What We're Reading

Radical Together: Unleashing the People of God for the Purpose of God

2011-09-19T08:00:00.005-05:00

Radical Together by David Platt is a 176 pg. treatise that champions its readers to follow the clear teachings of the Word of God to care for the poor and reach the lost. It is a clarion call for churches across the world to take back their faith from the American Dream.

The product description says, "Dr. Platt shares six foundational ideas that fuel radical obedience among Christians in the church. With compelling Bible teaching and inspiring stories from around the world, he will help you apply the revolutionary claims and commands of Christ to your community of faith in fresh, practical ways."

These six foundational ideas are:
+The worst enemy of Christians is good things in the church.
+The gospel that saves us from work saves us to work.
+The Word does the work.
+Building the right church depends on using all the wrong people.
+We are living -and longing -for the end of the world.
+We are selfless followers of a self-centered God.

Radical Together is an excellent road map that leads its readers back to the understanding the Word of God and doing what Jesus really called us to do.

Chapters include:
1. Tyranny Of The Good
2. The Gospel Misunderstood
3. God Is Saying Something
4. The Genius Of Wrong
5. Our Unmistakable Task
6. The God Who Exalts God

Chapter 1 can be read here:

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The Cause Within You By Matthew Barnett & George Barna

2011-02-28T22:04:00.000-06:00

The Cause within You: Finding the One Great Thing You Were Created to Do in This World by Matthew Barnett and George Barna is an excellent cure all for boredom blues. This is a terrific book that aims at helping the reader find purpose, renewed passion and peace with God.

Topics explored are:
-Finding your great cause
-Overcoming the inevitable obstacles related to leading a cause-focused life
-Preparing to make the most of your cause-related opportunities
-Making a personal commitment to the cause
-Getting the job done
-Working in partnership with others
-Persevering through the dry times and the down cycles
-Experiencing the pleasures and rewards of living for your God-given cause
-Reveling in the peace with God that's fostered by your cause

Chapters 4-10 end with a section entitled "What I've Learned" recapping the heart and meat of each chapter. This book also contains section of Related Scripture Passages and a Discussion Guide.

If you are open to discovering the unique cause within you, then The Cause Within You is the book for you!

365 Days To A Prayer-Filled Life by Germaine Copeland

2011-02-21T11:00:00.000-06:00

365 Days To A Prayer-Filled Life is an excellent handbook from the beloved author of Prayers That Avail Much that daily encourages the reader to gain a stronger understanding of the purpose of prayer. Some of the topics explored are: joy, unity, spiritual gifts, overcoming fear, the Holy Spirit, walking in love, and the power of words. Each day's entry includes a biblically informed message, a scripture-based prayer, and a suggested Bible reading.

Images Of God For Young Children by Marie-Helene Delval

2011-02-21T10:35:00.002-06:00

Images Of God For Young Children is a well-written yet weighty children's book. The authors states that "it is appropriate for children while remaining faithful to the spirit of the biblical texts." Each set of two pages explores a concept of God. They are: breath, light, night, the word, silence, secret, our tears, joy, a spring, a rock, a stream, the root, wind, a path, fire, a fortress, a promise, strength, wisdom, deliverance, a covenant, a mystery, beauty, justice, holiness, peace, mercy, love, a shepherd, a king, a healer, a friend, a savior, majesty, smallness, a face, a parent, bread, life, and with us. The whimsical artwork contained within expresses each of these attributes perfectly.

The Cause Within You - #15 on New York Times Best Seller List

2011-02-17T21:40:00.000-06:00

The Cause Within You: Finding the One Great Thing You Were Created to Do in This World is the new book by Matthew Barnett. This book's product description states:

Whether we realize it or not, each of us was created for a great cause—and we will never be truly fulfilled until we find and pursue it. Matthew Barnett, son of a well-known megachurch pastor, discovered his great cause when he relinquished his dream of building a big, successful church like his father’s and began listening for God’s dream for his life. Sensing that God was calling him to serve the poor and powerless of Los Angeles, Matthew founded the Dream Center, a beacon of hope for homeless families, drug addicts, abused women and children, victims of human trafficking, teen runaways, gang members, and many others whose lives were filled with brokenness.

If you are hungry for a life full of passion instead of apathy; if you are ready to use your specific gifts and abilities to make a mark on the world; if you need to be reminded that God loves you and has a plan for your life—The Cause Within You is the book that can change everything. Through his own story and the stories of others whose lives have been transformed, Matthew Barnett will lead you to the cause of your lifetime.

