Blog news

• I'll be posting a blog twice a week: Monday and Thursday, so do check in.

• I'll also be featuring one author a month, along with a book of their choice, to give you more information about books you may be interested in. The fourth Thursday of the month is GUEST AUTHOR DAY. So bring your "cuppa" and come and visit!

• Speaking of reading--I'm an avid reader and am always on the lookout for a good read. Tell me what you're reading, the author, and, briefly (1-2 sentences) what you like about it, and I'll post your comments in the READERS CORNER sidebar. Email me at michelehuey@yahoo.com.

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Follow through

People who promise things that they never give are like clouds and wind that bring no rain. –Proverbs 25:14 (GNT)

When I was in high school, my father took up golf. He wasn’t an avid golfer, though—just took up the sport to calm his jangled nerves. Daddy’s girl that I was, I signed up for golfing lessons the school offered. Between my father and the golf instructor, I learned two things were vital to success: correct form and follow through.

“Follow through” means “to carry something through to its completion.” In sports, to follow through means to complete the swing or motion after the ball has been hit or released.

Why is following through important, when the ball is no longer in your control? I don’t understand the physics of it, but I do understand that if you don’t follow through, the ball won’t go where you want it to. When my son was a baseball pitcher, for instance, he would neglect to follow through on his pitching motion when he was tired. The result was that he didn’t hit his spots—or, in lay language, the ball didn’t go where he wanted it to go. The same principle applies to swinging a golf club or a baseball bat. The follow through is crucial to a solid hit.

Following through isn’t important only in sports, however. It’s important in life itself.

Ever have someone promise you something and not give you what was promised? I’m not just talking businesses, manufacturers or salespersons here. Or have someone borrow something and fail to return it by the time he said he would? Or give you a time to meet you and show up late—or not show up at all? It’s no fun being on the wrong end of a false promise. It breaks trust, poisons relationships and ruins character.

But what if you’re the one who’s given your word?

“Promise me something,” someone urges you.

“OK,” you say without thinking, when the correct response should have been, “What do you want me to promise?”

Sometimes we make false promises because we want to look good or we don’t want to disappoint others. I’ve often made pledges to organizations (mostly those that phone me with their spiel), then never followed through. Most of the time I wanted to give what I promised, but when the time came, the money was needed elsewhere. Eventually I learned to ask them to mail me the material and I would consider it. People pleasers like me have difficulty saying no. I actually convinced myself I would make good on my pledge.

Sometimes we make false promises to get someone off our backs—like our spouse or our kids, who know what buttons to push when they want something. (That goes two ways, by the way.) Sometimes, like Peter in today’s reading, we really mean it in the heat of the moment, but then reality sets in and we balk. Or we accept an invitation and then call with excuses when something better comes up—or even, worse, we don’t call at all.

Or we vow to forsake all others, and to love and cherish, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, till death do us part, and then break that vow.

Jesus said we will give account for every idle, or careless, word we utter (Matthew 12:36–37).

Not following through on our word not only casts a shadow on our reputation, character and integrity, but it also hurts others, especially those closest to us—those we really don’t want to hurt. Perhaps we gave our word, whether or not we meant it at the time, because we didn’t want to hurt someone.

But which is worse? Believing a lie told by someone you trust (even if it’s told “for your own good”) or hearing the truth spoken in love? Which is harder to deal with—sincerity or insincerity?

My parents taught me to follow through on my promises, no matter the cost. The cost of not following through, though, is far greater. I want to be known as a person who keeps her word. I want people to trust me and believe me. It has to do with those old-fashioned things like principle and honor and integrity.

On the links of life, always remember to follow through—it’s the only way to put power in your swing.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 141:3). Amen.

Special-Tea: Matthew 26:31–35

One Million Arrows

Children born to a young man are like sharp arrows in a warrior's hands. How happy is the man whose quiver is full of them! ~ Psalm 127:4–5

Will the world change our children...or will our children change the world? Time is short and lives are at stake. Right now, God is inviting our families to become part of a bigger story—a vision that will engage hearts to make a radical difference. One Million Arrows is an inspirational call to raise our kids to impact their culture, community, and world for Christ. If we want our kids to discover their purpose, if we want them to live with passion for the Kingdom, if we want our family to go down in His-Story, accept the mission . . . and leave a mark for eternity.


When I agreed to edit Julie Ferwerda's manuscript, One Million Arrows, I had no idea of its life-changing power. When I was done, I could only wish I'd had this book when I was raising my children.

Today I'll introduce you to my friend and writing colleague, Julie, and let her tell you about her book.

One Million Arrows: Raising Your Children to Change the World
Interview with author Julie Ferwerda

1. The title of your book is One Million Arrows. What is that all about?
The title originated with a man I met in India by the name of Dr. M.A. Thomas. He’s received many national awards in India such as the Mother Teresa Award and the Padma Shri for his humanitarian efforts, especially for his work with orphaned and abandoned children that he started in the 1970s. In the 90s, Dr. Thomas read a verse in the Bible that describes children as a gift and a reward, like sharp arrows in the hands of a mighty warrior (Psalm 127:3–5). He realized that all children, regardless of background and circumstances, should be seen as a gift and a legacy to society because they can make a significant and positive impact in the world if given the proper training and opportunities.

India has as many as 80 million orphans so he set a goal of rescuing one million orphaned and abandoned children, sharpening them with love, education, and spiritual nurturing, and launching them back into society to bring positive change through the power of the Good News about Jesus. To date he has raised over 16,000 orphaned and abandoned children who have become doctors, nurses, teachers, politicians, missionaries, and leaders, and he has planted over 21,000 churches in India and South Asia.

Relating to us . . . the arrow vision of raising children to be a gift and heritage to their society is for all parents, all countries. So many parents in our culture have lost their vision as to the incredible opportunity we’ve been given to shape—not just tomorrow’s leaders—but today’s leaders and shapers of their peer groups, schools, and communities. But this takes vision and deliberate investment and training. One Million Arrows casts a vision for parents to sharpen and launch our children right now to make a positive impact on society.

2. You mentioned the notion of parents investing in or training their children. Isn’t this what parents already do? Some parents do invest in and train their children to some degree, but there is also a lot of hands-off parenting in our society today, especially in training character development as well as teaching our children how to live for the big-picture—like what were they made to do in this world, what are their unique gifts and abilities, and how can they use them to make a difference now?

We have to train our children to serve others—it doesn’t come naturally. But for many of us, once our kids head into kindergarten, it’s easier to let someone else take over a lot of the training, or to allow our kids to fade into their entertainment-driven culture in their spare time. We need to see parenting as a much bigger opportunity and invitation than that!

I use an illustration in OMA from 9/11 about victims, bystanders, and firemen, the roles people take when lives are at stake. We must teach our children to see themselves as the firemen of this world…the heroes who are willing to set aside their own comforts in order to make a radical difference for others who are suffering or even in danger. There are so many in our world—whether the world around us or the world at large—who need our help and care in order to be saved from terrible circumstances.

I am so encouraged to see a great movement of young people in our world right now who are joining God in His work, coming back to historic levels of competence, purpose, and service for their fellow man. OMA emphasizes helping your kids find what they are passionate about and then training them to use it to serve and positively impact others.

Book Proceeds Benefit Orphans

The author, Julie Ferwerda, has a special place in her heart for orphans and has designated that all proceeds from the sale of One Million Arrows be used for international orphan ministry. In addition, churches and ministries are able to bulk order books at cost to be used for promotional and awareness purposes or to raise funds for orphan ministry.

About Julie

A professional writer and speaker, Julie Ferwerda and her husband, Steve, challenge families nationwide to become part of a movement by using their God-given gifts and talents to make a significant spiritual impact in their schools, workplaces, and communities.

Recognized for making the Bible come alive through real-life applications, Julie's work is featured in many Christian magazines and Web sites. She hosts regular blogs for Crosswalk.com and CBN.com, and is the author of The Perfect Fit: Piecing Together True Love.

