Tag Archives: Authors

Part 12 If Oak Trees Could Talk

6 Aug

Part 12 If Oak Trees Could Talk.

Guest 2 Advice I Would Give My Younger Self!

3 Aug

Guest 2~Advice I Would Give My Younger Self!

I have asked a few of my author friends to be my guest over the next few weeks as they are exceptional friends and Inspirational writers! The authors I have chosen have published books or are in process of publishing their own books.

Please enjoy my Guest Authors as they candidly and openly share a glimpse into their lives. It is my hope that you will be inspired to visit their sites and check out their work!

The theme of the guest blogs:

Advice I Would Give My Younger Self!

May I Introduce to you  Author and Friend

Terry Palmer

 

What would I advise my younger self? The answers are brutal. In that day and age, before political correctness prevented us from actually saying and doing a corrective action, my answers would be right in my face. No soft fuzzy ‘feel good’ approach where we all hold hands and smile and nod as if the world is good and we bask in the glow of humanity. What a pile of… Sorry, my farm background hits me now and then.

Start with the Word of God and you can’t go wrong. It is given to us for reproof and correction and it speaks the Truth! Truth is exactly what my younger self needed to hear, so… I would take my younger self for a long walk, maybe carry a sharp hard stick for emphasis. But I’d use scripture for the attack. The lilies along the side of the house would be a starting point to use scripture.

I think Matthew 6, about 28 – 34 ought to start the ball rolling. You see… My younger self didn’t have a good concept of the character of God. My younger self needed to be in charge, get ’er done, and who needs God anyway… But Truth tells us otherwise. Consider those lilies, how they toil not nor do they spin and yet here they are, more beautiful than a summer day. So as I turn to get right in the face of my younger self. Here is the question. Are you a fragrance without compare as one of these – or do you stink?

The early lilies offer a radiance of colors which is very welcome after the cold winter. They array of orange and red are a treat along the edge of the flower beds, but… In midsummer, the lilies hit their stride. They burst from my flower beds in stunning cascades of color, but still I wait. Sure, some might relax and know that the game is over but not me. .

Terry's Lilly 1Terry2Terry 3

For the next layer of lilies to open, do so in both beauty and fragrance. It’s the sort of fragrance that You stop as you walk past.

The scent that comes into our bedrooms windows as a soothing tonic is wonderful. I’ve not seen a golden color as this, have you?

So let’s ask that question again. Consider these lilies, how they grow, how they toil not nor spin. Do you get it? Do you know, young man, that God is in control, that God is indeed relevant and wants to know you up close and personal. You need not ‘have to do it all’?

Do you want to or are you willing to ‘put on the clothes of righteousness’ as a good servant of Jesus in order to reflect the ‘fragrance’ of the spirit of God? Or – do you want to offend as a stench to humanity by not reflecting Christ, but something else that is far less? Which will it be young man? Will you shine forth as a fragrant lily – or a skunk flower?

You see that third picture? That could be you. They are cast off Easter lilies saved from the garbage bin and brought out for new life. This cluster represents four years of saving and growing, ready to burst out the Easter story in midsummer. Will you be like them? Will you finally understand the full character of God and trust in him? It only takes a first step of faith. Come on… I have a place to plant your good seed, to grow in the Lord – to become the fragrance that God designed you to be.

 

 

Author Terry Palmer lives in northwestern Wisconsin’s vacationland. Plenty of woods, lakes, and streams follow each bend of the countryside. Terry uses long walks in that scenic beauty to understand the nature of God and bring those moments into his writing.

Chronicles of Orm, a fantasy novel series with deep Christian roots, will be ready as an eBook soon. If you like action/adventure with a romantic twist, then Chronicles of Orm is for you. Contact Terry at Fictionbypalmer@gmail.com.

Here is what our editor has to say about Chronicles of Orm :

“Terry Palmer’s The Chronicles of Orm is a perfect blend of excellent and imaginative writing, employing imagery, a cast of well-established and relatable characters, and a page-turning plotline. Deep biblical truths are intricately woven into the words of this story, and while it examines the age-old struggle of mankind caught in the pull of darkness vs. light, it is a fresh take, a new and wonderful perspective that will entertain, enlighten, and encourage all who read it.” ~Autumn J. Conley, Book Editor (autiej@gmail.com)

Part 12 If Oak Trees Could Talk

3 Aug

Part 12 If Oak Trees Could Talk!

Wow! Welcome back to Part 12 If Oak Trees Could Talk!” We are moving right along and I am so honored that you’ve chose to spend this time with me each week.

Even though If Oak Trees Could Talk is a fictional story I feel as if by actually telling it to you that I am opening a very private door to a personal place in my heart each week! This is a place of wonderful childhood memories of living on a farm in Kentucky with two exceptional parents and five sisters! My main characters in If Oak Trees Could Talk, are Henry and Helen Tyler that remind me so much of my loving parents!

As we read today and finish Chapter 5 A Gift of Hope, it is indeed my hope that you will continue to let me share my heart with you through this book each week!

Chapter 5

A Gift of Hope

 

When Helen and Amelia knocked on Henry’s door they could hear Henry talking with someone. However, once entering the room, neither of them saw anybody.

“Who was you talking too Henry?” Helen questioned.

“Oh I was just chatting with an old friend.” Henry replied, once again with that mischievous grin upon his face.

“Amelia has something special for you Henry!”

“Oh yeah?” Henry perked up like a little boy. “What is it?”

Amelia handed her Daddy the journals first. He stared blankly at them as if to ask, what are these books for, but then he chuckled out loud.

“Do you like them Daddy?”

Henry never answered Amelia. She proceeded to give him the picture that she had framed.

“There you are!”   Henry replied and chuckled out loud again.

“You’ve not changed a bit.” He continued as if he really was talking with an old friend. Then tears filled his eyes as he took notice of the ladies in the room.

“Come here my daughter.” Henry said as he motioned for Amelia to come.

She did as she was told and Henry hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead.

“No better gift could I have ever received my sweet. I love them and I will use them to get out of here. I promise you my dear.”

“Why are you standing way over there?” He said as he turned to Helen. “Get over here and lay one on me!”

Helen too obeyed and did as Henry commanded. He held her tightly, kissed her square on the lips and whispered softly. “Soon, my Dear, soon I promise, we’re breaking out of this joint!”

Helen smiled tenderly. She knew that Henry never promised her anything that he did not fulfill.   She knew how soon she was to leave Glenview, but when she looked into Henry’s face, she became convinced that he knew more about it than even she did. So she too chuckled with him and hugged him tightly.

Before Amelia left to go home, she was able to get Henry’s picture hung on the wall directly in front of his bed. She had much hope that as Henry seen his “old friend” that the empty journals would be filled, but most importantly her Daddy’s memory would be completely restored and he, along with her mother would be home.

 

Thank you once again for spending this time with me. I hope that you are able to read or “tune in each week, however if you’ve missed any of the story, please check out my blog archives or my Youtube Video Blogs of If Oak Trees Could Talk!

Please keep the comments coming! I’ve so enjoyed and appreciated them.   I hope that you will continue to read along or “tune in” each week to If Oak Trees Could Talk.

Inspiring One Dreamer at a Time!

Advice I Would Give My Younger Self

30 Jul

I have asked a few of my author friends to be my guest over the next few weeks as they are exceptional friends and Inspirational writers!  The authors I have chosen have published books or are in process of publishing their own books.

Please enjoy my Guest Authors as they candidly and openly share a glimpse into their lives.  It is my hope that you will be inspired to visit their sites and check out their work!

The theme of the guest blogs  : “Advice I Would Give My Younger Self!”

I would like to introduce you to my first Guest Author and Friend  Patti J. Smith!

When Christine asked me to write a guest post on the topic, “Advice I Would Give My Younger Self,” I didn’t hesitate, thinking it would be a breeze. Either it was lack of sleep or too few cups of coffee (both, I think) because it took a while before realizing the enormity of the assignment. You see, my younger self was a mess. I should have had Self Will Run Riot tattooed on my forehead rather than the butterfly on my derriere. (Tattoos on women are commonplace now but not in the small-town 70’s.)

Recalling my past antics (and cringing), the advice I would tender would be to listen to your parents, remain close to God, pay attention to the little voice in your head and last but not least … love and respect yourself. Had I done those things I would have avoided decades of pain due to alcoholism and the subsequent consequences … promiscuity, unplanned pregnancies which led to abortion, estrangement from family and multitudes of failed relationships, all leading to a suicide attempt and institutionalization.

Pretty gloomy, huh? Well, don’t pull out the Kleenex … Through the grace and mercy of God, love and support of my family and some very good programs, I was able to climb out of the well of darkness into the light. I followed the advice I would have given my younger self and am nearing eighteen years of sobriety, in a wonderful marriage, active in my church community and became a caregiver to my parents. (Who would have ever imagined they would trust me with their care, let alone move in with me!).

I would be remiss if I didn’t add one more pieces of advice: Forgive yourself. If you can’t, you’ll never quite reach the top of that dark well. You’ll always live in the shadow of remorse and regret and miss out on the joyous and wonderful life God wants you to have.

BIO

Patti J. Smith writes Christian devotionals, light romance, and suspense and her faith crosses over to all genres. She is a member of the Association of Christian Therapists, Association for Life, serves as Regional Coordinator for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign and leads Rachel’s Hope After-Abortion Healing Retreats in San Diego. She publicly shares her story of redemption at a variety of venues, has been a guest on Sacred Heart and Blogtalk Radio and appears in the newly-released documentary, “The Sidewalk Chronicles”.

 

She and her husband, Michael, live in Vista, CA and have three beautiful granddaughters. Along with writing books, she enjoys blogging, reading and proudly admits to being a diehard Seattle Seahawks fan and Fantasy Football fanatic. Her travel adventures include Spain, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Fiji, South Korea and almost all states – including Hawaii and Alaska.

 

You can find her books at: www.amazon.com/author/pattijsmith and follow her through the following social media:

Blog:  http://gridirongrannyfootballfanatic.blogspot.com/ Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/gridirongranny Twitter:  https://twitter.com/gridirongranny5 Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/gridirongranny Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/giridirongranny

 

Part 9 If Oak Trees Could Talk!

16 Jul

Part 9 If Oak Trees Could Talk

Wow!  I am so overwhelmed with the response that I’ve been getting to my Video Blogs of If Oak Trees Could Talk!  Truly it has been so encouraging to me.   Thank you to all who have taken the time to follow along!  I know that your time is valuable and the fact that you take the time to either listen or read along with me each week is so priceless to me.   As I’ve stated before I feel as though you could be sitting across from me at my kitchen table!  Once again I hope that you’re sipping your coffee or tea as I continue the story of If Oak Trees Could Talk!  We will continue in Chapter Four Daddy’s Little Girl! I will actually read the last paragraph from last week as I had ended in a middle of a conversation between Henry and Amelia.

Chapter Four

Daddy’s Little Girl!

“Daughter, when my time comes to leave this old earth, I want to be buried underneath those outstretched limbs that I remember so fondly. I want to be buried right beside my Dear Sweet Momma.  Do you understand me Amelia?  I want you to know also that as I remember bits and pieces of my life that I’ve been trying to write them down.  I know that it might sound crazy, but hey, I’ve been known to be a little crazy.  It’s ironic that I have what the doc calls “Amnesia that is making me even crazier huh. I guess the bright spot is that I don’t remember that I’m crazy most of the time” Henry said as he laughed out loud.

“Daddy, please don’t say stuff like that, you’re not crazy.  Your condition is only temporary.  I’m so glad that you’ve been able to talk with me today, it amazes me how there are times when nothing seems wrong at all, but then there are times, well…you know.”

“Daughter, do you know that I proposed to your sweet Momma right underneath that old tree?  Yep, I sure did!   I asked your Momma a hundred times to marry me, but she really never took me seriously until one evening when I told her that I had a big surprise for her.  I picked her up and asked her to please let me blind fold her.  She must have had quite a bit of trust in me because she let me do it!  Anyway, I blindfolded her and drove her around and around so that she wouldn’t know where we were.  When we stopped I lead her to the surprise.  I had a dinner prepared for us from Mrs. Dooley’s Restaurant. I put it all in a picnic basket, along with a lot of candles and a nice big blanket.  I had everything ready when I seated your dear Momma underneath that old Oak tree.  I had bought her the most expensive engagement ring that I could afford at the time and I prayed to the dear Lord that she would accept my proposal this time.  I wanted her to know without a doubt that she was the only woman for me.  Well, low and behold, when I took the blindfold off and she seen all that I had done for her, tears filled those brilliant blue eyes and she finally said yes!  We played the car radio until the battery went dead and danced underneath the starry sky until morning.  Here we are all these years later and I love her more today than I did back then!”

“Helen, honey, now pull you up a seat over there and quit coddling me.   Standing up over me like that must hurt your back!  It sure looks like a beautiful day, what do you want to do today?”

Before Amelia could answer Henry, there was a knock on the door.

“Excuse me, Ms. Amelia, but Mr. Tyler’s breakfast is here. He also needs his medicine as well” The nurse interrupted.  “Would you like to take him outside on the terrace? Maybe, Ms. Helen would like to go as well. She loves the gardens!” The nurse suggested with a wink.

“Yes Mam.”  Amelia said sadly.  For she really thought that today was going to be it.  Amelia knew that her Daddy was sick; however she never lost hope that one day as she visited him that he would just come to himself and never leave again.   She always believed that if there were anyone who ever came out of this dreadful captivity of the mind that it would be her Daddy.   She never knew anyone who was more passionate about life and living than her father was.

