Write to the Point with Amanda Cabot January 30, 2013

Congratulations to Kellie Niedermier who won H.G. Ferguson’s book, New Blood.

This week we get write to the point with Amanda Cabot.

Tell us about yourself, family, where are you from, how long have you been writing?

Let’s start with the important part: I married my high school sweetheart more years ago than can admit if I’m going to continue the fiction of being 29, and we’re living happily ever after in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Prior to that, I lived in a variety of places – everywhere from a small town in Texas to an even smaller town in Germany (compliments of the US Army when my husband was stationed there) to the suburbs of major cities.

For almost as long as I can remember, books have been a major part of my life. I love the fact that in addition to teaching me things, they can transport me to a different time and place. As a child, I decided that the most wonderful thing in the world would be to be a writer and give others the pleasure that I found in books. Of course, even then I somehow knew that it would be a difficult way to earn a living, so I took a “real” job, and writing became my second job. I used to describe it as a case of “for love or money.” Writing was what I did for love; the day job helped pay the mortgage. Now I’m fortunate enough to be a fulltime writer.

You are blessed to be a fulltime writer. I would love to have that job description someday.
How did you come to know Jesus as your Savior?
I was raised in a family where God was part of our daily lives, so much so that when I was a teenager, I was determined to be a missionary. God had other plans for me. I think He knew that I’d be as unsuccessful in a mission as I was convincing a Jewish friend’s mother that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Instead, He filled me with the desire to write and ensured that my path crossed that of a woman who became not just one of my bridesmaids but a role model for faith. It was her death from leukemia that marked a turning point in my writing career, showing me that it was time for me to write about God’s love and His healing power as well as the love between a man and a woman.

Tell us about your latest book(s). What do want your readers to take away after the last page?
Waiting for Spring is the second in the Westward Winds trilogy, my series of books set in Wyoming. Although each one of my books is special to me in some way, this one is extra special because (1) it has a fabulous cover with a “story behind the story” and (2) it’s set in my adopted home, Cheyenne. I’ve included the story about the cover on my web page. Click here.
As for the book itself, since I have a terrible time telling a story in less than 100,000 words, why don’t I share the back cover copy with you?

“After the loss of her husband and the birth of her baby, Charlotte has had a long, hard year. But she can find no rest from the ghosts of the past and flees to Cheyenne to put the pieces of her life back together.
Wealthy cattle baron and political hopeful Barrett Landry must make a sensible match if he is to be elected senator of the soon-to-be state of Wyoming. He needs someone with connections. Someone without a past. Yet he can’t shake the feeling that Charlotte holds the key to his heart and his future.
Will Charlotte and Barrett find the courage to look love in the face? Or will their fears blot out any chance for happiness?”
My hope for this story is the same one I have for each of my books: that readers will close the last page, sighing with pleasure that the characters found their happy endings, and knowing that God led them to that ending.

How often do you blog and what do you cover in your blog?
When I started my blog, it had one primary purpose: my Wednesday in Wyoming posts. These began as Facebook posts and include a picture and information about an aspect of the state I now call home. When I exceeded some unwritten limit in FB and could no longer post pictures, I started to blog. I’m so glad I did, since the blog gives me more flexibility, including the ability to add more than one picture to a single post. As you can guess from the name, these are weekly posts. What’s pleased me about these posts is that even people who’ve been lifelong Wyoming residents have told me they’ve learned something from them.
Just this year, I’ve added a new feature to my blog. Each month on the 15th, I’m going to spotlight one of my readers. Since I’ve only begun this feature, I don’t know how popular the posts will be, but the initial reaction has been positive.

What are you reading right now?
I just finished Suzanne Woods Fisher’s new release¸ The Lesson. I have to admit that I’m not a huge fan of Amish books in general, but Suzanne’s stories are so wonderful that I wait eagerly for each one of them to be published. It was such fun to watch M.K., the heroine of The Lesson, change from a rather immature 19 year-old into a responsible adult.
Can you share with us a Genesis 5020 in your life?
There’ve been a number of times in my life when, in retrospect, I’ve seen God’s hand, turning what seemed like a disaster or what was at least an unpleasant experience into something good. One of the first was when I was sixteen years old and determined to be selected for a year-abroad program. You see, I was convinced that living in Europe would make my life perfect. When my application was rejected, I was heartbroken as only a teenager can be. And yet a week later, I met the man who became my sweetheart, the same man who’s now my husband. God’s plan was definitely better than mine.

That is so awesome. I love when we can look back and see God hand guiding us.
Do you have a life and/or a ministry verse?
My favorite Bible verse is Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” I find comfort in knowing that God is with me wherever I go, and the fact that this is phrased as a command makes me determined to be strong and courageous, although I don’t always succeed.

Where can we find you on the web?
The best place to start is my web page: www.amandacabot.com. That provides what I call “one stop shopping” with information about me and my books. I also have a Facebook fan page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amanda-Cabot/110238182354449?v=wall) and a blog http://amandajoycabot.blogspot.com/.

Thanks so much for inviting me to be part of your blog. I’m delighted to be here.

Thanks so much for spending time with my readers. I pray that God continues to bless your writing.

Review: I Heart Sex Workers January 28, 2013

Yes, I Heart Sex Workers is a  Christian book, just in case you are wondering. It is written by Lia Claire Scholl. This book does not release until March 15, 2013.

I was very excited when I saw this book and couldn’t wait to read it. If you follow my blog you know my sister was a stripper and a prostitute and I have seen God miraculously pull her out of that life and restore her completely into a confident woman who now desires to help others.

I also am part of a ministry to help victims of sex trafficking.

So this book called to be read by me. I wanted to know how can we love these woman better, how can we help them?

First, this book is not for the faint of heart. There is language in this book I do not use and things are discussed that would bother many Christians. That is my word of warning.

I struggled through the first half of the book. I felt unsettled as I read what the author had to say, and I disagreed with a lot. So many things were missing that I felt the author ignored. Like the fact that the Bible is clear that we are stay away from all sexual immorality (Leviticus 20:10, Matthew 15:19, John 8:41, Acts 15:20, Acts 15:29, Romans 13:13, 1 Corinthians 10:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:3).

I really felt the power of God was ignored.

In Chapter Three the author states, “Many problems are like a nagging headache that won’t go away. You can’t pray it away.”

You can’t pray for God to come in and redeem your problems? My God can. He has done it in my life, I am living proof the prayer changes everything.

In Chapter five the author states: “If sex is a way women can achieve power, then how can we deny them that path?………it’s a valid way.”

I won’t deny that these women might feel powerful, but that power is a lie from the enemy. I have personally been tricked by this false power. The only true power any human being can achieve is through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, I got to the second half of the book and breathed a sigh of relief. I felt much better about what I was reading. I started to agree with the author on most points.

You can’t force a sex worker to leave. They won’t until they are ready.

I saw this in my sister’s life. Even though my husband and I offered her a way out she didn’t take it. She had to be ready, it had to be her decision.

I also agree that many of these women can’t leave because they can’t find another job, or have no one to help them. My sister was blessed to have a family, a mom and dad, who took her back home and gave her the resources to get back on her feet. Many sex workers don’t have that opportunity.

This is where we can help. Not by forcing our beliefs on these woman, but by showing them Christ’s love. Show these women they have worth.

The book gives you ideas how you can help and be there for these women. I believe that is very much needed.

Although I struggled with the first half of the book the second half had a lot of truth we need to hear and challenges us to step out of the box and step into the strip club. If that might not be for you, pray for this these women and the people who do minister to them.

Pray that God’s light would shine brighter than the lights on the dance floor.

Loved-Part 10 January 25, 2013

This is my 100th post!!!!!!

Can you believe it? God has been so good since the beginning of this blog a year ago (January 27th was my first post).

To celebrate my 100th post I have a big giveaway for you. At the end of this post you will see all that I am giving away.

Heather’s Genesis 5020:

In July 2011, I was promoted to Assistant Manager for the group home I was working in. I had been working midnights up until that point and it was wearing on me terribly.

With this new position, I’m able to work first and second shift. That was a direct answer to prayer.

Again, God’s plan was playing out for me.

It amazes me that even now when I go to work I get this feeling that I am right where He wants me to be. I love working with people with disabilities, they are so special to me and I know they are very special to God.
In the spring of 2012, my church made an announcement that a group would be starting up called Wounded Heart. It was for women who had been abused and who were looking for healing from their brokenness.

I heard God whisper to me to join this group, so I did. My sister was one of the leaders so that made it a little easier.

Through wounded heart, I uncovered so many hurts that I didn’t even realize I had but by uncovering them and sitting in my pain, I was able to work through a lot of my issues and begin to heal. Notice I didn’t say I am healed, I am in the process, still.

After Wounded Heart was over, I was able to free myself from John. I was able to forgive him and pray for him.

I’ve stopped living in fear of him and worrying that he’s going to find me. I’m trusting the God who saves me to protect me from him.

Also after Wounded Heart, I heard God whispering to me again. This time he was telling me to be baptized.

