“Why do you write?”
It was a simple question during an impromptu conversation. I was thankful for unhindered time to linger in the quiet of our living room and ponder a proper answer.
Wrestling thoughts into words helps me make sense of life. It is a joy to share new discoveries as I study the Bible and learn to recognize the LORD’s voice as He speaks to my heart. But, the underlying motivation to write is a growing passion to simply tell my story! To join the chorus of voices bearing witness of the reality of GOD, as seen in my own life. To testify of His majesty, His transforming power, and His boundless love.
After blogging for a few years, I sensed a growing ache to compile a more intentional collection of stories – about the lives of real women just like me who encountered the LORD and were forever changed. That task gloriously (and sometimes maddeningly!) consumed an entire year of my life. My first book, “Held and Beloved”, was published by WestBow Press on November 15, 2019 … and then released as an audiobook through Audible in May 2020!
The day before I submitted my manuscript to the publisher, walking on the beach near sunset, I caught sight of some birds soaring into the pastel sky of drifting clouds. His whisper seemed to say, “this project is ready to take flight. . . work hard, stay humble, and watch where I will send this story!”
I created this blog and its accompanying Facebook page, “Cover of His Presence,” as an online coffee date, a virtual open-invitation to my living room, a place where I can sit with friends old and new, rejoice in new discoveries together, and share news about current and future writing projects that continue to tell my story of the One who loves me like no other! Join me on the journey?
Let’s surround one another, look to the LORD for His favor, lift each other to the Father in prayer, and watch expectantly to see the many ways He will amaze and thrill our hearts!
. . .
* * * EXCITING NEWS!!! * * *
Held and Beloved is NOW available on Audible! … I could not be more excited and grateful for many prayers answered to be able to share these stories in audible form.
Click here to find the Amazon/Audible listing and ordering details. If you have never purchased an audiobook before, we hope you will consider Held and Beloved as your first ever Audible title!
THANK YOU again to Media Zone for their hard work, kind encouragement, a top-notch creative environment, and professional final product!
#HeldandBelovedbook#takingflightagain#audiobook #welovetotellthestories#thestoryofJESUS#availableNOW
A little over a year ago, I bravely stepped forward, into the brand new world (to me) of self-publishing, working with a fantastic team at WestBow Press to print and distribute my first book! Held and Beloved is NOW available in soft or hard cover, or e-book, directly through WestBow and also through Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
in addition to the book, please continue to enjoy the blog:
a quick description of the different kinds of posts you will find on the cover of His Presence:
everyday ponderings from His Word ~ an online journal as I read and study the Bible day by day ~ what touches my heart, what meets me right where I am in a given day, what teaches me something, what sheds light on any darkness, straightens out my thinking or gives me a new challenge to embrace ~ all expanding my understanding of GOD and of His heart’s desires for me ~ not necessarily fully developed, just food for thought that is worth sharing!
wrestling deeper questions ~ Every once in a while, a particular struggle or question will burden my heart for weeks, sometimes months. As I bring those hard questions to the LORD in prayer and search for truth in His Word to make sense of what seems impossible to understand, I often process all that He is revealing to me through writing. True confessions? These “wrestlings” go deep – they are not necessarily quick or easy – but the discoveries are no less valuable to share.
personal encounters with GOD ~ A few summers ago, I thoroughly enjoyed a study with shereadstruth.com, walking through the pages of scripture and getting to know various women in the Bible. What were their stories? How did they encounter Almighty GOD, stand in awe of Him and yet find Him intensely personal? What can we learn about GOD from their experiences? What can we learn about ourselves?
I appreciated the SRT team’s encouragement not to get bogged down in comparing ourselves to these women, but to seek to know the LORD better through their stories, to hold to the only goal worth pursuing when reading GOD’s Word – to find HIM and to know Him better… and inevitably to fall deeper in love with our Creator and Redeemer!
Some of the posts on this blog will take a closer look at these women and their personal encounters with God. It will be a joy to look for the LORD’s Presence in their lives… and find Him in our own!
Christian nonfiction book reviews! ~ I am grateful for the occasional opportunity to receive pre-release copies of books published by Baker, Revell, and Barbour. I consider it a privilege to encourage each author, offering my honest response to the outpouring of each of their hearts. When possible, I eagerly welcome the invitation to serve on their launch teams to help promote each new release! It is exciting to discover new concepts and perspectives, and more importantly, new authors who are passionate about speaking GOD’s truth through printed words. Their stories are captivating and their insights are enlightening! I hope these book reviews will help others to find quality books to read and enjoy themselves!
the cover of His Presence 