by Karen Kinnaird | Aug 30, 2017
We’re all waiting for something or another, but there are unique seasons of life when we are called to wait, sometimes even when it looks like all earthly hope is gone. When the days turn into months, and the months turn into years, we can be tempted to fall into despair and give up.
If you are in a season of waiting, you will not want to miss out on this fantastic book Waiting on God – Strength for Today and Hope for Tomorrow by Charles F. Stanley. One of the most well-respected and trusted pastors in the country, Stanley has written more than 45 books. His popular radio and television broadcast, “In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley,” can be heard around the globe and in more than 50 languages. 
This has to be one of the most encouraging and practical books I have read. Every chapter is packed with godly wisdom, insight and guidance. Stanley teaches about Biblical personalities who endured intense times of waiting and writes from a personal perspective in which he experienced times of prolonged waiting himself. The end of each chapter offers a prayer and suggested action steps in Points for Active Waiting.
Stanley writes, “…waiting on the Lord signifies an expectant endurance that is demonstrated by a directed, purposeful, active, and courageous attitude of prayer.”
Below are some of my favorite quotes:
Directed
“No matter what you’re waiting for, ultimately, you are better prepared and suited for it if you are centered on God. Why? Because when you focus on what you lack, it inspires despair in your heart. You obsess over your own limitations, which reinforces the bondage within you.”
“When you single-mindedly set your sights on God, you realize the incredible strength, wisdom, and power that are being employed on your behalf. You have confidence because the Lord knows and provides what is absolutely best for you.”
Purposeful
“There is meaning in the delay because it trains us to look with anticipation for the Lord’s perfect direction, preparation and provision.”
Stanley writes about how to pursue God’s will in the midst of an intense period of waiting by reading God’s Word, praying, discerning circumstances and receiving godly counsel.
Active
Stanley teaches that claiming God’s promises is crucial because “it will keep us steady and strong as the storms of adversity and waves of doubt arise.” He teaches how to appropriate a promise in Scripture. Is it limited or general? Is it conditional or unconditional? Is it for me?
Courageous
“It is not easy to be courageous, especially in the darkest moments when we are shaken to the core of our being…When everything looks bleak and there is no hope in view, we dauntlessly continue to trust that the Father is in complete control. We don’t give up or quit because we have faith that the Lord is still God, and He has a wonderful plan for our lives.”
God allows us to endure dark times to mature us, prepare us and allow us to be a witness to how God is working in our lives.
If you’re hanging on by a thread, grab a copy Waiting on God – Strength for Today and Hope for Tomorrow and allow God to refill you with hope. Don’t give up! Allow Him to stretch your trust muscles. Despite the pain, learn to trust Him. Trust His plan and His timing.
Lamentations 3:25 “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him.”
by Karen Kinnaird | Jul 13, 2017
Ministers’ wives can find hope and encouragement in this brand new book Sacred Privilege – Your Life and Ministry as a Pastor’s Wife. Published in May, 2017 by Baker Publishing Group, Sacred Privilege is already a hit. Author and Bible teacher Kay Warren shares insights drawn from 40 years of experience ranging from church planting to leading international ministries. She and her husband Rick co-founded Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.
The book begins with Warren describing her upbringing as a pastor’s daughter and shares the pressure she felt to be perfect. She very candidly shares “embarrassing secrets” that she struggled with as a teen and young married. She writes with vulnerability about her battle with breast cancer and melanoma and journey of survival through the mental illness and suicide of her son.
Warren emphasizes the importance of ministry couples being “in sync” with each other and the importance of “figuring out a rhythm that allows each to flourish and thrive.” She writes, “I’ve noticed one common trait in couples who thrive over the long haul: the ability to see themselves as a team who shares a God-given dream.” Warren goes on to offer ways to actually accomplish that.
The book addresses many topics that are common to minsters ’wives:
- Accepting who you are
- Adapting to change
- Helping your children survive and thrive
- Valuing seasons and moments
- Dealing with criticism
- Adopting an eternal perspective
- Finishing well
Two of my favorite chapters are “Sharing Your Life” and “Protecting Your Private Life.” Only until recent years have these topics been adequately addressed. Warren emphatically encourages women to have friends in the church, open up their lives and be vulnerable. Not only does this pave the way to help others, it helps sustain longevity in the ministry. She also maintains that women should accept loss of privacy with grace and live authentically but still be able to draw healthy boundaries to protect the intimacy of the family. Warren writes, “You are entitled to a private life. But while you have the right to a private life, you don’t have the right to private sins.”
