This is an interview with me that Tom Blubaugh, author of Night of the Cossack, published recently on his blog, www.tomblubaugh.blogspot.com
Tom: Ada Brownell is an excellent writer with a long history of publishing. It's my honor to interview her.
Do you have any advice for writers out there?
A beginning writer needs to study what makes writing powerful. After that think, watch, listen, read, write ideas and unique thoughts down, then plan. Sit at the computer, write and rewrite. Finally, send the manuscript out using a marketing plan that includes more than Plan A. Forget that work and start another article or book.
Can you tell me a little bit about your newest book?
My current work is an inspirational historical romance, The Belle of Peach County. A 17-year-old elocutionist and singer runs away from her abusive uncle, but she is caught in a perilous web. Could the peddler who constantly appears be a venomous spider in her life?
The story emerged from a few things I knew about my grandparents. It’s completely fiction, but my grandmother was an elocutionist and some relatives say she had to run from the abusive uncle with whom she lived after her parents died. My grandfather traveled about the county showing one of the first Passion of the Christ picture shows created. His father, in the meantime, a widower at age 60, married a woman in her 20s so he would have a cook—and was beaten to death by her lover. My grandfather wanted the man who killed his pa brought to justice.
Tell us one interesting fact about you that your readers would find interesting, and maybe even surprising.
I could share about my high-heeled shoe sticking on the volume pedal when I was playing quiet background music on the organ at church and I nearly blasted the people off the pews. Instead, writers might be surprised to learn I completed The Belle of Peach County during the American Christian Fiction Writers Novel Track in January 2011. I had about 14,000 words to start with and by the first week of February I had 82,000 and the last chapter. I’ve edited the book four times, and some chapters many more times than that.
When did you first discover you were a writer?
I started writing at age 15 by submitting ideas for youth services to a magazine for youth leaders. I was youth president at our church, although the age went to 35. Not long afterward, I sold my first article to The Pentecostal Evangel and someone made it into a tract.
I then sold an article featuring my mother’s Sunday school methods to David C. Cook’s “Leader.” I received $35, quite a bit for that time, so I sold my accordion, bought an electric typewriter and enrolled in a writing course. I also became a newspaper correspondent, which emerged into a career. Although I took 20 years off to raise our five children, I worked as a staff reporter for 17 years, mostly at The Pueblo Chieftain, before I retired. I still occasionally write an op-ed piece for the newspaper.
I sold free lance articles to Christian publications all my adult life and in 1978 my book, Confessions of a Pentecostal was published by Gospel Publishing House. It is out of print now, but used copies are sold online and I’m in the process of updating it and making it into an e-book.
I have chapters in five other books: 50 Tough Questions (Gospel Publishing House, 2002). What I Learned from God While Cooking, (edited by Cristine Bolley) Barbour Publishing, 2006 ; Cup of Comfort for Cat Lovers and Cup of Comfort for Christians (Adams Media 2008 and 2006); and Restored (Women’s Aglow Fellowship, 1978).
In addition to my historical romance, I’m marketing two non-fiction books and a teen novel.
What is your accomplishment you are most proud of?
Probably my newspaper career, but also an article I wrote, “How can I get control of my anger?” The article is a chapter in 50 Tough Questions and has been reprinted numerous times, including a Spanish language publication for youth and a Malawi Christian newspaper.
Do you have an all-time favorite book?
I am an influencer for some members of American Christian Fiction Writers and most of them are five-star books (as is Night of the Cossack). My favorite fiction genre is historical romance and Prairie Rose by Catherine Palmer is my all-time favorite. I’ve had the trilogy for years and every once in a while I get it out and read it again.
Where can we find you?
My website is http://www.adabrownell.com My blog is http://www.inkfromanearthenvessel.blogspot.com
Friday, August 19, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
A Prophet for This Generation
Worried about our nation, recently I prayed, “Lord, raise up a prophet to this generation.”
Yet, I didn’t see anyone rise up who could reach the millions who have never heard the true gospel or experienced or witnessed His mighty power at work—especially the youth of our country.
Last night I sat in a Wendy’s restaurant watching a frustrated young man continually dial someone on his cell phone and no one was answering. He left no voice message—just kept someone’s phone ringing. He dropped his head to his arms on the table. I couldn’t tell if he was tired or crying, but he rubbed his eyes on his sleeve before he lifted his head and went back to dialing.
