“Grandma has been there and done that experiencing ample successes, and certain failures, with Christ and without God’s guidance. Hands down, the world is in God’s hands, and He always knows the ‘right way.’ In his own way with a definite patience of the beholder.”
Sandy Karstens shares those life’s ups and downs with God’s jarring helping hand through her book “Christ In Your Life.”
Life.”
An easy read, the book is divided into short chapters relating life experiences with God’s assistance interpreted through Biblical passages.
Regular writer in her church newsletter, Karstens saw on the highway an opened book pages flying in the wind. Driving on, she then instinctively turned around to pick up the book: a thrown away or lost Bible.
It was God talking to Karstens in her opinion and likely so as she was inspired to write the book about God’s workings in her life.
She’s dedicated the compilation to four daughters, six grandchildren, and “all Jesus’ children,” known now and to be known.
“I share my weakness, my sinfulness, and my strengths,” Karstens says. “I am a humble elderly grandmother who has been touched by God. My desire is that the Lord uses what I share for others to focus on His Word, prayer, and walk of faith.”
Claiming she feels like her life has been one detour after another, Karstens quotes Jeremiah 29:11. “For thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace, and not of evil to give you an expected end.”
Life offers many roads, opportunities, with most of them wide and followed by many. “It is the narrow road gate that leads to life, and only a few find,” Karstens insists. “Your life depends on which path you choose.”
What is done is gone, what is tomorrow is unknown. “Today is yours to live,” Karstens declares quoting James 4:14. “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
Big cars, mansions, huge bank accounts, fancy clothes make a show in society clicks. “But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that,” First Timothy 6:8 is quoted by Karstens. “Too much stuff means nothing in the end.”
Bygones are bygones and cannot be redone just remembered and learned from. “I am a work in progress,” Karstens insists. “Sorry for any inconvenience caused. We must learn from mistakes and face times ahead in confidence of God’s forgiveness.”
Love of one another despite differences is key to happiness as Karstens discusses love of her family and friends. “When we turn our focus to God, we can offer great encouragement and hope to those in need.”
She insists need to follow First Corinthians 13:13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.’”
Peace has to do with a relationship with God and peace with experiences in life. “The source of true peace, Jesus Christ,” Karstens declares.
“Watch out for Satan!” Karstens exclaims. “Satan not only exists but he is to be taken seriously.
“Put on your armor of God and stand firm in the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. For it is He who will be victorious, and Satan who will be the last forever into the lake of the fire. Praise be to God.”
“Be alert and of sober mind,” she relates First Peter 8. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
“In the winter season of her life,” Sandy Karstens lives in Belle Plaine, Minnesota. She says, “If only one person is helped by my book, it will have been worth it.”
Karstens is working on her next book focusing on aging and the theme: “Where do I go from here?”
“Christ In Your Life” is available in several formats on the internet with additional information at www.sandykarstens.com. The book is promoted by Ashley Fletcher at LAVIDGE in Phoenix with details by contacting afletcher@lavidge.com.
Frank J. Buchman
Alta Vista, Kansas