The beauty of life is that every day we have another chance!
POET PAUL SAMUELS Words that paint a thousand pictures
Author of Bipolar Missionary, Poetry, Children's Books & Greeting Cards
For my personal info please scroll down
BIPOLAR MISSIONARY-HEALING THE PAST,SHAPING THE FUTURE
Why a Memoir?
My heart is to share the comfort of 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 with you! "...praising the God of all comfort and to "comfort others with the comfort I have been comforted with." I welcome you into my first-person story.
For decades, I have wrestled with writing my memoir. Some of my life was so painful that I wanted to bury all my negative choices and painful memories. I knew that once I sat down to write, I would be in a familiar battle to deal a death blow to the accompanying guilt which sometimes oozed into my life. I finally made the decision to share my story with the Lord’s help and my wife’s encouragement. She is brave since my story is more than 46 years of her story as well in our marriage. Her love for me has been, and is, heroic. Arlene added a significant chapter entitled “Why I stayed.” You must read it. It is a testament of forgiveness and outrageous commitment. A reviewer wrote "her chapter will save marriages!"
Prior to my bipolar diagnosis, I knew there was something wrong with me. I lived the words of Romans 7:15 “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” I prayed for deliverance, healing, self-control. I enjoyed years of healthy behavior, especially during my seasons as a missionary or on the staff of several international organizations.
Like me, you may face post-traumatic stress, addictions, a painful childhood, suicide attempts, shame, emotional distress, physical abuse, and more. Bipolar Missionary is for everyone, whose mountains are too high and valleys too low. My personal history is a difficult one, yet it overflows with the Lord’s mercy and unconditional love. He continually reassured me and gave me determination for a changed future. I pray the Lord will touch you as you read.
From the Forward by Dr. Ray A. Snyder:
Paul Samuels rips open his past to discover the secrets hidden in his present. With the discovery of physical and emotional abuse at home and sexual abuse in the streets of the South Bronx he lays open the truth for all to see. The discovery of undiagnosed bipolar and medication becomes a tool to harness his mental illness and addictions. His life is laid open in the hopes of walking in his life scripture of sharing hope with others. 2 Corinthians 1 3-4 Our God is the God of all comfort, and we are to comfort others with the comfort we ourselves have been comforted with.
Two reviews from Amazon:
Paul Samuels is a courageous survivor and in Bipolar Missionary he tells his story with brutal honesty and yet somehow with grace and forgiveness. Paul, thank you for your transparency that is borne out of a sincere effort to help others.
I read this book on the recommendation of a friend and I'm glad I did. I wondered if this would hold my attention and it definitely did. I find it fascinating to read real, true-life stories about people's lives and this did not disappoint. There are life lessons to be learned from this book and I found it uplifting and touching. Read it almost in one sitting. I particularly appreciated the author's honesty ~ the good, bad and the ugly. What a story!
Please scroll down for: Children's Books, Paul's Poetry Book, Original Greeting Cards, and a place to contact Paul
expressions of life - A Journey of the emotions
Paperback: $15.95 Kindle e-book $9.99 Amazon
We all know that a picture is worth a thousand words but sometimes words can paint a thousand pictures. I hope you’ll find that to be true in EXPRESSIONS OF LIFE. If you are like me, I find great comfort in knowing how others deal with their life tragedies and turn them into valuable life experiences for themselves and others. When we face rough times, we have a tendency to feel totally isolated in our suffering thinking no one else understands. That’s why knowing how others face life’s challenges-and experience life’s joys- is helpful and hopeful.
Family and friends have encouraged me to put my poems together in book form. They haven’t anointed me as a “Great Literary Poet” but rather a “People’s Poet” who can identify with life’s experiences without the usual backdrop of academia. It is my earnest hope that on each page you will encounter insight, comfort, joy, peace and- perhaps help- to walk with your head held a little higher and your steps a little lighter on your life’s journey of emotions. Please see reviews from Amazon further down the page.
Love is a peace that comes!..
from conversation in which we relate all we have to say
and know we are being heard
from security in the knowledge that we are being ourselves
and accepted for who we are
from understanding that we are individuals
and it is impossible to be everything to each other
from growth which is allowed to occur at our own speed
from passion which is encouraged to occur naturally
with no resentment if it doesn't from gentleness in a world where gentleness, to often is unimportant
from commitment to each other as friends and lovers
today and all of our tomorrow,Love is a peace that comes!
Metamorphosis
The caterpillar climbs a tree and finds what it considers an appropriate place; It creates a cocoon, a safe haven for the process of re-birth.
Somehow, without dying It ceases to be what it once was.
Perhaps the process is without pain. No one really knows except the caterpillar. And those memories stay in the cocoon, for the butterfly moves too freely to carry a burden of any sort
But what of me? What of man? How do I find a safe haven for this process of rebirth occurring within me? Surely, I'm not dying It just feels that way as old patterns of survival are revealed to be trails to destruction
of relationships which count and cannot take the strain But, I cannot climb. There is no cocoon! The process isn't hidden and there is pain.
Yet, even in this hurt that cuts deep within to those Places which contain the ways of the past there is hope, because the surgery in process is being performed by the Spirit of God Who has the power to heal in such a way so that as time passes, I too, can leave behind those burdens too heavy to carry, in a cocoon, I cannot see and move along
As the butterfly- FREE
to Order visit Amazon: http://amzn.to/2nY1gFR
Paperback: $15.95 Kindle e-book $9.99
Where is Christmas? A chapter book for Children
Where is Christmas? is a perfect gift for young minds to learn the truth of Christmas through the adventures of Woody Squirrel and his forest friends
After falling into a snow drift, Woody Squirrel overhears two People-Kids talking about Christmas. Excitedly, he scampers into an adventure to find the treasure, presents,and food under a tree of colorful lights. He rounds up his forest friends for the treasure search. All is well until "Phew Skunk" sneaks up and sets off a firestorm of arguments among the once-happy gang. Their loud voices wake up Wise Old Owl who helps them discover that Christmas is not a WHERE but a "WHOOOOO." Ideal age is first to fifth grades but younger children have enjoyed the illustrations and learning about the WHO of Christmas too. Paperback: $12.95 e-book $9.99 Amazon
Amazon Reviews
"Good books have a way of increasing the joy and health in families. I hope that our books, in the Sears' Parenting Library, have done that; and I know that this delightful book by Paul Samuels will. As a mother of eight and grandmother of eight, I love seeing the faces of my grandchildren when I read WHERE IS CHRISTMAS? With them. The People-Kids and Woody Squirrel paint a fresh new way of seeing Christmas and its meaning. Paul's book will give you many precious moments this like this to enjoy with the children in your life" --Martha Sears, RN,Co-author, CHRISTIAN PARENTING AND CHILD CARE and THE BABY BOOK
"This enchanting little tale of woodland creatures in search of Christmas will become a holiday favorite for young and old. What begins as a quest by a curious little squirrel, joined by his friends along the way, leads first to discord then to understanding of the true meaning of the Christian holiday of Christmas. Woody and his animal friends learn that even the humblest of gifts are blessed, but most important, they come to understand that Christmas is more than presents and decorations and a focus on things material "
" I really like this new childrens' Christmas book. Not too long and not too short---just right. And right on when it comes to the message." Thanks Paul.
"This warm tale of the true meaning of Christmas is told with words simple enough for a child--or even an adult--to comprehend. Paul's sense of wonder has never dimmed, and that will make this book worth reading, not just at Christmas, but year-round." --Frederica Mathewes-Green, author- The Illumined Heart and Facing East
Running a holiday sale or weekly special? Definitely promote it here to get customers excited about getting a sweet deal.
"Paul Samuel's creative mind spills over in a way that makes me wish I were a child again just to have someone read the story to me. This book awakens the mind of a child to see and understand things that other media might bury." --Gayle D. Erwin, author-The Jesus Style
See reviews at Amazon: http://amzn.to/ZlbYqK
Paperback: $12.95 Kindle e-book $9.99
Suppose A book about liking yourself
A delightful picture book
SUPPOSE is a rhyming, fun- filled poem which leads children on a chase to find their snitched noses, plucked ears, and hidden-away smiles snatched by a mischievous clown-kid. This hard cover book is filled with twenty-six vivid color illustrations that add sparkle from the hands of Linn Trochim, who drew famous characters like The Flintstones® & Scooby Doo® for Hanna-Barbera Studios. At the end of the chase, children discover what they are SUPPOSED to do: “Like yourself! And believe God loves you, then you can tell others He loves them too!” "Love your neighbor as you love yourself" Matthew 19:19 First, we must like ourselves, then share the love. Amazon Hard Cover $19.99 e-book $0.99
Amazon Reviews:
"Reading to a four-year-old granddaughter is a delight every "Pops" should experience, and my experience just got better by reading "Where is Christmas." Paul Samuels has captured the innocent delight of Christmas through the eyes of a child and speaks it through the hearts of a delightful trove of forest critters! Telling the story of the SEARCH for Christmas makes for an adventure of childhood proportion that ends at the feet of a newborn Savior. This quest will become a new Christmas tradition in our family."
--Ray Snyder, Author of The Business of Families, Senior Consulting Partner with The Ken Blanchard Companies
A Wonderful Children's Book About Self-Esteem! By Scott K. Format: Hardcover|Verified "My wife and I made it a priority to read to our three sons when they were growing up. Now we are grandparents. We still have boxes of children's books stored away in our home with plans to read them again to our grandchildren. I purchased Paul's book to share with our six-year-old grandson. We recently sat down together and took turns reading the book. He loved it! One thing I learned when our kids were young was you can't fool them. If you share a poorly written book, they pick up on that. The story has to pull them in. It's no different for adults. It's also true that a well illustrated children's book is like icing on the cake when it fits right in with the narrative. Paul's book succeeds at both levels. The story is so pertinent and the illustrations accentuate the story perfectly. The best part, in my opinion, is Paul's book draws attention to God. Children will not hear about God's love for them in public schools It's up to us, their parents. Pick up this book! I highly recommend it."
