People of Faith by Marianne Evans

Marianne Evans

He said to them, “Come, follow me. I will make you fishers of men.”

Matthew 4:19

I received cover art recently for a series I’m creating called The Fishermen of Antioch. I’ll share the covers when release dates draw near. The reason I mention this is the covers and series reflect a close-knit, faith-filled family. That made me think about my own story of faith, my own ‘fishermen(women)’—the ones I call my mentors. The ones I look to for inspiration, motivation, guidance and even a shoulder to lean on.

My husband, Steve, tops the list. He. Is. Selfless. When someone’s in trouble, he’s there to help. When someone needs a caring listener, he’s there. He never bothers with second guesses or thoughts of doing anything else. He encourages me daily, and backs up that encouragement with ready support and action. He’s loving and strong, a Christian husband in the best sense of the word. Is he perfect? No. Not by yards, and I’m not either. The beauty of that truth is, Steve has never expected perfection of me, just love. To me, that’s a model of Christ.

Next is my brother-in-law, Marvin Evans. Marvin doesn’t just ‘talk-the-talk’ of being a Christian, he walks-the-walk. I’ll never forget my son’s wedding day, when a guest departed the ceremony only to discover the inconvenience of a flat tire. Without missing a beat, Marvin peeled off his suit coat and went to work. Dress slacks and all, he knelt on the pavement right there in the church parking lot, and changed their tire for them. Thing is, Marvin didn’t know these people. This wasn’t his family—they were strangers—but they were in need. This is the kind of thing Marvin has done repeatedly, for countless people. Again, what a model of Christ.

If you frequent Seriously Write, you’ve probably heard me talk about my sisters, Mary Hilger and Kathy Evans. Mary is a Christian artist (please do yourself a favor and check out her website: www.spiritualhands.org ) so we have that creative ‘gene’ in common. Kathy is a retired teacher, a loving soul who truly listens to what people have to say. She doesn’t listen to reply, she listens to hear your heart. The three of us dropped the term ‘in-law’ from our monikers long ago because we’re sisters, by choice and by experience. We found our faith paths together on a mountain top in Eureka Springs, Arkansas decades ago and never looked back. We pray together, we share our best, and we share our worst, and in that sharing, in that bond, I find Christ. They’re bold, smart, funny, and so giving. God blesses me abundantly with their rock-like support and faith-filled encouragement.

Who are your mentors? Who brings Jesus to life in your world? Who do you rely on for guidance and love and support? Whoever those people are, give them your thanks...and encouragement!

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Country music bad boy Chase Bradington is on the comeback trail. Fresh from rehab for alcohol addiction, and transformed by the power of Christ, Chase is battling to rediscover the music he loves and a career he nearly ruined. Then he meets up and comer, Pyper Brock, and instantly sparks ignite.

Pyper knows of Chase’s reputation, so despite a rampant attraction to the handsome and talented icon, she soundly dismisses his romantic overtures. Decades ago, her father, in a drunken rage, tossed her and her mother onto the streets. No way will Pyper make the mistake of falling for a man whose done battle with the bottle.

What happens when Chase’s quest to win Pyper’s love breaks down chains of resentment and eases the long buried wounds of her childhood? And what happens when Pypers father shows up in Nashville, clean, sober and seeking a chance to apologize?

Can Pyper follow a pathway to peace when it comes to her father? Can she fully trust Chase? Above all, can a sin damaged past be released in favor of forgiveness?

Releasing 11/1/2016 ~ Available for pre-order now at Amazon.com in PRINT and E-BOOK formats

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Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create. Devotion, earned the Bookseller’s Best Award as well as the Heart of Excellence Award. Hearts Communion earned a win for Best Romance from the Christian Small Publisher's Association. She is also a two-time recipient of the Selah Award, Then & Now for Best Contemporary Romance and Finding Home for Best Novella. Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan and an active member of Romance Writers of America, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President.

Prayer Time by Marianne Evans

Marianne Evans

With so many things vying for my time, energy and attention these days, I’ve found myself convicted of a very important shortcoming:

A lack of dedicated prayer time.

Why is it when life turns crazy busy, when I struggle with the process of moving matters forward smoothly and participating in valuable commitments, etc., I lose sight of the need to go still, and pray? Lately I realize I need to make sure I spend time communing with God. I need to tell Him about my joys and victories, sorrows and failures, then listen carefully, in that ordained silence, for His loving voice.

We’ve recently moved and are still in the process of settling in our new home. We’ve welcomed our first grand baby into the world – a happy, healthy, completely awesome angel named Lukas! – There’s been so much going on that I’ve focused too hard on ‘getting things done’ or ‘being where I need to be.’ In the chaos I’ve been leaning on my own strength rather than God’s. Oh, believe me, I thank him, I rejoice in his provision throughout my days, but over and over again I keep receiving the message to P-R-A-Y. In fact, my daily devotionals of late have mentioned it repeatedly. This one came my way the other day really thumped me on the head:

Luke 5, 15-16: ‘But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

Wow. Jesus, struggling like we all do with the needs of others. The disciples needed his teaching and example. The sick needed healing. The oppressed and possessed needed freedom from their burdens. Everywhere Jesus went, he came upon people—people he loved beyond human knowing—in need of HIM. How did He discern? How did He regain strength? How He hear His Father’s call and stay true to his purpose?

Prayer.

Jesus purposely found a quiet place to communicate with God. A deserted place, where He could be alone with God. A quiet place where He could not only pray but listen. A place where his heart could be still to absorb God's will. I believe it is in that stillness  we can most clearly hear God's call and receive the grace of discernment.

And so, I’m trying hard to return to the feet of My Father in a more consistent way. I need to bow my head and pray in earnest, not just before going to sleep, or waking in the morning, but also before my fingers touch the keyboard. What God has given me as a writer is a gift. My mission isn’t just about telling a story, it’s about ministry. It’s about sharing a message and revealing God’s love to my readers. It’s about Him, and them, not me.

That’s not something to take lightly. That’s something that requires prayer. Deep, abiding prayer.

CLICK TO TWEET!

Let's discuss the power of Prayer!
Overwhelmed? Go still...and pray.

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All she wants for Christmas is her Master’s Degree. All he wants is a one-way plane ticket back to Los Angeles. 

Tiffany Zelling’s mission is to become a crisis therapy counselor using specially trained animals as comfort tools. She's focused on reaching the end of her school career, and nothing will stand in her way—not even a fantasy-world attraction to colleague Mitch Alexander. 

After a year as interim Director of East Coast Operations Mitch's tenure has been a resounding success. Now, he’s set to return to California and lay claim to a well-deserved promotion. He can’t wait to leave behind the cold and snowy darkness of Manhattan, but when corporate bullying and a massive snowfall throws him together with Tiffany Zelling, Mitch wonders if heading west is his best future. 

As two hearts build a pathway to love, goals shift and evolve. But as Christmas joy and hope move through the streets of New York, critical decisions must be made. Can their lives truly meld? Can Christmas at Tiffany’s be God’s answer…for them both?

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Marianne Evans is an award-winning author of Christian romance and fiction. Her hope is to spread the faith-affirming message of God’s love through the stories He prompts her to create. Devotion, earned the Bookseller’s Best Award as well as the Heart of Excellence Award. Hearts Communion earned a win for Best Romance from the Christian Small Publisher's Association. Finding Home won the Selah award for Best Novella. Marianne is a lifelong resident of Michigan and an active member of Romance Writers of America, most notably the Greater Detroit Chapter where she served two terms as President.