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AGAINST ALL ODDS
Someone once told me that I could never be an author. Although the flippant remark did initially prevent me from writing, I fought against the odds and published ‘The Golden Thread’ my biography (part one). Against even greater odds, I have now published my 15th book called, ‘I’m Still VALUED – You’re still valued.’ This is my continuing biography and it is packed full of stories of courage and overcoming when faced with adversity. The stories are a challenge to read but they are real. I am openly frank about my health struggles, including physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. I share my battles of nearly dying four times and of being on a life support machine twice. The most fascinating chapter of the book tells of Brendan’s experience of being on the approach road to Heaven – the often talked about, Tunnel of Light. |
Our lives are like a complex tapestry, with many threads weaving each of our unique and individual pictures. There is, however, one thing that we all have in common, one thread. The GOLDEN THREAD is God’s thread in our lives. It is always there, even when we feel that it isn’t. Just turn your tapestry over and you will see it continuing on the back. Always there! The GOLDEN THREAD. This book is the true story of one man’s GOLDEN THREAD in his life.
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Brendan lives with a life-limiting, disabling kidney disease. He has faced many life-threatening battles and persevered. Nearly died four times, been on life support twice. He has been in the well-known tunnel of light twice, the approach road to heaven. He has struggled physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Inspirational, encouraging and demonstrates how God looks at us and says, “You’re still valued.” |
When a child lives with domestic violence they live in fear, unable to control the situation. They can become aggressive and start to fight; they turn to bullying in order to take back control. To take away the pain they may turn to harming themselves. All that they want to do is to escape. Marcus was a caring, intelligent, larger-than-average ten-year-old. His parents changed and so did he. Now, thirteen years old he is a spiteful bully...
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Climate change had been predicted long ago, but not one person could foresee the events that had unfolded. Humanity is defeated, civilization lost, all hope has gone. Enlightenment is the new belief, but there are those that refuse to believe. There is an alternative and Gideon knows it. He has to find ‘Trenchard’ if he has any chance of participating in the greatest battle of his life - The battle for mankind...
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After the victory comes celebration
After the celebration comes something else! 24 year old, Ashia had eventually found happiness, though at a very high cost. She pinched herself to check that it wasn’t a dream, then relaxed. Her eyes told her everything was calm, as it should be. Her eyes deceived her. Her mind sensed something else. |
I particularly like the story of "Doubting Thomas," as I am sure that so many of us can relate to this. The Land of Make Believe is based on the story of Thomas in the Bible. Though it is a short story it is packed full of wonder, fun and enchantment. It is written in the style of rhyme, though it is not a nursery rhyme.
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Our paths are seldom straightforward, life always throws its storms at us. How we all weather those storms varies. Some of us will struggle with the slightest little worry, whereas others are able to show far greater resilience. What is it that makes some of us more resilient than others?
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POWERFUL, POETIC, RHYTHMIC
The Psalms are so powerful. They were written to be sung or read out aloud. This rhyming version is a joy to hear and it was such a blessing to work on. My prayer is that it is also a great blessing, to all that read and hear it. |
FOR YOUR JOURNEY... When Brendan Conboy wrote the entire book of PSALMS in rhyme, he described it as a deeply spiritual journey. We are all on some kind of journey and we call it life. The verses and images in this journal will encourage and inspire.
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As Christians, we have a relationship with God and we should desire for that relationship to grow closer. One way to do that is of course to read the Bible, but where do you start. Brendan Conboy decided to read, meditate on and dig deeper into the names of God.
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We are all on a journey, travelling through life, in a short span of time.
We are all on a journey, with all kinds of strife, rest now in words of rhyme. The poems that are penned in this book have been inspired by many of the things that we encounter on our journeys. |
As a former Christian Rap Artist, now a Poet and Spoken Word Artist, Brendan says, "Words are powerful, words have the power to transform lives."
The concept of Popcorn Poetry is simple, popcorn is made for sharing, just like the rhymes in this book. |
This is not just another poetry book, it is a book of comments, observations and of course, messages. When God keeps pouring words into Brendan Conboy's head, what else is he supposed to do to do?
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There comes a time when each of us is faced with death, whether it is our own or someone else. So, why is it that so many people struggle to talk about and prepare for what is inevitable? Author and poet, Brendan Conboy lives with a life-limiting illness and has stared death in the face at least four times.
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I published my first poetry book, Rhyme Time. Since then, I have published three more, Popcorn Poetry (Aug-22), Half Man Half Poet (Apr-23) and The End is not The End (Jul-23). This book, The Gift, is a bumper collection of many of the poems from each of these four books.
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Created to be creative...
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I AM AN AUTHOR... I nearly wasn't...
In September 2012, I was reflectively thinking about my future and what God would have me do next and during a conversation with a friend, I mentioned that I might write a book. My mum had inspired me to think this, as when she died, we found the start of a story about her life. Although she never finished it, it was enough to plant a seed, the thought of, ‘I could do that.’
So, I vocalised my thoughts and the conversation went like this. “I’m thinking of becoming an author.”
The response somewhat surprised me, “You couldn’t possibly be an author”, I respected this person’s opinion so I asked, “Oh, why not?”
“Because authors write 3,600 words in an hour and you could never do that.”
It was said with such authority, confidence and knowledge that I just accepted it. “You’re right, I could never do that.” I thought that my crippled finger would always slow me down, but I now know that no disability should EVER stop anyone from following a dream. This one throwaway comment would delay my writing like a curse. God was speaking to me, leading me, but a massive barrier had just been built and it would hold me back for years.
Almost two years later, in the summer of 2014, I pushed that barrier out of the way and I wrote my first book, my biographical story called, ‘The Golden Thread’. It was published over a year later after a Kickstarter funding campaign. It felt good to have a book published and even better knowing that other people had helped to make it possible, they believed in me. I have learnt a great deal more about publishing since that first book.
I also knew that my story could impact the lives of many and to share it was a way of glorifying God. Incidentally, that book is still being read all over the world and I often hear from someone whose life was changed through reading it. Back then though, in 2015, I still struggled to consider myself an author, with the comment still echoing in my mind, “You could never be an author.”
In agreement, I found myself thinking, “Yeah, it’s a one-off, a fluke, anyone can write ONE book. It doesn’t make you an author.” – Imposter Syndrome continued to take hold.
That then was that decision made, I’m not an author and it’s time to move on. Yet, God is patient and He had other plans, it would take another three years before I knew exactly what He would require of me, but you can find the rest of this story in my autobiographical book, ‘I’m Still VALUED.’
So, I vocalised my thoughts and the conversation went like this. “I’m thinking of becoming an author.”
The response somewhat surprised me, “You couldn’t possibly be an author”, I respected this person’s opinion so I asked, “Oh, why not?”
“Because authors write 3,600 words in an hour and you could never do that.”
It was said with such authority, confidence and knowledge that I just accepted it. “You’re right, I could never do that.” I thought that my crippled finger would always slow me down, but I now know that no disability should EVER stop anyone from following a dream. This one throwaway comment would delay my writing like a curse. God was speaking to me, leading me, but a massive barrier had just been built and it would hold me back for years.
Almost two years later, in the summer of 2014, I pushed that barrier out of the way and I wrote my first book, my biographical story called, ‘The Golden Thread’. It was published over a year later after a Kickstarter funding campaign. It felt good to have a book published and even better knowing that other people had helped to make it possible, they believed in me. I have learnt a great deal more about publishing since that first book.
I also knew that my story could impact the lives of many and to share it was a way of glorifying God. Incidentally, that book is still being read all over the world and I often hear from someone whose life was changed through reading it. Back then though, in 2015, I still struggled to consider myself an author, with the comment still echoing in my mind, “You could never be an author.”
In agreement, I found myself thinking, “Yeah, it’s a one-off, a fluke, anyone can write ONE book. It doesn’t make you an author.” – Imposter Syndrome continued to take hold.
That then was that decision made, I’m not an author and it’s time to move on. Yet, God is patient and He had other plans, it would take another three years before I knew exactly what He would require of me, but you can find the rest of this story in my autobiographical book, ‘I’m Still VALUED.’
