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