Finding Peace in the Midst of Failure

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by Precarious Yates

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! 
8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. – Psalm 37:7-8
It’s hard to watch others prosper when we work at least as hard as they do, if not harder, and we’re left in the dust, scraping by on $0.67 a day from book sales, and exhausted with dreaming dreams.It’s hard to watch others prosper while we languish, even if they do good with the profits they make.

It’s hard to watch others prosper when we drum up everything we have to give and it makes the widow with her two pennies look rich.

It’s hard, but it’s one of the furnaces God uses to refine our character. Can we still give when no one wants what we have left? Can we still give when we make mistakes in our giving all the time? Maybe that’s just me. I hope that doesn’t happen to anyone else, because it’s not a fun way to live!

God wants us to set aside worry. Don’t fret!

I feel like an utter failure this week. Not only did I get another rejection from a literary agent, I cried about it, like, ugly sobs, right in front of my kids. The pressure of financial burdens, the worry of not being able to contribute, the stress of not being able to provide, this came crashing down on me. I poured the last decade into this.

God’s answer to all this?

Don’t worry. Don’t fret. Delight in me and I will make sure you’re covered. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4

The verse before this one guides me when I just want to give up and sink into the depression that beckons. Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. – Psalm 37:3

Even if it seems like all I do is make mistakes, all I do is fail, all I’m capable of is dust and ashes, God reminds me that through trusting in Him, I am able to do good. I can be faithful in the little things.

Failure only really happens when we quit. Everything else is a setback.

If you feel like everyone except you is prospering, everyone except you has something to give, everyone except you is admired and desired, don’t forget that the King of the Universe still has a plan for you! Not only that, He jealously longs for you! (See James 4:5)

I don’t know what this plan is, but I do know that if you’re in His hands, you can rest and trust that He wants the best for you! That best isn’t a long stream of disappointments. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28

This current failure, this current setback, He will work this together for good!

God bless you!
Precarious Yates

About the Author:

Precarious YatesPrecarious Yates has lived in 8 different states of the Union and 3 different countries, but currently lives in Texas with her husband, her daughter and their big dogs. When she’s not writing, she enjoys music, teaching, playing on jungle gyms, praying and reading. She holds a Masters in the art of making tea and coffee and a PhD in Slinky® disentangling.

Links:

Facebook Amazon Author Page

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by on February 18, 2019  •  Permalink
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Posted by Staci Stallings on February 18, 2019

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Faith’s Checkbook: Ever Mindful

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by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“The LORD hath been mindful of us: He will bless us” Psalm 115:12.

I can set my seal to that first sentence. Cannot you? Yes, Jehovah has thought of us, provided for us, comforted us, delivered us, and guided us. In all the movements of His providence He has been mindful of us, never overlooking our mean affairs. His mind has been full of us — that is the other form of the word mindfull. This has been the case all along and without a single break. At special times, however, we have more distinctly seen this mindfulness, and we would recall them at this hour with overflowing gratitude. Yes, yes, “the LORD hath been mindful of us.”

The next sentence is a logical inference from the former one. Since God is unchangeable, He will continue to be mindful of us in the future as He has been in the past; and His mindfulness is tantamount to blessing us. But we have here not only the conclusion of reason but the declaration of inspiration; we have it on the Holy Ghost’s authority — “He will bless us.” This means great things and unsearchable. The very indistinctness of the promise indicates its infinite reach. He will bless us after His own divine manner, and that forever and ever, Therefore, let us each say, “Bless the LORD, O my soul!”

If you would like your own copy of Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotionals by Charles Haddon Spurgeon click the image below.

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotionals

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by on February 15, 2019  •  Permalink
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Verse of the Day and Devotional

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by Bible League International

Verse of the Day and Devotion

“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.” – Luke 1:78-79 NLT

Devotion

You wouldn’t have known it from looking at us. On the surface, we looked fairly normal. We looked like everything was just fine. Despite how we looked, we were in deep trouble. In what way were we in trouble? Figuratively speaking, we were in the dark. We couldn’t see which way to go in life. To be sure, we thought we could see. We were filled with all sorts of ideas and plans about what we should do and where we should go. Despite our certainty, we were actually in the dark. We were headed straight for the shadow of death and didn’t even know it.

If we had been left to our own devices, we would have continued walking in the dark. Even though the shadow of death loomed up before us, getting darker and darker as we walked along, we would have continued in the way we were going. The good news, however, is that we weren’t left to our own devices. The tender mercy of God stepped in to our situation and gave us what we needed. It gave us light. The morning light from heaven broke in upon us and revealed to us our sorry state. It revealed we were in the dark and headed straight for the shadow of death.

You ask, “What is the morning light?” It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the good news that Jesus Christ, God incarnate, was born of a woman, lived the sinless life we should have lived, paid the penalty of death that we should have paid, was buried and rose from the dead, and is now ruling and reigning over all things at the right hand of God the Father. It is the good news that believing in Jesus and submitting to His rule releases us from the darkness and from the shadow of death. In other words, it’s the best news that anyone could ever receive.

Now, we walk in the light. We can see where we’re going. We’re going where Jesus is going. (Matthew 16:24) We’re following Him to the green meadows and peaceful streams of life. (Psalm 23:2) Although there may be some dark valleys along the way (Psalm 23:4), it’s a path of peace. It’s a path of peace, fulfillment, and flourishing in every area of life, and in the life to come.

Til the Whole World Know

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by on February 14, 2019  •  Permalink
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God Loves You and is For You

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by Rebekah Beene

Danny and I came to Little Rock and spent last week at a Todd White Power and Love Conference. This is an amazing event. Of course because the speakers and Todd White himself were there. But it’s so much more for us.

You see we were at one of these conferences in Dallas almost two years ago when my precious husband got sick.

I don’t know about you but I tend to avoid that which brings me pain. So when I said “we do t want to go back to one of them do we” my hubby said “well I think we should.”

Oh beloved, all this to say life is full of unexpected life events. And because of the pain we sometimes want to avoid them- so it doesn’t happen again or so we do t have to relive the pain. But God wants all of us to know the best way to overcome the fear is to face it. God didn’t give my husband the stroke he had. But He sure has used it for His glory. Now the enemy would want me to remain in fear and avoid the scene of the crime so to speak.

But God wants you and me to know- “I Am that I Am. Where I lead I provide. Where your battles are strongest are going to be your finest victories.” Lean into God’s strength and rest in His Sovereign grace. He has not failed you thus far and He will never fail you now. Face you’re giants, enjoy the blessings and rejoice in victories. He calls you blessed, chosen and fiercely unafraid!

God loves you and He’s for you. No fear can overtake that. No sickness can thwart His plan. No enemy can take you over. Run to Him this morning, sing an anthem of praise and live out loud in the light of His glory and grace!

1 Corinthians 1:9 God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Romans 8:27-28 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with Gods own will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Psalm 27:3 Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident.

Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.

About the Author:

Rebekah Beene

In a Christian Women’s meeting in 1983, Rebekah was given a prophetic message that she would write books. Several years ago she began writing stories about special holiday memories and travels, sharing God’s love and care through each story. God has gifted Rebekah with the ability to look at the natural and see the supernatural. Both Rebekah and her husband Danny have a heart to share the Gospel and the riches of life in Christ to everyone they meet. They have served in the local church and in ministry to motorcyclists. Danny is an ordained minister and they both have been Bible study teachers for many years. Rebekah also speaks at women’s retreats and conferences. Her tag line says it all “God loves you and He’s for you”.

My website is http://rebekahbeene.wordpress.com

My first book in print is Oh Beloved! Live in the Light of His Word.
Link to buying the book via paypal is on the website.
As well a link to purchasing the ebook on Amazon is there too.
I’m also on twitter @rebekahbeene, tumblr http://rebekah-beene.tumblr.com/
and of course facebook as Rebekah Beene (Warren) I included my maiden name for old friends.
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by on February 13, 2019  •  Permalink
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Gems From Pastor Jim 2/12/2019

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by Jim Hughes

CrossIs. 6:1 In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the LORD. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple.

If you were permitted to actually catch a glimpse of heaven, what would you expect to see? What would you expect to happen? We are given very little actual insight into heaven in the Scriptures. We are told that it is full of the glory of God and that there is continuous praise going on. We are told that the angels are busy serving the Lord there. We are given a picture of heaven being a place of indescribable beauty, untainted by sin in any form. Heaven is so much more than what is revealed to us in the Scriptures

Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on a throne. God is spirit, but He was recognizable to Isaiah. Isaiah had his spiritual eyes open and could see Him in a way that only the truly righteous in heart can see Him. If our hearts are right with God, we are able to see God on a much deeper level than what is normally known of God at first glance.

