Laurie Coombs » 2015

Archive for July, 2015

Sometimes, we simply need to do it scared.

Posted on: July 29th, 2015 by Laurie Coombs

The following is an excerpt taken from chapter 4 of Letters from My Father’s Murderer: A Journey of Forgiveness. Do It Scared One of my favorite phrases in the Bible is “but God.” I have it posted beside my bed, and every so often my girls ask me why I have those two little words there. I tell them, “All through the Bible bad things happen—people sin or something goes wrong—but over and over two words make it all okay: ‘but God.’” You see, no matter what happens in life, no matter how bad things seem to be, God is still the constant. He is still working all things for good. The psalmist wrote, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps. 73:26, emphasis mine). Joseph echoed this sentiment when he said, “As for you, you meant evil against…

Have you experienced anxiety and depression? I’d LOVE to hear your story!

Posted on: July 24th, 2015 by Laurie Coombs

Okay, now I know Letters from My Father’s Murderer has just rolled out the door, but I’m already thinking about my next project, and I need your help! If you’ve experienced anxiety and/or depression, I’d love to hear your story! I’m currently gathering information for what I hope to be my next project (God willing) and would love to hear your struggles and victories with anxiety and depression. Some things I’d like to know are: How old were you when you first began dealing with anxiety/depression? What was your experience with anxiety/depression? How did you overcome anxiety/depression? Or if you’re still dealing with it, what do you believe is holding you back from receiving healing? If you have been healed, are you still tempted with anxiety/depression? How do you sustain victory in this area of your life? How long did you have to endure with your anxiety/depression? What did your anxiety/depression…

Litfuse Kindle Fire Giveaway Winner!

Posted on: July 22nd, 2015 by Laurie Coombs

As many of you know, Litfuse Publicity Group (my publicist) and Kregel Publications (my publisher) have teamed up to do an additional Kindle Fire giveaway. Well, that promotion has come to an end, so it’s time to announce the winner. The winner of the Kindle Fire is Morgan Parson!! Morgan, you’ll receive an email from Litfuse, or you can email your mailing address to caitlin@litfusegroup.com to claim your prize. Thank you to all who entered. Be blessed!

“The Fall” – Excerpt from Letters from My Father’s Murderer

Posted on: July 22nd, 2015 by Laurie Coombs

The following is an excerpt taken from Letters from My Father’s Murderer: A Journey of Forgiveness (pages 36-38). The Fall “I don’t know how you do it, Laurie,” some would say. “You’ve been through so much. You’re such a strong person.” And in my heart, I’d think, I know. I am pretty amazing. These comments were intended to be compliments, words to encourage me, but they only fueled my growing pride. And, as they say, pride most certainly does come before the fall. I started noticing issues with my health little more than a year later. I was nauseous all the time, and I just didn’t feel quite right. “I think I’m pregnant,” I told Travis. “Really?” “Yeah, but the tests keep coming back negative. Do you think I should get a blood test?” Travis thought I was being silly, but I went to my doctor the next week anyway. He…

If God be For Me, Who Can be Against Me? {Guest Post}

Posted on: July 16th, 2015 by Laurie Coombs 3 Comments

I’d like to welcome Nan Jones to the blog today! Nan and I met last summer at the Christian Communicators Conference in North Carolina, and let me tell you, she is a firecracker for Jesus! I just love Nan and her heart for ministry. She and I, though COMPLETE strangers when we arrived, had the privilege of rooming together during the conference. We spent close to a week in the same room, along with two other amazing ladies, so needless to say, we got to know one another real well which was a delight! Her book, Perils of a Pastor’s Wife, has just released, and so I wanted to take a moment to introduce you all to her. I pray you are blessed! If God be For Me, Who Can be Against Me? Written by Nan Jones  I tossed and turned; restlessness governed my sleep. All of my dreams seemed…

Q&A with Laurie Coombs

Posted on: July 15th, 2015 by Laurie Coombs

I’ve been asked a lot of questions lately with the release of my new book, Letters from My Father’s Murderer: A Journey of Forgiveness, so I figured, I’d put together a little Q&A to give answers to some of the most commonly asked questions. If you have a question not covered in this post, be sure to ask it in the comments section below. I can’t promise I’ll answer them right away, but I will do my best to get to them in the next week or so! Q&A with Laurie Coombs Q: What would you like for readers to know about you personally? A: I’m just a girl who loves Jesus. Someone who believes God enough to follow His lead. I love my husband and children more than I can ever say. I love spending time with my family and friends. I drink entirely way too many soy chai…

Where the Healing Begins

Posted on: July 8th, 2015 by Laurie Coombs

I didn’t want to revisit my past, but I knew I needed to. I had already seen God move mightily on my behalf in the short time since giving my life to Christ, but I knew He wasn’t finished yet. Healing begins the moment we allow Jesus complete access to the darkness contained within our souls. Darkness must flee in the presence of light, in the presence of Jesus, but light cannot go where it is not permitted. Doors must be opened for light’s rays to touch our darkest dark. And at this point, I was flinging doors open left and right, begging, Come, Lord Jesus, come. Soon, I heard God’s gentle whisper––“It’s time to forgive.” I knew what God was calling me to. I knew I was being called to forgive Anthony, the man who murdered my dad. But quite honestly, I thought I had already done that. Yet…

Kindle Fire Winner! And What People are Saying about Letters from My Father’s Murderer

Posted on: July 6th, 2015 by Laurie Coombs 1 Comment

Today’s the day to announce the winner of the Kindle Fire HD7! But first, I’d like to send out a huge THANK YOU to all of you have have been helping me spread the word about my new book, Letters from My Father’s Murderer: A Journey of Forgiveness. I know I’ve said it before, but I do believe the message of this book has the power to transform lives, so KEEP SHARING!!! Here are just a few of the things people are saying: “A gripping story and an amazing testimony to God’s grace” – Kathy “A must read!! Laurie is one of my favorite authors!!” – Nancy “I feel as if every household should own at least one copy.” – Paula “As I pass your book on to others, I can only hope each reader receives a gift from reading it as powerful as the gift I have received.” – Reader “It…

This Wonderfully Messy World

Posted on: July 1st, 2015 by Laurie Coombs

I know some of you are familiar with my story, but some of you newer readers aren’t. And so with the release of my new book, Letters from My Father’s Murderer: A Journey of Forgiveness, I thought it would be a good idea to write a few articles to fill you in. I pray you are blessed. I had always thought the world was a wonderful place, full of beauty and love and light. Growing up, the life I imagined for myself looked more like a fairytale than I care to admit. I had plans for my life, big plans. But just as I was coming into my own, just as I was about to seize all life has to offer, my world unraveled when confronted by an evil I never imagined possible. My dad, who I love more than I can ever say, was murdered, and with that loss, all…