Find God in an Interview with Rick Warren (Saddleback Church) on ABC

April 26, 2012 By 1 Comment

By Dianne E. Butts:

 

A few weeks ago on Easter, Jake Tapper, sitting in for George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s “This Week,” talked with Pastor Rick Warren about the Christian faith, politics, and more. You may find God in this interview with Rick Warren on ABC (embedded below).

Rick Warren is pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, and author of The Purpose Driven Life: What On Earth Am I Here For? which has sold more than 30 million copies and been translated into more than 50 languages.

When asked about when he has felt unable to trust God, Warren said, “I think a lot of times God takes away your feelings so you have to depend on faith. And faith is kind of like a tide: it rolls in, it rolls out. You keep on going.”

On Mitt Romney’s Mormonism: A ChristianPost.com article recapped Warren’s thoughts: “The ‘key sticking point,’ for many Christians regarding whether Mormons share their faith is the trinity, according to Warren. ‘That’s the historic doctrine of the Church. That God is three-in-one. Not three Gods. One God in Father, son and Holy Spirit. Mormonism denies that.’”

Warren gave the invocation at President Obama’s inauguration.  Tapper asked what’s the state of the union spiritually? Warren said the coarsening of our culture and the loss of civility in our civilization concern him most.

On politics, the Christian Post.com article said Warren “believes in the separation of church and state, but does not believe in the separation of faith and politics.”

“Faith is simply a worldview,” Warren said in the interview. “Everybody has a world view. So we’re saying that only those with religious worldviews aren’t welcome at the table? …I’m in favor of everybody being able to come to the table with a worldview. I do not believe in imposing what I believe on everybody else.”

About  Tim Tebow? “The fact that Tebow would get criticized for kneeling and praying? I could give you 15, or 50, other things you should be more worried about in that coliseum than a kid kneeling down to thank God that he played good.”

Asked by a viewer via Twitter if Warren believes faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven, the pastor said, “I do believe that… Jesus said, ‘I am the way. He didn’t say, ‘I’m one of the ways… I don’t think any of us deserve to go to heaven. I think the only way any of us get into heaven is God’s grace… The fact is, it’s available to everybody.”

Listen to the whole interview. You may find God in this  interview with Rick Warren.

Rick Warren from Saddleback Church on ‘This Week With George Stephanopoulos’ interviewed by Jake Tapper

Video interview:

© Dianne E. Butts. Dianne is a freelance writer, author, and screenwriter. Her latest book is Deliver Me, for those in an unplanned pregnancy or with one in their past, just won a “Book of the Year” award. Her first book Dear America has just been republished for Kindle. Follow her writing at www.DeliverMeBook.blogspot.com

 

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Finding God in Fashion

April 25, 2012 By 2 Comments

By Karen O’Connor:

Faith and Fashion: Are they compatible?

 

I read a column in today’s Wall Street Journal about what’s in and what’s out when it comes to fashion. Shoulder pads from the 1980s are definitely out. Soft fabrics and slimmer lines are in. Men’s swimsuits are back to the boxer style “with drawstrings and dignity” as the headline proclaimed, and T-shirts and flip-flops are still okay.

I wondered, as I read, if anyone considered finding God in fashion. That may create a chuckle or a smirk. In church, maybe, but in fashion? Who’d believe that?

It’s worth a thought as I see it. After all, it was Jesus Himself who reminded us not to ask the question, “‘What shall we wear?” Your heavenly Father knows what you need. Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:31-33, NIV Bible).

Of course we want to look attractive and be part of the culture of our day. God does not expect us to walk around in togas and robes (though sandals have stood the test of time). But obsessing about the latest trends creates stress and competition and takes our hearts away from our Creator and the wonderful provision He has for each one of us. It also tempts us to wear clothing that reveals the parts of our bodies that should be kept to ourselves.

The next time you walk into a clothing store think about what really matters—dressing for the one who made you––and then select clothes after first finding God in fashion.

I really like this passionate YouTube video with Elizabeth Inrig from Trinity Church in Redlands, California on how to dress modestly and attractively.

Modesty and the Christian Woman

As swimsuit season approaches, need a lead to some cute but modest swimsuits? Try Lime Ricki or Divine Modestee!

©Karen O’Connor. Karen is an author, writing mentor, and frequent contributor to the Finding God Daily blog. Visit Karen on the web at www.karenoconnor.com.

Comments welcome! Have you found creative ways to be fashionable yet modest at the same time?

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Find God While Drinking Coffee: Help Rwandan Genocide Survivors

April 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Dianne Neal Matthews:

While spending a week with my daughter and her family, I decided to visit the church they attend instead of going to my former one. Little did I know that I would find God while drinking coffee that morning. As soon as I stepped through the doors, I saw a familiar face.

My friend Fred and I chatted as he tended the coffee bar. When my son asked him what brand coffee the church used, Fred told us the fascinating story behind a company called Land of a Thousand Hills.

In April 1994, Rwanda (an African country half the size of the state of Maryland) suffered one of history’s most atrocious genocides. In only 100 days, almost one million ethnic Tutsi and moderate Hutu sympathizers were killed by extremist Hutu militia. In the aftermath of civil war, Rwanda made a commitment to national restoration. The government asked the church to guide the country toward reconciliation and called on the outside world to support them as it looked to heal and eradicate poverty, disease, and illiteracy.

After the genocide, I visited Rwanda for the first time. I asked the local priest in the village of Bukonya how Americans could help his country rebuild. He replied, “sell our coffee.”  In that moment the Bukonya blend was born. Jonathan D. Golden (From landofathousandhills.com)

In 2001, Jonathan Golden, founder of Land of a Thousand Hills, recognized a tangible opportunity to impact the lives of the Rwandan people. He started a coffee company that pays a fair wage to the farmers of Rwanda, helps them with basic needs, and offers a quality product to coffee drinkers. The introduction of this concept to the healing fields of Rwanda opened the door for formerly warring countrymen to not only rebuild their homesteads, but to work together toward lasting peace. A commitment to excellence in coffee has brought dignity and hope to a nation that history suggested would never recover.

