well, here it is are you ready?  After much prayer, deliberation and the wringing of hands to choose the title of my book we have decided it will be “Bound by a Promise.” The story of my Parents has been called “Peace in the Midst of Tragedy” since the first time I spoke it as a message back in 1996.  In my mind I always thought it would be the title of my book as well, but God is in control, not me!

My heart’s desire for this book is to get the amazing, miraculous and God- glorifying story into the hands of countless people, so that through my story they can experience God in a life-changing way.  I’ve been asked by my Marketing Assistant to create a write-up on the book, something that will make a person want to buy it.   Oh, and by the way, he gave me a 120 word count limit. 

So, in this writing and publishing process I’m learning that when writing a book I have to throw out what I’ve programmed myself to do when creating messages; which is to be brief in the descriptive areas and use as few words as possible to trigger my mind.  In writing the book, I need to give myself the freedom to use as many words as needed to expand more on my experiences to draw the reader in.  HOWEVER, when it comes to marketing and publicity I am always given word count limits!  Therefore, I’m learning how to creatively write with many words as well as just a few and “learning” is always a good thing! Amen?

So, with a little help from my friends, Here’s the 120 word write up:

         With her father away fulfilling his own dream, feelings of abandonment lead a young Bonnie Floyd to make very poor choices in life.  Little does she know, she lacks much more than the guidance and direction of her dad.  When she desperately makes One Right Choice...it changes her life forever and prepares her as she faces the most horrifying event she could ever imagine...Murder.

        Travel with Bonnie through this suspenseful story of love and adventure on land and at sea.  As the pages unfold, unbelievable events occur that will keep you on the edge of your seat. But possibly the most amazing part of this book is grasping a forgiveness that seems impossible and a Promise that must be kept.

Our goal is to have the book completed and in stores by late summer early fall.  Needless to say, I need your prayers!  In the midst of writing I’m gearing up for my 2010 speaking engagements, which actually started the end of January. 

 I’m off to write, write, write...I’ll keep you posted on my progress!

   It’s cold & stormy outside this morning, but me & my Donnie are warm in our house.  I love being able to say that, because it means Jehovah Jireh my Provider is meeting our needs just as He promised.  There is such a big difference between what we need and what we want.  As I’m reminded of that on this blustery day, I feel compelled to share with you something from one of my messages in hopes of it being just what you needed to hear at the moment you read this article.

Since moving to Texas and going into full-time ministry, Donnie and I have struggled financially in ways we’ve never known before.  During the first few years I was a wreck most of the time.  I would worry if I would have my house next month?  Would Donnie be able to keep his truck?  All I did was wring my hands and fret about the future. One day when I was at my wits end, I read in PSALM 91:1-2: "Dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in the shadow of the Almighty."  "Dwell" means to stay there, so I did.  Instead of running past the Throne and throwing out my worries to him, I stayed there awhile and He took me to a Scripture in book of Matthew.  I had read this Scripture many times and as much as I hate to admit it, this Scripture never ministered to me like it should.  I mean seriously, all Scripture should minister to us in one way or another, but ESPECIALLY when it’s the RED LETTERS!  That is our Lord speaking directly to us!!!

So here it is, read it and read it as though Jesus is speaking directly to you.

MATT 6:25-27 & 33-34: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?... ....Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things." And in the NKJV verse 34 reads, "Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

I finally got it and I pray you do too!  If we will just take Jesus at His Word and do exactly as He says the anxiety, the worry and the wringing of the hands subside and as the old hymn reminds us, "You turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."

You must do as Jesus says and not worry about tomorrow.  So you say:

• Today I’m in my house
• Today it is cold outside, but warm in my house
• Today I have food to eat
• Today I am alive

But the minute you step out of today, you have stepped outside of His instruction to not worry about tomorrow and have given place to the spirit of fear to invade your mind again.  We must learn to put into practice just what Jesus is telling us to do! Thank you Lord, for putting this on my heart for the Me & My Donnie article today I love it when you remind me that You are Jehovah Jireh our Provider! When we take Jesus at His Word, we are at ease and we can say with confidence, "He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God, in whom I trust." PSALM 91:2