From Sin and Sorrow to Service - The Journey of God's Prodigal Daughter

Life: Traveling with Gusto?Don?s Story is about Don Heichel, who had many setbacks in his lifetime. He was diagnosed with colon cancer. Three years after that, he lost the use of his left leg and had to use a wheelchair or crutches since he was about fifty. When he was sixty-two, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Don smiled throughout all of this pain. He never stopped believing in God. He always helped anyone who needed his help, no matter what the costs. Don?s biggest hurdle was finding ways to forgive someone who deeply hurt him and mending relationships. He never gave up. He taught those around him to live life and appreciate loved ones. Don?s stubbornness and willingness to support anyone was his legacy.

Sometimes, life seems to hand you one trial after another; you find yourself thinking that if you hear, ?When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,? one more time, you?ll scream?to say the least. You believe God has a plan for you and your life, but so far, you have no idea what it is.

For author Donna DeVito, life was an emotional and physical roller coaster for many years; she felt as though she was in a constant tug-of-war with events beyond her control. In It?s Never Too Late, DeVito shares the ups and downs of her history and her search for purpose in life?and her ultimate answer to this search. She found that when she reprioritized her life to place God first, she began to experience the life God had hoped for her.

It?s Never Too Late offers an inspirational story of struggle and disappointment, but also of the hope and success that can be found when God takes priority in one?s life.

As I reflect upon the past and the events that happened in leading me to salvation, and beyond, I have lived a very fortunate life. I have faced many dangers, dealt with many challenges, and escaped many life threatening situations, but I am able to look back and see where God had His protective hand in my life, even at times when I failed to recognise it. Jesus has been so gracious to me, displaying His love, patience, longsuffering, tolerance and faithfulness in many ways, often without my knowing it, His grace is truly amazing, beyond any doubt.

Yet i have had the privilege of using my God given talents for His glory, by being able to be an examle of excellence to all I meet, I just love to encourage people and inspire them to rise up and be all that God would have them to be.

This was the original idea for me writing as I have, to inspire people to put pen to paper and be an encouragement and inspiration to others, since we, as members of God's family, are to strengthen and support each other, especially in times of refreshing Everyone has a story to tell, some are simply explained, while others are more complex, but all have a common thread, your salvation was a miracle from God, and to undervalue that experience would be a tragic mistake. Ih ahve not had a single day go by where I have not given some thought to that sunny day back in January, 1980, when I had an encounter with the God of all creation, the impact of that encounter was so great that I still stand in awe of what happoened that day.

I trust that, by writing and publishing my books, I have been able to inspire some people to salvation, and even encourage a few backsliders to return to God with a renewed enthusiasm for the God of a second chance, but only eternity will reveal the answer. I trust that in this world that is filled with confusion, hatred, instability and contradictions, I have been able to impart a little hope to those people who are in desperate need of stable ground to stand upon. May I be so bold as to quote the words of Dr. Robert Schuller, a man who is a fitting example of integrity, and has been an inspiration to me during my Christian walk, 'God loves you, and so do I.'

Ron Benrey was perfectly content in middle age with being “sort-of” Jewish. He saw Christianity as a collection of nonsensical teachings that most believers don’t understand and can’t explain.

But on one ordinary August afternoon, God “flipped his switch”— without an invitation and without any warning. Almost instantaneously, everything Ron had heard about Christianity made perfect sense. Seconds later he knew that he’d become a Christian.

“I had no choice—or say—in the matter,” Ron reports. “It happened in less time than it takes to read this short paragraph. One moment, I was a skeptical nonbeliever. Seconds later I knew that I’d become a Christian.”

His swift conversion astonished Ron, because had earned degrees in electrical engineering, management, and law—three modes of thinking that made him highly skeptical about the “foolish” teachings of Christianity. He saw himself as “too savvy” to be taken in by Christianity.

“The Day God Flipped My Switch” tells the fascinating story of Ron’s remarkable change of mind and heart—and the novel teaching approach that God used to convey the truth of Christianity to him.

Ron’s quest to learn how to write mystery fiction played a surprising—central—role in his unexpected conversion to Christianity. While analyzing a manuscript for his fiction-writing critique group, Ron realized that he could “write himself into a novel.” He would then be “perfect character” and “perfect author” at the same time. This simple analogy helped Ron understand how the Incarnation was possible and how God could be a Trinity.

Whether you’re a fellow late bloomer or you became a Christian much younger in life, Ron shows you how to use the same ways of thinking to build your faith and grow your understanding of Christianity.

You've heard the old saying, "When life gives you lemons - make lemonade." Mama's Blessings will inspire you to make your lemonade. Trials and tribulations are part of our lives, and they appear when we least expect them. How we handle these situations depends on each individual, but by realizing if we rely on the Lord all things are possible. We must have the determination to make something good out of any situation that is beyond our control. Through faith, the Lord gives you strength and hope. Mama's Blessings is a testament to rely on the Lord through faith. I relied on the Lord, while caring for Mike and Bonnie, and He answered so many prayers and brought many blessings our way. Mike and Bonnie were truly "blessings" in my life.