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Thursday, July 12, 2012

Guest Blogger Kathryn Jones and Conquering Your Goliaths

Yes, I'm a day late...and according to my bank account, a few dollars short. :) But the guest post for this week is here today. Enjoy!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KATHRYN JONES has been a published writer since 1987. She has published various newspaper stories, magazine articles, essays and short stories for teens and adults. She is the author of: A River of Stones, a young adult fiction novel dealing with divorce published in 2002, and Conquering your Goliaths—A Parable of the Five Stones, a Christian novel published in January of 2012. Her newest creation, a Conquering your Goliaths—Guidebook, was published in February of 2012.

Kathryn graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Mass Communication and a minor in Creative Writing. Her studies included work in creative writing, public relations and journalism. Recently, she has opened the doors to Idea Creations Press, a publishing services company that caters to writers and their writing, publishing and marketing needs.

CONQUERING YOUR GOLIATHS
by Kathryn Jones
Published by CreateSpace

ABOUT THE BOOK

David gathered 5 smooth stones to meet and defeat Goliath. What did these stones represent and how can you use them to feat your Goliaths in your own personal quests? Ms. Virginia Bean will show you how.

Travel with her on her own personal journey. See what she does. Learn how she grows. Discover what she becomes.

“Conquering your Goliaths—A Parable of the Five Stones” is for anyone desiring to travel beyond mediocrity, pain and fear. Learn of the great power within you, a power given to you from God, a power that must ultimately be unleashed to conquer the Goliaths in your own life. Come to an even deeper understanding of God and what he wants for you. Come…

Readers, buy your copy of Conquering Your Goliaths today!

AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR FEATURE AUTHOR

The Writing Life of a Christian Fiction Author

It isn’t always easy being a Christian, and it isn’t always easy being a Christian Fiction author. I write what I know. I write what I believe, and not everyone is comfortable with that. I suppose the same is true with whatever religious persuasion and career that has become a part of your life.

Some people think romances are sappy and “all alike,” others will never pick up a western or a short-story collection because It’s just “not in them” to do so.

They like what they like.

Go figure.

We’re all different after all.

My life as a Christian Fiction author takes guts, primarily because much of what I write, others expect me to live. And if others don’t expect it, I do. (I try not to be one of those, “Do as I say, not as I do,” types of people). I am often running through the value of the five stones and coming to terms with where I am. I have lived the parable many times over, and continue to live them as I work on various aspects of my life.

If you haven’t yet read, “Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones,” let me give you a little heads up on what I’m talking about.

The five stones mentioned in the novel are these:

Listening. When it comes to listening to God in your life, consider listening to God when you travel throughout your day. That means when you’re driving to work, when you’re washing the dishes, when you’re ready to walk in to that job interview. My best days come when the conduit is open and my eyes are too.

Trust. Trusting in God and the gifts and talents he has given you is as important as listening to him. Have you ever listened in one ear and let it go out the other? True listening takes trust that what you’re doing in your life is good and that God is behind you.

Optimism. Being positive about what you’ve got going is a fine step in growing your spiritual life. Be optimistic about your gifts and what you have to offer the world. What you focus on comes back to you. If you’re focused on changing lives, then that is what will return.

Tenacity. We all get those old rocks in our shoes, but with tenacity, we keep moving forward. If your personal life needs some work, you get the help, if things need to be changed in your marriage, you change them. Tenacity is about never giving up—no matter what.

Constancy. Keeping constant with God is important. God will help us to keep constant at whatever we’re doing if we let him. Are you constantly berating yourself for lack of time to use your gifts and talents? Or are you coming up with ways to keep moving forward despite the difficulties? Being constant means you are focused in your desires to please God.

It isn’t always easy being a Christian Fiction author, just as its not easy being salesman, a nurse or an oral surgeon (add your own career here_________). But there’s something grand about knowing that God is there to help lighten the load; knowing that he is with you no matter what.

* * * * *

Thank you, Kathryn, for sharing with us today.

Reader Question: How does God help you in your life?

ENTRY RULES Readers, leave your email address (name at domainname dot com/net) along with your answer to the question for your chance to win an autographed copy of the book featured above. If you do not answer the question, and your email address isn't provided, you will not be entered.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

4 comments:

apple blossom said...

He makes things seem to run smoother during the day when I start the day off with quiet time.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Kathryn Elizabeth Jones said...

I love to spend at least an hour in the morning with my scriptures and my journal. It's AMAZING the help I get when I put God first.

squiresj said...

God keeps me from losing my mind as I am losing my medical insurance
jrs362 at hotmail dot com

Kathryn Elizabeth Jones said...

Sorry to hear you are losing your medical insurance. I'm glad you know that God is there.