Are you facing a personal energy crisis? Does living rightly seem like a challenge more often than not? Are you seeking encouragement? Life can use up the resources we have and leave us perpetually wishing for just a little more. We can’t survive a full and victorious life on our own power – something most of us figure out when we try it!

This book, the third compilation from the New FreeThinkers, will encourage you on to the overcoming life you desire. It will challenge you to raise your commitment level, remind you where your focus needs to be, and proclaim the hope you have in God. You will be Refueled and ready to live the overcoming life!

Refueled is available now for our usual low price of $3.99. All three of our recent releases, Reformed, Refocused, and Refueled, would make excellent gifts this Christmas for someone you want to encourage and uplift.

On behalf of all of the New Free Thinkers, thank you for reading! May God bless you this Christmas season, and may the articles you’ve read be a strength and a light.

Today we are announcing the launch of our new book, Refocused. This book collects articles we published between November 2009 and November 2010. Four new authors joined us for this book and added their own unique viewpoints on the fundamental issues we address. We describe it like this:

Constant distractions assault us every day. Advertising and social media clamor for attention that is becoming scarcer by the day. Without careful forethought, we will get caught up in the game of low-commitment, low-engagement, and low-meaning living. This is not the vibrant and spiritually fulfilling life we are entitled to. We need focus.

This book, the second compilation from the New Free Thinkers, deals with the foundational issues of Christian life. What is important? What is necessary? What does it look like? By principle and by example, the New Free Thinkers show us what the overcoming life looks like — and how to get there.

Refocused is available for Kindle for only $3.99 per copy. It’s the perfect gift for the teen or young adult with a Kindle — and maybe even some adults on your list! Stay tuned for the final eBook announcement next week; until then, hit up the Refocused [Kindle Edition] page on Amazon to purchase your copy!

The book, Reformed, is a collection of all the articles we published prior to November 2009, including a chapter devoted to the names of God. At 104 pages, it will make a great gift for all ages, especially teens and young adults. We describe it this way on the back cover:

Where do your thoughts naturally trend? Do you always expect the best and possess unwavering faith? For almost every human being, the answer is no. We doubt, we engage in self-defeating behavior, and we permit distractions or addictions that pull us away from spiritual matters. Just as we might send a wayward youth to reform school for their own good, our thinking must be corrected in order for us to be effective. We must possess a reformed mind.

What does it mean to be reformed? It means to let God have control and let Him form us into the best shape possible. To let Him re-form us into His image and restore the freedom we once had. He offers escape from addictions, from destructive thought patterns, and defeatism. The reformed mind is free.

As part of our three-year celebration, Reformed is now available for Kindle at the reduced price of $3.99 per copy. Further Kindle books are planned — look for announcements in the coming weeks. Check out the page for Reformed [Kindle Edition] on Amazon to purchase your copy today!

We purposed to keep a schedule of one article a week: Mondays at 8:00 am. For three years we’ve kept the promise of publishing every Monday. Sometimes it meant late nights writing articles and editing them just in time. Sometimes we missed the 8:00 am publish time. Sometimes the published articles tended to be, well, “less than fully edited” in retrospect. But we published every Monday, because someone might just be waiting for an article that speaks directly to them to change course and start a relationship with God.

New Free Thinkers articles are now read in at least 14 countries, accounting for every continent on the globe. If this website were a newspaper, it would now have an average monthly circulation of 900 subscribers. Select articles have been republished in local papers, giving the message an even greater area of effect. After the first year of writing, we collected our work and repackaged it as a book called Reformed – which, by the way, you can still purchase online.

But there is a season for everything, and for the New Free Thinkers, our season of writing short inspirational articles about practical Christianity is coming to a close. As schedules have changed and writers have moved on, or graduated, or simply changed focus, we have restructured and re-evaluated several times. Last week we published our final regular Monday article. The remaining weeks of November will consist of winding down, wrapping up the work we have done, and making a few final announcements.

Thank you to everyone who encouraged and supported us, who sent in suggestions or article ideas, and to everyone who took the time to read some fresh answers, inspiration, and conviction every Monday. Hopefully we have affected your life in a positive way. It is our prayer that whatever you have gleaned from our articles will send you further into His Word and lead you to a great and all-encompassing relationship with your Creator and Heavenly Father.

As for our upcoming announcements: over the next three weeks, we will be collecting each year of New Free Thinkers articles into one volume and releasing each volume as an eBook. Each week we will release details about another volume along with information about how to purchase your copy. Continue to check back every Monday to find out more about this exciting development!

