A Life God Rewards

This small book packs a powerful punch.  First off, it was given to me for graduation nearly 10 years ago, and I just now picked it up to read it.  WOW!  That is along time.  I wonder what the message of this powerful little book would have done back then
Anyways, I can't undo it.  What is done is done.  This book speaks of a rewarding life.  God rewards us according to our deeds.  ALL of us. There are two types of people.  The ones who believe in Christ and follow Him, and those who reject Christ and follow their own desires.

This book states that life actually happens after death.  Our life is but a point on a contiuous line of eternity.  But our life on earth affects our life in eternity.  If we follow Christ, we will be rewarded according to our works.  If we reject Christ, we will reap retribution according to our works.  There will be levels of reward in heaven, and levels of retribution in Hell.

This book teaches you the importance of your works here on earth.  You can be a Christian and believe in Christ, but your works will tell a lot about your relationship with Him.  In whatever you do on earth, do it for God's glory and He will reward you for it.  Your motive must be pure or you won't receive the reward.  God tells us to store up treasures in heaven; treasures that withstand the heat of fire.  God says that everyone's works will go through the fire at the judgement day.  Works of gold, silver, and good gems will withstand the fire and not be burned.  Works of wood, hay, and stubble will burn up.

Some good things done with the wrong motive could actually be burned up on judgement day.  Good but not the best or most beneficial things could be works of the wood, hay, and stubble variety rather than the precious gems.  It is best to examine the 'why' we do things when we do them.  Store up your treasures in heaven, forever is a very long time.

Experiment Update

I have read at least 5 out of 110 books.  That doesn't sound like much but, I have started at least 3 to 5 more...  I have plans to continue reading, I will do my best to speed up the pace.   I may practice my speed reading techniques and see what happens.

Check out the Books to Read section, I have crossed of the books I have read so far.  There are a few that I have come close to finishing several times before, so I plan to check those titles out first. 

I also plan to check out a few of my healthy books this month.  I plan to read Made to Crave and do an online Bible/Book study with proverbs31.org and reclaim my health for the glory of God.  

Health Living Journal Shelved

I did not fully commit to the journal experience when I began.  I have not completely shelved my goals.  Life has happened, and my blogging took the first hit.  I have been reading other things and look forward to post more.

I am in a major transition phase of my life and am looking forward to all God has planned in and through it.  Each day is a journey, and I plan to live every moment for the glory of God.

My eyes are re-focusing on the vision~To Know God and to Make God Known.  The "how to" can be difficult, unless you surrender to God and his leading.

How to KNOW God

II Chronicles 7:14~If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

I must humble myself, pray, seek God's face, and turn from my sins.  This is a great starting place to KNOW God.  

Humility~a lowliness, a submissive, and servant-like posture before the Lord and others.

Pray~Praise, Repent, Ask, and Yield is what I think of with the word "PRAY."  It is a way to pray and be specific to particular things such as God's awesome power, my sins, my petitions for me and others, and surrender to the Holy Spirit who lives in me as a believer.

Seek~Seek means to look for something usually of importance or with urgency.  If I seek God's face, there must be an urgency there. I can "look", "glance", and "scan" for something. But when I "seek" something, there is the underlying meaning of getting to the bottom of something, finding something, digging beneath the surface to KNOW what is there.  Where do I seek God's face?  I can see Him in his creation, but ultimately I must seek his face in the Word of God.

Turn~Turn means to change directions.  To turn from my wicked ways, I must change directions.  I must change to directions of my body, mind, and will to the things of God.

How to make God KNOWN

Matthew 28:19, 20~Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

As I get to KNOW God, I want to tell others about Him.  God commands me to GO, teach, and ultimately make disciples.

GO~Go.  Where? How about to work. Or my neighbor's house.  Or the homeless man on the street corner.  How about the cashier at the grocery store. 

Teach~Who? ALL nations.  Begin where I am.  What do I teach?  The gospel, the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ.  I must tell them what He has done for me.

Disciple~The ultimate goal is to lead others to Christ, and train them up in the ways of God, so they will in turn tell others about Him. The GOOD NEWS multiplies and spreads just by telling a few people about what He has done in my life. WOW! That is an amazing thing!

 

God's Promises~They are our promises for the taking and claiming as long as we do our part.

KNOW

Hear from heaven

Forgive sins

Heal the land

KNOWN

He will never leave you

The best part is that the Holy Spirit lives within us as believers, and when we trust him and put our faith in Him.  He will do the work in and through us, because we can't do it ourselves.

Wow! Teaching myself on this.  This was not where I anticipated this post going, but it is truly on my heart.  I am ready and preparing myself to claim those wonderful promises of God.

Thanks,

Healthy Living ~ Days 5-10~WOW!

Thanksgiving has come and gone.  I don't think I did too badly.  I got in some exercise on the treadmill and a few minutes of indoor swimming.  It was nice.  I am working on getting back into the swing of things and re-establishing my routines.  I am forgetting to eat now, and that NEVER happens.  I am going to attempt to set up reminders for my meals and snacks, so that I know that I am properly fueling my body.  I am also going to keep a close eye on my sleep, both quantity and quality of sleep.
I haven't journaled much due Thanksgiving.  Tomorrow, I plan to catch up and post an overview.  Right now it is past my bedtime, so I will have to sign off now.  I know my "why" is to glorify God, and my "how" is starting to take shape with each and every choice I make.  Good night and sweet dreams, and tomorrow is a new day to build routines.

