Podcasts about advanced writers

A new wineskin is coming to the Church - the home church/ small group alternative. #homechurch #HolySpiritLed Cyndi Foster, founder of Beauty For Ashes, Inc ( a nonprofit church and ministry) produces radio and social media broadcasts reaching a national and international audience.  Training and equipping leaders for apostolic ministry worldwide. The first hand experiences learned overseeing a local church in Newport News, Virginia have been a training ground to prepare prophetic and apostolic leaders.  Healing, Deliverance and Inner Healings ( Healing the broken-hearted) are everyday activities. Member of both International Society of Deliverance Ministers (ISDM)  and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) as well as other Christian Associations. Important links:   Cyndi's books: Joy Comes In the Morning 25 Strategies for Impossible Battles Spiritual Warfare Blueprint Journal   Website: https://beautyforashes.org/   Partnership and Mentoring: https://mentoring.beautyforashes.org/log-in/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bfachurch/   Audio Podcast : Podbean Apple Podcasts   Subscribe to My Channel   Email:  contact@beautyforashes.org   Donate Here

What did you think of this episode?Let's develop healthy writing habits.While the New Year holds much promise and excitement, difficult times are always waiting. Edie Melson helps us prepare for these challenges in this encore episode by developing healthy writing practices.Welcome Edie Melson.Edie is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. As a popular speaker, she encourages and challenges audiences to understand the necessity of Soul Care and leads workshops throughout the world on staying connected to God.She's the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She and her husband Kirk have been married for 40+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found hiking—with Edie clinging to the edge of a precipice for the perfect camera angle and Kirk patiently carrying her camera bag and tripod.Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I'm your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I'm so glad you're listening in. During this episode, you'll learn 23 Best Writing Practices. Please welcome Edie Melson to Your Best Writing Life. It's great to have you here, my friend.Download the episode giveaway for 23 Things below.Edie MelsonThe Write Conversation Blog for WritersListener giveaway PDF Link for 23 Things to Do for Your Writing SelfBlue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Scholarship InfoBest Writing Life Life January Tip Sheet for WritersVisit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeAbout your host - Linda GoldfarbAwarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Bing-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo PodcastVisit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeYour host - Linda Goldfarb#1 Podcast in the "Top 50+ Must-Have Tools and Resources for Christian Writers in 2024". Awarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

Cyndi Foster, founder of Beauty For Ashes, Inc ( a nonprofit church and ministry) produces radio and social media broadcasts reaching a national and international audience.  Training and equipping leaders for apostolic ministry worldwide. The first hand experiences learned overseeing a local church in Newport News, Virginia have been a training ground to prepare prophetic and apostolic leaders.  Healing, Deliverance and Inner Healings ( Healing the broken-hearted) are everyday activities. Member of both International Society of Deliverance Ministers (ISDM)  and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) as well as other Christian Associations. Important links: Cyndi's book Joy Comes In The Morning: https://beautyforashes.org/Shop/Secti... Website: https://beautyforashes.org/Groups/100... Partnership and Mentoring: https://mentoring.beautyforashes.org/... Facebook:   / bfachurch   Podcast :https://cyndifosterbfa.podbean.com/ and https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Subscribe to this channel:    / @cyndifoster-487   Email: contact@beautyforashes.org Donate: https://mentoring.beautyforashes.org/...

In this episode, we discuss the vital role a supportive community plays in business and life. From encouragement to collaboration, having like-minded professionals around you can transform your journey. Alyssa shares tips on how to connect with others, cultivate meaningful relationships, and practice gratitude to deepen those connections.With over 17 years of experience in online business, Alyssa reflects on how key communities have nurtured her journey. She'll spotlight a few invaluable groups, like the Christian Indie Publishing Association (CIPA) and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA), and provide insights on building your own community online.As a special touch, Alyssa challenges listeners to reach out to one person this week who has offered support and to express appreciation—whether through a heartfelt thank-you note or a simple act of acknowledgment. Let's celebrate the power of community together and find encouragement in the support of others.Tune in, take on the challenge.

Jump joyfully into your daily time with God! Become more intentional with your time spent in God's Word and dive deeper into your relationship with Him with overwhelming joy, boldness, and thanksgiving. Through 365 daily devotions that lead you from Genesis to Revelation, well-known author and speaker Janet Holm McHenry shares the truths she's learned about God, His promises to those who love Him, and the joy you too can find in your salvation. Having read through the entire Bible each year for more than 20 years, Janet's wise insights invite you to step confidently in your faith as you dedicate a part of each day to studying the Word. Each devotion includes a focus verse, Scripture-based prayer, and an optional read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year plan to help you jumpstart your time with the Lord. Purchase a copy of Looking Up! More about Janet McHenry Often described as a life juggler, upon graduation with a degree in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley, Janet McHenry worked as a newspaper reporter and high school English teacher while raising four kids with her high school sweetheart husband Craig (aka The Rancher). Post-college and post-Army, they settled down in the Sierra Valley in northern California. They raise beef cattle in a county without a single stoplight and love sharing the outdoors with their nine grandchildren. Janet looks for ways to serve leadership and others when she speaks at retreats and conferences. She also serves as prayer coordinator at The Bridge Church in Reno, on the advisory council of First Place for Health, and on the state leadership team for the National Day of Prayer. She is a writer, speaker, life and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association Certified Coach as well as the founder of the Sierra Valley Writers Retreat. She also loves hosting friends new and seasoned at her Sierra Valley Writers Retreats . . . or just for a cup of something yummy. And she looks forward to knowing you better! Connect with Janet McHenry website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Pinterest --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thetriciagoyershow/support

Cyndi Foster, founder of Beauty For Ashes, Inc ( a nonprofit church and ministry) produces radio and social media broadcasts reaching a national and international audience.  Training and equipping leaders for apostolic ministry worldwide. The first hand experiences learned overseeing a local church in Newport News, Virginia have been a training ground to prepare prophetic and apostolic leaders.  Healing, Deliverance and Inner Healings ( Healing the broken-hearted) are everyday activities. Member of both International Society of Deliverance Ministers (ISDM)  and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) as well as other Christian Associations. Important links: Cyndi's book Joy Comes In The Morning: https://beautyforashes.org/Shop/Secti... Website: https://beautyforashes.org/Groups/100... Partnership and Mentoring: https://mentoring.beautyforashes.org/... Facebook:   / bfachurch   Podcast :https://cyndifosterbfa.podbean.com/ and https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Subscribe to this channel:    / @cyndifoster-487   Email: contact@beautyforashes.org Donate: https://mentoring.beautyforashes.org/...

The Practical Faith Academy Podcast from Cecil Taylor Ministries presents guests who have important things to say about putting your faith into practice. Cecil interviews each guest to understand their life stories and their ideas for living a seven-day practical faith. Linda Evans Shepherd is an acclaimed author, speaker, and ministry leader. Shepherd has written almost 40 books, including the best-selling Praying Through Every Emotion and When You Don't Know What to Pray. She has extensive speaking background at significant Christian events. Shepherd is the founder and CEO of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and the creator of the P.O.W.E.R. Speaker Certification Program. Among other organizations and ministries, she is the head of Leading Hearts Magazine. Highlights of the podcast: 0:51    Why we should pray 2:41     What key themes people should take into their prayer life 4:34     How Linda prayed to release her fear over wildfires approaching her home 7:20     A model for how to fully give your fears to God 9:50     Why we should pray for small stuff 12:19   Linda's prayer capability grew during a time of tragedy and stress 15:27   A vision of walking with Jesus and how our trials are “miracle seeds” 17:31   The miraculous story of how her daughter came out of a year-long coma 20:30   Her go-to prayer 21:04   A seven-day practical faith is living each moment of every day in conversation with God 22:55   The hardest part about putting faith into practice 23:45   Her best tip for living and maintaining a seven-day practical faith 26:33   Cecil and Linda discuss how the Spirit can speak to us in the night, revealing wisdom     You can learn more about and benefit from Linda Evans Shepherd and her ministries in the following ways: Receive a blessing as Linda prays over you in video and in print by visiting MyPrayerGift.com. Find Linda's books and prayer articles at GotToPray.com. Linda also has a YouTube show called The Prayer Investigator. Cecil Taylor is an author, speaker, podcaster, blogger, and provider of Instant Content to churches and small groups. You can learn more about Cecil and what he offers at https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com, at https://www.facebook.com/ceciltaylorministries ,  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceciltaylor/ , and the Cecil Taylor Ministries YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHP_khu3r77ubl5jvHsf5-w . Cecil is now a Chicken Soup for the Soul author! He is a contributor to “Tales of Christmas,” a Chicken Soup for the Soul book available on Oct. 15. By registering for Cecil's free monthly newsletter on the Cecil Taylor Ministries home page, you'll receive a free gift, which changes from time to time. Cecil has a new, free video lesson for small groups, churches, and individual learners, entitled “The With-God Journey: A Powerful Re-Imagining of Holy Relationship.” By registering for the video lesson and monthly newsletter at https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/Request-With-God-Journey, you'll gain access to the video lesson (streaming, download, or DVD versions), a leader guide, and a sermon guide. It's a great way to try out Cecil's Instant Content or just fill a gap in your small group programming. For more free content from Cecil Taylor Ministries, visit https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com/free-content. Cecil's books and video studies can be found and purchased through https://www.CecilTaylorMinistries.com. Every video study's first lesson can be seen for free via the Free Content link above by clicking on “Sample Lessons.” Cecil's Instant Content portfolio of books and video studies includes: - “From Comfort Zone to Trust Zone: How Jesus Urges Us to Take Leaps of Faith for His Kingdom” (book available now; six-week video study and guides available in June 2024). Cecil explores a dozen Bible studies of Jesus inviting people out of their comfort zones into their trust zones and how to apply these stories to our lives today. You'll uncover your own comfort zones and learn how to deepen your faith by getting uncomfortable for Jesus. - “The Next Thing: A Christian Model for Dealing with Crisis in Personal Life” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant's Guide). “The Next Thing” supplies a four-part model for dealing with crisis. You'll find the model to be flexible and applicable to many crises. - “Live Like You're Loved: Living in the Freedom and Immediacy of God's Love” (book, five-week video study, Leader Guide, and Participant's Guide). “Live Like You're Loved” affirms that God loves you, forgives you, sends you, and walks with you in eternal relationship. You'll learn how to embed each of these scriptural truths into your daily life. - NEW: “Unison Parenting: The Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Christian Parenthood with One Voice” (book available now from Store.CecilTaylorMinistries.com and available in Sep. 2024 at booksellers online and in stores; workbook available in Sep. 2024; first video study available in early 2025).

Guest: Linda Evans ShepherdOrganization: Right to the Heart Ministries, of which the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) is an extensionPosition: CEOTopics: Golden Scroll Awards and Christian Market Book Awards + book: Praying Through Hard Times: How to Give Your Worries to God and Rediscover HopeInterview Location: Christian Product Expo Summer 2024 Show in Ft. Wayne, INWebsites: gottopray.com, awsa.com

Guest: Linda Evans ShepherdOrganization: Right to the Heart Ministries, of which the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) is an extensionPosition: CEOTopics: Golden Scroll Awards and Christian Market Book Awards + book: Praying Through Hard Times: How to Give Your Worries to God and Rediscover HopeInterview Location: Christian Product Expo Summer 2024 Show in Ft. Wayne, INWebsites: gottopray.com, awsa.com

What did you think of this episode?If you're a new writer, today's episode will clarify some social media myths you need to quit believing. Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I'm your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I'm so glad you're listening in.My industry expert is…Edie Melson. Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers who is observing life through the lens of her camera. As a popular speaker, Edie encourages and challenges audiences on the necessity of Soul Care and leads workshops throughout the world on staying connected to God. Her numerous books, including the award-winning Soul Care series, reflect her passion for helping others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Since 2017, Edie's industry blog, The Write Conversation, has been recognized as a Writer's Digest Top 101 Sites for Writers. She's the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She and her husband Kirk have been married for 40+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found hiking and enjoying life together—Please welcome Edie Melson to Your Best Writing Life. It's great to have you here, my friend.Today, we are covering:If social media doesn't sell books, it has no valueI'm the one responsible for the reach of my wordsListener giveaway – PDF the ABCs of Social Media for WritersAs we wrap up – You can find out more about … in our show notes.Be sure to check out Part 1 of our Common Social Media Myths New Writers Need to Quit Believing series. The link is also in the show notes.Visit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeAbout your host - Linda GoldfarbAwarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

What did you think of this episode?Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I'm your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I'm so glad you're listening in. During this part one episode, you'll learn about three of the top five… Common Social Media Myths New Writers Need to QUIT BelievingMy industry expert is Edie Melson. Edie is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers who is observing life through the lens of her camera. As a popular speaker, Edie encourages and challenges audiences on the necessity of Soul Care and leads workshops throughout the world on staying connected to God. Her numerous books, including the award-winning Soul Care series, reflect her passion for helping others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Since 2017, Edie's industry blog, The Write Conversation, has been recognized as a Writer's Digest Top 101 Sites for Writers. She's the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She and her husband Kirk have been married for 40+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found hiking and enjoying life together—Please welcome Edie Melson to Your Best Writing Life.Here are the myths we bust today!Social media sells books!If I don't have a book, I don't have anything valuable to share.I can build my social media after I write/publish the book.Is Social Media Still a Wise Investment? PDF DownloadEdie Melson, Social Media Coach - write Social Media Coaching in the subject lineBe on the lookout for Part Two of our Common Social Media Myths New Writers Need to QUIT Believing series.Visit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeAbout your host - Linda GoldfarbAwarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Binge-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Jocelyn Green returns to the podcast after a bit of an absence, so it was great to catch up with her and talk about her new book, The Hudson Collection. We discussed how she drew such rich and layered characters, how Flaco the Owl in Central Park inspired her while writing the book, and why you don't want to tango with crows. Patrons get to hear about her favorite writing pants and where you can pick up a pair. The Hudson Collection by Jocelyn GreenStep into the beguiling world of 1926 New York and discover the power of resilience, friendship, and love from award-winning author Jocelyn Green. Elsa Reisner's lifelong dream of working as an ornithologist at the American Museum of Natural History is fading as the job begins to drain her passion. But fate takes an unexpected turn when she is assigned to catalog the bequest of a recently deceased patron whose Gothic country mansion holds secrets and treasures waiting to be discovered.As Elsa delves into her task, she forms an unlikely bond with the estate's delightful gardener and her daughter, as well as an architectural salvage dealer who still bears scars from the Great War. Together, they embark on a thrilling treasure hunt for a missing relic intended to safeguard the servants' futures before the estate is sold. At the same time, Elsa's body seems to betray her with new symptoms from a childhood disease that isn't through with her yet.With the brooding veteran and her handsome colleague joining the search, Elsa must navigate the tangled web of secrets and hidden motives along with the changing state of her health. As her deadline looms ever closer, will she be able to secure a new life for her friends before the estate slips from their grasp?Get your copy of The Hudson Collection by Jocelyn Green.Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King; Wedded to War; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, pie, the color red, and reading with a cup of tea. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com. 

Warning signs to unveil toxic writers. Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I'm your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I'm so glad you're listening in. During this episode, you'll learn nine warning signs to unveil toxic writers in your life. My industry expert is…Edie Melson. Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. As a popular speaker, Edie encourages and challenges audiences on the necessity of Soul Care and leads workshops throughout the world on staying connected to God. Her numerous books, including the award-winning Soul Care series and Unruffled, Thriving in Chaos (co-authored with Rhonda Rhea) reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Since 2017, Edie's industry blog, The Write Conversation, has been recognized as a Writer's Digest Top 101 Sites for Writers. She's the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She and her husband Kirk have been married for 40+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found hiking—with Edie clinging to the edge of a precipice for the perfect camera angle and Kirk patiently carrying her camera bag and tripod. Please welcome Edie Melson to Your Best Writing Life. It's great to have you here, my friend.Nine signs of a toxic writer.1. Writers who only talk about writing but never produce anything of their own.2. Writers who always have an excuse for not producing anything.3. Writers who always gossip about other writers.4. Writers who cannot accept honest critiques.5. Writers who put others down to build themselves up.6. Writers who legalistically follow the rules.7. Writers who insist that there is only one correct way to write.8. Writers who are more interested in a life support group or relationship than in encouraging each other to write.9. Writers who put themselves above others after success. Linkshttps://ediemelson.com/ https://ediemelson.com/books/ More info on toxic writersVisit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeAbout your host - Linda GoldfarbAwarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Bing-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

#spiritualabuse #churchhurt This testimony and more will be included in Cyndi Foster's upcoming book, Strategies For Impossible Battles. We trust the Holy Spirit will minister to you as you watch this video and the upcoming testimony posts. Cyndi Foster, founder of Beauty For Ashes, Inc ( a nonprofit church and ministry) produces radio and social media broadcasts reaching a national and international audience. Training and equipping leaders for apostolic ministry worldwide. The first hand experiences learned overseeing a local church in Newport News, Virginia have been a training ground to prepare prophetic and apostolic leaders. Healing, Deliverance and Inner Healings ( Healing the broken-hearted) are everyday activities. Member of both International Society of Deliverance Ministers (ISDM) and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) as well as other Christian Associations.

Let's take a look at what the apostolic movement should look like by looking at the life of Jesus. He is the Great Apostle and our example. You will enjoy this teaching from Luke 5 about Peter's first encounter with Jesus when He called Peter to be s fisher of men.   Cyndi Foster, founder of Beauty For Ashes, Inc ( a nonprofit church and ministry) produces radio and social media broadcasts reaching a national and international audience.  Training and equipping leaders for apostolic ministry worldwide. The first hand experiences learned overseeing a local church in Newport News, Virginia have been a training ground to prepare prophetic and apostolic leaders.  Healing, Deliverance and Inner Healings ( Healing the broken-hearted) are everyday activities. Member of both International Society of Deliverance Ministers (ISDM)  and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) as well as other Christian Associations.  

Today, we share ten tips to streamline your writing life. Some you may already do, and some you may not have considered. Just take a look at the list with an open mind and see if there's anything on it that can make your life easier.  Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of NC. I'm your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I'm so glad you're listening in. Today's industry expert is…Edie Melson. Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. As a popular speaker, Edie encourages and challenges audiences on the necessity of Soul Care and leads workshops throughout the world on staying connected to God. Her numerous books, including the award-winning Soul Care series and Unruffled, Thriving in Chaos (co-authored with Rhonda Rhea) reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Since 2017, Edie's industry blog, The Write Conversation, has been recognized as a Writer's Digest Top 101 Sites for Writers. She's the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She and her husband Kirk have been married for 40+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found hiking—with Edie clinging to the edge of a precipice for the perfect camera angle and Kirk patiently carrying her camera bag and tripod. Please welcome Edie Melson to Your Best Writing Life. Simplify Your Writing Life 1. Take a look at your goals. 2. Evaluate how much time you're spending on social media. 3. Let go of your expectations. 4. Determine when you are most creative in a 24-hour period. 5. Come up with a way to schedule your time. 6. Commit to quit talking negatively to and about yourself. 7. Take care of yourself physically. 8. Build in regular breaks. 9. Surround yourself with encouraging writers. 10. Engage a prayer team.LINKShttps://ediemelson.com/ https://ediemelson.com/books/ Tips to Make Writing a Priority Visit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeAbout your host - Linda GoldfarbAwarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Bing-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I'm your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I'm so glad you're listening in. During this episode, you'll learn 15 Reasons to Fall in Love with WritingMy industry expert is…Edie Melson. Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. As a popular speaker, Edie encourages and challenges audiences on the necessity of Soul Care and leads workshops throughout the world on staying connected to God.Her numerous books, including the award-winning Soul Care series and Unruffled, Thriving in Chaos (co-authored with Rhonda Rhea) reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Since 2017, Edie's industry blog, The Write Conversation, has been recognized as a Writer's Digest Top 101 Sites for Writers. She's the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Edie and her husband Kirk have been married for 40+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found hiking—with Edie clinging to the edge of a precipice for the perfect camera angle and Kirk patiently carrying her camera bag and tripod. Please welcome Edie Melson to Your Best Writing Life. It's great to have you here, my friend.LINKSEdie MelsonBlue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference15 Reasons to Fall in Love with Writing PDF Visit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeAbout your host - Linda GoldfarbAwarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Bing-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

DiAnn Mills- bestselling author - our guest at Courageous Leadership with Virginia Prodan Podcast. DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels with threads of romance. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone's story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure? Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers' Choice, and Carol award contests. DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She's an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn or her website: diannmills.com We love to hear your comments, questions or what you have learned from this podcast. We are here to encourage, motivate and help you. -- Subscribe for free to Courageous Leadership with Virginia Prodan Podcast on: Edifi: https://edifi.app/podcasts/courageous-leadership-with-virginia-prodan-26927/ Or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7kHPeoAgbkAHCg2C6RApEZ - to hear encouraging & inspiring messages‬. ----- Order your autographed copy(s) of #SavingMyAssassin by Virginia Prodan- directly here: https://virginiaprodanbooks.com/product/book/ ------ Invite Virginia Prodan to speak at your events -: https://virginiaprodanbooks.com/invite-virginia/ ----- Donate to Virginia Prodan Ministries - here: https://www.virginiaprodan.com/donate/ Subscribe to our Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/VirginiaProd    We suggest you watch also our Youtube video - we prepared for you - to be encouraged even more : Know Yourself to conquer the world: https://youtu.be/IPSRIhzNks8?si=-wRivzX_DsacSVUu We love to hear from you; your comments, or questions. Please share what you have learned from this YouTube videos and any of our podcasts.

While the New Year holds much promise and excitement, there will also be difficult times. Today's guest helps us prepare for these challenges by developing healthy writing practices.Welcome to Your Best Writing Life, an extension of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mts of NC. I'm your host, Linda Goldfarb. Each week, I bring tips and strategies from writing and publishing industry experts to help you excel in your craft. I'm so glad you're listening in. During this episode, you'll learn 23 Best Writing Practices.  Welcome Edie Melson. Edie is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. As a popular speaker, she encourages and challenges audiences to understand the necessity of Soul Care and leads workshops throughout the world on staying connected to God. Her numerous books, including the award-winning Soul Care series and Unruffled, Thriving in Chaos (co-authored with Rhonda Rhea), reflect her passion for helping others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Since 2017, Edie's industry blog, The Write Conversation, has been recognized as a Writer's Digest Top 101 Sites for Writers. She's the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She and her husband Kirk have been married for 40+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found hiking—with Edie clinging to the edge of a precipice for the perfect camera angle and Kirk patiently carrying her camera bag and tripod. Please welcome Edie Melson to Your Best Writing Life. It's great to have you here, my friend. Download the episode 23 Things below.Edie MelsonThe Write Conversation Blog for WritersListener giveaway PDF Link for 23 Things to Do for Your Writing Self  Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Scholarship Info Best Writing Life Life January Tip Sheet for WritersVisit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeAbout your host - Linda GoldfarbAwarded the Spark Media 2022 Most Bing-Worthy PodcastAwarded the Spark Media 2023 Fan Favorites Best Solo Podcast

Have you ever thought about how your personality affects your prayer life? Today, I welcome a dear personal friend and inspiring author on the show, Janet McHenry. She is releasing a groundbreaking book on the connection between personality and prayer. Get ready for some mind-blowing insights! Janet reminds us that prayer is not just about getting answers, but about having ACCESS to God. It's about developing a prayer lifestyle, not just having a prayer life. In her book, "Praying Personalities, Finding Your Natural Prayer Style," Janet explores how different personality types connect with prayer. She looks at generational practices and even considers different learning styles. Janet studied Abraham, Moses, David, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, among others. Their unique prayer styles inspire us to explore and find our own God-given DNA of prayer, so to speak. Curious about your prayer personality? Janet's book offers a praying personalities quiz to help you identify your unique style. Are you a problem solver, a friend of God, an organized prayer warrior, or a peace seeker? Let's find out! Known for her inspiring book, “Prayerwalking,” Janet saw the need to provide alternatives for those who couldn't physically walk. Thus, the idea for "Praying Personalities" was born! Janet McHenry shares her journey and how prayer changes not only situations but also OURSELVES. Preordering Janet' McHenry's book guarantees being the FIRST to receive it! So you can take the praying quiz beforehand and dive straight into discovering your praying personality. Mark your calendars for the release of "Praying Personalities, Finding Your Natural Prayer Style" on February 13th, 2024! Preorder now to ensure you receive this transformative book right on time. Don't miss out! Prayer is a powerful tool that shapes our lives, and Janet's new book is a roadmap to unlocking the full potential of your prayer life. Now, it's time for you to explore your own praying personality! Let's go change the world, one prayer at a time! FIND OUT YOUR PRAYER PERSONALITY You should pray in the morning." "You should write out your prayers." "You should make prayer lists and pray through them every day." "You should pray with others or out loud."  We've all heard the "you shoulds" of prayer from pulpits, presenters, and well-meaning friends. But what do you do when the "right way" to pray feels like a struggle? When you take the Praying Personality Quiz, you will find out what kind of praying style is most natural for you--based on your God-given personality. Click here: https://prayingpersonalities.com/ MORE ABOUT THE BOOK, PRAYING PERSONALITIES Discover your God-given prayer DNA and the particular way God designed you to connect with Him through prayer! You should pray in the morning. You should write out your prayers. You should make prayer lists and pray through them every day. You should pray with others or out loud. We've all heard the "you shoulds" of prayer from pulpits, presenters, and well-meaning friends. But when none of these ways to pray feel natural, what's next? In this book the author helps readers determine their particular praying personality by examining the praying styles of biblical people, spiritual gifts, and various ideas about personality, including the classic temperaments, the Enneagram, and more. McHenry includes scores of bulleted suggestions for developing a praying lifestyle that works for individuals. She has also created a Praying Personality Quiz for readers (available in the book and online) to help narrow down the style that will most naturally fit into how they process a prayer life. Preorder here: https://prayingpersonalities.com/ KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS CONVERSATION 1️⃣ Tailor Your Prayers: Janet suggests that prayer is not a one-size-fits-all approach. By understanding your personality type, you can discover a prayer style that resonates with you. Whether you're a problem solver, a friend of God, or a peace seeker, there's a way to pray that feels natural and authentic to you. 2️⃣ Develop a Praying Lifestyle: It's not just about having a prayer life; it's about integrating prayer into every aspect of your life. Janet emphasizes the importance of cultivating a praying lifestyle that goes beyond scheduled prayer times. Find ways to incorporate prayer into your daily routines and activities. 3️⃣ Learn from Biblical Models: Janet's book dives into biblical characters and their prayer styles, providing inspiration and guidance. From Abraham to Esther, each person had a unique approach to prayer. By studying their examples, we can glean wisdom and apply it to our own prayer lives. MEET JANET MCHENRY Janet McHenry is a national speaker and author of 24 books—including the bestselling PrayerWalk and her most recent, The Complete Guide to the Prayers of Jesus. Her business name is Looking Up! because she loves encouraging others to turn to God through a praying lifestyle. Her prayerwalking has been featured in magazines such as Health and Woman's Day, and she has been interviewed widely about prayer and prayerwalking. A recently retired English teacher and academic advisor, Janet and her husband Craig raised their four children in the Sierra Valley, where she loves walking with her Personal Trainer, Jesus. Often described as a  life juggler, upon graduation with a degree in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley, Janet McHenry worked as a newspaper reporter and high school English teacher while raising four kids with her high school sweetheart husband Craig (aka The Rancher). Post-college and post-Army, they settled down in the Sierra Valley in northern California. They raise beef cattle in a county without a single stoplight and love sharing the outdoors with their nine grandchildren. Janet looks for ways to serve leadership and others when she speaks at retreats and conferences. She also serves as prayer coordinator at The Bridge Church in Reno, on the advisory council of First Place for Health, and on the state leadership team for the National Day of Prayer. She is a writer, speaker, life and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association Certified Coach as well as the founder of the Sierra Valley Writers Retreat. She also loves hosting friends new and seasoned at her Sierra Valley Writers Retreats . . . or just for a cup of something yummy. And she looks forward to knowing you better! Find out more at https://www.janetmchenry.com/   Do you enjoy Gospel Spice? Then let's deepen our relationship! There are 4 very simple ways to do that, and it would truly mean the world to us.  1- If you've enjoyed this episode, you will love receiving our newsletter. It contains value-packed free gifts and rich content each month. It's at gospelspice.com/signup. There is always something new and exciting happening around here, and I don't want you to miss out! Sign up at Gospelspice.com/signup 2- Did you know Gospel Spice has a YouTube Channel? There's exclusive content there too. So, join Gospel Spice on YouTube! It's at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3- Also please give us a star rating and a comment on your podcast listening app. Your reviews actually really do make a difference to help others discover and experience Gospel Spice. You would be surprised how helpful these are! So please leave a star rating and a review of a sentence or two. Thank you! 4- As always, we are praying for you! You can confidentially email us your prayer requests and praise items at the email address contact@gospelspice.com. It is our privilege to pray for you! So, would you please invest 3 to 5 minutes of your time, maybe even right now, to do one (or more!) of the following suggestions: 1-      signup on our website for our newsletter to receive gifts you're going to love - at Gospelspice.com/signup 2-      find us on YouTube, and see what content we've put together to help you grow closer to Jesus - at https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 3-      rate Gospel Spice on your listening app – it's one of the easiest ways to share the gospel! 4-      and finally, tell us how we can pray for you! Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Support us on Other, PayPal and Other!

I am so excited for you to hear today's episode with my friend, Tina Yeager. We talk about her journey through an eating disorder and how becoming pregnant saved her life. We also talk about how to walk out each part of our journey through life and the times that threaten to break us. She talks about how we can struggle with God as we walk through things and how that is okay and how we can be there for people as they are going through their own grief. I know this episode will resonate with you as we enter a time of the year that is difficult for so many people. We both pray this episode encourages you as you walk through this holiday season. Bio: Award-winning author, inspirational speaker, and life coach, Tina also hosts the Flourish-Meant podcast and publishes Inkspirations Online, a weekly devotional for writers. She has won over thirty writing awards,including a 2020 Golden Scroll Award and 2013 FCWC Writer of the Year. Her fiction and nonfiction strive to clarify how we might relate better to others, to ourselves, and to God. Licensed as a counselor since 2005, she has over twenty years of experience teaching parenting to at-risk families, writing skills, communications, inner healing, and spiritual growth. She has counseled and taught adults, teens, and children in academic, clinical, and faith-based settings. Tina enjoys working with diverse populations and has practiced in community mental health settings and private practice since 2000. She specializes in ADHD, stress management, purpose definition, abuse recovery, and esteem-building, and currently runs an online life coaching practice, Divine Encouragement, LLC. Yeager holds a BA in creative writing and an MA in counseling. Yeager serves on the board of the Christian Authors Network, as head mentor with Word Weavers International, and as an active member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and Christian Women in Media Association. Her courses on Subdue Stress and Anxiety, Psyched Characters and Kindle your Creative Spark are available online. Though currently a life coach, author, speaker, and podcast host, Yeager is also familiar with shame's oppression at a personal level. Tina wrestled with isolation from peers, body image, and low self-esteem issues, even trending into eating disordered behavior. The Lord sustained Tina through a desert-like journey of character transformation, training, and effort. Anchor Verse: Philippians 4:6-7 Connect with Tina: Website: https://www.tinayeager.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@TinaYeager FB: https://www.facebook.com/tyeagerwriting IG: https://instagram.com/tina.yeager.9 LINKTREE: @tina.yeager.9 | Linktree ***This podcast is a proud member of the Spark Network! It is a network of Christian podcasts that cover so many different topics!  Head over to: https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/spark-network#/ to find more amazing podcasts!!***

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone's story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure? Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers' Choice, and Carol award contests. You can download a list of her published titles by clicking here. DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a former director of Blue Ridge Christian Writers, and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She shares her passion for helping other writers be successful by teaching writing workshops around the country. DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She's an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at diannmills.com. Make sure to connect with DiAnn on Instagram @diannmillsauthor You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, or visit my website www.drkatherinehayes.com

Linda Evans Shepherd, the CEO of Right to the Heart Ministries, of which the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) is an extension, visited Faith Radio/Meeting House Media Central at the Summer 2023 Christian Product Expo in Lexington, KY to discuss the Golden Scroll Awards, presented by AWSA, as well as her book, Make Time For Joy: Scripture-Powered Prayers to Brighten Your Day. You can find her at gottopray.com. The AWSA website is awsa.com. 

Linda Evans Shepherd, the CEO of Right to the Heart Ministries, of which the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) is an extension, visited Faith Radio/Meeting House Media Central at the Summer 2023 Christian Product Expo in Lexington, KY to discuss the Golden Scroll Awards, presented by AWSA, as well as her book, Make Time For Joy: Scripture-Powered Prayers to Brighten Your Day. You can find her at gottopray.com. The AWSA website is awsa.com. 

Christian Historical Fiction Talk is listener supported. When you buy things through this site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Become a patron and enjoy special perks and bonus content.Jocelyn Green stopped by the podcast this week to chat about her new book, The Metropolitan Affair. It's a fabulous book with a female Egyptologist set in New York City in the roaring 20s. We had such a fun talk discussing everything she learned about Egyptology, the real places in New York City that make an appearance, and our mutual love for the Great British Bake Off, including why she'd never attempt a recipe from the show. Patrons also get to hear which is her favorite Broadway show and why. We threw in lots of laughs along the way! The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn GreenBestselling author Jocelyn Green sweeps you away in a dazzling novel of secrets, betrayal, and romance within one of New York City's most esteemed museums.For years her explorer father promised Dr. Lauren Westlake she'd accompany him on one of his Egyptian expeditions. But as the empty promises mounted, Lauren determined to earn her own way. Now the assistant curator of Egyptology for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Lauren receives two unexpected invitations.The first is her repentant father's offer to finally bring her to Egypt as his colleague on a new expedition. The second is a chance to enter the world of New York's wealthiest patrons who have been victims of art fraud.With Egyptomania sweeping the city after the discovery of King Tut's tomb, Detective Joe Caravello is on the hunt for a notorious forger preying on the open wallets of New York's high society. Dr. Westlake is just the expert he needs to help him track the criminal. Together they search for the truth, and the closer Lauren and Joe get to discovering the forger's identity, the more entangled they become in a web of deception and crime.Get your copy of The Metropolitan Affair by Jocelyn Green.Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King; Wedded to War; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She graduated from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, with a B.A. in English, concentration in writing. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, pie, the color red, and reading with a cup of tea. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.

Ready to maximize Amazon for sales? Linda Goldfarb and Amazon marketing expert Vincent B. Davis II share what you need to know as a multibook author.Linda Goldfarb's industry expert is Vincent B. Davis II. Vincent is an author, entrepreneur, and veteran.  He is a graduate of East Tennessee State University and has served in the United States Army since 2014. He's the author of eight books, four of which have become international bestsellers. When he's not researching or writing his next book, you can find him watching Carolina Panthers football or playing with his rescued mutt, Buddy.The questions Linda and Vincent cover in today's episode are:1. How to optimize your front and back matter.2. Getting beyond Option Paralysis3.  Number one way to sell more books R & R4. The statistical benefit of writing more books.5. Tools outside Amazon to augment Amazon sales.6.  Traffic + Conversion = $$$LINKSVincent B. Davis IIAmazon Strategies for Advanced Writers PDF downloadPickfu.com Ask Vincent about coaching - include YBWL in the subject line and request $100 off.If you enjoy Your Best Writing Life's content- consider a monthly donation through Patreon. Support Your Best Writing Life podcastAbout your host - Linda GoldfarbBesides hosting Your Best Writing Life, Linda Goldfarb is a multi-published award-winning author, audiobook narrator, international speaker, board-certified Christian life coach, co-owner, co-founder of the LINKED® Personality System, and co-author of the LINKED® Quick Guide to Personality series. Linda also hosts the Staying REAL About Faith & Family podcast - Check it out!Visit Your Best Writing Life website.Join our Facebook group, Your Best Writing LifeAbout your host - Linda GoldfarbSponsored by Access More!

This week Mike and Sarah talk with authors Crystal Bowman and Michelle Lazurek about their new book, Who God Wants Me to Be. This empowering picture book features a diverse cast of little girls dreaming of all the things they can be when they grow up and exploring how they can serve God in all kinds of careers. I'll keep trusting God, and then I will see exactly who He wants me to be.   An artist, a teacher, a doctor, a stay-at-home mom—there are so many things a girl might want to be when she grows up. And even if she changes her mind as she cultivates new passions and skills, that's okay! The important thing to remember is that she will discover the talents and desires given to her by God as she grows and learns. Whether she becomes a protector, healer, builder, or creator, she can use her gifts to share God's love with others!   Join Haley, Isabela, Lexi, and Ashley as they explore different careers and encourage all girls to trust God and who he created them to be! Crystal Bowman is a bestselling, award-winning author of over 100 books for children, women, and families. Her books have sold more than three million copies worldwide; received four Selah Awards, a Logos Bookstore Award, and five Golden Scroll Awards; and twice been named an ECPA finalist. Crystal is also active as a speaker, teacher, and grandma to her eight grandchildren. She and her husband reside in West Michigan.  Michelle S. Lazurek is a multi-genre award-winning author, literary agent, certified writing coach, speaker, pastor's wife, and mother living in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. She has won two Golden Scroll Children's Book of the Year awards, Article of the Year, and the Enduring Light silver medal, among many other honors. She is also a member of the Christian Author's Network and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.

The River Betty Rodgers-Kulich pt 2 If you've been listening to this program for any length of time, you know I'm an avid reader. That is one reason I enjoy interviewing authors. Amen!  Well, fasten your seat belts because today, we have the blessed pleasure of interviewing Betty Rodgers-Kulich about her award winning book, “The River.” “The River: A Spiritually Transforming Journey” is book one of what is now becoming a trilogy. Betty describes this book as a cross between “The Shack” and a modern day “Pilgrim's Progress” type of book!” Amen!  We'll find out more about that in a minute… This book won the 2021 Christian Indie Publisher Award and is great book that has now become book one of a trilogy in the making! Praise God! Betty is an ordained minister and serves as an Associate Pastor, along with her husband Rick of 47 years, at the Redeemer's Church in Columbus, Ohio. She has been teaching and preaching since 2003. Betty also serves as a Women's Conference Director for Harvest Preparation International Ministries (HPIM.ORG), a non-profit Biblical ministry that trains and impacts leaders globally. She travels internationally doing women's conferences, teaching, developing and mentoring other women. Prior to being in ministry full time, Betty was a high school teacher for 30 years and holds a Master's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences and Early Childhood Development. She is also an “Advanced Writers & Speakers Association” certified speaker! AMEN! This is part two of a great two part interview! Did you keep the characters from book one? Are we like, following them, on their quest? How far along are you with book two? You and your husband, Rick, are trying to make people aware of the complacency that has been adopted these past few years in the American Church. How does this book help you to do that? You are not only a fiction writer, but a non-fiction writer as well. Your book, “When the Light Grows Dim” is in reference to the modern American church. Can you share a little about that? You are also a writer of devotionals, correct?  Can you tell us about bit about that? How did you get into that aspect of writing? You also recently came back from a trip to Mexico where you were at a conference. Share with us about your work and travels… Betty, this is all so fascinating.  How can someone obtain a copy of your book, “The River: A Spiritually Transforming Journey?” Is it on Amazon? What about the Trilogy? When will that be released? If someone wanted to reach out to you to ask a question, maybe to invite you to a conference of maybe even do an interview such as this, how can they do that? How can someone get in touch with you? I'll put links to all of this in the show notes below. Folks, this book is one that you will not put down when you begin to read it. Betty Rodgers-Kulich has crafted this book under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and it will hold you until you finish… Then you're going to going on line and looking for book two and wondering why it's not released yet! Praise God! At the time of this recording, Christmas is just around the corner!  You should definitely invest in...

The River Betty Rodgers-Kulich pt 1 If you've been listening to this program for any length of time, you know I'm an avid reader. That is one reason I enjoy interviewing authors. Amen!  Well, fasten your seat belts because today, we have the blessed pleasure of interviewing Betty Rodgers-Kulich about her award winning book, “The River.” “The River: A Spiritually Transforming Journey” is book one of what is now becoming a trilogy. Betty describes this book as a cross between “The Shack” and a modern day “Pilgrim's Progress” type of book!” Amen!  We'll find out more about that in a minute… This book won the 2021 Christian Indie Publisher Award and is great book that has now become book one of a trilogy in the making! Praise God! Betty is an ordained minister and serves as an Associate Pastor, along with her husband Rick of 47 years, at the Redeemer's Church in Columbus, Ohio. She has been teaching and preaching since 2003. Betty also serves as a Women's Conference Director for Harvest Preparation International Ministries (HPIM.ORG), a non-profit Biblical ministry that trains and impacts leaders globally. She travels internationally doing women's conferences, teaching, developing and mentoring other women. Prior to being in ministry full time, Betty was a high school teacher for 30 years and holds a Master's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences and Early Childhood Development. She is also an “Advanced Writers & Speakers Association” certified speaker! AMEN! First question I always ask is this. Other than that brief information which I just shared, can you tell us in your own words, “Who is Betty Rodgers-Kulich? Now, why did you write this book “The River,” to begin with? What motivated you to write this type of book? How long did it take you to write this book? Explain for us this, “Cross between “The Shack” and a modern day “Pilgrim's Progress” type of book.” What does that mean? You also developed a work book to go with this book, correct? How is the work book used in conjunction with a fictional book? When did you decide to make “The River” into a trilogy, with this as book one? What is the theme behind the trilogy? Folks, this book is one that you will not put down when you begin to read it. Betty Rodgers-Kulich has crafted this book under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and it will hold you until you finish… Then you're going to going on line and looking for book two and wondering why it's not released yet! Praise God! And, at the time of this recording, Christmas is just around the corner!  You should definitely invest in purchasing this book for yourself and, if I may hint a little bit, possibly get two or three copies for friends that you know will enjoy this book also. Amen! CONTACT INFORMATION: Email:   bkulich@usa.net Website:   https://transformed-image.com/ Book: 

What a privilege to welcome to the show licensed counselor, author, and entrepreneur Tina Yeager. Tina is the founder of the Upcycle platform, and uses the gift of crafting to remind us that it's not the material, it's the Creator that makes true art!We also dive into tips and strategies to employ during the joyous but inevitably stressful family gatherings that occur during the Holidays.Here's a bit of what you'll hear in today's episode:-How Tina's passion for crafting and using it to make an impact in her world came about...05:55-It's not the material (our self), it's the Creator that determines our value...08:30-The 3 key factors of a mosaic, and how they relate to our communion with God...10:00-Practical tips to retaining our health among people that are less than compatible with our own tastes...12:45-How to survive when "trapped" with toxic people, particularly relatives...17:35-Laughter is the #1 stress-management technique...22:15-See yourself the way God sees you when confronted with an abundance of food...24:35-Tina shares her own struggle with and recovery from eating disorders...27:00-Founding origins of Tina's new book, and who will benefit from it...31:15-Helpful tips for thriving when you have ADHD...34:40-And much more!Resources mentioned:Tina's Flourish-Meant PodcastUpcycled: Crafted for a Purpose by Tina YeagerTina's websiteConnect with today's guest!Tina Yeager is an award-winning author, inspirational speaker, and life coach. Tina also hosts the Flourish-Meant podcast and publishes Inkspirations Online, a weekly devotional for writers. She has won more than thirty writing awards, including a 2020 Golden Scroll Award and 2013 FCWC Writer of the Year. Her fiction and nonfiction strive to clarify how we might relate better to others, to ourselves, and to God.Licensed as a counselor since 2005, she has more than twenty years of experience teaching parenting to at-risk families, writing skills, communications, inner healing, and spiritual growth. She has counseled and taught adults, teens, and children in academic, clinical, and faith-based settings. Tina enjoys working with diverse populations and has practiced in community mental health settings and private practice since 2000. She specializes in ADHD, stress management, purpose definition, abuse recovery, and esteem-building, and currently runs an online life coaching practice, Divine Encouragement, LLC. Yeager holds a BA in creative writing and an MA in counseling. Yeager serves on the steering committee of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, as director of traditional groups with Word Weavers International, and as an active member of the Christian Authors Network and Christian Women in Media Association. Her courses on Subdue Stress and Anxiety, Psyched Characters and Kindle your Creative Spark are available online. Though currently a life coach, author, speaker, and podcast host, Yeager is also familiar with shame's oppression at a personal level. Tina wrestled with isolation from peers, body image, and low self-esteem issues, even trending into eating disordered behavior. The Lord sustained Tina through a desert-like journey of character transformation, training, and effort.For life coaching tips or to book her as an event speaker, check out tinayeager.com

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone's story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure? Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers' Choice, and Carol award contests. DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a former director of Blue Ridge Christian Writers, and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She shares her passion for helping other writers be successful by teaching writing workshops around the country. DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She's an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at: diannmills.com Connect with her on Instagram: @diannmillsauthor You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, or visit my website www.drkatherinehayes.com

What does it mean to surrender all? In this week's episode, When Struggles Teach Us What It Means to Surrender All, author, literary agent, and certified writing coach, Michelle Lazurek, shares openly about her struggles with mental health and what her journey taught her about true surrender. As a pastor's wife, she provides insight into how the church can provide a supportive community where it's okay to be real and ask for help. She offers practical tips for navigating life's hard seasons and the importance of listening to our own souls. Hear the stories behind her book I Surrender All (Sort Of): Laying Down Your Plans So God Can Do the Impossible and the new children's book she co-authored with friend Crystal Bowman Who God Wants Me to Be: A Picture Book I know what Michelle shares will encourage, inspire, and challenge you, so listen in while I have a chat with Michelle Lazurek. Fierce Calling is on the Spark Network, which can be found on the Edifi App! Fierce Calling is one of many Christian podcasts available on the Edifi app. To listen to this podcast and other amazing Christian podcasts, go to the Apple or Google Play stores and download the app today! You can also find amazing Christian podcasts on Access More! Favorite Quotes from When Struggles Teach Us What It Means to Surrender All "When we actually lay down the areas of our lives that we really can't control, and the areas of our lives where we want to fight for and hold onto so tightly, when we can open our palms ... is when God really does work in our lives.""Some of the best prayer times I've ever had, and the best prayers I've ever prayed are ones that just say, 'Help,' or 'Lord, I can't do this on my own.""... we are His branches, He is the Vine--apart from Him we do nothing, and we always forget that part, it's like all this and Jesus too." --Michelle Lazurek Connect with Michelle! She invites you to reach out to her to talk more about the topics covered in the show. You can also let her know how this week's episode, When Struggles Teach Us What It Means to Surrender All, blessed you! Connect with Michelle at michellelazurek.com and grab her books mentioned in the show! Michelle Lazurek Michelle Lazurek has an M.A. in Counseling and human relations from Liberty University. She is a multi-genre award winning author, a literary agent and a certified writing coach. She is a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association and Christian Authors Network. Michelle is a sought- after writers' conference speaker. She has received nine awards including being a two- time Children's Book of the Year award winner. Michelle lives in Coopersburg, PA with her husband and two children, her three biggest awards to date. Connect with Doris! I'd love to hear how Fierce Calling has blessed you! Leave me a message on my contact page at dorisswift.com. Scroll down and grab my free resources, and when you do, you will also receive my free monthly newsletter with more encouragement! Love Fierce Calling? By following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts you can help others discover the show too! Do You Need a Speaker for Your Next Women's Event? Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let's talk about me speaking at your next women's event... I love speaking God's truth into the lives of women! Free Gifts for You... Grab one of my free downloads by scrolling down to the bottom of the page! Love & God's Perfect Peace to You!

Linda Evans Shepherd, CEO of Right to the Heart Ministries, of which the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association is an extension, visited Faith Radio/Meeting House Media Central at the Summer 2022 Christian Product Expo to discuss the Golden Scroll Awards, presented by AWSA, as well as her book, Prayers For Every Need. You can find her at gottopray.com.  The AWSA website is awsa.com.

Linda Evans Shepherd, CEO of Right to the Heart Ministries, of which the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association is an extension, visited Faith Radio/Meeting House Media Central at the Summer 2022 Christian Product Expo to discuss the Golden Scroll Awards, presented by AWSA, as well as her book, Prayers For Every Need. You can find her at gottopray.com.  The AWSA website is awsa.com.

Guest Bio:Tess Scott, former black sheep turned “Jesus Girl” is mom of 8 boys and spunky “Grami with a heart above the i” to a whole slew of adorable grandkids. She began the Listen Sister- Encouragement for Women ministry in 2020 where you can find her blog posts at tessscott.com and her Listen, Sister pages on Facebook and Instagram. She continues to live her life of hilariously awkward moments in Sarnia Ontario to the ongoing embarrassment of her family.Get the Book: Listen Sister, Finding Hope in the Freakshow of Life: https://amzn.to/3q6a1hIConnect with Tess: https://tessscott.comHost Bio:Teresa Janzen, M.Ed., ignites a passion for abundant living through radical service. She is an international speaker, author, and podcast host. Her experience in leadership and global ministry drives her to share inspiring stories with wit and insight. Her candid and personable style is sure to capture the heart of any audience.Teresa is a Board-Certified Christian Master Mental Health Coach (BCCMMHC), oral Bible study trainer, and professional life coach helping people experience God's amazing abundance in life, work, and relationships. Her credentials include a Master in Education from West Texas A&M, a graduate certificate in Bible Exposition from Liberty University and a certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Teresa also serves as a mentor to presidents of Word Weaver's International online writing groups and facilitates a Mastermind group for the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.Connect with Teresa: https://teresajanzen.comSupport the show

Sharon Tedford of the ministry, 61 Things (based on Isaiah 61), who served as the worship leader for the Summer 2022 Christian Product Expo in Lexington, KY and the adjacent event, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association Conference, discussed her CPE experience and shared aspects of her ministry, including her book, Stand: The Stories and Scriptures, as well as her musical album, also called, Stand.  She is also a painter.  You can find her online at 61-things.com.

Sharon Tedford of the ministry, 61 Things (based on Isaiah 61), who served as the worship leader for the Summer 2022 Christian Product Expo in Lexington, KY and the adjacent event, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association Conference, discussed her CPE experience and shared aspects of her ministry, including her book, Stand: The Stories and Scriptures, as well as her musical album, also called, Stand.  She is also a painter.  You can find her online at 61-things.com.

Stacy Leicht is an award-winning author. Today she shares a terrifying experience with a stalker that ended up being a source of spiritual growth and the inspiration of her upcoming novel, Teacher, I'm Watching You.Stacy won a 2022 Golden Scroll award for her children's book, Good One, God. Get the book: https://amzn.to/3R5hqZZAbout Stacy Leicht:Stacy Leicht is an Award Winning Author. Stacy writes both children's books and adult fiction. She has been an educator for over 26 years and currently works at UNC-Greensboro in the Elementary Education Department. Stacy lives with her husband and rescue dog, Bella, and has two grown children. She also enjoys spending time with her two grandchildren. Stacy loves to spend time at the beach, baking and reading romantic suspense novels.Connect with Stacy at https://stacyleicht.comAbout your host, Teresa Janzen:Teresa Janzen, M.Ed., ignites a passion for abundant living through radical service. She is an international speaker, author, and podcast host. Her experience in leadership and global ministry drives her to share inspiring stories with wit and insight. Her candid and personable style is sure to capture the heart of any audience.Teresa is a Board-Certified Christian Master Mental Health Coach (BCCMMHC), oral Bible study trainer, and professional life coach helping people experience God's amazing abundance in life, work, and relationships. Her credentials include a Master in Education from West Texas A&M, a graduate certificate in Bible Exposition from Liberty University and is certified in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Teresa also serves as a mentor to presidents of Word Weaver's International online writing groups and facilitates a Mastermind group for the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.Currently residing in sub-Saharan Africa, Teresa and her husband, Dan, frequently travel back to North America for speaking engagements and to visit their growing gaggle of grandchildren.Connect with Teresa at https://teresajanzen.comSupport the show

About the guest: Growing up between two refugee camps, Nyajuok and her family lived at the limited generosity of the United Nations (U.N). Shortly after her family moved to the United States of America, Nyajuok found herself in another war when her family forced her into an arranged marriage at 14 years old. Hoping for a better future, she broke cultural norms and practices to pave a better future for herself and future generations despite what her family or her community thought. With three children, a failing marriage, health problems, and a doomed career, Nyajuok became hopeless and contemplated ending her life. Luckily, her Christian upbringing saved her when she was on the verge of suicide. Nyajuok realized that her lifelong struggles and unrelenting will to succeed could be a survival guide for someone in their darkest moments. As difficult as it was to relive these moments making this book come to life, she knew her experiences were not only for her but for those who might be walking a similar path. After putting her misfortunes down on paper, Nyajuok learned her ultimate life purpose. She became a champion of resilience.In this captivating memoir, Nyajuok illustrates her life story unapologetically despite coming from a patriarchal society in an East African country. Her life is a true testimony that no matter where we come from or what we have faced, the American Dream is alive and available to anyone willing to work for it. Get the book: Get the book: https://amzn.to/3NUXW9aAbout the host: Teresa Janzen, M.Ed., ignites a passion for abundant living through radical service. She is an international speaker, author, and podcast host. More than twenty years in leadership and global ministry drive her to share inspiring stories with wit and insight. Her candid and personable style is sure to capture the heart of any audience.Teresa is a Board-Certified Christian Master Mental Health Coach (BCCMMHC), oral Bible study trainer, and professional life coach helping people experience God's amazing abundance in life, work, and relationships. She also serves as a mentor to presidents of Word Weaver's International online writing groups and facilitates a Mastermind group for the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.Support the show

Hey Friend! Today I'm excited to welcome my friend and author of five award-winning Bible studies, Jean E. Jones, on the show. Jean E. shares her journey of coming to Christ after being taught by her family that Jesus was not to be trusted. We explore the struggle with accepting God as your Father when you don't have a great relationship with your own earthly father, and Jean E offers great insight on what she did to overcome that gap. We also discuss how studying the Bible was a key in her personal and spiritual transformation and how studying the Bible can be part of your routine, too. Her story of redemption is just amazing!  Remember friends, you are loved! Xo, Donna   In today's episode, we discuss: When you have been led to believe that Jesus is a bad guy How to have a good relationship with your Heavenly Father when you don't have a great relationship with your earthly one.  Freeing advice for the person who isn't reading their Bible and how to start   Jean E. Jones enjoys writing Bible study guides that help people put God's words into action. Along with best-selling author Pam Farrel and popular artist Karla Dornacher, she wrote Discovering Good News in John (July 5, 2022), the ECPA finalist Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament (2019), Discovering Joy in Philippians (2019), and Discovering Hope in the Psalms (2017). Jean is a member of the Women in Apologetics (WIA) and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA). Besides writing, Jean speaks at conferences and women's events in both keynote and breakout sessions. She also was a contributing writer for Crosswalk.com and has written for Today's Christian Woman and Home Life. Additionally, she has served on women's ministry leadership teams for over 20 years. Jean E. Jones is happily married to her high school sweetheart, Clay, who teaches apologetics at Talbot Seminary. He's the author of Why Does God Allow Evil? and Immortal: How the Fear of Death Drives Us and What We Can Do About It.   Resources: For into on Jean E's Bible studies or to ask her any of your Bible questions, contact: www.jeanejones.net For a copy of “15 Things Jesus Would Say to You if You Met Him for Coffee,” go to www.donnajones.org/blog  Pick up a copy of Donna's book : Seek: A Woman's Guide to Meeting God  https://www.amazon.com/Seek-Womans-Guide-Meeting-God/dp/0800725328/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3QOGM9DLB01MK&keywords=seek+a+womans+guide&qid=1644959052&s=books&sprefix=Seek+a+woman%2Cstripbooks%2C190&sr=1-2   Connect with Jean E. Jones :  https://www.jeanejones.net/  Connect with Donna: Instagram: @donnaajones Website: www.donnajones.org Twitter:@donnajonesspeak Vimeo: @DonnaJones

The CEO of Right to the Heart Ministries, Linda Evans Shepherd, at Faith Radio/Meeting House Media Central at the 2022 National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, shared about the concept and some of the material in the book, Prayers For Every Need.  The Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA), which Linda leads, is an arm of Right to the Heart. You can find her at myprayergift.com or gottopray.com. The AWSA website is awsa.com.

The CEO of Right to the Heart Ministries, Linda Evans Shepherd, at Faith Radio/Meeting House Media Central at the 2022 National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, shared about the concept and some of the material in the book, Prayers For Every Need.  The Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA), which Linda leads, is an arm of Right to the Heart. You can find her at myprayergift.com or gottopray.com. The AWSA website is awsa.com.

Today I'm sharing a conversation with Jocelyn Green about her newest novel, Drawn by the Current, which is the #1 New Release in Religious Historical Fiction on Amazon. It's also the final installment of her fantastic Windy City Saga trilogy. Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King, Wedded to War, and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, strawberry rhubarb pie, the color red, and reading with a cup of tea. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Purchase Drawn by the Current on Amazon (affiliate). Purchase Drawn by the Current on Bookshop (affiliate). Purchase the entire Windy City Saga on Amazon (affiliate). Find out about the Windy City Saga Tour coming up in April! Check out Jocelyn's website, Facebook, and Instagram. Join my community and help support the show on Patreon! Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Follow the show on Instagram! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!

