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Why We Need Mentoring Part Two By Tammy Keene

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This week we have the second part of Tammy Keene’s blog post on how mentoring has impacted her life and led her to start a mentoring ministry at her church, First Baptist Church of Riverview. If you didn’t get to read last week’s Why We Need Mentoring Part One, be sure and read it first so you can meet Tammy.

This is also Love Your Body Like God Loves Your Body last Monday of the month and Tammy gives some good advice on sticking with weight loss or any health regime.

Why We Need Mentoring Part Two By Tammy Keene

In 2013, I invited Lisa Weaver to join me on a weight loss journey. What started as just the two of us meeting at the gym to walk on a treadmill and discuss a Bible study became so much more.

Looking back at this time, I have recognized a very important lesson: this simple act of obedience led me to where I am today. As I reflect now, I am shocked that I would have the boldness to ask another woman to join me on a weight loss journey.

That weight loss journey led to the Tuesday Night Ladies Bible Study. It was during our first Bible study, that God laid on my heart to share what we were learning with other ladies. It started out as a weight loss Bible study, but it became so much more.

[Tweet “Sometimes you need to pass the baton so God can use you somewhere else.”]

Sometimes you need to pass the baton so God can use you somewhere else.

In preparation for starting our mentoring ministry, I felt God calling me to step away from leading the Tuesday Night Bible Study. I almost let my fear of stepping away get in the way of what God was trying to accomplish. As I stepped away, God blessed the Tuesday Night Bible Study with two women to co-lead.

This was just the start because God was not done. He also led three more ladies to lead two more Bible studies I was leading on Wednesday mornings.

[Tweet “God’s economics are so much better than ours!”]

God’s economics are so much better than mine! 

If I had allowed my fear of letting go hold me back, I would have missed being a small part of some of the blessings at First Baptist Church of Riverview.

In Janet Thompson’s book, Mentoring for All Seasons, one mentee shared her concern about mentoring. “Where are all the mentors? I remember looking up to several women in the church, but I was never able to wiggle my way under their wing. It shouldn’t have been so hard, and no mom should have to go it alone. The church should weave mentoring into the fabric of the church.” (p. 143)

I know that as women, we are very busy, our schedules are packed and our time is precious, but I truly believe the experience of having a mentor or mentee is necessary for each of us. You’ll be amazed by what God will show you during this time.

Another mentor shared in Mentoring for All Seasons that: “Sometimes we don’t fully discover our strengths because we let doubt and fear keep us from moving forward…we minimize those feelings, put things off for a later date or hold back because we doubt our feelings or our own abilities. But when we say yes – even if we aren’t sure if we’re qualified or how it’s all going to turn out – that’s when He opens new doors to discover, live, and love our strengths…that’s when lives are changed, including ours…one by one the world is changed too.” (p. 145)

In 2013, I didn’t realize I had a passion for mentoring, but God used the lessons learned over my lifetime to confirm that He has placed me exactly where I am meant to be. I am blessed to be a small part of the mentoring ministry at FBCR, mentoring is my passion! 

Tammy Keene

Why We Need Mentoring Party Two by Tammy Keene

Where might God be calling you to step away, so He can help you step into something new?

[Tweet “Where might God be calling you to step away, so He can help you step into something new?”]

How has mentoring changed your life?

Why we need mentoring Part 2 by Tammy Keene

Notice Tammy made sure the Bible studies she was leading had capable new leaders before she left. That’s one important point I also make in The Team That Jesus Built. Never walk away from a ministry unless you’ve equipped someone to take your place.

[Tweet “Never walk away from a ministry unless you’ve equipped someone to take your place.”]

Then you don’t leave a void or hurt the ministry you’re leaving.

If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here.

October 1, 2018
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Why We Need Mentoring by Tammy Keene

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Tammy Keene is the leader of the mentoring ministry Touching Another Generation, TAG, at First Baptist Church of Riverview. I’m looking forward to meeting Tammy and speaking at her church in 2019. Tammy knows I’m on a book deadline and offered to write her thoughts on mentoring, and I welcomed them. This will be a two-part post, so check back next week for the conclusion. So here’s Tammy!

Why We Need Mentoring by Tammy Keene

Why We Need Mentoring by Tammy Kenne leadero of Touching Another Generation Mentoring Ministry

I have the privilege of leading my church’s women’s mentoring ministry, Touching Another Generation, TAG. We model our ministry after the Titus 2 woman, and our key verse is Psalm 145:4, “One generation shall praise your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts.”

In the past when I shared my testimony, I would begin with God’s call on my life in 2015. After reflecting on the blessings that I’ve received, God has illuminated another truth in my life, mentoring has been a lifelong process.

[Tweet “Mentoring is a lifelong process”]

Mentoring has enriched my life!

[Tweet “Mentoring is necessary for women”]

Mentoring is necessary for women, and I know that God uniquely designed me and gave me this passion for mentoring.

Janet Thompson’s Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry DVD kit was an invaluable tool to create a mentoring ministry at my church. Her step-by-step approach provided the information necessary to launch and sustain our mentoring ministry. The kit provided me with a ready-made outline for our first Orientation Coffee and Kickoff Event including the following:

  • From Lucibel Van Atta’s book – Women Encouraging Women:

“Mentoring isn’t just another activity to scrunch into our already over-crowded calendars. It is a relationship, a commitment, a step of faith. A faith defined as giving God the opportunity to fulfill His promise through our lives. And this is indeed what pleases God, ‘And without faith it is impossible to please God’ (Hebrews 11:6).”

  • A Mentor is ‘someone close and trusted and experienced.’ Mentoring requires no special talent. All God asks is for us to take seriously the task of nurturing and building up other women.
  • As Christian women we are to share with another Christian woman how Christ has helped us through the joys and pains of our lives. We are to remind our younger sisters in Christ to go to Christ and let Him walk beside us, comfort us, and guide us.

[Tweet “Mentoring is an intentional relationship, sharing your faith journey with another woman”]

  • Mentoring is an intentional relationship, sharing your faith journey with another woman because women need women!
  • A mentor is someone who has experienced life and is willing to walk alongside of a sister in Christ.
  • A mentee is simply a spiritually younger woman willing to be mentored by an experienced sister in Christ. She may not have all of the answers but she is willing to walk alongside of you.                       

Mentoring is a two-way relationship!

[Tweet “Mentoring is a two-way relationship!”]

           Why mentoring?

  • It’s biblical.

God instructs women to model godly behavior for other women.

3 In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not slaves to excessive drinking. They are to teach what is good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands and to love their children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, workers at home, kind, and in submission to their husbands, so that God’s word will not be slandered. Titus 2:3-5 (CSB)

The Apostle Paul provides specific instructions for teaching sound doctrine with a specific admonition to women. We’re responsible for training godly women, how else are they to learn what is expected of them?

           Why mentoring?

  • It’s a blessing. God will bless you through the relationship.

Her mouth speaks wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26 (CSB)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.  Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort also. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy. Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2

[Tweet “Mentoring not only blesses us, but we are able to bless others.”]

Mentoring not only blesses us, but we are able to bless others.

A mentor in Janet Thompson’s book, Mentoring for All Seasons, stated: “Comfort with the same comfort we received from God in our difficult season. God puts people in our path going through something we’ve experienced and survived with his help and he expects us to reach out to them with the power of his love, healing, and forgiveness.” (p. 186).

And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

          Why mentoring?

  • It builds you. God will use the mentoring relationship to build your confidence in yourself, but especially your confidence in His Word.

[Tweet “God will use the mentoring relationship to build your confidence in yourself, but especially your confidence in His Word.”]

Having a mature sister in Christ will help keep you focused on putting first things first, which will build your confidence. Character building is encouraged by having a godly woman walking beside you. When you’re in a mentoring relationship, you have another woman to share prayer requests and life challenges. Having a godly woman to walk alongside of you as you walk through life’s daily challenges is a blessing, but it also will illuminate the biblical foundation built through the relationship and the strengthening of your relationship with God.

In the fall of 2014, my husband and I learned that at the end of the year we both would lose our jobs. I know that God was teaching me to trust Him in all things, but especially with our careers. I reached out to my mentor Tisha and asked her to pray for wisdom and discernment with our job search.

As she faithfully prayed, I kept her updated with my search and interviews. It was the middle of January, she prayed that God would knock my socks off and He did. I had seven interviews scheduled in one week! I actually had to cancel one. Tisha was modeling a very important lesson, pray specifically and wait for God to show up! God answered our prayers and my husband and I both had new jobs by March.

How has mentoring blessed your life?

If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here.

Tammy Keene is the founder and leader of Touching Another Generation Mentoring Ministry at First Baptist Church of Riverview. I love this picture of Tammy!

Tammy Keene writes about Why Mentoring Is Necessary

September 24, 2018
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Laughing All the Way by Karen O’connor

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Our guest blogger this week is long time friend and author Karen O’Connor sharing about her new book Laughing All the Way. No matter what season of life you’re in right now, we’re all going to grow older, and Karen gives wise perspective on how to enjoy the life God has granted to each of us.

Karen is offering a free copy of Laughing All the Way. Just leave a comment below to enter the drawing. It would make a great gift!

I came across this quote in Our Daily Bread (9/7/18) article “Unchanging Love” by James Banks, “We grow older and the world around us may change, but God’s love doesn’t. He can always be trusted to take care of those who turn to Him.”

Laughing All the Way

By Karen O’Connor

Laughing All the Way by Karen O'Connor

“The tragedy of life is not that it ends too soon, but that we wait so long to begin it,” said William Mather Lewis, American teacher, university president, and state and national government official.

[Tweet “”The tragedy of life is not that it ends too soon, but that we wait so long to begin it,” William Mather Lewis”]

This quote gave me pause as I considered my own life now that I’m heading down the home stretch. Do I give up and just watch TV or do I open the door and walk outside eager for what God might bring my way today? I want to open the door but sometimes I’m afraid or worried or anxious about what might be out there.

[Tweet “Karen O’Connor says I decided that hiding out, using old age as an excuse, was completely contrary to my personality and my experience.”]

I decided that hiding out, using old age as an excuse, was completely contrary to my personality and my experience so I decided to write one more book, continue teaching writing to young people online, and sign up for substitute teaching one day a week at a nearby school.

Once I put all these actions in motion, I watched my fears and worries melt away. I was smiling more and pretty soon laughing at the obstacles I had erected for myself. I share my experiences and those of others in my new book: Laughing All the Way: Wit, Wisdom, and Willpower for the Golden Years. (Harvest House Publishers, 2018).

[Tweet “Karen O’connor says If you feel the need for mentoring from an old gal who’s been there and done that, I hope my book will provide it”]

If you feel the need for a bit of mentoring from an old gal who’s been there and done that, I hope my book will provide it through chapters in the following sections:

Making New Choices will cover some of the ways we can become involved with new people and places, as well as new ways of thinking.

Accepting New Challenges will highlight the inevitable experiences that are part of the aging process: illness, loss of a loved one, financial worries and so on, and how we can accept and work with them in positive ways—and even smile through them.

Taking New Chances will prompt you to risk more and worry less, to do that thing you’ve always wanted to do—whether it’s singing lessons, or running a marathon for seniors, or repairing a broken friendship before it’s too late.

Opening New Chapters will suggest ways to rekindle your relationship with God, how to live in the heartland of gratitude and joy regardless of the circumstances, and coming to realize that growing old is truly a ‘privilege few people get to experience.’

[Tweet “Growing old is truly a ‘privilege few people get to experience.’Karen O’Connor”]

I’d love to hear from you about what you’re doing to make the most of growing older with wit, wisdom, and willpower. Please visit me:

https://www.karenoconnor.com

https://www.facebook.com/karen.p.oconnor

Don’t forget to leave a comment below to join the drawing to receive a copy of Karen’s new book. If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here.

Laughing All the Way by Karen O'Connor

September 10, 2018
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7 Principles For Making Wise Choices by Dawn Wilson

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Today’s guest post is from a dear friend and author, Dawn Wilson. I’m chained to the computer writing a new book with a short deadline. I found it interesting that Dawn’s blog provides us seven principles for making wise choices and the first chapter in my book is “Brave Choices.” I also just finished Chapter Eight “Brave Discernment.” Reading Dawn’s post gives me some new thoughts to consider. I know it will you too because we all make zillions of decisions from the time we get up until we go to bed, and each decision is a “choice.” Enjoy!

 7 Principles For Making Wise Choices by Dawn Wilson

Some people make choices in a “spaghetti” fashion, throwing options at a wall to see what sticks. They’re not sure what to do, so they guess at what God might bless and use.

I used to do that, and ended up making some bad—or not the best—decisions. I concluded it’s far wiser to ask God how to make better biblical choices.

7 Principles for Making Wise Choices by Dawn Wilson

Discernment comes from understanding our inclination toward sin and foolishness, and from knowing the Word of God (Hebrews 5:13-14). The Bible offers clear principles to guide us in making wise big decisions and everyday choices.

[Tweet “The Bible offers clear principles to guide us in making wise big decisions and everyday choices.”]

This is good news whether we’re searching for answers ourselves, or encouraging and mentoring others. Few in our culture have a biblical framework for making healthy, positive decisions—spiritually, emotionally, mentally, socially and physically. We especially need to give new Christ-followers principles for developing discernment and making wise choices so they won’t be easy prey for the enemy.

Principles for Making Godly Decisions

  1. Conscience Principle

Our conscience is the part of our human psyche that causes mental anguish and guilt feelings when we violate our value system. We have feelings of well-being when we conform to our value system. This is often referred to as our moral consciousness—moral awareness—or moral compass. A weak or immature conscience is the product of a faulty value system. Our conscience can be hi-jacked by worldly beliefs, the enemy’s lies, or our own sinful nature. But as believers mature in the faith, our conscience strengthens in the will and ways of God.

[Tweet “Our conscience can be hi-jacked by worldly beliefs, the enemy’s lies, or our own sinful nature.”]

