Well, Aren't We Nice?

Gossip.  An ambiguous word with wobbly handles. They are hard to grasp onto until it lands in your lap. And when I say this, I mean that you are the subject of it and not the perpetrator… this time. Then suddenly you don’t need to hear a sermon or read an essay on it: you know- that you know- that you know… that it hurts.

It Aches. It Marinates. Then it Chafes.  The remnants try to find a landing strip to grow their festering vines of bitterness, unless you continually weed the garden of your heart.

It distresses in a different way than face to face confrontation. It most certainly isn't the sweet kiss of a loving, face-to-face rebuke with all the beauty of potential reconciliation.

Gossip denies us the dignity to be heard. It blots out all ability to apologize for the wrong or perceived offense. It immobilizes love. It destroys the trust beds that relationships grow in.

Rumor-mongering. It shrouds itself in a thin, religious film. It comes with disclaimers like; “I am concerned …” or “We need to pray about …” ----Well, aren't we nice? ---

We can dress it up anyway we want to, but it’s wrong… and we know it. We feel it just before the words escape our mouths, unless we've numbed ourselves to the still, small whisper of our Holy Spirit induced conscience.

In a lot of cases I believe we are receiving AND believing the flaming darts of accusation that enemy hurls at us about one another. Many times we are “picking up” on invisible beliefs that the enemy has tried to weave around a person from their childhood or before and in turn they in regards to you.  Typically the person has agreed with the lies over their lives and has had multiple experiences that convinced them that, “yes, this is true about me” before they landed on the doorstep of your life.

Gossip is hated by the Father because we are adding our words, which have the power of life and death, to the enemy’s words. He, the father of lies, gets the added boost of our authority, which binds and looses on heaven and earth. We’re a lot more powerful than we believe, friends.

He wins a small victory every time we join our words with his because we've muddied the atmosphere around that person. The enemy is called the prince and power of the air, (Ephesians 2:2) which is translated, atmosphere) for a reason. We've agreed that there is another banner besides love written over one another. (Song of Songs 2:4)

As a society we are so immersed in being “nice” that we have forgotten the biblical mandate to seek out a face to face chat (Matthew 18:15) with the object of our offense, a person made in God’s own image. If that doesn't go well, then we take another with us who can be impartial and try to work it out again. It’s the opposite of accusation! Its goal is reconciliation. -- (Note: Often times, I find that I am able to take the majority of things to the Father and hear truth and/or forgive in my heart quickly and not keep a record of wrongs. Sometimes, I realize I was being easily offended or just being a jerk myself.)

If we don’t work out our disagreements and misunderstandings with one another we are left with few choices. The easy path quickly becomes available; that of filling another’s ears with the tasty morsel that is sweet in their ears and sour in their belly. We've tried or succeeded in winning another to "our ranks."   

That’s the opposite of nice, my friends.

Here’s some food for thought: "I resolve to speak ill of no man whatever, not even in a matter of truth but rather by some means excuse the faults I hear charged upon others, and upon proper occasions speak all the good I know of everybody." ~ Ben Franklin

Book Give-Away Contest for The AWEN: Book One of The Sacred Oak Series

The winners of the free copies of The Awen:  Book One of The Sacred Oak Series are: Chelle, Laugh With Us, Jules, Carol, Art Muse Dog and Carol and Jenny. 

Those getting the 50% off code are:  Wendy, One Mommy and Jamie Joy.

I've gotten in touch with you all that I could via email. If you have not received an email from me please contact me at:  rebecca.awenhouse@gmail.com.

Thanks so much!!!!!  I love "likes" and book reviews so please visit me at the links below to do so.  Have a blessed day!

Here is an eBook give away contest for my newest novel: The Awen:  Book One of The Sacred Oak Series 

(Available in Every Format Known To Man!)

Mandatory entry:

VISIT THE BOOK ON AMAZON AND CLICK "LIKE”

Optional entries (Your name will be added one time for each):

1) Become a Follower of this blog!!!!!

2) Follow me on Twitter

3) Become a Facebook Fan 

4) Write a review on any of my books there or here (if you have read them.)

Please note: COMMENT ON THE BLOG each time you do one of the above 5 things. Each comment will give you one entry into the contest.

Five winners will be announced on NOVEMBER 26, 2011 by 9 am and chosen randomly.Three additional winners will receive a coupon code for 50% off. The winners must respond within 48 hours of when their name is announced with their email address to send the code to.(All information will be kept private and the author will not collect information for future purposes. In other words you won’t hear from me again)
Any questions?  rebecca.awenhouse@gmail.com

THOUGHTS:

I have always loved the redemptive tales of The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis or The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolien. Though I think it would be a bit grand to compare myself to these classic genicuses, I am thrilled to annouce: The Awen:  Book One of The Sacred Oak Series, a redemptive tale that is in the same genre of redemptive fiction as these giants of fiction PLEASE NOTE:  This book is geared towards middle schoolers, however I have had a lot of adults love the book.

Here is a foretaste: The Awen is an intriguing tale full of young heroes, epic battles, and colorful story-telling. It contains the perfect elements for popular youth fiction: three-dimensional characters, a suspenseful tale of mythical proportions, and a view of the redemptive possibilities in every human heart.

Back cover copy: Winter Haven Manor sits on a coastal estate in Wales with mystery and danger in its history. It is the home of Ian, the son of the manor’s groundskeeper and a disenchanted dreamer who is soon to discover a destiny beyond his wildest imagination. It is also the home of Reese, Ian’s troubled nemesis who is heir to the estate, and Libby, Reese’s feisty cousin who has returned from America after her father disappears. What the trio discovers is that they are the "three unlikely"--a team of empowered friends meant to save the otherworld, as foretold by a thousand-year-old prophecy.

Not only will they have to combine their skills in order to save the otherworld, but they will also have to overcome battles in their own lives as well. Their struggles with the creatures in the otherworld will teach them about who they have been, and more importantly, who they can become.

Thanks and Blessings!!!

~Rebecca

Rebecca Dunning is an award winning writer who lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and three children. She not only loves to read and write but also enjoys hiking, climbing mountains 14,000 feet or higher, traveling the world and about anything else out-of-doors. Ms. Dunning is a regular contributor to The Gazette, Pikes Peak Parent and FreshInk. Rebecca is also the author of two children's books: The Real-Life Princess and Beetle Hunter as well as her first novel, The Awen: Book One of the Sacred Oak Series. You can also find her ebook, Self-Publishing 101 on Amazon.

The Awen: Book One of The Sacred Oak Series

Well, folks ... it's here. My first novel, The Awen:  Book One of the Sacred Oak Series is available. I'm thrilled to say that is is available for download on Kindle via Amazon on the above link.  It is also available in all formats known to man at Smashwords. This is a book aimed at older Elementary students and Middle School students, though I have been told that adults are really enjoying it!

***The Awen is an intriguing tale full of young heroes, epic battles, and colorful story-telling. It contains the perfect elements for popular youth fiction: three-dimensional characters, a suspenseful tale of mythical proportions, and a view of the redemptive possibilities in every human heart.***
 


FYI:  The book is being formatted for Nook, the Itunes store, etc. and will be available that way soon. 


This is how you can help me:


1) Purchase the book for $2.99 on Amazon
2) "like" it on Amazon
3) Share the news via friends and social networking
4) Write a review if you like the book

Here is a blurb about the book:

Winter Haven Manor sits on a coastal estate in Wales, with mystery and danger in its history. It is the home of Ian, the son of the manor’s groundskeeper and a disenchanted dreamer who is soon to discover a destiny beyond his wildest imagination. It is also the home of Reese, Ian’s troubled nemesis who is heir to the estate, and Libby, Reese’s feisty cousin who has returned from America after losing her father.

What the trio discovers is that they are the "three unlikely"--a team of empowered friends meant to save the world, as foretold by a thousand-year-old prophecy. Not only will they have to combine their skills in order to save the otherworld, known as Mag Mell,  but they will also have to overcome battles in their own lives as well. Their struggles with the creatures in the otherworld will teach them about who they have been, and more importantly, who they can become.

Thanks so much for coming on this journey with me! I still have The Real-Life Princess and Beetle Hunter available as well.

~
Rebecca Dunning is an award winning writer who lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and three children. She not only loves to read and write but also enjoys hiking, climbing mountains 14,000 feet or higher, traveling the world and about anything else out-of-doors. Ms. Dunning is a regular contributor to The Gazette, Pikes Peak Parent and FreshInk. Rebecca is also the author of two children's books: The Real-Life Princess and Beetle Hunter as well as her first novel, The Awen: Book One of the Sacred Oak Series. You can also find her ebook, Self-Publishing 101 on Amazon.

    This is an article I was asked to write on fall and family for the Gazette via Pikes Peak Parent. I hope you enjoy.

    Fall is a marvelous time in Colorado, a time when I begin to cherish the days that are warm enough for my family to be outside in jeans and t-shirt one day and a coat the next. Knowing that our days of hiking are limited I try to round up the family as much as possible to hit the trails before our days of cuddling before the fire are full on.

     Since we are past using the trails that are shaded and cooler in the summer, our family tries to get to the more sun exposed areas like the Red Rock Open Space off of Highway 24 where we can also take in some of the color changes happening in the Aspens. A drive up Ute Pass to Waldo Canyon will do just as well for some sightseeing. 

     For our family, the fall season also means we gather on Saturdays at the Briargate YMCA fields to watch our son play soccer. The back drop of the mountains still mesmerizes me after five years of living here and the snow-cap on Pikes Peak a reminder that for us, climbing 14ers is over for the year but the holidays are almost upon us.

     Heading into the holidays, I try to take a deep breath and not get too rushed so that we can savor it instead of getting sucked into the commercialism of it all. I am already tempted to purchase pumpkins so we can have our Dunning pumpkin carving contest that is impossible for me to win due to the fact that I live with several artists. The kids find all the traditions magical still and I am reminded why I am thankful for the seasons and simplicity of life.

~Rebecca Dunning is an award winning writer who lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and three children. She not only loves to read and write but also enjoys hiking, climbing mountains 14,000 feet or higher, traveling the world and about anything else out-of-doors. Rebecca is also the author of two children's books: The Real-Life Princess and Beetle Hunter as well as her first novel, The Awen: Book One of the Sacred Oak Series. You can also find her ebook, Self-Publishing 101 on Amazon.

My New ebook, Self-Publishing 101

I am excited to announce my first “ebook available only” book, Self-Publishing 101 available on Amazon.com for $2.99. It is also available in every format known to man on Smashwords. In the last year, I’ve had numerous phone calls, email and requests to consult in the area of self-publishing. Since my time is limited and unfortunately it can’t be free to “pick my brain” (since I spent a lot of time, energy and money to learn what is in my brain) I decided to figuratively put pen to paper and create a comprehensive book on self-publishing. I normally charge $40.00 an hour to consult on the same information in the book.

Happy Reading

~Rebecca

Here is the back cover copy: 

Award winning writer, Rebecca Dunning leads you step by step into the world of self-publishing; including how to know if writing is a hobby or career, where to begin, building a successful brand and how to market your writing. Self-Publishing 101 will guide you through a check list of what to do and how to do it. Topics included also cover: finding a printer/distributor, funding your book, getting an author/book signing, creating marketing materials, utilizing social media, how to write a press release and much more. Rebecca also includes 3 free bonus chapters of her latest novel, The Awen: Book One of the Sacred Oak Series.

Here is a sampling of chapters:

Table of Contents

Preface

Self-Publishing 101:  Self-Publishing is the New Black

Self-Publishing 101:  Hobby or Career?

Self-Publishing 101: Giving your Book a Business Plan

Self-Publishing 101: Getting Your Business Started!

Self-Publishing 101: Finding your Printer/Distributor

Self-Publishing 101: Setting your Book’s Price

Self-Publishing 101: Getting Book Reviews and Recommendations

Self-Publishing 101: Brand Yourself-Creating A Successful Platform

Self Publishing 101: How to Begin to Self-Fund Your Book

Self-Publishing 101: Your Book Launch Party

Self-Publishing 101: Creating Marketing Materials

Self-Publishing 101: How to Get a Book Signing

Self-Publishing 101:  What to DO and NOT DO at an Author Signing

Self-Publishing 101 Part 4:  How the Author Writes a Press Release

Self-Publishing 101: Continuing To Get Your Name Out there

Self-Publishing 101: Conclusion

Please give the book a "like" on the Amazon page and spread the word. I would also appreciate it if you would write a review should you find the material helpful.

Thanks so much!

Team Abolition Summits Mount Bierstadt: Raising Awareness about Human Trafficking

It’s inevitable that we’re stopped as we climb Colorado’s 14ers and wear our red “Abolitionist jerseys.” Some ask us questions about human trafficking, while others say, “I like your shirt.” This always is an opening for one of us from Team Abolition to ask what they know about the trafficking of human beings throughout the globe. Many times our team finds other followers of Jesus wanting to know where they can get involved. Some, believers or not, are already involved and we swap information about upcoming events, documentaries or ways to get the news out.

