WHAT COLOR IS YOUR JESUS?
Christmas, Heart of the Holidays| No Comments »
WHAT COLOR IS YOUR JESUS?
by Lorri V. Allen, Speaker, Author
My husband-to-be had a bleak view of church when we first met. His overriding memory of Sunday school was being punished at age three for coloring Jesus purple.
What the teacher saw as disrespect was more likely a foreshadow of Mark’s artistic talent. Do you think Jesus minded being purple? I don’t. Every culture depicts Jesus a little differently. I have seen fair-skinned, blue-eyed Jesuses (or is it Jesi?), black ones, Asian ones, and in my friend Ellen’s nativity scenes from Mexico, a beautiful brown-eyed, toasty-skinned baby Jesus.
In reality, Jesus probably sported a swarthy complexion, with dark eyes and black hair, like many of the Middle Easterners we see today. But what is more important than color is size. There is no doubt Jesus was an infant. So, next time you see a child, think about Jesus, and how much he loved us to become a baby that burped and spit up. Think about how he might have said his first words or taken his first step.
The color of Jesus’ skin doesn’t matter because if he lives in our hearts, he does look just like we do.
By the way, Mark still isn’t exactly wild about Sunday school, but he likes purple. Best of all, he loves Jesus!
Reprinted from the HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS book, by Sheryl L. Roush
ORDER THE BOOK:
Bask in the glow of winter’s warmth. Celebrate the most blessed time of year with lighthearted tales, original stories and poems, and quotations… Chapters include: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Yuletide Around the Globe, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Ringing in the New Year…
ORDER COPIES of the HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS book here.
ORDER THE MUSIC CD:
Touching the heart with music, Heart of the Holidays is a celebration of the season. Included are creative new interpretations of the traditional Chanukah songs "Mo’oz Tsur" and "Sivivon." Two original numbers written and performed by Laurie Z., "Heart of the Holidays" and "Warmth From Within" easily hold their own next to the traditional songs we all know by heart. Playful touches are included, like special guest, late actor Jack Palance singing "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," topping it all off with Jack Palance’s delightful reading of "The Night Before Christmas."
ORDER COPIES of the HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS Music CD here.
VIEW OTHER BOOKS –AND MUSIC IN THIS SERIES:
Click on title to view each book.
Heart of a Woman (printed)
Heart of a Military Woman (printed) ….. and on Kindle
Heart of a Mother (printed)
Heart of a Mother (printed with Bonus Music CD)
Heart of a Mother … Music CD
Heart of the Holidays (printed) ….. and on Kindle
Heart of the Holidays … Music CD
Heart of a Woman in Business (printed)
Corazon de Mujer (printed) (Heart of a Woman in Spanish)
WINTER SOLSTICE
Heart of the Holidays, Holidays, Winter Solstice| No Comments »Reprinted from the HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS book, by Sheryl L. Roush
WINTER SOLSTICE
by Reverend Uki MacIsaac, MA
Winter Solstice is the time when the “sun stands still,” the shortest day of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, days become shorter from June 21 on, until around December 21st, when the sun seems to rise and set in the same place for a while. Then slowly the sun begins its journey toward the south again, and the days grow longer until the peak of sunlight at the Summer Solstice.
The longest night of the year bears within itself the promise of the return of the light, the “rebirth” of the sun. Thus, the Winter Solstice is a time to celebrate the darkness of the womb from which creation arises. We honor the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, the dark night of the soul and the rebirth of new hope and vision. When we move deeper into the darkness instead of avoiding it, we find the gifts the darkness holds. To some, that may mean moving into the shadow aspect of self. What needs to be released, to be brought into the light of our awareness? Even in our darkest moments we can find the seeds of growth and healing within.
The darkness of the long winter nights that culminate in the Winter Solstice is also a time to honor and celebrate the world of the unseen, of dreams, and of intuition. When we cannot see with our physical eyes, we learn to trust the inner vision, the power of insight and inner knowingness. The journey into the darkness prepares the way for celebration: in gratitude we rejoice in the return of the light, the promise of the sun/son lighting our path, the promise of new beginnings.
A Winter Solstice Meditation
Begin by taking a deep breath in and then exhaling slowly.
Relax as you release the breath.
With each breath you take, you move deeper into the silent space
within, into your inner world.
