All But Normal - Book Review

As I age and go through this life and all that comes my way, the one lesson I seem to take from whatever the current trial may be, is pushing through how to love unconditionally. Isn't this hard for all of us? When are enemies curse us, we just want to give what we think is deserving to that situation or person. When we are reviled, we want to revile in return.

Shawn Thornton, author of a new memoir, All But Normal, deals with this concept his entire life. But just imagine, that person who is mistreating you, being your mother. Not just your mother, but your mother, who can't help it because she has had a brain injury. Shawn's mother was injured in a car accident at the age of 14, was in a coma for 3 months and after a few years went on to marry the young man who was driving the car. Mr. Thornton grew up in a Christian home but daily dealt with verbal and sometimes physical abuse from his precious mother who loved Jesus and manifested that love when she was in her right mind.

His story is truly an inspiration. Just as his mom was to him. She taught him to love better, not
necessarily because she loved well. But she pointed him to Jesus who helped him to love well. As this story unfolded I kept waiting for everyone around her to give up. But they didn't! They kept loving well.

This story challenges the reader as well. How do I manifest love to others? Especially those who struggle to show love. We can't do it in the flesh, that's for sure. We need the help of the Holy Spirit. Not only, did Mr. Thornton learn this, but the Lord grew him to be a great teacher of the Word and Pastor to a flock in the body of Christ.

My take away is love as Jesus has loved us! This is true obedience. Bless your enemies! Look to Christ's example of not reviling in return.

Hard? Sure!

The right thing to do? YES! Forgiveness is key!

As a part of the Tyndale Blogger's Network, I received a free copy of this book.

The Great Exchange

I was struck by a certain truth today!

God exchanged our wretchedness for His perfect righteousness.

He could have come down as a warrior to defeat sin. But He chose the form of man. Not just man, but a babe. It was the ultimate form of humility. A baby totally dependent on man, specifically his mother, to fulfill his every need. He grew up in great wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. Then chose to leave all, not to just go back to heaven, but to save the very people (and mankind) that He was dependent on as a babe. And not just taking us back to heaven with him, but choosing to die to pay the price that our horrendous sin required!

NOT ONLY THAT!

He became sin! We will never understand what that entails. Think of all the most wicked and evil sins that man has committed; sins that every single one of us has the ability to commit. He became that. He became the adulterer. He became the pedophiliac. He became the liar. He became the terrorist. He became sin so that we could become the righteousness of God! Just think on this friend.

What kind of love could drive Him to this! A love we can't even fathom, yet a love that is to drive us to love just like that!

Another beautiful picture of this exchange is wealth. We arrive in this world spiritually poor and deprived of any chance to gain riches or wealth due to our sinful state. Yet, our merciful Maker, through His grace, provides riches, immense and overflowing. He takes our poverty as His own. Dust to Riches. That's us! And He, deserving nothing but majesty and riches becomes the beggar groveling for every bite.

Oh, the mercy! Oh, the grace!

A Great Resource For Children

I am always looking for a great resource for proclaiming the Gospel to children. I have come across a new one that is a gem!

Sally Lloyd-Jones has put together some of the most well known Bible stories in a storybook form. She retains the interest of the reader, but what she does best is point that same reader to Christ. I believe each page of the old and new testament points us to the Savior. The Gospel is the antithesis of the Book of Books. And as Mrs. Lloyd-Jones paraphrases each story she reminds the reader for the reason of the story: to proclaim the Mighty Acts of God. David and the defeat of Goliath is not about David; it's about the Gospel. The Great Yahweh!

She reminds us redemption is the great story!

As to a critique, this book is labeled for teens/young adults, but I would say my 10 year old enjoyed it more than my 16 year old would have. But they have been raised in the church. If I had knew a teenager who knew nothing about the Gospel and the work of Christ and the Bible, I would not hesitate to hand this book to them.

As a part of the Booklook Bloggers Network, I received a free copy of this book.