Julie volunteers her time and talents to international orphan discipling ministry, especially through Hopegivers International. She is a Certified Lay Counselor and a faculty member of CLASSEMINARS, INC., a professional communications development organization.

Julie is the mother of two teenage daughters and lives in central Wyoming.

Learn more at OneMillionArrows.com.

For a longer review of the book, click here: One Million Arrows book review

To download chapter one, click here.

To read the book reviews on Amazon, click here.

To order your copy of One Million Arrows, click on the book.

To order the book from Amazon, click here.

Learn more about the inspiration for the book, "Papa T."

Learn about Hopegivers International.


Additional interview questions:

3. Can you give us an example of kids who are using their talents and passions to serve others? Many of these kinds of young people are featured in the book, such as Chloe who is currently majoring in filmmaking in order to positively impact her culture by communicating truths that will spur her peers to make positive choices in life. She’s already received Film Festival awards for her work on the film, “The Enemy God” by (10X Productions), Ivan uses his love for extreme sports to hold events worldwide for sports enthusiasts where he shares a bold Gospel message and then plugs youth into local churches. My oldest daughter Dani uses her love for music and working with kids to impact hundreds of kids during the summer as a Christian camp counselor. These are just a few of many inspiring examples!

4. You have an emphasis in OMA for families to invest in taking care of international orphaned and abandoned children through established organizations. Why is that? Investing in other children is one of the best ways to get your kids hearts interested and engaged in serving and helping others. Also, there are so many children worldwide who are the truest victims and have no means to get out of the gutters of life without help. As mentioned, these kids are currently being rescued and shaped to become spiritual leaders and contributing citizens of their own countries. Our family can make a true difference in the world by impacting lives of these children, which will in turn impact whole villages and cities as they grow up. What a great investment of our time, talents, and money! Many organizations will even allow you to visit the orphanages and ministries you help support.

We love to make it known that all proceeds of OMA go to international orphan ministries.

5. Is this a “how to” parenting book? We do share many principles-based parenting tips from several successful arrow-raising families. But there are already many how-to books on the shelves and I’ve had publishers tell me that parents ask for them but then don’t buy them. That’s because parents need inspiration: “What’s possible through our family if I commit this kind of energy to deliberate parenting? Can our family make a true difference in the world?” The major emphasis in OMA is inspirational aspect of parenting—casting a vision of the exciting ways your family can plug in to make a difference.

6. Is there any place parents can go after reading the book for more inspiration and guidance? We are currently developing our website (OneMillionArrows.com) as a community where parents can share testimonies as well as spiritual training helps. We are also adding many resources on our site such as unique orphan ministries to consider getting involved in, suggested books and resources, daily spiritual training helps, and stories of young people around the world who are making a difference.

Spring thaw

See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come. –Song of Songs 2:11–12

In 1871 Horatio Gates Spafford, a well-known American lawyer and church elder, lost everything he had in the Great Chicago Fire. Two years later an iron sailing vessel struck the steamship Ville du Havre, which carried Spafford’s family, and it sank. Spafford’s daughters, ages 11, 9, 5 and 2, were among the 256 people who perished. He immediately set out for England to join his wife, who survived the disaster. It was on that voyage, at the very site the Ville du Havre went down, Spafford penned the words of the well-known hymn “It Is Well with My Soul.” Seven years later, his only son died of scarlet fever at the age of four.

A fire that destroyed all he owned. A shipwreck that claimed the lives of his children. An epidemic that took the life of his only son. Sure sounds like a nineteenth century Job. Yet Spafford, like Job, refused to let these tragedies diminish his faith in a God that promised never to leave or forsake him. He may have questioned God about the tragedies, but he blamed neither God nor others. He knew blame only led to bitterness, another of the subtle sins. He knew a bitter spirit poisons itself and spews that poison on everyone with ears to hear. So he allowed these seasons of trial to make him better.

