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Paths of Fear: An Anthology of Overcoming Through Courage, Inspiration, and the Miracle of Love
Connie Kerbs and Pebbled Lane Books presents this collection of stories, poems, and essays, on a universal theme. Most of all, Paths of Fear is a deeper look at all that fear can teach us and our triumph over it as we find the fortitude to replace it with hope, and determination.
“Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death.” ~ Max Lucado
Paths of Fear is an inspirational reflection on facing, enduring and overcoming one of the most basic human emotions. Fear. It is an experience we all have at one time or another, to varying degrees. Understanding that the lasting aftershocks can be as devastating as the original traumatic event or fearful season in our life is paramount. Fear is our most primal emotion. It manifests as a scream of sheer terror, an alarm of mortal danger, or a simple cry for help. Sometimes it is silent, imagined, a recipe for our nightmares.
Fear can be a discouraging whisper saying “you will fail” or “you’re not good enough.” Sometimes our fears are planted by other people. Other times our fear-based emotions are cultivated by an environment that would extinguish us, not obviously or quickly, but rather excruciatingly erode us bit by bit on the inside. Through these pages, we learn it is about the enduring of fear on our own terms, with dignity, even if imperfectly. The heartfelt essays in Paths of Fear speak to how others breached their fears to become wiser, stronger and eventually able to give and receive the only true antidote to fear - love, in one form or another.
There are no werewolves, vampires, or masked maniacs in this light inspirational. The only monsters here are those of circumstance and the innermost demons we face. Most of all, Paths of Fear shows us how many others, from all walks of life, have experienced many different kinds of fear…and how they have endured with courage, faith, and love to prevail.
Part poetry, part self-help, part inspiration, means inspiring quotes and timeless poetry lace the chapters and thematic transitions. In this way, the book hopes to be as engaging and heartfelt as it is inspiring.
“Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death.” ~ Max Lucado
Paths of Fear is an inspirational reflection on facing, enduring and overcoming one of the most basic human emotions. Fear. It is an experience we all have at one time or another, to varying degrees. Understanding that the lasting aftershocks can be as devastating as the original traumatic event or fearful season in our life is paramount. Fear is our most primal emotion. It manifests as a scream of sheer terror, an alarm of mortal danger, or a simple cry for help. Sometimes it is silent, imagined, a recipe for our nightmares.
Fear can be a discouraging whisper saying “you will fail” or “you’re not good enough.” Sometimes our fears are planted by other people. Other times our fear-based emotions are cultivated by an environment that would extinguish us, not obviously or quickly, but rather excruciatingly erode us bit by bit on the inside. Through these pages, we learn it is about the enduring of fear on our own terms, with dignity, even if imperfectly. The heartfelt essays in Paths of Fear speak to how others breached their fears to become wiser, stronger and eventually able to give and receive the only true antidote to fear - love, in one form or another.
There are no werewolves, vampires, or masked maniacs in this light inspirational. The only monsters here are those of circumstance and the innermost demons we face. Most of all, Paths of Fear shows us how many others, from all walks of life, have experienced many different kinds of fear…and how they have endured with courage, faith, and love to prevail.
Part poetry, part self-help, part inspiration, means inspiring quotes and timeless poetry lace the chapters and thematic transitions. In this way, the book hopes to be as engaging and heartfelt as it is inspiring.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 13, 2015
5 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Connie Kerbs
12 books4 followers Connie Kerbs, aka The Fostering Mom, was an early and ardent student of Language Arts - and still is. She is a prolific writer and intense lover of great poetry. Along with the poetry, she writes fiction, non-fiction, inspirational tales, memoirs, children's stories, ...and everything in between! Her stories and poems have been published several places, and Paths of Fear is the debut title of her Pebbled Lane Books Series, (www.pebbledlanebooks.com). She has several other projects in the works at various stages of publishing progress.
She says it sometimes feels more like, The Fostering Mom, aka Connie Kerbs. After 23 years of foster parenting with her high-school-sweetheart-husband, they are blessed with what she calls their "sweet sixteen." More than a dozen adopted children (13), and three biological children comprise the family. This is in addition to the dozens of children and families they have fostered over the years. "I understand what so many of these children endure, and have to overcome - and they are my heroes, everyone," says The Fostering Mom, whose children include several with extraordinary needs.
When not writing, or mothering her large family, Connie serves on the Board of Directors (President, Past) of the Spokane Youth Symphony. She is also the Vice President of the Foster Parent Association of Washington State, (FPAWS). She gives intensely of herself to underprivileged child-focused projects with names that have "Orphan Summit," and "Crisis Nursery," in them. She has appreciated the opportunity to work on legislation and congressional sub-committees at the state level, as well as Washington, D.C., which advocate for under-privileged children, foster care, and broader family welfare issues she is passionate about.
Whether it be her family, a non-profit or community project, or a book, she believes in the importance of giving one's best, and helping others in enduring ways. Her current Pebbled Lane series is a project which gives in more ways than one – either by acting as an outlet for serious writers to publish their stories, or by supporting worthy causes directly through the proceeds. Her passion for this project, and others like it, is as evident as her love for her husband and children, who fuel her aspirations.
