Today's guest is Deborah McCarragher with her book, Mission Possible, Spiritual Covering.
Deborah began her journey of creative writing soon after coming to know Jesus Christ as her personal Savoir in 1989. She uses her spiritual gifts of encouragement and teaching in her home church. She also enjoys in-depth bible study in her personal time and is a small business owner of over twenty years. Her primary goal is to share her personal testimony with others while bringing hope and practical help through her books. She and her husband reside in north Florida.
Find out more about Deborah by visiting her website and
blog.
Mission Possible is a unique book in the Christian marketplace. It addresses a subject that is often overlooked and misunderstood. It is a candid look at my struggles and quest to reach my husband for Christ. I became a believer seven years into our marriage. It is written as I have lived it, and applies scripture and biblical context to each chapter. Mission Possible was nominated for Christian Small Publisher’s Assoc. Book of the Year Award for 2009.
Mission Possible is available is available through Deborah's website & from several other online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. It can also be ordered at any Christian bookstore through Ingram. It is also available as an audio book on CD, as an EBook, and as a downloadable MP-3 version.
Click above to read an excerpt of Mission Possible, Spiritual Covering!
Jo-Anne Vandermeulen Interviews Author Deborah McCarragher
What inspired you to craft this quite insightful volume? I was involved with a local intercessory prayer group at the time, and was prompted by God during prayer to write down what He was conveying to me about my husband and his salvation. It was quite literally written while inspired, and without much effort on my part. I typed on the computer as He led me to bible verses and topics to talk about. I remember writing down the names of the (7) chapters during prayer time on a tablet, just looking at them afterwards in awe. It was quite a moving experience.
The book is anchored strongly in sound scriptural support. Did you perform much research prior to putting it together? Yes I did, however, I was also fortunate to be part of an inter-denominational comprehensive bible study (BSF - Bible Study Fellowship) for seven years which gave me much of my bible study background as a new believer. As I wrote the book, God would lead me to a verse I was familiar with, or I would read something that day that would remind me of something I had studied earlier. Practical application was always prompted by the Lord in my prayer and devotional time.
What primary advice do you have for women who are married to "non-believing" husbands? I think the most important advice is to have faith in Who God Is and His sovereignty. We can't "pre-package" our spouse's conversion experience, and God will always do what will bring Him the "most glory". We also have to remember that we don't wrestle against flesh and blood. Our spouse (if unsaved) isn't governed by God's Spirit - so we have to release them from that accountability. We must have faith that rests in God and not in our own understanding. We must not rely on what we see, but what is unseen.
Have you had the opportunity to share the book with church groups or congregations? I have shared at my home church in ladies bible study groups and Sunday school classes briefly, but not in a large forum yet. I plan on contacting local churches and introducing myself and my book to women's ministry leaders this year. I want to share my personal testimony with others and bring hope and encouragement to women who are hurting and frustrated.
What kinds of reactions has the book generated thus far? I have had great reaction to my little book. Some women love it because it is not lengthy, and they can read it quickly - yet refer back to it over & over again. One woman emailed me a testimony that she was nearly ready to leave her husband, but after reading the book, felt that God was leading her to give her marriage another try. That was very humbling and gratifying for me. I just want to help women see that there is an alternative to being miserable in an unequally yoked marriage.
What's the main message that you'd like readers to take away from it? I would love readers to discover that God has a plan for each marriage that is in spiritual disunity. It involves us, but it is always done HIS WAY! I want readers to know that it is a process that evolves over time, that we must not put God in a “box”, but give Him room to move in our spouse's life. They need to know that because we are not perfect and continue to sin, that Satan will try to discourage and influence us to believe that our "mission" is not possible - but with God, all things are possible!
Please share more with us about your publishing company, Alabaster Box Publishing. I formed my company, Alabaster Box Publishing Inc. so I could self-publish my book Mission Possible. My company's mission is to minister to women who are married to men that don't share their passion for Jesus. My Mission Statement on my website says my goal is to: ENCOURAGE women through scripture to believe in God's Word to transform their husbands; TEACH women, by using the principles in this book, through mentoring and discipling, in the Lord; CHALLENGE women to "get out of their comfort zones" as they minister to their spouses as unto the Lord; and REACH women for Jesus who are searching for answers when their marriages just don't add up . My company's motto is "Books to stir your mind, and stretch your soul!"
What's next for you? I am working on another book that is completely different from my first book. It is titled Trees of the Bible - A Spiritual Journey. It will feature various trees in scripture and talk about their significance in the Bible. It features their Hebrew name and their scientific designation. There is an excerpt on my website.
Any final thoughts you'd like to share? I’d like them to know that I understand how difficult it is to be married to a spouse who doesn't share your love and devotion to the Lord Jesus. I, like many of my readers, get frustrated and disillusioned, but I know God has perfect timing and our best interest at heart. He wants our spouses to come to a saving knowledge of Him and embrace a future together that brings glory to Him.
Sounds like a beautiful book!
Well Friends, that wraps up the first Virtual Book Blast guest. Join Deborah and PPS Thursday on Facebook and then Friday for the celebration on our Yahoo Chat Loop!
Until later....take care and Be Blessed.
Pamela S Thibodeaux
"Inspirational with an Edge!" TM
