In the fall quarter during my sophomore year, I took a linguistics class as one of my elective courses. The person who sat beside me was a beautiful Asian girl. One day after class, I asked her if she was an American Born Chinese (ABC). To my surprise, she said she came from Hong Kong.

If I did not see her pray before her meal at the campus cafeteria, I would not have asked her if she was a Christian. After a brief chat about Christianity, she invited me to church. Later on, God moved my heart, and I accepted the Lord as my personal Savior.

As our friendship grew, the girl and I fell in love with each other. Years later, we were married in the presence of the Lord.

If the series of events did not happen, what would become of me today? Things do not happen coincidentally. They come to our lives as the Lord has planned according to His own purposes at His appointed time.

Proverbs 16:9 (NIV): In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

As a girl, Rebekah may just have wanted to marry a man in her local village. Until one day a stranger approached her when she came out to draw water.

The stranger was Abraham’s chief servant Eliezer. He traveled from Canaan to Nahor to find a wife for his master’s son Isaac. Before he met Rebekah, Eliezer prayed to the Lord that if a girl gave him a drink and also drew water for his camels, she would be the one God had chosen.

Rebekah did exactly what Eliezer had inquired of the Lord when he approached her. When Eliezer went to her house and met her family, he plainly told them about his mission. When asked if she would marry Isaac, Rebekah said yes. Early the next morning, she left her village and embarked on a long journey to Canaan.

Did Rebekah ever fear the unknown and then return to her village? No. Rebekah took a leap of faith and traveled to Canaan to marry Isaac whom she had never met before.

If Rebekah did not take the leap of faith, she would have missed God’s blessing to become the mother of Jacob, the father of the nation Israel.

Recently, I received an e-mail from a Christian lady. She invited me to join a Christian ministry to write dramas. In the e-mail, she told me that my dramas would be used to reach out to many Chinese. Her message excited me and also terrified me.

I asked myself, “Can I write dramas? It is something I have never done before.”

Then I prayed to God, “Lord, if this is Your will for me, please help me.”

I felt unburdened after my prayer. I replied to the lady that I would love to write dramas for the ministry.

The thing that excited me was: God answered my prayer, for I had been longing to reach out to Chinese especially the Chinese non-believers. One day, the ministry director called me. He told me that my dramas would be translated into Chinese and then broadcast in China.

Thousands of Chinese will listen to the dramas and their lives would be touched. I will not take any credit, for God is the One who will lead them to His Son Jesus Christ. I am only His servant.

If I did not take the leap of faith, I would have missed the opportunity to reach out to thousands of unsaved souls in China.

Do you feel called by God to do something you have never done before? Do you want to take a leap of faith and become a blessing to other people?

Genesis 24:58 “… I will go.”

Cynthia Simmons

Do you ever feel insignificant and wonder if anyone would notice if you disappeared? On the other hand do you struggle with thinking too highly of yourself? The followingverses in Romans teach us proper self esteem.  “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith God has assigned. For as we have many members and the members do not have the same function.” Rom. 12: 3-4

Pride comes so easily to us, but so does poor self esteem.  Neither extreme brings good mental health. So what’s the answer? In the next few verses the Apostle Paul launches into an explanation of spiritual gifts, and I believe that forms an excellent basis for a balanced view of ourselves.

Think about it. God gives every believer a gift. No one gets left out. Furthermore your gift may be mercy, but it will have a different slant than others in the church. You’ll be uniquely gifted to do a job no one else can do the way you can in the time and place you live. Even more than that, when you exercise your gift, you become a vital part of the whole church—a necessary cog in the workings of the machinery. Should you fail to use your gift, the church will lose the special ability to touch the world as God planned. Imagine your body deprived of an eye, or even the big toe. Doubtless you’d miss either one.

Let’s revisit the verse above. Paul taught each believer in Rome “…not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think…” In other words, he’s saying not to be proud. A prideful person would think of himself as the entire machine. Nothing would happen without him, and we all know that’s not true. That’s disobeying this verse—he’s not that important. But if a believer sees himself as a vital part of the machine, or the body of Christ, that’s healthy. He’s valuable and has something to offer. Paul continues Romans twelve this way, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…”

Do you battle with thoughts of insecurity? Discover and use your spiritual gift. Do you combat pride? View yourself as a member of God’s church with a vital role to play. The church needs us all, working together for God’s kingdom.

Cynthia’s Bio

Cynthia L Simmons and her husband, Ray, have five children and reside in Atlanta. She has taught for over twenty years as a homeschool mother and Bible teacher. Active in Christian Authors Guild (CAG), she conducts writing workshops and has served as president, vice president, and conference director. In December 2009 the membership granted her Life Time Membership for her numerous contributions to writers.

“Cindy” is fond of history and writes both historical fiction and nonfiction. Her writing appeared in CAG publications, NATHHAN NEWS, Chattanooga Regional Historical Magazine, Georgia Right to Life Newsletter, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Catholic Exchange, and Christian Devotions.us.

Her first book, Struggles and Triumphs, came out in 2008. While promoting her book, she had interviews on radio and TV across the nation and was nominated for 2008 Georgia Author of the year.

Struggles and Triumphs

She also conducts monthly podcasts called CAG Spotlight in which she interviews authors and VIPs in the writing industry. At present she is completing a twelve week Bible study using the stories in Struggles and Triumphs.

What’s wrong with our world? Shouldn’t a God who claims to be all powerful and flawless prevent suffering? How can we continue to believe when storms rage on in our lives? If you’ve ever had tough questions like these Struggles and Triumphs Study Guide is the book for you.

Author Cynthia L. Simmons will guide you toward answers with her unique and enlightening approach. Her twelve-week Bible study for ladies comes from stories of real women as told in Struggles and Triumphs: Women in History Who Overcame. As you study, you’ll come to understand God’s perspective on timeless issues that impact your life. The carefully chosen Scriptures combined with interesting historical information will challenge and encourage you. 

Watch the trailer at: http://youtu.be/HOP9HY7xTXU

To purchase Cynthia’s book Struggles and Triumphs, please go to  http://www.lulu.com/shop/cynthia-simmons/struggles-and-triumphs-workbook/paperback/product-20038687.html

On this great event, many people do egg hunts. There is nothing wrong with that. But do we know the true meaning of Easter?

Easter is for Christians to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, for He is risen, and He is risen indeed.

Let me ask you this question? Have you done your Easter Hunt yet? What hunt? Egg? Bunny? My answer to my question is Hunt for Christ–the Lamb who sacrificed His life on the Cross for our sins.

Yes, our Lord Jesus Christ is risen indeed. Amen.

I knelt beside my bed and bowed my head. Eyes closed, I plainly confessed my sins to my Heavenly Father and asked Him to forgive me. Let the Blood of my Lord Jesus Christ wash my sins away. Let Him give me a pure heart. Let Him cast all the unpleasant thoughts out of my mind.

When breakfast was over, my family and I went to church. I looked at the pamphlet and saw that the sermon title was about God’s forgiveness and that the message was based on Psalm 32.

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered . . . Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”— and you forgave the guilt of my sin . . .

A coincidence? No. It was God’s reassurance of His unfailing Love for me. He wanted to let me know that He had forgiven my sins. Indeed.

Jesus has set me free. I will move on in His Love and under His guidance.

Copyright. Dicky To. 2012.

I thank Susan Michaels for sharing this award with me.

For this award, I share with you 7 things about me: 1.) I am a Christian. 2.) I am a Cantonese. 3.) I love to eat chocolates. 4.) I love to write. 5.) I love to cook. 6.) I love to think. 7.) I am a quiet person.

I am sharing this award with my friends Jeanne, Joyce, Drusilla, Pam, Cristal, Teresa and Jennifer Slattery

Thank you.

Dicky

Julie-Allyson Ieron

Dear friends,

I am so happy to introduce to you my Christian friend Julie-Allyson Ieron. Julie is an author, writing coach, editor, and conference speaker. Two of her e-books are doing the Amazon Prime free promo in the next few weeks.

Book summaries are: 

Staying True in a World of Lies (free on Amazon Kindle March 17-18)
Updated Second Edition with Study Guide
Practical Models of Integrity for the Workplace and Beyond

Have you ever found yourself in a moral dilemma at work? Something seemingly insignificant that tested your resolve and challenged your integrity. Staying True in a World of Lies looks at integrity as the unification of thoughts, words, and actions. It is a timely, practical resource filled with stories of real people that will reinforce your commitment to Christlikeness—and energize you for the long haul. Then, rebuild your life around God’s character expectations using the bonus 12-session Bible study. 

Praying Like Jesus (free on Amazon Kindle April 5-7, Easter week)
Updated Second Edition with Study Guide

Prayer is more—much more—than a laundry list of requests. It isn’t about getting the answers we want just when we want them. Actually, it isn’t about us, at all. Prayer is about relationship between Almighty God and you. Praying Like Jesus introduces you to prayer from a close-up perspective—that of God the Son. This dynamic study of 52 ways Jesus prayed for you will challenge your heart to come into contact with the Heart that beats to intercede for you. Savor one chapter at a time or one each week for a year. And dig in for yourself as you use the 9-session Bible study included in this updated eBook package.

Bio 

Julie-Allyson Ieron (pronounced: I-RUN) is a perceptive journalist who investigates God’s truth and crafts her discoveries in ways that engage your mind and resonate with your heart. Her passion is to open God’s Word alongside you to equip you to apply its riches to your daily joys, questions, and challenges. 

She recently celebrated 25 years as an author, writing coach, editor, and conference speaker. Her ministry-defining project released in 2010: The Julie-Allyson Ieron Bible Reference Collection on WORDsearch 9.0. It features 9 of Julie’s books linked with 75 Bible reference resources. Additionally, most of her books are available in MP3 audio and e-book formats, as well as print. Her book, The Overwhelmed Woman’s Guide to … Caring for Aging Parents is a featured resource for Focus on the Family, where she was a radio guest. 

Julie is excited about her newest book: The God Interviews: Questions You Would Ask; Answers God Gives, scheduled to release from Leafwood Publishing in Autumn 2012. 

Julie’s personal life is as dynamic as her writing. She is her dad’s medical advocate, and along with her mom Joy (who is quick to point out she’s not Julie’s aging parent!) daily administers his tests, meds, and shots. In more relaxed times, Julie and Joy play violin and organ duets for weddings and church services (sometimes for funerals, too). Julie plays violin in her church’s orchestra, dabbles in art for fun, and plays a killer game of Scrabble™. 

Visit her website at www.joymediaservices.com or her devotional blog for caregivers: http://womencareforagingparents.blogspot.com.

Fay Lamb

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways
My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens
are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 

I love my walks around North Carolina’s Lake Junaluska. As I stroll alongside the rose garden or hike the secluded trail, I spend time with the Lord, contemplating his path for me.

The prophet Isaiah wrote about the “high ways” of God, and I’ve wondered what those ways mean to me as I trod the paths God has for me. If God named his “high ways” what would they be?

Satisfaction Boulevard: Worldly satisfaction is often found in things we buy or produce, but God calls us to satisfaction in Him. “Ho, everyone one that thirsteth come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea come buy wine without food and price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labor for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” (Isaiah 55:1-2) When I am dissatisfied, I’m telling God what He has provided isn’t enough. When walking Satisfaction Boulevard, I see that everything He has given me is more than enough.

Security Circle: While my trek around the lake is a short one, I have to watch carefully for individuals who may intend me harm. So it is with my life. I must watch for everyone and everything that will pull me away from my journey with God. Isaiah 55: 3 says, “Incline your ear, and come unto me, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.” When we walk with God, we are safe—He is an everlasting harbor.

The intersection of Surrender Trail and Salvation Lane: God’s mercies are immeasurable. He met me where I was so I could continue a journey free from the burdening sin I once carried. God handed that burden to His son. “Behold I have given Him [Jesus] for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55: 4, 6) Because Jesus sacrificed for me, I can approach God’s throne and ask Him to walk with me in the cool of the day.

Sanctity Court: In the North Carolina mountains, the picturesque setting changes from moment to moment, making it easy to understand that with God, each day is a new beginning. No matter what I’ve done, God is faithful to forgive me if I ask. Isaiah 55:7 declares, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” God calls me to bring my sins before him. Each confession draws me closer to Him, the walk a more enjoyable one, as I move toward the future in God’s abundant forgiveness.

Sharing Way: When I walk, I carry a camera to record the beauty of the lake, the plants, and the wildlife. I marvel that God spoke it all into existence. Isaiah 55:10-11 says, “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” God’s Word is powerful, a gift for the ages—a gift that God says will accomplish its purpose of announcing salvation to mankind—the Creator’s message to His creation.

Singing Street: Following God’s paths leads to joy. “For we shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you in signing and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (Isaiah 55:12-13) I’ve never broken into song during my walks, but I’ve enjoyed the song of nature in the honking geese, the lapping waters, the rustling leaves, and my heart has been lifted in praise to the Maker of that chorus and for the “high ways” He has made for me.

BIO

Fay Lamb works as an acquisition/copyeditor for Pelican Book Group (White Rose Publishing and Harbourlight Books), offers her services as a freelance editor, and is an author of Christian romance and romantic suspense. Her emotionally charged stories remind the reader that God is always in the details. Because of Me, her debut romantic suspense novel is published by Treble Heart Books/Mountainview Publishing.

Fay has a passion for working with and encouraging fellow writers. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), she co-moderates the large Scribes’ Critique Group and manages the smaller Scribes’ critique groups. For her efforts, she was the recipient of the ACFW Members Service Award in 2010.

In 2012, Fay was also elected to serve as secretary on ACFW’s Operating Board.

Fay and her husband, Marc, reside in Titusville, Florida, where multi-generations of their families have lived. The legacy continues with their two married sons and five grandchildren. 

Fay’s debut novel: Because of Me:

Because of Me

Not your typical Christian fiction.

Michael’s fiancée, Issie Putnam, was brutally attacked and Michael was imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. Now he’s home to set things right.

Two people stand in his way: Issie’s son, Cole, and a madman.

Can Michael learn to love the child Issie holds so close to her heart and protect him from the man who took everything from Michael so long ago? 

Available through all fine book retailers, Amazon.com, and Mountainview Publishing (www.trebleheartbooks.com/MVLamb.html), a division of Treble Heart Books.

Purchase the book at:

http://www.amazon.com/Because-of-Me-ebook/dp/B00722KIME/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327670357&sr=8-1

In the report, I saw photos of children who held shoe boxes in their hands and had a big smile on their faces.

I pray that they may find Jesus as the Biggest Gift of all.

You can know more about this ministry at http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/occ.

Watch the videos, look at the photos and read the articles.

Let us spread the Good News to the world.

Dicky

In the craft of writing, I have learned that we writers should show the readers what the characters do, see, taste, smell, think, feel, hear, and touch. In this post, I want to tell you my senses.

• Do: My act, my behavior, and my conduct should let others know that I am God’s child because I bear His name. If the things that I do fail to reflect His glory, how will others put their trust in the Lord?
• See: Whatever I see will stay in my memory for a period of time, short or long. But is everything I see ‘healthy’ to my soul? Does the image bring ‘lust’ to my mind? Does the image frighten me in a way that I may have nightmare? If the answer is yes, then why should I waste a second to look at it? Why should I yield to temptation which will lead me to sin and to harm my relationship with the Lord?
• Taste/Smell: Mmmmm, it tastes so good; it smells so good. But is the food healthy to my body? If I become sick or weak because I eat too much ‘junk food’, what will others think of me?
• Think: If my mind is full of ‘worldly thoughts’, it will have no room left for the Word of God. If the Word of God does not reside in my mind, how can I grow spiritually and become more Christ-like? I need the Word of God to block any ‘unhealthy thoughts’ that cross my mind.
• Feel: I have emotions. But if my feelings are negative or depressing, why should I let them bother me? I know it is hard to deal with unpleasant events, but I have my Savior who went through emotional pains that I can never endure. So I need to look at Jesus when I am down.
• Hear: I don’t like gossip or rumor because these things will never build me up into a stronger Christian. Rather, I like to hear the voice of God resonating in my heart when I quietly read the Bible in my room. His voice is soft and kind. It was His voice that called me to surrender my life to Him on a quiet night when I was alone reading the Bible in my apartment years ago.
• Touch: Since I was born, everything I touch falls to the ground. I don’t know why. Back to my sense: It is so good that I now let God touch me in all circumstances because His touch always gives me comfort.

See the Bible verse on top of this page? What does it mean to you? What are your senses? Can you share? Do you have more to add to my list? I welcome your thoughts.

Dicky