Renee Andrews's Blog, page 3
August 12, 2015
Death and Heaven...through the eyes of my grandsons
“The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” ~ Revelation 21:22-23
I’m going to assume you’ve seen the children’s movies that have come out the last few years; if not, you may want to skip over this devotion to avoid spoilers.
Two years ago, I took Alanus and Jerry to see Croods. This was my first time to take the boys to a movie, because they’d only been living with my son and daughter-in-law for a few months, since their birth mother passed away. The movie barely started when my cell rang. Because their birth father was dying of cancer, I answered in the theater, and I received the message that he wasn’t doing well, and my son and daughter-in-law were on their way to the theater to pick up the boys and take them to see their dad for what they believed would be the last time.
Alanus and Jerry’s father passed away a week before Father’s Day. As you have learned from my earlier devotions, Rene and Ariel adopted our precious grandboys after their birth parents passed on.
Since that time, I’ve taken the boys to many animated movies, and I’ve noticed an unsettling trend: the parents die. Not always, but often. I’ve learned that this wasn’t the case in Croods, but I never saw the remainder of the movie. However, examples of movies we’ve seen: How to Train Your Dragon 2 (the father); Frozen (both parents); The Lion King (the father); Finding Nemo (the mother). But I’ve never been so affected by a parent’s death in a movie as I am when I’m sitting beside Alanus and Jerry, because they’ve experienced it. I cry, not because of the characters, but because of these adorable boys. But do you know what they did when the parents died on Frozen and when the daddy died on How to Train Your Dragon 2? They asked me, “Did they go to Heaven, KK?” (I’m KK, by the way, and I adore it every time they say it.)
There is such beauty in their innocent question. They do not see death with fear, but with life, eternal life. They know their “first mommy” and “first daddy,” as they call them, are in Heaven and are happy. They know that they will go to Heaven and see them again someday. They also know that their new mommy and daddy, as well as Pops and KK, and a ton of other relatives love them dearly. Alanus and Jerry see death as a path to the city described by John in the verse above. I praise God for that, and I ask Him to let me remember that the sadness is for those here; there is no sadness, no darkness, no sickness there. How beautiful Heaven must be!
This Week: Bring out pictures of loved ones who have passed on. Don’t look at them with sadness, but with the knowledge that they are in that amazingly stunning place, and then say aloud, “How beautiful Heaven must be!”Mondays with Jesus 2015
I’m going to assume you’ve seen the children’s movies that have come out the last few years; if not, you may want to skip over this devotion to avoid spoilers.
Two years ago, I took Alanus and Jerry to see Croods. This was my first time to take the boys to a movie, because they’d only been living with my son and daughter-in-law for a few months, since their birth mother passed away. The movie barely started when my cell rang. Because their birth father was dying of cancer, I answered in the theater, and I received the message that he wasn’t doing well, and my son and daughter-in-law were on their way to the theater to pick up the boys and take them to see their dad for what they believed would be the last time.
Alanus and Jerry’s father passed away a week before Father’s Day. As you have learned from my earlier devotions, Rene and Ariel adopted our precious grandboys after their birth parents passed on.
Since that time, I’ve taken the boys to many animated movies, and I’ve noticed an unsettling trend: the parents die. Not always, but often. I’ve learned that this wasn’t the case in Croods, but I never saw the remainder of the movie. However, examples of movies we’ve seen: How to Train Your Dragon 2 (the father); Frozen (both parents); The Lion King (the father); Finding Nemo (the mother). But I’ve never been so affected by a parent’s death in a movie as I am when I’m sitting beside Alanus and Jerry, because they’ve experienced it. I cry, not because of the characters, but because of these adorable boys. But do you know what they did when the parents died on Frozen and when the daddy died on How to Train Your Dragon 2? They asked me, “Did they go to Heaven, KK?” (I’m KK, by the way, and I adore it every time they say it.)
There is such beauty in their innocent question. They do not see death with fear, but with life, eternal life. They know their “first mommy” and “first daddy,” as they call them, are in Heaven and are happy. They know that they will go to Heaven and see them again someday. They also know that their new mommy and daddy, as well as Pops and KK, and a ton of other relatives love them dearly. Alanus and Jerry see death as a path to the city described by John in the verse above. I praise God for that, and I ask Him to let me remember that the sadness is for those here; there is no sadness, no darkness, no sickness there. How beautiful Heaven must be!
This Week: Bring out pictures of loved ones who have passed on. Don’t look at them with sadness, but with the knowledge that they are in that amazingly stunning place, and then say aloud, “How beautiful Heaven must be!”Mondays with Jesus 2015
December 24, 2014
Merry Christmas!
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)
About eighteen years ago, a homeless woman walked into the emergency room of an Atlanta hospital in labor. Shortly after, she delivered a baby girl. She said she wanted the child to have a better life than what she could provide, and she specified that she wanted the baby to be raised in a Christian home. A social worker from the Christian foster agency Agape met with her in the hospital and learned of her wishes. She held the baby before she gave her to the social worker, named her little girl and told the baby that she wanted her to have a good life, a life in the Lord.
That precious baby was born with a mother’s hope that she’d be raised loving her Lord and Savior. And then God blessed our family by putting that sweet baby in our home when she was merely two days old.
When I think about her mom showing up at that hospital in labor, I think about Mary arriving at the inn in Bethlehem. She and Joseph wanted their child to be loved. Christ’s Heavenly Father also wants His child to be loved.
Today, on Christmas, remember the birth of our Savior. Remember how precious it is to raise a child to grow up loving Him, knowing Him, adoring Him. Even though her mother couldn’t take care of her child physically, she took care of her spiritually by placing her in a Christian home. She knew how important it was for her little girl to know her Lord.
Faith Step: Today, while the world celebrates the birth of our Savior, take a moment to explain the miracle of Christ’s birth to a child. Raise your children the way that mother wanted her child to be raised, loving Our Lord! Merry Christmas!
Mondays with Jesus 2015
About eighteen years ago, a homeless woman walked into the emergency room of an Atlanta hospital in labor. Shortly after, she delivered a baby girl. She said she wanted the child to have a better life than what she could provide, and she specified that she wanted the baby to be raised in a Christian home. A social worker from the Christian foster agency Agape met with her in the hospital and learned of her wishes. She held the baby before she gave her to the social worker, named her little girl and told the baby that she wanted her to have a good life, a life in the Lord.
That precious baby was born with a mother’s hope that she’d be raised loving her Lord and Savior. And then God blessed our family by putting that sweet baby in our home when she was merely two days old.
When I think about her mom showing up at that hospital in labor, I think about Mary arriving at the inn in Bethlehem. She and Joseph wanted their child to be loved. Christ’s Heavenly Father also wants His child to be loved.
Today, on Christmas, remember the birth of our Savior. Remember how precious it is to raise a child to grow up loving Him, knowing Him, adoring Him. Even though her mother couldn’t take care of her child physically, she took care of her spiritually by placing her in a Christian home. She knew how important it was for her little girl to know her Lord.
Faith Step: Today, while the world celebrates the birth of our Savior, take a moment to explain the miracle of Christ’s birth to a child. Raise your children the way that mother wanted her child to be raised, loving Our Lord! Merry Christmas!
Mondays with Jesus 2015
November 17, 2014
High School Football...and God
Mondays with Jesus 2015
“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16 (NLT)
The local football team has a former attorney for a coach. Not your typical criteria for a high school coach’s resume. He was also a collegiate player at the University of Alabama, so he has the athletic merits as well, but when I learned that he’d given up practicing law to coach high school football, I had to ask why. It turns out that this man wanted to touch the lives of teens, to be a Godly example and help them be successful, and he chose to do that with the best way he knew to relate to them, football.
I’ve seen a change in this team since they’ve gained Coach Ozmint. He is their supporter both on and off the field, but he is also their guide, steering them in the right direction and admonishing accordingly when they head down the wrong path, both on and off the field. Coach Ozmint also allowed and encouraged a group of parents and local citizens who also wanted to have a spiritual impact in the athletes’ lives to start a “Praying Moms” group. This group gathers each Thursday morning at 7:00 a.m. at the football field to pray over the team and the opposing team, to ask God to grant good sportsmanship and to keep the athletes safe. They put Bible verses on each athlete’s locker. They remind the boys on the team that the “game” most important in life is the one that involves living for their Lord.