I’ve always been a kind of shy person who hates being in front of a crowd so being baptized never sounded appealing to me because of that. But I clearly heard God on this so I knew I had to obey.

On June 17, 2012, I was baptized. I was so nervous.

I knew I was doing the right thing but I had to give a brief video testimony about why I wanted to be baptized and I had to do it in front of all those people at church.

My brother-in-law is an elder at our church so he did the baptisms. He can tell you first hand, I was trembling when I went under the water.

I was excited to be celebrating my commitment to Christ but it was also a funeral, a burial of the woman I used to be.

I was happy to let go of my old self but really committing to my new life in Christ was a little scary for me, in a good way. My parents were there and so were some of the ladies from my Wounded Heart group.

I felt so much love that day.

I titled this post Loved for two reasons.

1) Heather was only beginning to feel and understand the weight of Christs love.

2) You are all loved dearly. I thank God for readers like you who have stuck by Patrick and I this past year and supported this blog.

To say thank you I am giving away seven books, some paperback, some hardback.

The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers (has been read once, you can see in the binding)

A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Islandby Cara Putman

Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert

Veil of Pearls by Marylu Tyndall ( has been read, the corners of the cover are slightly worn, nothing major)

The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson

What to do When the Roof Caves In by Marilyn Meberg

Just Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels

I also will throw in one of those ruffled knitted scarves that are so popular at craft shows. I saw them and thought, “I can make that.” So I did.

As a special thank you to my subscribers, if you leave a comment your name will be entered twice. That goes for anyone who scribes today too 🙂

But you don’t have to subscribe to enter, I just want to do something special for those who do.

******* To enter leave a comment about something God has done in your life over the last year, or leave a prayer request, I would be honored to pray for you. Do this by January 31st at 5:00 pm to be entered. ********

Write to the Point with H.G. Ferguson January 23, 2013

Congratulations to Amy C. who won Tina Pinson’s book, To Carry Her Cross.

Today we get write to the point with H.G. Ferguson. His book is different from the books usually featured on my blog, but I am very open to all genres if they point to Christ.  And his book does.

Take a minute to read H.G.’s interview, I think you might be pleasantly surprised.

 Tell us about yourself, family, where are you from, how long have you been writing?

I’m born and raised in Southeast Alabama.  I’m married to a wonderful woman, with three young men bearing my family name, all of whom I am very proud.  I have been writing for a long, long, long time but have only enjoyed being a published author for little over a year now (December 2011).

How did you come to know Jesus as your Savior?

Like many Southerners I was brought up in a Christian home, but it was at a Baptist Bible School that, as John Wesley said, “I felt my heart strangely warmed.”  I was six years old.  The pastor at the conclusion of the last assembly service offered the Gospel.  And I believed it.  And ever since, Jesus Christ has been my Savior and Lord.  My journey in His service has taken me through fellowship with many different Christian persuasions, and in all of these I have become convinced of this truth, that we are all truly one in Christ Jesus just as Paul tells us.  For in Him there is neither Jew, nor Greek.  We are all Christians if we hold to the same Lord and the same faith, salvation by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ, God incarnate, plus nothing of our own works or merit. 

Tell us about your latest book(s). What do want your readers to take away after the last page?

My latest (and so far only published book) is New Blood, the first in a series about a Christian “vampire.”  Yes, you read that accurately.  And some people’s immediate reaction is along the lines of “Say whut?”  But my “vampire” is like none you’ve ever read – or even heard about — before.  Her name is Rebecca, fleeing her native Wales, hoping to find Sanctuary in a new world – 1755 western Pennsylvania, which is about to explode into the French and Indian War.  She brings with her her faith, her hopes, and her affliction – her curse – for she suffers from an extremely rare genetic disorder, which is responsible for all the vampire folklore throughout the world.  It’s a story about a woman you’ll never forget, who clings to the Grace of God to sustain her through every single day of her life but who is swept up into a war not of her own making and forced to defend those whom she loves the only way she can – by being what she is, a “vampire.”  In my mythos, vampirism is not supernatural, it is genetic – there is nothing demonic or spiritually devilish at work here.  Rebecca is not a Satanic horror fleeing the Crux Fidelis, the Cross of Christ – she wears a Cross over her heart!  Nor is she portrayed like some contemporary “vampires” more akin to pagan gods and goddesses than the undead.  Rebecca does not “sparkle” in sunlight.  She burns to a crisp, not because she is undead but her infirmity (as she calls it) afflicts her with an extreme aversion to sunlight known today as porphyria.  In 1755, it is her “infirmity.”  Every single aspect of her suffering as a vampire is medical, scientific and genetic, in no way demonic or supernatural, though some of her enhanced abilities and senses give rise to vampiric folklore superstitions.

