Movie Review: Noah, Now Available on DVD and BluRay

Be sure to leave a comment below to be entered to win a DVD/BluRay Combo Pack courtesy of Grace Hill Media

 

There was a lot of controversy after Noah’s theatre debut. After seeing the movie this week, I’d like to share my thoughts.

Summer Adventure - Climbing Mount Washington

Photo by Jeanne Doyon

Hiking? Ha, not me. You may remember my previous climbing adventure on Roger’s Rock—and my vow NOT to do it again.
 

Photo by John Doyon

John and I got tickets on the old steam train and took the cog railway to the summit.

Why Rest is Not a Four-Letter Word

 

I am not made to run like the Energizer bunny. TWEET THIS

I often think, others can - why can't I? But, if I'm honest with myself I can admit I don't want to.

Rest is not a four-letter word. Instead it holds what I need, time to step back and assess. Time to be still and stop the striving. And the place where I discover it's okay to let the world's stuff to go on without me for awhile.

When You're Lost - Asking for Directions, and Find Out Who Won Verna's Book

* Drum roll....Sally Chambers, you have won a copy of Crumbs Along the Broken Path. Contact me with your mailing info--Congratulations. I know you will be blessed by this book.



Cairn Marker - Photo by Jeanne Doyon

Feeling like you’ve lost your way? I can relate. If you’re like me, you hum along thinking you’re on the right path (click to tweet) and all of a sudden nothing looks familiar. Fog descends. Darkness hovers inside and out, and you begin looking for markers. Something to verify you didn’t take a wrong turn.

Crumbs Along the Broken Path - Book by Verna Bowman

Join the conversation for a chance to win a copy of:

 

My guest today is Verna Bowman. Her book, Crumbs Along the Broken Path, will encourage and inspire you. Verna says everybody has a story written before we were born as it’s described in Psalm 139. Be sure to enter to win a copy below.

When did the idea for this book begin? 

The idea came while writing faith stories in my journals.  My first intention was to compile the stories of God’s faithfulness through countless tragic circumstances within our family, and leave a legacy of faith for my children and grandchildren.   I think it’s important to hand down to the next generation the reason we believe, to encourage them in their own journey.

How long did it take to write it?

Longer than expected!  Three years. It’s difficult to write through the hard places we’ve lived through.  I had to revisit places in life I didn’t feel comfortable sharing.  But, through the process of writing out the broken pieces of life, I experienced wholeness that comes from realizing God was there on my path all along, from conception on . . .

 

I love the image of the scattered crumbs being God’s Presence in our lives. Give us an example of a crumb you recognized in your life and how it made you more aware of Him?

I think the “crumb” most recognized is the tremendous turning point in my faith walk when our youngest son was born with kidney failure.  It showed me an extreme side of God I hadn’t noticed before.  What I am most grateful for is to now have the ability to recognize those crumbs along my path that I didn’t notice at the time were leading me straight to the Father.  The good and the not-so-good that God uses to bring us to a deeper place with Him.

What would you like to tell women who are experiencing difficult situations right now?

God’s most powerful blessing can be the brokenness we experience in life because it leads to wholeness – it’s never in vain.  It took some time before I came to the place where I could simply surrender and ask God what I could learn while I was in the dark places.  I certainly would encourage anyone to stay close to the Word of God, to know it well enough to believe it, especially when circumstances try and shout over His voice.

Often I feel I need others to help me to notice the crumbs—have you experienced that also?

Definitely.  Years ago we lost our home due to extreme medical bills from our son’s illness.  We weren’t sure where our family could turn.  Our Bible study group that met in our home every week prayed us through the situation and offered to help us build a home, like the barn raisings of the near-by Amish community.  We didn’t know where to begin!  But, the Lord provided within that group a carpenter, plumber, electrician, and mason, the body of Christ to help us erect a home for our family.

Do you have a favorite story in the book you can share some highlights?

“IF I SHOULD WAKE BEFORE I DIE” is the story of when my husband fell into a coma following multiple strokes and cardiac arrest.  He was pronounced brain dead within twenty-four hours after being admitted to the hospital.  The social worker advised me to discontinue life support.  I told her we will wait because I know what God can do in seven days.  The seventh morning he woke up!  Of course, it was an arduous recovery for months, but I am grateful to share this among my stories of God’s goodness.

What do you hope to accomplish by sharing this message with others?

My reason for sharing my stories is the hope others will discover their own.  We all face challenges. I’ve had several opportunities to speak with wounded women over the years while being a part of Women’s Ministry who have experienced some of the difficulties I have. I’ve included a devotional question at the end of each personal story so others might look deeper into their own story.

 

Verna Bowman, a freelance writer and speaker, has been involved in ministry leadership for over twenty years.  Her work has appeared in a number of Christian publications.  Verna publishes a weekly blog, Encouraging Women One Story at a Time.  Her passion is to pass on to others her confident trust in God.  She and her husband, Jeff, have four adult children, five grandchildren, and make their home in Pennsylvania.




Verna, thank you for sharing your story with us. I know this book will bless others as they read how God has shown His faithful presence in your family.

Folks, be sure to get a copy of Crumbs Along the Broken Path. 

Verna is giving away a copy of her book. For a chance to win (U.S. only please), leave a comment for Verna...

Do you have a crumb to share? How have you experienced God's Presence in the midst of difficulty? Have you read Verna's book-how did it touch you?

And, for an extra entry, visit Verna's post to share something about your story here: http://vernabowman.com/2014/05/everybody-story/

Winner will be announced next week.

Jeanne

Tweetables:

God’s most powerful blessing can be the brokenness we experience (Click to tweet)

It’s important to tell the next generation the reason we believe (Click to tweet)

 

 

Crumbs photo credit: roboppy via photopin cc

Taking the Stairs – My Love of Steps

I Love Steps.

Spiral staircases, stone steps, and steps of a forest walk all make me think of a journey, a path to somewhere. Something yearns within me at the sight of them—at the same time, they make me anxious.

There are good steps and bad steps—at least that’s how I remember it growing up. Our side porch had two sets of stairs leading into the house. The “bad steps” were steep without a railing. Either steps took us where we needed to go but you took a chance using the “bad steps” whenever the weather was icy or using them after dark.

Taking the Stairs

How do I know where the steps will lead?  Do I take the risk? Will they be “bad steps” or good ones?

 

Any journey has risks. Planning helps but often we discover that we can’t plan for every bend in the staircase. Taking a step requires faith—trusting that the destination is part of the plan. The steps, whether good or bad, will get us there.

Stepping out to follow God is like that. Life’s staircase may have some bad steps along the way, but God is there, leading us and helping to navigate them.

[Just to clarify] I’m not talking about many different ways to Heaven; I mean walking through whatever life has for us as we trust God for the journey.

Getting to Heaven means taking the way Jesus provided through His death and resurrection—to purchase our eternity with His blood. It means taking His path of grace—free and undeserved—given out of love.

Our life is a journey to eternity, given so we can find God. (Click to Tweet)

Once we take the narrow path, our destination is sure. And when the steps seem scary we know He travels with us.

Photo by Jeanne Doyon 2014

 

God told Abraham to “Go to the place I will show you” in Genesis 12:1. No itinerary—just trust and obey. The journey is all about dependence on God and fostering a relationship with Him.
 

 

There’s Always a First Step

No matter what we do there is always a first step. First steps can lead to life or destruction, so we need to take it wisely.

Proverbs tells us, “The naive believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps.” [Proverbs 14:15]

When we travel with the Lord and call upon His wisdom for our actions, He will lead one step at a time.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.”

Our life is like that – made up of steps.

Your first step will prepare you for the next. And you’ll find that the way will open once you have the faith to start moving.

What steps are before you today?

Jeanne

Tweetables:

No matter what we do there is always a first step. (Click to tweet)

 The journey is about dependence on God and fostering a relationship with Him. (Click to tweet)

Throughout God’s Word of Truth, He Gives us Insight about our Steps…

 

For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. [Proverbs 5:21]

My steps have held fast to Your paths. My feet have not slipped. [Psalm 17:5]

The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. [Psalm 37:23]

Our heart has not turned back, and our steps have not deviated from Your way. [Psalm 44:18]

When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; and if you run, you will not stumble. [Proverbs 4:12]

The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. [Proverbs 16:9]

 

Images courtesy of www.morguefile.com

Suggested Resources:
 

When Anxiety Takes my Heart Ransom

Today is one of those days when my mind is full of what's to come. I have needed time in God's presence to calm my anxious thoughts. He is faithful, is He not?

I don't know what you face today. But, my prayer is for His Peace to flow over your circumstances.




You are free to share my photo and verse.


How can I pray for you today?

Jeanne

Tweetables:

When anxiety takes my heart ransom. How can I pray for you? (Click to tweet)


Your Holy Spirit says to the storm that brews, "Peace be still." (Click to tweet)