Praising HIM through the Storms of Life!

Rainbow after the Storm

Have you ever fallen asleep distressed, worried, troubled by something happening in your life or someone else's...only to wake up the following morning with a song in your heart and at the tip of your tongue soothing your worries and reminding you that God is still in control? Or, just fallen asleep knowing God's goodness (not troubled or worried) and waking up to a song confirming His glorious power and authority?

I woke up to the following song that seemed to sooth my thoughts and confirm God's goodness, love, and power over my life. What a lucky girl I am to know Him! I felt the need to share the words to the song on this blog because someone out there needs to be reminded to praise Him in good times and in bad. Through the storms of life God is still able--Praise be to God! 

"Purple"

by Donnie McClurkin

When we praise heaven responds with open arms

When we praise heaven abides within your heart

Praise unlocks the door it breaks every chain

Praise releases dreams it's all in his name

Just praise through your struggles and through your pain

Just praise through the storm, yes through the rain

Beyond every dark cloud, Beyond all fear and doubt

There's a blessing, a promise awaiting in your praise

When we praise God will do the impossible

Just have faith he can do the improvable 

Tell of his awesome works, Speak well of his name 

Jesus, oh Lamb of God forever shall reign

Just praise through your struggles and through your pain

Just praise through the storm, yes through the rain

Beyond every dark cloud, Beyond all fear and doubt

There's a blessing, a promise awaiting in your praise

We lift our voices in one accord

Sing these praises to you oh lord...

God Bless!

T Denise Clary

REFLECTIONS of 2011

2011

REFLECTIONS

As I look back on the year 2011, I can only say that I am truly humbled by the journey the Lord has taken me on...

It was only in 2007 that the Holy Spirit gave me the inspiration and words to write my first three children's books (Frog on a Log, Baby Beetle & the Sun, and My Forgivefullness). By 2009, three more books were completed (Nitti Gritti Smitty, Vinny Vain Liked to Complain, and Mr. Pitt & Lickety's Split). 

It wasn't until 2011 that the Holy Spirit prompted me to publish my manuscripts through digital media (Amazon) and it has been a whirlwind of an experience ever since! In the short time of just a little over 5 months, I have learned so much about the publishing world that I never knew before. This journey has really opened my eyes and life to a world of creativity and imagination.  I have met some truly wonderful people in the book industry and have opened myself up to a world that I never knew before.

And as far as my books...

Out of the six books I had written, four of the books were published as eBooks and placed for sale on Amazon. Well I am happy to report that the four books have been doing well in their short publishing life. Collectively, I have sold close to 400 books and the number continues to rise. One of my books rose as high in rank to the #4 slot on Amazon!! Yay!!!! ("Heaven is For Real," published by Thomas Nelson and, "The Beginner's Bible" published by HarperCollins, took the #1-3 slots respectively. And a book by Max Lucado was ranked in the #5 slot). To say that one of my titles was right behind those popular books, and close in rank to one of Max Lucado's books, is truly a gift from God! I can only hope and pray that the momentum continues.

My goals for 2012: Write more books (I have started three more books, but they have yet to be completed). Publish the remaining two titles that were written in 2007 that I have yet to publish as eBooks. And turn all my digital eBooks into hardcover/paperback form.

I would like to say thank you to all who have made this journey fun, exciting, inspirational, and possible! Special 'shout-outs' to Editor Jennifer Moody for perfecting the words and style of my books and to illustrator Jeffrey Duckworth for all of the cover designs. And a special thank you to my husband, kids, family, and friends for their ongoing and endless support! Even if I had not sold one book, my experiences and meeting so many new and exciting people have been worth any struggles I have encountered while on this journey. Now that 2011 is almost a thing of the past, here's to another year of new beginnings, new challenges, new successes, and meeting more creative and inspirational people! I pray the same for you!!

And of course, thanks be to God for directing my steps and making all of this possible! Looking forward to what He has in store for me in the New Year!

HAVE A VERY MERRY AND BLESSED 

NEW YEAR!   

In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps, Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)

God Bless!

T Denise Clary

New Bible Verse ~ Sunday, Sept 4th

New Bible verse posted as of September 4th...Have a great week!

Romans 15:13 (NIV)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.


God Bless!
T Densie Clary

"BEING JOYFUL" !!!

In light of my latest "Bible Verse" posting about being joyful always (1 Thessalonians 5:16)...I began to ponder about what exactly IS being joyful and what makes ME "joyful"?

Do you ever have one of those days or moments when you just don't feel like putting on a "happy" face for those you encounter? You don't want to be cheerful, let alone being anyone's cheerleader.You know what I mean, you're just having a moment!  We all have our little "moments" and some people I can say, more so than others! LOL

I know in ANY profession it is difficult to look and appear as if you are always happy-go-lucky. Me included...being an attorney, real estate agent, wife, mother, and now author...trying  to appear as though nothing phases me is a daunting task.  Lets look at some situations I have personally encountered in my life in the different roles I play...

ATTORNEY...
As an attorney, trying to keep your cool while at the same time arguing on your client's behalf. Then  prevailing on your client's case to only face your client arguing with you over the small amount of attorney fees that doesn't even cover the cost of the entire litigation process.

REALTOR...
Or how about in my role as a real estate agent spending countless hours day-in and day-out (even working until the wee hours of the night and even on your much needed vacation) trying to get a property sold on a client's behalf, only to lose the property to foreclosure.

WIFE & MOTHER...
Or even as a wife and mom, spending several hours in the kitchen preparing a fabulous meal (or at least you think it's fabulous, LOL) and having your spouse NOT get second helpings (you see, I know when my spouse doesn't like what I've cooked--he doesn't go for seconds) and having your absolutely honest kids tell you "Mom, I don't like this...can I get a bowl of cereal?" Ugh!!! Really??!! When I have just spent hours in the kitchen and now will have to spend more time in the kitchen cleaning up ALL the evidence (from food left on their plates) of how much they didn't like the meal!! LOL

AUTHOR...
And what about my new role as an author? There are many ups and downs in the book world, especially if you're a new author. From not getting the support you thought you would receive from some of your family and friends...to selling a decent amount of books, however having one person "Return/refund" one of your books. Of course you don't know the reason why someone has returned a book, but your curiosity runs rapid and even though you've sold many books with great reviews...that ONE returned book will stay on your mind for the longest!!

So the point to all the above examples...it's difficult to always put on a happy face, but what about having joy. Yes J-O-Y as the Bible speaks of!!!  Being joyful always...Is this even possible??? Obviously the Bible thinks so. So what is being joyful?

Well, the dictionary defines joyful as
1. full of joy, as a person or one's heart; glad, delighted.
2. showing or expressing joy, as looks, actions, or speech
3. causing or bringing joy, as an event, a sight, or news; delightful

Of course there are countless books on the subject of JOY and ALL the ways to obtain it. There are songs in almost every genre, perfume fragrances, even a society for "joyful beings" on the internet. But can you obtain joy by joining a Joyful Being society, hearing it sung in a song, spraying it on, or reading how to obtain it in a book?? Well maybe LOL, guess it depends on the book!

Personally, I believe my joy comes from the Holy Spirit within. Several verses in the Bible allude to this, but one in particular points out that one of the fruits of the spirit is JOY (Galatians 5:22).

Therefore, how do I define joy or being joyful?  I would define being joyful as something that you have within that brings about a peace, a calmness, a solitude that helps you react a certain way to your surroundings.  No matter what the day or circumstance may bring, you have an underlying joy that does not waiver. You may not be having the best day or moment, but that underlying peace, calmness, solitude, joy, makes you sit back and take a deep breath before reacting to a difficult situation.

Your underlying "joy" within could also make you think of things that bring you joy...such as a certain person or people (i.e. your spouse or children) when you're having a rough day at work. Or like a favorite quote from a good book when things aren't going your way. The song "Favorite Things" from the movie Sound of Music comes to mind. Your underlying joy makes you think of your favorite things in life!! SMILE.


Being "happy" in every circumstance and situation in life is probably not realistic. However, having that underlying joy...being joyful always...most certainly is!!! At least I think so...and so does your Heavenly Father! SMILE :-)

How would you define joy or being joyful and what brings you the MOST joy?


         God Bless!
       T Denise Clary

The Most Annoying Phone Call That Made Me Smile!

I received a phone call today from an unknown number. Now I normally don't pick up the phone for numbers that I am not familiar with, so what prompted me to answer this number, not sure??

