Catherine Leggitt

CONQUERING WRONG THINKING

Catherine Leggitt — Tue, 22 May 2012 23:47:11 GMT

At the beginning of the study of the Acts of the Apostles, I asked God to reveal my wrong thinking and that’s exactly what He has done since lesson 1. Over and over in Acts, 1 and 2 Peter, James, and many other places, I have studied warnings about how wrong thoughts result in corrupt behavior.

All this year God has been dealing with a very specific place in my life where wrong thinking has kept me in bondage to sin. For most of my adult life, I’ve struggled with overeating. My weight goes up and down like a rollercoaster. I’ve tried every weight-loss program that comes along. I know what I should do. I know self-control is key and I’ve tried to work it up on my own, but I always ultimately fail.

I must preface my remarks here with a reminder that God works with each of us as individuals and the answer God showed me is not a prescription for everyone who is a habitual overeater.

When I began to apply the issue of wrong thinking to my weight problem, after much prayer, God showed me the root of my bondage. The problem is that I believed deeply ingrained lies. Lies about who I am because of what I’ve done or what has been done to me throughout my life. Even though I know God set me free at the moment of salvation, these lies continued to bombard my ears, keeping me paralyzed in chains of sin. This made it impossible for me to become the woman God created me to be.

My first step to freedom was to repent. In God’s great mercy, almost immediately I was completely and miraculously freed from thinking of food every waking moment. I was also freed from the bombardment of negative thoughts. That is huge for me. The next step was for God to change my thinking about food itself. So for the last 2 weeks, before I put anything in my mouth, I ask God what He wants me to eat and when to stop. He has been faithful to answer these prayers. But I have lots of weight to lose before what God is doing will be visible on the outside. Even so, already I have new hope and new peace—and great joy.

What I learned in this year's study is that the enemy of our souls does not want us to be free in Jesus. He will relentlessly whisper negative thoughts in our ears. If we entertain the thoughts, they become temptations. I would often act on these temptations because the thoughts would not go away. So now, when I hear these lies, I compare them with the Word of God. If God says the opposite in the Bible, then I know God is not speaking to me. So, if I have a thought like, “I am a fraud because I claim to be a Christian but do not look like it on the outside." Or "I am too fat, or too old, or too busy, or too whatever to work for God,” I must look in the Bible to see if God says anything like that. And of course, He says the opposite. Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” It’s not about me. To make it about me is wrong thinking. This is spiritual war and my job is to suit up for battle and stand firm. Put on the helmet of salvation to protect my ears and my mind and the belt of truth to distinguish the lies from the Truth. Then I will see what God plans to do through me. It's all about doing God's will.

Today I proclaim victory in Jesus. My new motto is: I must decrease that He would increase. Stay tuned to see less of me in the future.

SYNOPSIS OF STREET SMART

Catherine Leggitt — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:36:42 GMT

Sam Contino doesn’t take no for an answer. As far as he is concerned, the impossible just takes a little longer. In his memoir, Contino tells how to get the job done, no matter what “the job” might entail.

From his early days growing up on the streets of Chicago in an Italian neighborhood, Sam Contino has always been an outside-the-box thinker. His beloved brother Raymond—who died during a training exercise prior to entering the war—has been a lifelong inspiration. Perseverance and hard work served Contino well through a stint in the Coast Guard and then in the Navy, where he worked in the motor pool. A creative and skilled mechanic, he taught specialized auto classes to the employees of General Motors, The U.S. Marine Corps, and Sun Electric. He also owned and operated his own auto shops in Chicago, and Las Cruces, New Mexico. Eventually, he settled his wife, Ida, in the Ontario area of southern California where he opened another auto shop and his family expanded to include six children.

When Chaffey College hired him in 1966, Contino transformed their Automotive Technology Department into one of the finest and best known in the country. Students from all sections of the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Great Britain enrolled over the twenty years he taught at Chaffey. Contino gained national recognition for the college when the Auto Tech department conducted a 100,000-mile road test on a Pinto for Ford Motor Company and ran a set of steel-belted radials around the United States for Sears. Both these road tests garnered media attention and prestige for Chaffey College.

Contino pioneered the only for-credit racecar technology program in the world, which he started in a campus warehouse. This program launched many successful racing careers. The program also connected students with racing celebrities such as Dan Gurney, Andy Granatelli, Mario Andretti, Parnelli Jones, and the legendary actor Paul Newman.

Newman donated three cars to the program including a souped-up 1963 VW, which the students rebuilt. Racecar Technology students also built and raced a 1968 Camaro, a 1969 Mustang and an American Motors Rambler. They raced their cars in intercollegiate races, which Contino engineered, as well as at the Ontario Motor Speedway, Laguna Seca, and the Riverside Raceway. In addition, the students participated in the Pikes Peak hill climb race, and tested cars at the Bonneville Salt Flats. They also raced in several off-road races like the Baja 500.

One of the highlights of Contino’s innovative and illustrious career in racing occurred in 1985 when he served in the pit crew with Mario Andretti’s team at the Indianapolis 500.

After retiring from teaching in 1986, Contino simply couldn’t settle down in his easy chair and do nothing more challenging than wield a remote control. Retirement takes on a new meaning when applied to energetic people like Sam Contino. As long as there are more challenges to be met, more hills to climb, more sports to conquer, Contino continues turning corners and starting over.

Once, Contino solicited money, food, clothing, and lumber for the poor people living in the Tijuana dump. Donors sponsored Sam’s 150-mile jog/walk from Ontario to Tijuana. Later, he won medals in the Senior Olympics, rode a horse in a cattle drive, and operated a hot-air balloon. Contino even drove a racecar of his own. And always, he made time to mentor and advise.

Sam’s beloved Ida passed away in 2004. Contino’s second wife, Beverly, complements him well. Today in his 80s, Sam continues to be active in a variety of sports and adventures, now teaching water aerobics and “Sammy” Yoga. He tells his story in his own rambling style, sparkling with his philosophy that good care of our bodies allows us to live life to the fullest. Contino’s zest for life is infectious. Who knows what might lie in store for such a man.

INTERVIEW WITH C.S. LAKIN

Catherine Leggitt — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 02:38:01 GMT

Join me in welcoming my dear friend, Susanne Lakin. I met Susanne at the second writer's conference I attended, almost five years ago. Neither of us were published at that time, although Susanne had already written many novels. From our first meeting, I knew she would be a special and valuable friend. Susanne has become my mentor. I have learned a great deal from her. She is an amazingly gifted and intuitive writer. Although I have talked with her many times, there are important things I've never asked her. So here goes.

C. S. Lakin is a novelist and writing coach who spends her time divided between developing new book ideas and helping writers polish theirs. She is the author of eleven novels – six contemporary novels and five in the fantasy/sci-fi genre. Whether she is exploring the depths of the human psyche and pushing her characters to the edge of desperation, or embellishing an imaginary world replete with talking pigs and ancient magical curses, she is doing what she loves best – using her creativity and skills to inspire and affect her readers.

In all her books she seeks to journey to the heart of human motivation, to uncover unmet needs, and show the path to healing and grace.

Catherine: What three words would you choose to describe yourself?

Susanne: Animated, passionate, hardworking.

Catherine: That's just about perfect. I'd have to add creative. Which of your books is your favorite and why?

Susanne: The Map Across Time is my favorite because I believe it has the most beautiful messages and themes, and the best plot twists and surprises of any of my books. And I love the characters as they all have parts of myself.

Catherine: I love that book also. The story line pulls you in from the very beginning and you can't stop reading. Have you ever had a bad review of one of your books? How did you react?

Susanne: I’ve had a few not great reviews but they don’t bother me. I don’t like very many books and am a picky reader so I get someone not liking my books. We all have different tastes.

Catherine: There’s a lot of depth and richness in your novels that a reader might miss on first reading. Word plays and such. What goes into planning a novel? How detailed is the plan or do additional layers occur to you while you write?

Susanne: I’m a firm believer in plotting ahead of time and being very deliberate about the entire story and the way it plays out. I leave room for ideas and new scenes and veering a little off course, but I lay out the whole story for many purposes and I mean to bring them across.

Catherine: Where do the names of your characters come from? How about the titles?

Susanne: I try to come up with names that are simple to pronounce and read and that feel right for the character. Same with towns and other locales. The titles either come first or later but they always tie in with the theme or main component of the story.

Catherine: What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?

Susanne: I think having a balanced view of writing overall—as a career but not as a measure of self-worth. And to not take oneself too seriously or feel that a writer IS their book(s).

Catherine: What’s your prediction about the publishing industry? Where is it headed?

Susanne: I believe print books will be all but gone in about five years (other than books printed for their aesthetic value) and I believe eBook publishers will be the mainstay of the industry—those who can not only publish eBooks but can market and promote them successfully.

Catherine: Wow! Quite a change. Are all your novels in ebook format now?

Susanne: I believe all of them are—either through a publisher or due to my own efforts to upload them. It’s the way of the future and I would be glad to get to where all my books and sales are eBook only.

Catherine: Tell us about Live, Write, Thrive.

Susanne: I don’t send out updates; I post blog posts, and I do three a week in three sections. I come up with all the info except for the guest posts, which I get from other contributors. I glean info from people and the Internet on industry trends, but the writing instruction is my own. I get hundreds of comments a month on my blog posts, and I love the participation and interaction between everyone as they share their opinions.

Catherine: If you interviewed C.S. Lakin, what would you ask her?

Susanne: Tell me about running a commercial pygmy goat farm!

Well, there it is. Now that I've got this little interview finished, I realize there are many other things I could have asked her. Hmmm. That commercial pygmy goat farm sounds really interesting. SIGH. Maybe another time.

Contact C.S. Lakin at: www.cslakin.com

Here's the cover of Susanne's latest book: The Unraveling of Wentwater. I'm reading an arc copy now. It's rich and deep, filled with fascinating detail. Delicious. It'll be out soon.

QUESTIONS ABOUT OCTOBER BABY

Catherine Leggitt — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:29:28 GMT

Yesterday I went to see October Baby, having eagerly anticipated this movie after my pastor recommended it. Hollywood is all about the bottom-line. Movies that make money encourage Hollywood to make more of the same type of movies. For this reason, I firmly believe we should support family movies with an edifying message.

So I persuaded my husband to go with me.

First, let me be clear that I believe abortion is evil. Our society has so twisted this issue that on the one hand we ask women to believe that a fetus is "tissue" and has no rights. Then when a man murders his wife and unborn child, we call that a double murder. If a child results from a botched abortion, as in this movie, huge ethical dilemmas develop. A viable fetus from a failed abortion will most certainly be damaged. Who is at fault? How do we identify this "tissue?" Who does "it" belong to? What should be done with "it?" Whose responsibility is it to care for a challenging infant who has no rights of its own nor any way to care for itself?

The moral and ethical questions presented by the situation are enormous. But in this movie, that's not what the focus is on. The central character in this movie is a young woman who discovers that she was the victim of a botched abortion. She becomes enraged when she learns this news because she has been lied to her whole life.

Okay. Here's where I have a problem. I was adopted at birth. Although I was never lied to, I never felt anger toward anyone connected with my birth--not my birth parents, certainly not my adopted parents. I grew up knowing that God provided a safe nest for me to grow up in, despite the precarious situation of my unplanned birth. My birth was never unplanned to God. He always knew what He would do. God makes good out of bad for His children.

I have read that some adoptees feel anger over their adoption. Perhaps some do not get the kind of stable loving parents that I got. But where does it say that we have the right to feel anger about anything we consider to be less than the perfect environment for growing up? One question I have is: Are we so centered on ourselves in this society that we buy this young woman's "right" to be angry at her adoptive parents for providing a loving safe home for her? We tell children their feelings are what they are and no one can say they can't feel that way. Why is it okay for children to hold grudges, letting a root of bitterness grow within them? Why are children today growing up with the expectation that this broken world owes them a perfect childhood?

God does not want this for children. The Word of God says we should deal with our anger as it occurs, before the sun sets. It says we should take care lest a root of bitterness grows in our heart and chokes out our joy and peace. I am grateful that the young woman in this movie set out to make things right. I would have liked to hear more about how she comes to grips with her "right" to be angry with everyone. Anger in such a case is an incredibly complicated issue and one which I believe got only a surface treatment in this movie.

I'd love to hear what you think. Please leave me a comment.

THE BELT OF TRUTH

Catherine Leggitt — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 22:26:06 GMT

Ephesians 6: 14 "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist..."

Ever wonder about this passage? Why does Paul admonish us to put on the belt of Truth first when we put on the armor of God? I admit to being puzzled by this.

In western society, we don't put our belts on first. Usually we cinch those up last. But remember that Paul wrote Ephesians as a prisoner in Rome. He lived under house arrest at the time, chained night and day to a Roman soldier. I imagine he studied the Roman soldier's garb on more than one occasion. Perhaps he watched him dress.

The soldier would have started with his tunic and undergarments, the cloth next to his skin. The first piece of armor put on was the belt. He securely fastened his belt over his tunic and then hung every other piece of armor from the belt. The soldier's belt had a row of leather strips strategically placed to protect the vulnerable parts of the body.

The belt not only held the rest of the armor together, but it gave the soldier ease of movement. He needed this for skillful maneuvering during battle. If not for the belt, the soldier would have been constantly tugging something up or rearranging the rest of his armor.

Unless we first make the decision to hang every other thing in our lives--our thoughts, our decisions, our words, our actions--on the truth of God's Word, we will become entangled by our own striving, exhausted by our own effort, and enslaved by whatever confusion and wrong thinking comes our way. Our vulnerable parts will be exposed. Furthermore, every other piece of armor, which God intended us to wield with His great power and authority, will be virtually useless to us.

The belt used in Roman armor also provided a place to carry the soldier's sword. Picture a holster hung from a gun belt. Our sword--the sword of the Spirit--likewise needs to hang from a sheath of Truth. No matter how effective the rest of our armor is, we cannot fight without our sword. We need it hanging handy for our use at a moment's notice. We need to rightly divide the word of Truth, knowing what we believe and why. We need to hide God's Truth in our minds so we constantly dwell on what God desires from us.

How rooted and grounded are you in authentic Truth from God's Word? You can begin today. John 8:32, "Then you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free."

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

Catherine Leggitt — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:07:30 GMT

The other day I took a load of items to the post office for mailing. Lugging my stack inside, I stood in a long line, shifting my parcels from one arm to the other and back again while I waited for the next available teller. At length the task was completed, although I still had a conglomeration of address stickers, papers, and an empty box to tote back to the car. Rearranging the pile of stuff in my hands as I hurried into the parking lot, I did not notice the bright yellow Mustang pulling out of a nearby parking space.

Tires screeched and the yellow back end jerked back and forth when the Mustang made a sudden stop just inches from my body. I had narrowly missed getting flattened.

With a wince over my careless abandon of good sense, I snuck a peek at the driver. I expected to see a grimace, rude gesture, and possibly hear something quite unkind.

Instead, the driver's countenance looked kind and concerned. Then he smiled. "I'm so sorry. I didn't see you."

"No problem," I stammered.

With a smile and wave, the young gentleman accelerated away.

Wonder of wonders! No rude gesture, no unkind words. Instead, he took responsibility for my own carelessness. I had not looked to see if a car was coming out. What a difference that reaction made in my state of mind! It didn't take any effort. No time investment or seed money needed. With his attitude of kindness, that young man made a positive change in my world.

I have pondered this action every day since then. How can I pay this forward? Where will a smile or a kind word soothe a troubled soul in my world? Not just looking at someone, but really seeing them. The kind of look Jesus must have given Peter after Peter denied

Jesus three times just before the rooster crowed the third time. Instead of only seeing the outside, also seeing someone's humanity and need. Seeing right into their soul.

Lord, please help me truly see others as I pass so hurriedly through life. Cause me to notice those who need a bit of encouragement. May I never be too caught up in my own problems and busyness that I don't take time to notice someone else's need.

1 John 3: 18 and 19, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence…”

ANNE BAXTER'S EXCELLENT REVIEW OF PAYNE & MISERY

Catherine Leggitt — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 03:58:55 GMT

You remember that nosy neighbor who always knows everything about all the people who live within a country mile of her? You know, the one in the quick stop who stares with suspicion at everyone she sees? Peeks out from behind curtains? Snoops in your garage when you're not home?

This book is about her. Christine Sterling is her name. Her husband Jesse doesn't understand why she sees wolves behind every little incident. The deputies at the Sheriff's department sigh and become unavailable when she calls. Their friends down the road, Zora Jane and Ed, try to lead her away from her proclivities. But Christine knows what she knows. Her instinct is infallible.

Okay, so it's not infallible, but that family down the road? Something's wrong there, but no one will believe her. She must come up with proof.

Poor anorexic Lila disappears. Will, her husband--uh, no, boyfriend. Or something. He disappears about the same time each day, but he always comes back. His sister Helen--well, let's just say her crazy driving is a great indicator of her personality. And Molly, Christine's beloved little border collie also comes up missing.

Clues abound. Why doesn't anyone believe her? Grab the book quick and find out how things turn out for this busybody--ah, really curious lady.

TERRIFIC REVIEW OF PAYNE & MISERY BY ROBERT OURS

Catherine Leggitt — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 03:57:21 GMT

Catherine Leggitt's first novel in the Christine Sterling mystery series is a well-written page turner that should appeal to a wide range of readers. It follows the adventures of a "Jump to Conclusions" housewife as she unravels a complex set of circumstances involving the disappearance of a neighbor woman along with Christine's own beloved pet border collie. Christine's actions often lead to dangerous situations that leave the reader in suspense. In the process Christine, with more help from God than she initially realizes, not only finds answers to the disappearances but also finds that the relationship with her recently retired husband, Jesse, is undergoing a refreshing renewal of closeness and respect.

Catherine Leggitt's characters are realistic and her descriptions of their strengths and foibles show a keen sense of observation. The author also has a delightful sense of humor that is worked into Christine's thoughts and comments.

All in all, this is a novel that should satisfy any reader seeking a good mystery story.

JANET DIMOND'S REVIEW OF THE DUNN DEAL

Catherine Leggitt — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:08:15 GMT

The Dunn Deal

Catherine Leggitt

Ellechor Publishing House

A death, a murder, the occult, a paramilitary organization, a potentially corrupt sheriff’s office, a nosy reporter, a diva, a missing dog, bikers, Goths, a surprise ending, and a woman trying to piece together her own investigation among lies, rumor and innuendo – all to clear a deputy’s name. This is The Dunn Deal, the second in the Christine Sterling trilogy.

You don’t need to read the first book in the series to be swept up and carried along in this book. The beginning is strong and sets up the story nicely. Suspicion builds gradually over time, just enough to pique our interest and “tickle our brain.” Catherine Leggitt creates characters we believe in and want to root for, and we happily go along for the ride. Her word pictures are painted so vividly, we see, hear, smell and feel everything that’s happening. We are transported to locations and situations seamlessly without much thought. Thankfully, this isn’t true for the limited mention of the occult. This is handled well without being graphic.

Suspense builds slowly. Clues and information are provided at just the right times so we don’t feel spoon-fed or hand-held through the story. We can piece together our own ideas through Christine’s eyes. We are hooked and kept guessing, as many answers aren’t provided until the surprise ending.

Christine is wonderfully sculpted and drawn, from her interest in Zora Jane’s fashion sense to her questioning why God created weeds. Her humor and honesty make her someone you’d love to have coffee with. Her humanness shines through and we see ourselves in her. She is just like us. Ordinary. But trusts in her instincts, which sometimes gets her into trouble, and follows her heart. We follow her as she links one bit of evidence after another, assumptions that sometimes become fact. We root for her as we follow her on her journey to unveil the truth behind the lies and rumors. And we know, despite all her shortcomings, the Lord will use her to solve this mystery.

The way her faith is, at times, weak is refreshing. We identify with her frailties and doubts because we are all like that, at some point or another. Having Zora Jane there to build Christine (and us) up with her unwavering faith in her Lord and His ability to handle anything is a wonderful reminder that we, too, need to trust and obey. The recurring theme of waiting on the Lord for He is good and has promised to never leave us, is a comfort. And the thought-provoking discussion questions at the end of the book are perfect for any book club or Bible study.

Anticipation builds throughout the story with several heart-stopping episodes. I didn’t want to put the book down, and couldn’t wait to pick it up. That to me is the sign of a good book. As an editor, I read for a living, and find it hard to find a book that keeps my interest. The fact The Dunn Deal had me reading late into the night, and enjoying the journey, proves this book is well worth the read.

Janet Dimond
January 2012

HALLOWEEN? BAH HUMBUG!

Catherine Leggitt — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 02:32:33 GMT

The year I turned four, my mother borrowed a witch costume from my aunt and dressed up for Halloween. I will never forget the trauma of watching that beautiful woman transform into a dark disfigured creature. She put on the voluminous black dress first. When she tugged a rubber mask over her face and secured the black stringy wig and pointed hat, she turned to look at me. All trace of her sweet face had disappeared, replaced by wrinkles, warts, and a huge hook nose. I swallowed hard and stepped away. My heart stopped beating for a frightful moment. I blinked, trying to dislodge the nightmarish image, but it wouldn't go away.

She reached out a hand to me.

I backed up farther. That wasn't my mother. It was a witch.

She laughed. "Don't be afraid."

Even her laugh sounded different. Memories of Hansel and Gretel and Snow White flooded my mind. I had to get away before she offered me an apple, so I ran from the room in tears.

The next year, my mother dressed me up like Jill and my sister like Jack from the nursery rhythm, complete with bandaged head and a wooden bucket. Since we lived in the country, we had no neighbors close enough to visit on foot. Mother drove us to her friends' homes and nearly shoved us onto porches where we had to ring the doorbell and say, "Trick or treat?" I was never so humiliated in all my short life, and I wasn't even the one dressed like a boy.

The whole thing always felt wrong to me. Why have a special day to celebrate scary monsters? As a child, I experienced quite enough of them during the rest of the year when the lights went out at night. Why glorify witches, wizards, bats, and zombies anyway? Doesn't that seem a bit warped?

Add theology to the mix. God makes it clear in the Bible that He takes a dim view of sorcery, divination, fortune telling, witchcraft, being a medium, magic, and consulting the dead. Such verses as Deuteronomy 14:10--12 list these practices as detestable, right along with sacrificing of children in the fire. These are pagan pursuits, which seek to counterfeit power that belongs to God alone. They originate with Satan. Why would we want to imitate that? Isn't that playing with fire?

As long as I can remember I have tolerated Halloween through gritted teeth, kind of like a trip to the dentist. I've never been a fan of this holiday--except the dressing up part (I like to play dress-up). The witches and goblins thing scares me. Not to mention trick-or-treating. Hate that. To my way of thinking, it's a good excuse to beg for candy, which no one needs.

Thankfully, Halloween will be over in a week. I guess I can tough it out for that long. This year my husband wants to buy candy and pass it out to the cute trick-or-treaters. Be warned. If you bring your trick-or-treat bags to our house, don't expect me to answer the door. I will be hiding. Guess that makes me a curmudgeon.

And I'm okay with that.

ANOTHER BABY?

Catherine Leggitt — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:17:32 GMT

My second daughter is pregnant--at 41. What a blessed surprise! With an eleven year old son and a nine year old daughter, we thought her family--and ours--was complete. But God had a better plan. And His ways are higher and wiser. So we are preparing for another grandson, wondering how this is all going to work out for this very busy family with two working parents.

I just read the story of Peter's miraculous rescue from prison in Acts 12. James, the brother of John the apostle--and one of the original twelve disciples--had been beheaded by Herod. This so pleased the Pharisees, that Herod imprisoned Peter as well, intending to put him to death. Following the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter's boldness to preach about Jesus had multiplied. His natural leadership qualities were being put to use as God intended to guide the budding Church. God performed miracles through Peter. He was a great threat to organized Jewish religion of the day.

Peter had probably been beaten, was certainly hungry, cold, humiliated, chained between two soldiers in a cold, dark, damp, rat-infested locked cell. The iron doors were guarded. Yet, Peter slept so soundly that when God's angel came to rescue him, he had to shake Peter out of sleep. How could Peter rest at a time like that? He had complete trust in God's plan. He knew whatever God allowed would be right and best.

When the angel woke Peter, the chains fell off, the iron doors and gates keeping Peter prisoner opened by themselves. No one stopped them from leaving. It seems that no one even saw them leave. Miracle after miracle unfolded that night as the angel led Peter away from prison.

Peter's friends were earnestly praying for him. Probably they were praying for Herod to release him, for his comfort, for God to be with him in prison. All perfectly good prayers, but far below what God had planned. They were so intent on praying that when Peter arrived at the door, they did not believe it was actually Peter.

Do I have a plan of my own that I ask God to implement? What if His plan is much better? Would I want to miss it? So my daughter is having a baby at 41. That wasn't our idea of how this family's life should unfold. But I can trust God's sovereignty. This child will bring blessing to our family.

My prayers for my soon-coming grandson have changed. Not my will, but Thine, I pray now. Use this precious baby to accomplish whatever work You desire. I wait in eager anticipation. I wait in thankfulness. I wait in great joy.

BLESSING FROM SUFFERING? ONLY GOD CAN DO THAT.

Catherine Leggitt — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 23:27:58 GMT

"On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. . . . Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went . . . many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy . . ." Acts 8:1-8

Let me see if this adds up--death of Stephen + scattering and persecution = joy. Hmm. Not humanly it doesn't. Yet, in the kingdom of God, often our greatest good and thus our greatest joy results from suffering. This was true in the early church and it is still true today. I've seen it in my own life more than once.

Example. About four years ago, our well-conceived retirement income stream dried up and my husband Bob and I began the adventure of living by faith in God's provision. An editing job here, work for our son there, selling one of our many accumulations another month, royalties from my book, an unexpected tax return at just the right time--consistently over these past years, God has provided each month for our needs. We never know how it will happen, but it always does. During this time, we've sold all our expensive toys, our cabin in Lake Tahoe, horses, horse trailer, fifth-wheel, our five acre ranchette with pool in the country. We let go of them as needed, and amazingly, we didn't die. I know you are thinking, why don't you just get a job and work like the rest of us do?

It would be virtually impossible for Bob to hold down even a part time job on a regular basis. Not only is his hearing loss so severe that communication is significantly impaired, but he also has a chronic back problem. On the other hand, I could get a job. I have an education including a couple of credentials and I am in good health. Even though I believe God called me to write, many times I think I should get a job. I could do both. Many people do.

So why don't I?

The stress of waiting for enough money to pay bills sometimes overwhelms me and I cry out to God for direction. "Just tell me where to look for a job. Give me a hint. I'll do whatever you want me to." That's how I pray. Then I look online, in the newspaper, ask people, sometimes turn in resumes and applications, have even gotten so far as interviews at times. But the job offer never comes. Either I have not found the job God wants for me, or He doesn't want me to get a job.

In January of this year, our health insurance bill increased to over two thousand dollars a month. Yes. Two thousand. (If you have insurance through your place of employment, consider yourself immensely blessed.) For us, this increase meant we could no longer afford health insurance. We made the decision to drop it. Scary for two people in their sixties. Now we have to stay healthy until we can get Medicare.

A friend suggested that Bob get his health needs met at the VA. Logical, since he is a veteran of the Viet Nam War, but not something we had ever thought of before. When we went to apply, the lady signing him up asked why didn't he apply for VA Disability based on his hearing loss. Never thought of that before either. But okay. We'll give it a shot. Even if they gave us a couple hundred dollars a month, it would help. We didn't think they would, but we turned in the paperwork. And waited.

Six months later we got a notice saying the review board had granted Bob 100% disability based on his hearing loss. They had reviewed his records from 1966 to 1969 while he served in the Army. When he went into the service, his hearing tested in the normal range. When he came out after serving in the heavy artillery without earplugs, his hearing was impaired. It has steadily worsened.

I cried reading the findings. Only God can take a bad thing, hearing loss, and another bad thing, not enough money to buy health insurance, and create out of that something good. Steady monthly income.

Oh, I forgot to mention. The amount the VA awarded Bob, almost exactly matches the amount of our need. Only God . . .

BIG OOPS!

Catherine Leggitt — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 03:16:00 GMT

Have you ever done something that seemed like a good idea at the time, but turned out to be really stupid? About two months ago, I thought God was speaking to me to contact an estranged relative and be a peacemaker. Please note, I'm an outsider in this conflict, but for several years, I've heard about the pain this family rift has caused to those I love. With completely honorable intentions, I wrote what I considered to be a loving letter--not judgmental, blaming or taking sides. Just a simple "I love you. I miss you. I'm praying for you" kind of letter.

Okay, not quite that simply put, but that's basically what I thought I communicated. I'm a writer. I chose the words carefully and sent the letter on its way with a quick prayer for positive reception. Notice, I didn't pray before I wrote the letter. No. I didn't give the Holy Spirit that kind of time to steer me away from this project.

What I really wanted was a change of heart on the part of the receiver. A sudden head-thump moment. "Oh, my gosh! How could I have been so blind. Now I see that I've been wrong all these years n staying away from this wonderful loving family. I will call them right now to ask for forgiveness." That's what I hoped for. Although I didn't admit that to myself, my husband, my daughter or to my mother and father. Oh, yes. I'm afraid I shared my "loving gesture" with all of them. Talk about stupid and prideful.

So, guess what happened? Yesterday I received a three-page computer-rinted letter from this man. The length alone spoke volumes. It didn't begin with "Dear," either. Just my name. Another clue about the way it was received. Following the "greeting," he wrote a litany of non-of-my-business kind of information. Definitely TMI stuff. Years of sucked-up pain oozed from his words.

Whether these incidents happened exactly as he recalls or not, his perception is his reality. I cried with him. Midway through, I considered whether I should even finish reading. I felt like a voyeur. What he shared was intensely personal. But since I'd stepped over the line into his space, I heard him out. Maybe he needed to vent. Maybe no one else listened any more.

Several lessons for me have emerged from this experience. The first I already knew, but apparently forgot. As Mother used to say, "It takes two to tango." Very rarely does a person harm another for evil motives. Negative actions are usually reactions to hurt. Often we injure others thoughtlessly without considering who will be hurt by our choices. False assumptions are made. Words are misunderstood. Sometimes wounds that never heal result. But regardless of how the injury occurred, both parties have a version of what happened. I am incorrect to assume anything from listening to one side. Even if that version gets repeated by others until it becomes part of family lore. that's why judges listen to both parties before rendering judgment.

Besides, if I wasn't there, how do I know what happened? Even if I was there, I know only what I saw and heard. I don't know what transpired earlier. Then there's the pride issue. Mine. Big pride. I assumed I'd know what God wanted to say without consulting him. Wrong order.

Now I must fall on my knees and beg for God's forgiveness. Then, I need to write another letter apologizing for my arrogance and lack of compassion. You know what they say about good intentions.

Will I ever learn?

James 3:9-10, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be."Psalm 19:14, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

LIFE OR DEATH?

Catherine Leggitt — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 20:22:46 GMT

Someone I know committed suicide yesterday leaving all who knew her in a stupifying fog to question WHY? Such a permanent solution, for what? Did she hope it would bring her peace? Did she think of the countless hearts she would leave shattered? The lives forever altered by her single selfish choice? Did she consider what she would miss in the future?

I suspect the answer to each of these questions is that she did not think of it. She must have been at the very lowest point of despair and hopelessness. Perhaps tormenting voices in her mind shouted for her to pull the trigger and end the pain. Instead of running away to talk to someone--to cling to life as the precious, fleeting valuable gift it is--she listened to the voices. Considering only the one solution: taking the gun in her hand. In an instant, it was too late for thinking.

This fragile gift of God, full of vanity and uncertainty, ups and downs, moutain-top experiences and wanderings through the valley of the shadow of death--why didn't her inborn desire to live override her desire to die? Had her life become so impossible and so completely without promise or hope?

True, age was creeping up--although she hadn't begun the full slide downward into decrepancy. True, the economy had gone south and the family business had financial trouble--not unusual these days. But consider all the things tipping the scale in the opposite direction. A loving husband, thriving children, and five lively perfect grandchildren. A cozy house and safe neighborhood. Health. Freedom in America. This woman had talents too. She could cook like a chef. Organized and efficient, she managed the business and the household without seeming to tire. Her grandchildren adored their Nonny. Always available for babysitting and helping out with family celebrations.

Family and friends continue to ask questions with no answers. What if I'd been there for her? What if I'd called her that day? Why didn't she talk about her problems? Her depression? Her worries? Or the big question: what if she'd had hope of glory in Jesus? Would her depression have been able to beat her so low? Or would she have gone to God with her burdens? Would He have carried them for her?

The Bible says He would. Over and over God calls us: Psalm 55:22 "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him." Matthew 11:28-30 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest upon your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Why didn't I tell her this? Why didn't someone tell her this? There is always hope. There is always a way out. God promised to provide one. Who do I need to tell today? If you are struggling with hopelessness, please reach out. I am here. I would be honored to listen.

A HIGH VIEW OF GOD FROM ISAIAH

Catherine Leggitt — Fri, 13 May 2011 02:44:00 GMT

Just about every winter Bob grows a beard. Not being a lover of hairy chins, I tolerate it, usually with only minor groans and complaints. So guess what? In honor of Mother’s Day, Bob shaved off his beard on Saturday night so that I would wake up in the morning and have a man with a clean chin to kiss.

That was a selfless and loving gift. Perfect.

Except, I didn’t even notice.

Not when he climbed in bed on Saturday night or all day Sunday. I didn’t notice Monday either. Tuesday morning while I was making his breakfast, he nuzzled my neck and said, “You didn’t comment on my beard.”

He had to point it out to me. How sad is that? What’s the opposite of love? It’s not hate, it’s neglect, forgetting, ignoring.

Yesterday I tried to think how to make up for ignoring Bob’s gift and I realized something about my relationship with God. I thought I had a High View of God at the beginning of this Bible Study Fellowship year, but through the study of Isaiah’s inspired words, God revealed so much more about Himself—things that have been there all along, but I didn’t have eyes to really see them or ears to really hear of them.

I call God Sovereign, Mighty, Omnipresent, and Holy, yet how often do I realize the way those attributes impact my life? Do I see His mighty hand protecting and guiding me every day? Do I feel His presence with me wherever I go? Do I fall on my face in awe of His fearsome holiness?

Or do I rush through my busy life without talking to Him? Do I squirm and try to wiggle free when in His sovereign design He allows something to happen that I don’t like? I know God is the Provider of all I need so why did it take so long for me to recognize that “the bread of adversity and the water of affliction” were training me to repent, trust, and wait?

This year’s study has opened my eyes to many wondrous things that have always been true about God—about His justice being on the same continuum with His amazing love. That His grace will not allow me to fall away too far before judgment draws me back. Isn’t it sad that He had to point these things out to me as I walked through the valley of financial instability in order for me to take notice?

God provides hope and strength to stand firm and courage for the future. I have learned this year to rest in God’s sovereignty and not run ahead of God—to be patient with God’s plan and God’s timing. Through the pages of Isaiah, God repeatedly pointed out that I must not listen to Man’s counsel. Instead, I need to remember what God has already done and turn over the throne of my life to the King of Kings. This means I must surrender all and let Him reign supreme, something I struggle with daily.

One of my favorite passages in Isaiah is about how God maintains the boundaries around me so that they fit my needs exactly. Isaiah 49:16: "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me."

God hasn’t changed this year. But I have. In Isaiah, I have learned so much more about God’s amazing incomparable heart for His creation. I am so grateful that He pointed out all these things to me. I have a much higher view of God than I did 30 weeks ago when our study began and I bet I haven’t even begun to know all there is to learn about Him.

WHY DOESN'T GOD FIX THIS?

Catherine Leggitt — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 17:29:00 GMT

"I think God is finished with me."

I frowned at my husband. "What do you mean?"

"He rejected me. You know, like a bad egg."

Theological arguments immediately rose to mind, but I figured I should hear him out before I launched my sermon. "What makes you think THAT?"

Heavy sigh. "I keep praying for help with our income problem. I know it's all my fault. I should have taken better care of what He provided."

I let that one pass.

His shoulders sagged and he hung his head. "But he's still not answering."

The current economy had robbed us of rental income and we floundered each month, scrounging and selling things off to pay the minimum amounts on bills. We were falling farther behind. We had both been repeatedly on our knees about this issue. With so many other people in this country worse off, to my way of thinking we should have been rejoicing. Trying to explain why God hadn't yet favored us with release from this problem, my husband decided God had rejected him. In truth, if prosperity were tied to our behavior, people would serve the Lord just because they wanted to get rich. That is not what God desires.

I guess it's what fair-weather friends often do, though. When we're riding the crest of the wave, they're our friends. But when things go wrong, they disappear. Attempts to understand why God doesn't rescue us from pain can get all muddled up with how people treat us. But God's words says that His ways are higher than ours. To come to grips with situations like this, we have to remember His character.

God never rejects His children. Quite the opposite.

My husband watches a show on the Home/Garden network featuring a contractor who rescues homeowners from construction nightmares. You know the kind. We've all heard about them on the news. Someone comes in to repair your plumbing and they make it worse, then refuse to fix it. Or they leave you in the middle of fixing your mildew problem. Or they tear out your kitchen and disappear with your check. I heard of one awful story where a woman paid to get her bathroom renovated and the bad contractor insisted on getting all his money before he'd completely finished. The woman refused to pay him, so he ripped out everything he'd done and took it all away.

It occurs to me that sometimes God takes on special construction nightmares in our lives. Maybe my husband and I have mildew in our drywall or insulation. Maybe our nation does too. There's no way to paint over such a mess and call it good. God has to rip out all the corrupted drywall and insulation, all the corroded plumbing and dangerous electrical until He gets down to the bare studs. When He does that, He can begin to correct the situation. This process is costly and slow. It hurts. These days, we're not good at being patient with remodeling processes in our lives. After we've been through a week of dieting, we think we should be able to eat again. A few days after quitting smoking we can't understand why we still have those same cravings. We think being patient equates to the length of time we wait in our cars for an In-N-Out Burger without throwing a tantrum. Now. We want everything now.

Sometimes God calls us to wait. "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!" Isaiah 30:18. Perhaps in this time of great need, God is calling us to wait in faith that He is working. "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by mouth or by letter." 2 Thessalonians 2:15. "God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and 'Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.' " 2 Timothy 2:19.

God hasn't rejected us. He is just getting started with us and He promises to finish His work and make us into the image of our glorious Savior, Jesus Christ.

DOES GOD WORK MIRACLES TODAY?

Catherine Leggitt — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:00:00 GMT

"I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set pines in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together, so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this..." Isaiah 41:18-20

I pray for miracles every day. I plead with God to provide income out of thin air and extend healing to my suffering loved ones. I ask for peace and restoration among my family and in the world. Sometimes I get discouraged because big flashy miraculous answers to repeated prayers don't drop from the sky. That's probably because I see without comprehending what God is doing all around me every day. Today, these verses in Isaiah gave me a peek into the awesome world of God's miraculous provision.

God's power is everywhere displayed. I guess I take it for granted that impossible things can co-exist harmoniously on earth. Yet the hand of the Lord has done this. Take a look at the contrasts in these verses: "rivers on barren heights and springs within valleys." According to natural scientifically explainable order, rivers run through valleys and springs come forth out of rocky mountains. Next verse, "I will turn the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into springs." Everyone knows deserts are dry ground without springs. Yet, where God plants pools of water in deserts (oases) we accept that as a normal occurrence.

How about the trees? Cedar and acacia, myrtle and olive, growing in close proximity. If you know anything about gardening, this would be tough to accomplish in your own yard. But God created these trees with amazing adaptability. The cedar tree is the hardiest of tree junipers. It does well in poor soil and withstands winds well. It also grows in heavily forested areas along coastal areas in very good soil. The acacia tree is native to warm regions and is drought resistant, requiring deep infrequent watering to encourage root growth. The myrtle will take hot sun or part shade, and any soil with good drainage. Some myrtle varieties grow in the desert and others grow in wet zones. The olive is slow growing, needs full sun, and will adapt to a variety of soils. Olive trees thrive in hot dry summers but also grow in wet coastal areas.

I lived in the Mojave Desert for a few years. Acacia trees were everywhere, especially along dry riverbeds. During wet winters, they bloomed a striking pink. I don't remember cedars, myrtles, and olives growing alongside them. Yet God's word proclaims that He is able to make all these grow in close proximity in the desert and in the Middle East they still thrive together today.

Isaiah also says God has set pines in the wasteland along with firs and cypress. Pines are wind resistant, so they would do well in the windy wastelands. Some pine varieties are less resistant to draught than others. They tolerate a wide range of soils and environmental conditions. Firs are hardy and resistant to draught and heat as are cypress trees, which will grow in desert areas or coastal areas. What combinations God has created! Consider His handiwork. What Man could do this?

God has worked all this for our encouragement. We are to look at these anomalies and say, "If God can make pines and cedars thrive in the desert, He can certainly provide what I need." I do not need to worry about tomorrow. There is nothing impossible for God. He is able to produce a constant stream of miracles all over the world. Where has He left His miraculous footprint in my life? God, today please open my eyes to see the mracles you've done.

WHAT A PAIN!

Catherine Leggitt — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 18:12:43 GMT

Got a new pain in my lower back this week. Don't know just where it came from, but it has overtaken with vengeance and hangs on as if it had every right to disrupt both my waking and my sleeping. Well--I am at that age. Things are going to start paining me here and there. Soon my blessed years of great good health will be but a fuzzy memory, if I retain the memory at all. My father always said getting old wasn't for sissies. Guess I'm about to find that out.

So, I ease into my chair or toss in my bed trying to find a comfortable spot and wonder, what's the purpose of pain as we age? How does it all fit into God's great and glorious plan to remake us in the image of Jesus--which He promised to accomplish within the lifetime of every believer. Sure, I know what preachers and teachers say about suffering: its various purposes run the gamut from growing our dependence on Almighty God for strength to persevere, all the way to providing an opportunity to showcase our faith. Others are always watching. When they see that we won't complain and curse God in any situation, it makes them wonder about their own need for God. Sometimes, God must send suffering as punishment for sin too.

To distract myself from dwelling on my pain, I'm looking to Job--arguably the most notorious pain-and-suffering expert since time began. At the beginning of Job, he feared God and shunned evil, being blameless and upright. Nevertheless, toward the end of the first chapter, disaster engulfs him. What does he do? He falls to the ground in worship of God and says, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." Job 1: 21. Then he doesn't charge God with doing wrong. Satan amps up the suffering. In Chapter 2, Job asks, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Job 2: 10. Still he refuses to sin. HIs suffering keeps getting worse. We hear the key to his attitude in 10: 8 and 9, "Your hands shaped me and made me. Will you now turn and destroy me? Remember that you molded me like clay. Will you now turn me to dust again?" Job knows that God's intent is always good. "You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit." 10: 12. But how about this verse? "Then I would still have this consolation--my joy in unrelenting pain--that I had not denied the words of the Holy One." 6:10.

Job trusts God. He knows God is in control. But "my joy in unrelenting pain?" Joy? I don't get that part. In his unrelenting pain, Job has joy. Job was committed to God, no matter what happened. But his commitment went beyond that. Job was also committed to choosing joy as he obeyed God. Both his joy and his faith had content. Not joy by itself but joy in the Lord. "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Neh. 8:10. Joy in the Lord creates the capacity for endurance. It brings refuge. Joy in the Lord allows continual unbroken connection to God. Living cocooned in this kind of joy, thanking God for whatever He brings each moment, praising and glorifying Him for never leaving us or forsaking us in each situation, good or bad--that propels us through the pain like the little engine that could. Step by step, our weak hand in His strong one, sometimes leaning on Him and stumbling along, sometimes striding with confidence in His leading, we constantly discover anew that He is able--always. Keep your eyes on Jesus is not a meaningless song or platitude. Whatever suffering tumbles into our lives, we can conquer with joy in the Lord. Even when our pain is unrelenting, we can be joyful. We can find joy IN THE MIDST of our unrelenting pain because it points us to God in a way nothing else can and because we will always find that He will never leave us to suffer alone.

WAITING--BLESSING OR CURSE?

Catherine Leggitt — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:01:45 GMT

I'm waiting---again. This time I'm waiting for news that my book is completed or ,at least, that they've made some progress designing the cover and the interior. I really hate to wait. I always have. Yet clearly God designed waiting into His plan. Examples: It takes nine months of waiting for a baby to be developed. Each year in the winter when many things die, we must wait for spring to bring life again.

All through the Bible, men and women struggled with God's requirement to wait. Abraham and Sarah had to wait for God to provide the promised son. Moses had to wait 40 years in the desert to prepare him to lead Israel out of Egypt. Jesus had to wait to begin His public ministry until after he had been tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Apparently no one like waiting, but it's part of our common experience.

Since waiting seems to be here to stay, first off, I need a new attitude about it. I'll start by taking another look at the process itself. What can I learn about waiting today?

Isaiah 30:18 proclaims, "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!"

Hmm. Interesting how those parts are all in the same verse. He longs to show His grace and compassion to me just as any good father longs to give good gifts, but since He is a God of justice, I must wait for His time and His way. What does justice have to do with it? Let's go back to His original plan for my life. I was created to glorify God. His purpose is to make me into the image of Jesus and this will bring glory to God. Patience is one of the attributes of Jesus. In order to grow me in patience, I have to practice waiting. That is logical. In fact, since I'm a slow learner, He must give me multiple opportunities for practice until being patient becomes part of my nature---until I wait just as Jesus did: trusting that God's timing is always right and good. If God never made me wait, He would not be fulfilling His promise to make me like Jesus. Making me wait establishes God's sovereignty in my life. It requires me to trust His faithfulness. It shows that He keeps His promises. What a wonderful method for growing me in reliance on His word and on His attributes!

Titus 2:11-13: "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope---the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ..."

Waiting gives me practice saying 'no' to ungodliness and worldly passions and saying 'yes' to self-control and an upright and godly life. God considers this waiting practice to be a gift of His grace. Wow! I never looked at waiting as a gift before.

Psalm 27:14--"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." In other words, this waiting is not open ended. I am waiting for the Lord, waiting for Him to move, to answer my prayer, to do the work He promised. There is content to my waiting. I wait for God to accomplish His will and purpose. The Psalmist repeats the phrase, "Wait for the Lord," twice to emphasize that it matters what I'm waiting for. Waiting without an object is pointless. What is the object of my waiting? Am I waiting for God to do things my way? Am I telling Him how to answer my prayers? Or do I actually wait for His will to manifest itself? Will I accept whatever He sends as an answer to my waiting?

If I truly yearn for His will to be accomplished as I pray each day, then I must accept waiting as part of His gracious plan. Thank you, dear Lord, for making me wait.

JOURNEY TO PUBLICATION PART III - FINALLY SOME AFFIRMATION

Catherine Leggitt — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:35:38 GMT

In 2008, I began submitting the manuscript to contests. I entered the Zondervan First Novel Contest, the Amazon Writing Contest, the Genesis Contest (a couple of times) and a few smaller contests, and never received one word of encouragement. However, my friend Susanne Lakin won the Zondervan First Novel Contest at Mount Hermon in 2009 for her novel Someone to Blame, receiving a publishing contract as first prize. Soon after that, she contracted for three of her fantasy books and was suddenly zooming on her way to publication. Although she is by far the most creative people I've ever known, much more talented than I, her success encouraged me and kept me entering contests, submitting queries, and not quitting when the rejections came.

I had seen God use the book in the lives of my family members, opening up discussions I would otherwise not have been able to accomplish. I wondered if that had been God's main purpose for my call to writing.

This year, I ran across a reference to the Orange Country Christian Writers Conference. On their website they announced a contest, the winner to be named at the May 1 conference and to receive a publishing contract from Westbow Press, the self-publishing arm of Thomas Nelson. Being a small conference, it wasn't a big investment. I had to promise to attend in order to enter.

By then I had rewritten Payne & Misery a full ten times. I felt as if I'd done everything I could do to make it better. The contest sponsors had sent me an e-mail informing me that I had placed in the top ten entries and making an appointment with one of the judges for late afternoon. I had a feeling the manuscript would place well in the contest, after all the remediation it had received, but my most fervent hope was that it would please and glorify God. He had supplied the desire to write and the creativity.

As I drove toward Irvine that weekend, I prayed for God's will and for His guidance. The all day workshops and speakers at the conference were informative and entertaining. I met a lovely agent and actually felt a connection to her style of work. I had not felt that with any agents I had previously met in other conferences. She requested that I send her my work. Then I went to my interview with the contest judge.

Kathi Macias, author/mentor/teacher, has an outstanding and varied list of accomplishments. Besides that, she's a lovely woman of God who delights in encouraging others. At our appointment, she spoke of my novel in glowing terms and her praise lifted my spirits. She advised me that the book deserved to be published and whether I won or not, I should do so. I inquired about her recommendations and she said I should use Westbow Press. She assured me I would be pleased with their product and that it would give me a great advantage for future books to be published with Thomas Nelson. There were advantages to self-publishing I had not considered, like greater profit per book and retaining the rights instead of selling them. It would mean I could choose what I wanted to keep in my book instead of having an editor delete what the publishing company chose to. The package she recommended includes free books, some marketing, e-books, hard and soft cover editions, and printed marketing material for the author to mail out. The price of the package wasn't especially high--$2600, with the small discount offered by Westbow at the conference. In my previous research of self-publishing, I had found much higher initial costs at other companies. Not that the price mattered at that point, since my husband and I had been living by faith for two years already with absolutely no extra money to invest in self-publishing. $2600 or $26,000--we couldn't afford it.

That Saturday, I arrived in the main lecture room feeling quite encouraged about a possible agent and the publishworthiness of my novel. After preliminaries, they began to call the contest winners. Third place. Second place--they called my name. As I stood, I felt only a twinge of disappointment because it meant I wouldn't be able to get the novel published right away. But that twinge vanished when I made my way to the front and accepted my certificate. A glow of satisfaction and contentment about being in God's best settled over me. At last, a little outside validation from the writing community.

I left the conference to visit family members (who wish to remain anonymous) before heading home. After a couple of days' together, I prepared to leave. My loved one handed me an envelope and said she wanted to contribute to my writing. I refused at first, but she insisted. I headed toward the next place I wanted to visit. There I received another unsolicited envelope. Amazed at their incredible generosity and timing, I totaled the money after I started home. It came to $2700. God had provided for publication in a way I would never have expected. Truly nothing is impossible for God.

So I contracted for Payne & Misery to be self-published. The whole process will take about ninety days--another advantage of self-publishing. I don't know what the next step will be. I know nothing about marketing, but I know I will have to learn fast. Not only the success of this venture, but future sales of my books depend on moving forward into what God has for me next. I will step out in faith, as He has taught me to do over this six year journey, and be surprised with the joy of what He has prepared. To God be the glory. Great things He hath done.