Anointed Transformed Redeemed

I'm currently studying Anointed Transformed Redeemed, written by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur following a Deeper Still conference.  It is based on the different stages of David's life.  It is a 6-week study, with each teacher spending 2 weeks on her topic.  I'm about to start Session 4 and I'm really enjoying it.  It's nice to have variety within one study.

Priscilla Shirer brought it when she talked about knowing who God is.  I really wanted a clip of that part of the DVD, but I don't think that's going to happen.  There's a woman, though, who posted the words and I'm going to share them here.  It's a powerful clip; these are some powerful words!

He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end.

He’s the keeper of creation and the creator of all.
He’s the architect of the universe and the manager of all time.
He always was, always is, always will be.
Unmoved, unchanged, undefeated and never undone.
He was bruised but brought healing. He was pierced but eased pain.
He was persecuted but brought freedom. He was dead and brings life.

He was risen to bring power. And he reins to bring peace.

The world can’t understand Him. Armies can’t defeat Him.

Schools can’t explain Him and leaders can’t ignore Him.
Herod couldn’t kill Him. Nero couldn’t crush Him.
The new age cannot replace Him and Oprah cannot explain Him away.
He is life. He is Love. He is longevity and He is the Lord.
He is goodness, and kindness and faithfulness and He is God.
He is holy and righteous and powerful and pure.
His ways are right, His word eternal, His will unchanging and His mind is on us.
He’s our Savior, our guide, our peace, our joy, our comfort, our Lord, and He rules our lives.
I serve Him because His bond is love, His yoke is easy, His burden is light and His goal for us is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise, the power of the powerful, the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers, the leader of all leaders and His goal is a relationship with me.
He’ll never leave you, never forsake you, never mislead you, never forget you, never overlook you and never cancel your appointment in His appointment book.
When you fall, He’ll lift you up.
When you fail, He’ll forgive you.
When you're weak, He is strong.
When you’re lost, He is your way
When you’re afraid, He’s your courage.
When you stumble, He will steady you.
When you’re hurt, He’s going to heal you.
When you’re broken, He will mend you.
When you’re blind, He will lead you.
When you’re hungry, He will feed you.
When you face trials, He’s with you.
When I face persecution, He shields me.
When I face problems, He will comfort me.
When I face loss, He will provide for me.
When we face death, He will carry us all home to meet Him.
He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time and in every way.
He is your God, and that, Sisters, is who you belong to!

- Priscilla Shirer (Deeper Still Conference)
 
Thank you to ilovebeingamomof4 for taking the time to listen to the video and record the words!

His Name is Jesus - Book Review

His Name is Jesus
The Promise of God's Love Fulfilled
By Max Lucado

Book Description

Max Lucado's first book that journeys from the birth of Christ to His resurrection.

Drawing from his classic writing on Jesus combined with new reflections and breathtaking art, Max Lucado again opens our eyes—and hearts—to the life and work of the Savior in a way that will change lives forever. “Jesus was, at once, common and not; alternately normal and heroic. One minute blending in with the domino players in the park, the next commanding the hell out of madmen, disease out of the dying, and death out of the dead.” Who was this man who spoke as easily with kids and fishermen as widows and waves? It is the question that has echoed down through the centuries to us today, and here is a visually stunning book that answers aspects of that question.

My review:

I'm not sure what more I can add to the description from the publisher. This is a beautifully crafted and designed book. I enjoyed reading bits and pieces of Max Lucado's books as they relate to the life of Jesus. The pictures were well crafted and related well to the written word. This would be a great book to give as a gift to someone who has everything; someone who loves books; someone who loves Jesus; someone who needs to know Jesus; in other words - anyone.

This is a wonderful addition to any Christian library. People of all ages will enjoy it. I recommend it for anyone.

Wow...

I was just looking over my previous posts and except for the precious post about my new grandson (29 is really too young to be a grandmother - work with me here), I have only been a copy/paste blogger of late. Well, I did post the snazzy picture of my husband in his uniform all decked out.

I have so much going on, and yet not much going on. You know what I mean? (A lot of busyness...)

