Ann Harrison's Blog, page 3

September 6, 2023

Inspirational Journeys Presents: Joan Patterson Discusses her Faith in God and Her Service Dogs

What would you do if you crossed paths with a service dog handler? In today’s YouTube video and podcast episode, Joan Patterson and I discuss the difference between a service dog and a guide dog. We discuss her latest book and her writing. Sit back and enjoy our inspiring and informative conversation.

Career educator, author, and speaker Joan Patterson received a Bachelor of Science in education and business and an associate degree in Bible from Liberty University. More than three decades of multiple sclerosis (MS) have confined Joan to a wheelchair, from which she communicates passionately the life lessons God has taught her through service dog companions Faith and Giles. Joan has spoken to churches, women’s groups, children’s groups, civic groups, schools, nursing homes and professional groups.

Joan’s memoire is entitled: A Matter of Faith, Surviving Life’s Crises with Four Wheels, Four Paws, and a Loving God.

 

Description:

In this unique memoir, Joan Patterson chronicles her experiences as the human half of an extraordinary homosapien -canine partnership. Adventures ranging from quirky, hilarious, poignant, challenging, but never dull offer fresh perspective on how to survive life’s relentless crises and develop a closer relationship with God. Joan’s hope and prayer in introducing readers to her delightful, devoted canine partner is that each will walk away from these pages with renewed faith and a deeper understanding of a loving heavenly Father who is always there to help his children in time of need.

 

Purchase link:  https://www.amazon.com/s?k=a+matter+o...

 

Excerpt:

This is a partial section of the experience Faith and I had when she was to take my leather change purse and give it to a cashier.

My heart raced as we approached the cashier. I held out my leather change purse, which was only large enough for a few folded bills and some coins. “Faith, take it.”

She gave a perfect impression of a statue. Not a muscle moved. Her mouth stayed closed as a clam, eyes glazed over.

My emotions ran the gamut from anger to pleading to rage to begging, all while trying to keep some outward appearance of calmness. No matter how I tried to reason with her, Faith was determined not to take my change purse.

I hugged Faith, crying softly into her fur and asking her to please take the change purse. I was so desperate I even tried reasoning with her. The rest of the class started rooting for us. “You can do it. You’re a great team. Don’t give up.”

It felt like years since we’d begun our change purse stand-off. I was getting fatigued from all the physical and emotional exertion. Trainer or not, I was about to give up when Faith opened her mouth, took my change purse, stood on her back legs, and gave it to the cashier. The lady took the change purse as if it was the most natural thing to do, processed the admission, and with a smile handed the purse back to Faith.

We retreated to stand beside a trainer along with the other teams who’d already completed their ordeal. As another team moved up to take their turn, I commented with frustration, “I don’t know why Faith was so stubborn. She has done so well in practice.”

“Actually, she wasn’t just being stubborn, Joan,” the trainer explained kindly. “When Faith was a puppy, she ate two leather leashes. I guess her puppy raiser got through to her that leather is not for eating. She learned her lesson well to the point she now resists putting anything leather in her mouth.”

I’d been feeling so angry and confused about why Faith wouldn’t listen to me and take my leather change purse. I now felt compassion. She’d simply been holding fast to the lesson learned long ago. I hugged her with new understanding and love.

It was a reminder that God doesn’t get upset with me when he teaches me something different even when I close my mind and keep my body rigid, refusing to listen to his soft urging. His patience never falters. If only I would remain as faithful to him!

 

Connect with Joan at the following links:

Joan Patterson – Author, Speaker, Warrior

Listen to Joan’s interview with Patti Shene on her radio show called Step Into the Light by clicking the following link and clicking the play button on the first episode:

https://pattishene.com/stepintothelightradioshow

 

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Published on September 06, 2023 06:58

August 29, 2023

Connect your Crafts to your Writing: WWJ 4th Annual Writing Conference Encore Presentation

Here’s a sneak peek at the fourth annual WWJ writing conference which was streamed live on YouTube on Saturday August 19, 2023. My presentation is entitled Connect your Craft with your Writing. If you enjoy this YouTube video and Podcast episode, click on the Conference play list to watch the other amazing presentations and join Tish Bouvier for a couple of write ins.

The picture you see here is of my first crocheted teddy bear. This was one of the two photos on the slide Jen Lowry made for me to go along with my presentation. Enjoy!

What craft projects do you like to do and how do they connect to your writing?

Blessings,

AnnA Purple Crocheted Teddy Bearxx

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Published on August 29, 2023 07:18

August 22, 2023

Inspirational Journeys Presents: Surround Yourself with a Team of Prayer Warriors

Dearly beloved readers in the blogosphere,

Seeking first the kingdom of God is important if we want to align with God and follow His plan for our lives. I talk about this in depth on my YouTube video and Podcast episode. I also provide tips and encouragement for building a team of prayer warriors around you. The passages of scripture I reference throughout today’s episode include: John 15:4–5; Matthew 6:33; and Matthew 6:5–12. I read these verses from the King James Version of the Bible.

My challenge to you is this: Seak first the Kingdom of Heaven, invite your family, friends, church members, email subscribers and people in your writing community to be a member of your prayer team, according to God’s will, and pray for one another. Jesus said in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am I in the midst of them.” I love you, my dear readers, and you are always in my prayers. Reach out to me and let me know how I can pray for you in the comments, or email me through my contact page. Be sure to check out the WWJ 4th annual writing conference playlist so you can watch the replays I referenced at the beginning of the episode.

Love and prayers,

Ann

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Published on August 22, 2023 06:49

July 28, 2023

Inspirational Journeys Presents: Kingdom Connections through Writing and Crochet with Christina M. Eder

Don’t let your limitations or disability keep you from doing the work God has called you to do. In spite of health issues that prevent her from looking at digital screens for long periods of time, my special guest, Christina M. Eder continues to follow her calling to write. She also makes crochet and pray scarves, table runners and blankets . Join us as we discuss her writing process and her crochet and pray projects. Even though Christina joined me on the phone, I created both a YouTube video and podcast episode for your enjoyment.

The following are quotes from readers who have reviewed Christina’s featured book entitled Knee Deep: A 9-Month Whirlpool of Handwritten Letters to the Creator:

The author’s original intention of simply sharing her thoughts and prayers with her Creator, morphed into baring her soul to the world. By reading these personal reflections, I found myself looking for Christina’s typical words of wisdom, while asking myself which ideas I’d like to implement in my life. The more I read, the longer my list became.

It was intriguing that Christina concluded her book with the “I Thirst” letter by St. Mother Teresa. Then it dawned on me that she began by sharing 90 days of letters to God and concluded it with a powerful letter that will make you feel like Jesus is talking to you. Reading that in a quiet place, with Kleenex nearby, is highly recommended! Since one of her letters was about the “bookends in the life of Jesus, I wonder if she planned her book to also have bookends.

It doesn’t make any difference if you are single, a parent, lover of pets or music, an artist, veteran, blue collar worker, etc., you are certain to find something you can relate to in this. At the same time, you will enjoy her skill of writing “word pictures!” I highly recommend that you read “Knee Deep!”

This series of letters to her Creator is amazing for its transparency of thoughts and feelings. It covers a wide range of topics from the simple and mundane to the profound. Christina has a great gift for putting her thoughts and feelings into words; she has a wonderful repertoire of metaphors. It is confessional and inspirational, serious and lighthearted, simple yet wise. I commend Christina for this courageous act of laying bare her soul and mind for the benefit of others.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! All of the books by this author are inspirational, but I especially enjoyed this one. The raw honesty is refreshing. It was an easy read and one that I will keep on my shelf to read again and again. I just purchased a copy to share!

Easy to make connections and relevant to many readers. I found myself relating to a number of journal entries. It was almost like she was talking about (or to) me!

