Book Review

A Church Compromised, The Danger of Compromise by Janet Basurto

51V4CSFfbTL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_Yes, the Church is compromised by commonly held beliefs like the Bible was written so long ago that it doesn’t hold true in our society and I’m a good person and good people go to heaven and since Hell doesn’t exist there probably isn’t a heaven or vice-versa.  I had really expected to see a book of ways those who are Believers could turn the Church around to a greater understanding of the Word and how it applies to the Believer’s life.

Mrs. Basurto does a very fine job of using scripture to define her decidedly hard core beliefs.  Does that make her wrong?  Of course not.  I fully believe that the Word is totally inerrant and that to believe one part is to believe the whole thing, just as she does.  She lays out an excellent argument for really looking into the scripture for the answers to such current issues as abortion, murder, sex before marriage, lust, homosexuality, persecution and much more.

However, what bothered me most about this book was the need for some serious editing.  I find it quite difficult to take an author seriously who has not checked for spelling, grammar, word usage, and accurate Biblical quotes.

I was provided a copy of this book by Revival Waves of Glory Books and Publishing to give my personal opinion and honest review.

Faith’s Fragrance

bottle-242364_640 (1)But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.  For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing…2 Corinthians 2:14-15

Have you ever thought about having a spiritual aroma?  Our perfume smells like Christ to God.  I know what Christ smells like, I think.  He is the scent of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  That’s what God smells!

So, if we are fragrant with the knowledge of Him in every place, then, others can smell that on us.  It’s like meeting someone who is exuding the nicest perfume you’ve ever encountered.  When that happens to me I know I’m going to like that person and want what she has.  In the same way other’s will want what we have when we are ‘wearing the fragrance’ of God.

This little story explains this concept very well.  It was written by Dr. Chris Edwardson, from Dallas, Oregon, in the Pentecostal Evangel:

One day a judge came to my office.  I asked him what he was really in for because his leg cast didn’t need to be checked.

He said, “I just thought maybe you could give me a reason to live.”  He broke down and cried.  I led him to the Lord.

I asked him what prompted him to tell me that.  He said, “When you walked into the room, I saw something in your eyes that told me you had what I wanted.  Something told me you knew the answer to life.  I look in men’s faces all day long, judging the truth.  I could see that you believed with all your heart that what you were telling me was true.  It was enough to convince me I needed it.

My prayer is that our Faith Fragrance is so powerful it can’t be missed by anyone!

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

This post is reposted from 10/23/14

7 Ways To Stop The Christian Gossip Mob

J.S. Park makes some powerful points in this post. We’re just fooling ourselves if we think we’re not part of this at some point. As Mr. Park says at then end ‘Just call it out’ better still, just cut it out!

Go See The Eclipse – Book Review

I absolutely love it when God makes Himself visible in His creation. On August 21, 2017 we will be able to see a Total Eclipse of the Sun in the United States. It will cover the country and I, for one, will be in its path.  (BTW there will be another Total Eclipse on April 8, 2024 in the US.)

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Chap Percival, in his book, Go And See The Eclipse, and Take A Kid With You is passionate about his ‘astronomy nerdiness’ and motivates the reader toward a desire to see and participate in this rare opportunity.  His eclipse viewing experiences from Canada to the Caribbean to Africa are informative and insightful.

downloadThe book is loaded with maps, charts, teaching ideas, games, puzzles and creative ways to safely ‘see’ the eclipse. You will find indexes of where and when the eclipse will take place and travel suggestions.

You will find excellent graphs and explanations of what an eclipse is.  Chap uses his 40 years of teaching Astronomy to provide a solid base for the ‘teachable moment’, whether that be as a parent, teacher or friend.

Most importantly, Mr. Percival insists on safety in this book.  He often states the obvious in that one should never look at the sun without protection, and rightfully so.  With that thought in mind he also suggests materials, filters, and methods for viewing the eclipse.

I highly recommend this book for anyone. Teachers, home schooling parents, astronomy nerds, and just about everyone else.  Take the time to plan a trip on August 21, 2017. Get a group together and enjoy this incredible opportunity.

I was provided a copy of this book for the sole purpose of review.  No other compensation was received.

Father’s Image

I look like my dad.  It’s hard to describe how happy it made me when I was given this picture.  Dad is about six years old here and the child beside him is his twin brother .  I really don’t know why this had such a profound affect on me.  Throughout my life I’ve felt a special connection to him.  (Dad went to be with Jesus several years ago.)  He loved, supported, respected, and cared in ways that only the most special dad’s can.

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These are the character traits I saw in my dad and part of why he was the Best Dad Ever.

He put my mom first.

He loved, respected and supported we three girls.

He was always there for us!

He provided all we needed, even though that meant he might not have the things he wanted.

He saw us as individuals, allowing each of us to have room in his heart but not placing one above the other.

In Romans 8:39 we are told that nothing can separate us from our Father’s love.  I knew this to be true of my ‘daddy’ (I called him that through adulthood.) and it has helped me understand my Abba.

My Father's Eyes by Amy Grant

My Father’s Eyes by Amy Grant

This beautiful song My Father’s Eyes puts words to music.  Click on the picture to listen.

 

 

 

 

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie