Believe

No, I'm not a Macy's spokesperson, but I do identify with their ad slogan.

What do you believe?  There are several definitions of the word:  to accept as true or real; to credit with veracity; have confidence in; trust; to expect or suppose; think; to hold a religious belief.

At this time of the year, those of us who believe in the Christmas story, hold it as fact and try to tailor our celebrations around the Reason for the Season--Jesus.  We truly believe that He, the Son of God, was born to a virgin and her husband, and laid in a manger.  That's only the beginning of the story.  You have to add the Cross and the Resurrection to complete the message.

But what do you believe?  It is said that if you don't believe in anything, you'll fall for everything.  We all have the free will to choose what we will believe, accept as true or real, or credit with veracity.  But do you have confidence in, trust in, and think that what you believe is true?  Has it proven itself to you in some tangible way?  If not, why not?  Maybe it's time to do an evaluation.

I can't help wondering about those who say they don't believe in God, but they freely use His name as a swear word.  Why is the world, especially here in America, becoming so anti-God, anti-Jesus, and anti-faith?  If there is nothing valid in any of them, then why the uproar?  Just let us have our beliefs and leave us alone.  Could it possibly be due to the fact that Jesus is coming soon, and consciences are being pricked?  That's at least one possibility.  Other religions are more or less left alone.  Only Christianity is getting the hits.  Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

The Bible has  a multitude of verses about believing.    Here are just a few:

Genesis 15:6  And he (Abraham) believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.

 

Psalm 27:13  I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.

 

Matthew 8:13  Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

 

Mark 9:23-24  Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”  Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

 

Mark 11:24  Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

 

Luke 1:45  Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

 

John 3:15  that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

 

John 5:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

 

John 11:25  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

 

Acts 16:31  So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

 

It looks to me that believing is a key element in our Christian walk.  We either believe, or we don't.  It's as simple as that.  But if we do believe, we will benefit from that belief.  Do you benefit from yours?  I trust you do.

 

Book update:  "Green Glass" is at the galley proof-review stage.  I've been extremely busy, out of town, preparing for an early Christmas, and catching up.  Now I have to go over every detail, carefully, and submit my findings back to the publisher.  So, it looks like January or early February for publication.  I'll keep you posted.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

My favorite author

Who is your favorite author?  What genre do you prefer?  In the over eight hundred books that I've read in the last dozen years or so, I have found some that I will follow.  Others do not command my attention after only one book.

Some of those authors whose works I've read and enjoyed include:  Michael Phillips, Tracie Peterson, Dee Henderson, Jan Karon, Bodie & Brook Thoene, and Judith Pella, among many others.

My all time favorite though is Karen Kingsbury.  She is a prolific writer, and every one of her books that I've read have kept my attention, drawn me in, and made me want to read more.  Do you ever identify with the characters so much that you want to tell someone about what they did, before you realize that they aren't real people?  That's what Ms. Kingsbury's contemporary Baxter Family Drama did for me.  It's actually three or four series of four or five books each that highlight different characters from the same family, and/or family friends. 

It starts with the Redemption series written with Gary Smalley as the co-author and includes:  Redemption, Remember, Return, Rejoice, and Reunion. 

Next comes the Firstborn series:  Fame, Forgiven, Found, Family and Forever.

This is followed by the Sunrise Series:  Sunrise, Summer, Someday and Sunset.

Just when you think that you are finished with the Baxter Family, Ms. Kingsbury adds an additional series following the lives of two characters from family friends who have been a part of the previous books.  This is the Bailey Flanigan Series:  Leaving, Learning, Longing, and Loving.  Mentioned within these books a play that is performed.  This comes from Unlocked, also by Ms. Kingsbury.

I'm sure her fans asked for closure of The Baxter Family Drama.  She doesn't disappoint and ends with Coming Home. 

That's twenty books.  Her style of writing pulls the reader in and makes you feel like you are part of these families. They are real people facing real trials of life, sustained by their faith in God and each other.  I couldn't put them down and have managed to buy or trade for all of them, as well as ask for them as gifts.  (If anyone wants to borrow or buy them from me, let me know.)

Although I doubt I'll ever be as good as or as prolific as Karen Kingsbury, I hope that my first book which is in the design stage will also draw an audience.  I'll keep you posted as it progresses through the publishing process.  There will be at least two books, and possibly three.  And so it begins!

Thought for the day:  a good idea is not necessarily a God idea.

The power of words

I have always been fascinated by the power of words.  Have you ever been hurt, or blessed, by someone's words?  I know I have.  Words can wound, or heal.  They can uplift or tear down.  They explain, describe, and instruct.  How would we communicate if not for words?  Even sign language has to spell out some words.  We think and dream in words.  No matter what our native language, we are always using words in one form or another.  We speak, think, read, and touch each other with our words.

Why do you suppose that the Bible and Jesus are called "The Word?"  Holy Scripture describes itself this way:  "For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."  (Hebrews 4:12 NKJV).  In the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verses 1-3 it says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made." 

In the first chapter of Genesis, everything that was created came into being because, "God said."  We are told over and over in Scripture to "speak" or to "say" and things will happen.  For instance, in Matthew 17:20, it is recorded:  "...If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."  Now that's powerful! 

We are also cautioned to be careful of what we say, the words that we use, because we will be held accountable.  Matthew 12:36 warns:  "But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment."  That's very sobering.

In Luke 6:45 we are told, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."

All of these Scriptures and many more comment on the use of our words.  I, for one, want what I say to be uplifting, edifying, and blessing.  What about you?

Heard recently:  The Gospel isn't about making bad men good, but it takes dead men and makes them alive!

Announcement:  My first Christian novel, a romantic mystery, is at the publisher!  I'll let you know when it is out and where you may find it if you so desire.  How fun!

Comments welcome.

First of many

This is a new adventure for me.  But at the suggestion and urging of my daughter, Tiffanie, here we go.

I'll be reviewing some of the many, many books that I've read, as well as adding some thoughts, Scripture, or sayings that have come my way.

A recent series that held my interest was "Shenandoah Sisters" by Michael Phillips.  The four titles are:  Angels Watching Over Me, A Day to Pick Your Own Cotton, The Color of Your Skin Ain't the Color of Your Heart, and Together is All We Need.

The setting is during and following the Civil War, where a young white girl and a young black girl find themselves alone and frightened.  Together they find the courage and faith to form a friendship and accomplish impossible tasks.  These are rather quick reading and very uplifting.  If you have ever read anything by Michael Phillips, you know that you won't be disappointed.

More reviews to come of the great, the good, and the not so good books that have crossed my path over the last dozen or so years.  So far, that's about eight hundred!  Nearly all are Christian fiction; but I will warn you.  If you have a Kindle and search in that genre, read reviews, because not all books so listed are truly clean, Christian, stories.  I've been disappointed on several occasions.

Quote for the day:  the devil will take you to hell without asking your permission, but Jesus will give you an invitation to go to heaven.

Would love to hear feedback whenever you want.