Amanda Stephan's Blog: God is Good, God is Great, page 56
April 1, 2012
Sundays with Kristi - Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness
"Just have faith."
If last week's session over goodness discussed the most misunderstood facet of the Fruit of the Spirit, then this week's session over faithfulness is probably the most controversial. Having faith, how much faith to have, and what to do with your faith can occasionally turn into heated iscussions among believers. We're going to try to tackle some of these questions today. (You can check out all the discussions over the Fruit of the Spirit by clicking on the "Sunday" tab above.)
Many Christians have lots of differing beliefs about the power, the importance, and the focus of this word faith. So, we're going to take a look at what faith is, how we get faith, and how much faith we need.
Faith is…
Scripture has a lot to say about faith. Probably the verse most often used to define faith is Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
This verse begins the chapter that has come to be known as the "Hall of Faith." Throughout this chapter multiple "heroes of the faith" are highlighted and the details of their amazing faith are given. Faith is acting out the truth, even when you can't see the truth. God has promised us
that He will be victorious over death and evil and hell. We live today, by faith, just like that victory has already taken place because we have faith that God will do what He promised.
Paul gives us an example in Acts 27:33. Paul has been told by God that he will testify in Rome. He's on his way there, but he's been shipwrecked and the situation looks dire and hopeless. Yet even in the midst of this he makes this statement, "Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told." Paul had faith.
How do we get faith?
So how do we get faith? Romans 10:17 covers that, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of God." True Godly faith is solidly grounded is the Word of God. We hear (or read, or listen to) God's Word. We accept it as true and, by faith, are able to act based on those promises there because we have faith that God will do what He has said He will do in His Word.
Really, it boils down to a choice. We are presented with a truth from God's Word. We have the choice to believe the truth and thus act in faith or to not believe in the truth and not act in faith.
How much faith do we need?
I love this illustration. It comes from "Deepening Your Roots in God's Family," the second book in The New 2:7 series from NavPress ©1979. My husband and I love this discipleship series and use it frequently when mentoring others. What does this illustration refer to? Well based on this information shown, which person is going to actually make it across the frozen lake? The one with the small faith and the solidly frozen lake.
What does this mean? It really doesn't matter how much faith you have, what matters is what (or Who) your faith is in. I've seen people who have great faith in the government, in religion, in themselves, in any number of things. Yet, they eventually fall to disappointment. Why? Because having a huge amount of faith in something that is not assured or that can't always deliver on promises will result in disappointment eventually.
Matthew 17:20 talks about the disciples having faith the size of a mustard seed, which is incredibly small, and then they would be able to move a mountain. The issue is that we must be sure that we have faith in something that God has promised us, because only God is able to fulfill all His promises all the time. Because of this, we can have even a small amount of faith because we're acting on a promise that is a certainty.
Father, I do not always feel like I have great faith, or that I have enough faith. But, I will continue to learn about You, Your Word, and Your promises. I will trust in what You have said and, by faith, I will choose to act each and every minute of each and every day as if those promises have already come true. You are the only One worth placing my faith in.
May you live out His Word today!
Kristi Burchfiel
Check out my daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook pageLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
If last week's session over goodness discussed the most misunderstood facet of the Fruit of the Spirit, then this week's session over faithfulness is probably the most controversial. Having faith, how much faith to have, and what to do with your faith can occasionally turn into heated iscussions among believers. We're going to try to tackle some of these questions today. (You can check out all the discussions over the Fruit of the Spirit by clicking on the "Sunday" tab above.)
Many Christians have lots of differing beliefs about the power, the importance, and the focus of this word faith. So, we're going to take a look at what faith is, how we get faith, and how much faith we need.
Faith is…
Scripture has a lot to say about faith. Probably the verse most often used to define faith is Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
This verse begins the chapter that has come to be known as the "Hall of Faith." Throughout this chapter multiple "heroes of the faith" are highlighted and the details of their amazing faith are given. Faith is acting out the truth, even when you can't see the truth. God has promised us
that He will be victorious over death and evil and hell. We live today, by faith, just like that victory has already taken place because we have faith that God will do what He promised.
Paul gives us an example in Acts 27:33. Paul has been told by God that he will testify in Rome. He's on his way there, but he's been shipwrecked and the situation looks dire and hopeless. Yet even in the midst of this he makes this statement, "Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told." Paul had faith.
How do we get faith?
So how do we get faith? Romans 10:17 covers that, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of God." True Godly faith is solidly grounded is the Word of God. We hear (or read, or listen to) God's Word. We accept it as true and, by faith, are able to act based on those promises there because we have faith that God will do what He has said He will do in His Word.
Really, it boils down to a choice. We are presented with a truth from God's Word. We have the choice to believe the truth and thus act in faith or to not believe in the truth and not act in faith.
How much faith do we need?
I love this illustration. It comes from "Deepening Your Roots in God's Family," the second book in The New 2:7 series from NavPress ©1979. My husband and I love this discipleship series and use it frequently when mentoring others. What does this illustration refer to? Well based on this information shown, which person is going to actually make it across the frozen lake? The one with the small faith and the solidly frozen lake.
What does this mean? It really doesn't matter how much faith you have, what matters is what (or Who) your faith is in. I've seen people who have great faith in the government, in religion, in themselves, in any number of things. Yet, they eventually fall to disappointment. Why? Because having a huge amount of faith in something that is not assured or that can't always deliver on promises will result in disappointment eventually.
Matthew 17:20 talks about the disciples having faith the size of a mustard seed, which is incredibly small, and then they would be able to move a mountain. The issue is that we must be sure that we have faith in something that God has promised us, because only God is able to fulfill all His promises all the time. Because of this, we can have even a small amount of faith because we're acting on a promise that is a certainty.
Father, I do not always feel like I have great faith, or that I have enough faith. But, I will continue to learn about You, Your Word, and Your promises. I will trust in what You have said and, by faith, I will choose to act each and every minute of each and every day as if those promises have already come true. You are the only One worth placing my faith in.
May you live out His Word today!
Kristi Burchfiel
Check out my daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook pageLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
March 31, 2012
Why Do I Feel So Angry All the Time?
Dear Dee Dee,
Lately it seems like my life is unraveling and negative emotions are getting the best of me. Because of job stress, a rebellious teenager, and the constant worry about finances, even the good things in my life seem to be turning sour. As a Christian, I know what scripture teaches about our different emotions and I have a thousand reasons to be joyful. So why do I feel so angry all the time?
Great question! Welcome to the human race. This is something we all struggle with at times, some of us more often than others. And while our anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires for us (James 1:20), we read that even the Lord became angry at times. For example, "The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice" (1 Kings 11:9). Those of us with children can relate to that kind of anger. Don't we get angry, too, when our children turn away from and disobey all that we have taught them? Even Jesus "made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, 'Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market'" (John 2:15-16)! Christ's zeal for the true worship of God was evident in his actions toward those who were desecrating the temple of God by selling the sacrificial animals in the place where others came to pray.
If we analyze our anger, quite often we will find that our anger towards people, like our disobedient children or those outside the faith who preach the gospel of tolerance for everything we know to be in direct opposition to God's Word, is born out of the frustration that we cannot persuade them to embrace a personal relationship with God and live according to his holy standards. Sometimes I do get angry with my teenager because his self-centered behavior is simply annoying, but more often than not the anger I feel is driven by my passionate desire that he know and walk in the truth and love of God. Sadly, I don't convey that passion in a very healthy manner and sometimes lash out at him with anger and frustration.
Our enemy, the devil, has great power and authority on the earth and one of his most effective tools for disarming Christians and discrediting our testimony is causing us to walk in anger and frustration rather than in love for one another. So how can we live more self-controlled lives and walk in the joy that God desires for us rather than the anger that man provokes in us? The truth is we can't, apart from the control of God's Holy Spirit who lives inside of us.
In order to win the battle against anger, we need to ask ourselves why we are angry instead of beating ourselves up every time we give in to anger. James writes, "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it…You do not have, because you do not ask God" (James 4:1-2). Those of us with children can certainly relate to these verses. Don't our children fight over toys, time on the computer, and who gets to ride front-seat shotgun? And don't we quarrel with our older children because we want so badly for them to walk in the joy that comes from a personal relationship with God and obedience to his Word?
Rather than make mountains out of mole hills and allow every little frustration to defeat us, we need to look at our relationships and the struggles we face in light of God's Word. We need to know the Word, be obedient to it, and hold God to his promises! Cultivate a thankful heart by praising God for the many blessings he has given you. Look at what others are going through and ask yourself if what you are facing is really worth all the anger you feel.
Talk to God about your anger, rather than vent to someone else who can do little or nothing about it, and ask God to fill you with his peace. Forgive the offender so that you can in turn receive God's forgiveness (Luke 6:37). When you can learn to forgive others and release your anger to God, then you will no longer be held captive by it.
Many of us fail to appropriate the power of the Holy Spirit which is ours as believers. When we accept Christ, we don't receive a kid's meal portion of the Holy Spirit but rather a supersize portion—the full measure—of the power that raised Christ from the dead (Philippians 3:10). When we begin to live by the Spirit then we will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:16). "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another" (Galatians 5:22-23, 25-26).
Anger is a spiritual issue. The only way we can truly work through the negative aspects of anger is by surrendering every area of our lives to God. We cannot control how or when our loved ones will become reconciled to God, but we can live our lives in such a manner that they are drawn to him, not driven away from him. We cannot right every social injustice, but we can pray to the One who can. When we stop trying to be God and let him take care of the things we cannot control, then anger will dissipate and joy will abound.
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:16-19, NIV).
Copyright © 2012 by Dee Dee Wike. All rights reserved. www.deedeewike.com
****************
If you have a question you would like answered in the Saturday "Dear Dee Dee" column, please email your question to deedeewike@gmail.com or write to:
Dee Dee Wike
728 Peterson Lake Rd.
Collierville, TN 38017
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
Lately it seems like my life is unraveling and negative emotions are getting the best of me. Because of job stress, a rebellious teenager, and the constant worry about finances, even the good things in my life seem to be turning sour. As a Christian, I know what scripture teaches about our different emotions and I have a thousand reasons to be joyful. So why do I feel so angry all the time?
Great question! Welcome to the human race. This is something we all struggle with at times, some of us more often than others. And while our anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires for us (James 1:20), we read that even the Lord became angry at times. For example, "The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice" (1 Kings 11:9). Those of us with children can relate to that kind of anger. Don't we get angry, too, when our children turn away from and disobey all that we have taught them? Even Jesus "made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, 'Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market'" (John 2:15-16)! Christ's zeal for the true worship of God was evident in his actions toward those who were desecrating the temple of God by selling the sacrificial animals in the place where others came to pray.
If we analyze our anger, quite often we will find that our anger towards people, like our disobedient children or those outside the faith who preach the gospel of tolerance for everything we know to be in direct opposition to God's Word, is born out of the frustration that we cannot persuade them to embrace a personal relationship with God and live according to his holy standards. Sometimes I do get angry with my teenager because his self-centered behavior is simply annoying, but more often than not the anger I feel is driven by my passionate desire that he know and walk in the truth and love of God. Sadly, I don't convey that passion in a very healthy manner and sometimes lash out at him with anger and frustration.
Our enemy, the devil, has great power and authority on the earth and one of his most effective tools for disarming Christians and discrediting our testimony is causing us to walk in anger and frustration rather than in love for one another. So how can we live more self-controlled lives and walk in the joy that God desires for us rather than the anger that man provokes in us? The truth is we can't, apart from the control of God's Holy Spirit who lives inside of us.
