Draw Me Close

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. Hebrews 10:22a.

A week and a half ago, I traveled to Denver, CO to attend the American Christian Fiction Writers conference. Three days jammed with friends, learning, and celebrations. Overall, the conference was a positive experience and God’s hand was evident as He worked in peoples’ lives.

To read the rest of this blog post, click here.

Interview with Rachel Hauck: Book of the Year for Sweet Caroline

Visit my new blog to read my interview with Book of the Year winner, Rachel Hauck. Rachel is the award-winning author of over ten novels, including Sweet Caroline, which won ACFW's Book of the Year in the Lits category.

Update Your Bookmarks! New website and blog!

I used iWeb installed on my Mac to create a new website. My web address is still www.lisajordanbooks.com, but instead of using Blogger for my blog, it will be a part of my new website. You can access my blog by clicking here. If you have me in your Blogroll, please update your links. I'll leave this blog up to help redirect people to my new site.

I've fixed the link, I think, but if it doesn't work, you can access my new blog here:

http://www.lisajordanbooks.com/Lisa_Jordan/Blog/Blog.html

Copy and paste the link into your web browser.

Sacrifice--Thanks to the Cross

During yesterday's worship service, we sang When I Survey the Wondrous Cross written by Issac Watts and published in 1701. Here are the lyrics:

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

Forbid it Lord that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood

See from His head His hands His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ere such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing so divine
Demands my soul
Demands my soul
Love demands my soul
My life my all

I have to admit that some songs have become so familiar to me that I sing their words out of habit and forget to embrace their meanings. While singing this song, the verse "All the vain things that charm me most I sacrifice them to His blood" resonated with me.

I believe the verse asks if we will be willing to sacrifice our most prized possessions for God. For some, these may be very expensive material objects. For others, they may be personal treasures close to the heart. The point is, though, if God asked us, we need to be willing to give anything up for him. The question is, will we? As Christians, our answer should be yes.

Guest Blogger: Betsy St. Amant

I love reading authors' tales of getting The Call, so when I signed up to be a part of Betsy St. Amant's Return to Love blog tour, I asked her to be a guest blogger and talk about the day she got The Call.

Getting the Call

Ring, Ring...

It was any other typical day at work, where I am employeed as a receptionist for an oil and gas company. Phones were ringing, faxes were waiting to be sent, filing was stacking up, my to-do list ever growing...

And then...Ring Ring. Not the company phone. My cell phone. Most of my family and friends know not to call my personal line during work, so I was actually a litle nervous when I pulled it from my purse, hoping it wasn't an emergency.

I saw my agent's phone number in the caller ID screen and froze. I almost couldn't open it. I finally managed with shaky fingers and held my breath. Then realized I had yet to say hello. "HELLO" - part squawk, part squeak. The company phone rang again then, but truthfully, I couldn't care less. I've been with my agent long enough to know now that when she has bad news, she emails. Good news merits a phone call.

And my phone had rung.

(And actually, the company phone was still ringing but again - priorities!! haha!) I could hear the smile in my agent's voice as if she were in front of me instead of half a country away. "I have good news."

My heart line danced in true southern fashion and I clutched my stomach. "Oh?" (trying to sound all professional when I wanted to join my heart in a dance on top of my desk!)

"Steeple Hill bought your romance."

This is when I squealed, and tried to stay professional, but nope, I was little kid, Christmas morning, lots of candy giddy. I don't remember exactly what I said, or rather shrieked, but I remember someone came out of their office down the hall, confused, probably thinking I was being attacked. I hung up with my agent (hopefully not hung ON her, I don't remember now!) and kept squealing, hands over my mouth, head down, trying to be as quiet as I could.

Life was changing in those moments, and I could feel it in all its adrenaline rush glory.

And you know what? The second and third calls regarding my second and third contracts were quite similar. The rush never fades. Or atleast, it hasn't so far. I hope it doesn't. I never want to take for granted hearing that my dreams have once again come true.

God is good, isn't He? =)

Bio: Betsy St. Amant lives in Louisiana and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Her contemporary romance RETURN TO LOVE is under contract with Steeple Hill Love Inspired for a July 2009 release, and the sequel A VALENTINE’S WISH is contracted for a February 2010 release. Betsy has also been published in the Christian Communicator magazine and Praise Reports: Inspiring Real Life Stories of How God Answers Prayer. One of her short stories, Kickboxing or Chocolate, appears in a Tyndale compilation book, and she is also multi-published through The Wild Rose Press. Betsy has a B.A. in Christian Communications and regularly contributes articles to Crosswalk.com. Betsy is a wife, author, new mother, and avid reader who enjoys sharing the wonders of God’s grace through her stories.

Links to blog and website:
www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com
www.betsystamant.com

Back cover copy:

"I'm not the man I used to be!" - if only Gracie Broussard could believe that. Years ago, Carter Alexander broke her heart and betrayed her. Now, just when she needs him most, he's back -- asking her to believe he's changed. But this time, its not just Gracie who'll be hurt if he disappears. A penguin keeper, Gracie urgently needs to find a new home for her beloved birds. Carter is the only one who can help. He promises that she can trust him, that he's not the rebel he once was. And that he needs Gracie as much as her birds do.

To purchase Return to Love, click here.