Through his own story and the stories of others whose lives have been transformed, Matthew Barnett points the way for anyone searching for hope that God created them for a great cause—and that He can use all their life experiences, even the most difficult, to fulfill it. Along the way, he shares principles for:

* Finding the cause you were made for—and letting your cause find you
* Preparing for your cause
* Believing in a cause again after being burned or burned out
* Experiencing the rewards of a great cause

If you are open to discovering the unique cause within you, let Matthew Barnett be your guide through a process that could transform your life—and many others around you.

The Cause within You by Matthew Barnett | Facebookgreat free widgetsWidgetboxMore info

Your Spouse Is Not Your Enemy

2011-02-17T15:18:00.003-06:00

Love & War: Devotional For Couples by John & Stasi Eldredge is a 134 pg. 8-week devotional that champions its readers to remember that married love is worth fighting for. What sets Love & War apart from other marriage devotionals is that it focuses on the fact that couples participate in a modern day love story that is set in the midst of war therefore they must first allow God to mend their brokenness and then find their completeness in Him, not one another. Doing this will then help husbands and wives find what the authors call "generosity of spirit", the ability to let the little things go and become more adept at giving love. Love & War: Devotional For Couples is an excellent resource that is chock full of scriptures and wisdom for busy couples to embrace and use to spark spirituality and intimacy in their relationship.

Chapter Titles Include:
Introduction
Week One: Remembering What We Wanted
Week Two: The Two Shall Become One
Week Three: The Journey
Week Four: Companionship:
Week Five: Your Spouse Is Not Your Enemy
Week Six: The Little Foxes
Week Seven: Increasing Intimacy
Week Eight: The Most Excellent Way

Chapter 1 can be read here.

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The Next Christians: Gabe Lyons & Tim Keller via Livestream 2PM EST 2/17/2011

2011-02-17T12:25:00.001-06:00

Watch live streaming video from waterbrookmultnomah at livestream.com

The Voice Revealed

2010-11-15T14:11:00.000-06:00

Notes from "The Snare" - Causes Of Immorality: Vulnerability

2010-08-12T14:03:00.000-05:00

Vulnerability: the result of a circumstance, relationship, or change that has left us wounded or weary. Because we are emotionally run down, our defenses are down, our perspective is clouded and we are not able to make judgements based on truth. Everything is seen through an emotional filter and pain is intensified.

When you are vulnerable, a situation that might otherwise be safe may now be unsafe. Situations that cause vulnerability result in some kind of need to evaluate the added risk and to adjust responses accordingly.

Examples of causes of vulnerability: threatened security, the end of a relationship, health problems, stress, burnout

Helping others at the expense of our own health and the well-being of our families is not what God intended. Being desperately weary in spirit and body can contribute to immorality.
After rest, our ability to handle stress in a godly way will be increased.

Recognize your weaknesses. If we recognize we are in a position to be easily attacked, we can be prepared. We can determine to move very cautiously because we know that our judgement is impaired.

The danger with relationships when we are vulnerable is that we may not be able to evaluate them honestly and from a godly perspective.

In finding relief in relationships with other people, we may also short-circuit the Lord's working in our life when He is trying to meet our needs Himself.

Hurt takes time to heal. In trying to shorten that time, we may simply put a Band-Aid on a severe wound and say it is healed. One bad situation covered over by an ungodly relationship will only result in more pain than the first situation ever produced.

Our self worth is not based on our job. We must build up our relationship with the Lord to regain perspective of worth based on that relationship.

Time is probably the best remedy for the healing of damaged emotions. Waiting, focusing on other things, and trusting that the Lord will take care of future hopes is much safer than looking at a new person to take the pain away.

If you are in a vulnerable situation:
*Determine to live by biblical standards no matter how tough the situation gets.

*Look for rationalization in your thinking. Don't allow yourself to rationalize ungodly behavior for any reason.

*Move slowly and cautiously in making any decisions. Seek counsel from trusted friends who are committed Christians walking closely with the Lord.

*Maintain the basics: Stay in the Word, have quiet times, pray, and be in the fellowship of believers who are walking with the Lord.

*Do not take even a small step in the direction of a relationship that may lead to ungodly behavior.

*Pray for protection, discernment, & rest. Draw close to the Lord in ways that allow you to begin to feel His presence. Abide, read, talk to Him. Determine to point your focus toward Jesus!

Notes from "The Snare" - Why?

2010-08-10T22:09:00.001-05:00

Exodus 20:14 - "You shall not commit adultery."

The word adultery is associated with the turning aside of Israel from the true God to the worship of idols. Outside of marriage, our own desires become of primary importance and are compared to the description in the Old Testament of the sin of idol worship. When sexual intercourse takes place apart from the commitment of marriage, an individual's own interests slip into first place in his or her heart. We become surrounded by the all-consuming worship of self.

The bible refers to adultery in the same manner that it refers to murder, stealing, and lying (Jeremiah 7:9-10, Hosea 4:1-2, Revelation 9:21). However, our society doesn't hold immorality to such a high standard. At the most, immorality is looked at as a forgivable weakness.

The bottom-line "Why?" depends on our relationship with the Lord. If we are going to walk with the Lord, immorality is a lifestyle that we must give up.

PRAYERS THAT BRING HEALING

2010-05-12T16:32:00.001-05:00

IMPACT NETWORK NEWS

MAY 2010

Apostle John Eckhardt

New Book Release from Charisma House

Sequel to the Best Seller "Prayers that Rout Demons"

ACTIVATE THE ULTIMATE POWER SOURCE FOR HEALING

When Jesus arrived in a town preaching the coming of the Kingdom of God, not only did He heal everyone who came to Him, but He also healed "all manner of sickness." Healing is available to all.

Prayers That Bring Healing is your reference handbook for God's healing power. Combining powerful prayers with decrees taken from Scripture, it identifies twelve ways that healing takes place, including...

Healing through the laying on of hands

(Luke 4:40)

Healing through deliverance (Matt. 8:16)

Healing through breaking curses (Gal. 3:13)

Healing through prayer (Matt. 21:22)

Prayers and confession of Scripture are two of the most powerful weapons we have in life. Break the powers of darkness, and release the healing of God in your life today!

This book is the next release in a powerful series from Apostle John Eckhardt following the best seller, "Prayers that Rout Demons" and Prayers that Break Curses." It has just been released with a price of only $10. Order your copy now (online store)You may also want to order extra copies for family members or friends struggling with an area in their lives that needs healing. We have received so many testimonies from people who have been blessed by the previous books in this series, and we are convinced that God will use this book for many to overcome and receive their healing.

__________________________________________________________________

EXTREME APOSTOLIC: THE NEXT GENERATION

IMPACT 2010 CONFERENCE: JUNE 22-26 CHICAGO

VIDEO CLIP PROMO: CHECK IT OUT!

REGISTER TODAY: WWW.IMPACTNETWORK.NET

"I would like to

personally invite you to IMPACT 2010: Extreme Apostolic - The Next Generation. Last year's conference was phenomenal, and we are expecting another glorious gathering of leaders from around the world. This year's invited guests include Kimberly Daniels, Hank Kunneman, Tudor Bismark and special musical guest, Jason Upton. I am looking forward to your coming, and expecting to release strategies for the next decade and generations to come. We will provide teaching, fellowship, prophetic ministry, deliverance ministry, and an atmosphere of glory with praise and worship teams from different cities and nations. Don't miss this time of revelation, activation, and impartation.Register today. Seating is limited, and we are expecting an overflow."

Apostle John Eckhardt.

Francis Chan - Crazy Love

2008-10-16T20:19:00.001-05:00

It's crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts – it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same.

Francis Chan is pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley, California. He is also the president of Eternity Bible College and is on the Board of Directors of Children's Hunger Fund and World Impact. His passion is to see the Church display a much deeper love for Jesus.

Review: The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine (Digital Edition)

2008-08-15T15:23:00.000-05:00

The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine (Digital Edition)offers all the same content as the paper edition (product reviews, teaching ideas, and numerous articles written by homeschool experts) and many other conveniences that will make the greatest e-book skeptic reconsider and take a look.

These conveniences include:
~Instant delivery
~Huge savings
~Helpful links
~Ability to print or e-mail articles
~Easy and space-saving archiving

As a special gift, with your one-year digital subscription, you'll receive four quarterly issues plus the 19 Free International/Digital gifts. With such a generous "Thank You", one can hardly think of a reason not to subscribe to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine (Digital Edition)!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine (Digital Edition)
Retail: $16.95
Online Magazine Format; Executable file or zip download
Manufactured by: The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Can be purchased at: The Old Schoolhouse Store

Right now there is a special promotion running on their 1 year print and digital subscriptions to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine! Subscribe and get the new TOS Around the World E-Book and a Digital Issue for FREE. Hurry, the offer is only good through August 21, 2008

Review: The Schoolhouse Planner (E-Book)

2008-08-15T11:57:00.000-05:00

The Schoolhouse Planner is published by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. After completing my first overview of The Schoolhouse Planner, I must admit, I was a bit overwhelmed. I put it down, walked away from it and wondered, "What could I say about it?" After a 24hr. period, I became inundated with many great ideas about how it could greatly enhance my school year.

One of the biggest features of this planner is that it isn't just a planner for school but it is a home planner as well. It contains planning and record sheets for almost any imaginable data you could possibly think of for both school and the household. (See a detailed listing in the "SPECS" section at the end of this review.)

Another feature that I found to be worth it's value were the essays from different authors of the homeschool community. These essays provide tips on homeschooling successfully in a variety of areas. The planner is organized into monthly themes with which these essays correspond. At the end of each subject-themed essay there is a very helpful Schoolhouse resource list with suggested products that would be helpful to reinforce the subject.

Interspersed throughout the planner are helpful information sheets loaded with facts (e.g., from country capitals and the periodic table of elements to a kitchen conversion chart) that can now be right at your fingertips.

Because this planner is in e-book format, it is highly customizable. You can choose to use as many or as few planning sheets and you desire. This is an excellent resource and a must-have for any homeschooling home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Schoolhouse Planner (E-Book)
Retail: $39.00
PDF Download; 8.2 MB
Manufactured by: The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Can be purchased at: The Old Schoolhouse Store

SPECS:
In The Schoolhouse Planner, you can expect to find:

• Calendars in various forms – yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily
• Lists of holidays and places to record special days in your family
• Planners for your homeschool – in various styles to meet your individual needs
• Pages for both long-term and short-term homeschooling goals
• Curriculum planning forms
• Evaluation forms and test score recording sheets
• A through-the-Bible in a (school) year schedule
• Forms for recording Bible memory and other memory work
• Logs for recording books read, movies and documentaries viewed, etc.
• A field trip planning form and recording log
• A sample science lab sheet and nature study sheets
• A place to record extracurricular activities
• Outside classes, co-op, and support group information and recording sheets
• Household planning forms
• Daily, weekly, and monthly household schedule charts
• Grocery, menu-planning, and food logs
• Various budget and financial planning forms
• Garden planning sheets
• An appliance and electronics inventory sheet
• Vacation planning ideas
• Address and telephone records
• And much, much more!
• 12 “homeschool must-know” items, one for each month of the year
• 12 essays from some of our favorite authors in the homeschool community – you absolutely won’t want to miss these!
• 24 easy main-dish recipes from some top homeschoolers around the nation
• Forms that are appropriate for preschool – graduation
• A 12-year planning form, so that you can plan your child’s school career from beginning to end!
• 2-page monthly calendar with BIG blocks, providing lots of room for writing in details each day

Also, each month throughout the year, “planner supplements” will be offered that you and your kids will love!

BECOME A CHOSEN TEACHER (http://chosenteacher.groundforcenetwork.com/)

2008-04-18T14:02:00.001-05:00

Chevrolet wants to equip your school and classrooms with practical, enticing resources that encourage students to read. Because of this desire to help you make a difference in the lives of young people, Chevrolet would like to provide you with a free book set of New York Times best-selling author Ted Dekker’s newest young adult book, Chosen. Chosen is part of a new young adult series by Dekker called The Lost Books.

THERE IS NO CATCH! This is a free offer, no strings attached. Chevrolet simply wants to give educators an opportunity to have more tools & resources that encourage students to get excited about reading. All you have to do is apply. Select teachers will then receive a kit that includes 24 copies of Chosen plus a resource guide with suggested discussion questions.

Important things to know about this first book giveaway:
Any educator can apply to receive a book kit. Please read the guidelines below.

* Registration is only open to teachers & educators in the 50 continental United States
* These Chosen book kits are part of a first round of books being given away, and will be distributed primarily in the southeastern states. We will be conducting further programs to other regions in the future, so we encourage everyone to sign-up so we can let you know about future book giveaways
* EVERY educator (based in one of the 50 continental United States) who signs up will automatically be registered to win a $500 gift card.
* Once you apply, you will be notified via email whether or not you have been selected to receive a kit.
* If you are a Chosen teacher, you will receive your books and resources two to four weeks after you submit your application.
* Questions? Email us at chosen@groundforcenetwork.com

Notes from the Hedges Study Guide by John Perrodin

2008-03-28T20:47:00.001-05:00

The following are notes taken from the study guide at the end of the book.. This is information shared by John Perrodin and not my own original content.

Chap. 1 The Tangled Web

Investing the emotional energy and time on another individual other than your spouse is inappropriate.

Pam’s 5 Reasons For A Life-long Marriage:
1. To honor God
2. Because I Love My Husband
3. Because I Love My Children
4. I Enjoy Being Married
5. To Advance the Kingdom of God (That others may desire marriage, establish strong families and refuse alternative lifestyles that are destructive to the Kingdom.)