In order to win the battle against anger, we need to ask ourselves why we are angry instead of beating ourselves up every time we give in to anger. James writes, "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it…You do not have, because you do not ask God" (James 4:1-2). Those of us with children can certainly relate to these verses. Don't our children fight over toys, time on the computer, and who gets to ride front-seat shotgun? And don't we quarrel with our older children because we want so badly for them to walk in the joy that comes from a personal relationship with God and obedience to his Word?
Rather than make mountains out of mole hills and allow every little frustration to defeat us, we need to look at our relationships and the struggles we face in light of God's Word. We need to know the Word, be obedient to it, and hold God to his promises! Cultivate a thankful heart by praising God for the many blessings he has given you. Look at what others are going through and ask yourself if what you are facing is really worth all the anger you feel.
Talk to God about your anger, rather than vent to someone else who can do little or nothing about it, and ask God to fill you with his peace. Forgive the offender so that you can in turn receive God's forgiveness (Luke 6:37). When you can learn to forgive others and release your anger to God, then you will no longer be held captive by it.
Many of us fail to appropriate the power of the Holy Spirit which is ours as believers. When we accept Christ, we don't receive a kid's meal portion of the Holy Spirit but rather a supersize portion—the full measure—of the power that raised Christ from the dead (Philippians 3:10). When we begin to live by the Spirit then we will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:16). "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another" (Galatians 5:22-23, 25-26).
Anger is a spiritual issue. The only way we can truly work through the negative aspects of anger is by surrendering every area of our lives to God. We cannot control how or when our loved ones will become reconciled to God, but we can live our lives in such a manner that they are drawn to him, not driven away from him. We cannot right every social injustice, but we can pray to the One who can. When we stop trying to be God and let him take care of the things we cannot control, then anger will dissipate and joy will abound.
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:16-19, NIV).
Copyright © 2012 by Dee Dee Wike. All rights reserved. www.deedeewike.com
****************
If you have a question you would like answered in the Saturday "Dear Dee Dee" column, please email your question to deedeewike@gmail.com or write to:
Dee Dee Wike
728 Peterson Lake Rd.
Collierville, TN 38017
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
March 30, 2012
Book Review: Illusion by Frank Peretti
Dane and Mandy, a popular magic act for forty years, are tragically separated by a car wreck that claims Mandy's life-or so everyone thinks. Even as Dane mourns and tries to rebuild his life without her, Mandy, supposedly dead, awakes in the present as the nineteen-year-old she was in 1970. Distraught and disoriented in what to her is the future, she is confined to a mental ward until she discovers a magical ability to pass invisibly through time and space to escape. Alone in a strange world, she uses her mysterious powers to eke out a living, performing magic on the streets and in a quaint coffee shop.Hoping to discover an exciting new talent, Dane ventures into the coffee shop and is transfixed by the magic he sees, illusions that even he, a seasoned professional, cannot explain. But more than anything, he is emotionally devastated by this teenager who has never met him, doesn't know him, is certainly not in love with him, but is in every respect identical to the young beauty he first met and married some forty years earlier.They begin a furtive relationship as mentor and protégée, but even as Dane tries to sort out who she really is and she tries to understand why she is drawn to him, they are watched by secretive interests who not only possess the answers to Mandy's powers and misplacement in time but also the roguish ability to decide what will become of her.Frank Peretti has crafted a rich, rewarding story of love and life, loss and restoration, full of twists and mystery. Exceptionally well written, Illusion will soon prove another Peretti classic. (book description)
I love Frank Peretti's books. He has always had a way of writing that just draws you into the story and doesn't let go until you reach the very end. Needless to say, I was excited to read this book and, as always, it definitely kept me interested all the way through.
This book, taken purely as fiction, for someone like me who is a sci-fi lover, is actually really good. I enjoyed the love story of Mandy and Dane and how even through the craziness of time and space and things changing the way they do (sorry, not spoiling it for you!), they still manage to find each other. I love the idea that when you find the one person in your life that you are meant to spend the rest of your life with that no matter what happens or where you end up, you will always be together.
But I will say that the idea of this story if you try to relate it to real life can be a little hard to swallow only because it is so far fetched. However, the idea of traveling across time and space (I'm still a little confused on this) is one that people have toyed with for years, including movies such as Planet of the Apes and The Time Machine .
All in all, this was a great read and I would definitely recommend it!
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
March 29, 2012
Stalled, Stuck or Sagging
[image error]
Stuck in the middle with you.
While this might be great for a song, it's not such a fun experience for a writer...or the reader for that matter.
I recently read a post giving helpful hints for "saggy middles". Now if you know me personally, don't laugh...we're talking about stories, not tummies.
I have often experienced this very problem. I have what I believe are great characters, a thrilling plot, and I even have an idea how the story ends. I've written 50 pages or so. Now what? How do I get from the established problem to the imagined solution? More importantly, how do I avoid the pitfalls of wandering characters and sluggish action?
[image error]
Since I still struggle with this, I thought the best advice I could give would be to share what more experienced mystery author, Elizabeth Craig, aka Riley Adams has to say. She offers seven tips:
One vital tip I am trying to learn is to only include what is necessary. I think it will be an ongoing lesson!
[image error]If you would like to read Ms. Craig's post in its entirety, click the following link:
Writersinthestorm.Wordpress.com/2011/...
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian RomanceThe Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
March 28, 2012
A High Class Bathroom!
I love all of God's creation. I love to gaze upon the mountains. I love to listen to the ocean and watch the sunset over the horizon. I love forests and meadows, rivers and lakes, the wind and the sun. I love people (well, I'm trying!) and I love the creatures He made to roam the earth. Of all creation, one thing is my favorite. Flowers. I love them. I love flower gardens, wild flowers, bouquets and even the occasional dandelion that my son brings me.
I love their distinct smells. In the spring I can't get enough of lilacs. I have to say I have clipped a few without permission in days past. The smell of roses nearly brings me to my knees. Hyacinths…what can I say? I have to have at least one potted plant in my home in the spring. Have to!
At the Farmer's Market in Green Bay, a person can buy huge bouquets of wildflowers. They take my breath away. They are vibrant and bold. I have this wide mouthed vase that I love setting on a decorative table with these particular flowers in it. A mirror hangs about this table perfectly reflecting the flowers. Sometimes I will stand there, staring, thanking God for his beautiful creation.
Of all the types of flowers, none brings me quite as much joy as the ones my husband brings me. It's usually a complete surprise, I open the door…he's holding a beautiful bouquet of long red-stemmed roses adorned with baby's breath and ferns. He runs his hand through his rakishly disheveled hair and smiles…whoa! Wake up Darlene. That has NEVER happened.
All right, this is the point in the post where I must say I love my husband. Very much. He perfectly completes me. He loves me. He is a wonderful father, a great husband, a wonderful provider. He is so many things! One thing he is not is a good "flower" giver.
When it comes to the "love languages", he and I are at opposite ends of the spectrum. He needs words of encouragement, affirmation and respect. I need gifts. LOL Yep, I like presents. They don't have to be expensive presents. They don't have to be fancy. For whatever reason, my psyche recognizes love through gifts.
What is a woman to do? I have asked for flowers. I have left subtle hints (okay, maybe not so subtle hints): You haven't brought me flowers recently…or it's been six months (who's counting?) since you brought me flowers. On occasion my pleas go unnoticed. Other times, I will receive a little bouquet he picks up at the grocery store. (True, they have no scent, but at least they look pretty!) I am appeased for a while.
Fast forward to today. Imagine my surprise when I go into the bathroom to clean and see my favorite wide mouthed vase, not full of glorious flowers, like it is intended for, but housing the toilet brush! WHAT???? YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME?????? I'll give you one guess who did that!
I can hear him now "This vase doesn't get used very often. Might as well put it to good use!" I wonder why?!!! Talk about the dog house. That man is in deep doo doo!
Lord, thank you for my husband. Amen.
Thanks for joining me on another Wednesday! DarleneLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
I love their distinct smells. In the spring I can't get enough of lilacs. I have to say I have clipped a few without permission in days past. The smell of roses nearly brings me to my knees. Hyacinths…what can I say? I have to have at least one potted plant in my home in the spring. Have to!
At the Farmer's Market in Green Bay, a person can buy huge bouquets of wildflowers. They take my breath away. They are vibrant and bold. I have this wide mouthed vase that I love setting on a decorative table with these particular flowers in it. A mirror hangs about this table perfectly reflecting the flowers. Sometimes I will stand there, staring, thanking God for his beautiful creation.
Of all the types of flowers, none brings me quite as much joy as the ones my husband brings me. It's usually a complete surprise, I open the door…he's holding a beautiful bouquet of long red-stemmed roses adorned with baby's breath and ferns. He runs his hand through his rakishly disheveled hair and smiles…whoa! Wake up Darlene. That has NEVER happened.
All right, this is the point in the post where I must say I love my husband. Very much. He perfectly completes me. He loves me. He is a wonderful father, a great husband, a wonderful provider. He is so many things! One thing he is not is a good "flower" giver.
When it comes to the "love languages", he and I are at opposite ends of the spectrum. He needs words of encouragement, affirmation and respect. I need gifts. LOL Yep, I like presents. They don't have to be expensive presents. They don't have to be fancy. For whatever reason, my psyche recognizes love through gifts.
What is a woman to do? I have asked for flowers. I have left subtle hints (okay, maybe not so subtle hints): You haven't brought me flowers recently…or it's been six months (who's counting?) since you brought me flowers. On occasion my pleas go unnoticed. Other times, I will receive a little bouquet he picks up at the grocery store. (True, they have no scent, but at least they look pretty!) I am appeased for a while.
Fast forward to today. Imagine my surprise when I go into the bathroom to clean and see my favorite wide mouthed vase, not full of glorious flowers, like it is intended for, but housing the toilet brush! WHAT???? YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME?????? I'll give you one guess who did that!
I can hear him now "This vase doesn't get used very often. Might as well put it to good use!" I wonder why?!!! Talk about the dog house. That man is in deep doo doo!
Lord, thank you for my husband. Amen.
Thanks for joining me on another Wednesday! DarleneLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
March 27, 2012
A Champion
was cruising along the web this evening, and I came across this awesome site ~ www.WriteUncaged.com by Mary DeMuth. Let me tell you, it's an excellent site. If you haven't been there and you're a writer, please. Hurry. It's fantastic with Ooodles & Zooodles of great stuff. But WAIT! You haven't read the rest of my post yet! :)I was poking around this place, I may have completely lost track of time and allowed my children to stay up until almost midnight. (They were sooooo quiet...) and I saw a blog post entitled, "Why You Need a Champion." Being a writer, I'm supposed to know how to get my thoughts across, right? (Ha. Good luck with that, I hope it works out for you.) but as I read her post, I almost started to cry.
She said exactly what I couldn't. And in a way that made goosebumps rise on my arms. I need a champion. As a Christian, I know I can (and do) apply this often to my salvation as Jesus Christ is my Savior, but as a writer, now that just kind of blew my mind. What? I need a Champion for my writing?
Absolutely.
See, writers are people. We have feelings, we get down, discouraged, and for many, we play with the idea of quitting. (But that's kind of funny when you think of it. There's always paper and pen nearby, and trust me. When you have to write, you HAVE to write!)
In this article, she mentioned how she found a best friend because God had sent her a champion ~
Someone who believed in her writing.
Someone who prayed for her.
Someone to motivate her.
Someone who cheered her on when she thought about giving up or when things were looking up for her. Gee, I don't know about you, but I'd like one of those. Yes, please. And make mine chocolate, too! (jk)
Then at the bottom, she said something that caught my attention more than anything else. She said...
If you're struggling in your writing career, ask God to send you champion.
and it was like she said it aloud. To me.
