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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why Should You Dare to Begin Again Right Now?

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

“So, want to rent that storage unit?”

My friend and I sat on my couches and dreamed once more of starting life all over.  No “stuff” dragging us down.  Clean, organized houses. It would be glorious.

I’m pretty sure we called for prices.

Alas, somewhere in the mix, our more sane husbands put the kibosh on our extreme family makeovers. Man, it could have been the coolest reality show, too—achievable by anyone instead of taj-ma-houses like the home show.

I’ll confess something else here, while I’m being totally transparent and real.  I even signed up for an online “life coach” kind of thing.  I was desperate for someone to kick me in the butler.

Okay, that’s a lie. I didn’t know it until right now, but yeah. Total lie.  You know what I wanted?  I wanted someone to do it for me.

Fifteen years later, no one has volunteered.  And that life coach? She’s probably still shaking her head.

Fifteen years, people. If somewhere in there (about 6 years ago), I hadn’t said, “forget this” and started taking charge, I’d still be wondering “when will my life begin.”

Fine. That’s a ridiculous exaggeration, but hey. It had a catchy song to go with it, so I went for it. Thank you Rapunzel.

Still, when Celebrate Lit popped up with Dare to Begin Again as a review offering, I requested one within seconds.

Did I think it would change my life?  Um, no.  Did I think the book would do it for me?  Double no.  With an exclamation point on top instead of a cherry.  Did I think I’d learn life-changing principles I’d never heard before?

Nope, None, nada, nuttin’.

But did I think it might kick that butler into gear and remind me that I still have unfinished parts of me I’ve been meaning to work on?

Oh, yeah.

Why Should You Dare to Begin Again Right Now?

Note: links are likely affiliates which provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Additionally, I requested a review copy of this book and chose to review it after reading.

Why Should You Dare to Begin Again Right Now?

Because we’re not guaranteed tomorrow.  That means if we don’t do those things we know we need to do today, we’re “burying that talent” for some other day.  A day that may never come. We’re called to live this gift of a life now!

And that’s what Dare to Begin Again is all about.  Within the pages, you’ll find a balance of Biblical stories and contemporary anecdotes to illustrate one simple truth.

Life requires risk.

Look, we all have areas where we need to start over. It may be our health, our relationships, dreams the Lord laid on our hearts, or simply our trust in Him—in the One we should trust the most!

Dare to Begin Again is a quiet but enthusiastic call to that re-starting point.  It’s as if we’re in a swimming race and we jumped the gun.  So, we climb back up on the diving board, settle into position and… sit there?  Indefinitely as everyone else jumps in and races?

Not hardly. We dive again. And unlike the Olympics and other official racing organizations, if we muff it again, we start over. Again. And again.  One more time?  Sure!

That’s what this book is all about.

No, you won’t find tons of insights in here that you’ve never heard.  And I think that’s good.  There’s so much we already know that we don’t apply that more is just overwhelming.

What Ms. Rivera does is reminds us with her pointed “D.A.R.E.s” that we’re to take action. Now.

Because we’re not promised tomorrow.

Who do I recommend this book for?  Anyone who knows they have things to accomplish that they’ve been putting off.

I have one very minor caveat.  In just a couple of places, Ms. Rivera does recount instances where God “speaks to her” in about things not spoken of in the Bible—very personal to her alone. If that bothers you, it should be noted that it is in here. It’s minor, and while that can really bother me, this time it hardly registered because it wasn’t her calling us to demand those words from the Lord.

Note: this book is crazy expensive, so I recommend you request your library to purchase it.  That way, others get the benefit and your pocket saves a few bucks.

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
byChautona Havig

I had a chat with actor and author Henry O. Arnold a while back, and boy did we have a lot of fun. His Song of Prophets and Kings series features the advent of Israel’s kings from Samuel’s birth through David hiding from Saul (so far) and onward. Listen in as we chat about his most recent release, The Singer of Israel.

 

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

What Made David Such a Man after God’s Heart?

I think this series will show us. I love that Henry O. Arnold started back at Samuel’s story to prepare us for the story of arguably the most influential king of Israel. Yes, Solomon was the wisest and richest, but David offered something that Solomon didn’t have. He was an average guy—a shepherd, no less—chosen by God to lead his country.

In a sense, it’s kind of the ancient Jewish version of a poor, everyday guy growing up to become President of the United States. If you know what I mean.

This five-book series is available as an eBook, in print, and as an audiobook, too! Henry read a snippet of it to us, and boy you get a feel for his love of Scripture and God’s people as he reads.

And if that wasn’t enough, he even gave us a hint of his upcoming Christian suspense/thriller “series. He says he has two books planned for sure, so… at least a duology, but maybe we can talk him into a trilogy at least? Get those odd numbers and everything?

The Singer of Israel by Henry O. Arnold

A singer’s voice inspires a troubled nation…A shepherd’s courage vanquishes a giant

The last official act of the prophet of Yahweh was to secretly anoint a replacement for the king of Israel who has been brought low by an unbalanced mind. The great prophet of Israel lives in fear of the wrath of the king. Then out of the hills of Bethlehem emerges the last-born son of a family of shepherds to become the unforeseen hero of Israel.

When David sings of the glory of Yahweh, this shepherd wins the hearts of the royal family and restores King Saul’s troubled mind. But when the singer/shepherd defeats the champion of the Philistines in single combat, David becomes forever known as “the giant slayer.” Saul quickly sees that David is now a threat to his kingdom and secretly plots to have him killed.

David may be the champion of the people of Israel, but he must live under the constant threat of Saul’s wrath until he is finally forced to flee for his life.

The Singer of Israel is a tale of triumph and tribulation, deepest love, and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.

You can learn more about Henry on this WEBSITE.

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Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 214: A Chat about After the Shadows with Amanda Cabot
March 21, 2023
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Episode 213: A Chat about Daughter of Eden with Jill Eileen Smith
March 17, 2023
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Episode 212: A Chat about Code Name Edelweiss with Stephanie Landsem
February 28, 2023
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Episode 211: A Chat with Lynn H. Blackburn about Under Fire
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Episode 210: A Chat with Jennifer Deibel about The Maid of Ballymacool
February 21, 2023
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Episode 209: A Chat with Tracie Peterson about Remember Me
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Episode 208: A Chat with Author, Hallie Lee
February 14, 2023
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Episode 207: A Chat with Daniella Rushton about Portal Fantasy
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Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
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