Personal Passionate Pursuits

New Blog for Book Reviews

2010-05-03T07:59:00.000-07:00

Check out http://passionatereadingreviewing.blogspot.com for all my book reviews. I am a book review blogger for Thomas Nelson and Bethany House. This means I get to preview books just being released for free.

Today, Plan B gets released. What to do when your life doesn't go the way you thought it was going to - and God didn't show up when or how the way you thought He would!

Decisions & Consequences - Part V

2010-04-23T19:43:00.000-07:00

Overcoming a Bad Decision - a Mistake

How does one overcome a bad decision? I don't know that I have a definitive answer, but I do know that we have to continue to move forward, even if it's just one step at a time.

The obvious thing is to 'repent' - which just means to change the way you think about it. How does this play out when we make a mistake?

We first have to acknowledge we made the mistake, and prepare ourselves to understand how this wrong direction is going to affect our future. Three and a half years ago, I made a 'mistake' in ministry - one that had a profound effect on my life - and now has totally changed my life's direction.

Which is why I say I don't have a definitive answer. The first thing I did was to throw myself into God's arms and ask Him to show me what was it in me, and my life that caused this 'mistake' to occur. I was totally broken.

I remember hearing a story once about how a shepherd will take a wandering sheep and deliberately break it's leg, then carry it around on his shoulders until it's leg is healed. After that, the sheep doesn't ever wander off again. That's what happened to my heart. It was totally broken, and the Good Shepherd carried me on His shoulders for three months until I healed enough for me to consider going His direction for me - not my direction for me.

In fact, I was so broken, when Jesus took me off His shoulders and set me on the ground again, I wasn't moving at all - until He gently put me in the direction of "chocolate." I still remember that experience - and I'm still very cautious - even though that I know that I'm never going to get anywhere unless I step out in faith. Because I'm afraid to make a mistake now. But nevertheless, I still step out.

Which is what I did again today. I stepped out and started another blog, a place to put all my book reviews, so that this space can be totally for the things I feel God is showing me. I'm going to be speaking to issues and points of view that we need to be thinking about as Christians today.

Blessings to you.

Never Say Never - by Lisa Wingate

2010-04-18T13:24:00.000-07:00

As a blog book reviewer for Bethany House, one of the benefits is getting a free book. The model they chose for this cover, with her carefree expression, and the hanging of elbow out the side of what looks like a pick-up truck, intrigued me.

The story is told from two first-person points of view. One, the 27-year old Kai Miller, and 70-year old Donnetta Bradford – and how their lives intersect during a Texas Gulf Coast hurricane.

The story centers on these two women, their histories, their connections, and their faith or lack thereof. Both women have good hearts, and eventually, Kai becomes “family,” in more ways than one.

I enjoyed this book. It’s a fast read. There’s plenty of suspense during unanswered questions to keep you interested throughout the book. Plus, the added perceptions of the two main characters told from each other’s point of view. How Donnetta sees Kai and how Kai sees Donnetta is interesting.

But I think the dog Radar steals the show in many cases. A young dog which also gets caught in the hurricane, has some hilarious misadventures, dragging Kai, and Donnetta’s nephew Kemp Eldridge behind him.

The succeeding fast-developing romance and misunderstandings that develop between Kai and Kemp make for interesting reading. And Donnetta’s questions about her seemingly uncaring husband are answered in such a way that will leave you cheering!

I recommend this book. I enjoyed it. You will too.

Decisions & Consequences, Part IV

2010-04-18T13:21:00.001-07:00

A couple of posts ago, I alluded to a decision I made a long time ago that still affects me today.

That decision was in 1971. I had just gotten "put down" two chairs in band, and I wasn't a happy camper. I was already down pretty far in the clarinet pecking order. I had done everything possible to make my secondhand plastic clarinet sound better. I had bought better quality reeds, better ligatures (the thing that holds the reed to the mouthpiece) and a better mouthpiece. Alas, even after all those improvements, the clarinet still sounded plastic. Wooden clarinets have a rich, easy, clear tone quality to them that enriches your soul. I had never heard a wooden clarinet until I was in high school. I fell in love with the sound.

Earlier in the school year, our local music store had come to band and offered a deal - $100 trade-in on any old instrument. My dad was a travelling salesman for PPG. I knew he would be gone for three more days. Tuesday after school, I went down to the music store and "traded in" my old clarinet. They said we could "try out" a new instrument before we bought it. I knew I would at least get to play this beautiful-sounding new clarinet for at least three days before taking it back to the store on Saturday if Dad said no.

You had to know my dad. For some reason, he always said "No" to everything you asked for – at first. But if it was a reasonable request, or a very important one, and you responded well, he usually changed his mind. Knowing this, I expected a "No" on Friday evening.

For three glorious days, I got to play that new clarinet – in band, at home. I played it as much as I could. I played it until my lips started getting sore. My band director saw I had a new instrument. I told him I was hoping to keep it. My mother could tell the sound was different. She was sympathetic to my cause, but realistically thinking was impossible.

Of course, Dad said "No" Friday evening, but I handled it well, and didn't act too disappointed.

I was also a fairly new born-again Christian. I prayed a Gideon's Fleece type of prayer. I said, "Lord, if You want me to have this clarinet, have Dad ask me again how much it costs." Now – Dad knew how much it cost. We had gone over all the particulars.

I'm vacuuming the living floor. It was one of my Saturday chores. Five minutes go by. Dad comes into the living room.

"How much did you say that clarinet cost?"

I outwardly gulp, but inwardly I am SCREAMING!

"Well, they said…"

Within an hour, that clarinet was mine. As a result of that decision, in my senior year, I qualified for a scholarship that paid for private lessons.

As a result of the lessons, I entered a clarinet solo in the Kansas State High School Music Contest. I was also a part of two other small instrumental groups. They all qualified for medals if you got a 'one' rating.

They did. I still have those medals. I got them out about a month ago, when I was having a 'bad' day emotionally. And they showed me that decision on a Tuesday afternoon to go to the music store after school, was a decision that is still affecting me today.

Next time: How to overcome a bad decision that still haunts you.

A Rainbow Crystal of Wisdom

2010-04-07T08:41:00.001-07:00

In Kaleidoscope, Clairmont has done it again – folksy, humble, sometimes self-deprecating humor with a message. This time the messages are from Proverbs.

In a kaleidoscope, there are many colors, many angles, and many different views of cut glass. With a turn of the wheel, you see something different. It’s the same glass, the same colors, but a different combination of puzzle pieces put together each time you turn the wheel of a kaleidoscope.

That’s what Clairmont has done with Kaleidoscope. She has used Proverbs as her cut glass, and with each turn of the wheel, she shows you something different, something unique and something wonderful.

No deep or startling revelations here, but each chapter gives you a great story, food for thought, study questions, and scripture to help you along in your journey.

I was intrigued and anxious to read the book, because I love the book of Proverbs. I read a chapter in it every day, well, almost every day. I was interested to see which proverb she chose at the beginning of each chapter, how she discussed it, and what questions regarding the topic she would bring, as well as coordinating scriptures.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to see “God’s wit and wisdom in a whole new light.”

Decisions & Consequences - Part III-B

2010-03-17T10:26:00.001-07:00

We need to nip lawlessness in the bud...and I've seen another side of lawlessness that I also don't like very much.

There's a big thing going on the prophetic movement about word curses, what are they, who can make them, what they do.

A noted recognized prophet has come out and said that Christians can put word curses on each other, even in prayer. I understand what they are saying and they are trying to 'educate' people to be more aware of what they receive into their spirits. To do this, you negate everything you believe is a "negative" "word" "against" you.

I'm going to ask some "what if" questions:

What if a person is actually trying to correct your stinkin' thinkin.' You're going to see that as 'negative' and you're going to think that's a word curse, when actually that person is praying for your good. But if you can't receive that, you're putting yourself in a very dangerous position of not being correctable. And Proverbs 3 states: "Whom the Lord loves, He corrects, as a father lovingly corrects his children."
What if you're about to fall off a cliff and you don't see the danger? What if you're in left field and you're so far off-track that because of being afraid you're going to be word cursed, you can't be warned or prepared? It can set you up for a bigger disappointment - or a free-fall. You're left wondering "why didn't you tell me? Why wasn't I warned? Why did this happen?"

Proverbs also says, "Like a fluttering sparrow, an undeserved curse cannot alight." What that means is - if you don't deserve that curse, it can't harm you. The only curses, word or otherwise, that can harm you, are those you 'deserve.' When I got a real revelation on that a few years ago, it took fear out of my life.

Recently, someone accused me of cursing them with my words - twice. I have done a lot of soul searching and checking with others in the Body to see if this was so. The last thing I want to do is curse someone with my words.

I reviewed what I said, and I know I didn't curse. I asked the Lord directly, and He revealed I had not cursed. I tried to warn, and in prayer, I tried to bless. I'm praying for someone to receive joy, for heaven's sake! They took it as a curse. Obviously they had spiritual stops in their ears and they weren't really listening to what I was saying, because they interrupted me.

At that point, I knew further conversation was pointless and I tried graciously for about a minute to extricate myself from this phone conversation, but they wouldn't be quiet long enough to listen to what I was saying, so when I hung up, they thought I hung up on them. I'll admit it was abrupt, but they weren't listening.

I took a course once that taught "How you listen to others is how you listen to God." Are you correctable? Do you see everything 'negative' as a word curse?

Decisions & Consequences, Part III-A

2010-03-15T23:27:00.000-07:00

As Christians, our spirits are alive, but sometimes our souls (mind, will, emotions) get in the way of hearing God's voice and mistaking what we think we hear.

I got up on my soapbox about being involved in a local congregation. Since yesterday when I posted, God showed me something else about non-church attendance that I wasn't expecting.

I was this way at one time, and I know a few people who feel this way now. A typical comment that you hear from those who do not attend church is, "It's so dead. I don't like it. It's too much like a business. The people are fake. All it is - is a social club, there's no deep spirituality. It makes me want to vomit because of the facade."

As I was getting ready for bed, God showed me that those of us who separate ourselves from the Body because of these attitudes, show ourselves to be children who don't like HIM very much.

I never would have thought of that, but I really think when we make statements against the corporate Body of Christ because we don't like the pastor, or we don't like the service, or we don't like the music, or we don't like the organizational way they operate - we're saying, "God, we don't like the way You've structured things on earth."

That's lawlessness, people. Jesus said this about lawless people, "Go away. I never knew you - you who practice lawlessness."

Once we recognize these attitudes in ourselves, we need to immediately, and I mean, immediately - change the way we think about all this. Repent just means change the way you think. It doesn't mean I'm sorry, although it could mean that, there could be and should be sorrow in changing our thinking - but it's so much more than remorse.

We have to change the way we think. We have to or we will never progress. We'll be stuck in our lawlessness until something else God orchestrates in our lives gets out attention. And believe me, that next thing will hurt a lot more than the first thing. Ask me about 2006...

I just recognized a lawless attitude in myself about "social clubs" (small groups) just a week ago. But I realize their importance in establishing relationships. And relationships take time. So I 'repented' from my lawless attitude, and I look forward to building relationships with people who are older than I - in my small group. I'm excited about mining the spiritual riches these people have. I'm excited about re-connecting with a spiritual father from Worship Center Bible School.

Prophetic people are the worst when it comes to spiritual authority and lawlessness, mainly because of spiritual immaturity. I was a prophetically-gifted person and I fell into all the traps. Thankfully, I had mentors and teachers along the way who showed me my error. And - God Himself directly intervened in my life when I would take lawless turns. He gave me grace and He corrected me very strongly on several occasions, through people, or through Himself directly.

I'm so thankful for those corrections - even though they hurt like crazy - because I would not be where I am now if not for them. I could have held to my stinkin' thinkin' - but I'm so glad I didn't. Because all stinkin' thinkin' does is delay you. If your stinkin' thinkin' is due to hurts and wounds from spiritual authority, get healing, get counseling if needed. Realize that God wants you to progress and move forward. It may hurt for awhile, weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

This too is part of my decisions and consequences series, because if not for certain decisions I made, I wouldn't be writing this. I wouldn't have had the wisdom, and I wouldn't have had the blessings of God on my life.

Thanks for reading. It's not easy reading, but I pray you will be blessed by it.

Decisions & Consequences - Part III

2010-03-15T13:15:00.000-07:00

How did I arrive at this process? It started with a decision, but then, God and others began to play a role.

I made another conscious decision to follow the Lord no matter what. I decided again - at the end of 2009 to follow God. Emotionally, I didn't feel like it, I didn't feel happy, I just willed myself to follow the Lord.

I recommitted to pursuing the chocolate. This I knew was the thing God had been blessing at this time. This is important - it is always important to do the thing you know to do - especially when you don't know what else to do. This keeps you grounded and allows the Lord to work out things in your life.

Secondly, I received prayer at my local church. This is very important. There are many "Christians" out there who don't believe they should attend a local congregation. They believe that you can still be an "effective" Christian by worshipping God on their own and be a conference of CD/DVD set junkie 0r say that they are getting their spiritual food from national ministries, and trying to serve the Lord by 'helping' their friends, co-workers, etc.

This is deception in its subtlest form. I once took a course that put it this way: an eyeball can see, but if it's not attached to a "body" - what good is it? It can say all it wants "I can see! I can see!" But who hears its voice? No one. And we all know that sometimes appearances, and what we see isn't reality and isn't godly. How is that eyeball going to know the difference?

Even scripture says, "Do not forsake the assembling of yourselves together as is the custom of some." The apostle Paul said this.

I know from experience what it is like to be an eyeball unconnected to a body. God dealt with me very strongly about it and said I needed to get myself under a spiritual authority that I could be accountable to. That is the way God has set things up here on earth.

The family unit is an example of this. The two-year old child does not tell the father what to do. The father tells the children what to do, teaching them the ways of the Lord, if it's a godly household.

I am a woman under authority. I have a pastor, I have a small group leader. I believe those decisions were also important in what happened.

Third, my oppression/melancholy started breaking off me after I received prayer from my pastor on January 9th. I got enough freedom that night to have faith that the rest of the oppression would be breaking off very soon. I didn't realize how or when, but I believed it would. And how it did!

Six days later, I get a phone call about the largest order I've ever had. The very next night, at church, during ministry time, I received the largest dose of joy I've experienced in a very, very long time. Oppression totally broke off me that night! I had joy!

Fourth, I stay close to the Lord by doing the following:

daily Bible reading, prayer, journaling (where God speaks to me, I write the scriptures I read and comment on them)

daily prayer at all times during the day

staying connected to the Body of Christ at church by serving in three areas of the church, and becoming a member of a small group

Fifth, I received prayer a second time from my pastor and ministry team from my church - and that's the prayer that made all the difference. I do not believe things would have happened as they did, if I had not received the second prayer. Even Jesus prayed for the blind man twice - the one who began to see men as trees walking. The Holy Spirit brought me great joy - and He sealed the deal with the extra prayer.

Next time: As a result of all this - God shows me even something what I feel is more miraculous! How a decision I made as a teenager is still having an effect on me - today!

Decisions & Consequences - Part II

2010-03-07T10:36:00.001-08:00

The decision I made was a simple one.

I re-embraced the chocolate business. Now, I must say that I did receive some interesting confirmations that I was to go that direction in the first place. My whole life has been about trying to follow Jesus, since I accepted Him in my heart two days before I was 16.

I have felt sometimes like Cain, wandering through my life trying to find that "one thing" I was put here to do. At any one given time in my life if you would have asked me, I would have told you, "I really think this is what God wanted me to do." My "weight" of a decision always had to do with circumstances. If it was a job - I'd get it. If it was some kind of ministry opportunity - I'd get it.

I'd never had confirmation on jobs or ministry calls or opportunities - from prophets, angels, visions, etc. The only time I think I met an angel was at ORU, and this nice looking young man told me that "God wants you to really get what you just read." It had to do with God's love for me, if I remember right.

I had never had that kind of confirmation regarding a direction - until this direction for chocolate. I had 30 dreams over a period of about 40 days - all about working with chocolate. I think I must have "needed" all that - because of the brokenness I had just gone through. I was afraid of making another mistake in direction. That error had cost me dearly in more ways than one.

And - interestingly enough - I did receive a "prophetic" word about a "new fun thing" and to "go with it." I had already begun making chocolate when I got that. The person who said that to me had never met before and didn't know I had started making chocolate.

So - I re-embraced the chocolate.

Within two weeks, oppression broke off, and I received the largest order for chocolates I'd ever had. And our Valentine's season was extraordinary.

I know it was the result of my decision.

Next time: How I arrived at this process - and what I learned from it. What do you think? As you look over your life, how have your decisions affected what you're doing right now? Post a comment and let me know.

Decisions and their consequences - Part 1

2010-02-25T11:47:00.000-08:00

Last year I made a decision to start this blog, and another one for professional purposes. I had been taking an online writing class and I wanted to write - even if I couldn't get paid for it right away.

I "embraced" becoming a writer. I thought the chocolate business had started itself well and things were chugging along. I thought I could do two things at once.

I was wrong. Although I received encouragement to write, I didn't hardly get any writing "jobs" or submissions accepted. This sent me into a funk last fall. As a result of my pursuing writing, the chocolate business didn't do as well as I had hoped.

I had to make a decision. And I made it. I once took a spiritual development class that talked about "the weight of a decision." The point was that the more important the decision, the more outside confirmation you need to receive. The problem I had with that was that the instructors seemed to place greater emphasis for confirmation on spiritual experiences I had never had.

I didn't feel that was realistic for most followers of Christ. Next time: the decision I made and some of the consequences. What about you? How do you make the tough decisions - regarding life direction, ministry direction, etc.?

The Hidden Flame by Janette Oke & Davis Bunn

2010-02-16T13:59:00.000-08:00

I hadn’t read the first book in the series, but they tell you what you need to know. I love Christian historical fiction, and this book got my interest, and kept it. I believe that the time period was very difficult, and tension-filled, as the book was on many counts. But it was also a book weaving the Bible and its events into it.

It is shortly after the Holy Spirit has fallen in the book of Acts. The Christian community grows by leaps and bounds every day.

