James G. Owen, Author

During World War II there is a famous quote that many American still hear today. The quote is by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Only a portion of the quote is used, the first few words, and involves the word fear. Looking at the news, I see a lot of things going on in the world that would cause one to fear, worry, become dismayed, or even depressed. The words worry, dismayed and depressed are the actions that come from the word fear, and that fear in itself sets all of us into bondage, no matter if we believe in the Messiah Jesus or not.

Are we to fear? Scripture tells us that we are not to fear, that God will be with us, those of us who have a relationship with him, because we have asked for forgiveness and walking in his path. He actually goes before us fighting the battle for us, and we are to do our part in the battle—the trials, tribulations, and troubles that we face everyday. So, what is our part in the battle? We are to make a stand, have faith, be bold, and to persevere.  In the book of 2 Timothy, God tells us:

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

When we walk in God’s light and in his Spirit we have the power to speak things out of our lives by declaration, and also by the power of prayer. Praying to God keeps our relationship line open to him, and allows us to give our fears, and all our concerns to him, and in so doing we do keep a sound mind, and a healthy heart.

I have seen many things in my life that I have experienced all of the above, and I have matured to the place where I give all to God because I know I cannot handle it alone. I need the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whom Christians believe that Jesus is God in the flesh. We also must understand the fact is that what causes us to fear is because we have allowed fear to come into our lives from one particular source, and that is man. Exercising our faith, and being steadfast believing that man cannot do to us what they want, and that in the end we will be victorious.

Are we  to fear? The answer is no. Think upon the Lord today and everyday. Talk to him, and tell him your fears. Listen for his voice, and you might hear these words, be still, my child. Be at peace for I am with you. Trust him. He will be.

 

Notes

2 Timothy 1:7 King James Version (KJV) Public Domain, Biblegateway.com

www. notable-quotes.com./r/roosevelt_franklin_d.html

 

Some time ago I planted a avocado seed. I had gotten my seed from an avocado that I had cut to include in my delicious keto salads I create on occasionally for supper. Every now and then I had watered the pot, and did so for a while. Thinking that the seed had died and rotted I left the pot alone. Then one evening I looked down at the pot stepping off the front porch and saw that the seed had sprouted and grew to a height of 6 inches with tiny rich green leaves. I was so surprised and happy because the seed I planted took root and was blessing me with it’s presence.  I had planted it not knowing what an avocado tree would look like and out of curiosity. What did I learn from this surprise?

As believers in Jesus, we plant seeds every day exercising our faith so that we can be a blessing to others. We plant the seeds of good deeds out of love, and also out of mercy because we do not want people to pass from this world and find themselves in eternal darkness and torment. We plant the seeds and then we go on not knowing if the seed would take root and sprout. Sometimes it may take years, but all we can do is bless and plant the seed. Then we find, by surprise, that our seed did sprout though it may not have been local when it sprouted, but we heard about our good deed through the person testifying of their life’s new beginning, or through some other means. Nature, as created by God, gives us lessons in life if we stop and take notice. Just like this avocado seed I planted gave me lessons in trust and patience.

So, go about your life giving blessings, loving people, and planting faithful seeds. You may never know the good you have done, but you have enacted your faith, and in the end  your treasure is assured.

 

Ecclesiastes 1:16

 

I am a quiet man. After doing a hard day’s work , I like to come home and get a glass of tea and settle down for a quiet time with my little dog. This helps me separate my day and think on the day’s events, and how God has blessed me that day.  It is calming of my emotions when I sit down and break open the bible to ruminate on a thought I had during the day. My thoughts are recorded during the day because I carry a notebook with me, and I bring it home and work on that thought some more. The process for me is like sitting beside a slow moving stream under a cool tree, and thinking on the goodness of God, or a thought that he has spoken to my heart. The thought he has given me is nourished by my evening study and encourages me to move forward.  Have you ever done the same?

Some days I put a CD in my player and listen to the calm music of nature, or of harps, and it brings quiet comfort to my spirit, my soul, and calms my emotions from a troublesome day. Yes, in these times I do pray and talk to God to help me where I am short, and to strengthen me in the areas I need. It is through these times of trouble and sitting by the still water that brings spiritual growth. It is in the pain, the trouble, and tribulations that matures us. That is what I have experienced. Another experience is the love that I feel that emanates from God from being in a quiet, studious manner.  When you are feeling the same and needing help, why not try what I have done and experience God’s love by the still water.

Psalms 1

Thanks for joining me!

My life as I view it is like a book. With each experience and accomplishment I turn a new page. I have had many pages turned in my life, and the page that I am currently viewing, is embarking upon a new creative process for me in writing books of nonfiction, future fiction, and any creative thought that God gives me to write! I hope that in viewing my pages that everything I post is a blessing to all!

My new page that I am experiencing now is the release of my first published book, The Breaking of the Pumpernickel: Savoring the Beauty of God. It is a book of God’s beauty, and how he has revealed himself to me while studying his word, the Bible. It is a writing about his intelligence, creation, and more. Why did I choose the word pumpernickel in the book title? It is friendship bread, and the dough is to be shared so that we and our friends will always have an original loaf of bread in which to savor. That is what God’s word is all about, originality, friendship, intimate relationship with God, and most of all his saving grace and salvation!

If you would like to view the book and order, you may do so at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes. It comes in paperback and digital.  The links below will lead you to the the location of the book listing.

Amazon  Barnes and Noble

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

To view a video summary of my book, please visit this link below:

 

The Breaking of the Pumpernickel Trailer