Why?

Are any of you like me and you could hardly pull yourself away from the television coverage of the horrible events last week?  Boston and the town in Texas?  

Did any of you wonder how someone could place a bomb next to a little 8 year old boy and just walk away?  How?  Last week my heart broke and I was crying out why and how Lord?

Well, when we ask I believe He answers!  I was lead to the story of the disciples in the storm in Matthew where they were fighting the storm that was about to turn the boat over and suddenly the LORD appeared and they thought Jesus was a ghost.  Well, then I was lead to the same story in Mark 7, but it is a little different and it had an answer for me.  Turn to Mark 7 and read the story for yourself the verse that just turned my head is found in verse 48...He was about to pass by them,...I paused, I pondered, what do you mean Jesus was about to pass by without stopping.  The disciples (like us) were fighting the storm, they finally cried out in fear to Jesus.  Yes, immediately upon the disciples crying out even in fear He stopped and filled them with courage and hope!

Are we crying out to the One that we need?  I believe that all of us need to cry out to Jesus and say LORD we need YOU!  We think because the world tells us things are okay and that this or that is okay that because the majority says its okay that it makes it okay, but well it's just not true.  All of us need to look to the One and cry out to Him to come back into our decisions, back into our life, and back in to the schools, the government and everything else...because He will pass us by...

Blessings,

Debbie

Wasting no time...

What do you perhaps waste time doing?  Watching tv, playing games, shopping, eating, reading, the list could go on and on with things that we spend our time at times wasting!  Yes, could you get all of that sometimes we waste time doing things we enjoy, but not necessarily what we ought to be doing.  Now don't get me wrong we are to enjoy the things we like to do, but there is a limit to all of it!

Today, we read 1 Samuel 23: 13-29, Psalm 54, 1 Samuel 24 and 25

Abigail grasp my attention.  Do you know why?  First off she is married to a man that is very name means "fool" and he is exactly that when David makes a request of him.  Do you know what Abigail's name means? "My father's joy" don't you love it!  Now we know that names were huge in the time of David; they all had meaning.  So Abigail's family her father expressed his joy with the birth of Abigail and that alone is big.  After all, baby girls were not always celebrated, but right off her human father is expressing joy, but I think also knowing that one day God would use her in the life of David Her Heavenly Father expressed His joy!  Don't you love it?  I do!

Also, I loved that when her fool of a husband really messed up and David was on his way to well do away with everything around Nabal...Abigail wasted no time making things right!  She obeyed God and hastened to make the situation okay!  Read this beautiful story of obedience for yourself and be reminded that You are also Your Heavenly Father's Joy!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Cart before the horse

Anybody else like me that at times, rather than wait like God is telling me to I try to handle things on my own?  How did it work for you?  Well, it didn't work so well for me!  Surprise, not really!

We should all know this, but we proceed anyway. (Debbie does at times)  Today's reading was found in 1 Samuel 13 and 14 and 1 Chronicles 9:35-39 with the story of some of Saul's battles with the Philistines.  The thing that caught my attention today was the words Samuel spoke in 1 Samuel 13: 10 ~ "What is this you have done?"  Saul knew God's instructions, Samuel had been very clear also with God's desires and yet Saul proceed on his own.  Thinking that he had to proceed because men were leaving him and his soldiers were dwindling down by the moment, he took steps on his own.  Steps that were not a part of God's plans, but what struck me when I was reading it was Debbie I've given you instructions just like Saul ~ trust ME, after all I AM the Great I AM and I know the plans I have for you!  Trust ME!

What about you?  Do you falter sometimes like Saul and proceed on your own?  I have already admitted that I've failed, but when I do and I realize it I pick myself up, admit and confess my failure, ask forgiveness and know in my heart that indeed I am forgiven.  The slate is wiped clean and I trust God with my steps, so today if you falter I encourage you to admit it, confess it and accept forgiveness and trust God!

Let's stop behaving like Saul and trust God when He gives us directions to follow!

Trusting Him,

Debbie

Book Review: When Jesus Wept by Bodie and Brock Thoene

I am not exactly sure how to start this book review on the new book by the husband and wife team The Thoene's.  First, I want to share it is definitely a good read filled with food for thought.  I was given this book by the publisher to write this review, but I would have purchased it on my own to read because of the title.

Yes, the story of Jesus and His relationship with Lazarus and the two sisters.  Now I want to tell you I loved the way the story of Lazarus was developed, but I struggled with the two sisters.  I don't know that I like the way the imagination of the authors developed Mary or Martha.  I see where they were coming from and this very well may have been their story, but I would like to think that Martha was not quite so demanding and almost having the Pharisee attitude at times.  Also, I don't know that I agree with Mary having fallen so far from the family.  I know there is question about Mary and which stories in the gospels relate to this Mary, so I do understand where they are coming from and this too could be Mary's story.  I guess this was my main struggle with the book and honestly that is just the way these authors imagination lead them with the sisters.

My very favorite part of the story is Lazarus and the paradise of heaven that he witnessed and then had to give up.  The way they were able to weave the story and even include Joseph was beautiful and then the "why" Jesus wept.  Understanding between Lazarus and Jesus of the paradise that they both left to return here to show God's love and power to this world.  It was beautiful and I absolutely cried knowing that even this amazing picture is not even a glimpse of how wonderful it truly is and will be for each of us!

I recommend reading this book, because it makes you ponder God's Word for yourself.  It makes you ask yourself the question ~ Why do you think Jesus wept?  Is it because he felt the pain of the sisters or perhaps He knew the paradise Lazarus was leaving to come back?  Is it both?  I recommend anything that makes you ponder God's Word and build your relationship with Him!

bout When Jesus Wept: 

Book 1 in the Thoene's new Jerusalem Chronicles.

 Lazarus occupies a surprising position in the Gospel accounts. Widely known as the man Jesusraised from the dead, his story is actually much broader and richer than that. Living as he did at Bethany, near Jerusalem, Lazarus was uniquely placed to witness the swirl of events around Jesus. When Jesus Wept, the first novel in The Jerusalem Chronicles series by bestselling authors Bodie and Brock Thoene, unfolds the turbulent times in Judea during Jesus' ministry, centering on the friendship between Jesus and Lazarus. With rich insights from vineyard owners and vine dressers, the Thoenes explore the metaphor of Jesus as the True Vine, harvesting the ancient secrets found in the Old Testament. Weaving the life of Lazarus, who owned a vineyard, into the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ will help you understand it is the hand of Love Divine that holds the knife, that cuts and breaks with such tender and loving touch, and that we who have born some fruit, after the pruning, can bear much more. 

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/jubpF     

Below I have listed a facebook party with a chance to win a prize!  Go check it out on 4/23 and don't forget to purchase this novel!  It is a good read.       

Suggested Title: The Thoene’s “When Jesus Wept” iPad Giveaway and Facebook Party 4/23!

Enter Link: http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/whenjesuswept

Also, please go to this link and read more about the authors and the book: http://litfusegroup.com/author/BThoene

Happy Reading,

Debbie 

Prayers answered, but in God's Time

Ruth 4, 1 Chronicles 2:9 - 55, 4: 1-23, 1 Samuel 1: 1-9

Today was watching one woman's prayers being answered after a very long, difficult journey and another's in the midst of the pain.  Both women received the answer to their prayers, but not in their timing.  It was God's timing and that is the struggle so much of the time.  If we just knew the answer to our prayers, we think I would know how to continue from here.  Not so.  It is about the time during the struggle that you spend so much time with the Lord growing closer and closer to Him that is part of the reason for the struggle!

We find the end of the story of Ruth so touching.  Especially for me the words found in verse 14 ~ 

Praise the LORD, who has now provided a redeemer for your family!  Yes, indeed we should all praise the LORD for our Redeemer!

Definitely, the pain that Hannah felt even with her husband's encouraging words a pain only the LORD could ease.  The pain of the words of the other woman must have felt like a knife in Hannah's heart even encouraging words feel like a knife about something that only God is able to heal.  When we finally put our eyes on the LORD, He gives us hope in the future that He planned for our journey!  So today, whatever you face place your eyes on Jesus and feel His amazing love and comfort in your time of pain.  The love of Jesus is the healing balm that we all desire whatever our struggle might be...reach for your Redeemer!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Too wonderful!

Judges 11 - 14

Today, this verse from Judges 13:18 spoke to my heart ~

"Why do you ask my name?" the angel of the Lord replied, "It is too wonderful for you to understand."

Even a name of an angel is too much for us to grasp!  God is so wonderful we just cannot comprehend!  Doesn't that alone give you great comfort?  It does me!  To know that a name is that wonderful tells me that well, WOW to understanding even more, but I don't have to understand ~ because God does!  

Praise God!

Sweet Blessings,

Cry out!

Judge 9 - Judges 11:28

Today, will you admit with me that you get tired of the whining that continually goes on with the Israelites and us?  Oops, did you catch that us?

Over and over they do things according to Gods wishes for a few years and back to evil in the LORD's sight.  Today when I reached Judges 10:18 it grasp my attention, it broke my heart, but yet I don't know how the LORD didn't say a whole lot more!  These are the words spoken ~ "Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen!  Let them rescue you in your hour of distress!"  and  they just continued to plead with God!

Don't you know that the LORD wants us to hear those same words?  What about all the things that we make gods before Him?  Yes anything you put before Him is wrong!  Whether we are wrapped up in material things, our jobs, even ministry and family, if they are in the wrong perspective its wrong!  Yet when we get ourselves all out of sorts, who do call out to?  Who do we go and cry out to?  I don't think it is the latest jewelry item or new car in the driveway or even the latest tropical wonderful tasting flavor of the day drink.  No, it is the LORD!  We realize just like the Israelites did in verse 8 they needed someone that God knew and most importantly they needed God!

Who are you crying out to this morning?  Let it be Our Savior.  He is waiting to comfort and love on you!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Only if you go too!

Judges 3:31 - 6

Evil in the sight of the LORD...Evil in the sight of the LORD.  How many times do we read this in God's Word?  How many times do we do this daily?  Oops I didn't mean to get personal, but don't you know how much God loves you every time you read how terribly weak we all are?  Even after we have Jesus?

Today, a great warrior in our reading told Deborah that he would not go fight a battle without her after God told him to go.  We don't know if this is lack of courage or just him wanting a cheerleader, but really?  Most men would not have stated to Deborah come with me and I'll go.  Deborah was strong and filled with courage and knew that God was going to win the battle, so she went!  A time when women were definitely in the background this woman went to the battlefield.  Isn't it sad that Barak felt stronger with Deborah being there than knowing God was actually the one fighting the battle?  It wasn't Barak.  It wasn't Deborah.  It was God fighting and Barak had little faith in the Great I Am that he requested another human (woman at that) to go to the battle with him.

How often do we turn to another person as well rather than God?  Turn to God the true leader today!