Christian book is sure to please

Soon to be released NIGHT WITH A PERFECT STRANGER by David Gregory is the third book in his trilogy about Jesus appearing to character Nick Cominsky. Nick is a middle-aged man, married with two children and one on the way. He is on his way home from a visit with his parents that went sour when his father started drilling him about his career and comparing him to his more successful sister. Nick left in a huff at night instead of waiting until the next day when he was supposed to leave. He hasn't been on the road for too long when he runs out of gas. A stranger holding a gas can appears in front of him. After a closer look, Nick realizes it is the same man who came to visit him six years ago- Jesus. Jesus hops in and accompanies him on his trip back home.

Along the way they meet a man struggling with addiction. After a spiritual conversation over coffee and pie the man is transformed. They also visit a hospital where Jesus shows Nick a father rocking his premature baby. He tells Nick that God's love for us is much the same- unconditional, constant and forgiving.

As they near their destination Nick receives a call from his upset wife stating that she is spotting and on her way to the hospital. When Nick comes close to having a wreck and turns to Jesus, he is gone. Nick stops to help a woman whose car had gone off the road. It turns out to be his wife's spiritual advisor. He gives her a ride. They talk about God and spirituality. Nick is able to see the same thing Jesus was telling him in a new light: Jesus lives within us and we must listen to him and let him guide us through life. When Nick reaches the hospital he is led to Labor and Delivery. Jesus is waiting for him. Nick opens up his heart and lets him in, and together they walk through the doors to see what has happened.

What was Nick struggling with? What exactly does Jesus tell him? What kind of addiction does the other man struggle with, and what is their connection? Read the book and find out. You'll be glad you did.

"Beautifully Gifted" is beautifully inspired

"Many of us women get tripped up in finding our identity, settling sometimes, unbeknownst to us, for something false, taking our cues from the world," says Angela Bisigano, PhD.

Several weeks ago I received an email from an agent representing a company, PR by the Book. She asked if I might consider reading one of their books and writing about it on this blog. I said why not, what could it hurt? The list of book titles she gave me ranged from nonfiction to fiction to self-help. I selected the spiritual/motivational book entitled Beautifully Gifted because... well, I loved the title and it promised to help me discover my true calling. I just knew this had to be a nudge from God.

The author of Beautifully Gifted is CBN-endorsed Angela Bisigano, PhD. She specializes in psychology and ministry, specifically issues concerning women and helping them find their "unique giftedness and calling." She has written this book as a guide that can be used alone or (preferably) in groups. The layout is very organized with quotes from scripture, practical applications and guide questions in each chapter. Dr. Bisigano includes real-life examples, many of which pertain to struggles in her life that she has learned from and how they have led her to God.

The 208-page book (including appendix and bylines) encourages you to forgive your parents and trust God so that spiritual growth can occur. Living in resentment is living in captivity. According to Spiritually Gifted, "God's plan for our lives includes healing, restoration and freedom." Angela shares a story about forgiving her father. He had had a heart attack. She was sitting at his bedside wondering if he believed in God. She asked him if he'd meet her at the pearly gates. He said yes. It wasn't until later that she realized she hadn't asked him to meet her inside the pearly gates. She said it was okay, though, because he recovered. This moved me to tears.

Dr. Bisigano provides lists and descriptions to help you identify what your spiritual gifts and talents are, along with pages for note taking. The part guidebook/ part interactive journal invites you to recall the major turning points in your life so that you can write your story to share with the group. Finally, Beautifully Gifted leaves you with a workable plan for carrying out your calling. Included in the appendix is a resource for those who wish to lead a discussion group.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was very informative, interesting and personal. I was reminded to listen for God's guidance within and not to let outside hindrances block me from my purpose in life. Learning about what the author has gone through and the things she has struggled with in her life made it easy for me to relate to her as a real person.

I discovered that I am already using my God-given talents through writing and tutoring children. I was inspired to maybe share my story someday, which would be like an act of Congress considering I am very quiet and START SWEATING PROFUSELY AT THE VERY THOUGHT OF SPEAKING IN FRONT OF GROUPS. Maybe God will call me to do that later in life. If so, I know I'll have a wonderful guide in Beautifully Gifted.

I am not alone

Yesterday, we finally had the opportunity to celebrate Christmas with Pete's brother Chris, my sister (in-law) Chelsea, and their son, Jonathan.  We had planned on getting together at Thanksgiving, but poor Jonathan was very sick and in the hospital.  Then at Christmas, my family was playing hot potato with strep throat.  So our visit was long overdue and the whole day was a true blessing.  And what happened is a blessing, too: we were not alone.  Read on to "see" what I mean...

I am holding my nine-month-old praying nephew, Jonathan.  As you can see by the spirit orbs surrounding my crosses and the big one on the curtain, we are not alone. 

Chelsea helps Jonathan open presents while another spirit orb (see her ankle) delights in joy.

Katie and her Aunt Chelsea strike a pose after having a fun "hair war."  Again, they are not alone (see upper right-hand corner).

Ever since Mary's death, and then Ms. Angelle's, orbs have shown up in my pictures at some time or another.  People have differing opinions about these round mysterious balls, but I strongly believe they are spiritual.  They appear in times of joy and celebration.

Do you remember my post A Letter to Heaven?  I was happily reminiscing about my special times with Ms. Angelle.  When I uncovered the two evening gowns she had given me and took a picture for the post, an orb showed up on one of the dresses.

Here are just a few of the many pictures I have with spiritual orbs in them:

Here you can see the spirit orbs in my friend Heather's meditation room.  I can feel the chi in that peaceful room!

If you look closely on my hair, you can see orbs by my ear and my dad's head.  I am opening birthday presents at my parent's home.

The orb is by my mom's head.  Do you see it?

It looks like someone is partaking in Andrew's birthday celebration.  Perhaps Ms. Angelle, Andrew's godmother, sits beside Nicholas.

And here again, Andrew has an orb with him on Christmas Eve.

Need I say more?  The proof is in the puddin'!

Coming home

I had the pleasure of meeting up with some of my writing friends at the guild meeting tonight.  So many times I have to miss the meeting because I am too busy running the kids here and there to various activities, but tonight worked out great.  When people who share a common bond get together, it always feels like home.  You know, the warm and cozy kind of sensation that warms your heart and makes you feel as if you have not missed a beat?   That is how I feel.  It is natural to simply dive right in our writing updates with each other.

  I am very fortunate and blessed to belong to another group like that too; not a writer's group, but a different kind of group based on spiritual principles.  When I walk into a room full of these people, I am embraced by "family" who accept me just the way I am.  I get that same warm and fuzzy feeling, and the weight of the world is lifted from my shoulders as I bask in the comfort of their love.  We share a common bond that unites us. 

Do you belong to any groups?   Please feel free to leave a comment and strike up a conversation.

C is for Celestial

Are you surprised that I chose celestial instead of cardinals?  That's because, to me, they go hand in hand.  You see, celestial means heavenly or spiritual, and cardinals serve as reminders to me of God's love.  So whenever I see a cardinal, I feel connected with God.

How did this come to be?  If you have been following my blog since the beginning, then you know the answer to this.  For those of you who are new, I will give you a run-down on why cardinals mean so much to me, and why I named this blog Conversations With A Cardinal.

I had a very dear friend, Mary, who committed suicide two years ago.  It was unexpected and I was very shaken up by it. At her funeral I met Mary's sister, Jeni who lives in New York but is now a dear friend of mine (click here to read her blog and learn more about Mary).  Both of us began spotting cardinals at great times of sorrow and when thinking of Mary.  For me, it happened all over the place at the lowest of times...but always when I was sad about Mary's death.  A warm and fuzzy feeling would come over me, as if an "energy" was pouring into my body.  I knew Mary was okay, and that God would get me through.  It was the most amazing, life-changing occurrence I have ever experienced.

Now, two years later, my cardinal still appears to me.  When Jeni and I talk on the phone, a cardinal appears; when I gave Jeni the "Sisterhood" blog award, my backyard was filled with dozens of cardinals; a cardinal led me to a 94-year-old friend who was bleeding to death.  Cardinals are all over now, and they serve as reminders of spirituality and heaven.  I have shared these miracles and many more on this blog, which originated because of my cardinal encounters.

Sometimes I hear the cardinal singing his lovely tune or chirping his distinct chirp, and even though I cannot see the cardinal, I know he is there...just like God.  Other times I see the cardinal after being led to him by the songs or chirps (or sometimes without any sound- I just KNOW he's there).  I am overcome with joy and hope; joy that comes from knowing without a doubt that God and an afterlife exists, and hope that everything will be okay.  I always say a prayer when I hear or see a cardinal and can happily say that today I know that God is near.

Christmas Has Come

Well, The Big Day was yesterday and I must admit I felt like a child waiting for Christmas, I was so excited. Mr. K and I rushed to Barnes and Noble after dropping the kids off at school, but the store wasn't even opened yet. I was disappointed and my adorable husband must have noticed because although I told him he could go on to work (we had taken two cars), he showed up at Wal-Mart to share in my elation. I was so surprised to see him. We walked right to the book section and guess what? The book wasn't there! Again, disappointment. Pete went on to work and I did some shopping at Wal-Mart to kill some time before Barnes and Noble opened. Shopping always cheers me up. I finally got to B and N and found the nice display of books by the religion and spirituality section. I bought a book and went home to read. There are so many heartwarming, gut-wrenching, feel good stories in this awesome book! I feel so privileged to be a part of it.

Last night, I had a writer's guild meeting at B and N and told my writing buddies about the book. Many went to buy Christmas Miracles after the meeting and it had sold out. I went to the public relations lady to notify her that I was in the story and that they had sold out. When she checked her computer, I was so saddened to find out that store had only ordered four copies...and they weren't going to get any more! I was able to convince her to order some so I could have a book signing, but I was also disappointed that the store had treated this precious, adorable book so poorly. If anyone is interested in a book (a great Christmas present), you can notify me or order it on-line at Amazon. Simply click on the icon located the top right side of this blog. Hopefully bigger cities received more copies. Until the next time, happy reading!

Bird Messenger

Today I had another wonderful, beautiful spiritual experience. I was trying to get dinner ready for the kids, Pete was working and I was lamenting on my day of substitute teaching and how I wish my kids didn't have to go through the rigamarole of portable schooling next year while a new school is being built thanks to the passing of the school bond issue, when I heard Snowy barking nonstop. Wondering what could be causing such a fuss, I looked out the back window and saw that she was looking up and barking- as if something was on the roof. So I went outside to take a peak and there was a beautiful bird perched right on the edge. This bird sat as still as a statue as the dogs continued to bark ferociously at it. I sat down on a chair because I knew this was another sign, but I didn't yet know what. I sat and prayed for at least fifteen minutes and the bird still hadn't flown away. I could hear a cardinal singing, too. Nicholas called me in to help him with something and I darted in real quick and went right back out. The bird was still there. So I started asking God what kind of message was he trying to give me? I knew I had been wrapped up in a lot of things lately and maybe He wanted me to take some time to rest. So I sat. The dogs stopped barking and went off to play, but the bird stayed there. Time was marching...Katie needed to be at a friend's house for a sleepover soon. That's when I heard the ambulance and fire truck sirens blaring down the street. They were headed to my dear old friend Libby's house. Libby and I have known each other for more than twelve years and she is the one who we hunkered down with after hurricane Ike at her brother's house north of Dallas. Libby has had some problems through the years and I have tried to help her on numerous occasions with them. Anyway, I loaded up the kids to take Katie to her friend's house and then stopped by Libby and Frank's house. She had a seizure and they were trying to convince her to go to the emergency room. When she saw me barreling through the front door, she was calmed because I was there. I hugged her and told her to go and I would call her tomorrow. Right then and there I knew that Mary had sent that bird to alarm me...and I am so grateful for that. Thank you God!