Synopsis:
With a
unique candor and glimpses of desperation, GOD allows Lorieen to use There
is a Miracle in 21: GOD COMPLETES as therapy. Welcome to Lorieen’s therapy
with GOD! Journey with her through the MESS to the MIRACLE! It is an unorthodox
book where she shares her struggles while simultaneously pouring out her heart,
hope, inspiration and encouragement as the Lord allows. Whether she is sharing
feelings of inadequacy, confessing faults or sharing words of encouragement,
she does it with a heart to glorify GOD.
Excerpt:
Get Rid
of the Bootleg
One day God
said to me, ‘Quit watching the bootleg DVD and playing the bootleg CD of your
life.’ Those of us who have watched a bootleg DVD or listened to a bootleg CD
know that they are not always the best quality, nor did we pay full price for
it. As God was speaking to me, He broke it down in the sense of ‘we tend
to accept anything the enemy gives us and then we replay it over and over as if
it was intended for us-as if it is the real thing.’
Somebody
is thinking, ‘Bootleg . . . Bootleg . . . Bootleg, what does she mean?’ The
bootleg version is the illegal . . . prohibited version. You either got it free
from an illegal source, you burned or recorded it without permission, or you
got it from some unauthorized vendor at knock-off price. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!
Bottom line, you did not make the full investment to obtain this product. You
don’t own the rights nor do you have the right! You either wanted it prior
to its release. You didn’t have the money to pay for it in the first place
(which may be an indicator that you didn’t need it). Or you have that giving
friend who wants to share it with you because they are the local illegal
distributor.
Bootleg
by definition means to produce, distribute, or sell without permission or
illegally.
Everything
free is not legal nor is it good for you. Look, I’m no one’s judge, but we need
to really pray about the stuff we burn (music/movies that is). Are we stealing
someone’s work when we burn a CD? And is it okay if it is gospel music? I’m
just here to make you think. Many of us are guilty of bootlegging the Gospel.
Some may disagree with me but remember, I am not pointing fingers. I’m merely
pointing out that most CDs and DVDs, say, do not reprint or redistribute
without consent.
Now that
I have ‘gone there’about bootlegging, let me go back to my point in the first
paragraph. God holds the master copy of your life’s DVD/CD. It is free
if you accept Him. He wants to give you life and give you an abundant life at that.
The devil’s bootleg copy of your life may portray a whole lot of glamour,
glitter, and gold. Those things are temporal. Remember, the enemy is a lie and
a cheat, so hecan’t be trusted. Nonetheless, the Almighty Godis
offering ‘The Eternal’. When the enemy tells us something, sells us something,
or gives us something, we gravitate toward it like it’s the real deal. He
offers cheap thrills and makes promises he can’t keep. The devil is a bootleg
artist, and he cannot give us things that He doesn’t have. Sure he can make it
look like quality, but it is still bootleg. Stop investing in bootleg, in the
evil one because he is a thief! Sure, the devil flashes the quick fix,
easy money, and worldly happiness on the bootleg DVD. However, he never shows
the pain after the party. We believe the lies of the enemy time and time again,
just as we convince ourselves that bootleg DVDs/CDs are okay.
Do we
stop and think about the heads at the bottom of the screen in a bootleg DVD or
that it came out in another country first, but it was filmed in America? Oh, or
do we just ignore the slight bounce in the picture because someone wasn’t
holding the camera steady? Maybe the music has a barely noticeable five-second
pause in the middle of the song. Glitches and picture quality get thrown out
the window because we got a deal? There have been some technological advances
in recent years, and bootleg products have been produced at higher quality.
However, in most cases, we know what is legit. So let’s not forget it is
stealing!
In the
same regards, we can’t forget that the enemy is a thief. He steals, rerecords,
and then plays back lies to us. We can’t become complacent with bootleg and not
recognize that it is wrong. We have to recognize that the DVD/CD that the enemy
plays for us is distorted. The enemy is on his job of destroying us. He wants
us to watch his version of our lives because this allows him to deposit
negativity and doubt into our spirit. You see our greed and lack of patience
leads us down the tumultuous road of destruction. We are too busy trying to get
stuff fast when we should be seeking God and investing in Him. Noooo, we
don’t want to invest in the things of God.
We have a hard time spending
time in God’s Word, in praise to him, in prayer to Him so that we may
receive His copy of our lives. Instead, we settle for low budget, an illegal
release, or ill-advised release . . . the bootleg. The enemy sells it! We buy
it and believe it to be true! Eventually, the bootleg becomes our reality. I
don’t know if you realize it, but once you dabble in bootlegging, that person
who sold it to you comes back faithfully. We have to be cautious about taking
shortcuts in our budget by buying bootleg. Just as we can’t take shortcuts in
our lives; it could cost us our souls. Join me in waiting on the Master’s copy
of our lives, it’s worth the wait. We must be steadfast and wait on God!
