Is there a revival on the horizon for America?

Over the weekend, talk show host Glenn Beck held a rally in Washington DC at the Lincoln Memorial. I wanted to attend this rally so badly but coming from California, finances just weren't there. Whatever you think of Glenn Beck, if you've ever taken time to listen to his message, you might be shocked to discover that it is only the simple message of turning this nation back to God. That was the entire purpose of this rally, to remind people of our great history, of what our founding fathers fought so ardently to achieve, and to get back to that strong foundation that was laid upon the Bible and Jesus Christ. Like Beck, I see no other solution to the problems of this nation. We have created a HUGE mess of our own doing. We are deep in the well of despair, discouragement, violence, financial collapse, rampant crime and immorality and depression and it's only getting deeper. The only way out is to look up! No matter what anyone says, this nation is a Christian Nation. If you don't believe me, do your homework and seek out original texts and sources written in our founding father's own words. The history you learned in school has been watered down and filtered through a liberal sieve. A good place to start is Dave Barton's http://www.wallbuilders.com/

Over 100,000 people attended this rally. I've only seen clips of it so far but intend to watch it on Glenn's site. These people came with their kids and their hope and their faith and their love of country and stood with Glenn to plead with Almighty God for His Forgiveness and ask for His help to heal our land and make America once again the shining city on the hill.  If we lose our freedom like those in Washington are trying to do, then who will be the champion for freedom around the world? Who will be the country first to any disaster with supplies and humanitarian aid? Who will be the country who will send out more missionaries than any other country? What country will people scramble to become citizens of because here in America, we are free?

I sense something changing in the Spiritual realm and it is a good thing. In my 51 years, I've never seen such a grand rally centered around returning to God in Washington DC. Never. Preaches and priests and pastors and rabbis are started to take a stand. Some are crawling out of their church dungeons and once again preaching the truth. They are sick of being told they cannot talk about politics from the pulpit. Did you know that before the American Revolution, it was the preachers who got the people stirred up to revolt? Preachers talked about government all the time from their pulpits and were heavily involved in, not only the war, but in forming the Declaration and the Constitution. Now, our pastors are told they can't encourage voters to vote a certain way or they'll lose their tax-exempt status. Really? If that is true than why did our country's preachers continue to preach about politics from the pulpit long after our nation was formed?  Why are we lying down and taking this? If Thomas Jefferson wanted separation of church and state so much (which by the way is only found in one of his letters and nowhere in the Constitution) then why was he one of the regular attendees at the church service held INSIDE the Capitol building each Sunday?

We are at a crossroads. Whether you're just  a teenager or a grandmother, and whether you have an interest in politics or not, I ask you to get on your knees at least once a day and repent of your sins, and ask Him to heal America--to make her what she once was. One Nation, under God. Indivisible. With Liberty and Justice for All!   If not, the America you know today may not be the America you'll find yourself  in, in 20 years. And believe me it won't be pretty.  Then go out and do something. Educate yourself and discuss issues with your friends. Start a History of America club at your school or library. Read what he founding Father's actually said! Tell your friends. And when the time comes, vote. But most of all pray.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land 2 Chron 7:14

Introducing Linda Windsor and her new release, Healer!

First, I'd like to congratulate, Reyna Mishler, who won a copy of Nightshade by Ronie Kendig!!!! Thanks to all  who entered.

Today I have a very special guest, multi-published, award winning author, Linda Windsor. Linda contacted me a few months ago to ask if I would read her newest release, Healer, and review it. Of course I jumped at the chance. I have loved everything I've read of Linda's.
Here's a bit about the book

Come to sixth century Arthurian Britain as it’s never been seen in Linda Windsor’s latest novel, HEALER, book one in the Brides of Alba series published by David C. Cook. A woman orphaned during a twenty-year blood feud is destined to spend her life in hiding with only her wolf and faith in God as companions. Her mother’s dying prophecy forces her to flee from the enemy who would kill her and the remnant of her own clan who would have her lead them in vengeful retaliation.


But Brenna is a healer, trained by the Arimathean Sisters of Avalon, not a warrior queen. So when a stranger is ambushed and left to die, Brenna has no choice but to rescue him. The man’s delirious rants leave her to wonder if his spirit will survive the darkness that enshrouds him and reveal that he had witnessed her clan’s destruction, though he’d been no more than a child. Only by faith does healing him come as easy as loving him…though the cost may be her life.

See HEALER’s book trailer and win a free signed copy at http://www.lindawindsor.com/

With an estimated million books in print, Christy finalist and winner of multiple industry awards Linda Windsor is the author of 16 secular historical and contemporary romances and 13 romantic comedies and historical fiction for the inspirational market. Her switch to the inspirational fiction in 1999 was more like Jonah going to Ninevah than a flash of enlightenment. Windsor has never looked back with regret.

When Linda isn’t writing in her restored late 18th century farmhouse, she’s busy speaking and/or playing music for writing workshops, faith seminars, libraries, and civic and church groups. She and her late husband were professional musicians and singers in their country and old Rock and Roll band Homespun. The author is currently working on The Brides of Alba trilogy, a family saga set in King Arthur’s Scotland. HEALER, book one of the series, was released in June 2010.

I asked Linda why she wrote this particular series:
 
Dear Friends,
Years ago my daughter was stalked and assaulted in college, blamed God in anger and turned to Wicca or white witchcraft. Little did I know that as I began to research and write about the Dark Ages in my previous Irish series Fires of Gleannmara and now in HEALER and the Brides of Alba series, that I would find historical information that would enable me to witness to her, when she would not hear the Word. These precious tidbits of early church history and the conversion of the druids, or wisemen/magi of the ancient world planted seeds, food for thought, that eventually brought my daughter back to Christ.

And so my passion was kindled to reach out to young people and adults to share this information through fiction just as Jesus used parables to teach. HEALER is sprinkled with this information and underscored by the Word around a sweeping romantic adventure in Dark Age Scotland. In it, you will see nature magic, which evolved into today’s science, compared to dark magic. You will learn why the pagan peoples so readily accepted Christianity in the British Isles—reasons still valid today against New Age. Arthur, Merlin and others of legend are revealed as titles and HEALER’s Arthur and Merlin Emrys are historical figures who actually existed. They are descended, according to tradition, from the Davidic bloodlines preserved in the royal Irish by the marriage of Zedediah’s daughter to Ireland’s high king in the late sixth century B.C. and the apostolic bloodlines of Jesus’s family and friends, including Joseph of Arimathea. The survival of these holy bloodlines and Christianity itself figure heavily in HEALER’s storyline.

For those who would read the nonfiction sources to find out more, I’ve included an extensive bibliography in the back of HEALER. I want to help others to reach out to nonbelievers seduced by New Age philosophies and to educate our young so that they can not be swayed from their faith because of mistakes the church has made in Christ’s name. These are the driving themes behind HEALER. Do not throw Jesus out with the dirty church water. The druids knew who He was before Christianity arrived on their shores. And worship the Creator, not creation.

May you be blessed by this work as I have been.
In His love and to His glory forever,
Linda Windsor

My review:
Linda Windsor’s Healer will go on my top ten list of favorite Historicals for the year. This is so much more than a romance. It is a story of prophecy, history, legend, rivalry, greed, forgiveness, and love all carefully threaded with an overlying theme of God’s power and love. Rarely does a book take me so far away from my own world that I truly feel as though I’m a part of the struggles, heartaches and joys of these characters as they lived in 6th century Scotland. With a rich history of Arthurian legend and early Christianity, this story will captivate you. I was also thoroughly impressed with the spiritual warfare depicted by the author, a subject not often seen in fiction these days. And one that heartily needs to be addressed in light of the growing interest and power in all things supernatural.

I'm giving away my copy of this book to some lucky winner. All you have to do is leave a comment for Linda and I'll draw a name on Sept 10th.

Wordless Wednesday

Rest from the storm.....

Also, if you're available,  drop by the following website tomorrow, August 26th, at 10:00 AM Central, 11:00 AM Eastern for a live interview with yours truly.

http://toginet.com/shows/christianworkathomemoms 

Is there a mark on your forehead?

And the Lord said to him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in the midst of it. Ezekiel 9:4

Do you sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in our country? I know I do. Everytime I turn on the TV or listen to the radio or read a newspaper.  God seeks people who are disgusted by sin and wickedness. People who are no longer attached to this world and the things of this world. People who are axiously awaiting His coming.

Currently I'm reading through Ezekiel (Very cool book, by the way with lots of heavenly visions!)  and I came across this verse. It stopped me because I remembered a similar verse in Revelation.
Revelation 9:4 to be exact. (Humm, 9:4 I wonder if that means anything?)
They were told not to injure the herbage of the earth nor any green thing nor any tree, but only [to attack] such human beings as do not have the seal (mark) of God on their foreheads.

The story in Ezekiel continues with a band of angels going through Jerusalem and slaying everyone who didn't have the mark of God on their forehead. That may sound cruel, but at this point God has had enough of Israel's idolatry and wickedness. After giving them multiple times to repent, they still refused. But then that reminded me of another story in the Bible. The first passover in Egypt when the angel of death killled all the first born of the land but passed over the homes sprinkled with the blood of the sacrificial lamb. (Ah, and here's the secret to acquiring the mark--trust in the lamb who shed His blood for you!) This was after God gave Pharaoh multiple chances to repent and let the Jewish people go.

God always gives 2nd chances, doesn't He? And thirds and fourths and fifths.. etc.. and on and on. He has much more patience than I'll' ever have. Thank goodness or I may not be here now! But when His patience runs out, He must enact His justice. He can do no less. For if He wasn't a God of justice, then He wouldn't be Holy or Good. There are two sides to every coin. Most people love to talk about God's mercy and love and grace. But flip the coin over and you have His justice and his wrath. You're either on one side or the other. In God's grace, or under His judgement.

I believe God marks His own people even today. It's not visible to us in the natural world, but in the spiritual world, it's there on our foreheads for all to see. And it's bright and growing brighter as we walk closer to God. Demons growl at the sight of it. Satan shrinks from it and hates it.

He hates it so much, he created a counterfiet, like everything he does.

Also he compels all alike, both small and great, both the rich and the poor, both free and slave, to be marked with an inscription  stamped on their right hands or on their foreheads,  Rev 13:16

This is the mark of the beast. You want the first mark. You don't want the second. The first one leads to life, the second one death.

The world has gone mad

Happy Friday, everyone! If  you have an extra 3 minutes today, watch this video and if you agree, pass it  on.




To me, this would be akin to putting up a Christian church on the site of a Muslim massacre in the middle east that happened during the crusades. If American Muslims want so badly to reach out an arm of peace and friendship with us, then they surely must know this is not the way to do it.
Do they have a constitutional right to build this mosque? Yes. Do they have a constitutional right to worship any way they want to? Yes.
But the fact that they even proposed to build this mosque on the 911 site and open it up on 9-11-11 says to me they have no desire to live in peace with America. In fact, if you look at the Iman's past who will head up the mosque, he has ties with Hamas. He believes strongly in Sharia law whose ultimate goal is the subjugation of all people under the rule of Islam. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the mosque is being funded by Hamas.
If this thing goes up, you mark my words, there will be cheers and dancing in the streets of Muslim nations while they laugh at our stupidity and apathy. It will be a symbol to all of Islam that we are a weak and foolish nation and will give them impetus for further attacks.
Yet what does our government do ? They send this Iman on a trip to the middle east to get funding--all on the tax payer's dollar.
Have we lost our mind?

Wordless Wednesday

Pleasant dreams!

Do you have some crumbling ruins?

I don't know about you, but I've lived long enough and spent too many years of that time away from God to have created some major ruins in my life. When I hear the word ruins, I imagine some old city out in the middle of the desert with crumbling walls where owls and coyotes make their homes. Some place that in its former day was green and new and beautiful and bustling with people and prosperity, but some calamity befell it and now after years of neglect, it is just a pile of rocks.

Do you ever feel like that is your legacy? Like you've made so many mistakes in life that all you've left behind is a wreck heap? Well, I've often felt that way. I spent years way from God doing "my own thing", thinking that I knew better than my Creator what was best for me. Yea, right. How dumb is that? So, when I look back at my life, here 's what I see.  The crumbling wall of a failed marriage, a rock heap of ruined relationships, the dried up garden filled with weeds where children and grandchildren should be growing like strong vines, and a pile of trash filled with regrets and shame. 

There's nothing I can do about my ruins now. What happened was in the past. What I did has been forgiven. I can't go back. I must learn to live with the consequences of my actions. I must learn to live with my ruins.

But then....  I came across these verses in Isaiah

And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not.
And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of buildings that have laid waste for many generations; and you shall be called Repairer of the Breach, Restorer of Streets to Dwell In. Isaiah 58: 11-12


And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Isaiah 61:4


And it hit me, God doesn't leave those ancient ruins there to rot. Maybe He leaves them there for a time to remind us that we need Him, to remind us of our mistakes so we never want to go back. But after we are past the point where we'll ever turn away from God and where we are wallking close with Him, He begins a rennovation project that will blow you away! He takes all that mess you created and creates a new city, a new legacy for you from the ashes.
You know what, I'm looking back on my ruins now, and I'm starting to see my Father picking up the pieces and rebuilding that city of my life the way He intended it to be. He started in my heart. He's working on my family, and He's moved me into His will for my life.  It's going to be a beautiful city!
 
And He can do the same for you!

Win a copy of Nightshade by Ronie Kendig!!!

I have the privilege of introducing you to a friend of mine and a great author, Ronie Kendig. I've recently read her new release, Nightshade, and I highly recommend it.  It isn't an historical. In fact, it's labeled a military romantic suspense, but I'm telling you, this book will keep you up late at night.

Here's a bit about NIGHTSHADE:


Soldiers all across the globe are returning home to their families after brutal tours of duty. They are discharged from the service. . .and on their own. Meet Max Jacobs, one of these discarded heroes, as he faces a wall of failure—in his career, his friendships, and his marriage. Failing again—this time to end his life—he is offered a thread of hope. Are covert government operations the answer for him, or will they only bring more danger and dissension upon his broken family?

And my review:
Even up to the very last page! I have to admit, I get bored quite easily with so many books I read these days, but that was NOT the case with Ms. Kendig's new release Nightshade! This new author has a definite talent in creating likeable, real characters and then placing them in the most harrowing situations! The hero, Max, is one angry dude, but there's a good reason for his anger. He's also a true hero in every sense of the word. Noble, honorable, protecting, strong, brave. Honestly, we could use more men like him in this day and age. Sydney, the heroine, was also strong, sensitive, hurting, stubborn and a lot more like me than I cared to admit. She and Max belonged together, but they just didn't know it through most of the book! Ms. Kendig makes us truly care for them and want to see them happy, then she thrusts them into every imaginable deathly dangerous situation! A fun, intense rollar coaster ride that I guarantee will leave you breathless!

Tell us a little about yourself, Ronie.
In 2010, I will celebrate my 20th wedding anniversary. With my husband, we have four children and two dogs. I have a BS in Psychology and grew up an Army brat.


What was your motivation behind this project?
I've always loved writing military or action-adventure stories. But one Sunday during church, a woman requested prayer. Her husband was a Navy SEAL and his anger and PTSD were destroying their marriage. It was a moment of stunning clarity for me--I knew it would be a grave injustice to ever pen a story that romanticized our heroes. Don't get me wrong--they *are* heroes, but they're also people with hurts/needs, and I think that is often forgotten.

What do you hope folks will gain from this project?
I hope readers will come to the series with an open mind, that they'd find hope & healing, and perhaps a desire to support our men & women in the armed forces with more compassion, more prayer, and more understanding. Above all, I pray that the wounded of heart and/or soul will find hope in God.

How were you personally impacted by working on this project?
Writing this story took a huge emotional toll, as has its sequel, which I'm working on now. The research alone was heart-breaking, but delving so deep into a character with such intensity drained me. I had to prep myself every time through prayer and mental focus to really jump in and get the story written.

Anything else you'd like readers / listeners to know: I love to hear from readers, and they can visit me online at my website or on my Facebook fan site. The Discarded Heroes series includes: Nightshade, Digitalis, Wolfsbane, and Firethorn. I also have an espionage thriller, Dead Reckoning, through Abingdon Press!

Ronie Kendig has a BS in Psychology and is a wife, mother of four, and avid writer. Her novels include an espionage thriller, Dead Reckoning and a military series that focuses on PTSD and our heroes: The Discarded Heroes series. NIGHTSHADE, Book #1 released July 2010 and Book #2, Digitalis, will release January 2011.
In addition to speaking engagements, Ronie volunteers with the American Christian Fiction Writers, and she is a monthly columnist at the award-winning blog, Novel Journey. Ronie can be found online at www.roniekendig.com or at www.discardedheroes.com.

Leave a comment and your email address and I'll enter you to win a free copy. To be announced, August 27th!

Wordless Wednesday

I'll rake ye wit' a broadside!

Check out my new Bumper Sticker!

Compliments of Linda Attaway. Thanks, Linda!!!

Why do the good die young?

THE RIGHTEOUS man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; and merciful and devout men are taken away, with no one considering that the uncompromisingly upright and godly person is taken away from the calamity and evil to come even through wickedness.

He in death enters into peace; they rest in their beds, each one who walks straight and in his uprightness. Isaiah 57:1-2

I found this verse the other day and it blew me away! How often do we see fellow Christians who die of cancer or are killed in a car accident or somehow are taken from us before they reach old age?  I know many people who struggle with God's grace and love when someone they care about dies horrifically. In their grief, they blame God. After all, this person was a god-fearing person, someone who loved God and was an avid follower of Jesus. Was this their reward? What happened? Does God care?

But I think we are looking at it wrong.  We have such a limited understanding of what is truly going on in this world and what exists beyond our limited demensions.  This verse gives one possible answer as to why God allows a godly person to die young. He or she is taken away from some future evil or calamity that would have happened to them if they had not died. In essense God is rescuing them from disaster. Isn't that cool?  I remember another verse somewhere in the Bible (if you know of it, please tell me) that says something similar to this but goes further in saying that the person would have walked away from God if He had allowed them to live. In other words, in His divine wisdom, God saw that He would lose this person for all eternity, and rather than allow that to happen, He took them home early. What a wonderful, loving God!!!  Why do we doubt Him?

Perhaps we need to look at the death of a believer as a promotion, instead of something bad. Yes, it's bad for those of us still here on earth, but it's a GREAT thing for the person. They are now in the most wonderful, beautiful place imaginable with no more pain or sorrow. They are with Jesus. Makes me jealous.

Can we apply this principle also to the bad things that happen to us? Maybe with the perspective of eternity, they aren't really bad things at all, but ultimately for our good. Ask God to give you spiritual eyes and spiritual ears to be able to slip outside of your earthly body and perspective and see things the way He does. I have a feeling, it will change everything!

Another chance to win a free copy of Surrender the Heart!!!

Just go to:  http://darlenefranklinwrites.blogspot.com/  

Surrender the Heart winners!

