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  • We need to change our Christian Expectations

    “Dear friends, DO NOT BE SURPRISED at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something STRANGE were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be OVERJOYED when his glory is revealed.”   
                            1 Peter 4:12-13

    We NEED to change our Christian Expectations.

    People tend to fall on either one side of the fence or the other; some expect too much yet some expect too little.  There are strange folk (and I mean that in the nicest way) who spend their lives jumping from one side of the fence to the other.
    Those are the type of people that this verse is talking about.
    I have to watch it or I can be one of these strange fence jumpers.  I’m sailing along believing God for great things, and then a problem hits and I’m tempted to fall into discouragement and give up hope.  In my life I have greatly struggled with getting-ready-for-the-carpet-to-be-pulled-out-from-under-me syndrome.  It’s an underlying fear of mine.  Until recently, t was an unspoken mindset that I functioned in, or should I say malfunctioned in!

    I believe a part of my problem has been my Christian Expectations.  

    I have expected that problems won’t get me because I do my best to live for God. It’s illogical that I could read the Bible and arrive at this mindset. Illogical yes, but a common Christian expectation!
    This verse talks about the danger of becoming like the seed that falls on the rock, which falls away when trouble or persecution comes.  We need to live our lives expecting the best yet not be shocked when trouble comes. Trust that God will somehow turn it around for our best, using it for His glory!

    [tweetthis]Expect trials and suffering will come as much as you expect God will bring joy afterward.[/tweetthis]

    Living with this healthy Christian expectation will allow you to walk in confidence no matter what your circumstances are!

    Prayer

     Father, today I ask you to help me to increase my Christian expectations to a level that lines up with your Word!  Help me not jump the fence when trouble comes, but to stand in faith believing that when hardship hits I can trust You to bring joy back into my life.  In Jesus name, Amen

    [tweetthis]Changing expectations changes things.[/tweetthis]

    Drawing From The Well - Wide

    1. 1 Peter 4:12-13
    2. Matthew 13:1-43 (the Parable of the Seeds)
    3. Psalm 30:5
    4. 2 Corinthians 4:17
    Soul H2O - Look InsideThis post was first published on November 18, 2013 and then included in my first Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.
    Devotion #2 – Christian Expectations

     
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    Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!
    blogger prayerYOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
    MONDAY     Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis,
    TUESDAY     Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
    WEDNESDAY     Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
    THURSDAY     Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
    FRIDAY     Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell ELLEN’S PICKS– Ellen Graf-Martin

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  • Book Signing-Family Christian Lake Orion, Michigan

    This day started out crazy as the store realized that the books weren’t there.  God is so much bigger than our problems!!!  I met amazing people and made lasting connections with so many!   It’s shocking when you don’t get down over things not turning out right and then God turns them into great things.  It was great to have my mother-in-law with me.  She’s been an encouragement to me for so many years!  Love this lady!
    I’m looking forward to coming back when I do have books and possibly my hubby’s devotional 40 DAYS IN THE MANCAVE beside mine!  Thanks Family Christian Bookstores!IMG_3033IMG_3034IMG_3035IMG_3036
     

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  • Book Signing-Family Christian Taylor, Michigan

    Great store with another great Manager!  Family Christian really knows how to hire good people!  Todd shared his manuscript for 40 DAYS IN THE MANCAVE with the manager Scott and he was so excited!  God opened up doors for great connections here.  Enjoying getting to meet so many amazing people!  Thanks for all you did Scott!

     

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  • ICRS 2013

     
    The International Christian Retail Show was a pivotal time for my life.  I’m so thankful that Todd was there to help make it the success that it was and to make it as fun as it was!  On our drive down to St. Louis, Missouri we stopped for lunch.  As soon as Todd turned off the car I could hear a drag strip in the background.  When the line-up was really long at Bob Evans I asked Todd if he wanted to go to his first ever Drag Race. He was in!  We had so much fun!  Funny, but the track was called “Crossroads”–Godincidence maybe 🙂   The first night of the conference was great!  We got to finally meet the owners of the Gospel Lighthouse Bookstore Chain that have been so good to me.  Marna Mugford and Lynda Schoffro are wonderful people.  We sat together at the service and enjoyed worship led by Laura Storey, special music by Steven Curtis Chapman and preaching by Max Lucado.  All have impacted my life through their ministries.  Later we got to hear a concert of some talented singers hosted by Matthew West.
    I had paid to have a book signing at the trade show in the Xulon Press booth and was scheduled for the Monday afternoon at 2pm.  UPS made so many mistakes and didn’t have my books there.  The people at Xulon Press we so great that they allowed me to have the signing booth for Tuesday morning at 10am.  I had to tell people who came that my books were held up at customs and that I would have them tomorrow at 10am.  I was trying to be calm about it, but when we got back to the hotel room and the books weren’t there I panicked, then I decided to trust God to do work it all out.  Todd and I even went out for dinner and up the Arch.  God did some miraculous things and a driver brought the books back after 7pm.
    The next day we got to the trade show not knowing if anyone would show up since it was advertised for the day before.  God did amazing things and we couldn’t even get set up before line-ups started.  I was signing books from 9:30am until just before noon!  If only I were selling the books 🙂  The security from the building had to actually re-route the line because it was hindering so many other booths!  I met so many great people who owned or mangaged bookstores,  ran ministries, authors, publishers, radio, television and internet media connections.   We were especially blessed to meet Julie Cantrell, NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author and winner of two Christy Awards, one for Debut Novel of the Year and a 2nd for Book of The Year, along with her lovely mom.  Thankful to God for allowing us this opportunity!

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  • Book Signing-Faith Family Books Scarborough, ON

    I had a great day in Scarborough at Faith Family Books.  I met some wonderful people that are staying in contact with me, sharing how God is using my book to bring them water in their deserts.  I am so encouraged to know that the water God used to bring me through the desert is refreshing others as they get into the book!
    After I finished the book signing I got to visit with my family at a horse show nearby and wish my father Happy Father’s Day!  Even brought him some of Heidi Quick’s amazing butter tarts!
    faith family books

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  • Book Signing-Gospel Lighthouse Hamilton, ON

    So great to see some new and familiar faces in my hometown of Hamilton, ON!  A few of my “youth” members stopped by to get signed copies.  It was encouraging to hear how some of “my girls” were using WATER IN THE DESERT for their Bible Study together!
    If you’re in a group or know of a group using my book for their Bible Study, please have them contact me by using the email link to the right of posts on “Contact Us” and send a picture of their group so I can post their pic!  Thanks Gospel Lighthouse!
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