Cathy Bryant's Blog: CatBryant.com ~ Journey Blog, page 62
February 7, 2013
Frugal Friday: Backyard Chickens?
I'm fairly new to the whole raising chickens game, but I gotta admit that after
only a few months, I'm hooked! (See pic to the right with my grandson holding one of the new babies last spring.) With sky-high food prices (especially
meat, organic eggs and fresh organic produce) and the dangers of
ingesting hormone-laden foods, it seems that raising chickens in your
backyard has become a new trend.
While I've never raised chickens before now, I remember my Grandma raising
them. I've heard many a story of how she raised them for their eggs and
when they stopped laying, she'd wring their necks, hang them from the
clothesline to drain the blood, then pluck 'em, clean 'em, cook 'em and
eat 'em. This may sound barbaric to our modern sensibilities (my
daughter-in-love cringed at the idea and said she'd rather not
personally know the food she's eating), but I should add that Grandma
grew up during the Great Depression when you did what you could to
survive. (Who knew this sweet and docile, white-haired Grandma was a
such a tough cookie? From listening to my mom talk, it sounds like she
was also pretty handy with a gun.)
I ordered my baby chicks (complete with shots) online at Chickens For Backyards.
Early one morning, I received a call from the Post Office saying my
baby chicks had arrived. I was so excited, you'd think I'd just had a
baby!
I also ordered a starter package for the new babies which arrived a week
earlier so I could get it all set up. (In retrospect, I could've have
picked up the supplies myself, but since I was new to keeping chickens, I
purchased their packet which came with an instruction booklet.) Here's a
pic of the the baby crib, complete with feeder, waterer, and heat lamp
(it also came with a thermometer so I could keep the chicks at the
optimal temperature).
Here's a shot of the babies on their first day in their new home. The
green stuff they're eating is a product designed to re-hydrate them
after the long trip.
And here's a photo at one to two weeks of age. They look like they're sleeping in formation! =)
Since their arrival, the chickens have grown by leaps and bounds. My chicken
crew morphed from babies to a brood of hungry teenagers to lithe-legged ladies that produce tasty eggs! We moved them to a couple of
rabbit hutches and a coop outside when they found their wings, and
built a fence around their home. We've also built a chicken "tractor,"
which allows them to free-range and be completely safe. (Separate blog
post on this later.)
I've decided against clipping the chicken's wings since we live in the country, though our next door neighbor (who also has chickens) volunteered to help. We also added a rooster to the mix (given the moniker "Lightning McQueen" by our grandson). Lightning is very territorial (and yes, I have the leg wounds to prove it), but does a great job of protecting the girls. And if we ever decide we want babies along the way, we've already found online plans to build our own incubator.
Chickens actually make great pets. Yes, you still have to feed and water them, and cleaning out the chicken coop isn't exactly what I would call fun (though it does give me great fertilizer for my garden). But my girls come running when they hear my voice and occasionally even allow me to pick them up. In addition, they're fairly easy to care for. Who knows? Maybe a few backyard chickens are in your future!
Cheep cheep! until next time,
Free Christian Kindle eBooks for February 7, 2013
Want a way to read all these great Kindle freebies without purchasing a Kindle? Check out this post that tells you how. All the books listed
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are indeed
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or spiritual accuracy. Happy reading!
Sea Captain's Promise
by Joyce A. Scott
Published December 2010
Historical Fiction: If you've lost yourself, you need someone else to show you the way home.When
Thomas Quinn is eight-years-old, he asks a promise of an Irish sea
captain: "If ever I should become like me father will you dunk me under
the water 'til I cannot breathe? Will you, sir, please?" The captain agrees.
Ten
years later, Thomas is a womanizer, a thief and a drunk, who remembers a
promise, but doesn't know what it was about or who it was with. While
flirting with a young woman in a Galway marketplace, he is accosted
by her grandfather who knows far more about him than he should. Spooked, Thomas goes
on a drunken binge. Late that night, he is knocked out by someone
wielding a club. When he wakes, he finds himself tied to a ship's
yardarm by his ankles and dunked over and over into Galway Bay until he
cannot breathe. Only then does he learn that the young woman's
grandfather is captain of the ship.
Kidnapped and taken out to
sea, Thomas fights with the sailors, steals ale from the hold, runs from
a battle with a female pirate and falls in love with the captain's
granddaughter. But it isn't until he finds out who he really is that Thomas' restless soul finds its way home.
4.1 stars with 39 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Blue Hole Back Home
by Jay Jordan-Lake
Published January 2010
General Fiction: "Sacred's not a word I've ever much liked. But maybe some things, and
some places, just are. And maybe the Blue Hole was one of those things."
Shelby
(nicknamed Turtle) never had any female friends. But when a mysterious
girl from Sri Lanka moved to town in the summer of 1979, Turtle invites
her to a secret haven: the Blue Hole. Turtle has no idea now much that
simple gesture will affect the rest of her life, or the lives of those
she loves. In a time when America was technically well beyond
the Civil Rights era, there were those in Turtle's small Appalachian
town who rejected the presence of someone different. And in just one
summer—in a collision of love, hate, jealousy, beauty, and a sacred,
muddy swimming hole—nothing and everything changed.
4.6 stars with 31 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Know Stealing
by M. Shane Coley
Published November 2011
Non-fiction: Know Stealing will shatter preconceived notions and replace them with
clear and precise knowledge which is capable of driving restoration in
our American Republic in particular, and modern civilization in general.
Clearly the preceding statement is bold, but it will hold up under
honest critical review. With wisdom, knowledge, understanding,
courage and commitment, we can right the ship and restore prosperity in
the United States in a matter of months. The same is true in any society
that will genuinely defend individual life, liberty and property. One
of the principle goals of the book is to enable more people to Know
Stealing, so that we can enforce a policy of No Stealing. Theft that
goes undetected will never be stopped.
4.8 stars with 16 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are indeed
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or spiritual accuracy. Happy reading!
Sea Captain's Promise
by Joyce A. Scott
Published December 2010
Historical Fiction: If you've lost yourself, you need someone else to show you the way home.When
Thomas Quinn is eight-years-old, he asks a promise of an Irish sea
captain: "If ever I should become like me father will you dunk me under
the water 'til I cannot breathe? Will you, sir, please?" The captain agrees.
Ten
years later, Thomas is a womanizer, a thief and a drunk, who remembers a
promise, but doesn't know what it was about or who it was with. While
flirting with a young woman in a Galway marketplace, he is accosted
by her grandfather who knows far more about him than he should. Spooked, Thomas goes
on a drunken binge. Late that night, he is knocked out by someone
wielding a club. When he wakes, he finds himself tied to a ship's
yardarm by his ankles and dunked over and over into Galway Bay until he
cannot breathe. Only then does he learn that the young woman's
grandfather is captain of the ship.
Kidnapped and taken out to
sea, Thomas fights with the sailors, steals ale from the hold, runs from
a battle with a female pirate and falls in love with the captain's
granddaughter. But it isn't until he finds out who he really is that Thomas' restless soul finds its way home.
4.1 stars with 39 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Blue Hole Back Home
by Jay Jordan-Lake
Published January 2010
General Fiction: "Sacred's not a word I've ever much liked. But maybe some things, and
some places, just are. And maybe the Blue Hole was one of those things."
Shelby
(nicknamed Turtle) never had any female friends. But when a mysterious
girl from Sri Lanka moved to town in the summer of 1979, Turtle invites
her to a secret haven: the Blue Hole. Turtle has no idea now much that
simple gesture will affect the rest of her life, or the lives of those
she loves. In a time when America was technically well beyond
the Civil Rights era, there were those in Turtle's small Appalachian
town who rejected the presence of someone different. And in just one
summer—in a collision of love, hate, jealousy, beauty, and a sacred,
muddy swimming hole—nothing and everything changed.