        What I want the reader to take away from the last page is God’s unconditional love for His child Rebecca, in spite of what she is.  For the same may be said of every single one of us who know the Lord! 

How often do you blog and what do you cover in your blog?

I actually don’t blog, primarily because I could never sustain one in a proper manner.  I much prefer to let my writing speak for me.  It’s the story and how it is told that matter to me more than anything.  I hope to have a website functional later in the year and may occasionally speak up.  The best way to get to know me is to read my story, for that is where I speak.

Can you share with us a favorite book you have read?

The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien, of course.  Also The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and The Place of the Lion by their colleague and contemporary, Charles Williams and The Weirdstone of Brisingamen by Alan Garner (though that one’s written from a pagan worldview).  I am drawn to other worlds, other realities (Tolkien and Lewis) and by other worlds, often unseen at first, creeping into our own (Williams and Garner).  In New Blood Rebecca brings her own “otherworldly” flavors (Christian and vampire) into the all-too-real, savage conflict between England and France.

Can you share with us a Genesis 5020 in your life?

One of my favorite verses.  I would say it’s the cumulative reflection of my journey to becoming a published author.  It curt me into the depths of my very soul to hear – as I always did – from readers who read my work and from editors to whom I submitted it the same thing, again and again, over and over.  Readers:  “I never read anything like this, I couldn’t put it down.  Why are you not a writer?”  Editors:  “Have someone who knows something about writing look at this.” 

That’s the truth.

There are two responses to this: I could have just given up, quit, walked away from writing and, more importantly, from the Lord Himself.  Or I could have refused to give up and, as scripture enjoins us, pressed on.  I pressed on.  And what the enemy meant to destroy me only made me stronger until the day the Lord granted me both His desire and mine.  So I would encourage all of you unpublished, persevering writers – if the Sovereign Lord God Almighty could do this for me, the least of His servants – press on and NEVER GIVE UP!!!

Do you have a life and/or a ministry verse?

I John 4:1: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, to see whether they be of God.  For many false prophets have gone forth into the world.”  Many voices clamor for our attention today.  We should listen to the right Voice.  The only right Voice.  And always, always, always ask WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES SAY?  We must take a stand for the Truth of God, for the Truth of Scripture, and war against the darkness.  By His Grace! 

Where can we find you on the web?

Author Page:

http://www.writtenworldcommunications.com/WWC/book_newblood.html

Book Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6pEc4IhyN4

 Is there anything I didn’t ask that you would like to add?

I wrote New Blood to take back from the enemy what he stole, i.e., the Christian worldview from the horror tale.  Is my story a horror tale?  Yes indeed.  When the Thirst fastens upon her, Rebecca drinks blood, because she must.  For when the Blood calls, the Vampire must answer.  But it is also historical adventure and historical romance.  Framed within the horror of being a vampire and a war about to erupt all around them is a poignant, tender love story between a man and a woman as different as the day Rebecca shuns and the night she embraces.  But White Hawk, like the Great Spirit, loves Night Song unconditionally, as Rebecca will learn.  Even if you don’t care for vampires, there’s never been a vampire story like this one.  If you like historical adventure, if you love historical romance, if you love pulse-pounding suspense as events slowly but surely build toward a ferocious climax which will leave you breathless – you’ll love this tale.  And you might, as others have, even come to love Rebecca too, my Franciscan vampette who is all too human – and so much more.

And as Rebecca herself would chant, “Soli Deo Gloria!”

H.G., thank you so much for taking the time to share with my readers.

Readers, H.G. is giving away a paperback copy if his book to one commentator. Leave your comment by January 29th at 5:00 PM.

Come back Friday for a 100th blog post celebration with a HUGE giveaway for my readers!!!

Check Out Novel Crossings January 21, 2013

Welcome to my first Monday post. These posts will be found under Monday Musings in the categories.

I wanted to share with you fiction readers a new website I discovered last week. You may have already heard of it but if you haven’t you should check it out.

It’s called Novel Crossings.

If you’ve heard of Goodreads, it’s very similar to that but for Christian fiction only. I was super excited to discover this new way to keep track of books I want to read and books I have read and post some reviews.

If you have a minute pop on over and check it out. Maybe even create an account. Many authors have short video clips talking about their books.

Click here and see what’s new.

Finding Me-Part 9 January 18, 2013

You will start to notice that I will begin posting on Mondays occasionally. I am not going to promise a schedule, at least once a month, probably more.

