Under any description of the start of my life, the odds were against me. With the untimely death of my mother at age 31 in September and the suicide of my father on the following Christmas Day, I was orphaned at the age of two along with six siblings. Through the efforts of a Methodist pastor, we were placed in the Methodist Orphans Home in Waco, Texas on January 21, 1937. This is the story of my life and how I was able to overcome those gigantic odds. Who would believe that the two-year-old orphan boy would later serve for the last twenty-five years of his career as the President/CEO of the agency that rescued him and his six siblings? The journey from orphan boy to President took many twists and turns. Stages on this journey included growing up in an unusual setting of 400 children, pursuit of a solid education, life as a church pastor, administrator of three child care agencies, establishing a successful family, and a return as President to where it all started. This journey unfolds through many unusual stories and experiences ranging from humorous events to dealing with some very important and traumatic situations. History and special traditions play an important role at Methodist Home. I was a student at the time of the 50th anniversary, an employee at the 75th anniversary and President/CEO at the 100th anniversary. A cherished memory of the 100th anniversary was the honor of hosting Mrs. Barbara Bush as our guest speaker. I recall sitting in our den at home with my wife and our children reflecting on the occasion and saying, "Only in America can an East Texas farm girl and an orphan boy entertain the president's wife." The most unique experience of my entire life was my role in avery significant historical event that I have written about as "The Branch Davidian Incident." This event captured the news world-wide February 28 through the end of April in 1993. My involvement of taking the lead in caring for the 21 children released from the Davidian compound gave me the opportunity of being on the inside of many activities unknown to even the most interested in this event. This part of my story will reveal the inner workings of caring for the children, relationships with law enforcement at all levels, and working with the local, national, and international news media. Another traumatic experience I had dealt with what became known as "Waco's Triple Murders." Two of the three young people murdered were former Methodist Home students.

The book chronicles the life story of a woman pioneer in the electrical trade. It begins with the early childhood experiences that formed her approach to life. The empowerment of feminism was a natural result of her changed life that lead her into teaching, nursing, farming and the formation of her own electrical contracting company. Another aspect in the book is her journey from realism to faith. The dynamic tension between both of these themes and the resolution of them is the substory in this very interesting memoir.

When the Honeymoon is over Kelly comes home from a trip only to be blindsided by a note left on the coffee table from her husband saying he is no longer interested in being married to her. She fights the emotional roller coaster most relationships experience. Jada loves her life, her husband, and daughter but craves the attention from her man to give her the business like he use to when they first said I do however, her boss Cole don't mind giving her the attention she desires putting everything she believes in at risk. Madison hides behind her I can do bad by myself attitude by pushing the one man she loved out of her life only to do it again while going to school raising her only son and finding herself truly alone and broken. Kobe is a man, who believes in working hard and providing for his family, but his wife is a selfish She Devil that provides him grief on daily basis, his daughter is the only reason he remains in this mess of a marriage. He simply doesn't know how much more he can take. Jalen loves Reagan and couldn't ask for a better woman, she's everything a black man could ever want fine, smart, and supportive but why he didn't want to put a ring on it was something he had to figure out for himself. Cory the super model is finding himself picking up the pieces of his life after starting over from a relationship that went sour and could affect his future dramatically. Honeymoon happy and peacock proud is how this all begin but when the honeymoon is over and the dust settle and reality comes in like a flood will they remain or face the most challenging situations life throws their way.

The word "cancer" is frightening.What happens when a doctor tells you that you have cancer?How do you deal with that?What goes on in the immediate aftermath of that diagnosis?What is chemotherapy like?How will you feel?These are only a few of the questions that proliferate when we face any uncertain turn in the road of life.A Stroll at Leisure with God is a unique perspective of how to walk with the Lord through any crisis or life's daily challenges. Through it all, whatever comes our way, we can learn what it truly means to have faith, even in times of crisis.

