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Monday, November 30, 2015

Biblically Speaking - Witchcraft

Part 4 in my study on what is abomination in the sight of God.

Recap:
Many believers have fallen into accepting that which is abomination in the sight of God. Unless we study God's Word to learn His Mind on what is abominable, how will we know to purge ourselves from abomination? Lord willing, I will be posting the fruits of my study on the word "abomination," but feel free to leap ahead of me and study it for yourself. What is an abomination to God?


Witchcraft
This is probably the harshest one to cover. I know that I am listing things in a straight-forward, blunt manner, but I am not judging Christians who participate in what I list below. I am simply stating what I believe God's Word says on this issue.

Deuteronomy 18:10-13 - There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God.

All that do these things are abominable to God (Hebrew definitions given):
~using divination (oracle)
~observer of times (act covertly, practice magic)
~enchanter (to hiss, whisper a spell, to prognosticate)
~witch (to whisper a spell, enchant or practice magic)
~charmer (a spell)
~consulter with familiar spirits (mumble, necromancer)
~wizard (a knowing one, a conjurer, ghost)
~or necromancer (to pursue, to kill, seek or ask).


Christian, go through the list again and apply it to the movies, games, and books that you accept into your home. I'm not talking about the "obvious" things like Harry Potter. What about some movies...like the Disney cartoon Cinderella with the fairy godmother? Snow White, Fantasia, Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, oh...and the big ones of today, Tangled, Frozen? What about games? Clash of Clans? Entertainment has put a happy light to that which God sees as abomination. Will we mesh with the world and accept what God defies?

Saturday, November 28, 2015

A Few Specials

Even though I'm taking a business break, I did decide to join in on some Black Friday fun (okay, so it's not Friday anymore, but the deals are still good).

First, you can get two of my eBooks for free until December 1, 2015! If you've already read them, share about them with some friends!

Hop on over to get Coffee Cake Days and Debt of Mercy.


And then, I am having a sale on my Etsy shop, TruthPics. Need a card now? I have a few designs for digital cards ready for you to buy, print, and use.


Apart from all the sales and such...how did your Thanksgiving go? I'd love to hear about it!

Friday, November 27, 2015

Black Friday Indie Books!

*edited -- now the links work*
I am excited to be part of supporting some of my Indie author friends! Several authors have come together to create a pretty amazing Black Friday sale! I have not read (so thus cannot endorse) all of these authors, but check them out for some great deals! ”ICB_FBAd”

~*~*~
Smiley 

It’s that time of year. The time for buying presents, making wish lists, and planning New Year’s Resolutions. If any of those activities involve books for you, Indie Christian Authors has a perfect event for you. From Nov 27 (that’s today!) through Nov 30th, more than 70 independent Christian books are on sale. You can find free shipping, $0.99 ebooks, package deals, and more! And if your budget is depleted from Christmas shopping, they’ve got you covered with some freebies Think 70 books is overwhelming? Narrow it down and find the perfect books for you or someone on your Christmas list by using this quiz to generate a customized book list.> What awesome reads of 2015 are you grateful for? What books are you looking forward to reading in 2016?
A note on the Ebooks Only page. All books are listed as “Sold Out.” This only refers to paperback copies of these titles. Please click onto the product pages to find descriptions and links to discounted or free ebooks.
Acknowledgements: Thanks to Leah E. Good for her work organizing this sale, Gloria Repp for completing the time consuming job of uploading book info to the sale website, and Hannah Mills for her fantastic design work on the website graphics. Hannah can be contacted at hmills(at)omorecollege(dot)edu for more information about her design services.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Hidden Blessings | A Thanksgiving Short Story

Happy Thanksgiving! This year has been one overflowing with blessings for me!! I know that busyness often crowds our day, but take a few moments to stop and thank the Lord for His goodness in your life.

On Sunday, my family and I visited a church in Baton Rouge, LA, where we sang for their special Thanksgiving service. During the sermon, the pastor mentioned something that caught my attention. That one phrase has lingered in my mind this week and, by God's grace, has developed into a short story. I may eventually polish the story up for actual publication, but I wanted to share it with you today! How I wish that I have fully learned the lesson presented in the short story.



Hidden Blessings
a fictional story
©2015 by Amanda Tero

Just as I laid the baby down, a car horn outside blared outside. I tensed and waited for a brief second. That was it. Ava's eyes popped open and her mouth released a scream.
I lifted her to my shoulder and glanced out the window. The mail truck waited with what I knew would be a hefty package.
"Jackson, keep her quiet." I plopped Ava onto the floor and ignored her cries as I jerked the door open.
"Package for you, Mrs. Randall." The blonde mail-lady lifted a box from the back of her truck. I braced myself for its weight as she handed it over. From above the package, I could see her sheepish grin. "I already placed the other mail in your mailbox." I nodded mutely. Of course she did, when I didn't have time to take the trek up the driveway.
I muttered a "Thank you" before I turned back to the house. I deposited the package on the floor and attempted a smile at Jackson before saying, "Mommy will be right back and I'll take Ava." He didn't seem to acknowledge my words as he looked back at Ava and rattled the toy harder.
The air plunged through my thin jacket as I stepped outside again. If I weren't in a hurry, I would have enjoyed the quiet trek to the mailbox. But it was the day before Thanksgiving and Ryan--my husband--had to work long hours. Why didn't I leave the mail until later? I sighed as I flipped the little door open. If I didn't get it now, I would forget and Ryan might see something that was intended as his surprise Christmas gift.
"Good morning, Mrs. Randall."
I turned my head and gave a slight wave to our neighbor. "Morning Mrs. Crowe." A slight tinge of jealousy pricked my insides. She was taking her leisurely morning walk, as usual. Ryan and I used to do the same--even when we had Jackson and Emma we had managed it. But now with the addition of Joy, Mason, and Ava, any leisure time was a thing of the past.
"How are your Thanksgiving plans coming along?"
I didn't have time for this chit-chat. If I strained, I could hear an echo of Ava's sobs. "They're coming. We decided to stay home again and have just our family's Thanksgiving." It seemed impolite to leave it there, so I added, "What are your Thanksgiving plans?"
A peaceful smile rested on Mrs. Crowe's face. "A nice, quiet home. Then supper with the grandkids after 4:00. They told me not to cook anything but," she lowered her voice as if confiding, "I managed a few sweets after all and they'll not complain."
I tried to match Mrs. Crowe's amusement, but I knew my smile was fake. Pasted there. I flipped absently through my mail then said, "I left Jackson in charge of Ava, I'd better get back before he goes crazy."
Mrs. Crowe laughed and gave a wave. "Have a blessed weekend!"
I waved back then turned, my heart feeling heavier, not blessed. Maybe one day, when the children were grown and out of the house, I would have such a relaxed Thanksgiving as Mrs. Crowe. I turned to sneak a glimpse of her walking back to her house. Did she have any sadness for this weekend? Any moments of missing her husband and the child who had passed away? I shrugged. There were my own problems to deal with--like a croupy baby and four other children who somehow needed to make Thanksgiving dishes without me going insane or the house burning down. Just why did we start the tradition of each child preparing their own dish?
"Mom, she won't be happy!" Jackson's moan greeted me as I entered the house again. I tossed the mail on top of the box I had brought in earlier and scooped Ava into my arms. Her voice lowered to whimpers.
"Can you get your siblings up please?" I turned to my list as I heard Jackson trot away to obey. A few minutes later, he was back.
"Do we get to make the cornbread now?"
"We haven't had breakfast yet!"
"That's okay! I can eat while I do it."
I shook my head firmly and, with one hand balancing Ava, pulled out bowls, cereal, and milk.
"Did you tell them to come eat?"
"No ma'am."
My shoulders drooped and I glared at Jackson. Sometimes, I could not understand his seven-year-old mind. "Go get them."
The bedraggled group finally gathered around the table and we managed enough silence to say a prayer before they began clamoring for their preferences. I finally set Ava in her high-chair, which only added to the volume.
"Okay! Silence!" The sudden hush--even from Ava--almost made me feel guilty. But the beautiful quiet soothed my conscience. "One at a time. Mason, what did you want?"
The breakfast nightmare was finally over, giving way to clean-up and getting all of the children dressed. 11:00 came too early and nothing from my list was checked off.
"Now can we do the cornbread?" Jackson was persistent.
"No. Wait until I am ready." What I really wanted was for him to be old enough to do it  himself instead of me making it through him, taking twice the time.
Ava was finally down for her nap by noon and I kept the children walking tip-toe around the house while we started our Thanksgiving meal preparations. We got Jackson's corn-bread made for the dressing, chicken on to boil, and Emma's pecan pie started when Ava woke with a scream.
"I can finish, Mama." Emma tried to sound helpful, but I didn't quite trust her six-year-old capabilities.
"No, leave it for now." I rushed into the bedroom and scooped up Ava only to discover her diaper needed changing. This was a task I could not wait until Emma was old enough to handle. But for today, it was my job.
A crash sounded then, "Maaaa-ma!" The panicked cry from the kitchen made me finish Ava's diaper change roughly and I sped to the disaster that awaited me.
"I was--trying--to--" Emma didn't get the final words out by the time I caught sight of the goopy yellow mess that was now slathered across the floor. Would we ever get a step ahead? I set Ava into Jackson's arms and got on my hands and knees.
"Emma you help clean this up--I told you to wait." I did not even try to keep the impatience from etching my voice.
"Mama, I hun-gee." Mason nestled up close to me, with his fingers in his mouth.
Of course he would be. It was past 1:30. I finished cleaning up the pecan pie remains and put together a half dozen sandwiches. Finally, Ava was quiet enough in her high chair and I left the children around the table for just a few minutes of calm. Again, I looked over my list. Nothing was scratched off. I rubbed my forehead, trying to ease the pain that crept in. Finally, I rewrote the list and rescheduled the few hours I had left before Ryan got home. Maybe I could persuade him to help--but I knew that wasn't fair, as he had been at work since 6:00. Of course, I had been at work too since then, between Ava and the children. How anyone thought a stay-at-home mom wasn't a fulltime job, I don't know.
The chatter in the dining room turned to clattering of dishes and I knew that the children were finished. I shooed them out of the kitchen and faced the stack of dishes. I had just plunged my hands into dishwater when a knock sounded at the door.
"Mama!" Jackson called. "It's Mrs. Crowe!"
"Shh!" My natural reply came. "And don't stare out the windows." I rapidly dried my hands on my skirt and glanced around the room before opening the door. I couldn't hide the toys that littered the room nor the girls' hair that was no longer tied back neatly. Maybe Mrs. Crowe didn't intend to come in.
"I know I'm probably disrupting your busy day," Mrs. Crowe said in a low, calm voice. "But I saw you looked a little overwhelmed earlier and just wanted to bring you a little something." She held out two trays. I took them and chomped down on my pride and invited her in. She had several children--surely she would understand the mess.
The children were amazingly quiet as I led Mrs. Crowe into the kitchen. "May I get you some coffee? Tea?"
"No thank you. Can I give the children some cookies?"
"Sure." I placed the trays on the table and turned back to my dishes. Mrs. Crowe's presence had a calming affect--both on me and on the children. When cookies were being enjoyed, she sat down at the table.
"Don't you just love Thanksgiving time?" Mrs. Crowe's voice was full of cheeriness.
Dirty dishes, Christmas lists, dishes that needed to be baked, and unruly children flashed through my mind. "No ma'am, not really," I replied honestly.
Mrs. Crowe chuckled. "Oh you'll love these memories one day--but don't wait until they're memories to enjoy them!"
"It must be easier for you to stop and be grateful now, though," I said, "without so many pressing needs." The whole time I reprimanded my thoughtless tongue--because maybe she was missing those "pressing needs" that her husband and child had given her.
"I have been where you are," Mrs. Crowe said, a smile still in her voice. "I spent almost every season in terror of the things needing to be done rather than enjoying--savoring--the moments."
I paused in my washing. "What changed? Having your children grown?"
"No," Mrs. Crowe answered. "The Lord showed me that I was spending my time complaining about things that were hidden blessings."
My puzzled look made Mrs. Crowe laugh.
"For example, when I complained about my workload, I forgot that if I were single or childless, I wouldn't have my loved ones to create that workload. In fact, even my workload was a blessing--because I had dishes to wash, food to eat, and a house that could be made dirty."
I looked down at the egg-remains from Emma's spoiled pecan pie. There was wisdom in this older woman's words.
After Mrs. Crowe's short visit, my brain did double-time in thinking. Maybe I could have the joys of a no-mess Thanksgiving...but it would come at the cost of a no-child Thanksgiving. Did I really want that?
My dishes were not quite done when Jackson clambered up to me again. "Mommy, now can we finish my cornbread?"
I looked down at my son. This time, instead of seeing an annoying child, I saw a young man in the making. In just a few years, he would not need me to help steady his hand while I poured milk into the measuring cup. A smile came more easily onto my lips. "Why don't you help me put away these dishes then we can do it.
"And my pie?" Emma's question sounded a little timid, as if she was ashamed of the mess she had made earlier. I would rather have to clean up all of her messes than not have this precious girl by my side.
"As soon as Jackson's finished, yes."
Emma clapped her hands and beside her, Joy mimicked her.
"An' my sweet 'tato roll?" Joy's lisp made her words hard to understand, but I knew she was talking about the sugary sweet potato casserole that Ryan loved. It wouldn't phase me if the dish never made it to the table, but now I realized I was grateful that the Lord had given me another year with my husband who loved this recipe.