 Help Rwandan Genocide Survivors

Through Land of a Thousand Hills  (on Twitter as @1000HillsCoffee) you can enjoy your coffee while also offering help to these African communities. The company’s website promises, “When you buy Land of a Thousand Hills, you are receiving coffee that is 100% Arabica, fairly traded, and roasted fresh. Your excellent morning cup is offering hope to these developing coffee communities with each purchase.” Thus the company’s tagline: Drink Coffee. Do Good.™ Thanks to Land of a Thousand Hills, many people are find God while drinking coffee at church.

In this short video, watch images from Rwanda and the coffee workers accompanied by moving music:

 ©Dianne Neal Matthews. Dianne is a freelance writer and the author of The One Year Women of the Bible (Tyndale House Publishers) and three other daily devotional books. Visit her at www.DianneNealMatthews.com or @DianneNMatthews.

 

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Find God in Prophecies of Chaotic Weather

April 19, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Dianne E. Butts:

Finding God in Chaotic Weather: Image by Salvatore Vuono

It’s April and storm season, the time for violent weather. If we look into Scripture, it’s possible we can find God in prophecies of chaotic weather.

In Luke 21:25-26, Jesus was talking about the Signs that would come before His second coming when He comes to judge the world. He said,

“There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.”

Some people think this Bible verse could refer to increased intensity in chaotic weather patterns on earth.

We’ve certainly seen a lot of intense weather in the United States in recent years. The National Weather Service sent out strong warnings prior to and during the weekend of April 14 – 15, 2012. And tornadoes did form across the Midwest, tearing up towns like Woodward, Oklahoma.

The largest tornado outbreak ever recorded occurred just a year ago.  According to Wikipedia, the 2011 Super Outbreak, occurred from April 25 to 28, 2011 when destructive tornadoes hit Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia.

The Wikipedia article says, regarding that 2011 outbreak, “In total, 353 tornadoes were confirmed by the National Weather Service in 21 states from Texas to New York and even isolated tornadoes in Canada. Widespread and destructive tornadoes occurred on each day of the outbreak, with April 27 being among the most prolific and destructive tornado days in United States history with a record 208 tornadoes touching down that day. Four of the tornadoes were destructive enough to be rated EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which is the highest ranking possible; typically these tornadoes are only recorded about once each year or less.”

The number killed as a result of those tornadoes: 346 people.

Less than a month later, on Sunday afternoon, May 22, 2011, Joplin, Missouri, was struck by an EF5 multiple-vortex tornado. “It was part of a larger late-May tornado outbreak sequence and reached a maximum width of in excess of 1 mile (1.6 km) during its path through the southern part of the city,” Wikipedia says. The number of deaths directly linked to the tornado: 160.

Jesus also mentioned “the roaring and tossing of the sea.” If you’re curious about earthquakes and tsunamis, I wrote about those in these two articles: “Find God in Prophecy about Earthquakes” and “Signs of the End Times? – Earthquakes and Tsunamis.”

Throughout the Bible we can see that, because of His great love for all people, God always sends warnings before He sends His judgments (which are disasters meant to put a stop to or slow down increased sin. His ultimate judgment will be His second coming.). But people don’t always listen. They say, “It’s not God. It’s global warming.” Do you think God is warning us through tornadoes and other disasters? If yes, are you listening? If you are, then you might find God in prophecies of chaotic weather.

© Dianne E. Butts. Dianne is a freelance writer, author, and screenwriter. Her latest book is Deliver Me is for those in an unplanned pregnancy or with one in their past, and just won “Book of the Year” at Christian Small Publisher’s Association. Her first book Dear America is now available on Kindle. Follow her writing at www.DeliverMeBook.blogspot.com.

April 2012 Tornado Videos

At TornadoVideos.net, see: Update from the April 14, 2012 tornado outbreak.)

Also see this video below, showing what an amazing creator we have:

From YouTube: Top 20 Amazing Weather Phenomena

 

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Finding God in a Stew Pot in Africa

April 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Karen O’Connor:

Sometimes our plans are not God’s. Janie unexpectedly found the will of God in a stew pot.

 

My young church friend Janey could hardly wait to board the plane with her college friends for a short-term summer mission in the Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) in Central Africa.

The group’s purpose was to meet native Africans, and to move from village to village supporting Christian leaders in showing a film about the life of Christ. The furthest thing from her mind was finding God in a stew pot.

But then one evening at dusk, an African man on the crew called her aside and asked her to prepare stew for dinner. “That was the last thing I felt like doing,” said Janey. “I was annoyed that he chose a woman to do the cooking. Why not a guy? Besides, that’s not what I came for. I wanted to share Jesus with the people, not be stuck in front of a stove.”

But Janey didn’t have a choice. She was told to get on it.

“Then the most amazing thing occurred,” she said smiling. “As I peeled carrots and potatoes, and cut up pieces of stew meat, I looked up for a moment, and there in the midst of this beautiful tropical setting, I noticed mothers walking back and forth, busy with their duties, as children played and ran down the dirt paths.”

Janey lingered over the scene when suddenly the sky turned an intense bright orange––almost red.

“It was the most stunning sunset I had ever seen. I couldn’t stop looking at it. Moments before I had been so focused on what would gratify me, I almost missed this exquisite gift, and the entire point of the trip, which was to serve where I was needed. I turned back to my task. There I was finding God in a stew pot—a most unexpected place,” she said. “And I was filled with unspeakable joy.”

I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food.  (Psalm 132:15, NIV Bible)

Then Janey added, “It was the best stew I ever ate!”

For delicious beef stew, check out the instructions on this YouTube video:

How To Make Great Beef Stew, Fast & Easy

You can also print this beef stew recipe.

Have you ever had an intended mission interrupted by an unexpected moment from God?  Sometimes our plans are not His! Share your own story with us in a Comment (link is by the article title).

 ©Karen O’Connor. Karen is an author, writing mentor, and frequent contributor to the Finding God Daily blog. Visit Karen on the web at www.karenoconnor.com

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Finding God: Help for the Compulsive Gambler

April 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Karen O’Connor:

Help for the Compulsive Gambler

 

“It only takes a dollar and a dream.” For many men and women that’s all they need to read on a poster or on the Internet to lead them to the nearest casino or web site. From there, thousands begin a slow descent into compulsive gambling.

Some however, actually find God while gambling because they wake up to the destruction they’re causing themselves and their loved ones.

When Lydia’s husband of 44 years passed away, he left her set for life financially. She joined a senior club in her community and signed up for a bus trip to a gaming hall.

“That was the beginning of the end for me,” she admitted. “I enjoyed the feeling of watching the wheel spin and the dice fall in my favor––at least part of the time. It was enough to bring me back.”

Lydia continued her gambling pattern until she went through $200,000 before seeking help on the counsel of her son.

According to Dr. Robert Perkinson , clinical director of Keystone Treatment Center (keystonetreatment.com) in South Dakota, compulsive gambling “is called the hidden illness since there is no smell on the breath nor stumbling of steps or speech.”

Dr. Perkinson focuses on three steps to recovery at his treatment center. He claims people need to:

• get honest about their addiction

• go to Gamblers Anonymous meetings and participate with others

• get on a spiritual path to God.

“Ninety percent of addicts who take these actions stay clean,” he said.

Perkinson also made the point that “many people know God’s teachings, but they are helpless to live by them, because of the addictive nature of gambling. Addiction stands in your way of God,” he said resolutely.

But those who find God through gambling and subsequent treatment discover that only He can release and save them: restoring them to sanity and serenity.

©Karen O’Connor. Karen is an author, writing mentor, and frequent contributor to the Finding God Daily blog. Visit Karen on the web at www.karenoconnor.com.

Here’s a YouTube video with one man’s story (audio) about the destruction caused by his being a compulsive gambler and how he found help:

Do you have a story to share about how gambling hurt you or your loved ones? Or something to share about how God helped you or someone else recover from this addiction?  We’d love to hear your thoughts on this. Click the link by the title: Leave a Comment.

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How to Pray? Be Specific and Find God

April 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Dianne E. Butts:

 How to Pray?

Believe in Prayer and Find God!

Do you pray? Have you ever asked God for anything? What happened? Did He answer, or did He leave you wondering why all you got was silence?

If you’re frustrated with your prayers (or with God’s answers to them), I’d like to suggest you pray specifically.

At times I’d been frustrated because I kept hearing of my friends getting amazing answers to their prayers, but when I prayed, I got nothing. Then one day it occurred to me that the problem may not be God’s answers (or lack of them). The problem might be my prayers.

I took a good look at my prayers and I realized my prayers were so vague I wouldn’t recognize God’s answers even if He had sent one! After all, if I ask Him to “bless” me or “bless” someone I love, what will that look like when the answer comes?

I decided I needed to get more intentional about my praying, which meant getting more specific.

Here is a story about Jesus in the Bible from Matthew 20:29-34.

“As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’

“The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’

“Jesus stopped and called them. ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked.

“‘Lord,’ they answered, ‘we want our sight.’

“Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.”

Those two men wanted something specific from Jesus, but their request at first was vague. When they really thought about what they wanted from Him and asked specifically, their faith was rewarded. What, specifically, do you want from God? What would you like Him to do for you? Is what you want within His will, meaning it doesn’t violate His good and pure personality? If yes, then get specific and ask Him.

Of course there can also be drawbacks to praying specifically. I wrote an article about the pitfalls of praying specifically, which includes having wrong motives, manipulating His answers, or not accepting His answers. You can find the others in the short article “Re-energize Your Prayer Life.”

If you really give some thought to what you want from God (within His good will), and then if you work at asking Him specifically for what it is you need, you just might find you’re receiving real, solid answers to your prayers.

How to pray? Be specific!

Here are five more tips about praying from author and our blog founder, Linda Evans Shepherd, talking about a passage in her book, When You Can’t Find God: How to Ignite the Power of Prayer.

©Dianne E. Butts. Dianne is a freelance writer, author, and screenwriter. Her latest book is Deliver Me is for those in an unplanned pregnancy or with one in their past. Her first book Dear America has just been republished for Kindle. Follow her writing at www.DeliverMeBook.blogspot.com


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Finding God When We Fail to Believe

March 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Deborah Lovett:

In John 4:21 Jesus declared:

“Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.”

Sometimes we can actually be finding God when we fail to believe.  See if any of these ring true for you:

We fail to believe…. God has chosen us;
therefore, we don’t seek or search for our Savior.

We fail to believe…. God has given us royal robes to wear;
therefore, we walk around in rags of deprivation.

We fail to believe…. God loves us;
therefore, we do not obey.

We fail to believe…. God has a plan and a future for us;
therefore, we never fulfill our purpose.

We fail to believe…. God’s faithfulness stands firm;
therefore, we dive into despair.

We fail to believe…. God answers our prayers;
therefore, we just don’t ask.

We fail to believe…. God’s truth sets us free;
therefore, we live a lie.

We fail to believe…. God’s shield of protection;
therefore, we fret in fear.

We fail to believe…. God promises to provide;
therefore, we work like maniacs to achieve.

We fail to believe…. God’s warnings and discipline;
therefore, we continue in sin, refusing to repent.

We fail to believe…. God’s mercy and His forgiveness;
therefore, we continue in self-condemnation.

We fail to believe…. God’s gift of compassion is new every morning;
therefore, we fail to meet Him for quiet time.

We fail to believe…. God’s resurrection healing power;
therefore, we never find wholeness or restoration.

We fail to believe…. God brings joy in the morning;
therefore, we mourn the rest of our days.

We fail to believe…. God has the answers for our questions,
therefore, we never ask for wisdom.

We fail to believe…. God’s plan will not be thwarted;
therefore, we won’t wait or trust in His timing.

We fail to believe…. God can give us rest;
therefore, we are disquieted and burdened.

We fail to believe…. God can crown us with beauty;
therefore, our lives remain in ashes.

We fail to believe…. God wants us to put others first;
therefore, we put progress before people.

We fail to believe...God can cleanse our hearts and consciences;
therefore, we walk around in guilt and shame.

We fail to believe…in the Messiah’s offer of Living Water;
therefore, our souls remain thirsty.

We fail to believe…. God wants a personal relationship with us;
therefore, we walk in loneliness.

We fail to believe…. God sent His Son to die for our sins and
promised us eternal life,

therefore, we forfeit all the blessings, plans, life and power
of the resurrected Christ.

© 2012 Deborah Lovett. The above post is an excerpt from Deborah’s book,  Gushing Springs.  For information about how to get this book, visit www.DeborahLovett.com.

Here’s a YouTube video for those of you who do believe, but who have loved ones who seem not to, When Others Reject God — Daily Devotional by Shawn Boonstra:

 

 

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Finding God After a Tornado

March 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Deborah Lovett:

A few weeks ago my husband and I were watching the news, with horrendous pictures of tornadoes from the previous week. Our hearts were breaking for the people who had lost their homes. We knew what they were going through, having lost our own home in 2008 to a fire. So we decided to go. Just go!  We knew there must be a hurting family who would need to be finding God after a tornado hit their home, and God placed on our hearts this verse, Matthew 25:35 (New International Version):

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and your clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

We need to walk our talk by putting our boots to the pavement and actually doing what Jesus tells us to do in His Word, and by listening to the Holy Spirit and obeying His voice. So we headed out to Sam’s Club, loaded up our truck with cases of water, and headed for tornado alley.

You know the story of the lost sheep, lost coin, the lost son in Luke Chapter 15?  Well, at first my husband and I were the ones lost. Let me explain.

We intended to go to Moscow, Ohio where 25-30 homes had been destroyed and deliver the water. But we got lost –or sidetracked, as my husband likes to say! But God is so good. In our seeking to get back on track, He had us “find” this one family: a mom and daughter who had lost everything.

They lost their trailer, and all their belongings had been shredded. The tornado had literally destroyed everything. They were searching in the rubble for the little girls’ Barbies. God is so good: we may have been lost, but “He” had “found” this family in need of help and put us right there!  We weren’t lost, according to Him! We were right where we needed to be! We gave them water, Bibles, a bracelet for the little girl, and money for food. They had been passed over by the Red Cross, and were not on anyone’s radar but God’s!

Then we prayed over and for them: for God’s mercy, love, support, and provision. They did not have insurance, but they do have a God who loves them and found them in the midst of everything. They were the only ones hit from the tornado in their parts. It was a one hit touchdown, and no one else was affected around them. Little did they know that our God was on top of it!

It was a good Saturday and I am so glad we went. I wore my work boots and God did the walking and talking. Does this story speak to you today? Perhaps it has to do with where you are. If you have been lost, God is waiting for you and you are right where He wants you. Or is God nudging you to help someone? Please pray about it. For more ideas visit my website page, where I have tips on how to help someone who has lost a home from a fire or other disaster.

If you are reading this, then you still have your computer, and are so blessed. Give thanks and praise today for finding God in the tornadoes of life! Hug your friends and family!

Love always, Deborah

©Deborah Lovett.  You can visit Deborah at her website, at http://www.deborahlovett.com/fire-ministry.html.

Here’s a video showing the destruction in Moscow, Ohio, filmed by a member of the community.  This video shows the mass destruction in the area Deborah and her husband went to, to help. (Be aware that the running commentary takes the Lord’s name in vain a few times.However we do appreciate the videographer taking time to show the impact  of the tornado on his family’s community.)

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Finding God in Daylight Savings Time

March 11, 2012 By 1 Comment

By Dianne Neal Matthews:

Time changes are especially complicated internationally! (See video below.) Photo by melodi2

Finding God in Daylight Savings Time may sound like a strange idea. But the biannual ritual of changing our clocks can serve as a powerful reminder of why Jesus said, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.”  (John 9:4 NIV)

In 1916, Germany and the United Kingdom put Daylight Saving Time (DST) into practice during World War I. The U. S. instituted DST in 1918 in order to conserve fuel needed to produce electricity. Most areas reverted to standard time after the war. In 1942, the United States reinstated DST for the duration of World War II.

The Uniform Time Act of 1966 established a system of uniform DST throughout the country, except for states that voted to stay on standard time. Proponents of DST point out the reduction in energy consumption. Opponents claim that the benefit ­doesn’t justify the adjustment of clocks twice a year and note that the disruption of sleep patterns in the spring corresponds to a spike in the number of serious auto accidents.

In the spiritual realm, this biannual changing of the clocks can serve as a reminder that we have a limited time on this earth. ­Jesus was keenly aware that he had ­only three years to carry out his earthly ministry. He wanted his followers to have that same awareness and dedication to their God-given assignments. ­Jesus made the most of his “daylight” and accomplished his mission before he died.

We live in the day of salvation when God’s grace shines like the sun. We need to be about the business of bringing others into his Kingdom. But time is short. God has fixed the date, since the foundation of the world, when this present age will end. We ­don’t know how brief our life will be. While we’re changing our clocks, we can be finding God in Daylight Savings Time if we renew our commitment to make the most of our days by serving Him.

© Dianne Neal Matthews (www.DianneNealMatthews.com). Dianne is a freelance writer and the author of four daily devotional books. This article is adapted from her book, The One Year on This Day (Tyndale House).

This fun video explores the complexities, along with the pros and cons, of Daylight Savings Time:

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Finding God in the Battles

March 10, 2012 By 1 Comment

By Deborah Lovett:

Photo by gameanna / FreeDigitalPhoto.net

Recently I was struggling with some immense difficulties. Yet while taking notes of lessons learned in the process,  I ended up finding God in the battles.

Please allow me to share my lessons with you while they are fresh in my mind.  We can be strategic in our battle plans, or we can assume the fetal position and hope for the best. I suggest the former instead of the latter!

I don’t think God told us to “fight the good fight of faith” for nothing. But how do we do that?

Here are some suggestions:

  1. Believe. Believe God is good. Look for open doors and ask Him to shut doors He doesn’t want you to go through. Ask for a narrow path. Look for His eternal perspective; watch for where He is moving and where He is not. He will not play games. He will not try and make you guess. Delays, rerouting and disappointments may be trying to point you in a new direction. Listen up.
  2. Pray. Find friends who will hang with you in prayer until the battle is over. Pray each day, all day. Pray on the phone with a friend long distance. Pray in person with those close by. Pray with your family.
  3. Fast. Fast as long and as hard as God directs. I fasted many days through each day until dinner, then ate a light meal. God may ask you to fast all day, or fast from something like television or movies.
  4. Repent. Give up all known sin. This is essential. God is serious and so is the enemy. Show God you are more serious about winning the battle by putting away all idols.
  5. Praise. Worship and give thanks to God with music in your car, and in your home. Play it anywhere and everywhere you can. (Psalm 23:3 says that God inhabits the praises of his people.)
  6. Digest. Read the Word of God daily. It is not called a double-edged sword for nothing! Use it to do battle!
  7. Focus. Do not get distracted when the enemy turns up the heat. Keep your focus and keep calm. Remember God will fight this battle for you, with you, and after you. Center your attention on trusting Him when things go haywire, remembering are probably getting close to a breakthrough!
  8. Speak. Watch what you say and how you say it. Say what you believe God is giving you, out loud and in faith. Do not believe those who try to steal the blessing God is going to give you as you persevere.
  9. Persevere!  In all things stand firm! Keep going! Don’t give up!
  10. Remember. Jesus died and shed His blood so we could have victory, not be victims. The battle is won through unity in the spirit. Plead the blood of Jesus’ victory over sin and death over your own situation. Ask the spirit for wisdom for the strategy that will bring you victory in your situation! Then be obedient!

I am dancing in my high-heeled victory boots today!  Praising God!  Reaching for the heavens! I have had some huge battles in my life. I can see how finding God in the battles brings restoration along the way. My hope is that you will too.

Would you do me a favor? Pass this along to someone in the battle today. Pray for them as you email it to them or print it out and give it to them. God never wastes a thing. He is always good.

Love always, Deborah Lovett

©Deborah Lovett. Deborah is an author and speaker for Women’s Events. Contact Deborah at www.DeborahLovett.com for more information and to read about her book  Gushing Springs, which contains some amazing God stories.

Enjoy this inspiring song and lyrics from Laura Hackett (produced by Forerunner Music and International House of Prayer-Kansas City).

You can download Laura’s song, I Put on Christ, on iTunes. See also this great interview with Laura (on vimeo) about what inspired her to write that song.

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Finding God in Unity

March 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Deborah Lovett:

Image from Master isolated images

Let’s find God in unity today, instead of in conflict with–or separation from–others!

First let’s read how to maintain unity according to the Bible, in Ephesians 4:1-6:

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble, and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of who is over all and through all and in all.”

Now let’s break it down, shall we?

Symptoms of disunity:

  1. Personality conflicts. (God humbles the proud.)
  2. Single-issue people. (Continually hammer away at one issue.)
  3. Divisive people. (Seem to enjoy strife and conflict.)
  4. Angry people. (Create a false impression of control.)
  5. Powerful and controlling people. (Need no explanation!)
  6. Maybe you can think of some of your own?

Prescription for unity:

  1. Be humble. (God exalts the humble.)
  2. Be gentle. (Power under control.)
  3. Be patient. (Don’t demand your own way.)
  4. Be loving. (Don’t expect to get anything in return.)
  5. Be all God wants you to be through Jesus Christ and His grace.

Unity is a gift. There is unity in the Spirit.

Remember that Satan is the divider. Our battles are not against flesh and blood.

We are allowed to agree to disagree. Decide unity is a gift. Receive it. Maintain it. Today.

Now in order to “walk the talk” put your boots to the pavement and please share this with others in your church and your Pastor! Let’s be the first ones to rekindle the fires of unity in our Christian homes and churches! Be INTENTIONAL! Now walk in the boots of unity today with everyone you meet, as far as it possible with you!

Are you finding God in unity today?

Love always, Deborah Lovett

©Deborah Lovett. Deborah speaks to women who are brokenhearted, abandoned, abused, forgotten, alone, depressed and need to rekindle the flame of perseverance and restoration in their lives through Jesus Christ. She does this through her speaking engagements and books. Visit  www.DeborahLovett.comfor more information.

Here’s a touching video from someone who was once homeless. We need to reach out to others not only when personalities clash, but when we are out of our comfort zones and meeting people in difficult circumstances.