BIO:
Lorieen
Henry grew up in the small town of Flora, MS. Her parents Willie Lee Jackson,
Jr. (deceased) and Karen M. Jackson instilled great morals and values in her
and introduced her to Jesus as a child. She accepted Jesus as her Savior at the
age of 7 and has been excited to share about him ever since.
Lorieen
commissioned by God as an exhorter is a homemaker and a veteran of the United
States Army. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi August
6, 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism and was
commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army that same day.
Lorieen
served as an Army Logistics Officer for 8 years supporting both Operation
Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. She had the opportunity to travel
the world by being stationed in Korea, Germany and Virginia as well as
deployments to Hungary, Macedonia and Turkey (in support of Iraqi Freedom).
Since
exiting the Army, Lorieen’s time has been devoted to her family, church and
community. Lorieen is “Seasoned for this Season” and is fully aware that her
Purpose = Impact!
Get to
Know Lorieen:
1) What
inspired you to write this book?
This book
journey arose from discontentment in my life. The realization that I had become
someone I didn’t want to be inspired the writing of this book. I was so unhappy
with my situation until it hurt. I once had a pastor that always said, “Hurt
people, hurt people”. I didn’t want to hurt others. However, I couldn’t
recognize my blessings, and I felt as if I were being cursed. Therefore, during
“my woe is me” session in September 2010, I had the epiphany of taking a 21-day
journey in hopes of change. I quickly grasped that “Pain pounds out your
purpose and propels you to your destiny if you dare to trust God to complete.”
God took me from my messy state to my Miracle.
2) Is
there one person outside of family members that played a significant role in
your book journey?
My Prayer
Partner is a true gem. Our daily fellowship is a fountain of life. Matthew
18:19 says again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about
anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. Her
support and prayers were especially critical down the home stretch when I
wanted to quit as well as during my reluctance to submit my completed
manuscript to the publisher. This book is in the hands of readers because not
only were people praying for me, but I had a prayer partner praying with me and
speaking words of affirmation at every turn. The most memorable words that she
spoke into my life are, “My Purpose = IMPACT!” Having a prayer partner has been
a life changing experience. If you don’t already have a prayer partner, I
encourage you to ask God to send you one. The relationship is like none other.
3) What’s
your favorite part of your book?
My
favorite part of the book is the letter to the reader on page 9. I love the
letter because my goal is to usher in the presence of God even before the book
is read. I feel that with the song, scripture and prayer the atmosphere is set
for the Holy Spirit to take control. Let’s face it, I really didn’t know what I
was doing as a writer. However, I knew that I needed to get my feelings out to
become better and in doing so I must trust God to complete.
4) Can
you share a little of your current work with us?
It would
be my pleasure. Although my book is not a book of poetry, I had some poetic
moments throughout. “Lord, It’s Me” is a poem that I feel many will be able to
relate to.
LORD,
It’s ME!
I’m afraid
to be successful! What if I succeed?
As I
travel down this road, I wonder where does it lead?
I feel
guilty about my feelings! I know GOD wants me to have the best.
As I
fight the demons in my head, I know that this is just a test.
Funny how
I know what’s going on and ultimately who is in control.
But I
must admit I sometimes give way to fear which delays me from reaching my goal.
Though my
goal is delayed, I don’t quit, I continue to beat feet down this path.
Rising
and falling! Falling and rising! The cycle is starting to get old.
So, I
reach up toward the heavens and stretch my hands out to thee.
I say,
“Lord, help your child, you know who it is …Lord, It’s ME!”
5) What
message do you want readers to take away from this book?
You don’t
have to be perfect or have it all together. But seek ye first the kingdom of
God and His righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.
(Matt.6: 33, KJV) If you try and fail, continue to seek. Don’t give up! You
don’t have to fit a mold or covet someone else’s journey. Be YOU! God can take
you to heights you never knew. He can use your uniqueness for His glory. Trust
God to complete!
6) Do you
have any advice for other writers?
WRITE!
WRITE! WRITE! What may not be right for your current project just may be right
for a future project. Then again, some things you have to write down as a vent.
Other things that you write can serve as inspiration for yourself or for
others. Everything you write doesn’t have to be placed in a book or for a specific
project. However, at an appointed time, you will find that it was placed within
you to share with someone. Our words breathe life if used Purposefully!
Be responsible with what you write. Your writing may be the only words that
make things right in someone’s world.
7) What’s
next for you?
You can
look for my 3rd title: “Seasoned for this Season” in December
2013. My 2nd title is already out. It is an E-devotional, “Dig
In” (September 2012) which samples some of my writing from “There Is a
Miracle in 21: God Completes!” Over the next 24 months, I will be busy with
school. I’m pursuing a Master of Arts in Education as well as a Christian Life
Coach Certification. I’m excited about what God is doing for me and my family.
And as always, I will be encouraging others along the way and testifying of the
goodness of Jesus.
Web-Links:
Book
Link: