Posted on

‘Thin Places’ Winner & A Marvelous Blog Link

Congratulations to Denise from ‘Shortybear’s Place‘ for winning Mary DeMuth’s books “Thin Places“. As I had mentioned in my Thankful Thursday post last week, this book has changed something drastically in my heart…As my sweet friend Lori said in her blog ‘Chill, Be Sick, Be Loved and Live out Plan B‘ – ‘God is gentle and God leads…’. I am a work in progress through His hands. I pray that I will allow Him to do the growth until I see Him face-to-face.

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)

I also wanted to share a new Blog with my readers. Joan’s blog “The Beauty in His Grip” is beautiful and her writings are such an encouragement to me. If you have not visited Joan yet, I greatly encourage you to take a look when you have time. I am most certain that “The Beauty in His Grip” will soon become a well-know Blog in the blogsphere 🙂 .

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: God is ready to lead us if we let Him.

Posted on

Thankful Thursday ~ “Thin Places”

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
~ Psalm 18:2 (ESV)

I personally put books in three categories: pure enjoyment, teaching and life-changing. Mary DeMuth’s book “Thin Places“, which came highly recommended by my sweet friend Lori, fits in the third category — life-changing.

Last weekend I was able to read “Thin Places” (hubby was down with a terrible migraine 🙁 ). Little did I know that Mary’s book would have such an impact on me personally; one chapter in particular (“Like Me”) hit very close to home. You see, I want all people I come in contact with to like me. I usually do not speak up when someone is disrespectful or hurtful; I just let it be. I want to be accepted; fit in; do not want to ‘rock the boat’.

But guess what: not all people liked Jesus either (He was actually hated by some of His contemporaries). How in the world would I think that I could ‘satisfy’ all people — that is sheer impossible. There will always be people who won’t like me – and I am good with that. I am who I am – why should I always ‘fit-in’? No more! I will stand by what I believe is right and speak up!!!! So what if that bothers some people…I can still be respectful.

Mary, your book is amazing and am thankful that I was able to read it. Thank you for your willingness to share your story; God used the book to bring healing to my aching soul.

If you have not had the chance to read the book “Thin Places” please let me know in the comment section. I highly recommend this book and would like to give away a copy (random drawing). Winner will be announced next week (Friday – April 30th).

What are you thankful for this week? Please visit my dear friend Lynn at “Spiritually Unequal Marriage” to link up with other Thankful Thursday participants.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: God can use regular books to bring healing to your soul…

Posted on

In Honor Of & The Winners

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” ~ Genesis 20:12 (ESV – emphasis mine)

Today, April 17th, would have been my dad’s 72nd birthday if he would not have passed away in 1991. In 2006 I wrote a tribute to my dad; you can read it here if you like.

My earthly father had much influence on who I am today. I was blessed that he didn’t shy away to share God’s love and truth with us kids. Yes, my dad was strict with me, but I am thankful for that. He taught me right from wrong. He taught me that life is not always fair; but if you trust God, all will work out. He was right – life is not fair, sometimes it is hard to keep going without getting too discouraged.

I guess that why the photography-book project is so close to my heart. To honor God and my earthly father. Both have (had) great influence in my walk of faith. The little detour I took when I was younger pained both, God and my dad. I often wish that my dad could see who I am today (Dad I am so sorry for the things I did and said – I love you!)…I pray that the book will glorify my Heavenly Father and would have made my earthly father proud.

And now to the two winners. I had a hard time choosing the title for the book, because all of them were perfect  (thank you all who suggested a title). I ended up choosing Debbie’s (author of “Heart Choices“) suggestion “Fill me to Overflowing”. Debbie – I will send you a hard-copy as soon as I have it published (hopefully by May 20th). The second winner of a soft-copy comes from this post. The winner was chosen by Random.Org 😉 :

Congratulations to Melanie from The Fruits of the Spirit for winning a soft-copy of the soon to be published book.

Thank you for stopping by today. Remember: trust God for today, tomorrow and especially life ever-lasting.

Have a blessed Sunday,

Posted on

Only God Can by Kathy Howard

Please welcome Kathy Howard, Christian speaker, author, Bible teacher, to Grace Alone. Kathy’s brand new book “God’s Truth Revealed” has been released. This book is a wonderful evangelism tool. But read Kathy’s blog below to find out more about “God’s Truth Revealed”.

Have you ever tried to convince an atheist that God exists? Or a postmodern thinker that Jesus is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life?” Not easy tasks. In fact, they’re impossible. We can’t do it.

Only God can give faith to a skeptic. Only God can reveal truth to a heart. The Bible says that no one can come to Jesus unless God draws them first (John 6:44). But He does draw. He does reveal the truth about Himself to individuals. He wants people to know Him. And He wants us to make the introductions.

I’ve never convinced an atheist there is a God, but I’ve seen God do it. My friend Victor was raised by a military father who taught him that God did not exist. That there is nothing after death. That life is about what you can get out of it for yourself. And he believed it all.

But then God began to put “doubt” in Victor’s mind. As a young man he began to sense there had to be a great power behind the wonderful complexities of the world. He began to investigate all kinds of spiritual things including Taoism, Buddhism, and other eastern religions.

Then Victor came to one of my Bible study classes. For three months he learned what the Bible says about God, faith, and salvation. He heard about Jesus. When our class was over Victor told me he believed in God. But he didn’t know what to think about Jesus.

Time passed. Victor watched his wife grow in her new relationship with Jesus while he struggled with the idea of faith. But God continued to woo him. God slowly unveiled truth about life, eternity – and Jesus – to Victor.

Two years later Victor came back to Bible study. This time his hunger to know God was obvious. Victor devoured truth. And he met Jesus. God took Victor from atheist to skeptic to believer. And I got to have a front row seat!

God has allowed me to witness similar miracles dozens of times. I spent several years teaching the Bible to adults who’ve never studied the Bible before. Everyone’s story is different. Each person’s journey with God is unique. But God’s truth about Himself, life, and eternity is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And He has revealed this truth in the Bible.

I used the experience God gave me to develop a Bible study for spiritual skeptics and new Christians. This study provides biblical, historical, and scientific evidence to support creation; the reliability of the Bible; and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. “God’s Truth Revealed” is a straightforward journey through the Bible to help participants understand the importance of knowing God, not just knowing about Him. Each chapter also includes the real-life story of an individual like Victor who became a Christian as an adult.

Do you know someone that God is wooing? If someone in your life is asking questions about faith or God that is evidence that God is actively working! Ask God how you can join Him in what He’s up to. There isn’t anything more exciting.

Kathy Howard

You can find Kathy at Kathy Howard. You can purchase Kathy’s book “God’s Truth Revealed” at Amazon and Christian Books.