MSI Press Blog

  What is a  book jewel ? A sometimes-overlooked book with remarkable insight and potential significance. Each month, we share near-daily, or as often as possible, reviews of the monthly book jewel - short, succinct reviews that can be read in 1-2 minutes with links to the reviewer by reviewers whose words are worthy of being heard and whose opinions are worthy of being considered. Sometimes a couple of minutes contains more impressive thought than ten times that many. We will let you decide that. This month's book jewel is Lamentations of the Heart   by Marti Wells-Smith. Description: Lamentations of the Heart  soulfully combines contemporary free verse poetry and nonfictional prose to tell the story of one mother’s grief following the death of her only child. The author interweaves scriptural passages with the inevitable struggles to accept and make sense of her new reality. All of it reveals the unending love for family that remains. Written to reach out to others...

image from DML Editing & Writing check out their latest post on " How to Write Good Poetry " In observance of poetry month, MSI Press would like to share with its readers and fans two books worth reading: One will bring a comforting smile to an unbidden tear. The other will bring an outright laugh page after page. Time spent with comforting and/or happy thoughts is time well spent indeed. Marti Wells-Smith's Lamentations of the Heart Mingled with Peace and Joy combines prose and poetry in a comforting missive for bereaved parents. Through its pages, one finds not only the resilience of the author but sources for anyone to develop needed resilience in the face of devastating life circumstances. When it came out, it quickly became one of Amazon's "hot, new releases." Lamentations of the Heart soulfully combines contemporary free verse poetry and nonfictional prose to tell the story of one mother's grief following the death of her only child. The autho...

  Angels All Around Us Dear Kindred Spirits in Christ, I've been thinking about the unseen heavenly realm this holiday season, and how real it is. Twice in my life, I've felt the presence of angels - and they were profound, supernatural experiences that I'll never forget. My first encounter was when I was traveling on a four lane highway at dusk. I saw a car cross the median and come barreling toward me, and only had seconds to respond. I felt invisible hands touch mine and guide me safely to the side of the road. I pondered the event heavily, and could only surmise that it wasn't my time yet. The second event was when I was with my extended family at a regional hospital. We had gathered to be with my mother, who was not going to survive emergency surgery. In the wee hours, right before her passing, I was resting, half asleep, when I felt an invisible presence swoosh over me, moving toward her direction. It was a peaceful encounter, and I knew without doubt th...

  Lamentations of the Heart is a memoir about the death of the author's son. THE LOVELY THINGS          Today, I look fondly upon this place, this life of mine, in a softer way, from a different view. Choosing to see something new, even in its long-lived state. To peer upon my world and see the faintest lovely things grow large, as the smallest acts of kindness show their power.       Weary of grief, this choice was made. A call for beauty among ashes, overlooked before, pulled from a time that cannot return, from thoughts that churned in an aching stream. Those were the days when I dwelled on my loss—when it seemed there was nothing more.          But there is always more. “God, help me,” I said, “to seek them out, the parts that will cover the rest of my life.” Shaping the corners where you once stood, connecting the spaces that you once filled, I asked for something to move me when I stand too still...

  In a post on her blog that she shared today, Marti Wells-Smith ( Lamentations of the Heart ) relates a dream about her late son that was experienced by a friend.  Here is the beginning of the post: I want to share a dream with you that a dear friend had, following the passing of my son in 2019. She said that Grant appeared in what looked like a hologram, with a radiant smile, and impressed upon her what seemed to be a telepathic message. He told her that we shouldn't be sad, because there is no sadness in heaven - and that everyone there is connected heart to heart - with a universal language...I think of this often, and rejoice for the beautiful signs I've received, and for a dream such as this. My son is blissfully happy now, forever. But my sadness? It still comes and goes, as time moves along and life continues. Yet it's not a hopeless sorrow - I have great hope for our futures. Can you feel your loved ones gone on? Do you also wait to be reunited with great ex...

  Beginning today and continuing through July 31, we will be offering a discount on Lamentations of the Heart through the Kindle Countdown program.  Find it HERE . Read more about Marti Wells-Smith and Lamentations of the Heart HERE .

  I wonder how many of us question our purpose, and wonder if we're fulfilling the will of God in our daily lives. When these thoughts enter my mind, I turn to specific scriptures to meditate upon their deeper meanings. Ecclesiastes 12:13 states: ...here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. The word fear often translates to love or revere, which takes me to Revelation 4:11.Thou are worthy O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. To read the rest of Marti's post, click HERE . For more posts about Marti and her book, Lamentations of the Heart, click HERE . To subscribe to the MSI Press newsletter-bulletin, visit our home page: www.msipress.com .

  In her blog post this week, Marti writes: I know that some are afraid to die while others are excited at the very thought of leaving this troubled flesh life and arriving in Paradise. Personally, I want to know that I've completed my mission in this life first, and then I can return to my heavenly home with open arms. Read the rest of the post HERE . For more posts about Marti and her book, Lamentations of the Heart , click HERE . For posts about death and dying, click HERE .

  Marti's book has brought in all 5-star ratings on Amazon, with rave reviews. Here, take a look: Top reviews from the United States Christopher Smith 5.0 out of 5 stars   Beautifully written balm for the bereaved Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2021 Verified Purchase Lamentations of the Heart, Mingled with Peace and Joy, is aptly named and provides an enormous fount of solace and inspiration from cover to cover. Ms. Wells-Smith writes a faith-driven, emotionally and intellectually intelligent book of poetry and prose, each piece interwoven with a scriptural citation, that delves into her own experience with becoming a member of a club none of us would ever want to apply for, those of us who have lost a beloved child and are left with putting our lives back together as best we can, one foot after another, as well as prose about events and people that have led her to the place in life that she can find peace and joy. It is deeply personal and because of that spoke to ...