Wednesday's Words of Wisdom - Listen to Your Doctor!

This post is coming so late in the evening because I have been ill for about a week now. I'm to a point now where I can at least sit up for spells during the day. Even sitting for short periods is painful though. As I sit perched in front of my computer, I wonder if I brought this on myself.

How many of you have ever sought out the counsel of your doctor only to have what he or she said go in one ear and out the other? He tells you to take your medication at the same time everyday. You say you really don't need it. You don't notice it working anyway. She tells you it would probably do your body good to avoid dairy products. You ask who is she to try and come between you and your favorite Chocolate Almond Chunk ice cream.

Earlier this year, I was admitted to the hospital because of Acute Pancreatitis. Several weeks prior, the Lord spoke the word "Pancreatitis" into my spirit and I did nothing about it. Had I listened to The Doctor, I probably would have saved myself weeks of horrible pain.

I will be the first to say that doctors don't know everything, but I will admit that they know alot. And you must find them pretty knowledgeable also to even give them a chance in the first place. So Wednesday word to the wise: LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR!

If you feel you need a second opinion, consult The Doctor - Jesus Christ - The Great Physician! You never have to make an appointment, the office is never closed, there is no co-payment, and most importantly, He never has a misdiagnosis.

Talk About It Tuesday - Lupus Tip of the Week - FATIGUE (LFA DC/MD/VA)

Fatigue is a common obstacle faced by lupus patients. Below are some tips to help you sleep well and feel better:

1. Pace yourself. Follow an hour or two of activity with 15 to 20 minutes of rest.

2. Get a good night's sleep. Less than 7 hours of sleep can drain your energy and induce fatigue.

3. Exercise will promote overall physical and mental well being that will allow you to fully relax when resting.

Learn more about the benefits of sleep at our upcoming Baltimore Symposium on Saturday, October 2 when Dr. Michael Smith presents, "Tired of Lupus, Sleep Better Feel Better." Register now!

Monday's Moment With Author Michelle Sutton

Michelle Sutton is the author of over a dozen edgy inspirational novels releasing through 2012. She is also a member of ACFW, an avid book reviewer and blogger, the mother of two college students, the wife to wonderful man for two decades, and a follower of Jesus Christ.

I recently had a chance to talk with Michelle about her novel, Never Without Hope.

Synopsis:

Hope believes she is above sexual temptation; that she would never break that commandment like her husband's previous wives had done. After all, she is a good Christian and a loving mother. She has no reason to stray . . . until her husband starts neglecting her needs and things begin to look hopeless. Though she clearly communicates her pain to her husband, he refuses to get help. She starts to wonder… Will she never have sex with her husband again? She soon learns that she, too, is capable of such betrayal when she succumbs to the unthinkable.

But things that first seemed sweet and reasonable given her painful situation soon produce a bitter taste when combined with the overwhelming guilt. No substitute will ever replace her love and desire for her husband. If only he would touch her like he used to. If only they could make love again. She misses him so much and wants to tell him the truth hoping it will propel him to do something to fix their problem, but she fears his rejection. Steeped in the quagmire of adultery, Hope must find her way back to solid ground to save her marriage. But will she lose everyone she loves in the process?

Michelle, can you tell us how long you've been writing professionally, and how your journey led to writing your latest book, Never Without Hope?

I started writing in August of 2003, but it was a hobby until I seriously tried to sell my first book in 2004. I have gotten bolder over the years in regards to subject matter and this latest project is the result of that. Like any married couple, my husband and I have had our struggles, so I simply took a situation that all couples experience at one time or another – like feeling rejected in bed – and made a novel out of what might happen if things weren't going well for a couple in the bedroom and the wife decided to fix things herself. It turns out to be a mess, of course.

What do you hope readers will take away from it?

I hope readers will experience through Hope that the grass is not greener on the other side of the hill. In fact, though the grass looks mighty tempting, playing on it will get you dirty and stain your life in a way that will never be totally rectified, even when forgiveness comes. But I also want readers to see that God is able to heal any marriage if He is included in it, despite what most people believe.

At what point in your life did you realize that writing was your "thing"?

When I had my mid-life crisis in my 30's.

I understand that you learned to write mainly from reading a lot of well-written fiction. Name 3 authors you enjoy reading.

It's impossible for me to name only three favorites. I have about fifty favorite authors and narrowing the list down to three would be too hard because I read over a hundred novels a year and am discovering new authors I like at every turn. There is a lot of talent out there in the Christian fiction world these days.

What is something about yourself that most people would be surprised to know?

My mother was a nun.

What 3 nuggets of wisdom would you offer an aspiring writer?

Be patient. Keep writing. Don't stop until something sells.

If someone were to write a book on your life, what would the title be, and why?

Up until I was saved I would have titled it… Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places. I think that title is self-explanatory. But now that I've been a Christian for 25 years I'd have to say I would title it… Struck Down, But Not Destroyed. This is because the enemy has hit me hard over the years and attacked my life from every possible angle, but as long as I look to Jesus and serve Him only, He can make something beautiful from all of my hurts and mistakes. Only He can transform a broken life into something worthwhile.

What is your HIGHEST HOPE for your writing career?

To know that without a doubt lives have been touched in some way and possibly even changed because God gave me stories to write that He wanted people to read and I was obedient to that calling.

Any closing thoughts or comments for readers?

No. Thanks for the interview!

Thank you, Michelle. It was great having you! Would you like to tell readers how they can reach you and find out more about your books? (e-mail, website, etc.)

http://www.michellesutton.net

mailto:michelle@michellesutton.net

http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com

http://edgychristianfictionlovers.ning.com

Freestyle Friday - Today's Inspirational Quote

It's Friday. I think I have the flu so I'm gonna make this quick.

"Don't ask for a light load, but rather ask for a strong back." ~ Anonymous

I'm out!

Thursday's Deep Thought - Take the High Road!

Have you ever wondered why you have to be the "better person"? Why you have to always "take the high road"? This morning I foolishly engaged in "heated fellowship" with someone I love dearly. How it came to that, I really don't know. Something was done improperly. I politely asked that it not happen again. Ask and you shall receive, right. We owe it to our friends to always speak truth, right? I was told that it was an honest mistake, which I understood, but by that time I guess I had offended my friend deeply. Because before I knew what was happening voices were raised and I was glowering like Andrea the Angry.

Now, I will be the first to admit that we are responsible for our own actions, so I can't say that I was provoke. To take from my recent interview with Inspirational Speaker, Business Coach, Author and Entrepreneur Ken Brown, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond to it." That's Ken's mantra and invoked today's deep thought.

Just think where we'd be had Jesus gotten so angry on the day of his crucifixion, when he was beaten and flogged, that he decided angrily, "Forget that! I'm not gonna take this anymore. I don't deserved this!" Afterall, He'd chosen to bear the guilt of the our sins. He didn't have to do it, but He did. He died so that we may live. So why not live in harmony?

I didn't deserve to be spoken to the way that I was spoken to, but did I really have to go there just because someone else went there? If Jesus can cry out, "Father! Into your hands I commit my spirit!" surely I can cry out, "Father! Out of my heart and into your hands I commit this offense!"

So if you have indeed ever wondered why you have to be the "better person" or why you have to always "take the high road," the answer is clear if you are a child of God: Jesus died for you to have the opportunity to be the better person and for that you should be grateful; and you should take the high road because Jesus's message that fateful day is of the pursuit of holiness that can only be reached by following His example - the perfect example. 

So put your pride aside and prepare for a glorious ride...down the high road!  

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom - Keep Going!

Wisdom is the sharing of wise experiences and knowledge, but a lot of it is common sense. The difference is how we apply this common sense - we all have the ability to keep going even when we face challenges in our lives - basically it comes down to your attitude.

We can have a positive attitude towards life, or a negative attitude. We can focus on the good or we can focus on the bad. Keeping a positive mental attitude is one of the keys to success.

The choice is always up to you!
WOW 4U Newsletter

Talk About It Tuesday - Share Your Laughable Lupie Stories

How would you like to share your Laughable Lupie Stories with friends and family? Whether you frightened some poor kid, all swollen on Prednisone, went Prednisone postal on someone, or pushed way pass your physical limits and the joke was on you, living with lupus provides many unbelieveable moments to share. If you have a story, I'd love to hear from you. Send your e-mails to korika@korikajohnson.

Once in a while, I'll publish your stories in my newsletter, The Beacon of H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Endure).

A special thank you to everyone who decides to share!

Freestyle Friday: Show and Tell

I remember when I sent out my first query letter to an agent for representation. I was ecstatic when she contacted me by e-mail to request the first three pages of my manuscript. I eagerly sent of my baby - the first book I'd written (that is yet to be published). I then phoned my husband to tell him the good news, and that we needed to celebrate. I knew I had just found the path to my writing journey!

How wrong I was.

A few weeks later, I received another e-mail from the agent, thanking me for allowing her to see part of the manuscript, and letting me know how sorry she was that she could not represent me. Her reasoning was that my book needed "more work"; it was "far too long for a first novel, and there is also too much telling and not enough showing," she'd said.

That was years ago. I've published my novel, Joy Comes in the Mourning, since then. A recent reviewer even said, "This book is immaculately written and edited. The author did a wonderful job of painting the scenes in abolute pristine imagery, giving the reader insight as if they were in the room."

However, I am not convinced that I got it right. At least not at home.

Recently, my nine year old, who had been with my aunt for a day of visiting the sick and shut-in, told me that they went to see about an elderly woman who told her that she loved her. "That woman doesn't even know me," my daughter said. I was stunned, because I'd told my daughters many, many times to follow the command to "love your neighbor as you love yourself". Even if they didn't like their behavior or even know them peronally. It's what Christ calls us to do.

That made me wonder. Have I been doing too much telling and not enough showing? After all, wasn't it just yesterday at her doctor's appointment where I expressed tolerance with the receptionist in deeds, but expressed intolerance with her in my words just as soon as we made it back to the car?

Do as I say, not as I do was the awful message I sent to her with my actions. When I know that Christ's message is for us to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The message my actions sent to me was, just like that first manuscript, I need more work. And I thank God that he who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus!

Happy Friday! Today...I'm working on me!

Ups and Downs

Just wanted to share a word from my devotional this morning.

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. - Psalm 30:5 KJV

Relationships have their ups and downs. A thoughtless comment, the wrong tone of voice, or even a look can wound us. But when tempers cool and reason returns, the disagreement usually proves to have been a waste of precious time and emotion.

The same thing happens in our relationship with God. We get angry with Him, and He probably gets angry with us, but we both are quick to forgive. It's hard to stay angry with someone who loves you totally, no matter how foolishly you act.

Learn to Tame Your Tongue!

I have to say that when I sat down to think about Wednesday's Words of Wisdom, it wasn't all that hard to come up with something to say. See, this past weekend I attended my very first All White Party. It was an elaborate birthday celebration held at the home of a relative. Divine food, live music, and crazy fun. I made my way to a room where there was a spread of everything from tender spare ribs to succulent seafood salad.

I stood in line patiently. I stood a little longer. Then I stood even longer. That's when I realized that what I initially thought was a line ahead of me was instead a small group having a great time eating in front of the table. So I cautiously stepped around them.

That's when it happened.

As I scooped seafood salad onto my plate, a young lady said loudly, "Okay, let's just be petty. Be petty like her and cut in front of the line. Let's just bypass the meat and go straight for the salad."

As her friends laughed, I wondered. When did we stop listening to our mothers? Or had this woman, who obviously wasn't family naturally or spiritually, ever been taught that she shouldn't say anything if she didn't have anything nice to say?

I know that I've grown in my love walk because I simply spun around and headed for the patio, where I reclaimed my seat. About ten minutes into the meal, I noticed who I believed to be the young lady shooting off at the mouth minutes earlier (I wasn't sure because I didn't even bother to look up at her), dancing alone.

Wednesdays Words of Wisdom, which I probably should have shared with the young lady, is: If you have to shoot off at the mouth, aim for the glory of God.

"A man has joy by the answer of his mouth. And a word spoken in due season, how good it is!" ~ Proverbs 15:23

Learn to tame your tongue!