How Do Americans Celebrate the Fourth of July?

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Raise the American flag! Proudly display the red, white, and blue! Breathe in patriotism! Thank God for our nation! America’s 248th birthday hails as a spectacular event for the entire country. America’s 248th birthday is a spectacular event celebrated across the entire country. No matter where you live in the United States—from Alaska and Hawaii to …

Story Souls: The Magic of Characters

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills I believe stories have souls that breathe immortality into a reader’s life. An unforgettable story steps beyond “Once upon a time” to a kingdom that captures the heart of a reader forever. Not every story has that golden world, and not every reader experiences the same soul-grabbing story. What lingers as a memorable novel for me …

Entrusting Our Pain to a Good God

DiAnnMills @DiAnnMills By Dr. Michelle Bengtson @DrMBengtson Jesus warned that while we live on earth, we will experience pain, suffering, trials, and tribulations. In my own life, and in the lives of most of my patients coming to see me as a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, I’ve seen how words, events, and actions wound our heart. If left untreated, they often …

Loki and Roy—Best Friends

DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Guest Post by Curt Iles @CurtIles Loki and Roy—Best Friends I stood on the sidewalk outside Tamp and Grind Coffee, waiting for our weekly, homeless Bible study to begin. That’s when I saw Roy. His face was a mask of pain, and his puffy eyes were ample testimony that he’d been crying. Roy’s countenance and body language …

When Our Emotions Reach Flood-Level

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills We’ve all experienced overwhelming emotions when life’s happenings make us feel like we’re drowning in flood-level pressure, responsibilities, and daily challenges. The urge to give up and let the sea sweep us away tempts us. Too often, we forget that channeled stress helps us effectively problem-solve and meet deadlines. We can learn to swim to higher …

Quotes to Tickle Your Funny Bone

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Laughter is the best medicine. Scientists have proven that those who laugh are healthier and happier. I’m a quote-addict, so for this week’s blog post, I’m listing, in no particular order, quotes that make me smile. I hope they tickle your funny bone! “The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces.” Will Rogers …

Zacchaeus Climbed Out On a Limb

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills How far are you willing to extend yourself to achieve a goal? Are you aware of the sacrifices that partner with the rewards of working hard to reach a dream? Do you ever wonder if you’re all alone in your pursuit of satisfaction? Has anyone ever posed those questions to you? If not, let me give …

Short Story: Grandpa—A Retired PI

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills And now for something different: In the fast-paced world of Houston, a retired private investigator named Larry is ready to welcome his grandson, Greer, for the summer. But their reunion quickly turns into a high-stakes adventure when Larry discovers Greer’s life may be in danger due to his mother’s dangerous choices. As Larry reconnects with his past …

BookBub – A Reader’s and a Writer’s Best Book Friend

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills BookBub invites readers and writers to a party where both indulge in the joy of books. Readers look for recommendations in their favorite genre, and writers not only encourage the reader to explore their books but recommend other writers’ books. It’s like playing pin-the-tail on your favorite read. Everyone wins. Reader-Focused Features Find your favorite author …

Stress – The Truth Not a Myth!

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Most of us have preconceived ideas about stress. Some of our conclusions are valid, and others are myths. Let’s look at what stress is according to professionals, what stress isn’t, and how we can protect ourselves from debilitating damage to our bodies. I once believed that stress got blamed for all the medical problems that it …