Stay tuned for an interview with T.L. Hines later this week. Tony will share some his journey from atheist to Christian fiction writer. You'll also have a chance to win a copy of his book, Waking Lazarus.
M.L. Tyndall will be here next week to talk about her first book, The Redemption. You'll have a chance to win not only a copy of he book but tickets to Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.
July 5 marks the date for the revealing of Scenes and Beans, the Kanner Lake Blog. Trust me, you don't want to miss that.
So stay tuned and be blessed!
Monday, June 26, 2006
Thursday, June 22, 2006
A Two Year Test of Faith
The article by this title is posted today at Spiritually Unequal Marriage. I hope you'll stop by and check it out. I love this site. It's so encouraging. Lynn Donovan is an amazing lady to follow God's call in such a manner. I'm honored to be able to participate.
Yesterday was the summer solstice, so happy summer! Keep cool...
Yesterday was the summer solstice, so happy summer! Keep cool...
Friday, June 16, 2006
Are You Free?
Beth Moore defines a stronghold as anything that prevents a Christian from experiencing the abundant life God intended for us (Breaking Free). The Bible teaches us that Christ is to be our stronghold, the one true focus of our lives. But let's not fool ourselves. We're at war. The enemy can't take our salvation away, but he sure can hinder our sanctification and joy.
I'm not saying strongholds are caused by the enemy, although some are. But we are fleshly beings by nature and that human nature is what trips us up. Anything that moves our eyes off God and takes a higher place of importance in our lives than Him is a stronghold. And you know what's scary? It can happen in an instant. The temptation sits there. The enemy uses it to taught us, to ply our attention from God. And before we even realize we've taken a step, and this thing, this peace-buster, has chained us. We are no longer free, but slaves once again.
Galations 5:1 says,
Here's another Casting Crows song that's really speaking to me at the moment. I hope it speaks to you as well.
Set Me Free by Casting Crowns
It hasn't always been this way
I remember brighter days
Before the dark ones came
Stole my mind
Wrapped my soul in chains
Now I live among the dead
Fighting voices in my head
Hoping someone hears me crying in the night
And carries me away
Chorus:
Set me free of the chains holding me
Is there anybody out there hearing me?
Set me free
Morning breaks another day
Finds me crying in the rain
All alone with my demons I am
Who is this man that comes my way?
The dark ones shriek
They scream His name
Is this the One they say will set the captives free?
Jesus, rescue me
Chorus
As the God man passes by
He looks straight through my eyes
The darkness cannot hide
Chorus 2:
Do you want to be free?
Lift your chains
I hold the key
All Power on Heaven and earth belong to me
(Repeat)
You are free
You are free
You are free
I'm not saying strongholds are caused by the enemy, although some are. But we are fleshly beings by nature and that human nature is what trips us up. Anything that moves our eyes off God and takes a higher place of importance in our lives than Him is a stronghold. And you know what's scary? It can happen in an instant. The temptation sits there. The enemy uses it to taught us, to ply our attention from God. And before we even realize we've taken a step, and this thing, this peace-buster, has chained us. We are no longer free, but slaves once again.
Galations 5:1 says,
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery." (NIV)I also beleive this is part of what Paul meant when he said to continue to work out our salvation (Phil. 2:12). What strongholds keep you from experiencing the abundant life? I know I have at least one that plagues me constantly, but I keep hearing this soft voice telling me I'm free. Maybe I'm just that bird who has been caged so long that when the door opens, I can't grasp the idea of truly being free. Something to ponder...
Here's another Casting Crows song that's really speaking to me at the moment. I hope it speaks to you as well.
Set Me Free by Casting Crowns
It hasn't always been this way
I remember brighter days
Before the dark ones came
Stole my mind
Wrapped my soul in chains
Now I live among the dead
Fighting voices in my head
Hoping someone hears me crying in the night
And carries me away
Chorus:
Set me free of the chains holding me
Is there anybody out there hearing me?
Set me free
Morning breaks another day
Finds me crying in the rain
All alone with my demons I am
Who is this man that comes my way?
The dark ones shriek
They scream His name
Is this the One they say will set the captives free?
Jesus, rescue me
Chorus
As the God man passes by
He looks straight through my eyes
The darkness cannot hide
Chorus 2:
Do you want to be free?
Lift your chains
I hold the key
All Power on Heaven and earth belong to me
(Repeat)
You are free
You are free
You are free
Monday, June 12, 2006
Praise You in This Storm
by Casting Crowns
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen"
and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away
Chorus:
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away
Chorus
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
I'm not usually a big Casting Crowns fan. I tend to like my music a little "harder," but this song won't leave me alone lately. I've come to realize the storms of life are a constant. There is no such thing as still waters. Not in this life, not as a Christian.
Time has taught, and is teaching me, that life is full of trials. You have to roll with the waves or get sucked under. God didn't put me on this earth for the easy ride. I've rebelled against that lesson for a lot of years. I guess now I've accepted it, at least as far as I'm able. The rest I leave to Jesus to show me the way.
What calls on me most in this song is the idea of praising God in this storm. It doesn't make sense at all to our human natures, but what's truly amazing is that it makes perfect sense to our spirits. When we praise Him in the midst of our storms, our burdens are lightened. That's because He comes along side us to help carry the load, or even carry us.
What trials or storms are you facing today? I know it's hard sometimes to see God's hand, his great plan. How can we trust He has our best interest at heart when the punches come one after another? That's the thing, we don't know. We have to trust and believe God. Believe He's right there, ready to carry us. Believe his promises. Believe He loves us with a consuming passion.
I'll leave you with that thought for now. Next stop—freedom. Stay tuned...
I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen"
and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away
Chorus:
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God
Who gives and takes away
Chorus
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
I'm not usually a big Casting Crowns fan. I tend to like my music a little "harder," but this song won't leave me alone lately. I've come to realize the storms of life are a constant. There is no such thing as still waters. Not in this life, not as a Christian.
Time has taught, and is teaching me, that life is full of trials. You have to roll with the waves or get sucked under. God didn't put me on this earth for the easy ride. I've rebelled against that lesson for a lot of years. I guess now I've accepted it, at least as far as I'm able. The rest I leave to Jesus to show me the way.
What calls on me most in this song is the idea of praising God in this storm. It doesn't make sense at all to our human natures, but what's truly amazing is that it makes perfect sense to our spirits. When we praise Him in the midst of our storms, our burdens are lightened. That's because He comes along side us to help carry the load, or even carry us.
What trials or storms are you facing today? I know it's hard sometimes to see God's hand, his great plan. How can we trust He has our best interest at heart when the punches come one after another? That's the thing, we don't know. We have to trust and believe God. Believe He's right there, ready to carry us. Believe his promises. Believe He loves us with a consuming passion.
I'll leave you with that thought for now. Next stop—freedom. Stay tuned...
Mish Mash
What a week! I'm in full edit mode, getting a manuscript I already finished ready to send to an agent. The request was for a full so here's hoping...
Be sure to check out Spiritually Unequal Marriage this week. They're running a four part series about my friend MaryLu Tyndall and her husband. Both share their testimonies about how her husband came to faith.
FUN NEWS!!!
I auditioned for Brandilyn Collin's Scenes & Beans blog. Found out today I will be one of four bloggers for the character of Bailey Truitt, owner of Java Joint and creater of the Scenes & Beans blog. This is all from Brandilyn's latest book, Violet Dawn. Be sure to get a copy when it comes out in August. Talk about a fast-paced read. One scene will live in my brain forever. Ask me about that one later. I'm thilled to be a part of this project and such a great team of writers.
Hope everyone has an awesome week. Let me know what you're up to. Anything new on the horizon? Any prayer requests? Any miracles to report? :-)
Hey, God's everywhere. Let's hear about it.
Be sure to check out Spiritually Unequal Marriage this week. They're running a four part series about my friend MaryLu Tyndall and her husband. Both share their testimonies about how her husband came to faith.
FUN NEWS!!!
I auditioned for Brandilyn Collin's Scenes & Beans blog. Found out today I will be one of four bloggers for the character of Bailey Truitt, owner of Java Joint and creater of the Scenes & Beans blog. This is all from Brandilyn's latest book, Violet Dawn. Be sure to get a copy when it comes out in August. Talk about a fast-paced read. One scene will live in my brain forever. Ask me about that one later. I'm thilled to be a part of this project and such a great team of writers.
Hope everyone has an awesome week. Let me know what you're up to. Anything new on the horizon? Any prayer requests? Any miracles to report? :-)
Hey, God's everywhere. Let's hear about it.
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