Monthly Archives: November 2013

Hide & Seek

Posted in God's Presence, poem by

There are days when the Lord seems
Distant and far away
Silent
His presence veiled

When I recognize that feeling, it causes me to
Examine myself
See if there is unconfessed sin
Hindering, impacting my relationship

Have I let the noise of this present world
Drown out God’s still small voice

Am I distracted by
What I can see and hear
Ignoring that which is apprehended by faith

Have I put other things
Ahead of God and His Word
Set aside the eternal
For that which is passing away

Lord, Your Word assures me
You will never leave nor forsake me
Never abandon me
You are ever present

When I feel You are not near
May I pursue You diligently
Seek You while You may be found

By Susan Wachtel
November 30, 2013

God Is Able – A Well-timed Message

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It was my pleasure to read Priscilla Shirer’s newest book God Is Able and it was a well-timed message that I need to be reminded about.

In God Is Able, Priscilla camps on two of the most powerful verses of scripture in the New Testament, Ephesians 3:20-21.  “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever.  Amen.”

Those are two life change verses if we can really grab a hold of what those verses are saying and apply them to our lives.  Priscilla digs in and shares what she learned by studying each word in those verses and applying them to her life.

Why a whole chapter devoted to “Now”?  When you think about it, do you really get that the Lord God Almighty loves you, is there and available to be at work in your life in that impossible situation you are dealing with right now?  He is well able to work exceedingly abundantly in those circumstances that are beyond you.  Our circumstances are never beyond God.

One of the things I appreciate about Priscilla’s writing is that she has a high and holy view of God.  She does not downplay the sovereignty of God.  Sometimes God’s work that is beyond what we can imagine is when God in His sovereignty says “No”.  He is doing a work in us and through us that may impact others.  He desires to grow us and transform us into the image of Christ.

I enjoy Priscilla’s style of writing.  I feel like I’m sitting across the table from a friend, who is being open, honest, real and transparent.

I recommend God Is Able by Priscilla Shirer.  This book would be excellent for someone who wants to better understand God’s love and His power at work in the lives of His people.  Perhaps for a person who is going through difficult circumstances and needs some hope.  Or maybe if you just want to sit down and meditate on the awesome and amazing God we serve.

I would like to thank B&H Publishing Group for providing me a copy of God Is Able to read in exchange for an honest review.

I am pleased to announce that B&H Publishing Group has provided me with an extra copy to give away.  If you would like to read God Is Able please leave a comment or send me an email at susanwalkergirl@gmail.com.  On Saturday, November 30th, I’ll will select a winner and notify you via email to get your mailing address.

Evangelize to Me by Ceil

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It was a Five Minute Friday post that led me to blogger Ceil’s website Evangelize to Me.  After reading her post, I signed up to follow her blog.  On those busy days when I feel spent and need some encouragement or correction, it’s good to drop by Ceil’s blog and read about what she’s learning from the Lord.  

Earlier this week, I dropped by and read her post, “A Parable and a Pruning”.  In this post she shares about how she pruned a bush that was overgrown but had bare branches on the inside and she applied that to how the Lord sometime prunes us when our inner life is barren.  

I would encourage you to drop by Evangelize to Me and be encouraged and challenged in your faith by this precious sister in Christ.

Thank you to Wanda at the Well Watered Soul for an opportunity to join with you and others in highlighting posts by fellow bloggers.  
 

Five Minute Friday – Fly Out the Window

Posted in Five Minute Friday, Prayer, Uncategorized by

In the middle of a busy and somewhat chaotic week, the Lord was there to meet me and had some lessons for me.

I was feeling quite overwhelmed by the amount of things I had to accomplish, requests coming in right and left and I was seeing the stress on others too.  I was overwhelmed and felt unable to do what I needed to or be of help to anyone.

When I stepped away for while I felt like the Holy Spirit was nudging me and asking me, “Susan, where’s your focus?  It’s not on God, but it’s on your circumstances and people.  You need to get your focus back on Me.”

In my own strength and power I would be unable to accomplish what I needed to.  My peace would fly out the window.  I wouldn’t be living in a manner that glorifies God.  I would be of no help to others or be able to encourage and strengthen others.

Instead I need to see my circumstance through my God who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, more than I can ask or imagine.  I need to be going to my Heavenly Father in prayer, with thanksgiving and present my requests to Him.

I need to be prayed up and taking my every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  Let God overwhelm my impossible circumstances with His overcoming power.

Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; so help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; let not man prevail against You.” 2 Chronicles 14:11

Image

It’s another Saturday morn and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

A Sailor’s Dying Wish

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On my drive home tonight I listened to the Hugh Hewitt show and was greatly moved by an article that Hugh read.  I encourage you to click on the link and read about “A Sailor’s Dying Wish” by Jennie Haskamp.  

 

It’s the kind of article that make you proud to be an American and grateful for the sacrifice of servicemen and women who protect and defect our nation, both in the past and present.  

 

 

Five Minute Friday – Two Trees

Posted in Five Minute Friday, Jesus Christ by

This week’s word prompt ‘Tree’ immediately brought to mind…two trees which have impacted and affected all men

Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil Tree from which the Cross of Christ  was Hewn
Adam Jesus Christ
Disobedience Obedience
Desired to be like God Denied Himself
My will be done Thy Will be done
His life brought death to all men His death brought life to the many
His sin brought separation from God He endured separation from God, bearing man sin and brought reconciliation
Sin reigned Grace reigned and abounded much more
Sin nature our inheritance Free Gift – Justification to all who believe
Transgression and death reigned He broke the reign of sin and death
Condemnation Righteousness
Separation from God Eternal life with God
Created in God’s image God Incarnate
Defeated Victory
Succumbed to temptation Tempted but did not sin
Faithless Faithful
Works Rest
Sinful Sinless
Bad news Good news

It’s another Saturday morn and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Five Minute Friday – Truth Be Told

Posted in Jesus Christ, poem, Trusting God by

Ephesians 3:20

LORD, the truth be told,
I’ve been struggling
with fear and doubt

Try as I might
I can’t control the future
or guess what will happen tomorrow

In my fear
I’ve gotten my eyes off of You LORD
Forgotten
that You are able
that You have a good and perfect plan
which You are working out in my life

I’ve lost sight of the fact
that You walk with me always
both in the peaks and valleys of my life
You use all circumstances
To help me grow and change
You expose my sin
So that I will confess and repent
You buff out that which is displeasing to You
and reveal conduct unbecoming a Christian

Help me walk by faith
May I not doubt Your goodness
or Your ability to accomplish what concerns me today

May I remember that with each step I take
You are with me
You alone know what my future holds
You are perfectly able to direct my path

Help me to keep my eyes on You Lord
Not my circumstances
Not the people that surround me

Help me to trust You
Tenaciously
Unswervingly
to the end

Five Minute Friday
It’s another Saturday morn and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

His Treasure Gems of Love from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd – Some Mixed Emotions

Posted in Book Review by

When the opportunity to read and review Sheri Rose Shepherd’s newest book, His Treasure Gems of Love from Your King, was presented I was excited at the prospect of reading her work.  I’ve heard some of her conference messages and found Sheri to be a very compelling speaker.

Based on her writing, I would say that Sheri has a love for the Lord and heart for women.  She desires that the women will grasp the love that God has for them and the blessings that come to a woman who loves the Lord, increasingly trusts and obeys Him.

I found many of the Treasures to be very encouraging, convicting and healing as they touched tender spots where I have emotional wounds that need the Lord’s healing.

Sheri’s love and passion for the Lord comes through in her writing.

I also want to share how I struggled with this book.  My struggle is with the style or genre of this book as if God is speaking to the reader.  I would have felt more comfortable if instead the writer was praying to God.  It’s easy to not accurately represent God, because we see Him through our own unique perspective that is colored by our life and experiences.  I also felt like the sovereignty and holiness of God was somewhat lacking.  The focus seemed to be on the person to whom God was talking and less focused on God.  As portrayed, God seemed to be gently trying to persuade the beloved child or daughter and was seldom revealed as God, the absolute Authority to Whom we will give an account.  I would have also appreciated if scripture references had been given that would line up to the words God was speaking.

I would like to thank Tyndale House Publishers for providing a complimentary copy of this book.

Five Minute Friday – Reflections on Grace

Posted in A Good Word, Chalkboard Scripture, Five Minute Friday, Grace by

Grace

Grace is one of my favorite words.  First and foremost it makes me think about God and His all-encompassing grace for all areas of my life.  Most importantly in saving me and covering my sin…no removing my sin as far as the east is from the west!

Below are some of my reflections of God’s grace…

A – Amazing Grace, Abundant Grace
B – Bountiful Grace
C – Continuous Grace, Compassionate Grace, Covering Grace
D – Daily Grace, Dying Grace
E – Effective Grace
F – Forgiving Grace, Faithful Grace
G – God’s Grace, Greater Grace, Gentle Grace
H – Healing Grace
I – Infinite Grace
J – Justifying Grace, Joyful Grace
K – Kind-hearted Grace
L – Limitless Grace, Loving Grace, Living Grace
M – Matchless Grace
N – Necessary Grace, Need Grace
O – Overwhelming Grace, Obedient Grace…the grace to obey
P – Powerful Grace, Pursing Grace, Perfect Grace, Patient Grace
Q – Quintessential Grace
R – Redeeming Grace, Reconciling Grace
S – Saving Grace, Sustaining Grace
T – Triumphant Grace
U –Undeserved Grace
V – Victorious Grace
W – Wonderful Grace, Wooing Grace
X – …
Y – Yonder Grace
Z – Zealous Grace

Five Minute Friday – Dive In
It’s another Saturday morn and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.