Happy New Year! I'm pleased to introduce you to Mary DeMuth and all she has to offer to get our new year started off right.

When you ask Mary DeMuth what is the most important thing to know about you, she readily answers: "I love Jesus—He healed me. I couldn't be who I am today without His love." Mary goes on to tell her story of trauma, abuse, and neglect in a way that glorifies the Great Healer and encourages everyone she meets to trust God for complete restoration, love and acceptance. 

No matter our background, Mary tells us that our healing can't begin until we begin to tell our story to someone who can be trusted. Both she and her husband are "pioneer parents" in that they wanted to parent differently than how they were raised. You can read about that journey in her book, "Building the Christian Family You Never Had, a Practical Guide to Pioneer Parenting."

Author of 44 books, literary agent, podcaster, speaker, and encourager, Mary DeMuth sends out a prayer for you in your email every Monday - I get one, too! And reads Scripture and prays for you on her daily podcast, Pray Everyday Show.

Mary is giving away a copy of her book:Outrageous Grace Every Day: Daily Reflections on the Gospel's Hope

You can enter to win by leaving a comment below or on instagram: @suemooredonaldson through midnight January 7.

From Mary:Ever have days where you try to pray, but the words get tangled in your throat?

Me too.

So I came up with an idea a few years ago that might help. An idea that’s already helped thousands and thousands of people around the world just like you. Just like me.

It’s called, Pray Every Day.

With Pray Every Day, I give you the words and scriptures to pray based on my studies from Genesis to Revelation, as well as my personal joys and sorrows.  It’s easy to get started. Go here to subscribe in itunes or here forSpotify. Every day you’ll get a short audio prayer from me that you can pray along with, or simply listen to.

Mary DeMuth is an international speaker, literary agent, podcaster, and she’s the novelist and nonfiction author of over forty books, including Pray Every Day (Harvest House Publishers 2020). She loves to help people re-story their lives. She lives in Texas with her husband of 31 years and is the mom to three adult children. Find out more at marydemuth.com. Be prayed for on her daily prayer podcast with 2 million downloads: prayeveryday.show. For sexual abuse resources, visit wetoo.org.  For cards, prints, and artsy fun go to marydemuth.com/art. Find out what she’s looking for as a literary agent at https://www.booksandsuch.com/our-agents/meet-mary-demuth/

Mary loves to cook and shared this hearty casserole recipe with us. It's delicious, I tried it out!

Chicken Artichoke Heart Casserole

4 whole chicken breasts1 ten-ounce frozen package of artichoke hearts1/3 cup butter (I will use less)1/3 cup flour (I will use less, more like 1/4 cup)2 1/2 cups chicken broth1/4 cup white wine4 cups shredded cheddar cheese2 Tbs green onions1/4 cup Parmesan cheese1 cup bread crumbs

Saute chicken breasts in a little olive oil until done. Cut into large chunks. Cook artichoke hearts according to package directions then drain and pat dry. Layer chicken and artichoke in a 9×13 pan. Melt butter in medium sauce pan, add flour to create a roux. Add chicken broth and stir until thickened and combined. Add wine and cheddar and onions over low heat. Stir until melted. Pour sauce over casserole. Combine breadcrumbs and Parmesan and sprinkle over casserole. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Serve with rice or pasta.

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When asked, "What's the greatest commandment?" Jesus replied simply: "Love God, love your neighbor." I imagine He was thinking,"It's not rocket science" or "What's not to like?" or  "It's not complicated."

He was right, it's not complicated.

I make it complicated. I need to pray daily to uncomplicate what He says is best for me and best for others. So I wrote 31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers, and once I pray them through, I start over again. 

You can too.

Sign up HERE to receive 31 Days of Uncomplicated Prayers to take the "complicated" out of the simple commands of Jesus. Love God. Love your neighbor. It's not complicated.