Thursday on Living Inspired: Randy Alcorn

To listen to the interview: go here and click on the player in the upper right corner of the screen. Thursday at 3:00 pm Central.


Join us this week for an encore epsidode of Living Inspired. We'll be running a GREAT interview with the inspirational and best-selling author of over thirty books - Randy Alcorn. Randy talked about his book The Goodness of God and more.

More About Randy: Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM). Prior to  1990, when he started EPM, he served as a pastor for fourteen years. He has spoken around the world and has taught on the adjunct faculties of Multnomah Bible College and Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.
Randy is the best-selling author of twenty-seven books (over three million in print), including the novels Deadline, Dominion, and Deception as well as Lord Foulgrin's Letters, the Gold Medallion winner Safely Home, and Wait Until Then (children's picture book about Heaven).  His fourteen nonfiction works include Money, Possessions and Eternity, ProLife Answers to ProChoice Arguments, In Light of Eternity, The Treasure Principle, The Grace & Truth Paradox, The Purity Principle, The Law of Rewards, Why ProLife, Heaven, Heaven for Kids (8-12 year olds), 50 Days of Heaven (meditations on Heaven) and Tell Me About Heaven (picture book illustrated by Ron DiCianni).

Randy has written for many magazines and produces the popular periodical Eternal Perspectives. He's been a guest on over 500 radio and television programs including Focus on the Family, The Bible Answer Man, Family Life Today, Revive Our Hearts, Truths that Transform and Faith Under Fire.
The father of two married daughters, Randy lives in Gresham, Oregon, with his wife and best friend, Nanci. They are the proud grandparents of four grandsons, Jacob, Matthew, Tyler and Jack. Randy enjoys hanging out with his family, biking, tennis, research and reading.

For more information on this author, please be sure to visit www.epm.org. To see the author's life and perspectives, check out his blog at www.epm.org/blog.

About The Goodness of God Assurance of Purpose in the Midst of Suffering:
Through Pain and Tears…

Finding a Way to God’s Heart

For those times when we’re wounded by broken trust, assaulted by disease, or victimized by evil—or when we’re crushed to see such things happen to people we love—Randy Alcorn offers something solid to hold onto.

In this specially focused condensation of Alcorn’s If God Is Good…: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil, we’re continually guided into a deeper glimpse of God’s loving ways and higher purposes—the very things we’re often most blinded to whenever we battle pain and anguish.

Alcorn avoids superficial or sentimental responses, and instead presses forward boldly to explore all the troubling doubts and questions that agitate within us when we confront suffering and evil.
The issues are far from simple, the answers far from easy—but Alcorn shows how the way of suffering—a path that Jesus himself followed more than anyone else—can ultimately become a journey into wholeness and even logic-defying joy.

I've been guilty of that myself!

I came upon an interesting article. Academy Award-winning director James Cameron received an award from National Geographic. He was named explorer in residence for being a deep sea diving pioneer. "But isn't it enough work to just be a director?" you may ask. I mean with movies like Avatar and Titanic you'd think so. But I think Cameron's "hobby" gives insights into being an artist (which Cameron's movies proves he is).

I think one mistake new writers do is make their lives all about writing. They clear off their schedules, they put other hobbies aside, and they only read or research what their current novel-in-progress is about. (I've been guilty of that myself!) Yet to be creative, artists need to be surrounded by creative things. We need to have our interests piqued. We need to explore. Your exploration might be different than James Cameron's, but take time to fuel other passions than the written word. It'll serve your art. It'll fuel your soul. It'll be seen in your work, even if you work has nothing to do with your hobby!

Influence ...

Repost from 2007

On Tuesday I spent a fun and TOTALLY exhausting day speaking to six public high school classrooms about writing. The teacher called and invited me a couple of weeks ago after he noticed my niece, Heather, reading one of my books.

"What you reading?" the teacher had asked.

"One of my aunt's books."

"Really?"

"Yeah, she's an author."

"Does she live around here?"

"Yeah, in town."

"Do you think she'd be willing to come in a speak to our classes?"

"Sure, I'll ask."

So, there I was talking to teens all day long about how I write, why I write, when I write ... and their favorite question ... answering about how much money I make. (They were highly disappointed to find out I wasn't a millionaire, living in a big house, with fancy cars!)

This was just another object lesson I've had lately about a topic I've been thinking about ... influence. About the people who take time to listen to my thoughts--through books, through blogs, through speaking and even in my everyday life. I have a voice, opinions and beliefs. I have something to say and--by gosh--there are people who really want to listen.

Before arriving in the high school classes the teacher had warned me. Many of the teens had respect issues. Many of them talked out of turn. Many had a lot of problems in their lives. Be prepared. I have to say that though standing in front of teens for all that time was tiring, they were great. They listened, they asked appropriate questions, and they truly seemed interested in what I had to say. Maybe it was because they knew I volunteered to take time out of my day to be there and share with them?

This morning a verse came to mind during my morning devotions, "Whatever you have done to the least of these, you have done to me," Matthew 25:45. In our society teens could be considered the least of these. They look weird. They dress weird. They think differently. They have no respect for authority. Or so we believe. But hasn't the same thing been said of every generation ... including mine and yours?

Tuesday, between classes, I had a chance to sit down and chat with a multi-pierced girl. She was formerly from California, too. We talked about Montana, the weather, and about going to a new school. She was interesting and kind. If I had more time I would have enjoyed taking her out for coffee just to hear her heart.

That night, after all the classes were over, after I shuttled my daughter to guitar lessons/basketball practice, after I had touched base with my friend Kristen on the phone, and after I'd taken my 13-year-old Christmas shopping at the only place he could afford (The $1 Store), I was pushing my cart mindlessly through Target on my way to get milk (and something that I could throw into the oven for dinner) when a voice broke through my fog.

"Hi!" It was a teenage boy with a big wave. "Remember me? I met you at school today."

I did remember him ... a face in a classroom out of six classrooms, yet also a cool kid I'm sure I would also enjoy getting to know if I had a chance.

So, what did all of this have to do with anything? INFLUENCE ... and taking the time to be one and give some.

You never know what difference you'll make to a friendly boy, a multi-pierced girl, and everyone in between.

1 Corinthians 16:8 says, "Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” ... Or make it known at your local high school.

Fantastic debut novel (and KINDLE Giveaway)!

Later this summer I'll be interviewing debut novelist, Catherine Richmond (look for that show on August 18th) about her novel Spring for Susannah. She was discovered by an editor at Thomas Nelson who was judging a writing contest. I've been reading the reviews (here) and have to agree with the ones who say, "I had to keep reminding myself that Spring for Susannah is a debut novel." Richmond will definitely be one to watch.

"Inspired by [folk] lyrics, Richmond arrives on the inspirational fiction scene with a moving debut novel. Readers will be filled with hope that Susannah will learn the true meaning of love. Highly recommended where inspiring, romantic historical fiction is in demand."
-Booklist

Her book is a sweet tale of marriage and romance and Catherine doesn't shy away from portraying marriage as it really is ... or can be. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy. And click the links below to enter to win a KINDLE and find out more about her Facebook Party this coming Tuesday! Maybe I'll see you there!

About Catherine: Catherine Richmond was focused on her career as an occupational therapist till a special song planted a story idea in her mind. That idea would ultimately become Spring for Susannah, her first novel. She is also a founder and moderator of Nebraska Novelist critique group and lives in Nebraska with her husband.  www.catherinerichmond.com

About Spring for Susannah: Hundreds of miles from home, Susannah faces an uncertain future as a mail-order bride on the untamed Dakota prairie.  When her parents die suddenly, and no suitors call, Susannah resigns herself to the only option available: becoming a mail-order bride. Agreeing to marry her pastor's brother, Jesse, Susannah leaves the only home she's ever known for the untamed frontier of the Dakota Territory.

Her new husband is more loving and patient with her than she believes she deserves. Still, there is also a wildness to him that mirrors the wilderness surrounding them. And Susannah finds herself constantly on edge. But Jesse's confidence in her-and his faith in God's perfect plan-slowly begin to chip away at the wall she hides behind.  Jesse's love is unwavering. Just when it seems like winter will never end, Susannah finally sees the first tentative evidence of spring. And with it, the realization that more than the landscape has changed.

She looks to the future with a renewed heart. Yet in her wildest dreams, she couldn't predict all that awaits her.

To celebrate her debut novel, Catherine and her publisher, Thomas Nelson, have teamed up to give away a Spring For Susannah Prize Package worth over $150!

One grand prize winner will receive:

* A brand new Latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi and Pearl Screen

* Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond (for KINDLE)

To enter just click one of the icons below and then tell your friends! But hurry, giveaway ends on June 27th. Winner will be announced on Tuesday, June 28th at 5 PM (6PM MST, 7PM CST, & 8PM EST) during Catherine's Spring for Susannah Book Club Party on Facebook! Catherine is rustling up some fun for the party - she'll be chatting about the story behind her novel, hosting a book club chat, testing your mail-order bride trivia skills, and giving away some GREAT prizes! Don't miss the fun and tell your friends!

Worrying...

It is one thing to follow God. It's another thing to do it without worry.

In the last few months I've been super busy with deadlines. So busy that without God's help I would fail. At times like this the thing I'm prone to do is worry.

"What if the book is late?"
"What if the story is lame?"
"What if ..."

The only thing that saves me from the sea of doubts that threatens to drown me is going to God, focusing my eyes on Him. I can only focus on one thing, and as I look into His eyes the concerns around me blur.

I was reminded of this again as I read Hebrews 11:8 this morning (Amplified Version):

[Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go.

Yes, you may be following God, but are you troubling your mind in doing so? I urge you not only to give Him the right to your steps, but turn over those worried thoughts, too. I am ... or at least I'm trying to. Won't you join me?

Thursday on Living Inspired: Helen Lee - The Missional Mom

To listen to the interview: go here and click on the player in the upper right corner of the screen. Thursday at 3:00 pm Central.

I'm so excited to chat with this week's guest, Helen Lee. Helen's book, The Missional Mom addresses how to balance our roles within our home as well as using our talents for His Kingdom. Helen's book affirms Christian mothers who desire to not only to build their homes in a Christ-like way, but engage the world with their skills, abilities, and interests. It doesn't minimize the importance of a woman's role in her home but encourages us to not ignore the stirrings God has planted within our hearts to extend her influence. This will be a great show!