Has the spiritual coach and the praying moms caused the team to automatically win every game on the field? No, though they have won every game this season. But we aren’t promised that we will always receive a “yes” to our requests. We are promised, however, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us (1 John 5:14).
Those athletes step on the field each night knowing that their coach has prayed for them, knowing that the community is praying for them and ready to face whatever obstacle is ahead, both on that field and off. How awesome is that power of prayer!
Faith Step: Form a “Praying Moms”, “Praying Dads” or “Praying Fans” group in your local community. Watch the bond form in athletes and community with the awesome power of prayer.
Author Renee Andrews
This devotion is from Mornings with Jesus 2014. Next year's devotional, Mondays with Jesus 2015, is available now online wherever books are sold (Amazon, BN, Kobo, iTunes, etc.), and autographed copies are available at www.MondayswithJesus.com ($3.99 ebook, $9.99 print)
November 4, 2014
Teach us, Lord, to Wait...
Mondays with Jesus 2015“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:25 (NIV)
Ben, my friend’s young son, suited up in his football gear, helmet and pads and all, and informed his mom that he was going out to play. After a few minutes, she looked out the window and saw him standing in the backyard alone. Feeling sorry for her little boy, Jana went outside. “Do you want to play something else?” she asked. Ben turned and grinned from within his helmet. “Nope, I’m playing football.” Confused, Jana asked, “You are?” Ben nodded the bulky helmet. “Yep, I’m offense. The defense is on the field now.”
Jana couldn’t see the game Ben visualized, the one obviously still entertaining him while he waited for his turn. But Ben knew that part of playing football involved waiting patiently on the sidelines. He also had the ability to hope for what he didn’t yet have, a chance to play.
Often we are the little boy on the sidelines wanting a chance to play. We want to shine for Christ. We want to be needed, have purpose. However, every now and then we need that reminder that contentment may also be found in letting someone else have their time on the field. We should try to be like Ben, quite happy waiting his turn.
Faith Step: Remember what Christ said in Luke 14:10 and find Ben’s joy in waiting your turn.
Author Renee Andrews
Need a Christmas gift for friends and family? Mondays with Jesus 2015 is on sale now - autographed print copies available at www.MondayswithJesus.com ($9.99 with free shipping). Also available in ebook format via Amazon, BN.com, Kobo, iTunes, Scribd, etc. ($3.99)
October 6, 2014
It is more blessed to give than to receive
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 (NIV)
“God bless you.”
I waited, thinking someone sneezed. Then the woman on the other end repeated, “God bless you.”
“Oh, hello. You called about my son’s car.”
She excitedly asked if we could bring it to their home, because they didn’t have a vehicle. I said yes, and she gave me directions to housing projects an hour away. The area where she lived was often on the news, but I said, “Okay.”
We arrived at the home and stepped on a welcome mat that read, “I am blessed when I go in. I am blessed when I go out.” She had a single sheet-covered couch and a television. They had nothing. I fought tears.
“Keisha got a basketball scholarship but doesn’t have a car.”
Her daughter squealed when she saw the restored BMW. Kaleb had put several months and all his money into the vehicle.
While Kaleb took Keisha to drive the car, the woman said, “I have $200 and can give you $800 later.”
Kaleb purchased the car pre-restoration for much more. “Oh, he was asking for more.”
The woman pulled out the paper and showed me an ad for a car 15 years older with a phone number one digit off from my cell. “This isn’t our ad.” I turned the page to show her ours, for $5,500.
The kids returned, and Keisha wanted the car, but her mom explained they couldn’t afford it. We left and drove a couple of miles before my 16-year-old broke down in tears. “I can save and get another car. I just want it. She needs it.” Then we turned around, and he gave her…all he had.
I saw much joy in Keisha’s face when Kaleb gave her the keys, but I’ve seen more in Kaleb’s life as a result of his unselfish gift. Christ said give all. Rarely do you see it, but when you do, it’s beautiful.
