Convicted

Honesty.  Being real and raw. Living transformed.  Letting your lives be an open book.  That is what "Convicted" by Jameel McGee and Andrew Collins is all about.  These men share about their anger, revenge, corruption, mistrust, and selfishness in the chaotic world they live in.  Then they share their humility and transformation.  

This is such an inspiring story and shows that anyone can be restored and revived.  This is definitely a page turner.  It was a quick read for me because I couldn't put it down. I learned a lot about racial tensions from this book.  I learned how we are so quick to judge others and label them as guilty when they are in fact innocent, even if they don't act innocent.  It was interesting how a good guy with a dream to succeed could lose his sense of integrity by making small indiscretions that led to huge ones.

Forgiveness is a major theme of this book and not because these two men are so tough and strong; but because they are willing to turn from their own ways and live for Christ and His way.   A very moving story worth reading.

I received this book from Waterbrook Press for my honest review.

REACHING OUT & WALKING BY HIS SIDE

HEARTACHE, CONFUSION, FRUSTRATION, BROKEN HEARTS, BAD NEWS, JUST ONE BURDEN AFTER ANOTHER AS WE WALK THROUGH THIS LIFE.  THIS WORLD IS A HARD PLACE TO LIVE.

LAST YEAR I ASKED THE LORD TO HELP ME WALK CLOSELY AND TO SEE THROUGH DIFFERENT EYES.  NOW I'M ASKING FOR SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING.  TO SEE WHAT I CAN'T SEE.  OR TO BELIEVE WHAT I CAN'T SEE OR TOUCH OR KNOW.  IT'S WALKING BY A FAITH THAT IS FIRM AND SUSTAINS AND LIFTS AND CARRIES ME; ONE THAT CAN ONLY BE GOD, BECAUSE IT'S WAY BEYOND ME.

JUST TODAY I FOUND THIS OLD SONG. "REACH OUT TO JESUS".  I'M AN OLD ELVIS PRESLEY FAN AND THIS IS ONE OF HIS GOSPEL SONGS.

I LOVE SONG LYRICS SO HERE THEY ARE:

Is your burden heavy as you bear it all alone?
Does the road you travel, harbor dangers yet unknown?
Are you growin' weary in the struggle of it all?
Jesus will help you with all His name you call

He's always there hearing every prayer, faithful and true
Walking by our side, in his love we hide all the day through
When you get discouraged just remember what to do
Reach out to Jesus, he's reaching out to you

Is the life you're living filled with sorrow and dispair?
Does the future press you with its worry and its scare?
Are you tired and jealous, have you almost your way?
Jesus will help you, just talk to him today

My favorite author, Stormie Omartian in her book "Led to Follow God"  says we are "Led to Follow God to an Intimate Day-by-Day Walk with HIm.  She goes on to say:  "Everyday the Holy Spirit will lead you to an intimate walk with Him.  And He will work on you so that your heart is clean before Him.  You don't have to be perfect, but your heart must be right.  You can't live your life doing what you want, when you want, you must be submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit."  "When you live by God's laws and walk day by day, you will always be headed in the right direction.  And it is not difficult, because He does all the heavy lifting."  "HE BECOMES YOUR STRENGTH WHEN YOU HAVE NONE" HE IS YOUR GUIDE WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.  HE IS YOUR COMFORTER WHEN YOU ARE HURTING AND DISTRESSED."  "We all have a tendency to bring suffering upon ourselves needlessly because we want to take complete control of our lives and not allow the Holy Spirit to perfect us."

"God wants us to live a life we cannot possibly live without Him."

"WE CAN FALL OFF THE PATH GOD HAS FOR US 

IF WE DON'T MAKE A DELIBERATE EFFORT 

TO WALK CLOSELY WITH HIM EVERY DAY."

"BE CAREFUL HOW YOU WALK."

"WALK SO CLOSELY THAT YOU HEAR HIS HEARTBEAT!"

REVIVING

This song was going thru my head this morning.  

I'm singing it for my family and friends.   

Oh, how we need Jesus.

HE IS OUR GREAT FORGIVER.

GRACIOUS AND COMPASSIONATE.

SLOW TO ANGER.

ABOUNDING IN LOVE.

HIS  KINDNESS TO US IS SO GREAT 

EVEN WHEN WE TRY TO RETURN TO OUR BONDAGES.

NEHEMIAH 9:17-21 

 17 They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt. BUT you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them, 18 even when they made an idol shaped like a calf and said, ‘This is your god who brought you out of Egypt!’ They committed terrible blasphemies.

19 “But in your great mercy you did not abandon them to die in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud still led them forward by day, and the pillar of fire showed them the way through the night. 20 You sent your good Spirit to instruct them, and you did not stop giving them manna from heaven or water for their thirst.21 For forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out, and their feet did not swell!

LORD,

~HELP US TO OBEY

~RECALL TO OUR MINDS THE WONDERS 

YOU HAVE DONE IN OUR LIVES

~DO NOT LET US HARDEN OUR NECKS

~HELP US DESTROY OUR IDOLS 

NOT HAVE THEM DESTROY US

~MAY WE SERVE ONLY YOU, OUR LIVING GOD

Another book review

Beauty Begins: Making Peace with Your Reflection

byChris Shook & Megan Shook Alpha

It's great to see a mother and daughter team up to write a book on a difficult subject.  What a blessing to raise your daughter and have a close relationship as they do.  Even though they both have some great points to share on loving yourself I could not get into this book until about half way through.     I could relate to some of times to what Chris was saying and many points were quotable.  Megan's points and stories were cute and very much for a younger person.   I ordered this book to give to my granddaughter and hopefully she will relate to it and have a greater take away than me.  I received this from blogging for books for my honest review.

31 Verses

Having trouble sleeping?  Do you want to hide God's word in your heart?  Do you want to really know the verses you are hiding?  This book, "31 Verses to Write on Your Heart" by Liz Curtis Higgs is the perfect tool to help you.  I loved reading a chapter in bed before I turned off the light.

Or you can just use it as a devotional book.  Liz shares her favorite verses with us and is candid about her own life and filling it with God's word.  A refreshing book and not too long. 

I received this book from Waterbrook Press for my honest review.   

THE JAM YEARS

THIS IS OUR YEARLY LETTER.



THE JAM YEARS 2016

The FAMILY

Dakota Rose Breker joined our family October 14.  She’s grandchild #16!!  

We all met in Moorhead, MN at the Toops home New Years Eve for a  family get together!  Look closely and find JaM !

The FARM  Still farming and enjoying it. This time of the year you’ll hear the song “UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE” being sung loudly & joyfully!

CALL EARLY  Book your room early for the 2017 snow and storms

If you missed it in December 2016, book now.  See snow like never before (jump of the roof into the white fluff).  Get exercise shoveling daily - the heavy, icy chucks will get you ready for a nap.  Get pictures of long wide icycles.  Enjoy cleaning snow and drifts and driving through ice tunnels.  Never go anywhere without having to walk home in the glistening  snow as your wife waits in the car for you to get the tractor and clear the road. Or sometimes go get your wife so she can steer the car out of the snowbank.  Be snowed in and watch every movie on PureFlix. Become a master at 2 handed pinochle.  Yes, it’s the winter you’ve dreamed of and JaM has lived through it to tell! Call 626-7502 for reservations for your peace and quiet.  Comfortable beds and good food guaranteed.

   The FRIENDS - That’s YOU.  May you have a wonderful and blessed year!