Books Alive FUMC Jefferson 2010!
I am proud to announce that the Keynote Speaker at our Books Alive, Christian and Inspirational Book Festival, November 12 - 14th will be Sam Bracken with Echo Garrett of My Orange Duffel Bag"!
Sam Bracken grew up in a family best described as a whacked-out version of The Brady Bunch on an episode of Cops, living in rundown apartments and trailers on the fringes of Las Vegas. Mobsters and motorcycle gang members were his role models. Horrifically abused by his wannabe mobster stepfather Leroy and his sadistic older stepbrother, Sam started drinking and doing drugs by age 9.
Sam's love of sports - track and especially football - became his salvation. His dream of being a professional football player led him to a radical decision as a 13-year-old to quit doing drugs and drinking and find a path out of the dark life he was living. Languished in special education classes until an eighth grade teacher discovered his need for glasses. When Sam was 15, his mom, who'd often worked three jobs to support the family, suffered a mental breakdown and abandoned him to become the den mother of the notorious Hessian motorcycle gang.
Miraculously, Sam was awarded a full-ride football scholarship to The Georgia Institute of Technology. He came back from what the doctors said were career-ending injuries and was a critical part of a Georgia Tech team with one of the best records in the school's history. Sam graduated from Georgia Tech in 1986 with honors and a degree in Industrial Management. In 1993 Sam received an MBA with an emphasis in Marketing from BYU’s Marriott School of Management. Sam is a member of the National Speakers Association.
Today the abused, homeless teen in special education classes has grown into a man who lives the American dream, with a beautiful family of his own. He serves as the global director of Franklin Covey Media Publishing, a division of the world's leading training and leadership organization with services in more than 145 countries. He is the co-sounder of The Orange Duffel Bag Foundation, a nonprofit with the mission of helping homeless teens and those aging out of foster care to connect with hope.
"In Sam Bracken's simple, unique, and poignant telling of his life story, he manages to take away all excuses and inspire readers to move past the valleys of hurts and disappointments in their lives. Bracken's uplifting tale is a must-read!"
- RICHARD PAUL EVANS,
#1 The New York Times bestselling author of The Christmas Box
"I spent five years with Sam Bracken at a time of transformation for him. His is a stunning story of courage, resiliency, and servant-leadership. There are two pains in live - the pain of discipline and the pain of regret...we all choose every day. The difference in Sam and those who are gobbled up by our sick society is that he usuall chose wisely. We would all do to read, and heed, his powerful message."
- BILL CURRY,
NCAA football coach and former NFL player
"Change is hard. Everyone wants it. So few get it. In this on-of-a-kind book, Same lays out a fool-proof, step-by-step approach to change through sharing his own remarkable journey from victim to conqueror. This book is a must read for everyone who wants to leave their baggage behind once and for all and become the change they seek!
- STEPHEN R. COVEY,
author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness and The Leader in Me
For more on Sam Bracken and his book and not-for-profit go to:
www.MyOrangeDuffelBag.com
www.OrangeDuffelBagFoundation.com
Invited authors who have confirmed their attendance!:
Judy Christy of Gone to Green, Goodness Gracious Green (releases this fall) and the Hurry Less, Worry Less series of books
www.judychristie.com
Missy Buchanan of Living with a Purpose in a Worn-Out Body:Spiritual Encouragement for Older Adults and Talking with God in Old Age: Meditations and Psalms
Sometimes you just know when you've experienced a holy nudge. A stirring of your soul that moves you in a certain direction. For me, the nudge has been to write about life's journey. I am passionate about many things--- faith, family, friends and especially older adults who need a dose of spiritual encouragement. I find my inspiration in real life experiences that involved my elderly mother and others like her. I'm so glad you stopped by my web site.
I hope you'll find it a blessing.
Grace,
Missy
Carla Stewart of Chasing Lilacs: A Novel
There's just somethin' about the Good Old Days
While writing about nostalgic times, I've learned that every era has its wonders and its woes. Humans at their best and at their worst. The good and the bad. Thankfully, we seem to remember the lazy summers, the music that filled our hearts, the carefree and careless days of our youth. We tend to forget the trauma and angst although it is the sum of all our experiences that has molded us into who we are today.
Today, I'm a writer. One who views the world through a lens of why and what if. I've always had a heart for those who've been trampled on in life, so theirs are the stories I write — in the guise of fiction that is.
How about you? What are your favorite memories? Whether your "good old days" were five years ago or fifty, I'm interested. You're the reason I write.
God Bless.
Carla
Mark Green MD FACEP
After graduating from West Point with a degree in business, Mark Green served as an infantry officer, eventually commanding a rifle company in the famed 82nd Airborne Division. While in command, his father's life was saved by a surgeon, profoundly impacting him and leading him to seek a degree in medicine. Following his residency in emergency medicine Dr. Green was assigned as the flight surgeon for the 1st Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). There Mark served alongside some of the nation's most elite warriors on two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom and one in Operation Enduring Freedom. He participated in planning and providing medical coverage for some of OIF and OEF's most covert operations. He is a recipient of the Bronze Star, The Air Medal with "V" device for Valor, The Air Medal, and the Combat Medical Badge.
Visit the authors blog: http://rangerdocpolitics.blogspot.com
Praise For A Night With Saddam
"He was one of the greatest tyrants of our age, a man who prompted two international wars and fear of terrorism around the globe. And on the night he was captured, immediately after he was pulled from a hole in the ground near the Iraqi town of Adwar, Dr. Mark Green was there. He spoke with Saddam, tended him medically and learned what few have had opportunity to know. Dr. Green's reflections on the dictator of Iraq, the life of a military doctor and war as a whole are invaluable. Read them and understand your age anew"
-Stephen Mansfield, NYT Best Selling Author of, The Faith of George Bush and The Faith of Barack Obama
Karla K. Morton of Redefining Beauty
Karla K. Morton, the 2010 Texas State Poet Laureate, has been described as “one of the more adventurous voices in American poetry” with good reason.
In addition to her book/CD, Wee Cowrin’ Timorous Beastie (a North Texas Book Festival Awards Finalist), Morton’s poetry has been widely published in literary journals, and she is currently featured in an episode of Veria TV's The Art of Living Gallery for her promotion of poetry as a healing tool for the soul.
Karla's latest book, Redefining Beauty, is now available! It's a unique poetry collection written during morton's journey through cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Books Alive will be November 12 - 14, 2010 as follows:
Friday Night Author Dinner
Saturday All Day Author Panels
Sunday Morning Worship Service featuring Dr. Mark Green
Books Alive is a total fundraiser for The First United Methodist Church and our Early Bird Special for the entire package is $50 which includes:
Friday night Author Dinner
Saturday Author Luncheon
All author events and for the first 200 you will receive a FREE BOOK!
Checks may be made payable to and sent to:
First United Methodist Church of Jefferson, Texas
Please mark: Books Alive!
305 West Henderson Street
Jefferson, Texas 75657
903-665-3268
Price will go up September 1, 2010 and do book now as tickets are limited. After September 1, 2010, the price goes up $50 a month. The FUMC of Jefferson, Texas is a non-for-profit for all monies sent are tax-deductible.
Details are forthcoming on all events so please check this website often!
Tiara wearing, Beauty and the Book sharing,
Kathy L. Patrick
Founder/Executive Director of Books Alive
kathy@beautyandthebook.com
Pastor Allison Byerley
adbyerley@gmail.com
www.jeffersonfumc.com