You can order a copy of Christmas Love now!

Great news!  If you would like, you can order a copy of Christmas Love from the Tate Publishing website.  It is $11.99 for a full color book, or an eBook is only $7.99!  I trust it will be a blessing to you and your family this Christmas. I envision it being a book that families will read together each year to remind them of the true meaning of Christmas - to show love to those around us. 

http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=9781629020570

The goal of this book is to promote love of God, love of family, and love of community.  It's a great gift idea!

Each book comes with a link for an audio version.  I'm not sure if it's up and running yet, but it will be soon.  

The release date for Christmas Love is December 3, 2013, when you can get it through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, as well as other book stores online and eventually hopefully on bookshelves in your local bookstore.

God bless you, and may I be the first to wish you and your family an upcoming MERRY CHRISTMAS!

New website for I Will Stand!

Please check out my new website through Tate Publishing.  The plan is to use this website to include other books I write as well.  But for now, it focuses on I Will Stand.  I am so thankful that my publisher has provided so many resources to market my book.  If you are interested in writing a book, check them out!  They are great to work with, and do a lot to help first time authors like myself.  God bless you!

http://dawnfoss.tateauthor.com/

Creating a Culture of Righteousness

Last Wednesday I attended a safety class that is mandatory at the hospital where I work.  It was called, Safety Starts with Me, or SSWM.  The first thing they did was they laid a foundation that we as hospital employees, whether doctors, nurses, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, secretaries, patient care technicians, lab workers, laundry workers, food workers, gift shop workers, housekeeping staff, surgeons, educators, residents, whatever our job description, it must include ensuring safety to all our patients. 

Patients expect 3 things from us: 1) Not to harm me, 2) To heal me, 3) To be nice to me, in that order.  Unfortunately, people do get hurt and even die in an environment that is supposed to promote safety, and that is why a stronger emphasis has to be made, and is being made by hospitals across the United States, to reduce chances of harm and to ensure a safe, healthy environment.  We all have to realize this: "It starts with me."  

The worst thing that can happen is the perfect storm, or the Swiss Cheese phenomenon, where all the circles line up perfectly and all the checks and balances fail, resulting in harm to a patient.  They emphasized how important it is that we all share the same values as hospital employees.  We MUST value safety, we MUST deter harm, and we MUST do what is best for our patients.  When everyone is diligent, if someone or something slips up, there should be someone else around to catch it, question it, clarify it, or whatever is needed to ensure a positive outcome.  

We need to all believe in this if it is going to work.  If everyone is on board, then when a nurse, for example, doesn't understand an order, she can ask the doctor, "Please clarify that" or "Let me repeat that back to you" without him or her getting angry because they feel their time is being wasted, or they think that if the nurse was diligent and smart, he or she wouldn't have had to repeat it back or ask for clarification.  They understand that we need to do whatever it takes to make sure clear communication takes place so we can avoid an error.

This type of environment doesn't just happen.  It is created.  Everyone has to have the same value system in order to create a culture of safety.  It takes a choice to decide that these values are good and worthwhile, and that you will live your life according to the principles that go along with a safe environment.  You will change how you speak, how you choose to think and act, how you treat others, and how you respond to crises. Why? Well, for one, it's the right thing to do.  Second, you might be a patient in a hospital one day.  How do you want to be treated?  Third, a loved one of yours may be in that same hospital.  How do you want them to be treated?  Do you want them to go in for something small, but then the wrong medication is given which takes their life? 

Where I work there is an atmosphere of mutual respect, friendliness, quality, safety, and unity.  It feels like one big happy family.  Granted, it is a relatively small community hospital.  But sharing the same values unifies us, and ensures things are done right, without hostility if someone makes a mistake.  We learn from mistakes, and do everything we can to make things right and to minimize harm, because that is the goal of everyone working there.

Why am I going into so much detail about a culture of safety?  Because that culture was created.  What other cultures can be created?  Oh, hostile cultures can be created by employees and even employers.  Ever work with employees who talk about you behind your back, belittle you, interfere with your projects, or create an unsafe environment?  

What about a culture of righteousness?  Can a nation create a culture of righteousness?  What does righteousness mean?  It means doing what is right.  Having strong values that say it matters what we do, that we do things right, that we act right, that we do right by others, that we hate evil and wrongdoing and perversion, and we love things that are right and good and uplifting.  We strive to encourage eachother to do what is right, and if someone is doing wrong, we lovingly correct them and help them get back on track.

In a culture of safety, how do we correct someone who is doing wrong?  First, we approach them with a gentle question.  "Did you forget your isolation gown?"  If that doesn't work, then make a statement. "Here's an isolation gown for you."  If they still won't hear you, then you can go up the ranks, but it's all in the name of doing what is safe and what is right for those around you.  We do not live on islands.  What we do will always affect others eventually in some way.  Ignoring or denying wrong does not help anyone.

Why do people get so upset when wrongs are pointed out?  Pride.  There's no room for pride in a culture of safety, because any of us can get sloppy, tired, exhausted, aggravated, impatient, or forgetful. Good outcomes are good for all.  Let's as a nation, and even as a world, strive toward righteousness, just like a hospital strives for safety, and help each other along to create a climate of goodness, of love, of caring, of life, and of safety, not only physically, but spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally.  All these things are nourished when we do what is right, and it benefits everyone.  

Just as a hospital has a policy manual, our ultimate manual is the Word of God when it comes to moral standards. Our laws can fail us, but the Word of God provides Truth and guidance on how to live, and is an eternal source.  It should guide our laws. Why trust the Word of God?  Because there is an authority behind it Who is higher and greater than us.  Our loving Creator gave this to us to show us how to live.  To Jews only? To Americans only?  No - to all nations, all humans, no matter what your background.

Many people from various backgrounds are employed by any given hospital.  Does that matter when it comes to safety? No. They are free to be who they are, but while working at the hospital, they will abide by the culture of safety because it is required for a hospital of excellence and safety, to uphold a great reputation within the community.  

How do we as a nation want to be viewed by the world?  As a mockery because we are foolish in our choices and laws and how we do things? As something that can't be trusted? Or as a beacon of light and hope that would cause others to WANT to come here, not just for economic purposes, but for a family environment where we care about both truth and love?  A nation that has a high moral standard provides safety and laws that are righteous, but more importantly, fellow neighbors who believe in showing love, care, and concern for others, and strength of character to do what is right and uphold truth.  

WE make this country what it is.  WE form the culture.  It is created by its citizens. It's time to join hands, and together we can make a difference for good in this world!

Proverbs15:9: The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

Proverbs 21:21: He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

1 Timothy 6:11: But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Proverbs 14:34: Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

America is great because she is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great.
ATTRIBUTION:	Attributed to ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE by Dwight D. Eisenhower in his final campaign address in Boston, Massachusetts, November 3, 1952. Unverified.

A Culture of Righteousness: It starts with me!

I Will Stand booksigning

I was blessed to have the opportunity today to do a booksigning at Walmart.  I really enjoy being able to share the book that God placed on my heart to write.  It's a great book for personal devotions, family devotions or group discussions.  It's a useful tool, interactive, and helps young people to develop godly character in their lives.  This in turn helps them to build greater coping skills.  So much in life cannot be controlled by us, but we can control who we are, and how we respond to the world around us.

If you have not had the opportunity to read my book yet, I highly recommend it!  I trust it will be a blessing to you and your family.  Here's a link to Google Books, which shows several places you can get it at discount.  And of course, you can always order it directly from Tate Publishing.

http://books.google.com/books/about/I_Will_Stand.html?id=tER-nAEACAAJ

http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-62295-475-9

 

If this book was a blessing to you, I'd love to hear about it!  It really encourages my heart to hear testimonies about what God is doing through this book.

How to be a True Friend

How to be a True Friend

by Dawn Foss

 

Life is not so easy,

No matter who you are.

Troubles come from everywhere,

Hard to live at par.

What happens if you mess up?

Or you don't fit in?

Failure's staring in your face,

Disappointment comes again. 

You've made choices that were bad,

Employment can't be found.

Your coping led to prison

And now you find you're bound.

Your time has been so wasted,

Friends are hard to find.

Welcomes have been worn out,

Years have been unkind.

You wonder how you got here?

You knew much better than this.

The stress you feel brings pain,

And pressure in your chest.

Or maybe you're a victim

Abuse has called your name.

Fear, regret, and trauma

Have brought you tears and pain.

 

But each day brings new promise,

As faith gives way to hope,

Learning from the hard times,

Improving ways to cope.

Praying for God's wisdom

and strength to face each day;

Holding onto promises

While you humbly pray.

Don't be ashamed of failures,

They lead you to success.

A thing of beauty often comes

From what started as a mess.

Mistakes will mold and make you

Into something God can use.

Humble and tender hearts

Make it difficult to accuse.

Know that you hold value

With an expected end,

God will use those hard times

To make you a better friend.

Jeremiah 29:11-13: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."

Once Upon A Time

Have you watched the TV series called Once Upon a Time?  It's about storybook characters that have a curse upon them, and they have been transplanted from their happily-ever-after land to the current day world in a town in Maine called Storybrooke.  A loophole in the curse was that the baby daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming was transported to the new land before the curse hit everyone. When she turned 28 yrs. old, she would come to Storybrooke and save everyone from the curse.  No one in Storybrooke could leave, and most of them had no memory of the former life.  Time stood still for 28 yrs, so none of them aged.

Emma, now the 28 yr. old daughter who was to save them had one little problem - a lack of faith to believe what was written in the storybook, that all the people in the town were once beloved storybook characters in another land or parallel universe.  The evil queen who put the curse on everyone knew love once, but because her heart was broken, it was her life's mission to ruin everyone else's happily ever afters, especially Snow White's.  What she couldn't see was that ruining everyone else's happiness did not really create happiness for herself. 

She was the mayor in this parallel world, and knew everything about everyone, and how to make life miserable for them.  Her adopted son, who was actually Emma's birth son (and Snow White and Prince Charming's grandson), read the storybook, so knew how everything fit together, and how the town could be saved from the curse.  As Emma started intervening in the town and became the sherriff, things started to change and the curse started to weaken, and memories started to come back, as well as happiness.  The boy had great faith in what was written in the book, as it related to what he could clearly see in the people and the world around him. Emma, however, could not see past the here and now, the cold, harshness of reality. One of the greatest challenges was to get Emma to see what was right in front of her with eyes of faith, but she chose to disbelieve.  The truth could be right in front of her face, and yet she refused to see it.

This reminds me of this present world.  This world is not our true home, the Bible says, but we are strangers and foreigners. 1 Peter 2:11: "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul."  

The Bible tells of a rich man who died.  He asked Abraham to send someone back to the earth to warn his family about hell, because surely if someone came back from the dead to tell them about it, they would believe and could avoid that eternal place of torment.  However, Abraham told a very sad truth in Luke 16:29-31:

²⁹ Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

³⁰ And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

³¹ And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Some agnostics say that the existence of God cannot be proven, cannot be known.  However, according to Romans 1, God is not hiding!  He is not only seen, but He is clearly understood, to the point that no one is without excuse when it comes to answering to 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;

¹⁹ Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

²⁰ 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:

Are you like Emma?  Are you going through life thinking that this is all there is?  Or will you look at the Bible and see what God has left for us, an instruction book that teaches us all wisdom and godliness, so that we can live a life on the right path, full of love and happiness?  It really doesn't take much faith to look around you and see the wonderful home God has given us, and how active He is in the lives of those who will trust in Him.  Yes, this world is under the curse of sin, but praise God our Savior has come!  He knew why He came, and He knew His purpose and plan, and fulfilled the prophecies that spoke of His coming.  He took the curse upon Himself so we can live eternally and not go to a place of eternal torment. 

If you have not known Jesus, please open God's Word (because faith comes by hearing God's Word), open your eyes, and then open your heart to Him.  Your life will never be the same again after you've had that aha! moment!  Glory be to God!  May you live happily ever after in God's kingdom, saved from the curse and freed to love and live forevermore where there is no more death, no more pain, no more suffering, and no more sin.

Apathy - Preachers vs. Worship Leaders

I've had a couple things on my heart lately.  One is apathy among Christians.  Ephesians 5:14: "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." Evangelist Ken Sparks preached at our church recently, and spoke about how the term apathy used to be used by early Christians to describe how they felt about worldly things. When confronted by worldy and sensual temptations, they passed it by because they were apathetic toward it.  "Want gold?"  No thanks.  "Want prostitutes?" No thanks. "Want powerful jobs?" Not if it will get in the way of my service to Christ.  They had so much passion for Christ that worldly pleasures did not grab a hold of their hearts. They had no feeling toward it. 

How has apathy changed in the church? Unfortunately, it has flipped in many hearts of Christians. Rather than being apathetic toward worldly lusts and passionate about Christ, we instead are apathetic toward Christ and passionate toward wordly lusts and desires, and the pride of life. Apathy toward Christ and thus disobedience to Him is due to a problem with our love for Christ, our faith in Christ, or our desire for money/power/selfish gain.