4.6 stars with 31 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Know Stealing
by M. Shane Coley
Published November 2011
Non-fiction: Know Stealing will shatter preconceived notions and replace them with
clear and precise knowledge which is capable of driving restoration in
our American Republic in particular, and modern civilization in general.
Clearly the preceding statement is bold, but it will hold up under
honest critical review. With wisdom, knowledge, understanding,
courage and commitment, we can right the ship and restore prosperity in
the United States in a matter of months. The same is true in any society
that will genuinely defend individual life, liberty and property. One
of the principle goals of the book is to enable more people to Know
Stealing, so that we can enforce a policy of No Stealing. Theft that
goes undetected will never be stopped.
4.8 stars with 16 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Climbing Down the Ladder
In the two-part blog series on An Unpopular Message, we discussed the Scriptural mandate for humility. Since this seems to be a message God keeps bringing to the table during my quiet time, I felt like it bore further study.
I've always felt that humility is like an elusive bird. About the time you think you have a grasp on it, it flies away. About the time we think we can say: "Aha! I have humility!" we lose it again.
Being humble is defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary as "not proud or haughty; not arrogant or assertive; reflecting, expressing or offered in a spirit of deference or submission; a ranking low in hierarchy or scale; insignificant; unpretentious; not costly or luxurious."
As I pondered this definition, the name and person of Jesus kept coming to the front of my mind, and in sharp contrast, the teachings of the world (even in Christian circles) also entered my thoughts--the antithesis of humility.
The world teaches that we need to be assertive and to climb the ladder to the top, regardless of who we have to step on to get there.
But Jesus...
left behind His royal throne and the splendor of heaven to come to earth to save sinful mankind (Philippians 2:6-8).
was born into the poorest and lowliest of earthly families (Luke 2:22-24).
had no where to lay His head during His earthly ministry (Luke 9:58).
washed His disciples feet (John 13:3-16).
had no form that we should desire Him (Isaiah 53:2-9).
didn't consider equality with God something to be grasped (Philippians 2:6-8).
willingly laid down His life for those He loved, many of whom betrayed and sent Him to die on a cross (John 10:18).
As His followers, we are called to emulate Christ and His humble mindset. Time to climb down the ladder...
Lord Jesus, we come before You humbled by all You did for us. That You would choose to leave the glory of heaven and take on earthly flesh, living among the poor, virtually homeless--all for the purpose of saving us from sin and death--is beyond our comprehension. Teach us Your way, Lord. Show us how to have that same mindset of humbly serving others rather than proudly serving ourselves. Make us aware of times when earthly influences try to drag us into pride and assertiveness. Lord, we love You. Give us the ability to humbly serve You and others. Amen
February 6, 2013
Free Christian Kindle eBooks for February 6, 2013
Want a way to read all these great Kindle freebies without purchasing a Kindle? Check out this post that tells you how. All the books listed
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are indeed
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or spiritual accuracy. Happy reading!
Justified Means
by Chautona Havig
Published January 2013
Suspense: Erika Polowski, in grave danger–danger she has no idea exists,finds
herself captive, shackled, bound, gagged. Her captors have the most
unbelievable story, yet as the enemy manages, time after time, to get
too close, she has to decide who or what to trust. Can she believe the
man who daily holds her at gunpoint? Does she trust her gut? She is
certain that she knows nothing that could possibly matter to anyone–has
done nothing that should put her in danger. For Keith Auger, it’s
just another assignment. Extract the client, protect the client,
return the client to her life with minimal interruption. Except that
this “client” isn’t so keen on being protected. His usual cheerful
demeanor disappeared the night he helped her escape from her home–escape
with the aid of duct tape, rope, and the dark of night. His
faith seems incongruous with his job. Her feisty personality might just
keep her alive–if he can’t. How long can they stay one step ahead of
their pursuers? How long can he protect her when every move they make
seems only half a step behind those who want Erika dead. Why can’t they
get a break? The only answer is the one thing that he fears most. Is there a mole within The Agency?
4.2 stars with 9 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Spiritual Secrets to Weight Loss
by Kara Davis, MD
Published July 2008
Nonfiction: The easy-to-use 50-day format of "Spiritual Secrets to Weight Loss"
emphasizes both the physical and spiritual aspects of weight loss and
encourages positive health habits and long-term lifestyle changes. The
secrets to permanent weight loss lie in understanding the power of God.
4.6 stars with 10 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Exposed
by Ashley Weiss
Published September 2010
General Fiction: Allyson Graham, marriage counselor and lover of love, lived a life of
romance few could imagine. Until her husband's secret addiction stared
at her from the computer screen. Will she be able to forgive the man who
lied to her all of those precious years? Follow her painful
story alongside the heartbreaking story of Taylor Adams, a young girl
searching for her worth in the world. As Allyson struggles to forgive
her husband for lying about his addiction, Taylor naively falls into the
same self-destructive industry and discovers that the attention and fun
is nothing like she thought it would be. Discover the hearts of these two women as they search for beauty after the rain.
4.3 stars with 70 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
The Hole
by Ray Owen
Published June 2011
General Fiction: We’ve all heard stories of people touched by angels. What if the tables
were reversed? The Hole is a dingy little stepchild factory of a large
corporation where scrap materials, broken down machinery and misfit
employees are sent. Engineer Steve Clark finds himself among those
misfits after barely recovering from a brain injury. Follow along as he
utilizes a newly acquired supernatural gift while his sanity, his career
and the love of his life, Roxy, are on the line. Holes aren’t always
what they seem. Sometimes they lay in the threshold of a whole new life.
5 stars with 7 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Maggie's Journey
by Lena Nelson Dooley
Published October 2011
Historical:
A girl who’s been lied to her whole life…Near her
eighteenth birthday, Margaret Lenora Caine finds a chest hidden in the
attic containing proof that she was adopted. The daughter of wealthy
merchants in Seattle, she feels betrayed both by her real parents and by
the ones who raised her. Maggie desires a place where she
belongs. But her mother’s constant criticism and reminders that she
doesn’t fit the mold of a young woman of their social standing have
already created tension in their home. With the discovery of the family
secret, all sense of her identity is lost. When Maggie asks to
visit her grandmother in Arkansas, her father agrees on the condition
that she take her Aunt Georgia as a chaperone and his young partner,
Charles Stanton, as protection on the journey. Will she discover who she
really is and, more importantly, what truly matters most in life?
4.7 stars with 16 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Hide in Plain Sight
by Marta Perry
Published August 2012
Romantic Suspense: "Please God, if you're listening, keep Rachel safe." She couldn't turn
her back on her family in their time of need. So when her sister was
injured, financial expert Andrea Hampton traded the big city for Amish
country to help turn her grandmother's house into an inn. But life with
the Plain People took a treacherous turn when a string of accidents and
pranks threatened her family. Someone didn't want the secrets the old
house harbored to come to light. Trusting anyone—even the handsome
carpenter who seemed so genuine—was a battle for Andrea, but her life
depended on her ability to find the truth.
4 stars with 496 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Coffee in Manila
by A Concerned American
Published July 2011
Romance: What began for Ryan Tipton as a journey into the heart of Maricel
Arcamo, a woman he met online just six months ago, deepens considerably
after he travels halfway around the world just to meet her. After
spending one perfect week together, everything quickly crumbles one week
later, after he informs his new girlfriend that he never went back to
the States after all. This comes as a complete and total shock to her,
because she actually saw him off at the airport last week. They even
shared a tearful embrace as her family looked on, before he boarded his
plane supposedly headed back to the US. But that simply wasn’t the case.
