Paid To Praise

Sometimes the strangest thoughts hit me out of the blue.  I guess my mind works in mysterious ways. Anyway, yesterday I was struck by a convicting thought, but before I get to the idea itself, let me ask you a question.  When you pray and give thanks to God, do you find yourself grouping things into categories like family, church family, health, food, etc.?  Though the old hymn clearly says, "Count your blessings; name them one by one," how often do we really do that?  I confess I'm guilty of hurrying through my praise by making blanket statements like "Thank you, Lord, for my many blessings" or "Thank you for all the ways You've provided today."  And while it's good that we're giving thanks, is this all-encompassing approach sufficient?  To answer that question, let me share my thought with you.

Suppose someone offered you $100 for every blessing you could name.  Would your praise list grow?  Would you take a little more time, thought and effort to truly count your blessings and name them one by one?  Instead of "bless my family," would your prayer include each family member by name?  Oh, my, my!  If you're anything like me, you just realized that our praise is lacking and our motivation is questionable.  Why would we spend more time in praise for monetary reward than we would simply praising God because He deserves it?  (See, I told you it was convicting!)

I want to say one last thing, and then I'm going to leave you alone and give you some time to meditate on this idea.  Praise to God is always rewarded, though it may not be in the form of money.  The Bible is clear that God delights in our praise, and not only that, He inhabits it.  What better reward could there be than the sweet, one-on-one fellowship with the God of all creation?  Money can't buy that!

Here's an example of real praise:

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all. Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul. - Psalm 103

Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely by Lysa TerKeurst

About the Book:

The enemy wants us to feel rejected . . . left out, lonely, and less than. When we allow him to speak lies through our rejection, he pickpockets our purpose. Cripples our courage. Dismantles our dreams. And blinds us to the beauty of Christ’s powerful love.

In Uninvited, Lysa shares her own deeply personal experiences with rejection—from the incredibly painful childhood abandonment by her father to the perceived judgment of the perfectly-toned woman one elliptical over.

With biblical depth, gut-honest vulnerability, and refreshing wit, Lysa helps readers:

• Release the desire to fall apart or control the actions of others by embracing God-honoring ways to process their hurt.

• Know exactly what to pray for the next ten days to steady their soul and restore their confidence.

• Overcome the two core fears that feed our insecurities by understanding the secret of belonging.

• Stop feeling left out and start believing that "set apart" does not mean "set aside."

• End the cycle of perceived rejection by refusing to turn a small incident into a full-blown issue.

About the Author:

Lysa TerKeurst is president of Proverbs 31 Ministries and the New York Times bestselling author of Uninvited and The Best Yes. She writes from her sticky farm table and lives with her family in North Carolina. Connect with her at www.LysaTerKeurst.com.


My Review:

I have read and enjoyed many of Lysa's books, and I'm happy to proclaim that this is among my favorites.  With her sheer honesty and trademark wit, she offers the readers an insight into a life of rejection and how that one who felt left out finally discovered the place she'd always longed to be--a place of love and acceptance.  Lysa shares parts of her painful past as well as comical experiences she has faced throughout the years that have helped her arrive where she is today.  I must say that my favorite account was the one with the cussing angel (you'll have to read the book to understand and truly appreciate the humor).

I've had my eye on this book for some time but was waiting for the "right time" to spend money on it.  Recently, I felt the Lord impressing me that now was the time.  As I began reading, I understood His promptings, for the first few chapters of the book discussed the very thing I was studying and covering in my own new book:  the power of our thoughts and words.  Lysa reminds us that, whether we realize it or not, what we think and say has a dramatic impact on our actions and attitudes.  With that in mind, she urges us to guard our thoughts and tongues against the negativity that often so easily besets us.  God worked it out that I was in the perfect place in my life to thoroughly appreciate this insight.

As with all of Lysa's books, I had trouble pacing myself because once I started reading, I didn't want to stop.  Her words encouraged my heart and motivated my spirit as I'm sure they will do for you.  This is a must read for anyone who has ever struggled with feelings of rejection (which I'm certain that we all have).  You won't be sorry!

Meditative Moments - John 15:5

What Are You Seeking?

And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen. - Exodus 33:18-23

In this beautiful passage, we see Moses asking to see the Lord's face. And while the Lord could not honor Moses's request for his own safety, God was honored by the fact that Moses was seeking to know God on this level. In the same way, God is honored when we seekHhis face; however, we are often too busy seeking His hand.

Sadly, we tend to be a selfish and self-centered generation, expecting the Lord to act according to our wishes. Day after day, we pepper Him with questions and requests, and while God is happy to give gifts to His children, don't you know He grows weary of us seeking His hand for more often than we seek His face? Think about it, when was the last time we went to Him in prayer, not to ask for anything, but merely to speak with Him, to be with Him, to rest in His presence? In contrast, how often do we go asking for things, whether they be needs or wants?

Let me make this clear. The Bible does say, "Ask and you shall receive," but it also says, "Draw nigh unto God." We don't get close to someone by only being in their presence long enough to ask them for things. We get close by spending time with them--talking, listening, and sometimes just being. While God does long to bless us with the desires of our hearts, he wants, even more, to be sought out for who He is rather than what He can do for us.

As I taught this to my Sunday School class on Sunday morning, the question was asked of me, "So what do we do when we have a need? Is it okay to ask God to meet that need?" Absolutely. As I said, God wants to do things for us because He loves us. But we need to balance the appeals for things that we don't have with praises for the things that we do. We need to make sure that we're spending as much time resting in God's presence as we are spouting our list of demands. By all means, ask God to meet a need, but make sure that's not the only time you're spending with God.

Now, before I close, let me show you an extra special blessing from the passage above in Exodus. We see that Moses was seeking God's face, but as God explained, it is humanly impossible for man to see God's face and live. But notice what God did do. He placed Moses in a safe place and covered him with his hand. Did you catch that? Moses sought God's face, and God gave his hand. That's the way it's supposed to work. When we seek God's face first, He will ensure that all our needs are met, and we will lack no good thing.

What are you seeking today?

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. - Matthew 6:33

What Do You Want Now?

Yesterday, I had a rather graphic and gruesome reminder about contentment.  As I worked on dinner, I noticed the dogs next door were barking, but this was not their usual type of bark.  Something was definitely different about it, and when the barking continued for several minutes, I decided I'd better go out and investigate.

The two dogs were standing with arched backs, barking at our fence.  I looked around and saw nothing in our yard that would cause such a frenzy, so studying their behavior more closely, I realized that their attention was on the ground just in front of the fence.  My first thought was that there was a snake.  It wouldn't be the first time.  But I was terrified of one of the dogs getting injured, so I went near the fence to see if maybe I could distract whatever was causing them such grief.  That's when I heard the noise.  It was definitely not a snake.  Nope, it was a groundhog.  And it was trapped.

I ran into the house to get Jason to see if, between the two of us, we could manage to distract the dogs long enough to allow the groundhog to escape.  It sounded like a good idea, but the dogs were intent on their prey, and despite our calling and clapping, they continued to bark at the cornered animal.  Finally, the inevitable happened, and I found myself having to run back inside so as not to witness the carnage.  Yes, the dogs had a new chew toy, and within moments, the groundhog lay dead in the middle of the yard.  Poor thing!  (I told you it was gruesome.)

Here's the crazy part.  After a few minutes, both dogs began barking again.  I looked out the window to see what was going on, and they both stood around the deceased rodent.  I was pretty sure the creature was dead.  Jason had even confirmed it, but the dogs continued to bark.  It was as if the entire ordeal had been a big game to them, and now that the groundhog wasn't playing anymore, they were upset.

Isn't that the way with desires?  We think we want something, but then once we get it, we realize it wasn't all we thought it would be.  The joy and satisfaction of achieving the prize are short-lived, and suddenly, we're reaching for the next thing to satisfy.  Never content.  Always wanting more.  Never seeming to remember that when we have Jesus, we have all we'll ever need.

I hate that it took such a horrid event to remind me that I need to be on guard for discontentment, but I'm glad that God loves me enough to teach me, even when the lessons are painful.  Discontentment is a sin, and instead of searching for the "next thing," we need to be thankful for all the blessings we have.  It would do us a world of good.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to attend a funeral. . . for a groundhog.

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. - Philippians 4:11

Giving 100%

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God. Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, Tell me whether you sold the land for so much? She said, Yes, for so much. Then Peter said to her, How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out. Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. - Acts 5:1-11

Ananias and Sapphira had big trouble. First, they didn't give God the full amount that they had received from selling their land. But on top of that, they lied about it and said that they had. We see how harshly God dealt with their disobedience and dishonesty.

But as I read their story, I have to ask myself one question: Am I giving God 100%? Did I give God my full effort yesterday? Am I offering Him 100% of my talents today? Am I spending all of my time in His service to glorify His name? Do I give money when God instructs me to?

Sadly, I have to answer "no" to many of those questions. If I didn't, I would be no better than Ananias and Sapphira--disobeying and then lying about it. To be honest, I struggle with giving God my all. Some days I just feel too tired to put forth the effort while other days I'm too focused on my own wants and needs to heed what God wants. Thankfully, God has been more patient with me than He was with Ananias and Sapphira.

What about you? Are you giving God 100%? Can God count on you no matter what? Are you doing everything you can to please God and bring glory to His name?

If you, too, are honest, I think you'll agree with me that we can do much better. How about we start today with the following prayer:

Dear Lord, In this busy life, it's so easy to get sidetracked by our own demands and desires. The flesh truly is weak, and so often we fall victim to its desperate pleas for rest or distraction. But, Lord, You deserve so much more than my half-hearted effort. Please help me today to focus my thoughts on You so that everything I do will be for Your honor and glory. Please give me the strength, motivation and discipline to accomplish the things You've called me to do. And above all, help me to be in tune with You so that I will know Your desire for my life. I long to serve You today. I want to give You my all and hold nothing back, but I know I can't do it alone. Help me, Lord. Amen

A Reminder About Sowing and Reaping

We've all heard the saying, "when it rains, it pours."  That pretty much sums up the testing that's been taking place in my life over the past few weeks.  As you know, I'm working hard on my new book about dealing with anxiety and depression, and I've been putting into practice the things the Lord has been teaching me.  At first, it was relatively simple, and I was amazed that deliverance could be so easy to come by, but then, my weak spots were targeted--mainly, my health.

Over the past several months, I have taken great strides to improve my health.  I've changed my diet, adapted my exercise routine and much more.  And though progress has been slow, it has been steady. And let me tell you, there's no better boost to your desire and motivation than to see results from all your hard work.  But then, most of that progress stopped, and some things even seemed to start on the path backward.  This period has been a true test of the methods the Lord has shared with me about dealing with anxiety and depression because nothing gets me in a tizzy more than feeling like I'm wasting my time and effort only to make reverse progress.

As I poured out my heart to the Lord the other morning, I confessed how I could understand my health deteriorating if I was mistreating my body, but I was doing all the right things.  I had even finally gotten a handle on my stress levels, so why was this happening?  I was sowing the proper seeds. Why wasn't I reaping the benefits?  Do you know what my precious Father reminded me of?  We don't sow today so that we can reap tomorrow.  Reaping is often months or even years away.

Think about that for a moment.  How crazy would a farmer be if he planted a field of beans today and expected to have a full harvest by tomorrow or even next week?  It's ludicrous, yet that's exactly what I was doing.  Sure, for the past few months I've been doing the work to get my health in order, but it took years to get my health to where it is now.  I can't expect to reverse it in just a few months.  It takes time.  It takes constant tending.  It takes--dare I say--patience.

Maybe you know exactly what I'm feeling.  Perhaps for you, progress in some area of your life is slow or even stalled, and despite doing the right things, you're not reaping the results for which you had hoped.  If that's you, hang in there, dear friend.  The Bible does teach the principle of sowing and reaping, but not once does it say that we'll reap tomorrow what we sow today.  It's not an instantaneous process, but that's okay because the waiting gives us time to grow.  Don't give up.  Don't stop sowing and tending that field.  Whether you see it or not, the reaping process has begun.  Keep doing the right things, and God will reward your faithfulness.  Hold fast to His promises, and keep up the good work.  Awesome things are about to happen!

