the Window to My Soul by Tannia Ortiz-Lopes

The Window to my soul, My Walk with Jesus, is a remarkable and unique book of inspirational poetic prayers and meditations. The book is the author’s profession of her love for Jesus and of thanks to God for the many gifts and talents that He has given her. It also expresses her deep gratitude for God's sending His only begotten Son to die for her sins and allowing her and many more to find peace in Christ and an open door back to heaven. It is a total surrender to the teachings and guidance of the Holy Spirit during the study of the Scriptures. These poetic prayers and reflections are the author's way of pouring out her heart and soul while meditating on God's Word and the marvellous daily miracles in her life.

In March 2006, the book was voted “Best Poetry Book” by www.christianstoryteller.com

The book can be purchased directly from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com, or from Amazon.




An Interview With Tannia:

Why did you write this book?

In 2003 I had a very vivid dream in which I was confronted with two realities: I was unprepared to die and the thought of this lack of preparation frightened me to my bones. In order to check my self-worth and seek some internal peace, I attended a silent spiritual retreat. Those who know me well always laugh at this, because I talk even on my sleep. The attendees were only allowed to speak during our evening meals. In one of those evenings, I shared two of my poems with another woman. She commented I should consider publishing them. The next day I asked my assigned spiritual director at the retreat house and she told me the same thing. The next week when I met with Fr. Bill, my permanent spiritual director, he shared the sentiment of those two persons. So I looked up at heaven and said: ''Ok, God. I got the message. You want me to publish them.'' On July 2004 my book, The Window to my Soul; My walk with Jesus was published by Tate Publishing.

What is your favorite part of it?

This question is hard to answer. The book is divided in four sections: A New Beginning, Walking a Mile with Job and then some... (Job 1-17), Reflections while walking with God and Jesus, and Through the Darkness. Each section is a reflection of my spiritual growth, my doubts, my victories, praises, and thanksgiving for God's blessings in my life. However, if I have to pick one poem, then I would choose: ''Who am I?'' This poem is the summary of my trials and triumphs. It is also the poem that most readers seem to identify themselves with. It is a poem that applies to all of us because it ponders over the never answered question, ''Who am I?''

What was hardest to write about it?

The hardest was the selection of the reflections and poems for the book and their edits. Some poems were very hard to reread and to write since they brought back those emotions that inspired them. Some of them were praises and joy for God's blessings in my life. Others had a darker tone since they echoed my uncertainty about God's will to my life. My calling was strong and my overwhelming respond to Jesus is still very vivid in my memory. I wondered in the wilderness for 40 years and then one day Jesus said: ''Enough! This one is coming back to the flock.'' He wanted to call my attention and he did in a very effective way. He used His tough love strategy and it worked! I am just glad that He never gave up on me.

What do you hope readers get from it?

It is my hope and desire that the reader gets a better better understanding of Jesus' unconditional love for each one of us. He is watching over us and waits patiently for us to come to His tender, loving arms to rest. All meditations, reflections, and poems are written in a very personal and intimate tone. The reader will be able to see through the window to my soul; my walk with Jesus. Most of the comments I have heard are: ''I was unable to put it down.'' ''I keep it at my night table and read it before I go to bed.'' ''Every time I read it, I get a new meaning to the reflection I read.'' I considered those comments from different readers very encouraging. Most of the readers who have been touched by my book are women. However, a couple of men have also commented on the depth of its message.

What's next for you?

I am currently working with the Spanish version of this book. This time, I chose the print-on-demand (POD) provider, Pleasant Word, to produce the book. I am very pleased with my choice. The Spanish title is El Espejo de mi Alma. This book will be published with my name and not the pen name of Mary Magdalene used for the English publication. In addition to writing inspirational poetry and meditations, I also write book reviews for www.catholicfiction.net and I recently joined the Thomas Nelson's book review blogers program.

However, my most ambitious project is the writing of a book in German regarding WWII. The book is based on eye witnesses account of Germans who survived the war and their experiences during that dark time in Germany's history. This book is scheduled for publication in 2012, if it is God's will.

Abiding Hope and Love by Connie Arnold

This poetry collection is filled with optimism, revealing hope and love that may be found throughout life. Included are poems about hope, love, children, music, the Bible and nature. Life is filled with difficulties and trials, and finding hope and love can help you overcome these problems and find peace in your life.



Interview With Connie Arnold:

Why did you write this book?

My first book, Beautiful Moments of Joy and Peace, has been so well received, and hearing from so many how much the poems have helped them encouraged me to continue writing as the inspiration continued to flow. Abiding Hope and Love was written to uplift and encourage others through all circumstances of life. These poems express the hope, comfort and peace that I have discovered through difficult times. Some challenges I face in my life come from having lupus and fibromyalgia with resulting pain, fatigue, weakness, and various other problems. Everyone has challenges to face, pain, suffering, sorrow or other difficulties, and these poems share the great source of hope and love to bring joy into our lives.

