Check out Cynthia’s new Christmas book, The Spirit of Christmas: Discovering His Presence Throughout the Advent Season.
I am looking forward to reading it!
Curious about the connection? Read on…
Cynthia was a wonderful, sensitive keynote speaker for our CCW Fall Conference. We enjoyed taking her to dinner afterward and catching up with her.
A few years ago, I attended my first writing conference. It was Write to Publish in Chicago, once managed by Lyn Johnson and now owned/managed by Steve Laube.
People kept telling me they read fiction to RELAX – for the happy, chill-out moments on the couch or the back porch. Even though my books end well, I wondered if I was wrong in what my Lord was calling me to do. Was I bananas???? Was I not hearing Him when He said that my fiction is supposed to be a catalyst for change and to transform lives?
Please, Jesus, make it so very clear. I begged!
I almost didn’t enter the building. I was that nervous. And I knew no one. I only walked in because I had already paid.
I had a good lunch with a tableful of ladies who seemed enthralled with my own story of abuse and how that had led to my heart for this topic. “Your book is so needed,” they said.
I met with a top-notch and well-known editor/agent who was so encouraging that I floated out of the auditorium. I actually did sign with an agent I met there (not Cynthia), but after a lot of noncommunication on this new agent’s part, I later terminated that relationship.
During worship on the last day, I headed to the front row (which was four rows back). Attendance was lower as some had left, and I’m sure I stuck out like a knot on the forehead in that row by myself.
I had no idea I would shortly be bawling my eyes out.
Cynthia Ruchti led worship that year. And I believe she was a substitute.
While she was there, she received an important text and said she had a story to tell us. In her small town in Wisconsin, a strip club had become an eyesore. It was the first building people saw as they entered the city.
What?! She had my attention – much human trafficking happens at clubs, and there is a scene depicting this in Innocent Lives.
A Place for Ministry
“OK, Lord, this is like my fourth confirmation in two days! I got the message!”
I learned that the owner chose to sell his property to the church. The church, small as it was, shared the story and passed the offering plate. The amount of quite a bit over one hundred thousand dollars seemed astronomical to a small church, but they raised it during that offering. The property is now a park, beautifully landscaped. A “healing place.”
Where Did The Workers Go?
YES!
Walking Close to the Savior
I was very pleased to see Cynthia’s closeness with our Savior. Since I have returned from Heaven’s gates, I realize even more so how vital this remains. (Read my heaven blog here). This agent/author/woman extraordinaire prioritizes God in her life. She easily and naturally deflects all the accomplishments He has given her to HIM. She is passionate on stage, talking about what HE has done for her, and she is incredibly humble and secure in who she is as a daughter of the Most High King.
She also told me to stay alive this time. :-) Ha ha.
I wasn’t even sure if she would remember or recognize me at first. But I know that the God of our hearts did! And His plans are so much greater than ours. Thank you, my Lord.
