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40 Loaves-Breaking Bread With Our Father Each Day
by c.d. baker
Awhile ago I read a book called "Never The Bride" and it became my favorite book! Read this post to see what I mean. That brought me to the book's publishing company because I wanted to see if this was considered Christian literature. Well, anyway, it led me to "Blogging for Books" and I'm thrilled not only to be blogging about this book, but to be having my first giveaway ever!Thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for providing me this book for review and also for graciously giving me a copy of "40 Loaves" to giveaway!Rules to enter:1. Leave me a comment, saying how much you want this book! Or how you want this book for someone you know!For additional chances to win:2. Become a follower if you haven't already.3. Tell your friends! Leave them a comment, or post about this giveaway or link this giveaway...anything! And then come back and let me know!This contest will end on Friday, December 18 and I will post the winners name! And then I will ship it to you. Just in time for Christmas or as a present to yourself!I've read many devotional books, but few have tackled the really tough questions like "Why do I care so much about my reputation?" and "Why are some Christians so hard for me to like?"In "40 Loaves-Breaking Bread With Our Father Each Day," C.D. Baker tackles these questions and gives us some fresh perspective and applicable advice that is not only real, but works in accordance with scripture.I did read almost all the chapters (I have been using this book for my daily devotionals for the past month) and was surprisingly enlightened by the hard truth of these queries.
Although the questions are tough to ask, it is encouraging that Baker is willing to delve into the hidden parts of our hearts and inquire about topics that may be too embarrassing or hard to deal with.I'm also happy to say that "40 Loaves" was given high praise by Ray Blackston, author of "Flabbergasted," another favorite book of mine.I recommend this book to anyone who truly wants to grow spiritually and to those who may be new in their spiritual walk.This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
I found Courtney's blog recently and it makes my heart ache. I have friends who aren't Christians, friends who grew up in a Christian home and like myself, found Jesus in my 30's after the birth of my 2nd child. It was in my family room. Reading a "Christian" book and the passage was from Matthew. About how God can open your eyes.Now my conversion, I don't think happened due to any major tragedy in my life. When I look back now, I seem to see a series of steps leading up to it. I'd had my fair share of "sin" before becoming a believer, but I was never molested or abused. I just knew since the age of 16 years old "that there had to be more to it than this," referring to religion.There are still people in my life who think church is for Easter and Christmas and that Christmas is about family getting together. That really irks me. So I rant and rave (usually in the minivan as I'm driving my kids to school! What a sight!) on how Christmas is all about Christ! How family getting together is nice and presents are fun but without the birth of Jesus, there is no celebration! Get that? There is no reason to celebrate!
Before becoming a believer, I had people throw the Bible in my face and others who couldn't speak a complete sentence without using "the Lord" in it. And that irked me too! So I guess I'm not sure where I'm going with this, but I know from meeting a lot of people (remember I've moved 9 times in 14 years of marriage, and still counting...) that although the stories are different, the message is the same, God knocks on everyone's door. Whether we allow Him in is our choice. And sometimes our wounds are so deep that we can barely hear His voice, but He's there, waiting. Waiting to heal, waiting to love us, waiting to take that weight off of our heavy hearts and move us in the right direction. Without Christ, we are spirally down.
I remember when the movie 'The Matrix' came out and how I was astounded by the similarities of this world. Before you accept Jesus Christ, you are living in the matrix. You are oblivious to the spiritual battles going on. Your life may not be easy street, but it's pretty simple, you kinda just get through it.
But once you swallow that pill (accept Him) you suddenly see the world and your own life for what it really is and even though on the surface it wasn't that bad (for some), now it's pretty ugly and swiftly your life has these layers and it can be overwhelming. But God didn't promise you heaven on earth, He promises eternal life.
So I wanted to say all this in response to Courtney's reason for blogging and how you are not alone sista! And I see the love of others every time I read your blog. I'm thankful that God knocked and you opened the door, and even though it seems like the hurt is unceasing, He is right there. Always.
See this pretty garland? I fought with it for 20 minutes the other day! It wouldn't do what I wanted it to do. (This will surely be a "Not Me!" post considering the choice words I had for it under my breath!)
But then I added these tiny stars/instruments and snowflakes and fell in love...all was forgiven.
The other day I read about the 4 primary needs of a person. Two of the four needs were significance and identity. Years ago I came to the realization that I often let my circumstances define who I am. And about 40% of the time, I am a pit digger.
I don't want to be known as a pit digger! I want to be known as a Christ follower who shows love to everyone! Well maybe not to a 9 foot artificial garland...A loving mother, a respectful wife, someone who serves in our church, a giving neighbor, a thoughtful friend, a kind sister and so on.
And I suppose, I am those things when I allow Christ to work in me. But, unlike my garland fiasco, when I try to make things go my way, sometimes most times, it just doesn't work out!
I think a lot of my problems stem from a control issue. I want things to go my way. And guess what, life doesn't always work like that, sometimes life throws you a blizzard and 14 inches of snow and 3 unruly banshees and an antsy husband and then you have to deal with all of this unexpected stuff!
Which brings us to today. Snow day. Which means everyone is home. Everyone includes Husband since he is a teacher, he had a snow day too. So I'm happy to say we all shoveled, played a family game of tackle football in the snow, did a tiny bit of grocery shopping and took the kids sledding and drank lots of hot cocoa.
But in order to enjoy any of this, I needed to let go of my Type A typical plans (website work, blogging, peace and quiet, a somewhat orderly house) and deal with the unexpected.
Isn't there a nice cliché for this about lemons and lemonade?
Well more like hot cocoa and marshmallows, when life gives you a blizzard, you make hot cocoa and marshmallows. How about that...
In case you were wondering why on earth I would choose to share the things I have done this past week that are usually embarrassing, it's because one of my favorite Mom bloggers, MckMama, started this...it's about being authentic and possibly the cheapest form of mom therapy you can find...It wasn't me who could been seen tweezing my eyebrows in my minivan, in a parking lot, at school, while waiting for my son. Seriously, the light is really good for that kind thing!
I didn't put some good-smelling pomade in my hair because I didn't have time to shower and would be horrified if the teachers or the parents at my daughter's preschool would have gotten a whiff! Ewww.
I don't regularly use olive oil on my cuticles just as I am about to run out. I didn't once wipe my hands on my pants and leave lovely oil stains there for others to see!
Beauty blunders or beauty secrets? Hmm. Tell me yours!
Gee, I really love this decoration! I'm working on how to get my measly point and shoot to take great pictures! I have a manual Canon and it takes beautiful pictures, but who wants to deal with film anymore?
Silent Night. A view from our backyard at sunset this past week. No Photoshop editing, just the real thing!
Remember this garland? How it wouldn't work for me and I wrestled with it for oh I don't know, 20 minutes?
Well, now it's part of our Christmas card display. Yes, it all came together. BTW, notice the time on the clock, yes this is what I do when my family is sleeping...oh and now one of the kids from church tried to teach me how to crochet...oh my word, I'm crocheting a scarf for Husband for Christmas...shhh...it's a surprise. It'll be a bigger surprise if I finish it in time.
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