Let's Take a Survey

I know you are out there, but I never hear from you.  Do you enjoy this blog or should I change it up some?  Please send some feedback.  Thanks, and may God bless you with all your heart desires!

Deirdre

My First Radio Interview on 28 November 2011

Last night I had the honor and pleasure to be a guest on the Barry Farber Show, which can be found at http://crntalk.com/barryfarber.  Barry Farber is a radio icon, well known in the industry for over 50 years.  He is also a columnist for World Net Daily, and an author.  He was a very good friend of my father, Pat Doyle, the legendary NY Daily News Crime Reporter, aka Inspector Doyle, and The World's Greatest Crime Reporter. 

Last night we spoke about my father, who is the man on the cover of my book, A Christmas I Remember.  It was wonderful sharing stories between us.  My father passed away 24 years ago this month, and I still miss him.  I told Mr Farber that one day I would like to give a scholarship in Pat Doyle's name to my local high school. 

You  will still be able to buy hard cover and Color Me coloring books at http://deirdretolhurst.com/, but only for another few weeks.  Christmas is only 25 days away, so you'd better order soon!  The paperback edition will still be on sale at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbooksbibles.com and many other places for varying prices.  Just google my name or the name of the book and it will come up.

Well, dear Reader, God bless you and keep you, and make your load light! Click the link below to hear the interview and comment.

My Interview on the Barry Farber Show

Psalm 16:11

"You will show me the path that leads to life; Your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever."  GNB

"You have let me experience the joys of life and the exquisite pleasures of Your own eternal presence." TLB

"Now you've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of Your face.  Ever since You took my hand, I'm on the right way."  MSG

"You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."  NIV

"You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."  NKJ


What a beautiful scripture, no matter in which version you read it!  I love You, Lord, so much!

Happy Thanksgiving

Dear Reader,

Whether you are from the United States, Russia, the Netherlands, Germany, Latvia, or Malaysia, I would like to thank you for reading my blog.  I am so thankful for you and that you have blessed me by stopping by and spending a few minutes of your precious time here.  Although you don't often comment, you have helped me to keep up this task of writing my thoughts and prayers, a task I believe God has placed in my heart for future books.

I believe with all my heart that we are all integral in spreading His word.  Although we might not be great evangelists, He has made us all ministers.  When we comfort a child and tell them that it will be alright, that it is only a little thunder, and the angels are bowling, we are ministering God's love for another.  When we are waiting in line for what seems like forever, and we let that other person go because they have less than us, and what's a few more minutes when we've already been here forever, we are showing kindness.  When we give a can of soup to the homeless shelter we are feeding the hungry.  When we mow the lawn and vacuum the house we are being good stewards of what God has given us and an example to our neighbors.  When we forgive when we don't want to, because we don't want to be hurt again and we determine to start with a clean slate, we are showing wisdom and compassion.

Isn't that what we're supposed to do?  Love one another?  When we embrace the one that hurt us, and forgive them for their past mistakes, we are giving the angels another chorus to sing, and we are defeating the devil.  I thank God for the gifts He has given me, the words to inspire others and maybe help them to get through another day.

I thank Him that even if I never meet you 'on this side of the rainbow', that you are in my life today.  Knowing that you are there has been rewarding and reassuring to me on those days when I wanted to just close the site down and go on to something else.  God has prompted me and let me know someone needs me, and I need them.

So thank you, dear Reader, for your time and your comments (even if you didn't send them to me).  May our God Almighty bless you today with all your heart's desires!  May He smile on you, and let you feel His kiss on your head!  Thank Him for your family, for your less than perfect spouse and children, for the roof over your head, for the company that employs you, for the delivery truck driver that brings food to the store, for those that work on the holidays, for those that make the beautiful bouquets for you to give to a loved one, and for that absolutely beautiful smile that God has placed on your face that warms the heart of those around you!

Spend time with Him today and thank Him that He is there with you, even if you feel like no one else is.  Because He is, always, til the end of the age!

Happy Thanksgiving my friends!  God bless you!

An Encouraging Word

My Dear Lord,

I love You tremendously!  My heart is Yours.  Please bless My friends through me.  Please bring new friends to my life.  Let Your holy spoken word reach beyond the universe from Your hand to mine, from Your thoughts to mine, and let it flow through the hearts and souls of the weary, that they may be blessed today with encouragement and hope.

My Lord Almighty God, what would You like to say today?

My children, I am with you always.  Today is no different. Although the challenges you face today are many, My strength is within you.  You have My word on it!

Children, do not fear the adversary.  Do not fear death, for I have conquered death so that you may live.  Have I not died for your sins?  Have I not risen in joy to return your souls to their rightful place, in the heavens with our Father?

Take joy today, that I will help you to conquer all of life’s trials.  I will not lead you just so far and then desert you.  My appointment is with you today.  My mercies are new and holy, and each one that you choose to accept will come with peace and acceptance.  So sweet ones, take advantage of My gifts to you today. Place each promise I have made to you in your heart.

Remember always that you are not alone, that I am here, guiding your lonely self.  I am sitting at My table, with a feast to share with you!  Come, take My hand and together we will go to a place of comfort and talk.  I will never close My ears to your cries. I will never lose sight of you.  I will never let your hungry soul die of malnourishment.

Allow Me to lead you.  Lean on Me when you despair. Cry your sweet tears onto My shoulder.  Rest yourself at My feet.  I will hold you, loved one, I will cradle your worn body next to mine and give you strength.  I will run the race with you!  I will be before you, I will be beside you, and I will be behind you, above you, encapsulating you.  I will always be here for you. 

Call on Me, allow Me into your heart today.  Do not be ashamed that you call on Me!  Oh no, call all day, let Me help you.  Hour by hour, minute by minute, for as long as it takes I will help you.  My life for yours. That is what it is all about.  I took your pain and felt your relief, I took your sorrows and felt your joy.  I will take all your cares and replace them with My yoke, which is easier to bear.

Do not feel you are being a burden by always calling out to Me and asking for forgiveness. That would be a lie, you are NOT a burden, you are My righteous one!  You are learning what is necessary to become one with Me! Keep on calling, I never tire of hearing your voice.  I will be here for you.  I will not fail you, I will not forsake you!

If you need encouragement today, come before My throne and let Me show you My glory!  My grace is upon your head, rolling down your face, showering your heart and soul with light, divine and holy light.  I have a warmth that your spirit needs to stay alive.  Let Me rain on you, on your health, on your wealth, on your relationships gone awry.  Just ask, I am willing.

I love you, My child, I will always love you!  I will not fail you, nor will I ever lead you to a place of heartache.  I am your Rescuer, not your accuser.  I bring life by My Word and by My sword.  I bring all good things to you today and all the days of your life.

Put your woes aside and see My glorious and Holy Spirit within you!  Rise!  Shine!  Bless the new day, for it is one that I promise you will be beautiful!  Do not grow weary thinking about what the world says, don’t fret over the tribulations of this earth.  I have conquered this world and have given it back to you.  Use the authority I have given you.  Put on the armor you have!  Slam Satan in the head!  Kick him in the teeth!  Sickness is not from Me!  Renounce the hold he has on you, come to Me and drink from the waters of life.  Misery is not from Me, for I love a happy heart.  Smile with Me, share good news!  Sing, My darlings – sing songs of joy!

And if all the world deserts you, if your mother and father leave you, if your children find someone else to go to, do not worry, I am here to fill the emptiness in your heart with everlasting joy and peace!  I hold you in My hand.  I kiss your weary head.  I whisper in your ear, “I am here!”

If you have lost your last dime, I will feed you with all you need to get by.  I will give your spirit nourishment to go on for another day.  I will not let you starve.  Come to Me and see if I won’t bless you!

Never be consumed by the things of this earth and how they may appear.  Instead, come to the Kingdom, and see the holy clothes you wear. See your faith shine!  Give Me your heart, and I will give you life!  Hold Me close, feel My breath!  Know that I am God!  How I will bless you!!