True Freedom

Freedom comes in all shapes and sizes.

And for Mitchell Rutledge, this rings true. He finds himself behind bars, but totally free.

Mitch grew up, essentially an orphan who had to learn how to fend for himself. He got involved in the wrong crowds from an early age and got involved with drugs and ended up murdering someone. He found himself on death row facing the death penalty in Alabama. This is where Burton and Anita Folsom enter the picture.

In their book, Death on Hold, the Folsoms relate their story through the lens of Mitchell. He speaks candidly about life in prison which led to his redemption, spiritually speaking. Burton and Anita Folsom interject their story throughout the book as well.

This book shines the truth on the life-changing Gospel as well as what love can do for one person who has never experienced it. Mitchell never knew anyone who loved him. He was uneducated and was seen as a retard. All because no one took time to invest in his life. Although he remains behind bars, he was able to have his sentence reduced and lives his life for Christ each and every day.

This book will push you to love. It is a powerful thing. Ultimately, Christ's love is what makes the difference. We have such an incredible responsibility to be a mirror of that love to a lost and dying world.

P.S. I received a free copy of this book as part of the Booklook Blogging Network.

God is the Color of Water

Almost two weeks an event happened in America that has affected, in a small way, our lives here on the Ponderosa. So much has happened in the world around us. I have waited to write about it until I felt timing was right.

I never imagined I would be having a discussion with my children about malicious hatred and a killing because of skin color in 2015. But Charleston occurred and now it is something I have to discuss. As the girls and I sat in a doctor's waiting room with the television tuned into Fox News on that frightful day, I sat with awe at what had transpired in South Carolina. I tossed around the thought in my mind to ask to change the channel, but I knew this was something I needed to be open with my children about.

They looked at the TV wide-eyed and then looked at me.

At that moment, I tried to feel what my girls were probably wondering. They didn't talk much but I thought for sure that this was a time that fear could grip them. I wanted to dispel all fears. I wanted them to know that not all white people believe what that one boy did/does. I wanted to point them to the Savior who died for ALL people who would place their complete trust in Him. I wanted them to feel love and compassion even for this individual who did this horrific thing. He needs Jesus too.

But I also wanted them to see the sin that so easily besets all of us. Sin of thinking we are better than someone else who lives differently than we do. Or is poor. Or is living a lifestyle contrary to God's Word. Or you name it. Pride is such a slippery slope.

My children are growing up in such a difficult time. Evil is called good. Good is called evil. We must look to the standard of Christ and His Word. We must a Gospel-Centered vision. Whatever comes our way, or people come into our paths we must see it as an opportunity to proclaim truth through Jesus Christ.

As I pondered the event from two weeks ago, I reminded myself of these things. I love my children so hard. They are born of my heart.  I love their different shades. We are a family. A family put together by a God who sees no color. I am thankful that we can shine His light.

Yes, I struggled with a vengeful heart, wanting that boy to hurt just like those families do, but, quickly, realized my heart of unforgiveness was just as sinful. I want more than anything to have a world that is full of love and peace. But, am fully aware that this will never happen until Jesus comes back. So until then, we have a mandate to share to the lost world about the Prince of Peace and the God of Love who loved so hard He gave His only Son to die for those who would repent and believe.

And so many still reject!

Let's be about our mission!

A Journey Through Depression and Life

Most of us have heard of the name Sheila Walsh. I grew up listening to her music. Some 20 years later she tells her story. Her life memoir of pain, hurt, grief and triumph. She was Loved Back to Life; thus, the name of her most recent book.

Sheila Walsh grew up in a troubled home but was given the gift of singing. So for many years she masked her pain with a smile and performing and in turn being loved for her music. But in the process losing herself and plunging to the depths of despair. Loved Back To Life is her journey from the most painful parts of life to finding true peace through Jesus Christ. Though she claimed to "know Jesus" she truly found Him once she surrendered her facade. And came to grips with His love, not man's. 

