Doubting Thomas

Thomas was one of the 12 apostles. The first time we really hear anything about him is in Gospel of John. Do you remember the story of Lazarus, Martha and Mary’s brother?

Jesus had fled Jerusalem because the authorities were going to arrest him. Soon afterwards, he received word that his good friend Lazarus was very sick in Bethany, a tiny village outside of Jerusalem. When Jesus said he wanted to go see his friend, most of his followers didn’t think it was a good idea. They knew there were people in the area who wanted to kill Jesus. But Thomas said, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” Even though Thomas figured something bad would happen if they returned to Jerusalem, he had the courage to stay by Jesus’ side and die with him.

If you remember, Jesus and his followers did go to see Lazarus, who was buried by the time they arrived. Jesus called to Lazarus, and he came out of his tomb.

Some time passed, and we don’t hear about Thomas again until the Last Supper. Jesus knew he was leaving the disciples and he spent his time telling his followers that he was going to his father’s house to prepare a place for them. Then he would come again and take them with him.

As the Scriptures tell us, Jesus is arrested, sentenced to die, crucified, and rose again three days later. On the day of his resurrection, Jesus appears to the disciples, who are in hiding. But Thomas isn’t there. When he arrives, the other disciples tell Thomas that Jesus appeared to them and he doesn’t believe them. Thomas says, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” He had the courage to die with Jesus, but his faith wasn’t strong enough to believe in the resurrection.

Eight days later, Jesus appears again to his followers, and this time Thomas is with them. Now, all of Thomas’s doubts are wiped away and he says, “My Lord and my God!” This is where Jesus says something very important. He tells Thomas that he believes because he has seen Jesus, but “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

We are those people. We did not see the resurrected Jesus, but we believe in him. We have faith that what the Bible says is the Truth, it is God’s Word.

Sometimes we’re like Doubting Thomas. A bad thing happens and our faith isn’t always strong enough to keep us believing. Just like the apostles, who were scared about the future after the death of Jesus, we hear God’s Word but don’t take it to heart. How can we be more like the Thomas whose doubts were wiped away by seeing the resurrected Jesus?

Copyright Cheryl C. Malandrinos - All Rights Reserved.

Daily Bible Reading - End of Hebrews and James

I'm doing my best to stay in the habit of reading first thing in the mornings, but that might change soon. I'm close to finalizing who I will work under for real estate, so mornings might become a rush out the door once the kids are on the bus. I'm praying it all works out.

I read through to the end of Hebrews and all the way through James (one of my favorites).

Hebrews 10, 11, 12, and 13

Favorite verses:

10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

12:5-6 “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”

 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.

13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

 James 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5

If I truly followed all the instructions in James, I would be a much better person. Though short in length, it is a powerful reminder of how to live our Christian lives. There are too many favorite verses for me to quote here, so I will restrain myself and only share my most favorite; ones that mean the most to me and encourage me in the areas where I struggle. 

Favorite verses:

1:12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.

 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

 3:8-10 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

 5:16 ...The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Blogging at Christian Children's Authors Today

It's my Friday to blog at Christian Children's Authors today. I'm sharing my "Confessions of an Imperfect Christian Mom." Hope you'll visit at http://christianchildrensauthors.com/2014/05/16/confessions-of-an-imperfect-christian-mom/

Book Spotlight: "I Got This" by Wesley K. Zinn

We are taught that we find freedom in Christ, and yet many Christians never experience freedom or peace in the area of finances. Unlike books that provide tools for good financial management, “I Got This” offers profound and practical insight into the freedom and flow of God’s economy. Wesley Zinn explores the principle of first fruits, the spirits of poverty and generosity, and the importance of your heart’s posture in giving. Firmly rooted in Scripture, this book is filled with many personal vignettes that illustrate and validate the practical application of the message. “I Got This” will help you experience freedom in finances, encourage you to discover a heart of gratitude for God’s provision, and help you align yourself with God’s heart, releasing a flow of his kingdom’s resources into and through your life.

Endorsements:

The truths you will encounter in the pages of this book are living and active! They have been forged and tested in a life lived unto the Lord and in the service of his people. I have watched these truths give life and release blessing into others.

Through the centuries the church has definitely been confused and confusing in its attitude and message about money, finances, and wealth: vows of poverty, the economics of Christendom, a prosperity gospel, incessant fundraising by televangelists, marketplace ministry. How are Christ-followers to relate to money and finances in this world? What does it mean to give in and from the economy of the kingdom of God?

This book is not a theology of wealth and finance. It is a testimony and witness to the power of faith-filled obedience to the joy of generosity; to the capacity to receive and steward increase; to the ability to live in abundance without being consumed by mammon; to the faith to prophesy, proclaim, and declare truth that will change lives and life situations.

I have benefited from these testimonies. They have become a witness in my own life and circumstances and to the church that Wes and I have the privilege to serve together. Read this book with your heart and hands open—your heart open to receive blessing and your hands open to give the blessing away to others.
Rev. Rick McKinniss
Senior Leader, Wellspring Church

The revealed word of God brings light. This was my experience reading Wesley Zinn’s book “I Got This”. It is a refreshing approach to giving and receiving. I found it both helpful and liberating in removing wrong attitudes and approaches to giving. This book is a must read for those who desire to become a greater conduit of blessing in the earth. It will help remove the sense of duty, and release us into the joy of giving. God loves a cheerful giver!
Jeff Collins
Jeff Collins Ministry

Asking Pastor Wes to speak at our annual leadership conference in Uganda was one of the best decisions I have ever made for the conference. His down to earth lifestyle, along with his integrity in leadership and God’s resources has ministered to all of us. He opened our eyes to a generous God and released us from a God we always had to bribe if we stood any chance of getting blessed. The impact of his teaching at our leaders’ network was so phenomenal that now his message is being echoed by many of our pastors to their congregations. I wish I could put a copy of this book in the hands of every African leader from church to government.
Bishop Arnold Muwonge
Founder, Nations Discipleship Enterprise
and Kampala Children’s Centre

PURCHASE AT:

Amazon
iTunes
Nook
Kindle

Following a successful business career, Wesley Zinn joined the pastoral staff of Wellspring Church in Berlin, CT where he presently serves as Lead Pastor. His vision is to equip and release the church and individuals to take hold of the fullness of life and the destiny that God intends. Wesley has taught on the topics of generosity and giving in numerous churches and in many settings both stateside and abroad. He and his wife, Pam, carry a special grace for understanding and living in God’s kingdom economy.

Visit Pastor Zinn at http://wesleyzinn.com/

Writing World Update

Here is a long overdue writing world update. As is usual, I set goals at the end of last year to keep me focused through 2014. I am a big believer in goal setting and breaking larger goals down into more manageable chunks. As I look back on what I've accomplished through the first four and a half months, I am proud of the progress I've made, but switching careers has meant not as much writing time. Here's where I stand as of right now with my goals.

Reduce blogging/reviewing duties.

I'm snickering as I type this. Blogging and reviewing is probably the largest drain of my writing time, and yet, I can't stop doing it. I love blogging. I actually created a new blog this year. Last one, I've promised myself. Though I started out focused on working my way through the mountain of books I've amassed over the past three years, I've begun taking on new titles to review for virtual book tours. Sigh. I really need to get this under control. Thankfully, summer is on the way and I already know that focusing on real estate won't allow as much blogging time anyway.

Complete the first draft of my middle grade historical Amelia's Mission by February 28th.

Definitely not, but a ton of progress has been made on this project. It had been a while since I worked on this one, but I truly love the story and was determined to get back to it. I edited the entire manuscript before picking it up again. It's much tighter and focused than it was before. Thanks to my online critique group, I've been able to see where else things might be improved once I complete the first draft. In addition, I joined a new writers group in town. I got a chance to read the first chapter of this project last week and they loved it. Another reason to keep plugging away.

Right now, I have one book I'm skimming for research and then I will start writing again. The book is now overdue at the library, so I need to finish that this week. There are currently eleven completed chapters and I am partway through the next one.

Research one new publisher/agent a month.

Maybe not every month, but I have been researching them more often. Actually, I just looked into another publisher this week.

Write one short story for submission each quarter.

With so much attention on Amelia's Mission, this has fallen by the wayside. I knew it was an ambitious goal when I posted it. I think it's time for a change. My new goal is to write two short stories this year. I think that's much more realistic.

Daily Bible Reading - Hebrews Continued

How is it more than two weeks have passed since my last update? The girls have kept me running with a variety of things. The Lil' Princess started soccer and the Lil' Diva is in rehearsals for Peter Pan Jr. MCAS testing is finally done for the year, so they are thrilled. As for me, I've been planning book tours for clients and working on finding a real estate broker to work now that I have my license. I've been very bad about my daily Bible reading, which is a shame because I am in a much better frame of mind with it than without it.

We've been studying the tabernacle at church, so some of these chapters in Hebrews solidified that learning.

Hebrews 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9

Favorite verses:

6:10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

7:22  by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

8:12 "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

9:13-14 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

9:28 ...so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Blogging at Christian Children's Authors Today

Today is my day to blog over at Christian Children's Authors. I am talking about RL Keller's book, Man's Rejection of God: Who's Responsible? and asking "Does Christianity Have a PR Problem?" I hope you'll visit at http://christianchildrensauthors.com/2014/05/02/does-christianity-have-a-pr-problem/ and share your thoughts.