Life that Matters - Kimberly L Smith: Urgent Prayer Request for Achu

Life that Matters - Kimberly L Smith: Urgent Prayer Request for Achu: Guest blogger: Dr. Milton Smith, Co-President of Make Way Partners I heard from Kimberly before she took off from Kenya to go into Sudan....

It's HOT!

...and it's only June.

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BOOK REVIEW: A Million Miles in a Thousand Years - by Donald Miller

The author of "Blue Like Jazz" has another attention-getting book - "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years". thanks to Thomas Nelson I got a complementary copy to review. The books have the same weird humor, but the latest one has much more emotion and is much more likely to prompt a reader to introspection!

This time Miller's writing his own story - thinly disguised... Here's the plot: a writer gets so caught up in his writing and fictionalizing to 'make a good exciting read' that he ignores that fact that his own life is boring. It's passing by and he doesn't even realize he's not living it!

While he's concentrating on making up a good story, he is offered the chance to write a movie script of his life. He is attempting to conjur up something that people will want to read. So - using first person narrative Miller asks the question - "What makes a good story?" Through his own journey he gives a good example for others to evaluate their life goals and values; what's really important.

By the end of the book, Miller comes to the conclusion that a life lived well should make a good read. I can recommend this book, but be prepared to think about your own story. Does it need to be edited to be something others would consider 'reading'?

I was given a copy of Eli Gold's book to review - "From Peanuts to the Pressbox Insider Sport Stories From A Life Behind The Mic" - by Thomas Nelson company. However, given that I'm a Bama fan - and the fact that the Tide just won the National Championship - I was very happy to give it a read.

As you would expect the book is an easy read with lots of great stories from Eli's experiences in a variety of sports. In and around Birmingham his voice is recognized easily - from Alabama football or NASCAR. This book doesn't necessarily compel you to finish it quickly or draw you to turn the page, but it does give an insider's take of the sportscaster role..

Eli Gold went from a New York kid fascinated by sports to a widely recognized voice - in Alabama football and for NASCAR. Selling peanuts at Madison Square Garden to Bryant-Denny and Talladega. I can hear his voice in my head saying 'Tide Wins! Tide Wins!" and "TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA". Those are sweet words in a state that bleeds crimson.

Today...

From Lamp Unto My Feet by Elisabeth Elliot:

Today there are just too many things to do. My natural response is to fret and fear. Both are forbidden: Fret not. Fear not. That tells me what not to do. What, then, should I do?

"I will run the course set out in thy commandments, for they gladden my heart'' (Ps 119:32 NEB).

There will be both time and strength today to run that course, for it is always possible to do the will of God. The course He sets for us in his commandments is not an obstacle course, but one carefully planned to suit our qualifications--that is, not too rigorous for our limitations, not too lenient for our strengths.

The plan of God for me, for this one day, is meant not to trouble but to gladden my heart. Christ's yoke, according to his own promise, is not hard but easy--if we bear it together with Him and if we bear it as Christ bore it, in meekness and lowliness of heart.

"We must run with resolution the race for which we are entered, our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom faith depends from start to finish" (Heb 12:2 NEB).

my healer

There the LORD made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer.”

What is a healer? At the end of chapter 15 in Exodus, God said 'I am the LORD, your healer.' This came after an 'if'. What does that mean? God will not heal us unless... Surely God's healing is not conditional?

God's love is unconditional - He does not change. Nothing I can do will change that!

But what about healing?

goals

2007 is a year of goals - financial, relational, physical and spiritual.

My physical goals include our staff at work being challenged to participate in a 5K on the Saturday of Easter weekend. Another goal is weight loss - I'm enrolled in a WW class at church - and have lost 20 pounds since Thanksgiving. The biggest goal at the moment is a benefit bike ride called the Old Howard 100 set for April 21 at Judson. I'm in 'training' for all three things - eating on a schedule, making better food choices, walking, riding my trainer, etc... The only food I really don't want to 'give up' is Dr. Pepper - I just really like it!!! The biggest food adjustment I've made is going to the grocery store and eating at home MUCH more.

Financially I'm in pretty good shape - I have my taxes almost ready to file for 2006 and it looks like I'm getting a refund. Yeah! I'm also checking into my retirement options and making some investment decisions with the help of a new friend.

Relationships have suffered a bit locally since I have not been eating out so much. I need to work on that one. I've also determined to spend time with my nephew at least once each month - he's 2 1/2 and is growing and changing so FAST. I know that I need to spend time nurturing those relationships that are not local too - apparently I'm not very good at that!

Spiritually, I've been spending time reading through the Bible - in the new ESV version. It's been good to get a new perspective on things I've read so many times before in KJV or NIV. The ladies at work are starting a new study called "Lies Women Believe" soon. I think it will be very good - and it's discussion based instead of video - much more personal and interactive.

Deceived by lies

"Satan's ultimate lie is that you are capable of being the god of your own life, and his ultimate bondage is getting you to live as though his lie is truth", by psychologist, Neil Anderson.