Ask:

  1. Counsel Principle

Our Heavenly Father counsels His children, Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor according to Isaiah 9:6, and He left us another Counselor, the Holy Spirit. We also find counsel in Scripture. God also equips us with wise counsel from Christian teachers and mentors.

Ask:

  1. Convictions Principle

Convictions aren’t our opinions. They’re our firmly held beliefs that ultimately determine who we are and what we do. Convictions often chart our course for life, because they drive our choices. They help us set healthy boundaries. We have convictions about our relationships, career, time, finances, health, entertainment, and our spiritual priorities.

[Tweet “Convictions often chart our course for life, because they drive our choices.”]

Ask:

  1. Cause Principle

Our motives—the underlying reason for our actions—matter to God. We can serve God from impure motives, but He won’t be impressed! The Bible says our motives will be exposed, and impure motives can hinder our prayers, so we need to carefully check them.

[Tweet “We can serve God from impure motives, but He won’t be impressed!”]

Ask:

  1. Control Principle

Jesus cautioned believers to consider whether we call Him Lord, but still want to be lord of our own life.

Ask:

  1. Consequences Principle

There are good and bad possible consequences of our choices. If we’re wise, we’ll anticipate these natural consequences before moving forward.

Ask:

  1. Concern Principle

[Tweet “It’s so easy to think about our own agenda and not consider how our choices affect others.”]

We live in a selfish world. It’s so easy to think about our own agenda and not consider how our choices affect others. This isn’t a biblical way to live.

Ask:

The more we seek the Lord’s direction for our decisions, the more we will benefit ourselves, bless others, and bring glory to God.

[Tweet “The more we seek the Lord’s direction for our decisions, the more we will benefit ourselves, bless others, and bring glory to God.”]

You may find some principles easier to act on than other principles. What is the hardest one for you to follow regarding your choices?

If you received this blog by email, leave a comment here.

7 Principles for Making Wise Choices__

Dawn Wilson and her husband Bob live in Southern California. They have two married sons and three granddaughters. A former journalist for Christian newspapers, Dawn now assists author and radio host Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth with research and works with various departments at Revive Our Hearts. She is also the founder and director of Heart Choices Today, publishes UPGRADE with Dawn, and writes for Crosswalk.com and TrueWoman.com. Dawn occasionally travels with her husband Bob with Pacesetter Global Outreach.

https://www.facebook.com/dawnmariewilson

https://twitter.com/dawnmariewilson

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Ben White at Unsplash

August 6, 2018
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Love Your Body—For Longer Than Thirty Days

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Love Your Body Longer Than 30 Days talks about the challenges of keeping weight off beyond the 30 days. Is it a way of eating you could do for life? If not it will be a disappointment.

Love Your Body Like God Loves It

Last week, a Facebook friend posted that she ended up in the hospital after trying a weight-loss drink. My heart sank. Fortunately, she’s fine now, but she’ll never do that again. If you follow my last Monday of the month Love Your Body series, you’ve heard me speak so often about the dangers of quick weight loss products and diets. How many people do you know who have gone on a weight loss shake or product or shots and kept the weight off? These are costly and comprised of chemicals, not natural food no matter how they try to advertise “natural” or even organic. You might lose weight for the short-run, but no one is going to spend the rest of her or his life drinking expensive shakes for a meal or buying the packaged foods some of the programs tout, or going to meetings . . . and as you start slipping back into your old eating habits, (because you haven’t learned new healthy ones) the weight returns, maybe even more than you lost. So this week, I’m rerunning a post as a reminder of how to Love Your Body Like God Loves Your Body!

I know I’m going to take some heat for this blog post, so let me start off by reminding everyone that the only reason I write this series on the last Monday of the month is because I care about your health. My first degree in college was a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, and I spent a year internship to become a Registered Dietitian, R.D. While I don’t currently practice that profession, I always say, “Once a dietitian, always a dietitian.” When you’ve learned the principles of how to eat the way God made our bodies, why would you ever want to do anything differently?!

[Tweet “Most people want a quick fix and not a lifetime of eating healthy”]

But I didn’t stay in that profession for one reason; most people want a quick fix and not a lifetime of eating healthy. It was a thankless career. I began as a clinical R.D. in hospitals and thought I could be the Florence Nightingale of dietetics and help everyone on the path to wellness. I quickly learned that an R.D. was the meanie. You would think we were taking away their whole reason for living, instead of helping them to live longer! Even though in so many illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and weight-related, diet plays such a key role, people are often in denial. They want to take a pill or find an easy solution so they can keep eating the way they love, often more than they love their own bodies and loved ones.

[Tweet ” Easy fast weight loss is not possible. “]

Today the world of nutrition has garnered more respect, but many still ignore advice and wise counsel. Every few months, there’s a new diet touted as easy, fast weight loss, which by the way is not possible. Just look at the most well-known yo-yo celebrity dieter, Oprah. She’s probably tried them all, but the weight always returns.

Or Kirstie Alley and Valerie Bertinelli, who lost weight as spokeswomen for Jenny Craig, but both started gaining it back when the contract ended. Why? No one is going to eat Jenny Craig food for the rest of her life.

Nothing changed about why these women overeat. They didn’t modify their eating habits for life, just the duration of the program. Or the diet got boring and gradually the old eating habits returned. Maybe you’ve been there too.

I have many friends lose weight with Weight Watchers, but when they stopped going to meetings and measuring food, the weight started creeping back on, because again they aren’t going to attend Weight Watchers for life.

[Tweet “Everyone wants to find a way to eat more calories than God made their bodies to need or use, and in some cases will do harm, and still lose weight”]

Everyone wants to find a way to eat more calories than God made their bodies to need or use, and in some cases will do harm, and still lose weight. It isn’t going to happen unless you adopt eating habits good for your body for life.

My Thoughts on the 30-Day Diet

[Tweet “The 30-Day Diet is the latest quick fix weight loss attempt.”]

When I started seeing people on Facebook talking about the latest diet rage, the 30-day diet, my heart sank. I went online and saw that people like Dr. Oz were approving it; but seriously how many other diets has he already approved? I can answer that: whatever is the latest quick fix. For once, it isn’t a bad diet with drinks or shakes you have to purchase or major foods groups to eliminate (except maybe sources of calcium). But almost everyone who is overweight is going to lose weight and detox with only eating 1200 calories, no processed foods, not eating for 12 hours after dinner—everyone should do that—and drinking lots of water—again we all should—and eating kale chips and roasted chickpeas for snacks. Hmm could you live with that as your only snack for longer than 30 days? And exercise is good, but jumping rope I’m not sure many could do as one website suggested.

And of course, there’s always a book for sale.

[Tweet “Is the 30 Day Diet a way of eating someone would do for life? “]

Again, I ask: Is this a way of eating someone would do for life? It wouldn’t be a bad way to eat, but I appreciated this disclaimer at the end of one the descriptions of the diet: Also, like any weight-loss plan, you might regain any weight you lost once you go back to your usual eating habits. To minimize regain, incorporate some of things you learned over the 30-day diet, such as mindful eating and focusing your meals on whole, fresh food.

If you want to do the 30-day diet, I don’t see anything that would hurt you. But as the disclaimer said, don’t start it unless you’re ready to change your eating patterns for life, or it will just be another failed disappointing diet.

What did people learn over the 30 days? Did they learn “mindful eating”?

Why they overeat and food has such a stronghold?

When they overeat?

How to avoid overeating?

What they’re overeating?

Why isn’t reaching their goal and looking amazing in their clothes enough incentive for not gaining back the weight?

Let God Help

[Tweet “The only way to stop overeating for life is not a quick-fix diet”]

The only way to stop overeating for life is not a quick-fix diet; it’s to find the answers to the above questions and I believe God can help you answer them. I had the privilege of writing a Bible study God’s Best for Your Life for First Place 4 Health, a ministry program I highly endorse. It’s not just a diet program focused on a quick weight loss, but a plan for a healthy lifestyle and eating habits for life. Helping those who are in a struggle with weight and food look at the whole body physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally from God’s perspective, often in a group setting, but you can also do it on your own with one of their Bible studies.

A Mentor Offers Accountability

[Tweet ” a mentoring relationship can provide the same accountability.”]

The benefit of being in a group setting is accountability, but a mentoring relationship can provide the same accountability. In Mentoring for All Seasons, I discuss how to have a quality accountability relationship. Interestingly the Stages of Mentoring chapter shares a story of a mentor and mentee who met in a First Place 4 Health group at their church. The mentee Tara was leading the group, but she was seeking spiritual wisdom from an older woman, which she found in Jerre.

Many have told me they’ve lost and kept off weight just from the mentoring tips I’ve given in this Love Your Body series. That blesses me beyond words! I’ve seen so much pain and illness from something God made to nourish and sustain us be abused and misused by the evil one causing obsession, and yes, addiction to unhealthy eating patterns.

Love Your Body for More Than 30 Days discusses how an accountabiilty partner helping you stay on a healthy diet is more successful than going on a quick fix diet like the 30 Day diet where even they admit the weight will return if you go back to old eating habits.

Love Your Body Like God Loves Your Body, eat healthy

Here are some previous Love Your Body articles you might enjoy on the topic of developing healthy eating habits to lose and maintain weight loss:

Written by my daughter Love Your Body—Use Technology to Lose Weight

Love Your Body—Break the Food Strongholds, Debbie Dittrich shared her story

Love Your Body—Weight Loss is Not the Goal, Debbie Dittrich shares more of her story

If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here. Tell us how you’re keeping your weight under control or if you’ve tried the 30-Day Diet.

 

July 30, 2018
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Are Today’s Churches Discouraging Reading the Bible?

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How Can a Word Change Your Life?, Reading God's Word will change your life.

At the beginning of the sermon, a Bible church pastor said to raise your hand if you needed a Bible and you could keep it if you didn’t have one. No one raised his or her hand.

Every sermon Scripture was in a printed handout in the church bulletin, as well as on the screens at the front of the church. Why would anyone need a Bible?

[Tweet “Congregants are spoon-fed Scriptures with no reason to bring their Bibles to church!”]

This is becoming the norm in churches. Congregants are spoon-fed Scriptures with no reason to bring their Bibles to church!

  • How many make a note somewhere when a particular Scripture pierces their heart?
  • How many will remember the Scriptures flashing up on a screen?
  • How many will throw away the bulletin handout when they get home?
  • How many will go back and review and study the Scriptures the pastor chose for his sermon?
  • How many open their Bibles during the week?
  • How many know where the books of the Bible are located?

Can churches still be called “Bible churches” when no one opens a Bible, even the pastor?

[Tweet “Can churches still be called “Bible churches” when no one opens a Bible, even the pastor?”]

I’m sure many will counter that with tablets, IPads, and smart phones, the Scriptures are available online. What if a church doesn’t have internet service? And even if they did, I seldom see congregants interacting and taking notes on their electronic devices like you can do with a hard copy Bible.

Recently, I was told the next generation only wants to use electronic Bibles. “What if they don’t know where Habakkuk is?” I was asked. “In ‘search,’ it’s easy to find on an electronic Bible.”

This underscores my point. The next generation will not know how to find Habakkuk in a Bible because they’re not looking at the complete Bible on an electronic device. That’s like looking at one line in a book you’re reading, but never read the entire book. Every Bible has a Table of Contents.

[Tweet “The next generation will not know how to find Habakkuk, or any book of the Bible, because they’re not looking at the complete Bible.”]

My counter to what the next generation wants: What are we told to do in the Bible? Give them just what they want, the way they want it? Or are we to mentor them using God’s Word and teach them the value of knowing their Bible, God’s Word, and how to use it for their own personal relationship with the Lord.

[Tweet “We’re to mentor using God’s Word and teach the next generation the value of knowing their Bible”]

“When we want to find God’s will, it is essential that we know our Bible. After all, God will never lead one of His followers to do anything that is contrary to the Scriptures. That’s one reason Paul exhorted us believers to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). When we know Christ, are being led by His Spirit, and are abiding in His Word, we will be more sensitive to God’s guidance in our life. “Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths” (Psalm 25:4). (The Believer’s Code, O. S. Hawkins, April 3).

There is absolutely a place for electronic Bibles for reaching those doing online studies or aren’t in an area where they can obtain a Bible, but reading and interacting with God’s Word is about a relationship, not research. It’s not just randomly looking up a Scripture; it’s interacting and interfacing with the entire Bible. If you have a close relationship with someone, would you be satisfied with one or two lines on social media, or would you want to get to know them personally?

[Tweet “Knowing your Bible isn’t just randomly looking up a Scripture; it’s interacting and interfacing with the entire Bible”]

I realize it’s important to reach the younger generation where they’re at, and some might accept Christ without a Bible in their hand because the Holy Spirit does not send out the Word of God void (Isaiah 55:11). But what about those of us called to mentor them into maturity in their faith? Shouldn’t we help them get to know their Bible? Help them learn how to go to God’s Word in context as a guide for living the Christian life so they can say, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).

Let’s never portray the Bible as intimidating, but proclaim the Bible as inspiring!

[Tweet “Never portray the Bible as intimidating, proclaim the Bible as inspiring!”]

A note to parents: If you only read your Bible on an electronic device, how do your children know you’re not checking email, social media, or playing a game?

Taking our precious Bibles to church, looking up Scriptures, writing notes in our Bible, reading our Bibles . . .  sets a godly role model for those watching us, as we grow in our maturity and relationship with the Lord.

[Tweet “I don’t see mature believers with their Bibles in church or even using an electronic Bible.”]

Honestly, I often don’t see mature believers with their Bibles in church or even using an electronic Bible. What kind of example does that set? We never reach a place in our faith, where we know it all. God’s Word is new every morning and every reading.

I was recently at the Billy Graham library where his Bibles were on display with all his notes in the margins. A legacy of interaction with the Word of God, and with God.

