DEBRA TORRES AUTHOR
  • Home
  • Shop All Books
  • Amish Book Reviews
  • Simply Jesus Blog

Simply Jesus Blog

No Other Gods

7/26/2013

 
Are you involved in idol worship?
By Debra Torres
I could feel the little silver cross hanging from my neck as I drove my kids up North to see some relatives last week.

I loved my little cross and I had just started wearing it regularly. To me, it represented my faith and touching it there from time to time reminded me of it and brought me comfort.

But as we drove down the road, a speaker came on the Christian radio station that challenged me to be careful of my perspective of my necklace, or any other material representation of God for that matter.

Now I know that sounds kind of weird. It’s just a cross and it means something powerful right? But what I learned from Chip Ingram of the Living on the Edge radio broadcast ministry is that ... 

Click here to read more 

Who is God -- to you?

God is way more than anything we can see, feel and touch ...

Recognizing life in the womb: A story about a father's loss

7/19/2013

 
Dealing with the loss of an unborn child
By Michel Sauret - Guest Post

In 2006, my wife told me she was pregnant. We weren’t married then. 

We were both in college. 

She had ambitious goals of becoming a federal agent, while I studied creative writing at the University of Pittsburgh.

I became scared. Terrified, actually.

I knew – in my heart, in my mind, in my soul – that we had committed adultery, and there were consequences to be paid. 

People (even Christians, unfortunately) often question whether premarital sex constitutes as adultery. I think the clearest passage to address this question is when Jesus said, “I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27 / NIV) The “woman” in question in this passage is obviously not one married to the man leering lustfully at her. 

If “looking” constitutes adultery, how much more is physical intimacy?

Twelve (very emotional) weeks later, we lost the baby. ...

Click here to read more 

Who is God Note: 

Even in your darkest hour, Jesus is with you. Cry out to Him for help.

How to Stick Close to God

7/12/2013

 
Near to God - it's the best place to be.
By Debra Torres
The concrete sidewalk paths that wound around our housing development were perfect for a mother with small children.

There, my young boys could ride their big wheel, go puddle jumping and walk to a small wooden bridge where we used to feed the ducks and their ducklings in the water below.

All this while staying clear of any vehicles.

There was one path, however that led to a busy side street where cars would whip around a curve unexpectantly. And it was this path that we took once a week in order to trek over to our local library’s story time.

At that time in my life, I usually had one or two in the stroller and a few walking next to me, so it was important to find just the right break in traffic where we could all get across safely.

One thing I would say to my boys as they got in formation behind me was: “Remember to be like the ducks!”

You can probably picture us crossing: Me in front pushing the stroller and two or three boys behind trying to keep a tight line.

Just like a mama duck and her brood.

Click here to read more 

Who is God?

Sticking close to God can be a slippery slope if we try to go it alone. He wants you to stick close to Him. And you can do it with His help.
Photo Credit: L-T-L via Compfight cc

The Good Shepherd

7/5/2013

 
The little lamb lay on Gustavo's shoulders just like the Good Shepherd.
By Debra Torres
A herd of sheep gently grazed on the side of the road as my friend Gustavo’s cycling group rolled to a stop.

Touring Italy, they had just completed a long, mountainous climb and now, after a small descent, they were arriving at the famous breathtaking display of wildflowers the Italians call Fioritura.


It was just a small break for the touring group of experienced cyclists so they 


could take in the vibrant beauty of the region. 

But for Gustavo, it will be one that he will remember all his life.

Gustavo had carefully chosen this cycling tour of Italy for its challenging heights and distance. It was just the thing he wanted to accomplish before hitting the age of 45.

It was the Giro D’ Italia – a 750-mile bike tour in just 15 days where cyclists visited seven regions of Italy and climbed a total of 51,000 feet vertically. 

Gustavo’s lifelong desire to be a professional cyclist had been squelched long ago by an illness. And to him, this trip was a second chance. An opportunity to accomplish a challenging tour among talented athletes that would push him to the limit. 

It was time to rediscover himself. But surprisingly enough, it was a little lamb that taught Gustavo his biggest life lesson on the trip.

Click here to read more 

Who is God?

Walking through a tough time? Let the Good Shepherd carry you through.
    Picture

    Amish Fiction Author and Blogger:

    Debra Torres
    Picture

    RSS Feed

    Read More Devotions

    All
    Abortion
    Aging
    Angels
    Anxiety
    Backsliding
    Baking
    Baptism
    Bible
    Bible Verses
    Broken Relationships
    Christian Belief
    Christian Devotional
    Christianity
    Christian Living
    Christian Parenting
    Christian Prayer
    Christmas
    Christmas Devotional
    Contentment
    Creation
    Criticism
    Death
    Direction
    Discernment
    Eternity
    Evangelism
    Faith
    Fear
    Forgiveness
    Gardening
    Giving
    God
    God's Provision
    Grow In God
    Halloween
    Healing
    Heaven
    Hell
    How To Pray
    Identity In Christ
    Jesus
    Joy Happy
    Names Of God
    Nature
    Nature Of God
    Parenting
    Pet Death
    Prayer
    Procrastination
    Religion
    Scripture
    Secret Sin
    Self Esteem
    Self Worth
    Sin
    Spiritual Battles
    Spiritual Growth
    Spiritual Transformation
    Spiritual Warfare
    Suffering And God
    Supernatural
    Surrounded
    The Love Of God
    Tragedy
    Waiting On God
    Who Is God?
    Worry

    Archives

    August 2020
    July 2018
    June 2018
    August 2016
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011

© 2022 Debra Torres - All Rights Reserved - Many Amish Images Courtesy of Jim Fisher - Book Cover Images Courtesy of Doug Miller
Photos used under Creative Commons from Steve Olive Photography, sidewalk flying, freakyman, jeffreyw, JD Hancock, Nathaniel KS, lilCystar, mikebaird, ˙Cаvin 〄, jczart
  • Home
  • Shop All Books
  • Amish Book Reviews
  • Simply Jesus Blog