The Inheritance of God (A Seriously Write blog)

(I encourage you to read Numbers 18:20 & 1 Peter 2:4-12 first.)

You see it all the time. You even hear stories about it. People sitting around tables with bated breath in some lawyer’s office. Or family members staged in a personal library in a magnificent mansion. Steely eyes focused on every other relative in the room.

Waiting. For the reading of the will.

Everybody wants to know the answer to the question on everyone’s mind: What am I going to get? Usually, in these scenarios, we get a real, clear picture of the human condition under the spell known as greed. Very few people ever walk out of those little family get-togethers in, shall we say, their right minds. And the higher the stakes, the less “right” people’s minds become.

Aaron and the rest of the Levites were a unique tribe amongst the Israelites. God, speaking to Aaron, said, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them” (Numbers 18:20a). The Levites already had to rely on sacrifices for food. They were not allowed to work for money. Their funds came from the Atonement Tax. So, this “no inheritance in their land” business seems pretty harsh, if you don’t read the rest of the verse: “I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites” (Numbers 18:20b).

God was to be Aaron’s inheritance. He was to be the Levites’ inheritance, too.

Wow.

That beats an Italian villa on Lake Como, a Ferrari, or a million-dollar stock portfolio any day.

Or does it?



You can see the rest of the article HERE!

Author Behind the Story - Anita Agers-Brooks

In light of Hurricane Dorian, getting ready for a direct hit, seeing schools cancel school days in preparation, waiting for the turn, watching the decimation of the Bahamas, seeing the eventual turn, watching it steer away from our peninsula, only to see it hit North Carolina.

This last week or so has been hectic, to say the least. And to let you in on a little secret, this blog post almost became a casualty. It got to our guest author late. Then, she had people for whom she cares affected in the Bahamas and NC. Needless to say, the fact that it is here at all on time is somewhat of a miracle of its own, as several other things happened that created, ultimately, more work for us both.

But we're here. On the Florida front porch. In the sweltering, post-Dorian heatwave we've been experiencing since he left our shores.

So, let's welcome out next guest before something else happens! She's a speaker, a writer, and a child of God. Welcome, Anita Agers-Brooks!

Anita, give us a quick bio. In fifty words or less, who is Anita Agers-Brooks?

I’m a passionate speaker who inspires, teaches, and encourages global audiences with stories and practical takeaways. I’m a dedicated coach, guiding businesses and individuals to make fresh starts with fresh faith. And I’m an award-wining author with a heart to help people. What I do is about souls not sales.

I like that. "About souls, not sales." Before you ever got a notion of becoming a writer/author, how old were you, and what were you doing in that time of your life?

As an adult who’d forgotten I had the notion as a child, I was the general manager of one of the largest river resorts in the country. I still do consulting for Ozark Outdoors Riverfront Resort on a regular basis.

What educational background do you have?

I went to high school in a tiny town called Viburnum, Missouri. I have certifications from one of the first accredited coaching agencies in America. I’m also a certified personality trainer, a certified training facilitator, and a certified communications specialist. Though I’ve taken several college courses, I’ve never gotten a degree, but I’m still asked to speak to students and administrators, many with master’s degrees and doctorates, frequently. I’m teaching a leadership team at Missouri’s largest university next week. Only God!

 Are you married? Single? Have kids? 

I’ve been married for thirty-six years, and we still have a blast together. We have two grown sons, and four gorgeous grandchildren.

I’m going to give you a shotgun list of favorites. List your favorite in each category and then tell us in one sentence why it is your favorite. 

Favorite Song of All-Time: Seasons in the Sun

Favorite Non-Fiction Book (other than your own & besides the Bible): Unbroken

Favorite Bible Verse: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).

Favorite Movie: It’s a tie between The Ultimate Gift and Far and Away with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman

Favorite TV Show: I don’t watch much TV, but when I do, it’s mostly Dateline, 48 Hours, or 20/20—I’m addicted to true crime

Favorite Novel (other than your own): Just 18 Summers

Favorite Author (other than you): Jack Canfield

Favorite Sport: Volleyball

Favorite Team (Can be any sport, any level): St. Louis Cardinals

Favorite Subject in School Growing Up: P.E. (I was really athletic)

Favorite Subject Now: History

Favorite Teacher in School: Mrs. Griffith (she spotted my writing talent in 4^th grade)

Favorite Time of the Year: Fall

Favorite Place to Vacation: Belize

Favorite Drink: Turmeric/Ginger Golden Milk

Favorite Food: Lasagna

Besides the usual things authors face, has there been an unusual event that changed your perspective about being an author?

Finding out that my dad was not my biological father at age forty-six certainly impacted me in deeply profound ways. Even using my maiden name as part of my pen name came into question. Finding out that I am the product of an unsavory moment made me question my ability to write for God. But eventually, I came to realize that I exist on purpose, with purpose, in order to fulfill an abundant purpose. I finally had the courage to write about all of this in my last book.

I’m also a living donor, I gave my kidney to my sister in 1997. These kinds of experiences give me a level empathy and compassion for people that comes across in my writing—or so I’ve been told.

Do you have a crazy, interesting, behind-the-scenes story about the publishing world you’d like to tell your readers without boring them to death with industry gobbledygook? 

Hmm, great question! When I was on the hunt for a literary agent, I was following all of the protocols they teach you at writer’s conferences and in writing books. A couple were interested in me at the time, but there was this one agency that I admired. I would never have queried them, because I didn’t think I was good enough. One day, however, I connected with one of their agents on Facebook. Turned out, she was born in the little Missouri community I still live in. We messaged for over an hour, then she asked to see my proposal, and I submitted it thinking nothing would come of it (remember, I wasn’t good enough). When I got the e-mail saying they wanted to sign me six days later, I cried for two hours. I’ve been with them since 2011, and they’ve sold multiple books for me. I still pinch myself!

  

Of all the stories/books you have written, which one is your favorite? And what compelled you to write this story? 

Getting Through What You Can’t Get Over is by far my favorite. I poured my heart into this book. The title came one day when I heard myself say for the umpteenth time to a hurting person, “You know, there are some things in life we can get through, but we will never get over.” For some reason, that day it clicked, and I knew it would make a great book title.

Do you ever receive negative reviews from readers? If so, how do you respond when you see them? 

Occasionally. Usually, because they are mad that I’m writing from a Christian perspective. I did get one online reviewer who said I was trite. That made me laugh—especially when I clicked on her profile and saw that she’s a serial sourpuss. But not everyone is going to love everything you write, that’s okay. Because when you get emails from strangers who said you saved their lives, because they were going to commit suicide, but instead, they are renewing their relationship with Jesus—well, that smothers any negative comments others make.

Tell us about what project you are currently working on. 

I’m working on two books actually. One is titled, Tending Your Dreams: Seizing Hope While You Create Your Turn, and I’m finally writing on the personality information I’ve taught for years.

If you had one person you could meet (think outside the Bible here) and could spend as much time as you wanted with that individual, who would it be?

Wow! As I consider this, I realize I’ve actually met several powerful, wealthy, and very interesting people—some were even celebrities. A couple of them, like Jack Canfield and Pam Farrell, were writing heroes of mine. But let’s see, someone I haven’t met. I’d still love to meet Tony Robbins and have 2-3 days of one-on-one time to pick his brain. His energy and thirst for knowledge are inspiring.

If you had one person you could meet (think ONLY Bible characters here) and could spend as much time as you wanted with that individual, who would it be besides Jesus?

It would have to be the Apostle Paul. I think he’s an intriguing, wise, and complex character. I’d like to slow-walk some dusty roads with him and ask him questions about many of the things he wrote, but especially regarding some detail in the book of Galatians.

What’s the craziest thing you have ever done? 

I ziplined in the cloud forest of Costa Rica where you couldn’t touch the tree holding up one of the platforms, because of the Army Ants. That was pretty radical. I also sang lead in two high school musicals—even I think that’s crazy today.

The Army Ants make me think of that scene in the last Indiana Jones movie. Creepy. Why do you live where you live?    

I grew up in the country, so fresh air and Missouri hollers are in my soul. But I also adore living in the state that gave us the writings of Mark Twain and Laura Ingalls Wilder. Sometimes, I visit their home places here, and wonder what it must have been like writing back in their days.   

We know “Readers are leaders, and leaders are readers.” Is there a book you’ve read in the past five years or so that has helped you become a better you? If so, which one was it, and how did it affect your life? 

The Success Principles by Jack Canfield. Other than a couple of small parts, I love that book. I’m reading it for the third time.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers about you, or anything we didn’t cover? 

I am passionate about encouraging other people to tend their dreams—to make them come true and maintain them when they do! My podcast, Tending Your Dreams, is all about providing tools, inspiring stories, and any other information that will help support people with a dream planted in their heart.

Anita, thanks for taking time out of your plane trip and being a part of our blog series! 

Readers, if you wish to get to know more about Anita and her ministry, you can find her here:

Facebook

LinkedIn

Tendyourdreams.com

anitabrooks.com

Until next time, may God bless America, and more importantly, may America bless God,

Kevin

https://ckevinthompson.com/

Writing Deficiency Disorder (A Seriously Write Blog)

Study after study has been done in recent years. Such things as “gray matter atrophy,” “compromised white matter integrity,” “reduced cortical thickness,” “impaired cognitive function,” and “cravings and impaired dopamine function,” are all physiological detriments attributed to this malady that now touches hundreds of thousands of people a year. It is a global issue, and not limited to those of us here in America. It is not discriminatory when it comes to gender or age, although it does affect younger folks more than older ones. 

Such alarming things as “structural and functional changes in the brain regions involving emotional processing, executive attention, decision making, and cognitive control” have been discovered.1

You might be thinking I am speaking of such horrible diseases like Alzheimer’s, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, or some form of brain cancer or neurological degradation for which science has yet to find a cure.

However, this disease of which I speak is self-inflicted. It has nothing to do with exposure to chemical spills or radioactive power plants. It has nothing to do with the weed killer our farmers spray on our vegetables in the field as they grow or the depletion of the ozone layer and the subsequent exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation.



You can read the remainder of the article here!

Author Behind the Story Series - Lena Nelson Dooley (Encore Visit)

Here in Florida, many of the kiddos have already started another year of school. Those up north are enjoying the last couple of weeks of summer before the school "daze" begins. Football fans are gearing up for another season. Baseball fans are readying themselves for either the joy of victory ("We made it into the playoffs!") or the agony of defeat ("Wait until next year.").

Here, in the Author Behind the Story series, we are readying ourselves for an encore performance. This author visited last summer, and she's back. Please welcome, Lena Nelson Dooley!

Lena, thanks for visiting to our Florida front porch in the heat of the summer again. After one summer of it, you came back for another shower of humidity. Kudos to you!

Last time, you answered several questions, and so we wish to delve into some new questions this time. (Dear readers, if you want to see Lena's first interview, you can visit it here.)

Most of your fans know you live in Texas. Why do you live where you live?

Actually, when James and I moved to a suburb of Fort Worth, Texas, from Abilene in farther west Texas in the early 1970s. Our plan was to live here until he built up enough seniority in his company so that when we moved back, we’d not have to move again. There were so many more things to do here with our children in the summer and the church we found that we loved, that we never left here instead.

The best laid plans of mice and authors, huh? I also know that you are married. What can you tell me about your husband, James?

Spending almost 55 years with the love of my life, James, has been right up there behind knowing Jesus. This man has treasured and protected me and is my greatest supporter in this writing business and other areas. My life wouldn’t be the same without him.

It seems God knew what he was doing when he made man and woman in the Garden. 

So, let's shift gears a little. As a writer, if you had one thing you would do over again, what would it be?

Early on, I received what I considered a rejection of my book. It was my first one, and I didn’t read it well enough. A few years later, I reread it. The editor was actually telling me she’d like to see it again after I made certain changes. I’ve always regretted I didn’t read it right in time for that editor to still want it.

Oh, my. There's a lesson for new writers, if I ever saw one. If you had your life to live over again, besides being an author (which we guess would be your obvious answer), what profession would you choose?

When I went to college, the plan was to become a teacher like those who helped me so much. Then I had to take one drama course. That’s why I changed to drama as a major and had history as a minor, even in graduate school. I’m a good director, and I do love acting. 

Interesting. When the words aren’t flowing, what is your favorite comfort food and why? 

One of the things that God promised when He told me to become a professional writer was that if I was obedient, He would cause the words to flow. However, I do love to munch sometimes on something crunchy when I’m writing. M&Ms are a favorite.

Okay readers, now you know what to bring to Lena's author signing parties! Do you ever receive negative reviews from readers? If so, how do you respond when you see them? (And we assume they DO NOT send M&Ms...)

Interesting question. My most humorous, negative review was from a woman who said that she loved my writing and my story until she got to the first kiss. I do like to have several kisses in a romance, but my kisses are more about the emotional impact than being physically graphic. She said she wouldn’t let her daughters read my book until they had been married a while, if ever. And she’d never share it with her mother or grandmother. My critique group laughed, then someone said she felt sorry for the woman’s husband if my kisses bothered his wife so much.

Hmm. Maybe fiction, particularly Christian romance, is not what she should be reading. When you are looking for a book to read, what are the things that are important to you? (And if you say, "kissing," we're shutting this interview down right now.) 

My reading-for-pleasure time is limited, so I always read the description and back cover copy to see if it sounds interesting to me. An eye-catching cover helps, but it needs to make me have questions about the story.

What makes you cringe?

I’m not fond of snakes, so I cringe when I see one, even on TV. I also cringe when I’m in the company of someone who uses either God or Jesus or other names of God in a disrespectful way. I love the Lord so much it’s like a dagger to my heart for every word.

What’s the craziest thing you have ever done?

(Readers, don’t try this. It’s dangerous.) When I was in college in Arkansas, there was a place on the campus property—between the campus itself and the neighborhood where many of the professors lived—that had a deep, wide gorge. It was in the Ozark Mountains, so there were lots of trees, rocky outcrops, and things like that. A pipe that was about a foot in diameter stretched across the chasm. A couple of my friends and I walked from one end of the pipe to the other side. Now I realize that if one of us had fallen, it would have been sudden death.

My goodness. Did your parents know about this? I'm betting no. Well, it's a good thing you didn't fall, because you wouldn't be able to tell us about your next project. Tell us what you are currently working on at the moment.

I’m editing a proposal that an editor is interested in. The heroine is a woman who came to Texas on an orphan train and became a part of a family, she thought. The hero is a lawyer who left his banking family in Now York to come to Texas to be a lawyer. There’s a marriage of convenience, and one of the craziest stunts in Texas history will be featured at a catalyst in the story.

Does this stunt involve walking across a gorge? Inquiring minds want to know... :-)

Lena, we thank you for taking time out of your busy days to stop by and answer some questions for our readers.

Readers, if you wish to get to know Lena more, you can stop by her website @ www.lenanelsondooley.com.  You can also learn more at her blog: http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com.

And don't forget to check out her interview from last September!

Lena, do you have any parting words for our readers?

Thank you, Kevin, for inviting me for the visit. I love to have readers contact me on social media, and reviews really make my day. I love seeing them on Amazon, Goodreads, and BookBub.

As do all writers/authors. If you are a reader, one way you can support your favorite authors besides buying their books is leaving honest reviews on the sites Lena listed above. Dear reader, you do not know how much credence is placed on reviews by publishers and advertisers these days. It is a new world in the arena of publishing. Your reviews just may cause a book to be published by writers like Lena and me. Then again, no review (although you may have loved the book) may cause a publisher to pass on the manuscript because "it looks like nobody read it," even though thousands of readers may have done so via sites like Kindle Unlimited, which creates a hidden source of readers many publishers cannot see. (Just thought you'd like to know, as many readers do not.)

Thanks to everyone for stopping by!

Until next time, may God bless America, and more importantly, may America bless God!

Kevin  

https://ckevinthompson.com/

The Practical Relevance of Actual Obedience (A Seriously Write Blog)

I am reading a book that was recommended to me by a pastor. It is getting me to think deeply about the “Kingdom of God” and how it is “at hand” and “not yet,” not only generally speaking, but personally, in my life, on a daily basis.

My thoughts on the subject, coupled with a growing, currently six-month-long deep dive into the Sermon on the Mount, have really got me to think and rethink not only my life as a Christian, but also the words I put down on the page as an author.

In the book, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God, author Dallas Willard says this in the introduction:

“More than any other single thing, in any case, the practical irrelevance of actual obedience to Christ accounts for the weakened effect of Christianity in the world today, with its increasing tendency to emphasize political and social action as the primary way to serve God. It also accounts for the practical irrelevance of Christian faith to individual character development and overall personal sanity and well-being” (p. xv).

Although I have not finished reading Willard’s book yet, I’m not sure there is a more succinct paragraph than this one, pertaining to the ills that plague the Church today. And may I say, possibly to those of us who write.

What do I mean exactly?

You can read the remainder of this devotion HERE, @ Seriously Write!