Vision Publishing

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It’s Positively Cancer

For the first few years of my daughters, Rebecca and Rachel’s lives, Kelly and Tracy Smith were a part of our lives.

The girls are about the same age, and my wife Karen and I were very close friends with the parents, Andy Smith being one of the members of our Christian coffee house band “Children” and a long time friend from High School. Anyway, after a painful divorce, Andy and his beloved girls moved to Nashville, and we  mostly lost track of each other, as did the girls.

So very sadly, in January of 2012, Tracy (Hamilton), mother of one beautiful son, was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer…she passed away after an incredible battle with this dreaded disease in December of 2013. From diagnosis, almost to her death, Tracy blogged her experiences with the disease; which, with commentary from her Dad Andy, has been put  into a most inspiring book titled, It’s Positively Cancer: A daughter’s blog and a Dad’s farewell.  As many of you no doubt know, I have buried two wives, very sadly.  I am quite acquainted with grief and the process of grieving (I have two books on the subject, see more below). However, I cannot truly imagine the grief a parent must feel at the truly tragic loss of a beautiful, precious, 37 year old daughter.

When I say this book moved me, I mean it really moved me. It is direct, holds back nothing, is open, vulnerable and sincere…and I know you know someone that has or is experiencing cancer.  This book could be a great blessing. I want to recommend it and its authors to you.  You can purchase it directly from the Smith family at the address below.

Get this book…it could be a life changer!

www.TKRwriteNOW.com   

Other resources available from Vision Publishing.

Mourning into Dancing

 

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From the desk of Dr. Stan

Proverbs 3:3-4: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”

Dear Vision update friends;

I wrote this a couple of days ago to our Gideon’s 300 major donors (who give $100 a month or more to Vision to underwrite our international outreach, for information see https://www.booksbyvision.org/gideon-300/. It seems apropos for our update as well.

I suppose Valentine’s day and President’s day are the big events for February. I always enjoyed Valentine’s day with Karen (the mother of my children), and no doubt will with Joan this year (my bride to be). Though fun, I am not sure how important the celebration of erotic love is in an already highly sexualized culture. Of course, President’s day can be problematic for many as well…with the Trump haters, Obama haters…well, just simply haters seeming to multiple. Anyway, I do celebrate romantic love, as it is a gift from God to be shared in and through marriage, as God ordained, and I am grateful that our democracy, and its relative freedoms are still maintained in America…and it is always important to remember that presidents come and presidents go…so be grateful that we serve an eternal King…that is Jesus!

In this update, you will hear from Dr. Malcolm Webber with a wonderful article on the need for empathy.  There is also an update for aspiring authors on how to write your first book.  If you just need help getting started, this is a must read.

This month I start some in country travel, but must stay close to home as we move ahead diligently in pursuit of a property for Vision. We will soon release our key re-branding questionnaire, expertly designed by The Prodigal company, which should yield results to help us minister more strategically moving forward. So, again…

I want to thank you for your continued prayers, your support, and most importantly your friendship. Remember, gifts to Vision  are being used to underwrite our programs in the nations…we are so grateful, and mightily blessed!

Reminders for Prayer

We need new Gideon 300 members so that we can continue in our mission.  Remember, our primary goals include:

  • Adding 50 new students this fall.
  • Starting 4 new church based colleges in the United States….one is already in.
  • My up and coming (April 28) wedding to the beautiful Joan Smith.
  • Purchase of the property in Ramona.
  • Complete and implement the re-branding process for Vision.

Blessings to all,

Dr. Stan

 

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So you want to write a book…

Don’t let another year pass. It is time to get off of the proverbial pot and get started!

For every author I have sending me a manuscript to publish, there are at least ten others who tell me they have a book in them, but don’t know where to begin.  It is a common ailment.  Pastors, teachers, stay at home moms, business executives, or _______________. You fill in the blank.  Everyone has a story to tell! Many feel led to put the story, the life lesson, the bible study, or the sermon on paper, but how?  How do you begin when you don’t know where to begin?  Would a writing mentor help?  Someone who has been down the wrting path many times and can help you begin the journey?

The truth is, writing is not easy…and some have nothing more than ideas.  Yet, that is great, it is the beginning.  Along with an idea one needs to focus on the one idea you are most passionate about.  What about you?  What are you passionate about? Which story is screaming the loudest in your head to be heard? 

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Our staff at Vision Publishing deliver many gifts in our dynamic one day seminar.  One gift is helping the budding author find their beginning.  First, we help you choose a topic, then we walk you through the development of your manuscript, step by step.  Finally, we guide you through the publishing process to a finished book.  In a few short hours you can have a topic, title, outline, and a detailed completion plan.  We even educate our writers on the next steps such as marketing, website development, etc.

Would a writing workshop or mentoring program help you and your friends get moving forward in 2018 to get your book published?  Your book is just one email or phone call away.  Let us help you fullfill your book writing dreams.  Contact us today!

P.S. Vision Publishing, and its sister, Vista publishing (for specialty books that our outside of the scope of equipping and education) have successfully published over 160 titles featuring over 55 different authors…we would be delighted to help you bring your life message to the world.

 

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We Need to Learn Empathy

 

By Dr. Malcolm Webber

Recently I came across an interesting article entitled “How to Teach Doctors Empathy”. The point of the article was that being a good medical doctor requires an understanding of people, not just science.

This is also true of spiritual leaders. Being a good spiritual leader requires an understanding of – and an ability to connect deeply with – people, not just biblical facts.

Here are some points from the article that can apply to spiritual leaders.

  • Clinical empathy is the ability to stand in a patient’s shoes and to convey an understanding of the patient’s situation as well as the desire to help. Clinical empathy was once dismissively known as “good bedside manner” and traditionally regarded as far less important than technical acumen. But a spate of studies in the past decade has found that it is no mere frill. Increasingly, empathy is considered essential to establishing trust, the foundation of a good doctor-patient relationship.
  • Studies have linked empathy to greater patient satisfaction, better outcomes, decreased physician burnout, and a lower risk of malpractice suits and errors.
  • While some people are naturally better at being empathic, empathy can be taught. Empathy is a cognitive attribute, not a personality trait.
  • One study found that, on average, doctors interrupt patients within 18 seconds.
  • While some doctors [say] they don’t have the time to be empathic, the skill has proved to be a timesaver rather than a time sink. It can help doctors zero in on the real source of a patient’s concern, short-circuiting repeated visits or those “doorknob moments” doctors dread, when the patient says “Oh, by the way …” and raises the primary concern as the doctor is headed out of the room.
  • Doctors are explainaholics. Our answer to distress is more information; if a patient just understood it better, he would come around.

Certainly, as Christian leaders we have considerably more “facts” than medical doctors have. We have the eternal Word of God and not merely the results of human research. Nevertheless, this should not justify being impersonal or mechanical when we deal with people.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Rom. 12:15, ESV)

About the Author

Originally from Australia, Malcolm came to Christ in 1980. He is married to Ruth; they have six children.

Malcolm is the founder and executive director of LeaderSource SGA, an international leader development ministry.  LeaderSource was just chosen for the fifth time as one of the recipients of the LEAD Awards for 2018.  They were selected as #6 in the Top 25 “Leadership Partners.”

Malcolm is also the founder and senior pastor of Living Faith Fellowship – a multicultural church in Indiana, USA.

With a successful background in the business world, Malcolm holds his Ph.D. in the field of organizational leadership and works with Christian leaders in many nations. He has written over 30 books, the most popular of which is To Enjoy Him Forever, and his writings have been published in both scholarly and popular journals.

His Leadership Letters are read by thousands of leaders around the world every month.

Malcolm is deeply committed to the preeminence and centrality of Jesus Christ, the priesthood of every believer, healthy leadership and holistic leader development, and the global calling of the local church.

 

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As we move forward in 2018, it is good to remember what we are about and what is the most important reason we do what we do. For me, and I think for all of our Vision partners worldwide, it is about discipleship though the Word of God. That is why Dr. Chant and I began to write.  Our reason and our focus is to take the whole word to the whole world…until the earth is covered with the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea!

In this Vision update, our founder and friend Dr. Ken provides us with a reminder of our beginnings and our continued passion for today. We are featuring two basic books that help with the discipleship process, especially for new converts, Dynamic Christian Foundations and New Beginnings. If you don’t have these books, I strongly recommend them…as incentive to share your faith with someone you can disciple to Christ.

Blessings, and Happy New Year.

Dr. Stan

https://booksbyvision.org/1754-2/

Vision Publishing