Book Review: 40 Days of Decrease

Author: Alicia Britt Chole

               Mrs. Chole investigates the season of Lent in a very well researched book. She takes the 40 days of Lent and explores various aspects of the season.

               In each days reading, she has a section relating to Jesus’ actions during His last week on earth. She continues with a reflection of what we have read. Next, she tells us what we need to fast (give up) for that day. Mrs. Chole then gives us information about Lent and its history. She ends each daily section with our reading the book of John, chapters 12 through 21,          one section at a time, she has also included a place for us to journal our thoughts about each day’s passage. Those who faithfully read and journal about the book of John will gain intimate knowledge about the last week of Christ’s life.

  

               I would recommend this book for any individual or group who wants to learn more about Lent, the process of fasting, and the ways of Christ in the face of His path to Golgotha. I would also recommend this book to anyone who feels the need to grow in the Lord. I intend to use this study as my Lenten devotional.

               I received this book from Thomas Nelson free of charge. All they asked of me was that I read it and give an impartial review.

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I am posting this on Ash Wednesday as a way to be true to my intention about letting others know about this marvelous book. 

Great is God’s Love

singaporechristian.com

“Praise the Lord, all you nations;

Extol him, all you peoples.

For great is his love toward us,

And the faithfulness endures forever.

Praise the Lord.”

Psalm 117:1-2 (NIV)

               The psalmist makes it clear to his readers; all the nations are to praise the Lord. The people in those nations are to lift their voices, giving thanks for Who He is.

               God’s love for us is immeasurable. He loves us when we come to Him and confess our wrongdoing, take our emotional bruises and hurts to Him, or just go to His Throne to tell Him that we love Him. Let me say it this way: We cannot quantify God’s love for His children; it is so vast.

               God’s faithfulness never ends. He is as true to His word today as He was to the patriarchs and prophets in the Old Testament.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:7 (NIV)

RJD: 2/2016 Names People Call Us

Journal Entry: Dec. 3, 2015

BACKGROUND:

I received therapy for my broken ankle while I was in the nursing home. My only time out of my room each day (seven days a week) was to receive therapy. I came to enjoy those who worked in that department.

Journal Entry:

               One of the male therapists here at the nursing home/rehab center said something interesting today. His mother does not like to be called ‘honey’ or ‘hon.’ She thinks it sounds demeaning.

               This set me to thinking. When I was in college, one of the guys on campus who worked for the food service, part time, always called the girls in the dorm endearing little names like ‘doll.’ He was in the same fraternity as my boyfriend. One day one of my sorority sisters who also dated another guy from that fraternity house and I asked him why he did that.

               My friend hit upon the idea that he did this because he did not know or could not remember the names of the other girls on campus. However, he had to know our names.

               Here at the rehab/nursing facility, the CAN’s, the nurses, and the therapists use the little cute names because it is quick and easy. The environment can be somewhat cold and daunting to the patients. The use of endearing terms breaks the ice and is meant to put the patient at ease.

               The Bible says God has a special name for each of his children. Each of us will find out what He calls us when we meet Him.

UPDATE:

               Yesterday, I underwent an evaluation for the possibility of continuing my physical therapy. The young woman told me I was doing well, making progress. I could have continued receiving therapy for 30 days. I explained something to her and asked for two more weeks. She agreed to my suggestion.

I will see my regular PT woman three more times and then this evaluator will come back to release me. I am so happy; I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  

Linked to:enthusiasticallydawn.

Abounding in Love

The Lord works righteousness

And justice for all the oppressed.

He made know his ways to Moses,

His deeds to the people of Israel:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

Slow to anger, abounding in love.

Psalm 103:6-8 (NIV)

               This is another of David’s writings. He writes kindly of the Lord. Let us see what the Shepherd King has to say;

“The Lord works righteousness and justice. . .” In our society, we see times when we believe victims do not receive justice. Either the perpetrators get off free or receive a very light sentence. God will take care of the hurt the victims and their families’ experience.

“ . . for all the oppressed.” When one is beaten down by attitudes and actions of another, sometimes God is the only friend the victims have. When we reach out to God, He accepts us as we are. If we are hurt, anxious, or angry, He listens to us and acts upon our needs.

“He made known his ways to Moses. . .” God took Moses from the land of Goshen and led him through the wilderness. The Father conversed with him on the mountaintop and doled out discipline for Moses and the Israelites.

