From Marie with Love

it's 2012!

2012-01-20T20:58:00.000-08:00

      Wow, and one of my New Year's resolutions is going to be to keep up with my blog. The only other resolution I made was to give up sweets. (This is no biggie for me; I do it all the time.) However, last night at a college faculty meeting I ate a cookie. I just up and ate it, just like that. I didn't even think about it. It was one of those oatmeal raisin cookies we tell ourselves are healthy. haha. I've given up sweets for a year at a time and so it's kinda fun actually. I get to be creative with fruits. (Ixnay on the oatmeal raisin cookies, Marie.)
     Fruit; yes, praise God for fruit. Which brings to mind the fruit of the Spirit. I love it that faith is not only a fruit of the Spirit, but a gift of the Spirit as well. We're covered. God surrounds us with faith opportunities. We can never exhaust the subject of faith. It's new every morning, like His faithfulness. I feel like meditating on that point right now.
     Well, I'm excited about 2012, are you? I join the other prophets' words expressing great things for God's children this year.  Great things happen by our agreeing with His will.
     My book, THE EMANCIPATION OF ROBERT SADLER has been re-released this month. Oh, please do check it out. This man, Robert Sadler, sold as a slave when he was a boy of five -- and one of the greatest human beings I've ever known. His story is amazing. You can get it on Amazon or buy it from me -- just go to my website, www.mariechapian.com -- It's also in Christian bookstores everywhere, published by Bethany House.
     And the book I wrote with John Ramsey comes out next month. Talk about a modern day Job. He's the sweetest, kindest man who ever walked the earth -- and the father of the little beauty queen, JonBenet Ramsey who was murdered in their family basement the day after Christmas in 1996. The name of the book is THE OTHER SIDE OF SUFFERING.  It's a must-read book.
     If Robert Sadler and John Ramsey can overcome, we can too.
     Praise God, it's going to be a great year of overcoming and prevailing and fulfilling the will of God. Agreed?
     Love, Marie

2011-12-14T15:13:00.000-08:00

Overwhelming Abundant Good Peaceful Contented Sweet - I could come up with a pageful of adjectives to express my prayers for this sacred season. Each year I feel a more intense pull to the holiness of this set-apart time -- that is, if we can permit it to be a "set-apart" time. What I mean is, a time to pull away, not into the swirl of busyness and stress. Oh thanks, Marie, how do we do that at Christmas? I think, for me, it's by concentrating on my inner life, by looking within. I may have more demands and pressures put on me than ever, but my mind is fixed on the words, "Peace I give you, not as the world gives..." and "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me..." (that includes being happy).

Christmas and Chanukah and all holidays ask a little more of us than everyday life. And they can be difficult to navigate through. If it's not stress, it's depression. That's why it's important to focus within.

We need to see ourselves as beautiful and cherished by God Almighty. We need to rest in that knowledge even while buzzing about doing our stuff. Money is always an issue, no matter how much we have or don't have. I go through some pretty lean sacred seasons and I handle the situation exactly as I handle all issues of my sacred life-- by proclaiming His Word into my spirit. I choose to "seek first the Kingdom of God," which means I live by faith, not by sight; which means I put on the "full armour," which means I take life to the full, Abundant, Good, Peaceful and Sweet. I suffer NO lack because I'm filled with His Spirit, all things working together for good, always prospering, always bearing fabulous fruit, always strengthened and chosen to prove Him and His glory.

Just like you!
Have a sweet Jesus Christmas and Chanukah -- know how loved you are!

2011-11-25T14:38:00.001-08:00

What is Black Friday? Today, black Friday, people are rushing to hit the big sales. You’ve seen the photos, watched the News, and maybe you’re out there right now pulling in the bargains. People ask me where the name came from. Well, Black Friday is a good name because it means a day for businesses to try to get into the “black” and out of the “red.” So when you’re bringing home that $200 42” TV from Best Buy you’re helping them get out of the red at the same time you’re getting an amazing deal.

Me, I’m not into Black Friday. Not because I don’t want to help boost the economy or empty my own pockets, but because I honestly and truly don’t like shopping even on a day without crowds and bargains. It’s one of my weirdities. When my kids were growing up I’d take them to Macy’s or some other store with big expanses with racks of clothes and buy their clothes for the whole season. Clerks loved to see me coming. Heaps and heaps of clothes, whole outfits, shoes, accessories – all at once. The kids loved it, and I was thrilled to get it over with.

In her last years I bought my mom’s wardrobes and instead of giving her a sweater at Christmas or a new coat or whatever, I’d take her to Dayton’s (Minneapolis) and just buy for the whole year. Clerks loved to see us coming. My mother loved it. I loved it, and then we’d have lunch.

My daughter is the World’s Greatest Shopper (can we be related?) That girl can sniff out a bargain a mile away. Today, Black Friday, she’s not at Best Buy or Macy’s, she’s thrumming out the 50% off thrift stores. She’ll come home with designer dresses for 25 ¢ each. When we were in New York for my other daughter’s art opening, she bought so much stuff I didn’t think she’d get on the airplane with it all. Me, I think I bought one book at the MOCA museum store.

Books, yes, I’ll buy books. I’m a writer after all, I buy books. I don’t check out the best sellers from the library, I buy them. I buy non-best sellers; I buy books. I tell my writer-students, “Writers read. Writers buy books.” But when it comes time to get an outfit to speak in or a new pair of boots, I’ll do anything to put off shopping. “Heavens, I can’t go shopping. I’ve got to paint the garage.” Any excuse will do.

So imagine my anxieties at Christmas. I’ll never forget the time I did all my Christmas shopping at once at CostCo. I mean it, all of it, at once. I hauled this enormous dolly heaped with toys and food and clothes and electronics – I mean, heaped with stuff – I could hardly roll the thing to the check-out. The guy behind me in line was so shocked I could hear him muttering to himself, and I know he was thanking his lucky stars I wasn’t his wife. Finally, he said to me, “Girl, you are 86’d! You cannot buy another thing. Have you got that? You cannot buy another thing.”

(The term “86” means you’re done. You’re out of here.)

I laughed so hard. He had no idea that I covered every Christmas need in ONE trip, including the extension cord for the lights.

Enough about me. What are YOU doing today?

Hello Winter

2011-11-05T21:35:00.001-07:00

Did you stand at the edge of something green or flowering and wave bye-bye to summer? And then in the fallen leaves looking up through bare branches at a pale sky, did you wave bye-bye to autumn? Now here we are, with arms open wide welcoming winter. Oh, I know we don’t look forward to 20 below zero weather, ice storms and blizzards, but there’s certain majesty in all seasons, don’t you think? A certain integrity of the seasons themselves. I grew up in Minnesota where the winters were bitter, mean and furious. From the third through the sixth grade we lived in North Dakota and I still have dreams about those winters in Grand Forks. We walked to school atop mountainous icy snow banks – it was joyous! We built caves, igloos, and forts in the snow. We had to make our own hills if we wanted to go sliding – but we skated until our noses and toes almost fell off. I froze my hands and feet more than once in those winters. I live in California now and I can’t say I miss the harsh winters of my childhood, but I do miss the child who loved them.

Now when I’m traveling in severe winter weather I think of flights canceled, bad roads, traffic, shoveling, skidding on ice, car trouble … I’d like to find that girl with four sweaters under her snowsuit, two pairs of mittens on her hands, and with her little brother, plunk down in the perfect snow and stick out my tongue for the snowflakes to land. I’d like to squeal with laughter with my brother again as the snowflakes pool on our faces and tangle in our eyelashes— I’d like to love the world like that little girl who dreamed only in the present and worried about nothing.

Delight yourself in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). Praise God. Hello winter!

