Stephanie Shott

Okay sweet friends, this is my shout out for help! My Bible study on Ecclesiastes has hit the shelves and as much as I hate this part of the publishning equation, I know that it's part of the process and I really do need your help to get the word out!

My concentrated launch begins on October 3rd, but you can do some things before then to help get the word out. You may be wondering how you can do anything other than buy the book, but you'd be surprised how many opportunities there are out there to be part of the promoting party!

One of the easiest ways you can help is if you're involved in any kind of Bible study group at all, you can request to do the study in your group. The whole premise of the study is to learn to make your eternity intentional by living your life on purpose. But the wonderful thing about Solomon's take on life is that he had been there and done that, so he helps us examine our lives in light of real life circumstances.

As a Bible study, Understanding What Matters Most is best suited for individual or group studies as well as for homeschool high school students.

The information below will help you get an idea of what Ecclesiastes: Understanding What Matters Most is all about:

This six week study will help you not only discover what matters most but it will also help you live your life on a daily basis with your heart set on making your eternity intentional. "Understanding What Matters Most" gives us practical application and godly insight into how to do this thing called life well - and how to live a life of significance in this vapor of an existence that we are given.

Life may be a vapor, but we all want this vapor of a life to count! "Understanding What Matters Most" is a tool in the hand of everyone who wants to do just that!

Since y'all have been so kind as to join me in this publishing journey, I really could use your help! There are so many ways to help spread the word and start a "buzz" about this new Bible study and I assure you that I'm not only uber thankful for all your help, but eternally grateful as well!


While I'd love the air coverage, I realize that not everyone will feel comfortable or have the means to drop leaflets while parachuting from an airplane, but on the list below, you’ll find at least one thing that will be a perfect fit with the ways God has gifted you.

• Write a review (and 'Like') for the book on online bookstores such as:

http://www.amazon.com/Ecclesiastes-Understanding-Matters-Following-Discipleship/dp/0899570240/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317227986&sr=8-1

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ecclesiastes-stephaine-shott/1103284030?ean=9780899570242&itm=1&usri=ecclesiastes%2bstephanie%2bshott

http://www.christianbook.com/following-through-series-ecclesiastes-understanding-matters/stephanie-shott/9780899570242/pd/570240?product_redirect=1&Ntt=570240&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP


• Write a review at one of the many online book review sites, including:

http://www.epinions.com/prices/Book_Ecclesiastes_Understanding_What_Matters_Most_Stephanie_Shott/skp_~1/search_string_~Ecclesiastes%2520Understanding%2520What%2520Matters%2520Most


• As soon as you start reading the book, post a comment and/or link to your facebook profile page, or send a tweet on Twitter letting friends and followers know you're reading (and enjoying!) the book.

• At http://www.christianbook.com/following-through-series-ecclesiastes-understanding-matters/stephanie-shott/9780899570242/pd/570240?product_redirect=1&Ntt=570240&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP you can recommend books via an e-mail link that will take your friends right to the page of the book you’re promoting.

• Recommend the book as a featured title for an area or church small group (or start your own Bible study!). This is especially appropriate since this is a study book with questions designed to ignite application. (Talking eternity is sure to stir up some interesting conversations!)

• Start a discussion about the book on your blog or on e-mail loops you’re a part of.

• If you have a website or write a newsletter, consider featuring novels you’ve read and enjoyed.

• Add the book to your list of favorites on myspace, facebook, shoutlife, or other online communities.

• After reading and reviewing the book, give it away as a prize in a drawing on your website or blog.

• If you have a unique perspective—for instance, personal experience with the book’s topic—offer your insights in venues that might not ordinarily hear about the book.

• Donate your influencer copy to your public library or church library when you’re finished reading it. Better yet, share your copy in other ways and buy a second copy for the library.

• Print out a review you’ve written, or other reviews of the book and give them to your public or church librarians for consideration.

• Offer to distribute bookmarks and/or postcards for the author or publisher. Public libraries, church libraries, bookstores and gift shops are usually happy to have giveaways on their counters. (I can send you bookmarks or postcards upon request)

• Ask your church if you could use this for your next ladies Bible study.

• Place bookmarks or postcards about the book at each place setting as favors for a luncheon or banquet.

• Hang out in your local bookstore and “hand sell” the book by talking it up to customers shopping in the nonfiction department.

• Talk to the clerks in any bookstores and libraries you visit and ask if they carry the book. If not give them a short book report and recommend they order a few copies.

• When visiting bookstores, do a little creative rearranging to turn the book face out on the shelves. Use good judgment and don’t hide one book to promote another. Also keep in mind that in some stores front-table space is paid for by the publisher, so don’t “steal.”

• Offer to write a book review for your church newsletter, neighborhood newspaper or any other printed source that might reach readers.

• At your next women’s retreat, volunteer to organize a book table, where you will feature the book.

• Offer to organize a blog tour for the author, setting up a week when numerous blogs will feature the book and interviews with the author.

• Purchase a copy for a friend and tuck it into a gift basket for someone who is ill or in the hospital; or take it to your next dinner party as a hostess gift.

• Leave the book in a waiting room where someone with a few extra minutes might start reading it.

• Prison ministries are always looking for wholesome books to distribute. Check out groups like Prison Book Project.

• Word-of-mouth is still probably the number one way books hit bestseller lists, so simply start conversations about the book. Tell your friends and family what you’ve been reading and why you enjoyed it so much.

• Drop leaflets as you parachute out of a plane.

• Ask your local book store to stock it. If they don't have it in stock, request to order your book through them and they may begin to carry it in the future.

A big THANK YOU in advance for all your help! You truly are a partner in this study with me! You girls blow me away with your graciousness!!


Please feel free to pass this information along to those you know who may be interested! You know I can use all the help I can get!

Love ya!
Steph
Phil 3:7-14

I'm terribly sorry I missed my normal Monday morning post, but SO much has been going on lately! My book hit the shelves and you girls know that's a huge answer to prayer...but it also means it's time for me to get to work!


Right now, we're doing a soft launch, but the week of October 3rd, we'll be doing a concentrated launch and I sure could use your help that week! 


My biggest need is prayer! Prayer that God would use the book to spark our hearts to be more intentional about our eternity. We all long to hear those coveted words, "Well done good and faithful servant" - but we often live like this life is all there is. My prayer is that God would use this book to change that for each of us. I know it has made a tremendous impact on my own heart as I researched Ecclesiastes to write it. 


I'd also love to have you pray for the salvation of those who will be reading it that have never been born again. I have a day of study devoted to that specific topic...so please pray!!  How awesome would that be if you one day get to meet someone in heaven because you prayed for them!


If you're a Facebooker, Twitterer or Blogger,  it would mean SO much if you'd consider joining the blog tour the week of October 3rd and/or having a Twitter/Facebook fest? 

If you'd like to help a sistah out and get some ladies digging in Ecclesiastes, just send me an email and I'll get some info headed your way. My email address is stephanieshott@me.com.

Tomorrow, I give you some more information about ways you can help my debut Bible study if you're interested, but today I'm going to share some life lessons I learned from jury duty.


This morning I had to be at the courthouse for my first experience at jury duty! I may be a bit weird, but I really did think it was uber cool! After hours of hurrying up and waiting, I ended up in a court room where I, along with the other perspective jurors, was given the ins and outs of what it means to be a juror in a criminal case.


As citizens of the land of the free and the home of the brave, each defendant is afforded the privilege of standing before a jury of his/her peers and be considered innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof lies on the state to show guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. (See, I was listening! :-))


That may be how it is in the western hemisphere of Planet Earth, but when we stand before the God of all creation there will be no trial by jury. We will not be considered innocent until proven guilty. The Living God will not have the burden of proof. We will just be declared guilty because we are just that.


We are the guilty who have been declared innocent because the Innocent One chose to be declared guilty - to pay the sin debt that we rightfully should have to pay.

The Righteous Judge accepts the payment of the Righteous Son of God and when we receive Him we stand forgiven...pardoned...free! 

"For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." 2 Corinthians 5:21

It's amazing how the Lord can use the ordinary to remind us of the extraordinary! 


Today, I was reminding of grace, forgiveness and redemption! What's He showing you today?

Good Friday morning, sweet friends! You ladies have blessed me big time this week! Even though we've never met in 'real life', I really do love sharing the Jesus life with y'all!

Today, I'm excited to writing on two different sites. I'm at Scripture Dig, talking about the ever-illusive Proverbs 31 woman. I sure hope I'm not the only woman intimidated by Mrs. P31! Today's post is a great study for wives whether they've been married for a month or a half a century. Good stuff from the daunting  Mrs. Proverbs 31! Just sayin'!

I'm also blessed to be a guest (hey - that rhymes :-)) over at a sweet cyberspace friend's page. Her name is Michele Montgomery and her site is called The Journey North. If you haven't checked her page out yet, please be sure to click here and head over there and show her some Southern hospitality...even if you're not from the south! :-) I'm sharing about "Life on Purpose" over there and I hope you'll stop by and leave a comment while you're there!

And before you go, what do you say, we have a little fun? I just started walking again after two years of developing writer's butt! So, I'll be getting up in the morning about 5:30 (it's 12:35 right now) and walking about 3 miles for the second day in a row. Y'all be honest and tell me when the last time you exercised was. Come on now, don't make me feel alone! Share! (Or should I say, Confess!) :-)

Photo from Photobucket

And so, when our hearts long for a God-given dream to be fulfilled or a longing the lines up with Scripture (like the salvation of our children, peace for Israel, that those that we know and love will walk in the knowledge of God), then we can be assured that He will fulfill it according to the purpose for which He placed it there in the first place.

Photo from Photobucket

Texas is desperate for rain! Parched soil and dry and barren trees have become fuel for fires. Homes are being destroyed and lives are being devastated in a land deperate for rain. The need is great and we should all be praying for rain for Texas!

But Texas ain't the only thing that needs rain!

Our country needs rain. Our cities need rain. Our neighborhoods need rain. Our own hearts need rain!

Not the kind of rain that falls from the sky and quenches the parched ground - but the kind of rain that falls from heaven and quenches a barren soul.

Not the kind of rain that comes from the clouds - but the kind of rain that comes brokenness, repentance, surrender and faith.

In Ezekial 34:26 God declares...

"I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing."

In context, the Lord is revealing His heart for His people. He's declaring His relentless love and protection for His wayward and mistreated children. He's promising to give His sheep a faithful Shepherd who will fulfill His covenant and deliver, protect, provide for and feed His people.

The showers of blessing flow from the Good Shepherd's heart to display that indeed, His people are the object of His affection.

Ezekiel 34:27 goes on to say...

"Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them."

Some of our hearts are dry and barren. Many have wandered from the sheepfold in search of greener pastures, only to find it's just as weed infested there. Many are held captive to their own choices. Others have been hurt by the hands of others. Thirsty for rain of the Divine kind!

Our neighborhoods and nations are thirsty for spiritual rain. Our country has pursued pleasures and passions and chosen to call evil good and good evil. Homes are being destroyed and lives are devasted as a result of dry and barren souls.

Texas needs rain. But so do we. So does our neighborhoods and our nation. Fruit will once again flow from those who seek shelter in the arms of the Good Shepherd - who nourish themselves with the Father's love and strengthen themselves in His Word. Fruit will once again flow when we repent and choose to refresh ourselves in Him.

Photo from Photobucket

I remember not long after I became a Christian, several sweet ladies shared life lessons and spiritual truths that helped pave the path for my new journey as a believer. I'm sure some of them poured their lives into me on purpose; others were women whose lives left a mist that sprinkled my life and refreshed my soul.


I am stronger because of them.


Titus 2:3-5 tells us,

"Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored." 

Have you ever read through Titus 2:3-5 with the determination to really do what it says? Have you placed your life under the microscope of God's Word to find out if Titus 2 describes your life?


We all have a very specific and individual calling on our lives - a purpose for the days we are given under the sun. But we also all have a general, all-inclusive calling on our lives as well.


As we seek to pursue God's plan for our lives, perhaps we should first filter the focus of our lives through what we know to do and just maybe our specific calling will flow from that.


These three short verses we find in Titus 2 hold the weight of the next generation in them. Every step we make - an impression for those who come behind us to follow. 


Titus 2 isn't just for a select few. It's for us all.


Today, sweet friend, please take a few minutes and make a list of the women the Lord has placed directly under your nose. Consider the opportunities you have to impact them for Christ and the tool chest of talents the Lord has given you with which to mentor them.


Who can you mentor this week? What are you doing to mentor other women? What advice can you offer those who would like to begin mentoring others but aren't sure how? Do you have a mentor story to share?

There are a lot of things in life we will never forget - many we should never forget.

The day we said the eternal "I do" to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The day we got married.

The day we had our first child.

Every one of those are events that changed everything.

So is 9/11.

So today - on the weekend we reflect on the tragic events of that horrific day - I pray we will all just stop and...

Photo from Photobucket

Remember the children who lost parents that day all in the name of a 'peaceful' religion.


Remember the mothers who had to bury their children all in the name of a 'peaceful' religion.


Remember the husbands that had to bury their wives all in the name of a 'peaceful' religion.


Remember the wives who had to bury their husbands all in the name of a 'peaceful' religion.


