I have seen any number of bloggers post that they were MIA or missing in action when they go several days or even weeks without posting. I have been missing for sure, from this site, and truth be told, I hadn’t done much on my other sites either. ‘In Action’ is important to remember here though because in one way, I guess I was gone because of action.

December wasn’t an easy month. Sometimes the holiday season – from Thanksgiving through New Years – is just hard on a person when they’ve either lost loved ones in death or are far from other loved ones during this time. I fit into both categories. I don’t believe I really went into ‘depression’ per se, but because of that and also, because our finances were/are so unpredictable it didn’t feel like joyful holidays of years past. We still enjoyed our Honduran church family and neighbors but everyone was pretty much caught up in their own personal celebrations. I did have the neighborhood children in for holiday crafts 4 or 5 times and that was fun. I helped cook for the Christmas dinner and even baked cakes for someone on Christmas day.

But the best thing ever, we had to leave the country for our 90 day extensions and because of special, one-time monetary gift from a cousin, we were able to go to Belize and spend several days the 26^th – 30^th. We needed that – I needed that. Having lived over 10 years at Myrtle Beach, the shore is in my heart and my soul thrives and renews itself when I am on a beach. It was a blessed time. A time of renewal.

We came back to solid busyness which is basically a way of life here – and it shows no sign of letting up – however, I have slowed down. For the 1^st time in my life I am dealing with back issues and have been forced into resting while it heals – I haven’t stopped, but am definitely moving at a slower pace and eliminating what I can. These 2 men in my life are a big help.

Lowell and I finished our 90-day Bible reading. I still remain so grateful that Lowell was with me on this journey and that we were able to discuss as we went. The Bible, in its entirety, is just the best story ever, and the New Testament is so chock full of richness. There’s chapter after chapter that if the world were to adopt living in that manner seriously, well, the world would be a different, better place. As a result of this time, I developed several study projects for myself that I will utilize in my own study time and spiritual life.

So, we are on to other things. Lowell has been investigating several options for us, and even is going to invite our kids to join us, and we are going into a New Testament reading plan soon. Right now I am finishing up the Life of Christ books I was into and Lowell is reading Power of a Praying Husband.

Since I am kind of laid up it seemed a good time to re-start some writing so, here I am.

And also, here are some pictures from the last several weeks. Enjoy!

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We finally moved into reading the New Testament. Well, let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. The change was abrupt. One moment we’re reading about the woes in the life and times of Malachi and the next we’re expected to pick up 400 years later with Matthew telling the story of the promised one. Now, my Bible is a chain-reference study Bible so I was happy to take a moment to reflect on a ‘contrast chart’ between the OT and the NT … it’s pretty cool and caused me to want to do my own so that’s an assignment I have now for myself. But anyways, the point is: we are now in the New Testament – this new covenant that is of ‘the heart’ rather than made up of all those works and rules of times past.

Jesus -

• he’s the best teacher
• he’s the best example
• he’s got such a loving heart
• he’s so real
• he’s so good
• he lives what he teaches.

As typical of this reading, we’re covering about 12 pages a day which will have us reading the ‘nativity’ story a few times over this month but then too,we’re living through the life, the death and yes, the resurrection … altogether, it is truly the most amazing story on earth. So often society gets stuck or hung up on the birth and then the death (ie. Christmas and Easter) but seem to forget the in between (his teachings) and the after (the church and teachings) are the whole point for the other 2 to even matter.  Jesus Christ came for a reason: to establish a new order, a Way that will bring us to the Father. His teaching was complete but the work wasn’t finished – that’s why he chose the 12 and promised the Comforter … of course, Paul comes along side them with being chosen particularly by Jesus as well. It’s all part of the divine plan – truly purposed and directed by the hand of God himself.

I’m loving where we are. I pray my heart and mind remain open and that I am always grateful for His gospel, the Good News and what it means to the world.

 

 

2 Corinthians 4:15-17

Day by day … I am being renewed.

Today finds me counting the blessing of living under the New Testament. There has been so many times over the past readings in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Ezekiel, and that I realize I am a fortunate one. I am blessed to have been born just the time I was. I love the overall story – it’s incredible and amazing that God the Father has been as loving and merciful as he has – over and over again.

But as much as I love the story, oh me, oh my, I am so happy to be in the here and now. I hope and pray that I don’t take my life in Christ for granted. I pray that I appreciate the lessons written down for me. I am so appreciative of God’s amazing love.  I am so thankful for all those men who pleaded on our behalf for God not to give up, but rather, to stick to the chosen ones even when they were horrible.

