National Daughter-in-Law Day

Please enjoy this guest post from Deb DeArmond
I love my daughters-in-law too!

 

Finding Our Way, Figuring it Out

 

By Deb DeArmond
 
September 26 is National Daughter-in-Law Day. I’m blessed with three wonderful DILs. I’ve also authored a book on relationships between Daughters-in-Law and Mothers-in-Law. Related By Chance, Family By Choice, releasing November 1. This article is written as a reminder to mother-in-laws to honor those sometimes considered “the other woman.”

“You know what I love about you?” asked my daughter-in-law Sarah as we sat in our favorite coffeehouse. “You don’t have an opinion about everything we do.”

I almost laughed out loud.

​“Of course, I do,” I replied. “I’m just not entitled to give it unless you ask for it or God instructs me to share it.”

She seemed surprised—and that felt good. Those who know me are aware I always have an opinion. Her surprise was feedback that I’d done a fairly good job of keeping it to myself more often than not.

Unsolicited advice on topics like finances, childrearing, cooking, or housekeeping masked behind “I’m just trying to help”—are a recipe for conflict. To your son’s wife, it sends the message that what she’s doing isn’t acceptable—she may feel you’re attempting to control her and the home she’s making for her family. The need to control never comes from a position of love. It comes from a position of fear. Let it go.

Instead, set your heart to pray for your daughter-in-law, to encourage her, to learn what’s important to her. I’d never been interested in the sport of running until DIL Penny joined our family. I’m looking forward to attending a race that marks her return to competitive running after the birth of my grandson. She’s her regaining her strength and speed. It’s been fun to share in her success, and I’m so proud of her.

 

When you appreciate the young woman your son has chosen, the need to point out her shortcomings becomes less tempting. Once you see her as God made her to be, you stop seeing flaws and you value her in a new way.

I recently shared an important lesson with a young friend, raising two little boys. She can’t imagine a woman could ever be good enough for them.

“If you make your sons the center of your world,” I told her, “you will be devastated, because you will never be the center of theirs.” She nodded, her eyes brimming with tears, the truth of the words sinking into her heart.

“How can I get beyond this? What can I do to make sure I don’t become a monster-in-law who ends up alienating not only my future daughters-in-law, but my sons as well?”

Here are the tips I shared with her.

•  Accept the Word as the authority on family order. The Lord is clear on this. The covenant we make is with our husbands, not our sons. Scripture in both the Old and New Testament all carry nearly identical passages about leaving and cleaving. It’s critical we acknowledge and submit to this principle. If it’s God’s plan for the family, it should be our plan.

•  Surrender your need to advise. This can be tough, but’s not optional. Wait till she asks, or until God prompts you. She may do things differently than you, but different is not wrong, it’s just different.

•  Pray for your son’s spouse-to-be. Son still single? Pray! When our son proposed after a very brief courtship, friends questioned my calm. The answer was simple: I had prayed for her all of his life. My heart recognized her the moment I met her. I experienced peace, certain of his choice. Praying for your son and his future wife when they’re still children also helps to prepare your heart. So no matter his age, pray. Start now.

When you are willing to honor your son’s choice, you are honoring God and walking in obedience. I didn’t lose my sons; I gained three wonderful daughters. What a gift.

 

The boys did not necessarily want a girl “just like the girl that married dear old dad.” We are unique, different from one another, but we share a love for Jesus and the desire to live life together successfully as a family. I learned to think of the differences as a gift. Different isn’t wrong—it’s just different.

Amazing how much easier it was to suspend judgment when I stopped comparing my way to theirs. I’ve been surprised by how much they can teach me if I’m open to learning. We’ve grown closer as a result. I know these are smart girls—they think my boys are wonderful!

 

Deb DeArmond is an expert in the fields of communication, relationship and conflict resolution. A writer and professional speaker, Deb focuses on topics related to the family and women. Kregel Publications will release her first book in November 2013 entitled, Related by Chance, Family by Choice, focused on relationships between women-in-law. She is co-founder of My Purpose Now, a website devoted to Christian women 50+. Read Deb at Family Matters/Deb DeArmond and My Purpose Now.

 

Book Review: Just Verdicts

Just Verdicts Review

Joseph Max Lewis

 

Publisher: Trestle Press

Publication date: 5/2/2013

99-cent!

Literary Short Stories

Amazing! Three stories that are so real, so heart-breaking...reads like ripped from the headlines. Very good, Max! The author's background sizzles and if you don't know him, you'll want to acquaint yourself promptly.

 

It’s hard not to agree with popular opinion that people who are in a place to make decisions that affect the lives of others, no matter the profession, should always make the right one. But, “right” according to whom? It’s equally hard not to ache with the man in Lewis’s first story who goes after lawyers in public places after the system couldn’t erase his own personal tragedy. Lump them all together, right, laugh at the usual jokes, right? Treat them all the same—until he runs into Stanley Hardy, a criminal defense attorney with a conscience. In the end, “How do you do it?” is a question both men must answer.

 

In Iraq, an American lawyer on fellowship to assist with legal reforms, Ralph Jackson, meets female judge Isha Hami. It’s unfortunate that the reader assumes nothing good will come of this scenario. She’s trying a case where American soldiers are the only witnesses in a terrorist murder case. But the most resistance comes from a place Jackson least expects.

 

The third story might be the shortest and is the most cryptic. Steve Burgess, good old boy wallowing in self-pity after an accident that took his family, gets a chance to make good in a way that makes the reader want to read it over just for the simplicity of a good sting.

Prism's Birthday Blog Hop

I am so happy to be celebrating this birthday!

Paula Mowery, Kathy Rouser, Teena Stewart, and yours truly, joined the Prism family when our forthcoming book, Brave New Century, was contracted. The book releases in November, and we're very excited about the project, and our delightful cover.

Because this book is not yet available, I'm giving away an electronic copy of another of my books, Healing Grace, to the tenth person to comment here today about his or her favorite birthday memory.

Please enjoy the following cookie recipe, and don't foget to sign up for the bigger Prism prize, and visit the other bloggers for more chances at the big drawing!

White Chocolate Chunk Cranberry Nut Cookies

sift: 3 1/4 cup flour (can make a blend of whole wheat flour and oatmeal and white flour if desired), 1 tsp. baking soda and 1/2 tsp. baking powder
set aside

cream: 1 cup margarine, 3/4 cup brown sugar and 3/4 cup white sugar, 1 tsp vanilla
stir in: 2 eggs, beaten

fold in dry ingredients and beat; stir in 1 cup craisins, 3/4 cup white chocolate chunks, 1 cup chopped nuts - walnuts or pecans or your choice

drop by spoonful on baking sheet and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes, just browned. They will puff and fall - remove from sheet and cool

makes 3-4 dozen, depending on size

Enjoy!


To be entered to win the $100 gift card, please sign up with the Rafflecopter below.

Follow the blog hop for other great prizes, fun, and recipes! a Rafflecopter giveaway

CrossReads Book Blast: UnEmbraceable by Precarious Yates

Title: UnEmbraceable By: Precarious Yates

About the Book

From the author of "Revelation Special Ops" comes a terrifying, hauntingly real and daringly hopeful tale of betrayal and love.

Leonard, a computer programmer, has a unique gift: by words alone he can calm violent situations. Which is helpful with all these kids running around the streets behaving like zombies. He has his own set of sorrows to face, but he's prepared for anything. Anything except Tamar, and the thunderous inkling that she will be his wife. This doesn't make any sense to Leonard. She stole his wallet. And his heart. Painful circumstances ripped family and stability from Tamar's grasp, but with gutsy tenacity she faces life head on. Meeting the gorgeous and single Leonard changes everything. But surely a guy like him would never fall for a girl of the streets like her.
LINK to KINDLE | LINK to PAPERBACK Precarious Yates Precarious Yates lives in Texas with husband, daughter, sheep, dogs, chickens, rabbit, lizard and by the time you read this some other exotic creature her husband or daughter has brought home. She had studied the plight of and worked toward the abolition of modern slavery for over a decade before sitting down to write Revelation Special Ops. She was further inspired by the work of her sister-in-law, who helped to found Love146, an organization that works to raise awareness about human trafficking and builds safe homes in vulnerable regions. Yates spent several years overseas as a missionary in Ireland, and also did missions work in India and the Philippines. Her passion for literature has become her means of further educating young adults of the realities of modern slavery, while producing hope through the power of Christ Jesus in us.
Follow Precarious Yates Website | Facebook | Twitter

Enter to Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!

Enter below to enter a $50 amazon gift card, sponsored by author Precarious Yates! a Rafflecopter giveaway This book blast is hosted by Crossreads. We would like to send out a special THANK YOU to all of the CrossReads book blast bloggers!

Be The Blessing by Paula Mowery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"We all wonder why bad things happen to good people. Can God use even the worst events in our lives to help us feed the world around us? Be the Blessing skillfully provides both food for thought and food for discussion." -- Lisa Wingate, national best-selling author of The Sea Glass Sisters and The Prayer Box.

 

Addy Townsend hadn’t strolled with Conrad or had a vision in five years. Now Conrad has returned to challenge her to be a blessing to those around her. The Holy Spirit begins to nudge her into service in new ways and she follows.

But when she is blindsided with personal problems, can Addy learn to be a willing vessel even in times of struggle and suffering?

The Inspiration for Be the Blessing

 

One evening I was thinking on an illustration I hear pastors use sometimes. A man went to Heaven and was touring with one of the angels. They arrived at a warehouse filled with beautifully wrapped gifts. The man asked what they were and the angel said: “These are all of the blessings God wants to grant but haven’t been asked for.” I continued to contemplate the story when I went to bed. Not to sound mystical or anything, but God suddenly “downloaded” the whole outline for THE BLESSING SEER into my mind. I had to get up and write it down. Throughout the writing God has taught me what it means to leave my comfort zones and do something significant for Him. I don’t ever want to miss out on blessings God has in store because I didn’t ask or didn’t obey His directives.

THE BLESSING SEER is available through the publisher – www.pelicanbookgroup.com or most other ebook distributors.

When the edits for THE BLESSING SEER were complete and production began, my editor asked if there would be a sequel. I hadn’t really thought about it until she suggested the idea. Immediately God began to churn in my heart and mind about the next lesson my main character needed to learn about blessings. He revealed to me that even through suffering, a Christian can be a blessing to another person. It is in these moments of trial that a believer can learn and be a living testimony of the grace of God. Others can grasp this grace and be blessed through a child of God because of the ability to empathize. Thus, BE THE BLESSING was born. This new chapter in the main character’s life releases Sept. 13^th and will be available from the publisher and other ebook distributors. Through this sequel, I pray the reader can see that he/she can trust God to be near during hard times and know He will use the lessons learned through trials to touch others.

About the Author:

Paula Mowery  Author, Editor, Speaker 

 

Paula Mowery is a pastor’s wife and former homeschool mom. She has always been an avid reader of Christian fiction.

 

She began writing in the area of nonfiction creating three Bible studies which were self-published. However, she crafted fiction stories which she shared with friends and family. When one of her readers encouraged her to pursue publication, she joined American Christian Fiction Writers, learning more about the world of fiction. Her debut work of fiction is a novella published by Harbourlight, a division of Pelican Book Group – THE BLESSING SEER. She is also an acquiring editor for Prism Book Group.

 

Please look me up and connect with me.

Find me on Facebook under Paula Mowery. I also have an author page on Facebook.

Check out my blog. You can subscribe to receive posts through your email.

Also, I can be found on LinkedIn.

Find my monthly articles at www.christianonlinemagazine.com.

My ebook, The Blessing Seer, is available through any ebook distributor and through my publisher, Pelican Book Group.

In November, the book, Brave New Century, will release from Prism Book Group. This is a historical romance collection of four stories where my story, Forgiven, is included.

Take a look at my editor bio at www.prismbookgroup.com. I am an acquisitions editor for this publisher where I have two authors I have signed so far.

Book Review, A Life Worth Dreaming About, by Nick Dettmann

 

A Life Worth Dreaming About by Nicholas Dettmann

Author House

Date: February, 2012

$3.99 eBook; $16.99 print

Gen Fiction

 

 

Description: Carl Robertson, a 32-year-old man, did everything he could to move out of his small Midwestern town, losing many friends along the way. He dreamt of living the elegant lifestyle of New York City. He used his anger and hatred to move out of his hometown, discredit it and never wanted to think about it again.