Regardless, it never ceases to amaze me the amount of networking that takes place in the midst of a strenuous climb up or on the precarious descent down one of the 54 mountains over 14,000 feet in Colorado.

This last Sunday five of us gathered at 4:30 am (You want to summit around noon as storms can arrive in an instant. With no trees you are the tallest thing on the mountain thus making you an excellent lightning rod) and drove the 120 minutes past Idaho Springs to arrive at the trailhead of Mount Bierstadt, which soars a glorious 14,060 feet above the most stunning beauty I have ever seen (though the same could be said for the top of any of the mountains I’ve ever been on.)

Being a level 2 (out of 5) we know that there will be a bit of scrambling at the top, so we are all prepared with gloves for handling the rocks. The trail begins above tree line, meaning we begin our climb where “the air is already thin.” The hike itself has a 2,850 feet elevation gain and is 7 miles in length. All that to say, it is one of the easiest 14ers in Colorado, though each has its own set of challenges and should be respected.

On this climb we ran into a group and swapped information so they could join us for The Justice Run (www.thejusticerun.org) in Littleton, Colorado on Sunday, September 25 beginning at 9am. Team Abolition is showing up in force to run in the 5 and 10k races, which benefit The Justice Project, which focuses on the restoration of victims of human trafficking.

______

Team Abolition raises both awareness and funds through sponsorship for Just24, the justice initiative of 24-7prayer. Freedom Chiropractic and Artisan Decorative Finishes are the main sponsors of the group.

____

Facts on Human Trafficking per HumanRightsTeam.org

*Trafficking is estimated to be a $7 billion dollar annual business.

* Traffickers recruit women and children through deceptive means including falsified employment advertisements for domestic workers, waitresses and other low-skilled work.

* Victims of trafficking are later used to traffic other women and children.

Please join us in prayer for the victims of this horrible trade

Father, we ask for your mercy in regards to this horrendous trade. We ask that you would reach your hand in and not only save but also restore those affected by human trafficking. Amen

~Thanks for reading,

Rebecca

Rebecca Dunning is an award winning writer who lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband and three children. She not only loves to read and write but also enjoys hiking, climbing mountains 14,000 feet or higher, traveling the world and about anything else out-of-doors. Ms. Dunning is a regular contributor to The Gazette, Pikes Peak Parent and FreshInk. Rebecca is also the author of two children's books: The Real-Life Princess and Beetle Hunter as well as her first novel, The Awen: Book One of the Sacred Oak Series.

A Message from the Death of Gian-Luc Jordan: Savor Your Loved Ones

The news coverage of Gian-Luc “Luca” Jordan, the 12 year old boy who died by playing the “choking game” has been widespread on the news in Colorado Springs in the last several weeks. Many have touched on the dangers of playing this “game” which I have appreciated as I believe bringing awareness to this phenomenon (800-1,000 kids in the US alone die each year) is essential. I commend his parents for being open about the details of their loss and for donating his organs to give life to others. 

However, I desire to honor Luca, who was a star athlete, academic and general all round extraordinary young man by writing about what his life and death have done in my family. My daughter Zoe attends Mountain Ridge where Gian-Luc was a student and came home devastated by the news. After finding her in tears several times we discussed not only his death and prayed for his family but decided to attend his memorial service.

The packed service was held at New Life Church and was a true celebration of his life. Friends, family, coaches and teachers shed tears and also made those gathered laugh at the hilarious stories of Luca. It may be unusual to say about such a young man but Gian-Luc left a legacy behind; one of excellence, kindness, joy, service to his community and general determination.

Having had countless conversations about life and death and the effects of his death on his family with my daughter, I can see that she and I have both changed. She tells everyone in our family regularly that she loves us, is happily more helpful around the house and has an overall different outlook on life. As for me; I find myself savoring my children and their many needs and wants more. I am taking more time to stop and look them in the eyes, answer their questions more intently and snapping more pictures of them. I have been pondering these days what I want people to be able to say about the impact of my life at my memorial service and who my husband and I are shaping our children to be. As a family we’re praying together more, laughing more and thinking about what really matters in life.

The Jordan family continues to be in our prayers everyday as Zoe and I drive to school. As I drop her off I ache at the thought that there is one less car pulling in to the parking lot. 

Please continue to remember the family in prayer and honor Gian-Luc by holding your loved ones close and living every day to its fullest.

RIP Luca!

Please considering helping the Jordan family with their medical expenses by purchasing a LucaStrong