Description:

KNEE DEEP: A 9-Month Whirlpool of Handwritten Letters to the Creator is book #3 in the FROG Blog series. As the title suggests, this volume contains the fruits of a nine-month lesson in reliance on the Creator. The book consists of a series of letters, penned in longhand on a variety of topics laid on the heart of author, professional speaker, and transitional life coach Christina M. Eder. As someone who understands diminishing attention spans, Christina writes in short segments, to be read as stand-alone pieces or as part of a collection.

 

Purchase link: Knee Deep: A 9-Month Whirlpool of Handwritten Letters to the Creator (Frog Blog): Eder, Christina M: 9781734659627: Amazon.com: Books;

KNEE DEEP: A 9-Month Whirlpool of Handwritten Letters to the Creator by Christina M. Eder, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Connect with Christina at the following links:

www.gueststarcoaching.com

www.facebook.com/EDERAuthor

 

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Published on July 28, 2023 06:38

July 25, 2023

Inspirational Journeys Presents: When You’ve Had Enough, God is Enough with Paul Granger

Has there ever been a time in your life when you say to God, “I’ve had enough?” I know I have, and my returning guest, Paul Granger talks about a time when he’s felt this way as well. Watch the YouTube video or listen to the podcast episode as we discuss how God becomes enough for us and gives us rest to continue on a much deeper and more profound journey than we could ever imagine.

Paul’s job is “ambassador of Christ”; anything else falls under that call.  One of the ways God has invited him to live out the call to “love God and love others” is through creating authentic, accessible space for conversation and community, and advocating for those that may go unseen. This happens through content like the Where did you see God? Podcast and serving with East End Fellowship and YWAM Virginia.  He is a husband, father of three, and fan of a good fire pit.
Paul’s latest book is entitled I have had enough: How Elijah kept going when he had nothing left to give:

 

Description:

“I have had enough, LORD.  Take my life.”
1 Kings 19:4

These are not the words of a weak man, but of the great prophet Elijah, who after faithfully serving God and seeing Him work, found himself utterly depleted and hopeless.

Can you resonate?  Have you tried to serve God, only to find things getting worse?  Have you tried to be faithful, only to find your actions misinterpreted?  Have you given so much and felt more was taken in return?

I have, and it is an utterly demoralizing place to be; yet we can find encouragement in Elijah’s story, because the verse above was not the end.

This short book takes us through the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17-19, where the ups and downs of his difficult invitations from God can help us discern how we can keep going when we have nothing left to give.

Purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9SK17GG

Excerpt:

The ability to be strong and courageous is a gift from God; we can muster a version of it ourselves, but it cannot compare to Spirit-led strength and boldness like we see in Elijah.  The purpose of it is not to protect us from harm, but to embolden us regardless of the harm.  Elijah still experienced the ramifications of the drought, but we see no indication that he was ready to give up.

When we are willing to say, “Hear I am! Send me,” it is not just for the call, but whatever the call may bring.  The Spirit can give us everything we need – spiritually, emotionally, mentally, practically – to persevere regardless of the risk.  Yet we must humbly remember that even in this we are not impervious to disaster.

This bold Elijah is the same who utters, “I have had enough, LORD”, but I believe the willingness he cultivated early on equipped him to keep going when he felt he couldn’t take another step.  Seeking God when we can prepares us to seek Him when we can’t.
Connect with Paul at the following links:

wheredidyouseeGod.com

www.amazon.com/author/paulgranger

www.facebook.com/wheredidyouseeGod

www.instagram.com/wheredidyouseegod/

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Published on July 25, 2023 07:38

July 11, 2023

Inspirational Journeys Presents: Kingdom Connections through Photography with Donna Edman

Have you ever thought about taking your art to the next level? On this week’s YouTube video and Podcast episode my special guest, Donna Edman, explains how she used her photography to help women over 50 share their advice to their 20-year-old selves and share their stories.