 

For a while, it worked. Then, he finds his life on the ropes and doesn't know why or how to change it. That is until he meets a man who will change his life forever and in a way he never could've seen coming. Suddenly, he finds himself trying to catch up to a new reality, just in time to save his life and find his true love.

Learn more at www.nickdettmann.com

 

Dettmann is a talented journalist foremost, and his reporting skills occasionally make his debut novel read like an article. Readers will find the bones of a good story, that of Carl Robertson, who faces a medical crisis in order to find himself, underneath the layers of a multitude of characters who surround him at his fancy ad exec job. Wading through the opening story of the man who couldn’t be bothered to stop long enough to see the people around him, readers will come across an intriguing tale of second chances. Don’t we all long to “re-do” those things that haunt us?

 

Each person has a dream of the perfect life. Carl got to choose his. Those who enjoy stories like Heaven Can Wait will have a good time watching Carl go back and change the disaster that was his life.

 

 

Trish Jenkins: New and Unusual Friends, and a chance to win a kindle

New and unusual friends in the Watch-House

An excerpt from Treasures of Darkness:

When it was my turn, I contemplated the little room. Metal walls with a filthy little metal shelf moulded in the corner, presumably for my towel and clothes; and some little bumps in the metal floor to prevent slipping. No taps, just a shower rose and a button. I pressed it expecting cold water to spray me or a tiny trickle to dribble down the wall. I was surprised to have a proper shower, until it stopped automatically after 3 minutes. I dried off and dressed in the same shorts and T-shirt that served as underwear and pressed the button to be let out again.

Ill-fitting replacements weren’t issued until Sunday. It was the only change of clothes we were given in the 6 days we were there.

A small rectangle of polished metal was screwed to the wall above our basin to serve as a mirror. It was so high we had to stretch to see a cloudy image of our faces. I don’t remember if we were issued a comb. We had nothing for our skin.

Six days without moisturiser in air-conditioning takes its toll. By the time I got to the prison my face was tight and my lips were so badly chapped that pieces of hard, broken skin were standing up like razors. Both sides of my mouth were split.

It was Friday, and a new member was introduced to our pod.

Bernice was a large, foul mouthed young woman with long, thick hair, very pale skin and rotten teeth. She sailed in, announced she was having withdrawals from heroin, went straight to the other cell and lay down to sleep. My first close contact with what was obviously a “hardened” criminal!

Amanda and I looked at each other and wondered what we were in for when she awoke. The reading I had done regarding withdrawals painted a frightening picture of screaming pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and flinging oneself about for several days.

Our next guest arrived and we pointed to the cell where Bernice was sleeping.

She looked frightened, and asked us anxiously, “Will she attack me?” Not having a clue, we answered, “No, you’ll be safe, she’s OK.” We did our best to reassure her but we weren’t the ones sharing a cell with Bernice!

Francis was a young woman with big curls, a baby face and sad eyes. She had worked in the payroll office of a supermarket. She was also a gambling addict. Her job provided her the opportunity to misdirect funds she could then use to gamble with. She is still amazed at how easy it was to create fictional employees.

Francis came from a blended, yet respectable home. She didn’t drink much or do drugs. However, she had begun buying scratch-it cards as a lonely young teenager, quickly becoming addicted. She was to serve 14 months.

In the afternoon, an uproar of catcalls arose from down the corridor. As we craned our necks, we watched in awe as a young wild-haired Indigenous woman strode towards us. With blanket and towel in one hand, the other flipped “the bird” to the male prisoners as she swept past them.

Sophie entered our pod like it was her lounge room, dumping her gear, flopping down with a big grin and a string of profanity.

We liked her instantly.

There was something reassuring about her confidence. I was fascinated. She had got caught with drugs at Southbank, a popular city play area where families gather and security is greater. Cops can generally tell when someone is suspect, and she and her boyfriend just looked, well, suspicious. Giving cheek is a quick way to get more attention from the police, too, even if you are not doing anything wrong.

Sophie was familiar with a variety of watch-houses. She claimed to have miscarried in one due to a police beating. I didn’t know if she was telling the truth, but from what I have heard and observed since, it wouldn’t surprise me. There are many stories from Indigenous women about police brutality but they are difficult to prove.

