The Heart Of A Man

Declaration of Freedom

2011-07-04T12:04:00.001-04:00

This morning I had a time of devotion and prayer with my family. We reflected on the freedom we celebrate today in our country. We talked about the Declaration of Independence and all that our founding fathers gave up and all the men and women who died so that we could be free.

We also talked about the privilege we have in this country to worship God. How Jesus came to earth, giving up His throne in Heaven for a time, and died at the hands of men He created so that we could experience true freedom.

As we closed this time in prayer, God brought a thought to my mind that brought tears to my eyes:

"Our country gained political freedom by a Declaration of Independence from Great Britian, but we have gained true freedom by a Declaration of Dependence on Christ."

I pray that today as we celebrate, we will remember those who provided us this opportunity to live free and that we will worship the One who has truly set us free.

My middle daughter wrote the following poem that sums this up perfectly:

"July 4th at the Foot of the Cross"

Though fireworks today paint the sky
Years before our Founding Fathers die.
This very day a war was fought
And on a wooden beam was bought
Everlasting and eternal
A word that we call freedom.
But it was bought by One
That we call God's eternal Son.
Now do not cry this battle is not done
Only by life is this battle won.
Just wait three days for resurrection
Then we shall have the Father's perfect protection.

Starting the Day Right

2009-08-10T08:12:00.006-04:00

Recently I made a change to the way I start my day. It used to be that when I got to work I would more often than not grab a cup of coffee. Then, throughout the day I would slow sip at my 24 oz bottle of water that I would bring to work with me.

However, my wife for years has told me that I don't drink enough water. I've known she was right, and I knew it would help me feel better and I'd be healthier if I did it. However, knowing this didn't change my behavior.

But, a few weeks ago I decided that it was time for a change. I'm not sure why I chose that time

to make the change, I just knew I needed to. So, I chose a day and I decided that I would not have a cup of coffee until I had finished off the full 24 oz of water. This was good motivation. Within an hour and a half of when I woke up I had finished the bottle. Surprizingly, I wasn't craving a cup of coffee, so I drank another bottle full. Then another, and another, and another.

Yep, I went from drinking maybe 24 oz of water a day to drinking around 120 oz of water. Some days I still drink coffee, just because I like the taste. But I always make sure I've had at least 2 bottles of water before I even think about having some coffee. I have never felt more awake, energetic and healthier.

This was a great change for me, but God had another change for me that was even more important. Over the last few weeks I've really been struggling spiritually. It has played out in my relationship with my wife and kids, making things difficult for all of us. And again, the change that needed to happen was not a surprise, but another thing that I've known for years but never done anything about.

This time, the change was not living by my own strength and wisdom, but living dependant on God. Through a well timed series of events culminating in a video on prayer and a sermon on "Clear Paths" based on Proverbs 3:5-6 God once again reminded me that while I am DEPENDANT on Him, I haven't been living DEPENDING on Him. Therefore, I have been struggling and failing. Even when it has looked like to myself or anyone else that I was succeeding, it was still failure, because it was done for my own glory and not for God's.

So, this morning I made a change. The first thing I did after I got up and got dressed was to get on my knees. I confessed my inability to make wise decisions, to love my wife and kids, to do my job. I asked God to live through me today so that all I do would be for His glory and not my own. I asked Him to remind me when I start to depend on myself (as I know I will be apt to do) so that I will turn back to depending on Him.

So far, I have felt much lighter and more free. Granted, it's only been 3 hours, but my thoughts about God and what He would want me to do and just talking to Him have been a natural outflow of my day. I started my day with my heart and mind turned toward Him, and it has been a much healthier start to my day.

So, two lessons I've learned through experience. Starting the day right includes the right amount of Living Water as well as drinking water.

I've only just begun, and I know that there will be days that I feel like it doesn't make a difference. Where the water will seem to lack taste and I want something different. Where my prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling and I want to find something else to make me feel better. But I have to learn to be disciplined to live by what I know is true and no matter what I must start the day right.

How Holy Are You?

2009-02-10T12:30:00.009-05:00

As a follow-up to my last post, I've been reading another of Nancy Leigh DeMoss' books. It is called, "Holiness: the Heart God Purifies". It's another great one that I would highly recommend...and I'm only in the second chapter.

God seems to have a way of preparing our hearts for what He is about to show us. Lately He has been, through various avenues, making it clear that I am a selfish and lazy person. I've been very resistant to that idea.

If you had asked me a week or two ago, or any time in the past for that matter, "How holy are you?" I probably would have answered somewhere in the range of 50-70%, and most of that time I would probably have been thinking in my mind, "but it's actually a little higher than that."

I would have been dead wrong.

What God is opening my eyes to is the fact that the thing about holiness is I either am, or I am not. 100% or 0%. There is no in-between.

If I do anything that I even think might not be honoring God, guess what...0%. If I don't do something that I know God wants me to do, no matter how small...0%. If I allow a thought to linger that does not line up with the mind of Christ...0%. You get the picture.

So, by being satisfied with my perceived 70% on average, I've actually been living at 0%. As the Bible says, "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?"

The good news is that it is possible to live at 100%. Thankfully, it is only by the grace of God that we can. When we confess our sin and repent fully from it He will restore our holiness with the holiness of Christ. (Note: I am not saying that when we are at 0% we are unsaved and at 100% we are saved, but that at 0% we are out of fellowship and communion with our Holy God.) As believers we have the righteousness of Christ, but we must choose to walk in it to experience the Christian life as God desires us to.

I know I will not, on this side of heaven, live continuously at 100% holy. However, now that I recognize my sinful state, at least I have an opportunity to deal with my sin and receive the mercy that God so graciously gives to those who turn from their sin and seek His face.

Surrender vs Commitment

2008-12-12T08:01:00.004-05:00

I've been reading a book called "Surrender: The Heart God Controls" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. God has really been opening my eyes, mind and heart with some of the things in this book. One of those things is the difference between Surrender and Commitment.

She mentions in the book a Romanian pastor immigrant, Josef Tson, who studied the historical development of American evangelicalism. He noted several paradigm shifts that had weakened the spiritual standing of Christianity in America. One of these took place in the 1950's and 60's. It was the "shift from the call to full surrender, to the call to commitment."

I won't go into the full explanation here (though I highly recommend you reading this book for yourself) but here is the main gist:

When you surrender, your life no longer belongs to yourself. You have placed your life at the mercy of another. When you make a commitment, you still belong to yourself and it is up to you as to whether or not you live up to that commitment.

That little nugget blew me away. I realized that I have been living a life of commitment. I have committed to being a better husband, a better father, a good employee, even a good Christian. But, I have to ask myself, have I ever surrendered myself to Christ to be all that He wants me to be...without regards to my own desires?

The answer is a heart-wrenching "no". But knowing this doesn't change it. Wanting to change it doesn't change it. I'm learning that it takes a daily...even moment by moment...surrender to change this.

I'm slowly learning this lesson. I'm 37, stubborn, rebellious and selfish. But in the awesome miracle called "sanctification" I'm taking this opportunity to become more like Christ as I take steps and learn to lay down my rights and surrender daily to Christ.

One step at a time.

Dear Mr. Obama

2008-10-31T08:18:00.004-04:00

This video pretty much sums up my thoughts on the upcoming election...

Play on Words

2008-06-18T21:38:00.003-04:00

My wife got me hooked on this cool little site that takes words you enter and makes a design. Here's what John 3:16 looks like:

Go make your own Wordle and come back and post the link. I'd love to see what you come up with.

Blog Tour: Healing Promises

2008-04-12T08:13:00.005-04:00

Today it is my privilege to host my favorite author, Amy Wallace, on her blog tour. Her amazing ability to weave realistic characters with edge of your seat suspense and truth that wraps around your heart and won't let go keeps me wanting more and more of her outstanding novels. I am an avid reader and nobody has been able to propel me through a story the way she does. And I must say, she'd still be my favorite author even if she wasn't my wife.

First I’ll give you an overview of her upcoming novel, Healing Promises, and then I hope you’ll stay to read a list of 5 things I’ve learned from being married to this incredible author.

Healing Promises

Facing a new threat
When FBI Agent Clint Rollins takes a bullet during a standoff, it might just save his life. But not even the ugly things he's seen during his years working in the Crimes Against Children Unit could prepare him for the overwhelming powerlessness of hospital tests revealing an unexpected diagnosis. If only Sara weren't retreating into doctor mode...he needs his wife now more than ever.

Frozen in fear
Sara Rollins is an oncologist with a mission--beating cancer when she can, easing her patients' suffering at the very least. Now the life of her tall Texan husband is at stake. She never let the odds steal her hope before, but now the question of God's healing promises is personal. Can she hold on to the truth she claimed to believe?

Faith under fire
As Clint continues to track down a serial kidnapper despite his illness, former investigations haunt his nightmares, pushing him beyond solving the case into risking his life and career. Clint struggles to believe God is still the God of miracles. Especially when he needs not one, but two. Everything in his life is reduced to one all-important question: Can God be trusted?

To learn more about Amy, the Defenders of Hope series and to read the first chapter of Healing Promises please visit her Heart Chocolate website at http://www.amywallace.com/.

Now, 5 things I've learned from being married to this amazing woman and author:

Writing requires passion. Amy doesn’t just write, but she pours who she is onto the paper. In sports there is a saying that you should “leave everything you have on the field.” That is how Amy writes. When she walks away from the computer at the end of a writing day she has held nothing back. She has poured all that God has made her to be into her writing. And it shows in the results.

Real characters make a difference. One of my favorite things about Amy’s writing is how much she puts into getting to know her characters. No, we don’t have dinner party for them, J but she knows what they look like, what they enjoy, what their biggest struggles are and where their biggest victories are. At first I thought, all those details aren’t going to show up in the story, so why bother? But as I read her finished novels I realize that the reader may not ever see some of those details, but her knowing them does make a difference. It gives a depth and realism that is beyond any other characters I’ve read.

Writing from the heart will require sacrifice. When Amy writes, her goal is not just to tell a story, but to tell a story that makes a difference. As she has tackled huge heart issues within the context of the suspense genre God has taken her through many experiences that allow her to give real depth to the character’s journey. Many of these experiences include physical and emotional struggles. But even in the midst of it, it is so cool to see her learn and find joy in being able to turn those experiences into an opportunity to glorify God in her writing.

When God has a story for you to write, you’d better start typing. When Amy first started the journey to being a published author, we had no idea where it was heading. There was no promise of publication or success. But there was no doubt that God had given her a story to write. In the past 5 years or so, God has moved heaven and earth to make it possible for Amy to write the stories He has given her. And the blessings she has received, that our whole family has received, have been so very much worth any sacrifices we have made in the process.

You cannot do it alone. Of all the lessons learned this is probably the most significant. It does not apply just to writing, but to life in general. Amy has a support group of pray-ers who pray for her each week while she writes. She has critique partners, a writer’s group, an amazing agent, an incredible publishing team, and a supportive family that all participate in her writing journey. And most of all, she knows that through every step, God is there providing what she needs for where she is and is preparing her for the rest of the journey. I have learned the value of prayer support, people who will speak the hard truth and people who will uplift and give encouragement. I have also learned how important it is to rely on God to meet all your needs on the journey He has given you.

Thank you Amy for being all that God has called you to be as a wife, mom, and author. You are all of those things and so much more. I can’t wait to see all that God has in store for you in the future and being along side to celebrate with you!

Unique

2008-03-04T12:17:00.006-05:00

My wife found this website that identifies how many people in the USA have your name. Here are my results:

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
2,935
people with my name in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

I know one of them is the pitching coach for the Boston Red Sox.

I also met one a few years back when I ran into a guy that lived up the street from me growing up. He introduced me to his roommate with my same name. What are the odds of that?

But here's the cool thing...

No matter how many other people have my name. No matter if they look like me, sound like me, or act like me, God has made us all different. He created each of us for a relationship with Him and He wants to know all 2,935 David Wallace's personally.

So, no matter how unique your name is-or in my case-isn't, the truth is that YOU are unique. God has given you gifts, talents, abilities and experiences for your good and His glory.

I think I'm going to take some time talking to God, and see what He has to say uniquely to me.

Leading Worship

2007-11-08T08:07:00.000-05:00

Yesterday a missionary spoke in our chapel service here at the ministry where I work. He mentioned that as he was listening to the praise and worship team warm up, they were cutting up and having fun. He joked with them, "Hey, you're having too much fun, you're at work." One of them replied, "This isn't work, it's worship." To which he retorted, "Is there a difference?"

That has gotten me thinking a lot on the subject of fun, work and worship. I'm a web developer. I manage the web development/content team here where I work. Most days, I think my job is pretty fun. I enjoy being able to be creative, do some programming, contemplate strategies, and interact with my co-workers. So that covers the first two: fun and work.

But to throw the third concept in the mix, worship, makes me step back and look a little deeper. Do I worship in my work?

In Romans 11: 33-36 Paul describes how far and above us God is. He speaks of the depth of His wisdom and how unfathomable His ways are. Then, immediately following these verses in 12:1 he says, "Therefore I urge you, bretheren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."

I believe this series of verses puts worship in context for us. At the risk of oversimplifying it, I'll try to summarize it in one statement:

God is so great we can't imagine how great He is, therefore we need to give up our selfish desires and focus on Him and submit to His leadership in every aspect of our lives.

So anytime I am focused on God and submitting to Him in my work, my freetime, when I'm with my family, I am worshipping. Worship is not just singing. It is something we should never stop doing. And when we realize that, I believe we will find ourselves amazed at all the things God will do in and through our lives.

It's sobering to realize that I don't worship as often as I might have thought. To realize that I can stand in church on Sunday morning, or in chapel on Wednesday morning, or sit with my family to sing on any evening and if the focus of my heart is not on God and my will is not submitted to His Spirit, I am not worshipping. No matter how much I sing.

God's been working in my heart about becoming a Godly leader, in my home and in my work. Seeing as how I can't carry a tune in a proverbial bucket, I would have never expected God to call me to be a Worship Leader. But, I'm seeing now that the title is about so much more than just singing. Its about how you live your life. And that is exactly what He has called me to be and to do.

Good Tears

2007-10-04T10:05:00.000-04:00

My eyes are full of good tears right now. My hands are shaking and I'm so excited I can hardly sit still enough to type this.

No, I didn't win the lottery, something better than that! Way better. Infinitely better. You might say...eternally better.

My baby girl just became a Christian!

WOO HOO!!!

She's been asking questions for a while now. Expressing interest, but not seeming to understand fully. We have answered questions as she asked, but haven't pushed. We wanted to make sure she does this on her own timing, like her big sisters did.

This morning I prayer for her specifically, "God, I know Sarah wants to know You God, please give her the understanding she needs to receive You as her Savior."

God heard. God answerd. God is good.

Plese join me in praising Him and welcoming our Sarah into God's family.

American Idols

2007-08-19T21:52:00.000-04:00

No, no, no. This post is not about the Reality TV show, but I thought it might grab someone's attention and get them to read it. If you've read this far, it looks like it's working.

Actually, this is a blog that God's been working on in my heart for the last several days. It is based on Ezekiel 14:1-8. I'll admit, I don't normally read in Ezekiel. I don't read in the Old Testament nearly as much as I probably should, but I heard someone speak on this passage recently and the Holy Spirit has not let me get away from it since.

The basic set up is this...the elders in Israel come to Ezekiel seeking a word from the Lord. And they got more than they bargained for - ever had that happen to you? :-)

The Lord speaks to Ezekiel saying, "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts and have put right before their faces the stumbling block of their iniquity. Should I be consulted by them at all?" OUCH! My first reaction is to say, "Man, these guys are dumb. They first worship idols, then they as God's prophet to see what God has to say to them." But on closer look, God doesn't say that they worshiped idols made by hands, but that they "set up their idols in their hearts." There was something in their lives that was more important to them than God. Maybe these guys weren't as dumb as I thought. Maybe they just weren't paying attention to the state of their hearts.

Well, God wasn't finished..."Any man of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, puts right before his face the stumbling block of his iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the Lord will be brought to give him an answer in the matter in view of the multitude of his idols." That made me squirm a little bit. Okay, so if I have something in my heart that is more important to me than God and I come to Him to seek His direction, He is going to address the state of my heart, not what I am seeking direction about.

So, that made me think. What is it that is in my heart that is more important to me than God? It took me a little while to get warmed up, but I kept looking until I was able to focus. I think my heart's eyes had gotten good at looking at external things and had some trouble focusing in this close up. Here's some of what I found...

Having kids that behave perfectly and won't make me look bad by acting up in public.
Having a marriage that looks like it's working perfectly.
Being able to balance work, taking care of things around the house, and my spiritual life.
Being a more mature Christian man and a strong head of my home.

The first two were fairly easy to see, and I suspect while most people could understand the struggle to want to "look good," they would agree that to make that a goal can easily become more important than loving your kids or your spouse and become an idol. But the last two of these took me a while to see.

Balancing work, home and spiritual journey is something that everyone wants to do...and needs to do. And how can becoming a more mature Christian and a strong head of my home be and idol? That didn't make sense to me. But the Spirit wouldn't let it go...He kept taking me back there.

Then I got it.

The desire for those things was stronger than my desire for God. I wanted to become something that only comes as God transforms me into Christ's image. And the only way that can happen is for me to yearn for God, seek Him, spend time with Him, open my heart to Him, truly make Him first. He hasn't been my first love. I've desired the end result, not the Giver of the gift.

I've really had to check myself several times as I've realized this. I find myself still focusing on where I want to be spiritually rather than on God. I don't want my spiritual journey to be an idol, a stumbling block.

As I focus on God I see more easily when I'm making something more important than Him. I'm a little more patient with my kids, and forgiving when they aren't perfect. I'm a little more sensitive to my wife. And, I find that I'm more likely to grow and be strong spiritually.

When I remove the idols in my heart and seek God, He will give me the desires of my heart. He will make me more like Him.

Thankfully life is a journey. I'm not expected to become perfect. I have a long way to go before I get there anyway - just ask those who know me best.

Seeing God work as I begin to remove idols is a great motivation. But if I ever need a reminder of what is at stake, all I have to do is read verses 6-8 of Ezekiel 14. The consequences of leaving the idols are severe. We would all do well to hear the word of the Lord and begin to tear down our idols.

Qualified to Teach?

2007-07-25T10:50:00.000-04:00

Have you ever been asked to do something that you feel completely unqualified to do? I've been there before and yesterday I found myself there again.

My wife and I recently joined a married adult Sunday school class at our church as assistant teachers. I taught one Sunday, and besides being a bit preachy, it went fairly well. I had felt confident and at peace about it.

However, right now I'm questioning a lot of things about myself. My actual level of spiritual maturity, my ability/successfulness as a husband and father and my leadership skills to name a few.

So, in typical God style, He pushed on an area where I'm struggling. I got an e-mail from the lead teacher in our class yesterday. They have to go out of town this coming weekend and wanted to know if I could teach.

My first thought was "there is no way I can teach a class right now." I've always been a bit nervous when teaching or speaking, but never felt completely unqualified. With this e-mail, however, I felt scared to death. What could I say? How can I teach when I feel like a complete spiritual failure right now? So, I didn't say anything. I took the coward's way out. I didn't respond.

This morning I was praying and God brought this to my mind. I just got honest with Him and spouted off about how there's no way I can do this, I'm completely unqualified, I'm a failure, I'm too spiritually immature, I'm frankly scared to death to get up there and look like I don't know what I'm talking about. At the end of my rant, I sat there, head in my hands, feeling miserable.

Then, I heard a gently voice in my Spirit. It said, "Good, now you're ready."

WHAT?!?!?

But then, I understood. I've always had a cocky sort of self assurance that I have it all together and can handle anything that comes my way. Well, God's been shaking that to the core, and now He took me to where I realized I can't do anything that I thought I could.

He then reminded me of something I prayed last night. I was feeling exhausted physically and spiritually and in my prayer had said, "I feel like giving up. But where would I turn." Then God reminded me of what Peter said and I added, "But where would I go, You have the words of life." I didn't feel it, but I knew it was true.

This morning, God brought it together for me. I have no where else to turn. I have to depend on Him, like I never have before. I'm still scared, still feel like a failure, still don't know what will happen. But I have a peace, knowing that it no longer is up to me to determine that, never was really, I was just getting in my own way.

I agreed to teach this Sunday. I still don't think I'm qualified, but I believe God wants me to trust Him that He will meet me there. Maybe it will be good for me to go into it not feeling like I can do this. Maybe then, God will be able to use me like He never has.

I'm not qualified, but for some reason He has chosen me. I don't think I'll ever understand the way God works.

Evan Almighty

2007-07-02T21:15:00.000-04:00

I have heard a lot of discussion about the new movie that came out in June, Evan Almighty. I have heard it ripped to shreds and I have heard it lauded for its comedic value. Generally, I expect people to be harsh when reviewing movies (that's why they are called "critics"), but this time some of it has gotten under my skin.

One respected Christian leader was "uncomfortable with the depiction of our most righteous God as an ordinary man who, though endearing and warm, danced and performed funny miracles." His point was that God "is profoundly holy, and we are to approach Him with deep humility and reverence." And while I agree that God is holy and we are to see Him as such, it saddens me that we put Him in a box where we can't imagine him smiling and laughing or wanting to dance with us. I believe that Jesus had a wonderful sense of humor and that God delights in us enough that if He were to appear to us in human form, especially after we had been obedient to Him and seen His mercy and grace fulfilled, that He just might laugh and dance with us. That in no way takes away His holiness.

There was also a complaint that in the movie God explains that the first flood was because people had not done enough "Acts of Random Kindness (ARK)." And while I agree that this it is a stretch to interpret that "the people of the world were evil" into "not doing acts of random kindness," I give leeway here as I step back and look at the overall message of the movie. It seems to me that the greater message of the movie is that God wants us to obey Him even when we don't understand the "why" of what He tells us to do, He wants us to be more concerned with others than ourselves, and that He loves us enough to intervene and save us from people with evil intent. Now, certainly this does not cover all the aspects of who God is. No one movie could. I seem to remember John writing that all the books in the world couldn't contain all that Christ did in three years, so I imagine that all the movies in the world couldn't depict all the facets of who God is. Bruce Almighty (which I thought was a much more irreverent predecessor - although funny as well) depicted how a mortal man could never do what God does and how much Greater than man He is. These movies weren't made as deep theological lessons, but they were made to prove a specific point about God in a humorous way.

Now, I agree that there were things that could have been changed to make it even better, but here's my main problem: If we as Christians are going to slam Hollywood for making a wholesome movie that allows the world at large to see a truth about God, and laugh in the process (yes, we can even laugh at ourselves), then what movie can we endorse? I might be able to count them on one hand. Maybe on one finger. Yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I respect that many may have a conviction that they shouldn't support this movie. We can agree to disagree, but please, don't judge me for enjoying it.

A Restorer Moment

2007-07-01T00:05:00.000-04:00

I just finished reading an awesome book (the Restorer) the other night by Sharon Hinck. In this book, a soccer mom gets transported to an alternate universe where she is a Restorer. In this role, similar to the judges of the Old Testament, Susan often finds herself speaking truths to the people of that world. The words are inspired and strike right at the heart of the issue. She is often left in awe of how the One (God) provides the words she needs. I had a similar experience just last night.

I had been outside and when I came in, my two oldest daughters were in the middle of an arguement. I instructed them to sit on the couch and I pulled up a chair in front of them, just silently looking back and forth at them for several minutes. During this time they both meekly prayed and said they were sorry and asked me to forgive them. I told them both that I appreciated that they were sorry and that I did forgive them, but then I added “That doesn’t change anything.” I proceeded to explain to them that the reason I was not happy with their behavior was not because they were disobeying me, but because I saw that they were destroying themselves. I told them how the attitudes they’ve been showing will only bring hurt and sorrow to themselves and those around them who love them. Then I said:

“There is only one person who can make you decide to change, and there is only One person who can change you. Your mommy and I have tried talking to you and disciplining you, but none of that is going to change you. The only one who can make you decide to change is you. The only One who can change you is God. But He won’t change you unless you want to be changed. You have to decide if that is what you want.”

As I finished, I sat there quietly thinking, “Where did THAT come from?” That’s when I realized I had just experienced a Restorer moment. Just like Susan, as I opened my mouth, not knowing what to say, God put the words that they needed to hear. The tears streaming down their faces as they quietly wept were a testimony to me that the words He gave me were so much more effective than anything I’ve tried to do on my own.

Thank you Sharon for opening my eyes and heart to see that God can, and does, speak through me to the hearts of my girls.

I'd highly recommend reading the Restorer for yourself. It might just open your eyes and heart to realize just how dependant we are on God, and you might find yourself having a Restorer moment of your own.

If you do, please share it with me. I'd love to hear about it.

Ransomed Dreams - CFBA Blog roll

2007-05-10T16:54:00.000-04:00

I'm proud to host a review of my favorite book of all time by the best author I've ever read. The book grips your heart from the first sentence and doesn't let go until you've finished reading, thought about it a few days and told everyone around you how much you enjoyed it, learned from it and can't wait until the next one comes out. So check it out, you are sure to enjoy this awesome read.

If you want to learn more check out the Author site, Book series site, Blog, and of course the reviews and comments on Amazon.com

Below is the official CFBA review...

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
RANSOMED DREAMS
(Multnomah April 17, 2007)
by
Amy Wallace

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amy Wallace is a member of the CFBA and an avid Blogger. A self-confessed chocoholic, this freelance writer is a graduate of the Gwinnett County Citizens Police Academy and serves as the liaison for the training division of the county police department. Amy is a contributing author of God Answers Moms' Prayers, God Allows U-Turns for Teens, Chicken Soup for the Soul Healthy Living Series: Diabetes, and A Cup of Comfort for Expectant Mothers. She lives in Georgia with her husband and three daughters.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Drama. Tragedy. Thriller. Romance. Can these four actually go together? Amy Wallace's meaty first book of the Defenders of Hope Series, RANSOMED DREAMS, has successfully united these genres.

It is one of those books that after you read a little and put it down, the desire to see what will happen next is so strong that it will occupy your thoughts, compelling you to make the time to finish. But watch out! It is best consumed where no one will hear you cry because, if you have children, it will hit you like a stab in the gut and wrench you with a twist of the knife.

Although the subject at first depresses, the characters are so real and likable that you need to see what will become of them.

This book will NOT bore you.

BACK COVER COPY:

Chained To Yesterday

When tragedy struck and Gracie Lang lost everything, her faith crumbled, and nothing but the drive for justice propelled her forward. But after two years of dead-end searching, the truth Gracie seeks is the very thing her stalker will stop at nothing to hide.

Forgiveness Unlocks the Future

An FBI agent in the Crimes Against Children Unit, Steven Kessler spends his days rescuing other people’s children and nights caring for his son. He’s through with God, embittered by his ex-wife who abandoned them both, and definitely doesn’t expect what’s coming next.

The Past Is the Key

A plot to kidnap a British ambassador’s daughter dangerously intersects Steven and Gracie’s worlds–a collision that demands a decision. But are they willing to pay the high ransom required to redeem dreams and reignite hope?

ENDORSEMENTS:

Steeped in police intrigue and rich characters, Ransomed Dreams entertains, educates, and captivates. Amy Wallace is a fresh, vibrant voice in the Christian market
~Mark Mynheir, Homicide Detective and Author of The Void

Ransomed Dreams had me hooked from the start and didn't let go until the deeply satisfying ending.
~Kristin Billerbeck, Author of What a Girl Wants

A Game of Tag

2007-05-05T22:05:00.000-04:00

My wife, Amy Wallace, in a sneaky attempt to get me to blog (since I've been absent from the blogsphere for almost two months), has tagged me for one of these silly viral postings. With three little girls that love to giggle I'm a sucker for silly, so here goes...

But first, the rules:

1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.

3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people (I could only come up with four) to get tagged and list their names.

4. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.

8 random facts/habits about me ...

1. I've broken my big toe 5 times. Twice playing soccer (it was worth it, I scored a goal in the process), once doing a cartwheel, once playing sand volleyball (I finished the game and we won), and once when running in rubber soled sandals on wet pavement (I hydroplaned and slid toe first into the side of a Wendy's, scared the poor people sitting at that booth half to death, but I got a free meal out of it).

2. In college I wore shorts year round. Once I was refereeing a flag football game and thought it odd that everyone was really bundled up. I didn't think it was that cold. Then it started snowing. :-)

3. My kids like for me to pretend to be silly characters with them. One of their favorite is "The Pyrite Captain" and no, that isn't a typo. Since I'm not really a pirate, I'm a pyrite captain and you guessed it, I collect fools gold.

4. I'm a huge Georgia Tech fan (even though I didn't go to school there). My wife is a University of Louisville fan. Once I won tickets for a basketball game where GT was playing U of L. We walked into the building holding hands, each decked out in our team's colors and logos. We got some odd looks, but it was all good...GT won (of course).

5. I'm trying to find out how to try out to be on the show Are You Smarter Than a 5th grader (and my daughter is auditioning to be one of the class members next year).

6. I tell my kids silly stories about a dog, cat and two squirrels who are best friends and have all sorts of adventures. They love the stories and it keeps them occupied when we are in the car on the way to the grocery store. ;-)

7. I love to cook. I didn't get to growing up, so I asked my wife to teach me when we got married. Now I'm hooked and I hijack her copy of "A Taste of Home" magazine each month to see what new, yummy recipes I can try.

8. My favorite author is an incredible lady named Amy Wallace and her book Ransomed Dreams, book one in the Defenders of Hope series is my absolute favorite book of all times (after the Bible...I'm Baptist after all). You really should check it out. It's awesome!

I tag..............

Cameron, Jamie, Pete, and Eric

Vision

2007-03-09T13:38:00.000-05:00

Our church is hosting a men's breakfast and Bible study on Tuesday mornings. The food is great, but the teaching has been outstanding. God has really been challenging me to look at how I can be a man of influence. Here's a quick look at what I'm learning:

A man of influence has a vision. You can't lead if you don't know where you are going.
Having a vision is seeing what others fail to see.
Having a vision gives you courage. A person with courage can move even in times of uncertainty. Darkness is the best time to see courage; if the pathway to success was well lit, it would be crowded.
God's vision gives you stability.
Courage + Stability = Motivation.

As I've prayed about this, I've learned a few things about myself.

I have a vision. I know where I am going even though I don't know how or when I will get there. It is a vision that God gave me, but I've been making it my vision. I have to let it remain God's vision or else I'll be demanding and feel entitled to it. I did nothing to deserve or request this vision; it is God's vision for me.

When I remember that, I don't feel nearly as anxious. I know that if it's God's vision He is responsible for bringing it into focus and fulfillment. If I make it my vision I feel the pressure to fulfill it and start worrying and getting stressed out.

When I'm stressed out, I don't feel stable, and I certainly don't have a stabilizing effect on those around me. Just ask my family. They could probably tell you on a daily basis whether I've been trying to make the vision mine or leaving it to God.

Also, when I see what God has in store for me and I don't feel the pressure to make it happen, I get excited about it. I'm anticipating great things. Also, I can see more clearly what is going on around me in others lives and I can encourage them and be involved in God's vision for them.

Wow, just thinking about this again I'm excited about all that God is doing with-in me and around me.

I hope you get excited too when you look and see what God's vision for you is. If you don't know His vision for you, keep looking to Him and He'll lead you to it. If you focus on Him, He will give you the vision you need...and it will be AWESOME!

Walking Backwards

2007-02-26T07:03:00.000-05:00

In the last week or so, God has been bringing to light some ways of thinking and some heart attitudes I thought I had dealt with long ago. He has a way of doing that.

