Verse of the Day

We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:1–3 nlt

Verse of the Day

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers  everywhere. (Ephesians 6:10–18 NLT)

Verse of the Day

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left. (Isaiah 30:21 NLT)

You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 MSG)

Verse of the Day

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [what we believe]. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14–16)

Verse of the Day

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. Galatians 6:9–10 msg

Verse of the Day

These verses contain the premise of my recent release, Calming the Storm Within: God's Peace for Depression and Anxiety (http://bit.ly/1qxk3Qm):

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them also offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of His works with joyful singing. . . . They . . . were at their wits' end. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet, so He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! (Psalm 107:19–22, 27–31)

Verse of the Day

But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love. (Psalm 59:16–17 NLT)

Verse of the Day

“Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” Isaiah 41:10 msg

Verse of the Day

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I will put my trust. I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to Me? . . . This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, I God I have put my trust. I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 56:3–4, 9–11 NASB)

Verse of the Day

Pile your troubles on GOD's shoulders—he'll carry your load, he'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin. (Psalm 55:22 MSG)

But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. (Luke 5:16 NLT)

Verse of the Day

Jesus said, "Come off by yourselves; let's take a break and get a little rest." For there was constant coming and going. They didn't even have time to eat. (Mark 6:31 MSG)

True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. (Psalm 23:3 MSG)

This past year has been one of the most difficult years we've experienced, individually and as a couple. We celebrated 36 years of marriage last month, so we're talking about a long time. The difficulties seemed to come from all directions and on several levels of intensity, many times burying us under the vast weight of them coming all at once. However, this past year has also brought us many huge blessings—a much nicer house to rent; a beautiful granddaughter, Peyton; the release of the book of my heart—assuring us that the Lord has everything under control. 

The last three months have been particularly intense, with two conferences, my annual writers' retreat, vacation to meet our new granddaughter, and a family reunion—all of which required travel. After this last trip, coming on the heels of 15 days in Pennsylvania, I literally am at my breaking point physically, emotionally, and mentally. But I keep hearing the Lord speak the words to me that He spoke so long ago to His disciples after a particularly intense time of ministry: "Come off by yourselves; let's take a break and get a little rest." 

Notice that He included Himself in this invitation. He doesn't intend for me—for any of His followers—to take a rest break without Him. Nor is He saying it will take a long time—though I do think if I don't take Him up on this short break, I may end up taking a much longer time and not so pleasant physically or emotionally. As I said to my wonderfully patient and loving hubby the other night, I feel as though I'm going to break. I'm as fragile as glass. 

The timing is a little ironic in that my book, Calming the Storm Within: God's Peace for Depression and Anxiety, released two weeks ago. As I was working through the final proof copy, I kept thinking I needed to take my own advice! No, I'm not clinically depressed, but the defeated enemy would like me to think I am. However, for my own physical and emotional mental health I need to rest a while. My body, plagued with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis (both chronic conditions with lots of pain and fatigue), is telling me I'm nearing a major collapse. My mind is fuzzy with fibro-fog and fatigue, and emotionally even I don't know what to expect. 

So after much prayer and counseling and advice, I'm taking a short break in order to rest in my Lord, to regain some physical strength and emotional stability. It's not a total break from my responsibilities, but it is a granting myself permission to take life much slower, spend much time with my Lord and less time with all the work piling up on all sides. I'll still do some of that, but only as I have the mental acuity I need for writing, editing, and yes, even marketing Calming the Storm Within. I'm taking the next two weeks, through Labor Day, and then we'll assess where I am. If I need more time, I'll take it, but I'm hoping that by then I'll be restored and ready to take on again the many responsibilities of my calling in the Lord's strength. 

Pray for me, too, as I look at everything I'm doing and seek the Lord's direction to prioritize or drop the many responsibilities I seem to collect. I sense I am at the threshold of new ministry opportunities, but I want to be sure these are truly of His leading and not of my own devising. The Lord is truly my Shepherd, and I believe He will do as He promised in The Message paraphrase of Psalm 23: He will "let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction."  

Sky Zone by Creston Mapes

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Sky Zone

David C. Cook (June 1, 2014)

by

Creston Mapes

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Creston has fond memories of his boyhood in Bath, Ohio, where he became enchanted with his future wife, way back in the fourth grade. His father, Bernie, owned and operated The Weathervane Furniture Shop in town. The whole family lived right upstairs in the century-old house known as "The Shop."

Creston studied journalism at Bowling Green State University, then began his writing career. During the past 30 years, he has worked as a reporter, corporate copywriter, creative director, freelance writer, and author.


ABOUT THE BOOK


A rally for a controversial presidential candidate.
A terrorist threat.
A nightmare of cataclysmic proportions.

Jack and Pamela Crittendon have hit the breaking point. After months out of work as a reporter, Jack is playing Mr. Mom and working part-time at Festival Arena with his survivalist friend Brian Shakespeare. Meanwhile, Pamela has gone back to work full-time while eight months pregnant. Having her recently widowed mother on hand isn't making matters any easier.

With financial pressures boiling, Jack reports for duty at a rally for controversial presidential candidate Martin Sterling where he expects a mindless night on the job. But when Homeland Security picks up intel about a potential terrorist threat, Jack and Shakespeare are thrust into a life-or-death battle to save their own lives--and the lives of thousands of innocent people.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Sky Zone, go HERE.


Review to come later.

Verse of the Day

I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. (Isaiah 61:10 NLT)

Dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. . . . And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. (Colossians 3:12–14 MSG)

Verse of the Day

God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. (1 Corinthians 1:27 NLT)

"`Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts."  (Zechariah 4:6 NASB)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. (Ephesians 6:10 NASB)

Verse of the Day

And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him. (1 John 5:14–15 AMP)

Verse of the Day

Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him!" (Hosea 6:3 NLT)

As a result, I can really know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I can learn what it means to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that, somehow, I can experience the resurrection from the dead! I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. (Philippians 3:10–14 NLT)

Verse of the Day

"Be strong and courageous. . . . Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:6–9)

Verse of the Day

We do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. . . . The Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26–27

I want you to be free from anxieties. 1 Corinthians 7:32

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3