I’m starting with you.Please don’t think I’ve lost my mind.
In the last two years, I think this actually started with the return of a missing magazine oddly enough, I have found myself reading the Bible and studying Theology like a starved woman.I am really not sure why my eyes were opened, but they were…and in a big way.
At about the same time, I began writing.It started with my family blog but that has expanded to my faith.(I’m sure you’ve seen these posts.I hope you haven’t been annoyed by them.I’m certainly not trying to shove my beliefs down any throats.)My love for writing has also grown over these two years.
With both of these things happening in my life, I have felt a strong calling.This is bizarre for me.I don’t know that I ever really believed in the reality of this concept and certainly never anticipated that God would call someone with as many faults as I have to do his work.But here I am.And there it is.I’ve said it.
So, with this feeling constantly there, I’ve kept my eyes (and mind) open for what God has planned for me.I’ve been pretty sure now for about a week.You, my friends, are the first step in this direction that I’m about to take.
I’m going to write a book.
The idea came to me through a podcast by Ravi Zacharias.At the time I heard it, it didn’t hit a nerve.But several days later it came back to me…with a vengeance.
The book is going to address one of the biggest issues that Christians have with their faith:Why isn’t God answering my prayers?I think many, like myself, believe that all prayers are answered in one way or another.However, in Matthew 7:7, Matthew 17:20, Matthew 21:21, Mark 11:24, John 14:12-14, Matthew 18:19 and James 5:15-16 we are told that when the faithful ask, they will receive.“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.”
I want to interview those who are currently in the midst of this apparent inconsistency between Word and action, but have maintained their faith despite it. So first, the interviewees must be Christians…Christians who are Biblically literate, active in their churches, and sure in their faith. Second, they need to be under the age of 45. And finally, they need to be in one of two categories. 1) Diagnosed with a terminal illness with a fairly short life expectancy. 2) Have a child who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness and greatly shortened life expectancy.
The questions that I will pose to them will be regarding the effects of the Bible, Christianity, their faith, their church, other believers, and (frankly) anything else that they believe was sent from God on their continued faith despite the fact that their specific prayer (for healing) has not, and will not, be granted.
I think this book needs to be written.I think we can all (Christian and non-Christian) learn something from it.I also think it will break my heart and require strength from me that I could only get from God.
If God wants me to do this, I firmly believe that it will all come together.If I am on the wrong track or following my own will rather than the will of God, I do not WANT it to come together.
So, this is where you come in.
Do you know someone who meets my criteria that would be willing to share their story with me?Would you be willing to talk to your own Christian friends (even share this letter if you wish) to find out if THEY know someone?Would you encourage those friends to ask THEIR Christian friends?
I would like to interview 12 to 20 people.They can be from anywhere in the U.S.—again, if God wants this to happen he’ll help me get to them.
I think the only hang up that I have with this whole idea is that if the book sells, I will make money from it.Not that I think money is bad, mind you.But I would want to be able to direct this money to further Christianity through a non-profit foundation.This idea is actually a whole other letter!Ha!If you are interested in helping get the book going, I’ll keep you posted on the progress of the foundation along with it’s complete mission.Just so you know, I’ve already applied for and got the non-profit status in Kansas.The name of the foundation is “In the beginning, Inc.”…and I’m looking for board members.