Merriam Webster defines Tools of the Trade as “a set of tools or skills that are necessary for a particular kind of job or work.” An article I read included the words also the “training and knowledge one needs to accomplish a task. Doctors have stethoscopes, otoscopes, and ophthalmoscopes, carpenters have hammers and nails, hairstylists have shears, curling irons, and combs, teachers have whiteboards, markers, and computers. To effectively do what you need to do, you need to be equipped with the right tools. Like all these professionals, we need the right tools for our journey in life as well. We are told in John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Trials and tribulations are a part of life. Jesus not only told us we are going to go through trials but He also told us that we can take heart because we have peace in Him and that He has overcome the world. Besides this reassurance, He also gave us His Holy Spirit to help us through life. In this episode, my friend and fellow author, Karen Jurgens talks about the Tools she uses which she calls “keys” to help her through trials. About Karen Jurgens: Karen Jurgens, a Cincinnati native, is blessed to claim Texas as home for thirty-seven years. Since retiring from teaching, she encourages others as an author, blogger, editor, and speaker. Her mission is to apply God's truths to life's trials at her ministry blog, Touched by Him. Karen has authored a contemporary fiction novella, A Perfect Fit, which underscores putting God at the center of marriage. She has written and led a weekly online Bible study on the Fruit of the Spirit, as well as serving as a contributor and editor for several published devotionals. Karen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA), Compel, and Word Weavers. Karen's Books and Writings: Love Knots: Stories of Faith, Family, and Friendship, Devotional Contributor, 2020 “Front Porch” Bible Study Series, Heart”wings” Ministry, 2019 Heart”wings” Devotional, 2018 Contributor A Perfect Fit, 2017 Desire's Promise, 2016 A Christmas Mosaic, 2015 To connect with Karen: Touched by Him Ministries Follow her on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Karen-Jurgens/e/B016CXTOOG/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

 Patricia Durgin is the founder of ‘Marketers On A Mission,' training Christian writers and speakers to become change catalysts for the Kingdom. She's a recognized expert in both the online marketing field, and Facebook Live programs. Patricia has hosted over 500 (60-minute) interviews with Christian writers and speakers, and is a Certified Writers and Speaker coach with Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. She's also a contributing author in the just released book by Deb DeArmond, We May Be Done But We're Not Finished: Making the Rest of Your Life the Best of Your Life. She's a regular faculty member for Christian writers & speakers conferences across the country, as well as a monthly columnist for “Almost an Author” blog and “The Write Life”, both serving Christian writers. Social Media LInks: Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MarketersOnAMission Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MarketersOnAMissionENGAGE YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PatriciaDurginCMC/ Your Host as Always:              Dawn Scott Damon is known as the BraveHearted Mentor; Coaching for women over 40. She is a speaker, podcast host, mentor, and award-winning author. Dawn is a favorite keynote conference speaker and an engaging communicator who inspires her audience to maximize their God-given purpose and potential in Christ. Dreams are ignited as Dawn uses sound biblical teaching, personal stories, and humor to awaken gifts and callings found in everyone.  Dawn's Latest Book The Freedom Challenge: 60 days to Untie the Cords that Bind You The Freedom Challenge is about ridding your mind and soul of toxic, negative, and destructive thoughts that keep you captive and create destructive behavior. By 60 days in daily immersion of truth—God's Word, your mind will begin to find freedom from the harmful internal narration and instead begin to speak nourishing, inspiring, and motivating truths. You'll find freedom and powerful life changes as you your mind is freed from thought-toxins. http://www.Amazon.com/author/dawnscottdamon (www.Amazon.com/author/dawnscottdamon) http://www.dawnscottdamon.com (www.dawnscottdamon.com) https://ariseesther.com (https://ariseesther.com) https://twitter.com/DawnScottDamon (https://twitter.com/DawnScottDamon) https://www.instagram.com/dawn_damon/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/dawn_damon/?hl=en)

This one is a hot potato! Yet, It's our heart to have a conversation about Women in Biblical Ministry. What does God have to say about it? In this 3-part series, I (Dawn Damon) along with my 2 Co-hosts Julie Coleman and Dena Dyer, take an in-depth look at the Word of God to see what the Bible truly teaches. We invite you, with fresh eyes… less bias and an open heart to join us. In this 3 part series- We are going to ·     Consider Jesus and his interaction with women. ·     Look at tough questions and scriptures, Was Paul really against women? ·     How Patriarchy has influenced the church and the lens through which we view things. ·     Offer a mini-summit to go deeper. Julie Coleman helps others to understand and know an unexpected God. A popular conference and retreat speaker, she holds an M.A. in biblical studies. Julie is the managing editor for Arise Daily, an online devotional by members of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. When she is not glaring at her computer, she spends time with her grandchildren, gardening, or walking her neurotic dog. More on Julie can be found at unexpectedgod.com and Facebook. http://www.denadyer.com/ (Dena Dyer) loves Jesus, her family, all things literary, coffee, and British television. She's an author of ten books and many articles, a professional speaker, and a book proposal coach who's been married to her hubby Carey for 23 wonderful years (and a couple they don't talk about). They have two young adult sons, Jordan and Jackson, and in 2020 the family was “rescued” by their Maltese pup, Sully. Her passion is sharing words of humor and hope with wounded and weary people, and she enjoys singing on the praise team at the church where her husband is the worship pastor. She spends too much time online or in the fast food drive-through--but she and the Lord are working on it. Connect with her: http://www.denadyer.com/ (website), http://www.instagram.com/denadyer (Instagram) or http://www.facebook.com/denadyerauthor (Facebook). Dawn Scott Damon is known as the BraveHearted Mentor; Coaching for women over 40. She is a speaker, podcast host, mentor, and award-winning author. Dawn is also an ordained Pastor, who has served the Church as the Sr. Pastor for the last 7 years. Dawn Damon is a favorite keynote conference speaker and an engaging communicator who inspires her audience to maximize their God-given purpose and potential in Christ. Dreams are ignited as Dawn uses sound biblical teaching, personal stories, and humor to awaken gifts and callings found in everyone.

This one is a hot potato! Yet, It's our heart to have a conversation about Women in Biblical Ministry. What does God have to say about it? In this 3-part series, I (Dawn Damon) along with my 2 Co-hosts Julie Coleman and Dena Dyer, take an in-depth look at the Word of God to see what the Bible truly teaches. We invite you, with fresh eyes… less bias and an open heart to join us. In this 3 part series- We are going to ·     Consider Jesus and his interaction with women. ·     Look at tough questions and scriptures, Was Paul really against women? ·     How Patriarchy has influenced the church and the lens through which we view things. ·     Offer a mini-summit to go deeper. Julie Coleman helps others to understand and know an unexpected God. A popular conference and retreat speaker, she holds an M.A. in biblical studies. Julie is the managing editor for Arise Daily, an online devotional by members of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. When she is not glaring at her computer, she spends time with her grandchildren, gardening, or walking her neurotic dog. More on Julie can be found at unexpectedgod.com and Facebook. http://www.denadyer.com/ (Dena Dyer) loves Jesus, her family, all things literary, coffee, and British television. She's an author of ten books and many articles, a professional speaker, and a book proposal coach who's been married to her hubby Carey for 23 wonderful years (and a couple they don't talk about). They have two young adult sons, Jordan and Jackson, and in 2020 the family was “rescued” by their Maltese pup, Sully. Her passion is sharing words of humor and hope with wounded and weary people, and she enjoys singing on the praise team at the church where her husband is the worship pastor. She spends too much time online or in the fast food drive-through--but she and the Lord are working on it. Connect with her: http://www.denadyer.com/ (website), http://www.instagram.com/denadyer (Instagram) or http://www.facebook.com/denadyerauthor (Facebook). Dawn Scott Damon is known as the BraveHearted Mentor; Coaching for women over 40. She is a speaker, podcast host, mentor, and award-winning author. Dawn is also an ordained Pastor, who has served the Church as the Sr. Pastor for the last 7 years. Dawn Damon is a favorite keynote conference speaker and an engaging communicator who inspires her audience to maximize their God-given purpose and potential in Christ. Dreams are ignited as Dawn uses sound biblical teaching, personal stories, and humor to awaken gifts and callings found in everyone.

This one is a hot potato! Yet, It's our heart to have a conversation about Women in Biblical Ministry. What does God have to say about it? In this 3-part series, I (Dawn Damon) along with my 2 Co-hosts Julie Coleman and Dena Dyer, take an in-depth look at the Word of God to see what the Bible truly teaches. We invite you, with fresh eyes… less bias and an open heart to join us. In this 3 part series- We are going to ·     Consider Jesus and his interaction with women. ·     Look at tough questions and scriptures, Was Paul really against women? ·     How Patriarchy has influenced the church and the lens through which we view things. ·     Offer a mini-summit to go deeper. Julie Coleman helps others to understand and know an unexpected God. A popular conference and retreat speaker, she holds an M.A. in biblical studies. Julie is the managing editor for Arise Daily, an online devotional by members of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. When she is not glaring at her computer, she spends time with her grandchildren, gardening, or walking her neurotic dog. More on Julie can be found at unexpectedgod.com and Facebook. http://www.denadyer.com/ (Dena Dyer) loves Jesus, her family, all things literary, coffee, and British television. She's an author of ten books and many articles, a professional speaker, and a book proposal coach who's been married to her hubby Carey for 23 wonderful years (and a couple they don't talk about). They have two young adult sons, Jordan and Jackson, and in 2020 the family was “rescued” by their Maltese pup, Sully. Her passion is sharing words of humor and hope with wounded and weary people, and she enjoys singing on the praise team at the church where her husband is the worship pastor. She spends too much time online or in the fast food drive-through--but she and the Lord are working on it. Connect with her: http://www.denadyer.com/ (website), http://www.instagram.com/denadyer (Instagram) or http://www.facebook.com/denadyerauthor (Facebook). Dawn Scott Damon is known as the BraveHearted Mentor; Coaching for women over 40. She is a speaker, podcast host, mentor, and award-winning author. Dawn is also an ordained Pastor, who has served the Church as the Sr. Pastor for the last 7 years. Dawn Damon is a favorite keynote conference speaker and an engaging communicator who inspires her audience to maximize their God-given purpose and potential in Christ. Dreams are ignited as Dawn uses sound biblical teaching, personal stories, and humor to awaken gifts and callings found in everyone.

In today's episode, I'm telling you all about the importance of speaker conferences and why you should try to go to them. What I learned from the first time I attended She Speaks and what conferences can do for you. Be sure to tune in as I give you some conferences that I've attended, and ones that I've heard are excellent."I finally made it. And when I did, I knew I was in the right place. I was with my people." - Mary R Snyder.Here are some highlights from this episode: Be prepared for next summer (2:42)Why go to a speaker conference (3:36)She Speaks Conference (4:29)What I learned from the first time I attended She Speaks (5:27)How I found She Speaks (5:51)Conferences allow you to view other speaking styles (7:11)Christian Communicators Conference (8:51)Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) 12:03)Speak Up Conference (12:16)Conferences = relationships (12:25)Conferences across the US (14:36)Have you been to a speaker conference yet? Which one did you attend? Do you have plans on attending next year? I'd love it if y'all would come to the Facebook group and share with us! Or feel free to ask questions. Not on Facebook? No worries, you can always find me on Instagram! I would love for you to share with me. Resources MentionedShe Speaks Conference Christian Communicators Speak Up Conference Advanced Writers and Speakers AssociationConnect with MaryJoin Mary's email list!Thanks for joining me on today's episode of, Take the Stage - for Speakers by Speakers! If you enjoyed today's episode, please head over to iTunes or wherever you listen, give me a 5 star, and leave a review to help me reach even more speakers who are ready to Take the Stage. Also, don't forget to check out my website, visit me on Facebook, or hang out with me on Instagram to stay up-to-date on what's in store for you.

God has given us a powerful supernatural gift, a precious Counselor and Friend, able to guide us through any situation, grant us peace in the most challenging circumstances, and lead us from potential dangers. The Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity, is our ever-present help who gives us everything we need to live as God desires and do all He's asked. He is speaking, and He invites us to cultivate a listening ear. This episode's guest Linda Shepherd is an award-winning author who has written over 35 books, including the best-selling When You Don't Know What to Pray. She's an internationally recognized speaker and is the founder of Right the Heart ministries, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Find Linda: https://www.gottopray.com https://www.facebook.com/LindaEvansShepherdAuthor https://www.instagram.com/linda_evans_shepherd/ Her book: When You Need to Move a Mountain Find Jennifer: https://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/ Find Wholly Loved, at: https://www.WhollyLoved.com Join the private Faith Over Fear Group Here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/442736966614671 Group Discussion Questions: 1. How would you describe the Holy Spirit? 2. How would you describe your interactions with the Holy Spirit? 3. How often or readily do you sense His presence? 4. What are some ways He speaks to us? 5. How do you most tend to hear Him? 6. What are some things that can challenge our ability to hear Him? 7. What are some ways you discern whether or not a thought or impression came from the Holy Spirit? 8. When learning to hear from God, why is it important we read Scripture? Episode Image Credit: Getty/Malte Mueller

The Skit Guys: Eddie James and Tommy Woodard {Smells Like Bacon} Linda Evans Shepherd - Right to the Heart Ministries, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association {Praying Through Every Emotion} Janell Rardon - Stronger Every Day Elaine Helms - Church Prayer Ministries {Prayer Without Limits}  meetinghouseonline.info

“We become healthier and happier when we bring in creativity in some way into our life, work, and home.” Mary Potter Kenyon Everybody is born with talents and the ability to creatively explore these talents. When discovered and acknowledged, the ability to create something can be a source of joy and fulfillment. Our guest today, Mary Potter Canyon, helps people to discover and embrace their creative talents and believes that one of the greatest benefits of creativity is its power to heal. Mary Potter is a Program Coordinator at Shalom Spirituality Center, Dubuque, Iowa. She is also an author of seven books, including Refined By Fire: A Journey of Grief and Grace, Expressive Writing for Healing, and Called to Be Creative which was released on August 18, 2020. She is a speaker and workshop presenter on the topics of writing, grief, and utilizing your creativity in your everyday life and a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association AWSA In today's episode, our guest will be discussing the positive creativity that came out of the pandemic and how people of all ages can work creativity into their lives for a happier and healthier existence. Listen in! Social media handles  http://marypotterkenyon.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marypotterkenyon1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marypotterkenyon/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-potter-kenyon-194b3222/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mpotterkenyon I am a program coordinator at a spirituality center where I coordinate and facilitate programs on spirituality and its relation to ourselves and our creativity. [3:28] I've been a writer for over 30 years, and that has been a constant in my life. [3:48] I was a stay-at-home mom until 2012 when my husband passed away and I did a lot of freelance writing and running various home businesses. [3:55] It was quite a change and I still can't believe that in the nine years since I have become what I would never have imagined becoming which is a public speaker. [4:09] I could barely string two sentences together to talk to the butcher or the mailman as a stay-at-home mom. [4:21] Part of my creativity as a result of this loss that I experienced is writing about loss and expressive writing for healing. [4:29] The workshops I do are also related to grief, creativity, and the connection between how creativity can be healing for us. [4:39] I do have to mention that I have eight children because that always boggles everybody's mind. [4:51] I think if anything to pandemic has shown us the importance of creativity and all its forms. [6:35] People were turning to gardening, baking, sitting on the sidewalk, and coloring messages to encourage people that were walking past their houses. [6:45] We all instinctively turn to something that happens to have a science behind it, that proves we are healthier happier when we are working creativity in some way into our life, work, and home. [6:57] There are healing benefits for anxiety and worry and whatever we're going through in creating and not only that, science proves we were designed to create. [7:17] It boggles my mind when I think that all this science has shown us that what we instinctively turned to during the pandemic is something that we've needed in our life anyway. [7:30] I instinctively turned to journaling after my husband passed away and I found healing benefits in that. [8:01] In three months I wondered how people grieve without journaling and I researched for my book on creativity and expressive writing for healing. [8:09] I discovered there was research and science behind this and it was not just something that I think [8:25] It is my hope that we have learned something from it because what a waste it would be if we didn't learn something from this time. [10:06] I know some people were busier than ever such as the frontline workers and they had to find creative ways to deal with patients.[10:12] I had to figure out what working from home entailed which was a learning curve for a lot of us. [10:40] I am bound and determined to have learned something from this and to apply and to keep it as part of my life. [10:58] My daughter was 16 when I was sent to work from home and she didn't want to talk about it and I felt the loneliest I've ever felt in my life because I was in a house with the only one of my eight children who would never hug. [12:12] Once I started asking her if she would take hikes with me, that is where she started talking in nature and that is something we all need to learn that there's a lot of healing in nature. [12:41] Now she's 17 and we sit down and talk every day after work, and she sometimes will make me a cup of tea before I get home from work. [13:00] Another thing that came out of the pandemic at this time is Zoom. There were a lot of us who didn't use zoom before but now my workplace can reach people who could never have set foot in our building. [14:20] So we needed that human connection, and we got it through a screen and so we are going to continue to do Zoom programs. [14:38] I think we also learned we do need human interaction. [16:18] Creativity is nothing new, it is something that we did as children but it felt like something new during the pandemic. [[16:46] It is good news for all of those people out there who are daydreamers because science also proves that daydreamers are some of the most creative people. [17:28] It is healthy for us to daydream and that's what happens when you take walks too. There is a lot of creativity that goes on in solitude, and mindfulness. [17:48] Commercial break. [19:28] It stemmed from having a very creative mother. My family was very poor and yet somehow my mother beautified our home with the things that she was making. [20:58] At the age of 41 years old, she decided to carve a piece of wood and so she picked up a kitchen knife and a piece of wood and made a very crude carving. [21:25] She honed that talent and that gift to create a home business out of wood carvings and paintings and beautiful things that she ended up selling our soul besides beautifying her home. [21:36] When she passed away I found unpublished manuscripts underneath her bed and her words written to her children was that her greatest desire is that they would utilize their talents which hit home for me. [21:51] So I've been writing from home for 25 years at that point but I thought I would maybe take that talent seriously after her death. [22:05] I sat down and wrote an outline because I thought we all have something that is in us that is creative. [22:17] I had started doing some public speaking at that time to young moms and I remember asking them if they would put money into their children's talents and they said of course they would. I then asked them about themselves but they said that they did not have time for themselves. [22:25] I did the same kind of speech to older women in their 70s and 80s and asked them about their children's talents which they said they would always encourage them but when I asked about them, the answers were heartbreaking and I knew that wasn't true. [22:40] So, we see it in our own children and in other people but we don't necessarily see it in ourselves and that is where the idea for the book was born. [23:19] In 2010 I wrote out an outline of what the book would look like that would encourage everybody to discover their purpose and their passions. [23:26] After my husband passed away I got a job as a librarian for a while and also started working as a newspaper reporter for a while I started to hear and see more and more people who did not fit any time into their passions, it was all work. [23:40] That is when I started delving a little bit into the science and the research behind creativity. [24:02] I started interviewing some creative people who were working creativity into their life and between their jobs or in their job. [24:20] It was a long time coming and it came out during the pandemic, which was 10 years after my mother had died. [24:30] It has helped so many different people who were reaching out to me saying they looked back into their childhood and remembered making something creative and that they should try again. [24:40] So it is a book to encourage and inspire people to work creativity back into their lives. [25:05] Sadly, sometimes all it is, is one person telling us we cannot do something which follows years and years and years of still believing that one person's words so that they don't even try anymore. [26:42] I have met people who something in them led them to write and they kept writing but they never dared show anybody or they never dared submit anything. [27:20] When I discover them through a class and I convinced them that what they have done is beautiful they share it and they come alive. [27: 31] There is a benefit to creating time to create and it is worth the effort. [28:10 There is something to be said for creating just for the fun of creating and for trying new things and allowing ourselves to fail. [29:15] We carry these lies within us and every once in a while we have to take time to figure out what the truth is. [31:18] I just want your listeners to believe in themselves and believe there is something in them. [33:24] I want them to start by looking back to their childhood and remember what it was that they were drawn to naturally because that's where our secret desires lie before life took that out of us. [33:28] Whatever it is that makes them feel alive, whatever it is that makes them come alive, work that into their everyday life because there are ways to work it into our lives, at home, at work, in whatever we are doing and we will be healthier and happier for doing that. [33:49] …………………………………………………………………………………… Thank You to our August Sponsor! Tired of the time and expense to get a manicure or pedicure? Try Color Street today! Base, color, and top coats of high-quality liquid nail polish in each strip results in a brilliant, salon-quality manicure in just minutes. No dry time, smudges, or streaks, and your mani/pedi lasts up to 10 days. Color Street is 100% real nail polish, not stickers. Learn More: https://www.colorstreet.com/bhroberts/party/2095611  

The CEO of Right to the Heart Ministries, of which the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association is an extension, Linda Evans Shepherd, visited Faith Radio/Meeting House Media Central at the Fall 2021 Christian Product Expo to discuss the Golden Scroll Awards, presented by AWSA, as well as her book, Praying Through Every Emotion: Experiencing God's Peace No Matter What. You can find her at gottopray.com.  The AWSA website is awsa.com.

