Glimmers of Grace

Dr. Kathryn Butler reflects on her experiences as a trauma surgeon in Glimmers of Grace.

Having walked alongside countless patients, colleagues, and friends through illness and loss, Dr. Butler wants to encourage believers through these difficult journeys by reminding them that God is always with them. Scripture repeatedly reminds us of God's steadfast love, grace, and mercy even in times of great affliction.

Do you find yourself in a spiritual wilderness at the moment? Take heart. As the great I am, God is holy, merciful, and ever-present. In the midst of despair, and when our fleshly bodies threaten to betray us, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, who walks alongside us when we are weak and our hope is overshadowed by fear. Bulter reminds believers that God's goodness remains unaffected by afflictions and heavy loads when ailments send us into the medical world where antiseptics and protocols prevail.

Dr. Butler combines her experiences with exegesis of Scripture. There are three parts to this book. Firstly, how medical settings can challenge one's faith. Secondly, look at scripture to understand who God is. Finally, consider what God has done for us.

Concluding the introduction Butler encourages others to join her in remembering that in Christ, our awesome, loving God has sapped even death of its sting. When the heartbeat quickens and the monitor alarm sounds, God remains faithful, gracious, and merciful, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Things may fall apart. The waters will rise. You may grip a bridge railing and yearn for rescue. But in Christ, God's love will always buoy you through the storm, and through his word, glimmers of his grace will pierce the gloom. 

The following are some words contained within this book that I want to share with you. 

Chaplains Gibbons and Miller said, Hospitals are far more than biological garages where dysfunctional human parts are repaired or replaced. They are rather places where patients, and their loved ones, come face-to-face with their vulnerability, their finitude, and ultimately their mortality. As such, hospitals are places of anguishing ambiguity, Patients journey along a path with hope and healing ranged along one side, while terror and tragedy threaten on the other. 

In the second chapter, I Will Remember Your Wonders, Dr. Butler reminds fellow believers that, Remembrance offers more than wistful nostalgia, and means more than the rapid firings of synapses in our brains. The sacrament of bread and wine teaches us that remembering is worship. When we remember the gospel, we see God's grace at work, unfolding around us, enveloping us in love that burns away the darkness. 

Modern medicine IS a means of grace through which God demonstrates his mercy. It is only possible for medicine to approximate, but God perfects. We can rest in knowing that God, the one who planned the stars and the seas, knows what is right for us. Jeremiah 10:12-13 says, It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses. 

GOD PROVIDES and we see it throughout scripture:

When Adam and Eve sinned, God clothed them.
When man's wickedness was punished by a flood, God protected Noah and his family.
When wandering in the wilderness, God provided manna for the Israelites.
When Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, God closed the lions' mouths.
When Jonah disobeyed God by not traveling to Neneviah, God sent a fish to rescue Jonah
When we were dead to our sin, God provided his son, Jesus Christ to redeem us.
Death, for believers, is not the end. 

Who is God? 

He is our provider.
He is our Father.
He is our mana.
He is sufficient. 
He is grace.
He is mercy.
He is life and breath.
He is faithful.

In our humanness we sometimes ask and wonder:
How could God allow such suffering?
How could such a God be good?
How could a just God exist and tolerate evil?
Where is God in all of this?
Why didn't God intervene?
How could God allow evil to taint the world he created? 

Throughout scripture and time, men and women have asked and wondered these same questions.

Jesus, while hanging on the cross cried out, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

The answer is SIN.

But God didn't leave us empty.
I Peter 2:24 says, He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

So, Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Psalm 27:14 

And while we wait we feast on HIS WORD. Pray without ceasing. Cling to the one hope found in Christ Jesus. And finally, find joy amidst our trials. 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

This book is truly salve to the hurting heart. Dr. Butler's experiences and scriptural insight is a true testament to God's love and grace. 

Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Christmas with Ditty Bird

Ditty Bird Christmas

Are you still searching for that perfect

gift for your little one?

Look no further. Ditty Bird

has you covered with their collection of

books featuring songs, sounds, music,

feel and touch, foreign languages, 

first 100's books, nursery rhymes,

and interaction. 

These books are approved by my precious

18 month old grandson. 

My collection of children's books has grown to several hundred over the years of having six children. Then, when I found out I was having a grandchild, I went crazy buying books. My grandson was around nine months old when I discovered Ditty Bird books. They captured my heart. I mean this in all honesty when I say that the only books he ever wants to read are the Ditty Bird books and a few favorites he fell in love with before Ditty Bird came along. 

In the above picture my grandson is using his

hands to dance with the book to his 

favorite song, The Wheels on the Bus.

For some reason my grandson loved listening

to the first two phrases after pressing

the button on this page.

How are you feeling today?

If you're happy and you know it clap your hands.

He sat and pressed this would listen to

those first two phrases and then make it

stop and press it again and repeat...

Nothing wrong with enjoying your book

upside down.

Sitting and watching my grandson take in the

pictures and the songs in 

Ditty Bird Christmas Songs was such

a joy! Last year he was too little to celebrate.

Check out the Ditty Bird website today.

ESV Chronological Bible

TruTone®, Brown

While it is best to study the Bible book by book through all sixty-six books, 

it is not the only way to do so. Based on historical facts and times, 

the Bible is a historical work. This historical work is God's, which dates 

back to eternity past. It can be helpful to look at God's Word linearly to 

see events unfold over time. ESV Chronological Bible does exactly that.

The Bible is also arranged in a 365-day reading plan.

 Scripture Breakdown

The Old Testament

Primeval History ( Before 2166 BC )

Patriarchal History ( 2166-1806 BC )

From Deliverance to Inheritance ( 1806-1060 BC )

The Last Judge and the United Monarchy ( 1060-932 BC )

The Divided Monarchy (  932-587 BC )

Exile and Restoration ( 587-428 BC )

Intertestamental Period ( 428-3 BC )

The New Testament 

The Kingdom Comes ( 3 BC-AD 33 )

The Early Church (AD 33-95 )

I have included a few screenshots of various pages from the Bible.

Reading 106  ~ Consequences for David's Sin

The scripture to be read for this day includes:

2 Samuel 21:1-22

1 Chronicles 20:4-8

2 Samuel 13:1-14:33

Psalm 35:1-28 

Matthew, Mark, and Luke often overlap and for this reason these three

Gospels are called the Synoptic Gospels. You will see these three books

side-by-side in order to compare their likeness. 

Resources ( found in the back of the Bible)

Weights and Measures

Hebrew Calendar Compared to Gregorian Calendar

Daily Reading Index

Scripture Index 

There is also an incredible chronological timeline of  the Bible

as well as maps.

The ESV Chronological Study Bible is a great gift or purchase 

for your own use. When paired with your traditional Bible, 

a chronological study Bible enhances your time studying 

God's Word. This layout may give you a new perspective on scripture.

  A chronological Bible may be an ideal fit for those seemingly uninterested 

in religion or intimidated by traditional Bibles. The ESV Chronological Bible 

reads like a cross between a truth based history book and a factual novel. 

An average person unfamiliar with the Bible may find this more logical 

since it is based on an actual timeline instead of dividing into books. 

This is a good place to start.

 Disclaimer - I received this in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

Ditty Bird Christmas

 

What a better way to celebrate Christmas than with 

Ditty Bird Christmas Songs! 

Here are five Christmas favorites you'll want to share with your little ones. Perhaps this will be their first time hearing these beloved favorites, or maybe they've heard them for a few years already. With Ditty Bird Christmas Songs, you will create cherished memories this year and in the years to come. 

The five songs are:

Jingle Bells

Deck the Halls

Joy to the World

O Christmas Tree

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Visit the Ditty Bird Store and check out Christmas Songs today!

While you are there be sure to browse all of their titles.

Here are some of the amazing Ditty Bird Book in 

the collection.

Parents

Grandparents

Aunts & Uncles

Godparents

Friends

Family members

Loved ones

A Ditty Bird book will be one of the most used gifts a baby or young child will receive this Christmas. Despite being a bit pricey, they are well worth the money when you consider that each book contains five recorded songs, nursery rhymes, or other features. Sounds and music will keep your little one captivated, and books are always an excellent choice.