Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage . . . They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.
~Psalm 84:5

Monday, April 25, 2011

People of the Book



I'm still reading through my copy, so I'll have to post my thoughts later (so far I'm LOVING it!). But for now, here is the interview with author Kathi Macias that Christian Speaker Services conducted. 

P.S. Leave a comment on this blog post to be eligible to enter a drawing for the complete Extreme Devotion Series set. More details to come . . . 

P.P.S. Probably what I love most about this interview is in question #3 where Kathi mentions how she always wanted to be a writer. She nonchalantly mentions that her bf at age 13 ended up being her husband. Love it!


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Interview with Kathi Macias


People of the Book is the fourth and final book in your Extreme Devotion series. Each book is set in a different country, with the theme of first devotion and commitment to Christ above all else running through all four. How is People of the Book different, and who/what inspired you to write this book?

People of the Book was the most difficult of the four Extreme Devotion series books to write, but it is also the strongest when it comes to a call to personal commitment to Christ and to the fulfillment of the Great Commission. With each of the books, I began drafting the manuscripts through Internet research, since I had never lived in any of the four countries and had only visited one of them. After the original draft, I worked with someone who either currently lived in the country or who had recently spent many years there. People of the Book was the toughest because the Saudi women I connected with via the Internet were understandably apprehensive about associating with me. Most, in fact, were terrified to do so. I was therefore quite pleased to meet a young woman named Dolly Dahdal here in the States who, until just a few years ago, had spent the majority of her life in Saudi Arabia and understood perfectly why I had chosen to write this book. We shared a passion to help expose the fallacy of “honor killings,” a horrific crime perpetrated primarily against women and girls who in some way bring “dishonor” on their Muslim families, and Dolly was a major contributor to the authenticity of this book.

Can you give us a brief synopsis of this story?

Eighteen-year-old Farah, who lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with her family, wants nothing more than to develop a deeper, more meaningful devotion to her Muslim faith. She sees the month of Ramadan as her chance to draw nearer to Allah, and she pursues that goal throughout the holiday. All goes well until the prophet Isa—Jesus—appears to her in a dream and calls her to Himself. At the same time, her only brother, Kareem, who has never liked Farah, actively seeks an opportunity to expose her for the sham he believes she is.

Meanwhile, Farah’s seventeen-year-old cousin, Nura, has begun to frequent an online chat room where former Muslims gather to discuss their new faith, based on their belief that Isa is much more than a Muslim prophet—He is actually the Son of God. While there, Nura becomes acquainted with an American girl of Muslim ancestry—now a devout Christian named Sara—and a friendship quickly develops. However, Sara has problems of her own due to her fifteen-year-old brother Emir’s involvement with a gang.

The lives of Farah, Nura, and Sara ultimately dovetail until each finds herself at a place where her faith is put to the test. Will they remain faithful to the end? Will God protect and keep them safe in the midst of persecution and treachery? Or will they be required to pay the ultimate price for their faith?

Kathi, how did you get into writing? Has it always been your passion, or is it something you came to later in life?

I’ve always wanted to write, for as long as I can remember. I was an avid reader even before I started kindergarten. I wrote a short story in third grade that the teacher liked so much she showed it to the principal, and they decided to turn it into a play for the entire PTA. I was hooked! One day when I was about 13, I was walking home from school with my then boyfriend (now husband), Al, and I told him I’d be a writer some day. He often reminds me how blessed I am to have been able to do what I dreamed of all my life.

I understand you’re running a special contest that has to do with this book. Can you tell us about it?

Not only are there several opportunities to win a copy of the book on various blog sites included in this tour, but I’m giving away the entire four-book series at the end of the tour to someone who leaves a comment on one of the blogs, so be sure to check them all out and leave comments on each one!


In addition to writing, you are a popular speaker at women’s event, writers’ conferences, and various venues around the country. How can people find out more about you, your writing and speaking, sign up for your weekly devotional newsletter (in English or Spanish), and/or just view your many book videos, etc.?

They can find me at one of my websites (http://www.kathimacias.com; http://www.theTitus2Women.com) or on my Easy Writer blog at http://kathieasywritermacias.blogspot.com. There is a “contact” button on my Kathi Macias website if they’d like to send me a message. I always respond to all my emails!

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I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speaker Services (www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com).

Snapshots

Ok, not realized it's been 6 months since I've last blogged. It's been an intense 6 months. Heck, it's been an intense year!

Here are some snapshots, although I'm not at liberty to share all:


On October 8, 2010 my Grandma Virginia, my dad's mom, went to be with the Lord (just shy of two months after my Aunt Eva, her daughter-in-law, took the same journey). 
She was 93. 
She was an amazingly strong woman of God who prayed without ceasing until the day she came face-to-face with her Creator.


My Uncle Robert, my mom's brother, lost his battle to brain cancer on December 18, 2010. 
Since he lived with her before getting sick, for over a year I would take my grandma to visit him or take her shopping or bring her to our house so she wouldn't be alone. 
My uncle took his last breath just moments after his momma arrived at his assisted-living facility to visit him late that Saturday night. 
He sang with the most amazing, deep bass voice, and as we sang "It Is Well With My Soul" at his memorial service the absence of that voice struck me. But I undoubtedly knew, and still know, he's using that voice and joining with the angels in singing praises to his God.


Out of nowhere, the holidays snuck up on us. Our immediate family opted for a smaller celebration in Waco rather than our large family get together in Houston. Certain absences were strongly felt and, with the losses of the year, our joy was a bit strained at times. But God is good and we did our best to rally for the monkeys.


My poor daddy has had various health scares as well. Thankfully, he's able to utilize resources at the VA and has received loads of treatment that would have otherwise been beyond our resources.


As for me, I've continued working two part-time jobs subbing and tutoring. 
In early March I took a long-term sub position teaching Kindergarten. Thankfully, that opened new opportunities and just today I was offered a position for next year teaching 2nd grade! PTL!
For weeks the news has been reporting about all the budget cuts and layoffs in local school districts. I'm so blessed to actually get a job at this time. 
Truth be told, I was more than a little worried!


Ok, I'll try to be a better blogger. I lost my voice for a bit, but I feel it slowly returning . . .
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