An amazing thing is happening. I asked the Father to help me change according to His will. I’m discovering Him as a counselor, the best! It’s encouraging to know He cares this much and He is answering my prayers… and it all begins with me. This is what I’ve learned so far: * Though I thought I’d forgiven my husband and in-laws many times over the years, I wouldn’t still be struggling with these memories and emotions if I had really forgiven them. * Forgiveness is not a matter of choice and it’s not based on whatever offense you’ve suffered. It’s a command and for those who want to deepen their relationship with Christ, it’s not just a command, it becomes the deepest desire of your soul to obey Him. * It is obedience I’m being taught. Obedience in forgiving, despite any wounds or offenses suffered, and »
Where the Red Fern Grows
Even after 29 years of teaching English in secondary-level public schools, I have to admit that all the reading I’ve had to do leads me back to one book, Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls. I mean, in just one of the courses I had to take while studying for my master’s degree I had to read 80 books in three months. Now, that’s a lot of reading and I truly burned out on reading – but I still enjoy reading this book by Rawls. So much so, that I am bringing the idea of a “memory book” project, based on reading this book and recording childhood memories that it might evoke, to residents in an independent living facility. I hope and pray it will bring them the beauty of fond memories that it has brought me. But, by the way, my favorite book remains the Bible – the only »
Billy Graham – A Man to Remember
Try to imagine the scene in heaven – rejoicing and shouts of exclamations as a faithful servant runs to the arms of his loving God! What to say after picturing this scene? We pray that in his death, even more souls will be won to Jesus Christ than in his lifetime. Hallelujah! Well done, Billy Graham, with a race well run!! Mercy Me’s inimitable song, “I Can Only Imagine” so aptly applies here!
Two-Sided Coins
I was trying to watch Salt for the first time, but she voiced a GD before the first ad break. Wow… there goes another movie I’ll live without! Christ said, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ This actually unnerves me because it is easy to neglect doing what you should for others. Very easy to go our way and mind our own business when someone else really needs help. We’ve probably all done this. Bottomline comment: Refraining from blaspheming God’s name is something we should all do for the least of these, as well as for the honor and glory of God….. Each of us, including myself, needs to »
Filtering Movies
I love Westerns! I’ve been wanting to see the new Christia Bale movie, Hostiles, but I checked it on Plugged In and the Lord’s name is misused/abused. You know, I just don’t get it. In some religions, if you dishonor their leader, they’ll end your life. Yet here in America, dishonoring the one who gave His life for us is considered no big deal. If we really want to exercise our freedom of speech, maybe we should stop cursing and start praising Jesus Christ – loud & clear!!
MLK Day
Just read again the “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and hope everyone gets a chance to read it. We revisited it after our church pastor gave a sermon that began with the inspiration of Martin Luther King, Jr. What a statesman he was! So genuine in sincerely seeking justice and equality for all. Here’s one of my favorite of his famous quotes: “You may be 38 years old, as I happen to be. And one day, some great opportunity stands before you and calls you to stand up for some great principle, some great issue, some great cause. And you refuse to do it because you are afraid…. You refuse to do it because you want to live longer…. You’re afraid that you will lose your job, or you are afraid that you will be criticized or that you will lose your popularity, or you’re afraid that somebody will stab you, »
Movies I’d like to see, but…
you see, I made this promise to not go to movies that dishonor the one who suffered and died for us. And it doesn’t matter if it’s blasphemy or cursing, using the name of God or Jesus (one and the same). I just can’t picture Him going through all that and sit comfortably through any movie that abuses Him. Our words matter and someday, everyone is going to know that – without a doubt. So it’s not only what I hear but what I say that matters and for me, it’s easier to just not go to such movies because I’m very auditory and tend to eventually repeat what I hear, unless I’m extremely careful. Controlling your tongue is TOUGH and I don’t know anyone who’s accomplished this – including me. It’s a struggle, but at least I’m in the fight…and I’m in it to win it, God helping me »
Saddened…
Today I heard that one of my all-time favorite high school students died from a motorcycle accident. I was invited to the funeral. But what do you say to his family? To his wife & son? The only solace I can find is in knowing that when I taught over the last 29 years, I never denied my faith. People have to choose for themselves whether or not to believe and WHO to believe in. I have chosen to believe in the only one who ever loved me enough to die for me, sins and all, Jesus Christ. And I hope you’ve made that decision, too. Our time on this earth is short – he was in his 20’s – but eternity is forever. Decide where you want to live it and follow Him there!
Cloud 9 and Grateful!!
Oct. 17 – Cloud 9 and Grateful!! Thank you to everyone who participated in the Amazon Giveaway of Consuming Fire: An Alexa Silven Novel !!! 50 free eBooks were claimed within minutes! I would love to know what you think about the book. Stay tuned for future giveaways. And don’t forget to check our blogs on cbhoffmann.com.
Voice-Over Training
Oct. 3 – Hi! It’s been awhile, but I’ve been busy recording our books and writing about planet Metus. Recording and voice-overs were totally foreign to me until Dan set up the equipment and got me started. He also arranged for a training session with Eric of Phantom City Studios. There are always some tricks and techniques you wouldn’t figure out on your own, so I paid close attention and got some hands-on training. Eric did a good job! Mark is helping with the media inserts for these blogs. Hey! It’s definitely a team effort! My thanks to Dan & Mark for keeping our boat afloat.