“I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh unto thee.”

We will be safe from traps, from terror in the night, from horrible diseases, and from projectiles. We will be safe when 11,000 people die on either side. This protection doesn’t come from lounging inside of God’s armor plated car with bullet proof glass and oxygen supplies. It comes from being covered by his feathers and under his wings. Feathers aren’t known as tactical weapons. I haven’t heard of any battles being won because of the clever use of feathers. I’ve never seen a war movie that includes the phrase “Don’t worry about bringing more bullets, we need more feathers here!” While feathers must be useful in some situations, I’ve yet to hear about the need to pack feathers along with your greasepaint and ghillie suit before a dangerous mission.

“Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me”.  — Psalm 17:8-9 (NIV)

He’s faced with wicked people surrounding him and ready to destroy him, and he asks to stand in a shadow? If I was in his shoes, I wouldn’t be interested in the shadow. If I wrote that Psalm, it would be talking a bit more about being safe from my enemies in a castle with a moat and several very large body guards, not hiding in a shadow. But God’s shadow is the safest place to be. Even though you may be surrounded by mortal enemies ready to destroy you, the shadow of God is safer than any underground bunker or armored car. We aren’t invisible in the shadow; the enemy can see us there. We aren’t immune, but we are protected. To be in the shadow implies a close connection. To stay in the shadow we must walk in step with God, as close to His side as we can get.

Armored cars run out of gas. Castles and moats can be captured. But who can lift a shadow? The shadow is invincible. A shelter of feathers in the face of terror, diseases, and arrows sounds about as practical as a pair of scissors made of glitter. We can’t just recline in the backseat of God’s armored car. In the bad times we need to stay huddled under his wing like a baby bird following its mother. We are active participants. We need to walk to stay under that protection. But in those feathers, in that shadow, there is peace and perfect rest. Even though you can see the enemies all around you, and they can see you, as long as you are in the shadow of the Almighty you are safe. No one can lift His shadow to get to you.

Christianity is a lifestyle of self-denial and discipline: one of total surrender and obedience to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Some view this as a constraining, boring, and old fashioned way of life. But we only have one life to live. We can seek to find our own way of life, or we can give our life back to God and discover true abundance.

“Bless the Lord, o my soul, and forget not all His benefits”  — Psalm 103:2

These words were spoken by King David of Israel. He knew God and followed after the heart of God. He was a frail, flawed human like all of us, but because he kept God first on the throne of his heart, he experienced a life full of God’s presence and intervention. I would like to mention several of the benefits of living the Christian life in an effort to persuade some and challenge others:

God gives me lasting peace in a tumultuous world. It guards my heart and mind from fear, worry and anxiety. It is not fragile and fleeting, but beyond my understanding and stronger than life’s storms and uncertainties. He gives rest for the weary soul.

His joy is my strength – not just physical strength, but the part of me which will outlast this aging body. Jesus delivers from depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. He renews my mind, which can be so easily polluted with all the things I see and hear. He gives a sound mind that is not tormented with suicidal thoughts.

God gives wonderful counsel free of charge in His Word. When I apply it to my life, the result is that I live a more abundant life. I have great help in my relationships, such as marriage, children, parents, co-workers, friends, and yes, even enemies. That’s what life is really made up of – relationships – and having a personal one with Jesus makes all earthly ones even better. His office is always open, and He is never on vacation.

Jesus is ready, willing, and able to give all types of healing – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. I don’t need a psychic, medium, or holistic therapist to overcharge me for their services. I can activate my God-given faith and access His healing power.

God has knowledge of and provides for all of my needs. He supplies them from His great resources and riches. Most of the time I am unaware of how He is constantly doing this, and often I have to trade my worries in for a whole-hearted trust in Him.

I choose to indulge in good, clean fun. There may be many other self-indulging options available that offer unrestrained but temporary pleasures, but God lets me choose – and when I choose, I also live with the consequences. Consequently, I’ve chosen to live a life free of regrets, guilt, hurt relationships, or punishment. When I also confess and turn from wickedness, I will be given an escape from God’s judgment against sin.

I experience pure love from its very source, which is God. Love that never fails and is so deep, so wide, and so forgiving that it’s difficult to understand, because there is nothing like it anywhere else in life. I know God as my heavenly father, which makes me one of His sons. Even if your father was abusive, neglectful or absent from the home, God is a kind and everlasting Father whose family is always growing because He keeps adopting more children.

Jesus has empowered me to live a lifestyle free from self-destructive addictions like smoking, alcohol, drugs, pornography, gossip, and complaining. I reap the benefits of a moral lifestyle with no regrets. God has cleaned the proverbial skeletons out of the closet of my life. And when new ones die and want to make their grave in my heart, Jesus comes with resurrection power over past hurts, pain, guilt, and shame.

There are many more examples, but perhaps this sampling will give you an idea of why I am convinced that being a Christian, not just claiming the title, is the best life possible!

While this rings true in most areas of our lives, eventually there will arise unforeseen circumstances which we have not prepared for. Eventually the weather man will be wrong, and we will be caught in the rain without an umbrella. Eventually the wise saying your mother instilled in you will let you down. Eventually Old Murphy will sneak some variables into your life which will upset your plans and preferences. In these times, are we to simply do the first thing that presents itself as a reasonable option? If it doesn’t work out, we can sheepishly shrug it off as “it seemed like a good idea at the time.” Are we to simply go with the flow? Elect a new president? Go watch a movie? Ask your Facebook friends if they have any ideas? Perhaps there is a better way of handling the unanticipated. Isaiah 46:10 states that God declares the end from the beginning. God is never caught off guard. God is prepared and aware of every circumstance and trial which His people will face—and He already has the solution.

Deuteronomy is a covenant treaty between the King, God, and His subjects, Israel. Israel was called out of slavery (Exodus) to serve God in a far off land. He was the only King they needed, speaking and directing the under-shepherds Moses and Joshua. Helping Moses and Joshua was a system of elders who oversaw various divisions of the people. Yet God, in His perfect foreknowledge, knew Israel would desire a human king to rule over them (Duet 17:14). Although God was actually rejected by this action (I Sam 8:7) He was yet merciful to provide a set of instructions for this future king including humility, a dedication to the law of God, and a refusal to compromise the good of the people for his own gain. This highlights two encouraging points 1) God is so loving that even in rejection, He provides the best for his children. 2) God is prepared for every problem we may face, no matter how devastating. Be reminded, Israel was God’s people. The modern equivalent is Christianity rejecting God in pursuit of a man. But even if this did happen, God would raise up a David, a prophet Nathan, or a Josiah.

Today we face many obstacles which our generation has never faced before. In America, homosexuality, abortion, crime, Islamic activists, economic crisis, political incompetence, even the emerging church present complications and difficulties which I haven’t a clue how to overcome. Personally, I have more academic, work related, financial, and church responsibilities than have I ever had. If something tragic happened in my life, I have no idea how I would handle it. But I do know that for every wilderness there is manna. For every fire, there is a fourth man. For every captive there is liberty in the Spirit. And for every lost soul there is a Savior named Jesus. Do not worry about the circumstances you cannot control; instead ask Him to direct your path, for He has a plan already in place.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  — Hebrews 11:1-6

The above is an excerpt from what many people call the “faith chapter” of the Bible. It inspires us to read about the exploits of the “heroes of faith”. We have examples laid out for us to see the amazing interplay between God and man as He uses His servants to accomplish a mighty work on the Earth.

When I read this chapter, my heart longs to be there with these giants of faith and experience the power of God for myself. These are true stories of cataclysmic, world-changing, physics-defying supernatural occurrences that directed the course of the human race over the span of recorded history. Those who possessed great faith saw beyond the present and often beyond their own lifetime into the glorious plan of God and acted in accordance with His will to produce mighty works. Can we help but be stirred when we read Hebrews 11?

But we do ourselves a disservice if we look only at the great works that were accomplished by faith. While I imagine that most readers have the desire to see great works, or even a desire to possess great faith, simply recounting the works God has done through others is usually not enough to produce the same faith in us. Too often I am inspired about greatness instead of to it. So how did these “heroes of faith” get great faith?

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”  — 2 Timothy 1:12

Paul describes it exactly, and if you were to examine the lives of those mentioned in Hebrews 11 in detail, I believe you would find that every one of them possessed the faith they displayed not because they were inspired to it and not because they had some innate confidence or divine advantage, but because they set aside their life and pursued relationship with God that could eclipse every other element of their lives. As they grew close to God and began to understand His character and methods, faith in His word and actions in their lives grew as a matter of course. Great faith comes from great relationship with God.

Do you want to see spiritual revival in your town? Do you want miracles to happen in your family, workplace, or school? Do you want the divine manifestation of God? All of those great things are byproducts of great relationship. It begins with a prayer. Maybe it’s a prayer of repentance so that you’re no longer at odds with Him. Maybe it’s a prayer of commitment so that God can bring you to another level of relationship. Maybe it’s just a prayer of spending time with God and letting Him talk to you – letting that relationship grow.

Regardless of it starts today, there is only one way to get from where we live – the mundane, the ordinary, the carnal – to the powerful, extraordinary, God-designed, God-inspired, God-directed realms of earth-shaking faith. It is a byproduct of vibrant relationship with the Creator. My prayer is that you will take time today to engage in a deep, heartfelt relationship with Him.

How do you “be” a Christian? What makes a person a Christian? Is it a personal decision or a personal experience? Are there different types? Many people have asked these questions.

Think of what it means to be a witness in a court room. You are called to the stand to give your account of what is being scrutinized and judged. You are allowed to speak because you were present first hand at the occasion that is on trial. You give your personal rendition of what happened: what you saw, how you felt, what you did, and what others did. You have sworn to tell the truth – all and only. After you have your say, you step down from the stand and are seated in silence. Now that your testimony has been given, it’s up to the jury and judge to make a decision based on what they have heard and observed. Your words may be argued against by the next person on the stand. They may refute and oppose everything you said. But they, too, have sworn to tell the truth.

After all parties have had their say, it’s decision time. The powers present in the judge and jury will determine the outcome of the case. They have power to sentence someone to a prison term or to acquit them and release them from the charges against them. You remain seated and silent as the verdict is read and the case comes to a close. You are just a witness, but your words carry great persuasive power. Your words will influence life altering decisions for some who hear them.

Think of the idea of being a Christian again. Think of the defense Jesus used when He was being tried before Pilate, before being sentenced to death by crucifixion. For the most part, He was a silent as a lamb before the shearer. Pilate asked Him if He was aware of the power he had over His life. Still, Jesus was silent. It wasn’t until after his death, burial, resurrection and ascension back into Heaven that His witnesses came to the stand to speak of what they saw, heard and experienced while Jesus was among them.

Thousands upon thousands of people from all around the world are still speaking their testimony to a suspicious, critical, condemning, skeptical and questioning court room as Jesus sits down and lets His witnesses take the stand. Their words persuade some and provoke others. There is no denying them. They speak with authority and confidence. Their words fall upon deaf ears and into searching hearts. They speak with Earthly languages as ambassadors on a mission. They speak in heavenly languages with an utterance and power from another realm. They speak with authority which has been given to them from the One whom they represent. The entire world stands guilty before the judge of all the Earth. After His witnesses have all had their say in the great courtroom of the universe, Heaven’s judge will give a righteous decree.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  — Acts 1:8 (NIV)

As she rounded the bend and climbed over one more rotting downed tree, she entered the most beautiful of clearings. As she sighed in relief and happiness, she took out the paper held in the bag slung over her shoulder. Then she quickly yet gently took out the paint that had been jostling around. As she put her brush gently to the canvas, a blast of color formed. Instead of dead trees and rocks, a blast of color flowed over that page. The picture that came into full focus that day was a beautiful masterpiece.

Will you let that story speak to your heart right now? Have you felt like you were that young lady traveling through the dark and dismal forest? There was no soul in sight or any color in the world. All you see is everything dark in your life, as though everything is dismal and destroyed. You feel like there is no one there for you. You need to break free.

Jesus is making you into a masterpiece. You need to stop looking at the journey God has you on as something disgusting. You need to see this as a process. I will admit to being a victim of this thinking: so many times I look at my situation from the eyes of someone watching that girl going into the forest. I would ask God why. “Why am I going into something so rough? Why is _ _ _ _ _ (you fill in the blank) going through that? Why can’t you just help them through it? They shouldn’t have to endure that.” My friend, you are sadly mistaken. It’s not the enemy taking them through those woods. Jesus is bringing them through in order to make them into something beautiful. We need to stop questioning our creator. We need to stop questioning the author and the finisher of our paintings.

Whenever I find myself asking these questions, Jesus has to throw me right back down and explain to me all over again that it’s not about me or my will, but it’s about what He wants! Do you really trust Him? I know that sometime I have a hard time trusting him completely. But what it truly comes down to is whether you trust Him fully or you’re just trying to look good for the people watching you disappear into to the woods. Jesus knows what He’s doing. We can confidently rely on and trust in Him. Allow Jesus to finish the painting He’s doing in your life. I guarantee that if you do that you will find out you’re better off than you could ever imagine. Your painting will be beautiful – but only if you trust Him with the paintbrush!