Friday, July 4, 2014

Trials Will Come/Two Sides RJD July 2014


Journal entries March 8, 1998
(Entries based on Charles H. Spurgeon devotional, Morning and Evening)

Trials (Morning)
“We must go through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22 (NKJV)
Spurgeon states that “It was never God’s design for His people to be untried.” The book of James tells me “Consider it pure joy when you experience trials of many kinds,” James continues with,” the testing of your faith develops perseverance, perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 (NIV)

Yes, God does test his children; he tests them for their own good. If we weren’t tested we would not gain any spiritual insights into our world and we would never know God for who He is. We would never know to rely on Him in times of stress, especially from the world. I would have caved in this past Thursday if I had not known that God would listen and take care of a situation and He has. Thank you Lord!

Two Sides (Evening)

“She called his name Ben-Oni [son of sorrow], but his father called him Benjamin [son of my right hand.] Genesis35:18 (NKJV)

We know there are two sides to “all earthly things.” There are two sides to coins, literally and figuratively, there are two sides of fabric. The embroidery work I have done has a ‘nice’ side-the front of the piece—and a ‘not so nice’ side; the back of the piece.

When an event happens, we have the responsibility to decide whether it’s a good or a bad thing. The outcome has the decisive factor. This weekend I made a discovery that has me trying to decide if a decision made late last spring was a good decision or a bad one. All I have seen is not-so-good outcome for my worship family. Lord, are You listening? Are You in this? Are we listening to You? What do you have for us?

UPDATE: I journaled these entries sixteen years ago. From the standpoint of the writing craft, they are raw. I broke a lot of the writing rules back then but I wasn’t aware of them.

I can’t remember the situation or the decision I refer to. All I can say is God had to be in them.    
Looking back tells me a couple of things.

1)      How much I have grown in the craft of writing.
2)      How much I have grown in the Lord.


As of this writing,(6/30) I plan to ride on our church's float in the Indepencence Parade on the evening of July 3, 2014. I didn't get to ride in the parade after all. I had to see my doctor and she thought it would not be a good idea.





Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Book Review: Women For All Seasons By Angela Joseph


 Product Details



Angela John writes an informative collection of stories about twelve women found in the Bible. For each woman, she tells a Biblically based story; gives insight, reflections, and scriptures for the reader to probe.

In the Introduction, she tells us this is a compilation of stories about women who are in different seasons of life, seasons that women all face. She selected 12 women to make more real to us. Each of these women faced trials in their daily life. She chose seven women from the Old Testament and five from the New Testament for her readers to meet. The stories Ms. Joseph has put together are unique.
One outstanding feature of this book is, at the end of each woman’s story, she gives insight into the woman and asks us to reflect on the woman’s life and actions and compare those attributes to ourselves.

I would recommend this book to women who strive to grow in the Lord, to women who mentor new Christian women and to those who work in reentry ministries for women.

The author sent me a PDF version of this book. All she asked me to do was read it and give an impartial, honest review.


Monday, June 30, 2014

Interview: Author Angela Joseph


,
Hello;

Today we will have a chance to get to know Angela Joseph. On Wednesday, we will find out about her book, A Woman for All Seasons. Shall we get started?

Please tell us about yourself.

I am a lover of Jesus Christ with a passion for spreading the gospel through the written word. I currently live in South Florida, and next to writing and reading, I enjoy photography, travel and spending time with my grandchildren.
1.)               
How long have you been writing?

I have been writing for longer than I can remember, but began writing seriously twelve years ago.

In what genre do you write?

In addition to non-fiction, I write in the women’s fiction genre.

Do you have a ‘day’ job?

I am employed as an occupational therapist in behavioral health.

What have you written before this?

I’ve also written a series of three novels, the Egypt series, which are not yet published, in the Christian women fiction genre. I have contributed to A Cup of Comfort for Mothers, and recently to Chicken Soup. I have also written several freelance articles on health, fitness and education. A few years ago, I won an honorable mention in a Writer’s Digest contest.

Do you write a blog? Please give us the address.


 Tell us about your family.

I am a wife and mother to one daughter and three sons and grandmother of five.



It’s been nice getting to know more about you, Angela. Thanks for stopping by. 

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...