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| Anyone feel like a dive? |
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Winners of Fall Scavenger Hunt!!!
First the Big time Winners of the overall Hunt
The GRAND PRIZE went to: Jennifer Friedley. She won a Kindle Fire and 31 free books!
The $50 gift certificates went to: Laura McEwen and Gretchen Michels Garrison
Congratulations, Ladies!!!
And the winners of the contest on my blog during the Scavenger Hunt are:
Rachelle Williams - won a $50 Amazon Certificate!
Susan Stitch - won a copy of one of my books!
Patty Hamblin - won a copy of one of my books!
Kara Grant - won a copy of one of my books!!
Even if you didn't win, I hope everyone had a marvelous time! I sure had fun participating in it!! I hope to join another one next year!
Monday, 29 October 2012
Are we obeying Jesus's last command?
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen Matthew 28:18-20 NKJ
This was Jesus's last command before he left Earth. I'm thinking that it must be pretty important.
But what is a disciple?
Disciples in Jesus’s day would follow their rabbi (which means teacher) wherever he went, learning from the rabbi’s teaching and being trained to do as the rabbi did. It was a very personal relationship in which they shared their lives intimately. The disciple would ask questions, listen, learn, and mimic what the rabbi did. The rabbi, in turn, would teach, instruct, encourage, rebuke, and provide a Godly example.
What does a disciple-rabbi relationship look like today? Obviously we can't follow someone around and live and eat with them. However I think this type of mentoring relationship could exist in a close friendship between a new Christian and a mature Chrisitian wherein the mature Christian would take the new believer under his wing and teach, instruct, rebuke, encourage, and provide a Godly example. This mature Christian or Christians would be a person (or maybe a group of people) the new believer could come to with questions, struggles, problems. Someone who would pray for and with him or her, someone who would guide them in understanding the Scriptures and point them to Jesus.
Is that what happened to you when you became a Christian? It didn't happen to me. Nor has it happened to anyone else I know. If you came to Christ as a young person, you may have been fortunate enough to have had family to instruct and help you....or perhaps a great youth pastor or Sunday School teacher who was there for you. But let's face it, when most people head up to the altar to give their lives to Christ, we make them repeat a prayer, hand them a Bible, and tell them to come back next Sunday. We give them no further instruction except for weekly sermons and prehaps a new believers class if they want to attend. They receive no personal encouragement unless they have Christian friends, no help unless they want to make an appointment with their busy pastor. No wonder so many new Christians quickly fall away.
I don't believe this is what Jesus was talking about. He didn't say "Go and make converts" He said "Go and make disciples." Think of how much easier your Christian walk would have been and how much farther along you'd be now if you'd had a strong mature Christian who took you under his or her wing and was there for you 24-7. When you had doubts, fears, when you were tempted, struggled. When tragedy struck, all you had to do was pick up the phone and this person was there to encourage and pray and show you what the Scripture said about your situation! I would have loved that!
When the early church began, Christians met in homes and conducted church in homes. Everyone knew each other and shared life together. The more mature followers helped the new ones... and whenever someone had a problem or question, there was always a friend to go to for help. These early Christians grew so fast and so strong in their faith that many of them were willing to be tortured and die for what they believed. I wonder how many people filling our modern churches would do that?
So, are we making disciples in our churches today? I would say for the most part No.
Why do I tell you this? Because I'm hoping we can start to make small changes in the right direction. One of these promising changes I see in today's churches are the addition of small groups. At least in a small home group setting people can get personal attention and have their questions answered. Of course that depends on who is leading these groups and how committed they are into getting involved in people's lives. Then of course, we have to get people to join these groups. But at least this is a step in the right direction.
I'm sure we all know people who are not as strong in their faith as we are. And I'm also sure we know people who are stronger. Perhaps we should pray and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us into befriending a Christian who may need help and prayer now and then and likewise befriending someone else who can help us when we need it. God is a relational God. He loves close relationships, and He wants His children to be close and to lean and depend on each other. When that happens, the church operates like a well-oiled machine, or, to use the Apostle Paul's description, like a body where each part operates to its fullest. When people are growing in their walk and helping others grow, the church explodes in power, in love, and in the glory of God!
"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 NKJ
But what is a disciple?
Disciples in Jesus’s day would follow their rabbi (which means teacher) wherever he went, learning from the rabbi’s teaching and being trained to do as the rabbi did. It was a very personal relationship in which they shared their lives intimately. The disciple would ask questions, listen, learn, and mimic what the rabbi did. The rabbi, in turn, would teach, instruct, encourage, rebuke, and provide a Godly example.
