Outlive Your Life



Outlive Your Life

by Max Lucado

Thomas Nelson Publishers

Once I began reading, "Outlive Your Life," I had a hard time putting it down, not only because of Max Lucado's writing style, but also because this was a challenge for me to act, to do something, as he puts it, that will "outlive my life."

In his comfortable way of writing as if he is speaking to his readers, Max Lucado brings us up close to the world of the broken and hurting as Jesus saw them when He walked upon the earth and how He sees them now. He reminds us to "look at the hurting until we hurt with them. No hurrying past, turning away, or shifting of eyes. No pretending or glossing over. Let's look at the face until we see the person." (Chapter 7)

 We are challenged to look at people as Christ sees them; not to label them but to love them, to see them as we are, unfinished and redeemable. He's not looking for superman; He's looking for ordinary people to live our lives with meaning and purpose to make a difference in this world and to "outlive our lives." 

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

God Puts the Puzzle Pieces Together

Sometimes things in our lives seem like a giant puzzle that we lost the boxtop from that goes with it, so that it is hard to figure out the puzzle. This is the analogy Pastor David Jeremiah uses in his book, "Captured by Grace." This is not a book review; it is a sharing of something that helped me today, and I hope it will help you.

The picture above is a puzzle of Romans 8:28, and the pieces are not quite all put

 together and some seem to be missing. I was struggling with

the words "in all things God works for the good"  - ALL things?

EVEN...

hurtful words?

broken promises?

a lost job?

an ill child?

a struggling marriage?

bad finances?

terrible accidents?

death of a loved one?

chronic health problems?

You no doubt have your own list of bad things that

happen in your life or the lives of loved ones.

There is, of course, a GOOD list, but

my struggle is with the BAD stuff.

Dr. Jeremiah goes on to remind me that:

"God is, after all, sovereign...

He is God of ALL things...

and ALL things are usable within His plan."

When I think of the bad things that have happened in my life,

I eventually am able to see how God has used these things (the puzzle pieces finally fit together)

to make me a person who is stronger in my faith in Him, if I let Him.

I have a choice: I can continue to struggle with the bad stuff in my life,

or I can give them over to God and watch what He will do

in my life because of what I have been through.

And God, being the great I AM, will take the pieces of my life's puzzle

and put them together, and

"in the final picture, they will play a part that brings glory to God

and works for the good of the believer."

Sometimes "bad things remain bad things, but God remains good,

and He is the Lord of those bad things. He is fully capable of using those things

in ways that will shine with a beauty we will one day, either in this life or the next."

(The words in quotes are from Captured by Grace.)

The First Day of Autumn

The First Day of Autumn

It was the first day of autumn and much to my amaze

Were tree tops glistening in a vibrant glaze

Clad in rich scarlet, orange,and golden hues

As I stood at my window marveling this view

The crisp autumn air was perfumed to my delight

With the fruitful fragerance of orange citrus and spice

I thought to myself what a beautiful day

As the indian summer breeze made my curtains sway

So I rushed to get dressed in a sweater and jeans

And went for a walk to enjoy this autumn scene

Children were laughing as they played in leaves

with delight

I stopped and smiled at such a precious sight

The houses were decked with golden gourds on their lawn

And In the woods I spotted a mother deer with her fawn

The farmers they were reaping crops of wheat, barley, and maize

As their cows lazily stood in the pasture and grazed

Chipmunks and squirrels dashed up and down the trees

All the creatures were busy, yes even the bees

Together they worked to prepare for a long winters slumber

While the boys could be found in the wood chopping lumber

Geese were assembling in a v-shape line

To fly south for the winter toward a lucent sunshine

And the lucious red apples clinging to trees I passed by

Were waiting to be picked and made into pie

Pumpkins lying in patches glowed in an orange gleam

Would soon become Jack O' Lanterns as it neared Halloween

I soon found the day had turned into eve

So I headed back home and I turned to leave

This beautiful day had been so fleeting

It was poetic enough,to have been an autumn greeting

As I stood on my steps the autumn chill started to bite

I whispered happy harvest to all and a blessed fall night.

Read more: http://www.inspirational-poems.net/autumn-poems/121-the-first-day-of-autumn#ixzz10JjTeGv1



Word-Filled Wednesday ~ Now I See!

(iStockphoto)

He replied, "Whether He is a sinner or not, I don't know.

 One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"

John 9:25

How thankful I am that when I thought I was able to see but was truly spiritually blind,

our Lord called me to Him and opened my eyes to His truth in Christ Jesus!

Fill your cup with the Word at the Internet Cafe!

WFW is not about books, authors, artists.. it’s about God and HIS WORD ONLY.

WFW is about celebrating the gift of creativity through God’s Word.

A Peek at Fall

Just a few photos from My Heart's Home and Garden blog onTumblr

to welcome the comfort of the fall season...

photo credits (click on title for source): 1) sedum 2) gourds 3) fall garden

4) rake 5) little girl

Changes Are in the Air

Yesterday, it was in the 70s here, but today,

the temps are hovering around 42 degrees,

and it is time to curl up with

a cozy throw,

a cup of tea,

 a cinnamon spice candle,

and a good book...

You can never get a cup of tea large enough
or a book long enough to suit me.  ~C.S. Lewis

I hope you all have a warm and relaxed weekend!

Word-Filled Wednesday ~ Face to Face

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror;

then we shall see face to face.

Now I know in part; then I shall know fully,

 even as I am fully known.

1 Corinthians 13:12

This is an old mirror that is attached to an antique dresser in our bedroom. Its reflection is quite clear, considering its age. Sometimes antique mirrors develop black spots where the silver has worn away, causing a poor reflection of the viewer. When I see myself, I do not yet see all that God is making me to be, and as I read God's word, I do not see all that He is because of my finite mind. But I rejoice in His promise that a day will soon come when I will see Him clearly face to face and I will know Him to the fullest extent that I can as His new creation! 

Fill your cup with the Word at the Internet Cafe!

WFW is not about books, authors, artists.. it’s about God and HIS WORD ONLY.
WFW is about celebrating the gift of creativity through God’s Word.

Tumblr ~ My Heart's Home and Garden

I recently learned about a free blogging service called Tumblr from my blog friend, Zuzu, @ A Cottage in the Woods.  I liked the idea of posting some of the photos I have saved all over on my computer into 1 spot, and so I am posting home and garden photos and perhaps a quote now and then.

This is a photo I posted of Beatrix Potter's home, Hill Top Farm.

 a favorite chair in my dining room

You are welcome to have a look at My Heart's Home and Garden photo and quote file,

and perhaps you will want to start one, too.

If you want to know more about how to use Tumblr, Zuzu has

 an excellent post that explains it far better than I can! (Plus, she has a wonderful blog!!)



A Day with Jane

the last of the roses in my garden

It's Soccer Time!

Today was Jack's first soccer game of the season!

His team, made up of first graders, is The Golden Sharks,

and they were so much fun to watch!

The weather was perfect, in the 70s, sunny with a gentle breeze.

Jack's dad, John, was there as assistant coach, as well as his mom, Erin, and brother Eli,

Aunt Sara, Uncle Mark, cousin Maya, Grandpa and Nana rounding out his cheering section.

Some of the photos are a little blurry, but that is no surprise to you if you have seen

 any of my other photos, but we had a lot of fun watching and cheering, and I think Jack had a great time.

Go, Jack and The Golden Sharks!