Spiritually Speaking

By J. Brent Bland

For a decade or more I have experienced a deep, inner impression to write a book. My greatest love in life, of course, is God and His perfect Divine design for all of mankind. Having experienced salvation at an early age, I, and the world around me, was spared the despair and difficulties that sin would have caused.

My passion is that this writing will touch countless souls. We are living in a world that is suffering untold misery because mankind, Gods creation, the only part of creation with a soul, has turned its attention away from a Holy, Sovereign Creator, and is running out of control into eternity hopelessly lost.

Parts of this book are biographies of very special people in my life. Relationships in our earthly lives can make or break us. I have had, and presently have, priceless relationships that have helped form and transform me for God and His cause. All glory, though, belongs to Jesus Christ and His perfect love for all.

We live in a world that is afraid of God, and afraid that we will over- spiritualize everything. The spiritual aspect of life is Real Life! I hope and pray Spiritually Speaking will touch your heart and soul.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 24, 2011
• ISBN: 9781463420451

J. Brent Bland

Brent Bland is the pastor of a thriving Wesleyan-based Community Church. He and his wife Jennifer were part of the group that founded the church in early 2006. Brent accepted God's call to preach in 1993, and is currently in his third pastorate. After experiencing the tragic loss of their own teenage son, Brent has a passion for ministering to those who have suffered the untimely death of a child. Jennifer serves in the community and church, and enjoys sharing her gift of hospitality. Brent and Jennifer were married in 1979 and have an adult son, Tyler. The couple resides in rural EI Dorado Springs, Missouri.

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© 2011 by J. Brent Bland. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 06/10/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4634-2047-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4634-2045-1 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011909554

Printed in the United States of America

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Contents

Acknowledgments

FOREWORD

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Acknowledgments

This book is written in memory of our son Dustin Brent Bland, promoted to Heaven December 16, 2006.

The grace and providences of our Almighty God sustained and blessed during this most difficult time. It is our heartfelt prayers that this writing will encourage, enhance and bring new hope to countless readers.

Our gratitude and thanks to our dear friends Jimmy, Carolyn and Aaron Tucker for their hours of typing, editing and preparing this book for publishing. Friends and family that expresses loyalty and support is greatly appreciated. Most notably; gratitude to Christ and the Divine Holy Spirit for enabling all of our lives.

Brent and Jennifer Bland

FOREWORD

For a decade or more I have experienced a deep, inner impression to write a book. My greatest love in life, of course, is God and His perfect Divine design for all of mankind. Having experienced salvation at an early age, I, and the world around me, was spared the despair and difficulties that sin would have caused.

My passion is that this writing will touch countless souls. We are living in a world that is suffering untold misery because mankind, God’s creation, the only part of creation with a soul, has turned its attention away from a Holy, Sovereign Creator, and is running out of control into eternity hopelessly lost.

Parts of this book are biographies of very special people in my life. Relationships in our earthly lives can make or break us. I have had, and presently have, priceless relationships that have helped form and transform me for God and His cause. All glory, though, belongs to Jesus Christ and His perfect love for all.

We live in a world that is afraid of God, and afraid that we will over—spiritualize everything. The spiritual aspect of life is Real Life! I hope and pray Spiritually Speaking will touch your heart and soul.

God bless you,

J. Brent Bland

1

Do all things work together for good?

Romans 8:28 is probably one of the most dynamic verses in the Bible, but one of the most misused or misapplied. As with most scriptures, we cannot always take it at face value, but dig deeply to mine out the deep core truths that the Author, our Creator, wants us to find.

The prevalent misconception about living and life itself is: If you are serving God, you will be spared from sadness, despair, failure, and losses. Far from reality! On the contrary, the most dedicated children of God can go through the most difficult trials.

The scripture verse we are focusing on in this chapter says All things work together for good. This is our spiritual good. So many things, and even legitimate duties of our span on earth, can so rob us of a deeper relationship we could have with God. The time here is so temporary—much