They’ll Know We are Christians by Our Love:

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Finding God in Disappointment

March 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Deborah Lovett:

 

Photo by David Castillo Dominici

I always say disappointments are really God’s re-appointments. Today I have to remind myself of that. It is even harder for me to handle disappointing circumstances my children experience than to handle my own. Yet I am finding God in disappointment.

Disappointments can lead to depression, if not nipped in the bud. Depression is the impression left from fear. The fear is that God really isn’t who He said He is, or that God didn’t say what I thought He said. In any case, God didn’t come through for me ~ is our thinking.  Which is total unbelief wrapped in fear.

Today we must make a plan, rather than analyzing and blaming, to start trusting and thanking. The plan is to turn our thinking upside down, because we know if we continue in the old pattern of thinking it will lead us to a dead end.

So try these new thoughts on for size:

God does not play favorites. Romans 2:11 (It’s not that He doesn’t like me.)

With the Lord, a day is like a thousand years. 2 Peter 3:8 (He has plenty of time.)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (He is working on my behalf.)

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14  (Rest and leave the results to God.)

…take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16 (I must choose faith.)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. John 10:10  (God always comes out on top~so we are more than conquerors.)

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Cor. 4:18 (This disappointment is building important character in me that I need.)

Love never fails. 1 Cor. 13:8  (Bottom line: God loves me.)

Do you get the idea? I call it “Layering the Word.”

We layer our clothing so we can take it off a little at a time. That is how to diffuse a disappointment. A little at a time, grieve the loss, layer the word, unpack it one piece at a time until “Peace like a river attendeth your soul,” and then you can say, “It truly is well with my soul.”

Remember: what may feel like He is failing you really is God’s love protecting you from something, or someone, or someplace that will not form you into His character. Or He is protecting you from something that will hurt,  not help you. He has promised in His Word to protect and provide.

Now go take your promised land: the reappointment! Do not look back. Believe in faith that God really does have your back, no matter what it looks like with human eyes.  If God hasn’t revealed that yet, wait patiently. He will: He is faithful.

As you believe, God will illuminate your path until you reach your destination, which will surpass the disappointment every time.  No U turns allowed. Keep those boots moving in forward motion until you are finding God in disappointment, then in his reappointment of your circumstances.

Love always,

Deborah

Deborah Lovett is a contagious speaker for women’s events and author of Gushing Springs, a Biblestudy for women of any age. For more information go to www.deborahLovett.com.

Be encouraged by this video with Dr. Charles Stanley:  Disappointment

 

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Finding God in Prophecy While Watching Jerusalem Live

March 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Dianne E. Butts:

Photo of Western Wall from Wikimedia Creative Commons posted at Finding God Daily

Photo from Wikimedia

On January 16, 2012, the topic of this blog was Finding God in Prophecy about Israel. Many Christians believe we are seeing ancient prophecies being fulfilled, or set up to be fulfilled, right before our very eyes.  It’s possible we may even see and be finding God in prophecy while watching Jerusalem live. That is, through cameras on the Temple Mount we can watch what is going on live right now in real time!

In my article, “Signs of the End Times? Mass and Vast Communications” on TheChristianPulse.com, I wrote about how some “prophecies seem to imply that mass communication—visual, not just audio—will need to exist for them to be fulfilled. Today we have radio, television, and the internet. These things did not exist much more than a century ago.”

Two examples of prophecies that might show world-wide visual communications are needed for End Times prophecy to be fulfilled are found in Revelation:

Revelation 11:7-10: “Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.”

and in:

Revelation 17:8: “The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.”

These events might be shown on the evening news or carried as “live” breaking news. But did you know that you can watch what is going on in Israel live right now?!

The “Live Kotel Cam” broadcasts 24/7/365 what is happening at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. You can also view other areas around the Temple Mount, such as Wilson’s Arch, live.

Kotel is the Hebrew word for this Wailing or Western Wall in Jerusalem, which is a part or all of the western wall of the ancient Jewish temple that was destroyed by the Roman, Titus, in 70 AD.

Today, through computers, laptops, tablets, and even smart phones, we can watch live in real time what is happening at the foot of the mount of the very Temple in Jerusalem we’ve read about in our Bibles!

Do you think we, or those who are alive at the time these prophecies are fulfilled, might gaze upon the two dead bodies of those prophets via the internet? Do you think people will see the Beast prophesied in Revelation on their smart phones? If they do, they just might be finding God in prophecy while watching Jerusalem live.

©Dianne E. Butts. Dianne is a freelance writer, screenwriter, and author of the book Deliver Me. You can visit Dianne at www.DianneEButts.com and on Twitter as @DianneEButts.

This interesting video on YouTube, In the Western Wall Tunnels, shows a tour of the tunnels:

 

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Finding God in the Eye of Africa

February 28, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Dianne E. Butts:

Photo of the Richat Structure from Wikipedia and the NASA Earth Observatory

This large circular formation in the western Sahara Desert might have some people finding God in the Eye of Africa.

Also known as the Richat Structure, and to some as the Eye of the Sahara, the Eye of Africa  is a formation more than 30 miles in diameter. It was not discovered until astronauts saw it in early space missions. It is located in central Mauritania near Ouadane.

Because it is so symmetrically circular, it was first thought to be an impression from a meteorite strike. However scientists now believe the formation is a natural upheaval of the land revealed by erosion. According to the article accompanying the above photo, the Eye of Africa became a landmark for space shuttle crews.

While the Eye of Africa may be staring into space from earth, we know that the eyes of God watch over the happenings on earth from heaven. Second Chronicles 16:9 tells us:

“The eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

When God looks down from heaven on you, will He find your heart fully committed to him? If you answer yes, it’s possible you’re finding God in the Eye of Africa.

 ©Dianne E. Butts. Dianne is a freelance writer, screenwriter, and author of the book Deliver Me. You can visit Dianne at www.DianneEButts.com and on Twitter as @DianneEButts.

Enjoy this lovely video, Earth as Art  in 1080p , showing earth’s geographical wonders in landsat images (satellite views). This includes the Richat Structure (from 1:36 to the 2:00 mark) from SpaceRip. Also see details about the photo used in this post, plus other shots from space, at the  NASA Earth Observatory.

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Finding God in Strangers by Igniter Media

February 23, 2012 By 3 Comments

By Laurie Winslow Sargent:

Photo by hotblack

Today I’m finding God in Strangers by Igniter Media. (Film is embedded, below.) As I watched this film online last night, I was surprised by how quickly a deep well of grief–mixed with joy and awe–rose within me. It was a confusing blend of emotions, causing me to cry out to God.

Why?

It so clearly shows how Christians can  touch and change the lives of others in simple, yet profound, ways. It illustrates how the smallest reflection of Christ in our lives may set in motion an unexpected chain of events.

Believers in Jesus often wonder how a sentence here or there, or one simple demonstration of God’s love, might impact someone else for the future. In most cases, we simply will not know the results. In heaven that may be revealed to us.

My grief was for moments when I know I’ve not acted Christ-like. I could so easily have turned someone away, instead of toward, the gospel.  My joy and awe are in realizing that  in moments when I have reflected God’s love, it’s possible that began the synchronization of events and people in amazing ways.

If you yourself are not yet a believer, this may cause  you to reflect on times other people have shown God’s love to you. But as you accept Christ and follow him too, know that God’s purpose for you–and how YOU might affect the lives of others–may be far beyond anything you can imagine.

Get a hanky. I think you will be finding God in Strangers by Igniter Media.

On their website, Igniter Media states that their purpose is to “resource organizations and churches with media that declares the gospel of Jesus Christ and highlights the Truth found in the Bible”.

Laurie Winslow Sargent has been writing books and magazine articles for two decades. She writes about  on faith, parenting, freelance writing and other topics. You can find out more about Laurie at www.ParentChildPlay.com.

If this film and article impacted you, we’d love for you to comment on it, or share it via the share buttons below.  Even by simply sharing this mini-movie, you may motivate others to show God’s love. And that may set in motion a new and exciting chain of events!

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Finding God in Shrove Tuesday

February 21, 2012 By 1 Comment

By Dianne E. Butts:

Some people are finding God in Shrove Tuesday. Do you know what Shrove Tuesday is? Don’t worry. There was a time I didn’t know what it was either.

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday. This year in 2012, Shrove Tuesday is Feb. 21. Shrove Tuesday is the day that women in some locations clean out their kitchen pantries to get rid of all the foods that are not allowed for Lent, including pre-lenten meat as well as fats and oils. For some it’s a tradition to use up these tasty morsels by feasting—cooking up the meats and making the fats and oils into pancakes.

I first heard of Shrove Tuesday when I moved to a small town in Colorado and started attending a Presbyterian Church. I remember the strange telephone call I got:

“Hello, Dianne, I’m calling for the church to let you know you’ll be waitressing for our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper.”

“Waitressing?” I asked. “For the what? There must be some mistake. I’m not a waitress.” I then learned everyone in the church was assigned a duty for the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper that was served to the community annually. We were fairly new in town and those people didn’t know me very well. If they had, they never would have assigned me to be a waitress.

“What’s a Shrove?” I asked.

She hesitated. “It’s a supper, “she said. “We serve pancakes and sausage.”

“Oh, “I said. “Is shrove some kind of sausage?”

“No, “she said.

“Oh. Okay,” I said, confused. In January I had received another confusing invitation to the women’s group.

“We’d like you to come to Circle,” a woman told me.

“Oh,” I said smiling.

“We’re having our Sacrificial Meal,” she added.

“Oh,” I said and tried to continue smiling. Reminded me of that story about the cannibal who wanted to have the missionary for dinner. I knew I was the new kid on the block. But what had happened to the last new kid on the block? I declined the invitation.

Now it was February and I was trying desperately to talk my way out of being a waitress.

“No, we all have our assigned jobs”, she explained kindly, “and you’re assigned to be a waitress.”

I thought of the passage in Ephesians 4:11: “He…gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelist, and some to be…” Waitresses? Alas. It seemed my assignment had been set in stone.

“Fine, I’ll waitress,” I said. “But I’d rather be in the kitchen sizzling those shroves.”

Whether or not you observe the Lenten season that leads to Easter, as you prepare for Easter and the celebration of God’s gift to us in Jesus, you might consider what extra items are in your heart that you may want to clean out. If you do that, you might be finding God in Shrove Tuesday.

What is Shrove Tuesday? video:

©Dianne E. Butts. Dianne is a regular contributor to Finding God Daily and is a prolific story and article writer. You can find out more about her at www.dianneebutts.com.

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Finding God at the National Prayer Breakfast

February 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By Dianne E. Butts

Photo by kalierin

On February 2nd, President Barack Obama spoke to an audience of 3,000 people, including religious leaders, about how his Christian beliefs shape his policies. Whether you agree with the President’s policies or not doesn’t matter as much as finding God at the National Prayer Breakfast.

I didn’t get to hear all of the President’s speech, but I heard the end of it and a story he recounted of meeting with the Reverend Bill Graham, a preacher who has met with and prayed with many Presidents of the United States. An online article at The Washington Post relayed that part of the President’s speech.

The president also recounted his own path to faith after growing up in a household “that wasn’t particularly religious.” He said he begins each morning with a prayer, and he concluded with a personal anecdote about a day when, while vacationing as president in North Carolina, he made a pilgrimage to a mountaintop retreat to visit the Rev. Billy Graham, who was 91 years old at the time.

