Calling All Subscribers

As I'm gearing up for the September 8th release of my novel, Under the Tulip Tree--a book that deals with racial issues in 1936 & 1860s Nashville--I'm very aware of the atmosphere and division between the races. It's heartbreaking. As a woman who comes from a family of mixed heritage--my father's family is Hispanic and my mother's roots go back to Germany--I love diversity. Wouldn't it be a terribly boring world if we all looked the same?

Yet because of the tension we're currently experiencing, I feel strongly that prayer is desperately needed. For our country and our people, but also for Under the Tulip Tree. This is not a plea to pray for increased sales or anything of that nature. It's a prayer request from my heart, because I know the enemy would love nothing more than to distort and destroy the message of the book, which is forgiveness, reconciliation, and togetherness.

When I began writing Under the Tulip Tree in 2018, I had no way to know the cultural climate the book would be releasing into in 2020, but GOD did!! A friend reminded me of that wonderful quote from Esther 4:14: "for such a time as this." My hope and prayer is that my book will join the conversations happening all over the world. That it will be one pebble on the wide road to Togetherness and Unity.

That's where YOU come in, faithful subscribers to my blog! I'll be posting a bit more in the coming months, and I'd love it if you'd simply say a prayer for me, the book, and the issues each time my blog lands in your email inbox. If you'd like to join my Prayer Team for the book, here's a link to it's Facebook page.

As a way of saying THANK YOU for your prayers and support, I'll also be doing SPECIAL GIVEAWAYS exclusively for Subscribers to this blog!! I appreciate each of you more than you will ever know.

If you haven't subscribed to my blog yet, there's plenty of time!! Just type in your email address in the box to the right. Done!

Every blessing,
~Michelle

Be Still ...

Some days I feel like a hamster on a wheel, going around and around and around yet not getting anywhere! I imagine most of you know that feeling from time to time. Life is just so dadgum busy these days!! Emails, cell phones, computers, apps, jobs, kids, marriage, home life, church life, life life ... it can be all-consuming at times. There are days when I get so frustrated and overwhelmed I want to scream, "Get me off this wheel!" The ride ceased being fun.

I'm in a season of life I've looked forward to for a very long time. After writing and submitting and writing and submitting for more years than I care to admit, my first novel, The Planter's Daughter released in March. Many of my author friends who've walked the road to publication ahead of me warned that the work doesn't stop once your book is published. Nope. One might go so far as to say that's when the hardest work begins! The work of marketing and selling is just as challenging as the work of writing, editing, and submitting. In the latter case, you're trying to get a publisher to buy your work. After publication, you're trying to get the public to buy your work. Both can be daunting. Add to that the amazing blessing of two more book contracts, both with release dates in February 2018, you can color me one busy--and blissfully happy!--writer!

I think that's why Psalm 46:10 is so meaningful to me these days: "Be still, and know that I am God." It's hard to be still when you're on a hamster wheel going ninety-nine miles per hour and barely hanging on! It's hard to be still when life is so full you can't catch your breath from all the running, plotting, working, playing.

This past week Psalm 46:10 has come to my attention three different times in three different ways. I hadn't connected the dots until today, and now I'm wondering if perhaps God has been trying to get my attention, reminding me to be still so He can move in my life. How can I know what God is up to if I'm not listening to him?

I have a plaque hanging above our door that a dear friend gave me with Psalm 46:10 on it. I read it most every day as I walk by, thinking, "Yes, Lord. I hear you!" and then go about my business. A few days ago I discovered this journal (pictured) in a junk drawer. I'd purchased it several years ago but only wrote on two pages. I needed a new journal to takes notes at church and this was perfect. I read the verse aloud and said, "Yes, Lord. I hear you." I put the journal with my Bible and kept on truckin'.

It wasn't until we were at church yesterday that it finally stuck! Pastor Max Lucado asked the congregation to join him in "40 days of listening prayer." He said, "Pray and then be still. Listen." Jokingly, he added that we go into prayer with two ears and one mouth. Use them wisely.

So today I'm trying to be still. To listen. To pray ... and then shut my mouth! Thankfully our God is a patient God. My babbling won't turn his ear away from me, but I also believe he has things to teach me in the silence.

I'm determined to stay off that ol' hamster wheel! How about you? I invite you to join me in 40 days of listening prayer. I'll check back here from time to time throughout these next weeks and post my progress, what God is teaching me, and see how you're doing. Feel free to share in the comments.

Have a wonderfully still day!

~Michelle

Confessions of a Newbie Author

One week!

Just one week until The Planter's Daughter officially releases and goes out into the world! I received my proof copies (to read through one. last. time before going to print!) and I can't tell you how thrilling it was to actually hold my book in my hands!! I won't go so far as to liken it to holding one of my babies for the first time---nothing can ever come close to that amazing event!---but it was one of those moments in life I hope I never forget.

But I have to be honest with you. I'm a little scared about this whole letting-the-public-read-my-book thing. Okay, okay. I'm terrified! I know millions of authors have done it in the past, and I know millions more will do it in the future. My book isn't anything special when it comes to the vast number of books that have been published. It's just that this particular author has never let too many people read her stuff, so it's kinda scary realizing that people who don't know me and my heart are going to be reading--and judging--this book. Yes, blogging about walking in The Way opens a door for criticism, but somehow the release of my book is different. I poured my heart into this book, so I'm feeling a little vulnerable. My hope and prayer is it will be well received, but ultimately I have to simply leave it in God's capable hands. He is the one who set me on this path many years ago, and He is the one who has a plan and a purpose for me and my writing.

So I thought I'd give you a peek into my brain (I know ... that's a scary thought, eh?!) and let you in on how you can help a newbie author:

• Buy the book. Yeah, that seems kinda obvious, but the reality is a new author doesn't have a built-in audience in their pocket like multi-published authors. There is a saying in publishing that goes something like, "If a first book doesn't sell well, there won't be a second book." Fortunately, I have already signed the contract for the second book in The Women of Rose Hill series and turned in the manuscript to my editor, so I know there will be a second book, scheduled for release in November 2017. And fortunately I've signed a contract with Barbour Publishing for a novella that will come out in early 2018. God has truly been good to me this year! BUT book sales figures matter to a publisher, current and future. My publisher, LPC Books, is actually a ministry, so they don't have a big budget like many other larger publishers. They take a huge risk each time they publish a book, especially for us newbies. So please, buy the book! I would greatly appreciate it!

• Tell your friends and family about the book. Statistics reveal that word of mouth is the number one way word gets to readers about a book. If you follow me on social media, share my posts about the book, promotions, giveaways, etc. Anything to help get the word out is deeply appreciated! If you are in a book club, suggest my book. I'd love to participate through live chat or come to the club if it's within driving distance. 

• Post a review on Amazon and Goodreads.  Reviews are vital to a book's life. Even short reviews like, "I enjoyed this book" help! The more reviews a book has, the more visibility it gets. I realize not everyone is going to love my book, but I think most people can find something redeeming in the story to comment on. 

• Lastly, pray for me and my book. My deepest desire for The Planter's Daughter is that ultimately it will glorify God! There are themes and scenes throughout the book that reveal how each of us is in need of a Savior. It isn't a "preachy" or "religious" book, but my hope is the trials and tribulations the characters go through will shine a light on the power of God and how it can heal and release each of us from bondage, whatever that bondage may be.  

So there you have it. Confessions of a newbie author. I truly am excited to share Adella & Seth's story with the world! I hope you fall in love with them in the same way I did while writing the novel. Click here or on the link on the side panel to order a print or electronic copy. To read more about The Planter's Daughter and why I wrote the book, click HERE.

Thanks for stopping by the blog! Have a blessed day!

~Michelle

Fasting ... Is it Still Relevant to Christians in 2016?

I love food! I don't like to cook, but I do love to eat! Growing up I was a pretty picky eater, but these days you can put just about anything in front of me and I will happily gobble it up! Mmmm!

So when God started calling me to a day of fasting each week, I wasn't exactly hopping for joy. Shamefully, I had only fasted a few times in my life, despite having grown up in the church. (Here's a link to my testimony.) Fasting isn't fun. It is sacrifice. And like most of you, I'm not too anxious to sacrifice what I hold dear. Some folks fast from something during Lent, but God was calling me to something more regular. Like ... one day every week. Every week?? Wow. Could I do that? I hadn't been too great at fasting in the past, so I didn't have much confidence in myself.

But God wouldn't let it go. After a few weeks of knowing in my spirit what He wanted me to do, I gave in. That doesn't sound real spiritual, eh? Giving in. But that's kinda how I felt.

"Okay, Lord," I said, already missing my favorite meals. "You're gonna have to help me do this."

I decided what day of the week I would fast and what meals. I won't spill the details here, because fasting is not supposed to be a public display for all the world to see. It's between you and God. It is a very personal act of worship and obedience.

From the get-go, God led me to Isaiah 58, a chapter with the heading "True Fasting." I encourage you to read it, because God has some very specific things to say about what fasting is and what fasting is not. I read this chapter each week on my fasting day to remind me that what I'm doing is not about me. It's not even about food. It's about being obedient to what the Father asked me to do.

