Carol Grace Stratton's Blog

I’ve been on a strange trip this year as I walked through chemo treatments for Hodgkin Lymphoma. Surrounded by the prayers of family and friends, I still had to navigate the way through a tunnel of unexpected side effects. Would I be able to have enough energy to do the dishes that day or put away laundry? Would my legs steady me, and would my stomach cooperate with the food I allotted it? Or could I concentrate on reading a single page out of a novel. Chemo brain is real. Each day was different as the enemy put his foot out to trip me with another ailment. Still, I reminded myself that these things I can handle, with His strength.

Until one day I woke up with the big side effect. A big one.

 I had no voice. Literally no voice.

How could I not have a voice? Why I’ve been talking since I’ve been eighteen months. Before my second birthday my mother took me to the store, and I picked out everything I wanted for my two-year old celebration.

 In college I minored in voice as I loved singing. Even in my later years I love visiting with friends, laughing and sharing life stories. All were voice related. Even going though chemo I knew I could talk to my husband, kids, or get on the phone and work through the hard parts of a day. But this year I couldn’t even sing Christmas carols. That hurt.

Still, the Lord, in his ultimate wisdom, allowed me to spend this time in the valley of quiet.

Quiet? What’s that?  “Come on, Lord, I’m a communicator. A speaker, a writing coach.”

King David in the Old Testament asked God, “Why, Lord, do you stand far off?  Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” David could speak but often lived in the valley of quiet, away from the nation he loved. Let’s face it, hiding out in a cave is not very sociable, even when he was with his men. But at the end of the day in his quiet valley, he concluded that even in his isolation God was with him.

What have I learned in the valley of quiet?

Quiet calms my heart and forces me to listen more. God pushed my mute button and said, “Listen.Quiet reminds me I am not in control. I can’t explain my ailments or complain.Quiet gives me time to evaluate my life. I’ve been able to weed out unnecessary problems I worry about as I develop a good perspective on my life.Quiet reminds me my identity isn’t in what I say.  Despite not being able to crack jokes, counsel others, encourage others and just plain socialize, I am still me. I don’t need my voice to prove who I am. I am created by the creator of the universe and loved by Him.

Maybe you are going through a valley of quiet. Be encouraged that you and I can still communicate with our heavenly father. Quiet can be a blessing.

Thank you, Jesus, for your comfort and love.

Thank you, dear family and friends, for helping me through this tough cancer journey. Your prayers, calls, emails, texts and meals have pulled me through the tunnel.  And rest assured my voice is coming back…loud and clear.

Hey dear friends, I have exciting news. I now have a professional screenplay written by Daniel Borunda and am looking forward to having Lake Surrender become a film. Can you believe it!  I am working with Daniel, writer and executive producer in L.A., to move this project forward. It’s a dream for all fiction writers and it’s almost surreal to think my characters might hit the screen.

Stay tuned as we look for funding for clean family films. With God, all things are possible. It would thrill me to see the story of the restoration of a family come to life, especially featuring a boy on the spectrum as a hero!

Daniel Borunda with his Screenplay based on Lake Surrender

Would anyone want to be the Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah?

I’ve recently been studying his life and it’s certainly not one of prestige, fame and popularity. No talk shows, book contracts or guest preaching gigs for him. Instead, Jeremiah, from a young man in his twenties, was chosen to call his people back to Jehovah, the true God of Judah. He didn’t see much success in his life, as is with many prophets. Some of his prophecies took decades to manifest. His calling was, in many eyes, grim.

But still he called out evil. A suburban boy from Anathoth, a town outside of Jerusalem, his mission was to speak to his fellow countrymen and tell them to stop worshipping false gods, and turn back to the God who graciously let them out of Egypt.

Oh yeah …Egypt. Remember Egypt…the parting of the Red Sea?

Sadly, his warnings fell on deaf ears. His fellow citizens continued on, trying to fit in with the current culture around them. “Go along to get along,” as they say. This man continued his exhortations. He tried to warn them they would be taken away to a foreign country if they didn’t change. It must have been lonely and exhausting for the weeping prophet. He didn’t see change. And still, the man persevered.

How many of us would have continued on? Year after year, his passionate message fell on apathetic ears as his fellow countrymen pursued other religions, in spite of King Josiah discovering the ancient scroll of the Law, buried from years of disuse. And still Jeremiah persisted.

I love this passage which sums up Jeremiah’s message. He compares Judah’s relationship to God as a marriage.

“I remember when you said, ‘I do:’ I remember when you said you loved me at our wedding …I brought you out of a wilderness and into a garden… out of a desert and into paradise …out of a hovel of poverty into a mansion of plenty…But you have polluted My land; you have defiled everything I have lovingly given you. I even provided you with a fountain of sparkling water, but you walked away from it. Instead you dug for yourself a cistern in the sand.” Jer. 2:1-13.

Sometimes I wonder if the ancient words of this prophet are reaching forward to describe the American church. Have we forgotten our first love?

Ladies: Fifty is not the end of your ministry. It very well may be the beginnings of something new.

Why would I say that? The world tells us that we need to go silently into those later years. Suddenly you hear whispers in your ears−

“You aren’t useful.”

 “Sit back, tend to your knitting and drink another cup of herbal tea.”

“You have a pot belly, crow’s feet and an outdated view of the world. Your insights into life are passé.”

I think we’ve all heard those little voices of self doubt. It’s at this point that I have to stand on my soapbox and object− “Wait a minute, world.” As Christians, if we pay attention we see God has always used women of all ages. Miriam, the sister of Moses, led the singers in praise music after crossing the Red Sea. Historians say she was in her eighties when she directed the choir.  And Sarah became pregnant and was given the tremendous gift of producing the beginnings of Jewish nation though her son, Isaac, at age ninety. (LOL, I’m not signing up for those midnight feedings but good for her). And let’s not forget Anna the prophetess who was 84 years old when Joseph and Mary brought Jesus into the temple in Jerusalem. Because of her godly walk with God she was one of the first to recognize and proclaim Jesus was the Messiah. Can you imagine the honor, the thrill, and the sense of history that rested on her shoulders to be able to announce Jesus to her fellow worshippers? What a moment to savor for this single woman who had no children.

In my life I’ve had vibrant women who were examples of fearless believers taking on new challenges past middle age. My mother-in-law, Dorothy Stratton, got her driver’s license, her GED and put herself through nursing school after age fifty. She saw her nursing position as a ministry. And, even while working, up to age seventy, she had a weekly Koinonia (fellowship) supper club and bible study at her home for local ladies. She used her later years to honor God and teach women to grow their faith.

Muriel Cook and her husband, Norm, served as missionaries in Taiwan until their girls were in high school. Upon returning to the states the two did marriage talks and she often spoke as the keynote speaker at women’s conferences. And in her eighties she still travelled across the globe to offer hope and inspiration to women. Back at home at Multnomah School of the Bible, where her husband was head of the missions department, she started a ministry of counseling women who were attending the school or their husbands were enrolled. The school offered her a desk in an out-of–the-way section of the college, possibly in a closet. This wildly popular counselor ended up seeing so many women who needed counseling that there was often a line to talk to her. The school soon offered her her own office. And from that ministry grew a wonderful book, Kitchen Table Counseling, which has been translated into several languages. Muriel accomplished all of these, long after her daughters had left the nest.

I, myself was a stay at home mom until started writing at age fifty. I’ve been fortunate to have several books published as well as about 600 articles. I’ve also had opportunities to speak.  It wasn’t easy. I had to spend time learning about the publishing world and taking speaker’s training. The road seemed uphill at times and I wanted to throw in the towel and tell the Lord I’m too old but God kept pushing and encouraging me.

So if you’re feeling washed up and useless, don’t be! God is always looking for those willing to share his good news. He is no respecter of age. Dear readers, be open to a new thing God might want to do in YOU. The future is exciting and the need is great.

by Tina Yeager

On a prayerful walk through a park with the Lord, I felt concerned about the woundedness and disconnection ravaging our world. Online work and social connections have replaced in-person fellowship as the new normal. We’ve grown so comfortable living through our virtual avatars; we now find it challenging to engage in authentic, personal communication. Face-to-face conversations can prove risky. Messy. Awkward.

Yet well-being depends upon human contact, not just digital communication. Elohim, a relational and triune God, created us for relationship. He did not design us to exist in emotional, spiritual, or physical isolation. Our physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness require us to connect and engage in person. We need to upcycle our broken fellowship practices.

I asked God what might draw us back into relationships and experience healing together. Images of upcycled crafts came to mind as ways to tangibly work through restoration while gathering together around a shared project. My answer came in the form of my new book, Upcycled: Crafted for a Purpose. My book serves as a tool to gather broken souls around healing messages and tangible experiences to deepen their impact. Experiences move learning across that immense space from mind to heart. Tangible projects root our growth into our hearts at a deeper level.

The Ultimate Salvager sees beyond our battered state and envisions our potential after the redesigning power of the Spirit transforms us. He makes all things better than new. Even worn and chippy folks like us. God offers us the gifts of human relationship and creative play as a superior remedies to our stress and need for engagement. We can renew together those places in our hearts that decay when neglected. We heal by connecting with the Spirit wrapped in the skin of our believer-friends. Renewal and growth occur in community. And relationships are based upon play.

As we laugh and play together in art projects, our hearts draw closer to one another.

Upcycled: Crafted for a Purpose serves as a multi-layered gift. The messages guide readers toward soul-restoration. Each chapter includes an illustrative craft to keep or share with another worn and broken heart. This book-present can ribbon us together in activities, wrap us in new life, and suggest ways to pour blessings forward onto others who need hope. When we pour out the renewing truth God shares with us, our inflow of joy increases.

With each craft, I suggest mission opportunities through which participants can donate the projects to hurting souls. Examples include domestic violence shelters, veteran organizations, or homeless ministries. Sharing the evidence of grace completes our renewal.

Readers can download a free Upcycled inspirational flip book template at upcycledbook.com. You’ll get step-by-step instructions to make a giftable, weekly inspirational flip book from old greeting cards. The pages are downloadable and printable.

Visit my website, https://tinayeager.com to access craft videos and Flourish-Meant podcast episodes. You can also book life-coaching sessions or hire me as a speaker for your next event. Check out my YouTube channel for additional videos and content at https://www.youtube.com/c/TinaYeager. Feel free to follow me on Instagram or Facebook.

Upcycled: Crafted for a Purpose is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Upcycled-Crafted-Purpose-Tina-Yeager/dp/1946708828/ and at Bold Vision Books at https://www.boldvisionbooks.com/shop/upcycled

Well, friends it’s been a while. Did you miss me? I missed you all.

I have been busy writing Book 3 of the Lake Surrender series and finally finished the rough draft. People have asked me what comes next after the first draft. Let’s just say it’s a bit of a journey.

 My next project after finishing the first draft is re-reading the previous books, because believe it or not, a writer can’t remember all that they have written. (Remembering little details are important to keep facts straight).

After perusing my literary memory lane, I will go through the manuscript several times and edit it. I actually enjoy this process as I can add jewelry and accessories to the outfit (to coin a metaphor), and let it shine as I strengthen characters, sharpen dialogue, and insert more setting descriptions.

My next step is to send the manuscript to a paid independent editor who will comb through the story and rip it apart (Cue voluminous tears and an author meltdown -just ask my husband).

The next phase comes where I send my story out to beta readers. These are not editors but readers who will tell me if they like the characters and if the story works. While I am waiting for their response, I will be writing a multi-page book proposal to send to my editor.

And finally, if my publisher likes the story, he will offer a contract. At that point I will collapse on the floor with sheer exuberance and exhaustion as I sing the Hallelujah chorus.

And, that’s the path to publication. It’s a long go, but oh so worth it when you hold that baby book in your hand for the first time!

Note: For the month of November I will be on Celebration Lit’s blog tour.  It’s a fun way to get one’s book in front of more readers. Now the cool thing I wanted to share is that for those who leave comments on the blog have a possibility of winning a $50.00 Amazon gift card just in time for Christmas.  You can’t beat that.  Here’s the link to the tour:
https://www.celebratelit.com/deep-end-of-the-lake-celebration-tour/

I’m crossing my fingers one of you wins!

The following are videos featuring interviews with Carol Stratton. Enjoy!

Facebook:
Interview with Lauren Nicole at God Links TV

Click the link to view on Facebook, actual interview starts at 05:07.

https://fb.watch/uRlSHxP_GY

Podcast:
Carol Grace Stratton Celebrates the Beauty and Specialness of Children With Autism

December 5, 2022 • Tina Griffin

I remember the awful feeling of not fitting in on the first day of eighth grade. There I was, wearing a pleated wool plaid skirt and short gray socks. As I had been previously living in Mexico for six months (as an exchange student) I missed knowing the latest trend in junior high fashion was a navy blue skirt, and canvas shoes without socks! I had a miserable day. The memory is still painful and that’s why I am excited about our blog today.

Lauryn Griggs is young enough to remember tough times fitting in during middle and high school. This Belmont College student shares her struggles in fitting in at school and how she conquered her fears. I really really really hope my readers share her blog with a middle school or high school student. Lauryn really is wise beyond her age and I’m thrilled to have her today. Also, check out Lauryn’s book of poetry on Amazon, Walk by Faith.

Confidence at School

by Lauryn Griggs

Going to a new school can be intimidating. During middle school, establishing genuine friendships was difficult for me because I was still trying to figure out who I was on the inside. Middle school is the phase where many children establish their identity. I tried to change my speech and behavior because those years were my first experience in a predominantly Caucasian institution. I didn’t become buddies with many African American girls either. A few of them described me as being “too white” for listening to Taylor Swift. When I noticed that I couldn’t fit in with many people at school, I prayed for godly friends. During my tween years, I only went to church because my mom would bring me along with her. Fortunately, at the age of thirteen, I established a strong foundational faith with Jesus. I realized that I needed Him to live a purposeful life. God gave me a few people to talk to in eighth grade (of different races), but high school was a major breakthrough. I went from saying three words in a school day to laughing everyday in high school. The Lord turned my mourning into joy.

Hence, you can’t always act on your current emotions. Walking by faith and not by sight is a necessity in life. I remember being nervous about going to ninth grade. I told my mom about being scared of change. She chuckled to herself and told me, “There will always be change in life. Your personality, body, friends, opinions, and other things about you might change. As long as you keep a foundational faith in Christ, you will continue to excel during changing seasons”. After that conversation, I still felt nervous. However, I chose to declare that I would be confident and have a great first day of high school. As I continued to speak positive affirmations, I believed my words more and acted on them. I meditated on Isaiah 41:10 which says “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand”.

As I walked down the school hallway, I trusted God to help me throughout the day. Some students laughed because I asked them for directions, but other peers and teachers were polite. I developed friendships and gained associates by joining the track team and the Future Business Leaders of America organization at my school. I pray that my transparency motivates you to celebrate change. Even when your current emotions and thoughts are contrary to your faith, confess confidence over yourself and act with the strength of the Lord.

It is strongly recommended that you join clubs of your interest. Not only do these organizations look good on resumes and college applications, but these clubs will help you establish healthy friendships as well. Furthermore, I encourage you to step away from the clique mindset. You don’t have to hang around solely with band members because you are in the band. It might be fun to engage in conversation with someone new.

Maybe, you are like me and have unique interests. For instance, I have a strong interest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Similarly, I know young men who enjoy writing poetry and painting. Isn’t it fantastic that God created each person with different characteristics?

During my junior year of high school, I started to mix prints in my outfits. For example, I would wear a yellow plaid skirt with a red leopard skirt. I walked down the school hallway confidently with my shoulders back and chin up. Walking around the house with a book on my head was well worth the result (Haha!). I ignored the snickers and questions such as “Why aren’t you dressed like a normal person?”.  As long as I was adhering to the dress code and representing myself with grace, I could wear what I wanted. The Bible verse that gave me motivation in this situation was Hebrews 10:35 “Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. That scripture came true for me because I was rewarded with the senior superlative, ‘most unique’.

Freshman year of college was a whole new ball game for me. I was tempted to engage in activities that were against my faith because I wanted to be adventurous. Thankfully, I continued to listen to genuine Bible sermons everyday and remind myself of my identity in Jesus Christ. Scripture says that the Lord won’t allow you to be tempted beyond your ability. He’ll provide a way out of temptation so that you’ll be able to endure it. Although my first college year had some challenges, I became a stronger person. James 1:2-5 reads, “Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you fall into various trials, Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity and inner peace]. And let endurance love its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing”.

As we continue to grow from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18) I encourage us to daily ask God for grace to fulfill His purpose and plan for our lives. Enjoy the journey because it is truly amazing.

Be Anxious for Nothing

by Lauryn Griggs

Positive affirmations,
Taking control of my thinking, is what I did
To no longer feel weakened.
Vocalizing my opinion,
Cus some things aren’t right,

I live for God and me.
Anxiety must flee,
Was part of my history,
Now I have victory!

No doctor can diagnose,
Who Jesus has covered.
They’ll look at the facts and notes,
He’s the truth that I’ve discovered,
Who I go to each day,
To cast my cares.
What I’m trying to say,
Is my life will never be the same.
It’s not a strict religion,
I’m faithful in Jesus name,
Don’t say it in vain!

You can’t understand with intellect,
Mere man can’t interpret,
What’s under the surface.
God gives me the confidence,
The boldness and words.
His love is undeserved, but He showed mercy.
Said those who love Him genuinely,
He’ll sustain through highs and lows.
We end war in victory,
That’s the story He foretold.

Happy Christmas in July! Welcome to the 8th blog in this Christmas in July Reader Giveaway, which runs July 12-23, 2021. At the bottom of each author’s blog post, you will find the secret words. Write them all down and provide the provide the entire answer on this Google form.

Note: You must grab all the secret words from every author in the Christmas in July Reader Giveaway to be eligible to win a $400 Amazon gift card. At the end of this blog post is a link to the next blog, and so on, to the final blog post (18 in all). At each blog stop, the author will also give away copy or copies of their featured Christmas book.

-The Littlest Bell Ringer, a middle grade novel-

Let me introduce you to Cassie. She’s in fifth grade, is the new girl in town and stutters.

Moving from North Carolina to Michigan was hard enough if her dad was around. Sadly, he’d stepped on a hidden land mine in Afghanistan and his legs blew off, sending him back to a hospital in the states. He would send her letters but the rehab institution where he stayed was across the country and her mom had no extra money in the budget for trips.

 Instead Mom works all the time. Her grandfather and grandmother, Opa and Oma, (Dutch for grandfather and grandmother) try to help her break in to New Netherland’s fifth grade class but when you are a stutter you’re guaranteed to be made fun of at school.

Luckily, when Cassie meets Louise Marie, she sees her school life start to turn around. Even one friend can make the difference.

But it wasn’t until Cassie decided to be a Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringer like her grandmother that Cassie discovers a secret. Not just any old secret but a big big secret that will change her life forever.

My story has themes of bullying, overcoming loneliness, and the determination to do the right thing. It’s aimed at third through fifth graders but adults have also enjoyed the story.

Now, it’s time to for the secret word: Welcome

Save the secret word, and when you reach the final blog, enter all the secret words on this form for a chance to win a $400 Amazon gift card!

Thank you so much for visiting! The next author on the tour is Terri Reed and her Christmas book Murder Under the Mistletoe. You can find it at this link. Remember, this Christmas in July Reader Giveaway will end on July 23 at 8 PM EST!