Holly Michael's Writing Straight

~ Connecting and Inspiring Along Life's Crooked Lines by Author Holly Michael

Holly Michael's Writing Straight

Tag Archives: NFL

Coach Kubiak-God Sends Leaders

28 Thursday Jan 2016

Posted by Holly Michael in Diabetes, Family, First and Goal, Football

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Coach Kubiak, Denver Broncos, devotional, Faith and Football, First and Goal, Holly Michael, Houston Texans, Jake Byrne, Leaders, never give up, NFL, t1D, type 1 diabetes, Type One Diabetes, Type Won

With the Super Bowl coming up, I’d like to share excerpts from the most amazing football devotional! Jake Byrne’s FIRST AND GOAL – What Football Taught Me About Never Giving Up.  Denver Broncos Head Coach Gary Kubiak is taking the team to the Super Bowl! The devotional shares one of Jake’s experience under Coach Kubiak 

***

Coach – The coach is the man in charge, the guy responsible for the entire team. When the team wins, every fan boasts that it’s because of the coach. When the team loses, fans and media blame him. He is motivator, teacher, and leader. The coach sculpts players into the best athletes they can be in order to win games. He’s also the guy who calls the plays.

 Playing for the Texans against Indianapolis in 2013, we were up by three touchdowns after a few weeks of losses.

images-1 copyAt halftime, our morale high, we headed toward the locker room with Coach Gary Kubiak behind us.

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Texans vs. Colts photo by Holly Michael

Nearing the tunnel, a collective gasp rose from the stadium. My teammates and I stopped and turned. Our leader had fallen onto the ground! Medical staff rushed to his side and officials cleared the crowd away from the scene. An ambulance soon hauled him away. Without the rock that held us all together, without our leader and play caller, we didn’t score again and lost that game.

Later, we discovered our head coach had a ministroke. Already dealing with a losing season, the team’s morale couldn’t get much lower. Then, more bad news. Coach Kubiak was let go. The one man in the organization who was loved by all, the one we trusted and respected, was gone. I’d never seen lower spirits in any team or group of people. The Texans didn’t win another game that season.

Then the Lord said to him, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.” And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said.” Deuteronomy 34:4-5

Moses—the leader of the Israelites for 40 years—was not allowed to take the people into the Promised Land because he disobeyed God.

When Coach Kubiak was with the Texans, he was a well-loved coach—like Moses was for the Israelites—always taking care of the team and putting players’ interests first. Like Coach and Moses, even beloved leaders can fall or fail unexpectedly. Either way, the team suffers. Our hearts went out to the revered man, but we also worried about what would happen to us. Who would lead us?

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Has someone you admired fallen, failed, or suddenly disappeared from your life? That makes for tough times. You wonder if you’ll pull through. After Coach Kubiak was fired, Wade Philips, defensive coordinator was named as the interim coach that 2013 season and the remainder of a shaky team ambled through a losing season.

God sent Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Later, in the fullness of time, God sent Jesus, His Son, to earth—as God and human—to live among us and be our Savior. When we’re in need of a leader, we don’t have to worry. God always sends someone. We must regroup and move on but never give up.

***

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Coach Gary Kubiak was hired as the Broncos head coach on January 18, 2015. This Super Bowl Broncos’ Head Coach, Gary Kubiak is the 1st person in NFL history to make a Super Bowl as both a player and head coach with the same team.

12592553_971975222892063_5929848364222004930_nJake Byrne grew up in Rogers, Arkansas. A type 1 diabetic since the age of fourteen, he has since been proactive combating the disease and mentoring diabetic youth. He played football for the University of Wisconsin as a tight end, and went on to compete in the NFL. Originally an undrafted free agent who signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2012, he has also been a Houston Texan, Kansas City Chief, and San Diego Charger. Jake lives in Dallas with his wife, Emma, and two four-legged kids: Duke the Dogo Argentino and Yeti the Great Dane.