Christian musical artist Babbie Mason, who spoke and led worship at the 2021 Advanced Writers and Speakers Association Conference and the at the Fall 2021 Christian Product Expo, stopped by Faith Radio/Meeting House Media Central at CPE to discuss God's faithfulness on her life and ministry and shared about a number of her classic songs. She also previewed a concert at First Baptist Church of Opelika on October 10, 2021 (with Voices of Lee and the church's choir).  You can find her online at babbie.com.

Episode Summary: We all experience a wide range of emotions. Emotions in and of themselves are not bad—they are God given. But some emotions can be a stumbling block to our relationships, prayer life and our walk with the Lord. In this episode, my guest, Linda Evans Shepherd, and I dive a bit deeper into our emotions to share how to use Scripture to pray through difficult emotions. Quotables from the episode: God created our emotions, and we can turn to him whenever we are struggling with both the word and with prayer. God cares about our emotions—He gave us the fruit of the spirit which includes love, joy, peace, etc. We have to yield our emotions to God and trust Him to see us through them. The Word of God is the solution to every problem. Praying Scriptures that deal with emotions transform those who pray them with the power of the Holy Spirit. We have to be willing to look for the blessing in the midst of every trial—there we will find the unexpected miracles. Scripture References: Psalm 145:18-19 GWT The Lord is near to everyone who prays to him, to every faithful person who prays to him. He fills the needs of those who fear him. Psalm 145:18–20 GWT He hears their cries for help and saves them. The Lord protects everyone who loves him. Psalm 16:8 NLT I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Job 13:15 NIV “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him…” 1 Peter 5:7 GW Turn your anxiety over to God because he cares for you. Isaiah 41:10 NIV So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Matthew 6:25-26 ESV Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you of more value than they? Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Recommended Resources: Praying through Every Emotion: Experiencing God's Peace No Matter What by Linda Evans Shepherd www.EmotionPrayers.com Praying God's Promises: The Life-Changing Power of Praying the Scriptures by Linda Evans Shepherd Experiencing God's Presence: Learning to Listen While You Pray by Linda Evans Shepherd When You Need to Move a Mountain: Keys to Praying with Power by Linda Evans Shepherd When You Need a Miracle: How to Ask God for the Impossible by Linda Evans Shepherd When You Don't Know What to Pray by Linda Evans Shepherd Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Breaking Anxiety's Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety's Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety's Grip Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor's Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader's Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader's Choice Award Social Media Links for Host and Guest: To connect with Linda Evans Shepherd: Arise Esther / Leading Hearts / Arise Daily / AWSA / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Breaking Anxiety's Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /  Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube Guest: Linda Evans Shepherd is a speaker and bestselling author of over 36 books including Praying Through Your Every Emotion, Praying God's Promises, and When You Need to Move a Mountain. She founded Right to the Heart Ministries, Arise Esther, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Leading Hearts Magazine, and the Arise Daily devotional. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson  

Ron Nyren's The Book of Lost Light—winner of Black Lawrence Press's 2019 Big Moose Prize and finalist in the 2020 David J. Langum, Sr. Prize in American Historical Fiction—tells the story of Joseph Kylander, whose childhood in early 20th-century San Francisco has been shaped by his widowed father's obsessive photographic project and by his headstrong cousin Karelia's fanciful storytelling and impulsive acts. The 1906 earthquake upends their eccentric routines, and they take refuge with a capricious patron and a group of artists looking to find meaning after the disaster. The Book of Lost Light explores family loyalty and betrayal, Finnish folklore, the nature of time and theater, and what it takes to recover from calamity and build a new life from the ashes. Ron Nyren's fiction has appeared in The Paris Review, The Missouri Review, The North American Review, Glimmer Train Stories, Mississippi Review, and 100 Word Story, among others, and his stories have been shortlisted for the O. Henry Awards and the Pushcart Prize. His writing about architecture, urban design, and sustainability has appeared in Urban Land, Interior Design, Metropolis, and elsewhere. He is the coauthor, with his spouse and writing partner Sarah Stone, of Deepening Fiction: A Practical Guide for Intermediate and Advanced Writers and a former editor of Furious Fictions: The Magazine of Short-Short Stories. Ron earned his MFA in creative writing from the University of Michigan. A former Stegner Fellow, he is an instructor in fiction writing for Stanford Continuing Studies. In his free time, he loves going to the theater, museums, and the San Francisco Bay. I interview authors of beautifully written literary fiction and mysteries, and try to focus on independently published novels, especially by women and others whose voices deserve more attention. If your upcoming or recently published novel might be a candidate for a podcast, please contact me via my website, gpgottlieb dot com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/historical-fiction

Ron Nyren's The Book of Lost Light—winner of Black Lawrence Press's 2019 Big Moose Prize and finalist in the 2020 David J. Langum, Sr. Prize in American Historical Fiction—tells the story of Joseph Kylander, whose childhood in early 20th-century San Francisco has been shaped by his widowed father's obsessive photographic project and by his headstrong cousin Karelia's fanciful storytelling and impulsive acts. The 1906 earthquake upends their eccentric routines, and they take refuge with a capricious patron and a group of artists looking to find meaning after the disaster. The Book of Lost Light explores family loyalty and betrayal, Finnish folklore, the nature of time and theater, and what it takes to recover from calamity and build a new life from the ashes. Ron Nyren's fiction has appeared in The Paris Review, The Missouri Review, The North American Review, Glimmer Train Stories, Mississippi Review, and 100 Word Story, among others, and his stories have been shortlisted for the O. Henry Awards and the Pushcart Prize. His writing about architecture, urban design, and sustainability has appeared in Urban Land, Interior Design, Metropolis, and elsewhere. He is the coauthor, with his spouse and writing partner Sarah Stone, of Deepening Fiction: A Practical Guide for Intermediate and Advanced Writers and a former editor of Furious Fictions: The Magazine of Short-Short Stories. Ron earned his MFA in creative writing from the University of Michigan. A former Stegner Fellow, he is an instructor in fiction writing for Stanford Continuing Studies. In his free time, he loves going to the theater, museums, and the San Francisco Bay. I interview authors of beautifully written literary fiction and mysteries, and try to focus on independently published novels, especially by women and others whose voices deserve more attention. If your upcoming or recently published novel might be a candidate for a podcast, please contact me via my website, gpgottlieb dot com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Ron Nyren's The Book of Lost Light—winner of Black Lawrence Press's 2019 Big Moose Prize and finalist in the 2020 David J. Langum, Sr. Prize in American Historical Fiction—tells the story of Joseph Kylander, whose childhood in early 20th-century San Francisco has been shaped by his widowed father's obsessive photographic project and by his headstrong cousin Karelia's fanciful storytelling and impulsive acts. The 1906 earthquake upends their eccentric routines, and they take refuge with a capricious patron and a group of artists looking to find meaning after the disaster. The Book of Lost Light explores family loyalty and betrayal, Finnish folklore, the nature of time and theater, and what it takes to recover from calamity and build a new life from the ashes. Ron Nyren's fiction has appeared in The Paris Review, The Missouri Review, The North American Review, Glimmer Train Stories, Mississippi Review, and 100 Word Story, among others, and his stories have been shortlisted for the O. Henry Awards and the Pushcart Prize. His writing about architecture, urban design, and sustainability has appeared in Urban Land, Interior Design, Metropolis, and elsewhere. He is the coauthor, with his spouse and writing partner Sarah Stone, of Deepening Fiction: A Practical Guide for Intermediate and Advanced Writers and a former editor of Furious Fictions: The Magazine of Short-Short Stories. Ron earned his MFA in creative writing from the University of Michigan. A former Stegner Fellow, he is an instructor in fiction writing for Stanford Continuing Studies. In his free time, he loves going to the theater, museums, and the San Francisco Bay. I interview authors of beautifully written literary fiction and mysteries, and try to focus on independently published novels, especially by women and others whose voices deserve more attention. If your upcoming or recently published novel might be a candidate for a podcast, please contact me via my website, gpgottlieb dot com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature

Do you ever feel like you don't have enough faith to do what God asks you to do? Or that God isn't big enough to help you? If you answered yes to either question, you're not alone. Even Abraham and Noah also struggled when God gave them instructions!   We need to remember that it's not about having faith in ourselves. God isn't interested in the amount of faith we have when we start, but it is the faith we place in God that matters. Faith in ourselves doesn't impress the Lord.   Throughout scripture, God commends people who obeyed Him despite their lack of faith. We start our race, and as we obey, our faith in God grows.   Read the full shows notes of Connie's conversation with Debbie W. Wilson and get links to the resources mentioned in this episode: https://conniealbers.com/big-god/   About Debbie W. Wilson Drawing from her personal walk with Christ, 24 years as a Christian counselor, and decades as a Bible teacher, Debbie W. Wilson helps people—especially overachievers—give themselves a break and live in God’s grace so they can enjoy fruitful and fulfilling lives.   She is the author of and Little Faith, Big God. She and her husband Larry founded Lighthouse Ministries, a nonprofit ministry offering counseling, life and relationship coaching, and Bible studies. She is an Advanced Writers and Speakers Association certified speaking and writing coach. Her ministry assignments have taken her across the USA and overseas. Debbie enjoys exploring new places, reading a good mystery, eating dark chocolate, and laughing at the antics of her two standard poodles.

You can experience God's peace though every emotion, says Author, Speaker, and Advanced Writers And Speakers (AWSA)CEO, Linda Evans Shepherd. Linda Evans Shepherd is an award-winning author of thirty-five books, including the bestselling When You Don't Know What to Pray; When You Need to Move a Mountain and Empowered for Purpose. Latest Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=pa_sp_atf_aps_sr_pg1_1?ie=UTF8&adId=A075798831ONCY114VWV9&url=%2FPraying-through-Every-Emotion-Experiencing%2Fdp%2F0800738403%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1_sspa%3Fcrid%3DCXBZYGWMTDWH%26dchild%3D1%26keywords%3Dpraying%2Bthrough%2Bevery%2Bemotion%2Blinda%2Bevans%2Bshepherd%26qid%3D1612899004%26sprefix%3Dpraying%2Bthrough%2Bevery%252Caps%252C178%26sr%3D8-1-spons%26psc%3D1&qualifier=1612899004&id=8096877196075396&widgetName=sp_atf (Praying through Every Emotion: Experiencing God's Peace No Matter What) Linda is an internationally recognized speaker and has spoken in almost every state in the United States and in several countries around the world. She is the president of Right to the Heart Ministries and the CEO of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA), which ministers to Christian women authors and speakers She is the publisher of Leading Hearts magazine and AriseDaily a daily e-devotional written by the members of AWSA. She is the voice behind the Arise Esther Movement. Linda loves to hang out with friends and family and hubby, Paul. She is the mother of two wonderful kids, one in Austin and the other in heaven. To learn more about Linda's ministries, go to http://www.gottopray.com/ (www.GotToPray.com). Follow Linda on Twitter at @LindaShepherd or on Facebook at LindaEvansShepherdAuthor/.  (http://www.awsa.com/ (www.AWSA.com) and http://www.awsaprotege.com/ (www.AWSAProtege.com)). (http://www.leadinghearts.com/ (www.LeadingHearts.com)) http://www.AriseDaily.com (www.AriseDaily.com)),  Your Host as Always:            Dawn Scott Damon is a pastor, speaker, podcast host, Freedom Coach, and award-winning author. An ordained minister with the Wesleyan Church and Lead Pastor of the multi-cultural Tribes Church in Rockford, MI. Dawn and her husband Paul are committed to reaching people for Jesus while sharing the beauty of God's Mosaic.  Dawn is a favorite keynote conference speaker and an engaging communicator who inspires her audience to maximize their God-given purpose and potential in Christ. Dreams are ignited as Dawn uses sound biblical teaching, personal stories, and humor to awaken gifts and callings found in everyone. Dawn, also known as “Your Freedom Coach” is the podcast host of the FreedomGirl Sisterhood podcast, and serves as an authority on sexual abuse and trauma, and a regularly featured contributor to Salem Radio's Life!Line with Craig Roberts San Francisco drive time talk show, featured in the nation's 4th largest radio market. Dawn and Paul Damon, have a full family of 3 married children, 2 single sons, and 11 grandchildren.    Dawn's Latest Book The Freedom Challenge: 60 days to Untie the Cords that Bind You The Freedom Challenge is about ridding your mind and soul of toxic, negative, and destructive thoughts that keep you captive and create destructive behavior. By 60 days in daily immersion of truth—God's Word, your mind will begin to find freedom from the harmful internal narration and instead begin to speak nourishing, inspiring, and motivating truths. You'll find freedom and powerful life changes as you your mind is freed from thought-toxins. http://www.Amazon.com/author/dawnscottdamon (www.Amazon.com/author/dawnscottdamon) http://www.dawnscottdamon.com (www.dawnscottdamon.com) http://www.freedomgirlsisterhood.com (www.freedomgirlsisterhood.com) https://www.facebook.com/freedomgirlsisterhood...

Episode Summary: If you have ever felt overwhelmed, worn out, or overcome by holiday pressures, then today is the perfect show for you. Today we’re going to be talking about soul care: how to reduce anxiety with tips on tending to your soul and remaining unruffled during the chaos of the holidays. Whether we have a lot of time or a little time, our Heavenly Father delights in spending time with us. When we spend time with Him, we can rid ourselves of worry, fear, and anxiety, and remain in His peace. When we think about Jesus’s three years of ministry, he walked into the most chaotic environments but brought His peace with Him. So we can walk into any situation, allowing God’s peace to dominate us, and then it will spread outward. As believers with the Holy Spirit, we do carry God’s peace with us, but too often we forfeit that peace by becoming consumed by the chaos around us. Peace is not the opposite of chaos, it comes from inside so it’s not dependent on our circumstances. We need to look at situations from God’s vantage point. We are all capable of bringing His peace to our situations but we have to be more deliberate and less easily influenced by our circumstances. Anxiety comes from looking at our circumstances rather than up at our heavenly Father. We lose our peace when we’ve gotten our focus wrong. We never see the entire situation, but He can because He’s already gone before us. So often we become consumed by focusing on the details when He wants us to leave the details to Him and trust Him with the big picture. Try to make time for family, friends, and memory making. Be sure to make sure you are already plugged into God, before the chaos takes over. Taking time at the end of the day to still our thoughts and give God our cares of the day can help us sleep more peacefully and wake up unruffled the next morning. By looking over the plans of the next day, we can wake up prepared instead of in a panic about the day. Understand that your wellbeing is paramount to God, as well as the wellbeing of those around you. You cannot get water from an empty well. It’s just not possible to pour out when we ourselves are dry and empty. He wants us to be taking care of our own soul, and taking care of our physical body so that it doesn’t give out on you. Quotables from the episode: “Find your voice, live your story.” Edie Melson Whether we have a lot of time or a little time, our Heavenly Father delights in spending time with us. When we think about Jesus’s three years of ministry, he walked into the most chaotic environments but brought His peace with Him. Scripture References: John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” Philippians 3:16 “Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” Recommended Resources: Soul Care When You’re Weary by Edie Melson Soul Care for Writers by Edie Melson Unruffled: Thriving in Chaos by Edie Melson and Rhonda Rhea Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Social Media Links for Host and Guest: To connect with Edie Melson: Website / Bold Vision Books / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /  Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast Guest: Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers experiencing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking to readers, fellow creatives, or writers, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Edie has this to say about her heritage, “I’m creative out of self-defense. As the daughter of an artist-mother and musician-turned-photographer-father, I’d have been a disgrace if I hadn’t been true to my own creativity.” Edie’s a popular speaker and a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, and the social media director of Southern Writers Magazine. Connect with her on her website, www.EdieMelson.com and through Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. She and husband Kirk have been married 38+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in SC where they love to hike and wander the mountains. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson  

Keep your soul sparkling with humor and inspiration by connecting with Beth and Rhonda at the following sites:http://fix-her-upper.com/https://www.rhondarhea.com/https://www.facebook.com/groups/faithpump AND, for those of you who love the twinkling inspiration shared by these AWESOME authors and speakers, I'd love to offer you an opportunity to join a brand new movement!WELCOME TO THE ARISE ESTHER MOVEMENTJust as the beautiful Queen Esther was called to arise and take a stand to save her people, God is calling us to arise to take a stand to save our homes, our families, our children, our grandchildren, those who are lost, and those who are hurting.Welcome to an event that will prepare you, train you, encourage you to both discover, and follow through with all God has called you to do. This is not just a conference, this is a movement, a movement that will rock the world.This conference is a gift of love from 600 Christian women authors of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. We came together 20 years ago to become a sisterhood who encourages and trains one another in love, and now we bring that encouragement and love to you.We open with a Night of Laughter with comedian Kerri Pomarolli because after all we’ve been through, we need to laugh together!We also have wonderful keynotes with bestselling author Stormie Omartian, Linda Evans Shepherd, Yolanda Powell, Karen Porter, Rosalinda Rivera, and recording artists Babbie Mason and Sharon Tedford.Plus we have 53 speakers, workshops, and panels you can choose from regarding:Emotions and Spiritual GrowthMinistry TrainingWriting, Speaking, CommunicatingSocial IssuesHome and FamilyParticipate in our small interactive online groups for prayer and meet women from around the country for conversation and fellowship.We hope you will join us at our first conference – The Arise Esther Virtual Conference – this coming February 21 – 26, 2021 during Purim, the festival that celebrates the heroic acts of Queen Esther.Now it’s your turn. Will you join us? www.AriseEstherConference.com

My Guest Today: Julie Coleman helps others to understand and know an unexpected God. A popular conference and retreat speaker, she holds an M.A. in biblical studies. Julie is the managing editor for Arise Daily, an online devotional by members of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. When she is not glaring at her computer, she spends time with her grandchildren, gardening, or walking her neurotic dog. More on Julie can be found at unexpectedgod.com and Facebook. Julie's first book, “Unexpected Love: God's Heart Revealed through Jesus' conversations with Women” answers the question, Does the Bible depict women as second-class citizens of the Kingdom? Jesus didn't think so. Unexpected Love takes a look at the encounters that Jesus had with women in the gospels. You will fall in love with the dynamic, beautiful, and unexpectedly personal Jesus. Now she is working on her latest book, "Equal." This biblical look at what scripture really says about Women in the Ministry will set you free from false religious trappings and erroneous teachings. https://www.facebook.com/juliezinecoleman http://www.juliecoleman.org/?fbclid=IwAR29nqumPIuo43Y_L3GgPVbaWG0OltCU8FboNSAoIfPf_-NkX1O7OyS_nLA (http://www.juliecoleman.org/) Your Host as Always:  Dawn Scott Damon is a pastor, speaker, podcast host, Freedom Coach, and award-winning author. An ordained minister with the Wesleyan Church and Lead Pastor of the multi-cultural Tribes Church in Rockford, MI. Dawn and her husband Paul are committed to reaching people for Jesus while sharing the beauty of God's Mosaic.  Dawn is a favorite keynote conference speaker and an engaging communicator who inspires her audience to maximize their God-given purpose and potential in Christ. Dreams are ignited as Dawn uses sound biblical teaching, personal stories, and humor to awaken gifts and callings found in everyone. Dawn, also known as “Your Freedom Coach” is the podcast host of the FreedomGirl Sisterhood podcast, and serves as an authority on sexual abuse and trauma, and a regularly featured contributor to Salem Radio's Life!Line with Craig Roberts San Francisco drive time talk show, featured in the nation's 4th largest radio market. Dawn and Paul Damon, have a full family of 3 married children, 2 single sons, and 11 grandchildren.   Dawn's Latest Book The Freedom Challenge: 60 days to Untie the Cords that Bind You The Freedom Challenge is about ridding your mind and soul of toxic, negative, and destructive thoughts that keep you captive and create destructive behavior. By 60 days in daily immersion of truth—God's Word, your mind will begin to find freedom from the harmful internal narration and instead begin to speak nourishing, inspiring, and motivating truths. You'll find freedom and powerful life changes as you your mind is freed from thought-toxins. http://www.Amazon.com/author/dawnscottdamon (www.Amazon.com/author/dawnscottdamon) http://www.dawnscottdamon.com (www.dawnscottdamon.com) http://www.freedomgirlsisterhood.com (www.freedomgirlsisterhood.com) https://www.facebook.com/freedomgirlsisterhood (https://www.facebook.com/freedomgirlsisterhood) https://ariseesther.captivate.fm/ (https://ariseesther.captivate.fm/) https://twitter.com/DawnScottDamon (https://twitter.com/DawnScottDamon) https://www.instagram.com/dawn_damon/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/dawn_damon/?hl=en) BOOKS Dawn has written 5 books and can be found on Dawnscottdamon.com and amazon.com/author/dawnscottdamon www.Amazon.com/author/dawnscottdamon When A Woman You Love was Abused: A Husband's Guide to Helping HIs Wife Overcome Childhood Molestation When the Woman Abused Was You: A Complete Guide to Thriving After Sexual Trauma Telling: A Guide to Finding Healing by Telling Your Abuse Story  The Freedom Challenge: 60 Days to Untie The Cords That Bind You   The Mindset of an overcomer. Victim or victor—our choice! Overcome the effects

Episode Summary: Have you ever experienced a trial so great it turned your entire life upside down, inside out, or left you wondering how long you had to live? What would you do? How would you spend your time? To whom would you turn? As a neuropsychologist, I see thousands of patients who struggle with diagnoses ranging from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, and learning disabilities to brain tumors, traumatic brain injury, and dementia. When they receive a diagnosis, there is often a mixture of emotion from relief to fear. Relief often comes from just knowing what has been causing their symptoms and knowing that treatment does exist, and yet the relief is often quickly replaced by the unknown of all that is yet to be faced. I often wonder how anyone faces such difficulties without a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and faith in God who promises to be with us at all times. Having been in situations like that personally, and seeing many patients facing such circumstances, I can tell you, we never quite know how we will respond until we are faced with the situation. In her book God’s Best During Your Worst, today’s guest, Robin Luftig recounts her story of her own diagnosis of a brain tumor and the next ten days that ensued from diagnosis to surgery. She shares the real life questions, fears, and other emotions she battled as she faced the very real possibility that the tumor or the treatment could claim her life. And during that time, she had to come to grips with the earlier life influences that shaped many of her beliefs about herself and her God. While I know of no one who would desire to go through such an ordeal, I suspect that if you asked Robin now, she would likely tell you that in many respects, what she gained through the experience was worth anything she lost in the process. For in the process, it drew her closer to her husband, her children, and her God; the very God who desires to use our trials to increase our faith and perfect it so that we will ultimately be complete in Him.  That’s what would allow us to count experiences like this all joy. James 1:2-4 reminds us, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” What a challenge it is, however, to see the joy in the midst of trouble, but our chances of doing so are increased if we will rely on the One who will not only carry us through the difficulties but also perfect our faith in the process. Have you ever thought about what you would do if you only had a few more days to live? Or how you would maintain your hope in the midst of such a devastating diagnosis? My husband and I faced a similar situation when he was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer and were told to get our affairs in order because he was not expected to live. I remember during that time that it really caused me to reassess how I would live each day, not knowing if it was our last. Today we are going to talk to Robin and see what impact that devastating news had on her and how her life is different for it today. Quotables from the episode: I’m not that I'm anything special but my Savior is.  God, thank you for this gift of a new day. I've done nothing to deserve it. This has been just a pure gift on your part. It's easy to approach God like he's a vending machine. I want this and this and this and this. But God wants us to participate with him. Scripture References: James 1:2-4 says dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy for you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow for when your endurance is fully developed. You will be perfect and complete needing nothing Romans 8:28 God works all things together for good. Hebrews 13:5, where I will never leave you nor forsake you. Matthew 28:20 “… And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Luke 12:4-7 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. … Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” 2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  Recommended Resources: God’s Best During Your Worst by Robin Luftig Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Robin Luftig: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /  Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast Guest: Be grateful in everything--even the bumpy rides ... is Robin Luftig's mantra while either writing for non-fiction readers or speaking to audiences on healing after tragedy. She's an award-nominated columnist for great magazines such as Leading Hearts, CBN.com, and many more. She is the author of two books, Learning to Bloom Again (a journey of healing after divorce) and God's Best During Your Worst and will soon be launching her first novel, Ladies of the Fire in late 2020. She is a leader in Word Weavers International, a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA). She lives near Harrisburg Pennsylvania with her best pal/hubster and has five grown children and two grandbabies. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson

When a sudden seizure led to the discovery of a brain tumor, Robin Luftig was told she may only have ten days left. Today, she joins Cristabelle to share about her journey through those ten days, the process of recovery after brain surgery, and encouragement for healing through the storms of life. •CONNECT & MORE INFO• Hosted by Cristabelle Braden Instagram: @declarationlife Facebook: @declarationlife Website: cristabellebraden.com/declarationlife Email: declarationlife@gmail.com Intro/Outro Music: "Dare to Hope Again" by Cristabelle Braden •ABOUT ROBIN• In 2009, Robin founded Renew Ministries, sharing that God has a healing plan for their lives. She has also worked with twelve-step groups, including the Christian divorce support group DivorceCare, sharing the importance of trusting God. Her self-published book, Learning to Bloom Again: Walking Through Forgiveness After Divorce offers lessons learned—both good and bad—that there can be healing after divorce. Life shifted, however, in 2011 when Robin needed emergency brain surgery. She was written a book recounting her experiences and is seeking publication of God's Best During Your Worst: Living Under His Umbrella (Bold Vision Books). She has also published a novel, Ladies of the Fire (Elk Lake Publications), the first of a three-book series. Luftig is a nationally-sought speaker and shares stories of God's mercy and grace at women's retreats and conferences. She is also an active member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA) and Word Weavers International, where she serves as a mentor for writers. She and her husband Lew live in Central PA. Website: https://robinluftig.com/ •ABOUT CRISTABELLE• Cristabelle Braden is an award winning singer/songwriter, keynote speaker, author, and podcast host. After suffering a traumatic brain injury, she began to write music. Since then, she has surpassed medical expectations and thrived in her newfound gift of music; she has come from re-learning daily life tasks in brain injury rehabilitation to setting her feet firmly on the ground as a songwriter, speaker, and artist with a message of hope. Website: cristabellebraden.com

Episode Summary: If you have ever felt overwhelmed, worn out, or overcome by holiday pressures, then today is the perfect show for you. Today we’re going to be talking about soul care: how to reduce anxiety with tips on tending to your soul and remaining unruffled during the chaos of the holidays Whether we have a lot of time or a little time, our Heavenly Father delights in spending time with us. When we spend time with Him, we can rid ourselves of worry, fear, and anxiety, and remain in His peace. When we think about Jesus’s three years of ministry, he walked into the most chaotic environments but brought His peace with Him. So we can walk into any situation, allowing God’s peace to dominate us, and then it will spread outward. As believers with the Holy Spirit, we do carry God’s peace with us, but too often we forfeit that peace by becoming consumed by the chaos around us. Peace is not the opposite of chaos, it comes from inside so it’s not dependent on our circumstances. We need to look at situations from God’s vantage point. We are all capable of bringing His peace to our situations but we have to be more deliberate and less easily influenced by our circumstances. Anxiety comes from looking at our circumstances rather than up at our heavenly Father. We lose our peace when we’ve gotten our focus wrong. We never see the entire situation, but He can because He’s already gone before us. So often we become consumed by focusing on the details when He wants us to leave the details to Him and trust Him with the big picture. Try to make time for family, friends, and memory making. Be sure to make sure you are already plugged into God, before the chaos takes over. Taking time at the end of the day to still our thoughts and give God our cares of the day can help us sleep more peacefully and wake up unruffled the next morning. By looking over the plans of the next day, we can wake up prepared instead of in a panic about the day. Understand that your wellbeing is paramount to God, as well as the wellbeing of those around you. You cannot get water from an empty well. It’s just not possible to pour out when we ourselves are dry and empty. He wants us to be taking care of our own soul, and taking care of our physical body so that it doesn’t give out on you. Quotables from the episode: “Find your voice, live your story.” Edie Melson Whether we have a lot of time or a little time, our Heavenly Father delights in spending time with us. When we think about Jesus’s three years of ministry, he walked into the most chaotic environments but brought His peace with Him. Scripture References: John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” Philippians 3:16, “Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” Recommended Resources: Books in the Soul Care Series Soul Care When You’re Weary by Edie Melson https://amzn.to/2EK2Io2 Soul Care for Writers by Edie Melson https://amzn.to/2tIPgyH Soul Care When You’re Grieving (releasing January 2020) Soul Care When You’re an Empty Nester (releasing August 2020) Unruffled: Thriving in Chaos by Edie Melson and Rhonda Rhea https://amzn.to/2PP52AN “Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson https://amzn.to/2ZSTP4N Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award https://amzn.to/2zB0e7J “Hope Prevails Bible Study” by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award https://amzn.to/2yMdN46 Social Media Links for Host and Guest: To connect with Edie Melson: https://ediemelson.com/ https://www.boldvisionbooks.com/ https://www.instagram.com/Stop2Pray/ https://twitter.com/EdieMelson https://www.facebook.com/edie.melson For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: To order Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: https://drmichellebengtson.com/breaking-anxietys-grip/ To order Hope Prevails: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/ Website: https://drmichellebengtson.com/ Blog: https://drmichellebengtson.com/blog/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrMBengtson (@DrMBengtson) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichellebengtson/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmichellebengtson/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/drbhopeprevails/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelleBengtson Radio Show Host: http://graceandtruthradio.world/shows/your-hope-filled-perspective/ Guest: Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers experiencing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking to readers, fellow creatives, or writers, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Edie has this to say about her heritage, “I’m creative out of self-defense. As the daughter of an artist-mother and musician-turned-photographer-father, I’d have been a disgrace if I hadn’t been true to my own creativity.” Edie’s a popular speaker and a board member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, the director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, and the social media director of Southern Writers Magazine. Connect with her on her website, www.EdieMelson.com and through Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. She and husband Kirk have been married 38+ years and raised three sons. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in SC where they love to hike and wander the mountains. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson  

Michelle continues her quest to discover keys to Revival in Psalm 119 reading verses 129-136 in the Passion Translation. Today, as we continue to discover how the keys of living from intimacy and following God in obedience as our passionate pursuit and souls longing leads us to crave His presence and grieve over sin. When we come into a right understanding of Who God is as we pursue Him through His Word – the keys of presence and obedience bring us into understanding the justice of His heart toward a lost and dying world. Show Transcript: Blooming Inspired Podcast equipping and empowering the voices of women who live their lives Blooming Alive. Introduction Good Morning! This is Michelle Bentham, host of Blooming Inspired Podcast. I’m always excited to jump on the podcast with you each week. I’ve been on a social media and podcast break for the last month while traveling and am ready to get back in touch and into Psalm 119. Before I do, I wanted to share a little about the last few weeks of my life and a few changes that will be coming soon to Blooming Inspired Network.. First, I want to say as I’ve spent time away I’ve missed “seeing you” on Facebook and interacting with you there. Still, part of the reason I’m needing to make changes centers on the book God has been stirring in my heart for 14 years now. In August I attended the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association Conference in Nashville, TN. This event inspired me to get serious about my book project and developed some definite goals for the next few months. I was able to spend time with my writing friends from North Texas while making new friends the few days we were there. It’s been an amazing time in my life and encourages me to take steps of faith like never before. If you don’t know, writing a book is labor intensive and time consuming. So, I may not be able to interact with you as often on Facebook, but I’ll be bringing you content that will still encourage and inspire you to go deeper with God in your life. After I returned home from the writer’s conference, I w laundry and headed out again. This time for a retreat for ministry leaders in Telluride, CO. The theme of the Retreat was rest and and… BOY, Did I Need It. The scenic beauty surrounded us on every side. I was incredibly blessed. I took my calendar and my laptop hoping to do some planning and writing while away. But, instead… I heard the Lord whisper, “Just enjoy my creation with me.” I laid in bed late at night and looked up at the diamond-like stars glistening in a black sky just beyond the windows of my bedroom. I fell asleep to the peaceful sound of a creek running behind the house where we stayed. I woke up early and took in the first rays of light coming over the mountains to our east without ever leaving my bed. I marvelled at those mountainous landscapes that surrounded us. And, I enjoyed the 100s of birds, most of them Hummingbirds, that lived in the Douglas Fir Trees around the retreat house. Until… The third day. The plumbing backed up in the electrical closet downstairs. We were moved up the mountain from Telluride to the Mountain Village Lodge where we spent our last two nights in an even more beautiful setting with less oxygen. I just have to say I’m grateful for the Gondolas and shuttles in that area that helped us get around. Several other women journeyed with us on the retreat that week and we quickly became heart friends. I miss them already, but they reminded me why Blooming Inspired Network exists - we’re here for you! Now… Here’s the fun part - we’re going to allow you to submit content for the page! Did you read a Scripture or quote that really moves you? Do you have a word from God that you want to share? GREAT! Simply DM the content to the Blooming Inspired Page, and we’ll look for an opportunity to get it posted. Here are a few guidelines: Our content is by women for women, looking forward to empowering your voice and pen! Not that doesn’t mean we don’t value the voices and offerings of men - we do! But this is a place for wildflowers to bloom. So bring on the women who are wildflowers waiting to sing! [Please note: Not every quote that gets submitted will fit our scope and needs at Blooming Inspired Network - but we’ll be sure to let you know if your content is selected and when it will post.] Content for Quote or Scripture Graphics: Must include the original author or Scripture Reference AND Translation in the message. We’ll ask for it if it is not included. TIP: Ask yourself, “How will this equip and empower women to walk in their role and reign in God’s Kingdom?” Then send us your thoughts along with the quote. We’ll include your note and tag you in the post. :) Other Content: 1) It must be encouraging. 2) It must inspire action. 3) It must be biblically sound. 4) Be sure to respond to the comments if your content is posted. We’ll tag you in the post… :) Do you have a testimony or Podcast idea? Listen for an opportunity to join the fun at the end of today’s show! If you want to go deeper with the Wildflowers at Blooming Inspired Network be sure to join our Wildflower Women Relaunch on Facebook! We’d love to connect and enjoy the encouragement of community with each of you. Are you a writer? Be sure to DM or fill out the contact page at the website. We’d love to get a sample from you as we’re starting a blog soon! We need writers! :) With that said, in addition to our weekly podcasts - Blooming Inspired Network will post on Facebook 2-3 times a week. Looking at a Monday, Wednesday & Friday. The more you engage with our content the more we’ll bring to you there. We’ll also be posting to Instagram, Twitter and A NEW! Pinterest account we’ll be opening this week. We’d love to pin your work. Be sure to connect with us and let us know what you’re up to. But enough about this social stuff… Let’s get to our show. Review In our last episode of the Revival Series we read verses 121-127 and saw the way God’s tender love leads us into not only His righteousness but, when we choose to submit to God in obedience, it also leads us to beautiful intimacy with Him. Today we continue that theme as we look at what it means when our longings are to obey God. This Week’s Reading This week we’re returning to our reading in verses 128-136. We’re reading from the Passion Translation, but go ahead and grab your Bible and turn to the Psalm so you can follow along, I’ll pray to open our discussion today. Father God, I ask that you would open our eyes to see your revelation, open our ears to hear your voice, and open our hearts to know you more. Protect us from the plans of your adversary and keep us from harm. I ask these things in Jesus’ Name, AMEN. The heading for today’s reading is, “I Long to Obey You.” As we read today, I want you to consider this question: “Do I Long To OBEY God?” Let’s begin: Verse 129: Your marvelous words are living miracles; no wonder I long to obey everything you say. Did you catch that? There is a link to seeing God’s living miracles and obedience. Not just obedience for the sake of obedience… But, there is a sense of an obedience that HANGS on every word God has spoken to us. How does God speak personally to us: Through His Word - Jesus, through the Scriptures, and through the revelation that the Holy Spirit brings to us when we walk closely with Him. When you read the Scriptures or sense God speaking to you through the Holy Spirit, do you feel compelled to respond in some way? This is where I think obedience becomes a key. My friend, Tracy, says often - Obedience is the Love Language of the Holy Spirit. And, I agree. If we never do what we read about in Scripture how will we ever know the Greater Works that Jesus said we who come after would do? Obedience is more than doing the right thing because God said so, obedience is an expression of both faith and love toward God. An expectant faith, that knows God will respond - keeping the promises of His Word - when we obey Him. Verse 130: Break open your word within me until revelation-light shines out! Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans. Before you ever experience a breakthrough in your circumstances, God’s word - the Scriptures must break open within you - flooding your being with the revelation light of Christ. Only then will we see and understand the plans God speaks of in Jeremiah 29:11, plans that the NKJV calls THOUGHTS. I recently heard Jesse Beebe speak at a conference and she said, “Did you know God has one destiny for your life, but many plans?” That’s right. God doesn’t just have 1 PLAN for your life - He has many plans that all lead to the one destiny He created and designed you to fulfill in your lifetime. It is through His Scriptures that these plans first break open to us, and as we follow Him through each revelation in obedience to His call… We find our hearts open and we discover the insights and wisdom of His truth in every area of our lives. Verse 131: I open my mouth and inhale the word of God because I crave the revelation of your commands. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we read that the Scriptures are “God-Breathed.” Picture the words of God being inhaled into your body like life-giving oxygen, bringing both light and life to the thoughts and intentions of your heart, soul and body. What would our lives look like if we craved God’s Word like our bodies crave oxygen to breathe. The other evening I was working with my husband cleaning out closets and rooms in our house. My allergies have been bothering me lately and I’ve had a little trouble breathing at times. As I bent over to pick something up I found myself unable to catch my breath. I tried to find my inhaler but couldn’t seem to get it. Without oxygen, all I could do was sit on the side of my bed - feeling my lungs burn with their need for oxygen and pray that my husband would realize I needed his help. Eventually he came along and found my inhaler. I took a couple of puffs and began to feel my airway open and my lungs fill with the oxygen my body needs to live. This is the picture this scripture paints - that our souls hunger for God’s word and crave the revelation of His truth. Our lives depend on it… Verse 132: Turn your heart to me, Lord, and show me your grace like you do to every one of your godly lovers. Have you ever been reading scripture and your heart became convicted about something in your life that perhaps you’d never considered sin before that moment? In Isaiah 6, we see the prophet standing before God’s throne as God displayed His glory to Isaiah. The Lord was looking for a man to send as a prophet to Israel, and in the presence of God’s glory all Isaiah could say was “Woe to me, I am undone because I am a sinful man of unclean lips.” (Isaiah 6:5 my paraprase) This picture of our human hearts, and its inclination toward evil, being undone before a Holy God is what it means to truly FEAR the Lord. To revere Him, and His majesty. To humble and prostrate ourselves before Him as we behold the beauty of His splendor beyond our ability to conceive. A revelation of God’s glory creates a desire for His heart be turned to us as He extends His grace in our lives. As He does, as we behold His glory and His grace in our lives, our souls respond in obedience to Him because we love Him recognizing it was He Who first loved us. This is the relationship that God desires for us - that our obedience would lead us to the deeper revelations of intimacy with His heart. Verse 133: Prepare before me a path filled with your promises, and don’t allow even one sin to have dominion over me. We see now how God’s Word, intimacy and obedience lead to purpose. If we are going to fulfill our God-given purpose in life we must know God intimately through His word and respond to it in obedience as the Holy Spirit prompts us to move. If Jesus is God’s Word, and all of God’s promises are Yes And Amen in Jesus - then knowing scripture- being deeply connected to Him through it will lead us down a path filled with His promises. And the more we focus on Him through the Scriptures the more we will realize that transformation that we are called to as we renew our minds in His Word. Verse 134: Rescue me from the oppression of ungodly men so that I can keep all your precepts. As we behold God through His Word, and seek to obey Him - the natural inclination of our hearts will be to experience His protection as we seek to keep His word. God longs for us to ask for His protection - that we would not be oppressed by the ungodly or be distracted from His will in our lives by the ever-darkening world around us. The key is to cry out to Him both in repentance and seeking His refuge in our lives. Verse135: Smile on me, your loving servant.[a] Instruct me on what is right in your eyes. (Footnotes form TPT: Psalm 119:135 [a] Or “Cause your face to shine on me.”) That phrase “Smile on me” here is more literally translated, “Cause Your Face To Shine On Me…” What does that mean… Cause Your face to shine on me? As I asked the Lord about that this morning I felt like He reminded me of Moses. When Moses went up on the mountain and encountered the Lord his face blazed with the Glory of God. So much so that the people of Israel covered his face with a veil because they could not bear to look upon it. I’m reminded that we become like what we behold - God told Moses He spoke to him as a friend. I believe when the Face of God shines on us - we are face to face with Him. Beholding Him and His glory gets on us. We are marked by His presence and people cannot help but see it on us. And because of this, our deep desire is to do what is right in His sight. Not only are we marked by Him when His face shines on us, but we begin to look and act like Him as a result. Verse 136: When I witness the rebellious breaking your laws, it makes me weep uncontrollably! A number of years ago I joined a governmental prayer group during election season. I found myself praying Joel 2 during that season. As I did I received a revelation about what it means to weep between the altar and the door. Before that time, I would glance past that moment to the part where the Lord restores what had been lost and stolen from us in a double portion way. But, as I prayed these scriptures over the election I found myself seeing a different picture. A picture of the priests of God (in Christ, we are believer-priests) walking to the door and seeing the plight of the world around them. The condition of their fellow man, and returning to the altar weeping in their prayers for His redemption. Those days of prayer and that election marked me in immeasurable ways. I like to tell people I’m the grace girl. I sincerely do not believe there is any circumstance, any person, beyond the redemption of God. His arm is not too short… But, sometimes my faith to believe is woefully limited. Limited by what I can see, taste, touch, feel and smell. Seriously… Don’t tell me I’m the only one. Recently I attended a large church who has security teams in place to help keep both the congregants and the staff at the church safe. In the world we live in, this is not an unreasonable position. During the service the leaders make time for the congregants to interact with and greet one another before the weekly message begins. A young man was going around and greeting people, speaking to them. He must have been loud or disturbing to some because a few minutes later the security team came in and took him out. He did not return to the service. Now, I do not know the exact circumstances of what took place, but when the church is an unwelcoming place for people then it becomes a problem. Rather than shut people out - we should create places for them to connect that facilitate the safety of others but also take into consideration the needs of the individual who may be seen as “unacceptable.” The church cannot be a police state - if it becomes such we will look more like the pharisees than Jesus in every way. I’ve worked on staff in churches, and written position papers on marriage as well as run background checks on folks who desired to serve in ministry. I’ve had to report sex offenders and watched pastors lovingly and discerningly develop ministry plans that allowed the offenders to attend church while caring for those around them and creating safe parameters to allow for interaction. When I think of the way the rebellious around me make me grieve these days. It’s not the world - the ones outside God’s house and family - that bring me to tears but those who have seemingly forgotten who we are and Who we represent to the lost and dying world around us. Father God, as I read today, my heart grieves at a church that protests sinners rather than loving them, that exiles the unlovely and the broken rather than embraces them and I grieve that after all these years of knowing you - at times - even my heart still does not look like yours. Change our hearts God, make us crave the breakthrough of your revelation and truth in our hearts and minds like air to breathe, give me more faith in your Spirit’s ability to transform sinners into saints, than in the human spirit’s ability to wreak havoc and devise evil. Make my heart like yours. I desire your words like the air I breathe and I desire to obey you more than anything else in my life. Bring me to your heart by your Word, O God. And bring the world to yourself as you do. IN Jesus’ Name, Amen. Closing Remarks That's all the time that I have for today! Thank you for tuning in with us. I want to ask you if this podcast has been a blessing to you: would you subscribe to it and share it with your friends and family? We’d love to partner with you in sharing messages that encourage and inspire. As you may know, our Redeemed Rebel Podcast aired its last show for this season yesterday. While Michele will still be popping in from time to time as a guest host on this show or showing up as a guest on our other shows -- she will not be regularly featured through the Redeemed Rebel Podcast for the foreseeable future. Be sure to catch her last episode and connect with her this week at facebook.com/redeemedrebelunveiled. If you’d like to be a guest on this show or get more information about hosting your own podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network - please reach out to michelle.bentham@bloominginspirednetwork.com. I’d love the opportunity to connect with you and figure out how we can share your voice with the world around us. BIBLE STUDY SEASON IS UPON US! Since I’ve been off social media the last few weeks I’ve failed to get the word out… BUT, events are going up this week and we’ll begin in person (Granbury, TX) and on Facebook Live THIS SATURDAY, September 21st at 10:00 am. That’s right - we’re going to be starting our show a little earlier in the morning, but we’ll be bringing you an hour of Bible study each week as we read through THE GOSPELS - Verse By Verse. This season our study will be the 24 chapters of the book of Luke. You can learn more by visiting facebook.com/bloominginspired and checking out the events or by visiting bloominginspirednetwork.com If you’d like to get this podcast delivered to your smart device, we're available on Apple and on Google Podcasts. We are also available on the Podcoin App. By The Way, Podcoin is a great app! They pay you “podcoins” for listening to any podcast that's listed on their app. All of the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network’s podcasts are listed there. We’re working on keeping our shows as “Bonus Shows” on the app. That means if you download the app and create your account with our referral code, “Blooming” you’ll get 300 “podcoins” just for signing up, AND when we’re a bonus app you get extra podcoins just for listening!! You can use your podcoins to buy gift cards or make donations to charitable organizations. That’s a WIN-WIN, don’t you think? So if you're interested in subscribing Podcoin is a great way to get our podcast and you get the extra benefit of earning gifts while you're listening. Would you partner with us? We would love for you to share about our podcast on social media -- share it with your friends your family -- the people within your influence let them know what we're doing at Blooming Inspired Network! Tune In Wednesdays! Accidental Hope Podcast airs on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. central time. Each week Jennifer Eikenhorst brings hope-filled messages and interviews related to overcoming accidents and traumas we face in life. You don’t want to miss her final of a three part interview series with Tina Boyd as they talk about how Faith Moves You Forward this week! And now, I want to remind you as I always do: Blooming where you're planted is the first step to living your wildest dreams, so live your lives blooming alive! Thank you for listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. This show airs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 am central time. Please take a moment to like, share and subscribe to this podcast. To learn more about this podcast and it’s network, or the ministries of Blooming Inspired Network please visit BloomingInspiredNetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page.

Michelle continues her quest to discover keys to Revival in Psalm 119 reading verses 129-136 in the Passion Translation. Today, as we continue to discover how the keys of living from intimacy and following God in obedience as our passionate pursuit and souls longing leads us to crave His presence and grieve over sin. When we come into a right understanding of Who God is as we pursue Him through His Word – the keys of presence and obedience bring us into understanding the justice of His heart toward a lost and dying world. Show Transcript: Blooming Inspired Podcast equipping and empowering the voices of women who live their lives Blooming Alive. Introduction Good Morning! This is Michelle Bentham, host of Blooming Inspired Podcast. I’m always excited to jump on the podcast with you each week. I’ve been on a social media and podcast break for the last month while traveling and am ready to get back in touch and into Psalm 119. Before I do, I wanted to share a little about the last few weeks of my life and a few changes that will be coming soon to Blooming Inspired Network.. First, I want to say as I’ve spent time away I’ve missed “seeing you” on Facebook and interacting with you there. Still, part of the reason I’m needing to make changes centers on the book God has been stirring in my heart for 14 years now. In August I attended the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association Conference in Nashville, TN. This event inspired me to get serious about my book project and developed some definite goals for the next few months. I was able to spend time with my writing friends from North Texas while making new friends the few days we were there. It’s been an amazing time in my life and encourages me to take steps of faith like never before. If you don’t know, writing a book is labor intensive and time consuming. So, I may not be able to interact with you as often on Facebook, but I’ll be bringing you content that will still encourage and inspire you to go deeper with God in your life. After I returned home from the writer’s conference, I w laundry and headed out again. This time for a retreat for ministry leaders in Telluride, CO. The theme of the Retreat was rest and and… BOY, Did I Need It. The scenic beauty surrounded us on every side. I was incredibly blessed. I took my calendar and my laptop hoping to do some planning and writing while away. But, instead… I heard the Lord whisper, “Just enjoy my creation with me.” I laid in bed late at night and looked up at the diamond-like stars glistening in a black sky just beyond the windows of my bedroom. I fell asleep to the peaceful sound of a creek running behind the house where we stayed. I woke up early and took in the first rays of light coming over the mountains to our east without ever leaving my bed. I marvelled at those mountainous landscapes that surrounded us. And, I enjoyed the 100s of birds, most of them Hummingbirds, that lived in the Douglas Fir Trees around the retreat house. Until… The third day. The plumbing backed up in the electrical closet downstairs. We were moved up the mountain from Telluride to the Mountain Village Lodge where we spent our last two nights in an even more beautiful setting with less oxygen. I just have to say I’m grateful for the Gondolas and shuttles in that area that helped us get around. Several other women journeyed with us on the retreat that week and we quickly became heart friends. I miss them already, but they reminded me why Blooming Inspired Network exists - we’re here for you! Now… Here’s the fun part - we’re going to allow you to submit content for the page! Did you read a Scripture or quote that really moves you? Do you have a word from God that you want to share? GREAT! Simply DM the content to the Blooming Inspired Page, and we’ll look for an opportunity to get it posted. Here are a few guidelines: Our content is by women for women, looking forward to empowering your voice and pen! Not that doesn’t mean we don’t value the voices and offerings of men - we do! But this is a place for wildflowers to bloom. So bring on the women who are wildflowers waiting to sing! [Please note: Not every quote that gets submitted will fit our scope and needs at Blooming Inspired Network - but we’ll be sure to let you know if your content is selected and when it will post.] Content for Quote or Scripture Graphics: Must include the original author or Scripture Reference AND Translation in the message. We’ll ask for it if it is not included. TIP: Ask yourself, “How will this equip and empower women to walk in their role and reign in God’s Kingdom?” Then send us your thoughts along with the quote. We’ll include your note and tag you in the post. :) Other Content: 1) It must be encouraging. 2) It must inspire action. 3) It must be biblically sound. 4) Be sure to respond to the comments if your content is posted. We’ll tag you in the post… :) Do you have a testimony or Podcast idea? Listen for an opportunity to join the fun at the end of today’s show! If you want to go deeper with the Wildflowers at Blooming Inspired Network be sure to join our Wildflower Women Relaunch on Facebook! We’d love to connect and enjoy the encouragement of community with each of you. Are you a writer? Be sure to DM or fill out the contact page at the website. We’d love to get a sample from you as we’re starting a blog soon! We need writers! :) With that said, in addition to our weekly podcasts - Blooming Inspired Network will post on Facebook 2-3 times a week. Looking at a Monday, Wednesday & Friday. The more you engage with our content the more we’ll bring to you there. We’ll also be posting to Instagram, Twitter and A NEW! Pinterest account we’ll be opening this week. We’d love to pin your work. Be sure to connect with us and let us know what you’re up to. But enough about this social stuff… Let’s get to our show. Review In our last episode of the Revival Series we read verses 121-127 and saw the way God’s tender love leads us into not only His righteousness but, when we choose to submit to God in obedience, it also leads us to beautiful intimacy with Him. Today we continue that theme as we look at what it means when our longings are to obey God. This Week’s Reading This week we’re returning to our reading in verses 128-136. We’re reading from the Passion Translation, but go ahead and grab your Bible and turn to the Psalm so you can follow along, I’ll pray to open our discussion today. Father God, I ask that you would open our eyes to see your revelation, open our ears to hear your voice, and open our hearts to know you more. Protect us from the plans of your adversary and keep us from harm. I ask these things in Jesus’ Name, AMEN. The heading for today’s reading is, “I Long to Obey You.” As we read today, I want you to consider this question: “Do I Long To OBEY God?” Let’s begin: Verse 129: Your marvelous words are living miracles; no wonder I long to obey everything you say. Did you catch that? There is a link to seeing God’s living miracles and obedience. Not just obedience for the sake of obedience… But, there is a sense of an obedience that HANGS on every word God has spoken to us. How does God speak personally to us: Through His Word - Jesus, through the Scriptures, and through the revelation that the Holy Spirit brings to us when we walk closely with Him. When you read the Scriptures or sense God speaking to you through the Holy Spirit, do you feel compelled to respond in some way? This is where I think obedience becomes a key. My friend, Tracy, says often - Obedience is the Love Language of the Holy Spirit. And, I agree. If we never do what we read about in Scripture how will we ever know the Greater Works that Jesus said we who come after would do? Obedience is more than doing the right thing because God said so, obedience is an expression of both faith and love toward God. An expectant faith, that knows God will respond - keeping the promises of His Word - when we obey Him. Verse 130: Break open your word within me until revelation-light shines out! Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans. Before you ever experience a breakthrough in your circumstances, God’s word - the Scriptures must break open within you - flooding your being with the revelation light of Christ. Only then will we see and understand the plans God speaks of in Jeremiah 29:11, plans that the NKJV calls THOUGHTS. I recently heard Jesse Beebe speak at a conference and she said, “Did you know God has one destiny for your life, but many plans?” That’s right. God doesn’t just have 1 PLAN for your life - He has many plans that all lead to the one destiny He created and designed you to fulfill in your lifetime. It is through His Scriptures that these plans first break open to us, and as we follow Him through each revelation in obedience to His call… We find our hearts open and we discover the insights and wisdom of His truth in every area of our lives. Verse 131: I open my mouth and inhale the word of God because I crave the revelation of your commands. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we read that the Scriptures are “God-Breathed.” Picture the words of God being inhaled into your body like life-giving oxygen, bringing both light and life to the thoughts and intentions of your heart, soul and body. What would our lives look like if we craved God’s Word like our bodies crave oxygen to breathe. The other evening I was working with my husband cleaning out closets and rooms in our house. My allergies have been bothering me lately and I’ve had a little trouble breathing at times. As I bent over to pick something up I found myself unable to catch my breath. I tried to find my inhaler but couldn’t seem to get it. Without oxygen, all I could do was sit on the side of my bed - feeling my lungs burn with their need for oxygen and pray that my husband would realize I needed his help. Eventually he came along and found my inhaler. I took a couple of puffs and began to feel my airway open and my lungs fill with the oxygen my body needs to live. This is the picture this scripture paints - that our souls hunger for God’s word and crave the revelation of His truth. Our lives depend on it… Verse 132: Turn your heart to me, Lord, and show me your grace like you do to every one of your godly lovers. Have you ever been reading scripture and your heart became convicted about something in your life that perhaps you’d never considered sin before that moment? In Isaiah 6, we see the prophet standing before God’s throne as God displayed His glory to Isaiah. The Lord was looking for a man to send as a prophet to Israel, and in the presence of God’s glory all Isaiah could say was “Woe to me, I am undone because I am a sinful man of unclean lips.” (Isaiah 6:5 my paraprase) This picture of our human hearts, and its inclination toward evil, being undone before a Holy God is what it means to truly FEAR the Lord. To revere Him, and His majesty. To humble and prostrate ourselves before Him as we behold the beauty of His splendor beyond our ability to conceive. A revelation of God’s glory creates a desire for His heart be turned to us as He extends His grace in our lives. As He does, as we behold His glory and His grace in our lives, our souls respond in obedience to Him because we love Him recognizing it was He Who first loved us. This is the relationship that God desires for us - that our obedience would lead us to the deeper revelations of intimacy with His heart. Verse 133: Prepare before me a path filled with your promises, and don’t allow even one sin to have dominion over me. We see now how God’s Word, intimacy and obedience lead to purpose. If we are going to fulfill our God-given purpose in life we must know God intimately through His word and respond to it in obedience as the Holy Spirit prompts us to move. If Jesus is God’s Word, and all of God’s promises are Yes And Amen in Jesus - then knowing scripture- being deeply connected to Him through it will lead us down a path filled with His promises. And the more we focus on Him through the Scriptures the more we will realize that transformation that we are called to as we renew our minds in His Word. Verse 134: Rescue me from the oppression of ungodly men so that I can keep all your precepts. As we behold God through His Word, and seek to obey Him - the natural inclination of our hearts will be to experience His protection as we seek to keep His word. God longs for us to ask for His protection - that we would not be oppressed by the ungodly or be distracted from His will in our lives by the ever-darkening world around us. The key is to cry out to Him both in repentance and seeking His refuge in our lives. Verse135: Smile on me, your loving servant.[a] Instruct me on what is right in your eyes. (Footnotes form TPT: Psalm 119:135 [a] Or “Cause your face to shine on me.”) That phrase “Smile on me” here is more literally translated, “Cause Your Face To Shine On Me…” What does that mean… Cause Your face to shine on me? As I asked the Lord about that this morning I felt like He reminded me of Moses. When Moses went up on the mountain and encountered the Lord his face blazed with the Glory of God. So much so that the people of Israel covered his face with a veil because they could not bear to look upon it. I’m reminded that we become like what we behold - God told Moses He spoke to him as a friend. I believe when the Face of God shines on us - we are face to face with Him. Beholding Him and His glory gets on us. We are marked by His presence and people cannot help but see it on us. And because of this, our deep desire is to do what is right in His sight. Not only are we marked by Him when His face shines on us, but we begin to look and act like Him as a result. Verse 136: When I witness the rebellious breaking your laws, it makes me weep uncontrollably! A number of years ago I joined a governmental prayer group during election season. I found myself praying Joel 2 during that season. As I did I received a revelation about what it means to weep between the altar and the door. Before that time, I would glance past that moment to the part where the Lord restores what had been lost and stolen from us in a double portion way. But, as I prayed these scriptures over the election I found myself seeing a different picture. A picture of the priests of God (in Christ, we are believer-priests) walking to the door and seeing the plight of the world around them. The condition of their fellow man, and returning to the altar weeping in their prayers for His redemption. Those days of prayer and that election marked me in immeasurable ways. I like to tell people I’m the grace girl. I sincerely do not believe there is any circumstance, any person, beyond the redemption of God. His arm is not too short… But, sometimes my faith to believe is woefully limited. Limited by what I can see, taste, touch, feel and smell. Seriously… Don’t tell me I’m the only one. Recently I attended a large church who has security teams in place to help keep both the congregants and the staff at the church safe. In the world we live in, this is not an unreasonable position. During the service the leaders make time for the congregants to interact with and greet one another before the weekly message begins. A young man was going around and greeting people, speaking to them. He must have been loud or disturbing to some because a few minutes later the security team came in and took him out. He did not return to the service. Now, I do not know the exact circumstances of what took place, but when the church is an unwelcoming place for people then it becomes a problem. Rather than shut people out - we should create places for them to connect that facilitate the safety of others but also take into consideration the needs of the individual who may be seen as “unacceptable.” The church cannot be a police state - if it becomes such we will look more like the pharisees than Jesus in every way. I’ve worked on staff in churches, and written position papers on marriage as well as run background checks on folks who desired to serve in ministry. I’ve had to report sex offenders and watched pastors lovingly and discerningly develop ministry plans that allowed the offenders to attend church while caring for those around them and creating safe parameters to allow for interaction. When I think of the way the rebellious around me make me grieve these days. It’s not the world - the ones outside God’s house and family - that bring me to tears but those who have seemingly forgotten who we are and Who we represent to the lost and dying world around us. Father God, as I read today, my heart grieves at a church that protests sinners rather than loving them, that exiles the unlovely and the broken rather than embraces them and I grieve that after all these years of knowing you - at times - even my heart still does not look like yours. Change our hearts God, make us crave the breakthrough of your revelation and truth in our hearts and minds like air to breathe, give me more faith in your Spirit’s ability to transform sinners into saints, than in the human spirit’s ability to wreak havoc and devise evil. Make my heart like yours. I desire your words like the air I breathe and I desire to obey you more than anything else in my life. Bring me to your heart by your Word, O God. And bring the world to yourself as you do. IN Jesus’ Name, Amen. Closing Remarks That's all the time that I have for today! Thank you for tuning in with us. I want to ask you if this podcast has been a blessing to you: would you subscribe to it and share it with your friends and family? We’d love to partner with you in sharing messages that encourage and inspire. As you may know, our Redeemed Rebel Podcast aired its last show for this season yesterday. While Michele will still be popping in from time to time as a guest host on this show or showing up as a guest on our other shows -- she will not be regularly featured through the Redeemed Rebel Podcast for the foreseeable future. Be sure to catch her last episode and connect with her this week at facebook.com/redeemedrebelunveiled. If you’d like to be a guest on this show or get more information about hosting your own podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network - please reach out to michelle.bentham@bloominginspirednetwork.com. I’d love the opportunity to connect with you and figure out how we can share your voice with the world around us. BIBLE STUDY SEASON IS UPON US! Since I’ve been off social media the last few weeks I’ve failed to get the word out… BUT, events are going up this week and we’ll begin in person (Granbury, TX) and on Facebook Live THIS SATURDAY, September 21st at 10:00 am. That’s right - we’re going to be starting our show a little earlier in the morning, but we’ll be bringing you an hour of Bible study each week as we read through THE GOSPELS - Verse By Verse. This season our study will be the 24 chapters of the book of Luke. You can learn more by visiting facebook.com/bloominginspired and checking out the events or by visiting bloominginspirednetwork.com If you’d like to get this podcast delivered to your smart device, we're available on Apple and on Google Podcasts. We are also available on the Podcoin App. By The Way, Podcoin is a great app! They pay you “podcoins” for listening to any podcast that's listed on their app. All of the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network’s podcasts are listed there. We’re working on keeping our shows as “Bonus Shows” on the app. That means if you download the app and create your account with our referral code, “Blooming” you’ll get 300 “podcoins” just for signing up, AND when we’re a bonus app you get extra podcoins just for listening!! You can use your podcoins to buy gift cards or make donations to charitable organizations. That’s a WIN-WIN, don’t you think? So if you're interested in subscribing Podcoin is a great way to get our podcast and you get the extra benefit of earning gifts while you're listening. Would you partner with us? We would love for you to share about our podcast on social media -- share it with your friends your family -- the people within your influence let them know what we're doing at Blooming Inspired Network! Tune In Wednesdays! Accidental Hope Podcast airs on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. central time. Each week Jennifer Eikenhorst brings hope-filled messages and interviews related to overcoming accidents and traumas we face in life. You don’t want to miss her final of a three part interview series with Tina Boyd as they talk about how Faith Moves You Forward this week! And now, I want to remind you as I always do: Blooming where you're planted is the first step to living your wildest dreams, so live your lives blooming alive! Thank you for listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. This show airs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 am central time. Please take a moment to like, share and subscribe to this podcast. To learn more about this podcast and it’s network, or the ministries of Blooming Inspired Network please visit BloomingInspiredNetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page.

