Thursday Thoughts: Kisses

Well I'm sure that title got your attention LOL!

The lyrics "saving all my kisses for you" keep running through my head. Don't ask me why. Couldn't answer if you did. 

Funny how that works.

Anyway, this got me thinking about kisses in general and the way folks express their emotion through them.

There are kisses between friends, family, parents & children, and of course lovers. We even have candy kisses (and hugs!).

Just goes to show how the human touch is vital to our health. In fact medical studies have proven that the human touch goes a long way toward mental, emotional and even physical healing.

In my book, Tempered Joy, Ace (the hero) is sorely tempted to kiss his heroine, Lexie, on more than one occasion. But what impressed me is that this young man felt kisses were "given too lightly and often taken as such" and that he'd like to "share that intimacy with her some time and place where he could be more private about it."

Recently I met a sweet friend for a night of dancing and laughter and during one point in our conversation I made the comment that ladies don't kiss on the first date. 

Left him speechless LOL!

To be honest, I have kissed on the first date before,  but I never realized until recently how much I appreciate those (and Ace's) sentiments.

Now, I don't mind a kiss on the forehead or a brush of lips over my cheek or even mouth, but as a single woman in a world where kisses are given too lightly and taken as such, in fact, almost expected from the get-go, I'm thinking I'll save those really, intimate kisses for someone special.

What are your thoughts on kisses? 

Leave a comment and one lucky winner will receive a pdf of Tempered Joy.

All around rodeo cowboy and heir to the Rockin’ H Ranch, Ace Harris is determined not to fall in love.  He’s only loved one woman in his life, his mother, and no one can even come close to filling her boots. Lexie Morgan thinks rodeo cowboys have rocks for brains and a death wish for a soul.  A broken childhood and the death of her father and best friend leave her doubting and questioning God (despite her years of religious upbringing) and afraid of love. Can two young people who clash from the onset learn to trust in the healing power of God and find love and happiness amidst tragedy and grief?  

Tempered Joy is available on Kindle & Nook.

Tuesday Treasure: Family Matters by Laurinda Wallace

Hello Friends and welcome to another edition of Tuesday Treasure!

Today I welcome Laurinda Wallace with her book, Family Matters.

The peaceful farming community of Deer Creek is nestled in the rolling hills of Wyoming County in Western New York. It’s home to Gracie Andersen, who once again finds herself in a cemetery, laying a family member to rest. Wrestling with unresolved guilt and grief over the loss of her husband and unborn child, Gracie desperately wants to get her life back.

An odd gift from her troubled uncle thrusts her into an investigation of her cousin's tragic death 20 years ago. What really happened that rainy, October night when her cousin was killed by a hit-and-run driver? As pieces of the truth are wrenched from the past, her new business, Milky Way Kennels teeters on the edge of disaster. Her life starts to tailspin, and opposition to the investigation comes from friends and family alike. And then death strikes again.

With Haley, her black Labrador by her side, Gracie doggedly pursues the truth of her cousin Charlotte’s untimely death.

Family Matters is available through Amazon in Print and on Kindle!

Now...a little about Laurinda in her own words....

I've been writing stories since elementary school days and always have a good mystery book nearby. Life just isn't complete without books. There's nothing like a comfy chair, a cup of coffee, and all day to read. I also love my Kindle, which saves on shelf space and feeds my reading habit so conveniently.

Once our two daughters, Megan and Emily were grown, my husband, David and I left our native Western New York for sunnier skies and warmer weather in southeast Arizona. The high desert with its beautiful mountain views, awe-inspiring night skies, and independent spirit brought back the old desire to write. Since 2005, I've been writing for various magazines and websites on a variety of topics. With the creative juices flowing and encouragement from family and friends, books soon appeared.

In the 2012, my debut novel, The Time Under Heaven was published, along with a devotional book calledGardens of the Heart. The first book in the Gracie Andersen mystery series, Family Matters was published in 2013. My blog, SimplyLife is a popular stop for many of my readers from around the world. You'll find everything from inspirational thoughts, local history, humor, or simply life.

