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!

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Attack on the Bible by Newsweek

Today I became aware of an article by Newsweek attacking the Bible.  This is written by someone who clearly has a poor journalistic sense, as he has partial truths and then lies or has bad information for the rest of his statements. This article is an embarrassment to Newsweek as it's so unsound and so vicious and one sided. Apparently the former editor of Newsweek and even Time were fair, showing both sides of any given story, and treating both sides with respect. Even if conservative Christians were interviewed and not happy with the article, they still felt that they were treated fairly with journalistic integrity.

Here are a couple links to review as an answer to the Newsweek's article. The Fox one is a more general response, but the Albert Mohler one breaks it apart more and shows where they are misleading and inaccurate.

http://www.albertmohler.com/2014/12/29/newsweek-on-the-bible-so-misrepresented-its-a-sin/

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2014/12/30/happy-2015-newsweek-hit-piece-smears-bible-christians/

Happy New Year!

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Don't miss it! Beauty in Pain concert 1/2/15!



YOU ARE INVITED!!!

Start the new year right and come to a relaxing Christian concert by Dawn Foss, singing her songs from her soon-to-be-released album, "Beauty in Pain." It's on Friday, January 2, 2015 at:

Bev’s Corner Drop-in Center
Union Congregational Church
3 Elm Street, Rockville, CT (Rockville is part of Vernon)
For details, please call
Drew at 860-871-6500 or visit
JacobsWellCoffeehouse.com

Admission is FREE!

Link to concert info

I am really excited about this concert, and I hope to see you there! I'm excited to share with you what the Lord is doing in this ministry He has placed on my heart.

I will have a table with CD's and books for sale at discounted prices: $10 for my Beauty in Pain CD, and $10 for my I Will Stand book. I also will have info regarding my Fully Persuaded book, which is almost done. My Christmas Love books are $8 each. I Will Stand t-shirts are $10 each, everything includes the sales tax.

I hope to see you on January 2! Happy New Year!

Dawn Foss

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Christmas Love lyric video

Christmas Love lyric video

Please see the link above for my new Christmas song, "Christmas Love", that will be released on 2/10/15, but is available for purchase with the album "Beauty in Pain", at Tate Publishing/Tate Music Group. Enjoy! ...and Merry Christmas!

Buy Beauty in Pain, and listen to samples

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Christian concert 1/2/15

See the attached poster for more information about a concert I will be performing at the Jacob's Well Christian Coffeehouse in Rockville, CT on Friday, 1/2/15 at 7:30 p.m.  I will be singing songs from my new album, and giving my testimony and journey of faith. I will be selling my new CD, Beauty in Pain, as well as my books and t-shirts.  I hope to see you there!

Dawn's upcoming event


Sunday, November 30, 2014

What can you do to help the next generation?

Proverbs 7:1-3: "My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart."

It causes my heart to be sorrowful when I see so many people pass by my table at my book signings, and even with just the mention of writing books that are Christian that help build character, they quickly rush off with seemingly no interest. It may be they don't have any children in their lives, but I know it's not always the case because sometimes they have children with them. I notice that parents avoid me more than the older generation, and yet there are definitely exceptions. There are people who stop and thank me for putting out good books to help families and children. Some are very excited to use the books to draw closer to their children as they discuss things such as godly character together.  

Children look at me, wave to me and smile and truly cheer me! Some parents quickly gather their children and keep them moving! Ha ha! It's really funny! It's probably because they don't want their children asking to buy something. I've been there! I really try not to take rejection personally, because I know that I typically avoid eye contact with people who are selling something, especially when I'm in a hurry, which most of the people I see are in a hurry. There are actually surprisingly more people than I would expect who are friendly and smile, say "hi" back, and some stop by to chat and even buy a book or two. One mom came by with her daughter to see "a real author!" She was so precious!

One gentleman at my last book signing commented about the Ferguson trial. Police brutality is wrong and inexcusable, but this situation, as sad as it is to see anyone die, was not a result of police brutality. One lesson that this should bring to us all is the importance of teaching our children to have respect for those in authority. Another important life lesson is do not take that which is not yours. Care for your community, don't endanger it with fire and riots. Hang out with the right crowd. Take care of your body. Be a faithful and dependable person. Fear God. Obey the law. Honor your parents. Be honest and trustworthy. These are some examples of things I teach in my book, I Will Stand.  This gentleman bought my I Will Stand book. He was excited to see a book that would help our next generation. 

If you don't have any children at home, do you have grandchildren, whom you could go through the book with to teach basic, godly character to make them strong and capable to get through the hard times in life? Have you ever considered doing a neighborhood Bible study? How about teaching Sunday School at your church? What about a family devotion time? This book would be a very helpful tool to get the discussion started.

God bless you this Christmas, and I'd like to challenge you to try to get a group together to go through this book, or the Bible (but my book has a lot of Bible verses in it), or even a similar book, and make a difference in the lives of those you care about. Let's work together to help guide this next poor lost generation into good, pure living to live powerful, enriching lives that lack regret and tragedy. God bless you!

(also available at amazon.com, barnes and noble.com, and the marketplace)


Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Give the Gift of Character this Christmas!

GIVE THE GIFT OF CHARACTER

I have been at a few fairs and festivals the past couple months. The pictures below are of my two latest book signings; one at Shop Rite in Southington, CT, and the other one at Canton High School for a holiday fair. The Canton fair was really nice, as they had Christmas music playing, and a lot of holiday lights and decorations that people were selling.

I really enjoy doing book signings because I get to meet so many great and interesting people! It's fun to get out in the community and sit and promote something I believe in with all my heart.

My biggest seller is my I Will Stand book. The chapters are quick and easy to get through, and yet powerful in its ability to reach the heart of the reader, and promote a closer personal relationship with God. In going through these chapters, it will build character and coping skills for life. What a great gift to give someone for Christmas!!!

Why not have a spiritual emphasis in your gift giving this year? Christmas is, after all, a celebration of Christ's birthday. His mission was to come and die for our sins so we can be saved from the power of sin and death. What He gave up to come here, so He could gain US! Oh my! Leaving all the riches and splendor of heaven to face poverty, rejection, cruelty, mockery, hate - He knew that was coming when He agreed to come. What love! What a great gift to give to Jesus in return: our heart and devotion. 

This book will also bring the family closer if done together. It really opens up discussion easily.

One thing I've noticed as I have spoken with people during my book signings is that the elderly generation have strong faith, and yet they don't feel empowered to help the younger generation, not even their own children or grandchildren.  Some have such sadness in their eyes as they state their children grew up in church but now are atheists or agnostics, and won't hear a thing about religion.

My message to the elderly folks is that WE NEED YOU!!! You have strong faith, but you might not be good enough at defending your faith to convince others to follow Jesus. My upcoming book Fully Persuaded will be a great tool to help you do just that. It's almost done - will post an announcement when it's ready to be ordered.

Want to bless someone with some beautiful, encouraging music? See the link below to order a copy of my new CD, Beauty in Pain.  See the link for my music video, and the link to order the CD, which has some sample songs to listen to. I trust this will be a blessing to you, and makes a great Christmas gift: the gift of encouragement.

God bless you this Christmas and in 2015! Let's work together to get the good news of Jesus Christ to a world that desperately needs hope and a secure future in Christ. God is real, His Word is truth, and we need Him. What a blessing that He loves us right where we are, and if we come humbly with a repentant heart, He will save our wretched souls! That love is the greatest love ever known to mankind, something truly to celebrate this holiday season. 
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Websites to Buy I Will Stand book:

Website to Buy Beauty in Pain:

Music Video:

Canton Holiday Fair 11/22/14


Part of my view from my book table at Canton Holiday Fair 11/22/14

My book table at Shop Rite in Southington 11/15/14

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Beauty in Pain release date is set, and music video is on You Tube

I have more good news about my album. Beauty in Pain will be released on February 10, 2015 to nationwide distribution, as well as select international distribution. It will be available on amazon.com, walmart.com, iTunes, bestbuy.com, rhapsody, etc. I am very excited about this album. I really love the songs, and I hope you will be touched by them and enjoy listening to them as well. See the Tate Music Group (TMG) website for more details about the album, and how to order your copy today, either hard copy or digital. Tate Music Group store: Beauty in Pain

My music video has been completed and released to You Tube. It's one of the songs on my album called, "Feelings", and states that feelings don't define who you are, nor do they determine what you do. You can overcome your feelings of sexual attraction, anger, poor self image, hatred, envy, etc., with the help of the Lord. Don't let those feelings dictate your course of action, but rather determine to do what is right despite the hormones and emotions you feel inside.Feelings by Dawn Foss Music Video

If you'd like to see more information about the album and hear three other songs from the album, please see Beauty in Pain Electronic Press Kit. I would love to come to your church or group for a book signing, album signing, sing some songs for you, and inspire you to love the Lord and submit your life to Him. It's the best life ever, despite your pain and struggles and circumstances. He will help you to become an overcomer and have victory in your life! Suffering has purpose and beauty of its own. You can contact me via my website: www.dawnfoss.tateauthor.com

God bless you!

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

BEAUTY IN PAIN IS HERE AT LAST!!!

I'm so excited to be able to tell you that my first album from Tate Music Group (Tate Publishing) can be ordered at: 

Beauty in Pain by Dawn Foss/Tate Music Group


There are two songs, "Run From All Appearance of Evil" and "The Truth of the Matter" that you can listen to! They allow you to hear the entire songs. This will give you a taste of what the album is like. It's a great album to listen to when you are relaxing, or when in the car. 

This will make a great Christmas present. There is a Christmas song at the end as well called, "Christmas Love."  

I trust this will be a blessing to you. Thank you to all who have upheld me in prayer throughout this project.


Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Saving Christmas!


http://www.savingchristmas.com/

Kirk Cameron has a movie coming out in theaters (limited engagement, so check listings) on November 14 called, "Saving Christmas." It looks like it's going to be a great movie! Liberty University is supporting this movie, which is great as I'm an alumni of Liberty University so I always love to see their name in the headlines! Duck Dynasty also gave their support, as well as many other organizations. I look forward to seeing it.

On the topic of being proud to celebrate Christmas, I want to remind everyone of my children's book, Christmas Love, that is available.  It was released last December (2013), but I had the pictures redone, so it is available for preorder right now in the new form, but available through distribution (such as amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, etc.) now in its old form. It's a great book that highlights community helpers like doctors, dentists, firemen, nurses, policemen, teachers, soldiers, youth pastors, etc. who share Christ's love to their communities on a daily basis. The book shows from the original Christmas story how Christ's love was shown through all the "players" in this marvelous event in history that changed our lives forever, giving us incredible hope and peace from this forgiving love, grace and mercy of God toward us, yes, undeserving us. It shows you how you can be saved, and has a built-in audio book that has my song, "Christmas Love" at the end. Here are the words to the chorus:

"Christmas love, celebrate Christmas love, 
There is no greater love to celebrate!
He came to earth to die,
To bring us life again.
God's mercy to forgive,
Grace conquered all our sin.
He saved us from our tragic fate,
Now THAT'S something to celebrate!"

I have sheet music available for this song (piano and guitar chords), so contact me if you are interested in a copy for $3.00 each (including tax and mailing costs). Kids love to sing this song! It has a catchy tune. I also have magnetic cards with the words to the song on it that can be put on your refrigerator for $2.00 each (including tax and mailing costs).

That song is included as a bonus track on my album that is almost finalized through Tate Music Group called, Beauty in Pain. Contact me at www.dawnfoss.tateauthor.com for more information. It should be available for orders in about a week or two.