A year and a half after his son died Spafford, his wife, and two daughters (born to them after the shipwreck) headed to Jerusalem to minister to the people there, regardless of their religion, without trying to convert them. In doing so, he established what later became known as the “American Colony.” It was here in 1881 that Spafford died from malaria and was buried.

Trials are often called “the winter of the soul.”

In the winter, the ground freezes. The harsher and colder the winter, the deeper the frost level. In the spring, the earth leans more and more toward the sun, the temperatures warm up, the sun shines longer each day, and warmer winds begin to blow. The frozen earth begins to thaw. At first the ground is muddy and mushy, but still unyielding in places. Water, like tears, seeps from the earth and shows where the frost is coming out of the ground. Eventually the frost leaves the ground completely, the sun and the wind combine to dry up the mud and mess, crocuses and daffodils pop up, and the grass turns green again.

We’ve all endured at least one “winter of the soul,” a prolonged period of time that can cause our spirits to grow cold and to harden. No one, not even the strongest Christian you know, not even those who have dedicated their lives to serving God, is immune from the heartbreaks of life. Indeed, these are the very times that will make or break our faith.

Winter, though, is only a season. When we, like the earth, lean more toward the Son and submit our hearts to the wind of the Holy Spirit, the frost of bitterness seeps out of our spirits, and we, too, can sing, even with tears, “It is well with my soul.”


When peace like a river attended my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.* Thank you, Lord. Amen.

*From “It Is Well with My Soul,” words by Horatio G. Spafford. Public domain.

Special-Tea: Job 1:13–2:10

A heart like His

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. –Philippians 2:4 (NIV)

For two weeks I was able to read without a magnifying glass. Then a tiny speck appeared on the edge of the right lens of my new eyeglasses. At first I thought it was an ink spot. But cleaning the lens didn’t remove it. Maybe it won’t get any bigger. I dreaded the thought of having to send them back. It had been wonderful, being able to see my computer screen and the printed page clearly. But a few days later, the speck expanded and resembled a chip on a windshield. In addition, a minuscule crack had appeared in the left lens.

So back to the eye doctor I went. And learned that our insurance requires them to use the company that manufactured the lenses.

“They do shoddy work,” the doctor’s assistant told me. The lenses were made too big, and the pressure of being forced into frames too small had caused them to crack.

“How long will it take—another seven to 10 days?” I asked. “Maybe since this is a return due to their mistake, they’ll speed up the process?”

She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. They don’t care. They have so much business that one customer doesn’t make a difference.”

Putting the customer first, quality products and quality service have taken a backseat to me, myself and I—and big customers with deep pockets. Corporate hearts have hardened toward the little guy.

But before I call the kettle black, perhaps I should look into my own heart. Where have I become calloused?

Have I attended to the physical needs of others or do I just wish them well (James 2:14-16)? Do I give generously (Ephesians 4:28) or am I tightfisted with my money, possessions, time and talents (2 Corinthians 9:6–11)? I think of Haiti, people in Third World countries, Russian children who live in sewers, and I feel overwhelmed by the quantity and depth of the needs. I think of the many organizations that respond to these needs, and I allow confusion over which organization to give to hold me back from giving as I should.

God wants us to have a heart like His. He commanded us to show mercy and compassion to one another (Zechariah 7:9), to act justly and to love mercy (Micah 6:8), to clothe ourselves with tenderhearted mercy (Colossians 3:12). “Having no interest in or concern for other people, their needs and activities”* is indifference, another of the subtle sins God has brought to my attention.

When I was a little girl, I used to lie in bed at night, dreaming of going to Third World countries to help others. My desire to make a difference was so strong, I couldn’t get to sleep. My heart would break when I’d see the aged, the blind, the crippled, the infirm, the helpless. I wanted to do something. I even looked into the Peace Corps when I was in college.

But somewhere along the way, I lost that passion to help others. My life, by my own choices, took a different direction. Then God used my flippant response to a local tragedy to show me how far I’ve gotten from that tenderhearted young girl, the places in my heart that have become hard, calloused. I’m too often like the priest and the Levite in Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan, who either didn’t want to take the time or get their hands dirty helping someone else.