Instead, he remained in the Philippines another week to meet with two
other Filipino women he’d also met on the same online dating site, both
of whom were just as much in the dark about his secret betrayals as
Maricel. Full of utter remorse for lying to the woman he knew
deep down inside he truly loved, Tipton finally places a frantic 3 a.m.
call to a man he met just last week, Ernesto Angeles, owner of Agape
Coffee and Pastry Shoppe. After losing a daughter to suicide twenty
years ago, a senseless death brought about by nothing more than a broken
heart, he and his wife, Gloria, eventually turned their pain and grief
into action, and set out to do all they could to help prevent anymore of
these senseless suicides from occurring in their city. Since that time,
thousands of lives were forever changed, most of them mixed couples,
prompting many to believe that God Himself had ordained this loving
Filipino couple to become guardian angels for so many of His hurting
and needy people. But in an establishment where love, forgiveness and
redemption reign supreme, after what Ryan did to Maricel, was it
possible for them to ever be added to the long list of satisfied
customers, or were they already too far gone for reconciliation...
4.6 stars with 5 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
How To Get Out of Debt
by Craig Kelley
Published December 2011
Nonfiction: Power down your debt by following proven simple Biblical principles.
4.9 stars with 9 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are indeed
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or spiritual accuracy. Happy reading!
Justified Means
by Chautona Havig
Published January 2013
Suspense: Erika Polowski, in grave danger–danger she has no idea exists,finds
herself captive, shackled, bound, gagged. Her captors have the most
unbelievable story, yet as the enemy manages, time after time, to get
too close, she has to decide who or what to trust. Can she believe the
man who daily holds her at gunpoint? Does she trust her gut? She is
certain that she knows nothing that could possibly matter to anyone–has
done nothing that should put her in danger. For Keith Auger, it’s
just another assignment. Extract the client, protect the client,
return the client to her life with minimal interruption. Except that
this “client” isn’t so keen on being protected. His usual cheerful
demeanor disappeared the night he helped her escape from her home–escape
with the aid of duct tape, rope, and the dark of night. His
faith seems incongruous with his job. Her feisty personality might just
keep her alive–if he can’t. How long can they stay one step ahead of
their pursuers? How long can he protect her when every move they make
seems only half a step behind those who want Erika dead. Why can’t they
get a break? The only answer is the one thing that he fears most. Is there a mole within The Agency?
4.2 stars with 9 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Spiritual Secrets to Weight Loss
by Kara Davis, MD
Published July 2008
Nonfiction: The easy-to-use 50-day format of "Spiritual Secrets to Weight Loss"
emphasizes both the physical and spiritual aspects of weight loss and
encourages positive health habits and long-term lifestyle changes. The
secrets to permanent weight loss lie in understanding the power of God.
4.6 stars with 10 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Exposed
by Ashley Weiss
Published September 2010
General Fiction: Allyson Graham, marriage counselor and lover of love, lived a life of
romance few could imagine. Until her husband's secret addiction stared
at her from the computer screen. Will she be able to forgive the man who
lied to her all of those precious years? Follow her painful
story alongside the heartbreaking story of Taylor Adams, a young girl
searching for her worth in the world. As Allyson struggles to forgive
her husband for lying about his addiction, Taylor naively falls into the
same self-destructive industry and discovers that the attention and fun
is nothing like she thought it would be. Discover the hearts of these two women as they search for beauty after the rain.
4.3 stars with 70 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
The Hole
by Ray Owen
Published June 2011
General Fiction: We’ve all heard stories of people touched by angels. What if the tables
were reversed? The Hole is a dingy little stepchild factory of a large
corporation where scrap materials, broken down machinery and misfit
employees are sent. Engineer Steve Clark finds himself among those
misfits after barely recovering from a brain injury. Follow along as he
utilizes a newly acquired supernatural gift while his sanity, his career
and the love of his life, Roxy, are on the line. Holes aren’t always
what they seem. Sometimes they lay in the threshold of a whole new life.
5 stars with 7 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Maggie's Journey
by Lena Nelson Dooley
Published October 2011
Historical:
A girl who’s been lied to her whole life…Near her
eighteenth birthday, Margaret Lenora Caine finds a chest hidden in the
attic containing proof that she was adopted. The daughter of wealthy
merchants in Seattle, she feels betrayed both by her real parents and by
the ones who raised her. Maggie desires a place where she
belongs. But her mother’s constant criticism and reminders that she
doesn’t fit the mold of a young woman of their social standing have
already created tension in their home. With the discovery of the family
secret, all sense of her identity is lost. When Maggie asks to
visit her grandmother in Arkansas, her father agrees on the condition
that she take her Aunt Georgia as a chaperone and his young partner,
Charles Stanton, as protection on the journey. Will she discover who she
really is and, more importantly, what truly matters most in life?
4.7 stars with 16 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Hide in Plain Sight
by Marta Perry
Published August 2012
Romantic Suspense: "Please God, if you're listening, keep Rachel safe." She couldn't turn
her back on her family in their time of need. So when her sister was
injured, financial expert Andrea Hampton traded the big city for Amish
country to help turn her grandmother's house into an inn. But life with
the Plain People took a treacherous turn when a string of accidents and
pranks threatened her family. Someone didn't want the secrets the old
house harbored to come to light. Trusting anyone—even the handsome
carpenter who seemed so genuine—was a battle for Andrea, but her life
depended on her ability to find the truth.
4 stars with 496 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Coffee in Manila
by A Concerned American
Published July 2011
Romance: What began for Ryan Tipton as a journey into the heart of Maricel
Arcamo, a woman he met online just six months ago, deepens considerably
after he travels halfway around the world just to meet her. After
spending one perfect week together, everything quickly crumbles one week
later, after he informs his new girlfriend that he never went back to
the States after all. This comes as a complete and total shock to her,
because she actually saw him off at the airport last week. They even
shared a tearful embrace as her family looked on, before he boarded his
plane supposedly headed back to the US. But that simply wasn’t the case.
Instead, he remained in the Philippines another week to meet with two
other Filipino women he’d also met on the same online dating site, both
of whom were just as much in the dark about his secret betrayals as
Maricel. Full of utter remorse for lying to the woman he knew
deep down inside he truly loved, Tipton finally places a frantic 3 a.m.
call to a man he met just last week, Ernesto Angeles, owner of Agape
Coffee and Pastry Shoppe. After losing a daughter to suicide twenty
years ago, a senseless death brought about by nothing more than a broken
heart, he and his wife, Gloria, eventually turned their pain and grief
into action, and set out to do all they could to help prevent anymore of
these senseless suicides from occurring in their city. Since that time,
thousands of lives were forever changed, most of them mixed couples,
prompting many to believe that God Himself had ordained this loving
Filipino couple to become guardian angels for so many of His hurting
and needy people. But in an establishment where love, forgiveness and
redemption reign supreme, after what Ryan did to Maricel, was it
possible for them to ever be added to the long list of satisfied
customers, or were they already too far gone for reconciliation...
4.6 stars with 5 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
How To Get Out of Debt
by Craig Kelley
Published December 2011
Nonfiction: Power down your debt by following proven simple Biblical principles.
4.9 stars with 9 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
February 5, 2013
An Unpopular Message Part 2: National Sin, Personal Sin
Yesterday we talked about the results of both obedience and disobedience. Our nation is on a collision course toward God's judgement. In fact, I think His judgement against us has already begun. But as we learned in the previous post, there is still time to stay the punishing hand of our gracious God, IF we turn from our wickedness and humbly obey Him.
Let's take a look today at the sin that brings God's judgment. But before we begin, I want to state that in God's eyes one sin is as bad as another. Humans tend to place degrees upon sin. We also tend to see others' "specks" as more sinful than our "planks" or "beams" (Matthew 7:3-5). So please...don't think that I'm trying to focus on certain people or groups in this post. I'm sure I won't remember everything, so I'd be happy to hear your comments below.
Let's look to God's Word to see the areas in which our nation (and us personally) have fallen short of what God expects and desires for us, and what the remedy is:
THE SIN: Sin of Pride
In part one of this Unpopular Message series, we used the Bible text found in Leviticus 26 to show the results of obedience and disobedience. One verse we read yesterday said: "I will break down the pride of your power..." (Leviticus 26:19, NASB). All sin ultimately stems from pride, from thinking that we know better than God. It was the sin that led to Lucifer's downfall and ejection from heaven (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:12-18). There are numerous verses in the Bible where God gives His viewpoint of pride (Obadiah 1:3; 2 Chronicles 26:16; Psalm 10:4; Psalm 59:12; Proverbs 16:18; Isaiah 2:11; Isaiah 13:11; Daniel 5:20; Deuteronomy 8:14; 1 Corinthians 13:4), but here is one verse that pretty much sums it up:
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; assuredly, he will not be unpunished. ~Proverbs 16:5 (NASB)
THE SIN: Sin of Murder
Four thousand
babies are aborted each day in the United States. Life is a gift of God,
and His Word is very clear about the sanctity of life. He will not hold
us guiltless in this matter.
You shall not give any
of your offspring to offer them to Molech, nor shall you profane the
name of your God; I am the Lord. ~Leviticus 18:21 (NASB)
The
Israelites were warned against sacrificing their children to the pagan
god, Molech. Some would argue that abortion is not child sacrifice. It
is, only the current pagan god is named Convenience.
Lest
we get caught up in believing that abortion is the only type of murder
in our country, let's remember that there are other ways to murder,
including gossip and slander.
THE SIN: Sin of Greed
Greed comes from pride and selfishness. It's a wanting more than what we have. It rejects the gift of God's provision as "not enough." It causes us to hoard our resources and overlook those in need.
Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry and struck him; I hid My face and was angry, and he went on turning away, in the way of his heart. ~Isaiah 57:17 (NASB)
And lest we once more think that is a world problem rather than a problem among believers, consider these verses, written about the church leaders of the day:
“For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for gain, and from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely. ~Jeremiah 6:13 (NASB)
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence." ~Matthew 23:25 (NASB)
And another verse about those who claimed to worship God:
They come to You as people come, and sit before You as My people and hear Your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart goes after their gain. ~Ezekiel 33:31 (NASB)
We must heed the words of warning Jesus spoke: Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” ~Luke 12:15 (NASB)
THE SIN: Sin of Idolatry
God makes it clear in His Word that we are to have no other gods before (or beside, or in addition to) Him (Exodus 20:3-6, 1 John 5:21). It's easy to assume that since we don't bow down to golden statues that we're following God's command.
But consider this: Anything in our lives, including ourselves, that takes precedence over God is an idol. Addictions to drugs, television, food, clothing, the internet, sex, pornography, ANYTHING that matters more to us than God...has become an idol in our lives. Have something you can't give up? It's an idol.
Our confidence in military might, our homes, our bank accounts, our spouses, our children, our jobs, our country, ANYTHING besides God...sometimes even our work and service for Him...has become an idol in our lives.
And idolatry is just as rampant in the church as it is everywhere else...
THE SIN: Sin of Falsehood
"It's just a little white lie; it won't matter." How many times have we lied to ourselves and others with this lie. We are quick to blame our politicians for deceit, but all of us are guilty. We lie so much we even begin to believe our own lies. Why do we lie? So people will think we're better than we actually are. Jesus called that kind of behavior hypocrisy.
Lies come straight from the pits of hell. God's Word puts it pretty bluntly: You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. ~John 8:44 (NASB)
THE SIN: Sin of Apathy, Complacency, and Indifference
Tolerance has become one of the popular and politically-correct buzzwords of our society. In some ways it's understandable, because we don't want to be held accountable by anyone, so why not just create an "anything goes" world?
We are accountable...to God. He created us and the world in which we live. He has standards that He expects us to shoot for.
But when we place ourselves above Him (sins of pride, greed and idolatry), we become "tolerant." Other words are apathetic, complacent, and indifferent.
Think it's just a problem in the world? Think again.
The three destructive attitudes are excessively apparent in our churches today. We say we believe something, but none of us are willing to do anything about it. (Probably because when we take a stand for something, we become targets...)
Our recent study on the seven churches mentioned in Revelation revealed this problem:
‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked...' ~Revelation 3:15-17 (NASB)
THE REMEDY: Humility and Repentance
As a whole, our nation has forgotten our rightful place in God's scheme of things. He is God and we are not. The sense of national pride we once had is being replaced with a sense of dread and shame, and rightfully so. Yet there are many, not only in our government leaders, but throughout the land, who are arrogant and proud. The American mantra of "pull ourselves up by the bootstraps" and "we will rebuild and be better" is NOTHING MORE than PRIDE!!!
We have a choice. We can either humble ourselves or God will do it for us.
For the Lord of hosts will have a day of reckoning against everyone who is proud and lofty and against everyone who is lifted up, that he may be abased [humbled]. ~Isaiah 2:12 (NASB)
Repentance is not just for lost people. It's for all of us, and it's a good thing. It's simply a matter of turning our backs on our sin and turning toward our gracious God. Here are just a few verses on repentance:
Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live.” ~Ezekiel 18:31-32 (NASB)
Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance... ~Matthew 3:8 (NASB)
Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord... ~Acts 3:19 (NASB)
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. ~2 Peter 3:9 (NASB)
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. ~Revelation 3:19 (NASB)
For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, "In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.” But you were not willing... ~Isaiah 30:15 (NASB)
Oh, Father God, forgive our sin. We confess our pride. Help us to humble ourselves before You step in to do the job for us. Lord, our hearts grieve over the thousands of babies that are murdered in this country on a daily basis. Give us courage to speak out against this national travesty. And set a guard over our lips, because we are guilty of murdering people everyday with our tongues. Our greed is evidenced by the accumulation of stuff and by our boasting about what we have. May we never forget that You are the source of all our blessings. It's not ours; it's Yours, and You will hold us accountable for how we use it. Lord, we may not bow down to idols of gold and silver, but we're all guilty of bowing down to the god of self. Break the strongholds that bind us, so that NOTHING in our lives takes precedence over You. Forgive us for giving in to the sin of lying. Like the psalmist we cry out, 'Keep lies and falsehood far from me!' Give us a check in our spirit every time we're tempted to tell even the smallest of lies. Help us to 'speak the truth with love' no matter how difficult. We confess, Lord, that in our efforts to be kind and tolerant, we've become lazy, lethargic, apathetic, complacent, indifferent, and uncaring. Wake us up! Help us to take a stand for You and Your Word and Your Way! May we do so unashamedly and without reservation and without watering down the message to make it more acceptable and politically correct. Oh God, forgive our iniquity. Help us to repent and turn to You, as individuals and as a nation. Help us to humble ourselves so that we can walk with You, so that Your Presence will not depart from our country. You are our only hope. Amen.
Let's take a look today at the sin that brings God's judgment. But before we begin, I want to state that in God's eyes one sin is as bad as another. Humans tend to place degrees upon sin. We also tend to see others' "specks" as more sinful than our "planks" or "beams" (Matthew 7:3-5). So please...don't think that I'm trying to focus on certain people or groups in this post. I'm sure I won't remember everything, so I'd be happy to hear your comments below.
