Minutemen and Modern Man

On a balmy April evening in 1775, disguised as Indians, a handful of Bostonians tossed Britain’s best tea into the dark waters of the harbor. It floated quietly down the channel, in sharp contrast to the turmoil above.
The British Crown ordered Boston’s port closed, knowing it could mean starvation for Boston citizens.
   Fellow colonies rushed to Boston’s aid. Virginia declared fasting and prayer for the Boston inhabitants. The First Continental Congress in Philadelphia was formed in September 1774, but uniting these free-thinking colonists into one solid and united group would not prove an easy task.

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Faith = Belief + Trust

What do a yardstick, a cup and a thermometer have in common? They are tools of measurement, and without them, life would be rather confusing. After all, how could we bake a scrumptious, chewy batch of brownies without measuring the ingredients we use to make them? (I’ll grant you, the bathroom scale is probably one tool we’d rather do without.)
    All too often I’ve heard Christians say, “Your prayer wasn’t answered because you didn’t have enough faith.” When I hear a statement like that I tend to ask myself, “How much is enough?” To calculate something we must have a unit by which to delineate it. But there exists no such thing as a “faithette” for measuring faith. Even Jesus never referred to faith in terms of exact size. I am positive Jesus did this on purpose!

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Let's play!

David was wearing a sacred linen apron. He danced in the sight of the LORD with all his might. ~ 2 Samuel 6:14

I went to first grade in Lake Oswego, Oregon. I had a lot of friends at school and loved playing with them,  but one day I noticed a girl from my class who sat alone on the other side of the playground...not joining in on our fun.
   I walked over to her and tried to convince her to come and play. A girl, who was watching from inside the building burst out the door.
  “What are you doing to my sister?”
   “Nothing. I just want to play with her.” I said.
   The older girl scowled, looking me over from head to toe. I smiled. "Alright," she finally said. "But you have to stay here by the door where I can see you and you can’t play with any of them!”
   I thought this was very strange but agreed, hoping to eventually draw the girl out to play with my friends. I wanted to get out of the sight of her mean sister who I thought was preventing her from participating in our fun.
   Looking back, I think the little girl had a developmental disability. She never said much, but she was beautiful and had a warm, inviting smile so I didn't mind staying by the door and playing with her even though I was never able to draw her out.

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Encouraging the encourager

“Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions.” - 1 John 3:18 

Raise your hand if you know who Beth Moore is, read one of her books or participated in one of her Bible studies. Now, keep that hand up if you were fortunate enough to attend her simulcast this weekend.
   I had the honor to help our church be one of the host locations from around the world. I left in the wee hours of the morning before my kiddos were awake, left a ‘honey-do’ list for my honey and drove into our smoke-filled valley praying for a successful day for everyone involved.

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Let go and let God

“He renews my strength…” Psalm 23:3a NLT
Tears dripped on the waterlogged carpet. My anxiety increased with every squishy step —a looming layoff, overextended commitments, wacked out hormones—and now this.
   There, under the paint was a tennis-ball-sized bulge where the spring snowmelt had trickled beneath the roof shingles through the rafters to behind our bedroom wall. I stood on the wet rug with hands lifted up.
   “I can’t handle anymore.”

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Where did all my grace go?

Sometimes…not all the time, mind you…I feel overwhelmed by my old, sinful nature. The urge to throw a wild party and abandon all morality and decorum finds its way into my innermost thoughts. Other times, I am inundated with guilt over my past and feel like all my efforts at living a good life have been for naught.
   Whether I give into that temptation or not seems irrelevant. I develop a deep depression and worry that those secret thoughts are exposed to the world, and my shame is shouted from the mountain tops up to the heavenlies.

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Live...and in person

My mind’s eye can clearly see that quaint “Norman Rockwell” type street in Farmington, Maine. It was early summer, but still spring-like weather. It is joked that Maine has only three seasons, July, August, and winter. We were enjoying a typically Maine July day. The road was lined with eager faces, anticipating a glimpse of the distinguished five-star general war hero who now bore the title, Commander–in-Chief.

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Sphere of Ministry

In my coaching class, we recently focused on the sphere of ministry. Taken from the writings of Paul in 2 Corinthians 10, the sphere of ministry describes a pathway to purpose. This pathway includes what we do in life and the boundaries which define that direction. As Paul writes, “God who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your resources for sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness…” (2 Cor. 10:10, Amplified).
   Our gifts, abilities and experiences provide the boundaries which determine where and how we do ministry. Since we each have unique giftings, that also means we have a specific place and purpose that God has designed for us. Before the foundation of the world, he planned it out and wove all the details together.

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Under God or Gone Under

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” - 2 Cor. 3:17

During this election year we are bombarded with information we are uncertain whether to believe. Many voters only care to hear about which politician will service their needs the most.
   Our economy is topsy-turvy with our national debt over $15 trillion and our beautiful Midwestern states find themselves fighting to keep their livestock and livelihood while battling the largest drought of over 50 years. California right now is fighting a massive forest fire.
   There is a battle going on all across our beloved country - a battle between Christianity and secularism, between believers and non-believers. “. . . against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12)

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Looks so right...but oh, so wrong!

This past Summer, some good friends of ours hosted a BBQ at their home. The host and hostess, incredibly friendly people, invited a lot of guests. Men and women mingled about, while the yard crawled with kids. In an effort to ease the restroom traffic indoors, our friends rented a porta-potty for outdoors. I have made it my personal mission in life to avoid porta-potties. They’re just...disgusting.
   Soon enough, my five-year-old daughter had to go potty. I assessed the situation. The party had just started, so I didn't think anyone else had been in there. It looked fairly newish. No strong odors lurking about. And I knew my friend would only rent the best.
   Resigned, I took Faith’s hand, and we entered the structure. So far, so good. All was well. Just as we were about to make our exit, and be home free, Faith grabbed a round disk and proceeded to wash her hands. Did I mention the round disk was in the urinal? Screaming, I snatched my girl, and we rushed outside to find some hand sanitizer.

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Scribble or scrap?

I’ll be celebrating an anniversary soon though I don’t remember the exact date. I’ll rejoice the season anyway, because it’s when I bought my first big girl Bible.
   For someone that has a bookshelf filled with God’s Word in different versions and maybe even languages, it may not be a big deal. But for me, it's huge.
   My neighbor gave me a little white Bible for my eighth birthday (which still sits on my bookshelf) and if memory serves, it’s only been opened a few times to  Psalm 23. I also remember my church handing out Bibles for confirmation though honestly I’m not sure what happened to that copy.
   So, a few years ago I bought my lavender covered, Women of Faith NKJV with purpose!

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Rose colored glasses

Can a pair of sunglasses be timeless?
   I seem to go through lots of sunglasses. Especially since I am blue eyed, and I have three pairs of child-hands that grab and put on my glasses to play. My four-year old calls every pair of glasses ‘sunglasses.’ And very few things compare to the red head donning my large plastic-rimmed pair with his super-hero costume and fireman boots.
   Every morning since I quit my 9 to 5 job and I took off and returned my world-sunglasses, and risen each morning with rose colored sunglasses on. But can rose-colored glasses be timeless? (As a kid I had heart shaped ones!)

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A quiet heart

A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. - Mark 4:37, 38 NIV

How could Jesus be so oblivious to the storm that raged around him when he and his disciples were in danger of drowning? He was asleep, of all things. The answer is simple. He knew who was in charge of everything, even the wind and the waves of the sea. He could sleep in peace because he knew his Father watched over him.
   What are the storms in our lives? We probably aren't in danger of drowning in the middle of a lake in a storm, but we may be in danger of drowning in another sense. What has consumed us? Maybe we may have too many irons in the fire and we don't know how we can ever get everything accomplished. Everything seems to be going wrong, just when we don't have time for anything else.

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Nothing to Fear

My mom is almost 80 years old. I can only imagine the changes she has seen in her life time. Technology has grown exponentially.
   It’s no wonder that many nearing their 100th year may have no interest in learning how to use a computer or getting a Facebook account. I might be saying “enough changes already” if it were me.
   The changes continue. My grandchildren are sure to see a different world than the one I experience. Ideas that seem impossible will be every day necessities.
   More than technology has undergone a change in the last century. The righteousness that once exemplified our nation is harder to find. The holiness that once set the Church apart from the world has diminished.

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Biblical Bug Spray

Last month somewhere in my backyard, a mosquito died a happy little bugger after gorging on a 13-course breakfast of A- blood he extracted from my legs. I was probably his last meal—I can hope, can’t I?
   For several days, pink dots of calamine lotion dotted my legs from ankle to thigh. I looked like Madame Mim during her duel with Merlin in “Sword in the Stone.” Go ahead, laugh; it is funny. I had the power to refuse this bug his breakfast, so why didn’t I?

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Behind the Scenes - RJ Thesman - Remember the Good Times

Each week in Behind the Scenes, readers get a little insight into the background of their favorite books. This week RJ Thesman, author of 'The Unraveling of Reverend G,' talks about what she hopes people will remember about Alzheimer's patients.

