WORD up!

Week One was incredibly challenging, wasn’t it?   I pray that you confronted many of your own issues and that you are working with the Lord to turn those issues into blessing and that you look more like Jesus today than you did yesterday.   Week Two appears to be equally challenging. In the video, Kelly interviews her younger sister, who was changed by a mission trip.   She says she “saw her sin in the jungle”.   When confronted with people who have nothing in the way of possessions but they have a passion for Christ that is unrivaled, it’s hard not to be disgusted by the comforts of home that we routinely enjoy. Nehemiah learned of the broken condition of the walls of Jerusalem while he was living in a Persian palace as the king’s cupbearer.   He obtained permission from the king to go and assess the damage.   He kept his mission to himself until he could examine the brokenness and discern what resources and materials would be needed to repair th...

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the Gospel of John, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, fall 2009 through late spring 2010, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy, health care and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded, there are floods in India, earthquake and tsunami in Samoa. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked… Stacey Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 16 of the bo...

It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book! You never know when I might play a wild card on you! Today's Wild Card author is: Vickie McDonough and the book: Whispers On The Prairie (Pioneer Promises Volume 1) Whitaker House (June 17, 2013) ***Special thanks to Cathy Hickling for sending me a review copy.*** ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Vickie McDonough is an award-winning author of twenty-six books and novellas. A member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, she served as treasurer of the organization for three years and also was tr...

I recently received this study and didn’t know much about it, so I did some research…and now I’m psyched!   This is more than just a study of the Old Testament book of Nehemiah.   This is more than a look at the cupbearer to the Persian king who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls.   This is a study that will change you and the way you pray and your being and doing. Each video is preceded by a short introduction in the workbook.   The video segment isn’t that long – around 20 minutes – but Kelly Minter whets your appetite for what’s to come.   Her excitement is contagious.   Her story of how she came to study this book is touching.   Her friendship with Gloria, a Brazilian missionary in the Amazon, is reminiscent of what we all long for.   I am hopeful that, by the end of this seven-week journey my heart will be more like Jesus’ and that my life will reflect that heart change.   This is the end of “sit-on-your-tush-and-tell...

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the Gospel of John, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, fall 2009 through late spring 2010, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy, health care and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded, there are floods in India, earthquake and tsunami in Samoa. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked… Stacey Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 15 of the bo...

This epic Bible study has come full-circle.   I am surprised at how quickly 24 weeks have passed.   This final hour was an overview of the entire study and showcased a handful of concepts that were introduced throughout the 24 hours.   Of particular interest to me was the reiteration of the “History of the English Bible”.   My curiosity was ignited to do more research in this area after a co-worker (seemingly out of the blue) asked me about the best translation of the Bible and the chart from the study notes popped into my head, but I realized that I couldn’t explain it.   I suppose that means I didn’t really learn the material. I took it as a hint from the Lord that He had something to teach me on this subject, so I did my research and felt sad that the NIV that I’ve loved since I first became a Christian over 30 years ago was derived from corrupted sources.   Then Jesus turned the light on.   He’s been teaching me from that text for over 30 ye...

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the Gospel of John, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, fall 2009 through late spring 2010, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy, health care and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded, there are floods in India, earthquake and tsunami in Samoa. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked… Stacey Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 14 of the bo...

It All Started with an Ad in a Mail Order Bride Catalogue... Melvin Hitchcock of the Hitching Post Mail Order Bride Catalog isn't dishonest---not exactly. If he tweaks his clients' applications a bit, it's because he's looking out for their best interests. This charming bouquet of novellas introduces four Hitching Post prospects in the year 1870, each one eager for second chances . . . and hungry for happiness. Year in, year out, they'll learn that love often comes in unexpected packages. And Then Came Spring by Margaret Brownley Mary-Jo has been unlucky all her life. But who would guess she'd travel halfway across the country to meet her match . . . only to find him dead! An Ever-After Summer by Debra Clopton Ellie had no idea she's not what Matthew ordered. And what's wrong with being a "Bible thumper" anyway? She's determined to show him she's tougher than she looks---and just the girl he needs. ...

Seals, Trumpets, Bowls, Triumph Alright, we’ve studied what John saw and the things that are.   Now we’ve arrived to study the things that come after.   Dr. Missler explains the throne room and who the 24 elders are.   He explains the seven scrolls and the seven trumpets.   He explains the symbolism of the woman and the dragon, the strategies of Satan and the attacks on the line of David in attempt to destroy the Messianic line.   He explains the seven bowls and the Battle of Armageddon. The Millennium and the New Jerusalem are also presented briefly.   But Christ’s triumph is assured and already secured.   This lesson has left me completely ready to begin an in-depth study of the book of Revelation.   I’m incredibly excited. There is no homework for next time.   We’ll be doing an overview of all we’ve learned over the last 24 weeks.

Amy came to Rosemary Cottage to grieve, to heal, maybe even find love. But there's a deadly undertow of secrets around Hope Island. . . The charming Rosemary Cottage on the beach offers Amy Lange respite she needs to Coast Guard officer Curtis Ireland has lost a sibling too. His sister, Gina, was run down by a boat, leaving him to raise her infant daughter. If anyone knew who little Raine's father was, Curtis could lose his beloved niece. Yet he can't help being drawn to Hope Beach's new midwife, Amy. He even agrees to help her investigate what happened to both Ben and Gina. mourn her brother, Ben. She's even thinking of moving her midwife practice to the Outer Banks community. It's always been a refuge for her and her family. She also wants to investigate Ben's disappearance at sea. Everyone blames a surfing accident, but Amy has reason to wonder.   Can two grieving people with secrets find healing on beautiful Hope Island? Or will their quest for...

How long can two people stand on the brink of love without plunging in headfirst? In the autumn of 1941, rumors of war whisper through Rosey Corner. The town practically vibrates with apprehension, as if it is holding its breath. But for Kate Merritt, it seems life is letting out a prolonged sigh. As Kate watches her sister marry the man Kate has loved since she was fifteen, her heart is silently breaking. And even the attentions of Jay Tanner, the handsome best man, can't draw her interest. Then suddenly, Pearl Harbor changes everything and Kate finds herself drawn to Jay in surprising ways. Could she truly be in love with him? And if he enlists, will she ever see him again? In her gentle and textured style, Ann H. Gabhart tells a timeless story of love, sacrifice, and longing that will grip your heart and stir your spirit. Fans of Gabhart's Angel Sister will love seeing Kate Merritt all grown-up, as well as other characters they have come to love. First of all, ...

Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the Gospel of John, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, fall 2009 through late spring 2010, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy, health care and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded, there are floods in India, earthquake and tsunami in Samoa. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked… Stacey Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 13 of the bo...

The Once and Future Church The book of Revelation is the consummation of all things.   It presents the climax of God’s plan for mankind.   It is the only book in the Bible that promises a blessing to the reader and hearer of its prophecy.   The first three chapters provide a description of Christ, an outline for the structure of the book and the seven letters to the seven churches. Dr. Missler challenges the audience to make a list of all the “sevens” in the book of Revelation.   He begins that list for us as he teaches this material.   Since our small group is planning to take two weeks off, then begin his 24 Hours in Revelation study, I think I should start assembling my list, now. So, the outline of the book of Revelation is as follows:   Jesus instructed John to write what he has seen (Christ’s description – chapter 1), the things that are (the seven churches – chapters 2, 3) and the things that will be (what follows after the churches – Ch...