Category: Podcasts

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green explores The Way of the Shepherd by Don Baker.

We all need and want to be cared for by someone who really loves us.  We are made in His image where love is paramount.  Understanding the ways of a shepherd and what he sacrifices in knowing every need of his sheep, being sensitive to their surroundings is what allows the sheep and lambs to lie down and rest in green pastures and drink the quiet still waters.

Under the care of a good shepherd, sheep lie down in the quiet and serene sense of gentle contentment.  “Godliness with “contentment is great gain.”

The Way of the Shepherd will bring delightful joy to the heart and the beautiful pictures captivating the message in each chapter. The beauty of the book is that it equally reaches out to the heart that is troubled or to a person struggling with the issues of life that must have a shepherd to protect and carry us,  to a place of safety.

Expressed in the 23^rd Psalm and illustrated for us is the correlation between sheep of the field and us as Christians being sheep of His pasture. Tension is released as we see we are never abandoning and always have the shepherd there for us when we are unable to help ourselves.  Great comfort and understanding come from practical illustrations that are given to David as he learned from his Great Shepherd.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green tackles “The Porn Problem” by Vaughan Roberts. Sex is not simply recreational; it is profoundly relational.”  In just two short generations we have moved to a widespread adoption of liberal values, many that conflict with the Bible. Believers are finding themselves to be the misunderstood minority, and feeling at odds with where the world seems to be heading.

It is not just Christians who are worried about the tsunami of porn that has hit our society. Social commentators, medical professionals, and concerned individuals point to the negative impact it is having on body image, relational health, and development of adolescent sexuality. Porn wears many different faces and affects both sexes leaving many with shame and nowhere to find the door out of the driving desires that consume their lives.

There is a way out from the passion of porn. The author, Vaughan Roberts lifts the lid off this bondage and gives a short, but direct, understanding in finding help for anyone facing the enslavement of lust without any lasting satisfaction.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green shares “Wounded Heroes” by Elizabeth Skoglund.

Wounds come in all forms from tragic events, daily pressures of continued stress, the “what ifs” of life looming over us, surprises of health challenges, broken relationships, losses  of many kinds.  It is certain that life is filled with UNCERTAINTY.

Choosing right responses is necessary in understanding unavoidable pain, suffering which does not immediately go away, even when we try to get rid of it. Finding meaning in our suffering can keep the joy  and hope for now and whatever may be ahead.

Common life mixed with the divine, practical details lived out in the light of eternity, blessings from buffetings: these are God’s ways of putting our theology into shoe leather. Centuries of saints show us the “how to” of being a faithful wounded warrior.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green explores “This World-Playground or Battleground” by A.W. Tozer.

We live in a time of great prosperity and one whole generation has known life as having it “your way” with “75 choices” of instant fulfillment. Society and culture offer options gratifying to the senses of pleasure, desire, lust, and comfort. When situations occur and threaten that lifestyle, especially for the Christian that accepts the world’s standard as their own, chaos and confusion with division brings unbelief and destruction to our faith. The focus is no longer centered in the Bible and person of Jesus Christ.

If you are a student of the Word you will know we are promised seasons of suffering, and a playground was never an option. Oh, yes, there awaits times of refreshing and a dimension so wonderful that our Lord Jesus declares in Ephesians 3:20, He is exceedingly abundantly able to do above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.  There is a life NOW that is worth the living when holding to the plan of God.  When we choose the world system for life untold loss awaits us, now and in the eternal purpose planned by God.

AW Tozer cuts through the glitz and glamor with an honest and balanced appraisal of desiring a playground rather than a temporal calling of a battleground.  We need to wake up and count the cost of believing that our God knows what is best for us, NOW AND FOREVER.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green looks at Effective Faith by Sanders J Oswald.

A diamond is formed under great pressure and placed under the hands of a skilled craftsman for cutting the facets into it for the beauty and brilliance to be seen; so the Lord gives a measure of faith to each one of us and then through the pressures of living, cuts the facets of faith into each one of us so that His Life, His character, His love may be seen in us.

Faith’s chief occupation is obtaining the promises of God, discovering what God is able to do in the face of all opposition and difficulties and willing to accept what it cannot understand.

Faith is the assent of the mind and the consent of the heart. To doubt any word God has spoken is to cripple faith, leading to unbelief and in Scripture is the one thing that exasperates God.

Effective Faith will open a chapter of exploring the many facets of faith to bring you to resting in the object of your faith, Jesus Christ.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green digs into Know Who You Believe by Paul Little.

Do you question whether God knows or cares about you in your everyday life? Would you like to be connected with God? Do you feel you need to know a little more about God before connecting with Him?

If so, come be a part and join author Paul Little as he helps you to closely examine the central truths about God and enable you to know with confidence in whom you believe!

This 3^rd volume was published after the death of Paul Little by his wife Marie Little from a cache of Paul’s files, tapes, and a previous book entitled The Answer to Life. Marie has used Paul’s voice on every page…the thoughts and theology are his. Marie has added some updated terms and references, but whenever she does, she has set them off from the main text.

I so appreciate the work she has done. To me, it is such a blessing that Paul’s wonderful insights were not lost due to his untimely death.

It is not enough to know about God’s Word, ways, and attributes. It is not enough to preach about these, proclaim the Good News, or promote Bible study. What the deciding factor is of whether or not we are in-dwelt by the Spirit of God and on the road to eternal life is that we know God.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green pulls “Know Why You Believe” by Paul Little from the bookshelf to take a look inside.

If in today’s world you believe the Bible is from God and it is TRUTH, that is a good thing. However, if the time comes when you want to become a disciple, a learner, of what you believe to be true, then pushing forward is mandatory. If you desire to become a defender of WHAT you believe and taking the aggressive role in being able to present your case with conviction, then it is vital to know WHY you believe.

Global society is working very hard to wipe out absolutes from our history and moral values. We find ourselves regressing in our growth if we cannot understand and convey knowledge that will stand to man’s logic, reason, and rationalization. If what you believe cannot be proven by why you believe, then your creditability is destroyed. It is just another opinion.

When we are established in What we believe and Why we believe our foundation will be solid and well-pleasing to God.  Furthermore, we will be equipped to do the good works we have been called to do and able to stand against the attacks from the enemy.  Knowing What and Why in our theology keeps us from being deceived because the Truth abiding in us sets us free. Without a solid foundation, we will be tossed about, falling into unbelief and confusion.

Listen carefully to the challenging discussion that causes us to question Why we believe.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green pulls “Know What You Believe” by Paul Little.

What has established your beliefs about WHAT you believe? Family tradition, something you read or heard in social media, Church and Sunday School teaching, or first- hand bible study.

So many today have a theology built on second-hand faith. We may not be true disciples or learners as we accept whatever we are told is Truth without the discipline of daily searching the Scriptures. WE must be waiting on the ultimate professor of faith, the Holy Spirit to enlighten the doctrines, tenants, history, the God of the Bible, and timely truth. Do you really know WHO you worship and hopefully center your life around or is your God a God of convenience and comfort for your benefit only?

Most Christians today cannot defend their faith or beliefs, even though they believe. It is a scary world in the Church today. To think of a soldier not sure what the rules of engagement are, not knowing the people in charge of his company or platoon, not understanding any of the directives given or how to implement them, the war would not be won. We are facing the same crisis within the Body of Christ and the daily attacks are being met with indifference or little concern of what is on the horizon coming straight toward us. We are not prepared!!

Take time out today to start a new commitment to put on your armor and understand the purpose of wearing it. In this day and age, if you are not willing to be a soldier/warrior living independence under your Commander, life will be filled with defeat and anguish. Yes, Grace always abounds, but there are “rules” to grace being properly appropriated. GET GROUNDED in WHAT YOU BELIEVE!!

This week on Sharin’ Hearts The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green pulls “Major Bible Themes: 52 Vital Doctrines fo the Scriptures Simplified and Explained” by Lewis Sperry Chafer from the shelf to discuss.

Can you explain or defend the Bible and its purpose?  Have you ever wanted to know more of God’s role in our lives, understand the different interactions  God the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit share as they control, direct, and guide us through our time here on earth?  Most Christians lack the daily practical understanding of how God works.

Major Bible Themes addresses 52 questions we desperately need to rise up against the falsehoods that we are being asked to swallow as reality when in essence they are twisted fabrications of man’s thinking. Take some time out of life’s busy schedule and listen to what may be life-changing knowledge as the Holy Spirit grounds us in God’s Truth about Who He is and how He operates.  We will forever be going deeper and deeper into the depths of His grace as we are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green takes a look at “Your Eternal Reward” by Erwin Lutzer.

There may be tears in heaven.  When we reflect on how we lived for Christ, we might weep on the other side of the celestial gates.  Although Christians have been justified by faith, Christ will still judge us for our “deeds done in the body whether good or bad.” How well or poorly we do here might indeed determine our status in heaven for all eternity.

Be prepared to have your understanding of the judgment seat of Christ challenged, provoked, and perhaps permanently changed.  Will you answer the heart of God that is seeking a bride who can sit with Christ on His throne and rule forever or will you be given a rebuke from Christ and have “shame at His coming?”  The choice is yours!!

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green opens A Pocket Guide to Social Issues by Answers in Genesis.

America is indeed in the middle of a cultural war. The battle lines are drawn around issues that polarize our society, there are many labels that get attached to these ideas, but labels can often be misleading.

In order to understand the issues, it is important to look at them from both sides, but the biblical side of these issues is not well-represented in the media.

Today’s feature covers a variety of topics like: when does life begin? What about stem cells, homosexuality, euthanasia, same-sex marriage, and racism? Where do human rights come from, how do we know what is moral? These questions and others are answered in this compilation of topics and it’s contributing authors will layout both the biblical perspective alongside the secular understanding of the issues.

Because we must know what scripture says and how to address those around us in love and grace while still standing firmly on the Word of God and A Pocket Guide to Social Issues by Answers in Genesis is a great place to start.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger pulls “God is Not Fair” by Joel Freeman off the shelf to examine. The really big question is how do we live, as we are called to live if God is not fair?  A beautiful, yet simple solution, awaits you as discover the answer.

We often hear our children complain about a situation  that did not go the way they thought it should and say, “that is not fair.”  Fair according to what standard?  Is there an alternative to being fair? God assures us that according to His standard “fairness” must yield to justice under His loving wisdom.  Where did “fairness” become our “guiding light” for circumstances that happen in our lives?

The best of men have asked that question: Moses, John the Baptist, and even Job have all wondered why and how God allowed His Own to incur such horrible messes when they thought they were faithfully serving Him.

Joel Freeman portrays and outlines,  from start to finish,  of how we fall into this way of thinking as being justified by our own evaluations.  He uses examples from the logic of man to reveal the mind of God on where our thinking has a false view. “God Is Not Fair” awakens our conscience, in how the enemy can erode our seeking to explain the difficult things that happen.  This will hold the attention of anyone from 15-75 years.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green takes a look at Every Body Matters by Gary Thomas.

Weak beliefs about the importance of caring for your body produces weak commitments.  The highest authority  gives us some motivation.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 are words that need to be taken to heart, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought with a price.  Therefore honor God with your bodies.”  We were purchased with a high price to be redeemed and given eternal life in the Son, Jesus Christ.

Every Body Matters doesn’t focus on fad diets, and extreme practices for the body, however, since the body is the  dwelling place for His Spirit in ministry for us and others, we need to evaluate the importance we give to the  body as  we are stewards of what has been given to us. 1 Corinthians 4:2, “Moreover, it is required in a steward to be found faithful.”

Today, Ginger Green explores Authentic Christianity by Ray Stedman.

Jesus died for us that He might live in us.  Christ in you, the hope of glory. Our goal is to move beyond religion, doctrines, rules, rituals,  into that life-changing experience of being intimately connected with Christ at the very core of your being-for that is authentic Christianity. This is our only hope to finishing  well!

Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, can actually come to live within a human being, and intertwine his life with our own. God’s plan of salvation is aimed in our human will, our decision-making ability.  We must make a choice to surrender as authentic Christians, not through intellectually comprehending and accepting historical facts.  Our life must be joined to his life.

This “read” outlines the phony from the genuine with  illustrations of practical experiences confirmed through the Scriptures.

Today on The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green explores The Courage To Be Protestant by David Wells.

Whatever your choice, Courage to be Protestant will give you the facts and consequences in the world of cultural change.  Read and then decide which camp you belong to and why.  Great book for all believers from 18-80 years.

Today on Sharin Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green peels open the pages of The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K Scott.

The old saying “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.”  The idea that words never hurt is a false myth and we know from experience that words can devastate, destroy, and may have lingering consequences for years to come.

On the other hand the right words spoken according to Proverbs 25:11 are ”like apples of gold in settings of silver.”  Where do we find such comforting, guiding, healing words? In the promises of God given to us in the Scriptures.

Jesus never spoke with a “double tongue.”  What He said He will do and fulfill.  Knowing the Scriptures is to know the authentic, real, and true words, not some counterfeit and fake  as Psalms 55: 21: describes:  “The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.” From the mouth the heart speaks.

The Greatest Words Even Spoken teach us the words of Jesus that have changed the course of history by changing, millions of lives, one life at a time.

There is a belief that self-esteem, a good self-image, provides the necessary foundation for a wholesome personality and successful behavior.  This theory is accepted in secular and evangelical society, no longer a theory, but as established truth.

A noted psychologist speaking to a group at a well-known company was asked what impact the self-esteem movement had in today’s world.  The answer was “it was a  complete disaster.”  Paul Brownback has provided us with an explanation and solution to this problem that has misguided so many in our society.

Ginger Green eloquently shares the TRUTH of self-esteem and the author Paul Brownback, graciously provides an analysis of an alternative that may be found in our TEACHING HANDOUTS.

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