When I'm not at my day job in administration or writing at home, the gardens around Casa Wallace and hiking in the Huachuca Mountains keep me busy. Many times what's happening in my flower gardens or those spectacular views in the mountains inspire devotionals and new stories. While life is full of unexpected twists and turns, my foundation will always be the One who created the roses in my garden and the mountains I love to hike. He is my source for everything. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

Well friends, hope you enjoyed this Tuesday Treasure. Check back weekly for more Thursday Thoughts, Saturday Spotlights and Tuesday Treasures!

Until next time...take care & be blessed!

PamT

Saturday Spotlight: Becoming the Bride of Christ by Ms Marilyn Dawson

Good Morning and Welcome to today's Saturday Spotlight!

"Becoming the Bride of Christ: A Personal Journey" chronicles Marilynn's personal journey as she learns to live with God as unseen Husband and Father in the home. It's about learning to appropriate many Scriptural concepts that have been overly spiritualized, and bringing them down to where life is lived every day.

One of Marilynn's goals is to share a story that men as well as women can read and glean from. Too often presentations on the Bride of Christ have been geared toward women when Scripture says the Church, who is referred to as the Bride of Christ, is made up of men and women. She writes from a women's perspective, but desires that men will be able to gather helpful insight, not just women. After all, everyone is called to live out the commands of Christ in everyday life. 

This comprehensive journey through Scripture/Bible study is comprised of 7 volumes all of which can be found on Amazon.

EXCERPT: Thorns

1 Corinthians 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Ephesians 5:28-29  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.  29For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

I heard the DJ on "Sharing Life Together" talk about thorns one evening.  She was saying how thorns actually have some beneficial and much-needed uses to the plants on which they are found.  This thought came back to mind when I had a brief daydream about singing in a trio with others.  In this dream someone said I looked like a rose between two thorns.  My thoughts returned to the uses of the thorn.  The application is actually quite comforting from both sides of the coin.

The most obvious place North Americans see thorns is on rose bushes, bramble bushes, holly bushes, etc.  On these plants,  particularly that of the rose, we see something that is very Biblically masculine about these thorns.  They protect the tender stalk of the rose stem and its branches.  Without the thorn,  the tender stems, rose hips and buds would be destroyed by predators out to get the nutrition contained in the plant before it's time.  It was God's design from the beginning that man would protect woman. . . protect her tender nature and her nurture from those who would seek to pluck her before her time, from those who would destroy her.

Proverbs 24:27  Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

Proverbs 13:4  The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

1 Timothy 5:8  But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Another use for the thorn is most often seen on cactus-type plants.  Here the thorn, in addition to protecting the tender stalk, also catches moisture and directs it to the stalk of the plant where it can run down to the roots and provide nourishment to the plant.  In much the same way, God's plan for man was that he provide for his family.  This provision was to come spiritually as well as practically and emotionally.

So I find it interesting that what people often joke about when a woman stands between two men is perhaps more true than they realize.  Men were created to defend, to fight for, to provide for the tender hearts and lives of those in their care.  This was how men were wired and to take away this ability and need to protect and provide is to eat away at the masculinity God built into the male gender.  Every woman, even the most feminist among us will have to admit that way down deep, they do long to matter to a guy such that he will protect and provide for her.

When seen in this light, thorns are no longer seen as a painful source of irritation to be stripped away, but are instead seen as a beautiful illustration of the protective, caring, supportive, providing role of the husband and father in the home.  The only people who need fear such an illustration are those who would seek to do harm.  They should rightly expect that the husband and father has kept his sword sharpened in the Word so that he is able to fend off harmful attackers and cause them enough due discomfort to dissuade the thought of future attacks on his loved ones.

I don't know about you, but I may never look at another thorn the same way again.  And the next time someone calls my male reader a thorn, take it as a compliment that you are protecting and providing for your wife and children.  May your sword remain sharp and may you continue to stand in that place of provision, guiding the blessings God sends your way down to the roots of your household, so they flourish under your watchful loving eye and hand.

Marilynn grew up in a solid Christian home, coming to Christ at the age of 7.  She has been actively involved in Church life since age 10, including activities such as joining her Mom and sister in singing special numbers, choir, teaching Sunday School, leading Sunday School open session, planning Sunday School lessons, and more.  Marilynn attended both public and Christian private schools growing up.  She attended North Island Community College on Vancouver Island and Trend College in Kelowna, BC, obtaining certificates in receptionist work and CompTIA A+ computer repair.

Throughout her life, Marilynn has written poetry and published a few of them in the American Poetry Anthology(two issues).  She's also written numerous unpublished articles on end-time eschatology and the news, written unpublished short stories, word studies and more.

For more information about "Becoming the Bride of Christ:  A Personal Journey", please visit  https://www.facebook.com/Marilynn.Dawson.Author  or contact Marilynn Dawson at 1-250-869-8429 or send an email to author@fa-ct.com.


Sounds like an awesome collection of books!

Stay tuned for more Saturday Spotlights, Tuesday Treasures and Thursday Thoughts.

Until next time...take care & be Blessed!

PamT

Tuesday Treasure: Angels

Good Morning Friends!

Still in Arizona and it has been a lovely trip! Saturday we went to Sedona and I'll be posting pics and info about that later. Today I want to discuss with you something I treasure and that is Angels.

I've been learning more and more about angels by reading books by Doreen Virtue and Sonia Choquette.

Two I've read (or am reading) lately are: Mary Queen of Angels by Doreen and Ask Your Guides by Sonia.

Raised Catholic, I've always honored Mary but found the more I ventured off into "non denominational" the less I thought about how valuable a relationship with the Blessed Mother is! Doreen's book is really touching something deep in my spirit. Mary Queen of Angels is a beautiful tribute to our Blessed Mother and crosses ALL denominational (and non denominational) lines!

In her book, Ask Your Guides, Sonia also covers angels as well as other spiritual guides. She gives an in depth look at the various spiritual helpers that God has given us.


Now I know many will scoff, judge or ridicule the reading of books such as these and accuse these wonderful spirit filled ladies of taking the attention off of God and Jesus and encouraging folks to worship Mary, Angels and/or Spirit Guides, but let me assure you, this is in no way, shape, or form near the truth. Both of these ladies encourage worship of God and Jesus!

The Bible speaks often about angels and tells us that God has given His angels charge over us. We should acknowledge and honor them as the Divine Help they are.

JMHO!

Something to think about....
"Inspirational with an Edge!" (tm)

Saturday Spotlight - Death's Door by Gail Lukasik

Good Morning from Arizona!

Yep, you read that right, I am in Arizona this weekend. Drove up Thursday night and will be here for a few more days visiting family and friends.

Today I'm spotlighting Five Star author, Gail Lukasik's book, Death's Door (a Five Star Mystery).

A killer is targeting young blond women, leaving their strangled bodies along the desolate Mink River in Door County Wisconsin. The killer ritualistically arranges the bodies to mimic sleep, except for the long blond hair, brushed over their faces, and his deadly calling card—a purple band wound around the victim’s finger—a macabre symbol of love.

Reporter Leigh Girard’s investigation into the murders lures her into a bizarre correspondence with the killer. His letters taunt Leigh with cryptic literary clues that hint at his identity. Leigh races against time to crack the killer’s code, before he kills again.

Prologue

April, Twenty-three years earlier: Des Plaines, IL

Carol Sandinsky stood on the stoop of her apartment building staring at the spot where her daughter was last seen. Smoking a cigarette, she seemed not to notice the chill winds that whipped past her.

“When was the last time you saw Ashley?” the reporter from the Chicago Times asked.

“Like I told the cops, Friday, around seven. I was just getting ready to make dinner. I looked out the window to check on her. She was over there by that tree.” She pointed to a leafless tree near the curb.

“About forty minutes later the boys straggle in. Hungry, you know. I says to them, ‘Where’s Ash?’ But none of them knew.” She pushed back a strand of brown hair from her face. “I just had this strange feeling, and I said to my husband Mitch, ‘Mitch,’ I says, ‘I’m calling the cops.’ ”

“Can you give me a description of Ashley? What was she wearing when she disappeared?” the reporter asked.

“Ashley’s fourteen. She’s five-five and weighs about a hundred and fifteen pounds. She has long blond hair, curly-like, and blue eyes. That day she braided it and tied it off with one of them rubber bands with those glass balls. Purple colored. She likes the purple ones. She was wearing a light blue T-shirt, dark blue jeans and white sneakers.” Her voice had gone flat with the recitation.

“Did anyone else see her after you?”

“My husband, Ash’s daddy. He said he saw her sitting in her uncle’s car out front there by the tree. He told her to come in for dinner.”

“Was there anyone else around at the time? Her uncle, maybe?”

“Bill, that’s her uncle, my brother. He was inside watching a baseball game. No one else was out there.”

“What about your husband? How do he and Ashley get along?”

She crushed the cigarette out with the toe of her sneaker before she answered. “He loves his daughter. That answer your question?”

The reporter shifted from one foot to the other. “What were, are Ashley’s interests, outside of school?”

“Ashley’s real involved with sports—basketball, soccer. She’s also a member of the school choir. And she’s a straight-A student. Make sure you put that in. She’s a real good girl. I want people to know that about her. She’s never any trouble.”

“Sure. I’ll do that. Do you have any ideas what happened?” the reporter asked.

“It’s like she was sucked up into the sky. I’m just waiting here, hoping she’ll fly back.”

Death's Door is available @ Amazon (Kindle) and  Barnes & Noble.

Well Friends, that wraps up another week! Stay tuned next week for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and another Saturday Spotlight.

Until later take care & be blessed!
PamT

Thursday Thoughts: The Power of Words

Hello Friends!

If you read my Tuesday Treasure this week, you'll see how God used the words of a song to touch my heart and enlighten my mind.

I'm sure we've discussed the power of words before but today I'd like to revisit that subject.

We all know words have power. After all, when God spoke things happened!

The same thing holds true today for us!

What we speak, we create or draw into our lives.

Since Tuesday's post was on a song, I'd like to bring up another song today that really touches my heart and that is: See You Again by Carrie Underwood.

I admit that many times when I hear this beautiful song, I think of my beloved husband who passed away in 2009.

But just as often, this makes me think of a soul getting ready to leave heaven and come to earth.

What does it make you think of?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

PamT

Tuesday Treasure: Music

Good Morning Friends,

I'm a little late posting my Tuesday Treasure today. Haven't had time to schedule it in advance then slept wrong and hard last night so I hurt all over and my mind is fuzzy.

UHG!

Oh well, that's life huh?

Today's treasure is music.

Pretty broad spectrum but let me tell you about a song that touched my heart and enlightened my mind to the awesome love and grace of God.

I've always been a Country music fan and had heard The Rose numerous times. In 1989 I recommitted my life to Christ and started listening to more Christian than Country music. Then one morning I had the radio on and this song came on and with every verse, a bible scripture or thought about God came to me and I sat down and wrote the following.....

Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender reed…“A bruised reed He will not break.”

Some say love, it is a razor that leaves your soul to bleed….Bible Conversion; a cutting or stripping away of old beliefs.

Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless, aching need…"As the hind longs for running water, so my soul longs for thee oh God...”

I say love, it is a flower, and you its only seed…“If you have faith the size of a mustard seed…”

It’s the heart, afraid of breaking, that never learns to dance… David danced before the Lord.

It's the dream, afraid of waking, that never takes the chance…"Entrust your works unto the Lord and your plans will succeed."

It's the one who won't be taken, who cannot seem to give…“Love is not selfish…For God so loved the world He GAVE…!”

And the soul, afraid of dying, that never learns to live…"What shall a man give in exchange for his soul…For what is man profited if he should gain the whole world but lose his soul?”  Or more accurately…“Let not your heart be anxious, for I am with you always, even unto the end of time.”

When the night has been too lonely, and the road has been too long…"I am going but I will not leave you alone. I will send you a comforter, a counselor to guide and help you.”

And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong…. “God is love and he who dwells in love dwells with God. The meek shall inherit the earth…blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God.”

Just remember in the winter (of darkness and sin)....Jesus died so that we might have life, He conquered sin and darkness…. “I came so that you might have life, in abundance, to the full, overflowing.”

Far beneath the bitter snows...How can something so beautiful, so pure, be so bitter and cold? God is light. He washes us clean with the shed blood of His Son so that we might be as pure as the snow.

Lies the seed, (of faith)...that with the sun's (Son's) love...in the spring... (season of new birth, new life)...becomes the rose (an attractive flower).

These truths have been fleshed out and is now published devotional which is available on Smashwords, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook and in Ebook form at Deeper Shopping. The print version will be available soon too!

I hope you'll get a copy of this devotional and that it blesses you as much as it did me!

Music is the magical entry into the spirit world; the golden gate into the Kingdom of God. But we mustn’t be of the mindset that God only uses Christian music to reach out and touch our mind, heart and spirit. God uses any and every means available to speak to His children.

Our job is to be open and receptive.

In this devotional, Pamela S Thibodeaux shares how God opened her spirit to a deeper understanding of the abundance of His grace and mercy through the words of the song, The Rose sung by Country & Western artist Conway Twitty.

Pamela offers Seeds to Ponder and a prayer as she parallels the love of God and the Christian life to each verse of the song. 

Until later take care and be blessed!

PamT

Saturday Spotlight - The Pastor's Wife Wears Biker Boots!

Good Morning Friends!

Getting a late start on our Saturday Spotlight. This week has been CRAZY so let's get right to it....

Pastor’s wife, Kirstie Donovan, lives life in a fishbowl, so when she hops on the back of a bright pink motorcycle, tongues start to wag at the conservative, century-old First Independent Christian Community Church of Eels Falls.

Kirstie loves roaring down a road less traveled by most women over forty, but she’s not just riding her bike for the fun of it. Kirstie has a ministry. However, certain church members have secrets to hide, and when God uses Kirstie’s ministry to fill the pews with leather-clad, tattooed bikers, those secrets could be exposed…and some will stop at nothing to hide the truth.

Join Kirstie and her motorcycle “gang”—two church matrons and a mouthy, gum-smacking non-church member—as they discover that road-toughened bikers are quite capable of ministering to others, and faith is fortified in the most unexpected ways.

The Pastor's Wife can be purchased in Ebook & Print! from Pelican Book Group/Harbour Light Books.

Karla Akins is a pastor's wife who rides her own motorcycle. She is the mother of four boys and one step-daughter, and grandmother of five. She lives in North Manchester with her husband who is the pastor of Christian Fellowship Church, her twin teenage boys with autism, mother-in-law with Alzheimer's and three rambunctious dogs. Karla and her husband have been in ministry together for 30 years. You can contact Karla for speaking engagements via her website at KarlaAkins.com.  A more detailed bio can be found here: Biography

More About Karla......

Where do you write? 

I’d like to say I write in a neatly organized office, and I may do that someday, but right now my office is filled with hundreds of books from my teaching years. Now that I’m sure I like reading digitally on my iPad, I’m arranging to give many of them away. For now, I usually write from my comfy chair in the living room in the middle of the chaos. I’m pretty good at tuning noise out or I use my headphones.

What is your process?

I usually start with an idea that has to do with a unique or unsuspecting character in an unusual situation.  And I may write a little synopsis or just start writing and then brainstorm on paper. I always keep a notebook with me so I can write down ideas or work on chapters. I have limited time to write, so I do it every chance I get.

Describe your book.

A pastor’s wife decides to learn to ride a motorcycle and when she does, she creates all kinds of hilarious drama between the women she recruits to ride with her and the church board.

Why should readers pick it up?

If they’ve ever been involved in church leadership or like a good laugh about women aged 40+ doing crazy things, I think they’ll enjoy the adventure. Kirstie, the pastor’s wife, also has an autistic son, and two boys who are just regular kids with their own dramas. Kirstie is a homeschool Mom, too. Homeschooling and autism are two causes dear to my heart.

How did your book come to life?

I learned to ride a motorcycle at the tender age of 47. And so many funny things happened to me, I thought the same concept would make a good book. I also wanted to give a little insight into what it’s like being a pastor’s family, what it’s like to live with autism, and how it feels to go through some of the things Kirstie goes through.

Who is your favorite character in the book and why?

This is a tough one! There are many quirky characters in the book. Of course Kirstie is my first favorite because she’s a pastor’s wife like me. I guess my second favorites would be Opal and Atticus. Opal is someone in her 60s who’s never married and scared of her own shadow. You’ll have to read the book to find out who Atticus is.

  

How did you name your characters? 

I did web searches for popular names of the year they were born on baby name sites.

Are the characters based on people you know?

There may be some character qualities that are like people I know, but I didn’t base the character on an individual but more on a single type of person.

Why will readers enjoy your book?

If they like reading about how people relate to one another in hilarious and unexpected ways, they’ll love it.

Is anything in the book based on your own life?

The fact that I’m a pastor’s wife who rides a motorcycle, of course, is something like me, but Kirstie isn’t like me at all. She has a lot more energy! Ironically, when I wrote the book, a couple of things that are in the book did happen to me later. I write about Alzheimer’s and had no idea at the time that my mother-in-law with Alzheimer’s would come to live with us. I write about the preacher’s son’s trouble with the law, and had no idea we, too, would be experiencing some of the same heartbreak. You can read about that on my Prison Ministry page on my website. It’s almost as if the Lord was preparing me well for what we were to go through. Sort of a foreshadowing. God is so good that way.

What is your favorite scene in the book?

Oh my goodness, that’s so hard because there are so many that I love. I love the scene with the pastor’s family’s pet bull mastiff when he interrupts a church meeting after a swim in the pond. I also love the part where the women get locked in a Harley Davidson dealership after hours. But perhaps the best part is when they all go to jail. Then again there is that love scene…

Why Christian fiction?

I was a voracious reader as a child. I read anything I could get my hands on and I was blessed to have a mother and father who loved to read. From the time I was small my mother read to us out of the classics. By the time I was in 5^th grade I’d read classics such as David Copperfield, Treasure Island, and The Yearling. I also read all those Reader’s Digest condensed books my parents got every month. Every one of them. But in Jr. High or High School, I read the book, Christy, by Catherine Marshall. That book impressed me so much that I felt the call into what our little church called “full time Christian service.” I knew I would serve Jesus with my life and that included my writing. I could never compare myself to Catherine Marshall, but I do hope that my books will touch people’s hearts and draw them closer to God the way that book and other Christian books did and still do. I write hoping that someone will draw closer to God.

Karla is represented by literary agent, Linda Glaz, of Hartline Literary Agency.

Sounds like a fun book with a great message! 

Have full day ahead of me so I'm going to wish you ALL a blessed & happy week!

Until later remember.....Life is a smorgasbord of endless possibilities! 

PamT

Thursday Thoughts: The Heart of the Matter

Good Morning Friends!

Today I'd like to share with you what's on my heart and that is....the condition of your heart.

Tuesday I talked about the power of gratitude to change your life and circumstances. I'm still a firm believer of that, but gratitude is a byproduct of something much deeper.

A pure heart.

Now many may think they can't achieve purity of heart but I do believe that is a lie straight from the pits of hell!

We can have a pure heart but in order to do so we have to tap in to the root of our thinking.

Consider this... a child is born with/in absolute purity. So many times we look at the fruit (circumstances) instead of the root (heart).

I did a keyword search on Bible Gateway on "pure heart" and came up with 10 scriptures. My favorites are....

Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God." and 1 Peter 1:22 "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,"

So how do we do this?

First recognize that nothing or no-one outside of your SELF can achieve a pure heart. You must long for purity and that begins with your thoughts!

Our hearts are born pure, the rest is learned behavior.

Second, realize that no person, place, drug, surgery, relationship (other than one with God) will make you happy, produce purity nor change the condition of your heart. Only you can do that and it begins with your thoughts.

You may still wonder how to get away from the negative circumstances in your life, how to feel more positive, loving, grateful, etc., etc., etc.

Philippians 4:8 tells us how.....[ Meditate on These Things ] Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

A pure heart will emerge when you purify your thoughts and as I mentioned Tuesday, gratitude is one way to begin doing so!

In my column, Pamela's Ponderings, I spoke on the Art of Love (Feb) - and mentioned taking love breaks throughout the day. Try this, it really works! One thing I'd like to add though is this....Before you can fully love someone else, you have to love yourself.

So take some time to connect with the Source of Love (God) and dwell deeply in the wells of love within you, then let that love flow outward into the lives of everyone you come in contact with.

Something to think about.....

"Inspirational with an Edge!" (tm)

Tuesday Treasure: Life & Gratitude

Good Morning from the Silver Spur Guest Ranch in Bandera, TX!

Yep, I'm back at my home away from home and while on my morning walk I saw our brand new baby calf (only 6 days old). That little creature made me think about this stage we call life and I wonder....are we grateful for this gift we've been given?

In her book, The Magic, Rhonda Byrne (author of The Secret) talks about gratitude using the Scripture "whoever has, more will be given and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken (or lost)." Variations of this passage is found in Matthew:13:12; Mark 4:25 & Luke 8:18 and is attributed to Jesus.

Ms. Byrne says that the key to this scripture and a major key to life is Gratitude. "To whoever has "gratitude for what he has" more will be given. Whoever does not have gratitude, even what he seems to have will be taken from him."

Could there be some truth in this statement?

I mean think about it! Are you grateful for the life you have, the air you breathe, the people you encounter, the work you have to do, the water you drink, the sun that shines down your daily dose of vitamin D; the rain that cleanses and renews?

One of my favorite sayings is "God won't give you something else to complain about." Spiritual leaders across all denominational lines teach the value of gratitude. Self-help gurus and emotional healers encourage us to write a list of things we are grateful for every day. Even if it is something on your wish list, write down that you are happy and grateful for it in advance!

Now I'm not saying a healthy dose of gratitude will solve all of life's problems but I'm betting it'll make them a whole lot easier to bear!

Something to think about.....
"Inspirational with an Edge!" (tm)

Need help developing an attitude of gratitude? Check out The Magic by  Rhonda Byrne in Print & Ebook and while you're at it, read or watch The Secret too! (Print, Ebook, DVD)

PS: Yes I'm aware that The Secret and The Magic are controversial in many Christian minds. For those of you who are wary of reading these books, check out  Top Secret: The Truth Behind The Secret by Robert M Price for a look at these principles from a Christian stand point! Also available in Print & Ebook!

Saturday Spotlight Renee Sunday

Good Morning Friends,

If you read my Thursday Thoughts this week, you'll understand why I don't have much to chat about. LOL! So without much further ado, I bring you this week's Saturday Spotlight.

Renee' Sunday, M.D. is the founder and CEO of Sunday Publishing Company, LLC., and RS Commerce, P.C. 

"I have practiced  anesthesia for over thirteen years. My mission is to encourage and empower others to enjoy life and obtain their dreams. Furthermore, I enjoy being an instrument in God's Plan to render anesthesia services to my patients and to show compassion, love, and the standard of care." 

Renee' is a published author, speaker, mentor, and corporate leader.  Renee's passion is  to be a catalyst to stimulate others forward toward their destiny. She resides in Atlanta, Georgia. 

A new book by anesthesiologist Renee Sunday helps families  deal with the grieving process from a biblical perspective. Entitled "Sunday Grief M.D.," the book is about how  her family dealt with the death of her brother, Junior.

"God is the ONLY refuge when trials and tribulations come. God is the antidote to going through the grieving process," Sunday says. "God will comfort and give confidence. Yes, God had already made the way to proceed through the grieving process."

The grieving process can consist of physical, emotional, and spiritual responses, but each person grieves differently. "God has given me this mission to express wisdom and guidance to inspire others to trust God throughout the grieving process," Sunday says.

Her book retails for  $12.95   and can be purchased at www.sundaypublishingcompamy.com

Well friends, looks like a book we all need to read!

Hope you enjoyed this spotlight. Stay tuned next week for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and of course, another Saturday Spotlight!

PamT

Thursday Thoughts: Too Much, Too Many, Too Little

Yep, I'm about as mixed up as that post title LOL!

Too Much to do.
Too Many things on my mind (and to do list)
Too Little time to do them all much less tell you everything going on LOL!

Seriously, I am so thrilled to share with you the August issue of The Wordsmith Journal Magazine today; be sure and check out my column Pamela's Ponderings!

If you are not signed up to receive our newsletter, please do so - that way you'll get next month's. To View this month's newsletter go here: http://bit.ly/18PGV7A 

About the only other news is that within the next couple of weeks I'll be publishing a devotional, Love is a Rose.

This will be available in print and ebook so please watch for details!

Here is the full cover....

I will also be re-issuing my ebook, Simple Promotional Tools for Authors (previously "every" author). This has been edited and revised with additional content & has a new cover also so watch for it too! 

Once those two are up, my next project is a WF novel, Circles of Fate. I don't have a cover yet but will share it with you ASAHP.

Well friends, that's my life in a nutshell. Hope you enjoyed these Thursday Thoughts. Will be back next week!

Until then...take care & God Bless!

PamT