WELCOME!

Welcome to my blog! I hope to be a resource to help you in your walk with God. Now more than ever we need to get back to the basic fundamentals of moral living and take a stand for what is right and truthful with God as our ultimate authority. His Word is reliable and preserved and can be trusted, so that is the basis for my advice and teaching. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or topics you would like me to cover. I look forward to sharing what God has placed on my heart. See my website at https://www.lovinggodministry.com/ for books and music I have written that will enrich your life!

Ezekiel 22:30: "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none." Let's stand in the gap together!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Christmas Love - due to come out in November 2013!


Christmas Love is a children's book that is great for the whole family at Christmastime!  It has the original Christmas story in its pages straight from the Word of God, and shows how Christmas love was portrayed by the many characters surrounding Jesus's birth.  It also shows a practical application to families today, and how we can show Christ's love to our families and communities all throughout the year!  There is a special endorsement section that gives testimonials from community helpers, such as a policeman, doctor, nurse, fireman, teacher, and many others who tell how they show Christ's love to the communities they serve each and every day.  Don't miss it - make sure you get your copy of Christmas Love this Christmas!

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Great Christian Resources for those with Chronic Illness


This is a great Christian resource for people who are suffering with a chronic illness. Please check out this website, and share it with anyone you know who could use help and encouragement in this area.

http://www.erinelizabethaustin.com/

 

Even though our bodies may be broken,
we are priceless in God’s eyes.

 

2 Corinthians 4:16-17:

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.  

 

Here is another website that a friend of mine found helpful through her chronic illness:

 

http://restministries.com/

 

Sunday, July 21, 2013

A Letter for U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal

I had given Senator Blumenthal a copy of my book, I Will Stand, along with a personal letter of gratitude for the wonderful words he spoke at the Sandy Hook event in Southington a month or so ago.  He wrote back a thank you note that I found to be very encouraging and supportive.  It reads:

Dear Ms. Foss,

Please accept my deepest thanks for the copy of your book, I Will Stand.

I appreciated your sharing your experience at a book signing in Southington.  Since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, I have witnessed an outpouring of love and support from communities throughout Connecticut.  Your book, and your efforts to touch the lives of children and their families, are an important contribution to the care for others that I have seen.

Thank you for writing.  I wish you the best of luck with your upcoming book, and look forward to hearing from you again.

Sincerely,

Richard Blumenthal
United States Senate

That letter really blessed my heart!  I was so happy that he recognized the burden of my heart to help children and families.  The upcoming book he's referring to is Christmas Love, which should be out in November.  It's an illustrated children's book about how the love from the original Christmas story can be applied to families and communities.  Tate Publishing and I are currently working on the cover and illustrations.  It's been a very exciting journey writing these two books!  I am currently writing my third book, Fully Persuaded, which is a book that goes over the fundamentals of Christianity to give older kids and teens a strong foundation in Christianity so they can live their faith and share their faith with confidence!

God bless you!  Thank you for reading my blog and sharing this journey with me!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

What should the outcome of Zimmerman's trial really be?

There has been a lot in the news lately about the Zimmerman trial.  I haven't followed every detail of this controversial trial, but one thing is absolutely clear to me through the latest news reports: we have too much violence in this world!  Unfortunately, many are responding to violence with violence.  Regardless of the reason for the shooting, a very tragic thing happened: someone got killed.  It makes me so sad to hear this.  So how should a Christian respond to this?  Form a riot?

Ephesians 4:26: "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath."  Is it OK to be angry?  Absolutely!  There are definitely things that can and should make us angry, regardless of which side of an issue you are on.  What does it mean to not let the sun go down upon your wrath?  Some believe that you should deal with it before the next sunrise.  But that is not always possible.  A principle is there, however, to not allow your anger to go on for too long, or else it turns into sin as you dwell on it, become bitter, which can lead to resentment and hate, which will eventually lead to murder.  I believe that unchecked anger can ruin your life, and possibly the lives of those around you; not just those you are angry with, but those you love and cherish, those you hold close to your heart.  They hurt when you allow anger to rule over your spirit.  Violence is often the result, and does that truly fix the problem, or just add injury to an already hostile matter?

I heard a devotion today on the radio that talked about nagging, and how you accomplish the task with nagging by constantly wearing down the person until you get your way, but at what cost to the relationship itself?  You might feel you have reason to be angry, that you are justified in your feelings, and likely you are, but at what cost are you willing to vent those feelings?  Can you talk them out?  Can you beat on a pillow instead of yourself or another being?  I've noticed that people either cry or get angry when they're hurt.  It's therapeutic to let those feelings out rather than binding them up, but just do so in such a way that no one gets hurt.  I play the piano, and I love to bang out a strong song on the piano when I'm feeling emotional.  Some people have written the best songs or painted the best pictures or written the best poems when their emotions are high.  Some clean their house to let out their frustrations.  Talk about positive channels to release that energy!  It's not wrong to have strong feelings, especially when you feel you are protecting someone who is innocent.  Changing laws or making an awareness of inequality, such as with persecution of Christians in China, or a broken legal system, or mixed up immigration laws, or unsafe practices - these things need constructive ideas to make the world a better place.

My challenge to you is to first of all pray to God and tell Him every last detail of how you feel.  He can handle it!  Cry, get angry, tell Him your whole heart.  Allow Him to grieve with you.  He loves you, and cares about all those feelings that you have today.  Don't look to God as the enemy.  He has a permissive will, and a perfect will.  He allows things to happen due to man's free will, natural consequences of our actions, and the result of sin.  Sometimes He will intervene with a miracle, but usually He works through people.  Yes, people like you and me.  That's how He rolls.  Respect it, and be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.  There will always be something to learn from our circumstances, and don't forget that while you cannot always control all of your circumstances, or the people around you, you can control YOUR RESPONSE to it.  After you have prayed your heart out to God, humbly ask Him to cleanse your heart from any sin that you have allowed to creep in, make you white as snow, and comfort you with His love and understanding.  Then ask Him to reveal to you how you can make a difference in your world for good, for God's honor and glory.  If you pray that with a clean heart and a humble spirit, God will use you in great and mighty ways!

Jeremiah 33:3: "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."  Praise the Lord!

So what should the outcome of Zimmerman's trial really be?  Forgiveness? Change in the system? Love to all mankind?  More respect for authority? Greater reason to trust as we do our part to make the world a better place?  YOU decide!

Friday, July 12, 2013

15 second book trailer is now available!

This book trailer will appear on cable TV, and is available now on YouTube.  I hope you enjoy it!

Copy and paste this link in your browser:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arPzSIk3zeM



Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Where in the world is the promised peace?

John 14:27:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Do you ever wonder where world peace is?  So many people have different value systems, that it's impossible to have world peace until Jesus sets up His millenium kingdom.  But Jesus promised us peace!  What kind of peace was He promising?  Was it world peace?  It sounds like, in reading the above verse, this peace was available, something He was leaving with us after His ascension. That means it must be available NOW.

 Dictionary.com defines peace this way:

1. the normal, nonwarring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world.
2. an agreement or treaty between warring or antagonistic nations, groups, etc., to end hostilities and abstain from further fighting or antagonism: the Peace of Ryswick.
3.a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, especially in personal relations: Try to live in peace with your neighbors.
4.the normal freedom from civil commotion and violence of a community; public order and security: He was arrested for being drunk and disturbing the peace.
5.cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension.
So what groups or individuals were at war that would now be at peace?  God and man.  Because of what Jesus did on the cross (died in our place to pay the punishment for our sins), there is a peace treaty between God and man, and we are no longer condemned when we "sign the treaty" by placing our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  That was more important to God than the war between the Romans and the Jews, or any two nations or groups.  Yes, the Bible says


Romans 12:18:If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men
However, world powers come and go, dictators rule, get overthrown or die, new rulers come on the scene.  The face of our planet changes over time.  However, our relationship with God is of utmost importance.  We are eternal beings, and Jesus loves you so much and wants you to be saved from your sin and have peace with the Father so much that He gave all to make a way possible for that peace to become a reality in your life.  
 
