Latest project: When Heaven Seems Silent: How to Wait on God’s Promises Through Pain, Disappointment, and Doubt (9781621366614, $14.99, softcover, Charisma House).

In Randy Clark’s foreword to this book, he writes that you have been waiting “in faith for a promised creative miracle that has been twenty years in the making.” What was that creative miracle?

I (Mark) was born with a partially formed left shoulder, arm and only a small bud for a hand. We believe that God has promised to create a fully developed and functioning arm and hand.

You explain this miracle has been “persistently confirmed.” How so?

Through Scripture, through words of knowledge (1 Cor. 12:8) from various people, voice of the Holy Spirit, dreams and visions (mental impressions). There were three separate occasions that I (Mark) told God I wanted to give the promise back to Him because I was struggling intellectually and emotionally. After all, I didn’t need it in order to love Him and serve Him. Each of these three times, God dramatically intervened and graciously let me know He understood my struggle, but I was not to let His promise be surrendered.

What is the difference between a healing miracle and a creative miracle?

We define “creative miracles” as: God making or forming something that is missing or that was never there. We define “healing miracles” as: God fixing what is already there by restoring what is broken or not functioning properly.

Why did you choose to write this book?

One night I (Tammy) was asking the Lord what I could do to further contribute to our ministry, handofjesus.org. I heard in my mind, “Write a book.” That excited me because I enjoy writing. I then asked what I should write about. I felt the answer was, “Write about your promised creative miracle.” I didn’t feel excited about that reply. It felt way too vulnerable, too transparent, too exposing. I told Mark about this conversation, and he humbly agreed to pray with me about it. Eventually we decided we needed to be obedient to what we felt God spoke.

What are some of the challenges for the believer who is waiting on God?

To not be offended at God during the process. To maintain Him as first love. To not give up, trusting there is purpose in delay. Wrongly putting life on hold until “it” happens rather than moving forward.

What is one lesson you learned while waiting for God to fulfill His promise?

Running ahead of God’s timing comes from an incorrect confidence we have in ourselves that we are ready for the next step. This confidence arises from the fact that we’ve done our homework; we’ve prepared. If we have accomplished A, B and C, then it should logically follow that D, E and F will occur. And besides, our time here on Earth is limited and we need to get moving. It has become increasingly obvious in the 20 years we have been waiting for our promise that God does not buy in to our formulas. In fact, if we are of the opinion that we’ve accomplished anything apart from Him, then we have proven that we are not ready for the next step. We are setting ourselves up for disappointment or, even worse, for failure that could hurt the ones we love. We must trust His timing. God, our Heavenly Father, desires to walk with us through the process of receiving His promises!

Who would benefit from this book?

Those who are finding it difficult to hold onto hope as they wait for answers [and] individuals and couples who are navigating through their thoughts and emotions as they try to remain faithful to God.

How can Christian retailers promote this book?

When Heaven Seems Silent will leave readers saying, “Wow, did that really happen?” on some pages and, “That happens to me and now I understand why” on other pages. While most books are written after the promise is fulfilled, When Heaven Seems Silent is written in the midst of the wait. It is heart-wrenchingly honest about the process and difficulties of waiting while leaving you encouraged and restoring hope. We also can provide a four-minute video.

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