Cathy Bryant's Blog: CatBryant.com ~ Journey Blog, page 90

BOOK REVIEW: "Sabbath" by Dan B. Allender

I was eager to read Sabbath by Dan B. Allender (part of The Ancient Practices Series), because in my Bible studies I've often been confused about the proper way to observe the Sabbath. The Old Testament reveals very stern consequences for those who broke the commandment regarding the seventh day, while the New Testament shows Jesus confronting Jewish religious leaders over their legalistic observances of the Sabbath.



Then come all the questions with the observance of the Lord's Day--Sunday--in remembrance of Christ's resurrection. Are we to celebrate both days or only one? Do we begin our celebration at sunset like the Jewish people did or are the requirements less stringent? Does it matter what day we celebrate the Sabbath? What about people, including ministers, who work on Sunday?



While the book didn't answer all my questions (and though I didn't necessarily agree with the author on every point) I must say that reading this book has totally changed my perspective on celebrating the Sabbath. According to Scripture, the Sabbath is a day both of remembering God's deliverance from sin and anticipating Christ's return to take us home. If we meditate on this remembrance and anticipation, the proper response is one of both awe and gratitude. So instead of a legalistic observance, a cessation from all activity, or a day-long nap, from now on I hope to approach the day as God must have approached the first Sabbath, as a day of joy and delight.



If I have to mention a negative, it's that the organization of the book was difficult to follow.



*This book was provided to me, free of charge by Thomas Nelson Publishers, for review purposes. The opinions expressed are my own.*

The Runnin' WJ - Not Your Ordinary Ranch

I'm blessed to introduce you to a wonderful Christian non-profit organization, the Runnin' WJ Ranch, which offers equine therapy to special needs children.



For those of you who have read my second book in the Miller's Creek novels, A Path Less Traveled , you know that one of the main characters, Little Bo, is helped through a traumatic experience with equine therapy.



With each book I write, part of the proceeds from that book are used to donate to a worthy cause that is associated in some way with the storyline. My choice of charitable organizations for A Path Less Traveled is the Runnin' WJ Ranch, based in Texarkana, TX. I would highly encourage you to watch this video to learn more about this ministry.













According to their last newsletter, the ranch has added nine new horses because of the large increase of riders. Horse care expense is about $1200 a year, and the ranch has a total of 23 horses to care for.



Over 200 children a week are served at the ranch, and 160 of them live at or below the poverty line. The Runnin' WJ offers sponsorship to several students each week, and is in need of sponsors. The cost per child per year is $1440.



The ranch is also in need of equipment--saddles (including adaptive saddles), saddles blankets, horse shoes, and a lift (costs approximately $8000) to help wheelchair-bound students onto the horses. Plans are in the works to start a Veterans Riding program.



To adopt a horse, sponsor a child or offer a donation, please call 903-838-3223. You can also mail donations to Runnin' WJ, 4802 South Kings Highway, Texarkana, TX 75501



For more information about the Runnin' WJ Ranch, visit their website at http://www.runninwjranch.org/.



Find the Runnin' WJ on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Runnin-WJ-Ranch/147571661937989

Merry Christmas

"While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."Luke 2:6-7



Wishing You All a Merry Christmas Full of Remembrance of the Reason for the Season

Blooming In Winter

Bloom where you're planted.
Right beside my back door I have a camellia bush. The reason I planted it is because it blooms at the time of year when most plants are in shut-down mode. It will continue to bloom even into winter.



As I noticed this blossom next to my back porch, I thought about how our lives often enter into a winter season--those times when life is a struggle at best.



Jesus told us it would be this way, when He said: "In this world you will have trouble." (John 16:33b) To make matters worse, the enemy of our souls will see to it. He comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) and prowls around looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).



Take heart and be encouraged! Jesus also said: "I have overcome the world." (John 16:33c) Because of the victory He's already won, even in winter we can bloom.

BIG Goof . . . So Sorry

In anticipation of some changes coming at WordVessel in 2011, I deleted some old blog posts. During the process I inadvertently deleted all the author interviews. I didn't even realize my mistake until my husband mentioned it a few minutes ago. To make matters worse, the process is irreversible.



My sincerest apologies to the authors involved. Due to the holidays the posts will not be restored. (We're about to leave town, and I won't have time to contact the authors and restore the posts.)



Wishing you all a Merry CHRISTmas,

Cathy

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Yvonne Wright

Please help me welcome author Yvonne Wright. Yvonne, how did you come to be a writer?  I've always had an interest in writing, doing poems, and writing articles in news letters, but never thought I would write a whole book.  But I did a creative writing course and when the inspiration came for this book, I just went for it.



How long have you been writing and when was your first book published? My first and only book to date, From Spice to Eternity: Discovering the main ingredient to a life of fulfillment and purpose" was published on May 14, 2010



Where do you write? I started writing in my bedroom, but have now moved to the dining table.



What are you currently writing?  A sermon that I will preach on July 3rd., plus the first set of blog material for my website.



Tell us about your latest book.   It is a vignette of inspirational stories framed around herbs and spices.  The overarching theme is that just as herbs and spices make a difference to a recipe so Jesus makes the unique difference to one's life



What are your favorite books and why? Favorite author and why?   Christian fiction.  They give me a wholesome message and I find them very relaxing.



What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of, writing-related or not?  That I wrote my book and got it published.



Favorite scripture: John 16:33



What do you have within reach as you write?   A bottle of water



What would you like readers to take away from your book?   The conviction that Jesus is necessary in every life and accept Him in their life.



Why did you choose to write this book?  It is meant to be a way of getting the message of God's love out to everyone and especially those persons who would never pick up a 'religious' book per se, but would drawn to this because of the content, i.e tips on herbs and spices and recipes.



What did you learn while writing this book? That it takes dedication and perseverance.



What was your favorite scene/chapter from the book?   Hear the Sound of the Hammer



How can readers get in contact with you? email: yvonnewright@spicetoeternity.co.uk  and website: www.spicetoeternity.co.uk







Thanks so much for taking the time to be with us today, Yvonne. We enjoyed learning about you and your book. Praying God's continued blessings on you and your books.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Diane Moody (& Book Giveaway!)

Please help me welcome author, Diane Moody, to WordVessel. Here's her bio: Born in Texas and raised in Oklahoma, Diane Moody writes both fiction and non-fiction. A former pastor's wife, she and husband Ken now live in the rolling hills just outside of Nashville. They are the proud parents of two grown and extraordinary children, Hannah and Ben. When she's not reading or writing, Diane enjoys an eclectic taste in music, movies, great coffee, the company of good friends, and the adoration of a peculiar little puppy named Darby.



Diane, how did you come to be a writer? I was extremely shy as a kid. I always felt like I had something worth saying, but I never had the nerve to express myself. Until I started writing! I discovered I could be clever and witty and profound on paper. It was like coming home.



Why did you choose to write this book? I've gone to church my whole life but never had a serious prayer life until about ten years ago. I'd hit rock bottom in my spiritual life, and knew I desperately needed a closer relationship with God. He quite literally nudged me back to Himself, and out of that came Confessions of a Prayer Slacker . I also suspected the vast majority of other believers had the same struggle, and that's why I wanted to share my story.



 What did you learn while writing this book? God's going to have His way no matter what our plans are! I'd been writing fiction for over 20 years. I never dreamed I'd write a non-fiction memoir about my prayer journey, but He knew all along it would be my first published book. Gotta love His sense of humor!



What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Reading, reading, reading.



What are you currently reading? A Mile in My Flips Flops by Melody Carlson.



Where do you get ideas for stories? Songs, scents, pictures, caricature faces of perfect strangers – you name it. I wrote my first novel after hearing "Same Old Lang Syne" by Dan Fogelberg. It sparked a "what-if" scenario about a pastor's wife running into an old lover . . . It's still my favorite story even though it hasn't been published. Yet!



What do you have within reach as you write? A big ol' Tervis Tumbler of ice water, my favorite movie soundtracks, and a collage of my cast members.



What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started? Don't ever be intimidated by the so-called "rules" of writing. Remember, those are just someone else's opinions. A good story will trump a list of do's and don'ts every time.



In your opinion, what is the greatest danger or pitfall in the life of a writer? Discouragement. I have a plaque over my desk of Winston Churchill's famous quote: Never, never, never give up!



How can readers get in contact with you?

Visit my website at www.dianemoody.net or my blog at www.dianemoody.blogspot.com. Or email me at: dhmoody@gmail.com I love to hear from you!







Diane, thanks for the delightful interview! I can so relate to being shy (& using my fingers to express my thoughts). We enjoyed learning more about you and your new book.