We all struggle with these things.  I was recently on vacation at Virginia Beach, and spent some time worshipping the Lord in my heart as I stood in the ocean on a beautiful day, watching my family play on boogie boards with the bigger waves, looking out at the sky and even dolphins that were swimming by!  How beautiful they were!  I loved it when their bodies came out of the water for a second. I thought about the majesty of Christ and how loving and powerful He is to have created sweet dolphins and fierce sharks. The vastness of the ocean and all that lives therein is absolutely amazing. Jeremiah 10:6: "Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might." The beauty of the sky and the stars, planets, galaxies and the vastness of all that is in the universe is also overwhelming and awesome to me to think that the same God who created the microscopic particle and the huge galaxies cares about you and me.  How deep His love toward us!

Psalm 8:4-6: "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet."

As I thought about that, I thought about pride that creeps in my heart, often unawares until I quiet my life down enough to smell the roses - or the salt air! - and humble myself before an Almighty God who is the One who gives me strength and daily provisions and blessings beyond belief!  Yes, with all the troubles in life, we can always find wonderful blessings and miracles in our lives if we take notice and look.

So what does this have to do with Preachers and Worship Leaders?  I have recently been to a couple different church services, and have been upset by the music. I am a church pianist and very involved in my church's music ministry, so it is a sensitive subject to me. I am amazed at the mismatch between the music and the preaching in many "good" churches.  The churches have fantastic ministries, people who seem to really be excited about the Lord, at least by appearances, and the preacher brings forth the message of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ!  I don't know how preachers can get up in the power of the Holy Spirit after being part of a rock concert. Why don't they do anything about the worldliness of the music? It doesn't match!  I grew up being taught that rock music is bad. The rock music in a church does not compare entirely to a secular rock band, but it is similar in many ways!  Why are we imitating that? How did that creep into the church of all places?

It totally annoys me because I know better. I know that is not how church music should be. It is meant to prepare the hearts for the preaching, and to bring honor and glory to God.  I'm not saying that people who listen to this aren't worshipping God in their hearts, because I cannot judge their hearts.  But I know that I cannot worship the Lord when the band plays a song for 45 minutes basically saying the same thing over and over and over again. They don't know when to end!  We got the point 30 minutes ago! The music is damaging to my ear drums, and gives me a headache. My chest feels like I'm going to have an arrhythmia from the pounding of the drums and vibrations from the speakers. My stomach actually felt physically ill during the heavy drums, and felt better when the music quieted, and felt sick again when it started back up!  Did you know that plants grow away from rock music and toward classical music?

Anyway, the band looks like they are seeking self gratification, which is easy to do when you are up on stage. They enjoy playing, and I get that. There's nothing wrong with having fun serving the Lord! I was once in a conservative band, and it was fun!  But in church there should be a reverence for God's house. And singing the same words over and over again reminds me of the warning about vain repetitions: Matthew 6:7: "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."  These worship songs are basically putting prayers to music, and they repeat the same phrases over and over again.

Worship leaders believe they are called to lead the people in worship to the Lord, and the preacher's job is to bring the message from the Word of God to feed the people.  Are preachers apathetic when it comes to the standard of music for the church? Jesus Christ is the head of the Church, but the pastor is the shepherd of the flock of Christ. I urge preachers to take a stand for music that doesn't feed the flesh, but feeds the soul.

1 John 2:16: "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

Is your church a rock concert or a house of prayer? Are you apathetic toward God and passionate about pleasing your sense of entertainment, or are you passionate about Christ and apathetic toward worldly pleasures?  I know I have to do a self check daily; we can all fall into this and must be very cautious.  My prayer for you is that you evaluate yourself daily as well, and if you have the power to make change in your church, that you see what you can do to get back on track. It is very, very hard to go "back" once rock and roll and heavy drums are introduced into a church because people get used to it and without it the music sounds dull and boring. It's better to never have gone there. But if you have, it will need to be a gradual change in the right direction.  Go with light drums and more piano/strings/guitar, and perhaps eliminate the drums altogether or at least have them be VERY background without a heavy beat and loud volume. Get to the point of the music, and then get out of the way and on for the main event - the preaching from God's Holy Word.  He is holy, and we are to be a peculiar people, and zealous unto good works.  Preachers - please lead and take a stand in your church. You are ultimately responsible for what goes on in that church. Don't be afraid to do what you know is right.  Music can fall into preferences, but there is a line for standards of what is appropriate for the house of God.

1 Peter 2:9: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;"

Titus 2:14: "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

1 Peter 1:15: "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;"