Dear Reader, Love Johanna Frank

 

Dear Reader,

It has taken me well over a decade to piece together unusual happenings with God’s abundant sense of mystery. Fifteen years to be precise, since the passing of my teenage daughter, whom, for the purposes of this book, I refer to lovingly as Sadie.

This story you’re about to read is based on true events. The prologue reflects knowledge handed down through generations, from mother to child, over a century ago. Everything else—coincidences, dreams, and visions—happened as described. While I’ve fictionalized the characters and modified some timelines, conversations between the main characters have all been reconstructed from memory. Several exact and taken from preserved journals. Discussions among classmates within the final chapters were created to maintain the spirit and tone of my visit to the middle east.

My purpose for sharing this personal experience boils down to a simple message. God communicates in many ways. Often, he even catches us off guard. It’s when we crawl into that upper room inside ourselves that we can hear what he wants us to hear, see what he wants us to see. It’s there, with his Son in our hearts, we feel the breeze of his Spirit. We discover the business that he’ll go to great lengths to accomplish. He wants—deeply desires—our agreement to allow him to lift our souls, to join his family.

Compelled to share this, I present to you The Voice I Couldn‘t Ignore, a creative nonfiction work. When a window opens, the breeze can find you. Though don’t be misguided, sometimes it takes a whole lot of courage to accept the winds of change. Even so, we can wholeheartedly trust that God is already at work in our stories.

With gratitude that you have chosen to open these pages, I thank you for walking alongside.

Johanna

 

 

Johanna Frank is a Canadian author based in Southern Ontario, where she lives with her husband, and delights in time with her children and grandchildren. Her award-winning A Lifeline Fantasy Series includes The Gatekeeper’s Descendants (Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Medalist), Jophiel’s Secret (Winner of the 2023 General Market Suspense Fiction Award and the Christian Speculative Fiction Award), and Here Lyeth (finalist for The Word Guild’s 2025 Christian Speculative Award). 

In addition, Johanna has introduced a creative memoir, a deeply personal work that explores God’s abundant mystery and healing. 

Known for her lyrical, imaginative style rich in symbolism and spiritual depth, she invites readers into otherworldly adventures and real-life reflections that illuminate belonging, faith, and the unseen.

“Frank, one of Canada’s emerging authors in spiritual fantasy, walks a fine line between general fantasy and faith-based fiction. Her work aims to innovate and transcend traditional boundaries, catering to a hungry market of curious readers who don’t want to be preached to but are open to exploring spiritual themes through fantasy.” – Sheri Hoyte, Reader Views

Her latest book is the powerful Christian nonfiction, The Voice I Couldn’t Ignore.

Connect with Johanna at Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram and BookBub. 

 

The Voice I Couldn’t Ignore—a work of creative nonfiction, a story when God forewarned, held and healed.

In a vision, God told Hanna he was taking her child. Seven years later, he did.

This story leads the reader through an ancestral prophecy, profound visions, and a mother’s journey through symbolisms in the Holy Land. It shares how she guided her teenage daughter through a devastating diagnosis while wrestling with God, and reveals her spiritual rebuilding of an unshakable house of faith in the aftermath of loss.

Read sample.

The Voice I Couldn’t Ignore is available at Amazon.

Dear Reader, Love Yolonda Tonette Sanders

 

 

Dear Reader,

Thank you for selecting Connecting with Christ. I know that you could have chosen any number of devotionals, so it is an honor that you chose this one. You’re in for a treat!

It took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to put together this work. Okay, well, there was no blood involved, but definitely sweat and tears. Yep, I had at least one big ugly cry during the process of constructing this work, and for a second, I considered calling it quits. But I couldn’t. The desire to finish this was strong, and I could not be more proud of the final project. Please know that I didn’t produce this devotional by myself. I had help from many other dynamic writers whose works you will read as well.

There is only one devotional per week. The idea is for you to read the devotional at the beginning of the week and meditate on the Scripture and overall message for the rest of the week. I wanted this devotional to be both practical and applicable. In my humble opinion, a 365-day devotional does not present a realistic reading plan. I have failed miserably each time I tried to read a daily devotional. I didn’t want you to experience that kind of frustration.

You will notice that this work contains no dates, only generic weekly references (e.g., week 1). This format was intentional so you can use the entire collection of devotionals for many years to come. You do not have to follow the order of the weeks or themes. Go through this book as you see fit!

As you read through the devotionals, I encourage you to place yourself in each story. You may want to grab a tissue or two, you know, just in case you get the sniffles. I hope you will find this work enjoyable, encouraging, and, ultimately, transformative. Thank you for choosing Connecting with Christ.

Much Love and Many Blessings!

Yolonda Tonette Sanders  

 

Yolonda Tonette Sanders is the CEO of Yo Productions, LLC and co-founder of the Faith & Fellowship Book Festival. Her writing portfolio includes academic papers, novels, short stories, poems, and other creative works. She is an editor for a national publication, a professor, and serves on several boards and associations. Yolonda holds two bachelor’s degrees, a master’s degree, and is currently completing her Ph.D. in organizational leadership. She treasures her relationships with family and close friends. Yolonda is blessed to be the wife of David; mother of two adults, Tre and Tia; “Nini” to her grandchildren, Khari and Khia; daughter of Eddie; sister to Milton; and dog mom to Paco.

Her latest book is the nonfiction/inspirational Connecting with Christ: 52 Weekly Devotionals to Nurture Spiritual Growth (Yo Productions).

Visit her website at www.yoproductions.net or connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

Self-care is a buzzword often mentioned when people seek to optimize their health. Suggested self-care practices tend to include activities such as exercising, getting a massage, or eating a healthy diet. While all

of these actions have their place, none of them are sufficient enough to provide the soul-care we need to maximize our self-care. Self-care without soul-care equates to temporary solutions that leave us searching for the next new thing. However, when Christ becomes the center of our holistic health journey, we not only find fulfillment in Him but also a dependency on and trust in Him to truly live our best lives-emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually.

“If ever there has been a time in history when we need to connect with and cling to Christ, it is now. Loud divisive voices vie for our attention. World events distract. Personal challenges overwhelm. Staying connected to Christ takes effort, even for the most devoted believer. Connecting with Christ aids in fostering that connection. Yolonda Sanders chose contributors well, those who provide thoughtful, encouraging, helpful guidance in making connection to Christ a priority.”– Candy Arrington, author, Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well

“Inspiration can wane when the winds of discouragement blow through our lives. Connecting with Christ offers 52 weeks of easy encouragement everyone can benefit from. Easy to read, easy to understand, and easy to apply to our wind-blown lives. Receiving inspiration from a variety of authors makes you feel like you’re family. Coming together to talk about life and how God’s truth plays an active part for all of us is priceless.”– Linda Goldfarb, Speaker-Trainer-Coach, Award-winning author of the LINKED Personality Series, helping you take your next best step- Relationally-Spiritually-Professionally (www.LivePowerfullyNow.org)

“Connecting with Christ is a unique, faith-filled, inspiring devotional designed to cultivate a thirst for the Word as you grow in your spiritual journey. You will feel the love of God and experience His goodness, grace, and faithfulness, which are woven throughout this work.”– La Verne Tolbert, Ph.D., author of How to Study and Understand the Bible (www.etaworld.org); Founder & CEO of Teaching Like Jesus Ministries, Inc. (http: //teachinglikejesus.org/); and host of Sunday School Made Simple (https: //www.youtube.com/c/SundaySchoolMadeSimple)

“Eternal, intrinsic, and unique, your soul is a touchpoint between you and God. A healthy soul is protection against agnosticism, hatred, prejudice, and superficial materialism. Yolonda Tonette Sanders and others provide a resource for the vital care and feeding of your soul and help you connect with the God who loves you.”– PeggySue Wells is the bestselling author of 29 books, including The Ten Best Decisions A Single Mom Can Make, and the founder of SingleMomCircle.com

Book Information

Release Date: November 30, 2021

Publisher:  Yo Productions

Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-1732850842; 212 pages; $14.99

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3FoBsZh

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3I3410c

Walmart: https://bit.ly/3nk80xu

Dear Reader, Love Rev. Dr. Leonidas A. Johnson

Dear Reader…

Life is full of ups and downs. At the end of the day, after all is said and done, it would be nice if, on the scales of life, the ups outweigh the downs. I’ve made a wonderful discovery. I‘ve discovered something about vision that allows me to guarantee to you that you can live a phenomenal life and at the end of the day, after all is said and done, that your life’s ups will outweigh the downs.

This is why I wrote this book. I believe I have discovered something about vision that will help you view yourself and the world God created more clearly and in a new light. This new way of looking at yourself and the world can help you live a more fulfilling, more productive, a more exciting, and more meaningful life. It will also help you develop a strong decision-making strategy that can impact the different paths you take in life. It is hard to make good decisions in life if you cannot see the factors influencing the decisions you make.

I am a licensed optometrist and a third-generation preacher. I’ve spent a lifetime helping people to see. Vision is what I know, vision is what I do and I want to help you see more clearly.

Vision, what is it? Vision is a physical, mental and spiritual phenomena of enlightenment. What I have discovered is that physical vision is very similar to spiritual vision and the mind is the bridge between the two. By using a process called learning by comparison, I will teach you certain aspects about physical vision and use that information to help you compare physical vision with spiritual vision. This process can lead you to a sight of life that produces phenomenal results.

With the way the things are going in the world I believe it is critical that more and more people become aware of the importance of spiritual vision. I encourage people of all races, tribes, nations and languages to invest in improving not only their natural vision but their spiritual vision and overall spiritual health and wellbeing. 

Next to life itself, God’s greatest gift is vision - the window to this mysterious thing called life!

 About the Author

Rev. Dr. Johnson attended Evanston Township High School. From there he went on to study at Illinois Wesleyan University.  His professional education for his Doctor of Optometry degree was completed at the Southern California College of Optometry, now known as Marshall B. Ketchum University.  Rev. Dr. Johnson received his Master’s degree at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. “I plan on leading a crusade against blindness due to age related cataracts. I’m able to do all these things because I serve a great God who does great things and He has allowed me to do great things,” commented Rev. Dr. Johnson. He has set up a foundation known as the Rev. Dr. Leonidas The Optometrist and The Miracle Eyes Foundation. See this web site for more information www.revleonidastheoptometrist.org. Due to his work demands – Dr. Johnson lives in both Chicago and Los Angeles.

Visit his website at Books | Christian Faith Publishing | Free Publishing Kit | Christian Faith Publishing and www.revleonidastheoptometrist.org.

About the Book

“I’ve spent my life helping people to see, both as a licensed optometrist and also as an ordained minister,” said author Rev. Dr. Leonidas Johnson. “Vision, what is it? I discovered that physical vision is very similar to spiritual vision and the mind is the bridge between the two.”

In Rev. Dr. Johnson’s book, readers will experience a concept called learning by comparison. Comparing physical vision with spiritual vision will help the readers see themselves and the world God created in a whole new light. Readers will see the world God created from a physical, mental, and spiritual vantage point that will enrich their lives, Rev. Dr. Johnson says. These vantage points help build a foundation for developing a decision-making strategy that is both liberating and biblically sound.

Rev. Dr. Johnson went on to say “The title of my book – – Phenomenal Vision: Eyesight To Life Sight – – came after contemplating the impact vision has on one’s life, not just physical but eternal. It leans into the concept of one’s worldview. A proper view of oneself and the world can deeply impact the outcome of one’s life. Jesus said I come that might have life and have it more abundantly. How can you see physical beauty if you are physically blind? Conversely, how can you have an abundant life if you are spiritually blind?  Vision should never be taken for granted and vision that incorporates physical, mental and spiritual vantage points is not ordinary but phenomenal and lead to a phenomenal life.”

Praise

I just read Phenomenal Vision Eyesight to Life Sight by Rev. Dr. Leonidas A. Johnson.  It is a delightful book written thoughtfully.  He linked the physical aspects of vision with the metaphysical aspects of vision in a creative way.  I share a common perspective as Rev. Dr. Johnson because I am also an Optometrist and a Christian minister.  He has captured both the physical science of vision and the metaphysical science of vision.  I am confident that there will be “aha moments” for readers who may not have a foot in either area.

This author so wonderfully explained the spiritual nature of vision.  His linking of disorders or disease to both the physical and spiritual makes it easy for the reader to “get it.”  His use of graphs, diagrams, pictures, and charts is also very creative.  Often books are “dumbed down” and don’t trust the intellect of the reader.  This book soars in bringing light to something that has often been opaque.  This book is a must-read.  It will be a blessing for those who desire to have a more in-depth understanding of the link between the physical and metaphysical aspects of life.

— Rev. Dr. Clyde W. Oden, Jr.

The title of this book, Phenomenal Vision: Eyesight to Life Sight, written by Rev. Dr. Leonidas A. Johnson, is one that entices the reader’s curiosity towards further exploration of its content. The author is an Optometrist and an Ordained Minister, therefore, this book is a valuable resource for various professional and religious environments, i.e. universities, colleges, seminaries, along with local churches for both clergy and laity. It is an insightful reference for readers interested in the relationship between eyesight and life sight. In other words, the reader will gain a wealth of knowledge concerning physical, mental and spiritual vision.

Rev. Dr. Johnson presents a thorough explanation regarding the connection between the mind, body, spirit and soul. His approach is holistic as he delves into the medical terminology towards understanding physical vision and creatively references biblical scriptures and stories to engage the reader in components of spiritual vision. Furthermore, Rev. Dr. Johnson has included several graphics, i.e. diagrams, charts and pictures to assist the reader “to see” and comprehend the three major areas emphasized in the text: 1.) inter-relatedness of physical vision, 2.) mental vision cognitive, and 3.) spiritual vision.

It is evident that the author has a passion for the love of God and God’s people as he reveals the depths of his knowledge, research, spirituality and life experiences as an Optometrist and Minister of the Gospel. Rev. Dr. Leonidas Johnson has written a phenomenal book that is a true treasure as each written page is most enlightening!

–Rev. Dr. Venus L. Butler, Associate Minister, Second Baptist Church, Los Angeles

Optometry is a calling. We safeguard one of Life’s most precious senses. Rev. Dr. Johnson captures the connection between seeing and vision that goes beyond the light energy entering the pupil, blessing the spirits fortunate enough to be in his care.

–Millicent Knight, OD, FAAO, FAARM

ORDER YOUR COPY

Amazon → https://amzn.to/38lIKiK

Dear Reader, Love Rev. Terry Allan Christian

Dear Reader…

It is with great joy that I write you this letter knowing when you read this book it will forever change your life. The book you’re about to read contains over 500 scriptures spoken only by Jesus to those who loved and followed Him. I’ve added no opinions or comments and at the bottom of each page is the scripture location in your Bible for further study if you desire.

The Seven Messages begin with Jesus declaring he came from Heaven in Message #1, then Jesus explains His Father and His role as the Son in Message #2. Then comes Message #3- where Jesus explains He is the Word and the importance of all our words.

In Message #4- Jesus declares HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE and He gives us over 4o different teachings about Love, Light, Truth, Believing, Asking, Prayer, Forgiveness, Fasting, Marriage, Discipleship etc. The next 2 Messages cover the Kingdom of Heaven and the End Times and finally Message #7- is called the Holy Spirit.

This entire book comes from the 4 Gospels as recorded in the King James Bible and outlined in red ink to signify our Lords Words. As you can see it’s easy to read and you can read one Message at a time in any order you desire. If you want.

This book is now available worldwide for ‘downloading’ in ePub, Kindle and Audio-Book formats for your Reader, Computer or Smartphones.

In closing let me say one thing. When you’re done reading this book, you’ll want to read it over and over again because its timeless and each time you read a Message you’ll learn more about Jesus and you’ll know why, IF JESUS SAID IT, that SETTLES IT

May His Words and Love,

be in all we think, say and do!

In HIS LOVE, I serve,

Rev. Terry A. Christian

About the Book

This incredible book organizes the teachings of Jesus using only the words spoken by Jesus and nothing more. The book puts readers into an imagined walk with Jesus on the beach, allowing readers to hear over 500 passages spoken by Him as recorded in the 4 Gospels.

“I was asked one time, where did this book idea come from?” says Christian.

“Well, when I was suddenly called away from motivational speaking at the top of my business career, I knew, I was being called to do what Jesus told me, 30yrs earlier. When I asked Jesus what He wanted me to do that wasn’t already being done, Jesus said; ‘Tell them, what I told them and nothing more, add no comments or opinions.’ With those instructions, I composed What Did Jesus Say: The Seven Messages from the Master containing over 500 scriptures spoken only by Jesus to those who loved and followed Him and I’ve added no opinions or comments. Whoever reads this book will know and understand what Jesus said to those who loved and followed Him and what’s expected from those who call Him their Lord and Savior.

Featuring the “best of the best” of what Jesus said, this book is a ‘one of a kind’. The scriptures, stripped of everything save for the words spoken by Jesus, have been composed into seven primary messages and serves as a daily Teaching Devotional.

ORDER YOUR COPY

Amazon → https://amzn.to/2Zkr3fQ

About the Author

Since dedicating his life to Jesus at the age of 23, Terry Allan Christian has been reading the red lettered version of the 4 Gospels as recorded in the KJV Bible. Even though Terry reads the whole Bible, his primary focus is on the words of Jesus and the example of His actions.

Terry grew up in a violent dysfunctional family where he quit school at 16 and left home. He stuttered so bad he could only say 3-5 words in a row. His family and friends mocked him and that caused much stress in his early life.

At the age of 23, he had a near death experience and in which he had a dream. In this dream, he was told that one day he would be a teacher for Jesus. Needless to say, he was scared at first because of his stuttering and lack of structured education however, he always had a child-like faith and trust in Jesus as Lord.

After the dream, he was soon hired by the Dale Carnegie Organization and trained in sales and public speaking, where he met a man who taught him how to visually read. During the next few years Terry read several hundred books on the subject of personal growth.

At the age of 30, Terry became a professional Motivational Speaker and Executive Trainer and over the next 20 years he would deliver more than 2,500 presentations to private and public audiences across America and Canada.

Several years ago, Terry retired as a public speaker after feeling the Holy Spirit redirecting his life. He was led to do what Jesus told him many years earlier. After researching the 4 Gospels he composed the book What Did Jesus Say: The Seven Messages from the Master, using only the Words spoken by Jesus as recorded in the 4 Gospels, without adding any personal comments or opinions.
As in all God called missions it took longer, cost more and challenged him to the edge of his faith. He would later say, he had to read the Book of Job just to understand why this was happening to him and was he being tested or penalized. In the end, he was being tested and by the grace of God, he prevailed.

Now after 12 years of study, obedience, difficulty and struggle, this book is now available in Paperback, eBook, Audio Book and Kindle.

Today, Author and Counselor, Rev. Terry Christian is founder of Foundations for Life ‘Online’ Ministries and he presently lives at Negril Jamaica where he does local missionary work in schools and churches while counseling Christians worldwide online thru his program Christians Helping Christians.

Negril, Jamaica is where Rev. Christian went to fast & pray while seeking divine healing for Bladder Cancer. His doctors gave him 3yrs to live so he created a healing sabbatical and after fasting & praying, and walking the beach for 21 days, he returned to his Doctors and they released him ‘cancer free’.

Terry calls this program: The Life Walk –aka- The Miracle Walk and now offers this ‘restoration’ program online or in Negril, for everyone seeking Life, Health or Marriage Restoration.
Terry believes: WITH GOD, all things are possible, all the time, wherever we live and at every given moment, when we pray, believing.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

Website: www.whatdidjesussay.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RevTChristian
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/revchristian