John 3:16-20:  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.


There is no peace in evil deeds or a sinful lifestyle.  When we do wrong, it is ultimately accompanied by anxiety, depression, and insecurity, all of which do not add up to peace in our hearts.  It leads to condemnation, unless we know Jesus as our Savior.  Calling upon Him and knowing our sins are forgiven gives us assurance that we are accepted by God, but our wrong deeds still break fellowship with the Lord.  We need to have a clean heart, living pure lives before the Lord so that we maintain that peace.  However, your security in Christ once you place your trust in Him as your Savior will never change.  That is real ultimate peace.
 
Jesus said in John 10:28-29: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
 
Now that's security!
 
Philippians 4:7:
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:15:
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 
Have you found the peace of God in your heart?  You are living and breathing, so it is not too late - accept Jesus as your Saviour today!
 

Romans 10:13:

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

You can pray this prayer from your heart right now to ask Jesus to give you true peace for all eternity:

Dear Jesus, 

I know that I am a sinner because your Word says that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  I know that because I have sinned, I have died spiritually ("for the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" Romans 6:23).  I believe you are God, you love me, and that you died on the cross for my sin as a perfect substitute so that I can have eternal life spiritually, starting now ("Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed" 1 Peter 2:24).  I also know you rose again, conquering death and the grave ("...Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4).  I am sorry for my sins.  Thank you for dying for me in my place.  Please save me from my sins and be my Lord and Savior.  Help me to live my life for you all the days of my life.  I love you.  Thank you for saving me!  In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer in faith, repenting of your sin by agreeing with God that you are a sinner and trusting Him as your Savior, then you are saved!  Praise the Lord!  Eternal peace is yours today.

 



Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Resisting and Fleeing

"Submit yourselves therefore to God; resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7.

We've memorized that verse in Sunday School. I grabbed the hands of each of the students and pulled while they resisted. I wanted them to feel that resistance. The devil will tug at you and try to take you where you don't want to go, and do things you don't really want to do. In anger, you may even say things you regret saying. When you resist those pulls consistently, the devil will flee. What does fleeing suggest? When would you flee from something? When you're scared, intimidated, when you know you need to get out fast.  I had one of the kids illustrate fleeing. He walked away. I had to correct him...he needed to run as fast as he could!

When you are tempted to do something wrong, just say, "Get thee behind me, Satan!" Even Jesus said that! Luke 4:8: "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." You stand up for what is right, and Satan and his army will know you mean business, and they're going to flee and start bugging someone else...for now. Until you have a weak moment again. That's why you can't quit on character, but keep it up as you approach each fresh, new day.

1 Peter 5:8: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." When you identify Satan trying to tempt you to ruin your life, and you instead commit to doing what is right, he's no longer lurking in the shadows, but the spotlight is on him and he is going to flee away quickly before other people get wise to his devices. Woo hoo! Put your selfish pride away while you put the devil out of business in your life today, and submit to God, the One who TRULY loves you. Yes, He sees your innermost being, and wants to help you because He loves you. No one understands you like He does because He fashioned you as a special creation of God. You are special!

Psalm 139: O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.

12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

21 Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Is that precious, or what?  God bless you as you resist Satan and submit to God in your daily walk with the Lord.


By the way, I'm happy to see my book selling out already! I have found some more sites who are selling my book. The first link below even sells it in bulk at a larger discount. Check it out! Get yours today!
God bless you, and send in a question! I'd love to hear from you.

Dear Dawn column

I have to admit, it is a lot of fun writing a book! If anyone ever wants some of the inside scoop about diving into the adventure of writing a book, please comment.  I will be happy to share the wisdom and knowledge I have learned so far, but I'm still learning as well.

