Guest Post | What’s the Story, Morning Glory? by Julie Lessman With Giveaway

Today we welcome Julie Lessman to our blog to talk about her new book What’s the story Morning Glory.

What do you hope readers take away from this book?

The number one thing I hope readers take away from this book is how much POWER we Christians possess when we utilize the Word of God. For me, application of God’s precepts—His Word—in our lives is the only way for us to, as John 10:10 ESV so aptly states, “have life and have it abundantly,” achieving true peace, hope, and joy, just like God wants us to have. And just like He intended in the Garden of Eden!

Like I say in this rather unique (and quirky) life-stories devotional, I see God as the Supreme Milton Bradley—He made the game of life and created the rules by which it is to be played. Not to “Lord” it over us, mind you, but to bless us so we can win in life—in our relationships, in our marriages, in raising children, in our jobs, you name it.

Think if it—God actually spoke the world and universe into being with His words—they’re that powerful! Then, He not only gave us those words in the Bible for us to live by, but He sent salvation and blessing to us through those words in the Word made flesh—His Son Jesus—per John 1:14 ESV, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

“The tongue has the power of life and death,” according to Proverbs 18:21 NIV, which means words spoken by us—good or bad—have power as well. I personally believe that blessing (God’s Word) as spoken of in Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV, “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,” and curse (Satan’s word, negative earthly language) are voice-activated. What does that mean? It means we can either say something like, “I can’t do this because I’m not smart enough” or “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength,” per Philippians 4:13. 

Once Christians begin to believe—and see for themselves like I did in my many life-lesson stories—the power of declaring and decreeing God’s Word (eternal language) instead of earthly language (often Satan’s negative language), their lives will change on a dime—and ALL for the better.

Book Description

“DEAR LORD, JULIE … OUR WHOLE LIFE IS IN THIS BOOK!”

My heart went out to my sweet husband as he walked into our kitchen one day with a noticeable gulp, ashen-faced after reading my latest novel.“Yes, I know, babe,” I said with a repentant smile and a conciliatory hug, “but nobody really knows that.”

Ahem. Until now …

Trust me, “What’s the Story, Morning Glory? A Memoir Devotional with a ‘Novel’ Approach to Practical Christianity” is not a book I wanted to write. As a novelist, I have never been partial to nonfiction, either reading it or writing it, but I had little choice when God convinced me otherwise through a number of point-blank arm-twistings I couldn’t deny and not-so-gentle proddings from family and friends.

Despite all the encouragement, I wasn’t really sure where to begin. “It will be fiction and nonfiction combined,” the Holy Spirit whispered within, and just like that, the idea for this book took flight. First, I would tell my “real” and very personal story behind the life-lesson stories in my novels, then I would follow it up with the excerpt from my books where I teach that same life lesson to my characters, finally culminating in corresponding Scriptures, a bulleted “Takeaway” list, and a related prayer.

Thus, What’s the Story, Morning Glory: A Memoir Devotional with a “Novel” Approach to Practical Christianity was born. A memoir devotional that when combined with scenes from my novels, becomes a “novotional” where I relate the life lessons God personally taught me through His Word. I am simply a child of God who applied these lessons and Biblical precepts to every situation in my life and consequently, saw nonstop answers to prayer and blessings galore. It is my profound hope and prayer that through my own very simple and personal stories and examples, I can do the same for others. Therefore, the format for each chapter of this book will be as follows:

1. The Real Story (How I learned and applied the spiritual lesson in my own life)
2. The Novel Story (The scene where I teach the spiritual lesson to my characters)
3. The Scripture Story (Scriptures applicable to the spiritual lesson)
4. The Takeaway Story (Bulletized points for spiritual lesson in easy-to-read/apply format)
5. The Prayer Story (Specific prayer related to the spiritual lesson)

I pray this bottom-line, albeit somewhat quirky, 1-2-3 devotional blesses you as much as God’s spiritual life lessons have blessed me!

Hugs,
Julie Lessman

Giveaway

Julie has offered to giveaway one Ecopy of What’s the Story, Morning Glory to one commenter. To enter please comment on this post and add your name and country to be eligible. The giveaway is open international and to blog contributors. Contest closes Wednesday evening 16 October and the winner will be listed in the November New releases.