Best cover.jpgBack Cover Blurb for First and Goal:

Jake Byrne dreamed of playing professional football. He had the size, the talent, the drive…but at age 14, he found out he also had type 1 diabetes.

Still, Jake was determined to reach his goal. And God was determined to guide and empower him all along the way.

Jake’s journey to the NFL is the backdrop for this collection of inspiring devotions based on nearly a hundred football terms. Jake takes you to the weight room, practice field, and even across the goal line. You’ll feel as if you’re lined up next to him, facing a very large defender you’re about to take down. He also includes Scripture and then ties up each story in a way that feels real and encouraging. You’ll discover…

* what to do when God calls an audible in your life

* how to respond when God puts you on special teams

* why prayer is never an incomplete pass

These quick daily readings will help you press through your own difficulties and experience God’s dream for you.

Jake blogs at www.typewon.net.

He can be reached through the following social media:

Facebook Page (Type Won): http://www.facebook.com/typewon1

Twitter: @sugarfreejb82

Instagram: Jakebyrne81

Email: typewonquestions@gmail.com

To Purchase First and Goal

 

 

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The Monster Who Threw the Meanest Fastball

27 Tuesday Oct 2015

Posted by Holly Michael in To His Glory

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Baseball, diabetes, fear, hit with a baseball, Jake Byrne, JDRF, Lee Zeimba, Little league, Mike Backer, NFL, Type One Diabetes

UnknownWith the Kansas City Royals in the World Series and KC covered in blue, I was inspired to post a baseball story…about a couple of future NFL players back when they were just kids in little league.

From FIRST AND GOAL – What Football Taught Me About Never Giving Up (Football Devotional)…

Mike Backer – The QB of the defense. The Mike Backer is in charge of getting the entire defense set and the play called. The Mike Backer is normally the biggest and hardest hitting linebacker.

stock-photo-17761677-baseball-pitchBig Lee Ziemba stared me down from the T-ball mound. Lee, a future blue-chip offensive tackle, was one of the biggest humans I’d met in Arkansas. By the fifth grade, he stood more than six feet tall and threw the meanest fastball in Little League.

Stepping up to bat, I swallowed the lump in my throat. Lee wound up and unfurled the ball. Terror gripped me. The ball crushed me in the ribs and laid me out, gasping for breath. For a second I almost though I was moving toward the light.

After that game, I stood at the edge of the batter’s box and flinched every time the ball was pitched to me. I finished out the last few games and never stepped onto a baseball field again.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, and the mountains quake with their surging (Psalm 46:1-3).

Today, Lee Zeimba is an NFL offensive lineman. Back in the fifth grade, he was a monster who swung a mighty pitch that ended my baseball career. The Zimba fear factor changed me from a first baseman hitting home runs to a washed-up benchwarmer, cowering in the dugout while my mom fussed at the coach to put me in the game.

I wasn’t afraid of Lee though; he was my friend. We later became high school football teammates. Since, I’ve played against many Lee Ziemba types. We call them Mike Backers—big, hard-hitting linebackers. They can scare the life out of you. You have to face your fears and will yourself to take on those monsters on the football field.

Fear is useless. It makes you question yourself, your life, and your faith. Few things are more destructive.

Are you struggling with fear? Are you scared to take the next step in a job or a relationship? Are you afraid to make an important decision? Do the Mike Backers in your life seem too big to handle?

These are times to find strength in God’s Word. The Bible assures us that even if the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, we should not fear. God can give us courage and deliver us from fear before it grows as big as a crushingly powerful Mike Backer.

***

FiRST AND GOAL BY JAKE BYRNE – Jake Byrne grew up in Rogers, Arkansas. A type 1 diabetic since a teenager, he has since been proactive combating the disease and mentoring diabetic youth. He played football for the University of Wisconsin as a tight end, and went on to compete in the NFL. Originally an undrafted free agent who signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2012, he has also been a Houston Texan, Kansas City Chief, and San Diego Charger. Jake lives in Dallas with his wife, Emma, and two four-legged kids: Duke the Dogo Argentino and Yeti the Great Dane.

12016186_10156044039905635_176705038_oNOVEMBER IS DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH. Support the cause! Click here to purchase a copy of First and Goal. A percentage of proceeds go toward supporting Jake’s foundation, Type Won, to help kids with type 1 diabetes go to athletic camps. Want an autographed copy of FIRST AND GOAL? CLICK HERE!

Jake blogs at www.typewon.net. He can be reached through the following social media:

Facebook Page (Type Won): www.facebook.com/typewon1

Twitter: @sugarfreejb82

Instagram: Jakebyrne81

Email: typewonquestions@gmail.com

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Brotherly Love

10 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by Holly Michael in Betsy Byrne, Books, Christianity, Diabetes, Family, First and Goal, Football, Inspiration, Jake Byrne, Nick Byrne

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

Author, Best Devotional for boys, Best Devotional for Teens, Best Sports Devotional, Bestseller, Betsy Byrne, book, Brother, Brotherly Love, Christian, Christianity, devotional, diabetes, First and Goal, First and Goal What Football Taught Me About Never Giving Up, football, Holly Michael, Houston Texan, Jake Byrne, Kansas City Cheifs, New Orlean Saint, NFL, Nick Byrne, San Diego Charger, type 1, type 1 diabetes, Type One Diabetes, Type Won, What Football Taught Me About Never Giving UP, Wisconsin Badgers

One of my favorite devotions from my son Jake’s book (an A-Z football devotional) – FIRST AND GOAL – What Football Taught Me About Never Giving Up

Position – Eleven players from each team are on the field at a time, and each player has a position, role, and responsibility to complete the offense, defense, or special teams.

I am a firstborn. My little brother, Nick, five years younger than me, was the last addition to the gang. In his baby years, he was happiest in one position–cradled in my lap, watching the screen as I played video games. At first it was a pain, but I got used to playing with him.

FullSizeRender-4

Playing video games with Nick.

My favorite games were Madden sports games. It wasn’t long before Nick’s position changed. He soon sat beside me, holding his own controller. Later, he was a real competitor, learning the football positions and eventually becoming a formidable challenger.

At age 17 I zipped up my suitcase, ready to leave for college.

“Let’s play one more game before you go.” Nick wiped a tear on his sleeve.

I took my position on the floor with Nick beside me. He beat me. I didn’t even let him. Soon the game ended. The hardest thing about leaving for college was watching my little brother tear up when I said my final goodbye.

While I was in college, I got a call from Nick. “Hey, I’m with my friends, playing you on Madden NCAA 2012.”

By that time I was actually in the college football video game, and he was proud to be picking me as a player. “Give me extra strength,” I said. “Pump up my muscles.”

“Right now I’m giving you a really huge butt and little chicken legs.”

Chuckles came through the phone.

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another (Romans 12:10 nkjv).

Through the laughter I could hear Nick’s pride and love. When he was a kid, he’d sometimes drive me nuts always wanting to hang out with me and my friends, but I had done my best to bring him into my world. It’s what a big brother should do. Most of my friends were cool with Nick hanging out with us.

Now when we get together, I want to spend all my free time hanging out with Nick and his friends.

Nick and his teammate Daniel Cadona.

Nick and his teammate Daniel Cadona.

He’s also a football player, a tight end. Same position I played through high school, college, and into the NFL.

IMG_5750

Nick, a Ragin’ Cajun @ The University of Louisiana – Lafayette

There’s nothing like having a brother, especially one like Nick. God says to give preference to one another. That means putting that person first, be it a brother or one who is like a brother to you. The paybacks are great.

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Sister Betsy and Nick

With Nick at a college football camp, giving him a few pointers while I was with the New Orleans Saints.

