Cathy Bryant's Blog: CatBryant.com ~ Journey Blog, page 15

How To Be Held Together When Life Falls Apart

I can only speak for myself, but there are times when my life literally falls apart, disintegrating into a heap of ashes around me.

When that happens, I sit in the midst of the mess, dumbfounded and overwhelmed by the destruction around me.

But even in the middle of what seems like a mess so big I’ll never be able to put it all back together, I’ve experienced the oddest sensation of being miraculously held together by an unseen force.

Via @Cathy_Bryant – You can be held together even when life unravels. Here’s how:
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Held Together – The Beginning of the Story

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.  ~Genesis 1:1-2 (NASB)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ~John 1:1-3 (NIV)

When God comes on the scene in Genesis, the earth was in a word, chaos. In His great power, God spoke creation into being, making much from absolutely nothing. And everything He made was good. The apex of His creation (AKA mankind) entered the planet to perfection with all their needs already provided for.

And I love that Jesus and the Holy Spirit were there as well, the triune God making His appearance as God in three persons.

Then…the snake. The spiritual forces of darkness. Satan. The devil. The enemy. All of the above. His entrance onto the stage of life brought chaos, destruction, and sin back into the picture.

Life begins to fall apart. But yet, it doesn’t.

 

Held Together – The Middle of the Story

As we continue to read the Old Testament, we see example after example of life falling apart, but somehow (miraculously) holding together in spite of it all. People mess up. They sin willfully. They intentionally disobey God and go their own way.

God allows life to fall apart for them, but is always there to pick them up and dust them off when they cry out to Him in repentance.

Rinse and repeat.

Held Together – The End of the Story

Every day I see more and more evidence that we are indeed living in the end of this earthly story. Yes, it could be many years before what God has promised takes place.

It could also happen today.

But we have no cause for fear if we’ve placed our life in the hands of the One who holds all things together.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ~2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (NIV)

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. ~Colossians 1:16-17 (NASB)

Are you starting to see how believers can go through the fiery trials of this earthly life and yet be held together? It’s only through Christ.

He was there on that very first day of creation. The passages from John 1  and Colossians 1 explain it all. All things were made by Him, and in Him all things hold together.

And when it’s time, He’ll take those of us who have placed our lives and our faith in Him to a new place and let the rest of this dying world fall apart.

If you don’t know Jesus as your Savior, Friend, and the One who holds us all together, you can know Him. Click HERE to learn more.

Held Together – Other Resources

If you’d like further study on this concept of being held together by Christ, here’s an article and a video:

ARTICLE: “Physics and the Bible: What Holds The Universe Together?” by Lambert Dolphin

VIDEO: “Laminin” (short version) by Louie Giglio

CHIT-CHAT: Can you share a time in your life when things were falling apart, but you were miraculously being held together?

The post How To Be Held Together When Life Falls Apart appeared first on Cathy Bryant.

How to Find Peace in the Pieces (& I Need Your Help)

Peter should’ve known better.

After all, he’d been with Jesus. Had observed amazing miracles. Had sat under His teaching.

So when he asked Jesus to invite him out of the boat and into the storm-tossed waves, he should’ve known where to focus his attention.

At first Peter kept his eyes glued on Jesus, but in his peripheral vision he caught sight of the enormous waves. In other words, he got distracted. All it took was a brief glimpse in the wrong direction, and he sank like a stone.

Thankfully, he immediately recognized his desperate position and cried out for help. Jesus stretched out a hand and rescued him, but not without admonishment. “Oh, you of little faith. Why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:22-33)

The Correlation Between Peace and Pieces

But really, we can’t be too hard on Peter. We’re just as guilty of sometimes losing our focus. (Or even worse–we refuse to get out of the boat.)

A truth about God’s peace and life’s pieces has become so transparent as I’ve written the Christmas novella, Pieces on Earth. I’ve been reminded of the direct correlation between our focus, God’s peace, and life’s pieces.

When we–like Peter in the beginning of his walk-on-water journey–keep our focus on God, we experience His unfathomable peace. But when we allow ourselves to get distracted, to focus on our storms rather than the Stiller of Storms, we sink into the crashing ocean waves of life’s broken pieces.

The Definition of Peace and Pieces

Man’s definitions are often a far cry from God’s, and peace is one such word. To most people, peace is defined as the absence of conflict, war, or strife.

God’s definition goes much further and deeper. The Hebrew word for peace is shalom, and it conveys a wholeness, completeness, and integration of the person at peace.

In sharp and total contrast, the word “pieces” reveals fracture and brokenness. In fact, the word “anxious” as used in the Bible, carries with it a splintering, division, and fracturing of the human mind and heart.

How fascinating (but no surprise to God) that His peace and life’s piece are on completely opposite ends of the spectrum.

How important that we learn to keep our focus on Him–especially when our lives feel shattered into a thousand pieces.

Can You Help?

No book launch can work effectively without a coordinated effort, and the message of Pieces on Earth–finding God’s peace in life’s pieces–is one that many need to hear, especially during the holidays. Did you know that something as joyous as a celebration of our Savior’s birth is sometimes the worst possible time for many? Statistics have proved that depression and sorrow and loneliness particularly abound during the Christmas holidays.

Because of this, I need your help in getting the word out about the book. My prayer is that our Lord will take the book to those who most need the hope and help His peace brings.

Below I’ll discuss three specific ways you can help, and I appreciate you for doing one or all:

Share the “Pieces On Earth” Cover Reveal Party on Facebook, other social media platforms, and via email/private messages.
Support the “Pieces on Earth” Thunderclap campaign.
Be a part of the “Pieces On Earth” Launch Team by reviewing an advance copy of the book and sharing its release with others through various channels.