Just like the speck in my eyeglass lens grew bigger and bigger until I had to send them back to the maker, so the sin of indifference has grown to a defect in my character. In order to correct the flaw and for my heart to become a heart like God’s—tender, compassionate, loving—it, too, must be sent back to the Maker, who promised, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26 NIV).

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10 RSV). Amen.

Special-Tea: Luke 10:30–37; Isaiah 58:6–9

*Definition from Children’s Ministry Resource Bible ©1993, Child Evangelism Fellowship Inc.

Piece of mind or PEACE of mind?

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. – Romans 12:2 (NIV)

It had been a long week. I was learning a new job at work, driving all over western Pennsylvania shopping for a car for my daughter—and suffering sticker shock in the process—hanging out laundry after dark, and trying to keep my cool.

The flat tire 50 miles from home didn’t help much, but I was proud of the way I handled myself after Mr. Road Rage tailgated me for several miles, then gave me a not-too-friendly wave as he roared past. Could it have been that I was just too tired to respond? Or was it that I was still thinking about the man who saw me and my daughter struggling with the jack and stopped on his way home from work and changed the tire for us?

Although this incident happened nearly 12 years ago, I never forgot it, nor the life lesson it hammered home: I really am what I think (Proverbs 23:7). My thoughts have a powerful effect on what I do and say, on my attitude about anything. Dwelling on the obstacles I face, the mistakes I make, and the unkind things people do only makes me frustrated, stressed, and angry. But thinking about the good things that happen, however small, helps me to get through the tough times and become a better person.

Sins of the mind are subtle and sneaky because of their very privacy. No one knows what I’m thinking unless I reveal it. So I can think all the thoughts I want, no matter how bad they are, right? Wrong!

Sins of the mind are like a slow-growing tumor that masks its presence behind easily explained symptoms—until it becomes so big and exerts such devastating effects that it can no longer be ignored. It must be dealt with, and swiftly. But by then, the damage is often irreversible.

What are the sins of the mind? Harboring unhealthy thoughts, whether they be about the ways people have hurt us and the revenge we could seek, fantasies that have no substance in real life but give us momentary pleasure, addictions, a “poor-me” mentality that dwells on how everything seems to go wrong for me and right for someone else, another person’s faults, the list goes on—you fill in the blanks.

There’s no such thing as the thought police who bang on the door of my mind and arrest my unhealthy thoughts. I am the only one who controls what I think. It is I who must capture every thought and rein it in (2 Corinthians 10:5). That’s why sins of the mind are so dangerous. It’s like the fox guarding the henhouse. I need help!

When I want to rinse out a glass of water into which one of those pesky ladybug-like insects falls, I often hold it under running water, letting the clean water displace the contaminated water. This principle of displacement works for cleaning out unhealthy thoughts from the mind, too. Replacing the bad thoughts, which contaminate my spirit, my behavior, my relationships, and my reputation, with good thoughts doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process.

Getting rid of the bad thoughts by filling my mind with the Word of God is like placing that dirty water glass under a wellspring of clean, fresh, renewing water (Hebrews 4:12). “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things,” Paul wrote. “And the peace of God will be with you (Philippians 4:8).”

I have a choice— “piece of mind” or “peace of mind.” “Piece of mind” leads to turmoil. “Peace of mind” leads to harmony and serenity. Funny how it all comes down to one letter—the letter “I.”

Examine me, God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts. Find out if there is any deceit in me, and guide me in the eternal way. Amen. (Psalm 139:23–24 TEV)

Special-Tea: Philippians 4:8

"The Woman Whose Legs Turn Black"

Tune in tonight to Discovery Health's, Mystery Diagnosis TV show. My friend, award-winning author and speaker Dr. Diane Dike, will be featured. Diane suffers from a rare blood disease called cryoglobulinemia vasculitis. Her incredible story of determination, faith, and survival encourages all ages. She and her rescued service dog, Gracie, saved each other. Gracie became the world’s first rescued Italian Greyhound service dog. She creates life-saving heat so Diane's blood can flow.