More about the author: Helen Lee is an award-winning freelance writer and editor with nearly two decades of experience publishing in the Christian market. She is the co-editor of and contributor to Growing Healthy Asian-American Churches (IVP, 2006) and co-founder of the Best Christian Workplaces Institute, which runs the annual “Best Christian Places to Work” survey. Helen has written numerous articles for publications such as Christianity Today, Today’s Christian Woman, re:generation quarterly and Leadership Journal (LJ). In both 2008 and 2009, her articles for LJ earned Higher Goals awards in reporting from the Evangelical Press Association. She is married to classical pianist and Moody Bible Institute professor Brian Lee; together they have three young sons. Helen is also a homeschooling mom and seeks to provide her sons with a classical Christian education; she and her family reside in Chicagoland.

For more about Helen and her book, visit her website at http://themissionalmom.com.

More about The Missional Mom: We all must seek to be missional in our life journey.  The evangelical subculture, however, tends to reduce the domain of the Christian mom to that inside the walls of her house.  But the reality is that today's Christian moms come from a full range of personal and professional context, whether they are homemakers, full-time in the marketplace, or somewhere in between.  Numerous Christian mothers today are living missional lives, using their gifts and abilities to further God's kingdom by engaging the world around them.  They artfully, passionately, sometimes messily, juggle multiple callings and demonstrate in their modern day contexts how they are emulating the woman of noble character in Proverbs 31.

For a chance to win a copy of Helen's book, leave a comment {HERE}. Winner will be notified next week via email.

Shaped Up: Inward Molding, Outward Joy part 2

Repost 9/09.


Catch part 1 here.

Relinquishment.

It’s a word that wasn’t in my vocabulary before God started speaking to my heart. Up to this point in my life two things had happened. 1. During my teen years I had given myself over to fun and guys and partying and … sin. And that had led to heartache. 2. Then I gave my life to God. I committed myself to living like a Christian. I committed myself to doing the good things I thought I should, which worked great except for the fact that all my focus was on “doing. And on myself.”

Then one day I attended a workshop. The woman speaking was everything I wanted to be: smart, talented, successful. Yet as I heard her story I was surprised she didn’t offer the attendees a list of things to do to follow her path. Instead she focused on what we should give up, which was namely … everything.

Ellen spoke about the moment she wanted success for her career more than anything, and how God had led her to her knees. With open palms she lifted her dreams, and herself, to her Creator. “Lord, I give you everything.”

Hearing her, I was both excited and scared. Could it be that easy? A battle waged in my soul. I wanted to give everything to God, but another part of me wanted to remain in control. If I gave up everything what did that mean? What would I do next? Those were surface questions, but deep down the question I asked more than anything else was this: Could God be trusted?

It wasn’t something I would have ever voiced, but that’s how I felt.

Before we left that evening, Ellen encouraged us to do two things: 1. To pray for the desire to relinquish everything, and 2. To get on our knees, lift our hands, and relinquish ourselves even if we didn’t completely mean it.

As soon as I got home that night, I hurried to my bedroom. There, with the kids pounding on the door wanting a drink, a story, a goodnight hug, I prayed for the desire to relinquish everything. Then I got on my knees and lifted my hands. “Here you go, Lord.”

I can’t say that everything changed or that the next morning life was perfect. But things did get better. I came to realize that I’d been holding on very tightly to the image I pictured for my life … and myself. I also understood that maybe God’s image was a bit different than mine.

Over the weeks and years to come I’ve realized His image is very different. In fact, the image He’s trying to form me into has nothing to do with me at all, but rather with Christ. God’s plan was … and is … and will always be, to mold me into the likeness of His Son.

The first step simply involves placing myself in His hands.
Take Time For This:
1. Growing up, one of my favorite Bible songs was, “He’s got the whole world in His hands.” Of course, I never really thought about what that meant. If God does have the mamas and the daddys … the sisters and the brothers … and the ity-bity babies, in reality that means He’s overseeing me, and every aspect of my world, too.

Take a moment to personalize the following Scripture verses. Replace the words in italic with “me,” or with your name, or with any other words that help it apply to your life. For example: From heaven the LORD looks down and sees me. From his dwelling place he watches Tricia—he who forms my heart, who considers everything I do.

Yes, God is in control of all the earth … and you are a part of that. A very special part.
Psalm 33:13-15: From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

Psalm 66: 1-2: Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!

Psalm 83:18: Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalm 100:1-3 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

2. Today, while your heart is tender, pray in your own words and ask God to give you the desire to relinquish everything you are, everything you do, everything you have to Him.

3. Finally, go to a quiet place and get on your knees before God. Lift up your hands. Relinquish everything.

This made me think of marriage ...

My sweet baby girl is teething today. Two molars and two eyeteeth all at once. She wants me to hold her, but she also pushes against me as I do. Today, as I tried to rock her to sleep, she tried to pull my hair and scratch my face. She screamed even louder if I set her down.

