Posts Tagged "author"

Why I Read and Write Fiction – Confessions of a Bookworm

Posted by on Jun 19, 2020 | Comments Off on Why I Read and Write Fiction – Confessions of a Bookworm

Why I Read and Write Fiction – Confessions of a Bookworm

I read and write fiction because I am curious about the world. Fiction increases our awareness of the world around us and broadens our horizons beyond the confines of our daily life.

 

 

 

 

Fabulous Fridays

Why I Read and Write Fiction – Confessions of a Bookworm

I read and write fiction because I am curious about the world. Whether contemporary or historical, fiction transports the reader to another place and time. A well-written novel invites the reader to become part of the story. Fiction increases our awareness of the world around us and broadens our horizons beyond the confines of our daily life.

Fiction vs. Non-fiction

Why I Read & Write Fiction 1

Non-fiction teaches facts. We learn about one topic in detail with little stimulus of our imagination. One problem in our world today is people’s desire to be heard above news media rhetoric. Talking heads with a set agenda tell us what to think.

A well-written novel invites the reader to become part of the story... #amwriting #amreading #fiction Click To Tweet

Fiction, on the other hand, covers a broad range of experiences through the eyes of many different characters. One book enables us to enter the minds of a variety of people from different levels of society: rich and poor, educated and uneducated, management and employee, husband and wife. Points of view are expressed in a non-confrontational way. Readers experience what someone thinks, why they think that way, and develop empathy. Fiction opens us up to new ideas while stimulating pleasure areas in the brain.

Fiction and the Real World

Why I Read & Write Fiction 2

For example, in my new romantic suspense, Within Golden Bands, the reader experiences the hurt and longing of a woman who craves motherhood but cannot become pregnant. I wrote from the heart about longings I experienced. My husband gave input on passages about the husband’s reactions. The story isn’t ours but we dealt with the emotions in real life.

In our world today, fearful of the COVID-19 pandemic, torn by protests over racial inequality, stress and anxiety run rampant. Fiction transports us away from the tension of non-stop news to a place where our brains can rest. Stimulating the imagination is therapeutic.

Fiction transports us to a place where our brains can rest... #anxiety #relaxation #bookworm Click To Tweet

Works of fiction contain the truth about life, history, current events, and even faith. Christian fiction reveals how others might respond to personal crises, relationships, and world events from the standpoint of their faith. I watched my mother-in-law grow in her relationship to Christ through the fiction she read.

Benefits of Reading Fiction

Why I Read & Write Fiction 3

All the best and worst of life is contained in fictional worlds. As we watch characters react to life events, we grow our minds with new possibilities. When based in fact and experience, the author’s imaginings can demonstrate scriptural truth.

Novels open our eyes to fresh perspectives by transporting us into an imaginary world... #amwriting #imagination #escape Click To Tweet

All in all, fiction provides escape from stress and reveals new ways to respond to the world around us. Novels open our eyes to fresh perspectives by transporting us into an imaginary world. We escape everyday turmoil, satisfy our curiosity, expand our thinking, and rest our minds through the pages of a book.

© Copyright Norma Gail Holtman, June 16, 2020

Fiction transports the reader to another place and time... #booklover #novels #readingrocks Click To Tweet

About the author:

Norma Gail - AuthorNorma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (releasing May 19, 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 44 years. They have two adult children. To connect with her, you can follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, BookBub, or Amazon.

 

 

 

 

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Love Others Well – A 2MefromHim Devotional

Posted by on Feb 11, 2020 | Comments Off on Love Others Well – A 2MefromHim Devotional

Love Others Well – A 2MefromHim Devotional

Let’s love each other well this Valentine’s Day!

 

 

 

 

 

Love Others Well

2MefromHim Devotional

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

Love Others Well 3

This Valentine's Day, let's do things differently and learn to love others well God's way. #ValentinesDay #love #God Click To Tweet

Learning to love others well

Valentine’s Day fills us with thoughts of love but not necessarily the right kind. A walk through the mall reveals that the love God speaks of is very different than what advertisements and entertainment portray. John said, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.” He should be our source of learning how to love others well.

Broken wedding vows. Broken hearts. Hurt feelings. Ruined friendships. Families destroyed. We don’t do a good job of loving.

Broken wedding vows. Broken hearts. Hurt feelings. Ruined friendships. Families destroyed. We don’t do a good job of loving. #relationships #family #marriage Click To Tweet

Jesus’ commands

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind, and the second is to love our neighbor as ourselves. However, the greatest insight comes from Paul. He uses action words such as patient and kind. Instead of being envious, boastful, or proud, we must aside personal feelings and needs and reach out to the very people who wounded us.

Love Others Well 1

We must aside personal feelings and reach out to the very people who wounded us. #forgiveness #healing #reconciliation Click To Tweet

Learn to forgive

What if we let wrongs slide off our backs like heavy weights rather than dwelling on our differences? How would family and friends respond if instead of reacting in anger we set aside our perceived rights and forgave? Because we are forgiven, we must choose to follow His example. A failure to do so is to choose to sin against the Author of love.

In truth, the single greatest reason for failure is pride. My pride. Matthew 5:44 says, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” Does it not, therefore, stand to reason that we are to forgive those closest to us? When I pray for those who injure me, my own hurt changes to concern for the well-being of others.

Love Others Well 4

 

Love by putting others first

Paul says love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. Clearly, to love well, our emphasis must be on the other person, rather than ourselves. If I hold onto hurt and anger, pride, and refuse to seek forgiveness when someone believes I wronged them, I fail. Therefore, I must offer prayer instead of resentment and forgiveness rather than pride.

Love Others Well 2

Who would God ask you to treat differently this Valentine’s Day?

What if we offered prayer instead of resentment and forgiveness rather than pride. What if we loved God's way? #God #love #forgiveness Click To Tweet

© Copyright by Norma Gail Holtman, February 10, 2020

 

About the author:

Norma Gail - AuthorNorma Gail writes Fiction to Refresh Your Spirit. Her contemporary novels, Land of My Dreams, which won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award, and Within Golden Bands (releasing in the summer of 2020), explore the theme of women whose faith triumphs over trials. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, Inspire a Fire, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 43 years. They have two adult children. If you’re interested in connecting with her, follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, or Amazon.

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Sins are like Scarlet Stains – 2MefromHim Devotionals

Posted by on Feb 4, 2020 | 2 comments

Sins are like Scarlet Stains – 2MefromHim Devotionals

 

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Isaiah 1:18

 

 

 

Sins are like Scarlet Stains

2MefromHim Devotionals

Scripture

Scarlet stains

Sins are like scarlet stains. Relationships were broken, and I needed to forgive and be forgiven. Instead of meeting with grateful hearts, I sat astounded while I learned of a deep desire to hurt me and surprise that I believed they needed forgiveness. These revelations startled and hurt. Yes, the images in this blog are ugly but sin is uglier still.

Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow... #devotional #anger #hurt Click To Tweet

Stains require forgiveness

Multiple relationships suffered incredible harm. Through prayer, God convinced me to seek forgiveness for my own angry words. I also needed to forgive those who wounded me. I determined to pray for someone who needed to hurt others and for one who failed to recognize their wrongs. We all mess up. As Christians, we must seek forgiveness daily. Sin leaves scarlet stains.

Sin leaves stains

Sin leaves scarlet stains ... #TuesdayThoughts #sin #hurt Click To Tweet

Sometimes we just don’t get along with someone, that person who rubs us the wrong way, those we tiptoe around hoping not to offend. I’ve been blessed to have very few people I couldn’t get along with, both when I worked outside the home, and in over 21 years as a women’s Bible study leader. People will wound us, however, our loving God wants to blot out scarlet stains, heal broken relationships, and make them stronger than before.

God wants to blot out stains

I prayed and agonized over the growing antagonism for years. The conversations left me shaken and hurt. But God is faithful, once I sought forgiveness for my wrongs, I gained the assurance that God was pleased. Ephesians 4:31-32 admonishes us to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Praying leads to healing

We aren’t responsible for other’s actions

As I prayed about these broken and scarlet-stained bonds, I realized that my heart wasn’t the only one broken. God’s heart was broken too. Therefore, it was necessary to surrender my hurt to the Lord, and trust Him to heal in His time and way. Praying for those who hurt me heals, frees, strengthens, and gives me victory. I am only responsible for my actions, not those of others.

Praying for those who hurt me heals, frees, strengthens, and gives me victory... #prayer #enemies #healing Click To Tweet

If I have stains, I have to act

When the Holy Spirit convicted me about my own angry words and actions, I had to swallow my pride and take the first step. I determined to act in obedience to the Lord and forgive those who wronged me. It was necessary to willingly forgive others, whether or not they saw the need. My prayers resulted in a heart willing to forgive, though it is a moment by moment choice. When I obey, God washes my sins and makes them white as snow.

I am only responsible for my actions, not those of others... #responsibility #actions #victory Click To Tweet

© Copyright by Norma Gail Holtman, January 30, 2020

 

Norma Gail - AuthorNorma Gail is the author of Land of My Dreams, winner of the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. The sequel, Within Golden Bands, will release in 2020. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 43 years. They have two adult children. If you’re interested in connecting with her, follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, or Amazon.

 

 

 

 

Book cover image

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Behold His Glory – A Devotional by Marcie Warner Bridges

Posted by on Nov 6, 2017 | 2 comments

Behold His Glory – A Devotional by Marcie Warner Bridges

Behold His Glory! God’s glory shines forth every day. Can you see it? Do you take time to notice it? My friend, Marcie Warner Bridges, shares some devotional thoughts and a beautiful poem reminding us that God’s glory serves to remind us of His love and salvation, available to all!

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Leigh Ann Thomas – Ribbons, Lace, and Moments of Grace

Posted by on Jun 2, 2017 | 2 comments

Leigh Ann Thomas – Ribbons, Lace, and Moments of Grace

Leigh Ann Thomas is the mother of three daughters and experienced two weddings in less than two years. You will love getting acquainted with this vibrant author as she shares about her book, Ribbons, Lace, and Moments of Grace: Inspiration for the Mother of the Bride. She will be my guest June 9 – 15th and you will have a chance to win a print copy of her book! 

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