Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Dreaming With Linore Rose Burkard & WIN HER BOOK!

Linore BurkardHi, Linore Rose Burkard posting here for Jennifer today. I'm honored to blog for her audience, so I'm going to share a very special dream that was supernaturally real, thrilling, and wonderful. It was also bittersweet--because it had to end. You see, the Lord was in it and he spoke to me!

I dreamt I was in this gated area and everyone there was dressed completely in white, as was I. There was no one speaking through their mouths, yet I was aware of communication going on all around me. For some reason, speech wasn't necessary. It was as if I could hear thoughts. And everything that was spoken was LOVE. It was a beautiful, utterly soothing atmosphere.

Suddenly, an electric excitement overtook everyone, and I understood that Jesus was coming our way! I was just as eager and excited as everyone else, and when I saw him, my heart longed for Him like a little child wanting its mother. I was incredibly overcome by my love and NEED for my Saviour. As he approached, his hands looked enormous--I was actually thinking how strange it was that the Lord's hands could be so BIG! And then he looked over at me, and it was my turn to rush at him with great joy. He took my hand in his, and I was aware that, for all the hugeness in those hands, he was able to hold mine as if his were a normal size. I clung to the Lord, reveling in His presence and love. Then, he asked me a very startling question:

"Linore, what are you going to do with your life?"

Yikes! I had no answer. So I didn't try to answer, I just puzzled over it. An unknown amount of time passed, not long. And he asked me again. "Linore, what are you going to do with your life?"

Oh, no! I still didn't know what to tell Him. That was a question I still hadn't answered for myself! Others were also still around us.

Then, Jesus had to leave, though I didn't understand why or where he had to go. I knew he would pass out of those gates, and that none of us could go with Him. I panicked.

"Lord!" I shouted. "Don't go!" He stopped and looked at me. But he turned to go, again.

"Lord!" I shouted . "Don't leave me!" I felt again like a little preschooler who needed her mother desperately. I didn't want Him to go! He stopped and again looked very knowingly at me, but turned to go, and this time drew nearer to the gate, before I shouted, loud, "Lord! Don't go!" Jesus turned and looked at me very patiently.

"Linore, what are you going to do with your life--for Me?"

What? Why was he asking me that? I had no answer! Suddenly, I had a "light-bulb" idea--I thought I had hit upon the "right" answer. It was the same feeling I got when I was in college and suddenly realized what answer a professor wanted. So I said, "I know! I'm going to glorify YOU, Lord!"

He wasn't fooled. (I should have known, huh?)

He looked at me, and this next thing still bothers me. He said, "Linore, Linore," and continued to speak, but I couldn't hear him. It was like a loud sort of static had begun and was hiding his voice. To this day, (and this dream happened about twenty years ago) I still don't know what else Jesus was saying to me. I think someday it will be revealed. But it wasn't praise, I can tell you that!

There are many things I don't understand about that "dream." I do believe that it was a special gift. Jesus spoke to me. He loved me. He cares about what I do with my life. Best of all, He has a plan and WANTS me to do something special for him! These are my conclusions.

Perhaps, not surprisingly, my life verse is: "He that saves his life will lose it but he that loses his life for my sake will save it, even unto eternal life."

I don't know why I received such a special occurrence--one I will never forget. But I love that it happened, and it is a reminder to me that Jesus wanted me to get with HIS plan. At this point, I have concluded that my two special callings are to mother my children for his kingdom, and to write books to His glory.

What am I going to do with my life for You, Lord? Mother the children you've given me so that they will see my faith is a living hope. And write my books as though I am writing for the best reason in the world--to glorify You, Lord. To tell others about You.

For it is the best reason in the world.

Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Linore Rose Burkard is the creator of “Inspirational Romance for the Jane Austen Soul.” Her characters take you back in time to experience life and love during Regency England (circa 1800 – 1830). Fans of classic romances, such as Pride & Prejudice, Emma, and Sense & Sensibility, will enjoy meeting Ariana Forsythe, a feisty heroine who finds her heart and beliefs tested by high-society London. Ms. Burkard now lives in Ohio with her husband and five children. She homeschooled her children for ten years, and still has a heart for homeschooling families. An avid fan of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, Linore delights in bringing the Regency alive for Christian readers with light-hearted adventure, faith and romance.

ABOUT THE BOOK

England, 1813
Romantic woes at home send Ariana Forsythe to her Aunt Bentley’s town house in the fashionable Mayfair district of London. There she finds worse troubles than those that prompted her flight from home. Under her aunt’s watchful eye, Ariana is soon steeped in high society—and at odds with Mr. Phillip Mornay, London’s current darling rogue

Then, unexpectedly, rumour of a scandal changes Ariana forever. Her faith and her future are at stake in an unexpected adventure that gains even the Prince Regent’s attention.

Will Ariana’s faith survive this test? And what about her heart? For it is Ariana’s heart that most threatens to betray the truths she has always believed in. When she finds herself backed against a wall, betrothed to a man who cannot share her faith, how can it ever turn out right?

WIN THE BOOK

If you’d like to be entered to win a copy of Before the Season Ends just leave a reply to this blog. I’ll pick a winner at random on December 16th. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you're the winner. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.) NOTE: To make things really interesting, there need to be at least 10 comments from unique individuals to make the contest a go. Good luck!

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your dream is so puzzling for me as well. I am glad you are working out what He had planned for you.....I so struggle with that everyday.

I would love to win your book so please enter me;

Gayla Collins
gayla.c@bresnan.net

Pamela J said...

Anyone who knows me, knows that I AM a unique individual! How many more of us are out there than me? I'm sure many so, readers of blogspots, get your comments in!! Setting that aside, I'd like to say that was a very unique dream indeed. The question Jesus asks Linore can definitely be asked of anyone who wants to listen and answer. The question at the end of what the book is about: "how can it ever turn out right?" reminded me of Romans 8:28 but then of course would the Lord work all for good if we aren't in His will? I'd love to see if and how it does work out, so please enter me. Thanks
Pam Williams
cepjwms at yahoo dot com

Becky C. said...

I really enjoyed reading Linore's interview, and about her dream!

I would love to win a copy of this book, as it sounds like the type of book I love.

Please enter me in the contest.

Thank you,

Becky C. Very Unique

rec(at)hiwaay(dot)net

tetewa said...

Enjoyed the interview and would like to be included for the draw!

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this!
i am a huge fan of all jane austen-ish things!
please enter me!

Lindsey said...

Wow, that was an incredibly moving dream! I know I'm going to be pondering this for a long time... do you think she would mind if I re-posted her words on my blog?

And I would love to be entered in this drawing - I'm a Jane Austen kindred spirit, too! :-)

Thanks for the giveaway!

Lindsey
ladyufshalott at yahoo.com

windycindy said...

I sometimes have dreams very similar to yours. When I am asked what time period I would choose, I would go back to the time of Jesus. I want to know how I would perceive him in person. The time period of you lovely book is one of my favorites. Please enter me in your drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I think the Lord will be pleased with what you are doing now.

Please enter me in the book drawing! I love Jane Austin and Regency stuff. Thanks!

Blessings,
Deborah Piccurelli
DebPiccurelli[at]verizon[dot]

Martha A. said...

What a dream! Thank you for sharing it! I would really love to win your book and i hope you at least get 10 comments!

martha(at)lclink(dot)com

Carrie Turansky said...

Hi Jennifer and Linore,
This story sounds wonderful! What a great interview. I loved hearing how this book came to life . . .a dream come true. Please enter me in the drawing.
Blessings,
Carrie
Carrie(at)turansky(dot)com

Sandee61 said...

I enjoyed your interview and comments. Would love to be entered in your giveaway.

Holiday Blessings,
Sandy

Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

Katie said...

Please enter me... I would love to read this....
~Katie
katie8407(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer AlLee said...

Hello Fabulous Ladies!

Yippee, there are 12 comments at the time I write this, so the giveaway is a go! I'll post the winner after the 16th.

And a big fat THANKS to Linore for sharing her dream with us. God certainly does work in strange and mysterious ways His wonders to perform. Be blessed!

Anonymous said...

I love all things Jane Austeny! This looks like a great book. Please enter me!

~Lainee

ecspiers [at] yahoo [dot] com

Anonymous said...

I've heard so much about this book.She sounds fabulous from the interviews I've read.

I can't wait to read it! Please enter me for a chance to win.

Thank you.

ldneuhof at hotmail dot com

traveler said...

Thanks for featuring this lovely novel. It interests me greatly. Best for the season.
saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Doreen said...

Hi, I enjoyed reading Linore's interview! What a fascinating dream! Please enter me into the contest for this book. Thank you! purposedrivenlife4you (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

great interview. sounds like a great book. would love the chance to win it. thanks,
sarahwoll at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the interview. Please enter me into this drawing.

danelli04 [at]hotmail [dot]com

Jennifer AlLee said...

And the winner is... Lindsey! Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by :+}