1. Share The PIECES ON EARTH Cover Reveal Party

As you can tell via the graphic at the beginning of this post, the Cover Reveal Party for Pieces on Earth is this coming Thursday night, November 5, on Facebook from 7-8 p.m. CST (that’s 5 p.m. Pacific, 6 p.m. Mountain time, 7 p.m. Central, and 8 p.m. Eastern).

Facebook has dropped the number of people that one person can invite to an event, so it’s difficult for one person (read: me) to adequately spread the word about the book’s release. One way you can help is to share the following post on your Facebook page or in a group (you can also go to the event page and invite friends through the “invite” button). I’ve also included a tweet for those of you who’d like to share it on Twitter as well. And please feel free to change the info around so you can share it in a way that feels right to you, especially if you want to share it via email, phone call, or other social media platforms.

Save the date! The cover reveal for the new Christmas novella, "Pieces on Earth," is set for Thursday, 7-8 p.m. (Central…

Posted by Cathy Bryant on Tuesday, October 27, 2015

PIECES ON EARTH Cover Reveal Party
Thursday, Nov.5 ~ 7 pm CST
On Facebook https://t.co/mIFJXDi8YT
#ChristianFiction pic.twitter.com/JYWd0ye6kq

— Cathy Bryant (@Cathy_Bryant) November 1, 2015

2. Support the “Pieces On Earth” Thunderclap Campaign.

What in the world is a Thunderclap campaign? The following blurb comes directly from Thunderclap’s website:

“Social media is an easy way to say something, but it’s a difficult way to be heard. Thunderclap is the first-ever crowdspeaking platform that helps people be heard by saying something together. It allows a single message to be mass-shared, flash mob-style, so it rises above the noise of your social networks. By boosting the signal at the same time, Thunderclap helps a single person create action and change like never before.”

You choose which of your social media platforms you’ll make available for the mass-message about the book’s release. The three platforms currently available are: Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. You can choose to support the Thunderclap on only one platform or all platforms.

But here’s the tricky part. I must have at least 100 supporters for the Thunderclap campaign or they won’t release the book launch anouncement. As you’ve probably already figured out, those 100 (or more–the more the merrier) are crucial to blasting the social media message about the book launch.

You can support the campaign by clicking THIS LINK or the embedded post below.

3. Be a Part of the “Pieces On Earth” Launch Team
As a member of the “Pieces On Earth” Launch Team, you’ll receive:
A free advance eBook copy (Kindle or Nook) of Pieces On Earth
Access to a private Facebook group for this specific book launch, where you’ll get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what’s involved in writing and launching a book and a chance to interact with other launch team members (AKA new friends!).
The opportunity to give feedback on certain aspects of the book and book promotion ideas.
A special “thank you” post on my Journey blog with a brief blurb about you along with a link of your choosing (e.g. blog/website, Facebook group, social media profile, organization, charitable cause, etc.).
A free eBook of the Miller’s Creek novel or LifeSword Bible Study of your choice.
Entry into a $25 Amazon Gift Card drawing only for Launch Team members as my way of expressing my gratitude for your time and effort.
In return, I’m asking you to do the following:
Read the book and leave your honest review on Amazon and/or Goodreads (and your blog if you have one).
Spread the word however you can before and after the launch. (NOTE: Pre-Launch begins now. Launch Week is November 17-23, 2015.)
Share any promotional ideas you might have to get the book in front of as many readers as possible.

If you’d like to a part of the team, please leave a comment below, contact me via the Contact tab in the menu bar, or send an email to catbry1@yahoo.com (with “I’m in!” in the subject line).

Questions? Maybe the following will help.

Do I have to have a blog or large social media following to participate? Not at all! Each of us have various avenues of influence, and not all of them are online! Maybe you’re a part of a book club and could recommend the book to them for a Christmas read and discussion. Or perhaps you and some friends could pass out copies of the books to some shut-ins. It might be as simple as just e-mailing a few friends that you think would enjoy the book. Word-of-mouth is the most effective way of spreading the news about anything!

I’m not a marketing mastermind. Is my input valuable? Absolutely! Especially if you’ve read enjoyed some of my other books, you are exactly the person whose feedback matters most to me. I truly believe the truth of Proverbs 27:17: Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another. I welcome your input to sharpen me and make this a successful launch for the message of God’s peace in the pieces.

What time commitment is involved? It depends on how long it takes you to read the book and write a review. Since it’s novella-length, reading the book shouldn’t take too long. But in addition to reading and reviewing, I will also need your help in spreading the word about the book’s release. As a Christmas book, the most intense promotion time will be between now and Christmas. That being said, I know this is a busy time of the year and you have other obligations to fulfill as well. I just ask that you share when you can. I certainly don’t expect to spend all your time on this book!

Have a question not answered here? Feel free to email me at catbry1@yahoo.com with your specific question. Please put “POE Launch Team” in the subject line so I won’t miss your email.

Prayer Request

Please keep me and my wonderful hubby in your prayers. At the same time as the launch of “Pieces on Earth,” I’m also committed to writing the rough draft of the seventh Miller’s Creek novel during November. In addition, we’ll be making a trip from New Mexico to Arkansas to lead the music at a Revival, and there’s the Thanksgiving holidays with family to take into consideration as well. Needless to say, it is going to be busy month for us.

Oddly enough, my prayer request goes hand-in-hand with this post. Please pray that we’ll keep our focus on God and experience His peace, rather than being anxious, worried, and stressed.

