Divine Appointments by Kathy Penney

Kathy Penney is a lady who doesn’t like to miss appointments--particularly those in the Divine category!

In this pull-no-punches book that is a combination of memoir, true confessions, inspiration and evangelism guide, Penney walks us through some incredibly tough times of her life and offers a ray of hope based on her own redemption through a personal choice to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

As a survivor of a near-fatal assault, a victim of rape and someone who chose abortion as a way out on four occasions, Kathy has dedicated her life to giving and receiving grace and forgiveness and to serving God and helping others who are brought into her path to hear her story and learn that there is a living God who loves them, believes they are special and has a plan for their lives.

Divine Appointments: Are YOU Ready for Them? offers encouragement for everyone, emphasizing that most people (at one time or another) make mistakes, poor decisions, desperate choices and that sometimes we are so caught up in our own nebulous existence, that our kids suffer from our lousy parenting skills and misguided priorities.

Reading Divine Appointments reminds me about the power of prayer. When people share their problems and health concerns with me, I always try to respond that I will keep them in my prayers or that I will add them to my prayer list, which I am faithful to do.  I realized that I don’t practice offering to pray for them right there on the spot, praying over them and serving as that conduit of God’s love, grace and power to those in need. Perhaps immediate prayer, rather than being placed on a prayer list with tons of other requests, is the way they would benefit most at that particular moment. It occurred to me that it is always appreciated and comforting to know that someone is praying on your behalf, but actually hearing them say that prayer is a special blessing. Lesson learned and point taken.

Kathy Penney bares her soul to the reader, sharing her insightful poetry, as well as her personal defeats and victories. She doesn’t try to sugar-coat her story, but lays it all out there--the good, the bad and the ugly--along with an enthusiastic message of joy and hope. Complete with supporting scripture verses and even a daily checklist of important tips, Divine Appointments: Are YOU Ready For Them? will take you from your own comfort zone and gently shift you in the direction of thinking about others and their needs.

The takeaway for me is that we are born with an opportunity to enjoy an ongoing relationship through Jesus Christ with the Almighty God, Creator of the entire universe. Some folks rejoice in this, some postpone it and others completely reject Him or feel that faith has no relevance or significance in their lives. As believers, we know without doubt that God orchestrates circumstances to connect us with people in various stages of a spiritual journey--some to guide us and some we should be helping. Divine Appointments offers multiple examples of situations where the author could have ignored that quiet voice that prompts us, and someone’s life and/or situation would have taken a completely different, drastically negative turn.

Divine Appointments. Are you prepared to show up and deliver? Will you step up to the plate and give someone the spiritual guidance they so desperately need…even if they aren’t very likeable and you feel as though you have nothing in common with them? Kathy Penney does.

Book Description

Do you think you need to have the gift of evangelism to share the Gospel? Many Christians love to do different ministries. You may be gifted in teaching Sunday school, sending cards of encouragement, praying for people’s needs or helping in your Church. The body of Christ needs all of the above but people need to know Jesus loves them. I would like to show you how God prepares the hearts and minds of his children to hear the Good News! This book will give you examples of how He will direct your paths. Want to hear about God’s miracles? YOU can be ready to be one of His missionaries and experience the joy He will give you as you enter into His Divine Appointments!

In the Author’s Own Words

“This book was written to give hope and healing through Jesus Christ. My journey was difficult. I was released from a locked up ward at age 39 with no hope.  I, myself, was a Divine Appointment when I was told that someone loved me and had a wonderful plan for my life.  The Divine Appointment was with Jesus.  Jesus then met my daughter Kerri, 23, and delivered her in an instant of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and suicidal feelings.  My son Joey, 28, was the next one Jesus met with, and Joey is now 8 years heroin free!”

 

About the Author

Kathy Penney is a women’s Bible study leader, Christian speaker, advocate for victims of violence, women’s mentor, writer of Christian poetry and is an oak of righteousness for the display of His splendor. Kathy has appeared on twenty-two national television shows on victimization. She started the Rap Not Rape college program for women.

 

Kathy Penney

Connect with Kathy Penney through her Website at:

http://www.kathypenneyministries.com

Email at:

Calvary111@aol.com

Divine Appointments is available through connecting with Kathy on her Website or online at Xulon Press, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com.

Learn more about Beach Author Network writers and their books at:

http://www.beachauthornetwork.blogspot.com

See you soon!

Mary Anne Benedetto

Author of Eyelash, 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!, Never Say Perfect, From Italy with Love & Limoncello and Write Your Pet's Life Story in 7 Easy Steps!

Visit http://www.awriterspresence.com

Days of a Wounded Heart by Barbara Flowers Jacobs

This book supports my motto that says, "Nothing is Easy," as well as the Scripture telling us that in this world, we aren't exempt from trouble. So many think that being a Christian makes life suddenly easy and effortless, and that's definitely a myth. What we do have is help from Above to cope with the issues of life and to know we aren't ever alone. We can turn it all over to Him and ask for guidance. He will see us through. And that message by this author is unmistakable.

Barbara Flowers Jacobs gets right to the heart of the matter--tales of a tough upbringing and then difficult years of parenting and beyond. She is able to convey challenging and sometimes heartbreaking situations that she encountered without giving graphic detail. She manages to paint a clear picture without forcing us to watch the entire movie.

Important memories, along with pertinent poetry, Scripture, and Thoughts to Ponder are what this book provides the reader. Inspiring and poignant, it is a true and honest testimony that touches the hearts of her family and anyone else who is blessed to read this story.

Book Description

Barbara Flowers Jacobs tells her stories through prose and poetry with courage and honesty. Most will find something within these pages to relate to from Barbara's trials and troubles, yet even if you can't, you'll find yourself admiring her for her bravery and faith.

"Barbara Jacobs' story is one of a woman who has struggled with cancer, an alcoholic mother, an abusive father, difficult relationships, and the trials her children and grandchildren have faced with her by their side. In the end, the Lord has blessed her much like He blessed Job after his suffering." - Rev. J. Patrick May

Amazon Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Wounded-Heart-Barbara-Flowers-Jacobs/dp/0985188928

About the Author

Spunky mother, grandmother and woman of deep faith, Barbara Flowers Jacobs was born in Colorado, but lived in a variety of locations during her lifetime. Her high school years were spent in Laurel Hill, North Carolina, and she has also lived in Texas, Virginia and Georgia. Jacobs has resided in the Myrtle Beach area since 2001 and said, "Living here in this house is the longest I have ever lived anywhere in my life."

Barbara recently told me an amazing story:

"I was standing in line at Walmart, and there was a girl with a young son waiting in line behind me. We began to chat, and she said, 'I feel like I should know you.'

The longer we talked, one thing led to another and I said that she should read my book. She asked me what the book was all about and then announced that she had already read it. I asked her where she had read it. Her response surprised me.

'In jail,' she replied. 'I read it and wrote down some of the poetry to take home with me.'

I asked her what she was in jail for. She told me that it was for drunk driving and drugs. She has now moved in with her mother, joined Alcoholics Anonymous and is raising her son.

Her son listened to our conversation and then said, 'You do know there's an angel here.'

What are the odds of running into this girl in line in Walmart and her knowing all about my book because she read it in jail and copied some of the poetry so she wouldn't forget it? It was definitely a God thing.

I knew that she couldn't buy the book, so I went out to my car and got a copy to give her. She was so thankful and appreciative, and as she walked along the sidewalk on her way home, I could see that she was engrossed in the pages of my book. And that's why I wrote it. I wanted it to help someone know that they didn't have to live the way they were raised. I hear people all the time say, 'Well that's the way I was raised.' God gives everyone the ability to make their own choices. And if my book helps anyone make a better choice, then I have accomplished what I set out to do. 

God's already left me here 3 times. I've had cancer twice and serious complications from surgery, but He has kept me here. Sometimes I say, 'God, I know you've kept me here 3 times, but could You please tell me what for?'"

***

I think we know the answer to that question. Through her book and her testimony of faith and hope, she touches lives and hearts in ways that are so far reaching, she will never even know how many or how significantly. God bless you, Barbara Flowers Jacobs! Days of a Wounded Heart-a book packed full of inspiration.

See you next time with a new book selection for your reading pleasure.

Blessings,

Mary Anne Benedetto

Author of Eyelash, 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!, Never Say Perfect, From Italy with Love & Limoncello and Write Your Pet's Life Story in 7 Easy Steps!

Visit http://www.awriterspresence.com