Thoughts on turkeys, life and God

Turkeys and Surprises from God
A guest post by Voni Harris

“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” 

~Job 5:9 (NIV)

There we were in HellHole Canyon—it’s a real place, a county preserve outside San Diego. You should go, and you should definitely take water. I mean, it is called HellHole for a reason.

If you walk down the canyon and back up the other side, you can see Mexico and Catalina and San Diego County. Rich and I weren’t prepared to go that long and decided to turn back once we reached the creek at the bottom.

But just after we got to the bottom, we heard a strange noise.

A rustling in the bushes.

“Uh, is that a turkey?” Rich ventured.

“A turkey? Here?” Why would there be a turkey in HellHole, right?

Another rustle. It was a turkey! Cool.

“Let’s follow it!” I wanted a cool picture. So we did follow it on the trail up the other side of the canyon for a few more minutes.

Never could get a good picture because it’s a wild turkey, duh. It knows how to hide.

It was sure fun trying.

...

Isn’t that just like God, though?

You set your limits. You decide how far to go.

And God sends a wild turkey—a spurt of joy, of curiosity—that tickles you to move just outside your comfort zone. You’re just doing life as usual when *poof* God reveals a bit of Himself to you, draws you closer to Him.

Like He did when he split the Red Sea in half in front of the entire nation of Israel.

Or how about His bit of humor about a camel and the eye of the needle?

Or when He raised Lazarus from the dead? Surprise! Joy!

I admit that a wild turkey isn’t always a “good” surprise. A “turkey” can be all-out painful: A rebellious teen, a bad diagnosis, a divorce. A Cross.

But these surprises also come from God. They also do God’s work in drawing us outside of our self-imposed comfort zones and closer to Him … if we let them.

It’s so easy to just go through life without being open to those wild turkeys God sends in your path.

Singing worship songs.

Listening to a sermon.

Sitting down with your Bible.

Raising a child.

In a doctor’s office.

Out and about in nature.

What wild turkeys has God sent lately? What wonders is He working in your life?

~*~

Author bio:  

Voni Harris writes from her family’s home on the beautiful Alaskan island of Kodiak, with a husband, a golden retriever and a wheaten terrier to keep her from sitting at the computer too long at a time. 

She holds a radio-TV degree from Drake University, and her short story “The Wedding” was published in Heart-Stirring Stories of Romance (edited by Linda Evans Shephard). 

Her Christian suspense manuscript Nothing Hidden won the 2015 Daphne du Maurier unpublished inspirational category. It was titled “Next of Kin” when it won ACFW’s 2013 First Impressions contest. Tutoring is the second love of her life (after writing). 

Connect with Voni by visiting her blog at, http://vonildawrites.wordpress.com.

Words of Faith: Kristy's story about surviving the storms of life

Washed Over
A Words of Faith story by Kristy Cambron

“Wake up, girls. Get in the hallway. A storm’s coming.”

It was a balmy summer night when our mother came in and woke us with the warning. My sister and I have been asleep in the guest room of our grandmother’s home, which just happened to be in a town at the top of Tornado Alley. Soon we found ourselves crouched in a hallway in the middle of the night, with what sounded like a freight train bearing down outside.

To this day, the tornado that swept through our small hometown is still talked about; there was so much fear when the storm was raging and a huge amount of damage to clean up in the aftermath. Locals say it was survived, but not forgotten.

It’s what storms feel like in our faith journey, isn’t it? There’s uncertainty swirling just past the point where we can see. Our health might be in question. A relationship crumbling. Maybe we never imagined to be standing in an unemployment line or receiving dinner from a food pantry, but suddenly there we are. It may be that our dreams are falling apart right before our eyes, and there’s little we can do to stop it. We might not have expected it, the gale is upon us. Waves are raging and the wind roars. And all at once, we’re overcome with fear.

"Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water.  And they ceased, and there was calm."—Luke 8:24 NKJV

You’ve likely heard the story before. The disciples were in a boat with Jesus, crossing a lake from one shore to the other. He’d fallen asleep and a terrible windstorm came down upon them. And this is where the uncertainty begins, along with the exhaustion and anxiety and doubt and fear…“What do we do now?” I imagine them crying out against the wind.

The Greek word used for the raging water in Luke 8:24 is [kludón]— it comes from a word that literally means: to wash over. The description we have in this verse is not a ripple of water. It’s not just a wave. In fact, it’s so violent that in the midst of this type of storm, we’re completely submerged.

We’re washed over.

But this is not a post of defeat. This verse stands as a faith reminder that the washed over experiences we have do not end there. In fact, if you read the rest of that verse, you find victory is at our side. Not only was there the Messiah in the boat with the disciples when they were washed over, but He was quick to wake, to speak, and to calm the storm. And here’s the moment of truth – the hope we all look for through the storm clouds of our lives…

The Greek word used for calm in this same verse is [galéné]— and it comes from a root word that means: I laugh, or smile.

During my father’s chemo treatments, our family was facing a storm. And after we had to say a “goodbye for now” at the end, we were emotionally barren and completely washed over. I remember asking my mom after the memorial service if we would ever laugh again.

I wanted to go from being washed over to once again feeling authentic joy.

If you’re washed over today, know that Jesus is the catalyst for calm in the rough waters. He’s always present, quick to action on our behalf, and most important, He’s always in control. If you’re uncertain, if you’re doubting that you can make it through the raging waters, I need to tell you that you’re not alone.

I know this, because I’ve been washed over too.

I’ve been in the boat as it crossed to a distant shore. The wind screamed and the waves raged. I cried out for help. I lacked faith. And now? I smile at least once a day. I feel the calm not because of the lack of storms, but because of His absolute faithfulness through them.

With JOY,

~*~
Author bio: 

Kristy Cambron has a background in art and design, but she fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. Her debut novel, THE BUTTERFLY AND THE VIOLIN, was named to Library Journal Reviews' Best Books of 2014 and RT Reviewers' Choice Awards Best of 2014 lists, and received a 2015 INSPY Awards nomination for best debut novel. 

Her second novel, A SPARROW IN TEREZIN, was named to Library Journal Reviews Best of 2015 list, and received a nomination for RT Reviewers' Choice Awards Best Inspirational Book of 2015. 

Kristy's third historical novel, THE RINGMASTER'S WIFE, was named to Publishers Weekly Spring 2016 Religion & Spirituality TOP 10 and will release from HarperCollins in June 2016.

Kristy is a Speaker and Design Manager at TheGROVEstory.com, and holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good read.

Connect with Kristy:

Facebook: Kristy Cambron | Twitter: @KCambronAuthor | Instagram: kristycambron

Pinterest: KCambronAuthor | Web: KristyCambron.com | TheGROVEstory.com

My thoughts on the Love of God

Because He Loves Us
A devotional written by Alexis A. Goring, founder of "God is Love" blog

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” ~John 3:16 (NIV)

When my Mom is sick, I still reach out to hug her because she is my Mom and I love her no matter what. So at the risk of me becoming sick by being near her, I still risk it because I know that giving a hug makes sick people feel better. My willingness to risk getting sick so that I can help my Mom, makes me think about something greater: the Love of God and the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ who drew near to humanity when we were at our worst because He loves us. 

Jesus Christ came to Earth to reach out to the sick and hurting people in a world ridden with the negative effects of sin. He gave hope to a hurting world by reaching out and restoring people. Jesus Christ's ministry on Earth gave us hope. At the risk of being separated from His Father, Jesus risked it all to be near us, to hold us, to console us and most importantly, to restore us through His gift of salvation. Christ's love for us cost Him His life. But He defeated death and the grave when He rose again! Now, He is the Divine Mediator between God and humankind (1 Timothy 2:5).

The Bible says that we have a High Priest (Jesus Christ) who is familiar with our suffering and our pain (Hebrews 4:15). He knows the human plight so well because He lived here on this planet and endured every trial and tribulation we may ever face. Yet, He did not sin and He was victorious! Christ drew near to us and was not afraid to take on the sins of the world so that we may be free from the wages of sin, eternal death (Romans 6:23)! Why did He do this? Because He loves us!

So if you’re going through something that you do not understand or dealing with pain that makes you feel isolated and alone, guess what? You are NEVER alone because JESUS understands. He feels your pain. When you’re hurt, He’s hurt. When you cry, He cries. When you need a hug, He is there to envelop you with His love.

