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The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:2a, “Looking to the Author and Finisher of our faith, Jesus.” (The Received Greek Text)

The dictionary tells us that an author is an originator or creator, as of a theory or plan. So, let’s see what the Greek words tell us.

* The word ‘looking’ means to consider attentively, to turn the eyes away from other things and fix them on something.

* ‘Author’ also means captain, prince, chief leader, one that takes the lead in anything and thus affords an example, furnishing the first cause or occasion, a predecessor in a matter, originating, beginning, or founder.

Therefore, the Amplified expands the verse this way, “Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].” (Heb. 12:2 Amp)

When a heart receives eternal salvation by accepting the sacrifice of Christ’s blood, righteousness is imparted into each heart, along with the seedling of faith. In order for that seedling to blossom and grow, it needs watering and, well, er, fertilizer.

What does the Bible say about the process through which faith grows?

James said, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4 NLT)

* From the opening verse, the word ‘Finisher’ also means consummator, perfecter, completer, One who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith.

If Jesus is the Leader, Source, and Example of our faith, do we allow Him to put His finishing touches on our faith? Do we go through the testing trials of life with our eyes of faith on Him or on the afflictions?

Have you ever read Hebrews 11? I love that chapter. Of all the tribulations and heartaches that mankind has endured, this chapter tells me that, no matter what happens in life, I can make it. And so can you.

So, from the faith displayed in one suffering, it is built up and performed in the next circumstance. And so we live, as Paul tells us, “The just shall live by faith.” (Rom. 1:17b NKJV)

Does Jesus have say to us as He did to the disciples, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:25b NKJV) Are our eyes turned toward Him? Reminds me of the old hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus…

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.” Amen!

May your eyes behold the glorious face of your Saviour, as His light dims the harshness of your afflictions, and may you know that the Lord is the Author and Finisher of your faith.

I am so happy to be a part of the book blog tour for Mary DeMuth, author of A Slow Burn. Please enjoy your time with Mary…


What would you say to someone who wants to become a published author?

Here’s the analogy you need to memorize and internalize: Beginning the publishing journey is like wearing a sweatshirt and toting a sack lunch at the base of Mount Everest, thinking, Hmm, this should be a breeze!

In addition: know you are called. Know you have talent. Know you’re full of tenacity. All three things will help you succeed along the journey.

Another idea is hang out at The Writing Spa and its corresponding blog WannabePublished. I tackle nearly every question a new writer would have. I offer weekly free critiques and I have guest authors cameo there. I evaluate the saleabilty of a book idea. Hop on by at http://www.thewritingspa.com.

Where are you headed next?

I hope I see that I get to continue this writing dream—writing for the sheer joy of it, and also receiving compensation (a nice writerly dream!). I also pray that if things take off, I’ll keep my head on straight and constantly strive to point to the truly Famous One, Jesus.

I sense that more public speaking is in the future as well.

Here's a little snippet about the book...

She touched Daisy’s shoulder. So cold. So hard. So unlike Daisy.

Yet so much like herself it made Emory shudder.

Burying her grief, Emory Chance is determined to find her daughter Daisy’s murderer-a man she saw in a flicker of a vision. But when the investigation hits every dead end, her despair escalates. As questions surrounding Daisy’s death continue to mount, Emory’s safety is shattered by the pursuit of a stranger, and she can’t shake the sickening fear that her own choices contributed to Daisy’s disappearance. Will she ever experience the peace her heart longs for?

The second book in the Defiance, Texas Trilogy, this suspenseful novel is about courageous love, the burden of regret, and bonds that never break. It is about the beauty and the pain of telling the truth. Most of all, it is about the power of forgiveness and what remains when shame no longer holds us captive.

If Mary isn’t sewing, taking pictures, in the kitchen cooking, or in the garden, you can find her on one of her sites…

* http://marydemuth.com
* http://www.relevantblog.blogspot.com
* http://www.wannabepublished.blogspot.com
* http://www.thewritingspa.com

For a book trailer on A Slow Burn, click here.

A Slow Burn can be purchased at Amazon.

I once read the story of a woman’s dream in which she saw three women as they knelt to pray. I have often thought about this woman’s dream, being in the position of each of the pray-ers. I’ll try to retell it. See if one of the kneelers reminds you of anyone.

