Recent Book Review

The Faith of Ronald Reagan by Mary Beth Brown is an excellent read for all of you who are devoted to following the life of Ronald Reagan.  When provided with the opportunity to select a book to review my choice was very easy when I saw this book as one of my choices.  Why.  I respect Ronald Reagan and the life he lived as a public servant.  Now I am being given the opportunity read about his faith, an opportunity I had not had before.

The book’s jacket back said “Reagan’s greatest virtue wasn’t allegiance to country, but allegiance to God”.  What a powerful statement to make and to read as I held the book in my hands.  I knew from that statement that I was in for a powerful read.

As I began my read I was hooked when I read how his life of faith and dependence on God came from the seed planted by his mother.  If you are looking for a book that provides you with a wealth of information and is very in depth in details about Reagan’s life of faith you need look no further.

If there was one book I could give to all of my friends and family members “The Faith of Ronald Reagan” would be that book.

I received this book free from the publisher through the [...] [...] book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

"Did You Bless Someome This Christmas"

This is no big question.  You may have overheard someone say they were hoping to get a particular gift for Christmas.  Weeks go by and you are out shopping, it dawns on you that “X” said they wanted “Y”.  Just so happens “Y” is on sale and you proceed to purchase it.  As a gift for “X”.  When you walked into the store making that purchase was not on your mind or shopping list.  So where did the idea come from?  If you are a Christian I’d say it was a prompting of the “Holy Spirit”.

Other times in a general conversation we overhear what someone wants and we make it our mission to see that we get it for them even if they receive five (5) of them at least you did your part.  Other times we intentionally make sure we get that gift for that person, and in so doing we are blessed, may be a good feeling or may be goose bumps.

With so many in need today you would be surprised how a sack of groceries is a blessing that is beyond belief.  I have a short story to share.

In the 1800’s in England there was a Christian man who felt led by God to open orphanages for the thousands of orphans running the streets.  He proceeded to open several orphanages.  His one rule was no one was to know what the needs were but God.  One day they all sat down to bless the food before they ate (not knowing there was no food).  After the blessing all of the children watched eagerly waiting the food for the meal.  (Remember there was no food.)  At that moment the town Baker knocked on the door saying “  I have hundreds of rolls and loaves of bread can you use them”?  God met their needs with others bringing food.

So.  How can you bless someone with only $10.00-$15.00?

"The Blessing" Jacob Gets Isaac's Blessing!

Blessing.  "What is a blessing?"  The Dictionary defines a "Blessing" as: 1. the act or words of a person who blesses, 2. a special favor, mercy or benefit, 3. a favor or gift bestowed by God, 4. the invocation of God's favor upon a person, 6. approval.

Until you read the above definition of "blessing" you may have had your own ideas or thoughts on what a blessing may have been.  One idea may have been to be very wealthy or own a lot of land.  Another may have been to live a life with no wants or unmet needs.  Therefore, depending on who you ask you will get a different answer. We can all relate to that can't we?  Let's look at a type of blessing you may be unfamiliar with.

Using "The Message" version of the Bible we will examine a non-material blessing.  Genesis 27: 1b-4, 6, 27-29

Issac called for Esau his eldest son and told him "I am an old man and I might die any day now so go hunt some wild game, then fix me a hearty meal to eat so that I can give you my personal blessing".  Rebekah was eavesdropping and she told her younger son Jacob what Issac's plans were.  She instructed Jacob to get two goats for her to "prepare into a hearty meal the kind your father loves".  Once the meal was prepared Jacob put on some dress up clothes that smelled and took the food to his father.

He came close to his father and kissed him and Isaac smelled the smell of his clothes.  Finally, he blessed him, "Ahhh.  The smell of my son is like the smell of the open country blessed by God.  May God give you of heaven's dew and the Earth's bounty of grain and wine.  May peoples serve you and nations honor you.  You will master your brothers, and your mother's sons will honor her.  Those who curse you will be cursed, those who bless you will be blessed."

My guess is very few of us have personally received the type of "Blessing" described above.  As a parent I can't help but wonder how our children would act as adults if we blessed them in this way?

A Personal Note to Readers:  Please suggest ideas for future "Blessings" postings in the "Comment" section.

The Trickle Down Effect!

So what do I mean "The Trickle Down Effect"?  Use a pen and paper and write down a few names of people you know.  Maybe five maybe ten no special number.  Beside each name write something that only you could do for them to bless them with the understanding that each person will do the same for another and so on.  How many people would be blessed as a result of your taking the initative to bless just one?

The blessing could be act of kindness, meeting a need  they have, a gift or any random act of kindness.  We never know the result of our doing a random not planned act of kindness.  Let's look at the biblical story of "The Good Samaritan".  I will use "The Message" version of the Bible.

Luke 10: 30-35.
30 "There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho.  On the way he was attacked by robbers.  They took his clothes , beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead.  Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side.  Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.

"A Samaritan traveling the road came on him.  When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him.  He gave him first aid, disenfecting and bandaging his wounds.  Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable.  In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, "Take good care of him.  If it costs any more put it on my bill - I'll pay you on my way back'.

Why did the Samaritan reach out to a man he did not know?  Did he expect something in return?  I don't believe so, do you?

I wonder what the man did when he was well?  Did he just walk off to live his life?  I prefer to believe he went out and performed random acts of kindness for others, many who never knew who had met them at their point of need.

So we are left with the question "what can I do".  Ask God and listen for His answer, then act on it.  Pay for someone's lunch, send money to one in need, give of your time.  Whatever God lay's on your heart "just do it".  You may find that other's will bless you, unexpectedly.

R U A Blessing?

Pretty straight forward question, right?  R U A Blessing to those around you?  Now?  Today?  "The Message Bible"  "Matthew 6: 1-4: says the following about being a blessing: 1. "Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it.  It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding.  2-4: "When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself.  You've seen them in action,  I'm sure-'playactors' I call them - treating  prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds.  They get applause, true, but that's all they get.  When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks,  Just do it - quietly and unobtrusively.  That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.  (don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing).

So how are you doing?

Next "The Trickle Down Effect"