Archive for January, 2009

Blog Tour Thank You / Congrats to Grand Prize Winner!

Saturday, January 31st, 2009

Thanks to everyone who participated in my blog tour last month and shared some of the things on your personal “someday lists.”

They ranged from wanting to write a book to desiring to start a program to help troubled youths. Some want to return to school and others want to travel. Whatever dream you’re nourishing, know that it is in some way part of your destiny. Otherwise, God wouldn’t have placed that burning desire in your heart.

My charge and challenge to you today is to do ONE thing, take ONE step toward making that dream a reality. It could be as simple as buying an empty notebook to begin jotting notes for your book or as bold as making a deposit on the Caribbean cruise you want to take this summer. Just do it and trust that when you take that first step, God will bless your faith in Him, and in yourself.

A sincere thanks to my blog tour hosts across the nation and to the readers who read The Someday List and penned a review.

If you’ve read the book and enjoyed it, will you please ask everyone you know to buy a copy for themselves and for someone else who needs inspiration to live better and be better? Yes, I said buy, not share! LOL The more books we sell now, the more stores will keep it in stock, so that others can be touched by its message.

Congrats to Rhonda McKnight of the Atlanta, Georgia area. She is the winner of The Someday List Blog Tour Grand Prize: A $50 American Express gift card, autographed copies of all of my books and anthologies and a discount on web design services from Tywebbin Creations.

Have a great day, and remember that in all you do, do it to the glory of our great God.

The Someday List Blog Tour Chat Tonight!

Friday, January 30th, 2009

1 Hour Chat with Stacy
(1-518-825-1400 Access Code: 15642, then #)

We’ve come to the end of my formal Blog Tour and we’re wrapping it up with a live discussion about The Someday List.

Please call in tonight at 8 p.m. EST to say hello, offer comments about the book, and share some of the items on your “Someday List!”

I’ll also be announcing the winner of the Blog Tour Giveaway Package: A $50 American Express Gift Card, signed copies of my novels, and more.

Hope to talk with you soon!

DATE & TIME: Friday, Jan. 30, 8-9:30 p.m. EST
Call-In Number: (518) 825-1400
Access Code: 15642, then press #

Today’s Scripture: Phillipians 3:13-14 – No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Thought for Today: Looking back keeps us anchored in yesterday. Ask God to forgive you for yesterday’s mistakes, then forgive yourself. With that weight lifted from your shoulders and your heart, there’s nothing you can’t do, through His grace and might.

Change Your Life in 31 Days

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

Found this interesting article on MSN.com. The title sounds dramatic, but the short profiles provide realistic examples on how you can take small steps to make a big difference in one or more areas of your life.

Click The Title Here to Read: Change Your Life in 31 Days

Passion For Life Show (10:00 pm EST)

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

Today I’ll be discussing the themes in The Someday List on Carla Nix’s Blog Talk radio show, Passion For Life.

Join us at 10 p.m. EST by signing into http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Passion4Life.

Today’s Scripture: Proverbs 3: 5-6 – Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Thought for the Day: We’re living in a time when we can’t trust in the stock market, job security or even the new president. The true source of our well being is God alone. As we rest in Him and rely on Him, He’ll prove himself worthy of our praise, again and again.

SAVE THE DATE: Friday, Jan. 30, 9 p.m. EST
Chat Live with Stacy about The Someday List!

Call-In Number: (518) 825-1400
Access Code: 15642

Book Review – Cara Putnam

Monday, January 26th, 2009

My Blog Tour continues this week with a round of reviews of The Someday List. One will be posted each day on a different blog.

Today, author Cara Putnam shares her thoughts about the book on her blog, Cara’s Musings: www.carasmusings.blogspot.com.

Today’s Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:28 – O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.

Thought for the Day: When it looks as if we’re doomed or that our love, service and sincere efforts are for naught, remember who’s in control. If we’re His servants, God won’t leave or forsake us.

SAVE THE DATE: Friday, Jan. 30, 9 p.m. EST
Chat Live with Stacy about The Someday List!

Call-In Number: (518) 825-1400
Access Code: 15642

A Life In Symphony

Saturday, January 24th, 2009

I’m new to this blogging thing, so it has taken me a few weeks to figure out exactly what to share here that might helpful or inspiring.

Sure, I’ll be talking about my books and nonfiction writing. But above and beyond that, I wrestled with what I want the long-term message of this blog to be.

After an informal consultation with friends and colleagues and a personal review of the writing and speaking I do, I realized that the majority of my mainstream and faith-based work focuses on relationships -
1) the relationship we have (or avoid) with God;
2) the way we feel about and treat ourselves; and
3) our interactions with significant others in our lives, from spouses and siblings to friends and co-workers.

Whether you’re reading one of my novels or parenting columns or listening to a speech about living in excellence, you’ll find a reference to the value of solid relationships, or advice on how to build better ones.

That’s why I named the blog “A Life in Symphony” – to reflect that harmony (or agreement) in all of the areas I mentioned of above, is the life most of us seek to live. Solid, loving relationships in these three arenas lead to wholeness and true wealth.

So starting today, I’ll be sharing my thoughts, but also linking to other material (articles, videos, etc.) that can help each of us come to know ourselves better and as a result, have the courage to examine and refine all of our relationships. This isn’t always easy, especially when others are involved; but the growth and self-awareness we experience along the way are often just as rewarding as the stronger relationships we create.

Welcome. Let’s blossom together.

Blog Tour Day 10 – Angela Benson’s Blog

Friday, January 23rd, 2009

I’m honored today to be the blog guest of author Angela Benson, whose work I have long admired. Please stop by her site today to read my essay about what it means to make your someday today, and leave a comment.
theamensisters.com/wordpress

Scripture for Today: Romans 8:35,38-39-
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Thought for the Day: This scripture serves as one of the foundations for my sixth novel, which I’m in the process of completing. However, it also can be a guide for how we live and act day to day. Fear keeps many of us from taking big steps and small ones that could bring us closer to our dreams. Fear keeps us locked into a comfort zone of doing what everyone else does, staying stuck because it doesn’t rock the boat, or believing that we’re not worthy to do something fabulous. Decide today to drown out those negative messages with the words in Romans 8. God’s love is greater than anything or anyone that seeks to limit us.