STAND ALL THE WAY UP – Book Review

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My favorite reads are those that motivate, encourage, and make me more aware of what is happening in this crazy world. Not self help so much as books that say ‘I’ve been where you’ve been and this is how ‘we’ dealt with it. We? Never alone, always with God and the great people He placed in our lives for the purpose of coming alongside.

Sophie Hudson’s (Stand All The Way Up) writing style is straight forward, say it like it is, and downright funny.

Here are a few concepts that are covered in this book.

Quit faking it! You are who you are, what you are, and God loves you just that way.

Whenever it’s OK with God then it’s OK with me.

Being prepared in all situations (Yes, life WILL throw curveballs.) is a nod of respect to yourself and those around you.

I don’t have to keep everyone happy in every situation.  I can choose to react my way simply because I want to.

When God clearly tells you what He wants, do it!  Stand firm on your decision to obey!

God can, will, and does, make a way in every circumstance.

Personal is ALL about personal comfort. Once again, quit trying to be someone or something other than yourself.

Strong relationships and fellowship in the local church matter. Pursue them. If the groups of the church are so tight they don’t have room for you then create your own or find another church.

When my life is all about what I can do for you, IT MATTERS!

Pretending is lying. Be who you really are, not what you think you should be.

I truly hope this motivates you to read Stand All The Way Up by Sophie Hudson. It’s worth your time and will definitely cause you to think in some new ways.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from B&H Publishing Group, Nashville, TN.  I was not required to write a positive review.  The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC’s CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This post may contain affiliate links. When you use them I may receive a small commission that helps support the costs of maintaining this blog.

 

 

 

Life-Style Evangelism

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When Jesus was asked what is the most important commandment of the Law He replied;

  “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22

Perhaps there is a 3rd Commandment in the New Testament that we sometimes miss because it’s not seen in that light.  I suggest that the following needs to be added.

 19 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, 20 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

In the sermon this past Sunday our Asst. Pastor had done some research into how churches thrived and survived the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic.  His take away from the research was the Believers of that time practiced Life-Style Evangelism.

Having trained in Life-Style Evangelism several years ago at Ridgecrest, in North Carolina, I learned that sharing Jesus with our friends and neighbors is as important as any other ministry in the local church.  Below is a list of some ways you can practice this very important part of our Christian walk.

Wear a piece of jewelry that invites discussion.

Take a glass of something cold to your neighbor, or the person doing lawn work, or any other outdoor job, in the hot days of summer.

Visit or call someone at home, in a hospital, or nursing home that doesn’t get visitors. (Of course, call ahead, because they may be isolated due to Covid-19.)

Call friends and family to say I’m thinking of you.

Invite the person who is sitting alone (in church, at a restaurant, etc.) to sit with you.

When someone’s name pops into your mind send them an ‘I’m thinking of you’ note.

Follow through when you’ve said you would do something. IF you said I’ll call, then call.

Don’t hesitate to pray anywhere and anytime you’re asked.  Yes, even when you aren’t asked.  If you see the need, pray!

Create a blog and don’t hesitate to tell others about it.

Be sincere in your compliments.  People can always tell when you’re ‘just sayin’ ‘.

Prayer-walk your neighborhood.  Pray for every home even if you don’t know the person living there.

When you get ready to get rid of your Christmas, Birthday, Anniversary cards put them in a box and keep them in your ‘prayer spot’. Take one out each day and pray for that person. Let them know you prayed with a call or a card/note.

Invite someone who may be all alone to family dinners like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter…

Take a picture frame that you aren’t using, or buy one for this purpose. Put a sheet of paper (any color) behind the glass. Use a dry-erase marker to write the names of those you want to pray for.  Hang it in a place you see every day.  (Mine is above my home office desk.)

I hope these are helpful in your endeavors to go and tell. If you have any additional ideas comment in the space below.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

(I use Bible Gateway for Bible-related resources.)

L.E.A.R.N. Book Review

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Have you had the experience of reading a book that every page spoke some new truth into your life? (Except for the Bible, of course.) The L.E.A.R.N. Evangelism Handbook – Giving Away The Greatest Gift by Dr. Marshall M. Windsor did exactly that as I read. There are so many passages highlighted in so many colors that the pristine, clean, white pages of this book are now a cacophony of color.

Having trained as a Lifestyle Evangelist (Heart Call) by the Southern Baptist Conference I was very interested in discovering new ideas and techniques for reaching out and telling the Story of Jesus. I was not disappointed! Dr. Marshall is an authentic cheerleader for every believer who knows we are not to be silent!

The book touches everything from styles to stories to silence. The acronym, L.E.A.R.N., covers listening with intention, engaging in the way God designed for you, asking with sensitivity for what the other person needs, relaying through your won lifestyle, becoming a beacon of light in the darkness, and above all never giving up.

It is the job of every Christian, everywhere to share the story, to go and tell, to be the light.  It is my fervent prayer that you will be strongly motivated by this review to read this book.  It is worth every minute of the time it will take.

Some favorite quotes from the book:

  • We are called to run the Christian race well, so our focus should be to share some Gospel seeds whenever and wherever the Holy Spirit nudges to do so. Being obedient to God’s Great Commission is the real goal we all should embrace–one step at a time. (pp. 189)
  • What God really needs is someone who will sincerely pray for opportunities to share the love of Christ to a world that desperately needs Him, in his or her own way. (pp.103)
  • …obedience on our part is so important–eternity for someone is at stake. (pp.103)
  • And the best one of all!!

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Chalfant Eckert Publishing.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This post may contain affiliate links.  When you use them I may receive a small commission that helps support the costs of maintaining this blog.

Shades of the Same Color

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When are we going to learn? When will we stop characterizing people by what we perceive as the color of their skin? God never intended this when He created us. We are all simply shades of one color.

There are as many as 250 shades of brown. They encompass all the ways God uses them in nature. The color is perceived as stable, safe, traditional, and conservative (from https://simplicable.com/new/brown-color). Add to that 30 shades of beige, all the combinations of those, and the possibilities are almost endless.

Where am I going with this? I’m tired of all the violence and drama related to the color of our skin. Consider this list of Not All…

  • NOT ALL whites are racist
  • NOT ALL blacks are thugs
  • NOT ALL people are perfect
  • NOT ALL cops are brutal
  • NOT ALL Christians are judgemental
  • NOT ALL gun owners are evil
  • NOT ALL Middle Eastern people are terrorists

What does God think of all this? Check out these verses.

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. Acts 10:34-35

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 

And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
    and with your blood you purchased for God
    persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. Revelation 5:9

Mandisa and Toby Mac say this so well in We All Bleed The Same. 

Here’s an additional thought… Black and white are not colors. Just sayin’ ………….

 

 

  Make every effort to live in peace with everyone. Hebrews 12:14

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Stay or Go

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There have been times in my life when God has clearly said stay and others that He has clearly said go. In both instances, I have followed God’s voice.

A series of events have happened at my workplace. I resigned a week ago today. It had nothing to do with money. It was more about changes that were happening against the standards of the company I work for. Although it was my plan to leave, God put things into motion that have caused a paradigm change in me and the situation around me. He clearly said stay. His plan was a good one.

As for go… Several months ago we left the church we had been part of for more than 20 years. It was a very hard decision and caused many tears. We knew people would not understand. We choose to not broadcast the reason because it would simply make another person look bad. Again, God’s plan was clearly a good one.  

I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD. Plans to prosper and not harm. Plans to give hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 

Each Friday I receive a prompt and write out my thoughts for 5 minutes.  Today’s post is for that reason.  Come on over and join me at 5-Minute Friday.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie