Kathi "Easy Writer" Macias

Peaceful Moments to Begin Your Day

2012-01-27T10:06:00.001-08:00

My dear friend and fellow author/speaker Grace Fox has released a wonderful new book to help us busy women keep our priorities in order and our lives tranquil as we focus on the One who is Peace Himself. Don't miss this excellent resource!

Quiet Time with God: 8 Ways to Keep Your Devotions Vibrant

by Grace Fox

www.gracefox.com

Every morning before my household wakes, I tiptoe downstairs, pour a cup of coffee, and settle into my leather loveseat for quiet time with God. Bible and journal in hand, I spend an hour delving into the Scriptures where—without fail—I discover nuggets of life-changing truth.

I regard this “sacred habit” not as a duty, but as a delight. It’s a discipline I guard selfishly. The benefits of maintaining it far outweigh the effort.

Spending time with God in this way helps me get to know Him better. I learn more about His thoughts regarding marriage, purity, communication skills, priorities, money, and other matters relevant to my every day life. I learn to view life and people through His eyes, and my perspective matures as I allow His thoughts pervade mine.

For instance, if unforeseen circumstances complicate my schedule, I’m now able to rest in knowing that God is in control rather than fussing and fuming about the unexpected changes. If someone behaves unkindly toward me, I resist the urge to do likewise and, instead, pray that God will meet that person at her deepest point of need. I now understand His compassion for the poor, the widow, and the orphan, and I share His desire to, in as much as is possible, live at peace with all men.

Spending time with God and thereby becoming more and more familiar with His promises also changes the way I view myself. The knowledge of His forgiveness and restoration washes away discouragement due to failure. His guarantee to equip me to do His work calms my fears of inadequacy. His assurance of divine strength carries me when I feel weak.

Establishing a daily quiet time with God transforms me, and it will do the same for all who pursue this discipline of delight. Here are a few suggestions to get started and to keep your time with Him vibrant:

· Decide what time of day works best for you. Early morning suits me now, but that wasn’t always the case. When my kids were toddlers, I snatched a few minutes when they napped. Some women use their lunch breaks. Some prefer to spend a few minutes with God at bedtime. Circumstances and life seasons change, so be flexible.

· Create your own “sacred space.” Find a place that’s welcoming and make it your own. Ensure good lighting. Keep a basket nearby to hold your Bible, journal, and study resources so you don’t waste time hunting for these things.

· Choose a Bible version that’s easy to understand. I’ve used the New International Version and New American Standard Version in the past. Currently I use the New Living Translation. You might prefer a different version. That’s okay—each to his own.

· Set realistic goals. I read only one or two verses per day when my kids were young and my time with God was limited. Now I read through the Bible in a year using the New Living Translation’s One Year Bible. It’s better to do what works than to set unrealistic goals and then quit because they’re unattainable.

· Keep a journal. Some people write their insights in great depth. Others write only a single thought or a short prayer. Do what suits your nature knowing that journaling serves a dual purpose: Writing the insights you glean helps you process and remember them, and it enables you to see how you’ve grown spiritually over time.

· Add variety. Over the years, I’ve supplemented (not replaced) my Bible reading with a good devotional book or a women’s Bible study. Occasionally I’ll play quiet worship music, close my eyes, and meditate on the lyrics. Sometimes I read the Psalms aloud to the Lord. Often I read the Word and then go for a walk, praying aloud as I go.

· Regard it as a special time to build your friendship with God. Several years ago, I thought I’d multi-task by using my quiet time to prepare a women’s Sunday school class I taught. I soon realized that I was cheating myself and God. As author Bruce Wilkinson writes, I’d become an expert at serving God and a novice at being His friend. Ouch! Ensure that your goal is to become an expert at being His friend.

· Ask God to speak to you. When we meet with a good friend, we enjoy a two-way conversation. The same is true when we spend time with God. He invites us to tell Him our needs and concerns, but He desires to communicate His heart with us, too. So, go ahead—share your thoughts with Him but be still and listen for His voice, too. Write down what He says.

· Avoid compartmentalizing your quiet time with God. What new insights did you learn about God’s character? What instructions did He give? What promises did He offer? Now take these thoughts gleaned in your “sacred space” and apply them as you go throughout your day. That’s when change truly occurs.

My prayer for you is that your quiet time with God will be a duty of sheer delight. “My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘LORD, I am coming’” (Psalm 27:8).

Grace Fox is a missionary, an international speaker at women’s events, and the author of five books. Her newest release, Peaceful Moments to Begin Your Day: Devotions for Busy Women (Harvest House) is filled with spiritual aha moments guaranteed to draw readers into a more intimate walk with God. It also includes more than 100 Scripture-based praise and intercessory prayers. The book is available online, at bookstores nationwide, and on her website: www.gracefox.com.

Book Grace for your next retreat or conference: www.gracefox.com/speaking-events/ or 604-755-8285.

If you use Facebook or Twitter, you can use these links when you refer to the book.

EXCERPT -- http://www.gracefox.com/books/peaceful-moments-to-begin-your-day/

DOWNLOADABLE ARTICLE -- http://www.gracefox.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/Quiet-Time-with-God-8-Ways-to-Keep-Your-Devotions-Vibrant.pdf

Obedience and Miracles

2012-01-26T06:29:00.001-08:00

“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice”

(1 Samuel 15:22, NKJV).

Obedience. It’s a word I’ve struggled with since I was a toddler. No one knew that better than my parents. I flopped my toe across every line they drew in front of me—and I nearly always paid a price for my disobedience. But at 26 I became a Christian. Surely disobedience wouldn’t be a problem any longer…right?

Wrong. I still struggle with it to this day, though I know I’ve made a lot of progress—not because I’m faithful but because God is. I’ve learned this “obedience thing” is a lifelong process, and God is committed to teaching us how to walk in it.

There are reasons for that, one of them being that when we walk in obedience, God does amazing things through us. I used to think it was some sort of magical formula: I’d obey God, and He’d reward me with something wonderful. Wrong again. (I suppose I’ve been slow in understanding this concept because, somehow, I still think it’s all about me. I’m the only one who’s ever thought that, right?)

And then a couple of days ago I came across the journal my mom was using just before she died. She filled scores of them through the years, but this one is especially meaningful, as it gives me a glimpse into her thoughts and prayers, her communication with God in her last days on earth. The final entry, in her shaky handwriting, reads, “Obedience is the key word of miracles. Sometimes we feel prompted by God to do something that makes no sense, but if we do it, it becomes a miracle.”

Wow. Mom was 90 years old when she penned those words, and she had no idea how they would bless me after she was gone. I now have them in the top drawer of my desk, where I can pull them out and read them often—each time I’m tempted to flop my toe across God’s line. Do I need a miracle in my life, either for myself or someone else? Most of the time, I do. And now I know the key to seeing that miracle come to pass: be obedient to that still, small voice inside that prompts us to obey God, whether it makes sense at the moment or not. God, in His faithfulness, will accomplish the rest.

Excellent Discipleship Resource

2012-01-21T11:00:00.000-08:00

If there's one thing I'm passionate about it's getting believers into serious Bible study. There simply is no other way to grow as a Christian and become a true disciple. Author Keri Wyatt Kent understands this great truth and has written several books to help in this pursuit. Deeper into the Word: Old Testament is one of them (Deeper into the Word: New Testament is also available, and they would make a great set!). Here's a little bit about this excellent resource:

Translators have done their best to render the words of the Bible into English, but capturing the nuances of the ancient languages is an inexact science. Kent gives readers an opportunity to investigate the roots and biblical context of the words within the Word.

Deeper into the Word: Old Testament is a fascinating devotional, but it can also be used as an accessible reference tool, as it explores one hundred of the most important words of the Old Testament. Kent unpacks each word's Hebrew origins, shows how it is used in the Bible, and offers insights into its significance in our lives.

Consider getting a copy of this book (and its companion book on the New Testament) for yourself and also for someone else you'd like to see grow in the Word. It's perhaps one of the greatest gifts you can give to anyone. Here's the link to order:

http://www.amazon.com/Deeper-Into-Word-Testament-Reflections/dp/0764208438/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327172498&sr=1-6

Living Free...

2012-01-18T13:54:00.001-08:00

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,

who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit

(Romans 8:1, NKJV).

One of the very first Bible verses I learned as a new believer (decades ago!) was Romans 8:1. I read and heard many others, of course, but that one truly jumped out at me, I suppose because as a brand new born-again Christian, I was so freshly aware of all that God had done for me. That He had not only forgiven me but personally paid an unimaginable price to do so still left me in awe—which, of course, is a good thing. We should never cease to be amazed that God willingly gave everything for those of us who deserved nothing.

And yet, to keep that in perspective, I still have to remind myself that His forgiveness is so much greater than any of my sins, failures, or poor choices that required that forgiveness. Somehow I have little problem resolving the fact that His once-for-all sacrifice covers my “B.C.” (before Christ) sins, but I struggle more with my “after Christ” failures. I’m a believer now; I have the Spirit of God living inside me, and I should know better…right?

Right. Yes, I should. And deep down, I do. Still, I must remind myself daily that I am one of God’s “WIPs,”—a Work in Progress—and He’s far from through with me. (Are you as glad about that as I am???) Though I love the familiar (and true) statement that God loves me just the way I am, I also know He loves me too much to leave me that way.

Though I cling to the truth of Romans 8:1, meaning there is NOW no condemnation toward me regardless of my sins and failures, I also need to beware of using that promise as an excuse to stop growing in Christ. Our goal and purpose as believers is to continually draw closer to the Father and become more like Jesus, and we do that through an ongoing yielding of our will to the nudging of the Holy Spirit within us—“not walk[ing] according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” When we do that, the Spirit of God bears witness with our spirit that we are indeed His children and are no longer under condemnation.

If you’re struggling with that today—and we all do at times—ask God’s Spirit to search your heart and show you anything that needs to be confessed or relinquished to God—and then do it. The result will be a heart that KNOWS it is free of condemnation. And, beloved, what could be better than that?

I Can't Fill God's Shoes...so Why Do I Keep Trying?

2012-01-11T15:24:00.000-08:00

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me (Psalm 23:4, NKJV).

I’m one of those overly responsible people who takes on WAY too much and then feels guilty when I can’t do it all and/or things don’t turn out as expected. (Can anyone out there relate?) And nothing brought that truth closer to home than when my mom passed away a few months ago.

When my dad died twelve years earlier, I promised him on his deathbed that I would take care of Mom. To the best of my ability, I fulfilled that promise. However, after she died I found myself second-guessing every decision I made during her last months/weeks/days—even hours—of life. Could I have done more to make her more comfortable, prolong her life, ease her concerns, meet her needs?

The answer is that I might have—or not. I never came to a clear answer on those questions, I’m afraid, though I have been assured by many that I cared for her well and honored her end-of-life wishes, which she had clearly stated in writing. Still, my mind drifts back to those last minutes when I knew she was slipping away, and I think things like: Why didn’t I pray with her more, read her more scriptures, sing her favorite hymns, whisper more words of reassurance?

As I wrestled with those questions one day, the Lord took me straight to Psalm 23 and pointed out to me that I was trying to usurp His place. I’m the One who walks with my children through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, carrying them if need be. It isn’t your job. Leave it alone.

Since then I have come to realize how often I overstep my bounds and try to do for others what only God can do. Meeting our responsibilities is a good thing; going beyond that is a step of arrogance that says I can step into God’s shoes and do His job.

Whoa! That realization continues to stop me short when I find myself trying to “fix” people or situations. We may excuse that behavior and even consider ourselves extraordinary people for trying to achieve such results. But the bottom line is, God is the only One who saves and keeps us, who heals and carries us—even through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. May we learn to walk in humility before Him and do only what He has called and equipped us to do…in His Name.

Deer Run Fiction Series

2012-01-09T14:28:00.000-08:00

So pleased to tell you about my friend Elaine Cooper's excellent series.

Summary of The Road to Deer Run by Elaine Marie Cooper

During the American Revolution, British soldier Daniel Lowe has been captured after being wounded at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. He escapes from his captors and hides in the woods to die, only to be rescued by Mary Thomsen, an American farmwoman. As Daniel’s festering wound heals, his gratitude to the woman who saved him transforms into love. But as an enemy soldier, his presence is endangering Mary, as well as her widowed mother and little sister. As he desperately tries to hide his identity, not only is he faced with exposure by the local Patriots, but must deal with his worst nemesis: an American soldier who also loves Mary and figures out who Daniel really is.

The Road to Deer Run is a novel about healing, forgiveness and redemption, set in the rugged landscape of Western Massachusetts.

“With subplots as appealing as the main story, the book is well researched, well written, and well worth the purchase price. Ready for the sequel.”

— Kirkus Discoveries Reviews

Summary of The Promise of Deer Run

by Elaine Marie Cooper

America’s war for freedom from England has been over for seven years, but the wounds of that conflict still plague the minds and hearts of the residents of Deer Run.

Young American veteran Nathaniel Stearns, suffering from the memories of war that haunt him in the night, has withdrawn to a life of isolation. He still awaits his father who never returned from the war—a mystery that haunts him as well.

He is brought out of his self-imposed exile by a near-tragedy in the woods that brings him face-to-face with nineteen-year-old Sarah Thomsen. This chance encounter opens a crack into the door of his heart as mutual affection quickly blooms.

But slander and lies soon mar the budding romance, rendering both Sarah and Nathaniel wounded and untrusting as their faith in both their God and each other is shattered. Set in 1790 and filled with rich detail of the era, The Promise of Deer Run continues the story of the Thomsen family as they struggle to survive in the aftermath of the war that birthed the United States.

“Cooper doesn’t romanticize American history. Readers of historical romance who don’t believe graphic love scenes are essential to a good story will adore Cooper’s work.

A joy to read.” — Kirkus Reviews

Author Bio:

Elaine Marie Cooper lives in the Midwest but grew up in Massachusetts, the setting for her novels. Long enamored of Early American history, Cooper is currently working on Book Three of her Deer Run Saga. Her first novel in the series (The Road to Deer Run) was a Finalist in the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and received honorable mention at the 2011 Los Angeles Book Festival.