Linda Evans Shepherd is an author of over 30 books.  She is President of Right to the Heart ministries and CEO of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).  Her books have sold over a quarter-of-a-million copies and often achieve the number one position on Amazon. Linda is an internationally recognized speaker and the publisher of Leading Hearts Magazine, and AriseDaily, a daily e-devotional written by the members of AWSA. Many times the people who we regard as leaders and seem to have it all 'together' are actually going through intense pain.  The difference is how we handle these setbacks.  Linda is no exception.     Listen to her heart-wrenching story about her baby girl who was in a near-fatal car crash and how that event changed her life.  Out of that experience, Linda found true joy.    

After Janet graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in journalism, she married her high school sweetheart Craig and worked as a newspaper reporter and editor.  They eventually settled down in the Sierra Valley in northern California, where Craig is a rancher and where there is not a single stoplight in the entire county. In their town of 700+ folks, she says they have raised four pretty good children – all done with college and married – and are now enjoying the grandkids, all of whom are perfect. Visit the Family Gallery As a busy writer, speaker, prayer coordinator at her church, and board member of The Sierra Schools Foundation, Janet says the only pastime she has time for is friends!  And she looks forward to knowing you better! Find her on Facebook or her Looking Up! blog. Advanced Writers and Speakers Member of the Year Mt Hermon Writers Conference Writer of the Year   Email: janetmchenry@live.com Website: http://janetmchenry.com/lookingup/books-by-author-janet-holm-mchenry/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/janet.mchenry.9 Twitter:https://twitter.com/lookingupfirst

About the Author: For over twenty yeas, Pamela Christian, has been helping people in matters of faith. Her training and experience includes certification in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, teaching Bible study for Community Bible Study and speaking at re- treats and conferences coast to coast..As a radio and television broadcaster, author, speaker and teacher, Pam passionately wants people to confidently discover and live in life-giving truth. Pam is a member of the International Society of Women in Apologetics, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and Christian Women in Media. She and her husband live in Orange County, CA with their two children and their spouses living nearby. www.pamelachristianministries.com  

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers' Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall. DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association; International Thriller Writers, and the Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of Romance Writers of America. She is co-director of The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She's an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.  

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall. DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association; International Thriller Writers, and the Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of Romance Writers of America. She is co-director of The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.  

Find your voice, live your story…is the foundation of Edie Melson's message, no matter if she's addressing parents, military families, readers of fiction or writers. As an author, blogger, and speaker she's encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. She's penned numerous books, including While My Child is Away a book of prayers for when we're apart. As a leading professional within the publishing industry, she travels to numerous conferences as a popular keynote, writing instructor and mentor. Her top-ranked blog for writers, The Write Conversation, reaches thousands each month, and she's the Director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. In addition, as a respected expert in social media, Edie has the proven expertise to teach others how to plug in without sacrificing valuable writing time. Her bestselling eBook on this subject, has recently been updated, expanded and re-released as Connections: Social Media & NetworkingTechniques for Writers. She's the Director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, the Social Media Director for Southern Writers Magazine, and the Social Media Mentor for My Book Therapy. She's a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, regular columnist for Guideposts.org, Just18Summers.com, and PuttingOnTheNew.com. She and her husband, Kirk, have been married 35 years and raised three sons. They live in the Upstate of South Caroline. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

Find your voice, live your story…is the foundation of Edie Melson’s message, no matter if she’s addressing parents, military families, readers of fiction or writers. As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. She’s penned numerous books, including While My Child is Away a book of prayers for when we’re apart. As a leading professional within the publishing industry, she travels to numerous conferences as a popular keynote, writing instructor and mentor. Her top-ranked blog for writers, The Write Conversation, reaches thousands each month, and she’s the Director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. In addition, as a respected expert in social media, Edie has the proven expertise to teach others how to plug in without sacrificing valuable writing time. Her bestselling eBook on this subject, has recently been updated, expanded and re-released as Connections: Social Media & NetworkingTechniques for Writers. She’s the Director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, the Social Media Director for Southern Writers Magazine, and the Social Media Mentor for My Book Therapy. She’s a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, regular columnist for Guideposts.org, Just18Summers.com, and PuttingOnTheNew.com. She and her husband, Kirk, have been married 35 years and raised three sons. They live in the Upstate of South Caroline. Connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

Kathy Collard Miller is an author, counselor and international speaker.  Her books include Never Ever Be the Same:  A New You Starts Today.   Kathy shares her story of how she came to grips with her anger and changed her life.  She had been an abusive mother to her little girl and hid it from her husband.  She hated her life and couldn't grasp the strength to control herself.   When she determined the underlying causes of her anger, her relationship with her family was restored.  She shares that journey from pain to triumph in this interview and her books. Kathy's speaking engagements have taken her to eight foreign countries and over 31 states.  She has appeared on many TV shows and is a co-founder of AWSA, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Every mother needs to hear her story.  Every woman can relate in some way to Kathy. You will thoroughly enjoy her interview  

During this hour with Marnie and special guest, Lori Hynson, you'll discover: The value and components of a Speaker Toolkit How to establish goals for your message. How to Woo your audience.  The role of humor in taking a talk from good to great. Ground rules for non-comedians. The four key types of humor to use. Your Humor Toolbox nuts and bolts. Lori will also address a frequent concern: "Does God like funny?" Lori Hynson is an accomplished speaker and performer, and the award-winning author of SuperGal vs. GOD. She is the owner of independent publishing company, Broken Shoe Press, and a member of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Learn more at http://www.TheSuperGalSyndrome.com Marnie Swedberg is the online mentor to over 14,000 leaders from 30 countries, a syndicated radio talk show host, the author of 13 "how-to" books, plus she personally oversees two businesses in the retail and restaurant industries. She consistently shares practical, doable success strategies to shorten your learning curve, increase your productivity, and skyrocket your delight in life. When you think you're too  B.U.S.Y. - Marnie helps you re-frame and re-set with  Best Unique Strategies for You. Learn more at www.Marnie.com.

Edie Melson is a leading professional in the writing industry. She's a sought-after writing instructor, and her heart to help others define and reach their dreams has connected her with writers all over the country. She's the co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, as well as a popular faculty member at numerous others. Edie is a prolific writer, publishing thousands of articles over the years, and has a popular writing blog, The Write Conversation. She is the Senior Editor for Novel Rocket and the Social Media Mentor for My Book Therapy, as well as the Social Media Director for Southern Writers Magazine. In keeping up with the leading edge of all things digital, Edie has become known as one of the go-to experts on Twitter, Facebook, and all forms of social media for writers wanting to learn how to plug in. Her bestselling eBook on this subject has recently been updated, expanded, and re-released as Connections: Social Media and Networking Techniques for Writers. Fighting Fear, Winning the War at Home When Your Soldier Leaves for Battle, is Edie's heart project. This devotional book for those with family members in the military debuted on Veterans Day, 2011. She's also the Military Family Blogger at While They Serve on www.Guideposts.org. Edie is a member of numerous civic and professional organizations, including Blue Star Mothers, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, The Christian Pen, and American Christian Fiction Writers. Connect with her through Twitter or Facebook.

Edie Melson is a leading professional in the writing industry. She’s a sought-after writing instructor, and her heart to help others define and reach their dreams has connected her with writers all over the country. She’s the co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, as well as a popular faculty member at numerous others. Edie is a prolific writer, publishing thousands of articles over the years, and has a popular writing blog, The Write Conversation. She is the Senior Editor for Novel Rocket and the Social Media Mentor for My Book Therapy, as well as the Social Media Director for Southern Writers Magazine. In keeping up with the leading edge of all things digital, Edie has become known as one of the go-to experts on Twitter, Facebook, and all forms of social media for writers wanting to learn how to plug in. Her bestselling eBook on this subject has recently been updated, expanded, and re-released as Connections: Social Media and Networking Techniques for Writers. Fighting Fear, Winning the War at Home When Your Soldier Leaves for Battle, is Edie’s heart project. This devotional book for those with family members in the military debuted on Veterans Day, 2011. She's also the Military Family Blogger at While They Serve on www.Guideposts.org. Edie is a member of numerous civic and professional organizations, including Blue Star Mothers, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, The Christian Pen, and American Christian Fiction Writers. Connect with her through Twitter or Facebook.

Edie Melson is a leading professional in the writing industry. She's a sought-after writing instructor, and her heart to help others define and reach their dreams has connected her with writers all over the country. She's the co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, as well as a popular faculty member at numerous others. Edie is a prolific writer, publishing thousands of articles over the years, and has a popular writing blog, The Write Conversation. She is the Senior Editor for Novel Rocket and the Social Media Mentor for My Book Therapy, as well as the Social Media Director for Southern Writers Magazine. In keeping up with the leading edge of all things digital, Edie has become known as one of the go-to experts on Twitter, Facebook, and all forms of social media for writers wanting to learn how to plug in. Her bestselling eBook on this subject has recently been updated, expanded, and re-released as Connections: Social Media and Networking Techniques for Writers. Fighting Fear, Winning the War at Home When Your Soldier Leaves for Battle, is Edie's heart project. This devotional book for those with family members in the military debuted on Veterans Day, 2011. She's also the Military Family Blogger at While They Serve on www.Guideposts.org. Edie is a member of numerous civic and professional organizations, including Blue Star Mothers, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, The Christian Pen, and American Christian Fiction Writers. Connect with her through Twitter or Facebook. If you know someone who would be a great guest on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! contact Scott@christiandevotions.us.

Edie Melson is a leading professional in the writing industry. She’s a sought-after writing instructor, and her heart to help others define and reach their dreams has connected her with writers all over the country. She’s the co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, as well as a popular faculty member at numerous others. Edie is a prolific writer, publishing thousands of articles over the years, and has a popular writing blog, The Write Conversation. She is the Senior Editor for Novel Rocket and the Social Media Mentor for My Book Therapy, as well as the Social Media Director for Southern Writers Magazine. In keeping up with the leading edge of all things digital, Edie has become known as one of the go-to experts on Twitter, Facebook, and all forms of social media for writers wanting to learn how to plug in. Her bestselling eBook on this subject has recently been updated, expanded, and re-released as Connections: Social Media and Networking Techniques for Writers. Fighting Fear, Winning the War at Home When Your Soldier Leaves for Battle, is Edie’s heart project. This devotional book for those with family members in the military debuted on Veterans Day, 2011. She's also the Military Family Blogger at While They Serve on www.Guideposts.org. Edie is a member of numerous civic and professional organizations, including Blue Star Mothers, the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, The Christian Pen, and American Christian Fiction Writers. Connect with her through Twitter or Facebook. If you know someone who would be a great guest on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! contact Scott@christiandevotions.us.

Margot, a graduate of Westmont College and Princeton Seminary, is passionate about communicating to individuals, in print and in speech, the promise that God, in Jesus Christ, is with them and for them. She is the author of The Girl in the Orange Dress: Searching For a Father Who Does Not Fail, Unsqueezed: Springing Free From Skinny Jeans, Nose Jobs, Highlights & Stilettos and the forthcoming Small Things With Great Love: Adventures in Loving Your Neighbor. (2012) Margot’s first book, The Girl in the Orange Dress was awarded the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association’s best nonfiction book of the year for 2011. Margot is represented by WordServe Literary and is a member of Redbud Writer’s Guild.

Margot, a graduate of Westmont College and Princeton Seminary, is passionate about communicating to individuals, in print and in speech, the promise that God, in Jesus Christ, is with them and for them. She is the author of The Girl in the Orange Dress: Searching For a Father Who Does Not Fail, Unsqueezed: Springing Free From Skinny Jeans, Nose Jobs, Highlights & Stilettos and the forthcoming Small Things With Great Love: Adventures in Loving Your Neighbor. (2012) Margot’s first book, The Girl in the Orange Dress was awarded the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association’s best nonfiction book of the year for 2011. Margot is represented by WordServe Literary and is a member of Redbud Writer’s Guild.