The 7th Trumpet and the 7 Thunders by Russell M. Stendal

Mr. Stendal has written an inspiring book for all students of prophecy and those of us who want to understand the book of Revelation better.

Beginning with Noah’s Ark and concluding with God’s plan of redemption the reader is led through prophecies that will culminate with the end times.  We are shown that all the Bible is tied together and not a bunch of independent stories that do not relate to each other or our world today.

I enjoy the scripture passages that Mr. Stendal uses to support his points.  The reader is treated with a panoramic view of the biblical prophecies and how they tie in to each other.  This is a good resource book that deserves to be read again and again.  In fact, it should be read more than once to glean all the treasures it contains.

I received a copy of this book from Life Sentence Publishing in exchange for an honest review.  All the opinions expressed in the review are solely mine.

Tessa From Fear to Faith by Melissa Wiltrout

Tessa is a young girl caught in what appears to be a helpless situation.  Abused and forced to help her father make and sell drugs, she sees no way out.  When she did attempt to escape she was caught and forced to return home.  Who can she trust?

She must not only deal with home situation, she discovers her family’s dark secret.  This secret haunts her as she is fighting for her own survival. 

When neighbors open their home to her she begins to feel hope and begins to think that her life is worthwhile after all.  She discovers that God does love her in spite of what she has done.  She realizes that He is there for her and reaches out to Him.  She can see that her new found life can positively impact her father and he stops his illegal activities.  What he does next proves that no one can sink too far in the depths of sin that God cannot or will not reach down an lift them out.

I found myself cheering for Tessa and her family as their new lives emerge.  I also felt the need to pray for the many of today’s teens and young people who find themselves caught in horrible and frightening situations.  Ms. Wiltrout has written a realistic book without “preaching”.  I highly recommend this book to teens and their parents and to anyone who works closely with today’s youth.

I received a complementary copy of this book from Life Sentence Publishing in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions expressed in this review are solely mine.

Truth or Consequences

The lip of truth shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.  Proverbs 12:19

We all fall for lies sometimes.  Let’s face it—truth is often boring; it’s much more exciting to think our neighbor is a “wanted fugitive” rather than to know the truth that he is just a hard-working father and coach for his kids’ little league team.
Lies can be more believable than the truth.  We can believe lies the politicians tell us or the smooth talking salesman that hooks us in their deception.  Too often we discover  the truth when it is too late.The politician is elected and his true agenda is then made known.  The wonderful car we bought from the salesman breaks down after we finalize the deal.  The man who promised a good job leaves and does not return to finish the job after the money changes hands.  We all learn the truth the hard way and chalk these deceptions up to experience.
I have come to the end of a long and painful battle trying to dispel lies told about me.  Although the lies were exposed and truth was finally reve4aled, more people chose to believe the lies and I am left to deal with the aftermath.  What hurts even more is the fact that two of my family members started these untruths.  I know God is holding me up and has promised He will never leave me to suffer alone.  I can rest assured that although these people continue to prosper and live their lives without obvious consequences, the consequences will eventually come.  It is up to God to deal with them.  I am so glad He is in control.
I Peter 5:8,9 tells us the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith.  We are not alone alone in our struggles.  God is there with us and He will make us strong.
Don’t let satan work his web of of deceit.  If we focus on God’s love and presence, He will give us peace that the “father of lies” cannot take away.
A lie travels around the world while truth is putting her boots on.  Jewish Proverb

Keep Your Eyes On Jesus

In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.  Proverbs 3:6

 

I have recently been through a very trying time in my life.  I was taken to court for custody of three grandkids I have raised all their lives.  I kept the faith prayed daily that I would prevail.  God worked it out in His own way and time.  I retained 50% of the custody which still keeps me in their lives but I now have time to pursue my writing.  I have felt God’s calling to write but had not been able to devote much time to that pursuit.  Friends, I want to tell you to keep your eyes on Jesus and trust in His promises.  He does keep His promises to sustain us in all circumstances.  This past week I have spent more time writing and will eventually post them but this poem came to my mind and I felt the need to post it first.

 

Keep Your Eyes On Jesus

When the road of life seems all uphill,

And troubles come as they most certainly will.

Don’t give up—just keep plugging along.

Keep your eyes on Jesus and you can’t go wrong.