Cooper has been a magazine freelance writer for many years and is also a contributor to the devotional called Fighting Fear: Winning the War at Home by Edie Melson.

She is married, has two grown sons, and is grammie to triplets who are almost two.

To order one or both of these great books, go to:

http://www.amazon.com/Road-Deer-Elaine-Marie-Cooper/dp/1450219195/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324064408&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Promise-Deer-Elaine-Marie-Cooper/dp/1462037968/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324064465&sr=1-1

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

2012-01-07T15:34:00.001-08:00

January 11 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day, and New Hope Publishers is onboard!

(BIRMINGHAM, Ala.)—January 9, 2011— January 11is Human Trafficking Awareness Day and New Hope Publishers offers many valuable resources that shed light and give actionable steps to help end modern slavery.

As seen on Fox news, Not in My Town: Exposing and Ending Human Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery (978-1-59669-301-2, $19.99) answers questions and promotes discussion about the slavery system that crisscrosses Atlanta, Orlando, Las Vegas, New York, California, Texas, North Carolina, Haiti, Amsterdam, India, Cambodia, and beyond. The authors’ gripping journey shocks but also motivates and provides resources to equip new generations of abolitionists from all corners of society and diverse worldviews who share the common call to stop injustice. DVD included with book.

New Hope Publishers also offers the “Freedom” fiction series by award-winning author Kathi Macias. Deliver Me From Evil (978-1-59669-306-7, $14.99) is the first release in the series and Special Delivery (978-1-59669-307-4, $14.99) will be available this March.

The New Hope Publishers Web site, www.newhopedigital.com, offers several podcasts, articles, columns, and videos on the topic as well.

About New Hope Publishers

Representing more than 80 authors and more than 130 individual works, the mission of New Hope^® Publishers is to provide books that challenge readers to understand and be radically involved in the mission of God. New Hope Publishers is the general trade publishing imprint for WMU^®, a missions auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention. New Hope Publishers is a member of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA).

For more information about New Hope Publishers, visit www.newhopedigital.com.

Finding Joy and New Beginnings

2012-01-05T09:32:00.000-08:00

My friend, colleague, and talented poet Doris Washington has written a book that will take you on a journey of faith and joy to new beginnings. This is a book you'll want for yourself, plus some to give to friends and family. You will not be the same after reading it.

Book Description:

The Joy In The Morning and a New Day Begins is all about healing, positive thinking, joy, encouragement, inspiration, the awareness of autism, peace, faith, hope and love. Every chapter of poems enlightens the reader to be inspired to hold on to that joy in the morning, a positive approach to living life, no matter what each new day may bring in the course of our daily lives. May all who read this collection may it give you that joy in the morning we all long for, to have every moment of each day and every day.

Author Bio:

Doris Washington is a spiritual writer, poet, entrepreneur of DORIS' POEMS, disability advocate and author of three books of poems. She has done over 300 book signings across the country. And she has received a letter of acknowledgement from President Barack Obama for her poem This Day, A Promise, A Dream Fulfilled in honor of him. She has received a letter of acknowledgement from Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York for her poem The Sun Still Shines In The Morning in honor of September 2001, and this poem is in the 911 Memorial Museum that was submitted in September 2011, shortly after its opening. Her poems of inspiration has received wonderful appraise by many as truly inspirational. Her desire hopes is that her poems will be an inspiration to many all over the world.

A Soldier For Peace

(In memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)

Excerpt from Faith, Hope & Love Poems of Inspiration by Doris Washington

A Soldier for peace stands mighty and strong.

He stands against racial injustice,

With the love of God-

He Marches On!

A Soldier for peace fights for the civil rights

Of an oppressed people,

For justice and “sweet liberty.”

A Soldier fights for their dignity,

For their place,

For equal opportunity.

He leads hundreds on sit-ins,

Protests,

Demonstrations for peace,

Fighting for their freedom,

Yours, and mine.

A Soldier for peace stands tall,

As he fights to end racial discrimination for all time.

A Soldier for peace was shot down.

But his fight for freedom and justice for all-

Remains Strong!

This Soldier For Peace-

A Mighty Warrior!

Brother Martin!

Your Memory Lives On!

Soldiers for peace light the candle of hope to burn brightly in the hearts of all.

To find out more about Doris, to read her 9/11 poem (or others), or to order the book, go to:

www.poetdoriswashington.com

The Joy in the Morning and a New Day Begins

Amazon.com: The Joy in the Morning and a New Day Begins (9781465341051): Doris

BARNES & NOBLE | The Joy in the Morning and a New Day Begins by Doris Washingt

Shining Our Light in the Darkness

2012-01-04T13:56:00.001-08:00

And God saw the light, that it was good;

and God divided the light from the darkness (Genesis 1:4, NKJV).

With the dawn of another new year, I found myself back in Genesis, once again reading the glorious creation account. What a story! Unequaled in splendor or drama, we see our amazing God speak all of creation into existence—including light and darkness. And immediately after creating light, the Scriptures tell us that God “saw the light, that it was good,” and then He “divided the light from the darkness.”

Perhaps that statement could simply stand on its own—meaning that God provided for both day and night—but several other verses of Scripture (2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:11; 1 John 1:5-6) declare that God is Light, that there is no darkness in Him at all, and that we, as His children, should also walk in the light and have no darkness within ourselves.

Now we know that we can’t avoid those who belong to the kingdom of darkness, nor should we, as we are called to shine the light on them and to help them find their way out of that darkness and back to God. But shining our light to dispel darkness is a far cry from stepping into and fellowshipping with that darkness. It is a distinction we dare not ignore as we move into a new year of serving God and living for Him.

I’m not much for New Year’s resolutions, as they usually fall by the wayside somewhere around mid-February. But this year I am determined to spend more time in the presence of the One who is Light and in whom there is absolutely no darkness at all. As a result, I believe His light will shine more brightly in me and will more effectively draw those who are lost in darkness. The worst thing I could do is to become enmeshed in even the slightest bit of that darkness myself and therefore prevent others from seeing it.

That is my determination for 2012, and I pray you will join me. Jesus said He was the Light of the world, but once He ascended into heaven He left the shining of that light to us. Will you join me in this determination to let our light shine in the darkness? I will pray for you to do so; will you also pray for me? For when God saw the light, He immediately declared that it was good.

A lovely fireside read!

2011-12-16T12:08:00.000-08:00

I'm excited about Carey Jane Clark's new release, After the Snow Falls, not just because it's a great story but also because she's a great new writer. Watch for more books from this exciting new voice in Christian fiction in the near future! Meanwhile, here's what the book is all about:

In the middle of a soccer drill, in an awful, awkward moment, Celia Bennett's eight-year-old son Caleb lands on his face and chest in the grass. The diagnosis blindsides her, bringing her face-to-face with every parent's worst nightmare.Desperate to save her son’s life, Celia pursues a cure through alternative medicine, but her quest ends in frustration and disappointment. Facing despair, hope walks in on the most unlikely set of legs, when her father returns after a 30-year absence. Can she release pain to embrace hope? Will it make a difference, or is it too late?Carey Jane Clark writes to instill courage, hope and conviction in her audience. She has authored several articles for Canadian publications and has ghostwritten a devotional for teens. She has been writing in one form or another for more than twenty years. Her writing in After the Snow Falls has been compared to that of Karen Kingsbury and Jodi Picoult. Carey shares the adventure of her life with her husband Brian and three children, whom she homeschools. She blogs about their experiences homeschooling and as expats in China at www.careyjaneclark.com/enCouragement and http://www.holdthemsg.com/.

Order it at www.afterthesnowfalls.com/buy

What a Difference a Year Makes!

2011-12-15T10:43:00.000-08:00

Some of you may remember this picture from Christmas 2010. One year ago on Christmas morning, my husband snapped this photo of me with my 89-year-old mother. Just over six months later, on July 2, 2011, we all gathered together to celebrate her 90th birthday. Then, on August 3, just one month and one day later, Mom "graduated to heaven," where she is now spending Christmas with the One whose birth we now celebrate.

Wow. What a difference a year makes! Or even a month or a week or a day. We aren't promised any time beyond this moment, at least so far as our temporal life here on earth, but we are promised eternity with Christ if we receive Him as our Savior and turn our lives over to Him.

Mom did that when she was fifty years old, and she lived the last forty of her years as a child of God. That's why, as Christmas 2011 closes in on us, we can rejoice for her even though our celebration is tinged with the sadness of missing her. We know where Mom is at this very moment, and one day soon we will join her there. What a great and precious promise!

If you haven't already settled that "forever issue" in your own heart, don't let another minute go by without doing so. None of us knows where we will be this time next year, but if we know the One who holds the future in His nail-scarred hands, we can rest in His eternal security. Just ask Him to forgive you, to be your Lord and Savior, to keep you close to His heart for all eternity--and He will faithfully do so. And then, if there's someone you need to visit or call or just makes things right with, do it now...while you still can. Trust me; you'll be glad you did.

Merry Christmas, beloved ones, and a joyous New Year to all of you!

Is your heart set on pilgrimage?

2011-12-14T11:26:00.001-08:00

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage (Psalm 84:5, NKJV).

Having just celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday, the word “pilgrim” is still fresh in my mind. I also can’t hear the word without thinking of John Wayne and his unique way of addressing others by the term “pilgrim.” But it’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World to That Which Is to Come” (yes, that’s the full title!) by John Bunyan (published in 1678) that really captures the meaning of the word “pilgrimage” in Psalm 84.

The primary character in this never-out-of-print allegory is Christian, whose earthly journey is followed from his hometown of “City of Destruction” (this world) to “Celestial City” (that which is to come). Along the way Christian encounters nearly every temptation imaginable, is sidetracked, discouraged, and exhausted. But Christian also meets a friend on his journey—Faithful—who encourages him to keep going.

We can learn a lot from Christian and Faithful, the most important being that if we think we can survive our journey in our own strength, we will certainly meet with destruction. But Psalm 84 assures us that if we understand that God Himself is our strength and if we have set our hearts on allowing Him to carry us to the end of our pilgrimage from this temporal world to the eternal one, we are blessed indeed.

As we come together to celebrate our Lord’s birth and to look forward to all that God has purposed for us in the year to come, may we set our hearts afresh on pilgrimage and rejoice in the knowledge that God will surely bring us through.

A Christmas Letter to You All

2011-12-12T12:36:00.000-08:00

Christmas greetings to you all!

I just realized I haven’t sent out a mass update since July 22, two weeks before my 90-year-old mother “graduated to heaven.” She’s spending this Christmas rejoicing in the presence of her Savior, reunited with my dad and so many other loved ones who went before her. We’re glad for her, of course, but it makes for a very different Christmas for our family, as she was the last of our parents and our children’s grandparents, so we will certainly miss her presence here with us.

As for publishing news, I released three more books this year, all novels—People of the Book in April, and Deliver Me From Evil and A Christmas Journey Home in September. Of course I’m now working fast and furiously on the next ones!

Al is still working in aerospace during the week, playing golf on the weekends—and enjoying his new 2005 sunburst orange Corvette, which he got when he finally traded in the Harley. So I’m still “Easy Writer” but now in a bit more comfort.

The kids and grandkids are all doing well, and our family continues to grow as we just got the announcement that our grandson Mikey (actively serving in the Navy and newly married) and his wife, Brittney, are expecting their first child (though not for about eight months yet). I can’t believe we’re talking about being great grandparents—again! Wow, are we getting old or what???

But we’re not so old that we can’t jump on a plane and fly to Hawaii for Christmas—which is exactly what Al and I are doing on Sunday, December 18. We’ll return on January 1 and dive right into the New Year then; meanwhile, MELE KELIKIMAKA to you all!

Now is the time to make it right...

2011-12-07T14:27:00.001-08:00

“If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way.

First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift”

(Matthew 5:23-24, NKJV).

Regrets. We all have them, don’t we? But one thing I’ve learned as we come closer to the end of our earthly life: ultimately it isn’t what we didn’t do for ourselves that we regret so much as what we didn’t do for others. I have absolutely no regrets over any kindness I’ve offered, any selfless deed I’ve performed, or any gift I’ve given. If I regret anything it’s those times I could have given but chose not to; times I served myself rather than others; times I spoke an unkind word rather than a healing one.

Billy Graham, in Nearing Home, writes, “Don’t come to the end of your life and look back with regret over a hurt that could have been forgiven or a relationship that could have been healed—if you had only seized the initiative and taken the first step.” Now is the time—right now, today, even this very moment—to seize the initiative and take that first step toward reconciling a broken relationship or encouraging someone in need or giving of yourself. How easy to put it off and tell ourselves we’ll do it “later,” but we aren’t promised later. This may be our only chance.

If we love God and regularly offer up praise and worship, prayers and thanksgiving to Him, then we need to heed the admonition in Matthew 5 to FIRST go to that one we’ve offended (or who has offended us) or from whom we are estranged for whatever reason—and do whatever we can to make it right. That person may or may not accept our efforts, but we will have gone a long way in ensuring we don’t reach the end of our earthly journey with a cartload of regrets following along behind us.

Are You Taking the Message Beyond Your Church Walls?

2011-12-02T11:07:00.000-08:00

I love my church...and I imagine you do too. But have you noticed how easy it is for us to get trapped inside its four walls where everything is comfortable and familiar? God is calling us to "take it to the streets," to "go into all the world and preach the gospel." This excellent new resource from New Hope Publishers, Beyond My Church by Jason C. Dukes, will help propel you out those doors into effective, powerful ministry.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Thinking beyond your church matters because the unity of the church is imperative in order for the work of God to happen in our city and in our world. And not just unity in the one local church family that you call your
own. When all followers of Jesus actually love one another like Jesus loved us— living according to His ways rather than our own—then the world will see and, in turn, believe that Jesus was actually sent as the Son of God. This is the unity Jesus prayed for. It should be lived out among His followers and can only be present when
God is the force holding us all together.

In this new release by pastor Jason Dukes, you will explore this unity and discover how it can become part of the DNA of your local church expression.

For more info about the author or to order the book go to www.jasoncdukes.com

The Best Is Yet to Be!

2011-11-30T13:51:00.000-08:00

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him”

(1 Corinthians 2:9, NKJV)

I still can’t believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas is nearly here—again! I used to scratch my head and look askance at my parents (and other “old people”) when I heard them say things like “time sure flies” and “the days are zipping by way too fast.” But the older I get and the more days zip by, the more I understand.

One thing I’ve always enjoyed doing during this season between Thanksgiving and Christmas is to make a personal list of things I’m thankful for, adding at least one thing each day when I have my prayer and Bible study time. But always before, I’ve focused on being grateful for things in the past or even the present. This year I’m trying something new. I already know the many wonderful blessings God has given me over the years/decades, but what about those I anticipate in the future?

Without Jesus, cynical people say things, “Life stinks…and then you die.” What a sad viewpoint! Of course, without Christ the statement is true. I once heard someone say, “For unbelievers, whatever happens to them on earth is the best they’ll ever have. For those of us who know Jesus as Lord and Savior, whatever happens here is the worst we’ll ever have.” Translation? We have more to look forward to, more blessings to be thankful for in the future, than we could ever begin to list from the past or present. In fact, the Bible says the blessings that God has for us are so great and immeasurable that we can’t even begin to comprehend or imagine them.

But even if we don’t make a dent in that infinite list of blessings, why not join me in making one anyway? We can start today, jotting down as many of the promised blessings we can think of as we look forward to that day when we will finally see our beloved Savior face-to-face. Being in His presence will no doubt be at the top of our anticipated blessings list, but there are many other things too—no more sickness or death; no more tears or sorrow; no more sin or evil; hanging out with our “forever family,” not to mention legions of angels…the list is endless. So rejoice, beloved, for truly the best is yet to be!

Best-selling Christmas book giveaway and interview!

2011-11-29T12:21:00.000-08:00

I am so pleased to have my longtime friend (and first-ever fiction mentor) here on my Easy Writer blog today. A Log Cabin Christmas is already a NY Times bestseller, so here's your chance to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy. Take it away, Margaret!

“When God said let there be peas on earth I don’t think he meant us to eat them.”

George, age 6 in Snow Angel/A Log Cabin Christmas

My husband and I spent our honeymoon in a rustic log cabin in Yosemite. It would have been the perfect honeymoon getaway had it not been for that mouse.

Standing on a chest of drawers screaming wasn't exactly how I pictured my wedding night. It was even worse the next morning when we had breakfast at the lodge with everyone staring at us.

That was the first and last time I’d stepped foot in a log cabin, so before I could write my story for A Log Cabin Christmas I had to do some research. That’s the fun part of writing but so is sharing fun facts with readers.

THINGS YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT LOG CABINS

· Abe Lincoln was born in one. Okay, so maybe you already knew that, but did you also know that the first president born in a log cabin was Andrew Jackson?

· Pound for pound wood is stronger than steel which makes Log Cabins virtually indestructible (except by woodpeckers and carpenter bees). They can stand up to earthquakes and are pretty much fire-resistant. A log home was the only beachfront home in the Carolinas to remain standing during Hurricane Hugo.

· Log cabins were not an American invention. The Swedish bought the idea to American in the 1600s.

· Providing there were trees, a log cabin could be built in days, needed no nails and was rainproof, sturdy and cheap to build. The only tool needed to build one was an ax.

· Log cabin designs were influenced by the Homestead Act of 1862 which required homes to be at least ten by twelve and have one glass window.

· Foundations were built eighteen inches high because it was believed that termites couldn’t climb that high. (I know for a fact that eighteen inches will not keep out mice!)

· A log cabin helped win a presidential election. William Harrison made a big deal over his “humble beginnings” and used the log cabin logo (along with hard cider) to show he was a “people’s man.” Ironically, the man was born in a wood frame house.

· Log Cabin syrup was introduced in 1887 by Patrick J. Towle, a Minnesota grocer. The name was chosen to honor Towle’s hero Abraham Lincoln.

Now that you know a little bit more about log cabins, here’s a short preview of my story:

SNOW ANGEL

The moment schoolteacher Maddie Parker walked into the tumble-down log cabin schoolhouse, she knew coming to Maverick, Texas was a mistake. Now she’s stuck at school with three of her rowdiest pupils during a blizzard and in terrible danger of becoming unglued.

Sheriff Brad Donovan is fit to be tied. What kind of teacher would keep her pupils after school in such weather? Now it’s up to him to rescue them—no easy task. For now he’s stuck at the schoolhouse with no means of escape. But while the storm rages outside, hearts are thawing inside.

Brad and Maddie have personal reasons for fighting their attraction to each other, but as the days drag on it becomes increasingly hard to do. Was it fate or bad luck that brought that together? Or could this have been God’s plan all along?

P.S. If have an adversity to mice don’t worry. The only furry creature in my story is a bear!

Now that I shared my log cabin story, how about sharing yours? You might even win a copy of the book!

Margaret

www.margaretbrownley.com

Margaret is the bestselling author of more than twenty-five books. Her next book Dawn Comes Early will be released March 2012. It’s the first book in her exciting new Brides of Last Chance Ranch series.

Great Christmas Book for Children

2011-11-28T09:27:00.000-08:00

Looking for a great Christmas gift for children? Here's a book I highly recommend:

http://www.amazon.com/Eli-Stable-Boy-Keith-Ogorek/dp/1449041167/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1322433898&sr=1-1

The "Setting Boundaries" Lady has done it again!

2011-11-17T14:14:00.000-08:00

Yep, my dear friend (and uber-talented author/speaker) Allison Bottke has released yet another "setting boundaries" book. And if you're anything like me, you NEED it! Seriously, I am so bad at setting and maintaining boundaries, particularly with difficult people who KNOW how to push my buttons--and something tells me I'm not the only one. So if you relate to what I just said, take heart! The book you've been waiting for has finally arrived. Here's a brief description:

Do you have family members, friends, or co-workers who drive you crazy? Bottke offers six steps to help you restore your SANITY. Discover how to Stop your negative behavior, Assemble a support group, Nip excuses in the bud, Implement rules and boundaries, Trust your instincts, and Yield everything to God.

For more info on Allison and her many excellent books and appearances, hop on over to www.allisonbottke.com

Giving in His Name

2011-11-16T09:19:00.001-08:00

Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you:

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6).

I spent the last few days going through the last of my mom’s clothes and personal belongings, sorting and searching and bagging up the vast majority of it to donate to the Salvation Army. (To be honest, there wasn’t much left, as she’d already given away most of it while she was still here with us.) I set everything out on the front porch, called for a pick-up, and as of yesterday morning, it was gone.

Strange feeling, isn’t it? We know we’re only here for a short time and that eternal life lies beyond, far better than anything we can experience in this temporal setting. But the old saying, “You can’t take it with you,” takes on a new depth of reality when we look upon the material goods a loved one has left behind after “graduating to heaven.”

Knowing that nothing we amass here on earth—whether billions of dollars or just enough to eke out a meager existence—will accompany us on that final journey through the valley of the shadow of death should give us pause, as we consider those things that have eternal value. Peter nailed it when he said to the crippled man, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

It is those things we do in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth that will follow us to heaven. The time we told others about the Father’s great love, so great that He would send His only Son to die for us; the times we cried and prayed for lost loved ones and even nations lost in darkness; the gifts we gave out of our own needs rather than our abundance. The One whose name we do it in—Jesus Christ of Nazareth—sees it all, though at times it may seem that no one sees or cares.

Silver and gold will be left behind when we breathe our last, but our legacy of all we did in the name of Jesus will continue throughout eternity. And it is the one thing that will remain when our deeds are judged and we receive the crown of heaven—which we will promptly and joyously lay at the Savior’s feet.

May we daily give whatever we can in the matchless name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth!

Exciting New Book!

2011-11-16T05:43:00.000-08:00

I don't know if it's because I too was born in 1948 or just because I'm a passionate supporter of Israel, but I LOVE books written about the history of God's chosen people. Dave Longaeuy has just released a novel on the re-establishment of the Jewish nation, which he spent countless months researching and writing. Check out the video and consider ordering a copy--or two or three! Fascinating stuff.

www.rebirthofisrael.com

If You're Settling for Less than Great...You Shouldn't Be!

2011-11-14T14:41:00.000-08:00

Here at last! A dynamic book that will help you overcome negative feelings about yourself and put you on the road to success in every area of your life. Using sound biblical principles, nationally known author, life coach, and businesswoman Dr. MaryAnn Diorio deals with such life-changing topics as overcoming worry and fear, taking charge of your life, learning to accept yourself, and finding your purpose in life. YOU WERE MADE FOR GREATNESS! offers practical advice which, if applied, guarantees success and will help you become all that God created you to be.

To order a copy for yourself (and one for someone else who would benefit from knowing his/her potential) go to http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/93001

Exciting New Book from Tricia Goyer!

2011-11-11T07:12:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Veterans Day, and no one honors veterans more with her writing than my dear friend and accomplished author Tricia Goyer. Please read her story below...and then buy the book. You won't be sorry!

My Procrastination Heart Break Story

By Tricia Goyer

If you could see my desk you would chuckle. Okay, maybe not. Perhaps you would have pity on me, volunteer your time and set to work on my massive to-do list. (Any takers, huh, huh?)

Seriously, I have stacks of bills to pay, letters to answer, books to mail out, a checkbook to balance, and a toddler to chase after. That's not including the research books for my work-in-progress, making time for the teen girls I mentor, and reading through my next manuscript galley for final edits.

Usually, I can keep the balls up in the air. The bills are rarely late. The checkbook evidentially gets balanced. The toddler gets fed and bathed (most days).

And somehow, with God's grace, my writing assignments are turned in on time. But it's the things like mailing books out that end up taking longer than they should.

This is NOT a good thing. Not only do I want my readers to like me, but sometimes they might not live long enough to seen the autographed front cover. Let me explain . . .

When I received the first copies of Night Song (http://www.triciagoyer.com/historicalfiction.html#NightSong) in the mail a few years ago, the first thing I did was set aside a few copies. One thing I do is send free books to everyone who helped on the project—especially to the veterans I interview.

Well, one of the men I interviewed was a medic. He gave me some great information for my character, Nick. (Would you believe I had to go look his name up! I have too many hunky heroes in my head!)

Anyway, I emailed Earl to let him know the book would be in the mail. He said he was down with a broken hip, but he was looking forward to getting the book. A few days passed (I was under deadline for another project). Then a week. Then two. Finally, I got the book in the mail. THAT VERY SAME DAY I got a note from Earl's son telling me he'd passed away. I felt HORRIBLE! I mean, I was literally sick to my stomach. Earl had helped me so much. He had been SO excited to have an autographed copy from me. And I couldn't get my act together enough to mail a silly book.

I sent a sympathy card to Earl's family and a letter. I apologized to them for not sending the book sooner. A week later I received an email from his daughter.

"Oh honey," she said. "Don't worry about not sending the book. My dad got tired of waiting and had me buy a copy for him. He read it right before he passed away and loved it. He was so excited. He showed everyone."

Thank you, GOD!

I was SO thankful. Even though I didn't have my act together, Someone did!

As an added bonus, through the communication with Earl's kids I discovered he never shared much about his experiences during WWII. (This is common with many veterans.)

After his death, I was able to forward the emails and stories he'd sent me, and because of that they were able to discover part of their father's past they'd never known.

Isn't God good? In spite of my procrastination.

Tricia Goyer is a homeschooling mom of four and an acclaimed and prolific writer, publishing hundreds of articles in national magazines. She has also written books on marriage and parenting and contributed notes to the Women of Faith Study Bible. Tricia's written numerous novels inspired by World War II veterans, including her new release Remembering You. Tricia lives with her husband and four children in Arkansas. You can find out more information about Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com.

Video with Tricia talking about her newest novel about WWII veterans:

http://www.guideposts.org/video/inspirational-stories/tricia-goyer-inspiring-story-her-new-book

Tricia's Story in Guideposts about interviewing veterans from the 11^th Armored Division: http://www.guideposts.org/inspirational-stories/war-heroes-provide-answer-authors-prayer

More information about Tricia's novel, Remembering You:

http://www.triciagoyer.com/contemporaryfiction.html#RememberingYou

Guest Post from Cynthia Alcantara

2011-11-10T06:26:00.000-08:00

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 KJV).

As followers of Christ and believers of His promises we often fail to focus on JESUS and focus instead on our present circumstances. We want to walk in faith but this can become a long and narrow path that makes us feel blind, vulnerable and lost. However, all that is required of us to have FAITH!

I recently lost my home when the Bank took it over and sold it at an auction. I had three days to move out and dear friends of mine in Ramona offered me their home for a temporary stay. God gave me PEACE (which is the spirit of JESUS) and I have been living one day at a time. I have learned not to focus on my present circumstances and focus instead on JESUS. This has been a period of greater intimacy with Him! I don’t know all the details but after the Bank sold my home it took it back from the buyer, reduced the amount of my mortgage, modified my loan and is now telling me to move back. I remembered giving my appliances and most furniture away, instead of selling them, because even in the midst of my poverty I wanted to bless others but I never imagined how great was going to be my blessing. I earned $100.00 last month but I blessed a missionary from South Africa and another one from Australia with it and the LORD abundantly multiplied that seed.

We don’t need to know how the LORD is going to move in our lives, we simply need to follow Him, keep the FAITH and die to self! Life is never about us, it is always about Him. The important thing is not to find a purpose for our life; it is to find His purpose for our life as we serve in His Kingdom. May He be increased as we are decreased!

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3 KJV).

Another Page-Turner from Michelle Sutton!

2011-11-07T14:20:00.000-08:00

Outwardly Diane Simmons appears to have everything a woman could want. A successful attorney, she's beautiful and talented, yet she always seems to be attracted to the wrong men. Dave Passel loves his foster son deeply. When the State tries to reunite Joey with the birth mother he has never known, Dave hires Diane to fight for him in court. But as the attraction between them strengthens, they discover that the hardest lesson is learning to let go.

