IT'S NOT ABOUT ME

Max Lucado reminds us that it's not about us, it's ALL about God. The world does not revolve around us nor are we the center of the universe. Misconceptions that we are taught by society throughout our lives. But the rest of the title " Rescue From The Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy" sets the premise for this non-fiction, once again wonderfully written book by Max Lucado. He has such a way with words and story telling with humor and wisdom combined. It's not hard to tell that he is one of my all time favorite authors, even if the last book I read of his was so long ago "He Chose the Nails"; I do receive his UpWords weekly and there is one available daily and MP3s of 1minute messages. So when the opportunity to select one of his books in e-book form came, it was a welcome and a blessing for me, which I read in one sitting. I have so many parts highlighted, I'm not sure where to best begin telling you what I like. Yet I will emphasize that this is a timely book for me and I boldly would say for YOU.


"It's Not about Me" is wisely divided into two parts: God Pondering and God Promoting. "We move through me-focus to God-focus by pondering Him. Witnessing Him. Following..." this centers us on a life that works: God centered and rescues us from the one that doesn't: self-centered, self-ish. Whatever "self" you want to add... works for us to leave this behind and behold God. 


I love how Max than distinguishes between "beholding" and "reflecting" God. This is even wisely carried over in the excellent, though provoking study guide included in the back, written by Steven Halliday. Each chapter is separated into two sections: Beholding and then Reflecting.


The reason these two words are important is because different translations accurately use this for "katoptrizo"... but you'll have to read his book to clearly understand.  Yet, I see that it is crucial
to know since it is our human job description to REFLECT GOD'S GLORY! This is summed up beautifully by Max in these words: "Beholding leads to becoming. Becoming leads to reflecting."
Then Max proceeds to show us that God's message we are to mirror through: our message, our salvation, our body, our struggles, our success - all proclaim God's glory. "God sends the message, we mirror it." This takes us through the God-promoting part with each of these mirrored parts toward upward thinking. We exist to give honor to God's Name and a cleverly written exchange of a discussion between him and a Jewish passenger with Max on a flight.


The ending brought a tear to my eyes and a sweet nod of HOPE preceded by this sound, BOLD statement that expresses the heart of many of us (I hope):

"MAY WE HAVE NO HIGHER GOAL THAN TO SEE SOMEONE THINK MORE HIGHLY OF OUR FATHER, OUR KING."

I strongly encourage you to get a hold of a copy of this book to BEHOLD HIM CHANGING US:

"Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, 
[we] are changed into the same image from glory to glory, 
even as by the Spirit of the Lord "
(2 Corinthians 3:18)

... and if at all possible, doing the study with a wonderful small group that will be blessed and changed in doing it together. I know that I'm considering it. Plus there is a bonus chapter of another one of Max's new books: "Outlive Your Life"... now I'm curious about that one, too... I can't get enough of Max Lucado's style of writing but you might of me reviewing his books. 

IT'S NOT ABOUT ME ~ It's ALL about HIM!!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

• Thomas Nelson Product Page 
• TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS BOOK

GOD'S LOVE LETTERS TO YOU

I received "God's Love Letters To  You: A 40-Day Devotional Experience" by Dr. Larry Crabb  in E-Book format just in time to enjoy this summer, a refreshing look at God's Love for us, written and expressed in God's Word, the Bible and Dr. Crabb's heart through a unique conversation between him and God. I loved reading the "66 Love Letters" and could not wait to receive this by mail to read, so I was fortunate to get it in e-book format immediately to compare it to the full version of all 66 Love Letters.  Although as a devotional, it is only a morsel of the the other book, it whets your appetite enough for more of Dr. Crabb's enlightening way of questioning God, how each book in the Bible is God's LOVE letter and how it shows us or leads us toward understanding the bigger picture of God's story in a special and more clear focus. Since it is a 40 day devotional, it leaves out some of the 66 love letters but you do not miss so much that the  glimpse doesn't draw you to want more. Dr. Crabb entices you to read and examine your own story as you read God's story in the Bible. 

