How do I Handle Criticism?

I want to say a huge thank you to all of you who have been subscribing to this site. Not long ago there were 884 subscribers. Today there are 1,330! That is almost 500 new subscribers. We are growing fast.

Why is this happening?  I try to share news about my book here, but I also share words of encouragement, and hope. It is the last part that is drawing in so many people. This is because many people in this hotel called earth, are suffering from anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, and the many other usual suspects.

I am excited so many of you are joining me here. I want to keep the tremendous effort going. You can keep it going by subscribing today if you haven’t already. Just click on the icon right after the title on this page to do that.

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A quick update on my writing. My first book has received a national award from the Reader’s Favorite  Awards. It is an honor to be so fortunate to achieve this award.

My second book, Signs of Hope: For the Weak Days, is about half way through. My co-author Dennis Booth and I from New South Wales, Australia, are working hard to try to get this out for fall of this year.

I have even started a new book with a working title of, Signs of Hope: For the Military. I really have a feel for this one. I am a veteran, and so is one of my sons, who is a career soldier. I am writing this book because I am heart broken about the many suicides that occur in the military. It is much higher in percentage than the private sector. I want to reach out to the military, and show them hope.

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How Can I Face Criticism?

We make judgments all the time. People make judgments about you and me all the time.

I would guess all of you have faced criticism sometime in your life. I certainly have. It isn’t pleasant to go through. When someone criticizes you it causes you to have self-doubt, anxiety, and even depression.

I have some thoughts on criticism:

  • Criticism always seems to come when you least need it.
  • Criticism always comes when we least deserve it.
  • Criticism always comes from people who are least qualified to give it.
  • Criticism frequently comes in a form that is least helpful to us. (Gossip)

We need to know that:

  • With every achievement there is a price.
  • With every goal there is an opponent.
  • Some people put others down to make themselves look better.

Don’t let those negative people away you. Dr Suess was turned down 28 times before he got his first book published, and yet his books are national best sellers every year now.

Reach for that goal you have had forever and achieve it. Keep trudging down the narrow path to success. There are many rewards waiting there for you.

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all….never, ever, give up!

 

 

Angry Words Leave a Lasting Scar, Even if U Apologize Later

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There are new things to look at on the site.

  1. The is a new trailer of the book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.” It is on the right side under the Amazon icon. Click on it to see what the book is all about.
  2. There is a new page forming called, “All About Writing.” That page will talk about publishing; have guest authors share, and discuss writing trends. It is in a baby stage, so bear with me as I slowly develop it to my and your liking.
  3. I have posted two 5 star reviews of my book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” on the “All About Writing” page. I will be add others as the days go by. Click on the All About Writing tab to also see all my other places you can connect with me.
  4. There is a new page called, “Publishing News.” This page will bring you news from around the world on trends, latest news on publishing, and any other things that may be interesting. Check it every time you come here. There is a new post there today that is very interesting. Just click on the “publishing,” tab above, to read the latest news on publishing.

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Another shocking announcement! ( That got your attention!) “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World, ” is now out in eBook form. I You can acquire it at all the eBook outlets. It is only $4.99. Help it climb the www.amazon.com best selling list.

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I have a podcast here that I did with John Kremer, the marketing guru. He invited me to share unusual places to sell books. Take a listen and hit those street running: goo.gl/WGTF7

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Thoughts just for you….

Have you ever said something in anger and wished you could have it back? I know I have. The problem is that once the words are out of your mouth they can’t be taken back. They leave a lasting scar even if you apologize later.

James 3: 8 says, “…no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

Now that sounds a little harsh, but think about it. The tongue can’t be controled some times, becaseu we speack out of anger, and once anger sets in, we have the famous, “run-a-mouth,” disease.

Satan uses the tongue to divide people. We often allow the tongue to:

  • Gossip
  • Put people down
  • Brag
  • Manipulate others
  • Do false teachings
  • Exaggerate
  • Complain
  • Do lying

The uncontroled tongue can do terrible damage. Idle and hateful words are damaging because they spread destruction quickly. Once they are spoken, the damage last forever.

How can we battle this? The Holy Spirit, as we allow Him, will give us increasing power to monitor and control what we say, so that when we are offended, the Spirit will remind us of God’s love. Then we won’t reacte in a hateful manner. The Spirit will heal our wounds for us.

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

Above all…never, ever, give up!

 

Worry is the Dark Room Where Negatives Develop

 I wrote this chapter in my book,  Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World, and I received many compliments on it. It was a real dream, I just added a little excitement for your enjoyment.

A Dream is What We build our Life on

 

Blessed I the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

I had a real dream the other night, and it was a western. It had me tossing and turning until the outcome unfolded.

The wonderful thing about dreams is that no matter how terrifying they are in the beginning, they almost always turn out for the good in the end. You notice that you never quite get caught by the monster that is chasing you. Isn’t it fun when you are flying and you can see everyone below you? I just flap my arms, and I fly. (OK, I know you’re thinking, This guy is crazy!)

How about the fact that you are the hero and you always save the day? Everything is wonderful. That is how life can be if you follow God. It doesn’t pay to worry, have anxiety and be full of fear. It doesn’t pay to be full of shame. It doesn’t pay one cent to be gossiping all the time. My dream is an example of that.

The characters:

The good guys: Matthew, Mark, John

Stranger on a white horse

The bad guys: Anxiety, Gossip, Shame, Death

Matthew, Mark, John and the Stranger—the four good guys—were riding on their horses through Sin City towards the Not OK Corral. Hiding from them were Anxiety, Gossip, Shame and Death—the four bad guys. They didn’t want the good guys to find them and stop the harm they were doing. They had control of all the people in the city and they wanted to keep control. Matthew, Mark and John were riding on brown horses because that was what they rode in those days. The Stranger was riding on a white horse.

The good guys were not gunslingers, they were Bible-slingers. The good guys got down off their horses and went searching for Anxiety, Gossip, Shame and Death.

Matthew found Anxiety leering around a corner trying to see where everyone was. Anxiety had a worried look on his face. He kept looking everywhere in fear—in back of him and in front of him. He didn’t know what to do.

Anxiety (aka worry) can be caused by a doctor’s appointment that holds the results of a blood test. It can be wondering if you can pay this month’s bills. It could be from a dispute you had with your wife. Whatever the case, from stage left comes Matthew, who says to Anxiety: “Don’t worry about anything, instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for what He has done” (taken from Philippians 4:6).

Anxiety felt like a ton of weight had been taken off his shoulders, and he left the Not OK Corral much happier. Anxiety was gone.

Mark was looking for Gossip. When he found him, Gossip was talking so fast Mark couldn’t understand him. Gossip said, “Did you see Clem at the Horse’s Breath Saloon? He said he would never take another drink, and I just saw him walk in there!”

Gossip can ruin a person’s life. Talking about someone behind their back can only spread hurt and can cause unwanted hardship.

Mark put his hand over Gossip’s mouth and said: “As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts” (Proverbs 26:21–22).

Gossip was dumbfounded and was unable to speak further. He went away with a swollen tongue and was gone. There was no more gossip.

John found Shame hiding in a closet because he was so ashamed of what he had done all his life. He didn’t want anyone to see him this way.

Shame is often the last fatal nail in the heart of a person who is hurting from something they did in the past. Turn anything you are ashamed of over to God, and He will wipe it out of His books.

John felt pity for him and said, “If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name” (1 Peter 4:16).

Shame rose and came out of the closet. He was a different man. He felt self-worth. He felt he was loved. He wanted to learn more about God. After this, Shame was gone. There was no more shame.

Then the Stranger went right to where Death was, for He knew where everyone was, and what they were doing every second of the day.

Death was a hideous creature. He was caring a sword and had a look on his face that would melt anyone who looked into his eyes. He really was the leader of this gang. There was fire coming out of his ears, and he laughed a chilling laugh. (This is the part where I was tossing, and turning!) He said, “You may have calmed the rest of my gang, but you have no power over me. Everyone has to die, and I will wait until they come to me.”

Yes, death will happen to all of us, but if we are under God’s you have a protective wing, we do not have to fear death. It is just a stepping stone to be with our heavenly Father. You can be assured that the angels are waiting for the moment you are ready to be with the Lord. It is like a parent anticipating a newborn. The angels will say, “Cool, here comes another one to be with us in heaven.”

The Stranger took off His cloak, and uncovered his head. It was Jesus. Jesus walked up to Death and said, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).

Death spun around in pain and, weaker but still standing, turned back toward Jesus.

Jesus said, talking to God: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (from Psalm 23:4).

Death began to wither and fell to the ground. He had no more power over people any longer.

So there was no more anxiety, no more gossip, no more being ashamed, and most importantly, no more death.

God is the final power. He controls all things. We can stop worrying about anything. Worrying and fear does not gain us one more minute in a day—and it saps our strength. Turn your anxiety, gossiping, shame and the fear of death over to Him, and He will send them on their way.

The four horsemen got on their horses and headed to the next town to see what gangs might have settled there. As they rode into the sunset, they all sang praises to God and worshipped Him.

That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.

 

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, he will give eternal life.

Romans 2:7

 

Further adventures

Have you had one of those bad guys come into your life? Have you been faced with anxiety? Has someone said something about you to someone else that wasn’t true? Do you live in shame for past sins that you cannot get out of your mind? Have you lost a loved one? Always remember that God is always there. He knows what your anxiety is. He knows about the gossip that has been spread about you. He wants you to throw away your shame, like it was a broken toy.

And remember that death has no power if your loved one was a Christian. God is the final Word. He controls everything. Lean on Him through whatever trial you are going through. You will have some storms come into your life, but God is there to help calm them for you.

 

Something to ponder

Isn’t it funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says?

(Excerpt from: Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World) Chapter 12