“Her book is stellar for any woman called into life and ministry alongside a pastor. I give her book five stars on many levels. Her candor is just a part of the book’s appeal. She is also direct, transparent and raw as she discusses pertinent universal themes in this particular life calling. She teaches, encourages and coaches but does not fail to exhort and correct. And she does it all without failing to remind us of our sufficient and beautiful Savior” — Kathy Ferguson Litton Director of Planter Spouse Care, NAMB
Your husband isn’t the only one who needs a library. This book should be a part of every minister’s wife’s library. It’s a book that should be kept close, even referred to as a handbook, to help when challenging issues arise and be reminded throughout the seasons that being called as a minister’s wife truly is a Sacred Privilege.
by Karen Kinnaird | Jun 28, 2017
Treat yourself this summer to a fantastic new novel. Oklahoma’s own Laura L. Drumb has released her debut novel, From Now Until Forever. This Christian historical piece is a captivating tale of romance and adventure displaying God’s love and forgiveness. I could barely put it down!
Set in Indian Territory in 1853, Mandy’s family is called by God to minister to Indians. Living on the prairie, they understood the danger. As the result of a gruesome attack, Mandy is captured. Plunged into a new culture as a slave to the Kiowa Indians forces Mandy to rely on God as she makes the transition. She fights to preserve her personal values and beliefs in the midst of it all. God’s provision and protection are evident as He gradually reveals her life calling.
The story is full of twists and turns that kept me eager to come back for more. Drumb did extensive research into Indian history and culture, which masterfully weaves fact and fiction throughout the book. Details of the Kiowa tribe include daily food preparation, social interaction, making clothes and even tanning deer hide.
Drumb explains the physical and spiritual preparation for buffalo hunts which I found fascinating. She includes the butchering process which was left to the women and the making of a type of sausage which is considered a Kiowa delicacy. Throughout the book, I felt like a fly on the wall, introduced to a mysterious, fascinating culture I had previously only wondered about.
In the course of Drumb’s research, she met a full blood Kiowa woman who is a respected elder in the community. She became an invaluable primary source of information about how the Kiowa lived on the prairie, adding authenticity to the book. The Kiowa are a people of prayer, which made them easier to evangelize than other tribes. Ms. Drumb told me that she told her Kiowa friend, if the book did not honor the Kiowa people, their history and their culture, as well as their Lord, she would not publish it.
The author notes in the book her desire to offer hope and encouragement to those finding themselves in a crisis and navigating through particularly difficult circumstances. Although fiction, the book reminds readers of the reality that God is present, He is in control and He loves us. Despite the pain, He has a plan, and He sees the big picture.
From Now Until Forever caused me to reflect on my own spiritual life. If I was in this situation would I still trust God? Have I memorized enough Scripture and well enough that God can use it in my life – without a Bible? Am I as sensitive to the moment-by-moment leading of the Holy Spirit as I should be?
I encourage you to make this part of your summer reading. You’ll be entertained, educated and inspired. The end of the book offers some great discussion questions which can be used personally or in a small group. Available on Kindle as an e-book on Amazon.
“When would she learn that God always has a better way than any she could create and her job is to wait on Him to reveal it, no matter how long it takes?” Laura L. Drumb
by Karen Kinnaird | Jun 6, 2017
Legacy. It’s the buzzword among Oklahoma Baptists this year. Giving It All Away…And Getting It All Back Again by David Green with Bill High is a very timely message. Published by Zondervan and released in April 2017, it’s not only about living generously, it’s also about legacy. David Green, one of Oklahoma’s own and founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby is listed on the Forbes 400, the Forbes magazine elite list of the wealthiest people in America. Green believes that true wealth is based on faith, strong family and generous living.
“My hope and prayer for this book is that it ignites a movement of people who understand their place in history and are excited to make this place better for future generations” — David Green
In Giving It All Away, Green humbly shares the journey of Hobby Lobby’s 40-year history, his principles for running a successful business and passion for leaving a legacy. Legacy not only includes wealth, the visible part, but the invisible qualities of faith, commitment, hard work and generosity. Green sees himself at the point in life where he is transferring the baton to the next runner in the race, what he refers to as “generational handoff.” He believes it is his responsibility to prepare for the legacy transfer and teach the younger generations to prepare for their own legacy.
The story of Hobby Lobby, the largest privately-owned arts and crafts retailer in the world, is fascinating. Green tells of his humble beginnings of making picture frames with his wife in his garage. He recounts the Supreme Court case Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby in which Hobby Lobby successfully sued the federal government over the mandate that private companies must provide for potentially life-terminating drugs against their religious convictions or pay severe fines. He shares the story of the company’s struggle in the 80’s which almost brought the company to bankruptcy and how they regrouped in order to move forward with great success.
Gleaning from years of wisdom, Green believes that everything he has belongs to God and that Hobby Lobby is owned by the Lord. This is foundational when making decisions which are made as a family. He gives a practical system of giving and explains his company’s detailed decision making process which includes where to give and how to give. Hobby Lobby currently gives up to 50 percent of its profits. He candidly writes of his uneasiness with the traditional approach to passing on wealth and explains his family legacy plan, the Green Stewardship Trust, which will protect the company through the generations and define who will manage the trust and for what purposes.
I highly recommend Giving It All Away. Green’s great faith, practical advice and passion will motivate others to be generous, good stewards and be intentional about their legacy. It’s a short, well-written and enjoyable read. As a frequent Hobby Lobby shopper, I am encouraged knowing a portion of my dollar goes even further than the items in my shopping bag. As a matter of fact, my shopping bag will be even larger now.
“When all is said and done, your ability as a leader will not be judged by what you achieve personally…You will be judged by how well the generation behind you did after you were gone. Your lasting value will be measured by succession” — David Green quoting John Maxwell
It’s not too late! Start now and plan your legacy!
by Karen Kinnaird | Apr 20, 2017
The Case for Christ based on Lee Strobel’s award winning, best-selling book of the same name is appealing to both believers and skeptics alike. Strobel is the author of more than 20 books. For the last 25 years, he has shared the evidence that supports the truth and claims of Christianity.
Distributed by Pure Flix Entertainment, The Case for Christ stars Mike Vogel, Erika Christensen, Faye Dunaway and Robert Forster. Box Office Mojo reported last week an A+ CinemaScore and Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 77 percent favorability rating with an audience approval rate of 84 percent.
Plot Summary
As an ambitious journalist, avowed atheist and award-winning investigative reporter at the Chicago Tribune, Lee Strobel was at the top of his game. But things starting changing in his marriage when his wife Leslie, an atheist herself, started going to church and embraced Christianity.
Using his journalistic training, Strobel sets out with tenacity to disprove the claims of Christianity in order to save his marriage. Chasing down the biggest story of his career and the biggest story in history, Strobel comes face-to-face with unexpected results.
The movie intertwines the stories of his career, marriage and investigation into Christianity. It chronicles his travels, interviews with experts and, most importantly, his own personal spiritual journey.
As a result of this spiritual investigation, Strobel surrenders to the reality that the claims of Christianity are true. In an emotional conversation, he tells his wife, “When you became a Christian, I freaked out. I was scared. … I just had to prove the whole thing wrong. But I couldn’t. The evidence for your faith is more overwhelming than I could have imagined.”
Then Lee refers to the witness of his wife’s own spiritual transformation: “But it wasn’t just the evidence, OK? It was you. You never stopped loving me. You never gave up on me.”
“This is one of the most powerful evangelistic movies I have ever seen! It connects on every level—logically and emotionally. This is a film you can take your non-believing friend to and not cringe. In fact, you may see them come to Christ like my friend Lee Strobel!”
Pastor Greg Laurie
Positive Elements
The movie gives a strong Christian witness. The movie focuses more on Strobel’s marriage, personal life and spiritual journey rather than the actual evidence he amassed for supporting Christianity. It’s the testimony and personal experience that adds even more credibly to the historical and scientific evidence amassed in his book. Strobel’s story proves that God draws each person to Himself in unique ways and sometimes over a long period of time. The film is well done and the acting is very good. It is not cheesy like other faith-based films in the past.
Negative Elements
The movie was slow moving at times.
MPAA Rating
PG
Overall
I highly recommend The Case for Christ. It is faith affirming and inspirational. It’s a testimony to God’s gentlemanly-like work in a person’s life as He draws people to Himself. As a believer, I was challenged to know and be able to give the evidence for Christianity without having to look it up. For the skeptic, the challenge will be: what will you do with the evidence?
Rating
3 out of 4 stars
“In light of the evidence supporting the truth of Christianity, it would require more faith for me to remain an atheist than to become a follower of Jesus.” Lee Strobel