Since each devotional daily includes a title which captures your interest like this: "I HAVE A PLAN: TRUST ME" for Genesis; a well selected Scripture reading; a short devotional message, thought provoking questions and a closing prayer, it works perfectly for your daily quiet time. Since reading "66 Love Letters", I had been waiting for a study guide or something to accompany using this as a study and this works perfectly. This has given me a fresh, life changing encounter with God as I read His Word and apply this to my life. It has once again stirred a core within me, to desire to get more out of my reading of the Bible than just routinely reading it. Reading with Dr. Crabb's perspective, I am able to listen better to what God may be saying to me personally. Each chapter or book of the Bible, as a love letter, convicts and impacts you with a powerful message to think more deeply of your relationship with God with a new level of intimacy. I personally enjoyed having the prayer with each love letter to spur you into drawing closer to God and continuing the conversation. I would like to strongly recommend that you read this prayer as a sample of the heart of Dr. Larry Crabb's from the intro and allow God to speak words of life into you by adding this book along to your daily Bible reading:

"I pray that people across the world, people of every age,... will hear the love story God is telling us in words that reveal His heart, words that speak life into ours."

"Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, mark us for life with Your words of life. Undo the power of every death word we’ve heard. Empower us to speak life into others by speaking life into us. Pour living water into our parched souls. Thrill us with the privilege of relating to others in a way that reveals Your heart to them and releases Your life into them through the words we speak. Thank You for speaking life into us. Open our hearts to hear Your words and to receive them. In Jesus’ name, amen."  

Since this is my 3rd book that I have read of Dr. Larry Crabb, I would recommend it for all ages, because the words do speak life into ours. I  found the complete book of "66 Love Letters" to be a better choice to add to your personal collection for study, whereas this one is ideal for a quick daily read. I am so glad that I have it in e-book form and know that I will go back to reading often when I am in that section of the Bible to hear God's voice in what I'm reading. I do believe that the insights of Dr. Larry Crabb will inspire you to hear or listen for God's voice and delight in reading "God's Love Letter to You", cherishing the message rather than struggling to study.  I found many of his ideas to challenge me and mine. Personally my favorite was "a Joy that frees you to endure hardship" for 2 Timothy. I now am looking forward once again to reading through the Bible with a refreshed attitude and response of a passionate longing to hear the Spirit speak and flood my heart with God's Love.


A personal note: I would also like to add a special request that we continue to pray for Dr. Larry Crabb and Rachael, his wife and family as Larry faces a 3 in 1 surgery the 1st week of August.
(from June New Way Ministries newsletter)

Thomas Nelson Product Page

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


I saw that Amazon is offering a good special combination price for both of these books 
+

THE SHELTER OF GOD'S PROMISES by Sheila Walsh

LORD
YOU ARE MY SHELTER

Hebrews 6:18

"So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie..."

In the "Shelter of God's Promises" by Sheila Walsh, she shares a key verse in each chapter of one of God's Promises in the Bible for Provision, Peace, Confidence, Love, Grace, Hope, Strength, and MORE plus Home!  I have known Sheila Walsh, mostly as a singer or speaker with Women of Faith, so I was anxious to sit down and walk with her through this beautiful teaching of God's Shelter in His Promises. Sheila interweaves Biblical truths with her real life experiences of testimony of God meeting her or others in times and places of need of shelter. She is just as inspirational as an author as I find her to be as a singer and speaker, truly she is a woman of faith and lives it. I received this book from Book Sneeze, just at the time that I needed God's Shelter and through each chapter, God revealed through Sheila's words and His, encouragement and inspiration to seek whatever God promises. Whatever you may be searching for, I highly recommend Shelia's book to build your faith, bring you comfort, and show you how to find "Shelter" in God's Promises.  The highlight for me, is that you can use this individually or with a small group because of the addition of a wonderful study guide in the back of the book, that challenges you through each chapter with 4 categories to Discover, Believe, Live and Memorize. Either way, you can enjoy this book to strengthen and motivate you to live believing that God cannot lie and His promises are REAL!

