Ladies and Gentlemen, May I Have Your Attention Please?

Nov4

All of us have probably heard that question many times, but does it really get your attention?

In this social media crazy world we live these days, everybody is vying for your attention to promote something: themselves, a product, a service, a cause, an agenda… the list goes on and on. Sometimes we feel exhausted just from the bombardment of information that never stops. May I encourage you today to stop, take a deep breath, and relax. Disconnect from distractions. Detox mentally and emotionally from things that don’t speak positively into your lives. We need to surround ourselves with people and things that bring us peace.

I Am Guilty

I’m an author, so I confess that I am guilty of vying for your attention as well. Of course I want you to read all my books and all my blog posts. It’s not for my vain glory, but because I think the Lord has gifted me with a storytelling ability that speaks positively into your lives. I began my authorhood journey in 2009 with the sole purpose of bringing honor and glory to God. That will never change.

With that being said, may I have your attention for a couple of quick announcements.

On May 19, 2022, I wrote this blog post: Thank You for Living Inside the Testimony With Me! to share the emotional day my book became an Amazon #1 bestseller. Since that time, I’ve been blessed to have two book trailers created to compliment the book. I’m posting both of them below for your viewing pleasure. The first one is the extended version, which is almost 2.5 minutes. Again, this goes back to vying for your time. Back in the day, we all had an extra 148 seconds to spare. What happened to us? Realizing many will not watch a video for that long, the second one below is the shorter version, which is only 52 seconds.

If you watched the book trailer and would like to have your name entered in a drawing for one of five complimentary Living Inside The Testimony (3rd edition) books that I’m giving away, leave a comment on this post. If more than 5 people comment, I will draw names a week from today. If less than 5 leave a comment, all commenters will receive a free book. It’s my way of saying thank you for reading this blog and for watching my book trailer. (Free books will ship the week of November 14th.)

Here’s what a book reviewer said about the book: I was delighted by this book; by the author, by the message, and by the way in which I was spoken to as an equal throughout. Author Betty Collier wisely avoids the pitfalls of a lot of religious literature by not trying to dispense ideology from a self-appointed position above the reader. Instead, she has written her story as one would speak to a friend or relative. The stories shared throughout the book are touching in nature, each one a personal anecdote shared with an admirable degree of openness to let the reader draw the parallels to their own life. The power of the text, however, comes from the insight the author shares in those stories, discussing how her faith elevated her even higher in moments of victory and saved her in moments of defeat. It is this insight that makes Living Inside The Testimony such an important read, and one that I recommend to all readers. ~ Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

I also have a new book coming before Christmas!

Dear John (The Birthday Gift—Book 2)

A Gripping Redemption Story Filled With Grace

Stay tuned for more details

When an Email Makes You Cry

Jul17

Tears began flowing when I received an email that started out by saying “Exciting news! Your press release has been picked up by several national media outlets including FOX, NBC, ABC, and USA Today affiliates.”

Honestly I was kind of expecting it because the Book Excellence Award representative said it would happen, but to see it actually happen is another story. I am beyond thankful and grateful for all that the Lord is doing for me and through me as an author. Having my book, The Birthday Gift: Book 1 receive national media coverage as an award recipient opens doors for me to continue spreading the message inside the book. My 5-book series will not only be intriguing stories of heartbreak and hope, but more importantly, avenues to share the greatest gift ever given to mankind and the greatest story ever told. To continue sharing that message around the world and to have more control over the project, I am starting my own business, John316 Global Publishing. Details will unfold over the next few months. Visit my website here to learn more about the John 3:16 Global Placement Mission.

As for the Amazon bestselling, award-winning first book in this series, take a look at the national media coverage:

The Book Excellence Award Program sent out a press release announcing my book as a 2022 award finalist earlier this summer. It was distributed to a wide array of news outlets across the United States with millions of viewers! How many actually saw it? I’ll never know; however, I do know that the Lord has continued to open doors for the message inside the book to be shared across the nation and around the globe. Here’s the press release below recognizing The Birthday Gift: Book 1 as a top 2022 book award finalist in a competition that celebrates excellence in books around the world.

I’ve also been told repeatedly by numerous people this book should be turned into a movie. It has always felt like a movie to me ever since I used to dream about Mrs. Williams, Bill, and Bella when I was writing the manuscript. I’m going on record right here that I believe it will happen. Watch the book trailer video below. It feels like a movie trailer. (However, I’ll let the movie executives make the actual blockbuster movie trailer though.)

Also, while you’re here, I want to share a bit more information. Someone asked me to provide a 200-300 word excerpt from the book as part of an upcoming virtual book tour in August. How does an author take a book that’s about 30,000 words and pick only a glimpse of 200-300 words that will grab a reader’s attention? Well, I picked part of my first chapter because that is where Mrs. Williams’ original heartbreak began. You will have to read the book to see how that profound heartbreak was turned into surprising hope for the future… As the press release said, this book is a shining beacon of hope in a time of global uncertainty and unprecedented change.

Excerpt from Chapter 1: Black and Blue

The next thing I remember hearing is “Code Blue.” It was now pitch-black outside my ICU window at Cedars-Sinai Hospital. I don’t know what happened on that beautiful sunny morning after I opened my front door for the police officer. He was standing there in the last ray of sunshine I would see for quite some time. I guess I could look at the police report or medical records, but what’s the point. I really don’t want to be reminded of the single most horrific day in my entire life. What happened? Why was the police officer talking in slow motion?

Bill had been in Israel for thirty-three days. It was time for him to come back home. I had been expecting a phone call from him during his layover at Heathrow. Instead of Bill’s much anticipated call, I got that abominable knock at my front door!

 Then I heard it again. “Code Blue.”

Everything went black. As I reflect on that disastrous day, everything was already black. My world had gone dark and void.

From what I’ve been told, I woke up the following morning with no recollection of the previous day. Apparently, those words my ears had refused to allow my mind to process were no less true just because I refused to hear them, let alone accept them.

My heart was broken. I was broken. Life as I once knew it no longer existed. There was no reason to go to the airport. Bill never boarded his connecting flight in London. The only thing at the airport now was his luggage, and there certainly wasn’t any reason for me to go claim that. Well, no reason that I knew of at the time.

Purchase the book on Amazon

For those who have already read the book, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. Positive reviews will help other potential buyers discover this book. Help me spread the message of John 3:16 (uniquely embedded in this story) around the globe by sharing this beacon of hope with others.

Thank You for Living Inside the Testimony With Me!

May19

When I launched my eBook on May 12, I realized I had much more bottled up apprehension and turmoil brewing inside me than I thought. This wasn’t a typical book launch for me, and the day ended in tears.

Happy tears.

Tears of joy.

Unexpected tears that I was surprised I shed.

At the end of the day, I shared a sentimental Facebook post to thank all those who supported and encouraged me as I sat in amazement and watched my book reach Amazon #1 bestseller status. I’d like to share that post with you here, now, to have on record in my blog what that day actually felt like for me. Here’s my Facebook post from the night of the eBook release of Living Inside The Testimony (3rd edition).

MY FACEBOOK POST

➡️ WARNING: Long, sentimental post. 😘 I’m not screaming and shouting anymore because y’all have left me speechless! I’ve been trying to figure out what to say for the past few hours because I’ve been so overwhelmed with gratitude and a thankful heart. Plus, it would have been hard to figure out what to say when I was bawling and barely breathing… 😭

🙌🏽 You’ll see in the fine print below in the bottom left corner that my ebook has been technically classified as an AMAZON #1 BESTSELLER IN 3 DIFFERENT CATEGORIES. (Neurosurgery twice because it qualified as an ebook but also as a regular book including paperbacks and hardcovers which may not have accompanying ebooks – technical differences) Anyway, all it took was one category, but I’m in 3 as a solo author. I must say it is more gratifying than the other #1 bestsellers where I was a co-author. Not that they weren’t extremely important to me, because they most certainly were. This book though, this is my heart and soul because it’s all mine, every single word. It’s my testimony of God’s amazing love and abundant blessings. This is my life on full display to bring honor and glory to God. 🙏🏽

👉🏽 I wanted to do a quick little video to thank y’all, but I’m a hot mess right now… 😂

Maybe tomorrow as I have updates on some other book news to share also. For now, I wanted to get this out here before the day was over to simply say THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PURCHASED THE BOOK TO SEND ME OVER THE TOP. I’ve had other bestselling books, award-winning books, #1 bestsellers, but this one means the most because of the stories inside the pages. As one professional book reviewer said, “Betty Collier engulfs readers with heartfelt authenticity and sincerity permeating the pages of her inspirational narratives.” 🙌🏽

I have given you my all, everything within me is in this book!

✍🏽 As I’ve often said, I write with a purpose, and that is to bring honor and glory to God. There’s actually a chapter in the book, Chapter 11 entitled “The Book” which will enlighten you on just how and why this is so important to me.

🥰 So I hope everyone enjoys this ebook. The paperback is now available and in stock on Amazon as well. As soon as I get my shipment of paperbacks, I will begin shipping out the BOGO frees that some of you qualified for when you sponsored “The Breaking Point” earlier this year. I hope to start shipping out all 3 books to y’all next week, as soon as I get my delivery. It will include LIVING INSIDE THE TESTIMONY (3rd edition), THE BREAKING POINT, and THE BIRTHDAY GIFT (Book 1). More on that later. Sponsors, y’all know who you are. That was way back in January… I think. Trust me, I have a list!