Diane's challenges and physical limitations don't stop her from reaching out to help others, nor has it dampened her enthusiastic and positive spirit. I wrote about her on this blog on July 21 ("My New Hero"). She is an amazing person.

You can visit her web site: http://www.DianeDike.org

View her testimony on youtube.

Email her at DianeDike@aol. com

Come back tomorrow for more of "God, Me & a Cup of Tea."

"I" Trouble

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought. – Romans 12:3 (NIV)

“I can see!” I emailed several friends this week. “No more lugging around a magnifying glass from room to room.”

I hadn’t realized how bad my eyesight had gotten since my eye doctor appointment a year ago. I should have recognized the symptoms—at 58, I’ve been down this road before. First I complain that the letters on everything from medicine bottles to coupons to nutrition labels are too small. “How do they expect people to read such tiny letters?” I grumble. Over time, I gradually realize the problem is not with “them,” but with me.

But still I was amazed, when I got my new eyeglasses, how clearer the letters were in my daily devotional booklet, on my computer screen, and even my own handwriting. Ever try to write with a pen in one hand and a magnifying glass in the other? I don’t know how many emails I sent with misspellings and typos because I couldn’t see. I honestly hadn’t realized how bad my eyes really were.

Now I know.

I’m the same way with sin. First I deny I have a problem. I haven’t murdered anyone or cheated on my income taxes. One time I even went back into the grocery store when I realized the checkout person didn’t charge me for a package of lunch meat. I was pretty proud of myself that day. Almost broke my arm patting myself on the back.

But sin is subtle, sneaky. Like the envy I thought I didn’t have until God revealed it to me. Like the pride He’s shown me this week.

“I can’t be proud, Lord,” I protest.

I remind Him of how I’ve stopped fishing for compliments and how well I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut or add “Lord willing” or “praise God” to anything that sounds like I might be boasting. I jog His memory (like it needs jogging) about how I do things for others more and expect them to do things for me less.

“Look how far I’ve come, Lord,” I say once I’ve bored Him with my goody two-shoes list.

But look how far you have to go.

And then it’s His turn to remind me—of the times I say, “Don’t those idiots know they’re supposed to turn on their headlights when it’s snowing/raining/foggy?” Or when I complain about drivers who don’t use turn signals, abuse the right-turn-on-red law, run red lights, don’t come to a complete stop at stop signs, don’t stop for pedestrians waiting to cross the street (especially if I’m the pedestrian), or blast me with their high beams. It’s like I’m a good Christian everywhere but behind the wheel.

Lurking in me is a critical spirit that shows itself when I judge others. They might be wrong, but, like the Good Book says, I’ve got to take the log out of my own eye first.

There’s a fine line, I’ve learned, between pride and humility. Not a gulf, not a chasm, as we so often think. But a sneaky, subtle, sometimes invisible line that only the magnifying glass of God’s Word and the updated eyeglasses of His Holy Spirit can reveal.

Not all pride is sinful. It’s OK to have pride of country, of accomplishment, or family—note the national pride the past two weeks during the Olympics. It’s OK to whip out Grandma's Brag Book and to plaster a cling-on to your vehicle displaying the name of your little All-Star.

My mother never bragged about me. Maybe that’s why I have such a problem with pride. With being tempted to think of myself more highly than I ought. With denying that I have a problem with pride.

Where does pride cross the line from being honorable to sinful?

When pride focuses on self and becomes self-serving and blossoms into conceit, egotism, judgmentalism and selfish ambition. It’s eye-opening to look up the synonyms of these words.

But, when we’re ready, God works in and with us to pluck out the root of pride so we won’t have so much “I” trouble.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires. Amen. (Psalms 139:23–24; 51:10 LB)

Special-Tea: Read Matthew 7:1–5