Come to Me today and we will feast on all I have for you.  Sit at My side and sing with Me.  I love to hear you sing!  Praise Me!  Bless My holy name!  All I have is yours for the asking.  Come to My throne of life.  Be one with Me today.  I love you, child, more than you can ever know in this life!  My love for you is so enormous that your brain can’t begin to wrap around it.  So don’t try, just believe!  Just come!  Spend time with Me!

Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you.  I love you.  Always!

©dft

Update on My Book, A Christmas I Remember

I just wanted to share with those of you who only link to this blog spot about the progress of my first children's book, A Christmas I Remember.  This book has been so well received by everyone who has read it.  I think it is truly a testament to our Lord that people have embraced it so enthusiastically. 

 To me it was just a poem for my friend Kindra.  But to others, it is "encouraging", "inspiring", "beautiful", "wonderful", etc.  I have had people actually giddy telling me how much they loved it! 

When I wrote this book, I had to become a business (Blessed Beginnings), because writing a book isn't what I thought it would be.  When Tate Publishing and Enterprises accepted my poem and I signed a contract with them, I assumed that meant that it would appear on bookshelves all over the world.  Not so.  Until there is a demand that just won't happen.  You see, people write books all the time.  Many authors 'self publish.'  So the bookstores would be inundated with new books (I don't recall the astronomical number that are published each year), and they just don't have the room for that.  There are some prerequisites to getting on a shelf in a bookstore.  The author could be a celebrity (people will always buy a celebrity's book, they have a name people know); it could be a second or third book a successful author has written; or it can be in demand by the public.  The public would have to make it noticeable to the stores.  Barnes and Noble carries my book on their website, but not in their store.  They don't know me or my book and don't want to use valuable shelf space for a risk that it wouldn't sell.  I understand that.  Amazon has my book being sold all over the world.  Through different links (if you google Deirdre Tolhurst), people in Australia, Germany, UK, India, Croatia, Japan, Denmark, Norway, China, Canada, and of course here in the United States can purchase the book on-line.  If enough people do, then there would be a better demand.

Anyway, since I am not on the shelves, I must promote my book myself and buy them at my cost from my publisher and sell them wherever and to whoever I possibly can.  I keep it on the table at a restaurant, and turn it over occasionally so the server can see the picture on the back looks just like me.  I do as many signings as I possibly can, and I keep everyone up to date with Facebook and email.  I have done pretty good so far, but not as good as God will do.  The word about this book is getting out there because people who like it are telling other people and they are telling others.  It is a giant network.

I think the biggest part of it, though, is trusting God.  I hear Him tell me to not put this book before Him in my heart.  I must remember that He gave me the words and He can turn off the attraction in a heartbeat.  Every sale is one He ordained in the first place.  He wants the book out there because He knows who will receive from it.  When I get anxious He very quickly reminds me who is in charge!  I feel as though He and I have collaborated (what an honor) and He is the Ghost Writer (Holy Ghost?  That just occurred to me, how very cool is that?!).

This book will sell because of His blessing on it, not because I am doing book signings around the area.  I see my inventory and get nervous, will I sell them?  In sweet peace He whispers, "trust Me."  I know deep within my heart that I will not have a large inventory of books around the house after December 26th, and I also know that He will tell me how many to order in these last 35 days before Christmas.  Trust.  Always trust!  He has already been there, right?  Shouldn't I listen to what He has to say? 

If you feel like you would like to purchase A Christmas I remember, you can go to Tate Publishing, Barnes and Noble.com, Amazon.com, or for those of you in UK, India, Canada, Australia, Germany, Japan, Croatia, Norway, Sweden, and China, you can just click your country.  I will thank you ahead of time for buying a book and helping God reach others.  We'll make it onto the best seller list soon, and then we will know that God is working miracles!  I am honored and blessed that you have allowed me into your home today.  Have a blessed and joy-filled evening. 

If you have bought a book, perhaps you would like to comment so others would know what you thought.  Thank you.


Dear Lord,
Thank you for each person that comes to my blog spot and reads.  Thank you that they are encouraging me.  Please bless their health, their finances, and their relationships.  And may You receive the honor, the praise and the glory You so richly deserve.  My heart is Yours.
With love in Jesus' name,
Your daughter, Deirdre

The Parable of the Lost Son

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.  The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.  He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!  I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’  So he got up and went to his father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.  So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.  ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.  But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.  But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.  But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”   Luke 15:11-32

Which are you?  Are you the young son who decided that he needed to find himself and went looking in distant lands for fruits of his flesh not caring who he hurt?  Did you find yourself at hell’s door?  Did you turn your back on your Father?

Or are you the father, who is so overjoyed that his young son has returned in repentance, truly sorry for what he has done, and humbled by the experience?  Are you willing to put aside all the pain you suffered not knowing where he was or even more so, how he was?

Or are you the older brother?  Upset that he is welcomed back even though he messed up so badly, and not willing to forgive as easily as the Father who loves beyond understanding?  Are you jealous because you don’t get recognized when you always follow the rules, but someone who broke them all gets a party?

I believe there are times in my life (and probably will be more) that I have been in each place.  I have gone off on my own, following the desires of my flesh, against all better judgment, just to get into such a mess that I didn’t have the nerve or courage to come home.  I didn’t know what they would think of me, a miserable failure.  So I kept waiting until it was either do or die.  God, the Father, prevailed.  Even when I wasn’t saved, He took my hand and welcomed me home.  He forgave me when I didn’t deserve it.

I have been the father, forgiving and loving even when it wasn’t asked for.  I have found in myself that agape love that Jesus had for His own, and even for His enemies.  He loved them all as He loved Himself.  I feel rewarded and clean when I forgive.  The starting over is just such a glorious feeling!

I have also been the older brother, jealous and miserable because I was not recognized for doing good things all the time and yet watching while someone else who completely messed up gets rewarded!  This is because I didn’t understand that I didn’t need any special attention, I was doing what I was supposed to do.  But the young son realized the error of his ways and came back humbled, ready to become as a servant to his father.  He was ready to repent for his stupidity and sins.  He didn’t come back because he was hungry; he came back because he was sorry.  And his father was overjoyed and got him all cleaned up and threw a party for his return!

Shouldn’t we all be like that?  Not afraid to come home in humility, knowing that we are doing what is right, and what God placed in our heart?  Shouldn’t we bless and sing and celebrate when a lost one has been found?  Shouldn’t we be joyful when their heart has been made pure and they return?  Shouldn’t we put aside the condemnation and instead rejoice to the Lord for bringing them safely back?

For some of us, it is time to forgive.  For others, it is time to forget.  Don’t let the past rule the future.  Remember what Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Emphasis mine)  So let us take today, and rejoice that we are alive and that the Lord saw fit to give us breath for another day!  Let us realize that when our prayers are answered, like the Father, we must not bring up the pain we went through or the wrong that was done to us; instead, let us see that our prayers have been answered and we are blessed to start anew! 

Ah, there’s something else!  How many of us have prayed so hard for our loved ones to return and then when our prayer was answered, complain?  Have we condemned them for leaving instead of rejoicing that they returned?  Are we truly acting as the father, who didn’t even let the young son finish apologizing before he embraced him?  He had already forgiven him.  The parable doesn’t say, but I imagine in his bitterness the older brother who, even though prayer is answered, immediately starts in with talk like, “What were you thinking?  Do you know how worried we were?  What makes you so special?  I had to do all the work, you owe me!”  

We need to not just forgive, but we need to forget.  As the young son, forget that we made stupid mistakes.  We shouldn’t live in the past and feel we aren’t worthy of coming home in humility.  If we truly are sorry, our actions will prove it.  As the father, we don’t need to do anything but love the son who returned.  Use God’s wisdom to carry you through the enemy’s lies and forgive with every ounce of our being.  Of course we were hurt, but what is more important?  Is it our pain at them leaving or our joy at their returning?  We should thank God that they are back in the fold.  The older brother needs to get over himself and be grateful that his younger brother is alive and well and willing to start over again.

God bless you, Dear Reader, and if you are struggling with forgiveness, allow God to help you.  Whether you are the young son, the father, or the older son, God is with you always.  He sees you, He will reward you!  Please share your thoughts.

©dft

God Bless Our Veterans

Today is Veteran's Day in the United States.  It's the day when we pay our respects formally to our nation's heroes.  My husband is a Vietnam Veteran.  He is a quiet hero, one who doesn't wear his past or his emotions on his sleeve.  He is my hero.  Long before I ever knew him, he was in a foreign land ensuring that I, thousands of miles away in New Jersey was safe.  Of course he probably wasn't thinking about that at all.

Why is he my hero?  Let me tell you.  Every time we pass the Central Texas Veteran's Cemetery he salutes the flags that fly at the entrance, the POW/MIA flag, and all the crosses on the graves of those great men and women who served before and after him.  He keeps his eyes towards the cemetery and keeps that salute for the distance of the land the cemetery owns.  Then he snaps his salute and gets back to whatever he was doing earlier.  Our conversations pause as we drive past.  I often find that the beauty of this honor he gives the dead veterans brings a tear to my eyes.  It is so sweet, so simple, so profound.  He doesn't make a big deal of it, he just does it, every time.

When he comes across a soldier in uniform, he always extends his hand and says, "Thanks, man, I appreciate everything you do!"  It aways brings a smile to the soldiers.  He doesn't have to do that.  He could be bitter because of the welcome that Vietnam Vets received compared to now.  But he isn't, instead he is grateful that our country has changed to honor those who honor us.

He's my hero because he loves and fears the Lord.  He is a warrior in God's Army now.  He fights for his children in constant prayer, that they always walk in the way of the Lord, and that they find peace in their hearts and souls, and that they know they can always come to him when they need to.  He worries about the battles they fight, and he lives his life so as to arm the Angel Armies with more spiritual strength.  He doesn't tell them that he does this, he relies on Jesus to let them know.

He is strong, he is loving, he is my very best friend.  Throughout our 30 and a half years together we have fought many battles, some that left us with scars, but they always healed.  Why?  Because no matter what, he wouldn't give up on me, or on us, because that meant so much to him, and because it was worth his time.

So today, I honor my Veteran husband.  I salute you, my love!  I thank you for all your sacrifices, and I thank God that He gave you to me!  God bless you, Tuck!

"May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed."  Psalm 20:4 NIV

The Evidence

Ma'am, what evidence do you have that God exists?

What evidence do I have that God exists?  There is a peace and joy in my heart that surpasses all understanding.  I know He lives in me because I struggle every day to do the right thing.  When I slip, I feel terrible inside, I am ashamed of myself, I want to receive God's forgiveness.

I have forgiven those that I never thought I could. I found love instead of hate, and forgiveness instead of bitterness.  I ask to be forgiven too.  Although my days aren't exactly sin-free and I have to beg God's forgiveness, I know that I am making progress.

We all have a choice (many choices) to make in this life.  Once we are saved we can continue doing worldly things knowing we'll still go to heaven, or we can change how we see things and try our best to please God. 

Jesus is evident in the dreams that I have - to write things that will help others.  He's evident in my desire to start building a retreat. He's evident in the sky at 5:30 in the morning when it's so dark and the stars and planets are so bright, when the moon lights up the street so I don't need the flashlight.  He's evident 2 hours later when the sun comes peeking over the cloud cover in a golden brilliance that takes my breath away!  He's evident in the smile on a baby's face seeing their mommy!  He's evident when two men place their arms around each other in brotherly love and affection! 

He's evident in the glistening drops of rain on the leaves during a sun shower.  He is evidence that there is hope!  When all we want is to give up and we can't it is evidence of His divine presence letting us know that even through the worst pain and sorrow there is, there is going to be a way through it!  Even through the numbness of grief, there is a hope that it will get easier.  Eventually the tears stop and we breathe in His almighty love and peace!  He will never, ever leave or forsake us!  He will never let us have more than we can bear.  He will always show us a way out of temptation!  Of course the choice is ours to ask Him to leave so we can bask in our pain (which only gives Satan an extra edge) or we turn and run into His arms!