For Connie Kerbs, The Fostering Mom, its all about doing what she calls "living the gratitude." She asserts, "This is an essential thing, to joy, to purposeful living, to a meaningful walk of faith, to overcoming...to success," says the mother of so many, herself a former foster child.
She says it sometimes feels more like, The Fostering Mom, aka Connie Kerbs. After 23 years of foster parenting with her high-school-sweetheart-husband, they are blessed with what she calls their "sweet sixteen." More than a dozen adopted children (13), and three biological children comprise the family. This is in addition to the dozens of children and families they have fostered over the years. "I understand what so many of these children endure, and have to overcome - and they are my heroes, everyone," says The Fostering Mom, whose children include several with extraordinary needs.
When not writing, or mothering her large family, Connie serves on the Board of Directors (President, Past) of the Spokane Youth Symphony. She is also the Vice President of the Foster Parent Association of Washington State, (FPAWS). She gives intensely of herself to underprivileged child-focused projects with names that have "Orphan Summit," and "Crisis Nursery," in them. She has appreciated the opportunity to work on legislation and congressional sub-committees at the state level, as well as Washington, D.C., which advocate for under-privileged children, foster care, and broader family welfare issues she is passionate about.
Whether it be her family, a non-profit or community project, or a book, she believes in the importance of giving one's best, and helping others in enduring ways. Her current Pebbled Lane series is a project which gives in more ways than one – either by acting as an outlet for serious writers to publish their stories, or by supporting worthy causes directly through the proceeds. Her passion for this project, and others like it, is as evident as her love for her husband and children, who fuel her aspirations.
For Connie Kerbs, The Fostering Mom, its all about doing what she calls "living the gratitude." She asserts, "This is an essential thing, to joy, to purposeful living, to a meaningful walk of faith, to overcoming...to success," says the mother of so many, herself a former foster child.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 2, 2015
Great book. Interesting stories about people's who have encountered their greatest fear and how they overcome it. While I really enjoyed the stories, I also really liked the quotes the author has embedded in this book.
Here are few examples:
"Where ever fear shadows..that always means there is a light shining somewhere"
"One of the greatest discoveries a man makes,one of his great surprises,is to find that he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do."
"Obstacles are like wild animals.They are cowards but they will bluff you if they can. If they see you are afraid of them...they are liable to spring upon you, but if you look them squarely in the eye, they will slink out of sight"
"You block your dreams when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith"
"The only thing we have to fear in our life is fear itself"
and many others like these... I find all of these, and the poems in between the stories highly motivational. In fact, I would say this book affected me a lot - for the better.
I would go so far as to say I recommend this book to all - everyone should read it. There is a lot for most in it, and something for everyone...
November 25, 2015
Fear - real heart-stopping, pants-wetting, scared-out-of-my-mind fear - is not an emotion, reaction, or experience to which I aspire. In fact, I would prefer never to experience that type of fear – ever. However, I must concede that I do experience some form of fear daily, multiple times even. Call it anxiety, worry, concern, or any other myriad of names – the root is fear, only the intensity varies. In Paths of Fear, Connie Kerbs has addressed this monster called Fear, dissected it, broken it down and laid it out for all to see in its many forms – from mild to severe. She has done so respectfully, by weaving together clinical observations, real-life stories of heartache and triumph, with spiritual perspective and conviction.
As much as this anthology illustrates the various forms, severity and nuances of fear, it does not dwell on fear. Instead, Kerbs introduces the idea that the antidote to fear is love, in all its many forms. Whether love of self or love of someone else – love seems to be the one thing that will cause a person to stand up to fear. Each story, narrative, poem and scripture reference ultimately leads the reader back to love as the means by which to overcome fear.
The author’s compilation of poetry and prose is fresh, relevant and inspiring. The variety of writing styles and perspectives offered, kept me engaged and caused me to examine my own assumptions about fear and love, and their relationship to each other. I found myself relating to some of the stories and being horrified by others; identifying with many spiritual observations and pondering various clinical assertions. The Nuts and Bolts section was especially interesting as the narratives contained practical, “how to” steps for overcoming specific fears. And, woven throughout the entire book are glimpses into the author’s own thoughts, observations and life experiences concerning fear and love – undoubtedly amassed through many years of advocating for children, both hers and other people’s.
Everyone deals with fear in life, it is part of the human condition. Paths of Fear offers a message of hope and encouragement, along with practical advice and real-life examples of how love ultimately conquers fear – every time.
As much as this anthology illustrates the various forms, severity and nuances of fear, it does not dwell on fear. Instead, Kerbs introduces the idea that the antidote to fear is love, in all its many forms. Whether love of self or love of someone else – love seems to be the one thing that will cause a person to stand up to fear. Each story, narrative, poem and scripture reference ultimately leads the reader back to love as the means by which to overcome fear.
The author’s compilation of poetry and prose is fresh, relevant and inspiring. The variety of writing styles and perspectives offered, kept me engaged and caused me to examine my own assumptions about fear and love, and their relationship to each other. I found myself relating to some of the stories and being horrified by others; identifying with many spiritual observations and pondering various clinical assertions. The Nuts and Bolts section was especially interesting as the narratives contained practical, “how to” steps for overcoming specific fears. And, woven throughout the entire book are glimpses into the author’s own thoughts, observations and life experiences concerning fear and love – undoubtedly amassed through many years of advocating for children, both hers and other people’s.
Everyone deals with fear in life, it is part of the human condition. Paths of Fear offers a message of hope and encouragement, along with practical advice and real-life examples of how love ultimately conquers fear – every time.
November 28, 2015
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”.
~Franklin D. Roosevelt
Webster defines fear as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. Fear is an emotion that each of us has experienced. No one person on earth is immune to its touch. How we choose to react to this feeling it causes is what lends strength to our existence.
Throughout the pages of this book fear is shown in-depth through the stories and poems of triumph, victory, and acceptance. Each one of these offerings showcases how fear has entered into the writer’s life and how they were strong enough to overcome its presence.
PATHS OF FEAR: AN ANTHOLOGY OF OVERCOMING THROUGH COURAGE, INSPIRATION, AND THE MIRCLE OF LOVE is an outstanding book. I found myself glued to the pages in anticipation of what was to come next. I found each offering that was contained in this book providing an enriching reading experience.
Connie Kerbs is to be applauded on her creation of such a magnificent creation. I ranked this book up there in the same category as the much beloved Chicken Soup for the Soul for I found that I gained the same sense of warmth as each story reached out and touched my heart. To say that I was impressed with this author is an understatement.
~Franklin D. Roosevelt
Webster defines fear as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat. Fear is an emotion that each of us has experienced. No one person on earth is immune to its touch. How we choose to react to this feeling it causes is what lends strength to our existence.
Throughout the pages of this book fear is shown in-depth through the stories and poems of triumph, victory, and acceptance. Each one of these offerings showcases how fear has entered into the writer’s life and how they were strong enough to overcome its presence.
PATHS OF FEAR: AN ANTHOLOGY OF OVERCOMING THROUGH COURAGE, INSPIRATION, AND THE MIRCLE OF LOVE is an outstanding book. I found myself glued to the pages in anticipation of what was to come next. I found each offering that was contained in this book providing an enriching reading experience.
Connie Kerbs is to be applauded on her creation of such a magnificent creation. I ranked this book up there in the same category as the much beloved Chicken Soup for the Soul for I found that I gained the same sense of warmth as each story reached out and touched my heart. To say that I was impressed with this author is an understatement.
December 3, 2015
I saw some good reviews about this book so I decided to give it a go.
I am very impressed with this book. It is very unique and interesting. I couldn't put it down! The author offers us many different stories of people dealing with and overcoming some of the worst, fearful situations. Some of the stories are more every day, and could happen to anyone. Some are about hard things every parent could relate to with their children. Some are about terrible and violent, abusive situations people have gone through and how that affects their life for a long time. In the introduction the author mentions some of the stories will haunt you...and I am here to tell you that is true. I think I will remember this book and the experience it was for a long time. In a good way. I feel it taught me a lot about people and how they deal with stress and how it affects their life for so long. In a way I can't explain yet - this book has made me a deeper, better person. I really liked the poems and quotes that broke up the stories. I would say this made the book very enjoyable on top of being a powerful emotional experience.
I am very impressed with this book. It is very unique and interesting. I couldn't put it down! The author offers us many different stories of people dealing with and overcoming some of the worst, fearful situations. Some of the stories are more every day, and could happen to anyone. Some are about hard things every parent could relate to with their children. Some are about terrible and violent, abusive situations people have gone through and how that affects their life for a long time. In the introduction the author mentions some of the stories will haunt you...and I am here to tell you that is true. I think I will remember this book and the experience it was for a long time. In a good way. I feel it taught me a lot about people and how they deal with stress and how it affects their life for so long. In a way I can't explain yet - this book has made me a deeper, better person. I really liked the poems and quotes that broke up the stories. I would say this made the book very enjoyable on top of being a powerful emotional experience.
December 13, 2015
Paths of Fear by Connie Kerbs is one of the best books I have read all year! What an incredible read! For a new author I am surprised! I look very forward to more books from the Pebbled Lane Books Series this book is first of. It is a psychological, inspirational ana d entertaining read! It is also a poetry book wedged in between, in just the right amount! It is also spiritual - but not too much. Just the right amount. It is not off-putting that way. There is a hint of generic spirituality in a few of the stories - but not too much... There is one concentrated chapter - but its clearly up front what it is: Mustard Seeds - and I found it quite interesting. This author's writing style is intelligent and engaging. Connie Kerbs manages to offer some very old inspirational ideas in a new light, which is rare and thought provoking. ALso, all the different writing styles makes for interesting and actually helps draw a reader into their world for a time.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews