Book Review: Madman

I recently read "Madman" by Tracy Groot.  The book description says this:

If there is a way into madness, logic says there is a way out. Logic says.

Tallis, a philosopher's servant, is sent to a Greek academy in Palestine only to discover that it has silently, ominously disappeared. No one will tell him what happened, but he learns what has become of four of its scholars. One was murdered. One committed suicide. One worships in the temple of Dionysus. And one is a madman.

This is a fictionalized story of the demoniac of the Gadarenes found in Mark chapter 5 and Luke chapter 8.  I'm not always a fan of Biblical fiction.  The author will sometimes take a turn I don't care for, but that was not the case with this book. I felt I learned much about the worship of false gods, sacrificing children to them, and many of the philosophies which were common in that day. 

Even though I knew Who was going to come on the scene, it was still an excellent read.  The man, Kardus, sat with his back to the Sea of Galilee, voices screaming in his head, breaking chains and screaming in the night.  Those who tried to bind him with chains, his family members and friends who suffered because of him.  The scholars who were sure that if there is a way into madness, logic says there is a way out, not knowing that the madness was caused by evil spirits and no amount of logic could change it.  Then Jesus simply spoke and Kardus was set free, publishing in Decapolis, "how great things Jesus had done for him."

I have not blogged about the "Kardus" I met in Hawaii.  I had numerous encounters with him while out running in the morning or walking in the afternoon.  He would start yelling and cursing at me, spewing vileness.  Once it was across six lanes of very busy traffic, but when I softly said "Jesus" he stopped.  The last time I saw him he just stared at me and said, "Pentecostal."  Oh yes, the spirits that live in him know Who lives inside me.  He may have even been raised in this truth, but spirits now hold him bound. Satan may try to intimidate us, but he cannot stop the name.

There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
To break every chain
Break every chain
Break every chain!

I Don't Think So!

I heard something the other day that I didn't agree with.  The person said, "There are times when I just don't know if I can make it."  In my nearly 50 years of life, I have never thought that.  Yes, life has been hard at times.  I've been through trials and tests.  I've had grief and trouble.  But I have never thought, "I don't think I can make it."  On my own strength, I know I can't make it, but through the power of the Holy Ghost and the blood of Jesus, I've always know I CAN make it!  I've had so many examples of victorious Christians, I know if they can, I can!

It all comes back to the Battle of the Mind.  What we think is what we will do and become.  When we win that battle, everything else falls into place.  Here are some other things I don't think:

All Men Cheat On the Wives - I heard this from a co-worker many years ago.  I don't think so!  My parents were married for 40 years and my Dad didn't cheat on my Mom.  We've been married for nearly 23 years and no cheating has taken place and I pray to God that it never does.  I know it happens and I'm so sorry if it has happened to you.  But it does not happen to everyone.  I stay away from books, even Christian fiction, that the main storyline is that of an affair.  I don't want to fill my mind with the hows and whys, that will just put doubts in my mind.

All Teenagers Go Through a Rebellious Stage - someone once told me "all college students experiment with drugs and alcohol."  I don't think so!  I know many who have not.  Not all teenagers are pushing at the "restraints" of godly living.  Some are wise enough to know there is safety in staying with the ninety and nine.  I never tried drugs or alcohol and I never wanted to!  Les lived in a college dorm for four years and lived for God the entire time.

My Parents Divorced, so I'll Probably Get Divorced - a close friend told me this when we were teenagers.  I don't think so!  The choices of our parents affect us, but we do not have to follow that same path.  God created marriage and HE wants your marriage to last.

My Parents/Grandparents Had  Cancer/Heart Disease/Fill In the Blank, So I Will Too - I don't think so!  For years we thought every disease was hereditary.  Many are, but many studies show obesity as the cause.  What we inherit is grandma's cookbook and grandpa's sweet tooth!  We inherit habits and lifestyles.  I may be diagnosed with some fatal disease next month, but it won't because I haven't taken care of myself.  I'm not sitting in fear wondering when the ax is going to fall, I'm keeping my family's good habits and working hard to keep the bad ones in the past.

As An Apostolic Lady, I Can't Exercise/Be Active/Have Fun and Be Modest - I don't think so!  Mankind (and that includes ladies) has always been active.  Ruth gleaned in the fields of Boaz and remained modest.  I know ladies who hike, bike, golf, ride horses, run, and kayak and all of them remain modest!

In Matthew 19:26, Jesus said, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."  When you think "I can't make it" what you are really thinking is "the blood of Jesus is not powerful enough to help me overcome this situation."  Say it with me:  I don't think so!

Break Every Chain

We had an incredible service last night at Victory Tabernacle!  It started in choir practice.  We learned a new song and the choir came ready.  We were expecting a move of God.  I had to ask myself, "Why don't I come expecting God to move in every service??"

The song was so simple, but so powerful.  There is power in the name of Jesus.  I can't think of words that are more powerful than that!  We added cardboard testimonies to the song and the combination was dynamic!  I think we sang for about 45 minutes (I have the sore throat to prove it!) as the power of God swept into the house and chains were broken!  I have no idea how many chains came off last night, but I know there were many.  And ten year old, Kay, received the Holy Ghost for the first time!

There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus

To break every chain
Break every chain
Break every chain

There's an army rising up
There's an army rising up
There's an army rising up

To Break every chain
Break every chain
Break every chain

I hear the chains falling
I hear the chains falling
I hear the chains falling
I hear the chains falling

Girl Power

Pastor White preached a message entitled "Girl Power" on Sunday night. His text was 1 Corinthians chapter 11. My first thought was "the hair chapter." But his key verse was verse 10 "For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels."

The definition of the word power in that verse is privilege or delegated influence.

Pastor White had a bag full of magazines Sunday night. Each had a woman on the cover. A woman that was delegated to influence the magazines' readers. You know the ones I'm talking about ~ they're at every grocery store check stand. Women, who are deemed attractive by this world's standards, on the cover trying to influence other women and young girls.

As women, we have power. We have untold influence. The choice we must make is will our influence be godly or will it be ungodly. Will we lead others to God through our influence, or cause them to stumble. Girl Power or Godly Girl Power?

I couldn't help but think of the godly women in my life who have influenced me. Mom is at the top of that list. I think of women who were faithful. My Sunday school teachers. Ladies who I heard praying in the prayer room and watched making peanut brittle with a smile. They weren't afraid to worship. They were my youth camp counselors. Way too many to name, but powerful influences in my life. Beautiful, everyone of them.

At the end of the service, Pastor White had all the mothers come to the front with their daughters. The responsibility of influencing the next generation is great. I don't have daughters of my own, but I have nieces and young friends that I want to see develop into godly women.

I know I've already posted this picture, but here is what Godly Girl Power looks like: