Posts Tagged ‘author’

Five Things about Randy Blankenship, Sr., of “The Mystery and the Masterpiece”

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Learn more about your favorite Ambassador authors with our “Five Things” series. Randy Blankenship, Sr. is the author of “The Mystery and the Masterpiece,” an encouraging and convicting study of marriage and relationships.  Here are Randy’s “five things”:

New_Life_Staff_2015-108I am married to a triplet. This is my claim to fame. My wife comes from a very large family in our area. When she was born, triplets at the time were like sextuplets today. On her first birthday, people sent her pictures from a newspaper article featuring her and her sisters in the Los Angeles Times. For years they were featured as children in local fashion shows, school programs, etc. Everyone knows “The Fivecoate Triplets.” For a number of years they travelled and sang in ministry as “One in the Spirit.” And yes, on one occasion for each sister-in-law, I happened to put my arm around the wrong one! 

I am a Floridian living on the mission field in Indiana. When I was 2 years old, my parents moved me from Florida to Indiana. I suppose my dad did need work, but I’m still not sure I’ve forgiven them for this momentous life-changing event. However, like the salmon swimming upstream, I still have to return to the place of my birth at least once a year. As I type this, I have returned for my annual trek to Florida. The Mystery and the Masterpiece

I began formally teaching the Bible at age 15. Shortly after I felt led to full-time ministry, I had the opportunity to accept a number of speaking engagements at a very young age. By the time I graduated high school at age 17, I had already ministered in a number of special events over much of Northern Indiana.  I am now in the fifth generation in my family to be in ministry. 

The call to full-time vocational ministry is not hereditary, but God often leads families through generations. Now we have ministers serving in various capacities all over the world. My children are in the sixth generation, and they are all also involved in devoting their lives to ministry. 

Still single, at the age of 20, I planted a church in Ohio. After 4 1/2 years, felt led to pursue foreign missionary work, and met my wife on the way. We were in the Philippines in time for our first wedding anniversary. After returning, we planted a church together in Indianapolis before leading a state-wide church planting ministry, then returning to our hometown to pastor. 

I wanted to be a dentist. Hearing my parents regularly discuss the high price of dental care, I figured becoming a dentist would be a profitable occupation. I had my entire college and career life planned out, until I felt the direction of the Lord to pursue ministry . . . well, at least I didn’t have to take calculus, trigonometry, analytic geometry, chemistry, physics, etc. 

I met Ronald Reagan. In September of 1980, two months before being elected president, Ronald Reagan visited Kokomo, Indiana, which had been adversely affected in the automobile industry. I had the opportunity to shake his hand. I’m not saying that had anything to do with his election . . . but there is no way of knowing what might have happened had that encounter not occurred! 

Five Things About Author Rosie Williams

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Learn more about your favorite Ambassador authors with our “Five Things” series. Author Rosie Williams wrote the introspective devotional Repurposed Faith. Here are Rosie’s five things:

I once worked at the state fire marshal’s office, overseeing a program aimed at reducing juvenile firesetting. Having three little boys at the time and a husband who is a self-proclaimed fire bug, made doing my job interesting and challenging. You see, one of these three little darlings of mine somehow got ahold of the matches and unbeknownst (is that really a word?) to me, would set little fires in the backyard to entertain his younger brothers. One day, the fire got away from them, and it was only after the fact that I learned how they used their jackets to put out the flames which were inching ever so close to our garage, filled with all kinds of flammable stuff. Needless to say, I didn’t last that long at that job!

 

I love vintage anything…especially if it is red. That is why my husband and I are restoring a 1974 camper that will be painted…you guessed it…red and white, complete with an “I Love Lucy” sign in the window. You see, I am trying to become a “glamper”, which is a combination of glamour and camper. Glampers like to sleep in the comfort of a restored vintage camper that reflects his/her style and taste. For example, instead of stirring up instant coffee, a glamper may come prepared to fix up an expresso. Instead of a sleeping bag, a glamper would want a comfortable mattress with a feather pillow and a pretty quilt. Just think Pinterest. I plan to take my pretty little camper with me when I do book signings. Just as my husband and I like to restore and repurpose things, God likes to restore and repurpose people which goes perfectly with the book I wrote, Repurposed Faith.

Repurposed Faith: Breathing New Life into Your Quiet Time - Rosie Williams

My parents owned the Christian Bookstore in our town. Because of my parents’ business, they had some unique opportunities. One year, back in the 50’s, my parents hosted Roy and Dale Rogers who came to the state fair to promote some of their books. I will never forget the wonder of meeting in person my Saturday morning heroes! Another time, Billy Graham and his team came to town. Mom invited them over to the house for pie and coffee. I always loved going to the Christian Booksellers Convention with my parents. Often, the local Youth for Christ leaders would load all of the teenagers on a bus and off we would go to do some sightseeing or attend a Christian concert. All of these things had a lasting impression on me and contributed to my dream of one day being an author.

 

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My high school debate classes paid off! I was in debate in high school and for a while in college. I guess I like arguing…I mean talking people into stuff, as in motivating them to action. Years ago, when I was working at a job as an eldercare case manager, a bill was introduced to our state legislature regarding a screening that would be required for people going into nursing homes. There were some things written into the bill, highly supported by one of the major universities in our state, that I disagreed with. I decided to lobby for the changes that I wanted to see. Turns out they actually listened to me and wrote my suggestions into the law. Now if I can only get that power of persuasion to work with my family members!

 

I have some family history with the Hallmark movie trilogy, Sarah, Plain and TallSarah, Plain and Tall was filmed in the same rural community outside of Osage City, Kansas that my mom was raised in. The church in the movie was the same one my mom attended growing up. My aunt and uncle lived down the road from the church when the movie was being filmed. They would often invite one of the stars, Glenn Close, and her family to stop by for lunch, coffee and pie. Sadly, a few years ago, the church burned down, but I have a replica of the Hallmark church that I display alongside a family picture of the church back in the 1920’s.

The Top 5 Best Places to Write

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Where is a location that makes the creative mind flow, where you can focus on the task at hand? We’ve all searched for our favorite places to do our work. And finding the perfect spot, away from distractions, but perhaps not completely isolated, tidy but not stark, warm but energetic, can seem daunting. Here are five of the best places to write.

Top5 places to write

A Place with a View

A peaceful and quiet setting, overlooking a scenic view – maybe a view of the city skyline, or the rolling waves of the beach. Somewhere that will soothe the soul, but at the same time allow yourself to delve into your creativity.

 

An Unused Room in the House

Of course, not everyone has spare bedrooms lying around, but if you have a guest room  that currently doesn’t have a friend sleeping in it, it  could become your new writing niche! Away from the  distractions of the rest of your house like a T.V, stocked  refrigerator, and more familiar surroundings, a room all  to yourself and your thoughts can really get those words  flowing. You can even tell the rest of the household that  once you pass those doors, the artistic mind is at work and mustn’t be disturbed! (Unless the house is burning down of course.)

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A Hotel Room

If staying at home is still to distracting, maybe going on a retreat to a nearby town (or some where more exotic!) and staying at a hotel for a few days will do the trick! A sparse hotel room, you, your computer, there is bound to be several pages that can be written in there. Plus, if you’re really feeling fancy, get a place with room service and get that ice cream sundae delivered! I hear sugar totally helps with writer’s block.

 

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A Café

Yes, a cliché. But for those who don’t work well in isolation and quiet, a café is really a great place to work. There are plenty of people passing through, coffee is always near by, and there is usually free Wi-Fi too! You can’t beat that.

*Fun fact – J.K Rowling apparently wrote Harry Potter in a café  called the Elephant House. Let’s hope there weren’t any real  elephants in there, or she must have really used magic to get her  work done.


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 The Library

You can’t forget about this gem! The library is a great place to write. It’s always cool and comfortable. It’s a perfect balance between isolation and public. There are people, but they are always (at least most of the time) mindful of being quiet, and you are surrounded by books! How can you not be inspired?

These are just some of our favorites, but anywhere that you are comfortable is a great writing place. We are all inspired by different things, and we all write in different ways. I’m sitting in a cubical as I write this! Find us on Facebook, or click here, and tell us your favorite places to write.

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5 Things About Author David Garcia

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Learn more about your favorite Ambassador authors with our “Five Things” series. Author David Garcia wrote the book Portrait of a Powerful Last-Day Christian, available now. Here are David’s “five things”:

We spent 9 years as full-time missionaries. From January, 1976-July, 1980, in the inner city of Bronx, New York (where Nellie and I were born and raised), working in an inner city church doing evangelism and discipleship. Also from July, 1980- November, 1984, in Zimbabwe, Africa, right after the government changed from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe. We were involved in church planting, evangelism, discipleship, and directed a bible school.

Portrait of a Powerful Last-Day ChristianWe have been pastoring Grace World Outreach Church, Brooksville, Florida for 26 years. This is a multi-ethnic and multi-generational church of 1,600+ people, with a strong emphasis on evangelism, missions, and discipleship.

I travel world-wide teaching in churches, leadership seminars, pastors schools. I especially have a passion for teaching teenagers and young adult singles on biblical romance and godly relationships. In addition, in the pastors schools I train pastors in Kigoma, Tanzania covering subjects that include Leadership, how to disciple new converts, marriage enrichment, authority over demonic powers, dealing with witch doctors, healing, and bible prophecy. I have a team from our church in the area who are reaching unreached people groups which include the Tongwe and Regwe people. In addition, I also minister in Mindinao, Philippines conducting evangelistic crusades, leadership training, and discipleship. I serve as an apostolic advisor to two organizations: one in Dipolog & the other in Pagadian City. The group in Dipolog is also reaching unreached people groups in the remote areas. In addition, Inhave a passion for the UK and have preached in churches in Hull, Wolverhampton, London, and Manchester. I have a conviction that since Britain planted the seeds of the Gospel in our country & is now post modern with less than 2% of the population saved, that as the US Cuvier j invests in the UK, revival will come to the US.

My wife Nellie and I are avid college football fans. Since she is a Florida State Seminole and I’m a Florida (Univ of Florida) Gator fan (both teams are state rivals!), football season is very interesting in our household and church!!!

I am an avid reader of history, especially military history. I have a large collection of war movies including the Civil War, World Wars 1, World War 2, and others. I firmly believe if we do not learn from the past, we are bound to repeat the same mistakes in the future.