Pressing Into Thin Places Author Interview

What a great night I had.  I did my first author interview, via phone, with Dr. Margaret Harrell Wills.  Her book, Pressing Into Thin Places, is a collection of stories from the author's personal experiences, lovingly laced with her own poetry and prose, and infused with biblical views and rich truths.  My first question upon reading the book was exactly what does the term "thin place" mean. Dr. Willis explains in her book that a "thin place" is a"place where  the veil that separates heaven and earth  is nearly transparent.  It is a place where we experience a deep sense of God's presence in our everyday world."

 At 6:00 PM CST this evening I nervously dialed Dr. Wills number and began my interview.  What an experience!
Me:  Thank you so much for giving me this time Dr. Wills.  I understand what a thin place is, what I would like to know is when did you first experience one?
Dr. Wills - "My husband and I were separated and I was laying in bed looking out at the city lights and felt so little and I was wondering did God really know what was going on?  I awakened later actually singing, "Amazing Grace."  My thin place was a momentary awareness or profound unexplainable experience.
Me:  I write poetry and prose myself, did you plan the poetry for the book?  I think it really added something to just reading a story.
Dr. Wills:  "I like the rhythm and cadence of poetry and prose.  I believe it was natural to intermingle my poetry into the stories and biblical references.  I believe I was influenced by Psalms.  You know even David in the Psalms would begin complaining and somewhere through piece he would begin to praise as the Holy Spirit took over."
Me:  Pressing Into Thin Places gives readers permission to be authentic and to acknowledge doubt, questions, even depression.  Often we experience guilt over these sometimes realities, fearing they show a weak faith.  But how can facing these circumstances or emotions actually strengthen faith and reveal the presence of God in our lives?
Dr. Wills:  "We all have ups and downs.  We are emotional beings.  This is part of life.  But can we dial up different thoughts?  Can we change our feelings?  Many times, I believe we can.  Not too long ago I came across a verse in I Samuel 30.  The chapter talked about a time when David was defeated by his enemies, rejected by all those around him and discouraged to the core.  In verse 6, it says, "And David strengthened in the Lord."  How do we strengthen ourselves in the Lord?  I believe we do what a verse in Psalms suggests: "And then one day I went into yur sanctuary and thought" (Ps. 73:17).  We strengthen ourselves in the Lord by going His presence and letting Him guide our thinking.  Many of the Psalms tell us that David worshipped and meditated on the scriptures.  This was no exception.  He received new purpose, vision, and authority.  He waited patiently to become King."
Me:  What do you want your readers to know about struggle and doubt?
Dr. Wills:  "We all go through it, what is wrong is when we don't deal with it.  We should call out and  as you get through whatever situation you are in and look back you see that God really was there.  Think of Thomas who came to Jesus in his time of great grief when his friend had died.  God wants us to be authentic.  That is what Thomas was.  He was authentic in his grief and request."
Me:  What is writing a book of this caliber like?
Dr Wills:  "Writing a book is a journey.  When I first wrote this book and submitted it it was half the size it is now.  The publisher said I had to make it bigger but I could not come up with the words to say  I prayed and asked God if He wanted this book bigger He was going to have to give me the words, and that is exactly what He did."
Dr. Wills:  "I heard a thought once that went, "Does God still speak to us?  The answer was yes....He uses dreams."
Me:  Why do you think we fear admitting doubt or struggles with faith?"
Dr. Wills:  "Fear wants to rise and speak to the bottom corners of our mind.  It will remind us not to be vulnerable.  We will remember what happens when we risk psychological safety or abandon feelings of superiority.  It is all about learning and knowing the Lord.  The teacher offers us hands on experience.  It is not just hearing the word, it is about doing the word and taking it a step further into our faith.  It is important to be obedient, having a listening ear, and a teachable one as well."
Me:  What has your faith journey taught you about prayer?
Dr. Wills:  "Letting go of the last word in a disagreement is the way.  You don't have to prove you are right."
Me:  If you don't mind my asking just what is your favorite bible verse?
Dr. Wills:  "It is one in Revelation.  I don't remember it exactly but it ends with a question, "Are your ears awake?"  Josiah, in the bible went into a battle that was none of his business.  The Pharoah had told him that God had spoken to him and he was to be allowed to cross Josiah's land...Josiah went to battle and died because his ears were not awake."
Me:  What do you want your readers to take from the book?
Dr. Wills:  "I want them to read the book, realize others can benefit from it and share it.  I hope I instill an awareness of thin places in their lives.  I would like for them to be encouraged and be encouragers to others."
What an awesome time this was for me!  I hope you will run to the nearest bookstore and buy this book. It is a great read and a great gift for someone!   Thank you so very much Dr. Wills for a thoroughly enjoyable time!