Let's look to God's Word to see the areas in which our nation (and us personally) have fallen short of what God expects and desires for us, and what the remedy is:
THE SIN: Sin of Pride
In part one of this Unpopular Message series, we used the Bible text found in Leviticus 26 to show the results of obedience and disobedience. One verse we read yesterday said: "I will break down the pride of your power..." (Leviticus 26:19, NASB). All sin ultimately stems from pride, from thinking that we know better than God. It was the sin that led to Lucifer's downfall and ejection from heaven (Isaiah 14:12-14; Ezekiel 28:12-18). There are numerous verses in the Bible where God gives His viewpoint of pride (Obadiah 1:3; 2 Chronicles 26:16; Psalm 10:4; Psalm 59:12; Proverbs 16:18; Isaiah 2:11; Isaiah 13:11; Daniel 5:20; Deuteronomy 8:14; 1 Corinthians 13:4), but here is one verse that pretty much sums it up:
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; assuredly, he will not be unpunished. ~Proverbs 16:5 (NASB)
THE SIN: Sin of Murder
Four thousand
babies are aborted each day in the United States. Life is a gift of God,
and His Word is very clear about the sanctity of life. He will not hold
us guiltless in this matter.
You shall not give any
of your offspring to offer them to Molech, nor shall you profane the
name of your God; I am the Lord. ~Leviticus 18:21 (NASB)
The
Israelites were warned against sacrificing their children to the pagan
god, Molech. Some would argue that abortion is not child sacrifice. It
is, only the current pagan god is named Convenience.
Lest
we get caught up in believing that abortion is the only type of murder
in our country, let's remember that there are other ways to murder,
including gossip and slander.
THE SIN: Sin of Greed
Greed comes from pride and selfishness. It's a wanting more than what we have. It rejects the gift of God's provision as "not enough." It causes us to hoard our resources and overlook those in need.
Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry and struck him; I hid My face and was angry, and he went on turning away, in the way of his heart. ~Isaiah 57:17 (NASB)
And lest we once more think that is a world problem rather than a problem among believers, consider these verses, written about the church leaders of the day:
“For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for gain, and from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely. ~Jeremiah 6:13 (NASB)
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence." ~Matthew 23:25 (NASB)
And another verse about those who claimed to worship God:
They come to You as people come, and sit before You as My people and hear Your words, but they do not do them, for they do the lustful desires expressed by their mouth, and their heart goes after their gain. ~Ezekiel 33:31 (NASB)
We must heed the words of warning Jesus spoke: Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” ~Luke 12:15 (NASB)
THE SIN: Sin of Idolatry
God makes it clear in His Word that we are to have no other gods before (or beside, or in addition to) Him (Exodus 20:3-6, 1 John 5:21). It's easy to assume that since we don't bow down to golden statues that we're following God's command.
But consider this: Anything in our lives, including ourselves, that takes precedence over God is an idol. Addictions to drugs, television, food, clothing, the internet, sex, pornography, ANYTHING that matters more to us than God...has become an idol in our lives. Have something you can't give up? It's an idol.
Our confidence in military might, our homes, our bank accounts, our spouses, our children, our jobs, our country, ANYTHING besides God...sometimes even our work and service for Him...has become an idol in our lives.
And idolatry is just as rampant in the church as it is everywhere else...
THE SIN: Sin of Falsehood
"It's just a little white lie; it won't matter." How many times have we lied to ourselves and others with this lie. We are quick to blame our politicians for deceit, but all of us are guilty. We lie so much we even begin to believe our own lies. Why do we lie? So people will think we're better than we actually are. Jesus called that kind of behavior hypocrisy.
Lies come straight from the pits of hell. God's Word puts it pretty bluntly: You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. ~John 8:44 (NASB)
THE SIN: Sin of Apathy, Complacency, and Indifference
Tolerance has become one of the popular and politically-correct buzzwords of our society. In some ways it's understandable, because we don't want to be held accountable by anyone, so why not just create an "anything goes" world?
We are accountable...to God. He created us and the world in which we live. He has standards that He expects us to shoot for.
But when we place ourselves above Him (sins of pride, greed and idolatry), we become "tolerant." Other words are apathetic, complacent, and indifferent.
Think it's just a problem in the world? Think again.
The three destructive attitudes are excessively apparent in our churches today. We say we believe something, but none of us are willing to do anything about it. (Probably because when we take a stand for something, we become targets...)
Our recent study on the seven churches mentioned in Revelation revealed this problem:
‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked...' ~Revelation 3:15-17 (NASB)
THE REMEDY: Humility and Repentance
As a whole, our nation has forgotten our rightful place in God's scheme of things. He is God and we are not. The sense of national pride we once had is being replaced with a sense of dread and shame, and rightfully so. Yet there are many, not only in our government leaders, but throughout the land, who are arrogant and proud. The American mantra of "pull ourselves up by the bootstraps" and "we will rebuild and be better" is NOTHING MORE than PRIDE!!!
We have a choice. We can either humble ourselves or God will do it for us.
For the Lord of hosts will have a day of reckoning against everyone who is proud and lofty and against everyone who is lifted up, that he may be abased [humbled]. ~Isaiah 2:12 (NASB)
Repentance is not just for lost people. It's for all of us, and it's a good thing. It's simply a matter of turning our backs on our sin and turning toward our gracious God. Here are just a few verses on repentance:
Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live.” ~Ezekiel 18:31-32 (NASB)
Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance... ~Matthew 3:8 (NASB)
Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord... ~Acts 3:19 (NASB)
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. ~2 Peter 3:9 (NASB)
Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. ~Revelation 3:19 (NASB)
For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, "In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.” But you were not willing... ~Isaiah 30:15 (NASB)
Oh, Father God, forgive our sin. We confess our pride. Help us to humble ourselves before You step in to do the job for us. Lord, our hearts grieve over the thousands of babies that are murdered in this country on a daily basis. Give us courage to speak out against this national travesty. And set a guard over our lips, because we are guilty of murdering people everyday with our tongues. Our greed is evidenced by the accumulation of stuff and by our boasting about what we have. May we never forget that You are the source of all our blessings. It's not ours; it's Yours, and You will hold us accountable for how we use it. Lord, we may not bow down to idols of gold and silver, but we're all guilty of bowing down to the god of self. Break the strongholds that bind us, so that NOTHING in our lives takes precedence over You. Forgive us for giving in to the sin of lying. Like the psalmist we cry out, 'Keep lies and falsehood far from me!' Give us a check in our spirit every time we're tempted to tell even the smallest of lies. Help us to 'speak the truth with love' no matter how difficult. We confess, Lord, that in our efforts to be kind and tolerant, we've become lazy, lethargic, apathetic, complacent, indifferent, and uncaring. Wake us up! Help us to take a stand for You and Your Word and Your Way! May we do so unashamedly and without reservation and without watering down the message to make it more acceptable and politically correct. Oh God, forgive our iniquity. Help us to repent and turn to You, as individuals and as a nation. Help us to humble ourselves so that we can walk with You, so that Your Presence will not depart from our country. You are our only hope. Amen.
An Unpopular Message Part 1: Blessings and Cursings
This probably won't be a popular blog post, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't post it. There's a reason our country is in dire straits right now. If we look back over the last fifty plus years, we should've all seen this day coming. Why? Because even though our national monetary debt is astronomical, another national debt is even higher...our sin debt.
America has stacked up sin upon sin, and when you read God's Word you find that if a country chooses to disregard His Word and His Way the resulting consequence is judgment and the removal of His Presence. The opposite is also true. If we obey Him and live according to His Word, He blesses us with all good things, especially His Presence.
If this seems harsh, we need to remember that God is holy. He cannot tolerate sin, especially when He gave His Son's lifeblood to buy us back from slavery to sin and death. Some may think that God won't punish us because of our relationship to Christ. I personally believe that fact makes us more culpable, not less. The following verses spoken to the nation of Israel after God redeemed them from slavery are just as relevant to us today as they were then.
The Reward For Obedience
If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out, then I shall give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produce and the trees of the field will bear their fruit. Indeed, your threshing will last for you until grape gathering, and grape gathering will last until sowing time. You will thus eat your food to the full and live securely in your land. I shall also grant peace in the land, so that you may lie down with no one making you tremble. I shall also eliminate harmful beasts from the land, and no sword will pass through your land. But you will chase your enemies and they will fall before you by the sword; five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall before you by the sword. So I will turn toward you and make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will confirm My covenant with you. You will eat the old supply and clear out the old because of the new. Moreover, I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not reject you. I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you would not be their slaves, and I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect. ~Leviticus 26:3-13 (NASB)
The blessings of obedience include:
rain
productive crops
plenty to eat
security
elimination of harmful beasts
no war in the land
removal of enemies
God's face toward us
children
confirmation of God's covenant with us
God dwells with us and doesn't reject us
He walks among us as our God
we are His people
Notice the reminder at the end of the passage. This is their Lord (Master) and their One True God who had delivered them from slavery, breaking their chains, and causing them to walk erect. We cannot deny that God has had His hand on our country, blessing us with prosperity, abundance, peace, security, and especially His presence.
The Punishment For Disobedience
'But if you do not obey Me and do not carry out all these commandments, if, instead, you reject My statutes, and if your soul abhors My ordinances so as not to carry out all My commandments, and so break My covenant, I, in turn, will do this to you: I will appoint over you a sudden terror, consumption and fever that will waste away the eyes and cause the soul to pine away; also, you will sow your seed uselessly, for your enemies will eat it up. I will set My face against you so that you will be struck down before your enemies; and those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee when no one is pursuing you. If also after these things you do not obey Me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. I will also break down your pride of power; I will also make your sky like iron and your earth like bronze. Your strength will be spent uselessly, for your land will not yield its produce and the trees of the land will not yield their fruit.
‘If then, you act with hostility against Me and are unwilling to obey Me, I will increase the plague on you seven times according to your sins. I will let loose among you the beasts of the field, which will bereave you of your children and destroy your cattle and reduce your number so that your roads lie deserted.
‘And if by these things you are not turned to Me, but act with hostility against Me, then I will act with hostility against you; and I, even I, will strike you seven times for your sins. I will also bring upon you a sword which will execute vengeance for the covenant; and when you gather together into your cities, I will send pestilence among you, so that you shall be delivered into enemy hands. When I break your staff of bread, ten women will bake your bread in one oven, and they will bring back your bread in rationed amounts, so that you will eat and not be satisfied.
‘Yet if in spite of this you do not obey Me, but act with hostility against Me, then I will act with wrathful hostility against you, and I, even I, will punish you seven times for your sins. Further, you will eat the flesh of your sons and the flesh of your daughters you will eat. I then will destroy your high places, and cut down your incense altars, and heap your remains on the remains of your idols, for My soul shall abhor you. I will lay waste your cities as well and will make your sanctuaries desolate, and I will not smell your soothing aromas. I will make the land desolate so that your enemies who settle in it will be appalled over it. You, however, I will scatter among the nations and will draw out a sword after you, as your land becomes desolate and your cities become waste. ~Leviticus 26:14-33 (NASB)
The punishment for disobedience include:
sudden terror
a wasting consumption and fever
enemy eating the fruit of our labor
God's face against us
struck down before our enemies
those who hate us rule over us
fear that makes us flee even when no one is chasing us
breaking down of our pride of power
sky that produces no rain
no production
wild beasts that destroy children and herds
deserted roads
war
pestilence
delivered into our enemy's hands
cannibalizing our children
removal of idolatry
God abhors us
cities laid to waste
desolate sanctuaries
desolate land
scattered among the nations
Not a pretty picture is it? In fact, as great as the blessings are, the punishments seem--well, seven times worse. Notice that God gives chance after chance for the people to return to Him, obey Him, and stop acting hostile toward Him. His grace still abounds! We have a choice to make!
It's easy to say: "But what can I do? I'm only one among billions." The answer? We must each start with ourselves. We must humble ourselves before the Lord, asking Him to reveal to us the areas we need to change, and then be obedient to what He shows us. We'll continue this post tomorrow with a look at the national sins our Holy God cannot overlook. (And as God's people we can't afford to get smug about it. The national sin committed is not only by those who don't belong to Him...)
Father God, we humbly come before You confessing our part in the sin that has separated our country from Your presence. We're all guilty, Lord, in some form or fashion, both through direct rebellion and hostility against You and through tolerance, complacency and indifference. God, we also confess that as Your people we've compromised and accepted things that You warned us to stay away from. Help us, Father, to start with a heart check. Reveal those areas in our individual lives that need to go. Grant us the strength to weed out those things that have no place in our lives. Give us the ability to stand for You in the midst of a dark and corrupt world. Help us shine Your light brightly. Amen.
February 4, 2013
Free Christian Kindle eBooks for February 4, 2013
Want a way to read all these great Kindle freebies without purchasing a Kindle? Check out this post that tells you how. All the books listed
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are indeed
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or spiritual accuracy. Happy reading!
Thorns in the Heart
by Dr. Steven Stiles
Published to Kindle January 2011
Nonfiction: ddiction and pain. For most Christian's they are easier to bury or
ignore than deal with. Yet, it's only a matter of time before many of
the things we run from must be faced. But how? In the Christian Kindle
book - Thorns in the Heart, Dr. Steven Stiles cites actual cases to
expose the physical, emotional and spiritual vulnerability of Christians
when they avoid dealing with pain. But more than just case
examples, this book provides those who suffer a path to recovery. It
offers steps to recognizing and dealing with pain through topics such
as: Addiction, Compulsion and Pain; Pain, Emotions and the Body; Coping
with Depression; Co-Dependency and Pain; Pain from God's Perspective;
and Coping with Compulsive Behaviors. Dr. Stiles explains there are no
easy answers, but through understanding pain, addiction, and how God
wants His people to respond. Christians can begin a journey of new hope
and purpose.
4.9 stars with 13 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
In His Footsteps
by Margaret Agard
Published January 2011
Nonfiction: It began as a prayer of desperation.
It became the foundation for a life of abundant love, peace and joy.
For people with too much to do and too little today to do it in!
Overwhelmed
with work, family and major life changes Margaret stumbled onto the
secret of Christian happiness. She shares how with God by her side she
became happy driving in rush hour traffic, dealing with frauds and
facing a mountain of manure. This 18 month slice-of-life chronicles the results of the daily prayer that
Opens your heart to see other people as God sees them
Brings peace during trials
Increases opportunities
Gets rid of clutter
Renews faltering faith
Deepens joy
Creates financial freedom
Takes you from where you are to where God wants you to be.
4.8 stars with 5 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Immersion
by Mark McNees
Published May 2011
Nonfiction: Alcatraz, an icon of hopelessness and isolation.
A prison where a
rich and satisfying life is locked out by 50’ tall barbwire-topped
walls, an intricate fail-safe security system, and surrounded by the
freezing cold waters of the San Francisco Bay. The Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of our brokenness. Everyone
is faced with a choice; are you going to serve a life sentence? Or, are
you going receive God’s promise of freedom by following Jesus Christ?
(Galatians 3:22 )
It’s not easy, but you can…Swim to win! All
athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize
that will fade away, but you do it for an eternal prize. So, swim with
purpose through the water (Heart) with every breath (Soul), navigation
(Mind), kick (Strength), and stroke (Loving Others). Discipline your
body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Keep Pressing toward the Goal to claim the prize which Christ Jesus has already won for you. (Philippians 3:12) The prize of a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10)
Immersion: Live out the life God has envisioned for you.
4.8 stars with 46 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Journey
by Dr. Steven Stiles
Published May 2011
Nonfiction: We had been WARNED, but we had only wanted to serve God. The truth was
that not one person had a clue what would actually happen when we first
boarded that tired old bus. With two hundred easy miles to our
destination, there was little cause for concern. Yet somehow, despite
every effort, our humble band of Jesus People never got there—and we
never really found our way home.
Wandering for years, and
struggling deep on the hard side of miracles, we knew we must not turn
back, for every mountain climbed, every desert crossed, every dark
valley and peaceful place of rest revealed an unseen Traveler, the One
to whom the journey belonged.
There is a reason to listen to the Shepherd. There is a reason to stay close.
4.9 stars with 49 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Not A Sparrow Falls
by Linda Nichols
Published February 2010
Romantic Suspense: In this powerful story of redemption and love, a prodigal young woman
from the hills of Virginia flees the men who lured her away from a godly
upbringing into a life of desperation. Taking on a new identity, Mary
Bridget Washburn escapes to the quaint city of Alexandria, Virginia,
where her path crosses that of a widowed minister with three young
children and daunting problems of his own. Can Mary Bridget and her
tainted past stay hidden long enough for her to bring hope to a family
falling apart?
4.5 stars with 92 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
The Gospel in Ten Words
by Paul Ellis
Published September 2012
Nonfiction: The good news may be the best news you never heard!
At a time
when many are hearing mixed messages about the love of God, The Gospel
in Ten Words is a welcome reminder of the good news revealed by Jesus.
It is an invitation to return to the unmixed and liberating gospel of
the apostles.
This book will take you to the heavenly treasure
rooms of grace and leave you awestruck at the stunning goodness of God.
You will discover the secret to walking in divine favor and experiencing
freedom in every aspect of your life. You will learn who you really are
and why you were born. Best of all, you will come face to face with the
One who has called you to the thrilling adventure of living loved.
5 stars with 40 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Fall For Him
by Brenda H. Rodgers
Published October 2012
Nonfiction: You want to get married. You want to have a family. So you set out to
make that happen with the purest intentions. The more you work to reach
your goal the harder your eyes become fixated. Marriage and family are
no longer goals of nobility. Now they are idols. You will do whatever it
takes to make the life you want happen – even if it means you sacrifice
your relationship with God. Then you wake up one day, maybe
even married, and realize that your attempts were futile. You’re still
dissatisfied, heart-broken, and confused. You pursued a romanticized
life for yourself instead of God’s life for you. So you begin recovering.
The
good news? You were not meant to recover. Recovery from singleness does
not have to be the path you take. There is a better way. In
Fall for Him: 25 Challenges from a Recovering Single, Brenda gives women
insight into what she learned after years of living a discontented
single life. The book is divided into three sections: You and God, You
and Others, and You and Men. Each section consists of different
challenges to help women not just tolerate their single years, but live
them joyfully and create futures that surpass their dreams, by
committing their lives to pursuing God wholeheartedly.
Will you join the challenge to make your single years the most fulfilling of your life?
4.6 stars with 7 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are indeed
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or spiritual accuracy. Happy reading!
Thorns in the Heart
by Dr. Steven Stiles
Published to Kindle January 2011
Nonfiction: ddiction and pain. For most Christian's they are easier to bury or
ignore than deal with. Yet, it's only a matter of time before many of
the things we run from must be faced. But how? In the Christian Kindle
book - Thorns in the Heart, Dr. Steven Stiles cites actual cases to
expose the physical, emotional and spiritual vulnerability of Christians
when they avoid dealing with pain. But more than just case
examples, this book provides those who suffer a path to recovery. It
offers steps to recognizing and dealing with pain through topics such
as: Addiction, Compulsion and Pain; Pain, Emotions and the Body; Coping
with Depression; Co-Dependency and Pain; Pain from God's Perspective;
and Coping with Compulsive Behaviors. Dr. Stiles explains there are no
easy answers, but through understanding pain, addiction, and how God
wants His people to respond. Christians can begin a journey of new hope
and purpose.
4.9 stars with 13 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
In His Footsteps
by Margaret Agard
Published January 2011
Nonfiction: It began as a prayer of desperation.
It became the foundation for a life of abundant love, peace and joy.
For people with too much to do and too little today to do it in!
Overwhelmed
with work, family and major life changes Margaret stumbled onto the
secret of Christian happiness. She shares how with God by her side she
became happy driving in rush hour traffic, dealing with frauds and
facing a mountain of manure. This 18 month slice-of-life chronicles the results of the daily prayer that
Opens your heart to see other people as God sees them
Brings peace during trials
Increases opportunities
Gets rid of clutter
Renews faltering faith
Deepens joy
Creates financial freedom
Takes you from where you are to where God wants you to be.
4.8 stars with 5 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Immersion
by Mark McNees
Published May 2011
Nonfiction: Alcatraz, an icon of hopelessness and isolation.
A prison where a
rich and satisfying life is locked out by 50’ tall barbwire-topped
walls, an intricate fail-safe security system, and surrounded by the
freezing cold waters of the San Francisco Bay. The Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of our brokenness. Everyone
is faced with a choice; are you going to serve a life sentence? Or, are
you going receive God’s promise of freedom by following Jesus Christ?
(Galatians 3:22 )
It’s not easy, but you can…Swim to win! All
athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize
that will fade away, but you do it for an eternal prize. So, swim with
purpose through the water (Heart) with every breath (Soul), navigation
(Mind), kick (Strength), and stroke (Loving Others). Discipline your
body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Keep Pressing toward the Goal to claim the prize which Christ Jesus has already won for you. (Philippians 3:12) The prize of a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10)
Immersion: Live out the life God has envisioned for you.
4.8 stars with 46 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Journey
by Dr. Steven Stiles
Published May 2011
Nonfiction: We had been WARNED, but we had only wanted to serve God. The truth was
that not one person had a clue what would actually happen when we first
boarded that tired old bus. With two hundred easy miles to our
destination, there was little cause for concern. Yet somehow, despite
every effort, our humble band of Jesus People never got there—and we
never really found our way home.
Wandering for years, and
struggling deep on the hard side of miracles, we knew we must not turn
back, for every mountain climbed, every desert crossed, every dark
valley and peaceful place of rest revealed an unseen Traveler, the One
to whom the journey belonged.
There is a reason to listen to the Shepherd. There is a reason to stay close.
4.9 stars with 49 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Not A Sparrow Falls
by Linda Nichols
Published February 2010
Romantic Suspense: In this powerful story of redemption and love, a prodigal young woman
from the hills of Virginia flees the men who lured her away from a godly
upbringing into a life of desperation. Taking on a new identity, Mary
Bridget Washburn escapes to the quaint city of Alexandria, Virginia,
where her path crosses that of a widowed minister with three young
children and daunting problems of his own. Can Mary Bridget and her
tainted past stay hidden long enough for her to bring hope to a family
falling apart?
4.5 stars with 92 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
The Gospel in Ten Words
by Paul Ellis
Published September 2012
Nonfiction: The good news may be the best news you never heard!
At a time
when many are hearing mixed messages about the love of God, The Gospel
in Ten Words is a welcome reminder of the good news revealed by Jesus.
It is an invitation to return to the unmixed and liberating gospel of
the apostles.
This book will take you to the heavenly treasure
rooms of grace and leave you awestruck at the stunning goodness of God.
You will discover the secret to walking in divine favor and experiencing
freedom in every aspect of your life. You will learn who you really are
and why you were born. Best of all, you will come face to face with the
One who has called you to the thrilling adventure of living loved.