Kim and Tiffany!!   Congratulations, Ladies!  And my heartfelt thanks to everyone else who took the time to read these posts and comment. Honestly I wish I could have given a book away to everyone of you!!! And that's the truth. But I only have so many copies from my publisher.

Anyway, I bet you want to know the answer, right? Well, as most of you guessed, it was C
"We shall see, Captain Noah." 

For those that didn't win, I truly hope I've piqued your interest enough to go out and buy the book. If you do, I'd love to know your opinion of the story of Marianne and Noah.

This week I'm in the process of submitting new story ideas to my publisher for the next series I'll be working on.  As soon as I give them two or three to select from, I'll be starting to write Surrender the Dawn, book three in the Surrender to Destiny series. That book is due in January 2011. That may seem like a long time, but actually, it's a rather short time to write a full length novel. Especially with the holidays tossed in the mix. But God has always been faithful, and I've never missed a deadline.
As soon as I have a new contract, I'll be posting about what my next series will be about.

Thank you all for participating in Surrender the Heart month!  You are all such a blessing to me!!!
Have a wonderful weekend.

Wordless Wednesday

Persecution is coming

This spring news came out that in the year between mid 2008 and mid 2009, some 176,000 Christians were killed for their faith - just for believing in Jesus. This is the most on record, rising sharply from the 130,000 range in the 1990's:  http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.printable&pageId=143493

Wow, that blew me away! How about you? Most of us live in countries where we enjoy freedom of religion. In fact, the entire reason the early colonist came to America was for exactly that purpose. But have we grown complacent in that freedom? Do we take it for granted? Have we become too occupied with the prosperity doctrine or endless debates about the rapture or listening ever so intently for the latest prophecy about the next calamity to befall us?  I say Yes.

 

It seems we have isolated ourselves in the safe walls of our church environment, our Bible studies, potlucks, worship concerts, and our comfortable pews that we not only don't see what's going on in other parts of the word, we don't care. Yet aren't these other believers supposed to be our brothers and sisters? Aren't we all supposed to be one family in Christ? Would you ignore it if you heard your brother or sister or mother or father was going to be killed on Monday?

 

Well, you say, what can I do about it? Well, at least you can pray. You can find out about what's happening and pray to Almighty God for your brothers and sisters. And if God places on your heart to help them, check out this website: http://www.persecution.com/ 

 

And don't think for a minute that this persecution isn't coming your way. I have forseen a time of intense persecution for all believers in the near future. Jesus also predicted it in Mattew 24:9 Then they will hand you over to suffer affliction and tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake..   So , should we be afraid? No. I believe this must happen to strengthen the church, to wake us up from our complacency, to weed out those who truly know the Lord from those who are just playing church.  Paul calls this the Great Apostasy or great falling away in 2 Thess 2:  (Amplified version)

Let no one deceive or beguile you in any way, for that day will not come except the [a]apostasy comes first [unless the predicted great [b]falling away of those who have professed to be Christians has come], and the man of lawlessness (sin) is revealed, who is the son of doom (of perdition),

 

Think of the church of Acts. How could 12 men turn the world upside down? (Without TV or Internet, or airplanes!)  I believe the early church grew so quickly and with such strength BECAUSE of the intense persecution they were under. Not that I'm downplaying the power of the Holy Spirit, but think about it. We human beings only turn to God when things are going badly, when we are afraid, and He's the only one who can help us. And you can bet that most of the Christians in the early church were TRUE Christians. Why would you join a group when it meant becoming poor, rejected by society, and most likely death? Sounds good to me. Sign me up!

 

Why am I telling you this? Not to scare you, but to wake you up. Christianity is not a social club, not a set of rules or moral codes. It is not going to church on Sunday and reading Christian novels (although I highly recommend both!) No. Christianity is denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following Jesus. It is Knowing Him by relationship and experience and being willing to die if necessary rather than deny Him.

 

Let each ask ourselves this question. If someone stormed into your house today with a machine gun and asked you to deny Jesus or be killed, what would your answer be?