“His deeds to the people of Israel”; Several times the Lord God had to remind the Israelites of what He had done for them. The Israelite people had very short-term memory—they would forget how God had been with them. Sometimes, we of the 21st Century forget what happened when we miraculously find ourselves on the receiving end of something nice. We do not deserve to be treated the way God treats us—we deserve death. Nevertheless, God gives us His love through His grace.

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious . . .” God exercises compassion to all who come to Him. He never turns any of His children away. He listens intently and then he deals with us with grace—even when his discipline might seem harsh.

“slow to anger, abounding in love.”

One of the hallmarks of God is that he chooses not to do anything without extending grace or giving redemption for our/others’ sins. God provides everything we need in order for us to live; no wonder we learn to love Jesus as we do.

Unfailing Love

stitch-a-gift.com

O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger

Or discipline me in your wrath.

Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am faint;

O lord, heal me, for my bones are in agony.

My soul is in anguish.

How long, O Lord, how long?

Turn, O Lord, and deliver me;

Save me because of your unfailing love.

Psalm 6: 1-4 (NIV)

               David pens this plea. He asks God not to deal with him in anger. The shepherd king begs for mercy; he says he could not withstand it. He asks God to heal him because he hurts so much that his bones are sore.

               I love the last part of this passage. He asks the Lord to deliver him from this pain and guilt not because he is such a loyal follower and obedient person but because of Gods unfailing love.

               God’s love is unfailing. He loves us even when we are unlovely. He knows everything we did before we heard about Him and chooses to save us in spite of those things.

               A dear friend shared something with me yesterday. Her eldest, son who has been through a life-changing trauma, and she went to a pizza place they like on Sunday. They happened to see two couples they knew from several years ago. These couples were influential in this son’s life. What makes this such a special thing for me is the way my friend talked about it. She said, “The Lord did a sweet thing for us.”

               Yes, even those ‘chance meetings’ are engineered by God. He does even these out of His unfailing love.

A New Word for 2016

worldartsme.com

                              “Humble yourselves before The Lord and he will lift you up.”  James 4:10 (NIV)

    This past fall, while I was a resident of a care center for rehabilitation for my broken ankle, I found myself thinking about my ‘one word’ for this year. One evening, my pastor came to visit. I told him I tried to thank the CNA’s even if they picked up a tissue off the floor. I continued to tell him I could not do it for myself. I also told him that being laid up like that was very humbling.

               One day, I made a list of several words that I thought would be good words to use to guide me through the months of this year. After I returned home, I found that list and made my decision.

               In case you cannot figure it out, I chose the word “humble.” Earlier this month, I had a very personal experience that truly did humble me. If I shared it with people, I believe I would come across as boasting; so I refrain from talking about it. God knows the particulars of the story.

               Each year I have chosen one word to be mindful of, I have found that particular word grabs my attention every time I read it or hear it in conversation. I spend time searching the scriptures for my particular word and am never disappointed. Later in the year, I will share scriptures.

               What adventures have you had with one of the words you chose for a particular year?

New Every Day

godguidesme.com

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

For his compassions, never fail.

They are new every morning;

Great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)

I first heard these verses as a young adult. I found myself caught by the words. Every time I ran across them, I paused to take in the meaning.

“Because of the Lord’s great love . . .” Sometimes we tend to forget that God loves us.As humans, we can get so involved in our daily lives, and relationships that we tend to become shortsighted and react to what we can see and hear.

               “ . .we are not consumed,” When we learn that God is with us, we realize we do not have to fall into the trap laid by man. We, at any time, can run to God and talk to Him about our circumstance.

               “. . . his compassions never fail.” God always listens with His heart. He never scolds or belittles us for our thoughts. His treatment is always with our best interests, as He sees it, in mind. Sometimes, God has a lesson for us to learn. His ways are always redemptive. 

               “They are new every morning.” Think about this for a minute. God’s graces are new for each of us every day. Just yesterday, I found out that tomorrow I will be released from Occupational Therapy. My time with the OT lady will end. She believes that I have improved so much that we can end our twice-weekly sessions. I am so happy about this. I on believe our attitudes would be better if we woke up each morning expecting God to do something new in our lives.

               “Great is your faithfulness.” God is always faithful, even when we are not. We do not have anyone else in our lives who is always there to hear our praises, our plights, and our prayers. We should always thank Him for His faithfulness. How can we live this passage before God and others?