Barnes & Noble Review By Mamta Madhaven for Readers’ Favorite
"This fun-filled poem is delightful and will put a smile on the faces of young readers, along with conveying a important message. The poem is not only about good values, but will also help children imagine, dream, and become more creative. The illustrations do complete justice to the author’s words and concept, and they also give a good pace and movement to the poem. The rhyming verses add to the lyrical quality and fluidity of the poem. The poem is inspirational, and the writing style and illustrations will captivate children and keep them glued till the very end. It is a good book to introduce children to and for many reasons: to help them understand how to write rhyming poems, become imaginative, love themselves for what they are, and have faith in God". Barnes & Noble http://bit.ly/2vaR5AP $19.99 Hardcover ebook $9.99
The Rainbow kids find the real pot of gold
An exciting chapter book for children !
Have you ever wondered about the “pot of gold” on the other side of the rainbow?
Oh, what thoughts of “all we’d do with such a windfall.” This is the story of two youngsters who had the adventure of their lives when they found the Real Pot of Gold. Yes, at the other side of the rainbow. The People-Kids go adventuring, meet new friends, and also run into someone quite unpleasant.
Paper Back $15.99 Kindle e-book $8.99
Hidden between the lines are values parents communicate to their kids each day.
A review from Amazon:
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
"I purchased the Kindle version of The Rainbow Kids Find the Real Pot of Gold. My visiting 7 and 10-year-old grandchildren enjoyed it so much that I plan to buy the book version for gifts. Meaningful life lessons throughout the book are an added plus!"
Greeting Cards to send or Frame
During the 1970's Arlene and I created a line of greeting cards which we sold in College and Christian book stores. Both color and parchment tones. We retired the line to Zazzle calling them "Retro Cards."
A few of the cards:
The Beauty of life is that every day
we have another chance
First thing this morning I thought
of you I lived through our memories and smiled
I MISS YOU!
In between the hassles and deadlines of everyday life you slip into the foreground of my mind and I become aware that my cup truly runs over
When you smile I feel like every butterfly that ever was is inside me
To Purchase please visit https://www.zazzle.com/retrogreetingcards/product
My bride of 46 years! Arlene Bridges Samuels
My bride of 46 years! Arlene Bridges Samuels
My bride of 46 years! Arlene Bridges Samuels
- Without the love, encouragement, faithful friendship ,and support of my bride, even my first book would not have made it into print.
Thank you Arlene!
The love of the Lord and Arlene keep the smile on my face and in my heart!
My bride of 46 years! Arlene Bridges Samuels
My bride of 46 years! Arlene Bridges Samuels
These poets gave me inspiration and a bit of courage.
James Kavanaugh (1928-2009)
Rod McKuen 1933-2015
Bob Dylan (1941-)
Please see comments from Amazon customers below
PLEASE ALLOW ME TO SHARE MY JOURNEY WITH YOU.
In my young-at-heart 78 years’ journey, my life tapestry is full of adventure
coupled with a grateful heart for all that has transpired. Born in the South Bronx, New York to Russian Jewish immigrants, I’m a proud first-generation American.
I escaped the harsh South Bronx streets with a “PhD in Survival” by joining
the US Navy where I fortunately discovered the south after overseas assignments. There, I met the love of my life, a brilliant South Carolina beauty queen. I fell instantly in love when I looked into her eyes. She wore pink! I’m glad I’m persistent! It took me weeks to get the first date. We are Now in our 46th year of marriage.
After 12 years of praying for children, God blessed us through adoption with our South Carolina-born son and later Romanian daughter. They were both infants and blessed our hearts to this day! I’m convinced that our now-adult children have kept us young. We are Baby Boomers with Millennial's!
Poetry has given me a lifelong creative outlet during many seasons including the privilege of serving others through my humanitarian professions with World Vision, Mercy Ships, Messianic Jewish Alliance of America, and Youth with A Mission.
My travels and humanitarian work have taken me to Ethiopia during the 1985 famine, Senegal, where my heart broke as I visited the shipping point for slaves, and other African nations, Central and South America, Romania (to adopt our daughter), many other European countries, Jordan, Israel and across America. Now, in active retirement I devote more of my time to writing, publishing,and offering poetry recitals for all ages. My hope is to serve others through words that inspire, encourage, and provoke conversation.
My poetry has appeared in numerous publications including as a finalist
in MY SOUTH SPEAKS created by Ted Turner's Turner South, The Georgia Poetry Society, and selection as a Poet in the Schools for the Georgia Poetry Society and the South Carolina Arts Commission.
I’ve now published five books: Three children's books, THE RAINBOW KIDS FIND THE REAL POT OF GOLD, WHERE IS CHRISTMAS? SUPPOSE (A book about liking yourself) EXPRESSIONS OF LIFE ( poetry for grown ups) and BIPOLAR MISSIONARY.
People have said ...
Many have kindly called me a
"poet of the people." Others have said, "Your children's book SUPPOSE reminds me of Dr. Seuss".
"Poetry is the essence of our thoughts and experiences poured onto the empty page taking the hearts and minds of those who read it on the journey beside us."
Paul Samuels 1976
I Enjoy time sharing poetry with children in schools, libraries, and churches
