Book Review - Next Door as it is in Heaven

I love my neighborhood! I love the community that it pictures. We have about 30 homes on our circle, many of whom still have the original owners from the mid '70's. There is a sense of family, and yet, it is so easy to forget each other and get busy outside of those who live side by side day after day. I was raised by a Mother who showed an amazing amount of intentional hospitality and have a heart that desires this. As a believer, this shows up most in the context of the local church, mostly because it is safe and non-confrontational. But I was challenged in the last week or so.

One of the most important books that I have read this summer was Next Door as it is in Heaven, by Lance Ford and Brad Brisco. They piece apart the downfall of the comradery of neighborhoods as they use to be and give some great history about why and how this happened. They confront the reader head on with the Word of God and how we as believers should be the most intentional beings in a neighborhood. They bring to life the practical out workings of this and give great step by step ways to fall in love with this idea and how Christ on earth was the ultimate giver of hospitality. They remind us we need to examine the busyness of our lives and compare it with how we are (or are not) investing in the lives around us, namely the neighborhoods we live in. If you have a desire to reach those around you for the Gospel, but in way more than words, this book is for you. You will be thoroughly encouraged along the way as you strive to meet those you may have never spoken with before.

As one author put it, "The dining room table is sometimes the best evangelistic tool."

For three years our family held a Christmas open house for our neighborhood, It's sad to say, this happened 8-10 years ago. So lookout Little Road residents and be prepared to party with the Pueblas again this year.

*Note: As a part of the Tyndale Blogging Network, I received a free copy of this book.

Plain Faith

Time has gotten away from me and it has been a while since I've done a book review, but I'm back in the saddle and got ahold of an amazing story.

Plain Faith, a true story written by Irene and Ora Jay Eash, recounts a horrible tragedy in their lives which ultimately brought them to true faith in the Living God.

The Eashes were part of the Amish Community from birth, residing in Indiana. Their two oldest children, both girls, were killed in a buggy and truck accident. This is what the Lord used to quicken them to want to know God more.

I have always been drawn to the simplicity of the Amish life. But I had never done much research on what they actually believed for salvation. As a matter of fact, as I read this account, I was struck by how much they believe in a works salvation. Mr. and Mrs. Eash do a beautiful job drawing you into their story of grief, but along the way educating the reader on the Amish system.

As they share their journey of faith, I am feeling full of thankfulness to God for my faith. That I can have a personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The Eashes use this testimony not only to give God praise, but to evangelize all who read it.

God really does bring beauty from ashes.

As a member of the booksneeze team, I received a free copy of this book to review.

Happy 16th Birthday, Little Joe!

Is this the cutest face, or what?

And this? Oh. My. Goodness.

My handsome little man turns 16 years old today. And he still has a guitar in his hands.

I think back on his story, and God's grace amazes me. May 1st of 1998 we were involved in another woman's life going through the process of adopting her little boy. Her due date was early June, but in mid-May she went into labor. They stopped her labor and we visited her on and off in the hospital anxiously awaiting for this precious bundle. But as time went on we began to realize she was slowly changing her mind. So our last visit, "Mr. Cartwright" looked at me as we went up in the elevator and said, "This is probably the last time we will see her. We've got to share Jesus with her, for her soul is more important than us receiving this gift." So we shared the Gospel with her. And left. Never seeing her again. 

Time went on and we were not sure what the Lord was doing in growing our family until the afternoon of October 14th, 1998. We received a phone call stating there was a little boy in foster care in Pensacola, Florida, who needed to be placed in a home in 3 days. On the 17th of October we drove up and picked up our new little son. (We laugh now, because as they turned his carseat around and we saw him for the first time, we thought he was a girl. His afro was so big.)

Then we found out his birthday. May 1st.

We realized as we had been going through the grieving process of the failed adoption another little boy had been born many miles away who would become our son. God's faithfulness shines through again. He never fails. us.

"Little Joe", we are blessed to be your parents. God has used you in amazing ways to change us and grow us. He has amazing plans for your life. You have been blessed with so many talents and abilities. Use them solely for His glory, and His glory alone. Happy 16th birthday!

Book Review - Called to Controversy

I admit. Writing a book about my father, without being bias, would be very difficult.

Ruth Rosen has done this. Called to Controversy is her biography of her father, Moishe Rosen, the Founder of Jews for Jesus. She does an amazing job informing the reader of the beliefs of the Jewish people as well as how the family structure of a Jewish family works. In my readings, I had heard of Jews for Jesus, but had never known the history behind it.

God saved Moishe in a pretty specific, radical way. Moishe was a man with passion for the lost, especially the Jewish people, as well as for the Word of God. Many times he came across abrasive and, humbly, worked things out. As I read this book, I realized, again, the individual growth in each person is a work of God, not for me to judge. God will deal with his children in the way He deems fit. Moishe was used by the Lord in a very strong way to bring the Gospel to many. In the early days, he was involved in the Jesus Movement, and later days in many different people's lives all over the world.

He was a man who finished well. This is the key to a successful, Christian walk.

As a part of the Booksneeze blogging network, I received a free copy of this book.

From Life to Life

We received a letter from our oldest today. Less anger, more hurt. This is easier to take. He asks the question, "Why am I sitting here and people all around me dying?"

Our dear friend, Tim Borland, went home to be with Christ this last week. Tim was one of God's gifts to this world. His passion for the Gospel exuded from his soul.

So, I answer my dear son.

"I don't know. Yet, I do know.

Sin. We live in a fallen world full of sin, self, disease and death. Sin, the most deadly disease of all. The bad news. There can't be good news without the bad.

Aside from God's Word, there is fear of all of these. What I am confident in, is this. Christ died and was buried and rose again 3 days later. He conquered sin and death. He is the good news. Death is a sure thing. Eternity is as well. The question is where will you spend it?

It seems so unfair at times. But, what is the most unfair thing, is Christ dying in our place to redeem us from our sin and the grave.

So, yes, it hurts to lose those we love. But, we have hope. Turn your heart and mind to Christ. He is the answer.

I love you and miss you. I hurt with you."

The Story of Commander Deeds (Part II)

"Though he knew his life in danger, Todd refused to leave. 'I beg you to believe on the Lord Jesus', he said. The commander was furious. He went upstairs and came down with his pistol. 'Go, or I will shoot you now,' he threatened. Todd answered, 'I have come to ask you to believe in the Lord Jesus. If you want to shoot me, go ahead. But before you do, let me pray for you.' He knelt before the commander and prayed, 'O God, here is a man who does not know You. Please save him!' He stayed on his knees while the commander towered over him with the gun. 'Have mercy on him, Lord!' he cried out. 'Have mercy on the commander!'"

"Young Todd prayed like this for several minutes before he heard a sigh, then the sound of the pistol being laid aside. Soon the commander knelt down beside him and, after a moment of weeping, prayed, 'O God, have mercy on Commander Deeds.'"

"The commander was saved at that instant, and after praying some more, he rose and took the hand of his young friend, saying, 'I have heard the Gospel all my life, but today I have seen the Gospel for the first time.' On the following Lord's Day, Commander Deeds went to the church to worship. And before he died, he led several dozen people to the Lord."

As Watchman Nee finished this story, he spoke these words.

"Beloved, there are two big days in the life of the believer: the day on which he believes in the Lord - and every day after that when he leads someone to faith in Christ. This is my challenge to you. Witness to at least one person a day. Witness to whomever you meet."

-excerpt taken from Watchman Nee by Bob Laurent, pg 103

This is a challenge to me and you. Let our lights shine, sisters...brightly and loudly...with words and actions.

The Story of Commander Deeds (Part I)

I was mesmerized by this true story that Watchman Nee told his fellow believers in China.

"A young man named Todd was led to Christ by a wise couple from a church in his neighborhood. He had been a rebellious youth, but on the day that he was saved, he asked the couple what he should do to show his obedience to the Lord. Over tea in their home, they told him that the Gospel would never make inroads in their town until a certain battalion commander was converted."

"Young Todd asked who this Commander Deeds was. They said that he was a retired military man over sixty years of age who thought all Christians were hypocrites and who cursed and beat any Christian who dared to preach the gospel to him or even to pass by his house. He kept a pistol at home and threatened to open fire on anyone who preached to him. Having heard this, Todd immediately prayed, 'O Lord. You have shown grace to me. This is the first day of my salvation. I will go and witness to him.' Before tea was finished, and less than two hours after his own salvation, he was on his way to the commander's house."

"Fearing for his life, the couple begged him not to go. The commander's anger grew fiercer by the day, they told him, but Todd would not change his mind. He arrived at the house and knocked on the door. The Commander answered with a rod in his hand and snarled, 'What do you want, boy?' Todd asked if he could come in and for some reason the hostile man allowed him entrance."

"The boy wasted no words. 'I pray that you will accept the Lord Jesus as your Savior!' he blurted out. The commander raised his rod in the air to intimidate the youth, then shouted, 'I suppose you're new around here, so this time I will pardon you; no one talks to me about Jesus, but this time I will not beat you. Now consider yourself fortunate and get out of here quickly!'"

-excerpt from Watchman Nee by Bob Laurent, pg 102

(Part II tomorrow)

Watchman Nee

As I am reading through a biography of Watchman Nee, I am struck by so many things.

We, who live in the west, are so shallow in our commitment to Christ. Watchman was always examining his own life with the Word of God. He wasn't afraid to stand against the current of people, especially those other professing believers who seemed to tout religiosity. He ended up leaving two main line denominations he was part of because of religious do's and don'ts that didn't line up with God's Word.

He made some stark comments about the believer's life in general.

This hit me to the core:

"It is absolutely impossible for a person to have light and not shine. As there is no tooth that does not chew, no fountain that does not flow, so there is no life that does not beget life. Whoever has no interest in helping people to repent and believe in the Lord may himself need to repent and believe in the Lord."- taken from Watchman Nee by Bob Laurent, pg. 100

This is one area in my life that I struggle with. I go through times of deep desire to evangelize and other times quite content in keeping to my little life, here on the Ponderosa.

This is a command. I must be proactive, seeking out relationships to develop. Just simply asking how you can pray for someone, who you know is hurting, is an easy way to bring the topic up.

I pray zeal and fire consume me in this area. I must obey.

A Conversation Not to Forget

A couple of days ago, my darling daughters and I were on our way home from the eye doctor, who happens to be one and a half hours away. So there is plenty of time for conversation.

After a few minutes of quiet, Marie asked me a question.

"Mommy, what were Gran's parents' names?"

"John and Barbara Kovachik", was my reply. I was not ready for the path we were headed down, but thankful for a sweet daughter's heart.

"Did they know Jesus, Mommy?"

I suck in breath. "I don't think they did, Sweetie."

"That means they are in hell?"

I don't want to go there. "Yes. They are if they didn't embrace Christ as Lord of their lives."

"That's awful!"

At this point I am telling myself, "Opportunity!"

"Marie, that is why it is so important to share Christ with those around us. Even your 2 friends in the neighborhood that don't know Jesus, need to hear. We may move one day and never see them again. We need to use every opportunity to share our light."

"Or, they could get in a car accident and die, right Mommy?"

My thoughts turn inward. How often do my children see me sharing my light with those around me? Have they ever heard me give the Gospel to others?

I am so thankful for the heart of my little girl.

I knew all along that my precocious 5 year old was listening.

Basking in the Son!

As "Inger" finished her pattern block assignment my thoughts meandered to the likeness of a believer's life and the sunflower.

Did you know...

•A sunflower only requires 90 to 100 days to grow.
As a Sonflower are you growing or stagnant?

•A single sunflower can have up to 2000 seeds.
My friend, are you producing seed? Are you sowing seed? Do you see the task of being a seed sower as a burden or a passion to produce more Sonflowers?

•A distinguishing quality of the sunflower is that its flowering head tracks the sun’s movement.
Are you tracking The Son's movement? Does your life reflect one that relies on the Son for growth? Do you know that without the Son you would become dried up, lifeless, and useless?

•Growing sunflowers is a great way to attract birds to your yard.
Do we ,Sonflowers, attract others to the seed we have sprouted? Do people see you and want to be near you? Are you reflecting the Son?

•A sunflower head is made up of 1,000 to 2,000 individual flowers that are joined together to a base. The large petals that are found around the edge of a sunflower are individual ray flowers, these do not develop into seeds.
This is a beautiful picture of the body of Christ. Is there unity in the Sonflowers around you? Are you dependent on the strength of other Sonflowers to be encouraged in your growth? For without each other we would not be the Sonflowers that the Wise Creator made.

The Soul Lives Forever

When our oldest son was just one years old, we started the adoption process again.



The attorney had matched us with a girl who was due at the end of May. She lived across the bay from where we lived. One Friday, we met her for lunch to introduce ourselves and find out a little bit about her. She was a young girl; the typical pregnant teen. Her boyfriend was in and out of jail, abusive and controlling.



The next day we received a phone call that she had gone into early labor and we were to meet her at the hospital. This was the beginning of May. This was a position I had never found myself in before. God had taken the ability to have children away from me, by His design and sovereignty. This I questioned for many years, but chose to trust. Here I found myself in a place called labor and delivery. We were given bands to wear giving us privilege to the little one when he was born. Lots of emotions were happening inside me.



A few hours later we were told the doctors were attempting to stop the labor, as the precious one inside her needed as long as possible to develop. Saddened, we went home that night. Lots of questions in our minds. When would are arms be filled with this bundle?



The next morning we went up to see her. She was well, but there were quite a bit of family members in her room. Some from the boy who didn't deserve to see this gift! We left a little taken back by this momma's response to us that day. She seemed distant, removed. We again, headed home with prayers falling out of our hearts and out of our mouths.



The following day as we were headed up the elevator to see her, my wise man said, "You know, she is probably going to change her mind." There. The dreaded words were said. The words we both knew were possible. He then reminded me, "If she is going to try to raise this precious boy, we must minister to her soul. Her soul needs Jesus more than we need this baby." Truth. My love spoke truth that day.



We did share Christ with her and then left the room never to hear from her or see her again.



The emotions were strong, but I never shed one tear. My focus was where it needed to be.



Her soul...



Little did we know that the next October we were united with our next son, "Little Joe". He was five months old...and His birthday? May 1st.



As we were sharing Christ with a poor troubled soul, who was to become a Mommy soon, the gift of our heavenly Father was being born. We just didn't know it yet.



I trust You, Lord.

Day Eight ~ God Offers a Covenant Relationship

Our reading tonight is Exodus 19 and 20:1-17.

I never saw the giving of the Ten Commandments as part of God offering a covenant to his people.

Ultimately, without the Ten Commandments we have no standard by which to measure our lives by. Therefore we will never see a need for a Savior. But the Ten Commandments say so much more than just what they "say". They show us our sin, our need for redemption, and God's holiness. They extend to all of the commands in the New Testament as well.

This is a great way to use the "law" in evangelism.

Everything's Free!

Do you want to know the quickest way to get rid of your garage sale items? I've never finished a garage sale by 9:30 in the morning, but today was the day for firsts.

The Puebla Ponderosa had a garage sale today. Normally, there are people that come out in the early morning dusk with flashlights. Today, no one came early. I was very disappointed and frustrated. After all, there is so much work to putting together and garage sale. Around 8:00 a.m., my darling husband made the decision that the Lord wanted us to have a FREE sale. My initial reaction was one of, "Are you serious?" "We have to a least make a little money to cover the add in the paper!!" After I calmed down, "Mr. Cartwright" said he was going to get his tracts in Spanish and English out and use this FREE sale as a means of evangelism. This he did. Most people had an astonished reaction to his offer. "We have never seen anyone do this before!" There were people that opened up and shared their hurts. There were people who listened. I know the Lord used this day to touch people as well as to start to heal a hurt in "Mr. Cartwright" that he has been fighting since "Hoss" had to leave. (See September previous posts) But I know the Lord used this in my life too. I am a very task oriented person and easily lose my focus to reach out in the midst of my tasks.

Evangelism 101

You never know how God is going to use what you say, no matter how little.