Acts 13: 47-49 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
"I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth."
When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.
As I write this, it is early morning and still dark.
My world is quiet, both inside and outside my home. Immersed in the book of
Matthew and reading about the forerunner of Jesus, John the Baptist, who announces
to anyone who will listen their need to repent of their sins because Jesus is
coming, I almost miss it. As I prepare my mind and heart for the upcoming
Easter celebration and Jesus’ resurrection, I almost miss the joyous song of a
lone bird announcing the dawn of a new day. A “forerunner” to the emergence of
a clean, new slate, this feathered friend happily chirps, exclaiming just outside
my window that the darkness will soon pass, and the light will rise.
I don’t understand the pecking order of birds. Was
it the lil guy’s turn, and he was thrilled to sing his heart out while his
peers had to quietly listen? Or was he the only one outside my window and by default,
he alone could serenade me? (It is dark after all, I can’t tell if there’s a
flock or not.)
Regardless, the first chirps of a lone bird early in
the morning always lift my heart and make me smile. (And especially after the
long hard winter we’ve had—what a welcome melody it is!) Morning is my favorite
time of day; I love arising in the dark, while the house is quiet, and have my
devotions with the Lord. Having them interrupted by sweet chirps of happiness
only adds to the joy and anticipation of a new dawning. No matter what is on my
schedule for the day, I am suddenly ready to face whatever the coming hours
might bring.
Much like a lone bird that brings the message of the
approaching light of a new day, so did John the Baptist bring the message of the
coming Light for all eternity. The centuries old message is still fresh every
day:Repent of your sins, turn from
darkness, embrace the Light, and you will know the love, peace, and joy of
Christ in this life…and the next.
How
lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even
faints, for
the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for
the living God. Even the sparrow has
found a home, and
the swallow a nest for herself, where
she may have her young— a place near your altar, Lord Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who
dwell in your house; they
are ever praising you.(Psalm 84:1-4)
Friday, February 7, 2014
(L. to R. Connie Cameron, Nanette Friend and Connie Johnston)
SET FREE IN HIM
MINISTRIES
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Everyone
struggles with being “imprisoned” in some form and at different times in their
life. Incarceration in a literal prison usually results from our own bad
choices, or from the effects of irresponsible decisions made by
others. Then there are mental or spiritual prisons, too, that can be the result of bondage to
something or someone, serious illness, lifelong disabilities, or financial burdens.
Set
Free in Him Ministries (SFIH)reveals the power of an extraordinary God who heals broken
hearts, breaks chains that bind, and transforms “messes” into masterpieces,”
all for His glory. The
speakers of Set Free in Him Ministries (Nanette Friend, Connie Johnston, and Connie Cameron) long to share their moving
testimonies of how Jesus Christ holds the key to unlock us from our prison. Joy
and freedom can be obtained in Christ as we learn to keep our trust in Him.
Based in central Ohio, these women enjoy sharing their inspiring true stories, offering hope and encouragement, with a touch of humor. All three are authors and have been published in the best selling, Stories of Faith and Courage from Prison book, a 365 day devotional. They speak on a variety of topics, including helping audiences conquer fear, and nudging ladies to pursue their individual calling from God. The speakers of Set Free in Him Ministries are available individually, too, and for different gatherings, such as Mother’s Day banquets and women’s retreats.
"True testimonies of our living God working in and around each
woman as she shared how God has led them in the direction of Set Free in Him
Ministries. No matter your connection to prison ministries, God will
touch your heart to serve his children in some way. An inspiration and
blessing to meet each one!"
-Tessa Blizzard, Brushy Fork United Methodist
Church Ladies Group Leader
To
contact SFIH or for more info., please click on the “Contact” tab at www.conniecameron.com
“Encouraging others to
become all God intends them to be, by sharing our experiences and offering hope
and freedom in Christ.”
Our lives are a testimony to others of Christ’s love. We are
His servants to minister to one another by His power that resides in us. Each of
us should have a ministry, but quite often, and especially for the new
believer, we don’t know what area of service we are gifted in. Keep praying
about it and then simply step out in faith and serve. You will have joy, and
there will be a supernatural flow, when you serve within your gift(s).
A good place to start can be in the area of pen pal
ministry. Even though we live in a day and age of social media, there is still
a large segment of society that does not use electronics, including seniors and
prisoners. Yet, those two groups love receiving mail.
During my compiling of Stories
of Faith and Courage from Prison, I was connected with Beth Michael, a
founder of Christian Pen Pals. Literally thousands of lives have been touched
by this outreach to inmates. An excerpt from her January 11th story
from the prisoner devotional book states:
“God tells us we each have a ministry. ‘Now all things are of God, who
has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the
ministry of reconciliation’ (2 Cor. 5:18). With the Holy Spirit inside us to
guide us, we each have the power to share Christ with others. Most prison ministries
have huge needs. We need to be faithful to do our part and prayerfully consider
getting involved in, and ministering to, the “least of these.”
