Where’s Marti? Speaking and Travel Schedule, Winter 2014
For me, 2013 ended with no wild celebration. But it didn’t end with a cry or whimper, either. 2013 finished with a cough as I found myself in the throes of bronchitis. Now, more than a week into 2014, I’m still coughing, but healing. I don’t get sick often, but this illness and accompanying prescriptions makes me more grateful than ever for good health. So what am I up to in 2014? Every once in a while, I use a blog post to share my calendar. So here’s where you can find me (and what you can find me doing) for the first few months of the new year. I covet your prayers and, of course, would love to have you join me at any of these events: January 16-19: Shelby Kennedy Foundation, Wilmington, Ohio January 28: Stephen Ministers, Asbury United Methodist Church, Maitland, Florida; teaching on prayer January 24-25: Finish Well Conference, Sanford, Florida; Teaching on “Preparing for the SATs” and “Cultivating a Heart for the World.” February 26-March 2: Florida Christian Writers Conference, Leesburg, FL; Representing Sisterhood magazine, serving as conference chaplain, and teaching on “How 2 Write 4 Teens.” March 5: Wednesday Night Live, Asbury United Methodist Church, Maitland, Florida: teaching on “Stewardship of Words: Prayer” Right now, July seems far away, but I also want to share that July 5-20, I’ll again travel with Susie Shellenberger and Never the Same Missions as the Sisterhood magazine writer for the Never the Same missions trip. This year, we’re headed to beautiful Costa Rica! I’ve had the privilege of going with this group to Guatemala, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru, and I look forward to seeing the great things God does with us in Costa Rica. If you’re a teen (guy or girl) or the parent/grandparent/friend of a teen, consider yourself invited! Click here for all the details. We do our training in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and then travel to Costa Rica for about ten days. It’s a powerful, wonderful, life-changing time. For more information, check out my articles about two previous trips: “Journal Times Two: More Than Enough” (Ecuador 2012); and “Postcards from Peru” (Peru 2013). This year’s trip will have the same basic format but in a different country with deep needs and wonderful ministry possibilities. These missions trips mark some of my personal and professional highlights for the past few years, and I’d LOVE to have you join me. What’s God doing in you in 2014? Let me know via my “contact” link or in the comments below. And don’t forget to share how I can pray for you,...
read morePRAY: Prayer for Those Who Need to be Rescued
Father God, Rescued is the word you brought to mind today. So many of those I love need rescuing: The one in a valiant cancer battle The one who keeps making poor choices The one whose health teeters on the brink The one poised for change—wise or unwise The one overwhelmed by financial troubles The one trapped in years of marital hurt The one crushed by abuse The one whose pain no one hears The one who cries for others The one who doesn’t know where to turn. I lift each one before You, my Lord, because I know You can meet each one at each need-point. You came to rescue each of us. Your name is Deliverer, Healer, Savior, Strength. Thank You for pulling these from darkness to light, from defeat to victory. Thank You for loving them more than I do. I stand as Your servant, and You are my King—AMEN. Since this is one of those prayers that applies to everyone, I decided to write it out. I hope you’ll add your prayers to mine. I’m back to blogging after my Christmas break turned into a dual bronchitis and finish-the-manuscript break. I’m coughing less and catching up on other writing now that I’ve submitted my most recent book project. How may I pray for you in 2014? Leave a comment below or email me through the “contact” link. I’ll be honored to lift you before...
read morePRAY: A Christmas Prayer
Have you ever looked at an old song in a fresh way? That happened to me this year during our choir’s Christmas presentation. One of our favorite songs was a new arrangement of “Away in a Manger” featuring our children’s choir. I r I realized anew what a beautiful prayer lies in the third verse and prayed it for the congregation and myself each time we sang. Today, I’m sharing the verse and my prayer with you. Merry Christmas! Be near me, Lord Jesus—and with all those who reach out to You during this season of celebration. I ask Thee to stay—The good news of Christmas: You came, You are coming, and You will come again. Close by me forever—for You are Emmanuel, who left it all to give it all that we might draw near. And love me, I pray—for You so loved us that You gave. In Your sacrifice, we find hope. In Your presence, we find peace. And in Your example, we find the power to love as You love. Bless all the dear children—those many little ones throughout the world who are hurting. Take them in Your arms. Whisper to them of Your love, of Your wonder, of good tidings of great joy. In Thy tender care—from the heart of a baby born in a lowly stable, of the One who had no place to rest His head, of the gentle-but-powerful Shepherd. And fit us for heaven—the purpose of Your life, death, and resurrection. Keep making us less and You-in-us more. To live with Thee there—in that wondrous place where tears never fall and the joy and promise of Christmas never ends. Happy Birthday, Jesus! On Your holy night and in Your holy name, I pray—AMEN. Do you have a special Christmas prayer request? Feel free to share it in the comments below. I know I will pray, and others will join us. Christmas Blessings!...
read moreWRITE: Tips from the Pros: Eddie Jones
Merry almost-Christmas! Today, I invite you to check out my interview with my friend Eddie Jones over at the Christian Authors Network blog. Eddie shares some interesting advice based on his experience as both author and publisher. Enjoy (and thanks for sharing your wisdom,...
read morePRAY: 12 Pearls of Christmas, Day 5: My Gift to Him by Cara Putman
A note from Marti: From now until Christmas, I plan to share a few posts from the Pearl Girls’ fourth annual “12 Pearls of Christmas” blog series from some favorite authors. I do so partly because I’m on deadline with an exciting new book I hope to tell you about soon, and partly because I appreciate the writing and ministry of Pearl Girls. I don’t often post on Wednesdays, but Cara Putman’s post spoke to my heart, and I wanted to share it. Also, I’m posting on the Christian Authors’ Network blog tomorrow with with an author interview, so watch for that link. Enjoy, and don’t forget to check out the contest at the end of the post to learn how you can win a pearl necklace. Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas blog series! Merry Christmas from Pearl Girls™! We hope you enjoy these Christmas “Pearls of Wisdom” from the authors who were so kind to donate their time and talents! If you miss a few posts, you’ll be able go back through and read them on this blog throughout the next few days. We’re giving away a pearl necklace in celebration of the holidays, as well as some items from the contributors! Enter now below. The winner will be announced on January 2, 2014, at the Pearl Girls blog. If you are unfamiliar with Pearl Girls™, please visit www.pearlgirls.info and see what we’re all about. In short, we exist to support the work of charities that help women and children in the US and around the globe. Consider purchasing a copy of Mother of Pearl, Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace, or one of the Pearl Girls products (all GREAT gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls. *** My Gift to Him by: Cara Putman As Christmas nears, I’m staggering under a year that’s been too full. A fall that’s been too busy. A season of good, but overwhelming days. Does anyone else feel the same? There’s nothing bad—life is just full. Too full. And I feel emptied. So empty. It would be easy to enter this season with a sense of exhaustion, feeling like I just want to get through and on to January. Instead, I want to offer my life again. May my gift be my life. My dreams. My talents. My all. May I be available to Him to transform from the inside out. I want my life to be lived for His glory. Yet I fail. And on the days that I am most tired and overwhelmed I seem to fail more. It is then that I take comfort in the reality that He is the King born in a manager. A King who gave up heaven in order to save me. You. All of us. He has good plans for my life. Plans that exceed my wildest dreams. Plans fit for the daughter of the Most High. He has plans like that for you, too. Plans that may be different from your plans, but plans that are wonderful and good. So in this season of busyness, a season when it is easy to focus on things, duties, parties, family and friends, will you join me? I’m offering myself as a gift to Him. Will you? *** Cara Putman is the award-winning author...
read moreWelcome
I've asked God to use my writing and speaking to count for eternity. I'm passionate about relationships and creativity.
