Steadfast Soldier by Cheryl Wyatt

Please welcome my friend and fellow author extraordinaire, Cheryl Wyatt!

Book Blurb:

Rescuing people is his job…

But the one person pararescue jumper Chance Garrison can't seem to help is his own ailing father, who refuses his much-needed physical rehabilitation. That is, until Chance hires unconventional occupational therapist Chloe Callet. To his surprise, Chloe and her sweet black Lab, Midnight, work wonders. And not only on the elder Garrison. Chance just may have met the woman who can get through his own toughened exterior. Can he persuade the lovely Chloe to take a chance—on him?

Excerpt available here.

Author Bio:

Born Valentines Day on a naval base, Cheryl Wyatt writes military romance. Her Steeple Hill debuts earned RT Top Picks plus #1 and #4 on eHarlequin's Top 10 Most-Blogged-About-Books, lists including NYT Bestsellers. Her books have won a Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for the Best Series Love Inspired in 2009 and garnered a Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence final. Visit Cheryl's web site at: www.CherylWyatt.com.

Shades of Morning by Marlo Schalesky

Please welcome my friend and mother of five, Marlo Schalesky.

SHADES OF MORNING from Waterbrook-Multnomah is Marlo’s third “Love Story with a Twist” (think a Nicolas Sparks type love story with an M. Night Shyamalan type twist!)

A BIT ABOUT THE BOOK: Marnie Wittier has life just where she wants it. Quiet. Peaceful. No drama. A long way away from her past. In the privacy of her home, she fills a box with slips of paper, scribbled with her regrets, sins, and sorrows. But that’s nobody else’s business.

Her bookstore/coffee shop patrons, her employees, her friends from church - they all think she’s the very model of compassion and kindness. Then Marnie’s past creeps into her present when her estranged sister dies and makes Marnie guardian of her fifteen-year-old son—a boy Marnie never knew existed. And when Emmit arrives, she discovers he has Down syndrome - and that she’s woefully unprepared to care for him. What’s worse, she has to deal with her sister’s attorney, a man Marnie once loved—and abandoned.

As Emmit—and Taylor—work their way into her heart, Marnie begins to heal. But when pieces of her dismal past surface again, she must at last face the scripts of paper in her box, all the regrets and sorrows. Can she do it? Or will she run again?

FROM ROMANTIC TIMES: Top Pick! 4 ½ Stars! “Schalesky has a knack for weaving a surprising spiritual twist into her tales. The touching plot will make readers examine how they deal with past regrets, and how God moves them through it. A not-to-be-missed, stunning novel!”

A BIT ABOUT MARLO: Marlo Schalesky is the award winning author of numerous books, including her latest novel Shades of Morning, with a surprise ending twist. Marlo’s other books include the Christy Award winning Beyond the Night, and its sequel Tomorrow Never Comes. Marlo is also the author of nearly 700 articles, the mother of 5 young children, and holds her Masters in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary.

When she’s not changing diapers, doing laundry, or writing books, Marlo loves sipping Starbucks white mochas, reading the New Testament and talking about finding the deep places of God in everyday life.

FIND OUT MORE:
www.marloschalesky.com/fiction
www.facebook.com/MarloSchalesky

Summer Break! See you in September

Over the past week, I began to feel a stirring in my spirit to "hush up."

Since '02, I've been a blogger, beginning with Diaryland. Blast from the past, no? Then I moved to a Blogger driven web site and dutifully blogged.

I was on MySpace in '05, and was one of the first authors to consider cyber sites to promote books and gain readers.

Joined Facebook the moment I heard it opened to non students. Seeing the importance of social media, I've tried to balance my life with cyber social life, but lately, I've felt myself begin to "shout."

My perspective was becoming skewed, my identity becoming about building a vocal, but unseen audience.

The Lord's just confirmed to me it's time to take a cyber break. Even as I write, I feel excited in my spirit!

I love y'all! I've made some amazing friends on Twitter and Facebook and I'm going to miss everyone, but the days will fly by!

We don't have Dish or cable so hubby and I are talking about reading books together and discussing them. I'm reading one now on praying in tongues and it's stirring me to go deeper in God, to become the woman He's called me to be! We forget how FOR us He is!

I'm a part of a writer's group that posts book releases for each other, so I'll continue to post those, but otherwise, I'll see you in September!

Have an amazing, God kissed summer!!

It's All Ministry

Great words from my hubby, Mr. Fabulous:

Friday is the last day of school, and I made it. I survived a year of teaching high school math. It’s also time to decide whether or not I’m going to teach another year. It’s definitely a challenge balancing my pastoral responsibilities with teaching, and I really enjoy aspects of both, but it may surprise you how Rachel and I are approaching the decision.

First, it’s not just a financial decision, though that’s certainly a factor, and the primary one that initially sent me looking for a second job. And I haven’t assumed that my “calling” as a pastor takes priority over my “job” as a teacher.

In fact, it would be fine with me if God said to quit being a pastor and teach full time. (Don’t worry, I don’t think that’s what He’s saying – I’m just making a point.)

My point is that if it’s from God, every job is a calling, and none is more spiritual than another. I’m not just spiritualizing here; we need to learn to think biblically about this.

“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Col 3:23-24)

Whatever your job, you work for God, and you’re called to bring the influence of His kingdom there.

And that simplifies the decision process. I just need to know I’m where God wants me for as long as He wants me there. The rest is just details and those always seem to work out when I get the main focus right.

Becoming a Writer

I've always wanted to be a writer. In first grade, I had a red diary with a lock. I actually wrote in it.

Think... what makes a six year old want to write down her daily activity and thoughts. It's a bit funny to me some forty years later, but it was the beginning of my destiny. A revelation of what was just "in" me.

For a long time I remembered the diary as a gift, but now that I think about it, I believe I purchased it on my own.

Don't panic if your story is not like mine. I know plenty of authors who didn't start writing until they were older. Several had reading disorders growing up, but overcame as they matured. Some still deal with dyslexia but have become successful novelist.

How you came to write a novel is your own complete journey. But now that you're here... what do you want to write? How do you know what to write about?

We've heard the saying over and over, "Write what you know." If that were the case, I'd be done after book one, my knowledge exhausted.

When I read "Write who you are," then I understood my stories are an extension of my heart, passions and life experiences. What I don't know, I can learn. AngelaHunt was never an embalmer's apprentice, but she wrote the Fairlawn series about one, about a woman who ran a funeral home. Research gave her the knowledge she needed.

Angie wrote a story that interested her and she was able to parlay that into a story that interested readers. She wrote about a character who embodied pieces of her passions.

I've never been a country songwriter, but I wrote a book about one. I'm a horrible songwriter. Everything rhymes with King, Thing and Ring. Or Love, Dove and Above. But after a lot of research, I learned how to become a Nashville songwriter.

Book after book, I ask myself, "What do I want to write?" I counsel with the Lord, my husband, editor and agent. And of course the spunky Susan May Warren.

Then I look at myself. What do I like. Who am I? What kind of movies, books, people am I drawn to the most?

I love romantic comedies. I love romance and family saga stories. I'm drawn to people who have a positive passion about life. I love justice and truth. When I speak with other people, I want to encourage them in God, encourage them to find the hope of His calling on their lives, to walk in their destiny. I love animals. I love cowboys and athletes. I love my country. I grew up with three brothers and a sister.

I've lived in the south most of my life, but I've also lived in the Midwest. I've traveled nationally and internationally.

I love happily ever after.

So my stories have to be a composite of two or more of those elements. Romance, community, humor, strong characters, and a unique spiritual angle showing how the weak human heart can encounter the omniscient God.

What about you? What do you want to write? Or read? Make a list of what you like. Wrote down who you are. If you're not sure, ask those who know you best.

Then start developing your story and characters. Let the writing begin.

How much stuff is enough?

Listened to a really great message online today from New Life Church in Colorado Springs.

The pastor asked, "How much stuff is enough?" He challenged his congregation to really look at their lives and figure out how to live "below their means" and to give away what they don't need or use.

"If you haven't used it in a year, you don't need it."

It's not easy to give away stuff. More for some than others. I have a friend and her love language from her husband is not giving her a gift but telling her he tossed something out!

But really, how much do we need? And if we need something materialistic, think we absolutely can't live without it, are we filling a need that God alone wants to meet?

"Godliness with contentment is great gain," Paul wrote to Timothy in 1st Timothy 6:6.

If we are content with God, we have GREAT gain. I'm for that. How about you?
Maybe you are satisfied with your lifestyle and you don't need any material thing, but your "stuff" is more emotional and soulish.

Do you need people to approve of you? Affirm you all the time? Do you have to be the center of attention? Emotional affection is part of needing "stuff." Even our heart needs we submit to Godliness.

I'm not very materialistic. My 9-year-old car and my husband's 10 year-old-truck is fine with me. We are happy and content with our house. I'm even at deep peace with being childless.

But lately, I've been restless in other areas of my life. Saturday night hubby and I sat out on the front swing, talking and praying, and God tapped my heart. "You're not content."

What I felt Him whisper to me is that I have to be content with all aspects of my life: things, money, relationships, career, spiritual and emotional life.

All of those things are His provision. I'm 95% content with my life. I have the best husband. A fabulous church. My dream career. But honestly, some things have not materialized like I thought. I'm disappointed thus discontent at my progress.

As I listened to this message today, I understood all aspects of my life and career are from God. What I have. AND what I don't have. Okay, I can roll with that truth. I can lean back and trust God to comfort me.

Godliness with contentment is great gain.

Almost Forever by Deborah Raney

Almost Forever
by Deborah Raney
Howard/Simon and Schuster

Please welcome my good friend, the lovely and gracious, Deborah Raney and her new release.

Unearthing a lost memory may cause her to lose everything she holds dear. But could it also set her free? Volunteer Bryn Hennesey was there at the Grove Street Homeless Shelter the night five heroic firefighters died at the scene. Among them was her husband, Adam.

Now a terrifying absence of memory has her wondering if she might, in some way, be responsible. Garrett Edmonds' wife, Molly, was the only to perish in the blaze. He was supposed to protect the woman he loved.now she's the one who's died a hero. How can he go on in the face of such unbearable loss? And what started the fire that destroyed the dreams and futures of so many? Investigators are stumped. But someone knows the answer...

Deborah Raney books always captivate me! Almost Forever is a beautifully written and enthralling read. It made my heart sing, dance, cry, and turn more than a few flips! -- New York Times best-selling author Cindy Woodsmall

As a fan of the very talented Deborah Raney, I expected a great read and I got it in the richly emotional Almost Forever, a story of faith, forgiveness and redemption. It began with a gripping scene and proceeded to hold me enthralled to the end. Don't miss this one! -- Karen Young, author of Missing Max and Blood Bayou

DEBORAH RANEY is at work on her 20th novel. Her books have won the RITA Award, HOLT Medallion, National Readers' Choice Award, Silver Angel, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. Her first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title.

Almost Forever, first in her new Hanover Falls Novels series, will release in May from Howard/Simon and Schuster. Deb and her husband, Ken Raney, enjoy small-town life in Kansas empty nesters with four grown children and two precious grandsons, all of whom live much too far away.