01d9a70c1cec63256243749c84741768dd1a459ade (1)

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1908477_10203058282048200_7841013063728876238_n

Nick, sister Betsy

*****

So proud of my kiddos, Jake, Betsy and Nick and so pleased that they are all the best of friends–from childhood to adulthood. First and GoalThe devotional above is an excerpt from Jake’s Book, FIRST AND GOAL – WHAT FOOTBALL TAUGHT ME ABOUT NEVER GIVING UP, now available from most all booksellers. Published by Harvest House Publishers 

Bio for Jake: Jake Byrne grew up in Rogers, Arkansas. A type 1 diabetic since the age of fourteen, he has since been proactive combating the disease and mentoring diabetic youth. He played football for the University of Wisconsin as a tight end, and went on to compete in the NFL. Originally an undrafted free agent who signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2012, he has also been a Houston Texan, Kansas City Chief, and San Diego Charger.

Jake blogs at www.typewon.net.

Facebook Page (Type Won): www.facebook.com/typewon1

Twitter: @sugarfreejb82

Instagram: Jakebyrne81

Email: typewonquestions@gmail.com

First and Goal Book Page: https://www.facebook.com/FirstAndGoalTypeWon

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Big News…not from the SCOTUS or the POTUS, but from…US!

26 Friday Jun 2015

Posted by Holly Michael in Books, Christianity, Diabetes, Family, First and Goal, Football, Holly Michael's New Releases, Inspiration, Jake Byrne, kim moore, type 1 diabetes, type one, type one diabetes, type won

≈ 21 Comments

Tags

Bestseller, devotional, First and Goal, First and Goal What Football Taught Me About Never Giving Up, Holly Michael, Jake Byrne, NFL

Got home from church on Wednesday night and found a package from Harvest House Publishers. Our book! The devotional that my son Jake and I wrote together is officially off the presses. Yippee!!!

UnknownHere’s the back:IMG_3018W

We had such a wonderful time working together on FIRST AND GOAL. I’m very proud of Jake and thankful to Kim Moore, our editor at Harvest House, who believed in this project when I pitched it to her at a writer’s conference.

img_1002First and Goal’s official release date is August 1st – when you can find it in most all book marketplaces, online and in retail stores. But right now it IS available for preorder on Amazon.

If you’ve followed Jake’s story on my blog, you’ll appreciate his inspiration in this book and all that’s he has overcome.

If you haven’t followed his story, you may enjoy some of my posts over the past couple of years about his journey into the NFL. Click the Jake Byrne link on the left column of this blog to read more.

CLICK HERE TO AMAZON TO PREORDER FIRST AND GOAL – WHAT FOOTBALL TAUGHT ME ABOUT NEVER GIVING UP!

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Looking Back…Looking Forward – Amazing Life

16 Monday Mar 2015

Posted by Holly Michael in Betsy Byrne, Books, Christianity, Crooked Lines, Diabetes, Family, First and Goal, Football, Jake Byrne, Nick Byrne, tsunami 2004

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

Author, Author Jake Byrne, Betsy Byrne, Bishop Leo Michael, Crooked Lines, Dallas, Dreams, Emma Erickson, First and Goal, First and Goal What Football Taught Me About Never Giving Up, future, God, God's Plan For You, Harvest House, Holly Michael, Holy Catholic Church Anglican Rite, Jake Byrne, Kansas City, Leo Michael, NFL, Nick Byrne, Novel, plans, Psalm 16:3, Psalm 31, Psalm 37:4-6, St James Anglican, tsunami 2004, type 1, type 1 diabetes, Type One Diabetes, Type Won, www.typewon.net

Hi Friends,

If you visited my blog about two years ago, you might have read the post about my son Jake, a type one diabetic entering into the NFL draft. At the same time, I was working toward my dream of becoming a novelist. (NFL Aspirations and novelists dreams: Follow the Fairytales as they come true.)

I’m reposting the text of the blog below and then giving an update because I’m simply amazed at how you can make life plans…then hope, dream, and pray, and then look back and smile, knowing that even if everything didn’t go exactly as planned, it went the way it was supposed to go. Life is amazing!

Here’s the blog post, then below that, an update and reflection:

I don’t remember the dream, only the worried face that popped into it. Jake. My four-year-old. Why was his face in my dream? Minutes later, a tap on my shoulder woke me.

“Had a bad dream, Mom,” Jake said.

I lifted the covers, pulled Jake close, and kissed the top of his head, amazed at this strange connection that allowed my son’s fears to travel from his dreams into mine.

Mom’s have connections like that with their children. Sometimes a prickle of worry regarding one of my kids will flash in my mind like a sudden rainstorm pocking up a calm lake. I stop, drop, and pray. Most times, I discover those feelings were on the mark, and my child needed prayers in that moment.

photoaJake had dreams of becoming an NFL player. What little boy doesn’t? Then as a sophomore in high school, he was diagnosed with type one diabetes. Jake refused to accept it as an obstacle. He wanted to play football on a college scholarship. He pushed himself hard: extra workouts, more discipline, never missing a practice. Jake gave his diabetes and his football dreams to God.

“Maybe God want’s me to have diabetes for a greater purpose,” Jake often expressed.

For the last last four years I’ve watched Jake start as a tight end for the Wisconsin Badgers. (Jake Byrne #82) Now, Jake has an agent and a good shot at the NFL.

Like my son, I proclaimed lofty dreams when I was a child. I wanted to be a novelist. I held onto that goal, learning and improving my writing skills in spite of rejection letters and self-doubt obstacles along my path toward publication. Now, an agent is reading my novel.

Jake and I aren’t sitting back, biting our nails as we wait for our dreams to happen. I’m working on my second book, blogging, and preparing to become a novelist. Jake’s preparing for the NFL draft.

If a boy with type I diabetes can work hard and become an NFL player, then his mom can be a novelist. Lofty goals? Fairytales? NFL player and Novelist. Sometimes we just know what we want and with God’s blessing, hard work, a little God-given talent, and support from others, it can happen.

Mother and child connections. Funny we’re both, at the same time, standing at the cusp of our dreams becoming reality, ready to wake up and be the people we were meant to be.

AND NOW, two years later, here are the updates:

20130925-153506.jpgJake: Type 1 diabetic since the age of fourteen, has since been proactive combating the disease and mentoring diabetic youth. After playing four years for the University of Wisconsin as a tight end, he went on to compete in the NFL. Originally an undrafted free agent who signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2012, he has also been a Houston Texan, Kansas City Chief, and San Diego Charger. And he got engaged at Christmas to a lovely, wonderful girl. I welcome Emma Erickson into the family with a great big hug and lots of love!

IMG_9471

Jake is moving forward with new goals and plans: Marriage plans and starting a foundation TYPE WON to help and encourage diabetic youth. He just moved to Dallas and is starting a new job with a PR/Marketing Firm.

hollyHolly: Indie published one novel, Crooked Lines, and have two more to be released this year. Also, after following up from a mission trip after the 2004 Tsunami, indie published a non-fiction book: Tsunami 2004: Still Wading through Waves of Hope.

As a hybrid author-traditional and indie published, I now write write fiction and nonfiction, on a slightly different path than I imagined two years ago. But loving my writing life (fiction and nonfiction) and looking forward to my 2015 book releases and 2016, too!

photo (79)Together: Our “mother-son connections” have brought us a book contract with Harvest House Publishers, due for a release date Early August: First and Goal – What football taught me about never giving up. We are so excited about this devotional and very grateful to Kim Moore, Senior Editor, who had faith in this project and who has been a joy to work with.

The rest of the family is doing great. My husband, Bishop Leo Michael, continues his work as an anglican pastor/bishop. (St. James Anglican Church, Kansas City)

Youngest son, Nick, plays football for the Ragin’ Cajuns at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. (Jake, above, supporting his team and wearing one of his shirts – holding our book contact).

1908477_10203058282048200_7841013063728876238_nAnd daughter Betsy is studying for her Masters and working as a teaching assistant at the University of Louisiana – Lafayette.  All three cuties to the left. Ahh…as a mom, I love that these three are best friends.