Some inspiring words to help you face the storms in your life, whatever they may be, and give you insight into bringing you to a deeper and richer life in Christ.

With each diagnosis, she comes up with new and intriguing articles on what God is trying to tell her and what she needs to do to understand the situation. There are personal reminders that we are all on our individual journeys and there are powers greater than ours to help if we just open up to it. God gives us opportunities in the most unusual circumstances. We must follow in the dark, we must follow not knowing why, we must follow with absolute faith. We must be aware, mindful, steady, like a pack mule. We all are battling adversity. Her encouraging approach to honoring herself, her God, and others can also help you.

This book informs the readers about the life of a Southeastern Kentuckian and his struggles with 17 years of religious teachings coupled with, once into real world employment, corruption in the government of the United States of America and treasonous acts by members of the executive and legislative branches of the federal government.

A diaconal minister, author, and creative artist, Roela Victoria Rivera became legally blind in 2004, two years after she had severe illness that left her in a coma for three days and led her to a near-death experience (NDE) which allowed her to see the glory and beauty of heaven. While undergoing eight eye surgeries over a period of eight years, she felt her faith and trust fading away for awhile. However, her deep faith in GOD and fervent prayers have strengthened her belief that GOD has never left her side and is leading her each day with new meaningful plan and purpose for her life. GOD has blessed Roela to see glimpses of heave at three points in her life: when she was ten years old, at age eighteen, and in mid-life which guided her with wisdom and strength, courage and creative power to write this inspirational book with divine guidance from GOD, holy light from Jesus, and inspiration from the Holy Spirit. She will help you see glimpses of heave in many different ways in everyday life. She also wishes to share her creative artworks and the great Lessons of Life she learned from her heavenly visions and from the Scripture. She continues her ministry for GOD's glory through her GraceNotes Creative Ministry and inspirational items she designs to share GOD's Words of love and grace.

Roela's physical and spiritual journey is an inspiration to everyone who reads about it in this book. We hope you find it so.

How do you GET WISDOM?
Michele Alanis, author of the first self-study guide of the BELIEVER'S LIFESTYLE Series, Self-Study of Proverbs, presents a very simplistic, but profound approach on gaining spiritual wisdom. You will learn in the Self-Study of Proverbs, these principles for guiding your life:
What the book of Proverbs teaches about wisdom
What is Wisdom
What is the importance of getting wisdom
How to get wisdom
Benefits of wisdom
How to apply the wisdom you gain
"In this work, Michele Alanis will help you discover truths that will illuminate you and provide wisdom for these modern day times."
-Dr. Fred L. Hodge, Pastor of Living Praise Christian Church
"As you fellowship with God in this book, you'll build a foundation of sound wisdom and revelation that is essential to living a successful life "
-Michel Alanis, Author

'Tis the season to be jolly ... but not always. Some holiday hearts are a stark contradiction to the merriment the season brings. What began in 1991 as Cheryl Berger's personal gift to family and friends has grown into the collection you now hold in your hands. These inspirational writings have been included in her family's annual Christmas cards with the hope of bringing the recipients a little holiday cheer.

Tidings of Comfort and Joy contains more than just seasonal entries, however. Some have to do with situations, circumstances, as well as the unexpected, experienced in everyday life. Bible verses have been woven like a scarlet thread throughout each piece. Some pieces are personal, and some were written for others. All were written with the purpose of encouraging hearts with the hope found in Christ.

Realizing the Lord speaks to her heart through her writing, many hours have been spent seeking God for a word in due season. With a heart for hurting women, Cheryl uses words to minister hope and peace to wounded and broken hearts. If you listen carefully, you can hear songs of hope flowing throughout each piece. It is her prayer that the Lord will use the imagery penned in this collection to fill your heart with tidings of comfort and joy.