Below is the link for my Christmas Love book. God bless you this Christmas!

Saturday, November 1, 2014

The Existence of God IS Known

My Lord and My God
By Dawn Foss


Does my life have any purpose, is their meaning to it all?
I hear so many say there is no God.
When challenged on this point, I don’t know what to say,
I just slip back into the busy crowd.

How can someone prove that which is not seen,
I believe and yet there is a little doubt.
It nags at me and causes my actions to withdraw,
Discouragement is creeping in my heart.

My Lord and my God, I really want to know,
I want to tell the others you are real.
How can I be all you want me to be,
When all these doubts affect the way I feel?
My Lord and my God.

I read in Romans 1 there is something that makes You
Feel wrath and rage for those who suppress truth.
The truth that people hide that makes you so upset
Is the truth that You exist, ignoring proof.

Cause and effect, the fact that we are moral,
The order that exists within our world
Exclaims that there’s a God, there is no other way
This theater we call earth proclaims it’s true!

Our God, He is not hiding, His presence is so clear
That He says we surely know and understand;
His existence is so evident that none will have excuse
To say they didn’t know, because they did!

My Lord and my God, I’m thankful I can know,
And now my heart will evermore rejoice!
Since you are so real, then so is Your Word,
I’ll serve you and proclaim it with my voice!
My Lord and my God.

Just as wind cannot be seen but leaves will rustle,
We see the hand of God by what He does
And things that He has made declare His glory,
I’ll shout and sing forevermore because

My Lord and my God, I’m thankful I can know,
Your goodness and your holiness is real.
I’ll trust in You and now I’ll serve you faithfully,
My heart rejoices, hope is what I feel!
My Lord and my God.


ROMANS 1:18-20
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because
that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.


Sunday, October 5, 2014

The Meaning of Life



I've been in a reflective mood lately as my kids are in college now, and my oldest daughter is married. Life certainly has its ups and down, but it all has meaning when we put it in perspective through God's eyes. Our trials have a purpose, though we may not know it all this side of heaven. What has meaning for me is leaving a legacy, making a difference, teaching and training the next generation in truth and righteousness. I love the Lord so much, and am so thankful that He has given me a wonderful family that I love very much!





The Meaning of Life
By Dawn Foss

Looking in the mirror, eyes reveal my age; spring of life is over, turn another page.

Years roll on like water flowing down a brook. Another's chapter's ending, like pages in a book.

Children growing up to be the age I was, when life was really starting, ahead was so much fun!

Lived life to the fullest joy, with sorrows mixed. Those family times together surely will be missed.


Lonely heart can burn with pain that no one sees. As life passes by, best place is on one’s knees.

Sure there are regrets, but happy times as well; finding joy through hard times, learning through it all.

Pain on many levels seem to drop on by, but joy and hope discover the value of a life.

Looking back I'm thankful, even through the strife. Reflecting on what matters; that’s the meaning of life.


Looking through the photos, good times come alive. Glad I caught the mem’ries, got the kids to smile.

Working, training, climbing the ladder to success, now it’s time to settle down and get some rest.

Money moves on through my hands to pay the bills. In and out it moves along, counting on some thrills.

Making short and long term goals keeps me alert; keeps me young and vibrant, gives life added worth.


Stages of development bring me to a place, where mentoring another fulfills my empty space.

No longer does my focus center on myself. To teach and help another is greater than my wealth.

Giving what I’ve learned to someone who will hear, puts value on my struggles, puts worth to every tear.

My life has been a journey, sometimes it changes course; each bend has fresh new meaning, with God’s sustaining force.


Through the heavy crowds and loads of smiling faces, a soul can lie in sorrow, sunken in dark places.

A helping heart will seek and find a suffering soul, looking through facades to see the actual.

Continue on this journey and finish this race strong; keep the Lord before you, and you will not go wrong.

Seek the One who gives the meaning to our lives; be there for your family; read God's Word to make you wise. 


Faithfully serve God till you reach the end; use your extra time to reach out to a friend.

Looking back I’m thankful, for all God orchestrated in my life till now, I think I’ll celebrate it!

Glad my work’s not over, there’s still much to be done. Exciting new adventures, time for some new fun.

Writing, teaching, singing, my heart is overflowing; aging does not mean our lives should not keep growing.


Bridge:
Cherish past experiences, even troubled times; then move on, forget; run forth toward the prize.

 
Chorus:
That’s the meaning of life, make each day of it count, 

Live like today was your last, rejoice and give a good shout! 

Don’t be afraid to take a risk, a chance, or try something new! 

That’s the meaning of life, serving God in all that you do.

Philippians 3:13,14: "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Monday, September 22, 2014

Love The Truth

My pastor preached on this chapter yesterday, and I thought this would make a great future song. It's in poem form right now, but I thought you might enjoy it.

2 Thessalonians 2:10: "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved."

Love The Truth 

By Dawn Foss

Taken from 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

How can one be saved, you ask?
How does one believe?
There are so many stories told,
Seeking to deceive.

The Lord will come again, but first
Something will occur.
Many fall away from truth,
From sin their eyes will blur.

People will oppose the truth
And exalt themselves above
The one true God who gives us life
And fills us with His love.

Satan does deceive mankind
Through his power, signs and lies;
And God who offers truth and hope
Instead becomes despised.

God's holy Word and His bright coming
Will destroy these lies.
But until then, watch out, be warned!
Strong delusion will blind your eyes.

Denying truth and taking pleasure
In unrighteousness
Will cause your soul to perish, you
declined God's full forgiveness.

Chorus:
Love the truth...so you can be saved.
Open your eyes...don't be deceived.
Thank God for those...who show the way.
Believe the truth...stand fast today.

Bridge:
He's not willing that any should perish, hold on
To traditions, the Gospel, God's Word,
Good things we've been taught give us good hope and grace,
And everlasting comfort.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Does God Love the Arabs?

Recently I was teaching my Sunday School class out of Genesis 16-21 about Abraham and Isaac, and how God had promised to make of Abraham a great nation. God made this promise years before Isaac was actually born. I can understand how Abraham and Sarah might have wondered how God was going to perform this, since Sarah his wife was barren, and now an old woman, well past child-bearing years. However, God had made a promise, and God keeps His promises.

Sarah took things into her own hands by stepping in for God, perhaps thinking she better do something to help Abraham get this promised son before she dies. Perhaps she wondered if God had forgotten them, or because God kept her barren she was not good enough or adequate. Maybe she was mad at God for not changing her situation, and it was so late in life for her now that the dream of bearing a child of her own was long gone. What bitter pain she may have been feeling, and maybe even feeling rejected by her husband.  Whatever the reason, she gave Abraham her Egyptian maid Hagar to marry, he slept with her and she indeed became pregnant. Sarah thought this child would be hers, because in Genesis 16:2 she said to Abraham her husband, "Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her."

However, this plan backfired, and she really regretted it. When Hagar conceived, it only made her feel worse that she could not give her husband a child, and Hagar despised Sarah, which made Sarah feel even worse. Sarah lashed back and dealt harshly with her, and Hagar fled from her in fear. Genesis 16:7-13 says, "And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. And he said, Hagar, Sarai's [that was the spelling at this time, was later changed to "Sarah"] maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his breathren. And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?" So yes, while he will be wild man of war, God still promised he was not forgotten; he and Hagar were not unseen.

In chapter 17 God again reinforced his promise to Abraham in vs. 1-2: "...I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly." He went on to say that Abraham would be the father of many nations. God also specified that this line would come through Sarah his wife. In vs. 16: "And I will bless her [Sarah], and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her." Abraham, however, was a little confused and laughed, thinking he was all done with impregnating anyone because he was 99 years old, and his barren wife was 90 years old! He asked God to just use Ishmael. Hey, the work was already done, he was a son of Abraham, so what's the harm? Can't God adjust His plan?

