Mountain In My Rearview Mirror

One of my favorite storytellers is Bill Butterworth. In his new book, Mountain In My Rearview Mirror, he does not disappoint!

I highly recommend this book for everyone. I think after you read the quotes below, you will agree!

If you speak to the hurting, you will never lack for an audience. p. xv

Honestly, I see things in my life today that I never would have seen without the opportunity to overcome the overwhelming obstacles in my life. I'm a different man-a better man-today. For all the theologians out there, let me be clear. I don't think God caused my obstacles, but He certainly did allow them to happen. And I think He did so in order to strengthen me in the way I live my life. He was building character. p. xxv

God is interested in more than an occasional glance. He wants to be our total focus. p. 54

All of us develop some level of SADD (spiritual attention deficit disorder). p. 59

When we dwell on life's circumstances, anxiety and fear return. p. 60

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God Philippians 4:6

This verse may be the most helpful because of its simple formula. Don't be anxious. Instead, take all the time and effort normally expended on anxiety and replace it with prayer. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything! p. 61

Worry and doubt are signs that we have lost our focus. p. 62

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

For our purposes, perhaps we could paraphrase it this way:

For we walk by focus, not by vision.

In the end, it's not what we can see, but how faithful we are to trust God. Seeing only complicates the situation. For what we see often is perceived as opposite of what God should be doing.  p. 63

We don't need to fight, but we do need to stand in order to see God deliver us.

You will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD's victory. 2 Chronicles 20: 17  p. 123

Our adversaries will stand against each other and destroy each other.

The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. 2 Chronicles 20: 23  p. 127

We're being faithful. We're trusting God. But nothing seems to be happening. Hang in there, friend. Just because it isn't happening now doesn't mean it isn't going to happen. It's all a matter of timing-God's perfect timing.  p. 127

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A Tale of two Sons

John MacArthur in A Tale of Two Sons does an excellent job of examining the parable in Luke 15:11-32.

I have a quote about sheep and a shepherd.

A sheep separated from the flock and left to wander by itself in the wilderness will die, even with an abundance of food and water all around. It's only a matter of time before the lost sheep would succumb to the stress of being separated from the flock, the threat of predators, or exposure to the elements. Any or all of those could be fatal in short order. p. 28

There's an image of compassion and an illustration of divine grace in the way the shepherd "lays it on his shoulders" and brings it home. He doesn't bear or berate the wandering sheep. He doesn't even leave it to the sheep to travel home in his own power. He lifts it up and carries it, and he does so with joy and delight rather than anger or exasperation. In fact, in Jesus' account, the shepherd is so delighted over the return of the sheep that he calls together his friends and neighbors to celebrate. p. 28

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FireProof Your Life

The book, FireProof Your Life, is a study based on the movie Fire Proof. It is a very good book.

Here are a few quotes:

Trials show what we are made of - they reveal our hearts, our faith, our level of maturity. p. 14

Noah built an ark.

"Are you kidding, Lord? What's an ark?"

Abraham, set out for a city.

"What city? Aren't You going to give me a map?"

Abraham, you've going to have a child.

"At my age? Do You know how old my wife is?"

Joseph, I've got big plans for you.

"Lord, You're going to have to get me out of this prison first. I'm a forgotten man.

Israel, take the land.

"Are you crazy? We're grasshoppers and they're giants."

 (Remember the Bible records the failures of faith and its consequences as well as the stories of those who trusted God and took Him at His Word.).

David, you are going to be the next king of Israel.

"How? If I don't keep running, King Saul is going to kill me!"

Elijah, pray down fire from heaven.

Are you sure, Lord? It seems to me I'm out numbered."

Job, trust Me with your loss and pain.

"Lord, nobody knows the trouble I've seen."

Isaiah, prophesy in My name.

"Lord, don't You know my friend the king just died? I'm grieving right now."

Jeremiah, buy the land.

"Lord, I'm no expert in real estate, but it seems to me that's not a very good deal."

Micah, tell them Messiah will come from Bethlehem.

"Lord, most folks can't even find Bethlehem on the map."

Peter, get out of the boat.

"And do what? Walk on water?" pp. 44-45

The biggest problem we face is not knowing what is right, but being willing to do what is right. p. 71

We think getting is the answer to all our problems, but in God's economy giving is the answer. Through our giving we understand that Christ supplies all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. p 126

God always reserves something for Himself in the physical realm, where man obtains his living, to remind man that God is the owner of everything. God reserved for Himself a tree, a day, a city, the tithe, a year when the land was to stand idle. The facts here are clear. What God sets aside as holy, as His, is a reminder that we are stewards, not owners. p. 131

If God is your Father, please call home. Corrie ten Boom said, "The Devil smiles when we make plans. He laughs when we get too busy. But he trembles when we pray." When you feel swept off your feet, it's time to go back on your knees. (John Mason in Why Ask Why? If You Know the Right Questions You Can Find the Right Answers) p. 142

Acknowledge that conflicts are a part of of life. Where there is movement, there is friction.

Thank God for the conflict. Yes, you read that correctly. Anything that causes you to seek the Lord is a blessing.

Leave the results to God. When we have taken our stand on His Word, we can rest knowing He will respond as He has promised.  p. 145

To order this book click here!

Where the River Ends

Charles Martin's new book, Where the River Ends, is an excellent read, but I would not call it Christian fiction.

I have just a couple of quotes from the book:

I don't care what trash the world throws at you, don't let it muddy your reflection. p. 3

... I felt valued. Valued because that person in front of me, that "subject," was trusting me with one of the most valuable things they owned-their reflection. p. 145

To order this book click here!