Kelly Harrel's Blog, page 4

NEW 6-WEEK BIBLE BLOG!

Life isn’t easy. Sometimes it feels downright impossible. I’ve learned this over the past two years. While I hoped the hardships were over, some days I feel they have just started. If you feel this way, or if you just want to know the promises in God’s Word that apply to tough situations, join me on my blog each Monday starting December 9. It’s not about surviving the hard times, it’s about thriving in the midst of them. You can SIGN UP on my website to receive my blog by email. You can also fill out the EVENT REGISTRATION to let me know you will be attending virtually and I will add you to my daily prayer list.

Pre-sale for The Beloved!

 

The second book of the Once Lost series is on its way! Head over to AMAZON to preorder the Kindle book for only $3.99 and you will receive this FREE

 short story that promises to be a blessing for adults and teens. ❤️

 

The Broken Masterpiece—

Before I was the outgoing person I am now, I was the pimpled-face girl kids in middle school made fun of. I saw no worth in myself. I stopped eating to feel like I had control over something. I cut to stop feeling. Yes, before my brother Danny had his journey into darkness, I had my own.

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Overcome Depression Media Highlight

One of the things I love about Writer’s Conferences is meeting fellow writers. I had the pleasure of meeting Margaret a few years ago. She is truly a prayer warrior and a woman with a heart for God. We stay connected during the year on social media and then have the pleasure of connecting face-to-face in the spring. Today I wanted to highlight Margaret’s book, Overcoming Depression. As all of you know, this is a subject that’s important to me as I struggled for years. Please take the time to read about the book and Margaret. I’m certain you will find it helpful for anyone who struggles with depression. There is also a giveaway at the end of this post that you don’t want to miss.

 

 

About the Book

Book: Overcome Depression

Author: Margaret Lalich

Genre: Non-fiction/self-help/Christian growth

Release Date: March 22, 2019

BREAKTHROUGH SCIENCE SHINES NEW LIGHT ON HOLY SCRIPTURES. “…pulls back the curtain to clearly & simply reveal how our mind works… A fun and eye-opening book” Karl Benzio, M.D., Medical Director: Honey Lake Clinic & Lighthouse Network.

This faith-based, reader friendly guide offers more than 100 self-help strategies and recovery skills for coping with depression. Brain Science and evidence based therapeutic practices offer hands-on, practical tools for immediate use.

“Amazing book! I have read so many books on depression and this is the only one that has truly helped me.”—Wendy Freeman, California

“…an amazing book on overcoming depression… deep, and yet understandable… a very practical and encouraging book about a very dark subject.”—Bill Walden, Pastor Cornerstone Ministries, Ca.

 

Click here to purchase your copy!

 

About the Author

Margaret Lalich is a believer, a lover (family, friends and others), a relentless optimist, and a Certified Laughter Leader. Before becoming a college freshman (in her 30’s), she chose a teen marriage over graduation.  Later adventures, and mid-life corrections, led to completion of her M.S. and M.A. degrees and a 31-year career as a clinician and teacher, within mental health.

Laughter and tears are both found in experience. Tears can wash away emotional rubble, and laughter can be a ‘bungee-cord’ safety-life-line. If we fall into a pit of despair, laughter helps us rebound and boosts our climb. Margaret loves to share it.

Margaret is a mom, Grandma, and Great-Grandma who writes stories and non-fiction – highlighting experience, science, strategies, and hope. She wants to connect with readers — helping them find (and use) their gifts, and to live their own definition of ‘success’ – to the Glory of God.

 

More from Margaret

I have been asked WHY I wanted to write this book.  It’s because I ache for believers who suffer the pain of depression – and then add guilt, embarrassment, loss of hope, or helplessness to it. I want them to know they are heroes – not zeroes (no matter how they’re feeling). I want to share strategies, encouragement and the sheer excitement of scientific discovery that proves we have more power than we may have imagined, to help us climb out of the ‘pit’.

Yes, I am a bit of a cheerleader, and at times a clown – but I’m also a researcher and a clinician who has shared the wonder of such discoveries with more than a thousand patients. I have also been asked how long it took to finish this book. Not too long … just 31 years to learn and live it – and 3 years to research and write it.  Here’s an excerpt from Chapter 1.

First Things First:  Christians and Depression

“ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7

Church is not a museum for perfect saints — it’s a first aid station for sinners who keep trying. I can’t recall the name of the pastor, who delivered that line, but his message resonated with me then and it still does today. I want to contribute to First-Aid supplies

God says He is for us, and we are loved. We can trust, and we must believe His Word. But, it can be hard to reconcile faith with depression, anxiety or other mental health issues. If you have struggled with this – you’re not alone. Right from the start, you need to know you are loved. We’re in this together.