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Out of the Fog

Without faith it isn't possible to please God. Those who come to God must believe that he exists. And they must believe that he rewards those who look to him. ~ Hebrews 11:6 (NIRV)

I have a secret. I’m not only, not perfect, I’m all messed up. But there's good news... my life and yours are precious. God wants us and others need us.
   A few years ago as I visited my mom, she brought up a really tough question.
   "I know you believe in God, there is light all around you," she said. "But where’s your faith? Don’t you know God can heal you?”
   "Oh, no! Here we go again," I thought. It was a conversation we had a million times before. I didn't want to go through it again.
   I started to leave. "Peggy, come and sit down," she called. "I have a story to tell you.”
   I reluctantly sat down as she patted the couch next to her.

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God Speaks on Bumper Stickers

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you and deliver you from captivity." -Jeremiah 29:12-13

Driving and I don't always get along. I admit that I should pay better attention to my motoring skills. From the scrape on the passenger door of my mini-van to the cracked bumper, I have participated in enough fender-benders to keep my insurance agent in business.
   Would it be okay to blame the inattentive driving on my three kids? Not every mom has to lip read her children in the rearview mirror to understand what they are saying. But I do because I'm hard of hearing.    When it comes to sitting behind the wheel, my eyes are my ears.

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Behind the Scenes - Alycia Holston - Typical Writing Day

Each week in Behind the Scenes, readers get a little insight into the background of their favorite books. This week Alycia Holston talks about what her 'typical' writing day is like.

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The Deadwood Forest

We were so excited about our summer vacation to Yellowstone National Park this year! As we got  ready to go, we researched everything - the geysers, the falls, the lake, the wildlife - we just couldn't wait to see the beauty of the national treasure.
   The first day of the trip we were eager to stand in awe of Old Faithful and the amazing show it would perform just for us. Our expectations were about as high as the mountain tops that create Yellowstone’s landscape.
   But an hour inside the gate, I turned to my husband and had to wonder if he was following the right road. It was silly, of course - there is only one road- but the path we were on, wound through what I quickly labeled The Deadwood Forest. Huge trees, remnants of a fire, stood in stark contrast to the lush vegetation that defined the rest of the park.

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A matter of the heart

I have a heart condition.

I love the Lord with all my heart. I seek the Lord with all my heart. I trust the Lord with all my heart. I have hidden and treasured God’s word in my heart. I invited Jesus to take up residence in my heart. (Deuteronomy 4:29, 6:5, Proverbs 3:5, Psalm 119:11, Romans 10:8-10)

When my life is in tune with these conditions, the peace which surpasses all understanding keeps my heart beating at a steady pace. However, when I love myself more than the Lord, when I seek my own way and trust my own rationale, anxiety rises within me.

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Encourage...yourself.

“And David was greatly distressed: for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters; but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” -  I Samuel 30:6

King David is perhaps one of the most colorful, vibrant characters in the Old Testament. While keeping sheep he had killed a lion and a bear, and eventually the giant Goliath who was feared by all the fighting men of Israel.
   Choosing words and phrases to describe him would conjure up: fearless, brave, full of faith in God, loved, lauded, hated, hunted, man after God’s heart, anointed, adulterer, murderer, and repentant. Yes, David was a man of godly character and determination, unafraid when he knew God was with him…yet very human and subject to giving in to temptation.

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Can you hear me now?

When I was in the Navy, I worked in satellite communications. It was in the days before satellite cell phones, wireless laptops or even the internet. It was a very exciting field to be in, and it ushered in the many luxuries (some might say 'necessities') that we enjoy today.
   But I was taught a very valuable lesson through my training in the fantastic job of literally speaking to the sky - there is a difference between a transmission and communication.

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Behind the Scenes - RJ Thesman - Purpose of Reverend G

Each week in Behind the Scenes, readers get a little insight into the background of their favorite books. This week RJ Thesman talks about what she hopes readers will take with them after reading, 'The Unraveling of Reverend G.'

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A little TLC

At the end of the summer blooming season, I walked through Wal-Mart’s outdoor flower pavilion. Leftovers of potted plants stood in half-wilted condition, the result of Kansas heat and a shortage of water.
   Although most of the plants seemed beyond help, I noticed a large pot of purple vining geraniums. At the height of the season, this particular pot cost $35 – way over my budget. But the current price tag was stamped only $4.50. I picked it up and claimed it as mine.