 

Donna is an award-winning portrait photographer with a passion to honor people and encourage them to share their legacy. Her ability to engage

with clients helps them feel comfortable and the results are portraits which capture their authentic selves.

When Donna is not with clients, she is teaching photography to adults and children. She thinks anyone can learn to develop their “creative eye.” She encourages

her students to believe there are things that would be not seen if you didn’t photograph them.

Donna and her high-school sweetheart husband live in Fullerton, California. They have two adult children, two adorable grandchildren and two goofy dachshunds.

When Donna is not with her clients and students, she’s creating images of architecture, nature and anything else she thinks is beautiful. When she is not

creating photos, she’s playing with her family, cycling and swing dancing. Occasionally she sits still long enough to watch art films and read.

Donna’s featured book is entitled: Women of Wisdom: Honoring their Grace, Strength and Beauty.

Description:

Are you a woman looking for direction in a complicated world? Do you long for guidance from wise women who have been there?

Many women have not had a role model to help them find their way. They feel pressured by society to only please others or focus on making peace among their

friends and family.

In this powerful collection of stories and portraits, you’ll hear wisdom from women ages 50-96 who share hard-won lessons about courage, grace, and strength.

No matter your age, you will appreciate the advice these women have given to their 20-year-old selves.

The portraits are not retouched. These women want to be seen as they truly are. Every wrinkle, age spot, gnarled knuckle and pound has been earned. These

women are beautiful.

There is no need to travel the road alone. Let these wise women be your guide.

Purchase link:

https://www.donnaedmanphotography.com/The-Book

Connect with Donna at the following links:

https://www.donnaedmanphotography.com/

https://www.facebook.com/DonnaEdmanPhotography/

https://www.instagram.com/donnaedmanphotography/

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Published on July 11, 2023 06:38

Inspirational Journeys Presents: Kingdom Connections through Photoagraphy with Donna Edman

Have you ever thought about taking your art to the next level? On this week’s YouTube video and Podcast episode my special guest, Donna Edman, explains how she used her photography to help women over 50 share their advice to their 20-year-old selves and share their stories.

 

Donna is an award-winning portrait photographer with a passion to honor people and encourage them to share their legacy. Her ability to engage

with clients helps them feel comfortable and the results are portraits which capture their authentic selves.

When Donna is not with clients, she is teaching photography to adults and children. She thinks anyone can learn to develop their “creative eye.” She encourages

her students to believe there are things that would be not seen if you didn’t photograph them.

Donna and her high-school sweetheart husband live in Fullerton, California. They have two adult children, two adorable grandchildren and two goofy dachshunds.

When Donna is not with her clients and students, she’s creating images of architecture, nature and anything else she thinks is beautiful. When she is not

creating photos, she’s playing with her family, cycling and swing dancing. Occasionally she sits still long enough to watch art films and read.

Donna’s featured book is entitled: Women of Wisdom: Honoring their Grace, Strength and Beauty.

Description:

Are you a woman looking for direction in a complicated world? Do you long for guidance from wise women who have been there?

Many women have not had a role model to help them find their way. They feel pressured by society to only please others or focus on making peace among their

friends and family.

In this powerful collection of stories and portraits, you’ll hear wisdom from women ages 50-96 who share hard-won lessons about courage, grace, and strength.

No matter your age, you will appreciate the advice these women have given to their 20-year-old selves.

The portraits are not retouched. These women want to be seen as they truly are. Every wrinkle, age spot, gnarled knuckle and pound has been earned. These

women are beautiful.

There is no need to travel the road alone. Let these wise women be your guide.

