How Great is Our God!

This is one of the most amazing video's I have seen on our universe.
Our God truly is an awesome God!

The Way of Grace

A justice-seeking perfectionist pursues her dream of a perfect life in her hometown of Miller’s Creek, Texas. Sidetracked by her desire to be a prosecuting attorney, Gracie Soldano launches into uncharted waters, making herself over to impress her boss.

Then a disheveled free-spirit turns her perfectly ordered world upside down, challenging the idea of personal goodness. A fall from perfection leaves her teetering between vengeance and grace, caught in a deadly crossfire that leaves her dreams in a heap of ashes.

Can she learn to joyfully accept the life God has given her–far from perfect–but completely immersed in His grace?

~~~

If you like a modern, clean, upbeat, romantic quick read, 'The Way of Grace' is for you! 

Just the fact that it is clean sets this book apart from mainstream fiction. The one thing though that stood out to me was the way Bryant was able to convey biblical pictures of redemption and forgiveness without coming across as plastic or preachy. 

Gracie's perfectionist lifestyle was thrown for a loop when she finally chose to do the right thing. When she make mistakes they didn't end with a bed of roses. Her perception was colored by her experiences, just like each of us. Though frustrating at times, :) Gracie is one of the most real christian fiction characters I have met. Jumping into the story with his hair uncombed and his shirt looking like he'd slept in it comes Matt, all around caring and full of life; Matt is the heart of the story and the life of the party.
As a reader, I'd say Matt's only problem is that he he is to close to perfect. I have no idea what Gracie's problem was, the only thing I can figure out is that like so many us, girls especially, she was looking at the outside instead of the soul. Unfortunately Matt's jeans and frisbee just couldn't match up with the tall, handsome Jason aka. Alexander's plush carpets and fancy date nights.
Get the book to find out more.... I'd rate this book 3 of 5 stars.

Disclaimer:I received this book for free from the Publisher for this review, every opinion expressed here in is 100% my own.

Quotes from Radical Together

"We can't do enough, we can though trust in Christ, who had done enough."

" We live sacrificially, not because we feel guilty, but because we have been loved greatly and now find satisfaction in sacrificial love for others. We live radically, not because we have to, but because we want to."

"Sacrificial love is not just our duty but our delight."

"The gospel is the reason for radical living."

"Those who espouse sound doctrine in the Church should be willing to embody selfless devotion in the world."
"We are never without revelation from God..... "

"God has given us everything we need in the Word that we have."

"The purpose of God's word is to transform people in every century and in every country into the image of Jesus."

"If crowds of people hated the words of Jesus in the first century, we can certainly expect them to feel the same way in the twenty-first century. The blessing of God does not mean acceptance by the world."

"The goal is always for all of God's people to be equipped and empowered to lead as many people as possible to Christ. I also believe in the plan of God. In Jesus' simple command to 'make disciples,' He has invited every one of his followers to share the life of Christ with others in a sacrificial, intentional, global effort to multiply the gospel of Christ through others. He never intended to limit this invitation to the most effective communicators, the most brilliant organizers, of the most talented leaders and artists- all the allegedly right people that you and I are prone to exalt in the Church. Instead, the Spirit of God has empowered every follower of Christ to accomplish the purpose of God for the glory of God in the world. This includes the so-called wrong people: those who are the least effective, least brilliant, or least talented in the church."

 "Is it really possible to have all the trappings of the church and yet miss the heart of Christ? Is it possible for for the Church people to be so focused on personal comforts and so fearful of the potential cost that they virtually forget the purpose of God among all the peoples of the word?"

"We don't get saved by works, we don't stay saved by works, but if we are saved our faith will work."

About the Author

Dr. David Platt, is deeply devoted to Christ and His Word. David's first love in ministry is disciple-making—the simple biblical model of teaching God's Word, mentoring others and sharing faith. He has traveled extensively to teach the Bible and church leaders throughout the United States and around the world. Atlanta natives, he and his wife, Heather, made their home in New Orleans until they were displaced by flooding following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

David holds a deep and abiding passion for global disciple-making. "I believe that God has uniquely created every one of His people to impact the world. Some may count it as idealistic, but I believe it is thoroughly biblical, rooted in Psalm 67:1-2, yet covering Scripture from beginning to end. God is in the business of blessing His people so that His ways and His salvation might be made known among all people."

David practices what he preaches through his travel nationally and internationally, teaching from God's Word in churches, seminaries, the underground church or even under a shade tree in Africa or Latin America.

David and Heather were married in 1999. They are the parents of two sons, Caleb and Joshua, and a daughter, Mara Ruth.

Do Hard Things and The Rebeloution

I don't know about you, but for me I am really tired of hearing people say things like "your a teen, don't worry about it."  "After twelve your brain restarts and you go back to the age of two." "I am so proud of you all for being here instead of out smoking weed." or "I expect you guys to be mature and put your plates in the trash." Really? Adults are just glad that we aren't doing anything bad, other than that, their highest expectation is that we put our plates in the trash! That's how our world sees us teens. Because of the low expectation levels around us, teens have in turn lowered their standard of performance which causes adults to assume they are asking to much and lower expectations even more.This is the vicious and unending cycle that is has driven our generation to the level it is at today. The good news is that there is a another way to live our teen years.

Alex and Brett Harris present that different way in their book "Do Hard Things" The idea is a rebellion against low expectations. They call it " The Rebelution."

"In 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 the apostle Paul writes, 'Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.' (NIV) We are convinced that the teen years are the primary time God has given to us for 'strict training.' "

"This is what we call the Rebelution: Throwing off the shackles of  lies and low expectations and returning our generation to a true and very exciting understanding of the teen years- not as a vacation from responsibility but as a launching pad for the rest of our lives."

This is the mentality that we should have, especially as Christians. We should daily as ourselves-

" What hard thing can I do today that will have an eternal impact for the sake of the gospel?" 

Just imagine that you took this charge and call to heart. Imagine what could happen if each of us took up the banner of the Rebelution for the glory of God in our circle of friends.

" Is it enough to be know for the things we DONT do, or should we also be known for the positive and difficult things that we DO? We must go beyond simply avoiding bad stuff...  We're supposed to pursue righteousness in a way that others will want to imitate..."

THIS IS OUR CHARGE AND CALLING!!!

" We are change makers who influence our world both by fighting against sin, suffering and decay, and by fighting for truth and justice. "

"We are commissioned not just to love God and His Word but to radically impact our world with life and truth."

William Pitt, the youngest Prime Minister, once said  "We're to young to know certain things are impossible, so we will do them anyway!" Let this be your spirit! And go Do Hard Things!

Disclaimer:I received this book for free from the Publisher for this review, every opinion expressed here in is 100% my own.
 

This is War

Blog Tour: Band of Sisters

          Seeing she had no choice Maureen hurried after the plump gray-haired woman who had introduced herself and then walked off with the girl's bag, full of her only possessions in the world.
Mrs. Melkford watched the young girl at her side looking for clues to her past. What would make such a slip of a girl pack up, take her 13 year old sister, and try to cross the Atlantic ocean to America, ALONE? Maureen's nerves calmed as she listened to the chatter of the older woman beside her. They were here. She and Katie-Rose had made it. Maybe now she could put her past to rest, maybe she would finally be free from the slander and torments that seemed to hound her. If only that Joshua Keeton hadn't come over too. But arriving was only the first step and Maureen knew it. So much depended on finding a job. And quick.
Only when it was to late to turn back did Maureen realize the dark, tangled, web of secrets she had unwittingly uncovered, surrounding the fancy department store. Wholesome and respectable on the outside, horrific under the surface.

After reading Promise Me This, one of Mrs. Gohlke's other titles I wanted to read more of her books. Thats when I saw Tyndale's invitation to participate in the Band of Sisters Blog Tour as a reviewer.

