Thursday, June 6, 2013

The Author Post: Blog #22, "God's Work in Me"

Do You Want a Miracle? Well, it is the PRECISE TIME of year for your miracle!

MIRACLES are Divine Events Orchestrated by God to those who Believe. They are miraculous occurrences in the physical world that "surpass all known human or natural powers," and are manifested as a true work of God.

In the natural, an unexplained welcome happening is impossible to believe. In the supernatural, an unexplained welcome happening is possible to believe. The key is to believe and have true, earnest faith that ALL things are possible. Matthew 19:26 says, "But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Mark 11:24 says, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." God is amazing and can do amazing things in the lives of his faithful believers. 

Have you ever had days or certain times in your life when everything seems so hopeless and that things will never improve?.. Times that you just break down, thinking, How will I ever get out of this rut? 

The circumstances may involve grieving for a friend or a loved one, when life seems so hard and impossible without them. It may be that your finances and income have lessened and you actually don't know how you're going to pay the bills and provide for your family. Or, maybe you're just wondering if this is all there is to life, wondering, When will it be MY time to shine! Or, maybe you have experienced all of the above.

I went through all of these exact instances, and they continue on. My Mom went to be with the Lord suddenly in 2007 and my Dad, last year. I was devastated at each of their passing and somehow, someway, I had to go on without them. Being close to God, I feel their presence through Him. God has eased my grieving pain by allowing me to remember all that they stood for and taught me while on Earth, how they gave their support and stood by me, and how I still want to make them proud.

Although being a single mother of two daughters has been challenging, it has been an incredible journey and blessing to me as well. I wouldn't give up a moment of it! My girls are my everything and I've tried to do my very best in raising them in a Christian home. I remained faithful that any difficult time would pass. It was such a Blessing to the three of us to have my fiance in our lives, as well as my sister and nephew, who gave me hope and confidence continuously.

Besides designing web sites, God gave me the special purpose of writing. When I get an overabundance of ideas in my head, I have to write them down. Like this blog, for example. Also, like my first published book in a series of ten, "Bibletoons: Adventure with Noah." I'm extremely passionate about this continuous story. My main character, Percy Porcupine, states in the book that, "There has got to be more to life than this!" Then, he goes on the adventure of a lifetime. His miracle happened!

Humbly speaking, my dream has begun to become a reality and I'm half way there in becoming a successful children's author. However, book sales have not reached the sales mark for my second book (already written) to go into production. The market, especially for Christian children's books, is not as "popular" as other categories and there is so much competition with more well know authors, even though my book is available worldwide. But, I know that if God brought me to it, that He'll bring me through it. It pleases me so much to bring God's Word into children's hearts, helping them to learn and know His promises.

As I included in Book One of Bibletoons, Psalm 1:3 says, "They are strong, like a tree planted by a river. The tree produces fruit in season and its leaves don't die. Everything they do will succeed." Be strong and remain faithful and DETERMINED that your miracle will appear.

So, in order to press on, I had to shake off all the sadness, financial hardships, unknown purpose and fear. God said in Isaiah 46:10 that, "My Counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose." Also, in Luke 1:36 when the angel Gabriel was sent from God and appeared before a troubled Mary in Galilee saying, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." FINDING FAVOR WITH GOD is a thought that gives me the chills! Just imagine it. Having the favor of God in your life would simplify things, making life's adversities dwindle. Finding favor with God means being blessed with a miracle.

What better time than the present for your miracle! Thanksgiving is a time of giving thanks for all we've been blessed with and a time of spiritual renewal. From Thanksgiving through Christmas, we gain a special connection to our Heavenly Father. Looking forward to cherished times and ultimate abundance is what we hope for. Step up your faith and really thank God in earnest for all you have and He will bless you with more! He sees your every need and knows your path through life. Matthew 10:30 says, "Even the hairs of your head are numbered." Your miracle is on its way!

Feel the season! Live the season! Hope! Dream! Pray! Believe! Dive into your Blessings! Get excited! Be the BEST person you can be in God's eyes and your long awaited MIRACLE will present itself. Imagine your life when it does!

Stay close to God and all His Glory, for THIS is the season of MIRACLES!

Happy Thanksgiving and a Healthy, Merry Christmas and New Year to you all!!!

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

The Author Post: Blog #21, "FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS!"

As I sit here at my computer listening to the rain fall gently upon the sky light above, I know that new hope is on the horizon. Rain is so symbolic; it can cleanse the soul, washing away the old and bringing on new promises. It can saturate and stimulate the earth, bringing new colors and growth. It can sooth and renew your mind with exciting ideas, giving light to a refreshing glimpse or a mysterious wonderment of what may and what is to come up ahead.

At the first feel of Spring, one can get a sense of beginnings, new birth..and rebirth. You can choose to make the Springtime the beginning of new endeavors, new motivation and new spirit..a time of rejuvenating and re-visualizing...a JUBILEE! 


In the Bible, "Jubilee" refers to a year of Liberty, and being liberated. It relates to property being released or returned to the original owner, and is used by Jeremiah to describe the release of slaves during the Sabbatical year. The year of "Jubilee" is a year of celebrating the Goodness God has given man. It's a celebration of high hopes, endless abundance and megadreams! Imagine it..the extreme sense of freedom to do whatever you choose and to live whatever way you'd like. There are no chains of bondage around you. We live in a country that is "The Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave!!" "One Nation Under GOD!" Start FEELING your freedom and go out and make a difference..THE ULTIMATE difference!


Get out your pen and paper and begin to write your novel. Or, go down and start cleaning out that cluttered basement. Begin a new adventure in your life or a new line of work, or step-up your current work. Study hard in school or college and focus on learning and writing great papers! Enhance your dreams and begin NOW to plant the seeds of your future. With all of Spring's hopes and all of Spring's promises, you, too, can begin again..to a whole new lifestyle and a whole new excitement, enhancing your every day routine! 


Think of the past and how far you've come. Let your Faith lead you to the next steps. Hold your head up high and believe that YOU can make a difference in this world! Use the beautiful means that God gave you to accomplish great things for His purpose. Begin now, in the first signs of Spring, to take a giant leap of Faith and dive into the unknown, where your dreams await you.


Believe that everything is on the right TRACK, as you hear those far off train whistles! You are where you are right now...FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS! One of my very favorite verses in the Bible comes from Esther 4:14. "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" These wonderful words were spoken to Esther, the beautiful Jewish Queen of Persia, who miraculously saved all the Jews from death. We are ALL in our ROYAL POSITIONS..For Such A Time As THIS! It is the special PURPOSE that God created each and every one of us for! Everything in life happens in God's wonderful TIMING! Awaken and hear God's gentle voice lead you to great things, awesome ideas and your road to an amazing life! 


After all, you are reading this for a reason and for such a time as this!! God's speed!

Monday, March 11, 2013

The Author Post: Blog #20, "The Irish Claddagh: Friendship, Love & Loyalty"

I thought it appropriate to bring a little "Irish" to my blog this month, since St. Patrick's Day is this weekend. As you may have guessed by my name, Heather Erin (Conley) Nelson, I am a good part Irish, with light auburn hair and all! No blarney about that! Being Irish is in my blood and my rich Irish heritage goes way back to the earliest of my ancestors.

I love this time of year with Spring about to "bloom" as we come into a season of "renewal." It is a time of new birth and rebirth. A time for renewing vows and promises to ourselves. A time when the gray shades of winter begin to lighten with each passing day. A time to rise above all hope toward a brighter future. I know you're getting excited now about all the windows of opportunity opening for you, because I know I am!

The Irish Claddagh Story ties into this nicely. It offers the feeling of faith and enduring love, no matter how grim everything seems. 


Legend has it that an Irish young man, Richard Joyce, bound for the West Indian slave plantations - the Irish Caribbean island of Montserrat - was kidnapped in rough seas by a band of Mediterranean pirates, leaving behind his one true love, and was sold to a Moorish goldsmith. Over the many long years of his exile, the goldsmith helped him perfect the skills of a master craftsman.


In 1689, King William III negotiated the return of the slaves and Joyce returned to Galway. 
In Ireland, a young women who had never stopped faithfully waiting for her true love to return was still waiting for Joyce, whom after years apart, presented her with the now famous  Claddagh gold ring - a symbol of their enduring love. Two hands to represent their friendship, the crown to signify their loyalty and lasting fidelity, and the heart to symbolize their eternal love for each other. They soon married, never to be separated again.

When Richard Joyce and his true love reunited, they began to renew their love that was so faithful and true. They began to start a fresh, new life together, with fresh, new hope for a wonderful future. Let this time of the year be a fresh, new beginning for you, too. Strengthen your faith in God, set new goals, reach to new and exciting heights and let God guide your life to new levels of abundance!! The past and present are only stepping stones to new and great adventures.

FYI:
The Claddagh is a unique and distinctive Irish love symbol. The traditional Claddagh jewelry or friendship ring is worn by both men and women all over Ireland and is probably the most widely known of Irish jewelry designs. The Claddagh Ring became popular outside the Claddagh about the middle of the last century, especially as it was the only ring made in Ireland worn by Queen Victoria and later by Queen Alexandra and King Edward VII.  

How to wear the Claddagh

Worn on the right hand, crown turned inwards, your heart is yet unoccupied.
Worn on the right hand, crown turned outwards, shows a special commitment to someone.
Worn on the left hand, crown outwards, let our love and friendship reign forever - never to be separated.

Anyway, God created us to be true friends, to love, and to be loyal to one another. This is the only way to live in harmony in order to be Blessed richly and in order for God to pour down His favor on us. We can certainly learn a lot from the ancient legends of Ireland, from the Irish and from numerous Irish Blessings and Prayers that were written years ago. I will leave you with a few:

An Irish Prayer
May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.
An Old Irish Blessing
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
A Wish for a Friend
Wishing you a rainbow
For sunlight after showers—
Miles and miles of Irish smiles
For golden happy hours—
Shamrocks at your doorway
For blessings and laughter too,
And a host of friends that never ends
Each day your whole life through!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY AND TOP O' THE MORNING TO YOU ALL!!
Faithfully, H. Erin Nelson, Author