You Are Not Alone

I’m sitting here on my bed. Denver has hit temperatures of negative zero wind chill and single digit degrees that have my cold toes curled under my thighs and my fingers dancing a frantic tap dance on my keyboard, doing everything they can to keep blood flowing.

Kari Jobe is on my internet radio.

I am not alone.

I feel hollowed out tonight. Run ragged. Exhausted. Empty. Anxious. Cold—more than just physicaly. Alone. The tank is on empty and all I can continue to do is push the gas pedal to the floor and run on fumes.

You will go before me.

Kari’s voice is ringing through my computer speakers in ways that reaches into the hollowed out sections of my soul and gently reminds me that He will never leave me.

So why do I feel pushed to my max? Why do I feel as though every time I turn around there is one more project to do? One more deadline to meet? One more expectation to fulfill?

Well, the obvious is that I did this to myself. And I did. I looked at what I could do with the time I had been given, nodded my head and said, “yes, I believe I can manage this.”

Yeaaaahhhh…you can keep your snarky responses to yourself. Thanks. I appreciate that. Because trust me, I’m giving myself plenty.

The honest truth? We don’t get anywhere when we don’t take the time to stop. Breathe. Remember Whose we are and that we are not alone.

I don’t have the words for this post. I really don’t. I don’t have any wisdom or profound statements or promises that it will get all better. Because all I’m doing right now, is tucking in and barreling forward.

I have this sign hanging in my office: do what you can today and let that be enough.

Boy, I don’t give myself permission to live that very often. I hold myself to higher standards of perfection and ability to multi-task so much into my day. And yet here I sit. Overwhelmed. Unsure how I’m going to get it all done and still manage to sleep, exercise, build friendships and spend time with God.

Ah, but I think there is the rub, isn’t it? How did spending time with my Heavenly Father fall to the end of the list? See, I know this inherently. That when I push God to the bottom of the list, my priorities get all out of whack and I can’t keep up. I can’t manage.

And my tank hits empty. I’m not resilient. I’m not managing, I’m simply surviving. I’m coping. And barely at that. I’m jumbled in everything that has to be done, instead of focusing on the One who did it all for me already.

Sigh. I feel like such a failure when I type that on the screen.

God doesn’t find me a failure though. He finds me a beautiful treasure, a child of the King, a daughter of the One and Only.

Dear God, remind me that it’s not about the to-dos or to-dones. It’s not about what I accomplished or what I can say I did at the end of the day. It’s not even about the work that I did in Your name for Your kingdom. Because what good is that, if I do so many works and lose my soul? God, draw me closer to you. Pull me into You, God. Remind me, remind me Father that only in time spent with You, can I be truly effective and productive for Your Kingdom. Otherwise, I’m just an empty shell, barely managing—and not even that very well. Sink me to my knees, Jesus.

What are you doing right now that has you “just surviving”?   

Giveaway! Where Treetops Glisten by Cara Putman, Sarah Sundin and Tricia Goyer!

Cara Putman

Welcome to Writing for Christ, Sarah Sundin, Cara Putman and Tricia Goyer. It is great to have ALL THREE of you! What brought the three of you together to write this collection of stories?

Cara: It was my idea because I’d written in a couple novella collections for Barbour and wanted to do one that focused on WWII at Christmas. I was so DELIGHTED when Sarah and Tricia said yes, they’d do this with me.

Sarah: It was Cara’s idea to write a WWII Chris

Sarah Sundin

tmas novella collection. I’d always thought it would be fun to write a novella, so I jumped on the idea. And the opportunity to work with these creative and energetic women really appealed to me.

Tricia: Well, since I adore these two women—and their writing—it wasn't hard to say YES. Cara brought up the idea and after one phone conversation with both Cara and Sarah, we were off! Get three writers, who are passionate about the same time in history, together and it's easy to have 

something fun to write about!

Yes, I’m asking you to play favorites…which of your books is your favorite, published or unpublished?

Cara: This is a super tricky question to answer. I’d have to say a tie between Stars in the Night and Shadowed by Grace. Shadowed by Grace. Exploring Italy vicariously was fun, too. I hope to actually see all the places I wrote about one day.

Tricia Goyer

Both are full length novels set during WWII, but their as different as Hollywood and Italy. But I loved exploring the Monuments Men in

Sarah: That’s like picking my favorite child—they each have their strengths and weaknesses, and I love them all equally. Right now I’m in the middle of writing a new series, so I’m looking back fondly on my most recent series, especially the last book, In Perfect Time. It was the easiest book of the series to write because I knew all the characters well by then, and I couldn’t wait to tell their stories. Plus it had one of the most exciting storylines I’d written.

Tricia: This is one of the hardest questions ever! I have to say it might be Night Song because it's set in The Czech Republic (for Czechoslovakia). That's my favorite country outside of the United States, and it's a World War II novel. It's based on true stories from the veterans I love, and now my daughter is a missionary there. That book has a special place in my heart.

What is your chosen preference of genre to read and why?

Cara: I’m split between WWII and contemporary romantic suspense. I adore telling the WWII stories, but also enjoy a good page-turner laced with romance.

Sarah: Of course, I love historical fiction, but I also love women’s fiction, contemporary 

romance, the classics, and some suspense. Even occasionally some fantasy!

Tricia: My favorite genre to read is historical fiction. I love getting the chance to “live” in different times in history. I learn so much as I read. It's like having a time machine without having to leave my couch!

Places for readers to learn more about you?

Cara: Website: www.caraputman.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/caraputman

Twitter: www.twitter.com/cara_putman

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/caraputman

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/CaraPutman

Sarah:

Website: http://www.sarahsundin.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SarahSundinAuthor

Twitter: http://twitter.com/sarahsundin

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sarahsundin

Tricia:

www.TriciaGoyer.com

www.Facebook.com/AuthorTriciaGoyer

www.Twitter.com/TriciaGoyer

www.Instagram.com/TriciaGoyer

Thank you for being with us today!

Cara: Thanks so much for hosting us, Casey. It’s always a delight to be on your blog!

Readers, enter to win Cara, Tricia and Sarah's here!

Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.

For extra entries:

~Be a follower

~Be a subscriber

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.

Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on November 21st

Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com 

The Most Important Thing I’ve Learned About Friendship

Sometimes words need to be shaken up. How we see and view words need to be changed. And I can't think of anyone who should do it better for Writing for Christ than the absolutely lovely Rachelle Rea. A beautiful woman inside and out, I'm thrilled to invite her back to my site, talking about friendship. Take a few minutes. You'll be encouraged as much as I was in reading her words. 

If you asked someone the most important thing they've learned about friendship, what do you think most people would say? Probably be one.

That wouldn't be my answer. My answer would roam less along the lines of be one and more along the road of be you and be bold. For that is the road along which I have found all of my favorite friends.

Don't Change, Dear Heart... Be You

I once had a friend who told me her mother thought I was a bad influence because I was too giggly and starry-eyed (read: immature). I once had another friend who stopped talking to me without telling me why. Both friendships ended with me hurt and wondering if being me, random and INFJ and writer that I am, guaranteed future friendships would not last.

I'm glad to report that is false information, friend. Not everyone may like you, but there are more people like you than you think.

Take, for example, this starry-eyed, giggly girl right here. After those two failed friendships, Jesus tugged women into my life who talk Story and Changing the World and Chocolate with me. 

Everyone should have a friend to talk Chocolate with.

Take heart. Someday--soon, maybe--someone will come walking alongside you and smile and whisper, "You, too, eh?" Watch out. It'll happen.

Defy the Fear, Brave One...Be Bold

The most important thing I've learned about friendship is that, not only are there people out there who like writing and Once Upon a Time and books like I do, but those people are seeking friendships, too.

Hear me, heart, for I tell you true: it's not as hard to ask someone to the coffee shop as you might think. And the answer will be yes more often than you might hope.

As women, we need girlfriends. And I'm not just talking about you. I'm talking about the girl who sits in front of your row at church, the woman you bump into at the grocery store, the lady in your section of the bookstore.

I wish I had statistics on this, but just from my own life I can tell you rarely will anyone say, "I have all the friends I need, thank you very much. Go away." 

Introvert Alert: more people would like to spend time with you and do life with you than you might suspect. So swallow the fear and ask someone to coffee, to church, to dinner, to a bookstore outing.

Strike up a conversation about Downtown Abbey or Doctor Who or whatever you've been reading lately. Share your passion for scarves. Compliment their earrings (we do love that, don't we, women?).

Why can't we be friends?

Rachelle Rea writes novels by night (her debut series releases next year!). By day, she coaches others in the craft as a freelance editor. A homeschool and college grad, her favorite moments most often include friends, dogs, or chocolate. Or all of the above.

Giveaway! A November Bride by Beth K. Vogt!

Welcome back Beth Vogt! Since this is the third time for you to visit, I thought I would throw in some fun questions, maybe some that aren’t part of the norm in other interviews. :- )

If you could go anywhere on vacation where would it be?

Venice, Italy! I visited there once when my husband was in the air force and I would love to go again – just Rob and I. This time, I would make certain we indulged in a gondola ride.

Do you have any pets?

We are the keepers of our adult daughter, Amy’s, dachshund. Twister is our little old lady dog, and she spends most of the time snoozing on the couch unless you say, “Want to go for a walk?” Then she becomes a puppy again. Our youngest daughter has a mixed breed dog, Jo, which we adopted from a rescue group.

Your favorite book that you have written?

Oh … this question is unfair to ask writers. It’s the “which child is your favorite?” question. All of my books are favorites for different reasons. Somebody Like You is my favorite because of the issues I explored: twins, grief, estrangement.

What is your favorite pastime?

Spending time with family and friends.

Favorite book?

The first book I ever read – because it opened the door for all the other books I ever read.

Favorite movie?

The Kid, which stars Bruce Willis as an image consultant who has to deal with his 8-year-old self showing up in his life.

What people have inspired you in your writing journey?

Donita K. Paul invited me to join my first-ever fiction critique group – wow. I was so humbled by that.

Attending Susie May Warren’s first-ever Storycrafters Retreat taught me how much I needed to learn about writing fiction – and Susie has such a heart for teaching writers about story. She knows story like no one else. I am thrilled she is both a mentor and a friend.

Rachel Hauck … what can I say? We Skype. We IM. We FaceTime. She prays with me. Brainstorms with me. I. Love. Her.

What character in a novel you have read has stood out and seemed to stand the test of time? 

 Scarlett O’Hara from Gone With the Wind. People are divided on whether they admire Scarlett or hate her – but she still gets a lot of attention after all these years. Scarlett’s a strong woman and she loves Tara, her home. She’s not going to be beaten by the war. But she’s also selfish and willing to hurt others to get what she wants. By the end of the novel, she’s changed, but she’s still an imperfect heroine, which makes her real.

If you could meet one person from history who would it be and why?

I love quotes and am often drawn to quotes by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, wife of aviator Charles Lindbergh. An aviator in her own right, Anne was also a writer, wife and mother. I would love to sit down and have a conversation with Anne, rather than being limited to quoting her.

Okay, last one and a fun one for our readers today: If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing, what would it be? Why?

I would take my Praying in Color Box, with an endless supply of paper and pens. I’m not terribly artistic in a “draw me a picture” kind of way. But I love the Praying in Color method … where you can scribble your prayers using colored pens and pencils … I use words (No surprise!) and designs, shapes … and it’s a beautiful way to pray.

Too fun, thanks for joining us for a third time!! It is a privilege. :- )

Readers, enter to win Beth's here! (this is an ebook only contest)

Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.

For extra entries:

~Be a follower

~Be a subscriber

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.

Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on November 14th

Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com 

DREAMING OF: Living in the Country

It’s a dirt road dotted with barns, horses and cows. The stately old farmhouses and nothing but fields of rolling, green fields.

It’s a long drive into town. It’s being surrounded by fields, hills, blue sky and leafy green trees. The joy of leaving your windows open at night and only hearing the snuffle of cows, the chirp of birds and the boom and fire of Mr. John Deere starting in the morning.

There is peace to be found in this place. Where the only chatter at the end of the day is the family playing in the soft green grass of the wide yard. It’s the creak of the porch swing as the sun sets, sending bright, dwindling rays across the land and reminding you how great our God is. How amazing His fingerprints are across this landscape I love.

I’ve always been a country girl at heart. The farther I am from the neighbors, the more country the sounds, the more rural the area, the happier my heart is. The more at peace and the closer to God I feel.

Of course, one doesn’t always get everything they want in life. And sometimes God gives us dreams for a season and a contentedness and peace while we’re there. Right now I’m living in the city. Writing this in a very noise Panera.

You can imagine the difficulty it can be living in a place you wouldn’t ideally see yourself. So I’m in the suburbs. Listening to the neighbor’s kiddos playing ball in the street and the obnoxious dogs across the street play the tune of my rooster in the too-early mornings.

But I’m living another dream in this season: working for a literary agency. Working elbow to elbow with one of the more respected agents in the business. Can one complain while living this level of a dream? Certainly not! Would I claim to be? Never!

But until the day I can live in the country and raise my family where grass and not concrete surround us, I’ll continue to visit my friends who live in the rural areas of Colorado. Drink in the well water that fills my belly with the reminders of the home where I was raised and soak in the unfettered sunshine loving on the green and surrounding hills and red barns.

It’s a dance. A delicate display of willingness to let God work in my heart and soul while living in the city. For letting Him meet me even when I’m not constantly surrounded by the peacefulness of His creation—because you can’t escape it. No matter where you go or what you look at. He has granted me grace.

Somebody I’ll have that white farmhouse and red barn. Or maybe I won’t. But I do know this: His dreams for my life are amazing things. So I’ll keep dreaming. And loving on the country life. 

Giveaway! Chapel Springs Revival by Ane Mulligan!

Welcome to Writing for Christ Ane Mulligan, it is great to have you here! So you’re a writer? What made you decide to start creating characters and story world?

I’ve always created story worlds, since I was a little kid with a doll. I made up stories that would go on for weeks, with subplots and all. It wasn’t until I was in my 50s that I began to put them on paper.

What is the one title that has significantly impacted your life?

John Son of Thunder, by Ellen Gunderson Traylor. She brought Jesus and the disciples to life before my eyes and I felt like I walked with them.

If you could get a do-over when it came to learning this whole thing called writing, what would you go back and tell yourself?

Factor God into your equation for publishing. If I’d done that earlier, I’d have avoided a lot of angst. Then again, no angst is ever lost on a writer, now is it? lol

5 preference questions:

Homemade or take-out? Depends on who’s making the homemade. If it’s my chef son, then homemade. If it’s me – take-out!

Email or snailmail? Email – I’ve become 21^st century. Pretty good for an old gal, huh?

Online shopping or Black Friday deals? I love online shopping!

Books or movies? Really? There’s no choice – books!

Note-taker or memorization? I used to be good at memorization, but now I take notes—copious notes. I even have a pen and pad beside my bed and use Siri on my iPhone to keep the things I need to remember.

               

Yes, I’m asking you to play favorites…which of your books is your favorite, published or unpublished? And if this is your debut novel, has your favorite been published yet?

My very favorite is the sequel to my debut novel. It includes a story of our eldest son’s adventure in which he forgot to include his mama. You don’t fool Mama without retribution. The retribution was it went in a novel! Insert evil laughter here.

Places for readers to learn more about you?

My Southern-fried Fiction website

Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Goodreads, and Pinterest

I’ve also started a private village page for the residents of Chapel Springs. If anyone wants to join us, they can request to join Dee’s ‘n’ Doughs, named after the bakery where the residents of Chapel Springs congregate.

Thank you for being with us today! 

Readers, enter to win Ane's book here!

Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.

For extra entries:

~Be a follower

~Be a subscriber

Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.

Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on November 7th.

Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com 

Pray for Me

The curtains are drawn and the room is dark. The house is still and only a shaft of moonlight is filtering through the slit in my bedroom curtains.

I close my eyes and my mind inevitably drifts.

What will he look like?

Where will I first run into him?

Have I already run into him?

What will our kids looks like?

What will our lives together look like?

Is he really out there?

Usually these questions don’t tumble long before I turn back to my true Bridegroom and commit this desire rooted so deep within my heart, and pray for my future husband—whoever this man is.

I pray for his faith. For his courage in the face of the world’s challenges and moral depravity. I pray that God would be strengthening him and guiding him every step of his way to the day our lives join together. I pray he would be the spiritual leader of our home and a man that will only draw me closer to God every day of our lives.

I’ve been doing this for years—the prayers changing and morphing the older and more mature in Christ I have grown. Changing with the more guys I have met and learned just more clearly what I hope to find in my own “Mr. Right”.

And one thing I hope he does, more than anything else?

I hope he prays for me.

I hope (and have even prayed a time or two) that God would lay me on his heart and he would be committing me and my growth, our future together, into the Lord’s hands. I hope that every once in a while, he pauses in his day and thinking about the woman he will someday marry, whisper a prayer to God, that He would be teaching and growing me. Protecting me. Guarding my heart and preparing me to come wholly pure to this man.

Dear husband, please, please pray for me.

When I think about the man I want to spend the rest of my life with, one image comes to my mind: that he would love me, second only, to how much he loves the Lord. That his relationship with his Lord and Savior would shine forth from him.

To think about spending the rest of my life with this man?

Goosebumps.

To think about meeting this man and knowing he has spent just as much time praying for me as I have spent praying for him?

Goosebumps.

A gift from God I can only pray for.

It’s not all about the girl finding the right guy. It’s the guy finding the right girl as well. It’s a lifetime commitment between two people. Sometimes I think, as single girls, we forget it’s just as much about him as well. The right one is waiting to find you as well.

So pray that he’s praying for you.

Then wait for that one man that has been.