Set in 1910, Band of Sisters is a intriguing combination between Ellis Island, the bustling aristocracy of New York, and the sinister, hidden, all to real, but often unseen viper of human trafficking. Maureen seemed so real that at times I felt like I was there struggling through things with her.
Not only did I find this book inspiring but I found that Mrs. Gohlke herself is an absolute treasure.
If I could only commend one thing about this godly woman's approach to writing it would be that not one of her books I have read so far, has had the slightest leniency toward any type of romantically inappropriate and insinuating scenes. to be frank fiction today, yes even 'Christian' fiction generally includes suggestive scenes.
 Mrs. Gohlke on the other hand has held high the standard that all christian writers should strive for, asking like the heroines in Band of Sisters, "What would Jesus do?" and then doing likewise.

Human Trafficking is a serious problem, Mrs. Gohlke felt that Jesus would do His part to prevent it. Her part was to write Band of Sisters, awakening awareness. What are you doing? On Mrs. Gohlke's site there is a page that list resources and organizations that are working to end trafficking. We can all do our part. 

With all that said, I honestly I cant let my 14 and 12 year old sisters read this book right now for the reason that they are not aware of modern slavery in America.  At their age this is a good thing because that knowledge would tend to make them scared and self conscious when outside the home. I  recommend Band of Sisters strictly for readers 16 yrs. and older. 


Disclaimer:I received this book for free from the Publisher for this review, every opinion expressed here in is 100% my own.


 

Escape From Camp 14

Crawling over the stiff body of his friend Park, Shin Dong-hyuk struggled against the pain racing through his legs from contact with the electric bobbed-wire fence, as he made his escape from Camp 14.

Born in a North Korea political prison camp, Shin was brainwashed from a young age to trust no one. He had no concept of love. His mother was a competitor for food, beating him frequently. The prison guards told him that he was worthless trash, tainted by the 'sins' of his parents. The only hope of redemption, Shin was told, was to work hard and snitch on his classmates and family when he found them breaking the rules.

Beatings, hunger, apathy, lying, stealing, and hate were all that Shin knew. It is almost impossible to comprehend what he went through. As I read this book my eyes were opened for the first time to the strength that fear can have over a whole people. I had no idea before just how paralyzing a weapon fear is in the hands of Satan. As the story unfolds Shin Dong-hyuk tells about a terrible burden of guilt that he carries because of the things he did while still in Camp 14. My heart goes out to this man. As I read this book all I could do was pray to God to set him, and people like him, free from the weight of their sin.

Like Shin, we to have sinned. You and I have both done wrong things that fill us with guilt, God word says " the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) You and I, and Shin, do not have to be bound by our guilt! (1 John 1:9) God sent Jesus to pay the price of our sin so that we can be free. Romans 10:9 says "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart the God has raised Him from the dead you will be saved." I pray that one day Shin will see that it was God and not 'luck' that enabled him to escape from Camp 14 and become the first to do so. I see Shin Dong-hyuk's story as testimony of God's power and love.

I highly recommend Escape from Camp 14, but would not advise giving it young people under the age of 14 or 15. I say this not because there is anything wrong with the book but mostly as a caution. It is not a fairy-tale book that has a happily ever after. Shin experienced horrific things that have scared him for life. Reading about Shin's experiences will impact you!


Disclaimer:I received this book for free from the Publisher for this review, every opinion expressed here in is 100% my own.
 

The Major and Minor Leagues

"And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’" Luke 19:17

Have you ever thought of life on this earth as the "minor leagues" - with Christians working hard to gain a berth high up in the major leagues of heaven? I'm not talking about earning salvation. That's already been paid for with the blood of our Savior, and we can add nothing to it. But we do have the opportunity to earn eternal rewards in this life. Scripture tells us that "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for things done while in the body" (2 Corinthians 5:10). 