Chap. 2 The Changing Climate

You can be married for years and still develop a crush on someone.

Don’t treat a new friend of the opposite sex the way you treat an old, respected friend. Refrain from touching them, being alone with them, flirting with them (even in jest), or saying anything to them you wouldn’t say if your spouse of God were there.

Married people should be very careful of relationships with members of the opposite sex.

We must plant hedges well in advance of even meeting someone else. Hedges nip marriage threatening relationships before they get started.

Women, in record numbers are cheating on their husbands. Why? They are often ignored by busy husbands and find companionship with lonely, unattached men, unless well-tended hedges are in place.

A person with as perfect a spouse as one could ever want is till capable of lust. A senseless seeking of lust can destroy both individuals and their families. If a person does not fear his own potential and construct a hedge around himself and his marriage, he heads for disaster.

Chap. 3 Don’t Blame God

Sexual temptation can overwhelm us before we know it. The Bible instructs us to flee youthful lusts (2 Tim 2:22). Our only hope is to run and get away from the situation.

Only by understanding mutual weaknesses can a husband and wife truly help each other overcome the shame and pain of personal points of temptation. Confess to your spouse privately and be blunt about your struggles. Pray together for strength and talk about what makes it easier (or more difficult) to resist temptation.

An adulterous relationship based purely on appearance is shallow and ultimately meaningless. If we exalt appearance over substance, we pervert the natural attraction between the sexes that God planned.

Chap. 4 The Dynamics of Flirtation

Extra-marital flirting is mental and emotional unfaithfulness. It is exercising a portion of your brain and soul that should be reserved for your exclusive lover.

Our time and money should go toward keeping our own relationship vibrant, not diffused and diverted by flirting with someone else.

Marital flirting (with your spouse) is no different than adolescent flirting – only everything you’re thinking about and hoping will come of it is legal, normal, acceptable and beautiful. Marital flirting is fun and safe.

Flirting can be a good and natural part of a person’s progression toward true love. God made us able to respond emotionally and physically to attention from the opposite sex.

Share heart to heart, with your spouse, the concerns you have about family, friends or co-workers who push the line of propriety.

If you have acted inappropriately, talk to your spouse about the situation and how you can avoid it in the future. You made a sacred vow to remain pure for your spouse.

Chap. 5 The Biblical Basis For Hedges

We don’t have the right to have someone of the opposite sex as a close friend when we are married. It slowly kills our spouse.

Find ways that you can set an example of purity and faithfulness that will have a lasting impact on others.

If the Bible puts adultery in the same class as murder, it is a threat not only to our marriage, but also to our very lives.

Chap. 6 The Power Of Self-Deception

Self-deception and rationalization will keep one from maintaining the hedges around their heart. The pattern will repeat itself as long as the individual refuses to flee. There is no other defense or option.

Couples often feel they are too busy to pray together.

We need to acknowledge our problem areas. Why do couples construct facades rather than looking at each other eye-to-eye. Can we really hide who we are from ourselves, others or God?

The only future in self-deceit is ruin. Take time to share with your spouse your weaknesses regarding sexual temptations.

Chap. 7 Two’s Company; Three’s Security

If we abstain from even the appearance of evil, we will also abstain from evil itself.

Meetings with the opposite sex should only take place in public or with at least one other person present. That provides protection for everyone involved, first for their reputations and finally against temptation.

Abstaining from even the appearance of evil has fallen into disfavor in certain Christian circles. Many prefer to dwell on their freedoms rather than hemming themselves in.

It takes discipline but we can set patterns of faithfulness that protect our marriages.

There is something personal and even intimate about eating with someone. It’s a time to relax, to sit close and to open up. Intimate conversation over a delicious dinner can open your heart and soul to your companion. Such setting might lower inhibitions and allow for inappropriate topics between co-workers or even strangers.

It’s easy to morph into someone we’re not when away from home. The price of suspicion is high, and the price of infidelity is even higher.

Chap. 8 Touchy, Touchy!

Humans need companionship. That’s why the power of touch can be so overwhelming.

If touch isn’t an issue with you, be sensitive to the attitudes and interpretations of those you choose to touch. Others may have weaknesses that you do not. It’s not always appropriate to embrace even a Christian of the opposite sex. For some, such openness to touching and hugging can be a problem.

What began as a spiritual expression of brotherly and sisterly love has ended in vulnerability and even an affair leading to ended marriages or pre-marital sex.

Chap. 9 Some Compliments Don’t Pay

Protect the hedge of marital intimacy. If nothing else, divorce can be financially crushing.

The surest way to ward off inappropriate come-ons and to protect your marriage is by openly acknowledging and proclaiming your love for your spouse.

