Life!

Hey, y'all! This is a post just from the heart, explaining where I've been, along with a few announcements! So, buckle your seatbelt...here we go....
Life has a way of taking over at times, so I appreciate y'all hanging in with me!

**New Home**
First on the list, and what is the biggest culprit for my absence on blogging and on Twitter. It's that hubby, Sampson, Delilah, and I have a new home!! We have been looking for a home for the last three to four years. Finally finding the home we've been looking for in January, it set off a chain of events.
For those who have purchased a home, you will understand when I say that finding everything needed to process this loan is a trick in and of itself, on top of inspections and the myriad of other things connected with procuring a mortgage, required a LOT of time!
The next thing on the list was getting the home we were living in not only completely packed, but also ready to sell at the same time. We did this through February and March.
Along with this, was the progressive move over three weeks to the new house, and unpacking that one as well. Again, this was done through the first three weeks of March. I wanted to get most of the house unpacked before our vacation on the 21st of March.
Now, just for the old house to sell!!


**Vacation**
Next on our list, was our vacation on 21MAR for a week! This was something hubby, sister, and I look forward to each year! This year we were joined by one of hubby's sons, making it extra special!
Well, it took a lot of extra time, but the goal of getting the other house ready to sell and getting the new house mostly unpacked by vacation was accomplished!!
Yes, I had a MONKEY crawling on me!!!! Those who know me, or who are getting to know me, know it doesn't take long to figure out that I absolutely ADORE monkeys!! It was the highlight of the trip for me! Needless to say, a great time was had by all!

**Awards and Writing**
Another reason for most of my absence for April was awards and writing!
Being an author is one of the pure joys of my life! The characters within the pages are like family. And, when you're absent, they tend to get a bit feisty! This is true for those in the Divine Legacy Series. The characters continued to bug me, telling me to finish their story. When this last book is published, it will be the last one for the Divine Legacy Series. :( But, don't stress! You may see them in the other books at some point! After all, the A.N.G.E.L.s are all over the world!
Well, after three months of the characters bugging me, I picked it up, and have written about eighty-five percent of it through April. I need to get it finished by the end of May to get it to the editor. The plan is to have it published around August! STAY TUNED!

Now, for the cool portion of this segment!! 2019 has been insanely exciting!!
On 06APR, ARMY RISING won FIRST PLACE, (Adult Fiction category), and HEARTS UNITED won THIRD PLACE (Adult Fiction category) at the North Texas Book Festival in Denton!

Now, for MORE news in the Awards segment! Just found out that the complete DIVINE LEGACY SERIES WON overall for Texas Authors in the CHRISTIAN FICTION SERIES!!! While I don't have the stickers for the covers yet, I am allowed to announce it!!

**Book Shows**

Okay, now for the fun segment! As y'all know, when you come to the book shows in your area that LM Mann and I are at, you can get your very own signed copy of my books at SPECIAL book show pricing! In May and June, my sister (LM Mann - mannwrites.com) and I will be on panels at two of the shows!

I've shared a few here! I would love to see and connect with you! You can find all of them listed under the "appearance" page of my website. 

As always, a portion of the proceeds from my books go to charities! For more information, head on over to their pages on my website: cjpetersonwrites.com "While the stories are fiction, the journey is real."

**Blogging**

Now, for another cool announcement! Well, with all that has gone on, I have neglected my blog, and I apologize for this!

So, while I was away, I came up with a brilliant idea!! I will continue to post my inspirational postings, but I will be starting another blog series called, "A Journey To Fruitfulness." You see, when hubby and I bought our home, it was five acres. In doing so, we're going to be transforming it to a farm. Not a cattle, or sheep, or even a chicken farm...nope! We're going to have ducks, an orchard, and eventually adding a green house! So, you can follow all of our ups, downs, failures, and successes!! So, stay posted for future pics and more information!

**THANK YOU!!**

Thank you so much, as I said earlier, for continuing to hang in with me! I promise to stay more connected in the upcoming days. I still need to finish the last book in the Divine Legacy Series, though, so it won't be quite so often until that happens, but I'll keep you updated!

I love to hear from you! Feel free to email me at: cjpetersonwrites@yahoo.com

Jeremiah 29:11 - "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 a hope and a future."

Foundations - By C.J. Peterson

Foundations

Certain characteristics are instilled within us from birth. Given to us by those who we chose as friends and from the family to which we are born. This foundation is the filter through which we see the world. Inevitably, there are rocks and pebbles, sometimes even boulders within the foundation that we need to work out or our lives will be out of balance. Often we need a little assistance in finding these. Sometimes we know they are there and are not sure how to get them out of the foundation. 

Over the years, I have been presented, and even sometimes thrown into, situations where my innermost core and beliefs were challenged. Had I not already discovered where my strength was, I may well not be here today. 

My initial foundation was not a solid one in life. As a matter of fact, it was chaotic and often lived in survival mode. It took me a while to find my strength. For the longest time, I thought I was on my own. This was a very lonely place to be. Granted, I had friends, but I was still missing something. It wasn't until college that I found what was missing. It was God.

Now, my life wasn't much better until the recent years, but I survived it by relying on God for my strength. When I was in the middle of often dangerous situations, I would retreat to the peaceful presence of God - who allowed me to not only pull through, but do so even stronger than when I started.

The reason for this blog is to encourage those who feel lonely. It is to show you that you are not alone. It is also to reassure those who are in the midst of a struggle, that God can show you the way through. He can lift you up and guide you through, all you have to do is ask. 

Now, it may not be easy, but it will be worth it. Think of the caterpillar, who in one phase of their life goes into a cocoon. The caterpillar my feel that they are dying, but after a time of rugged transformation, they emerge a gorgeous butterfly. While the caterpillar could only crawl on the ground...the butterfly has the freedom to fly through the air.

What does your foundation look like? Do you need to clean out any pebbles or rocks so it is level? Who is helping you build? Are they helping or hindering? Where is your source of strength?

What lies before you and what lies behind you, is nothing compared to what lies within you.

Sorrow looks back.

Worry looks around.

Faith looks ahead. 

May your faith keep you strong and full of hope.

The Most Precious Gift

The Most Precious Gift

People rushing around, not understanding the reason;

Don’t have any comprehension that this is the Season.

A baby born, wrapped in swaddling clothes,

To be a sacrifice, he was willing to pose.

A gift to the world of the most sacrificial love;

A gift, that often uses the symbol of a dove.

Peace on Earth, good will toward men;

Doing everything humanly possible to do all that they can.

They don’t understand, it’s not what they do;

They don’t understand, they don’t have a clue.

The Father – giving of His Child;

The Son – making a sacrifice that is hardly mild.

The crucifixion – a place hardly of glory;

The Resurrection – our saving grace story!

The most precious gift, that only Jesus could give;

The perfect blood sacrifice, so that in eternity, with Him, we will live!

C.J. Peterson (DEC2011) 

John 15:13 - Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 

Jesus is the reason for the season! Share His love with another today!!

Pearl of Great Price

When I think of pearls, there are two very different verses that come to mind…yet, they are both somewhat connected. The first is, Matthew 13:45-46, “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” The second is, Matthew 7:6, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”

Coincidently, both have to do with your value and self-worth. The first verse shows that you are a pearl of great value. Jesus found you, and gave everything, including His life, to ‘buy you.’ Your value is so high, there was not even a monetary price that could be paid. He had to give His life to secure you. 

With that thought in mind, the second verse comes into play. He paid for you with His life. You are worth that much. Why do we let others treat us as ‘less than’? Our value and worth rest solely in Jesus. We are a pearl of great price. Why then, do we sometimes throw our pearls before swine? Why do we feel that it is okay to be talked down to, or abused, or talked to in a manner that is disrespectful? Why do we listen to others who talk down to us?

When we value ourselves, and see ourselves the way The Father and Jesus see us, our whole world changes. We are princes and princesses of The Kingdom. Would anyone be able to disrespect the prince/princess of any kingdom? Why do we let others do that to us? Do the prince and princess just sit behind the walls doing their own thing? No. They are trained to represent the kingdom. They are taught and educated to be ambassadors when sent out. They fight for, and look after their kingdom. They take their responsibilities seriously. When they find people from another town, or from outlying areas being attacked, they go out and get them and bring them back to the safety of the kingdom. When they see and injustice done to one from their kingdom, they don’t hesitate to put a stop to it. That is our job as princes and princesses of the Kingdom of God. We are to look out for each other. We are to be ambassadors for the Lord. We are to go out and get those who are hurt, battered, or beaten. We are to do this all while representing The Kingdom.

We are children of Lord God Almighty! We were bought with the blood of Jesus!

We are all pearls of great price!

In The Stillness...

In The Stillness… 

By: C.J. Peterson

In this chaotic world, do you take any time to relax and enjoy the world around you? There are birds singing, squirrels gathering, deer enjoying their afternoon meal, and any other myriad of forestland creatures indulging in what nature has to offer…are you?

As the world continues momentum toward its reliance on computers, and the concrete jungles, how do you find peace? How do you center yourself? When you go on vacation, are you actually on vacation, or are you running around, trying to do everything, or thinking about work?

When I think about peace and stillness, there are two verses that come to mind:

Psalm 46:10 – “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Exodus 14:14 – “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Hmmm…looks to me as if God wants us to be still and rest in Him. In the stillness, we can connect with Him. When things are crazy, or you’re terrified, you can find peace in the stillness of Him.My challenge to you (and myself) is to find some time for yourself to be with God each and every day. Make it above and beyond your devotional and prayer time. Just close your eyes and soak in His presence. It will allow you to recharge and find your center in God. Let Him help you find peace…in the stillness.

Peace, Be Still

Do me a favor and look around. Are you working? Is everything getting done on time at work? Do you still have a stack full of work to do? How long is the list? When you go home, is all the laundry finished and put away? Are the dishes done? When was the last time the bathroom and kitchen were cleaned? Are the bedrooms swept and the beds made? What about church? Are you ready to go? Do you have everything you’ll need? Is your mind in the proper place to go sit at the feet of God to listen what He has for you to learn on that day? What about devotions? Are you taking the time to be with Him each day? Are you focused on Him while you are doing your devotions or is your phone going off?

Over the last century, our society has taken massive leaps and bounds forward in technology. Is that progress, or is it a hindrance? Now, bear with me a minute here. I know medically, electronically, and by just about every other definition, it’s progress. However, it almost creates a perfect storm of distraction. What do I mean by that? If we are kept too busy, at what point to we focus on God? When we do, is it quiet? Is the radio on? Is the television on? Is our phone going off?

When was the last time you just “were”? When was the last time you sat quietly, soaking in everything the Lord has created…with nothing else on your mind? 

Pretend for a moment that you close your eyes. What do you see? Nothing. What do you hear? There’s the air conditioner, the clock…wait, what is that? You hear the wind chimes tingling. They have been all day, you’ve just been to busy to hear them. You hear the birds taking a bath in the birdbath, or chasing each other around in your yard. Again, they have been doing that all day too. They’re actually to the point of settling as it reaches the hottest part of the day. 

You walk outside and close your eyes again. What else do you hear? The leaves are rustling. The squirrels are tree hopping, stealing from each other, and bickering at each other. You hear something else, and look over to see a deer and her baby walking in the woods next to your house. You turn the other way, and see one drinking from the birdbath. You suddenly notice the colorful flowers, with their pops of color standing out in the fresh cut lawn. You also see the vegetables growing in your garden. The trees have already started to shift into autumn. 

Nature is moving without you even paying attention! What all have you missed, because you were too busy?

Seriously, slow down. Enjoy the peace and quiet. Soak in the Lord and His works. Sit with Jesus, and let Him calm the storm around you. The more you do this, the better you will feel. Don’t let the rushing around take over, so your life is being lived almost on autopilot. We are told to live to the fullest. John 10:10 reminds us that, “The thief cometh not but to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Slow down and live life more abundantly! Doe Zantamata has a beautiful quote that says, “Taking time to do nothing, often brings life into perspective.” 

Take the time. Your friends, your family, and youwill thank yourself for it!

Mark 4:39, “And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

SCARS ARE SKIN DEEP

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

By:

HMCS (NAC/FMF) Trevor Dallas-Orr

This is a poem written by my husband that I wanted to share for Memorial Day. He wrote it Memorial Day 2008 with the intention of remembering those who gave their life in service for our freedom. Know those who serve our country past, present, and future...you are not forgotten:

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 their 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