Billy Graham my Mentor with his Beloved Bible

If we want to grow in our love for the Lord, we must draw near to Him through His Word. As we learn to know Him intimately, our love will increase and we’ll desire to obey. Unless we invest in Scripture, our fervor for the Lord will fall short of what it could be.

And if you ever feel disappointed that your love for Christ seems small, open the Word of God and obey whatever He says, He will abide with you and disclose Himself, thereby increasing your capacity to love and know Him more. Dr. Charles Stanley, In Touch Magazine, April 3, 2018 (emphasis added).

I’m fortunate to attend a church where people still bring their Bibles. The pastor puts the Scripture reference in the handout notes, but not the Scripture. He encourages everyone to look them up, and he waits to give them a chance. What a blessing to hear the pages of Bibles turning. What joy this must bring to the Lord. Yes, the Scriptures are also on the screens and some don’t look up the Scriptures in a Bible.

My point: If you want to hear God, you need to engage with Him through a vital way He communicates, His Word, the Holy Bible.

[Tweet “If you want God to speak, you need to engage with Him through His Word!”]

Flashing Scriptures on a screen, reading on an electronic device, or printing them in a handout that often gets tossed, will never replace knowing the written Word of God.

A revealing of Jesus, the Messiah. God gave it to make plain to his servants what is about to happen. He published and delivered it by Angel to his servant John. And John told everything he saw: God’s Word— the witness of Jesus Christ!

3 How blessed the reader! How blessed the hearers and keepers of these oracle words, all the words written in this book!

Time is just about up. Revelation 1:1-3 The Message

After you pray and ask God what He thinks, let me know what He says to you.

If you received this blog by email, leave a comment here.

 

April 9, 2018
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Liz Curtis Higgs Reminds Us: God Is More Faithful Than the Pizza Man

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Liz Curtis Higgs reminds us that God is more faithful than the pizza man

Did you notice there wasn’t a Monday Morning Blog from me last week? It’s Ok if you didn’t miss it. I had a short turnaround from speaking in South Carolina and heading off to Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference in Scotts Valley, California, where I had the honor and privilege of being on the faculty. As I prepared for teaching and packing, something had to give. The blog post. I know you’ll forgive me and maybe even congratulate me for pacing myself.

The conference was amazing! The theme was BOLD: “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold” 2 Cor. 3:12. God’s presence boldly permeated every area of the conference grounds and every aspect of the activities.

[Tweet “The theme of Mount Hermon Writers Conferece was BOLD: “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold” 2 Cor. 3:12. “]

A special treat was having award-winning author and speaker Liz Curtis Higgs as our keynote speaker. Liz presents her godly bold messages with humor, passion, and love. I had heard her speak at Mount Hermon before and knew we’d be in for a treat. But I also knew something would be different about Liz this year. I even wondered if she would be able to still speak at the conference.

Liz Curtis Higgs was amazing at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference

Liz was wearing a wig and needed her husband to help her on and off the stage. She sat on a stool while speaking instead of roaming around the stage. Precious Liz recently completed surgery, radiation, and chemo for endometrial cancer. Thinking all was well and on the road to recovery, her doctors assured her a routine cat scan would reveal the cancer eradicated.

But that was not the case. While Liz was on chemo, a cancerous tumor continued to grow. Apparently, she is resistant to a platinum component of the “chemo cocktail.” Liz is not cancer free. She also has neuropathy in her feet making it difficult to stand. Yet, in three worship services, Liz shared her trademark message of God’s hope and faithfulness through laughter and tears . . . ours and hers.

[Tweet “Liz Curtis Higgs refers to her cancer as, “An unexpected journey toward hope.””]

When you look at Liz’s face in pictures taken while she was speaking, you see joy, smiles, peace, and faith. She refers to her cancer as, “An unexpected journey toward hope.”

Liz Curtis Higgs sharing her story at Mount Hermon Writers Conference

[Tweet “God is more faithful than the pizza man!–Liz Curtis Higgs”]

Which brings me to the topic of this blog: God is more faithful than the pizza man! I’ll try to paraphrase Liz’s points, and now that you know a little bit about what she’s going through, I assure you it will have even more meaning.

“Lizzie’s” Faith Message

Liz recounted for us something we’ve all done repeatedly: called the pizza man to order a pizza delivered. Usually, we don’t know the person at the other end of the line taking our order, and we don’t know the delivery man or girl. Yet, with faith and trust, we hang up the phone, no doubts that a pizza will soon be delivered to our doorstep. We have faith in the pizza man.

When the doorbell rings we don’t question, “Oh, I wonder who that could be?” We’re sure that a hot pizza is awaiting us when we open the door. We even have payment and a tip ready for the delivery person, or in faith, we gave the pizza man our credit card number over the phone.

When we open the door, we’re not shocked or exclaiming, “What a miracle!!! The pizza I ordered arrived!”

True, we might get pepperoni instead of sausage, but we never question, worry, or fret over whether or not the pizza is coming. We wait expectantly, ready to receive it from a stranger.

Now, contrast when we offer a prayer request to God, who isn’t a stranger and we know Him intimately. He’s proven to us over and over again that He hears our prayers and will answer in His timing and according to His will.

[Tweet “Yet, we often question, worry, and fret whether our Lord and Savior will actually show up at our doorstep. “]

Yet, we often question, worry, and fret whether our Lord and Savior will actually show up at our doorstep. And when He does, we’re shocked. “What a miracle!” we proclaim, as if we didn’t really have faith that He would come through for us . . . again.

Do we take time to thank God, like we thank and tip the pizza delivery person?

We trust the pizza man more than we trust God.

I say “we” because I’m right there with you if you’ve ever doubted God would really answer your prayers. And even though He’s repeatedly proven to be faithful throughout my lifetime, I wonder if I’ve reached my quota of requests.

My Recent Faith Journey

2017 was not a good year for me. If you follow my blogs, you know I wasn’t able to travel and speak due to health issues, as I wrote about in the May 1, 2017 blog, I Didn’t See This Coming. I wondered if the Lord was closing the speaking door. Then in the fall, I received several speaking requests for 2018 and the invitation to teach at Mount Hermon.

My first speaking event of 2018 was in Simpsonville, SC in early March. I wondered if I would still feel comfortable on the stage speaking. Was it like riding a bike? Would it all come back to me? I prayed and agonized before the Lord until I heard Him say, I release you to go back out and share My message. I wouldn’t send you anywhere that I haven’t equipped you to go.

My husband was with me on that speaking trip and he marveled that it was as if I’d never been on a speaking sabbatical. When I took the microphone, I knew I was back. I gave God all the glory for using me as His servant voice again.

God is so much more faithful than the pizza man!

As an attendee learning how to write at this conference for ten years, serving on Mount Hermon’s faculty was a distant dream. Then big surprise, last fall I received the invitation to lead a main track Mentoring Clinic on Writing Your Personal Story and Memoir and a workshop on Writing Engaging Bible Studies.