📣 So anyway, y’all see I’m not speechless after all. Well, I really am, but somehow this kind of summarizes what I wanted to share with you at the end of this glorious day when I really felt like I got the affirmation and confirmation that I have been so desperately seeking since 2009 when I wrote the 1st edition. Obviously it’s not about me, but it sure lifts my spirit knowing that I am making a difference and that you really want to read what I have been divinely inspired to share. THANK YOU sincerely from the bottom of my heart. 💖

END OF FACEBOOK POST

Today is a week after my amazing experience, and I am still in awe of how the day unfolded and what actually happened. As I said in my Facebook post, this book is my heart and soul because it’s all mine, every single word. It’s my testimony of God’s amazing love and abundant blessings. This is my life on full display to bring honor and glory to God. It will forever be the book closest to my heart.

Meanwhile, just so those of you in the Memphis area will know, we are planning a book signing. This will be my first in-person event since before COVID, so I’m really excited. Details are below on the flyer. Of course I will have all 7 of my books there, but the focus for this event is the other Amazon #1 bestseller, the Les Brown endorsed book, The Breaking Point, an anthology that I co-authored with 19 other very gifted authors which was compiled by visionary author, Paulette Harper. You can RSVP for the book signing on Eventbrite here.

Still Living Inside the Testimony

May12

It has taken 57 years to get to this point.

Well, actually it’s only been 13 years since I published my very first book, Living Inside The Testimony. A lot happened since 2009 after I thought I had published my first and only book. A lot more has happened in my 57 years of life, and I am amazed at how God has been ever-present the entire time.

Today, I am releasing the e-Book for the 3rd edition of that first book. So let me get to the main reason for writing this blog post today. I need your help to boost sales so that it reaches Amazon’s #1 bestseller list. Click this link to purchase the e-Book for only $0.99 cents TODAY only: Living Inside The Testimony (3rd edition)

Here’s the book synopsis I compiled from various 5-star reviews:

Betty Collier engulfs readers with heartfelt authenticity and sincerity permeating the pages of her inspirational narratives. The stories are written as if you are sitting at the kitchen table sipping your favorite beverage while listening to Betty recount surprising victories and daily struggles of life. She showcases her unique storytelling ability with humor and unwavering faith that God has orchestrated her life’s path every step of the way. As she shares memories of trauma and triumph, you will discover that blessings are all around us. Learn how to view life from a different perspective of thankfulness whilst acknowledging that God will see you through life’s trials and tribulations.

You will be instantly drawn into Betty’s faith-filled outlook on life as she puts her Christian values on full display in a wonderfully unexpected way. You will be moved as she talks with a refreshing sense of love and exuberance about meeting her future husband in middle school only to face a near-death experience that left her heart shattered a week prior to high school graduation. Her emotional diary to her unborn child, as well as how she accepted and embraced God’s plans for her life as a wife and mother, will tug at your heartstrings.

Discover the faith within you, and be encouraged to share it to inspire others.

So now that you know what the book is about and that I’m writing this post to encourage you to purchase the e-Book for .99 cents TODAY, I would like to leave you with an excerpt taken from an anthology in which I was a featured author. It helps explain this unlikely author-hood journey I have been on from 2009 until now. For more information about the anthology and how you can order an autographed copy from me, please visit my website here. This book was a #1 bestseller in 9 different categories on Amazon when it was released in November, 2021.

The anthology For Such a Time as This is a powerful compilation of stories written by twenty different men and women who decided to defy the odds, move past the mountains of uncertainty and life’s mishaps because they knew God called them to fulfill a greater purpose for their lives

The visionary author who compiled those stories is Paulette Harper. She asked me to be a featured author in her book. My task was to write a one-thousand-word chapter to share my personal story. It could be any topic I felt added to the theme of the book. Some of the stories shared by other co-authors were accounts of bravery, struggles, danger, death, and faith. While their stories most definitely pulled at heartstrings, readers also walked away from the book with a sense of hope that they too could find the courage to begin again, hope again, and live again despite challenges and setbacks.

With an opportunity to share my story with a new audience, I chose to focus on my twelve-year journey as an author from 2009 when I wrote the first edition of this book until 2021 when the anthology was published. I truly believe all of my experiences, both good and bad, have prepared me for such a time as this. Now was the time for me to embark upon new writing challenges and become part of something much bigger than I had ever envisioned. These are the one thousand words I chose to share in that book.

My chapter in Paulette’s #1 bestselling anthology For Such a Time as This was aptly entitled Living Inside the Testimony. It reads thusly:

I was living inside the testimony all along but never realized it until I started writing what I thought would be my first and only book in 2009. Now it’s 2021, and my testimony has taken me places all across America that I never thought I would go. It is beyond my wildest imagination that I am the official storyteller of a series of books featuring the John 3:16 Global Placement Project. This new mission is definitely for such a time as this and brings to fruition in my life an epiphany “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).

My goal when I wrote my testimony was simply to bring honor and glory to God. I shared stories of His amazing love and abundant blessings in my life. By taking readers on my journey of inspiration, faith, hope, humor, romance, and love, I discovered I was following the path God had chosen for me before I was ever born.

