Tail Wags Helmet Covers: Play It Safe!

One of the advantages of living in the Metro Detroit area is living so close to Canada. One of my favorite TV programs is on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) - it's titled ‘Dragon’s Den,’ and features Canadian entrepreneurs who are ‘pitched’ by fellow entrepreneurs to invest in their new business ventures.

One 'pitch' that really intrigued me lately was the Tail-Wags Helmet Cover Company, based in Toronto. You can watch the ‘Dragon’s Den’ pitch here:

Here is a video featuring these adorable – and safe! – products:

These helmet covers are perfect for adults and children alike! You can use them on bike helmets or ski helmets or any other helmet in between; I’m trying to decide which one to order for my bike helmet, as well as Fred's!! 

If you think this is a neat idea, please feel free to check out their website   and place your order today! 

The Mysterious Ways of Book Writing – Guest Post by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones + Book Giveaway Details!

I featured a guest post from Kathryn Elizabeth Jones on Monday, then shared further information plus her biography on Tuesday. Today, please enjoy this second guest post from Mrs. Jones telling us about the inspiration for her latest book. 

The Mysterious Ways of Book Writing - by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

I usually come up with my own book ideas—kind of like a spark of light hits me and I’m off and running. But for my second published book, “Conquering your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones,” the story that I was supposed to write came to me in a different way.

Who would have thought it could all begin with an email, an email from my nephew that said, “Wouldn’t it be great if there was a book out there that spoke about the five stones that David carried?”

My husband told me about the email and I was intrigued. A book about the five stones! What an interesting concept, what an enlightening way to tell a story.

And so, Ms. Virginia Bean was born. The funny thing about Virginia is that I chose her name without looking up the meaning of it until I had her moving full force into the first scene. The even stranger thing is that the meaning of her name fit right in with the story of David and Goliath without me having to find another “fitting” name.

There are many other elements within the story that came to me that way, including the sunflowers. Yes, there is a reason why sunflowers are on the cover of the book.

The names of the stones aren’t random names either, but lead an individual to their personal Goliaths. One must start out with LISTENING to God and TRUSTING in him before true OPTIMISM can be achieved. And this optimism must be persevered with TENACITY and CONSTANCY throughout a person’s life if they hope to overcome the challenges that will come—because they always do.

I think it’s interesting that God can speak to us when we least expect it. I was sitting at my computer working when I heard the news, and my husband was sitting at his desk when he read the email. I should be surprised that God could speak to me through my nephew and through my husband, but I shouldn’t be.

God does work in mysterious ways.

Thanks, Kathryn, for telling us a little more about the inspiration behind your book! You can win a personally autographed copy by leaving a comment at this post.

‘Conquering your Goliaths—A Parable of the Five Stones’ by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones – Book/Author Information + Personally Autographed Book Giveaway!

Yesterday, I posted a guest post from Kathryn Elizabeth Jones, telling us about her journey to the publication of her second book, ‘Conquering Your Goliaths—A Parable of the Five Stones.’ Today, I wanted to share some information about her and her book, and to share some exciting information at the end of this post!

Here is the synopsis of this novel:

David gathered 5 smooth stones to meet and defeat Goliath. What did these stones represent and how can you use them to conquer your Goliaths in your own personal quests? Ms. Virginia Bean will show you how. Travel with her on her own personal journey. See what she does. Learn how she grows. Discover what she becomes. “Conquering your Goliaths—A Parable of the Five Stones” is for anyone desiring to travel beyond mediocrity, pain and fear. Learn of the great power within you, a power given to you from God, a power that must ultimately be unleashed to conquer the Goliaths in your own life. Come to an even deeper understanding of God and what he wants for you. Come…

Here is Kathryn’s autobiography from her website:

When I was young I thought I had to sound like a great writer to be one. It was all so overwhelming; now I know I only need to sound like myself. My ideas come from two primary sources. My work might spark from the enlightening words of a friend, teacher or writing prompt. At other times, I am sitting in a very still space and the words I should write come to me like a powerful and glowing wind.

My favorite tool is the pen. Though computer keys get the words down quicker and easier, I like to put pen to paper, smell the ink, see the words as they are developed and renewed by new phrases or thoughts.

I enjoy traveling to wherever the character takes me. This often means even I am surprised and warmed at the outcome. In the end, when my writing is done, I like to watch the eyes of the reader whenever I can. Their reflective expression gives me the greatest glimpse into what my writing has become. 

Before I was one, I loved to read books-or at least, pretend to. I couldn't walk yet but I would crawl to the bottom shelf for what I wanted. My Grandma says my books were placed near the floor for that very reason, and my mother speaks of me pulling my favorite book from the shelf and crawling back to the couch with the book safely in tow.

I would sit on the couch and pretend to read, speaking the language of some foreign diplomat-or perhaps, the tongue of angels, my mother wasn't quite sure which, and when I was done, I would crawl back to the shelf for another story.

When I am not writing I'm reading. A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I am an avid reader of the scriptures and books of spiritual merit. I have been married 30 years and enjoy teaching and working with youth and children-including my own three girls, three grand-daughters and grandson.

A published writer since 1987, I have published various newspaper and magazine articles for teens and adults.

Kathryn has generously offered a copy of her latest book, ‘Conquering Your Goliaths,’ to one blessed reader of my blog. Thanks, Kathryn! To enter, please tell us why you’d like a copy of her book! Please include your email address, in this form – name at domain dot com. Deadline for entry is Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time (which is my birthday, incidentally!). The Random Number Generator www.random.org will choose a winner on Wednesday, February 22, 2012. Blessings to all of you!

‘The Best Things Come, Well, to Those Who Write’ – Guest Post by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

I recently made the (online) acquaintance of an accomplished author named Kathryn Elizabeth Jones, whose latest release is ‘Conquering Your Goliaths – A Parable of Five Stones.’ She was kind enough to write a guest post about her journey through the novel writing process.

'The Best Things Come, Well, to Those Who Write' by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

“It was a dark and stormy night…”

Actually I was pregnant with my first daughter and feeling the urge to sit around for awhile and eat doughnuts and Hostess Cupcakes when I first decided I wanted to be a writer.

         

I was bored.

My husband worked full-time and I worked part-time as an Avon representative. In-between adventures selling perfume, lipstick and other necessaries I slept on the couch and ate at my convenience. It was a terrible thing.

         

The good news is that I’d started writing. My first story, “Weebles Wabble,” was fitting in my current situation and I felt happy and renewed after I’d written it. Years later, I dread re-reading it, but it was my first attempt at writer-hood and, for that reason, I still keep it filed away.

         

I really didn’t know anything about writing when I first began, other than I figured it would be pretty easy to publish. All I had to do was write how I felt about things and someone was bound and determined to take my work.

         

I was in for a surprise.

It took eight years; after that first day of writing, to get something published. Most of the stuff I’d written before that was practice, I suppose, a sort of rant about things such as children, a busy husband, cleaning, and an assortment of feeling as if life should be different--somehow.

         

After that first sale, I continued to write, and I continued to publish, but the items were small, paid little, and left me wanting…

         

I should write a novel!

         

I must have been crazy to think that I could pull that first novel out of a hat, because it didn’t work out that way. For years I struggled to sell, and when I did, it was never a book.

         

But in 2002 something changed. I don’t know if the change was an inner one, or just one that had to happen because I’d spent years perfecting the craft, but there is was, in middle-reader black and white. “A River of Stones” was born.

         

I’d finally made it!

I did all I could to sell my book; did most of my marketing, had a few sales, but the journey just wasn’t what I expected. Even the book signings were more like some sort of ghost town surprise. It just didn’t make sense.

And I just didn’t get it. So I went to college and got a degree in Mass

Communication. I minored in Creative Writing just so I could keep the creative juices flowing, but I wasn’t so sure I would ever publish a book again though I had written many that were shelved in the same cabinet along with my first piece of work.

         

It took me ten more years from publishing my first book to publish my second book, “Conquering your Goliaths—A Parable of the Five Stones,”  and this time around? The sailing, (Can I say it?) is a bit smoother.

         

I like what’s happened with my book, and I like that I’ve opened myself up to share what I know is true. And I like that people are actually interested in buying my book. I’m gutsier now that I am (cringe) 50, and I’d like to think that all of that experience writing since the birth of my first daughter has finally come to something great.

         

And it’s about time. 

Thanks, Kathryn, for sharing your inspirational journey!

Please come back tomorrow to learn more about her book, ‘Conquering Your Goliaths – A Parable of the Five Stones’ and how you can win a personally autographed copy!

          

‘Every Body Matters: Strengthening Your Body to Strengthen Your Soul’ by Gary Thomas – Book Review

When I read the title of Gary Thomas’ latest book, ‘Every Body Matters: Strengthening Your Body to Strengthen Your Soul,’ I wanted to be involved in the blog tour for same. I have been conflicted as to how much time to devote to taking care of this earthen body of ours compared to how much time to spend in the care of our minds.

Here is a synopsis of this book:

A Fresh Perspective on How Physical Fitness Directly Impacts Your Spiritual Growth.

Physical fitness, offered to God, pursued with God, has enormous spiritual, emotional, and physical benefits.

Every Body Matters explores the physical battles and eating and exercise and offers a fresh perspective and renewed motivation for making some major changes. Just as Sacred Marriage has changed the way contemporary church thinks about marriage, so Ever Body Matters will transform the way you look at body care and discipline.

Steering clear of judgment and criticism, author Gary Thomas keeps the focus of this important discussion on the positive impact physical fitness can have on your spiritual and emotional growth. Using the engaging stories of everyday people, Thomas illustrates how becoming physically fit can lead to:

·         increased sensitivity to God’s voice

·         renewed energy for God’s work

·         greater joy for living

·         a fortified soul better able and more willing to serve and love others

The goal in this pursuit is not sculpting thinner or more athletic-looking bodies. The goal is to cultivate stronger, well-nourished bodies that are primed to become, in the words of the apostle Paul, “instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”

By looking at your body as an instrument rather than an ornament, you’ll find new and compelling motivation to embrace the kind of active lifestyle that fortifies your soul.

Here is the book trailer for this book:

Here is the biography of the author:

Gary Thomas is a writer in residence at Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, and an adjunct faculty member teaching on spiritual formation at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He is the author of several books, including Sacred Marriage, Sacred Pathways, Pure Pleasure, Sacred Parenting, Sacred Influence and the Gold Medallion Award-winning Authentic Faith.

And here is Gary discussing his latest book:

Here are some of the most impactful passages from this book from my perspective:

Christians who don’t take their health seriously don’t take their mission seriously. What we’re saying by our actions is “My life doesn’t really matter.” But because of the ability of God to work powerfully in any repentant sinner’s life, every body does matter. (p. 20)

We don’t own our bodies; they are not ours to abuse or care for according to our own perceived wants or desires. On the contrary, not only did God create us; he paid a high price to redeem us. And when he redeemed us, he didn’t redeem our souls; he redeemed our bodies and claimed them for his use as well. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (p. 47)

In the end, I found that physical fitness offered to God, surrendered to God, pursued in cooperation with God has enormous spiritual, emotional, and physical benefits. It is not an easy battle, but I have found it to be one well worth fighting – even though I know it is a battle I will fight, with varying degrees of success, for the rest of my life. (pp. 62-63)

Laziness is an attitude that puts one’s personal comfort above all else – if I don’t feel like it, why do it? If it’s uncomfortable, why bother? If it’s not fun, what’s the use? Laziness ignores any sense of obligation and defines sin exclusively as something we shouldn’t do (conveniently forgetting that we are commanded to do), and it ends up wasting our lives in spectacular nonscandalous fashion so that we don’t see just how destructive it is. (pp. 101-102)

Mr. Thomas supports his thesis that physical fitness directly impacts our spiritual growth with lots of Bible passages, as well as personal stories from several people (including himself and Kristin Armstrong, Lance Armstrong’s ex-wife).

He closes out his book this way:

As I write this, my race isn’t over. I don’t know how long it will last. Maybe it’ll be finished tomorrow. Maybe next year, or several decades hence. God alone knows. But this much I do know: If you’re reading this, your race isn’t over either. God will restore us and refresh us along the way. He will provide moments of nourishment and rest, but he wants me, he wants you, to continue to run, to be available to do any good work. We need to keep going – even in the rain, no matter how dark it gets – and finish this race.

Christians, keep running. (p. 207)

I found this book to be deeply convicting to me – in a good way! Mr. Thomas exposed some of my thought patterns that I viewed as acceptable in a different light. The human mind does a great job deceiving itself… I thank Gary for bringing this important issue – that is so often neglected in the Christian church – to the forefront, and I pray this book reaches many hearts and minds. Although some sections read harshly, it is only because we as the Body of Christ (not to mention American society in general) have become so soft. That is certainly not how God wants us to live, and I appreciate Gary pointing us back to that important truth.

You can order this book here.

This book was provided by Zondervan Publishers for review purposes.

Ladies, Do You Get the Big Game?

Ladies, do you wonder what the big deal about the Big Game is? Maybe you share your man’s enthusiasm about the Super Bowl. Maybe you’d rather get him off the couch to go running with you. Maybe you’d prefer to just go shopping. Let me share a few insights with you for Super Bowl Sunday.

While women fantasize about relationships, men fantasize about greatness. While women fantasize about cuddling, men fantasize about conquering. We men want to be something. We crave significance, influence, and impact. This desire for greatness shows up in the wilds we roam, the movies we watch, and the sports we play—or watch.

Football is the closest thing to an organized team gladiator battle in our nation. In it, passion, strength, and power fuse with precision and skill as two teams face off in an epic display of force and will. And a Super Bowl victory is the greatest prize. It’s the best of the best playing for greatness.

Men long to be great. Men were created to be great. Unfortunately, too many men don’t realize it. Yet greatness is the destiny of a Kingdom Man.

A Kingdom Man is a male who places himself underneath God’s rulership and lives his life submitted to the lordship of Jesus Christ. A Kingdom Man is a man who rules according to God’s rule. Rule does not mean domination or control—it means leading with wisdom for the betterment of others underneath the overarching guidance and sovereignty of God.

A Kingdom Man is every woman’s dream because when he functions according to the principles of God’s Kingdom, she can rest underneath his covering. To cover someone simply means providing the protection and provision they need as well as an umbrella environment for nurturing and fostering emotional, spiritual, and physical health. Fused within every Kingdom Man’s urge to conquer ought to be an equally strong conviction to cover and take responsibility for that which God has placed in his care.

How does that kind of greatness sound to you?

How can you pray for your man?

Is your man ready to be a Kingdom Man?

Here’s the book trailer for Dr. Tony Evans’ upcoming book, Kingdom Man:

Pre-order copies of Kingdom Man by Dr. Tony Evans here  for everyone who attends your Super Bowl party.

Sign up here to receive a series of Kingdom Man Boot Camp emails — monthly challenging and encouraging samples from Dr. Evans’ book.

Need a Super Bowl snack tip? Check this one out:

Big Game Black Bean Dip

Ingredients:

• 1 small tomato, diced

• 2 tablespoons chopped red onion

• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, plus extra sprigs

• 2 (15-oz) cans black beans, drained

• 1 teaspoon hot sauce (or more to taste)

• 1 tablespoon ground cumin

• salt

Directions:

Using a food processor, pulse tomato, onion, and cilantro until well chopped. Add black beans, hot sauce, cumin, and salt, to taste, and pulse until the mixture is mostly smooth. Transfer to serving dish, garnish with cilantro sprigs, and serve with tortilla chips.

Spring Has Sprung at Thirty-One!!

I have been an Independent Consultant with Thirty-One since June 2011, and it has been a joy and a pleasure! Thirty-One is a company founded by Cindy Monroe in 2003 in her family's basement in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and it has experienced explosive growth since then! 


Today, February 1, is the first day of the Spring 2012 catalog. There are so many wonderful new products and patterns; the most popular items are also returning. The Hostess Exclusive items are back - and better than ever!


I invite you to check out my website to see why I am so excited! If you have any questions (or want to schedule a party or sign up as a consultant yourself!), please let me know. It's an exciting company which offers wonderful benefits and opportunities!