As a mom, my heart goes out to her. I know she doesn't hate me. I know she really doesn't want to hurt me. She's just miserable and she doesn't know how to respond. After a bath (for distraction) and Motrin and Orajel for the pain she felt a little better, and when she did finally calm down I didn't hold any grudges for her screams and tears. I was simply happy to see her smile.

This made me think of marriage. The truth is, sometimes the anger and harsh words--the lashing out--that our spouse does has nothing to do with us. There is pain they're experiencing and they don't know how to cope.

When I'm stressed I snap at John. When he's tired he snaps at me. When we first asds married these little things turned into big conflict, but we're both learned that sometimes pain and stress comes out with those we love most.

Alyssa wanted me, because she's most comfortable with me. In her miserableness she wanted, "Ma-ma-ma-ma-ma."

Sometimes our spouses lash out because they're most comfortable with us, too. While it doesn't make dealing with the outbursts any easier, it can help us take a deep breath, step back, and focus on the real problem.

Mom, how could you do this to me?

Guest Blogger Sarah Sundin

Head Knowledge

"Your own website? Mom, how could you do this to me?"

It's no coincidence that God gave me a teen daughter and a publishing contract at the same time. My daughter turned thirteen two weeks after I received The E-Mail. Since then I've mortified her by giving bookmarks to total strangers, actually answering questions about my writing, and signing books for her friends' mothers. Don't you know moms of teen girls must fade into the background-not get written up in the local paper? While she may think I sought publication for the sole purpose of ruining her life-and maybe I did-I see God's hand behind the timing.

Pride is the most dangerous and insidious of sins. As Christian writers, we know the importance of battling pride and wrestling our souls into humility.

The Lord knows I need help in this department, and I see a pattern in how He works in my life. Whenever something good happens that could puff me up, God pairs it with something to remind me how human and flawed I am. A great review? Mix it with some middle-school son brainlessness:"I'm supposed to turn my homework in?" A new contract? How about a splash of college-boy roommate issues? A contest final? Slap an icepack on to prevent a swelled head.

Literally.

On May 23, I received a call that my second novel, A Memory Between Us, is a finalist in the Inspirational Reader's Choice Awards. And I laughed. Because on May 24, I was scheduled to have a gorgeous little sebaceous cyst removed from my scalp. It really didn't hurt, but I spent the next twenty-four hours with an icepack strapped to the back of my head with an Ace bandage. Now, isn't that a pretty picture? And yet, it was the perfect picture. An icepack on my head the very day that head was in danger of swelling.