So, we’re reading all this stuff -  finally getting through Ezekiel and on to sad, depressing Hosea, and on another note:  Lowell is the midst of a seminar that is based on the lessons from the sermon on the mount. There’s so much wealth right there – that one series of stories, parables, points is enough to revolutionize a life, a nation – if only we’d see it for what it’s worth and practice it. I guess that the point – the practicing.

So, I’ve spent today just being so happy to be a Christian! It’s not that it’s all easy, that there’s no trials but we have it differently now. And, I really want to learn and grow and be transformed into that new creature. It takes diligent work and application but I hope I can live so that God never wants to give up on me! I hope and pray that I’ll live as I should with the right motives and without grumbling or seeking after worldly idols – whether it be TV or having stuff or just whatever could become consuming and take me away from his purpose for me.

Yep, there’s so much to consider in living a life before the Lord but hallelujah my Savior is now my intercessor and that we are allowed a personal relationship with him.

Being renewed day by day – all because we are HIS!

¹⁵ All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

 ¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

 

King of my life, I crown Thee now

It’s impossible for me to believe I have been MIA from this site for over 2 weeks! No way!

Why is time so fleeting? Sometimes, for me, I think it’s because we live here  in Santa Rosa and our lives are so filled up – every single day there’s something to get done, someplace to be – and that’s why it seems it’s just zooming by. Also, I know I’m getting older and probably for that reason as well time seems to be flying by. But, then our Jake, who’s only a teen-ager says the same thing – time goes by too fast. So, I have no answer. Whatever the reason, I was gone and now I’m back.

Oh my! We are on Day 57 of our 90 Day Bible Challenge. I believe I mentioned how I’d been wanting to read the Bible from cover-to-cover like a novel – I mean, the ‘read-the-Bible-in-a-year’ systems are great but I’ve never taken a year to read any other books. I’m happy to be where I am with this.

Heading on to day 58 of the Bible in 90 days!

So … how’s it going?

Well, it’s INTENSE! There are so many emotions in this ongoing story of love, redemption, betrayal, deception, repentance and mercy. Sometimes the story just gets too heavy. Just when the violence is too much God’s grace is again made manifest. Just when I think I can’t stand any more annoying, two-faced behavior of the Hebrew people, a light is seen and the path to righteousness is made clear.

One glaring characteristic of all these readings is that when the Israelites had a just, righteous king on their throne then the people cleaned up their own act – they allowed themselves to led in righteousness, they repented, fell in love with God’s law again, decided His way was the best way. This helps me to realize: when Jesus Christ is sitting on the throne of my heart I stay on my own path of righteouness. I allow Him to lead and I follow. An old  song has been re-visiting my heart since I came to this conclusion …

1. King of my life, I crown Thee now,
   Thine shall the glory be;
   Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow,
   Lead me to Calvary.

• Lest I forget Gethsemane;
  Lest I forget Thine agony;
  Lest I forget Thy love for me,
  Lead me to Calvary.
1. Show me the tomb where Thou wast laid,
   Tenderly mourned and wept;
   Angels in robes of light arrayed
   Guarded Thee while Thou slept.
2. Let me like Mary, through the gloom,
   Come with a gift to Thee;
   Show to me now the empty tomb,
   Lead me to Calvary.
3. May I be willing, Lord, to bear
   Daily my cross for Thee;
   Even Thy cup of grief to share,
   Thou hast borne all for me.

4. Fill me, O Lord, with Thy desire
   For all that know not Thee;
   Then touch my lips with holy fire,
   To speak of Calvary.
   

Which actually brings me to another point or conclusion I have come to… God, in His infinite and all-knowing wisdom knew people needed to be reminded of what is most important in life.When I see the ceremonies and celebrations that were laid out for the Hebrew people to practice I am made to realize that they all had a purpose – to remind them that they belonged to God and were saved and blessed because of His divine love and mercy. When they slacked off and were negligent or even replaced true worship with false worship then whew! That’s when trouble began in earnest.

For me, I have a newfound appreciation for the Lord’s Supper or Communion every first day of the week. The Father and Son knew my heart … that I needed to be reminded. I needed to feel remorse. I needed to remember that I was bought with a price and it was paid in full. I needed to celebrate the resurrection and I definitely need it more that once a year or even monthly.

These feelings brought another song to my memory – one that I have a deeper understanding and admiration for because week after week, by God’s decree, the curtain of my memories is rolled back and I am reminded of who I am.

Remind Me Dear Lord

Verse I

 The things that I love, and hold dear to my heart

Are just borrowed they’re not mine at all

Jesus only lets me use them to brighten my life

So remind me, remind me dear Lord

 Chorus

 Roll back the curtain of memories now and then

Show me where you brought me from

Oh, and where I could have been

Remember I’m human, and humans forget

So remind me, remind me dear Lord

 Verse II

 Nothing good have I done to deserve God’s own Son

I’m not worthy of the scars in His hand

Yet He chose the road to Calv’ry to die in my stead

Why He loved me, I can’t understand

 Repeat chorus, then:

 So remind me, remind me dear Lord

By: Dottie Rambo

Two things I believe (amongst loads of others but for now…)

1. we are created in God’s image
2. therefore each of us are designed to create

Excellent! Although I also know we are so very different from one another and some people may think they don’t have an ounce of ‘creativity’ just because they don’t draw, or write, or perform. Well, to me the ‘fine arts’ are not what defines creativity. A Wife putting together an amazing meal from what she has left in the cupboards at the end of a pay period – that is creativity! A Dad fixing a broken tractor with whatever they have on hand to finish the plowing – that is creativity. Every celebration,  every note or letter to a loved one, every innovative initiative one takes to make someone’s  or his or her life better – it’s creativity. Scientists, mathematicians, engineers all have a form of God-given creativity. I love it … creativity.

I also know we often don’t live up to, use up, develop or even begin to touch what amazing gifts we’ve been given. I’m thinking we should pay attention to what God has endowed us with. In addition, I think we really should take to heart Christ’s admonition towards this in the wonderful story of talents or gifts in  Matthew 25:14-30 -

I love this part -

  23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

and I am not liking this part –

24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

   26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

   28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

Why don’t I like it? because so often I can see myself right where he was … being afraid to use my God-talents. I don’t take advantage of opportunities, I don’t develop, I don’t trust what I have … and so I hide it. To protect me – from being hurt, from failing, from stretching … because some things just are hard. And sometimes, truth be told, I am probably too lazy to invest the time and energy it would take to develop whatever talent or gift it may be. Sometimes I know I am just shirking my responsibility … of being accountable for myself. 

But right now I am going to share something and in sharing this it will also be a challenge to myself. 

2 things really – because these are calling to my heart and I don’t want to ignore them any more … 

1. I am going to get back into my art. Yep, I’m going to do it. I actually have started some little projects and I am even going to post pictures of what I’m up to (at my other blog). I think it’s going to be fun!
2. I am going to develop and write these books that have been ‘written’ in my head for years now. I think that is a little scary but exciting too.

Yep, since I’ve actually put it into writing maybe I’ll get it done. One step at a time of course. But, that’s all it really takes … and the journey begins … for me anyway.

Well, in writing this note, it may seem that I have deviated from the notes on the reading I’ve been in the middle of, but actually, the readings in the Old Testament are what prompted these feelings of unrest in my heart. For some reason I hadn’t ever noticed how God delights in our really using these talents … because, whether it was in building the tabernacle or the temple, or managing super duper projects like the wall or tending for and managing all the stock and vineyards and offerings, over and over I am so impressed by God’s respect and love for beauty, detail, precision, craftsmanship, and organization.  People, people everywhere all excellent in their unique fields, using up what they are good at … to the glory of the Father.

On the other hand, if they weren’t using what they had in His honor, but unto themselves or their false gods, then watch out! The vengeance of the Lord is mighty and fierce.

What about you? What God-given talent is laying hidden? what needs to be developed in your own life? what dreams were yours that have never been fulfilled? Or on the other hand … maybe you have grabbed hold of that special something and are using it to the fullest! How sweet… how wonderful to come to the end of one’s life and know: I did it! I used it up and all to the Glory of the Father who gave us these special gifts.

Lowell and I will be on day 28 of our reading in the 90 day Bible challenge  – which means we’re in II Kings. The stories are fascinating, furious, filled with trauma and so much drama. The violence, death, and rampant, purposed evil just makes me so sad and mad! Of course, there’s the faithful few who try against all odds to stay true to the Lord but, by in large it’s pretty much as God predicted (God’s word … the same yesterday, today and tomorrow) … you let a little evil creep in, participate in just this small part … and before long, you’re into all of it – all the way, full-blown idolatry. The seduction was subtle. The compromise of faith in the true God to bowing down to false idols brought about generations’ worth of terrible consequences. God is definitely a jealous, righteous God.

