Dwelling in the Land of Goshen

By Denise Kelley

Few people have come through the last few years unaffected by the divisive social and economic turmoil. Many have experienced the most challenging times of their lives. Problems such as job loss, home foreclosure, divorce, and mounting debt have caused despair and hopelessness to be constant companions.

Dwelling in the Land of Goshen offers a remedy for VICTORY during uncertain times. Joseph, son of Jacob (Israel) began life in the best of circumstances only to experience unexpected devastating loss. Josephs life quickly spiraled from great blessing to a curse of unimaginable pain, suffering and betrayal. Joseph made the choice to endure and TRUST God. Joseph trusted God even when it seemed hopeless.

Dwelling in the Land of Goshen tells of two persons ability to reign triumphant over their challenging circumstances. Instead of succumbing to the uncertainties of life, both overcame and achieved the victory. VICTORY in life requires a few simple ingredients: participation, persistence, determination and courage. The recipe is simple, for best results follow the directions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 30, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449743277

Denise Kelley

Denise Kelley is an author, motivational speaker and entrepreneur. As a former rocket scientist with the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas she has traveled much of the world. Ms. Kelley is president and CEO of JK Technology, Inc and president of ReGifts4u LLC, a web-based shopping experience, www.regifts4u.com. Denise’s life ambition is to encourage and inspire others to pursue their dreams with confidence.

Book preview

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

The Land of Goshen

Lodebar

Love God

Seek Wisdom

Live Virtuously

Have an Exit Strategy

Special Essay: Covenant Breaker

Last Words: The Tipping Point

About the Author

To my loving husband, Joe. No one knows the miracle of our dwelling in the land of Goshen better than you do. We have known the heartache of living in Lodebar. I love you for being a mighty man of valor, courageous in all your ways, and I dedicate this literary work to you.

14.jpg

Denise and Joe Kelley

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

(Psalm 91:1

Preface

After our son Jonathan’s death, life lost its meaning. Each morning brought dread and pain, and it was a daunting task just to get out of bed. More than anything, I wanted simply to not wake up. I dreaded every second, minute, and hour of every day and thought a lot about my own death. I lost all appreciation of life.

The thought that consumed and paralyzed me was I failed Jonathan. He was my responsibility. How is it that I allowed Jonathan to die? It had to be someone’s fault; someone had to be blamed. It was my fault. What if I failed my other children? What had my husband and I done to deserve this? How could I have avoided this? The grief and sadness surrounding me was overwhelming. I spent a great deal of time at the cemetery during those first days after Jonathan’s demise. I wanted—I needed—to be near Jonathan’s body. It seemed my will, direction, and purpose were lost.

One day, while talking with my pastor, Gwendolyn Graham of Triumph Christian Center in Sugar Land, Texas, she said, Write it down, Denise. Capture your feelings and thoughts in a journal. I remember thinking, Write it all down? For what? I never want to remember or revisit the place where I am now or share these emotions with anyone. I was very wrong that day. It has been almost ten years since Jonathan left us for heaven. In these ten years, my husband and I have experienced many lows—we expected that—but what has surprised us is that we have experienced a great many highs. Many good things that we never thought possible have happened in our lives since then. We’ve learned so much, but the lesson that has meant the most is the promise God gave us from the start. Immediately after confirmation of Jonathan’s death, we both heard the scripture My grace is sufficient. It was God speaking to us. Reassuring us during a tragic time. God’s word promises that his grace will abound much more . . . more than we can ask or expect.

Moreover, the law entered, that the offense might abound.

But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Romans 5:20

All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that’s the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.

Romans 5:20, 21 (The Message Bible)

His grace is whatever we need it to be—his grace is the light in the midst of total darkness. His grace is the comfort in the midst of excruciating pain. His grace is the relief valve when life’s pressures seem about to blow the containment wall. God’s grace provides us with the ability to choose life when it seems that the only practical choice is death.

A friend told me many years ago that I have the uncanny ability to see things as I want them to be, not as they really are. He was teasing me about my optimistic point of view. I always want to see the best in others, as well as in circumstances and situations. I want to believe that people’s motives are pure. I realize this isn’t always true, but I choose to believe in mankind’s inner goodness; this is my chosen truth.

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth:

John 17:17

Truth is recorded in the written Word of God. We can choose either to believe God or not to believe God—those are the only two real choices in life. We all have been given the ability to choose, and this is my story of choices. The grace of God abounded in my life during very challenging times, and it is because of God’s grace that our family is able to dwell in the land of Goshen. This is a story of God’s extreme measures and love for his children. This is our family’s true love story.

Acknowledgments

To my son, Joe Nathan Kelley II, and my daughters, Brittany Denise and Toni Johnson-Kelley—thank you. You are rocks, solid and unmovable in your love and strength for our family. I am so proud you call me Mom. I love you.

To my parents, Bishop John P. and evangelist Rebecca B. Worthy—thank you. I love you. You encourage me to live life every day, one day at a time. Your faith and prayers make me strong and persistent. When I think of giving up, I am reminded of your example of steadfast determination, and I make the choice to emulate you.

To my sisters, Viola Renee, La Donna Jean, Rebecca Alicia, and Nicole Renise, and my brother, Grady Earle—thank you. It seems that we have been through so much together as a family. One thing I am sure of is that We Are Family. Through our disagreements and disappointments in one another, we have never, ever stopped being family, nor stopped being there for one another. Your love means everything to me. I love you all so much, and I am so proud you call me big sister.

To our grandchildren, Ashley, Halle, Kailyn, and Jonathan Bernard—thank you. I love you all so much and have such high hopes for your futures. I bless you in every endeavor of your life. I light up when you call me Grandma.

To my mother-in-law, Bessie Kelley—thank you. I love you. Your support is without end. Yours is the mother-in-law pattern I have fashioned for myself. I appreciate your steadfast ability to remain fair in the very challenging and difficult circumstances as Joe and I became one. I am so proud you call me daughter.

And last, to our middle son, Jonathan DeWitt Andrew Kelley—I love you still.

13.jpg

Joe II, Denise, Brittany and Joe Sr.

Our Family

12.jpg

Joe Sr., Brittany, Jonathan DeWitt Andrew, Denise and Joe II

And thou shalt dwell in the