Tag Archives: grace

Be Encouraged & Endure

Be Encouraged & Endure
Over the past two weeks several friends that I hold dear have lost loved ones to the coronavirus. My heart goes out to Helena, Robert, Pam, Gwen and Teresa. And also to other friends whose relatives are fighting to recover or to live.

While I pray for them and the millions who are suffering in some way due to this virus, I also pray for those of us whose impact has thus far been limited to having to shelter in place and sacrifice our norm. For let’s be real: This right here isn’t normal.

There’s the surrealness of it all. In may ways, it feels like we’re living out a sci-fi movie.

There’s the surrender required during it all. This is when the best place to be is at the center of the storm, wrapped in the Almighty’s embrace, due to what we can’t control.

And certainly, there’s the shifting of it all. Those of us who survive will come out of this indefinite period of disruption changed, no matter what.

If we’re intentional, perhaps this era will leave us wiser, more gracious, more authentically ourselves and more focused, connected and settled – ready to live our purpose or lean into discovering the next phase of our life’s unique calling. And many will be like my friends – forever touched by the losses this difficult season has wrought, fighting to forge ahead.

Wherever you land on this spectrum, be gentle with yourself, yet determined not to let this time of shutdown be a blur.

This doesn’t mean you must write that book, build a new business or “boss up” in some other way, although if you’re up to it, you can. What this season does offer is a chance to do the deep work to polish the gem your life already is.

Be courageous and love more deeply – yourself first, so you can truly love your neighbor.Look within and be real about the state of your soul. If you’re good, remain steady and firm and pour out from that full well. If you’re shaky, use this time to brutally self-examine, forgive yourself and others, and do whatever else it takes to transform into a person you’re proud of and gracious toward. We all have room to grow.

Challenge yourself to avoid self-numbing to the point of missing the lessons you’re meant to learn or the blessing you’re meant to be to others.
Be okay with everything not being okay. And even so, still find a way to live, love and laugh your way through as much of this as you can.

That’s what the doctor’s and nurses on the front lines are doing with the dances and songs they’re flooding social media with, between their calls to loved ones of dying patients.That’s what so-called “ordinary” people around this nation and globe are doing as they find time to help a neighbor or stranger, or celebrate someone’s birthday while social distancing or make an extra phone call to say hello, or share a meal or buy someone’s groceries. That’s what every essential worker is doing every time he or she leaves home to do a job that could be putting him or her at risk; and every teleworker who is pouring into others online, via email and on calls, keeping systems in place and processes moving forward.

I heard on the news (which I watch sparingly) today that social distancing and sheltering in place is slowly but surely making an impact. Certainly, we’re not out of harm’s way. There are more waves of valley moments seemingly ahead. But what this proves is that the one thing we CAN control during this time is our choices.

Choose to continue being a ripple in the proverbial ocean. Your sacrifices and prayers, virtual hugs and words of encouragement, dollars and donations, and other acts of kindness, are making a difference.
For those who are grieving, we grieve with you.For those who have something to celebrate (birthdays, anniversaries, new babies, end of cancer treatments) we celebrate with you.For those who are struggling, we see you and are helping however we can. If you feel unseen or unheard, don’t go it alone. Reach out to a friend or relative or even a stranger; for right now, we’re all family.

For those who took time to read all of this, please receive my virtual hug and smile. Know that I am praying for you, and for our world.

Also hug yourself and think about things that make you smile. Cry if you must; curse if that helps. Then, rise up and resolve to push through. Let your faith edge out the fear, and conquer the battle for your mind and your sense of hope.

Embrace this sober wisdom that my late mother shared with me in our last conversation in 2005: “Sometimes you have to lose to gain.”
We don’t know when, we don’t know how, but If we’ll endure through this night, morning will come, beauty will replace ashes, and hope and healthiness will reign through the land once again.

~ Stacy Hawkins Adams©

Author: Stacy Hawkins Adams
Through her fiction and nonfiction, author, journalist and writing coach Stacy Hawkins Adams inspires readers (and budding writers) to find meaning in their own stories, grow from life’s lessons and thrive. Like this post? Please leave a comment, then share it with others. Also visit Stacy at StacyHawkinsAdams.com to sign up for her newsletter, and friend/follow her on Instagram @StacyInspires, Twitter @StacyInspires and Facebook @StacyInspires. Learn more about her coaching services at AuthorInYou.com. View all posts by Stacy Hawkins Adams

AuthorStacy Hawkins Adams
Posted on9 Apr 2020

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Saved By Grace by Natasha C. Pointer

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Genre: Poetry/ Christian/Autobiography

Book Title: Saved By Grace

Author: Natasha C. Pointer

ISBN-10: 1937129446

ISBN-13: 978-1937129446

About the Book

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Saved By Grace is an Autobiography told thru poetry about her life, the hardships she faced, but most importantly how she overcame it all through prayer, faith, and steadfastness.

