Positive Attitude

Blackberry Wisdom on Friends

I started a Live Series sharing content from my book Blackberry Wisdom. Each series will include 3 sessions. The first was on friends.

I wanted to share a few thoughts on friends. One aspect I always find interesting and a good conversation starter is on the five types of friends I believe we need in our life.

Adventurer

Artist

Encourager

Fun

Honest

I believe we become the sum of our 5 closest friends, so having a well rounded group of friends makes your life more robust.

Watch each of the sessions here:

Session 1 – Friends: 5 types of friends

Session 2 – Being the friend you want to have

Session 3 – choosing and becoming the best spouse

Blackberry Wisdom eBook Promotion

For those who haven’t had a chance to get my book Blackberry Wisdom – here is an incentive for you. For the next 2 weeks the kindle version will be $0.99!

I am trying to share the message of the book and request ratings on Amazon. If you already have a copy of my book could I ask you to leave a rating at Amazon?

To rate:

  1. Go to the product detail page Blackberry Wisdom. If you’ve placed an order for the item, you can also go to Your Orders.
  2. Click Write a customer review in the Customer Reviews section.
  3. Select a Star Rating. …
  4. (Optional) Add text, photos, or videos and click Submit.

To order my book you can search for Blackberry Wisdom on Amazon or follow this LINK!

Let me also say THANK YOU to those who have bought my book and provided a rating on Amazon! I am truly thankful and appreciate you!

Healthy Habits

How do you create a healthy habit?  I believe that we can set a goal of making a healthy habit.  Some people say if you do it for 21 days you will form a habit.  But I believe there are some circumstances that allow a habit to be formed quicker and sometimes longer.  It just depends on the three stages of forming a habit.

Digging Disciples – Mary, the virgin mother

This week our focus in preparing for Christmas is Mary.  Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus!

Luke 1:26-38 gives us a glimpse into the announcement and proclamation of what was about to happen to Mary.

We find a few glimpses into the simple person of Mary:

  • Angel’s announcement takes place six months after Elizabeth becomes pregnant with John the Baptist.
  • Mary lived in the village of Nazareth
  • a virgin (mentioned twice)
  • Betrothed (engaged) but not yet married

Gabriel announced specifics about the baby to be born:

  1. Mary will become pregnant.
  2. Mary will give birth to a son.
  3. The child must be given the name “Jesus,”
  4. The child will become a great person
  5. His title will be “Son of the Most High”
  6. He will inherit the “throne of His father David”
  7. His kingdom will never end

Just like Mary did not know what would happen in the next 34 years, neither do you or I.

But like her – we should be watching for what Jesus will do in our lives over the next 34 years (and 3 or 4 days)!

Jesus – the hope we have – the hope of Christmas!

Digging Disciples – Defilement of the Heart

This week at Digging Disciples we talk about what defiles a heart, and how to keep yours pure.

Watch this episode of Digging Disciples here

 

Digging Disciples – Thanksgiving

Thankful for Thanksgiving week!  From time off work, cooking, eating, spending time with family, getting into the woods and praising Jesus – this is a great week!

The Thanksgiving edition of Digging Disciples covers the beheading of John the Baptist in Matthew 14.  The lessons we took away were:

  • Followers of Jesus are not immune to hard times.  Matter of fact we will have very tough times in this life.  Prepare for them and don’t be blown away when you are down.
  • When you are disappointed, discouraged or beat down – get alone with God.  Others will help, but only God will be there at all times with truth.

 

DTM Achieved!

On Monday, 11 Oct 21 I gave the last required speech to earn my DTM or Distinguished Toastmaster award!  I have now completed 2 Toastmasters pathways and what a journey it has been!

Less than 1% of all Toastmasters ever earn the DTM. Why?  Well because it is hard, it takes time and dedication, and it takes help from others along the way.

I shared in my speech the accomplishments I had in and outside Toastmasters, as well as the lessons I have learned.  I will share a few of the highlights below but the full speech is available in the YouTube video.

  • Leadership Development – 2019
  • Presentation Mastery – 2021
  • Pellissippi Toastmasters Club President 2019-20
  • Pellissippi Toastmasters Club President 2021-22
  • Area 23 director 2020-21
  • Youth Leadership Program for the Emerald Youth Foundation 2021
  • Club Mentor for G3 2021 

Toastmasters has a proven system for developing communication and leadership skills.

Pathways is the Toastmasters education system for developing communication skills, while club and district roles develop leadership skills.

DTM is the AWARD, but experiences along the journey is the REWARD !

Book Released!

I can’t tell you how relieved I am to have released my book. This book has been in the works for several – repeat several years! I would start and stop writing over the years. A silver lining from COVID is that I had time to stay home and write. More importantly I was able to schedule time for me to write.

This book is a tribute to my grandmother Ellis Troutman, but also a desired help to young adults who need someone to speak wisdom into their lives.

I am delighted to share what I feel the Lord has given me, and look forward to where this book will take me!

If you want to order you can find on Amazon here.

my first copies of Blackberry Wisdom