God revealed himself in human form at various times in history, so it’s not too hard to see and recognize God if we are seeing Him through the lens of our humanity. But, will we always need to see Him as we do now? In heaven we will have different bodies, different eyes. We will be able to see Him differently than we do now. We will see Him as He actually is, absolute holiness wrapped up in glory. We will see absolute perfection. We will see nothing but holy love. His presence will be such that it will fill all the space we are in. We will see the glory of God without end. We will see Him on His throne and we will be drawn to Him on bended knee.

People who sit on thrones in this world are corrupted by sin. They embrace their power and authority and feast on it. They abuse their power for their own gain. But it is not that way with God. God on His throne is pure holiness. Everything He does is good and right. He always acts out of the context of perfection.

Isaiah was given a glimpse of God on His throne. There was a reason why God allowed him to see what he did. God had huge plans for Isaiah’s life. God was going to send him out into his world as a special ambassador for Him. Isaiah was going to become the voice of God for his day. Isaiah’s vision of God was going to forever change him.

God became flesh and dwelt for a while amongst us. He made himself known to us so that we can see Him and be changed by Him for His purposes. God has special plans for you and wants you to look upon Jesus. He wants to show you the way to God’s throne so that you might be saved and equipped to be His voice in your world. Behold the Lamb of God who takes away your sins. Do you see Him? Do you know His saving grace today? He is waiting for you. Turn to Him now. Today is the day of your salvation.

Before and After the Honeymoon

About the Author:

Jim HughesSpending his formative years in Ft. Wayne, IN, Jim followed the love of his life to southeast Iowa where they married and have spent the majority of their lives. Jim has pastored several churches throughout his life and has worked many years in local factories to help support his family. The father of two married adult children and one son still at home, Jim is a first-time author.

C Through Marriage came into being through many years of pastoral and life experiences. The book first took on a life of its own over 20 years ago when I sought to address the much publicized moral failures of prominent leaders in the church. In the chapter on Chasity, I include the guideliness that I developed then to protect one’s self from such failures.

I am a firm believer in order to make sense out of life you have to use much common sense. We need to get back to the basics of what has worked for many, many generations. If is isn’t broke, why try to fix it? I strive to return to the basics of what really works in all my writings.

This site contains Third Party Advertising, using online behavioral tracking technology. Some of the links in the post above are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we believe will add value to our readers.

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by on February 12, 2019  •  Permalink
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He is a Way-maker! He is the Great Physician!

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by BJ Robinson

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 KJV

Sickness gradually takes over my body. I’m weak and unhealthy, like a faded flower beneath a blazing sun. Born in New Orleans many years ago, my Louisiana sun is slipping behind the clouds, and the sun is going down. Even with glasses, I sometimes need a magnifying glass to read as my sight declines, but my eyes are open wide to God’s creative beauty all around me. I’m wheeled down the hospital hallway with nurses smiling and waving goodbye, glad to see me get my heart’s desire and go home to be with my husband and pets. My faith is much larger than a mustard seed, and I believe in the power of prayer. God has always answered my prayers. I’ve felt a hand on my shoulder as I’ve cried and prayed.

My mind reflects over the years and stages of life, like they say a drowning person relives their life. I’m drowning with congestive heart failure and wilting away as I relive the different parts of mine, from a child to a young bride, to college days, career days, losing loved ones, and being delivered from one life to another as God answered my prayer. I’m literally, gradually dying, yet somehow, with God’s help, I’m still clinging to life. Yes, my Louisiana sundown is fading. It’s dusk, but night will soon be falling. My life changed so fast there was no doubt in my mind that God guided and directed me when he delivered me from one life to another. He moved obstacles as though they were molehills instead of mountains.

I realize that odds are against me as doctors offer no hope or encouragement, but anything is possible with God. I know because I have witnessed His miracles. Even if they are ready to give up on me, I’m not ready to give up on myself. Science doesn’t hold all the answers, as they seem to think. I’ve learned that even doctors and nurses can be wrong. God is still in control, and miracles are as real today as they were when Jesus wandered the world to save and heal people in person.

The things the doctors and nurses warned me about when I left the last hospital didn’t happen as they said. Leaving that hospital was a far different experience than the previous one. No doctors or nurses wished me well, offered me any hope or encouragement, or provided a smile. I was wheeled outside in the hot sun and left by myself with a heart problem while I waited for my husband to get the car. No nurse stood by my side to help me as they did at both of the previous hospitals. Instead, they’d totally given up on me and said I was not a candidate for a heart transplant or a heart pump. 

Instead of hope, they spoke to my husband as though I were not there and could not hear them. A nurse warned, “She’s going to go down fast. You’re going to have to call 911 today. She could bleed out before you get her home. Without that drip, her heart won’t keep pumping. How will you feel if you find her dead?” They wanted to put me in Hospice. I didn’t want or need their services at the time and said no. I know I would’ve gone down quicker with them than doing for myself. The nurse told me I needed them to give me my medicine, and I said, “No, I don’t. I take it like clockwork when I’m home.”

I spoke up at that point and eyeballed the nurse as I said, “Stop trying to use fear and put a guilt trip on him. How will he feel if he leaves me here, and I die and never get to go home and be with him or see my pets again? If what you say is true, every day you keep me here, is a waste of my time. My time is precious, and I don’t have much left. I want to spend what time I have left at home with my husband and pets. I do not want to die in this hospital hooked to machines with wires that won’t allow me to walk the halls or use the bathroom by myself. Since I’ve been told there is nothing that can be done to help me, and I am not a candidate for surgery, there is no point in me staying here any longer. Nine days of my life have been wasted here, and I wish I had never come to this hospital in the first place. It was a waste of time and money and only drained my health more instead of helping me.” I heaved a heavy sigh and continued, “I’m tired of being told I’m fragile or too weak. Since I am, then I may as well go home.”

I’d previously told them that I was going home one way or another after telling them for days I was ready to go home, but no one would listen to me the entire time I was in that hospital. I kept telling them that if what they said was true, and I had no hope, each day they kept me was a wasted one away from my husband and pets. My time was precious, and I had very little of it left, and I did not want any more of it wasted in a hospital that couldn’t help me. They’d told me there was nothing they could do for me. All they wanted was for me to give up on myself, listen to them, die and get it over with, but I refused to do so. God was not through with me yet.

Read March’s serial devotional to discover what happens. Thank you for taking the time to read my devotional.

Won’t you let Him make a way for you? When you need help, ask God. Call upon Him!

Scripture taken from Holy Bible King James Version, edited by Russell Sherrard

Bio

B. J. RobinsonB. J. Robinson writes Amazon best-selling historical romance and romantic suspense and enjoys writing in various genres. Her newest book, just published in January is A Southern Spring: A Story from a Backyard Swing, clean, wholesome contemporary Christian romance. There are numerous selections readers may choose from among romantic suspense, historical romance, mystery, and sweet contemporary romance. She has authored over thirty books including full-length novels, novellas, and short stories. Many are Amazon best sellers, and some have won awards. She is blessed with three girls, two boys, thirteen grandchildren, and three great grandchildren, her husband, and pets, a golden retriever and a husky. Robinson is an avid reader and passionate writer whose hope is to entertain her readers by taking them on a continuous journey to other worlds while reminding them of the beautiful one yet to come. If you would like to explore the various genres she’s written, please check out her Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/B.-J.-Robinson/e/B007DNJIKU/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1458731934&sr=1-2-ent 

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by on February 11, 2019  •  Permalink
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Faith’s Checkbook: Joyful Security – 2/8/2019

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by Charles Haddon Spurgeon

“I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness” Isaiah 41:10.

Fear of falling is wholesome. To be venturesome is no sign of wisdom. Times come to us when we feel that we must go down unless we have a very special support. Here we have it. God’s right hand is a grand thing to lean upon. Mind, it is not only His hand, though it keepeth heaven and earth in their places, but His right hand: His power united with skill, His power where it is most dexterous. Nay, this is not all; it is written, “I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” That hand which He uses to maintain His holiness and to execute His royal sentences — this shall be stretched out to hold up His trusting ones. Fearful is our danger, but joyful is our security. The man whom God upholds, devils cannot throw down.

Weak may be our feet, but almighty is God’s right hand. Rough may be the road, but Omnipotence is our upholding. We may boldly go forward. We shall not fall. Let us lean continually where all things lean. God will not withdraw His strength, for His righteousness is there as well. He will be faithful to His promise, and faithful to His Son, and therefore faithful to us. How happy we ought to be! Are we not so?

If you would like your own copy of Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotionals by Charles Haddon Spurgeon click the image below.

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotionals

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by on February 8, 2019  •  Permalink
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Verse of the Day and Devotion – 2/7/2019

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by Bible League International

Verse of the Day and Devotion

“I am not asking you to take them out of the world. But I am asking that you keep them safe from the Evil One.” – John 17:15 ERV

Devotion

The world can be a dangerous place for Christians. The world created by God is fine and good. The Bible says, “God looked at everything he had made. And he saw that everything was very good.” (Genesis 1:31) But the world in so far as it has been infiltrated and twisted by Satan is not good at all. That’s the world that is dangerous for Christians. Speaking of the relationship between that world and His disciples, Jesus said, “And the world has hated them, because they don’t belong to the world, just as I don’t belong to the world.” (John 17:14)

If Jesus’ disciples don’t belong to that world, then why didn’t He ask the Father to take them out of it? Why not, to put it another way, take them from the world troubled by Satan to the better place in heaven above? Jesus himself gave the answer: “God sent his Son into the world. He did not send him to judge the world guilty, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:17) God loves the world He made and He’s not going to leave it the way it is. Through Jesus, He intends to save it. “Yes, God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him would not be lost but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Although God through Jesus Christ is saving the world, He’s not saving Satan. Indeed, it’s just the opposite: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” (I John 3:8) Even more, Jesus will come again to destroy the devil himself: “Then the devil . . . was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur [where he will be] tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10) God is ridding the good world He made of the nefarious and evil influence of Satan. God, in other words, is purifying the world.

Jesus didn’t ask the Father to take His disciples out of the world because they need to be in the world in order to spread the message of what God is doing for the world. All they need is to be kept safe from the Evil One until the day he is removed from the world.

Til the Whole World Know

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Why I Wrote “An Agent for Arielle”

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by Parker J. Cole

Celebrating Black History Month is a great opportunity to show how African Americans have contributed to the history of the U. S. and around the world.  

I wanted to take the opportunity to highlight my latest book, entitled, “An Agent for Arielle”. This book is a part of a multi-author series that tells tales of romance, mystery, and suspense. 

The Pinkerton Matchmaker series gives ‘being married to your work’ a whole new meaning. 

Archibald Gordon, head of the Denver, Colorado office of the Pinkerton Agency has received news — hire female agents.  He advertises the position and applicants from all over the country start to pour in. 

There’s just one problem; each female recruit will be trained by an existing agent. How do you protect her honor and reputation while still working the case? The answer seems simple. Marry your trainer for the duration of the case. 

What could possibly go wrong? 

The Pinkerton Matchmaker series, although fictional, is based on the real Pinkerton Agency. Allan Pinkerton, the founder, was a progressive of his time. He was the first to hire women and blacks.  He saw slavery as the curse of this great nation. Some of his closest friends were of African American descent and he and his wife also helped blacks on the road to freedom. 

It’s this rich historical background that my book, An Agent for Arielle, takes place.  

An aspect that I wanted to touch on in An Agent for Arielle is that Arielle Bradford of mixed ethnicity, born of a French privateer turned sugar plantation owner and a Haitian wife. She is the eldest daughter. Beautiful, vain, and spoiled. In my mind, I wanted to personify certain aspects of the 21st century. Arielle is highly intelligent and has been gifted with many opportunities. When she runs away from her father, it’s to escape an obligation to marry a man whom her father says, ‘Will tame her.”  

When one is used to having one’s way, the idea of restriction, of boundary, of structure is abhorrent.  

Caleb Smith is a former slave and Union spy. Meeting Arielle unsettles him because he can tell she has never been enslaved. In Caleb, I wanted to personify certain aspects of the struggles of those who have gone before us. They succeeded through great peril, hardship, and adversity. Caleb, unlike Arielle, understands the gift of knowing how to read and the blessing that comes from it. He worries about his freedom being taken away. He’s a Pinkerton agent, knowing that his freedom doesn’t, in this historical context, make him equal to those around him, but he learns to live within those confines. 

Arielle, used to the attention of men, can’t understand why Caleb doesn’t acknowledge her brilliance. For his part, Caleb resents her and the fact that she never had to endure what he had. 

