Book Recommendations

To make a confession – sometimes I forget what a miraculous circumstance Jesus, his birth and his life was and is. Not that I forget that he is heaven-sent, but sometimes I hear the stories so many times that my inner monologue goes, “I know, I know, I get it, I heard this already.” Except that is pompous human error to think that I can know all God has said already; I haven’t heard the stories already, not completely. There are so many miracles and teachings, and love from God to be discovered in each word recorded through God. Sometimes you can read one story and you can see the obvious message being preached, but later re-reading the same story you realized you missed another detail Jesus was trying to tell you. That can happen over and over again. Sometimes I think about Jesus, the Son of God, and how He came to be born a very human birth and I cannot wrap my mind around it –  it is so much for me to take in, I can barley comprehend it. There is so much of God to discover, to keep discovering – it’s hard to soak it all in. To know God and his personality is mind-numbing. Reading “Dug Down Deep” is like watching a thriller – it gets your heart pumping and puts you at the edge of your seat to find out more. Jesus is a miracle, is God, is so much more than you can imagine and to know Him is to constantly seek Him.

-Justine

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Much of life’s wisdom is gained through a series of trials and errors. How do you know to use caution around your very impressionable children? Because yesterday they mimicked your most undesirable quality in public.  Although wouldn’t it be wonderful to go through life without constantly thinking, “I wish I would have done that this way…” or “If I could do it over again, I would…” Knowing how to build a foundational and loving marriage, knowing how to raise children in the way they should go, knowing how to be that gracious women who has the time for everyone and everything is a goal all women desire to achieve. Until that fateful day when you realize that that stuff does not, in fact, come easy and it is not, unfortunately, taught – because it feels as though these are things that should come naturally. Only nothing comes naturally! Any desirable qualities, traits, wisdom comes from God. In “Youniquely Women” the authors, whom are ladies after God’s own heart, give sound advice on being that godly women precious in the eyes of the Lord. We all have that picture in our head of being that women with the most polite kids, the most loving husband, the most orderly home, the most sought after person when it comes to any sort of advice, that woman who can see God’s impression in all aspects of her life and all this without a hair out of place. Following the Lord makes it very possible to be that women you would like to be, because being that glorified women is who God wants you to be too! All you have to do is find out how to be such a God-approved woman, and this book can be that second step (after the Holy Bible of course) that offers great advisement in doing so.

-Justine

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Did you ever know someone who was just so… a cross between an exasperated sigh and a growl? There are people who are stubborn and closed minded and who treat you as an enemy no matter what tactic you use to approach them. They are stuck in their way of thinking and acting, and the whole rest of the world is what is off balance – so they say.  Some people are just foolish, and with those certain people maintaining peace can be the hardest thing to come by. It is especially hard not to resort to manipulative or childish battle techniques distributed by the other party. For instance, if they happen to scream what they wish to say, how hard is it to remain talking in a normal tone of voice?  Perhaps your stubborn person is someone you love very deeply, the wish you hold on to is that you might bring them up in the way they should go just by being the godly person Jesus has inspired you to be.  In actuality, when it comes to bona fide fools, they have a much greater chance of pulling you down then you do of pulling them up. The end result of trying to change a person on your own is disastrous – making ill the mind, and bringing fatigue to every step. There is only one being that can bring about a true change of heart in someone, and that is the Lord your God.  If you have a “fool” in your life, now is the time to “let go and let God” so to speak. Do not worry about what might happen if you stop protecting, making excuses for, or rescuing the thick-headed. God will discipline and love and he will be the one to lift up the stubborn. This particular book is great at techniques to use to remember to be the person God wants you to be, while dealing with someone who isn’t.  Remember before you try to play the role of rescue hero to go the Lord and await his confirmation in the way you yourself should go. Wisdom and change comes from God, not from our own methods.

-Justine

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Holiness is often equated with legalism in our minds. We think of it as strict rules, lists of what you can or cannot do, and guilt and condemnation for missing the mark. Holiness is actually about relationship with God and living in that relationship. Holiness is about grace, mercy and love, as well as purity. Understanding this brings great refreshment to the soul!

This is the first book that I have read from J.I. Packer, so I was not sure what to expect. From this book I would describe his writing as very thorough and meaty. He goes through the subject of holiness with great detail and care.  Breaking down our misconceptions and providing the Biblical foundation for truth about holiness. This is not a light and fluffy read.

I also tried a new approach (for me) with this book. I read it with my ears, using the audio version. I was not sure if I would like this, but I did enjoy it and will read more books that way.

-PJ

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Often times, the more money you have the more safe you feel. Money equals stability, money says you can afford to live another day, week, month, etc. Only money is fickle and temporary, we are only left feeling secure until the next paycheck – and even that promise isn’t written in stone.  Do you know what the best thing money can do for you is? Strengthen your faith. There are two routes to go – the one where God is whispering that perhaps your money would be better spent performing His will, or the route that screams, “Omg! Look at that watch! Outfit! Slot Machine! The food at BJ’s!” If you find yourself praying before making any purchase and awaiting God’s confirmation before spending, you will find God will keep to His promise of taking care for you, thus an onslaught of renewed and strengthened faith in the Lord. The trick is to keep focusing on Jesus Christ, because no matter how you spend your money people will talk, mutter, shake their heads and glare at you disapprovingly. Except our hope is in God, not man, and thus the Lord’s opinion is the only that counts. Nehemiah started off wealthy, without lacking of anything and yet when he felt God pull on his heartstrings to leave it behind and follow His plan –  he did so without so much as a whispered complaint.  It must have been hard, to go the way where the only one who knew what would become of Nehemiah was God. Wait right there, tell me what is there to fear when God has a plan for us again? Is your mind drawing a blank? It should be! Because only God can proved real security, and he will be faithful to us as long as we keep coming back to Him. Nehemiah prayed, sought God, and spent his money on what God approved and he was blessed for it, even blessing others in return. Just as Nehemiah is our example, we can be an example with how we control our own cash flow. Remember to not lay your hope in money, but in the Lord your God.

-Justine

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If you’re old enough to read this, than you surely know that our once thriving economy has taken a rather frightening plunge. It is not as though we were rich before, in that we could afford everything we’ve ever wanted. Most budgeted before, and the way things are going now most don’t know which will go first – the house, or one’s sanity. Perhaps you know, in your mind that is, that God can help you pick up the pieces, or prevent such a financial meltdown from occurring. Yet the Bible mostly views money in a negative light, and then there is the phrase – money does not buy happiness. This we know, but it can certainly cease most of our worries – so are we wrong to stress over something so temporary? Not at all, for the Lord knows our needs and as long as we are first seeking Him he will not hesitate in aiding us. We know we can come to God for wisdom, for strength, for guidance and that he has instructed us to plan for the future, to remember his promises, to not be gluttonous, to go for stability and not “get rich quick” schemes. But what does this mean and how can this be applied to surviving the struggling economy? Ask for wisdom in how to divide your money among expenses – the T.V needs to be replaced, but with what will you pay for gas next week? Set money apart for nothing, just to save – plan for the future, and consider possible outcomes that might call for quick cash (a ticket, home repairs, etc). Don’t be a glutton with the expenses you have, shrink bills any way you can – how many lights are on but not being used? How long did you leave the sprinklers on? Consider everything you leave plugged in but are not in constant use. Remember that the economy is never stable for long, so take assurance that this has happened before, and ergo has been lived through. You do not have to fret, as long as your focus stays on God and you follow His instructions, everything is going to be okay. Ron Blue along with Jeremy White offers amazing, reassuring tips on saving money and remaining sane (by offering biblical examples) throughout it all.

-Justine

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Have you ever woken up minutes before the alarm was set to go off? Under the warm blankets, dark peaceful atmosphere, and behind closed eyelids your mind can drift peacefully and uninterrupted. It is bliss, and the outside world does not exist in the quiet, soothing and calming world of under the blankets– but, still, a small voice at the back of the mind gets increasingly louder as the seconds tick away. “Don’t forget to do this…” “You made a commitment to be here…” “The kids are going to want…” “…. Should be up soon and will need…” “What about your to-do list?”  There is traffic mounting louder outside the window, the dog is barking louder than needed, and the phone has already began to ring much too early, and above all is that thought of, “Today will be more than you can handle.” And in all actuality, it is too much for us to handle. Even the simplest of days are draining, exhausting, and …frustrating. Because like Peter, we cannot stay afloat on our own. The world is taunting, begging to pull you under – and while under the blankets is a hiding place efficient only for children (and even that is debatable) we can safely take refuge in an even better place – within the Lord. The Lord is that force that keeps you afloat! Sane! Joyful! The Lord is the one whom gives you strength, energy and wisdom to do what is necessary to be done. Really, there isn’t a need to run away – turn to the Lord throughout your day and he will give you the comfort you need. Talk to him – express praise, concerns, feelings, thoughts, seek him – read the word, listen to worship; be aware of the Lord your God and your search for refuge will not be in vain. Emilie Barnes offers wise advice on making time for the Lord, and the benefits it means for you. For without God, everything is too much to handle, with God there is no need to fear. Are you fearful, worried? The Lord, awesome that is He, is waiting for you.

