Colleen Wait's Blog: Hello readers!, page 11
December 31, 2012
Review is in.
Remnant's first review on Amazon:
By skydreamerFormat:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified PurchaseI was not sure if I would like this but hey, free is free! I was pleasantly surprised when I suddenly realized I was 35% through the book. This got me caught up in it right away and I was unable to put it down. When I first started reading it and discovered the main character was like only 13 or 14 I thought for sure I would not like it. But I found myself fascinated. So I read on and watched this girl become an adult. She learned how to survive even though there was no hope. She had faith when there seemed to be no point. This girl knew nothing about life, yet she learned to live. A very touching story! I am going to get my 14 year old daughter to read this. This story is about a young girl learning how to survive, to hope, to have faith in the unknown, to love, and to truly live!
The book is free today. Last day of the free promotion. Get it at: Amazon.com
By skydreamerFormat:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified PurchaseI was not sure if I would like this but hey, free is free! I was pleasantly surprised when I suddenly realized I was 35% through the book. This got me caught up in it right away and I was unable to put it down. When I first started reading it and discovered the main character was like only 13 or 14 I thought for sure I would not like it. But I found myself fascinated. So I read on and watched this girl become an adult. She learned how to survive even though there was no hope. She had faith when there seemed to be no point. This girl knew nothing about life, yet she learned to live. A very touching story! I am going to get my 14 year old daughter to read this. This story is about a young girl learning how to survive, to hope, to have faith in the unknown, to love, and to truly live!
The book is free today. Last day of the free promotion. Get it at: Amazon.com
December 29, 2012
Books and writing, Writing and running....
Yesterday, when I returned home from seeing Les Miserables (one of my all time favorite books) there was a big box at my front door. Inside was....
Colleen Wait's books
I looked over the contents for a moment and thought, wow, I wrote those. It was a very surreal moment. I may never be #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list or sell millions upon millions of copies, however, as my husband so aptly put it, "Very few people have written even one book. You have accomplished much." He says the same thing about my running.
He's right. I may never win. I may never be rich and famous, however, I have put myself out there. I have run the race. I put my heart into words, opened myself up to judgements and criticisms, rankings and place.
It's odd. Until now, I have never compared my running to my writing. I'm not the best at what I do, however, I work hard, train hard, do my very best. Whether or not I win the race or the readers love my writing isn't all that important. I love what I do. I love to run and I love to write. Once, I told someone that I wished there could be a mind-controlled tape recorder so I could do both at the same time.
Another similarity is how I commune with God. On my runs, long or short, I pray. It's our time and I covet that time with Him. Sometimes, it's what motivates me to get out the door. When I write, I often use the scriptures and I will spend hours reading and studying to get what I think fits the story. Before I write anything, I pray. What does God want me to write? Even now, I stop to pray, what do You want me to say? My hope, my prayer, is that someone will be reached for God through my writing. If I publish 20 books and one person comes to Christ through my writing, then I have done what God has instructed me to do, "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'' Mark 16:15.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says it well:
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
It is my prayer, dear reader, that you will also read this and be inspired to run to get the prize.
Happy New Year
Be Blessed
Colleen Wait's booksI looked over the contents for a moment and thought, wow, I wrote those. It was a very surreal moment. I may never be #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list or sell millions upon millions of copies, however, as my husband so aptly put it, "Very few people have written even one book. You have accomplished much." He says the same thing about my running.
He's right. I may never win. I may never be rich and famous, however, I have put myself out there. I have run the race. I put my heart into words, opened myself up to judgements and criticisms, rankings and place.
It's odd. Until now, I have never compared my running to my writing. I'm not the best at what I do, however, I work hard, train hard, do my very best. Whether or not I win the race or the readers love my writing isn't all that important. I love what I do. I love to run and I love to write. Once, I told someone that I wished there could be a mind-controlled tape recorder so I could do both at the same time.
Another similarity is how I commune with God. On my runs, long or short, I pray. It's our time and I covet that time with Him. Sometimes, it's what motivates me to get out the door. When I write, I often use the scriptures and I will spend hours reading and studying to get what I think fits the story. Before I write anything, I pray. What does God want me to write? Even now, I stop to pray, what do You want me to say? My hope, my prayer, is that someone will be reached for God through my writing. If I publish 20 books and one person comes to Christ through my writing, then I have done what God has instructed me to do, "He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'' Mark 16:15.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says it well:
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
It is my prayer, dear reader, that you will also read this and be inspired to run to get the prize.
Happy New Year
Be Blessed
December 26, 2012
Rainy days and Son days.
One of my favorite things to do when my son is on leave is "photography day". We both love photography, playing with the camera settings and learning new techniques. Today, it was rainy and windy so he pulls out one of his photography magazines, we flip through the pages of ideas, then we set to finding props and the result is below:
December 8, 2012
December 5, 2012
What is a Picture Worth?
I have often pondered the thought process of the first person who drew a picture. That person probably wanted to convey a thought, document a moment in time, or tell a story. Pictures were the precursor to the written word with mankind transitioning from cave paintings, to hieroglyphs, to various forms of the alphabet.
Throughout it all, pictures remains. Why? Well, we still use them for the same reasons. They often say more than words and often speak it better.
love and relaxation
Personally, I use photography to document my family. I can watch my children grow up all over again. Pictures capture moments in time with our family so that we can remember them when they are gone.
a wedding
Trip to Israel
Four generations (minus the 2nd)
Grown up. The two on the right are the same people!
Skype!
My pictures also capture events in our lives such as birthdays, holidays, and my various races.
Happy Birthday!
Half marathon #4
Most commonly, pictures are used every day to promote and sell products.
Coming soon!
Need an editor?
My favorite thing, however, is to take random pictures that either tell a story or bring to life things in the world that we might not otherwise take note of.
Do you know where your soul will go?
Twig art, 2 inches tall.
Twig art
I'm a little tree frog
Art class project
Running trail
Looking for mischief
Here's a writing challenge. Take five to seven of the above photographs and turn them into a short story, 500 words or less. Post it here in the comments section. (If it does not fit, e-mail me and I'll create a post.)
Throughout it all, pictures remains. Why? Well, we still use them for the same reasons. They often say more than words and often speak it better.
love and relaxationPersonally, I use photography to document my family. I can watch my children grow up all over again. Pictures capture moments in time with our family so that we can remember them when they are gone.
a wedding
Trip to Israel
Four generations (minus the 2nd)
Grown up. The two on the right are the same people!
Skype!My pictures also capture events in our lives such as birthdays, holidays, and my various races.
Happy Birthday!
Half marathon #4Most commonly, pictures are used every day to promote and sell products.
Coming soon!
Need an editor?My favorite thing, however, is to take random pictures that either tell a story or bring to life things in the world that we might not otherwise take note of.
Do you know where your soul will go?
Twig art, 2 inches tall.
Twig art
I'm a little tree frog
Art class project
Running trail
Looking for mischiefHere's a writing challenge. Take five to seven of the above photographs and turn them into a short story, 500 words or less. Post it here in the comments section. (If it does not fit, e-mail me and I'll create a post.)
November 25, 2012
Cyber Monday
Hello online shoppers! It's Cyber Monday. Are your fingers ready to shop? Is an e-reader on your shopping list? The recipient will be doubly surprised if they unwrap their gift to find it pre-loaded with e-books. My books are only $1.99 through Christmas on Smashwords. Prefer paperback? Shop Amazon.
Running on the Road
I learned something this week-end. Runners do not take vacations from running. We might take a break to recuperate from a race or recover from an injury. However, we or at least I do not take vacations from running.
Take this Thanksgiving, for instance. My husband, daughter, and I drove 13 hours to Beaumont, Texas to visit my family. Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go...
We arrived Wednesday evening, ate dinner, took a walk. Thursday morning, I go for a run with my mom on her bike to keep me from getting lost. Friday morning, we drove out to see some property my late-grandfather had purchased when I was a child. What do I do? I go for a run. My reasoning is, well I HAVE to, I have a race in a week!
Running in a new location was a lot of fun. Watching the scenery go by made the miles seem to fly by and, as a bonus, I ran faster. For once, I didn't use my headphones and I was able to hear the birds chirping loudly in the trees. At times it was deafening and absolutely amazing. Did you know the squirrels in the woods here are twice the size as Florida squirrels? Family and running, it's in my blood and I don't ever want to forget that trip. My grandmother is well over 90 years old and you know what, I would have run all the way to Texas just to see her! Now I am home, tired and....it's time to go run.
Arthur and Verna Weishampel
Take this Thanksgiving, for instance. My husband, daughter, and I drove 13 hours to Beaumont, Texas to visit my family. Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go...
We arrived Wednesday evening, ate dinner, took a walk. Thursday morning, I go for a run with my mom on her bike to keep me from getting lost. Friday morning, we drove out to see some property my late-grandfather had purchased when I was a child. What do I do? I go for a run. My reasoning is, well I HAVE to, I have a race in a week!
Running in a new location was a lot of fun. Watching the scenery go by made the miles seem to fly by and, as a bonus, I ran faster. For once, I didn't use my headphones and I was able to hear the birds chirping loudly in the trees. At times it was deafening and absolutely amazing. Did you know the squirrels in the woods here are twice the size as Florida squirrels? Family and running, it's in my blood and I don't ever want to forget that trip. My grandmother is well over 90 years old and you know what, I would have run all the way to Texas just to see her! Now I am home, tired and....it's time to go run.
Arthur and Verna Weishampel
November 15, 2012
Ripple and revolve
Last night in my Bible study class, this quote was shared by our minister: "A world that is going through revolutionary changes can't be reached...by a church where everything remains the same."
I tried to find the author of the quote but to no avail(addendum: Brad Powell). Do you believe it? I do.
Merriam-Webster defines the type of revolution I'm speaking of as this:a : a sudden, radical, or complete change
b : a fundamental change in political organization; especially: the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed
c : activity or movement designed to effect fundamental changes in the socioeconomic situation
d : a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something : a change of paradigm revolution>
e : a changeover in use or preference especially in technology revolution> revolution>
The world is constantly changing whether we want it to or not. It cannot be stopped. Acts 2:42-47 describes the early church as this:
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44All the believes were together and had everything in common. 45They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Does "the church" look like this today? Do you break bread in the home of believers daily? I don't. Do you sell your possessions? Do you and your fellow "church" have everything in common? I don't. Are unbelievers walking in the door and becoming Christians DAILY? Not where I worship.
Why not? What happened? The world changed, people haven't. We are all sinners who gravitate towards sin. We become complacent. Business (busy-ness) takes over. God gradually becomes second, then third, then only on Sunday morning, if that.
So, what do we do about it? Do you even care? Take the quote above and change it to read:
A church that is going through revolutionary changes can't be reached by a people where everything remains the same.A family that is going through revolutionary changes can't be reached by a mother/father/parent where everything remains the same.A community that is going through revolutionary changes can't be reached by a citizen where everything remains the same.
A lost sinner that is going through revolutionary changes can't be reached by ME where everything remains the same.
Do you care that your neighbor is lost, hurting, family in shambles, kids in trouble, divorce emminent? What about your co-worker or your brother? You'd better. Jesus commanded in Mark 16:15 "Go into the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Matthew records this, spoken by Jesus: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28: 17-20)
So, what does this mean for you and me? Do we have to sell everything and move to Africa or Honduras? No, not necessarily. My family is in this world. My city is in the world. My workplace is in the world. You and I have our own circles of influence. Your immediate family, your neighbors, your co-workers, school friends, etc.
Think about every action you take, every word you speak as a tiny ripple in a big ocean. Every person you come into contact you touch in some way. Will it be positive or negative? I challenge you to make a revolutionary change within yourself to make great waves that will impact the world for Jesus.
A few steps to make ripples courtesy of Cary Hadley:
* Surrender to the spirit
* Lordship is Jesus
* Accountability
* Share with others
* Prayer
* Study the Bible, come to our Wednesday night class
* Training. Need it? Want it? Ask!!!
PS: Butterflies do not change the world. Jesus, through you and me, does!
I tried to find the author of the quote but to no avail(addendum: Brad Powell). Do you believe it? I do.
Merriam-Webster defines the type of revolution I'm speaking of as this:a : a sudden, radical, or complete change
b : a fundamental change in political organization; especially: the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed
c : activity or movement designed to effect fundamental changes in the socioeconomic situation
d : a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something : a change of paradigm revolution>
e : a changeover in use or preference especially in technology revolution> revolution>
The world is constantly changing whether we want it to or not. It cannot be stopped. Acts 2:42-47 describes the early church as this:
42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44All the believes were together and had everything in common. 45They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Does "the church" look like this today? Do you break bread in the home of believers daily? I don't. Do you sell your possessions? Do you and your fellow "church" have everything in common? I don't. Are unbelievers walking in the door and becoming Christians DAILY? Not where I worship.
Why not? What happened? The world changed, people haven't. We are all sinners who gravitate towards sin. We become complacent. Business (busy-ness) takes over. God gradually becomes second, then third, then only on Sunday morning, if that.
So, what do we do about it? Do you even care? Take the quote above and change it to read:
A church that is going through revolutionary changes can't be reached by a people where everything remains the same.A family that is going through revolutionary changes can't be reached by a mother/father/parent where everything remains the same.A community that is going through revolutionary changes can't be reached by a citizen where everything remains the same.
A lost sinner that is going through revolutionary changes can't be reached by ME where everything remains the same.
Do you care that your neighbor is lost, hurting, family in shambles, kids in trouble, divorce emminent? What about your co-worker or your brother? You'd better. Jesus commanded in Mark 16:15 "Go into the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Matthew records this, spoken by Jesus: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28: 17-20)
So, what does this mean for you and me? Do we have to sell everything and move to Africa or Honduras? No, not necessarily. My family is in this world. My city is in the world. My workplace is in the world. You and I have our own circles of influence. Your immediate family, your neighbors, your co-workers, school friends, etc.
Think about every action you take, every word you speak as a tiny ripple in a big ocean. Every person you come into contact you touch in some way. Will it be positive or negative? I challenge you to make a revolutionary change within yourself to make great waves that will impact the world for Jesus.
A few steps to make ripples courtesy of Cary Hadley:
* Surrender to the spirit
* Lordship is Jesus
* Accountability
* Share with others
* Prayer
* Study the Bible, come to our Wednesday night class
* Training. Need it? Want it? Ask!!!
PS: Butterflies do not change the world. Jesus, through you and me, does!
November 9, 2012
October 31, 2012
Today is the last day to take advantage of my 25% discoun...
Today is the last day to take advantage of my 25% discount.
Go to: www.colleenwaitedits.com for all the details!
Hello readers!
Hello everyone. I've been on Goodreads for a while and have just been turned on to the Author Page. I'd like to welcome my fans and followers. I love to hear comments from all of you. My books can be
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