Faith Step: Follow Kaleb’s example, follow Christ’s example, and give something away today. Don’t give of your leftovers, but give something you love, something the recipient will love. Experience the exquisite joy of giving.
Renee Andrews
Order autographed copies of Mondays with Jesus 2015 for $9.99 (same price the book sells in stores) with free U.S. shipping and free personalization at www.MondayswithJesus.com
September 24, 2014
Christ's Grace -- Looking past the hand on your face
“And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.” Romans 11:6 (NIV)
Growing up, my sister and I shared a room. One night I woke to her screaming, “He’s got me! He’s got me!” I just knew someone was in our bedroom and had my sister so I joined in, “He’s got Gina! Someone’s got Gina!”
My parents busted into the room practically falling over each other, ready to save us. Daddy turned on the light and saw Gina’s hand covering her face. Her arm was asleep, so she didn’t realize the hand suffocating her was…her own.
We laugh about it now, but the instance reminds me of my first years as a Christian, when I never believed I would be good enough for Heaven. I didn’t pray enough, didn’t study enough, didn’t give enough. Quite honestly, I was miserable, because like my sister that night, I couldn’t see past the hand on my face. Grace was something I didn’t understand and definitely didn’t study. I had a fear mentality that controlled my every thought and every action.
Finally, after years of study and a better understanding, I realize by God’s grace I no longer have to worry about being “good enough”. I will never be “good enough,” but through Christ, in God’s eyes, we are all good enough. Christ wants to set me free, in the same way Daddy lifted Gina’s hand and showed her she was okay, that she was indeed free.
Faith Step: Place your hand on your face covering nose and mouth. Feel your struggle to breathe. Now move it away…and remember Christ’s grace sets you free.
Author Renee Andrews
Order autographed copies of Mondays with Jesus 2015 for $9.99 (same price the book sells in stores) with free U.S. shipping and free personalization at www.MondayswithJesus.com
Growing up, my sister and I shared a room. One night I woke to her screaming, “He’s got me! He’s got me!” I just knew someone was in our bedroom and had my sister so I joined in, “He’s got Gina! Someone’s got Gina!”
My parents busted into the room practically falling over each other, ready to save us. Daddy turned on the light and saw Gina’s hand covering her face. Her arm was asleep, so she didn’t realize the hand suffocating her was…her own.
We laugh about it now, but the instance reminds me of my first years as a Christian, when I never believed I would be good enough for Heaven. I didn’t pray enough, didn’t study enough, didn’t give enough. Quite honestly, I was miserable, because like my sister that night, I couldn’t see past the hand on my face. Grace was something I didn’t understand and definitely didn’t study. I had a fear mentality that controlled my every thought and every action.
Finally, after years of study and a better understanding, I realize by God’s grace I no longer have to worry about being “good enough”. I will never be “good enough,” but through Christ, in God’s eyes, we are all good enough. Christ wants to set me free, in the same way Daddy lifted Gina’s hand and showed her she was okay, that she was indeed free.
Faith Step: Place your hand on your face covering nose and mouth. Feel your struggle to breathe. Now move it away…and remember Christ’s grace sets you free.
Author Renee Andrews
Order autographed copies of Mondays with Jesus 2015 for $9.99 (same price the book sells in stores) with free U.S. shipping and free personalization at www.MondayswithJesus.com
September 1, 2014
Labor Day Devotional by Renee Andrews
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (NIV)
My family has a Labor Day tradition. The entire gang gathers at my parents’ home on the river for jet skiing, swimming, good food…and homemade ice cream. My mother makes the BEST homemade ice cream. This Labor Day we were waiting for the ice cream, but the ice cream maker just kept spinning. It went on for what seemed like forever, while we all waited, bowls and spoons in hand, to have our favorite treat. Then my dad remembered that the last time he’d cleaned and rinsed the ice cream container, he accidentally tossed the tiny part in the bottom out (and into the river, no less). That one little part ended up being important and without it, the ice cream took much longer to get firm.
Like that tiny part in the ice cream maker, each part of Christ’s body is important to the livelihood of Christ’s church. We may not feel like our tiny part matters, but in the entire scheme of things, we could be the reason the church doesn’t stand firm. He needs our part.
For me, I sometimes feel I don’t offer anything overly impressive to the growth of the Kingdom. I can speak, but I’m sure not great at it. I can sing, but it’s nothing to write home about. And it took me YEARS before I gathered the courage to pray aloud. But I do have a few things I can do and enjoy doing. I can write and share God’s message with my readers. I can be willing to attribute my good mood to my Good Lord whenever asked why I seem particularly happy. I can also let others know that God will see me through when I’m having hard times.
No, the things I bring to the table do not seem like a whole lot when you look at what Christ has given for me. But that tiny part of the ice cream maker was important to the final product, and my tiny part is important to Christ’s final product too.
Faith Step: Eat a bowl of ice cream today and think about all of the parts that were necessary for that delicious taste, and then thank God that you can be a tiny part in His Kingdom.
~Renee Andrews
Pre-order autographed copies of Mondays with Jesus 2015 for $9.99 (same price the book will sell in stores) with free U.S. shipping and free personalization at http://www.mondayswithjesus.com/
My family has a Labor Day tradition. The entire gang gathers at my parents’ home on the river for jet skiing, swimming, good food…and homemade ice cream. My mother makes the BEST homemade ice cream. This Labor Day we were waiting for the ice cream, but the ice cream maker just kept spinning. It went on for what seemed like forever, while we all waited, bowls and spoons in hand, to have our favorite treat. Then my dad remembered that the last time he’d cleaned and rinsed the ice cream container, he accidentally tossed the tiny part in the bottom out (and into the river, no less). That one little part ended up being important and without it, the ice cream took much longer to get firm.
Like that tiny part in the ice cream maker, each part of Christ’s body is important to the livelihood of Christ’s church. We may not feel like our tiny part matters, but in the entire scheme of things, we could be the reason the church doesn’t stand firm. He needs our part.
For me, I sometimes feel I don’t offer anything overly impressive to the growth of the Kingdom. I can speak, but I’m sure not great at it. I can sing, but it’s nothing to write home about. And it took me YEARS before I gathered the courage to pray aloud. But I do have a few things I can do and enjoy doing. I can write and share God’s message with my readers. I can be willing to attribute my good mood to my Good Lord whenever asked why I seem particularly happy. I can also let others know that God will see me through when I’m having hard times.
No, the things I bring to the table do not seem like a whole lot when you look at what Christ has given for me. But that tiny part of the ice cream maker was important to the final product, and my tiny part is important to Christ’s final product too.
Faith Step: Eat a bowl of ice cream today and think about all of the parts that were necessary for that delicious taste, and then thank God that you can be a tiny part in His Kingdom.
~Renee Andrews
Pre-order autographed copies of Mondays with Jesus 2015 for $9.99 (same price the book will sell in stores) with free U.S. shipping and free personalization at http://www.mondayswithjesus.com/
August 26, 2014
Small-Town Billionaire is on sale :)
An Unexpected Romance
As the CEO of Brooks International, Ryan Brooks has money, power and a sought-after family name. But here on his sister's ranch in Claremont, Alabama, the billionaire only wants to be loved for who he really is. So when small-town shop owner Maribeth Walton ignores him and his valuable business advice, he's determined to figure out why. Problem is, Maribeth knows he's not sticking around and she won't let him get close. Or could it be she's keeping a secret--one that may hold the key to why she's so reluctant to admit she's falling for the billionaire?
August 5, 2013
Bride Wanted is On Sale Now!
Dear Bride-To-Be…
Troy Lee has been writing letters to his future bride since he was a boy. Still, she's never been more than words on a page…until now. When he meets Destiny Porter, he thinks he may have finally found the woman he's been waiting for. But Destiny came to Claremont with a single purpose—to get Troy's permission to print his letters in her magazine. Yet once she lays eyes on the handsome Southern man, Destiny knows she's in trouble. She can't help dreaming about being Troy's bride. But will he still want to be her groom when he finds out who she really is?
