Decisions & Consequences - Part II

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.