Monday, December 31, 2012

Don't give up on God

Honestly, I believe God led me to these messages I am sharing with you in this post because lately I've been in a place where I have been asking God "What are you doing?" and "Why, God?" But tonight, my questions have been silenced because I've chosen to choose to TRUST GOD instead of ASKING HIM WHY. 

I love how Joyce Meyer says in these video talks that God doesn't have to explain Himself to us! He is the CREATOR, we are His CREATION and honestly I believe we're out of place when we constantly ask God to explain his methods of being in control of our lives. When bad things happen, we immediately by default ask questions like, "Where is God?" and "Why did He allow me to go through this?" 

But in these messages Joyce Meyer will challenge you to TRUST God through it ALL, no matter what because as the song by Deitrick Haddon says, "He's able" to do wonders! The Bible says in Ephesians 3:20-21, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."

Can I get an Hallelujah, AMEN? :)

Enjoy the videos!

Love,

Alexis 

P.S._ Here are the videos I would like for you to watch: 

Joyce Meyer - Trusting God When You Don't Understand (1/2)http://youtu.be/RCImd8vZWG4

Joyce Meyer - Trusting God When You Don't Understand (2/2)
http://youtu.be/hQihs55AkYw

"He's Able" - Pastor Deitrick Haddon
http://youtu.be/lCpEJaKv1Ww

Thursday, December 27, 2012

BOOK REVIEW: DeVon Franklin, Produced by Faith

Produced by Faith: Enjoy Real Success Without Losing Your True Self. DeVon Franklin, Howard Books, a Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., New York, 2011, 245 pages, US$14.99. Reviewed by Alexis A. Goring of Columbus, Montana.

DeVon Franklin’s life is a testimony to Proverbs 3:5, 6. And his book is a blueprint to prove that he was “produced by faith.”

“When I thought about the movie business, and I thought about the Academy Awards and the Oscars, it dawned on me that the absolute top prize given out is for Best Picture, and whoever produced the movie is who wins the trophy for Best Picture,” says Franklin. “So I thought about my life, and at the end of my life I would want it to say, ‘produced by faith.’ ”

Franklin, who is also an Adventist preacher, started in the movie business more than a decade ago. He has since worked his way up to vice president of production for Columbia Pictures. He has produced movies such asJumping the BroomPursuit of HappynessSeven Pounds, and The Karate Kid.

“What I have discovered is that there is no more powerful force in the universe than our faith. And if we embrace it, it will actually lead us well beyond anything we can imagine,” he says.

Produced by Faith is divided into two sections, entitled (appropriately) development and production. Franklin delivers on his promise to give readers insight into how faith can help in any career, even in a place where most Adventists dare not go, Hollywood. “Owning your faith, not hiding it, not being ashamed of it, has been the thing that has allowed me to find success,” he says.

Franklin develops and makes films on a daily basis. In his book Franklin challenges readers to look at their life as a movie produced by their faith in God. He teaches readers to discover purpose in life, or in movie terms, “the big idea.” Then he shows readers how to allow God to write their scripts while taking notes and living according to God’s direction and will.

Produced by Faith isn’t all glitz and glamour; Franklin keeps it real, promising that we will go through what he calls “development hell.” But that’s part of the process; you don’t have a good story without conflict.

“Every great story is all about the highs and lows,” he says. “The conflict in the story is what makes the story good. Same with our life—because we don’t have the luxury of being able to look at our life from a script point of view where we can turn the page and see what’s going to happen next.”

After God has taught us valuable life lessons, built our characters, and restored us into whom He’s called us to be, our movie (life) is ready for production. This is the part of the story, Franklin believes, in which our wildest dreams come true and we see that the struggle was worth it.


Sunday, December 16, 2012

RISE and SHINE! :) An invite to Bible Bootcamp

Dearest of hearts,

I would like to invite you to a boot camp that will encourage you to strengthen your muscles-- your spiritual muscles!

For the entire month of December, Pastor Paul Graham of Restoration Praise Center (RPC) is hosting what he calls, "Bible Boot camp" and it is designed to point you to Bible truth, encourage you with Biblical solutions to real-world problems and start your day off right as it airs from 5:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. EST!

All are welcome and ALL can benefit for making time to spend with God through this boot camp facilitated by Pastor Graham from the comfort of his own home. And guess what? YOU can experience this Bible boot camp from the comfort of YOUR own home or Wi-fi zone! You don't even have to get all dressed up or even don workout gear! You just have to wake up on time and attend online. :) Now if you struggle with starting your day early or have work obligations, family emergencies or a life situation that prevents you from attending Bible boot camp on time (it airs LIVE), there is hope for you because each episode is stored on the official USTREAM website for RPC Bible Boot camp, for you to view at a time that is most convenient for you. You may go to either the USTREAM website (see link above) or PraizeVision to view the broadcasts live each morning. 

So clearly this is a win-win situation! I encourage you all to attend! Here's WHY: I believe that your life will be changed, for the BETTER and you will begin to make sense out of life when things go crazy or there seems to be no hope. HOW do I know? Because I serve a God who made this world, made you and me and every living creature and despite what the news may convey about the (dire, dark and doomsday) state of our planet Earth and no matter how crazy life can get, I've found that I can rest assured on this fact-- God is in control and He will remain in control no matter what-- you are safe when you're resting on the promises of God and trusting in Him. He knows what's best for you and wants to spend time with you. 

So if you have not already carved out a time for just you and God to talk in prayer and Bible study each day, I encourage you to please give Bible boot camp a try! Especially if this whole concept seems foreign to you! I believe it will help you as Pastor Graham preaches a mini-sermon, shares inspirational commercials, cartoons, music and encourages you to send your prayer requests to him at the end of each broadcast. Yes, that's right, you can send your prayer requests to the pastor and he will forward your e-mail on to a team based in the church (RPC) who will pray for you! And there is NO LIMIT to how many times you can e-mail him and have the prayer team pray for you!

Again, it's a win-win!

I hope you will take this opportunity to know more about and grow closer to the One True Living GOD who LOVES YOU with ALL HIS HEART!

Be blessed!

Love,

Alexis

Thursday, December 6, 2012

DeVon Franklin says "Get Perspective"



Food for thought: "We serve a God who most certainly can move mountains. But sometimes the greater revelations of God are discovered when He doesn’t move the mountain. Instead, He takes our hand and helps us climb up and over impossibilities one step at a time." -- Lysa TerKeurst's Facebook status (12/5/2012). "How does this resonate with you?"

On an UPnote: "Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place." -- Author Unknown. 

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."-- Deuteronomy 31:6 (New International Version).