That first book was aptly entitled Living Inside The Testimony because that is exactly what I had been doing since birth without even knowing it. At age forty-four, I sat at my laptop, opened up a blank word document and typed the first sentence of my book after dreaming about the book cover the night before. Approximately one month later, I was finished and embarked upon the most exciting yet disappointing, fulfilling yet discouraging, God-inspired yet fearful journey of my life. It was time to make the book available worldwide for all eyes to see what I felt God had inspired me to share.

I never thought I would write another book after that. I was satisfied that I had completed the task God had given me. As they say, my life truly was an open book at that point. Anyone could find the book online, and Amazon certainly made it easy for a novice like me.

After being obsessed with urgently writing the book without hesitation because that is what I felt the Lord was leading me to do, I settled back into my nursing profession as a certified case manager. My priorities were still my husband, who is the love of my life, and our two children. They were very busy and active boys at ages fourteen and nine, and nothing brought me as much joy as my family life with them.

I was finished being an author, but God wasn’t through with me yet. About a year later, I found myself engulfed in someone else’s testimony. Lillie Hopkins asked me to write her story that she had kept quiet for thirty-one years. I was chosen to tell her fascinating story of love, compassion, and forgiveness. It was an audacious responsibility to engulf readers in her devastating saga of excruciating sadness and total brokenness. Because of her miraculous angelic encounter, which left her with indescribable peace, my second book, Angel in My Room was born.

I started describing myself as a nurse by profession, author by passion and storyteller by the grace of God. Although I had great insecurities about my writing ability, I consistently received 5-star book reviews, but the biggest surprise was yet to come.

After reading the headlines that tennis star Venus Williams suffered from Sjogren’s syndrome in 2011, I began my quest to share the journey of others battling this chronic, incurable disease. I was compelled to find answers not only for myself but also for the other four million people afflicted with this second most common autoimmune disease that most people had never heard of.

Sjogren’s is pronounced SHOWgrins; hence the title of my third book, SHOWgrins. I released it in 2013, and it became a #1 bestseller and Readers’ Favorite ® Gold Medal International Book Award Winner. At that moment, I felt like I had indeed been called to be a storyteller for such a time as this because the world was looking for inspiration. The headline in my local newspaper was simply “God Leads, Collier Writes.”

Afterwards, I felt God compelling me to convince a friend to write a book about her son, James, who has Down syndrome. I approached Julia Gray about the book idea after being mesmerized with her stories about James on Facebook. She agreed to follow my lead, and The Book about James was the result of my mentoring her throughout the writing process. I helped her to share her enlightening, refreshing, and inspirational story about raising James. Sadly, Julia passed away in 2016, the year after the book was released. However, her twenty-one unique short stories continue to captivate readers with her openness and brutal honesty.

Where would I go from there? I thought I had accomplished a great deal as an author, while still maintaining my full-time position as a nurse case manager. I decided to take a break from writing. God had other plans though. Once I submitted my will to become His will, I was able to hear His voice in my innermost being. No, I never audibly heard it, but in my heart, I knew I had to keep writing.

In 2017, the opportunity presented itself when an artist, Terry Gurley, asked me to write a fictional story about the beautiful sculpture of The Gospel Symbol that he created. I was to introduce that symbol to the world. The end result was an intriguing tale of heartbreak and hope, the first of many books in my new book series. We released The Birthday Gift in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic on May 1, 2020, which was truly for such a time as this.

That same gospel symbol became the centerpiece of the John 3:16 Global Placement Project launched in 2021. As such, all books in my series will be part of that mission. Being an unlikely author who is now the storyteller for a global movement to share the gospel around the world is exceeding abundantly above all this nurse could have ever imagined!

P.S.

Please remember to purchase my new e-Book today, LIVING INSIDE THE TESTIMONY, for only $0.99 cents. I really think it’s worth every penny!

Click here to purchase

The Breaking Point

Jan19

Have you ever reached a breaking point where you had to overcome adversity to achieve a personal breakthrough in life?

This new anthology I’d like to introduce to you will be released in April, 2022 by visionary author Paulette Harper. I will be one of the 22 co-authors from around the country sharing our stories of the moments life demanded a shift after reaching our breaking points.

Each story will encompass the co-author’s unique struggle and how they overcame the challenges to find that they had the courage, the power, and the resolve to build their lives again. This book will serve as a potent reminder that everyone has the power to choose which direction they want for their own lives.

For me personally, of course FAITH has everything to do with it. I know that I cannot fulfill my life’s work and reach my destiny without GOD! He carried me through my breaking point, and I came out victorious on the other side.

Now is your opportunity to have your name listed in this book as a sponsor if you pre-order The Breaking Point from me this weekend only, January 21-23. If you sponsor this book, I will also ship you complimentary copies of one of my other books. Please watch this video for more details:

@bettycollier1storyteller

#newbook #freebook #freebooktok #nameinthebook #lookingforsponsors

♬ original sound – Betty Collier

Bookmark this page and come back on January 21-23 to pre-order this exciting new book. It’s a BOGO opportunity!