Abigail’s friends have just gotten married and they have to leave Jerusalem immediately or suffer the consequences. That leaves Abigail and her brother alone in the Christian community. Jacob wants to be a soldier, but he doesn’t realize what that means. Two men, a Roman, and a Jew, are both captivated by Abigail’s stunning beauty.

All the attitudes of the people of the day, the traditional Jewish attitudes, the Roman attitudes, and how the new believers themselves felt about what was going on. The new “church” is taking care of the widows and orphans. Abigail helps out with this ministry and becomes attached to Stephen. We know that relationship, though short, is a solid one. The Jewish man however, doesn’t take rejection well, and conspires to halt the spread of this new sect of Judaism.

The backdrop is Jerusalem. The drama, the miracles, and signs and wonders are all there to be enjoyed and inspired by. The pageantry of the brutal Roman gladiators is also present. There is enough food for thought to keep one’s mind actively engaged in the story.

I liked it.

Plain Pursuit - Amish Fiction

2010-02-16T13:50:00.000-08:00

Plain Pursuit - by Beth Wiseman

Maybe because I live in Lancaster County…maybe because I don’t usually go with ‘hot’ trends in literature…or maybe it’s just me – but Plain Pursuit didn’t jerk my chain or pull too hard on my heart strings.

That’s not to say it’s not a compelling story – it is. And because the author has Lancaster County Amish connections, it’s ‘accurate.’ But I didn’t feel it was terribly realistic. It stretched the bounds of my incredulity. Like I said, maybe it’s because I live here. Maybe it’s because I don’t usually read the hottest new trend in Christian fiction, which is Amish fiction, right now.

It’s our curiosity which makes us want to learn more about the Amish. How can they live in a society of text messaging and computers, when they don’t even have a phone in their house?

The story centers around Carley, a reporter from Houston, Texas on forced emotional leave from her job. She decides to contact an old friend who has become Amish and stay with her awhile. While there, the friend’s stepson becomes gravely ill and needs a kidney transplant. Of course, for dramatics sake, the only relative who is a match is shunned uncle.

There are a few surprises – like the uncle having a health crisis of his own…and a bit of Amish hypocrisy is exposed through that. I did like the fact that all views were represented in the book. The Amish view and the ‘English’ view.

Don’t get me wrong. I live among the Amish. I drive around them, I have one Amish friend, and I realize their rules and regulations. I respect them and their way of life.

If you love Amish fiction, you’ll love the compelling story, even if a bit contrived, of Plain Pursuit.

When Heaven Comes Down - Book Review

2010-01-05T12:35:00.000-08:00

I like Che Ahn. I first read his book, Into the Fire, back in 2000, I was drawn into a hunger for the supernatural...the supernatural fire of God, the ways He works. He opens that book, and this one, describing the night angels were seen at Mott Auditorium at one of his meetings. It was glorious!

I suppose he's trying to stoke my hunger fire again with this book, but it didn't happen. Maybe it's me, and where I am in my spiritual walk right now. My heart always wants the presence of God in my life, but I must admit that sometimes I get in my own way. Don't take my current cynicism as criticism of Che Ahn. I like him, but I just wasn't able to get what I wanted from this book. Don't let me keep you from getting this book if you're hungry for God. I believe it will help you.

A teacher and preacher, Che Ahn gives you his point-by-point advice about how to experience more of God's glory in your own life. He explains what is meant by the glory of God. He explains how to pursue God. For those who are hungry and don't have a clue about how to pursue the Lord, this book is for you! You'll enjoy it. It just seemed kind of 'elementary' to me, something we should already know how to do. Like I said, maybe it's just me.

For most readers, here's what you're looking for in Chapter 8: How to Receive More Glory. He has a five-step plan, that if you follow, you'll feel closer to God and experience His presence in a greater way. 1) Repent & Consecrate; 2) Hunger & Thirst; 3) Receive an impartation (from someone in national/international ministry)*; 4) Give it away; 5) Build the church. Should we not always be doing these things whenever possible?

* This supposes that you are in a position to receive a direct and personal impartation from someone in national/international ministry. His was from Billy Graham, and he asked Dr. Graham to pray for him and impart to him. Not everyone is in that position.

I would recommend this book for anyone who does want to experience more of God in their lives. Read it when you're hungry, not when you're stressed or cynical.

The Silent Gift - Blog Book Review

2010-01-05T12:21:00.000-08:00

The haunting image of the young boy on the cover, coupled with the name Michael Landon Jr. was enough to intrigue me to read.

"Jr. Landon," as I call him, with Cindy Kelley, successfully turned the first two of Janette Oke's "Love Comes Softly" series into great films for television. They co-wrote the scripts on at least the first two, if not three.

I think they should stick to making movies. This is their first novel and the story seems very contrived to me. One element I've noticed about "SR Landon" storytelling is that sometimes, for dramatic effect, one had to strain their incredulity just a bit too far. I remember one "Little House on the Prairie" episode that had Laura and Almanzo losing their crop, then losing their house, then they both got really sick. And all this happened at once.

This story about a sweet deaf mute boy sometimes stretches incredulity. Set in the 1930s, during the Depression, the boy and his mother are forced to flee the father. They live at the Salvation Army for a few days, then on the street. Finally, a big break comes, or so it seems. The plot goes downhill from here, and doesn't turn around until the very end. Almost as an afterthought, the last chapter is from the boy's point of view.

I had high hopes for this story, and at times, I was touched, but overall, well, like I said, I think they should stick to adapting others' works for the screen. That's what they're good at.

Book Review - Knockout Entrepreneur

2010-01-05T12:04:00.000-08:00

All I can say about Knockout Entrepreneur is that if you need motivation, encouragement, and a pep talk, George Foreman is good at that.

I was fairly skeptical when I first read through the book, I thought, what does a former boxer have to say to me? After all, he didn't have 'formal' education, right? Then, I realized I was being educationally snooty. As followers of Christ, we should be able to learn from anyone, no matter their station in life. So, I determined to read forward with an open mind.

Because George knows boxing better than anything else, much of his terminology and examples come from his world of boxing. As I continued to read, I became a bit more impressed. Ok, the guy does know what he's talking about. That was important for me, because he has taken his principles into the world of business, and has become a success at that, too.

It's not a 'deep' book, but it's motivational. Then, I learned that George is also a featured speaker with "Get Motivated" which fills indoor stadiums up nationwide.

I score this book about 3-1/2. It's got good encouragement, and generic business advice for anyone who is in business. Since I am in business, I was hoping for more concrete help, but it's a start.

Teachers - Parents Part II

2010-01-01T19:04:00.000-08:00

A month ago, I had some pretty definite thoughts about differences between parents and teachers. I still feel the same way and these posts are to help me process my still developing feelings as well as delineating and defining some things in my own mind. I hope these posts will be thought-provoking to you as well.

Since I'm not a 'parent' in the natural sense of the word, as I have never had children, I am somewhat limited in my understanding of who a parent is, what they do, and how they act. As I said in my last post, I feel the main difference is one of nurturing.

Teachers impart information, parents impart love and nurture. Teachers can encourage, correct, exhort and impart something of themselves into our lives. That is their main function. They are to help us learn information. They are to educate us on the subjects they are expert on and are qualified to teach us. They have us for a limited season of time. During that time, they 'teach' us whatever we can learn.

Parents, on the other hand, are there for the long haul. They are always there for us. They nurture us as they 'teach' us other things. They encourage, correct, and exhort us, but they do it with love. They do it with our best interests at heart. They see our long-range potential, and once we are 'adults,' they are still there for us to give us the benefit of their wisdom, because they are older than we are.

Some teachers are special though. Some of them seem to 'nurture' us over a longer period of time and sometimes seem more like parents to us. The Body of Christ has many teachers. It has always been so. The Apostle Paul, in I Corinthians 4:15 says, "For though you may have 10,000 instructors in Christ, you do not have many fathers..."

Wow. For though, we as modern day Christians, have many 'instructors' or teachers in Christ, who can teach us the Word, who can impart of their spirit to us, who can encourage, correct, and exhort us...we do not have many fathers.

That means, few Christians in the Body of Christ are "spiritual" parents. This is as true today as it was when Paul wrote to the Corinthians. Larry Kreider, founder of Dove Fellowship International, has written a book on it, and this issue is beginning to come to the forefront of Christianity.

I believe it's a call to spiritual parenting. It's a call to not just teach information for the short-term, but to spiritually develop 'children' in ways that will nurture them and help them to grow in the Spirit. Children are reproductions are their parents. So, in order to 'spiritually' reproduce ourselves, we need to be in relationship with those whom we can help, and whom can help us.

There are many Old Testament examples of this. David and his mighty men, Moses & Joshua, and Elijah & Elisha. If you study their stories, you'll see long-term relationship, impartation, and learning.

Timothy was a spiritual son to Paul. We don't know if Paul had natural children, but he surely had one spiritual son in Timothy. It was a long-term relationship.

My main observance in especially the last 1o-20 years is the preponderance of teachers...and how we 'students' tend to put them on pedestals and pretend they are our spiritual parents, when, most of the time, we learn by tape, CD, TV show or book. We must recognize this as teaching, but it's not parenting.