Not only does God have exquisite timing, He has a fabulous sense of humor.

~~~

Sarah Sundin lives in northern California with her husband and three children. When she isn't ferrying kids to soccer and tennis, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist and teaches Sunday school. She is the author of the Wings of Glory series: A Distant Melody (Revell 2010), A Memory Between Us (2010), and Blue Skies Tomorrow (August 2011).

Thursday on Living Inspired: Tim Sinclair

To listen to the interview: go here and click on the player in the upper right corner of the screen. Thursday at 3:00 pm Central.

If you've ever struggled with sharing your faith (or struggled with people trying to tell you about Jesus) you won't want to miss Tim Sinclair on Thursday. Tim is a radio personality on one of the top Christian morning shows in the country, Mornings with Tim and Pam. And now he is an author. His first book, Branded: Sharing Jesus with a Consumer Culture, was just published by Kregel. In the book, Tim points out that the church has been commissioned to go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. To that end, the church spends $1.5 million for every one new follower of Jesus. Yet Apple can sell 26 iPads every minute. Branded is Tim's first hand observations about what makes Apple so exciting and Jesus so boring. In a word: marketing. Jesus is a life-changing product with lousy sales-people who are intimidated and embarrassed by the word "evangelism" and who show more enthusiasm for their gadgets than their God. Good stuff. I look forward to hearing what Tim has to say.

For a chance to win a copy of Tim's book, leave a comment {HERE}. Winner will be notified via email next week.

More about Tim: Tim Sinclair is a radio personality on one of the top Christian morning shows in the country, Mornings with Tim and Pam. For over a decade, he has been helping radio stations and various other businesses creatively and effectively market themselves. His award-winning productions have been heard on more than 2,000 radio stations worldwide and recent clients include McDonald's, Word Records, Moody Press, and the country's most-listened to Christian nonprofit radio station KSBJ/Houston. Tim has written for CCM Magazine and the Huntsville Times. For more information about Tim, please visit www.tim-sinclair.com.

More about Branded: Written with the wit and wisdom of an experienced marketer, Branded  peels away feelings of fear and encourages readers to share their faith in ways that are honest, authentic, and, most importantly, effective.

Praise for Branded: "Convicting at times and outright hilarious at others, Branded is a simple plea for all of us to be true to the artists God created us to be. In Sinclair's words, 'If you're open, honest, real, and raw, millions of people will resonate with your story anyway, flaws and all.' Branded is the perfect pep talk you need to truly share Christ with a consumer culture." -Dave Frey, lead singer of Sidewalk Prophets

The church spends $1.5 million for every one new follower of Jesus. Apple sells 26 iPads every minute. What is it that makes Apple so exciting and Jesus so boring? What is it that compels someone to bring their iPod everywhere and their Bible nowhere? In a word: marketing. Jesus is a life-changing product with lousy salespeople-people who are intimidated and embarrassed by the word "evangelism" and who show more enthusiasm for their gadgets than their God.

What would life look like if we stopped mass-marketing Jesus and started marketing our faith like Nike and Apple market their products--sharing relationally, from person to person? Using examples from these and other successful companies, author Tim Sinclair challenges Christians to throw out their casual attitudes toward faith and sign on for a marketing campaign for the Savior.

Shaped Up: Inward Molding, Outward Joy

Repost from 9/09.


In His hands … where it all starts

There was a time in my life I was busy about many things. As a young wife and mom I wanted to get things right. I wanted to be right. I worked hard (very hard) to keep the house in tip-top shape. I did all the things I thought my husband would like. I took my kids to all the places that I believed would benefit their development and refine their character. I did a lot, yet I still felt like the “a lot” was not enough. At night I’d drop into bed and wonder where I’d gone wrong, and at what turn I’d missed happily-ever-after.

I can’t explain what happened then, but I think it came to the point when enough was enough. God let me go down the path of exhaustion/longing/missing-the-mark, until one day I realized I was toast without Him.

Even when I realized what I was doing wasn’t working it wasn’t like I instantly knew what the answer was. Was there a magic formula somewhere that could make everything click into place? I wondered. I hoped it was true. Hoped that out there, somewhere, was the right book, parenting curriculum, or marriage manual that would teach me what I needed to make life work.

I wanted a magic formula for my relationship with God, too. Surely there had to be some type of practice or discipline I could incorporate to make God take notice of me and to give me a little help?!

Okay, the truth is, I never voiced those things. Never prayed them, but that’s how I felt. I kept my eyes open for the one thing that would make life work, not realizing that my works would never achieve what I desired.

The transformation started with one verse.

Better one handful with tranquility
than two handfuls with toil
and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:6

I can’t say how I felt that morning reading that verse, except that those fifteen words seemed to sum up exactly how I felt. In my mind’s eye I pictured myself running in circles, attempting to grasp happiness, success, and joy from the air that rushed by. But no matter how I grasped and struggled, my hands came up empty. So much work, and no reward.

This verse was soon followed by another. (If I didn’t know any better I would have thought
Someone was trying to tell me something.)

Be still, and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10

Those words popped up every where I looked—in books and on the radio, on stationary and even on the wall hanging my stepmom made me for Christmas. (I actually chuckled out loud when I opened my gift.)

It was clear from these two verses that there was something I needed to do: calm down. (I can clearly hear my mother’s voice telling me the same thing as a child, “Can’t you calm down?”)

The very idea frightened me. If I wasn’t doing a very good job with life running full speed ahead what would happened if I slowed? Without the numerous Bible studies, the volunteering, the kids’ extracurricular activities, and the busyness of work projects: Where would I be? Who would I be? If I couldn’t be known for what I did: What was left?

To be continued!

What about you ... have you gotten to that point in your life? Are you there now? What did you do or what do you plan to do? How are you taking steps?

(photo credit here)

I'm blessed that every Thursday I record a 1-hour radio show and get to talk to really cool people. Most are Christians, some aren't, but because I've been doing my show for over a year and have built a nice listenership I have access to people I most likely wouldn't get to connect with otherwise.

Last week my guest was, Scott Ginsberg - Hello, My Name is Scott. Have you heard of him? He's this guy that started wearing a nametag everyday and has built this huge enterprise where he writes books, speaks, etc. He writes about approachability, about becoming someone others want to approach, about marketing, etc. It's worth listening to basically because he was a pretty clueless college student who came upon a simple idea and did something with it. (You can listen to the podcast here or download it on iTunes for free here. In fact all my old podcasts are available there or are free on iTunes.)

Anyway the very last thing we talked about was Leverage. He said we should be asking, "Now that I've achieved *, what else does this make possible?" I think this is a good question to ask. We can all look at the scary publishing world and worry, but how would things look if we instead looked with possibility?

• Now that I've written two (ten, fifty) novels, what else does this make possible?
• Now that I have a dedicated readership, what else does this make possible?
• Now that I have nearly 50,000 twitter followers, what else does this make possible? (A question I'm asking myself today.)
• Now that I have a 1-hr radio show, what else does that make possible?
• Now that e-books seem to be the new rage, what else does that make possible?

I don't have any answers, but I thought that it was a good question, and I'd love to hear your thoughts!

What are your thoughts?

If you've been a reader at this blog for long you know that my latest book, Praying for Your Future Husband: Preparing Your Heart for His has recently released.

You've heard my two cents here and here and here. Now I'd like to hear from you.

Are you praying for your future husband? Why or why not? What do you pray for? Have you lost hope? Do you think it matters?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment and on June 22, I'll choose one winner to receive a copy of Praying for Your Future Husband.

More about the book: Have you ever thought about praying for your future husband?

Will it make a difference?

There's only one way to find out…

From when we were small girls, most of us dream of “The One,” our future husband. We think about what it would be like to be a bride. We wonder who that special guy is and when we'll find him. The great news is that what you do now can make a difference in your life and the life of your future husband!

Authors and good friends Robin Jones Gunn (Christy Miller series) and Tricia Goyer (author and former teen mom) believe God answers women's prayers for husbands—even husbands they may not meet for years. They invite young women to pray boldly for their future mate … while also asking God to prepare their own hearts.

In Praying for Your Future Husband, Robin and Tricia share their two vastly different experiences, including the things they did right and the mistakes they made on the path to meeting and marrying their husbands. Each chapter includes helpful Bible verses, prayers, and practical application, along with true stories of women who prayed for a husband and how God answered in remarkable ways.

God has a beautiful romance prepared for you. Prayer is the key to unlocking the love story … with your future husband and with God, the lover of your soul. 

Having a Blockbuster Family

Reposted from 6/2009.

Sometimes our families resemble a movie. There is a little romance. A little drama. A little humor. And a little (or a lot) of conflict. Of course every movie needs conflict. That’s what keeps us interested. We enjoy seeing the characters of the movie get into and out of trouble.

Of course, in reality not every situation had a happy ending in 30 minutes or less. Real life is different, but it’s also better.

Dialogue
Every day there are words coming out of our mouths. They can either build people up. Or they can tear them down. In the United States we having a saying, “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” This is a false saying. Every word that comes out of our mouths will either hurt or help. It will either bring family members closer or push them apart. This is something we need to consider when we are speaking—to our children, to our spouse, to other family members.

But this is not the only dialogue happening in our families. Whether we know it or not, there is another continual dialogue going through our minds. It’s our internal dialogue. The dialogue occurs in two ways. “Thorough and organized” dialogue or dialogue that “bounces around like a little rubber ball in your mind.”

Let’s consider the “through and organized” thinking. I like to think of this as similar to a movie script.

A script is something the writer uses to put the movie on paper. It provides direction for the producer, the actors, and even the set directions.

The script isn’t the movie. The script is direction for the action. The script guides everything. Without the script there is no order and the action has no meaning.

Can you imagine a movie without a script? It would jump around. Nothing would make sense. And sometimes, because we don’t organize our thoughts in our mind, (like a script) our actions are the same. Our actions, our lives, seem to be without meaning and order.

Can you, as a member of your family, say you have a plan and purpose for your life? Or, as a member of a family, do you find your thoughts just running around in your mind, with no plan or purpose? I’m not talking about organizing daily activities. We all somehow manage to organize our days. I’m taking about BIGGER thinking, such as:
Where do I want to be in the future?
Where would I like to see my family in the future?
What would I like my marriage to look at five years from now?
What kind of adults do I want my children to be?

Yet, too often, instead of thinking and planning we let our minds get carried away with concerns. We think about things that happened ten years ago. Or maybe we consider worries we have about tomorrow.

We also find our thoughts are full of emotions. Happy thoughts, sad thoughts, excited thoughts, or scared thoughts. Our thoughts are focus on whatever is going on that moment. One day things are good. The next day things are not so good. Our actions then follow our emotions, which we know can lead to all types of trouble.

Instead of just allowing our thoughts and what is happening around us be in control, as a family member we need to start organizing our thoughts. This, in turn, will lead to good plans for our lives.

Developing a Script for our thoughts is coming up with a solid plan. We make plans in our mind of where we’d like to go, and then work to make sure our actions follow.

A script for your life is something YOU create after thinking through situations. You consider possible paths and choose one that will lead you in the direction you want to go.