Some Christians don't believe fasting is relevant to us today. "Isn't that an Old Testament practice?" they ask. Why should Christians in 2016 fast? Well, the answer I give to that question is the same answer I give to a few other questions:

Why should Christians in 2016 pray? Because Jesus did. (Matthew 6:9-14)

Why should Christians in 2016 be baptized? Because Jesus was. (Matthew 3:13-17)

Why should Christians in 2016 read the Bible?  Because Jesus loved the scriptures. (Luke 4:17-21)

Why should Christians in 2016 go to church? Because Jesus did, regularly. (Luke 4:16)

Why should Christians in 2016 fast? Because Jesus did. (Matthew 4:1-2)

If we are going to wear his name -- Christ -- then we must be Christlike. In all things. No where in my Bible do I find an expiration date on fasting or praying or attending church. On the contrary, I find plenty of instructions to do these things continually. In Matthew 6:5 Jesus said, "When you pray ..." He didn't say "if" you pray. In verse 16 he said, "When you fast ..." Again, he didn't say "if" you fast. The Apostle Paul also encourages us--New Testament Christians--to pray, to fast, to attend church regularly, to read the scriptures, and to be baptized.

So, let's answer the question I posted in the title of this blog. Is fasting still relevant to Christians in 2016? Answer: a resounding YES, it is!!

In my prayer journal, I wrote down the date I started fasting: September 28, 2015. I am happy to say I have kept up with fasting once a week for an entire year now. I don't say that to get pats on my back, or to toot my horn, or to claim to be holier than thou. I simply state it with a grateful heart for what God is teaching me through my day of fasting. I truly, truly look forward to that day now. Instead of eating a meal, I spend time in prayer. When my tummy starts to growl in the afternoon, I stop and thank God for the provision he has always given me. Several HUGE prayer requests have been answered in the past year, too. If you have never fasted, or if it's been a while since you fasted, I highly encourage you to incorporate fasting into your regular worship time with God.

I'll leave you with these beautiful promises from God found in Isaiah 58:8-9. Promises to those who are sincere in their fasting:

"Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear;

then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say, "Here am I."

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Prayer Shout-Out countries are:
USA, France, China, Spain, Germany, Japan, Kenya, Philippines, Ukraine, Poland, Netherlands, Russia

Sonograms, Tumors, and Why Abortion is NEVER the Right "Choice"

The most recent damning video released against Planned Parenthood and its practice of harvesting and selling baby body parts is beyond horrific. I cried and cried and cried at the image of the tiny little boy, lying in a medical dish of some sort, while listening to a former abortion worker describe the horror of seeing and participating in cutting open the face -- the FACE!!!--- of a tiny little boy probably very  much like the one shown in order to harvest his brain.

There are not enough words to describe the disgust, the anger, the heartbreak I feel watching these videos. Like you, I am fully aware that abortions happen every single day. Like you, I've read articles or heard speeches or even watched a video or two about why abortion is wrong. But never has it been so real. Never has it been so despicable. Never has it hit me to the point of deep, deep grief for the precious lives that are being treated like scientific experiments.

Let me tell you a story...

Way back in the fall of 1992 we were thrilled to learn we were expecting our second child. Having been through this before just a couple years prior with our first son, I had no reason to think everything wouldn't be completely normal with this pregnancy. At six weeks along, I went for my first doctor's appointment. My sweet mother-in-law accompanied me so she could keep my toddler, Taylor, occupied while I went in for a sonogram. I couldn't wait to see the tiny pulsating "blob" on the screen and maybe hear its heartbeat. Laying on the table as the nurse smeared cold gel on my flat stomach, I wondered who was inside of me! Was it another boy or a maybe a little girl this time? Time would tell. This appointment was strictly about confirming that yes indeed I was pregnant and to get the ball rolling.

Dr. Kaplan, with his South African accent, chatted with me as he swirled the sonogram device across my abdomen. After a while, though, he quit talking. He stared at the screen intensely as he kept running the little device over the same area. When he began to frown, fear started to rise in my heart.

Something was wrong. I could tell just by looking at him. Was my baby all right?

Finally, he moved the device way over on my side, nodded, and then went back to the troubling area. After what seemed like eternity, his eyes met mine.

"The good news is you are pregnant," he said, swishing the device on my side again, where the familiar little bleeping blob resided.

Pure relief flooded me. My baby were there, safe and sound. But just when I started to relax, he moved the device back to the top of my stomach.

"But I'm afraid this," he said, pointing to a large, dark area, "is a problem."

"What is it?" I asked, completely baffled.

"It's a tumor."

I can't remember how the rest of the conversation went exactly, but suffice it to say it was not good news. The tumor was directly behind my uterus. It was the size of a plum. Dr. Kaplan calmly laid out my options:

1. Terminate the pregnancy, remove the tumor, and go on with life.
OR
2. Wait until the first trimester was over and then do surgery. It would require lifting out the uterus with the baby inside through a huge incision to remove the tumor. There were, of course, risks involved. I could lose the baby. The tumor could grow and spread while we waited. Recovery would be horrendous due to the large incision on a growing belly. The baby could suffer damage. Etc. Etc. Etc.

I don't say this to pat myself on the back like I'm some kind of saint or something, but I never ONCE thought about myself and the dangers to my person. My thoughts were 100% for my baby. Termination of the pregnancy was not ever an option. God planted this precious life inside me for a reason. He created the little boy or the little girl with His own hand. Yes, I was frightened about how all this was going to turn out, but killing my baby before it ever drew a breath was unthinkable.

The next weeks were filled with anxiousness but also with trust in God and a whole lot of prayer! We had all our family and close friends praying. I'm sure the words, "Not my will but thine" passed over my lips a multitude of times.

The day for our second sonogram arrived. Brian and I went to the doctor alone, leaving Taylor with Grandma Shocklee. There would be serious decisions and plans to make regarding the surgery and moving forward. When the doctor began the sonogram, Brian and I fully expected to see the dark mass, maybe even bigger. I think the doctor expected that too. But as he swirled the sonogram device over my still fairly flat stomach, what we saw is still imprinted in my memory.

A perfect little person, facing us on the screen, literally DANCING! Not big enough to require being tucked in the normal fetal position yet, this little person's arms and legs were moving like crazy. He seriously looked like he was dancing. We heard his heart beating. We saw his little hands and arms and legs and feet.

He was 13 weeks gestation. The same age as millions of babies when they are aborted.

It was Dr. Kaplan's turn to be baffled. He looked and looked for that tumor, but it wasn't there. I think he was an atheist, but when I shared that people had been praying for this very thing, he seemed a little impressed.

On May 22, 1993 our Austin James Shocklee arrived 3 1/2 weeks early but perfect in every way. He's grown into an amazing young man with God-given gifts and dreams. Our lives would not be complete without him. While I would have been justified in the eyes of the world to have an abortion due to the danger to my own health, I would have missed the miracle that God wanted to do. Not only did He remove the tumor, but He gave us a beautiful, healthy baby boy.

I realize my story does not look like others. Our baby was very much wanted and planned. But an unplanned baby is still just as precious. An unplanned baby is still a baby. An unplanned baby was created by God, so it is IN FACT a PLANNED baby!

No matter the circumstances of a pregnancy, one thing remains absolutely certain. Abortion is NEVER the right answer. Never.

Praying the Lord's Prayer

It's the most famous prayer in the world. Jesus himself taught it to the disciples. And because Jesus himself taught it, that means we should pay careful attention to it. But just like other things associated with the Christian "religion" -- church-going, communion, Bible reading, etc -- the Lord's Prayer should never become so familiar, so ritualistic, that it loses its significance and power.

Let's look at the prayer, found in Matthew 6:9-13, line by line:

• "Our Father in heaven..." It is very clear that Jesus wants us to acknowledge God the Father in all our prayers. People pray to all kinds of gods, saints and idols. Our prayers should always begin by acknowledging Who God is.
• "...hallowed be your name..." God's name is holy! It should NEVER be used in vain. It should NEVER be uttered as a curse or as an exclamation for something good, bad, surprising or whatever. I don't mean to step on toes here, but if you're in the habit of saying "OMG," you need to stop. God's name is far too holy to be used so carelessly. 
• "...your kingdom come..." God's kingdom is a priority with him. Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God multiple times. (Read them here) And He wasn't always speaking about heaven. The kingdom of God can be here on earth, wherever people are repenting of sin and acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives. 
• "...your will be done..." The will of God is good and perfect according to Romans 12:2. The same cannot ever be said about our own will or the will of others. So shouldn't God's will be our ultimate hope?
• "...on earth as it is in heaven." Not only do we humans still on earth want God's will to be done, but so do the angels and all those folks who have gone on before us. God's will is eternal. 
• "Give us this day our daily bread..." Take one day at a time to the Lord in prayer. What do you need today? Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:8 that "your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Sometimes what He knows we need and what we think we need are two different things. He also tells us in Matthew 6:25, "Do not worry." Just pray, trust and believe.
• "...and forgive us our debts..." We are all indebted to God for the unending and free grace and mercy He gives us. We can never, ever repay Him. All we can do is ask to be forgiven of the enormous debt we've racked up.
• "...as we also have forgiven our debtors." So, if we want God to wipe out all our sin-debt to Him, shouldn't we be willing to do the same for the debts -- wrongs, sins, etc. -- owed us by others? It can be difficult sometimes, so that's why we need Divine help to do it.
• "And lead us not into temptation..." God won't ever tempt us to do wrong, but the Greek word here can also mean "test." I don't know about you, but I don't like tests. I've failed too many. I'd rather ask God not to test me at all and try to live an obedient life as pleasing to Him as I possibly can.
• "...but deliver us from the evil one." That is my daily prayer for myself, my husband and my children. The evil one is very real! He is out to destroy lives. He knows the end is coming, and he wants to drag down as many of us with him as he possibly can. His ultimate goal is to separate us from God. We can't fight him alone. We need help.
• "For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." Some translations don't have this last sentence, but I personally love declaring these truths at the end of the prayer. The kingdom is God's! The power is God's! The glory is God's! Forever!! That can never nor will ever change! 

If you aren't already praying this beautiful, powerful prayer on a daily basis, I encourage you to begin. Say it out loud. Words spoken aloud have so much more "umph" than whispered or silent words. Tap into the power of words Jesus himself taught us to pray!

Amen and amen.

Blessings,

~Michelle

Sacrifice: Giving God Your All

Sacrifice.

What does that word mean to you? To some, it conjures up biblical images of bulls and lambs and doves being sacrificed on the altar at the temple. To others, including me, the word embodies what Jesus did for us on the cross when he who was sinless bore our sins so that we could be free. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He is the ultimate sacrifice.

In today's society, sacrifice usually means 'going without' something we want or possibly need. Parents often sacrifice time and money to ensure their kids have a good, comfortable life. Being the mother of two young men, I can look back on their growing up years and see a lot of sacrifice on hubby's and my part. I don't know that the boys see it yet, but they will, especially when they become fathers themselves. Just as God the Father willingly sacrificed his Son for us, his children, I believe parents are called to do likewise. Our sacrifices will look different, but the love behind them needs to be the same.

That brings us to Hannah, a mother in the Old Testament. In 1 Samuel 1 and 2, we read the story about a woman who is barren. Her husband, who loves her, has another wife who has given him children. That wife makes Hannah's life miserable to the point of tears, all because of her barrenness. When Hannah accompanies her husband to the temple at Shiloh on their annual trip, she is heavy with her childless state. In 1 Samuel 1:10, she does what each of us needs to do when we are burdened with life's problems. She prays.

"LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."

Hannah is totally sincere in her prayer. She truly means what she says. If God will bless her with a son, she vows to give that child back to God. And you know what? God answered her prayer. He blessed her with a son whom she named Samuel, saying, "Because I asked the LORD for him." (v. 20)

As a mother, I can well imagine the joy that filled Hannah at the birth of this baby boy. I remember the joy I felt seeing my babies for the first time. I'd prayed for them too, and was so happy in my heart that God looked on me with favor. So when I read what happens next in Hannah's story, I'm awed at her sacrifice.

In verses 24-27 we read that Hannah kept her word to God. When the baby was weaned -- probably at about two-years of age -- she took him back to the temple in Shiloh. The priest, Eli, is there -- he'd blessed her the day she was praying in the temple -- and she goes right up to him and presents her son.

"I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD." (v. 27)

Wow! I simply cannot imagine leaving my two-year-old son there, even if it was a House of God. I can't imagine not seeing my little boy every day, watching him grow, taking care of him. But as much as I think Hannah's heart must have ached for Samuel when she walked away that day, she also had joy.

"My heart rejoices in the Lord," she says in 1 Samuel 2:1. Eli saw her sincerity. God did too. She went home, her arms empty but her heart full. But that's not the end of the story. God was gracious to Hannah. He blessed her with three more sons and two daughters. And Samuel grew up to become the priest whom God would use to anoint the first king of Israel, Saul, and later he would anoint David as king.

Amazing sacrifice always reaps amazing fruit.

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This week's Prayer Shout-Out countries are:
USA, Russia, France, Netherlands, Philippines, Taiwan

The Daniel Fast

Tomorrow our church is beginning a ten-day period of prayer and fasting. I'm excited about it! I have only fasted a couple times in my life. The first time was several years ago and it was only for one day. Last year when our church did a 21-day fast I participated but didn't make it the full 21 days. In each of those instances I opted to go without food for a period of time during the day.

There are different methods of fasting. One is to go on a total liquid diet, which is what our pastor is doing. You can also opt to skip a meal or two. Another choice is the Daniel Fast which is eating only vegetables and fruits and drinking only water. That's what I'm doing.

In a nutshell, Daniel 1:1-21 tells the story of how Daniel, a young Israelite, was taken captive by the Babylonians. King Nebuchadnezzar wanted him and the others to eat the best foods and drink the best wines from his own table so they would become strong and go into service for him.

"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way." Daniel 1:8

Daniel wasn't being difficult. First, the food had not been prepared according to Hebrew laws. Second, tradition tells that the food served to the king had first been offered to the Babylonian gods as an offering. Daniel wanted no part of it. He knew the One True God and wasn't going to do anything that would displease Him, even to the point of eating tainted food.

"Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azaria. 'Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.' So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food." Daniel 1:11-16

Daniel's story shows us what it means to be obedient. In verse 17 it says, "To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of literature and learning." God blessed them for the sacrifice and obedience.

That is the purpose of this 10-day fast. Jesus himself fasted for 40 days in the desert and was obedient to God. (Luke 4:1-2) He also talked about fasting like this:

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting." Matthew 6:16

Notice Jesus didn't say if you fast but when. Clearly it is something believers are supposed to do on a regular basis. When a person fasts, they aren't supposed to make it obvious. I'm sharing this with you because: 1) it's a church-wide fast so it's not a secret, and 2) to encourage you to join us. There is also a world-wide fast going on through awake21.org, which is a 21-day fast. People all around the world are joining together through prayer and fasting in the coming days. I believe we will see God move in amazing ways!!

More than anything, I want to go deeper in my relationship with the Lord. I'm believing God is going to do some amazing things in my heart and my life in the next ten days!! You can bet I'll be sharing the experience with you very soon!!

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This week's Prayer Shout Out countries are:
USA, United Kingdom, Japan, Latvia, Romania, Ukraine, Germany, Ireland, Italy, China, Russia, Canada

TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2012 UPDATE:

We've been on the Daniel fast two days now and things are going well! Dinner was a bit challenging last night, but we (meaning hubby) survived. Tonight will be better: meatless tacos! Whole wheat tortillas (which, by the way, are delicious with peanut butter!) filled with beans, grilled onions, squash and zucchini, topped with pico de gallo and avocado! Even as I write this the delicious smell of a crock pot full of pinto beans with lots of onions, jalapeno, garlic and such is making my tummy growl! YUM-O!

More importantly, though, I've started the past two mornings in prayer. I mean literally started the morning by getting out of bed and getting on my knees. Such a sweet time with the Lord! I will definitely try to keep that up even after the fast is over. 

Prayer, Fasting and Rick Perry

Today is the day Texas Governor Rick Perry called on Americans to pray and fast for our country. "The Response" (http://www.theresponseusa.com/) is going on as I type this and I have the Live Web Stream open on another page. The band and crowd are singing "Nothing But The Blood of Jesus." People from all over the country are there, raising their hands and their hearts to heaven, asking God to have mercy on our country. As Governor Perry stated when asked about the reason for the The Response: "America is in the midst of a historic crisis. We have been besieged by financial debt, terrorism, and a multitude of natural disasters. The youth of America are in grave peril economically, socially, and, most of all, morally. There are threats emerging within our nation and beyond our borders beyond our power to solve."

You may not believe in God. You may not believe in prayer. You may think such an event goes against the separation of Church and State. But you cannot dispute the truth of his words about America. About the world, really. So why, I ask, would anyone mind if Governor Perry and thousands of others pray for our country? If God isn't real, it's a waste of their time not yours. If God is real and hears their cries for mercy, you benefit from their belief and sacrifice.

Critics believe Governor Perry is only after the Republican nomination. At this point, only Governor Perry and maybe his wife know if that is true. He hasn't said if he'll run or not. But if he does and this was all a political move, does that matter?

Not to me and I'll tell you why.

This morning I read Isaiah 58. It's all about fasting and the motives of our hearts when we do "religious" things. In this chapter, God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah to His chosen people, the Israelites. Apparently the people have been fasting without pure motives. Verse 4 reads: "Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high."

Fasting is not about going without food just so you can give the appearance of being holy. God is not fooled by our acts! 1 Samuel 16:7 says God "looks at the heart" of a man, not what's on the outside. He will see if our hearts are sincere in our prayers and our fasting and our Bible reading and our whatever else we do in His name.

It's God's place to judge whether or not Gov. Perry is sincere in his prayers. Just as He will judge if I am or if you are. But whether or not Perry's motive was political, the 30,000+ people that showed up there to pray and fast are definitely not running for President. They are there to pray for a country that desperately needs it.

Isaiah 58:8-14 goes on to tell us what will happen when our prayers and fasting are sincere.

"THEN your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will appear. THEN your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. THEN you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I." (v. 8-9)

I will join Gov. Perry and the others in prayer for our country, for our President, for our leaders, for our people. I hope you will too.

Pray without ceasing!

Last week I participated in a CNN.com poll that asked "Do you pray at meals?" There were several choices, although I can't remember exactly how each was worded:

1. Yes, always and always say the same thing.
2. Yes, always but don't say the same thing.
3. Sometimes.
4. Never.

I checked the "Yes, always but don't say the same thing" box. I do always ask a blessing over my meals, no matter where I am. If it's just me and my husband, Brian says the blessing. If we're eating as a family, one of the boys will say it. If we're with friends at a restaurant, we'll elect someone to pray, usually by using the age-old "thumb in the air" method: Whoever is the last to put their thumb in the air has to pray. Ha! But to me, I'd be ungrateful to the Father if I didn't at least say thank you for the food I'm about to eat. He provided it, after all.

Yet before meals is certainly not the only time I talk to God. In fact, I sort of have a running dialog with Him all day long. He's with me every moment of the day, so why wouldn't I talk to Him? I do have a "formal" time of prayer each morning after I read my Bible. I have pictures of my family and other loved ones tucked in the back of my Bible, along with handwritten lists of people I'm praying for for various things including Salvation, healing, God's favor. I use them as visuals and reminders of who and what to pray for. Lots of times I go outside to the deck and talk to the Lord there. Sometimes I just sit in the quiet of my bedroom. Almost always I'm struck with tears of gratitude for the amazing love and faithfulness of our God.

This morning I read about King Asa in 2 Chronicles 14. Asa is King David's great-grandson. He, like his father and grandfather's, "did what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God." He removed all the idol worship paraphernalia from the land and was blessed with peace while he built up the towns under his care. When the Cushites decided to invade Judah, Asa gathered his army. But before even one arrow was shot or one sword swung, Asa did what everyone should do when in battle with the Enemy:

He prayed!

"Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, 'Lord, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O Lord, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you." v. 11

It should come as no surprise that God struck down the Cushites. (v. 12)

Prayer is powerful! Prayer is our connection with God! Jesus himself prayed and taught us how to pray in Matthew 6:9. If you have a concordance I encourage you to look up the many, many verses about prayer. Then, as 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says:

"Pray without ceasing!"

Why do we doubt God?

"Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused."

That is the first verse in Numbers 11. I simply have to shake my head in disbelief. The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt, for crying out loud! Forced to labor for others who may or may not have treated them very well. But now they were free, following God on a journey to the Promised Land and being provided by His hand every single step of the way!

And they had the nerve to complain!

Well, it's gets even better.

Sick of listening to the Israelites complaints, Moses has a major pity party in verses 10-15! I can't really blame him. I get tired of the Israelites just from reading about their complaining. I can't imagine having to listen to it day after day.

God, in his infinite patience with the Israelites and with Moses, says, "OK! I hear you!!" Instead of smacking their ungrateful butts like they deserved, God will give them what they want.

Meat!

They were tired of manna. They were bored with the miraculous gift God gave them every single morning.

Sounds familiar, eh? Sorta reminds me of...me! And you! And everyone else who walks this planet! We've been given so much, yet we still complain. We've been offered His Son as a sacrifice for our own ugly sins, yet we trample on the cross every time we choose the world and it's lies over Truth.

So God will give them what they want. He'll send so many quail in the next month "until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it." (11:20) Be careful what you ask for, right? Although they didn't ask for it; they whined for it.

But Moses isn't sure God can handle this monumental task. After all, there are about 2 million people camped on the desert. Surely that's too many for God to feed. Right?

"The Lord answered Moses, "Is the Lord's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you."

Why in the world did Moses doubt God?! He'd witnessed miracle after miracle after miracle! And yet there he is, in verses 21 and 22, doubting God.

Do you doubt God? Do you wonder if He is up to answering the prayers you pray? Do you ask yourself whether or not you can depend on Him?

Quail fell from the sky on top of the Israelites. There were so many you couldn't walk for a day without tripping over them. But even though God gave them meat, he was still angry with their ungrateful hearts. He struck them with a severe plague and a lot of them died.

The lesson we can each take away from this story is: Don't doubt God! He is in control. He has a plan. Don't grumble and complain about it, but rather accept it with a grateful heart.

Sometimes the answer is "Wait!"

Do you have big prayers? The kind that can only be answered by God?

I do.

I've seen big prayers answered, too. I personally know the power of prayer. I've seen it at work in my life, my marriage, my family. I've seen lives changed through the power that comes from petitioning the throne of God. I've seen people cured of cancer. I've seen marriages on the brink of divorce renewed. It is amazing to know that God--the God of the Universe!!--is listening when we pray with believing, thankful hearts! (Phillipians 4:6-7)

There are prayers I've been praying for some time, however, that have not been answered. Some involve me, some involve others. Has God heard these prayers? Yes. Just because I haven't received the answers I long for doesn't mean He isn't listening. And for most of those prayers I don't believe His answer is "No" but rather "Wait."

There are three women in the Old Testament whose stories have truly impacted me in the past few months. These women each wanted a child, but they were barren. They went years without becoming a mother. I am sure their hearts cried out in prayer many, many times over those years. Even their husband's prayed on their behalf. Did God hear them? Yes. Were they blessed with a child right away? No. Why? Because...

...God's answer wasn't "No" but rather "Wait."

Sarah had to wait for Isaac. (Genesis 21)

Rachel had to wait for Jacob and Esau. (Genesis 25:21)

Hannah had to wait for Samuel. (Samuel 1)

I am guilty of expecting God to answer my prayers as soon as they pass over my lips. After all, the Bible tells me that if I will delight myself in the Lord, He will give me the desires of my heart. (Psalm 37:4)

But God is not on our timetables. We are on His! We were created by Him and for Him. He has a plan and a purpose for each of us being born at this specific place and time in history.

Each of those babies had a specific time to be born. They had a specific purpose to fulfill. God wasn't punishing Sarah and Rachel and Hannah. He was simply teaching them--and us through their stories--to wait on God.

I am not praying for a baby (although I did years ago), but the answers to my prayers have specific purpose in God's kingdom just as those babies did. I'm waiting for a number of prayers to be answered...in God's time. I've had to let go of my timetable and release these prayers to Him, because He knows best. God sees my entire life spread out before Him. He knows exactly when the right time is to answer those prayers.

Are you waiting for God to answer your prayers?

Rest in knowing that others before you--Sarah, Rachel, Hannah and more--waited, too. And look what amazing things God did...

...when it was time!

Numbers and Blessings

I love it when God gives me little nuggets to enjoy!

In my last post I said I wanted to spend some time on the subject of prayer, but I would also continue my study in the Book of Numbers.

Well, the two came together in perfect harmony this morning during my quiet time.

"The Lord said to Moses, "Tell Aaron and his sons, "This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them, "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them." Numbers 6:22-27

Every day I pray blessings over my loved ones. I don't word it exactly as the above, but I'm thinking I might from now on. Aren't those beautiful words?

"...the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious toward you."

How many of us need God's Holy Light that radiates from his face to flood over us and shine down on us? How many of us need God's grace every single day just to make it? I know I sure do!!

"...the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."

I don't know about you, but I do not want God to ever turn his face away from me!! His peace is the only thing that gives me hope in a world where peace is hard to find.

Do you need a blessing today? It would be my honor to pray it over you!

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace!!

Rainbows, Headlights and the Power of Prayer!

We had to drive into Austin this evening. It's a 30 mile trip each way, straight up I-35, with hundreds of speeding, crazy lunatics behind the wheel of their cars. I hate it! I don't like driving. I don't like driving in Austin. And I really don't like driving in Austin at night in the rain!

But on the way there, my reward for all this misery was the most beautiful, full rainbow opposite a gorgeous sunset! I am always reminded of God's covenant with us when I see a rainbow. God has never forgotten His promise to Noah and the rest of us. God will always keep His promise, too.

Which leads me to today's posting.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about prayer lately.

As a Bible-believing Christian, I fully believe in the power of prayer. From Genesis to Revelation, prayer is a vital part of a God-fearing, God-loving life.

I think 2 Chronicles 30:27 gives one of the best examples of how prayer works:

"The priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven, his holy dwelling place."

Revelation 5:8 describes "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."

And Jesus thought prayer was important enough that he taught us how to pray in Matthew 6:5-15.

When we pray, our prayers reach heaven where God dwells. They are stored in golden bowls and are a pleasing aroma to God.

In my life I've said many prayers! I've prayed for myself, my husband, my marriage, my children, my family, unsaved loved ones, health issues, money issues, job issues, and everything else under the sun. Today, for instance, I prayed for a friend who is newly pregnant and fearful of miscarrying again. I prayed for another friend who did miscarry a few days ago. I prayed for the sister of a friend who broke both her hands and arms in a fall. I prayed for my son to find a job. I prayed for my husband, out driving a truck in the rain.

And you know what? God heard my prayers! No, not every prayer has been answered yet, but that doesn't mean God didn't hear me.

But let me give you an example of an immediate answer to a prayer! It happened tonight, while I was driving home from Austin. Remember, it was dark and rainy by now. I was headed down a very busy, six-lane street, cars were darting in and out. Suddenly a pick-up truck pulled in behind me. I thought something was odd and as I put a little distance between us, I realized what it was. The truck did not have its headlights on! On this dark, rainy night, with traffic all around, that was not a good thing!

Well, I didn't know what to do. We're going down the road at about 40 mph and there's no way to get the driver's attention. Between the darkness and the rain, someone could easily not see this truck and cause an accident. There was only one thing I could do.

Pray!

"Lord," I said. "Please reveal to this driver that his lights aren't on."

Folks, within 10 seconds of my prayer, the truck slowed down and suddenly...BING! It's headlights came on!! God absolutely, without a doubt, revealed to that driver that he was driving without his lights!

Coincidence?

I think not.

The power of prayer?

You bet'cha!

Don't get caught driving in the dark! Let God shine His light on you through the power of prayer!

I think I'm going to stay on the subject of prayer for a few days (weeks?). While I'll still post now and then about my journey through the book of Numbers, I feel lead to stay on the subject of prayer for a while.