Tim Kreider's Blog
February 1, 2015
Special offer, now through Tuesday!
$2.99 - that's the SPECIAL OFFER! Now through February 3rd, in celebration of the one year anniversary of our launch, you are able to buy Refuse to Drown in either Kindle or Nook formats for only $2.99.
What others are saying... 5 STARS! - "Refuse to Drown is"
"Riveting"
"Thought provoking"
"Heartfelt"
"Amazingly written"
"A difficult, important story"
"Tragic yet inspiring"
"Painful But Articulate
"A very well written, emotional book that everyone should read"
"Inspiring"
"Hope"
Please share this special promotion. With your help we can make the next year even better than the first!
Blessings,
Tim
http://www.amazon.com/Refuse-Drown-Ti...
What others are saying... 5 STARS! - "Refuse to Drown is"
"Riveting"
"Thought provoking"
"Heartfelt"
"Amazingly written"
"A difficult, important story"
"Tragic yet inspiring"
"Painful But Articulate
"A very well written, emotional book that everyone should read"
"Inspiring"
"Hope"
Please share this special promotion. With your help we can make the next year even better than the first!
Blessings,
Tim
http://www.amazon.com/Refuse-Drown-Ti...
December 8, 2014
Thank you for your support!
Thank you to everyone that entered our most recent giveaway. We had 565 individuals enter the giveaway!
Congratulations to the 5 winners!
I hope that everyone else will check out Refuse to Drown or put it on your to read list.
The feedback so far has been amazing and we look forward to sharing our story with you and to hearing your feedback.
Blessings,
Tim
Congratulations to the 5 winners!
I hope that everyone else will check out Refuse to Drown or put it on your to read list.
The feedback so far has been amazing and we look forward to sharing our story with you and to hearing your feedback.
Blessings,
Tim
November 21, 2014
What a last 45 days!
The story and testimony of Refuse to Drown continues to enable us to touch so many lives!
Recently, we've had the privilege to speak to local youth groups, senior high students, church congregations, doing additional interviews and more.
The personal stories that others share with us and the hope they get from the time we spend with them is an amazing experience.
The feedback we get on the book inspires us to keep working and believing there is a lot more to do.
Check out our web site www.refusetodrown.com
or go to Amazon for more information and to see the gracious reviews we've received - http://www.amazon.com/Refuse-Drown-Ti...
Thank you to everyone for your support and encouragement. We look forward to what the coming days, weeks and months have in store for us.
Blessings,
Tim
Recently, we've had the privilege to speak to local youth groups, senior high students, church congregations, doing additional interviews and more.
The personal stories that others share with us and the hope they get from the time we spend with them is an amazing experience.
The feedback we get on the book inspires us to keep working and believing there is a lot more to do.
Check out our web site www.refusetodrown.com
or go to Amazon for more information and to see the gracious reviews we've received - http://www.amazon.com/Refuse-Drown-Ti...
Thank you to everyone for your support and encouragement. We look forward to what the coming days, weeks and months have in store for us.
Blessings,
Tim
October 2, 2014
Giving myself permission to be joyful again.
I’ve been asked how was I able to find joy / give myself permission to be happy again after all that happened with my son?
“He who is concerned about his life shall lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 10:39
What does this mean? It seems to me that we are not to attach our “life” (joy / happiness / purpose) to the temporary things of this world: our relationships, what people say or do to us, our health, our physical abilities, our wealth (money, possessions etc.) or the pain, losses and suffering we experience.
All of these things are temporary and will some day be gone and will not matter. Yet we so often allow them to dictate how we feel, act and how we determine our purpose in life.
Our “lives” aren’t about these things. If we focus on these self-centered, ego-based areas we will ultimately be hurt or disappointed in some way and lose our “life”. It is unavoidable.
So what is the alternative? What does “loses his life for my sake” mean? It appears to say that we are to surrender all that we think is important in this world and focus on what God says is truly important. The “things” of this world are temporary and fleeting. We are not to rely on them for our joy, peace and purpose (or our “life”)!
I read that we should pray for: “being a vehicle of Divine Love and a channel of God’s Will, to commit to unconditional love and compassion for all life.”
It resonated with me and allowed me to focus on something so much greater than my self and my “life”. The temporary struggles, pain, joys and all else that we so easily make the weak foundation of our “life” lost their control over me. Although I have days and moments where letting go can still be difficult. But the awareness I now have enables me to move past it. “… he who loses his life for my sake shall find it.”
May you find your way to joy and peace.
Blessings,
Tim
“He who is concerned about his life shall lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 10:39
What does this mean? It seems to me that we are not to attach our “life” (joy / happiness / purpose) to the temporary things of this world: our relationships, what people say or do to us, our health, our physical abilities, our wealth (money, possessions etc.) or the pain, losses and suffering we experience.
All of these things are temporary and will some day be gone and will not matter. Yet we so often allow them to dictate how we feel, act and how we determine our purpose in life.
Our “lives” aren’t about these things. If we focus on these self-centered, ego-based areas we will ultimately be hurt or disappointed in some way and lose our “life”. It is unavoidable.
So what is the alternative? What does “loses his life for my sake” mean? It appears to say that we are to surrender all that we think is important in this world and focus on what God says is truly important. The “things” of this world are temporary and fleeting. We are not to rely on them for our joy, peace and purpose (or our “life”)!
I read that we should pray for: “being a vehicle of Divine Love and a channel of God’s Will, to commit to unconditional love and compassion for all life.”
It resonated with me and allowed me to focus on something so much greater than my self and my “life”. The temporary struggles, pain, joys and all else that we so easily make the weak foundation of our “life” lost their control over me. Although I have days and moments where letting go can still be difficult. But the awareness I now have enables me to move past it. “… he who loses his life for my sake shall find it.”
May you find your way to joy and peace.
Blessings,
Tim
September 20, 2014
Why did we self publish Refuse to Drown?
It was a long thought out decision to forgo traditional publishing for Refuse to Drown. There are many benefits to the traditional publishing; a publisher has the power to have your book placed in the national bookstores; editing and design costs are paid for and the significant resources brought to the marketing and exposure of your story and book. If the best opportunity for significant sales were the only consideration, it would have been an easy decision.
However, the decision was not that simple. As an author there is far less control over the title of the book, the images used, the content and manner in which the story is told and marketed when using a publisher.
While Refuse to Drown is the story of my journey through the darkest time of my life, there is another family to be considered. The Haines family lost much more than my family and has been forced to endure a tragedy and loss that I cannot begin to comprehend or understand. Their loss and the concern over how sharing my story may serve to cause them additional pain almost kept Refuse to Drown from ever being published. It was the encouragement of those closest to me, and how lives were being positively touched when I shared my story that finally convinced me to publish Refuse to Drown.
The question was how to do so and still respect the Haines family and cause them as little additional pain as possible? This overriding concern made the decision to self publish a relatively easy one.
So many stories of this nature are sensationalized with graphic images and inflammatory titles and content. That is not the purpose or point to Refuse to Drown. If that is what someone is looking for from Refuse to Drown, they will be disappointed. In order to have as much control as possible over the title, image on the cover and content of the story self-publishing was the best option.
There are faith based publishers that would have published this story and likely agreed to the title, cover and content and this would have undoubtedly led to a certain level of guaranteed “success”. But then Refuse to Drown would have become known as simply a faith-based book. While I openly discuss the importance of my faith and its role in helping me cope with the events in my life, it isn’t the only avenue which was important to me and my return to wholeness. If Refuse to Drown is perceived as simply a book of faith there is a large segment of the population that would never consider reading it.
All of these considerations led to Refuse to Drown being self-published. Time will tell whether or not Refuse to Drown is a “success” according to the standards of today, but one thing is certain.
It was done our way and it has already been a “success” for us. The only reason it exists is to provide hope, healing and encouragement to others. This has already been accomplished many times over!
If Refuse to Drown is going to continue to change lives we’re relying on you, the readers, to share it with others and spread the word. Refuse to Drown is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com in paperback, kindle and nook versions.
Thank you to everyone that has invested your time and energy into reading Refuse to Drown!
Blessings,
Tim
However, the decision was not that simple. As an author there is far less control over the title of the book, the images used, the content and manner in which the story is told and marketed when using a publisher.
While Refuse to Drown is the story of my journey through the darkest time of my life, there is another family to be considered. The Haines family lost much more than my family and has been forced to endure a tragedy and loss that I cannot begin to comprehend or understand. Their loss and the concern over how sharing my story may serve to cause them additional pain almost kept Refuse to Drown from ever being published. It was the encouragement of those closest to me, and how lives were being positively touched when I shared my story that finally convinced me to publish Refuse to Drown.
The question was how to do so and still respect the Haines family and cause them as little additional pain as possible? This overriding concern made the decision to self publish a relatively easy one.
So many stories of this nature are sensationalized with graphic images and inflammatory titles and content. That is not the purpose or point to Refuse to Drown. If that is what someone is looking for from Refuse to Drown, they will be disappointed. In order to have as much control as possible over the title, image on the cover and content of the story self-publishing was the best option.
There are faith based publishers that would have published this story and likely agreed to the title, cover and content and this would have undoubtedly led to a certain level of guaranteed “success”. But then Refuse to Drown would have become known as simply a faith-based book. While I openly discuss the importance of my faith and its role in helping me cope with the events in my life, it isn’t the only avenue which was important to me and my return to wholeness. If Refuse to Drown is perceived as simply a book of faith there is a large segment of the population that would never consider reading it.
All of these considerations led to Refuse to Drown being self-published. Time will tell whether or not Refuse to Drown is a “success” according to the standards of today, but one thing is certain.
It was done our way and it has already been a “success” for us. The only reason it exists is to provide hope, healing and encouragement to others. This has already been accomplished many times over!
If Refuse to Drown is going to continue to change lives we’re relying on you, the readers, to share it with others and spread the word. Refuse to Drown is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com in paperback, kindle and nook versions.
Thank you to everyone that has invested your time and energy into reading Refuse to Drown!
Blessings,
Tim
September 15, 2014
Helping others through Refuse to Drown and Also-Me
Refuse to Drown takes you through the darkest time of my life but in the darkness a light shown through. It was the idea that it was possible to take what happened in my family and use it to help others.
Out of this time and events the idea of Also-Me, www.Also-me.org, was born. The name Also-Me originates from something my youngest son said when he was a small child. Instead of saying, me too, he would say “also me”. This little phrase stayed with me throughout the years and when we decided to start an organization to help others it seemed like the perfect name.
Every one of us faces struggles, hardships, doubts and challenges in our lives. If we are in a room full of people, we can look at anyone in the room and say, me too or “Also Me”. I hurt. I have doubts. I feel afraid. I feel alone. I want meaning and a purpose in life. I need to be loved. Also Me!
Everyone, either now or at some point in their lives, has felt one or all of these. We are not alone. The goal of Also-Me is to help youth and anyone else that may be struggling to find help before something tragic takes place. If just one person or family finds the help they need through Also Me it will be worth it.
You may not be comfortable talking to someone you know. Perhaps you don’t know where to turn, think you have to do it alone or don’t think anyone will understand. Help is out there. People do care and you can get help. No matter what you may be going through.
We are all doing life together, you are not alone, remember you can look at anyone and say Also-Me.
Please check out the web site: www.Also-me.org like us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AlsoMe.org and share it with your friends, family and anyone else you think may be feeling alone, is hurting or simply needs a positive place to go.
You’re Not Alone!
Blessings,
Tim
Out of this time and events the idea of Also-Me, www.Also-me.org, was born. The name Also-Me originates from something my youngest son said when he was a small child. Instead of saying, me too, he would say “also me”. This little phrase stayed with me throughout the years and when we decided to start an organization to help others it seemed like the perfect name.
Every one of us faces struggles, hardships, doubts and challenges in our lives. If we are in a room full of people, we can look at anyone in the room and say, me too or “Also Me”. I hurt. I have doubts. I feel afraid. I feel alone. I want meaning and a purpose in life. I need to be loved. Also Me!
Everyone, either now or at some point in their lives, has felt one or all of these. We are not alone. The goal of Also-Me is to help youth and anyone else that may be struggling to find help before something tragic takes place. If just one person or family finds the help they need through Also Me it will be worth it.
You may not be comfortable talking to someone you know. Perhaps you don’t know where to turn, think you have to do it alone or don’t think anyone will understand. Help is out there. People do care and you can get help. No matter what you may be going through.
We are all doing life together, you are not alone, remember you can look at anyone and say Also-Me.
Please check out the web site: www.Also-me.org like us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AlsoMe.org and share it with your friends, family and anyone else you think may be feeling alone, is hurting or simply needs a positive place to go.
You’re Not Alone!
Blessings,
Tim
