For God's Glory

God had a purpose when He designed and created the world. God had a purpose when He designed and created you.

Do you know the purpose for which God designed you? 

A truck driver was hauling a load of 500 penguins to the zoo. Unfortunately, his truck broke down. He eventually waved down another truck and offered the driver $500 to take the penguins to the zoo. The next day the first truck driver got his truck fixed and drove into town and couldn't believe his eyes! Just ahead of him he saw the second truck driver crossing the road with the 500 penguins waddling single file behind him.

He jumped out of his truck, ran up to the guy and said, “What’s going on? I gave you $500 to take these penguins to the zoo!” To which the man responded, “I did take them to the zoo. But I had enough money left over so now we’re going to the movies.” That guy didn't fully understand what he was supposed to be doing. Likewise, many believers today are fuzzy about their purpose for living.

What is your reason for living? Are you a little fuzzy about why you’re here?

One Person

Bible

Reverence and Humility

Samson

During World War II, Jewish men were forced to box on Saturday night for Nazi entertainment. The winner got extra food. The loser went to the gas chambers.
The year is 1943, and Samson Abrams has just made a life or death decision, coming to the aid of a young Jewish boy being beaten by the Nazis. Before long, Samson’s entire family must board the train to Auschwitz.

As they arrive at the camp, Dr. Joseph Mengele, a man who will later go down in history as a person of pure evil, oversees the “selection” process. The young, weak, and elderly are all sent to their deaths. Samson tries to attack, but is calmed by Maximilian Kolbe, a Catholic monk also at the camp. For Samson, all of this evil reaffirms his belief that there is no God.

Samson is soon recognized as a 1936 Olympic boxing participant and is offered a deal: he can box for his life, but if he loses, he will find himself on Mengele’s experimental operating table.

Adding to the complexity is the slow renewal of Samson’s faith through his relationship with Kolbe. Here, he must somehow reconcile with God while he witnesses the violent, tortured deaths of so many.

A historic battle ensues with Hitler, Himmler, Höss, and many of the highest ranking officials in the Nazi Party watching... an incredible final fight which culminates in Mengele himself getting in the ring.

 I really liked this book and again, I couldn't wait for the book to arrive, so I borrowed it from my fellow blogger. I'm pretty sure he knows why I'm always knocking on his door. Good thing he reads the novels pretty fast. I really couldn't wait for a copy of my own, so I always need to borrow his.

This book was pretty fast-paced. I love anything to do with the Holocaust, so this book was a fast read for me. I really like survivor-type books from any history era. It's just that the Holocaust was so horrific, I hold a special fascination for it.

The book will be made available to the public on October 29th, 2013!

Walk by Faith

Payback in Panama

After two attempts on her life, Alex is faced with the ultimate decision . . . kill or be killed.
U.S. Treasury Agent Alexandra LaDuca is at a crossroads. Her job is beating her up, emotionally and psychologically. And the moral battle between her faith and her responsibilities is taking its toll on her effectiveness. For the first time, she wonders how long she can last.

Forcing an end to her long-running and treacherous duel with the heads of the Dosi Cartel, Alex knows this is her last do-or-die operation. It’s time call in all the favors owed to her.

Her fight takes her into the criminal underground of America’s east coast, south into the violent underworld of Central America, across Honduras and El Salvador, and finally to Panama for a shattering confrontation.
Alex’s career, her life, and her future with the man she loves---a future she never expected after the violent death of her fiancé two years earlier---are all at stake.

After a final payback in Panama, nothing will be the same . . . if she even survives.

 I love these thriller books that keep me on the edge of my seat. Even though I haven't gotten my copy yet, I borrowed it from a fellow blogger. I read it in two days between the times I do my homework for grad school and substituting for my county. I just can't get enough of reading these books. But once I finish, it's back to square 1. I am yet on another search to find a book that will keep me occupied for another two days.

This book comes out on October 22nd, so unless you have a fellow blogger that has 

the copy of the book, you will have to wait for another two weeks.

Not Romantic Enough for You?

The Little Book of Great Dates will help build romance and fun into any marriage with its creative ideas for a year’s worth of weekly affordable dates. This book—a simpler, gift version of Focus on the Family’s The Date Night Challenge campaign—will help couples to proactively and intentionally build their relationship, showing how everyday activities can become “dates” that strengthen the marriage relationship. It includes plans for special-occasion dates, such as the couple’s anniversaries (first date, engagement, wedding), birthdays, etc. Couples can get to know each other better by sharing fun times and discover dating again in their marriage with this great little book of ideas!

I read this book and learned some great ideas for the future. It has ideas that I've never thought of. My dad thought the book was weird and read a few pages. He put it down because he thought romance is supposed to come natural and not taught through a book.

But you can always be inspired from a book. You don't necessarily have to go step by step by the book.

So I suggest this book for all the men or women out there who needs some romance in their life!

A Wall Around My Heart

Family members hurt us. Friends betray us. Fellow Christians deceive us. But Jesus provides a path through the pain—the Lord’s Prayer.

In The Wall Around Your Heart, Mary DeMuth shows you that you can reach wholeness and healing in the aftermath of painful relationships by following the road map of the Lord’s Prayer. You’ll walk through story after story of hurt people who are led through biblical truth into amazing, life-sustaining, joyful growth.

Life is hard. People can be mean and petty and awful. But they can also be amazing and beautiful and sacrificial. God is good. He is faithful. You can trust him with your relationships. “He’ll send people to call out what is hard in your heart,” Mary shares. “And that’s a gift to you.”

Allow God to access the wall around your heart. Dare to say, “Tear down the bricks, Lord, whatever it takes.” Pray first. Ask for bravery—for yourself and for others. Risk engaging despite your hurt. Seek the shelter of Jesus. You don’t have to resign yourself to your wounds! You can rise above the pain. You’ll usher in a new life—an openhearted way of relating to others that expands the kingdom of God.

In the process, you’ll draw closer to Jesus, be healed, and become an agent of healing to others.

I have been hurt many times by people over the span of my life, starting in Kindergarten. I used to let it get in the way of my life, but God is healing me from all the past hurts. I don't struggle as much anymore, when people say things about me which aren't true or do things that betray a friendship I hold dear. I even wrote a poem about it in college.

This is the first time this poem has been published anywhere.

A Wall of Hurt

There’s a wall

So high

That no one dares to climb over.

One such person dared;

He started to climb,

Finding footholds here and there.

Carefully stepping,

Reaching for the impossible.

Almost reaching the top,

The end is near.

What’s this I hear?

A sound of tearing…

The wall is coming down.

Will he be safe?

Or will he fall?

The wall seems to come to life,

Shaking and trembling;

Keeping it together,

Trying to shun the man.

The man is holding on for dear life.

He lunges once more

And he’s over the top.

He jumps off the seemingly high wall,

Walks to the door,

Turns the knob with such gentleness

And turns on the light

Time stands still.

While the light is adjusting,

The wall seems to sag

With the weight of the world.

Crumbling into dust

And blowing away,

Leaving a golden key

In its wake

To let the man have her heart.