Anyway, the person on the other end asked if I was T Clary, I said "yes" and he proceeded to tell me that he was from Xlibris Publishing and proceeded to tell me about ALL the benefits of self-pubbing with them.

I kindly remarked that I was not interested...

And if I may digress for a moment here to provide you with a little background, I had provided my contact information (phone and email) via the web to Xlibris prior to me publishing on Kindle. This was in my early research days of finding the best publishing place for my books. Of course they sent me an immediate email to contact them, but I never responded. They proceeded to send me more emails, and more emails, and phone calls...never responded! I thought they would take the hint that I was NOT interested. Finally after countless emails and messages, one in particular was a little rude, I finally decided to respond with the "Thank you, but no thanks!" email. Well, you would think that the contact would have stopped...NO!!! I guess my "file" was assigned to a new person, now I have a new person that continues to contact me via email and phone.

OK, so back to the phone call of today (which I'm still wondering why I answered). I once again remarked that I was not interested in their services I have decided on another publisher to print my books (right now they are only available in eBook format). He asked me who was I publishing with? GREAT! NOW I HAVE ENGAGED HIM!!  DON'T RESPOND--DON'T RESPOND--DON'T RESPOND. I responded... "I've decided to publish with Createspace" digress again, I really hadn't decided yet, but that is what I am leaning towards. So of course he proceeded to tell me ALL the benefits of publishing with them, completely trashing Createspace and letting me know that I will not find success with them, they are not well known worldwide, have litte distribution outlets, Blah Blah Blah.

Now I was already annoyed that I even answered the phone, even more annoyed that he trashed Createspace/Amazon, but was the most annoyed of his remarks of how my books will not be successful by choosing the path that I have chosen. Wow, REALLY? What kind of marketing strategy is that?? Any hopes that they had of me EVEN considering them were DASHED!! I advised the person that I am not worried about my path because I am guided by the Holy Spirit so I don't worry about those things. Well, he still proceeded on and on and on...

And when he was finished with himself, he snarkly remarked "good luck with your book, I'll call you in 6 months to see how it's going" and hung up.

WOW, am I glad I know the Lord!!! The phone call actually made me smile a little because I am confident the Lord knows what He is doing. Did that phone call discourage me? NO! Did it phase me? NO! There are distractions out in the world that can sometimes cause you to get off track and discourage you. Don't allow that to happen! Keep your eye on God and His promises!! The Lord knows your thoughts, your desires, your DREAMS!! Don't allow those doubters to discourage you! Keep your eye on the Lord and on your dreams!!

Remember: "A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure." Proverbs 16:9 (AMP)

God Bless!
T Denise Clary

Cruel Hoax = Valuable Lesson!

There was a cruel hoax done on an "indie" author recently. Apparently someone had pretended to be from a major publishing company and offered a "too good to be true" contract to this very young self-published author. She was not only devastated at not getting a deal from a major publishing house, she was also humiliated after she had to announce to all her family, friends, and followers that she in fact did not have a contract, but was the brunt of a big hoax. The author had contemplated never writing again! Thankfully she did not allow this cruel hoax to stop her writing and she has vowed to carry on.

Here is the link to check out the story:
http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2011/07/cruelest-hoax.html

My heart goes out to this young author. People can definitely be cruel!! It is a shame that you have to stay on your guard at all times. Why do people do such horrible things to others?? Well, we may never know the reason why people do the things they do that end up hurting or humiliating others.  However, I do know that I serve an awesome God and He not only is my savior, He is also my protector...whom shall I fear? No one! What shall I fear? NOTHING!!

The young author at one point vowed never to write again due to the hurt and humiliation of the hoax. My opinion, don't allow someone or something to steal your joy and quite possibly your God-given destiny! Pray and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in the right direction. Sometimes the Lord allows us to go through challenges to either teach us a valuable lesson and/or make us stronger.

In the case at hand...if something sounds to good to be true, it just might be!! 

God Bless!!

My Inspirations!

I have so many people and things that inspire my writing, the Holy Spirit of course is the main inspiration. The other major inspirations are my three children! Children are definitely a precious gift from God.

My children never sees to amaze me, they make me laugh and ponder at life in ways that I could never imagine. My writing is definitely dedicated to my children and ALL the things they do to inspire it...Mommy loves you!