Thank you Kelly so much for doing this interview with me (and it's your first, so exciting!). I
was delighted to find out that you have published a book, God’s Gardener, which
is available for free on Smashwords
for e-readers and CreateSpace
in paperback. The royalties of which will go towards donation copies of the
book for hand out to those dealing with homelessness. As someone who has spent
countless hours reading others works (for review on Tuannasgifts.weebly.com), how does
it feel to be on the other side?
Very humbling. If someone had ask me
if I would ever write a book, let alone about my feelings toward God, I would
have laughed at them and said ‘I’m no writer’.
Starting out with the introduction, “God’s Gardener” has
very strong language towards the principals of being a Christ-follower, as well
as, the traits and truths of God. What would you say is the primary message of
the book? What is one thing that you hope each reader comes away with?
I hope to inspire people to at least
see what God has to say by reading his word. I know many people will say that
the book was written by men, but like me, I believe they were inspired by God
to write what he was telling them in their heart.
Also, I hope my life’s struggles
will show people that no matter who you are or what you have done you can
receive forgiveness. God’s promise is constant through out the Bible. Jesus
said it many times in his ministries to people of his day. This can be found in
the bible, written by eye witnesses.
I, for one, thank you for your bold honesty in reference to
your past circumstances. Did you find it easy for you to pen down the words
knowing they would be readily available for any and everyone to examine them?
I did have some concern, more for
people who know me. Most family and friends don’t know some of the things that
happened to me. I didn’t want to hurt any one, but I felt I could reach more
people if I was honest about my own life, something they could relate to.
In God’s Gardener you are very open about your mental
afflictions; some people say that the church says too little about this type of
disease. What would you say to someone of faith who is struggling with
depression, anxiety, bi-polar, etc?
I would tell them that pills are
fine, but having God in my life has made me less worried about what other
people think and more about what God thinks. He made me as I am for a reason.
I know from the Bible that Jesus
will return after the gospel is preached to the whole world, maybe my book is
helping to do just that. Maybe that’s why I am here the way I am. I have no
regrets for the way I am, I feel it makes me more sensitive to how others must
feel.
In Chapter 6, the importance of gifts from God is delved
into by showing examples of your own. What would be one of your favorite
“gifts” that you have been blessed with? What would you say to people who say
they are talent-less? How would recommend them to search out/find their God
given gifts/talents?
I think my favorite gift is the
ability to make something from what ever I have. My motto is ‘do the best you
can with what you have’.
NO one is without talent. Whether it
be singing, writing, playing chess, cards, making people laugh, helping other
with their homework, cleaning motel rooms, or skate boarding. We all have
something we are good at. That is a talent. My husband can’t change the oil but
he can really bring model ships to life, detail a car to make it look like new,
and he takes great photo’s.
To know what your talent is just
look around you. Do you love to decorate your home, sew, doodle, garden, make
flower arrangements, help your neighbors, donate your time to charity? All of
these things are gifts from God. Talent isn’t limited to painting or sculpting.
It’s anything your good at, that you like to do, and not what other people
think, but what you think about it that counts.
Scriptures are used through-out your publication as a tool
to meaning, and you explore their importance to your happiness in low times and
as a guided example of who you are to become.
In other parts of the world right now, people are at risk to be killed
just for having the Bible in their space – to where as some of our fellow
believers write scripture down on tiny fragments of paper and consume them due
to fear of persecution. What would you say to people who may look at the Bible
as something outdated and no longer needed? How do you think your life would
have been different if you didn’t have the scriptures to turn to?
For those who think the Bible
doesn’t pertain to our day then I would say they have never read it. There are
so many things in there that pertain to any situation you can imagine. God
tells us exactly what we should do when we don’t know what to do. As to those in fear for their lives, remember
God is in your heart, mind and soul. If God is for you then who can be against
you. People may kill the body but they can’t kill your faith and belief in God.
If you love God more then your own life then you have nothing to worry about.
Even without the scriptures to read
I still have God’s wonders around me. NO one can do what God has done. No
scientist can recreate what God has made. Oh, they can clone things but they
can’t make something out of thin air, they can’t speak anything in existence.
Just the other day I discovered some itty bitty white flowers growing all over
this field. The flowers were so tiny I couldn’t see them without getting up
real close. I could just see white. Up close they are so delicate and perfect.
What beauty. The birds wake me up in the morning with their singing and I love
to watch the crocus come up knowing spring isn’t far behind. I could write my
own words about such things knowing they had to come from someone who is mighty
and very loving to give us such wonders, so I don’t have to have the bible to
know what God has to say or done for all of us.
Lastly, admittedly I am a fan of end-times study myself, as
you declare for us in your book, you are an amateur eschatologist. There is
without a doubt prophecy being fulfilled in the world around us today, and
people may be blind to it. What word of advice would you give believers and non-believers
alike regarding to the ‘end of this age’?
I know it’s scary to think that
things will change and there is nothing you can do about it, but there is a
better place for all of us. Right now people are suffering, hurting, scared,
alone and afraid for their lives, but just imagine what it will be like when
Jesus comes down to be King of Kings. There will be no more anger, tears,
hurting, suffering, loneliness, pain. No more worrying about where your next
meal is coming from, how will you keep warm, what you will wear. No more fear.
You will be loved beyond belief, happy like never before, young again, all your
sinful past will have been wiped away. You just have to ask Jesus to come into
your heart and make you a new person. Like Jesus told Mary Magdalena, “Go, and
sin now more”. It will surprise you as to how much happier you will be. You’ll
feel free for your burdens will be lifted, all you have to do is ask and have
faith and belief that God will be there for you. Because HE IS.
Do you have anything else you would like to share?
As I said in my book, I don’t want
to see God loose even one soul to Satan. God is love. Satan is not. He will
make you think that God wants you to be happy getting high, having all the sex
you want with whom ever you want, but in the long run you will only be letting
Satan tell you what to do. Is that what you really want? Wouldn’t you rather
have true love, caring, being blessed by the Lord with all kinds of wonderful
gifts, both physical and mental? Remember, Satan is jealous of God’s power and
he will do anything to make you hate him. Don’t let him. God is beauty and
love, Satan is desolation and despair.
Again, thank you very much for taking the time for this
interview. It was a true delight reading your book, and seeing the scriptures
through your point-of-view via your story, past – present and future. I hope
that your book and its truths reaches people far and wide, and that more and
more are added into the court of believers with each person who reads it.
Thank you for such wonderful
questions. I was very pleased to answer them. Also, I thank you for reading the
book. I was happy to be God’s pupil and
thankful for His inspiration. I couldn’t have written it without Him.
Many Blessings to all,
Kelly Carpo