Michelle Sanders Brinson

Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com Most recent posts at Michelle Sanders Brinson posterous.com Wed, 13 Jun 2012 14:05:47 -0700 Pete Wilson - Empty Promises http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/6yzvXuZ125E/pete-wilson-empty-promises http://michellebrinson.com/pete-wilson-empty-promises <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="_200_360_book" height="306" src="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/xBRGz5eUPU482HCoL9byEWVlLdBaKmekl5mD6AB5KJofgjeQDUR40zwhEM3j/_200_360_Book.616.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="200" /> </div> <p>Having known Pete personally for a number of years it has been an honor, joy and privilege to read his work and to see him prosper and grow as a pastor and author. It's funny, I remember when I was volunteering as the "backstage" coordinator at Cross Point in its early days, one of my jobs was to make sure Pete had his mic and that it was either on or off depending on where he was and where he needed to be. It was a fun job. I remember telling him one day that he needed to write a book. Now he's written two and they've both done extremely well. At least I know now I have an eye for talent. :)</p><p /><div>Empty Promises is definitely not empty... it delivers in many ways. In Pete's masterful approach which draws readers in... he helps shed light on the "idols" so many of us find ourselves longing for... but even in longing for them or attaining them... they leave us empty and broken.</div> <p /><div>There are a lot of meaty nuggets in this book. I found myself highlighting several passages that stood out to me. Here are just two that I'd like to share:</div><p /><div>"Even with all of his foreknowledge of our weaknesses and mistakes we will make, God still chose us on purpose and brought us into a relationship with him. He has no problem with our shortcomings; he's completely equipped to handle them."</div> <p /><div>"You are more than your giftedness. You are more than what your home looks like or how your kids act. You are more than what you accomplished last week or last month - more than anything you could accomplish in your lifetime....You're a living, breathing human beign God thought into existence. You matter to Him."</div> <p /><div>Pete challenges the reader with this question "Which idol is God's biggest rival in my life?"</div><p /><div>Here are some examples:</div><p /><div><div>If I owned this, I would feel worthy.</div> <div>If I achieved this, I would feel significant.</div><div>If I had what they had, I would feel content.</div><div>If I made a little more money, I would feel satisfied.</div></div><p /><div>I highly recommend this book. It was a great read.</div> <p /><div>I do want to disclose I was given the opportunity to read and review this book as part of the blogger book review program from Booksneeze.com.</div> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/pete-wilson-empty-promises">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/pete-wilson-empty-promises#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=6yzvXuZ125E:9YeOGCtSaXo:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/6yzvXuZ125E" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/pete-wilson-empty-promises Wed, 13 Jun 2012 13:35:39 -0700 Classic Kay Arthur - As Silver Refined http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/1hdWj2AZLr8/classic-kay-arthur-as-silver-refined http://michellebrinson.com/classic-kay-arthur-as-silver-refined <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="As-silver" height="300" src="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/flkhVsn2EvuFQEDdZ30lr1BWcee8El6R2uqM2KHKQ8LrTmrMf8yadnWExTXw/as-silver.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="300" /> </div> <p>I've always loved the analogy of God refining us as a silversmith would refine silver. The silversmith keeps heating the silver up until the impurities rise to the surface, then he skims those off so that the silver becomes more pure. Several aspects of this process are rather hard to grasp when you put them in light of God refining us as individuals:</p><p /><div>1. Heat - it's hot. That typically involves pain, discomfort, challenges, difficulties, stress. There's nothing easy about dealing with heat.</div><p /><div>2. It's a process. This means it's not a one time deal and you're done. It means that the process continues over and over until it's complete.</div> <p /><div>And so it is with us... and as only Kay Arthur can do, she reveals through this book the many ways in which God allows disappointments to refine us and make us more like God.</div><p /><div> I loved this book, but in a painful way. Let me explain. I can relate on so many levels. I've felt so many of these same feelings of disappointment, feeling like a failure, feeling like God would never use someone like me. I can related. Yet, in reading this book I find comfort because there are so many others out there like me who feel the same way. We are not alone. God loves us. He is and will use us if we allow Him to be Lord of our life.</div> <p /><div>I also love the way Kay weaves scripture in and out of each page. She is an incredible teacher of God's Word and I want to be a sponge and soak it up.</div><p /><div>I highly recommend this book... for anyone... because at some point in time each of us is either being refined and soon will be refined... as the process continues.</div> <p /><div>While the opinions are my own, I do want to disclose that I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for submitting a review.</div> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/classic-kay-arthur-as-silver-refined">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/classic-kay-arthur-as-silver-refined#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=1hdWj2AZLr8:tmDyOG8yQ8o:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/1hdWj2AZLr8" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/classic-kay-arthur-as-silver-refined Sun, 20 May 2012 12:30:30 -0700 My Mommy Is A Super Writer http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/w5FBAMaDxAw/my-mommy-is-a-super-writer http://michellebrinson.com/my-mommy-is-a-super-writer <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Writeratwork" height="598" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/ed8SdnAgyJvwxPlh3BNHIyIcaCLD79lJDPWJpRomlmEy2fVVMIRkOSnZLI7r/writeratwork.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="588" /> </div> <p>According to my son Jadon, I'm a super writer!</p><p /><div>Here's the video to prove it: <iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jrOQ1lMbZBQ?wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="417" width="500"></iframe><br /><p /><div>I can't wait until the rest of the world comes to the same conclusion.</div> <p /><div><a href="http://youareawriter.com">http://youareawriter.com</a></div><p /><p /></div> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/my-mommy-is-a-super-writer">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/my-mommy-is-a-super-writer#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=w5FBAMaDxAw:ctBcSlSTNEU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/w5FBAMaDxAw" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/my-mommy-is-a-super-writer Mon, 14 May 2012 14:03:51 -0700 Am I Mom Enough? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/xVV7YV6YNjM/am-i-mom-enough http://michellebrinson.com/am-i-mom-enough <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Imgres" height="225" src="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/BUoPNjjTtppLser129MVmIPEtjWXz3tI5TGuzapqh2AgEkAqxLxLUgj2c92z/imgres.jpeg" width="224" /> </div> <p></p><div>I just read the following article by Kara Baskin - Am I Mom Enough? And it blew me away!</div><p /><div>With her permission, I'm reposting it here.</div><p /><div>Here's the link: <a href="http://www.boston.com/community/moms/blogs/24_hour_workday/2012/05/motherhood-mom-enough-advice.html">http://www.boston.com/community/moms/blogs/24_hour_workday/2012/05/motherhood-mom-enough-advice.html</a></div> <p /><p /><div>It’s so tempting to get riled up by the Mommy Wars, isn’t it? The Time magazine cover story about extreme parenting, Are You Mom Enough?, featuring a beautiful mother in skinny jeans nursing her preschool-aged son, is infamous by now. It made me, along with the rest of the Internet, explode with righteous indignation. Mom enough? How dare they! This isn't a contest! But, wait ... what if it is? And I don't even own skinny jeans!</div> <p /><div>The story also made me think about what I wanted to teach Andrew—I mean really teach him. I’m not talking about the trendy must-dos that crop up each year about feeding and sleeping and discipline, insecurity porn concocted just in time to fill a fresh generation of parents with self-doubt. No, I’m talking about the things that I want to impart in average, totally inextreme moments, when my breasts are covered and my skinny jeans are in the wash.</div> <p /><div>Here’s my wish list.</div><p /><div>I hope I raise a child who says “thank you” to the bus driver when he gets off the bus, “please” to the waiter taking his order at the restaurant, and holds the elevator doors when someone’s rushing to get in.</div> <p /><div>I hope I raise a child who loses graciously and wins without bragging. I hope he learns that disappointments are fleeting and so are triumphs, and if he comes home at night to people who love him, neither one matter. Nobody is keeping score, except sometimes on Facebook.</div> <p /><div>I hope I raise a child who is kind to old people.</div><p /><div>I hope I raise a child who realizes that life is unfair: Some people are born rich or gorgeous. Some people really are handed things that they don’t deserve. Some people luck into jobs or wealth that they don’t earn. Tough.</div> <p /><div>I hope I raise a child who gets what he wants just often enough to keep him optimistic but not enough to make him spoiled.</div><p /><div>I hope I raise a child who knows that he’s loved and special but that he’s not the center of the universe and never, ever will be.</div> <p /><div>I hope I raise a child who will stick up for a kid who’s being bullied on the playground. I also hope I raise a child who, if he’s the one being bullied, fights back. Hard. Oh, and if he’s the bully? I hope he realizes that his mother, who once wore brown plastic glasses and read the phonebook on the school bus, will cause him more pain than a bully ever could.</div> <p /><div>I hope I raise a child who relishes life’s tiny pleasures—whether it’s a piece of music, or the color of a gorgeous flower, or Chinese takeout on a rainy Sunday night.</div><p /><div>I hope I raise a child who is open-minded and curious about the world without being reckless.</div> <p /><div>I hope I raise a child who doesn’t need to affirm his self-worth through bigotry, snobbery, materialism, or violence.</div><p /><div>I hope I raise a child who likes to read.</div><p /> <div>I hope I raise a child who is courageous when sick and grateful when healthy.</div><p /><div>I hope I raise a child who begins and ends all relationships straightforwardly and honorably.</div><p /> <div>I hope I raise a child who can spot superficiality and artifice from a mile away and spends his time with people and things that feel authentic to him.</div><p /><div>I hope I raise a child who makes quality friends and keeps them.</div> <p /><div>I hope I raise a child who realizes that his parents are flawed but loves them anyway.</div><p /><div>And I hope that if my child turns out to be a colossal screw-up, I take it in stride. I hope I remember that he’s his own person, and there’s only so much I can do. He is not an appendage to be dangled from my breasts on the cover of a magazine, his success is not my ego’s accessory, and I am not Super Mom.</div> <p /><div>I hope for all of these things, but I know this: None of these wishes has a thing to do with how I feed him or sleep-train him or god-knows-what-else him. Which is how I know that these fabricated “wars” are phony every step of the way. I do not need the expensive stroller. I do not need to go into mourning if my "sleep-training method" is actually a "prayer ritual" that involves tiptoeing around the house in the dark. This is not a test. It’s a game called Extreme Parenting, and you can’t lose if you don’t play. And, really, why would you play? You have children to raise.</div> <p /><div>This blog is not written or edited by Boston.com or the Boston Globe.</div><div>The author is solely responsible for the content.</div> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/am-i-mom-enough">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/am-i-mom-enough#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=xVV7YV6YNjM:ccT85Tz71rQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/xVV7YV6YNjM" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/am-i-mom-enough Thu, 10 May 2012 03:57:31 -0700 The Gospel of Yes http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/7OnLYynQexA/the-gospel-of-yes http://michellebrinson.com/the-gospel-of-yes <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Refdp_image_0" height="300" src="http://getfile5.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/cR1bkVPudU4ihTEDOaSZCDmO04pIvD1cu3uh64CH5ppIzytBOcthZ6NEKvVV/refdp_image_0.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="300" /> </div> <p></p><div>I believe lots of Christians grow up being afraid of God... really fearful of Him. Yes, we should have a fear of God, but a healthy fear, a reverence for Him. Not the kind of fear that makes you believe He's against you. God wants to say yes to us. He loves us. He has a plan for us. In The Gospel of Yes, Mike Glenn reveals details of his journey of discovering how God says yes to us. It's an insightful book. It's a book I couldn't put down. </div> <p /><div>I've had the honor and privilege of hearing Mike speak. He's the real deal. He is a true man of God. He shares from his heart and to read this book is liberating. I believe many will be set free from the bondage of "fear" upon reading this book. </div> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/the-gospel-of-yes">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/the-gospel-of-yes#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=7OnLYynQexA:KxgekxllraM:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/7OnLYynQexA" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/the-gospel-of-yes Wed, 28 Mar 2012 09:37:30 -0700 God Loves Broken People http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/N5dmEz11lFA/god-loves-broken-people http://michellebrinson.com/god-loves-broken-people <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="_200_360_book" height="300" src="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/sCwjqCAcw1SdRhocerLjxESbGMbs2c3dsIePOLc0bJy4oOCCwNL3enJ8APm9/_200_360_Book.587.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="200" /> </div> <p></p><div>Sheila Walsh is a great writer. She is inspiring, especially to those of us who struggle with depression. </div><p /><div>In this particular book, Sheila uses real-life stories and experiences from her self and other to demonstrate how God does love the broken. One of my favorite quotes from the book says, "Nothing that happens surprises God, so trust Him in the midst of your pain. God loves you, and nothing can separate you from His love. God will be with you always, and whatever you have to face, He will go through it with you."</div> <p /><div>Those are some powerful words. I'm a single mom to a 2 1/2 year old toddler. I'm 43. I work for a nonprofit. It's hard to make ends meet. I struggle. Some days are easy. Some days are hard. I'm broken. Reading this book encouraged me.</div> <p /><div>I received a free copy of this book from BookSneezeThomas Nelson Publishing for my honest review on my blog.</div> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/god-loves-broken-people">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/god-loves-broken-people#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=N5dmEz11lFA:Y_LeekfbqAY:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/N5dmEz11lFA" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/god-loves-broken-people Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:47:33 -0800 Healing Is A Choice - Book Review http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/vemw60qRL3w/healing-is-a-choice-book-review http://michellebrinson.com/healing-is-a-choice-book-review <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="_200_360_book" height="305" src="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/wlD212LNeVC3scaf2xguWlzdxkeAJfnWOFmv75Effs9llswoYUVdqCt3dIdD/_200_360_Book.480.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="200" /> </div> <p></p><div>Healing is a Choice written by Stephen Arterburn, while quite lengthy, does give some great insight as to the choices we make that will allow a person to heal. </div> <p /><div>The books's subtitle, "Ten Decisions That Will Transform Your Life & Ten Lies That Can Prever You From Making Them," definitely sums up the book. The book is broken into 10 chapters that describe a choice that will help you move your life forward and a lie that will fight against that choice. </div> <p /><div>is a book that will help you look into your life to make better choices that will allow you to heal. If there is something in your life that you feel you need to work on, this could be the book to help you do it.</div> <p /><div><span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255,255,255);">The author speaks about his own brokenness in the book. He talks of his divorce and how it has affected his life. </span><p /> <span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255,255,255);">I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in starting the journey towards healing. </span></div> <p /><div><span style="font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255,255,255);">I received this book free through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program, but the thoughts/ideas expressed here are my own.</span></div> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/healing-is-a-choice-book-review">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/healing-is-a-choice-book-review#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=vemw60qRL3w:UnycUtVMja8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/vemw60qRL3w" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/healing-is-a-choice-book-review Fri, 09 Mar 2012 11:34:13 -0800 God Gave Us Love http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/uj-SyFXsfYk/god-gave-us-love http://michellebrinson.com/god-gave-us-love <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Godgaveuslove" height="412" src="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/yn69sCXs5fQ04IfGIAmCd7NEg3WYGf7TtaRQATETmXDK7rRPI2X2ar3r8wCt/GodGaveUsLove.png.scaled600.png" width="410" /> </div> <p></p><div>God Gave Us Love is one of the sweetest books ever. I have so enjoyed reading this book to my 2 year old son. He loves it. The illustrations are adorable. The message is timeless. It's such a great reminder of how much God loves us. This is a treasured book in our library.</div> <p /><div>I received a free copy of God Gave Us Love as a blogger who reviews books for Waterbrook/Multnomah. </div> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/god-gave-us-love">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/god-gave-us-love#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=uj-SyFXsfYk:09VCbzneIMU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/uj-SyFXsfYk" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/god-gave-us-love Tue, 28 Feb 2012 06:39:42 -0800 Not Always As It Seems http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/Nc3s5uw9-HU/not-always-as-it-seems http://michellebrinson.com/not-always-as-it-seems <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Golden-rule" height="455" src="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/dfTumvszC6OF8qOGFHRjV3XbrqAz9FW8CWLnYJtdV65wj3fFtoM8UyAJUYmI/golden-rule.gif.scaled600.gif" width="390" /> </div> <p>I read this devotion this morning and was just really convicted... I know I'm a soooo guilty of reacting without knowing the entire situation. Read it and let me know if it resonates with you too.</p><p /><div><em style="background-color: rgb(255,255,255); color: rgb(51,51,51); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">This devotional was written by Kelly McFadden</em></div> <div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51,51,51); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-align: left;"> <em><br /></em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51,51,51); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-align: left;"> <em>So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you… —Matthew 7:12</em></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51,51,51); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-align: left;"> <em>A Different Type of Prayer</em>  (author unknown):</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51,51,51); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-align: left;"> <em>"Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and was rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry, and spend a few precious moments with her children. Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester. Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking fellow, begging for money in the same spot every day is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares. Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together."</em></p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51,51,51); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-align: left;"> It’s been said, “You never know enough about a situation to truly be angry.” So often we jump to conclusions, instead of looking beyond the situation at the heart of the matter. As children, the <em>Golden Rule</em> was said in our classrooms, teaching us to be fair and nice. As adults, we now teach the next generation this same phrase. Treat others the way you want to be treated. But do you truly act this way? Or is the <em>Golden Rule</em> just a looming phrase and a nice ideal?</p> <p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; color: rgb(51,51,51); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-align: left;"> The words of Matthew 7:12 are the words of Jesus. These words are building blocks of compassion and kindness. God shows us this kind of love every day. What can you do today to show an act of mercy or goodness? As Christians, it is important to treat others the way Jesus would treat them…you may be the only Jesus someone ever sees.</p> </div><div>Here's the link to the devotion on Crosswalk.com - <a href="http://bit.ly/zob1Nq">http://bit.ly/zob1Nq</a></div> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/not-always-as-it-seems">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/not-always-as-it-seems#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=Nc3s5uw9-HU:ni-6hLFEBdE:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/Nc3s5uw9-HU" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/not-always-as-it-seems Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:17:52 -0800 Did you know you have a black smudge on your forehead? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/vcnUdli8IpU/did-you-know-you-have-a-black-smudge-on-your http://michellebrinson.com/did-you-know-you-have-a-black-smudge-on-your <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/SPNgll4h0WQXfofyjiqiu8b2wciI4OuEBTXjAQUwL4ZVZ5z3bHQsGY7nIIAh/ash-wednesday_t.jpeg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Ash-wednesday_t" height="450" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/Sv3u6HEYrnYWGfYNXlEVJkBwgsfEziLxYklrrSKOe8V48ciJktfDgY3YR4WL/ash-wednesday_t.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="600" /></a> </div> <p>I'm sure some of you have been asked this question... either yesterday or today...</p><p /><div>For those of us who commemorate Ash Wednesday and the 40 days of Lent leading up to Good Friday and Easter Sunday, the marking of ashes on the forehead can represent a variety of things.</div> <p /><div>I came across the following explanations and thought these might be helpful today.</div><p /><div><div><b>The Biblical Response</b></div><div>Over forty passages in the Bible associate ashes with mourning and grief. In Old Testament times people used ashes as a sign of repentance. They would sit in ashes, roll around in them, sprinkle them upon their heads, or even mingle them with their food and drink. They did this as an outward sign of their inward posture of repentance. Check out Daniel 9:3-6, for an example.</div> <p /><div>Ash Wednesday begins Lent, a time when we stop and assess how we’re doing in our walk with God. Lent helps us identify spiritual areas in which we can grow and sinful areas that we need to avoid. To repent, put simply, means to turn away from sin and turn toward God. We use ashes as an outward expression of our need to begin again.</div> <p /><div><b>A Traditional Response</b></div><div>Ashes are a sign of physical death, as in “ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” We began as dust (a joyless and lifeless existence), and our bodies will return to dust until we are raised up by Christ. By receiving ashes and keeping them on, we publicly proclaim our intent to die to our worldly desires and live even more in Christ’s image, which we focus on during the season of “rebirth” that is Lent (a Latin term for “Spring”).</div> <p /><div><b>The Historical Response</b></div><div>For over twelve hundred years on the dies cinerum (day of ashes) faithful followers have approached the altar and received ashes upon their foreheads. These ashes are made from the burnt palm fronds that were blessed on the Palm Sunday of the previous year. The ashes are sprinkled with holy water, usually fragranced with incense and blessed using four prayers that are thousands of years old.</div> <p /><div>The use of ashes for repentance and penance can be traced even further back and is practiced throughout the world. On Ash Wednesday ashes are applied to believers’ foreheads in the shape of the cross.</div> <p /><div><b>The Symbolic Response</b></div><div>God formed Adam out of the “dust” of the earth, which we read about in Genesis 2:7. In addition, Jesus healed the blind man with clay (earth and spit) in John 9:6. We mark ourselves with ashes as a “new beginning” at the onset of Lent, allowing the life of Jesus Christ to make us whole and new again.</div> <p /><div><b>The Most Basic Response</b></div><div>I’m a sinner. I don’t always love God as strongly as I could or as directly as I should. Ash Wednesday reminds me that it is only through God that I have life; He gave it to me.</div> <p /><div>Ash Wednesday also begins my preparation for Holy Week and the Passion and Resurrection of my Lord, Jesus, without Whom I have no life here and no chance at eternal life in Heaven. This is just a great opportunity for me to get better. Thanks for asking.</div> <p /><div>God forgives. He loves. And He gives this sinner a second chance.</div></div><p /><div>Source: <a href="http://lifeteen.com/why-do-catholics-put-ashes-on-our-heads-on-ash-wednesday/">http://lifeteen.com/why-do-catholics-put-ashes-on-our-heads-on-ash-wednesday/</a></div> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/did-you-know-you-have-a-black-smudge-on-your">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/did-you-know-you-have-a-black-smudge-on-your#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=vcnUdli8IpU:8CsLTvVOHZ0:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/vcnUdli8IpU" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/did-you-know-you-have-a-black-smudge-on-your Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:16:39 -0800 Enemies of the Heart http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/iF8yZMKq9ro/enemies-of-the-heart http://michellebrinson.com/enemies-of-the-heart <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Enemies-of-the-heart-andy-stan" height="693" src="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/ODbePC0mXLZT0Zoukbno42efAaobLsnbjca8jGjz5tCDcfW2SAZTkGHVxoll/enemies-of-the-heart-andy-stan.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="450" /> </div> <p><span style="">I'll start by saying I'm a huge fan of Andy Stanley. Love his dad too... although they are very different in their styles of preaching and writing. I was super excited to receive a copy of this book from Waterbrook/Multnomah as part of their Blogging for Books program. With that being said, I'm still giving my personal opinion and it has no basis on receiving a copy of this book for free.</span><p /> <span style="">Andy Stanley is very insightful. He takes complicated ideas and thoughts and breaks them down into simple language that is easy to understand. This book couldn't have come at a better time for me. I struggle with these emotions constantly. This will definitely be a book I will read again and again.</span></p> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/enemies-of-the-heart">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/enemies-of-the-heart#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=iF8yZMKq9ro:v9qKUyP08uk:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/iF8yZMKq9ro" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/enemies-of-the-heart Mon, 26 Dec 2011 00:28:17 -0800 What Are You Exchanging? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/cZT-_E84vrQ/what-are-you-exchanging http://michellebrinson.com/what-are-you-exchanging <p> <div style="font-size: 13.3px; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Read this great devotion and wanted to share it with you...</div><p /><p /><div style="font-size: 13.3px; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><p style="color: rgb(51,51,51); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-align: left;"> <strong>Do You Have Anything That Needs Exchanging?</strong><br /><em>This devotional was written by Jim Burns</em></p><p style="color: rgb(51,51,51); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-align: left;"> <em>Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. —Matthew 11:28-30</em></p> <p style="color: rgb(51,51,51); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-align: left;">Today, stores are busy processing exchanges. It happens every year right after Christmas. But have you ever thought about spiritual exchanges? They are always in season.</p> <p style="color: rgb(51,51,51); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-align: left;">Do you have anything that you need to exchange with God today? I know I do. Is there anything going on that is particularly burdensome? Then God wants to take your burden and exchange it with His presence. Here is a prayer that I pray that often gives me great perspective.</p> <p style="color: rgb(51,51,51); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-align: left;">Away from the world and hidden from public view,</p><p style="color: rgb(51,51,51); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-align: left;"> I exchange my weariness for His strength,<br />I exchange my weakness for His power,<br />I exchange my darkness for His light,<br />I exchange my problems for His solutions,<br />I exchange my burdens for His freedom,<br />I exchange my frustrations for His peace,<br /> I exchange my turmoil for His calm,<br />I exchange my hopes for His promises,<br />I exchange my afflictions for His balm of comfort,<br />I exchange my questions for His answers,<br />I exchange my confusion for His knowledge,<br /> I exchange my doubt for His assurance,<br />I exchange my nothingness for His awesomeness,<br />I exchange the temporal for the eternal,<br />I exchange the impossible for the possible,<br />I exchange my fear for His love.</p><p style="color: rgb(51,51,51); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-align: left;"> <strong>GOING DEEPER:</strong><br />Today, take a moment to relinquish your will to the will of God. After all, He can take whatever you give him and lighten your load with His peace and presence.</p><p style="color: rgb(51,51,51); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-align: left;"> <strong>FURTHER READING:</strong></p><p style="color: rgb(51,51,51); font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; background-color: rgb(255,255,255); text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/clgjdqtljhjftmlnfgrzkfvktqfmprrmhctkddnddlmdqdp_vyrkyprgkjgf.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17,85,204);">Psalm 55:22</a>; <a href="http://www.crosswalkmail.com/ehbzsprhzdzfrqhkftlwvfjvrpfqyllqdbrvssksshqspst_vyrkyprgkjgf.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17,85,204);">1 Peter 5:7</a></p> <img src="https://wisestamp.appspot.com/pixel.png?p=chrome&v=3.11.4.0&t=1324887258465&u=b6d91ff018ece74b" height="1" width="1" /></div> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/what-are-you-exchanging">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/what-are-you-exchanging#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=cZT-_E84vrQ:l87AQzMzik8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/cZT-_E84vrQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/what-are-you-exchanging Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:49:02 -0800 God the Father http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/zvaJvLLWyWg/god-the-father http://michellebrinson.com/god-the-father <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile2.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/A8tusq8OSBV9baHtEQp2IHdLmhWmtOlmcsRMCo8WgtCUD1ti8ywVcqG0yTHB/God.jpeg"><img alt="God" height="736" src="http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/A8tusq8OSBV9baHtEQp2IHdLmhWmtOlmcsRMCo8WgtCUD1ti8ywVcqG0yTHB/God.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="600" /></a> </div> <p></p><h1 style="">Sharing a GREAT Devotion Today!</h1><h1 style=""> <span style="color: rgb(34,34,34);">How do you see God as Father?</span></h1><div style=""><p>"To all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God." <em>John 1:12 NLT</em></p> <p></p><p align="right"></p></div><h2 style="">God's fatherhood</h2><div style="color: rgb(34,34,34); font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255,255,255);"> <p style=""></p><p>Most people in the world would agree with the statement that "we are <em>all </em>God's children." It's a nice sentiment. It just isn't what the Bible teaches. According to God's Word, unrepentant sinners are actually God's <em>enemies</em>(see Romans 5:10 and Colossians 1:21)! It's only when we put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ that we are reconciled to God and experience forgiveness and adoption into God's forever family (Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5).</p> <p>For a Christian going through hard times, this "adoption" truth is the best of all possible news. God is not just the powerful Creator or a righteous Lord, he is a <em>loving Father</em>. He sees your trials. He listens to your pleas. He cares and protects and supports. He is never harsh or impatient with you. He is never "too busy" for you.</p> <p>Take all the best qualities of all the best earthly dads you've ever seen, add them together, and multiply by infinity. That's the kind of heavenly Father God is to Christians who hurt.</p><p><em>Lord Jesus, I do believe in you. I have accepted you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for revealing yourself to me. Thank you for saving me! Because of your grace and my faith, I am a child of the living God. I praise you. What a privilege! What joy to know that in every situation I have a loving, wise, and good heavenly Father to counsel and help me.</em></p> <p><em>adapted from </em><a href="http://tracking.waterfrontmedia.com/nlsclick/t.aspx?k=4&d=2011/12/14&e=michellebrinson@gmail.com&utp=&rd=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?path=ASIN/0842360069~amp~link_code=as2~amp~camp=1789~amp~tag=agoramedia-20~amp~creative=9325~amp~xid=nl_GodsDailyPromises_20111214" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17,85,204);">Praying God's Promises in Tough Times</a> <em>by Len Woods, Tyndale House Publishers (2002), pp 68-9</em></p> <hr size="1px" width="80%" />As a substitute father for hundreds of youth over the past thirteen years, I've yet to encounter a young person in trouble whose difficulty could be traced to the lack of a strong father image in the home.<br /> PAUL ANDERSON<p>A child is not likely to find a father in God unless he finds something of God in his father.<br />AUSTIN L. SORENSEN</p><p /><p> </p></div> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/god-the-father">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/god-the-father#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=zvaJvLLWyWg:wBIMmc6knLk:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/zvaJvLLWyWg" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/god-the-father Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:13:31 -0700 Living Free Every Day http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/0KTMH2oj-Fw/living-free-every-day http://michellebrinson.com/living-free-every-day <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Alegria1" height="373" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/OQT6YYPrMhHZUFReQS2B9NjYRPDPapm5JF7Fvw2gdAqgXYHLm1orIDbxCAel/alegria1.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="520" /> </div> <p></p><div class="gmail_quote">Today's morning devotion really hit home with me today... so I thought I'd share just in case someone else needs to hear this today.</div><p /><div class="gmail_quote"> <div> <p> <strong>Living Free Every Day</strong><strong>®<br /> A ministry of <a href="http://www.livingfree.org" target="_blank">LivingFree.org</a></strong></p> <p> <strong>Monday, October 31, 2011</strong></p> <p> <span style="font-family: arial,georgia; color: rgb(51, 102, 153); font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Today's Scripture</strong></span><br /> <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">"The Lord is <strong>my shepherd</strong>; I have all that I need."</span></span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt;"> Psalm 23:1 NIV</span></p> <p> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Thoughts for Today</strong><br /> </span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Studying the facets of God's character helps us see how he meets human need at the right time and in the right way. He cares for us—personally. He is Jehovah-rohi: the Lord is my Shepherd. God is our heavenly Father who watches over, feeds, keeps company with, and is a personal friend to us.<p /> Many children do not have the benefit of an earthly father who shepherds them with care, security, consistency, gentleness, or as a personal friend. Some children grow into adulthood with this vacuum. The best of earthly fathers cannot provide the gentleness, consistency, or personal friendship our heavenly Father brings.</span></span><p /> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Consider this … </strong><br /> </span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">David wrote Psalm 23. Having a close relationship with his heavenly Father, David sought the heart of God. Psalm 23 describes this picture of God as his shepherd. He related to his heavenly Father in a personal way. "The Lord is <strong>my shepherd</strong>." <i>My</i> shepherd. David didn't see God as <i>a</i> shepherd or <i>the</i> shepherd. He saw his heavenly father as his personal Shepherd who would provide his needs.<p /> How do you view God? Is he personal to you? Do you trust him to provide your needs?<p /> He loves you personally. He loves you so much, he sent his only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for your sins so you can be forgiven and have a personal relationship with him—forever. He cares about everything that concerns you. He wants to meet your every need. Will you let him?</span></span></p> <p> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>Prayer</strong><br /> </span><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Father, thank you for loving me. I thank you that Jesus died on the cross for me, personally. Please forgive my sins and help me follow you. Help me stop looking at my problems and focus on you, <strong>my Shepherd</strong>. Help me trust you to meet my needs at the right time in the right way. In Jesus' name . . .</span></span><br /> </p> <hr /> <p> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt;"><strong>These thoughts were drawn from …</strong></span></p> <p> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.livingfree.org/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=17&Itemid=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://livingfree.org/images/product/113_thumb.jpg" border="0" style="margin: 10px; float: left;" /> <strong><em>Knowing God My Father: Applying the Names of God to My Personal Life</em></strong></a> by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. This curriculum is designed to help people strengthen their relationship with their heavenly Father by applying His names to their personal life. Along with helping Christians know God better, it can serve as an evangelistic tool by giving a true picture of God to people who may have a distorted view of Him because of an absent or abusive earthly father who did not or does not provide for them. This group can also help men who want to be better fathers. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.</span></p> <hr /> <p> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt;">Would you like to have these devotions appear daily on your church or ministry website? <a href="http://www.livingfree.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=159" target="_blank"><b>Learn More</b></a></span></p> <hr /> <p> <span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt;">©Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. <em>Living Free Every Day</em>® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, <a href="http://www.LivingFree.org" target="_blank">www.LivingFree.org</a>. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to <a href="mailto:info@LivingFree.org" target="_blank">info@LivingFree.org</a></span></p> <br /><img src="http://click.icptrack.com/icp/track.php?msgid=621875&act=BB5N&r=45442121&c=286784" height="1" width="1" /> </div> </div> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/living-free-every-day">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/living-free-every-day#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=0KTMH2oj-Fw:VY4VA41fkOc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/0KTMH2oj-Fw" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/living-free-every-day Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:12:43 -0700 Good Reads http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/YwhA37HWa5w/good-reads http://michellebrinson.com/good-reads <p> <blockquote type="cite"><div style=""><p /><div><div style="text-indent: 0px;"><div style=""> <div><div> <p><b><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Max_on_life" height="180" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/KESbo2Ki6L6IjyYtn0lfTTd6XEHYOt6mL5WIlzA4fqZl165pZTOkyoWr2lRl/max_on_life.gif.scaled600.gif" width="180" /> </div> </b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Max on Life by Max Lucado</b><br /> </p><p align="">I am a HUGE Max Lucado fan. There are very few things he's written that I didn't just simply love. This book falls once again into the category of a great Max Lucado book. Max has an incredible way of drawing you in and making you feel like you're sitting down next to him with a cup of coffee listening to him share his heart. In this book, Max offers thoughtful answers to more than 150 of the most pressing questions he’s received either via email or in person on topics ranging from hope to hurt, from home to the hereafter. Max writes about the role of prayer, the purpose of pain, and the reason for our ultimate hope. He responds to the day-to-day questions-parenting quandaries, financial challenges, difficult relationships-as well as to the profound: Is God really listening? This book is timeless and something that can easily be read all at once or over the course of time. You definitely can't go wrong buying this for yourself or a friend. Also a special addendum includes Max's advice on writing and publishing.</p> <p align=""><br /></p><p align=""><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="9781582977027" height="215" src="http://getfile8.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/dvcLnPBgnKvc9aIsw1jYqq9u3p98D39QSul9COdb1LJUGnBC3yamxP9aK4HD/9781582977027.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="200" /> </div> </p><p /><p style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen</b></p><p style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal;"> <br /></p><p style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal;"> Being an unpublished writer, I was looking forward to reviewing the 4th edition of How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen. This book is easy to read, filled with relevant examples. This Writer's Digest classic outlines in a clear step-by-step manner how to create an effective nonfiction book proposal. This edition of the book features information about recent changes in the publishing industry, updated trend information, new sample proposals, a completely updated resources section, and a new chapter on online promotion. This book is a comprehensive how-to guide filled with lists, bullet points, dos and don'ts, hot tips, and sample proposals that will help writers create a winning proposal. The information in this book is well organized and presented in a way that the layperson can easily understand and apply. Larsen covers subjects such as Your Subject Hook, Your Title, Your Promotion Plan, Your Bio, and Your Competition. He also provides tips on marketing and research, as well as sample proposals and information on what editors and agents want. If you're a writer looking to get published and perhaps gain some insight into the publishing industry, this is well worth the read.</p> <p style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Century Gothic; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"> <br /></p><p style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Century Gothic; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"> <br /></p><p style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Century Gothic; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal;"> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="The-final-summit" height="216" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/PcFEukdTH11zpnZ7RkUQ4ZHlFiAjc71darswOwkcnJ0n8UUq0vAVBhPGmwkY/The-final-summit.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="140" /> </div> </p> </div></div><p /><div style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>The Final Summit by Andy Andrews</b></div><div><p align="">I am a big fan of Andy Andrews and I really enjoyed reading Andrews' new book, The Final Summit. It is a book filled with wisdom and laced with history. The story line has the lead character David Ponder working with historical leaders like Anne Frank, Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln to find the one principle that will save mankind before the hourglass runs out. It’s filled with highs and lows, thrills and chills and twists and turns. This book really caused me to stop and think about a lot of things in my life. I was enlightened. I was challenged. I was inspired. I would strongly encourage anyone who has a love for history or a passion for experiential reading to pick up a copy of this book. Then give a copy to a friend. This is definitely a book I would highly recommend. It would also make a great book for a study group. The Reader’s Guide poses a lot of really great questions that would make for a great discussion. I promise if you read this book you will be delighted and entertained but you will also be challenged for sure.</p> </div><p /></div></div><div><div><div><div><b><i>The publisher sent me a complimentary copy of each of these book through BookSneeze®, but all opinions stated are honest and true.</i></b></div> </div></div></div> </div><br /></div></blockquote><p style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal;"> </p><p><p></p><p style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </p><p><p></p><p style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </p><p><p></p></p></p></p> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/good-reads">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/good-reads#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=YwhA37HWa5w:lsoBv-0ZPjc:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/YwhA37HWa5w" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/good-reads Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:49:43 -0700 Enabled to Give http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/4BfUFH8y-lQ/enabled-to-give http://michellebrinson.com/enabled-to-give <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="Generous-heart-by-caitlin-dund" height="499" src="http://getfile0.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/P2sq17hfJu7PeyGtasQK1L1oCbmrZHA2vghk6rFBTR924Af7KVw9qIBEKSd3/generous-heart-by-caitlin-dund.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="376" /> </div> <p></p><p /><p /><p /><p /><p />There are several devotions I read on a daily basis. It's my spiritual nourishment and I'm constantly amazed by the timing of each message. Is it too bold of me to believe that God knows exactly what I need to hear and when I need to hear it? I think not. I'm going through some tough trials right now... and when I read today's devotion... I knew it was meant for me. It gave me peace in terms of how I've handled a few situations. I'm grateful for God's grace. He has saved me!<p /><div>Here's the devotion:</div><p /><p /><div><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" /><table border="0" width="650"> <tr><td align="left" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Enabled to Give <p /> Luke 18:18-30<p /><br /><center><img border="0" height="8" width="645" /></center><br /><i>"If it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously." <br /> (Romans 12:8b) </i><p />God is sovereign, even in the uneven distribution of wealth, just as He is sovereign in the distribution of His gifts of grace. Some people seem destined to financial success while others are not. <p /> There is a temptation for those with above average wealth to use it as a means of power. That alone is not necessarily bad if the power is used in submission to Jesus Christ and for His glory. Often, however, our wayward hearts use wealth to manipulate others to our own ends. We are naturally controlling. The love of money grows great, making it very hard to keep Jesus as our first love (see Matthew 6:24). <p /> Paul says to give generously. He means that we should give "with no strings attached." When you give, allow the receiver to be accountable to God and not to you. It requires faith, a measure of which God has given to the giver. We can give with no strings attached because Christ's love for us came not with strings attached, but with overflowing grace and with nails attaching Him to a cross. <p /> INSIGHT<br />Regardless of material wealth, you are rich in Christ. Give freely of the treasure of the gospel that you have in "clay jars" <br /> (see 2 Corinthians 4:7). <p /><br />If you'd like to sign up to receive this devotion... here's the link: <br /><a href="http://www.haventoday.org/anchor-devotional.php">http://www.haventoday.org/anchor-devotional.php</a><p /> <p /></td></tr></table></div> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/enabled-to-give">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/enabled-to-give#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=4BfUFH8y-lQ:XxsNQeatIFI:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/4BfUFH8y-lQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/enabled-to-give Mon, 19 Sep 2011 08:11:00 -0700 The Help http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/3CEJPc3txvI/the-help http://michellebrinson.com/the-help <p> <div style="font-family: Century Gothic;"> <div> <div>A few weeks ago I went to see the movie The Help. I'd heard great things about the book and the movie, but I had no idea it was going to be sooooo good. </div> </div> <p> </p><div>I'm an avid movie fan. I grew up watching movies. I worked in video stores back in the late 80s when VHS was at its peak. I've seen so many movies I probably couldn't count them all. As much as I love them, I find that there are just a lot of movies that aren't very good. Then there are the select few I could watch over and over and over.</div> <p> </p><div>The Help is one of those movies. I can't wait to see it again. I will probably buy the DVD. It made me laugh. It made my cry. My belly hurt after the movie was over because of all the laughter.</div> <p> </p><div>It's been a long time since I've seen a movie that evoked that much emotion.</div> <p> </p><div>I have taught my two-year-old son to say "I'm smart, I'm kind and I'm important." I did however add "and Jesus loves me."</div> <p> </p><div>There are some valuable lessons to be learned from this movie.</div> <p> </p><div>I can't wait to read the book. I'm sure it will be awesome too.</div> <p> </p><div>If you haven't seen this movie... go. You won't regret it.</div> <p> </p><div>Now, if I could just get BzzAgent to pick me for The Help project, then my life will be complete. #imabzzagent</div> <p> </p><div><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile5.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/UZoJ479NFGU3Yt9tMxV0lQqoGLI9dfwIjOnA1LQk3rz1P426JRAyCPwTcFNE/The-Help-poster.jpeg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="The-help-poster" height="889" src="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/r1SdiexWvgBe9nEFVZhcSSlfyCXEwoTqKB2vVdQJOGK5JuRRpLI7pmErPSQs/The-Help-poster.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="600" /></a> </div> </div> </div> <span style="font-family: Century Gothic;"><br /></span> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/the-help">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/the-help#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=3CEJPc3txvI:mZ8F5e3cE7M:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/3CEJPc3txvI" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/the-help Fri, 19 Aug 2011 07:57:00 -0700 Loving Jesus http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/ykbgQ8KNvL4/loving-jesus http://michellebrinson.com/loving-jesus <p> <div style="font-family: Century Gothic;"><div><div><div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="She_shall_bring_forth_a_son" height="600" src="http://getfile7.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/bRZk8xuKCpSxJReX0tG76tY0V5ifVSHOprTr0N3pcBHjahCglb1WaBi15osU/She_shall_bring_forth_a_son.jpg.scaled600.jpg" width="522" /> </div> </div><p /><p /><p /><div>The last week has been one of the most challenging for me as a single mom. My two-year-old son has moved from one daycare to another daycare... new location, new teacher... thankfully some of the same kinds he's been in class with are there... but still it's a lot of change for my little guy. I also am dealing with my first real experience of "separation anxiety" - at least that's what my girlfriends are telling me. He's cried when I dropped him off at the nursery at church, he's cried at the daycare. It breaks a mother's heart to hear those types of cries. You know they are going to be fine, but you just hate to hear them cry begging you not to leave them. </div></div><p /><div>Not only has this affected our daytime routine, but seems as if it has also carried over to nighttime. We've had many nights this week where Jadon doesn't want to go to bed. He wants me to hold him and rock him (which I love) but when I lay him down, he will cry and cry and cry. I'm not a fan of letting him cry it out, because he doesn't stop. I know that works for some moms but it hasn't been effective for me. </div><p /><div>Needless to say I'm exhausted. I'm drained. I'm worn out. I feel like a walking zombie.</div><p /><div>Being a mom is a tough job. Probably the toughest. Yet, it is also one of the most rewarding jobs. Last night after giving Jadon a bath, he started singing some song I'm sure he's made up about cars. He LOVES cars. I'm not sure of all the words, but I kept hearing the word "car" and at the end he yelled "yea!" and was delighted with himself. It was a moment of pure joy for this mommy. </div><p /><div>When he woke up this morning, he was talking about the images on his wall... pictures of monkeys, zebras and lions... along with his name. He pointed at one of the letters and said "o" - and he was right... it was the letter "o." He also recognized the letters "a" and "d." He's only two and he's already so smart. He sings the ABC song and makes very few mistakes. He can count to 15. He's recognizing shapes and colors and can talk all about cars, trucks, tractors, trains and airplanes - basically anything that goes.</div><p /><div>I'm trying to find joy in the little things. It helps me when I deal with some of the major challenges... or when I'm exhausted beyond explanation.</div><p /><div>One of my dear friends told me that this is just a season and that if he cries to be held, hold him. Right now he is my #1 ministry. She's right.</div><p /><div>Another dear friend shared the following poem with me. I couldn't help but cry as she read it aloud. It certainly puts things in perspective.</div><p /><div>I share this with all the mothers who are and are yet to be... may it touch your heart and remind you of just how valuable and special you are.</div><p /><div>Loving Jesus</div><p /><div><div>I started my day early,</div><div>Before the room was light.</div><div>I lifted my son from his crib</div><div>And wished it was still night.</div><div>But as I held him close and said,</div><div>"Hi, Kenneth, precious one,"</div><div>I knew that as I greeted him,</div><div>I greeted too God's Son.</div><p /><div>When my daughter woke up later,</div><div>Calling, "Mommy!  Mommy!  Down!"</div><div>I picked her up and hugged her</div><div>In her worn Elmo nightgown.</div><div>I know she felt the closeness</div><div>That a mother's touch affords.</div><div>I welcomed not just Ellie,</div><div>But so, too, the Lord of Lords.</div><p /><div>That day, I mixed some formula</div><div>And opened jars of peas.</div><div>I fixed some "pizza butter" bread</div><div>When she grinned and said, "Pleeeeease."</div><div>I heated up some leftovers;</div><div>I had to nuke them twice.</div><div>And when I fed my children,</div><div>I was feeding Jesus Christ.</div><p /><div>I made some funny faces,</div><div>And "played puzzles" on the floor.</div><div>I dressed kitties, ran around outside,</div><div>And played with them some more.</div><div>We laughed and jumped and tickled,</div><div>Making memories to be stored.</div><div>When I spent time with my children,</div><div>I spent time with my Lord.</div><p /><div>I wiped up sticky cereal</div><div>And washed the dishes clean.</div><div>I straightened, picked up, put away,</div><div>And dusted in between.</div><div>I did six loads of laundry</div><div>And folded it like new.</div><div>When I cleaned for my children,</div><div>I cleaned for my Savior, too.</div></div><br /></div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">When my children were both crying,</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">I held them in my arms.</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">I cuddled them and whispered</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">That I'd keep them safe from harm.</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">I told them how their Father saved them</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">With His perfect Lamb.</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">When I comforted my children,</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">I comforted I AM.</div><p><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">Later on that evening,</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">I put them in the bath.</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">I washed their little bodies</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">As they kicked around and splashed.</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">I dried them in soft towels</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">And put their jammies on.</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">When I had washed my children's feet,</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">I'd washed the Holy One.</div><p><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">I cooked and cleaned and rearranged,</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">Made beds and taught and played.</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">I made sure that we had food to eat</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">And that we often prayed.</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">I died to self.  I made a home</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">From ordinary things.</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">But when I served my children,</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">I served the King of Kings.</div><p><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">To some, I have done nothing,</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">But to two, I've done the world.</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">I made eternal difference</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">To my precious boy and girl,</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">And to the One who watches over</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">Every pathway that I've trod.</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">For when I've loved my precious children,</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;">I've loved Almighty God.</div><p><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;"> - Megan Breedlove</div><div style="font-family: Century Gothic;"><a href="http://www.mannaformoms.com/loving_jesus.html">http://www.mannaformoms.com/loving_jesus.html</a></div><p><p /></p></p></p></p></p> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/loving-jesus">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/loving-jesus#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=ykbgQ8KNvL4:WWEAHuaJ7iU:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/ykbgQ8KNvL4" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/loving-jesus Thu, 30 Jun 2011 11:27:11 -0700 Kay Arthur's "When The Hurt Runs Deep" is Powerful! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/kQwX3EcaKO4/kay-arthurs-when-the-hurt-runs-deep-is-powerf http://michellebrinson.com/kay-arthurs-when-the-hurt-runs-deep-is-powerf <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <img alt="When_the_hurt_runs_deep" height="371" src="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/4LwZ7q5q6VNbsjKrotHNg8JfN6ItfB4jNAlp1BlDFcs0faHo0M70v5ie2OxT/When_the_Hurt_Runs_Deep.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="250" /> </div> <p></p><div><div style="font-size: 13.3px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Kay Arthur's book, "When The Hurt Runs Deep" is a powerful book. I've had my fair share of hurts and disappointments. In fact, the timing of this book couldn't have been better. I'm going through a divorce and now a single mom. Life has been harder than I ever imagined. This book helped me see God and His power, His love, His goodness, in the midst of my struggle. <p /> Kay has an amazing way of taking scripture and applying it to our daily lives. She's extremely talented and truly a teacher of God's word. She speaks from her heart and her own personal experiences. It's easy to relate to her. I've always enjoyed her books and Bible studies and this book is no different. <p /> </span><span style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I enjoyed reading every word and look forward to reading it again.</span></div><p /><div><br /><img src="http://p1.wisestamp.com/pixel.png?p=chrome&v=2.4.4.0&t=1309458240326&u=ccbaf9b10c4ca423" height="1" width="1" /></div> </div> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/kay-arthurs-when-the-hurt-runs-deep-is-powerf">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/kay-arthurs-when-the-hurt-runs-deep-is-powerf#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=kQwX3EcaKO4:ZdtP99koos8:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/kQwX3EcaKO4" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/kay-arthurs-when-the-hurt-runs-deep-is-powerf Sun, 26 Jun 2011 16:53:11 -0700 God's Hands http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~3/dgqAoYfPMH4/gods-hands http://michellebrinson.com/gods-hands <p> <div class='p_embed p_image_embed'> <a href="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/zFmVBVUCDgSsJwZIHKRe02YDumFPo8Y201c693wBdQIzbtBJp14qi45NFqGX/pottershands.jpeg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Pottershands" height="450" src="http://getfile4.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/michellebrinson/te1stmVKOKWwHgGPrWCvtDo3R5IbrxPyIwuRjekzbSmDxdVJuwKDGDrVNwL7/pottershands.jpeg.scaled600.jpg" width="600" /></a> </div> <p>Today is in God's hands and so are you. <p /> His hands are strong and will uphold you; <br />His hands are great and will enfold you; <br />His hands are gentle and will embrace you; <br />His hands are protective and will cover you; <br />His hands are reassuring and will quiet you; <br />His hands are powerful and will defend you; <br />His hands are parental and will train you; <br />His hands are masterful and will conform you; <br />His hands are compassionate and will care for you; <br />His hands are healing and will renew you; <br />His hands are calming and will comfort you; <br />His hands are giving and will bless you. <p /> The hands that hold you will never let you down. <p /> -Roy Lessin, DaySpring co-founder and writer</p> </p> <p><a href="http://michellebrinson.com/gods-hands">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://michellebrinson.com/gods-hands#comment">Leave a comment  »</a> </p><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?a=dgqAoYfPMH4:B7WvOtb-r54:yIl2AUoC8zA"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/MichelleSandersBrinson?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/MichelleSandersBrinson/~4/dgqAoYfPMH4" height="1" width="1"/> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/337439/me.jpg http://posterous.com/users/36ufN2bDMqOd Michelle Sanders Brinson Michelle Michelle Sanders Brinson http://michellebrinson.com/gods-hands