What? Ask God to send me a champion? How very simple, yet so profound. I'm a praying person. I pray about everything. Little things. Big things. Things that would make you laugh and think I had lost my mind. But this. I haven't done this yet. So here I go.
Dear Heavenly Father,
If You are willing, and if I'm doing Your will, would You please send me a champion? Someone that will help motivate me, pray for me, encourage me, even yell at me when I'm down or feel like quitting? Someone that will go to bat for me? I want nothing more than to do Your will. I want to make You happy with whatever I do in my life. Please God, give me a champion. Because I can't do this alone.
In Jesus' name ~ amen.
And that, my friend, was liberating. I feel as though a load has been lifted off my shoulders because
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16
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Would you like to read Mary's post?
Here you go!
Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
March 26, 2012
Kids and Characters
Art Linkletter, well know for many things; but probably most famous for
his show "Kids Say The Darnedest Things", passed away in 2010. And while
Mr. Linkletter is no longer with us, the legacy he left behind will
carry on because children truly are funny and always will be.
My daughter has had darnedest
moments since she could speak. The most memorable to me is when she was
three and I called her Nosy Rosie. She looked at me with the
straightest poker face and said, "Mommy, I'm not nosy."
"Then what do you call it," I asked.
"I just have a need to know everything," she replied. My husband and I laughed over that one for weeks.
Why
is it that kids seem to be so funny? Is it the fact that
they say exactly what's on their mind because they don't know any
better? Is it the fact that they often mix things up or get them wrong?
My daughter still thinks we eat fruit cottontail instead of cocktail. Is
it the fact that they often don't understand what they are saying?
Perhaps it is a combination of all of the above.
Whatever the
reason, I encourage you to enjoy these funny kid moments for all they
are worth because it is the small happy memories we make each day that are the glue of life. These are the memories that help us get through
life's difficult moments. These are the future stories we will tell our
children's children.
At our house we also love to read books about mixed up and funny characters. Here are a few memorable ones.
The first is Minnie and Moo and Case of the Missing Jelly Doughnut where Minnie and Moo are sure a doughnut has been stolen and set out to find the doughnut napper. Is the chicken the culprit or is there some other answer?
Next is The Golly Sisters Go West. These silly sisters head West and how they even make it there is a mystery because they are so ridiculously silly.
And lastly, The Know Nothings Talk Turkey where all is mayhem as the Know Nothings try and serve a turkey dinner. The problem, the turkey just won't sit still to be served.
So ends another episode of Kids Korner with me, Children's Author Aileen Stewart. Join me next week for another exciting episode same krazy time, same krazy channel. And feel free to drop by my personal blog Aileen's Thoughts any day of the week for even more on reading, writing, and life in general.Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
March 25, 2012
Sundays with Kristi - Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness
"I like her, she's such a good person."
I've heard that phrase and other similar phrases used many times to describe people based on the seemingly good things they've done. Often those are people that we know are not followers of Jesus Christ. Today we're going to look at the facet of the Fruit of the Spirit that is probably the most frequently misunderstood, goodness. I encourage you to check out the previous posts on the other aspects of Fruit of the Spirit by clicking on the "Sunday" tab above.
As followers of Christ, we're to display the aspects of the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives, yet what does it mean when we see other people that we know are not Christians doing things that we would consider good?
Definition of Good
First, we need to take a look at our definition of good. What is good? How do we decide if something or someone is good? James answers this in chapter one of his book.
James 1:17 "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadows."
Answer: God is good. That's pretty much the end of it. Throughout the Bible we see other verses that talk about God being good, God doing good things, and God working things out for good. (Philippians 1:6, Romans 8:28, 1 Chronicles 16:34, just to name a few.) So when it comes to defining what is "good" the answer is God. The things that God does, the way He treats people, the actions that He takes, even who He is can very simply be described as "good."
Good Works on Our Own
So how does that fit in to the idea that people can do good works? The Bible does talk about what happens when people try to act on their own and do "good" things.
Isaiah 64:6a "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags."
Our righteousnesses, or our right acts, or our good works are nothing more than filthy rags to offer to God. When we try to act on our own, we're not going to be able to "tip the scales" so to speak, so that our good deeds out-weigh our bad ones. Anything that we offer to God that we have done on our own looks to Him like filthy rags. The original language for "filthy rags" is a bit more colorful in its imagery. Think "used maxi-pad" and that would be the modern-day equivalent. Now, imagine offering that to the God of the universe as a token of all your "good works." That's what God sees when we try to do good works on our own.
Good Works Through Jesus Christ
So, if only God is good and all our own good works look like the inside of the tiny trash can in the women's bathroom stall, how can we display the "goodness" facet of the Fruit of the Spirit? Check this out, this is exciting!
Ephesians 2:8-10 "For by grace, you have been saved through faith, it is the gift of God, not of works, so no man may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
Now, I'm a bullet-point kind of girl, so let's break these verses down:
· We have faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ. He by His grace saves us.
· Our good works do not save us so that no one will be able to boast that they did it themselves
· God created us and through our salvation in Jesus Christ, we are recreates us with a purpose.
· God now lives in us and has prepared the path for us to follow.
· God is good, and because He now lives in us, He can work good things through us as we are walking in the path He created for us.
I know we've covered a lot today, but bottom line: Only God is good and because we've accepted Him through faith, He lives in us and has good that He does through us as we follow and obey Him.
My Father, I love you and I desire to display your goodness to the world. I do not want to pretend my filthy rags are special and try to display them thinking they are what You desire. I will follow the path You have for my life and I will allow You to work good through me today.
RESPONSE:
How about you? What "good" things have you tried to do on your own? How about when you let God work good things through you?
May you live out His Word today!
Kristi Burchfiel
Check out my daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook pageLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
I've heard that phrase and other similar phrases used many times to describe people based on the seemingly good things they've done. Often those are people that we know are not followers of Jesus Christ. Today we're going to look at the facet of the Fruit of the Spirit that is probably the most frequently misunderstood, goodness. I encourage you to check out the previous posts on the other aspects of Fruit of the Spirit by clicking on the "Sunday" tab above.