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. - Galatians 6:7

Ponder That - Matthew 27:50-53

The Little Engine That Couldn't -- A Repost

This morning I read an e-mail from a dear friend who is going through a heart-breaking family trial. Things have been sketchy for a while, but events have recently taken a new turn, requiring much of my friend's strength, time and money.  As I read through the update, I felt a nudge within my heart to give something to this friend in need.  "Give her some money or buy her some groceries," the still, small voice said.

My mind immediately balked at the idea.  "No disrespect intended, Lord, but are you kidding me?  You know how tight finances are right now.  We've had a lot of unexpected expenses lately.  On top of that, Jason's workload this week was puny, and next week looks worse, which means he's going to have some skimpy paychecks.  We're going to be lucky to make ends meet ourselves, and you want me to give some away?"  I felt like the opposite of the The Little Engine That Could: "I think I can't, I think I can't, I think I can't."  I pushed the urging aside, telling myself that it originated from my desire to help this friend in need, but not from God.  He knows all we can do right now is to help ourselves.

I went on to do my Bible reading and then to read the next chapter in the Charles Stanley book I'm reading, "How to Listen to God."  I cringed when I read the chapter title, "Identifying the Voice of God."  I almost set the book down but felt compelled to read the chapter as I had planned.  God had a lesson for me.

In the chapter, Stanley gives the following guidelines for identifying the voice of God:

1.) It will not contradict Scripture, - Last time I checked, the Scripture encourages helping other believers, so the prompt to help this friend was certainly Scriptural.

2.) It will conflict with human wisdom. - Ain't that the truth!  That's just what I was saying.  I'm looking at the numbers.  I'm looking at the bills.  It just doesn't add up.  Human wisdom says, "Look after yourself.  You can't afford to help anybody else."

3.) It will clash with fleshly nature. - If I give money to someone else, will I have enough to buy the things I want, not to mention the stuff I need?  Hmm.

4.) It will challenge your faith. - Giving money that isn't there to give is certainly a trial of faith.  It will require me to trust God to meet my needs instead of trying to manage and budget every penny myself.

5.) It will require courage. - Am I brave enough to give away what I have to a friend in need when I have no idea how to make ends meet myself?  Do I have that kind of courage?

By the time I had finished the chapter, I knew there was no denying it.  God was speaking to me.  He was telling me to do something, but because I didn't see how it would work out, I tried to dismiss it.  Well, I can't deny it any longer.  It's quite evident what God wants me to do.  I don't know how things will work out.  I don't know what God will do through my obedience.  But I know I will be worse off if I don't obey.

Do you feel an inner nudging today that you're dismissing because of the improbability of the situation?  If so, put that nudging to the test.  Follow the guidelines above and see what you discover.  The prompting could have come from an errant voice, or it could have been God trying to guide You into His will.  No, it may not make sense.  No, it may not add up.  Yes, it may seem crazy.  But, as the old saying goes, "Where God guides, God provides."  He'll work everything out better than we could have imagined.  I'm willing to put it to the test.  How about you?

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. - John 10:27

To All Who Love Him

O God of the Universe,
you shed your glory, your majesty,
your omnipotence
to become human, as Jesus Christ--
to get close to us, to connect with us,
to be our role model and guide for living.
O God of the Universe,
you became the human Jesus Christ,
to know us, to feel all we feel,
to show us how much you love us
by taking within yourself all our sins.
O God of the Universe,
you felt not just one person's pain
but the pain of all of us,
to wash us clean and bond with us,
your creation, your children.
O God of the Universe,
you proved your transcendent holy power
by rising from the dead,
a sign that all of us who believe in You
will also rise to be with You eternally.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ
is the "Happy" in "Happy Easter."
Happy Easter to all those who love Him.
By Joanna Fuchs

Are They Done Yet?

My husband is a culinary genius (which, compared to me, most people are).  But seriously, he loves to cook, and over the years, he has created some awesome meals and treats.  His most recent efforts have revolved around creating healthy foods that taste great and can be made inexpensively, which means I've been enjoying a buffet of falafels, egg rolls, avocado gelato (don't make faces; it's delicious!) and a protein bar called Choco Peanut Butter Bars.  One of these bars with a cup of hot tea makes the perfect breakfast for me each morning as I do my devotions.

