Throw The Net

Honestly, I never thought I would see it happen. Yeah, I had dreams about it. I envisioned my book on display at bookstores all across the nation and speaking engagements lined up with me sharing my story with thousands of hurting people. But it seemed like an alternate reality – science fiction. <--more!-->

When I submitted my manuscript I was scared to death. I had visions of all the negative things he would say. In my mind I heard him say “this book is not fit to be published.” and “wow, you really have no talent!”  I worked myself in to a fretful, nail biting  frenzy. I tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep, dreading what I knew would be the worst phone call of my life. After all, I had spent the last three years pouring my heart and soul passionately into a book I had hoped would someday bless others. I couldn’t take someone telling me it was no good.

The next day, the phone call came.  As I awaited the dreaded criticism, my heart raced in my chest.

“Your book is great! I loved how you combined stories from your life with present culture and scripture. There is a good balance there and I believe it is relevant for a broad audience. A lot of people will want to read this book. I can tell you put your heart and soul into it. There are only a few minor punctuation errors and those can be easily fixed.”

I couldn’t believe it. A professional literary agent likes my book! I sat there stunned for a few seconds. We were moving forward with my dream.  I listened for the next fifteen minutes to him talk about press releases, book shows, and television and radio interviews, still reeling from the wonderful compliments I did not expect to receive. When I had finished the conversation I could not believe that I had went, within a week, from not ever thinking my book would be published, to working on getting it published within the next few months.

It still feels like I am dreaming. I don’t know where God is going to take me in this. Fame and recognition have never been motivating factors in my writing. Passion has always driven me. I am passionate about God and what I know He can do for those who will allow Him in their lives. I want to tell them about Him and the best way I can do that is to write about what He has done for me. If my dreams come true in the process, to God be the glory!

Popularity: 86% [?]

Motivation. In weight loss and living a healthy lifestyle, it’s a necessity. It’s something that moves us to do something. Motivation can come from a spouse, a friend, something that we see …

I have recently decided that I need to support my wife’s desire to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. Not only to support her, but to also help myself. According to the CDC and SparkPeople.com, I have a BMI of 30.6. Anything over 30 is considered obese. At 232 lbs, I don’t feel obese. But I cannot deny the fact that I am out of shape.  According to the CDC and the Journal of the American Medical Association, with 27.5% of men in the U.S. between the age of 20-39, obesity is a contributor to some of the top leading causes of death in the U.S. (Heart Disease and Diabetes). (You can use the CDC BMI Calculator at the end of the post to determine what your BMI % is.)

When I first got married, I ballooned up to 247 lbs and then lost 35 lbs and could definitely tell the difference then. Now, I am motivated again to lose weight and begin living a healthier lifestyle.

In my case, I have three motivators in my life: Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 32% [?]

I think there comes a time in everyone’s life, sometimes on several occasions, that you realize that something is wrong. This has happened to me recently. This is my experience.

You realize that something is just not right. You spend days trying to deny it, but when you cannot escape it, you confess that we have reached the end of our rope. This rope seems to have been lined with glass and thorns and there you are hanging on the end of the rope, grasping as hard as you can; desperate for someone to come and save you. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 32% [?]

There comes a time in everyones life that a need may arise. Sometimes that need may be financial, physical, emotional or spiritual. The interesting thing about needs, especially in our American culture and society, is that we tend to WANT more NOW. This is why most people think of the Prayer of Jabez. There seems to be an natural gravitation to the name-it-claim-it philosophy, also known as Word of Faith. But have you ever considered God wants you to have JUST ENOUGH? Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 40% [?]

The night is long. Strange sounds emerge from the dense forest. As the young Native American boy sits under a large maple tree blindfolded in the night, shivers cascade down his spine. Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 91% [?]