On Calvary's Hill #Review #FCBlogger #Christian #Books

About

It's early in the final week. The props and players for Friday's drama are in position. Five-inch spikes are in the bin. A cross-beam leans against a shed wall. The players are nearing the stage--Pilate, Annas and Caiaphas, Judas, the centurions. Players and props. Only this is no play; it's a divine plan. A plan begun before Adam felt heaven's breath, and now all heaven waits and watches. All eyes are on one figure--the Nazarene. 

 Join bestselling author Max Lucado in an exploration of the final days in the life of Christ. In On Calvary's Hill, you'll draw near to the Savior and prepare to celebrate the greatest miracle ever conceived through 40 devotional readings that feature Scripture verses, prayer prompts, and favorite passages from many of Lucado's best-selling books.

My Review

With short and quick chapters, this book is not meant to be read in one sitting. Each chapter starts with a bible verse, ending with a time of reflection and prayer. In the days leading up to Easter, I have found On Calvary's Hill to be the perfect devotional. Comprised of passages from some of Max Lucado's other writings (including No Wonder They Call Him the Savior, He Chose the Nails, and 3:16) this little (but powerful) book walks us through the the last days, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Max speaks on such a personal level that we all can grasp the true meaning and purpose behind the Cross.

One of my favorite chapters, "An Anchor for Your Soul" is simply incredible:

"God is on a cross. The Creator of the universe is being executed."

"It is no normal six hours...it is no normal Friday."

"Let me ask you a question: What do you do with that day in history? What do you do with its claims?"

Powerful.


I received this book free as a member of the Family Christian Blogger 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 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
 

Comfortable - but not happy. #church #ministry #music #youtube

"God wants to invite us outside our comfort zone, but we’ve decided to stay safe."

I didn't sing for 15 years before I started singing again at First Baptist Church of Whitesburg.

15 years.

I was comfortable - but not happy. I knew what I was called to do and yet I had too much anxiety to do it. It felt so much safer not doing it.

And then God said "Go". And with a gigantic push from my beloved husband, Danny, I did.

Now I sing in front of hundreds and to a radio audience every Sunday. I lead a magnificent choir, who I love dearly and am proud to call my extended family. I sing for weddings and funerals and cherish that I can share those moments with them.

I don't say these things to boast, but to show the grace of God.

Contrary to what many think, it isn't easy for me - sometimes it is next to impossible. But I'm getting there. I trust in Him to deliver me from my fears and I commit my way to Him.

I know that when I am weak, He is strong.

Thank you for believing in and praying for the First Baptist Church of Whitesburg Choir and Music Ministry. Our Cantata is December 13th & 14th at 6 pm, and we would be so honored for you to attend.

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Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
 

My faith is so tiny. #scripture #bible #christian #Jesus #faith

oh, He has been speaking to me about faith.

My faith is so tiny, you know? I think, how can anything good come of this situation? I'm going to fail and everyone will see me do it.

"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20 A mustard seed is about 1 cm in diameter. The mustard plant, however, can be 9 feet tall. That's a pretty big thing to come from something so tiny!

And so, I pray.

Father, you are the Almighty God. You, Whose hands stretched out the heavens... Whose eyes have seen the dawn of time.... Whose ears have heard angels' symphonies. You are the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace - You alone are worthy of praise.

I come to You with such little faith, but I know You will honor it. For it is in my weakness that You are made strong. I know that, although it is hard for me to believe that anything good come come of this, you will take that tiny seed of faith and plant it for me. You will make a good and fruitful thing come to pass.

I trust You and believe You for it. I am so grateful for your mercy and compassion. In Jesus' Mighty Name, Amen.

 

Illuminator Series #8: He calls You by Name

"To whom will you liken Me, or to whom shall I be equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these things. Who brings out their host by number; He calls them by name, by the greatness of His power; not one is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, And speak, O Israel; “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my just claim is passed over by my God?” Isaiah 40: 25 – 27

photo credit http://www.incourage.me/

Have you ever watched the night sky, just when the stars start to shine? That’s when God says to us, “I bring out their host by number, I call them by name...by the greatness of His power…and not one is missing.”

God tells us that, even with billions of stars, “Not one of them is missing.” “I call them all by name”. He has a name for every single star and sees each one.

Why does He share this with us? Because God wants us to understand that there is no one on this earth that He does not know intimately. There is no one on this earth that He does not see. There is no one on this earth that He has forgotten.

The God of the universe, the Lord of lords, the Everlasting Father - He knows each of us by name. He knows who you are, and what is going on in your life, in the most intricate detail.

Life has a way of making us doubt whether He knows what we are going through. “God, are you really there?” we ask. But Jesus said, “Your Heavenly Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”

Remember His promise, “…those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint”.

 

The Illuminator Series #7: In the Eye of the Storm

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who build his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” Matt. 7:24-27.

Like many of you, I’ve been through some tough times this last year. I’ve struggled with sadness and grief. I’ve been in the eye of the storm and been shaken to the core.

More than ever I know that God’s Word is constant, sure, and true. My emotions and preferences, on the other hand, change daily.

Let’s develop a deeper, more profound relationship with Christ. There will storms in life. But building our lives on the His Word, we will end up standing on the other side.

 

The Illuminator Series #6: Why Do We Sing in the Choir?

Why do we sing in the Choir?

• Because we are so grateful for God’s love…His mercy…His sacrifice.

“O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him; talk of all His wondrous works. Glory in His holy name; let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice.” Psalm 105:1-3

• Singing in the choir allows us to participate in the ministry of leading worship. We are not just there to sing an anthem or two – we are there to worship and to LEAD in worship. It is a great privilege that brings us great joy!

“Oh, that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt Him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him in the assembly of the elders.” Psalm 107:31, 32

• We share the good news of Jesus Christ!

“O sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless His name; show forth His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised.” Psalm 96:1-4

• Singing in the choir allows us to get to know so many wonderful people who have a heart of service and love the Lord. A choir becomes a family who serves together, prays together, and loves each other.

Made by Renee receives products for review purposes, and may sometimes be compensated for posts. Posts may also contain affiliate links. All opinions expressed are solely from Made by Renee and were not influenced by any form of compensation.
 

The Illuminator Series Article #5: Success without Failure

"If you wait until all the lights are green before you leave home, you'll never get started on your trip to the top." - Zig Ziglar

How powerful this quote is!

Too often I sit and wait for all of the lights to be green. Waiting for someone to give me the go ahead. Waiting until I think I cannot fail.

But the simple truth is this: there cannot be success without some failure. It takes backbone to live the life you want and failure is the only thing that can give you proper perspective on success. Very simply, you cannot know the beauty of success without the ugliness of failure.

Failure is all part of the road to success. You build on it. You use it as a stepping stone, as Johnny Cash once said. A good quote to live by is "Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker".  It is the people who are afraid of failure that never feel success.

Giving yourself permission to fail, also gives you permission to succeed.

Failure is such a strong word. Because, really, there is no failure when you are being faithful and pursuing the things of God.

"Commit your work to the LORD, then your plans will succeed" Proverbs 16:3

Set your heart upon the LORD, choose to commit your work to Him, and you will find that you are more likely to pursue godly things. This is exactly how the scripture "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart" works. When we put that scripture into context, we can see what it actually means. Commitment to Him, learning His Word and developing a relationship with Him will change our desires into godly ones.

When we pursue the things of God, the light will always be green.

 

The Illuminator Series Article #3: Trading my Ashes for His Beauty

“…and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3

I used to hold on so tightly to my ashes. Ashes of pain and rejection that, as a small child, I never asked for. I just didn’t want to let those ashes go.

You see, I wanted to mourn what my childhood could have been like – a childhood with a loving father and a brother to be my best friend. Things that, after my brother went home to be with Jesus, I never had again.

But Jesus understands my pain. He was rejected and despised by the very people He came to save. And yet He said to The Father, “Thy will be done”.

It was at the foot of the cross that I saw God change something so terrible into something so beautiful. And I realized that He could do that in my life, if I would just let Him.

So, I gave it all to Him. I chose to trade my ashes for His Beauty, Oil of Gladness, and Garment of Praise. I gave Him my bitterness… my grief… my pain. I decided to let Him make me an Oak of Righteousness, planted to display His splendor. I decided to live in Grace, taking it one day at a time, while He transformed my heart.

And He did.

God can change the negative in our lives into good. Our Father never desired us to hurt or grieve but if we will just give our pain over to Him, He will restore our brokenness.

Now I cannot stop singing praises to the One who has made the very ugly parts of my life into something so beautiful. He has absolutely won my heart!