Of course, while it is good to think and to plan, it is not our job to do it alone. Just as one character in a movie without a script affects every other part of the movie, if we do not have a script (a plan) for our lives it will affect every part of our family.

Yet if we do have a good script and a good plan it can benefit our family. What we do will ALWAYS affect the people around us. 

Join me next week as I share my own script and some "actions" I took in my script.

Thursday on Living Inspired: Hello, My Name Is Scott

To listen to the interview: go here and click on the player in the upper right corner of the screen. Thursday at 3:00 pm Central.

Don't miss my amazing guest this Thursday. Scott Ginsberg, creator of Hello, My Name Is Scott, is bold about what he believes and YOU have much to learn from his simple strategy. Scott Ginsberg is an author, speaker, artist, mentor, publisher and one smoking hot piece of brain candy. He's delivered 600+ presentations worldwide on identity, approachability, stick-to-itiveness and execution. He never gives the same speech twice. I love his message and his humor. Don't miss this show.

More about Scott:
ENTREPRENEUR. He transformed wearing a nametag into a six figure enterprise. His publishing/consulting company, HELLO, my name is Scott! offers an array of products and services. And, he was voted as St. Louis's "Young Entrepreneur of the Year," in 2008 by The St. Louis Small Business Monthly!

AUTHOR. Scott is the author of twelve books including HELLO, my name is Scott, The Power of Approachability, How to be That Guy and Make a Name for Yourself.

NAMETAG TV. In 2008, Scott launched his Online Training Network, NametagTV.com. This interactive learning community teaches approachability through video modules, message boards and other tools. Stick yourself out there!

SPEAKER. Scott gives presentations, breakout sessions, keynote speeches and seminars to tens of thousands of people each year. He's shared the stage with bestselling authors/speakers like Jeffrey Gitomer, Jim Collins and Fred Reichheld. Companies and organizations worldwide have been successfully implementing his programs on approachability since 2003.

DIVERSE CLIENTELE. Since 2003, Scott has worked with large companies like STAPLES, VERIZON Wireless, Boeing, Prudential Financial, UniGroup, Coldwell Banker, Gundaker Realty, Leo Burnett, Manpower and Hyatt Regency. He's and also worked with organizations like United States Jaycees, International Association of Workforce Professionals, International Cemetery & Funeral Association, American Society of Association Executives, Meeting Professionals International, National Association of Personnel Services, School Nutrition Association, Word of Mouth Marketing Association and The YMCA of America.

THE NAMETAG GUY. Scott is the only person in the world who wears a nametag 24-7 to make people friendlier. (In case you're wondering, he has a nametag tattooed on his chest for certain occasions.) While transforming his simple idea into a business, his adventures have earned him recognition as "The World's Foremost Expert on Nametags" and secured a spot in Ripley's Believe it Or Not!

COLUMNIST. Scott is a regular contributor to American Expression Open Forum, The Ladders, St. Louis Small Business Monthly, INSTORE Magazine, and over 50 additional online/print publications. Also, his work has been reprinted in dozens of textbooks and resource guides.

MEDIA EXPERT. Dubbed as "The Authority on Approachability," Scott is regularly interviewed by various online, print, radio and TV media for his unique expertise. He has been featured in hundreds of outlets such as 20/20, CNN, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine, The Associated Press, REDBOOK, FastCompany, The Washington Post, Paul Harvey, The CBS Early Show and Headline News. He even wrote "The Quiz" on approachability for COSMO!

NAMETAG NETWORK. Scott's award winning, content-rich websites get as many as 30,000 hits a day from readers and audience members around the world. His blog was voted as #39 on the "Top 100 Business Blogs on the Web!" His ubiquitous web presence and powerful platform set the standard for entrepreneurs and marketers in his field, and have earned him an surprising amount of credibility seeing that he's just some guy who wears a nametag every day.

* * * *
When he's not traveling around the world speaking to companies, associations and universities, Scott lives in St. Louis where he often talks to strangers. To drop Scott a line today, call 314/256-1800 or email scott@hellomynameisscott.com.

Expectations are a strange thing!

Reposted from 5/2009.

I used to expect certain things out of life. I imagined the small house with the white picket fence like everyone does. I expected that when I tried to please someone they’d be pleased. I thought kindness would be returned. I thought my hard work would always result in adequate rewards. Then I woke up. Like Sleeping Beauty awakened by a kiss, I was a princess, a daughter of the king, but there was still a big, world filled with wanna-be spell-casters and dragons who wanted to insure I didn’t live happily-ever-after with my prince.

Expectations are a strange thing. We have an inner desire for perfection. We long for heaven from the very beginning—no sorrows, no tears, no pain, no death, every long fulfilled, every need satisfied, every moment magical.

Expectations are even stranger because they have a way of hanging out and hovering in the corners without us even thinking about them. If we were to put into words what we hope for/expect we would laugh-out-loud, but expectations are felt more than thought or verbalized, and that’s the problems.

I had (still have) huge expectations about three specific areas of my life: my marriage, my parenting, my service for God.

When I married there were many things I expected that I totally laugh about now. For example, when I was dating John he was always very neat. His apartment was clean. His items were tidy. He did his own laundry and cooked for himself. I don’t know why I got the idea, but I full expected that he’d continue on with these things—yes, the cleaning and laundry and cooking. I thought they were part of him and it would be awesome. Instead they were done out of necessity and once he was married … well, there was no need.

I also had huge expectations about my kids. I thought I would mold them and they would submit to my leading. I was fully disappointed when my adorable, chubby cheeked, curly haired daughter had a strong will. She wanted her way, not mine, and made that clear every moment of the day.

What was that about?

Then there was my service to God. I’d work for God and He would be pleased. I’d write a book and it would sell tons. I’d give a speech and every heart would be changed. I’d provide words of insight … and I’d always be thanked for my input.

Even today I battle expectations. And I’m learning that it helps to name them, to weigh them, and to decide if they are worth even a corner of my mind and heart. For example, lately I’ve been dealing with extending family—siblings, cousins, aunts. Many of them are still seeking/searching even though I’ve felt they’ve had the answer laid out to them many times. I was hard on myself, telling myself I need to do better—to reach out more, to speak more truth, to love and care and give. Surely then things would change. I expected (though I never verbalized it) that there was one thing I could say that would make all the difference. If I just came up with it, I could speak truth into their lies and the would see the error of their ways and commit fully to Christ in every aspect of their lives.

In the end, I realized (with the help of a friend) that they knew the truth. My preaching would get them no where. In fact, if I was trying to do the work of the Spirit. I was attempting to take their hands and lead them to the throne, when I’ve never been given that job. Instead of clinging to my expectations, clinging to the trust in myself to show them the right way, I needed to unclench those fingers and turn them palm upward. I need to surrender my family—those I loved—to Christ, praying for His work to be accomplished in His timing. Knowing that when, if, what I was supposed to speak would be made clear to me by the inspiration of the Spirit in my own live.

Today on Living Inspired: Authors Tracey Jackson and Sibella Giorello

To listen to the interview: go here and click on the player in the upper right corner of the screen. Thursday at 3:00 pm Central.

Don't miss this week's edition of Living Inspired. On Thursday's show we'll hear from two authors. My guest for the first half of the show is a self-published historical author, Tracey Jackson. Tracey has had an interesting publishing journey. We'll talk a little about that and her current release, The Rebel Bride. The second half hour, will feature Pulitzer nominated author (and homeschool mom!), Sibella Giorello. The fourth book in her Raleigh Harmon series, The Mountains Bow Down, released earlier this year and we'll hear about that, as well as what inspires her.

Leave a comment {HERE} for a chance to win a copy of either Tracey or Sibella's books. Winner will be notified next week via email.

More about Tracey: Tracey was born and raised in New Zealand, and that’s where her love of horses wasformed. Her grandfather taught her to ride at four years old, and she couldn’t get enough.

Her love and passion for Abraham Lincoln and the entire Civil War era might have come from her American father, however, he lays no claim to influencing her. Tracey's mother used to tell her she was simply born in the wrong place in the wrong time.

Tracey hasn't always wanted to write. It took her a long time to get started, but now she doesn't seem to be able to stop, the joy of escaping to the 1860s is too much fun.

She's been happily married and gooey in love with her husband for sixteen years. They live in the Pacific Northwest with their two sons. For more about Tracey, visit her website: http://traceyjanejackson.com/


About The Rebel Bride: The Bride Ransom - Book #5 in the Civil War Brides Series

Victoria Carrington is a small town southern debutante who is accepted into college in Chicago. Her roommate goes missing, and Victoria’s family is convinced she is in danger.  Alone and somewhat irritated  by the FBI’s forced protection, she throws herself into her passion, photography.
Her photography studio is housed in an historic building. While she is there one afternoon, she is led to aroom that does not appear to have been touched in 100 years. She finds an old hand tinted Ambrotype of a soldier buried in a stack of paintings. As she is staring at his face, her world begins to spin.

Quincy Butler is trapped in a hell he could never have imagined. Fighting yet another battle in The War Between the States, he is shocked to encounter a woman on the field. When she begins to speak to him, he realizes she is southern, and assumes she is the enemy.

His intention to apprehend and take her to his superiors is cut short however, when he is shot and wounded.

As Victoria tends to Quincy’s injuries, will she be able to convince him to trust her?
When she is kidnapped by a mad man, will Quincy save her before she is lost to him forever?

More about Sibella: Sibella Giorello grew up in Alaska and majored in geology at Mount Holyoke College.After riding a motorcycle across the country, she worked as a features writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Her stories have won state and national awards, including two nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. She now lives in Washington state with her husband and sons.

For more about Sibella and her other books, visit her website: http://sibellagiorello.com

More about The Mountains Bow Down: Book 4 in the Raleigh Harmon series

Everything's going to work out. Time away always makes things better . . . 
That's what FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon believes as she boards a cruise to Alaska. A land of mountains and gems and minerals, The Last Frontier is a dream destination for this forensic geologist who's hoping to leave behind a hectic work schedule and an engagement drained of romance.
But when a passenger goes missing and winds up dead, Raleigh's vacation suddenly gets lost at sea. Theship's security chief tries to rule the death a suicide, but Raleigh's forensics background points to a much darker conclusion: Somewhere onboard, a ruthless murderer walks free.

Engulfed by one of her toughest cases yet, Raleigh requests assistance from the FBI and receives her nemesis—perpetual ladies man Special Agent Jack Stephanson. As the cruise ship sails through the Inside Passage, Raleigh has five days to solve a high-profile murder, provide consultation for a movie filming onboard, and figure out her increasingly complicated feelings for Jack—who might not be such a jerk after all.

And that's only her work life. Family offers even more challenges. Joined on the cruise by her mother and aunt, Raleigh watches helplessly as disturbing rifts splinter her family.
Like the scenery that surrounds the cruise ship, Raleigh discovers a situation so steep and so complex that even the mountains might bow down.

I'm an author. Do I need a newsletter?

Many authors have newsletters. I have one that goes out about every other month. I share an inspiring story, news, and information about me and what I'm up to. You can read my old newsletters here.

Every booksigning, conference or speaking event I do I hold a drawing.
In addition to their name/address I include three other things:

1. I would like to receive Tricia's email newsletter [ ] yes 
2. I have another event I'd like Tricia to consider speaking at, please send me a press kit.
3. Comment:

The majority of people click YES to signing up for the newsletter, which is great! Building a dedicated readership, I've discovered, is worth giving away free books.

As for whether it's worth the extra time and effort, people who are signed up for my newsletter are people like older friends from church who don't spend time on social media or reading blogs. I also encourage readers to pre-order my novels and it seems to be working!

I'm looking for ideas on what else I can include in my newsletter. 

What would you like to see?

Also, for those of you who subscribe to authors newsletters, which ones do you subscribe to and read? Why?