Tag: Mary DeMuth

Are You in Chains?

June 18, 2018

woman in maroon shirt with black chain on her body
Photo by Markus Spiske freeforcommercialuse.net on Pexels.com

“I will break the yoke of bondage from your neck and tear off the chains…”                                    Nahum 1:13

Say what?

This verse from the old testament prophet spoke of the ancient oppression of the Assyrians. The Lord promised his people that their freedom would come from his hand. So what does that have to do with us today?

We can be chained by pain from our past. Wounds caused by the actions of others whom we still haven’t forgiven or poor choices we made and their consequences, but often our bondage comes in the form of patterns we’ve developed to cope with daily life.

I love what author, Mary DeMuth, wrote in her devotional Jesus Every Day. Her words grabbed me with their simple truth.

“…the chains and yokes have become terribly familiar to me, like companions I nurture instead of anomalies I should shun. They are my normal. And so without even knowing it, I walk around shackled, and I can’t even see where they’re cutting my soul anymore.”

We all have those places that we don’t even recognize.

They can cause us to:

  • Get stuck in unhealthy ways of relating
  • Excuse our destructive behaviors
  • React unreasonably to the words or actions of others
  • Over react in common situations
  • Become isolated or suspicious of others
  • Feel haunted by our past

God wants to free us.

He uses his word, his presence and other people to do so. Connecting with a trusted, wise leader or good friend who will speak truth to us even if it hurts can reveal those hidden places of bondage and start us on a road to freedom.

Unfortunately, that can be scary.

We don’t like to be nudged outside our comfort zone. And as Mary writes in her “Chains” devotion Day 179, we like what has become normal for us because it’s how we navigate our lives.

“It’s like a comfortable blanket.”

The thing is, we might think those chained areas are secure, but they keep us from the abundant life God has for us. They keep us from good, healthy relationships with people who love us. They rob us by making our world very, very small.

So, I’m asking God to reveal those places to me that need to be freed up and changed. I’m trusting God can and will do it.

Will you join me?

 

 

Need Divine Intervention?

February 4, 2018

We can all run to God on our own.

But sometimes we need the help and prayers of a friend. There’s something about another person joining us in asking God to be with us that makes it real, encouraging and relieving.

Mary DeMuth’s new release, Jesus Every Day, offers us that friendly hand on our shoulder with a heartfelt prayer for our day. Mary shares prayers she’s spoken to God with real, struggling, grateful words that touch our souls and make us feel as if we have someone who can relate to our cries for help.

And now Mary is taking her encouragement a step further.

Each day, you can listen to her new Pray Every Day podcast during which she shares a verse and talk to the Lord as he puts words on her heart. You will be encouraged and uplifted as you hear this woman of faith pour out prayers on your behalf.

Join her here.

And don’t forget to get a copy of Jesus Every Day as well.

Are You Worn Out?

November 20, 2017

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As the year winds down and winter winds blow us toward giving thanks and a white Christmas (unless you’re in Florida like I am), do you feel worn out?

I do.

This year has been one of the toughest of my life and though the calendar may say it will be over soon, the trials continue to drag on. I believe many all over the nation and the world share my heartache.

Our world is a broken, dangerous place these days.

That’s why I really appreciate a new book one of my favorite authors, Mary DeMuth, Image result for mary demuthhas written. Jesus Every Day releases in less than two weeks, on DECEMBER 1 and already has impacted the lives of those of us who have been privileged to read an advance sample copy.

Mary reaches deep into our soul with heartfelt prayers based on her own life joys and struggles. Her vulnerable, lyrical prose grabs my heart and leaves me whispering through tears “Yes. Me too..”

Today, these words captured my heart:

“Help me know that it is not failure on my part when I can’t carry a burden–it’s simply a signal that it’s time again to surrender.”

Loss, heartache, illness, crisis load us down with burdens of sorrow, grief, fear and worry. But God doesn’t ask us to carry those. He asks us to surrender them to him. When I’m weary and worn it’s a reminder that I’m weighed down by things he never intended for me to bear.

I’m not a failure when I can’t stand under the weight.

That thought alone lifts my heart and gives me feet to move forward in life. How can I take my life forward when I’m dragging bowling balls of burdens behind me? I can’t. But isn’t it good to know that God doesn’t count that as a failure but rather an opportunity to surrender the burden to him?

Jesus promises he will exchange our heavy load for his light one.

He doesn’t insist we carry it, or ignore it but offers to carry it for us and let him replace our weariness and sorrow with his strength, peace and joy.

All it takes is letting it go.

Picture the commercial for letgo in which the man is hanging by one arm clinging to a truck on the side of a cliff while holding a bowling ball in the other hand. Funny, yes. But also life and death stuff here, folks.

When I take time to surrender to Jesus and let him take the burden from me, I find peace that is beyond my comprehension.

And you don’t even need an app for that.

I encourage you to embrace the idea that you have not failed and let God take over for you. And I highly recommend Mary’s new book. You can pre-order it here to enter a drawing for a chance to win a free Bible. Or get it on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

I’d love to pray for you and the burdens you’ve been carrying. Let me know how I can help in the comments below or email me at laurabennet14@gmail.com

 

More Than Words on a Page

July 19, 2014

I recently marked my third year anniversary of blogging.

Originally I began blogging to build a platform as recommended by agents and publishers in order to help facilitate an audience for the book I had been writing. And yes, I published the book, finished another and have more in progress. But the best part of blogging has been the people I’ve “met.”

Relationships make life worth living.

From the deeply intimate ones I enjoy with Jesus, my husband and children to the casual liked-your-post types, they all add so much to my life. Every week I’m challenged, encouraged, or uplifted by laughter not only because of my dear family and friends, but also through you, my readers and fellow writers.

I thought I’d take a jaunt down my blogging memory lane and provide some of my newer friends with the links of my fondest posts and those readers found helpful.

Mostly, I pray that whatever I write will point people to Jesus.

 Here’s the Top Ten:

 Did You REALLY Meet Online? About Us

A Shout Out

Is Online Dating Gaining Popularity?

The Emptiness of Sexual Encounters

What I’m Learning From My Illness

Miracles Do Happen

What is Intimacy?

Getting Well Series – How Do You Rebuild Your Life?

Online Dating…An Obsession?

IT’S FINALLY HERE!

Hope you enjoy!

Are You Ready?

March 9, 2013

It’s almost here.

The best of the best Christian writing conferences will educate and encourage writers in only two weeks; and it’s practically in my backyard!

There’s still time to register for Mt. Hermon Christian Writers Conference, but you have to act now.

Watch the video and you’ll see what writers are saying about this amazing conference. (And you can see two seconds – 1:13-1:14 of me attentively listening to a panel of agents.)

I can’t say enough about the wonderful people I’ve met at the conference. I’ve made friends and acquaintances and received some of the best writing advice in the industry.  Authors such as Sherry Kyle, Cheryl Ricker, Karen O’Connor, Kay Strom, Mary DeMuth, Lauraine Snelling, Karen Ball, James Scott Bell, just to name a few! (You don’t mind if I drop a few names…)

New writers, such as my friend and roommate from last year, Miriam Sarzotti, as well a seasoned authors, like Brandilyn Collins, who will be my writing mentor this year, mingle together in class, in worship and over delicious meals.

One of the best values of the conference is the opportunity to submit TWO manuscripts for critique or editor/agent review without additional cost. I’ve gained such valuable input from having my writing critiqued by well-known authors. And even if you don’t get your manuscript in before the conference (which I highly recommend), there are authors/editors available for critiques and questions during the afternoons.

In the evenings, a key-note speaker (this year: McNair Wilson) delivers an inspirational message that encourages you not only in your writing, but also in your every-day life. It amazes me each year how God speaks to every area of my life and ties it all together.

Everyone at the conference believes in you and considers it their privilege to encourage and uplift you. They will tell you the truth about your ability and help you find the right avenue for your particular writing goals.

Whether you consider yourself an amateur writer or a professional, there’s a place for you at Mt. Hermon. I’m thrilled to be able to attend again this year. I hope to see you there!

What’s your experience? Have you attended Mt. Hermon or any other conferences you’ve found particularly helpful?

Throwing Out a Lifeline

November 24, 2012

There is so much great information out there!

Sometimes abundant good advice can be hard to sort through. I don’t know about you, but my mailbox is loaded with tips on writing, grammar, blogging and marketing. It’s easy to feel saturated and a bit bloated by it all–a little like you may have felt yesterday after Thanksgiving dinner!We love it all, but can’t eat like that every day.

That’s why I try to pass along the advice that I find particularly helpful at various points in my writing journey. I’ve told you about some wonderful books, Everything by Mary DeMuth and Wonderstruck by Margret Feinberg, for example. And Michael Hyatt’s book Platform has been encouraging and helpful in building mine!

But today I wanted to pass on to all my writer friends one of the blogs that has been especially helpful in the area of writing fiction. I’ve not only read it, but actually put it into practice! The tools are easy to understand and broken down into simple instructions. I hope you will find it as helpful as I have. You can find The Fiction Writer’s Guide to Writing Fiction on Nick Thacker’s site: http://www.livehacked.com/books-products/

Happy Writing!

 

 

 

A Shout Out

October 18, 2012

In March of 2011, at the Mt Hermon Christian Writers Conference I met an author, and my life was changed.

Sitting in the front row (because I’m like that), I took copious notes and listened in awe as Mary DeMuth shared the various ways she had learned to make money as a writer. Mary’s name meant nothing to me at that point. I only knew I wanted to write, and I hoped to make enough money at it to attend that same conference the following year. Her class offered answers to my questions of Can it be done? and How? Mary said it could, and I believed her.

Then, she gave away copies of one of her books.

My covert approach to the table upon which said books resided may have indicated my insecurity at being a newbie with no knowledge or understanding of how these things work at a writers conference. Two different titles were offered with the gracious request that we choose only one so as to leave enough for everyone. I had never heard of either of the books, but I love to read so I figured, What the heck? In my novice confusion, I didn’t even realize they were actually Mary’s books. Sorry, Mary.

Should I just grab one? Which one? Did it matter? Was anyone watching me? In my fear and trembling, I didn’t catch the fact that they were related books; in fact specifically book 1 and 2 of a series. Even though I did read the cover, my nervous inhibitions kept me from comprehending a single word so I did what any book connoisseur would do: I chose the cover picture I liked best. It ended up being book 2. Of course.

Later, in the bookstore, I saw Thin Places A Memoir by…you guessed it, Mary DeMuth!

The book was relatively short, a price I could handle, and I actually recognized Mary as the author so I bought it. Imagine my surprise (at my own book table stupidity) and delight when I returned home and realized I had two new books to read by Mary! Confession here: I initially thought I sure hope I like her writing as much as her class!

Thin Places gripped my heart like a vise. By the third chapter I was sobbing for little Mary and for myself at the same age. Every chapter brought compassion for her and healing for me. At the end, I set the book down reverently and expelled the breath I seemed to have been holding throughout. I started the other book, Wishing on Dandelions, before my tears dried. And yes, now I’ve read almost every book she’s written.

Mary just released her newest book, Everything, which so far is everything I’ve come to expect from one of her books. Vulnerable, direct, insightful and real encouragements presented by a master wordsmith. Another pure delight.

There’s a moral to my story:

  1. Great authors should be promoted, and I believe Mary is one of the greats. Buy her books. Read her captivating word play for yourself. I think you’ll agree.
  2. Thank you, Mary. For forging a writing path with years of sequestered journaling, for teaching us what you’ve learned the hard way, for opening your heart and soul in the really hard places, and for all the encouragement and prayers you offer your readers. Thank you.
  3. Pray for Mary and her family. Her youngest daughter is currently ill with some undiagnosed ailment. It came without warning and stunned the family while Mary was on a recent trip to Haiti. You can read about it on Mary’s blog at www.marydemuth.com

I hope you’ll consider checking out Mary’s blog if you haven’t already heard of her. Time spent with Mary is time well invested.

 
Is there an author who has impacted your life? Tell us how in the comments below.

Feeling Small

May 16, 2012

Sometimes as a writer in the vast world of professional bloggers, published authors, agents and publishing companies I feel very small.

One of my favorite authors, Mary DeMuth, wrote a moving and challenging article in her e-zine this week addressing this apparently common issue. Her words encouraged me tremendously, especially since Mary writes amazing stories that change lives. Twelve of her books have already been published.  I’ve read almost all of them. Even great authors can feel small??

It surprised me to find that someone as influential and successful as Mary would feel small. But it occurred to me that we all experience feelings of melting into nothing at times. For me, this feeling of smallness comes when I’m the most focused and productive. Interesting, isn’t it?

Something whispers to me that all my hard work means nothing; that no one will ever notice or care; that I’m so far off base in relation to the rest of the writing and publishing world I might as well give up.

I believe I’m intended to write. I think God will use me someday to encourage others through my writing and my life experiences. Every day I look at my list of writing activities or my current work in progress and decide I will do something. No matter how small. Each small step builds momentum that will carry me somewhere good.

Keep writing. Every day. Keep learning how to write well. Learn how to do one small thing in social networking or marketing. And share with others when you feel small and what encourages you.

What is your small place?