3 Steps to Debt Free Living

How are you doing in the finance department of your life?  I give myself an F.  There's one good thing about an F – You can only go up.  It doesn't matter how you got there.  It doesn't matter how old you are.  It doesn't matter if you're six feet under.  If you're serious about improving your personal finances, I'm sharing my game plan with you.  It's three steps to debt free living.  Commit yourself and you can achieve financial independence.  Here goes:

1. Decide.  This is the most important step.  It's impossible to get out of debt unless you decide you're sick and tired of living beyond your means.  You must say to yourself, I'm done living on credit cards.  I'm done with auto loans.  I want a better life.  I want to live debt free.  This is my decision and I'm sticking to it no matter how painful the withdrawals may be.
2. Dictate.  Write it down.  You can't beat the debt monster unless you know how big he is and how long it will take to snuff him out.  How tall is your debt monster?  How much does he weigh?  This means writing down every debt you have and adding it up so you can order a casket big enough to bury your debt demon and make sure he doesn't come back from the dead.  I have a calendar on my bedroom wall that lists the size of my debts.  Every month I take another body part away from my monster and put it in the casket.  Funeral arrangements are set for July 1.  This wouldn't happen without a written plan.
3. Do.  Follow the plan.  Don't cheat.  Take it one day at a time.  Surround yourself with like-minded people who are committed to debt free living. 

If you would like to read my dear John letter to my credit card company, click here.  The letter is featured on my get out of debt blog created for people who are serious about achieving financial independence.  Have a great day.

Why Road Trips Bring Families Together

Our family road trip is over.  We logged over 2,200 miles during our nine state adventure.  I never once heard, "are we they yet?"  We laughed together and shared memories from past vacations while visiting new places.  It was a great opportunity for our family to become closer.

I believe something special happens when families go on road trips.  There aren't any outside distractions that get in the way and the close proximity allows for more intimate conversations.  I feel like I know my adult children much better.  I know what their hopes and dreams are.  If you're looking for a way to bring your family together, try a road trip.  It may be a life-changing experience.  Have a great day.

Have you found your joy today?

Joy is a decision.  It's a choice, not a destination.  I know I'm guilty of deferring my joy in the pursuit of things in the past but I changed course.  No more delays.  No more gambling on outcomes.  Win or lose, I'm staying in the arena and I'm making sure joy never leaves my corner.  If you're reading this, please know you're one of the people in my life I value greatly.  The smile on my face represents the joy I'm feeling inside.  My backpack is filled with so many happy memories and I plan to carry it with me on all my travels.  Thank you for your encouragement and for adding to the joy in my life.  Have a great day.

God's Love Language

When God speaks, he sometimes uses pictures rather than nouns and verbs.  This double rainbow was my first heavenly road sign on our nine state adventure last week.  We pulled over to snap a couple of pictures and returned to our rental vehicle to follow the rainbow.  The right end was perched on top of a church.  I thought, is this some kind of prelude to God's plans for us?  The rainbow vaporized a few moments later.  Dark clouds in my rear view mirror reminded me of previous storms I weathered in earlier chapters of my life and I hoped we could outrun them.

I'm still learning God's love language.  He is the master of the universe and I'm his student.  There are no words to describe God's ways or his love for us.  Rain on your wedding day doesn't mean God is mad at you but rainbows in the sky are helpful reminders God is with us in all the storms.  Have a great day.

How I Kept My Blogging Commitment During My Family Vacation

I'm sharing my secret for blogging during vacation time.  I committed time to write all my stories in advance before I departed for our family vacation last week.  Blogger allows writers to schedule their posts ahead of time.  These stories appear every morning at 8:08 AM, Pacific Time, rain or shine.  I don't have to worry about being in two places at once.  It works.  Consistency builds readership.  I'm at a critical time right now with my latest project benefiting sick kids at the local hospital.  Caveman Miracle Network launches on Friday, May 1, and runs through May 31.  I want to keep the momentum going with my daily posts.

If you're interested in helping out, please visit my writer's blog, Caveman Reflections Cyber-bistro, for details.  Have a great day.