Day of Atonement

2011-10-07T13:16:00.000-07:00

Heavens, I can't believe it's been three months since I've blogged. I've been working around the clock and burning the midnight oil writing new books and though it's been an amazing time in the Lord, I've lost my sense of time. Forgive me! It's Yom Kippur, the most beautiful High Holiday -- To rejoice and celebrate with our Messiah Yeshuah is beyond glorious, isn't it? This is such a vital moment in human history and if we are the Benjamin Generation, we're truly in a good place.
I had a dream two nights ago I want to tell you about. My Father was showing me His fields and I just loved those fields, so beautiful and golden and rich. He was talking to me about strategy to make them even more beautiful, and it was the happiest, most loving dream! When I awoke and thought it, I realized the fields my Father showed me were all ripe for harvest! The wheat whsipering in the wind, all beautiful and perfect for harvesting. (Joel 3:13; Matthew 9:37)
The word I'm hearing for us is Be Brave. We are in an appointed time to prosper, grow, be healed, restored and to go forth fearlessly shining as His reflection in this world as never before. He's calling us to His ripe fields -- The fields are His, so we're in the right place, His fields just ready for harvest. "Not by might and not by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts ..." (Zechariah 4:6) He's giving us fresh strategies, direction and Holy Spirit anointing for this hour. Our job? Be Brave.
Loved, Rejoicing, and His,
Marie

2011-06-30T23:26:00.000-07:00

I have this dream to live in the woods as a monastic -- at least for a few months.  Me, God, and the woods. As soon as I finish the book I'm writing now, I think I'll head for the woods.
I live a contempletive life pretty much now anyhow, studying Benedict's Rule and living a life of prayer, contending for others, nations, etc. etc..
The book I'm writing now is with Miles McPherson, who's picture is posted on the sidebar of this blog-- Former NFL football player, he's an amazing man of God, full of zeal and a dynamic preacher. He pastors the mega church here in San Diego called Rock Church. I'm pretty much sealed into this book because of our deadline. It's about IM AGE. (Do you love it?)   My work days never end until the wee hours of the morning, and that's fine because the Benedictines rise at 3 a.m. for prayer and I can join them right here from my writing sudio. (does that count for discipline? eh eh)
The writing life is not very glamorous, but I consider the life truly blessed. Just me, God and the computer (and in this case, just me, God, the computer and Miles McPherson -- haha)
"Monastic spirituality calls us to see everything and everyone - including ourselves - as holy. The tools of the kitchen and the office are to be regarded as sacred vessels. The places in our heart where we wrestle are to be embraced with kindness. The person who irritates us or makes us feel fearful is a window into how God is at work in our lives. Being a monk in the world means that there are no more divisions between sacred and secular."

Big Jesus hug,
Marie

MY DAD'S ITALIAN, MY MOTHER'S JEWISH, AND I'M IN THERAPY

2011-05-07T17:03:00.000-07:00

Well, not really.
The therapy part, that is. Although every time I finish writing a book I'm in a duel state of exhaustion and exhileration. Good thing Dr. Jesus has open hours day and night. I just finished writing the book, THE OTHER SIDE OF SUFFERING, which is the John Ramsey story. (At least I hope it's finished.) You may recall the name John Ramsey. He's the father of the little girl, JonBene't Ramsey who was murdered on Christmas Day, 1996.

John is a wonderful Christian and the book is his story of how he has dealt with the huge, huge losses in his life. I spent a year on the book, what with the miles and miles of research I did in order to write it. It was a painful journey following his life-- but praise God, I see even more clearly now how the Lord holds onto His beloved ones. It will be published in 2012 by Hachette Publishers.

We had a fabulous time of ministry in Chicago. Were you there? The meetings were wonderful. I especially love my all-day seminars wherever I am, in any town. A whole day to teach and pray and see God move is absolute heaven. We see miracles of every kind. We are now putting together the recordings to make them available on my website.

I now begin writing a book called I.M.A.G.E. IS EVRYTHING with the amazing Miles McPherson who pastors the mega ROCK CHURCH of over 10,000 young people in San Diego. I'm telling you, fifteen minutes in the presence of this man and you feel like you've been ignited by matches from your belly button to your eyebrows. I've never met anyone with more energy. He's all fire, and the great thing is, his fire is all Jesus.

Pray for me & know I'm praying for you.
His grateful servant, Marie

HANDLING HARDSHIP WITH A PEACEFUL HEART

2011-04-13T18:48:00.001-07:00

     Here are some words that had a big influence on my spiritual walk:
JOY NEEDS PAIN TO GIVE IT BIRTH. I think of something D.L. Moody once said, too--   "How can one tell if a stick is straight?" He answered himself with, " Lay it beside a crooked one." For me happiness is so much more rich when it comes to me after a period of hardship or trial. I decided years ago to find joy in the trials.  The crooked stick beside the straight one is not the one to follow. I don't want to waste pain no matter what form it comes. I began sharing in my conferences and meetings how not to waste our pain. (You can order the CD at my website http://www.mariechapian.com/ )
     Just to grit our teeth and hang on in times of deep suffering is exhausting, and it leads to frustration and despair. I don't know about you, but I don't like despair. (Know anyone who does? haha) When I'm depressed I know it's because I'm not hearing God in the situation; I'm not somehow cognizant of His role in my life-- mainly, I'm not fully in possesssion of the fact that my life is His. Nothing is safer or smarter than self-abandonment in this God-walk of ours. We live our "selfness" in Him, and sometimes that our "self" can get a bit obscured with our unruly thought habits.
     I think we're hard on ourselves. I think we demand too much of ourselves. I think we get all bamboozled with trying to achieve and produce and accomplish-- and we depress ourselves when we can't seem to do all we think we should be doing.    That might sound simplistic, but I know that when I have a thousand things I absolutely have to do I sometimes just lock up and can't do anything. I tell my writers in my writing classes that the state called "writer's block" is usually when the task is just too big you lock up and can't write a thing. I have methods I teach to overcome this state, of course.
     But what about suffering? What about the state of our souls when we're suffering? Many of us just lock up and can't do a thing outside of the suffering itself.
     God speaks to us in the moment. He lives in the present moment, right now, right here. We have to see Him as He is in this moment. And He is always Love. We have to understand that our suffering settles us in the divine furnace of His love, which is far greater than anything.
     We (I) need to commit every particle of our being in all things, down to the smallest deatails of our lives, eagerly and with perfect trust to our unfailing and most perfect, loving Creator.  The most perfect act of our love for the Lord is to suffer with grace -- and with faith. These two sublime elements produce a form of peace that baffles reason. It attracts the favor of the angels and the Lord Himself, and healing and deliverance are ours.
     He loves it when we discard our complaints and our begging-- and His Holy Spirit rejoices with us as we rejoice in Him.
     I just want to encourage you today to rejoice, rejoice, rejoice. Thank Him for everything in your life because it's all for the purpose of making you strong and wise and like Jesus Himself. We're made in His image. I want to be thankful at all times, don't you? Like Paul? "I have learned in whatsoever state I'm in therewith to be content."
     See you in Chicago April 15-19. I'll be at the Skokie Aglow on April 15 if you can make it. I think the seminars may be full. Contact judybozman@sbcglobal.net

THE BEAUTY OF FRIENDS

2011-03-21T23:40:00.000-07:00

I'm someone who treasures old friendships. If you and I knew each other in grade school, I promise I'll be the most faithful friend ever. If we were pals twenty years ago and lost touch and we re-connect, I'm a pal forever.
Which reminds me of a funny story. I met a guy a while back who was born in the same hospital at the same time as I was. His mother and mine were in labor together. He insisted since we knew each other from the womb we were destined for each other. (There's a new line for you! Ha!)
I hold friendships very close to my heart, and it's probably because I'm a public person and people tend to come and go in my life. My dear friend Becky, for example, who was my best friend when we were raising our children will always be precious to my heart, and we're close to this day. My dear friend Judy, who was my friend when I was in Bible college in Chicago, remains one of my closest friends, as well as so many others, like Doris, who has remained close through all the years, and Lorraine who I love like a sister ever since we met at Moody Bible Institute--
And just yesterday I reuinited with a beloved friend from my days in New York City as an aspiring actress. Peggy was, and is, a jazz singer and we were best friends while we were working our way to the "top." When I got married I decided to leave show business, and I lost touch with Peggy. What a fantastic blessing from God to bring us together again. She loves the Lord and I feel so honored to have such a long-lasting and endearing friendship.
I love new friendships too, of course-- and must warn you, if you're a new friend-- you better get used to me because I take friendship seriously. If I call you "friend" you'll be forever important to me.
And by the way, the guy who said we knew each other from the womb? He married one of my best friends from high school.

A SWEET JESUS DAY

2011-02-18T01:00:00.000-08:00

I always tell my kids on the way to school or wherever, "Have a sweet Jesus day," and then at the end of the day I ask them, "Did you have a sweet Jesus day?" In the morning, "Did you have a sweet Jesus sleep?"
Do you know, they have never, ever answered No. It's always Yes. Never No.
I've come to the conclusion it is just impossible to have a bad Jesus day. I mean, when you've been blessed and prayed over and loved into the Kingdom, how can the day be "bad?" Well, that's not to say we have no trials or troubles, but a sweet Jesus day takes the sting out of trouble, takes the ouch out of sorrow or pain.
I've just finished writing a book about the most extreme suffering I've ever heard of in an American family, and yet I can see the sweet Jesus day occuring in their lives through it all. (I'll tell you more about this book in later blogs) I'm also preparing "The Emancipation of Robert Sadler" for re-publication, and working on that book with its horrors of slavery is utterly wipe-outsville, and my tears are rusting out my keyboard-- yet again, through it all, there's a Sweet Jesus Day. Victory, joy and the power of overcoming and prevailing in Christ Jesus.
So have a sweet Jesus day, dear one-- and when you sleep tonight have a sweet Jesus sleep.
You're very much loved.
Love, Marie

DO YOU LOVE TO READ?