After I said, “Absolutely,” doubt plagued me. Would I be worthy? Did I know enough to help aspiring writers like I had been helped? Who was I to accept this tremendous responsibility? Again, I heard God’s reassuring whisper, I wouldn’t send you anywhere that I haven’t equipped you to go.

The experience was beyond anything I could imagine. I knew from the first morning of the mentoring clinic, this was exactly where I was supposed to be, at that time, and in that place.

This picture of my “mentees” on the last day of our memoir writing mentoring clinic shows that my Lord was faithful to them and to me.

 

God is truly more faithful than the pizza man.

I’m on a very expensive medication, the sixth one after others have failed or given me horrendous side effects, and we’ve reached the end of options. Insurance only gave me a good rate for four months, then what? My doctor said, “Don’t worry, let me worry about it.” His office staff said, “Don’t worry, we’ll come up with something.” My husband said, “Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out.” But I worried.

After much pleading with the insurance company, I learned of a program for this medication that if I qualified, it would be FREE! My doctor and I filled out the application and faxed it to the company. This time, I trusted God to figure out a way, even if I wasn’t accepted into the program. I heard God clearly say, Don’t worry. I have many more plans for you and I’m on it.

I trusted that God was more faithful than the pizza man.

I gave it over to Him, even when the 24-48 hours they said I would know the answer turned into 10 days. Then I got the call. I was prepared for the answer, either way it went, because I knew God would figure something out for me.

I was approved. I cried. I praised God and gave Him all the glory to the point that the woman on the other end of the phone was starting to cry too and said, “Yes,” every time I praised God.

Your Turn to Trust God More Than the Pizza Man

So now it’s your turn. Even in the face of cancer that didn’t respond to treatment, Liz Curtis Higgs can say . . .

As I’ve walked out my cancer journey this year, strengthened by your prayers, I’ve learned that everything the Bible says about God is the absolute truth. He is exceedingly faithful and endlessly merciful, “keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments” (Deuteronomy 7:9). Liz Curtis Higgs

What do you need to trust God with?

Where do you need to believe like “Lizzie” and me that God truly is more faithful than the pizza man?

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14

If you receive this blog by email, please leave a comment here.

Thank you to Karen Barnett and Jenn Fries for pictures of Liz Curtis Higgs.

Liz Curtis Higgs teaches God is more faithful than the pizza man.

Liz Curtis Higgs and Mount Hermon friend and author, Jenn Fries

April 2, 2018
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Billy Graham, My Mentor

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Billy Graham, My Mentor and a story of how he lived his life.

“Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead don’t believe a word of it, I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address.” Billy Graham

When you saw the title of today’s blog, you probably thought Billy Graham had personally mentored me face-to-face. What an amazing blessing that would have been!

Actually, we didn’t meet in person, but I had the joy of being at two of his crusades. First time, as a teenager when our church took a bus of kids from Ventura to a stadium in LA. I had never heard anyone preach like that before! Even though I was a believer, I was drawn down on the field to praise and worship God with all the new believers.

The next time was with my husband, Dave, who had never heard Billy Graham in person. I wanted Dave to have the experience so we flew to Oakland when Rev. Graham had announced it would be his last crusade. But it wasn’t his last. God kept using him, and as he said so many times, he would keep preaching until God told him to stop.

[Tweet “Whenever asked on a survey or questionnaire, “Who is the earthly person you admire the most?” My answer, “Billy Graham.””]

Whenever asked on a survey or questionnaire, “Who was the earthly person you admired the most?” My answer, “Billy Graham.” So how did the Reverend Billy Graham mentor me?

Billy Graham my Mentor with his Beloved Bible

[Tweet “Mentoring doesn’t have to be face-to-face. Observe someone’s life and let his or her words and actions mentor you from afar.”]

Mentoring doesn’t have to be face-to-face. You can observe someone’s life and let his or her words and actions mentor you from afar. A verse I use to explain mentoring to mentors and mentees is Hebrews 13:7, Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

Over the years, Billy Graham mentored me as . . .

  1. I remembered the impact the gospel had in my life when hearing Billy Graham share it so powerfully in person, and following his crusades and preaching over the years.
  2. I considered his way of life, putting Jesus first above all else, studying his Bible, and living with integrity and humility. I read his autobiography, Just As I Am. I also read several biographies of his precious wife Ruth, which gave tremendous insight into her husband as a man of God and life without him when he was on the road while she raised their family almost as a single parent.

I didn’t always live with integrity or humility, but after I rededicated my life to the Lord in my early forties, everything changed for me. I had a hunger and thirst to study my Bible. I understood that putting Jesus first might cause the loss of a career, which it did! But God opened a new door into ministry.

I would lose friends, and maybe some family members would even reject me, as I devoted time and energy to starting the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry, writing, and speaking a biblical world view.

I would need an understanding spouse, as Ruth was to Billy, who supported my ministry and the times I would need to cloister away in solitude to write, or be on the road sharing God’s messages, wherever He sent me. God provided that godly husband in my helpmate in ministry and life, my beloved hubby, Dave.

I would come under criticism.

I would need to live my message with integrity, as best I could, with the Lord’s guidance, admonishment, and discipline.

  1. I listened to Billy Graham’s message. A simple one he never wavered from because he spoke the Truth straight from the Bible, which never changes.

 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ John 3:6-7

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (emphasis added)

[Tweet “One generation must teach and train biblical truths to the next generation”]

God has given me a message of the need for one generation to teach and train biblical truths to the next, One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts, Psalm 145:4. And since the day I heard “Feed my sheep” twenty-three years ago, I’ve devoted the second half of my life to helping women understand the simple message of “Sharing Life Experiences and God’s Faithfulness.”

  1. I admired his passion for everyone to have an opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Savior, right then, right now!

As we listened to tributes and segments of his sermons on TV last week, my husband commented on how passionate Rev. Graham was when he spoke. I remember that well. His passion came from knowing that those who did not accept the free-gift of salvation from Jesus, would not be in heaven, but in hell, and he couldn’t stand that thought.

The best compliment I hear when I speak is, “I appreciate your passion and enthusiasm!” I know that comes from the Lord. He chose me to share a simple message of mentoring, and I’ve always said, “Enthusiasm is contagious.”

  1. I observed his boldness and not wasting time defending himself!

[Tweet “Billy boldly took his message of salvation through a relationship with Jesus Christ anywhere and everywhere the Lord led him.”]

Billy boldly took his message of salvation through a relationship with Jesus Christ anywhere and everywhere the Lord led him. He was not intimidated, nor did he spend time acknowledging his critics. I’ve used this story about him many times when I talk about resolving conflict:

The third month of the Greater London crusade unreeled at the same frenetic pace as the previous two. Billy had lost fourteen pounds, and both he and Ruth were exhausted. The press had reversed their original cynical opinion of him. Several reporters had gone forward at altar calls. In part, the media’s change in attitude was due to his refusal to respond to criticism and insults “I do not intend to get . . . into endless arguments and discussion with them,” he explained in a letter to Ruth the following year. “I am going to take the position of Nehemiah when he refused to go down and have a conference with his enemies. He [Nehemiah] said, ‘I’m too busy building the wall.’ We are too busy winning souls to Christ and helping build the church to go down and argue.”

