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Category Archives: Faith

New Media to Buy for Yourself and Give Away: 4 Books and 2 Songs by My Talented Author Friends

New Media to Buy for Yourself and Give Away: 4 Books and 2 Songs by My Talented Author Friends

The following is a short list of friends who put in the hard work and did what it took to launch their words into the world. 

Besides ordering these treats for yourself, they make great gifts for Mother’s Day, graduation, Father’s Day, birthdays, etc. 

Each image below is a link. In alphabetical order, so no one gets their feelers hurt….

Nicole O’Meara

When Morning Dawns: The Hope of God’s Presence in Your Storm

Nicole’s life changed the day her lungs started bleeding and she could barely breathe. If you or anyone you know battles chronic illness, this is a fantastic resource poised to encourage young and old alike. 

Nicole and I have been family friends since the 80s, and I can tell you, she’s the real deal. Her love for the Lord shines bright, and her grit through her pain is inspirational.

Her book is a Kindle edition so you only pay $2.99!

Kristin Saatzer

Hear the Savior: Readings for Lent and Easter Based on the Words of Jesus

Kristin is in my writer’s group, so I got to witness firsthand the unfolding of this book over the past year. From batting around title ideas to editing individual devotions, it felt exciting to be a part of her project and watch it take shape.

She even asked me for an endorsement (my first one!), which I was of course surprised and giddy to give. Happy Easter!

Marci Seither 

Lakeside Retreat: Life-Giving Devotions from a Restful Shore

I’ve been at multiple writer’s conferences with this woman and let me tell you… she has energy (and jokes) to spare. Creative and funny, Marci’s book description ropes me in:

“Let this collection of vacation-themed devotions, recipes, and DIY projects transport you to a quiet place of rest, renewal, and connection with God.”

Mike Sollom

Grief Exposed: Giving a Voice to the Unspeakable

Mike has done what most parents would rather not face: writing about the raw and real details of watching your child die. His honesty is brutal in the most beautiful way because he doesn’t sugar-coat anything. It is truly a page-turner for all the most horrible reasons. 

I met Mike and his wife LuAnn in the early 80s and babysat all four of their kids for years. Losing Jim will forever be etched in my mind and heart as a horrific experience. I had the honor of walking with their family through the ins and outs of that pain, and was pregnant with our second son when Jim passed on. 

Five months later, from the delivery room, we all cried through the phone while telling Mike and LuAnn we gave our son the middle name “James.” 

Years ago Mike let me read one of his early rough draft versions of this book. As a fellow writer, I am in awe of how honest he describes his pain. He lets the reader into parts of his journey I’ve never seen an author do before. 

If you or someone you know has lost a child, you have to get this book. Mike brings a fresh salve to the horribly lonely “I thought it was just me” pain and suffering. 

Andy Squyres

“Cherry Blossoms” and “Before You God”

Andy (and his now wife) and I went to the same high school in Northern California. We didn’t know each other well, but we shared a basketball court in our old wood gym with that stale sweat stench I can still smell. A mere 30 years later we reconnected and now I’m hooked on his music. 

Based in North Carolina, Andy is a singer-songwriter, penning the most thought-provoking and surprising lyrics I’ve heard in a lonnng time. He travels, sings, fishes, writes and posts some dang good words on the socials. 

So far the two titles above are my favorites, and part of what I love is the way he turns a phrase.

Check out these lyrics:

Before you God, I am opening my heart 

I know You did not expect me, I’m a thief in the night

Before You God, I would leave the ninety-nine 

To find You in the darkness, I will not leave You behind

Brilliant. Find his music on Spotify, videos on YouTube, and bound essays on his website: andysquyres.com

Have you read anything noteworthy lately? Any new authors or books you want to recommend? Tell me in the comments!

September Fire, Welcome Rain: The Disaster in SoCal This Week and How Your Family Can Help

September Fire, Welcome Rain: The Disaster in SoCal This Week and How Your Family Can Help

If you hadn’t heard of the town of Hemet before the 5th of September, you’re not alone. Nestled inland from the Temecula Valley and Riverside, it’s not exactly a vacation destination. It’s the town we go through to get to Palm Springs, Big Bear and Lake Arrowhead. If you’ve never been there, here’s some context:… Continue Reading

Two Cops & a Black Eye: Our Up Close & Personal Encounter with Abuse

Two Cops & a Black Eye: Our Up Close & Personal Encounter with Abuse

Living in Mexico brought a ton of unusual, funny, memorable experiences. Even the hard times sound like a picnic compared to the night the cops dropped off an unexpected guest. Our large property consisted of five double-wide mobile homes, a fire pit, trash and tool hut, huge water tank, fig and pomegranate trees, laundry lines,… Continue Reading

A Neighborhood Divided: Years of Friends, Months of Loss, Weeks of Grief

A Neighborhood Divided: Years of Friends, Months of Loss, Weeks of Grief

When we moved out of Baja and back to Cali, I wasn’t what you’d call… excited. Besides the whole experience feeling anti-climactic (we already lived in SoCal once), track houses aren’t really my jam. Apparently, the neighborhood cookie-cutter fairy put all of our floor plans on a blueprint and the creativity stopped after five. Five… Continue Reading

When it’s Finally Time to Launch Your Business Idea. Small Starts are Better Than No Starts, Right?

When it’s Finally Time to Launch Your Business Idea. Small Starts are Better Than No Starts, Right?

Well? Are they? If you answered with a resounding, “Heck yeah! Go for it!” then you might not deal with issues of insecurity, perfectionism or strong aversions to failure. I always looked in awe at our neighbors in Baja who thought up an idea for a business, gathered a few supplies, and opened the following… Continue Reading

Home Sweet Trailer in Baja: Abraham’s Forever Faith in My Face

Home Sweet Trailer in Baja: Abraham’s Forever Faith in My Face

I am no longer a journaler.  Journaler? That’s a weird word. I engaged my pens decades ago, especially when the subject matter revolved around boys, but then I tapered.  Since then I’ve started and stopped more than start-stop technology in city traffic, but I just can’t get into it. So now I use them as… Continue Reading

Mexican Manna: Do You Know What You Need?

In case you’re considering launching a cross-cultural ministry, organic enterprise or local venture, here are two things I wish someone would have told me before our family took off for the great unknown.  Buckle up—they’re both extremely complex and ridiculously basic: Humans will disappoint you. God will provide for you. On some level, I already… Continue Reading

Boring Testimonies: No Drama Necessary

My second boyfriend acted like a goody-two-shoes, but mostly wasn’t. My third boyfriend had a long scar on his face. I never asked why. My fifth boyfriend lived in a group home and wasn’t that into… talking.  My sixth got kicked out of school, but I don’t remember why. My husband tells stories of his… Continue Reading