Here’s a sneak peak at my chapter in the book: Love Broke Me

If you can’t trust someone to hold your heart gently in their hands without breaking it, save your heart for someone else who will take incredibly good care of it.

Remember, the link will be posted on my website here to pre-order on January 21-23.

It’s Time

Nov7

I blog on Facebook more often than I blog on my blog. This is another instance when I was “thinking out loud” and wrote my reflections on Facebook. Now I’ve decided to copy those thoughts to my blog. It all started like this a couple of days ago…

Most of the time, I really don’t think about my age, but I looked at the calendar today and started to think about turning 57 in a couple of weeks. Well, that sent me on a wild tangent. I started reflecting about a whole lot of things. I think I’m most reflective today simply because of the title of the book below on the left, For Such A Time As This that is coming out this month at the same time I’m turning 57. I am only a featured author in that book. There are 20 other contributing authors, so it’s most definitely not just about me.

This is the picture I posted on Facebook as I was reflecting on these 2 books.

A lot of people will make a statement and then say “for such a time as this”, but what does that really mean? At this stage in my life, I am convinced one thing it means to me personally is related to being an author…. A storyteller for such a time as this.

Not that I don’t want to be an author (now), but once upon a time, I really didn’t. NOT.AT.ALL! Like I’ve said before, this was God’s idea, not mine. I was reluctant, but after I surrendered MY will to become HIS will, I knew it was something divinely orchestrated that I was appointed to do. I am smart enough (better known as having enough faith) to know better than to try to convince God that he has given me something to do that I can’t handle.

So I started writing because that is what he gave me to do, certainly not because I felt equipped to do it. (He had to equip me too!) After all, I’m a nurse, not a writer. I used to be a computer programmer analyst too, but that’s another story.

Meanwhile in the midst of being an active “participant” in someone else’s anthology and coming along for the ride in promoting it and posting stuff all over social media and my website and blog about it, I am truly spending most of my time, every available minute that I can get a clear head, working on that other book above on the right, The Birthday Gift. If all goes as planned, I will re-launch the rebranded version on 12.01.2021, but right now my head is spinning.

As I think about what has changed in that book since I first released it in May, 2020 until what the bonus material will reveal in that same book this time around gives me justifiable reason to pause and reflect. I’m really writing The Birthday Gift for such a time as this. Now is the time, and it just so happens that I’m also part of the other book, aptly entitled For Such A Time As This.

I will be 56 when one comes out, and less than a month later, I will be 57 when the other comes out. Both really are for such a time as this, but for vastly different reasons. It just wasn’t supposed to happen until 2021…. because of the times in which we are living these days. The message in both truly are for such a time as this. So when you see me post about both books, please know this is NOT my idea, and it’s certainly NOT for me or about me. It’s something much greater for which I have no control over. The books are actually for the readers who will benefit from reading them… for such a time as this. They are for y’all, not me.

That was the gist of my Facebook post. I guess the older we get, the more reflective we become. It seems my reflections have been working overtime lately though. Perhaps you are even reflecting on some things in your life as you’re reading this.

I’ve blogged about both books before, so I hope you are excited about both of them coming out over the next 30 days. Just to give you a few more details in case you have not visited my website lately:

I’m actually rebranding The Birthday Gift, which is my first fictional work. It was originally released in May 2020 and will be relaunched in December 2021 with an upgraded cover and new features inside including a “behind the scenes” section of epic proportions. I’m the only author featured in the John 3:16 Global Placement Mission. As a storyteller, I have been commissioned to write a series of 5 fictional books for this project. The Birthday Gift is the first one.

The Birthday Gift Movie (Book)Trailer

While this appears to be an intriguing tale of heartbreak and hope, what this book as well as the 4 others that will be part of this book series all have in common is that they will deliver the gospel message found in John 3:16.

What really made me reflect is the role I’m playing in the other book though as a featured author. I only have a 1,000 word chapter in that book. There are 20 other co-authors who all have 2,500 word chapters. The author compiling all the stories asked me about being featured in the book. It’s title alone has opened up new doors and a new audience that I had not been able to reach yet. That makes it quite surreal to know this is happening at the same time I have begun working on my new 5-book series… which is truly for such a time as this, but that’s not the title of the series. The series is actually The Birthday Gift Book Series.

If you’d like more information about the anthology, you are welcome to tune in on Saturday, November 13 at 7:00 P.m. EST for our Book Launch Celebration. You will have the opportunity to hear from all 20 co-authors who will be sharing hope, wisdom, inspiration and a little about their chapters. Reserve your free virtual seat for the celebration here.

Visit my website for more information about this anthology and find out how you can order the paperback. You will get a free copy of my eBook, The Birthday Gift if you place your order by November 15th. Details are on my website here.

Now I’d like to pose a question to you. Is there anything in particular that you have been reflecting on lately that you would like to share in the comments? I’d love to hear from you and see what’s on your mind… for such a time as this.

