How to Read the Bible for the Beginner

January 23, 2012 How I Went from Attending A Catholic Church to a Calvary Chapel

Good morning my LORD. This morning, as I sit in our new home church building, waiting for our worship team to play their first song, I begin to meditate upon Your ways. It seems curious to me, that I spent much of my life searching for You in a grand and glorious cathedral. I searched for You there, each Sunday morning between the walls of stained glass windows, high ceilings, marble altars, freshly polished pews and a rolled out, red carpet. I wonder now, “Were You there?”

In contrast, today, 38 years later, I find myself sitting among walls that display fine lines of aging. A cool breeze whirls inside this historic and quaint little chapel. My seat is dimly lit, causing me to struggle in recognizing each church goer’s face.

I pause for a moment to share a thought with You.  “Oh LORD, why did it have to take me so long to find You? Thank You for beckoning me to this place that I am sure, I would never have thought to seek on my own.”

Yet here I sit, restlessly waiting for the preaching of Your Word.  I watch as a modest amount of church members trickle in, bringing with them, warm greetings and smiles. I instantly feel at home as I sit up straight in my seat and smile. Soon, the worship team begins their warm up session. With time to spare, I try to remember the first time I walked through the doors of this sweet little chapel. Then, I remember.

 It was just a few weeks after my release from jail, just a little over four years ago. Travis and I had just moved into our new little apartment one hour away from the church we had been attending. For several months, I had commuted back and forth each Sunday to a church up north. Although Travis had turned four-years-old, I was still laying him down for a nap each day. However, by the time we returned home from Sunday 10:00 am service, it was too late to press the issue of a nap. Unfortunately, Travis wouldn’t sleep during the car ride home. So, each Sunday evening, I ended up with an overtired 4-yr-old on my hands. After several months of struggling, one morning, I decided to search for a church closer to our new home.

I conducted a quick online search and found a large, popular church located just 20 minutes away. “Next Sunday.” I thought as I readied my heart for the change. The following Sunday, I dressed Travis and myself in clean modest clothing. On a tight budget, it was the best we had to wear at the time. Then, I excitedly drove to the church. We took our place in a long line of cars being ushered into the parking lot. Right away, I noticed that the parking lot attendants were all dressed up in three piece suits. I glanced down at what I was wearing, took a second look at my son’s outfit in the back seat, and almost immediately I filled with anxiety. Just then, one of the men in suits approached my car. Looking down at me with a scornful expression, he said, “Can I help you?” My heart skipped a beat and all I could say was, “No thank you,” before I made a U-turn and left the church parking lot. A tear fell from the corner of my eye as we headed back home. “I guess we weren’t welcome there.” I thought to myself.

As we pulled up to our apartment, I said a little prayer. “Father, please direct me to a church where I can learn more about You and Your ways. Help us to find others who love You as much as I do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

The following Sunday, I decided to attend whatever services were available at the charming little chapel located just down the street. So first thing in the morning, I conducted another online search. Right away, the church website popped up on my screen. Soon, I was determined to attend the next available morning service at Calvary Chapel Nipomo. 

I remember that first morning well. Mostly likely because the experience was none like any I had had before. I knew something was different the moment I pulled into the unpaved parking lot. I parked our car near a few other lonely cars.  No fanfare. No proud parking lot attendants. No church bells ringing. Just a quiet, modest little chapel with friendly welcoming faces. I followed two elderly women up to the tall skinny chapel doors. There a sweet woman named Leah waited to greet me. I shook her warm hand as she handed me a small folded piece of paper with her other hand. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but the warm greeting made me instantly feel at home.  

Once inside, I was greeted by another member who walked with me and Travis over to Sunday school. There, Travis was greeted by the only other child in attendance, the Pastor’s grandson. We learned later that day, that Miles, had been praying for a child his age to attend church with him on Sunday.  Travis would be God’s answer to the sweet little boy’s prayer.

Once Travis settled in, I returned to the chapel. The minute I stepped inside, I smelled the sweet aroma that had completely filled the room. Throughout the service, that same sweet smell of fresh BBQ blew in from the well-known steakhouse, slash bar located directly across the street.

That first service was longer than I was used to. But the Pastor knew his Bible.  I found myself frantically trying to keep up with him as he quoted Scripture, turning from one chapter to the next. All the while, my heart stirred with conviction.  After the service, I shared my redemption story with the Pastor and his wife. “My husband and I are still struggling,” I said. Without hesitation, they both took me aside and prayed with me. How could I have known that such a kind and welcoming beginning would turn into years of constant encouragement and the sound teaching of Your Word? Of all the churches I have attended over the past 38 years, none has ever touched my heart the way this little-known, all but forgotten chapel has.

Sweet memories soothe me now, as my thoughts return to present time. My Pastor begins his sermon by sharing a story. “A congregation in the foothills of the Smokies wanted to build a new sanctuary. But days before opening, the building inspector noted that the church would not be able to add the addition until the church parking lot had doubled in size. With limited land space all around, the only way to provide additional parking would be to move the nearby mountain. The members of the church prayed. The next morning the Pastor was visited by a construction foreman. He said, 'We’re building a new shopping mall in the next county and we need fill dirt. Would you be willing to sell us a chunk of that mountain behind the church? If we can have the dirt right away, not only will we pay you for the dirt, but we will remove and pave all the exposed area free of charge.’ ” [1] I immediately think, “Just imagine!”

By the time he had finished his sermon, I was all fired up. With reckless abandonment, I begin to think, “I want to pray like that!” 

A Little Later 

After the service had ended and everyone had left the church building, I giddily approached our Pastor and shared my excitement with him. I must have sounded so childlike when I innocently blurted out, “I’ll pray with all my heart that on Valentine’s Day, God will write ‘John 3:16’ across the sky in big puffy clouds for all to see.”  For a moment, my Pastor looked at me with a surprised expression. Perhaps he thought I had gone mad. I didn’t let it bother me. Instead, I marched right out of church feeling courageous and bold!

Them, for the rest of the day, I allowed the Scripture shared during service to penetrate my heart. “…for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”[2]

I was ready to pray, even just for the possibility.

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[1] APA: A Small Congregation In The Foothills Of The ... text ... (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sermoncentral.com/illustrations/sermon-illustration-paul-wallace-stor

[2] Matthew 17:20 “So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” (NKJV)

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. — Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

Sometimes, I feel ill-equipped to describe those wonderful heavenly blessings I’m experiencing as a newborn believer in our Lord Jesus Christ? Just this morning, I received a few more.

I began the morning by reading 1 Samuel, chapter six. As I usually do, I imagined myself as being part of the story. Frustrated at the advice given to the Philistines, I said, “Tumors and golden rats? Really? Why didn't you just give God your heart as a trespass offering?" Suddenly, my reading was interrupted by a knock on our trailer door.  A mother of a teenager was requesting transportation for her daughter to school. “I’ll be back in one half hour. I can give her a ride to school then if you would like.” I responded.

Then, just a few minutes after she had walked away, I heard an even softer knock. It was time to pray with another child before taking him and my son to school.  During both times of transportation, I noticed several doves flying over our car. Quietly in my heart I thanked God while out loud, I shared the Gospel with each passenger.

Afterward, I returned home to our trailer. I had received a call from a friend of mine while driving. So, I quickly returned her call. She was in need of prayer. So, I prayed with her. Then, I tried my best to communicate just how much "God loves her." After this, I sent her a link to a song through Facebook. That’s when I saw a message from another friend at church. She mentioned the possibility for me to attend an upcoming women’s retreat.  I quickly called my husband. "Can I go worship the Lord by my friends’ side next weekend?" I asked. Surprisingly, he encouraged me to attend the conference. And, within the hour, I had received another unexpected blessing.

“It’s been a busy few hours.” I thought. Maybe I’ll watch a movie while I wait upon God for my next assignment. So, I placed my favorite movie, "The Gospel of John,” into our dvd player. As I pressed the “play” button, something unbelievable happened. A strong aroma filed our trailer. It was the smell of incense. The fragrant smoke was so strong; it smelt as though it was burning right under my nose.  I looked around. But, I hadn't even lit a candle. “So, where was this sweet smell coming from?” I wondered.  There was no earthly explanation. Therefore, I smiled and began to pray.  "Lord and loving Shepherd, thank You for my faith. Thank You for blessing me as I seek to share this faith with those You send to me. But mostly Lord, thank You for Your presence in my life which I count as the greatest blessing of all. In Your Loving and Holy Name. Amen.”

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!

