|
|
|
|
Word Bites
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13
|
|
Elizabeth Writes a weekly devotional that can be delivered to your inbox. Sign up today!
|
|
|
 Footprints in History |
|
Martin Luther, 1505
Martin Luther was disappointed with his training as a lawyer so he tried studying philosophy. Both subjects left him depressed for each was filled with endless arguments leading only to more questions.
One day he was complaining about the uncertainties of life while riding back to school after a visit home when something happened that was very certain: A bolt of lightening almost knocked him from his horse!
|
My Path |
Something To Smile About
The life of a writer is often plagued by dry spells and downturns, so it is when a bright spot unexpectedly shows up it is especially welcome.
You are looking at my most recent "bright spot" and it's enough to make me smile despite a path that since June has seen more shadows than sunshine.
|
Modern Footprints |
The Question That Changed My Life
A number of years ago, I came across a quote by Rev. Sam
Pascoe. It is a short version of the history of Christianity, and it goes like
this: Christianity started in Palestine as a fellowship; it moved to Greece and
became a philosophy; it moved to Italy and became an institution; it moved to
Europe and became a culture; it came to America and became an enterprise.
|
|
|
|
|
How to Hang Loose in an Uptight World
 Elizabeth's book on stress control is a no-nonsense primer for the person on the go. The book offers check-off lists to measure your personal stress and fifteen time-proven techniques that keep stress from damaging your mind and body. Choose any two techniques, apply them for seven days and feel your stress melt away. Book is available by order through most bookstores or Amazon.com. Or, you can obtain an autographed copy for $9.99 plus $3 shipping by emailing Elizabeth. Click here. . |
|
|
Footprints in History, continued
Terrified by the sudden reality of death and judgment he cried out, "Help, Saint Ann, I will become a monk!"
His vow had been rash, but Martin regarded it as binding and dropped out of school to enter the monastery. His doubts and uncertainties were not solved at once, but he was at last on the right path. Before many years passed the light of God's free forgiveness dawned and he found his certainty in God.
Martin Luther would have more troubles on his -journey (don't we all?) but for the rest of his life he was certain of one thing: it was possible for a human to hear from God. Even if it takes a bolt of lightning to bring the point home!
My Path, continued
Last July I was looking forward to the release of my most recent non-fiction, Personalities According to Pooh. The book was fun to write and I think readers will find it both encouraging and fun to read. That is IF the thing ever comes to print!
We were due to release the first week in July. Advance sales were in progress, print promotions were set to go in several magazines, radio interviews were being scheduled, blog tours were being planned and Standard Publishing had hired a publicist to work with me.
That's when the plug got pulled.
Copyright laws have what is called "fair usage" limitations. This means that you can use the work of other authors within specific guidelines. Both my editor and I felt that we had not violated the laws in any way. However, a letter from the owners of the Pooh works in England did not agree and suddenly a letter showed up from them indicating their displeasure.
The end results was that Standard not only stopped production of Personalities According to Pooh, but the distribution of Living with Eeyore as well! This was to be a temporary situation until the lawyers could unscramble the details, but weeks have stretched into months with no end in sight. Needless to say this was one of those "downturns" I mentioned in the first paragraph.
Then along came a bright spot, and I have to admit I am smiling even though the Pooh situation seems far from over, no agent (so far) had agreed to manage my novel and my most recent proposal for a new non-fiction work (Tracing the Footprints of God in Your Life) is stuck in editorial committee.
My bright spot has been discovering a company, Constant Contact, that has made it possible for me to develop what I hope will be a genuine ministry to believers who have signed up to be on my mailing list. Each week I hope to give a brief note of encouragement through scripture and a brief devotional. Then, once each month you will receive a newsletter featuring an historical figure that was touched by God, a note about my own walk with Him, and a true story from a modern reader telling how they have encountered God.
If you received this email directly from me, you are on my contact list and should be seeing the new devotional in your box next Friday. If this email was forwarded to you, you may join the list by dropping your email in the sign up box at the left. Of course, you can easily unsubscribe at any time and no one has access to your data except yours truly. But, I hope you will want to continue and be blessed by this ministry. Producing the newsletter has made me smile, and I trust it will do the same for you!
If you have a comment, click here. I would love to hear from you!
Modern Footprints
I had the privilege of teaching at a school of ministry at the time and my students were hungry for God. I was constantly searching for ways to challenge them to become voices for revival in the Church, so I gave them the quote.
Some of the students were only 18 or 19 years old--barely out of diapers--and I wanted them to understand and appreciate the import of the last line, so I clarified it by adding, "An enterprise. That's a business."
After a few moments Martha, the youngest student in the class, raised her hand. I could not imagine what her question might be. I thought the little vignette was self-explanatory, and that I had performed it brilliantly. Nevertheless, I acknowledged Martha's raised hand, "Yes, Martha."
She asked such a simple question, "A business? But isn't it supposed to be a body?" I could not envision where this line of questioning was going, and the only response I could think of was, "Yes." She continued, "But when a body becomes a business, isn't that a prostitute?"
The room went dead silent. For several seconds no one moved or spoke. We were stunned, afraid to make a sound because the presence of God had flooded into the room, and we knew we were on holy ground. All I could think in those sacred moments was, "Wow, I wish I'd thought of that." I didn't dare express that thought aloud. God had taken over the class.
Martha's question changed my life. For six months, I thought about her question at least once every day. "When a body becomes a business, isn't that a prostitute?" There is only one answer to her question. The answer is "Yes."
I was pondering Martha's question again one day, and considered the question, "What's the difference between a lover and a prostitute?" I realized that both do many of the same things, but a lover does what she does because she loves. A prostitute pretends to love, but only as long as you pay. Then I asked the question, "What would happen if God stopped paying me?"
For the next several months, I allowed God to search me to uncover my motives for loving and serving Him. Was I really a true lover of God? What would happen if He stopped blessing me? What if He never did another thing for me? Would I still love Him?
Please understand, I believe in the promises and blessings of God. The issue here is not whether God blesses His children; the issue is the condition of my heart. Why do I serve Him? Are His blessings in my life the gifts of a loving Father, or are they a wage that I have earned or a bribe/payment to love Him? Do I love God without any conditions?
It took several months to work through these questions. Even now I wonder if my desire to love God is always matched by my attitude and behavior. I still catch myself being disappointed with God and angry that He has not met some perceived need in my life. I suspect this is something which is never fully resolved, but I want more than anything else to be a true lover of God.
So what is it going to be? Which are we, lover or prostitute? There are no prostitutes in heaven, or in the Kingdom of God for that matter, but there are plenty of former prostitutes in both places. Take it from a recovering prostitute when I say there is no substitute for unconditional, intimate relationship with God. And I mean there is no palatable substitute available to us (take another look at Matthew 7:21-23 sometime). We must choose.
By
Dr.David Rysner
Back to Modern Footprints
We appreciate Dr. Ryser for allowing us to post his article this month. He welcomes responses and you may contact the author at drdave1545@yahoo.com Want to see your own story published in Tracing God's Footprints? We would love to hear from you! Click here for details. | |
|