Remember the almost 3,000 people who died on 9/11 - all in the name of a 'peaceful' religion.


Remember what life was like before that day - and reflect on the changes that have taken place since then - all in the name of a 'peaceful' religion.

As I started to write this, I had only planned on posting a picture of the towers with the word, "REMEMBER" blazoned in big bold letters.

But each stroke of the keyboard reminded me that we must not only remember the event - but we must also remember why it happened. It wasn't an accident. It wasn't a provoked attack. It was all in the name of a 'peaceful' religion whose mission is to dominate the world and wipe out all who don't believe its teachings.

As we remember what happened on 9/11, may we remember why.

September 11th was evidence of our need for Christ. People can be so deceived. They are not the enemy. Satan is. Just like you and I, we all stand in need of Jesus...the Savior of the world and the only Hope for all mankind.

So this weekend, take some time to remember 9/11. But don't just remember the event. Remember why it happened.

Let the memories of 9/11 remind us that we still have a world in need of Christ - let 9/11 remind us that without the Prince of Peace ruling in the hearts of man, it is impossible to live in peace.

So, yes - REMEMBER... but also REMEMBER WHY and may we all be stirred to reach people for Christ!

Where were you when 9/11 occurred? Have you prayed for those who so radically oppose this nation? Have you prayed for those who so radically opposed Christianity?

P.S. I honestly hope the picture I chose did not offend you. Oh, how I realize it is hard to look at. But when we remember what happened and why it happened, we must also remember just how henious it was - how brutal the attack really was. That is why I chose that photo.

SMILE AWHILE

A religious farmer lost his Bible out in the field.
A few days later he went to answer a noise at his door. Standing there was a cow, with his Bible in its mouth!
The farmer raised his eyes to heaven and thanked the Lord for this miracle.
"Not really," said the cow. "Your name was written inside."

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Is there another word for synonym?
It's hard to make a comeback when you haven't been anywhere.
It's hard to be nostalgic when you can't remember anything.
It was a brave man who ate the first oyster.

THE NEW BOYFRIEND

A teenager brings her new boyfriend home to meet her parents. They were a bit concerned that he appeared to be a thug.

Later, the girl's mom says, "Dear, he doesn't seem to be a very nice boy." "Oh, please, Mom!" says the daughter. "If he wasn't nice, why would he be doing 500 hours of community service?"

Photo from Photobucket

People's hearts are hurting. They're living with broken lives, shattered dreams and seemingly hopeless circumstances.

I recently talked to a woman who had lost her husband after 30 years of marriage. What's a girl to do when part of who she is has gone home to be with Jesus?

Another woman shared with me how tired she is of being single. Her heart is aching for God to give her a husband. And what's a girl to do when she longs to be a wife but there's no man in sight?

A sweet mother recently poured out her heart about how much she misses her son who died two years ago. Another mom lost her baby before she ever took her first breath. How does a mother walk back into their child's room and know they'll never hear their voice again or never hear it at all?

Today, I read a Facebook post about a woman who is walking through the final days with her dad. Oh, how I remember just a few short months ago when I walked the same street of death with my mom and the pain of watching her take that final road alone.

Recently, I heard from a woman who was diagnosed with breast cancer. It has spread to her bones, her speen and her lymph nodes. That woman is my birthmom.

Many mothers soak their pillows at night and wear holes in their carpet with their knees as they cry out for the Living God to save their wayward children. Moms are praying for their prodigals. How do mothers continue to hope against all hope that their children will one day walk in the truth?

Every day, people hear the doctor say, "It's terminal" or "There's nothing we can do" or "She'll be a vegetable if we leave her on life support" or "It's not treatable - you're going to have to learn to live with the pain." How do you go on knowing tomorrow may not come? How do you keep smiling when your body aches with pain?

Every day, people face painful circumstances and their hearts are longing to be comforted. Life is hard, ladies! Our hearts get broken, our lives get messy and we long for comfort.


In Psalm 77:2, we find Asaph - a man who refused to be comforted.


Asaph sought the Lord, but then refused His comfort.

When our hearts are hurting and we long to be comforted, we must give up the right to hold on to the pain and rest in the arms of the One who loves us with an everlasting love.

If your heart is hurting today, let Him comfort you, sweet friend. It's not only what He wants to do for you - it's part of who He is...the Comforter!

What do you need comfort for today? Are you allowing God to use your past pain to comfort hurting hearts? Are you sharing the burdens others are facing? Are you refusing to let God comfort your aching heart? How can I pray for you?