Book news and my new bumper sticker!

Happy New Years Eve, everyone!  I can't believe it's almost 2011.  I remember watching the movie 2001 A Space Odyssey when I was a kid, thinking that 2001 was too far in the future to even consider!  Funny, how time just zips by when you're not even looking.  Which reminds me of how short our time is on earth and how important it is that we focus on the things that matter: God, family, and love.

I usually don't go out on New Years Eve and join the "crazies" but tonight we are taking our friends to dinner and a movie to celebrate their anniversary, so that should be fun. I think we're seeing True Grit.  But whatever you're doing, please be safe and be smart. Start the New Year off in a way you can be proud of and one that sets the trend for the entire year.

I thought you'd like to see my new Bumper Sticker! A very good friend of mine had it specially made. It looks great next to my Pirate ship one I got last year from another dear friend and reader. 

And I thought you'd like to know that I just signed another contract for a Single book entitled, Veil of Pearls. The release date won't be until 2012, but I'm very grateful to have another book lined up after my Destiny series.  Here's a quick blurb about it:

Adalia Winston, a runaway slave, arrives in the bustling port town of 1812 Charleston, South Carolina, having escaped her vicious owner on the island of Barbados. Only one quarter Negro, she is able to hide her heritage and use her herbal medicinal skills to procure a job with a local doctor. When she meets Morgan, the handsome, spoiled son of a rich plantation owner, she finds herself swept up into the extravagant, pampered lifestyle of the Charleston elite, relishing the attention and opulence of a world she never dreamed existed. But in her efforts to be a part of popular society and capture the heart of Morgan, has she pushed the God who has never left her into second place, while being ashamed of the person He created her to be? And when her owner comes to stake his claim, will Morgan and her new friends stand up for her when they discover who she is, or will her world come crashing down around her? 

Happy 2011 Everyone! And may God bless you in the new year with an ever growing knowledge of how much He loves you! 

Wordless Wednesday!

A picture to warm you up and help get you through the cold winter!!!

Let go and let God work through the storm!

I hope everyone had a very happy Christmas and that you were able to spend the day with family and friends.  Christmas can be such a special time for some, while for others, it can be a very trying time. Let's face it, some of us are parts of hugely dysfunctional families. And getting together at Christmas all in one place seems to only accentuate that fact.  First, let me say that God richly blessed me in so many ways this Christmas. I had all my kids and grandkids around me, we had plenty of good food, and we all received great gifts.

But there were also trying moments as well and a few times when I felt like hiding away in the bathroom and either screaming or crying!  But I learned some very important lessons I'd like to pass onto you.

• Don't challenge the enemy unless you prepare for battle. 
• Sometimes it's simply time to Let Go and Let God.

You see, I have some dear loved ones who are aren't believers and one in particular, a prodigal, who seems to be spiraling further and further down a very dark abyss every time I see him. The day before Christmas I had made up my mind to deal with the evil spirits plaguing him by praying silently while in his presence. But in the business of the day, I completely forgot. But the enemy had not forgotten my threat. And he came at me full force through this person!  I didn't realize until later on that night what had actually happened.  So, I caution you to take this spiritual battle we are in very seriously. Your enemy does. If you intend to go after him, then you better get equipped and prepared by prayer, fasting, and calling upon the Holy Spirit!

Secondly, and equally important, I realized that despite repeated attempts to place this person in God's hands, I always try and hang on,  try and make things happen on my own. I fret and worry and rush about trying to please this person in the hopes he'll see Jesus in me.  But God showed me that all these things show a lack of faith in Him. They show that I truly don't believe God will handle the situation. So, the Lord clearly told me to Let Go. I had to let go of this person and let him fall into God's hands. I mean really let go. Stop trying. Stop doing. Stop fretting. That doesn't mean I stop loving but it just means I had to take a step back and release my grip.

So I did. I pictured myself on this ship in the middle of a huge storm and this person was hanging over the side of the ship, totally oblivious to the raging waters below him. I was clinging to him, so afraid to let him go!  But then I obeyed and released my grip and I pictured him falling...falling...falling...into the violent sea. Guess what? Down below, Jesus was waiting to catch him! And He spoke to me. He said. "How do you know that I didn't create this storm to ultimately save this person?"  In other words, I was so afraid of the storm harming my loved one that I never considered that God was allowing it to bring him to God. And I was preventing that from happening by hanging onto him! 

Is there something you're hanging onto? What is your deepest fear? What is your number one prayer request? It could be for a lost loved one or maybe for a situation. Whatever it is, ask God if you're clinging on too tight. Maybe you're preventing God from doing His perfect work. 

Merry Christmas video from me!

Sorry, I'm not much of a cameraman... but the message is from the heart!

Wordless Wednesday!

My Christmas wish!

Shepherds Rock!

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.  Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified,  but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!  And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

Glory to God in highest heaven,  and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”  Luke 2:8-14

Do you ever wonder why God, the great glorious maker of the universe, chose to announce the birth of His only Son, the Redeemer of mankind and King of the Earth, to a group of smelly, dirty shepherds?? 

Think about it. Shepherds at that time (and probably still today) were considered the lowest of workers. You could probably compare them today to garbage men or street cleaners. It was a very smelly, unskilled job and it certainly didn't command any respect or a decent salary. Shepherds were typically loners who spent weeks and months out tending the sheep. There weren't dressed well, smelled horribly, and probably didn't have an education. Most likely they were not invited to any fancy parties or feasts.

Yet out of all the people around at the time of Jesus's birth, God chose to announce it ONLY to a group of Shepherds!!  To compare with today, imagine Jesus being born in a back alley of some filthy city and God  announcing it to a group of homeless people.  Don't you love it when God does stuff like this? It's so like HIM!

Anyway, there's a few reasons I believe God chose the shepherds and I think we all can learn some lessons from these guys. Especially if you're like me, and you struggle to hear from God.

First of all these shepherds were humble. They had to be. They had nothing to be proud about. They had no real money or possessions, no high positions among the people. God gives grace to the humble, but He resists the proud.

Secondly, and equally as important, shepherds weren't busy. The job of a shepherd is simply to watch the sheep. He spends his time guiding them to green pastures then allows them to graze. He makes sure they have fresh water nearby and that they are safe from predators. That's it! So, much of their work is spent alone in peace and quiet not doing much of anything. I imagine shepherds had a lot of time to gaze up at the stars and think about things. They pondered life and if they believed in God, they probably prayed a lot. I'm reminded of King David, who was a shepherd as a young boy. I believe it was on the shepherd's field that David learned to hear from God and to trust God. It was those years of quiet reflection on God's power and goodness that made David into, as God would later call him, "A man after My own heart."  

So you see the shepherds were in the perfect position to actually hear the angel's announcement!  If God had sent angels to the priests in Jerusalem or the rulers in the palaces of Judea, do you think they would have heard them? I imagine, like most of us, the "Important" people were far too caught up in the business of life to actually hear from God.

This revelation really convicted me and really made me wonder how many times has God been talking to me and I haven't heard Him because I'm far too busy and caught up in the things of this world?  Maybe you've been asking God for an answer to something or you've been praying for something for a long time and God wants to answer you, to reassure you that He's working on it.. but every time He tries, your ears are closed.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to miss hearing from God. That would be the worst tragedy of my life. We certainly can't stop doing all the things we need to do, but perhaps we can rearrange our priorities a bit and spend some time just sitting and doing absolutely nothing but thinking of God and waiting for Him to speak. I'm really going to try and do this, and I urge you to set aside time each day for quiet reflection. My bet is that eventually God will show up Big time.

Who knows? We might be the ones to receive the announcement of His Second coming!

Yea for Pirates of the Caribbean!

Check this out!

Wordless Wednesday

All sails glutted with wind!

Don't be a burnt pancake!

Ephraim mixes himself among the peoples courting the favor of first one country, then another; Ephraim is a cake not turned. Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knows it not; yes, gray hairs are sprinkled here and there upon him, and he does not know it. Hosea 7:8-9

I ran across this phrase 'cake not turned' here in Hosea the other day and I stopped to think about it. I pictured this pancake bubbling and sizzling on the griddle, ready to be flipped so it's other side can be cooked, but nobody flips it over. So, what happens? It gets burned and is good for nothing but to be thrown in the garbage. You see, Ephraim was a tribe of Israel and indicative of what happened to all of Israel when they mixed with the heathen people around them and hence, turned away from God.

I think there's an avid warning in here from God. Basically He's saying Don't mix with the world. You see, the world and the culture around us has a very strong  appeal. Riches, fame, beauty, success, power, popularity.. whatever it might be that attracts you.
What are you courting today? Is there some area in your life where you are towing the line, flirting with the things of the world? Whether it be something as blatant as considering sex outside of marriage or drinking too much alcohol or taking drugs or stealing something or whether it be something as "innocent" and subtle as watching a TV show or movie that you shouldn't watch or engaging in gossip or cheating on your taxes. If you continue to Flirt with these things, believe me, you'll give in eventually (Take it from someone who knows!)

But then read the rest of the verse. Strangers have devoured his strength and gray hairs are sprinkled upon him and he doesn't know it!  I read this as meaning that when you mix with the world, the world steals all your strength and makes you old before your time.  You might still be saved and going to heaven, but your life here on earth would have been a waste. Do you know someone like this? I've seen countless "Christians" who have one foot in the Kingdom and one foot in the world and they are the most miserable people I know. And as they age, they seem to only get more and more depressed and angry. They do indeed seem much older than they are. Don't let that happen to you!  Don't be a burned pancake!!! The things of the world will NOT make you happy. It's a lie. I know. Because I've been on both sides and I can honestly say I will NEVER go back.

Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life  Matthew 16:26

A peek at Surrender the Dawn, and I'm hiring a crew!

I'm about halfway done with Surrender the Dawn, the third book in my Destiny series. This book doesn't release until August 2011 (which seems awfully far away!)  But that's the publishing business. I thought I'd tease you with the first 2 paragraphs:

March 26, 1814 Merchants Coffee House, Baltimore, Maryland

“Miss Channing, no privateer in his right mind would consider a woman investor. It is simply bad luck.”

Raucous laughter—all male—shot through the tiny coffee shop that smelled more like ale and sweat than coffee.

Wrinkling her nose beneath the odor and bracing her heart against the mounting impediment to her well-laid plans, Cassandra rose from her seat, avoiding the myriad cynical gazes fastened upon her. “It is merely foolish superstition, Mr. McCulloch. I assure you, my money is as good as any man’s.” 

Snickers and grins interspersed with the occasional salacious glance continued to fire her way. But Cassandra brushed them off as naught but excess chaff. After an hour of sitting in the muggy male-dominated room, listening to various merchants selling shares for the equipping of their vessels into privateers, she had grown numb to the attention.

When the customs agent had finally announced eight shares offered at two-hundred dollars each for the equipping of a Letter of Marque, the Contradiction—a one-hundred and three ton schooner out of Dorchester, housing one long nine, ten men and captained by Peter Pascal—Cassandra had raised her hand. With her one thousand dollars, she could purchase over half the shares rather than be one of many investors in a larger, better equipped ship. Owning more of a privateer meant higher returns. And she definitely was in dire need of higher returns.

  Also, if you got my newsletter, you were able to read an excerpt from Surrender the Night, which comes out in less than 3 months!  Which reminds me,  February is Surrender the Night month where each week on this blog, I'll be posting some interesting stuff about the book, included an in-depth look at the characters, interesting history I discovered, a trailer, and free excerpts. Plus everyone who enters will have a chance to win a free signed copy!
So tell your friends to drop by and enter! 

Also, next year, I'm recruiting hard-working, courageous, sea-faring men and women to be part of  "MaryLu's Motley Crew"   

Qualifications Include 

1. Ability and Desire to write reviews of my books on as many online bookstores you can find!
2. Willingness to hand out bookmarks (provided) to interested readers, bookstore clerks for stuffing in bags, and to secretly stuff them in the store's best-sellers! (Arg.. that be the sneaky stuff)
3. Willingness to mail out postcards (provided) to everyone on your mailing list
4. If you liked my book, tell as many friends and family you can find
5. Check local libraries and if they don't have my book, request it
6. If your church as a bookstore, tell them about my book. I'd be happy to send them a free copy if they'd like.
7. If you have a blog or are on Facebook, chat about my book 
8. If you know of any local bookclubs, suggest my book
9. Ability to pray and ask God to touch people's lives through not only my books, but other Christian authors

Wages

1. A free, signed copy of each new release
2. Free bookmarks, postcards and fridge magnets (for handing out but you can keep some too!)
3. Your picture displayed on the crew page of my website. 
4. Access via a password to a secret part of my website (the captain's cabin) where you will get privileges no one else will receive (this is still in the works)
5. An additional gift, yet to be determined, but something associated with each new book, like a coffee mug, pen, or totebag, bubble bath...etc.

So think about it. If ye think ye've got the stuff to join me crew, send me your name, address, your mugshot, how many of my books have you read, a list of reviews and other things you've already done, if any,  and a signed statement saying you agree on pain of death to do all the things listed above. I'm thinking I need to limit the number of my crew (or the ship will sink!) So get your name in early.  If for some reason, you can't or are unable or not interested in doing the requirements, please don't apply. I won't hold it against ye, but I need a crew that won't mutiny on me. I'm sure ye understand.
Send your applications to:   marylu@mltyndall.com and put MaryLu's Crew as the subject.

Wordless Wednesday!

Come sail with me upon the glassy sea!

Support our troops!

Got this from Tori Duemling... and wanted to pass it along. I'm going to definitely do this!


Xerox has apparently been doing this since 2006.  The site was great, the choices beautiful, and it seemed a very secure way to show appreciation to our soldiers.  I really enjoyed reading replies from the soldiers.
 
 XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL
 
If you go to this web site, www.LetsSayThanks.com  you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.
 
How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!!    It is FREE and it only takes a second.
 
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?    Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them.
 
This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you.    Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do.  We can never say enough thank you's.
 
Thanks for taking to time to support our military!
___________________________________

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge

I found these Scriptures in Hosea 4 the other day and the similarities to the current state of our great nation sent a chill when down my back.

The more they increased and multiplied in prosperity and power, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame. (Aren't we the wealthiest and most powerful nation on earth? Has it caused us to draw close to God or turn away from Him?)

They feed on the sin of My people and set their heart on their iniquity....(Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Gen 6:5.  God destroyed man at that time with a flood. Aren't we just like this now?)

For they shall eat and not have enough; they shall play the harlot and beget no increase, because they have forsaken the Lord for harlotry; (harlotry = serving other gods. Isn't it true that no matter how many things or money some people have, they are never satisfied?)

Harlotry and wine and new wine take away the heart and the mind and the spiritual understanding. (Rejecting God and spending your time partying dull your spiritual understanding. I can attest to this personally in my younger years. In whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Cor 4:4.)

My people habitually ask counsel of their senseless wood idols, and their staff of wood gives them oracles and instructs them. (Idols are anything we put ahead of God, such as money, power, fame, sex, people, jobs, looks. How many people rely on these things to save them and make them happy?)

For the spirit of harlotry has led them astray and they have played the harlot, withdrawing themselves from subjection to their God.... (We've taken God out of the home, our schools, most churches, and our government)


Therefore the people without understanding shall stumble and fall and come to ruin. 

Pray for our country! 

Amazing event at a Mall Food court!

Check this out!! 

Please pray for America!

Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis--a conviction in the mind of the people that those liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that His justice cannot sleep forever.   Thomas Jefferson

Our founding fathers were geniuses! They knew (and had experienced) the inherit evil nature of man, and that some men in their greed for power would always try and rule over others. After all, most of them came from England where the King ruled supreme and where the church was part of the government. They knew that only people who believed in God and by His grace aspired to be moral, could actually govern themselves. A strong belief in something greater than yourself and in an ultimate judgment for your actions here on earth, is the only true restraint on bad behavior and provides a natural break on unconstrained capitalism.

Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.  Benjamin Franklin

Our constitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other.  John Adams

Our forefathers wanted power spread out among the states and the people in the states and they wanted a SMALL central government. They knew that if the national government ever grew too large, the freedom of the people would diminish. And that is exactly what has happened to our country. Not only have we turned away from God and are therefore no longer a moral people, but our government in Washington has exploded. We have departments governing nearly every aspect of life: Education, Transportation, Finance, Property, Retirement, Welfare, Health Care....etc  In 72 of the last 100 years, our government has spent more than it has taken in. Spending on our entitlement programs such as Social Security and Welfare gobble up most of our taxes. Our debt is out of control and there are nearly 5 million people currently on welfare.

We are no longer a Republic, but are shifting towards a socialist state where the government takes care of the people, but in return we lose our freedom, and with our freedom, we lose our zeal, our reason to go on. The American dream will die beneath a pile of bureaucracy and regulations and we will become zombies of the State. We will be told what to eat, what to wear, where to work, how much money we can make.  Don't believe me? Look at the history of Germany, Russia, or Czechoslovakia.

I don't mean to be gloomy, especially during Christmas season, but I fear for my country. And my biggest fear is that most people are sound asleep and either have no idea what is going on, or are so self-absorbed that they won't take the time to find out, or worse, they just don't care. And one day, they'll wake up and find their freedom gone. Forever.

Please wake up and pray for America!             

Wordless Wednesday!

If you love Tall ships like I do, this is a great view!

Just a few items lying atop me desk!