The way I live life on earth will affect my responsibilities, opportunities, and even my joy- in ways beyond my ability to imagine.

This is what makes our present life so exciting. It's a training gymnasium! Your nine-to-five job isn't merely an occupation, it's a proving ground for your faith. Every earthly problem, affliction, task, household chore - and all the relationships that go with them - everything is a minor league exercise to prepare you for the major leagues.

Stand firm, my friend. The dawn is coming. Life everlasting. Oceans of light. Joy unspeakable. Be trustworthy and remain faithful. Because there will be no sweeter music in time or eternity than the words "Well done" from the smiling face of our Savior and King.

Remind me, Lord, how quickly my life passes. Help me to see the events of my day- even the disappointments - as the very things which will make heaven all the sweeter as I trust in you.

 

Information vs. Transformation

I think this says something that we all need to be reminded of every once in a while.

Unplanned

Unplanned is the true story of Abby Johnson's life changing switch from a planned parenthood director to a pro-life advocate.

Starting with her traumatic encounter with a ultrasound-guided abortion, Abby describes what was going on in her heart and mind. I think one of the things that marks Unplanned and sets it apart from other books of its kind is the total lack of any animosity or negativity in it, toward the pro-choice movement.

The pro-life/ pro-choice debate is a big issue in todays culture. All across America, this issue has split churches and broken relationships. So what's behind all of this?

If you want to get a fair look at both sides of the fence get a hold of Unplanned.

This book is a must read!

Check out the Coalition for Life movement in your area and find out what you can do to help inform todays women about what is really going on.

Footprints In History

 

Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime,

and departing, leave behind us

footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints that perhaps another,

sailing o'er life's solemn main,

a forlorn and shipwrecked brother,

seeing shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,

with a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labor and to wait.

"Adversity toughens manhood and the characteristic of the good- or great man-is not that he has been exempt from the evils of life, but that he has surmounted them."

~Patrick Henry

My Imaginary Jesus

When I first picked up this book I thought that it would be a humorous, challenging devotion styled book directed toward helping the reader evaluate their perspective of God. I was surprised to say the least, when I found that the analogy I thought was an attention grabber or illustration turned out to be the actual book.

 My Imaginary Jesus is a sort of true story. It tells about the experiences of a fellow named Matt. It seemed like Matt had known this guy named 'Jesus' all his life. In fact they were really good friends. Whenever Matt needed help with something he would just call up 'Jesus' and next thing he knew poof 'Jesus' was there. But one day Matt's friend wasn't there. And that was the day that he was needed most. That day Matt's wife started bleeding and then went into contractions which resulted in a traumatic miscarriage. Matt was crushed. "Why hadn't 'Jesus' been there?"

Through a strange series of events Matt comes to the conclusion that his friend 'Jesus' is FAKE! This is the start of a search. A search to find the 'REAL' Jesus. 

Matt Milalatos's writing style is engaging as well as full of unique twists such as a talking donkey and apostle Peter. While I understand that the purpose of Matt's book is to help bring you face-to face with any impostors in your own relationship with God, the flippancy with which the name 'Jesus' was used bothered me. So though I found My Imaginary Jesus engaging, my preference with such a topic would be a more serious approach. 

 

The Nothingness

Dear Followers,
I am so happy to be back again! and would like to sincerely apologize for 4 months of nothingness. I have excuses but I will not bore you with them. It is suficiant to say that I am back again and in the future with give a notice if a long period of 'nothingness' is likely to occur.  I hope that you all have had a wonderful summer and 4th of July celebration!
In His Service,

To Be Perfectly Honest

Written in a diary form, To Be Perfectly Honest is an account of Phil Callaway's attempt to say nothing but the truth for 365 days. The basic purpose was to be a humorous but challenging book on telling the truth. The concept behind this book is a good one. Honesty is a lost character today, because most people believe that truth is relative. This is an issue that needs to be addressed and written about, but I don't think the mission was accomplished in this book. Being 100% honest ALL the time is a big challenge and it makes sense that  Mr. Callaway spent a lot of the book recounted his failures.
Though I was not extremely impressed with this book I would still encourage you to watch this video.

About the Author

Phil Callaway is an award-winning author known worldwide for his humorous yet perceptive look at life. He is president of Laugh and Learn, Inc., and the author of twenty books, including Laughing Matters and Family Squeeze. Callaway is a wildly popular speaker who keeps being asked to appear at churches, couples’ nights out, healthcare conventions, and corporate events. He also is a repeat guest on national radio and television shows. Phil and his wife, Ramona, have three grown children.

Reading.... What does it Profit?

Disclaimer- I just want to make sure you understand that even though I quotes these men, I am not  necessarily approving of what they have done,  other things they have said etc. 

“Reading is not an end to itself, but a means to an end.”
― Adolf Hitler


“Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted ...but to weigh and consider.”
― Francis Bacon


“Books can ignite fires in your mind, because they carry ideas for kindling, and art for matches.”
― Gary D. Schmidt


“Books are the compasses and telescopes and sextants and charts which other men have prepared to help us navigate the dangerous seas of human life.”
― Jesse Lee Bennett


“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking.”
― Haruki Murakami

Give yourself unto reading.”
The man who never reads will never be read;
he who never quotes will never be quoted.
He who will not use the thoughts of other men’s brains,
proves that he has no brains of his own.
You need to read.
We are quite persuaded that the very best way for you to be spending your leisure time,
is to be either reading or praying.
You may get much instruction from books
which afterwards you may use as a true weapon in your Lord and Master’s service.
Paul cries, “Bring the books” — join in the cry.
― Charles H. Spurgeon

“No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally – and often far more – worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond.”
― C.S. Lewis

“A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.”
― George R.R. Martin

“Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new after all.”
― Abraham Lincoln

“My life - my personality, my habits, even my speech - is a combination of the books I choose to read, the people I choose to listen to, and the thoughts I choose to tolerate in my mind”
― Andy Andrews

“I must study Politics and War that my sons may have liberty to study Mathematics and Philosophy. My sons ought to study Mathematics and Philosophy, Geography, natural History, Naval Architecture, navigation, Commerce and Agriculture, in order to give their Children a right to study Painting, Poetry, Music, Architecture, Statuary, Tapestry and Porcelaine. (May 12, 1780)”
― John Adams

“Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” 
― Richard Steele

The best books of men are soon exhausted--

they are cisterns, and not springing fountains.
You enjoy them very much at the first acquaintance,
and you think you could hear them a hundred times over-
but you could not- you soon find them wearisome.
Very speedily a man eats too much honey:
even children at length are cloyed with sweets.

All human books grow stale after a time-
but with the Word of God the desire to study it increases,
while the more you know of it the less you think you know.

The Book grows upon you: as you dive into its depths
you have a fuller perception of the infinity which remains
to be explored. You are still sighing to enjoy more of that
which it is your bliss to taste.
― Charles H. Spurgeon

Written In Tears

After spending years on the mission field telling others about the love of God the Veldt family suddenly felt like everything was caving in.  Luke and his wife couldn't understand why God would allow their thirteen-year-old daughter, Allison, to  died of a massive brain hemorrhage. 

Despite his doubts, Luke turned to the Bible for answers to his questions and comfort for his grief. In Psalm 103 Luke discovered a kindred spirit in King David, who knew what it was like to suffer. 

"This book is not about how I got through grief, or how I got over the loss of Allison and went on leading a normal life. Sorrow is my normal life now. We still grieve; two years after Allison’s death, we still don't sleep well. You don't get over the lose of a child- ever! Nor would I want to. My grief reminds me that Allison was important, and losing her and irreplaceable loss.

This book is about how I came to know God better, not just despite my loss, but because of it. It's written in the hope that the things I learned and the comfort I experienced will be of help in your life as well.”

This book has taken me almost 3 months of off and on reading to finnish, but it was not because of dryness, it was because every time I picked it up my eyes immediately started to 'water'. As child number five of thirteen I know what it is like to anticipate the birth of another sibling. I can remember holding their chubby fingers and cooing to them. I just about cried a few days ago when my 2 year old sister out of the blue said "I love you Becca." It was so precious!

I love seeing my siblings faces light up when I throw them in the air or dance with them across the room. Every day is full of my little sister's giggles and funny saying, and my brothers loud romping. 

This book made me think about what life might be like if God chose to take one of my siblings home to Him. I can only start to imagine how much it would hurt. The pain of seeing their favorite toy, or the lack of their voice around the diner table. But to be a parent must intensify that pain a hundred fold. 

This is a quote from Page 109.

"Tragedy sharpens our thinking about God; it demants that we think things through it forcese us to evaluate what we had previously accepted withour examination. Its a refinging fire that burns away the dross, a time of drought that obliges us to extend our roots deeper and in new directions. It can become a rich time as we find and confirm truths and jetsam erronious assumptions Allision's death forced me into fresh thinking about life, about suffering, about God.

I would'nt go so far as to say that because of allison's death I know more about God than you do, but I won't hesitate to afferm that because of her death I know more about God that I did."

I would recommend this book to anyone. 

Desert Gift

I picked up this book and I didn't put it down until I turned the last page a few minutes ago.
What your reading a is 'fresh off the press' jumble of thought.
How is that for and introduction?  :)

Jillian Galloway is a nationally known marriage expert. She lives in Chicago with her picture perfect easy going husband of twenty-four years.
A bomb suddenly drops out of nowhere when her husband Jack tells her the he wants out. He was filing for a divorce.
Jill's world was shattered. Her goals, dreams, and a lifetime of work crummbled beneath her feet.
How... What... WHY? All she knew was that she had to get away. So she turned to the only haven left, home.
Through the seclusion of this desert haven God works a miricle, which I wont tell you about because I don't want to spoil the rest book for you. :)

Though it dragged at some parts, as a whole I would say that Desert Gift is very well written. The setting is modern and familiar. The characters were so real that I cried twice. Jack and Jill are not perfect and the book did not end with happily ever after. (Though it was pretty close :)

After getting about one-third of the way through the 378 pages I was struck with a horrifying thought. I am just like this woman! I am willful, obnoxiously talkative, judgmental, and... o shame... The list went on.
I feel my face getting hot even now. Jill is married, I am not. Jill has a carrier, I do not. There aren't any outward resemblances between us to speak of, but I felt like her non the less.
One of the things that drove her husband crazy was Jill's knack of having the 'right' answer to every equation and problem.  This hit me square between the eyes.

It is hard for me to put my thoughts into words. Throughout this post I have relied heavily on slang phrases which I hope you will pardon. I can just see the wince on my sister's face as she reads them. But I cant really help them now... to end I want to tell you that I am not really sure I recommend this book.
I hope that is not totally confusing. I know that I was challenged in many areas of my attitude, (if that makes sense) but... I not really sure what it is... I just have some reservations to totally throwing my heart into recommending this book.
I think it is a great book for those who are married, and for those who are ready to get married, but as far as younger teens, this probably wouldn't be the best read.

February's FREE Audio

Trusting God: By Jerry Bridges 

    

Because obeying God makes sense to us. In most cases, His laws appear reasonable and wise, and even when we don’t want to obey them, we usually concede that they are good for us. But the circumstances we find ourselves in often defy explanation.

When unexpected situations arise that appear unjust, irrational, or even dreadful, we feel confused and frustrated. And before long, we begin to doubt God’s concern for us or His control over our lives. Adversity is hard to endure and can even be harder to understand. If God were really in control, why would He allow the tragic auto accident or crucial job loss? How could He permit cancer in a loved one or the death of a child?

