Friday, November 30, 2012

Five Reasons Why I Revamped My Blog

To Change or Not to Change;
That is the question


1.  I've had the same look since 1996, or somewhere about then. I mean, really, who keeps the same look forever? This is a changing world! But then I have a good example: God. He never changes, or at least, the Bible says so. And I believe.







2.  Love the color of red. I mean, I like green (my previous blog color, in case you've forgotten) too--partial to it, but red? It's a power color. Good for:
the winter blues, or when you're gazing at the vivid spring tulips and poppies planted in your flower gardens and anticipating what's coming, or summer's wild bright colors everywhere giving you a sense of freedom and patriotism, and autumn's awesome leaves which makes you dance like a gypsy.




3.  Just because I'm a fun-loving person (nice and sweet and all that stuff), doesn't mean I don't like to scare the shivers into you. That's why I write suspense and mystery into everything. It was time to let my blog portray a little bit of that.










4.  I didn't think I could do it. I'm a technically challenged person (hate to read directions!). But I got sick of listening to that eternal voice saying I couldn't. Don't like negative-ism, so I decided to do something about the voice.














5.  And it caught your attention, didn't it?



Blessings!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Writers Blog Hop

Blog Hop – My WIP

Today I’m participating in a Blog Hop about what writing projects I’m working on!


My post follows after Tamera Kraft's blog post from last Wednesday, November 21st at http://wordsharpeners.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/blog-hop-my-wip/. She’s one of my dear friends and writes historical novels. She's also involved in children's ministry. Check out one of her sites.
http://www.tamerakraft.net/
http://wordsharpeners.wordpress.com/


Title: Caleb's Destiny

Where did the idea come from? I'd thought to enter a contest (and never did) which required a specific theme. Brainstorming with hubby, he came up with the plot for Caleb's Destiny. The heroine's name is Destiny McCulloch, and as a sidenote, was named after one of my husband's great niece's who passed away as a two-year-old baby (a little doll!)

Genre? Inspirational historical with touches of suspense and lots of romance.

Short Synopsis? As a child, Destiny McCulloch, is rescued by a young boy after watching her parents massacured by the Indians but is sent back east by the boy's father. Grown up, she heads west to find that young boy, never suspecting how hard the search will be. In the meantime, she's torn between three men: the reverend she left back east, the man who serves as her host, and the memory of a boy she can't forget.

Agency Representation? Diana Flegel at Hartline Agency

How long did it take to write that first draft? I’m still writing it but hope to have the first draft done soon. I usually work on more than one novel at a time, so it varies how quickly I finish one. I know some people find that odd, but it works for me. Keeps me on my writing toes, gives me a fresh perspective when I need it, and lots of fun.

What other books in this genre compare?

Any others in this genre? Not in this specific era of time, but I do have a book finished set in WWII (my favorite historical period) and plan on two more books in this WWII series. Caleb's Destiny is a set alone novel and very fun to write. The setting is late western 1800's.

Who or what inspired the WIP? Actually, my husband helped me come up with it (not the first time with ideas for a novel!) when I wanted to submit to a contest with a definite theme, but I never did. Instead, I'm working on it now, and hope someday others enjoy reading it as much as I've had writing it.

Anything to add? I love suspense writing and adding touches of romance, women's topics, mystery, current and important topics. What fun to get my characters in difficult situations and letting them work to get out of the trouble. I can't imagine not writing. Hard work, yes, but fulfilling.

 

Monday, November 26, 2012

Monday Morning Gratitudes

Seeing the frost
Warm houses
scarves, mittens, and hats
good deeds coming from a generous heart
the sound of crunchy leaves
babies waking from naps
toothless grins
nesting boxes
Christmas music
poems that speak to my heart.

Blessings!

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Sunday Morning Peace


How to Observe Thanksgiving--All Year!

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.

Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.

Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.

Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.

Count your health instead of your wealth;
Count on God instead of yourself.

--author unknown.

Wonderful blessings!

Friday, November 23, 2012

Oh, Dear Oh, Dear . . .

Way too busy. Will that excuse fly to you, my readers?
Are excuses EVER any good?

I hope so, cause I really have been very busy and totally forgot to check on the weird picture contests I'm having each month.