2011-02-04T21:04:00.000-08:00

I read a survey taken recently to see which cities in the USA were the most well-read. Guess what the two top cities were. -- New York City and Minneapolis, Minnesota. This just confirms my personal theory that when the weather is bad we tend to become more cerebral. Blizzards and snow storms inspire us to read, to study, to learn something. At least that's my thought. (I wonder if the bookstores and libraries are packed with readers now that these winter storms are hurtling about the nation.) Me, a transplanted Minnesotan/New Yorker, to live in Southern California where it doesn't snow, I find it amazing at the huge number of readers I encounter. With the beach calling and the surf boards glistening, there are still vast numbers of readers curled up in well-lighted corners with a book. Granted, we're surrounded by colleges and universities and book clubs on every corner, but isn't it something that in a part of the country known mainly for its year-round tans and Mexican food that people are reading?

I like to read after dinner and before bed. The only problem with that is if I'm really engaged in a book, I'll read into the wee hours and my schedule will become skewed. The other night I was re-reading THE EMANCIPATION OF ROBERT SADLER, and when I looked up, it was 5:30 in the morning! (And it's not just because I wrote the book either! Ha) BTW, The book is coming out again next January, and I couldn't be happier. This story has to be heard again.

As a writer, I read all the time, of course. I read for the sheer love of words. One book that kept me up late is THROUGH IT ALL HE WAS THERE by Sharon Libby, who writes about her life in a wheelchair as a post-polio victim. She's a friend and a beautiful person, and I highly recommend her book. You can order it directly from Sharon at http://www.sharonlibby.com/

I hope we meet in a book! I love hearing from you.
Love, Marie

MAKING CHANGES FOR THE NEW YEAR!

2011-01-18T21:39:00.001-08:00

Wow. I just had arthoscopic knee surgery for a torn medial miniscus. If you ever have to have surgery, this is the one to have. I was on crutches one day and walking the next, taking stairs the next and out with the dogs in four days -- not without limitations, of course, nor some pain, and I did a lot of work in my Sofa Office. haha -- but I'm pretty much back to normal and it hasn't been quite two weeks yet. (No marathons this month.)
My only marathons are book deadlines. I can't wait to tell you about the book I just finished, but since it takes a whole year before it comes out, I might as well wait. Now I'm clearing my desk to begin the next deadline.Some people might not think it's all that thrilling to spend endless hours day and night alone in a room writing, but to me it's the most exciting life. I've taught college fiction, poetry and screen writing for a number of years, and now I've taken off to concentrate soley on the books God has given me to write.
I sometimes miss the students, but then I also miss my former patients from when I was doing counseling full-time, too.
Oh life is full of changes, isn't it?
Which brings me to the subject of change. The number eleven, as in 2011, means transition, and that means change. We are going to be making changes in our lives, in our choices, in our mindsets, and even in direction throughout the coming year.
We can be in charge of those changes by being aware, first of all, of what needs change in our lives. Once we set our minds to make changes that honor God and His Kingdom, He will send angels and His Holy Spirit to make sure we succeed. Also, we're going to see changes that God initiates, and they will be for our good and for His good. The past is over and gone; we are on to new things in God.
"My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish My good pleasure..."
(Isaiah 46:10b)
A hundred million blessings,
Marie

Christmas/Chanukah Beauty

2010-12-06T18:20:00.000-08:00

I'm celebrating the artistry of God; how magical is His creation. Today as I was walking a hiking trail I found a long patch of wild lavender and the aroma swept me away. I wanted to lie down in it (the bees may not have apreciated that. haha) Lavender not only has the sweet purple blooms, but the delicious calming aroma. Just breathing in the lavender was like taking a journey into a place of sweet peace. Then as I walked further I found wild fennel and wild rosemary. I plucked a couple sprigs of rosemary and leaves of fennel and hiked carrying them under my nose breathing in their pungent freshness like someone intoxicated. Even the scrub and the cactii seemed to glow in the shards of light between the barren branches of trees surrounding the trail. I like hiking hills because I like the workout, but the real thrill is the splay of sun on my face, the perfumes of the wild, the sound of birds, wind and silence-- and the solitude with God. The trail is my sanctuary.

But then I could say wherever I am is my sanctuary-- the writing studio, the easel, the car, the gym, wherever, because where we are, God is, right? Right. How blessed we are to be able to tap into His wonders and experience His creation.

Of course, we're all stunned it's already the Christmas season, and you should see the decorations and lights on the homes around here. Lighted reindeer with bobbing heads, giant blow-up snow men, forests of lighted plastic Christmas trees, santas on roofs, lights dripping from every eave and window ledge; singing mailboxes, oh it's a wonder. Me, I usually get into the spirit with a wreath on the door, pointsettas on the steps, but it always seems the Christmas season happens when I'm in the middle of a writing deadline or else in the throes of school finals, and it takes me a while to get into the mode. I love Jesus 365 days a year, and celebrate the glory and beauty of His birth 365 days a year, but Christmas involves a ton more responsibilities and work, doesn't it? I look forward to the day when December shows up on the calendar and I don't have a thing to do all month except prepare for, and enjoy Christmas (in another lifetime, right?).
Have you ever found yourself still shopping on Christmas Eve? And then, don't forget Chanukah, December 1-9. We light the first candles on Day One. This is such a wonderful holy time, so much less stressful, and so beautiful. We sing, we play the dreidel, we give gelt to the children (so they learn how give) and we dance-- and we EAT. Oi vay, we eat very oily food, and also dairy food.

I'd love to hear how you handle this season; I mean the stress of it. Do you recognize Chanukah? Ae you ready for Santa? How is Jesus (Yeshua) treating you? I'm sending you sweet peace and love--

Alone with God

2010-10-23T00:07:00.000-07:00

The Lord is doing a new thing and He wants His children in on it. I am in a set-apart place, away from the mainstream, separate from the loudness of the world and its busy-ness. It's a place of quiet and work. I'm writing my new book, alone with God and my work-- but I'm not without trials. Constant interruptions, problems surround me left and right, yet I feel in the midst of all storms I can create my own private sancutary and retreat. We don't always need the bucolic bliss of solitude beside a mountain stream, or a month at the seashore-- we can create our own retreat in the midst of the storm, like the cleft of the rock. I think I'd like to name my writing studio "Cleft of the Rock." I've been calling it my Upper Room, but it's more than that. My Upper Room has congealed to the size of a pocket cleft, yet by the Spirit of God, embraces the entire world.
I can do nothing without Him. The truth is, I don't want to do anything without Him. How foolsih would that be? I'm accustomed to separating myself from the world and locking myself away with the Lord Jesus alone-- this is nothing new-- yet, somehow this time set apart from the world around me, it feels fresh and new, like it's the first time I ever fasted and prayed. I miss the woods and the hills and the sunrises and sunsets, but up here in my attic studio, I am with Him, alone with Him, and that's better than anything.