On Mondays I am going to start reviewing books, fiction and non-fiction. I will often have a giveaway as well. Many of these books won’t even be released yet. I am very excited to offer this to you. I hope it will help you add some great books to your library.

Only a couple more weeks of Heather’s Genesis 5020. When will you share your’s? 5020genesis(at)gmail(dot)com

I got off the plane in Detroit where my mom and my aunt were waiting for us.  We hugged and greeted each other.  I really had no idea what to say or how to act. 

I had no idea who I was any more. 

I felt love from my family, they were happy my daughter and I were back home.

The first Sunday we were home, we went to my sister’s church, elem3nt.  I felt so welcomed there.  Nobody knew my story, just that I had had a hard time in Vegas. 

My sister (and my parents) had been praying for me to come home.  That Sunday while she was leading worship, she shared with the congregation that God does answer prayers and my daughter and I were proof of that because there we were. 

Tears came to my eyes, I was loved, my family still loved me even though I hadn’t talked to them in so long, they prayed for me all this time. 

A woman I didn’t even know came up to me after the service and gave me a hug and said she had been praying for me too. 

I was just starting to see Christ’s love poured out through these people.  It was amazing!

I continued to go to church every Sunday and was moved every week by the messages.  I realized I was exactly where God wanted me to be and I accepted Him back into my heart. 

He truly transformed me from the inside out. 

My sexual desires, my desire to do drugs, drink and smoke, slowly went away.  I had an opportunity to be intimate with an old friend of mine but I couldn’t, something was holding me back, it was the Holy Spirit.  I was finally getting it, I was getting to know God on more than just a head knowledge level, I was experiencing God!  He lived in me and helped me through each and every day.

During my pregnancy, John had only emailed me a couple times then I stopped hearing from him.  I was glad he wasn’t looking for me because I didn’t know what he would do to me if he found me.

In the spring of 2010, I had the opportunity to go to Women of Faith with my sister.  It was an awesome weekend. 

The whole time I felt God tugging on my heart to tell my sister about the things I had done while living in Vegas.  I was so ashamed of my past, I thought there was no way I could ever tell her. 

But God had other plans. 

On our way home from Ohio, my sister confessed to me a secret she had been keeping about something she had done.  I had always thought my sister was “the good one.”  Now I got to see her humanness.  That opened the door for me to share with her what I had done.  We both cried and I felt love from her.  She knew what I had done and she still loved me. 

On July 26, 2010, I gave birth to a wonderfully beautiful baby girl.  She was so precious.  She looked a lot like her father.  I didn’t put his name on the birth certificate because I didn’t want him to find out where we were living.

I lived with my parents until December 2010, then I bought my own trailer.  I finally had my own house, it belonged to me. 

My parents helped me out a lot.  They showed me what unconditional love is.  I was learning about the Father’s love through my parents. 

But I have to be honest, there was still a voice in the back of my head that questioned if they would still love me if they knew everything I had done.

God definitely had a hand in Heather going to Women of Faith. My friend, Deanna, was supposed to go, she had the ticket purchased. She ended up having to stay home to take care of her mother.

I asked several other woman if they wanted to purchase Deanna’s ticket so they could go. No one could.

Finally, Deanna said she really felt she was supposed to give her ticket to Heather. So she did.

I will never forget how the Holy Spirit made me spit out my sin. My heart pounded like crazy in my chest. I didn’t want tell my sister, my family thought I had it all together.

It was a very awesome moment that changed the course of our relationship.

God is SO good!

What about you? Have you ever had a moment when you felt the Holy Spirit telling you to do or say something? How did you feel? Did you do it?

Write to the Point with Tina Pinson January 16, 2013

Congratulations to Barb, she won Tanya Eavenson’s book, Unconditional.

This week we get write to the point with Tina Pinson.

Tell us about yourself, family, where are you from, how long have you been writing?

I am from Colorado, and a transplant to Arizona. Actually I was born in Mississippi and since I was a military child, moved, but since the family was from Colorado that has always been home.

How did you come to know Jesus as your Savior?

I was raised in the church and went forward at a young age. But a few years later, when I was fourteen and living in Turkey — the land of the seven churches — I questioned the decision I made as a child, and wondered if I hadn’t done it so I could go with the other kids and make my parents happy. There in Turkey I came face to face with God again.

Tell us about your latest book(s). What do want your readers to take away after the last page?

I want readers to like the story, but most of all to have come face to face with the Truth, and see that God has so much more for their lives. And have the story encourage them to seek God and ask the hard questions.

How often do you blog and what do you cover in your blog?

I am a terrible blogger. I hit and miss. Sometimes I share other books and have other writer’s on, but usually I share about life and things that might have come to mind.

Can you share with us a favorite book you have read?

I can’t say that I have an absolute favorite book. I like to read. I read several Christmas books over the holidays. And The book For Such a Time as This, a retelling Esther by Ginny Aiken, which I enjoyed and shared.

Can you share with us a Genesis 5020 in your life?

I would say I have had a lot of those moments, but my latest came in 2010, we were hanging on by our fingertips, trying to hang onto our business, but no matter how we prayed and begged and pleaded we lost our business. We tried other things to keep going, but the economy in Grand Junction, CO was getting worse and worse. We ended up getting a call about a job in Arizona. My husband and I decided to stick it out in our new venture, and certainly God would intervene and help. Cause there was certainly no way he would want us to move to Arizona away from the home we loved. Would he?

The call came two more times, and our new venture never could get its wings, so hubby started going back and forth so we could hang on. And finally the Lord told us springs in the desert. Both in our prayers and studies and a through sermons.

So we took the plunge and moved to Arizona for what we both feel is a season. The economy in Grand Junction worsened, and they passed a law about used tires, which happened to be our new venture and would have put us under for sure. But we were able to sell out before the new rule and get settled into a new job. Of course I had to move and wondered why God just didn’t take care of us in Colorado, but he has taken care of us.

I have being slowly learning, even though the Bible clearly tells so I should know this already, that God’s ways aren’t our ways. He will get us where He wants us. For you, sounds like Arizona must be it for whatever reason J

Do you have a life and/or a ministry verse?

Jeremiah 29: For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I wished I could say I always believe that without balking, but if I’m honest, sometimes I complain and wonder why God won’t see how Great my plans are.

Where can we find you on the web?

Twitter @ Tina_Pinson

Blog: http://tinapinson.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Tina.E.Pinson

Is there anything I didn’t ask that you would like to add?

I would like to thank you for letting me visit with you Melissa, and for the chance to take a look at my life and situation again. It is my hope that God will take these words and your site and bless many people. Thanks for the opportunity to share.

Thank you Tina. That is my hope as well, God will use this blog for His glory alone.

Readers, Tina is giving away an ebook copy of her book To Carry Her Cross. Leave a comment by January 22 at 5:00 PM to be entered.  

Meeting the Redeemer-Part 8 January 11, 2013

The world needs your Genesis 5020. Don’t let anyone tell you your story isn’t big enough. That is a lie. Your story is big if God did it. Share your story with us. 5020genesisstories (at) gmail (dot) com

Back with Heather’s Genesis 5020.

While we were in route to my uncle’s house, John called and asked me where I was.  I told him I was gone and I wasn’t coming back. 

I told him I couldn’t live with him always threatening me and constantly being afraid of him.  He said he was only joking and wouldn’t actually do those things to me.  I refused to believe, my head was clear and I knew better this time. 

I stuck with my plan to go to my uncle’s house.

My friend dropped us off at my uncle’s house.  He was happy to see us in one piece. 

John continued to call, I ignored his calls.  He finally left a message saying that he left my place but had taken my computer.  I didn’t care, I was glad to be free of him.  We spent the night at my uncle’s house.

The next morning, my uncle had suggested I call my parents and see if they would help me get back home.  I agreed to do that. 

It must have been the Holy Spirit leading me because I always said I would never go back home, never.

I called my parents and explained my situation and told them that I was about 4 weeks pregnant.  They quickly offered to pay for plane tickets for my daughter and me and even for my 2 cats to come back home. 

It was hard to talk to my parents since I hadn’t spoken to them in 2 ½ years but just talking to them brought about some healing.

Later that day I arranged for a police escort to meet me at my apartment so I could gather some of my belongings.  I didn’t know if John had really left my apartment and I wanted protection from him just in case. 

My uncle took me to my place, John was not there, thankfully.  I packed as many of my things and my daughter’s things that would fit into my uncle’s car and left the rest behind. 

At my uncle’s house, while packing my things into suitcases so I could take them on the plane with me, I had this overwhelming feeling that I was doing the right thing by leaving this life I had known for 5 ½ years behind me and going back to live with my family. 

It was a hard reality to swallow. 

I felt like a failure, I couldn’t make it on my own in the big city, I had to go back home to mom and dad and accept their help. 

That was what the enemy wanted me to believe.  I didn’t see it then but I do now, God was drawing me back to Him, I was that prodigal daughter who had squandered her inheritance. 

How could my family and especially God, welcome me back with open arms? 

I didn’t understand it but I was grateful.

Before I even got on the plane to go back to Michigan, my mom informed me that my brother’s ex-wife had a job for me at a company I had worked for when my daughter was a baby. 