October's picture was:



And though only two commented, I've still chosen Linda Kish as the winner of THREE books (I added an extra one because of the above excues. lol). Congratulations, Linda, and if you'll email me at browncarole212 at yahoo dot com, I'll get a list of books to you so you can choose what you'd like.

lkish77123@gmail.com


For November I'm offering FIVE books to the winner of my choice. These books are not new, but in good shape, and hopefully you'll enjoy them.

Here's the picture:



Tell me how it stirs you. What hopes spring forth when you view it? What fears? Anything? Nothing? Does it remind you of why you hate the cold/winter? Or do you remember sledding? Ice skating? snowball fights? I wanna hear you!!

Blessings!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Stories of Faith and Courage from Prison by Connie Cameron

I'm thrilled to have Connie here today. Let your heart be blest as you read on. Connie's moving tale about her book and the passion she had while writing it, and now promoting it, will stir your heart.

She's also giving away a copy of her book to a new reader. Comment and leave you email address, and your name could be chosen!


Last week, the latest book from AMG Publishers hit the bookstores. “Stories of Faith and Courage from Prison” is a 365 day devotional about many aspects of incarceration. These moving testimonies of inmates, ex-inmates, loved ones of inmates, wardens, correction’s officers, prison pen pals, prison chaplains, and volunteers, will give a unique insight into prison life and hopefully spark an interest in prison ministry. Connie Cameron co-authored it with Jeff Peck, formerly of Prison Fellowship International.

“A female inmate wrote to me six years ago,” Connie said. “And when I wrote back, the timing of it ended up literally saving the inmate’s life.” She has been passionate about prison ministry ever since. As a board member of the Licking County Jail Ministries for four years now, she regularly goes inside the local jail and into prisons in Ohio ministering to hurting people. Sometimes she goes to prison with another woman from the board, and other times her husband Chuck accompanies her.

Three years ago God laid it on her heart to combine her two passions (inspirational writing and prison ministry) and write a devotional book about prison. That summer she attended a Christian writer’s conference and met the editor of AMG Publishers, a Christian traditional publisher. He was looking for the very book she was proposing about prison-related stories.

“I was elated!” Ms. Cameron exclaimed. After more than fifteen years of writing and longing for this very thing to happen, she received the call from her agent with the exciting news that a contract would be coming from that same publisher.

“It’s been more than a year of full-time work involved, oftentimes 14 hour days to meet the different deadlines, but at last it’s finished!” Ms. Cameron exclaimed. “I’ve had to read the book through many times before it went to press, and each time I was moved at much God cares about ‘the least of these’. It’s humbling, too, to reflect on how we can’t ‘out sin’ the love of God.” At 464 pages, “Stories of Faith and Courage from Prison” will have a first print run of 5,000 copies. Along with the marketing efforts of Connie and Jeff, AMG is also heavily marketing the book at venues all across the nation. An electronic book is being created of the devotional, as well.

The book endorsements include:

  1. Pastor Chad Hovind, author of Godonomics and Fast Track Bible;
  2. Carol Kent and Allison Bottke, both prolific speakers and authors, and
  3. Bill Glass, founder of Bill Glass Champions for Life Ministries, along with many others.
  4. Jim Harris of Alabama is a contributor and has also read the entire book. He said, I never knew all the different perspectives of prison ministry that there are out there. This book was an eye opener, even for someone like me who has been an inmate and is now in full-time prison ministry.”

She added that while most devotional books are geared more toward women, this prisoner book is aimed at both men and women. “I think it helped to have a male and female co-authoring this body of work. Our differences gave this devotional a nice blend,” she commented.

“While the approximately 2 million citizens behind bars will definitely benefit from reading “Stories of Faith and Courage from Prison”, it is also beneficial for the friends and loved ones of the incarcerated, including prison chaplains, those in prison ministry, pastors, employees of correctional facilities, and especially for those of us who struggle with prison ministry—which happens to be a lot of us,” Connie said. “Out of all the ministries there are in this world, I think jail and prison ministry is the one ministry the majority of people are uncomfortable with, including pastors. We are afraid of it. Some sadly view it with contempt, believing that “those people” are getting what they deserve. I think Jesus knew we would have difficulty, that’s why He referenced it so often in scripture. One of the most common passages is found in Matthew 25:31-46 and ends with, 'I was in prison and you came to see me.'
"The way we treat the least of these is the way we treat Jesus,” the co-author continued. “We also tend to lump all inmates into the extremely dangerous category, and that’s simply not the way it is. Many are our friends, co-workers and neighbors who are incarcerated for minor offences or drug and alcohol issues.”
Connie was interviewed on this blog a while back featuring her book, God’s Gentle Nudges. She also has a weekly inspirational column in five newspapers, and has been published in Chicken Soup books seven times, among dozens of other periodicals. For more information about her or how to order her books, please go to: www.conniecameron.com.






I give thanks ALWAYS for you, my dear readers and friends!
Blessings

 

Monday, November 19, 2012

Monday Morning Gratitudes

blue eyed grandsons
kids who get good grades
kids who struggle but try
Thanksgiving meal with Mom in resthome
being so over the flu
December
seeing old friends AGAIN
deer meat
being glad deer week is over
gifts from God

Thank you, God, for everything special in my life, for being in my life, for all you've done for me and my family.

Blessings!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

 
 
This is the day which the Lord hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

Monday, November 12, 2012

Monday Morning Gratitudes

husband's morning kiss
fall's moody weather
kids playing in crunchy leaves
a harvest moon
toys that bring back memories
grasping baby fingers
tables set for a nice dinner
families gathered together
families holding hands
love between siblings

Blessings

Friday, November 09, 2012

Our Hats are off to . . .

To all Veterans and Military!

A Touching story for you:


Daddy's Poem 

Her hair was up in a pony tail,
her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
and she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her,
that she probably should stay home;
why the kids might not understand,
if she went to school alone.


But she was not afraid;
she knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
of why he wasn't there today.


But still her mother worried,
for her to face this day alone.
And that was why, once again,
she tried to keep hr daughter home.


But the little girl went to school,
eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees, a dad
who never calls.


There were daddies along the wall in
back, for everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
anxious in their seat.



One by one the teacher called
on a student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
as seconds slowly passed.



At last the teacher called her name,
every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
a man who wasn't there.



"Where's her daddy at?"
she heard a boy call out.
"She probably doesn't have one,"
another student dared to shout.


And from somewhere near the back,
she heard a daddy say,
"Looks like another deadbeat dad,

too busy to waste his day."



The words did not offend her,
as she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher, who
told her to go on.



And with hands behind her back,
slowly she began to speak..

And out from the mouth of a child,
came words incredibly unique.



"My Daddy couldn't be here,
because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know
all about my daddy,
and how much he loves me so.



He loved to tell me stories,
he taught me to ride my bike;
he surprised me with pink roses,
and taught me to fly a kite.


We used to share fudge sundaes,
and ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I'm not standing here alone.

'Cause my daddy's always with me,
even though we are apart;
I know because he told me,

he'll forever be in my heart"


With that, her little hand reached up,
and lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
beneath her favorite dress.


And from somewhere there in the crowd of dads,
her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
who was wise beyond her years.


For she stood up for the love
of a man not in her life.

Doing what was best for her,
doing what was a right.


And when she dropped her hand back
down, staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
but its message clear and loud.

 

"I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.

And if he could, he'd be here,
but heaven's just too far.



You see he is an American Soldier
and he died just this past year,
,
when a roadside bomb hit his convoy
and taught Americans to fear.


 

But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away."
And then she closed her eyes,
and saw him there that day.



And to her mother's amazement,
she witnessed with surprise,
a room full of daddies and children,
all starting to close their eyes.


Who knows what they saw before them;
who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
they saw him at her side.



"I know you're with me Daddy,"
to the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
of those once filled with doubt.


Not one in that room could explain it,

for each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.


And a child was blessed, if only for
a moment, by the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,
that heaven is never too far.
 
 
 
Blessings!


Monday, November 05, 2012

Monday Morning Gratitudes

Talking with God
Clean homes
night lights
city lights
Christmas lights
sharing family time
turkey for the first time this half of the year
people who care enough to share
safety after a late night drive home
sun after rain

Blessings

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Autumn's Bright Blue Weather

 Autumn's Bright Blue Weather --Helen Hunt Jackson O suns and skies and clouds of June, And flowers of June together, Ye cannot rival fo...