T.C. Avey's Blog, page 8

I'm a Guest...

Hi Everyone,

Today I have the pleasure of Guest Posting for Kimanzi Constable. I will be sharing about what I learned about Launching my Book, The Precipice: When Everything We Know Ends .

I'm no expert, but I do have a few tips that might help you in the future.

Also, I'd love your input if you've launched a book, what worked for you and what didn't?

Don't miss out- I'm  giving away one ebook copy of my book to a random commenter. It can be a great read for you or can be used as a gift.

Join me over there by clicking here!  

BTW, if you have any questions for me about my book, publishing, or marketing let me know. I'd love to share with you or even do an interview.

Faith Like a Child

Today I have the pleasure of Guest Posting at Cycle Guy's Spin. I"m talking about a very personal issue in my life. A time when God gave me a second chance at something I thought could never happen. I'd love it if you'd join me over there. Here's a preview: 
“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15 NIV
I was a teen when I believed Jesus died for my sins. My faith was new, fresh, open…like a child’s.
But as I aged, I grew skeptical of things unseen. My faith weakened as my worldly education increased. By the time I had my RN license my faith was limited to God being able to save me from hell, but unable to do more.
Medicine and science could explain anything:  including why my body failed me.
You see, I couldn’t do one thing a female is created to do—reproduce. 
After having endometriosis removed twice, experiencing three miscarriages—one at 20 weeks gestation—and having second opinions, I believed I would never experience the joys of motherhood.
I gave up hope.
To read more click here. 

Happy Memorial Day

I’m taking the week off. Look forward to sharing with you next week as well as reading all your wonderful blogs. 
If you missed my Guest Post on Finding God’s Vision for your Life on Lead to Impact you can check it out by clicking here. 
My June Newsletter will be coming out soon. If you haven’t signed up, I encourage you to. Each quarter I have a Featured Blogger and info you won’t find on my blog. You can sign up here. Don’t forget to confirm it through your email.
In this edition I'm asking for Guest Posts on the topic of Home Schooling. But I'm also open to sharing with my readers about your decision to send your kids to private school or public school. If you're interested in Guest Posting on this topic please email me. 
One last thing, if you haven’t read my book, The Precipice: When Everything We Know Ends , you can pick up a copy here. If you enjoy it, a review on Amazon would be greatly appreciated (as would telling others to buy it- wink).
Have a blessed week!
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ” John 3:17 NIV

How Lacking Imagination Hinders Following God’s Vision

I'm Guest Posting today at Lead to Impact. Thanks, Bernard, for the honor. Here's a preview of the post!


                  How Lacking Imagination Hinders Following God’s Vision

“How many are your works, Lord ! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” Psalm 104:24 NIV  I used to think I was pretty creative.
But the more I learn about God, the more I realize how false that is. 
He is creative! Not me.
My wildest imagination doesn’t compare to His vast ingenuity.
In fact, I’m beginning to grasp how my limited creativity, paired with my false sense of grandeur, impairs my ability to follow God.
I tend to put Him in a box.
I think He can only work in one way. Only answer prayers according to my ability to postulate the means of them being answered. 

To finish reading, click here.

Thanks and have a blessed weekend.

The One NOT Chosen

“So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.  Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.”Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.” Acts 1:23-26 NIV
I paused as I read this.
Two men were singled out. 
One man was chosen. Chosen by God to replace Judas.
How did the other man feel?
What did he think about God’s decision?
According to previous Scriptures, both men were good candidates—with equal qualifications. 
Yet only one was chosen. 
I can’t help but wonder how Joseph, called Barsabbas, felt.


I know how I would have felt- how I have felt when I wasn’t chosen for a position I was qualified for.
I felt upset. Angry. Cheated. 
I also felt rejected. Like I wasn’t good enough. I wonder what was wrong with me. I wondered if I’d upset God somehow. I wondered why I wasn’t found worthy.
Even when I was happy for the person who was chosen, I wondered, “Why wasn’t it me? What more must I do?” 
It’s taken the past five years for me to realize that just because I can do something doesn’t mean I should. It also doesn’t mean that it’s what God wants for me or from me. (please twee).

I may have similar gifting, and even more experience than someone else, but that doesn’t mean God intends me to do a certain job.
He picks and chooses everyone. Even people we think are less qualified. He does this because He has a plan and purpose for us all. 
We don’t have to understand the plan, or even like it.
But we need to accept it.
It’s only in accepting His plan that we find peace, grow, and can be used by Him in the future.
We aren’t told how Joseph felt about not being chosen.
Maybe he was relieved. Maybe it was a job he didn’t really want. 
Perhaps he was more mature than me and was able to accept the decision with a grace I’m still learning about.
Or maybe he was like me. Maybe it ate at him that he wasn’t chosen- but I don’t think it did, or if it did, he moved past it.
Fact is, we can speculate all we want. We don’t know what he thought or how he felt, but we can be certain that God had a purpose in NOT choosing him for that position. 
Though we are not told the “why” we do know that Joseph continued to serve God. While Matthias isn’t mentioned again in Scripture, the one NOT chosen is. 
God had a plan for Joseph, called Barsabas, that didn’t involve taking a leadership position at that time.
Later he was used to further God’s Kingdom by helping Paul. Scripture says he was a leading man among the brethren (Acts 15:22). 
Even though he wasn’t chosen previously, he was chosen later because he remained open to being used by God. He remained God’s servant.
God knows what each of us need and can handle.
We must trust Him.
And we mustn’t let our hearts get hard if we aren’t chosen for something.
We can’t give into our emotions.
We must remember that God has chosen us. We are a royal priesthood. 
God has a plan for you. And He knows the best time to let things come to pass in your life.
So no matter if you’re chosen today or tomorrow, remain a leader. Remain open to God using you in any capacity He sees fit…even if that means you’re chosen last.
Have peace my friend, you are a winner, even if you don’t feel like it.

Unintentionally Self-Righteous

I’ve come to realize Church people (AKA Christians) often unintentionally hurt people.
I say unintentionally because I truly believe they mean well. 
I’m currently in a strange place in my life and walk with God.
He is doing something in me and my family that I don’t understand. Yet, I know we are obeying Him. We seek Him daily about this situation and yet many of our close friends doubt what God is telling us.
We are currently without a church home. Have been for a few months. Yep, we don’t go to church.
In fact, the more we try to find a church to call “home”, the more it seems God is instructing us to stay home.
This seems completely contrary to His Word about not neglecting Christian fellowship and all sorts of Scriptural references about raising kids up "right" (believe me, I’ve had many quoted to me lately).
And as well meaning as peoples intentions are, there are times I've felt really bad because of them. I’ve felt as if I’m a bad parent. That I’m not devoted to Christ. That I’m selfish. That I’m being too picky (after all there’s no perfect church, but going to any church must be better than staying home).
But here’s the catch. 
I know this is God’s will for us at this time.
I don’t understand the why, nor do I know how long this will take.
My heart aches to attend a church, to be part of the family of God, to worship with other believers, to pray for others, to learn more about God’s Word…but God is showing me that I don’t need a building or a “church home” for any of this to happen. I am the temple of God because He lives in me. Everywhere I am can be ‘church’.  ( Click to Tweet).
Also, NOT having a church home is causing me and my husband to be even MORE INTENTIONAL about seeking God. It’s amazing how much we can become dependent upon the church and let it take the place of God Himself directing us, sustaining us, fellowshipping with us. 
Daily, God is showing me more about Himself. To be honest, I’m not sure I would be learning this if I were dedicated to a church body.
This may not make any sense to you. You may be tempted to judge me…go ahead. So many of my closest friends are. 
They mean well. They want to see us in church. They truly believe our son is missing out by NOT going.
But I know, and God knows, we pray with our son everyday, we talk to him about God daily, and he is learning Scripture. We don’t need a church for him to learn about having a relationship with God, we simply must live it before him. 
This has been a great learning experience. And throughout this journey I've had to remind myself that emotions are not reality. Likewise, I've had to keep my heart soft and not get upset at the people who care so much for me and my family.

Now you might be wondering why I’m telling you all this. 
Here’s the reason: I realize I’m guilty of being “well meaning” but hurting others. I’m guilty of being self righteous and judgmental because I think God can only work in one way or that I know what He is telling you better than you know. 
I want to apologize. 
I’m not God and I’m sorry if I’ve ever made you feel bad. 
I don’t want to be a “know it all”. I don’t want to assume anything.
I am not perfect.
I don’t have it all figured out.
I’m just here to share with you what God is doing in my life. I pray you will be blessed by it and that God speaks to you- not me. 
I’m His servant, even when it doesn’t make sense (click to tweet).
Have a blessed week.

Lessons From Peter: "Do You Love Me?"

Follow me through the progression of this story: 
 “ And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke 22:31-32 NKJV  Jesus warned Peter. He told him satan was about to test him…and that he would fail that test. Notice Jesus didn’t pray that Peter wouldn’t be tested, He prayed Peter’s faith could withstand the fire. Today, Jesus still warns us because satan is still asking for us the way he did Peter. Jesus sits as our mediator, praying for us. But we must also do our part. We must heed His warnings…and when we fail, like Peter, we must return to Him.
“   When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”…   When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow. Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” Luke 22:40-46 NKJV (emphasis mine)
Here we see Jesus instructing His disciplines to pray…pray they wouldn’t be tempted. You’d think after the warning Jesus just gave Peter that Peter would be diligent to heed that warning and he’d be praying long after everyone else. But he didn’t. His flesh, like ours, was weak. Instead of praying, he slept. 
Makes me wonder, when Jesus warns us today, do we press in closer or is our flesh weak? Do we pray or do we sleep? 
“But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying!”Immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”  So Peter went out and wept bitterly.” Luke 22:60-62 NKJV

Peter had been warned a test was coming. Petered had been instructed to pray. Peter failed…and he knew it. We aren’t told why Peter didn’t heed Christ’s directives better; it could have been short sightedness or even pride. It’s easy on this side of the event to judge him, I mean everything Christ said was playing out step by step (denial by denial) but it’s harder when you’re IN the situation to realize what’s transpiring. 

Our flesh is weak. Some of us are guilty of being short sighted, others of being too prideful. There are a million reasons why we don’t listen to Christ or heed His Holy Word (Bible) but the ‘why’ isn’t the point here. The result of what it produces in us is the focus on this discussion.

Failing to obey God, giving in to our flesh, will cause us to weep bitterly. 

This is where it’s vital we remember the rest of what Jesus told Peter… ”when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren”

After failing, we must return to God. Not only that, we must learn from the failings and use it to help others. Let the fire refine us. Nothing like fire to help us learn more about our need of God and how to apply His Word to our lives (Psalm 119:71). 

“ So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” …Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. ” John 15:21-17 NKJV
 
Christ is asking us today, “ Do you love me?”   If you say “yes” then He wants to know if you’re obeying His commands? 
Are you living your life for you or for Him?
Are you giving into your flesh or pressing in with more prayer?
Are you sharing your testimony of all the grace God has bestowed upon you? 
Are you feeding His sheep? 
Daily we are tested. Daily we fail. Daily we must return to Him and let Him re-direct our paths for His glory.
Daily we must choose Him.
Daily He warns us. Daily He prays for us. Daily He asks, “Do you love me?”

The Reality of Superheroes: Guest Post

This is an awesome Guest Post by Kari Scare from Struggle to Victory.  
 Kari focuses on encouraging small changes that over time add up to make a huge difference. Because focus determines reality, Struggle to Victory consistently applies biblical principles to everyday life in an effort to help readers focus their lives on the truth of Scripture. Kari lives in Michigan with her husband and two sons. Her passions include reading books, magazines and blogs, pursuing a healthy lifestyle through exercise and diet, spending time with her family, and of course, writing. You can also reach Kari on Twitter @KariScare.Thanks, Kari for taking the time to share this important message with us.
The Reality of Superheroes“What if?”My boys, like many teenage boys, like watching superhero movies. They’re past the age of cape-wearing and “flying” through the house activity, most of the time anyway, but they still enjoy discussing “What if…” scenarios based the movies.“What if you could choose any super power. What would it be?” (I have to pick just one?)“What if you could BE a superhero. Who would you be?” (Jedi Elf… Not technically a superhero, but that’s my answer. Just think about it for a minute…)“What if mutants or super-soldiers were possible?” (Foe or friend? Definitely friend.)You get the idea. For the most part, these discussions provide fun bonding time, a less-frequent activity as my boys get older and busier. They serve to stimulate the imagination too, not just for my boys but also for me as a writer.But these discussions are just fun and pretend, right? After all, superpowers, mutants and super soldiers along with much of the technology and science in these movies aren’t real, are they?To answer these questions, consider what Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is currently working on:“Do you want a soldier that can run faster than Usain Bolt? Do you want a soldier that won’t need food or sleep for days? Do you want a soldier that can regrow lost limbs? Do you want a soldier that can outlift Olympic weightlifters and that can communicate telepathically? Americans flock to movies about superheroes and mutants, and soon they may actually have real life “superheroes” and “mutants” fighting their wars for them.”That’s right. What you see in movies like X-Men, Captain America, Avengers, Spiderman and the Bourne Series actually exemplifies not only what’s possible, but what IS HAPPENING already!Christians and SuperheroesAs Christians, we need to know that the movies our kids - or at the very least their friends - are watching indicate more of our, and especially their, future than we might like to admit. Even more so, we need to be ready to talk about the morality issues these movies bring up in a way that reflects God’s truth.“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)Christians need to know what the Bible says about the issues — issues such as power (Jeremiah 10:12 & 1 Corinthians 15:55-57) and immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53-54 & 1 Timothy 6:16) — portrayed in these movies. And, we need to be prepared to talk with today’s youth about the reality that science plans to create for them.You see, they’ll need that wisdom because superhero movies are a bit more realistic than we care to admit. They’ll need it if what futurist Ray Kurzeil, world-renown scientist, says is possible within the next 20 years actually happens.“I and many other scientists now believe that in around 20 years we will have the means to reprogramme our bodies’ stone-age software so we can halt, then reverse, aging,” he writes in The Sun. “Then nanotechnology will let us live for ever. Ultimately, nanobots will replace blood cells and do their work thousands of times more effectively.”That’s right, he’s talking immortality. He’s saying that scientists are working on technology that allows them to play God.The superhero world we see in movies likely depicts what our children’s and grandchildren’s world will look like more than we realize. And our job as parents and grandparents is to equip them to live a Godly life in a corrupt world and at“…bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)Superheroes and FaithI enjoy watching superhero movies with my boys. Sure, we get a little crazy with our imaginations at times, but we also get into discussions on spiritual matters such as whether or not messing with our mortality is a good idea, and we talk about what Scripture says about these topics too.So bring on , Guardians of the Galaxy, The Amazing Spiderman 2 and X-Men (all new movies in 2014). Bring on watching DVDs of superhero movies with my boys over and over and over… because not only do I get to spend time with my teenage boys, I get to be a part of the Holy Spirit using what peaks their interest to increase their wisdom and draw them closer to God. And at the same time, my faith and wisdom increase too.DISCUSSION: How should Christians discuss what’s happening in science and technology with each other and with our kids?

It is through Death that you find Life: Letter from Pastor Saeed

I wrote briefly about the persecution of Christians around the world in my new book, The Precipice. One such hero currently enduring sufferings for Christ is American Pastor Saeed. He is a prisoner in Iran and needs your prayers…as do his wife and children.
Despite his physical anguish and his desperate longing to be reunited with his family, he had a message to share with Christians around the world this Easter. A message that focuses not on his own sufferings, but on the need for us all to suffer for Christ in order to know the true meaning of Freedom found only in the Cross.
Few of us can comprehend the persecution some Christians face for their belief in Christ, their dedication to His call, their selflessness, their willingness to suffer, their ability to give all for His glory. 
We think them giants of faith.
They aren’t giants, they simply trust in a Giant name Jesus.
They believe His Word. They claim it as their own.
They are willing. They are obedient. They are blessed.
Yes, they are blessed in the midst of their suffering.
This point was driven home as I read Pastor Saeed’s Easter Letter he wrote from his hospital bed in Iran.
I pray you will take the time to read the entire letter by clicking here, it’s a short letter and will bless your heart as it challenges you to reflect upon your own devotion to our Savior.
Here’s a short exert of it:
“ On the Eve of Good Friday and Easter I was praying from my hospital room for my fellow Christians in the world.  What the Holy Spirit revealed to me in prayer was that there are many dead faiths in the midst of Christians today…Some times we want to experience the Glory and resurrection with Jesus without experiencing death with Him.  We do not realize that unless we pass through the path of death with Christ, we are not able to experience resurrection with Christ…A Glorious life with Christ starts only after a painful death (to self) with Christ…Pastor Saeed Abedini
Prisoner in the Darkness in Iran, but free for the Kingdom and Light.” (emphasis mine)
I pray you will read this and take it into your soul.
Our time on Earth is short. 
We aren’t promised our next breathe.
What are YOU doing for God today? 
Does it bring Him honor? 
You will probably never be called to endure such suffering as Pastor Saeed, but you should be willing to do whatever God has purposed for your life.
If you don’t know what that is, take the time to ask God. 
He will tell you. One step at a time.
Had Pastor Saeed known where his journey would take him, he might not have taken that first step. But thank God he did take it—lives are being changed. He is impacting the Kingdom of God and shaking the forces of darkness by shining God’s light. 
Are you? 
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t be. Take it one day, one moment at a time. Remember, we are in the “need to know” basis with God. Trust Him to complete what He’s started. 
“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.  What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” Luke 9:23-25 NIV

Embrace the Captivity

Many of the interviews I did for my book, The Precipice: When Everything We Know Ends , dealt with fear. Likewise, many concerns I’ve had from readers is that they’re apprehensive Christians will be engulfed with fear at the realities I present in the book.
One Bible story that helps me deal with fear induced by current events is found in Jer 28-29. 
Here we see the false prophet Hananiah telling the Israelites their captivity was soon to end. This was a message the peopled wanted to hear. This gave them hope their struggles were soon to end and God was going to bless them again.
Jeremiah disagreed. 
In fact, Jeremiah reminded the people that it was GOD who placed them in the captivity (Yes, it can be God’s will for us to be in a “not so pleasant place”). Further, he told them they were going to be there for a LONG time (roughly 70 years). 
This was NOT a message they wanted to hear. It filled them with dread. Seventy years in captivity! How angry was God?
But Jeremiah didn’t end his message there. 
God wasn’t angry. 
God had a plan. And that plan involved not only captivity for His people, but that they also EMBRACE IT.
Jer 29:4-7 says, “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:  “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper .” 
Did you catch that?
God put them there (captivity from their homeland) and they were to be happy about it. At least that’s how I read it.
People who build houses, grow crops, raise families and seek success for the entire community are people who take pride in their surroundings and enjoy the life they are building. They’re flourishing . 
They aren’t bewailing the situation God has put them in. 
They aren’t looking for prophets to give them false hope.
They aren’t upset God is taking so long to bring deliverance.
They aren’t biding their time (70 years)…they’re making life happen now.
They’re content.
They’re trusting God and enjoying the abundant life found in John 10:10. 
This tells me that no matter happens in America, or around the world, we can thrive. 
We don’t have to lose hope.
We don’t have to look for false prophets, or preachers, to peddle lies to ease our anxious hearts. (click to tweet)
Being firmly grounded in who we are in Christ, we can look at the Current Events plaguing us and say, “It’s okay. God has it all under control. I’m not going to fret. I’m going to go about my life until God calls me home .”
Until our time here is over, we must make the most of whatever situation (captivity) we are in- be it financial strain, declining health, stressful job, tense relationships, or whatever (all are types of captivity and all are in God’s sovereign hands). 
So no matter what transpires in the world, go about God’s instruction to build a home, settle in the captivity until He brings deliverance, plant gardens, make a family so the Christian numbers don’t decrease, find peace in Him and seek the prosperity of your surroundings so that God’s light will continue to shine (Matt 5:14-16).
I don’t know how long your personal captivity will be. Just trust that God’s timing is perfect and He isn’t far away. He wants you to be happy, even in your captivity. 
Lastly, remember, sometimes He calm’s the storm and other times He calm’s His child. But not matter what, He’s near and there is no reason to fear- don’t take my word for it, take God’s. 
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world .” John 16:33 NIV