Essential Atlas of the Bible, Carl G. Rasmussen

 

Essential Atlas of the Bible is a great way to understand the life, culture, and world of the time before and after Christ. This book is great for visual learners as it has multidimensional, full color maps, color photographs, as well as charts, and weather roads. What I found to be the most helpful in bringing together the Biblical content with what I was also seeing in the photos and the maps was the historical background. This is essential in understanding what we read in the Bible.

This book by Carl G. Rasmussen is a simple yet very detailed atlas of the Bible that will be a great asset to any Biblical study. Whether you are doing your own study or taking a Bible class, this will be a book that will add to your understanding of the Bible. Better yet, it will help make the Bible come alive as you see the places that Jesus walked, understand more fully Paul’s missionary journeys and much more.

Pick up your Bible and get to researching with the Essential Atlas of the Bible.

I received this book from booklookbloggers.com and these opinions are my own.

Love amidst rejection

Feb. 3, 2014

I have been struggling to write lately these days. There has been so much going on inside of me that it is almost as if all of my words and writing ability has been stuck deep within me. A major reason why I have been struggling to write is because I have been dealing with some deep hurt and rejection.

I have never handled rejection well. In fact, because of the fear of rejection, I tended to be a people pleaser most of my life. It is still something that the Lord has to keep me in check about every day, especially regarding important decisions. The past several years of my life has been a journey of giving this part of myself up to the Lord.

There have been times where it has felt like my heart has been ripped away and then slapped back into my chest because the people I wanted to accept me would not. But God is more important. Choosing Him is my main desire. My love for Him will be shown in my actions. I will let me life speak for itself. Those who know me know how deeply I love my Savior.

My heart has been aching so much lately. I have been dealing with the final and ultimate rejection of a dear one I never dreamed would walk out of my life. My heart has been broken in a new way. Yet, it still beats everyday and the Lord continues to give me the strength to love and serve so many amazing people, whom He calls by name.

Amidst my own turmoil, the Lord speaks life into my being and continues to reveal to me His truth and love. Some days, all I can do is cry in His arms. But I would not want to be anywhere else. In those moments of complete peace and rest with my Best Friend, I am able to see just how He sees what I am going through. There are times where He has to correct things in my own heart. Ugly things that He desires to make beautiful.

Other moments He tells me how proud He is of me for living radically, faithfully for Him. There is nothing better than to know that when He looks at me, He smiles proudly and always has time for coffee. He is everything to me. Without Him, I would be dead, both literally and spiritually. Jesus has saved me from myself. Just as He has already used so much bad for good, I trust that He will continue to do this the rest of my life.

I understand that I am not the only one working through the pain from others. If you have or currently are dealing with this very thing know that there is a Savior that understands. He will turn all things into something beautiful in time!

Here are a few scriptures that I continually meditate on depending on the day that remind me of the hope that I have in Christ.

Luke 6:20-23

“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.”

Did you catch that last part? “Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven.” This is stated after it talks about others excluding and reviling you!

The other passage of scripture that I have found much solace in is Psalm 35. It is a Psalm that seems to communicate how I feel in the moment of rejection, especially when it does not make sense. David experienced horrible actions and rejection by King Saul. Saul even tried to kill David multiple times for no other reason than jealousy. I have yet to have someone attempt to kill me but I have moments where I feel like the enemy certainly has tried. 

Remember that when you live for Christ fully, you will be hated. You will be excluded and reviled. People will gossip and slander your name because of Christ in you. Have hope, knowing that God is proud of you for living faithfully for Him. Have hope, knowing that your reward is something that will last eternally.

Forgive daily, stand for truth, and let the Lord have His justice in His time. Let His love consume your heart. Let His Love overflow and splash onto everyone, even if they exclude and revile you. They are worth loving even if they will never accept the love you give them.

Love. Love deeply and never give up.

Merlin's Shadow by Robert Treskillard

 



Once again, Robert Treskillard, has done an impeccable job captivating readers into the second book of The Merlin Spiral in, Merlin's Shadow. You will be swept right back up into the action packed story that began in Merlin's Blade.

I could not help but read late into the night as the battle against light and dark raged in greater depth. Despair and hopelessness seemed to grow and evil overtook hearts of men and women in different ways. As much as the spiritual battle against Almighty God and all that Merlin stands for continues, the triumph over the enemy has the greater emphasis interwoven into the pages. Not only will you relate to the doubts and inner turmoil that Merlin goes through, you will be able to feel like you are a part of his own victory. This victory is a deeper one, and it is one that many of us can also choose in our own lives.

Robert Treskillard has incredible talent and the messages of God's goodness, power, and love throughout the books will also encourage you. If you have not started this series, and love fiction books filled with fantasy, and spiritual truths, you need to start reading, The Merlin Spiral today. Merlin's Shadow will not disappoint you.

I got this book free from booksneeze.com and these opinions are my own.

All that she needed to know

She stood there shimmering with a beauty that defied all logic. After everything that she had been through many believed that she would be destroyed forever, left in the dirty muck. But there she stood, clothed in truth and a freedom that came only from the Almighty.

