heartlikemary's Xanga

Little Miracles

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:36:41 GMT

From my hubby:

Last Friday, when we were praying about what God wanted to do in that evenings meeting, Chelle had the impression that God wanted to encourage us to believe Him for healing for things we’ve come to accept.

Probably mostly little things, like allergies , or poor eyesight, or that old injury that acts up a bit now and then. So Rachel and I came up with a list of seven things between us, and have committed to thanking God every day for healing us of those things. It’s our way of continuing to have faith and not just accept these afflictions because they’re common or minor.

But it got me thinking, why do we accept these things so easily? If one of us had a major illness we’d be praying hard. And I wonder what other things we’re accepting in our lives just because they’re common or not that bothersome. Things like attitudes or character flaws. Are there things we could have, resources or spiritual gifting, that we’re living without because we’ve just accepted our present cultural Christianity?

I don’t want to settle. I have to believe I can have Biblical Christianity. None of the things on our list are that big a deal in our lives. But a wrong attitude about God – for example, that He isn’t concerned about the little things – is a big deal. You can come up with lots of reasons why God does or doesn’t heal, but the Bible says a lot of the time He healed just because He was “moved with compassion”.

So for us it’s not as much about getting healed as it is about growing in faith, learning His ways, increasing in the knowledge of Jesus. I know it takes less effort to just accept the stuff I can live with and save my energy for the big battles. But where will I get the faith to win the big ones if I don’t fight the little ones?

And isn’t that where most of the church is today? We’ve lost so many faith battles that we’re very cautious about declaring them. Lets get back in the fight, even if our faith is out of shape. Exercise it, and not for yourself, but for Him. Remember Hebrews 11:6. Without faith you can’t please Him!

Who's In Control?

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:58:33 GMT

From my hubby:

Gas prices are annoyingly high, and everyone has their opinion about why. In case you’re interested in mine, I think it’s because we’ve relinquished control to our enemies.

First let me identify the enemies I speak of. The Arab nations in the middle east have the clearly stated goal of global Islam, and a track record of evangelism by conquest.

They also have the near term goal of the eradication of Israel, also clearly stated, just not in our news. We stand in the way of both of these goals. That makes us enemies. It’s pretty simple.

Then there are some socialist countries with oil, like Venezuela, who consider us enemies because they can’t afford for democracy and capitalism to continue to succeed.

And we have internal enemies that also hate capitalism. So they use lies (like man made global warming) to stifle capitalism under the guise of environmental concerns.

Consider these facts. We have all the oil we need for hundreds of years right here as well as safe energy alternatives, but are forbidden to drill for most of it, or to build new refineries, or to build new nuclear plants, all solely because of fear of damaging the environment.

Yet there have been zero incidents of accidents from nuclear plants or refineries, and oil is seven times more likely to be spilled from tankers than from drilling rigs.

It’s actually more dangerous to import it than drill for it, yet we import 60% of our oil (and that number is slowly rising), not to mention what we export. Meanwhile other countries (like China in the Gulf of Mexico) are drilling for oil off our shores.

How did we get where we are...decades of ambivalently allowing a vocal minority to put us at the mercy of our enemies. It will get worse unless we wake up and wrestle control of our country back.

But what I really want to do is draw a spiritual parallel. We live in a nation full of people bound up in life controlling issues. In most cases we weren’t paying attention, and bit by bit we came under control of the enemies of our souls.

It will continue to get worse until we learn to fight back.

As a nation, or as individuals, we cannot continue to ignore spiritual principles.

Love Starts With Elle

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:48:47 GMT

Well, I'm having another baby! A book-baby! Love Starts With Elle ships this month and goes on sale July 8th!

This is a fab romance, the heroine being the best friend in Sweet Caroline. Romantic Times Book Club Review gave Elle 4.5 Stars and Top Pick!

Elle is an artist, an outgoing dreamer, ready for love. And when the story opens, she has everything she wants in life. But, sometimes life doesn't turn out like we hoped.

Heath McCord is a top New York criminal lawyer. He has a beautiful wife and daughter. But sometimes life doesn't turn out like we hoped.

When Elle and Heath meet, it's at a time when both are looking for answers and healing. Love does cover a multitude of sin, doesn't it?

Balancing Act

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:09:53 GMT

From my hubby:

What is a balanced spiritual life?

I think the word “balance” is too often used as an excuse to avoid the uncomfortable, and I really can’t think of a single verse exhorting spiritual balance (many of them rather encourage the extreme).

Still I think the concept is biblical.

For me balance comes out of trying to reconcile opposing spiritual concepts. For example, I know that I am uniquely created, designed by God to fulfill certain functions that fit how I’m made. (Eph 2:10) I’m not to compare myself with others (2 Cor 10:12). I can relax and be just what God made me.

On the other had I’m to die to myself and be conformed to the image of Christ. (Mt 16:24-25, Gal 2:20, Rom 12:1-2) In other words, change. And there you have it. Be yourself but keep changing.

And here is how that works out practically for me.

A lot of my Christian life was spent in the “I gotta be me” camp. I primarily did things I liked and was good at.

Teaching came naturally. Bible study was interesting, and I was drawn to worship and prayer. I even had a couple spiritual gifts I understood and was comfortable with.

I was all set, pretty much only applying the “change” part to character growth.

Later, in an effort to be a better speaker, I decided to try something that it turns out I like, but am not good at: preaching.

On the up side, it only took one sermon for me to figure that one out. I have the emotional range of a cow.

I was content, having learned my lesson, to just continue being me, until God began to challenge me. There are some nonnegotiables in the bible we’re all supposed to do, regardless of our make up.

Like evangelism.

I really don’t like evangelism, even though it appears to be something I’m kind of good at. But God was expanding my idea of change.

He’s even stretched me into some things I don’t like and am not particularly good at, like outreach to
people for whom my experience and gifting seem inadequate. If He doesn’t show up, I’m pretty sure I can’t make much happen. Hmmm.

But in all of this changing, I’m still me. I evangelize according to my personality, not someone else’s formula. And balance doesn’t mean equal. I still pray more that I do Bible study.

What about you? No one can tell you what balance is for you except Jesus, the one who designed you. And here’s the ironic thing. To really be you, it can’t be about you. One of the quickest ways to get out of balance is to get your identity in what you do for God.

So just relax and follow His lead. He already has you all figured out.

Win a free book!

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 13:35:26 GMT

Lisa Tawn Bergren

Years ago when I started reading Christian fiction, Lisa Tawn Bergren was one of the authors I read. What an honor it was to meet her in July at a retreat. She's beautiful, charming and humble.

I posted on the wrong day about Lisa's books - oops. So, I'm posting again on the right day. (No charge, Lisa.)

Lisa Tawn Bergren is the author of 28 books, with over 1.3 million sold. She is a publishing consultant, writer, Bible study leader, mother and wife. Her hobbies include travel (mostly from an armchair), reading, watching movies, cooking and exploring with her family. Lisa's most recent books include The Begotten, The Betrayed, God Gave Us Heaven, What Women Want and The Busy Mom's Devotional. She resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado. To sign up for her monthly email (which includes a new, unpublished devotional) go to www.LisaTawnBergren.com and join her newsletter list.

Make sure to check out her website, there is a longer bio and more about her other books.

Oh...and the latest buzz on The Begotten and The Betrayed--they will both be featured at Target stores across the country in the "Breakout Books" section ! Make sure to let your readers know!

BONUS: I have a copy of each book to give away! Leave a comment and I'll draw names at the end of the month. Seriously, you don't want to miss the opportunity for a free Lisa book!

Labels: Christian fiction, fiction, Lisa Tawn Bergren

Risky Love

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 11:50:53 GMT

From my hubby:

Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. (John 2:23-25)

Jesus didn't entrust himself to men, and He didn't worry about what they were going to say about Him, including His followers. (Rachel here: OH, to be like Jesus!)

In fact, because He knew what was in man, He knew that all men would betray Him; that when things were most difficult He would stand alone. Yet consider that no man has ever loved or served more than Jesus. And we are called to be like Him, to keep loving and serving people who keep betraying us. How do we do that?

"Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me." (John 16:32) Love by definition is vulnerable. Each time we love we risk pain, and if we try to guard ourselves from pain, we can't really love. The only solution is the same one Jesus had - His connection with the Father.

We love men and are hurt, we are loved by Jesus and are healed, again and again. We don't have to trust men. But we have to keep loving and serving them. In this easily offended generation we can be different, un-offendable. We can keep taking hits and coming back with love, but only by His Spirit. It's a supernatural response. That's why it's so impressive. And that's how anyone can be a bright light in the midst of darkness.

By the way, while this is a great witness to unbelievers, the verses above are about believers. We have to do this in the church too, and sometimes that is more difficult.

A Day of Silence

Wed, 29 Aug 2007 09:14:47 GMT

A while ago, I decided to take a day of silence. Not speak. Shut the pie hole. Be still. Be quiet.

Tony agreed to that Friday. Sort of a solem day before Fire Dweller. So, I went to McDonalds that morning and slipped the cashier a note. "Diet Coke."

She nodded, then started signing the alphabet.

What? I shook my head, trying to answer, but was not getting what her fingers asked. I pointed to my throat."Oh, okay," she said.

As I filled my cup, my heart was actually moved. She wanted to communicate with me in my language.

Anyway, as I sat and read, a McDonalds regular showed up. "Hi ya, Rachel."

So intent on reading, I forgot myself. I glanced up, "Hi Henry."

Ooops! Well, it was all over. His wife came around so I said hi to her and next thing I knew I was in deep conversation.

The Lord tapped my heart, "It's okay."

When I got home, Tony was sitting out back, "Well, that didn't work," I said, laughing.

But the Lord is gracious with do-overs, so I started my day of silence over.

I wrote notes to Tony if I had a question. Then, about 2:00 I came out of my office and said, "I think I'll eat something."

Tony asked, "Is the silence over?"

Ooops. I clapped my hand over my mouth, shaking my head.

Man, it was hard not to do something I do every day. Something science says I need to speak 250,000 of to feel normal: words.

I kept quiet until Fire Dweller.

I want to do it again. It was good to be still. Quiet.

What's in you?

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 11:53:33 GMT

From my hubby:

I was reading Philemon, and verse 6 really jumped out at me.

"That the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." I would like the sharing of my faith to be effective, and this verse says for that to happen I'm to acknowledge every good thing Jesus put in me.

Its not enough to just know Jesus is in me. I need to get specific. Sound arrogant? Now I'm not advocating listing your spiritual gifts on your business card, but the other side of the coin is to pursue a false humility that fails to acknowledge the very real abilities you've been given.

And the balance to both of these extremes is remembering it all comes from Jesus, not us.

So Rachel and I did this. The lists were longer than I'd have initially thought, and I didn't feel cocky at the end of the exercise. If anything I felt humbled, yet more confident. I think maybe that's how this verse works.

In embracing what gifts we've been given we gain courage to actually use them.

So what good things has Jesus put in you?

Diva NashVegas Day

Tue, 08 May 2007 08:18:19 GMT

Hi Friends,

It's Diva NashVegas Day! :) If you're interested, pop over to Amazon.com and read about it. Buy it. You kow, support the arts! Help my social experiment!

Can we impact the Amazon Sales Rank!?!

Email if you do and I'll enter your name in a drawing for $25 gift cert to Starbucks or to Barnes & Noble.

Thanks! Rachel

Review of Diva NashVegas

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:00:34 GMT

Here's what a Romantic Times reviewer wrote about Diva NashVegas:

Hauck once again takes us into the country music world, this time through the experiences of mega-star Aubrey James. Aubrey's life journey is filled with flaws as well as a great deal of joy, and real-life locales make this highly original story authentic. The extra tidbits -- from Aubrey's liner notes to quotes from the "media" at the beginning of each chapter -- add extra sparkle to the plot.

Order a copy today from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. In stores May 8th.

Rachel