Guest Blog Post – ‘A Reading Tale’ by Kathy Carlton Willis

April is Library Snapshot Month. Please enjoy this guest post from Kathy Carlton Willis.

I've always been a lover of books—the opportunity to visit a new world, a new time, a new way of life. What’s your rite-of-passage reading story? I’ll start with mine.

As soon as I started school, Mother encouraged me to learn to read. She was a voracious reader, eager for me to develop the same love of books. This Chatty Kathy enjoyed every form of communications since my first spoken word. The written word was no different—I took to it like gravy goes with biscuits. Remember those Weekly Reader magazines (oh, the delicious smell of the ink and paper!)? The SRA Reading Lab inspired me to read not just for speed, but for retention.

When I received my first public library card around age 6, Mom walked us to the library several times a month. Yes, it seemed like it was two miles uphill

both ways, but it was worth it! Our little town of four thousand was blessed with a Carnegie library (built in 1905) full of well-loved books. Mom taught me how to follow my favorite authors—I read all their titles. I knew how to thumb through a card catalog and recite the Dewey decimal system. By the time I outgrew the children’s section, I had read every book and graduated to the “grown-up” shelves.

Most avid readers say their idea of a time-out from stress and life involves curling up with a good book—claw-foot tub or blazing fireplace optional.

My favorite reading tip is this: Don’t waste time on a mediocre book. When reading for recreation, remember that you aren’t in school anymore. You aren’t being graded for reading every word. So if a book doesn’t appeal to you, put it down! Grab a different one. We have only so much time in life—definitely not enough time to get bogged down with a boring book or confusing storyline.

Just because a book earned rave reviews doesn’t mean it’s the right book for you, any more than gorgeous size 7 shoes will fit size 10 feet!

Think about your own reading tale. What was it like when you learned to read? When did you discover your local library? Do you recall the favorite authors of your early years? Who inspired you to read more? What challenges you today in your reading? We all have a story—even a reading story!

Kathy Carlton Willis Bio:

Kathy Carlton Willis gets jazzed speaking for women’s events and writers

conferences across the country. She’s known for her practical and often humorous messages. Kathy enjoys fiddling with words as a writer and also coaches others. When not reading or writing books, she serves as a happy pastor’s wife. You can visit her at her website: http://www.kathycarltonwillis.com.

Q & A with Rick Hamlin on Prayer

Your career at Guideposts magazine has spanned almost three decades. How has your position at Guideposts as executive editor impacted your outlook on prayer?

When you see me in my office, surrounded by a sea of yellow post-it notes filled with prayer requests from people around the world, you get a quick snapshot of all the

ways I've been blessed. Praying for others and encouraging them in prayer has taken me on a wonderful journey, an exhilarating adventure. I like to memorize their requests and who they are so I can think about them when I’m not at my desk. I’ve learned to “go out on a limb” when I pray for others, to take a risk, to be passionate – the way Paul is in his prayers. In my work here, I’ve also been expected to ask boldly, sometimes brazenly, about other people’s prayer lives and that has blessed me and helped me grow in my Christian faith. Hearing their stories, their challenges, and their victories refreshes and encourages me every day.   

You give your readers a new perspective on the definition of prayer—what constitutes prayer, what it is, what it’s not. Can you expand upon this, helping readers understand your view of “praying without ceasing”?

Talking to God can happen in a lot of different ways. Certainly, it can be quiet and contemplative, but it can also be a conversation as you would talk to a friend. Pour out your soul, say what’s on your mind, don’t censor yourself. He’s listening and knows exactly what you’re going through. Also, reading Scripture, especially the Psalms, captures our thoughts, speaks to our souls and, in fact, constitutes prayer. A prayer can inspire an act, but the act itself can also be a prayer. It can be bold and action-packed like a hug, a song, a scripture verse, a service, writing someone a note or letter or doing an out-of-the-blue favor; all these connect us with our Maker. When we say “Yes” to God and then go on to act on His nudgings, on the promptings of the Holy Spirit, then we’re on our way to “praying without ceasing” throughout our lives.  

You exhort readers not to get stuck in “prayer paralysis.” Could you further discuss the “cure” for this malady?

Sometimes in your prayer life it can be hard to translate a good feeling into an action.

  You know what God wants you do to but you’re not sure you can do it.  You get stuck.  Well, as someone once said, “Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.”  When you say “Hi!” to God, God will say “Hi!” right back to you.  Step out in faith and you will be helped in more ways than you know.  Prayer is a tool to make you stronger, braver, bigger, lovelier – in a word.  Prayer simply expands your world. You learn to care about people you would never have known otherwise, and you find out what makes them tick. You grow in your ability to love. This “prayer in action” cures your “prayer paralysis” quickly! 

In your new book, you speak on many different aspects of prayer. What is your view on acquiring a “prayer partner” or someone you can pray with regularly? 

Jesus says that “wherever two or three are gathered in My name,” He will be there—with bells on. We really do gain strength from one another in this world. We’re not

made to fly solo. With all that in mind, years ago, I worked up my courage to ask a

friend, Arthur Caliandro, a senior pastor who led a large, dynamic ministry, to come alongside me as a prayer partner. And it’s been a wonderful partnership! Arthur and I met together for 18 years, and he has taught me so much as “iron sharpens iron”, so Arthur has honed and challenged me in a vast number of ways. In fact, Arthur introduced me to The Jesus Prayer, a life-saving, soul-refreshing prayer that I talk about in the new book.

Tell us more about The Jesus Prayer.  

The Jesus Prayer is a tried-and-true classic. It’s really a prayer that I keep tucked in my

heart, so to speak—a prayer that I’ve memorized that I can call on if and when needed. In essence, it restores my focus to what’s really important, reminding me “Why am I

here?”  It begins “Jesus Christ, have mercy upon me, a miserable sinner . . . .” When I’m sitting in a meeting, going cross-eyed, it brings me back to all that’s true in life. I need Christ’s mercy, especially when my self-righteousness kicks in! The prayer continues with, “Make haste to help me. Rescue me and save me. Let Thy will be done in my life.” I find that this prayer takes away all the needless tasks and distractions. It’s asking God to be very present where we are - to become a creature of hope and love, not fear, to encourage and not condemn, to trust and not flee. And if you’re like me, you’ll find great value in this.       

On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate yourself as a “prayer expert”?

Ah, a question with many answers. I love it! First, without God, I would rate myself a zero. He’s the one who created prayer, designed it and invented it, so without Him everything in life would add up to nothing! And that’s also why that with Him, we’re all “10’s.” Every person who comes to Him with a mustard seed of faith rates a “10.” You can’t fail at prayer. Just trying to pray is to pray. Practice is perfect. God makes each of His children with the need and capacity to connect intimately with Him.  We’re all amateurs in prayer in the true sense of the word in that amateurs do what they do out of love.

You offer 10 suggestions for ways to pray. Are there only 10?  

My 10 ways to pray are just to get you started. There are as many ways to pray as there are people in the world. Prayer is personal and heart-felt for each one of us. These 10 prayers “you can’t live without” really provide motivation to dive in and swim, to see the possibilities and fly. No prayer is wrong, and every prayer tried is the best 

one possible for that time and place. God will find you wherever you are, and He will never let you go. Sit with Him, stand with Him, cry with Him, laugh ‘til your sides ache. Pray, just pray. Ask Him to help you. You were made to pray!   

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Thanks, Rick! Finally, please check out this video featuring Rick talking about his new book!    

Guest Blog Post - ‘No Housework Day’ by Robin Steinweg

April 7 is International No Housework Day. In honor of that special day (!), please enjoy this guest blog post!

‘No Housework Day’ by Robin Steinweg

I used to be queen of procrastination. I abdicated that throne.

Now you can call me Sisyphus.

That’s right—the mythological Greek who was forced to roll a boulder uphill all day, then watch it plunge back down at night—only to start again the next morning. And the next, and the next.

Anyone whose responsibilities include the daily round of family meals, dishes, laundry or floor-care could relate to Sisyphus. A recurring nightmare might go like this:  a mountainous meatball lumbers down the stairs toward my kitchen, spraying a trail of spaghetti sauce, grated Parmesan and a few unruly noodles. It gains momentum. It lurches straight toward my freshly shined sink.

“Nooooooo!”

The meatball takes a deliberate turn. I hear its sneering tone as it threatens me, “I’ll roll over you. You’ll be flat as a sheet.” The meatball leans over me menacingly, looking strangely like my husband—

“Roll over, Honey. You’re dreaming. And you've got the flat sheet all to yourself.”

The average American woman scrubs her house for at least seventeen hours a week^*. That means if she lives to be eighty years old, she’ll have spent over eight years of her life cleaning house!

I’d like to slice a sliver out of that perennial pie. April 7 is International No Housework Day.

Put down your mop

Hang the broom

Watch dust bunnies gather in every room

Don’t let your youth just fade away

Take time to celebrate No Housework Day

Put off till later what needs to be done

Cooking and housework aren’t much fun

Take the day off. Augment your sorrow—

Every mess, every job will be there tomorrow

Dishes will litter each horizontal space

Oatmeal will harden at an alarming pace

Slog through the clutter? You’ll be confounded

As tasks pile up with interest compounded

Hm. That didn’t go quite like I thought it would.

It could be that the statistics of the average woman’s housecleaning would change in the wrong direction. I’ve heard that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If I take a day off, how many extra hours—days—months—will it take me to catch up?  

Maybe I’ll be queen of procrastination one more time—

—and put off celebrating No Housework Day!

^*According to a 2008 study by the University of Michigan.  

Robin Steinweg Bio:

Robin Steinweg finds life sweet in the middle of writing, teaching music

students, caring for aging parents, adjusting to having adult children, and nudging life and home to a state of order. She, her husband and sons live near Madison, Wisconsin.

Guest Blog Post – ‘Crazy Math’ By Deb DeArmond

Marriage is a two-for.

You know what a two-for is, don’t you? You buy one, get one for free. When you marry your sweetheart, you actually get more than just one free. You get an entire additional family. What a bargain!

April is National Math Awareness Month. Apparently, some of us weren’t paying attention when that celebration rolled our way. Mama told me, “Marry the man, marry the family.”

But the marriage math doesn’t end there. “And the two shall become one flesh. Since they are no longer two, but one” (Mark 10:8 NIV). Do the Math Awareness people have that one figured out? I doubt it.

God planned this unique mathematical equation: 1+1=1. If it sounds impossible, it’s not. But it’s not simple, either. I’ve been married 37 years. When people ask how we’ve managed to stay together, happy all these years, I reply, “I travel a lot.” We joke that after all these years, Ron’s concluded it’s “cheaper to keep her.” A sense of humor probably doesn’t hurt either. We’ve agreed to take marriage seriously, and ourselves less so. It’s hard to stay mad when you’re laughing.

God knew it wouldn’t be easy for us to set aside our “me first” human nature and put things in biblical order. God expects to be first, and wants our spouse to be next in priority. Romans 12 reminds us, “in honor give preference to one another.” That puts me in spot number three in my life, running contrary to my selfish nature. But if I prefer my husband and he prefers me, we are each well cared for and the relationship is in order as together we submit to God. But if I get just one item out of order—my job, or friends, even my kids—the math equation begins to come apart.

The good news is that God is there when we forget how to add it up. And since He created marriage, He has provided the manual on how to care for it and how to repair it when needed.

So go to the author of the instruction manual on marriage. The one who believed it possible, if not easy, to create one from two. “Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together” (Matthew 19:6). Although this sounds like a warning against outside influences, it’s also a reminder to couples that even we do not have God’s approval to blow up our marriages when things get tough.

Marriage. Crazy math. Questions? Go to the great mathematician. He’s got it

solved.

Deb DeArmond Bio:

Deb DeArmond is an expert in the fields of communication, relationship and 

conflict resolution. A writer and professional speaker, Deb focuses on topics related to the family and women. Kregel publications will release her first book in early 2014, focused on relationships between women-in-law. Read

Deb at http://debdearmond.com

‘Charts on the Books of Hebrews’ by Herbert W. Bateman IV – Book Review

Being a seminary student, as well as a blogger, I am always on the lookout for review books that will help me in my studies. Such is the case with ‘Charts on the Book of Hebrews’ by Herbert W. Bateman IV, part of the Kregel Charts of the Bible series.

Here is the synopsis of this valuable resource:

The book of Hebrews presents interpretive challenges and theological comparisons unrivaled in the New Testament. Charts on the Book of Hebrews puts this demanding yet rewarding information in an accessible and useful format. The charts fall into four categories:

1. Introductory matters (e.g., authorship of Hebrews)
2. Influences in Hebrews (e.g. Second Temple messianic figures)
3. Theological issues (e.g. words of exhortation)
4. Exegetical concerns (e.g. figures of speech)

Students will find this an invaluable companion to classes on Hebrews. Pastors and teachers will benefit from these insightful charts to quickly clarify difficult concepts while teaching. And all visual learners will find that these charts make Hebrews more comprehensible.

Here is the biography of this author:

Herbert W. Bateman IV is Professor of New Testament at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the author and editor of numerous books. He wrote, along with Darrell L. Bock and Gordon H. Johnson, Jesus the Messiah, the acclaimed book that traces, progressively and canonically, the theme of Messiah through all of Scripture.

In the Preface, Dr. Bateman explains the purpose for his book:

Charts on the Book of Hebrews provides information about Hebrews succinctly in visual format for today’s students and congregant. It is very user-friendly so that the charts may be used as both a foundational tool for study as well as a visual pedagogical and preaching tool. Ultimately it will benefit pastors, teachers, students, and anyone wanting to study as well as teach the Book of Hebrews. (p. 9)

I have always been interested in the Book of Hebrews. One of the main reasons for this fascination is that it is the only book in the New Testament where the author is unknown. I have my theory on who wrote this important book. One of the charts in this book list potential authors and the date they were proposed. The list includes Barnabas, Paul, Clement of Rome, Luke, Apollos, Silas, Peter, Philip, Priscilla and Aquila (Priscilla dominant), and Aristion. (p. 17). My choice is in that list (okay – I think it was Paul!)!

My favorite section of the book is Part 3: Theology in Hebrews. That section takes a closer look at how Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant. One of the most valuable charts, in my opinion, is Chart 66, ‘Titles Ascribed to Jesus in Hebrews and Shared in the New Testament.’ These charts are important in that we can see the consistency and richness of the Bible.

Another interesting chart is Chart 103: ‘Alphabetical Listing of Greek Words Unique to Hebrews.’ I will be starting my Greek classes in the Fall semester. Although it’s ‘all Greek to me’ now, it won’t be for very long!  

Overall, I find this a very important resource that I will be going back to again and again. This is one in a series, and I plan on adding many to my library. I recommend you do the same if you are interested in digging deeper into God’s Word!

This book was published by Kregel Academic, and provided by them for review purposes.

Q & A with Don Jacobson, Author of 'When God Makes Lemonade'

Q. What inspired you to start the When God Makes Lemonade project?

A. I started When God Makes Lemonade because I know from personal experience just how tough life can be. A lot of people are struggling with lost jobs, lost homes, broken relationships, illnesses and fading dreams. They need encouragement. We all do. I’ve learned that, along with all the bad stuff that happens in life, lemonade happens, too. And over the years as I shared my own lemons-to-lemonade story with others, I discovered two amazing things. One was that, through sharing my own personal story, I was able to encourage and inspire others. Secondly, the sharing of my own story often provoked listeners to share their personal lemonade stories with me and I, too, was encouraged and inspired. I began to wonder if we could possibly find a way to share these hope-filled stories with others around the world, and from that thought the idea for When God Makes Lemonade was born. It is a community effort, authored by the growing number of people who, against all odds, have found joy in the midst of their pain.

Q. How do you find the stories you include in the God Makes Lemonade books?

A. My wife, Brenda, and I developed the website GodMakesLemonade.com so that others would have a place to share their own lemon-to-lemonade stories. As the stories are submitted, our GML team decides whether or not it is a fit. We want all the When God Makes Lemonade books to be compilations of true stories which encourage people in sour circumstances to realize that God is at work making lemonade in their lives. That means our readers need to be able to see the divine direction in Lemonade stories, and the best ones focus on compelling and dramatic events that make up the three parts of the lemonade outline: sour circumstance, surprise and sweet outcome—showing God at work in the process. We encourage those with Lemonade stories to visit GodMakesLemonade.com and consider sharing their stories with us. We have endeavored to answer any and all questions they might have regarding submission, but if they do have questions we haven’t yet addressed, they can easily contact the GML team through the website and we will respond as quickly as possible.

Q. How did you come up with the title When God Makes Lemonade?

A. We’ve all heard the old saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” but there’s a problem. The statement puts a lot of pressure on those going through the experience of dealing with all those lemons. Not only do we have to deal with the heartache, disappointment, tragedy or disruption, we are also led to believe we have to make something good out of it. This, of course, only leads to feelings of shame, guilt and stress, an addition to the equation that no one needs.

But when you feel the responsibility of turning something sour into something sweet is not yours, but God’s, then the pressure is removed. Instead, you are given hope that what is happening is leading to something better and are encouraged that life will, indeed, improve as God takes the lemons given by life and uses them to guide you down a surprising new pathway that leads to a refreshing new life. That’s where the stories come in. They are not about you having to make things better on your own. They are about hope and encouragement and genuine inspiration. They are about discovering delightful sweet surprises hidden deep in the sourest circumstance. And the primary thing is that these stories aren’t fairy tales. They are true stories of real-life experiences and they have the power to change lives.

Q. What do you think it is that makes the When God Makes Lemonade project unique?

A. When God Makes Lemonade is a collection of stories that offer a tall, refreshing glass of hope to those who have been drained dry or parched by life’s more sour circumstances. Each lemonade story is about how someone’s life was surprisingly sweetened by something that would never have happened without the sour circumstance. When God Makes Lemonade gives readers a chance to change their perspective by suggesting that instead of asking, “Why did this happen to me?” they ask, “I wonder what kind of good will come of this?” It also encourages them to be patient and willing to give God the necessary time to turn lemons into lemonade, and, of course, offers the perfect sweetness necessary for lemonade in the form of hope. It is, perhaps more than anything else, that life-sweetening power of hope that gives When God Makes Lemonade its uniqueness.  

Q. Through the When God Makes Lemonade project, you’ve become an epicenter of encouragement. Isn’t making a name for yourself as the “Encouragement Guy” a little daunting?

A. I think encouraging others is something I have always done. In every career path I've pursued through the years, offering encouragement to those

around me felt natural and right and it’s a way of approaching others that I normally gravitate to. As a publisher, the stories I liked publishing best were those that compelled readers to see the “rest of the story” in their own lives. 

I guess you could say I am a born optimist. I like pointing out the ways life is good and showing ways to discover the joy hidden in the depths of sorrow. I love encouraging people to keep on keeping on because what’s ahead may be better than you think and you can do the unimaginable if you just don’t give up. So, in answer to your question, I don’t find being the “Encouragement Guy” daunting, but I do rely on the kind of stories I am privy to in the When God Makes Lemonade project to inspire me and keep me supplied with the hope I need to pass along to those I meet along the way. 

Guest Blog Post – ‘Spring Cleaning Your Emotions’ by Geri Scazzero

When we quit things that are damaging to our souls, we are freed up to choose other ways of being and relating that are rooted in love and lead to life. When we quit fear of what others think, we choose freedom.

                                                                    -Geri Scazzero

1.   Quit being afraid of what others think

2.   Quit lying

3.   Quit dying to the wrong things

4.   Quit denying anger, sadness and fear

5.   Quit blaming

6.   Quit over functioning

7.   Quit faulting thinking

8.   Quit living someone else’s life

For those ready to embark upon an authentic journey to change, 

The Emotionally Healthy Woman offers an indispensable traveler’s guide. Geri Scazzero combines her own experiences with familiar biblical stories and scripture to provide a spiritual and emotional roadmap, pinpointing alternate routes that are forged by love and leading straight to the life God intended.  

Q. What inspired you to write The Emotionally Healthy Woman?

A. It wasn't so much a “what” as a “who.” I would never have written the book without my husband, Pete. He’s the writer in our family, and, after I began to articulate the eight “I Quits” that are the basis of the book, he was the one who said I had a book in me. The Emotionally Healthy Woman reflects our effort as a team from beginning to end. It reflects what we both discovered on this missing aspect of spiritual formation. In addition, I have been blessed with a wonderful extended family who has given me a tremendous legacy for which I am eternally grateful. Without that legacy, I never would have had what it takes to quit living a life that was damaging to my soul.

Q. Speaking of quitting, you actually walked into your husband’s office and announced that you were quitting the church that he pastored! That must have taken amazing strength and determination. How did you ever summon the courage to take such a bold and unconventional step?

A. It was certainly no small decision and it didn't happen overnight. I had been making feeble attempts to get him to pay attention to what was going on with me for years. I wanted him to see how tired I was and how frustrated. Eventually, I reached the bottom and arrived at that place where I was so miserable I didn't care what anyone else thought of me. I just wanted out. There is an old saying that a person who has nothing left to lose becomes the most powerful person on earth. I had become that person.

Q. The subtitle of your book is Eight Things You Have to Quit to Change Your Life. Could you give us a brief glimpse of what those eight things are?

A. Certainly. Quit being afraid of what others think. Quit lying to yourself and

others. Quit dying to the wrong things. Quit denying anger, sadness and fear. Quit blaming. Quit overfunctioning. Quit faulty thinking. And, lastly, quit living someone else’s life. Virginia Satir once observed that most of us live inhuman lives because we try to live by inhuman rules. The purpose of these eight “Quits” is to allow us to drop those inhuman rules and start living by God’s real rules, not the ones we’ve mistakenly assumed He wants us to live, not by, but up to. By quitting these eight practices, we open the door to allow God in so that He can begin doing a mighty work in our lives.

Q. How do can women benefit from The Emotionally Healthy Woman?

A. I know firsthand that when people pick up a book like mine they are doing so because they are looking for solutions. The book is my own personal manifesto and it expresses my particular beliefs and values. In my own life, the list of “I Quits” that I showcase became the catalyst for my own personal solution, bringing me out of illusion and into reality and from inner bondage into freedom. I hope that what I have shared with will spark ways in which God can speak directly to them. And it is my prayer, of course, that God will give all of us the courage to stop living divided lives. Remember, quitting goes hand in hand with choosing, so when we quit those things that are damaging to our lives, we are free to choose other ways that lead to new life. And it is never too late to quit.