-Justine

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Twelve Ordinary Men

Do you ever feel like it takes a special sort of person God would want to use to accomplish His works? Those that partake on missionary trips must be bold and very wise in that area, no? Or those with the gift of evangelizing must have a way with words and noticeable charm, right? Except if one were to examine the very first missionaries, the very first to evangelize – the lives of the twelve apostles – one would realize these men were nothing of the sort, that is until God trained them in the way they should be. Here therefore comes a dawning realization, such desirable traits it takes to fight the good fight, and run the race of faith does not manifest in ourselves like some sort of gene, but rather is manifested in us through the Lord. The twelve apostles were closest to Jesus, among the first to personally know our Lord – and through Him they performed great miracles, led many followers to Christ, and remained devoted to Christ until the end. But Jesus did not pick them because there were exceptionally brave, influential, smart, talented or even charming. In fact often times they were brash, rude, inconsiderate, unloving, arrogant, stubborn, and at times flaky in their obedience. But consider what they have accomplished – the bible is pretty familiar in every place of the world! These ordinary men had to learn from Christ how to be the kind of men God wanted to represent Him, this change in character did not occur on its own. Thus, the accounts of the twelve apostles are beautiful because they were ordinary, because we can relate to them, because it’s thrilling to realize God can use us, not superman, to accomplish his works just as he did with the twelve apostles.

Twelve Extraordinary Men

There are countless women in the bible that are certainly worthy of being looked up to. Poster women for the ideal role models, if you will. As it is, they come across as “worthy” because their role model is Jesus Christ. What each (extraordinary) woman of the bible had in common was that all their hopes, inspirations, and dreams lay within Christ. Many fell short of perfection, encountered conviction and thus had to rebuked many times – though this only strengthen their faith and in no way ceased their desire to learn more from God. They were only human, and ergo guilty of being short-tempered, petty, bitter, jealous, vindictive and prideful (just as those traits can be found among us). But hope and faith in Jesus transformed these qualities into zest, humility, love, empathy, kindness and wisdom. As long as each woman knew in her heart, that through Christ everything would turn out better than they could ever imagine (even in the thickest of times) they could enjoy sound peace. These women are ideal to look up to because they never lost hope, never stopped believing, and because of that allowed Jesus to transform them into the kind of women God has meant them (and us) to be.

-Justine

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Sometimes we can do everything within our power to try to accomplish what we hope will come to past. Then comes some disappointing insight – as it turns out, what is within our power is not very much at all. When it comes to trying to achieve our desires through our own methods and tactics, we fail and bitterly at that. It is not until we submit to the Lord, humble and full of recognition that we truly need Him, that we can actually bring God glory and count it all for joy. We need the Lord! Everything we do is in vain if the Lord is not included in it. Consider the Brooklyn Tabernacle, where Pastor Jim Cymbala inherited the duties of running this broken down, and almost forgotten church. Worried over bills and the lack of people hearing the Lord’s message, Pastor Jim found himself in a fret over the future of a church that had once had the hopes of touching the lives of many people. Surrounded by fears, worries, and the spiritually dead – Pastor Jim cried out to the Lord, and the Lord gave him some surprising wisdom, “God is attracted to weakness. He can’t resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need Him.” God will not fail us where we need Him most. Submit to the Lord, and realize your need for Him and the Lord will not be defeated in using us to bring Him glory. Remember the right way to conduct ourselves, the right way to attain peace, is by following the will of God.

-Justine

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There will come a day when the new generation will have never known cash, or nickels, dimes, pennies, or quarters for that matter. This concept is not hard to imagine, society is already becoming  cashless. A cashless society will have great potential in linking together all countries in the world into one mega economy. The New World Order will be convenient, efficient, and the answer to many problems. One ominous detail cannot be overlooked, a cashless society setting the stage for one global economy is the 1st step preceding the coming of the antichrist. Money will be replaced by a mark, either on the right hand or forehead, without it one cannot buy or sell any items. This mark will label those that have it as a follower of the antichrist. In the transition to a one-world economy, 10 leaders will arise to take the reins. From these leaders, one unknown political figure will take charge. Very quickly he will rise to power with his charisma, and speaking abilities – and many will come to worship him. This will be the beginning of the end of the world, for God’s wrath shall pour upon man like darkness consumes the sky come nighttime. After much of the world is destroyed beyond recognition, and half of mankind lay dead, our mighty savior Jesus Christ will come to the world’s rescue once again. While the future looks bleak, there is a piece of hope we believers in Christ can take refuge in – we shall be caught up to meet Jesus mid-air, before any horrors begin to befall the world.

-Justine

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