Loving and serving Jesus is a choice.  It is one I make knowing what I am doing.  It is no lie, it is beauty.  When someone says "God bless you" when no one has sneezed there is that connection made so quickly between two people who just realized they are brothers and sisters in Christ.  An immediate bond is formed!  It is divine in nature.  There is nothing in or of this world that can put that feeling of phileo love in our heart.  It is God, letting us know - "Here is another brother for you to know you aren't alone."  We need people in this world to give us strength and to walk with us being an encouragement.  We need to know we are a family.  God has placed all these wonderful people together, and even if we don't know it yet, if they are only a face we pass in the store, we all sing songs of praise and worship together in the spirit realm.  We are one church united in harmony, worshipping our Redeemer.  Our voices rise in beautiful melody in the heavenly places, because our spirits are always one, always giving thanks and praise to God.  Imagine the beautiful noise!

©dft

Rejoice! He is With You!!

“I stand silently before the Lord, waiting for Him to rescue me.  For salvation comes from Him alone.  Yes, He alone is my Rock, my Rescuer, Defense and Fortress.  Why then should I be tense with fear when troubles come?”  Psalm 62:1-2

Why indeed?  God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  God is ever loving, ever caring, and will always be by our side.  The natural man (our flesh) wants to rely on our own experience in the ways of running our own life.  We do things the way we want without ever praying first and asking either God’s blessing or His direction.  When we don’t have those things, our actions many times put us in jeopardy, and our very lives may hang in the balance.  Eventually we find that we must stand silently (not making excuses for our bad behavior, and listen for the voice of God.  When we feel alone, He is there.  When we are crying out because we don’t know how to relieve the despair we feel, He is there.  When we feel the joy that comes with knowing, He is there. 

He will always rescue us if we just cry out like Peter did when he found himself sinking.  “Lord, save me!  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matt 14:30-31)  Cry out to Jesus, He will not fail you, He won’t shut His holy ears to your cry.  He can’t.  It’s not in His nature.  To ignore His loved ones is impossible.  There is nothing that we can do to make Him not love us.

So rest in blessed assurance that He is with you.  Give your heavy burden to Him, He doesn’t mind the load.  God bless you today, Dear Reader, with joy in your heart knowing you’re never alone!

©dft

A Question for My Readers

What has God done for YOU lately?  I'd love to hear from you!

The Book is Released!

Today my book was released on the Internet!!!  Amazon is now carrying it, Barnes and Noble is carrying it, and if you google my name or A Christmas I Remember, you'd be amazed at all the places it is for sale!  Amazon has it in the UK, Canada, Netherlands, Japan, Russia, Germany, and of course right here in the great USA.  This is just the most amazing thing to me.  When God wants something done, He goes right ahead and does it.

He has gone before me all the way on this.  I believe that God plants desires into our hearts so that we can tend to them and let them grow.  Like seeds.  We don't usually recognize this though.  Sometimes we let our dreams die, as I did, many years ago.  But once that feeling came back, all I wanted to do was write!  I believe that we don't even know that sometimes we are living that dream unaware.  I was certainly writing, but it wasn't in a book format or anything like that.  I just wrote about things God was showing me; just simple things mostly, but they were profound nonetheless.  I wanted to write a book of encouraging things, things that I learned. 

But the Lord had other plans.  He had this book in mind.  He had Blessed Beginnings, my business name in mind.  So out of nowhere here comes this beautiful little Christmas book!  And although it has been for sale on my Website (www.deirdretolhurst.com) and at my publisher (www.tatepublishing.com), now it can also be found on the Web!  I truly hope that we sell at a minimum hundred of thousands of copies, so that God will get the glory that He deserves.  He has a plan for this book, He wants to reach the children and He has chosen me to help Him do that.  This is an honor and a blessing that I never expected! 

If you have a dream, pursue it.  I am 55 years old, and am only getting started.  What does it say in Job 8:7?  "Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would increase abundantly."  And Jeremiah 29:11?  "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."  I have peace, this is His book, more than it's mine.  I am just the instrument He used to get the story out there.  I have a future and a hope.  I am resting in the bosom of my God!  Praise to Him!

So what is your dream?  Have you pursued it?  Please share your comments.  God bless you!