Graham prayed for Obama, the president recalled, and then Obama returned the favor.

“I didn’t really know what to say,” Obama said. “What do you pray for when it comes to the man who has prayed for so many? But like that verse in Romans, the Holy Spirit interceded when I didn’t know quite what to say. And so I prayed — briefly, but I prayed from the heart.”

He added: “I have fallen on my knees with great regularity since that moment — asking God for guidance not just in my personal life and my Christian walk, but in the life of this nation and in the values that hold us together and keep us strong.”

We know that the God of all hears and answers prayers, and so we know He is guiding the steps of our President and our nation. Sometimes it appears that our world might be spinning out of control. But we can find comfort knowing nothing is out of His control.

It is good to stop for a moment or for a breakfast and pray and listen. For one breakfast a year in February, we can pause and watch as the President speaks to many leaders and we can notice that many are finding God at the National Prayer Breakfast.

 ©Dianne E. Butts has over 275 articles and short fiction in more than fifty publications and eighteen books, and is a regular contributor to Finding God Daily. 

See the full video of the National Prayer Breakfast on C-SPAN, which includes a description of the event’s history, the president’s speech, and speeches by other national leaders.

Also, enjoy this video with the song “Deeper in Love” from the  CD Throne of God 2, by Mike Brumback with the IHOP Worship team of Kansas City: Beauty Realm Ministries.

How comfortable are you with prayer? Here’s a simple slideshow describing how to pray, as Christ modeled that for us in Matthew 6:5-15.

 

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Finding God in Attacks

January 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

by Dianne E. Butts:

Do you ever feel like you’re being attacked? We can be attacked by people we thought were our friends. By criminals. By our country’s national enemies. And by spiritual forces. But when we put our faith in God and rely on Him daily, it is possible to be finding God in attacks.

Everyone gets attacked. The most hurtful attacks come from people we thought were our allies—such as Christian friends. When we expect someone to be on our side, attacks from them are especially discouraging. But in the grand scheme, they cannot hurt us because God knows the truth.

Sometimes we need to do the attacking. When evil forces come at us, through prayer, speaking forth God’s truth in Scripture, and standing firm in what we know about God, we go on the offense and ATTACK!

Whether we are being attacked or doing the attacking, most of what is happening lies outside of what we can see. Elisha’s servant was frightened about a coming attack and already feeling defeated, but Elisha asked God to let the servant’s physical eyes see the spiritual reality. This is what he saw:

 15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked.

16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

17 And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Elisha and his servant were surrounded by strong angels! You can read the whole story in 2 Kings 6:8-23.

There will not always be attacks—not even in nature. After the “End Times,” after all evil has been dealt with, Isaiah 11: 6-9 tells us what it will be like:

 6 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The infant will play near the hole of the cobra,
and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. 9 They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.

But for now, we must endure attacks. And sometimes we must do the attacking. Take a look at this video. In this instance, imagine the attacker is evil. How much hurt is really done to the one being attacked? If you can remember this image the next time you’re attacked, you just might be finding God in attacks.

Cutest Attack Video:

©Dianne E. Butts ( www.delivermebook.blogspot.com). Dianne has over 275 articles and short fiction in more than fifty publications and eighteen books. You can visit her at http://www.dianneebutts.com/

 

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Finding God on Sanctity of Human Life Day

January 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment

President Ronald Reagan designated a Sunday in January as Sanctity of Human Life Day. This was designed to coincide with the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, the Supreme Court case that ruled abortion as constitutionally protected. In 2012, on Sunday, January 22, we can be finding God on Sanctity of Human Life Day.

You may recall our previous post, Finding God in an Unplanned Pregnancy, where we reviewed the book Deliver Me: Hope, Help, & Healing through True Stories of Unplanned Pregnancy, by Dianne E. Butts.  Throughout that book, in more than fifty true stories, women and men explain how they found God’s love. Many also found His forgiveness after they found themselves in unplanned pregnancies, some of which ended in abortion.

We’d like to add here a few additional reviews for this great resource:

Emily M. Akin, a freelance writer and blogger at Tennessee Christian Reader noted,  “Married women as well as unwed mothers find themselves in this situation. Often, they think abortion is their only option.” Akin describes the book saying, “Mothers who chose to keep their babies share their decision-making experience. Those who had abortions tell of the mental anguish they suffered and how they found healing.”

Book reviewer Catherine Boyle says she reviewed the book mainly “because this is one of the defining issues of my generation.”  She wrote, “I’ve known two women who gave up a baby for adoption.  Several others kept their babies, some as single moms, the rest got married.  My own husband was born to an unwed teenager, and adopted at birth.” Boyle added,  “Deliver Me provided excellent statistical references on a variety of issues surrounding unplanned pregnancy.”

Reviewer Donna Collins Tinsley says, “Dianne E. Butts has compiled a much needed and encouraging book. Nearly every story I read I thought ‘this is my favorite’ and then there would be another one that stole my heart. . .”

On Amazon, Kathy S., wrote: “Overall this book is an excellent resource for anyone involved in an unplanned pregnancy including pregnant women, their partners, parents, grandparents, friends, family, and those involved in the work of crisis pregnancy centers.”

In addition, those experiencing unplanned pregnancies can find compassionate, confidential help at a pregnancy centers. You can find the one closest to you at www.Optionline.org.

This year it’s possible to be finding God on Sanctity of Human Life Day, as we remember the value of life: even during unplanned pregnancies.

On a related note,  this is a great day to remember the story of Samuel Armas, who before birth, at 21 weeks gestation and during fetal surgery, grasped the finger of his surgeon. (See: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,519181,00.html ) Although Samuel is now twelve years old, the photo taken during his surgery before his birth has just as much impact today as it did then.

The YouTube video shows, at the end,  the photo with Samuel’s hand:

 

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