The bookMore than two thousand years ago Jesus walked the earth, teaching multitudes profound truths based on everyday experiences they could relate to - truths that changed lives for eternity.
In our modern age He is still teaching profound truths but with something of a modern-day spin. In Let Your Heart Take Flight the seemingly ordinary takes on extraordinary meaning: from bus rides to cupcakes, candlelight dinners and a show; from planes, trains, boats, and binoculars to cyberspace. Whether you are looking for parking or looking for direction, you can find Jesus there. Perhaps you have never met Jesus, or perhaps you have known Him for some time. Either way your ordinary is about to take on a whole new extraordinary meaning. You can have God's promise of abundant life, so Let Your Heart Take Flight! |
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The story behind the book
My story begins around the age of four when divorce sunk its razor sharp teeth into my family and tore it apart - a tragic phenomenon the world has become way too familiar with, I'm afraid. Personally it resulted in a little girl never knowing the security of a father's love, plenty of (self) rejection and low self esteem. Perfectionism - thinking if I could just be good enough I could earn love. People pleasing - by the time I was eighteen I still had no idea who I was but I thought I could just figure out who you wanted me to be I could get you to like me. Needless to say it did not work out that way. One thing I did know was my greatest desire being to have a family of my own - a place I could feel a sense of belonging. So, against all odds and good advice - thinking no one would ever love me again - I married a young man I met when I was seventeen. A year later the relationship died a tragic death. I was twenty two. I felt like my life was over. I couldn't see my way forward. How was I going to deal with the biggest failure of my short life?
It was in this deep pit of hopelessness and despair that God came and rescued me. When everyone else seem to have labelled me or left, He stayed and loved me back to wholeness - one parable at a time.
For my life to change I needed to change my stinking thinking. God started helping me by teaching me Biblical principles wrapped in practical, everyday experiences. Everywhere I looked I could see it, which kept me mindful of the lessons and of God's presence. He taught me how eating too much candy can ruin my teeth the same way "chewing" on the lies of the devil can, and how important it is to take care of my spiritual teeth with the steak and vegetables of God's Word instead. He taught me about living in the moment, to not try and live life through binoculars into the future - that the righteous shall live by faith - and that He is faithful. He taught me about checking the cargo on my "ship" - that crates of unforgiveness, anger and regret can sink my life boat when the storms of life hit, and to think about what I'm thinking about because allowing "planes" filled with "terrorists" of negativity/unbelief, jealousy, hopelessness, etc. to land on the runway of my mind could cause my "control tower" (life) to be "hijacked".
He taught me His plan for my life is part of a much bigger production, and like a performance in the theater, timing is important if the story is to make sense in the end. The Director of all directors knows best. He constantly reminds me of the importance of "dining" with Him - spending quality time with Him and reading His Word - and not just grabbing a "bun on the run". That is we don't make sure to service and refuel our spiritual car we will spend much of our time stuck by the roadside, waiting for tow trucks to come to the rescue.
He taught me that He is the only reliable map on the journey of life, to pray more and push less, and that He who made me knows what is best for me at all times, just like the designer label of my favorite garment telling me how to care for it best. He taught me a few things about fashion in how I dress up in attitudes for the daily occasions life presents me with.
These are just a few of what you will find in my book Let Your Heart Take Flight: Parables for our modern age.
It was in this deep pit of hopelessness and despair that God came and rescued me. When everyone else seem to have labelled me or left, He stayed and loved me back to wholeness - one parable at a time.
For my life to change I needed to change my stinking thinking. God started helping me by teaching me Biblical principles wrapped in practical, everyday experiences. Everywhere I looked I could see it, which kept me mindful of the lessons and of God's presence. He taught me how eating too much candy can ruin my teeth the same way "chewing" on the lies of the devil can, and how important it is to take care of my spiritual teeth with the steak and vegetables of God's Word instead. He taught me about living in the moment, to not try and live life through binoculars into the future - that the righteous shall live by faith - and that He is faithful. He taught me about checking the cargo on my "ship" - that crates of unforgiveness, anger and regret can sink my life boat when the storms of life hit, and to think about what I'm thinking about because allowing "planes" filled with "terrorists" of negativity/unbelief, jealousy, hopelessness, etc. to land on the runway of my mind could cause my "control tower" (life) to be "hijacked".
He taught me His plan for my life is part of a much bigger production, and like a performance in the theater, timing is important if the story is to make sense in the end. The Director of all directors knows best. He constantly reminds me of the importance of "dining" with Him - spending quality time with Him and reading His Word - and not just grabbing a "bun on the run". That is we don't make sure to service and refuel our spiritual car we will spend much of our time stuck by the roadside, waiting for tow trucks to come to the rescue.
He taught me that He is the only reliable map on the journey of life, to pray more and push less, and that He who made me knows what is best for me at all times, just like the designer label of my favorite garment telling me how to care for it best. He taught me a few things about fashion in how I dress up in attitudes for the daily occasions life presents me with.
These are just a few of what you will find in my book Let Your Heart Take Flight: Parables for our modern age.
What Let your Heart Take Flight can do for you
Writing this book has truly changed my thinking. It brought God's Word and the world around me to life, and as my thinking changed, so did my life. I am eternally grateful for God's patience and unconditional love that He stuck it out with me even when I felt like giving up. I can't stop thinking: if He could do it for me He can do it for you.
I want this book to help you see your world with new eyes, to realize that God is all around you, and He speaks to you in everything if you just take the time to listen. When He says He will never leave you He means it.
God says we shouldn't hide the light under a bucket. The message of salvation is not - should not be kept - a secret. The stories in this book has inspired many creative ideas to share the good news with ordinary people without bashing them over the head with my Bible. I want you to be inspired too. It is true that some do not appreciate church or Bible talk but how many people do you know who enjoy going to dinner or coffee with a friend, go to the theater or movies, or travel by train, bus, boat or plane - whether for business or pleasure? Do you ever go shopping with your girlfriends or have dirty dishes after entertaining guests? These ordinary events could provide you the opportunity to plant a little seed of salvation. You just never know what God's got up his sleeve if you are willing to be used for His glory.
And have you ever felt discouraged about praying because you don't think you do such a fine job by comparison? Now you can take a deep breath and relax. I want you to know that God is not impressed by big, fancy words. He wants to hear what is on your mind. Just talk to Him. He knows what you mean. To show you how I have concluded each chapter with a short, practical prayer.
Let Your Heart Take Flight can make for a good Bible study group discussion or even inspire simple conversations to introduce your kids to Christ.
Whichever way God chooses to use it I pray it touch your heart and invigorate your life and your walk with the Lord. May your heart truly take to flight and may you soar like an eagle!
I want this book to help you see your world with new eyes, to realize that God is all around you, and He speaks to you in everything if you just take the time to listen. When He says He will never leave you He means it.
God says we shouldn't hide the light under a bucket. The message of salvation is not - should not be kept - a secret. The stories in this book has inspired many creative ideas to share the good news with ordinary people without bashing them over the head with my Bible. I want you to be inspired too. It is true that some do not appreciate church or Bible talk but how many people do you know who enjoy going to dinner or coffee with a friend, go to the theater or movies, or travel by train, bus, boat or plane - whether for business or pleasure? Do you ever go shopping with your girlfriends or have dirty dishes after entertaining guests? These ordinary events could provide you the opportunity to plant a little seed of salvation. You just never know what God's got up his sleeve if you are willing to be used for His glory.
And have you ever felt discouraged about praying because you don't think you do such a fine job by comparison? Now you can take a deep breath and relax. I want you to know that God is not impressed by big, fancy words. He wants to hear what is on your mind. Just talk to Him. He knows what you mean. To show you how I have concluded each chapter with a short, practical prayer.
Let Your Heart Take Flight can make for a good Bible study group discussion or even inspire simple conversations to introduce your kids to Christ.
Whichever way God chooses to use it I pray it touch your heart and invigorate your life and your walk with the Lord. May your heart truly take to flight and may you soar like an eagle!
