READ: When You Can’t Find God by Linda Evans Shepherd
“God will take care of you.” “Just trust Him.” “He’s got you in His hands.” “God never closes a door but He opens a window.” “He’s got something better for you—wait and see.” These statements carry varying degrees of truth. But all are pat answers—trite statements that lose their meaning because we use them so often.As a mother whose now-adult daughter suffered severe brain damage in a car accident more than twenty years ago, Linda Shepherd could write the book on pat answers. I’m thankful she didn’t. Her new release, When You Can’t Find God: How to Ignite the Power of His Presence (Revell, 2011) explores the mystery of experiencing the holy in the hurt. The book combines biblical, practical teaching with powerful, personal stories that help draw readers toward God. Highlighted callouts and chapter-ending features including “Oasis” (a Psalm or other avenue for finding and resting in God) and “Prayer Experience” (the author’s own prayer to pray or adapt) point readers to the Father. Each chapter also contains a link to a brief video (check them out at www.IgniteMyFaith.com, “Chapter Videos”) in which the author shares a teaching on an important chapter concept. The book ends with a section of discussion questions suitable for personal or small group use. When I’m hurting, I need a friend—not an expert. When I’m confused, I need truth—not the enemy’s lies. When I’m in pain, I need a healing dose of Holy Spirit power—not pat answers or pious platitudes. When You Can’t Find God, with its warm, compassionate tone, contains all three. Read it and receive an inoculation against pat answers. Embrace it and allow the Truth to set you free. Could you or a friend use the insights this book offers? Add a brief explanation in your comment (use your name only, not your friend’s) before midnight on Sunday, June 5, 2011. If I draw your name, I’ll send you my review copy to share (US addresses only, please). If your browser won’t allow you to comment, send an email instead using the “contact” link to the right.PAM is the winner of my review copy! I’ll be in touch to get your mailing address, Pam. Thanks to those who entered and happy...
read moreREAD: One Year Alone with God by Ava Pennington
Would you like to spend a year getting to know God in a deeper, more intimate way? Would you like to spend time acquainting yourself with the details of His character and meditating on how they affect your life? Would you like to immerse yourself in Him? If these questions intrigue you, you’ll want to pick up a copy of Ava Pennington’s recent release, One Year Alone with God: 366 Devotions on the Names of God (Revell, 2010). The author organizes her work around God’s character and attributes rather than particular dates, so you can begin your reading any day of the year. The strength and focus of One Year Alone with God lies in its author’s deep knowledge of His Word. Pennington opens our eyes to God’s names and essential qualities by putting them into language we can understand and sharing insights that bring them life. Each devotional ends with questions and challenges that allow the reader to move from understanding to application. Would you like a theology course in a personal, practical package indwelt by the heart and Spirit of God? Spend One Year Alone with God and watch how He changes your life. Do you have a favorite name of God? Why is it special to you? Feel free to leave a comment and share the...
read moreYA Friday–READ: Praying for Your Future Husband by Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer
Today marks the start of a new Read. Write. Pray. feature. Since much of my work involves young adults (teens and above), I’ve decided to focus Friday posts on their needs and interests. I’ll go for “occasional” right now and work toward “regular” as we go. Extra shoutouts and hugs to my Awe Star and Never the Same/SUSIE Magazine friends! My inaugural post is a READ review of an amazing new book by two of my favorite authors: Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer. I chose to receive a free review copy of their latest title. Although I’d love to keep it, I want to share it. (See my note below to find out how.) Moms, dad, grandparents, and friends of either sex—this book makes a delightful graduation, engagement, birthday, or end-of-the-school-year gift. Check it out! Praying for Your Future Husband: Preparing Your Heart for His (Multnomah, 2011) presents a unique look at a crucial topic. Thousands of young women, including my four daughters, have grown up on Robin Jones Gunn’s novels. Imperfect-but-real characters like Todd and Christy, Sierra, and Katie have drawn many to relationships that reflect the purity of Christ. So why a nonfiction book with this subject? Because it’s needed. Because it’s necessary. And because Robin and Tricia present it in a way no one else could. Both authors share their personal stories—including Tricia’s heartbreaking one of teen pregnancy—as a part of the prayer journey they travel alongside their readers. The adventure comes in short, reader-friendly bursts that explore the background for each of twelve prayer topics. Chapters such as “Pray He Will Be a God Lover” and “Pray for Protection” emphasize application to readers’ lives along with a sample prayer to match each topic. I especially loved the book’s bonus features: chapter-ending questions suitable for journaling or small group discussion and a selection of Scriptures to pray for your future husband. Young friends, I believe in you. Your generation, surrendered to Christ, has the passion to change the world. This kind of transformation starts at home and in your heart. Buy and read this powerful book, but move beyond reading to prayer. You (and your future marriage) will never be the same. WIN THE REVIEW COPY: Leave a comment on this review (or, if you have trouble commenting, via email through the “contact” link to the right) by midnight Sunday, May 15, and I’ll enter your name in a drawing to win the book. US addresses only,...
read morePEARL GIRLS SPECIAL: Adoption, a Mother’s Greatest Gift by Tricia Goyer
During this Mother’s Day week, as I find my way back out of the land of deadlines, I have a special blog to share. It’s written by an author who, like me, has an adopted daughter and who, like me, prays for her adopted daughter’s birth mom especially at this time. I hope you’ll enjoy Tricia’s insightful words and check out the Pearl Girls™ contest information as well. Blessings! Welcome to Pearl Girls™ Mother of Pearl Mother’s Day blog series. The series is a weeklong celebration of moms and mothering. Each day will feature a new post by some of today’s best writers (Tricia Goyer, Megan Alexander, Suzanne Woods Fisher, Beth Engelman, Holley Gerth, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, and more). I hope you’ll join us each day for another unique perspective on Mother’s Day. AND … do enter the contest for a chance to win a beautiful hand crafted pearl necklace. To enter, just {CLICK THIS LINK} and fill out the short form. Contest runs 5/1-5/8 and the winner will be announced on 5/11. Contest is only open to US and Canadian residents. 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 Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace or one of the Pearl Girls™ products (all GREAT Mother’s Day gifts!) to help support Pearl Girls. And to all you MOMS out there! Happy Mother’s Day! Adoption, a Mother’s Greatest Gift by Tricia Goyer I held the small baby in my arms, wrapped up in a receiving blanket to keep her warm from the chill of the delivery room, and a voice spoke to me. “Congratulations, Mom.” The congratulations came from an unlikely source—the grandmother of this child, the mother of the sweet birth mother who chose adoption for her baby girl. To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. Thankfulness filled my heart—to God who’d answered my prayers and to the birth mom who’d chosen our family for her daughter. I also ached that my joy would be another’s heartache. Working with teen moms for ten years, I was often an advocate for the young mother. I knew that while the weeks and months ahead would be a time of celebration for our family, they would be ones of heartache and grieving for this woman. Adoption is a wonder and the beauty, and the sacrifice of it is never so clear as on Mother’s Day. My new daughter is one year old now, and she is a huge part of my heart. Her life is a gift to my days and her smile can make even the most dreary afternoon bright. I can honestly say there is no difference in the love I feel between her and my three other children. If anything the love feels even more special because she was an unexpected gift. John and I learned about her life just 2 ½ months prior to her being born. The years of prayers to expand our family were answered quickly and beautifully. The sacrifice of adoption makes my heart ache, for I know on this Mother’s Day another woman will be thinking about my...
read morePRAY: Prayer for Those in the Midst of a Storm
Sometimes life gets in the way. For the past couple of months, life in our family has included cancer surgery (my dad), ongoing treatment (Dad again), a fractured tibia (my son), and ongoing therapy (my dad and my son). For me, it’s also included teaching at the Florida Christian Writers Conference; some small, regular deadlines; and a big book deadline. Add that to mission trip fundraising for my two youngest daughters (almost at the halfway point in raising the more than $8000 they need to serve in Latvia and Peru) and you have a recipe for either disaster or dependence. Each new day presents multiple opportunities for either one. So no, the blog posts haven’t been as regular. But yes, God’s allowed me to escape disaster—spiritual and otherwise. I know I’m not alone in my position here in the eye of the storm. So, in honor of this and our upcoming hurricane season, I offer this prayer: Father, as disaster swirls around me, keep me in the shadow of Your wing. Direct and unite my heart to fear and to honor only You. Your promise was not to keep me from storms or strife but to be with me. Thank You, my Master, for Your presence and power. Thank You for the gift of Your Son who lives inside me, strengthening and empowering me for the large and the little, the majestic and the mundane. Lord, I pray for my friends who are hurting today. The winds tear at their lives; the pummeling doesn’t seem to stop. Help these dear ones reach the center in You. In quietness and trust is their strength, O God. May they find a place of sure refuge. May they see these storms and these circumstances as Your instruments of trust. Today, Lord Jesus, help us choose You. Help us to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Help us look beyond the storm to see Your peace that passes understanding. And help us hold fast to what is good—only You. In Your holy name I pray—AMEN. I know many who read this are facing storms. Feel free to comment or e-mail me and I’ll hold you before...
read moreWelcome
I've asked God to use my writing and speaking to count for eternity. I'm passionate about relationships and creativity.