Let me know if I can return the favor and pray for you in any way. I’m always both honored to lift each and everyone of you to God’s throne of grace and mercy. You can send me an email at catbry1@yahoo.com. Please put “Prayer Request” in the subject line.

Wishing you all a delightful Thanksgiving and Christmas season full of God’s perfect peace,

Cathy

The post How to Find Peace in the Pieces (& I Need Your Help) appeared first on Cathy Bryant.

Win Free Copy of Beautiful NIV Bible Right Here

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I love being contacted by FlyBy Promotions to review awesome Christian books and movies. This time it’s a review of Zondervan’s NIV Bible for Teen Girls. (Be sure to scroll down to access the giveaway at the bottom of the post.)

#Giveaway of hard cover copy of #NIVBibleforTeenGirls ($40 value) here. #FLYBY
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About the NIV Bible for Teen Girls

Today’s teen girl needs reassurance that no issue is too big for God.  The NIV Bible for Teen Girls, designed specifically for girls ages 13 to 18, will do just that.  This Bible is packed with daily readings, highlighted promises of God, challenging insights, smart advice, and open discussions about the realities of life.  This Bible is designed to help teen girls grow in faith, hope, and love.  It is as sincere about a teen girl’s walk with God as they are, helping them discover his will for all areas of their life, including relating to their family, dealing with friends, work, sports, guys, and so much more.

Features:


DAILY READINGS by popular Christian female authors including Bethany Hamilton (Soul Surfer), Annie Downs, Christine Caine, Nicole Weider, Elsa Kok Colopy, Crystal Kirgiss, Bekah Hamrick Martin, Denise Van Eck, and more
CHARACTER PROFILES of women in the Bible
BOOK INTRODUCTIONS for each book of the Bible
HIGHLIGHTED PROMISES OF GOD are verses worth remembering
A CONCORDANCE for help in finding verses
The bestselling NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) of the Bible 

*Connect with Zondervan Publishers on Facebook & Twitter.* 

My Review

First off, let me just say that the NIV Bible for Teen Girls is a beautiful Bible as you can tell by the photo. From the color scheme to the graphics, this is a Bible I think any girl would love to carry. (I know a pretty cover is not the main reason we buy Bibles, but teen girls love pretty. )

I also love the tagline of “Growing in Faith, Hope, Love.” To me, it’s a great reminder that we read and study our Bibles for the purpose of spiritual growth.

The inside of the Bible is just as lovely as the outside, with the same pretty color scheme and graphic design.

One of the features that I like most about the Bible are page-long devotionals that hone in on a special point made in the scriptures. In addition to this, there are helpful foot notes, a topical index, and concordance.

The hard cover backing is also a great option. It’s nice and heavy and feels like it would stand up to lots of use.

If you’re on the lookout for a gift Bible for that special teen girl in your life, this Bible would be a great choice!

Giveaway

This giveaway of a hardcover copy of Zondervan’s NIV Bible for Teen Girls ($40 value) is open to residents of the US and Canada only. The giveaway runs through Monday, November 9, 2015. The winner will be chosen randomly through Rafflecopter.com and contacted via e-mail.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

COMMENT CHIT-CHAT: Tell us about the special teen girl you hope to share this Bible with!

The post Win Free Copy of Beautiful NIV Bible Right Here appeared first on Cathy Bryant.

See How to Reach Others Through the Power of “Open”

As believers, it’s not only our responsibility, but profound privilege, to reach others for Christ.

One of my prayers in this direction centers around the word “open,” and I believe it’s powerful–not because I prayed it, but because our God is the One who, through divine appointments, “opens” the way for the gospel to be shared.

1. Reach Others – Open Doors

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: ‘I know your deeds Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” ~Revelation 3:7-9

“Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder, When he opens no one will shut, When he shuts no one will open.” ~Isaiah 22:22

For a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. ~1 Corinthians 16:9

Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord. ~2 Corinthians 2:12

From the Old Testament to the book of prophecy of the end of the world, God is all about opening doors. Not only that, but He opens doors no man can shut and shuts doors no man can open.

When it comes to the gospel, we can pray for open doors of opportunity for ourselves and other believers.

Lord Jesus, open doors of opportunity for us to share You with a lost and dying world. Make us aware of those divine appointments in each of our lives.

Jesus opens doors no man can shut. #Pray for open doors.
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[yellow box] Have you heard about the wonderful ministry of Open Doors at http://www.opendoorsusa.org? It’s a Christian nonprofit organization which provides HOPE for persecuted Christians around the world, and today is their International Day of Prayer for the persecuted church. Learn how you can help. [/yellowbox]

2. Reach Others – Open Eyes

For people given sight, we can sometimes be incredibly blind to the needs around us.

Maybe it’s because we’re constantly dealing with our own stuff. Or maybe we close our eyes to the needs because there’s so many, and we don’t have a clue where to start.

Whatever the reason, in my prayers this year, I’m praying for open eyes to see the needs of others. And in my estimation, the greatest need of any person is spiritual.

When Jesus healed, He often used the words “You’re sins are forgiven.” Yes, the physical needs of those He came in contact with were met with physical healing. But the greatest healing was spiritual in nature through the forgiveness of sins.

That’s great good news!

Lord Jesus, open our eyes to the needs of others around us. Show us how we can meet those needs in a way that leads to spiritual healing for them.

#Pray for open eyes to see the needs of others.
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3. Reach Others – Open Ears

Not only do we need to see the needs of others, we need to unplug our ears and truly listen to them.