The day's busyness never eased and my patience was not always abounding, but when bedtime came, I could look at each little face and relish the blessings that I had because of them. Sure, they had left me a mountain of dishes to wash instead of spending the last hour of my evening relaxing with my husband, but it gave me time to search for those hidden blessings Mrs. Crowe had mentioned. I had a home, a kitchen, dishes, food, a husband, children, ability to work, and a friend who reminded me of these wonderful blessings. My list was not checked off, but now that seemed so small compared to the massive blessings God had given me that day--all of the laughter, the happiness, the family time. I looked forward to the day when my children were not all underfoot, but there was a bit of me that loved today, when they relied on me for everything. The hidden blessings of the day blossomed into a bouquet of fragrant gratitude and I was able to rest my head after the long day, truly ready for Thanksgiving.

~*~*~
Have you stopped to thank God for those blessings in disguise?


Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Word Wednesday #82 | Link-up

"As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the Lord have poured out my fury upon you." Ezekiel 22:22

God is not the author of confusion. When He chastens, He makes it clearly known.


Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you'd like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!
 
 


Monday, November 23, 2015

Biblically Speaking - Idolatry

Part 3 in my study on what is abomination in the sight of God.

Recap:
Many believers have fallen into accepting that which is abomination in the sight of God. Unless we study God's Word to learn His Mind on what is abominable, how will we know to purge ourselves from abomination? Lord willing, I will be posting the fruits of my study on the word "abomination," but feel free to leap ahead of me and study it for yourself. What is an abomination to God?



Idolatry

Idolatry and covetousness -- turning from God to other gods and idols:
Deuteronomy 7:25 - The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God.

Deuteronomy 12:30-31 - Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the Lord thy God: for every abomination to the Lord, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.

Deuteronomy 13:12-15 - If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the Lord thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying, Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known; Then shalt thou inquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you; Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.

Deuteronomy 17:2-5 - If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the Lord thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the Lord thy God, in transgressing his covenant, And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded; And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and inquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel: Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.

Deuteronomy 32:16 - They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger.

There is so much more said on this matter than on the matter of sodomy. In our culture, it seems almost foreign to think of someone "bowing down" to a graven image. But one of the passages mentions bowing to the "sun, moon, host of heaven." Pantheism (the belief that God is in everything) is a word the comes to mind--and it is creeping into the modern church. Several "Christian" authors have begun leaning towards this belief (I cannot verify this, but it has been mentioned that Ann Voskamp, author of One Thousand Gifts, is a pantheist). We cannot ignorantly assume that everything presented under the name of "Christian" lines up with the full council of God's Word. Beware of idolatrous beliefs that have crept into the church.

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Emily | Senior Photoshoot

That moment when you are going through pictures then realize that it is SO hard to narrow down to your few favorites!! I thoroughly enjoyed my time with my friend, Emily, doing her photoshoot! We met several years ago and now she's graduating (fun fact, her family is the one who invited us up to the place where we now live!).

Since practically all of these are my favorites, I really don't have a top pick. The props they brought were so Emily and so fun to work with! So enjoy them all!























Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Word Wednesday #81 | Link-up

"Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul." Ezekiel 3:21

Believers have a responsibility towards other believers, to encourage them in the way and warn them when they are straying from the way.


Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you'd like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!
 
 


Monday, November 16, 2015

Biblically Speaking - Adultery

Part 2 in my study on what is abomination in the sight of God.

Recap:
Many believers have fallen into accepting that which is abomination in the sight of God. Unless we study God's Word to learn His Mind on what is abominable, how will we know to purge ourselves from abomination? Lord willing, I will be posting the fruits of my study on the word "abomination," but feel free to leap ahead of me and study it for yourself. What is an abomination to God?



Adultery
Leviticus 18:26 - Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:
Leviticus 18:27 - (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)
Leviticus 18:29 - For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.


Leviticus 18 goes into detail as to what God means by "adultery" in various forms, all of which are abominations in His eyes. Not only does God view this as gross sin, He warns us of the penalty for committing these sins. If the nations before Israel were driven out because of their sin, how much more would God hold His own to this standard of judgment? This truth applies to believers today.

Friday, November 13, 2015

Kate's Innocence | Book Review and Giveaway


Once again, I'm happy to be a part of a fellow-author's blog tour! I have read a few of Sarah's books and enjoyed her new release, Kate's Innocence.

ABOUT THE BOOK
What would you do if you were accused of a crime you didn’t commit?

Kate watched as her campus was torn apart by bombs and now is being accused of perpetrating the crime. As the evidence quickly stacks up against her, she begins to lose hope that the truth will come to light. Even though the handsome FBI Agent, Patrick, has taken up her cause, will they be able to prove her innocence? Will God, who she neglected for so long, listen to her prayers for help?

Patrick is an agent with a very special team of agents. He wants to help Kate prove she is innocent, but as each new piece of evidence is revealed, that goal seems harder. He wonders why he feels so compelled to help her and so sure she is innocent despite the evidence. Will he be willing to put his job on the line to help her? Can he trust in God to make sure the truth will come out in the end?


A brilliant college student who claims her project was to disarm bombs is now prime suspect for her college's bombing. Kate Mayfield finds herself in a sticky situation as she strives to prove her innocence with the FBI team who is investigating her. As evidence stacks up against her, can she prove her innocence? Will anyone believe in her?

Kate was a very unique MC--one that I honestly wasn't sure that I would like: A military kid turned soldier herself then brilliant college student and primary suspect with sass. As the story progressed, though, I got to enjoy Kate, then became attached to her. Since I read this story over a period of days (by schedule demands--not choice!), my thoughts often drifted to Kate and where I had last left her. This being the first book in the series, it gave a hint of how the trials she was facing led Kate to consider her relationship with God and how much she had neglected Him. I am interested in seeing how this spiritual plot progresses in upcoming books.

And then there's Patrick--about half of the story told from his perspective. He seemed a little bit "too good to be true" of a guy MC yet is a character that the reader is supposed to love.

The other agents on the FBI team were fun as well and all like-able in their different ways. I'll admit, I fell in love with all of them!

Though mystery in subject, this book was not suspenseful nor did it have any dark scenes (in my opinion). The only thing that would keep me from handing it to a young teen would be if they got scared about the thought of people hiding behind doors and in rooms to threaten them.

About romance...two hugs were mentioned, but nothing super romantic. One, the young man was encouraging Kate. The other, was a little more about their feelings for each other. I'm guessing there will be more romance between the two as the series progresses, but there is not much in this first book.

I will definitely be in line for reading future books in this series!

*I received a copy of this book from the author for my honest review*





ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Holman


Sarah Holman is a not so typical mid-twenties girl: A homeschool graduate, sister to six awesome siblings, and author of three published books and counting. If there is anything adventuresome about her life, it is because she serves a God with a destiny bigger than anything she could have imagined.




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Wednesday, November 11, 2015

4 Years!!!! (and a giveaway)

I was idly scrolling through some of my first posts on this blog when I realized that I was closing in on a "blogoversary!" Today marks four years since my first post. Now, over 400 posts and hundreds of thousands of words later, here we are!

And as I like any excuse for a giveaway...let's celebrate!!!


I'm super excited as a few author friends have joined me for an eBook giveaway! Four years...four eBooks in the giveaway!

Faith Blum has offered to give the winner one eBook of his/her choice. If you happen to be the winner, you can look up my review on them all (click on the title to view my review):
Hymns of the West novels
1. A Mighty Fortress - 2. Be Thou My Vision - 3. Amazing Grace - 4. Lily of the Valley

Hymns of the West novellas
1. I Love Thee - 2. Pass Me Not - 3. Redeemed

Sarah Holman agreed to give away an e-copy of Adventures and Adversities (see my review here).

Kelsey Bryant has donated an e-copy of Family Reunion (see my review here)

Alicia Ruggieri will give a Kindle copy of The Fragrance of Geraniums (my review here)

GIVEAWAY
Now for the fun part: enter the giveaway!!! :)

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Word Wednesday #80 | Link-up

"The Lord is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity...Behold, O Lord; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death." Lamentations 1:18,20

The repentant heart acknowledges that the difficulty is because of rebellion, that God is righteous to judge. Unrepentance grieves over the troubles, but doesn't acknowledge their rebellion which caused it.


Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you'd like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog!

 
 


Monday, November 9, 2015

Biblically Speaking - Sodomy

I'll take a break from the Psalm 119 study to share a little in another study the Lord led me to do this past summer. At camp this year, one of the preachers challenged us to do a word study and see what (Biblically) is abomination to God. We had been discussing sodomy and the recent turn of our nation. It is easy to look at sodomy and say "this is an abomination to God." However, that is not the only abomination in the sight of God (though it is true that sodomy was the only Biblical account of God destroying an entire city for abomination). Many believers have fallen into accepting that which is abomination in the sight of God. Unless we study God's Word to learn His Mind on what is abominable, how will we know to purge ourselves from abomination? Lord willing, I will be posting the fruits of my study on the word "abomination," but feel free to leap ahead of me and study it for yourself. What is an abomination to God?



Sodomy
The first abomination to God that I detected is sodomy:
Leviticus 18:22 - Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

Leviticus 20:13 - If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

The lifestyle that God finds abominable is clearly spelled out here. For more study, Romans 1 marks the progression of a people who adopt this lifestyle.

More on this subject:

1 Kings 14:24 - And there were also sodomites in the land: and they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord cast out before the children of Israel.

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Kayla | Photoshoot (senior pictures)

A couple of weeks ago, I received a text message to the extent of, "Someone asked me to do their senior pictures and I can't do it--will you?" Wouldn't I? Of course!!

I was so, so grateful when the Lord "dropped" this senior photoshoot in my lap! A friend was unable to take the pictures so asked me to step in for her. Kayla and I met downtown and around just a couple of blocks and an hour, we had over 100 fantastic pictures!! It is so enjoyable to photograph photogenic people. I know that I had a blast walking downtown and snapping pictures!

Top Favorites
I am usually more of a close-up fan, but I love these two pictures!



Other Favorites
It was really, really hard to choose "just a couple" of favorites from Kayla's photoshoot. So...here are some other favorites. :) Enjoy!