Dianne E. Butts's Blog: Dianne E. Butts' Blog, page 12
September 11, 2012
Remember September 11, 2001
Just like that morning in 2001, September 11th occurs on a Tuesday on this 11th anniversary. As painful as it might be, it is only right that we remember September 11, 2001, and those who died, or whose lives were forever changed, on that day.
It was in the days and few weeks following the Terrorist Attacks on the United States that I wrote my first book. I, I'm sure like so many, wanted to do something. But we felt so helpless. What could we possibly do?
I can't answer that for others. But for a writer, what else could I do but write? And so I wrote Dear America: A Letter of Comfort & Hope to a Grieving Nation (Ampelos Press, 2002).
This little book is still available in print. It was published 6 months to the day after September 11, 2001 -- on March 11, 2002. This year, for its tenth anniversary, Dear America was republished on Kindle.
Still relevant today, Dear America includes:
my story of living through grief and discovering God10 Things I've Learned About Griefa brief telling of the over-arching story of the BibleQ & A about Christians and Muslimshelps to begin reading and understanding the Bible
For anyone who wonders where God is in the hard times, find answers in this letter to a nation:
Dear America.
It was in the days and few weeks following the Terrorist Attacks on the United States that I wrote my first book. I, I'm sure like so many, wanted to do something. But we felt so helpless. What could we possibly do?
I can't answer that for others. But for a writer, what else could I do but write? And so I wrote Dear America: A Letter of Comfort & Hope to a Grieving Nation (Ampelos Press, 2002).
This little book is still available in print. It was published 6 months to the day after September 11, 2001 -- on March 11, 2002. This year, for its tenth anniversary, Dear America was republished on Kindle.
Still relevant today, Dear America includes:
my story of living through grief and discovering God10 Things I've Learned About Griefa brief telling of the over-arching story of the BibleQ & A about Christians and Muslimshelps to begin reading and understanding the Bible
For anyone who wonders where God is in the hard times, find answers in this letter to a nation:
Dear America.
September 10, 2012
Radio Interview on KRDO in Colorado Springs
Renee and I were privileged to have Cavin Harper, executive director of the Christian Grandparenting Network, write the foreword for our book.
Cavin is also the author of Not On Our Watch!: Courageous Grandparenting in a Turbulent World, which is a call for “grandparents and parents to rise above the conventional view of grandparenting to embrace radically courageous life that stands apart from the politically correct crowd. It’s a call to intentionality—not settling for simply being good parents and grandparents, but choosing to stand in the gap and live as conduits of grace and truth for the next generations.”
Another hat Cavin wears is radio host of his own show on a mainstream over-the-air station in Colorado Springs. Cavin invited Renee and me to be his featured guests on his radio show called “Not on My Watch: A Call for Radical Grandparenting in Turbulent Times” on September 2nd. We talked with Cavin about our book, Grandparenting Through Obstacles.
The show aired on KRDO News Radio at 105.5 FM / 1240 AM at 7:30 that Sunday morning. A podcast is now available. Here's a link: "Not on My Watch" with Renee Gray-Wilburn and Dianne E. Butts.
Please enjoy listening in as Renee and I talk with Cavin about our book. And please invite the grandparents you know to listen also. Thanks!
Cavin is also the author of Not On Our Watch!: Courageous Grandparenting in a Turbulent World, which is a call for “grandparents and parents to rise above the conventional view of grandparenting to embrace radically courageous life that stands apart from the politically correct crowd. It’s a call to intentionality—not settling for simply being good parents and grandparents, but choosing to stand in the gap and live as conduits of grace and truth for the next generations.”
Another hat Cavin wears is radio host of his own show on a mainstream over-the-air station in Colorado Springs. Cavin invited Renee and me to be his featured guests on his radio show called “Not on My Watch: A Call for Radical Grandparenting in Turbulent Times” on September 2nd. We talked with Cavin about our book, Grandparenting Through Obstacles.
The show aired on KRDO News Radio at 105.5 FM / 1240 AM at 7:30 that Sunday morning. A podcast is now available. Here's a link: "Not on My Watch" with Renee Gray-Wilburn and Dianne E. Butts.
Please enjoy listening in as Renee and I talk with Cavin about our book. And please invite the grandparents you know to listen also. Thanks!
September 9, 2012
New Book Trailer for Grandparenting Through Obstacles
Happy National Grandparents Day! If you haven't found a gift for the grandparent(s) in your life, our new book makes a great gift for Christian grandparents.
Please follow us on Twitter: @GParentObstacle
Visit our Grandparenting Through Obstacles Facebook Page.
Check out our blog: http://GrandparentingThruObstacles.wordpress.com/
Enjoy this short book trailer about our book!
Please follow us on Twitter: @GParentObstacle
Visit our Grandparenting Through Obstacles Facebook Page.
Check out our blog: http://GrandparentingThruObstacles.wordpress.com/
Enjoy this short book trailer about our book!
September 8, 2012
Recenty Interviewed on Blog: Ink from an Earthen Vessel
My coauthor, Renee, and I were recently interviewed by Ada Brownell on her lovely blog "Ink from an Earthen Vessel: Stick-to-Your Soul Encouragement."
You can read the interview here: Grandparenting Through Obstacles.
Please stop by for a moment and a read and leave a comment if you like. Thanks!
You can read the interview here: Grandparenting Through Obstacles.
Please stop by for a moment and a read and leave a comment if you like. Thanks!
September 7, 2012
Book Signing at Mardel Christian Bookstore on Saturday
Just in time for National Grandparents Day, Renee and I will be at the Mardel Christian Bookstore tomorrow, Saturday September 8th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM signing Grandparenting Through Obstacles: Overcoming Family Challenges to Reach Your Grandchildren for Christ.
Mardel is at 4887 S. Wadsworth Way, Littleton, Colorado.
Remember that Sunday September 9th is National Grandparents Day. This new book makes a great gift for any Christian grandparent.
For a description of the book, please see the previous post. This book is for every grandparent who longs to share his or her faith in Jesus Christ with their grandchildren but needs inspiration for the "how-to," ideas, suggestions, or simply to know they are not the only one who struggles with challenges.
I hope to see tomorrow, Saturday, at the Mardel Christian Bookstore. Stop by for a free cookie!
View Larger Map
Mardel is at 4887 S. Wadsworth Way, Littleton, Colorado.
Remember that Sunday September 9th is National Grandparents Day. This new book makes a great gift for any Christian grandparent.
For a description of the book, please see the previous post. This book is for every grandparent who longs to share his or her faith in Jesus Christ with their grandchildren but needs inspiration for the "how-to," ideas, suggestions, or simply to know they are not the only one who struggles with challenges.
I hope to see tomorrow, Saturday, at the Mardel Christian Bookstore. Stop by for a free cookie!
View Larger Map
September 6, 2012
Book Signing at The Greatest Gift Bookstore on Friday
Hey, if you're in the Pueblo area, stop by The Greatest Gift Bookstore tomorrow, Friday 9/7, between 12:00 noon and 5:00.
I'll be there signing my newest book, Grandparenting Through Obstacles: Overcoming Family Challenges to Reach Your Grandchildren for Christ.
Remember that Sunday September 9th is National Grandparents Day. This new book makes a great gift for any Christian grandparent.
These twenty true stories depict challenges grandparents face in influencing their grandchildren with their Christian faith and how they are overcoming those challenges.
The book addresses four specific challenges grandparents face:
The Challenge of Parents Not Walking with God; Long-Distance Relationships; Non-Traditional Families (blended families and more); Challenges in Partnering with ParentsEach chapter includes, "Grandparents in the Bible," "Points to Ponder," "Steps to Take," "Scriptures to Study," and "One Way to Pray." Also includes resources, discussion questions, ideas and more.
For every grandparent who longs to share his or her faith in Jesus Christ with their grandchildren but needs inspiration for the "how-to," ideas, suggestions, or simply to know they are not the only one who struggles with challenges.
I hope to see you Friday afternoon at The Greatest Gift & Scripture Supply, 505 North Grand in Pueblo.
View Larger Map
I'll be there signing my newest book, Grandparenting Through Obstacles: Overcoming Family Challenges to Reach Your Grandchildren for Christ.
Remember that Sunday September 9th is National Grandparents Day. This new book makes a great gift for any Christian grandparent.
These twenty true stories depict challenges grandparents face in influencing their grandchildren with their Christian faith and how they are overcoming those challenges.
The book addresses four specific challenges grandparents face:
The Challenge of Parents Not Walking with God; Long-Distance Relationships; Non-Traditional Families (blended families and more); Challenges in Partnering with ParentsEach chapter includes, "Grandparents in the Bible," "Points to Ponder," "Steps to Take," "Scriptures to Study," and "One Way to Pray." Also includes resources, discussion questions, ideas and more.
For every grandparent who longs to share his or her faith in Jesus Christ with their grandchildren but needs inspiration for the "how-to," ideas, suggestions, or simply to know they are not the only one who struggles with challenges.
I hope to see you Friday afternoon at The Greatest Gift & Scripture Supply, 505 North Grand in Pueblo.
View Larger Map
September 5, 2012
Dianne's New Book Releases: Grandparenting Through Obstacles
My newest book, Grandparenting Through Obstacles: Overcoming Family Challenges to Reach Your Grandchildren for Christ, coauthored with Renee Gray-Wilburn, released August 17th. Boy have we been busy with marketing it! I'm blaming that for why I haven't been able to put it on this blog until now!
National Grandparents Day is September 9th this year, and this book makes a great gift for Christian grandparents. It's available through all the online outlets (you'll find some links below). Or you can order it from your local bookstore.
Inside you'll find twenty true stories by real grandparents about the challenges grandparents face, including long-distance grandparenting, when the kid's parents aren't walking with God, the challenge of nontraditional families, and partnering with parents.
Based on the true story featured in the chapter, each chapter also includes "Grandparents in the Bible," "Scriptures to Study," application or discussion questions, "One Way to Pray," lots of room to jot your own notes, ideas, and prayers, and more. Also includes resources and ideas. A very practical guide.
Find it here:
On AmazonOn KindleAt Barnes & NobleOn NookFollow us on Twitter: @GParentObstacle
Find us on Facebook: Grandparenting Through Obstacles
Visit the book's blog: www.GrandparentingThruObstacles.wordpress.com
National Grandparents Day is September 9th this year, and this book makes a great gift for Christian grandparents. It's available through all the online outlets (you'll find some links below). Or you can order it from your local bookstore.
Inside you'll find twenty true stories by real grandparents about the challenges grandparents face, including long-distance grandparenting, when the kid's parents aren't walking with God, the challenge of nontraditional families, and partnering with parents.
Based on the true story featured in the chapter, each chapter also includes "Grandparents in the Bible," "Scriptures to Study," application or discussion questions, "One Way to Pray," lots of room to jot your own notes, ideas, and prayers, and more. Also includes resources and ideas. A very practical guide.
Find it here:
On AmazonOn KindleAt Barnes & NobleOn NookFollow us on Twitter: @GParentObstacle
Find us on Facebook: Grandparenting Through Obstacles
Visit the book's blog: www.GrandparentingThruObstacles.wordpress.com
September 4, 2012
Vacationing in Orlando
After the Advanced Writers and Speaker's Association conference and the Golden Scroll banquet, Hal and I enjoyed a few days in Orlando. We visited the Universal Resorts theme park and had a great time riding the rides for two days! Including getting totally drenched in Jurassic Park.
Then we spent a day at the Holy Land Experience, which was just plain awesome. If you ever get to Orlando, I hope you'll go. Here are some highlights:
Worship center before the Temple.Worship starts every day here in front of the Temple. If you know me at all, you know that my passion is studying the Holy Temple, so it was fantastic for me to sit before this replica of it. I'm hoping to write what I've learned about the Temple, and there are some possibilities for doing so on the horizon which I am very excited about.
Me and Hal with a replica of the Jesus Boat at the Holy Land Experience.Here is me and Hal, with Magnificent Hope, in front of a life-sized replica of the Jesus Boat. It was fun to see this since I recently wrote an article about this very Jesus Boat for www.FindingGodDaily.com.
Replica of first century Jerusalem with Herod's TempleHere is a replica of Jerusalem just after the time of Christ. Of course front and center is the Temple where Jesus often visited, known at Herod's Temple. Of course it wasn't to worship Herod at all, but was so called because Herod the Great built it. Herod added greatly to the grounds. I'm sure you know the Temple is no longer standing, destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D., but the western wall is still there. One day this Temple will be rebuilt, according to Bible prophecies.
One place I couldn't photograph was the Scriptorium. If you visit the Holy Land Experience, you truly must take the hour tour of the Scriptorium. It is a museum of Bibles and their history. Most impactful for me was the Matthew's Bible with the brown stain smeared across it, which is the blood of the owner who was martyred simply for owning it.
It was a great trip and a fun place to visit. I hope you'll make the trip to the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida, some time soon.
Then we spent a day at the Holy Land Experience, which was just plain awesome. If you ever get to Orlando, I hope you'll go. Here are some highlights:
Worship center before the Temple.Worship starts every day here in front of the Temple. If you know me at all, you know that my passion is studying the Holy Temple, so it was fantastic for me to sit before this replica of it. I'm hoping to write what I've learned about the Temple, and there are some possibilities for doing so on the horizon which I am very excited about.
Me and Hal with a replica of the Jesus Boat at the Holy Land Experience.Here is me and Hal, with Magnificent Hope, in front of a life-sized replica of the Jesus Boat. It was fun to see this since I recently wrote an article about this very Jesus Boat for www.FindingGodDaily.com.
Replica of first century Jerusalem with Herod's TempleHere is a replica of Jerusalem just after the time of Christ. Of course front and center is the Temple where Jesus often visited, known at Herod's Temple. Of course it wasn't to worship Herod at all, but was so called because Herod the Great built it. Herod added greatly to the grounds. I'm sure you know the Temple is no longer standing, destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D., but the western wall is still there. One day this Temple will be rebuilt, according to Bible prophecies.One place I couldn't photograph was the Scriptorium. If you visit the Holy Land Experience, you truly must take the hour tour of the Scriptorium. It is a museum of Bibles and their history. Most impactful for me was the Matthew's Bible with the brown stain smeared across it, which is the blood of the owner who was martyred simply for owning it.
It was a great trip and a fun place to visit. I hope you'll make the trip to the Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida, some time soon.
September 3, 2012
Deliver Me a Finalist at AWSA's Golden Scroll Nonfiction "Book of the Year"
No way! Has it really been nearly three months since I posted to this blog?! It has been a busy, busy but exciting summer. Let me fill you in, but it will take several posts.
Waaaay back in my May 28th post I told you I had just learned that my book, Deliver Me, was selected as a finalist for the 2012 Golden Scroll Nonfiction Book of the Year award. The award is presented at the annual banquet hosted by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA). This year the banquet was in Orlando on July 15, 2012. It was wonderful to have Hal there with me for the first time on one of my business trips!
Hal accompanied me to the 2012 AWSA Golden Scroll banquet in Orlando, FloridaI felt so honored to be one of four finalists for the Nonfiction Book of the Year award! The other three finalist books were all published by well-known traditional publishers, so for me to be standing on that platform in front of about 150 agents, editors, publishers, and authors with my self-published book was a wonderful recognition of my book and its quality and worth to readers.
In then end we didn't win the award, but to simply be a finalist was huge. I was awarded a beautiful framed certificate by the founder of AWSA, Linda Evans Shepherd. It was a moment I will truly treasure for a lifetime.
Dianne with AWSA founder Linda Evans Shepherd who presented a certificate to Deliver Me
for being a finalist in the 2012 Golden Scroll Nonfiction Book of the Year awards.This was Deliver Me's second nomination for Book of the Year. Earlier this year Deliver Me won the Christian Small Publishers Association's "2012 Book of the Year" in the Family/Relationships category.
Thank you Linda and AWSA for such a beautiful award and for the wonderful recognition.
Waaaay back in my May 28th post I told you I had just learned that my book, Deliver Me, was selected as a finalist for the 2012 Golden Scroll Nonfiction Book of the Year award. The award is presented at the annual banquet hosted by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA). This year the banquet was in Orlando on July 15, 2012. It was wonderful to have Hal there with me for the first time on one of my business trips!
Hal accompanied me to the 2012 AWSA Golden Scroll banquet in Orlando, FloridaI felt so honored to be one of four finalists for the Nonfiction Book of the Year award! The other three finalist books were all published by well-known traditional publishers, so for me to be standing on that platform in front of about 150 agents, editors, publishers, and authors with my self-published book was a wonderful recognition of my book and its quality and worth to readers.In then end we didn't win the award, but to simply be a finalist was huge. I was awarded a beautiful framed certificate by the founder of AWSA, Linda Evans Shepherd. It was a moment I will truly treasure for a lifetime.
Dianne with AWSA founder Linda Evans Shepherd who presented a certificate to Deliver Mefor being a finalist in the 2012 Golden Scroll Nonfiction Book of the Year awards.This was Deliver Me's second nomination for Book of the Year. Earlier this year Deliver Me won the Christian Small Publishers Association's "2012 Book of the Year" in the Family/Relationships category.
Thank you Linda and AWSA for such a beautiful award and for the wonderful recognition.
June 11, 2012
New book's blog going live!
My co-author, Renee Gray-Wilburn, and I have been working on our new blog for our new book. It is scheduled to go live tomorrow!
Please visit here: http://www.grandparentingthruobstacles.wordpress.com/
Our new book, Grandparenting Through Obstacles: Overcoming Family Challenges to Reach Your Grandchildren for Christ is due out from Pix-N-Pens in August.
If you haven't discovered it yet, please check out the Hope Tour from Write Integrity Press, which owns Pix-N-Pens. It's our own virtual book tour, and there's some exciting prizes you can win over there!
Please Like our new book's Facebook page: Grandparenting Through Obstacles on Facebook
And Follow us on Twitter: @GParentObstacle
Thank you!
Please visit here: http://www.grandparentingthruobstacles.wordpress.com/
Our new book, Grandparenting Through Obstacles: Overcoming Family Challenges to Reach Your Grandchildren for Christ is due out from Pix-N-Pens in August.
If you haven't discovered it yet, please check out the Hope Tour from Write Integrity Press, which owns Pix-N-Pens. It's our own virtual book tour, and there's some exciting prizes you can win over there!
Please Like our new book's Facebook page: Grandparenting Through Obstacles on Facebook
And Follow us on Twitter: @GParentObstacle
Thank you!
