Samantha Ryan Chandler / A Love Story…How God Pursued Me and Found Me

A Book Review by Claudean Brown

A True Story Samantha Ryan Chandler / A Love Story…How God Pursued Me and Found Me

 

The tale of Samantha Ryan Chandler’s life is evocatively portrayed in her book: A Love Story, How God Pursued Me and Found Me. It tells of a life that is as disturbing and unsettling as it is uplifting and, in the end, gratifying. How “A girl from Nowhere, Louisiana” finds her way from such humble beginnings to live and walk amongst presidents and the supremely rich, only to find her trust and faith betrayed by those that she loved and trusted the most. She would be tested to the point where she began to doubt her own sanity and, at the moment of her greatest desperation and doubt, she was found by God and brought back from the brink of hopeless despair.




Blessed with an almost unquenchable optimism and a unique sense of humor, she relates the story of a life that will speak to those who have encountered abuse, unfairness and anguish. Her love for her children and her faith in God carried her through a crucible of fire and in the end, made her a better, stronger person, ready to carry on with a life that is again filled with love, joy and laughter. A Love Story, How God Pursued Me and Found Me will both inspire you and touch
your heart.

   A Love Story…How God Pursued Me and Found Me was runnerup in the 2012 National Indie Book Excellence Awards and now carries a sticker on hardbound copies. Samantha Ryan Chandler is also a Contributing Author for Southern Writers Magazine.



   Samantha Website

   https://twitter.com/SammieChandler

   http://www.linkedin.com/pub/samantha-ryan-chande/13/940/611



My review for the book  "A Love Story…How God Pursued Me and Found Me"

 Some people who have grown up with loving parents have no idea what it is like to be abused by the ones who are suspose to love you the most. Samantha tells how she was not taught about God and his ways. In telling her story she writes about how He was looking out for her well being a long time before she knew Him has her Savior and Lord of her life.

 You will like this book, although you might be a little skeptical  about some of the things she writes about that are suppose to be true. It is entirely up to you if you believe the story of her life or not.
 I do know that God is good and when it appeared that He had forgotten her, God was with her all of the time. She has found the plan and purpose God has planned for her and that is a lot more than a lot of folks can say for themselves. 
I especially like the part where she and a friend were co-founders for  a childerns ministry that does so much good for ill children. I would like to visit the land where she was baptized also!

 I will always wonder what her babies real names were. She called them by her own sweet names, instead of their real one. Also her mean husband was called a well known name instead of his real one.
 I would give this book a 10, but I guess I can not go up that far with ratings.
If you believe in God and his Angels you will like this book too!

 From page 78: Never forget to dance. I dance when I am happy but more importantly, I dance when I am sad. It does the heart good to feel this way losing yourself in music.




Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew

Bro. Dave continues his Sermons About the Coming of the Holy Spirt

John 16:13-15 (NIV)

¹³ But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. ¹⁵ All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

In conclusion-

Matthew 7:22-23

New International Version (NIV)

²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

God Loves A Cheerful Giver

by What's My Part? on March 23, 2012

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

This verse single-handedly sums up the reason Christians are to give. We are to give because…..God loves a cheerful giver. When Christians freely give, with a gracious heart, we please God.

God himself, is a cheerful giver. He loves when His children follow in his footsteps. Think about the many blessings God has so richly bestowed on you. He doesn’t bless you because he has to, or because he feels obligated to. He gives to us, because He loves us.

In Romans 9:32 it says, He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things. God was willing to give his own son for our sake, and He didn’t stop there. This verse reminds us that God graciously gives us all things.

From each breath you take, to the house you live in. From your job, to your children, to your ability to read and write, God has graciously given you all that you have, and the ability to do all that you can do. There is nothing given to you, that does not flow from the hand of God.

Meditate on his many blessings. Think about the cross, and the suffering that was endured for your sake. Know this of God, he is a gracious God, and he calls us to be gracious as well. He calls us to be cheerful givers, and to freely give to others, as he has done so with us.

When we begin to catch a glimpse of the graciousness bestowed on us as sinners, how can we not desire to please God? How can we not desire to be cheerful givers, and share some of what has so graciously been given to us?

If you love the Lord, strive to be a cheerful giver. Don’t hold back when it comes to giving. In Psalm 84:11 it says, For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. He withholds no good thing from us, and we are not to withhold any good thing from those in need.

Lord, please make me a cheerful giver. Help me to freely give to others, and glorify your name. Help me give to others in a way that pleases you. Help me to be gracious towards others, that I may reflect your graciousness towards me.

Larry Paul Sexton Obituary

Obituary for Larry Paul Sexton

Lifelong Fort Collins resident Larry Paul Sexton died Friday, March 8, 2013. Surrounded by family, Larry lost his short but valiant, bravely fought battle against stage IV lung cancer which attacked him with a vengeance. Larry was 53 years old at the time of his death.

Larry was born in Muscatine, Iowa, to Frank and Sharlet Sexton on July 18, 1959, on his Uncle Ben’s 19th birthday. They shared a very special bond beyond uncle and nephew from the very beginning. The family returned to Fort Collins when Larry was six months old and he spent the remainder of his life here. He attended Poudre and Centennial high schools. Like his father before him, he was an over the road truck driver his entire adult life and an owner operator for the past fifteen years.

On October 2, 1993, Larry married the love of his life Sherry Folkemer. Together they had two sons, Clint and Cody, which were his pride and joy! He loved his family dearly and whether doing school projects, scouting functions, extra-curricular sporting activities, or just family game night they were his biggest joy and he considered them his greatest accomplishment. Larry’s other interests included making mandolins, listening to Bluegrass music, cheering for the Broncos, and watching Professional Bull Riding. He was a born again, baptized Christian and a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Larry always had a smile on his face and a joke to tell. He brought a delightful sense of levity to any event he attended. He was a kind, sincere, polite and caring individual who never knew a stranger and never forgot a debt. He made a point of making sure the people he loved knew it. It is all of these special attributes that drew people to him and why this wide circle of friends and family will miss him so!

Larry is survived by his wife of almost 20 years, Sherry Sexton, of Fort Collins; sons Clinton Paul Sexton, 14, and Cody Lynn Sexton, 12, and his beloved hound dog, Bailey, also of Fort Collins; his mother Sharlet Sexton of Fort Collins, CO; his siblings Danny Sexton (Kathie) of La Porte, CO, Debbie Cromer (Jack) of Fort Collins, CO, Jeannie McGaughey (Dusty) of San Angelo, TX, and Joe Sexton (Donna) of Fort Collins, CO and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins who loved him dearly! He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Sexton.

The family would like to thank everyone at PVH, Centre Rehab Facility, and all of the caretakers – especially Becky and Dr. Matt Sorrenson. Also the family expresses deepest appreciation for the loving support, meals, visits and prayers of so many wonderful friends.

There will be a viewing Tuesday evening, March 12th, at Goes Funeral Care, 3665 Canal Drive, Suite E, Fort Collins, Colorado, from 5:00 to 7:00. The Celebration of Life service will be Wednesday morning, March 13th, at 10:00 at Larry and Sherry’s home church - The Redeemer Lutheran Church, 7755 Greenstone Trail, Fort Collins, Colorado. Pastor Tim Runtsch will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Redeemer church in memory of Larry Sexton. The funds will be given to Sherry and the boys for family expenses.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Larry Paul Sexton please visit our Sympathy Store.

Today's Events

MAR 13

Celebration of Life

10:00AM - 11:30AM

Get Driving Directions

Redeemer Lutheran Church
7755 Greenstone Trail
Fort Collins, CO, US, 80525

Previous Events

MAR 12

Visitation

05:00PM - 07:00PM

Get Driving Directions

Goes Funeral Care & Crematory
3665 Canal Drive, Suite E
Fort Collins, CO, US, 80524
(970) 482-2221

The Roman Road to Salvation~

"For whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved."  
                                                    - Romans 10:13

How You Can Know God's Love

"There is a God in Heaven who loves you as you are and not as you should be."

Yes... you are right... there is a God. You know that must be true. The heart of
the human being longs for God, and logic demands divine existence.

While everyone believes God is... most sense separation from God. We
know God must be holy and good. We see ourselves as unholy and not good.
We conclude that God is angry with us and we cannot know Him.