The Bible says that Christ is near to the brokenhearted and crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). We serve a High Priest who is able to empathize with our every pain, no matter how BIG or small (Hebrews 4:15). How is He (Jesus Christ) able to relate to us and understand everything we’re going through? Well my dear, it is because He’s been where you are, quite literally. Jesus walked in humanity’s shoes for 33 years of His life here on Earth. He carried our pain to the Cross on a hill in Jerusalem that Christians today refer to as Mount Calvary. It was there that he paid our penalty for our sin when He allowed the Roman soldiers to nail him to the cross. Now I do say "allowed" because Christ is God's Son. He could have easily defeated the soldiers and taken himself off that Cross and never died. So what kept him on the Cross? He did it because He loves us. 

The Bible says that He who had no sin, became sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus took our place on the cross. He paid the penalty for our sins (death). But in the process, He broke Satan’s hold on death. No longer would our death be eternal. No longer would God be out of reach for us. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, if we accept His gift of salvation then when we die, we have the promise of eternal life that we will receive when Jesus returns to Earth to take His faithful followers home to Heaven where there will be no more pain or sorrow. In Heaven, we will experience the abundant, painless life that God planned for humankind before sin entered our story.

God restores: Christ’s death on the cross reconciles us to God. Jesus serves as the bridge between mankind and God’s Throne. Because of Christ’s death on the Cross, we mere mortals can now approach God’s throne through prayer boldly and find help in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Because of Christ’s sacrifice, when we sin, Christ reminds God that He paid the penalty and God covers our sin with the blood of Jesus Christ. Then, He casts our sin into the depths of the ocean (Micah 7:19) and remembers it no more (Isaiah 43:25). Because of Christ, we can have a new start after we ask God to forgive us for our sins. 

The Bible says that God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Every day is a clean slate when you’re confessing your sins to God and living for Him. Now, this is not an excuse to keep a cycle of sinning then asking for forgiveness and taking it for granted that you can start new tomorrow because the Bible says that there will be a time where God says “enough” (Revelation 22:10-12) and tells His Son (Jesus Christ) to go to Earth and get His children, taking His faithful followers home to heaven. At that time, if you’re still in your sin, you’ll miss out on eternal life. So please do not wait until it’s too late. Accept Jesus Christ today. Ask Him into your heart. Plead for forgiveness of your sins. Find a good, Holy Bible-believing church and fellowship with other believers in God. Surrounding yourself with other Christians is important and so is telling the world about the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

When you are in love with God and appreciate all His Son has done for you, it’s hard to NOT share your love for Him with the entire world. I know that when Jesus came into my life and His glory changed everything in my life story for the better, it was hard to keep it to myself. It’s when my writing ministry was born. I started writing devotionals like this one and embarked on a journey of sharing His love with the world through message boards, blogs and social media. It’s such good news! Try inviting Jesus into your heart and you’ll see why you cannot keep your love for Him to yourself. He is AMAZING and His love for us is out of this world! And our true home, Heaven, is more beautiful and blessed than any place on planet Earth (1 Corinthians 2:9). Did you know that we won’t need light when we get to Heaven because the glory of God will light all of heaven? Read Revelation 21:23 for proof. I am SO looking forward to going home. Aren’t you?

But back to the main message of this devotional: Christ loves you. He fights for you. He’s passionate about saving your soul and taking you home to heaven to live eternally. The Bible says that He’s come to give us life and give it more abundantly (John 10:10).

Aren’t you glad that we serve a risen Savior who is in our world today? Aren’t you glad that He draws near to you at your worst and loves you no matter what? Aren’t you glad that He paid the price for our sins (The Bible says that the wages of sin is death) and made it possible for us to be reconciled to God (who hates sin) and live eternally?

I know I am (so glad). If you don’t know Jesus, I encourage you to get to know Him today. Read His Word (The Holy Bible). Draw close to Him and never let Him go.

In closing, I'd like for you to listen to this song, "How He Loves Us". It's performed by Kim Walker-Smith and Jesus Culture (musicians). Enjoy!