As followers of Christ, we're to display the aspects of the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives, yet what does it mean when we see other people that we know are not Christians doing things that we would consider good?
Definition of Good
First, we need to take a look at our definition of good. What is good? How do we decide if something or someone is good? James answers this in chapter one of his book.
James 1:17 "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadows."
Answer: God is good. That's pretty much the end of it. Throughout the Bible we see other verses that talk about God being good, God doing good things, and God working things out for good. (Philippians 1:6, Romans 8:28, 1 Chronicles 16:34, just to name a few.) So when it comes to defining what is "good" the answer is God. The things that God does, the way He treats people, the actions that He takes, even who He is can very simply be described as "good."
Good Works on Our Own
So how does that fit in to the idea that people can do good works? The Bible does talk about what happens when people try to act on their own and do "good" things.
Isaiah 64:6a "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags."
Our righteousnesses, or our right acts, or our good works are nothing more than filthy rags to offer to God. When we try to act on our own, we're not going to be able to "tip the scales" so to speak, so that our good deeds out-weigh our bad ones. Anything that we offer to God that we have done on our own looks to Him like filthy rags. The original language for "filthy rags" is a bit more colorful in its imagery. Think "used maxi-pad" and that would be the modern-day equivalent. Now, imagine offering that to the God of the universe as a token of all your "good works." That's what God sees when we try to do good works on our own.
Good Works Through Jesus Christ
So, if only God is good and all our own good works look like the inside of the tiny trash can in the women's bathroom stall, how can we display the "goodness" facet of the Fruit of the Spirit? Check this out, this is exciting!
Ephesians 2:8-10 "For by grace, you have been saved through faith, it is the gift of God, not of works, so no man may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
Now, I'm a bullet-point kind of girl, so let's break these verses down:
· We have faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ. He by His grace saves us.
· Our good works do not save us so that no one will be able to boast that they did it themselves
· God created us and through our salvation in Jesus Christ, we are recreates us with a purpose.
· God now lives in us and has prepared the path for us to follow.
· God is good, and because He now lives in us, He can work good things through us as we are walking in the path He created for us.
I know we've covered a lot today, but bottom line: Only God is good and because we've accepted Him through faith, He lives in us and has good that He does through us as we follow and obey Him.
My Father, I love you and I desire to display your goodness to the world. I do not want to pretend my filthy rags are special and try to display them thinking they are what You desire. I will follow the path You have for my life and I will allow You to work good through me today.
RESPONSE:
How about you? What "good" things have you tried to do on your own? How about when you let God work good things through you?
May you live out His Word today!
Kristi Burchfiel
Check out my daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook pageLonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
March 24, 2012
An Affair of the Heart
by Dee Dee Wike
This week's "Dear Dee Dee" question didn't come from a reader but it is one that many of us, even in the church, wonder from time to time.
As a married person, is it okay to have a friendship with a member of the opposite sex?
Through the years my closest friendships have been with males, though God has been very gracious to bless me with amazing female friends in recent years. I cannot claim sports as a connection to the male gender because I don't know a tennis ball from a bowling ball (actually I do, but you get my point). But there is something in a man's personality that can draw me in if I in any way let my guard down.
Dangerous liaisons are more common than we might think. An opposite-sex friendship that doesn't involve physical intimacy can be just as harmful as an adulterous affair. How can that be? you might ask. Simply put, any relationship that becomes a stronghold in our mind – whether we obsessively justify it on the basis that we are not physically intimate or simply because we hold such admiration for the other individual that our love for our own spouse is diminished – becomes an idolatrous, adulterous affair of the heart. The mind and emotions are powerful forces which, when left untamed, can lead us to think ungodly thoughts and commit ungodly actions before we realize what has happened.
Although physical attraction was a key factor in my relationships as a single woman that has not been the case in my twenty-five year marriage. Nor have I ever given thought to being unfaithful to my husband by having an extra-marital affair. But I have had friendships where the spiritual and emotional connection was so strong that my marriage was threatened and my husband's security was compromised. The danger of loving someone other than our spouse just a little too much is a very real threat to our marriages and a danger to which we are all susceptible. So how can we keep an opposite-sex friendship from becoming an affair of the heart? The most obvious way would be to not have opposite-sex friendships to begin with, but that is neither practical nor easy, so here are some other thoughts.
1. Keep your priorities in order when it comes to your relationships – God first, spouse second, family third, and so on. "Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God" (Titus 2:3-5).
2. Maintain accountability by making sure that your spouse is aware of the friendship. The surest sign you are headed for trouble is any secrecy on your part regarding the friendship.
3. Do not allow yourself to be in situations where you are alone with the other individual. If your friendship is with a co-worker at the office or in ministry, include another co-worker or your spouse in your conversations or any social situations that may arise. Even something as seemingly innocent as praying together can spark an emotional reaction that eventually gets out of control.
4. Keep communication on a professional level and keep it at the office (no after-hours Facebook, emails, tweets, or text messages!). Stay away from sensitive subjects such as family issues or personal problems, which could expose you emotionally and leave you vulnerable to the sympathy and comfort you may not be receiving from your spouse. Pour out your heart to God or to a godly counselor, not to a sympathetic opposite-sex friend who might complicate matters by making you feel even more confused than you already are! God is more than able to compensate you for what your marriage may lack, and he is the only One who is trustworthy, dependable, and true!
5. Scripture tells us that "if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted" (Galatians 6:1, NIV). In other words, realize that no one is immune from the temptation of an emotional affair. If you suspect a friend is headed that direction, lovingly and gently admonish him or her, but do so knowing that you could as easily fall into temptation.
6. "If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell" (Matthew 5:30, NIV). You may wonder what a hand has to do with emotional adultery, but I like to think of this particular verse in terms of communication and contact information. If you have an unhealthy emotional attachment to someone who is not your spouse – someone who occupies much of your thought life – delete him or her from your Facebook friends, your email contacts, your mobile phone call list, and your address book. As painful as letting go may be for you, think of the pain you are sparing that special friend and the significant others in his or her life, not to mention your own loved ones!
7. Ask God to take the love you have for that individual and turn it into love for God himself. God gives us the capacity to love others deeply, but he never intended us to love any one person more than him. To do so is to make an idol of the relationship, whether it is our marriage or a deep friendship with someone else.
8. "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Proverbs 4:23, NIV). The best way to guard your heart is to surrender yourself completely to the Lordship of Christ and to arm yourself with the spiritual weapons of God's Word and prayer. Fully clothed in God's armor, no weapon fashioned against you – whether Cupid's arrows or Satan's fiery darts – can stand!
If you find yourself in a relationship you know is not God's will for you, turn and walk away from it. Only by repenting of your sin, turning from the relationship, and running as fast as you can toward God's open arms will you find peace and true, lasting love. God proved himself more than sufficient for me and he will do the same for you!
Copyright © 2012 by Dee Dee Wike. All rights reserved.
************************
Remember, you can submit your questions to "Dear Dee Dee" by emailing deedeewike@gmail.com or by sending your question to:
Dee Dee Wike
728 Peterson Lake Rd.
Collierville, TN 38017-1851Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
This week's "Dear Dee Dee" question didn't come from a reader but it is one that many of us, even in the church, wonder from time to time.
As a married person, is it okay to have a friendship with a member of the opposite sex?
Through the years my closest friendships have been with males, though God has been very gracious to bless me with amazing female friends in recent years. I cannot claim sports as a connection to the male gender because I don't know a tennis ball from a bowling ball (actually I do, but you get my point). But there is something in a man's personality that can draw me in if I in any way let my guard down.
Dangerous liaisons are more common than we might think. An opposite-sex friendship that doesn't involve physical intimacy can be just as harmful as an adulterous affair. How can that be? you might ask. Simply put, any relationship that becomes a stronghold in our mind – whether we obsessively justify it on the basis that we are not physically intimate or simply because we hold such admiration for the other individual that our love for our own spouse is diminished – becomes an idolatrous, adulterous affair of the heart. The mind and emotions are powerful forces which, when left untamed, can lead us to think ungodly thoughts and commit ungodly actions before we realize what has happened.
Although physical attraction was a key factor in my relationships as a single woman that has not been the case in my twenty-five year marriage. Nor have I ever given thought to being unfaithful to my husband by having an extra-marital affair. But I have had friendships where the spiritual and emotional connection was so strong that my marriage was threatened and my husband's security was compromised. The danger of loving someone other than our spouse just a little too much is a very real threat to our marriages and a danger to which we are all susceptible. So how can we keep an opposite-sex friendship from becoming an affair of the heart? The most obvious way would be to not have opposite-sex friendships to begin with, but that is neither practical nor easy, so here are some other thoughts.
1. Keep your priorities in order when it comes to your relationships – God first, spouse second, family third, and so on. "Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God" (Titus 2:3-5).
2. Maintain accountability by making sure that your spouse is aware of the friendship. The surest sign you are headed for trouble is any secrecy on your part regarding the friendship.
3. Do not allow yourself to be in situations where you are alone with the other individual. If your friendship is with a co-worker at the office or in ministry, include another co-worker or your spouse in your conversations or any social situations that may arise. Even something as seemingly innocent as praying together can spark an emotional reaction that eventually gets out of control.
4. Keep communication on a professional level and keep it at the office (no after-hours Facebook, emails, tweets, or text messages!). Stay away from sensitive subjects such as family issues or personal problems, which could expose you emotionally and leave you vulnerable to the sympathy and comfort you may not be receiving from your spouse. Pour out your heart to God or to a godly counselor, not to a sympathetic opposite-sex friend who might complicate matters by making you feel even more confused than you already are! God is more than able to compensate you for what your marriage may lack, and he is the only One who is trustworthy, dependable, and true!
5. Scripture tells us that "if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted" (Galatians 6:1, NIV). In other words, realize that no one is immune from the temptation of an emotional affair. If you suspect a friend is headed that direction, lovingly and gently admonish him or her, but do so knowing that you could as easily fall into temptation.
6. "If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell" (Matthew 5:30, NIV). You may wonder what a hand has to do with emotional adultery, but I like to think of this particular verse in terms of communication and contact information. If you have an unhealthy emotional attachment to someone who is not your spouse – someone who occupies much of your thought life – delete him or her from your Facebook friends, your email contacts, your mobile phone call list, and your address book. As painful as letting go may be for you, think of the pain you are sparing that special friend and the significant others in his or her life, not to mention your own loved ones!
7. Ask God to take the love you have for that individual and turn it into love for God himself. God gives us the capacity to love others deeply, but he never intended us to love any one person more than him. To do so is to make an idol of the relationship, whether it is our marriage or a deep friendship with someone else.
8. "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Proverbs 4:23, NIV). The best way to guard your heart is to surrender yourself completely to the Lordship of Christ and to arm yourself with the spiritual weapons of God's Word and prayer. Fully clothed in God's armor, no weapon fashioned against you – whether Cupid's arrows or Satan's fiery darts – can stand!
If you find yourself in a relationship you know is not God's will for you, turn and walk away from it. Only by repenting of your sin, turning from the relationship, and running as fast as you can toward God's open arms will you find peace and true, lasting love. God proved himself more than sufficient for me and he will do the same for you!
Copyright © 2012 by Dee Dee Wike. All rights reserved.
************************
Remember, you can submit your questions to "Dear Dee Dee" by emailing deedeewike@gmail.com or by sending your question to:
Dee Dee Wike
728 Peterson Lake Rd.
Collierville, TN 38017-1851Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
March 23, 2012
Book Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
In honor of The Hunger Games coming to theaters this weekend, I wanted to post my review of this great book for you. (This was originally written on December 28, 2011.)
Twenty-four are forced to enter. Only the winner survives. In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death - televised for all of Panem to see.
Survival is second nature for sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who struggles to feed her mother and younger sister by secretly hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12. When Katniss steps in to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, she knows it may be her death sentence. If she is to survive, she must weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
WINNING WILL MAKE YOU FAMOUS. LOSING MEANS CERTAIN DEATH. (from Hunger Games)
I have been hearing about the book, The Hunger Games, from my son who stated that his teacher had read a little bit of it at school and he wanted to read it. Well, being the concerned parent that I am, I decided to read it and review it. I will give you my take on whether or not I will allow my 10-year-old to read it yet or not in a bit, for now, let me tell you what I personally thought of the book.
Please note that this review may have some spoilers in it.
Panem
This book is set in a place called Panem, which appears to be a post-war country set up in the ruins of what we know as North America. It appears that after years of decay and war, Panem was created. The country is split into 12 districts which appear to be worse off the further away from the capital you get. The capital itself is filled with gluttony, selfishness, pride, lust, name any of the world's desires and attitudes and sins and it's the capital of Panem in a nutshell. It's such a good picture of the depravity of this world. Each district has a specialty in terms of jobs. The further out from the capital you travel, the worse the jobs, however it appears that the further out you travel, the easier you seem to have it in terms of soldiers who monitor the districts and freedoms granted to individuals. In that respect, even though the people in District 12 (where Katniss and Peeta are from) are more than poor and starving, they have it better than most because they still have a lot of freedom.
Katniss
Katniss Everdeen (who comes up with these names?) is a survivor. After the death of her father when she was young and the subsequent catatonic state her mother was often in, Katniss learned quickly how to survive and provide for her mother and her little sister, Prim, by hunting for their dinner and to trade secretly in town. Katniss comes across as a tomboy and doesn't seem to have any inkling of romance or boys on the mind, however, after reading the book, I find that it is probably because she hasn't had the luxury to think of those things. I have to say that I like Katniss' spunk and her determination to make life work and stay alive no matter what is thrown her way.
Peeta
Peeta Mellark is very quiet and almost timid. There are times I wish that Peeta had been a little more like Katniss, however, after finishing the book, I realize that Peeta seemed to be the quiet strength that kept Katniss going during the worst of days. Though Katniss and Peeta have never officially met, Peeta has harbored a secret crush on Katniss for many years.
Gale
Gale is Katniss' best friend and hunting partner. Though Katniss never acknowledges feelings for Gale during this book, it is clear to the reader that Gale loves her and would do anything for her. I like Gale because he's also another quiet strength character for Katniss but in a different way from Peeta.
Haymitch
Though Haymitch is a drunk and doesn't always seem to have his tributes best interest at heart, I quickly see that Haymitch is actually a good man who was so sickened by his past experience in the games and having to watch tribute after tribute die that the only way he knows to escape is to drink. It doesn't make it right, of course, but Haymitch does sober up to help during the games.
Cinna
I am mentioning this less important character because though his importance in the story line is small, he becomes extremely important to Katniss. He's kind, caring, and nothing at all like any of the other people or stylists in the Capital and really does do everything he can to help Katniss through his styling and kindness.
The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games were started as a direct result of an uprising from what used to be District 13. District 13 was wiped out after an attempt to overthrow the Capital. Subsequently, the Hunger Games were created by the capital as a way of punishment and a reminder to anyone who might be thinking of starting a rebellion against the Capital. The Capital randomly selects one boy and one girl (between 12 and 18) from each district to be participants in the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are a fight to the death until only one member from a district is left. The "winner" (more like survivor) is then given a house in the nicer part of their district and enough money for the rest of their lives to feed the whole district. However, they also become the sponsor if the next "winner" of the games is from their district. It's another way for the Capital to keep the districts under their thumb. The games are a terrible time for all the players but especially those from the outer districts as they are underfed and under-prepared in comparison to Districts 1 - 4 or 5. The portion of the book that discusses the games themselves is graphic in detail of how these young tributes are killed, however, it is not so graphic that the reader is disgusted. I won't tell you any more details for fear of giving it all away.
Overall
Overall, I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. It shows off the depravity of man and of some men and women's desire to survive and thrive despite the lot they are given in life. It shows that there are still people out there who care about others and who fight for what is right. This book was surprisingly clean of language and sexual scenes (though Peeta and Katniss do kiss often and do lay down together - more for warmth or comfort/security than romance). The writing reads well and kept me interested. This book really does remind me of our current world in the selfishness and depravity that we see every single day. Though Katniss and Peeta do not have a religious belief in this book, their characters remind me of those of us who believe and who fight for our faith and work to keep God alive in our world.
What about my son?
What about my son, you ask? I will not be letting him read this book as of this point in time. Why? Though this book is clean and not as graphic as some of the things I am sure he's seen on TV at his dad's house, the story is more mature than his young 10 years of age and requires more maturity on his part. I want him to be able to see the spiritual parallels in the book and he's not there yet. He's just too young. Will I ever let him read it? I probably will, but when he's much older and able to draw spiritual conclusions on his own.
One final note...
The movie is apparently set to come out in late March of 2012 and while I will see the movie and review it here, my son will not. As I have noted in the past, movies tend to take a lot more liberties than books and because of this, I am sure that the movie will be much more graphic than the book and probably contain more language. If it doesn't, I will be pleasantly surprised...we shall see when I review it in April.
If your children have read this book or you are going to allow them to, head on over to Plugged In to check out some great discussion questions.
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Hunger Games, simply click on this link -----> hunger_games_sample_chapter
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Lonely Hearts ~ a sweet Christian Romance
The Price of Trust ~ Christian Romantic Suspense
http://www.booksbyamanda.com
God is Good, God is Great
A little of this, a little of that. I love doing many different things, but I'm going to share my love of good books, fun crafts, freebies, contests, and scrapbooking with this blog. Enjoy!
...more
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