Purchase link:

https://www.donnaedmanphotography.com/The-Book

Connect with Donna at the following links:

https://www.donnaedmanphotography.com/

https://www.facebook.com/DonnaEdmanPhotography/

https://www.instagram.com/donnaedmanphotography/

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Published on July 11, 2023 06:38

July 4, 2023

Inspirational Journeys Presents: Champions of Light Book Launch Party with Althea Damgaard

I’d like to introduce you to yet another member of the 540 writers community. My special guest Althea Damgaard and I celebrate the launch of her debut novel entitled Champions of Light. If you watch the YouTube video, you’ll see Althea decked out in her 540 writers community t-shirt. Come along and celebrate with us in the comfort of your living room, or while you’re walking, jogging, running errands or doing one of the many tasks needing to get done by either clicking on the video link above or listening to the podcast episode on your favorite podcast player.

 

Althea has always loved writing stories and reading since she was a kid. Now disabled with Multiple Sclerosis, she spends most of her time writing, reading and improving her craft. Her go to fiction is fantasy and science fiction, but she will read any story that promises some adventure and the need to overcome. When not doing that, she is spending time with her husband and family, playing with her cats or playing games.

Althea’s debut novel is entitled Champions of Light.

Description:

Darkness strangles a kingdom. Can those destined to rule overcome it in time?

Runaway Rhoanda, betrayed by her father for arranging her marriage without telling her, should have expected it. Winter hangs on in the mountains, closing the pass to the west. Caught stealing, the city watch takes her to the Cathedral of Light. She learns the truth about the Light while trying to hide her identity. Her parents would use her as an excuse to attack this kingdom.

Sergeant Vern can’t shake his desire to drink nor his anger at the Lord of Light for letting his sister die young. He continues to work under his alias, but time is running out. A treacherous spring thaw and the Dark endangers the kingdom. Angels weep and shift positions in a mural fulfilling prophecy. Vern must change his view of the Light so he can step into his true role.

Will they find enough faith in the Light to overcome their trials and save a kingdom?

 

Purchase link:

https://www.amazon.com/Champions-Light-Althea-Damgaard/dp/B0C6W18P99

Connect with Althea by visiting her website:

https://books.altheadamgaard.com

Subscribe to the 540 Writers Community for free, if you need some writing accountability, and you want  to participate inwriting workshops. Visit:

https://beckyantkowiak.com/join-the-540-writers-community/

to sign up for the newsletter and search for 540 writers community on Facebook.

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Published on July 04, 2023 08:16

July 1, 2023

Fond memories of Summers Past

Summer time brings back memories from my childhood. For instance, I love to sit in my swing in the sun and reminisce about swinging at the playground when my family went camping during summer weekends. My grandparents would take us kids to another playground where we would swing on horse swings.

Swings are one of my favorite things about summer, that’s why I like sitting in my hammock swing when the weather is nice. The time I spend out there is time for me to pray, listen to the music of nature, and just enjoy the breeze. I call my swing my distraction free zone, when I’m looking for writing inspiration. Unfortunately, the Georgia heat makes sitting out in the sun nearly unbearable, unless there’s a breeze blowing in the wind. However, these little pockets of time can be a refreshing break from the sometimes-obnoxious hum of the air conditioner and fans in all three rooms of my house.

Another thing I remember about summer, in my high school years and later on, is sitting in my bedroom reading a braille book and listening to the radio. I’ve always loved listening to the radio ever since I got my first transistor for Christmas when I was maybe seven or eight. As I got older, the radios I received grew larger with tape players, a stereo with a record player and dual tape decks, and eventually CDs. My music listening days are not by radio necessarily, unless you count internet radio, but I have electronic smart devices that can play just about any kind of music I want. This is one of many reasons music is such a big part of my writing life today.