How could that be, I had been looking for a job for months and months in Vegas and found nothing, and now I had a job waiting for me in Michigan. 

That was all God right there.  Again, I knew I was doing the right thing.

I called my best friends and told them what was going on.  They were shocked as I had always said I would NEVER move back to Michigan.  We promised to keep in touch.

I boarded the airplane in Vegas a dead woman. 

I was tired from the life I had been consumed by.  I was so out of touch with my daughter, I had no idea how she felt about any of this.  I was completely disconnected on my end from God. 

I just knew I had fallen too far from Him to be saved.  I was dirty and used up and had nothing to offer. 

And there I was, carrying a new life inside of me, I surely did not deserve another chance, not me, a prostitute, drug addict, drug dealer, stripper, whore, horrible mother, a murderer. 

How could I be getting another chance? 

How could anything good come from me and the things that I had done? 

I just didn’t understand it.  I completely underestimated God and His power to redeem ANYTHING.

Don’t you just want to go “yahoo!!!!!” I still get overwhelmed with God’s sovereignty when I read this.

He is so amazing. He loves us all so much. He goes wherever we are and reaches in and pulls us out. We just need to lift our arms and faces to Him, He will do the rest.

Love it!

Write to the Point with Tanya Eavenson January 9, 2013

Welcome back to write to the point Wednesdays. Two-thousand thirteen will bring many new authors and even some authors from last year.

We kick this year off with Tanya Eavenson. She has done a really neat Genesis 5020 story with a character from her book. This is a great way to get a glimpse of her book and meet a character.

Tanya is doing a giveaway for her book which doesn’t even release until January 10. 

Hi, I’m Samantha from Tanya Eavenson’s debut novel, Unconditional.., Elizabeth Roberts, the main character, is my sister. Okay, this is harder than I thought.

Do you ever feel responsible for something even if it wasn’t your fault? A part of me feels that way for Elizabeth’s tendency to run from her problems. Well, I guess you can say it’s what I showed her when I left home at nineteen.

See, Elizabeth looked up to me. She tagged along everywhere I went, tried to dress like me, even liked the same music I listened to. But I couldn’t handle Mom and Dad always nagging me to go to church. How I needed better friends or why couldn’t I be more like Elizabeth. I just got tired of it and left. The world was not what I thought it would be like, but I was determined to make it. And I did. But at a price.

When I got the news about Mom and Dad’s death, it really hit hard. Not only had I not spoken to them in years, but now Elizabeth avoided any contact with me. I know I deserved it, pushing her away like I had. But by God’s grace, a few years ago she forgave me and let me back into her life. That’s when I met Chris, Elizabeth’s husband, and his brother Phillip, my husband. Yes, Elizabeth and I married brothers. Funny how God works things out.

Anyway, what can I say about Chris? He was always so sure of himself and where he was going in life. Nothing was going to stop him. You know, the “everyone knows your name” type. And he was in love with my sister, the total opposite. Quiet, well unless she was talking about her faith, otherwise quiet, very loving, and extremely beautiful with those eyes of hers. Turquoise I’d call them. Yes, Chris and Elizabeth were complete opposites, yet in a way, perfect for each other.

I never thought they’d have marital problem with Chris’ family being church goers, missionaries, deacons, lawyers running a homeless shelter, but I’ve learned that if you’re not living day by day in the presence of the Lord, it doesn’t matter who you are; the devil will find his way in and try to destroy what God has created.

I think a lot about what happened between Chris and Elizabeth. I also think a lot about my own life and the past. How God took the bad things that had happened, the ugliness of my sin, and used those circumstances to draw me to Himself.

Before I leave I want to read a short scripture. Hold on, let me get my Bible. Here it is. Hosea 2: 14-15, “Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give back her vineyards, and make the Valley of Archor a door of hope.”

I see this verse being true in my and Chris’ life, even though our stories are different. God lead us into the desert, and that is where we listened. God didn’t give us what we deserved. Instead, He loved us, wrapped us in righteousness, faithfulness, and compassion, giving us hope for our future.

Has there been a time in your life the Lord allured you into the desert—a time of loss or uncertainty—and spoke tenderly to you? Compassionately bringing you back to Him? If so, share your story. In your story there is hope and assurance of God’s love for others.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tanya Eavenson and her husband have been in the ministry for fifteen years teaching youth, adults, and counseling. Tanya enjoys spending time with her husband, and their three children. Her favorite pastime is grabbing a cup of coffee and reading a good book. Tanya is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and writes for Christ to the World Ministries sharing the Gospel around the world. You can find her on Twitter at @Tan_eave and contact her at her website www.tanyaeavenson.com  Want to learn more about writing? Stop by her blog http://guidedgirls.blogspot.com

Tanya, thanks so much for sharing with my readers. I pray God’s blessing over your writing.

