Hi Friend!
Last week I was a guest blogger on Kate Lloyd’s blog. Kate is a great fiction author and a fellow critique group member.
On her blog, I shared a few more details about my goal setting process. Check it out here.
I’m happy to share that I started my online writing course, “Writing Fiction Like A Pro“. I am well on my way to accomplishing my writing goals for this year.
Steve and I worked out everyday this week! We are a little sore but feeling great. My family started a fitness challenge page on Facebook. We are encouraging one another to get healthy in 2014. My niece Trisha is our coach and started us on the T25 workout. I hope to get back to my bar method class too. Get Fit in 2014!
I’m working on some areas of personal growth. I’ve been reading books and listening to tapes that have helped me understand many of my communication patterns, or lack thereof.
When you grow up with nine siblings, effective communication isn’t always taught. I continue to learn to be a better communicator through counseling, reading books, listen to tapes and doing what it takes to create a healthy atmosphere in my home. I have a good feeling about 2014 when it comes to this area of my life.
My word for 2014 is STAND. I will stand strong in the courage the Lord gives me every day by grace. This is my #NoFearNewYear
How are you doing with your goals? Can I pray for you?
Be blessed.
Gigi
Hello Friend,
Happy New Year!
I pray you are excited about 2014.
I hope you are thankful about 2013.
As I turned the calendar over to a New Year, I spent time reflecting on all that transpired in the last year.
I am most thankful for the lessons learned. And I know that God has been there all along.
In 2013, I read many helpful books that opened my eyes to healing in several areas of my life.
Come back to my blog where I will be sharing notes from those books in the coming months.
I spent the last week working through an online course titled “Five Days to The Best Year Ever” created by Michael Hyatt, the former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishing.
Michael Hyatt has much wisdom in leadership and goal setting. I recommend you follow his blog.
I had an eye opening experienced as I scribbled answers to the first question he posed in the workbook provided with the course.
In what areas of your life have you settled?
Deep breath….
Pause….
Reflect….
I wrote
and wrote
I prayed and I wrote some more.
I found several areas of my life where I’ve settled.
- Health – I stopped working out consistently and gained what I had lost.
- Relationships – I have an ongoing struggle being authentic and vulnerable.
- Finances – I haven’t paid as close attention as I’d like.
- Writing – Writing has taken a back burner for the busyness of life.
- Speaking – I didn’t speak as many times as I had hoped.
- Faith – My deep relationship with Jesus has at times taken a backseat.
Then he asked the ever challenging question: How does settling make you feel?
I cried and I wrote
I sighed and I wrote
I prayed and I wrote some more.
After writing pages and pages of realization of the areas where I settled, I found the motivation to do something about it.
I know that when I seek FIRST the Kingdom of God, all else falls into place.
I know I must take a STAND for righteousness, peace, and joy.
So I spent time in prayer and asked God to show me baby steps for each goal.
I created SMART goals for each area with action steps designed to get me back on track.
Over the course of the next few months, I’ll be reporting my progress and hope you’ll help me stay on track.
Will you share your goals with me so we can keep each other accountable?
Can I pray with you to help you examine your purpose?
Leave a comment on my blog and I will email you a copy of the SMART goal template I recently created.
Bless you with a touch from God on your 2014.
Gigi
2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 (NKJV)
Stand Fast
13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle. 16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
Book Review: Strait of Hormuz
Get ready for an adrenaline rush because this book has it all. Money laundering, explosions, assassination attempts, fast cars, a castle, high-tech spy equipment, a multi-million dollar yacht, and international terrorism threats.
Strait of Hormuz is the first book I read by author Davis Bunn. It certainly won’t be my last. I’m hooked!
Although it is the third in the Marc Royce Adventures series, it reads well as a stand-alone title. I can’t wait to pick up the other two books in this series, Lion of Babylon and Rare Earth, published by Bethany House.
About Strait of Hormuz
ISBN (Trade Paperback): 978-0-7642-1138-6
ISBN (Hardback): 978-0-7642-1145-4
ISBN (eBook): 978-1-4412-6279-0
336 pages
November 5, 2013 from Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group
Marc Royce is a recently fired United States agent asked to participate in a secret assignment to interrupt the plans for an Iranian nuclear terrorist threat through the narrow Strait of Hormuz.
The mission takes him to Switzerland, through Europe and into the Middle East.
Mr. Royce is joined by Kitra Koban, a beautiful Israeli woman with connections that will help Marc unwrap the intelligence information and make decisions that go against the agency’s commanders. His love interest in Kitra is challenged every step of the way as the suspense builds.
With potential for global disaster, the clock is ticking as new individuals become players in the race to stop this threat before it is too late. From the first scene to the last, mystery and intrigue ran through every chapter. I found myself never quite sure which of the characters I could trust. I enjoyed how faith joined characters from enemy countries for a common goal.
I highly recommend this book by Davis Bunn and encourage you to check out his many other titles. Read Chapters 1-3 of Strait of Hormuz for free. Click Here
Mr. Bunn is also hosting an incredible sweepstakes. But Hurry!
Sweepstakes!
To celebrate the release of Strait of Hormuz, Davis Bunn is hosting a big giveaway contest on his Facebook page.
- Grand Prize is his and hers luxury watches ($845 MSRP)
- First Prize is a $150 Amazon gift card (just
in time for your holiday shopping).
Entering is easy. Either click this link http://woobox.com/ipi8wk to go directly to the app and input your name and email address. Or go to Davis Bunn’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/davisbunnauthor and you’ll see signs and arrows that point to the app.
Times is almost up for this amazing giveaway! Increase your chances of winning by entering once per e-mail address per day through November 29 at 6 p.m. Pacific Time. Get bonus entries by sharing the contest with your Facebook friends and Twitter followers (just follow the prompts on your screen after entering).
Pictured: Davis Bunn and his wife, Isabella Bunn.
Davis Bunn is a four-time Christy Award-winning, best-selling author now serving as writer-in-residence at Regent’s Park College, Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Defined by readers and reviewers as a “wise teacher,” “gentleman adventurer,” “consummate writer,” and “Renaissance man,” his work in business took him to over 40 countries around the world, and his books have sold more than seven million copies in sixteen languages.
Strait of Hormuz is the series finale of the popular Marc Royce Adventures. Library Journal named Lion of Babylon (Book 1) a “Best Book of 2011.” Rare Earth (Book 2) won the 2013 Christy Award for best suspense novel and was a CBA top 20 best-seller.
If you want to learn more about Davis Bunn, here are links to his social media pages:
Website and Blog: www.davisbunn.com
- Blog Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/DavisBunn
- E-newsletter (to receive subscriber-only giveaways & previews of his upcoming novels): http://www.davisbunn.com/news.htm
- Facebook Author Page: facebook.com/davisbunnauthor
- Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/davisbunn/
- Twitter: @davisbunn – http://twitter.com/davisbunn
What’s REALLY EXCITING about Davis Bunn, is that he has agreed to be the keynote speaker at our upcoming Northwest Christian Writers’ Renewal Conference April 11-12, 2014! We have the privilege of learning from this incredible author during his workshops and keynote presentations.
Join me at the conference. Or at least I hope you’ll pick up a copy of this book. You will be glad you did.
Happy reading!
Gigi
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
I have been seeking a deeper intimacy with the Lord.
Bible study.
Prayer.
Worship with music.
Quiet time listening to the Lord.
I must confess that the last few years I’ve allowed distractions to interrupt this time.
The Lord continues to remind me that He created me for an intimate relationship with Him. When I choose these distractions over my time with Him, I definitely feel it. Things just aren’t right.
At a recent women’s retreat, I enjoyed my time sitting at this pond with my Bible open, pen in hand and a sweet worship album playing on my phone. Oh Lord, help me to continue to find this place of intimacy with you.
Following my retreat, I received this word in my email box from Marsha Burns who shares beautiful messages on her website at http://ft111.com/smallstraws.htm
SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by MARSHA BURNS:
Many of you, My people, are awakening to a new level of intimacy with Me, says the Lord. But, you must be alert and aware that the enemy of your souls will release lies and a spirit of lethargy to convince you that it takes too much effort to walk in the Spirit. Refuse to go back or give up. The discipline that it takes is well worth the progress that you are making. Proverbs 15:19 The way of the lazy man is like a hedge of thorns, but the way of the upright is a highway.
I love God’s timing! I am refusing to go back or give up!
Think about your time with God. Are you making time for him? I hope so.
Bless you with a deeper intimacy with The Father.
Gigi
Sometimes it is hard for me to forget the former things.
Because I keep a journal, I have a written record of many events of my life.
Even if my memory isn’t as good as it used to be, I have the ability to go back and remember the former things recorded by my pen.
During a recent Bible study, I was reminded that God doesn’t want me to dwell on my past.
Look what I found in the Isaiah 43:18-19!
18 “But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. 19 For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
The Book of Philippians is a compassionate letter written by the Apostle Paul to help us learn to live as Christ. In that book I found another treasure.
Pressing toward the Goal – Philippians 3:12-14
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
I have many things in my life that I’m not proud of. It seems that the month of November brings reminders of such unfortunate events.
So I spent time this morning asking God to help me release my past to Him. But I won’t forget the lessons I’ve learned.
It set this captive free.
No longer will I dwell on many painful choices that occurred in the fall season of my life.
I was reminded of an amazing truth found in Philippians 1:12
It happened to me for my good…Philippians 1:12
12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters,that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.
As I look back on the stories in my journals, I am reminded over and again that God used those ugly things to draw me closer and to share His HOPE.
My dear friend, I pray that God has revealed His presence in your past.
May you come to know that He was there all along.
I’m asking Him to show you the HOPE that comes from turning it all to him.
Let Him help you forget the past.
He will shine a light on your future.
I pray for you daily. Asking God to reveal Himself to you in a real way.
Bless your heart with freedom from your past.
Gigi
One of my writer friends recently received a message on her computer asking for ransom.
What was the ransom for?
All of the files on her computer.
They had been encrypted by a virus.
Six years of her hard work as a writer where suddenly unreadable.
It all started with an email from what appeared to be the U.S. Postal Service informing her of a package they had not been able to deliver.
She opened the email and the attachment. Then the ugly virus software started working through her files.
She had no idea what was happening within her computer until she received the message asking her to submit the randsom.
The criminal?
CryptoLocker, a malicious software that is infecting computers around the world – encrypting important files and demanding a ransom to unlock them.
It attacks everything – documents, databases, spreadsheets, photos, videos and music collections. Then it scrambles the files with encryption that can only be opened by the crooks.
It appears that your computer is working normally until you try to open the encrypted files.
Then it asks you to pay a ransom within three days or your files are permanently encrypted.
Her ransom was $300.00. Even if you pay the ransom, the decryption key does not always work.
My advice:
1. Never open a file from an unknown source.
2. Before opening a file, find a way to confirm that it is real. After taking a copy of the request to the U.S. Post Office, this author friend found out that the U.S. Post Office never sends emails. Had she asked before she opened it, she would have saved herself a big headache.
3. Backup, Backup, Backup – a separate manual backup – not an automated backup that will simply automatically copy the encrypted files and overwrite your good files.
With a recent backup, you can recover from CryptoLocker and other malware with no serious consequences.
For more thorough information on what to do about this virus, watch this helpful video.
It is really sad we live in a time when people spend time writing programs to wreak havoc on our computers.
Please click out of this blog and back up your computer. It will be worth it.
Bless you,
Gigi
November is here and I’m on the road again with my son Gabe.
We arrived Tuesday in Montana where he will speak at several venues.
My home town of Anaconda, MT
Wednesday, 11/6/2013 Anaconda Chamber of Commerce annual banquet 7:00 pm
Thursday, 11/7/13 Anaconda Job Corp 7:00 pm
Tuesday, 11/12/13 Drummond Schools 9 am
Tuesday, 11/12/13 Dillon Town Meeting 7 pm UM Western
Wednesday, 11/13/13 Butte Middle School 2:00 pm
Wednesday, 11/13/13 Butte Town Meeting 7:00 pm
I love Montana. My old stomping grounds.
So fun to come full circle with Gabe speaking for the Chamber of Commerce.
I had a job my junior and senior year of high school working for the Chamber of Commerce. I helped plan the annual banquet Now some 38 years later I will be back there to hear Gabe share his story.
Full Circle.
Tell me about a time when you’ve come full circle.
Bless you!
Gigi
I already miss the beautiful women of Mountain View Community Church.
We had an amazing time at the weekend retreat at Cedar Springs Christian Retreat Center in Sumas, WA. This camp is tucked in amongst lucious farms and snuggled in the mountains and foothills near the Canadian border. Absolutely beautiful.
The grounds are landscaped with perenial gardens still hanging on to summer.
Check out the beautiful photos on their website! http://cedarspringscrc.org/
One of the many ponds at Cedar Springs Christian Retreat Center
As wonderful as this setting was, it was not nearly as precious as the women with whom I had the privilege of sharing my story.
This morning when I opened my Bible to Philippians 1:2-12, I prayed this Scripture to God in honor of these new friends.
Philippians 1:2-12
2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
3 Every time I think of you [Sweet sisters of Mountain View], I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment [my struggles of life] and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.
I truly believe God ordained this weekend to be a time of refreshing and developing a new trust and intimacy with Him. He showed us how to live with a grateful heart.
I will cherish this time.
Thanks God. I received so many kisses on the cheek from you all weekend that I feel the sweet touch of your love.
Sweet Kisses….
God is good. All the time.
Bless you with grace and peace from God.
Gigi
This month I joined a women’s Bible study group with the theme “Choose Joy.”
Couldn’t come at a better time.
I choose JOY when my back pain won’t go away.
I choose JOY when my heart aches for some family members going through difficult financial times and I can’t fix it.
I choose JOY when I’m overwhelmed with the convergience of many deadlines and I’ve overbooked my schedule.
I choose JOY when the government is at a stalemate on our budget.
I choose JOY over worry and fret and heart palpatations.
It is raining here in Phoenix where I’m traveling with my son Gabe.
How do I choose JOY?
It’s right here in the Book of the Bible we are studying for this Flourish in the Word study.
This is a favorite from Philippians 4:4-6
Final Exhortations
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I pray you will choose joy today too, my friend.
Bless your day with JOY
Gigi
Is there a month where you celebrate several birthdays of your friends and family?
October is one of those months for my family
Celebrating Birthdays
This is what we will be celebrating this month:
October 2nd – Nephew – Greg Devine and Friend Aleta Lander
October 5th – Great-niece McKenzie Pepin
October 8th – Nephew Jon Devine
October 9th – Pastor Judah Smith and Friend Ben Nystrom
October 12th – Niece Heidi Clemes
October 14th – Daughter-in-law Kelsey Murfitt and Friend Ray Clavero
October 17th – Friends Marty Nystrom and Wendy Anderson
October 20th – Sister Patti Devine
October 25th – Granddaughter Avery Murfitt turns ONE!
October 28th – Niece Rochelle Wolfe
October 29th – Sister – Judy Devine
I love to celebrate birthdays. With a family as large as mine, it can be quite the party.
How do you celebrate birthdays in your house? I hope you’ll share your traditions. I am planning a blog of helpful birthday ideas for a future post.
Here’s blessing each person on my list and yours.
Gigi