Diluting God

Jul16

After reading Agent Christina Suzann Nelson of The Steve Laube Agency recent blog, ”Does God need a Makeover?” (
http://stevelaube.com/does-god-need-a-makeover/
 ) I realized that I needed to explore this question a little further.

As Christian fiction author I need to define what I’m writing. Although fiction is a work of the imagination realism brings it alive. My characters have to have believable flaws and problems to solve so the reader will care enough to continue reading. If I weave a strong God element into my story does He then become a character of that story?  In a sense yes, because He is who He is and I dare not change that.

Now my dilemma becomes how much God power do I portray in this setting.  Does God resolve all of my character’s  issues with a nod of His head?  Is that how God works? I don’t think so or at least not in my life.  God challenges me to step higher to live more Christ like.  Anyone who accepts Christ as their Savior changes and so too, must my characters change because they’ve encounter Him. But to depict Christianity as a warm, fuzzy, feel good life is not only wrong it’s an unbelievable lie even for a fictional story. To me this means that even after meeting Christ,  my character’s will still have flaws, they will stumble, and they’ll struggle either with God, His will, and their own path.  We all must live with the consequences of sin and poor choices.  It’s all about growth and maturity in Him.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

One more question, does God need to be softened  so that our readers only see the loving side of God?   Or do we boldly write Him as He is– full of life, love, power but also jealousy and fury when His commands are ignored or idols are worshiped?  Do we dare to water down God so He’s socially acceptable? Or do we trust Him to make what is written in truth to be understandable to the reader? I don’t know about anyone else but the thought of diluting God scares me. Where would I be today if the writers of the bible chose only to include the parts of the bible or the descriptions of God that they thought would be acceptable? What if they decided not to chance offending me with the wages of sin or glorious the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ?

The God of Wonders is fully acceptable just as He is and I pray that when I write its the whole truth about Him.

How long Lord?

Jul14

Dear Father,

My friends cry out with their consuming pain. I am helpless to cure them but my voice joins in their pleas . Their pain seeps past their bones burrowing deep reaching for their very souls.  It nearly devours them but then Your Word swoops in to chase away their doubt. Your promises keep their hearts safe within Your mighty grasp.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Psalm 91:1-2 NIV

Together we cry out: “How long Lord? How long?”

Life in this fallen world is like a rat’s maze that twists this way and that. We run toward the next turn but suddenly we’ve hit a wall so we stop. We’re lost and the only way out is to look up. The enemy’s lies rise on the mist of deception but we won’t listen. We’re the children of the Most High so together we cry out: “How long Lord? How long?”

Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:3-4

Battles are raging in Heaven‘s realms while we wait upon our returning King. We who have known pain and suffering know this too, God always keeps His promises. He will never leave us or forsake us. He is our God. Our ransom has been paid and we will remain in Him all of our days.

The Son is rising and a new day is dawning. My Lord is a deliverer! He is my strength!

I love you my friends and pray for you daily.

Book Review: Submerged by Dani Pettrey

Jul9

From a plane crash to murder, deep-sea diving to dune buggy racing, and betrayal to forgiveness this romantic suspense keeps you turning the page to it’s satisfying end. In this debut novel, Submerged, author Dani Pettrey’s characters have real life flaws that make you care what happens to them.

Here’s excerpt from the back cover:

Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey, Alaska again. She has a past, and a reputation—and Yancey’s a town that doesn’t forget. She’s returned only to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash, but then dark evidence emerges and Bailey’s expertise becomes invaluable for the case.

Cole McKenna can face dangerous rescue dives. He can face the fear a murderer may be threatening his town.  But facing the reality of Bailey’s reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart…but doesn’t seem to be the same girl who left Yancey ten years ago. And he’s not the same guy she left behind.

Submerged is a tale of forgiveness, love and grace.  The small town of Yancey, Alaska makes for a beautiful backdrop to this story and the Russian history weaved throughout gives it a rich depth. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this Alaskan Courage series and I give this book 4 stars.

I have not received any payment for this review other than a free copy of this book from Bethany House.

Book Review: Unstuck by Arnie Cole and Michael Ross

Jun18

Is your relationship with God stuck in neutral? Are you not hearing His voice?  Has your spiritual growth stalled?  If so, then you are not alone; it seems that everyone gets stuck along the way somewhere and that’s what makes this book a must read.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my review.  At first, I thought it’d be a fast read through, I’d give my opinion of whether I liked it or not and move forward to my next review.  However, this book grabbed me from the first page; so, instead of a quick read, I found myself digging in and actually engaging the study.

Unstuck is about helping people to draw in closer to God through emerging themselves in the Bible. Emerging in the Word is more than a casual reading of scripture here or there. Without sounding preachy, Unstuck takes a closer look at why people get stuck.

