First Round of Blogiversary Winners

Announcing… the first two winners in my Blogiversary Giveaway:

Eileen from A Christian Romance Writer and

Tamika at the Write Worship.

Please choose from the following prizes:
Love Inspired book, “The Healing Place” by Leigh Bale (larger print);

“Answering the So What? Question” CD by Ginger Kolbaba, editor and writer, from the Write to Publish Conference 2009;

“The Dream in You” CD by Joel Osteen;

Orange or Purple fan-fold Post it notes

Congratulations, friends! Please email me with your choices. I will be adding prizes as the month progresses. Do I hear a Yippee Dippee!!!?

For the first time in a year, I'm unplugging this week, organizing my notes from the Indy Christian Writers Conference and working on my WIP. But you never know when I may plug in for a minute to choose a few more names for prizes. Every comment on every post this month is a chance to win a prize.

Have a great week as you write for your Audience of ONE,
Jen

Beware of Moths and Sligs

I will be attending the Indianapolis Christian Writers' Conference this weekend, so I thought you'd enjoy a little devotional today. I covet your prayers as I seek God for direction in my writing, and renewed passion. Thanks and love, Jen

"Life and death are in the power of the tongue." Proverbs 18:21

From the open kitchen window, I heard Esther and Ron playing in the sandbox on our patio. Ron was touring his Little People bus up and down the trails he’d made in the damp sand.
“Now, Ron,” began five-year-old Esther, her tone full of caution, “if you ever go on a real bus, make sure you sit way in the back.”
“Why?” asked Ron.
Estie’s voice became dark with caution: “Because if a moth or a slig (her word for slug) comes in the front, you can run out the side door before it gets to you.”
Ron stayed his usual calm self. “What will it do if it gets me?”
“Well, the moth will bite all your clothes off. I’m not sure what the slig will do, but you just better sit in the back like I said!”

Although Esther’s motive was protecting her younger brother from harm, I wondered where she’d picked up the idea that moths would gobble your clothes down to the zippers. Perhaps she’d overheard Kevin and I talk about putting moth cakes in her closet so her clothes wouldn’t be ruined. That’s how rumors get started, I chuckled to myself.

In thirty-five years of ministry, we’ve had to dispel a few rumors of our own. Shortly after we were married, we moved from our first pastorate to a church several hours away. In the mail one day came a package from one of our former “sheep,” an elderly lady we’d grown close to. When I opened it and saw the lovely pale green and yellow crocheting, I squealed with delight, “Oooh, a lap robe. How thoughtful of Lydia. She must have known it was colder down here than in Fresno.” Then I saw them: silky pastel green and yellow ribbons on each corner of my new “lap robe.” I held it up for Kevin’s admiration.

“Um, Jeanette, I don’t think covering our laps was what Lydia had in mind when she made that. I imagine it’s meant to cover a baby.”
“Oh dear,” I moaned. “I wonder how she got the idea we were expecting?”
I sat down that moment and wrote her a sincere thank you note for all the work and love she’d put into our “lap robe,” explaining that we weren’t planning our family just yet, but when we did, she’d be one of the first to know.

Do you wonder how rumors get started? Are people bored and long to stir up some excitement, so they make up a shocking story? Do they see something that looks suspicious, and don’t bother to ask the people involved what’s really going on? Or, like Estie, do they misunderstand and misinterpret something they’ve heard?

Regardless of the reason for a rumor’s beginning, we children of the Lord must not be guilty of spreading questionable news about a person, group or business. It’s important that we go to the source of the rumor and find out the truth, so we can stop it if it’s gossip. The writer of Proverbs tells us, “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose” (Proverbs 18:21).

We can ruin a person’s reputation or cause a panic by negative, deadly words. Or, we can lift someone’s broken spirit with positive, life-giving words. We’re not bringing death or life to only those to whom we speak. Our words bring curses or blessing to our own hearts as well.
Next time you hear something that sounds a little juicy, think before you pass it on. Those sligs and moths may be listening, and we wouldn’t want them to get the wrong idea.

Secrets of Witnessing for Wimps, part 2

Thank you for returning to part 2 of Witnessing for Wimps, an interview with author and SAHM Marie Adams. Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win a blogiversary prize.

Jen: Are you naturally outgoing, or is it sometimes uncomfortable to share the Lord with others? Are you ever afraid they’ll reject you or argue with you?

Marie: I am outgoing when I'm with my friends and family, but I haven't always been that way; I was very shy as a teenager and had to make myself come out of my shell in college. I am uncomfortable sometimes and afraid of rejection or arguments, but I don't want to stop sharing the Gospel just because of that, because people's souls are at stake.

Many Christians forget that just as Heaven is real, Hell is also real and they both last *forever*. One of my teachers at Rhema Bible Training Center said about evangelism, "If you're worried about offending people by witnessing to them, I guarantee you that as soon as they get into Hell, they will be offended!" We don't want to regret not talking to them when we had a chance to lead them to Christ.

I really haven't run into much rejection, but I try to think of a positive, loving response ahead of time in case they are hostile, so I'm not caught off guard. For instance, if someone said all Christians are hypocrites, I could answer with, "Yes, that's sad that we're not always doing our job, but God isn't like that, and He loves you so much. I hope you'll consider getting to know Him."

Jen: What are some practical ways SAHM’s can witness to people; ie, how can you share Jesus by your life?

Marie: My mother told me recently that taking care of your children is a way to serve God. I know it doesn't often feel like it, but our first ministry is to our husbands and children, and we can dedicate the work we do for them as unto God. We want to train our children, not only in things like obedience and housework, but in knowing God. We can't do that if we're never there for them. Whether they receive salvation may largely depend on us and the spiritual environment in our homes.

If you want to find other ways to witness to people, good for you! People everywhere desperately need to hear the Gospel, even though we have mountains of laundry to fold and piles of Cheerios to dig out of the air vents. It's very important to have a godly lifestyle, both in and out of the house, so you don't damage your witness if you get a chance to share your faith. We don't want anyone thinking of us as hypocrites, including our kids.

You can always pray for unsaved people, and pray for "openings" to witness when you're out of the house (for people to express an interest in God and salvation; this way, you're not dealing so much with a fear of rejection when you witness to them.) If you don't get an opening, you can make one yourself: work God or spiritual things into the conversation and see if they'll talk about it with you. (i.e. mention something God has done for you lately, or a great church service you attended recently.) Ask them if they have a church they attend; if not, or if they need a new one, invite them to yours.

It's important to let God guide you in where to attend church, and that you go to one that truly loves God, loves people, has a passion for winning souls, and that you enjoy attending. It's hard to invite someone to church if you're not excited about going there yourself!

Ask people if there's anything you can pray for them about; I have found this is usually well-received because it's not as confrontational as "direct" witnessing (i.e. "Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior?") If they say yes, be sure to remember to pray for their needs. You can keep a "prayer notebook" in your purse to write down their requests so you'll remember them. You also might want to keep business cards in your purse with your church name and address printed on them, to give to people when you invite them to church.

When you make a new friend, cultivate the friendship with the intent of finding out if she's a Christian and witnessing to her if needed. Finally, you can accept defeat gracefully; if someone makes it clear that they don't want to hear about God, you can politely drop the subject. If you push the issue, it will probably give them a more negative view of Christians than they already have. You can always pray later that God gives them a hunger for Him, and that He brings other people into their lives to witness to them again.I hope this information has been helpful to you and given you some ideas for sharing your faith. I pray that God blesses you as you reach others for Him!

Jen: Marie, thank you for the precious time you took to answer these questions. May the Lord direct your life in Him, and give you much fruit from your sharing Him with others.

P.S. Marie is my DD. Is it any wonder I'm proud of her?

Secrets of Witnessing for Wimps: Interview with Author and SAHM Marie Adams

Do you long to witness to unbelieving friends, but lack the guts?

Have you tried and failed at what you perceive is your duty to witness?

Are you eager for some fresh ideas on ways to witness from a fellow writer and SAHM? Then you've come to the right blog.

I am excited to welcome Marie Adams to my blog today.

Jen: Marie, you are a stay at home mom and author. But you also have a call as a missionary, is that correct?

Marie: Yes, I have felt a call to the mission field since I was 16 years old. I have never lived in another country, but I have taken 5 short-term trips to Mexico, Colombia, and several Navajo Indian reservations in the USA.

Jen: How do you fulfill that call while raising three young children (ages six, four and two)?

Marie: We attend a church that places a big emphasis on missions; they even speak to the children a lot about missions! We support several missionaries through the church, and pray for them. My pastor says that for missions to work, you need 4 types of people: those who go to the country, those who help them (i.e. sending newsletters, handling travel details), those who pray for them, and those who support them financially. My husband and I also took our oldest daughter with us on our trip to Colombia when she was 2 years old. Even though she doesn't remember it, I'm glad she was with us to experience another culture.

I occasionally talk with my children about other countries and how much the people there need Jesus. We also discuss Christians in persecuted countries, and we subscribe to the "Voice of the Martyrs" magazine that shares stories about the persecuted church (they have publications suitable for kids as well.)

Jen: I greatly admire your willingness to speak to people about the Lord in different settings. What are some of the methods you use to share Jesus with others in non-threatening ways?

Marie: Many times when I'm out somewhere or on the phone, I say "God bless you" or "Jesus loves you" at the end of the conversation. I pray for unsaved people whenever I think of it or see a reminder (i.e. we're eating Chinese food for dinner and I pray for everyone in Asia to find Jesus.) A prayer like this doesn't have to be long; it can be as simple as, "Dear God, please help everyone in Asia to find You or know You better."

Sometimes I pass out books on salvation to people I run into when I'm out of the house. My favorite small book on salvation is "The New Birth" by Kenneth E. Hagin. If you're looking, you can find a lot of people to give books or tracts to, even if you're not out much: the grocery store clerk, the waitress at the restaurant, your children's teachers or sports coaches, etc. I like giving books because they only take a few seconds to hand out and they're less likely to be rejected than a conversation about faith.

If you find out someone is a Christian after you've given them a book, don't worry; either it will strengthen their faith, or hopefully they'll find someone else to pass it on to. And once in a while, I mention my faith or something God has done for me on my Twitter posts; those are pretty easy, since they don't take long to write and I don't have to be afraid of "face-to-face" rejection from my followers.


Please return Thursday Nov. 5th for part two of this exciting interview. Remember, every comment on every post this month is one chance to win a blogiversary prize . For details, go here.

Wanna Win a Bloggiversary Prize?

This month I'm celebrating one year of blogging bliss! I began co-blogging with my husband Kevin one year ago with "Custom Made Grace." After realizing our paths were wending in different directions--imagine that!--I gifted the original blog to him and created "Audience of ONE." Kevin changed his blog's name to "Jesus in the Real World," where he posts on a plethora of subjects, all pointing to his love for the Savior.

I have been saving books, cd's and other nifty gifts for this party, and I hope you win one! Here are the rules:

Everyone who comments on a post this month will have their name put in my prize basket to receive a gift. One comment per post, please. On random days throughout the month, I will draw several names and announce the winners.

If you are not a follower and you join this month, you will get your name put in the basket twice. This is in addition to the comments you post.

If you put a link to one of my posts during this month on your blog, I will enter your name again. Please email me at jeanettelevellie(at)gmail(dot)com to inform me of the link.

Thank you, wonderful bloggers, for all I've learned from you, for the many ways I've grown as a writer by reading your stellar prose, and for being my buddies. If not for you, my successes this last year would be lonely and hollow.

Do you enjoy parties, or do you prefer a quiet evening at home with your family?

Cowgirls for Jesus

When Elaine told the theme of the ladies' day I was speaking for last Saturday was "Branded for Christ," I admit the picture that popped into my mind was a room full of women with “JC” seared into their backsides. Not a genteel thought for a pastor’s wife, eh? Well, you know me. I’m not your stereotypical pastor’s wife. Yee-hah!

Behold the cowgirls of Olivet Nazarene Church in Olivet, IL. Ain't they purty?

My message title originated from Hebrews 10:24: “Let us spur one another on to love and good deeds.” Using SPUR as an acrostic, I encouraged these Bible totin', devil bustin' ladies to bring out the gifts in one another by:

Speaking words of encouragement—tell another what you admire about them.

Praying for each other—focus on praying, not saying. Spend more time asking for the answer than rehearsing the problem

Understanding others’ points of view— why doesn't everyone think like I do, when I'm so obviously right? God made us different to complement each other.

Rejoicing with those who rejoice—showing genuine happiness for another’s blessings plants seeds of joy in our future.

After a pint-sized teaching on the first three points, I had the ladies circle up into small groups and practice what we'd heard. On the final point, we stayed in one large circle, sharing what favors God had showered on us. As each cowgirl told her happy news, we all yelled, “Yippee-yi- ay!” while I clanged my dinner triangle.

The cowgirls of Olivet Nazarene Church in Olivet, Illinois were one of the best audiences I've ever spoken to. Some people sit with their arms folded across their chest, daring you to help them grow in the Lord. Not these gals. They pulled the Word out of my heart slicker than pulling off your boots at the end of a long day on the trail. And their chow of beef stew, corn muffins and apple crisp made my innards smile, too!

Do you think of "Spurring one another to love and good deeds" as a positive or painful thing? What letter of the acrostic spoke to you today?

Rhapsody in Red

If you like edge-of-seat murder mysteries, music, witticisms, and a salting of romance you will love “Rhapsody in Red” by Donn Taylor, who graciously sent me a signed copy when I commented on his interview on my agency's blog, From the Heart.

From the back cover: “Preston Barclay is a self-made recluse (and he likes it that way). Teaching college history allows him time to grieve the loss of his pianist wife and find relief from the musical hallucinations that have been playing in his head since her death. But when he and a headstrong colleague, Mara Thorn, discover the body of another instructor on campus, Press’s monotonous solitude is destroyed.

“When the preliminary evidence singles out Press and Mara, they must take some chances (including trusting each other) to build their own defense—by bending the rules just a little bit.
“They choose to form an unlikely alliance to stay ahead of the police, the college’s wary and incompetent administration, and whoever is trying to get away with murder. Otherwise, they both might end up unemployed, behind bars, or worse…”

In spite of little time for leisure reading, I made time for hearty helpings of this superbly-crafted plate full of mystery, with flavorful side dishes of humor and romance.

If you’d like to purchase Rhapsody in Red, go here . Although I usually share my wealth, this is one book I refuse to give away!

What great book are you currently reading?