Photograph  © 2012 Andrew Pieper We’ve all heard it at one time or another: “Do your best.” “Try your hardest.”  Some of us have seen it on our report cards. “Does not work up to full potential.” “Can do better than this.” “Should try harder.” Reach your potential. We mention it often, but how do we achieve our potential? As a friend commented on my Facebook page this morning, “How do you do that? I’m still trying to figure it out.” I don’t have an easy answer or wise explanation. Instead, I offer this prayer for myself and all those—all of us—who need to reach our potential: Father, I thank You that You created our potential. In truth, You’re the only One who knows how much we can achieve or who we can become. You know the plans You have for us, plans for good and not for evil, to give us a future and a hope. Our potential, like our lives, is pointed toward You. Whether we acknowledge it or not, we exist to give You glory. And we can’t achieve that potential without knowing You. So for those who don’t know You, God, I pray You would draw them near. Bring them in. Let them come to know You as all-in-all so they may find their all in You. And for those who do know You, God, I ask You to allow us to know You more. As we know You more, we learn more about Your ways and Your desires. As we learn more about You, we love You more. We love our neighbor more. And our lives will line up with Your deep desires for our lives. God, You will never push us away or hold us back. You discipline us only for the purpose of restoration. You may move us to the wilderness for a season, but You always bring us out in love. You bless us that we might declare Your glory. You burden us that we might drive harder into You. For those who don’t see their potential, whose eyes the enemy has blinded, I ask You to grant wisdom and vision. Let them throw off the old and burst forth into the new. Let their lives push past the pain and pour into the promise. And let them—let each of us—see You as we press toward our true potential, the mark of our high and holy calling in Christ Jesus, in whose glorious name I pray—AMEN.  Are you concerned about reaching your potential? Do you have a child or grandchild who is missing the mark in one or more ways? Feel free to share your prayer request in a comment below, or...

This year’s family Valentine Dessert. Mmmm! I’m popping in on a Monday morning to announce the winner of the Valentine Prize Pack offered in last week’s post about Sandra D. Bricker‘s upcoming release, Always the Baker, Finally the Bride and mentioned again on Friday’s “Words with Friends” interview with Sandie. I asked for stories of special wedding memories and received several wonderful ones (thanks, everyone). I made a list of all the commenters and used random.org to choose our winner, “SherryB.” One problem: Sherry didn’t leave an email link. Sherry, if you’re out there, please email me here and include your mailing address, or leave another comment that includes your email address so I can contact you. I’d love to get your prize off to you as soon as possible. Thanks again to the hundreds who read and to those of you brave enough to comment,...

Have you ever had a friend you’ve never met? In our world of virtual relationships, this doesn’t seem as unusual as it otherwise might. My friendship with today’s featured author, Sandra D. Bricker, has come about without an in-person meeting. I became a fan of her books before I connected with her on Facebook. There, we’ve exchanged enough posts and messages to realize we have not only her books in common, but much more, including a shared hometown (Cincinnati, Ohio, where our fathers–and later Sandie herself–worked for the same company); similar ages (we both remember Uncle Al, a popular Cincinnati television host in the 50s and 60s); and numerous publishing industry friends.  Since Sandie and I live only about two hours apart from each other in Florida, we’re hoping to make our virtual relationship up-close and personal one day soon. In the meantime, on to the interview! BIO: For nearly two decades, Sandra D. Bricker lived in Los Angeles. While honing her chosen craft of screenwriting in every spare moment, she worked as a personal assistant and publicist to some of daytime television’s hottest stars. When her mother became ill in Florida, she walked away from that segment of her life and moved across the country to take on a new role: Caregiver. “I guess most people would see my career as a publicist as a sort of dream job. But giving it up turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to me!” she declares. That’s when she combined her love of films and books with her passion for writing, and a best-selling, award-winning reader favorite was born! Enjoy today’s interview with Sandra. And be sure to read to the end to enter our Valentine Prize pack giveway! The Emma Rae Creations series began with Always the Baker, Never the Bride, but how and when did it begin in your head? I’m a very big fan of cake. It’s my sweet treat of choice. More than chocolate, more than pie or ice cream, I just really do love cake. My mom was a gifted baker too, so that part of it has always been in my head for one of my characters. Then one Sunday afternoon while killing time on the sofa, I watched a marathon of Amazing Wedding Cakes. I remember thinking, Wow! I wonder what it would be like for someone like me – a diabetic – to have a calling for baking wedding cakes. As much as I love cake, it might kill me! Two hours later, the whole first book had unfolded. I was so excited about it that I couldn’t even wait to filter the proposal through my agent. I just...

Happy Valentine’s Day! Today, a quick post to send you over to the Christian Authors Network blog, where you’ll find my interview with YA novelist Sarah Jeffrey. Please remember to check yesterday’s post for the first-ever (although I didn’t realize that when I posted it) review of Always the Baker, Finally the Bride by novelist Sandra D. Bricker and the chance to win a sweet Valentine Prize Pack....

Like a bride waits for her wedding day, I waited for Always the Baker, Finally the Bride(Abingdon Press; releases April 1, 2013). My heart overflowed with anticipation, excitement, and a healthy dose of fear. In this case, the fear came not because of the potential for fainting bridesmaids or other forms of wedding disaster, but because I knew ahead of time that the Emma Rae Creationseries would end with this fourth offering and the long-anticipated (but by no means certain) wedding of Jackson Drake and Emma Rae.  As I mentioned in this review of Always the Designer, Never the Bride, I’ve grown to know and love The Tanglewood (a wedding destination hotel) and its quirky-but-wonderful family: Emma Rae, the diabetic pastry chef; Jackson, hotelier extraordinaire; Sherilyn, wedding planner and best-friend-for-longer-than-forever; and so many more. I don’t want to see the enchantment end. Finally lives up to the high standard set by author Sandra D. Bricker in the previous Emma Rae novels. Here, Bricker pulls together characters and plot threads in a romantic, soul-satisfying read that, like the other three books in the series, left me longing for more. Now that I’ve finished the book, I no longer fear the future without Emma Rae and her friends. Thanks to Bricker’s excellent characterization, realistic dialogue, and love-with-a-twist plotlines, I’ll hold her books—and The Tanglewood—always in my heart. Watch for a “Words with Friends” interview with author Sandra Bricker, coming soon! I haven’t done a giveaway for some time, so since it’s Valentine’s Week, let’s try one. Leave a comment below (sorry, Facebook rules prevent me from using those comments in a contest) with a special wedding memory, either your own or someone else’s.  I’ll receive comments through this Friday, February 15, at midnight EST and post a winner (chosen at random.org) on Saturday, February 16. Include your email or a link so I can contact you if you win (U.S. addresses only, please). The winner will receive a sweet Valentine’s Prize Pack:  Sandra’s Love Finds You in Carmel-by-the-Sea California Chicken Soup for the Soul: Food and Love, which contains another one of her stories a special Valentine treat (think chocolate).  (FTC disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book free from a friend. I was not required to post a review or a positive response.) Find a local Christian bookstore. Preorder the book on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, or at Christian Book...

Photograph © Andrew Pieper, 2012  I have several friends and family members who fit into the “wounded and weary” category. In fact, I’m  a bit wounded by a heavy cold and some necessary time out in the wind today helping our daughters raise money for their summer mission trips. But my personal wounds seem small as I look around me: cancer here, infidelity there, multiple surgeries near, and painful recoveries all around.  These precious, wounded warriors are on my heart as I lift them in prayer this evening: Dear Father, Thank You so much today for your power, might, and glory. I praise You that You are a great God and a great King above all gods. I thank You that there is no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus. Today, Lord Jesus, I pray for these my wounded brothers and sisters, that they would know You in your fullness and receive Your victory even now. I ask You to give them the crown of life that you promise to those who love You. I ask, oh Master, that You not allow them to grow weary in well-doing but that You strengthen them to stand—to stand against the wiles of the devil; to stand against sin and self; to stand against temptation and torment; to stand, fight, and win the battle. Thank You, God, that when we are in You, we never fight alone. Thank You that You have given us everything we need for life and godliness. Come to these, my dear ones, and remind them of these truths. Help them know you not only as Savior and Lord but as Lord God Almighty, mighty in battle. You are the King of glory and we will lift up the gates, lift up the everlasting doors that you may come in! We love You and we stand together, wounded and weary no longer but praising your name in which we pray, now and forevermore—AMEN. Have your circumstances left you wounded and weary, or are you praying for someone who fits that description? Feel free to share in a comment here or email me for prayer. As always, I’m honored to lift you before...