Family & Interview with Diane Head

This year so far has been challenging for a lot of my family. My sweet niece and her husband have spent many hours in hospital waiting rooms. My heart is with them even when I cannot be.
It has been a comfort for this family to have so many people praying for them and giving them support through this terrible time. I am reminded that when it comes to the end of life, relationships are the thing.

We must realize that those around us are what makes up our life. It isn't the toys and trappings of life. It is the conversations, laughter, concern, tears, and love that matters. Somehow, at a death bed, we don't feel the need to send meaningless texts or play yet another game.

When we know this person will not be with us any longer, we call to mind the last words spoken, the last smile, the last hug. These are the important things.

I love my family and it hurts to lose one of those near to my heart, but I know that my great-niece, Tonya, is walking into the arms of God.

All of us are on borrowed time. Each of us will meet our Maker. The questions are: What kind of relationship do I have with Jesus? Do we talk often? Do I know what is on His mind? Do I tell him my concerns? Am I ready to meet my God? All you have to do is reach out to Him and tell Him you want Him. He will do the rest.
I would like to introduce you to an author friend of mine, Diane Head.
Juvenile Non-Fiction – emotions & feelings, social issues.
“Grammy Dee Solves the Case of the Red Hot Screamies”
Dianehead.tateauthor.com

1. When did you get the urge to write?
I’ve been a published author since my teens when the New Haven Register printed a couple of my poems. I’ve had some success freelancing articles over the years, but this is my first book in print.

2. How did you choose the genre you write in?
I’ve taught classes and counseled adults on anger management, but as a parent & former teacher, I saw the need to bring this teaching to kids while they are learning how to deal with their emotions.
3. Please tell a little about your books.
Grammy Dee is planned as the first in a series of books to help kids ages 4-9 develop a strategy for dealing positively with their emotions. The young reader is reassured that feeling anger is okay; it’s a warning signal that something needs to change.
Grammy Dee cares about kids and encourages them to be detectives and follow clues to decide what needs to change. Then she shares her super tips for setting behavior and expectation boundaries, talking out problems and making plans for change.
Readers get to solve problems, practice communicating their feelings and learn how to react when others are angry around them. This upbeat, practical guide is both instructive and entertaining.
Included is Grammy Dee’s Marvelous Mad Meter – an illustrated chart of the spectrum of angry feelings that an facilitate a helpful dialogue with a caring adult.
4. Do you speak to groups?
I enjoy speaking to church and school groups about how adults can help children not only cope with the complex feelings of anger, but use anger to fuel change.

5. Would you share something about your experiences of being an author?
My most rewarding experience as an author thus far, (aside from my Grandchildren being proud of me), has been my interaction with a local 5 Grade class. They were studying authors and I was asked to answer their questions about the writing process. This grew into an on-going correspondence with several students that has been very rewarding. Nothing like being told “You Rock” by very savvy kids.

6. What is the best response you have received with your books?
Just last week I heard from a woman who had bought Grammy Dee for a grandchild. She reported that her granddaughter loved the book and had learned many lessons from it. The highlight for me was when this child overheard her Grandpa sounding angry with someone on the phone, she ran to give him the book and told him he needed to read it. Now they wanted to buy more books for other grandchildren.

7. Where can your books be purchased?
My soft-cover book is widely available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. Anyone wanting a signed, hardbound copy can purchase one directly from me at the “author’s specials” button on my website: dianehead.tateauthor.com

8. How do you battle the times when you are down in the dumps as a writer?
I have friends who know how to make me laugh. Truly the best medicine – along with great hugs and kisses from 3 darling grandchildren. They are my joy and delight.

9. What was your favorite toy as a child?
I really didn’t have a favorite toy as a child. I loved books. I loved the escape – especially into pioneer days.

Lori A. Moore, author of Zero to Christian in Just 35 Years, Missing Andy: The Journey From Grief to Joy

Trick or Treat


There are times in our lives when we have to do things that are uncomfortable, things that are necessary, things that we ask God to not require us to do.
This week, I had a meeting that fit this description. It was painful, but at the end of the pain, I found peace.

Why do relationships deteriorate in such ways? How are our eyes glazed over when those we respect lead us by deceit? I am not glad to discover that truth was far from my acquaintance. It is a hard thing to digest.

The only way I know to overcome the disappointment is to hold tight to the Lord's hand and trust Him to show me the way. Please be in prayer for us. Terry and I have some decisions to make. I am so glad to have my sweet husband to help me through this sad time.

Meet my new author friend, Lori Moore.

1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
Lori A. Moore, author of
(1) From Zero to Christian in Just 35 Years; and
(2) Missing Andy: The Journey from Grief to Joy

2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
I had never set foot inside a church or heard of Jesus Christ until I was 35 years old. (book excerpt: One day in 1999, my friend Rick and his wife Cindy asked me to go to church with them. Little did I know that Christians are tricky! Not only did they offer to pick me up at my house to take me, but they also offered to treat me to lunch afterwards. How could I say no? I felt so awkward as I walked into the church sanctuary. I was gawking around taking everything in like a tourist. I was scared to death. I stood up to sing when they told us too. Even though they displayed the lyrics up on a big Jumbotron overhead,I had never heard any of those songs before and didn’t know the melodies, so I just stood and listened.After the worship songs ended and before the minister started to speak, people applauded.Clapping in church? Outrageous! Even though I had never attended church, I had somehow picked up some preconceived notions about church etiquette and expectations. I thought there was no clapping in church, no smiling in church, no being happy in church, and no experiencing hope in church. Communion came around, and I just passed it on down the row because I wasn’t going to do something when I didn’t know what it meant.Then the minister started to speak. He had such a nice comforting voice. Didn’t all ministers yell at the top of their voices? That’s all I’d ever seen from evangelists on television. He was talking about peace and hope and grace. What were those? I thought preachers only talked about hell and how we’re all bad people and that’s where we’re all going. And then he said it. He said the name Jesus. Who was Jesus? I had heard of God and heard the name Jesus Christ used as a curse word when people got angry, but I had never heard who Jesus was. The minister talked about being in a relationship with Jesus and Jesus being the bridge that allows us to have a relationship with God.I still felt uncomfortable and awkward when I left, but when my friends invited me to go with them again about three weeks later, I agreed.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
While I’ve always enjoyed writing and my teachers and professors always said I was a good writer, I never really seriously considered becoming an author. Then my husband of 12 years died in 2008 at age 49. He threw a blood clot approximately 15 hours post-surgery for a hip replacement. We held his funeral on what should have been his 50th birthday. I started writing as a way to express my thoughts and my grief.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
Because From Zero to Christian in Just 35 Years deals with a journey from being a non-believer to a believer, it's written in first person and provides personal examples of incidents in my life. Missing Andy is the same thing. I write about what I know because I’ve lived it. I have a passion for adults who haven’t yet experienced a relationship with Christ because everything they’ve heard is kind of formal and scary, so I try to write with humor and on a down-to-earth level that people can relate to and understand.

5. Are you a reader ?
Absolutely. Growing up, I was a voracious reader. I always won the contests for who had read the most books over the summer. Growing up, I didn’t realize that my childhood wasn’t like that of most people, so I guess that reading was my escape and opportunity to explore new things and new places.

6. What are you reading right now?
The Left Behind Series. I’m on #9. A few years ago a friend told me that I would like them, calling them the Christian version of Stephen King books, but I never bothered to pick them up. Then in January of this year, another friend was cleaning out her closets in anticipation of moving and offered the whole set for free to the first person to respond to her Facebook message. I won! I read the first 8 in a week and a half, then got busy and haven’t settled back down into devouring the rest of them yet. Even though the series is fictional, it really helps me to better understand the Book of Revelation.

7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication? Tell about it.
I’ve often joked that I’m “allergic to children” because I don’t have any of my own, hadn’t had any nieces or nephews until recently, and have never babysat. But I have the most wonderful little kitty in the world, named Grady, so I wrote a children’s book about him, called Grady the Gray Cat. It should be released in Fall 2010 and they are currently working on the illustration of the book. Here’s a snippet: Grady is a little gray cat.Grady’s fur is gray; that’s why his mommy named him that.He isn’t too skinny and he isn’t too fat.And he lives in a home with two other cats.
8. Please put a description of each of your books here. (back matter is ok)
From Zero to Christian in Just 35 Years Do you think church isn’t the place for you or that it’s too late for you to give your life to Christ? In her book From Zero to Christian in just 35 Years new author Lori A. Moore shows us how nothing in the past will keep God from loving us. Trusting God can be scary, especially when confronted with complex and formal language. Through this simple and easy going guide to finding God, inexperienced Christians will learn to emerge from doubt and fear into the peace and comfort that can only be found through Christ. Follow Lori as she goes From Zero to Christian in Just 35 Years. Missing Andy: The Journey From Grief to Joy We did everything we could. I’m sorry. With just those seven words, Andy was gone. Then everything was silent. He didn’t have to say the D word––dead. He was talking in past tense. It was obvious that Andy had passed away. In her latest book, Missing Andy: The Journey from Grief to Joy, author Lori A. Moore explains how to view the loss of a loved one as a celebration instead of a final event. After unexpectedly losing her ex-husband, who was also her best friend, due to a fatal blood clot, Lori found herself lost and numb, but working her way through the five stages of grief helped her rediscover true happiness. Now, Lori writes about her experiences to help those dealing with grief come to a place of understanding and acceptance. Take this journey with Lori and find out how Missing Andy furthered her relationship with God and showed her how to truly live again. Come out of a place of inconsolable sadness and discover the joy that can only be found through Christ Jesus.

10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here. They are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Lifeway, Tate Publishing and more. http://loriamoore.tatepublishing.net Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lori-A-Moore/54377903045?ref=ts#!/pages/Lori-A-Moore/54377903045?ref=ts Twitter: @Lori_A_Moore

Patricia Kubus, author of "Amanda Helps Becky Say Farewell"

Introspection
Last week I was asked to do an internet radio interview. One of the questions that was asked was: "Why do you write?"
Hmmmmm It had been a long time since I took time to answer that question. I do ask if of myself on occasion, but once again I was standing with this question to be addressed.

I love to write. When I am working on a book or article I feel very close to God. I feel His inspiration behind the stories that I tell. The character's interactions are a little like the way my sons are with their dad and me. It takes me back when I write the ligt-hearted scenes.

The troublesome scenes sometimes/most times are struggles that the Lord is working on me about. In "Nan's Journey", it was forgiveness. In "Elk's Resolve" it was overcoming depression. In "Luke's Legacy" it was realizing that God has no grandchildren. Everyone makes the decision for Jesus on their own no matter how much I want to make that decision for them.

Book IV, "Timothy's Home", is still in my laptop. I am thinking that the message of this book will be mostly about God's grace.

I write because I learn so much about God and I learn about myself. I write because, maybe, if you or someone you know reads my book, you will see answers to questions you have about everyday life and how Jesus makes a difference.

A new author friend of mine is Patricia Kubus. You will love reading her interview that she did for me.

1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
My name is Patricia Kubus, I use my author name with my maiden name Patricia Goskowski Kubus. The title of my first Children's book is "Amanda Helps Becky Say Farewell"

2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
One important information I would like my readers or I should say the parent's of my readers to know is that I am a dedicated and compassionate mother, I place these feelings in my writings. I love my children, along with all children as well.

3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer? My relaxation as a child growing into my years as an adult was poetry. Writing poetry always came natural to me and I found myself many nights writing my feelings in poetry to share with family members. My first born had died from complications of a birth defect, my writings turned into stories with summarized poetry; which helped me through tough times and I am now passing it along to be published to share with the world.

4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
I have only published the one story; which focuses on tough questions for a child about death. In each of my future stories, I pick situations that children find themselves in that are difficult to deal with; such as getting stuck in an elevator, going to school for the first time, and getting bullied around. These are situations where I find my character, Amanda the Angel can come in and help with questions each child has and/or keep them company for a moment to help them thru it. At the end, I summarize the story in a poem, which I think might be a nice reminder that they can hang on their wall or place in their side drawer to refer to from time to time.

5. Are you a reader?
Now I read more than I have in years past. I'm finding it fun now to be on good reads and do recommendations about books I've read. My children are young and I do what I can to keep their interest in books.

6. What are you reading right now?
"Getting Through the Tough Stuff" by Charles R. Swindoll

7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication?
I have four books tucked away.
I actually found myself with an interesting option. Now that I have published my first book, my son came to me with a story he would like me to write. He gave me the core elements of the story of a young boy who's a basketball player. This player is pressured by the team that he needs to play better and my son wants me to have Amanda come in and help this boy with his pressure from the team players. My son wants me to point out in learning the fact that it's just a game and this young boy shouldn't have to carry such a burden to win. I was so blown away that my child took the time to write a story for me. I'm feeling compelled to write this next one just for him. It's a great feeling to know I'm pulling a little inspiration out of my child.

8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them?
I would have to say, my biggest obstacle is patience. I know if I write and then walk away from it, the next time I come back to it, makes it even better. Sometimes I force to much, because I'm anxious to get it done; when I let the right people help me to read it and I digest it, then come back to it, I make it better.

9. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here. Log onto: www.patriciakubus.com

Salvaged" by Stefne Scott Miller

"Salvaged, By Stefne Scott Miller, is a powerful book that adults will enjoy but that young people should read. It brought to my mind that sometimes adults forget that tradegy and suffering impact young people in profound ways. It was also a truthful look at the obstacles teen-agers and young adults deal with in relationships. Stefne addressed sensitive subjects that a lot of parents, teachers, and other influencers skirt. She drew a 'map' of how to navigate through some of the troublesome topics of teen dating and relationships. I know people simular to the characters. People who sincerely desire to live a pure life before God. "Salvaged" doesn't portray them as perfect and I appreciate that. This book is a must read for parents, grandparents, and teenagers.


Elaine Littau, author of Nan's Journey

I Always Fall in Love in the Fall

I always fall in love in the Fall.
Thirty-five years ago I left my little house in my little Texas panhandle town and went to a little Bible College. The year was 1974. I drove to one of my good friend's house and picked her up along with her stuff and we headed to Baxter Springs, Kansas to the Apostolic Faith Bible College. We were very excited to be all grown up and on our own. When we registered we realized that we were in different dorms but we made the best of it.

I carried a basket full of her stuff to her dorm and the heel of my shoe got caught in a massive crack on the sidewalk. I fell with a great flourish of stuff and basket. Looking up to see if my grace was noticed by anyone, I saw Terry Littau sitting on the hood of his car with a very pretty girl named Priscilla. Boy was I embarrassed. They didn't say a word.

Picking myself up and realizing that my knee was scraped and bleeding, I smiled weakly and said, "I believe I met you last month at Camp meeting didn't I?"
Terry responded. "I don't remember you."
Can you imagine how I felt? "Oh well, I think school is going to be fun. See y'all later."

I went to my dorm room and swore I would never come out again. That is until I met a really sweet girl named Elva Lu. She told me to call her Lulu. She had the confidence that I lacked and we spent the rest of the month laughing the day away. The next month she had to go home to Hempstead, TX because she was ill. I will never forget her. I missed her like crazy.

Back to Terry...His memory got better. He took me out a couple of times and then asked me to marry him. Six months later we were married. Every year when the weather changes and the mornings air is brisk and sweet, I think of falling for my true love. Going to Bible College was one of the best things that ever happened to me.

Since we have been married Terry has learned that whenever there is an opportunity for someone to fall, that would usually be me. He declared that I am accident prone...He is right. I fell for him in the fall.

This week I am interviewing Angela Harris.

1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
Dance in the Rain: His Joy Comes in the Mourning
2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
Its hard to pick one. I have a very fun and blessed life. I'm a twin. My best friend and I have known each other since kindergarten. My 12 yr old son has already scuba dived with sharks, and my 14 yr old daughter is in training to be a professional ballet dancer.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
I don't know if there was ever a specific time. I've always loved writing. It became a dream to be published in 1998 after this book began pouring out of my heart.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
I write from my heart. I'm not afraid to deal with hard topics or situations, in fact, they fuel me to dig deeper.
5. Are you a reader?
I read in phases. A lot or not at all. The Bible, always.
6. What are you reading right now?
Home school curriculum honestly. My husband and I home school, so I've been gearing up for the year. Have read some of my son's 7th grade required novel over the summer as a refresher.
7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication? Tell about it.
I think every author has another book, we all have stories to tell. I am working on a novel, another bible study, and a book looking at specific behavior/belief trends in church attending men and women.
8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them?
Time. Also, I get bored and easily distracted. I haven't decided if working on more than one project is helpful or not. It helps with variety for sure but other than that, the jury is still out. I write a lot at night, when I should be sleeping, but it's when ideas flow. I try just to embrace it as it comes. I have a tape recorder by my bed because without fail as soon as I lay my head down, there is always a thought.
9. Please put a description of each of your books here.
Have you lost someone significant in your life?
Do you feel swallowed up by sorrow?
Are you trying to find the purpose and plan for your life so you can move forward?
Where is God now?
Why did He allow this to happen?
What if the person I love is not in heaven?

So many painful thoughts surround those hurting from a loss. Those in the midst of such pan-come. Journey with author Angela A Dockter-Harris as she guides you through the healing process.This book is a two part book. Part one is a journal which can be personalized to each loss or situation. Includes journal sections for: spouse, child, (infant, miscarriage, stillborn, toddler, or adult), grandparent, parent, sibling, friend.
Also includes a very special section for someone facing death--such as a terminal illness or perhaps a military member facing deployment and unsure of the future. A person can fill out this journal section as a gift to leave for a loved one.

The second half of the book is a bible study. The bible study looks in-depth at sorrow and suffering, anger, acceptance, making amends, letting go, finding purpose, discovering a personal story from the pain and moving forward. Discusses how to find God in the midst of such pain. The bible study also addresses concerns for people who believe in heaven and the concern of dealing with uncertainty of a loved ones eternal decision. This book focuses on making amends, so it can be used in the loss of strained or broken relationships, not just death. This book can be filled out and used/given as a gift, not just after death of a loved one, but to help in the death and dying process to bring open communication and healing. Great for mature teens (with adult guidance recommended) up through adult. Good tool for counselor, lay people, pastors, etc. You can experience hope and healing during mourning.

10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here.
I haven't been blogging for long-- and I write on a variety of topics that are different pieces of who I am. It surprises a lot of people who know just a specific part of me, but those who know me know that I'm all over the map so to speak. I've actually blogged very little about the book, which I even find ironic. angelaadockterharris.wordpress.com My book is available through Tate Publishing, Amazon, Barnes and Noble. etc....

Funny Things Always Seem to Happen to Us

This morning I went into the post office in my small town to pick up a package that was too large for our mailbox. Paula waited on me and grinned. "Tangle with any bears this week?" She said.
"Nope, not this week." I said.
She came back with the small package and it looked terrible. It was caved in and we decided that it looked like it had been dropped from a plane.

Of course that made me think of a story. When Terry was cubmaster of our cubscout troup, the kids were supposed to pack a raw egg into some kind of package so that when it was dropped from an airplane it would not break.

The trouble was that the airplane arrangements fell through. No pilot. No plane. Dissappointed cubscouts. Terry and the den mothers' husbands climbed upon the camp building at our nearby lake and hurled the packages to the ground with all their might. The trouble was, too many of the raw eggs failed to break. We only had three or so prizes. I don't remember if our kid's eggs broke or not.

Paula grinned and said, "Everything happens to ya'll!"
I guess she could be right.

I am continuing with featuring Tate Publishing and Enterprise Authors. I have "met" most of them through facebook and the Tate Publishing fan page. In the following weeks you will have the opportunity so see the dedication and heart each person puts in their writing. This week I am interviewing Laura Wintczak Eckroat.

1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
Hi -- My name is Laura Wintczak Eckroat and the name of my book is The Life of Bud

2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
I am a Kindergarten Teacher.

3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
I have always loved to write ... I was just scared to let people read what I wrote!

4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
I write from my heart and I want readers of my books to feel what I am feeing as they read

5. Are you a reader?
Yes ... I love to read ...

6. What are you reading right now?
I just finished Merle's Door and Animals In Translation. I am now reading The Effects of Light

7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication?Tell about it.
I have a few books that I am working on ... but my second book is in publication now ... it is called A Simpler Time ... it is about a mother and daughter sharing special times together without technology!

8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them?
I think my biggest obstacle is just sitting down and finding quiet time to write .... I need an office to write -- maybe someday!

9. Please put a description of each of your books here.
The Life of Bud -- This is the story of life and how important we all are and how hard it is to let go in the end. The story follows Bud, who starts out in life as a tiny bud -- he feels insignificant. But Bud grows into a beautiful, vibrant leaf on the Mighty Oak Tree and becomes a very important part of the tree.
My book can be used to gently talk about life and death to a child, it can be used as a comfort to any adult who has lost a loved one, and it is being used in many classrooms to teach the seasons and the life cycle.


10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here.
Readers can contact me at thelifeofbud@aol.com . I am still tweeking my website -- lauraeckroat.tatepublishing.net ,
My book is available at tatepublishing.com, or amazon.com, or barnesandnoble.com. Tate Publishing has also turned my book into a coloring book which is very neat! If anyone is interested in a coloring book, they can contact me at thelifeofbud@aol.com -- the cost of the coloring books is $5.00 and they are available directly through me.

Happy and Sad

This has been a week of distinct contrasts for Terry and I. It began as a joyous week as we began the wonderful adventure of caring for our four grandchildren for a couple of weeks.
Somewhere in the middle tragedy struck. Terry's sweet sister passed away suddenly. The week that Terry took for vacation and fun with the children became a week filled with the sad task of contacting family and friends, putting together funeral arrangements, and attending the funeral. I am afraid that I was not much help to him because I had the children with me. We got through it and still can hardly believe it all happened within a span of a few days.

I want to tell you a little about Terry's sister, Anna Mae. She was a dear person. We became very good friends in the 34 years that Terry and I have been married. If I were to write a book about her life, editors would say that it was far-fetched in the sorrow she faced and that I would have to tone it down.

She married John after she finished high school. After a year they had their first baby, Larry. He died at birth. Later they had a daughter and then a son. When the boy was in his 20s he was killed in a car accident when he hit black ice. He had just finished college and was ready to begin a career and family with his young wife. Several years later their daughter developed brain cancer and passed away. She left a teen-age daughter and young son. The granddaughter grew up and had 2 daughters. Their son's widow adopted 2 little boys.

A couple of years ago John had a severe heart attack and had to be in hospitals all around the nation to try to find treatment that could save his life. It was a miracle he was still alive with the amount of damage he suffered. He lost his fight for life last August. Anna Mae was pretty much alone except for her teen-age grandson who lived in the town and her grown granddaughter who lived some miles away. Her daughter-in-law also called on her too. Of course, they had school and children to care for. Anna Mae watched over her 92-year-old mother who moved into town from the farm and helped her adjust to town living.

Many times Anna Mae asked me why it was that her family all had to die. Those are questions that I never had an answer for. All I could say was, "I don't know." I really will miss her but I am blessed having known her. She left the world a better place.
Elaine

Finding Home by Jim Daly

Jim Daly's book Finding Home was compelling. Although he never suffered physical or sexual abuse the other things he and his family endured were still things that no one should never have to endure.
The fact that he grew up as a hopeful boy is remarkable to me.

Every day people give up over less than Jim endured on one of his bad days. The part of the book that really resounded in me was his account of his mother's death. I suppose the reason was that my own sister died and left five children, the youngest being six and eight years old. I saw my nephews in that chapter as they suffered over their loss. No one could take the place of their mother. The difference was that Jim and his siblings had no one to hold them and tell them that all would be well.

His narrative rang true in that he wrote the way a boy thinks. Boys can squeeze out joy in the middle of hard times as long as they have access to a bicycle or a ball and bat. This book emphasises the importance of people stepping in to make a difference in the lives of people that cross our path. Coaches, teachers, pastors, and friends are necessary for kids. We must be there to lend a listening ear and wise council. This book is a "must read".

