The First Step

The First Step

It's always the first step that is the scariest. This applies to just about everything we do in life. Whether it's sending the book up to the publisher for publication, deciding to move to the house you've always wanted, accepting the job that will require more responsibility, or even in going to church (or a new church) for the first time. It's a fear of the unknown. It's leaving the comfort of what you've always done. It's taking a risk, that may bring about a great reward, but you never know until you take that first step.

I will be the first to admit that I like to see the whole plan before I make a move. However, in recent years, I have learned to have a plan, but be prepared for it to change in a heartbeat. This sometimes requires flexibility that a person like me doesn't normally enjoy.

Hebrews 11:1 tells us, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Sound familiar? While I don't normally get to see the end of the road before I take the first step, I know Who does. I know that God is the One in control, and I trust that He wants only the best for me. I am reminded of that in another of my favorite verses, Jeremiah 29:11, which says, "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."

If you are having a hard time making a decision on whether or not to take that first step without knowing the outcome, please remember this:

HBS Author's Spotlight: C. J. Peterson

James Moushon was gracious enough to post an interview of me on his author spotlight. See what happens when the tables were turned on me and I was the one interviewed on:

HBS Author's Spotlight: C. J. Peterson: Today our blog puts the Spotlight on Author C. J. Peterson.

Author of The Holy Flame Trilogy: THE CALL TO DUTY; OPERATION A.N.G.E.L; and ANGELS AMONG US

As well as the Grace Restored Series: (New Release) SEASONS OF CHANGE

 'While the stories are fiction, the journey is real.'

The Heart of America

The Heart of America

It pains me to see what this great country is heading toward. As a student of history, I'm watching it repeat itself right in front of my very eyes. Our men and women in uniform are doing everything they can to prevent it, but it seems to be taking off like a runaway freight train. Can it be stopped? Can the destruction and division be repaired?

Now, I'm not a conspiracy theorist by any stretch of the imagination. As a matter of fact, I'm probably one of the least knowledgeable people when it comes to politics. If it didn't immediately effect me, I wanted noting to do with it. However, in recent years, the analyst in my mind started to notice something strange happening to my America. While there were divisions, there was not a start black and while division. While people generally got along, there were not out and out fights and arguments regarding religion, beliefs, or how someone chose to live their life - people were FREE to do as they chose.

Today, we stand as a country divided. It reminds me of Matthew 12:25, which says, "Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand."

The word FLAG in the below acrostic is the best way I can explain how I feel about my flag. It stands for FREEDOM, LOVE/LIBERTIES, ALLEGIANCE/AMERICA, and OLD GLORY/GRAND/& GOD. Where is our America? Does your flag fly proudly? Are your prayers with those who are fighting for freedom - not only for those in whose country they are fighting in, but for those they left behind. They fight for 

FREEDOM.

BLACK AS TAR

BLACK AS TAR by:

HMCS (NAC/FMF)Trevor Dallas-Orr

I lie in bed trying to sleep at night
But the visions of war make me weep and fight
I can't seem to wash the blood of my hand
Despite the fact that we were protecting our land
My memories filled with war and pain
Makes me want to hide my face in shame
There is no way to describe the rage
That I try to write and put on the page
The sky filled with smoke as black as tar
Dunes in sight for many miles so far
Flying through the blistering heat of day
Praying for peace and comfort some way
Providing treatment for the injured people
As we fly as low as a church's steeple
Landing in the midst of a fight in a cloud of dust
There is no way to treat the injury but I must
Training doesn't even begin to prepare me for what I see
There is nothing that even comes close to the carnage to be
Bandages soaked dark and red
Applying pressure to a wound of the leg
A wound to the chest and head make me ponder
This is really no hope but I wonder
As the soldier screams for relief of pain
He cries out in sorrow and even begs in vain
"Mommy please help" is what he screams
Now visions of that has replaced my dreams
I pray to GOD to welcome this hero who gave his life
Please forgive him of his sins and comfort his wife.

Scars Are Skin Deep, Memories Penatrate The Core, Freedom Is Not Free!

This is a poem written by my husband that I wanted to share for Memorial Day. Know those who serve our country past, present, and future...you are not forgotten:

 

Thank you for reading this! For each word that remains 10 were deleted. Most of you wont read long emails.....

Navy, Marine, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard:

I call you brothers, sisters, friends lost and found.
May you leave this earth to a place that knows no bounds.

Stopping to eat a bowl of 'Chili' with meat.
As I wait for someone to greet.

Will they show?
I may never know.

How many hours will I have to weep?
Nights in bed with little sleep.

How many gave there all?
For nothing at all.

Scars are merely skin deep.
Memories penetrate the core so deep.

They gave me medals while fighting for cause.
However, none of us do it for want of applause.

So long as there are those that are willing to pay.
Freedom for all is our only way in this grand country ..... USA.

We love this country more than our wife.
And will give it our all, even our life.

Remember those that serve this Memorial Day.
Life of freedom is the only way.

THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT SERVE NOW OR SERVED IN THE PAST!!!!

Written By:
Trevor Dallas-Orr
Senior Chief United States Navy

Game of Tag

So, I was minding my own business working on Facebook, when I suddenly get a message from my friend, Gae-Lynn Woods. I opened up to find that I have been 'tagged.' Now, I have always been a good sport when it comes to games, so when she asked me to play, of course I said, 'yes!'
So, what happened was that Gae-Lynn tagged me on her blog last week at:
http://gaelynnwoods.blogspot.com/2014/02/chinese-whispers-author-to-author-blog.html
As you can see, she was tagged, and tagged me in response, so of course I had to tag another author...who shall be named in a bit. :)
In the meantime, you can read more about my colorful friend, and fellow Texan whose works have more twists and turns then an East Texas road on her frequently posted blog page of:
http://gaelynnwoods.blogspot.com/

 

Here's a little about her:

Gae-Lynn spent her childhood in Dallas, Texas and Dayton, Ohio before returning to East Texas to finish high school. She developed a passion for reading at an early age thanks to the Encyclopedia Brown and Little House on the Prairie series, and still enjoys stepping into an

imaginary world created by a talented author.

After university, Gae-Lynn worked in the financial services sector in the U.S. and around the world for almost two decades. She has traveled to over 35 countries, and worked in North and Central America, Asia, India, Europe, and Africa. Gae-Lynn lived in London, England with her British husband, jazz musician Martyn Popey, for seven years before moving to a ranch in East Texas. They now own a small herd of Black Angus cattle and one rather cranky donkey. THE DEVIL OF LIGHT and AVENGERS OF BLOOD are her first two novels, published by Dead Head Press, and she is currently at work on the third book in the Cass Elliot crime series.

Gae-Lynn earned a Bachelor's degrees in Accounting and Finance from Texas A&M University and an MBA in Executive Leadership from the Gallup Leadership Institute at the University of

Nebraska.

With mystery and suspense in her books, you won't be sorry you picked one up to read! :)

Now for my part. I have to answer four questions:

1) What are you working on?

 Well, if you check out the books under my book tab, you can see that I have one book left in an inspirational trilogy. Book three is titled: ANGELS AMONG US and is due out some time in May. Also, while in the middle of editing, I got the inspiration for a new YA (Young Adult) book. Of course I couldn't ignore the little voices, because I don't want them to get upset at me, so I did both jobs until I got the ideas down. So, with ANGELS AMONG US having the priority and currently in the major editing phase before publishing, the yet-to-be-named YA book is currently in progress as well.

2) How does your work differ from others in your genre?

 I am a Christian fiction author, but I am also a 'realistic Christian' and keep in mind that people are real. Real life happens, and is generally out of our control. With God's help, though, there isn't much we can't get through.

I think a review I received from THE CALL TO DUTY says it best:

 

http://cjpetersonwrites.com/Books.html

3) Why do you write what you write?

I write what I write, because that's who I am. There are portions woven within the story lines from my own life - though I will never confess as to which portions those are! :) 

I also write what I write to let people know that they are not alone in this life. There could be someone sitting next to you at work or in class that is going through a problem similar to a character in one of my books and you may never know. I pray that the messages within my books help people and inspire them to never give up!

4) How does your writing process work?

The answer to this question differs with each work. Sometimes I get my inspiration from a song, and I write with that song playing in my head whenever I write. Sometimes a photo or a situation inspires me and the picture reminding me of the situation is always within reach for focus.

As far as my writing, if you look under the 'featured author' tab on my web page (http://cjpetersonwrites.com/Featured_Author.html), I always ask one question of 'do you use an outline or do you just write?' That answer varies with each author. Some have post-it notes plastered all over their wall, some have an entire story line covering a wall in their office, and some just sit down and write. I am in the last category. I sit down and type, and let the characters take over. I have no idea how each story will end until I type 'the end' to complete the book. I believe it is that questionable element that keeps the excitement in writing for me.

After the book is formed, it gets sent to a double editing for copy editing and content editing before it is sent to the publisher. At that point, the book is converted to PDF and edited again, while the artist works on the cover. When those two elements come together, a book is 'born' and sent into the world of paperback (Amazon, Barnes&Noble.com, and Boolocker.com) first, closely followed by ebook (Kindle, Nook, iTunes, and Kobo). So, as you can see, it's a long process, but well worth the finished product!

Check out: STRENGTH FROM WITHIN (YA), THE CALL TO DUTY, and OPERATION A.N.G.E.L.

 

Now for the author I am going to tag: Carmen DeSousa is a romantic suspense author. Her books  keep you on the edge of your seat until you reach the end. Her latest group of books: CREATUS and CREATUS ROGUE have a mythological twist that adds a unique feature to her writing. 

Here's a little more about her from her own words:

"As most authors, I blame my leap into a full-time career as a professional writer on my love of reading. Reading has always been an escape for me. When life was rough as a child, I could always disappear into a book.
But I found something else. I discovered that writing out my thoughts was healing. Not only could I create hope for my protagonists, but I could do away with the antagonists--legally.
When I penned my first novel, SHE BELONGS TO ME, I allowed only my cousin and best friend to read it. They are the reason I write. They pushed me to publish, as they felt my stories would give others, who've experienced tragedies, hope. So now, even though I still write for me, I mainly write for my readers who continually encourage me that my words touched their soul."
Her other books include: SPLIT DECISIONS, LAND OF THE NOONDAY SUN, WHEN NOONDAY ENDS, ENTANGLED DREAMS, THE PIT STOP, THE DEPOT, and THE LIBRARY. The best way to find all of her books is under this link:

http://www.amazon.com/Carmen-DeSousa/e/B006PWOO2W/
And her blog here:
http://www.carmendesousa.com/

Take a look at the works of GAE-LYNN WOODS, CARMEN DESOUSA, and C.J. PETERSON - a varied group of ladies who love to entertain your mind and touch your heart with their words!

No Greater Love Than This....

No Greater Love Than This....

Often we take for granted the freedoms we have each day. It ends up being one of those cases where, ‘You don’t know what you have until it’s gone.’

Today, I wanted to take a few moments to honor those who take care of our country. At times, this seems to be a thankless job. There are men and women fighting even at this very moment for the freedoms of those around them. Why do they do this? The reasons vary as much as the personalities and positions that they hold. If you get the chance, after you thank them, consider asking them why they do it. You may be surprised by their answer.

Whenever I think of our military, there is one verse that always comes to mind. It’s John 15:13: ‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ The men and women of our military – past and present – do this very thing. They lay down their lives every day. It upsets me beyond words when they get disrespected by sometimes even their own families, because ‘they weren’t there’ for certain things. Did they ever consider the fact that they were doing something even more important? The men and women who form our military should be regarded with the utmost respect, regardless of their position. They have voluntarily placed themselves in a position of potential danger for their fellow countrymen and women.

I ran across the photo below quite some time ago, and I thought I would share it with you guys. Our military are still fighting today and most of the time without what they need. Please read the photo below and remember them in your prayers daily – they need it! 

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

 Until They All Come Home