Thanksgiving is not yet here, but the stores have already been decorated for Christmas for several weeks. Today I did some early Christmas shopping at Kohl’s to a background of Christmas music. (A 30% off coupon plus Kohl’s cash for my purchases is hard to resist!)
As you begin to think about Christmas, I want to encourage you to give yourself and your friends an early gift that will bless your journey to Christmas in life-changing ways.
I had the privilege and joy of editing Liena Apšukrapša & Jacqueline L. Hullaby’s new book, Advent to Epiphany – Engaging the True Heart of Christmas. Through this interactive devotional you will be drawn closer to the One whose birth we celebrate. I know I was.
Liena writes: “The majority of us will miss this Christmas. It is so easy to get caught up in the swirl of activity and find ourselves physically exhausted and spiritually empty at the end of the season. What if this year is different? What if you end the year rested and start the new year spiritually invigorated and transformed? A new Advent devotional is coming to you this season to make this a reality in your life.”
I met Liena at this year’s Colorado Christian Writers Conference where I sat with her for an hour reading and commenting on her manuscript. As I begin planning the May 17-20, 2017, Colorado conference (and the July 26-29, 2017, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference) I am encouraged by her testimony below. You will be, too.
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God’s Beloved,
Every time I think of my writing journey, tears of deep gratitude and healing stream down my face. Yesterday, October 23rd, my first book was born. As all children do, this too has changed my life.
Giving life to a book was inconceivable just a few years ago. I come from Latvia, Eastern Europe, and all my years of elementary school I struggled deeply with writing, especially with grammar. This vicious struggle and the subsequent critique from teachers stifled and silenced my creative ability to bloom in writing. The writer in me was wrapped in a grave clothes like Lazarus and put away in the grave. Until one day…
I walked into an unknown church while wandering around in Denver on a Sunday morning. During the time of worship, the pastor came over to me, lifted my chin and said, “Sharpen your pencil. God wants you to write!” I swallowed these words with tears that dripped on my lips. There, deep in my heart, they dropped like a seed waiting to be nurtured.
The Holy Spirit, the most patient Person of all, came around several more times in the following years to encourage me to write. I knew to pay attention to these repeated visits containing the same message. I began to ask God what He desired to write through me. I had some ideas, but His answer came in the most unexpected way.
My very good friend Jacqueline came to visit me for Christmas. Every day we used the St. Ignatius method of delving into the Scriptures that lead to profoundly deep prayer experiences. When Jacqueline went back home to Iowa, we continued to pray this way over the phone, sometimes for hours every weekend. This experience was so spiritually nurturing and uplifting. Until another day…
God spoke to me while I was doing chores, “I want you to invite others into your prayer experiences with Jacqueline.”
“How, Lord?” I questioned.
“Write!”
Here it was–the first assignment. So, I began. The first time I sat down to write, I collapsed on my knees and wept because I could write. The healing had begun. The words came naturally and easily, called out by Jesus. “Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go” (John 11:43-44). I have not stopped walking in this call to write since that time. The joy of this wonder is simply uncontainable–compelling me to write the rest of my life.
God has faithfully placed walking companions on my path who have helped me to peel off whatever grave cloth have been still sticking on me. Last year I went to Colorado Christians Writers Conference in Estes Park which did miracles for me. The Holy Spirit taught me constantly through various speakers. I was able to see my writing deficiencies so clearly, but is brought me the greatest joy because I knew “when God is putting His finger on the part of your life that’s not working, He’s pointing to the site of your next miracle.” (Graham Cooke).
The most profound healing came during my book’s critique. I sat down with Marlene and she started to read my manuscript. It was the end of conference and by then I knew how imperfect my writing was. Believe me. I was expecting the same critique I received way back in school. But something unexpected happened. Marlene read my flawed sentences with such deep love that my heart was flooded with streams of divine healing. I went away knowing first hand that this is how God reads our imperfect lives – with upmost adoration and love. This meeting was the greatest motivator for reworking and finishing my book.
Today, I am walking joyfully toward you to extend our first book Advent to Epiphany: Engaging the True Heart of Christmas, written to you.
Lord, set us fully free to share Your creativity and heart in this world!
Liena
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Available on Amazon.com.
Write His Answer 
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