2010-10-12T22:54:00.000-07:00

I've been travelling this past weekend-- and I've seen enough of airplanes and airports to last me at least two weeks (when I travel again)-- I have been working off-and-on at a collection of travel stories and one of them deals with the way people eat when away from home. Have you ever noticed the truck loads of junk food in airports and the hoards of people gobbling it up? I wonder if we don't just lose our minds when we're between two points. It's somewhat the same when when we're on vacation. (not that I'm EVER on vacation! I'm not sure what that means--) But I've noticed when I'm in a town speaking or when tourists come to our town, anything goes in the food department. "Pass the junk, I'm temporarily insane," seems to be the credo. I can usually tell the locals because they're the ones eating salads and no dessert. The tourists are packing away the deep fried fish and mud pie.
I had long airport delays and lay-overs this trip, and when I realized I had to eat something I found myself in that vacant-head mode and ordered food I simply NEVER eat. (I'm a sort of a quasi-health food guru-- you know, the carrot-carrying party-poop with celery in her ears and everything organic and whole grain?--) So there I am in the Travers City airport with three hours to kill and I'm eating cherry pie. (The last time I ate cherry pie was probably when I was four.) I had to run to find a mirror to see if I was the same person. I had a sudden craving for french fries and I noticed everyone around me was wolfing in unhealthy, greasy, sugary, gluey food too-- faces empty, eyes stuck to screens of past football games on the many TV monitors. I tell you, travel is not just about getting from here to there, it's about maintaining a sense of self and purpose. I said no to the french fries, bought a bottle of water (a 10cent bottle of water is $3.49 in airports-- don't get bitter) and found a seat in the boarding area to work on my book.
The book I'm currently working on is a true story-- heart-wrenching and shocking. I'll tell you all about it as soon as I'm nearing its completion. Please pray for me-- send up a "Help her, Jesus" as I plug away on it.
Here's sending you love and health and good choices--

2010-09-27T05:53:00.000-07:00

     Who is a heroine? As much as I'm impressed with Joan of Arc if I had a choice I'd probably choose to hang out with Mother Teresa.   And if you had a choice of who to live next door to-- Queen Esther, Mother Angelica or Joyce Meyer, who do you think you'd run over to borrow a cup of sugar from? Which one would answer the door, or invite you in for a cup of tea? And if you had a choice of who to sit next to on an airplane, would it be Amy Semple McPherson, Kathryn Kuhlman or Wendy Alec? Which one would share her chips with you, engage in a conversation, ask about your family? And if you had a serious problem you needed help with, which Bible character would you like to sit down with you?--  Miriam, the sister of Moses;  Sarah, the wife of Abraham; Mary Magdelene, or Priscilla?   Who do think could be a true gal pal or your best friend?-- Deborah, Elizabeth, Heidi Baker, Sarah Palin?
     I think of the famous women of faith who have made their mark in history and I wonder how many of them would want to know me. When you name your favorite Bible heroine, do you think she'd want to be your friend?  We admire them, but do you think she would admire us? Is our favorite Bible heroine the kind of woman who would care about our lives as much as her own?
     How about our contemporaries? I have the privilege of knowing and spending time with some of our most well-known female leaders, and there certain qualities they each share. One: they're busy. (It's a given. Famous people are busy.) Two: they're vitally concerned with their own ministry and calling. Three: they're anointed with favor. I could add a fourth quality because I've observed those who are the most genuine and pure-hearted in their life and work are blessed with a godly wisdom that is really wonderful. and refreshing. I love being around people who are kind, caring and also wise.
     I'm truly thankful to know great women of faith who are not world famous, but who are huge influences in my life. My personal Bible favorites like Deborah and Ruth, brave women, are treasured in my heart, but the true heroines in my life are my friends, the ones who pray for me, love me and actually care about me, my life, my family, my calling. These are the ones I appreciate, want to honor and celebrate the most.
     Being on the stage performing in plays and musicals is a wonderful career, but when the curtain comes down there needs to be a true friend waiting in the wings to walk home with. When I was in the theatre I found that friend in the Lord Jesus, my true hero. In every woman whom I consider a heroine I will always see His face, hear His heartbeat, and rejoice in the beauty of His presence.

Yom Kippur 2010

2010-09-19T01:44:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year to us all! There's a wonderful Jewish song that talks about things being better next year, which is kind of the DNA of Jewish thinking. Things will always be better, God willing. Oi.  Have some apple dipped in honey for a sweet New Year. This is my favorite time of year because I absolutely love Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. To me it all speaks of what Jesus (Yeshua) did on the cross for us. Late tonight I danced away in the kitchen to the beautiful, exhuberant Hebrew songs and my kids watched somewhat amazed (disinterested is more like it) -- but with my Jewish blood I can't help myself. I love the Israeli dancing, love it, love it. When I dance in the circle with other dancers it's like personifying the wind.  Jesus (Yeshua) is the Lord of Dance-- I imagine He must have loved to dance. I know He danced because all Jews all over the world at least dance the Hora.
Kol Nidre, which is sung on Yom Kippur, asks God to forgive us of the sins we may commit in the coming year. We bless one another with the words, Leshanah tovah tikateiv veteichateim, "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year."   We toss from us the sins and shortcomings of the past year and start the new year with a clean slate. The service of Tashlich has us off to the ocean, sea, lake or river to recite the Tashlich prayers and symbolically cast our sins into the water, in evocation of the verse, "And You shall cast their sins into the depths of the sea." This takes some serious honesty with onesself and the walk in holiness before the Lord. To me the active practice of ridding ourselves of past defeats, sins, failures is quite beautiful. In my former practice as a psychotherapist I would have certain patients physically engage in the act of writing out their faiures, sins, shameful deeds guilt-producing acts, thoughts -- on pieces of paper and then tossing them into a fire ( I didn't have a lake or river in the office) -- and together with therapy and the Holy Spirit, miracles happened in these dear people's lives. (We tend to remember experiences that we take an active part in.)
Placed under the blood of Jesus, the One who is our atonement, makes these ancient Jewish High Holy days rich and freeing-- makes forgiveness so incredibly beautiful.  I know that as followers of Jesus we are under Grace now -- and I know "religion" puts us under a sort of bondage-- but we would do good to look at the beauty of these High Holy Days, and indeed all the feasts and festivals, and feel their deep spiritual embrace.
So what has Yom Kippur have to do with a life in the theatre, you may wonder. My answer to that question? --Everything. Yeshua, our Atonement, releases us to be all that we can be in Him on this earth. You and I were destined for freedom, saved by His Grace-- no longer forced to carry the weight of the world on our backs.   Wow. Leshanah tovah . Happy New Year. May you be inscribed and sealed for a truly good year.

Welcome Home

2010-09-11T22:09:00.000-07:00

Welcome home.
I knew I was home and okay with the Lord when I saw the fresh expansiveness of one Ethel Barrett. She showed me I wasn't weird or outrageous even though I could sing and dance and act. God was okay with who I was! I had tried hard to be what I thought the Lord preferred-- a girl in a high-buttoned shirt with head bowed, hopefully with some talent at the piano. I took piano lessons, but after months of practicing six hours a day it became clear I'd never lead worship anwhere. I wrote, of course; I always written poems and stories -- I wrote for magazines and Christian newspapers, I wrote children's church curriculum, I wrote a line of gift cards, I wrote radio and television scripts, but I never thought of myself as a writer -- that is, until my first book was published: City Pslams (Moody Press), a book of poetry that the Chicago News named Poetry Book of the Year. I'd been writing poetry since I could remember-- and now here I was, published and recognized. This was shocking. I bought a pair of glasses to look more intellecutal and poet-y, and staggered around dizzy as a clock. The glasses actually made me nauseous.
I put away my tap shoes and my toe shoes and pulled out the (gasp) typewriter! (Yes, typewriter. One of my young writing students asked me the other day if I knew how one of those things worked. I laughed, shrugged-- how could this boy understand that I had actually composed two full-length 300-page books on a typewriter?) You may not believe this, but our book & tape order department in my ministry offfice uses a typewriter to type labels. The orders we send out go with love, let me tell you.
'Til next time--
Dancing IN the stars--
Marie

A SURPRISE A DAY

2010-08-24T20:29:00.000-07:00

Every day brings new surprises. I remember when I was in Bible college there was a woman named Ethel Barrett who recorded children’s stories, and since my ministry was focused on children, writing for children, performing for children, leading junior churches, child evangelism, etc., I listened to her tell Bible stories more than most kids. I loved Ethel Barrett and learned much from her. She said something in an interview that I have never forgotten. She said if she had one piece of advice to give it would be to find the adventure in every day. Well! Adventure! Every day! (That’s fine for you to say, Ethel, but the rest of us--) She said she looked for a surprise in every day. (So typical for a children’s story teller, right?) But because I was a good student, and because I loved children, and because I loved Ethel Barrett, I decided to show the Lord how much I loved Him by taking her advice.

It worked. I can’t think of a day in my life that hasn’t brought at least one surprise. I call them blessings, I call them adventures. I call them “interesting.” I’ve even managed a way to find depression interesting. (I write about it—I tell the story of Jonah—I dramatize – I mope around like Job wearing big sleeves—I think about scrounging up money for a taxi to the bridge—I re-consider and imagine a life tucked under the covers until Jesus comes.) There’s a million ways to find depression amusing. – Have I told you I’m prone to depression? I mean, the clinical kind?

Okay. Back to Ethel Barrett. She’s in her 80’s now, and her influence is still as strong as ever. She can never know how she inspired me. She was like my little beacon of hope in a male-dominated, grey, colorless world. She was feisty and smart and she wore colorful clothes and she loved God. I was coming from a lifetime in the theatre and suddenly I was implanted in a conservative Bible school where sin lurked behind every bush— Sin? They told me, a leotard-toting ballerina, that a skirt above the knee was sin. Goodness. I was accustomed to men in tights! I was born in a locker room with naked bodies rushing about looking for their revealing costumes. I played Irma in Irma La Duce. I was Lola in Damn Yankees! Okay, okay, I was now a born-again Christian and I was living to serve God and Him only, so be it. Off with the tap shoes and the toe shoes and on with the bonnet and the bow. I loved God. I was serious.

But then! Then! As I lavished my affection upon the children of Chicago and the Midwest, creating puppet shows and theatres, dancing and singing as Deborah and Moses and Martha and Mary—there appeared one Ethel Barrett.

She came to our school and spoke and in her presence I became electrified. My hair must have shot out from my head like florescent cactus fronds. I’m sure my skin turned bright neon. I was transfixed. My life was forever altered. God sent her just to me. Here before me stood a woman wearing RED and slapping our dean on the back with a “Hey, pal!” This was simply beyond my forced nun mentality. She laughed, she hooted, she guffawed – my God, there was hope for me.

She was the only woman on the platform with a gaggle of be-suited clergymen, and she was completely at home, holding her own, possessing the stage, enjoying herself and most of all, enjoying God—

And God said to me at that moment, “Welcome home.”

to be continued……

Sweet Summer

2010-07-19T20:30:00.000-07:00

So much to love about summer. Of course, you probably feel that about every season. I do, too, yet I tend to love best the season I'm currently in. It's like when people ask me which of my books are my favorite and I have to answer, that my favorite is the one I'm writing. There's just something about summer, its silent heat, its sweet fruits-- the ting of the water as you dive in the pool or lake or ocean-- the choir of crickets at night... I love it all. Tank tops and shorts, sandals and suntan lotion, the world abloom, the smell of cut grass, my dog leaping with joy across the field when I toss his ball... Can we be so blessed?

July, a Big Smile Month

2010-07-13T00:47:00.000-07:00

I always think of the month of July as a celebratory month, maybe because of the 4th and the flush of summer, I don't know. For so many years I spent my summers in summer school socking in the college and graduate school credits, and now I look around awed at the bright and happy bloom of a summer July without a backpack of homework, and no student papers to grade as a teacher. It's amazing what the sweet aroma of grass, planting soil, cypress, rose and lily become when pressure and stress aren't present. I'm working on a new book and when the swath of deep green, eucalyptus, palm and pine smiles at me from my window I breathe a quiet "thanks" to God for this sweet month sandwiched in between a misty June and a broiling August. Swimming is probably my best sport and July creates ideal water temperatures for the swimmer. I went diving (snorkeling) in the Mediterranean off the coast of Italy in July, the sun delicious overhead, the water shimmering clear, the world beneath the surface of the sea a treasure of colorful creatures and rock formations. The Minnesota lakes come alive in July and the California coast
brightens as though invited to a grand party, God's party. It's God's July, a brilliant opportunity to thank Him, shout hallelujah and smile. It's July. We've been through some hard times, but we're still here and we're smiling.

With or Without a Daddy

2010-06-21T21:01:00.000-07:00

Father's Day is a big day for us, would you believe it, being we have no fathers in our lives? My father was tragically killed in a train accident a few years back, and I have wonderful memories of him, a hard and tough Sicilian who was adored by many, and dearly loved by my mom and us kids. It's a huge loss in our lives. Then came my own little personal tragedy with divorce, so my kids haven't had a grandpa or a dad to make cards for, or buy presents for on Fathers Day. I raised them alone with no child support or alimony (child support? heavens, what's that?) and miraculously, we've made it on our own.
So now every Fathers Day my daughter sends me Fathers Day cards and I receive Fathers Day love and gifts. It sounds funny, I know, and we have a good laugh over it, but thank the Lord, my children show me their appreciation and love in so many creative ways. I could never be a daddy, of course, but I've tried to be the best mommy I could be. So we celebrate Mothers Day AND Fathers Day in our family, with our Heavenly Father as our Divine Daddy.
Here's a Happy Fathers Day to you dads out there every day of your lives. Be a great dad. Some of us never knew you.

A Great Shaking

2010-06-15T23:06:00.000-07:00

We had an earthquake here last night and it's the talk of the day today. People get understandably quite shook up (little pun there) when earthquakes strike. There was no serious damage done and no injuries reported, but an earthquake is a scary thing. I've been in tornadoes, floods and storms at sea-- and now earthquakes. We're always hearing about the Big One coming. We receive regular warnings and advice on what to do when the Big One hits.
Once I was in a flash flood in the mountains and I had to out-run it which was a pretty amazing contest. Another time I was snorkeling in the Mediterranean Sea when a huge storm hit. I had to outswim it to an underwater cave where I huddled and paddled until rescued. But you can't outrun or outswim or outmaneuver an earthquake. When the earth jolts and jerks beneath you, all you can do is run for cover. And pray.
But here's the thing: we can't wait for the storm to hit before we pray. Prayer warriors have been praying and interceding about the Big One for years. I believe the oil spill in our Gulf will be contained not only because of the prayers going up now, but because those waters have been prayed over and blessed by believers for years. God is faithful, and we must declare Psalms 91 over our homes, our land, our waters, and our air. We need to release blessing and the glory of God into the atmosphere. And we need to do it now! Are you feeling the same urgency as I am?

The Great Awakening

2010-06-08T14:52:00.000-07:00

     I've just returned from our H.I.M. Leaders and Ministers' conference, and I feel like I've just been through a spiritual tornado. I've been in natural tornados and experienced the uprooting of trees and concrete sidewalks, the ripping off rooftops and the utter devastation of a landscape, but this was a tornado of a different sort. It was spiritual, quiet and deep. There were no flashes of lightning, no dripping oil, no feathers or gold dust this time, but we received a powerful impartation of the reality of God.

      Jack Hayford and Peter Wagner shared on the power of intercessory prayer. Now I've been an intercessor for years. I teach on intercession and I train intercessors. But the Holy Spirit took me to a new level of understanding as I entered into the spirit realm to learn more of what God is doing on the earth today. I believe if we, as intercessors, will see into the spirit realm and discern the tactics of demonic assignments, we will reach into the mind of the Holy Spirit and receive the prayer strategies to overcome and prevail for the purpose of the glory of God in each situation. Not all of us are called to the ministry of intercession, but I believe we are each called to intercessory prayer.
     I found it interesting at this conference for leaders, ministers and missionaries from around the world that most of us took copious notes as each speaker ministered. I sat between two pastors and their wives, and they each took notes as fast as their pens could write. Of course, I was madly taking notes, too. No matter how many years we serve God, we are always and forever students of the Word. I've observed that the most powerful ministers I've known are true humble students of the Word. Always learning, always growing, always reaching higher and higher into the heart and will of God. It's so beautiful.
     Cindy Jacobs ministered to us and I bought a couple of her books. I'm reading her book on prophecy, and I thank the Lord for her. She has been with us in the past, but this time I felt something entirely new coming from her. James Goll talked about NOW being the time of a Great Awakening. James sobs as he talks, and you can feel the throbbing Presence of Lord. I'm telling you, the incomprehensible loving heart of God longs to embrace and bless us with His goodness and His tender mercies. I sense Him reaching out to us, calling with so much love-- He is our Perfect Guide , the lover of our souls. The time is now. The time to wake up is now.

from the road...

2010-05-26T14:30:00.000-07:00

Wow. Chicagoland! If you have been at any of the meetings this week you know what I mean by WOW. One story I must share with you is about some photos that were taken at our all day SCHOOL OF THE SUPERNATURAL "Body Soul & Spirit" Conference. Figures of angelic beings showed up in the photos and when the lady who took the photos brought them into Walgreens to have them developed the clerk at the counter saw them, burst into a storm of tears and gave her heart to the Lord right there. In all the meetings there have been wonderful healings (legs, knees, allergies, to name a few) and angels have been seen everywhere. Last night two fire angels ministered behind me as I spoke (people told me they could see them) and it's been wonderful. What I love so much is seeing God move among His people with His tender love and mercy. I see His hand on people as He touches their lives healing, delivering, restoring, refreshing, and I am awed. It is thrilling to be in the Presence of the Holy Spirit. It's thrilling to see the angelic realm rejoicing with us. It's flat-out thrilling to belong to the Lord Jesus. Let the miracles continue!