Imagine yourself now walking through a desert landscape at night.
The moon is not visible to light your path, and at first your steps are
unsure and tentative. The more you attune yourself to the silent
world around you, the more your senses begin to perceive details
along your path.
The desert air is clear and cold, fragrant with the aroma of sage.
Now you move with confidence, you can “see” with your inner eyes.
You are comfortable with the darkness that reveals its gifts:
You can hear sounds of life around you—what do you hear?
You see things you have not seen before—what do you see?
You trust your inner senses, your intuition guides you on your path.
Answers reveal themselves as you surrender to the power of the unseen.
You feel safe and protected.
A warm feeling starts to bubble up in your solar plexus.
The warmth spreads to your arms and legs, to your whole body.
A pleasant tingling sensation accompanies the warm glow that now
seems to emanate from your body, creating a field of pleasant
vibrating energy throughout and around you. The source of light
and warmth is within, always accessible, your internal sun.
You are equally comfortable with the dark as with the light.
You are balanced, in harmony with Mother Earth and Father Sky.
As you turn your eyes toward the night sky above you, a blanket of
brilliant stars illuminate the sky.
Gratitude washes over you as you open your heart to the beauty
of this sacred time and space.
A granite boulder offers a place to rest and relax.
Hours seem like minutes, a sense of timelessness prevails.
Yet, almost imperceptibly at first, you notice a change on the horizon.
The light of the stars begins to fade, and toward the east, the first light
of dawn colors the sky with shades of purple, pink, and orange.
Slowly the landscape around you reveals a new face of beauty and
harmony.
Soon the radiant disk of the sun appears and bathes the desert in its
warm glow.
You are reborn to this new day, and you greet it with joy and
gratitude.
You can trust the sacred circles of nature that offer new beginnings.
Bless the return of the light as you have blessed the womb of
darkness that preceded it.
With your next deep breath begin to bring your awareness back to the
here and now. Feel yourself grounded, balanced, and in harmony.
When you are ready, you may open your eyes, fully back in the here
and now, bringing with you the gifts of this sacred journey.
And so it is.
Thank You God.
ORDER THE BOOK:
Bask in the glow of winter’s warmth. Celebrate the most blessed time of year with lighthearted tales, original stories and poems, and quotations… Chapters include: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Yuletide Around the Globe, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Ringing in the New Year…
ORDER COPIES of the HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS book here. KINDLE version
ORDER THE MUSIC CD:
Touching the heart with music, Heart of the Holidays is a celebration of the season. Included are creative new interpretations of the traditional Chanukah songs "Mo’oz Tsur" and "Sivivon." Two original numbers written and performed by Laurie Z., "Heart of the Holidays" and "Warmth From Within" easily hold their own next to the traditional songs we all know by heart. Playful touches are included, like special guest, late actor Jack Palance singing "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," topping it all off with Jack Palance’s delightful reading of "The Night Before Christmas."
ORDER COPIES of the HEART OF THE HOLIDAYS Music CD here.
VIEW OTHER BOOKS –AND MUSIC IN THIS SERIES:
Click on title to view each book.
Heart of a Woman (printed)
Heart of a Military Woman (printed) ….. and on Kindle
Heart of a Mother (printed)
Heart of a Mother (printed with Bonus Music CD)
Heart of a Mother … Music CD
Heart of the Holidays (printed) ….. and on Kindle
Heart of the Holidays … Music CD
Heart of a Woman in Business (printed)
Corazon de Mujer (printed) (Heart of a Woman in Spanish)
Sheryl Roush interviewed on Heart of the Holidays Music Release
Christmas, Heart of the Holidays, Interviews| 1 Comment »
Sheryl Roush interviewed
on Heart of the Holidays
Music CD Release
December 12th inspirational speaker and published author Sheryl Roush was interviewed AGAIN by popular Family Network personality Lorri Allen and veteran newsman Larry Estepa for Mornings!
Ms. Roush was asked to share about the new music CD added to her Heart of the Holidays book, featuring child prodigy pianist at age 16, Laurie Z., 15-time Grammy award nominee consideration artist. The selections, chosen by Janet Cucinotti of Zebra Productions, Inc., offers traditional and lively Hanukkah and Christmas songs.
Special treat — Jack Palance, the late actor tells "The Night Before Christmas" with Laurie’s soft music in the background… a CLASSIC.. like you’ve never heard it before! (Curly, from City Slickers, with Billy Crystal.)
Lorri Allen is featured with FOUR of her own stories published in the Heart of the Holidays book! Copies were given away to callers who phoned in to share their favorite holiday traditions.
"Mornings" is like a chat around the water cooler. It’s a fun, refreshing—but different—way to start the day, equipping listeners with ways to engage friends and co-workers. Informational and inspirational, it’s relationship radio at its best. "Mornings" airs live on SIRIUS Satellite Radio Channel 161 from 6:00-9:00 am ET and on FamilyNet TV from 7:00-9:00 am ET. Check out the Mornings Blog anytime.
ORDERING INFORMATION:
Heart of the Holidays (book only) is available at Amazon.com, Borders.com, and Borders bookstores (find location near you).
SPECIAL OFFER!
Order the Book with Bonus Music CD for $19.95 and receive the Sparkle-Tudes! A-Z Quotations eBook (value $14.95) free.
Sheryl Roush is President of Sparkle Presentations, Inc., based in San Diego, California. She is a top-rated international conference speaker, and 12-time author. In additional to Heart of the Holidays, her other books include: Heart of a Woman, Heart of a Mother, Heart of a Woman in Business, Corazon de Mujer (Heart of a Woman in Spanish), and Sparkle-Tudes!
Heart of a Mother also has a Bonus Music CD available with the book.
Radio Interview: Holiday Inspiration
Heart of the Holidays, Interviews| 1 Comment »
Radio Interview: Holiday Inspiration
INTERVIEW on BlogTalkRadio.com
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Helena Steiner-Hornsteyn, and Radio Show Hostess our “Our Wondrous World,” has casual conversation with business success dynamo and speaker Sheryl Roush, author of the Heart Book Series inspirational books, and Darlene Fahl-Brittian, tea-prayer-specialist, and contributor to the Heart of the Holidays book. They each share their feelings and traditions around the yuletide holidays.
Sheryl shares her favorites from the Heart of the Holidays, including:
“Family Circus Christmas” by Teri Hall
“Do You Believe?” inspired by Sheryl’s Australian niece, Alison
“Christmas Is…” by Christian poet Ginny Ellis
Darlene shares two of her sacred Tea Prayers,
“Festivi-Tea” and “Sereni-Tea.”
"You can change your life in the 10 minutes… all it takes to mindfully sip a cup of tea."
Helena, originally from Sweden, offers childhood memories growing up in Europe.
The hour-long program concludes with Sheryl offering Affirmations, with “Warmth From Within” piano music from the new Heart of the Holidays Music CD by Laurie Z.® (15-time Grammy award nominee considerations artist) playing in the background. Actor Jack Palance makes a guest appearance on the CD with "The Night Before Christmas."
HEAR THE INTERVIEW HERE:
http://sedonatalkradio.com/content/view/65/104
Heart of the Holidays features original short stories, poems, quotations and scriptures celebrating Yuletide Around the Globe, Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Boxing Day, Military Abroad, and Ringing in the New Year’s.
SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFER:
Purchase the Heart of the Holidays book with the Bonus Music CD ($19.95 US), before Christmas Day, and receive the eBook by Sheryl Roush, Sparkle-Tudes! Inspirational Quotations for Creating Sparkling Attitudes, emailed as a PDF to you for FREE. (Value $14.95) Order directly from www.SparklePresentations.com to receive this offer, with secure payment on-line through PayPal. Email Sheryl@SparklePresentations.com with autographing instructions.