Grappling with His concern for us we ask, “Why is God allowing this?” or “What have I done wrong?” In an effort to strengthen his own trust in God during a time of adversity, Jerry Bridges began a lengthy Bible study on the topic of God’s sovereignty. What he learned changed his life, and he now shares the fruit of that study with you in Trusting God.

As you begin to explore the scope of God’s power over nations, nature, and the detailed lives of individuals, you’ll begin to acknowledge His loving control. And as you come to know Him better, you’ll find yourself trusting Him more completely—even when life hurts.

Secular vs. Sacred

Dear Brethren, it is to be feared that many of us are not separated enough from the world. God intends the difference to be very marked; he would have the line between the church and the world drawn very clearly. I could wish to obliterate for ever the unhappy and artificial distinction which is constantly made between sacred and secular, for a world of mischief has come out of it. The truth is that a real Christian may be known by this, that to him everything secular is sacred, and the commonest matters are holiness unto the Lord. I do not believe in the religion which only lifts its head above water on Sunday, and confines itself to praying and preaching and carrying hymn books about: we must have a religion which gives a true yard when it is measuring its calicoes, a religion which weighs a true pound when it is dealing out shop goods, a religion which scorns to puff and lie, and take advantage of a gullible public, a religion which is true, upright, chaste, kind, and unselfish.


Give me a man who would not lie if all the whole earth or heaven itself were to be won thereby. We need among professed Christians a high morality; nay, far more, we need unsullied holiness. O, Holy Spirit, work it in us all! As we have often said, holiness means wholeness of character in contradistinction to the cultivation of some few virtues and the neglect of others. Oh that we were like the Lord in this, that we loved only that which is right, and abhorred that which is evil; that we kept along the straight and narrow path, and could not be decoyed from it, fearing not the frown of man nor courting his smile, but resolved as God lives in us that we will live in our daily actions according to his will. This would make Christians to be indeed a separated people, and this is precisely what their God would have them to be.From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "Solomon's Plea," delivered May 2, 1875. 

FREE Book- 4 Days left!!!

A Free Book!

Every month Logos has a free downloadable resource. The one for this month is the 6 vol. from the works of John Owen, "Temptation and Sin."

John Owen’s treatises on temptation and sin stem from his pastoral concern for the church in England. These works have provided invaluable insight into the human condition and God’s grace to Christians for centuries.

Included in this volume:

On the Mortification of Sin 

On Temptation 

On Indwelling Sin in Believers 

Exposition of Psalm 130
Enjoy!

Revolution In World Missions

ONE MAN'S JOURNEY TO CHANGE THE WORLD

"O God," Achyamma prayed, "Please let just one of my 6 boys be a preacher!" That morning, while cooking breakfast, this heart sick mother vowed to fast every Friday until God saw fit to answer her prayer.

Three and a half years went by, but nothing seemed to change.

Finally only the youngest, a scrawny, shy boy of 16, was left. But like David, he was the one that God had chosen.

This book "Revolution in World Missions," is the story of God's guiding hand in the life of K.P. Yahannan. I would encourage you to go to www.gfa.org to learn more about how God is using these normal people to accomplish abnormal things!

Giveaway Winners!

Drum-roll please ....................

The Winners Are:

"Feminine Threads"- Julie J.

"The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge"- Rebecca M.

"Revolution in Wold Missions"- Tonya L.

Congratulations !!!

O, to Really Pray!

"Oh! to have heard Luther pray!

Luther, you know, when Melancthon was dying, went to his death-bed, and said, “Melancthon, you shall not die!”

“Oh,” said Melancthon, “I must die! It is a world of toil and trouble.”

“Melancthon,” said he, “I have need of thee, and God’s cause has need of thee, and as my name is Luther, thou shalt not die!”

The physician said he would.

Well, down went Luther on his knees, and began to tug at death. Old death struggled mightily for Melancthon, and he had got him well nigh on his shoulders.