Life in the God Lane

2010-05-10T22:36:00.000-07:00

I'm happily back behind the wheel, and drove to Los Angeles over the weekend listening to great praise music up and back. Thank the Lord, I survived traffic school, (which is at least a hundred times more harrowing than the Interstate in rush hour, haha). I had a great time praising the Lord and praying for a few hours uninterrupted as I drove.
Here at MCM (Marie Chapian Ministries) we are busy at prayer for my speaking tour in Chicagoland and so excited about what God is going to do in our midst at the meetings. The Lord has me set apart at this time and soaking in His presence as He speaks to me. I am contending for for the people with Deut. 28:2: "And all these blessings shall come upon thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God..."
It's going to be a time of great blessing. "The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses and in all that thou settest thine hand unto, and He shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." Deut. 2:8, and that's the King James Version.
When the Lord sets me apart like this I become so much energized and filled with Him I can concentrate on nothing else but Him and the Kingdom of God. Tonight I walked in the setting sun praying and smelling the air and watching the sky, and celebrated the magnificence of dusk. I pulled a leaf from a eucalyptus tree and held it under my nose as I walked. The aroma was heavenly. I often pick wild rosemary or lavender to hold under my nose as I hike the woods, but tonight even the sound of my feet as they met the earth a celebration. "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!" (Romans 11:33)
I really hope you'll join me in Chicagoland May 21-27. Check my (yes, if you can believe it!-- ALL NEW UPDATED website!) -- http://www.mariechapian.com/ for details. I want to see YOU in Chicagoland!

Love from Traffic School

2010-05-01T20:32:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be totally open with you. I spent the day in traffic school today, and I don't mind telling you I'm a bit traumatized now. It felt like an 8-hour horror show, mixed in with a fear of driving because-"they'll-get-you-with-a-ticket-no-matter-what." I sat there with 30 other people, our mouths agape, feeling terrible about ourselves and wondering if we should buy bus passes. We were shown videos of horrible accidents including decapitations, life cripplings, and bloody deaths of teenagers and children. We saw cars fly off cliffs, cars burst into flames against trees, cars run into one another in huge pile-ups, and children and animals die because of traffic infractions like talking on cellphones and driving without seat belts. I'm telling you, when it came time for lunch break, nobody could move. We sat there like 30 stunned and shocked sparrows on an electrified wire. I sat next to a young girl tattooed and pierced all over who had a DUI and it was costing her $23,000.00. The girl's pierced face is still before me, and I'm thinking it will take her a very long time to pay off that DUI. Such a precious girl, so cherished by Jesus, and yet she made a mistake that will affect the rest of her life. Thank the Lord, she didn't kill or injure anyone, and God, in His mercy, heard her prayers and helped her through the lengthy process and financial hardship. Most of us in the class had tickets for things like rolling stops, red lights, speeding, cell phones, and one guy for making a U-turn in the middle of the block. We weren't exactly what you'd call criminals, but we sat there in our guilt and shame wondering how we could make this a positive experience. I decided to make it a learning experience and so I took notes as though I were in a college class. (Ask me anything.) By the end of the day we were all completely spent, exhausted, fried. You should have seen the older people. They could barely stand up. It had been a harrowing day of looking at the reality of driving with stress the horrors on the road. When we finally signed out and received our little certificates of completion we filed out like silent lambs to the slaughter. I could hardly drive home. We had been programmed to think we'd do something wrong and get pulled over, and we'd have no way out of it, even if we were right. I had to go before the Lord in the Throne Room with 2 Peter 1:2-4: "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue..." Ah yes,this verse too-- "happy is the person who finds wisdom and gains understanding..." (Prov. 3:13).

What is Happiness?

2010-04-19T10:42:00.000-07:00

With Spring here I've noticed a sort of languid ho-hum in the air. Have you? It's as though the world just sat back and gave a big sigh. People are telling me they're sleeping more, and they're complaining of laziness. Never mind the volcanoes erupting in Iceland and things like pollution and even pollen-- Maybe we're all a little bit tired. Or maybe it's what the songs call Spring Fever. Winter and worry has worn us out. But I believe this is a time to contend for the power of the Word of God in our lives and in the lives of our families and friends. I believe this is a time to contend for our cities and our neighborhoods. (Always for our nation.) Yes, okay, "a little sleep, a little folding of the hands," but then up and attum, I say. Time to start anew, re-energize, gear up and create something astonishing and wonderful around us. Prayer changes everything. Don't give up, don't fall asleep in the Light-- Strength creates more strength-- beauty moe beauty-- love more love.

Running Toward Something Big

2010-04-07T00:25:00.000-07:00

Ever get the feeling you're on the way somewhere in your life, but you don't know where? As a practicing psychotherapist I talked with people every day about the direction of their lives and the conditions that feed into the loss of focus and purposes. I don't believe we need a personal trauma to feel a sense of futility. In today's world depression is as common as apple pie-- in fact, moreso. More people suffer depression now than in the last 20 years. A contributing factor to depression is change and fear of the unknown. The world itself is radically changing. I'm finding in my own life that many things (places, people, situations) I've counted on as reliable and steadfast are now either removed or radically changed. How to handle the changes and losses we face? As for me, I challenge myself DAILY to enter a place of inner stillness and breathe in the sweetness of God. I reject all aspects of fear in order to feel the overwhelming sense of love and stability. The love of God never changes. I believe with all my heart that if you love God you're heading for the greatest hour of your life. The greatness that is you have hardly even begun. It is vital to keep our eye on the truth and to "cast down imaginations [fears, worries] and every high thing tht exalts itself against the knowledge of God , bringimg into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2Cor 10:4-5).
What a privilege!

New book

2010-03-26T21:44:00.000-07:00

I'm starting work on a new book and I'm consumed with it. Even after writing over 20 books and countless stories, articles, reveiws, etc., I approach each new project like something rare and precious-- like a holy stranger I need to get to know. I love the challenge of thinking in terms of language, nuance, implication... the wonder of words, of creating a world on the page.

Out on the water...

2010-03-21T14:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went kayaking, and out on the water with nothing but sea and sky, the sound of the wind and the waves-- it was a taste of heaven. Kayaking can be hard work, though; your arms are constantly rowing, steering, guiding the kayak through the sometimes resistant, choppy sea water. I couldn't help but think, on our way back to the boat launch, as I pushed and pulled that oar, how all things of value require hard work. From sports to marriage, all things of value require hard work, even pain.

What's In Us

2010-03-09T23:19:00.000-08:00

I taught a seminar this week about the power within us and it surprised me how many people were stunned at the thought that there was a supernatural power and energy inside us connecting us to eternity. The people wanted to know how this worked and I explained Jesus is the way to God. Jesus? they asked. "--But isn't that narrow minded of God?" I explained that God made it easy for us to grasp His loving plan for us since Jesus Christ is the only one to fulfill all the Older Testament prophecies about a Messiah to come, to die and be raised from the dead in three days, walk the earth , raise the dead, heal the sick, and send us His spirit to live in us ... I gave a very basic biblical reasoning. I absolutely love to talk to people about God-- but sometimes, guess what. Sometimes I meet up with hearts like ice-- they just cannot be penetrated. I've kissed dead saints in their coffins goodbye, and I tell you, talking with these living souls with deadened hearts is like the kiss of the coldness of death. I praise the Lord for those whose hearts open like sunshine to the glorious presence and power of God, in our Savior Jesus, but I grieve for those who wait at the sidelines in their dark tombs of doubt.

You are Vast

2010-03-04T22:54:00.000-08:00

I wonder if we really realize how huge we are in this universe. We live our lives as best we can, day by day, and yet there is a hugeness in us I wonder if we're aware of. I minister across the country and in other nations as well, and I meet up with so many people who don't recognize the power, beauty, and vastness within them as followers of Jesus Christ. In my last blog I talked about the problems that weariness or sleep deprivation can bring about-- but no matter what condition we're in, we are always vast within! The Holy Spirit can be quenched, but not extinguished in His children. As much of the Presence of God we are willing to inhabit is as much of His glory we will release into the world.

Temptations of the weary

2010-02-22T21:19:00.000-08:00

If you think being tired is just a state of being, think again. Exhaustion, weariness, tiredness can be traps to make a real mess of our lives. Do you ever hear yourself apologizing and then blaming your behavior on being tired? "Oh I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I'm just so tired--" There are the stories of people who signed papers, made purchases and agreements and promises when tired and not thinking clearly. These acts of weariness have resulted in years of problems. When you're tired it will take you sometimes twice as long to complete a task. When you're tired you're more likely to be impatient, unkind, or rude. Ever noticed how ticked off you can get when you're exhausted? When you're tired it's hard to hear from God. That's because your frame of mind is agitated and dulled. You're just not listening. When you're tired it's easier to feel sorry for yourself, find fault and complain. If you stub your toe when you're rested you might yelp with the sudden pain, but if you stub you're toe when you're sleep deprived and/or worn out, you become enraged. People have forfeited their morals when tired; they have compromised their integrity while in a state of weariness. The good news is tiredness is a temporary condition. A little sleep, a little folding of the hands, and we're good to go again, and no longer prone to the temptations of the weary.

On the road

2010-02-17T00:12:00.000-08:00

Working on a new book or a new painting is like stepping into another country. In this way I'm always traveling to new countries. And now I guess you might say I'm on the road again. I'm writing my third book of fiction. (My second book, AN ORDINARY DAY IN HEAVEN, isn't out yet. I confess I get a little anxious in this waiting period between the words "The End" and "Now in Bookstores." So in the meantime, I work.) And I appreciate the world around me. (We must never miss an opportunity to appreciate the world around us, I always say.) For example, today I was explaining to my granddaughter the Sacred Act of Eating. She held back chuckles as I explained that eating is a Holy Event. Every meal, holy and sacred. The taste, texture, sight, sound, aroma, and sheer delight of food-- She munched her veggie burger and then chuckling openly, she said she'd never think of eating quite in the same way. It's all about Being Present, I explain. She does not look at me as if I'm from another country. She gets up from the table, comes over to me and gives me a big hug. I'm back from the road. I'm definitely home.

Back home

2010-02-06T21:14:00.000-08:00

Wow. All flights canceled from Washington D.C. because of the huge show storm. Makes me wonder if weather rules the world. (We know better, of course, but nevertheless it's daunting. ) The airport in DC was chaos beyond anything I've seen a long time-- not since the ice storms in Vermont a few years ago when I was in graduate school trying to get home. Newscasters are warning to watch the weight on our roofs, stay off roads, load up on groceries. I was at the Prayer Breakfast in D/C. where Obama gave his little talk, nothing like we had hoped, and Hillary carried on-as keynote- first time for me to hear Hillary in person. She is the definitive political speaker, let me tell you. Warm, personal, funny, and for me, as the writer with a spiritual eye-- totally phoney. Like the president's talk. Something is wrong at the top, friends, terribly wrong. At the congressinal dinners and luncheons I attended I met men and women in office who are scrupulous and reputable people of integrity-- but if you';ve never been a person of prayer for our nation, let me sound the alarm-- now is the time. Pray for our leaders. PRAY.

Off to President's Prayer Breakfast in Washington

2010-02-01T22:29:00.000-08:00

Did you notice the silk painting? It's only a small section of one of my silk scarves and it's after Romans 12:21: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good," and entitled "Overcoming." In a few hours I'll be flying to Washington D.C. for the President's Prayer Breakfast. (Speaking ofovercoming! We'll be praying up a storm.) It's a three-day event with a National Leadership gathering as well. There will be a congressional dinner and leadership luncheon besides the famous Breakfast with the Pres., as I like to call it. I was a speaker for the event in '08, and it's quite spectacular with leaders and dignitaries from around the world. It is a grave time for prayer for this world, not only our beautiful nation. I learned more about the condition of the world (things the news media don't tell us) at the U.N. Prayer Summit a few months ago in New York. As we gathered in those impressive chambers listening to leaders from around the world tell their stories it was most sobering. Talk about a call for intercession! I will try to blog when I'm in Washingotn. I understand the city is under 5 inches of snow. This Minnesota girl will be right at home. Please pray for me. Are you telling anyone to join us on this blog? I hope so!

Job's Wife

2010-01-24T01:22:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought about Job's wife? I mean, really. We love our Mr. Job, but what about the missus? Just think. There she was, the wife of a successful man-- and if you ascribe to the tenet that behind every successful man is a hard-working woman, she had to have some part in his fame and success. First of all, she gave birth to seven children in ancient 2nd millenium primitive conditions. Granted she was rich, but let's face it girls, no amount of gold or silk pillows changes the fact that childbirth is no picnic. Seven children 2,000 years before Christ? That's 63 months of pregnancy, or 5-1/4 years of her life in a maternity tunic. The children grew up to be fun-loving young people and Job loved and prayed for them. This must have been gratifying to Mrs. Job. Every woman wants her children to be loved by a caring dad, right? But then one day her world crashed down around her. Everything she worked for, built, believed in, loved, trusted, and been proud of was gone, beginning with their thousands of animals and the hired help. Then on her eldest son's birthday, a tornado struck, and he was killed in his house along with the rest of her children . She was left with absolutely nothing but a bereft husband who was in horrible, inconsolable grief. And if things weren't bad enough, suddenly this formerly richest man in the East broke out in agonizing boils from head to toe. She had to be beside herself in confusion, terror and grief. Well, we know the end of the story, don't we? God gave Job twice what he started out with, plus seven more children-- (that's 14 pregnancies all together) When we start to complain in life, Beloved, let's remember Mrs. Job and praise God, for God blessed her and Job both. He loved them both. Let's look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen--and think about our light affliction, which is but for a moment... Read 2 Cor. 4:16-18 with me and let's be glad together.

New Year- New Life

2010-01-19T02:11:00.000-08:00

I've been travelling and doing some serious thinking about this new year. The prophesies we're receiving are filled with words regarding government, global turmoil, but also God's outpouring of blessings. I tell you, I'm expecting great things of God. I look forward into 2010 and I see His people take hold of Who Jesus Is more fervently than ever. I keep having visions and dreams of us, you and me-- the family of God, and we're climbing ladders, reaching heights, moving up, up, up. It's beautiful. My calling in this life is to minister the love and glory of God through learning the victorious, overcoming Christian life-- and I see us doing just that-- overcoming, standing strong. I have always taught my children, to be brave and do hard things, and I can only praise the Lord for the hard things in life because He also gives us the gift of courage. Moses was trained as a shepherd in the desert before he could lead his people to the Promised Land across the desert-- Joseph was trained in Potiphar's house and in prison before he could be 2nd in command in Egypt and rescue his people from extinction-- and you and I? We're in training, too. No matter where we stand spiritually at the birth of this new year, we are called to burst forth and move higher. The year is new, and so is our life. This year, let's be more courageous than we've ever been.

Lighted Ecstasy

2009-12-17T22:50:00.000-08:00

I am very much liking the magical aspect of things lighted up. Everyone likes light and brightness. We're drawn to light, like moths-- like hurting souls longing for relief-- like children aching for the Light of the world-- We're desperate for a light within. Last night a friend took me to the Four Seasons and as I sat in awe in the midst of a panoramic lighted paradise, I recognized why we're drawn to spectacle-- and how much we need spectacle. Aristotle listed spectacle as one of the 6 aspects of drama. I remember when I saw "Lion King" on Broadway in NYC-- how I literally staggered with delight at the spectacle. I've had the same experience in the audience at "Mystere" in Las Vegas. I could name more. The spectacle within recognizes the spectacle without. This is ectasy. To miss out on the ecstacy of this dazzling season is a shame. The Chanukah candles, the Christmas lights, the joy of Light. This is something to experience with enthusiasm --Think of gasping with delight as you applaud the eruptions of fireworks in a night sky -- but here's the thing: nothing less spectacular lives within us. Within us is an extravaganza of light far outshining any tree, billboard, building, theatre, home or park. We are living lights on hills. In the One born in a manger, that's who we are.
My website is updated. Please check it out. And be sure to order your copy of "The Room of Wisdom."
http://www.mariechapian.com/ I always look forward to hearing from you. A blessed lighted Christmas within to you, Beloved one.

