Mid-month Mention: 25th Anniversary of 9/11 - Rescued!

This is an early mid-month mention. I bumped it up, because today marks the 25th anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001. This August, we attended revival meetings with evangelist Chris Miller. He mentioned a brief video he made with Marine Staff Sergeant David Karnes concerning rescue attempts on that fateful day. I checked it out and have decided to mention it here on my blog.

 

If you've followed my blog at all, you know what I loved most about this rescue story. It was the importunate, desperate prayers lifted in the midst of this rescue attempt. Whatever the need, a prayer went up. A radio appeared. A fire was put out. A beam was cut without collapsing. God was right there with them, answering and clearing the way for two men to be saved from the rubble.

I'm praising God for the rescue of two other precious souls. During the Chris Miller revival meetings, my husband invited Trevor's girlfriend, Kylie, and her mother, Angie. The church provided evening meals, so we were able to spend time chatting, as well. They live over a half hour away and we were thrilled they took their time to join us. But even more thrilling, they came to know Christ as their Savior from sin and trusted Him for eternal life. They have been rescued from darkness and brought into the light of His grace. I know Trevor is beaming in heaven and looking forward to reunion. Please join us in prayer for their continued spiritual growth.

"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." - Luke 15:10 

Before I go, I wanted to make mention of one more link. My good poet friend, Randy Edwards, wrote a poem for a 25th commemoration of the 9/11 tragedy. The poem is called "Climb," and I highly recommend listening to Randy read the entire entry for this poetry podcast episode. His voice is magnetic; his words timely. I love his poetry! Take a moment from your busy day. Watch a video about a rescue. Offer a prayer for two newly saved souls. Listen to a poem that will inspire and encourage.

Book Review: 101 Hymn Stories

Just before my May birthday, I was in Goodwill seeking some business attire for my youngest son's internship (at Rolls Royce). I skimmed through their books (although their raised prices put me off). I snapped a quick photo of this book, 101 Hymn Stories, and sent the photo to my husband, hoping he'd mention it to my sons as a gift idea. Alas, I was not gifted this book. However, I found it in audio form on Hoopla through my library. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the simple stories behind so many beloved hymns. If you are interested in hymns, I highly recommend the audio version, since it allows you to hear the melodies with lyrics recited in the background. Indeed, when I think of all the hymns I know, it is staggering. I was raised in church and probably have thousands of hymns memorized. What a great background of theology in my brain. And, to think many of these follow scripture, so I'm planting the Word in my head and heart.

The author, Kenneth W. Osbeck, compiled a second book called 101 More Hymn Stories. Sadly, it is not available in audio form. I found it in paperback, so that will have to suffice. These stories would be excellent to include in church bulletins or sermon illustrations. I've been using the Sing hymnal I received for Mother's Day during my morning devotions. Thankfully, nobody else is awake to hear me as I sing (or croak) two hymns and read the snippets of information provided at the back of the hymnal (not nearly as in-depth as Osbeck's stories). Singing, as Isaac Serrano reminds us in When Life Feels Empty, is an essential spiritual practice lending meaning to our lives.

Book Review: Desperate Prayers

When we discovered our prodigal son's journey, our prayer lives grew exponentially. I don't think I've ever prayed such desperate prayers as those lifted for my son! We rarely prayed together, as a couple, before the fallout of addiction drove us to our knees side-by-side. We have prayed desperate prayers to God. We have prayed importunate prayers, and seen answers that feel miraculous. We are currently in life's darkest moments and we continue to believe in the power of prayer.

This book, Desperate Prayers, by Rachel Wojo, outlines and encourages deep and abiding prayer principles. Rachel is no stranger to situations of desperation. Her daughter, Taylor, endured the neurological degeneration of Sanfilippo syndrome. Care for Taylor was demanding and her life threatened. During the pandemic, Rachel's husband lost his job and their finances were stretched while providing for many children.

Each chapter in the book addresses various desperate needs, with requests like, "God, see me," "God, heal me," "God, guide me," and "God, free me." Here's an example of the prayer principles she summarizes at the end of each chapter: "God will not allow your wilderness to go unnoticed. Prayer is the strongest weapon in your arsenal. Whatever your emergency, God is your eternal 9-1-1 Operator, always by your side.... No prayer is beyond God's reach or reply." She declares, "Desperate prayer is a wise admission, not a weak acceptance."

I found great encouragement in these pages when I read them prior to Trevor's death. I loved her reminder that sometimes God answers prayer, not for you, but for the sake of others (example: The bathing equipment, they petitioned repeatedly for, that finally arrived just before Taylor died. Taylor never even used it, but they were able to give it to another girl who faced significant challenges). Moreover, I loved her reference to that lovely chorus, "My Lord knows the way through the wilderness, all I have to do is follow." She, like Alistair Begg, encouraged me to "pray bigger." We cannot go to God with our "agenda" of what we think is best in these situations. But, we must recognize that He can do so much more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). 

Indeed, we are now clinging to that promise that He knows exactly what we need. Perhaps God's decision to take Trevor in July was merciful! Perhaps he was spared tremendous challenges and difficulties. We have already seen his death spread the good news of God's saving grace to those who might not have listened in any other circumstance. May God bring a bountiful harvest from Trevor's short life!

Book Review: To Find Where She Belongs

This book, To Find Where She Belongs, is the 4th book in the Christian Fiction Reading Challenge. That's a bit misleading. It seems many of the books in this challenge are the newest books in an existing series. When I signed on, I was content to add 12 prescribed titles to my year's reading. However, given the number of books that follow other titles, the number continues to increase. (In all, if one read every title of each series represented, it comes to 32 books! That is far more than some read in an entire year. Of course, you don't have to read each book in every series listed.) Hmm. I'm still considering whether I will stick with this challenge. When I came to this April selection, I decided against reading Robin Lee Hatcher's previous four titles in this The British Are Coming series.

This is also a Western book (not my favorite category). I plugged on anyway, partly because I so enjoy Hatcher's author newsletters. Keely Boyle is a young Irish woman who fears her safety after a man in power makes unwanted advances. She steals to gain money for passage to America, hoping to find sanctuary with a friend who has always raved about a ranch he loves in Idaho. As Keely settles in to ranch life, she battles guilt and shame for the sin she committed in desperation. Then, sparks begin to fly between Keely and the young ranch owner, William Overstreet.

This book provides great commentary on sin and guilt, grace and redemption. God's love can overcome the deepest shame and restore relationships. The problems on the ranch (poisoned water and dying cattle) resolved a bit more quickly than I expected, but added a further layer of conflict. All in all, this was an enjoyable read, even if it was outside of my normal fare (I'm just not a cowboy person).

Book Review: Pray Big

Alistair Begg's little book, Pray Big: Learn to Pray Like an Apostle, is chock-full of encouragement and inspiration for praying. If you have read my blog at all before, you will know I am a huge fan of importunate prayers. These are the kind of prayers that feel impossible, but for God's vast omnipotence. We have seen God answer prayers that seemed outlandish and overwhelming. He can accomplish what we cannot. We never have to fear that we have asked God for too much!

At first, I listened to this book on my library's Hoopla account. This was such a blessing because it is narrated by the author himself, with his delightful Scottish lilt. How I would love to hear Begg preach in person! For now, I settle for clips I find on Facebook. As I listened, I wanted to pause and take notes, but I was walking on the treadmill. Instead, I snagged a paperback copy from my local church library and took notes after listening.

Begg encourages the reader to pray with great scope and purpose. We don't want to merely bring God our shopping list of needs and requests. We pray out of dependence and out of strong trust in God's almighty abilities to intervene. We must recognize our great need of Him. We cannot fix problems in our lives on our own (I felt this deeply in our walk with an addict). Begg gives 5 qualities Paul prays for the Ephesians: focus, hope, riches (not wealth, but a spiritual inheritance), power, and love.

We need to see what we really have. He writes, "Too often, as Christians we live like someone who has been given a full-board ticket on a cruise ship, and who sits on their deckchair eating crackers and drinking water because they haven't realized that all the food is free with their ticket." Paul reminds the Ephesians that they have been given "every spiritual blessing." A bit further on, Begg writes, "There is nothing you can ask for, or think of asking for, about which he does not say, I am able to do better than that." 

Begg peppers these pages with lines from famous hymns. This was such a blessing. His words inspire my praying. I loved this line: "Small prayers betray a suspicion that we have a small God." But by bigger, Begg is not encouraging things like health, wealth, and happiness (your general wish list), but rather "to be filled with his fullness, to be able to grasp the unknowable love of Christ, to live for the treasures of your future inheritance. We must pray for our own sake, for the sake of others, and for His [God's] sake. May my prayers be big, bold, and importunate, revealing trust in a big God.

Book Review: Where Prayer Becomes Real

I struggled to get into this book on prayer, Where Prayer Becomes Real. Writers Kyle Strobel and John Coe present a sufficient argument that in order to be real with God, we must be honest in our prayer. After reading one hour, I set the book aside for almost a week. I couldn't bring myself to give up on a prayer book, though. They outline 5 types of prayers: praying the psalms, prayers of intention, prayers of recollection, prayers of examine, and prayers of intercession.

If ever one wanted to see an example of honest praying, you only need to visit the psalms in the Bible. David and others pour out their heart, their lament, their worship, and their praise. I think my favorite sections were on praying The Psalms, examining your days and life, and interceding for others. The authors identify a common struggle. "When tragedy strikes and we pray, sometimes it feels like the smallest possible gesture. But intercession is no mere gesture. Intercession is a prayer of faith, and we are present to another to carry them, in the Spirit, to the Father." They argue for the importance of being present to the individuals we are lifting to the throne. [I wrote this review in June, but I feel the significance of this deeply now!]

At the end of the book, Strobel and Coe present mini callings for prayer. They suggest, 1) you must intend to be with God as He really is; 2) resist turning to fantasy and prayers of magic; 3) be honest with God in about your heart's longings without cleaning them up to be more acceptable; and 4) live in the truth of who you are in Christ. While this wasn't my favorite book on prayer (probably J. C. Ryle's Do You Pray?), it did spur me on to greater honesty with God in the face of personal trials. 

Book Review: Stronger Than the Storm - Highly Recommend

This riveting debut novel, Stronger Than the Storm, by Deena Adams, had me locked in from the start. With well-drawn characters and intense conflicts, the story demands just another page. It resonated with me because of our journey with a wayward adult son. However, any parent will put themselves in these shoes and learn something about themselves from the journey. We all regret our mistakes. The book is gritty, real, and raw. Life is the same. God grows us the most in the midst of storms. It could be summed up in a simple sentence: The scars of sin run deep, but God's grace soothes and heals.

Beth Holbrook is elated by an offer of publication for her parenting book. As a pastor's wife and parenting coach, things are at a high point. Within the space of one day, those successes begin to crumble, when her 18-year-old daughter runs away. Leesa is on a self-destructive path. Indeed, she digs her hole deeper and deeper as the pages fly by. (Oh, how I could relate!) 

Beth and her husband Kevin, like many couples parenting a prodigal, have differing opinions on the necessary response. These pages articulated the very difficulties I fought in seeking the best course of action with my wayward son. They illustrate the gamut of emotions parents and prodigals experience. Will the ripples from Leesa's sin spill over to fracture Beth and Kevin's marriage? Can God bring good from hopeless, unwanted situations?  

The book has won several awards. It earned first place in the American Fiction Awards for the religious fiction category and Contemporary Novel of the Year in the Christian Market Book Awards. I was grateful to read this story of God's redemption, prior to Trevor's death, because it reminded me of God's presence in the battle. Pain drives prodigals, but their pain spills over into other lives. This book is important! Sin scars the entire family. But God... works with our weaknesses to reveal His strengths, and praise God, He is stronger than any storm we face! We can count on God's providential hand to carry us when wounded and weary, and redeem us when broken and spent.

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I moved this review up in my queue as it is currently on sale in e-book form for a few more days. Snag the savings! You won't regret it!

 

Book Review: By Design

Susan Hunt's By Design was on my personal shelves. I used this as supplemental reading with my morning devotions. The book was written in 1994. If feminism was encroaching at the time of publication, it has since exploded. Indeed, many women will be angered if they pick this up today. I, however, am a complimentarian. I believe in God's design for men and women. I embrace this call to complement one another as He prescribed.

Susan Hunt writes first to define women's distinctiveness and society's distortions. Secondly, she outlines the various aspects of a woman's role as helper. Each chapter begins with a mini-biography of a godly, role-fulfilling woman. These are engaging and inspiring vignettes. We read of Sarah Martin's prison ministry, Ann Hamilton's legacy, and Elizabeth Fry's Newgate prison transformation. The most stirring mini-biography provides the story of Valetta Steel, author of Thrice Through the Valley (a book I'd love to find and read). Her faith in the midst of abundant trials and tragedies encourages me to press on through my own trials and tragedies. I will keep this book, if for this mini-biography alone.

I needed Hunt's words about the role of helper-supporter. Marriage can bring its own trials. Hunt reminds the reader, "When you get married, you step to the front lines of a war zone, and the enemy is not your mate... the real enemy of your marriage knows the effectiveness of the 'divide and conquer' strategy.... The only way you will survive this conflict is to recognize and stand together against your common enemy and to embrace... the original American Dream of propagating and advancing the Gospel of the Kingdom of Christ in every remote neighborhood, apartment building, suburb, mobile home park, condominium, and retirement village in our country." Oh, how the enemy is seeking to divide and conquer in the midst of our grief. We covet your prayers.

I loved, too, that the author honed in on my verse of the year, 2 Corinthians 2:14. In this section, she mentions a scene from Pilgrim's Progress when Christian and Hopeful approach the River of Death before the gates of the Celestial City. When they step in, Christian begins to sink and cries out, "I sink in deep water; the billows go over my head; all His waves go over me." But Hopeful replies, "Be of good cheer. I feel the bottom and it is good." (This same passage was emphasized in the book about depression, Companions in the Darkness.) Those times (some I'm enduring now) when God knocks the props out from under us, cause us to hit bottom and recognize God's strength and solid foundation.

Author Spotlight - Sarah Trent

Several months ago, I began noticing Sarah Trent's writings on Facebook. She always nails emotions I have experienced. Her expressive writing communicates deep emotional anguish beside steady foundational faith. Readers come away encouraged and inspired. My faith has been invigorated by Sarah's writings. I think her words will minister to you, as well.

Sarah's writing is heartfelt and deeply moving. I have shared several of her pieces on my Facebook wall. She touches on grief and doubt, comfort and faith. 

On March 26th, I prefaced her post with a quote used in my book, Watching the Wayward: Psalms for Parents of Prodigals. I wrote, "Doubt and questions do not negate faith - they express it with tears and hope - as Sue Bohlin expresses, '[God] receives more glory through limping people who are dependent on Him, than healthy people who breeze through life independent of Him.'" 

Here is the devotional Sarah shared that day:

"You believe God is good…

but your heart still trembles at what His goodness has allowed.

You say it with your mouth, He is faithful, He is kind, He is just, but your chest tightens when you trace the outline of your own story.

Because somewhere between what you know

and what you’ve lived, there is a tension that feels like it might tear you in two.

You have seen too much to call this easy.

You have buried things you never thought would die. You have watched prayers fall to the ground like shattered glass,

sharp enough to cut you when you try to pick them back up again.

And still, you whisper, God is good.

But it doesn’t come out like a shout.

It comes out like a question wrapped in trembling.

You are not faithless.

You are wounded.

Because there is a difference between doubting His character

and struggling to reconcile His permission.

You don’t question who He is,

you question why He allowed this.

Why He stood still

when everything in you was breaking.

Why He remained silent

when one word could have stopped it all.

Why His hands, that formed galaxies,

did not reach down and interrupt the unraveling of your life.

And somewhere deep inside,

you wrestle with the quiet ache of it:

If You are good… why did this happen?

But this ache does not disqualify your faith.

It reveals it.

Because real faith does not exist in the absence of pain—it is forged in the presence of questions

that have not yet been answered.

It is the kind of faith that sits in the ashes

and still turns its face toward heaven,

even when heaven feels unbearably still.

It is the kind of faith that weeps at the feet of Jesus and says, I know You could have stopped this…and I still don’t understand why You didn’t.

And yet, it does not walk away.

Listen…

God is not threatened by your grief.

He is not offended by your confusion.

He does not recoil at your questions.

He steps into them.

The same God you call good

is the God who entered suffering Himself,

who did not explain pain from a distance,

but wore it in His own body.

He knows what it is to cry out,

to feel the weight of what was allowed,

to carry a story that looks like loss

before it ever looks like redemption.

So when you say,

“I believe You are good, but I don’t know how to be okay with what You allowed…”

He does not silence you.

He draws nearer.

Because somewhere in the sacred space

between your belief and your breaking,

He is doing something you cannot yet see—

Not wasting.

Not overlooking.

Not ignoring.

But weaving.

Thread by thread,

through tears you did not choose,

through nights you could not escape,

through pain that felt unnecessary and cruel,

He is crafting a redemption

that will one day make your trembling voice steady again.

Not because you will forget what happened,

but because you will see what He was doing

in the parts you thought were abandoned.

And one day, not today, maybe not soon,

but one day, your voice will rise again,

not as a question,

but as a knowing:

He was good… even there.

Until then, you are allowed to grieve what has happened while still clinging to who He is.

You are allowed to say,

“I trust You… but this hurts.”

And that is not the absence of faith.

That is faith, with tears in its eyes

and heaven still in its sight."

I had no way of knowing, at that time, that the words would ring even truer after my son's untimely death. How apt the above devotional is for the emotions I'm currently battling. I take great comfort in Sarah's words and thoughts. They reflect my struggles well and fix my gaze back on God. That is why I snapped up her devotional book, Launch Out into the Deep, when it became available in early April. You can read my book review of her book here. Her effective writing drove me to seek an interview for an author spotlight and she kindly agreed.

Q1: I've been following your inspiring pieces on Facebook for 6 months. I'm trying to place them in a category. Would you call them poems? Micro-essays? Devotionals? Or merely social media posts?

Sarah: I have always called them devotions, but I’m not sure what the perfect term would be! Most of them are simply love notes from the Lord.

Q2: Your writing clearly reveals that you have endured great losses and challenges in your young life. If comfortable, can you share the deep waters you've survived? What helps you endure? What is key to rising above challenges, in your view?

Sarah: I have had 4 miscarriages. Several of those have been extremely traumatic, and one of them almost took my life as well. Those are things I NEVER would’ve chosen. And honestly, some days, I still battle with WHY? What is the purpose? Although I would never have chosen this road, this grief, for myself…I have been able to reach people I never would’ve been able to otherwise. One of my most traumatic miscarriages, I remember begging the Lord for this to not happen, this to not be my reality. And he said, “if it has to be Gethsemane, will you love me anyway?” And to be honest, I didn’t always love him. I would be angry, and hurt, and frustrated with the things he had allowed. But there came a point in time where I had to decide that either God was God or he was not. He was either good, or he was not. He was either faithful, or he was not. Sometimes in those deep, dark places…we have to decide whether we are going to believe he is God or not. Even if nothing feels right, nothing is right, nothing looks good. I have to choose him. I have to choose whether “though he slay me, yet I will trust in him.” That’s a hard place to be, but if you’re going to make it out of the darkness, I truly believe you have to come to that place where you choose him anyways.

Q3: Such true insights! Even when the outcome is not what we believed God's will would bring, we must choose Him anyway! For years I kept my writing mostly to myself. In my own deep waters, with our prodigal son, God gave words (prayers) to articulate the struggle and I felt convicted that others might find blessing in their expression. Can you tell us what started your writing journey?

Sarah: I started writing “devotions” in high school. I loved to study, and I loved to write. I didn’t have social media at the time, but I had a little email list that would read them. My dad printed them all and has kept them.💛 I slowed down on writing when I began working full time and got married. When I experienced my first miscarriage, I stopped altogether. I had no desire to read my Bible for myself, much less to write for someone else. I had my first live birth, and had PPD. During that season, I began to write again, and share them on Facebook. I was a little concerned about what people would think or say, but I desperately needed an outlet. During my second miscarriage, I began to write more. And I stopped caring what anyone thought. Everything was raw and real. And it has increased since that point.

Q4: Pain certainly drives us to prayer and writing. You are a mother of small children and a photographer. How do you carve out time to write? What is your greatest writing challenge, and how has God carried you through that?

Sarah: None of my kids have been good sleepers! They have all been rough through the night. But that is when the Lord usually helps me the most, in the night, when no one else is aware, and I’m sitting up with a baby or toddler who hates sleep. One thing I do struggle with is burn out, just being exhausted all together. So I am trying to do better with “breaks” and realizing that I don’t HAVE to show up every day if it’s too much. The people I live with have to come first💛

Q5: Your posts receive great response and interaction. Did the following come quickly for you?

Sarah: No, the following was NOT quick. I posted for several years with very little engagement. But that was fine, I was doing what I knew I needed to do, and that was enough. I remember the post that really grew my page, was one about Mary’s mother. And how she likely raised Mary to be who she was. My following went from a few people that I knew for the most part, to over 10 k over night! With that came A LOT of trolls and nasty comments as well. Even a few death threats (people are insane). But that’s when my page began to grow some💛

Q6: That's crazy! Another impressive aspect is your depth of dependence on God's Word. Each piece draws heavily on biblical verses and principles. Can you tell us about the process between the Word and the writings? Are you in a passage that triggers a response? Do you begin with an idea and find support from God's Word?

Sarah: It’s a bit of both! Sometimes I draw from what I’m reading in God’s Word and begin writing from a passage, other times I’m driving down the road or up in the night and I have a thought and then I search for evidence from God's Word. My opinion means nothing unless it has God’s Word to back it up!

Q7: That's exactly the same process I followed in writing the prayer poems in my book. Sometimes God prompts something in response to God's Word. Sometimes God prompts ideas and provides wisdom from His Word. I think your words resonate with many. We all carry burdens. Do you feel "called to create" (as Jordan Raynor puts it)? What do you want your words to accomplish as you post them on Facebook?

Sarah: The Lord has opened a huge door for me, as far as posting on social media. I feel like I need to steward that opportunity well, and that’s why I definitely think it is an avenue of ministry. Especially in this season of my life!

Q8: I've been blessed by your ministry and believe you are stewarding well! Your first book, Launch Out into the Deep, was published by Redemption Press in April. It is a collection of devotional thoughts. I was a happy winner of a physical copy. Since I had already purchased the e-book, I sent my copy off to a very good friend whose burdens are unusually heavy. What led to the publication of that book? How did you determine its framework and what pieces to include?

Sarah: They actually reached out to me about publishing! That book was a total God thing and an answer to prayers I had prayed for quite a while about wanting to have a book in print. I cannot say enough good things about the team I worked with, and how they individually walked with the Lord. They were so kind and patient with me in my ignorance of the publishing process. Yet they took my mission and goal with my book so seriously!

Q9: I love how your writing honestly addresses lament, while leading to worship. Some consider the expression of lament as something sinful, a distrust of God in some way. I'm with Mark Vroegop (author of Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy), who views lament as evidence of faith when it leads to worship. What helps you move from loss and grief to praise and worship? Is it a saturation of scripture? A shift in perspective? The prayers of others?

Sarah: We have an entire book of our Bible called LAMENTATIONS, yet most people don’t know anything about lament. It’s such a taboo topic. Even Job’s friends thought he must’ve sinned somehow to experience such pain. Job’s story ends with the latter end being better than the beginning. But the whole book is included. The whole story is there, the good, the bad, and the ugly parts. We need more people who are willing to say, “yes, this isn’t great, this STINKS. But the latter end is coming. This is not the end.” Instead of a bunch of platitudes that don’t actually help. I think lament is a beautiful thing, and a necessary thing. It’s worship, and it’s inviting God into where you are. I hope the things I write encourage people to be more open, and hide less. Because God is the God of good times, and bad. The latter end is coming, just like Job’s, so I can worship Him here.

Q10: As you continue writing on Facebook, do you have plans to publish another book in the future? What topic might you choose for such a book? What is the best way for my blog readers to find your writing?

Sarah: I would love to write more books! I’m just waiting for the Lord to open doors. I have several “in mind,” but I would love to do one from the perspectives of biblical characters. I have written several devotionals on those topics and I think I have enough for a solid book! But whenever, and whatever doors the Lord opens…I want to be ready to walk through them. I have Facebook, Instagram, and a substack as well! A lot of people who enjoy reading, subscribe to my substack, because it’s sent to their email and no socials are required! I would love to have any one follow along💛

Many thanks to Sarah for fielding my questions and sharing her inspiring work. I hope you take a moment to read some of her writings and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, or Substack. I encourage you to purchase her book. The beauty of the paperback copy is that you can interact with the pieces by writing in the allotted space after each devotional. However, the e-book allows easy access on your phone or Kindle, while out and about, needing some words to bolster and inspire. Thanks again, Sarah! May God continue to bless and multiply your gifts.

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8/22/26 Addendum: Someone informed me that Sarah's work had disappeared from Facebook. I contacted her and she shared this infuriating news:

"Hi Wendy

On Tuesday, meta removed my ENTIRE page on instagram and Facebook (including photography pages) with no warning. I never received an email or any kind of notification that it was coming. I also never received a reason as to why. I’ve appealed the decision, of course, but still have not received any response at all. I was devastated. And heartbroken, because I had no way to let people know what had happened.

I created new pages last night, and I’m having to start from scratch. Meta wouldn’t even allow me to use my regular email to create a new account, nor would they allow me to simply use Sarah Trent as my Name. I had to put my middle name in as well, to trigger them to allow me to make a new page. It’s under Sarah Elaine Trent on Facebook, and taming_trentss on instagram! Thankfully my substack was untouched. So all the content is still there! 

Please pray for me as I try to start over"

Book Review: God's Smuggler to China

This 1981 book, God's Smuggler to China, by Brother David, has a foreward by Brother Andrew (the original "God's Smuggler"). In both ministries, the Lord closed the eyes of border guards so Bibles could infiltrate closed countries. Once again, God laid a burden upon the heart of His disciple to take God's Word where it was needed. Many doubted he could penetrate the closed borders of China, but God does the impossible time and time again. Brother David's convictions remained undaunted. 

I did not take the time to note various examples of God's abundant provision. However, I do recall a story of young children whose parents were killed or imprisoned. They had one small allotment of rice left, but they cooked it up, deciding to depend on God for food the following day. Like the Biblical story, every day they approached the jar of rice (in scripture it was oil), there remained enough for another day. Whether unexpected commotions drew the border patrol workers away or comments diverted them, God accomplished the impossible to get His Word into China.

There may come a time when American believers face similar persecutions. For now, we seem very soft. Too many have Bibles and fail to even open them. Do we value and honor our Bibles the way we should? Would we be willing to face torture without denying Christ? These books about the Open Doors ministries will lead you to consider the depth of your devotion. I'm glad I had both books on my shelves to supplement my devotional reading. For me, I will increase my prayer efforts for the persecuted Church.

Laying Our Son to Rest

God, in His mercy, numbed my feelings and emotions for the first few weeks in the shock of my middle son's unexpected death. Outwardly, it looked as if I wasn't grieving. Inwardly, disbelief reverberated. Now that the funeral is over, my emotions are coming to the surface more. But, the time leading up to the funeral was so busy, we hardly had time to think or emote. 

We were blessed by countless people who came forward to love and support us in this trial. I kept wishing Trevor could see all the expressions of love and appreciation others felt for him and for us, through him. My friend, Heidi, told me she's convinced he does know. She wrote, "After my mom died, I had a vision/visitation of her sitting next to me and telling me that the pain she went through was gone and that ALL was known - she was SO happy! I believe ALL is now known to Trevor, including the love people have expressed during the last week and the love and support you and family gave during his life." This was such a comforting thought to share!

The day after Trevor's death, our oldest son, Bryce, flew from Dallas to be with us. What a comfort and blessing his presence brought! Somehow, it made the grief more bearable. Plus, he was invaluable to us. He set to work on a photo slideshow to put up on the funeral home's obituary page. He scoured my phone and my computer for images. He must have asked John, as well, because he used an impressive photo of Trevor's bodybuilding physique (some wondered if it was AI).

I'm sure Bryce emphasized photos from his earlier years, happy years before the drug associations and drug use. He was our exuberant little boy, and we have many fond memories of those carefree days. It was a big help and huge blessing to have Bryce handle that important piece. He was also helpful during the necessary meetings. When we met with the funeral director, Bryce took notes. He compiled and sent us a file of things to do (it all would have disappeared from my consciousness quickly). He accompanied us to select and purchase a gravesite (near his grandmother's headstone). He, again, took notes throughout our meeting with the pastor, as we arranged the funeral service songs and order.

God brought me to the wonderful songs that we used for his service. I came across "Approach, My Soul," by John Newton, in the Sing Hymnal I received for Mother's Day. We printed this inside the memory folder passed out to those in attendance. The words emphasize our desperate need of God's salvation and His gift of eternal life: "Bowed down beneath a load of sin, by Satan sorely pressed, by wars without and fears within, I come to Thee for rest... guilty sinners such as I might plead Thy gracious name!"

We used "It is Well," by Horatio Spafford, to signal the start of the service. This hymn was written in great grief after the unexpected deaths of his four daughters in a shipwreck. Crossing the exact site of their drowning, Spafford penned words to affirm his deep trust in God amid inexplicable loss. For the condensed slideshow, we selected Casting Crowns' song, "Scars in Heaven." The lyrics gutted me: "If I had only known the last time would be the last time." "What I'd give for one more day with you." "I know you're in a place where all your wounds have been erased, and knowing yours are healed is healing mine."

"He Will Hold Me Fast" was supposed to play after the family reflections, but it came after the eulogy. I love these lyrics, as well: "When the tempter would prevail, He will hold me fast. I could never keep my hold through life's fearful path, for my love is often cold. He must hold me fast... He'll not let my soul be lost, his promises shall last. Bought by Him at such great cost, He will hold me fast." What a beautiful arrangement by Kristyn and Keith Getty! What a solid proclamation of God's unending grace!

I doubt people really took in the lyrics to the departing song, "Christ is Mine Forevermore." This was another one found in The Sing Hymnal with poignant lyrics: "Mine are days that God has numbered. I was made to walk with Him; yet, I look for worldly treasure and forsake the King of Kings... Christ has paid for every failing, I am His forevermore... Mine are tears in times of sorrow, darkness not yet understood. Through the valley I must travel where I see no earthly good... I know my pain will not be wasted."

My sister-in-law, Miriam, was a great help for the family fellowship prior to the funeral. As I said, I'm not a gifted hostess. I don't easily whip up meals on command, even on a normal day, let alone a stressful one. After Miriam arrived and set out a spread of desserts and drinks, she agreed to look over my outfit choices. We ended up running back to Kohl's to exchange a top for a smaller size (I tend to seek very roomy clothes). I so appreciated her time and attention to these needs.

The time together in our home with family was beneficial and comforting. We talked about old times and memories of Trevor. Thankfully, Bryce and Elizabeth ran to get a large quantity of Chik-fil-A, so meal needs were met and I was able to set out the spread of veggies and snacks I had purchased for the gathering. On one end of our table, all the engineers talked engineering and the other end rehashed stories and spoke of my youngest brother's architectural projects. Many family members did not arrive until late the night before the funeral and my brother Mark's family drove up from Kentucky for the day. We had family come in from many other corners: Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Texas.

Blogger that I am, I wanted photos, but knew I'd be preoccupied and unable. My sister agreed to help. I'm sure it was uncomfortable trying to snap images in a room of grieving guests. She did an outstanding job, as evidenced by the photos accompanying this funeral recap post.

The hardest part was viewing his empty body. Trevor, of course, did not look like Trevor. He was not there. It was a vessel devoid of his spark and spirit. I could not have captured an image of his body. Dawn delicately snapped this shot:

We said our good-byes and let the grief wash over us. I told him, "I wanted more time!" Then, we allowed his girlfriend time to say her good-byes. 

Next, came a blur of greeting people who attended the visitation. A member of my BSF group came by briefly to bring flowers and give a hug. Four friends from the Women Forming Friendships in West Indy Facebook group came to offer comfort. Five of our friends drove all the way from Champaign-Urbana, IL. My college best friend, Anne, came all the way from Lombard, IL. I was sad that I only snagged a few moments with her as the press of people kept coming. Both Bryce's and Sean's friends came. Trevor had probably 7 or 8 friends from middle and high school years who came. A few of the girls in that group were kind enough to come express condolences. 

Trevor's 2nd grade teacher came up to tell me how sad she was because he had shown such great potential. Many individuals came from Pittsboro Baptist Church. Here are some images of family members who came:

I was blown away by Trevor's halfway house leader, Damien, who took an Uber all the way from Indianapolis to our little rural enclave. He had only known Trevor for less than two weeks (and knowing Trevor, he probably hadn't interacted much). We gave Damien a ride to the burial and learned that he, too, (like my husband) is from Champaign-Urbana.

Thanks to the funeral director's wife, you can view a video of the funeral here. After the condensed slideshow and a welcome, John's sister Martha read John's comments and shared some of her own memories of Trevor. I wasn't sure I'd make it through mine, but the humorous bits helped me stay composed.

The burial was a brief affair (good, since it was 95 degrees out) with prayer and committal. 

Then, Pittsboro Baptist Church provided a marvelous meal for family and friends. After the meal, my sister and brother-in-law treated many family members and Damien to ice cream at the local Dairy Bar. 

We got Damien into an Uber back to the halfway house and many descended back into our home for further fellowship. I relished time with Trevor's cousins. Now, the grief is truly descending and intensifying. 

Some may question my son's walk with God, because he used drugs. One even shared a prayer, "What joy it will be IF we get to heaven and discover Trevor is there.... We pray that Trevor in some way... [had] things straight with You [God] before this terrible occasion." I know my son's spiritual foundation was not built on what he did, but on what Christ did for him. I liken it to my mother's Alzheimer's. She raged and cursed. That was not my mother; it was her diseased brain. Drugs had altered Trevor's brain, rewiring to tell him drugs were his best solution to his pain. He responded physiologically, not spiritually. 

Every day, I wake with the realization that my son is no longer with us here on earth. I take comfort, because of his trust in Christ's atoning act on the cross, and believe we will be reunited one day in Heaven. Others may scoff and weep for his lost soul; I claim the atoning cross of Christ and His promise of eternal life. If you have not trusted in Christ, consider the gospel message (proclaimed in Trevor's funeral) and accept the free gift of eternal life. May Trevor, in death, reach more than we had hoped and prayed in life.

Book Review: It's a God Thing!

Inside the front cover of my copy of It's a God Thing!, I found a notation stating I won this book at the 2001 Write-to-Publish Conference. I know I read the book back then. Still on my bookshelf, I picked it up again to supplement my daily devotional reading. What an inspiring book for anyone who wishes to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ! (2 Cor. 2:14) That sounds like Larry Baker's theme verse.

I started to explain that Larry runs a salon and cuts hair in Fort Collins, Colorado. Then, I decided to Google him. Oh, my! What sad news! Last June, Larry went missing and his body was found in Watson Lake. I found a You Tube video of a news clip highlighting how dear and personable Larry had been. How wonderful that his message still resonates through his book, It's a God Thing!: Inspiring Stories of Life-Changing Friendships.

Larry used his fun and friendly personality to woo and win others to Christ. He greeted others and became a true friend to them. He did not immediately pressure them by sharing the gospel, but waited until they asked him the source of his joy and peace. Even then, he walked gently into the question, offering to give them only as much explanation as they wanted. The stories Larry shares in his book prove that being a friend is the thing of first importance. Whether connecting with addicts or jet-setters, Larry offered a hand of friendship and a heart for God. Without building a bridge, you cannot meet on the same side. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone wanting inspiration for forming relationships that effectively change lives through the knowledge of Christ.

Book Review: Launch Out into the Deep

I discovered Sarah Trent on Facebook. She interacts with scripture passages and provides inspiration and encouragement to those of us struggling in deep waters. The pace of her poetic offerings amazes me. She has a photography business and raises 3 children on their family farm. So many of her posts resonate deep within me and I've shared a few of her posts to my Facebook wall. As young as she is, she is clearly no stranger to suffering, yet relies on God to get through everything.

Launch Out into the Deep is a 31-day devotional. Each entry is followed by reflective questions to consider. I wanted to enter her contest to win a paperback copy of this book, so I purchased the ebook, read it in 3 installments, and left a review. [Side note: I have been frustrated by Amazon's review policies. Up until this point, I believed I could only leave reviews on my ebook purchases. Amazon requires a certain purchase amount to leave reviews, but always offered a review form at the completion of ebooks I read on my Kindle app. I would love to support authors I appreciate but my husband does not like me using his Prime account to leave my reviews. I rarely purchase from my Amazon account because he has Prime. Now, I discover that even those ebook reviews I thought I was leaving are not airing as expected because I have not met the purchase requirement. Frustrating!] 

I plan to revisit this book, reading through the devotions one day at a time next month. It is so good, it needs to be savored. Plus, I did not take time to ponder or write answers to the questions posed at the end of each entry. However, here are some snippets I gleaned to share:

- "In a world that tries to define you by your failures, your status, or your scars - Jesus defines you by your Father."

- "When I'm too tired to hold on, You don't shame me - You hold me."

- "He does not ask me to explain what aches beyond language. He knows."

- "Sometimes, the miracle isn't in the multiplying. Sometimes, it's in the offering."

Sarah has a beautiful way with words. Each sentence reverberates in my soul. She articulates what many of us feel but cannot adequately express. Her pieces are rich with biblical foundation and spiritual insight. I will continue to follow this author on Facebook and in her books.

* Yay, I won the contest! Sarah sent a copy of this devotional to me. I was able to send it as a gift to my dear friend, Lisa, who is struggling in very deep waters. How I pray it ministered healing to her weary soul!

Book Review: A Sketch of the Life and Labors of George Whitefield

After experiencing A Great Awakening in the theater, I returned home raving about the powerful movie. It provided such a clear and accurate presentation of the gospel. Though your sins be as scarlet, Christ offers to wash them white as snow if you accept His free gift of salvation, bought for you in a transaction on the cross. George Whitefield was a revival preacher during America's Great Awakening (1734-1743). His story is fascinating and I wanted to delve deeper. A commenter on Facebook mentioned J. C. Ryle's book, A Sketch of the Life and Labors of George Whitefield. Ryle is the author of one of my favorite pamphlets, Do You Pray? I couldn't wait to explore his research into Whitefield. I borrowed it in audio form on Hoopla the next day.

I believe J. C. Ryle presented this as a lecture at some point. He gives a very direct description of Whitefield's life and ministry. He affirmed something mentioned in the movie, "He was immortal until his work was done." Whitefield preached a clear and concise gospel. He addressed man's complete ruin by sin, man's complete redemption by Christ and complete justification before God by faith in Christ, and man's need of regeneration by the spirit. His cry was convicting, "While ye were sinners, Christ died for you." He explained the transaction: the just for the unjust. He asserted even the vilest sinner could stand complete and righteous before the throne of God through Jesus' sprinkled blood that washes the blackest sins away. One has only to believe and be saved, to ask and receive, to wash and be clean. This is the pure and true gospel.

One thing I loved about the movie was the clear doctrine of the new birth. Once saved, as is evident in baptism, one is buried with Christ, washed and cleansed, and raised with him, a new creature. The Holy Spirit enters in and guides one in sanctification. The presence of the Holy Spirit is a seal of inheritance, proving one is born into God's family. Physically and spiritually, you cannot be unborn after He has sealed you with a promise of eternal life. How I want to emulate Whitefield's persistent goal, that his own name perish, so long as Christ only is exalted!

Book Review: God's Smuggler - Highly Recommend

This was another book I chose from our shelves to supplement my devotional reading. My husband has been a long-time contributor to the ministry of Open Doors with Brother Andrew. What an inspiration for prayer and faith! Brother Andrew's book, God's Smuggler, was published in 1967. Our copy is a beautifully bound book from The Christian Library published by Barbour and Company, however I do love this cover shown at left.

Brother Andrew was an advocate for persecuted Christians and an intent missionary whose main goal was to smuggle Bibles into countries hostile to faith in God. He is best known for his singular prayer, "Lord, in my luggage I have Scripture that I want to take to Your children across this border. When You were on earth, You made blind eyes see. Now, I pray, make seeing eyes blind. Do not let the guards see those things You do not want them to see." Time after time, he tested and proved God's faithfulness. Oh, that I had faith like that!

The other day I was pondering this book and thought to myself, "How I want the faith of Brother Andrew (for provision of open doors for ministry) and George Muller (for provision of financial needs for ministry and daily life). These two relied entirely on the supply of God. Instead, so often, I want the life of Dave Ramsey. I want to figure out how to eliminate my debts and live such a lifestyle that I can have what I want and need, while still meeting the needs of others. 

This test of faith is pressing at the moment. My husband and I have a tendency to take on the consequences of irresponsible people (including our prodigal son). While I argue we should let true consequences fall and step out of the way of enabling, he fears the results of that and argues God will always meet our needs, even if we give away what little we have left to live on for our remaining years. Internally, I struggle. I see the verses commanding provision for the poor. Yet, I also see the truth that enabling does not help irresponsible people, it only encourages them to push their responsibilites onto anyone who will provide. It is the whole give a man a fish vs. teaching a man to fish illustration!

Thus, this book bolstered my weary faith. So, what lessons stood out? Apart from utter dependency on God, I was convicted by the author's statements about not labeling churches. So often, in his missionary trips, he saw the emasculated church (defused by government dictates) as a "puppet church." Yet, he wrote on page 156, "It is never safe to call a church a puppet--no matter how dead, no matter how subservient and temporizing it may appear on the surface. It is called by God's name, it has God's eye upon it, at any moment He may sweep the surface away with the purifying wind of His Spirit." From this, I took encouragement that God can work and win others, even in churches that put God in a box, even in churches where I don't necessarily fit.

I loved a challenging story on pages 165-166. Brother Andrew encountered a problem because of the language gap (neither spoke the other's language). To remedy this, he picked up a Bible and began having a conversation using various scripture verses, going from 1 Cor. 16:20 and Prov. 25:25 to Philemon. Oh, that I knew my Bible well enough to converse with foreigners simply by pointing to a passage. I long to be so Biblically fluent!

I took heart from the many examples of God's perfectly timed provision. Brother Andrew needed a car. God provided a VW. I loved his story (page 108) about that "Miracle Car." The roads of Yugoslavia kicked up tremendous dust and every morning they prayed, "Lord, we don't have either the time or the money for repairs on the car, so will You please keep it running?" Not long after, they encountered another driver who stopped and said, "I know who you are.. and this is the Miracle Car?" He had heard about this car maintained through prayer and asked if he could take a look at it. After looking over the engine, this man declared, "I have just become a believer. It is mechanically impossible for this engine to run." He was a mechanic and offered to take the car to his shop and cleaned every part of the engine for them. When, after driving it for almost 200k kilometers, it required a new engine, they found themselves 50 marks shy of the cost. Just then, they received a gift from a random stranger of 50 marks God wanted them to have.

When Brother Andrew's growing family needed a house, God led him to someone just convicted to sell and God provided the funds to cover the purchase. He writes on page 173, "Immediately, mysteriously, as soon as the house was paid for, the flow of excess funds stopped--and it remained dried up until there was a need for it again. In the years of living this life of faith, I have never known God's care to fail."

Later, Brother Andrew was convicted to purchase a large supply of pocket Bibles. He and his wife talked about selling their house. They prayed, expressing to God that the house belonged to Him but admitting their private struggle with the idea. "Lord, if You want us to sell the house for the Bibles, You will have to work a small miracle in our hearts to make us willing." I was moved by this example of faith, as well. I often don't want to give what God wants me to release.

When they got an appraisal on the house, it came to the very amount needed for the pocket Bibles. He writes on page 206, "How faithful God is, how utterly trustworthy, how good beyond imagining! He asks for so little in order to give us so much." Then, the Dutch Bible Society arranged to pay for the printing, only charging Brother Andrew for the supplies on an as-needed basis. His response is inspiring, "I could hardly wait to tell Corrie what God had done with the thimbleful of willingness we had offered Him."

Another story told of a time Brother Andrew accidentally changed more currency than he should have. He and his partner ended up having a car accident. The other driver agreed to let the incident go, and let them head off on their way, if they provided him with cash to cover the repairs. That amount was the exact amount they had!

If you are low on faith, if your trust in God needs bolstering, you will find inspiration and encouragement aplenty in Brother Andrew's life and testimony. God shows up with the exact provision at the exact moment in the exact power needed! Brother Andrew concludes, "God is never defeated. Though He may be opposed, attacked, resisted, still the ultimate outcome can never be in doubt. Every day we see fresh proof that indeed all things--even evil ones--work together for those who are called by His name."

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" - Isaiah 52:7 (KJV)

Book Review: Hearts in Circulation

Sarah Monzon is a new-to-me author. But, oh this book cover sucks you in. I love the idea of a bookmobile for individuals who cannot get to a library. I would love that job! I enjoyed Hearts in Circulation so much, I'll seek out the other two in this Checking Out Love series (somehow I missed the first in the series, and the final book is due out soon).

Librarian Hayley Holt is eager to serve her community. She agrees to drive the newly donated bookmobile, even though it looks like a tin can on wheels. Hayley considers it the least she can do in her daily efforts to live up to the liver transplant she received in her youth. When a rockslide traps Hayley in a back woods hollow, a surly, uncommunicative mechanic offers to repair the vehicle. Can Levi Redding endure her constant chatter and larger-than-life presence in his environs?

What a delightful and bookish forced proximity rom-com! What's more, I was duly impressed with the natural and insightful faith elements that appear as the story concludes. Monzon introduces a character whose personal struggles uniquely flesh out arguments for the faith that I have been sharing with friends and family. Her story illustrates the truth that we can never earn the free gift of salvation God offers through Christ's atonement. I loved the thoughts expressed in the Hayley-Levi confrontation scene, especially the advice, "Don't cheapen the gift!" That is what people do when they insist they must maintain, through obedient faith, the salvation Christ has secured for them. 

I enjoyed the book for more than this firm salvation security argument. The characters were endearing and the plot held me riveted. I loved the exchange of letters, in spite of the forced proximity. I loved the scavenger hunt for clues through books. What fun! I recommend this light-hearted and meaningful romance (a Carol Award finalist for the 2026 romance category).