5 stars with 40 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Fall For Him
by Brenda H. Rodgers
Published October 2012
Nonfiction: You want to get married. You want to have a family. So you set out to
make that happen with the purest intentions. The more you work to reach
your goal the harder your eyes become fixated. Marriage and family are
no longer goals of nobility. Now they are idols. You will do whatever it
takes to make the life you want happen – even if it means you sacrifice
your relationship with God. Then you wake up one day, maybe
even married, and realize that your attempts were futile. You’re still
dissatisfied, heart-broken, and confused. You pursued a romanticized
life for yourself instead of God’s life for you. So you begin recovering.
The
good news? You were not meant to recover. Recovery from singleness does
not have to be the path you take. There is a better way. In
Fall for Him: 25 Challenges from a Recovering Single, Brenda gives women
insight into what she learned after years of living a discontented
single life. The book is divided into three sections: You and God, You
and Others, and You and Men. Each section consists of different
challenges to help women not just tolerate their single years, but live
them joyfully and create futures that surpass their dreams, by
committing their lives to pursuing God wholeheartedly.
Will you join the challenge to make your single years the most fulfilling of your life?
4.6 stars with 7 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Trust AND Obey
God seems to be targeting my obedience these days. I say I trust Him, and I'd like to think that I do. But honestly, trust is proved by obedience, so I can't have one without the other.
I can't be just a believer. I must also be a follower.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. ~John 14:1 (NIV)
Trust comes first. A sheep won't follow the shepherd unless he trusts the shepherd. And if we've been hurt in this life, trust doesn't come easy. It only takes root as we take the time to intimately know Him, plumb the depths of His love, and grow in our understanding of His purpose and plan.
But trust is just the beginning.
If you love me, you will obey what I command. ~John 14:15 (NIV)
This is where the rubber meets the road. If we truly trust Him, we'll be willing to step out and follow where He leads, no matter how costly.
Will you obey when the climb becomes treacherous? When you're afraid of what lies ahead?
Will you obey when the world disagrees with your stance for the cause of Christ? When you're persecuted?
Will you obey when to do so means certain heartache and suffering--not just for you, but for those you love?
Never once in His earthly ministry, did Jesus call for His followers to be spectators. Discipleship involves obedience to the One you claim to trust.
Oh Jesus, give us hearts that not only trust, but also obey. Amen.
February 3, 2013
God's Masterpiece
Workmanship. Handiwork. Masterpiece. Poem. All of these words have been suggested by Bible scholars as to what Christ intended us to be. I can only speak for myself, but the thought is humbling. I'm a selfish clod of dirt. A cosmic speck. A faceless person in the sea of humanity.
But not to God.
Long before one day of our life began, He wrote out His good-works plan for our life, a life's mission that only we can fulfill. As our days took shape on the empty page beneath His pen, we became His poem.
Ever look at the backside of a piece of embroidered work or a tapestry? It's a knotted mess. That's what we often see when we look at the broken pieces of our lives. But from heaven's perspective, our lives are a beautiful piece of His handiwork created for His honor and glory.
From a soggy lump of earthly clay, the Potter shapes and fashions a vessel for His use. How foolish it would be for the clay to say to the Potter, "Don't you think I'd look better this way? I'd much rather be used for this purpose than that." Yet how often do we in effect say the same think to the Potter of our lives?
This poem doesn't like the editing process.
This pot doesn't like the molding or the firing process.
This piece of needlework doesn't like to have my threads snipped to line up with His design.
But as Holy and Awesome God, Creator of the universe, Savior of my soul, Lord of my life, and the Master Architect of a plan that far exceeds my limited understanding, He knows best.
So it is enough that He loves me and created in advance a plan for me to carry out. Thank You, Lord.
You are the Potter. I am the clay. Shape me according to Your will
into a useful vessel for Your Kingdom. Amen.
February 2, 2013
Free Christian Kindle eBooks For Saturday, February 2, 2013
Want a way to read all these great Kindle freebies without purchasing a Kindle? Check out this post that tells you how. All the books listed
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are indeed
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or spiritual accuracy. Happy reading!
Chocolate Beach
by Julie Carobini
Published January 2011
Fiction: Bri Stone has the man of her dreams, a surf-ridin' son, a
chocolate-loving best friend, and a job as a SoCal tour bus host. Throw
in an intrusive mother-in-law, a flirty new boss, a vocal nemesis, and
suspicions that her husband might be bored—and Bri's rose-colored
sunglasses suddenly crack.
Can Bri reinvent herself--and recapture his heart?
4 stars with 47 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Junior Size Faith
by Neasha Hill
Published May 2012
Children's Fiction: This town had sat undisturbed and silent for so long, each little house
draped in a monotonous, predictable fog. The fog said to passersby that
life was just what it was; expect no more. That was exactly what they
expected, no more than they already had. Most of the people in the town
were perfectly content with the amount of faith they had, which in most
cases only consisted of religion that was routine, and they never strove
for their own personal relationship with Christ. They showed up to
church to be seen, and when the congregation dispersed and spilled out
onto the streets, they left what they heard within the church walls.
This small rural community had small town behavior, dusted with
occasional small town drama- not to make these people seem simple
because they were anything but simple folk. What had turned these people
into the sleepy town it has become? They had become comfortable in
their small repetitive routines and traditions. The fear of God and His
sovereignty had dissipated, and the mundane conventional thinking had
seeped into every facet of their lives. It had interfered with their
worship and faith. They were no longer functioning with a conviction
they once shared as a community.
4.9 stars with 17 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
here are free at the time of posting, but these free e-books change to
pay status very quickly. Always check to make sure the books are indeed
free before you click to buy. Also, I want to offer readers only the
most highly rated books, so all books listed are at least 4 out of 5
stars with at least 5 reviews. Just so you know, I have not read all
these books, so I can't testify to their content or spiritual accuracy. Happy reading!
Chocolate Beach
by Julie Carobini
Published January 2011
Fiction: Bri Stone has the man of her dreams, a surf-ridin' son, a
chocolate-loving best friend, and a job as a SoCal tour bus host. Throw
in an intrusive mother-in-law, a flirty new boss, a vocal nemesis, and
suspicions that her husband might be bored—and Bri's rose-colored
sunglasses suddenly crack.
Can Bri reinvent herself--and recapture his heart?
4 stars with 47 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
Junior Size Faith
by Neasha Hill
Published May 2012
Children's Fiction: This town had sat undisturbed and silent for so long, each little house
draped in a monotonous, predictable fog. The fog said to passersby that
life was just what it was; expect no more. That was exactly what they
expected, no more than they already had. Most of the people in the town
were perfectly content with the amount of faith they had, which in most
cases only consisted of religion that was routine, and they never strove
for their own personal relationship with Christ. They showed up to
church to be seen, and when the congregation dispersed and spilled out
onto the streets, they left what they heard within the church walls.
This small rural community had small town behavior, dusted with
occasional small town drama- not to make these people seem simple
because they were anything but simple folk. What had turned these people
into the sleepy town it has become? They had become comfortable in
their small repetitive routines and traditions. The fear of God and His
sovereignty had dissipated, and the mundane conventional thinking had
seeped into every facet of their lives. It had interfered with their
worship and faith. They were no longer functioning with a conviction
they once shared as a community.
4.9 stars with 17 reviews
Free? Click HERE to see.
CatBryant.com ~ Journey Blog
FREE digital copy of A PATH LESS TRAVELED (2nd stand-alone book in the Miller's Creek novels and an Amazon Kindle Best-Seller) when you subscribe to Cathy's FROM MY FRONT PORCH newsletter. On my blog
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