People like me are not normally bothered by police. As a well-mannered, well-dressed, white woman, I have “respectable” written all over me. By comparison with many women, I have nothing to complain about. In prison I made a point of being polite to everyone, especially officers, regardless of how they spoke to me. I carefully worded my requests, so they would respond favourably. I didn’t feel like a criminal, I didn’t see myself as a criminal, so I didn’t talk to them like I was inferior. This didn’t always endear me to some staff, but those stories will come later...

 

Trish is participating in the John 3:16 Marketing Network book launch. See entry details here: http://john316mn.blogspot.com/2013/09/john-316-marketing-network-book-launch.html

About the Story

FREEDOM ON THE INSIDE

Prison was not on the “Goal Chart” of entrepreneur Trish Jenkins. A breach of the Corporations Act meant losing her multi-million dollar portfolio, including her family home. 

It also meant Trish served 8 months in prison. 

Isolated from her husband and 3 little girls, living among Queensland’s most dangerous criminals, Trish could have succumbed to despair.

 

But treasure is found in dark places.

Refusing to give in to self-pity, Trish answered a new calling to make a difference in the lives around her. In doing so she found a different kind of freedom and healing. 

Real and raw, these pages are better than a memoir; made up of letters, personal journaling and hindsight. 

“I assumed I would be a model prisoner because I was a Christian. So how did I get into so much trouble, so often, yet with the best of intentions?”

Like when she was reported escaped…

Or setting the alarm off in the officers’ quarters…

Or having to explain why the woman she prayed for fell to the floor…

 

Be Inspired

You’ll laugh, cry and shake your head at hilarious stories, tragic circumstances, discouragement, hope and ever present faith. 

“You may have no razor wire around you, but you may feel more like a prisoner than me! Let me share my keys to freedom with you.” 

Buy theBook: .99 e-book; 19.80 print

 

 

Four Given - chance to win a Kindle

Four Given by Malo Bel – The Mystery of Godliness

My story started on a beach, a strange place for a journey to begin, but nothing compared to where it would lead me!

Near the end of a relaxing vacation I was walking by myself towards the beach showers. As I walked I was thinking about my life. Something is wrong! My life is all about what I want, what I do, what I feel. Where’s God? I suddenly felt empty, like it was all “me” and no “Jesus.” I was so shallow. So self obsessed. And so I asked him, "Lord, how do I let go of me and take in more of you? Please Lord, help me! I want to let go! I want to be filled with you.”

However, rather than an answer I got a question back - "How do you let go?"

What do you mean ‘How do you let go?’” And so for a while I pondered his question, “How do you let go?”

“Of course! It’s obvious,” I replied, “If you have to let go something you have to open your hand."

What does it mean to open your hand?” he asked.

“I suppose an open hand is a hand that gives,” I replied. “Must my journey to you begin with giving?”

“Of course!” It suddenly hit me. “Is not giving the defining act of love? ‘God so loved the world that he GAVE his only son...’ And then like a flash God’s holy name leapt into my mind, and I looked and saw and was stunned. There at the very start of His name is the smallest of all Hebrew letters, the letter Yod (י). The very name of God, which defines Him, begins with an open hand, with the ultimate demonstration of love, with giving.

Is it a message to us, a journey we should take? I could feel the overwhelming sense of God's presence wash over me, as I stood there lost in my communion with him. There was a discovery, a journey that God was calling me on.

However as quick as the excitement arose so too did my doubt. Was this really a path God was revealing to me or was it just the vain imaginations of my mind? “Maybe I am just imagining hearing him, imagining his answers. It’s all in my mind. Maybe….” At that exact moment my thoughts were interrupted by a voice.

"Excuse me," she said. I turned around to find one of the girls who had been showering talking to me. "What are you thinking about?" I was blown away. Why would a complete stranger ask me what I am thinking about? How did she even know I was thinking anything and not just staring at the sea? Startled, I stammered, “Umm, I was thinking about…about a path. A path to God.” And before I knew it I was sharing everything with her, a complete stranger. I was giving voice, my voice to the silent conversation in my heart.

She listened intently, and then smiling said, “Wow. That’s deep, very deep.” And with that she turned and walked off leaving me with my doubt washed away. For no sooner had doubt crept in that God had spoken, than God made me give voice to what I had heard, with my very own mouth. No sooner had doubt crept in than a complete stranger would say about someone despairing in his shallowness, “That’s deep, very deep.”

