us objective. The path that God would have you take in life and through difficult storms will be clear with the Godly discretion He imparts to you through His word. Pray for this discretion before you read, especially when you have decisions to make.

CFBA Blog Tour - "The Rose of Winslow Street" by Elizabeth Camden

The Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Rose of Winslow Street Bethany House (January 1, 2012)
by Elizabeth Camden

#christianfiction

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A research librarian and associate professor, Elizabeth Camden has a master’s in history from the University of Virginia and a master’s in library science from Indiana University. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband in central Florida.




ABOUT THE BOOK:

The last thing Libby Sawyer and her father expected upon their return from their summer home was to find strangers inhabiting a house that had been in their family for decades. Widower Michael Dobrescu brought his family from Romania to the town of Colden, Massachusetts with a singular purpose: to claim the house willed to him long ago. Since neither party has any intention of giving up their claim, a fierce legal battle ensues between the two families.

When important documents go missing from the house, Libby suspects Michael is the culprit. Determined to discover the truth behind the stolen papers, Libby investigates, only to find more layers of mystery surrounding Michael and his family. Despite their rivalry, Libby finds herself developing feelings for this man with his mysterious past.

As a decision about the house looms in the courts, Libby must weigh the risks of choosing to remain loyal to her family or give her heart to a man whose intentions and affections are less than certain.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Rose of Winslow Street, go HERE.

Visit Elizabeth Camden.