Dr. Helena Steiner-Hornsteyn is ranked one of the world’s top four spiritual healing coaches. She is a top-rated inspirational motivational speaker and a leading authority in the field of spiritual personal transformation and healing of body and mind. Helena is the author of Constant Awakening. She has a way to reach your inner self without complicated rules and steps how to do it. Even during a motivational lecture, you’ll learn and be inspired by her exciting inspirational power-meditation techniques for clarity and added life success.
www.SpeakingToYourHeart.com
Listen to more radio interviews with Helena here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stations/SedonaTalkRadio/Helena
Darlene Fahl-Brittian .jpeg)
www.TakeUpTheCup.com
Sheryl Roush
www.HeartBookSeries.com
www.SparklePresentations.com
Musical Selections Audio CD to accompany Heart of a Mother Book
Heart of a Mother, Heart of a Woman, MUSIC| 14 Comments »Heart of a Mother
Music Audio CD to accompany published Book
Sparkle Press, Sparkle Presentations, Inc., and WorldSound Productions, Inc. have joined hearts and efforts to create a new MUSIC AUDIO CD to accompany the book, Heart of a Mother, by Sheryl Roush, to be released before Mother’s Day this year. Truly a unique and diverse collection, talented big name musicians have contributed their gifts in the memory and tribute to the life of "Laurie Z." beloved child pianist prodigy at age 16, a non-smoker who died February 6, 2006 from lung cancer, in the prime of her career. Each artist has donated, and some created for this compliation, their tracks in the name and love of Laurie Zeluck Carter.
“Life, for most people, consists of living on the lines – that is, doing what they feel they are supposed to do, or what is expected of them, instead of allowing themselves to soar to their own personal heights and challenges. Truly, life often hands us the best opportunities for growth when we least expect it, when something unanticipated interrupts our life ‘to do’ list. I believe that the greatest things life has to offer lie ‘between the lines,’ when we take advantage of serendipitous events and begin to paint our own picture of what truly can be for us, not what ‘should be’ for us.”
~Laurie Z.~
HEART OF A MOTHER MUSIC TALENTS:
Laurie Z.® received a total of 15 Grammy nomination considerations for her recordings. Her ability to gracefully mix classical, modern jazz and contemporary instrumental styles has been called “absolutely amazing” by prominent music critics and fans alike. Laurie was known for her in-concert improvisations and For the Love of a Child was first created in concert from a suggestion from the audience. It was later recorded live to Disklavier, without edits or overdubs. All The Love In The World by Laurie Z.®, is Sheryl Roush’s heartfelt pick.
Doug Sparling has written music for Pat Sajak’s Lucky Letters (Wheel of Fortune) cell phone game, recorded and written music for Kansas City Irish Rock band The Elders, and performed on the title theme for an indie film titled Hunter. His music has been placed in music production libraries in the U.S. and UK. Interested in many styles, Doug’s musical compositions include Celtic/Irish, solo piano, solo acoustic guitar, and ambient guitar and lap steel. Doug’s tune, The Old Stone Bridge was selected in 2005 for a McDonald’s web site benefiting the Ronald McDonald House and appears on Celtic Shores II (Epilogue Records) compilation CD. You will dance along to The Mother & Child Reel on this compilation.
Ericson Holt has recorded and toured with Grammy winners, The Mavericks, and Oscar nominee and critics favorite Allison Moorer. He has performed with Lee Roy Parnell, Rodney Crowell, Tracy Nelson, and Ricky Van Shelton. Ericson is featured prominently on the new Mike Farris release Salvation in Lights and is an in-demand session player in Nashville. Moonlight in Memphis is from Ericson’s debut solo album, The Blue Side, which climbed to the top 30 on the Americana Chart.
Steve Gibb is an award winning composer and guitarist. His amazing instrumental versatility, combined with his ability to compose in many styles, enables him to transcend the musical genres with ease. Steve has worked with many of today’s leading composers and is in much demand as a session guitarist. Steve has appeared on stage in the title role for the musical, The Buddy Holly Story and is currently performing in the Tony Award winning Broadway musical Jersey Boys. Steve’s Lost in You on this touching compilation is soothing, nurturing and passionate.
JanElaine Eller is not what you might expect. When you first see her, you might expect the performance to match the pretty, petite, and gentle natured person. Then she sits at a piano and her powerhouse performances resonate the chords of your soul. Her songs are broad and sweeping and take hearts soaring, while also relaying a grace that leaves listeners with a sense of peace and well-being. Vocal to Turning Wheels is performed by the talented Joy Summerville.
Charlie Souza is the original Tom Petty band bass player. He was also the bass player for the pop/rock legend bands Fortress and The Tropics. Charlie has performed, collaborated and recorded with Bill Champlin (Chicago), Joe Walsh, Jim Horn, Greg Allman, Cactus, Santana keyboardist Leon Patillo, The Darrell Mansfield Christian Band, White Witch & Gale Force. Charlie has carved out a successful career as a session musician, writer, producer, band leader and, along with other members of The Tropics, is a recent nominee to the Florida Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Listen to "The Rose" from Charlie’s "You Can Live Your Dream" CD.
Kirsten Vogelsang is both a composer and a professional cellist. Kirsten has taken her background and fluency in string and orchestral writing and applied it to new and crossover genres such as electroacoustic and trance. As a Sundance Fellow, Kirsten began her filmscoring career in 1990, scoring over 20 films and TV productions. As a session musician, her countless recording highlights in film and television include X Men, Star Trek, and The Last Samurai. Composing for the dance and concert music world, Kirsten’s performance list includes Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Whitney Museum. Kirsten’s tender track on this CD is Mamas Know (Kyra’s Lullaby).
Peter Combe is indisputably Australia’s finest and most loved children’s songwriter and recording artist. His wonderfully diverse music delights both children and parents alike. With three ARIA Awards, the American equivalent of a Grammy, Peter was the first Children’s artist in Australia to ever receive an ARIA Award. Seven of Peter’s albums have received Gold Awards and two Platinum Awards. He has written songs for all of his four children with Child of Mine written for his daughter Alice. Daughter Emily Combe, whose band, The Finishing School, is a recipient of the 2006 L.A. Music Award for “Best Pop Artist of the Year,” provides background vocal.
Penka Kouneva is a Sundance Composer Fellow and Hollywood film composer blending her native Eastern-European influences with modern orchestra, Medieval chant, rock, and electronica. To date, she has scored nine independent features, four television films for the SciFi channel, episodic shows on cable TV, and five documentaries. In addition to scoring, Penka is a busy orchestrator on studio films (Pirates of the Carribean III, Matrix 2 & 3, Lizzie McGuire Movie), and on film trailers for the two biggest trailer houses in Los Angeles. Playground was written in tribute to the memory of Laurie Z.®
WorldSound Productions and Sparkle Press graciously thank all the Artists for their generous heartfelt contributions to this CD which is dedicated to the memory of Laurie Z.®
For more information about these and other talented Artists please visit:
World Sound Productions
"Serving artists in the new millennium"
www.WorldSoundProductions.com
or email: pr@WorldSoundProductions.com
P.O. Box 568, Capitola, CA 95010 U.S.A.
Phone (831) 462-1918
For more information about the Heart Books or Speaker and Author
Sheryl Roush visit:
www.HeartBookSeries.com
www.SherylRoush.com
or email: Sheryl@SparklePresentations.com
P.O. Box 2373, La Mesa, CA 91943 U.S.A.
Phone (858) 569-6555
Many of the Artists ARE available for concerts and special performances at your engagements. Consider hosting an EVENT with the Artists performing and Sheryl Roush presenting as your keynote inspirational speaker.
CD and BOOK AVAILABLE AT: www.amazon.com/dp/1880878186
Heart of the Holidays – Music
Christmas, Heart of the Holidays, MUSIC, Winter Solstice| No Comments »Heart of the Holidays – Music
THIS IS MAGNIFICENT HOLIDAY MUSIC—-PIANO with HEART!!!
Browsing the internet this morning, I came across this unique and touching CD that goes along with the theme of the Heart of the Holidays book – and BY THE SAME NAME! So of course, it got MY attention. I listened to title theme song track and then a few more songs, and ordered it!
“The songs on my albums, although they’re mostly instrumental, each carry a lot of meaning with them. I have a very vivid image in my head when I write, which I try to convey musically and melodically. My goal is to get you to feel what I’m feeling, without using words.”
~ Laurie Z.
Touching the heart with music, Heart of the Holidays is a celebration of the season. Included are creative new interpretations of the traditional Chanukah songs "Mo’oz Tsur" and "Sivivon." Two original numbers written and performed by Laurie Z., "Heart of the Holidays" and "Warmth From Within" easily hold their own next to the traditional songs we all know by heart. Playful touches are included, like special guest, late actor Jack Palance singing "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," topping it all off with Jack Palance’s delightful reading of "The Night Before Christmas."
Read more about musical prodigy Laurie Zeluck Carter here.
A touching tribute to Laurie’s life is posted here (1957-2006).
