My Blog

Counting the Cost

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 14:32:32 -0600

Luke 14:27 GW So those who do not carry their crosses and follow me cannot be my disciples. How often do we know of those who, when hard times or tragedy stricks, turn away from God? Especially in America, we've made Christianity a "now everything will be great" religion. Those who "believe" actually believe not in the Christ who promised hard times and difficulties, nut in a false God of perfect prosperity and no problems. It comes from not really getting to know Christ through mutual communication and regular--and thorough--study of His Word. It comes from relying on human words rather than God's, allowing us to create our own and totally ineffective religion. Jesus doesn't promise an easy life. He promises that if we give our lives totally to Him, satan will do everything possible to hurt and mess up our lives and relationships. What Jesus does promise is His guidance, comfort, strength, peace and hope--no matter what. What Jesus asks is for us to count the cost of descipleship. Have I? -- CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope! I DEAL IN HOPE http://IDealinHope.com *** AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Heart of Caring

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 14:31:43 -0600

Deuteronomy 26:12 GW Every third year is the year when you will store a tenth of that year's crops in your houses. During that year distribute what you have stored to the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows in your cities, and they may eat all they want. Many of us know at least a tenth of what we earn goes to the Lord's work. What I've never seen before is the clarity of where such a tenth should go. God is a God who cares about those in need. As individuals and churches, we need to make sure to donate generously to those in real need. We don't need a new tool box or a new jacket as much as someone else needs unpoluted water, food and clothes. Generosity should be one of the marks of a Christ-follower. -- CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope! I DEAL IN HOPE http://IDealinHope.com *** AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Ultimate Good

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 14:31:18 -0600

Psalm 31:24 HW Be strong, all who wait with hope for the LORD, and let your heart be courageous. Sometimes the day just goes bad. Frustrating things happen, bad news received, stress increases. These are times to first pray, not just shallow prayers, but sharing the anguish of heart and mind with the One who not only loves you best, but the One who can actually do someone about the situation. Second, read God's Word for comfort, strength and direction. Third, thank God and begin to count your blessings--even small minor ones. God takes our prayers and praise and turns things around for our ultimate good. -- CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope! I DEAL IN HOPE http://IDealinHope.com *** AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Seeking Good Always

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 14:31:13 -0600

Luke 22:51 GW But Jesus said, "Stop! That's enough of this." Then he touched the servant's ear and healed him. Even during one of His worst moments--after His agonized prayer in the garden and as He was being arrested--Jesus focused not on Himself, but on others. Even in that moment He did good rather than evil to an enemy. He healed. No anger. No revenge. His trust in His Father gave Him confidence in His purpose--sacrificing Himself for you and me. Do we come to our trials with a quiet confidence in Him--always seeking good and not evil? Easy to claim. Not easy to do. Do I trust God, no matter what? Without dwelling on the hurt, pain--or revenge? -- CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope! I DEAL IN HOPE http://IDealinHope.com *** AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

False god?

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 14:30:55 -0600

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 GW You must never sacrifice your sons or daughters by burning them alive, practice black magic, be a fortuneteller, witch, or sorcerer, cast spells, ask ghosts or spirits for help, or consult the dead. Whoever does these things is disgusting to the LORD. ... We read this passage and then check out the movies we see like the Twight series, shows we watch and books we read. We've lost the pureness of our faith before Almighty God. Do we really believe God hates sin to the point of allowing negative consequences into our lives or do we rationalize God doesn't mean what He says in scripture and will wink at our entertainment choices. Only God can save, help and comfort. In a crisis, god-like recreations will crmble and fade. Is your god the God of the Bible or have you recreated God in a comfortable--but false--idol image to fit your lifestyle? -- CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope! I DEAL IN HOPE http://IDealinHope.com *** AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Reason for the Cross

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 14:30:54 -0600

Psalm 70:4 GW Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad because of you. Let those who love your salvation continually say, "God is great!" We are lost. We are not intrinsically good. Without Christ we are forever lost. If not, if we can somehow earn our way to grace, then 1) Christianity isn't much different from other religions all of which focus on humans reaching out to God, 2) Jesus died for no reason. If we can earn our own way, Jesus didn't need to die. Changes everything He claimed! But we are lost and Jesus sacrificed Himself to change that situation and provide another way to life--through His sacrifice for us. Luke 19:10 GW Indeed, the Son of Man has come to seek and to save people who are lost. My part? Accept that sacrifice, admit my need and follow Him. -- CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope! I DEAL IN HOPE http://IDealinHope.com *** AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

The Worrier

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 14:30:53 -0600

Luke 12:25-27 GW Can any of you add an hour to your life by worrying? If you can't do a small thing like that, why worry about other things? Consider how the flowers grow. They never work or spin yarn for clothes. But I say that not even Solomon in all his majesty was dressed like one of these flowers. Worry adds nothing to our lives, but does take away. Worry depletes our energy and resources, leaving us exhausted and anxious. Worry steals enjoyment of the present, making us always looking for bad things to happen. Worry causes health problems and short-circuits our peace. The foundation of worry is self-centered. It is deciding God isn't trustworthy and that it is all up to us. No wonder we worry! Worry is not concern. It is not recognizing problems and dealing with them. Worry is that nebulous cycle of doom we think ourselves into and that may explode into inappropriate words or behavior. Where is trust in the equation? To let go of worry, we need to consider Christ, who He is and His character. Is He more trustworthy that me who has very little control of much of life? Something to ponder. -- CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope! I DEAL IN HOPE http://IDealinHope.com *** AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Waiting for us to ask

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 14:30:40 -0600

Psalm 91:14-15 Mkjv Because He has set His love on Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set Him on high, because He has known My name. He shall call on Me, and I will answer Him; I will be with Him in trouble; I will deliver Him, and honor Him. God is here. He cares and when we ask Him for help, He becomes our protector, provider and our peace. -- CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope! I DEAL IN HOPE http://IDealinHope.com *** AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

God First in Finances

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 14:30:38 -0600

Proverbs 3:9-10 Mkjv Honor the LORD with your substance, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; and your barns shall be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst with new wine. We spend money on food, clothes and housing. We spend money, copious amounts of money, on entertainment and other luxuries. God promises blessing to those who put Him at the center of their lives and that means considering Him first in our finances. Yet how often do we give to God the left-overs of our time and money and still expect Him to bless? We receive as we give. If God is number one, giving to Him that first ten percent isn't a suggestion, it should be our priority--even when we're concerned about finances. God first, in time, worship and finances takes the pressure off of me and puts it on Him. Do I trust God enought to give to Him before paying my other bills? -- CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope! I DEAL IN HOPE http://IDealinHope.com *** AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews

Only in the Good Times?

Thu, 7 Apr 2011 14:30:31 -0600

Psalm 69:3,16 GW I am exhausted from crying for help. My throat is hoarse. My eyes are strained from looking for my God. ...Answer me, O LORD, because your mercy is good. Out of your unlimited compassion, turn to me. ... Psalms is not all about comfort and hope. It is a book of raw and real emotions and pain. God doesn't want us putting on some Christian "front." He never promised a life of ease and roses. He said life would be hard, that we wouldn't always understand, that our hearts might get broken and there would Be times of tears. Not much to our commitment to Him if we bail every time things get hard. Those are the very times He wants to offer guidance and hope if we but acknowledge our pain and come to Him for help. It is ok to cry, hurt and grieve as we turn to Him. -- CAROLYN R. SCHEIDIES History, Mystery, Romance...and Hope! I DEAL IN HOPE http://IDealinHope.com *** AUTHOR'S CHOICE REVIEWS http://IDealinHope.com/bookreviews