Reflection: Looking back, I’m amazed at how far we all have come since that post, two years ago. There have been rough moments. Ups and downs. Times when we didn’t know what was next. Jake was cut and picked up, again and again…even brought back to the same team again. I’ve had my own moments of doubt and worry. But, through our moments of uncertainty, we commit our plans to the Lord. Looking back, we can see God’s Hand has been in our lives in amazing ways. He is good. He is faithful. Always.

god__s_direction___facebook_cover_by_attractivelynerdly-d5nv3a7

During moments of doubt and insecurity, pray. Ask the Creator to show us the way. We are His creation and He knows us best and what is best for us.

Looking back or forward, Psalms 31 says it all:

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame;
deliver me in your righteousness.

Turn your ear to me,
come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
a strong fortress to save me.

Since you are my rock and my fortress,
for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.

Into your hands I commit my spirit;
deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.

Who wouldn’t want to be led by a Greater Power, the Creator and Source of Life and Love. Looking forward, here’s some advice from Psalms 37:4-6:

Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:

He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.

Simple but profound bit of wisdom. We can never go wrong by committing our life and plans to God.

Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Psalms 16:3

I may not blog too much in the next few months as I’m in the middle of several writing projects, including a few non-fiction book proposals and finishing three novels…committing it all to the LORD. Will see where He leads us all next. I’m not sure of anything, but only that life is an amazing and wonderful ride with Jesus at the wheel.

Would love if you’d click over and “like” Jake’s TYPE WON Facebook page. While there, would you please subscribe to his mailing list by clicking on the “subscribe” link.

Thanks a bunch!

Looking back, how has your life changed in the last two years? Hopefully, even through the rough times, you’ve moved forward on the path toward your plans, hopes, and dreams. Hopefully, you’ve seen the hand of God in your life. Need direction? Got worries? Let me know. I’d be happy to pray for you.

10999505_10155288525850635_6476870574761653437_nOh, and one more bit of news from me. My novel, CROOKED LINES, is on sale for .99 CENTS this week.

 

 

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Another Great Day!

26 Tuesday Aug 2014

Posted by Holly Michael in Betsy Byrne, Books, Crooked Lines, Diabetes, Family, Football, Jake Byrne, Nick Byrne

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Bestseller, Bestseller in Kindle, Betsy Byrne, Bragging, Crooked Lines, football, Holly Michael, Inspiration, Jake Byrne, Kids, NFL, Nick Byrne, Novel, type 1 diabetes

Sorry, readers…heading to the finish line on the devotional that Jake and I are writing together (contracted with Harvest House): First and Goal to Go: What Football Taught Me About Never Giving Up. Deadline: SEPTEMBER 1st!! So, I’ve only had time for quick posts of top priority, like bragging about my kids. Sorry, I’m a mom. It’s something I can’t control sometimes. Especially when they are type one diabetic and score touchdowns in the NFL!!! (post before this one.)

Okay, I’ll stop. Well, I can’t! Sorry, I just have to brag one more time. Well, maybe two more times. But, look at how cute adorable Betsy is! It’s her 23rd Birthday today!!!

Image (1)And she’s in grad school and teaching through a graduate assistantship job! Not only cute, but smart! Happy birthday, Betsy!!

meandbooOk, one more tiny brag. Totally can’t forget Nick, that cutie-pie!. He’s just starting the football season at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. So, I’ll hold off on posting a picture, because it’s Betsy’s day, but I’m sure he’ll feature here soon, probably running into the end zone for a touchdown. Congrats to all the cuties! Love you all and so proud!

Ok, back to that devotional!

Oh, wait! I forgot to brag about myself! Crooked Lines made #1 in the Inspirational Fiction category on Amazon yesterday!!!

Crooked3 (1)Woohoo! The Kindle version price is lowered to $1.99 just for today, so if you haven’t got it yet, now is the time!!

So…now, I really got to get back to edits! I’m done bragging, I swear!

 

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Great Day!!

24 Sunday Aug 2014

Posted by Holly Michael in Books, Christianity, Crooked Lines, Football, Inspiration, Jake Byrne

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Chargers, Church, Crooked Lines, Faith, Holly Michael, Hope, India, Inspiration, Jake Byrne, NFL, Novel, San Diego Charger, Spirituality, tight end, touchdown

San+Diego+Chargers+v+Seattle+Seahawks+ICLcPDab_0BlToday is a great day for several reasons! First all, because it’s Sunday! The day of the Lord…and…

…secondly, this cutie above is playing the San Francisco 49ers today. Last week Jake had his first touchdown against the Seahawks!

Go Jake! Do it again! #proudmom (gotta use that hashtag on #gameday).

Game time: 3:00 pm CT

Isn’t he a cutie?

houston2

AND…

…since I’ve recently launched my debut novel, CROOKED LINES, I chose today as a KINDLE sale day!

Crooked Lines is only $1.99 today!

Church. Football. Then a good read. 🙂 Great way to spend Sunday…oh, and if you missed church, Crooked Lines is a spiritually themed book, so you’ll get some good inspiration, along with a some drama and a bit of mystery.

Crooked3 (1)Here’s the blurb for CROOKED LINES and the link to buy it at KINDLE, HERE and below the blurb, too.

On the shores of Lake Michigan, Rebecca Meyer seeks escape. Guilt-ridden over her little sister’s death, she sets her heart on India, a symbol of peace.

Across the ocean in South India, Sagai Raj leaves his tranquil hill station home and impoverished family to answer a higher calling. Pushing through diverse cultural and religious milieus, he labors toward his goals, while wrong turns and bad choices block Rebecca from hers.

Traveling similar paths and bridged across oceans through a priest, the two desire peace and their divine destiny. But vows and blind obedience at all costs must be weighed…and buried memories, unearthed.

Crooked Lines, a beautifully crafted debut novel, threads the lives of two determined souls from different continents and cultures. Compelling characters struggle with spirituality through despair and deceptions in search of truth.

CLICK HERE FOR CROOKED LINES KINDLE DEAL OF THE DAY and have a GREAT DAY!!!

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NFL Aspirations and Novelist Dreams: Follow the fairytales as they come true

23 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by Holly Michael in Books, Crooked Lines, Diabetes, Family, Football, Jake Byrne

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

Author, Author Holly Michael, Crooked Lines, Holly Michael, Jake Byrne, NFL, Novelists, San Diego Chargers

Just over two years ago, I published this blog post, one of my firsts. Jake and I had big dreams. NFL Player and Novelist. We’ve held tight to those dreams and we made it. Jake’s an NFL Player (Please pray for him. He starts camp today). Though as dreams go, it’s not always an easy pathway. He was on a few practice squads and cut a few times before getting on the regular roster with the San Diego Chargers (#81). And me? Yes, I’m officially the author of a novel, now published. Check out my Crooked Lines Page to the left. And for a bonus, Jake and I got a contract from Harvest House to write a devotional. More updates on that later…final stages of edits now. It’s been a lot of work and we’ve come a long way and have a lot of work still to be done, but we’re pushing onward! Thanks for coming along with us on our journeys.

Holly Michael's Writing Straight

I don’t remember the dream, only the worried face that popped into it. Jake. My four-year-old. Why was his face in my dream? Minutes later, a tap on my shoulder woke me.

“Had a bad dream, Mom,” Jake said.

I lifted the covers, pulled Jake close, and kissed the top of his head, amazed at this strange connection that allowed my son’s fears to travel from his dreams into mine.

Mom’s have connections like that with their children. Sometimes a prickle of worry regarding one of my kids will flash in my mind like a sudden rainstorm pocking up a calm lake. I stop, drop, and pray. Most times, I discover those feelings were on the mark, and my child needed prayers.

Jake had dreams of becoming an NFL player. What little boy doesn’t? Then as a sophomore in high school, he was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Jake refused to accept it as an obstacle. He wanted to play football on a college…

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Go Chargers! Go Jake!

12 Sunday Jan 2014

Posted by Holly Michael in Diabetes, Family, Football, Jake Byrne

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

#81, Jake Byrne, NFL, Playoffs, San Diego Chargers, t1D, tight end, Type One Diabetes

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– photo Chargers.com

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Praying for and rooting for Jake and the Chargers today as they play the Broncos in Denver!

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Jake Update and a Very Cool Romans 8:28 Situation

07 Tuesday Jan 2014

Posted by Holly Michael in Christianity, Diabetes, Family, Football, Jake Byrne

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

Chargers, diabetes, Faith, God, Hope, Inspiration, Jake Byrne, NFL, NFL Player with diabetes, Romans 8:28, San Diego Chargers, tight end, Type One Diabetes

Haven’t blogged much lately due to holidays and writing commitments, but I have been splashing photos and news on Facebook about Jake (my NFL player son).

A fantastic Romans 8:28 story! (And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.)

Even if you saw this on Facebook, here’s the story behind the story.

We’ve all had those moments when life is going great, plans are coming together, sun is shining, and bluebirds are singing on our shoulder, then BAM! We get slammed with the unexpected. Instead of bluebirds, feels like life is giving us the bird.

Happened like that a few weeks ago for Jake. He was cut by the Houston Texans. As a mom, my heart went out for the uncertainty he felt regarding his career and future. (And given his career is in the NFL, unfortunately he’s had these moments before).

I prayed for him, asking God for His perfect plan for Jake’s career and life (as I do for all of my children.)

Side line note

Secret to life as I know it:

1. Pray Submit yourself, your situation to God.

3. Trust. Trust God can work all things for his good. (Romans 8:28)

4. Thanks. No matter what your feeling, give God thanks for hearing your prayer. Because He’s God and you’re not, trust He will take care of things and don’t forget to thank Him.

Then let go!

That secret to life has never failed me. And it’s what both Jake and I did.

Then, BAM! Jake was picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs on practice squad. I live in Kansas City! How cool is that? What are the chances?

While I relished in the mom role again (doing Jake’s laundry and feeding the big boy), as always, I know that God’s plans are always even better that we can imagine.

So….after only one week in Kansas City, The San Diego Chargers signed Jake onto their roster. While I loved having him here, I kind of thought he’d get snapped up fast by a team who needed his skills.

image

And of course, the move is great for his career.

Imagine, being cut from a losing team, then getting picked up by a winning team now in the playoffs. Jake is playing more and has a greater role in the offense with the Chargers.

Jake (#81-Tight End) had a fantastic game this past Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Really good plays and outstanding blocks! Chargers won!

See how happy Jake and his teammates are. Photo from http://www.chargers.com

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So, this Sunday Jake will play in Denver against the Broncos. Please keep him in your prayers and cheer on #81 and the Chargers!

houston2And back to Romans 8:28…God can work all things to the good, even for a kid diagnosed with Type One Diabetes in high school who wondered if he’d even be able to continue playing football. God has a plan for this guy, who also spends his time encouraging youth with type one diabetes.

20130925-153506.jpg

Isn’t he cute? Follow Jake on twitter @sugarfreejb82

Isaiah 40:28-31 says, Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;  but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

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Done this: Regular freelance ghostwriter and online editor for Guideposts for Teens/Sweet 16 Magazine, creator/editor of a magazine for Wal-Mart Corp., journalist, newspaper features writer, published in a variety of national magazines and local newspapers, script writing/editing for corporations. Doing this now: author of fiction and nonfiction, blogger, and editor of Koinonia Magazine. I’m the wife of Rt. Rev. Leo Michael, an Anglican Bishop in the Holy Catholic Church-Anglican Rite. Mom to three great kids: Nick (#81 Rajin Cajuns), Betsy (Super cute professor) and Jake (T1D & NFL player) Also, enjoy my travels extensively across the United States and internationally.

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