9/11 Reflections on 9/13

Sep13

During my typical Saturday morning 5K walk around a lake in my hometown of Bartlett, TN, I noticed the flags were flying at half-staff. This was not the typical Saturday morning though. It was September 11, 2021, exactly 20 years after the worst terrorist attack in American history.

City officials as well as police and fire departments were preparing for our town’s 9/11 Memorial Ceremony being held right next to the lake in our Memorial Park for Bartlett’s First Responders. I didn’t know the event was being held there, so I stopped to take it all in. As I continued my walk, I started reflecting on all the activity happening at the same time within that 1.5 mile diameter around the lake and park and decided to record some video clips of what I was seeing.

When I got home, I put some of my clips together and posted my reflections on my social media accounts. I decided to share the video with you now even though today is 9/13.

While the date itself is insignificant, that date will always be remembered as the day our lives change FOREVER. The world was forever changed. Unimaginable hate knocked us down to our knees that day. Incomprehensible actions that changed the course of history unfolded right before our eyes. America was under attack by foreign enemies, and we were literally afraid of what the next moment would bring. Some of us feared the worse and still live in overwhelming fear today. Grief struck our nation, but collectively we came today with that great American spirit that no other country in the world has. For a period of time, we truly were the UNITED States of America.

Much has been written about the events of 9/11 by prolific thinkers and scholars, government officials, victims’ families and survivors, first responders, “world class” authors, etc., so I dare not try to write my own version of anything concerning that day. Instead, I’d like to share my little homemade video reflections with my blog readers and pose a question at the end.

What strikes me the most as I look at all the different activities happening in that same general area is that some people appeared oblivious and nonchalant about the memorial ceremony. They continued on their Saturday morning as just another busy day or typical weekend. Some cars drove by without stopping, slowing down, pausing, or even looking that way. Some of the walkers and runners took alternate routes to avoid going around the track where the ceremony was being held even though there was plenty of clearance to stay on the path without interfering with it.

I know 9/11 means vastly different things to different people. We were all affected in a countless variety of ways, some of which we may still be grappling with trying to unravel and understand. I was simply making observations of what I saw and how people responded.

As I said earlier, our lives changed forever on 9/11. That is undisputable.

My thought to ponder today is this: While the aftermath of 9/11 is undeniably the single most horrific and cataclysmic event in modern history that will have untold effects that will last forever, that day does not have to live in infamy in vain. We have seen how hate from some groups of people in a foreign land can destroy this nation. Let’s not let the hatred brewing amongst ourselves today destroy America beyond repair. It’s time to put an end to all that divides us because there should be so much more that unites us.

I don’t like using the term “the golden rule” nor do I like quoting from Wikipedia, but in this case, I will because it seems to summarize what I am trying to say.

The Golden Rule is a moral which says treat others as you would like them to treat you. This moral in various forms has been used as a basis for society in many cultures and civilizations. It is called the ‘golden’ rule because there is value in having this kind of respect and caring attitude for one another.

People of many religions see the value of this mandate and have similar expressions. In Christianity, Jesus Christ taught this idea to his disciples and others when he gave his Sermon on the Mount. It is recorded in the Holy Bible in the book of Matthew, Chapter 7 and verse 12. Jesus explained to his listeners that all the things that were recorded in the Jewish law and that the prophets had taught about concerning morality was summed up in this one rule. The context of this statement (Matthew 7) is about God’s mercy and kindness. The principle that was shared is to not always treat others as they might deserve to be treated, as we may judge some as undeserving, but instead to always be merciful and charitable, not withholding good.

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

So my question is this: Have Americans learned the most basic yet apparently one of the hardest things to do? Love your neighbor as yourself. Treat others as you would like to be treated. If we would simply do that, I don’t think hate would stand a chance. Love conquers all. While you can’t respond for everyone else, you can be responsible for your own actions. Social injustice, racial tension, the great political divide, COVID-19 being politicized, democrats versus republicans, masks and vaccines and those anti’s against one or both (YIKES), and everything else causing Americans to fight amongst themselves has got to go. We need to be kind to each other while respecting our differences.

God is loving, merciful and kind. He extends his grace to us every single day. Let’s try to do the same. I guess that is one thing I’ve learned from 9/11 and what can happen if we as the human race don’t learn to treat each other as we would like to be treated.

For Such A Time As This

Sep8

I am excited and very honored to announce that I was asked to be a FEATURED author in visionary author Paulette Harper‘s upcoming anthology, For Such A Time As This, which will make its debut in November, 2021.

This book is a powerful compilation of stories written by 20 different men and women who decided to defy the odds, move past the mountains of uncertainty and life’s mishaps because they knew God called them to fulfill a greater purpose for their lives. 

It will take you on a gamut of emotions as you read personal stories from each of the 20 contributing authors as they unapologetically share their stories with transparency and candor. Join them on their journeys, life lessons, and challenges they had to overcome to set them on a new path filled with hope and purpose.

As you are engulfed in each personal testimony, my desire is that you will discover your own unique trajectory toward fulfilling the greater call on your lives. Despite challenges and obstacles, discover how you too can achieve what you may have previously thought was not possible. It’s never too late to move toward your destiny for such a time as this.

Are you curious about my featured author chapter? Here’s a sneak peak at my story, Living Inside the Testimony:

I was living inside the testimony all along but never realized it until I started writing what I thought would be my first and only book in 2009. Now it’s 2021, and my testimony has taken me places all across America that I never thought I would go. It is beyond my wildest imagination that I am the official storyteller of a series of books featuring the John 3:16 Global Placement Project. This new mission is definitely for such a time as this and brings to fruition in my life an epiphany “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).

The pre-sale starts today and is only for 24 hours.

*** Your purchase today for $25 includes shipping of an autographed copy of the book. To show my appreciation for your support in pre-ordering, YOUR NAME WILL BE LISTED in the book as a sponsor. ***

Who will be my first 25 sponsors?

*** PLEASE NOTE: The pre-sale opportunity to be listed as a sponsor in the book has ended. The Paypal button to place a debit or credit card order has been removed from this page. There will be more information posted later on how to order the book once it is released in November.

Thank you very much for your support! I exceeded my goal of 25 sponsors thanks to your generosity and encouragement. I pray that you will be abundantly blessed not only by the book but also in every aspect of your lives!

Overthinking One Minute

Sep3

They say you should try to limit social media videos to 1 minute. It’s hard to keep a person’s attention beyond that due to the current state of affairs with scrolling incessantly and/or aimlessly on social media.

Or better yet, try even shorter blurbs of 15-30 seconds.

Most commercials are 30-60 seconds, and people pay millions just to have that much time on ONE Super Bowl commercial.

I’m guessing I may have lost or bored some of you already because you don’t know what point I’m trying to make. I digress often which is not a good thing these days. I also have the tendency to over tell a story, also not a good thing. So let me get to my point.

I’ve been trying to create some short videos to post on social media, but I think I am overthinking the whole process. I’m trying to find an audience and become more visible on social media. I even ventured over to TikTok and posted a couple of videos there. YES, startling to say the least if you know anything about me.

Anyway, I decided to try this out on my blog too, so I’m going to share a couple of my quickie videos here. Take this one, for example. This was my first video on TikTok… clocking in at a mere 1 minute, 25 seconds. You don’t need a TikTok account to view it. Just press the <play> arrow in the center of the video below.

@bettycollier1storyteller

#godblessamerica #uniteswestand #dividedwefall #freedomisnotfree #2chronicles714 #stateoftheunion #flagsathalfmast #kabulattack #afghanistan

♬ original sound – Betty Collier

At the time of this post, it had been viewed on TikTok over 1,200 times and had over 200 likes, all by complete strangers who I’ve never had any contact with. Honestly, I was very pleasantly surprised as I did not think the video would even make it to the list to even be scrolled past and ignored. It was a very impromptu thing. I didn’t plan to video anything that day, but as I was taking a walk and noticed the flags flying at half staff, I decided to stop and video it. By not overthinking that day, I posted the video (on August 28) on my personal Facebook page like I normally do because I often share my walking adventures with my Facebook friends. It was viewed a little over 100 times and got 5 likes.

I’m not sure what that means. Maybe my Facebook friends are tired of me and don’t stop scrolling long enough to see what I have posted. Meanwhile complete strangers not only stopped, but they stopped on TikTok of all places, viewed the video and even liked it. I really didn’t think there would be an audience for me on TikTok at all, so I was pleasantly surprised and glad that I had not overthought it.

What does that say about social media, attention spans, finding your niche, accidentally discovering your voice on unlikely platforms, or just trying to live in the moment without overthinking? I don’t have the answer to any of those questions, but I did find it quite interesting.

Given the first video’s success, I ventured out again and posted my second TikTok video 4 days later on September 1. Here it is, and guess what y’all! I actually told my WHOLE story in less than a minute. This one is only 59 seconds and has been viewed over 500 times and garnered 65 likes (from total strangers) as of the time I’m writing this blog post. Again, a much better reception than Facebook with 89 views and 6 likes…. (by my friends.)

@bettycollier1storyteller

#Freedom , #Resurrection , #ResurrectionPower , #Jesus , #JesusHasGivenUsFreedom , #John836 , #Galatians51

♬ original sound – Betty Collier

Again, this was totally impromptu during my morning walk. The sun’s reflection over the lake caught my eye, but what really did it for me was the song I was listening to on my AirPods, Resurrection Power. I listen to music all the time, but had I not been walking at the time, and had I decided to overthink things too much, I never would have shared that video either.

Do I have a point? I’m still thinking about it as I am typing because I don’t know what I really want to say yet. After sitting here for a minute and pondering what I just wrote, it dawned on me (or rather I think it was the Lord enlightening me) that my point should be we are much more concerned about what people think or say about us, and even worse, more concerned with how many likes a social media post can muster up.

Yes, that’s the point in all of this. It doesn’t really matter. Life does not revolve around social media, although it seems the world would like for us to believe it does. Social media has its place, and there is a lot of good that can come from it. However, a lot of bad has also been the result of it. What should matter is fulfilling our purpose in life. We can do that without social media just as billions of people have done prior to the invention of the internet and social media.

So let me just encourage you to find your place in this world and discover your own unique purpose. Why were you put on this earth? Or better yet, why did God create you? Why did HE put you on this earth? The obvious answer is to honor and glorify HIM. But how do we do that? That’s where a concrete answer can be quite illusive. I encourage you to pray and ask God to lead, guide, and direct you. Ask him to help you discover your purpose. Trust him to show you what that is. One of my favorite scriptures reads as follows:

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

If we do that, we will walk down the path God has ordained for our lives, and that most certainly includes bringing honor and glory to HIM! We may not see what that path is right now, but if we keep putting one foot in front of the other, we will get there. Let’s not get caught up with the cares of this world, but we most certainly need to be praying FOR this world. Just take a look around us. It’s hard to argue that we are not living out the Book of Revelation right now. But that’s a deeper topic for a different blogger, or better yet, for a preacher or teacher. Suffice it to say, we have more important things to worry about than overthinking a one minute video.

Well, this blog post ended up being much longer than I expected. I thought about this right before going to bed tonight and thought I would sit down “real quick” and just share my 2 TikTok videos with you. Apparently God had other plans for me tonight though, and you are reading the results of what I feel he gave me to share with you for such a time as this.

Which brings me to my final point, which I certainly had NO INTENTION of sharing with you today (or tonight as it is now 12:30 a.m. as I am typing this.

This last video is almost 30 minutes. I don’t expect you to listen to the whole thing. However, I am asking you to listen to the first 2 minutes, 21 seconds. As I was attempting to close out this blog post 2 paragraphs ago, I felt the urge to keep typing and share this video. While trying to figure out our purpose and how to walk in the destiny God has already pre-ordained for our lives, let’s not forget to share the message of the gospel with others. What better way to bring honor and glory to God?

How can you fulfill your purpose on this earth? Your REAL purpose? It starts with believing what John 3:16 says. And once you do that, share it with others! It only takes a minute (or less) to share the good news of John 3:16. That, my dear readers, really is the point in my blog today. I just didn’t know it until the very end. I guess that’s what happens when I am obedient to following that inner voice (Holy Spirit) directing my path.

What’s in Your Jewelry Box?

Jul20

This Facebook memory popped up today from a post I made last year. It’s actually a memory from 38 years ago though, so I thought I would share it today on my blog. I think the majority of my Facebook friends know I plaster pictures and “short stories” about my husband all the time. I call him my love man on Facebook, and “my love” in real life, face-to-face. We will celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary in 2 weeks.

After you read it, let me know in the comments what memories you have in your jewelry box that are priceless. Mine is simply a Ziploc bag of hair that a neurosurgeon shaved off my love man’s head 38 years ago before he did emergency brain surgery to save that then 18 year-old boy’s life.

This is a picture I posted on Facebook one year ago. Below is the caption I wrote, one of my many “short stories” that I frequently post on Facebook about my husband and our love.

Look closely! (I’ll try to be brief….) Sometimes I open my jewelry box and find all sorts of memories. This Ziploc bag is one such memory dating back to 1983. It has William’s hair that they had to shave off prior to the neurosurgeon doing an emergency craniotomy to remove a blood clot on his brain that saved his life. The bag was much fuller back then, but over the past 37 years the hair has clumped together and shriveled up to this. When we got married in 1986, William still had this bag, so that’s how I became the “proud owner” of it. We’ve moved several times since then, and I think this is my most “prized possession” because it serves as a permanent reminder (along with other reminders) of that horrendous day that God turned around for something good.

Look closely at the picture of William. It was taken a year later in 1984. All his hair had grown back by then of course. Can you see that scar in his forehead over his left eyebrow? That’s where the assault took place, blunt trauma to the head during a physical attack by someone who went to school with us. The scar has faded a bit, but it’s still there, yet another constant reminder of how his life was saved. What you can’t see is that ear-to-ear scar in his scalp underneath his hair. It’s still there too. I can see and feel it. Yes, another reminder of what happened in 1983 and how things could have gone catastrophically wrong.

Look at us… Our couple picture is from 1984 after we had been together for a year after high school graduation. (Pay no attention to my small waistline. I know it’s very distracting…LOL) Anyway, so this is what happened when I opened my jewelry box looking for something totally unrelated today. That Ziploc bag holding 37 year old dead hair led to a flood of emotions. Looking at that scar over his forehead a year later when it was much more prominent was reason for me to pause once again and decide to share yet another short story about that love man of mine.

William’s birthday is later this month. He will be 56. We are both 19 on this picture. What if that bag of hair was all that I had left of him? It is for reasons like this that I share my testimony of God’s amazing love and abundant blessings. #OurGodIsFaithful! He has truly blessed us beyond measure!