You ask, we answer!

Question:

I’m looking for a lower level (1-3rd grade) reading book or series for my daughter any suggestions?

We asked our dear friend, Sarah Clarkson, author of Read For the Heart, to answer:

1. All of a Kind of a Family Series by Sydney Taylor (darling story about a Jewish family with five lively daughters living in NY in the early 1900s.)

2. Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

3. A Little Maid Series by Alice Turner Curtis (an series of books sort of like American Girls, but written long before. Each story is of a little girl in Colonial Days. Great for American history. I used to love these.)

4. A Cricket in Times Square. Pure fun.

Sarah has done a fantastic job compiling excellent resources for families to encourage a love of reading and learning. Check out her latest resource, Read For the Heart, here.

Enjoying Life

This weekend I’ve had the priviledge of attending a conference in Denver with a gathering of amazing Christians, seeking for a deeper realization of God.

While many would relish the opportunity, I found myself lost in the details. What do we need? Did we bring enough? How long will we be there? So lost, in fact, that I could barely enjoy the event. In my distraction with details, I realized I was behaving far more like Martha and not nearly enough Mary. So concerned with the being over, not enjoying the walk along.

We want to encourage you this week- do not worry so much about the finish, about the “being done”. Enjoy the walk, learn from the journey, and “do that what you wish you had done.”

Weekly Challenge for Teens Jan 8- Jan 22

Ok, so this one is two weeks. Due to the horrific earthquake that has happened in Haiti, taking hundreds of thousands of lives, this week’s challenge shouldn’t be surprising. Get involved. Pray. Give. Pray a lot more. Give what you can. You get the picture. Need an organization to get involved it? Check out www.hisg.org to find out how you can help.

No Expectations Required.

From Webster’s Dictionary:

“Expect, anticipate, hope, await all imply looking to some future event. Expect implies confidently believing…that an event will occur.  Anticipate is to look forward to an event and even to picture it. Hope implies a wish that an event may take place … Await (wait for) implies being alert and ready, whether for good or evil.”

I sat there glued to the television. And let me tell you, that never happens. Okay, rarely happens. Okay, it happens once a week during program where contestants are “losing big”. But other than that, I don’t really care for TV. But this show had me hooked.

Before my eyes a group of army soldiers were being tested for a grueling higher level: Special Forces. The commanding officers spent two weeks putting these guys through the most excruciating and mentally exhausting exercises known to mankind. Daily, the soldiers go through some of the most difficult physical and psychological challenges in the military, spending most of their days vomiting from the exercises and their nights lost in the frigid woods. And as the going gets tough, most don’t make it. Why?

The officers explain the most crippling factor to these candidates: expectations. Their expectations were not their reality, and because of those expectations, most soldiers were not able to make it through. These soldiers had an idea in their head about what this two week trial was going to look like, and when that didn’t happen, they broke.

Expectations cripple the work of the Lord. When we have an idea set about how something should be, look like, or result in, we are creating our own reality that is based on imagination instead of the will of God. And to make matters worse, when those expectations aren’t met, we feel let down and deserted by our Father instead of realizing it was us, not Him, who built those perimeters around our circumstances. I don’t know about you, but I believe that many of my disappoints are due to my created expectations.

This week, we encourage you to lay your expectations at the foot of the Cross. No matter your situation, make a determined effort to release your expectations to our Almighty, All Sufficient God who has a marvelous plan for your life. He knows what you need. AWAIT His movement. No expectations required.

This Might Hurt A Bit….

I remember that day clearly. My closest friends and family had taken a Caribbean cruise, and it was the final evening at sea. Staff for the boat had been nearby all evening, and as we were about to leave, I struck up a conversation with the ship’s MC. “What do you do?” He asked. “I work for a ministry in the U.S.” I replied, forgetting what ‘ministries’ mean to foreigners. “Oh, so like the Ministry of Education or Health?” He questioned. “Well, we do educate … but it is actually a Christian ministry. To help young people be pure.” The look of surprise on his face was so unusual. He had honestly never heard this concept. “Are you married?” He asked. “No”, I replied. “Then why are you wearing a ring on your finger….?”

And so the conversation began. We went on to discuss how in the world, in this day and age, this lifestyle of purity is even possible, because to this young man, it wasn’t possible.  After several moments of discussion, he sighed heavily and conceded, “It is just too difficult. I can’t do that”. What struck me in his response was the familiarity in it. This young man was lost. Void of a savior. But that answer is far from rare. In fact, I hear it most often among Christian teens and young adults. How is it, that we, as the body of Christ are answering the same defeating answer as our lost brothers and sisters?

Allow me to preface the next statement with this disclaimer: I’m not an expert on purity, I have my share of defeats and victories in this arena. So the following information is not intended to claim my perfection, only my determination.

The difficulty in remaining pure in our culture today rests heavily, if not solely, on our indecision. Now before you line up your arguments for that statement, keep reading. The moment you are determined to face something, with the power of the Lord Jesus, no force on earth can stop you. Victory is yours for the taking. The enemy is so keenly aware of this truth, that his #1 tactic is to convince you to believe that Christ’s standards are unattainable.

Culture never ceases to remind us that it is impractical, impossible and illogical to remain pure. But what culture forgets to tell you is that believing these lies places you neck deep in enemy territory, and renders you nearly useless. Whatever happened to the overcoming blood of Christ? Whatever happened to the freedom gained at Calvary? Just because you live in the here and now instead of ancient Biblical times doesn’t give you the excuse that “It’s different now. Those rules don’t apply.” They absolutely do apply, now more than ever.

So how does this work? How do we remain pure? Let me give you a glimpse of a personal victory in my life. For years I had struggled with going back to the same sins, and I could never understand why. The drive for holiness was there, but the wisdom needed to achieve it was not. The Lord began speaking to me through His word and very wise mentors about tracing thoughts. When did this happen? Who was I with? What was I doing? Let’s use this example: I could be having a great week regarding victories in purity of heart, mind and body. Friday night rolls around and I go out with friends. By the end of the night I am left feeling like I am incomplete without a “significant other”. STOP. THINK.

If I’m with people who are unguarded, all of them are looking for quick fling, it’s no wonder I am left with this empty desire. Here is a novel idea: stop hanging out with those people. I will tell you this–the best thing I ever did was walk away from the people who were causing me to stumble, because nothing on earth is worth losing ground in Christ.

We’ll continue these conversations in the future….but for now, ponder this scenario: If you were to truly decide to stand firm in Christ, and if the Bible is right, and if God is not a liar, then that means that you are “More than a conqueror through Him who loved us.” This does not exclude your purity. Next time you begin thinking that it is too difficult to remain pure in our world, remember this truth, and begin your tracing.   ~Kelsey

Everyone Loves A Hero

Everyone Loves A Hero by Kelsey McCausland

A Review of Hero: Becoming the Man She Desires by Fred and Jasen Stoeker with Mike Yorkey

The rules for GOV products are simple: Everything is reviewed. If we approve a book, a bunch of people read it. You can imagine the disillusion that has come upon me after the years of reading relationship book after relationship book. Let’s just say I have held in my hands some really awesome books—  and some really awful books.

So there I sat on a Tuesday morning, when a manuscript came through my email. “Will you guys at GOV read through this?” the publisher asked. “We’d love to hear what you think.”           I grimaced. This was the last thing I wanted to do. Glancing through the initial manuscript, I was dreading this task. It was a relationship book, and if that wasn’t bad enough, it was for guys. My day couldn’t be any more perfect. Until I started reading….

The authors, Fred and Jasen Stoeker, had a completely different angle on this whole business of relationships. They weren’t set on merely given Christian advice. They were driven to abolish the lies of our culture and bring in God’s truth. The moment an author is willing to preach the word of God instead of their own opinions, that is when the Spirit of God flows. And that is precisely what Fred and Jasen did.

For years, the Lord has pressed upon me the innate importance of holding high standards. Sometimes, these standards have gotten in the way of my sin nature. They’ve cost me relationships, friendships, Saturday nights and cheap thrills. And although not often, several times I have honestly wondered if my expectations were just too lofty, and if I’d always be alone because of them.

Hero was one of the first books on relationships that empowered my ideals. Not only were these men seeking to bring light to cultural lies, they were admonishing young men to reach for God’s highest standard. The entire book shouts the mantra, “Don’t settle! Don’t slow down! Pursue His highest prize!”

In addition to Fred and Jasen’s perspectives, Jasen’s new bride, Rose, also contributed a great deal to the book. She shares honestly from a single young woman’s perspective, and opens her diaries from the time prior to her marriage to Jasen. I was blown away by her steadfast devotion to the Lord and heart for purity.

I highly recommend this book for all young men, grown men, fathers, mothers, daughters (if reading alone, 16+). You might ask: Why recommend a book written for men to practically everyone? Because the message of hope and steadfast devotion to Christ—even when that devotion gets in the way of your own desires—is a message everyone needs to hear and put into practice. Another central message of the book is to get rid of your idols. This is so pertinent to the state of the church, because if we, as the body of Christ, can get our act together regarding purity, we will be prepared to face the enemy head on. Joshua 7:13 gives a powerful reminder of this truth: “You won’t be able to face your enemies until you have gotten rid of these cursed things.” In this time and season, we can’t afford to hold on to things that are going to hinder us in the battle against our Enemy. Hero is a powerful, God-given tool to equip the saints to remove the impurity in our hearts, minds and bodies to live passionately in service to our Almighty God.

Resolved by Jonathan Edwards

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humble entreat Him, by His grace, to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to His will, for Christ’s sake. [I will] remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

Resolved, That I will do whatsoever I think to be most to the glory of God, and my own good, profit, and pleasure, in the whole of my duration; without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriads of ages hence. Resolved, to do whatever I think to be my duty, and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general.

Resolved, Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

Resolved, Never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do if it were the last hour of my life.

Resolved, Never to do anything out of revenge.

Resolved, Never to speak evil of any one, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.

Resolved, To study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly, and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive, myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

Resolved, Never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession which I cannot hope God will accept.

Resolved, To ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month, and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better.

Resolved, Never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

Resolved, After afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them; what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.

Resolved, Always to do that which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Let there be something of benevolence in all that I speak.

Weekly Challenge for Teens Jan 1-Jan 7

Happy New Year everyone! We’re so excited to see all that God is going to do in 2010! As I was pondering New Year’s Resolutions, I had a few immediately come to mind: Climb a mountain, run a marathon, scuba dive, and oh so many more. But as I thought I began to realize that while those exercise my physical body, they do not necessarily aid in my spiritual growth or necessarily strengthen my “purity muscles”. So if I am putting time into my physical self that will vanish away, I should also spend time growing my spiritual, more valuable, eternal self. So how do we do that? Ready, kids? This is a challenge….

Spend time everyday strengthening your “purity muscle group”. How do you do that? Start here:

Memorize 1 Corinthians 13. Yes, the whole chapter. Here is why: if you know what real love is, all kinds of love, then you won’t settle for a counterfeit. There was recently an article about the US Mint, how they find counterfeit money. You know what they said? They never study counterfeit bills. Ever. They only study the real money so much, so in depth and so extensively that they can immediately spot a faker. I don’t know about you, but I want to be that passionate about the Word of God. Studying so fervently that when knock-offs arise, there is no question which is the truth.

Enjoy the challenge,

The GOV Team

About Faith

The act of having faith in God is trusting Him before there is a tangible reason to trust. Think about the centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus offered to go with this centurion to his house in order to heal the servant. But the centurion said “Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” (Matthew 7:8) The centurion had faith in the Lord; he knew that all authority and all power had been given to the Lord Jesus, so that He only had to speak the word and the centurion’s servant would be healed. He had such great faith, in fact, that Jesus said of him “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” (Matthew 7:10) Then the Lord Jesus told the centurion “Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.” (Matthew 7:13) So the centurion went home, knowing in his heart and mind that the Lord Jesus had already healed his servant, even though he didn’t have tangible evidence yet.

The centurion demonstrated what it means to have faith in God. He went the whole way home, not having any evidence or proof that his servant was healed. Yet because of what Jesus said to him “as thou hast believed”, I conclude that the centurion didn’t have a single doubt in his mind about his servant’s restored health. He knew that Jesus had all the authority and ability to heal his servant without even lifting a finger. That is what faith is: it is believing God for who He truly is, without needing the physical proof before you’ll trust Him. He is good; He is faithful; He is trustworthy.  This is not to say that God doesn’t give us physical proof of His faithfulness. The proof always comes. It might not come until later, but it most assuredly comes. Let us take the example of the centurion to heart. Believe God and have faith in God for who He is. He does what He says He will do; He is a God of His word.

This lesson about faith can be applied to several areas of life, including your love life. Oftentimes we say “Ok God, it’s up to You. I’m putting my love life in your hands”, and then we panic when God doesn’t immediately drop someone in our path. This is not exercising faith. If you really trust God, you know that when you commit something into his care like the centurion did, whatever He ends up doing is going to be good. We know it’s going to be good because He is a good God and “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) If you’ve committed your love life to God, let your worries go and start trusting Him. Have faith like the centurion had. Believe Him to do His good will in your life, even when you find yourself in the centurion’s position—walking a long road home before the proof of God’s faithfulness is in your sight.

Weekly Challenge for Teens Dec 18-Dec 25

On this week before Christmas, our challenge to you is simple: instead of focusing on the glittering material things, keep your focus on the extravagance of the real Christmas: a loving God sending a merciful Savior to us all What a wonderful thought.

So instead of worrying whether you will get that new coat or cell phone or jersey, realize you have already been given the most amazing and precious gift of all.

~ Merry Christmas from the GOV Team.