A parent is not a parent if they are not IN the person's life. Period. I've heard people say that so-and-so is their spiritual dad, their pastor, etc., when they are a nationally known evangelist or teacher, and this person does not have any kind of relationship with the evangelist or teacher other than they have their CDs and support the ministry financially.

I myself have had a real spiritual parent, but most were very anointed teachers who have imparted to me a great deal. I've had a couple of teachers who seemed like a spiritual father to me. Oral Roberts was one such. Being a student at ORU, following his ministry for years, and accepting his mandate to go into every man's world where God's light is dim and His voice is not heard well, made him seem like he was a spiritual father to me. He was very dear to me, but I did not have any kind of relationship with him other than being an ORU graduate.

There have been several ministers locally who have seemed like spiritual parents to me, but the relationship was only for a short season, or at the most a couple of years.

I am processing my feelings towards all of this. There are some great teachers I wish could have been like a spiritual parent to me - but alas, they were only teachers because the relationship was one-sided.

My point: consider asking the Lord to help you become a spiritual parent...to help you 'reproduce' yourself spiritually by helping others in a nurturing relationship and in a local body of believers. That's where you'll find the best parents, and the best 'children.'

Those are my thoughts. I welcome yours. Post a comment and let me know.

Teachers - Parents - Part I

2009-12-02T23:02:00.000-08:00

I must admit to feeling that all I'd been doing was reviewing books. That said, I have three more I've got to post soon - and I will - but... for now - I wanna do something different.

Something's been bothering me for quite some time. I wanna know what you think...

What's the difference between 'teaching' and 'parenting?' I know there are some similiarites - what would you say is the 'one thing' that would distinguish the two? I have my ideas - I want to hear yours.

Here's what I think: I think that teachers have less a connection with us than parents do. If we do remember a teacher at all, it's because they somehow made a difference in our lives. Why? What did they do differently than the ones we don't remember?

Again, I have my opinions.

I think that the memorable teachers 'nurtured' us in some way, on some level. They not only taught us the material, they cared about us. They really did. They 'helped' us, they encouraged us. They may have done 'extra' things to help us on our journey. I believe that's the key difference.

I believe that the 'special' teachers we remember and love were actually more like parents. They nurtured us. They disciplined us when needed, but we understood it. When they disciplined us, it was more out of their caring heart than an angry head.

Now - why am I asking these questions? That's Part II.

What do YOU think? Post a comment and let me know!

Piece de Resistance book review

2009-10-19T13:16:00.000-07:00

Pièce de Résistance Book Review

By Sandra Byrd

In a word – delightful, witty, charming, fun – Ok, I know, that’s four words! I can now say I’ve read the three books in Sandra Byrd’s French Twist series, which started with Let Them Eat Cake, then Bon Appétit, and now Pièce de Résistance.

It is chick lit at its best, romantic, yet ‘clean,’ and that’s what I like about it. I recently read a book published by a ‘secular’ publishing house about the life of a Biblical character from a Bible story. I didn’t like it. But I like this.

Like many others, I’ve enjoyed following a year and a half in the life of Lexi Stuart, the mid-20-something heroine looking to find her place in life. I could easily identify with her – she went through many of the same struggles I did at that age (and beyond) – except for me – it’s taken a lot longer to get my act together, so to speak.

In this, the final book of the series, Lexi, who has been named assistant manager, has just a few short months to get the start-up high-end bakery profitable before she runs out of operating funds. She’s called upon to do marketing and manage staff, the very two things she doesn’t like to do, but which come as part of the job package.

Complicating matters is her relationship with her attractive French boss and beau Philippe and his charming daughter Celine, plus the down-to-earth lawyer Dan, a Seattle native. Whom will she choose? Will the choice be made for her?

With plot twists and fun surprises, Sandra Byrd has finished up this particular leg of Lexi’s journey with laughter and love – wit and wisdom. Through it all, Lexi continues to grow in her relationship with the Lord, and learns to rely more on His guidance.

What I love about Sandra’s writing is that it’s inspirational, yet with a “light and airy” feeling. It’s ‘feel good’ fun reading. There will be places you laugh out loud, and places you’ll get misty-eyed. Sandra has inspired me to continue to write, beyond the two years in which she was my mentor through Christian Writer’s Guild’s Apprentice Program. In order to write, I felt I needed to start reading more – and what better way to re-connect with Sandra than through her books.
You don’t have to read the first two books in order to enter into Lexi’s current world, because the book outlines the pertinent information. But I think you’ll want to.

And me, as a Chocolatier, found Pièce de Résistance, the pièce de résistance of the French Twist series. Available online from http://www.sandrabyrd.com/, or most any bookstore or Amazon.com.

What do you think about Christian literature? Post a comment and let me know. I promise you this blog isn't going to always be all about a book I've read, but today it is.

Perspective Please - The Noticer by Andy Andrews

2009-10-07T12:45:00.000-07:00

The subtitle says, “Sometimes, all we need is a little perspective.” But how do we get that?

In The Noticer, Andy Andrews tells his story, along with the stories of several others of how, once their perspective changed, their actions, and their lives, changed.

In Andy’s case, he relates living under a pier as a young man after his parents died. Granted, he made some poor decisions, but at his lowest point, he finds himself crying out – not knowing anyone was listening.

Along comes Jones, a man of undetermined age and undermined race. He calls himself The Noticer. He dispenses advice and perspective like Solomon dispensed wisdom. He covers everything from love language dialects to how to find a mate to how to see your own value at whatever age you may be.

We see where Andy got his perspective. He’s read over 200 biographies, and went from a teenager living under a pier to what he is today – a best-selling author and public speaker.

In order to get my own perspective, I re-read Andrews’ book The Traveler’s Gift, which several people suggested I read after I’d experienced a devastating disappointment. It helped. That’s why I was already predisposed to read The Noticer. I was not disappointed.

Reading the book helped me to look at different periods of my own life, the choices I’ve made, good and bad. I especially liked the love language “dialects” from Chapters 2 and 3. An example: I’m a little of everything, as we all are, but mainly a dog. A dog responds to words of praise. The Bible says that an encouraging word in due season is delightful, and can be like apples of gold in settings of silver.

So if you're looking for a bit of perspective in your own life, get a copy of The Noticer, and start learning how to 'notice' things in your own life. What do you think? Post a comment and let me know.

Just Rambling Today

2009-10-01T12:56:00.001-07:00

Well - I have a half hour before I'm gonna walk, then make supper, then make some serious chocolate!

This yellow mum was in full bloom last year when I took it's picture. It was called "Golden Prophet." It was on my doggie's grave in the backyard.

But it didn't really survive the winter, although it had survived five others. It had grown and prospered. This year though, it didn't. It didn't grow at all.

There are seasons in our life when the things we do grow and prosper, and other seasons when it seems all is pruned, dead, and silent. Spiritually speaking, I'm just emerging from one of those "dead" seasons. I am not in "full bloom" yet, but I am growing. At least I think I am.

One thing I have learned from the 'dead' season - use that to its fullest. Use the time to seek the Lord, to pursue Him passionately, as the name of this blog suggests. Allow the Lord to prune away those things within you that are not pleasing to Him.

I'm using plant language here - but many of you know my 'real' language is CHOCOLATE! Because once we're "tempered" (pruned, refined, and we start to grow again) - God can use us in ways we could never imagine! And it WILL be SWEET!

We need to remember - it's a PROCESS!

Overcoming Fear - Part IV

2009-09-07T21:04:00.001-07:00

Fear-Less

By Max Lucado

“Envision a day, just one day, absent the dread of failure, rejection, and calamity. Can you imagine a life with no fear?”

In Fearless, Max Lucado challenges us to imagine that day without fear of any kind.

What are we afraid of? In our times, we have plenty to fear. Fearless help us to identify and face our fears. Lucado shares some of his own fears he faced, such as heart surgery. From the Villagers of Stiltsville to William’s Psalm – this book takes you, chapter-by-chapter through the most common of our fears.

A discussion guide in the back is a great way to personalize what you’ve read and is ideal for small group discussion. A companion paperback booklet, Imagine Your Life Without Fear, is also available. It’s Fearless in a nutshell version and a great giveaway gift idea.

I faced a few fears of my own. The first time I read the book, I let it minister to me – and it did. The second time through helped adjust my thinking in a number of areas. The Psalms say: “The LORD is my light, and my salvation, whom shall I fear?” When we see Jesus for who He really is – we get our eyes off our fears, and they melt away in the light of God’s glory.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone – but especially if you want to learn to face your fears. Read Fearless.

Start imagining that life without fear. I am and I’m beginning to feel better for it.

What fears have you faced lately? Post a comment and let me know!

Overcoming Fear - Part 3 - Perfect Love Casts Out

2009-09-03T13:42:00.001-07:00

Caption: Maggie in a moment of FUN!

Once Maggie got over her fear of being held, after we'd had her maybe 6-8 months or so, she found she loved being held.

Then, we could pick her up and hold her anytime we wanted, or anytime she wanted.

She no longer had fear that something would be done to her - that's what I think her root fear was. She'd never known love and she'd never known that being held was a loving thing until finally, she got it!

Once she did - she loved being held. She & I used to sit on the couch all day on a day I wasn't working. You knew she was really getting into it when she splatted out on her side, with her head in my lap. She'd start out with her head on her front paws and fall asleep. Then, after awhile, she'd go splat - and I knew she was settling in for a long hold. I always hated to disturb her at that point.

She learned to be loved and she learned to be held. She learned she was perfectly loved. Because she was perfectly loved, she could be held - that being held was a part of being loved. And she wasn't afraid of being held anymore.

I John 4:18 says "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

We're like that. God wants to speak to our storms, and calm our fears. But we're too busy being afraid...speaking out our fears and wringing our hands.

Just like Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, we wonder what will become of us.

Henry Higgins had just won his bet. He had transformed this cockney, uneducated, unrefined flower seller - into a beautiful, refined, and highly attractive woman. If you remember the scene, Higgins and his friend, Colonel Pickering were celebrating in song and dance! But what was Eliza doing?

She stands in the corner like a wallflower. She asks Professor Higgins what belongs to her and what doesn't. Then, she wails in fear:

"Oh what will become of me!"

She wondered that because she had no guarantee that Professor Higgins loved her enough to want her to stay on in any capacity. We know that in the end, they acknowledge they have fallen in love with each other, and end up together. "Where the devil are my slippers?" Higgins asks.

Have you ever felt that way? It's because we don't understand God's perfect love for us at times. Fear replaces faith that He will work everything out.

Next week: our book review of Fearless, by Max Lucado.

Let me know what you think! Blessings until next time!

Overcoming Fear - Part 2 - F-E-A-R

2009-08-26T12:29:00.001-07:00

Caption: Maggie in a non-fearful moment

F - E - A - R. It's been called "False Evidence Appearing Real." But what if the "fear" isn't "false evidence."

What if something you're dreading actually happens. When things we are "afraid" will happen actually do...we get a bad health report, we lose our job, our credit report takes a tumble, a loved one dies, whatever it is - when it happens, what can we do?

Since we can't control the event - we do something else. We control our response! And you know what? That's actually the best thing we can do. What should our response be?

1) Pray - and this is the BEST thing we can do. Prayer centers us. Prayer gets our minds off ourselves and onto God. Prayer puts our spirits in charge. Prayer brings peace.

2) Read the Word - often God will bring us peace and comfort through the reading of His holy Word. He'll tell us right where to go to get our answer. It always amazes me when I'm puzzling about something, God will quietly tell me just where to go to find peace.

3) Worship - this is also important. If we can praise the Lord for any and all circumstances in our lives, we build Him up in our hearts. Whether we sing or play an instrument or we listen to a worship CD - this is important to do on a daily basis, but especially when fear hits us.

4) Breathe in the Life of the Spirit of God - Fear comes to our minds, our emotions. If we breathe in the life of the Holy Spirit - our spirits rise up and take control of our emotions. Our spirits, because the Holy Spirit lives in us, can overcome anything. It is through our spirits, that peace comes to our minds.

5) Take thoughts captive - sometimes, I have literally said this over and over to myself out loud. When a mental attack comes after taking spiritual ground, we need to remember that we don't wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. This also helps to calm us and helps our spirits take control of our bodies and emotions.

What fears have you had to face lately? Is it fear of the future, fear of non-provision, fear of a relationship going sour, or fear that you've missed it? Post a comment and let me know. We're discussing fear for another couple of weeks. The week of September 8th, I'm posting a book review of Max Lucado's newest book, Fearless.

Overcoming Fear - Part 1 - Revised

2009-08-19T12:54:00.000-07:00

This is Maggie. When I got her, she was one fearful dog. She trembled every time I picked her up.

She hid behind my legs whenever young children came around. She didn't want to have anything to do with them.

It took a couple of years before she would enjoy being held or not hide behind me when she saw a child coming.

It seems that for the last several years, God has been dealing with me and my fears. This started towards the end of February 2007. At that time, He was bringing me emotional healing and showing me a new direction than the one I had been going.

The first thing He asked me to do: contact a classmate from college via ORU's Face Place, an ORU-alumni Facebook type social site. I knew this classmate wouldn't remember after all these years unless I uploaded a photo - so I did. I wasn't sure I'd hear back from him, but I did. He was nice.

The thing was - old fears of rejection were trying to come back to haunt me. What if, even after seeing my picture, he wouldn't remember me? What if he was sarcastic and didn't show any sincere feelings of good towards me?

I believe the older we get, and the more we go through - if we don't depend on the Lord, we get more fearful. I never used to think of myself as a fearful person. I may have even said that out loud - but as soon as I did - God started showing me all the different fears I had.

There's a lot we can be afraid of in this life if we let ourselves. The point is - not to let ourselves. Fear robs us of faith.

In September, a new book by Max Lucado is being released, called Fearless. To commemorate that, and to establish our book review of this book for Thomas Nelson, I'll be discussing fear, but not the book. I'll reference the book, but not review it until the week of September 8th.

In the meantime, there's plenty of fear to talk about. We can overcome it. What frightens you the most? Post a comment and let me know.

New Beginnings - Part V

2009-08-11T11:42:00.000-07:00

Recognize last week's flowers now?

They become what's in the next picture....

Cacao pods.

New beginnings. You never know how they're going to look!

Last weekend I began a bunch of new acquaintances that I hope will become friends. I gave and received encouragement. The Lord is good and His mercy endures forever.

Take time this week to encourage someone. And receive encouragement when someone offers it to you. That's actually one of our purposes in being followers of Christ, isn't it? To strengthen feeble knees, to give a word in due season, to give words of comfort, edification and exhortation?

I believe that's one reason why we're here and why God puts us in relationships with others.

New Beginnings - Part IV

2009-08-02T19:55:00.000-07:00

Every day is a new beginning. A new chance to start over. A new chance to say, "Lord, what do YOU want me to do today?"

This week I'm going to be doing something I've never done before. I'll tell you about it next week.

But we each have a voice, and we each have something to say. We will often find different viewpoints within our own family. But we each have a voice.

That's the 'wonderful' part about our country. It is a 'free' country where we can say what we want to. Let's all pray it stays that way for many, many more years, and that the Kingdom of God is brought from heaven to earth with miracles and signs follow those who believe, before the enemy has his chance to make a dictatorship of the world.

Look at this picture. Can you guess what it is - or rather what it is going to be? I'll tell you next week if you haven't figured it out by then.

Blessings! And remember your freedoms...

New Beginnings - Part III

2009-07-30T10:05:00.001-07:00

New beginnings can sometimes take us down familiar roads. At that point, it's a choice: 1) Do we go back or do we proceed forward? 2) Is the door opening for a past desire or is it going to stay closed?

Only time will tell. In the meantime, I follow the Lord always. If He wants me to turn back to finish something I started five years ago, He'll make that way.

And even if God does want me to finish something I started five years ago, He still has plenty of new things He's getting me involved in...although some of them I've been doing for quite a while. Now, it's a new level of activity.

I encourage you to seek the Lord if you are going through something right now. Here's what God showed me in Scripture last night.

Isaiah 57:15b/c and 18-19a - it was so appropo for my situation yesterday, I marvelled that the prophet Isaiah had written so very long ago! God is speaking here in this passage.

"...I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts...I have seen what they did, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them. I will comfort those who mourn, bringing words of priase to their lips."

Most of the time, the Lord wants us to proceed forward. If you've read the total book of Isaiah, you know that there are numerous times that God says to forget the past. But there are a couple of places where He says to remember.

One passage in particular gave me great comfort about 8 years ago in the middle of a testing time. I came to a place where my understanding was crashing. People in authority were in authority saying one thing. Teachers were saying the opposite. My spirit was aligning with the teacher. How could they both be right? Severe brain crash led to a questioning in my heart and a gut-wrenching experience in my soul.

"God!" I cried out at 4:00 a.m. "Do you I hear from You at all? Have I not heard right from You all these years?" And I waited.

A very quiet, little thought came to mind. "Isaiah 46." I started reading. When I got to verse 9, I began to weep. "Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me." Yes. I'd heard. I got perspective the next day.

New Beginnings - Part II

2009-07-22T09:33:00.001-07:00

What a picture! Transformation out of harshness. Something beautiful in the midst of something rough.

This is how we look after we go through something. We're as beautiful as the butterfly, because we are standing on The Rock - which is Christ.

I am amazed at God's grace, His love, and His abundance. When we can't see the nose in front of our face, He is still there, gently leading us through the fog. Even though we can't see how we're going to turn out, He does.

He knows we're going to look like that butterfly, sitting on The Rock.

Photo credit: The Cape May Times

New Beginnings - Part I

2009-07-15T12:44:00.001-07:00

Here's a new beginning! While my friend Linda sets up her blog, I'll help her out by posting this.

This is a picture of her and her new dog Grace. Linda's previous dog just graduated to doggy heaven on July 4th.

Within a week, both Linda and Grace have a new beginning. Linda has a new companion and Grace has a new home. How exciting for both of them!

I happen to know that dogs go to heaven! Here's a picture of Maggie when she was about 12-13 years old. She lived to be 14.

During a spiritual vision activation service just a scant one year after she died, I "saw" Maggie as a young dog. She ran across a heavenly plain and jumped into my arms. I began to sob.

A friend, who has also "graduated" to heaven since that time, was sitting next to me. She said, "Are you OK?" I said, "Yes. I'm seeing something. I'll tell you later."

What new beginnings are you experiencing right now? Post a comment and let me know.

Ends and Beginnings - Part VII

2009-07-06T13:18:00.000-07:00

What what IS our "real" ending and our "real" beginning?

I've been thinking about this a lot recently because of all the people who have been dying around us. Kirby & I have 'lost' two friends to cancer within the last few months. One was a mother who left four children and a husband. The other a father to his son and husband.

However, those two that are now 'dead' are actually more alive than ever! They were followers of Christ and here's what they're lookin' at!! The Throne Room of God in Heaven!!

The book of Revelation, although it contains a lot of destruction and violence, is also such a book of hope, beauty, awe-inspiring wonder. It also contains a lot of heavenly vision and worship. Those who think Heaven will be quiet and reverent, haven't read Revelation. There's actually only a one-time half-hour period that "heaven was silent." Read about it Revelation 8:1, that says:

"When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour." Otherwise, read parts Revelation 4, 7, 11, 12, 15, 16, 18, 19, and of course 21 and 22.

Many modern-day music composers, as well as George Frederic Handel have used the worship songs in Revelation to inspire us to get our minds off this world, and focus in on the next! The first worship song I learned to play on guitar when I was a freshman in college was from Revelation 5:9-10. Jerry Williams wrote the melody, but John the Apostle copied the words from the 24 Elders and the Four Living Creatures.

"Worthy art Thou to take the Scroll and open all its seals. For Thou was slain and by Thy blood didst ransome men for God. From every tribe and tongue and people and nation have made them a Kingdom. And they shall reign on all the earth!"

And so ends the Ends and Beginnings. Next up: who knows?

Ends and Beginnings - Part VI

2009-06-30T11:42:00.001-07:00

Doesn't this look scrumptious? It's all in how it's presented. We're looking down from the top.

But what if you were in the tea pot? What would be your perspective then? You wouldn't see the pie right next to you. You wouldn't see the teacup right behind you. You might be tempted to think that you're alone.

But as we can see - from "up top" - like God's perspective - there's a beautiful pie waiting to be cut into. Can't you picture yourself hovering over this scene with a knife ready to cut into that pie?

If we look at things from an eternal point of view, ends and beginnings take on new meaning. If the teapot would only look around - it would see wonderful things just beyond it's field of vision. That's what we need to do too.

Look beyond our field of vision when we feel alone. Look beyond your field of vision when everything seems hopeless. Look beyond your field of vision when you can't see your hand in front of your face.

Just beyond our horizon....lays something wonderful! Next time: what's our 'real' end and beginning?

Ends and Beginnings - Part V

2009-06-30T07:50:00.001-07:00

Ends and beginnings...ends and beginnings. Life goes full circle and as something ends, something else begins.

Today is the last day of June - so this month ends. And so ends the first half of the year!

But! So BEGINS the SECOND half of the year!

I believe there is much to look forward to! I just wish I knew what it was! My main beginning is: I'm beginning to "submit" my writings to publishers. I have the Temper, Temper message being considered by several "take home papers." If it's published for real, that's a new beginning for me.

I just began a second installment on Twitter of the Chocolate Saga of the Master Chocolatier and the 2.2-lb. block of Chocolate called "Chocolate and the Master's Helper." You can follow it on Facebook as well.

So...while something ends, something else begins. I love the beginnings; but I don't necessarily love endings.

What do you think? What's beginning in your life? How has God brought you full circle? Post a comment and let me know!

Ends and Beginnings - Part IV

2009-06-24T09:14:00.001-07:00

This little mum is called "Golden Prophet." Each year it comes up because it's a perennial.

But it's planted on a grave...my dog's grave. I purchased this flower as a reminder that my dog lived - after she died.

I've always loved the color of "gold" because I'm reminded of where I'm going to go when I die - to a place where there are "streets" of gold. I love the word "prophet" because it implies future orientation - but in a "now" and life-giving way!

This place is beautiful! There's no more night...no more curse...no more crying, sighing or pain. Just heaven!! Just light! Just the Lord!! Just the fellowship with the saints and the angels! There is a river that flows through the middle of Main Street - and trees on each side for the healing of the nations!

Come Lord Jesus! What comes to your mind when you think of heaven? Post a comment and let me know!

Ends and Beginnings - Part III

2009-06-20T20:52:00.001-07:00

Is this a sunrise or a sunset? Actually, it's a sunset, but sometimes, you can't tell the difference.

A sunrise begins the day, a sunset ends it. At least that's how we've always looked at it, right?

It's still all part of the cycle of life. I've been writing a lot this week about ending a writing program I started two years ago.

Two short, yet long, years ago. Time seems to speed up as we get older. Just 10 'short' years ago my mother had just ended her time of living in Kansas, and was now beginning life in Pennsylvania. We sold her house and we brought only a few things from her life there - here.

Yes, my Apprentice Program through Christian Writer's Guild has ended...but something 'new' will take it's place. It will be interesting to see what God has next.

What new beginning have you just embarked on? Post a comment and let me know.

Ends and Beginnings - Part II

2009-06-18T07:18:00.000-07:00

Although I've just ended something...I've begun something else. Writing is now beginning to take on a life of its own. It expands daily.

My writing mentor can now become my coach, because I've ended being her student through CWG (Christian Writer's Guild), I can now become someone she coaches directly. If she approves, I can also write devotionals on her website (http://www.sandrabyrd.com/).

Yesterday, I was looking for an update to the eBible program I purchased in 2002 at the "end" of Worship Center Bible School...and I found another opportunity to write. So...I signed up to be a book reviewer. The only qualification to be a Thomas Nelson book reviewer is to have a blog. From time to time you'll see a book review posted here.

And so...the cycle of life continues. Although I've ended something, other things have begun. What things are you beginning? Post a comment and let me know.

Ends and Beginnings - Part I

2009-06-16T15:48:00.001-07:00

Ends and beginnings...the circle of life. Something ends...something else begins.

Two and a half years ago, something ended for me...as a result - something else began. Actually, two something elses.

One was chocolate. The other was writing. Chocolate is perpetual now. Writing will be perpetual now.

Two years ago, I began an online writing program. Yesterday, June 15, I submitted my last lesson to my mentor. Today, I began a process known as "querying." I send a letter to a publication asking if they're interested in publishing "Temper, Temper." I got one quick answer today - Yes! They're interested. I submitted. We'll see.

A couple of friends have died recently - their 'life' ended here on earth - but life in their heavenly home as a spirit in heaven, has just begun. Other friends are beginning struggles or ending struggles with different things.

The cycle of life...it continues.

What is beginning in your life? What is ending? Post a comment and let me know.

Holiness - what does it mean - Part III

2009-06-08T20:10:00.001-07:00

Another definition of holiness is "set apart for the service of the Lord." In church tradition, that's what baby dedications and baptisms are for.

But I think there comes a time when we need to set ourselves apart in a more special way.

For me, this has been a series of "set aparts." The first time was in Bible School. A prophetic minister came and encouraged us to consecrate ourselves in a new way to the Lord. I did so with all my heart.

I've done it several times since. It's a heart attitude. Holiness is a lifestyle, but it starts with a heart attitude. But a heart attitude starts with a decision.

Have you made a decision for holiness today? Post a comment and let me know.

New Thought Today - What is Murder?

2009-06-01T11:19:00.001-07:00

We typically say someone or something "dies" when their heart stops beating.

I believe some people are dead while their heart beats. I'm a native of Kansas. I grew up only 22 miles from Wichita, where yesterday a brutal act of violence was murder.

Dr. George Tiller is dead. He was murdered in or outside of his church...presumably by a pro-life zealot, who is now in custody.

My question is: when did George Tiller, the PERSON, not the abortion doctor, die? I'm not sure he was ever "alive." How could someone who goes eight years to school and four years as an intern, use his skill to kill anything - let alone a "fetus" that is viably alive, and could live outside the womb?

Here's what I wrote in my journal yesterday.

It's never right to kill...even if that person IS "evil." We live under grace now. Someone who really opeated in the power of God might have been able to have gotten through to Dr. George Tiller with God's love.

However, I can't help thinking though...that his time had run out...his grace had run out because of the hardness of his heart. It's nasty when the enemy comes for one of his own. Dr. Tiller was in league with the spirit of murder, because abortion is the spirit of murder.

It looks to me like this was a situation where "you reap what you sow." But I feel terrible for him, for his family, and for his friends.

He had no idea when he got up that morning and planned to go to church - that it would be his last few hours on earth. It's never right to kill. I do not rejoice.

ORU graduate Larry Dalton also "died" that day. He was the founder of the singing group Living Sound. He took that group all over the world.

What a difference between these two men. Whereas Larry Dalton used his gifts for life - Drl Tiller used his gifts for death. One went to everlasting reward - the other one - we don't know, but it could be that he went to everlasting separation from God. Unless...he called out to Jesus in his last instant of breath "God save me!" If he did that, we might see him in heaven. If he didn't, we won't.

Jesus said by their fruits you know them. Dr. Tiller's fruits were death after death after death. How many thousands of babies did that man kill? It put me in mind of a passage from LaHaye and Jenkins' book The Glorious Appearing.

