Times of Change

Summer is quickly coming to an end. The crisp chill of Fall is in the air and things are beginning to slow down. Feeling a bit uncertain during times of change is common. No matter how we may try to position the change to ourselves and others, the result is the same: fear, sadness, guilt, shame or even anger. Just as night becomes day; change will occur on a regular basis. Some change actually brings a sense of joy, excitement and anticipation. Like the night before the long awaited trip of a lifetime to an exotic place or family trip to Disneyland.

When I was a kid, I didn't sleep at all the night before a trip to an amusement park. It wasn't hard to imagine the rides, the crowds or the sounds. Having fun was the thrill that kept me from sleeping. Just as the anticipation of fun was the culprit as a child, fear of future financial or health issues has been the culprit as an adult. Our imagination is truly a powerful gift from God. We can see beauty and adventure or we can see failure and destruction.

We can see all things in our mind. It's where we live, move and breathe. How we see ourselves manifests itself in the physical world. “As a man thinks – so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 I believe this is why we fear change as an adult and not as a child. Adults have been conditioned for years by parents or society to live and behave a certain way. Measurements of success are ingrained in us. Any level of change that we can not anticipate or control, leaves us vulnerable to failure. Whereas children see each new day as an adventure, a challenge and a thing to be enjoyed.

Life is a gift from God. We were created for His enjoyment. Much as the enjoyment that a parent gets from seeing their children having fun at an amusement park, so does God get pleasure from us. When we learn to truly trust God as our source and allow His blessings to become reality in our lives - It blesses the Lord. We are cautioned in scripture not to allow the cares of this world to overcome us. (Matthew 13:22), but to trust the Lord and be joyful for all He has done for us. (John 14:1)

Recapturing that child-like wonder can be difficult, but growing in your understanding of God's love, His plans and His desire for you, will begin to reignite that child that still lives in all of us. Change is the beginning of a new adventure – embrace the moment.

Seeking Happiness

A few years ago I read that people of Scandinavia are the most happiest people on earth. Those looking for happiness, I am sure packed their bags and headed there. I wonder with the influx of population after that report, if that is true today. In the article there wasn't an emphasis put on religion. When I hear things like this, I need to read between the lines. Is religion the problem with most people?

People are raised in a belief system of some sort. We all have a philosophy of life. I believe because the true Gospel of Christ has not been properly presented or taught, that Christians don't live the truth and we've actually become an enemy to the cross of Christ, more so than those who are antagonistic the Christian faith. The truth of God's Word holds the entire universe together—the power of the cross changes lives.

Too many poorly instructed teachers with their own agenda have led people astray The Word of God and Power of the Gospel are not received by the people it was intended to reach. The purpose is to teach people the freedom Jesus purchased for us. Most Christians teachers don't teach the power given to the believers under the New Covenant, but make it more like rehashed version of the Law. Many Christian live in fear of God and not in praise for the mercy and gifts they have received through Jesus.

As Christians we all need to faithfully read the Word of God for ourselves – trust what the Holy Spirit says to us— stop gathering so many teachers to tell us what God says. God speaks! Our personal happiness does not depend on circumstances—that is a lie from Satan. Other people are not the source of happiness, in fact most people will disappoint us at some point. They will not follow through with promises that will dash our hopes.
 Happiness is not found in a place, a job, health or wealth. Our personal happiness begins and ends with a personal relationship with Jesus – where our true peace, happiness, purpose, wealth and health are. We can't live without Him. He is the vine and we are the branches.

Night Ride

In an effort to be more “green” I decided to ride my bike to work for a few weeks. It's a quick three-mile ride and the summer evenings are warm. I am familiar with the route, by day, but coming home at night is a little different. The gentle curves of the road without lighting present a completely different view. It's impossible to see potential hazards in the bike lane, even with my small headlight.

One night, a beautiful full moon lit the sky as I was on my way home. It was in that moment the Lord reminded me of some things. Darkness is a big thing to the Lord. It is something that He never wanted us to be overcome by. At creation, God gave us the sun to light the day and the moon to light the night. The Lord Jesus said “those who follow me will never walk in darkness.” John 8:12. David wrote, “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105.

So what is the deal with darkness. You can't see the road ahead or possible obstacles that could be harmful. Pits and traps are hidden in darkness. Those who want to do evil try to hide in to cover of darkness. Light represents the truth of God's presence with us and darkness represents ignorance of those who refuse to believe God's Word. Trusting God's Word shines brightly if we listen and if we do as He instructs we can avoid many problems.

Darkness has a special purpose too. At night is when all life rests. Our body clock tells us it's time to sleep. Birds return to their nests, Foxes return to their dens, even plants rejuvenate under to cover of darkness. During the period of sleep all our defenses are down, we are at our most vulnerable. It takes faith in the security of our shelter that will allow us to close our eyes and relax. Whether or not we understand this, it is God's design that we can rest, but more than that it is an act of faith to rest in Him.

It is our choice to place faith in God's promises to guide us on life's journey. We can't see the future, but we can know how to get to our destination. Placing our trust in Him we can rest and allowing Him to navigate us through the obstacles, around the pits and avoiding the traps of the evil found in this world and bring us safely to our destination.

Carol Peterson Cyber Tour - The Celebration Continues... And Gifts For You

    It is my privilege and honor to welcome my dear friend Carol Peterson to my site to share with us her new Bible study series entitled “With Faith Like Hers” Each book highlights well known female characters and asks the question how am I like these women?
   Most people read Bible stories and chock them off as a good tale, but never let their stories plant the seed that God intended in our lives. King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastics “There is nothing new under the sun.” If we are wise we will take note of their lives and see how God worked. The Lord is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He will do the very same things in our lives, if we are paying attention. The Bible truly is a “how to” manual if we let the Holy Spirit teach us. Usually we are too busy to see the similarities, so that is why the Lord has blessed us with great teachers like Carol.
  Before I let Carol share a bit of how “I Am Ester” came into being, let me brag on my friend. I have known Carol for the past several years. She is always the first to comment on a post and give an honest review. I know the Lord sent her to me when I needed it most to fulfill my life's purpose. It's because of her encouragement that I keep going, keep writing, keep sharing my gift with the world. The Lord truly has a plan for each of our lives, we never know who the Lord will use. Now here is Carol...

Carol Peterson on Writing Esther:
Do you ever have those little conversations with the Holy Spirit where He’s leading you and you’re dragging your feet, digging in your heels and saying, “wait a minute”? I had a conversation like that when I woke up one morning with the title of a new book in my head.
“I am Esther,” said the Holy Spirit. “You need to write that book.”
At which point I proceeded to argue. A Bible study based on Esther? There are dozens of them out there.
“You need to write this one.”
I don’t know anything about the culture or the history back then.
“Just focus on a month’s worth of lessons modern women can learn from my daughter, Esther.”
A month’s worth of lessons? You do know that the Book of Esther is only about 20 pages, including commentary, don’t you?
“I know exactly what is in my book, Carol.”
How about a nice series of blog posts instead?
…silence…
I’ll read through the Book of Esther again, just to count the lessons, OK?
“I’m happy when you read my Word.”
So I opened my Bible and began jotting down the lessons I saw in the Book of Esther. When I finished the fourth chapter, I had 23 lessons listed and still had six chapters left to peruse. I set my pencil down and began to thank God for making me teachable and for the Holy Spirit’s patient leading.
I am Esther became the first book in the Bible study series With Faith Like Hers. Each book in the Bible study series focuses on a single woman in scripture. The thesis is that much of our character and circumstances are like hers. It is her story, but it is also ours, when we have faith like hers.
I won’t say that the rest of the series is writing itself. But I will say that when I surrendered to the leading of the Holy Spirit—when I got out of His way and out of my own way—the journey became a thrilling and deeper understanding of Scripture and how God can use even us women today for His good purpose.
Even if His purpose includes writing books.
WHAT ABOUT YOU? Has there been a time when you resisted God’s leading? How did that work out for you? What happened when you surrendered to His will?

Please Join Carol Peterson’s Cyber Party
This post is part of a week-long cyber party, celebrating the launch of my new Bible study series. A party isn’t a party though without friends and gifts. So please get to know some of my friends, by heading to their place and signing up for a drawing. Leave your name and email addie in a comment. At the end of the week, I’ll pick three people who will each receive one of the Bible studies in this new series.
For more fun:
*Monday’s delicious CYBER LAUNCH LUNCH is still going on at my site www.CarolPetersonAuthor.com . There’s plenty of cyber food left. (OK, so they’re recipes, but they’re still available for download and still delicious!) Leave a comment with your email address to enter the drawing.
*Also head back to Chris Vonada’s interview of me from Tuesday at www.ChrisVonada.com . Don’t forget to leave a comment to enter the drawing—again.
*Also on Tuesday at www.CarolPetersonAuthor.com , I’ll chat a bit about the writing of I am Eve and how I had to rethink the idea that living a life like Eve was a bad thing. Remember to leave a comment to enter the drawing—once more.
*Then return to Wednesday’s post at www.LynnMosher.com to glimpse a bit about one of Jesus’ ancestors, Ruth. Don’t forget to leave a comment to enter the drawing—one more time.
*Then join the celebration on Friday at my site again www.CarolPetersonAuthor.com . More gifts and offers await you there; along with my thanks for helping me celebrate this launch.

One more gift to you: if you purchase two of the three print books in this series from Amazon, email me a copy of your receipt and I’ll email a pdf of the third book FREE. 

Hello,

I was just thanking and praising God for His many blessings. Everyday is a gift. Every moment a treasure. I've been busy writing and not spending very much time sharing all the wonderful things that the Lord is showing me - but don't worry, I have lots to say.

I have a special treat set up for tomorrow Carol Peterson will be my guest and share her new series of studies. I am finishing up some more faith adventures so next week I will spend more time here and sharing.

Until then know you are blessed,