God's Roadmap

Now may the Lord Jesus Christ and our Father God, who loved us and in his wonderful grace gave us eternal comfort and a beautiful hope that cannot fail, encourage your hearts and inspire you with strength to always do and speak what is good and beautiful in his eyes (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 TPT).


Thursday, July 25, 2024

5 Ways to Control Our Response to Offense

 


by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

An election year is always a prime soup of opinions. Everybody has one. Political arguments, polls, speeches, and spin can stir the pot with a lot of spice, some more fiery than others.

Heated conversation can be found in a host of places from restaurants, stores, and sadly even church.

 Even when we think we are not affected a mood change can be a key we are letting coals of anger or depression grow in our emotions.

Thursday, July 18, 2024

How Can We Return America to Godly Values?

 


by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta 

 Last week our nation experienced another close call that could have been a tragedy.

An assassination attempt on our former president, Donald Trump, ended up in victory for him and our country. Although he was hurt his life was spared.

I believe this was divine intervention of protection on him.

We may ask, “How and why did this happen?”

Thursday, July 11, 2024

Finding a Cure for the Empty Nest Syndrome


 

by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Are you an empty nester? Has your life changed since adult children have flown the coop?

Maybe it’s college, the military, marriage, or they just want to be on their own. No matter the reason for your now unused bedrooms, life is different.

You may be rejoicing that this time gives you more freedom and space. Or you may lament the silence in the house that no longer rings with video game sound effects or the never ending question, “What do we have to eat?”

Edie Melson’s newest book in her soul care series, Soul Care When the Nest is Empty, confronts the emotions and circumstances that can afflict us when we no longer have our kids at home. You can find a cure for the empty nest syndrome. (click to share on X)

Even if your heart doesn’t have that desolate feeling, this book can bring to light some emotions you may not have recognized. Edie combines devotions and prayers with simple creative exercises that are fun and relatable.

You don’t need to be an artist or professional photographer to complete these. Doodles, drawing, pictures, stickers, and coloring stimulates different parts of our brains. We can find healing, rest, and relaxation we didn’t realize we needed when we take the time to stop and let go of burdens.

Soul Care When the Nest is Empty is the fourth book in the soul care series. Others include Soul Care When You are Weary, Soul Care for Writers, and Soul Care When You are Grieving.

I recommend all these books. They are short, easy to read, but inspirational and thought-provoking.

You can find more about Edie at her website, www.ediemelson.com.

Join the conversation and share your thoughts about living in an empty nest.


 

Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay

 

Thursday, July 4, 2024

Freedom is Not Free

 


by Barbara Latta @barbaralatta

Some theologians have declared that American resistance to British rule was unscriptural and that the founding fathers acted in disobedience to the Bible by fighting. However, by doing so they are using selective reasoning and taking Scripture out of context to support their views.

Over the centuries, the British monarchy became a self-appointed god. James I introduced the Divine Right of Kings which states that kings stand in the place of God, representing Him to the people.  Complete Submission and Non-Resistance to Authority states that kings have an allegedly divine position and are not to be resisted ever for any reason. This principle was carried out to the point of torture and murder of those who stood for biblical rights according to Scripture.

The Bible teaches us in many places to obey civil laws except when those laws resist God’s Word. When the Israelites were under the rule of heathen nations, God raised up judges and prophets such as Gideon, Samson, and Deborah to fight against lawlessness and free his people so they could worship Him again.

Peter and John were arrested for breaking the religious laws.

But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29 NKJV)

Paul was imprisoned numerous times for preaching the gospel despite the religious laws. God’s laws supersedes those of mankind.

Our forefathers followed these biblical examples to stand against an abuse of power by a man who ruled as a god. Because of these brave men (and women too), we now have the right to worship God. (Although some laws passed in the last few years seek to inhibit that ability).

Soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and coast guard personnel fight battles all over the world while we rest safely in our homes.

Jesus suffered in ways we can’t comprehend to release us from the debt of sin.

Freedom is not free for those who pay the price to release others from bondage. But it is free for those who enjoy the benefits.

Our military paid the price for our political freedom. Jesus paid the price for our spiritual freedom.

Christ gave us the right to use His authority and live in His identity because He wiped away the debt of sin for us.

America is a free nation today because of the men who opposed a king who ruled in the place of God. They stood on biblical principles and founded our country with godly wisdom.

May we never take for granted the rights we have as Americans, but more than that may we never forget what Christ has done for us. This world will pass away, but the freedom Jesus bought for us is eternal. (click to share on X)

Happy Independence Day! God bless America and may she continue to be a beacon of freedom and hope to the world.

Join the conversation and share your thoughts.