Through Beth’s dedication to her ministry, many inmates have
started ministries of their own on both sides of the razor wire. Many hurting
men and women have found hope in Jesus and have dedicated their lives to
serving Him.
If you’d like more information about Christian Pen Pals,
please contact: CPP, PO Box 11296, Hickory, NC 28603, or www.christian-penpals.com.
True joy comes when you are willing to step outside
your comfort zone and invest your time in serving others.
Imagine there was to be a huge birthday party in
your honor. Invitations were sent out, and for many months people prepared for
it. They bought gifts, they baked cakes and cookies, and they spent tons of
money and time decorating. They sang songs about the upcoming day, even
gathering outside homes to sing in the cold night. Some of the songs
specifically honored you, but some were simply about…the celebration.
As the years went by, more and more people forgot
who they were celebrating and instead worshipped the day. The parties
and gift-giving became the focus…and you, well…you were almost completely
forgotten. Here it was your birth that started the grand celebration each year,
but now…not only do many of the attendees not know who you even are, but they
take your name in vain. It has become all about the party, all about the gifts,
and sadly, all about making money from your birth.
Imagine how you would feel, if You were the Father
of the One who was being celebrated. You had given up Your only Son to die a
horrible death in order to save all these people. And, by simply calling on Your
Son’s name (from the heart), and seeking forgiveness for your sins, you would
be saved from spending eternity in hell. His amazing Spirit would immediately
take up residence in your heart, too, giving you new life in the here and now.
Imagine a God who would love His creation so much as to do that for them.
Yet, once a year, on the anniversary of His Son’s
birth, His Son is all but forgotten. The emphasis is on the party and not the
Person. The day is all about food, family, and materialism. The Son, Jesus, is
barely recognized.
Soon, very soon, that Son will return. Our amazing
Creator knows each of our hearts. It is He who knows when we are sleeping, who
knows when we are awake. God knows His kids, those who know Him and those who
don’t. God keeps His word and He will be sending His Son back again soon, very
soon.
Why not make this Christmas about the true reason
for the season. Seek first the Kingdom of God, and then celebrate the amazing
Christ for who He is, who He was, and who He will be.
Happy Birthday, Jesus!
For
Godsolovedtheworld that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
eternal life. (John 3:16)
Would you take this time
to describe your debut novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, to
us?
Here’s a brief blurb:How
far would YOU go to avenge a daughter’s cruel death?
Cara is considered
rebellious and inappropriate to befriend. Dayne is the apple of Elder Simmons’
eye—until he takes a stand against their teachings. Can his prayers and love
reach Cara and show her the way to redemption? Will Cara realize God’s love and
forgiveness before she goes too far?
The Redemption of
Caralynne Hayman is a novel of
hope shining through the darkness with strong elements of suspense and romance.
This novel was a semifinalist in the Genesis contest and is receiving raving
reviews! Release date was October 21, 2013 from the Lighthouse Publishing of
the Carolinas.
What is the genre you
write in?Would you explain what it is?
I write suspense. My debut
novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, is considered women’s fiction but
filled with suspense and romance. I do believe anything I write will have
suspense and/or mystery in it. Some--most--of my novels will not deal with such
a strong topic as abuse, or at least will not be written as intensely as
TRofCH. I have a novel releasing this
month--Hog Insane--that is the first book in a fun mystery series.
What is the spiritual
message in your latest book?What can
readers expect to get from reading it?
Hope Shining Through the
Darkness. I hope readers will see that even in dark times, in heartbreaking or
hard times, when there is no light, that God can and does shine a light for us
to cling to and trust in.
I want readers to understand
a little better of the horribleness of abuse and to experience more sympathy
for those suffering from it.
Do you ever feel like
giving up?Most people don’t understand
the stress, the work, and the joy of being a writer.How tenuous becoming a writer is. Do you care
to share how it feels, what discouraging/encouraging times you’ve gone
through?Who’s inspired you the most?
Of course! In 2011 and the
beginning of 2012, I almost admitted I would never be a published author and
that I might as well quit. Fortunately, one dear older lady made me realize
that I needed to believe with all my heart. In April, 2012, I was invited to
submit a full manuscript and that December I signed a contract. The Redemption
of Caralynne Hayman released October 21, 2013. This year I was invited to
submit another book to a different publisher and was accepted. That book will
release this month.
Would you explain how you “chose”
(or was chosen) a publisher?Now, that
you’re published, can you sit back and relax from the success you’ve
experienced?
No, it was by invitation from
the publishers, and no, I can’t relax totally. I may have a day to enjoy
myself, but I have two books due next year, another one I need to finish
editing soon, one I need to finish by the first of the year, and others I need
to work on. There’s marketing, events to attend, normal tasks to perform, and
life to be lived.
I never want to take what I
have achieved for granted.
Would you give us your
blog or webpage so everyone can check it out?Anything else you’d like to share?Promotional information?
I’d love for everyone to
connect with me on one or several of these spots. Ask questions or feel free to
watch for my next book.