And so began my journey, and my calling to write this story, and the beginning of many more miracles.

As someone who loves a good mystery, especially a real one, you can imagine how mind blowing it was for me to discover a mystery so important, so divine, so life changing, hidden within the very name of God! This is not some cleverly constructed fiction, something we read, enjoy and put aside. This is a map, a journey, a vital path for every single human being, encoded in the holy letters of God’s name. A journey that begins with a small open hand but that ends in a place called Eternity.

I invite you to join me on my journey to discover the very mystery of Godliness and life eternal in the most startling of ways. A journey that will leave you changed…forever.

 

 

Four Given is being showcased by the John 3:16 Marketing Network as part of their September Book Launch Event. Be sure to visit http://bit.ly/Christian_Books for a chance to win a Kindle Fire, a $25 gift card and a $10 Starbucks card, as well as purchase Four Given.

Malo will be giving away 50% of all proceeds from sales during the book launch to a charity that works in Africa to uplift families and communities, especially the disabled and children.

To discover a mystery about Malo Bel,  point any QR Code reader on a mobile phone at the QR Code alongside.

To learn more about Malo, please visit his website at http://www.malobel.com. You can follow him on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/malo_bel.

Book Review: novella, Miss Fishfly, by Linda Glaz

Miss Fishfly by Linda Glaz

White Rose

c. July 2013

$2.99 eBook

Romance novella

 

A companion piece and sequel to Polar Bear Plunge, Glaz’s romantic novella explores the story of Aleni and Brice’s friend Christie Hayes, also a nurse with a past, and Colton Keller, a fellow book subject.
 

There’s chemistry at first sight when Christie meets Cole at Aleni and Brice’s wedding. But Christie is unsure of herself and her track record with men, and convinces Cole that they can be just friends—without benefits.

 

Since Cole is coming away from a bad relationship with a woman who left him during his captivity in Iraq, he can go with Christie’s suggestion—until his own feelings start to get in the way. He is torn between being able to trust someone who takes such care of his grandfather, someone who is so caring and good to her patients, even after they’re no longer her patients.

 

Grandfather Hartway helps knock their heads together so they can see how good they’d be for each other, even with all the misunderstandings. Setting the example by doing all he can at the end of his life to see forgiveness and to forgive family members who have wounded him and each other, he shows Colton how good it is to live and die free in Christ.

 

Help each other look past the hurts and choices of their pasts, the rough events that have shaped them, and look to the future where they are stronger together than selfishly alone, clinging to wounds instead of the Healer.

 

A romantic quick-reading novella, those who love a sweet, fast clean read about hurting souls finding faith and romantic love, will enjoy this Miss Fishfly.

Great Books Great Authors Great Prizes

Team up with these three fantastic authors and you'll benefit in your entertainment life, spiritual life, and financial life.

John 3:16 Marketing Network Book Launch - September 2013
http://john316mn.blogspot.com/2013/09/john-316-marketing-network-book-launch.html

 

Meet Malo Bel and his book, Four Given

About the Book:

The mystery of Godliness and life eternal are hidden in the most sacred place of all, in the holy letters that define God. A mystery so divine, so life-changing, so

real it is embedded in the essence of every human being. A mystery that charts a

divine path to God, a journey that once undertaken will bring you to a place

called Eternity.

Join me as I share my journey, as I am led by Him on His path. This is the

mystery of Godliness and life eternal, and I never would have seen it had he not

opened my eyes. Take the step of faith and your eyes will be opened to see

"inexpressible things." Take the step of faith and discover life eternal today.

 

Take the step of faith and discover the beauty of this divine path hidden right

before you. Take the step of faith and you will never be the same again. I did and

that is why I must tell my story.

 About the Author:

Malo says: It is a journey, a pathway encoded in the very name of God that I was stunned to see. It begins with a single and

smallest Hebrew letter Yod, which means the open hand.  Anyone wanting to begin this journey must begin by

opening their hand - by giving. It’s what Jesus did in the greatest way possible, by giving his life for us.

And so to be true to this divine journey I will be giving away 50% of all my book sales during the launch to a charity (Community Outreach Programme Trust) that works in Africa. They work with disadvantaged people and especially the

disabled, children and orphans. I thank you for your help to help me help them.

See the Trailer

Read an Excerpt

“Have you made a list of things you must do for Dana?” Yesh asks.

“I'm not sure I follow,” I say, a little confused by his sudden mention of Dana and changing of topic.

“Well, do you have a list that includes things such as - Make sure I buy Dana flowers once a week. Make sure I call Dana once a day. Make sure I tell Dana 'I love you' once a day.”

“Oh no,” I laugh. “Why would I do that?”

“Well, so you don't forget,” Yesh says.

“I wouldn't forget those things,” I reply.

“So if you came to Dana and handed her some flowers and said, 'Here Dana, this is on my list of things I know I must do for you today.' What would she say?”

“She would be horrified,” I reply. “I would never do that!”

“You've answered correctly,” Yesh replies. “You never would because...”

“I love her,” I finish. “I never would because I love her.”

“Then why Malo do you think the list you made of things you are going to do for God pleases him? What was it...Go to church regularly, read your Bible daily, do more outreach...”

“No,” I interject. “Those are things I know I must do more of in order to become a better child of God.”

“Malo,” Yesh replies, “don't worry. You're not the first to make lists and rules in an attempt to bring you closer to God. People have been doing this for thousands of years. In fact my people had some of the best rule keeping systems around. It didn't work. In fact it was such a failure they sadly missed seeing me when I stood right in front of them.”

Yesh pauses and look down at his open hands. It seems he is remembering the sorrow of being rejected by his own. He looks up and continues. “There is no self-improvement you can undertake that will please God, Malo. There is only one way and that is in Christ,” he says pointing to the stone he has given me. “In Christ you are set right before God, not in trying to be good. If you try to be good in your own strength, you're just rebuilding the old decrepit, broken barn that I tore down,” he says glancing at the beautiful new barn across the stream.

“I have tried making lists and keeping the rules a few times,” I say, “but I never could. But I didn't want to stop. I thought if I just tried harder, if I just put in more effort I could be a better child of God. I wanted to please God. I just didn't want to give up...”

The phrase is still hanging in the air as the full weight of the words hit me. “I just didn't want to give up.”

“That's my problem isn't it,” I say, looking at Yesh. “I wanted to please God by working my head off, just like I did in my job. I wanted it to be about me, what I did, what I achieved.”

Yesh looks at me with his kind, understanding eyes and says, “But now you can leave behind the “laws man,” the “me man,” the “list man,” and become God's man. I have showed you how. If you let me I will enable you to uphold God's word in your life. See the sign we nailed up on the barn over there,” he says pointing back at the barn. “It's perfect, and it's still perfectly in position. Well done, Malo, for keeping God's word perfectly.”

“No I haven't,” I interject, “I couldn't even hold it straight for even a short bit while waiting for you.”

“That's right, yet now because of the nails, the sign hangs true. And so upholding of the sign is not what you did, but what the nails did for you. The life you will live, including everything and much more than your list, will not be yours but Christ living in you.”

 

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About the Author

Full On Life – I suppose those would be the three words that define me and the life I like to live. Words taken from Jesus’ offer – “I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly (full on)”  - John 10:10. And so in everything I seek, in

Jesus’ power, to live a life of abundance. So whether physical – such as having

run many 56 mile marathons, or mental – such as completing a PhD – whether

at home with my awesome wife and children or in front of a thousand people, I

give my all, through him who gave me all. Yet all of this is so unimportant

compared to whom I am related. My dad wrote the world’s best selling book. He

also made the originals that everyone from DaVinci to Michael Angelo copied.

And in case that is not enough, he breathed and the stars came into being. He.

“…merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed, and all the stars

were born.” (Psalm 33:6). I am a child of God.

