Out from the grave!

He gasped in a breath, inflated lungs filling, regenerating. His body tingled as flesh formed over shredded muscle, inch by inch. Organs sprang to life. Bone reconstructed. Blood evaporated as new Spirit life pumped through His veins in its place. The pain that had screamed from every nerve and sinew was quiet now. . . nothing but a memory. . . .silenced by Victory.  Skin grew taut, cells formed, heart drummed, toes wiggled.
Hair sprouted on His jaw and chin, filling in  where they'd plucked out every strand. A radiant buzz circled his head where thorns had pierced. It entered his mouth, and stormed through him, bringing every cell, every muscle, ever nerve back to life. Not just any life. Eternal life.

He opened his eyes. Darkness defied the light within Him.
"Loose" His voice sounded muffled behind the cloth. But what could the death shroud do but obey?

Strand by strand the pieces fell from his revived body, wilting before the King of Kings. His strength renewed, weariness blew away like so much chaff in the wind. Still darkness surrounded Him. Swinging his legs over the edge of the rock, He sat as the sound of grinding of stone echoed in the tiny chamber. Light pierced the tomb. At first a mere sliver but then growing wider and wider until he was bathed in its glow and warmth.
He stood and drew in a deep breath. The smell of earth and myrrh and aloes filled his nose and he glanced at the grave clothes. He searched the Father's knowledge. Ah, yes, Nicodemus and Joseph had buried him with aromatic spices. So, Nicodemus had finally believed. Smiling, He carefully folded his grave clothes and laid them on the rock tomb, then stepped through the opening

into the sunlight.
The angel leapt from the top of the stone and bowed before Him. "Lord." 
Jesus put His hand atop his head. "Gabriel. Faithful one."
Then turning, Jesus raised his hands to the sky. Where once iron nails had pierced, now light pierced his palms. Father! We have done it! We have saved them!!"

Arms embraced him. Magnificent encompassing arms. The Spirit filled Him as Love spun an unbreakable bond around all three, and they took up where they'd left off, whirling in the love dance of the trinity. He was one with the Father again. Never to be separated. It was finished.

He was the first fruit of the firstborn. They had done it. They had saved them all!  All who would turn to Him. They would never die, but would live with Him forever. adopted as his brothers and sisters into the family of God!

But there was still much to be done. He must take the keys of death and Hades from Satan, escort the saints in Paradise to Heaven and return in His glorified body for His last days among His disciples. Oh, how He wished He could stay with them.. Oh, how He would miss them! But the Spirit reminded Him, it was better for them that He left, for the Spirit could be with all of them at all times and remind them of what Jesus had said. The Spirit would give them power to heal and cast out demons and speak in other tongues and prophecy. The Spirit would form Jesus's bride, the church, filled with those who love Him, and some day Jesus would be united with her and a great wedding would take place! He could hardly wait!

Thunder growled in the distance where dark clouds formed. A battle brewed. Jesus could hear the enemy groaning from the depths of hell, angry at his defeat. Satan would do everything he could to keep mankind from the truth. Many would follow him. But God's chosen would walk in the light. Yes there was much to be done. Many souls were at stake. The die had been cast, the victor proclaimed, yet the battle was only beginning.

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Wash all of me, Lord!

Today we celebrate Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified. The spotless lamb of God, God in human form, allowed Himself to be tortured and then brutally murdered by His own creation.

 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?  Matt 27:46 NKJ


When He uttered His final cry right before He died, it was 3:00 in the afternoon, which is the exact time the Jewish Priests killed the passover lamb at the temple. Amazing, isn't that? Yet, there are close to 30 prophecies in the Old Testament which foretold in the most astounding detail many of the events of Jesus's last days: How he would be betrayed, how his beard would be plucked out, how he would be scourged until He didn't even look like a human, how He would be insulted, how none of His bones would be broken, how He would be pierced, how the guards would gamble for His clothing.. .etc.  The odds of them all being fulfilled is astronomical!Yet they were.

But I want to focus on something that happened the day before Jesus went to the cross. The day of the passover meal with his disciples. The night of the last supper.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. John 13:3-5 NKJ

In Jesus's day, people in Israel wore sandals. It was a very dry climate and the roads were dusty and dirty. Along with people, lots of animals traveled through the town's streets and the highways, so you can imagine how messy and stinky your feet would get!   Whenever someone entered a home, the

first thing they did was remove their sandals and have their feet washed. This was done by the LOWEST ranking servant in the house because it was considered the worst job imaginable. Can you imagine having to clean dirty, smelly, sweaty, mud and manure-encrusted feet?  Yuk!!   It was a horrible job.

Yet when Jesus and His disciples entered the room where they were to have the Passover meal, there was no servant to wash their feet. What I find interesting is that NONE of the disciples offered to do the dirty job.  Why would they? They were the disciples of the Messiah! They were far too important to be washing feet! In fact, not long before they got to Jerusalem, the disciples had been arguing about who was the greatest among them!!  (Love these guys!) 

So, here they are all reclining around the table. No chairs. Back then, they sat on the ground with their feet off to the side. I'm sure the smell from those dirty feet must have been atrocious.  Jesus looks over His disciples, knows that Satan has already told Judas to betray Him, knows He is going to suffer the worst imaginable death the next day, and what does He do?

He doesn't think about the pain, the betrayal, the rejection, the horrid death. He doesn't think that EVERY one of His disciples will abandon Him. No, He knows Who He is and where He's going. And He rises and takes on the role of the LOWEST servant and washes all the disciples dirty feet. 

Why? I think there were four main reasons.

1. He loved them.  He didn't care that they are dirty and stinky. He wanted to serve them, to bless them, to show them His love.
2. He wanted to show them how they are to love each other, with a sacrificial, unconditional love
3. He wanted to show them that to be great, you must first become a servant. He was demonstrating all the things he'd taught them about humility and greatness. 
4. The foot washing was symbolic of being washed in His blood, being cleansed from all their sin by Jesus's coming sacrifice.

When Peter asked Jesus what in the world He was doing? Jesus told him that Peter didn't

understand now, but that he would understand later.
I love Peter's response
Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”
Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” (In other words, if you don't accept my sacrifice for you, you cannot receive my salvation)
Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

That's what I say.  Wash ALL of me, Lord! 

 
This kind of self-sacrificing, self-effacing, undemanding, unconditional pure love is so foreign to our human hearts, we shake our heads at these stories. Our love, by comparison, even for our own family, falls so short.  Today, as you ponder what Jesus endured on the cross, take some time and think about the love that put Him there. The incredible, unfathomable love He has for you and me.  If He loves us that much, what do we have to fear?   

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Wordless Wednesday!!

Pirate's Outpost!!  Stranded, but not forgotten!

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Have no fear of bad news!

 I don't know about you, but I'm pretty tired of bad news!  I've even decided to stop watching so much news because it's nothing but doom and gloom. People murdered, the economy in the toilet, job loss, rogue nations getting the nuclear bomb, rising health care costs, terror strikes, loss of freedom. I could go on. 

Anyway, I meet many people who are completely stressed out. They fear for their jobs, their kids, their health, their freedom, their lives! It's crazy. In all my 54 years, I've never seen so much stress. It's so easy to get caught up in it all and let it affect you. Especially for a worry wort like me!

Why do I worry about the most? What kind of world my kids will have to live in. I worry about their safety and health. Will they have jobs? Find good spouses, Have enough to eat, be happy, and most of all follow God and don't get lured into the evil in the world. 

Yet as followers of Jesus, we aren't supposed to worry about anything. Can you imagine a day without worry? A day where you aren't concerned with jobs or money or health or kids... where you just know everything is going to work out. I think I've reached the point in my walk with God where I truly believe that EVERYTHING will work out in the end. At the end of the age, I believe with all my heart that I will be in Heaven with my children and my family, and the reasons for everything that happened to us will be made plain. I believe I will spend eternity in the presence of God with my loved ones at my side! 

