Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home

What fears do you face? Fear can be crippling if you you do not meet it head on, face-to-face. My friend, Edie Melson, in her book, Fighting Fear, Winning the War at Home  helped me to understand the feelings and emotions felt by the families who have experienced loved ones leaving for war. I will never forget the look of fear on Bethany’s face when she received the call that her husband was leaving the states.  If only I had read Fighting Fear, then I would have known how to comfort her, pray for her, and minister to her in more meaningful and productive ways. However, I could have helped her more by sharing a copy of this book with her.

Edie Melson understands this fear after saying good-by to her son as he left for military, but she also knows Jesus Christ, the one, who was victorious over fear. Her intimate relationship with Him, gave her the courage and strength to face fear.  Through these faith stories, she has inspired me to a closer walk with God. She has also inspired me to find ways to show our military men and women that we appreciate their sacrificial efforts. 

I do not have a military son, so I cannot begin to fully understand the hurt, loneliness, and fear that comes as someone sends their loved one into battle. However, I do have a son, a pastor, who frequently goes into life-threatening situations and I fear for his life. Fear is fear regardless the source; military, police duty, dangerous missions, drugs and/or alcohol, or any other addiction that seems life life threatening. 

I face my own kind of fear. It is true that fear can be our greatest enemy. Regardless the fear, the same prescription can be to diffuse it. Battle is a personal thing. If we are in the midst of battle we must take personal action in order to survive.

What battles do you face. Is fear crippling you or someone you love? Pick up two copies of Fighting Fear, one for yourself, and another to keep on hand to share with that someone who is fighting their adversity.  Everyone needs the strength that comes when entering battle while wearing the armor of God.  

I Am a Follower

Scripture:
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you...." Mark 1:17


Thoughts for the Day: 
There is a difference in knowing about God and knowing Him. Knowing about Him encompasses all the information that we obtain from the first time we heard about Him throughout life. To know the historical background, biblical truths, and scripture memorization is a worthy accomplishment, for it is through knowing about God that we are able trust Him enough to establish a relationship with Him. 


Leonard Sweet in his book, I AM A FOLLOWER, points out that if we want to know Jesus then we must follow Him without any reservations. Jesus said, "Come, follow me, and I will make you...." In other words, Jesus will direct our steps. Sweet says, "followers don't begin with an end in mind so much as they begin with a horizon in view." Until one accepts this principle they are still doing the leading rather than following God. 


Challenging us to follow Jesus, Sweet says, "to follow Jesus is not to demand road signs but to respond to the voice of the Spirit along the way....When we embrace the wings of the Spirit, we can soar to unlimited heights."  This message, ringing loud and clear, vibrated my being. My spirit does not argue with the fact that I am a Follower, however, my spirit wrestles as I struggle to follow Him when I do not know what lies beyond the door that He is leading me to walk through. 


If you want to make a difference in someone's life you must teach them to follow and the only way to do this is by modeling through your own life how you follow. Pick up a copy, I am a Follower, and allow Mr. Sweet to lead you into an understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. 


Application:

1. How do you feel about Jesus calling us to be a leader rather than a follower? Do you always know exactly where you are going and all the steps it will take to get you there? 
2. What could be wrong with this mindset?
3. Obviously, we need leaders but how much more effective it would be if we were followers first. How and when could both the leader and follower mindset be appropriate in the life of a believer?
4. Do you want your walk with Christ to remain in the valley or to soar to unlimited heights?

Prayer: 
Pray that God will lead you to submit yourself to following Jesus rather that running ahead of him into the leader position. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Under Reconstruction

I will be back soon. I am making some changes, therefore you will see changes as you check my post. If you have some suggestions for what you think will make my blog more interesting, please let me know. I could sure use some help.

Need some Blue Grass?

Read To Me: Blue Ridge Holler - January 27 6:00 pm - Union Mills Learning Center

It seems like yesterday that I met Jamie, and his mother, Pam. I am so proud of Jamie and his friends. So many young boys are wasting their youth away or looking for trouble. These youth are sharing their gift of music with others.  I do not play but my dad's 1st cousin, Earl Scruggs, does. He made the 3 finger picking style popular.

If you like BlueGrass, you will find 8 more video clips by clicking the YouTube icon on the corner of the videoclip box. BTW leave a comment and tell them Patsy sent you.