God gave Billy favor with both political sides. He was named by Americans as “One of the Ten Most Admired Men in the World,” a record-breaking 59 times with the Gallup poll.

Sadly, a Christian today would never receive that honor!

His son Franklin Graham, an evangelist carrying on his father’s mantel, receives continuous and ruthless attacks by the liberal culture and media, as do Christians. But like his famous father, Franklin doesn’t spend time defending himself. Every time I hear him speak or interviewed, he transitions the conversation to sharing the gospel, just like his father did.

[Tweet “Every time I hear Franklin Graham speak or interviewed, he transitions the conversation to sharing the gospel.”]

I’ve been called bold and either applauded or attacked. I try not to let either one influence me. If we say Jesus is the most important person in our life, shouldn’t we let people know about Him? If we know that those who don’t accept Jesus into their heart in this lifetime will be lost for eternity, how can we be quiet?!

[Tweet “If we say Jesus is the most important person in our life, shouldn’t we let people know about Him? “]

[Tweet “If we know that those who don’t accept Jesus into their heart in this lifetime will be lost for eternity, how can we be quiet!?”]

I know not everyone appreciates my boldness or style, but in our failing times, like Billy and Franklin Graham, I feel a sense of urgency that overcomes any sense of fear in sharing the gospel. Am I ever intimidated? Yes, sometimes. Do I worry about offending some people? Yes, I do. Do I still have work to do in this area? Absolutely! But Satan can’t keep me quiet or intimidate me, as I continue to pray for even more boldness.

The Bible tells us to tell the truth in love, but never waiver from telling it.

[Tweet “The Bible tells us to tell the truth in love, but never waiver from telling it.”]

What if every pastor was bold enough to share Billy Graham’s biblical message of salvation with his passion and urgency?! How many lives would be saved from eternity separated from God?

[Tweet “What if every pastor was bold enough to share Billy Graham’s biblical message of salvation with his passion and urgency?!”]

What if every Christian, you and me, took up Billy Graham’s mantel, not leaving it to his son and family alone?

[Tweet “What if each of us imitated Billy and spread the Good News that Jesus saves with every breath and in every circumstance where God puts us?!”]

What if each of us imitated Billy and spread the Good News that Jesus saves . . . with every breath we take and in every circumstance where God puts us?!

How different would our world be today?

How different would our lives be?

How different would our government be?

How different would our schools be?

How different would our children and the next generation be?

I believe God took Billy Graham home because God wanted the simple message Billy preached to come alive again, not just for a day or maybe a couple of weeks, but for a revival!

[Tweet “I believe God took Billy Graham home because God wanted the simple message Billy preached to come alive again in a revival!”]

What do you think? Are you with me on this?

Let’s remember our leaders, like Reverend Billy Graham, who spoke the word of God to us. We’ll consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith! (Hebrews 13:7 personalized)

[Tweet “Let’s remember our leaders, like Reverend Billy Graham, who spoke the word of God to us. We’ll consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith! (Hebrews 13:7 personalized)”]

Who has mentored you from afar?

Billy Graham, My Mentor

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*Two pictures from BGEA

February 26, 2018
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“So That No One Will Malign the Word of God”

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So that no one will malign the word of God in our culture today, know your Bible

The title of this article is the end of Titus 2:5 (NIV). Other translations read:

so that the Christian faith can’t be spoken against by those who know them. (TLB)

In this way, the Word of God is honored. (NLV)

so that the word of God may not be discredited. (NABRE)

We don’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior. (MSG)

that the word of God may not be exposed to reproach (blasphemed or discredited) (AMPC)

Here’s Titus 2:1-5 (NIV) in context, a passage often used in mentoring . . .

You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

[Tweet “The Bible remains the number one best seller in the world!”]

No other book in history have emperors, empires, authorities, and mankind tried to malign, dishonor, discredit, reproach, blasphemy and destroy more than the Bible, yet still it remains the number one best seller in the world! Those of us who believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, often come under similar attacks. The world sees us as ignorant, foolish, drinking the Kool-Aid, stupid, unenlightened, living in the dark ages, not current or relevant . . . even deplorable. I’m sure many of you have been called worse names. I know I have.

[Tweet “The culture needs to adapt to the Bible, not the reverse!”]

Today’s liberal culture believes the Bible needs to adapt to culture instead of the culture adapting to the Bible. Progressive ignorance and blasphemy.

Jesus didn’t come to conform to the culture; he came to reform the culture! Now we’re to go and do likewise, but sadly many are following the culture instead of following Jesus’ example.

[Tweet “Tucker Carlson interviews a liberal Episcopalian pastor who promotes a gender-neutral God. Blasphemy”]

My heart sank as I heard Tucker Carlson on FOX news interview a liberal Episcopalian pastor who was convinced that Jesus would be in favor of taking gender out of the Bible and no longer seeing God as the Father image, but a gender-neutral God. The pastor’s words seared my heart, “We’re not taking anything away from the Bible, we’re just adding to it.”

I screamed at the TV, Tucker, remind him of the last words in the Bible . . .

18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.

20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Do you, like me, find it inapprehensible to live in a culture that openly, and without reproach or conscious, maligns the Word of God from politicians, officials, congressmen, media, progressives, and yes, even many churches? We’ve forsaken Paul’s warning to Titus to teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine to men and women, and likewise teach the next generations.

It’s so easy for Bible-believing Christians to scoff at the culture and bemoan liberalism, but should our churches and ourselves look in the mirror and assume some of the blame?

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. James 1:22-24

As we watch liberalism and progressivism try to eliminate genders and the roles God assigned them, normalize same-sex unnatural relations and promiscuous sex, promote slaughtering babies in the womb, and the next generation accepting these atrocities, are Christians doing anything tangible to make a difference?

[Tweet “It’s not always comfortable to stand up for what you believe, but you must!”]

It’s not always comfortable to stand up for what you believe, but when you know the Truth and take to heart that many who are deceived today will spend eternity in hell instead of heaven, how could it be comfortable to remain silent?

The Bible is the only source of Truth

How Can You Stop the Maligning of God’s Word?

  1. Know your Bible! Relate to it. Read it. Study it. Memorize it. Share it.
  2. Practice and role model the Bible’s teaching in your life and with your family.
  3. Engage with the next generation by teaching or mentoring them using God’s Word as your guide.
  4. Ask God to give you new insights into His Word and a hunger to learn more.
  5. Remember how God’s Word has changed your life and share your testimony whenever God gives you the opportunity. If you’re wondering how to do this, Forsaken God?: Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten offers life-application ways, ideas, and prompts.

Obey the Word of God. If you hear only and do not act, you are only fooling yourself.—James 1:22 NLV

I know I’m preaching to the choir, and I commend the ministries you’re involved in and the ways God has led you to grow His Kingdom here on earth. For those who feel challenged by today’s blog, pray that God will show where He needs you to make a difference. 

[Tweet “Pray God will show where He needs you to make a difference.”]

For me, it’s a personal attack when I hear anyone belittling or maligning my precious Lord and Savior and the Bible He’s given us to know how to live as believers during the time He gives us on earth. Our world today is not an easy place for Bible-believing Christians, but we must not let that stop us. Jesus told us we would be persecuted, just like He was (John 15:20), but all He asks us to do is defend His Word, the Bible, and prayerfully share His gospel message with grace and love. God will do the rest.

The Bible assures us: What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun (Ecc. 1:9), and Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb. 13:8).

Please share with us how God has led you to stop the maligning of His Word.

If you received this post by email, please leave a comment here.

____________

Note: In the book I’m writing now, Get Your Brave On: Women of the Bible Show Us We’re Braver Than We Think, you won’t be surprised that there is a chapter on Bold Faith. I would love to hear how God has lead you to stand up for your faith and the Bible. Please email me at [email protected] for more details.

Remember the goodness of God so you don't forsake Him in your life.

Forsaken God?

February 12, 2018
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Four Ways to Close the Communication Gap with Your Husband By Cindi McMenamin

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My dear author friend of twenty years, Cindi McMenamin, has a new book out 12 Ways to Experience More with Your Husband.  If you’re married, engaged, know someone married, or mentoring a married woman, you’re going to want to pick up this valuable book full of experience, suggestions, and tips. We all want a happy communicative marriage, but if you’ve been married for very long, you know that takes work and lots of prayer.

Four Ways to Close the Communication Gap with Your Husband by Cindi McMenamin

Four Ways to Close the Communication Gap with Your Husband

By Cindi McMenamin

As I’ve mentored women over the past two decades, I’ve seen one issue continue to plague wives, regardless of how long they’ve been married – a communication gap in their marriage that leads to emotional distance.

Can you relate? Have you heard, or said yourself, the following statements?

I don’t know how to talk to my husband without him becoming defensive.

I’ve tried everything, he just won’t talk to me.

No matter what I say it comes out wrong. Is it me or is it him?

Whether you’ve heard other women say that or you’ve said it yourself, that gap – which can leave a husband and wife feeling isolated from one another – is more serious than you may realize.

[Tweet “A lack of communication is now the No. 1 cause for divorce in America.”]

A lack of communication is now the No. 1 cause for divorce in America. Just a decade ago it was adultery, but today failing to communicate, communicating poorly, or just letting the emotional gap widen between a husband and wife can be most fatal to marriages.

[Tweet “Eliminating the communication gap is essential to experiencing more in your marriage.”]

Eliminating the communication gap is essential to experiencing more in your marriage. That is the primary reason I wrote my newest book, 12 Ways to Experience More with Your Husband. You and I can be experiencing more trust, more passion, and yes, more communication with our husbands when we understand what motivates them, as well as what wounds them.

For years, my husband (Hugh) and I struggled with this communication gap because of our many differences. He is an introvert. I am an extrovert. He came from a family that stuffed and stifled their feelings. I came from a family that verbally over-communicated their feelings. To this day, Hugh will readily admit he is not the communicator in our marriage. I am. But just because I’m a writer, speaker, and therefore a communicator by profession, does not necessarily mean I communicate well with him. In fact, because I know how to communicate in general I figured I had it made when I got married. I was so wrong.

Through the years (three decades of marriage, in fact), my husband and I have both had to figure out how to communicate well with each other.

We did that by developing an awareness of what was causing us to close off from one another. And get this. We weren’t even aware that we were reacting to one another out of unresolved issues in our lives.

Reacting Out of Our Pain

[Tweet “It’s human nature for couples to react to one another out of their pain.”]

A counselor friend of mine shared with me that it’s human nature for couples to react to one another out of their pain. Certain words or situations will trigger pain in us and we end up reacting defensively. It’s natural, then, to filter our life’s experiences through that grid of pain and sometimes end up seeing our spouse – rather than an unhealed issue in our lives – as the problem.

[Tweet “Identify and let God heal issues to close the communication gap with your spouse.”]

Here are some ways to identify and let God heal the issues so you can better communicate and close the gap with your husband:

  1. Realize the deeper core wound that is driving the problem or argument. When you and I first understand our own pain and insecurities and then develop a greater understanding of what causes our husbands’ pain, we can work to better communicate and reconnect. Instead of thinking my spouse is just an angry man, say “I had no idea that my husband struggled so much with feeling he was not succeeding in the relationship.” What we focus on grows. If we focus on what our husbands are doing wrong, that will grow. If we focus on the fact that he’s a good guy that will heighten our awareness to see that.

[Tweet “What we focus on grows. If we focus on what our husbands are doing wrong, that will grow. “]

  1. Resist the urge to be defensive, accusative, or angry at your husband’s words, actions, or responses. People who hurt, hurt people. When your husband lashes out or says something unkind, it’s possible he is feeling lashed out against. Be open and curious. Tell yourself, “My husband is a good man, he is loving and is maybe acting like a jerk right now, but what is going on inside of him?” Practice Ephesians 4:29 and make sure, even in the heat of the moment, that you don’t let “any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (NIV).

[Tweet “People who hurt, hurt people.”]

  1. Reject the lies that get you off course and create division between you and your spouse. Your husband’s wounds aren’t the only ones in the picture. We wives get triggered by a situation or by certain words and then we believe our lie: I am alone. I am devalued. I’m not appreciated. I’m not respected. We end up responding to our husbands because we believe a lie that doesn’t have anything to do with them.

[Tweet “Reject the lies that get you off course and create division between you and your spouse.”]

  1. Receive the truth of who you are in Christ. Once you receive the truth that you are not alone, you are valuable in Christ’s eyes, and you’re deeply loved by God, you can be more emotionally regulated and attuned to your husband. John 8:32 tells us “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

Instead of getting anxious, withdrawing from, or lecturing your husband when you feel hurt, you can remember the One who has redeemed your life and say, “I realize when you said this I felt devalued and started to shut down, but now I realize I am valued in Christ and I can choose to be connected and get close to you.”

Each of us has to feel emotionally safe in order to start moving toward the other person to close the gap. Our only safety is in our relationship with Jesus. When we understand who we are in His eyes and we feel safe in Him, we can feel safe with others, too. And then, we can start actively closing that communication gap.

Which of these steps do you find is the most challenging?

Leave your comment below and you’ll be entered to win a signed copy of Cindi’s newest book, 12 Ways to Experience More with Your Husband: More Trust. More Passion. More Communication. (U.S. mailing residents only please). Winners will be notified via email on February 12.

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4 Ways to Better communication with your husband by Cindi McMenamin

Cindi McMenamin is a national speaker and author of 16 books who helps women strengthen their relationship with God and others. She has been married 30 years to Hugh, a pastor and introvert, who shared his insights in her newest book, 12 Ways to Experience More with Your Husband, upon which this blog is based. For more on her ministry and discounts on her resources to strengthen your soul, marriage, and parenting, see her website:www.StrengthForTheSoul.com.

February 5, 2018
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