Connect with Malo

Website: www.malobel.com

Blog: www.malobel.com/blog

Twitter: www.twitter.com/malo_bel

Google+: http://bit.ly/malobel

YouTube: http://bit.ly/4giventv

Facebook: http://facebook.com/fourgivenbook

Amazon Author Bio: http://bit.ly/malo-bel

 

Trish Jenkins, Treasure of Darkness

About the Author

FAITH TO OVERCOME

Living with murderers, drug dealers, frauds and broken humanity, Trish Jenkins’ prayers for deliverance were not answered the way she expected. Instead the Lord delivered her "through the fire..." Prison was not part of Trish Jenkins’ ministry plans but it happened. Conned by a fraud and a breach of the Corporations Act meant losing her multi-million dollar portfolio, including her family home. It also meant this Australian mother served 8 months in prison, isolated from her husband and 3 little girls.

TREASURE IS FOUND IN DARK PLACES

Instead of succumbing to despair and self-pity, Trish chose to believe the Word of God and in doing so, she introduced many other prisoners to Christ. In the darkness, Trish found keys to freedom and courage and a deeper walk with the Holy Spirit.

Trish felt compelled to record everything she experienced. She wrote letters to her family and friends by writing letters to her husband, who then copied the letter to an email that went out to a list that grew rapidly. Those emails went viral and Trish’s readers shared her journey with her. What she couldn’t put in letters due to their sensitive nature, she wrote in a private journal.

From stories of winning over bullies, to the despair of persecution for her faith, Trish shares her journey with warmth and candour.

Today Trish shares her hard-won “Treasures” as an entertaining, insightful speaker and author, inspiring audiences to be courageous in all circumstances. Ministering effectively to both Christian and secular audiences, she is warm, compassionate and funny! Today, as a well-respected international speaker and author, Trish’s heart-felt and inspirational story filled with practical advice is re-igniting fire and faith in the hearts of her audiences.

Trish and her family were reunited and today are all active members of Citipointe Church, Australia.

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About the Story

FREEDOM ON THE INSIDE

Prison was not on the “Goal Chart” of entrepreneur Trish Jenkins. A breach of the Corporations Act meant losing her multi-million dollar portfolio, including her family home.

It also meant Trish served 8 months in prison.

Isolated from her husband and 3 little girls, living among Queensland’s most dangerous criminals, Trish could have succumbed to despair.

But treasure is found in dark places.

Refusing to give in to self-pity, Trish answered a new calling to make a difference in the lives around her. In doing so she found a different kind of freedom and healing.

Real and raw, these pages are better than a memoir; made up of letters, personal journaling and hindsight.

“I assumed I would be a model prisoner because I was a Christian. So how did I get into so much trouble, so often, yet with the best of intentions?”

Like when she was reported escaped…

Or setting the alarm off in the officers’ quarters…

Or having to explain why the woman she prayed for fell to the floor…

Be Inspired

You’ll laugh, cry and shake your head at hilarious stories, tragic circumstances, discouragement, hope and ever present faith.

“You may have no razor wire around you, but you may feel more like a prisoner than me! Let me share my keys to freedom with you.”

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Twitter: @Trishjenkins  www.twitter.com/Trishjenkins

 

Pamela Carmichael
Financial Empowerment: Realign Your Finances to God’s Will

 

 

About the Book

Are you in a constant financial struggle and juggle where there never seems to be enough? Do you wonder if God is able to or even willing to provide for you? Are you constantly paying bills and covering debt payments without seeing much progress? Are you faithful in tithing and giving but yet you cannot see on outpoured blessing?

Then this book is here for you. Financial Empowerment discusses the problems we face in different areas of our finances and shows how to manage money in a God-pleasing manner. In a simple easy-to-read manner, it provides biblical and practical solutions to personal financial management.

Financial Empowerment is a fresh look at how you see your finances and how to deal with them effectively.

Get ready to be empowered as you honor God in managing your financial resources. As you give eternal value to your money, God will continually bless you.

Buy the Book .99 eBook; $18.99 paperback

 

About the Author

PAMELA CARMICHAEL is a financial services professional with over 10 years’ experience. In her Christian walk, the burning question to God has always been: Why do Christians struggle with finances? With a desire to see Christians grow in the area of personal financial management, she wrote Financial Empowerment: Realign Your Finances to God's Will. She hopes that you will grow and become financially empowered as you apply God's principles to your personal financial management strategies.

Pamela has a passion to see God's people move from struggle to success not only financially but in all areas of life. You can learn about Pamela by visiting her blog called "Live Out Loud! Success by God's Word" at http://www.pamelavcarmichael.com.

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