Over the Top

Thanks to Booksneeze/Thomas Nelson Publisher, I was given 2 free tickets to the Women of Faith 2011 event, "Over the Top" at Rose Garden Arena in Portland. My mother-in-law and I had an absolutely blessed time this past weekend (Oct. 7th and 8th). It's my first time!

"This weekend we're celebrating the unrestrained, outrageous, wildly passionate love God has for each of us. He pours out mercy in a flood. He loves us more than we know. He gives us more than we can ask or dream. He is Over the Top." ~Mary Graham

The worship was awesome! I really enjoyed the worship time...focusing on God's amazing love. It was so cool to sing praises to God along with ~7,000 other women. The worship team included Jovaun Woods from New Orleans, Louisiana; Michelle Swift from Portland, Oregon; Hope Darst from Nashville, Tennessee; and Kara Tualatai from Westlake, California. They had fabulous voices and they truly used them for God's glory. The host, Lori Robertson, was very sweet and gracious. Wow...it was such a treat to hear and learn from all the wonderful speakers.

Patsy Clairmont: I love Patsy Clairmont! She made me think and laugh at the same time :). Some nuggets of truths from Patsy include "Life is messy." "Love is a choice." "Change can be good." "We are created with the will that's stronger than emotions."

Andy Andrews: I've read some of Andy Andrews' books (The Noticer, The Butterfly Effect, and The Boy Who Changed the World). He's a gifted author and a hyperactive motivational speaker :). Here are some cool stuff he shared: "Fear is the misuse of creative imagination." "Boundaries are made not to restrict but to protect." "Smile when you talk."

 Me and Andy Andrews autographing The Noticer for me

Marilyn Meberg: Who would have expected this 72 year old lady to have a need for speed :)? She quoted one of my favorite St. Augustine's quotes: "You God, created us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in You."

Sandi Patty: Sandi Patty gave us a chill with her powerful voice singing "We Shall Behold Him." She shared her heart with us about her weight problem. So transparent and so encouraging! She also introduced us to her pals on the "Porch".

Lisa Whelchel: Lisa talked about friendships for grown-ups. It was hard to imagine someone beautiful and famous like her having trouble finding friends. But real friends are indeed difficult to come by.

Brenda Warner: What a roller-coaster life she has had! Courage, honor, and integrity never leave her. She is usually known as Kurt Warner's wife. She's very spunky :).

These outstanding speakers shared their life stories, lessons they learned, and words of wisdom. We soaked it all in. They shared their brokenness and pointed to God's restoration. Their faith helped them get through their struggles. We appreciated their authenticity. We witnessed how God used imperfect broken people to spread the message of His love.

Deborah Joy Winans (Cece Winans' niece) gave a funny skit about a mom wearing different hats. Mandisa blessed us with her beautiful heart and voice. You could see her love for God shine through and through. I was thrilled to see/hear Selah, one of my favorite Christian bands. I never get tired of hearing "You Raise Me Up" by Selah. Todd Smith even got the speakers up on stage to dance while he sang an African praise song. Lots of fun! Amy Perry was beautiful inside and out. Her voice was outstanding. Allan Hall entertained us with the 80's piano music. Go Selah!

I was really glad to see World Vision being promoted during the event. My family and I have been long-time supporters of World Vision and I used to work for World Vision in Thailand while my husband volunteered there.

During breaks, we women had fun browsing and shopping at Women of Faith products booths. I bought 2 Selah CDs and my mother-in-law bought a stack of books and a DVD.

My mother-in-law and I were very thankful for this wonderful experience. Certainly over the top! So much food for thought. Such a refreshing weekend! Our seats were on the fourth row on the floor next to the stage. I only wish they would allow photography (during the event) :). Well, I did take a few shots of the empty stage in different lights. Pretty, don't you think?

What Would You Like on Your Tombstone?

I'm not talking about Tombstone pizzas and toppings here.  Have you ever wondered what people will remember you for once you leave this earth?  “A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.”~Charles Spurgeon

Silly or not :), I told my family that I would like this inscription on my tombstone: "She lived for God.  Now she lives with God."  I like this one, too: "Don't leave earth without JESUS!"  What would you like on your tombstone?  What would you like people to remember you for?  Just being alive each day is not the same as "living."  "Teach us to number our days aright--that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)  What are our days filled with?  Whatever you do, don't waste your life.