I have come to learn something about myself: I LOVE to write!  I love to share my heart with whoever will listen. I also love to give my opinions and advice!  I think I'm going to start a Dear Dawn column.  If anyone wants to ask me a question, I'd love to give you a biblical answer from my heart to yours.  I'm here for you.

Do you ever feel like you are in the midst of a lot of people all the time, but few know your true heart?  Sometimes even people close to you don't really know you.  People may misunderstand you, or think they have you all figured out, but they're way off! I'm glad God knows me intimately, and that He cares about me.  He cares about you, too!  If you feel you are different or unusual or don't fit in, please know that there is something so extra special about you that God can use for His honor and glory, and shine those attributes of yours like the valuable gem you really are.  God doesn't make mistakes.  Oh, we are imperfect because of sin, but God paid the price for that sin.  He'll take those rough spots in us and turn weeping into joy!  Just submit to Him.  You can trust Him. Please don't ever feel hopeless.  There is hope and purpose for YOU.

1 Peter 5:7: "Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you."

Monday, July 1, 2013

July 2, 2013 - RELEASE OF MY BOOK, I WILL STAND!!! WOO HOO!

Praise the Lord, the day has finally come!  Tuesday, July 2, 2013 my book will be available at bookstores and online at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, booksamillion.com, Christian book distributors, etc.

If you haven't read my book, I encourage you to get a copy. It is life changing, empowering, and encouraging!  I am convinced that there is not a parent out there who doesn't want good, strong character for their children, and on the flip side I would take the extra step and say there is not a child out there who doesn't want good, strong character for their parents!  They want to admire and respect mom and dad!  I was once told the best gift you can give your child is to be happy.  When you are at peace in your heart and living the higher life, the life that values character more than one's own comfort, the life that looks out for the best interest of those around him or her, that child will feel secure, loved, appreciated, and will flourish as they follow that example.  That'll put DCF out of business!  Let's show the younger generation how it's done!  Are you in?  I am.  I want my life to count, and I want to help those around me to draw closer to the Lord so their lives can find fulfillment and purpose and joy.

Jesus said He is the Living Water, those who come to Him will never thirst again.  He is the Bread of Life, to fill our hungry souls.  He alone holds the keys to death and the grave, and has victory over them!  You don't have to ask me twice - He's the One I'm going to follow, I want to be on His team!  Why do I choose Jesus?  For the same reason as His disciples: "Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life" (John 6:67-68).

If you have read my book and liked it, please spread the word!  I would appreciate it so much if you would bring it to your youth pastors and churches, your neighbors, your friends and relatives.  I believe strongly that we can change the world together, one life at a time.  This is where it starts, in each of our own hearts.  When revival comes to us, then it will spread, but God has to do a work in us first.  It starts with me.

What a better world this will be if we all strive more for honesty and integrity, love and caring for one another, having courage against evil, honoring our parents and those in authority over us, committing to excellence and hard work, taking care of our bodies, being faithful and dependable, being meek and humble...the list goes on!  My book will walk you through those and many more attributes that will strengthen your life.  You are you at your best when you apply these principles.  Your creative energies and individual aspects that make you so wonderful will be polished and ready for use by the Master who created you and loves you more than you can ever imagine!  Oh, how He longs for you to know Him more, in a deep, intimate way in your very soul. We all crave that, whether we've put our finger on it or not.  This book is filled with Scripture, so you will get to know what God values, and His recipe for success. for you.  It works!  It really does.  I believe in this with all my heart!  This is why I am working so hard to promote it.

My next book signing is at Shop Rite in Wallingford on Saturday, August 17, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  

God bless you as you walk closer to Him.  It is a beautiful, enriching experience.  What a Savior!  What a Friend!  Please pray for me as I promote my book, and pray for God to use it in great and mighty ways for His honor and glory, all across the USA and beyond.  We are not done - Jesus has not returned for His bride, the church, yet - there is much work to be done and much HOPE for ALL mankind for us to share!  Praise the Lord!