Readers, Tanya is giving away an ebook copy of hr book to one commentator. Leave a comment by January 15th at 5:00 PM to be entered.

Her Only Hope-Part 7 January 4, 2013

Happy New Year! I can’t wait to see what God will do in 2013, how about you?

Today we continue with Heather’s Genesis 5020. This is where her “lower” story intersects with God’s “upper” story.

After he left, I felt better, like I could handle my life again. 

I felt so hopeless and helpless while he was slapping me around but when he was gone, hope began to come back. 

That feeling only lasted about 24 hours because he came back the next night.  I let him in for fear of what he would do if I didn’t.  He had some of his friends with him but they soon left, leaving him at my place with no car, no way to leave. 

I knew he was there to stay. 

It didn’t take but a few minutes for me to make him mad, he asked me a question and I gave him an honest answer that he didn’t like so hit me right on my nose causing it to bleed badly.  I tried to get up from the bed to get a wash cloth to catch the blood but he refused to let me out of the bedroom, I was trapped yet again. 

He gave me a sock to hold on my nose until the bleeding stopped. 

I felt helpless and too weak to fight back. 

This time I didn’t demand that he leave, I just accepted my circumstances and allowed him to stay.  He apologized, said he wouldn’t do it again, all the things abusive men say after they explode.  I didn’t believe him but I accepted his words.  He laid down with me and held me in his arms while I just cried.

Things were somewhat okay for the next couple of weeks, no episodes of physical abuse.  We had a few arguments but nothing physical.  I was miserable and so was my daughter.  She asked me why I didn’t just kick John out.  I told her it wasn’t  that easy but I’d figure something out soon. 

I continued to work at the strip club occasionally but made most of my money from my regular customers and also by selling drugs to a few people I knew.  I continued to look for a real job, even had a few more interviews but still found nothing.  John looked online for a job but that’s as much as he would do.  He would occasionally try to find a customer for me but that usually didn’t work out so well.

I had lost track of my period and wasn’t sure when it was supposed to start but I had a feeling it was late.  So two days before Thanksgiving 2009, I took a pregnancy test. 

It was positive. 

I knew it was John’s baby because he was the only one I had not been careful with and he seemed especially careless at times. 

I knew I would keep this baby because first, there was no way John would let me terminate my pregnancy and second, I had been wanting to clean up my life and knew that it would take something big, like a baby, for me to make those changes. 

The difference in my previous pregnancies and this one was that I was ready to change this time, whereas before I was still enjoying living in my darkness. 

The day I found out I was pregnant I stopped using drugs and alcohol.  It’s amazing how clear your mind becomes when you stop putting chemicals in your body to alter your perception. 

The day after Thanksgiving John started revving up for another abusive episode.  He started making threats but didn’t carrying them out yet.  I honestly believe that he was coming down from the drugs and was too tired to abuse me. 

My daughter heard him threatening me and called me to her room to show me something.  She really didn’t have anything to show me but was trying to keep me safe.  That night I slept in my daughter’s room and I stayed safe. 

The next day the threats continued and I’d had enough. I knew if I planned on keeping my baby safe from miscarriage, I had to get away from John.  

I quickly planned my great escape. 

I called both of my best friends but neither one answered the phone. (I later found out that was God’s plan)  I got a hold of another friend of mine and arranged for him to pick up my daughter and me. (I didn’t have a car anymore.) 

John had asked me to get some drugs for him so when my friend called to let me know he was outside waiting for me, John thought it was the drug dealer. 

I grabbed my purse and closed the bedroom door so John wouldn’t see that my daughter was going out the front door with me.  We quickly got into the car and left my apartment. 

My friend asked where he was going to take us.  I had no idea.  Since my friends hadn’t answered their phones earlier, I could only think of one more person to call, my uncle. 

I had an uncle that lived in Vegas but hadn’t talked to him since I stopped talking to my parents.  He was my only hope. 

He answered the phone and said of course, we could come over and spend the night.

Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord! Psalm 31:24 AMP

I love reading this part….how God worked it all out, Heather’s escape, her turning from sin and running back to Him.

This is her “whatever it takes”.

God has been pressing in on me and reminding me that He is all I need to put my hope in. What are you hoping for in 2013? What do you anticipate God doing in your life this year?

What’s your Genesis 5020? Share you story at: 5020genesisstories (at) gmail (dot) com