Honest encouragement is one of the best ways a husband or wife can lead a spouse to “pursue what is good.” (1 Thess 5:12-18) Commit to improve how you offer praise and tender advice.

Be careful that compliments about others don’t cross the line.

Chap. 10 Looking Down The Barrel Of A Loaded Gun

Flattery, flirtation, suggestive jesting and what we say to our own spouses are all shades of the same color. Words can thrill, delight, entice and excite. Beware of the power of the tongue.

The real danger of flirtation comes when you pretend to be teasing but you would really love to do just what you’re suggesting.

Get down to some serious flirting with your spouse. Incorporate caring signs of affection into your daily relationship.

Chap. 11 Memories

Repeating your wedding vows frequently allows couples to better understand and reflect upon what they promised before God, friends and each other.

Vows are meant to be honored, becoming more solid and treasured over time.

Imagine what a spouse who has taken back a partner who slept with another must go through to enjoy the marriage bed again.

Chap. 12 Quality Time vs. Quantity Time

Strive to provide a model of love and caring and interdependence for your children. Show them what it means to make and keep a commitment, to set out on a lifetime of love with no wavering, no excuses, and no me-first philosophies. Your actions will speak volumes.

Children grow up so quickly. Unless we savor our time with them, one day we’ll wake up regretting our selfishness.

Chap. 13 Everybody Loves A Love Story

Recall the details of your early love. The longer you go without doing it, the easier it is to forget. By retelling our stories over and over through the years, we solidify in our minds the things that attracted us to our mates in the first place. That’s a powerful, positive way to nurture romance.

Humor can keep a couple sane even during tough times.

Make your love story so familiar that it becomes part of the fabric of your being. It should become a legend shared through the generations. Grow a family tree that defies all odds and boasts marriage after marriage of stability, strength, and longevity.

Chap. 14 When Victory Comes

Note areas where you need to see the greatest improvement in your boundaries. Know yourself, understand the dangers in your weak areas, and do something practical and concrete about them.

Remind yourself why you want to remain true to your spouse. Go through family albums as a couple. Review pictures of your children, your happy home and the fun times you’ve shared. Renew your commitment to keeping this joy in your life by remaining fully faithful to one another. Seal your promise with a kiss.

Hedges: Loving Your Marriage Enough To Protect It by Jerry B. Jenkins

2008-03-13T17:35:00.014-05:00

This is a very practical book that sheds insight on how to protect your marriage before trouble arises. The content of this book not only applies to the married but is also useful information for singles to apply to their relationships before marriage as well. The following are notes taken as I read the book. This is information shared by Jerry B. Jenkins and not my own original content.

Introduction

“No trespassing” should be the sign on every man and woman’s heart when it comes to the relationship God has given him or her to protect, honor, and cherish.

Psalm 89:40 implies that strongholds are brought to ruin when hedges are broken down. Job 1:10 implies that Job was so richly blessed – before God allowed him to be tested – because God had made a hedge “around him, around his household, and around all that he had on every side.”

Jesus told parables about landowners who planted vineyards and protected them with hedges. When those hedges wer trampled or removed, ruin came to the precious possessions of those landowners.

People are much more precious than land or holdings. If we can keep from deceiving ourselves about our own resolve and inner strength, we will see the need for healthy hedges that keep love in and infidelity out.

Part I: The Need For Hedges

No one thinks he needs hedges until it’s too late.

What are we to do when temptation rages? If we are weak and have not taken precautions, if we have not applied preventive medicine, we have already failed. The only answer is to plan, to anticipate danger, to plot the escape. The time to plant hedges is before the enemy attacks.

The Biblical Basis for Hedges:

• Leviticus 20:10 Adulterers are put to death.
• Matthew 5:27-28 Lust is adultery
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 People usually apply this verse too late.
• 2 Timothy 2:22 We are not to attack lust; we are to flee. This is the escape that comes with the temptation of lust.
• Psalm 89:40 implies that strongholds are brought to ruin when hedges are broken down.
• Job 1:10 implies that Job was so richly blessed – before God allowed him to be tested – because God had “made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he had on every side.”
• Jesus told parables about landowners who planted vineyards and protected them with hedges. When those hedges were trampled or removed, ruin came to the precious possessions of the landowners.

Part II: How to Start Planting

Here are pragmatic ways to guard ourselves against our weaknesses. We can plant hedges only after we have determined where they must grow.

Jerry’s Hedges:

Hedge No. 1:

Whenever I need to meet or dine or travel with an unrelated woman, I make it a threesome. Should an unavoidable last-minute complication make this impossible, my wife hears it from me first.