What does a disciple-rabbi relationship look like today? Obviously we can't follow someone around and live and eat with them. However I think this type of mentoring relationship could exist in a close friendship between a new Christian and a mature Chrisitian wherein the mature Christian would take the new believer under his wing and teach, instruct, rebuke, encourage, and provide a Godly example. This mature Christian or Christians would be a person (or maybe a group of people) the new believer could come to with questions, struggles, problems. Someone who would pray for and with him or her, someone who would guide them in understanding the Scriptures and point them to Jesus.
Is that what happened to you when you became a Christian? It didn't happen to me. Nor has it happened to anyone else I know. If you came to Christ as a young person, you may have been fortunate enough to have had family to instruct and help you....or perhaps a great youth pastor or Sunday School teacher who was there for you. But let's face it, when most people head up to the altar to give their lives to Christ, we make them repeat a prayer, hand them a Bible, and tell them to come back next Sunday. We give them no further instruction except for weekly sermons and prehaps a new believers class if they want to attend. They receive no personal encouragement unless they have Christian friends, no help unless they want to make an appointment with their busy pastor. No wonder so many new Christians quickly fall away.
When the early church began, Christians met in homes and conducted church in homes. Everyone knew each other and shared life together. The more mature followers helped the new ones... and whenever someone had a problem or question, there was always a friend to go to for help. These early Christians grew so fast and so strong in their faith that many of them were willing to be tortured and die for what they believed. I wonder how many people filling our modern churches would do that?
So, are we making disciples in our churches today? I would say for the most part No.
Why do I tell you this? Because I'm hoping we can start to make small changes in the right direction. One of these promising changes I see in today's churches are the addition of small groups. At least in a small home group setting people can get personal attention and have their questions answered. Of course that depends on who is leading these groups and how committed they are into getting involved in people's lives. Then of course, we have to get people to join these groups. But at least this is a step in the right direction.
I'm sure we all know people who are not as strong in their faith as we are. And I'm also sure we know people who are stronger. Perhaps we should pray and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us into befriending a Christian who may need help and prayer now and then and likewise befriending someone else who can help us when we need it. God is a relational God. He loves close relationships, and He wants His children to be close and to lean and depend on each other. When that happens, the church operates like a well-oiled machine, or, to use the Apostle Paul's description, like a body where each part operates to its fullest. When people are growing in their walk and helping others grow, the church explodes in power, in love, and in the glory of God!
"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 NKJ
Wednesday, 24 October 2012
SCAVENGER HUNT STOP #25!
Follow the clues to win a Kindle Fire, free books and more!
WELCOME to the Fall Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! The Hunt begins at noon (MDT) on 10/25 and goes through midnight on 10/28, so you have plenty of time to find all the clues!! There are 31 stops. Each stop offers something unique and interesting to read, as well an introduction to a new author and a new novel! (Some stops will also be offering additional prizes! Including this one!)
While you're at each stop collect the clue (listed in red at the bottom of the post) and leave a comment (if allowed on that stop). You will move from Stop 1 (STARTS at NOON on 10/25 MST) to Stop 32, where you'll fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter to win the Kindle Fire. During your stops, gather all the clues to create the completed clue quote. If your name is drawn, an email will be sent to you on 10/29/12, at which time you will have 24 hours to respond with the completed clue quote in order to win, or another winner will be chosen.
Grant Prize: A new Kindle Fire, plus 31 new novels!!
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· 2nd AND 3rd Prizes: $50 Amazon, B&N, CBD or BookDepository.com gift certificate
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(Contest is open to international entrants. If the winner lives outside the United States, they shall win the equivalent in gift certificate funds to the prize in US dollars.)
Today I have the privilege of introducing to you, not only a good friend of mine, but one of my favorite authors, Laura Frantz!
Laura was born in Kentucky and spent her childhood years roaming the woods and swimming in the rivers depicted in her books. (And if you've read any of her books, you know how vivid her descriptions are!) She attended college in England, where she lived in a manor and studied Shakespeare and the American Revolution from the British perspective (I'm so jealous!) Her research and experience shine through in all of her fabulous novels, each one so full of adventure and romance you won't want to them down!
Love's Reckoning (The Ballantyne Legacy)
In this sweeping family saga set in western Pennsylvania, one man's choices in love and work, in friends and enemies, set the stage for generations to come. "Love's Reckoning" is the first entry in The Ballantyne Legacy, a rich, multi-layered historical quartet from talented writer Laura Frantz, beginning in the late 1700s and following the Ballantyne family through the end of the Civil War.
Laura has graciously provided one of her deleted scenes!! It is sure to delight those who have read the book, as well as whet the appetite of those who have not!
Deleted Scene/Love’s Reckoning
Forty-Five
A hope beyond the shadow of a dream.
JOHN KEATS
The hotel foyer was hushed, the clerk a bit wide-eyed as they came in. Silas paused at the desk, Eden alongside him. She glanced up the carpeted stairs, her breathing shallow. Had it only been hours ago she’d come down from her room, never daring to hope she’d return a bride? Her cheeks, stained from the heat of his kisses, had hardly cooled. Her tumbled thoughts stretched to their wedding day on the morrow. What, then?
“Have you ne’er kissed a lass these eight years past?” she’d teased when he’d taken her in his arms again in the carriage.
He’d laughed – a low rumble in his throat – not bothering to answer.
Now at the desk she marveled he was so composed when she was so…not.
“I’d like Miss Lee to be moved to the bridal suite, if you will,” he said quietly to the clerk as another couple came in.
“Of course,” came the obliging reply. “Anything else, sir?”
“Aye, fill the room with flowers as befitting Mistress Ballantyne.” The clerk turned away with a smile when Silas said, “Roses, I’m thinking. From the King’s Garden.”
Eden felt a delight clear to her toes. “Are you trying to bribe me, Mr. Ballantyne? Afraid I’ll change my mind?”
He could hardly check a grin. “Mayhap, Miss Lee…”
The clerk returned with a skeleton key which Silas grasped with alacrity, eyes on Eden. “Can I show you to your suite?”
“Oursuite, you mean,” she whispered.
He took her by the elbow and propelled her up the carpeted stairs. “How early can this wedding be?”
She smiled, wishing he’d kiss her again, loving the unfamiliar, thrilling feel of him. “Best ask Reverend Herron, though I’m partial to mornings myself.”
“Aye, the earlier the better. That way I can be back at the boatyard by noon.”
She laughed, turning to him on the landing, thinking how good a little levity felt. “Tomorrow is mine, Silas Ballantyne. I’ll not let some old sloop woo you away from me. Not on our wedding day. Or night.”
He framed her face with his hands, his eyes dark with purpose. “I’ll wager I’ll not come out of the bridal suite a week.” His mouth brushed hers, sweetly-rough. She felt the beat of his heart, his banked desire. “Och, Eden. I don’t know if I’ll last through this night.”
She was dizzy with elation, nearly shaking. He left goosebumps at his every touch…
“Well, well. Things seem to have taken a turn for the better.”
They pulled apart, faces flushed yet hands still touching. Stephen Elliot was in back of them, coming up the steps, a look of undisguised pleasure overriding his surprise. “Miss Lee, when I last saw you, you were contemplating a ride out the Allegheny River road. I had no idea what would become of your foray.”
Silas smiled. “Mr. Elliot, allow me to introduce my bride-to-be, Miss Eden Lee, no longer of Philadelphia but Pittsburgh.”
Stephen swept off his hat and bowed. “So it’s to be Mr. and Mrs. Silas Ballantyne at long last?”
“On the morrow, else I can persuade her sooner.”
“Well, I’ll leave you to your persuading then.” With a wink, he turned and disappeared down the steps as quickly as he’d come up.
In the gentle flicker of the sconce affixed to one paneled wall, Silas took her in his arms again, trailing hungry kisses from her ear to the soft curve of her neck, her sigh of pleasure a promise of the joys to come.
Tomorrow would come none too soon…
Wow.. I'm hooked already!! Honestly, if you haven't read Laura's books, you are MISSING OUT!! She has a way of writing that just sweeps you away into another world.
THE SCAVENGER HUNT BASICS
Before you go, write down this STOP #25 clue: acting."
Your next stop is Laura Frantz's blog!
BONUS PRIZES AT THIS BLOG ONLY!
I'm giving away FOUR PRIZES: First prize is a $50 Amazon Gift Certificate. Secondary prizes are three signed copies of any of my books (1 copy to 3 winners) (That's MaryLu Tyndall's books! If you wish to win Laura's books, complete the Scavenger hunt to enter to win all 31 books!)
In order to be eligible to win, you must do all of the following
Best of luck to each of you and thanks for participating in this year's Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt!
BONUS PRIZES AT THIS BLOG ONLY!
I'm giving away FOUR PRIZES: First prize is a $50 Amazon Gift Certificate. Secondary prizes are three signed copies of any of my books (1 copy to 3 winners) (That's MaryLu Tyndall's books! If you wish to win Laura's books, complete the Scavenger hunt to enter to win all 31 books!)
In order to be eligible to win, you must do all of the following
- "Like" my Author Facebook Page
- Sign Up to Receive My Author Newsletter (Entry tab found in Green on the right side of this blog, beneath the Facebook Tab)
- Leave a comment here on my blog about anything related to Laura's post.
Best of luck to each of you and thanks for participating in this year's Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt!