Maureen Pratt, Author and Speaker

I'm delighted to say I'll be back on Relevant Radio (www.relevantradio.com) on Monday, July 12, 2010, at 8:00 AM Central/​6:00 AM Pacific, speaking with host Sean Herriott. The program broadcasts through all the Relevant Radio stations, and streams live over the internet on the RR website. Hope you can tune in!

This summer, LLBN will be repeating all 11 episodes of "Peace in the Storm." Here are the next three upcoming episodes:

The week of July 4, Olympian Marilyn White will be my guest in the episode "You Are an Athlete!"

The week of July 11, the episode "If You Can't Find It, Build It" will feature Lisa Copen, founder of Rest Ministries.

The week of July 18, Dermatologist Nancy Anderson MD will talk about all things skin and hair-related.

The week of July 25, a reprise of the episode "Biblical Gardening" with Master Gardener Vince Conway.

For info about air dates and times, or how to watch "Peace in the Storm," see my Events Page or go to www.llbn.tv. Visit my guests' websites, when available, via the links on my Home Page.
Joys!

One word, one phrase, one thought...

Sometimes, we think that in order to be of service to others or accomplish something worthwhile, we have to do something HUGE! BIG! RECORD-BREAKING! UNPRECEDENTED! Clearly, there seem to be more news stories and general discussion over the daring deeds and amazing antics of others than there are about the daily, seemingly mundane actions we each take part in.

But in truth, often the thing that can move others most and make the most difference in our own lives is that one gently spoken word, the encouraging phrase, the inspired idea that comes either from someone else or through that soft whisper of God in our hearts.

I am especially reminded of this as I embark upon what I sense will be a very creative time. I have a new book coming out this October, which is very exciting. Moreover, because of recent words, phrases and ideas, I am also working on a fiction project and two more inspirational, faith-centered works to help others live more fully with illness and pain.

The fiction project was prompted by an email I received recently from someone who had enjoyed my novella, "Dear Love," that was published many years ago, and who wondered if I would be writing anymore fiction. I was really surprised to get the email - and delighted! I'd been thinking of this fiction project, and the email was just the thing to send my idea into writing.

The two inspirational books stem from my daily walk with health challenges that seem to never end and only become more pressing. This time, God's voice inside has guided me to hone my observations into themes that, I hope, will join "Peace in the Storm" and "Beyond Pain..." (my upcoming book) on the shelves sometime soon.

There is no telling when what we say, do, or listen for will yield life-changing actions that make a difference. We never know when an encouraging word might lift someone's spirits or change someone's heart. But if we think of our words and deeds as gifts and bestow them carefully and with love, we can know that we are imparting something precious, meaningful, and grace-full!

Joy and peace,
Maureen

Yes, I finally took the plunge and established myself on Facebook and Twitter. On both, you'll find me as Maureen Pratt. In the coming days, I hope to post more frequently - and make full use of these venues. Stop by and say hello!

UPDATE: My new book, "Beyond Pain: Job, Jesus, and Joy" will be available mid-October! I have lots of plans for the launch! I'll post these as time moves forward. Meantime, please keep this project in your prayers. Thank you!

The episode of The Word in the World, on which I was interviewed, is now available for viewing online at www.wordnet.tv. In this almost half-hour show, I talk about life with lupus and other chronic illnesses and pain, and how our faith can help us overcome isolation, sadness, and hopelessness -- and how we can help others, too.

I'm honored and delighted to say that "Peace in the Storm" has been picked up again by Global Ministries (www.new.gbgm-umc.org) and is on the UMW Reading Program list for 2010, too. What a wonderful way to bring "Peace" to more places where, I pray, it can be of service!

The interview I did on blogtalkradio at the end of June 2007 is archived on: http:/​/​www.blogtalkradio.com/​hostpage.aspx?show_id=29936
It was a wonderful experience, and the questions were some of the most enjoyable to answer that I've had. Hope you can check it out!

The segment featuring me on the Hallmark Channel's show "New Morning" was repeated in March. Both airings are now posted for viewing at www.newmorningtv.tv. When you go to that site, click on "Past Shows," then go to "February 2007" or "March 2007." Specific air dates are February 5, 2007, and March 1, 2007.

In my column, "Living Well," I explore topics related to spirituality and health -- all designed to encourage readers to take charge of as much of their health as they can and deepen their spiritual lives, too. Columns are posted on Catholic News Service's subscriber page and have so far been picked up by newspapers in Brooklyn, St. Paul/​Minneapolis, Nashville, Baton Rouge, Los Angeles, Texas, Florida, and Australia (to name a few). If your diocesan publication doesn't run "Living Well," encourage them to do so -- and let me know what you think!

The folks at beliefnet.com have asked to excerpt some of the prayers from PEACE IN THE STORM for their section on prayer. Beliefnet.com is a very interesting site devoted to introducing people to all faiths, as well as providing spiritual support to the faiths' followers.

The first few prayers are posted now at:

http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3405
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3407
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3408
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3409
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3410
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3411
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3412
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3413
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3414
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3415
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3416
http:/​/​www.beliefnet.com/​prayeroftheday/​prayer_one.asp?pid=3417

Other prayers will follow!

Tu companero catolico, a nationally syndicated Catholic radio program, did an interview with me in Spanish a few months ago -- and it aired in late October! The link to the program is on my website; you can listen on the web. (I apologize for the lack of accents in my Spanish here -- I'm just figuring out a new keyboard and hope to add them soon!)

Let me know what you think! Gracias.

Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system turns on its own organs and tissues. It is much like being allergic to oneself.

The diagnosis of lupus is complicated, and involves a comprehensive physical and hemotological examination of the patient, as well as an extensive look at a patient's past medical history. The American College of Rheumatology has established a list of criterion, and a patient needs to fulfill several of the criterion in order to be diagnosed with lupus.

Because there is no one "lupus test," or easy way to diagnose the disease, patients often go years between flares and before they are diagnosed. Lupus patients with internal manifestations of the disease often look very healthy, and can be subject to discrimination on that basis.

There are no definitive numbers of how many people in the United States actually have lupus, but recent studies indicate that there might be as many as 1.5 to 2 million women, men and children with the disease in the U.S. Lupus can strike at any age, but most of the diagnoses are made to women in their childbearing years.

Lupus symptoms can vary from fevers, joint pain, extreme fatigue, brain fog, and photosensitivity to kidney, lung, heart, and central nervous system involvement. There is not cure for lupus; doctors try to treat the symptoms with various medications, some of which have short- and long-term side effects that can also be debilitating. Disease progression and severity are different in each patient; approximately 50 percent of lupus patients will have major organ involvement. Each year, lupus patients die from the disease or from complications such as infection or cardiovascular involvement.

The psychological toll of life with lupus is immense. Because of its unpredictability, the hopes and dreams of many lupus patients are shattered, and their personal relationships, career aspirations, and spiritual wellbeing can be severely eroded, if not destroyed. The divorce rate among lupus patients is above the national average, and many lupus patients are, at one time or another during the course of the disease, treated for depression and anxiety. Lupus patients must avoid exposure to sunlight, so even normal daily activities can be impacted and in some cases done away with completely. Outdoor sports, trips to the beach, hikes, and even shopping expeditions are all questionable at best. We sometimes feel like moles!

But although lupus patients must live with lifelong, daunting physical and emotional challenges, many are very resilient and develop coping skills within the parameters of their disease involvement. Lupus patients can be everyone's heroines and heroes!

There is a great need for more research into the causes of and treatments for lupus. There is also a huge need for more public awareness of the disease, both because it will enable people to be diagnosed more rapidly and because it will help others understand what lupus patients struggle with on a daily basis.

For further information, please see my book, TAKING CHARGE OF LUPUS: HOW TO MANAGE THE DISEASE AND MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR LIFE, and Dr. Daniel Wallace's book THE LUPUS BOOK. Also, contact the Lupus Foundation of America: www.lupus.org

Thank you!