"...Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us." Hebrews 6:18

Disclosure of material connection: I received this book free from the publisher Thomas P. Nelson through the BookSneeze.com book review blogger's program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

THOMAS NELSON PRODUCT PAGE BOOK DESCRIPTION "In a world of uncertainty, pain, and struggle,  where do you find solid assurance and unshakeable truth?..." Have you read this book? 
Please share one highlight if you have in the comments and  if you have not,   which Bible verse (in the WFW) do you find SHELTER today?
Philippians 4:19 John 14:27 Romans 8:28 Romans 8:38-39 2 Corinthians 12:9 Hebrews 13:5-6 John 16:33 Matthew 7:7-8 John 14:2
PSALM 91 is my chosen scripture for this blog and for me this year 2011 with my WORD as JOY. I find my SHELTER in Psalm 91!

The images “shelter” and “the shadow” suggest a secure hiding place from the storms of life, much like the use of the umbrella from the rain or as here in Mexico, from the strong sun rays. We have a secure refuge in His hiding place. We have safety in the presence of the LORD.

The all-powerful God is our eternal refuge. The Almighty God is our protection. How often we go looking for security and safety in that which offers only a false security. The LORD God removes our false securities one by one until we trust in Him alone. Is He your hiding place? Have you learned how to find refuge in trusting in the abiding presence of the most powerful God? 
I pray that if you need Him in any of the areas that Sheila's book covers, that you will get a copy of this book and allow God to be your Shelter and Refuge. Seek and see that God does nor can He lie... He is TRUE to His Promises...
"Whatever God says, we can stake our lives on." ~ Sheila Walsh~ The Shelter of God's Promises
For more WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, visit Internet Cafe Devotions 

RAINBOW BRIDGE

This is in memory of my 

FAITHFUL FRIEND

 BRAVO

(who died one week ago today)

The song in this video is "Perhaps Love" being sung by John Denver and Placido Domingo
(you can go HERE for the lyrics)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoBO6kJCBvw
The original one I encountered was HEREMovie by Terri Pike with music by Kerry Muzzey 
COMFORT FOR GRIEVING ANIMAL LOVERS
A Different Grief: Coping with Pet Loss 
... and I'd also like to dedicate this toanother blog friendozJaneandher sweet friendMOGGIE

"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....  Author unknown... RAINBOW BRIDGE  I love this quote that the video shared: "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France

SECRET GARDEN 10 ~ FORGIVENESS

The song "Nocturne" that I shared yesterday was meant as a prelude to this. But not because of the darkness that lurks, yet the HOPE in HIS Light and Forgiveness; Lord, Help me to be a forgiving person, to move in forgiveness~  YOURS, mine to others and others toward me. Reveal areas in me that need this!

Today, I entered the Secret Garden and as you can tell, I turned back to seek refuge in another place away from the garden, a path that leads to the "pines" in my life. They have surrounded me and shaded me, towered over me for far too long. There is a cool, fresh, darkness as I walk back down these paths of the past, places of forgiveness. Some that I dealt with immediately, some that have taken me a while to confront. Others that I truly felt I had "forgiven" yet the wounds or the scars are still there. I know that I have shared here different times of "forgiveness". 


More rocks in my path but you can read two of my 15 "forgiven" here and here so on this walk I will not belabor you with them. Here in His "aMazing Grace", I share the power of being forgiven and forgiving others, not quite the 7 X 70 of the Bible with any one person except maybe myself (490 times in my life, I am sure I have surpassed) I usually am eager to forgive and get beyond the problem. But again, "was this a situation of just the words and not a matter from my heart?" I pondered over some of the monumental ones. I pretty easily will ask, "will you forgive me?" for not so serious messes. And many offenses against me, I quickly would run to God and tell Him, I forgive so and so... for this or that. At least it seems to be the start, to speak it forth with hopes that the heart soon follows. Yes, I need to move in forgiveness, God's and mine.

The light that shines through the "pines" of  any unforgiveness quickly shed His Light to remind me how He forgives me as I come to Him and confess. Many times, my confession is reluctant because I fail to admit that though I was wronged, I need to forgive. Reluctant at other times, because I fail to see where I was wrong. The hardest forgiveness is one of regret, one of not forgiving oneself. Yet I was reminded that if God can forgive me, "am I greater than God?" to deny forgiving myself. If God forgives us as far as the east is from the west, should we not also find a way to forgive.