“Drop him,” said Luther, “drop him, I want him.”

“Ho,” said death, “he is my prey, I will take him!”

“Down with him,” said Luther, “down with him, death, or I will wrestle with thee!”

And he seemed to take hold of the grim monster, and hurl him to the ground, and he came off victorious, like Orpheus with his wife, up from the very shades of death. He had delivered Melancthon from death by prayer!

“Oh,” say you, “that is an extraordinary case.” No, beloved, not one-half so extraordinary as you dream. I have men and women here who have done the same in other cases; that have asked a thing of God, and have had it; that have been to the throne, and showed a promise, and said they would not come away without its fulfillment, and have come back from God’s throne conquerors of the Almighty; for prayer moves the arm that moves the world."

As recounted by Charles Spurgeon

Can We Bear It?

Many would be saints if everybody would encourage them; but as soon as a hard word is spoken they are offended. They would go to heaven if they could travel there amidst the hosannas of he multitude, but when they hear the cry of “Crucify him, crucify him,” straightway they desert the man of Nazareth, for they have no intention to share his cross, or to be despised and rejected of men.

The true saints of God are prepared to endure scoffing, and jeering, and scorning; they accept this cross without murmuring, remembering him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself. They know that their brethren who went before “resisted unto blood, striving against sin,” and as they have not yet come to that point, they count it foul scorn that they should be ashamed or confounded in minor trials, let their adversaries do what they may. Those who are to sing Christ’s praise in heaven must first have been willing to bear Christ’s shame below. Numbered with him in the humiliation must they be, or they cannot expect to be partakers with him in the glory. 

And now, dear brethren and sisters, how is it with us? Are we willing to be reproached for Christ’s glory? Can we bear the sarcasm of the wise? Can we bear the jest of the witty?

From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "A Voice From Heaven." 

A New Year Giveaway!!!

       

In your comment write the number of the book that you are interested in. Please pick only one. Thank you!

The One Year Uncommon Daily Life Challenge

My Dad loves football, as a result my siblings and I have grown up watching, talking and playing it. (Though I haven't done much of the 'playing' since my brothers passed 5ft. It got a little to intense for me.) With such a background I was quite familiar with names like 'John Elway', Tony Dungy and Tim Tebow.(My father's heroes.)

 So when I saw that a book by Coach Dungy was available for review from Tyndale Publishing I was intrigued. And the more I learned about 'The Uncommon Daily Life Challenge' the more I wanted to read it. I was so excited, that I requested a PDF copy and read that even before that actual book arrived at my door. It was totally worth it! The format and practical genres were great, but they were nothing in comparison to the actual words. Take this quote from Jan. 3^rd, for instance.

“We have a perfect role model.

Christ is our example on how to treat other people.

Christ is out example on the influence we can and should have on those around us.

Christ is the classic and eternal example of the role model WE are called to be.

No other role model even comes close to Him.”

After reading that I realized that all to often I have gotten caught up in finding and reading good books by good men and forgotten about the best Book and the perfect Man.

In Philippians 3:12 Paul states that he is striving for the perfection of Christ. No one will ever be perfect in this lifetime, but I realized that I should be HOURLY striving to be like Christ. Not only that, I should be looking around to see who I can challenge to do the same thing.

One of my favorite things about this book is the 'Uncommon Keys' at the bottom of each page. For example the one fore Jan 3^rd was this-

“Today and everyday, remember that you are a personal representative of Jesus Christ. Always strive for perfection of Christ- for yourself and for those around you.”

Watch this video to learn more about The Challenge-

Here is the link to the website just so that you don't forget- www.uncommonchallenge.com

I definitely rate this a 5 star! That is why I am offering a copy of it in my New Year Giveaway.
May God Bless you!

Disclaimer:I received this book for free from the Publisher for this review, every opinion expressed here in is 100% my own.