In our fast-paced, get-it-now society, we sadly don’t take the time to listen. And if we don’t listen to them, why should they listen to us when we attempt to share the love of Christ with them?

Lord Jesus, not only do we pray for open ears to Your gospel message, but we pray that You’ll unplug our ears to truly listen to others.

#Pray for open ears to truly listen to others.
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4. Reach Others – Open Hearts

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” ~Luke 10:27

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ~1 Corinthians 13:2

Yes, we pray for open hearts to the gospel message. But the lost aren’t the only ones who need open hearts. We do too.

Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to go through a heartless delivery of the good news without opening our hearts.

I can only speak for myself, but I have a hard time believing or trusting anyone if I don’t perceive that they personally care about me. And I think most of us probably feel that way. When we approach others with an agenda rather than a heart of love and compassion, it will be all too obvious to them.

Lord Jesus, open our hearts to those you put in our paths so that they in turn will open their hearts to You.

#Pray for hearts to be open to the gospel message. #LOVE
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5. Reach Others – Open Minds

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ~Galatians 3:28

In addition to open hearts, we also need open minds. Too many times we make the call as to who is worthy to hear the gospel message, rather than letting God’s Spirit lead us. In addition, we tend to choose people who are like us.

But what about that prostitute on a city corner as the sun goes down and the street lights come up?

What about that hungry homeless man who sits with a sign near the local grocery store?

What about that unruly child placed under your care in whatever capacity in which you serve your community?

What about that Middle Eastern man you see frequently in the post office?

Jesus came to do away with barriers, so why do we rebuild them in our minds?

And not only do we pray for our minds to be opened, but we also pray that the minds of the lost will be open to the message entrusted to us. We pray for soft soil in which to plant the seed.

Lord Jesus, open our minds to people from all walks of life, and open the minds of those we need to reach to the truth of Your Word.

#Pray for open minds to the good news of Jesus.
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6. Reach Others – Open Mouths

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. ~Ephesians 6:18-20

This is where I struggle the most when it comes to reaching others. I see the door of opportunity and the needs of others. I hear their pain and lostness. My heart constricts in pain for them. My mind is open towards them.

But my mouth stays ridiculously silent.

I have the most wonderful news to share with them. News that will help them. So why doesn’t it come flying out of my mouth?

Of all the prayers I pray for “open,” how I pray that God will open my lips to proclaim His truth. How I pray for boldness and fearlessness. And I also pray that those with whom I share the message will find the boldness and fearlessness to carry it to others.

Oh, Lord Jesus, open our mouths to boldly and fearlessly proclaim Your good news to the world. Then may Your gospel spread like wildfire as each one reached reaches at least one more.

#Pray for open mouths to proclaim God’s Word. #BeBoldAndFearless
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7. Reach Others – Open Arms

This point of openness goes hand-in-hand with open hearts. We must allow the love that God places in our hearts to touch others with open arms.

In Jesus’ day, lepers not only had to deal with the horrific symptoms of their disease, but they were also lonely outcasts of society. As they moved around, they were required to yell out, “Unclean! Unclean!”

Yet Jesus, in His great love for them, wasn’t afraid to touch them.

As His followers, we must do the same. There are many around us who need a loving touch or hug from Jesus through us.

Oh God, forgive our unwillingness to reach others with open arms. Help us to remember the power of touch in our own lives and be willing to share it with others.

#Pray for open arms to touch even the untouchable.
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In Conclusion

Will you join me in this seven-fold prayer for “open?” Please pray for open doors, open eyes and ears, open hearts and minds, open mouths and arms. I believe God will bless in a mighty way!

CHIT-CHAT: As it relates to this post, let’s share our experiences about the power of “open” in the comments.

The post See How to Reach Others Through the Power of “Open” appeared first on Cathy Bryant.

No Tricks. Just a Treat. New Book Collection Sale! :)

Have I got a treat for you!

MILLER’S CREEK COLLECTION 2 just hit the virtual bookstore stands (read: Amazon) for a limited-time price of $0.99! This new book collection sale won’t last long, so I’d be goblin it up soon!

#99c #sale MILLER’S CREEK COLLECTION 2 #amreading #ChristianFiction Details here:
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Yep. You heard me right. No spider webs in your ears. You can get the three latest Miller’s Creek novels–Pilgrimage of Promise, A Bridge Unbroken, and Crossroads–in this brand new digital book collection for less than a buck! That’s a savings of almost nine dollars if you purchased the books individually! Every ghoul loves a bargain! (Yeah, I know…bad puns…)

Scroll to the bottom of the post to enter the Halloween giveaway of this new digital book collection!

And I deliberately set the collection to release the week of Halloween so those of you who have enjoyed the books can treat your friends with something better than candy.

Unsure of how to do that? Check out the screen shot below. The red arrow shows the Amazon button that allows you to send the book collection to the gift recipient via e-mail. So easy that even zombies can figure it out!

4 Helpful Tips to Keep From Getting Stuck in the Yuck

Into every life some yuck must fall. (My very loose paraphrase of a familiar adage.) But just because yuck happens, it doesn’t mean that we have to live there. In fact, living in the yuck is no way to live!

As I continue to work on pouring out the rough draft of PIECES ON EARTH (a Christmas story due out in November 2015), one of the minor characters in the story gives advice to the main character on how not to get stuck in the yuck. I decided the advice was both Biblical and share-worthy, so I’m adding this blog post as both a devotional and how-to post.

As mentioned above, yuck happens to all of us. And when it lands in our laps, it’s easy to become so focused on it that we start to live there. I hope this article encourages all of us–me included–to find our way out of the yuck and back into the right way of thinking and living.

