Our Awesome God!

Have you ever wondered why God led you to a certain place at a certain time? Have you questioned Him, not knowing or seeing what He was up to and maybe doubting that you had even heard from Him in the first place?

I had one of those moments yesterday. A loved one is battling cancer. While my husband and I were in the waiting room with her family they told us that the main surgeon had just told them that he was going to perform radical surgery. This doctor had no bedside manners and he did not even want to review the recent tests reqested by another doctor. He was adamant that a lot of extreme facial surgery was necessary, involving the removal of an eye and some teeth. The family was numb with grief, as you can imagine.

My husband and I left them alone in their grief, so they could come to grips with the news. We all had known that there was a possibility of this happening, yet we hoped, up to the last minute, that it would not be so. After an hour, a nephew of my loved one walked by me and said they still had not begun surgery - she was still in pre-op. Suddenly I KNEW why we were there. My husband and I immediately joined hands and prayed hard that God would divinely intervene - that extensive facial surgery would not be necessary, that the main surgeon would be overuled by the other doctors and that proof would be given to convince that doctor that the cancer was isolated to one small area; that the cancer had not, in fact, spread as they feared.

And guess what? The surgery was completed in half the time estimated and no incision on the face was even necessary!!! They were able to enter under the lip and do all the operating that way, because it had stayed contained to one small area. And... instead of a 5-7 day stay in the hospital, she may get out this afternoon!

Praise the Lord for His mercy and for answered prayer! Our entire church has been praying for her for several weeks. God heard the heartfelt cries of His kids, and yesterday I KNEW why I was to be where I was.

Oh taste and see that He is good! His mercy endures forever!

Praising His name forever,
Connie

Prison Ministry Update

My prayer warrior friend Pat, and I, went to the Ohio Reformatory for Women this week and were blessed to be able to donate 14 digital conversion boxes to the incarcerated women there. Several of the recipients are inmates in wheelchairs who live for their television and who have no one on the outside to assist in the cost of a conversion box. Even with the $40 coupons, it is still tough for many of them to come up with the remainder of the cost. What a blessing to be a part of this much needed ministry.

Special thanks go to our church family, First Baptist Church of Heath, for supporting this project. They allowed me to hold 2 book signings after worship services, with all the proceeds going toward the jail and prison ministry. And, following my speech at the mother/daughter banquet a few weeks ago, Ms. Valerie, the hostess, took up a collection for the inmate boxes. What a great church family Pat and I are a part of!

Like most of us I am thrilled that winter is finally behind us. It was a long one this year. But now I am torn between writing, yardwork and housework. Not enough hours in the day, or energy in the body! :-)

Please pray for my current book projects. One of my proposals is being considered for publication and is before the Book Review Committee at Beacon Hill Press. In this age of cutbacks, book publishers, too, are facing huge financial hurdles. Christian writers covet the prayers of the saints to assist in getting the Word out, now more than ever!

Writing for Him,
Connie

Ministry Request (It's Free!)

I don't usually ask for contributions on my blog, but I feel the need to do so now. No, not financial contributions, but coupon contributions. The warden of a local state prison has given my prison ministry friend, Pat, and I the go ahead to gather the digital conversion converter boxes to donate to inmates who cannot afford a box. Since there is no cable or satellite service available at this prison, many inmates will not be able to afford a conversion box and will not be able to watch television after the conversion in June. (Many lifers and handicapped inmates LIVE for televison.)

We are asking people to please donate the coupons that they are not going to use (the coupons are for $40 off the purchase price of the boxes) , and we will purchase the boxes and take them to the prison. IF you are interested - God bless you! It is real easy to do: Just go to www.dtv.gov. Please email me and I'll tell you where to send the coupon after you receive them.

Thank you and may God richly bless you!

In Him,
Connie
Matthew 25: 36 "I was in prison and you came to visit me."

"A Cup of Comfort" Book Series

Every time I do a book signing, I encounter lots of people who have never heard of the Cup of Comfort book series. I usually tell them that they are similar to the Chicken Soup series, as they are full of short, inspirational stories targeted at a particular genre and written by different authors (contributors). The books are published by Adam's Media and they are a good value and make excellent gifts. If you aren't familiar with the Cup of Comfort book series, you might want to go to http://www.cupofcomfort.com/ sometime and check it out.

I have been published in several of their titles, including their two newest books: A Cup of Comfort Women of the Bible Devotional, and A Cup of Comfort Devotional for Mothers and Daughters. These two new titles are hardback; their previous titles are paperback. If you'd like autographed copies of these titles or any of my books (go to my "Books" tab for selections) drop me an email, or go to the "Signed by the Author" link on my site.

I personally read several different daily devotionals every day, some from these books and some from periodicals - and throughout the day. Most often their brief, inspirational messages are very timely - as if they are handpicked just for me and just for my unique need for that day! Imagine that...

Happy reading!
Connie

A Heavenly Book

I just finished reading a wonderfully uplifting and inspiring book, "My Glimpse of Eternity", by Betty Malz. I started reading it last night and didn't want to stop, but the light in our bedroom interferes with my husband's sleep (we arise at 4:15 a.m.), so I begrudgingly obliged. It was easy to dash out of bed this morning, knowing I would be able to return to the captivating gem.

After my morning Bible study (today I'm in James, chapter one) and hurriedly scribbling in my journal, I resumed my place in my new found literary treasure. By 6:45 - it was finished. Whew! Talk about moving! It took me to heaven and made me want to stay there.

It was first published in 1977 and recently re-released by Baker Revell publishers, and deservedly so. We need more books that remind us to live with eternity in mind; to make each day count for Jesus; to encourage us to let His neverending love ooze from our pores. We need books that gently prod us to be less self-absorbed and more God focused.

It has nudged me, as an inspirational writer myself, to get back on the saddle and keep the reigns on the horse.

Read any good books lately?

God bless,
Connie