I am so thrilled to be a part of JoAnn Carter’s blog blitz for her new book Paradox. Please welcome my friend and fellow author JoAnn Carter! And now, here’s JoAnn…
This morning while I was lying in bed in the early pre-dawn I heard a bird singing out a beautiful melody. Normally, this would make my heart happy, but then I’d just turn over and try to catch a few more moments of rest. But not today. Today was extra special. Why? Because crazy as this may sound, this little birdie was lifting it’s sweet praises in the midst of a thunderstorm. Amazing! God used two rather “ordinary” things to create and extraordinary experience for me—God showed me something awesome and real—a perfect picture of peace. Thunderclouds rolled in, lighting flashed across the dark gray sky, and rain teamed down the windowpane yet this bird was secure. In fact, it was more than secure, it was full of joy, willing and wanting to sing.
This sends Goosebumps up my spine as I think about it. It’s a paradox and truly a God thing. Especially since this word, paradox, has been near and dear to my heart. In fact, I kid you not; this is the very title of the book that I wanted to share with you today. Yet, perhaps paradox is not a word you’re familiar with, so let me explain. Paradox is flowers on snow, joy in the midst of trials, compassion for others as your own heart breaks. It’s what many of us just celebrated, Easter– Jesus laying down his life for me, someone sinful and undeserving. It’s victory and life born out of death and suffering.
Through this experience, God reminded me that He delights in using those ordinary things to accomplish His marvelous purposes. And that’s super news! If He can use Fishermen, tax collectors, birds, and thunderstorms, I know He can use me—a very average, ordinary person to do extraordinary things for Him. Perhaps you’re feeling “ordinary” today. Take heart, it’s through that very thing that God can show His creativity, His power, and even His love just like He did for me in the midst of this early mornings storm.
A CONTEST TO HELP ME CELEBRATE THE RELEASE OF PARADOX:
Win a gift box filled with goodies! (A paperback copy of Teacher’s Plans, a gift certificate, a mug filled with a package of Green Mountain Coffee, pen and a Tee-shirt.)
How? Help me spread the word about Paradox by sharing the link to this post on your FB, Twitter, blog, etc. then e-mail where you posted it to joannwrites@gmail.com with “Blog Blitz” in the subject line. A winner will be drawn 5/26/11.
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JoAnn Carter writes stories that will encourage your faith through inspirational fiction novels and novellas. She resides in Vermont with her wonderful husband and four children.
JoAnn is available for speaking engagements to book clubs, reader groups, library groups, women’s ministries events, school events, and church retreats.
Find her here:
Connect with JoAnn on Facebook
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I hope you’ll be able to pick up a copy of Paradox today @ http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-168/JoAnne-Carter-Paradox/Detail.bok
You can watch the trailer here ~ http://youtu.be/mnOQeNeQuUE
Penny here – this is a bit different than the other giveaways on my blog. You are welcome to leave JoAnn a comment here, but to be entered into her contest for the wonderful basketful of goodies, you will have to follow the directions above and email JoAnn directly at the email address she provided. In otherwords, a comment left on my blog won’t enter you in the giveaway, but I encourage you to help JoAnn spread the word about Paradox and enter to win by spreading the word and letting her know about it via email. Thanks! 🙂
Penny Zeller 
It’ a joy to be here with you today, Penny. Thanks for this oppertunity!
Hey Penny, Thanks for letting me know about this contest. Looks like a neat book!
Hoping to get more entries on your giveaway through my blog. With Blogger messing up over the weekend nobody was able to comment and they deleted comments I had on there.
Hi Charity~Thank you for stopping by and for hosting me on your blog. That was so frustrating when Blogger went down – hopefully it’s all fixed now. Thank you for all you do to help spread the word about Christian fiction. You are such a blessing!
Charity, thanks for helping us get word out about the contest! I heard Blogger had a lot of trouble this past week.
Penny, Thanks for having JoAnn as a guest! ❤ 🙂
JoAnn, Nice to be introduced to you. The Bird in the Storm~resonates with me~God is creative in teaching us about 'Paradox'. I will Joy-fully spread the word about your new book. Looking forward to checking out your web site & blog as well as getting to know you on FB.
May God Bless you Ladies. Thanks for sharing your hearts for the LORD.
Love Ya! Susie 🙂
Hi Susie~ it’s so nice to hear from you! JoAnn is such a neat person and a talented writer too. It was an honor to have her as my guest! Thank you for sharing the news about her book with others.
Susie and Penny– you’re both sweethearts.
I love how God creatively shows us aspects of Himself through so many different ways. It never fails to amaze me. Sometimes it’s in the little things (like birds), and other times it’s in the larger than lift scenarios. We have a great and awesome God!