Tag Archives: authors

The Proof is in Remembering

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Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To by Anthony DeStefano.

It’s a new book I’m reading and for the next ten days I will write a brief excerpt from each chapter, beginning today with the Introduction…or at least comment that upon looking back over my life, I can see where each of these ten prayers has been answered for me. The proof is in remembering.

Here is an excerpt from the author’s Introduction:

How would you like to have incredible, unshakable faith–the kind that could withstand any crisis and any amount of suffering? How would you like to have as much courage and strength as the bravest war hero? the wisdom to solve all the problems you’ll ever face in life? How would you like to have peace–the kind of deep, inner tranquility that can carry you safely and smoothly through all of life’s problems? to experience the most passionate feelings of love, intimacy, and connectedness–no matter how alone you may feel right now? How would you like to know your destiny–a unique destiny God has chosen for you from the beginning of time, a destiny so grand in scope and heroic in proportions that it dwarfs all your dreams–a destiny you can still have no matter what your age, job, or position in life? All these things can be yours, and all you have to do is ask.

Tomorrow: I Wish I Could Believe…God Show Me That You Exist

“When You Remember Me”

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This man, Frederick Buechner, writes some insightful messages. I love them. And so do the people who read yesterday’s quote about carrying our loved ones in our hearts, minds and stomachs. Two bloggers sent me hugs! Thank you SO much! Today I am posting a quote and giving Buechner’s direct link so whoever is so inclined, may help themselves to his writings.

“When you remember me, it means you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are. It means that you can summon me back to your mind even though countless years and miles may stand between us. It means that if we meet again, you will know me. It means that even after I die, you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart.”

― Frederick Buechner

How encouraging are these words; how poignant the message.

Our World Within

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I have discovered Frederick Buechner, author of Telling the Truth and many other inspiring books. Today I want to share one of my favorite quotes of his:

You can kiss your family and friends goodbye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.

This has profound meaning for me as some of my family live in other parts of the world. After every visit, when we kiss goodbye, they are still with me; in my heart, my mind, my stomach, because they are a large part of my world.

Those we love will always be a part of us no matter where they are.

 

My Heart is Touched

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As most of you know, I have been busy promoting my newly published book My Precious Life. The sales are steady and a book launch this September 6th at my church, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian, Scarborough, should see a significant increase.

The feedback on the book is most encouraging and today I’d like to share some of those comments with you because they really touched my heart.

This memoir is a must read. I picked it up and read it cover to cover in a single night – I simply could not put it down! The author takes us on a life-long journey that reveals her trials and tribulations of growing up in and around the Greater Toronto Area. From the Great Depression to the 21st Century, we get a fantastic insight into Patricia’s wonderful life experiences. It is full of inspiring stories of making cherished friends, the delights of motherhood, and travelling the world. Mixed in with these anecdotes are some harrowing experiences that challenged the author – such as a difficult separation, working as a single mother, and overcoming her smoking habit. Yet through them all, her faith, family, and friends enabled her to not only persevere, but to thrive. This is a story about enjoying life to the fullest.
The book is very well written and structured, which enables the reader to get engrossed with the content. The chapters are clear and concise, but at the same time it left me wanting to know more. I sincerely hope that Patricia writes a follow up to provide more in-depth details about her Precious Life.  A.B.

I just finished reading your book. It has touched my heart and encouraged me to keep running the race. God uses many tools to help all our trials and your book is one of those for me. You can definitely see his hand in your past. I loved reading your testimony of life. E.R.

I have just finished your wonderful book. I couldn’t put it down!! I admire you for writing it but more than that I was touched, saddened and encouraged by all that your life represents. Your very firm faith shines through each chapter. I know this book will have a positive influence on many readers and will point them to God. Much more is in my heart that words cannot express.  B.D.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Wonderfully uplifting and a ‘makes you feel good’ life story. Thanks for sharing this with us. B.S.

There are more, but this will give you an idea why my heart is touched.

Again, My Precious Life is available in Hardcover, Softcover and Ebook at Amazon.ca, Amazon.com, Amazon.uk, Barnes and Noble, Westbow Press and countless other online and local bookstores.

 

 

 

Not to Worry

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There’s a chapter in my forthcoming book, My Precious Life, on worrying and how not to do it. In 2011, I gave a talk on this topic, to the Women’s Group at my church. Today, while pondering what to write for my next blog, I came across another bit about the worry habit, which didn’t make it into my book or the church talk. (I don’t know how I missed it!)

MORE FOR “NOT TO WORRY”

Here’s a Mother Goose rhyme found in Dale Carnegie’s

How to Stop Worrying and Start Living:

For every ailment under the sun

There is a remedy or there is none

If there be one, try to find it

If there be none, never mind it.

From Dr. Seuss:

I have heard there are troubles

Of more than one kind,

Some come from ahead

And some come from behind

But I’ve bought a big bat,

I’m all ready, you see

Now my troubles are going to have trouble with me.

From The purpose Driven Life pg. 90: (Rick Warren)

When you think about a problem over and over in your mind, that’s called worry. When you think about God’s Word over and over in your mind, that’s meditation. If you know how to worry you already know how to meditate! You just need to switch your attention from your problems to Bible verses. The more you meditate on God’s Word, the less you will have to worry about.

A worried Christian is a contradiction in terms. (In the Hands of God – Wm. Barclay)

Worrying is truly one of our favorite pastimes It takes very little for us to start worrying about things we have never worried about before. (Jeanette & Roy Henderson)

There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will….Epictetus (Taught in 19th century Rome)

A NOTE:   When I gave the talk  in 2011, I mentioned how the hymn, “What a Friend We Have In Jesus” came to me at a stressful time. In May of that year, I read How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie (as noted above). Chapter nineteen told of a woman about to commit suicide, and take her five children with her, when the words of that hymn came to her also, and saved her life.

Like me, she made God a promise (to never again prove ungrateful).

I promised Him I’d never doubt again. Do you think I kept that promise?

Not to worry!