I have had plenty of food for thought in all these readings – positive and negative feelings. One thing for sure: there’s truly nothing new under the sun.

• We may not have access to Baal or the other gods  mentioned but sure as shooting, idols are everywhere about us in varying forms.
• We may not go ‘all out’ in our ‘idol worship’ but having a heart divided is a common thing – ‘I’ll get rid of this while holding on to that’ (can’t have that friend or this relative offended, now can we?)
• We may not be killing and offering our children to these particular idols …. but everyday, I am sure, we allow the influence of false ‘gods’ to creep into our own homes and slowly but surely they are captivating the hearts of us and our loved ones.

For all the negative stuff that is being talked about every so often a fresh breeze of hope and the promise of plenty appear. Why?

Because:

• God listens.
• God feels our pain.
• God delights in blessing His children.

I am loving reading through the Bible in 90 Days – we just finished the 18th day and now we are into Judges. So much has happened – it’s amazing, terrible, interesting and pretty incredible. Well, I guess since there are so many God-given miracles it is seems ‘incredible’ but also, it really is credible, because it is God’s hand moving – it’s real stuff.

We’re heading out tomorrow – Lowell, Jake and I — it’s time for our 90 day stamp renewal on our passport. This means we go to a neighboring country (El Salvador) and stay 48 hours and then come back. I let my daughter know today that we’d be out of touch for a few days getting this done. She said it seemed like we just did this and that we were doing it all the time… well, except for a one-month extension one time we do this every 90 days.  And yes, it rolls around quickly. I am not complaining, we do what we gotta do.

On another note of wandering … man, I got tired along with the Israelites in all their traveling and wandering – it seems like every whip-stitch they’re up and “heading out again”. Not just a family or even a clan – we’re talking 100′s of 1,000′s of them – heading out, wandering around the desert. What an entourage they must’ve made by anyone’s standards. And their behavior – when they’re good, they’re really good and when they’re bad – they really blow it. Sometimes it’s just hard for me to believe that they kept forgetting God’s mighty hand in their lives and the punishment He has already given out – and it’s not like He doesn’t warn them. I know for me the story is going by fast … I’m reading all this in a matter of a few days and for them they’re living it day in and day out for months and years but still, you’d think they do a better job of ‘remembering’ – not just the times they were punished but God’s Love shown by all  He has done for them over and over again.

And (back to the negative) … I have definitely been much more conscious of my attitude after reading about all the grumbling of God’s chosen people. It grates on your nerves just reading about all the complaining and whining but then I look at myself and realize I’m just as forgetful and just as guilty of expecting more than the bounty I have. I take note of God’s wrath – His absolute anger at their dissatisfaction and am warned and chastised for my complaints.

On the one hand, yes, I see God’s anger – for He is a jealous Father – but then I am overwhelmed by His mercy, His generosity, His lavish care for His chosen ones. Oh, I love this God of ours. I love that He loves little details, that He delights in craftsmanship and creativity, I love the attention to elaborate beauty that He’s requiring in the tabernacle and the curtains and the robes and all the articles. From the ark to the Ark He is commanding precision and obedience to His instructions. He is having His people create holy masterpieces that will be used for generations as a sacred place to worship Him. I even love His attention to details on how to stay pure, how to stay healthy, how to honor Him,  how to be the best – for that’s what He wants – over and over – He wants the very best for His precious children – just follow and obey the instructions and you will be blessed beyond your wildest, most beautiful dreams! Ah, just listen, trust and obey!

I know God is the same today as yesterday and so I want to try harder to be the person He’d want me to be – clear down to the tiniest details of my own masterpiece – myself in Christ.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19

I guess I’ve actually extended or added to my quiet times … because, when I decided to go with the 90 Day Bible challenge I hadn’t finished the Life of Christ books I was enjoying so much.

The other set of books mentioned in my last post are like on-going friends – I visit them and love our time together. I have a favorite reading spot in our house and I guess every house we’ve lived in it’s been that way. What about you?

• Are you ‘into’ some good inspirational books or material now?
• Do you have a favorite spot/chair you call your own?
• Do you have a  routine you seem to follow in your own quiet times?

My prayer when I started the Life of Christ series was that I’d fall in love with Jesus more deeply … that as I got to know Him better and in a more profound manner, I would also become a better disciple of His. How can you learn from someone if you never sit at their feet to listen and study? Also, just as we have these friends in our day to day lives I know that it is interaction with them that deepens the love you share. True friendship goes beyond the surface – good morning, how ya doin’, fine thanks. True friendship means not being afraid to learn more, participate more and yes, even sacrifice.

Well, I am still loving this book. I am making notes as I go and Lowell has been a great sounding board. Things that are really cool about a study like this are:

• the comparisons/contrasts drawn between the gospel writers – these men are different from one another and the way they experienced Jesus is reflected in the way they wrote.
• the little tidbits of history that are shared helps one see that this was all real – not some fairytale story made up to make us feel good
• the characters in each story become more alive as details of where they lived, how they lived are given and looked at more closely
• the harmony, not only of the gospels, but to the Old Testament writings is just so undeniable
• the word usage is studied and how a certain part of speech is used can change the whole significance of a passage
• this guy, Mark E. Moore, puts his personality into his writing and you feel like you’re just sitting over a cup of coffee at the kitchen table and he’s telling about this sweet old couple (Zachariah and Elizabeth) or Jesus and his ‘base of operations’ – Capernaum
• oh, and the journey you are going on through these 3 years – the timeline as he is developing through comparing all 4 authors and their experiences … it’s more like a real story and I am just ‘getting it’ in a better way
• and Jesus Christ – man, He is worth falling in love with – you’re just so proud of His reactions and love and serving that happens over and over.

So, maybe a few more highlights later but just wanted to share that in my doing the 90 Day Bible plan I haven’t put aside these other books. You know, I really think this all has played together beautifully – I am doing the one and then also reading the entire Love Story as well. Pretty exciting, if I do say so myself.

I first came across this site in early June 2011 through a blogger I follow sporadically … she was issuing a challenge to others to join her in the pursuit of reading through the Bible in 90 days. I went to the ‘official site’ and nearly signed up right then and there. I was impressed and I felt the challenge deep within me. Then my second thoughts won and I decided against it.

Second thought reasons:

#1  I would be traveling to the states for a month and then returning to who knows what … it just didn’t seem feasible that I could /would stay faithful to any reading schedule.

#2 I was already in the middle of a devotional that I wanted to carry with me and knew my early mornings would be spent in that.

#3 If and when I decided to do this, I wanted to do it ‘whole-heartedly’ unto the Lord and really ‘get it’ – enjoy the treasures, meditate, learn, … just concentrate on His Word in the intense way it called for.

The first time I read through the Bible was in my teen-age years. Our Sunday school teacher, sister Smith, challenged us to this and I think there were 4 of us who completed it. Then, throughout my life I have read through the Bible several more times at least once or twice using printed schedules on how to get through. My favorite way has been The Daily Bible put together by F LaGard Smith. But, too,  I really liked when our congregation at Archdale, led by brother Bill Ireland, used the One Year Chronological Bible put out by Tyndale.

So, anyway, October 1^st became the date for my starting point in this challenge. This program is normally done as a whole congregation activity issued through the site as a full group project with active participation, accountability and all the props. I didn’t want to wait until the next organized, official time … I knew this was the time for me so, on my own and in my lonesomeness I began. However… the second day the Father surprised me with Lowell’s desire to accompany on this journey. Hooray! The best reading buddy in the world is by my side and we are now heading into our 10^th reading. I love it.

There are blogging ideas and suggestions given through the 90 Day site however, I am making notes of interest as I go … in my usual way of stars, hearts, notes on the side, etc. I know I am not a Hebrew or Greek scholar but I do love the Word and pray for guidance and understanding as I go. I do want to write up some notes on here as I go along but be warned, if you decide to follow me, these thoughts are from a ‘layperson’ – just an ordinary wife and Mom who strives daily to get ‘it’ right. My impressions aren’t profound but they are mine.

Join me if you like.

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NIV Daily Bible: In Chronological Order Softcover 1984By F. LaGard Smith Discover the Bible as the extraordinary epic it is! As the unique, chronological presentation of God’s story daily unfolds before you, you’ll begin to appreciate God’s plan for your life as never before as the Bible will become a fresh, inviting, more informative experience. Find a chronological/historical arrangement of every book of the Bible, a Devotional Commentary, 365 convenient daily reading segments, and topical arrangements for Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Bible is arranged in chronological order; daily readings are posted as January 1, January 2, etc. Organized into 365 chronological readings Narrative shaded in gray Cross-references

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The NLT One Year Chronological Bible – softcoverA fascinating way to read through the Bible in one year—in only fifteen minutes per day!Now you can gain a better understanding of the order of biblical events and the historical context in which they unfolded. The One Year Chronological Bible arranges the entire Bible text—books, chapters, and even verses—in the order the events actually happened. In The One Year Chronological Bible, prophetic books are interwoven with the historical accounts they accompanied. Psalms follow the events about which they were written. Proverbs are placed in the time frame in which they were compiled. The life of Christ is woven into one moving story. And Paul’s letters to the young churches in the first century are integrated into the book of Acts.

