Carol McLeod Goes In-Depth to Talk About Her 17th Book "Overflowing"

One of the most beloved Christian authors, Carol McLeod, brings her 17th book to her waiting audience on June 25th.The message of her new publication is focused on the book of Colossians where McLeod invites readers to live a life of overflowing joy and perpetual hope in the face of compromise and deception by recentering their lives on Jesus. 

This in-depth study of the book of Colossians also has an optional 7-part video-teching series filmed at the 20th Annual Carol McLeod Ministries Conference in Buffalo, NY. Book lovers will be able to preorder Overflowing: Living Abudantly in a Broken Culture at Amazon and on McLeod website.  

Q: Carol, thank you for doing this interview with us. Can you start by telling us about yourself and your current ministry? 

I am just a girl who is head over heels in love with Jesus, passionately addicted to His Word and I find all the joy that I need in His presence. I love teaching the Word of God to women - it is my last thought at night and my first thought in the morning. 

I went through a deep depression when I was in my 30's and now it is my passion to help women embrace hope and joy regardless of their circumstances. I always say, "Don't waste your pain but use it as a springboard for ministry." I am doing just that. 

I am a wife, the mother of 5, and a grandmother to 10 delicious grandchildren whom I call "the wonders of my world." My weekly podcast, "Significant Women" is in the top 10% of podcasts internationally. My weekly blog, "Joy for the Journey" has been named to the "Top 50 Faith Blogs for Women."  My 27 YouVersion devotionals have been downloaded over 4 million times by readers around the world. For this - and so much more - I give all the glory to God. 

"Overflowing - Living Abundantly in a Broken Culture" is my 17th book. As you can tell, I am a communicator and I live to communicate the eternal truth of Scripture through every venue that I can. 

Q: Congratulations on releasing your new book, Overflowing: Living Abundantly in a Broken Culture, which is focused on Colossians. Why did you choose to write on Colossians? 

Colossians is a valuable book in the New Testament. Paul was writing to a church that was confused, divided and being influenced by a secular mindset. Doesn't that sound like the church today? 

Paul may have been writing to the church at Colossae but the truth of this letter, written from prison, holds eternal truth. Every generation has been invited by their Creator to live enthusiastically and abundantly despite the deception and brokenness of their culture. 

Overflowing proves that it is possible to embrace unspeakable joy and unmatched peace even when truth is distorted, politics are compromised, and the entertainment industry seems so evil.  

Q: I believe the book is accompanied by a seven-part video series. Tell us more about this video component.  

The book is divided into 7 weeks with 5 days of reading in each week's component. The video series, which was taped at the 20th Annual Carol McLeod Ministries' conference, brings to life the information in each week of study.  

The seven-part video series makes it perfect for use in a Bible Study, a small group or a book club. 

Q: In your writing, how has the book of Colossians challenged you personally? 

As I studied the Book of Colossians, I was reminded that the God who holds the universe together, holds my life together as well. "He is before all things and in Him all things hold together." - Colossians 1:17 

When I feel that my life is falling apart, I can cry out to the God who holds the universe together and ask Him to do the same for the circumstances I am facing. How wonderful to know that He hears us when we pray and that His power is above all else. 

When Paul was inspired to write this letter to the church at Colossae, he also reminded this misguided group of people, "He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything." - Colossians 1:18 

The last phrase of that powerful verse, "... so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything," is at once a stirring reminder and a personal challenge. I must examine my life daily - sometimes hourly or minute by minute - and ask myself, "Carol, are you giving Christ first place in everything? Have you given Christ first place in your spending, your eating, the words you speak, the thoughts you think and in the way you spend your time?" 

The words that Paul wrote to the church at Colossae are not empty nor are they powerless. I must apply each word to my life and accept the challenge of Paul and of the Holy Spirit. 

Q: How can your new book, Overflowing: Living Abundantly in a Broken Culture, help our readers in their faith journeys? 

We live at a time in church history when the Body of Christ is often more concern with being accepted culturally than we are with aligning our theology with the Word of God. Although Paul, by the unction of the Holy Spirit, wrote this letter to a church that was struggling 2,000 years ago, its message is timeless. 

We must firmly root our lives in Christ (Colossians 2:7) not in the mindset of the world. 

Paul assures believers at every juncture in human history that we have the power of Christ working mightily within us. (Colossians 1:29) This is great news for people who are struggling with finances, with loneliness, with relationship issues and with sin. We can tap into the power of Christ and live differently! All we must do is to ask Him for His power. 

Paul also encourages the early church to live a life that is overflowing with gratitude. (Colossians 2:7) This is something that we can do daily regardless of our education, marital status, or health challenges. We can be the most thankful generation in all of recorded history! 

Q: Is there a book in the Bible that you have not written about and would like to do? If so, why? 

What a great question for a Bible teacher! I would love to write about Ruth and Esther - two women whose lives have forever been chronicled in scripture.  

I would also love to write about the Book of Mark - a fast-paced, action-packed book about the life of Jesus. 

I would especially love to write about the Book of Acts and the days of the early church. The move of the Holy Spirit was exciting and earth-shattering during this historical moment; I would love to write about it as I anticipate the next great move of God. The disciples, through the power of the Holy Spirit, exploded onto the Mediterranean region and celebrated the power and life-giving authority of Jesus. All I can say is, "Jesus! Do it again! Do it again in me!" 

For more information about Carol McLeod and her Ministries, connect with her online and on her social media pages:

Website: https://www.carolmcleodministries.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolmcleodmininistries

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolmcleodministries

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@CarolMcLeodMinistries 

 

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