Rachel's Tears by Beth Nimmo and Darrell Scott

Rachel’s Tears
Ten Years After Columbine Rachel Scott’s Faith Lives On.
By Beth NImmo and Darrell Scott
One life can make a difference. One life did make a difference. One life is still making a difference. The message of Rachel Scott’s life and death is inspiring as well as tragic. The energetic, kind, and loving teen depicted within these pages was wise beyond her years. She learned early in her short life to depend on God for guidance. Preferring to not “fit in” to a particular clique or group in her high school, even the prayer group, she opened herself up to be able to reach anyone within her reach. There was no person who was beyond her sphere of influence.
This book is deeply personal. Many of her journal entries and drawings are published here give a close look into Rachel’s very soul. I was struck with the entries that spoke of how much she desired to impact the world. Through her life and death she has reached millions.
The message her parents bring through the pages of “Rachel’s Tears – 10 Years After Columbine, Rachel Scott’s Faith Lives On” is foremost that forgiveness is key in going forward after such life-altering events. “Forgiveness is not pardon…” was one statement that stood out to me. I appreciate the dedication Rachel’s parents and siblings have to minister to the teenagers of our world with the message of making a difference. This was a great book!
Elaine Littau
Author of “Nan’s Journey” & “Elk’s Resolve”

Oh Death, Where is Your Sting?

Sunday, August 31st at 5:10 p.m. a dear friend and family member died. John was my brother-in-law. We enjoyed many times of laughter at family gatherings. He was the guy my sons looked for every time we had a family event. Uncle John teased and joked and was never at a loss for a good story to tell. He was the kind of guy that would find where your "goat" was tied and then "get your goat"! If John wasn't at a holiday dinner we all felt the void.

January of 2007 John had a near fatal heart attack. He told about his experience to everyone who came close to him. He was shy in front of people he didn't know, but after his heart attack he had boldness to tell even a church full of people about his experience. It still scared him but he had to declare the mercy of God. The last time we spoke he told me part of it again.

He said that his heart stopped beating. He found himself at a door and walked through it. On the other side of the door was a terrible desolate feeling. "Desolate" was the word and he could barely speak it. Tears sprang to his eyes as he told me. He felt panicked and alone. A force was drawing him deeper into this place and he knew there was more horrors beyond. He screamed, "Help me Jesus!" A hand grabbed him from behind and pulled him through the door. He was back in his hospital room. He began praying in his bed saying, "Lord, I don't deserve another chance."

He saw many things during his hospital stays. He saw an angel in the corner of the room and other things that comforted him. He felt bad because he waited so long to come to God. He probably told more people about Jesus in the last year and a half than many people do in a lifetime. He never forgot the mercy of God.

One of the things he stressed when he spoke publicly and privately was the "levels of prayer". He came to realize that every prayer prayed was not of the same intensity. The first level is surface. That would include prayers by rote. The second is prayers that are a little more personal, and the third level is fervent and urgent. John stressed that we need to be more serious and urgent when we pray. Those prayers are of utmost importance.

The last few months John was in a lot of pain. Now he is not. He is in the Presence of the One he found those months ago. The One who literally rescued him from the pit. He was a wonderful man and an example of all who have made the decision to follow Jesus. I want to fearlessly proclaim the gospel of Jesus like John did. He was an inspiration to me and we will all miss him.

A Voice in the Wind

I just finished reading "A Voice in the Wind" by Francine Rivers. In many ways it was a disturbing read in that Rome in the first century was much like our world today. So much for the "good old days" huh! The challenges the main character overcame made me come face to face with the reality that even on my worst days, I am blessed. In the days that Hadessah lived in Rome every religion and thought was accepted and held in high esteem, EXCEPT for Christianity and Judaism. Does that sound familiar to anyone? The difference is that today, at least for now, in the United States the persecution meted out is humiliation or slander instead of facing literal lions in the coliseum.

When we watch the History channel on television and they show the coliseum we often think of the place as a place of games. IT WAS A PLACE OF SLAVERY AND DEATH! The blood thirst of the spectators held them prisoner as well as the gladiators and Christians. Most of the time the reality of the place never reaches our brain. God, forgive me!

My fear of offending or conflict has been hard to overcome. I know the Lord will be with me to stand for my beliefs to the end. This book has given me much to think about. The characters were interesting, complex, and infuriating. It is worth the time and energy to read and explore the deeper issues of life.