In that book, the anti-Christ, Nicolae, has to come face-to-face with the Returned Christ. In deep sadness, Jesus condemns him to the fiery lake. Nicolae himself confesses that his was a "wasted life." I wonder, is that what George Tiller is hearing?

Holiness - what does it mean - Part II

2009-05-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

Last time, we looked at Webster's definition of holiness. My favorite definition was #2, which said: spiritually perfect or pure, untainted by evil or sin, sinless, saintly.

OK. We know that we are never going to be "perfect" without sin on this planet. But I believe we can be "saintly." I believe we can be "spiritually" pure, and and I believe we can allow the Lord to help us to become "untainted" by evil or sin.

In Matthew, Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." This has been a prayer of mine since I was a child. I can remember studying the beatitudes in a Bible study in a church across the street from our elementary school. I read that, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" and I decided that I wanted to be able to "see" God.

There was a time, though, in my late 20s and early 30s that I "tainted" myself by watching a few movies I shouldn't have. At that time, it was all the rage to say "I can handle it. I'm mature." But what this does is taint us. I had to come to a point where I said, "Lord, forgive me and cleanse my mind." And He has.

Many of us don't realize that what we watch, what we read, what we listen to - affects us in our spirits as well as our minds. My former pastor used to say it this way: "If you don't think Jesus would be comfortable watching what you're watching, then don't YOU watch it either." He said he was convicted by his statements. He had to be careful not to watch "R" rated action-adventure films because of the violence.

I heard a story one time. A pastor called up a prophetic friend of his. The pastor had walked by his 8-year old son's bedroom one day and saw his son talking apparently, to NO ONE. He later asked his son who he was talking to. His son said, "The angel." His father saw no angel. He asked his prophetic friend about it. The friend said, "Next time you see him talking with "no one" ask him why you can't see the angel."

So he did. A while later, he walked by his son's bedroom and saw him talking with "no one." He said, "Son, are you talking with that angel of yours?" "Yes," his son replied. "Could you ask the angel why I can't see him?" "Sure," his son said.

The pastor waited until his son asked and received an answer. Just a few seconds later, his son said, "I have the answer." The pastor said, "Well..." "Uh Dad, he says you can't see him because you've seen too much evil."

Yikes!!! We don't "see" into the realm of the supernatural because we've seen too much evil. The Bible says we are to be transformed by the REWEWING of our MINDS. But I also think there's an element of spiritual renewal as well. We need to keep ourselves "pure in heart" so that WE can see God.

Something New! What is Holiness?

2009-05-18T13:58:00.001-07:00

What is holiness? Is it the "absence" of sin? What IS it, exactly, and how do we live it?

Webster's New World Dictionary says: the quality or state of being holy.

Holy: is dedicated to religious use; belonging to or coming from God, consecrated, sacred; 2) spritually perfect or pure; untainted by evil or sin, sinless, saintly; 3) regarded with or deserving deep respect, awe, reverence or adoration.

That's all the farther I'll go with Webster's. My definition of holiness best fits the second definition. It's the one I like the best, and the one I try to live by.

How about you?

WHY we need to be tempered

2009-05-09T10:38:00.000-07:00

Aren't I cute? You wouldn't think this little angel would have such a bad temper now, would you?

But I did. My dad snapped this pic when i was about 2-1/2 years old. See Mom peeking around the door. The thing is, as children, we need to be trained in self-control. It's the same when we are children of God. We have a lot of "stuff" that we need to be trained in and brought out of us.

One of my "temper" stories:

Probably about 5-7 years after this picture was taken, I got SO ANGRY at my brother, I chased him around the house with a baseball bat. I was that "mad" that if I would have caught him, I would probably have practically killed him! It's a good thing that he was taller and faster than I.

As you can see - he was a good foot taller than I. He still is about 9 inches taller than I am.

I grew up with a bad 'temper' the rest of my childhood and well into adulthood. I had learned to control it more among strangers, but family was something else again.

Our anger holds us back from the goodness of God. The Bible says we can be angry, but we are not to sin. You know how they say to count to 10 before you cross the line into anger. Are you kidding? I wouldn't even get to "1" before I'd crossed over!!!

Anger isn't the only issue that we need to be "tempered" of...gossip, backbiting, envy, jealousy, self-serving, and all "self" issues - where we elevate what WE want above what God wants.

What do you need to be tempered of? Let God do the work. It will release you into your destiny if you do. I'm beginning to walk in mine.

(Photos: at home on Harrison Street, Newton, KS and at the Grand Tetons, WY)

Next post: Something "new"

Breaking Bad

2009-05-06T12:22:00.000-07:00

You've heard about the TV series "Breaking Bad." When I read about this TV show, I was grieved. That's all we need...to glorify unlawful actions and to try to justify them, as the lead character does, by saying it's because of the cancer. Well, the cancer in the body sometimes (not always) shows up because there was already cancer of the soul and/or spirit - especially in this case.

In chocolate, if the "tempering" isn't done right, the chocolate doesn't "set" right. It's not pretty, it doesn't have snap and it doesn't taste as smooth or rich. It won't have that glossy finish and will have streaks and/or spots all over. See the picture. I took that because I wanted to show what "bloomed" chocolate is like. It's called that (bloomed) because it's almost like a bad flower that multiplies itself when the chocolate doesn't set right. The texture is crumbly and soft, falling apart as blossom petals would fall off when a flower is through it's blooming cycle.

When this happens, I as the chocolatier, have a couple of options. I can pitch it, or remelt it and put in additional correctly tempered chocolate and try to reset it - and hope it sets correctly. Usually, my husband and I end up eating the bloomed chocolate.

Thankfully, God won't throw US away when we don't "set" right...at least not right away. He'll continue to work with us until we do "set" right. But the tempering process of our souls continues a lifetime.

However, we can come to a point where we are used of the Master Chocolatier however He pleases, if we stay in "temper." Next time: stories from an angry redhead - why I needed "tempering." The bottom picture is how tempered chocolate looks when it's been chopped a bit. You can see the difference in texture and color. All the chocolate used in this blog post was dark chocolate.

What I can do with Tempered Chocolate

2009-05-01T21:02:00.000-07:00

My chocolate is in "temper." For dark chocolate, that would be around 88°. I am now ready to work with it.

The picture at left, shows chocolate being used to provide the "bottom" to a bon bon type chocolate, using a mold. The chocolatier pours the chocolate into the mold cavities, then scrapes off the excess, which is what this chocolatier is beginning to do.

Once my chocolate is in temper, I can do whatever I want to. I can use it to enrobe a peanut butter ball center. I can dip or enrobe a pretzel. I can mold with it. I can decorate with it by grating it, or "molding" it over acetate to create a swirl. I can use tempered chocolate as glue if I were making a chocolate sculpture. I can use chocolate to flavor my ultra rich dark chocolate non-dairy truffle.

Once we've been "tempered," God can use us in a myriad of ways. If we're greeters, our smile and handshake welcome first time and repeat visitors, as well as our friends. If we're a worship leader, our voices and our instruments usher in the presence of God. If we're a small group leader, we can give wise advice to those who are hurting, and with our heart of a pastor, keep those hurting from slipping and falling.

What is it God wants to do with YOU? Have you been "tempered" by God? Post a comment and let me know.

Temper Temper Part VIII

2009-04-25T10:30:00.000-07:00

We've been broken. We've been melted. We've been stirred and sometimes left to sit. We've had the "Seed" of the "Word of God" put into us. And, we may have had to sit even longer.

We feel we've been poked and prodded by God and we wonder - what is it all for?

When I work with chocolate, I, as the chocolatier, know that I have a purpose for doing all this to my chocolate.

Finally, the chocolate is in "temper." If it's milk chocolate, as shown in the photo, it's around 86°. One of the things I can do with "tempered" chocolate is to enrobe a truffle center in it, as is shown in the photo.

There are many other things I can do as well. I can pour tempered chocolate into a turkey mold and later find a perfectly solid, wonderfully formed milk chocolate turkey.

I can dip a pretzel rod, I can use chocolate to decorate other chocolate. I can use chocolate for flavoring my dark chocolate truffle centers - or as a coating for a truffle.

There are lots of things I can do with "tempered" chocolate.

Do you see the connection yet? When we have allowed God to "temper" us - we open up a myriad of opportunities for God to use us - however He pleases - because He is the Master Chocolatier.

Next time: Why it's important to be "tempered." What happens when chocolate isn't tempered correctly? How has God been "tempering" you? Where are you in the process? Post a comment and let us know.

Temper Temper Part VII - What Do I Do Now?

2009-04-15T20:40:00.000-07:00

What do I do now?

As a chocolatier, I've broken the chocolate into pieces, melted it, etc. Now what?

I check the temperature of the chocolate. When it's melted, the temperature can be anywhere from 100 - 115° F. Then, I let it cool off...put seed in to speed the process - only if I've a mind to. I've stirred and stirred the chocolate so that the temperature reading will be accurate.

I check the temperature with a digital thermometer. It tells me right away whether the chocolate is in "temper" or not. It's got to be down to a certain range in order for me to work with it. If it's in temper, it's ready to roll.