I've done a lot of things in the past that I'm not proud of, been ashamed of really. I've caused a lot of pain to those I love. I don't like looking at it, thinking about it, or even remembering it. It's ugly.

This morning though, God gave me a word picture to describe how I've been living.

One of my favorite things to do is to go walking on the beach. However, God showed me that how I've been living is like walking backwards on a beach with a broom in my hands. I'm trying to sweep away and cover up the footprints that I leave behind me. However, this creates several problems. Here are some of them:

When I walk backwards, I don't see where I'm going or the people around me and I end up stepping on them and hurting them.
When I walk backwards I don't see the opportunities ahead of me.
No matter how much time I spend sweeping my footprints, I still leave a mark that cannot be erased, even if many people never notice it.
If I keep trying to erase mistakes and forget where I've been I'll keep repeating my mistakes over and over again.
God placed within me a love for walking on the beach. When I walk backwards focused on erasing my past I fail to enjoy the life, the walk, He's given me.

Not a pretty picture. However, it helped me to see how I'm choosing to live.

God also brought to mind something my pastor said in his sermon yesterday. He mentioned that he believes the apostle Paul everywhere he went, each opportunity he had to share the message of Christ, remembered the Damascus road. He remembered where he had come from...from what he had been saved. That humbled him and reminded him, inspired him, to want others to experience that same freedom and restoration.

I've been trying hard to forget, to make others forget, where I've come from and act like none of it ever happened. Thus, I've been mired in my own sin and failure, destined to repeat it. Instead, God is calling me to let my past inspire me to praise Him, humble myself before Him, to be grateful for where I am and every opportunity I'm given to seek to make the most of it for His glory.

I can live in the past and be consumed with shame and self-doubt, or I can look to God and let Him lead me to success in the future. I can look around me and see how God can use all things for our good and His glory. He can turn the pain of my sin into opportunities to love my wife as He loved the church. He can turn the failures of my past into opportunities to guide my children into a life of joy and freedom. He can turn my sorrows into joy and set me free to learn, live, and love.

It's time to drop my broom, turn around and start living the life He's given me.

Committed

2007-02-17T23:09:00.000-05:00

Just this week I started running again. It’s been about 2 years since I’ve run. Why did I start back? That’s a whole different story I won’t get into now but God had a reason for it that was different than mine. Tonight He showed me part of that reason.

When I went running tonight it was about 36 degree and there was a light rain coming down. About ¾ of my way through the run there was a guy walking in the other direction coming toward me. As I neared him I saw him shake his head and smile. He said, “Man, you must be really committed.” My first thought was, “Does he mean I should really be committed in an insane asylum?” That’s what the look on his face conveyed.

But then a little later God brought to mind a time in high school when I wanted to try out for the track team. I didn’t want to run; I wanted to do the high jump. I had some friends on the team that did the high jump and they took me to meet the coach at practice. He said, “Okay, if you want to join the team go run five miles and then come back and see me.”

“Five miles? You’ve got to be kidding? I just want to do the high jump. I didn’t say anything about running!”

I don’t remember how I excused myself from that practice, but I do remember that I didn’t run five miles and I didn’t join the track team. I didn’t think much about it at the time, haven’t thought a lot about it since either. Until tonight.

Tonight God showed me what that coach was doing. He was testing how committed I was to being on the team. And he certainly found out what he wanted to know.

So I started thinking about this idea of being committed. I started wondering if God tests us to see how committed we are. Maybe He allows hardships to see if we will stay faithful or curse Him.

But that doesn’t seem right. I mean, God knows everything. He knows how committed we are. But maybe He allows us to be tested so that WE will see how committed we are to Him. That might be. I think that could definitely play into it.

But somehow, even if this plays a part, I think what God brought to my mind just as I started typing this could possibly be the more important thing that God is teaching about commitment when we go through hardship…That we may see how committed HE is to us.

That thought brings a smile to my face and peace to my heart. Yes, God is so committed to us that He gave His life so that we can have hope. He is so committed that He gives us strength so we can endure. And He is so committed that when we fail He never abandons us, but He picks us up and sets us back on our feet and helps us head back in the right direction.

I’ve taken God on some long runs in some pretty bad weather. But He’s always stuck by me and guided me through them. Man, He must really be committed.

Lust

2007-02-08T20:45:00.000-05:00

I’m sure everyone is familiar with the concept of lust. There is the lust for power, for sex, for money. These are some of the most commonly thought of. However, the devotional I was reading the other morning opened my eyes and my heart to become aware of another type of lust.

Spiritual Lust.

I wrestled with the concept for a while, but when it came right down to it, I realized that it not only exists as a possibility, but that it is very real, so real in fact that I am guilty of it much of the time.

The quote I read from my devotion (My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers) was this:

“Spiritual lust makes me demand an answer from God, instead of seeking God who
gives the answer…The meaning of prayer is that we get hold of God, not of the
answer.”

I was reminded of my favorite Psalm, the 37th. I love many verses in this Psalm, but I specifically thought of verses 4-5:

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this.”

The focus here is the Lord. Delight in Him. Commit your way to Him. The answers to our prayers are a result, not the goal or focus.

Lately, I’ve been frustrated with God for not answering my prayers quickly enough for my liking or in ways that I expected (or demanded). My focus has been on getting God to answer my prayers…not on knowing Him, His will and His ways. I’ve been guilty of what Mr. Chambers labeled Spiritual Lust.

Again I’m humbled to see I have so much to learn as I turn once again from demanding and throwing a temper tantrum when my insistencies are not satisfied and refocus to seek the One who can teach me as He makes me more like Himself.

Do Dreams Come True?

2007-01-31T15:50:00.000-05:00

This morning the chaplain at the ministry where I work excitedly reported to us that a dream he had 21 years ago finally came true, he became a pilot. He encouraged all of us that “if you have a dream, don’t give up on it.”

Well, that got my attention because I’ve been wrestling with God on that very subject for a few days now. My dream is to go back to school and get my Master’s degree in Marriage & Family counseling. I believe it is a dream that God gave me and I’ve been frustrated that it doesn’t seem to be happening the way I expected.

I’ve been accepted into school. I could have started this past Fall, but I knew I needed to wait because of some life circumstances.

No problem. I could wait a year.

But now it’s looking like I may have to wait again. It’s not definite, but it is definitely a possibility.

On Sunday evening my wonderful wife made this statement to me, “You’re holding on to the dream too tight. You’re demanding it from God. You need to be willing to let go. You’re killing the dream.”

She was right. I love her for putting it so plainly. But it kicked off a real struggle within me. I’ve been pouting and fussing at God for the last few days. I haven’t been real pleasant to be around. I felt like God was now telling me I had to give up the dream.

Then, when I heard our chaplain so excited about his dream coming true I felt like that was salt in the wounds.

Thanks God.

But then he continued. I guess I had missed the part about him waiting 21 years for his dream to come true. So God used him to spell this out for me. He spoke about waiting and how we are to do it. Here is a quick bullet-list:

We are to wait unashamed.
We are to wait with integrity.
We are to wait in strength.
We are to wait courageously.
We are to wait patiently.
We are to wait obediently.
We are to wait diligently.
We are to wait securely.
We are to wait expectantly.

After hearing these, I went through the list and was able to check off every single one.

Yes, I have failed to do every one of them.

As I prayed afterwards, I asked God how I can do this. His answer came in one word. “Surrender.”

So, I did. I surrendered my dream to Him. I’m not giving up on it, but I have given it up to Him. Instead of keeping my eyes on the dream, I am going to fix my eyes on Jesus.

If I begin to feel anxious, depressed or frustrated, I will turn and refocus on Him. I'm sure He will put people and circumstances in my life to make me aware if I need to do this. He's good at that. But my hope is that I will daily lift my eyes to Him.

It may be 21 years before my dream comes true. It might be longer. Or, it might be shorter. But that doesn’t seem as important anymore. What is important is that I keep my eyes where they belong and trust Him.

When I do that…I know He will exceed all my dreams.

Prayer Requests, Gossip, and Complaining

2007-01-22T21:12:00.000-05:00

Have you ever sat in a group of people sharing prayer requests and felt like it was a corporate gripe session? gossip session?

I have. And it's bugged me. But recently God showed me something that bothers me even more.

I'm guilty of it myself.

I have struggled with complaining for a long time. I've been dealing with it, trying to catch myself when I have a complaining spirit, and I've done better. But is better good enough? Is it my best?

Last night God answered that pretty loud and clear. You can guess the answer.

There have been some circumstances that I have been complaining about. I've got to give those to God. Not to co-workers, my wife, or friends...to God. If I process my circumstances, fears and attitude with God first, then I can have productive, encouraging conversations with everyone around me. If I don't, then I will gossip and complain and call it "processing," "venting," or "sharing prayer requests."

I've got some work to do on this. Please pray for me on this. That is a request that I can feel good about.

A Sense of Purpose

2007-01-13T21:37:00.000-05:00

This morning I woke with a sense of excitement - of purpose. God hasn't really revealed anything new, no real huge revelations. I don't really see a big change in the circumstances around me either. Yet, I feel a sense of purpose I haven't felt in a long time.

I think I know why.

It's because my purpose is bigger than cleaning the house (my biggest task for the day), bigger than my job, watching my kids, or even loving and serving my wife. My purpose is to obey God and give Him my best...and enjoy Him.

And I am.

No, my circumstances haven't changed, but I feel like I am changing in them.

Two Words

2007-01-10T21:52:00.000-05:00

At the start of the new year, I intentionally do not make "New Year Resolutions". I know I won't keep them, so why go through the motions and lie to myself and/or anyone else.

This year is no different.

However, as God is pruning me and shaping me, I found myself on my face the other day asking Him, "What do you want from me?"

I know that could be seen as a dangerous question to ask God, but He had brought me to the point where I realized that I'm just not where I need to be. I'm 35 years old and still have a lot of growing up to do. So I asked, and in normal God fashion He answered.

Two words were spoken very clearly and directly to my spirit:

Excellence and Obedience

I don't know what I expected, but the stunning simplicity and directness left me speechless. I thought back at some of the things I struggle with (laziness, selfishness, etc.) and at what God has been up to lately and realized something...

God knew I was going to ask that question...and He'd been preparing me to hear His answer.

So, I've begun to look at life a little differently in the last couple of days. In everything I'm doing I try to remember to ask myself "Am I giving my best? Am I being obedient to God's call and His principles?"

I've starting doing some things differently. I still have a long way to go...afterall, it's only been two days...but I plan to keep asking those two questions. Not as a "New Year Resolution," but as a lifestyle.