Pressing Into Thin Spaces

“When Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount, He spoke specifically to the poor in spirit, the slope-shouldered individuals who had lost the hope that they would change or that anything about them would ever be any different, “ says Dr. Margaret Harrell Willis in her book, ‘Pressing into Thin Places: Encouraging the Heart toward God .’ She goes on to say that Jesus “blessed those who were desperate, needy, and at the end of their rope. He offered hope.” Dr. Margaret Harrell Wills’ book shows us ways to get through our troubled times.
About the Book:  It is obvious that life is neither easy nor simple. If you doubt that all you have to do is take a quick scan of a newspaper headlines or watch the nightly news on television to be given a rude awakening that we live in a world full of hardship, grief, and pain, and it does not appear to be improving any time soon. Yet we do not have to despair. Instead we need to become empowered by the truth that there is a God who loves us and wants the best for us. This book is just that. It is road map to show us how to rest in God’s love, to seek His love out, to press close to the source of this great love, to find a way to worship God, and to hold fast to His promises daily. The book is a series of short anecdotes, personal memoirs, observations, prayers, and a collection of beautiful prose and poetry, Dr. Margaret Wills invites her readers to come and join her on her own personal search in the midst of loss and pain. The book is one that encourages us to praise and have a deep appreciation at all times, and for us to be aware that God’s love is unchanging. The book is an intimate revelation, as Dr. Wills explores the “thin places” where God’s presence is deeply felt and heaven and earth intersect for a brief and shining moment. According to Dr. Wills these ‘“thin places” can be a momentary awareness or a profound unexplainable experience.” Dr. Wills delves into the character of God as our Father, our King, and also as our servant and wise teacher. Throughout the book she encourages and invites the reader to experience with her some “thin place” moments when God lifted the veil in her own life and allowed her to see that although she was confined to the earth, there is a better place.

About the Author: “Dr. Margaret Harrell Wills is dedicated to the ministry of encouragement, helping people experience hope, wisdom, and faith in their spiritual journey. Dr. Wills grew up in Phoenix, Arizona. She received her undergraduate degree from John Brown University, a master’s degree from Arizona State University, and received her doctoral degree in higher education with a teaching field of history from the University of Arkansas. She taught American History at the University of Arkansas in Fort Smith, Arkansas.  A writer and a poet, Dr. Wills is dedicated to the ministry of encouragement and helping people experience hope, wisdom, and faith in their spiritual journey. She has written for a number of publications, including The Journal of the Fort Smith Historical Society and Issues and Inquiry in College Learning and Teaching. She previously served on the board of the Arkansas Community Foundation as an appointee of Governor Mike Huckabee. She has been a guest lecturer in the Leadership and Ethics Program at John Brown University and has spoken on the topic of “Leaving a Character Legacy.” She is a graduate of Chuck Colson’s Centurion Program for Worldview Leadership, an intensive and demanding education program that prepares Christians to articulate and live out their faith with authenticity and to lead effectively in the marketplace of ideas. Her home is in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where she lives with her husband, Paul.
From the Book: In the Introduction by Tim Boswell, he makes several important points, but the one that seemed to stand out for me was “we are not promised an uneventful journey, only a safe arrival.” This book is a preparation for the journey.” Dr. Wills encourages us within the pages of her book to press close to the source of our peace and find our “thin places” and find that there is life beyond the fallen one our eyes are focused on.” Dr. Wills shares with us poems and stories on spiritual flatness, storms. Encounters, pressure tested faith, the character of faith during adversity, knowing who is in control, faith during fire, believing without seeing, signs, having a listening heart, presumptions, finding a starting place, God’s teachings, casting stones, being a vine, making the right choice, and praising. This book is a strong encouragement about our future: If we believe then we have a future that is filled with hope and infinite possibilities. There is just one small thing we must do. We must have faith. Whatever challenges we are facing is one more opportunity to experience the reality of God in our daily life. When we are tired and confused and don’t know where to go or what to do, there is a simple solution. Go to Jesus.
My Thoughts: I loved the book. The stories and poems are brief and made it easy for me to carry this book in my purse for several days and read it whenever I had a few minutes (ie the Dr’s office, hospital waiting rooms, etc). The book would make a lovely gift because of its size, hardcover, and lovely dust jacket. This is the kind of book women love, some men would like it, preachers would want it in their libraries for references. I was deeply touched by the stories, the poems, the questions it provoked in my mind. If you would like a copy of this book you can follow the link I provided here and order one for your own library.
Disclaimer: This book was published by Brown Christian Press and provided by The B & B Media Group for review purposes. I received this book free from the B & B Media Group as part of their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255. This book was published by Brown Christian Press and provided by The B & B Media Group for review purposes.