What was your favorite part?

The section of poems about children was probably my favorite. I have three small grandsons, and they give me so much joy! All children are such special blessings and miracles of love. In fact, one poem in this section is titled “A Tiny Miracle.”

What was hardest to write?

That’s a good question! The poems of hope and love seemed to flow fairly effortlessly, and the ones about children, music and nature are things which bring me great delight. I guess the ones based on the Bible were the hardest because of the importance of the words of scripture. Trying to capture what a great treasure the Bible is, the joy and praise from Psalms, the story of creation, a couple of parables and some of the names for Jesus and their meaning required much prayerful reading and meditating.

What do you hope folks get from reading your book?

Hope is one thing that is offered through the poems, and feelings of joy, peace, beauty and love. I hope that readers will find, as the title poem says:

When troubles and trials of life
Like winds are howling around,
A place that is quiet and sheltered
Is what needs to be found.

As in the hurricane’s eye
The destructive winds cease,
So also within the soul
Is a haven of calm and peace.

When the winds of fear and hatred
Rage and roar along their course,
Through prayer their strength is weakened,
As faith subdues their force.

There’s a safe, secure retreat,
A place down deep inside,
The center of life’s storms,
Where hope and love abide.

Abiding Hope and Love by Connie Arnold

What's next for you?

Two more inspirational poetry collections are in the works, one with the subjects of compassion and grace, and the other poems of the seasons and different holidays. I have also written children’s books that were to be published last year but due to complications are still awaiting publication. I am hoping these books will be available for my grandchildren and many other young children in the near future.

Poetic Musings Of an Old, Fat Man by Harry E. Gilleland

Within its 172 pages, Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man contains a large sampling of Harry E. Gilleland's poetry, including storoems (rhyming story poems), limericks, acrostic poems, and free verse poems. This collection offers hours of enjoyment as it makes the reader think, feel, and ponder life. The next poem may make the reader laugh or perhaps will bring a tear to the eye. The various subjects addressed will both surprise and delight. This is a collection both to own and to give as a gift, as it will surely be read and re-read. It continues in the footsteps of Harry Gilleland's previous two published poetry collections. Poetic Musings of an Old, Fat Man has received numerous 5-star reviews praising its poetic merit. Its everyday topics and looks at life make it enjoyable even to readers who normally don't read poetry.

Leran more at http://harrygillelandwrites.blogspot.com.

SpiritChili, Recipes For Life by Tony Haynes

Tony Haynes a/k/a “The World’s Greatest Poet,” brings you SpiritChili, Recipes For Life. This is the most profound book of its kind. With SpiritChili, Haynes uses acrostic poetry as his tool to deliver an additional spiritual insight within each body of work. He offers a more scenic trip down the road towards enlightenment. SpiritChili is a thick, rich, warm & spicy stew created to feed you spiritually.

Over the last 27 years, Tony has been a songwriter, music publisher, record producer and author. His songs have been recorded on over 200 albums, selling in excess of 70 million copies worldwide. He’s written 34 children’s books based on Warner Bros Characters.

Tony says “this transition into writing from a more spiritual perspective has enabled me to dig deeper within myself and tap into a higher source of inspiration. For me, touching the heart & soul is what it’s all about.”

SpiritChili, Recipes For Life has its own social network (see www.spiritchili.ning.com). In this environment, people from all over the world, different faiths and walks of life can interact and share ideas and sample additional recipes for life spiritually, in the form of food for thought, through SpiritChili, brought to you by Tony Haynes.

SpiritChili, Recipes For Life will touch you spiritually. It's a quick and easy read that stays with you for a lifetime.

For additional information, visit www.myspace.com/tonyhaynes, www.spiritchili.com or www.spiritchili.ning.com.

Abiding Hope and Love by Connie Arnold

Abiding Hope and Love is a collection of inspirational poetry divided into six sections that focus on hope, love, children, music, the Bible and nature. These poems offer hope, love and encouragement in facing the difficulties of life.

SAMPLE POEM:

When troubles and trials of life
Like winds are howling around,
A place that is quiet and sheltered
Is what needs to be found.

As in the hurricaneʼs eye
The destructive winds cease,
So also within the soul
Is a haven of calm and peace.

When the winds of fear and hatred
Rage and roar along their course,
Through prayer their strength is weakened,
As faith subdues their force.

Thereʼs a safe, secure retreat,
A place down deep inside,
The center of lifeʼs storms,
Where hope and love abide.

Order at http://www.freewebs.com/conniearnold/

Holiday Writes by Betty Dobson

An eclectic mix of essays, poetry, and fiction celebrating the many holidays celebrated around the world and throughout the year.

Order at Lulu.com.

