Monday, September 20, 2010

Treasures Found on the Quest



  Treasures Are Not
Always Found In Gold
Chests......
Sometimes They are
 Found Between the
 Pages of A
Wonderful Book


I realize that I am not the most faithful blogger, however my intent is to write new blogs as the Lord leads.  Lately, the Lord has kept me very busy serving physically in many different places!!  Serving where He wants you is always the best!  (Part of what I am learning on my quest!)

However, in between these busy times I have tried to fit in some reading. Here are the two books I have been working on, that have taught me a lot on my quest for truth:

1. Glory Duty & the Gold Dome  - Wow! What a great book!  This is one of those that you stay up late hoping to finish!   The author, Nathaniel Darnell, has given us a look into the Georgia State House through the eyes of a State Representative and his son/assistant.
"When adversity strikes, boys must act like men. This story traces one boy’s journey as he stands beside his father to defend the life of a helpless young woman. Fourteen-year-old Thomas witnesses his father, John Richards, put his congressional race at risk to do the right thing. This high-octane adventure story digs deep, exploring important lessons related to law, civics, medical ethics, and discipleship."1.
"Throughout the story, thorough description is given to the legislative process and parliamentary procedure on a state level so that this adventure story may serve as a helpful supplement to a family’s civics study. Includes a chart on how a bill becomes law." 2. 
"Glory, Duty & the Gold Dome is book one inThe Sires & Sons Adventure Series. Imagine stories where fathers eagerly disciple their sons while working together in exciting, culture- impacting missions to advance the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Along the way, they learn lessons of leadership." 3..  

I highly recommend this book. Whether you are interested in politics, the constitution, history, or just desire a really good reading book, this one is a true treasure!

2. Passionate Houswives Desperate for God by Stacy McDonald and Jennie Chancey - Again, a big "Wow"!  This book has been a true encouragement to me as a stay-at-home daughter.  Although the title kept me from buying it earlier, this book has reminded me how important the calling of true, biblical homemaking is; that being a wife and mother are crucial roles in our culture and that the things we do at home are just as much of a ministry to the Lord as working at your church or other full-time ministry opportunities, if they are done for the Lord's glory and praise!
"Do you wrestle with cultural messages that demean the homemaker’s calling and exalt instead the emotionally androgynous power-woman — the wife whose worth is measured only by the degree of her ambition, the shape of her body, or her money-making skills? Such is the image of the “desperate housewife” that the modern media, culture, and feminism are promoting with great energy.
In a delightfully fresh and honest way, this book addresses these issues head-on and provides fresh vision for the hopeful homemaker. Hear a former “Christian” feminist share how she went from a die-hard homemaker-in-training to a dedicated career woman and then back again — after God gripped her heart. See the hollow counterfeit of whitewashed feminism and “me-ology” destroyed. And consider the beautiful picture painted in Scripture of the truly fulfilled homemaker who glories in the hopeful calling God created for her." 4.

Both of these books have taught me a lot.  I haven't even finished "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God" and I've learned so much!
Although they are both totally different they both have a common theme:  Trusting God and Obeying His commands.   
A few things I've learned through these books......
1. Obeying God may not always be easy but obedience will reap amazing blessings if we remain faithful to the Lord and His commands!  The blessings may be obvious in different physical ways or they may be more inward blessing like peace and joy.

2. Trusting God with the problems that we face and giving them to Him right at the beginning of the trial will relieve us of unneeded and unwanted stress. 

3. Doing what everyone expects you to do is not always what God desires or commands us to do.  If we fully trust He is in control then it will make the transition to doing His will much easier. 

4. We are safest and happiest when we are trusting and obeying God.  When our lives are spent in service to Him, with the intent of bringing glory and honor to His name and not our own, we will find that true fulfillment and purpose that we all seek.

If you have not already read these two books I highly recommend them.  I know they have blessed my life and I pray that they would encourage and bless the lives of those who read them as much as they did mine!

I hope you enjoy these two books and find the treasure that is stored in them!!

Footnotes:
1. www.siresandsons.com
2.  ibid
3.  ibid
4. www.visionforum.com