MUST READ!

You know God brings people and things into our lives at just the right time.  When I was preparing to turn 50, I found Scotty Smith's book "Objects of His Affection" and God used it to dramatically interrupt my life.  I knew He was using it from the moment I opened the first page.

I'm finding the book pictured here the same.  (Photo is printed without permission- but I hope it's OK).  I wrote about it on Jan. 1.  I had found this book online and was going to order it and have my sister send it to me.  But 3 days later, I was in downtown Kiev with a friend and what do you think I found in the Christian bookstore.  You're right - watch out for the burning bush!!!!!!! The one English book they had was this one.  But, for me I knew it was straight from the hand of God.  I was a bit taken aback and at the same time excited for what God was waiting to tell me.  I started reading through the book like any other.  I read pretty fast and would have finished it in a couple of days.  But, the Spirit of God stopped me and pointed out that at the end of the chapters, we were directed to additional resources online.  So, I started over and I'm glad I did!

Why am I recommending this again?  I really believe God is attempting to move the body of Christ world-wide in a unique and personal way.  Kay Warren shares simple and amazing insights into how we can pick up on what He's doing.  It's not a "girly" book either guys - if God would speak through a burning bush - why not a woman!

Some statements that have pierced my mind or heart:

1.  Page 24 - "Through the years, I've found that discovering God's will often resembles looking at an undeveloped Polaroid photograph.....the longer you look at the picture, the clearer it becomes."

2.  Page 38 - "The biggest block to our surrender is not our appetites and wayward desires but our addiction to running our own lives."

3.  Page 46 - "But your 'cross' is not literal; it is instead an attitude of radical obedience to God in which you willingly accept any consequence for Jesus' sake.  If denying yourself is all about saying no, then taking up your cross is all about saying yes......It's agreeing with God that his way is best in every situation and choosing to obey him over every other authority, regardless of how you feel about it."

4.  Page 55 - "Figuring out God's ways isn't any of my business.  Following him is."

5.  Page 90 - "I figured out that life's brevity and fragility make it precious and worth living to the fullest extent of my passions and his purposes."

6.  Page 177 - "Jesus died to make 'private, profound communion' with God possible."

7.  Page 191 - "But the church of Jesus is unique - and it holds out the only concrete possibility of change in individuals and in societies."

Ok, I hope those quotes from the book wet your appetite.  This book is written by Kay Warren, but it's about the Lord.  It's about becoming the person God wants us to be in 2009.  I don't know if you'll take me up on the read or not - but I hope you will.  I honestly believe it will help you kick-start 2009 in the right direction............

..........On Track in Ukraine

Marsha