Faith|Fiction

 madouthere.files.wordpress.com Speaking to the Holy of Holies can be a little daunting at first, to say the least. For a new Christian, this can be one of the most dreaded things that comes with living the righteous life. What if He won't answer me? What if I can't hear anything? What if (haha)...I'm bored? Shh! Shh! I don't want to hear anymore 'what if questions'! In fact, I don't want to hear any doubtful questions right now. You just read. Let me tell you a secret- All spending time with God is this  talking to God and telling Him that you need Him in different ways. Then you listen for His response. It works just like a conversation. And just like a normal human friendship, it needs to be maintained everyday to be strong and continue thriving. What? You thought you could just talk to God on Tuesday and then not come back till the next Tuesday of next month? Doesn't work like that. Actually, the more you spend time with God and se...

thechristianmessage.org          June 24th, Liz's Journal: " I AM NOT TRUSTING GOD."    I say I am, but I'm not. I know the "theology" (God's Word, the head-knowledge), but I'm living like a Pharisee trying to live them all out at the same time! If I mess up, I make myself miserable over it. Yeah, yeah, I know, "No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus", but I should've obeyed what He said. "That puts me in a set-back in my relationship with Him...again." I say to this woman- STOP!!!!   Quit trying to live on your own understanding! You're not trusting Him! Are you the woman (or man) I'm speaking to today? I realized this today while on the way back from the doctor's on the freeway. I told God, "Keep me safe, please don't let this eighteen-wheeler hit us." Three seconds later I had my eyes laser-peeled on the road instead of focusing on soaking in God's truth t...

Though My Heart Is Torn, Joanne Bischof (novelcrossing.com) I'm happy to say that the Cadence of Grace series by Joanne Bischof was my first major plunge into the uplifting world of Christian fiction. And honestly, after making the plunge, I'm just about ready to invite Lonnie and Gideon into my home! So this is the second book following the story of Gideon and Lonnie, a young couple who came together by an arranged marriage and stayed together by Christ's abounding love. If you'd like to hear more of that story, check out Be Still My Soul by the same author. So Lonnie, the beautiful girl you see in the picture above, finally gives her heart fully to her wedded husband and is living happily after after with him and their son. And...and right when she thinks that nothing will ever test their love again- BAM! The secret is revealed...Gideon is already lawfully wedded to his former flame, Cassie Allan. Will Lonnie give into the pressure of the world? Can she trul...

...in a nutshell. "He [she] preferred to share the oppression [suffer the hardships] and bear the shame of the people of God than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life." -Hebrews 11:25 The Bible says that we will never depart from the way of our parents. If you grew up in a Christian home, or even if you didn't, your knowledge of Jesus will never leave you. I can enjoy the sin for a moment but just like this verse says, it's a fleeting moment, and once that temporary fulfillment's over, I can literally FEEL my Father in Heaven grieving. And I join in, too.  Meditate on this scripture if you currently find yourself in a situation that is forcing you to be with unbelievers or those that are lost. Remember, they don't have the standards you do. They're not concerned with pleasing the Father. Don't settle for less. Prefer to share the oppressions and bear the shame, because you'll make your Father smile and be proud of you. -Think ...

These days the Lord has been dealing with me about want. Kind of hard for a girl, huh? It's more like little semi-teachings about what want does to people (selfishness and greed), making idols in life (much easier than you think ,becoming a Saul (losing your humbleness) and most recently, the motives behind the things we want.  unknownmami.com Do you find yourself praying about seemingly trivial things, although reminding yourself that the Bible says to pray about everything? Do you find yourself spending hours looking at the one thing you want online? Do you pray about things...but then not take time to see what God says about it because you're so excited? I know the feeling.                                             powertochange.com A summer promise to treat myself better and improve my quality of life has almost turned disastrous! If God hadn't sh...

etsy.com Recite this if you're having trouble believing God's love. "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom my whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He strengthens me with power through His spirit in my inner being, so that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith. And I pray that me, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that I may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:13-18 (Paraphrase)

Under stress? Rough day? Don't worry!  Today, my family and I made 30+ cupcakes under a limited time frame. We weren't sure we would make it- but with a quick prayer and uplifting music we did! Praise God. Whatever you're going through, whether it seems impossible to do, remember this: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Don't doubt. Even the little things like cupcakes (although delicious) can be a test from God to see if you're ready for more. Have faith!