Joy is Relationship

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On my birthday, as my newest book, Discovering Joy in Philippians: A Creative Bible Study Experience released, I pondered “What is joy, really?”  As I look back, seems God had me on a learning trajectory to find then live out joy. As a child, first born daughter of an alcoholic dad, I was naturally joyful but our home situation was chaotic and unpredictable so when things got volatile due to my dad’s anger or his own depression, I retreated and became a sullen, sometimes, pouty and often emotionally teary-eyed little girl. But God had something greater, something better for me…

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Jump for Joy!

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What makes you “jump for joy”? This May, the week of my birthday, my 48th book released: Discovering Joy in Philippians: A Creative Bible Study Experience.  How about you, look around, God is doing amazing things– some of which should motivate you to “jump for joy”! Jumping, rather leaping, for joy is biblical: “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. ..” (Luke 6:23) Let’s make this summer  of JOY! Pam Farrel is an international speaker, author of 48 books including several bestsellers like Men Are Like WAffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti, Discovering…

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How Do You Spell L.O.V.E.?

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With Valentine’s Day season upon us, you might wonder how spell L.O.V.E.  In our  book, The First Five Years, we explain how to create a memorable romantic encounter for your spouse no matter how many years you are married. (And we will adapt this for those who are single and dating).  Keep this acrostic for LOVE in mind as you make plans to wow the one you love:   Listen Observe Vary Extract   Listen Your spouse will drop hints about the things he or she loves and you can use these hints to create more romance and sizzle in…

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A Strong Dose of Charity

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  Excerpt from Christmas Charity by Susan G Mathis “I heard you were newlyweds from Canada. From Wolfe Island? It’s a mighty lot to adjust to, that’s for sure. But how’s you doing, dearie?” Susan bit her lip and studied Mabel. Could she trust her, this stranger? Susan needed to talk with someone, especially since her mama wasn’t here. “It’s … all so sudden. Patrick is a good and kind man, but …” She looked toward the door and sighed. “I’m sure I’ll adjust … with time.” Mabel took Susan’s hand in her tiny, wrinkled ones. “Change ain’t easy, I’ll…

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Holiday Relationship Tips

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While simplifying your holiday season, take time for relationships to thrive, not just survive the holidays.  Keep those relationships balanced with your holiday planning. People ARE more important than things at this time of year.  Here are some relationship principles using one of the familiar words of the holiday as an easy to apply acrostic:   C enter your heart on the true, deeper meaning of the holiday season (Thanksgiving through New Year’s.) This will help everyone become easier to get along with because the heart of the holiday will remain intact. H ear what your friends and family are…

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Sunday Reflection: Spiritual Intimacy

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Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving . . .  (Colossians 4:2 NASB) We travel, and we really appreciate the hotels that have the small peak holes so that when someone knocks you can look out and see who’s there. That is what prayer is like. People usually aren’t phony when praying because it is a time of vulnerability before God. Couples that pray together get a window into each other’s hearts. You might feel irritated at your spouse all day, you might not understand why she did or said something, but during prayer,…

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Mary Ann Diorio—Podcasts for Writers

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Write Your Heart Out! Podcasts for Writers, MaryAnn Diorio The Heart of the Matter: How to Put Heart in Your Writing Your Writing Attitude Is Showing A Moment With MaryAnn Tips for Achieving Success in Life, MaryAnn Diorio Have You Learned to Love? You Can Conquer Worry Making Your Dreams Come True Are You Building Your Life on the Right Foundation? Are You Afraid of the Future? Winning With The Word MaryAnn Diorio Wonderful, Incredible You! You Are What You Think You Are The Power of the Spoken Word The Power of the Dream You Can Conquer Worry Where Will You Go…

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Along Came A Writer on BlogTalk Radio and iTunes

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CAN members Linda Kozar, Lena Nelson Dooley, and Angela Breidenbach host shows on the Along Came A Writer Network. Along Came A Writer Network  2017/2016 Chat Noir Mystery and Suspense, with host Linda Kozar on the Along Came A Writer Network August—Nancy Mehl September—Anita Higman, McMullen October—Testimony: Growing Up Haunted November—Linda Davis December—Patricia Bradley February—Danny Mehl March—Rachael O. Phillips April—Sharon K. Connell April—Brandilyn Collins The Lena Nelson Dooley Show, with host Lena Nelson Dooley on the Along Came A Writer Network September—Kathy Ide October—Marji Laine November—Varina Denman December—A SPECIAL Christmas Interview January— Lynn Gentry February—Angela Breidenbach March— Michelle Stimpson April—Patsy…

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The Infamous Cereal Caper

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Greetings from Kathy Collard Miller from the Southern California desert near Palm Springs. For two-and-a-half years, my mother-in-law, Audrey, lived with Larry and I. God used that time to purify our motives and develop greater selflessness. Audrey suffered from Lewy-Body Dementia, which caused her to be paranoid and have delusions and hallucinations. It was a difficult time where we learned to slow down our reactions and work through what was really motivating us. I, Kathy, remember one morning Audrey was eating her bran cereal. Every morning I had to soak the cereal in milk for at least thirty minutes to make it…

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Encouragement from Daniel

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Sherry Kyle here, writing from central California with some encouraging words straight from Scripture.  Are you worried about something? Upset? Do you feel helpless? Daniel felt all these emotions when he saw visions of the future. See Daniel 7-10. Just like Daniel, we can feel afraid when we think about our future. Maybe you’re waiting for your next book contract and are starting to doubt if it will ever happen. Maybe you have a looming deadline and fear you won’t be able to complete your manuscript on time. Or maybe you’re so overwhelmed with life that you don’t have time…

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