“He will come home to live again!” Amelia finally concluded.  “If anyone can beat this, it will be Daddy!”

“Do you want to go outside Daddy?  Come on let’s get you outside in that beautiful sunshine.”  Amelia cheered.  “The sunshine will do you some good!  How would you like to see Momma?”

“We can go outside if you want to Helen.  Why not?  All we do is stay inside these days.  It makes a body grow weary and it seems one day runs into another.”  Henry answered.

Amelia wheeled her Daddy down the hall to her mother’s room, where the nurse helped her get both of them outside into the beautiful sunshine.  She couldn’t help but notice that both of her parent’s heads were now much more gray and glistened in the brightness of the warm sun.  Amelia grieved the time that she felt her parents were losing.

Thank you so much for “tuning in” or reading along today! I hope that you will subscribe to my Youtube Channel as all of my videos are archived in order!

 It is my hope that you will keep the comments coming for not only are they encouraging me but I know that they are encouraging others who take the time to read them as well! 

 

If you are interested in purchasing If Oak Trees Could Talk or any of my other books please go my Author Page Christine Gilliam Hornback on Amazon 

Or my website http://www.covenantessentials.com

“Tune in” next week for Part 10 If Oak Trees Could Talk!

Stressed? Blame it on Adam and Eve!

24 Apr
No Stress here!

No Stress here!

Stressed? Blame it on Adam and Eve!

In my last post entitled “Inner Peace”   I touched on stress a little bit, but I wanted to delve in just a little deeper as to why many times we become stressful!   Face it fellow human beings…. We are not in the Garden anymore!  When God created Man and Woman he placed them in a pristine Garden filled with all that they needed to be satisfied and sustained in life.  They never had to work by the” sweat of their brawl.”  They never stressed over what they were going to eat, wear, or where they were going to sleep!

Stress came in with Adam and Eve in the Garden, when they had all that they could possibly need, but was tempted when Eve lusted after something else!   Yes,  it was a wonderful, perfect stress free environment….So what the heck happened anyway?

Genesis 2:17(KJV) But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die

We have a drive to always want more, especially in the society that we now live in!  Don’t get me wrong,  I believe that God wants us to have nice things as a blessing that adds something to our lives without sorrow or regret!

Proverbs 10:22 (KJV) The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it

But all too often we drive ourselves crazy wanting more and more things.  With more things, comes more responsibility to take care of our things and so a vicious stressful cycle has begun!    Regardless of what kind of stress we face, God does not want us to be fretful and worried, plainly stated stressful- full of stress, He wants us to live a stress free life!

Many of us have to actually learn how to stress-down!  We need to create opportunities or take advantage of the knowledge that is available to us!   I wanted to share some suggested techniques that  I found  written by Dr. Joshua Axe on his site on www. draxe.com

Below is a list of suggested ways to deal with stress!

1.Spiritual Triathlon. This is my personal method for keeping my focus throughout the day. Every morning when I wake up I spend 5 minutes saying all that I am grateful for, 5 minutes in prayer and 5 minutes reading my Bible or something inspirational.

2.Schedule relaxation. Write it down in your planner and stick to it. Make time at least once a week to do something you love–something that refreshes you. Maybe that’s a game of tennis, spending an hour alone with a good book or taking a yoga class.

3.Pour yourself a cup. Many varieties of hot tea have calming effects on the body and can help lower blood pressure. Try green or black tea or herbal teas with chamomile.

4.Take a deep breath. Try deep breathing for a few minutes every day. Tighten and release muscles. Hum to release nitric oxide and improve blood pressure.

5.Just say “No.” I promise it’s ok! Don’t spread yourself too thin or you won’t be able to give 100% of your efforts to any of the tasks you attempt. Your value does not depend upon how much you do for others at the expense of your own time, relationships and health.

6.Expel excess adrenaline. Before, during and after stressful situations, walk briskly for 5 minutes, run up a flight of stairs, do backward pushups on your chair, or do 5 minutes of deep breathing. A short burst of physical activity can expel anxiety and give you clarity and calm.

7.Ask yourself why. The next time you’re racing around trying to accomplish too many things in too short a time, ask yourself why you’re doing it, who it really serves, what belief it’s based on, whether this feeling is really what you want, whether this is a value or principle you want to base your life on. “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.” ~Corrie Ten Boom

8.Nix the caffeine, nicotine and alcohol. Don’t add to nervous energy with stimulants and don’t mask stress with alcohol. The long-term effects compound the negative effects of stress.

9.Exercise regularly. Regular exercise helps expel built-up tension, stress hormones and clears the mind. Exercise helps to release endorphins, the brain’s natural feel-good chemicals. I recommend Burst Training for the most health benefits.

10.Sleep. Staying up late to get more done robs you of your total productivity. It dulls your mind, increases stress, promotes weight gain and contributes to mood swings.

11.Use your senses. Find colors that soothe you, wear fabrics that please you. Take a scented bath, play music you love. Paint, get a massage, or take a walk in the woods. “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.” ~Hilary Cooper

12.Connect with others. Making time for social connection is very important and restorative. Social connection is what makes us a part of something larger than ourselves and our worries. It gives us perspective.

13.Serve someone else. Related to connecting with others, try volunteering at a soup kitchen, making meals for parents with a newborn baby or helping with home repairs for an elderly neighbor. Remind yourself that it’s not always all about you. “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” ~Wayne Dwyer

14.Be prepared. You can combat alarmist or catastrophic thinking by being prepared. Keep a change of clothes in the car, create an emergency fund for car repairs, have an alternative proposal in mind at work.

16.Share responsibility. Delegating really is an important skill. Instead of complaining about how much you have to accomplish, teach your kids to cook, share the credit with a co-worker, or work out sports shuttling with another parent.

I hope that you take advantage of some of these suggestions and live a happier, healthier life!  I would love to hear from you if this article has helped you.  Until next time have a blessed week!

If you suffer from adrenal issues, thyroid problems, a slow metabolism, diabetes, autoimmune issues, food sensitivities or food allergies – check out Dr. Axe’s new book Eat Dirt on restoring your health from the inside out! {https://ju127.isrefer.com/go/edr/a5942/}

[1]Source: http://draxe.com/16-ways-to-bust-stress/

 

 

Thanks to all the followers!

17 Sep

Thanks to all the followers!.

Thanks to all the followers!

17 Sep

Hello to All those fellow bloggers  who have begun to follow my post.   I so appreciate the follows and the “Likes.”  I wanted to take the time and

personally thank each of you!  I love to write and am encouraged to continue doing what I love  doing because of you!  I have enjoyed many of your

post as well, keep them coming please!

The Father’s Good Pleasure!

5 Mar

 

via The Father’s Good Pleasure!.

The Father’s Good Pleasure!

5 Mar

The Father’s Good Pleasure!

Little Lamb Luke

Luke 12:32  (KJV) Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

As I write this, I was thinking about the past few weeks and how the Lord has just blessed my family beyond anything that we really asked him to.   I also thought about people who are still waiting for their promise to come.   Sometimes when it seems the Lord is passing out to everyone but to them, something just sort of rises up in them and mumbles, “Wait a minute, why am I not getting blessed? They are asking the Lord, “When is my season going to come?”  I know about those questions because I’ve been there, and I have asked them myself.  The one thing I’ve really learned, however, is that it is all available to me and has always been available.  I don’t want to get upset because others are getting theirs and totally miss mine because I’m off pouting somewhere. My Pastor calls a pouting mentality an orphan spirit.  If I am a child of God then all that He has is mine!   I’ve learned to rejoice with others, because I know that the same blessings are available to me!

When the prodigal son left the Father’s house to go and “live it up and waste what his Daddy gave him” He had to come to a place of realization.  He had to realize that regardless of what he did or didn’t do the Father’s love was enough and that he could go home to the blessing. His older brother, however, was upset that the Father would just welcome the prodigal son back home and throw him a party, kill the fatted calf, put a ring on his finger, give him His best robe…Why? The older brother didn’t realize that all of it had been available to him all along.  The eldest brother could have lived in a perpetual party, but he let envy and bitterness rob him from receiving the blessing of the Father. How sad it will be that many Christians will get to heaven and only then find out what was made available to them while they lived upon the earth, but they never received it because of envy and jealously.  

When Jesus bled and died, He said “It is finished!” So everything is available to us, but not all things are entrusted to us right away.  Like the prodigal son had to go through some character building lessons, so do we.  My son would love to have a mustang car, he is only 13.  Do you think I will give him a mustang car now?  NO WAY….Why?  Because he is a child and he is not mature enough to handle a mustang…Many Christians are still childish and they are not mature enough to handle all that they want from the Lord.   As the above scripture states, Luke 12:32 (KJV) Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  The Father is not withholding from you, but maybe he is protecting you long enough for you to build up a strong character, that whatever you want from him will not destroy you, but will benefit you!

 

Please check out my weekly post at www.lakeviewtimes.com

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