Category Archives: GENERAL INTEREST

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Oympic Champions are to be Appreciated

An Olympic Champion: A dream for many, a reality for some, past history for others.This is a small salute to all the Olympic competitors from all the countries around the world. You all are champions in my book.

I always enjoy the Olympics. I’ve watched them through many seasons of life, starting with my childhood. I have my favorites in the select group of Olympic champions. Thanks to the internet, I can enjoy revisiting their moments of triumph, and those other times when I thought they should have won, and they didn’t, their performance so lovely it brought tears to my eyes and warmth to my soul.

One observes the heart of a champion, a desire within like a flame that refuses to die, increasing in brightness as it gains it’s strength–despite setbacks and disappointments. We saw a few of these in the past two weeks. They persevered regardless of major physical traumas from past competitions and some failures that mentally would have to be overcome. They arrived, loaded for bear! Ready to compete as an overcomer, a champion; one who is not easily deterred.

It is also hard to see champions fail, or lose their edge. Yet, their flame is still lit and glowing. It will always glow brightly. It’s in their blood, the heart of a champion. They live in our memories like fond friends. We enjoy seeing them on t.v. or whenever we get a chance. Some will live on forever. I respect their courage, fortitude, and achievements.

Thanks to all the hardworking families, who sacrifice to support their children’s dreams; a dream that is nurtured and developed until one day they shine brightly on the world stage. Those of us sitting at home in our places of ease, do not know the true cost and joy of a champion’s pursuit of perfection. It started with a belief, that grew to a desire, was flamed into a dream, developed through time and tears, and blossomed into an olympic champion.

 Thank you. You are talented, persevering, and beautiful. We appreciate you and your hard work and the effort with which you reach to the stars. Carry on!

WHEN A WOMAN FINDS HER VOICE: Overcoming Life’s Hurts & Using Your Story to Make a Difference by Jo Ann Fore (Leafwood Publishers , 2013)

“Something happens when brokenness stains our spirits. Secret, unresolved, or lingering hurts leak into our everyday lives, filtering into everything we think we know about who we are. We tend to question our value and meaning. We feel unimportant, ‘less-than’ or ‘not good enough.’ And we fall silent.”
Everyone needs to read this book. It’s the real deal!
The stories of brave women stitch this book’s pages together in one tightly bound universal voice of praise. Jo Ann Fore weaves her personal story with the experiences of several women who have overcome the shadows of past hurts. The author shows us many who have found and experienced the freeing grace of God. In this book we find what happens when a wounded person seeks their own healing, finds freedom from their inner pain, and reaches out in love to other women by telling her story to the sisterhood. An excellent read: gripping, painful, energizing, reflective, full of hope–with a message that speaks. I purchased this book for my Book Dinner ladies and for my Bible study ladies. They were blessed and motivated through its message and to the point gut honesty. Something here for everybody.
This is what we need to become “real.” There is so much pretending . . . because we’ve been hurt, and the church isn’t necessarily a “safe” place for hurting, vulnerable, heart-stained people. Jo Ann Fore has lived this–walked this habit of silence. Sharing her own personal story as well as the inspiring stories of others, Jo Ann guides you on a journey that leads to freedom and purpose. The content helps open up the dialogue, the conversation we need to have in our churches and places of spiritual leadership.
“An important book for anyone who wants to mine the past, heal like crazy, and find joy today.”  Mary DeMuth, author of The Wall Around Your Heart.