Different things happen to break us, melt us, and stir us. God, the Master Chocolatier, has everything under control. If we "seed" ourselves with His Word, it may speed up our process - or it may not - but it's always important to know scripture. It's our daily bread, or in chocolate lover's language - our daily chocolate.

There may be a period of time where it seems nothing is happening in our lives. We plod along day after day after day. Nothing seems to change. Yet God is still in charge. Let's try to remember that He's checking our temperature. Are we in "temper" yet?

And why the process? Hang in there. The answer is coming soon. Next time: what I can do with chocolate when it's in temper.

What do you do when nothing seems to be happening? Post a comment and let me know.

Temper, Temper Part VI - Stirring & Seeding

2009-04-03T20:33:00.000-07:00

In my last post, I said that there was a way to "speed" up the cooling off process.

It's called 'seeding.' When I have a molten mass of chocolate in front of me and I am pressed for time, I'll put in some "seed."

'Seed' is already properly tempered and set chocolate that has been cut into shavings or very small pieces for easy absorption. However, the hotter the melted chocolate is, the more 'seed' I have to put in. If I've got about eight ounces of melted chocolate and it's temperature is around 105°, I may have to put in a good 2-3 ounces of 'seed' chocolate in order to bring the temperature down quickly and smoothly.

I usually add it about a tablespoon at a time to make sure that I don't cool the chocolate off too quickly and that the the 'seed' is absorbed easily. I have to do a lot more stirring at the same time in order for the small shavings/pieces to be assimilated into the melted chocolate. I check the temperature often.

Can you see the correlation yet? What is the 'seed' in the life of a follower of Christ? It is the Word of God. It is the Bible. So...what should you do when you've been broken, melted, and stirred, and need to be cooled?

You put in your 'seed.' You press in to the Lord and you read the Word. You spend time reading and learning His Word. I believe because I pressed into the Lord by reading a lot of the Bible every day after my 'forced break' was the reason I was shown the chocolate so quickly. I'm not saying that God will always do this for you. But anytime you sink yourself into the Word of God, there will be good results.

Next time: What can I do now?

Temper, Temper Part V - Cooling Off Period

2009-03-26T02:46:00.000-07:00

While I'm stirring my chocolate, I need to bring the temperature down to around 86 - 88° depending on what type of chocolate I'm using.

If I have a lot of different things I'm doing, I'll just let the chocolate "sit" for awhile - while I do something else.

As the chocolate "sits," the temperature cools down very slowly. This is the spiritual equivalent to being put on a shelf - or taking a break from ministry activities. This could be a voluntary cessation of activity. Maybe we sensed that our time with a certain ministry or activity is coming to an end and we step down.

However, in my case, my "break" from ministry activity was 'forced' because I failed to meet certain requirements. This caused me to examine myself and seek the Lord for what I should be doing with my life. Chocolate is not something I would have ever chosen for myself - but it is what God has chosen for me.

Generally, when we're "taking a break" from ministry, it is because God is about to do something even more important in our lives and He wants to make sure we're ready for the change. He wants to give us additional training, testing, and possible gifts to prepare us for our next step.

I've been "on the shelf" for about 2-1/2 years now. God gave me chocolate for my "job," but He has shown me this process of "tempering" is pretty much the same that we as followers of Christ go through as we grow spiritually. So...if you're "on the shelf" or things don't seem to be happening as quickly as you'd like them to, remember that you're in training for your next assignment and allow God to do the internal work He needs to do to get you ready.

Sometimes though...I "speed up" the "tempering" process with my chocolate. More about that in the next post.

Are you being "cooled" right now - or are you in the thick of things? Post a comment and let me know!

Temper, Temper Part IV - Shaken AND Stirred

2009-03-21T18:11:00.001-07:00

To recap - First, I break the chocolate into pieces. Sometimes, we as followers of Christ need to be broken into pieces, when our hearts have become too hard.

Next, I melt the chocolate in some kind of pot. The temperature is fairly hot. When we are in the Master Refiner's fire, it's hot and it hurts. We have to believe that God is doing this for a GOOD reason!

NEXT: When I'm working with chocolate after it's melted, I continually stir the liquid chocolate so that all the melted cocoa butter crystals can be distributed equally throughout the melted mass. I stir and stir and stir and stir.

While we are being refined, God stirs us up for love and good deeds. During our times of trial, we should be stirring ourselves up to press into God, so that we can experience His mercy, His strength, and His love. When we're melted, we can become depressed. We have to rise above that and press in.

Substitute the words "press in" for "stir." So, as a chocolatier, I stir and stir and stir and stir and stir. We should then press in and press in and press in and press in and press in. I'll share how I do that (press in) next time.

How do you stir yourself up to press in? Post a comment and let me know.

Overcoming Fear

2009-03-14T13:38:00.001-07:00

Picture: Maggie on her "perch" at the top of the stairs of our old house

When we first got Maggie, (who has sinced passed away in 2003), she was a very frightened dog.

A breed dog who'd had little human contact, she wasn't sure how to respond to love and affection.

She trembled for several hours after I first picked her up that late October day in 1994. There were a lot of "firsts" in her life and she was frightened. This was a new person who just took her away from all she'd known.

When she finally figured out she was "my" dog later that day, she stopped trembling. She helped me overcome fear of being a bad "mommy." She overcame fear of being held and being loved.

Today, God has me overcoming fear of getting my name "out there." I just sent what is called a "query letter" to a magazine about Temper, Temper. I had to overcome fear of rejection in order to do that.

What fears are you being asked to overcome? Post a comment and let me know.

Temper Temper Part III - Aaack! I'm melting!

2009-03-10T16:48:00.001-07:00

In "The Wizard of Oz" the Wicked Witch of the West screamed when water was thrown on her. "Aaack! I'm melting! I'm melting!" she screamed as she literally melted away into nothingness.

The first thing I do as a chocolatier after breaking my chocolate blocks or callets into pieces is to melt the chocolate. I have to break down it's current form in order to get it to the place where I can "re-form" it. In order to be melted, it goes in a "hot" pan or bowl. I have several different ways I can melt my chocolate...melter...double boiler, etc. But the result is the same. It's gotta be in liquid form.

When God wants to "re-form" us, He first breaks us, then we're melted. It's the refining fire. It's hot and it hurts.

We are all in various stages of being "re-formed." What is God doing in your life? How is He re-forming you? Post a comment and let me know.

Temper Temper Part II - I'm in pieces - now what?

2009-03-08T13:19:00.000-07:00

OK. You've been broken into a million pieces. Now what?

I will tell you that God has the Master Plan for your life. I know, you've heard that before - but what specifically, is that plan? Only God can answer that question.

But as a chocolatier, I have a plan for any chocolate I make before I make it. I don't just break up a piece of chocolate and decide to melt it down without knowing what I'm going to do with it.

What's God doing with you lately? Post a comment and let me know.

Temper Temper Part IA - Different ways to Break

2009-03-04T13:49:00.000-08:00

This Almond Bark set properly and could be broken into big chunks or into little slivers. I chose big chunks. I used my hand in a plastic glove to break the large blob of Almond Bark into smaller chunks.

As the chocolatier, I can break slabbed chocolate several different ways. I can use a knife and sliver away at the block of chocolate or I can use an ice pick, or use the knife to cut large chunks off the block.

God uses many different ways to "break" us so He can "remake" us. He can use circumstances, He can use events, He can use our mistakes, He can even use our failures & successes to teach us what He wants us to learn.

Two years ago, God used a "failure" to teach me a very important lesson. I was totally broken, shattered into a million pieces. I had absolutely no confidence in myself to choose what to do next. That's when God gave me CHOCOLATE!

What has God shown you? Post a comment and let me know!

Temper Temper Part I

2009-02-28T11:02:00.000-08:00

These blocks of chocolate are about 10 or 11 pounds of pure solid chocolate, whether it be dark, white, or milk.

When they come in this form, I as the chocolatier, can't really do anything with them.

When our hearts have become hardened, what can God do with us?

The first thing I do is break the blocks into pieces - if I'm using block bulk chocolate. Lately, I've taken to using chocolate which has already been broken up, or molded into smaller chunks. That way the chocolate is ready for the second step.

How have you been broken? Post a comment and let me know. Blessings! D

The Personal Chocolate Blog

2009-02-26T09:52:00.000-08:00

Well...for those of you who know me, you know I've got a chocolate business. But I also know that God works through chocolate.

I've learned some things about chocolate that I hope will be of interest to you! Blessings! Thanks for all your comments!

What's This All About?

2009-02-24T13:34:00.001-08:00

Hi!

This blog is not about writing - it's about what I am "passionate" about. And I am "passionate" about - of all things - GOD! I am passionate about His Word! I am in a passionate pursuit of Him! Writing will just be the vehicle for letting the "PASSION" come forth!

What are YOU passionate about? Let me know.

Personal Passionate Pursuits

2009-02-23T13:19:00.003-08:00

Hello!

You have reached the personal blog of Donna L.H. Smith! I hope this blog will be inspiring, challenging and uplifting to you, the reader.

I'm in Passionate Pursuit of GODLY things! I have been for nearly 40 years now - but especially for the last 10 years - God seems to be working in my life at breakneck speed.

How about you? What are YOU passionate about?

Let me know what you think. Post comments! Thanks & Blessings