Life has proven to show that we are born explorers. We're always searching, trying to discover for ourselves who we really are. The Million Boxes of a Heart is a journey starting from the outside, from how we appear to the inside of ourselves, to who we really are. It is a walk toward finding inner peace and freedom from the many memories we have forced ourselves into forgetting and memories that still haunts us today. The Million Boxes of a Heart is a set of internal compartments that exposes our weaknesses, pardon our wrongs, and grants us everlasting salvation.

Ten years ago, I was diagnosed as having chronic depression. I was living and walking in darkness and it had consumed my entire being. I was in a relationship that was going no where, being used and emotionally damaged. I had one foot in the world, one foot in the church and no relationship with God. I was at the end of my rope and could not take life any longer. One night, I decided I was going to take my life. I was hurting and the pain was too much to bear. I sat on the floor, crying, thinking about how to end it all. I clearly heard Satan giving me ways to do it, until I opened my mouth and called on the name of the Lord, who interrupted Satan's plan to kill me that night. I asked the Lord to take the hurt and pain away. And He did it, immediately I remember getting up without the weight that had consumed me and I decided from that day forward that I would serve the Lord. My Damascus culminates this life changing experience and journey of letting go of the world and hanging on to God. "At one time you surrendered yourselves entirely as slaves to impurity and wickedness for wicked purposes. In the same way you must now surrender yourselves entirely as slaves of righteousness for holy purposes." - Romans 6:19 To receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Personal Savior, simply pray: Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am sinful and I need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died to pay the penalty for my sin. I want to turn from my sin nature and follow You instead. I invite You to come into my heart and life. In Jesus' name, Amen.

A ninety-six-year-old man, on admission to a nursing home, was interviewed by a social worker. She asked, "Did you have a happy childhood?" With a twinkle in his eye, he replied: "So far, so good " One of the undeniable facts of life is that we are all aging. Many people dread growing old. It was Bette Davis who said, "Old age ain't no place for sissies " And yet Dr. Cook believes that what really matters as we age is not the condition of the body, but that of the spirit. We can find meaning and purpose no matter what our age. Growing Old Isn't for Sissies focuses on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual challenges we encounter as we age, primarily after age sixty-five, and what our Christian faith has to say to those challenges and changes. Our faith in God can help us in our journey through life, no matter what our age. This book will help those who are growing older to understand some of the changes and problems associated with growing older, whether you are twenty, forty, sixty or eighty. It will help you understand the spiritual resources that are important in coping with growing older.

Embedded in the soul and renowned for its versatility, the mind interfaces between the spirit and the body and, in the process, determines the outcome of the twosome. It operates optimally on divinely gifted keys, which unlocks its abounding treasures. However, by reason of its abuse, these keys can be lost, misplaced, or stolen. The ensuing consequences are misery, chaos, and finally, death. Its discovery and right application births life anew and leads to the recovery for divine exploits in congruence with life's purpose. Ostensibly written using a very practical approach, Your Mind Is a Treasure captures the place of the mind in the quest for self-discovery and workability in the universal space. It targets using the instrumentality of the mind to achieve quintessential excellence based on biblical principles. Also, it expounds on the potency of the mind and its pivotal essence in the attainment and sustenance of good success in life. It is a book that speaks to your mind.

"A Quest For Immortality" is an intriguing tale of an estranged family reuniting and healing. It is a journey of discovery, love and forgiveness. The main character has known only regret and loneliness for many years. He, slowly, changes and basks in the power of forgiveness, kindness, and love from the people he thought despised him. This story spans several generations, family traditions and beliefs. Charkey is the narrator of memorable events and lessons. In the midst of the main story line there is a touching love story. A love lost through death is kept alive by the passion and power of being a soul mate. This novel affords its reader the observation of two young boys being transformed into men. A gruff old man that they had just met, turns out to be the perfect mentor. The reader is provided the opportunity of seeing things through their innocence. Reading "A Quest for Immortality," each individual can identify with one or more of the issues. It is an experience that brings tears, smiles and laughs.