To order click on the link below:

http://www.christianbook.com/letting-go-healing-hearts/michelle-sutton/9781936438013/pd/438013?item_code=WW&netp_id=921446&event=ESRCG&view=details#curr

Fate Worse Than Death

2011-11-03T09:54:00.000-07:00

One of my own personal heroes". What a wonderful book! And one that SOOO needed to be published. Thanks, Dave, for stepping out in faith and doing this. May it bless many with its story of faith and courage.

If any of you are looking for a book to encourage you, regardless of your situation or circumstances (or for someone else facing an uphill climb in life), this is the book for you! Here's the link to purchase it:

http://www.amazon.com/Fate-Worse-than-Death-Better/dp/146537793X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320331577&sr=8-1

The Absolute Awesomeness of God!

2011-11-02T16:20:00.000-07:00

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,
And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;
He lays up the deep in storehouses (Psalm 33:6-7, NKJV).

I’ve been meditating a lot lately on the absolute awesomeness of God, and the verses above capture that so clearly, don’t they? We serve a God who spoke the heavens into existence, breathed the stars into the skies, gathers the waters into their assigned boundaries, and locks the depths of the oceans into reservoirs. No matter how you look at it, that’s impressive!

Knowing this, what is our response to be? According to verse 8 of Psalm 33, all the inhabitants of the earth are to “fear the Lord” and “stand in awe of Him.” But is that what usually happens? Sometimes. More often than not, however, the “inhabitants of the earth” pay little if any attention to this awesome God and, instead, worship His creation.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the oceans and the mountains, the trees and flowers, the birds and fish and animals. But they are all creations, masterfully crafted by the One who also breathed life into the dust of the earth and formed man. Is it any wonder He holds our lives in His hands? Shouldn’t the very thought make us tremble, even as we rejoice that He is merciful and loving?

As we move into a season of Thanksgiving and then celebration of Christ’s coming to earth as a Babe in a manger, may we appreciate all of God’s creations—but may we worship only Him. May we, as the psalmist declared, “fear the Lord” and “stand in awe of Him” (Psalm 33:8, NKJV). There is nothing that can put our own lives in perspective quicker or clearer than recognizing the awesomeness of God.

Abundant Rain...to Quench Your Creative Thirst

2011-11-01T09:34:00.000-07:00

Blurb for Abundant Rain

Writers are a peculiar breed. We are insecure and often struggle with discouragement. Abundant Rain is meant to be a buoy in that tossing sea. These short pieces will lift you up and keep you afloat and, most important, keep you connected to the source of all our inspiration, The One who has set us on this journey as writers of faith.

What readers are saying -

Marcia Laycock is one of the best devotion writers I've read. Each devotion is fresh, on target, and leaves me changed. As a writer, I've been encouraged and inspired by her writing. I have indeed been blessed richly by Abundant Rain. Thank you, Marcia, for writing a devotion book for us. :) Review by Ane Mulligan, editor, Novel Rocket.com

Abundant Rain, a devotional directed toward writers, is a well-written encouragement to all, including writers. The principles traverse occupational boundaries but certainly do speak to the writer in us. I found myself re-reading a few to more fully understand the profound principle imbedded within. A great read for writers and for anyone looking for the reason they should be doing what they do. Review by Barbara Derksen - author of Vanished and nine other books

Abundant Rain by Marcia Laycock zinged straight into my heart. And it’s a keeper. Normally I don’t read devotional books, but I was delightfully surprised when I began to read Abundant Rain. This devotional book is now on my desktop to be opened each day. While Abundant Rain is geared to writers, it would also be an inspiration to any type of artist, but especially those who use words as their medium. There were moments where the author’s devotional thoughts were exactly what I needed to hear that very day. Her anecdotes were at times hilarious or tenderly poignant. In each case my soul was deeply touched. I highly recommend Abundant Rain to all aspiring writers, artists, or even to those who have already experienced success. This devotional will help keep the journey of your artistic soul as straight as an arrow. Review by Christine Lindsay, Author of Shadowed in Silk

Whether your creative bent leans toward writing or some other artistic pursuit, you'll be blessed by this e-book. You can order it here:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/58017

Patti Lacy has done it again!

2011-10-31T13:08:00.000-07:00

Author Patti Lacy has wowed me with every fiction offering she's presented to date, and Reclaiming Lily is no exception.

This is an exquisitely lovely story, told with a depth of passion that will carry readers along on a tsunami of emotion, yet leave them deeply touched and satisfied at its conclusion.

I highly recommend Reclaiming Lily (and anything else by Patti Lacy). Find out more about the book and the author at www.pattilacy.com

When Passion and Purpose Collide

2011-10-26T15:18:00.000-07:00

Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4, NKJV).

I was talking with a friend the other day and mentioned how much I enjoyed my job and how blessed I was to be able to use God’s gift of writing and communicating. She responded, “That’s what happens when passion and purpose collide.”

Wow. What a profound statement! I’ve been thinking about it ever since and realized it lines up perfectly with Psalm 37:4. When we take our delight, our joy, from spending time with and belonging to the Lord, He brings to fruition the very seeds of desire He has planted in our heart. As He wove us together in our mother’s womb, He gifted us for His purpose; those gifts become our passion as we grow and explore and venture out into various activities. But when we submit those passions to God’s purpose, explosive things happen. Fruit begins to blossom and bud and ripen to an extent we could never have achieved or even imagined in our own efforts.

Every individual born on this earth is stamped with the image of almighty God, and each is gifted with a passion and ability to fulfill God’s purpose for our existence. We can choose to ignore God and waste our gifts and passions on our own pleasure…or allow God to direct us in the way He wants us to go, the things He wants us to do, the people He wishes us to touch. That choice will determine not only our personal fulfillment here on earth, but also our ability to lay an offering at the feet of our Lord when we cross the threshold into heaven.

And it’s all about what happens when passion and purpose collide.

It's Tea Time--with a Favorite Author!

2011-10-20T07:33:00.001-07:00

I'm so excited to have fellow author and dear friend Donna Fletcher Crow as a guest blogger today. If you know her, you already love her--and her books! If not, let me introduce you. Take it away, Donna!

Those Valiant Victorians

I love history. Especially English history. All periods of it. But I have always had a special place in my heart for the Victorians. It’s easy to look back on just about any period of history as being a simpler time in which to live than our own. (I do love my rose-colored glasses!) At least it sometimes seems refreshing to think of dealing with different problems than our own and looking back on a period where morality and modesty and plain old goodness were popular concepts is, I fear, refreshingly different. It was even fashionable to overtly Christian!

The inestimable Wikipedia tells us that the Victorian Era comprised almost 64 years of “peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence.” The thing I find most endearing about the Victorians, however, was their energy and, in keeping with the aforementioned self-confidence, the belief that they could do anything and fix anything.

It wasn’t that their period was without problems. One need only point to urban poverty, child labour, conditions in mines, factories, prisons. . . Almost all a result of the practically overnight turn from being an agrarian culture to industrialization— certainly as major a turning point in human history, if not bigger, than our own technological revolution. Unprecedented economic and population growth, changes in farming, mining and manufacturing methods sent people flooding into the cities with all the accompanying social problems.

Problems for which many people blame the Victorians, but I rise to their defense and point out that, yes, these things did get out of hand, but as soon as the energetic, confident Victorians became aware of the problems, they set out to correct them, largely because they saw it as their Christian duty. Perhaps a supreme example would be Anthony Ashley-Cooper, the Earl Shaftesbury, that crusading Christian who worked unceasingly for improved conditions in mines and factories, to bring in child labour laws, to outlaw climbing boys and to promote model housing, as well as being president of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

This is the world of my Lord Danvers Mysteries. As a mystery writer, I have a special interest in crimes of the period and so in each book in the series my amateur sleuths Charles, Lord Danvers, and the lovely Lady Antonia, find themselves embroiled in two mysteries, one a true crime as well as one of my own devising which I have wrapped around the historical facts.

In A Most Inconvenient Death, the first in the series, Charles, Lord Danvers, still in mourning for his lost love, the delicately beautiful Lady Charlotte, hopes to find escape from his ghosts at the country estate of his oldest friend Sir John Boileau. The events surrounding the coming of age of Sir John’s son and heir have much of Norfolk astir— until the peace of an autumn evening is shattered by a brutal murder.

The police are quick to point to a quarrelsome farmer but Lord Danvers has his doubts. As the local magistrate, Sir John has an interest in the investigation. But is the real connection much closer to home? And does Danvers owe the greater loyalty to an old friend or to the truth?

Then Danvers is even more unsettled by the entrance of the alluring Lady Antonia Hoover.

The Stanfield Hall Murders were the sensation they are portrayed to be, the elaborate coming of age celebrations and the ensuing dramatic trial are all recorded history. Lady Antonia, Lord Danvers, his irrepressible man Hardy and their pioneering aeronautical adventures are my contribution.

Donna Fletcher Crow is the author of 37 books, mostly novels dealing with British history.

The Lord Danvers Mysteries feature historical Victorian crimes within fictional stories. A MOST INCONVENIENT DEATH is set on a country estate in Norfolk, GRAVE MATTERS begins with the opening of the Crystal Palace in London before Charles and Antonia fly off to Scotland in his aerostat for their honeymoon. TO DUST YOU SHALL RETURN finds the couple in Canterbury where Antonia has complications enough battling with the dark secret she has kept from her husband even before she becomes embroiled in a grisly murder and an investigation that culminates with a chase scene over the roof of Canterbury Cathedral.

To see more about The Lord Danvers series and Donna’s other books as well as pictures from her garden and research trips go to: www.DonnaFletcherCrow.com.

Her blog is at: http://www.donnafletchercrow.com/articles.php

and you can follow her on Facebook at: http://ning.it/eLjgYp

When You're Weary or Discouraged...Look Up!

2011-10-19T16:13:00.000-07:00

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands (Psalm 19:1, NIV).

I’ve been traveling a lot lately—more than I care to, actually, though I’ve so enjoyed reconnecting with existing friends and making new ones. Still, it’s good to be home, isn’t it? But one thing I noticed, as I crisscrossed the United States several times in the last few months: Regardless of where I was, when I looked up into the sky, I knew God was there, sitting on His throne, sovereign and kind and faithful.

The psalmist wrote that the heavens “declare” God’s glory and the skies “proclaim” His handiwork. The very fact that stars have been hung in place, and the sun and moon continue to rise on schedule, reminds us of God’s unchanging love for us. Whether we are standing in our own backyard or looking up from a hotel terrace thousands of miles away, God is as close to us as our own heartbeat.

That gives me great comfort. At times, during my travels and the busy schedules they entail, I grow weary—more so the older I get. But God has promised that if I will cling tightly to Him, He will use me to honor His name and to bless others, even in my old age and regardless of where I am or the circumstances that surround me.

The next time you find yourself thinking that perhaps you’ve outlived your usefulness or that you’re just too marred and flawed to be a worthy vessel in God’s hands, stop where you are and look up, and then remember the words of the psalmist: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” You see, it isn’t who we are but who He is that matters. Therefore, we can move forward with confidence into all that He has called and gifted us to do—right up until our very last breath on earth.

The Privilege of Persecution

2011-10-18T13:18:00.000-07:00

Seldom am I as touched and energized by a book as I have been by The Privilege of Persecution by Dr. Carl A. Moeller and David W. Hegg with Craig Hodgkins. This is not an easy-reading, light-and-fluffy escape book; it is an in-your-face and piercing-through-your-heart challenge that will motivate you to a greater commitment to prayer and sacrificial living, as well as a deeper understanding of the Body of Christ.

Thank God for those who are already living such sacrificial lives--and may the rest of us wake up to our true purpose as the Church and join with them while we still have breath and time. I strongly encourage you to get this book for yourself and one for someone else. The time is short, beloved, and we mustn't waste what we have left. Please do a cut-and-paste of the link below and check out this excellent book, will you?

https://secure2.convio.net/ccod/site/Ecommerce/296344083?VIEW_PRODUCT=true&product_id=3681&store_id=1901

A Godly Inheritance

2011-10-11T10:12:00.000-07:00

O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance (Psalm 16:5-6).

My mom passed away a couple of months ago, and I heard many glowing tributes to her at her memorial service. It seemed Mom touched many lives and left quite a legacy behind, though that legacy included nothing material because, when Mom died at 90, she no longer had anything material or monetary left to pass on to others. Her legacy was strictly that of fond memories, blessed relationships, and spiritual encouragement.

And that’s the point. As believers, we have the greatest heritage imaginable—God Himself! The psalmist says that the Lord is his inheritance, and He is ours as well. The psalmist also declares that his inheritance is a good one. Though some may inherit mansions or yachts or huge bank accounts when loved ones die, believers inherit the God of the Universe, the Savior of mankind, an unending life of joy and peace and light.

This is an inheritance that should not only cause us to rejoice but to do everything possible to impart that same inheritance to others. As Christians who desire to glorify God, this should be our main focus, our primary goal, each and every day, every moment that we walk this earth. We know the old saying that we can’t “take it [material things] with us” is true, but it is also true that the only treasures we can take with us to heaven and lay at the feet of Jesus are the lives we influence for God’s Kingdom.

The lines truly have fallen to us in pleasant places, dear fellow believers, for we have a good heritage—too good to keep to ourselves. Let’s resolve, while we still have breath within us, to pass it on to as many others as we can!

Free copy of Christmas novel!

2011-10-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

Leave a comment about your favorite Christmas memory, and be sure you're a follower of this blog, then also leave your contact info for a free copy of A Christmas Journey Home. Offer extended through Monday, October 10.

How and Why Do We Lift Our Soul to God?

2011-10-05T14:53:00.000-07:00

To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul (Psalm 25:1).

How many times do we say or sing the words listed above: “To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul”? Simple words, and easy to say, but not so easy to do at times—at least not for me. And yet, if I did, I would surely find myself less often scratching my head and saying, “How did I get here?”

The key is in understanding the word “soul,” which in turn helps us understand how we “lift” our soul to the Lord. If we remember that our soul is made up of our mind (thoughts), emotions, and will, the picture becomes clear. To lift up our soul to the Lord means that we submit our thoughts and emotions to Him, and choose (submit our will) to live according to His Word rather than by our emotions or thoughts. Simple…but not always easy.

Here’s another thought that might help. The devil is often referred to as the “enemy of our soul.” Though he can’t undermine or defeat the spirit of a born-again child of God, he certainly can try to use our mind, will, and emotions to deceive and harm us. But if we remember to submit or “lift” our soul to God, seeking His direction and protection, the devil will fail in his attempts to derail us.

The devil is smarter than we are, but 1 John 4:4 says, “He who is in you [believers] is greater than he who is in the world.” God in us is greater than the devil in the world. That gives me great comfort and assurance—and the perfect incentive and reminder to continually lift my soul to the Lord.

Celebrating Seasons

2011-09-28T11:46:00.000-07:00

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NKJV).

The seasons are changing again, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. In some parts of the country, the change is drastic; in others, gradual. Where we live, in the Southern California desert, we’re thrilled that we’ve dropped 25 degrees from the triple digits that plagued us just last month.

A few days ago I was strolling with friends through the botanical gardens in St. Louis, and in the background I heard the loveliest harp music imaginable. I focused so I could make out the song, and it was “Autumn Leaves.” Autumn. The time when the song writer proclaims that he misses his beloved most of all.

I can relate, not so much because I’ve recently lost my mom or because my dad died in the fall twelve years ago, but because I truly miss my Beloved most of all this time of year. Though I walk closely to my Savior throughout all the seasons, there is something about falling leaves that tugs at my heart and makes me homesick for heaven. I suppose part of it is that I am yet another year older and that much closer to my eventual home-going. The thing that struck me most, however, as I enjoyed the splendid scenery at those botanical gardens, is that it wasn’t that long ago that fall reminded me that I was no longer young; I was middle-aged. Now that’s no longer true (unless I expect to live to be at least 125!). No, now fall reminds me that my own autumn season, my middle-aged years, are at an end and I will be soon living in winter—truly the final years of my life here on earth. And that, fellow pilgrims, is a joyous thought!

Seriously, if we actually believe what we say we believe, then each passing year, every falling leaf of autumn, brings us that much closer to being reunited, face-to-face, with our Beloved, in a place where we will never again have to deal with the nostalgic or even frightening reminders of changing seasons. We will instead dwell in everlasting Light, basking in the warmth of the Son, in an eternal season of pure joy. Until then, fellow travelers, rejoice with me as autumn leaves fall at your feet. Resurrection Spring is right around the corner!

Attention All Grandparents!

2011-09-27T10:37:00.001-07:00

Whether you're a grandparent or just enjoy the cute things kids say, you will love this new book from Karen O'Connor. (I even have one story included--if you read the book and find it, please let me know and I'll send you one of my books free!)

Check out Karen and her many excellent books at http://www.karenoconnor.com/

First Chapter of More Than Conquerors Available in Spanish

2011-09-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

Know anyone who might like to read More than Conquerors (set primarily in Mexico) in Spanish? If so, send them over to New Hope Digital for a free download of chapter 1 in Spanish: http://www.newhopedigital.com/index.php/2011/09/baje-el-primer-capitulo-de-mas-que-conquistadores/

If there's enough interest we just may do a complete translation. Blessings!

All Means ALL!

2011-09-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge

of Christ Jesus my Lord (Philippians 3:8, NKJV).

There’s nothing better than a serendipitous encounter with the Lord that you realize afterward was a watershed moment in your life. In addition to the obvious one where we meet Christ for the first time in repentance and conversion, we have others along the journey. I had one recently that has brought both excitement and peace, though I have no idea yet where it will lead me.

I was lying in bed, just about to drift off, when I realized God was speaking to me. “Lay it down,” He said. “All of it.”

All of it? All of what?

All of it. That’s what He said; that’s what He meant.

Hanging on to anything in this life—relationships, job, ministry, dreams, possessions, anything—will keep us from clinging solely to Him. You know that; I know that. I knew that when He spoke to me, and yet I resisted by trying to qualify His command.

Have you ever tried to arm wrestle God? Really? How did that work out for you? I’ve tried it several times and haven’t won yet. Still, I looked for a way to make all mean…well, anything but all. But that’s exactly what it means, isn’t it? And so, at last, I agreed. Anything, everything that I might be clinging to instead of Jesus has been laid at His feet—again. (Anyone besides me have to do this periodically?) As a result, I have great peace and a sense of excitement for what may come of it. Most of all, I’m pleased that it brings a deepened awareness and appreciation of His presence.

Lay it down; all of it. He’s the only thing that matters anyway. In light of eternity, everything else is just fluff.

Free download of first two chapters!

2011-09-21T07:28:00.000-07:00

Ever wish you could try something before buying it? Well now you can! The first two chapters of Deliver Me From Evil are available for free download at http://www.newhopedigital.com/index.php/2011/09/get-the-first-2-chapters-of-deliver-me-from-evil-human-trafficking-novel-free/

Give it a try! If you like it and decide to buy the book, just let me know that via an email to ezyrtr@ca.rr.com, plus give me some feedback on the book and how it affected you, and I'll send you another book (that one or one of my others) for free. How's that for a great deal???

In God We Still Trust!

2011-09-20T06:29:00.000-07:00

In a day when Christian bashing and even outright persecution is on the rise around the world and patriotism is considered "politically incorrect," Stacie Ruth and Carrie Beth Stoelting have taken a strong stand for both. Here is the quote from the inside of their beautiful new album:

In God We Still Trust captures patriotism, faith, and freedom. Recorded at the Gaither Studios, Stacie Ruth and Carrie Beth appear as new leaders of the post-9-11 generation. Their three octave ranges combined with their passion for Christ motivate audiences to move forward in faith. With powerful, heart-stirring songs, In God We Still Trust will make you feel proud to be an American like never before! Available at various stores and www.unitetheusa.org and www.brightlightministry.com.

Join the cry/fight for ABOLITION!

2011-09-19T10:50:00.000-07:00

Since this book has released earlier this month and I'm beginning to do a lot more media appearances about it, I'm getting questions about how to practically and prayerfully get involved in fighting this horrible crime of human trafficking. There are many excellent agencies and ministries already doing so, and I encourage you to get connected with one or more of them. (Don't look for a way to get involved on your own; it's far too dangerous.) Here is a great starting place if you'd like to join us in the fight for ABOLITION: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-dynamic-index/8081a4079639d55a802573e000530965?opendocument

The Power of Small!

2011-09-16T10:34:00.000-07:00

Every moment counts, every decision matters, every act has consequences.
Through this 28-day experience, respected author Jennifer Kennedy Dean shows how all big things start small and how a life of obedience is made up of one small obedience after another. Small decisions ultimately affect the outcome of major events. Some insignificant and random event, in retrospect, is pivotal.
Each day includes a devotional thought from Scripture on the power of small; a story, either from Scripture or a testimony, illustrating the principle; and a challenge to one small change today.

This excellent, life-changing book is available in stores nationwide, at most online venues, and at Jennifer's personal website: www.prayinglife.org.

We Must Never Forget...

2011-09-14T15:33:00.001-07:00

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits (Psalm 103:2, NKJV).

The tenth anniversary of 9/11 has come and gone, accompanied by many memorial services, TV specials, flag waving, and tears. We’ve heard stories of heroism in the midst of loss, been reminded of the tragic deaths that so many suffered, and re-examined our own lives and priorities in light of such a somber and monumental event.

It’s natural for us to remember major happenings in our lives, both good and bad, whether individually or as a nation. We celebrate birthdays and wedding anniversaries, and mourn the markers of another year since a loved one died. But God calls us into remembrance of Him, of His goodness and mercy toward us, of the countless benefits He has bestowed upon undeserving and often ungrateful people.

The psalmist recognized the importance of remembering God’s benefits and blessings. He even spoke to his soul and commanded it to bless God and never to forget His goodness. This is a great verse—a great chapter, for that matter—for us to repeat and consider often. The psalmist lists many of God’s benefits toward us, including forgiveness of sin, healing of diseases, redemption, loving-kindness, righteousness and justice. It’s relatively easy to be grateful to God for all these undeserved gifts when things are going well, but what about the other times? Sickness, poverty, betrayal, death—all can enter our lives when we least expect them. What better time to recall God’s benefits toward us? What better time to exercise true faith and thank the Lord for His many blessings?

Whether everything’s coming up roses for you right now, or you’re at the bottom of the pit and someone’s tossing dirt in on top of you, why not stop and spend a few moments thanking God for His many benefits? I, for one, plan to make it a daily practice.

Great WW II Novel!

2011-09-07T17:16:00.001-07:00

If you like World War II stories (and who doesn't???) and great writing, then you don't want to miss this latest offering in the Wings of Glory Series by Sarah Sundin. I just finished reading it and could NOT put it down till I got to the last, deliciously satisfying page. Check it out at www.sarahsundin.com!

Happy...or Holy?

2011-09-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

“You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy”

(Leviticus 19:2, NKJV).

I can’t begin to count how many times I’ve heard people—Christians included—say, “All I want is to be happy” or “I just want my children to be happy.” But how many times have I heard people say, “I just want to be holy” or “I just want my children to be holy”? Not nearly as often, I’m afraid.

I expect that mindset from unbelievers, but as Christians we really have no right to say it, as it flies straight in the face of God’s purpose for His people. True, there’s nothing wrong with being happy if it’s a byproduct of serving God and living in the middle of His will. And really, there is no other way to be truly happy. Any other sort of happiness is fleeting at best. But to say that our primary focus or desire is happiness is to show how very shallow we truly are. It confirms the sad fact that we still think life is all about us.

God says otherwise. God is holy, and He desires that we would be holy as well. The problem comes when we think holiness is something we can achieve by doing or not doing certain things. Being holy means being set apart by and for God. By definition, that makes us different from the rest of the world.

One of the biggest threats to seeking holiness in our own lives or others’ is the misconception of unconditional love. Yes, God loves everyone unconditionally. But that love didn’t wipe out the need for a horrible, bloody sacrifice to restore sinners (as in you and me!) to relationship with God. Jesus didn’t willingly go to the Cross simply to set a selfless example for us to follow; He went there because nothing less would satisfy a just God and provide forgiveness for our sins.

Jesus may not have been happy when He hung on the Cross, but He was holy. That’s the example we are to follow—and that is NOT legalism. That is God’s Word to us, His call to us, and the work that only He can do in us. Our part is to have a paradigm shift that says, “Yes, I will allow God to set me apart from the world and do a work of holiness in me—even if I don’t always feel happy about it.”

Ultimately, we will find ourselves overflowing with joy as a result, and that joy will spill over onto others. May we heed God’s Word to be holy…even as He is holy.

Free download offer!

2011-09-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

New Hope Digital is offering a free download of the first two chapters of Deliver Me From Evil. Here's the link:

http://www.newhopedigital.com/index.php/2011/09/get-the-first-2-chapters-of-deliver-me-from-evil-human-trafficking-novel-free/

A Christmas Journey Home

2011-09-05T06:54:00.000-07:00

New Hope Publishers Releases Christmas Fiction Novel by Kathi Macias

(Birmingham, Ala.)—September 5, 2011—Award-winning author Kathi Macias releases a Christmas novel, A Christmas Journey Home: Miracle in the Manger (978-1-59669-328-9, N124135, $12.99).

A Christmas Journey Home is the story of two widows—one driven by fear and a promise, the other by bitterness and revenge—who must make their journeys along different pathways, but with the same destination: a barn full of animals that stands waiting for them on Christmas Eve. Forced to face their personal demons, Isabella and Miriam soon discover a common yearning that will bind them together in a most miraculous way.

“Kathi Macias has earned a reputation for crafting stories that feature believable characters who face true-to-life situations, and she does it again in A Christmas Journey Home,” says Loree Lough, award-winning author of 80 books, including From Ashes to Honor. Readers will quickly identify with Isabella and Miriam—very different women, forever changed by heartache and loss—and find themselves forever changed by Macias’s powerful, spirit-charged story. Definitely a ‘keeper!’”

Red Ink, one of Kathi’s current fiction books, recently won Novel of the Year by the Golden Scroll Book Awards. Red Ink has been named one of three finalists for the Long Contemporary Carol Award by the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

About the Author

Award-winning author Kathi Macias (www.kathimacias.com) has written more than 30 books, including the award-winning devotional A Moment a Day and the popular “Matthews” mystery novels. Kathi has won many awards, including the Angel Award from Excellence in Media, fiction awards from the San Diego Christian Writers Guild, and the grand prize in an international writing contest. With women’s ministry as her primary interest, Kathi is a popular speaker for women’s retreats, conferences, and churches. A mother and grandmother, Kathi and her husband, Al, call California home.

About New Hope Publishers

Living as if death is imminent...because it is!

2011-09-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

The laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent

(2 Peter 1:14, NASB).

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines imminent as “ready to take place; especially: hanging threateningly over one’s head.” Quite obviously the Apostle Peter, when he penned the words above, recognized that he could die at any moment.

Why, then, don’t we realize the same thing? We may say we are aware of that truth, but if we really were, I think we might live differently.

Eight months ago I moved my mother into a retirement/assisted living facility where caregivers were available to help her with things that I normally took care of but was often unable to do, especially when I traveled. In an effort to help her make the adjustment, I had business cards made up with her new address and phone number on them so she could pass them out to friends and acquaintances. Because they were designed as business cards, I felt I should put some sort of “tag line” on them, so I chose “waiting for the call to come home.”

It seemed appropriate at the time, particularly since Mom was nearly 90 years old and not in very good health. Yet, when I look at the card now, I think, “Why didn’t I realize how prophetic that was?”

The thought was reinforced yesterday when a column I wrote in June was posted in an online publication on August 31. I’d forgotten I’d written it until it popped up on my Google Alerts, so I clicked on the link to refresh my memory. There it was, an article about my mom, written in the present tense. Now, two months later, I was speaking of her in past tense.

Whether we are nine or 90, we need to live as the Apostle Peter, with the recognition that the “laying aside of [our] earthly dwelling is imminent”—“ready to take place,” even “hanging threateningly over [our] head.” Because Peter understood that, he devoted the last of his earthly energy and time to calling sinners to repentance and saints to a deeper commitment. Time is short, beloved. I don’t want to waste what little is left. How about you?

Press Release from New Hope Publishers

2011-08-30T13:43:00.000-07:00

Award-Winning Author Kathi Macias Releases New Human Trafficking Fiction Series

Birmingham, Ala.)—August 30, 2011—Deliver Me from Evil (978-1-59669-306-7, N114140, $14.99) introduces readers to Mara, an 18-year-old girl who has been enslaved for nearly ten years, having been sold by her parents in Mexico and then smuggled across the border into San Diego where she was forced into sexual slavery. Readers will also meet 18-year-old Bible-college-bound Jonathan and his 16-year-old sister, Leah, whose paths cross Mara’s and who become involved in her dramatic rescue.

Deliver Me from Evil is the first book in her new “Freedom” series, which will explore the dark world of human trafficking.

“The ‘Freedom’ series has been a tough one to write, simply because all three novels in the series are based so closely to the ugly truth that human trafficking not only exists all around the world, but the numbers of those entrapped in it are staggering,” says author Kathi Macias. “My prayer is that these three novels will open people’s eyes to the need to fight this hideous crime and help rescue these modern-day slaves.”

“In Deliver Me from Evil, Kathi Macias brings readers a startling encounter with the real-world horrors of sexual trafficking,” says Lisa L. Thompson, MA, liaison for the abolition of sexual trafficking, the Salvation Army National Headquarters. “In an intricate story that could have come from the pages of any major newspaper, her fictional account makes readers confront the hard facts that slavery still exists and that everyday people may be only a brief encounter away from its victims. Deliver Me from Evil reminds us of our need to be alert to the signs of exploitation that surround us, and summon us to be bringers of Christ’s light, hope, and healing to a dark and hurting world.”

About the Author

About New Hope Publishers

Dealing with the "if-onlys" of life

2011-08-25T09:45:00.000-07:00

Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward

to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize

of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14, NKJV).

The “if-onlys” of life haunt us, don’t they? And we all have them.

If only I’d turned right instead of left….

If only I’d said yes instead of no….

If only I’d been kinder…braver…wiser….

But despite the fact that we all have “if-onlys,” none of us gets a “do-over.” What’s past is past, and though we may need to apologize or try to set right what we did wrong, we cannot change our original choices.

I was pondering some of my own “if-onlys” this morning when God said, “Give them to me—all your ‘if-onlys’—and then I can use them to fulfill My purposes.”

Wow. I hadn’t thought of that before. I understood that holding on to and dwelling on my “if-onlys” was self-destructive, but it hadn’t occurred to me that I was preventing God from redeeming them as only He can.

Death, divorce, illness, financial or health challenges—they all carry the potential of “if-onlys,” and once the choices are made, we can’t change them. But we can choose to turn loose of them, to admit our inability to fix them and hand them over to God, who stands waiting—His nail-scarred hands outstretched—to take them from us and bring good out of evil, healing from pain.

It’s time to forget the things that are behind and press forward to the “upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Please join me in answering that call today.

A Fitting Story Built Around 9/11

2011-08-23T09:09:00.000-07:00

Kudos for Loree Lough for taking the topic of 9/11 and building a story around it that totally surprises yet engages her readers. From Ashes to Honor, part of the First Responders Series, is an excellent read, and I highly recommend it.

You can order the book and learn more about prolific fiction author Loree Lough at www.loreelough.com.

Finishing the Race with Endurance

2011-08-18T07:48:00.000-07:00

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,

and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1, NKJV).

Hebrews 11, that great chapter sometimes referred to as the “Hall of Faith,” gets a lot of attention—and rightfully so. Not only do those powerful verses summarize the lives of many who lived by their faith but also those who died for it, which I believe is something we needed to be reminded of often. However, if we stop there we miss the application of those great examples of faith.

Chapter 12 of Hebrews begins with that famous “call to action” word, THEREFORE. The word ties the previous verses to the ones that are to come. In other words, take those dynamic words you just read and do something with them! Hebrews 12:1 wants us to understand that all those who lived in faith before us did not do so in vain. Not only did they triumph in their own faith, whether they lived victorious lives or suffered heroic deaths, but they did so as examples for us. THEREFORE we too must live and die by faith in the One who went before us and now lives within us. That type of victorious, faith-filled life and death is epitomized by the words “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Each of us runs a different race but with the same Finish Line in sight—to cross from this temporal, broken world into the presence of the Author and Finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ. May it be said of us, as of those heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11, that we “finished well,” as endurance runners and not as sprinters who break out of the gates to the sounds of a cheering crowd, only to drop out when we become tired or exhausted or tempted.

Only God can carry us safely to that eternal Finish Line, but like the saints of old, we must commit to finish the race at any cost.

Enchanting Read!

2011-08-16T13:53:00.000-07:00

Seriously, enchanting isn't a word I use often or lightly, but it fits A Prisoner of Versailles by Golden Keyes Parsons. You really do NOT want to miss this book, as it has romance, adventure, and historical value. I encourage you to order a copy--in fact, check out Golden's website and get in on the entire series, as well as her other books. Find her at www.goldenkeyesparsons.com

Have You Set Your Love on God?

2011-08-08T16:23:00.001-07:00

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;…

With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation” (Psalm 91:14, 16).

Just hours before my mom passed into the presence of her Savior, I read Psalm 91 to her. That has long been one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, but it seemed fresh to me as I read it aloud that morning and pondered what it meant to set our love upon Christ. I believe it’s important to consider that statement, as the following promises within that chapter are dependent upon our fulfilling that particular condition.

To say we love the Lord is no light statement. When we love others, we usually want to spend time with them. We honor them with our words and our actions. We tell other people about them. We consider their desires and feelings when making choices in our own lives.

I’ve been contemplating those aspects of love quite a bit since that day at my mother’s bedside. Nothing brings our focus to the eternal more than someone’s passing from this earth, does it? And well it should. For one day we will each walk through that “valley of the shadow of death.” Will we confidently be able to say at that moment that we have set our love upon Him? Today is the day to make that choice. Loving Him will enable us to love others as ourselves—and that, as Jesus reminded us, is the fulfillment of all the Law and the Prophets.

When a Loved One "Graduates" to Heaven

2011-08-04T07:24:00.001-07:00

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren,

concerning those who have fallen asleep,

lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,

even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, NKJV).

On Wednesday, August 3, just a few minutes past noon, my husband and I sat at my 90-year-old mother’s bedside and watched her slip into eternity. What mixed emotions accompanied her “graduation to heaven,” though we’d long anticipated it. We knew we were saying goodbye to her earthly body, but “until we meet again” to her spirit. It would be foolish to think that just because we know where she is and that we will see her again that we don’t feel grief or sorrow, but that sorrow is not the same as what is felt by those whose loved ones die without knowing Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

I experienced much the same thing when my dad died almost 12 years ago, though the immediate joy was perhaps a bit more intense, as he didn’t receive Jesus as Savior until the last week of his life—something we’d prayed for over many years. Mom, on the other hand, came to know Christ in a personal way at the age of 50, and God graciously gave her 40 more years to enjoy relationship with Him here on earth.

Whether we are blessed to receive Christ as children and live our entire life with our hand tucked securely in His or we mercifully come to him on our death bed, those of us who bid farewell to born-again loved ones can rejoice even as we grieve. To witness the end of my mom’s earthly suffering was to rejoice that she had at last stepped into the presence of the One who held her in His nail-scarred hands throughout her earthly journey and even as she passed through the valley of the shadow of death. One day I too will graduate to heaven and will at last see my Savior face to face—as well as all those who have gone on before me.

Indeed, we do not sorrow as those who have no hope, for Christ alone is our Hope. Thank You, Jesus!

Growing Up In Our Faith...

2011-07-28T08:39:00.001-07:00

…speaking the truth in love, [we] may grow up in all things

into Him who is the head—Christ (Ephesians 4:15, NKJV)

Babies are adorable, and they can get away with childish behavior because…well, they’re babies and we don’t expect anything else from them. But when adults behave childishly (which usually translates into “selfishly”), it’s not so cute or adorable, is it?

The Scriptures tell us that the way to “grow up in all things” in Christ is to speak the truth in love. I struggle with the truth part because I don’t want to hurt people’s feelings. Some people I know ignore the love part and just blurt out truth, leaving a trail of wounded listeners behind them.

There is a reason for the two-part admonition to speak the truth in love. Love without truth isn’t really love at all. It allows people to remain in their sin, to wallow in destructive lifestyles, and to wreak havoc on others. Truth without love, however, can so damage the listeners that they never really recover but carry their wounds through the rest of their lives and often pass them on to those within their sphere of influence.

Speaking the truth in love has a specific purpose: to restore right relationship, first with God and second with others. That’s the ministry of reconciliation which Jesus began while He was on earth and which He has now given to us. We fulfill that ministry by knowing God’s truth (as revealed through His Son, through the Scriptures, and through His Holy Spirit living within us), and then speaking that truth to others with the intention of seeing them saved, healed, delivered, and fulfilling God’s purpose for their lives. If we are not delivering the truth with that pure intention, then we are not speaking it in love.

It all starts with our own “knowing” of the truth, meaning we have a personal relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit lives within us as a result of that relationship, and we cultivate/deepen that relationship by reading/studying/living the truth of the Holy Scriptures. The world is full of lost, broken, and hurting people who need “grown-up” Christians to speak the truth in love. Let’s commit to move beyond the cute baby stage of our faith and become effective truth-in-love speakers to those who so desperately need to hear it!

The Team that Jesus Built

2011-07-26T09:00:00.001-07:00

Jesus built strong teams. You can too!

In The Team That Jesus Built: How to Develop, Equip, and commission a Women's Ministry Team find Jesus' methods, answers, and more for team-building challenges most leaders encounter:

How do you motivate people to serve selflessly?

How do you equip people to be new leaders?

How do you "let go" as a leader?

Through personal observations, step-by-step instructions, and simple how-to applications of Jesus' leadership principles, The Team That Jesus Built equips laywomen--regardless of church locations, denomination, or size--to cultivate leadership skills and create teams for the glory of God. The author provides ministry leaders with tools, direction, guidance, and encouragement to build teams that equip leaders to build teams.

Whether you are starting a new ministry, remodeling or assuming a ministry from a previous leader, or just desiring to take your ministry team to a new level of commitment this book will help you wherever you are in your ministry leader journey.

Note from author:

The Team That Jesus Built is based on my personal experience building the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry at Saddleback Church, under the leadership of pastor Rick Warren. I share with the reader the disastrous consequences of trying to build a team myself, and the miraculous transformation of the team when I went to my knees asking Jesus to show me how He built teams. All the principles I discuss in the book are applicable to any ministry, not solely women's ministry. Every team leader's goal and legacy should be to build a team that will outshine and outlive them.

Endorsement from Laurie Beth Jones, author of Jesus CEO and The Four Elements of Success: "In The Team That Jesus Built, Janet Thompson shares from personal experience with team building Jesus-style. She is thorough in every area and phase of team development, providing useful tools for building, mentoring, coaching and assessing your team. No matter where you are in your team-building process, The Team That Jesus Built provides a proven model that will help you and your team efficiently and effectively serve the ministry."

About the author, Janet Thompson (http://www.womantowomanmentoring.com/):

Janet Thompson, founder and director of About His Work Ministries, is an author and speaker on topics relevant to today's Christian. Janet discovered her purpose when God called her to "Feed My sheep." Janet answered that call by developing, founding and leading for 12 years, the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry at Saddleback Church, where she and her husband, Dave, were members for 23 years, before moving to the mountains of Idaho. Janet continues to share the blessings of mentoring by training churches around the world.

http://www.amazon.com/Team-That-Jesus-Built-Commission/dp/1596693002/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1311696201&sr=1-6

Guest Post from Author Dianne E. Butts--on a very important topic

2011-07-22T11:46:00.000-07:00

Deliver Me: Hope, Help, & Healing through True Stories of Unplanned Pregnancy

By Dianne E. Butts

She stares at the test strip, palms clammy, breathing uneven. She's never felt more alone. Tears blur her vision. Panic edges in.

An unplanned pregnancy can leave emotional wounds that take years to heal. The options are many: abortion, adoption, keeping the child. The questions are even more: How? Why? Where can you go for help? What do you do?

Deliver Me: Hope, Help, & Healing through True Stories of Unplanned Pregnancy explores each of the choices and their after-effects, highlighting the most sensitive moments women and men in unplanned pregnancies face, and how it affects grandparents, friends, and other loved ones. You'll find:

· More than 50 intriguing true stories

· Facts and statistics about unplanned pregnancy

· Practical help

· Valuable resources

Whether you're a woman currently facing an unplanned pregnancy, a man whose partner is there, a friend or family member wanting to help, you'll find hope in the stories of others who walked this road and faced the same decisions.

Is your pregnancy experience in your past? Regardless of what its outcome was, you'll find kindness, compassion, and healing. You've dealt with the pain long enough. It's time to discover your healing.

A Message from the Author of Deliver Me

When I served on the board of directors of a small town pregnancy center, I witnessed both the agony of the women (and men, and families) involved in an unplanned pregnancy as well as the amazing stories of healing, redemption, and forgiveness.

Some of the people our pregnancy center encountered were devastated by the news of their own, or a child’s or girlfriend’s, pregnancy. Others were dealing with the agony of a past pregnancy, whether last year or ten, twenty, or thirty years ago.

I also witnessed many amazing stories of these same people finding hope because they were finding the help they needed in our pregnancy center. Needs were provided for. Resources were shared. Families were reconciled. Relationships were healed. And perhaps most importantly, people were finding forgiveness from God for past decisions and reconciliation with their Father in Heaven eawho loves them so incredibly and unconditionally.

These stories needed to be told. They needed to be shared. And so I set about asking women and men to share their stories. It took eight years, but Deliver Me is that collection of stories.

I live in the county in Colorado that has the largest birthrate to unwed mothers. Besides those currently in an unplanned pregnancy, according to current estimates if today’s trends continue, by the time they are 45 years old, 43% of women will have had at least one abortion.[1] That’s nearly half our population of women! And the numbers for men surely are comparable. Regardless of how vocal the prochoice crowd is, privately and silently many women (and men) grieve and agonize over an abortion in their past. Many who shared their stories for Deliver Me told me they thought this was the unforgivable sin, that God would never forgive them for what they had done. But they discovered they were wrong. God does and will forgive—even for this.

America needs to know. Women (and men) the world over need to know that God loves them, that He will forgive them, and that He is right there with them no matter what they have done or what they are facing right now. There are stories in Deliver Me that reveal how women and men have discovered this truth.

Besides the chapters that speak about women who considered abortion and women who experienced abortion, Deliver Me also has whole chapters devoted to stories of women who wanted to keep their child, who gave for adoption, whole families who were affected, an entire chapter of stories from men, and more. Women and men who work in pregnancy centers also share their stories about who they are and how they came to be involved in such work.

Besides the true stories, Deliver Me includes dozens of interesting statistics and valuable resources for practical help.

Deliver Me is available from your favorite bookstore. (Ask for ISBN: 978-0-9831649-0-6.) It is also available on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, other online retailers, and direct from the author at www.DeliverMeBook.com and www.SignedByTheAuthor.com. $14.99 (236 pages, released April 2011). Special discounts available for ministries; for more information contact Dianne at dbwrites@juno.com.

Author Dianne E. Butts has written for magazines for twenty years with over 275 articles in more than fifty publications including Focus on the Family magazine, the Salvation Army’s national magazine, and fiction in periodicals including Clubhouse. Her articles have appeared in Great Britain, Bulgaria, Poland, Canada, and Korea. She has contributed to seventeen books, and wrote her first book, Dear America: A Letter of Comfort and Hope to a Grieving Nation, after 9/11 (also available on Amazon.com and www.SignedByTheAuthor.com ). Dianne is also an aspiring screenwriter. When she’s not writing, she enjoys riding her motorcycle with her husband, Hal, and gardening with her cat, P.C. They live in Colorado. www.DianneEButts.com

[1] “Abortion Facts,” The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, accessed 10/6/10, http://www.abortionno.org/Resources/fastfacts.html.

Remember the Gift Giver

2011-07-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,

and comes down from the Father of lights,

with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17, NKJV).

Ever open a gift you weren’t exactly thrilled to receive? You smiled and thanked the giver, all the time wondering if you might find a discreet way to return or exchange it—or at the least not have to put it on display in your home. At other times, however, you received that gift that was not only good but perfect. What a joy! That happened to me in the last few days.

Though I have also received a couple of major honors for one of my books (which is always welcome!), the most perfect gift I received was hearing from a man who knows the parents of Li Ying, whose imprisonment in China for her faith inspired the writing of Red Ink. This man has offered to get a copy of the book to Li Ying’s parents, who will then be able to let Li Ying know about it, as well as the awards it has garnered.

From the beginning of this project I prayed that one day (before heaven) Li Ying would know that I have been so inspired by her faithfulness to Christ that I wrote a story based on her own. I knew there was no way in the natural for me to get word to her, but I knew God could if that was His desire and purpose. Apparently it was because word is now winging its way to a tiny, dark prison cell on the other side of the world. I pray it will bring light and joy and encouragement to a courageous soldier of Christ.

You all have received gifts like that too, haven’t you? You knew when they landed in your lap that they could have come from no one but the Father Himself. Perhaps today would be a good day to reflect on those “good” and “perfect” gifts and to offer fresh praise to the “good” and “perfect” Gift Giver who loves you so completely and unconditionally that He would make a point to remind you of that love through a very special offering. I am still rejoicing over my most recent gift. May I never lose sight of or cease to appreciate the One who sent it!

Riveting Read

2011-07-19T17:51:00.001-07:00

A female demolitions who unwittingly holds a lethal secret. . .

A former Green Beret grappling with terrifying memories of a mission gone bad. . .

And the jungle that threatens to swallow them whole.

In Venezuela, Danielle Roark and her Army Corps of Engineers team is captured. After six months of captivity, Dani escapes, only to end up charged with espionage and forced to return to the jungle to prove that a nuclear facility exists. On the mission, she is abandoned by God and country. Will she live long enough to make those responsible pay? Haunted by memories of a mission gone bad, former Green Beret Canyon Metcalfe wrestles with his developing feelings for the feisty senator’s daughter. Setting aside his misgivings, he and Nightshade take the mission to help Dani unravel her lethal secrets. Separated from the team leaves Dani and Canyon vulnerable—and captured. After he is rescued, Canyon discovers Dani has been left behind. Livid, he sacrifices everything—including his role with Nightshade—to find Dani. Can Dani and Canyon fight the nightmare armed with only forgiveness and raw courage? Or will they lose their lives, minds, and each other?

Endorsements

The author’s military background shines through in vivid detail…Kendig pulls out all the stops with page-turning action, adventure and danger. Book three in the Discarded Heroes series can pretty much stand alone. ~~Romantic Times (Chandra McNeil)

Ronie Kendig serves up a mix of machinegun-fast action, touching romance, and more twists than a coil of a detonator wire. Get a good grip on the edge of your seat before you start reading! ~Rick Acker, author of When the Devil Whistles and Dead Man’s Rule

Non-stop, fast-paced, machine gun type action that will leave you exhausted--and yearning for more. Don't even try to put the book down because you'll find yourself drawn right back, unable to do or think about anything else until you reach the end. Kendig has created realistic, imperfect characters to cheer for and cry with as they struggle to find God and do the right thing. A definite keeper for your read-again shelf." ~Lynette Eason - best-selling author of Too Close to Home and Don't Look Back

WHAT REVIEWERS ARE SAYING:

In a book loaded with action, great characters, and high emotion, there are some beautiful reminders of God. From His plans for an individual’s life to His amazing forgiveness, there are several gentle reminders of God’s presence in the midst of the storm.

This series has excelled in reminding the reader of many fundamental spiritual truths while providing hours of fast-paced entertainment. Most of all it has highlighted the soldiers who have left the battlefield, but are still haunted by the war. For those that can handle emotion, passion, and raw intensity, this is a fantastic series and one I highly recommend. ~~Melissa Willis The Christian Manifesto

***********

This is the most amazing book I have read in a long time. It has a high intensity, quick moving plot that doesn’t sacrifice depth of character. Descriptive settings cause the reader to feel like they are living the adventure alongside the characters. The characters, though unique, feel true to life and experience struggles and sins that aren’t solved in the blink of an eye.

Just when you think she’s packed everything into the plot, Ronie Kendig adds another layer. This book is worthy of 5+ stars. It has just the right balance of adventure, suspense, and romance.

If you only read one book this year, this is the one I recommend. ~~Kristen Lowery Read Great Fiction

********

Every second of this book took me on a journey. From the rain-soaked jungles to the courtroom to crazy dangerous secret missions to almost as dangerous family get togethers, each step of Dani and Canyon''s is a challenge that you get to experience with them. The best thing about Wolfsbane are these "real" characters who make real-life mistakes. Sure, most of us aren''t a part of a covert ops team but we are exposed to some of the same difficult choices and crossroads on our faith walks that Dani and Canyon faced.

Wolfsbane is by far my favorite of the series. I stand in awe of these incredible books and the uber-talented Ronie Kendig. If there are only a few books that you add to your "to-read" list this year make sure one of them is Wolfsbane! You won''t regret it. Trust me. ~~Renee Chaw Black 'n Gold Girl's Book Spot

About the Author:

Ronie Kendig grew up an Army brat and married a veteran. Together, she and her husband have four children and three dogs. She has a BS in Psychology, speaks to various groups, volunteers with the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), and mentors new writers. Rapid-Fire Fiction, her brand, is exemplified through her novels Dead Reckoning, a spy thriller, and the military thriller series, The Discarded Heroes, which includes Nightshade (Retailer’s Choice Award Finalist), Digitalis, Wolfsbane, and Firethorn (January 2012). Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com or www.discardedheroes.com

Why Attend ICRS?

2011-07-18T05:42:00.000-07:00

Comments from Steve Laube regarding ICRS

Last week was the 2011 International Christian Retailing Show (ICRS) in Atlanta, Georgia. Tamela Hancock Murray and I had a busy time. Statistics released declared that professional attendance was up 9.7% to 1,748, primarily representing buyers. Total attendance was up 5.83% to 4,918. International attendance was up 16.17% to 431 attendees from 61 countries.

The busiest place on the convention floor was the International Marketplace where licensing into other languages created a constant buzz.

Tamela attended the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association banquet on Sunday (where her client Kathi Macias won Novel of the Year) and the Christy Award banquet on Monday. We both attended the Baker Publishing Group banquet Sunday night and I attended the Crossway Books banquet on Monday. (Whew. Banquets galore!)

We had over 35 appointments with different publishers and editors spanning the breadth of the industry. It is always invigorating to exchange idea and take a pulse on the health of the marketplace. But if you add in the aisle and hallway conversations it was closer to 50 significant opportunities.

On Wednesday I participated in a panel discussion on Christian Fiction called “How to Grow Sales by Better Understanding the Fiction Publishing Process.” Other panel members included Allen Arnold (Thomas Nelson Senior Vice President and Publisher, Fiction), Sue Brower (Zondervan Executive Editor, Fiction), Margaret Daley(award-winning author and American Christian Fiction Writers President – and one of my clients), Jeane Wynn(Wynn-Wynn Media), Carla Williams (Publicity and Editorial Director at WinePress Publishing) and Rachel McRae (Book Buyer, LifeWay Christian Stores). It was a fun hour of conversation with about 40 people in attendance. I marveled at the turnout considering it was the last panel discussion of the convention on the last day when the majority of attendees had already left.

What did I think? I think ICRS is the key event of the year, especially for the editorial side of things. Writers conferences are a tough place to do “business” because the intent of the gathering is different. Here there were top executives attending meetings as well as their acquisition editors. Many publishers utilized group meetings so there was a lot of opportunity for brainstorming and dialogue. The only way to replace that would be to make a personal visit to each publishing house.

Is the industry healthy? If you mean Christian Retail, then I would answer that it has a solid pulse. The winnowing has slowed and the strongest are surviving. It is still tough to make it in any sort of retail environment. If you meant is publishing healthy, I would answer most certainly, yes! The Internet is glutted with pundits declaring that book publishing is on life support and that e-books are sucking the lifeblood of the industry. That is hardly the case. Granted, there is considerable upheaval in business models but like any mature industry they are being intentional and strategic in their implementation of new technologies and initiatives. They cannot move as fast as some, which creates opportunities for entrepreneurs. But in general I sensed an optimism that was missing the last two years. Previously there was a sense of fear, but that is gone. We now work with the survivors….so to speak.

This was my thirtieth consecutive ICRS (formerly CBA) convention. Thirty years, every Summer. It only means one thing. I’m getting old!

But it also means I’ve had the privilege of watching this industry grow up, mature, and change. The convention is still the only time in the year where the entire industry gathers in one place. There is nothing else like it.

When Someone You Love No Longer Remembers

2011-07-17T11:46:00.000-07:00

A Message from the Author of When Someone You Love No Longer Remembers

Two memories stirred in me when Harvest House Publishers asked me to write a gift book for those who love individuals with dementia.

The first happened when I was Ben Cartledge's pastor. He said, "We think my dad has Alzheimer's Disease."

I expressed my sympathy because I had read a little about the disease. But I didn’t think much about it and I hardly knew the man.

Months later, I went with Ben to visit his father. We went outside where we could walk around the yard. His father picked a dandelion. He smiled at the flower and touched it.

Before we realized what he was doing, Mr. Cartledge ate the yellow leaves, smiled, and before we could do anything, he stuck the rest of the weed, stem and all, into his mouth. I might have laughed, but I saw the pain on Ben's face.

For a long time, that was my picture of dementia.

The second story concerns my mother. I visited my hometown. I hadn't seen her in more than a year. Although I had spoken to her regularly on the phone, I had detected nothing.

Once I saw her, the almost-blank expression on her face shocked me. Her conversation didn't always make sense. One time she seemed to be aware and said, "My inner ear that makes me this way." She turned, walked into the kitchen, and stuck her finger in the butter and licked it.

Then I knew.

I haven't lived with a person with dementia but I've known and loved too many individuals with AD. It's a painful situation for those who become the caregivers.

The sick may not feel any pain, but the caregivers are never without the inner hurt.

___________________________________________________________________________________

With a caring spirit, Cecil Murphey provides comfort, advice, and prayers for those who journey alongside a loved one whose memory is fading. Tranquil paintings of popular artist Michal Sparks provide a sanctuary for caregivers, friends, and family members as they draw strength from firsthand stories of those who have walked a similar path. Murphey offers simple, invaluable guidance on how to:

· take care of themselves and seek assistance

· shape new ways to communicate with their loved one

· help others connect with the person

· introduce activities and exercise to enhance health and mobility

For those walking a sometimes lonely journey, this gift offers a gentle voice of support and is a hopeful reminder of the moments of peace that they and their loved one can still experience together.

Harvest House Publishers ~ ISBN: 978-0736938716 ~ Price: $10.99

Veteran author Cecil (Cec) Murphey has written or co-written more than 120 books, including the New York Times’ bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven (with Don Piper) and Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story (with Dr. Ben Carson). Two of his more recent titles are Knowing God, Knowing Myself and When a Man You Love Was Abused. His books have sold in the millions and have given hope and encouragement to countless readers around the world. For more information about Cecil Murphey, visit www.cecilmurphey.com, or contact Twila Belk at twilabelk@mchsi.com.

God's Kind Intentions Toward Us

2011-07-14T08:08:00.000-07:00

…according to the kind intention of His will (Ephesians 1:5).

