Whatever is Pure Archives
 I Lift My Eyes Christian Books |
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Can You Handle the Truth? 50 In-Your-Face Devotions for Teens By Phil Chalmers Suicide. Rape. Sex. Drugs and alcohol. Abortion. These are just a few of the tough topics popular youth speaker and author Phil Chalmers confronts head-on in this powerful new devotional Can You Handle the Truth? Just for teens, this issues-based devotional delivers big impact with an in-your-face, tell-it-like-it-is style that will capture (and keep) your attention. Skipping the "thou shalt nots," Chalmers gets down to the nitty-gritty with 50 readings from real life - with bonus "How Does This Affect Me?" and "What Does God Say?" sections. An edgy design rounds out this unique package. |
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TNIV STRIVE: The Bible for Men, Hardcover Strive is designed to help you live out your unique calling as God's man amid everyday affairs--family, work, friendships, church, personal interests, and finances. These are the things God uses to shape Christ's character in you, and to demonstrate it through you. This Bible speaks frankly and honestly about what it means to walk with valor in a culture that works against God's will and ways. Made for real-world use, Strive is down-to-earth and packed with spiritual insights. Features include: 100 "Myths" articles, 50 "Things You Should Know About" profiles, 200 "Downshift" notes, 200 "Knowing God" callouts, 300 "At Issue" notes, Book Introductions, Topical Index and Articles. Also included are the Author, audience, date, setting, key verses and central theme. |
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1,001 Quotes, Illustrations, and Humorous Stories for Preachers, Teachers, and Writers By Edward K. Rowell / Baker Books * Rejuvenate your sermons and lessons with this rich collection of fresh illustrations! Drawn from the respected Leadership journal, Rowell's well-organized compilation of quotes, idea starters, and humor will add punch to your points and zest to your speeches. A must-have resource for pastors, teachers, or anybody who works with words! 464 pages, softcover from Baker. |
The Field God Gives
There is something magical about a fresh blanket of snow during the middle of the winter in a large urban center. The dirty, grimy snow piles on the side of the road is camouflaged, at least for a day or so until the soot from traffic sullies the new snowfall. Formerly barren, brown and grey school fields now sparkle and glisten in the bright winter sunlight.
I vividly remember staring out of a classroom window when I was a child; gazing upon a thick blanket of fluffy white snow that had fallen on my schoolyard while class was in session. It was hard for me to concentrate on the lessons of the day. I silently begged the recess bell to ring and I am sure most of my classmates presented their own petitions for recess to come quickly. As soon as we were released, we scrambled to the cloakroom, pulling on our sweaters, mitts, scarves, boots and coats as we ran out the door and down the stairs. Fresh snow!
Several of my classmates ran straight on into the snow but I held back for the briefest of moments. I was overwhelmed by the possibilities that lay before me and I was reluctant to spoil the untouched beauty by trampling upon it. A snowball tossed my way quickly overcame my reticence and soon I joined with a group of girls making snow angels. All too soon, recess was over and we trudged back to our classroom. I glanced out the window at the still white field. Although hundreds of little feet and hands had made good use of the snow, nothing beyond our footprints remained.
Snowfall, no matter how beautiful, can only offer a temporary cover for what lays below the pristine surface. When the spring thaw comes, the ugly stains, grime and pollution that the world endured during the winter months lay exposed for all to see and the clean white snow mixes into the soot, creating murky. Charcoal-grey puddles that lay in wait for a poor inattentive pedestrian who walks alongside the roadway.
Praise God! His forgiveness does not just cover our sins, leaving our filthy stains just under the surface, ready to be exposed by the heat of the day.
Psalm 51: 1-15 (The Message)
Generous in love—God, give grace! Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record. Scrub away my guilt; soak out my sins in your laundry. I know how bad I've been; my sins are staring me down. You're the One I've violated, and you've seen it all, seen the full extent of my evil. You have all the facts before you; whatever you decide about me is fair. I've been out of step with you for a long time, in the wrong since before I was born. What you're after is truth from the inside out. Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life. Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don't look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!
God's cleansing forgiveness and grace seeps deep down into the core of our being, bringing purity and freshness from the inside out. At the very moment we come to him in repentance and accept that forgiveness, we are 'pure and white, clean and bright'. He makes 'all things new' (Revelation 21:5). His schoolyard is clean and pristine and he invites us to work alongside him in fields of white, carrying his promise to those who are weary and needing his cleansing touch.
@2008 Katherine Walden
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devotional by Katherine
God Loves Me
I listen now and I do see
That God has love for one like me
as I do hear what He does say.
I see I can't do everything
So it's to Christ that I do cling
as I live every day.
God tells me that He has my fate
And guides me on to make it great
as I do praise Him when I can!
See, God has made an awesome slate
Though I do sometimes I get irate
it's all within His plan!
Now sometimes all my ways wrong
And I think I do not belong,
but I know I will be
With God because with thanks I pray
To Jesus and to God each day
and the Lord has set me free:
It's not to be that I'm the one
Who's right and shines just like the sun
But look through my own ways
And put your trust in God who's there
Who has for me such awesome dare
To try and my last day's praise!
©2007 Scott Wilson
Please contact the author before using or copying this poem in any way
When days seem dark
My Lord is near
Just look to Him
He’ll calm all fear
What a friend we have
That will guide our way
Through worry and fear
That clouds our day
There is no problem
He can not solve
In His love and care
He’ll give His all
There is no need
For the tears we cry
For He’s right here
And with us resides
Oh call to Him
When cold winds blow
And BELIEVE in Him
For there’s Grace untold
Lay down your cares
In His loving hands
And walk away
Just believe He can
Yes all the world
May cry and moan
When troubles come
For no hope they own
But those who believe
In the Fathers love
Just snuggle deep
In Grace from above.
Copyright © 2008 by Linda Sue Etling
All Rights Reserved Please contact Linda before using her poem in any format.
I Must Tell Jesus
Knee-deep in boxes, breakfast bars, and sleeping bags, I was within a rat’s whisker of a full-scale meltdown. Our annual family camping trip was due to hit the road tomorrow. Illnesses, unplanned overtime, a mad dash to the E.R. with my youngest, a washing machine on the fritz and last-minute car repairs had put me waaaaay behind the proverbial eight ball in planning and prep. To say I was “a little stressed” was like dubbing Noahic rains “a little bit” wet!
“I can’t remember EVERYTHING!” I howled. “Where’s The List? Did we remember extra matches? Did we get the trail mix? Did you pack extra socks? Have you gassed up the car? I’m gonna have a stroke if I don’t get some more help!!”
The list was endless. I felt like Atlas – struggling to hold the weight of the world on my shoulders – and failing. I was melting like butter on a hot skillet.
In the midst of my whirling-dervish packing, loading, barking orders, reminders, and “making a list and checking it twice,” the soft refrain of an Elisha Hoffman hymn crept into my mind:
“I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burden alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.”
What did I do? Not a thing. I just continued full-bore, rushing here and there, my frustration level scaling into Mount Vesuvius proportions.
“I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,
He is a kind, compassionate Friend;
If I but ask him, He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end.”
“I don’t have time to tell anyone anything! The third verse came, more insistent:
“Tempted and tried, I need a great Savior,
One who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus,
He all my cares and sorrows will share.”
It took a while, but I finally caved. I parked on the kitchen floor and told Him: “I can’t do this. It’s too much in too little time!”
Given my stubborn “self-sufficiency,” I expected a rebuke. Instead, that “still, small voice” seemed to smile as He gently whispered: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…” (II Corinthians 12:9)
He gave what I needed most – the distinct sense that I was NOT “all by myself.” That He not only knows, but He cares. Deeply. Intensely. Eternally. I smiled too – at my own headstrong foolishness and the tender care of a listening Lord whose ears, like His arms, are ever open if I am but still enough to Come.
“O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and he will help me
Over the world the vict’ry to win.”
Packing and prep was completed expeditiously and we reveled in a wonderful time amid the rugged beauty of the Cascades. But it began by refocusing my perspective and re-learning to tell Him everything – especially when I “don’t have time!”
“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – II Corinthians 12:9b
© 2007 Kristine Lowder
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