Here are the contents of this month’s newsletter:

1. New Blog Launched Yesterday
2. “Ask Dr. Walt” in Today’s Christian Living
3. At First Light to be a featured book at the Louisiana Book Festival in October
4. Article: “Author Memorializes His Father’s Heroism”
5. Latest reviews for At First Light
6. “Living a Balanced Life” Podcast
7. Our Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

1) New Blog Launched Yesterday — April 9, 2023, at DrWalt.com

This blog will have features for:

• Those who want to be more highly healthy physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually;
• Those who love to read, want to learn more about their favorite authors, and/or want to write a book one day; and
• Those who want to keep up with me, my adventures, and my writing.

You can subscribe to the blog HERE. Here’s generally what you can expect each week:

1. Mondays: “Ask Dr. Walt,” the perfect blog for those wanting to be more “highly healthy.” 

   Initially, we’ll be running videos broadcast on Liftable TV last year. Here are the first three episodes — starting April 17:

• • FIVE HABITS TO LIVE TEN YEARS LONGER OR MORE
  • THE ABCDES OF HOW TO HAVE A HEALTHY HEART
  • HOW TO BOOST YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

2. Wednesdays: Personal Updates. 

   Starting April 12, I’ll be posting miscellaneous columns, articles, or presentations I’ve given, along with writing updates that might interest readers.

3. Fridays: “The Inside Story,” the perfect blog for readers, writers, or those wanting to write a book.

   

   We’ll be running a series of videos broadcast on Liftable TV last year in which I interview well-known and mega-best-selling Christian authors and agents. Here are the first three episodes that will start on April 14:

• • Jerry B. Jenkins — In Part One of each pair of shows, I’ll explore the author’s background and how they got into writing and actually got their first books published.
  • