In this fourth lesson of Sue Edwards’ study on 1 Peter, we come to what I consider to be some of the most difficult verses in the Bible. I am, by nature and heritage, a fighter. I feel justice deeply within my soul and spirit. Even as a child, I would get in trouble for standing up for those treated unjustly as well as being quick to point out misbehavior (read: tattle). I believed that the world should be fair and just. I still do.

So of course, I’m frustrated almost every day as I see injustice at every level. I do indeed feel like an alien in a strange country. I do a lot of prayer ministry with women, and my spirit rails at the pain they have suffered. I often wonder how some of these women even get up in the morning, so horrendous was the abuse they have endured. And yet, Peter tells us to submit. (Don’t you hate that word?) He says to submit to ungodly governmental officials (a timely word for today). He says to submit to ungodly laws (another timely word). He hints that if we are ever in a situation like Christ was, we are to submit.

It just doesn’t make sense. Or does it? A seriously misunderstood spiritual principal is that of coming in the opposite spirit. When we fight back according to our flesh, there is almost always anger, hatred, bitterness, strife and a whole host of other ungodly attitudes flying around in the atmosphere. It makes sense to our wounded flesh, but it’s really a snare. We simply add fuel to the devil’s schemes. He’s coming at us (directly or through people under his influence) with these attitudes. When we respond in like manner, we’re simply adding fuel to the fire. No hope of putting out that fire. James 3:5 talks about how even our words (not to mention our actions) can figuratively set a forest ablaze. I’ve been there and chances are, so have you.

But when we come in the opposite spirit, when we repay evil with love and kindness, it’s like throwing water on that fire. Our actions dilute the impact, cause the fire to sputter, and perhaps to die. It works, and Jesus is our example. Problem is, it’s so counter-intuitive that it’s very hard to remember and harder to do. But friends, it works.

I don’t think it’s coincidental that 1 Peter 2:24 is at the end of this chapter. Jesus was our model. He went to the cross without fighting back. He forgave. He made a public spectacle of Satan (Col. 2:15), turning Satan’s biggest coup into his biggest defeat. And in the process, he bought not only our forgiveness, but also our healing. When we respond like Him, we are in a position to actually receive and experience that healing. I’m going to make a greater effort to submit to what God allows in my life. How about you? Share with us how you interacted with this passage.

 –In what circumstances do you find it most difficult to submit and behave as Jesus did?

–Where are you being stretched and challenged to behave rightly now?

–Do you believe Godly submission will result in the healing of your spirit, soul, and body?

Remember that this letter is addressed to people under duress. To exiles in the government-instigated Diaspora. People who were being tested and tried in various areas of their lives. Peter says that, contrary to what we tend to think, the testing can result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus is revealed. Have you seen this in your life?

In my ministry, I find that most personal challenges or problems start in our minds. And I’ve learned that in order to survive and even thrive in an environment of testing, the battle begins in the mind. Peter tells his readers to literally “gird up the loin of their minds.” This image is a reference to the way men dressed in the first century. They wore long, flowing robes that hindered their movements. They could walk, but if they needed to run, they would gather up the robes and tuck them into their belt, creating a sort of pantaloons. They took a deliberate steps to prepare them for action.

We need to do the same with our minds. We need to take a deliberate action to constrain, restrain, and retrain our minds to prepare ourselves for action, to prepare ourselves for the testing that inevitably comes to each of us. Peter tells us to be “sober-minded”—to not become drunk and silly because of our stink’ thinkin’. Then he tells us to hope (imperative) on the grace of Jesus. This is another deliberate action, an intentional choice. A decision.

Peter tells us to not become conformed to the passions of our ignorance. In other words, we often make decisions and take actions based on incomplete facts. We don’t know what God is doing in our lives, so we can’t make decisions based on feelings, on ignorance. Rather, we need to decide, to make a deliberate decision, an intentional choice To gird up the loins of our minds, to rein in those wayward thoughts and emotions, and to set our faces like flint toward Jesus. So this week, share with us how you are going to do this and how this community can help you.

 Where are you being tested this week?

In what areas of your life are you most vulnerable to stinking’ thinkin’?

What can you do (practical steps) to gird up the loins of your mind?

What resources has God given us to assist in the effort? Read and consider 1Cor. 2:12, 2 Cor. 10:4-5, and Phil 4:8.

Photo Courtesy of flick.com/katclay

As I always try to do the first week or so of January, I’ve been praying a lot about my year. I’ve evaluated last year, rejoicing in the things that worked and critiquing the things that didn’t. What do I want to repeat in 2012? What do I want to avoid like the plague in 2012? I’m always hardest on myself. My planning partners are much kinder. So let me share two things I’ve come away with as I’ve planned this year. Both of these are thanks to my friend, Sandy Brannon of Establish Intention  who keeps me honest with myself.

The first is celebration. I don’t do it enough. Sandy’s Challenge of Jan. 4, 2012  is to celebrate God and what He’s doing in our lives. I confess that I tend to be thankful, but then move right on to the next thing. I don’t really CELEBRATE the good things in my life or the God who gives them. I don’t stop. I just offer thanks and move on. This year, I want to be more intentional about celebrating. I want to share more glory stories and God sightings. I want to feel the delight of a child when a plan comes together. I want to giggle more and dance more and squeal more.

The second is to ask of any opportunity, “What’s in it for God?” The answer to that may be very different from my usual “What’s in it for me?” or “How will this further my goals?” Since my work is essentially all ministry, it’s easy to assume that everything I do will and must glorify Him. But does it? And what of the “interruptions” that have become a very large part of my life? Coordinating the medical care for my 90-year-old mom and disabled sister? Assisting my husband who has Parkinson’s Disease? Having lunch with a friend? Serving as a patient advocate for the Parkinson’s Institute? None of those further the goals of Mighty Oak Ministries, but do they further the goals of God? I’m stopping to ask myself that question these days. And committing myself to look at everything I do through His eyes.

How about you?
Are you celebrating God today?
Are you asking, “What’s in it for God?”

This book is well written—clear, humorous, and at times compassionate—but I struggled as I read it, wondering just who his audience is. The back cover talks about “Liars. Hypocrites. Men, women, and children who attend church because it’s what they are supposed to do. Just going through the motions. These are the undead—people who are disconnected from the Spirit of God—who are spreading a virus of passivity, or worse. No one is completely immune.” Just the group I want to be identified with…. He spends the first half of the book excoriating the average church-goer, then offers some pretty traditional antidotes in the second half. Problem is, if the reader doesn’t identify with the problem, he won’t see the need for the remedy in himself. It will just increase the critical, finger-pointing spirit such books often engender. And if the reader does identify, Edwards is preaching to the choir. The most likely audience would be a small group with a leader committed to open and personal discussion.

This book is similar to several I’ve read over the years. Every few years, there seems to be a new crop of “diss the church” books, some better than others. They pick up on the flavor of the season or the specific wounding of the author. I’d rather see a great case study from a pastor who has actually changed the climate of his church.

This season, I’m seeing more books calling us to radical discipleship of the social justice variety, which of course will appeal to the younger generation. In fact, our church is on a 10-week campaign to study the book Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt. It’s being covered both in Sunday morning sermons and in our small groups. And it’s causing a lot of angst as members grapple with the radical implications of the gospel. This angst is best handled in a small group, not in exclusively in a book or from the pulpit.

So, if you have a small group that has been together for a while and has built trust, this might be a good book to study for a season. But be prepared to navigate some angst. And you might try a little affirmation on the side.

Win a $50 Amazon gift card:

Kregal Publishers is sponsoring a $50 Amazon.com giveaway. To enter all you have to do is send a tweet (using @litfuse) about Zombie Church  or share about it on Facebook! If you tweet we’ll capture your entry when you use @litfuse. If you share it on Facebook or your blog, just email us and let the blog tour sponsor know at info@litfusegroup.com. Easy. You can see the rest of the blog tour here.

I recently received a review copy of Destined to Live, Despite Me by Yolanda Shanks. If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or are helping someone who is, this is a useful resource. Shanks uses her own testimony of conquering suicide as the foundation for a strong theological stance on life and healing. Here’s what she has to say about her book.

What was your purpose for writing and who is the intended audience for Destined To Live, Despite Me?

I thought my intended audience was solely attempted suicide survivors, but as the book progressed, it became clear that absolutely every person has a breaking point.

My purpose for writing this book then became to use my testimony to assist others, regardless of their story. Assisting others in choosing to deliberately live life in abundance — not an abundance of things or money — but of abundant joy, peace, and hope found in Christ Jesus.

You discuss having a breaking point. Will you share more about that?  

I definitely had a breaking point. We all do. My particular one is not the important issue. The important issue is that everyone has one. It can be any emotional event that leaves a person broken and destroyed, such as:

a car accident
a divorce after 20 year and the wife has to find a job
a child blaming themselves for the divorce
financial difficulties

That is why it is so important to understand the signs to save your family members, your neighbors, and your friends. I have a list of warning signs on page 131 of the book.

The stats reveals that suicide is the third leading cause of death in the age group 15 to 24. What message of encouragement would you give to our young people today?  

Know WHO you are and WHOSE you are. If I can elaborate, I want our next generation to NOT define themselves by the standard of this world – not by the cars, clothes, the tangibles. Let’s consider our whole-man: mind, body, and soul. Chose to use the standard in which God defines you.

If you have surrendered your life to Christ, you are His child, a co-heir with Christ.  You can stand on all of God’s promises in the Bible because you are sons and daughters of the Creator Himself. So do not walk defeated!

Chose to live this life deliberately – know that each morning you are alive, God has purpose for you.

Will the struggle ever end for people who have survived? Or, is it always a constant that they could fall back into feeling the hopelessness? 

Struggles are a part of life. What matters most, is how we learn respond to life struggles!

For anyone still considering suicide, first there has to be an elimination of this mindset as a workable alternative. Assistance is available by contacting a mental health professional or by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

For those who have survived a previous attempt and no longer struggle with thoughts of suicide but continue to live under the guilt and shame associated with their past actions; I am here to say that there is freedom in Christ Jesus! It is time for you to build a spiritual foundation for deliberate living. Pick up my book, learn how to shake off the unnecessary baggage, and gladly receive the Lover of your soul … Jesus Christ … who offers you hope, joy, and peace.

For those who have not considered suicide but are trapped in feelings of constant negativity, pick up my book as well. We are a hurting generation and people who have been hurt tend to hurt others; let’s chose to receive healing. I am a living proof that one can overcome the battle with feelings of hopelessness to the point of despair.

How would you sum up the book?

The book is my story, written for you. I am sharing my private life, my disappointments, my fears, my un-loveliness. Yes it started out hard for me, but the Lord poured out of me some of the things that had been holding me down.

I know now, that I can be alone; but I don’t have to be lonely,
I sometimes feel unloved; but God loves me unconditionally.
I can be financially broke; but God will provide.
I can be friendless; but Jesus is longing to be my friend.
My life can be broken; and He will put it back together again.
I can be a sinner. Jesus died for my sins, and your sins. He already paid the price

I will sum it up…….BUT GOD!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speakers Services.

I received a review copy of Think and Make it Happen: The Breakthrough Program for Conquering Anxiety, Overcoming Negative Thoughts, and Discovering Your True Potential by Augusto Cury, M.D. many months ago. I’ve reviewed numerous other books since then, but this one I read and let it sit at the bottom of my pile. (My apologies to Thomas Nelson). I went back to it today and realized why I never wrote the review.

In a sentence, where do I start? The primary focus of my ministry at Mighty Oak Ministries is helping people become who God created them to be. Helping them to grow deeply, heal progressively, and mature splendidly. I work with individuals; conduct training, workshops, and retreats; and equip leaders to help others. A huge part of that ministry revolves around training people to renew their minds. As I minister to spirit, soul, and body, the goal is to help people think and believe differently, and therefore become different. This ministry takes a variety of forms, but seems to all come back to the basic concepts of taking every thought captive and renewing the mind. I believe that “decide” may be the most important word in our language.

When I read Dr. Cury’s book, I resonated with every page. This leading psychiatrist understands the human mind and psyche from both a medical and Christian point of view. Every page is quotable. Every page houses a treasure that I can and must use in my own life and in my ministry. I didn’t write the review because to do it justice, I’d have to simply copy the book.

All I can say is, if you’re having problems with fear, depression, anger, or other harmful emotions, this book has answers. If you’re constantly in a mental fog, this book has answers.  If your body is beginning to break down from stress, this book has answers. You’ll probably want to read it more than once. Slowly. And if you’re ministering to a person who remains stuck no matter what you do, this book has answers. Here are a few choice morsels:

 The mind is really our control tower – the source of every word we speak, every action we take, every emotion we feel, and every thought we have. By harnessing the power of your mind, you can do, have, achieve, and create anything you want for your life. You can truly make it happen. (And no, this is not new age thinking; it’s biblical.)

Our DNA does not determine our destiny to the degree we once thought. Extensive new scientific research shows that many genes are being turned on and off—every day—by our beliefs, feelings, and attitudes. Every thought we think ripples throughout our body, affecting our immune systems, brain, and hormones.

Writing one’s own story means leaving the audience, going onto the stage, and directing the action of one’s life, scene after scene.

Every single thought—conscious or not—affects us and shapes us for good or for ill. That means we are changing all the time too—whether we work at it or not! However, because we live in a world filled with negative, disturbing images, it is easy to be changed more for ill than for good. Especially if we’re not developing our minds and filtering what comes our way.

The reality is that if we don’t recycle negative thoughts within five seconds, they will be filed and cannot be deleted, only re-edited.

Things like forgetfulness—failing short-term memory—are the body’s cry telling us we are losing quality of life.

He offers a three-step process to conquer our thoughts:

 1) Doubt: That which you believe controls you. Therefore, you must doubt everything that disturbs you.

 2) Criticize:  It is acceptable for you to judge that which your mind presents to you. You are not required to accept every thought the comes into your mind.

 3)  Determine:  Determine to be happy, secure, and strong rather than being enslaved by your conflicts. Decide to be enchanted with life, to contemplate beauty, and to fight for your dreams.

 There’s more. Much more. I heartily recommend this book to you. It would make a wonderful resource for a small group, for discipleship, and for prayer ministry.

What is your opinion about Halloween? And what is that opinion based on? I was pretty ambivalent until I started working with women who had been profoundly abused, especially those who had been abused in Satanism, Wicca, or other cults. For them, Halloween is a high holy day and one that often results in profound abuse to women and children. At that point, our family stopped celebrating Halloween in any form.

Contrary to many of the frivolous themes we see in Halloween today, its history is one seeped in death and divination.  It’s the one pagan holiday that the Christian church has never been able to sanitize. As Christians, it behooves us to understand the spiritual dynamics behind the smiling jack-o-lantern and the cute children trick-or-treating the neighborhood.

I’ve written an e-book detailing all of this and more. If your family or church wonder about why or how to celebrate Halloween, may I encourage you to download Let’s Take Another Look at Halloween from Mighty Oak Ministries. Consider using it as a discussion starter in your small group or Sunday school class. And let me know what you think.

Let’s face it. Most of us have a lot to be stressed about these days—job stress (or no-job stress), marriage stress, debt stress, family stress, health stress… I could go on and on, and so could you. But Scriptures tells us to “be anxious for nothing…” So how does that work? How do we begin to dethrone the stress bully and begin to walk in victory?

I recently had the opportunity to review a book that gives us some strategies for dealing with stress. Stress-Free Believers: Turn Worry into Faith, Turmoil into Peace by Harold Metzel helps you dethrone the stress bully that attacks the peace of believers, offering a battle plan you need to get harmful stress off your back so you can manage the tough times with composure. In this book and the accompanying study guide, you’ll learn how to:

Convert your thoughts from worry to faith

Develop patience in the midst of chaos.

Take control of your thinking, emotions, and commitments.

Identify the tools God has given you to overcome stress.

Recognize the part you play in God’s comprehensive plan.

Allow God to work in your life as He did in the life of Jesus.

I found the first half of the book packed with excellent strategies for renewing our minds and our faith. I will definitely use it in ministry. Unfortunately, by the second half of the book, Metzel seemed to default to his current ministry of stewardship. While the information was still useful, I kept wondering how it related to stress.

The author, Harold Metzel, a 30-year veteran as pastor, missionary, Bible College president and VP of a large charitable foundation in San Diego, currently coaches individuals and pastoral staff on ways to become even better stewards of what God has given. When visiting churches across the nation, he demonstrates ways to avoid unnecessary taxation, increase income using current assets, and provide a more effective inheritance. After counseling with many stressed-out believers, he now offers practical steps to bring stress back to a healthy level. For more information see: www.haroldmetzel.com or www.stressfreebelievers.com.

Leave a comment below and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a Stress-Free Believers Survival Kit. You just might win:

Stress-Free Believers Book

Stress-Free Believers Group Study DVD

Stress-Free Believers 5-CD Audio Book

Stress Relief Aromatherapy from Bath & Body Works: 1.6 oz Filled Candle, Travel-Size Body Wash & Foam Bath, Travel-Size Body Lotion

Fear is an area I’ve been doing a lot of teaching on recently, so I’m always interested in new resources.  Grace Fox has partnered with Stonecroft Ministries to write a small group resource titled Moving from Fear to Freedom: A Woman-to-Woman Conversation. This resource addresses women’s common fears and gives biblical and practical strategies to move beyond them. Author Grace Fox answered some questions for this blog tour.