"Now, if the day has been filled with duty and love and service--its page written all over with pure, white thoughts and records of gentle deeds--then it is well; its passing need not be mourned over. But merely to have to rub it off at the setting of the sun, leaving in it nothing but a story of idleness, uselessness, selfishness, and lost opportunities, is a sad numbering!" ~J.R. Miller, "Numbering Our Days", 1912

Only one life, 'twill soon be past,
Only what's done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I'll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.
                                                     ~Unknown

"We have eternity to tell of victories won for Christ, but we have only a few hours before sunset to win them." ~Unknown

"I'm in my 83rd year, but it doesn't necessarily mean I'm wiser or stronger. It doesn't mean I've done more. It's not the stretch of life that matters. It's the depth of life. It's not how long we live. It's how we live. Keith was a man who seemed to live on the edge of eternity. And he was ready to step into it." ~Leonard Ravenhill spoke of Keith Green after his death (quote taken from "No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green" by Melody Green & David Hazard)

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." ~Jim Elliot

Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!

No Time For God

          No Time For God

You've time to build houses, and in them dwell.
And time to do business--to buy and sell;
But none for repentance, or deep earnest prayer;
To seek your salvation you've no time to spare.

You've time for earth's pleasures, for frolic and fun,
For her glittering treasures, how quickly you run;
But care not to seek the fair mansion above,
The favor of God or the gift of His love.

You've time to take voyages over the sea,
And time to take in the world's jubilee;
But soon your bright hopes will be lost in the gloom
Of the cold, dark river of death and the tomb.

You've time to resort to the mountain and glen;
And time to gain knowledge from books and from men;
Yet no time to search for the wisdom of God,
But what of your soul when you're under the sod?

For time will not linger when helpless you lie,
Staring death in the face, you will take time to die.
Then what of the judgement--pause, think, I implore!
For time will be lost on eternity's shore.

                                                       ~Author Unknown

Even for us Christians, sometimes it seems we have no time for God.  We seem to find time for everything else but have a difficulty finding time to pray, worship, read, study, memorize God's Word...to just spend time with Him, sitting at His feet.     O Lord, please help us never become "conceited lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--having a form of Godliness but denying its power." (2 Timothy 3:4b-5a)

No Time For God....but
Time for work and play
Time for dance and shows
Time for pinochle and bridge
Time for lodges and politics
Time for Sunday golf and baseball
Time for newspapers and funnies
Time for novels and magazines
Time for fashions and radio
Time for television and gardens
Time for parties and parades
Time for everything under the sun
        Except for God.  (taken from a tract)

"Our lives can become so vagrant that God is exiled from our minds.  It seems as though there is something in vagrancy that stupefies the soul, and renders us insensitive to our true home and rest in God." J. H. Jowett

"Your date book is your creed. What you believe in, you have time for." Unknown

"If satan can't make us bad, he'll make us busy." John West

"Spend plenty of time with God; let other things go, but don't neglect Him." Oswald Chambers

"I count that part of my life lost which I spent not in communion with God, or in doing good." John Donne

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

"Come near to God and He will come near to you." James 4:8a

~Please visit here for the links to other Spiritual Sundays posts. Thanks so much to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting Spiritual Sundays every week. Have a blessed day in the Lord, everyone!

Our Days

"Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16

Each day is a gift from the Lord.  I want to live my days according to His Word and His will, spending my time on earth wisely and for His glory.  I want to live each day in the light of eternity, keeping an eternal perspective with me always (see the post below).

As each year goes by, I ponder: Are my faith and love (for God and for others) growing?  I hope and pray that they are.

Previous WFW:

- His Name Is Jesus

- The Light of the World

- It Is Good

- Worship

- Whatever You Do

- More Blessed

- My Soul Pants for You

- Without Excuse

- Plentiful Harvest

- Brotherly Love

- Fruit Bearer

- More Than Conquerors

- Where Does My Help Come From?

- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge

- Rooted in Love

- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?

- Reflecting the Lord's Glory

- The Rock Eternal

- His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Book Review: 40 Loaves

Book: 40 Loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day
Author: C.D. Baker
Summary:
Why don’t I have more faith?
Why does God seem silent in my life?
Why don’t I feel safe at church?

These are the types of questions the religious establishment often makes it uncomfortable, if not impossible, to ask. And by asking them, C. David Baker, author of 40 Loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day hopes to start a conversation in people’s hearts, then with others, and ultimately with God. Many circles of Christianity have led us to believe that certainty and confidence are the proof of true spirituality; questions are discouraged.

But Jesus offered His followers an ongoing conversation—a relationship built around a free, open-ended discussion. Questions were encouraged. They were often impertinent, sometimes alarming, and the religious establishment was distinctly uncomfortable with them … just as it is today.

“40 Loaves is something of a collection of the kinds of questions I felt finally free to ask of myself and of my relationship with Christ,” says Baker. “It’s my belief that these questions are shared by many others who long for the freedom to simply ask them out loud. I hope this book becomes a platform that frees others to search their hearts more deeply and be fed with the Bread of life.”

Each “loaf” here is a big question that stimulates discussion, investigation, and contemplation; it will take hours—or days—to digest. Conversational, inviting, disarming, and real, 40 Loaves nourishes self-examination and offers validation for those who feel discouraged, guilty, or even shamed when the realities of their lives don’t match up with the ideals of the Christian establishment.

Author Bio:
C. David Baker founded an award-winning business before redirecting his career to write full-time from his small farm in Bucks County , Pennsylvania . He is the author of eight books, including six novels, one of which was nominated for a Christy Award. He has contributed articles to the Christian History Institute’s international publication Glimpses, and to Christian Singles magazine. Baker has a Master’s degree in theological studies from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland .

My Review: I like asking questions. I encourage my kids to ask questions. Questions lead us to search for answers and dig deep for understanding. However, when it comes to faith-related questions, some people are afraid or ashamed to ask. This book addresses 40 questions that some Christians may be struggling with. Questions like: Why do I so easily lose self-control?, Why am I so confused about finding God's will?, Why do I always feel exhausted?, Why are my feelings so easily hurt?, Why do I fear unbelief?, Why do I care so much about my reputation?, and more. I truly appreciate Mr. Baker’s transparency, humility, & honesty and his reliance on the Scriptures for answers. Each question in the book will help draw you closer to God and His Word. Each "loaf" ends with food for thought and a prayer. This book is small but is packed with valuable insights and Biblical wisdom. It's easy to read and it is nourishing to the soul. 40 Loaves is definitely delicious and healthy to feast upon!

Note: Please turn off my music playlist at the bottom of this page before starting the video.


You can read Chapter 1 here.

~This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Without Excuse

Through His creation, we witness His love, power, majesty, glory, wisdom, creativity, nature, beauty, and excellency.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.  There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.  Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.  In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.  It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat." (Psalm 19:1-6) Psalm 19:4 is quoted in Romans: "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.  But I ask: Did they not hear?  Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."" (Romans 10:17-18)

People are without excuse.  Creation points to the Creator.  The world is not only functional, but also beautiful.  The testimony of creation shouts out to the whole world loud and clear that God exists and that God's Word is true.  Sadly, some people continue to stubbornly cover their ears and their eyes.  I praise God, the Creator, for who He is and for what He does!  Let's take the time to ponder and worship our Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  May we never stop marveling at His wonders; may we never become numb or blind to His revelation of glory through His creation!

Previous WFW:
- Plentiful Harvest

- Brotherly Love

- Fruit Bearer

- More Than Conquerors
- Where Does My Help Come From?
- Jubilant, Joy, and Judge
- Rooted in Love
- Who Daily Bears Our Burdens?
- Reflecting the Lord's Glory
- The Rock Eternal
- His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Thankful Thursday #3

 

This week...

1. I am thankful that my husband is diligent, hard-working, and handy.  He not only works hard outside the home (as a civil engineer), but also works hard at home (maintenance, caulking, painting, etc.) & around our property (taking care of the goats, the lawn, the fence, etc.).

2. I am thankful for my family's good health.  We rarely have to visit a doctor.

3. I am thankful for food...the variety of foods that we can eat.  The more I hear about other people's food allergies, the more I am thankful that our family members have not had severe food allergies yet.  I am allergic to hazelnuts and dairy products but that's no big deal :).  My husband is mildly allergic to eggs and dairy products.

4. I am thankful that the Lord has blessed our children with discernment.  They have shown us in words and actions Godly wisdom and discernment; they have stood firm in their faith and convictions.

5. I am thankful for brothers and sisters in Christ who take the Great Commission seriously.  Our family has a passion especially for reaching the unreached with the Gospel.  Alyssa, our 16 year old daughter, just made a video featuring one of our favorite Christian organizations.  Please take a look below and see how you can help make an eternal impact.  She also wrote a relevant article, Plentiful Harvest, for Growing In Grace (online) Magazine this month.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20

"He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." Mark 16:15

"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?  And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?  And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can they preach unless they are sent?  As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"" Romans 10:14-15