(I love the picture of Santa praying to baby Jesus. I have a beautiful figurine and ornament like this. I think I even have a bell!)

Let me just say that I have done not ONE BIT of Christmas shopping. Do you see that - NO CHRISTMAS shopping has been done at my house! You probably wonder why - well financial is one reason and my girls don't know what they want!!!!!! James said he doesn't want anything (that's what he always says) and I don't know what my mom wants. (We don't buy for extended family anymore. Both of my grandmothers are in their mid-80's and are constantly giving stuff away. Why do they want MORE stuff??) We buy for James' youngest son and his mom (the ex-wife, not James' mom - she died when he was 6). Actually we go to her house for Christmas Eve. She has a big shindig (I typed "sindig" at first - I hope that's not a sign of things to come lol.)

I didn't participate in BooMama's tour of homes because our tree isn't up! The girls were going to decorate it this year (after calling me Scrooge) and yet the half assembled tree has sat since Thanksgiving. Who are the lazy ones now??

I was so happy I got my Secret Santa and my Siesta Fiesta stuff out yesterday. I know I'm late, but I always am...Sorry ladies! Mary, I mailed you a book too! I opted not to send Christmas cards this year. If you're on my facebook friends' list, then I sent you some holiday flair!!

Well, I guess that's all I have for now. I hope all is well with you. Thank you for stopping by!

“The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Because some won't be home

This is From BigMama's blog, and since I was one of the wives of a soldier over there in 2006/2007, I wanted to share the email too. As a matter of fact, the picture if my husband from Christmas when he was in Kuwait. (He's not at his desk but someone else's, but look at all the goodies.)

A few days ago I received an email from a reader named Amanda. Her husband is in the Army and currently in the midst of a 15 month deployment. They have two young children and in her email she said that although it is often difficult, they know it’s the path to which they’ve been called.

Amanda and her Bible study group came up with the idea to collect 2000 Christmas cards to send to the families of deployed soldiers from Fort Sill. They are calling the effort “Dear Army Family”. They are hoping that each family will receive a card that reminds them that someone across the country values their sacrifice and is remembering their family through this Christmas season.

This is an excerpt from the letter she sent me that outlines the program.
“Our goal is to send an extra Christmas card to each family of a deployed soldier on our post. We are hoping to encourage those that are walking through a particularly difficult time of deployment.

We want each family to know that the sacrifice they have offered is cherished. We are hoping for a personal note in each card.

Please include words of gratitude as well as words of encouragement. We want Army families to know they are being thought of across this country; that their sacrifice is important, and that they are being covered in prayer.

Please pray for the family as you seal their envelope, knowing with certainty that God knows exactly which family will receive your card. Continue to pray for the families throughout the holiday season. Ask God to bring them to your mind throughout the festivities. You will bring blessings to these homes.

We are striving to get 2000 cards! In order to do this efficiently, we are unable to give out personal contact information for the Army Families. Once the cards are returned, we will be addressing the cards and will use our own return address.

Please include your hometown & state with your signature inside your card, this will ensure that Army Families know people across America are praying for them and thinking of them. You may include a return address inside the card as well, but this is not required. Thank you for joining us in such a big undertaking. One extra Christmas card combined with the love of Jesus, just might change a life.

A few reminders:
1. Write “Dear Army Family” in the greeting of the card
2. Please include a personal greeting inside each card. Include your hometown & state.
3. Please STAMP the envelopes! You may send all the stamped cards in one large envelope or box to save on shipping.
4. Please return cards by December 1, 2008.
5. Please mail the cards to the following address:Dear Army FamilyFort Sill – PWOC Frontier Chapel4121 Thomas RoadFort Sill, OK 73503
Thank you,
Amanda

“Like cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a distant land.” Proverbs 25:25

These families will be without their spouses, mothers, fathers, brothers or sisters this Christmas season and I think this is such an incredible way to say thank you for the sacrifices they have made on our behalf. It’s a simple way to say we don’t take the sacrifice for granted.

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." Jer. 29:11