Good News! This Testament of God's love is His Word to tell us that He loves
us as we are. That love will save us from our sin and make us what we should
be as God's children.


John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

We hear Jesus say, "God so loved the world." God's love has no limitations.
He loves "so". More than we can imagine. He loves everyone - not just
some ones.

Romans 5:8 tells us that God loved us so that "when we were in our sin
Christ Jesus came to die for us."


Romans 3:23
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"

This verse tells us that all people have sinned. We have fallen short of
God's intended purpose for us. God made us to know Him.... to receive His
love and to love him in return.

For love to be love... for God to be God... and for humans to be humans....
God gave us a choice. We can choose to love ourselves and turn to our
selfish pursuits. That is sin. In our sin we cannot know God and His love.
The result of sin is that we are lost... separated from God.

Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord."

Wages are just payment... due reward... what one has coming because of
labor. The just payment for our sin is death.

Death here means spiritual insensitivity. When we are still in our sin, we
have no life with God. We are alive physically but dead spiritually. If we
continue in that condition, we will be separated from God for all eternity.

The wages of sin is death. but God's free gift is eternal life. While wages
are earned, a gift is offered... no strings attached. God says He will give us
eternal life - life with Him - in the place of sin's payment of death.

How can God remain true to His holiness and forgive unholy sinners?
Because Jesus, His Son, has paid the price for sin by His death on the cross.

Second Corinthians 5:21 says, "He who knew no sin became sin for us, that
we may be made the righteousness of God through Him."

Jesus arose from the grave to conquer sin and death for all who receive Him
as God's free gift.

How can you receive God's free gift of love and life?

Romans 10:9-10
"that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart
that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a
person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he
confesses, resulting in salvation."

A person receives God's free gift of love and life by placing faith in Jesus
Christ. To believe is simply to take God at His word. With our heart
(whole believing) we believe that Jesus is God's Son who died for our sin
on the cross and arose from the grave to live in us as Savior and Lord.

To believe in Jesus will result in confessing that faith with one's mouth.

Do you acknowledge that your are a sinner?

Do you believe by faith that Jesus, God's Son, died for your sin on the cross?

Will you now confess Him as your Savior and Lord?

Romans 10:13
"for Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved."


This verse says that any person who will call upon the name of Jesus,
the Lord, shall be saved.

To call means simply to ask in prayer. The verse does not require one to
know more... do better... clean up one's life... or in any way try to add to
what Jesus has done for us.

Will you now call upon Jesus to save you from your sin so that you
can know God's love and forgiveness?

Pray like this: "Dear God, I confess that I am a sinner, and I am sorry. I need
a Savior. I know I cannot save myself. I believe by faith that Jesus, your
Son, died on the cross to be my Savior. I believe He arose from the grave
to live as my Lord. I turn from my sin. I ask You, Lord Jesus, to forgive my
sin and come into my heart. I trust you as my Savior and receive you as
my Lord. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me."

When anyone calls on the Lord in this manner, that one is saved according
to God's Word. If you pray a prayer of repentance and faith, you are saved.
You have God's word on it.

If you have prayed this prayer to receive Christ as your Lord and Savoir, why
not record your decision to follow Jesus as follows. Often times, a good place
to write this would be inside the cover of your bible:

Believing by faith that God loves me and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die
for my sin and arise from the grave to live in me, I, _______, do this day,
 ________, repent of my sin and accept Jesus Christ as my personal Lord
and Savior. According to the promise of God in Romans 10:13, I have
called upon His name and have His word for the assurance of my salvation. 

Do you need to speak to someone about questions you may have? If so, contact Need Him Ministries at 1-888-NEEDHIM (1-888-633-3446). To view the Need Him Channel at YouTube visit us online.

Adapted from "The Covenant of God's Love" by Richard Jackson, Jackson Center for
Evangelism, P.O. Box 99, Brownwood, Texas 76804, with permission. (c) 2000.

The Christian Net Group would like to express our sincere appreciation to Dr. Richard Jackson
 for his inspiring idea to use the book The Covenant of God's Love to share the good news
of Jesus Christ. Dr. Jackson, may God richly bless you and your ministry.

Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE (R), Copyright (c) 1960,
1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
Used by permission.

     

 

How to Be Born Again (With Built-In Study Guide)
By Billy Graham