Need a weekend get-away?

Today is a beautiful spring-like day --and even though we’ve barely experienced winter here in the northeast, I have such a longing for extended daylight, warm breezes and windows open wide -- spring is nearly here!

This coming week is always a busy one as I prepare for Tuscarora Inn & Conference Center’s annual women’s weekend.   I’ve had the privilege of coordinating this 3-day women’s event for several years, working closely with Tuscarora staff, gifted worship artists and musicians, seasoned speakers and talented writers – all of us with a common goal of sharing the message of hope that faith in Jesus brings.

Our weekend includes plenty of fun (karaoke on Friday night and a late-night movie Saturday), delicious food, optional spa services as well as inspiring and creative workshops.  New for this year is a spin class (held at a local, off-site, boutique gym) and guided Appalachian Trail hike.   Detailed workshop descriptions can be found at Tuscarora’s website.

Melissa Milbourn will lead worship prior to each keynote session and we’ve invited Compassion International to share the joys and challenges of their work amongst the world’s most vulnerable children. 

Our keynote speaker is Renee Swope, an author, national conference speaker, and co-host of Proverbs 31 Ministries’ international radio program.  Renee will share insights from her latest book, A Confident Heart: how to stop doubting yourself and live in the security of God’s promises. 

Personally, I can’t wait to hear what she has to say!  A self-professed doubter, I struggle daily with finding the courage to move forward and step confidently into the dreams God has birthed in my heart.  I am looking forward to Renee showing me how to identify, overcome and learn from my doubting so that the roots of my faith grow deeper  -- both in the soil of God’s grace and the promises in His word. 

Are you struggling with self-doubt, worry or insecurity?  Or maybe your life situations have left you discouraged and overwhelmed, wondering if God is even aware of your sorrow and disappointment.  

Friend, God is crazy about you – He longs, even waits for you to share your heart openly and honestly with Him.   And He wants you to know just how much He loves you.  Perhaps this entire weekend has been planned with you in mind.  Consider joining me for a weekend away from the cares and worries of everyday life. You’ll leave relaxed, refreshed and inspired!

For more information about attending this event call 570 897 6000 or visit Tuscarora’s website.  

My thoughts on reading LIGHT UNDER THE HOUSE

Reading is one of my favorite pastimes and as a kid, I would spend hours and hours curled up with a good book.   Mysteries and historical fiction are my favorite reading genres, so when both of them come together in a page-turner that can't be put down -- I'm thrilled!  

Filled with history, family drama and suspense, Light Under the House is one of those stories that draws a reader deep within the pages wondering what's next.  Although some of the material may be disturbing for young readers, there is also the promise of redemption and purpose to struggle and suffering.

The characters are realistic and well-developed --  each with their own dysfunction woven into the plot.  Some have compared this to Frank Peretti's, This Present Darkness -- another story with dark, spiritual themes.


From Amazon.com : "Light Under the House is the saga of an American family--the Levis, a family of secrets. None greater than the secret of what lies under their house, a secret that could destroy them. A secret that an ancient evil will stop at nothing to uncover. The novel follows the Levi family line for a generation, creating a story that explores lives lived in the aftermath of the cultural rebellion of the late 1960's. It is a historical fiction novel that shows the power of consequence and the hope of redemption. Most of all, it is a story about fathers and their children."


Following is an interview with the author:


What inspired you to write this story?
I feel very strongly about the breakdown of the family and fatherlessness and how there is much dysfunction and despair because of it. I wanted to tell a story to shed some light on the situations that many face and hopefully bring some type of reversal to the current dynamic in whatever small way I could. I wanted to challenge men, fathers especially, to be who they were created to be ... its certainly a challenge I face myself daily. A challenge that I often fail at but keeping picking myself up to start again.

Did you model any of the characters after people you know?
I used many things to model the characters ... people I know, other literary figures, actors, biblical characters, celebrities ... the characters are a combination of all of these. I wanted them to be new and familiar at the same time, universal.

Why did you choose the Dallas/Ft Worth area as your primary setting?
First of all, the south has a certain reputation for is deep spiritual roots (bible belt and all). I patterned the book in part after GONE WITH THE WIND (another book set in the south) ... not in the sense of a love story but in the sense of "here is civilization that is about to cease to exist, come see it before its gone". In the case of my novel it is a spiritual civilization on the brink. Dallas just seemed to have everything I needed to make the story work from both a symbolic and technical standpoint.

Do you have plans to write more books?
i have an idea or two floating around ... nothing concrete yet.

What sort of research did you do for the historical portions of your book? What did you like best about the research? The least?
My co-author and I researched deeply into ancient history for some aspects of the book ... I learned a lot of things ... some things I'd rather forget but most of it was enlightening. What I liked best was that it confirmed for me mostly what I already knew, there really is nothing new under the sun.

Where can we find out about more opportunities for a free copy of this book? 
Follow @ChristianSpkrs on Twitter. You can purchase the book through Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Light-Under-the-House-ebook/dp/B0060C2O92.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speakers Services (http://ChristianSpeakersServices.com).