Order her books here:

Learning from the Queen of Sheba

You know the classic, sarcastic saying, "I wasn't born yesterday." Most of us have said it at least once in our life.

But the truth is we live like we were born yesterday. I've been in conversations with twenty and thirty-somethings who espouse values and "wisdom" based on observations and lessons learned in their short life span.

Cold war? To a twenty-something? Never heard of it. Never lived with the idea of the USSR pushing the big button to blow us up.

Herb Meyer of American Thinker wrote this:

History had three turning point. During the Crusades, there was a battle between Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The Christians and Jews lost and experienced the Dark Ages when their societies did not thrive. Muslim society grew and thrived. Things were discovered there, and not in Europe. The key was learning how to reconcile their faith in the modern world.

A huge battle happened outside Vienna on SEPTEMBER 11, 1683 where Islam seemed poised to overrun Christian Europe. The Muslims lost, and then they stopped developing and adapting. The Jews and Christians went on from there and developed their civilizations and we had the Renaissance and a growing society. Since our 9/11 we are now in a new phases of an old war.

One of the greatest sorrows of the world is the inventions and creativity that was not allowed to occur in the Muslim world for centuries.Their society does not encourage creative, free thought and so…they were stuck in the past. The problem now is that we are playing defense in the world. And when you play defense you have to win 100% of the time. We can’t do that.

The good news is that the moderate people of every country are the majority. The bad news is that the minority is louder.

History didn't begin the day we were born. We may think the world began with our first newborn cry, but it didn't. We must learn from history. We must live free to discover the past to determine our future.

This weekend my pastor taught on prayer and used the Queen of Sheba as a reference point. As I looked into the scripture myself, I learned something from the past. In 1 Kings 10, the Queen travels to visit Israel's King Solomon, the wisest man in the world. She wanted to see with her own ears his wisdom, see his riches.

"So she came to Jerusalem with a very large retinue, with camels carrying spices and very much gold and precious stones. When she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was hidden from the king which he did not explain to her."

The Queen of Sheba came to Solomon with an open, teachable heart. She brought gifts and richest with her. She came to worship and to gaze on his beauty.

Like the queen, we are to come to Jesus with an open, teachable heart bringing all that we have in adoration and worship. To gaze upon His beauty and splendor.

If Solomon, being a mere man, revealed himself and his splendor to the queen, how will Jesus, being God and man, hold back from us, His Beloved? The ones He died for? He won't. He can't. He longs to reveal Himself to us.

'King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire which she requested, besides what he gave her according to his royal bounty. Then she turned and went to her own land together with her servants."

Solomon gave to the queen ALL HER DESIRE WHICH SHE REQUESTED besides WHAT HE GAVE HER ACCORDING TO HIS ROYAL BOUNTY! That's incredible. Solomon already had a royal bounty set up for her. I'm sure it was unimaginable knowing Solomon. But on top of that gift, he GAVE her all she requested of him.

Jesus has already given us an amazing gift: life abundantly, life forever more. But on top of that He gives us what we request. Like the queen with Solomon, we must first sit at His feet and learn, see His splendor and majesty and marvel at Him.

Can we be bold like the queen and go to our King and ask our heart's desire? Yes, we can and we should. But first we must be found in Him. We must learn to adore Him and worship, be taught and instructed by Him.

As we learn, we run. As we mature, we learn to ask. I'm not talking name-it-claim-it gospel. I'm not talking ungrounded faith. But as we move into Jesus, as we make Him our aim, our obsession, He reveals to us His heart.

In John 4, Jesus runs into the Samaritan woman at the well. First, He talks to a Samaritan. Second, He talks to a woman. He willingly broke societal traditions. Look what He does when she asks Him about the Messiah and worship.

"The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us. Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He."

Jesus clearly reveals Himself as the Messiah. Until now, when asked if He was "the One" He merely answered, "What do you think?"

Jesus longs to reveal Himself to true worshippers. Are you one? Can you learn from your past, from those who've gone before us?

In our natural history, we must learn about the past and mistakes to ensure our future. Our spiritual history is the same. What and who has gone before you? What image of God and Christ do they mold on your heart?

If you don't have Christian family members, can you look to history to fine flaming examples of love? Start with Jesus. His love for you nailed Him to the Cross. And when they taunted Him, jeering for Him to come down and save Himself, He refused. "No, I'm purchasing the one I love."

You. Me.

Five Ways to Help An Author!

I love interacting with readers and bookworms. Most writers I know are extremely blessed by their fans and readers, and love hanging out with them in person or cyber space.

With social media on the boom and online book clubs, reviews and blog sites growing, I thought I'd chime in with my two cents on five ways readers and fans can help their favorite authors.

1. Word of mouth and general enthusiasm is the best form of publicity. Tell people about the books and authors you like. Don't be shy. Ask your library or book seller to order your authors' books.

2. Write a review on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBD and other book seller sites. The review should be helpful, honest and clear. If you pan a book or rave, give a reason as to why you've formed your opinion. Remember, writing is an art. It may not be done in the way you prefer, but was it done well? Did the book impact you in some way? Let others know how.

3. Follow your favorite writers on Facebook or Twitter. Post to their Wall. Retweet their Twitter conversations about writing. More than likely, they'll tweet back to you!

4. Tough one here. Buy their books whenever possible. Sales numbers are critical to the success of the publisher and the author. A really great author with low sales figures can quickly find himself without a publisher. Writing is art. Publishing is a business.

5. Pray. I don't know a single writer who doesn't need a boat load of prayer. Ask the Lord to be with your favorite writer.

Above all, know how much writers appreciate you!

Welcome my friend Jill Elizabeth Nelson

I'm happy today to feature Jill's latest release! Welcome, friend.

Calculated Revenge by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
Steeple Hill Romantic Suspense(c) 2010

ABOUT THE BOOK:

It’s been eighteen years since Laney Thompson’s sister was abducted and killed, but the pain Laney feels has never faded. And now the murderer is back, taunting Laney with mementos of her sister and threatening Laney’s young daughter. School principal Noah Ryder is her best hope for protecting her daughter—if she can convince the former investigator to take the case. As the threats accelerate, a string of clues leads Laney to uncover old secrets. Unless Noah steps in with his expertise, how can she piece together the puzzle before her child—like her sister—is lost to a killer’s revenge?

READER REVIEWS:
I just finished your book. I love Christian Suspense books and this one is the best one I have read in a while. I never figured out the solution until it was evident to all. Wonderful suspense weaving throughout the book. Thanks, I will look for more books by you. I could not put it down once I got started.
Excellent, excellent book! It caught my attention from the first page and was so hard to put down! Keep on sharing God's love and gospel thru your writing - it is important to those who need encouragement as well as need to know our precious Savior!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jill Elizabeth Nelson is an award-winning author of mystery and suspense. She writes what she likes to read—tales of adventure seasoned with romance, humor, and faith, earning her the tagline: Endless Adventure, Timeless Truth. Jill speaks at conferences, writer’s groups, library associations, and civic and church groups. She and her husband live in rural Minnesota where they raised four children and are currently enjoying their first grandchild.

Visit Jill Elizabeth Nelson’s website at http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com for excerpts, book giveaways, and contests.

You can order this book directly from your local bookstore, retail stores such as Walmart, or online here:

A Friend Went To Court

A friend of ours from church is homeless. He lives in a tent village on a stripe of wooded, public land.

He's had a history of drug and alcohol abuse, and even though his mom and three brothers live here in town, my friend has burned the bridges of help with them.

But three years ago when we were holding a house church in a rough area of down town, my friend showed up looking for a free meal. "I came because I was hungry."

Little did he know his physical hunger would ultimately feed his spiritual hunger. He's drug and alcohol free and as of this coming Saturday, smoke free since January 1st.

When my friend became homeless, it was because he chose to pal around with his ex who was an alcoholic and keen abuser of kindness. My friend gave up his living situation to take care of her.

She's gone now and my friend finds himself as a light to a group of people who might not ever walk through the doors of church.

My friend works piece meal carpentry work. I'm not sure why he can't find or hold a job. But getting to know him is a story of discovery.

At first, I was bothered he slept in a tent in the woods. Why couldn't we find him a place to live? Several others in our congregation opened their homes to him on the cold nights this winter, but he claimed to be snug as a bug in his tent and sleeping bag. He took over fire pit duty and kept the camp stocked in ready-to-use firewood.

Praying and meditating on this one day, I felt the Lord tug my heart. "He's fine." What is it Paul told us? "With food and clothing, these I'll be content." My friend has both. No, his life is not the life you and I would choose, but it's the life he's chosen. For now.

Today he found himself in court. A lady in the camp -- long story -- filed a restraining order against him. I met him there so he'd have a friend by his side. As predicted, the accuser didn't show up, but my friend had his day in court. The judge dismissed the complaint without prejudice.

While sitting and waiting for him to go in to the judge, I discovered more about my friend's background and history. He's intelligent, clean, kind, tender hearted. Why does he live in a tent?

Learning about his family, even at a surface level, gave me something to grab onto for prayer. Healing and restoration of trust is needed. God can do this! I'm excited for my friend. God has moved and worked in his life, even saved him from a deadly accident thirty years ago, and I'm sure God has more for him in the future.

This time of living in a tent has made my friend take stock of his life. He knows what is important to him. He finds himself being a minister of the Gospel.

Had we intervened and found him a proper-to-us dwelling place, my friend would've learned "man" meets his need, not God. He'd not have realized it was his choices that got him there. He'd not have learned we love and support him anyway!

My friend will not always be homeless. True to God's character, he'll never be hungry, thirsty or forsaken. God's plans are for my friend's welfare. I can't wait to see where he is a year from now.

See, my friend does have a day in court. The day when he stands before the great white judgment seat and give an account for his life. This life is an internship compared to what is to come. My friend's years of sleeping in a tent are nothing if is soul is not redeemed by Jesus. In Him, my friend has a home. Now and forever.

What about you? What situation in your life or of your friends and family seems to be desperate and hopeless but yet God is moving and working? Don't intervene unless you know God is leading. Lean on Him. See what God can and will do!

Building a Culture of Prayer Part 4

Here's where building a culture of prayer gets sticky. Controversial. Theological break down.

We can all agree on the power, purpose and need of prayer. It is a cornerstone of our faith.

Maintaining consistent prayer is difficult. Why? Because it's a labor. Jesus said in Matthew 11:12, "The kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent take it by force."

What kind of violence is the peaceful Jesus advocating? Violence against our flesh. Violence against sin, lies and deception of the enemy. Violence against those who lead us astray.

Prayer and fasting are God's violent measures against the way and will of the world.

And we must be violent about taking our time, thoughts, emotions and will captive to prayer and fasting. To the truth of the Word.

Even so, why? How can a church or city maintain a culture of prayer? Vision. We must have a vision of why and how and for what we are praying day in and day out without seeing results or answers.

The vision comes from two paradigms. The love of Jesus for the church and individual believer as detailed in Song of Solomon. And a correct End of the Age view. Understanding Revelation and the 150 chapters in the Word that talk about Jesus return to the earth for His Bride.

See, I told you it was touchy. You cannot maintain a culture of prayer if you do not know, understand and somewhere along the line encounter the love of Jesus. The kind He talks about in Song of Solomon 4:9. If hearing "you're His favorite one" makes you uncomfortable, then you're falling short of His love and His favor and your place before Him.

How intimate and close can we be with someone we believes looks at us with sadness, disgust or anger? He's not the mad, sad God waiting to punish you. Yet so many of us carry that view. Hard to pray to a God like that.

And how can we maintain a prayer culture if we believe we have no purpose and plan to partner with Jesus for His triumphant return to earth? We do. We are not "out of here" before it all goes down. You have to read all the 150 end time chapters to get some kind of picture.

Yes, Jesus said "we can't know the day or the hour" but we CAN know the season. Too many of us cling to that one verse about "not knowing" and burying our head in the sand. There are also plenty of verses where Jesus admonishes us to be like the sons of Issachar and recognize the times and seasons.

Here's one. Matthew 24 Jesus is telling us how to recognize the end of the age. "Wars and rumors of war. Earthquakes." We've had what, seven or eight earthquakes and a major volcanic eruption this year? Wars and rumors of war. Yep.

We are called to partner with Jesus for His kingdom to come on earth at it is in heaven. Beloved, He's coming here. We're not going "there." He's coming to establish His kingdom. The one He bought and paid for on the Cross.

He's only coming "a second time" once. And that's to judge the quick and the dead, to judge the nations and their kings.

If you think Christianity isn't about politics, read Isaiah. Jesus is King! That's political.

Revelation 22:17 says, "The Spirit and the Bride say come, Lord Jesus." That's our job. To pray with the Spirit, "Lord come."

Are are His ground troops, interceding for the earth like Noah, like Moses, like Joseph for God to come and be with us in our darkest hour.

The end of the age will be brutal and dark.God's people praying, having a culture of prayer, rooted and ground in that amazing love we read about in Song of Solomon, will keep the earth from imploding until He comes at the prescribed time.

Ephesians 3 tells us to pray to be in the love of Jesus which "surpasses" knowledge.

Knowing who you are and where you're going is key to life. It is double key to maintaining and fueling a culture of prayer both in our hearts and in our churches.

Do some reading and researching, studying, get a good study on Song of Solomon and the end times. I recommend resources from IHOP-KC.

Check out what we're doing in my community at MyHOP.

Be blessed!

Building a Culture of Prayer Part 3

These book titles sound familiar, right?

"A Purpose Driven Life." "Your Best Life Now." "Become A Better You." "Eat, Pray, Love," which isn't much abour prayer as one might think.

"The Shack."

We are quick in our culture to run to gimmicks, to jump on the band wagon of, "Quick solution. Easy answer. Short cuts galore."

Remember the "Prayer of Jabez" book? How about "Servant Evangelism" or "Seeker Friendly" which boiled down to "shh, don't talk about Jesus and sin on Sunday morning. It makes people uncomfortable."

Good. If we love them, we preach Jesus, the Cross and the corruption of sin.

Jesus, the leader and authority on social justice said this, "Preach the Gospel to the poor."

If we don't tell them the truth, who will? What good does it do to feed the poor while they dying and going to judgment without a Redeemer.

I've not read any of the books I listed. Why? Because I'm living my best life now. I have to admit, that title cracks me up. It sounds like all the "cool" titles were taken so they pulled a Tony Robbins.

I have Someone greater living in me (Col 1:27) who teaches me about my best life. Who gives me a purpose driven life. The Holy Spirit. He knows me better than I know myself. He teaches me how to live the BEST life.

I can read all the how to books and still end up in the same place. What I want and need is to be transformed into the image of Christ.

There is no short cut. No secret prayer. No quick solution. Heart and soul change comes from time, diligence and spending time with Jesus.

You want to have a purpose driven life? Start a weekly prayer meeting at your home or church. Invite people to come. Spend an hour or two worshipping -- play a CD -- and asking God for His Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. Ask Him to use you, to give you purpose.

We want change. We want God. But we don't want to put our shoulder to the wheel and do what it takes to encounter Him.

Most churches don't have weekly corporate prayer meetings. If they do, they are poorly attended. We've lost the vision of prayer. We don't know how to pray.

Back in 2000, Hubby and I visited the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. We'd both been passionate about prayer for years, but when we saw what God was doing in the arena of prayer and the Word intertwined with Worship, our hearts were engaged.

We came home and tried to institute the model in our youth meeting and worship times. Ooo, there was resistance. We discovered people don't like to be told how to worship. Or how to pray.

But we persisted. We developed guidelines. We taught on how to pray using the Word and interacting with a worship team.

Now, it's easy for our church members to participate. The prayer meetings are organized and focused. There are not long minutes of silence while no one knows what or how to pray. Big corporate prayer meetings are well attended.

The last Friday of the month, fifteen to twenty people squeeze into our living room for an evening of soaking in worship and prayer.

We are building a culture of prayer.

What if we started running to prayer meetings the way we run to the book store for the latest "How to be a great Christian book?" What if we learned how to encounter God in prayer instead of enduring an hour of unfocused, weak prayer. What if we used His Word as a guide for our prayers instead of reading a daily devotional.

Look, I'm not against those type of books! I know they've changed lives. But we need to mature in the arena of prayer. We are still drinking milk. Time for some meat.

We need change that endures. We need to get God's heart on what He's doing in the earth today. This is our watch. We need to stand on the wall.

That is the purpose of prayer. To bring God's will from heaven to earth. We are not pawns in His game. We are working with Him for His purpose. How can He execute it if we are not waiting, listening, praying, asking for Him to use us.

We are bored with prayer because we don't know how to pray, why to pray or if it really changes the world around us.

If it really changes "me."

Well, it does. In Luke 18 Jesus tells us to "pray at all times and not lose heart."

Paul reminds us in 1 Thessalonians to "pray without ceasing."

Jesus Himself, the God-Man, was devoted to prayer. The disciples watched and saw something in Him they did not possess and said to Him, "teach us to pray."

Peter and John, on their way to prayer, healed a crippled beggar. On their way to prayer!

It is on our way to prayer, out of a contemplative, prayerful heart, God will do miracles through us. He will changes us. Set us on our purpose driven path and give us our best life now. And in the age to come.

We must become a praying church. We must.

She Walks In Beauty by Siri Mitchell

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

She Walks in BeautyBethany House (April 2010)by

Siri Mitchell





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including in Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.



But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a sermon and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.



Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.







ABOUT THE BOOK

For a young society woman seeking a favorable marriage, so much depends on her social season debut. Clara Carter has been given one goal: secure the affections of the city's most eligible bachelor.



Debuting means plenty of work--there are corsets to be fitted, dances to master, manners to perfect. Her training soon pays off, however, as celebrity's spotlight turns Clara into a society-page darling.



Yet Clara soon wonders if this is the life she really wants. Especially when she learns her best friend has also set her sights on Franklin De Vries.



When a man appears who seems to love her simply for who she is and gossip backlash turns ugly, Clara realizes it's not just her marriage at stake--the future of her family depends on how she plays the game.



If you would like to read the first chapter of She Walks in Beauty, go HERE.

Rachel Here: I loved, loved, loved this book. Buy it, read it. Get lost in the story. Siri is an amazing writer.

Building A Culture of Prayer Part 2

I've been to my share of dry, boring prayer meetings. You? Not that God is boring or dry, but we are with our weary souls, amused minds, harried hearts.

After a long day of working, or dealing with kids, a prayer meeting is the last place we want to be. We'd rather turn on a sitcom, a sports event, catch up with American Idol and escape our own cares.

Sitting in a quiet prayer meeting only accents our trials, gets our minds churning, and if we're not stirred up, we've gone the other way, nodding off, jerking awake when our chin bobs to our chests.

But prayer is a corner stone of our faith.

Romans 12:12, Paul writes, "rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 21:13 "And He said to them, "It is written, ' MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER'; but you are making it a ROBBERS' DEN."

Colossians 4:2 "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;"

1 Thessalonians 5:17"..pray without ceasing;"

1 Timothy 2:8 "Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension."

1 Peter 4:7"The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer."

Jude 1:20"But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit."

Revelation 5:8"When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."

Revelation 8:3 "Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne."

Far too often we lose sight and vision for prayer. We relegate it to the here and now ONLY. Prayer for the sick. Prayer for finances. Prayer for a co-worker or family member. All very important issues to keep before God in prayer, but we are also to partner with Him for His divine plan, for His return!

What will the world look like just before He returns? Prayer prepares us. Prayer impacts culture and governments.

We must fill the bowls of heaven with our prayers. God adds His own fire and incense and hurls our prayers back to earth!

We are partners with Jesus for His Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. We are loved! We are not just pawns on a chess board for the Lord to ignore or manipulate, we are robed in the righteousness of Jesus and part of His plan.

Building a culture of prayer is about strategically joining together with your church family, with churches in the community, for the express purpose of praying for God's will to be done in our cities, churches, schools and nation.

We are not to be out of culture, but influencers of culture. We gain God's heart for education, for government, for the church, by being in a place of prayer.

There are over 22 "houses of prayer" in the state of Florida. Some meet daily, some weekly, some monthly, for the express purpose of partnering with Jesus for His Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.

We've learned lately how to weave worship, the Word and prayer so meetings are alive and people are engaged. It's hard to fall asleep in these meetings. And with a little bit of focus, it's difficult to remain churned-up from the cares of the day.

Prayer is purposeful. Focused. Those in attendance are encouraged to sing along with the spontaneous choruses of the worship team which often come from scripture or a prayer that was prayed.

The room engages and becomes about putting something in the bowl, about touching the heart of God.

A prayer leader makes sure prayers are direct an on target. Did you know we can actually administrate prayer! And not grieve the Holy Spirit. We can!

Praying folks are not allowed to share, or prophesy, preach or teach. Just pray. Preferably from Scripture.

A key component those is understanding our "rights" as the Bride of Christ. We are invited into the Beloved. We're clothes in the righteousness of Jesus. We are Kings and Priest. We can boldly enter in.

Hebrews 10:22 admonishes us to "draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith."

Pray is laboring with Jesus, the great Intercessor. It's not always easy or fun. Rarely convenient. But if we work together to build a culture of prayer, it will become a part of our spiritual DNA, a part of our tapestry, our lives and our children's lives.

If Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father making intercession, (Heb 7:25), how much more we should seek to be with Him there.

Prayer is not an option. It's not for "the other guy" and it's not for the "intercessors." It's for each and every believer.

Is there a corporate prayer meeting in your church with a specific prayer focus and leadership? If not, can you start one? Or partner with someone who has the burden?

Building A Culture of Prayer Part 1

In the summer of 2002, several youth pastors in our county gathered to begin what we hoped would be a House of Prayer in our central Florida region.

For six and a half years, we labored in worship and prayer two hours, one night a week. Fire Dweller, as we called our group, grew in numbers. We shrunk in numbers. We changed venues. And eventually, we laid the ministry down.

Not prayer. But the venue of prayer.

It's hard to get people to pray. We have such an individualistic attitude toward prayer. We've taken the "spiritual gifts" test and scored low on intercession and decided "prayer is not my gift."

So we offer shout-outs to God as we drive to work or taking the kids to sports and lessons, as we fall asleep at night. When there's a church wide prayer meeting, we don't go. Too tired. Not my "thing." Leave the prayer to the intercessors.

No wonder the Church is weak and straying from the truth.

Prayer is the cornerstone to every believer, to the life of a church and a church community. Prayer is the force that will save a nation. The prayers of the Elect effect more than the actions of the elected.

Does a quiet bride say, "Talking is not my thing. I'll let the other women talk to my husband?" Ha! Never. Why then are we not talking to our Beloved?

We must engage God in prayer. Jesus said in Matthew 21:13 "My house, will be called a house of prayer." We've become a house of shows and events, a social gospel without power.

Paul writes in Romans 12:12 that we are to be "devoted to prayer." In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 we are admonished to "pray without ceasing."

Prayer is not a specialty on a personality test. It is not option. It's not something others do while you serve in hospitality or pass out bulletins. Prayer is not a "quiet time" with an Oswald Chambers book for fifteen minutes in the morning. Certainly those things are good, but prayer is heart-to-heart, engaging and encountering God for His Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven.

Prayer is work. And we are all called to labor in prayer -- individually and corporately.

After laying down Fire Dweller, my husband and I began to talk to a local pastor about what we could do to build a culture of prayer in our city. How can we encourage all Believers to pray? Revelations 5 and 8 is clear that the bowls in heaven are filled with the prayers of the Saints. And to those prayers, God adds incense from His own altar and hurls it back to earth.

God's purposes are fueled by our prayer. You want change in your life, your family, community and nation, you must pray. There is no way around it.

Think of how much more powerful evangelism, hospitality, serving, loving the poor is if it's bathed in prayer. Our "spiritual gifts" are emboldened by prayer not to be used in place of prayer. How often do we start church programs out of a desire for growth, or out of a need, but without real, face toward heaven prayer?

We need prayer. As we meet with Pastor Tim Franklin and his wife, Kelly, and our senior Pastor Gary Stebbins and his wife, Bonnie, we developed MyHop, a house of prayer in our county that is built on a "culture of prayer."

What is a culture of prayer? Churches and believers praying for the Body of Christ, for our region and country, asking for God's heart and revival.

Our vision is: We desire Brevard County to be a House of Prayer consisting of networked churches and believers committed to night and day corporate prayer.

We network with any church or home meeting with a regularly scheduled prayer meeting. We are have a corporate gathering with all networked churches and prayer meetings the first Friday of every month.

We want praying believers. We want to see the church empowered from on High.

Next: Two keys to fueling prayer. Bridal love and the End Times

My house overflows with good books!

My house is overflowing with good books. I've had an influx lately. Not only am I finishing my own great book (a-hem) Dining With Joy, but I've been blessed with recent releases from my author friends.

Susan May Warren's new Summerside release, Sons of Thunder, is a fantastic book. The story, the writing is beautiful, and worth any readers time.

Colleen Coble's Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter. Given to my by the lovely and gracious Colleen last weekend, I started the book on my flight home from the ACFW spring board meeting and was completely captured. Colleen simply tells a great story with a heart that draws in the reader.

Siri Mitchell has been a favorite of mine for a long time. She's also a lovely person. Her latest, She Walks in Beauty, is a coming-of-age story that takes place at the turn of the 20th Century. I've just read a few opening pages, but it has already delighted me. I can't wait to read it entirely.

Denise Hildreth's latest release Hurricane in Paradise looks hilarious. Having lived through three hurricanes, I'm sure I'll be able to relate. I haven't started it yet, but I know Denise will deliver.

Crossing Oceans by debut author Gina Holmes, founder of Novel Journey, has written a lovely story about a single mom going home to deal with a life changing tragedy. The writing is solid, crisp and leads to a heart touching ending. (I peeked ahead.)

I also have Liz Curtis Higgs Here Burns My Candle and Lisa Harris's debut, Blood Ransom.

Health Care Reform Bill is not really reform

The Health Care Bill now lumbering across capital hill is not reform. Please know this.

One, the taxes and fees go into effect immediately BUT you and I will not see services for 2 plus years. I can't remember if it's 2 or 3, maybe more, but we will be paying into it! What? Would you sign up and pay for any service that you couldn't access immediately. What if you bought cable but the provider didn't turn it on for two years? Only the U.S. Government could think of such a thing and only those who have agendas would vote for it.

Two, this bill now includes government take over of all student loans? How is that Health Care?

Three, the government programs already in place are already going bankrupt. The first thing the government will do with Health Care gets in trouble, and it will, is look for ways to save money. That won't mean cutting spending in other government arenas, but taking from you and me. More taxes, less services. More intrusive laws to keep us "healthy."

They'll tell us what to eat, when and where. How to exercise. How many children we can't have. Does this sound like the land of the FREE and home of the BRAVE? Be free! WE must take care of our own family. We must be brave and pay our own bills. Sell our cares if we have to, cut cable, get rid of the smart phone. Stop eating out so much. Be BRAVE and manage our own lives and stop expecting others to do it for us.

In Florida, a state legislator introduced a bill whereas teens under eighteen need parental consent to visit a tanning bed. The parent must show up to sign the form. Teens under fourteen wouldn't be allow to go at all. Why? Because these beds cause higher risk of melanoma in teens. YET, if fourteen year old girl wants to have an abortion, parents are not allowed to know. Want an abortion? No questions asked.

Can you imagine? This tanning bed law is just a hint of what is to come. We won't be able to use hair color or certain detergents because some lame brain study will show it could cause cancer. And don't we know how those studies "change" over the years?

When I was growing up the '70s the fear was Global Cooling. Now it's Global Warming. In the '90s, caffeine was the ill of society until Starbucks became the rage. I've heard so many ill-fated diet and health scares -- it's multi-billion dollar industry -- I laugh when I see new studies. Some of them are just ludicrous. I'm amazed at what thinking, intelligent people buy into.

1 Corinthians 1:20 "Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?"

The key to our success, even for minorities and the poor is to let each man see to his own house. Hand outs have not produced less poor. We've experimented with the Great Society for seventy years. It has only increased the welfare rolls.

If I eat too much fast food, never exercise and smoke like a chimney, that is not your responsibility. If you sleep around and get infected with any number of the hundreds of non curable diseases, that is NOT my responsibility. Even in the New Testament church, where they had all things in common, benefactors had to fit a certain criteria to receive aid.

Men had to work to provide for themselves or families. Paul encouraged the younger widows to marry. Only the truly poor and widows were served.

But do not be deceived, this bill is not about Health Care, it's about take over. It's about Marx and Mao, not Madison and Jefferson. The fundamental heart beat and structure of America is under assault.

I love my country. I love our freedoms. We are the greatest nation on earth. I don't want to go into my old age telling my nieces and nephews how it used to be, how it could've been.

It's been said by the core White House leaders and staff they want to fundamentally change America. Whether you voted for this president or not, I'm sure most of you do not want to fundamentally change America.

Once In A Blue Moon by Leanna Ellis

I met Leanna about four years ago, online, somehow, but we've become good friends. She's the kind who made me feel "at home" the first time we chatted in person. I'm so happy to have her on the site to showcase her new book! She's a great writer.

Once in a Blue Moon from B&H Publishing!

About the book:

Faith is the first step to soaring. The day Armstrong stepped on the moon has special memories for most Americans, but not for Bryn Seymour. It’s the day her mother died. Despite death defying feats, guilt has always pulled Bryn down time and again. But a perfect love shows her taking a leap of faith is the first step to soaring. But it only happens … once in a blue moon.


Read an excerpt here.

About the author:

"Leanna Ellis takes a back seat to no one," says Debbie Macomber. But Leanna hopes she allows God in the driver’s seat as she taxies her two children to and from all their activities, lets her menagerie of pets in and out … in and out ..., figures out what to cook for dinner (or where to order takeout), and at the same time keeps those quirky characters in her head from bothering others.

Winner of the National Readers Choice Award, Leanna writes quirky women's fiction with a splash of romance. From a long line of southerners and patriots, she lives with her family in Texas.


ONCE IN A BLUE MOON NOW!!!
FACELIFT September 2010

Six Writing Myths YOU Should Know

Over on noveldoctor, Stephen Parolini blogged about Seven Writing Myth He Made Up So He Could Debunk Them.

This got me thinking about the writing myths I'm aware of so why not toss them out there. Thanks noveldoctor for the idea.

The Myth - Writer's make a lot of money.
The Truth - Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Oh, man, shew, good one.

The Myth - If I make the story weird, they'll buy it.
The Truth - Hahahahahahahahaha. . . okay, I guess I can't do that too many times. If you make your story or proposal weird in an effort to get attention, editors and agent will only think you're weird and you'll wind up on some, "you'll never believe what someone sent to me," list. I've shared good laughs with editors and agents over this one. In fact, it's writer conference chatter, "So, what's the weirdest proposal you've ever received?"

The Myth - Leading with "God told me to write this," will get me a contract.
The Truth - No. Neither will, "This is the best thing you'll ever read." Playing the God card or the Aren't-I-Bold card does not ingratiate any author with an editor or agent. God speaks to all of us and if God really told you to write a book and take it to Mr. Certain Agent, He's going to tell the agent you're coming. Most Christian authors seek God about their work, about their agent and publisher. So don't think you're the first and only.

Being overly bold sometimes works in the corporate world, but back fires in the publishing arena. Authors, especially new ones, MUST be humble and teachable. No one writes a perfect book no matter how engaging the story. There are a few exceptions for first time novelists hitting the market with a bang -- J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Myers -- but don't count on being in that class. Yippee if it happens to you, but don't expect it. If it does, sleep with your lights on. The rest of us will haunt you.

The Myth - My publisher will promote the heck out of my book.
The Truth - Not possible. Most publishers have a small team to promote their books and there is simply more work than people. Most publishers do a minimum for each book, but seasoned and long time authors get the bulk of attention and money. Rightfully so. Or a new "lead" author gets attention. And of course, anyone who writes Amish. ;)

Be prepared to toot your own horn. Get on Facebook and Twitter. Build a nice web site with a blog. Join writers groups for help and support. Tout other authors who might in turn tout you. But be sincere! Hire someone like LitFuse to put together a blog tour for you.

The Myth - Once you're published, you're in, on the road, fame is the only sun on your horizon.
The Truth - Being published is certainly a help in gaining more contracts, but once you are published many other factors come into play. Some you can help, some you cannot. At the end of the day, even if you have written great stories, you also have to sell decently. Getting your book in the hands of readers is not as easy as you'd think. A book buyer for Barnes and Noble might determine all the purchases for an entire region. If a previous book didn't sell well, they are less likely to take a chance on the author's second or third book. A new author has a better chance of getting picked up.

The Myth - There's a reason writers struggle with their weight.
The Truth - Yes! It's called my desk is thirty feet from my refrigerator and my in-house office is one mile from Publix, McDonalds, Burger King, Subway, Soprano's Pizza, Beef O'Brady's and 7-11.

The gym is fives miles away. Do the math. ;)