Drawing Decisions

No one can dispute that we are facing some of the most difficult times in our lives. With countless people losing their homes, and their livlihoods, it's easy for the panic button to get pushed. What should we be doing? Where should we be going for help? For answers?


If you would like an opportunity to win this book, leave your name in comments and you'll be entered get a free copy of this book, that will help you if You are...

Feeling Lost? Need Directions?

Author Cheri Cowell

Shares Six Tips for Finding Your Route

Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City
ISBN-10: 0834123355
ISBN-13: 978-0834123359
Cost: $14.99

Have you ever wished you could look into the future and obtain better insight in order to make wiser decisions for your best outcome? So many times, results from poor choices could have been avoided if we had seriously considered the direction of God's guidance for our lives, instead of trying to figure things out on our own. In her book, Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life, Cheri Cowell presents six questions readers should ask themselves when facing important decisions. Through observation and exploration, she examines each question and shares examples of how others--from Bible times to present day--have used these questions to find God's way in the story of their lives. From career options to medical decisions to relationship questions, Cowell's instruction and guidance helps readers learn how to make confident choices as they seek God's direction on the road of life.

Cheri Cowell, a popular conference speaker and writer, uses her experience in ministry to encourage and equip Christians seeking answers to the unspoken questions of faith. She is earning a degree in theological studies at Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, where she and her husband, Randy, call home.

Obviously, the search for God’s will is a topic of interest to many Christians today. What would you say is the most common misconception about seeking God’s direction for ones life?
I encounter this same question every time I speak on this topic. The answer is what I call the Myth of the Path of Relative Ease, which says when we finally find God’s perfect will we’ll be on easy street. Easy Street promises smooth sailing and a peace-filled life. But I’ve learned this is anything but biblical. The Bible tells us we can’t use an ‘easy life’ as a road-sign pointing to His way. In fact, His way promises to be a bumpy road filled with potholes and dangerous cliffs. The exciting thing for us is when we learn to walk in His ways, we’ll have a Companion for the journey who knows the dangerous curves ahead.

In Direction, you write about the process of determining if something is God’s will or not. You say to test it against the character of God. How can we know what the character of God is like?

I don’t presume to know all there is to know about who God is, but when looking for the leading hand of God, it’s important to know how we see that hand. Some see God’s guidance as that of a loving Father showing His child the best way to live so as to protect from harm, others know Him as a Best Friend who shares all that’s needed to make wise decisions. Then there are those who see God as a Guide, almost like a whitewater rafting guide who’s been down this rapid before and can show the way.

When you are personally faced with a big decision, what’s the first thing you do?
LOL, I think I’m like most people. I have well-worn paths I retreat to, and some are not healthy. I’m afraid I tend to talk it out with friends instead of first talking to my Best Friend. I’m fear-filled first instead of crawling up in my Father’s heavenly lap and seeking His heart on the matter. And yes, I also rely on the common road signs most of us have relied upon when making big decisions—Bible reading, prayer, open & closed doors, and the sense of peace we’re to have when walking in God’s light. This last list sounds like a good thing, but I’ve learned there’s a good way to do this and a not-so-good way. The not-so-good way is the one that says these road signs are to point me to God’s perfect will. The ‘good way’ is to use these same road signs as a means of drawing closer to the heart of God instead of looking for a hidden will. It is in this position, close to the heart of God, where we are best able to hear from God.

Sometimes we think we only need to go to God about the big decisions in our lives. What evidence do you have from God’s Word that He is interested in every decision?
I call this the Too Big and Too Small God problem. When we make our God so big, He becomes aloof and distant. When we buy into this lie we only go to God when the decision is big enough. Such decisions often find us at God’s door begging for direction such as, “Who am I supposed to marry; should I take this job and move my family; or is it ever okay to take my loved one off life support?” These are indeed big decisions that require a Big God, but if we’re only going to God when a situation is big enough, we’re missing most of life. Most of life is lived in the humdrum of everyday decision-making. It is the ordinary day-in-and-day-out little things like, “’Do I run this yellow light; do I tell her how I really feel even if it means losing a friend; or do I pick up the phone and call that person I’ve been thinking about all day?” where the little things add up to become big things. Satan tries to tell us these are the small things a Big God should not be bothered with. This is one of his favorite tools. He used these same lies with Jesus during His temptation in the desert, but Jesus knew they were lies. We, too, need to learn to identify Satan’s lying tongue.

To find out if this book is for you, check out this site.

http://directionanddiscernment.com/index.html

AS A BONUS

be chosen for another drawing with all the goodies below.

just add a comment with your name and you could win all this! Drawing to be held March 16th

Books
Direction: Discernment for the Decisions of Your Life by Cheri CowellDirection: A Companion Workbook for Practicing the Process of Discernment by Cheri CowellGod's Handprints: True Stories of God's Presence in the Everyday Lives of His PeopleTrusting God's People AgainGive Thanks: Glimpses of an Extraordinary God in Ordinary LivesWhen God Waits: Making Sense of Divine DelaysIf God is Everywhere, Why Can't I Find HimSimple Little Words: What you Say Can change a LifeHeartwarmers of Love: Award Winning Stories of Love, Romance, Friends, and FamilyOther GoodiesHeaded in the Right Direction? notecards Slice Apple Pie shaped/scented candle Apple shaped stress ballDirection JewelryTM (bracelet, earrings, and bookmark with glass apple charms) A decorative apple/fruit themed basket

About Guided by Him
Lose the Weight...Lose the Worry!
Mother and Daughter Team Up to Share the Plan

(Birmingham, AL) - Does the idea of starting a diet make you hungry? Can you eat more than your children's combined weight in twinkies? Don't worry! Help is on the way. Author Julie Morris, RN, and her daughter, Sarah Morris Cherry, have developed a proven method for losing weight and keeping it off permanently. The Guided By Him method not only helps people lose weight, it also helps participants learn how to cope with stress. After years of struggling with her weight, Julie has developed a strategic, humor-filled plan designed to keep participants motivated, laughing, learning and yes, even eating.

In Guided By Him, readers embark on an adventure in weight loss. Julie and Sarah use uplifting scriptures, thought-provoking questions, daily devotionals and fun-filled food facts to ensure readers keep a positive, light attitude toward learning a leaner lifestyle. Julie's experience as a nurse and Sarah's knowledge as a certified counselor, make this a pair of enthusiastic, highly qualified coaches. This study could be used alone in the comfort of home or led in a group setting. It's great for casual girlfriend meetings, church small groups and even the lunchroom at work! Accountability questions keep participants honest and real with themselves and others.

About the Authors
Julie Morris and Sarah Morris Cherry

Julie Morris is a wife, mother, nurse, author and teacher. Since 8 years of age Julie has struggled to control her weight. That struggle of overeating, along with high blood pressure, sent her searching for a solution. After discovering the Christian 12 steps she began seeking God's guidance toward health and wholeness. Now, 25 years later, she's excited to share these tips with others. She is the founder of the Step Forward weight loss program. Guided by Him is a lighter, easier version of Step Forward, for today's busier lifestyles.

Sarah Morris Cherry is a wife, new mother and Licensed Professional Counselor. She has counseled people from two to 92. Whatever the age, she enjoys teaching people new ways to deal with stress as well as facts for healthy living. She coaches them with simple things they can do to become more like the people they want to be. She speaks from experience, having overcome many overwhelming health problems by putting these concepts into practice.

Blog Tour Questions

It seems like everyone is endorsing, writing or following some kind of diet plan these days. What prompted you to write Guided By Him, when there are already so many programs out there?

Julie: I wanted to share a fun and easy way to lose weight--especially designed for busy people who overeat when they feel stressed out. I know personally that this program works. It helps overwhelmed overeaters lose the weight... and worries... that weigh them down. Guided By Him (GBH) is encouraging, inspiring and can be done in just a few minutes a day!

You introduce 12 Steps for weight-loss in your book. Briefly describe the process and importance of these steps.

Julie : In 1982, when I first read AA's 12 Steps, I knew they were the answer! I had been trying to figure out how to rely on God's power when I lacked willpower with my eating and the 12 Steps showed me how to do that. The 12 Steps were written by Christians over 70 years ago and have helped millions of people around the world to overcome their weaknesses. GBH steps are similar to AA's, but ours are shorter and they focus on Jesus helping us to quit overeating.

You offer many practical tips, called Stepping Stones, to encourage participants to make intentional choices regarding food. Share a few of these with us.

Sarah We teach you how to spend 10 minutes having a daily Quiet Time that will literally change your life. In those few short minutes you will learn how to draw closer to Jesus, recognize things that are driving you to the refrigerator that day, and surrender them to Him. We also teach you how to use a Prayer Journal so you will learn to cast your cares on the Lord, not the refrigerator, and Food Cards that will help you to eat in a well-balanced way without having to count calories. Other Stepping Stones provide practical ideas that help you to lose weight. Here are some simple weight-loss tips:

• A good way to decide how much a serving of meat is: look at a deck of cards.
• Never eat while standing.
  Make eating a meal a relaxing event (I'm finding that's really hard with a toddler!).
• Brush your teeth frequently. It helps you reduce snacking.
• As much as possible, stay away from foods that trigger your cravings (mine is peanut butter).
• Chew gum or wear a mask if you're tempted to nibble while you're cooking.

You're a mother/daughter duo. You both bring years of experience to the writing table. How did your careers help you in the writing process of Guided By Him?

Julie: I am a wife, mother and new grandmother. I have been a secretary at the Pentagon, Spanish teacher, lay counselor, and RN. But the experience that helped me most in writing GBH was doing things WRONG for so many years, and then watching amazed as God helped me to change. I lost my extra pounds over 25 years ago and have kept them off. And God has changed my misery to ministry. I've been writing, speaking across the country and leading weight-loss groups since 1992

Sarah: I am a wife, new mother and Licensed Professional Counselor. I have counseled people from two to 92. I have worked a lot with overweight people who desperately need to lose weight, but are overwhelmed at the thought of doing it. I love teaching them new ways to deal with stress, facts about healthy living and easy things they can do to help them become more like the people they want to be.

Sarah, how do you incorporate the principles in Guided by Him in your counseling ministry?

Sarah: I use them in many ways. I teach my clients how to use Anger Busters, Victory Lists, and Prayer Journals. And I teach them the fun-filled food facts and fitness facts in GBH. I talk to my clients about how quitting their Stinkin' Thinkin' can change their behaviors. One example of Stinkin' Thinkin' might be: "I have already blown it today so I can eat anything I want." I encourage changing that to "Shrinkin' Thinkin': "I need to plan a healthy, filling meal tonight because I am starving!"

When tempted to cheat on your healthy habits, what snack do you each reach for?

Sarah: When I'm snacking, I try to balance carbs and proteins so my body stays balanced. And I drink a lot of water with lemon or lime slices.

Because scripture is emphasized in this method of weight-loss, what is your favorite verse to use as a defense against overeating?

Julie: There are so many! I guess my favorite is 1 Corinthians 10:13 "...God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." For many years I thought the only way out of my temptation to overeat would be in heaven because I was sure that I'd always be tempted by unbearable food cravings while on earth.

How do you reward yourself for achieving your goals?

Julie: This sounds really goofy, but I'll tell you anyway. Every week, I tell my friend Sue how I have done with my eating, exercising and other goals (like not being grumpy). If I have achieved more than 80% of my goals, she gives me a pretty colored sticker. I love having a sticker on my Victory List each week. And I HATE having to tell Sue that I've done badly! But the biggest reward is that I feel so much better when I'm on track with my eating and exercising, and I really feel crummy when I'm not.

Sarah: For my rewards, I make extra time for myself to give myself a manicure/pedicure or to watch a favorite TV show. Sometimes I do "Wal-Mart Therapy" where I buy $10 worth of things that I don't normally buy at the grocery store (shower gels, an unusual tropical fruit, a new nail polish).

For moms out there trying to help their children to lose weight, what advice do you have for them?

Sarah: I have a two-year-old so I am finding ways to reward him with things other than food. They include hugs and kisses (of course!) praising him when he obeys and Play-Dough time (his favorite reward right now). I think it is super important to keep kids active, limit TV, computer and game time. Those things are privileges--not requirements--for kids. Other advice to help your child lose weight: exercise and eat in a healthy way as a family. They will do what you do. No pressure!

----------------------------------------------------------

Get another perspective on this book! Check out One Lap Around the Sun.

Think and Make it Happen

From the first word of his book, Dr. Augusto Cury encourages embracing and directing that complex organism—our brain. He outlines an important step in each chapter, that are twelve thinking strategies. A sampling of the twelve chapter headings include: Directing Your Thoughts, Unleash Creativity, and Live an Enterprising Life.

Case studies illustrate beautifully the impact of Dr. Cury’s critical thinking instructions, without a lot of hard-to-understand jargon. The book can be read with a discussion group or individually. Each chapter ends with Suggested Topics for Reflection and Discussion, Exercises and Reminders for Daily Practice. These topics and exercises gave me something with which to begin my journey.

By capturing and directing my thoughts I found the ability to manage my mind. Dr. Augusto Cury shows how to implement Doubt—Criticize—Determine regarding what I thought about myself, my circumstances and the world around me.

I’ve always wondered how two people can suffer near identical ‘traumatic events’ in their lives, and one is able to move on while the other has become mentally crippled by it. Often it is our perspectives and thoughts after the event, something Dr. Cury refers to as ‘Killer Windows’. He explains how to reprocess and re-edit hurtful or traumatic events and memories that plague all of us. It helped me realize I don’t have to live a ‘stuck’ life. I can move beyond it into a fully productive and beautiful life.

Dr. Cury’s book also showed me how to direct my thoughts instead of being victimized by them. I felt able to establish and follow clear goals, make choices to reach them and correct poor choices. I became aware of my limits, flaws and psychological weaknesses. But the insights in this book showed me how to persist in life through difficulties. While becoming more transparent, I’ve begun enjoying life more and people are more open with me. Think and Make it Happen has improved my life exponentially by solidifying relationships that were barely holding together. Now, I’m excited about my future, and the future of my family.

Billy's Roots

The artful weaving of history into creative narrative allows the reader to feel present in the events of Billy Graham’s ministry as they unfold. The story opens with a reporter, Deborah Matthews, at the bedside of Charles Templeton, an aging ministerial icon, suffering through a debilitating illness. Her job is to find dirt on Reverend Billy Graham. I felt as anxious to get to the “good part” as the reporter was to obtain any scandal on Reverend Graham.

This fast paced account revealed the ministry of and man called Charles Templeton, of which I knew nothing. Using Templeton’s history as a backdrop, the disparity between the two friends became apparent. I considered Billy to be natural born crusader, and was surprised and delighted to see the humble beginning of his ministry so vividly illustrated.

As I read Billy, It gave a rarely seen glimpse into the spiritual agony both men felt as they wrestled with love, education and life changing decisions, and how those choices affected their futures and their friendship. The book shared the unique ways God reached into their lives and blessed them. The depth and weight of responsibility felt by each man—what really happens when faith meets doubt—had me turning the pages until the very end of the book.

Book: Jesus Take the Wheel

Comment to Win!

It's never too late to let Jesus take over. As we begin looking forward to those crisp fall evenings by the fire, you'll want to get this book on your reading list.

Take a moment to comment and you're automatically entered in the contest to win Stuart Migdon's book, Jesus Take the Wheel.

The drawing will be held September 15th.

If you'd like to do the book as a book club in church, or a study with your bible group Stuart Migdon will be glad to do a speaker-phone call to launch or conclude the study. Just click the book club link below give us the name of their book club or participating Bible Study, a personal conference call with the author, Stuart Migdon will be set up.


To learn more, read the article below.

About the Book:
The practical biblical instruction found in Stuart Migdon's book, Jesus Take the Wheel takes readers on a two-month journey that will literally transform the way they live their lives. Rich insights from the author's own life mixed with wisdom gleaned from the pages of Scripture combines to make reading this book an adventure that will be looked forward to each day. In the face of life's many uncertainties and struggles, the message of real hope that Jesus Take the Wheel brings, is one that will benefit everyone.

Jesus Take the Wheel is a valuable resource for spiritual growth and discipleship. Through applying the biblical principles and truths contained throughout its pages, readers will begin to discover that what has been impossible alone, is very possible with God at the wheel of their lives.

Each day's reading is followed by an application aimed at applying the day's biblical truths and principles to the real circumstances of life.
While many in our world today know that they need and want change, they often fail to allow Jesus to have His rightful place in their lives simply because they don't know where to start. In Jesus Take the Wheel, readers are given an easy and practical plan to follow each day that will teach them what they need to do in order to begin letting Jesus be the One in the driver's seat.

Learn more about the author StuartMigdon.

To set up a Book Club of Bible Study: Book Club link