In the dream, as the women knelt, the Lord appeared and began walking toward them. Drawing near the first one, He bent down to her in tender care, smiling and speaking to her in phrases of sweet love.

As He approached the next one, He merely placed His hand upon her bowed head, giving her a loving look of approval.

And the third one? He quickly passed by her, never offering a word of encouragement or a touch of care.

In her dream, the woman thought to herself, “By His gestures, the Lord must have dearly loved the first kneeler. The second one, He merely patted her with acceptance but none of the recognitions that He gave the first one. But the third kneeler…did she do something to grieve Him that He spoke not a word or give her a passing look? What made the difference between them?”

As she pondered the actions of the Lord, He came and stood beside her, saying, “Oh, my sweet child. You have so misjudged Me and My actions. The first kneeling woman needs all My love and attention every moment, for without it, she would fail.

“The faith of the second kneeler is greater and her love is fuller, so I know she will trust Me no matter what comes her way.

“The one whom I seemed to neglect has faith and love of the choicest and most precious quality. Her intimate knowledge and trust of Me is so solid that she needs no words nor looks, no outward expression of My approval.

“The varying circumstances that I allow in her life do not impede her way. She trusts Me when all outward stresses bring discouragement and frustration, when all the agonies of life attack her sensibilities, attempting to cause her to rebel. She knows that I work My eternal purposes in her and all that she does not understand now, she will later. I am training her for My highest and holiest principals.

“My silence does not mean lack of love, for my love knows no bounds; it is not confined by mere words of approval nor expressions of acceptance. My silence goes beyond the human heart and mind to comprehend. In my finite reasoning, My intentions are perfect, for each child of Mine, that each may learn, in response to My love, to love and trust Me with all his or her heart, without any outward encouragement to bring it forth.”

Are you, precious child of God, going through some crushing blow, or heartbreaking sorrow, or bitter disappointment? In your prayers, are you looking for a word from your Beloved, a tender pat on the head, a look of approval, or longing to hear some sweet phrases of encouragement?

“The silences of Jesus are as eloquent as His speech and may be a sign, not of His disapproval, but of His approval and of a deep purpose of blessing for you.”

What if He answers you not a word? Which kneeler’s position will be yours?

Suckers! No, not the kind you lick or those people that are easily duped or cheated.

These are tree suckers. What is a tree sucker?

Gardeners explain that a sucker is an effort by a tree to grow more branches out of its trunk or roots, especially if it is under stress. However, suckers are not good for the tree, or any other plant that develops them. Therefore, it is necessary to control the suckers for the health of the tree.

Controlling suckers…

Gardeners advise that it is better to try to prevent a tree sucker than to have to deal with its removal. Suckers threaten the tree’s health.

Some trees have shallow roots and others develop roots near the surface due to difficult growing conditions. This makes them more prone to suckering.

While suckers grow on non-grafted trees, they also will grow when two trees are spliced or grafted together. Gardening experts say that the top of the tree is happy, but the lower half of the tree is under some stress and is trying to reproduce itself.

Experts give some tips to help with sucker control…

Keep plants in good health. Many times, tree roots start to grow suckers when under stress, which can be caused by drought, over-watering, disease, or pests.

Remove quickly. A tree sucker will sap the energy and life away from the healthier and more desirable branches on top, so quick removal is necessary.

Prune regularly. Pruning plants encourages more growth but not all growth is good. One gardening site said, “Suckers (branches growing from the base of the tree)…are never going to bear fruit.”

Let’s apply this personally, to our spiritual lives.

So, what causes the suckers in your life? What things drain the best of God’s Life out of you? What sucks the love, adoration, and worship of the Lord out of you?

* riches?
* power?
* friends?
* your job?
* addictions?
* your family?
* unrepented sin?
* doubt or worry?
* anger or hatred?
* poor self-image?
* unforgiveness or bitterness?
* depression or negative thinking?
* too many things listed on your calendar?

Are any of these suckers ruining your spiritual health, choking out the potential growth from the nutrients and nourishment of the Word of God? Do you notice that there are suckers in your life, or do they go unnoticed until you are in a spiritually unhealthy state?

Let’s apply the tips we learned for sucker control…

Keep spirits in good health. Many times, life suckers grow when under stress, like when we go through trials that leave us spiritually parched, diseased, or when “pests” attack us.

Remove the life sucker quickly. Before a life sucker has the chance to sap the strength and energy away from the health of our spirits, we need to spend time in prayer, asking the Lord to show us those areas that are draining us of His presence.

Prune your spirit regularly. We need to give ourselves regular checkups and prune away those extraneous life suckers. There will never be any spiritual fruit in our lives if suckers are allowed to remain.

Jesus said, “I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 Amp)

When we allow the sucker branches of circumstances, busy schedules, jobs, self-interests, people, worries, doubts, or unforgiveness to deplete us of our relationship with the Lord and cut off our vital union with Him, how will our spirits be nourished? Paul said, “Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from Him,” (Colossians 2:7a TLB).

What sucks the Life out of you?

Today, I bring you Elisa Morgan. She is a nationally recognized speaker and the author of more than fifteen books, including the best–selling What Every Mom Needs and Mom's Devotional Bible.

Elisa has served as CEO of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International since 1989. She is also the publisher of MomSense and FullFill magazines and is a frequent contributor to Christianity Today.

Elisa is married to Evan (vice president of strategic development for RBC Ministries, known internationally for Our Daily Bread, and founder of christiancourses.com). They have two grown children and one grandchild and live in Centennial, Colorado.

In Elisa’s own words, she talks about her latest book She Did What She Could…

Most of us care. We really do. We care about poverty and injustice, about orphans and the sick. And yet, weighed down by the everyday load of bringing home a paycheck, putting food on the table, and taking care of our family demands, we question our ability to make a difference. Bombarded by one celebrity help-the-world-athon after another, we shrug our shoulders in futility and do absolutely nothing.

Enter SDWSC (She Did What She Could). Based on the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume in Mark 14, SDWSC provides overwhelmed, yet service-seeking, significance-starved readers a realistic response to the seemingly unmeetable needs around us.

Five letters. Unthinkable power.

Most of us care. We really do. We care about poverty and injustice, about orphans and the sick. And yet, weighed down by the everyday tasks of bringing home a paycheck, putting food on the table, and shuttling kids around, we question our ability to make a difference. Bombarded by one celebrity help-the-world-athon after another, we shrug our shoulders in futility and do absolutely nothing.

But what if we did . . .

Something?
Just one thing.

The thing that matters more than anything else in that one solitary moment.

What if we did just that? What if?

S•D•W•S•C

Five letters that have the power to change your life, free your spirit, and transform your world!

~~~~

She Did What She Could can be purchased at…

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

If you would like to have a chance to win Elisa’s book, please leave a comment on this post.

Each day you walk out your door into the elements of the outside world, you dress appropriately, right?

…shorts in the heat of summer
…sweater or jacket in the cool fall
…boots and heavy coat in the cold and snow of winter
…umbrella in the spring rain

You wouldn’t think of going out naked, well, I hope you wouldn’t anyway. You need appropriate covering.

And when you dress, especially for church, a party, or a wedding, you put on the appropriate garments, the best, clean clothes you have, right?

What about a bride? Would you consider her appropriately dressed for her grand day of aisle-walking if she were dressed as a frog, or Ronald McDonald, or perhaps in a nun’s habit? Silly, huh?

How about if her beautiful, pristine bridal gown were covered in mud or big blotches of stains? Would she be appropriately dressed? Would she want to greet her beloved in that condition? Heavens, no! A bride is immaculately dressed in the proper wedding attire, looking her absolute best for her bridegroom on their wedding day.

The Bible says, “Be prepared – all dressed and ready.” (Luke 12:35 TLB) While this is great advice for the flesh, it is even more appropriate and of utmost importance for the spirit.

Is the Bride of Christ dressed in her bridal finery and ready for Her day of divine marriage?

That’s you! If you are a Christian, you are part of the Bride of Christ. So, how will you be dressed? How will you appear to your Beloved when He comes for you? Will you have a mopey face, hair covered in the ashes of doubt and worry, breath smelling of negative words, and be wearing a ratty, old wedding gown of self-pity, ripped and full of the stains and dirt of the world?

What muddies or stains the Bride’s pristine garment? Doubt, worry, unbelief, strife, unforgiveness, murmuring, complaining, hypocrisy, bitterness, judging, gossip, speaking against others, lying, adultery, fornication, idolatry, hatred, selfish ambitions, envy, stealing, cheating, filthy language, covetousness, pride, impure thoughts and lust, internet porn, other addictions, or anything else that grieves the Holy Spirit?

Have these things diverted Her focus from Her Bridegroom? Has She forgotten to think about Her behavior and how it reflects on His Name and on His Home? Has She forgotten that the One Who created Her is joined to Her in the holy oneness of the covenant of divine marriage? God said, “Who are you…that you should forget the Lord your Maker? …For your Maker is your Husband.” (Is. 51:12,13, 54:5 Amp)

When the Father gives the Bridegroom the go-ahead to snatch away His Bride, you will not be afforded the luxury of having time to take a shower, change your clothes, or even look back and say goodbye. This will be an instant come-as-you-are party. Will your robe of betrothal be unspotted and ready for you to meet your Bridegroom?

So, if you knew tomorrow was your last day on earth, how would it affect your behavior today? Are you, as they say, good to go? Are you “a bride beautifully dressed for her husband,” (Rev. 21:2 NIV) adorned with a smile on your face, joy in your heart, songs of worship and praise on your lips, and dressed in a pure, white garment of holy betrothal?

I want to be good to go. I want to keep my divine wedding gown cleansed and ready, because I anxiously await my Bridegroom’s appearance, to see Him for myself, to see the One John the Revelator saw, the One “dressed in a robe reaching down to His feet and with a golden sash around His chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance…When I saw Him, I fell down at His feet like a dead man.” (Rev. 1: 13-16 NIV, 1:17 GNB)

In that day, I shall look upon Him, and my “eyes will see the King in His beauty,” (Is. 33:17a NKJV) and I shall fall down at His feet and worship Him.

“Behold, the bridegroom cometh!” (Matt. 25:6b KJV)

How will you be dressed?

Today, I have another pleasurable presentation for you. I’m sure most of you, at one time or another, have watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. I remember watching the episode with the Woodhouses. I have just started reading Kimberley Woodhouse’s book Welcome Home: Our Family’s Journey to Extreme Joy.

I look forward to reading such chapters as: Trial by Fire, Joy in the Darkness, and When the World Falls Apart…Don’t Quit. Here’s a little about Kim…

Kimberley Woodhouse is a wife, mother, author, and musician with a quick wit and positive outlook despite difficult circumstances. A popular speaker, she’s shared at more than 600 venues across the country. Kimberley and her family's story have garnered national media attention for many years, but most recently her family was chosen for ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Montel Williams Show, and Discovery Health channel’s Mystery ER.

Welcome Home: Our Family’s Journey to Extreme Joy, released from Tyndale House Publishers September 1. In addition to her non-fiction, she also writes romantic suspense and children’s books. Kimberley lives, writes, and homeschools in Colorado with her husband and two children in their truly “extreme” home.

Overwhelming trials . . . met with overcoming joy.

Kayla Woodhouse is not your typical twelve-year-old. Due to a rare medical disorder, she feels no pain, doesn’t sweat, and needs protective cooling gear just to go outside. With her restrictive lifestyle, countless hospitalizations, including brain surgery, and the resulting mountain of hospital bills, what’s a family to do?

How the Woodhouse family has faced seemingly impossible challenges is a story that has captured the hearts of America.

Now Kayla’s mom, Kimberley, takes readers behind the cameras to reveal their family’s journey as never before told. From medical sleuthing to cross-country moves, from freak fires to battles with insurance companies, Welcome Home proves that truth really is stranger than fiction. This candid life story reveals both success and failure and demonstrates how, even during tough circumstances, to shift your life from heartbreak to extreme joy.

You can find Kim at her website: www.kimberleywoodhouse.com

Kim’s book can be purchased at…

Focus on the Family
Barnes & Noble
Borders
Parable Books
Amazon