Doubts and fears can seed questions such as:

“What’s happening?”

“Why?”

“Now what?”

If you ask these questions, be assured God hears the cry of your heart. By His grace, we will explore answers together. Yes, there are answers. Yes, there is hope and help that you can use – right where you are, starting now.

…Blame is a distraction. We cast blame on ourselves with hurtful thinking when we think or say things like: “If I had enough faith this wouldn’t happen.” Or, “ I should be stronger …  blah, blah, blah.”  Don’t surrender to this way of thinking.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

There has been a revolution in the study of the brain (neuroscience). We’ve started to understand brain-works, and can now answer the first of our opening questions: “What’s happening?” With today’s technology and new imaging systems we can see the brain in action as thoughts, and new learning, form physical links, creating neural patterns and pathways within the brain.

The glory of God is revealed as we discover more of His divine design, and watch new scientific findings align with the old wisdom of God’s word for mankind.  Proverbs 23:7 says: “For as he thinks in his heart, so he is.” We have learned that what we think helps to form who, and what we are. We can use this knowledge to build recovery skills.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 17

Seasons of Opportunities, October 18

Donny Abbott, October 19

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 20

Artistic Nobody, October 20 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 21

EmpowerMoms, October 22

Stephanie’s Life of Determination, October 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 23

Texas Book-aholic, October 24

janicesbookreviews, October 25

A Reader’s Brain, October 26

Simple Harvest Reads, October 27 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, October 27

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, October 28

Inklings and notions, October 29

Kelly Harrel, October 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Margaret is giving away the grand prize package of a signed copy of the book, a refreshment package, and a $25 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/ed8f/overcome-depression-celebration-tour-giveaway

 

COVER REVEAL!

The cover of The Beloved is coming this week! See it piece-by-piece on Instagram or sign up for my newsletter on my website for a “treat” on Halloween!

 

Sign up for my monthly newletter!

Not only will you receive ALL the lastest in my book news, but you will receive a special devotional every month not published on my blog or social media. Sign up on my website today for the September edition!

The One Thing

My father went in for what they said would be routine neck surgery on June 28. Doctors said this surgery would be an easier recovery than the shoulder surgery he was scheduled for and might stop the pain he was having. If not, he would have shoulder surgery next.

Complications from the surgery kept him in the hospital the first three weeks. He fought, worked hard to get better. Then came the complications from being in the hospital.

I went to see him in the ICU on July 26, my birthday. The same thought continued to run through my mind. “This isn’t how the summer was supposed to go.” Yet I didn’t despise the hours spent driving to the hospital almost daily. I didn’t regret one minute by his bedside, even if he was in pain, because at some point there was a chuckle, there were stories, our talks, and there was a whole lot of love. What I hated? The pain he had to endure.

I spent the night in his room on July 29. Early in the morning of  July 30, he had a heart attack. I stood by him, holding his hand, because there was nothing they could do to stop it. As I was begging God to stop the pain, the Holy Spirit kept whispering to my heart to ask Dad if he knew Jesus. I fought Him, thinking this wasn’t the time, but He wouldn’t stop. That’s when I leaned in close to my dad and asked if he knew Jesus. He stopped moving, stopped moaning, and said ‘yes.’

“Then you don’t have to worry, Daddy, because you’ll go to be with Jesus.”

After a day of being surrounded by family, he did just that.

So, here I am, after losing two people I love deeply in less than two years, with a ton of questions and even more hurt. Knowing there’s no better place to take it, I’ve continued to take them to God. I’ve been honest with God about my frustrations, questions, and hurt. And in the past few weeks, He’s been whispering to my heart what the purpose of all these trials and hardships are. See, it’s all about one thing.

The one thing?

Drawing closer to God.

When this revelation came, I saw it through my time and talks with Dad this summer. We talked about how he knew God and the Bible were real, how God always provides for the needs of His people. We talked about how important it is to love everyone because that’s what Jesus did. My dad didn’t attend church regularly, he didn’t read the Bible, but he had accepted Christ years ago and allowed God to transform his life. I saw it with my own eyes. Even though we didn’t talk about it until the day before he died, I knew it was real. That morning I asked him if he knew Jesus, I thought I was asking for myself. But now I realize, I was asking for him. That look he gave me when I asked wasn’t one of confusion, it was one of realization. I believe it brought him back to the one thing—it’s all about knowing God. That’s why the next morning he so bravely proclaimed he’d rather go to be with God than ever go through that pain again.

My father never gave up. He had the courage to step into the unknown. He had the courage to step into eternity.

We get distracted by all the stuff of this world. The deadlines, the hardships, the pursuit of more, even the celebrations. Yes, these all make up a portion of the days we are alive. But if you have had the privilege of ushering someone into the arms of Jesus, you know at that moment that they take their last breath, NOTHING else matters. And at that moment when my father took his, though my heart broke, it soared.

Thank You, Jesus, I silently prayed, that he’s with You.

It doesn’t stop the grief, but it brings peace in the pain knowing the one you love is in paradise. It allows hope to grow in the midst of loss realizing when you know Jesus, the reunion that awaits in heaven will be amazing.

This wasn’t the summer I planned on but I will forever be grateful that God allowed me to walk this path with my dad. It’s not “good” that he died, but Romans 8:28 promises me God will work things out for my family’s good because we love Him. And Dad? Well, he’s in heaven having a Coke and sharing stories with Jesus. One day when I see him again, He’ll wave me over and say, “Kel, come here. There’s someone you need to meet.”

Oh, what a glorious day that will be.

 

 

 

Waiting for God Blog Tour

Book: Waiting for God

Author: Xochitl Dixon

Genre: Non-Fiction, Devotional

Release Date: August 7, 2019

Inhale God’s Word. Exhale in prayer. Rest in God’s love.

If your heart is weary and longing for answers—for healing, for provision, for miracles—Waiting for God renews your hope with strong biblical truth and encouraging Scripture-based prayer.

Conquer your fears and frustrations as you inhale God’s Word, exhale in prayer, and rest in God’s love. Live a life of deeper connection and immediate communion with God that can lead to contentment in His constant presence, no matter what your days hold or how long God’s deliberate delays may last.

Xochitl Dixon writes each chapter with heart-touching transparency and vulnerability, as she shares her own story as well as the stories of others who are trusting God through waiting seasons with no apparent end in sight. As a woman who lives with chronic pain, Xochitl understands constant struggle yet chooses to put God on the throne of her life.

Click here to purchase your copy.

MY REVIEW

Waiting for God is an amazing devotional by Xochitl Dixon. One of the great things about this devotional is it could very easily be one you do on your own, with another person, or perhaps even a group as there are questions following each day. Each chapter begins with scripture reading, then a true-life story. Next comes a discussion of the scripture. The chapter is wrapped up with a prayer as well as personal application questions.

My favorite chapter in the book is Waiting like a Warrior. This chapter is about Psalm 29. What I thought was going to be a peaceful summer this year turned out to be a very difficult one when I lost my father. He entered the hospital at the end of June for routine neck surgery and ended up passing away a month later from complications due to being in the hospital. Having suffered the grief of losing my best friend less than a year and a half before, it was very difficult for me. In this chapter, I found the following quote:

“As His beloved children, we don’t have to be dictated by worry or weighed down by the burdens of our ever-changing emotions. The immeasurable grace of God empowers every breath of our victorious praise through the winding valleys of the wait. When we need answers, courage, strength, or just a moment of peace, God is with us.”

Such a simple truth, but one I have to remind myself of daily. It is hard to wait, whether you’re waiting for healing, dreams to be fulfilled, or even a way out of hardships. If you are in a “waiting” season of life, I highly recommend this book. I also encourage you to find a friend to take the journey with you because, after all, we were never meant to travel this road alone.




About the Author

Xochitl (So-Cheel) E. Dixon has a heart for loving God and people. She’s passionate about intercessory prayer, nurturing spiritual growth, and the prayerful study and application of Scripture. Through her daily struggles with chronic pain, due to an upper back injury she endured in 1992, she writes with transparency, ministers to the hurting, and inspires hope through worshiping God in all circumstances.

She serves as a regular contributor to Our Daily Bread (www.odb.org), a ministry devoted to making “the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all.” Her devotional, Waiting for God: Trusting Daily in God’s Plan and Pace (Discovery House Publishers) is available for pre-order and releases August 7, 2019. She is a contributing author for the upcoming Our Daily Bread devotionals: What Really Matters (August 7, 2019), And He Walks with Me (October 2, 2019), and Moments of Peace for Moms (October 2, 2019).

Her devotions have also been included in All God’s Creatures (Guideposts, 2019), God Hears Her (Discovery House, 2017), Our Help (Discovery House, 2017), and This Far by Faith: Legacies of the Black Church (Discovery House, 2017). Her nonfiction has been published in My Amazing Mom (Chicken Soup for the Soul, 2018), Second-Chance Dogs (Revell, 2018), LIVE Magazine (2019), and Church Health Reader (2019).

She followed God from California to Wisconsin and is enjoying Midwest adventures with her best friend and husband of over 25 years, Dr. W. Alan Dixon, Sr. She loves their sons, A.J. and Xavier, spoils her service dog, Callie, and likes serving as a speaker, traveling, photography, reading, singing, sketching, studying Scripture, and nurturing authentic relationships.

Xochitl connects with readers and shares encouragement devotions, prayer, and Scripture-based memes on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and on her blog at www.xedixon.com. You can also follow her Author Page on Amazon’s Author Central.

 

More from Xochitl
“Never pray for patience.”

My friend’s warning pricked at the back of my mind. Without realizing it, I began lacing my prayers with fear, doubt, and caution. I couldn’t risk being thrust into situations that would force me to develop patience, so I did everything in my power to avoid asking the Lord to help me be patient.

But even when I didn’t ask Him to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in me, I always seemed to end up in circumstances that stretched my faith as much as my patience.

When my agent challenged me to write the book I had to write, I pitched Waiting for God: Trusting Daily in God’s Plan and Pace.

I thought I’d be sharing tips about how to persevere through trials and endure suffering with grace. But after I signed the contract and received a deadline for my manuscript, my husband received an unexpected job offer.

We followed the Lord from California to Wisconsin.

Writing became a challenge as I suffered a setback in my healing journey. I endured high levels of pain and fatigue. My husband and I struggled with frustration as we adjusted to life in the Midwest during one of the coldest winters in history.

And God changed my perspective on waiting for Him, which has nothing to do with patience.

I’ll be sharing my answers to the end-of-chapter questions on my blog (www.xedixon.com). I’m excited to invite you to join the adventure.

I look forward to growing with you as we wait for God, inhaling His Word, exhaling in prayer, and resting in His love as we trust daily in His plan and pace.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 2

April Hayman, Author, September 3

Genesis 5020, September 4

A Diva’s Heart, September 4

Through the Lens of Scripture, September 5

AndreaChristenson, September 6

Kelly Harrel, September 7

Mary Hake, September 7

For the Love of Literature, September 8

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, September 9

Just the Write Escape, September 10

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 11

Texas Book-aholic, September 12

A Reader’s Brain, September 13

janicesbookreviews, September 13

Inklings and notions, September 14

Cultivating Us, September 15

God is Love, September 15

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Xochitl is giving away a grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card, a signed copy of Waiting for God, and a copy of God Hears Her (Our Daily Bread 365-Day Devotional)!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/eaef/waiting-for-god-celebration-tour-giveaway

The Deceived SUMMER Book Clubs

Monday July 8, 2019 – Friday August 9, 2019

Map and Directions | Register

Description:

Danny Morton is a typical teen. He sits in church every week with his family. He’d rather not go to most of his high school classes. Danny strives to achieve the sports goals his father has made for him. He abuses drugs and alcohol.

Wait, you say, that’s not a typical teen. Most teens don’t use drugs and alcohol.

According to ProjectKnow, 50% of teens abuse drugs and 63% abuse alcohol. (https://www.projectknow.com/teen/abuse-statistics/). Like it or not, that’s over half the teens out there, my friend.

The Deceived is a story that is meant to be talked about. It’s a story for both teens and adults that explores the pressures teens face, the authenticity of our faith (or lack of it),  and family relations. And it can be life changing for teens and adults.

Join me and other readers this summer for either an online book club or an in-person book club (in Temecula). It will be a great time of fellowship, introspection, and growth for us all. Invite a friend or family member to take the journey with you to make the experience even richer.

Register

GIVEAWAY!

Would you love a little spending money this summer along with good books to read? Sign up for my NEW monthly newsletter and you could be one of three to win an ebook of my newest book, The Deceived, published with CelebrateLit. Or you could be the grand prize winner and receive a $15 Amazon card and copies of ALL seven of my novels on ebook! Already own them? You can gift them to a friend.

Each newsletter will have a special devotion based on the Once Lost series. These devotions will not be published anywhere else on social media or on my blog. I will also include writing tips from time to time, and behind-the-scenes of cover photo shoots and other fun stuff including giveaways JUST FOR NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS! Giveaway ends June 9, so sign up today! And I would love for you to spread the news to your friends. You never know who you might inspire or encourage.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER GIVEAWAY

Three Reasons Why Adults and Teens Should Read The Deceived

Click on the link below to watch my video on why my latest YA novel,The Deceived, is an important read for teens AND adults.

Three Reasons Why Adults and Teens Should Read The Deceived