Mother Inferior

Character Building and Other Cruddy Stuff

I spoke to a group of women here in my new hometown last night and had a ball. They were wonderful--warm, kind, and inviting. We had a "Groovy Chicks' Night Out" and I did the first half as my Groovy character, Starshine, and the second half as myself. "Starshine" hosted a fun game show, which the women totally got into, and then after I changed during their doorprize/announcement break, I spoke on "Peace in a Chaotic World."

I didn't feel that great during the day, due to allergies and tiredness after performing all weekend, and had prayed a lot that God would speak through me anyway. (As Beth Moore says before she speaks, "Jesus, show up or I'm toast!")

God was so faithful--as always. I felt good, the night went smoothly, and what I shared seem to bless the sweet women present.

And then after my talk, the ladies did something that really blew me away. They prayed for me, my ministry, our family, and the Rockbox theater we're involved in.

It was something so simple, and so meaningful, but no group had ever done that for me before--at least not with me present. It blessed me enormously! And THEN to top it all off, my new friends bought lots of books and CD's from my table. WOW!!!

I was so thrilled and thankful that God chose to use me once again in spite of my weak self.

As I said during the event, the last year or two have been full of challenges in many different areas of my life. Some of them are so painful I probably won't be able to write or talk about them in public for a long time, until God's healing is more complete.

To be honest, some days, my heart feels like it's been ripped out, stomped on and spat upon. And yet...I have joy. It's amazing, really, but it's true.

Like the scriptures says in James, we can consider it joy when we have trials, knowing that the testing of our faith brings perseverance, character and hope. (Now, I don't like TOO much character building. Maybe you're the same way. In fact, I wish I could say "Game Over" and be done! But God isn't done with me, and will never be done, until heaven.)

The thing is--He does know what's best for me. Whether He gives me things, or takes them away (or allows them to be taken, knowing He can redeem the situation), my Father knows best. I want to trust His heart completely, so that I stop fighting the daily "little deaths" He asks me to accept. For when I die to myself (my desires and my "rights"), I really live.

Life is hard--but God IS good. I'm so thankful that in my weakness, He is strong. I'm grateful that when I say "yes," no matter how hard it is, Jesus is glorified. I'm thankful beyond words that He brings joy and peace (HEALING!) on the other side of pain.

Now THAT's groovy!

Refreshing New Bible Study

My friend and fellow author/speaker Laura Greiner (who I met at the Christian Booksellers' annaul tradeshow in July) emailed me and wrote, "I am excited to announce the release of Refresh ─ a project I’ve been working on the past couple of years with my co-author Kathy Escobar. Published by New Hope, Refresh is a bookzine Bible study tool for women which has a uniquely interactive, experiential & fresh approach to connecting with God & others." 

Refresh has a beautiful and flexible magazine format (looks kind of like an Oprah magazine!) that is user-friendly and not daunting in the slightest.  Laura says, "One thing clear to us is the need within the Christian women's market for material that is real & authentic and meets people where they really live, in their real story instead of fake Christian craziness. This is what I really like about Refresh. It’s about our stories and our longing to experience God's hope & help in the midst of where we live right now."

Check out this awesome new Bible study here.   

Mount Hermon and me

I'm so excited! I got a call from Mary DeMuth, director of the The Writers' View (an e-loop I'm a part of), who told me I won an essay contest. The prize? Registration and room/board at Mount Hermon Christian Writing Conference in California next March. WHOO-HOO!!!

I've always wanted to go to Mount Hermon but have never found a way. I'm so thankful to Cec Murphey--who donated five scholarships--and to the Lord for this opportunity. I'm especially excited because my agent hosts an advanced track each year at MH, and I can't wait to be a part of it!

Here is part of my essay. It will let you in on a little bit of my writing journey the last couple of years...

"The last two years have been very disappointing...Yet I know that my struggles are common in a volatile industry. I also know that the God who gave me my talent isn’t through using me...and that He delights in me. One day, I was playing a computer game with my youngest son. On the desk was a copy of my first book. Three year-old Jackson looked at the illustration of a frazzled mom on the cover and said, “Is that you?”

“No, sweetie,” I said, “but mommy’s name is on the cover. See here—it says, ‘by Dena Dyer.’ “

“Oh!” Jackson said, grinning, “I love Dena Dyer!”

Stunned, I blinked back tears. “And I love you!” I replied. Later, I pondered what Jax said, and why it struck such a chord with me. I painfully realized that somewhere in the midst of having aspirations and trying to serve God with my talents, I’d slipped into being goal-driven instead of God-driven. I’d begun to care more what the publishing world said than what my Heavenly Father said about me.

With my child’s help, I am beginning to finally “get it.” He, just like the members of my precious family, doesn’t care how many books I sell. They love me no matter what!

I won’t quit writing, and I’m convinced God doesn’t want me to. But instead of writing just to be published, I’m doing it once again as therapy and to share with others the lessons God is teaching me. One thing’s for sure--it’s more fun this way!"