chickensense

This year I’ve re-discovered how relaxing and enjoyable a really good, fiction book can be. I don’t know why it feels like a new discovery to me because I’ve always been a voracious reader. I guess because I’ve mostly read non-fiction books about my hobbies and interests for the last few years.

In any case, I’ve come across some really good Christian fiction books lately. I get very inspired by books that describe country life, primitive or rustic living, farm life, etc. When I was younger it was the Little House on the Prairie books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and romances like They Loved To Laugh, by Kathryn Worth, that got my pioneer-wanna-be heart thumping, but finding adult equivalents has been tricky.

Below are a few wonderful Christian book finds I’ve made. Some are recent discoveries, some are old-time favorites; some are country-life inspiring, and some are absolutely wonderful romances. I hope you will enjoy them too.

ROMANCES

The Widow of Larkspur Inn, by Laura Blackwell (A new favorite of mine, this is a superb, modern, historical romance. I can’t wait to read the second book in the series.)

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen (A classic romance. Also, the mini-series on DVD staring Colin Firth is very faithful to the book and absolutely wonderful.)

Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte (Another classic romance. My favorite book of all time.)

The Solitary Envoy, by T.Davis and Isabella Bunn (An excellent, modern, historical romance. There are more books in the series that I haven’t read yet.)

The Hawk and The Jewel, by Lori Wick (The others in this series of modern, historical romances are just as good as this one.)

The Negotiator, by Dee Henderson (This is not an historical romance, but it is a fantastically good, modern romance. I have read all the others in this series and they are wonderful, WONDERFUL books.)

PIONEER/COUNTRY/OLD-FASHIONED LIFE

Loves Comes Softly, by Janette Oke (There are more books in this series. This is one that definitely inspires my pioneer dreams.)

Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott (There are more in this classic series and they are all delightful.)

Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers (This book is incredible for its inspiration of pioneer dreams, Christian life, and romance too. It was rated at 5 stars by an incredible 598 people on www.Amazon.com.)

Morning Glory, by Laverle Spencer (This is definitely NOT Christian, however the characters are married at least. It was my favorite from before I was a Christian and I still love it because of the descriptions of old-fashioned, country living, but I get uncomfortable at the intimate scenes–fortunately there are only a couple.)

What Katy Did, by Susan Coolidge (Very inspirational message about Christian living. I love the old-fashioned style of this classic.)

(Looking for inexpensive sources for books? Go to www.paperbackswap.com. It is free to join and you can buy credits for books for around $3.50 each, INCLUDING shipping. Can’t beat that with a stick! You can also trade your books, to get credits. There are thousands and thousands and thousands of books available at this site, hardcover and paperback, for under $3.50 including shipping. I’ve been a member several months (CayceQuilter) and I absolutely love it.)

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The world exposed!

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My bible study class is doing “Living Victoriously in Difficult Times” by Kay Arthur. We’ve been compiling a list of reasons why God brings/allows suffering in the believer’s life. An awful lot of our reasons focus on the benefit to the believer. This week however, since I’ve actually even studied the book and the bible, and prayed, I’ve seen that it’s not about me! The reasons for suffering may have “side effects” that involve me, but everything is really aimed at showing Jesus, spreading the gospel, strengthening believers, and increasing the world’s understanding of, and belief in, Jesus.

Everything is about the race/struggle/purpose of showing the gospel and bringing people to Jesus. The prize/crown/goal/purpose is new believers, and believers strengthened in their belief and understanding of (”made perfect” in) Christ. It is not about me.

I’ve learned this before but I keep forgetting. It is so easy to make myself so important and shift the focus off Jesus and the gospel. But it’s not about me!

Scripture references

1 Corinthians 9 Race, Prize
24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Colossians 1:28-29 Struggle, Purpose
28We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Colossians 2:1-2 Purpose
1I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Philippians 3 Struggle, Prize
10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 6 Struggle (Fight), Witnesses
12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Hebrews 12 Witnesses, Race
121Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Hebrews 10 Persevere, Prize (What was Promised)
32Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. 33Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.

Acts 20 Race, Purpose (task)
24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

Galatians 2 Race
I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was running or had run my race in vain.

Galatians 5 Race
7You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? 8That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.

1 Tim 4 Race, struggle (fight), Prize (crown)
6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Ephesians 6 Struggle
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

1 Thessalonians 2 Prize (Crown)
19For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

Philippians 4 Prize Crown
1Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!

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The churches in Memphis and surrounding areas have jumped in where the government has been dragging its heels. Although you don’t hear about it in the news, churches ALL AROUND are providing meals, hosting families, bringing supplies, showing movies, sending money, food, and supplies to the hotels housing evacuees, and I’m sure all kinds of other things for the evacuees from Katrina. I should never have doubted that love would prevail!

Politicians have said they are embarrassed because of what appears to be poor preparedness and unorganized emergency responses to Katrina. I agree that city, county, and state governments should be very embarrassed, but look at how their failures have allowed God to be glorified! People everywhere are praying, giving, helping, loving, and sacrificing to help our brothers in the midst of this tragedy. The love of Jesus is shining all around!

1 Corinthians 13:1-8

1 I may speak in different languages of people or even angels. But if I do not have love, I am only a noisy bell or a crashing cymbal. 2 I may have the gift of prophecy. I may understand all the secret things of God and have all knowledge, and I may have faith so great I can move mountains. But even with all these things, if I do not have love, then I am nothing. 3 I may give away everything I have, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing if I do not have love.

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. 5 Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. 6 Love is not happy with evil but is happy with the truth. 7 Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always remains strong.

8 Love never ends.

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This morning I am reminded of something I thought I had learned, but it seems I’d forgotten. It is not about me. It’s about Jesus! To do all that I do “as if unto Jesus” requires that I be thinking about Him, not about myself.

That’s what has been bothering me– my worldly focus, my self-centered attitude. Instead of thinking I need to change my circumstances, what I need to change is my focus.

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e•piph•a•ny n. pl. e•piph•a•nies

1. Epiphany

a. A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something.

b. A comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive
realization: “I experienced an epiphany, a spiritual flash that would change
the way I viewed myself” (Frank Maier).

2.
a. A Christian feast celebrating the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus
to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi.
b. January 6, on which this feast is traditionally observed.

3. A revelatory manifestation of a divine being.

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[Middle English epiphanie, from Old French, from Late Latin epiphania, from Greek epiphaneia, manifestation, from epiphainesthai, to appear : epi-, forth; see epi- + phainein, phan-, to show; see bh -1 in Indo-European Roots.]
________________________________________
ep i•phan ic ( p -f n k) adj.

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I keep praying about what I’m supposed to be doing with my life. I keep asking what is God’s will for me? Is He disappointed with me, as my parents are, for not living up to my “potential?” Doing what I do, living where I live, this can’t be what it means to glorify Jesus. You have to be a lonely missionary far from home, or a passionate evangelist ridiculed and rejected. Isn’t that what it takes to be “living for God?” Suffering. Isn’t there supposed to be suffering?

But I am content.

I love my job because I’m really helping people. I am appreciated.

I love my little “bit of earth” here in the country. Song birds, beautiful woods, gardens and chickens, even a meadow and a pond. I am at peace.

I love my husband, and my husband loves me. I mean TRULY loves me. I am cherished.

I love my Bible study class, and my quilt group. My friends there care about me. I am welcome.

I have every desire of my heart. I am so thankful. I know I am so incredibly blessed. To be exactly where I want to be, doing exactly what I want to do, surrounded by people who love me. I am happy.

On Sunday, our Pastor said that wherever you are, whatever you do, if you do it as if you were doing it directly for Jesus, then you are doing God’s will. Can it truly be that simple? As if to answer my questions, a friend emailed me this parable:

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican coastal village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.

“Not very long,” answered the Mexican.

“But then, why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more?” asked the American.

The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The American asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

“I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs . . . I have a full life.”

The American interrupted, “I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat.”

And after that?” asked the Mexican.

“With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise.”

“How long would that take?” asked the Mexican.

“Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years,” replied the American.

“And after that?”

“Afterwards? Well, my friend, that’s when it gets really interesting,” answered the American, laughing. “When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!”

“Millions? Really? And after that?” said the Mexican.

“After that you’ll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying the company of your friends.”

The moral of this story: Know where you’re going in life… you may already be there.

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