READ: Words with Friends: Linda Evans Shepherd
Have you ever become instant friends with someone you just met? That’s how I felt when I met today’s Words with Friends subject. Linda Evans Shepherd is a nationally-known Christian speaker, a popular Denver television host, and a best-selling author. She’s the president of Right to the Heart Ministries and the founder of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) and RighttoTheHeart.tv. The two of us met at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference when God (and conference director Marlene Bagnull) assigned us as roommates. At the time, I was praying about joining AWSA, the group she founded to bring together female Christian writers and speakers. By the end of our time together, I was filling out my AWSA membership application. I hope you enjoy today’s interview, which focuses on Linda’s latest release, which I reviewed here earlier this week. Linda, your latest book is titled Experiencing God’s Presence: Learning to Listen While You Pray. Do you really think it’s possible to hear God’s voice today? When you consider that God loves us enough to put His Holy Spirit inside our very beings, it stands to reason that our intimate God wants more from us than shopping-list prayers, He wants our inner ear. After all, despite the rumor that God no longer speaks to us today, consider that millions of Christians throughout the ages not only heard God’s voice, they answered his call to follow Him in every area of their lives. We can learn how to do the same. What are some ways we can hear God’s voice? Anyone who has ever read a scripture, such as “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me,” (Phil 4:13) and had it speak directly as a solution to a dilemma, can testify to the power of hearing God’s voice. But not only does God speak through His Word, He can speak through sermons, friends and nature as it continually worships the Creator, and also through God’s still, small voice. What does God’s voice sound like? Unlike some, I’ve never heard God’s voice vibrate inside my ears, but I have heard his gentle whisper inside my being. He never whispers messages like; “Who do you think you are?” You’re the dumbest human on earth.” or “What did you just say to me? Are you stupid or what?” A voice like that is likely to be from the enemy. Instead, when I hear God’s voice, I feel his sweet spirit as he whispers, “You are my child,” “I am with you,” “Trust me, everything is going to be okay.” I can rest in knowing that I have a safety net as God will never call me to go against his word. For example, he will never suggest I murder, rob a bank, or commit adultery as all of these suggestions go against His Ten Commandments including; “Thou shall not kill,” Thou shall not steal,” “Thou shall not take thy neighbor’s wife.” Your book shows readers how to abide with God and to hear his voice. It includes chapter exercises (as well as study guide questions) to help readers experience God’s presence, voice, blessings, joy and a lot more. How did you learn to have such a vibrant relationship with God? I took a crash course in prayer after my precious baby was...
read moreWRITE: Tips from the Pros: Crystal Bowman
Brrr! Fall arrived in Florida overnight as temperatures dipped into the lower 50’s. I know, I know. Where my mother lives in Ohio, they had snow flurries yesterday. We have nothing to complain about. Today, I’m helping welcome fall for the Christian Authors Network through this delightful interview with fellow Florida author Crystal Bowman. Check it out between spoonfuls of hot...
read moreREAD: Review, Experiencing God’s Presence by Linda Evans Shepherd
How often have you longed for a spiritual mentor—someone to travel alongside you, encourage you, and teach you from both the Word and personal experience about your walk with God? Popular author and speaker Linda Evans Shepherd becomes that mentor in her new release, Experiencing God’s Presence: Learning to Listen While You Pray (Revell, 2013). Much more than a treatise on prayer, this book shares a treasure trove of information about developing a deep and intimate relationship with God. The author of everything from a popular novel series (The Potluck Club series, with coauthor Eva Marie Everson) to multiple books on spiritual growth, Linda shares personal illustrations, practical principles, and model prayers as she leads readers to know Him more. The book contains numerous special features that add to its value. “Behold Jesus in Prayer” and “Making it Personal” sections offer ready-made prayers for those who need someone else to offer the words they lack. Scripture lessons in story form provide a refreshing look at numerous aspects of ways God’s people through the years have navigated their spiritual journeys. Blanks that allow the reader to respond to Scripture by writing down thoughts and praying through them to discern if God is speaking give the book an interactive edge. I’ve spoken on the topic of listening prayer but, as I read this book, received some new and welcome insights. I’m glad to have the opportunity to have read this inspiring work from an author many of us consider both friend and mentor. Have you had an experience where you can say you heard from God? Feel free to share it in the comment area below. Just like Linda’s, your words may encourage someone else. Blessings, and be sure to watch for my Words with Friends interview with Linda Evans Shepherd later this week. CONTEST WINNER! Although she’s “not old yet,” Barbara C is the winner of I’m Too Young to Be This Old by Poppy Smith, featured in last week’s READ review, along with a bonus book. I’ll contact her so we can make arrangements for shipping. CONGRATULATIONS! (FTC Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book free from the publisher. I was not asked or expected to post a positive review.) Find a local Christian bookstore Find this book on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, or at Christian Book Distributors...
read morePRAY: Prayer for Those Who Are Harboring Bitterness
When we pray for others, we can sound so noble, can’t we? Interceding on behalf of someone else can make us appear—whether we intend it to or not—as though we have no problems of our own. But sometimes, our prayers for others slam us square in the heart. The other day, I posted a prayer for those who need to keep quiet. Later that day, I was tempted to respond to unjust treatment with a pointed rebuke. Tempted, that is, until God reminded me of my earlier prayer. This fall, I’m working through the book of 1 John using the Sword Study you can read about here. And God is using it to convict me about my lack of true love. Today, He brought to mind a person who has wronged me. This person has hurt me in ways open and hidden, known and unknown. I pray for this person. I seek to serve this person. And I pray for this person every day. But as I read what God says about love, I realized I’m not loving this person the way He loves me. I’ve held unto the wrongs done and refused to grant full forgiveness. The ugly root of bitterness planted deep in my heart does not have the capacity to bear sweet-smelling fruit. And, with it present, neither do I. If you’ve ever had a similar experience or if you’re having it now, you may want to join me in today’s prayer: Lord, you know the ugly weed I discovered in my heart. And you know from where it came. Please forgive me for allowing it room to grow. Father, I want to live before You as a beautiful garden. I want people to see me and want to know You. I want them to dig deep and find cleanness, wholeness, purity all the way through. I want to be open. I want to be real. Lord, I know I can only reflect on the outside the work that You do on the inside. So today, I place the hidden and the revealed under Your pruning, Your tending, Your care. Cut away the dead places so new life can push through. Strip away the ugliness, the hardness, and the hate. And sow fresh seeds of righteousness, peace, and joy in Your Spirit. I can’t grow on my own. I can’t love on my own. And I can’t die to myself except as You allow me to live before You. I know this is Your desire, so I pray with confidence in Your great name—AMEN. Have you struggled with bitterness, or have you seen how it has hurt someone you live? Feel free to share your story and encourage us, or ask for prayer here or through the “contact” link to the right....
read moreREAD: Review, I’m Too Young to Be This Old by Poppy Smith
The seventeenth birthday of my youngest child seems like a good day to post this review. I can remember feeling old during my pregnancy with her. I seemed to hurt more, sleep less, and experience every ache and pain more than I had as I carried my previous four. But I know now that I had no clue what “feeling old” was like. I’m starting to have a clue. And so is Poppy Smith, author of the best-selling I’m Too Young to Be This Old (Harvest House, 1997). If you’ve ever seen a picture of yourself from a few years ago and realized how much different you look now, or wondered how that baby you rocked just the other day can be getting her driver’s license, or had your child look down from his now-towering height and call you his “little mother,” you’ll want to read this book. Written with faith, hope, and a large dose of humor, I’m Too Young to Be This Old offers encouragement and practical advice to help women through the midlife years. So many of us in this season find ourselves feeling like a Panini sandwich: pressed hard on both sides. On one, we have teen and young adult children with their various needs and desires: navigating college, relationships, finances, and more. On the other, we have aging parents, so we face the issues of illness, caregiving, and important life decisions. Do we lose ourselves in the middle of the hard press? Or can God use it to create something delicious? Poppy, a popular author and conference speaker, shares with transparency about her own midlife struggles and victories, including many stories of others as well. Twelve chapters chock-full of information and advice reflect the real feelings of real women, including “What’s Happening to Me?” (Chapter One); “If Only I Had . . . Or Hadn’t” (Chapter Seven); and “Where Do I Go From Here?” (Chapter Ten). But the author does more than point out this age group’s concerns and problems. Her positive, humorous style allows her to combine biblical truth and practical tips in a way that leaves the reader feeling, “I can do this—with God’s help.” “Reflections” (review questions) at the end of each chapter make this book a natural choice for either group or individual study. And Poppy’s constant admonishment to look beyond yourself and into God’s desires for your life make this book one I can recommend to women at any stage of life. We can’t stop the aging process, so why not embrace it with grace? Allow Poppy Smith to show you how. It’s October, and a great time for another book giveaway. What’s the biggest struggle you notice among midlife women (yourself or someone else)? Leave a comment including your contact information here before next Tuesday, October 22, and I’ll enter you to win my review copy plus a bonus book (I’ll send a choice of three). Blessings! Find a local Christian bookstore Find this book on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, or at Christian Book Distributors FTC Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free from the publisher. I was not required to post a review or a positive...
read moreWelcome
I've asked God to use my writing and speaking to count for eternity. I'm passionate about relationships and creativity.