A man, who watched silently in the shadows, wanted nothing more than for her to stay bound in the dirty mud that once encased her. He looked her over with jealous disdain. She was clothed in white and wore a pearl necklace of remarkable worth. This necklace represented real beauty that is found only in an honest relationship with Jesus. It represented the truth of being redeemed and having every chain of fear, abandonment, abuse, and lies dropped to the grave. She was free. She was pure. She radiated Love.

In anger he pulled out a fake pearl necklace and walked toward her. He was tired of seeing her stand upright, smiling with joy. Her laugh grated at his nerves. She glanced his way the closer he moved towards her. She recognized his face. He was a familiar companion yet one she had been freed from years ago. Despite his advance towards her, she started to sing, closing her eyes as she peacefully smiled in worship.

This infuriated him so much that he screamed for her to take off the necklace she was wearing and put on the one he had in his hands. She opened her eyes in time to tell him no and made sure her footing was firmly planted so that she would not move. Being denied, he furiously brought up his hands and attempted to rip off the necklace around her neck. 

Pain shot through her neck, head, and back. Nothing he did was able to break such an incredible gift. The more he tugged, the firmer she stood despite the pain. When he was tired of yanking her necklace, he wrapped his hands around her neck to strangle out her voice, which she was using to speak words of loving truth. The tighter his grip, the stronger she fought for her voice. 

She pleaded with the Lord, asking for help from such binding actions. Jesus, having been the one to give her such a gift of priceless worth stepped into the room. She saw him in the distance with relief. He nodded to her to do what He had prepared her to do in this moment. In an upward motion, and with all of the strength within her, she broke off the hands that were slowly choking out her voice.

His eyes went wide. His grasp on her had been broken. Pain shot through her entire body as she gasped for air. Her throat throbbed.

Then Jesus, in all of His glory, appeared behind her. She was filled with awe as the man could only cower, desperately fighting the urge to kneel to the King of Kings. And as he collapsed to the floor, she stood victorious. Jesus wrapped His arms around her gently and whispered in her ear words that filled her with strength. These words she would forever remember. 

Jesus said, "I am so proud of you!"

That is all that she needed to know.  

Come Home

Jamie's Song- Kristene Mueller

(I walked down the aisle on my wedding day to this as a prayer that someday you would come home to us... after all, we all were wanderers who had been found in the arms of God when He pursued us. You are loved.)

I stand here on the sidelines, feeling helpless, yet the prayers I pray shake the atmosphere.

A broken dream I never knew could break is being smashed to pieces before me.

How can you not see it? 

How can there be such destruction?

My heart breaks as each piece falls.

I moan in agony as I see the final blow being wound up to finish what the enemy started long ago.

God, please intervene! 

We need you!

The ache is almost too much to bear.

Each breath is a painful reminder of that which has just been lost.

I weep, creating an ocean with my tears.

And only you God can save me from these torrent waves. 

....

   L

      O

         V

            E

              .. 

                 ..

                   C

                      O

                         M

                             E

                                ..

                                  ..

                                    S

                                      A

                                         V

                                            E

                                              ..

                                                ..

                                                  M

                                                     Y

                                                       ..

                                                        ..

                                                          FAMILY

                                                           

Forgive us for our dark places that were never surrendered to your light.

Forgive us for following other lovers.

Extend your mercy upon us.

Heal this family and put back together all of these broken pieces.

We need you.

                    Go find them.

                                        Bring them home.

                                                                  Please come home.

Psalm 119:10

 “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!”

Messiah- a stunning, artistic portrayal of the Gospel

Messiah: Origin, is the first in a volume artistically telling the Gospel. This book is beautiful, and breathtaking artistically. The writing is simple and may disappoint those who want the full written text like a book. But to a visual learner, this book will be a great way to read the origin of our awesome Messiah. It brought me joy to see pictures that depicted what I was reading. To me, it is just another way to bring the Bible to life in our own lives.

For those of you who like to read the story of Christmas individually or as a family, this book will be a great asset to your devotional time and family time. The artwork alone can help young children get a better grasp of the birth of Jesus and remind us as adults that we too need to come to the Lord with faith like a child. 

The format may not be something that everyone likes but the visual depictions and the simple layout of the scriptures is a great addition to your daily Bible reading. These volumes will be a wonderful way to read the Bible as a family, as it brings the scriptures to life.

I received this book free from booksneeze.com and these opinions are my own.

Merlin's Blade- Robert Treskillard

 

















In the book of Merlin's Blade by Robert Treskillard, action, the battle against good and evil, and mystery will keep you in suspense as you read about Merlin before the time of King Arthur. Although the book is about a time that many associate with magic, Treskillard, writes a beautiful perspective of a pure, devoted heart of Merlin who learns how to battle an unknown magical and deceptively powerful enemy, with the power of prayer to the Almighty. You will be caught up in intense scenes of a spiritual battle that will make you want to read late into the night.

This is a teen fiction novel that I would highly recommend as the spiritual realm, and what some would consider fantasy, collide with the natural. The story of Merlin, a sweet and blind boy who desires only to serve Jesus, turns out to show more heroism than most adult warriors. It shows that the power of God is bigger than any other power or force. It reminds you that God uses those who love him even if they do not feel qualified for the task at hand. Above all, Jesus is Lord of all.

Please read Merlin's Blade. It will captivate you and you will not be disappointed as you read example after example of good prevailing over evil.


I received this book for free from booksneeze.com and these opinions are my own.