Tip #1: Focus on God

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. ~Philippians 4:6-9 (NASB)

The yuck of life often brings with in anxiety and fear. But as we focus on both the yuck and those anxieties and fear, we lose perspective. Only as we focus our hearts and minds where they need to be anyway–on God–can we live above the yuck.

He is the only One who is completely true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and worthy of praise. This passage tells us that if we dwell on these things, refuse to be anxious, and instead turn to Him in prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving that His incomprehensible peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ.

That guarding of our heart actually means to set up a fort around. I don’t know about you, but that word picture brings me a lot of comfort. His peace is a fortress for our hearts and minds to guard against living in the yuck.

I’ve recently noticed in my prayer time that proclaiming and rehearsing who God is brings such peace and comfort. When I’m struggling with the yuck, remembering that God is sovereign, holy, good, merciful, and more helps put my focus back where it belongs. Another way to put it is this: Instead of focusing on the storm, focus on the Stiller of storms. The yuck disappears when we do this!

Tip #2: Be Grateful and Hopeful

The Philippians passage mentions the word “thanksgiving” as a way of overcoming anxiety. I’m convinced that when I take the time to be grateful it helps me focus on what is good in my life rather than on what I perceive to be lacking. Having that attitude of gratitude is so important when trying to live above the yuck.

Along with thanksgiving comes hope. How? I think the two go hand in hand. When we express gratitude to God for what He has given us, re recognize that there was a time when those things were lacking in our lives. Those things we once needed have been supplied. God does not change. He has provided in the past and will continue to do so. That knowledge of His provision and immutability gives us hope.

Tip #3: Choose to Trust

The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. ~Isaiah 26:3

Fear and faith can’t co-exist. When one moves in, the other moves out. We are the ones who choose which one stays. When yuck happens in our lives, it’s all-too easy to give fear free reign. But guess what? Giving in to the fear only brings more fear. I speak from personal experience. Like Liv in the story of PIECES ON EARTH, news headlines can send me in a tizzy, as I imagine all the potential for fearful things to happen.

This tip really goes hand in hand with the first tip, because it too deals with focus. If we focus on fearful things, we experience fear. If we instead choose to trust God and focus on who He is and that nothing is beyond His ability, our faith blossoms and grows. Faith is indeed a choice we must make every day. And for me, it’s sometimes a decision I have to consciously make minute by minute.

Tip #4: Help Others

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. ~Galatians 6:2

I don’t know why our yuck is so tempting as a place to actually dwell, but it is. (Me thinks the enemy has something to do with this.) It helps me to remember that I’m not the only person dealing with yuck. It’s everywhere, and it affects all of us. A great way to get outside of our own yuck is to reach out to others to help them through theirs.

Again, this tip goes hand in hand with the first tip. When we over-focus on our own yuck, it makes it difficult to see the hurt and pain others are experiencing. As we reach out to them, we take the focus off our stuff. And something miraculous often happens.

First off, we realize that our yuck is small in comparison. Seeing the bigger problems of others turns our mountainous yuck into molehill-sized yuck. It’s still yuck, just greatly minimized and easier to deal with. Secondly, by helping others we often find ways to deal with our own problems. And last of all, a problem shared with others is a problem divided. There’s a reason why we’re told in the Bible to carry one another’s burdens.

In Conclusion

Even writing this post has helped me with my own yuck. Yuck brings anxiety, depression, sorrow, etc., but we can choose to live above the yuck and the pain it brings.

We glorify the Lord when we choose to think and live differently, and these three tips help put the yuck of life in proper perspective:

Instead of focusing on your problems and storms, focus on God, remembering who He is.
Since we serve a God who provides and never changes, be grateful and hopeful.
Rather than allowing bad news to bring fear, choose instead to trust God.
Get past your own yuck by helping others through theirs.

COMMENT CHIT-CHAT: What are some helpful tips that help you live above the yuck?

 

The post 4 Helpful Tips to Keep From Getting Stuck in the Yuck appeared first on Cathy Bryant.

Latest Miller’s Creek Novel On Sale – Details Here

 

The following is an excerpt from Crossroads, the latest Miller’s Creek novel (released May 2015) and on sale October 18-24, 2015 for Amazon Kindle for just 99-cents.

Carter made the turn into the parking garage, grabbed his ticket, and took the first available parking space near a window. He put the car in park, then scooted across the seat and pulled her into his arms, which only served to make her cry harder. When at last her tears subsided, Carter reached into the floorboard of the back seat and handed her a box of tissues. “God was there, Mara. You just couldn’t see past the hurt you were facing. He’s the one who carried you through it, and made you strong enough to endure it.” He paused, obviously collecting his thoughts. “He’s like the wind. You can’t see it, but you know it’s there.”

Her heart beat faster at the possibility and hope behind his words. Had God been there, helping her through? No, she wasn’t going to cave. “There’s evidence for the wind, because you feel it and see the objects it blows. A personal God may be true for you, but not for me.” She blew her nose.

“That’s like saying gravity is real for one but not another.”

Touché. Challenge rose in her chest and leaked out in her tone. “I thought you didn’t like theoretical debates.”

A heavy sigh escaped, sagging his shoulders. “That’s the problem, Mara. You’re assuming God is merely a theory. I don’t see Him that way at all. He’s real to me. Every bit as real as you are.”

Her lips tightened. “Which brings me back to square one of why He allows what He allows.” Yet another traitorous tear slid down her cheek, and she quickly brushed it away, only to have her eyes flood with more. Another one escaped. And another.

