Imaginary Jesus--Book Review

So you think you know Jesus huh? What's he like? Does he talk to you? Have you ever chatted with him over a cup of coffee? Is he with you always? REALLY? What about the time your life fell apart and you were left completely devastated and alone--where was he then?

In Imaginary Jesus, Matt Mikalatos is in pursuit of Jesus, trying his best to follow him, but discovers it's not easy when Jesus is on the run! The Jesus Matt has been hanging out with might just be a figment of his own imagination. In his efforts to find the real Jesus, Matt encounters more than one--maybe even your--imaginary Jesus!

This hilarious journey will have you doing some soul-searching. Will you be able to recognize the real Jesus?

I enjoyed this book. I started reading with a little hesitation because I was not a big fan of The Shack, fiction, which attempted to give the reader a different perspective on God and the Trinity. I wasn't sure I was ready to tackle another half-truth half-fiction book about the person of Jesus Christ. I was pleasantly surprise with Imaginary Jesus.

With wit and a wonderful sense of humor, Matt uses fiction and his wild imagination to plant many questions and seeds of truth in the readers' minds. If you've ever wondered where Jesus was when you needed him most, this book will be a blessing to you.

Please watch this trailer for just a hint of the fun and adventure that awaits you in Imaginary Jesus.




Tyndale House Publishers has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review. This review is my honest opinion. A link to the trailer was provided to me by Tyndale House Publishers. The title of this post is linked to Matt Mikalatos' web site if you would like more information.

Still more remodeling

I'm still working on my blog new do. I've added a few more links to blogs I read--see that post under the POI link on my navigation bar.

Do you see that Group Tour link? That's where you are going to find any memes I take part in. What's a meme? I know some of you are VERY familiar with memes and others are wondering...

A meme is one of those things that "everybody" is doing. You know, one blogger writes about something or starts some project and other blog writers snatch the idea and do the same thing. I've never been one to follow the crowed, (though I did own a mood ring a long time ago) but sometimes, doing things with a group can be fun. There is one meme out there that is very popular, Project 365. It is so popular in fact that when I Googled it, I found it impossible to figure out where it originated.

The idea of Project 365 is to take and post a photo for every day of the year. A photo journal is the end result. My oldest daughter did it for a while and it looked like fun. So, I thought I'd give it a try.

You would think that the best time of year to start a project like this would be January, 1. Yeah, well, it took me a while to decided I really wanted to participate in this meme. So the next best time to start my picture-a-day hobby would be on the first of any given month, or at least on the first day of any week. Nope! I didn't do that either. Don't you know it is weirder more dashing and bold to plunge into the mainstream of blogging memes when the mood strikes? Yeah, that's me!

And to continue in my style of never following the crowd exactly, I didn't post my first few pictures daily. I'm posting them in a little bunch. From here on out, my desire it to post a photo a day, but I'm not making any promises. In little bunches may become my MO.

Either way, I hope you enjoy my photo journal, and if you want to join in, or if you already have a 365 project going, let's link up and have a snap-happy good time! But for now, here are pictures for days 1-5.

Friday we had rain, lots of rain. I'm not complaining. Rain here is always good. But look at our driveway. We really need to have something hauled in here to keep the mud under control. *sigh* But that something comes with a big price tag, so we slop around in the mud and are thankful for the rain.

Saturday we combined a bunch of our junk with my in-laws' discards and had a garage sale in Dumas. I appreciate their garage--we don't have one. We made a little cash (not enough to fix the driveway) but the best part was getting rid of stuff we no longer have use for. You'd be surprised what people will buy when it costs only a quarter.

Sunday after church we took advantage of the pretty weather and some of our garage sale cash. Marigolds are cheap and cheery. I love the birdbath. I hope the little birds will love it to.

Okay, so Sunday deserve two pictures. Or, maybe I couldn't make up my mind which one to post. This dahlia is in a pot and will travel with me when we are deployed and get to go back to work.

Monday I took care of several domestic issues. Laundry, laundry, and more laundry. Now someone tell me what is dashing and bold about that! I'm glad the machine did most of the work so I had time to take pictures!

Today has been, well, a lazy day. Cold, clouds, dampness, wind, and then finally a little sun. I've spent the whole day with computer activities. Sally took a good long nap. What a life!

I wonder what tomorrow holds?

Tea, Anyone?

Today, April 15--tax day. Did you get yours done before midnight? I'm happy to tell you that I had all our paperwork to the CPA a long time ago. I got with it early because we needed the refund due us just to get buy for another month. No big purchases or splurging, not even any debt reduction. Just the necessities, and still I'm wondering how far I can stretch a dollar.

Not only was it tax day, but also Tea Party day. This evening the Amarillo Tea Party Patriots met to hear Sheriff Richard Mack, teach, give testimony, and encourage Americans to know, love, and live by the Constitution of the United States of America. And is it too much to ask the political powers in Washington, D.C. to do the same? (Please check out his web site through the link. You will be inspired and encouraged I'm sure.)

I was glad to see that this year the Tea Party folks have gotten past simply carrying signs of protest and complaining and moved into finding solutions to the problems we face. The solution is in our own beloved Constitution.

It was an enjoyable evening of entertainment and inspiration--somewhere between a pep rally and tent revival meeting.

Ed Montana used his talents to stir and entertain the crowed that numbered over 1000 people from all over the Texas Panhandle. Here is a catchy little number you might enjoy. Please excuse the one little bit of frank language--this IS Texas, after all.


I'm glad I spent the evening at the Tea Party. I ran into several old friends, some I have not seen in almost 30 years. It got me out of the house for a little while, and I walked way with a renewed sense of pride and appreciation. I'm still proud to be a Texan, and an American. This is STILL the greatest country in the world, and I appreciate all the patriots throughout our history who have protected and defended the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Now, it is time for this generation to become a generation of patriots and take a stand against tyranny--may our grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow old in the land of the free, and the home of the brave!

POI

Blogosphere. That's a word that didn't exists until a few years ago. Here is how it is defined on the Wikipedia site. (And we all know if you read it there, it HAS to be right, right?)

The blogosphere is made up of all blogs and their interconnections. The term implies that blogs exist together as a connected community (or as a collection of connected communities) or as a social network in which everyday authors can publish their opinions.

I remember how my grandmother use to attend her weekly "club" meetings. Her club, or community of ladies, made quilts, chatted, formed friendships, helped each other, learned new and sharpened old homemaking skills, and...well I don't know everything they did. Her club was special to her, and even though I know her grandchildren were also special, we were never invited to attend "club" with her. That was her time to get dressed up, get out of the house, and get connected with women she knew as friends.

I wonder if any of those clubs even exist any more. Today we live in an age of social networking web sites, online chat rooms, instant messaging, and blogging communities. We call people friends whom we've never met. We chat without saying a word. We smile with colons and parentheses, and we display sadness the same way. Culture has shifted so that when a friend we don't really know has a less than positive status update on her web page (which is not really a page at all), we give virtual hugs and leave encouraging words in a comment box.

Today I'm not going to get into whether this change in how we function as community is good or bad. Though I will say that sometimes it makes me sad. My point is...that's how life is now. Like it or not, the blogosphere is "out there" and it is real. Sort of.

Not to be left behind--rocking on the porch while the rest of the world sits staring at computer screens trying to act like a community--I am part of that online group of worldwide bloggers.

Just like there were certain rules of etiquette that my grandmother followed when she went to her club meetings there are rules of etiquette among those who put their opinions out there on the web for the whole world to see. One of those rules is, share links and help promote another person's blog. Now don't ask me why we blog writers (most of us anyway) want the whole world to see our photos, know our likes and dislikes, and read our take on everything that happens in our lives, but we do. Somehow it is our way of trying to find like-minded people to build our virtual community.

When Edie over at Rich Gifts designed my new blog, I asked her to create a page called Points Of Interest or POI. These POI are places I like to visit, blogs I like to read or have found helpful. They are all part of a modern day virtual community. As I have time and discover new blogs I will add them so that you, my reader, can check them out for yourself. And if you like, you can read, leave comments, or whatever you want to do so that you will be part of the social group know as the blogosphere. So come back and check this page ever now and then for a new POI!

A Texas Aloha

 Lliving Our Fairy Tale

  Proverbs 30:2

 Chick Chat

Losing Myself

Bakers' Blessings

Reflections

 

My Writing Loft

The Pioneer Woman

Guest Posts

This material was posted previously on What's Up. I am posting it again on my new blog because the pages function differently there. If you missed these interviews before, then I hope you enjoy this material by guest authors.

Here you will find not my work or thoughts, but the words of other folks who have something to say. I hope you enjoy this page and feel free to leave your comments.

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Interview With K.M. Johnson

K.M., the title of your book is, Knowing The Struggle Is Over! which is very fitting for the current economic situation. I know some people may be wondering, though, what exactly is the struggle?

Honestly, I get that question often. The struggle is not your typical financial situation, or necessarily an addiction that I am speaking of. Though those are two great examples, a struggle is actually any situation, trial or tribulation you may find yourself in. When you find yourself in a struggle, it often means that you have come to a point where you must make a decision and ultimately a choice! I say this with the understanding that everything we do daily is a choice. Whether or not we say or do something is a decision that we as a person have consciously made on our own, regardless if it is wrong or right.

In your book you tell the reader that they can get through any struggle in just three steps! So what are these three steps?

The first step is to Stop Complaining. Now I must admit I did say you can get through your struggle in just three steps, but I never said it would be easy! ;) During this first step we are focusing on renewing our mind, and changing the way we view the things that are happening to us. Oftentimes, we become so caught up in the world around us that we forget about the God within us! The second step is to Let Go and Let God. For myself this was the hardest step. Mainly because I had NO idea what it meant to literally "Let Go and Let God!" Once I had an understanding, it became a natural sequence in restoring my faith in God in regards to my situation. The third step is to Acknowledge Him. Some may see that as easy and obvious, but how often do we "know" what to do and still we "don't" do it! You have to develop a major spirit of praise and give Him ALL of the glory for everything big and small. The noticeable things in our lives we always seem to give Him the glory, but God is truly in the details as well! When we begin to pay attention, and notice how He is moving and working in our lives, that is when we can truly praise Him! And a praise like that becomes a sincere and spirit filled praise! It's not forced, and you won't even have to second guess.

How did God lead you to writing this book?

It's funny and I talk about this at the beginning of my book, but at the beginning I received revelation on my drive home to Gulfport, Ms. from Houston, TX for Christmas. I was on I10 somewhere in Louisiana, and I began praying about my situation. As I finished praying, I remember thinking, "I should write a book." Now what is interesting is that not only did God impress upon me the strong desire to write a book, but He also gave me the title, and contents during that drive! By the time I had made it to my mother's house, I was so excited because I knew I was about to write this book called, "Knowing The Struggle Is Over" and I was going to have three steps that would help you accomplish just that! If I were a writer this wouldn't have sounded so crazy! ;) I never really had a true interest in writing an actual book before then. The only thing I had ever considered prior to that day was writing a children's fiction book, or maybe a few songs/poems. A non-fiction book? Absolutely NOT!

Why did you feel that it was so important to write a book about getting through a struggle?

At first I was excited because I had heard God! I mean, at the time I had been praying and constantly, but I that was the first time I could remember Him telling me to do something outside of my situation. This was around the time I began to understand "how" to be obedient. You see I also realized that what I was going through, and even what I had gone through in the past, was not for me alone, but to share with others. It's great to learn from your own mistakes, but it''s even better when you can learn from someone else's! I also realized that I wasn't in a bad place, I was just looking in the wrong place! In order to truly overcome my situations my faith had to be stronger. The bible tells us that every man is given a measure of faith, and in another scripture it tells us that all we have to have is faith the grain of a mustard seed, but I began to realize that it is easy to forget you even have that faith sometimes! So I had to find a way to get it back, each and every time, it started to look as if it wanted to disappear! Most of the time we stay in a situation because we don't know what choice or decision to make that will get us out!

Please share anything else that would help us understand the writing of your book and how it helps others.

I truly just would like for your readers to know that with everything you go through, God is preparing you for the next level He wants to take you to in life. Sometimes we think that we have a relationship and we know who God is, and we really don't. Just because you spent time with Him last week doesn't mean you can ignore Him this week. To better understand how He works and is working in our lives we have to continuously strive for a closer, more intimate relationship with Him daily! God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, but that doesn't mean to put limits on Him, that just means to trust Him. If He did it before then surely He will do it again! We begin to lose faith because we aren't spending enough time getting to know Him. You get through your situations, by restoring your faith and developing a closer relationship with God. Everyone has an area in their relationship with God where their faith is not at the level it COULD be! If your faith is a 10 on a 1-10 scale, then strive for a 15. All this will do is help you see the other side much more clearer. Then you will find that when you are in your situation you have a confidence, and renewed peace, with an unimaginable strength to make it through!

How can readers get their hands on their own copy of this miraculous book to help them restore their faith in God?

There are several options. My book is available on both my blog: michelejenterprises.blogspot.com, and my author site: kmjohnson3stepstoknowing.com. You can also go to the ordering desk at your favorite local bookstore and have it within a few short days! It is also offered on various online stores. Regardless of how you get your copy, the most important thing is that you get your copy! This is a great way to revive your thinking and restore your faith!

PLEASE NOTE: A complimentary copy of this book was provided to the blog host by the author in exchange for posting this interview on their blog. Please visit Christian Speaker Services at www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com for more information about their blog tour management services. 

About the Author

K.M. Johnson is the CEO of Everything(s) Eventful, LLC and author of A Blog about God, by Trinite3. She graduated from Florida A&M University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in professional counseling. She travels extensively conducting inspiration and motivational seminars and workshops in the United States and across the globe. K. M. Johnson was born on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and currently resides in Houston, Texas.

She began her work in ministry after finding an understanding of what it meant to be saved. Her positive outlook in life throughout her struggles helped her to realize that her faith in God is what has continued to keep her and bring her through each and every situation she has faced. From once believing if she claimed to be “saved” she would have to be “like her mother”, to now knowing that everyone has their own spiritual journey in which they will travel, she has truly grown in her faith and transformed her faith walk into a faith strut!

K. M. ’s volunteer work includes yearly participation in Toys for Tots, Meals on Wheels, and active participation in various community events sponsored by her home churches as well as her local church.
She is continuing her work as a freelance writer, speaker, event planner, and Officer in the Army Reserves. As for other interests, K. M. enjoys singing, traveling, shopping, cooking/baking and interior decorating.

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Leaving Hurryville

(Comments From a Former Resident)

by Frankie D. Sherman

A big concern of Christian women is the epidemic of shallow relationships among women. In an age when broken marriages, moral decline, and unbelievable heartache are frighteningly high, our God-given support system is lacking.

What happened? Why do we know more people than ever before, yet know very little about each other? Why do we know more about the latest celebrity break-up, yet very little about the young woman in our church going through her own divorce?

Unfortunately, we live in Hurryville. Hurry and get the kids to school. Hurry and get to work. Hurry to Bible study. Hurry to the ball field. Hurry! Girl Hurry! In this “hurry up, see you later” world we don’t take the time to invest in relationships like the generations before us did. Our busy lives leave very little time to invest in meaningful relationships.

Because of this, we are suffering. We miss wonderful opportunities to reach others for Christ and to strengthen others in the body of Christ.

How about you and I change the busyness in our circle of influence by adjusting our schedules and priorities? We can start right now to focus on the relationships in our circle of influence as the nurturing women God designed us to be.

Becoming a better friend is something believers should focus on, because it can impact the world for the Christ.

So where do we begin?

Leave Hurryville-without a forwarding address! It’s a choice and a hard one. But God is faithful and he will help you with this lifestyle change.

Pray, and read God Word.

Schedule time with friends; ask them how they are and what’s up in their life.

Engage in meaningful conversation about them and how the Lord is working in their life.

Leave the cell phone turned off during your time together.

Share good books, good tips, good information and good food.

If your friend is a single mom, widow, health issue, or has problems at home, always be sensitive to her needs or situation. You are not “the solution” but you can show her you care through your friendship. God will provide the wisdom concerning boundaries and blessings.

I left Hurryville, many years ago. Sometimes my old nature tries to pull me back. But I learned the value of meaningful friendships and Hurryville doesn’t compare. Should you decide to leave Hurryville too let me know. We can sit on the porch and enjoy chat together.

BOOK FRANKIE FOR YOUR NEXT EVENT!

About the author:

Frankie Sherman is a national speaker, comedian, and Bible teacher for conferences, retreats, and women's events. She fell in love with Jesus at Vacation Bible School and takes every opportunity to tell others about the joy of being alive in Christ. She is a former choreographer for the Georgia Peach Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl Halftime Show. Her specialty is in theater musical/productions. Her first Bible Study, Why We Need Girlfriends is based on the relationship of Mary and Elizabeth, from Luke's gospel. Two women brought together by extraordinary circumstances by an extraordinary God. Frankie is from South Carolina—loves sweet tea, BIG hair and her grand-girls. She believes there will never be another Elvis. And knows that her Jesus will return for her soon.

Now Securing Interviews and Reviews

Kathy Carlton Willis Communications – KCWComm@rgv.rr.com or WillisWay@aol.com

This is being re-posted because of a change in blog page function (or something like that). If you have already enjoyed these posts, thanks for your patience and understanding. If you've missed these interviews before, then I hope you enjoyed your time here reading.  Please keep in mind that the material you found here under Fellow Travelers is not my own work, but that of another author. For more information, please follow the appropriate links.

Coming Soon...A Blog Makeover!

It's coming! Watch for it! My new blog! Well, sort of new. There is going to be a new title and a new look to my blog. I may even come up with some new content to add to the same old stuff you've been reading. Are you excited? I am.

Don't worry, the URL will not change so you will still find me at the same address on the web. If you have me bookmarked (and you should ya know...wink wink) you won't have to change a thing. But I'm giving you the heads up because when you stop in for a visit, I don't want you to think you are lost or in the wrong place.

Why the change you ask? First of all, I'm bored to death with the layouts and looks that Blogger has to offer. Sometimes a girl simply has to have a new do. You know how it is when there is so much in this world you can't control, you have a HUGE need to change those things you CAN control? (Okay, so it is sick, and I might need a counseling session or two. But I still refuse to admit to being a control freak!) 

Another reason for the change--evolution.

When I first started this blog, I did it as part of a writing assignment. I had never written a blog, and for that matter,  I'm not sure I'd ever read one either. I had no idea what I would write, why I would write, or who, if anybody, would read it. Now, honestly, I'm still a little unclear on those things, but the project has seemed to take a bit of a direction on its own. There have been uphill climbs and downhill slides, months of several regular postings and months of few sporadic postings. I've written about fun times, joyous events, struggles, heartbreak, trips, life's trials...a little bit of everything. And to what purpose?

Stepping back and looking at my beloved blog from afar, I see it as a record of my journey through this life, on my way to the next. Boy! What a trip! I've seen a common theme emerge from my peculiar pondering, less than fantastic photos, and random rambling. Joy.

Joy, not often evident or easily found, is something I intend to pursue continually. I'm not saying I'm always good at finding it, sometimes it finds me. But as I've journeyed through this life, and continue to do so, I know one place where I find joy no matter how bad or trying my circumstances, and that is at the foot of the cross. There, in the mix of blood and mud, is the birthplace of true and everlasting joy.

So, if you are stopping in here to read my blog for the first time, or if you are one of my faithful "followers" who has been traveling along with me from the beginning, I invite you to continue on this journey with me, all the way to the foot of the cross. It is going to be a DASHING and BOLD adventure!

Introductions

Last Sunday at church, I sat by my youngest daughter. My daughter sat beside her friend. She has known this person for a year or more, but recently their friendship has taken on a new dimension. There is a new kind of interest between them. Um hum. Cute grins and pet names testify.

After the service was over we all walked out together, headed for our cars. Before we got to the door, the young man said something to my baby girl, and she passed along to me, "He wants me to meet some of his friends."

I said, "Okay." We parted ways, and I thought, how cute.

The instant the two of them became official, Facebook statuses changed and my little girl has been on a mission to introduce her guy to all her friends and family. She seems to want the whole world to know she has a boyfriend, a new relationship. Apparently he is on the same kind of mission because my kid has already met his father and talked on the phone with his mother, and of course, met the friends at church.

Their eagerness reminded me of a couple of men who were excited about a new relationship--a new friend.
To get the whole story, please read the first chapter of the gospel of John, but for the moment, look at verses 40-46.

40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). 42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).
43 The next day He purposed to go into Galilee, and He found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow Me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

I don't know about you, but boy do I feel convicted. I sense the Holy Spirit saying, "Jesus Christ is the lover of your soul. Your relationship is special and intimate. So why aren't you eager, as these young ones, to introduce Him to all of your friends?"

I'm seldom without words, but ...(Did I just hear a pin drop?)

Have I gotten so comfortable, familiar, or bored, in my relationship with the only one who loves me enough to die for me, that I don't think to introduce Him to other people? Do I not want the whole world to know Him, and know that I am in an intimate and eternal relationship with Him? When was the last time I told anybody that I have a friend who is also my savior, the love and passion of my life?

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Oh! By the way, if you've never met him, I'd like for you to know my friend. His name is Jesus. There is no other person like him because he is also God. He loves me so much that he died for me--taking the punishment I deserve because of my sins. Jesus rose from the grave conquering death and hell so I can live as a conquer forever!  He loves and cares for me more than anybody else can. Because I believe everything He says about himself, he is building for me a mansion in heaven, and some day he will take me there to live with him for eternity.

All you have to do is believe in Him and you can have the same future. Jesus wants to be your friend too. You may not know it, but Jesus loves you just as much as he does me. He wants to give you every good and perfect gift, including eternal life.

I know the Messiah, come and see!