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The Bible in 90 Days: Cover to Cover in 12 Pages a Day 1984Just 12 Pages a Day   That’s all it takes to read the Bible in ninety days. It’s easier than you thought! Once you break it down into bite-sized pieces, what may have seemed to be a formidable challenge becomes doable and enjoyable. And this specially designed large print Bible will help you get the most out of your experience. Use it in conjunction with The Bible in 90 Days curriculum for all the benefits of sharing God’s Word in community, or use it by yourself. Either way, you’ll be fulfilling what for many Christians is a longstanding ambition: reading through the entire Bible.

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Bible in 90 Days: Whole-Church Challenge, Participant’s Guide

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The Bible in 90 Days: Whole Church Challenge KitChallenge the members of your congregation or small group to complete what for many Christians is a lifelong goal: to read the Bible from Genesis straight through to Revelation! This motivational kit provides everything you need, including leader’s guide; participant’s guide; The Essential Bible Companion; The Bible in 90 Days NIV Thinline Bible; four DVDs; and more.

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I may have mentioned before that I have a bookmark of my Grandpa’s. It’s leather and on it is written: “books are silent friends”. My Grandpa died when I was only 8 years old so I don’t remember him really well but there’s certain things that stand out. He had a laugh like my Dad. He was shy. He was a sweetheart and I remember sitting in his lap and feeling safe and comfortable.

Back to the bookmark – I believe books can become so familiar to you that they are like friends. Or maybe you’re introduced to a book, an author, and right off you have an affinity, they speak to your heart, taking you somewhere you always longed to be. That being said, I re-read books, just like I watch movies more than once. I always run across something I missed the first or second time around.

Well, on my Dec/Jan trip to the States I happened to re-find several old books of mine that I love and I was so happy to bring them ‘home’ with me. I am glad I got them because they have come in handy. You know how in life you sometimes go through these dark times? Not really for any explicit reason but maybe just a load of circumstances that bring you down? And not really ‘down’ like in despair, but just a lethargic feeling you can’t shake. Well, I actually can pinpoint a few occurrences that have led me to the point where I knew I needed to re-visit some friends.

The first, probably most favorite ‘friend’, is Better Than Medicine, A Merry Heart, by Leroy Brownlow. The original copy was given to me by my Mom. She had several of Brownlow’s books and often gave gift versions to people. I do not even know how many times I have re-read this book, re-memorized the scriptures it suggests (I forget memory work after a while), and just been revived by the words of encouragement and wisdom of brother Brownlow. It’s out of print I guess but I have bought a good amount used ones off the internet to give away to people who needed it or just because… If you have not ever read this book you should read it. If you ever find yourself, or someone you love, down in the dumps, you should read it.

The second good old friend is a book that was my Dad’s – a pocket-size version of The Power of Positive Thinking, by Norman Vincent Peale. This little book is a goldmine of nuggets of wisdom taken straight from the Word of God. You are valuable. You are a treasure and you have gifts galore to share with others and thereby make a difference in this world. I love this book. So did my Dad.

The third book I am re-visiting with gusto is The Magic of Thinking Big, by David Schwartz. He doesn’t talk a whole lot from the Bible but he sure uses Biblical principles throughout and I am reading the book, not from a business or salesmanship viewpoint, but in relation to me and life in Christ. This book was given to us by one of our closest friends before he took off to travel and live in other lands … he and his little family presently live as missionaries in India and are making a gigantic difference in a lot of lives. This friend of ours had read the book before he handed it off to Lowell and he has his marks all through it. Stars, underlinings, exclamation points, and remarks … I love it. Reading the book is like visiting 2 friends at once! So cool,

I know God sees me as valuable. I know I have talents and gifts unique to myself. I know I can and should make a difference in this world. I know the Father cares more for me than I can ever understand or grasp. Sometimes though, I need re-assuring and these good friends are doing just that… helping me remember, I may not be perfect, and I may have messed up big time here and there on this road we call life but by gum, by golly, I matter! There is plenty for me to still do in my life and I believe in me.

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by: Robin Lynn