But before she could swipe them away, Carter raised a thumb and gently swabbed at her cheeks, his other arm still encircling her shoulders protectively. “All I can say is what I know to be true, Mara. God isn’t behind the evil in our world. Satan is. Like it or not, we live in the middle of spiritual civil war. The good news is that only one of the forces in the battle has absolute power.” He rested his forehead against hers for a moment, then pulled back.

“Well, I’d like that absolute power to answer a few questions.” She shrugged away from his arms and plastered herself to the car door, her arms crossed, a soggy Kleenex balled up in her fist. “If he’s the personal God you claim him to be, then surely he’d allow me to state my objections to the way he runs things.”

“Careful, Mara. Don’t forget who He is.” His dark eyes smoldered. “I wouldn’t start a fight with God. To say that He’s wrong and you’re right is like saying steam is higher than the water it’s made of. When you argue against God, you’re setting yourself against the One who gives you the ability to argue at all. Not a wise move, if you ask me.” He released a heavy sigh in the semi-darkness of the parking garage. “Trust me, I find it just as hard as you do to make sense of God’s delay. But I have to believe He’s waiting so more people will turn back to Him. So you’ll turn back to Him.”

His words sharpened themselves on her bones, and set off a spark that sent angry flames searing through her veins. Mara fought against another onslaught of tears. “Spare me the religious platitudes, will you? Do you think you’re telling me something new? I grew up on those lies, remember?”

“They’re not religious platitudes or lies.” Now the fury rattling her bones to the marrow sounded in his voice as well. “Look, I’m sorry for all that’s happened to you to turn you against God, but He’s not the One to blame. Satan is attacking you at your greatest vulnerability, and you’re blaming it on God.”

Greatest vulnerability? Her gaze flitted to his face.

Carter’s eyes met hers, and he studied her with an unnerving intensity, one that somehow also brought great comfort. His expression softened, his eyes gleaming with compassion. “Oh, Mara, can’t you see? The enemy knows Ashton is your last shred of hope. Satan wants for you what he wants for everyone else in the world. He wants you to hate and disavow the God who made you and loves you.” His expression took on heartrending sorrow. “And you’re letting him have his way.”

The thought sliced through her. Could it be true? Her forehead tightened to the point of pain, and she raised trembling fingertips to ease the tension.

“God can use all this for good if you’ll let Him.”

The words exploded like a grenade in her brain, sending jagged-edged shrapnel throughout her body. Enough already. If God was the sort of tyrannical dictator who made bad things happen to little girls, even if it was to bring about supposed good, then she wanted nothing to do with him. The familiar coldness settled over her, bringing with it an icy calmness. She wiggled free from Carter’s embrace and turned her head away, looking at nothing in particular. “If there really is a God, then he’ll have to prove it by sparing my daughter’s life.” Her voice sounded as though miles away, and each word landed like nails in a coffin.

Go stand at the crossroads and look around.
Ask for directions to the old road, the tried-and-true road.
Discover the right route for your souls.
~Jeremiah 6:16 (MSG)

A couple of years ago I had a discussion with someone who no longer chooses to believe the Bible. As we talked about God and spiritual matters, I was confronted with a question I didn’t know how to answer.

I still replay that scene in my mind, ashamed that as a Christian of over forty years, I had no answer to tough questions when they came my way. But I’m also glad the above scenario happened, because it woke me up and forced me to study my Bible and delve into books for training in apologetics so I could better defend my beliefs.

It also led to the writing of Crossroads, and I explored how a soldier–accustomed to waging war in the traditional sense–must leave his comfort zone to battle for the soul of a prodigal.

I can now answer questions about the Bible. I know the differences between various religions, so I can truthfully state with no hesitation that all religions are NOT the same.

We all know at least one prodigal who, for whatever reason, has turned his or her back on God. These people are our neighbors, friends, co-workers, and even beloved family members. And no matter what, they’re worth every ounce of our energy in doing all we can to bring them safely home to the Father.

A soldier battles for a prodigal’s soul…

A bitter single mom starts her own real estate company in the picturesque town of Miller’s Creek, Texas. Then her young daughter’s symptoms lead doctors to a disturbing diagnosis. With her new life now turned upside down, Mara struggles to keep her business afloat. And her daughter’s worsening condition forces her to rethink her beliefs about Carter Callahan and his God. Will Mara make the return to Christian faith in the face of life’s greatest challenge?

ON SALE FOR AMAZON KINDLE FOR 99-CENTS

#99cents – A soldier battles for a prodgal’s soul CROSSROADS #amreading #ChristianFiction
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Other Resources I Recommend For Help/Study In Defending Your Faith:

Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel
The Apologetics Study Bible
Total Truth and  Finding Truth by Nancy Pearcey
Hollywood Worldviews: Watching Films with Wisdom & Discernment by Brian Godawa
Believe & Know: The Search for Truth by Cathy Bryant (LifeSword Bible study that accompanies Crossroads)

The post Latest Miller’s Creek Novel On Sale – Details Here appeared first on Cathy Bryant.

The Miller’s Creek Bunk House is Now Available!

At first we called it the “shack”-teau.

Then as we worked to remove the “shack”iness, we called it the tiny cabin. (At 240 square feet, it definitely qualifies.)

But as we neared the completion of our vacation rental renovation project, it dawned on me that I had unknowingly turned the place into a Texas bunk house, including the red, white, and blue of the Texas flag. And I couldn’t help but think of Miller’s Creek, the fictional town of my novels. Since our own house is part cabin, part ranch house, it only makes sense that our tiny rental cabin should be the Miller’s Creek Bunk House, don’t you think?

Anyway, we are happy to be finished with the bunk house/cabin, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results.

Miller’s Creek Bunk House/Tiny Rental Cabin

Our cabin/bunk house features:

A full kitchen with a stove, refrigerator, microwave, sink, and coffee pot.
A queen size bed with two large storage bin drawers beneath the bed platform.
Two twin size bunk beds with closet space behind one of the ladders.
A portable table and six folding chairs so you can dine inside or out.
A large deck accessed by sliding glass doors.
An outdoor grill with rustic stone table and seating nearby.
Heating options, including a wood stove or propane wall stove (neither of which may be needed thanks to passive solar heating).
A full bath with tub/shower and composting toilet (I’m in love with this product. No smell because of the way it’s designed, and no need for a septic tank. More details HERE ).
Stunning views of the lovely Sangre de Cristo mountains (and the peace and quiet that comes with it!)

Hope you enjoy these pics!

Rental Cabin Location, Activities and Other Info

Though you’d never know it by being here, the rental cabin is only a half hour away from the historic downtown plaza of Santa Fe, New Mexico. We’re in the Santa Fe National Forest about a half mile from the forest gate and within ten minutes of the Pecos River. Here’s a sampling of all the activities available for vacationers in our area:

Hiking
Biking
White-water rafting on the nearby Rio Grande
Fly Fishing
Hunting
History, Art, & Children’s Museums, including El Rancho de las Golondrinas (a living history museum/village) and the Georgia O’Keefe art museum.
Shopping
Snow Skiing
Fall foliage as the aspens turn golden
Albuquerque Balloon Festival
Albuquerque Zoo
Albuquerque amusement and water park
Native American pueblos and cliff dwellings
The world-renowned Santa Fe Opera
and much more!

Even during the winter our climate is fairly mild, though you would probably want a four-wheel drive to access the cabin for that time of year.

If any of you know someone who might be interested in staying in our rental cabin while vacationing in the area, please send them our way. They can contact me via the CONTACT tab in the main menu.

Hope you can come for a visit!

The post The Miller’s Creek Bunk House is Now Available! appeared first on Cathy Bryant.

Seeking Truth? Check Out “Total Truth” by Nancy Pearcey

Truth seems to be on trial these days.

And what makes it even worse is that so many say they’re seeking truth when in all reality they’re seeking their version of the truth. That’s one of the drawbacks of all the “ism” worldviews that plague our society today.

Truth either is or it isn’t. We don’t get to choose our own truth. And to even try is self-exaltation of the worst kind.

I guess that’s my motivation for searching for apologetic books on truth. I want to understand the “isms” in order to better present the one and only absolute truth. I wasn’t disappointed with Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey. (You can see my review of Finding Truth by Nancy Pearcey here.)

Total Truth – About the Book

Does God belong in the public arena of politics, business, law, and education? Or is religion a private matter only-personally comforting but publicly irrelevant?

In today’s cultural etiquette, it is not considered polite to mix public and private, or sacred and secular. This division is the single most potent force keeping Christianity contained in the private sphere-stripping it of its power to challenge and redeem the whole of culture.

In Total Truth, Nancy Pearcey offers a razor-sharp analysis of the public/private split, explaining how it hamstrings our efforts at both personal and cultural renewal. Ultimately it reflects a division in the concept of truth itself, which functions as a gatekeeper, ruling Christian principles out of bounds in the public arena.

How can we unify our fragmented lives and recover spiritual power? With examples from the lives of real people, past and present, Pearcey teaches readers how to liberate Christianity from its cultural captivity. She walks readers through practical, hands-on steps for crafting a full-orbed Christian worldview.

Finally, she makes a passionate case that Christianity is not just religious truth but truth about total reality. It is total truth.

This new study guide edition is filled with fresh stories, examples, and illustrations. Based on questions and comments raised by readers of the book, it is ideal for individual or group study.

“This book continues the Schaeffer-inspired project that Nancy Pearcey and Chuck Colson began in How Now Shall We Live?-awakening evangelical Christians to the need for a Christian ‘worldview,’ which Pearcey defines as ‘a biblically informed perspective on all reality.’ This is the rare long book that leaves one wanting to read more.”

—Publisher’s Weekly

Total Truth – About the Author

Nancy Pearcey is author of Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from Its Cultural Captivity, which was a 2005 ECPA Gold Medallion Award winner, and How Now Shall We Live? (coauthored by Harold Fickett and Chuck Colson), which was a 2000 ECPA Gold Medallion Award winner. Her latest book is Finding Truth: 5 Principles for Unmasking Atheism, Secularism, and Other God Substitutes.

Formerly an agnostic, Pearcey studied under Francis Schaeffer at L’Abri in Switzerland. She earned an MA from Covenant Theological Seminary and pursued further graduate work in History of Philosophy at the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto.

Heralded as “America’s pre-eminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual” (The Economist), Pearcey is professor and scholar in residence at Houston Baptist University. She is a fellow of the Discovery Institute and editor-at-large of The Pearcey Report. As founding editor of the radio program BreakPoint, she also coauthored a monthly column with Chuck Colson in Christianity

Today.

Pearcey has contributed to several books and published more than a hundred articles. She has spoken in the US Capitol and the White House; at universities such as Princeton, Stanford, and Dartmouth; to actors in Hollywood and artists in New York City; on NPR and C-SPAN. Her earlier books include The Soul of Science and Saving Leonardo.

Total Truth – My Review

There were so many things I loved about this book that I hardly know where to begin.

I found the history of how we’ve come to shelve our religious beliefs into a compartment called private fascinating, important, and oh-so true. I also enjoyed seeing how Darwinism, science, and even the history of the family in America has impacted Christianity.

More than anything, my eyes were opened to the importance of living out our faith–not only in our families and churches–but also in the secular realm.

Total Truth has earned a permanent spot on my bookshelves, and I know it is a book I will refer to often. I highly recommend this book for seekers of truth and for those who, like me, long to reveal that the actual truth is a steady and stalwart anchor for our lives.

PURCHASE: | Print | Kindle |
Chit-chat Fodder: What impact can you see on our country by the tendency to keep our faith in the private realm rather than a means for living each part of our lives?

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Book Reveals Startling Comparisons in End Time Prophecies

End time prophecies seem to capture our attention even more in uncertain times. At least I know they capture mine.

Between a friend’s recommendation, our LifeSword ladies’ Bible study group on Facebook recent study of Revelation, and an author who kept popping up all over the internet, I was easily intrigued swayed to read The Islamic Antichrist: The Shocking Trust About The Real Nature of the Beast by Joel Richardson.

Once I started reading, I had a difficult time putting this one down. And I honestly believe it’s a book many should read, mainly to avoid the delusion and deception that will abound during end times.

This post is an overview of the book and my review.

The Islamic Antichrist – About the Author

Joel Richardson is a New York Times bestselling author, film maker, and internationally recognized preacher and teacher. Joel lives in the United States with his wife and five children. Joel’s heart is thoroughly missional, with a special love for all the peoples of the Middle East. Joel travels globally teaching on the Gospel, living with Biblical Hope, the return of Jesus, and preparing the Church to face the great challenges of our time.

Joel’s web-site is www.joels-trumpet.com.

The Islamic Antichrist – About the Book

The Bible predicts in the last days a charismatic leader will establish a global following in the name of peace. Islamic prophecy also predicts that a man will rise up to lead the nations, pledging to usher in an era of peace. Islam’s savior is called the Mahdi. However, the man in the Bible is the Antichrist. Joel Richardson’s stunning research and analysis suggest the Mahdi and the Antichrist may actually be one and the same. In The Islamic Antichrist, Richardson exposes Western readers to the traditions of Islam and predicts the end times may not be here. Richardson’s revelations will stun readers who are unaware of the similarities between the Antichrist and the Islam’s expectations about a returning Jesus. His explanation of the relationship between Christian end-time prophecy and Islamic expectations of world domination has shocked readers and revolutionized eschatological expectations for a generation. The Islamic Antichrist is the book to read for insights on the world’s fastest-growing religion and the future of the world.

”Joel Richardson serves both the Christian and Muslim communities well . . . This book clarifies the differences between Christianity and Islam. It is a must-read for Christians and Muslims alike.” —James M. Arlandson, PhD

”This is the must-read book for anyone interested in end-times Bible prophecy!” —Robert Livingston, missionary to the Middle East and author of Christianity and Islam: The Final Clash

The Islamic Antichrist – My Review

I find end time prophecies both interesting and of utmost importance. Because theories seem to abound, I try to be very careful about what I share. My reason for caution is that until now, I could see several different scenarios for how things could eventually play out.

I began reading The Islamic Antichrist with more than a little skepticism, but the author skillfully presented compelling evidence that reveals the following startling comparisons between the Bible and Islam (just to name a few):

The Bible describes the Antichrist as an unequaled political, military, and religious leader who makes a treaty of peace with Israel that last seven years. Islamic texts point to their Mahdi, a long-awaited and unequaled political, military, and religious leader who makes a peace treaty with Israel for seven years.
The Bible also points to a false prophet, described as having the appearance of a lamb with the voice of a dragon. This false prophet is responsible for performing miracles for the purpose of deceiving as many as possible into worshiping the Antichrist. The Muslim Jesus (yes, they believe in Jesus–although a much different Jesus than the One we know, believe in, and serve) will appear in the last days to support the Mahdi.
According to the Bible, the Antichrist and his false prophet will seek to subdue every nation and dominate the world and will establish a new world order with new laws and a universal world religion for the entire earth. They will execute (beheading is mentioned in the Bible) those who don’t conform to their rule. According to Islamic texts, the Mahdi and Muslim Jesus will establish a new world order with Islamic law and religion over the earth. Beheading is also mentioned in their text, and is widely used even today.
The Bible says that Jerusalem will be a target in end times. According to Islamic texts, The Mahdi and Muslim Jesus will attack Jerusalem for the purpose of conquering and seizing the city, where the Islamic caliphate will claim dominion from the Jewish Temple.
Jesus will return in the last days to defend Israel against the Antichrist, according to the Bible. On the other hand, Islamic texts proclaim that the Dajjal (Muslim Antichrist) will claim to be Jesus Christ and fight against the Mahdi and Muslim Jesus.
In the Bible, the primary warning given to believers by Jesus and Paul is the abounding amount of deceit during the last days. Islamic texts actually make deceit permissible to Muslims in order for them to achieve their desired end.

As you can see, the parallels between the two are eerie, and there is much more detail in the book.

What I particularly liked about the way the author handled all this information is that our response should be one of prayer and continued outreach to all nations, including Muslim nations. As the deceiver and father of lies, Satan has deceived these people into doing his bidding in the name of religion. They need our prayers on their behalf!

I highly recommend this book to those interested in end times, but I also urge (as does the author) that everyone who reads the book should approach it with prayer and individual study of the Bible.

PURCHASE: | Print | Kindle |
Chit-chat Fodder: In the comments, let’s chat about the implications of the comparisons this book makes between what the Bible says and what Islamic texts reveal.

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