Blessing Tour: Poet Stephen Todd Jones

Hi, folks,

Today, VBTdeNet is doing something a little different. A writer friend, Karen McSpadden is arranging a "blessing tour" for Stephen Todd Jones. She writes this about him and his poetry:

Stephen Todd Jones is a writer and poet from Virginia Beach, Virginia. While a sophomore at Liberty University, he sustained injuries in a car crash that left him in a wheelchair, and this perspective forms the basis for much of his writing. Through his poetry, he gives us a window into his world and his faith.

Stephen, I can hardly imagine what you must go through, but I do know there must be periods when you are frustrated and discouraged and ready to give up. In those times, call on your faith. God is with you, and He has a purpose for you. You may not feel it's true, but you are an inspiration, both in your struggle to do all you can despite the prison of your body and in the way your soul continues to soar free of that prison through your beautiful poems. I pray for your healing, but most of all, I pray that you are sustained in your struggles and that you do not forget taht you are loved and admired.
Please remember Stephen, both in your prayers today and when things seem too difficult for you in your own endeavors.

Some of My Dreams
by Stephen Todd Jones

Some of my dreams have had to
Alter beyond any doubt
As happenings necessitated change
Along this daily route.

Dreams of great “success” here in
Certain fields is out of
The questions, because of limitations
Brought on-- I still love!

Other fields are beyond my ability,
But if one is hurting here,
I am most willing and as able,
In time of need, to draw near.

Why Not Internally?
by Stephen Todd Jones

Why do you not peer inside yourself,
Revealing what you see in review
As relates to the simple, yet complex
Matter that indeed is you;
Why do you not evaluate your own self
In light of that true indeed here
In order to best prognosticate what
Lies in an eventual year?

You may not like what you see inside,
Turning your gaze that way.
Oh, is that the reason behind avoidance
Of looking inside? Okay...
I see your reasoning though avoiding
That makes no less sure
The demons and devils, residing within,
As more than conjecture.

How They Are!
by Stephen Todd Jones

Things are how they are
In shades life gives it;
However things prove to be,
It's live-- live it!

Pretend, if you must do so
In order to feign the
Happiness foreign for now
Until it's reality.

Nobody wants to hear how
Life turned sour
For, to make it turn out is
Beyond their power, ----

And they have their share of
Troubles their own
To face also unaided daily
When they feel alone.

Companion of The Word
by Stephen Todd Jones

Words are constant companions
When nobody is around
Since various degrees of solace
In those here are found.

Sometimes not enough are they,
Having no flesh or bone
Though, in all honesty, they have
A substance all their own.

The letters, once here combined,
Compose skeletal formation
As of living and thriving humans
For our God-willed duration.

Words have a longer duration for
They can be recorded that
Later generations may share in the
Wisdom of one then at.

The Word is my Companion even
Though others will fade
Over the expanse of history years
If written or even said.


If Seen As God Sees
by Stephen Todd Jones

If I were transparent,
What would people see
Of which God is aware
Deep inside of me?

What blemish would
Appear-- before unseen--
If others saw, as God,
a panoramic scene?

Would some loving here
Draw back in disgust
If they knew, as God does,
Every deed and lust?

I am glad He is patient,
Loving and forgiving
When I come unto Him;
Sin is part of living,
Unfortunately.

I see the wickedness when
I honestly do inspection
To see what should not be
So on an introspection.

Who I Am Before
by Stephen Todd Jones

I must know who I
Am before
I can hope to be known
By one for---

If I am not aware
How can I
Expect others to distinguish
This guy?
(cont.)
I can not realistically
Hope for such
If I fail to really know,
Being out of touch

With reality. Reality, some say,
Is overrated here,
But we all need to dwell in
An actual sphere.

Why Sorrow Over
by Stephen Todd Jones

Why sorrow over
That had not
For the same is a
Heavy thought?

Why not enumerate
All here had
Rather than accounting
For those bad?

In content, do you
Not strive to
Obtain that reserved,
It seems, for few?

Or is content a state
Where you are
Never seeking that
From way afar?

Is dreaming wrong to
Do here when
You are dissatisfied in the
State you are in?

Are we not to seek to
Improve our lot,
Or as the fatalist here,
Are we not?

God, reveal to me the
Answer to those,
Or is there a definite
As I here suppose?
We Dream Still

Only some dreams
Are God's will
For us to obtain here;
We dream still.

Some are contrary to
His loving fill
Of events for our life.
We dream still.

Some are meant to be
Ours though until
Comes the proper moment,
We dream still.

Some of our dreams
God will not fulfill
For He knows better than we;
We dream still.

We think we know better
From our clouded sill,
Facing what we see dimly;
We dream still.

Through a glass darkly,
We see and we will
What may be impossible;
We dream still.

God, may dreams sifted
Be like wheat until
Chaff is winnowed out;
We dream still.