Lord, if his girlfriend is dropping him, help him not to go over the edge and commit suicide. I knew from my work as a newspaper reporter that often happens.
I wondered if the teenager had been taught about Jesus. I thought how wonderful it would be if some great individual would preach the Word and reach thousands of young people like him.
I felt a prompting in my spirit. “You are the one.”
A favorite scripture ran through my mind as my husband and I ate. When we were ready to go, the guy sat there, still upset. I walked to the edge of his table and spoke quietly. “Are you O.K.?”
He nodded. “I’m just waiting for my girlfriend.”
I noticed a clear garbage bag filled with clothing on the floor beside him. “You look discouraged. Remember Jesus said, ‘In this world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.’”
He smiled. “Thank you.” I thought I saw relief on his face and light come on in his eyes.
We parted. I have no idea whether he’d heard the gospel before and a mother somewhere was praying. But I’ve come to realize the Lord raises up prophets for every generation. This is the way He builds His church. He told the 500 people gathered on the mountaintop as he prepared to ascend according to Acts 1:8, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses.” Matthew tells us he said, “Go and make disciples of all nations.”
That’s our commissiom, too. I don’t know if my witness made a difference in the youth’s life, but it might have. I’ve discovered every one of God’s children is asked to answer the call to reach out to the lost, and I am called to “go.” His power will help me “be” a witness.
Yet, I didn’t see anyone rise up who could reach the millions who have never heard the true gospel or experienced or witnessed His mighty power at work—especially the youth of our country.
Last night I sat in a Wendy’s restaurant watching a frustrated young man continually dial someone on his cell phone and no one was answering. He left no voice message—just kept someone’s phone ringing. He dropped his head to his arms on the table. I couldn’t tell if he was tired or crying, but he rubbed his eyes on his sleeve before he lifted his head and went back to dialing.
Lord, if his girlfriend is dropping him, help him not to go over the edge and commit suicide. I knew from my work as a newspaper reporter that often happens.
I wondered if the teenager had been taught about Jesus. I thought how wonderful it would be if some great individual would preach the Word and reach thousands of young people like him.
I felt a prompting in my spirit. “You are the one.”
A favorite scripture ran through my mind as my husband and I ate. When we were ready to go, the guy sat there, still upset. I walked to the edge of his table and spoke quietly. “Are you O.K.?”
He nodded. “I’m just waiting for my girlfriend.”
I noticed a clear garbage bag filled with clothing on the floor beside him. “You look discouraged. Remember Jesus said, ‘In this world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.’”
He smiled. “Thank you.” I thought I saw relief on his face and light come on in his eyes.
We parted. I have no idea whether he’d heard the gospel before and a mother somewhere was praying. But I’ve come to realize the Lord raises up prophets for every generation. This is the way He builds His church. He told the 500 people gathered on the mountaintop as he prepared to ascend according to Acts 1:8, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses.” Matthew tells us he said, “Go and make disciples of all nations.”
That’s our commissiom, too. I don’t know if my witness made a difference in the youth’s life, but it might have. I’ve discovered every one of God’s children is asked to answer the call to reach out to the lost, and I am called to “go.” His power will help me “be” a witness.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
America's financial meltdown
The United States has been teetering on the edge of financial disaster some say for years, but the bottom seemed to drop out after the bombing of the World Trade Centers and the resulting wars. We have one toe on the edge, but we aren't finding a secure place on which to stand.
The other day I heard someone say the government should call for a day of prayer for our nation because of the economy. I believe in our leaders gathering people to pray, but the logical thing to do is for churches to call Christians to their knees.
If I were a pastor, I'd open the church every day at least for a few hours for prayer. After all, the Lord said if HIS people will humble themselves and pray, seek His face and turn from their wicked ways He would hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land (Second Chronicles 7:13-15).
Yet, there are important things we as a nation should remember and do. Here are a few interesting scriptures, some which pertain to Israel but we know they also apply to a certain extent to nations which follow the Lord.
"For the LORD your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you" (Deuteronomy 15:5-7).
"If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth" (Deuteronomy 28:1-3).
Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed” (Isaiah 61:8-10).
"And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts" (Malachi 3:11-13).
From "The Message" Paraphrase: "Is it not obvious to you that persons who put their trust in Christ (not persons who put their trust in the law!) are like Abraham: children of faith? It was all laid out beforehand in Scripture that God would set things right with non-Jews by faith. Scripture anticipated this in the promise to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed in you" (Galatians 3:6-8).
"After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
'Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne,and to the Lamb'” Revelation 7:8-9).
From "The Message" Paraphrase: "If you forget God, your God, and start taking up with other gods, serving and worshiping them, I'm on record right now as giving you firm warning: that will be the end of you; I mean it—destruction. You'll go to your doom—the same as the nations God is destroying before you; doom because you wouldn't obey the Voice of God, your God" (Deuteronomy 8:18-20).
"The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God" Psalm 9:16-18).
Teh bible also says nations will be blessed when they support Israel.
The United States has been greatly blessed by God. But like the Israelites in Old Testament times, we tend to wander away from God and go into rebellion. We've killed 45 million of our babies. We've become just as Paul told Timothy people would become in the perilous times near Christ's return. ""For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (2 Timothy 3).
We can repent, love God and others, and turn to the Lord with all our hearts. Let's expect His blessings once again.
The other day I heard someone say the government should call for a day of prayer for our nation because of the economy. I believe in our leaders gathering people to pray, but the logical thing to do is for churches to call Christians to their knees.
If I were a pastor, I'd open the church every day at least for a few hours for prayer. After all, the Lord said if HIS people will humble themselves and pray, seek His face and turn from their wicked ways He would hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land (Second Chronicles 7:13-15).
Yet, there are important things we as a nation should remember and do. Here are a few interesting scriptures, some which pertain to Israel but we know they also apply to a certain extent to nations which follow the Lord.
"For the LORD your God will bless you as he has promised, and you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. You will rule over many nations but none will rule over you" (Deuteronomy 15:5-7).
"If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth" (Deuteronomy 28:1-3).
Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed” (Isaiah 61:8-10).
"And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts" (Malachi 3:11-13).
From "The Message" Paraphrase: "Is it not obvious to you that persons who put their trust in Christ (not persons who put their trust in the law!) are like Abraham: children of faith? It was all laid out beforehand in Scripture that God would set things right with non-Jews by faith. Scripture anticipated this in the promise to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed in you" (Galatians 3:6-8).
"After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
'Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne,and to the Lamb'” Revelation 7:8-9).
From "The Message" Paraphrase: "If you forget God, your God, and start taking up with other gods, serving and worshiping them, I'm on record right now as giving you firm warning: that will be the end of you; I mean it—destruction. You'll go to your doom—the same as the nations God is destroying before you; doom because you wouldn't obey the Voice of God, your God" (Deuteronomy 8:18-20).
"The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God" Psalm 9:16-18).
Teh bible also says nations will be blessed when they support Israel.
The United States has been greatly blessed by God. But like the Israelites in Old Testament times, we tend to wander away from God and go into rebellion. We've killed 45 million of our babies. We've become just as Paul told Timothy people would become in the perilous times near Christ's return. ""For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (2 Timothy 3).
We can repent, love God and others, and turn to the Lord with all our hearts. Let's expect His blessings once again.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The Comic Book Collection
The church we attended was in cold country. A big coal stove stood in a corner in the back and before services the pastor started a fire in it.
No insulation or sheetrock covered the walls. The 2-by-4s were uncovered. The hardwood floors installed years before were bare and dirty. They’d never been sanded and varnished.
When we moved there I was astounded at the neglect.
We became close friends of the pastor and his wife and when they went on a vacation, I threw out an idea to the youth group. I was president and in those days the age went to 35 so most of the church was in on it. We would finish the church! Give and work and surprise our church shepherds.
Sheetrock was delivered and men brought hammers. Women helped tape, mud joints, and paint. A big rental sander sped across the floors. Everyone grabbed gunny sacks and filled cracks. Then we cleaned and varnished and put a warm new rug in the altar area.
Since we had so many workers I suggested the men build a cabinet around the parsonage kitchen sink. I was sure it must be cold to stand there, and it was ugly with the bare pipes showing. The parsonage was in the back of the church.
Suddenly everyone invaded our pastors’ privacy. I thought it was OK because we cleaned from top to bottom. But then, a man walked through the kitchen carrying a trunk.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Throwing these comic books away.” I was only age 17 and the man was old enough to be my father.
“Are you sure you should do that?”
He ignored me and out he went.
I knew our pastor valued his comic book collection. Many were still in cellophane. He knew someday they would be worth big bucks.
Suddenly, my ego about what a great thing I suggested smashed like snow under a boot.
When the pastor and his wife returned, they were surprised at what the church had done in their absence. They seemed astounded and pleased, but I felt rotten about the invasion of their home and their loss of a valued possession.
We moved away soon and so did the pastors. They visited us a time or two, but we lost touch. The comic books haunted my dreams for years and every time I heard a news report about an old comic book being sold for thousands of dollars, guilt gripped me.
Forty years later we reconnected and first thing I did was apologize about the comic books. After all, the renovation was my idea.
Our former pastor gladly extended his forgiveness. Yet, as we became close again I observed our the family’s finances had always been tight. It saddened me.
Then I remembered what a wonderful attitude the pastor and his wife had. They didn’t become bitter and were rich in things that count: Their own salvation, rewarding ministry, and four children and a number of grandchildren all serving and working for the Lord.
The comic books probably would be worth a fortune now. I still feel throwing them away was a mistake, but our precious friends are blessed after all—and I am blessed knowing them.
No insulation or sheetrock covered the walls. The 2-by-4s were uncovered. The hardwood floors installed years before were bare and dirty. They’d never been sanded and varnished.
When we moved there I was astounded at the neglect.
We became close friends of the pastor and his wife and when they went on a vacation, I threw out an idea to the youth group. I was president and in those days the age went to 35 so most of the church was in on it. We would finish the church! Give and work and surprise our church shepherds.
Sheetrock was delivered and men brought hammers. Women helped tape, mud joints, and paint. A big rental sander sped across the floors. Everyone grabbed gunny sacks and filled cracks. Then we cleaned and varnished and put a warm new rug in the altar area.
Since we had so many workers I suggested the men build a cabinet around the parsonage kitchen sink. I was sure it must be cold to stand there, and it was ugly with the bare pipes showing. The parsonage was in the back of the church.
Suddenly everyone invaded our pastors’ privacy. I thought it was OK because we cleaned from top to bottom. But then, a man walked through the kitchen carrying a trunk.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Throwing these comic books away.” I was only age 17 and the man was old enough to be my father.
“Are you sure you should do that?”
He ignored me and out he went.
I knew our pastor valued his comic book collection. Many were still in cellophane. He knew someday they would be worth big bucks.
Suddenly, my ego about what a great thing I suggested smashed like snow under a boot.
When the pastor and his wife returned, they were surprised at what the church had done in their absence. They seemed astounded and pleased, but I felt rotten about the invasion of their home and their loss of a valued possession.
We moved away soon and so did the pastors. They visited us a time or two, but we lost touch. The comic books haunted my dreams for years and every time I heard a news report about an old comic book being sold for thousands of dollars, guilt gripped me.
Forty years later we reconnected and first thing I did was apologize about the comic books. After all, the renovation was my idea.
Our former pastor gladly extended his forgiveness. Yet, as we became close again I observed our the family’s finances had always been tight. It saddened me.
Then I remembered what a wonderful attitude the pastor and his wife had. They didn’t become bitter and were rich in things that count: Their own salvation, rewarding ministry, and four children and a number of grandchildren all serving and working for the Lord.
The comic books probably would be worth a fortune now. I still feel throwing them away was a mistake, but our precious friends are blessed after all—and I am blessed knowing them.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Here's a good book
Wings of Promise by Bonnie LeonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
WINGS OF PROMISE by Bonnie Leon
I’ve always wanted to go to Alaska, but never thought I’d take a tour like Bonnie Leon created in Wings of Promise.
Forget IMAX. The tour with Kate brought me on a tour of the wilderness, showed me the Northern Lights, and flew me over snowy mountains in her airplane. We delivered the mail, even a litter of smelly pigs, and often brought the doctor to ill natives. We flew low over the trees searching for lost polar bear hunters, and made several treacherous landings on the ice—and I didn’t even get motion sick.
People joined us along the way. Paul, the doctor she loves who breaks up the romance because he lost his first wife and thinks because Kate is a pilot, he’ll lose her. Michael, her friend who loves her fiercely and wants to marry her. Lisa, who seems a perfect match for Paul. Then there’s her irritable boss, and someone I hope we don’t meet who is putting water in her fuel tank.
This is the third book in Bonnie Leon’s Alaskan series. The author is an accomplished novelist and Wings of Promise keeps you reading as you discover Alaska, danger and romance with Kate.
I wondered how the novelist was able to put us in the airplane with Kate, and go through so many intricate flying maneuvers without being a pilot herself. Turns out one of Alaska’s flying champions, Gayle Ranney helped make the scenes in the book possible.
My applause to them both. I loved the journey.
View all my reviews
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Worldliness is an Attitude
The young man came to interview me last Thursday night on my beliefs about worldliness, and as you know, uneasiness settled over me.
I figured out the problem: My ideas were all over the place. I had a pile of good scriptures, but I hadn't organized my thoughts and what I believe.
I kept working on it, studying the Word, and praying. Then it all came together.
Worldliness is our attitude about life.
1. WHAT WE DO WITH OUR TIME
For example, would we rather be in God's house than a sports stadium?
2. WHAT WE DO WITH OUR MONEY
If we are not worldly, we will give joyfully God's 10 percent and perhaps more.
3. WHAT WE DO WITH OUR TALENTS
if we are not worldly, we will spend at least some time in ministry and take advantage of opportunities to witness.
Our motivation in what we do is behind worldliness. If we love God with all our soul, mind and strength, obey His Word and love others, it changes what we do and our attitudes toward it.
The Christian life is serving God, walking after the Spirit instead of our flesh (Romans 8:1KJ). Our primary motivation won't be seeking after acceptance and admiration of others.
With TIME, our attitude changes so we'd rather be in God's house than in a sports stadium. Not that there is anything wrong with sports. I'm a fan myself. But Jesus needs to be first. We gain faith by "hearing" the Word, and we need fellowship with believers. We need the intimate worship experience that comes only in God's presence where two or three are together and He is in the midst of them.
No matter what the activity is, if we put it before the Lord, it's worldly. It could be as simple as a farmer who won't take Sunday off because he wants a great crop. If we honor God first, usually He supplies our needs.
With MONEY, if our attitude about it goes haywire, it's worldly. If we are consumed by saving it to the suffering of our family, our attitude is wrong. If we spend it so freely we have so much debt it affects our marriage and witness, we are worldly.
With TALENTS, if we are consumed with desire to be admired or we seek acceptance excessively, we are worldly.
I'm often amazed at how decisions affect us spiritually. Who we are depends on our daily decisions. Our character is impacted by our affections--what we feel is important--and so is our relationship with God.
Walking after the Spirit instead of the flesh helps us bring our affections into the right place where God can bless us and use us for His glory. This is where we find contentment.
When our desires and motivations are right, we don't have a problem with worldliness.
If you're interested, the interview went well.
I figured out the problem: My ideas were all over the place. I had a pile of good scriptures, but I hadn't organized my thoughts and what I believe.
I kept working on it, studying the Word, and praying. Then it all came together.
Worldliness is our attitude about life.
1. WHAT WE DO WITH OUR TIME
For example, would we rather be in God's house than a sports stadium?
2. WHAT WE DO WITH OUR MONEY
If we are not worldly, we will give joyfully God's 10 percent and perhaps more.
3. WHAT WE DO WITH OUR TALENTS
if we are not worldly, we will spend at least some time in ministry and take advantage of opportunities to witness.
Our motivation in what we do is behind worldliness. If we love God with all our soul, mind and strength, obey His Word and love others, it changes what we do and our attitudes toward it.
The Christian life is serving God, walking after the Spirit instead of our flesh (Romans 8:1KJ). Our primary motivation won't be seeking after acceptance and admiration of others.
With TIME, our attitude changes so we'd rather be in God's house than in a sports stadium. Not that there is anything wrong with sports. I'm a fan myself. But Jesus needs to be first. We gain faith by "hearing" the Word, and we need fellowship with believers. We need the intimate worship experience that comes only in God's presence where two or three are together and He is in the midst of them.
No matter what the activity is, if we put it before the Lord, it's worldly. It could be as simple as a farmer who won't take Sunday off because he wants a great crop. If we honor God first, usually He supplies our needs.
With MONEY, if our attitude about it goes haywire, it's worldly. If we are consumed by saving it to the suffering of our family, our attitude is wrong. If we spend it so freely we have so much debt it affects our marriage and witness, we are worldly.
With TALENTS, if we are consumed with desire to be admired or we seek acceptance excessively, we are worldly.
I'm often amazed at how decisions affect us spiritually. Who we are depends on our daily decisions. Our character is impacted by our affections--what we feel is important--and so is our relationship with God.
Walking after the Spirit instead of the flesh helps us bring our affections into the right place where God can bless us and use us for His glory. This is where we find contentment.
When our desires and motivations are right, we don't have a problem with worldliness.
If you're interested, the interview went well.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Setting affection on things above
I've always known my brain works better with my fingers at the computer than it does my mouth. Last week a young man asked to interview me about my views on worldliness. He's using the interviews with different age groups for his master's thesis.
It was an honor to be asked, but I already knew he'd be contacting me, so I assembled a long list of my views on the subject, noting why I believe as I do. I ended up with three pages of notes.
The main pastor from my childhood seldom preached on outward appearance as a sign of holiness. Yet, he taught about the catching away of the church and the Second Coming. He included the warning from Jesus to be ready, for the Lord will come in an hour when we don't expect Him. Then I noticed John wrote that when He comes, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is "And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure (1 John 3:2-4).
My church was heavy on learning scripture and I became familiar with verses such as "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:14-16).
My mom's favorite scripture was Romans 8, and time after time she read it during family devotions: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Romans 8:1). Interesting that the NIV and ASV omit the part about walking after the flesh.
Other scriptures I was acquainted with early in life: "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof: (Romans 6:11-13). "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are" (1 Corinthians 3:16-19). "For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world" (1 John 2:15-17).
Church people often are good at hiding their worldliness. One of the things I think about is this vision of Ezekiel, one of the end-time prophets: "And the Lord said unto him, 'Go thorugh the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof'" (Ezekeil 9:3-5). Those with the mark were delivered from judgment.
Yet, holiness is much more that abstaining from or hating sin. "To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:16-17).
What I've discovered is that when we set our affections on the Lord, worldliness isn't much of a problem.
The first commandment is to have no gods before the only real God. Jesus told us the commandment means to love God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind, and with all our strength (Mark 12:29-31). He added we are to love our neighbors as ourselves (Luke 10).
When I love God, others, and myself enough to obey God's Word, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, the Holy Spirit will fill me with power to resist the devil. The fruit of the spirit will enhance my character. I will not be a slave to sin.
I won't be perfect because I'm still human, but because I love God He forgave my sins and cleansed me from unrighteousness. Every day I can grow in Him. The Lord is there guiding, convicting and nurturing--making me not the greatest person on earth, but a new creature that is much better than I used to be.
Furthermore, His joy is greater than any worldly pleasure.
Perhaps that's why I love to sing the song, "Take this whole world and give me Jesus. No turning back. No turning back."
It was an honor to be asked, but I already knew he'd be contacting me, so I assembled a long list of my views on the subject, noting why I believe as I do. I ended up with three pages of notes.
The main pastor from my childhood seldom preached on outward appearance as a sign of holiness. Yet, he taught about the catching away of the church and the Second Coming. He included the warning from Jesus to be ready, for the Lord will come in an hour when we don't expect Him. Then I noticed John wrote that when He comes, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is "And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure (1 John 3:2-4).
My church was heavy on learning scripture and I became familiar with verses such as "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:14-16).
My mom's favorite scripture was Romans 8, and time after time she read it during family devotions: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Romans 8:1). Interesting that the NIV and ASV omit the part about walking after the flesh.
Other scriptures I was acquainted with early in life: "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof: (Romans 6:11-13). "If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are" (1 Corinthians 3:16-19). "For everything in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--comes not from the Father but from the world" (1 John 2:15-17).
Church people often are good at hiding their worldliness. One of the things I think about is this vision of Ezekiel, one of the end-time prophets: "And the Lord said unto him, 'Go thorugh the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof'" (Ezekeil 9:3-5). Those with the mark were delivered from judgment.
Yet, holiness is much more that abstaining from or hating sin. "To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin" (James 4:16-17).
What I've discovered is that when we set our affections on the Lord, worldliness isn't much of a problem.
The first commandment is to have no gods before the only real God. Jesus told us the commandment means to love God with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind, and with all our strength (Mark 12:29-31). He added we are to love our neighbors as ourselves (Luke 10).
When I love God, others, and myself enough to obey God's Word, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, the Holy Spirit will fill me with power to resist the devil. The fruit of the spirit will enhance my character. I will not be a slave to sin.
I won't be perfect because I'm still human, but because I love God He forgave my sins and cleansed me from unrighteousness. Every day I can grow in Him. The Lord is there guiding, convicting and nurturing--making me not the greatest person on earth, but a new creature that is much better than I used to be.
Furthermore, His joy is greater than any worldly pleasure.
Perhaps that's why I love to sing the song, "Take this whole world and give me Jesus. No turning back. No turning back."
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