Hedge No. 2

I am careful about touching. While I might shake hands or squeeze an arm or a shoulder in greeting, I embrace only dear friends or relatives, and only in front of others.

Hedge No. 3

If I pay a compliment, it is on clothes or hairstyle, not on the person herself. Commenting on a pretty outfit is much different, in my opinion, than telling a woman that she herself looks pretty.

Hedge No. 4

I avoid flirtation or suggestive conversation, even in jest.

Hedge No. 5

I remind my wife often – in writing and orally – that I remember my wedding vows: ‘Keeping you only unto me for as long as we both shall live.” She is not the jealous type, nor has she ever demanded such assurances. She does, however, appreciate my rules and my observance of them.

Hedge No. 6

From the time I got home from work until the children went to bed, I did no writing or office work. That gave me lots of time with the family and for my wife and me to continue to court and date.

The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. One of the greatest fears of childhood is abandonment. One can only imagine the impact of a broken marriage on a child.

Part III: What Hedges Can Do For Your Family

Telling your story, speaking openly of the hedges in your marriage, protecting yourself and your family from insidious new sources of unacceptable media, and truly practicing the Golden Rule at home will give your spouse and your children a deep sense of love and security.

Spring Book Recommendations

2008-03-06T16:39:00.001-06:00

Black History Month Book Recommendations

2008-02-19T12:19:00.000-06:00

President's Day Book Recommendations

2008-02-16T13:51:00.003-06:00

2007-08-11T22:19:00.000-05:00

What Believers Must Know to Grow

I. What’s So Important About Spiritual Growth?

II. Can I Be Sure Of My Salvation?
• Cease worrying about where you stand with Christ, and start making your life count for Him.
• Begin to grow from there!
• Memorize 1 John 5:11-13

III. When Does God Get Even?
• Accept God’s pardoning love.
• Now forgive yourself. Do that the same way our heavenly Father forgives you-by looking to the Cross.
• Memorize John 3:16 and Romans 8:1

IV. Why Am I Here?
• God’s purpose for you on earth is to know Christ and to make Him known.
• Get to know Jesus personally through His Word, the Bible. This is the most fulfilling relationship you’ll ever experience.
• With the Holy Spirit’s help, seek to introduce others to Christ so that they might know Him personally, too.
• For practical instruction in sharing your faith, enroll in an evangelism training class. These are usually offered in local churches.
• Read one or more of the books recommended at the end of this chapter.
• Memorize Acts 1:8

V. What Do You Mean, Fifteen Minutes a Day Will Change My Life?
• Set aside at least fifteen minutes each day to listen to God’s voice in the pages of Scripture.
• Proceed straight through the Bible, beginning with the New Testament in the Gospel of Matthew.
• Claim God’s promises.
• Obey God’s revealed will.
• Take seriously His warnings against sin.
• Find your wisdom for living in God’s Word.
• Learn from it how to trust the Lord for every problem, trial, and worry.
• Memorize 2 Timothy 3:16-17

VI. I Tried to Live for Christ, But It Didn’t Work
• Surrender yourself to the indwelling Christ.
• Make a conscious commitment each day to be a channel through which the Lord Jesus can bear His own fruit of holiness and love.
• Memorize Galatians 2:20

VII. Why Do I Feel Like a Walking Civil War?
• Feed the new nature and starve the old!
• Be disciplined in prayer.
• Soak your mind and heart in God’s Word.
• Memorize key verses of Scripture.
• Join a small-group Bible study.
• Cultivate fellowship and friendships with other Christians; avoid places people, and things that will interfere with your spiritual walk.

VIII. Aren’t All Christians the Same?
• There are two kinds of believers, the carnal and the spiritual. The carnal Christian is under the control of his old, sinful nature, while the spiritual Christian lives under the control of the Holy Spirit.
• The carnal Christian is dominated by his sinful nature.
• The carnal Christian is not growing
• The carnal Christian is a disappointment to Christ
• The carnal Christian is not a victorious believer.
• The spiritual Christian is fully surrendered to the power of the Holy Spirit.
• The spiritual Christian has the mind of Christ
• Submit to the indwelling Spirit’s control in your life.
• Allow him to dominate your personality.
• Consciously yield yourself every day to His holy influence.
• Memorize Galatians 5:22-23

IX. What’s the Difference Between Temptation and Sin?
• Temptation is a suggestion, and sin is a yielding to the suggestion.
• Christ withstood Satan’s temptations because He was filled with the Scriptures.
• Christ won victory over temptation because He was filled with the Spirit.
• Make use of the two weapons the Lord offers you – the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit.
• The Bible will give you wisdom to see through Satan’s schemes. Read it, study it, and commit parts of it to memory.
• The Holy Spirit will supply you with supernatural power to fight off temptation. So surrender yourself to His control.
• Memorize 1 Corinthians 10:13

