Paulette believes that "fulfilling life's purpose is having a passion and drive that won't go away."
This author interview consists of two parts. This interview was completed via email and later compiled into a post. Author interviews are used here to promote new Christian authors who have found their place on the Wall of Writers.
With grace and honor I would like to introduce to you pastor, author, and teacher Paulette Harper!
When did you come to faith in Jesus Christ?
PH- I came into a personal relationship with Christ in my early twenties and have been walking with Him for over 20 years.
Tell me a little bit about your background growing up.
PH- I am the youngest of eight children and raised by a single mother.
Your book That Was Then... is a teaching book and its title suggests getting past the place of pressing. In general, how did it come about?
PH- I went through an unwanted divorce yet in this particular season in my life, I discovered who Paulette is.
In the book That Was Then... you write about how “the enemy knows where you are in your relationship with Christ and he will make sure you are in-operative, ineffective, and unfruitful in all you do.”
The book of Job talks about how God allowed Satan to sift Job.
Where were you in your relationship (as you knew it) with Christ when God allowed this change to begin?
PH-At that particular time in my life, God allowed my foundation to be shaken. Everything that was important to me had been removed. I was left with many unanswered questions, but as I walked everyday by faith with Jesus Christ, He began to reveal another plan that He had for my life.
You speak in your book about the enemy proverbially “raping you” of your identity.
In what areas do women permit satan to steal their identity?
PH- I believe women allow satan to steal their identity when they forget who they are as individuals. They are so busy helping everyone else and they are the last to get their needs met. It is important for women to recognize not to just give and give, but to take time out to enjoy who they are as women.
You mention that others in the church were watching you to see how you were going to get out of trouble.
Do you believe those watching you were hoping you would fail? Do you think they were testing you or testing God?
PH-I believe certain people thought God had abandoned me therefore, yes I believe they wanted to see me fail. I don't believe they were testing God, but I do believe they didn't want to see God bless me either.
One of the things I loved about the book is a non-specific admonition of topics. A lot times today people/Christians worship their problems by telling every morsel and looking for healing from the adulation they get from others. You didn’t do that. Why?
PH- I had to learn a very powerful lesson. Seeking praise and admonition from others will not last. As long as you are doing things that please man, they will applaud you. But if/when we so something to hurt them they will turn their backs on us. I found that my affirmation and my identity had to come from no one other than Jesus Christ.
You speak about how you learned to praise God through the pain? That suffering is a part of God’s plan for us. What would you say to critics who do not understand what it means to press through the pain through praise?
PH- Paul and Silas are perfect examples of this. They were in prison for preaching about Jesus Christ and living in unbearable conditions, yet they were able to praise God in the midst of their uncertainty. Something happens when we begin to praise God, not because of the difficult times, but because we really know God and trust that He will get us out of the condition or out of the trouble.
You wrote about destiny. You wrote, “ The world’s system has been set up to leave you in a state of wandering without a purpose, plan, or sense of belonging. How does the world’s system leave a woman wandering without a purpose? How can women seek or return to their God purpose?
PH- The system of this world is an enemy of God therefore as believers we cannot find our purpose from a system that has turned its back on the things of God. I believe a person can find their God given purpose through prayer. Fulfilling life's purpose is having a passion and drive that won't go away. A person will know when he or she is doing what they were created to do when that particular vocation brings them happiness and joy.
When you look back on the 5+ years of your struggle, how are you better equipped to serve God having gone through the years of sifting?
PH- God reveals His character to us in our trials and testing. My relationship with Him developed stronger with convictions because I have lived through the struggles.
Are there words or an action plan you could say to someone to encourage them in their season of winter?
PH-I would tell those who are facing enormous challenges that better days are ahead. This is what God spoke to my heart while I was going through what I considered very hard and difficult times.
This concludes part 1 of the Author Interview-Paulette Harper. Please check back tomorrow for part 2 where Paulette will give new writers advise about writing and publishing and introduce her new book that was just released on her own publishing label. Blessings.
© 2010 MLMichaels
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