Authors Arnie Cole & Michael Ross from Back to the Bible, include testimonies of other people’s life-stuck situations, along with sharing their own stories. They encourage people to read God’s word for themselves and not rely on someone else’s opinion.  Through extensive surveys, Arnie and Michael have found that Christians who interact with God through the Bible at least four times per week reap significant spiritual benefits. This book inspires a relational fellowship with God that is not filled with formulas or religious rules.  It helps people develop a two-way communication with the Father. Accordingly, this study isn’t about memorizing scripture but actually taking it in, metabolizing it, and allowing God’s Word to take root.

Unstuck has changed the way I communicate with God; it has helped strengthen my faith and I’m excited to read His Word again. I’d recommend that readers have their Bibles handy as each chapter has verses to look-up and a thought provoking question to ponder.

This book earns five stars and it is a welcome addition to my reference library.

Visit their website at  
http://www.unstuck.gotandem.com/
  for even more tools to help you become Unstuck in your daily walk with God.

My Sheep Know My Voice

Jun12

Dear Friend,

Surely if Jesus were here in the flesh He’d turn His back on me saying, “Girl, there’s something seriously wrong with you.”   Yes, that’s the lie that I believed along with many others. I lived in shame and walked with my head hung low. I felt defeated and angry at the myself and the world, until one day God opened my eyes to the biggest block standing between Him and I — me.

Yes, me and the condition of my heart and mind. I could hear the word, chew on the word, but I couldn’t swallow the word. My soul was starving for nourishment of the Father. I could see the word work in other’s lives but not in mine. Desperate for food, strong food, Godly food, I cried out to my Lord and He heard me.

Today, I no longer  believe Jesus would turn His back to me but He did confirm that there was something wrong with me. Sin.  Every time an ugly thought crept past my guard it would stick and those insignificant sins became a magnet for more sins. Then when I spoke the lie aloud it took root. Before I  knew it, I was accepting lie after lie until I could no longer hear the truth of His word.

The enemy tried to steal the truth from me but Jesus called me out. He followed me whispering my name. With a word here, and scripture there, He planted reminders of His love, mercy, and forgiveness everywhere I went.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a] neither the present nor the future,   nor any powers,   39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God   that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

God wants for us to run to Him when we’re faced with temptations or even after we’ve given in to sin.  He waits for us to return to His forgiveness and His grace. The more I think on this, the more I’m convinced, that God wants us to hold our heads up and say, “I am a child of the Living God and He loves me.” And although I can do nothing on my own, I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me.” That includes learning to run to Him, not from Him when I’ve messed up.

“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

“For I know the plans   I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper   you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29: 11 NIV

Although God calls us to be humble, not proud, or arrogant, He isn’t looking for us to walk around dejected or defeated either. When we embrace His forgiveness we are freed from condemnation. Do we stop striving to be holy and sinless?  Of course not, in fact He’s called us be holy.  He desires an intimate relationship with us where we can say with confidence, “I am His sheep, I know His voice, and He has called me by my name.”

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them,  and they follow me.  John 10:27

Do you desire to hear Jesus’ voice?

Read His word, listen to His word, meditate on His word daily.  Even if you’ve been a Christian for 100 years His word is how you’ll know His voice when He calls you.

Scared Mute

Apr19

My eyes darted accross the crowd of 2000 people gathered in support of Adult Education. I trembled so feverishly that the three people behind me placed their hands on my back to steady me.  I have trouble speaking to a classroom of 15 people, what in the world was I doing here on the steps of Capital building preparing to give a speech?  No, it wasn’t some crazy notion; it was something I was called to do. I’d worked hard writing that speech but in the end it didn’t matter. Fear had gripped my whole being I couldn’t have whispered a word but God, my redeemer knew I’d needed a helping hand. He put the words in my mouth and the crowd cheered. I still don’t remember what I said that day but I do know the Lord spoke the words for me.

Is there something you are called to do but are too afraid? Don’t allow fear be your master you can defeat it by word of God.

So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD! Psalm 31:24

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

Rich With History

Nov22

Long, long, ago in a far away land…

Those were the words that lulled me softly into the world of make-believe. I’d snuggle down in my flannel nighty, hug teddy tight against my chest, then close my eyes, all in preparation for the new adventure waiting just beyond my sight.

Each night as Grandma tucked me under her itchy wool blanket she’d say, ” If you learn to read, you can go anywhere, and do anything.”

Granny’s wise words sparked my passion for reading and for writing as well.

Welcome to my lil writer’s world and reviewer’s nook. Let’s share some stories and explore history through the eyes of those long  past. Let’s visit places we’ve never seen and we’ll do it all while resting in our comfy chairs.

So put your cozies on, grab a hot cup of tea, and pull up a chair…

Laura