One of my goals in writing An Agent for Arielle was bring a message about never forgetting the struggles of the past while still taking advantage of the opportunities available for the present. For African Americans, there was a time when they weren’t allowed to read and forced ignorance was placed on them. Now, illiteracy is high in certain parts of the population. There was a time when children were taken away from their mothers and sold into slave. Now, abortion rates are high in the African American community.  

This is not to say that there isn’t discrimination, racism, and inequality against African Americans in the 21st century. We see and hear stories about it all the time. But our own personal development, our own desires to succeed and do better, that truly is something we can work hard for. The way we do it is by remembering those who died for the opportunities we have now and do what we can to be better.  

A few years ago, as I started to take my writing seriously, I wrote about my ancestor who was kidnapped and lynched. You can read about it here if you’d like. It was then I came to the conclusion that I had to succeed or else, what was the point? 

I want to thank authors like Beverly Jenkins, Piper Huguley, and Vanessa Riley who write stories of multicultural love in the midst of the struggles of the past.  

So, as we celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans, lets press on toward tomorrow by looking back and blessing those of the past.

About the Author:

Parker J. ColeParker J. Cole is a writer and radio show host who spends most of her time reading, knitting, writing, cooking, and concocting new ideas for stories. Her first novel, Dark Cherub, won Best of Spring Reading 2013 from eMediaCampaigns. She lives in Michigan with her husband and beloved dog Sarah.

Visit her site at http://www.ParkerJCole.com

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by on February 6, 2019  •  Permalink
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Gems From Pastor Jim – 2/5/2019

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by Jim Hughes

CrossIs. 5:21 Destruction is certain for those who are heroes when it comes to drinking, who boast about all the liquor they can hold.

I don’t know what your stand is on drinking and I do not want to make an issue of whether or not it is okay to do it. What concerns me the most is our attitude about it. Drinking has become acceptable across most of society and the church. It doesn’t have the stigma it once did. The advertising world has done an excellent job in making it so attractive and creating a desire in people to do it.

What most people do not want to think about is its affect on the body, mind and soul of man. Some try to warn people of the downside of drinking, but it usually falls on deaf ears. It is a proven medical fact that drinking takes a toll on the body. Prolonged drinking causes the body to malfunction. It affects the ability of the mind to think clearly and rationally. It causes the soul to distance itself from God.

Alcohol consumption easily can become a god to man. People begin to live for the next drink. It consumes their thinking and becomes their chosen way of unwinding from the stresses of living. It soon takes over a person’s life and creates a need for a drink in almost all social activities. It gets to the point where a person cannot function for long without a pick-me-up drink.

People have different tolerant levels for alcohol and few are able to recognize and stay within their tolerance level. Drinking tends to dull the mind’s ability to know when the body has had enough. Drinking more alcohol than the body can safely handle causes all kinds of destruction. It destroys the body and mind and has an adverse affect on all who come in contact with the person who is drunk.

The Word of God declares that anything that is done in excess is sin. Many of the Proverbs speak about the dangers of alcoholic consumption. The issue that we must consider is whether or not it is okay to take the risk of what drinking might do to us in light of what the Word says and medical science backs up. Does God approve of our putting ourselves and others at risk when we drink? It is an issue each of us must decide before God.

Before and After the Honeymoon

About the Author:

Jim HughesSpending his formative years in Ft. Wayne, IN, Jim followed the love of his life to southeast Iowa where they married and have spent the majority of their lives. Jim has pastored several churches throughout his life and has worked many years in local factories to help support his family. The father of two married adult children and one son still at home, Jim is a first-time author.

C Through Marriage came into being through many years of pastoral and life experiences. The book first took on a life of its own over 20 years ago when I sought to address the much publicized moral failures of prominent leaders in the church. In the chapter on Chasity, I include the guideliness that I developed then to protect one’s self from such failures.

I am a firm believer in order to make sense out of life you have to use much common sense. We need to get back to the basics of what has worked for many, many generations. If is isn’t broke, why try to fix it? I strive to return to the basics of what really works in all my writings.

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by on February 5, 2019  •  Permalink
Posted in Devotional, Faith -- Inspirational, Gems From Jim Hughes
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Posted by Staci Stallings on February 5, 2019

http://graceandfaith4u.com/posts/gems-from-pastor-jim-2-5-2019/

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