My man and I took our Grandpuppy,
Pepper the Schnauzer
(she's actually the face for my #Write31Days Challenge Thumbnail below!)
for a very short walk yesterday.
As I stood watching the two of them,
thinking that my days of long hikes
are only a memory now,
I can still be thankful for the grace
that allows me to take a short walk
now and then!
And with that same heart of gratitude,
I feel so blessed by several
new authors that I have been
allowed to "meet"
through the world of blogging.
You may have read one or more of these books
already, but if not,
then allow me to introduce you to these
ones who have helped me so much
on my journey of learning
to listen and walk with God
through this season of chronic illness.
One of the first authors that touched me through
her brave-hearted blogging,
was Joy Lenton, who blogs at
PoetryJoy -- click here to find her site
She is a fellow chronic illness warrior, and her
words are laced with the poetry of grace
and truth.
I first read her book during hard nights
filled with anxiety attacks and pain.
Her poetry drew me into the heart of Jesus,
and became a stand-by to read again and again
as the Lord brought fresh breath
into my weary soul.
Find her book at Amazon by clicking the link below:
Seeking Solace: Discovering grace in life's hard places
Another blogger that touched me
with her heart for Jesus is Ifeoma Samuel.
Find her blogging at
Purposeful And Meaningful -- click here to go to her site
I was blessed to be part of the Launch team for her book,
and gleaned so much encouragement
from her study of the Scriptures.
She writes from an honest perspective of one
who knows what it feels like to face failure
and brokenness, but then points us
back to the Grace of Jesus again and again.
Find her book at Amazon by clicking here:
Another blogger that touched me
with her heart for Jesus is Ifeoma Samuel.
Find her blogging at
Purposeful And Meaningful -- click here to go to her site
I was blessed to be part of the Launch team for her book,
and gleaned so much encouragement
from her study of the Scriptures.
She writes from an honest perspective of one
who knows what it feels like to face failure
and brokenness, but then points us
back to the Grace of Jesus again and again.
Find her book at Amazon by clicking here:
Overcome Failure: Get Back On Your Feet
If you have walked through the pain
of loss and grieving,
then you really should check out the blog of Anna Louise Smitt.
Click here to find her site: Joy of the Spirit Within.
I purchased the book that told her story
of grace and redemption
as the Lord walked her through a trail marked
with suffering and PTSD.
But her chapters were packed with so much
beautiful Scripture and gleanings
that I slowed my reading to a simmer
so that I could let the healing sink into
my own soul.
Find her book at Amazon by clicking here:
Love Embraced: A Journey in and through Suffering
I found this next blogger through the recent series
that she joined with Anna to write.
You may remember their series on #31Days of Miracles
that I shared recently here.
Debbie Barrow Michael blogs at
Consider it all Joy -- click here for her site.
She has walked through
an amazing adventure of obedience,
and has learned to hear God's voice
through the adoption of her son from Russia.
To read the story of that process, click the link below:
But the Greatest of These Is Love .
I was so blessed to be part of the launch team
for Cindee Snider Re's book this fall.
She is the co-founder of Chronic Joy Ministry
that I mentioned last week.
Her book changed my view of how I approach
living with a chronic illness.
The questions that I had buried deep
were brought to the surface and laid open
before God
as the book moved through it's material
in a study fashion
that begged the reader's participation.
Click the link below to find her book at Amazon:
Discovering Hope: Beginning the Journey Toward Hope in Chronic Illness
But here's the surprise that I've been hinting at:
Cindee has sent me two books to offer
as a give-away to two of my faithful readers!
I can't wait to see which of you will be
the next ones to be blessed by this journey
of discovery!
To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on my blog
sometime this week.
I will be sharing a reminder with every post
until next weekend.
Then I will draw two of those names, randomly,
and notify you of the winners next week.
If you have walked through the pain
of loss and grieving,
then you really should check out the blog of Anna Louise Smitt.
Click here to find her site: Joy of the Spirit Within.
I purchased the book that told her story
of grace and redemption
as the Lord walked her through a trail marked
with suffering and PTSD.
But her chapters were packed with so much
beautiful Scripture and gleanings
that I slowed my reading to a simmer
so that I could let the healing sink into
my own soul.
Find her book at Amazon by clicking here:
Love Embraced: A Journey in and through Suffering
I found this next blogger through the recent series
that she joined with Anna to write.
You may remember their series on #31Days of Miracles
that I shared recently here.
Debbie Barrow Michael blogs at
Consider it all Joy -- click here for her site.
She has walked through
an amazing adventure of obedience,
and has learned to hear God's voice
through the adoption of her son from Russia.
To read the story of that process, click the link below:
But the Greatest of These Is Love .
I was so blessed to be part of the launch team
for Cindee Snider Re's book this fall.
She is the co-founder of Chronic Joy Ministry
that I mentioned last week.
Her book changed my view of how I approach
living with a chronic illness.
The questions that I had buried deep
were brought to the surface and laid open
before God
as the book moved through it's material
in a study fashion
that begged the reader's participation.
Click the link below to find her book at Amazon:
Discovering Hope: Beginning the Journey Toward Hope in Chronic Illness
But here's the surprise that I've been hinting at:
Cindee has sent me two books to offer
as a give-away to two of my faithful readers!
I can't wait to see which of you will be
the next ones to be blessed by this journey
of discovery!
To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on my blog
sometime this week.
I will be sharing a reminder with every post
until next weekend.
Then I will draw two of those names, randomly,
and notify you of the winners next week.
Proverbs 4:1-2 (NIV) "Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching"
This is Day 30 for the #Write31Days Challenge,
and I am so thankful that you have journeyed with me
for #31Days of Listening with Chronic Illness.
Click here for the Series Index
This is Day 30 for the #Write31Days Challenge,
and I am so thankful that you have journeyed with me
for #31Days of Listening with Chronic Illness.
Click here for the Series Index
Thank you for your beautiful review of my book and encouraging your readers to visit the 31 Days of Miracles series. You've been such an encouragement to me.
ReplyDeleteI have also been so blessed by Joy, Ifeoma and Debbie. Their books and blog posts have been such an encouragement. I haven't heard of Cindee Snider Re's book, but then I am also not walked through chronic illness as you are doing. But I must say that the things you share are such a blessing in other ways. God ministers in a multitude of ways, doesn't He? Thank you for blessing us through your beautiful series.
Dear Anna, I'm so glad that you have been encouraged here! Your book was so full of healing words for me, and set my heart into a place of resting in God's Word, so I was very excited to be able to share it here! And, yes, I am so thankful that God finds such a great variety of ways to bring His ministry about! I think that Cindee's book would be a blessing for so many, because we each have someone that we know who deals with chronic or mental illness. --Blessings to you!
DeleteBettie, these few words could be a mantra for living well with chronic illness: "I can still be thankful for the grace." They speak volumes about the way we are helped, encouraged and sustained by God. And a heart that leans hard toward gratitude will find the hard things become more bearable.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for mentioning these blogs and books. Some new ones here for me to read! I am honoured to be in such esteemed company and truly thankful for having connected with you, as well as with others you have highlighted here.
I have read Anna's beautiful, heart-rending book, but have yet to read the others mentioned above. Cindee's book is currently on my Christmas Wish List and I would love an early copy of it! I'm sure I will also enjoy the rest of these great reads. Thank you for your generous heart and willingness to share the resources which are impacting your own life and faith journey. Xoxo
Dear Joy, Oh yes I want to learn this even more: "And a heart that leans hard toward gratitude will find the hard things become more bearable." God has been so good to bring me help on this journey, through words of gifted authors who lifted my heart to glimpse Heaven's windows. I do not believe I would be here filled with the Hope that I have today, if not for these gracious ones. And you have been such a friend as well! I am continually blessed by your words! May you be blessed by our Lord as we settle back into routine after these days of more intense writing! xoxo
DeleteDear Bettie, I have not been much on the internet lately but turning up my mail and reading your encouraging comment and those of a few other friends is one of the few reasons I pick up writing and publishing those articles believing someone might just be in the need of them.
ReplyDeleteYour heart of compassion and love is so felt from this part of the world. You encourage others to keep pressing on despite your own situation. You are a shining example of what it means to keep shining no matter what.
Thank you for shining your light. It is shining even more than you know it.
I am grateful the book blessed you. Anna is a blessed heart. So grateful to be acquinted with her writings.
God Bless my dear friend.
Hugs
Dear Ifeoma, Thank you, I am so encouraged by your words! Both here, and in your book & postings, you bring such a love for the Lord that is contagious! You are in my prayers also, that the Lord will bring that same encouragement back to you! May He bless you today my friend! Hugs!
DeleteThank you, Bettie. I have Joy's and Anna's books, but the other ones sound wonderful, too. I always love looking at the face on your writing challenge image. :) I didn't know you actually have a dog like that. She's so cute! And good therapy, too, I'm sure. Have a blessed week! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteDear Trudy, yes, aren't Joy's and Anna's words so uplifting? I hope that you will be able to read the others as well! Yes, that little Grand-puppy brings us lots of laughs, especially as she plays with her "sibling" our little Grandson! :-) --Hugs and Blessings to you!
DeleteBettie your writing is always fresh and beautiful. Once things settle down after these 31 days, I plan to go back add really enjoy reading several of the series I have discovered this month. Yours is at the top of my list.
ReplyDeleteThanks for these great readings suggestions.
Bettie your writing is always fresh and beautiful. Once things settle down after these 31 days, I plan to go back add really enjoy reading several of the series I have discovered this month. Yours is at the top of my list.
ReplyDeleteThanks for these great readings suggestions.
Thank you for your sweet words, Mandy! I have appreciated your blogs and the ways that God speaks through your different stories! I hope that you are able to find some of these books, they were great helps to me! --Blessings to you!
DeleteSo blessed to have crossed paths with you this month of writing, Bettie. I have sent friends to your blog for encouragement. I appreciate the mention of my God story. I am glad you were blessed by it. I have not been able to respond to your comments on my blog. There is not option to reply by your name as there is to other comments. But I have appreciated all of them. As we slow down and continue to write as God leads, I look forward to more of your reflections. I see you live in Wisconsin. My daughter and five of my grandchildren live in Monticello. Beautiful country.
ReplyDeleteGod bless your mission field. God tells us to show up so He can show off! It reminds me that our one duty is to be obedient to His Call.
Hi Debbie, Yes, I'm so thankful to have crossed paths with you, too, and to have found your book also! I could identify so much with your walking through surrender and obedience, as you heard God's call in your life. I was almost sorry when the book ended, because you had drawn me into your story so deeply! I am thankful that God lets us connect through these pages, and share in the continuing of His work! --Blessings to you!
DeleteBettie, thank you for your kind words about my book. I didn't realize then that the book only began the story starring God and Roma. My blog continued the story of God relentlessly pursuing Roma as a prodigal son, and finally bringing him Home. We found his family in Russia--Another God story. So many miracles in Roma's story, I am so grateful to all God has done and continues to do for me. My blog posts are the outline for my next book, like short chapters.
Deletehttp://debbiebarrowmichael.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-hound-of-heaven-winks.html
Thank you Debbie for sending me the links for the continuing story! I am excited to read the continuing story of God's miracle working!
DeleteI just saw where you wrote a review on Amazon. Thanks so much. I commented so other readers would know how to continue the story. I hope I warned you when you began, there are hard parts to read. But God is Good,
Deleteall the time.
Amen! He is so good! And it is encouraging to read the stories of how HE has helped others walk through the hard times too. Thanks for pointing back to God's Glory, Debbie!
Delete