Anyway, back to the culinary genius, there's only one problem with his methodology--he doesn't use recipes.  Basically, he looks at a recipe or simply the ingredients of the item and then goes to town from there, sprinkling in a bit of this and a tad of that.  It works for him, and most of the time, the outcome is outstanding.  Occasionally, however, I'll tell him that I definitely liked batch #2 better than batches #1, #3 and #4, and that throws him for a loop because he has no recollection of how he made batch #2.  And those were the best!!!!

The most difficult thing, we've discovered, with the Choco Peanut Butter Bars is knowing how long to bake them.  Again, because Jason's grab-and-go method is--well, grab-and-go--the cooking time isn't consistent.  Sometimes ten minutes will do, while other times, they need fifteen.  The trick is getting them out of the oven at just the right time.  Too long, and they'll be burnt and bitter.  Too soon, and they'll be gooey and fall apart at the slightest touch.  Neither of these is desirable (I've tried both).

Aren't you glad that our Heavenly Father knows exactly how long to keep us in the fire?  Yes, life is full of hot spots, and we are aware that fiery trials are a necessary part of Christian growth.  But just as it is imperative to find the sweet spot of cooking time for my protein bars, it is equally important that God's children spend the right amount of time in the fire.  Too long, and they become bitter and resentful.  Too soon, and they lack solidity and fall apart at the first thing life throws at them.  The timing has to be perfect, and because God is perfect and knows all things, He'll make sure that we spend just the right amount of time in the heat--not too much, not too little.  Isn't that good to know?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some falafels in the refrigerator that would be quite tasty in a delicious, veggie-filled wrap.  Lunch time, here I come!

Thank you, sweet Jason, for taking the time to make me healthy treats.  You are such a blessing!!!

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. - Isaiah 43:2

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

I should have seen this coming. Every author knows that you never embark upon a new project without having to be tested on the very topic on which you're writing. As you know, the book I'm currently working on is how to deal with anxiety and depression in a Biblical way, and though I've learned a lot through the process of preparing for this project, evidently, God felt it was time to step up the testing. And nothing seems to cause me more anxiety or depression than my health.

As many of you know, I suffer from chronic dislocations of my joints. While painful and frustrating, I have learned to adapt and to accept life as it is, determined to do what I can to make things better and to trust God for what I cannot do. Unfortunately, life seems to have added a new twist (literally). According to my chiropractor, my ribs are currently turning inward and crushing my sternum, which has led to extreme pain in my chest and difficulty breathing. At times, I feel like a knife is being plunged into my chest over and over again, while other occasions, it just feels as if there is an anvil sitting on it. Honestly, I'm not sure if the majority of my tears yesterday were due to the pain or the emotional frustration of having to deal with another health issue.

As I cried on Jason's shoulder last night, I confessed, "I feel like all I ever do is take one step forward and two steps back. Every time I think I'm making progress, I discover a new problem to be tackled." In his gentle and loving way, Jason encouraged me to not think of it as one step forward and two steps back but rather to see it in the light that the path is simply longer than I anticipated. While that thought brought me some comfort, as I lay in bed last night trying to get comfortable, the Lord brought another thought to my mind that encouraged me, and I drifted off into a relaxed sleep.

Perhaps you know exactly how I feel. Maybe it's not a health issue, but a financial one. Or a relationship. Or life in general. Whatever the case, you are all too familiar with the "one step forward, two steps back" feeling. No matter how hard you try, how much effort you put forth, or how much faith you put in God, it seems as if you can't catch a break. You are well aware of the frustration, and you too, are seeking answers. Why does God throw these obstacles in our path? Why does progress seem so out of reach? Allow me to share with you what the Lord shared with me last night.

For some reason, lately, Jason and I have been fascinated by television shows centered around competition. We've been watching things like Ultimate Beastmaster, American Ninja Warrior and American Grit.  It is with these shows in mind that I was able to see what God was teaching me. The premise in each of these shows is that the competitors face a course, and, if successful, move on to the next level of the course, which is far more challenging. And so the process continues until there is a winner. Last night, God helped me to see that it's not one step forward, two steps back, but rather that I have simply progressed to the next level and am facing more difficult obstacles. Knowing that the obstacles are more challenging is not exactly encouraging; however, knowing that I am making progress means the world to me. It lets me know that my efforts are not in vain. It encourages me to keep going and to face whatever lies ahead. And I don't know about you, but that realization blesses my heart beyond measure.

Whatever setback you're facing today, I encourage you to adopt this perspective. You are making progress. You are getting better and stronger. In fact, you've improved so much that God feels you're ready for the next level. The obstacles will be tougher, and the course may be longer, but the same God who got you through the last level will get you through this one too. Just hang in there, and keep the faith. Slow progress is better than no progress at all!

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: - Philippians 1:6

Meditative Moments: Luke 6:45

Helping a Friend in Need

I have a friend and fellow author named Lorilyn Roberts.  Lorilyn is the head of the John 3:16 Marketing Network and has a true heart for the Lord.  She is a talented author and much more, but right now, she is facing a trial.  A few months back, Lorilyn was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Since that time, she has undergone a double mastectomy and is currently going through several rounds of chemotherapy.  That, in itself, is troubling and heartbreaking, but on top of that, her cat, Anakin, is now facing a life-threatening illness.  Fortunately, there is a surgery that can be done to save the cat.  Unfortunately, the procedure cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000. With all her current medical bills, Lorilyn cannot afford this, but the only other option is to put the cat to sleep.  If you're not a parent of the "furry children" variety, you may not see the big deal, but those of you who are animal lovers know how difficult this must be for her.

All that being said, Lorilyn is having a HUGE SALE on all of her books to try and raise money for Anakin's surgery.  Would you please consider seeing what she has to offer and purchasing something for yourself or someone else?  Every dime of this money will go towards the medical procedure Anakin needs, and if by God's grace, more money comes in than is necessary, I know Lorilyn would be thrilled to have it to pay for her own medical needs.  She is offering some fantastic deals here, and I know that her work is both clean and compelling.  I especially enjoy The Seventh Dimension Series.  Anyway, all the information is below.  If you can help in any way, I know God will reward you for your generous spirit.  Thank you!

Cat Sex Change Sale One of my cats needs very expensive surgery ($3,000 to $5,000), and because I'm undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, I'm unable to caption my full schedule. I thought I'd put some of my books on sale to help cover the cost. Here is a photo of Anakin. Basically, Anakin's urethra is blocked and the vet wants to shorten the urethra to prevent further issues urinating. The simplified version is that he'll be a transgendered cat, but without the surgery, I would have to put him to sleep. Check out below some special deals on my books.  Print Books in the Seventh Dimension Series  15% discount! Use coupon code VFTE7DDD Buy Now using links below Seventh Dimension - The Door Seventh Dimension - The King Seventh Dimension - The Castle Seventh Dimension - The City Lorilyn's Audiobooks  Best Deal:  Seventh Dimension - The City (book 4) Seventh Dimension -The City pits occultism against Christianity in an epic battle between good and evil. Where time is an illusion and world travel only a stargate away, the conflict takes on an even more sinister reality in the seventh dimension against the backdrop of 33 A.D.   Shale and Daniel, young adults in search of Daniel's father, discover the apocalypse has begun. As the battle rages from Jerusalem to Shambhala, glimpses of the netherworld take center stage. Powerful people want Shale's ancient scrolls and will stop at nothing to find them.   Limited time  $1.99  Best Deal: Seventh Dimension - The King (book 2) After a series of devastating events, a gifted seventeen-year-old Israeli boy becomes the focus of a wager between good and evil. He travels through time to first century Israel and meets a doctor who becomes his mentor. When he unwittingly makes a pact with the devil and the girl he loves is betrothed to another, his life takes a different course - until his eyes are opened. Trapped in the seventh dimension, how far will God go to save him? Limited time  $1.99  BEST DEAL Seventh Dimension - The Door (book 1) The Door  is the first book in the Seventh Dimension Series that combines contemporary, historical, and fantasy elements into a Christian "coming-of-age" story. A curse put on Shale Snyder, because of a secret, shrouds her with insecurity and fear. Following suspension from school, Shale's best friend isn't allowed to see her anymore and she feels abandoned by her family. When a stray dog befriends her, she follows it into the woods. There she discovers a door that leads to another world...  Limited time  $1.99  OTHER AUDIO BOOKS Am I Okay, God? Am I Okay, God? Devotionals from the Seventh Dimension answers many questions teens ask dealing with hot topics like self-esteem, dating, bullying, abortion, careers, forgiveness, salvation, and even deeper theological issues related to the end times and the Lord's return. Woven into the devotionals are stories from the Seventh Dimension YA Christian Fantasy Series as well as from the author's life that touch on themes that are important to Christianity and what it means to be born again. Each of the 27 devotionals has a QR code and link to videos, music, and/or books for further discussion and enjoyment.  Awards: 2014 International Book Awards Finalist for Best Nonfiction Cover Design and Christian Inspirational! Bargain price of $5.95 Bargain Price of $5.95 Children of Dreams Lorilyn Roberts' hopes of motherhood came to a devastating end when her husband left her for his pregnant girlfriend. Eight years later, Children of Dreams reveals God's restoration of her dreams through the international adoption of her two daughters. Written as creative nonfiction, an analogy is drawn between the physical adoption of children and God's spiritual adoption as recounted in the Bible. Ms. Roberts skillfully weaves in her own backstory while telling about her adventures in Nepal and Vietnam, filled with political intrigue. Scriptural insights and reflections interspersed throughout the book show Lorilyn's reliance upon her heavenly Father when all hope seemed lost. The listener will enjoy the vivid descriptions as well as a window into the plight of those struggling to survive where basic necessities may not be available. The adventure includes meeting a future Prime Minister, a missing baby, and many other surprises. Amazon price: $17.46 Bargain Price of $5.95 Ebooks You can purchase all four ebooks in the Seventh Dimension Series for only $11.97 - Click here To purchase individually,  The prices are reduced as follows.  Click on the titles to order. Seventh Dimension - The Door, book 1 (FREE) -2013 International Book Awards Finalist -2013 Grace Awards Finalist -2013 Selah Awards Finalist -2013 Readers' Favorite Finalist -2014 Book Goodies Best CoverContest Winner, YA category Seventh Dimension - The King, book 2  $2.99 -Winner of the 2014 Literary Classics Book Awards for faith-based YA fiction  -Finalist in the 2014 USA Book Awards for religious fiction -Winner in the 9th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards for spirituality -Finalist in the visionary category for the 2015 International Book Awards. -Silver winner in the 2015 Readers' Favorite Book Awards for YA -Finalist (fifth) in the 2015 Best Indie Book Award for YA fiction Seventh Dimension - The Castle, book 3 $3.99 -2015 Foreword Reviews' INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards Finalist -2015 Winner in the Literary Classics Awards for YA faith-based fiction.  -2015 Finalist: Religious fiction USA Best BookAwards.  -2015 Winner of Young Adult Spirituality - BooksAndAuthors.com -2016 Great Southeast Book Festival Runner Up Winner for YA -2016 New York Book Festival Honorable Mention. Seventh Dimension - The City, book 4  $4.99 -2016 Shelf Unbound Notable 100 Award Winner -2016 Literary Classics Silver Medal Winner for YA Faith-Based Fiction. Bargain Price of $5.95 From my blog about my breast cancer journey God's Got My Back Perhaps today I write my most difficult blog post. My oldest daughter would say I'm being too dramatic, too emotional, giving too much information, or giving too much of something. I've waited three months to write about my diagnosis because, first, I didn't know what to say. Then I was too busy learning about things I never thought I would need to know. Then I got depressed and didn't want to write anything. To read more, click here. Prayers appreciated for complete healing. Lorilyn Roberts | 4715 NW 33rd Place, Gainesville, FL  32606 |authorLorilynRoberts@gmail.com| LorilynRoberts.com STAY CONNECTED:

Author Lorilyn Roberts,  NW 33rd Place, Gainesville, FL 32606