Have you ever questioned God’s will or purpose for your life? Oh, come on, let’s be honest here. Who hasn’t? We all have those self-centered, poor-me moments when we really think we deserve something better, and I’m certainly no exception. This past week I received a couple of major honors for one of my books, so it was easy to praise God and extol His great plans and intentions for my life. But what about when we’re passed over for that award, or our children walk away from God, or relationships crumble and finances collapse?

The Scriptures assure us that God’s intentions toward us are “kind” and that His plans and purposes are for our good (see Jeremiah 29:11). We know God’s Word is true despite the circumstances that swirl around us, but why do we find it so difficult to stay focused on that great truth?

I for one equate myself to Peter, who knew at one moment that he could walk on water to go to Jesus and the next moment took His eyes off the Savior and became overwhelmed by the wind and waves, immediately going down for the count. Been there, done that! Thank God for Jesus who reaches down and pulls us back up, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could remember to keep our eyes and focus where they belong in the first place!

That’s my prayer today, dear friends, and I hope you will join me. Let’s make a pact to believe what we say we believe—that God’s plans are for our good and His intentions toward us are kind. It will change our countenance, our actions…and the way others view us and respond to the call of the Savior. What a good and kind God we serve!

Not Guilty? Are You Sure?

2011-07-07T06:36:00.000-07:00

“Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God”

(Matthew 19:17, NKJV).

I’m ashamed to admit that when the verdict was rendered in the Casey Anthony trial, my first reaction was the thought, She got away with murder! But then I heard that still, small voice inside me say, “So did you.”

How quickly we forget! Like Casey Anthony and everyone else who has ever walked this earth—with the single exception of the Son of God Himself—I was lost in sin and headed for hell, guilty on all counts, living on Death Row without even realizing it. And then, on July 5, 1974 (exactly 37 years to the day prior to the announcement of Casey Anthony’s “not guilty” verdict), I was “ambushed by Jesus of Nazareth” and declared “not guilty.” God, in His sovereignty and by His mercy and grace, plucked me off of Death Row and translated me from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of His dear Son. What a miracle! And yet, 37 years later, how readily I respond to what appears a travesty of justice with words of condemnation.

Forgive me, Lord! It is not that God at that moment dealt with my heart to believe Casey Anthony was indeed innocent of the crime of killing her precious daughter, but instead that He reminded me of the old saying, “There but for the grace of God go I.” God was not caught off-guard by this unexpected verdict, and He declares in His Word that He is “not mocked.” Our sins will certainly “find us out”—not just Casey Anthony’s but ours too, unless they are forgiven and “under the blood” of the Savior who already went to Death Row and beyond for us.

Did Casey Anthony get away with murder? I don’t know…but God does. And He loves her so much that He sent His only Son to die for her so that she could have the opportunity to turn to Him for forgiveness. May we pray that she does, for as we are reminded in the Scriptures, it is only by His mercies that we all are not consumed and rightfully cast into hell.

What a mighty and merciful God we serve! May we remember to walk humbly before Him, remembering that we are only declared “not guilty” because of the sacrifice of the only truly “not guilty” One Himself.

Celebrating Fourth of July with Faith Deployed...Again

2011-07-01T06:55:00.000-07:00

Jocelyn Green writes to, for, and about military families, so I thought it would be appropriate to highlight an excerpt from her latest release, Faith Deployed...Again, as we head into this Fourth of July weekend. Thank you, Jocelyn, for your support of our brave men and women in the military, as well as their families! And for anyone who might want a copy, there's ordering info below PLUS you can leave a comment (and become a follower if you aren't already) with CLEAR contact info (email is fine) for a chance to win a free copy. Blessings!

By Jocelyn Green

Happy Independence Day! As we celebrate our nation’s birthday and all that America means to us, let’s also remember our military families who sacrifice daily to keep our country the “land of the free.” The “homes of the brave” need encouragement now more than ever, as we are approaching a decade of deployments since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, almost ten years ago. As a former military wife myself, I understand the strain on military families, and I know that the best source of encouragement comes from applying the Word of God to our lives. The Bible is relevant, no matter the situation. Illustrating this truth has been the driving passion behind both of my devotional books for military wives, the second of which just released: Faith Deployed . . . Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives (Moody Publishers). While my husband is no longer active-duty, my heart remains with the heroes at home.

The following is an excerpt from Faith Deployed…Again:

Vision Check

By Jocelyn Green

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8

When Rob and I married, we chose the hymn “Be Thou My Vision” to be played while we lit our unity candle. I had always loved the lyrics, but I had no idea how perfect they would prove to be not just for a single moment during a wedding ceremony, but for the day-to-day military lifestyle I was entering into.

So much of how we think, feel and live depends upon our vision—what we choose to see in any given situation. In fact, I believe that the difference between being simply concerned or being consumed by worry rides on where we to focus our sight.

In her book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, Joanna Weaver says, “Pastor and teacher Gary E. Gilley sums up the difference like this: ‘Worry is allowing problems and distress to come between us and the heart of God. It is the view that God has somehow lost control of the situation and we cannot trust Him. A legitimate concern presses us closer to the heart of God and causes us to lean and trust on Him all the more.’ Concern draws us to God. Worry pulls us from Him.”

Military wives (indeed, everyone on the planet!) will always have something to be concerned about. There are issues which simply cannot be ignored. But if we have done everything we can to help solve the problem and still find ourselves obsessing over it, we’ve crossed that line from concern to worry and find ourselves in dangerous territory.

The key to banishing worry from your heart is surprisingly simple. I look at it this way: your heart (and mine) has a limited capacity. The best way to get rid of the negative thoughts is to crowd them out with something else bigger and more beautiful: worship of the One who holds everything in His powerful and capable hands. In other words, stop focusing on the root of your worries and shift your gaze to the Lord. It won’t make the troubles disappear, but it sure will help you to stop staring at them all day long!

King David was a master at this. Psalm 10 begins with “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” But by the time he gets to the end of the chapter, he changes his tune to: “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more” (verses 17-18). Did you see that? He turned his worry into worship.

The next time your heart is troubled, check your vision. Focus on God and on His unchanging character. Trust in who He is and the promises He provides in Scripture, rather than what is going on around you.

Ask

What am I most worried about today?
What can I praise God for instead?

Pray

Lord, please forgive my tendency to worry about things I can’t control. Help me draw closer to You and replace my anxiety by meditating on Your Word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

For more information about Faith Deployed…Again, visit: http://www.faithdeployed.com/coming-soon/

Jocelyn Green is an award-winning author, freelance writer and editor. A former military wife, she authored, along with contributing writers, Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives (Moody 2008) and Faith Deployed . . . Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives (Moody 2011). Jocelyn is also co-author for Battlefields & Blessings: Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq & Afghanistan (AMG Publishers 2009), which won the Gold Medal from Military Writers Society of America in 2010. She is the editor of www.WivesinBloom.com, the online magazine of Christian Military Wives, and maintains her own award-winning Web site for military wives at www.faithdeployed.com. She holds a B.A. in English from Taylor University, and is an active member of the Evangelical Press Association, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and the Christian Authors Network. She and her husband have two children and reside in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Fiery trials? Time to rejoice!

2011-06-30T07:49:00.001-07:00

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,

as though some strange thing happened to you (1 Peter 4:12, NKJV).

In the past few weeks I’ve heard from people who are at the end of their rope, beaten down with trials and suffering that seem to have no end. They feel they cannot endure another minute and even find themselves questioning God and His faithfulness.

In the above verse, Peter was trying to help us see that as believers, trials are not the exception but rather the norm. We belong to Christ, who was beaten, tortured, and killed; should we truly expect any less?

But we do, don’t we? Particularly if we live in a country or culture or time when Christians aren’t openly persecuted. But that doesn’t mean we won’t be tried in other ways, indeed to the point of exhaustion, where we question if we can go on another day—another minute.

Christians throughout the centuries and even today in many countries understand these fiery trials only too well. One Chinese Christian, who had suffered beyond human endurance and therefore had learned to depend on God when all else was lost, said this:

“Where there is no cross, there is no crown. This lesson cannot be learned from books, and men do not usually taste this sweetness. This rich life does not exist in a comfortable environment. If the spices are not refined to become oil, the fragrance of the perfume cannot flow forth; if the grapes are not crushed in the vat, they will not become wine.”

Feeling crushed lately? You are not alone. Not only do other Christians truly “feel your pain” because they too are in the refining process, but Jesus Christ Himself endured the crushing so the fragrance of new life could burst forth in us.

Take courage in the verse that follows the one above: “rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy” (1 Peter 4:13, NKJV). God is faithful. Your sufferings are not in vain. Your tears do not fall unnoticed. He will bring you to the place of exceeding joy.

A challenge from my friend and co-author John Meacham

2011-06-28T13:28:00.000-07:00

Divine Revelation: A Call from Christ to Join the Armies of Heaven

Since these early days of Peter and Paul, the church has been directed by its anticipation of Jesus’ second coming and maintained by its preparation of His followers to meet Jesus face-to-face in heaven. In light of these church traditions, I ask every Peter and every Paul who call themselves true prophets of Christ: Is your congregation ready for Jesus’ second coming?

And to every Mary Magdalene and every John who call themselves Christians, I ask: Are you ready to meet Jesus face-to-face in Heaven?

Excerpted from page 113

Wow! Divine Revelation: A Call from Christ to Join the Armies of Heaven is an eye opening journey. It speaks to the ordinary person and shows that God loves everyone, even ME! This book really called me to a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. Ruth Baker, Church Member

In John’s new book, Divine Revelation: A Call from Christ to Join the Armies of Heaven, I felt called to take a fresh look at my life and how Jesus must be our focus. Everyone who reads this book should prepare to be challenged and maybe even discover their own Dazzling Light. Ray LaCroix, Worship Leader

Divine Revelation: A Call from Christ to Join the Armies of Heaven puts into writing how true my comparison of John is to the Apostle Paul. A man of God, who is totally on fire for Jesus Christ! And after reading this book, I am inspired to work harder as a true disciple-witness for Jesus Christ. Elaine Pocalyko, Elder

Order you copy now from Tate Publishing: www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61346-086-3

The Importance of Finishing Well...

2011-06-23T07:19:00.000-07:00

…but now you also must complete the doing of it;

that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have (2 Corinthians 8:11, NKJV).

I lost two friends this week.

Actually, that’s not true. They’re not lost at all. In fact, they have simply gone on to heaven ahead of me. One was swimming in a pool at a hotel in Kauai, where he was vacationing with his beloved wife; the other lost her battle with cancer, as her husband and grown children watched and prayed at her bedside. Both were valiant warriors and committed servants of Christ; both are now rejoicing in their Savior’s presence.

Their passing into eternity brought the above scripture to the forefront of my thoughts. Jim and Jacque didn’t just “start well” or have an occasional victorious day as believers. These two godly people remained faithful from the beginning of their walk with the Lord—and they finished well, completing what they started in a way that honored the One they claimed to follow.

The Apostle Paul did the same. As he approached the end of his life, he confidently declared, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7, NKJV). And he certainly didn’t do so because he had an easy life! As trials, tests, and tribulations—some of which seem to have no end in sight—continue to assault us in an attempt to derail us and cause us to question God’s faithfulness, may we stay focused on finishing well so that when we too have “graduated” to heaven, others will say of us that we “fought the good fight…finished the race…kept the faith.”

June is "Bride Month"--Check it out!

2011-06-20T14:13:00.000-07:00

Mona Hodgson has gracious given us an interview with Ida Sinclair, the main character in Too Rich for a Bride. Settle in for a minute and get to know Ida, won't you? I promise, you'll be glad you did!

Ida Sinclair: The Star of Too Rich for a Bride

By Mona Hodgson

(www.monahodgson.com)

Who are you?

I am the big sister, the oldest daughter, the responsible one. I’m the one who makes things happen for other people. Isn’t this what the first-born does?

What do you want?

I want to make things happen for myself. I want to be a successful businesswoman, respected for my abilities and my hard work.

You expect to do that in a mining town out West?

You think it’s wrong for me to seek success in the world of business, to earn my own money?

No, but it’s certainly not going to be easy. I only wanted to clarify your intentions for your fans.

My fans?

Yes, the Sinclair sisters—each of you--have a following of readers who care about you and your journey. What has your life been like since your mother died?

The moon was high when I heard my father crying. I rushed into the hallway outside my parents’ bed chamber. Dr. Haufbauer stood there rocking back and forth, shaking his head and puffing his pipe. Ever since then, I’ve felt responsible for my father’s well-being and my sisters’ care. Now it’s time for me to follow my dream.

Have you left any room for romance in your plans? Do you believe in love?

Although I would like to eventually find love and wed, I’m not searching for a man. Right now romance would be a distraction I can’t afford. If I ever do decide to pursue love and marriage, it’ll be after I’ve found success in business.

What about your father’s wishes that you and your sisters find a man in Cripple Creek, Colorado who can provide for you?

Father isn’t in Cripple Creek. He’s busy working in Paris. Besides, I’m not one of the daughters he was worried about. He knows I can take care of myself. Soon, I’ll prove it to him.

What has your life been like since your father moved to Paris?

Focused and lonely. I take my business courses in the mornings and work in the school’s office in the afternoons. Aunt Alma’s house is comfortable, but cluttered. Vivian has a beau, but you don’t want to get me started on him. Anyway, between Vivian’s schooling and her fascination with Gregory, she’s too busy for much more than a Sunday checkers game with her big sister.

What one word would you use to describe the following people?

Kat – wordsmith

Nell – homemaker

Vivian – Vivacious

Father – Steady

Aunt Alma - Entertaining

What word would you use to describe yourself?

Resourceful.

What word would your sisters use to describe you?

Dependable.

What word would your father use to describe you?

Capable.

How would you describe your relationship with God?

It’s more a battle for control, than a relationship.

Ida, now that you’ve been in Cripple Creek for a while, has your perspective changed any? One, you should know, you wrote the book. Two, my story says it all, and I don’t want to spoil the read for the Sinclair sister fans.

Wasn't that fun? Find out more about the brides in Mona's new series at her website: www.monahodgson.com