Sharing - Day 4 - When a book is NOT just a book!

So this story is really about how important a couple of books were in my walk with Jesus!  Way back in 1988 I was part of a prayer group meeting at my church.  Needless to say, this was a really big deal for me.  As a matter of fact, I had sort of "made a deal" with God that got me involved in that prayer group.  There was a notice in our weekly bulletin at church that a prayer group was going to be formed.  I looked at that notice, week after week, all the while knowing that I was supposed to volunteer for this.  I finally told God that if the notice was still in the bulletin that week, I would call and find out more about this.  Alas, there it was again.  So I called.  And I was fully prepared that I was far to busy to do this group.  I was working full time.  My kids were involved in many, many activities and I was SURE that I would not be available to attend these meetings.  Imagine my distress when I was asked when I WAS available since I was the only person who had called about this group!  I actually told them 9:15pm on a Thursday and they agreed!  Yes, it's true!  God will get you to the exact place that you need to be, in spite of yourself!  In that group, I met a man that talked about Jesus like he was his best friend.  He prayed like he was on the phone with a friend.  And I knew that I wanted to know Jesus like that!   One day, this man gave me a box of books.  And these two books were on the top!  When I read these books, Jesus came alive to me.  I actually discovered exactly who the Holy Spirit really is through these books.  Suddenly Jesus was much more than someone from the Bible or from my dream when I was four.  He was alive and real and He loved me!

But, here is the thing.  My church was not much interested in this crazy, Holy Spirit stuff.  It was just for fanatics and people who were "over the edge".  And I had a real crisis of faith at this point.  I thought that I knew exactly where I belonged and suddenly, I didn't feel that I fit in anymore.  Couple this with a less than wonderful pastor who was in the midst of his own crisis, and I was in trouble.  There was one day I was so depressed and really didn't know what to do or where to turn.  I decided to go to a Christian Book Store to see if I could find a book that might help me.  I walked into a store in the middle of the day, walked over to a book shelf and started looking down the rows.  I noticed that this book had an "Augsburg" publisher. 

And any good Lutheran would know that if it's Augsburg, it is Lutheran!  So I pulled it off the shelf  and felt that rush of excitement and knew that this might be the answer for me.  When I took it to the clerk to pay, he seemed very surprised that I was buying this book.  It had been a "special order" book that had never been picked up.  It had sat unclaimed for several months.  Just THAT DAY they had decided to put it out on the shelf, not thinking that it would sell.   I know that this book was on that shelf, that day, JUST FOR ME!  It was because of that book that I remained in the Lutheran Church.  Several years later I actually met the author,  Larry Christenson and got to share with him just how important this book was for me and my family. 

Yes, these books are an important part of my walk with Jesus.  I am so thankful for these people who took the time to put words on pages that change people forever.  More than that, I am thankful for Jesus leading me to exactly the right place. To exactly the right people. And to exactly the right books.  I love knowing that there was a road map for me that was right in front of me.  And all I needed to do was follow that nudge of the Holy Spirit.  And as I am talking about sharing our testimony and telling our stories, I am so thankful for that man who was willing to share Jesus with me in that prayer group.  It is way I am sharing these stories this month.  Because you just never know, who might be reading these words, that Jesus might touch.  There might be someone who needs to hear your story.  They might be changed forever by your words.  Be encouraged to share with boldness and courage. 

Jesus, thank you for books.  For authors that you empower to write and publish.  Bless us as we step up with boldness to share our stories and give our testimony.  Thank you for your great love that draws us into a deeper relationship with you. Thank you for people who are  follow your leading, even when it is not easy.  Holy Spirit, bless all those who gather together to pray and study your Word.   Amen

When Jesus knows your heart......

Do you know how you have some people that you have never met, and you can't wait to get to heaven to talk with them? Well, Corrie ten Boom is one of those people for me. I imagine that I am one of thousands of people who have been touched by her through her books, writings or the movie "The Hiding Place."  By the time I read about her and then read her book in the late 1980's she was already dead.  This morning I found a link on my Facebook feed to this amazing video.  Corrie ten Boom - in her own words.  It is 45 minutes long, but so worth watching.  I had never heard her speak and there is something about hearing her voice that spoke so much to my spirit. 

This reminded me of an interesting thing that happened to me, a LONG time ago.  (Well actually, about 22 years ago)  My walk with Jesus had been influenced greatly by reading Christian books - most of which were not new releases at the time.  I had read books by Larry Christenson, Dennis Bennet, John Sherrill, and heard stories about Kathryn Kuhlman.  I remember thinking how amazing it would be to actually get to hear these people speak or to see them at a conference. I knew that Kathryn Kuhlman had died in the 1970's, so it would not be possible to see her.  One evening, I was flipping through the channels on the TV and happened upon what I knew to be a very old program of a worship service.  I could tell by the way people were dressed that it was not a current program.  Suddenly there was an introduction, and Kathryn Kuhlman walked onto the stage.  I sat fixed on the screen and listened to her speak about the relationship between faith and healing.  It was mind-blowing.  Then much to my surprise, she introduced Dennis Bennet!  He joined her on stage and spoke a small portion of his testimony.  For me, it was an amazing gift.  I felt as if I had been given a chance to see these two in a real way - through the rebroadcast of an old television program.  It was such a God thing.  Then, just a short time later, I got to meet Larry Christenson and actually spend time fellowshiping with him at a retreat held by my church.  It was such a personal desire, that I felt Jesus had answered, just for me. 

And this morning I felt the same way.  Once again, I am so thankful that I live in a time of television, computers, the Internet - the information age.  It has allowed me to really see and hear these true saints of the church. 

Yahweh, thank you for all those who have put their faith stories onto paper so that they could be read generations later.  Jesus you know the desires of our hearts and it is your blessing to us to provide them.  Yahweh, continue to use the many books, videos, stories and testimonies of your people.  Thank you for your plan to use us, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to demonstrate to the world, who you are!  Jesus, thank you for posts on Facebook and old television programs!  Yahweh, you are an amazing and wonderful Father.   Amen