Once in a while I have found an unexpected angel friend who seems so filled with life, beauty, love, joy that her heart deeply ministers to mine on the spot at the moment when I wasn’t even looking for it and didn’t realize how much I needed it. (Now I have many wonderful friends who have done that, but my friend Shelly Miller was a sort of surprise kiss on my cheek from God when I was living in the UK my first long stint—she was like a Christmas present.)

Life just bubbles up from where she has stored joy in her heart. Yet, when we sipped warm brew and shared our stories, I was utterly surprised at what she told me. Hers had been a challenging life, filled with pain and rejection from the very beginning. How had she moved from that place, over many years of darkness, to such a place of life-giving joy? I have actually pondered this issue for many years. Why do some people seem to find Christ and they begin to flourish, grow, and find what they need to move forward in their lives.

I had the privilege of reading Shelly’s new book and each page filled me with a sense of the supernatural powerful life of God surging through her words. I know that this book will encourage so many of you today.

But, there is more to the story at this moment that Shelly has lived faithfully. With the diagnosis of cancer, she has had to live by faith through the last months, going through so much of it alone in the hospital because of Covid. Yet, she has continued to step forward with integrity, a desire to be strong and faithful for her husband and children and to hold fast to the Lord.

I invite you to join us in our podcast today and it is my prayer that our message will give you encouragement but also a pause to think about how to live well into this moment that you have.

I would like to give 3 of Shelly’s books away to my audience because I am so intent on getting the word out about her powerful story.

Her message to my heart was so very precious—seek the Lord while He may be found; hold fast to His love and goodness, share your life as generously as you know how; trust Him even when you have no idea what is ahead. I know that Shelly’s life and message and memories of these wonderful times we have had will give me courage, hope and strength in my own life in years ahead. I will store our times in the treasure chest of my own life to visit when I need encouragement.

Will you please keep my sweet friend, Shelly Miller, (shellymillerwriter) in your prayers?

This is more about her wonderful book:

We all long for certainty in life, yet things often don't go as we expect. When facing illness, job loss, strained relationships, and other struggles, our impulse is to question God and strive to fix things ourselves.

In this book, Shelly Miller, a trusted ministry leader, explores how difficult times can actually be purposeful times of spiritual growth. Weaving the exodus story from the Bible with her own story, she shares how to focus on God rather than trying to overcome challenges in our own limited strength. Each chapter features a simple spiritual practice to help us enjoy the peace and security that is only possible through Christ. Uncertain seasons will soon be translated as an aha instead of an oh no.

A GIVEAWAY: I am giving 3 of her books away—to enter:

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Books Referenced in this Podcast:

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