Olympic Gold Medal-Winning Gymnast Gabrielle Douglas Pens New Book!!!

Hello World,  

When I first heard about Gabrielle Douglas this past summer during the Olympics in London, I was so proud of her as she is the first African-American woman to win the women’s all-around gold medal in gymnastics and first American to win both of the individual and team events at the same Olympics. And then when I realized that she is an unabashed Christian, my admiration for her grew, and I realized that I could likely learn a lot from this 16-year-old dynamo! Thankfully, Zondervan Books also believes Gabrielle Douglas has a lot to share about her faith in God and accomplishing her dreams through faith. Her debut memoir “Grace, Gold & Glory: My Leap of Faith,” through the Zondervan division of HarperCollins, is coming to bookstores nationwide on Tuesday, December 4.

Here is Gabrielle talking about the book…

From PRNewsire –

“Even before I competed in the Olympics, I always wanted to write a book,” says Douglas. “Of course, there’ll be a lot of stories about gymnastics, but the book will also be about how much my family and I have overcome during our journey. It hasn’t been easy. I want people to read my story and say, ‘If Gabby can do it, I can do it, too. Anything is possible.'”

Grace, Gold & Glory, written in collaboration with Michelle Burford, contains a full-color poster and photo inserts, and provides a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Olympic fan favorite. In her memoir, Douglas reveals how her modest upbringing rooted in family and faith has shaped her into the young woman and role model she is today.

The youngest of four siblings, Douglas shares poignant, often humorous stories from her childhood as she talks candidly about the obstacles faced along her road toward the world gymnastics stage. Grace, Gold & Glory offers a firsthand look into the intense training and sacrifice required of this elite athlete and uncovers personal truths for Douglas, such as the bullying and racism she endured as an African-American gymnast, her heartache, isolation, and homesickness, as well as multiple injuries – all of which led Douglas to consider leaving gymnastics forever only seven months before the London Olympics. Douglas also opens up for the first time about her father’s role in her life.

Her memoir serves as an intricate road map from birth to Douglas’ historical journey to London and the numerous  prayers, meditations, and Bible verses that helped her stay strong along the way. The autobiography also reveals some of Douglas’ favorite moments post-Olympics, including the many celebrities she’s met and a guest role on her all-time favorite TV series.

“With strong faith in God and some serious determination, every dream is possible,” says Douglas. “I hope this book inspires others to go for their biggest dreams.

You can pre-order the book Grace, Gold, and Glory: My Leap of Faith at Amazon. The book is also available for pre-order at Barnes & Noble.
Any thoughts?

He’s a Healer: Man With Stage 4 Cancer is Healed While Restoring a Church…

Hello World,

From the Lonsdale Area News- Review

As we start the week of Thanksgiving, I know one man who definitely has to be thankful for God’s blessings…Greg Thomas of Montgomery, Minnesota…

In today’s times, sadly, it seems that a cancer diagnosis – from breast cancer to prostate cancer – has become more and more commonplace…But I still do believe that God is willing to heal sickness although some may not be healed this side of Heaven…

Obviously, God still has a plan for Thomas this side of Heaven…When Thomas was diagnosed with Stage 4 head and neck cancer in 2009, his family was told to start planning his funeral, according to KSEE 24 News. As he was left go from his job shortly afterward, Thomas had plenty of time to reflect on his life and began taking long walks out in his rural community. He finally came upon an abandoned, dilapidated church built in 1868 by Czech settlers.  As the doors to the church were locked, Thomas began praying on the front steps of the church. Over time, he realized that he would like to restore the old church that had not been used in over a 100 years.

After securing permission, Thomas painstakingly worked to restore the church in spite of the cancer treatments ravaging his body. Three years later, the church is now beautiful again and has even been used for a wedding and featured in the movie “Memorial Day,” according to an article in the Lonsdale Area News-Review. Thomas has been restored too…His cancer is now  in remission….You can read the whole story at southernminn.com and ksee24.com.

What do you need healing from today? Maybe Thomas’ story will give you the insight you need to get your healing…

Below is a video of his story…What a testimony!

Any thoughts?

Fourteen Formerly ‘Shacked Up’ Couples Marry at the Same Time…

Hello World,

I love a good love story, and when it ends in a beautiful wedding, what is better than that?! Well, multiply one good love story that ends in a beautiful wedding by 14, and you have what happened at Concord Church in Dallas, Texas this past Sunday. According to WFAA.com, 90 days ago Concord Pastor Bryan L. Carter invited 14 couples in his congregation who were living together to get married at the church’s expense.  The church paid for the cost of the joint ceremony including the rings, dresses, tuxedos, reception costs, etc. along with 10 weeks of marriage counseling.

Pastor Carter told WFAA, “Our goal was to remove every barrier that was in place: Financially… timing…. all of that.”

Would you participate in a joint wedding ceremony if all the expenses were paid? Do you think more churches should sponsor similar joint ceremonies? Or do you think churches should stay out of grown people’s business?

Any thoughts?

Check out the story and video by clicking on this link…