Before I received Braille books to read at home, except for the books my teacher gave me to read over the summer breaks, I listened to a lot of books on tapes and records since I was five. Summer days, before we moved the house close to the welding shop, were spent sitting in the car, with the door open, in the shade, listening to one of three things. 8-track tapes, the radio, or books on tape, when I had them available. I listened to books year-round, and still do, when I don’t have my hands in a book on my electronic braille display/book reader I got from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, which is s division of the library of congress. Although I got books from the regional library for the blind that served my area, there was something about getting books from the talking book library in Macon Georgia, during their summer reading program, which started when I got my first books at the age of five, and ended right after I graduated high school. Though these books weren’t ones I would have chosen for myself, they were books in my age range. Since I’m writing children’s books today, I whish I could remember some of the books I read back then, so I could download them and relive those reading memories. I will say, that the interesting thing about the availability of books today, versus books today, is that we have a much wider range of accessibility options for reading books. As a blind person, I’m not limited to the NLS books I can download or request from my state library. I can download books from a library for the visually impaired called BookShare. Although there is a set up fee when you create your BookShare account, and an annual subscription fee, some state libraries offer BookShare memberships as part of their library service to patrons. Georgia is one state that offers these services, which I take advantage of on my eReader quite a lot. Aside from these two options, I an read books via Kindle using the eReader connected via Bluetooth and the Kindle app on my phone, I can do the same with Apple books and other reading apps. I also have the option to have Kindle books read to me on my Alexa enabled devices. However, from time to time, whether I’m reviewing an advanced reader copy of a book for a review or reading a book to prepare for a podcast interview, I also receive these books via PDF, which my eReader can translate into Braille, once I put the file on my SD card. This works for most PDF books, but if the book has a lot of graphics, I get a book error, when I try to translate the book into Braille. No matter how many options I have for reading today, to be good writer, I have to be an avid reader.

Some of those hot summer afternoons I’d spend playing in my grandmother’s pool, which was about 4 feet deep, maybe about five feet in the middle. Papa built a deck around it to make it easier for us to get in and out of the pool. Mama got a three-foot pool for the boys and me to play in when we couldn’t go to Mema’s to swim. Mama would encourage me to jump into the pool, to get used to the water, which was often cold at first. I remember one summer when we had a fifteen-inch-deep pool, getting a bad sun burn on the back of my shoulders. When I was little, I could stay in the pool all day, if you’d let me. This happened during the week of vacation Bible school at the church I used to go to, before we moved the house to our new location, near the welding shop. I remember lying in a tub of water mixed with corn starch, before I went to church, to take some of the sting out of the sun bur. This bad sun burn didn’t stop me from loving to go swimming, but today, I can’t stand to stay in the pool for more than 45 minutes to an hour at a time, when back then, I could stay in the pool for two hours or longer and not feel water logged. I got my share of sun burns, but the fun I had in the water was well worth the painful sting, the itch, and pealing the dead skin off my arms.

Before we moved closer to my Mema and Papa’s house and the shop, I remember summer days going to the pond on my grandma and Grandaddy’s land. The pond is still there, but I believe it’s mostly used for fishing today, instead of swimming. I could be wrong, though, since I haven’t been to that house since Grandma passed away when Sharen was about two.

There are a lot of special memories I have about summer. When Sharen gets out of school for the summer, I feel nostalgic for the days when Mama would pick me up on the last day of school. That first day of summer vacation felt like Saturday, when we headed home. I was happy when I walked into our house, because I didn’t have to worry about homework, and I could choose from the books I had in my room to read. I could listen to the radio or read as long as I wanted, with a few exceptions, meal times, bedtime, and when we had to go out to run errands, or we had to go with Mama to work. Whenever I wanted to go in the living room to watch the cartoon my mother rented for us, once we got our VCR, or go outside to play on the swing set I shared with my brothers, I was always happy to put a book down.

As an adult, I find Summer to be such a relaxing time. There are days I simply want to find a comfy chair, whether I’m inside or outside my house, find a good book and read the day away. These days that’s hard to do. At least harder than it was when I was a kid, during my summer vacations, but I can still daydream about Summers when I was a child, and enjoy the memories these daydreams stir up for me.

What memories does the summer season stir up for you?

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Published on July 01, 2023 14:46

June 29, 2023

Inspirational Journeys Presents: Allow the Holy Spirit to take You from Whine to Shine with Cherrilynn Bisbano

Have you ever planned to have a conversation with someone, only to have God change the direction of your conversation from start to finish? This is exactly what happened with my special guest Cherrilynn Bisbano and me in today’s episode. I invite you to join our conversation via the YouTube video or the podcast episode and let the Holy Spirit speak inspiration into your writing life, as we discuss her book, her writing and teaching. She asks me questions to give me space to share my own writing news and experiences.

Cherrilynn Bisbano is an award-winning writer in fiction and non-fiction. She offers coaching, editing, and ghostwriting services at Mind to Manuscript™ Coaching. She loves to help writers achieve their publishing dream. Cherrilynn is an expert at  book proposals and memoirs.

Cherrilynn AKA the Attitude Adjuster has been teaching the Bible for twenty-five years and is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include attitude, prayer, God’s will, and more.

She is a contributor to Blue Ridge Conference blog, VineWords, and Arise Daily. She considers it an honor to be published twice in Chicken Soup for the Soul; Award-winning books Heart Reno, Breaking the Chains, and Get to the Margins Author’s Anthology.

Cherrilynn teaches writing at Christian Leaders Institute, has an associated degree in communications. Certified as a Christian Spiritual Coach, and is earning her Chaplain certification.

Cherrilynn proudly served in the military for twenty years, earning the John Levitow Military leadership award.  She lives with her eighteen-year-old son, Michael, Jr., and husband of 21 years, Michael, Sr. she fondly calls her M&M’s

Cherrilynn’s featured book is entitled Shine Don’t Whine.

Description:

My raw and realistic journey through Scripture, and how the Holy Spirit performed spiritual surgery on me using the S.T.A.R. Principle

Purchase link:

Excerpt:

From the chapter Expect Trials

I taught my son how to fight the spiritual battle. He struggles with Asperger’s and ADHD.  He has endured many losses and his heart is fragile. I won’t go into detail, the story’s my son’s to tell. However, the presence of the evil one was palatable. He wanted to consume my son with thoughts of suicide and guilt. At times, my son became unruly almost unrecognizable in his behavior. He was violent. This behavior progressed over a few months. Some of this behavior was due to his inability to understand his feelings and convey them. He would get frustrated and impatient with himself and others. He did not want to use the strategies we put in place to help him. That was the evil one’s foothold.

One day was different, if you have a child with Aspersers, you understand the times of violent outburst. He bit me and screamed as he exploded into rage. There was a distant look about my son. I held him while he tried to bite me. I felt a gloomy weight of darkness over the both of us. I knew this was more than a familiar episode. I claimed the blood of Christ,

“Satan you must leave, we are children of God and you have no power over us, Lord please intervene.”

The dark cloud lifted, peace came over my son. My son’s not possessed. He accepted the free gift of eternal life when he was four years old. However, there was oppression.

The vile oppression lasted a month, each time we claimed the blood of Christ, stood firm and asked God to intervene. The evil oppression finally left, so we thought.

One day my son was in his room reading, he became agitated. As I stood in the kitchen I heard him proclaim,

“Behind me Satan, you have no power over me, I am a child of God, Lord help me!”

I ran into his room and hugged him. He said,

“Mom that evil guy tried to get me again so I sicked Jesus on him.”

 

Connect with Cherrilynn at the following links:

https://cherrilynnbisbano.com

https://www.facebook.com/cherrilynnryerson.bisbano

https://twitter.com/bisbanowrites

https://www.instagram.com/cherrilynn3

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherrilynn-bisbano-569b8838/

 

Subscribe to the 540 Writers Community for free, if you need some writing accountability, and you want  to participate in writing workshops. Visit:

https://beckyantkowiak.com/join-the-540-writers-community/

to sign up for the newsletter and search for 540 writers community on Facebook.

The post Inspirational Journeys Presents: Allow the Holy Spirit to take You from Whine to Shine with Cherrilynn Bisbano appeared first on Ann Writes Inspiration.

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Published on June 29, 2023 07:48