Back in November of 2010 I had the privilege of hosting Jocelyn Green - author of the devotional for military wives entitled Faith Deployed - here on the blog. (Click HERE to read her previous interview.) Now it is my great pleasure to welcome her back to talk about her latest release, Faith Deployed . . . Again. Read on to learn more about Jocelyn and how you can win a copy of her book!
Amber: Jocelyn, I'm so happy to host you again! Last time you were here, we discussed your devotional book Faith Deployed. Now you have a new release – the sequel to Faith Deployed. Could you share with us the inspiration behind the sequel and what readers can expect from it?
Jocelyn: The inspiration for the sequel, Faith Deployed . . . Again, was the same as the inspiration for the first book. In a word, military wives need encouragement, and the best source is God’s Word.
As a former Coast Guard wife, I was so desperate for biblical encouragement that spoke directly to me. To have an opportunity to collect this type of encouragement and have it published by Moody is an incredible gift. I never once lacked motivation to work on this project. Encouraging military wives is my heart’s passion. Plumbing the depths of God’s Word and finding new gems in it to share with other women was a deeply spiritual and satisfying experience for me.
Amber: That's wonderful! Your passion is quite inspiring. =)
The title of your sequel (as you mentioned) is Faith Deployed . . . Again. What is the significance behind the phrase “Faith Deployed,” and can the phrase (and the book itself) have meaning for those who aren’t military wives, as well?
Jocelyn: I think of “faith deployed” as a faith called into action. Whether your military family experiences deployments or not, military life requires that we all deploy our faith in order to respond biblically to each trial we face. While this book was written by and for military wives, using illustrations from the military lifestyle, anyone who reads the book will come away with a deeper understanding of God’s Word and how it applies to trials we face. Military wives will be likely to get the most out of it, since it speaks directly to their unique lifestyle, but I have heard from many, many civilians, and men, who have also benefitted from reading it.
Amber: I agree with that! It was a blessing to read Faith Deployed, and I'm enjoying Faith Deployed . . . Again (which I'm partway through).
So, as a military wife, what do you admire most about the military?
Jocelyn: I admire the military family’s commitment to honor, duty, service and sacrifice. In this “me-first” society we live in as Americans, military families give so much of themselves to a cause that is bigger than themselves—we can all learn from that, and from them.
Amber: Yes!!
Do you have any plans for future books?
Jocelyn: Yes! I’m getting ready to turn in my first novel to Moody Publishers. Narrow Passages, to be released in the spring, is the first in a series of four historical fiction books set in the Civil War. The inspiration for the series came from research I did when working on Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front of American Wars (AMG Publishers, March 2012). I may not be done writing devotionals yet, but I am branching out into other things—still military-themed, at least for now! I have no plans to stop writing any time soon. =)
Amber: Which is great news for us! (Since I'm taking a class on the Civil War Era, I must admit I'm even more excited about your upcoming fiction series!) Thank you so much for sharing with us, Jocelyn!
~ ~ ~
Readers, thanks to Jocelyn Green, Natalie Myers, and Moody Publishers, I have an extra copy of Faith Deployed . . . Again to give away to one of you! Here are the rules for the giveaway:
- Leave a comment for Jocelyn along with your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win! (And if you have a chance, feel free to check out Jocelyn's website, then come back and share your thoughts on her work/ministry!)
- You must have a U.S. mailing address in order to enter the drawing.
- A winner will be announced on the next "Monday for the Military" post.
36 comments:
What a great concept for devotionals! And I'll be looking forward to that new civil war series too. Great interview, Amber.
This looks amazing. Thanks for the chance to win this.
agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com
Kav,
I so agree! :) And doesn't that Civil War series sound great??
Glad you enjoyed the interview, and thank you for stopping by!
~Amber
Rebecca,
Thank you for entering the drawing! :)
~Amber
I recieved the first faith deployed book last christmas from my sister. My husband was currently overseas and we were going through our first deployment...it was long, tough year, and we had many glimpses of God's hand covering him and the men serving beside him. We were truely blessed, and the book also helped encourage me on those days when i would selfishly think i was the only one going through deployment and lonliness, and it helped lead me out of that selfishness and into a attitude of praiseing God for helping us get THROUGH it and showing me it's not all about me and i wasn't the only one going through those things..and i wasn't going through it alone!
I would love a chance to be entered into the drawing for the new one, but even if i don't win, i'll be buying it soon! Thank you Jocelyn for devoting your time and energy into military wives! I was really blessed to have been given this book while being a newlywed and going through a first time deployment and not knowing much about the army.
eternallyblessed07@hotmail.com
Heather Christine,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with us here - and for the sacrifices you and your husband have made for our country! I can't imagine how hard that first deployment (and all the ones thereafter) must be. I'm pleased to hear that you were blessed by Faith Deployed. I had the opportunity to read it even though I'm not a military wife, and I was still blessed by the lessons and encouragement in the book. :)
Consider yourself entered in the drawing! :) Thank you for stopping by, and you're most welcome to hang out here anytime! I have a weekly feature called "Mondays for the Military," which includes anything from author interviews, giveaways, reviews, and other spotlights on those serving in or helping the U.S. military.
~Amber
Awesome, awesome! Loved Faith Deployed, read it during my husband's most recent deployment. Looking forward to reading Faith Deployed......Again! Thank you!!
ddkdb@att.net
Danielle,
So glad to hear you loved Faith Deployed, and so great to have you visit! Like I told Heather, I have a weekly feature on Mondays to honor the military, so do feel free to stop by anytime! :)
Good luck in the drawing!
~Amber
Thank you for your love for all of us! I am a veteran and spouse and the need for encouragement is more now than ever with ALL of the deployments. I extended our military ministry in our church and will probably use your book as one of our studies!
~Margie (bm_warren@bellsouth.net)
Thank you for the chance to win this book. There are so few really helpful books for the spiritual help while enduring a deployment.
Thanks for the great chance to win the book!
-sarah
s_deeren@hotmail.com
Thank you for sharing. This looks great.
chelseavanderschaaf@gmail.com
I read Faith Deployed while my husband was deployed, it is amazing! We are now going through our 3rd deployment and I cant wait to read Faith Deployed...Again.
Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy! :)
Ivy (ivy.sellers1@gmail(dot)com
I am getting ready for our first deployment and someone gave me a copy of your first book..what a blessing! Thank you for this opportunity! My email is drakedunn@comcast.net.
Thank you for a chance to win!
Clj122490@gmail.com
-Courtney
Hi Jocelyn,
I love your first devotional-Faith Deployed. I am currently working my way through it right now. My hubby sent it to me to read while he is deployed. The Lord has been working through my heart and strengthening my heart through the daily reading. Thank you for all the encouragement and laughs!
~Sarah M. HAFB
sarsrah@yahoo.com
In the almost thirteen years that I have been an army wife, I think my husband has spent more than half of the time deployed or TDY. I would love a chance to win this book :)
Thanks for the chance to win this book- It looks awesome! I would really appreciate it as my husband seems to be getting deployed again & again!
-Alicia
mike.alicia123@yahoo.com
Love these devotionals! We are going through our first deployment and each one if them helps me through the day.
Elizabeth.repic at yahoo :) blessings!!
It is true, there are not many positive, faith based books to help us get through deployments and military life in general. We often submit to all the negative drama and selfish thoughts surrounding us, instead of relying on our Lord to help us through. I've often shared the Faith Deployed book with many of my fellow Navy Wives and if even just for a moment, it gives them peace and hope, it has done its good work. I am beyond excited to read Faith Deployed Again and thank you for the opportunity to win the book.
~ Michelle B (myheartburns4u@ymail.com)
I received Faith Deployed a couple of months ago. Havent finished but it is so encouraging for those going through or getting ready to go through a deployment(like me)that might need to build their faith. Thanks for the chance to enter! God Bless!
Stefanie
stefwheatley@comcast.net
Air Force wife here, just finished our 6th deployment with our 4 kids. We just got my husband home a few days ago. :) I would love to win this book, I know this was not our last deployment and would love to have some encouraging words from the Lord himself.
Spring S
jsjshores@hotmail.com
What a wonderful concept for a book. I've not read Faith Deployed, but would love to get a copy. I'll be interested to see how the first book and the sequal encourage military wives of deployed service members. My husband was in the Active Duty Army for 11 years before getting out and into the Reserves where he has served ever since; he was deployed to Iraq in 2006.
The two service components are so very different in the way families interact, and their needs are somewhat the same, but, at the same time very, very different, if that makes sense. My husband has always thought it's tougher for AD families with multiple deployments, and that is tough, but luckily AD families have a community that cares right by their side. But Reserve activations and deployments can also take their toll, and our families are all over and living in communities that care, but don't necessarily understand -- and they cannot be expected to understand.
Our youngest daughter was in the first grade when her dad mobilized for the first time after leaving AD, and the following year he went to Iraq. After continuous mobilizations from that point, she and I finally moved after her sister and brother had gotten out of high school - at our own expense - to be able to live with him when she entered the 6th grade. He missed out on the 7th grade because Reserve Component funding was an issue, then made it back for 8th grade, only to be and he returned to his civilain job in our hometown. Then, earlier this year he was "sanctuaried" back into the Active Component and given the choice to deploy to Pakistan or Afghanistan. So, as she starts her 9th grade year, he is on an unaccompanied tour to Germany and now deployed to Afghanistan for a year. We hope to have him home by the middle of her sophomore year when he'll finally retire after 31 years total service with 20 years Active Duty.
When military wives need encouragement, God is ALWAYS the answer. The separation is tough, but sometimes it's the "other things" that we have to face that take their toll. I'm not talking about air conditioners going out simultaneously in two houses (happened while he was in Iraq), kids wrecking cars (yep, that too), renters moving out (that was this summer while we were in Europe), washing machines flooding, and the like -- those things are easy. It's the life altering occurances and events that sometimes make us feel like there is no hope (I'm actually facing one of those bridges with one of my children right now). But that's when we MUST turn to God, and pray for understanding as we face each trial on our own, because we're really not alone, now are we?
Thank you for the blog article/interview. I can't wait to get the books!
Ginger
gpearson61@yahoo.com
Wow! Thank you all so much for stopping by, sharing your hearts and encouragement, and entering the drawing! I think that if you haven't yet read Faith Deployed and/or its sequel, you will love it. :)
Most importantly, I want to thank all of you military wives for the sacrifices you have made in serving your country on the home-front. You are all amazing, and I know there is no way that those of us who haven't experienced what you've gone through can understand. But we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
~Amber
P.S. Huge "thank you" to Jocelyn for letting me host her today (and for posting about this on Facebook - I now see where all these new visitors came from!)! :)
My husband is on his second deployment and currently in Afghanistan. I have the Faith Deployed Book and love the encouragement I get from it. I would like the chance to win a copy of Faith Deployed...Again. Either way, I will be getting a copy to get me through the rest of this deployment.
Blessings,
Karen
kjhart11@cox.net
Jocelyn interviewed me for a piece some time ago and she was so amazing in the way she really listened to me!! She is exceptionally talented and I enjoyed this interview with her very much!! God Bless you Jocelyn for all you are doing for military families!! You are truly a source of encouragement and inspiration! Huggs!!
ariel28771@googlemail.com
Amber, You always do a great job with your Mondays for the Military, I am happy to send some traffic your way! What in particular are you studying about the Civil War right now, or is it a general overview? So fascinating. My first novel is about a women breaking into nursing at the start of the war- you may already know the medical department only had 28 doctors for the entire Union army, so they accepted some help from women for the first time- but lots of men in that Victorian age hated that.
Thanks for hosting the give-away!
Jocelyn
I wanted to share that your 1st book Faith Deployed helped me get spiritually ready & tackle my husband's 2nd deployment to Iraq 2 yrs ago. I enjoyed it so much I shared w/ my sunday school class & then passed it along to BAMC for another spouse of a deployed service member. Then when I returned to my last duty station Andrews AFB, MD I saw it in the base library while going w/ a friend who was experiencing her husband's 1st deployment - I made sure she checked it out!! As my husband is away for combat skills training & about to deploy for a yr to Kandahar, I find the release of a new "Faith Deployed" so exciting & timely!! Even if I don't win the drawing I will be sure to check it out at the library or purchase one copy online! Thank you for all you do to bring God's love & encouragement to military spouses!!
Julie janglecat@yahoo.com
Jocelyn,
Thank you! :) I know my "Mondays for the Military" posts have been sporadic at times, but I'm hoping to be more consistent this Fall and see how it goes. :) I so appreciate our military men and women, as well as their families! My daddy is a retired Navy Captain, and it's just amazing to hear his stories.
As for my Civil War class, it's simply called "Civil War Era." It's basically a history class covering the the antebellum period, the Civil War, and I think some of the Reconstruction period. We just started classes last week, so nope, I didn't know that fact! I'm so excited that you're also writing fiction now!! If you'd like to, I'd love to have you back when your the first one is released. :)
~Amber
I will buy this book if I don't win it! The first was soooo encouraging and supportive of being a christian and being married to a man in the military! Thank you for writing it and sharing it.
sunshine1060@bellsouth.net
Jocelyn,
I never had the opportunity to read either book but having you accessible on Facebook has been inspiring and encouraging. I can only imagine how great it is to read the book itself. I've done 5 short deployments with my husband and now doing a year long hardship tour while expecting our first child. I thought this tour would be easier to do alone since my husband wasn't going to be in a combat zone but so much for that. I don't feel any different emotionally because my husband is still gone. I'm so glad to have such a great support system when I'm having those lonely moments of despair. So I appreciate it immensely for you opening your heart and continuing this great gift God has given you to show to all of us. Thank you and God Bless!
~Marie~
mariehaggerty123@gmail.com
I will never be able to fully give my thanks, for how your words and help Jocelyn has impacted me. Thank you for what you do, and I can't wait to read this new book.
--Hannah
hanlynn3@gmail.com
I am 1/4 of the way through my 1st deployment and so far we are trucking along. I can't wait to read your book.
tm_burriss@yahoo.com
Jocelyn's book, Faith Deployed, was recommended to me by two other military wives shortly after my husband left for a one year deployment to Afghanistan.
I felt pretty isolated in our circumstance while living in a small town and trying to raise our 6 year old son and 1 year old daughter.
The book was a lifeline to feeling support and encouragement from people who've "been there". What an amazing blessing this book has been to me. Thank you and God bless
~ Kelley
kelleydesigns@gmail.com
I just found your blog! Thank you so much for having a Military Monday feature. It's wonderful to know there are Christian civilian families out there that also pray for those in the military. I read the last Faith Deployed book and loved it. Thanks for sharing this interview! :)
semperwifey75@gmail.com
http://semperwifey.blogspot.com
Semper Wifey,
So nice to have you visit!! :) I started the "Mondays for the Military" feature about a year ago, and it has been a true blessing to meet different military members and those who are supporting them or writing military-themed books. :)
My dad was a Captain in the Navy, and my grandpa was in the Navy and Merchant Marines, so I have a deep respect and a big heart for the military. :) I think what really inspired me to do something on my blog was going to Arlington National Cemetery to see my great-uncle's (and his crew's) funeral service (it's a long story, which you can learn more about by clicking on the "Washington D.C." link in the labels section). It was a life-changing experience!
I'm so glad to know that this feature can be an encouragement to some of our military members and their families. :) If you would ever like to be featured one Monday, please let me know! I'm sure others would be comforted/encouraged by the stories of our military's families. :)
God bless!
~Amber
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