SOAR!

Then Pharaoh gave this order to all his people:
“Every Hebrew boy that is born you must throw into the Nile.”
Exodus 1:22 NIV

I love the biblical account of Moses when he was an infant. Satan conjured up a plan to kill him, but God was watching over him. Jehovah gave Moses’ mother a creative plan to save her baby’s life. She wove a basket out of bulrushes, tucked her baby boy inside, placed him in the Nile River, and assigned his big sister to keep an eye on him.

When she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him for three months. But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch.
Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds
along the bank of the Nile. His sister stood at a distance
to see what would happen to him.
Exodus 2:2-4 NIV

Even though Moses was a “basket case,” he grew into a mighty man of God and was handpicked by Jehovah to deliver the Israelites from the land of bondage.

My husband and I have been in fulltime ministry for more than 30 years. We have seen firsthand the enemy sabotage ministries in their infancy. We’ve stood in the gap with those God has called and rejoiced with them as they fulfill their divine destiny, but our hearts have been broken when others have allowed the enemy to snuff out a new ministry God has called them to birth for the Kingdom.

I would like to speak directly to those of you who sense the Lord is calling you to “birth” a writing or songwriting ministry. Here is an acrostic with some helpful hints to help your new ministry S.O.A.R.

S-Seek God for wisdom as you birth this new ministry.

O-Offer your gifts and talents to the Lord with a humble heart.

A-Admit when you need help and don’t be afraid to seek counsel from godly mentors.

R-Refuse to allow the enemy to destroy what God is birthing in your life and ministry at this time.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10 NIV

Never be shocked by the devil’s tactics. His goal is to destroy your ministry in its infancy. Remember the story of Moses. May God use your pen to lead souls out of bondage. Soar for Jesus today!

Something Beautiful

I was not raised in a Christian home, but had godly grandmothers, who poured God’s truths into my life. They were polar opposites doctrinally, but their love for me forced them to leave their spiritual "guns" at the door.

Life at home was difficult. My parents' unhappy marriage permeated every aspect of our home, which left me with some deep insecurities and deep hurts.

After I graduated from high school in 1975, my father's cousin and his wife took an interest in my life. They quickly picked up on my love for southern gospel music and purchased a ticket for me to attend a Gaither Trio concert in Oklahoma City. I was thrilled to get to see Bill, Gloria, and Danny Gaither perform live.

Henry and Hazel Slaughter started the evening off. Toes were tapping and hands were clapping to their lively tunes. After several songs, The Gaither Trio finally appeared. I don't remember many of the songs they sang that night except one - "Something Beautiful." The lyrics were so simple yet so profound.

Something beautiful. Something good.
All my confusion He understood.
All I had to offer Him was brokeness and strife,
But He made something beautiful of my life.


The Holy Spirit ministered to me that night in a way I had never experienced before. For the first time in my life, I sensed that God had a plan and purpose for my life. He wasn't going to waste one bit of my pain, but He would make "Something Beautiful" of my life.

That experience was almost 40 years ago. My husband and I have been married for 35 years and we have been honored to serve the congregation of the Gospel Lighthouse Church & Academy for more than 30 years. I am the mother of four married children and four adorable grandbabies. God fulfilled His promise. He made "Something Beautiful" of my life.

This past weekend I was able to meet one of my heroes - Gloria Gaither at her Songwriting Intensive in Alexandria, Indiana. It was a rich, full circle moment for me.

I wonder how many other lives have been changed forever when they heard the anointed lyrics of "Something Beautiful?"

As a writer, there have been times I've allowed the enemy of my soul to convince me that what I have written doesn't matter. Creative souls are usually ultra-sensitive and can become easily discouraged. We must be wise to Satan's tactics and not allow him to dishearten us. We never know when our words bring hope to the hopeless.

Keep writing for Jesus.

Rock on a Fence Post

Paul and I will celebrate our 35^th wedding anniversary this year. We can hardly believe it. I often tease, “How can we be married 35 years when we aren’t even 30 years old?”

Paul is a country preacher. His sermons and life are filled with humility and simplicity. Each day as he leads our family and congregation with a servant’s heart, you can’t help but notice his authenticity. I guess that’s why the Gospel Lighthouse Church in Floyd, Iowa, has kept him as pastor for 31 years.

When Paul and I take little drives through Iowa’s country roads, we’ve often spied a rock on a fence post. Without fail, Paul replies, “You know that rock didn’t get there by itself.”

It’s so true. Many of the blessings and successes the Lord brings our way have come through others. The Lord brings people into our lives, establishing precious eternal friendships that the gates of hell cannot prevail against. As Christians, we should rejoice every day at the faithfulness of our Lord. He knows our phone number and where we live. He is in the business of making divine connections for His children.

In my own life as a writer, I reflect often on my own “rock on a fence post” experiences. Working with a precious team of writers at Christian Editing Services has been a tremendous blessing in my life. The writing assignments I have been given through C.E.S. have led me to amazing people and doors of opportunity I would not otherwise have had.

The next time you spot a rock on a fence post, take time to thank the Lord for all the divine connections He is making for you. Trust Him to work behind the scenes with your writing. He will give your stories wings and send them to wherever they are supposed to go. Just be sure to remember when you arrive at your divine destination to give God the glory and appreciate the precious friends He sent to help you along the way, because you didn't get there by yourself.

"The Cat Came Back" is here!

We are proud to announce....

Drum roll please.....

Tada.....

Guardian Angel Publishing has released "The Cat Came Back!"

Send Me

And then I heard the voice of the Master: "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?" I spoke up, "I'll go. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8 MSG)

For Christian writers, there usually is a point in time when they sensed God calling them to write. Sometimes answering the call isn’t always easy. There are disappointments and obstacles to overcome.

When the prophet Isaiah was young, he made excuses and tried to ignore the call, but an encounter with Jehovah caused him to change his mind. The mighty prophet served four kings and penned one the most beautiful Old Testament books, full of hope and proclaiming the coming of the Messiah.

Have you ever thought of what might have happened if Isaiah had neglected the call? If the Scriptures that have comforted God’s people down through the ages had not been written? It’s a sobering thought, isn’t it?

None of us claim to be “Isaiah,” or even close to the anointed prophet, but God still has some writing assignments for those He has called. Some days we must dust off our keyboards in faith because we don’t feel like we have anything to say, but our heavenly Father sees things differently. His ways are higher than our ways. Our Father believes we have a story to tell. That is why He has called us to write.

Let’s raise our pens in faith and believe God will help us write stories that bring glory and honor to Him.

And when we hear the voice of the Master, "Whom shall I send? Who will write for Me?" . . . We can answer, "I'll go. Send me!"

Writing for Little Ones

Some of my new friends have been asking me how many children’s books I have available and where they can purchase a copy. I thought I would dedicate today’s blog to answering their questions and share a little blurb about my children’s books.

Here is a list of my published stories.

Angel Eyes

Angel Eyes is a perfect story to read to the little ones in your life during Easter. Children’s hearts will be challenged and changed as they read about two cherubs, Kennedy and Tristan. These two charming cherubs help children understand what the angels might have felt when Jesus came to Earth and was crucified.

Stubby’s Destiny

Stubby’s Destiny is an inspirational story about a defeated donkey, Stubby, who feels he was born wrong. He was just about to give up when divine destiny tapped him on the shoulder. He was chosen to carry the King of Kings upon his back. Stubby’s Destiny will bring hope to hurting children who feel their situation is hopeless.

One Noble Journey

Two cultures collide in the tiny village of Westbury. The orphan from the lowlands and the Count's daughter from the highlands and a baby raccoon will entertain the hearts of all and is guaranteed to shape small souls.

Baby Jesus is Missing

The annual Christmas decorating contest left no room for Jesus until little Josiah Carr teaches his mommy and daddy the true spirit of Christmas is finding Jesus. This captivating story is guaranteed to warm the coldest heart and become a Christmas favorite for families everywhere.

Cinderfella and the Furry Godmother

Staci adores her new puppy but she starts singing her own rendition of the birthday blues when she keeps forgetting to water her pet. Smiles will be transplanted on the faces of children and adults when they read this hilarious story together. Finally, a book that makes learning the art of responsible behavior fun!

Stilts the Stork

Plenty of chuckles will be delivered in this rhymed topsy-turvy adventure about a ditzy stork who adopts an orphaned “egg” she discovers on a golf course. Can a zany stork, who adopts an orphaned “egg” that she discovers on a golf course, deliver plenty of chuckles? Yes! This rhymed, topsy-turvy adventure is guaranteed to tickle your child’s funny bone. Anyone who can follow the antics of Stilts without a chortle or two is an odd bird indeed.

Apron Strings

Grandma Eleanor and Lexi are attached at the heart. For Lexi’s seventh birthday, Grandma Eleanor sews a beautiful apron for her. When her grandmother gets sick, Lexi is comforted by the heavenly clues she discovers in the treasured apron. This inspiration sensation is guaranteed to help mend broken hearts and shape small souls. Apron pattern included, too!

These books are available at www.guardianangelpublishing.com. In the near future, Guardian Angel Publishing will be releasing my newest books: Whistling Dixie, The Cat Came Back, and Livia the Super Hero.

I am very excited to announce that Guardian Angel Publishing has invited my sister-in-law and me to start a new line of Christian musicals for churches, homeschoolers, and Christian schools. We were thrilled when they released our very first Christmas musical—Camille’s Journey. This delightful drama was written by Lucy Robbins, Leslie Troyer, Sharon Phillips, and me.

Camille’s Journey is available at www.guardianangelpublishing too.  Here is a little blurb about it.

Camille’s Journey

Spend your Christmas with Camille, an orphaned camel, as she leads three zany wise men and their bossy camels to the newborn King in Bethlehem. Children of all ages will love this fun, easy-to-learn Christmas musical. Finally a drama guaranteed to warm the coldest heart.

Once upon an Empty Tomb

Sharon and I are pleased to announce that we also have a children’s Easter musical Once upon an Empty Tomb, which will be available in the near future from Guardian Angel Publishing.

I would like to thank each one of you for your loving support of my writing ministry.  

Keep Writing for the King

Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance. Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.”

And Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.” So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.
Genesis 29:16-20 NKJV

Have you ever felt like the unwanted on or the unattractive one? Leah did. By birth, she was Rachel’s older sister, and by her father’s trickery and deceit, she was Jacob’s first wife. Can you imagine what she must have felt like when Jacob looked at her and realized she wasn’t Rachel, the one he was deeply in love with and had worked seven years for? I’m sure the rejection she felt stung to the bone.

God loved Leah and had a plan and destiny for her life. She bore Jacob six sons and one daughter. Levi was one of the boys born to Leah and Jacob. The priestly tribe came from this lineage. Judah was another son born to Leah and Jacob. King David came from the lineage of Judah—and so did Jesus Christ.

Your Father has a plan for you, too. You might feel others can write better and are having more success in their writing endeavors than you. Stay faithful. Keep writing. Don’t compare yourself with someone else. Be authentic. Be transparent. Be the one God created you to be. God has a destiny for you and your writing. You never know where He will send your stories. Keep writing for the King.