Poetry to touch the lives of others, to inspire someone, to encourage, and to bring joy in someone’s life. This book is filled with great hope for those facing life’s most challenging moments. As a storyteller, Natasha shares where she found her greatest strengths through prayer, faith and her steadfastness.

About The Author

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Author | Motivational Speaker | Entrepreneur

Born and raised in Fort Myers, FL, Natasha C. Pointer, shares her stories of faith and encouragement through poetry. She serves in ministry at Destiny Life Ministries. Saved by Grace is her first published work and is currently working on her next book Expressions. She is the owner/founder of Mysteri Message-In-A-Bottle.

Excerpt

 

 

Blessed

From the day you were born,

you were a blessing.

You were a comfort and

inspiration to those around you.

 

You suffered enormous tragedies

and faced many challenges.

You suffered a great deal

and life as you saw it was over.

 

Each day seemed like an eternity—

every moment seemed everlasting.

You went in with your eyes closed,

but came out with them wide open.

 

You fell to your knees and asked,

why, why me?

Not realizing that your trials

would prepare you for your future.

Not knowing you were a blessed child

and you were called for a purpose.

 

Many obstacles came your way

and the enemy tried to bring you down.

He never wanted you to succeed,

let alone see the light of day.

 

Your cries reached up to God.

He said, You are my child.

No matter where you go,

I will be with you.

 

You are blessed.

Blessed you shall be,

and blessed you shall continue to be;

not only to yourself, but to others.

 

Contact Links

Website: http://authornatashapoint.wix.com/kingdombusiness

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/pointernatasha/

Purchase Link

Amazon: http://amzn.com/1937129446

 

Tour hosted by WNL www.wnlbooktours.com

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Romance Eternelle Virtual Book Tour

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About the Book
A young woman in France finds her heart broken and seeks solace from her sister. Reluctantly seeking help from a monk, she has an unusual dining experience. He discloses a tale that feels like a veil being lifted from her eyes. Involving a prostitute and a priest, this story captivates and entices the young lady. The otherworldly descriptions of grace and the Holy Spirit prove to be her undoing, challenging what she thought she already knew. Her intimacy lost proves to be a doorway to that which often people can only dream.

Rarely is there a book that inspires one to the Divine that doesn’t involve work and discipline of some sort. As an unusual Christian romance novel, this story opens the reader to a mode of following God that seems almost too good and too easy to be true. As this allegory unfolds, a mystical reality birthed in earliest Christianity is illuminated, drawing attention to the origin of true love, grace and the promised freedom we all desire. Monks and nuns, the Catholic church and even Protestants have at times attested to such ecstasy. Freedom and joy is often elusive though, as struggle, work and sin seem to be unnecessarily common amongst many of us. The world often sees only hypocrisy. The ache for real freedom and fulfillment has never been more apparent.

Fegins’ Comment
This short and odd novel is intriguing, tender and engaging. The intriguing story within this love story is powerful when one realizes that it really is demonstrating the unconditional love God has for the broken hearted, the fallen and those that society rejects. I enjoyed it .

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About the Author
Lawrence Miquelon is actually first and foremost a registered nurse. He has a wife and grown children, and has been working in the Intensive Care Unit with children for about twenty years. He grew up in the presence of a number of ministries, and continues to participate in missions together with his family and friends. He was raised in Southern California and enjoys nature and long distance barefoot running. Having been raised his entire life in the church, he saw the shortcomings in his life and others that are all too common. Something personal, deeply spiritual and simple happened in himself and his family. He felt compelled to write a book that illustrates a level of intimate spirituality that seems almost too good to be true and is occurring to ordinary people today. He explains, “It’s as though I have stumbled upon a hidden treasure of which only a small percentage of believers are aware. The book I’ve written is a portal into that treasure.”

Purchase the Book Online at:
Amazon.com
BarnesandNoble.com

Book Trailer:
http://youtu.be/Aly2ZcaWgss
Visit the author online at:

http://www.romanceternelle.com

View the blog tour schedule at:

http://tywebbinvirtualevents.com/0BTrq

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Aleysha’s Inspirational Cafe Blog Tour: With Style and Amazing Grace

About the Author

Aleysha Proctor is an award-winning Entrepreneur, award-winning Author, and certified Image Consultant (having studied with Color Me Beautiful, Inc., Beauty for All Seasons and Brenda York Image Management). She also has a BS degree in Management & Leadership, an MBA in Marketing from Hamilton University, and is a certified Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF). Aleysha is a member of the Fashion Group International (FGI), where she served as the president of the Foundation, which awarded scholarships to area students majoring in fashion related fields. She’s also a member of the National Black MBA Association, Inc. (NBMBAA).

Aleysha has authored three inspirational books: With Style & Amazing Grace (2007), He’s the Keeper of My Soul (2008), and Jazz, Java & Jesus (2010). Inc. In 2008, she won Aspicomm Media’s Best Spiritual/Inspirational Book award for her first title, “With Style & Amazing Grace”.

A member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Maryland (FBCG), Aleysha’s passion in life is helping others to live their best lives now by realizing and utilizing their potential. Visit the Aleysha online at http://www.aleyshaproctor.com/

Interview

What inspires you to write poetry? devotionals? What advice or tips would you give to those who write christian inspiration or non -fiction?

I’m inspired to help encourage others because I know it’s what God has called me to do. Anyone can tell you how bad things are, but it’s my calling to tell you that God is still able!!

My advice to those who write is to just keep writing. Even when you’re going through dark periods in life, keep writing and if you don’t encourage anyone, at least you’ve encouraged yourself and will continue to develop your spiritual muscles.

About the Book

With Style & Amazing Grace

Do not let your adornment be merely outward arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel 4 rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:3-4 (New King James Version) Embrace a more balanced lifestyle. One with style, grace, rest and purpose. It’s the kind of life that God blesses, and in turn, you’re able to bless others.

Book Review

Aleysha R. Proctor‘s Jazz, Java and Jesus was a joy to read. That devotional, like its name, has a fresh style but is full of the Word and divine wisdom without being preachy or super-analytical. I paraphrased portions of her daily devotionals on my facebook page. Aleysha believes that God has given her a mandate to encourage people in all aspects of their lives. Therefore I could not wait to read another one of her devotionals. In With Style & Amazing Grace she tells us how to adorn the “inner you “with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit based on 1Peter 3:3-4.  This devotional uniquely shows us how to embrace a lifestyle of not just outer beauty ,but an inner beauty that radiates style, grace, rest and purpose that will shine forth to bless others.
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For More Information

Visit the author online at http://www.aleyshaproctor.com/

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Rhythm of Secrets Blog Tour January 17-21, 2011

About the Author

Patti Lacy graduated from Baylor University in 1977 with a BS in education. She taught at Heartland Community College in Normal, Illinois, until she retired in 2006 to pursue writing full time. She and her husband, Alan, have two grown children. Visit Patti’s Web site at www.pattilacy.com

About the Book

Sheila Franklin has lived three separate lives. Now a conservative pastor’s wife in Chicago, she is skilled at hiding secrets—a talent birthed during childhood romps through the music-filled streets of New Orleans. But when the son she bore at the age of eighteen comes back looking for answers and desperate for help, her greatest secret—and greatest regret—is revealed.

Eager to right past wrongs, Sheila’s heart floods with memories of lyrical jazz music and a worn-out Bible. But when her husband learns of her shady history, Sheila is suddenly faced with an impossible decision: embrace the dream—and son—she abandoned against her will or give in to the demands of her safe but stifled life. As she struggles to reclaim both her son and her identity, Sheila soon realizes that God’s grace spans both seas and secrets and that He is all she really needs. With dynamic writing that makes the reader feel the heartache of a teenage mother, struggle with the disillusionment of an abandoned boy, and revel in the idea of grace despite flaws, rising star Patti Lacy takes her fans on a journey they won’t want to end—and won’t soon forget.

Book Review  by Linda Fegins

The Rhythm of Secrets is a moving story about  a  young girl  growing up in  the jazz filled life  of New Orleans  discovering  secrets about her family,  and experiencing  loss, heartbreak  and bigotry which leads her to artfully  masks  her secrets.  It is a stirring  story of  God’s grace,  discovering the true love of God, endurance and  overcoming a past of shame and loss. Patti Lacy’s, colorful  yet real  life characters, and the elegance of her  language  and the rhythm of the words captivated me . I kept turning the pages to discover where this young girl, now woman who was stripped of her original name and given two other names, next journey will  lead her.  It lead her to faith, love and spiritual freedom.

 

For More Information

View the blog tour schedule at http://bit.ly/TheRhythmofSecrets

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