As I look back over this past year, I’m asking the Lord to reveal to me what I did right so I can keep on doing it and show me my failures so that I can learn and not repeat them.
I find that there are many things I’m grateful for:
Those are just a few of the things I’m grateful for as I reflect on this past year. I pray that I will have a grateful heart in 2012 and live each day through the grace and power of God.
Happy New Year to you and your family.
I was excited at the prospect of reading Nicole Johnson’s book “Fresh-brewed Life”. I had seen her at Women of Faith and hoped to be inspired and touched by her book as I had been by her dramatic performances.
My expectations were soon dashed as I worked my way through “Fresh-brewed Life”. The book is about the work and changes Nicole made in her life to help her overcome her painful past. However, I didn’t connect with the author and found it a chore to finish reading the book.
Instead of offering something fresh and new a “Fresh-brewed Life” is filled with secular psychology and has a little bit of scripture thrown in for good measure. God seems to be another resource to help fill our needs rather than the One Whom we worship and give an account.
What I found most troubling is Nicole’s views didn’t align with scripture at times. The most grievous example is on pages 58 and 59 where she describes and encounter with a woman who came to speak with her at a conference. Sandra came and asked Nicole to pray for her because she was having an affair. Nicole shared some of the details on what drove this woman to have an affair. At no time during this exchange did Nicole tell this woman that what she is doing is wrong before God. Instead she asked Sandra to tell how this man made her feel and counseled her that she needed to better understand her longings and take them to God. At no time were the words sin and repentance mentioned. The saddest sentence in the book, “I don’t know what happened with Sandra’s marriage or whether or not she ended her affair with Jerry.”
“Fresh-brewed Life” is not entirely without merit. I liked the chapter on friendships. There were a few things throughout the book that were insightful. However, overall the author seemed very self-centered instead of Christ exalting and off base scripturally. Therefore, I do not recommend this book.
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Wishing the men and women of our military and their families a very Merry Christmas. I thank you for your service to this nation and for the sacrifice that you and your family make so that we can remain a free country.
Thank you Lloyd at Solid Rock or Sinking Sand for sharing this tribute to our military.
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS. – Matthew 1:18-25
So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outpost of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just as they had posted the watch; and they blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers that were in their hands. Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers—they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing—and they cried, “The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!” And every man stood in his place all around the camp; and the whole army ran and cried out and fled. When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the LORD set every man’s sword against his companion throughout the whole camp; and the army fled to Beth Acacia, toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath. –Judges 7:19-22
After struggling with prayer today, I realized that it was the enemy trying to discourage me. When I got a hold of that…I prayed those faithful prayers, that Lord willing He will answer. Especially the prayers for the salvation of my family and friends, Lord willing.
This post is being linked to 5-Minute Friday, where you simply write for 5 minutes without worrying if it’s right or not.
Repent
Receive forgiveness for your sins
At the foot of the cross
Be cleansed
By the precious blood of the Lamb
At the foot of the cross
Old man sin has gone
You’ve become a new creation in Christ
At the foot of the cross
Without Christ you can do nothing
With God all things are possible
At the foot of the cross
by Susan Bunts Wachtel
November 12, 2011
Michael…this is my prayer for you.
Author Joel Rosenberg is a master of intrigue and suspense and has another winner with his latest novel, The Tehran Initiative. Right from the start this book draws you in and you won’t want to put it down.
A bold assassination plan is launched in the opening chapters of The Tehran Initiative. CIA Agent David Shirazi is a dutiful son is standing by his mother’s sickbed when duty calls. The President of the United States, the Prime Minister of Israel and the President of Egypt are attacked in New York City. Within hours, David is headed back to Iran to see if he can find out who was responsible for this deadly terrorist attack on American soil. Can war be averted as the Twelfth Imam continues to persuade Islamic countries to join his Caliphate? Should nuclear weapons be entrusted to the self-proclaimed Islamic messiah who has genocidal plans against Israel? Will the United States stand behind their ally and the only democratic government in the Middle East? Will America and the world wake up before it’s too late? Will they? Well, you’ll need to read the book to find out!
Joel is an excellent writer, skillfully weaving current Middle East events with Christian biblical prophecy and Islamic eschatology. There were a couple of times when current news events closely resembled scenes in the book. (That was kind of eerie.) Joel does a good job in developing the characters and giving you an understanding of who they are and what motivates them.
I enthusiastically recommend this book, both for the Joel Rosenberg fans and the person who hasn’t yet read one of his novels. This book stands well on its own or as an exciting and welcomed addition in the continuing series by Joel Rosenberg.
FTC Disclosure: I received The Tehran Initiative for free as part of the Tyndale Publisher book blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
In this book, Kay talks about how critically important our response is when we face life’s disappointments. We can choose to turn a disappointment into “His Appointment” by trusting in the sovereignty of God and the good purposes that He is working out through life’s hurts and disappointments that are inevitable.
Kay shows us the strategies of the enemy, like distraction and deception. When we fail to respond rightly to disappointments, we are on a slippery slope and can spiral down from disappointment, to discouragement, dejection, despair and demoralization.
While reading “As Silver Refined” I found myself challenged as I reflected on how I’ve responded to disappointments in the past. I’ve been in that downward spiral before and it’s only by the grace of God I was delivered from that pit. I wish I had this book back then.
I was moved by the personal stories throughout the book, but my favorite chapter was the last one. “A Fire of Reminder” tells about Peter’s encounter with Jesus following his painful and bitter denial of Christ. Throughout the gospel accounts I find myself relating to Peter who had a heart for the Lord Jesus, but all too often his mouth caused him to stumble. Time and time again, Jesus was there to lovingly embrace and restore Peter. Who doesn’t need a God of second chances?
“As Silver Refined” by Kay Arthur is an excellent book to help you shore up your defenses in the spiritual battle and help you come alongside others who are in the thick of the battle.
Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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