To read this author's personal testimony please go to: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html

John 17:20-26 Jesus' Prayer for all Believers

 

Jesus Prays for All Believers

John Chapter 17 verses 20-26

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁰ “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; ²¹ that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. ²² And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: ²³ I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

²⁴ “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. ²⁵ O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. ²⁶ And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

I prayed this prayer for all believers today!

To read my personal testimony please go to:

http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html

Psalm 139 NKJV

After I woke this morning, I grabbed for my bible and allowed the pages to fall as they may. The pages fell open to Psalm 139. How beautiful and perfect was God personal message to me. No need to paraphrase! 

 

Psalm 139-New King James Version (NKJV)

God’s Perfect Knowledge of Man

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

 

139 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
² You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
³ You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
⁴ For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
⁵ You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

⁷ Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
⁸ If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
⁹ If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
¹⁰ Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
¹² Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

¹³ For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

¹⁷ How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
¹⁸ If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

 

 

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!  

To read this author's personal testimony please go to: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/p/store.html

Fearing God; What does that mean?

Genesis 22:12 (NKJV) And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only [son], from Me."

Below our humble little Christmas tree still lies one lonely, carefully wrapped Christmas gift. The gift was thoughtfully chosen for my twenty three-year-old stepson. Yet this year, he decided not to come home for Christmas.

So, while I felt joy for other reasons this past Christmas, I also felt a feeling of emptiness over my stepson's absence. I missed his arm around my shoulder in church. I missed seeing him across the dinner table where he normally sat. And I missed the upbeat and playful excitement of watching his reaction to our opening presents.

Instead of opening the door to a warm hug, this year our only form of interaction was through text messages. On December 24, I texted my stepson the words, "Merry Christmas Son." He replied, "Merry Christmas." Even so, I felt very strongly that his desire to keep his distance was not because he was upset with me. Only ten days prior on my birthday,  my stepson made a point of calling our home to wish me a joyous day and express his love for me.

So, keeping this in mind on Christmas Day, I prayed God that would stir my stepson's heart and possibly bring him home. However, the Lord stirred my heart instead. As my thoughts drifted back to another time and place, I remembered the day my stepson left our home to reunify with his biological mother for the first time.

My stepson had packed his few boxes of belongings and stacked them in the corner of his room. His mother and stepfather patiently waited in the driveway. Overwhelmed by the moment, my husband withdrew his emotions and kept silent in the distance. Soon, the time had come to say our "goodbyes." So, I entered my stepson's room where he sat on the edge of his bed, lonely and choked up with tears. Quietly, I approached him and sat by his side. At a loss for words, I simply placed upon his lap the going away gift I had purchased the week prior. He slowly opened the box to find a bible with his name inscribed on the front. With our shoulders slumped, we both remained silent and allowed the tears to flow from our eyes.

Finally, through those croaks and squeaks in a young boy's voice my stepson broke the silence and spoke the only words he would speak to me that day. Wiping his eyes and clearing his throat, my stepson said, "I have to go. I just can't bare the thought of disappointing you!"

Now, as I thought back to that time in my life, a feeling of bewilderment encompassed my heart. "Dear God, does my stepson think I am still the same judgmental person I was before?"  God responded. "No." Then, the Lord spoke quietly to my heart. God said, "It isn't because your son believes you will judge him. He stays away because he respects you and loves you so much that he fears disappointing you!"   I began to cry uncontrollably,. "Lord Jesus, that is exactly how I feel about You! If only I could only teach my stepson to fear You instead!"

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

We're Unequally Yolked! Now what?

One cannot bring a person to God any faster than 

the Lord prepares them to accept His instruction!

Matthew 22:37 ^“Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ” (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” (NKJV)

           

In December 2008, my husband continued his abuse of prescription drugs, so I decided to move out of our home and into an apartment with our youngest son. Three years later, we are still married, yet, in many ways, we have remained separate individuals. We still live under separate roofs, have separate bank accounts and worship the Lord in our own personal ways.  

            Also, in 2008, I watched as my husband fell to his knees and accepted Jesus Christ into his heart. At the time, I had recently accepted the Lord too. We were both just beginning to surrender our separate wills to God.  Since then, my faith has grown immensely. First, God orchestrated my enrollment and graduation from a Seminarian program. Next, I was baptized. Then later, God led me to write and publish a book about my repentance and utter surrender to Jesus Christ. Over the past three years, my walk with Christ has felt more like a run at top speed! In comparison, my husband’s walk has been more methodical and seemingly cautious. So, I wait patiently, sometimes impatiently, for my husband to catch up.

What makes this situation difficult is the imbalance of emotions I feel towards God and my husband. Over the past three years, I have relied on the Lord for strength and help during trials. In doing so, I often share my innermost personal thoughts with the Lord rather than my husband. It is the Lord’s comfort and warm embrace I have come to depend on.  I have often failed to allow my husband the same access to my heart as I have my Lord and Savior. I pray that during the next part of my journey, I will learn how to become a loving encourager and friend to my husband as well.

MY WAYS ARE NOT HIS WAYS

Constant physical separation within a family causes each to develop individual routines in the absence of the other partner.

While my husband works away from the home for long periods at a time, our youngest son and I have settled into a comfortable routine. We begin each morning the same way.  I wake up a few minutes before he does, make a cup of coffee and read a chapter in my bible. Then, I wake him up and he scurries off to school. When he returns home, we eat a snack together, complete his homework and watch his favorite cartoons. Throughout the day, my son and I often suddenly stop to pray for someone God places on our hearts.

At night, we dance our favorite dance down the hall towards his room. We say our nightly prayers and then I kiss and tuck him into bed. When I read Scripture to our son, I try to explain God’s purpose behind His Word. Sometimes, God will bring His Word to life in a beautiful way that inspires wonder and joy. During these moments our young son and I praise God! Over the past three years, the two of us have experienced many exceptionally lovely moments together with God.

Sometimes a visit by my husband can upset this daily routine.  During one recent visit, our young son approached me after returning from day of golf with his father.  My husband had become angry on the golf course and had used foul language. Our son, not knowing many profane words, was stunned. He said, “Mommy, Daddy said two bad words today.” My husband, who was standing nearby, remarked, “And I told you that you didn’t hear those words.” Our young son, so astute, then said, “Now, are you asking me to lie?” Rather than speak to my husband in private, I immediately and outspokenly sided with our seven-year-old and belittled my husband for his improper example. 

Then, there are those other times when I try to remain altogether humble, kind and gentle through a rough weekend visit. During these times, I ask God to help me bear with my husband in love (Eph 4:2). One day I learned that my husband had lied to receive a refund on his income taxes. Rather than make him feel worse, I simply asked, “What can I do to help?” Then, I said, “I have some money that I can pull off of a credit card to assist you in a payment if you would like.” While he politely refused, I could tell that he was thankful for the compassion I had offered. In moments like these, I often pray out of desperation to God regarding my marriage. I ask God, “With all that I went through, why hasn’t my husband fully surrendered to Your will yet?”  In response, God softly reminds me that He is God and that His thoughts are not my thoughts, nor are my ways, His ways!

  He said, “The homeless man walked straight up to me and said, I want to enter your sober living program!” The speaker shared his reservations about admitting that particular man into his program. “He was older, had been on the street for fifteen years and I wondered if he could ever learn to fully accept sobriety.” I felt like God Himself was telling me one of His parables. Then the man said, “But as I stared at the aging man, I remembered something my father said to me once, ‘It’s never over with God’s Kingdom!’ So I admitted the man after 15 years of homelessness and the sixty-year-old man graduated from our sober living program, attended a bible college and is now a local Pastor.” “It is never too late for God’s Kingdom!” I thought. “Please Lord, lay a burden on my husband’s heart to seek help from a sober living program. And give me the strength and patience to wait on You.” Just then, one of my favorite worship songs began to play. Streams of tearful joy and hope ran down my face as I heard, “Strength will rise when we wait upon the Lord, wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord!”

Please share your thoughts in the comments section below! 

To read about the night that caused me to surrender to God's Will, 

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

Walking Closer to God in 2012- Proverbs 28

This past week, I resolved to creating my New Year's Resolution for 2012. http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/2011/12/my-new-years-resolution.html

Yet, I wondered how I would accomplish this goal. So, I prayed, "Lord this year, help me to continually attempt to discover ways to walk closer to You."

Then, I opened my bible this morning and allow the pages to fall. As God would have it, the pages landed on Proverbs 28. Smiling, I thanked the Lord for providing the perfect way to achieve my New Year's Resolution.

In 2012:

Proverbs 28:5

I will seek the Lord with all my heart to better understand His ways and His plan for my life. 

28:6

I will be content with having less money,  remembering how I have found comfort in being an honest and more godly person. Better to have less money and more understanding!

28:8

I will obey God's commands and turn my ear towards His law.

28:10

I will remain blameless so that I can be a greater blessing to the world.

28:12

I will join voices with other righteous believers and praise God for my freedom.

28:13

I will continue to humbly confess my sins and repent so that I can continue to enjoy the true peace and mercy that I have found.

28:14

I will continue to fear offending God.

28:16

I will first consider my own behavior before seeking understanding from others. 

28:19

I will continue to pursue this new way of life (as a true believer) because my conscience is finally clear and I have found comfort in becoming the person God intended for me to be.

28:20 

I will attempt to lead others into a life of true happiness by modeling holiness and honesty.

28:25 

I will not let pride allow me to stir up strife. I will remember that life is easy if I continually depend on God and His Grace.

28:26 

I will not place my trust in my own strength, heart or merit but will submit every issue to God through prayer. 

28:27 

I will give to the poor. I will not turn away from people needing compassion, especially when God calls them to my attention.

AND,

28:28

I will not take pleasure in the failure of the wicked. I will pray for God to show them the mercy He has freely offered me.

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

Had I been praying for myself?

As I combined through past blogs today, one particular blog caught my attention. http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/2011/10/our-soldiers-are-coming-home.html

I hadn't read the entry for some time. Yet, when I noticed it was the most popular post, I became curious. So, I clicked on the entry and began to read. While I read the post out loud to my husband, something wonderful happened. My heart leaped with joy! Until Christmas, I had resolved to pray on my knees for God to comfort His children with a Bible. I asked God to place His Word, my favorite book, in the hands of the lost and hurting. I wrote, "I wonder who will receive a bible as a gift for Christmas this year."

When I finished reading the post, I smiled. Immediately realizing that God had included me in my prayer for others. Because, this Christmas past morning, I received a beautiful, brand new, shiny white bible! http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-12-27T13:53:00-08:00

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

Christmas Everyday!

John 15:8-11 (NKJV)

By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

        Before December 2008, I experienced many Christmas' when I felt disheartened. All year long, I had waited in anticipation for that magical day. I had joyfully awaited the company of family and a smell of delicious turkey filling the air. I put all of my hopes in the events of that one calendar day. Yet, I never truly understood its meaning. Perhaps that is why December 25 often felt like just any other day. Then, on October 20, 2008 I accepted God's holy gift of His only Son, Jesus Christ. And, from that moment on, my life changed.
        Now, everyday feels as though it it's filled with Christmas joy.  For example, one day, while picking up my young son from kindergarten, I noticed two men who were struggling to retrieve their keys from their locked car. I could tell they had been laboring for quiet awhile because of the sweat on their brows and the weary look on their faces. Just as my son clicked his seat belt, I heard God's voice say, "Go tell them you are praying for them." So, I told my son, "I'll be right back. I need to tell these men something."

I left my car door ajar as I ran over to the two men. I repeated God's exact words. “I am praying for you.” Then, I returned to my car, clicked my seat belt and slowly began to drive away. Unexpectedly, the parking lot stoplight turned red and we came to a dead halt. Suddenly, the two men began to jump up and down. They began waving their arms up over their head and yelling at the top of their lungs. "Hey! It worked, It worked!"  Joy unspeakable! Then, one of the men sprinted to my car. I rolled down my window as fast as I could and extended my hand out to him. The man slapped the palm of my hand so hard that I could feel the sting all the way home. My eyes welled with tears, not from the pain in my hand, but the joy in my heart.

Minutes later, we returned home. I thanked God for using me in that precious moment to grow the faith of these two men. Then, I thanked Him for growing my own faith and my young son’s too!

Joy Unspeakable
Text: Barney E. Warren, 1900
Music: Barney E. Warren, 1900

I have found His grace is all complete,
He supplieth ev’ry need;
While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet,
I am free, yes, free indeed.
I have found the pleasure I once craved,
It is joy and peace within;
What a wondrous blessing! I am saved
From the awful gulf of sin.
I have found that hope so bright and clear,
Living in the realm of grace;
Oh, the Savior’s presence is so near,
I can see His smiling face.
I have found the joy no tongue can tell,
How its waves of glory roll!
It is like a great o’er flowing well,
Springing up within my soul.

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

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.