"...To enjoy the freedom, wholeness and true success God has for us, forgiveness has to flow like liquid in your heart." S.O.


Harboring unforgiveness, stops the flow of the Spirit in us and also can keep your prayers from being answered. 


(1) We need to turn any unforgiveness into FOR-give-ness be-FORe we even PRAY. Jesus gives to us so that we must give to others. "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” 


(2) Being in this unforgiven status with someone, will eat away at our mind and body, straining our relationship with them and God, even our own conscience, which causes us to loose all peace. It is not worth it. I know someone who says they forgive but there seems to be signs that he's hanging on to a few moments of inner revenge. It surfaces every once and awhile, and God's light shines on it.


"Forgiveness doesn't make the other person right, it makes you free." - S.O.


To find wholeness and true success, we have to be FREE! Forgiveness  enables us to move on with our life.


RECEIVE GOD'S FORGIVENESS... this is one of the best ways to become a forgiving person and understand God's forgiveness of you.(3)


"The only way to receive God's forgiveness for our unforgiveness is to forgive others completely." - S. O.


REFUSE TO GET STUCK IN UNFORGIVENESS (4) 
Unforgiveness is rooted in hate. 
(5) When we choose not to forgive, we end up walking in the dark.


THREE REASONS TO FORGIVE: (from "Life's Healing Choices" by Jon Baker) Another book I have been working through since this summer when I was home with a small group from my home church. I was up to this step when I left; the
RELATIONSHIP CHOICE ~ Repairing Relationships (which I need the most but not just for me but to help others as well)


1) God has FORGIVEN me. Colossians 3:13
2) RESENTMENT doesn't work. Job 5:2; Job 18:4; Job 21:23-25
3) I will need FORGIVENESS in the future. Mark 11:25


THREE STEPS of FORGIVENESS: 
1) I REVEAL my hurt.
2) I RELEASE the offender.Matthew 18:21-22
3) I REPLACE my hurt with God's peace. Colossians 3:15


HOW TO MAKE AMENDS and HOW TO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS:
1) Make a list of the people I have harmed and what I did to them
2) Think how I would like someone to make amends to me.
   ~Do it at the RIGHT time. Ecclesiastes 8:6
   ~Do it with the RIGHT attitude. Ephesians 4:15
   ~Do it without EXPECTATIONS. 
   ~Do it in an appropriate way. Proverbs 12:18
   ~Make RESTITUTION wherever possible.


REFOCUS my life on DOING GOD'S WILL in my relationships starting now! 
Job 11:13, 15-16 


"GOD NEVER WASTES A HURT! He can use the painful lessons to touch others. You'll find it easier to forgive the hurts of the past if your focus is LESS on yourself and more on helping others. This is not about denial; it's about being "being transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2 and choosing to LOOK FORWARD so your past looses its power over you."

I think it's time I head out of these pine trees and into the Light, return to the beauty of allowing Christ to show me FORGIVENESS in the Garden. I will always choose to forgive and seek forgiveness from God and others. I did not linger long  enough here. 

"Forgiveness in no way requires that you trust the one you forgive. But should they finally confess and repent, you will discover a miracle in your own heart that allows you to reach out and begin to build between you a bridge of reconciliation …Forgiveness does not excuse anything... You may have to declare your forgiveness a hundred times the first day and the second day, but the third day will be less and each day after, until one day you will realize that you have forgiven completely. And then one day you will pray for his wholeness…” ~ William P.Young 

Bridget Chumbley reminded me of the above quote from "The Shack". [She (Bridget Chumbley) hosts a theme blog carnival every other week, and just last week the topic that many great writers shared on was: RECONCILIATION ~ to be restored in harmony with another may need to start with forgiving and being forgiven... gotta get to the ROOT of the problem here in my garden...

Lord, help me to be a forgiving person. Show me where I am not. Expose the recesses of my soul so I won't be locked up by unforgiveness and jeopardize my future. If I have any anger, bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness that I am not recognizing, reveal it to me and I will confess it to You as sin.


Specifically I ask You to help me fully forgive (name anyone you feel you need to forgive). Make me to understand the depths of Your forgiveness toward me so that I won't hold back forgiveness from others. I realize that my forgiving someone doesn't make them right; it makes me free. I also realize that You are the Only One who knows the whole story, and You will see justice done.


Help me to forgive myself for the times I have failed. And if I have blamed You for things that have happened in my life, show me so I can confess it before You. Enable me to love my enemies as You have commanded in Your Word. Teach me to bless those who curse me and persecute me. Remind me to pray for those who hurt or offend me so that my heart will be soft toward them. I don't want to become hard and bitter because of unforgiveness. Make me a person who is quick to forgive. 


Lord, show me if I have any unforgiveness toward my mother or father for anything they did or did not do or say. I don't want to shorten my life by not honoring them. Where there is distance between me and any other family member because of unforgiveness, I pray You would break down that wall. Help me to forgive every time I need to do so. Where I can be an instrument of reconciliation between other family members who have broken or strained relationships, enable me to do that.


I don't want anything to come between You and me, Lord, and I don't want my prayers to be hindered because I have entertained sin in my heart. I choose this day to forgive everyone and everything, and walk free from the death that unforgiveness brings. If any person has unforgiveness toward me, I pray You would soften their heart to forgive me and show me what I can do to help resolve this issue between us. I know that I cannot be a light to others as long as I am walking in the darkness of unforgiveness. I choose to walk in the light as You are in the light and be cleansed from all sin.


Scriptures:
(1) Psalm 66:18
(2) Mark 11:25
(3) Luke 6:37
(4) 1 John 3:21-22
(5) 1 John 3:15
(6) Matthew 18:32-35
(7) Matthew 5:48
(8) 1 John 1:7


PRAYER POWER
Hebrews 8:12
Ephesians 4:32


WORD POWER
Luke 6:37
1 John 2:10-11
Ephesians 4:32
Matthew 5:23-24
Matthew 6:14-15


GOD'S PROMISES TO ME
Luke 6:37
Proverbs 19:11
Matthew 5:44-45
1 John 2:11


THINKING ALOUD and sharing my thoughts and plans (or lack):


My dear SECRET GARDEN readers, I pray that you FORGIVE ME because of my lack in these "walks" being together and now that I am choosing once again to not continue with them, though I have some setup in draft... I "FEAR" I am not able to continue with these and the one for tomorrow would have been FEAR, followed by God's Will then PURPOSE, then I was going to break again until December 14th, with the 14th SECRET GARDEN POST. 


I wanted to keep these in order... so for now I FEAR that I will not be moving forward in the GARDEN (we are only through a third of them)... but God willing, I will find my way back to HIS GARDEN and HE to my Garden to search my heart on the 'paths' yet to be: BASKING IN GOD'S LOVE; Hope; God's Way; Control of our Thoughts; Negative emotions; Treat Your Body as a temple; Healer; Say "no" to temptation; Destructive relationships; Speak Words of life; Be Holy; Recognize the enemy; Fast and pray; Stand strong in God's power; Move in God's Power; Refuse to Give up...which sounds where I should venture next... but my mind is flooded and I must WAIT on the LORD. Please FORGIVE ME. 


The lesson in this: take one day at a time and try not to plan out a series unless you can commit to completing the entire WALK. I have had many other opportunities that have prevented me from staying in my Secret Garden. I must confess I have grown weary and lost my footing for right now. It may be some time before I'm able to dig deep and continue planting or weeding in my Garden... the HARVEST is not yet over nor the time of growing, but I need to take serious time to gather my thoughts and life, so what I plant bears fruit.


I love my Secret Garden and times here in it... yet to wander through without much change or commitment to 11-30 of the chapters left would not make this a POWERFUL LIFE of Prayer. And that is the purpose of time well spent in the Garden.


Many diversions and other paths to follow at the moment, but God wants us to stay focused to present Him in the best Light and clearly as the Only Way. 


So I will WAIT and trust Him as I wait for the inspiration to continue in My Secret Garden with the same JOY I began. Keep planting good seed, water well and watch for growth, new blooms and beauty flourishing in your garden.






(10) More in forgiveness - God & yours (S.O.) PPL ~ Help me to be a forgiving person (S.O.) PPW