Journey with Acts 1:3

 Greetings Everyone, 

Several Years ago, I began a Journey through the New Testament book of Acts that I never actually finished. In anticipation for my upcoming series "Finding Philemon" I wanted to do make sure I kept my focus on my own time with God.   I've been reading through Acts during my personal devotional time and thought, why not commit to that Journey once more. 

Finding Philemon

 COMING SOON!

Book Review: Work and Rest God's Way by Scott LaPierre

Greetings, 

Rating: ★★★★★

Description:

Do you want to find joy and purpose in all you do?

“Work and Rest God’s Way is a welcome contribution as Christians rediscover the doctrine of vocation in all of its practicality and spiritual richness.”

Dr. Gene Edward Veith—Provost at Patrick Henry College, director of the Cranach Institute, and author of God at Work

We spend an average of 90,000 hours, or about ten years, working. Hopefully, we find such a large investment of time and energy enjoyable and fulfilling, but for many people, work is the worst part of their day and of their life. In Work and Rest God’s Way, you will:

• Find the blessings God has for you in your labor
• Learn how to put off laziness and put on diligence (both physically and spiritually)
• Discover the quiet, restful life that’s pleasing in God’s sight
• Determine the balance between work and rest for your busy life
• Read together as a family to help your children value work and responsibility

Whether you’re a man or woman, young or old, this book will help you enjoy both work and rest as God intended. Families will also benefit from reading together. As a father of eight, Pastor Scott knows how hard it is to motivate children to work. He shares what has been successful for him and his wife, Katie

My Review:

Scott has always been a fantastic writer. I am always intrigued by the biblical connections he weaves throughout the pages of his books.

The lessons I am reminded of are always good ones that I need to be reminded of. This book continues that tradition and I am proud to say I learned a few good lessons from reading the pages of this book.

Sometimes we forget the importance of balance in our lives. Scott's newest book helped me remember that. I plan to add more details to this later but, I was certainly impressed yet again.

Thanks, Scott for always following God's direction in what you bring to us, as your readers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Book Reviews: A Father Offers His Son by Scott LaPierre

Greetings, 

Rating: ★★★★★

Description:

Have you ever wondered why God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son in Genesis 22?

The Angel stopped Abraham showing God did not intend for him to kill Isaac, but what did God desire? Prophecies in the Old Testament look forward to Jesus, but He is also revealed through types and shadows. Genesis 22 is one of the greatest examples. God wanted to test the patriarch and prophet, Abraham, but readers will discover the account also reveals:

• In human terms what God would do with His Son two thousand years later

• The many ways Abraham and Isaac are a picture of God and His Son

• The tremendous love of God shown through Christ’s sacrifice

Genesis 22 is not primarily about Abraham and Isaac. God and Jesus are the true and greater Father and Son shining forth in the account. Abraham did not spare his son but was willing to deliver him up for God. Likewise, God “did not spare His Son, but delivered Him up for us all” (Romans 8:32).

Learn the remarkable parallels between God and Abraham, and Jesus and Isaac. With thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter, the book is perfect for personal use or group Bible studies.

My Review:

Scott LaPierre has a real talent for taking the scriptures and bringing them to life through what he writes. His heart for reaching others reveals itself in many ways throughout the context of his new book "A Father offers His Son."

As we dive into this newest release, there were times when some of the text seemed above the norm. In other words, he is speaking to an audience that tends to be more aware of the contextual issues behind the scriptures he uses to tell his story from the point of view that he does.

While other books by him seem more practical this one deeper look into both him as an author and the story he is sharing. I always look forward to reading Scott's books and learning something about the meaning behind the message he presents to his readers.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is Scott’s use of imagery and symbolism. It’s not every day that someone can successfully include this in their work in such a way that really helps you grasp the depth of the story’s meaning and the message they are communicating.

I am sure that this book will speak to your heart as it has spoken to mine. The message he communicates, while not what I expected at first, it is still an interesting one to read. It will give you a good look at the foundation of scripture, and the story scripture teaches.

You may be surprised to learn a few new things upon completing this book, and I encourage you to keep an open mind when reading it, so that it will speak to you all the more.

Book Reviews: Enduring Trials God's Way by Scott LaPierre

Greetings, 

Rating:★★★★★

Description:

Trials are part of life on this side of heaven, and God wants to use them for your good!

"One of the best biblical treatments of suffering I have seen. You want this book in your library!"—Dr. Carlton McLeod: Speaker, author, and senior pastor

The principles in this book will encourage you during tribulations and give you the Christian grief counseling you need. There are many books on suffering, but not many are grounded in the Bible. Pastor Scott LaPierre discusses Christian suffering so believers receive the biblical inspiration they need.

This book is perfect for Christian grief counseling, and each chapter concludes with questions that help you apply what you are reading. You will learn how to:

• Develop the spiritual perspective needed to embrace trials
• Appreciate the maturity trials produce
• Understand the rewards—in this life and the next—for enduring trials
• Recognize God is still compassionate and gracious even during trials
• Persevere through trials that threaten your faith

Your suffering is not meaningless or accidental. God loves you, and He always works in your best interests.

My Review:

Enduring Trials God's Way is a very educational book, but it includes so much more than educational content. This book is an excellent resource for anyone who is looking to understand both the biblical aspect of what it means to endure trials and experience some exceptional personal testimonies from the author and others.

I love the fact that Scott takes the reader from the biblical perspective to a more intimate application of the concept of enduring trials. I love the fact that at the end of each chapter, there are discussion questions that are meant to help the reader apply the message of Scott's book more directly to their personal lives.

This book will prove to be a magnificent resource for a small group Bible study, a college textbook, and even a personal devotional. That is one of the things that I really like about Scott as an author; he has a great sense of wisdom and a desire to actually teach his readers something they can relate to.

The Petros Journals; Forward Motion

Greetings, 

I am sure that by now, my facebook followers are starting to see some quotes that look pretty random. Well, I am here to tell you, they aren't random at all. They are quotes from my upcoming project, The Petros Journals; Memoirs from the Apostle Peter.

I am very excited to say that the release of this book is coming very soon. I just got the final product back from my editors and am making a few last minute changes to the Project. I can't describe how excited I am about releasing this Biblical Historical Fiction. 

Without further Adu, The forward to "The Petros Journals."

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This project began as a personal journey. As someone who writes as much as possible, I thought it would be a great way for me to gain a deeper understanding of who Peter was in history and what his life could have been like. I wanted to find a way to further my own walk, and truthfully, I relate to Peter more than any of the other Apostles.

His story echoes my own in so many different ways, and I am surprised I didn’t think about going deeper into his story before.

While the contents of this small book are based on Biblical events, the words written are fictional accounts of what could have taken place. They have been developed through my own study of Peter the Apostle, and I have used scripture as the basis of my interpretation of this historical figure.

To be truthful, this project was never meant to be released. In fact, I never really wanted anyone even to see it, but once I had finished the first few chapters, God began to speak to my spirit.

I was greatly encouraged by others to share it. So, I have. I share this project with you to present a fresh image of the gospel and to show that even Peter, the one called Rock, was human.  It is my hope that those who read through this book find as much encouragement from it as I have.

For me, going through this journey has helped me gain a deeper understanding of who Jesus was through the eyes of one of his closest followers. I believe it will do the same for you, the reader.

Remember, there is more to the story that we see on the surface and that times of refreshing do indeed come from the Lord.

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Blessings in Christ and Thanks again for visiting us at "The Gathering Room."

"Times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord." 45.3.20

M.J. Elliott

The Petros Journals- The Introduction

Greetings Everyone,

I realize it has been a while since I last posted an update about my upcoming book "The Petros Journals." My apologies, I have been working with an editor to make it the best little book we possibly can make. I get more and more excited every day about this one...

Here is the Introduction to the Book......

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I, Peter, called “the rock,” write to you this account of my life — my memoirs. While my life has not been what I expected it to be from the beginning, I have lived. My experiences may not compare to yours, but they have indeed changed me. They have impacted the way I see the world. My experiences have made me who I am now as I write you in, what I assume, are my final days.

Many aspects of my story will bring you joyous thoughts, while other aspects will bring tears to your heart — as they have brought tears to mine. My life has been a great and wondrous experience, and I feel it is my duty, my calling, to share my experiences with you. I do not intend to preach, and I do not anticipate to teach, only to share some of what I have seen and experienced before I leave this world and enter another.

There are moments  I truly regret and look back on with shame, but there are still more moments that compel my spirit to stop and look on with amazement and awe. I have witnessed one heartache after another, but I have also experienced one miracle after another. I can’t even imagine writing all of this down in a way that you, as the reader of my memoirs, will understand or relate too. Yet I implore you, dear believer, to come, to join me on this unimaginable journey.

As we journey together through my life experiences, you will witness firsthand all that has brought me to where I am now. All I have seen I willingly share with those who might read my words, in the hope that our great God will speak to you fondly. It is my prayer that you will be encouraged to take what is shared to heart and respond accordingly to what He might show you. Your life, just as mine, has a purpose and the journey you have embarked on will reveal many things.

The revelations recorded here come from God and will bless you in endless ways. They will show you, as they did me, how truly beautiful you are and how much your gifts and talents can impact the world around you. We live in a dark time, and people need the Lord. Through you, they can see Him. Through you, they can witness His unwavering love. Our great God has promised many things, and as you read through my account of Jesus’s life, you will see the wonders of the love and joy you too can experience.

Though portions of my memoirs will break you, I pray you will see how God worked through them so you too can find the hope I found in Jesus, as Savior.

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Blessings in Christ and Thanks again for visiting us at "The Gathering Room."

"Times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord." 45.3.20

M.J. Elliott