Fear seems to be an ever-present theme throughout the Bible. Describe the difference between healthy and unhealthy fear.

Healthy fear steers us toward wise decisions and actions. It promotes self-preservation. For example, we look both ways before crossing the street for fear of getting hit by a car. In contrast, unhealthy fear hinders our ability to fully embrace life because it consumes us with negative thinking and what-ifs. The effects can literally make us sick.

How does destructive fear stunt our emotional or spiritual growth?

Destructive fear—the fear of rejection, for instance—might keep us from admitting to someone that we’ve been physically or sexually abused. Without receiving the help we need to deal with those issues, we never experience freedom. Our struggles might seriously hamper our ability to truly love and receive love in a marital relationship. This is just one example among many of how our emotional growth is affected.

Spiritually, fear can cause us to say no to God-given dreams or assignments because we’re afraid of personal inadequacy or financial insecurity. If we never step out in faith, then we never experience God’s ability to equip and provide in amazing ways. Spiritual growth comes when we say yes to God and “do it afraid.”

You suggest we need to place our focus on God and not on fear. In practical terms, how do we do this?

Several strategies that I’ve found helpful…

*  Memorize Scripture promises and meditate on them throughout the day and as we fall asleep at night. We are transformed as our mind is renewed.

*  Fill our homes with praise and worship music.

*  Spend time in God’s word on a regular basis, not just when we’re in a panic. The more we do so, the more familiar we become with His promises and the better prepared we are to face frightening circumstances when they come.

*  Talk to the Lord throughout the day. Invite Him into the mundane. Practice His presence. The more we get to know Him, the more we’re able to trust Him in the face of fear.

* Most of us feel inadequate at times. You suggest we cannot use our inadequacies as an excuse for not participating with God’s purposes. How do we get past this?

We get past our fear of inadequacy by admitting we have it. Then we need to retrain our thinking to focus on God’s inadequacies rather than our inadequacies.

*  Tell God how we feel. “Help! I don’t think I can do such-and-such.”

*  Tell a trusted friend and ask her to pray for us.

*  Move forward. Do it afraid and expect God to equip us.

Describe this resource and how participants can receive the greatest benefit as they use it.

It’s a seven-week study filled with biblical teaching and personal anecdotes that can be used easily by either a small group of friends in a private home setting or a large women’s ministry. Each session begins by viewing a 25-30 minute teaching video. When the video ends, participants follow suggested Table Talk questions for about 15 minutes. Then they do the Bible study questions together. Each participant uses her own guidebook so she can take notes and write answers. Facilitator’s notes are included. The study covers these topics:

*  an overview of fear

*  fear for our loved ones’ well-being

*  fear of personal inadequacy

*  fear of rejection

*  fear of facing the ghosts of our past

*  fear of the storms of life

*  fear of the unknown future

Where can I buy this study?

It’s available through your local Christian book store, on Amazon, www.barnesandnoble.com, www.christianbooks.com, www.stl-distribution.com, www.winepressbooks.com, and of course, on Grace’s website, where group discounts apply. www.gracefox.com.  Visit Grace’s website for more information about her other books and speaking ministry. www.gracefox.com.

For an opportunity for a FREE copy of this DVD & Study Guide set of MOVING FROM FEAR TO FREEDOM, please follow this CSS Virtual Book Tour on Twitter (@Christianspkrs) or Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/CSSVBT.GraceFox.MovingFromFeartoFreedom) .

I was given a complimentary copy of this DVD & Study Guide set from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speaker Services (www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com).

I’ve been studying and teaching the book of Isaiah this year, where one of the key themes is justice and righteousness. The Holy One of Israel punished His people severely when their nation fell into self-serving greed and unrighteousness. When they allowed their fellow citizens to suffer without mercy. I’ve been reminded each week of how blessed we are. How blessed the US is. But are we beginning to experience devastation because of our ignorance or callousness to the needs of others? I don’t know. But I do know that Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. The Holy One of Israel has not changed. So what would He have us do with regard to those suffering in North Korea?

Franklin Graham has committed to provide support to the North Koreans through Samaritan’s Purse, but will the food actually get to those in need? Will it get to the suffering Christians in concentration camps or will it simply feed the military and those in power? Only the Spirit of God can direct it to the right people. Will you pray with me for relief to the suffering of our brothers and sisters in North Korea?