Bøger udgivet af Our Written Lives

"It was January 1, 2012, which happened to be a Sunday. It was Sunday morning, to be precise, around 10:30 a.m. I was driving my wife to my mother's house to pick up our daughter and proceed to church. I had the most horrendous headache, and I felt lower than dirt. It was a hangover-a word I would have never used or understood earlier in my life, but I had built up a problem over the years. I didn't want to admit it, though I knew the truth deep inside my heart. I had developed a drinking problem." I started this book right after finishing the first draft of a previous book. At the time, I was reading one of the many books my publisher had personally written where she posed the question, "What is God leading you to write?" At that very moment, I knew this was the book God was calling me to share. I tell parts of my personal alcohol story through various sections of this book, but, suffice it to say, I had a problem. I had the type of problem I believe exists rampantly in our society, but we rarely talk about it. To be clear, the police never arrested me for a DWI. I was not violent. I never physically hurt anyone. I was simply in a fog many of my days and made stupid choices in the fog. Life was wonderful and bright around me, but I chose to view it through the haze of alcohol. This book shares some of the realizations I've had since choosing to live alcohol-free on January 1, 2012. I hope you find comfort in my story and observations, as well as perhaps a little bit of useful truth for your own life journey. -Mark

Miracles increase our faith. Miracles lift up the name of Jesus. Miracles are worth mentioning not to elevate the one who testifies, but to give glory to the One who is the source of the miracle-the One whose supernatural power causes a miracle to happen. It is when we realize the Wonder Worker is at work that we can say we experience a miracle. Experiencing this miraculous working God is seeing life through a mustard seed faith that can move mountains. It is having faith beyond what the human eye could see, or the human mind will ever understand. I invite you to experience this Miracle Worker as I again share what God has done in my life again and again.

Noah was a typical 20-year-old, working at a restaurant, mastering video games, and hanging out with his girlfriend. His life changed from typical to trauma in a moment of time, and trauma led to a life lived to glorify God. Noah was sitting in line at a red light when a drunk driver crashed into his vehicle. It is a miracle he survived the wreck and lives to share his testimony of God's grace through the difficult and unexpected journey of living with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)."Mom, I'm thankful for the accident.""What?" I asked, taken by surprise. "I'm thankful because I don't remember everything I did during the two years of memory that I lost. I know it wasn't anything good because I wasn't living for God. I'm glad God wiped those memories away. I also know there is a God now. I know I was raised to believe in God, but I lost my faith. He saved me, and I know for a fact that He is real because me being alive is a miracle."In I Noah Guy, Noah's mother, Shannon Dorsey, tells the story of the fateful day and the months of recovery that followed. The accident changed the lives of the entire family. Each person faces ongoing grief and daily challenges as a result of the injuries Noah sustained. They all live with the reality of how fragile life is, and how grateful they are that Noah lives.

David Marks was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala. His loving parents, Donna and Steven Marks, adopted him when he was six months old. David grew up in Southwest Florida. In this book, David acknowledges his faith in God and the love both of his parents have for him. Ultimately, it was his mother's loving heart and his father's unconditional support that changed his life. Growing up knowing he was adopted, David struggled with feelings of rejection rather than focusing on the fact that he was selected. His parents helped him see the value of family. He learned to overcome feelings of rejection by focusing on the love in his life, reinforcing strong bonds with his family, and surrounding himself with people who care about him. He wrote this book to honor God and his mother.

David Marks was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala. His loving parents, Donna and Steven Marks, adopted him when he was six months old. David grew up in Southwest Florida. In this book, David acknowledges his faith in God and the love both of his parents have for him. Ultimately, it was his mother's loving heart and his father's unconditional support that changed his life. Growing up knowing he was adopted, David struggled with feelings of rejection rather than focusing on the fact that he was selected. His parents helped him see the value of family. He learned to overcome feelings of rejection by focusing on the love in his life, reinforcing strong bonds with his family, and surrounding himself with people who care about him. He wrote this book in honor of his mother.

Una tarde, Natán e Isaías salieron a jugar al patio. El día estaba brumoso y frío.One afternoon, Nathan and Isaiah went out to play in the yard. The day was misty and cool.Isaías preguntó a Natán. "¿Ya va a llegar el otoño? Hace frío afuera y las hojas de los árboles se ven diferentes."Isaiah looked at Nathan and asked, "Will fall begin soon? It is cool outside, and the leaves on the trees look different."

I'm Ieshia. I've been dancing for as long as I can remember. Dancing keeps me going. When I was 16, I found out I was pregnant. My dad was so mad about it that he shipped me off to live with Aunt Velma. That was ten years ago. I'm finally ready to face my truth, but when tension becomes too much, it's time to dance. My son, Malcolm, is a dancer too. Come dance with me. Listen to my story of hope, forgiveness, and redemption. I've learned no matter what I go through, I can always dance-even in the rain.

The Tiniest Tree in the Christmas tree lot can't wait to fulfill his destiny in a family's home on Christmas Day, but after a few weeks he finds himself passed over and sent to the bargain area. Will he ever regain his faith and fulfill his destiny?Join the tiniest tree, the grumbling tree and the wise old tree as they discover the Christmas Spirit is a matter of the heart and attitude. It's a heartwarming story that reminds us Christmas isn't about where you are, or what you have. Christmas is about finding joy within through faith in God, regardless of circumstances.The Tiniest Tree is a full-color children's book featuring bilingual text, Spanish and English. Perfect reading for making a new family tradition! This book is full of traditional Christian values, overcoming disappointment through faith, and accepting flaws with unconditional love.

Have you ever thought of singleness as a gift? Many people see their time being single as a phase they want to leave as quickly as possible, but God has a purpose for every season. You are not single because there is something wrong with you. You are just fine as you are. You are not too tall. You are not too short. You are not too thin. You are not too thick. Your hair is not too straight. Your hair is not too bushy. You are not too dark. You are not too light. Carmel and Chocolate both have a sweet taste! There is nothing wrong with being single. I cannot change your marital status whether you are single, separated, divorced, or widowed, but I can add value to your thought process. I can speak a word into your life about your worth. I can encourage you to change your thoughts, so you can elevate to success.When the King gives you a gift, treasure it. Your gift of singleness can evolve you to a place where you will be able to reach your relational dreams. Your gift of singleness can develop you into a place where you can receive your promise. Most of all, your gift of singleness can advance you toward an eternal relationship with the Lord. God knows what you need. Trust Him!

Así que escribe. Escribe, aun cuando millones de personas tienen acceso a las palabras, pero sólo cientos las leen. Escribe, aunque el escribir desnude tu alma, y te quedes solo y expuesto. Escribe, porque tu vida está destinada a traer la esperanza de Cristo a aquellos que lo conocen y lo leen. Por eso, Dios provee Nuestras Vidas Escritas de esperanza. Llamada a Escribir, Elegida a Publicar ofrece 20 pensamientos inspiradores para escritores Cristianos.

As women of God, we have a hope that God is working powerfully in our lives to make us into gleaming, shining diamonds for His glory. I am a diamond in God's eyes; I have been through the fire and have come out even more beautiful and strong. God brought me from the dirt roads of life and made me into a diamond for His glory!Throughout my life, God has used the pressure of trials and troubles to shape me into the person I am today. We often look at others' lives and wish we had what they have, but we don't know what they had to go through to get to where they are. We see them now not knowing their "back then."Join with me as I share the testimony of my childhood and young adult life. Yes, I went through many trials and suffered heartaches, but, thank God, He kept me!This book is my story, my testimony, and my truth of the grace of God. God's love, grace, and mercy followed me, chased me down, and kept me for His use and His glory!

Take a leap of courageous faith and learn to love, trust, and forgive again. Through the Love Wins journey, you will discover how to restore contentment and find the security you long for in your marriage. Surrender any crippling doubt in your mind, and witness God make all things new in your marriage.Love Wins is an excellent tool to strengthen your marriage, or as an intervention for a bruised marriage. No matter what condition your marriage is in, there is hope and healing for your heart through Jesus. Beverly offers marital guidance using principles she learned in her education, private practice, and her personal life journey.Author Beverly McManus, M.S., L.P.C., finds her purpose in restoring faith to battered hearts suffering from pain and isolation. She shares her personal story of marital crisis, heartbreak, learning to forgive, and finding love again.

Scripture is littered with names and faces who were marginalized by society. Touched by shame, each partnered with a lie, led along by a cloud of resentment. Not much has changed.We don't have to live like this. Jesus proved it with actions far louder than words. Follow me on a journey of investigation and introspection as we take a look at these throwaways and celebrate how their worth was validated on the spot. His love will give you courage to be honest. His love will give you courage to be transparent. His love will give you courage to love yourself. That's when the change happens. When we let Him see us, then we will see them. Except they won't be them anymore. They'll be us. Revived. Shamelessly.

Throughout the years, my aunt talked to me about little stories that could only be explained as miracles from God. I was able to convince her to record her thoughts so that others could learn about the amazing things that have happened during her life. The fact that God allows ordinary people to see phenomenal miracles is something that should be shared, not only in our families, but also with everyone we encounter. Join me as I share stories of miracles: split second interventions from near fatal car crashes, gallstone pain, migraines, a heart attack, and permanent paralysis. Read the words of hope spoken at just the right time, along with visions from heaven to comfort and guide... these are the ways God chose to work in one ordinary life.

Life's disappointments can be a challenge to forgive. After my parent's deaths, I had to learn to forgive in order to move forward in my life. There is no Band-Aid for grief, loss, or offense. We'll have questions about the challenges we face in life, of course. The problem is not having a question. The problem is not that our question remains unanswered. The problem is that we expect, or even demand, resolution and find ourselves offended because of this apparent disconnect between what we thought we were getting and what life gave us. Jesus said offenses would come because expectations are a given. Hurt, loss, disappointment and offense are woven within the natural flow of relationship and commitment. As Jesus told the disciples of John, "Happy is the man that I can't offend." I don't think happiness comes because Jesus decides not to offend us with His ways. I think the happiness happens when we acknowledge Jesus' teaching and, instead of trying to duck or deny the offense, we forgive and release it. Forgiveness. It's what I like to call The Eleventh Commandment.