In The Living Room with Author Michele Andrea Bowen

God always has a plan and for the last few months I have been preaching on connections...which leads me to the introduction of this sister. I was reading her book "Holy Ghost Corner" and I was cracking up! I was laughing so hard that my husband kept coming in the room to check on me. So drawn into this book, I went out the next day and bought "Second Sunday" and "Church Folk"! I promise that if you pick up one of her books, you'll be wrapped in her gift just like I was.
I knew then that I had to connect with her. I wrote Michele and we've been writing ever since. She is not only a God fearing woman, but truly a help and inspiration to the body of Christ. I am honored to come back to you In The Living Room with the one and only Michele Andrea Bowen!





Michele tell the readers a little bit about you.

I am just a regular lil’ black girl from the north side in St. Louis, MO.  I grew up in a blue collar, working-folk neighborhood.  I was active in my church—love to sing.  And I have a huge family and spent lots of time with my cousins.
Durham, NC is my second home. I moved here in 1982.  I love North Carolina.  I’m a mom—two daughters, 24 and 14.  Also, have a grandson who is 2.
I am a member of St. Joseph’s AME Church in Durham. My pastor and first lady are Rev. Philip R. Cousin, Jr. and Angela M. Cousin. They are the best. We are very blessed to have them.
 

Do you truly believe that you are walking in your purpose and what did it take to get you to this point?

Yes, I believe that I’m on the right road with regard to walking in my purpose. I know the Lord called me to write funny stories about Him and the church.  
It took faith and prayer and a willingness to train and learn the craft.  I worked hard in college and graduate school.  I work hard on every book I write. I can be very meticulous when working on a story.  I do a lot of research and I always know my subject matter well.

What advice would you give to a young woman who knows that God has something special for them, but somehow can’t seem to get enough faith to walk in her purpose?

Pray. Read the Word. Have a prayer partner who supports you and believes in your dream.  Tell folk who talk trash about your dream to “Talk the Hand,” and shake the dust off of your feet where they are concerned.

And she should trust the Lord—even through the twists and turns and highs and lows of walking in that purpose.  Sometimes we want a huge and fast reward, and see that as our blessings. But it’s bigger and much more comprehensive than that.  The Lord wants us to enjoy this journey and appreciate the smaller and quieter routes we take.  Lot of blessings in just doing what is in your heart for the Lord.  Lot of peace in that, too….not to mention joy.

All of us have gone through some rough times, Michele can you recall a time when you really believed that God had left you by yourself and how did you overcome? 

There isn’t a time when I thought God had left me by myself.  But there have been times when it appeared as if God wasn’t moving in those areas where I needed His help in a HUGE way, and I had trouble understanding why He hadn’t moved or was leaving me in that spot like that. Those times felt like I was standing in the middle of a scorcher day, and there was absolutely no wind blowing whatsoever.

I prayed, read the Word.  I talked to a friend who knows the Lord and made sure I had some prayer partners with me in that.

And I talked to the Lord honestly and candidly, straight up and no chaser. I told Him exactly how I felt and was very honest about my requests.  Then, I asked for His help and guidance, His peace and joy.


In Ten minutes, would you give our readers a testimony of God’s goodness and something specific that has happened in your life that will encourage, change, or usher them into a new perspective on life. 

God has protected me and delivered me out of some tough times.  He has provided for me in such a way that I’m encouraged and my heart is lifted.  He has shown me in the most poignant ways that He is truly my source and He will come through when I need Him.

Can you tell us a little about what you are doing now and what can we look forward to seeing from you?

I just finished the first draft for a new novel with St. Martin's Press, and doing the edits on that book now...but I wanted to do my short stories  which  I just published in late May ...that book is titled, Riding Dirty and with Jesus?  It was a lot fun.  So, "In The Living Room" will actually post the announcement for the new book first!  
http://www.amazon.com/Riding-Dirty-Jesus-ebook/dp/B0087EACDQ/ref=la_B001IOFJI0_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1339465648&sr=1-6


To find out more about Michele Andrea Bowen, visit www.micheleandreabowen.com! Also you can visit her at https://www.facebook.com/#!/micheleandreabowen! Look her up and go grab her books. You will definitely get a good laugh!
I'm also so excited that In The Living Room is the first to showcase her New Book "Riding Dirty and with Jesus?" Check it out on Amazon and get your copy today....I'm surely getting mine! Hope you enjoyed the interview...Be Blessed! 

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