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Strawberries and Sundays

Every July, the hills of northern Oakland County, Michigan come alive. The village of Leonard, where one blinking light at Rochester Road and Elmwood Street keeps you from missing this hundred year old town, starts to look more like a city. After more than 40 years of living here, I've never seen a traffic jam on Elmwood — except on that third Saturday in July.
   On that one day, it seems as if a traveling circus came to town. Overnight the street fill with tents, ponies, horses, fire trucks, inflatables and neighbors you haven’t seen since the last festival. There are all kinds of things to see, including my favorites - Spezia’s little bald piglets and the horses in the parade.

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Running with perseverance

This past year, I was blessed with an opportunity to travel to Burundi, Africa. Our purpose was to bring water units to villages that didn't have clean drinking water. These units produce a chlorine that makes water safe to drink. We were there to bless the people.
   Burundi is one of the ten poorest countries in the world, and it shows. As the plane landed, my friends and I were instantly sobered by the living conditions. We viewed crowded, filthy streets framed by door-less mud houses, dirty and half naked children running about unattended, while their shoe-less parents worked hard in their fields. A pastor named Jean Marie met us, and was our host for the week. As we spent time with him, he reminded me of the Apostle Paul. Always thanking God, and always proclaiming blessings from Him.

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The summer of thankfulness

I remember being excited to start first grade. I filled my school box with chunky pencils; made sure every crayon had a sharp tip and wrote my name on the top right corner of my Big Chief tablet.
   Eager to use scissors with a point for the first time I knew I was hot stuff. That is until I was given a note from the school nurse to take home. It said I needed to go to the eye doctor.
   My mother made an appointment and before you knew it; my little body sunk into the huge leather chair in the optometrist office. Fascinated by the funny looking machine that hung from the ceiling I scooted to the edge of the big chair to look through the silly apparatus. It made me dizzy as lenses flipped back and forth. Six-year-old wisdom knew the alphabet was out of order; the doctor chuckled when I told him but he didn’t fix it.

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A little pruning

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me

That does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears

Fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

John 15:1, 2 NASB

I was in my flower garden recently deadheading my roses. They were beautiful this year, the three bushes almost solid with clusters of red blooms. Little by little the flowers began to fade, the petals dropped, and all that was left were the unsightly remains. I know before long the shrubs will once again be covered with bright red roses, but first I had to get rid of all the spent ones. With pruning shears in hand I tackled the job. It wasn’t easy, and my back soon began to ache as I leaned over and clipped off all the dead blossoms.

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Putting your neck on the line

Dear Mr. or Mrs. Turkey,

I apologize in advance for your fate. First of all because you have spent the last three months in my freezer since I chose not to use you during typical turkey devouring season. Secondly, because you like many things became an experiment today. You see, my bachelor’s degree is in chemistry, and I like to experiment, since I no longer have a lab to do so in and stay home with children and teach. So please forgive me for cooking you in my crock pot, for not knowing how to remove the giblets, or where your neck is stored. Believe me, this is much more traumatic for me than it is for you. I am a recovering vegetarian.

Sincerely,

The Chef

P.S. Please excuse my husband when he carves you. If I have left anything by mistake, it may surprise him and cause his knife to slip unexpectedly.

I want to live with reckless abandon, to show the Lord, that I can live a life fully devoted for Him without regards for the worldly consequences for Him. And, in my thirty-first year on this earth, I seem to be going through a midlife crisis (hope it’s my first). I have teased about a nose-ring, pink hair, and packing a bag and leaving for weeks on end to somewhere tropical.

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Behind the Scenes - Angela Meyer - Bruised Reed Inspiration

Each week in Behind the Scenes, readers get a little insight into the background of their favorite books. This week Angela Meyer talks about the inspiration behind her new book, 'Bruised Reed.'

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A Pure Heart

My lip recently encountered the back door of the van. It was a rental and the edge of the door protruded further from the handle than in our own van. When I pulled it down, I stood too close and whacked myself with the door.
   I went back into the store I just left and got some ice. I’m sure I looked ridiculous driving down the road holding a plastic bag to my upper lip. Due to the ice, my face was not black and blue, but I still felt the bruise underneath. It left quite an impression.
   Every time we encounter the world, it leaves an impression. We may not see the evidence on the surface of our life, but underneath the swelling is there. Our words and actions may not change right away but our thoughts and intentions will slowly begin to shift if we don’t take measures to lessen the impact.

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Remember when?

There was a time in my life when, like Narnia frozen in 100 years of winter, my life felt shrouded in perpetual darkness. We've all been there, that place where life is in crisis mode and our prayers bounce back from the ceiling. We wonder, "Why is this happening to me?" and "When is it going to end?"  
   Perhaps you even waiver in your faith. I did. It took nearly ten years before the darkness melted away. I was tempted many times to turn away from God, but the thought of eternity in hell prodded me to hold on. My faith in God had taken a terrible beating. I often tempered my prayers with "God, help my unbelief" (see Mark 9:24).
   Like King David, when God seems more distant than the stars, we have to encourage ourselves through the dry and difficult times. But how do we do that?

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Behind the Scenes - Shanna Groves - Everyday Life

Each week in Behind the Scenes, readers get a little insight into the background of their favorite books. This week Shanna Groves shares what life is like when she's not writing books like , 'Confessions of a Lip Reading Mom.'

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Do You Worry Too Much? Yeah, Me Too

Worrywart should have been my middle name. Even before the age of 10, my brain was wracked with numerous anxieties. My childhood was defined by weight worries, fitting in worries and school worries.
   At nine I started subscribing to Weight Watchers and exercising to Richard Simmons workout tapes because I was concerned that my belly pooched out too much in a swimsuit. Forget peer pressure. There was more than enough pressure coming from me to make all A’s at all costs.

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In control

Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry?  Why are you looking so sad? Do what is right. Then you will be accepted. If you don't do what is right,  sin is waiting at your door to grab you. It longs to have you.  But you must rule over it." ~ Genesis 4:6-7 (NIRV)

Two of my grandchildren were visiting me a few years ago and the younger one was pitching a great fuss because I didn’t give her a certain cereal.
   The older one shot her a motherly look and said, “you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit!” Her sister grudgingly sat down and ate. After breakfast, the girls turned on the cartoons and quickly forgot all about the cereal battle.
   I know my granddaughter won’t come up to me years from now and ask, "Grandma, do you remember when you didn't give me the cereal I wanted?" But it is something I have done. Throughout my life, I have said, "I remember when so and so did such and such to me."
   I have an anger problem.

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Behind the Scenes - Alycia Holston - Book Inspiration

Each week in Behind the Scenes, readers get a little insight into the background of their favorite books. This week Alycia Holston describes her inspiration for her children's book, 'While the Giant is Sleeping.'

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Nighlights, dog food and Parmesan cheese

I had just returned from one of those shopping trips that makes your cart look like you were trying to win the contest for how much you can fit in one cart without anything falling out. As I put the groceries away, I discovered three items I'd left behind - nightlight bulbs, dog food and Parmesan cheese.
   Like it or not, they couldn't wait and would require another trip to the store. My bark machine surely wasn't going to wait until the next restocking trip and my youngest feels more comfort when her little light shines. As a one income household with three children, pasta is often on the menu and while the cheese wasn't a neccesity, it sure makes those dinners a little more fun.

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Morning by morning

“They gathered it morning by morning, every man as much as he should eat…” Exodus 16:21 NASB

Each morning the Hebrew children gathered manna, their daily bread, off the ground before it melted. Every morning, I gather God’s manna, His word for the day from the Bible. But sometimes life disrupts those morning meals.
   My husband is not a breakfast eater, so for the first few years of our marriage, my only requirement in the morning was to give my husband a kiss before he walked out the door. However, when we added kids to our household, my morning routine changed.

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Behind the Scenes - Sharon Spiegel - Character Inspiration

Each week in Behind the Scenes, readers get a little insight into the background of their favorite books. CrossRiver authors will share the joys and headaches in their writing process. This week Sharon Spiegel talks her inspiration for the characters in her new book, 'Generations.'

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The Knock-out Punch

I’ll be the first to admit — I am obsessed with the familial promises of God throughout scripture. There is one passage I focus on quite often when praying for my family members.

“…Be not afraid of them, remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and ‘fight for your brethren, yours sons, and your daughters, your wives and your houses. And it came to pass when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.” - Nehemiah 4:14b-15.

   There's a battle raging for the lives of our children and grandchildren. We don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities in high places. (Eph. 8:12) But the victory over the cunning tricks and traps the enemy brings against our family is ours when we do battle on our knees.

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It's not 'The Great Suggestion'

The old song may be right. It does seem like all God’s children want to do is stay around His table. No one wants to work in the fields.*

We relish our padded pews and air-conditioned sanctuaries. We actively participate in our small group fellowships and pot lucks, but we rarely see active soul winning or any other form of fulfilling the Great Commission. We call things discipleship, but there’s no spiritual depth being achieved. We call things soul winning, but it’s really just sheep shuffling.

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Call to Action

Lately I’ve heard many speakers refer to the “Call to Action.” I hear it at seminars and try to include it in the e-newsletters I send from work. One segment of our local news bears the “Call to Action” title while a large denomination uses this moniker to challenge their people toward justice and equality.
One morning, I pondered a call to action from scripture. Found in Psalm 37:7, the Psalmist gives us five calls to action.

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