Janet Roller - Living Oak Ministries

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Hi. I'm Janet Roller: wife of one, mother of two, lover of coffee and writer of songs. I have just finished my first fiction novel and I'm looking forward to watching how God uses the simple story to minister to others. God is a big deal to me. My goal each day is to wake up and declare, "This day is Yours, Lord. Show me what to do with it."

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Cool Stuff!

I'm excited to announce that I will be published in Charles Stanley's In Touch Magazine and Focus on the Family's Thriving Family magazine in December.

Next week I am serving on faculty at the LifeWay's Autumn in the Mountains Novelist Retreat at Ridgecrest. I can't wait to learn from experienced writers while I work on my first fiction project.

I found out today I'm the keynote for South Carolina's DHEC Annual Training Retreat again this year.

God is leading...and I'm following. Praise His name!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Mouse Trap


When speaking at a recent weekend conference, the end was nearing and I approached the final moments of our time together with an invitation for Salvation. The mood was reverent and mighty.

Just as I finished reading scriptures of the woman at the well, the final line of Jesus’ words, “your sins are forgiven now go in peace” was met with an interesting response.

The entire auditorium seemed to gasp simultaneously. Wow! What a reaction, I thought. I know the Word is powerful but I have never had such a reaction!

Just as my mind was processing the response and praying internally about the next words to say, a lady on the front row explained the corporate inhale.

“A mouse just ran across the stage.”

Not missing a beat, I turned with an outstretched hand and repeated the last words of the recently read scripture, “Go in peace." I continued, "Well, in the garden he came as a serpent. Today, he comes as a mouse.”

Ladies chuckled and I felt assured I had handled an uncomfortable moment with poise, grace and humor.

But, guess what – no one came for the alter call. The spirit of the moment was shattered. Salvation for someone was postponed. The distraction of a tiny mouse made the reverent moment - irrelevant.

I have thought about that day over and over. As I joked about Satan coming as a serpent, I realized that was absolutely true. He uses small distractions in our lives to get our minds off the Most High moments. That day, the mouse accomplished the goal.

What are your distractions? Don't fall into the trap. Recognize the attempts to draw you away from God’s presence and perfect plan in your life and keep your eyes on Him.