Abraham said to God, "O that Ishmael might live before thee! And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him" (Genesis 17:18-19).  Isaac would be the promised son that the lineage of Jesus would be from, and would begin the birth of the Jewish nation.  However, God did not forget Abraham's other son Ishmael, even though this was not God's plan and Sarah made a hasty decision by giving her Egyptian maid to her husband. Polygamy was never God's design.

God made a special promise to Abraham regarding this other precious soul. "And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. By my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year." That was that. The decision was made...by God Himself. It wasn't that Ishmael was a bad boy or not good enough. He was just not the promised child. This child had to be a miracle from God, born of a barren, postmenopausal woman, and Abraham's first wife, and that's it. It's not up to us to try to change God's plan; we are to obey. However, it is clear that Ishmael was also loved by God, and would become a great nation as well; just not the Jews. Abraham and Ishmael and all the men of the household were then circumcised, as God had said unto him.

Abraham was visited by angels who again reinforced the message from God that Abraham and Sarah would become reproductive again (for Sarah it would be the first time!), and Sarah would conceive a son. Sarah laughed over the situation, but God reminded them, "Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son" (Genesis 18:14).  She did indeed! In chapter 21 Isaac was born and circumcised. After he was weaned they had a great feast. Ishmael was a teenager by now. He was heard mocking Isaac, and that was not OK with Sarah. In vs. 10 she said to Abraham, "Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac." The Bible goes on to say that this grieved Abraham, but God said in vs. 12: "And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called."

The story doesn't stop there, however. God continued: "And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed" (Genesis 21:13). This was promised before, and reiterated now. Abraham got supplies for Hagar and Ishmael, and they were sent away, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.  They ran out of water and were about to die. Hagar didn't want to see the death of her child, and lift up her voice and wept. "God heard the voice of the lad (he must have been praying): and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer" (Genesis 21:17-20). God intended for him to live and intervened to save his life. He married a woman from Egypt, and settled in Paran.

What is the point of this story? It is to point out the tenderness and love and deliverance of God for Ishmael. Yes, Abraham is Ishmael's father. Abraham is also Isaac's father. Isaac became the father of a great nation: Israel. Ishmael became the father of a great nation: Arabs.  Why is there so much war between them? I wonder if the Arabs feel like an illegitimate child. But Abraham married Hagar, and while Abraham had to send them away, it was not because he did not love them. He loved them very much, and it grieved him to send them away. However, he had a duty to obey God by hearkening unto the voice of his wife, and separating the two boys, just like he had to separate from his nephew Lot in order keep their workers from fighting all the time.  Both were loved by Abraham, and both were loved by God. Isaac was the chosen son, chosen by God for a special purpose: to be the lineage of Jesus, and be His chosen people.

I am a Gentile, so there have been times I have wished I were God's chosen Jew because I thought I might be more precious in His eyes. However, God loves Gentiles, too, and Jesus died to save the whole world, regardless of race. "For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:12-13).  "Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith" (Romans 3:29-30). Praise the Lord, we are not left out! God has made room in His kingdom for us all!  Also, Ruth was in the lineage of Jesus, and she was a Gentile. Salvation is for the Jew and the Arab, for the Greek and the Italian. For the American and the Brazilian. For the European and the African, Asian, Australian, etc. You get the picture! "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" (John 3:16). 

If you are an Arab, please know God loves you. Repent of your sin and come to Jesus by faith and ask Him to be your personal Lord and Savior. He died on the cross and rose again the third day. "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that 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). He rose victorious over death and the grave, and like Him, we too will one day be resurrected in Christ and be with Him for eternity if we accept His gift of salvation.  "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:54-58).

He never intended Arabs to reject Him; Jehovah God is not the God of the Jews, but the God of the Arabs, too. Come to Him for your salvation and freedom from sin, and a promise of eternal life. Titus 1:2: "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began." Ephesians 2:8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."