I am Second

 "Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." ~ Luke 7:47 

I grew up in church.  I went to private school from kindergarten to Senior year of high school.  I have a wonderful family that supports me in what I do.  I knew a whole lot about Jesus and at age five, I thought I knew Him as Savior.  It wasn't until age 16, that I fully understood what God did for me and my sins.  My head knowledge became heart understanding and Jesus became my Savior.  I "knew" what to do next, but I didn't quite know how to "walk the walk" and allow myself to trust God on a daily basis.  I finished high school and went on to college.  A year into college, God got my attention and showed me that He was in charge, and nothing was in my control.

Time went by, and I finished college and called on Jesus when it was convenient or when I needed help.  I was in the church pew every Sunday but in my thoughts many miles away at times.  God got my attention again, after graduation when I believe He called me to the harvest of children through teaching.  I tried to become a teacher on my own and in my own strength.  I even went on to graduate school to become a librarian thinking that would be my niche, but God grabbed my attention yet again and reminded me that I wasn't in control.  God showed me that He needed to not only be Savior but Lord of my life.  I learned that He wants a relationship with me, and I have finally become second within the last few years.  My life hasn't been easy, but staying closer to God is getting easier each day.

I am Second is a compilation of stories from various celebrities and people who declare themselves as second to Jesus in their life.  They range from rock band members, athletes, power couples, and pastors.  These people are honest and open about the struggles in their life that led them to a relationship with Jesus and the continuing trials of walking the walk with Jesus.  Some of my favorites were Ranger's player Josh Hamilton,  Ken Hutcherson, Korn band member Brian "Head" Welch, Karen Green, and Bethany Hamilton.  This book is just a portion of stories from the I am Second Movement.  At the close of each chapter there are QR codes for easy access to additional stories at www.iamsecond.com.

The book is just a small part of the greater movement.  I am Second is a movement that is circulating all over gathering others' stories of how they are second in life.  It is equipping others to go and share their story with others, and it is a means of encouragement for those in need.  For more information about I am Second, check out there website: www.iamsecond.com.

One Thousand Gifts

The night sky.  The bright moon.  The stars peeking through. Buildings that light up with changing colored lights. The newest, tallest tower brightly lighting up the skyline and occasionally hidden with the night fog.  Fellowship with a friend in my broken Spanish and her broken English.  This waiting period.  Health tests.  These are just a few of the gifts that I have been given through the reading of this book, One Thousand Gifts.
Ann Voskamp, a farmer's wife in Canada, writes in the most unique manner of how God gave her the gift of eucharisteo, Grace ~ Thanks ~ Joy.  Ann descriptively writes of the struggles of her life and the loss of joy.  She shares that thanksgiving to God in the good, the bad, and the ugly,  Thanksgiving is the process which began the restoration of grace in her life through a gratitude journal and the recording of those gifts.
The healing came in through the counting and in the seeking of the magnificent moments among the mundane routine of life.  This book encourages the reader to seek out their own gifts.  I personally started my own journal.  It is hard to keep up with writing them down, but once you get started you will always be on the lookout for new gifts.
I am currently doing the DVD and workbook study with the women of my church.  This has been a phenomenal time of fellowship and bonding allow us to share life with each other.  I would recommend this book to anyone that needs an extra dose of encouragement and perspective on thankfulness.
If you want to get a group study together, there is a DVD and workbook.  There is also a devotional book in addition to this book.
For more information check out this site: onethousandgifts.com
Check out Ann Voskamp's blog here: www.aholyexperience.com

Happy Thanksgiving and start counting...

Healthy Living ~ Day 4 ~ Bring on Thanksgiving...Almost!

Today was a decent day.  I gave into some sweet temptations early on, but then I remained pretty faithful.  I am still in the process of purging some foods such as french fries from my diet.  I know I can do this.  I walked a few minutes and did lunges, not quite ten minutes, but it was something.
Today's journal entry is about health role models you have and what tips have they offered and how helpful were they.  They suggest to call one of them up and tell them about your 21 day project and get some advice.
When I first read the question I was thinking on a grander scale such as "The Biggest Loser," specifically Jillian Michaels.  Jillian's method's may not be typical and proper "bedside" manner, so to speak, but she is not in the business of making friends.  She is in the business of making "losers," "biggest losers" that is.  From watching over the last several years, nearly every season she is on, she coaches the winner.  She is the one that shouted to this season's contestants to find their "why" and the "how" will follow.  That peice of advice allowed me to find my "why" which is to glorify God.  When I make my choices in light of that standard it makes it hard for me to go wrong.  That doesn't mean I won't fail, but when I do, I just get back up again ask for forgiveness and make another choice.
Then I realized the questions were geared to local role models.  As of right now I can think of two.  They are sweet inspirations to me and have encouraged me to continue my journey that I have begun.  Think about the people in your life, any role model, and give them a shout out.  Everyone needs to know they are appreciated once in a while.