Dwelling in the Land of Goshen
()
About this ebook
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.
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.
Related to Dwelling in the Land of Goshen
Related ebooks
The Empowerment of God and Wealth Transfer During Recession Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTaking It By Force: Prayers to Help You Execute Your God-Given Authority Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Cross & The Gavel: The Dramatic Courtroom of Heaven: A Legal Interpretation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIt's Written and I Decree Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsYour Destiny and Your Palace Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Speak the Word: Words Can Kill or Bring Life What Are You Speaking? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Unfold Mysteries Behind Prayer: Knowing the Mysteries Behind Your Prayer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSteps to the Altar: Why a Chosen Generation Is Living Ashamed at the Altar Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPower to Prosper Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSpeaking Life over Our Children One Letter at a Time Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMobilizing Heavenly Resources Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGod's 3 Year Crash Course Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWinning the Battles of Life & Making Heaven Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAPOSTOLIC WAR ROOM Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStanding In Prayer For Your Ordained Business Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEnter Into His Rest Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Married to the Enemy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings26 Verses On Giving That Will Provoke You Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCOMMANDING YOUR DAILY BLESSING: Take Charge of Your Day! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKingdom Keys Unlocked Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Journey Through Psalms: Praying The Closing Line Of Each Psalm From 1-150: Power of psalms Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsYou Can Conquer ALL Diseases Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Blessed Seed of Abraham: Enjoy Greater Success Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMy Destiny: Pray And Act On It Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDESTROY INFIRMITIES & DISEASES: Powerful Prayers to Destroy the Spirit of Infirmities and Diseases Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Journey to Greatness Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsREVELATION: The Mercy Seat of God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSecret of Prevailing in Prayer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings1,000 Prayer Points in 31 Days Toward Your Utmost Joy Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Winning the Battle Before You: Through Strategies of Spiritual Warfares Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Self-Improvement For You
Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Win Friends and Influence People: Updated For the Next Generation of Leaders Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Alchemist: A Graphic Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Language of Letting Go: Daily Meditations on Codependency Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Healing the Shame That Binds You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning & End Of Suffering Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Big Book of 30-Day Challenges: 60 Habit-Forming Programs to Live an Infinitely Better Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Course In Miracles: (Original Edition) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Art of Witty Banter: Be Clever, Quick, & Magnetic Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Mastery of Self: A Toltec Guide to Personal Freedom Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall In Love With the Process of Becoming Great Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5You're Not Dying You're Just Waking Up Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Stolen Life: A Memoir Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Codependence and the Power of Detachment: How to Set Boundaries and Make Your Life Your Own Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Self-Care for People with ADHD: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Prioritize You! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Dwelling in the Land of Goshen
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Dwelling in the Land of Goshen - Denise Kelley
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.
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.jpgJoe II, Denise, Brittany and Joe Sr.
Our Family
12.jpgJoe Sr., Brittany, Jonathan DeWitt Andrew, Denise and Joe II
And thou shalt dwell in the