FACING THE STORM

2009-12-12T00:21:00.000-08:00

Have you ever noticed how people behave in storms? Bad weather keeps us inside. We want to stay out of a storm. We're having some much-needed rains here in southern California now, and I notice fewer cars on the road-- and most conversations include something about rain-- and it's negative-- mud slides, flooding, destroyed property, hydro-planing on the highway-- storm talk. Every once in a while I encounter some jolly soul who enjoys and thanks God for rain, someone who doesn't jump at the opportunity to complain. Storms are a great opportunity to complain. I'm from Minnesota and I know about storms. Blizzards, tornados, raging winds and blinding snow in subzero weather-- but oddly enough I don't have a single childhood memory of complaining about the weather. We just faced the storms.
I often joke with native Californians and tell them they don't know what Real Weather is like. We Minnesotans know about Real Weather. So do North and South Dakotans and all Midwesterners and Easterners. How about Alaskans? How do they handle their storms? They face them.
There's simply no other way. Avoiding a storm won't make it go away. Hiding from it won't give us what we long for. We meet with endless storms of life-- maybe you're going through one right now-- The Lord empowers you with the Word of His Spirit: "Be strong and of good courage..." I pray you
don't run from your storm, or hide under the covers, or complain about it-- be strong and of good courage-- Please check out my website for more. http://www.mariechapian.com/

Storm's end

2009-12-08T23:34:00.000-08:00

The storm ended. I contended and it ended. The winds rested, the rains stopped. (Our little town looks like it's been ransacked by wild animals, however- trees, fences, refuge hurled about-in the storm's
aftermath.) -- I believe more than ever that we simply must activate the prayer authority God has given us in Christ Jesus. Thank God, He answered last night , and the storm ended. (For now.) I think of the storm last night as a metaphor for the hundreds and hundreds of personal storms my Power Encounter Intercessors and I pray over and contend for. We see many mircles each week and we are constantly amazed and constantly humbled and awed, praising and thanking Him.
Do you need to know how to stop a storm?

This last weekend we recorded a new meditation, THE ROOM OF WISDOM. It will be available by the end of the week on my website, http://www.mariechapian.com/. I think it's my favorite meditation in the series.

Broken Stuff

2009-12-07T22:10:00.000-08:00

Big storm here in So. Cal. Huge winds, rains, and the fence/wall on my property just went down.
I see trees down also. So what happens when stuff gets broken? Or destroyed? I'm listening to the winds howling outside, the rains hammering down-- At my feet a dog lies snoozing away, happy and calm and without a care in the world. If the house came down he'd be okay with sleeping under a tarp in the storm as long as he'd be with me. If the dog can be without a care in the world while a screaming storm assails us breaking up the property, I can be at peace, too. So it is with a tranquil heart I rail back at the storm and order it, as Jesus commanded His tempest, "Peace! Be Still!"

Be Brave, Be Strong

2009-12-04T00:14:00.000-08:00

This is not the time to fall apart or get yourself tangled in frustration or worry. You're concerned about money, about the holidays, about this and that, and the Lord is telling you the purpose for your trials is not so much to get rid of them, but to trust God through them. He is telling you, "Let not your heart be troubled..." He is right there with you. In fact, He's singing to you. Have you ever stopped to think He might like to have a little dance with you? I say dance on your problems. Dance on them with the Lord Jesus Who loves you and will never leave you. People may leave you, (heaven knows I know about rejection) but God never leaves you. You're a person of triumph, and you are not a wimp for the world or the devil to kick around. You are a person of power and goodness and strength. Be brave.

# 4 What is Beauty?

2009-11-30T17:50:00.000-08:00

I'm smitten with the idea of beauty. Today I was leaving the gym and I had just opened the door of my car when suddenly the sweetest beeze blew over me. I was stunned. I breathed in the sweet air-- it was like candy, this breeze. Cool and wonderful. I stood there, head back, hair flying, and allowed myself to simply feel the air. I may have looked kind of silly, but when I straightened up I noticed a couple of people a few cars away watching me, and then they threw their heads back, too, breathing in the air. I'm telling you, this breeze was so delicious, it was like being kissed all over by God. To me it's not the big things in life that thrill me as much as the small moments of beauty-- rare and wondrous, a simple breeze after a hard workout-- a kiss from God.

What are your moments of beauty?

#4 Heavensent Friday

2009-11-27T13:09:00.000-08:00

How do you define beauty? A couple of weeks ago I had my college Creative Writing class read a piece about watching a stunt pilot fly his plane by author Annie Dillard. She wrote, "I had thought I knew my way around beauty a little bit, I knew I had devoted a good part of my life to it... " but watching Dave Rahm's performance in the air changed all she had known about beauty. She wrote, "Even the Boston Museum of fine Arts was never more inspiring ..."

I was captivated by her sentence, "I had thought I knew my way around beauty..."
It wasn't so much Dillard's artful descriptions of the stunt pilot's performance that captured my attention as the idea of beauty-- of learning something new about beauty. So I asked my class this provocative question: I said, "What are you learning new about beauty today?" Their mouths flopped open, eyes bulged. "Hunh?"

So now I'm asking the same question of you. What are you learning new about beauty today? Will you go on this journey with me? Send me what you're learning about beauty. Tell me what beauty means to you. (Notice I'm not using the word "beautiful" which is an adjective-- I'm talking about the real-life in-the-moment- experience of the noun, beauty.) Okay, I'm waiting to hear from you.

#3 Heaven-sent

2009-11-25T17:41:00.000-08:00

Amazing, isn't it?-- how we can come to a day of Thanksgiving with more trepidation that enthusiasm? I teach in a college where my students speak of Thanksgiving as an obligatory drudgery. And today I talked to Christians who are worried and stress-ridden about sharing the day with non-believers. OhOh, Beloved, when do we get to be happy? When do we get to have fun? When do we get to lay down the burdens of wrestling with a negative world?

Something has happened to me since I was in the Chicago and Wisconsin area a few weeks ago ministering-it's a sort of inner wha-hoo thing-- and I've been recording new brief meditations all about it which I'll share with you... called RadioMarie ...   What a glorious thing the love of God is. (Please stay with me on my website http://www.mariechapian.com/ -- )
Listen, whoever you are, enjoy this year's Thanksgiving. I've spent a few of them alone separated from anything that remotely smacks of love or family (those things we associate with the Holidays)--  and I've also spent some of them with people I don't know-- ah, here's a question for you. Which would you choose? To be alone or to be with people who don't care about you?
My point is, we create our own Thanksgiving. I hurl myself before the King of Kings in the utmost gratitude and thankfulness for His love, His goodness, His sweet, sweet Presence--   There is nothing on this earth as happy as celebrating all things with the Lord. Happy Thanksgiving.   And I mean it.

#2 Heaven-sent just for you

2009-11-24T13:36:00.000-08:00

A sweet touch of heaven is coming upon us now as you and I pause and breathe in the presence of God.

If you've lost loved ones who are now in heaven, as I have, join me and access a reality bigger than ourselves by breathing in the loving atmosphere of heaven. I pause for a moment and speak a word of truth such as "Perfect love casts out fear" (1John 4:18) and then I allow those words to penetrate every cell of me -- I speak the words, "perfect love--" (not flimsy-flighty love, not transient love, not false or empty love-- but perfect love -- God's love) -- into every cell. I breathe in those 4 words, the thought they contain, the idea, and the wild, happy knowledge of the Lord's perfect love for me (and for you) -- I know I am a part of something so enormous, so astonishingly beautiful that every twinge of fear falls from me. I am breathing in the safety of heaven. I am breathing in the living presence of God. I am making my reality under the shadow of the Almighty-- I am living in the secret place of the Most High.
Do you receive my e-Prophetic Word? You can email me at wordforyou@mariechapian.com to receive it if you like. That's where the Lord Jesus speaks to us prophetically. I have decided to blog here on this website so I can speak and share with you from my heart personally-- be a bit more transparent.
Here's my verse for today-- its the first part of the one above: 1John 4:18-- "There is no fear in love ..."

My first Heaven-sent blog

2009-11-23T17:25:00.000-08:00

I've decided to move my blog from my website so that I can post as often as I want. This will be a new experience and I hope you'll join me on this adventure as I blog heaven-sent words. (You'll be hearing from me more than once every month or so. )

I've just finished writing my novel, AN ORDINARY DAY IN HEAVEN, (now in the hands of my agent-- so it hasn't found its publishing home yet) -- I'm filled with so much of heaven's realities I feel somewhat like a stuffed potato. Is that a good analogy? Oozing information like melted cheese and chives on a baked potato? I should be able to do better than that. Oh well, you get the idea.

Here's a heaven-sent word just for you.

Psalm 14:2 says that God is looking down from heaven on all of us to see if there are any who understand, who are truly seeking Him. Here in the U. S. we are just on the cusp of our Thanksgving Day, which heralds the beginning of the Christmas season-- and God is busy looking to see who truly seek Him. His eyes are in every place, according to Proverbs 15:3, keeping watch on the good as well as the evil.

I want to tell you there is a place of great beauty that you alone are called to live in here on this earth. It's a place of quiet knowing, of confidence and faith. You are a person of many colors, vibrant and wonderful. Heaven knows about you. Angels are cheering you on. God is answering your prayers. Hang on.
http://www.mariechapian.com/