Book review: "The Red Sea Rules" by Robert Morgan

My mentor, Regina, recommended I read this 112 page book. And i'm so glad. It was a quick and easy read but had tons of encouragement and advice in it. The book is great for anyone who is going through a difficult time. In life, we naturally have mountain highs and valley lows. Personally, I felt this book was good for either. It's great to be reminded that the same God that led me in will lead me out of whatever I am going through. Specifically this book was really good for me because I've been having anxiety and worry issues.

The author takes you through 10 rules. I have listed them out below, but you'll have to read the book to get more details. Just so i'm clear - I recommend this book!

1. Realize that God means for you to be where you are.
2. Be more concerned for God's glory than for your relief.
3. Acknowledge your enemy, but keep your eyes on the Lord.
4. Pray!
5. Stay calm and confident, and guve God time to work.
6. When unsure, just take the next logical step by faith.
7. Envision God's enveloping presence.
8. Trust God to deliver in His own unique way.
9. View your current crisis as a faith builder for the future.
10. Don't forget to praise Him.

And below were a few of my favorite quotes from the book:

"Life is hard - especially for Christians"

"Sometimes we can't find the answers to our dilemmas because we're asking the wrong questions. Try asking "How can God be glorified in this situation?"

"Acknowledge your enemy, but keep your eyes on the Lord"

"Whenever we chose character over convenience, faithfulness over ease, or honesty over deceit, we bring honor to the Lord himself"

"God wants His children's emotions under control"

"Faith raises the soul above the difficulty, straight to God Himself, and enables one to stand still.  We gain nothing by our restless and anxious efforts. It is therefore true wisdom, in all times of difficulty and perplexity, to stand still - to wait upon God, and He will assuredly open a way for us."

"For His children, He serves as both Guard and Guide. He both precedes us and protects us."

"Our faith grows when we chose to apply God's promises to today's problems and use the experiences to mature us for tomorrow's challenges."

Wordless Wednesday

Makeover

I won a makeover a month ago and just hadn't had a chance to post a before/after pic. It was so much fun and the salon was so awesome - I highly recommend them.


880 Holcomb Bridge Road
Roswell, GA 30076
(770) 642-7811
Open Tue,Thu 9am-8pm; Wed,Fri 9am-6pm; Sat 9am-5pm
Website: www.defforgesalon.com/
Stylist: Michelle was awesome!!

Also, I won the makeover from a newsletter that i'm subscribed to. In this newsletter, Erin updates with everything going on for kids in the Alpharetta/Roswell area. If you aren't subscribed you should definitely check it out.

www.alpharetta.macaronikid.com/

And last but not least - here's the before and after picture...

Balance Beam

Some people may have wondered why I'm going to the other side of the world and leaving my son and husband to go to Cambodia. My co-leader, Jon, sent out this video to the team. And it really spoke to me. What Francis Chan is saying is the reason I'm going. I don't want to live a safe, boring life clung to the balance beam. I want to take chances and share the love of Jesus!

Watch the video and let me know your thoughts.

Wordless Wednesday

Lessons Learned

"When you are in a difficult place, realize that the Lord either placed you there or allowed you to be there, for reasons perhaps known for now only to Himself" -Robert J. Morgan

For the last few months, I have been feeling a lot of spiritual warfare. I know it's because of the mission trip - I remember this from last time I went. But I was starting to get a bad attitude when things didn't go my way. Even last week, I got really upset when our dog ended up sick and we couldn't take Finn to Botanical Gardens like we planned. Gregory always seems to put things in perspective - he said "maybe we are supposed to stay home today and rest."

After the day was over, I realized he was right. While Finn was napping I started a book called The Red Sea Rules. Quotes began popping off the page to me. Which I always know is God speaking to me through the book. The first chapter talks about worry. And we all know I've been struggling there. Below are the quotes I highlighted in my book.

"Someone defined worry as a small trickle of fear that meanders through the mind, cutting a channel into which all other thoughts flow."

"John R. Rice said, "Worry is putting question marks where God has put periods."'

"Bishop Fulton J. Sheen called worry "a form of atheism for it betrays a lack of faith and trust in God."

So lesson learned - TRUST GOD! God has a plan even in the valleys of life. Easier said than done.

I'd love to hear some of your lessons learned. Open your eyes and look at what God is teaching you each week - then share with me!

Surprises

I'm working through reading through the whole Bible in one year. I'm following a chronological plan. It's been great so far. As I was reading through Job verse 9 really popped out at me. So I looked at it in several different translations.

"After all, he's famous for great and unexpected acts; there's no end to his surprises." Job 5:9 MSG
 
"He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." Job 5:9 NIV

"He does great things that we cannot understand and miracles that we cannot count." Job 5:9 GW


 "Doing great things, and there is no searching. Wonderful, till there is no numbering." Job 5:9 YLT

What I really saw through these verse was that God does things all the time for us. But we need to take the time to see them. I have missed seeing God. Have you?

Today, I chose to be surprised by God. And to see Him in the little things that I typically miss and give Him all the glory. What will you chose today? Try to see His surprises for a week. He will show you - maybe in a sun set or in the eyes of a child.

If anything remember this - "After all, he's famous for great and unexpected acts; there's no end to his surprises." Job 5:9 MSG