The God-First Life

I don't normally do book reviews. I'm making an exception for a book that is literally life changing. It's titled "The God-First Life" by Stovall Weems. If you're looking for a way to uncomplicated your life and live God's way, this is the book for you. I'm going to share it with all my brothers and sisters in Christ and with anyone and everyone I can talk to about this book. It literally changed my life.

I was having a serious panic and anxiety attack yesterday. My mind raced for something to distract myself so that I could calm down. I reached for the book that arrived in the mail that morning. I started reading and then stopped so I could hunt down a highlighter. There was too much already that I wanted to highlight and focus on. I settled in and started reading in earnest. The words captivated me. The writing style was comfortable and friendly. A quarter of the way into the book and my panic attack and anxiety was gone. I was so absorbed in the book I'd forgotten all about being anxious.

The book comes with a study guide and also a DVD with six sessions led by Stovall Weems, himself. I'm going to be getting them and sharing them with everyone I know at church. There is also a website www.godfirstlifenetwork.com but it won't be ready until July, 2014. I know I'll be one of the first to visit the site as soon as it opens. It will have more information, free resources, coaching, and more.

The book is based on scripture from Matthew 6:33 "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Put God first and everything else will take care of itself. God will see to it.

When Pastor Weems thought about this scripture and how it affected his life, he realized that it had three life-altering points:

1. God as a "way" for our lives. God has designed a path, a way for your life that is designed specifically for you.

2. We don't have to carry the weight of our life alone. Jesus invites you to keep step with him while he does the heavy lifting.

3. God's way is better than ours. The Bible says that God's way is perfect, refreshing, trustworthy, right, and enlightening.

Doesn't that sound exactly what you're looking for?

God's way for your life is the best possible way you can live.

I know it.

Do you know it?

P.S. I'll definitely do more blogs about this book. It just begs for more posts on God's way.

God's Promise to Parents

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him?" - Matthew 7:11

Though many family dynamics aren't perfect, the love a parent has for a child can be the most giving, sacrificial relationship that exists.

What would you do for your children?

What do you do for your child?

Mothers and fathers pour out time, energy and money to care for their children. They'd give their lives to protect their children. Ideal parents deal with each of their children on a personalized level, catering teaching and training to the style that most effectively helps each child.

Do you help your child dream?

Do you want the best for your child?

You also want your child to be happy, don't you?

As parents you want to love your children. You make yourselves available to comfort them, encourage them and simply have a good time with them.

The parental relationship is the basis of all earthly relationships.

Think about this: As much as you, a parent, loves your child, it's truly staggering to realize that God loves His children even more than the most perfect parents on earth.

God makes Himself available to love you, comfort you, and encourage you. He's glad to be your divine Father. Relish the closeness you can have with your heavenly Father.

Scripture from God to parents:

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12

"Fathers do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." Colossians 3:21

"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart: you shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:6-9

Never Waste An Opportunity to Say "I Love You"

There are 1,440 minutes in the day. That equals 86,400 seconds. How many seconds does it take to say "I love you"?

Maybe 3, 5?

Look at all the opportunities you have in your day to tell someone that you love them.

There are no "real" second chances. You can't re-wind time. There is no Dr. Who to help you travel between time and dimensions.

Jules Verne is not going to build you a time machine.

Think of all the people who cross your path every day. How many of them would benefit from hearing you say those three simple words? What kind of benefit would you get?

The best kind of benefit ever. The knowledge that you were able to tell someone you love them and mean it with all your heart.

You love your spouse.

You love your children.

You love your parents.

You love your siblings.

You love all members of your extended family.

You love your friends.

You love your neighbor.

You love your Christ family.

You love.

Show how much you love by taking a few seconds every day and telling those around you. You not only will make them happy, but you will be happy as well.

It's reciprocal.

To Love is to be Loved.

"And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:"
-- 1 Thessalonians 3:12

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