My husband is currently recovering from his fourth surgery on the same knee within a two-year period. We would appreciate prayers as he heals, and as I care for him while managing my increasing pain and fatigue.

Over the last seven years, both of us have experienced blow after blow that left us feeling physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted. We’ve trusted God through trial after trial but often struggled to take the next step of faith.

Even though I knew God was with us, at one point during our two-year stint in Wisconsin I didn’t know how I was going to make it through with my marriage or my faith intact. I began asking God questions and grappling with the answers He led me to in the Scriptures.

What does it really mean that the Holy Spirit indwells believers in Jesus?

How can I walk by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit when I feel physically, emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually depleted?

How can I be reading the Bible, praying, and serving others, yet feel disconnected from God?

As I cried out in desperation, I searched through the Scriptures. God affirmed that changing my physical location or increasing my spiritual disciplines would not fix the problem.

Serving God regularly and spending time praying and studying His Word had made it harder for me to realize that I had unintentionally severed my connection with God.

I knew God was still with me, but I couldn’t always feel Him with me.

I knew the Holy Spirit was present before the creation of the world, and He is still active and empowering God’s people today. But at times, I didn’t live as if I really believed what the Bible says.

But when I couldn’t rely on my own strength because I could not physically walk without help, something happened.

After the ER doctors admitted me into the hospital on January 14, 2022, after I spent the first night alone while experiencing excruciating physical, emotional, and mental anguish, something happened.

The next morning, I wrote the first chapter of Sacred Strides: Walking in the Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit.

In Sacred Strides, I share strong biblical truth and personal testimonies from Christians from all walks of life. We’ll explore what the Bible says about who the Holy Spirit is and how we can rest in His presence and rely on His power every day and in all circumstances.

We’ll discover the keys to hearing Him, depending on Him, and surrendering to Him.

Together, we’ll grow in our confidence that the Spirit of God is willing and able to work within us and through us as we trust Him one sacred stride at a time.

It took God seven years to guide me through the prayerful process He used to prepare Sacred Strides for publication. But my journey toward the starting line began in 2001.

So, I am ready to celebrate what God did, is doing, and will do as His beloved children meet with Him through the pages in Sacred Strides.

But Alan is still recovering from surgery, so I’m not able to have a launch party to rejoice as God places Sacred Strides into the hands of readers around the world on July 1, 2025.

At first, I felt alone and discouraged. I didn’t want to let the day pass without praising God and sharing all He did. I didn’t want the day to pass without praying for the people God’s been preparing for the messages He led me to share in each chapter.

Then, the Holy Spirit reminded me that He’d already provided all I needed.

So, I would like to invite you to join Alan and me for the Sacred Strides Prayer Parties, June 30, 2025 from 10am to 11am Pacific and again from 5pm to 6pm Pacific.

 

You can drop in, stay for the full hour, or attend both Prayer Parties.

To join the 10am to 11am (Pacific) Sacred Strides Prayer Party, click HERE.

To join the 5pm to 6pm (Pacific) Sacred Strides Prayer Party, click HERE.

We’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes testimonies, praising God, praying for readers, and doing exclusive giveaways.

A few years ago, God blessed me with the privilege of contributing devotions to The Message Women’s Devotional Bible, scheduled to be published by NavPress and released in August 2025.

I’m giving away two copies of The Message Women’s Devotional Bible: The Gospels, one during each Sacred Strides Prayer Party.

A few of the authors I interviewed for Sacred Strides will be giving away copies of their books, too.

You must be in attendance to be eligible for the giveaways.

Please let me know if you’ll be joining us by replying to this email, writing a comment under the original blog post, or sending me a direct message on Instagram or Facebook.

There is no RSVP necessary, though. If you decide to join us at the last minute, we’ll be happy to welcome you!

I’ll be sharing an invitation on my social media pages, so you can share this article or my posts on Instagram and Facebook.

I’m looking forward to praising God and praying with you!

*

If you pre-order your copies of Sacred Strides: Walking in the Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit today, you may receive them before the Prayer Parties!

Sacred Strides is available wherever books are sold, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christian Book, and Our Daily Bread Publishing.

Ministries, churches, and nonprofits (tax exemption sales) are eligible for discounts on bulk orders when you order directly from Our Daily Bread Publishing. Call 1-800-653-8333 –OR– email  [email protected] today.

*