Five Minute Friday – Fear Exchange

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It seems we’ve exchanged the fear of God

For fear of man

Instead of fearing what God can do

We are afraid of what man will say

We choose to forget that God is Holy, Holy, Holy

Fail to call sinful what God has declared sin

We no longer have reverence and awe of God

Fail to declare His Word with authority

Instead of loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength

We desire the approval of man

Instead of worshipping God and feeding the flock

Churches have become places where the ungodly are not confronted about sin and repentance

Lord, forgive us for dialing down Your Word

Protecting people from the Sword of the Spirit

Forgive us for being harsh and unforgiving

Where You abound in mercy and grace

Lord, restore in us a reverence and awe of You

May we fear You Lord and begin to gain wisdom

Susan Wachtel

February 2, 2013

Even though it’s Saturday I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five MinuteFriday 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 – Once Again

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Under fiery trials my faith grew weak
It tottered and wobbled until it failed me
The Lord Whom I love and trust was obscured
By circumstances fast spinning out of control
There I stood facing the enemy defeated
Clothed in my weakness, not the Lord’s Armor
But then I cried out to the Lord my God
Omnipotence Who reigns on high
I lifted my eyes unto Your throne
From whence cometh my Help
The Holy Spirit rose up within me
Strengthened my heart with truth from God’s Word
Encouraged, I remembered God’s faithfulness
His deliverance in times past, which is always on time
For God is always faithful
Though I may fail Him, He will NEVER fail me
The Lord Jesus has a firm grasp on me
Once again, in confidence I stand for He will NEVER let me go
By Susan Wachtel
January 26, 2013
Even though it’s Saturday I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five MinuteFriday 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.
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Really Leon? Really? What in the world are you thinking?

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My posts about politics are few and far between these days. 
But with the announcement by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta that women will be allowed to serve in combat roles, I cannot let this pass by without comment. 
I could easily rant and rave about this decision.  Instead, I found an excellent response in an article written by Ryan Smith on the Wall Street Journal Opinion section.  Take the time to read it and pass it along so that the citizens of this nation can see the conditions we would be putting our daughters, sisters, wives, mothers, aunts and friends in. 
Ryan Smith: The Reality That Awaits Women in Combat

Mr. Panetta, is there a reason why you announced the decision as you are leaving you post as Defense Secretary? 
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Five Minute Friday – The Cherished Cross

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Oh how I cherish the cross
When I gaze upon it
I see my Savior who died
To set me free
I see the holiness of God
And the ugliness of my sin
The chains of sin that once held me
Have been broken; I’ve been set free
The blood of Christ was shed
To cleanse me whiter than snow
The Father’s love so deep
He gave His only begotten Son
The place where my Kinsman Redeemer
Paid the price and made me His own
by Susan Wachtel
January 19, 2013
Though I’m a day late, I did not want to miss an opportunity to participate in Lisa-JoBaker’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.
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Grace by Max Lucado – This Book’s a Keeper and a Giver

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Author Max Lucado has a unique way of meditating on God, who He is and what He’s done for sinful man.  What better subject than grace!  The grace of God that saves us and gives us a new heart.  Our gracious  God who forgives us when by all rights He should have condemned us.  The grace of God demonstrated when He sent His Son to take our place and pay the penalty for our sin.  In exchange, He saved us by His marvelous, overflowing, unstoppable grace.  Grace that can soften a hardened heart and change a life.  Those are just some of the meditations on God’s grace that Max Lucado shares in his new book Grace – More Than We Deserve – Greater Than We Imagine.
Who doesn’t need to be under the fire hose of God’s grace?  Once you’ve been on the receiving end of God’s grace, often dispensed through the lives of His people, you want to learn how to live a grace filled and grace giving life. 
This book is a powerful reminder on God and the grace He freely gives us in abundance. 
I highly recommend Max Lucado’s newest book Grace – More Than We Deserve – Greater Than We Imagine.  This book is a keeper because you will want to read it again, ponder and reflect on our gracious God.  This book is a giver too; you’ll want to share this encouraging book with someone in need of an outpouring of God’s grace. 
A concern that I had with the Reader’s Guide written by Kate Etue, is that it was too self-focused and less God focused.  I also would appreciate Max Lucado broaching the subject of repentance, a subject that is seldom mentioned in Christian writing today.
A free copy of this book was provided to me by BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.  I under no obligation to provide a favorable review.
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1,000 Gifts – January 12, 2013

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January 12, 2013
19.  I’m thankful for the good health and strength to be able to clean and take care of our home. 
20.  I’m thankful to be able to listen to some great Bible study teachers, download their messages to my I-pod so I can listen while I’m cleaning, cooking or working.  The ability to download and immediately listen is something that I couldn’t have even imagined when I was young. 
21.  I’m grateful for solid Bible teachers who are diligent to study so they can preach and teach the Word of God accurately.  They don’t apologize for the truth in God’s Word that sometimes stings.  Their aim is not to please man but knowing they will give an account to God for how they handled His Word and shepherded His people.   
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Active and Alive – Psalm 44:4-5

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You are my King, O God

Command victories for Jacob.

 Through You we will push down our enemies;

Through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us.

Psalm 44:4-5
During the last year, in my devotional time, I’ve started to write out scripture in my own words.  I started with the book of Psalms.  There are days that the scripture jumps off the page and I jot down the verses so I can go back to them.  In the coming days, I want to share those verses.  May the Lord strengthen and encourage your heart too.


    
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Five Minute Friday – Dive In

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May I dive into Your Word daily
Find refreshment in Your life giving Word
May I dive deep and study for a life time
Yet I will never come to the end
May I swim far and wide
Beyond my inability to see
May my soul be strengthened
My heart sustained for this arduous journey
by Susan Wachtel
January 12, 2013
Weary from the week that was, I didn’t take the time to write last night.  Though I’m a day late, I did not want to miss an opportunity to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writingchallenge.  Head over to her website “LisaJo 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.
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One Word for 2013: Worship

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Worship

I’m not one who likes to make New Year’s Resolutions.  But my ears perked up when I read and heard people talking about focusing on word for the year.  I read about it on some one’s blog and then at Bible study our teacher read a devotional from someone who did the same thing.  

Our Bible study teacher, Patty Bivens said that for years she has asked the Lord what He would have her to focus on for the new year.  

When I first heard it, I thought perhaps “Grace” or “Blessing” would be what the Lord would have me to focus on. 

But on Tuesday night, it was if God shouted it to me, I need to focus on “Worship”.  

Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand.
Psalm 95:6-7
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1,000 Gifts – January 9, 2013

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January 9, 2013
18.  Reading God’s Word breathes life into my weary soul.  Reading it, speaking it, praying it is what I need.  It brings me hope when I feel hopeless.  It shines light into my life when I feel surrounded by darkness.  It brings comfort when I feel forsaken.  It lifts my head so that I might gaze the Lord’s glory.  It put my focus on the Lord and helps me get it off my circumstances or myself.  Thank You Lord for your life giving Word!
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Les Miserables – Victor Hugo’s Classic Novel Comes to Life in Focus on the Family Radio Theatre

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It was my privilege to listen to Focus on the Family’s Radio Theatre’s production of Victor Hugo’s novel Les Miserables.  It’s a beautiful story of redemption when Jean Valjean’s life is changed by the grace and mercy demonstrated to him by the Bishop of Digne.  His life is contrasted by the harsh man of law, Inspector Javert who doesn’t believe that criminals can change and pursues Valjean for years to bring him to justice.  The memorable characters have been brought to life by some of Brittan’s finest actors.  The musical score adds to the drama and suspense. 
For those people who have read and love the novel, please be aware that story has been trimmed down in this adaptation for radio drama.  But it is a worthy production and well worth listening to.  This would be an excellent way to introduce children to classic literature and give them a desire to read the book.  Focus on the Family knows how to do radio theatre. 
Tyndale House Publishers provided me with a free copy of this audio drama.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.
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1,000 Gifts – January 5, 2013

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January 5, 2013
17.  I’m grateful that the Lord desires that no one would perish but that all would come to repentance.  I’m grateful that with God nothing is impossible.  He is a God that still works miracles, the greatest of which is salvation.  The person whom I think may never be saved, God does so in His perfect timing. 
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Five Minute Friday – Choose

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Each day I live

I have the opportunity to choose
Will I serve the Lord
Or will I serve myself
Will I yield and bend to the Lord’s will
Or will I be stiff necked and unbending
Will I seek the Lord
Or will I pursue my own interests
Will I love the Lord
Or will I love this world and things which are perishing
Will I invest my time reading God’s Word
Or will I waste time on the foolish things of this world
Will I come boldly before the throne of grace in prayer
Or will I choose to grumble and complain
Do I want to hear God’s commendation
Or do I desire man’s approval
Will I choose to glorify God in all things
Or will I seek to glorify myself
Each day I have the opportunity to choose
Choose this day Whom I will serve
Susan Wachtel
January 4, 2013
If you would like to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday 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.
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1000 Gifts – January 3, 2013

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Last year I started recording what I’m thankful for…and I just stopped for no particular reason.  I think it’s time, long past time, to get back to this worthy pursuit. 
16.  I am thankful that no matter what is going on in the world, everything is firmly under the Lord’s control.  He’s never taken by surprise and He is always there and ready to hear my prayer, praises, thanksgiving and cries.  He is able to give me wisdom that I need.  God is working out His good and perfect plan, in my life, in the life of my loved ones and this world…even when I don’t understand it.
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Dare I Confess

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Dare I confess, I feel a wee bit low these days
My focus is off, not where it should be
On circumstances around me and not on my heavenly Father
Dare I confess, I long to be in heaven
Not in this world riddled with sin
Where evil seems to triumph
Dare I confess, I long for the Rapture
Is it coming soon or many years from now
Only the Lord knows when He will take His church home
Dare I confess, I need to remember
Each day the Lord delays
More people enter the Kingdom by confessing Christ as Lord
Dare I confess, daily walking with the Lord
Sometimes seems hard, but it is so worth it
Achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit within
Dare I confess, I need Your help Lord
To keep my heart and mind stayed on Thee
Saturate me in Your life-giving Word
by Susan Wachtel
December 29, 2012
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Unto us a Son is given

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For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

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