Never Ever Be The Same - New Book by Kathy Collard Miller and Larry Miller

My guest is Kathy Collard Miller. She and her husband, Larry have a new book published and I'd like to share an excerpt. Be sure to leave a comment for Kathy and Larry - they have graciously offered to give away a copy of Never Ever Be The Same

I don't know about you but I often turn to self-protective measures when I am faced with difficulties. Kathy and Larry's book will address this tendency and it is perfect for your small group or Bible study.

Here is a sample story:

What’s Your “Walker”?

by Kathy Collard Miller and Larry Miller 

One Christmas when my ninety-year-old mother-in-law, Audrey, lived with us, our then-three-year-old grandson, Raf, was fascinated with Audrey's walker. As he walked (or ran!) away with it, Audrey became visibly anxious calling out to him, “Don't take away my walker. I need it. I'm dependent upon it. I'm just an old woman, so don't hurt it.”

I felt sad to think Audrey believed we wouldn’t help her and that she was on her own. She felt she had to call after Raf and try to control him. But she didn't have the strength to retrieve the walker or follow Raf to supervise. My husband, Larry, and I, on the other hand, could do something and we decided that Raf couldn't play with it because it caused her too much anxiety.

We each have our own kind of “walker” that we believe we require in life to meet our needs. We demand from people or things, “Don't take away my idol. I need it. I'm dependent upon it. I'm just an incompetent Christian, so don't hurt it.” Our idol may be a relationship, an accomplishment, our reputation…pick which “walker” you believe you need for your security and happiness.

But our idol never satisfies. Only God can provide and protect us sufficiently.

Tweet This: Idols never satisfy. Only God can provide, protect

This article is excerpted from Never Ever Be the Same (Leafwood Publishers) which offers Christians hope that they can change their ungodly reactions through identifying their self-protective strategies and trusting God instead. The authors are Kathy Collard Miller and Larry Miller and includes biblical principles, insightful stories, and helpful instruction. It has individual and group discussion questions.

Kathy Collard Miller and Larry Miller are speakers and authors. They have been married 44 years and Larry is a retired police lieutenant. The Millers live in Southern California, and have two grown children and one grandson. Visit them at www.LarryAndKathy.com. Kathy blogs at www.KathyCollardMiller.com.

Never Ever Be the Same is available at your local Christian bookstore and in both print and digital versions at:

Amazon: Never Ever Be The Same 

CBD: http://bit.ly/1AuJZSX

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1BJz3lC

Order your copy today:

Is Your Heart Deceiving You?

Congratulations to Sherry Carter--you have won a copy of Partly Cloudy with Scattered Worries by our guest blogger, Kathy Collard Miller. Please contact me with your email and address...

Today, please welcome my dear friend, Andy Lee. I invited her to share with you while I am speaking at a women's retreat in New Hampshire. You will love her heart and her transparency....

Image courtesy of Morguefile.com

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9)

I don't like this scripture today. Somewhere inside this grown woman's body stomps a seven year old girl with her hands on her hips throwing a temper-tantrum. It's the same little girl turned 16 whose moods lure her into pity parties.

I don't know where she came from! I just woke up with her this morning. Yesterday I was a thriving, content, purposeful woman. What happened? I can think of a number of reasons why my dark-side rose up: lack of sleep, change of seasons, not spending enough time in my Bible.

My heart moped around all morning entertaining old arguments about purpose and value. I truly did not want to fight these old battles. I’m tired of them. But like a patient husband, who knows his wife needs to get her frustrations out, Jesus silently allowed me to vent this morning, then He led me to these verses.

I opened my Bible to Jeremiah 17:7,8. As I read, my eyes danced past verses seven and eight to verse nine… The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?  

I know the Holy Spirit led me to it. Sometimes He sends us one way, but He has greater purposes for our direction than we can see. God whispered, “Why are you trusting your heart today? Stay on course. Trust Me.”

Spirit leads spirit and my eyes moved back to the intended verses.

“But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit" (Jeremiah 17:7,8).

I love when God does that.

I realized that I often trust my own heart, my emotions, more than I trust God. 

I don't want to be a withered up old tree. I don't want to worry. And I always want my life to be fruitful. I want to make a difference on this planet before I go home. Those desires can only happen as I trust the Lord.

How about you? Do you find yourself trusting in your heart more than God and His promises? If you are, there is a very good chance you are being deceived.

May I pray for us?

"Oh Lord, thank you! Thank you for your Word of truth. Your Word brings clarity, revelation, freedom. I was in bondage today, chained by my own deceiving heart. Help me and your beloved reading these words to trust you more than our emotions. Make us like the trees in Jeremiah 17. We love you. Thank you Jesus. May our purpose and value be in You. Amen." 

 

Andy Lee is a blogger, writer for Wilmington FAVS, Word Weavers International mentor, and women’s retreat speaker. Her deepest desire is to encourage others in their faith and to follow their daily call from God—whether to a neighbor or a nation. Though red Oklahoma dirt runs through her blood, she now lives on the coast of North Carolina with her sweetheart of 23 years and their three almost grown kids. One baby bird is still in the nest. Find her faith inspirations at www.wordsbyandylee.com, Facebook page Andy Lee (Author) and www.christiandevotions.us.



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