Winner of the Family Strategies Webinar!

By random selection, the winner is . . .

J & A! She said:

Oh just let me tell you I am so excited about this. My hubby and I were not raised the way we are trying to raise our children and so many times we struggle to know the who, what, when, where, why and how of doing it. This would be such a HUGE blessing to have. I've seen this but due to finances we did not get it.

I can hardly pick just one I would like the best because I want to hear them ALL. Maybe I would choose the first one organization and family.

VF has so many wonderful items

Way to go, guys! You WON! Use my contact form to email me your:

full name

address

email address

I'll email you the Vision Forum 25% off coupon as well as the ticket to Family Strategies.

Blessings,

Book Review: Slave

I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers for my honest review.

I jumped at the chance to get the new John MacArthur book and I was not disappointed. "Slave" is an enlightening treasure, making sense of our relationship to Christ. John MacArthur discovered through study that most modern translations of the Bible, KJV included, use the word "servant" in place of "slave", entirely altering the meaning of the text. Before we come to Christ, we aren't servants of sin, we are slaves to it. When Christ saves us, we become slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:16-20) We belong to Christ and as such, we lovingly submit to Him as Master.

Our status as slaves, and not merely servants, has serious implications for how we think and act as believers. He has exclusive ownership and we are completely dependent on Him and accountable to Him. Unlike worldly masters, Jesus supplies all our needs, strengthens us to do His will, and gives us grace, sufficient to accomplish His purposes.

I was so blessed by all that I learned through this book. MacArthur brings all the scriptures together in one place to explain our true identity in Christ. He starts and ends with scripture; rather than making his point and taking scripture out of context to back him up. This book is solid.

Guess Who's Walking!

Book Review: Changed By Faith

From the description of this book, I was really looking forward to it. And I was really disappointed. In the very first chapter, Mr. Palau's unbiblical theology is revealed. He talked about a 13 year old girl who came forward at one of his meetings, lonely and hurt. He asked her if she wanted more for her life and explained that God had a wonderful plan just for her. He proceeded to lead her in the sinner's prayer. He offered her a cure without ever explaining her disease. It was never explained to her that she was a sinner condemned to hell. It was never explained to her that she deserved God's punishment for breaking His holy law. She was just offered grace. Grace, which is meaningless apart from an understanding of what we truly deserve. I was crushed. This is the very reason so many "try out" God and then abandon their faith when life gets hard. Life in Christ is full of peace and joy, yes, but it is harder, not easier than a life of sin. It's easy to go with the flow, living in and loving sin. It's hard to fight against the current of the world and live for Christ.

Luis Palau preaches an unbiblical gospel. Please do not get this book for yourself or anyone you know.

Todd Friel, host of Wretched TV, confronted Mr. Palau at one of his evangelistic mega-events. Here's what he had to say:

I suggested he was giving the cure without explaining the disease of sin. Mr. Palau informed me that everyone has an overwhelming burden of guilt and it is not necessary for him to preach about their need for forgiveness.
Suspecting he might say that, I handed him a c.d. with a montage of people we interviewed on the street. We asked strangers, "Do you have an overwhelming burden of guilt?" The responses ranged from condescending disdain to outright laughter.

Mr. Palau ultimately patted me on the head and said, "Be careful that you don't fall into that Lordship salvation trap. Christians can be carnal."

That's not true!! You CAN NOT live like the world and still be a Christian. If you have been taught this deception, please, please go read 1 John.

REALLY Cheap Entertainment

While I was blissfully reading on the couch, Elena was creating an alter ego for herself with paper, a little tape, and a Sharpie marker. When she prowled over to me, I was scared out of my wits and didn't recognize this burly heathen as my innocent daughter. Angry brows fool me every time.

Once I regained my composure and started breathing normally again, I offered her a proposition: maintain her pseudo identity on a mission to obtain groceries for the family, and I would pay her with a crisp one dollar bill.

Without negotiation, she accepted my terms.

All the Clarks piled into the van and headed to the store. I could hardly wait. All through the aisles, Angry Brow Man waved to anyone who made eye contact with him. His serious expression never failed him, he was a man on a mission! What we learned was somewhat disappointing: not many people make eye contact with other people at the grocery store! Each person who walked past Angry Brow Man without looking him in the eye made him bow his head in defeat. But he quickly lifted his head once again, ready for a new challenge. With each look, I bust out laughing. You really should have been there. I've never had so much fun from a single dollar bill in all my life.

One little girl, hand in hand with both her parents, couldn't keep her eyes off Angry Brow Man. She kept looking back, with trepidation and confusion in her eyes, as the whole Clark team tried in vain to keep their laughter silent.

Take the one dollar challenge. I double dog dare you.

Book Review: God Gave Us the World

I received this book from Multnomah Publishing for my honest review.

We all loved this book, mom and dad included. God Gave Us the World is a sweet book about a little cub who learns that not all bears are Polar Bears, they don't all eat the same food, look the same, or live in the same climate. His world grows as he learns about the creativity of his creator. I love the charming illustrations in this book. The mama bear speaks affectionately to her little cub, explaining to him about the God who loves him and created a whole world displaying His majesty and creativity. This is a new family favorite, especially for my little ones.

A Death in the (Doll) Family

This is Niea. She was a dear friend to all the Clark kids, but especially Chloe. Despite her physical challenges (she's blind in one eye), she lived a full life.

Last year, Neia married Rookie, a Rescue Hero, and they conceived right away. We were all thrilled to find out she was carrying twins.

Unfortunately, shortly after the birth of her twins, she suffered from decapitation when she was rear-ended while resting on the couch. (She was sat on.)

Isaac and Daniel were the pallbearers. Niea was survived by her loving husband and children.

GI Joseph officiated the funeral, speaking many kind words of comfort. Many dear friends attended, including a passing thief, who stopped to pay his respects, and was subsequently arrested.