"Be the Blessing"

                Paula is a dear friend of mine.  And I’m very excited about the release of her next book “Be the Blessing on September 13th.”  It is a sequel to “The Blessing Seer.” These are wonderful books that make you stop and think.  When you read her books, you will discover what a talented writer she is.

Paula,

   Thank you for being on my blog.  One of the things I admire about you is your passion to motivate Christians to get out of their comfort zones.  I think most Christians are like me and hesitant about venturing out.  It’s a scary thought and it shouldn’t be.  Did you experience anything to cause this passion in you?

Honestly, I have usually had to experience or learn something before being able to share it. As I have written about getting out of comfort zones, I am writing from my experience of having God nudge me out of mine. When I have ventured outside of my comfort zone and followed God’s leading, I have enjoyed the total adventure of being in His will. I can’t help but share that with others to encourage them in this adventure with God.  

Has God ever asked you to do something that you didn’t understand at the time, but you did it anyway?  If so, what was the outcome?

I remember once how strongly God laid an author/friend on my heart. I didn’t know anything about what was going on in her life at the time. I also really didn’t know what to say, but I obeyed and emailed her. I just told her that God had brought her to mind, and I was saying a prayer for her. When she emailed me back she indicated that my words and prayers had come at the exact moment she needed. She had been going through a struggle. I thanked God for using me in such a simple way. This taught me to be open to nudges from God.

How much of you is in the main character Addy?

Of course Addy and I both share the position of pastor’s wife, however I am not as shy about speaking as she is. As Brooke can attest to, I am outgoing and never meet a stranger. Now, some of the situations in the book come from real-life occurrences with church members.

One of the themes in “Be the Blessing” is encouragement and hope through suffering.   As a writer, I know how hard that is to write.  How did you do it and still keep it uplifting?

To keep this topic uplifting was simple because of the many testimonies to God’s help I have observed and been involved in. First Peter the third chapter and verses fourteen to sixteen gives the Christian instruction in this area. These verses explain that even if we do suffer, we must always be ready to tell another person about the hope we have. That’s the difference between a Christian who suffers and a non-believer who suffers – we Christians have a living Hope within us.

It’s amazing how you get your wonderful ideas to write about.  What is the biggest blessing you get from writing your stories?

One of the biggest blessings I have gained is hearing from readers who have been touched and encouraged through my words. I couldn’t ask for anything more blessed than that!

For me personally, I feel blessed that God would give me the ability and the ideas to write for Him. It’s all at once exciting and humbling.

What’s the most unique idea you’ve ever gotten?

I would have to say the idea for the first book, The Blessing Seer, was most unique. I had simply been mulling over a sermon illustration when I went to bed one night. After just a few moments God downloaded the whole outline for the book into my head. I had to jump up and write it down as fast as my hand could transcribe. This was a very different story than I had been writing.

Okay Paula, I have to ask a fun and silly question now. What is your favorite ride at the fair and why?

Brooke, you are the more daring of the two of us. So, my favorite ride at the fair would be the one I would watch you ride. I do not like to go high or fast. I prefer to walk around looking at everything and get a funnel cake.

Thank you so much for this enjoyable interview, and for the opportunity to appear on your blog.

 



 

 

Endorsement for BE THE BLESSING

 

 

 

"We all wonder why bad things happen to good people. Can God use even the worst events in our lives to help us feed the world around us?Be the Blessing skillfully provides both food for thought and food for discussion." -- Lisa Wingate, national best-selling author of The Sea Glass Sisters and The Prayer Box.

 

Blurb: Addy Townsend hadn’t strolled with Conrad or had a vision in five years. Now Conrad has returned to challenge her to be a blessing to those around her. The Holy Spirit begins to nudge her into service in new ways and she follows.

But when she is blindsided with personal problems, can Addy learn to be a willing vessel even in times of struggle and suffering?