When dealing with the subject of depression, there are many controversies in Christian circles, but her balance of medication, counseling from God's Word, and facing the spiritual facts of sin, redemption, and grace was refreshing.

Whether you find yourself facing depression or just wanting to understand  others who do, this is a great book to pick up and read. 

"Tied at the Feet"

"Inger", "Marie", and I have been reading through the biography of Amy Carmichael, one of my favorite missionary stories. She was a single woman who believed in God to provide her every need as she led the "Starry Cluster", an evangelistic endeavor in India, and then opened her home to be "Amma" for many orphaned girls. She left her home in Bristol, England, in her mid twenties and never stepped foot there again.

Today as we read our chapter, Tied at the Feet, I was challenged in my view of motherhood. In India when a woman becomes a mother, she is said to be tied at the feet. This phrase can conjure up an image of increasing burden, yet, Amy chose to embrace it as a gift. So I ask myself, "Do I?"

My morning today was one of conflict with my littlest. Lots of privileges relinquished. Lots of defiance.  She struggles so much in school to embrace me as her teacher and I find myself questioning my involvement in this area. (Mostly out of frustration.) My patience was gone and I found myself responding in emotion and feeling intense burden....to be done with this. Thinking, how am I to get through this? It then brings up my sin, inadequacies and areas that need growth. And I'm tied. The knots are tight and I see the marks along my ankles. They even seem to be cutting off circulation. But I find it's my perspective.

After I took this to the Lord, He showed me the beautiful, pink (I choose this color because it's "Ingrid's" favorite) bow that wound itself gracefully at my feet. And I came to the conclusion that it is more like a two legged race. My feel being tied to my Saviors. Making sure I'm walking in sync with Him. Loving my munchkin' with only the love he can give.

I know all children deal with defiance to their parents, but being the mother of adopted children has a rejection dimension to it. Three out of our four children have struggled and strained CONTINUALLY against the parents God has given them. I don't handle that well and the only way to keep loving is to focus on my partner in this race. Hanging on to the Lord. Grabbing Him around the waist, and running this race with Him.

Amy did it without a husband because she had her Savior. She chose to be tied at the feet as she adopted these orphans and loved them through thick and thin of persecution, sickness and joy. What an example she has given to us.

For the Love of God

Our pastor has been teaching through the book of Hebrews on Sunday mornings and how encouraging it has been. The whole subject of our Great High Priest and what that entails and is defined as is utterly amazing. He ended with this quote:

"Don't let your circumstances define God's love. Let God's love define your circumstances."

Dwell on that a minute....

He, as my Sovereign Creator, knows what is best. He orchestrates everything for my good and His glory. His love is so vast and immeasurable. It is so easy to see my "crappy" (sorry for the expletive) circumstances and question His love.

"Why?" "If You loved me, You would...."

Instead, I need to be trusting in His matchless love and grace. Trusting that He knows the future and is pleased to grow me to be more like Him. I know that without tough circumstances I would be so dependent on myself and my agenda. Boy, my pride would be through the roof, and my love for others would be so conditional.

So, as my stomach churns (for my big boy-men our struggling immensely) I bow my head and heart to trust in the never-failing love of my Creator.

He is Good

He is good, He is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. (Insert music)

I have been dwelling on these thoughts lately. And when I do, I can't help but sing.

My eyes can't be fixed on my circumstances.

My eyes can't be fixed on the temporal.

My eyes can't be fixed on those around me.

My eyes can't be fixed on the jagged rocks that cause me to stumble, nor the cliffs that bring fear close by.

My eyes must be fixed on "the author and perfecter of my faith". I must be "press on to the upward call of Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14)

Remember these posts a couple of years ago? Well, I'm musing over them and grabbing that book out again.

Fear can be so crippling, but when I gaze at my Savior and remember all He is doing and CAN do, I marvel that I can even fear.

I fall to my knees (which are hurting by now, for the falls seem so hard) and cry out for strength to trust. To be obedient. To bask in His grace and mercy.