Readers, Diane has graciously agreed to give one of you a copy of "Confessions of a Prayer Slacker." Just leave a comment (with a way for me to contact you if you're the winner) to be entered in the drawing. I'll announce the winner in Friday's post. 

Weekly Winner

The winner of The Promises She Keeps by Erin Healy is . . . Brenda!



Thanks to everyone who participated and to Erin for her generous giveaway!



(Brenda, I'll send you an e-mail later this weekend. Please reply with your mailing address, so Erin can send you your book!)



Wishing you all a Merry CHRISTmas!

Why Are You Down?

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. ~Psalm 42:5



Feeling "down" is something all people experience, and for some reason, the holidays seem to make it worse. But we don't have to dwell in discouragement, especially those of us who are in Christ.



During one recent bout of discouragement, I realized that my "down" feeling usually originated from wrong thinking on my part. Here are a few catalysts of discouragement to watch out for and overcome quickly.



DISCONTENT

...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. ~Philippians 4:11b-13



Many times when I'm feeling "down," I can trace it back to discontentment, which is really just putting our focus on our circumstances rather than God. God has promised to meet our needs. He gives us strength. Regardless of our circumstances, we can learn, like Paul, to be content in any and every situation. Here's a quote that I wrote in the back of my Bible that really speaks to me.



"Do not yield to the temptation of looking at everything at once, as if everything would happen at once and all the events of the day be crowded into an hour. Do not thus forecast, but take each thing as it comes to you, and look upon it as the present expression of the will of God concerning you, then regard the rest in the same way, and thus receive your day piece by piece from Him who will remember always when He gives you work to do, that you need strength to do it. " ~Priscilla Maurice 



But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ~1 Timothy 6:6-7



We get so hung up on our material possessions, and spend our lives greedily trying to get more. We can only use what God gives us for today, so why be troubled when we don't have more?



Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." ~Hebrews 13:5

 





BITTERNESS

"See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." ~Hebrews 12:15



I really struggle with this one, and many times my "down" feelings can be traced back to bitterness. Life is often unfair, and our spirits cry out for justice. When justice isn't satisfied on our timetable, it's easy to become embittered.



Notice that bitterness is a root. It's a cause, not a symptom. As a gardener, I've seen some pretty stubborn roots, and if I don't get the roots yanked out completely, that plant will continue to grow and cause trouble.



It's the same way with bitterness. When you feel it, deal with it as quickly as possible. Ask the Lord to yank every bit of that bitter root from your spirit. Trust that justice will be done in His timing, because He's told us it will happen.



Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ~Romans 12:17-21



WORRY, ANXIETY, AND FEAR

These three impostors are one and the same, and they will steal your joy faster than anything. Here are a few verses that will help you triumph over them.



"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?....Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?....So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." ~Matthew 6:25, 27, 31-34    (Did you notice how many times Jesus tells us not to worry?)



Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:6-7



The verses immediately preceding this verse, give us yet another antidote to anxiety: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ~Philippians 4:4-5



Throughout the Bible, we see the words "Don't be afraid" and "Fear not." Here are just a few:



"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham." ~Genesis 26:24b



"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." ~Deuteronomy 31:6



"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:9



"Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. ~Jeremiah 1:8



"So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." ~Matthew 10:31





"Don't be afraid; just believe." Mark 5:36b





"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." ~John 14:27





Notice that the cure for fear, worry and anxiety is trust in God and His presence with us.





When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? ~Psalm 56:3-4



The LORD is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. ~Psalm 27:1-3



APPLICATION:

The antidote to discontentment is to take our focus off our problems and look instead at all that is ours through Christ.





The antidote to bitterness is removing bitterness as soon as it takes root and allowing God to work in His way and in His timing.



The antidote to worry, anxiety and fear is trust in God. Turn those cares into prayers of faith.



The result? Joy and praise focused upwards, instead of a downcast spirit.



Lord God, we praise You for being the lifter of our heads. We have no reason to be discontent because you've promised and proven that You'll meet our needs. We have no reason to be bitter because You are a God of perfect sight and justice. We have no reason to be afraid and anxious, because You have promised to always be with us and You are trustworthy. Thank You, God, that in spite of trying circumstances we can live in joy and peace. May we turn that joy and peace toward You in praise.



In Jesus' name,

Amen 

A Christmas Song For You