X. Why Do My Prayers Seem to Bounce Off the Ceiling?
• #1. Vague requests
• #2. Unclaimed Scriptural Promises
• #3. Selfishness
• #4. Failure To Live in an Attitude of Prayer
• #5. Doubt that God Will Answer
• #6. Resistance to God’s Will
• Prayer is communication with God and therefore vital to your Christian growth.
• Pray specifically, claiming the Bible’s promises.
• Live in an attitude of prayer.
• Expect God to answer.
• Submit to His will.
• Memorize Jeremiah 33:3

XI. I Can Worship God at the Beach…Can’t I?
• The New Testament uses four metaphors to describe the church: the body, the bride of Christ, the branches of Christ, the building of Christ.
• The New Testament uses five metaphors for individual Christians: sheep who need to stay together in one flock, brothers and sisters who belong to the same household, soldiers who are active in God’s army, citizens who make up one kingdom, and priests who serve in the same temple.
• Look for a Christ-centered church that focuses on worshipping the Lord Jesus, not on entertaining the people.
• Look for a church that emphasizes the new birth in Christ.
• Look for a church that teaches and preaches the Word of God.
• Look for a loving church.
• Look for a church with a sense of mission.
• Don’t look for a perfect church – there’s no such thing.
• Become involved in a Christ-centered, evangelistic, Bible-based, loving outreaching church “on the grow.”
• Get to know its pastor and people.
• Support the church with your prayers, service, and finances.
• Memorize Hebrews 10:24-25

XII. Do I Have to Be Committed?
• A committed Christian lives for Jesus; an uncommitted one lives for himself.
• A committed Christian is self-disciplined to spend time alone with God every day in Scripture and prayer; an uncommitted one lacks that kind of discipline, and it shows in his life.
• A committed Christian makes a difference in other people’s lives; so does an uncommitted one, but instead of building others up, he becomes a stumbling block to them.
• A committed Christian grows in faith, knowledge, and love; an uncommitted one sinks into doubts, needless ignorance, and a feeling of indifference.
• Make a solemn vow that Christ will always have first place in your life.
• Pledge to be obedient to the Word of God, submissive to the will of God, and involved in the work of God – nothing less, nothing else, at any cost!
• Memorize Romans 12:1-2

As taken from the book What Believers Must Know To Grow by Tom Carter

2007-08-07T22:59:00.000-05:00

Imagine a school where the leaders in student government, academics, the arts, and sports brought out the best in themselves and their peers. Impossible?? Maybe not!

Tommy Nelson's new PowerPak series by John C. Maxwell adapts for ages 10 - 14 the leadership techniques from Maxwell's New York Times bestseller Developing the Leader within You.

In the PowerPak series, Maxwell gives a simple step-by-step plan for any young person to learn leadership skills before reaching high school or college. Topics covered include peer relationships, influence, priorities, integrity, problem solving, and self-discipline.

2006-06-14T16:14:00.000-05:00

Great Biblical Historical Fiction About Women

Francine Rivers chronicles the lives of five unlikely women in the lineage of Christ. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary were all women whose lives were tainted according to human understanding, yet God chose them to be a part of his plan of redemption. See their familiar stories through new eyes as this award-winning author brings their stories to life.

2006-06-14T16:12:00.000-05:00

Unveiled, the first book in this series, brings Tamar, daughter-in-law of Judah, to life. Even though she was sinned against and sinned herself, using her wits to trick Judah into sleeping with her, God chose to use her shame to bless her and to show grace and forgiveness to all! Tamar was the mother of Perez, and among his descendants was Boaz, the great-grandfather of King David. Her story assures us that no person or action is beyond the reach of God's mercy! You may read her story in Genesis 38, and find her
name in the kingly lineage of Jesus in Matthew 1.

2006-06-14T16:11:00.000-05:00

Unashamed, the second book in this series, acquaints us with Rahab, the prostitute who hid the Hebrews spies in Jericho and tied a scarlet thread in her window when Jericho was destroyed by God. She was scorned and abused by those around her. Yet her faith in the God of the Israelites saved the spies, her life, and the lives of her family. God not only spared her, he gave her an honored position as the wife of one of the spies, mother of an ancestor of King David, and ultimately, a place in the lineage of Jesus. God doesn't ask us to change before he uses us rather,the changes us as he uses us for his glory and our good! You may read more about Rahab in Joshua 2 and 6, and in Matthew 1.