Monday, September 27, 2010

Blog Tour for Between A Rock And A Grace Place

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vo9BaL4p-xc&feature=playerembedded#!

The above link is a preview of Carol's book. Click on it and it will take you to youtube.

The links below are additional ways that you can win a copy of Carol's book Between A Rock And A Grace Place.

http://christianspeakerservices1.wordpress.com/blog/

http://www.facebook.com/CSSVBT.CarolKent.BetweenaRockandaGracePlace


Questions/Answers from Carol Kent

Tell us about the Christmas gift you received. How did it help you to find grace in the middle of a seemingly hopeless situation?

Two weeks before Christmas our doorbell rang at 9:15 p.m. It was dark outside and by the time my husband, Gene, joined me at the front door, we were surprised to find no one there. It was already dark, but my eyes fell on a large, exquisitely wrapped gift. The card on top said, “Mom.” Initially, it felt like a bad joke. Nine years earlier our son, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy had been arrested for murdering his wife’s first husband and he was in prison serving a life-without-the-possibility-of-parole sentence.

However, I am a “Mom” and the package was left on my doorstep, so I opened it. The note appeared to be in my son’s unique handwriting. The note expressed his deep love for me and his gratefulness for what I had done to help him since his arrest. He said a “friend” had helped him deliver the surprise. Opening the box, I discovered a gorgeous russet-colored silk jacket—and it fit me perfectly.

That night I discovered something new about God and something I had forgotten about myself. He loves to interject divine surprises into our lives. His timing is always perfect, but it had been a while since I had been surprised by joy, wonder, and grace in the middle of one of the tight spots of life.

What are “grace places,” and how can hurting people in need find them?

All of us experience tight spots when life turns out differently from our dream. When we face the overwhelming obstacles of life, we can experience the last thing we ever expect—the sweet spot of grace. Grace places have a variety of forms, but some include:

  • Receiving love when we don’t deserve it
  • Finding safety in the middle of a fearful and uncertain experience
  • Being comforted by friends and family (people who are extensions of God’s love)
  • Experiencing the embrace of God when we have run out of strength and courage

“Grace means the free, unmerited, unexpected love of God, and all the benefits, delights, and comforts which flow from it.” (R.P.C. Hanson)

How important are contentment and gratitude in finding grace and peace?

My son, Jason, is teaching me that I need to choose contentment and thanksgiving in all things. As an inmate in a maximum-security prison, all of his personal items must fit in one small one-foot-high and one-and a half-feet-deep and two-and-a half feet long steel lockbox. He has learned to live comfortably with very little, which brings him a surprising sense of peace.

When I was visiting him one weekend I asked how he holds on to hope in the middle of a life-without-the-possibility-of-parole sentence. He said, “Mom, I have a gratitude list. Whenever the clouds of depression try to discouragement, I get out a piece of paper and write down everything I have to be thankful for. I’m thankful I have two parents who will be my advocates for as long as they live. The average number of years a lifer gets visits is five years and then no one comes anymore. I’m also thankful I can be a missionary on a compound that houses up to 1,700 men.” I’m learning from Jason that I find contentment when I choose to be thankful and when I invest my time in helping other people.

What are some unexpected gestures of kindness you’ve received in the past, and how did they help you through difficult times?

A couple of years ago Jason’s appendix ruptured and he was rushed from the prison to a civilian hospital. Gene and I were not allowed to know where he was and I prayed for someone to care for him as a mother would. He had two armed guards in his room at all times. Nurse Betty was assigned to Jason’s care. She treated him with respect and extraordinary care—and I knew she was a direct answer to my prayers.

A group of people who called themselves our “Stretcher Bearers” received an e-mailed monthly update on how to help with our needs. We were blessed with meals, cards, and financial gifts, often just before we needed extra funds for the next legal payment. These amazing people waited with us for two and a half years through seven postponements of the trial.

How has your definition of adventure changed over the years, and why is it important to retain adventure in your life, despite your situation?

True adventure is seeing the potential of living for things that matter in the middle of your current circumstances. We had the adventure of launching a nonprofit organization that helps to empower our son to facilitate classes by having books and DVD teaching series sent to the prison. We also have the adventure of reaching out to other people who are in crisis, which brings purpose and deep meaning to our lives.

There is a theme of surprise throughout the book. What is one of the greatest surprises you’ve had?

The powerful story of Tammy Wilson and Matthew Ben Rodriguez is in this book. Tammy contacted me after I spoke at an event she attended because my son is incarcerated in the same prison where Matt, the man who killed her mother thirteen years ago is incarcerated. She had been praying for someone to lead Matt to Christ and asked if Jason would try to meet him. It turned out that Jason and Matt were already friends and this amazing story is one of forgiveness, redemption, and restoration that can only be explained in the supernatural dimension.

Between a Rock and a Grace Place releases 10 years after your son, Jason, was sentenced to life in a maximum security prison and includes excerpts from Jason’s letters. Can you tell us how he’s doing now?

He has just taken his 8th group of men through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University Course and he will be facilitating a biblical counseling class on marriage and family this fall. He has a prayer group of twelve inmates who fast and pray for the needs of each other and their families. Prison is a depressing, dark, and sad place, but Jason is living for things that will outlast him.

When you received news about Jason’s clemency hearing being denied, how did you respond?

I wailed like a baby, sobbed, felt angry, hurt, and disappointed in God. Then we saw Jason a day after this devastating news. He was calm and very much at peace. He hugged me as I wept and said, “Mom, this case isn’t about having the best attorney or about having the favor of Florida’s top executive political leaders. If I am ever allowed to walk in freedom in this lifetime, it will be because God miraculously opened a door that was closed.” My son helps me to develop an eternal perspective and that day he comforted me.

What advice do you have for those who are stuck between a rock and a grace place?

In the middle of your own hurt reach out to someone else who needs help worse than you do. When you involve yourself in meeting the needs of others, you discover an unexpected freedom on the inside. Corrie ten Boom once said, “What did you do today that only a Christian would have done?”

As a result of your journey, you and your husband have founded the nonprofit organization Speak Up for Hope. What are the goals of the organization, and how can people get involved?

Our vision: To help inmates and their families adjust to their new normal.

Our mission: We exist to provide hope to inmates and their families through encouragement and resources.

Please go to www.speakupforhope.org for a list of practical ways individuals, churches, and organizations can help with specific projects. Our goal is to live out the truth of Prov. 31:8-9: “Speak up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the down-and-outers. Speak out for justice. Stand up for the poor and destitute!”

Where may we connect with you further or to purchase a copy of Between a Rock and a Grace Place?

I would love for you to visit my web site at www.CarolKent.org, browse through the various events and other resources available. You may also join me on my Facebook page, please click here.





Read an excerpt of the book now

Between a Rock and a Grace Place by Carol Kent (Zondervan)

From bestselling author Carol Kent comes a riveting journey of facing the impassible obstacles of life and discovering the last thing ever expected—the sweet spot of grace.

Carol Kent and her husband, Gene, are now living what some would call a heartbreaking life—their son, Jason, a young man who initially had so much promise, is now living out a life sentence for murder in a maximum security prison. All their appeals have been exhausted at both the state and federal levels—humanly speaking, they have run out of options. But despite their hopeless situation, Carol and her husband live a life full of grace. Kent reveals how life’s problems become fruitful affliction where we discover the very best divine surprises, including peace, compassion, freedom, and adventure. Through the Kent’s remarkable ongoing journey, Jason’s riveting letters from behind bars, and true “grace place” stories from the lives of others, Between a Rock and a





Carol Kent

Grace Place reveals that when seemingly insurmountable challenges crash into our lives, we can be transformed as we discover God at work in ways we never imagined. With vulnerable openness, irrepressible hope, restored joy, and a sense of humor, Carol Kent helps readers to find God’s “grace places” in the middle of their worst moments.

About the Author

Carol Kent is the bestselling author of When I Lay My Isaac Down and A New Kind of Normal. Carol is an expert on public speaking, writing, and on encouraging people to hold on to hope when life’s circumstances turn out differently from their dreams. She lives in Florida with her husband Gene.

Carol Kent is a popular international public speaker best known for being dynamic, humorous, encouraging, and biblical. She is a former radio show co-host and has often been a guest on Focus on the Family and a featured speaker at Time Out for Women and Heritage Keepers arena events. She has spoken at The Praise Gathering for Believers and at Vision New England’s Congress. She is also a frequent speaker at Women of Virtue events across the country.


A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me as a blog tour host by Zondervan in exchange for posting this interview on my blog. Please visit Christian Speaker Services at www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com for more information about blog tour management services.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

What the past week brought



Happy Friday!

I just want to give you all a heads up on what has been happening, and what is in the near future.

We had the opportunity to visit our son, Micah in Virginia this past weekend. We were able to attend the Awakening Festival. Third Day was AMAZING! I have a picture I want to post, but I need to get it from Micah. We stayed in a beautiful resort while there Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg!

On the right where you can see the windows with the curtains moved are a couple of the rooms/suites where it looked like some of the bands were staying.

Below here are a couple other views of the pools! Beautiful!!!





















Here you can see me standing in front of the clubhouse.


Here you can see my very intellectual looking husband, Jeff. He loves to strike a pose for the camera!


I have received word from the self publisher in regard to publishing Through My Tears. The price that was quoted was far above my budget, so it appears that is not the direction God will have me take. Unless the money appears miraculously.

I just sent in a sample of the book to another publisher along with their submission guidelines, so now, it is just a waiting game. I will continue to work with Virelle Kidder on polishing my manuscript to sent to a literary agent. Perhaps that is the direction I need to go.


What the next week will bring:


Now, I want to let you all know that I will be hosting a review on Carol Kent's new book
Between A Rock and A Grace Place . on September 27 so be sure to check it out! I will also be holding a drawing to give away her book, so be sure to watch!

And make sure to follow directions for sign-up.

See you in a few days!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Another day to try again

It is Tuesday, and that means it is GriefShare day at NewPointe Community Church. Last week was the first week in the thirteen week cycle. However, it seems that we may be starting with session number one tonight. No one attended last weeks session, so we will begin again.

We are meeting in room 500 (Starting Pointe rooms) at 7 p.m. If you have not pre-registered it's OK. Just show up tonight and I'm good with that.

I know that there are MANY of you out there in the 'blogosphere' that are having a rough time getting over the death of a loved one. Sometimes we are so full of anger at God or anger even at the person that died that we don't allow ourselves to heal.

Yes, we have to heal and we can! I have seen people that are so fearful about something happening to another loved one that they imagine something bad happening and tend to 'suffocate' the person they love the most. Are you someone like that? Do you over-do your protection of a family member and make them fearful, or worse yet, push them away because of your constant fear of illness or death.

Stop that cycle now! Get help! God is NOT angry with you, or He is not upset that you are angry with Him. He is God after all. He loves you with an everlasting love. He cares that you are struggling. He cares that you need help.

Look for the nearest GriefShare opportunity. Go to www.griefshare.org and type in your zip code to find the nearest group to you. I cannot say enough positive about GriefShare. It has helped me, and thousand of other across this nation to face the need for grief recovery. This is a journey my friends, not something that will just go away. Psalm 23 says that we walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death... we don't stop in the middle of it, or walk around it or over it. To be whole again we must pass all the way through.

Think about it. Take action and begin your journey today. God is just waiting to walk through the valley with you along with the GriefShare group you meet with.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Things are looking up

I just want to give you all an update on the book. Many of you have asked time and again
"when is the book coming out?"
And I always have to answer
"I don't know"

Well friends, I will soon have an answer to that question! Yes, things have progressed to the point where I am talking to a Publisher at the Wooster Book Company. I have met with them one time, but have talked on the phone and many e-mails. The next step is soon to follow. I am hoping by the end of next week to have that answer for all of you, as well as for myself!!!

And so, as I have requested before and I continue to ask, please be praying for God's will in this and for His timing and for the finances needed.

I will keep you all posted as I find out anything.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

GriefShare radio broadcast

Awesome opportunity to share about the GriefShare program on two radio stations this morning.
The Light 95.9 fm WNPQ 10 a.m. M-F 95.1 Freedom FM see links on the left side of this blog.

Please tune in!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

New GriefShare cycle

Tonight marks the beginning of the new GriefShare cycle at NewPointe Community Church at 7 pm in room 500 (Starting Pointe room).

I have been facilitating GriefShare for four-and-half years, all year round. People need to know there is a safe place to go to share their grief. We follow the GriefShare curriculum, which is a Biblical based curriculum. Many funeral homes offer grief support, but it tends to be very generic. Of course those are VERY helpful, but GriefShare goes a bit deeper. It speaks to your heart and soul!

If you are interested in attending, please call the church office at 330-602-5600 to register, or come to the church tonight (Tuesday) and follow the signs. Don't let the size of the church frighten you away, yes it is big, but we typically have five to fifteen people in our classes. That is not an overwhelming number of people, and it is very helpful to know there are other people learning to live with the loss of a loved one!

The cost of the class is $12.00, (scholarships are available) which covers the cost of the workbook. If you have already attended a class, the book you already have is fine! We would welcome you to attend again.