Yet, I still fear bad news!!. I fear getting a call that one of my kids is hurt. I fear my husband finding out he's lost his job. I fear the doctor telling me I have cancer. I fear, I fear, I fear. Even though I know it will all work out! Isn't that silly? What I long for is to get to the place where I have NO FEAR of bad news.

 Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
    they will be remembered forever.
⁷ They will have no fear of bad news;
    their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
⁸ Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;    in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. Psalm 112:6-8

^{Okay great! So I must be the biggest looser Christian around cause I still fear bad news!  But do you know what it says in verse one of that Psalm.}

Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
    who find great delight in his commands.

And then I read this in Jeremiah 5

⁷ “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him.
⁸ They will be like a tree planted by the water
    that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
    its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought    and never fails to bear fruit.”  Jeremiah 5:7-8

So I pictured this big beautiful oak tree by a flowing stream. It has a thick trunk and many strong branches layered in green leaves. Strong roots plunge deep into the ground where they cling to the rock that is Jesus. Nothing can move this tree! Not heat, not storm, not wind, lightning, thunder, snow. Nothing! It endures all and just stands strong without fear

So how do you become like this mighty oak of Righteousness? How do you stand strong and let bad news roll off your shoulders as if it were nothing to concern yourself with? How, when you get a call that something horrible has happened, do you smile and pray instead of crumble and fall?  

The key is in Psalm 1, which agrees with verse 1 in Psalm 112 above

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

Delight in God's Word. Meditate on it day and night.  Yet so many Christians rely completely on a Sunday sermon or a simple devotional to get the Word in them. Those are great, but not enough. Make it a habit to not only read the Bible every day but to mediate on it and DELIGHT in it. Enjoy it! . Think about what you read. Talk to God about it. Ask Him to make it clear.  Don't approach it like a chore you must do or something to cross off your list. (I've done this so often!)  Approach it with delight.. knowing that you will be communing with the Living God who loves you more than anything! 

I will make you a bet that if you do that every day for a month, you will find your worries diminishing and your faith growing deep.  What am I basing that bet on? It's a promise from the Word. I'm going to take God up on His promise.. how about you?

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My take on the Bible Series

From a Writer's perspective.

First, let me say that I've read tons of books in my life but the Bible is by far the most interesting, fascinating, prophetic, encouraging, enlightening and inspirational book I've ever read. I would say that whether I was a believer or not, but because I do believe every word, it is much more than a book to me. It is the Word of God that answers mankind's ageless questions as to why we are here, how did we get here, where are we going, what is the purpose of life, and how do we find eternal life.

But, let's face it, the Bible leaves out a lot of details we writers would love to know! Things like facial expressions, internal thoughts and dialogue, feelings, and sometimes just a general description of the setting. If you're like me, you're dying to know more, see more, get a deeper insight into the way things happened. Biblical Fiction attempts this and does pretty well I hear though I haven't had the privilege of reading any. But to see the Bible played out in a movie setting is pure heaven to me! I've often asked God if He has a 3-D, Digital movie of the actual events,  because when I get to heaven I will be first in line with my popcorn to watch it!

That's why I was really excited to see this new series. I saw the producers interviewed on TV and they seemed to be decent, Godly people, which only encouraged me further. Maybe finally we would have a production that didn't twist the stories and that gave glory to God.  

And I must say I have truly enjoyed every moment! What a treat to watch all the characters I've read so much about! To see their expressions, hear their voices, enjoy the incredible settings. Miracles such as the burning bush, the parting of the Red Sea, and the plagues of Egypt were done exceptionally well. I've currently only watched the first three installments so I'm waiting anxiously to see how they show Jesus's miracles in the New Testament. 

Best of all, the ratings for the show have been beyond expectation. People are interested. They are picking up their Bibles. They are talking about God. Isn't that the point?

What saddens me is that so many Christians are going around bickering and complaining about certain things they didn't like about the series. They didn't like the way Abraham was portrayed. They didn't like Moses. They thought the producers took too much license here...added too much there. The don't like the way angels are portrayed. They don't like the way some things don't follow the Scripture exactly. And on and on and on.... And I have to wonder to myself, what a terrible witness to the world!

Yes, creative license was taken in some stories. It had to be taken because the Bible leaves out so much between the lines. Yes. some scenes didn't follow the Bible exactly. Yes. Abraham didn't appear to be have as much faith as the Bible claims. Yes, they are going fast and skipping stories. Yes, some parts are bloody.

But my question is: Is the theme of the story still coming through? And is God being glorified.?
I would have say an emphatic yes to that! 

I sincerely wish they'd done 20 hours of the Bible, not just 10. There are some cool stories I would have loved to see included like Joseph and Ruth and Esther and Elijah. But hey, they only had 10 hours!

My favorite parts so far: 

• I love that they've dressed up the angels in armor and made them look like warriors!! That's how they are!
• I loved the parting of the Red Sea and how Huge God showed up. 
• I loved the Temptation of Jesus when Satan offered Him all the kingdoms of the world and Jesus's mind kept flashing between pictures of Him being pampered as a king and Him being crucified on the cross. It really brought what a choice He had to make home for me
• And my favorite so far was when Jesus is in the boat with Peter and they've hauled in more fish than the boat can hold and Peter asks him something like "What are we going to do?" And Jesus replies "We are going to change the world."

I can't wait to see the final two episodes. If you haven't had a chance to watch it, please do. It's not perfect. It won't meet all your expectations. Some parts may disappoint you, but God is being glorified and Jesus is being preached! That's all that matters!

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Wordless Wednesday!

I simply love it when this happens while I'm reading, don't you???

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What do you look like in God's Mirror?

I don't know about you but sometimes when I look in the mirror I don't recognize the person staring back at me! Of course if you're below 40, you probably don't understand what I'm saying. Or maybe you do. Regardless of our age, life just has a way of running wild over our bodies, like a four-wheeler zooming over sand and cliffs and leaving tire tracks and divots and stains, we end up looking like an old race track long since abandoned!  Age, stress, and bad health steal our youthful bloom and leave us looking worn and wounded. It just doesn't seem fair.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor 3:18 NKJ

Did you know God has a mirror? It's unlike any of our earthy mirrors because it doesn't reflect what we look like on the outside. It only reflects what we look like on the inside.  Before we knew God, there was nothing but a murky, dark, shapeless mist reflected in that mirror.  Then we got saved and threw ourselves on the mercy of God and a baby appeared, a bright beautiful baby. As we grow in the Lord, learn of Him, read His Word and hang out with His people, that baby starts to grow into a small child. And if we continue to walk with God, that child becomes an adult.

But it is only through trials, struggles and persecution that the adult becomes beautiful, an incredibly beautiful being who sparkles like diamonds and shines so bright, others are drawn to Christ through him or her.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 NKJ
Right after saying that, Paul describes what he's been through

• Hedged in, pressed, troubled and oppressed yet NOT cramped or crushed
• Suffered embarrassment and been perplexed and unable to find a way out but NOT driven to despair
• Pursued, persecuted, and hard-driven but NOT deserted or alone
• Struck to the ground but NOT struck out and destroyed

Many of us are going through some very heavy trials right now. I know, because I receive prayer requests from so many of you. My heart breaks for all the suffering in the world, and especially for the suffering of God's chosen.... yet, I came across these Scriptures in 2 Corinthians the other day and they gave me such hope. Our suffering is not in vain! It serves a HUGE purpose


Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,  2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Next time you look in the mirror and see that you are looking rather run-down, remember that if you keep pushing forward through the struggles and heartaches and trials, if you keep your eyes on God and on that celestial city, you are becoming quite the beauty in God's mirror. And that beauty will never fade or age for all eternity!

While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor 4:18 KJV

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A Vow Fulfilled - And huge giveaway!

Today is Chapter 3 of our FREE serial story, A Vow Fulfilled!!  I hope you're enjoying it so far. If you missed the past two chapters, you may want to go back and read them so you'll be caught up with the story. Also, if you haven't already, you'll want to leave comments on those sections so you'll be entered in the contest for the GRAND Prize!  Which includes all these items donated by the authors of this story

• A designer bookmark
• Choices of the Heart by Laure Alice Eakes and Wilderness Road: Music of the Backcountry Cd
• The Charleston Chef's Table: Extraordinary Recipes from the Heart of the Old South
• Quill pen and ink
• Forsaken Dreams by MaryLu Tyndall
• Civil War Ebook novella, plus a basket of goodies from Shirley Plantation: notecards, jam, etc.
• Antique bracelet 
• A $10 Amazon Gift Certificate

Every time you leave a comment on each of these chapters, your name is entered. The winner will be drawn on ... and will receive all of the above!  

A Vow Fulfilled Serial Schedule

3/11         Overcoming With God      MaryLu Tyndall

 3/12         Laurie Alice Eakes        Roseanna White

3/13         MaryLu Tyndall             Debbie Lynne Costello

3/14         Patty Smith Hall    Gina Welborn

3/15         Roseanna  White       Carrie Fancett Pagels

3/18         Gina Welborn                 Patty Smith Hall

3/19         Debbie Lynne Costello Laurie Alice Eakes

Click to go back and read:  Chapter 1  or Chapter 2

Chapter Three

A second shot pierced the air. Mr. Cane’s stomach muscles tightened beneath Celia’s hands. She pressed her head against his back and breathed in his woody-spice scent. Her heart raced and joined the rhythm of the horse’s feet thudding on the ground.

Lord have mercy on her. Was kidnapping and attempted murder God’s punishment for her making such a foolish vow to Him? She should have listened to her parent’s advice when Mother repeatedly told her to watch each word that left her mouth and Father urged her to honor her vow with each engagement. But she’d always put her whims above that of her parents’ counsel.

If she had listened she wouldn’t be on the back of a horse dodging bullets with her kidnapper. She shifted in the saddle. If she could walk when she got off this horse she could consider herself lucky. She pushed back and caught a glimpse of crimson. She gasped. Even in the fading light she recognized the thick liquid dripping from his arm and splotching her dress as blood.

“You’ve been shot!” Celia leaned out, attempting to get a glimpse of his face.

“It’s only a grazing so don’t get your hopes up, my dear.” He threw the words over his shoulder. “You might want to keep your head tucked in. Head wounds are usually fatal.”

Celia jerked around and peered through the dusk for the enemy. A glimpse of red against the trees told her they still followed. “Can’t you go any faster? Whoever wants to kill you hasn’t given up and I don’t want to be an innocent victim to whatever you’ve gotten yourself into.” How quickly circumstances changed. Her kidnapper went from capturer to rescuer. She snorted. But then again if he hadn’t kidnapped her she wouldn’t be in this predicament!

“What makes you so sure he’s after me?” He slammed his heels into the horse’s sides, spurring him on.

“Because I have done nothing that would make a man take aim at me.” The horse’s hooves dug into the soft ground throwing up clods of dirt as they moved across the open field picking up speed.

“I’d not be so sure of that, my dear. After all, you have brought on your own kidnapping.”

“Well, I never!” Celia put as much space between the two of them as possible. The nerve of the man, first he kidnaps her and then he accuses her of drawing the fire. Why she’d always been hospitable to people—even the men with which she’d broken the engagements.

He chuckled. She couldn’t believe her ears or rather she felt it more in her hands than heard it, but the man actually chuckled in the midst of all this danger.

“Would you like to tell me what man you spurned and made so angry that he’d rather see you dead than married to another?” Mr. Cane yelled back to her.

The idea was ludicrous. So why did it leave a seed of doubt in her mind? After all, someone had planned her kidnapping and she would have never believed that either. It couldn’t be Allen. They were much too young when she broke it off with him. He’d not hold a grudge. Besides, he had joined the Navy and gotten his sea legs and wasn’t around now.  Thomas had married Elsie and they had two lovely daughters and another child on the way—no apparent regret over losing her there.

She mentally scratched both of them off her list. Mr. Cane had never even heard the name of Gregory, so it looked like he wasn’t her culprit either. That left Jonathon and Milton. Milton’s weak personality didn’t portend to him being the mastermind behind a great kidnapping scheme. The most she’d ever heard him conspire was when his mother had discovered he’d spent an evening gambling and he’d tried to whine his way out of it. She checked him off. Jonathon must be Mr. Cane’s cousin.

“Jonathon!” She was quite pleased with her deducing skill.

They neared another wooded area and she found herself willing the horse into the hedge of safety. He slowed the pace and guided the horse into the woods.

“Ah-ha. So you have made a man angry enough to shoot at you. Perhaps, I should just let you off here.”

“You can’t do that. You wouldn’t get your ransom. And I was inferring that Jonathon is your cousin, not that he is the man shooting at us.” She lifted her chin.

 “You already said your father wouldn’t pay a ransom.” He handled the horse with ease through the trees not hesitating on the route to take.

“You sir, are a manipulator of words. I said I would not be so certain my father will pay for my return. He was rather angry with me last night.” Mr. Cane might be her kidnapper, but she definitely didn’t want him to drop her off in the middle of the woods with some mad man chasing them down. A shiver went up her spine. He seemed the lesser of two evils.

His hand covered hers where she held on for dear life. He patted it as if he’d felt her tremble. “Fathers get mad, but they still love their children.” His voice softened. “He’ll be grieved even more now that you are gone. I’m sure he’ll receive you with open arms just like the father and the prodigal son.”

Mr. Cane maneuvered the horse through the dense underbrush and heavily wooded area, weaving around fallen trees and limbs. She no longer had a clue in the direction they headed. If she did manage to escape, she’d not know in where to run.

“Just return me to my father. I’ll tell him you saved me from the man who is chasing us. You were even wounded as proof. I’m sure he will reward you handsomely for it. That is if you believe what you just told me.”

“Such an innocent flower.” He twisted in his seat and brushed the back of his finger over her cheek. “If only that were possible. For I begin to believe my cousin has lied to me. But my hands are tied. I must deliver you to him as much as that grieves me.”

Her stomach flipped as skin met skin. Her body betrayed her with her captor. She gritted her teeth. One didn’t give up a perfect man for someone who went around kidnapping women at the whim of his cousin. “What does Jonathon want with me?”

“Jonathon? Who in tarnation is Jonathon?”

“I thought he was your cousin.”

“No cousin with that name that I know of.” He flicked the reins, guiding the horse between two large trees and under a low branch. “Duck your head.” He bent low, flattening his body against the horse’s neck.

In shock that she still didn’t know who had her abducted, she didn’t comprehend his last words until it was too late. The force of the branch striking her forehead thrust her backwards. Had she not had a fierce grip on Mr. Cane, she would have tumbled off the horse. She sucked in her breath as a sharp pain threatened to steal her consciousness. Closing her eyes, a tear slipped out, sending a warm trail down her cheek.

“We’re here.” He pulled the horse to a stop and jumped down.

 A single bird could be heard off in the woods. Celia concentrated on its songs, trying to overcome the pain. The joyful chirping faded and she forced open her eyes, expecting to see Mr. Cane waiting on her to dismount.

Instead he gawked. She followed the direction of his gaze to her ankles peeking out from beneath her hiked up dress as she sat on the saddle. She tugged at the fabric in an attempt to lower the hem over her slippered feet. “Would you be so kind as to help me down?”

He slowly drew his eyes up to lock with hers. He lifted his arms. “By your leave.”

She couldn’t move. In the excitement of being abducted and shot at she had forgotten her promise. Now as if to cement her vow the man used the same phrase a second time. He arched a brow and she glanced at the dangling reins. Perhaps she could slide forward and kick the horse into motion, leaving behind this man and her vow.

