Aug 22, 2017 |
by Beckie Lindsey @BeckieLindsey_
Beckie Lindsey: Can You Identify a Counterfeit?
One of the hottest topics in our culture today is fake news. Obviously, not all news is fake. At the same time, not everything we hear and read is true. It goes without saying the importance of knowing the difference between what is authentic and what is counterfeit.
The United States Secret Service advises the best way to guard against the threat of accepting counterfeit currency, is to become more familiar with authentic currency.
The same concept can be applied to our walk with God.
The Bible states that God Himself is truth.
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father accept through me.” John 14:6 NIV
Not only does this Scripture tell us that God is the truth, it reveals that Jesus is the only way to the truth of eternal life.
And yet . . .
A majority of all American Christians (52%) think that at least some non-Christian faiths can lead to eternal life according to Pew Research center in 2008.
Have these Christians read John 14:6 that clearly states no one comes to the Father accept through Jesus?
Considering a more recent study conducted by Barna Group, the problem is evident. Many Christians don’t read the Bible.
- More than 60 percent of Americans can’t name either half of the Ten Commandments or the four Gospels of the New Testament.
- Some 80 percent including “born again” Christians believe that “God helps those who help themselves” is a direct quote from the Bible.
- And 31 percent believe a good person can earn his/her way into heaven.
A recent Lifeway study found that 1 in 5 churchgoers say they never read the Bible while 45 percent read it only once a week.
I’m going to ask you a tough question. Can you name the Ten Commandments? I’m not asking the question to bring shame. I’m asking it to bring awareness to our need of the truth.
If you don’t know all of the Ten Commandments, they can be found in Exodus 20 and in Deuteronomy 5.
This world is full of counterfeits that look and feel so close to the truth that we can easily be deceived. Not only do we leave ourselves vulnerable to false religions, but prone to other forms of counterfeits the world will offer. Our desire to be happy and content can lead to sources other than the true joy of God.
Here are a few common counterfeits to joy and happiness:
Money
Sex
Food
Appearance
Alcohol and drugs
Pornography
In contrast with the results from the Barna Group and LifeWay Research above, 90 percent of churchgoers said they, “desire to please and honor Jesus in all I do.”
If we desire to please and honor Jesus in all we do, we better get to know what that means. The best way to get to know Jesus is through the study of the Bible and prayer.
Bible Study 101
- Prayer
Many Christians state they have tried to read the Bible and don’t understand it. God is the source of all wisdom. We must ask Him to enlighten our Bible study.
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5
- Make a scheduled time and stick to it
If you are a morning person, most likely you will need to set your alarm an extra fifteen minutes to half an hour earlier. If you prefer evenings, carve out a time before you go to bed.
- Tell someone your plan
We all need accountability to keep us on track.
- Choose a Book of the Bible
If you have never done this before, it’s best to start with a short book, preferably in the New Testament. Try James, 1 John, Titus, or 1 Peter.
- Read the Entire Book
Plan to spend three to four weeks doing this.
Next you will re-read the same book from the beginning once again. This time reading slowly, verse by verse and journaling. Which brings me to the next step.
- Get a Notebook or Journal
Write down “themes” and “applicable principles.”
Write down key scriptures to memorize.
I like to use the SOAK method, an acronym for: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Kneeling in prayer.
- Invest in Some Study Aids
A Commentary, which explains and interprets scripture and is written by knowledgeable Theologians.
A Lexicon, which is like a Bible dictionary.
A Bible study guide.
There are also lots of online resources such as, biblegateway.com. blueletterbible.org
- Be a Doer of the Word
Jesus said in Luke 11:28, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”
God wants His children to walk in freedom. When we settle for counterfeits, we become a slave to them. The way to freedom is through the truth. But you must know the truth to identify the lies.
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
What are some ways you practice authenticity?
Frankly, My Dear . . . : Can You Identify a Counterfeit?
TWEET THIS: Frankly, My Dear . . . : Can You Identify a #Counterfeit? @BeckieLindsey_ @RealMojo68 #franklymydear
And Frankly, My Dear . . . : That’s all she wrote!
Beckie Lindsey is an award-winning writer, poet, freelancer, and blogger. She is the editor of Southern California Voice, a division of One Christian Voice, LLC., a national news syndicating agency. She is the author of devotions, a devotional study journal, and the upcoming YA novel, Beauties from Ashes. She and her husband Scott have three adult children, two adorable cats and live in California. Learn more about Beckie at https://beckielindsey16.com/
Aug 21, 2017 |
by Edie Melson @EdieMelson
(republished with permission. And be sure to check out my post today on Edie’s blog, The Write Conversation. ~Molly Jo)
Edie Melson: How to Craft a Perfect Facebook Post Using Headline Techniques
With a compelling headline, a browser becomes a reader. In the same way, a compelling Facebook post gives the web surfer the impetus to visit your blog or buy your book. But what makes a great headline?
Frankly, My Dear . . . : What makes a great headline?
The best posts contain your entire message in one memorable bite…without spoiling the ending.
Here are some of the basic types of headlines:
- Direct Headlines go straight to the heart of the matter, without any attempt at cleverness. A direct Facebook post might read Free SEO E-book.
- An Indirect Headline takes a more subtle approach. It uses curiosity to raise a question in the reader’s mind. It frequently uses clever words with double meanings. One of my favorites was, Why You Should NOT have a Facebook page. The actual blog post was written tongue-in-cheek about not wanting to promote a product.
- A News Headline is pretty self-explanatory, as long as the news really is news. It might be a product announcement, an improved version, or even a content scoop. Introducing the New Google Plus.
- The How to Headline is everywhere—mainly because it works. Just be careful not to work it too much. How to Craft a Perfect Facebook Post.
- A Question Headline must be more than just a question—it must be something your audience is actually interested in. How can Google Plus Help You?
- The Command Headline issues an order, telling the reader what to do, such as Subscribe to The Write Conversation Today!
- Another effective technique is called the Reason Why Headline. This is where your popular Top Ten Reasons to … fall.
- Finally, we have the Testimonial Headline, this works because it provides outside proof that what you offer has value. This is the only headline that uses quotation marks in the title. It lets the reader know this is a testimonial and will be continued in the body of the email.
What are some key components to a compelling headline?
- It must provide the reader with the tools to evaluate the content.
- It needs to resonate with a reader’s urgency.
- It’s important to show the reader why this offer/product/person is unique.
And it must do all of this clearly and concisely.
Now it’s your turn. Do you have a strategy when it comes to posting on Facebook? What makes a Facebook link one you want to click on?
Frankly, My Dear . . . : What makes a Facebook link one you want to click on?
Don’t forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie
TWEET THIS: Do you have a #strategy when it comes to posting on #Facebook? @EdieMelson @RealMojo68 #facebook
TWEET THIS: What makes a #Facebook link one you want to click on? @EdieMelson @RealMojo68
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Edie Melson
Find your voice, live your story…is the foundation of Edie Melson’s message, no matter if she’s addressing parents, military families or writers. As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Connect with her on her blog and through Twitter and Facebook.You can also connect with Edie through Twitter and Facebook.
Aug 20, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @RealMojo68
Frankly, On Faith.
Are you an emotional pack rat? Do you hold onto the past in hopes of rescuing those broken bits and pieces to make them whole? Do you stay in the game longer than you should?
When Jesus called His disciples, He told them to drop everything. They couldn’t move forward without letting go of what hindered them, and in the perspective of heaven versus earth, what hinders is, well, nearly everything.
It’s hard, right? Even now, as Christians, we want to make the best of things. It’s hard to see something crumble and let it be. We want to whip out our spiritual Super Glue and fix it all.
But we can’t. And we’re not supposed to.
There are times when the best we can do for ourselves, our peeps, our God, is to walk away and not look back. We’re cautioned so many times for our own good to just move forward. Lot’s wife was turned to a pillar of salt when she glanced at the turmoil behind her. Jonah was swallowed by a whale when he refused to move on.
But what about the other side of the coin? What about when we’re ready and willing to move forward but those around us aren’t? Isn’t it our duty to stay and witness to them? Shouldn’t we do everything we can to bring others to God?
“If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message,
shake its dust from your feet as you leave.”
~Matthew 10:14 NLT
In this context, “refuses” isn’t someone saying, “No, thank you.” No, this is basically someone bolting the door and chaining the fence. You’re just not going to get through to them, no matter how hard you try!
When you’re in a situation so dark your own spiritual safety is at risk, when you know those around you will not budge, it’s okay to leave and not look back.
This doesn’t mean you stop praying for them, caring for them. But do so from a distance. Because when you leave behind those who don’t accept you, it puts you on another path toward those who will. It keeps you from falling into the quicksand of apathy, and firms the ground beneath you. It takes away those who detour your path to God.
When your path is clear of debris that could otherwise trip you up, you’re able to set your footing on solid ground. When you let go of what you shouldn’t hold on to, your hands are open to hold His.
Whether its people, circumstance, or your own past, sometimes leaving can be the best thing you can do.
When you walk away from a past, you walk toward a future.
Frankly, On Faith: Be Willing to Let Go
TWEET THIS: Frankly, On Faith: When you walk away from a past, you walk toward a future. @RealMojo68 #faith #shakethedust
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
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