Caveman Miracle Network Launches Next Friday, May 1

Our family is on a road trip home today.  We're enjoying quality time with all three of our adult children.  It's hard to believe our youngest is about to head overseas for three years in the Army.  He'll be stationed in Germany.  Our oldest son was recently accepted to mentor high school kids in Brazil this summer.  He can't wait.  Our daughter also inherited the travel gene but chooses to stay close to home for now.  People ask, "what do you do when you have an empty nest?"  I write and my wife reads.  She's in the middle of my first novel and seems to like it so far.  She hasn't made it to the scary part yet.  And that's how I feel about the Caveman Miracle Network, scheduled for launch next Friday on May 1.  It's scary.  What's even more frightening for me is not launching.  Here are some of my excuses for skipping out:

• I'm super busy.  My deadline for my next book is now seventy days away and I have a long way to go to get it done.
• I don't have big bucks.  
• My friends are busy.  I was fortunate to find a graphic artist to design my front cover.  Most people I ask are struggling to keep up with their workload.
• I don't like asking for help.

My excuses carry little weight when I measure them against the benefits of launching.  Miracles don't happen all by themselves.  They need believers.  They need legs.  And arms.  They need helping hands.  Miracles need one dreamer to say, "I'm in."  They need someone who will step into the arena and leave their excuses behind.  I'm in.  I'm launching.  And I'm asking you for help.  I know you're busy.  Here's what you can do that will only take a minute of your time and will benefit sick kids:

Share a link to this story on your FaceBook page.  Anyone who orders "The Caveman in the Mirror" during the month of May will be helping a local kid out in the Children's Miracle Network.  The Kindle edition is free on kindleunlimited and Amazon will pay royalties for the free versions.  Thanks for helping the kids out.  I'll see you on May 1.  Have a great day.

Graduation Day at Ft. Benning

It's official.  Our youngest son is graduating from boot camp today.  We are gathered together to witness his big moment.  He will be headed to Germany soon after a short leave to be with friends and family.  Please keep him and all who serve in your prayers.  Shane told me how much letters from home and from friends meant to him during his training.  If you would like to write Shane in Germany, please email me and I will send you his address.   Have a great day.  Thanks for your prayers.

It's Family Reunion Day

We're seeing our youngest son today for the first time since he left for boot camp the first week in January.  Graduation day is tomorrow and then we head back home.  Private Mulligan is looking forward to his leave to be with family and friends before he is sent to Germany.

May God bless our son and all who serve to protect our freedom.  Please keep our military in your daily prayers.  Thank you.

Please Help a Caveman

I'm on day 2 of my family road trip today.  We're headed to Georgia for our son's graduation ceremony.  He's been in boot camp since the first week of January.  We can't wait to see him and bring him home for a short leave before he departs for Germany.  In order to get the most out of every precious moment with him, I'm limiting my time on the computer.  It may take me a little longer to respond to your emails while I'm on the road.  Thanks for your patience. 

I want to share something personal with you about my latest project called "Miracle in May."  It all came together while I was in church a couple of Sundays ago.  The message was about how the community of believers came together to help others in need.  I felt a nudge to use my writing talent to help sick children.  I need your help.  Here's the plan for the Caveman Miracle Network...

• I'm donating all royalties from my books and kindle versions to the Children's Miracle Network in the month of May, helping local kids in my community.  My boss at my day job who chooses to remain anonymous will be matching all donations made from me and my friends, dollar for dollar.
• Amazon Prime members who read my kindle books for free during the month of the May will add to the donations because Amazon pays royalties when members read
• Kindle owners who check out my books from the kindle library for free between May 1 and May 31 are also included in the royalty program.  These royalties will be included in the check I give to Children's Miracle Network.
• Please spread the word about this project.  Take a moment and like my author page to show your public support.  Share it with your friends.  Read my books.  Invite me to do a guest post on your blog if you have one.  

This is a grass-roots effort.  I believe a miracle is going to happen in May.  The size of the miracle depends on the number of helping hands who participate.  Please join me.  Share this post with your friends.  Thanks for helping a caveman out.  Have a great day.

Ten Days to a Miracle in May

I'm on the road today.  My family and I are on our way to see our youngest son graduate from boot camp.  He's about to become an infantryman.  This has been his life's dream ever since early childhood.  I love to see dreams come true.  One of my dreams is to change the world and I believe I can make a difference with a little help from my friends.  Will you help me spread the word while I'm away?  Every morning at 8:08 AM, Pacific Time I'm going to post the latest updates about the Miracle in May, a project initiated by friends of the caveman.  The group includes people from all walks of life and it's called the Caveman Miracle Network.  If you would like to join, click the link to my new author page below and then click the like button.  I will share more in the next ten days.  It may take me a little longer to respond to emails while I'm away.  Thanks for visiting today.  Have a great day.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Mulligan/1572652292997470

What's New at the Caveman Reflections Cyber-bistro?

I've been doing some remodeling at the Cyber-bistro, a gathering place for friends of the caveman.  The renovations were needed to support Caveman Miracle Network, a project to help children in need of healing.  I'm asking one hundred of my friends to join me in the month of May.  Thirty-eight members have already answered the call since I launched my new author site on Facebook and I'm happy to have all the helping hands.  There's room for you if you would like to help out.  More details about the project will be announced soon.  Please click here to visit the Cyber-bistro.  If you would like to add your name to the Caveman Miracle Network, click the FaceBook like button on the right margin.  Thank you for visiting.  Have a great day.

Don't Let Anyone or Anything Rob You of Your Joy Today

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 15:13
 
I already decided I'm going to be joyful today.  It doesn't matter what anyone else tries to do to change my decision.  Nothing that happens today is going to kill my joy.  What's your choice?  If you're struggling with joy, take a look at the Bible verse above.  I prayed for you this morning that this prayer may help you in the joy department.  Have a great day.

A Salute to the Crazy Ones

I'm feeling inspired today.  Call me crazy.  Call me a misfit.  The bottom line is I believe I can make a difference.  I believe I can change the world.  It starts with a ripple.  One small act of kindness.  Another, asks, "Did you see that?"

"See what?"

"That crazy guy over there.  Look at him all alone trying to change the world by himself.  I think I'll help him out."

Then two people join together to work on the impossible.  A third person says, "you don't have a chance.  I'm going to pitch in even though I don't believe you have a chance in Hell at changing the world."

By the end of the week, thirty seven people on the crazy man's author page clicked the like button to show support.  A few onlookers standing on the sidelines are talking.  "He's out there.  I don't think I've ever seen anyone like him.  That dude's been writing something on the wall every day at 8:08 and he won't stop.  He got some tee shirt guy in an unknown town to make him a cover for his novel.  There's a crazy caveman on the cover.  I think it's a reflection of the writer.  Can you believe it?  There's stuff in there about Jesus.  That's not politically correct.  Who wants to read about Jesus?"

Another voice in the crowd asks, "Did you hear about the Caveman Miracle Network?  I've been reading the writing on the dude's blog wall and people are noticing even though the caveman hasn't spent one dime on advertising.  He got his start with one hundred angels in the outfield.  They donated money to get him off the ground.  He put some free blogs together and opened up an author page on Google.  I checked his stats and he's got over 800,000 visitors on his Google author page and 1.4 million views on his first blog.  Maybe the guy can pull off a miracle."

"Nope.  It won't happen," says another.  "Facebook will block him.  They don't like it when someone tries to get their name out there without paying to be seen.  This guy doesn't have a chance."

"Well, I admire crazy people,"  says a bystander who has been listening.  "They remind me of some people in my own family.  They were misfits too.  I'm going over to the crazy dude's caveman miracle network and I'm going to join.  The caveman says he can't start until he has one hundred volunteers.  I want to see what he can do if he makes his goal."

Click here to join the quest.  Help a kid out and click the like button on the author page.  Make a miracle happen.  Be a part of the ripple effect.  Thank you.

Something's Happening at the Caveman Reflections Cyber-bistro

Have you heard the news?  Friends of the caveman are banding together to make a miracle happen in May.  It's called the Caveman Miracle Network, benefiting children.  You can visit the bistro to see what it's about. Click here.   The fun is just getting started and there's room for you to join.  This is a grass roots effort to change the world and I'm starting with the man caveman in the mirror.  Here's the theme song for the Miracle in May...

I'm still working on the details of the project and I'm calling on someone special to lead the team.  Her name is Jo McElroy Senecal and she is one of my fabulous cousins.  She laid her dad to rest a couple of days ago and is away on a family vacation in San Diego celebrating two lives well-lived, Larry and Mary McElroy.  I'm asking Jo and her siblings to make Mary and Larry the honorary chairpersons of CMN since these two amazing people were responsible for so many miracles on earth during their lifetimes.  Please consider joining CMN.  Visit my author page and click the like button to show your support.  More details will be announced soon.  Have a great day.

Going Fishing for a Miracle in May

One of my favorite Bible stories is about fishing.  Jesus stood watching on the sidelines while his followers cast their nets.  Nothing happened.  These men who changed the world once they got their inspiration from above failed miserably at fishing.  Jesus had to show them the way.  They became fishers of men.  Their stories turned into the greatest best seller of all times.

Flash-forward 2,000 years.  I'm readying my boat to fish for a miracle in May and Jesus is watching from above.  I know one thing – I'm doomed unless I get some helpers to join me in the boat.  You have two choices.  You can stand on the sidelines and ridicule me while I cast my net or you can join me and help me change the world.  Please don't play the excuse game with me.  I've been there done that enough times to know that excuses are really objections designed to hide behind fear – fear of failure, fear of the unknown and fear of what others will say if you're caught associating with "those people."  I'm one of "those people."  Yes, I know I'm unorthodox.  I prefer the house brand to designer labels.  And I really don't think I'm qualified to haul in a miracle in May.  Jesus is calling the shots.  He called my name.  I'm going fishing.  It would be nice to have some companions.  Think about it.  The boat leaves the dock on May 1.  Come back tomorrow and find out more about the adventure.  Have a great day.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” ~ Matthew 19:26

Mulligan's Recipe for a Miracle

Miracle definition:  a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.

The voices in my head are back again.  I thought I could finally silence them when I published my novel, "The Caveman in the Mirror."  Nope.  They're whispering about all the ingredients I need to serve up a miracle in the month of May.  If you thought you were going to sit back and watch it happen, I have news for you.  You are the secret ingredient.  I can't pull it off without your help. 

You have two weeks to think about participating.  I will reveal the recipe for a miracle on May 1.  Bookmark this blog and stay tuned.  Have a great day.

Bearing Witness ~ A Story Penned by my Cousin, Jo McElroy Senecal

Reunited with his angel in Heaven, 2015.

My precious cousins are celebrating the life of Larry McElroy today in San Diego.  In honor of their dad, I'm posting a link to Jo's New York Times story for my blog readers.  My heart is with my cousins today and I'm happy my mother will be there in person to offer our family's condolences.  Get your box of tissue and read this story posted in the New York Times...

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/03/25/bearing-witness/?mwrsm=Facebook

RIP, Uncle Larry.  And don't worry about us.  Your legacy lives on in your three amazing children I'm proud to call my cousins.

Would You Like to Help Make a Miracle Happen?

It's going to happen.  I expect it.  You play a vital role.  The seed was planted in my head a while ago and it sprouted yesterday morning while I was sitting in God's house listening to a story from Acts 4:32-35...

The community of believers was of one heart and mind,
and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own,
but they had everything in common.
With great power the apostles bore witness
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus,
and great favor was accorded them all.
There was no needy person among them,
for those who owned property or houses would sell them,
bring the proceeds of the sale,
and put them at the feet of the apostles,
and they were distributed to each according to need.

