Why would I think buying Christmas presents brings Joy?

My husband & Son golfing together

As a Christmas gift to my husband this year, I wanted to buy him a round of golf. I thought, "It has been while since he has been able to spend time with our now 23-year-old son. Maybe they can resume that old tradition of playing golf together on Christmas morning."

However, a round of Golf is expensive, especially where we live. In fact, I figured I would have to spend around $100.00 on this gift. I wondered, "How am I going to generate this amount of money when I haven't worked since March 2011?" http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/unemployed-mother-turns-down-needed-to.html. I decided to sell some of my belongings to afford the gift. So, I listed items I knew would sell on Ebay.

Perhaps, I became too focused on buying Christmas presents this year. Because, this morning I found myself setting my closed bible aside to curiously inquire about my Ebay Seller account. I noticed right away the bids for the items I was selling had increased. This meant that I would be receiving more money. I would have thought this would make me feel happy. Yet, for reasons unknown to me at that moment, I was feeling a little let down.

As a result, I grabbed my bible and walked away from the computer desk. As usual, I allowed the pages to fall open and land as they may. As God would have it, they settled on 2 Kings Chapter 5. Right away, I wondered, "What does leprosy have to do with my day?" Still, I kept reading. It took me a little while to digest the story. I had to pause frequently. Then when my eyes finally caught verse 26 I knew what God was communicating to my heart!

2 Kings Chapter 5:26

"Then he said to him, "Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?" (NKJV)

My eyes welled with tears as I quietly whispered to my Lord, "It is time when You say it is time!" Then, the most loving and caring voice spoke to my heart, saying, "Don't you have everything you need?" I simply and humbly replied, "Yes Lord." Then, He said, "Then what is it you need money for?" I thought about how Christmas wasn't about buying presents for others. So, wiping the tears from my eyes, I replied, "Nothing Lord."

The Word of God-A love Story

After that, something happened that had never happened to me before! I heard the Lord say, "I love you, my sweet daughter." Sobbing, I replied, "I love you too Lord!"

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below! 

To read the first written and published personal testimony 

please go to: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html

God has foreordained the works to which He has called you.

This week, I combed through old birthday cards and cinema ticket stubs, attempting to condense my personal boxes. I was hoping to let go of some old memorabilia. With each piece of paper, I reminisced of times spent with my family, going to the theater and other entertainment venues. Soon, I found myself holding a card with the word 'GOD' written across the top. I began to read.  The card said,

"GOD has foreordained the works to which He has called you. He has been ahead of you preparing the place to which you are coming and manipulating all the resources of the universe in order that the work you do may be part of His whole great and gracious work." -G. Campell Morgan. 

The card made me consider the past three years of my life. As I remembered the significant issues I had faced, I tried to remember even one moment, when I hadn't felt God's hands on a situation, or when He wasn't ahead of me solving one of life's problems.

I opened the card. I was surprised to find the name of a past work supervisor. Beside her kind words was a verse from Ephesians 2:10, which says, 

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." 

I started to digest all that had happened recently. For the past few weeks, I had focused on making a profit from the book God led me to write. Yet, after the day of the launch when it didn't appear that I had sold any books, I decided to revise my resume and conduct a serious job search. I had allowed anxiety over money to to creep in and take over God's plan. Still, God had prepared a way.

20 minutes after applying for job in nearby hospital, the phone rang. I answered the call, but couldn't completely understand what was said by the woman on the other end of the line. I heard, "Something, something job." Just then, the phone call dropped. Curious, I looked the number up using the computer Internet and found that it was most likely attached to the hospital care system I had applied to.  Oh how great it would feel to have a steady paycheck!

Bewildered, I stared at an unpaid cable bill and wondered, "How am I going to continue to pay for this service?  I decided to call the cable company and discontinue services. The man who answered my call was a believer. His name? Michael which means, "A gift from God." Micheal lowered my bill significantly without changing any of my services. All I had to do was say, "Okay."

Next, I reviewed my bank account. Surprisingly, there was an extra $125.00! Excited, I paid my car payment the cable bill and transferred the extra money to my credit card. God was ahead of me, taking care of my financial situation!

The next day, the phone rang again. When I looked at the caller identification on my phone, I noticed the number was the same as the call I received the day prior when the call dropped. I answered the call. Once again, the call was dropped. I began to shake my head and giggle.

I put my resume back in the desk drawer and sat at my computer desk. Instantly, a feeling of joy and contentment filled my heart.  I began to write again about God's love for me and the joy I find in submitting my life to the works which He has called me to do!

God was at the Restaurant

Romans 8:18 (NKJV) "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

THE WAITRESS

One day, just after I dropped my young son off at school, I felt a sudden urge to have breakfast at a local restaurant. Oddly enough, we had eggs, bread and coffee in our refrigerator. I thought to myself, “Why would I go out to eat, when I have the time to cook my own breakfast. Besides, I don't have the extra spending cash to take myself out for a treat!” Nonetheless, God was convicting my heart to go to a particular restaurant and order food. So, I obeyed Him and went. 

I hadn’t finished reading my bible chapter that morning, so I stopped by my apartment to grab my bible before driving to the cafe. I felt my stomach begin to rumble, as I walked through the door. The aroma of a delicious home cooked meal filled the air.

 Almost immediately, I was greeted by the sweet smile of a waitress. She sat me in one of the few two chair tables. Along the way, we exchanged light pleasantries. Then, she brought a menu, filled my coffee cup with fresh coffee and offered me a minute to decide on my order.

When I opened the menu, I immediately felt my heart drop. I wanted to order something other than eggs and toast, but the high price of $9.50 for a breakfast burrito was too much for my budget.  As a result, I ordered the cheapest meal on the menu, a budget breakfast that included one egg, a piece of toast and a cup of coffee. Instantly, I again wondered, "Why am I spending money on something we already have at home Lord?" God sweetly nudged my heart and reminded me that I was not there for me and that He would not allow me to feel a financial burden.

Soon, the waitress brought my order. I prayed my usual blessing and thanked God for the food.  Then, the waitress approached my table with a fresh pot of coffee.  I had just finished my prayer when she politely asked, “More coffee?” I nodded my head “Yes,” then said, “I would have added you to my prayer, but I don't know your name." She shrugged her shoulders and nonchalantly replied, "Oh, that's nice, my name is ___________.” I smiled and said, "Okay, I will pray for you." I bowed my head a second time and began to pray.

 A few minutes later, the same waitress returned to my table and offered to refresh my coffee.  As she tipped the coffee pot towards my cup, I looked up from my bible. I shared with her the prayer I prayed for her. I said, "I prayed that God would reveal Himself to you today, either through a large tip (if you need money) or in whatever way would best reach your heart.”

The waitress’ eyes welled with tears. She cleared her throat and replied, "Well, my father passed away just a week ago, and I miss him very much!" I felt the small of my back lean against my chair as I exhaled a deep sigh. Quietly, I praised God for prompting me to bring His loving name to the surface of this woman’s heart.  

Next, I shared my testimony with the teary eyed woman. When I was finished, I said, "God never leaves us. I believe He is nearest when we need Him the most!" She solemnly left my table and went to serve another customer.

Before I left the restaurant that day, I placed my tip on the front counter. The tip was in the same amount as my bill. Then, as I began to leave, the woman approached me. She held out her hand, to return my tip and said, "This is way too much!"  I paused for a moment. I told her to keep the money. Then I offered her my favorite leather cross bookmark from my bible. On the back, I had written, "Lord, be with _____ today. In Christ, Donna." Had God used me to stir the grieving woman’s heart and confirm that she was not alone in her hour of need?  

Please feel free to add your comments in the section below.

And, to purchase my personal testimony, please visit:

http://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781613791936

Most Recent Book Review-Edwina Cowgill

Apologies From a Repentant Christian

Below is the latest book review for Apologies From a Repentant Christian. The review was written by Edwina Cowgill. Please take a moment to visit this believer's website at:
http://musingsofedwina.blogspot.com/

Thank you Edwina for your time and effort in reading my personal testimony. May God bless you for your edification of the work He is doing in me. You are in my prayers!

In Christ, Donna Young

Book Review

Apologies from a Repentant Christian

By

Donna Young

Apologies from a Repentant Christian chronicles the author’s “pseudo” Christian life to a life on fire for God and for sharing his Gospel message with everyone she meets. It is refreshingly open and honest as she shares her desires to live a life for God.

On one occasion as the author prayed, she asked God to use her life to glorify Him.  Within hours, she was arrested and charged with a felony. That was not exactly what she had expected when she asked God to use her life to bring Him glory. But in her darkest hour, Ms. Young cried out to God and He answered.

With chapter titles such as, “From undeserving to grateful; my apology to God,” “From judgmental to merciful,” and “From Controlling to trusting God,” Ms. Young has written a book that every Christian needs to read. She has set the example by her godly actions, causing this reviewer to stop and think about her own actions.

Apologies from a Repentant Christian is a book that can be read alone, but could easily be adapted into a Bible study for small groups.

The official book launch will be on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2011 and all proceeds of book sales on that day will be donated to organizations that provide direct relief to our military.

Donna Young worked with nonprofit organizations in the social work field for over twenty years. She became a published author to share her personal story and offer hope to others. To read more about Donna, visit, dlouyoung@blogspot.com. For more information about Apologies from a Repentant Christian, visit XulonPress.com or contact Xulon Press at 866-909-2665.

This book was given to the reviewer at no cost for the sole purpose of reviewing. The opinions of this reviewer do not reflect the opinions of Xulon Press or its employees.

Glorify God instead of Satan this Halloween

Just eleven days after being arrested came the holiday, Halloween. I used to love Halloween and participated in all of its activities. My parents, whom my son and I were still staying with, planned on celebrating the holiday.  To my surprise, I suddenly saw Halloween as evil and demonic. I felt convicted to avoid Halloween altogether. Instead, I stayed at a hotel for the night with my son who just turned four years old. However, as I called for hotel reservations, I rethought my decision about not carving pumpkins and allowing my son to dress up. As God would have it, the children were going door to door early that night. The first few children were dressed in frightening masks and scared my youngest son with their costumes. God had confirmed that we were not to celebrate the holiday. I drove away from my mother’s home feeling a sense of relief.

The following year, just before Halloween, I watched a special on the origins of the holiday. By now, I was attempting to walk with Christ each day. As the History Channel spoke about what each activity really stood for, I felt sick to my stomach. Nothing about the holiday seemed to glorify God. I wondered, “How can I worship the Lord and still participate in these activities?”

I decided to create a new tradition. I lit the window of our living room with Christmas lights in the shape of a cross. Then I took my youngest son to see a movie. I hadn’t planned what movie we would see. I figured we would watch whatever “G” rated movie was playing. That week, there was only one movie that fit this category. It was called, “Secretariat.” There in that empty movie theater, I watched a movie about an impossible true story.  And, while my young son slept on my lap, my eyes welled with tears. God had orchestrated the perfect occasion to worship Him. I sang along as the main character, a horse, danced to the song, “Oh Happy Day!” Later, I realized, God had whispered, "Go" in my ear too! And, I have been off and running ever since!

Join my this year by lighting a cross in your window! 

Perhaps together we can reveal God's true light!

To read a summary of my personal testimony, please go to: 

http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/my-personal-testimony.html