As if he’d once again read her mind, he reached up and pulled her out of the saddle. Her feet hit the ground, but he didn’t release her. He towered over her like a great oak tree. She tipped her head back and glared. Her knees quivered.

He frowned. Then gingerly brushed his lips over her forehead. “You didn’t duck.” He wiped the tear with his thumb.

Her breath caught in her throat.

A branch snapped.

Turner Cane lowered his hand and spun around. He stepped aside revealing the truth of why she was there. “I assume you know William, my cousin.”

The man sneered. “I believe she knows me better as Gregory.”

Contributed by Debbie Lynne Costello www.debbielynnecostello.com

Leave a comment with your thoughts on this chapter to be entered into the grand prize drawing! (Don't forget to leave your email so we can contact you!)

Click HERE tomorrow to read Chapter 4 of A Vow Fulfilled!!!

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Stop Agreeing with the Devil!

Can two walk together, unless they are agreed? Amos 3:3

Did you know that the Devil is pretty powerless here on earth?  Yes, he's the ruler of this age, having tricked the deed to earth from Adam. Yes, he's pure evil and the father of lies and he's definitely out to stop Christians from spreading the truth, but he can't do very much on his own.  If you read the book of Job, you'll see that Satan had to get permission from God to even lay a single hand on Job.  He can't touch us. Not really. You see,  he's stuck in a different realm, a spirit realm that is pure darkness.  God cast him and the angels that rebelled with him there after they lost the battle.

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;  2 Peter 2:4

Notice  these are chains of darkness. Not chains of iron or chains of steel, but chains of darkness. In other words, they are locked up by the dark.

Most people cannot see into this spirit realm. Occasionally God will grant a vision to some of his followers but for the most part, we don't go around seeing angels and demons and the devil all around us. (Thank God for that!)  The truth is, Satan and his demons must act through humans to affect this world. They must find people who either out of ignorance or wickedness will do their bidding.  And from the looks of the world, they are finding plenty!  

But what about believers?  All Satan can do to us is tell us lies. All day long and all night long, he's whispering lies into our ears, hoping, trying desperately to get us to believe him. Once we believe the lie, we are in agreement with him. We are basically saying, I agree with you. I believe you. And once we do that he has power over us. 

This is what Jesus said of Satan

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. John 8:44

Notice the phrase, speaketh of his own. Another version states it as "of his own resources"  In other words, Satan is all alone in his lies. Jewish tradition and even our own court system today requires more than one reliable witness to make anything true.  Jesus himself, when speaking to the religious leaders who demanded to know on whose authority he acted, said this.

But the testimony which I have is greater than the testimony of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me
And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me;  and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.  John 5^:37-42


Here we see that Jesus has three witnesses to Him being the Son of God. The miracles, Father God, and the Scriptures.  But Satan has none of those and no one who agrees with him. That's why he so desperately needs our cooperation. 


So, Satan whispers in your ear things like: 
You won't find a job, you'll be on the street without food or shelter
You're going to die of cancer
Your kids are going to hell
You're never going to find a mate
You're ugly and stupid
You're a loser
You're worthless
Nobody loves you
You'll never get out of debt
Are you sure there's a God?
If God loved you, He wouldn't allow this to happen

Any of this sound familiar? Anyone?   I've heard every one of those.  But they are all lies. Even if some of them sound like they have a shred of truth to them.. that's part of his tactic. They are ALL LIES. If you weaken and start believing any of them, then you've given Satan a foothold in your life. Now, he has two witnesses to his lies. Once he gets in, he works on destroying your faith, filling you with fear, tempting you to do something outside of God's will, cause God isn't coming through for you, is He?  If you keep believing him.. you'll soon find that you've wandered way off the path and you're in a big mess!  

When I heard this in a sermon, it changed my life. Satan had been defeated and defanged. He can't harm you unless you give him permission. So, stop believing his lies. Open your Bible and start speaking the truth outloud to him and he'll go away. For a time. But he'll be back with a new set of lies. When he does, I'm going to be ready for him. How about you?

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