That's when I got my lighting bolt moment.  It's when your doubts and your weaknesses are no longer a part of the story.  It's when you recognize who you are and why you're here.  I'm ready.  I'm not afraid.  The same spirit who inspired the early followers of Jesus to leave the upper room and go out to change the world is with all of us today.  In my case, it's a basement in a small town in the heartland of America and I'm ready to march out of my cave and do the work.  If you are reading this today, consider yourself written into the story.  It's about children and miracles.  If you decline the offer, there will be consequences.  The world will not change.  I need your help.  If your answer is yes, please share this story with your friends and come back on May 1 to join me.  If you're on FaceBook, click here for my author page and show your support by liking the page.  I will share the rest of the story on May 1.  Thanks for joining me.  Have a great day.

New Author Page on FB Dedicated to my Dad, the First Independent Publisher in my Family

Pictured above is my dad, Patrick John Mulligan, handing me an autographed copy of his first book, "The Bisbee Doll with the Purple Tongue."  If he were alive today, he would be stunned by all the recent developments in the world of publishing.   It baffles me that a reader can order a book and receive it twenty-four hours later.  Amazon doesn't even begin printing a book until it is ordered first.  This print-on-demand process reduces storage fees and streamlines the whole process.

Dad's battle with cancer ended two years prior to Facebook's introduction into the social media world.  I wish I could share my new author page with him.  His memory lives on in all my writing projects, including "God's Black Sheep Squadron," a family memoir about his last thirty-five days with us.  If you would like to see my new FB author page, dedicated to my dad, click here for the link.  I would appreciate it you would please like the site.  I picture my dad looking down from Heaven and offering a toast to all my visitors and friends.  Have a great day.

My Dear John Letter to My Credit Card Company

July 1, 2015

Dear John,

We've been together a long time.  I will never forget how you mesmerized me with your seductive offers.  I fell in love with you at first sight and took you everywhere – vacations, travel, fancy restaurants, etc.  You begged me to never leave home without you.  Well, it's time to say good-bye.  Forever.  You're too high maintenance for me.  If I don't break up with you now, my retirement will be in jeopardy. 

By the way, I see you've been in multiple relationships with others.  How dare you.  I'm so furious that I'm publishing a book about you, your bullies you hired to harass me at all hours of the day and night, and your attorneys you sicked on me when I was at the end of my rope and couldn't meet your usurious demands you cleverly hid in the fine print.  Well, surprise.  I'm doing just fine without you.  I'm warning my friends all about you in my tell all book.  Yep.  Everyone is going to know how you used me and abused me.  I'm so over you.

Don't try to stop me from publishing our break-up story, "Break the Chains of Debt Bondage."  It's coming out on the 4th of July.  You can read every lurid detail on Amazon.com.  I've invested hundreds of hours of personal time learning how to defend myself in court without the aid of attorneys just in case you try to stop me.  Enclosed is your final payment.  We're done.  Don't call me.  And if you do, I'll see you in court.  Go ahead.  Make my day. 

Michael

The Frog Who Became a Novelist

I'm still pinching myself.  My life feels like a dream.  I'm the frog who was fortunate enough to be kissed by a princess.  We fell in love and got married.  Life was good on the lily pad.  We decided to take things to the next level and began expressing our feelings in love letters.  After 5,000 spiral-filled pages of heart-warming messages, I leapt into the blog world.  It was scary sharing my life but at the same time fulfilling.  Blogging in cyberspace gives writers a chance to connect with readers on a deep level.  It gave me the confidence to pen a memoir.  I can't tell you how good it feels inside when a reader tells me my first book helped them deal with family issues.  My novel provided an opportunity to share my faith in a fictional setting.  And my third book deals with finances.  Those are my four f's – family, faith, finances and fiction.  The fifth "f" is for the friends I've made along the way.  Thanks for the opportunity to share my life with you.  Your feedback is welcome and appreciated.  Feel free to leave a comment here on this blog or a review on Amazon.com.  Thank you for visiting.  Have a great day.

Final Hurdle in the Leap of Faith

Christianity is complicated.  I know people who took the plunge.  They made following Jesus look easy.  I stayed in the shallow end of the pool for a long time.  Certain Bible verses made my stomach queasy, like this one from the tax collector... "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." ~ Matthew 19:24.

I gave almost everything to Jesus.  The last thing I held onto was the money.  I felt more comfortable managing my assets than turning them over.  The irony here is that everything I gave to Jesus turned to gold and everything I withheld became a liability.  In the end, I said, "okay Jesus, you can have everything.  I'm sorry that my money is in the negative but I want you to be in charge from now on.  Never again will I hold back."

I'm making the final credit card payment on July 1, 2015.  Our cars are paid off.  All future automobiles will be purchased using cash.  My story, "Break the Chains of Debt Bondage," will be published on Independence Day.  It's based on Biblical principals.  They work.  Jesus makes all things new.  The leap of faith yields great dividends.  Trust Jesus.  He'll cover you assets.  Have a great day.

Do Something

Matthew West's song, Do Something, was the first thing I heard when I woke up this morning.  The lyrics remind me why all of us are here and what our responsibilities are.  I wanted to give a shout out to Cynthia and Alex Nieto, the cover artists for my memoir, "God's Black Sheep Squadron."  Cynthia reached out to me yesterday to tell me she is pregnant.  Congratulations to the happy couple.  They are doing something.  The local graphic artists at Elite Sports are working on a cover design for "Break the Chains of Debt Bondage," scheduled for release on the 4th of July, 2015.  I'm organizing a couple of book signings and will let readers know more when the dates and times are finalized.  We have a family vacation booked in a couple of weeks to see our youngest son graduate from army boot camp.  He is definitely doing something.  I would like to salute him for going all out in his training and for scoring a 275 out of 300 on his final PT test.  He earned a special badge for this personal achievement.

Listen to the YoutTube video below and decide today what you will contribute to the world.  Have a great day.

Quiet Whispers and Gentle Nudges

After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  ~ 1 Kings 19:12

God's voice isn't easy to hear.  He prefers quiet whispers over loud thunder.  He moves us in a similar way using gentle nudges rather than bulldozers.  We have two challenges.  The first is to hear God's voice.  And the second is to respond.  His voice is our compass.  His gentle nudge is our first step in our journey of a thousand steps.  I knew following God wasn't going to be easy.  The world is a noisy place filled with countless distractions.  Standing still isn't easy for me.  I want to see the entire treasure map but God likes to keep things hidden.  He works in mysterious ways.  Who knew God would send us a solution tucked away in a place far off where there was no electricity or bed to sleep in?

Jesus often spoke in quiet whispers and gentle nudges, just like his Father.  The blind could see him and the deaf could hear him.  Most couldn't understand him.  His stories seem simple on the surface yet they require much thought to decipher.  Jesus says "follow me."  Can you hear him?  If you're having trouble, try reading the Bible.  There's some great ideas in the New Testament.  If you slow down and let his message sink in, you may hear his voice as you turn the pages.  His words won't mean much unless you choose to respond and move in the direction of his voice.  It's like dancing the two-step – Quiet whisper, gentle nudge.  Quiet whisper, gentle nudge.  Don't worry.  Jesus won't step on your toes.  Have a great day.

New Week, New Life

This has been an exciting year so far.  I became an army dad in January and a novelist in March.  The calendar is filling up with graduations, weddings and a couple of vacations.  My mother is planning a visit in May.  Life is good.  The greatest joy is tied to what happened yesterday.  Our hometown church reopened after two months of renovations and we celebrated Easter in the front row with my wife's aunt.  The church was like new again.  The alleluias were back.  Members of the congregation were dressed in their Sunday best.  I thought about what Jesus said in his final hours, "Behold, I make all things new."

This is a new week.  We've been given new life.  The door to Heaven is wide open.  Jesus is calling out to us, "Follow me."  There is no greater title than to be called follower of Jesus.  No qualifications are needed to become a Christian.  Jesus doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called.  Follow Jesus.  He knows the way to a new life.  Have a great day and a great week.

Walk This Way

Imagine you're walking on the road to Emmaus with a friend.  You feel lost.  Your hope is dead.  There's nothing left to be joyful about.  Your spirits are down.  A stranger joins you on your journey out of town.  He's clueless about the sad news and you wonder how he could be so out of touch.

"Jesus is dead," you tell the stranger.

The stranger wants to know more so you keep the conversation going.  You're impressed with the stranger's ability to share his ideas about Old Testament Bible stories.  He opens your eyes to greater understanding and you decide it may be worthwhile to spend more time on your own in the Good Book.  It's getting late and the stranger wants to move on but you ask him to stay and break bread.  That's when it happens.  He reveals himself to you in the flesh.  He's alive.  It's Jesus!  The Risen One.  You feel a surge of electricity inside your own body.  You go outside and run.  You don't stop.  You can't wait to return to your loved ones and share how you found the Risen Lord on the road to Emmaus.  As you trace your steps back home, you realize something... Jesus was always with you every step of the way – you just didn't notice.  All you need to do today is open your eyes and see Jesus.  The tomb is empty.  He's alive.  Seek and you will find.  Happy Easter.

Passover, Easter Vigil and a Total Eclipse of the Moon

The sun will be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood

before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.

And everyone who calls

on the name of the Lord will be saved. ~ Acts 2:20-21

This story is being written during the lunar eclipse this morning.  I'm fortunate to be west of the Mississippi where viewers will have the best vantage point to see the "blood moon."  It's amazing  how perfect this rare total eclipse of the moon fits into the Bible verse from the Acts of the Apostles.  Our Jewish brothers and sisters are celebrating Passover during the same time as our Easter Vigil.  All of the stars are in alignment.  Here is how Acts 2 begins:

In the last days, God says,

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy,

your young men will see visions,

your old men will dream dreams. ~ Acts 2:17

My gray hair on my head is now beginning to turn white.  This is evidence of my advancing years.  Perhaps I'm one of the old men in the Bible verse who will dream dreams.  My novel, "The Caveman in the Mirror," is about a man who has visions.  

My wife and I are headed outside to see the total eclipse of the moon.  Have a great day.  And don't forget to call on the name of the Lord.

Photo credit:  Shutterstock

Why Good Friday is Important

Today is the most crucial day in Heaven and on earth.  It's the day Jesus gave up his life for you and me.  His last words before dying on the Cross were, "it is finished."  This is where the hope of Easter begins.  It's beyond painted eggs and chocolate covered Easter Bunnies.  Today is about examining our faults and our flaws.  It's about sacrifice.  We fast to remember what Jesus did today so we can have a new beginning.

I don't have to look far to find the mistakes in my life.  Readers are reporting the blemishes in my novel.  "Don't worry," I tell them.  Print on demand allows me to fix the errors and do instant updates.  The other areas of my life aren't as easy to correct.  Like forgiving those who persecute me for my beliefs.  It's so easy to hate yet hard to love my enemies.  All I need to do today is remember how the One I follow handled difficult people.  He washed their feet.  He forgave them.  He died for them.  I'm going to let the meaning of Good Friday soak in today.  Thank you, Jesus.  I appreciate what you did today and I will never forget.

My Next Adventure – Hiring a Publicist

I met with my boss at my day job twenty-four hours before I released my first novel .  "I wrote a book," I told him at the start of my shift.  His face lit up, like a proud father and he peppered me with questions about the process.  At the end of the conversation he suggested I hire a publicist to promote my book.  His idea makes sense.  I'm so busy writing I don't really have time to promote my books properly.  Rather than reach out to unknown people, I'm turning to my base of blog readers and twitter followers for help.  I'm feeling inspired by the excellent results I obtained when I asked my FaceBook friends for assistance finding a graphic artist for The Caveman in the Mirror.  Elite Sports was just five miles from my own backyard.  Could my publicist be a neighbor next door?  I'm ready for the adventure to begin.

If you know someone with the right skill set to help me reach my marketing goals, please email me with the contact information.  Have a great day.

Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, What Day is it?

Let this be your warning.  Today is April Fool's Day.  Pay attention.  Keep your guard up.  I'm not going to add anything else because those who know me never take me seriously on April 1.  I'll see you tomorrow.  Have a great day.