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Interesting Stuff

Free Like An Eagle

One of my favorite things to do is to go for a long ride on the back of Todd’s Harley. In our first year of marriage Todd took off every Friday and most often we went on the bike. Best times ever! There’s something freeing about getting out on the open road. It’s exhilarating riding along with the sun shining and wind in your face.   The sights and smells are amazing. When you’re driving in your car (which I also love to do), you don’t realize how different places smell. Some good and some well, not so good! I love it when we pass someone cutting grass. The best smell ever was just a little while ago when lilacs were in bloom! I love the feeling when I put my arms out and the wind rushes over my skin. It’s such a freeing feeling. No wonder Harley Davidson uses the Eagle with wings spread wide-open in their logo. The Eagle symbolizes freedom. Riding the motorcycle makes you feel free like an eagle! If either Todd or I am feeling stressed-out, worn-out or burnt-out we need to get-out on a Harley ride. It’s amazing how true the saying “Live To Ride, Ride To Live” is, and how much this iconic saying made into the buckle below reminds me of scripture!

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31 New Living Translation (NLT)

The second chapter in my book, WATER IN THE DESERT focuses on breaking free from bondages. It’s proving to be a real help to anyone who is trying to break free in their life.

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God desires for us to be free. He has said it in His Word and He means it. If He didn’t He wouldn’t have said it so much! Here’s just a few of the many times God encourages us to “live free like an eagle“!

So if the Son has set you, free you are free indeed.
John 8:36 (NIV)

It is for Freedom that Christ has set us free.
Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

Live as free people.
1 Peter 2:16 (NIV)

So, what helps YOU  to live free?

Comment below and tell me what it is for you, or what you feel you need to do to, live free like an eagle?
~Sherry Lynn

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Eagle Push

Yesterday’s devotional had me researching all about Eagles. For years I keep thinking about taking time to study Eagles. I find them fascinating. One of those ideas you think about, but don’t seem to get around to doing 🙁 In my research I found this amazing Youtube Video called, “EVEN EAGLES NEED A PUSH, The Power of Encouragement” by David McNally and Mac Anderson. It helps give you a visual of what Deuteronomy 32:11 was talking about and how “The Push” can be the greatest gift you give or receive.
If you haven’t read my devotional yet, you might want to read it first, then watch the video. I think you’ll get way more out of the video and the devotional.
xoxo
~Sherry
Click HERE to watch the “EVEN EAGLES NEED A PUSH, The Power of Encouragement” Video
Click HERE to read David McNally’s Blog.

Book The Push, Unleashing The Power Of Encouragement.

Click On The Book To Purchase.

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Divorce and Remarriage

This past Sunday my pastor preached the best sermon I’ve ever heard on the subject of divorce and remarriage. He’s preaching a series called “Cow Tipping”. The analogy is tipping over things that are taboo to talk about in the church. I like how my pastor, Nathan Albrecht isn’t afraid of having an opinion, but he’s always making sure that it lines up with the Bible. He must study hard for his sermons as he gives so much historical detail that helps me and many others “get it” on a continual basis. Pastor Nathan isn’t afraid to hold up God’s ideal for marriage that should be our goal as Christians and yet present what he feels is God’s word on how to manage when our lives fall short of God’s ideal.
As a divorced and remarried person I have struggled hard with both these issues. I never in a million years saw myself ending up in either category! Neither did my wonderful husband. Both of us have experienced the heartwrenching pain of divorce but, thankfully we’re experiencing the wonder of love in our second marriage together.
I have never been one to try and make scripture fit my circumstance and really don’t like when people do. I want to know what the Bible says, even if it makes me uncomfortable! This sermon truly is the best Biblical message on the topic of divorce and remarriage that I’ve ever heard. Any sermons that I’ve heard in the past have only centred on one scripture that leaves divorced people like me, feeling like the woman in this cartoon below. We’re forced to drag around a ball and chain for all to see our past failure…especially when we go to church. All too often this is why divorced people avoid the church or stop going entirely.

When I was going through extreme marriage issues in my first marriage, we were seeing an amazing Christian counsellor who helped me not feel like the woman in the cartoon. He was very much against divorce and tried for years to help us not have to walk that road. As the years went on and divorce was inevitable, this counsellor brought to my attention other scriptures in the Bible that discuss divorce and remarriage. Ones other than the lone verse I had heard in church. Never before had I noticed these verses and I surely hadn’t understood them when I read them. God used these scriptures to help me understand His complete word on divorce and remarriage, yet never diminishing my belief in God’s ideal for marital relationships. Pastor Nathan used many of these scriptures in his message. It was the first time that I’ve heard from the pulpit a sermon that truly brought healing to my heart in this area. There was even one scripture at the end that I had never noticed before that Pastor Nathan quoted. It helped me understand God more and to learn that He “gets me” way more than I ever imagined. He really is a God who can sympathize with our sufferings. To understand, you just have to watch the sermon (Link Below). I hope you listen to the end because it will revolutionize the way you think about what the Bible has to say regarding divorce and remarriage. If you feel like the woman in the cartoon…you can be set free! Let your spirit drink in the truth of God’s Word as it drowns out the opinions of others!
FGT Church Sermon Video of Pastor Nathan Albrecht on “Divorce & Remarriage“
Check out the FGT Church Website For Other Great Sermons

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Desensitized Song

This week’s devotional was about losing your Spiritual Sensitivity. I talked about how we can become “Desensitized” to spiritual things. It’s never a one decision journey, but as Casting Crowns sings:
People don’t wake up one day and just change. It’s always a progression of life choices that keep leading them farther and farther away from who God created them to be. You become desensitized, it doesn’t just happen. It’s the effects of spirtual dehydration that gets you delirious enought to make bad choices.
Thought you might like to listen to this song about the effects of the desensitizing “Slow Fade”. Next time I’ll post about how you can stay spiritually hydrated.

Click on this link to get to the Casting Crowns Website http://www.castingcrowns.com

Click on the Link to listen to the Youtube Song “Slow Fade with Lyrics“
Click here to see the lyrics for “Slow Fade“
Write to you soon!
~Sherry
xo

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Press On

Lately the song you will find me bopping my head to driving my mustang around town is “Wrecking Ball (Press on)” by Building 429, featuring the beautiful Blanca Reves Callahan. Blanca is from another one of my favorite bands, GROUP 1 CREW.

Wrecking Ball (Press On) was written by Building 429’s lead singer Jason Roy. He wrote it after struggling with some issues in his faith, feeling worn out and wondering if he was where God wanted him to be. Can you relate? I know we all wonder about this at some point. The music to this song is SOOO catchy! The words are powerful. It’s like an Anthem you can sing declaring your faith in God, even when you “still don’t get it”! It helps me be more committed to “Press On” no matter what! I love the name of their album too, “WE WON’T BE SHAKEN”! Makes me think of life verses of mine.

“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised…we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.” (Hebrews 11:35-36,39 NIV) In other words…PRESS ON!
I’ve included the words of the song for you ’cause the weather’s getting warmer and you might have the top down on your car. This way, when you’re jamming out in your car, you’ll know what to sing 🙂
Press ON
~Sherry
xoxo
Below are links to: the song (with and without lyrics), the story behind the song, Building 429’s website and Group 1 Crew’s website.

“Wrecking Ball (Press On)”
(Building 429: feat. Blanca Callahan of Group 1 Crew)

Song Wrecking Ball (Press On) Lyrics Video Click HERE!

Story behind the song. Click HERE! LOVE learning why people wrote the song they did!!!

http://www.building429.com
Make sure you buy the album WE WON’T BE SHAKEN!

http://www.group1crew.com

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40 Days In The Man Cave

Can’t seem to find a ‘Mans Man’ Devotional?
Well search no more!
My husband Todd—the firefighter, author, artist and illustrator of WATER IN THE DESERT recently completed a NEW Men’s Daily Devotional.

40 DAYS IN THE MAN CAVE is scattered with humorous, interesting stories about the importance of men carving out a few minutes within their crazy schedules to spend time with God and ‘Crave The Cave’.

After years of searching the book shelves Todd feels God has placed in his heart the need for a “Man’s Man” devotional.

This is for the guy who wants to uncover more out of the bible without having to hand in his Man Card!
If this describes you, or someone you know, consider reading a pre-published copy.
We NEED your input before 40 days in the Man Cave hits the shelves!
7 guys will be chosen.. all we ask is..
- Email: toddstahlart@gmail.com Subject Line: Book Review
- Tell us why you want to be included for this selected group
- We will be happy to send you a manuscript and a small questionnaire to complete so we can receive your honest input.
- Simply fill out the questionnaire and email/mail it back to us so we can make the book even better!
For your time and assistance you will receive a signed copy upon publication!

http://WWW.TODDSTAHL.COM

SAMPLER

CLICK HERE TO READ A DEVOTIONAL SAMPLER

YOU WON’T BE DISAPPOINTED!

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Winston Churchill

Last Monday’s Devotional ended with a quote from Winston Churchill. It is one of his most quoted quotes: “Never, never, never give up!” As I was looking for the quote I found so many of Churchill’s other quotes that are equally amazing! I never realized how many of the famous saying or quotes you hear orignally come from him.

My husband Todd read a book called THE WICKED WIT OF WINSTON CHURCHILL. This book made it onto Oprah’s Booklist! Author Dominique Enright tells about Churchill’s great love for his wife and her struggles with depression. Churchill loved his wife deeply and spent much of his energy to help her break free from the bondage in her mind. It’s no wonder that so many of his quotes were inspiring and challenging people to not give up hope. This Monday my devotional was about staying confident in hard times. I told how Churchill spoke this with visual confidence in Vitory to the people of England with his hand sign. I would even venture to guess that Winston’s use of the “V” hand sign was to signigy Victory over their nation’s enemy and Victory over the enemy of depression.

Even his quotes show his optomistic trait:

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

Below are some more quotes by Winston Churchill that I’m sure you’ll love. Some inspiring and some hilarious!

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.

If you are going to go through hell, keep going.

Nancy Astor: “Sir, if you were my husband, I would give you poison.”
Churchill: “If I were your husband I would take it.”

An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile—hoping it will eat him last.

Enright, Dominique. THE WICKED WIT OF WINSTON CHURCHILL. London, England: Michael O’Mara Books Limited, 2001

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Ayiesha Woods

Ayiesha Woods is a singer I love to listen too. She was born on Long Island, NY, but moved to Bermuda as a child and then back to the US. Her music definitely has a Carribean Influence. It’s very soulful. So, it’s not surprising that her music was produced by Toby Mac’s music label Gotee Records. She has two amazing albums. I have her “Love Like This” CD on my itunes and I LOVE it! Ayiesha is a beautiful girl on the outside and has such an incredible voice. One day I would be really, really “Happy” to see her in concert (Pun intended! “Happy” is one of her hit songs). Ayiesha travelled with the Women of Faith —Revolve Tour for teen girls. ¹
Her music makes my heart soar, especially when I listen to her song, “Love Like This”! The line “Lord, I’ve never known love like this before” just gets me. This picture seems to sum up what I think of when I hear this song.

So, do yourself a favor and click on the picture of her CD cover below to hear her song…so you know what CD to buy next 🙂

¹ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayiesha_Woods

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The Turnaround Story of Emily Scott

Monday’s devotional was titled “God Of The Turnaround”. The verse was from Jeremiah 29:14
“I’ll turn things around for you. I’ll bring you back…you can count on it” MSG
Emily Scott’s life has got to be one of the most incredible turnaround stories ever! She will be representing the US as a Short Track Skater. She is a girl who was born with a desire to go to the Olympics. As a young girl she made the Jr. Olympic gymnastics team but had to quit because her family did not have enough money to keep her in that expensive sport. Emily’s dad worked from paycheck to paycheck and her mom, a drug addict, spent time in and out of jail. Emily’s dad says that the first miracle to bring her to the Olympics happened when she was 6 years old. A man gave her father a free pair of inline skates for Emily. With much practice she excelled at inline skating. As an Inline World Champion she hoped that it would become an Olympic sport. Sadly, it never did. Her Olympic dreams appeared to be crushed.
Again, Emily’s dream could not be achieved in the sport she loved. Not losing hope, she made the difficult and grueling transition to speed skating. Emily began to excel in speed skating. She was in training for the Olympics yet again when her world crashed around her again. Emily lost more than half of her funding. With her dad struggling to make ends meet, her mom and sister both in jail, Emily had to apply for food stamps to get by. She was ready to quit and give up on her Olympic dream. One article in USA Today caused an overflow of support for her both emotionally and financially. Emily was able to quit her part time job and focus on training! Emily qualified for the Olympics and will proudly represent the USA this year! Her perseverance paid off! What seemed like the end was the event that needed to happen in order to propel Emily into God’s plan for her life! That desire within her that would never go away can only be from God!
If you ever read this Emily, know that we’re praying for you! Thanks for sharing your journey to the Olympics so candidly with the world! You have brought this author great encouragement and hope to NEVER give up on her dreams! May God bless you as you walk out (or should I say, skate out) the calling He has on your life!
https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/six-fun-facts-about-short-track-skater-emily-scott
https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/emily-scotts-olympic-dream-embodied-fathers-love-strangers-kindness?ctx=team-usa
https://www.speedskatingresults.com/index.php?p=17&s=18726

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Forgiveness…the song

For those of you who read my blog on a regular basis, you know that I love music! God speaks to me so clearly through song! If only I could sing 🙂 Yesterday’s devotional on “Forgiveness and Restored Relationship” just keeps going through my mind. It ended up being a big part of our Bible Study discussion last night. Matthew West’s song “Forgiveness” keeps running through my mind ever since the idea for the devotional came into my thoughts. Last June Todd and I went to The International Christian Retail Show in St. Louis and got to see Matthew West Emcee a “New Talent” Night. We have loved his music for years and it was great to see a different side of him–the funny side! It was a fun night and we were blessed to receive his book on Forgiveness.

Matthew West at ICRS St. Louis

If you’ve never heard this song, you’re missing out! The story that inspired the song is amazing! It’s a wonderful story of forgiveness that led to a completely unexpected restored relationship. Click on the links below that go to the youtube links for his song and the short video clip or his website where you can buy his awesome music. Hope you listen and are inspired to forgive!
Song–Forgiveness
Story Behind The Song–Forgiveness Video Clip
Matthew West’s Website

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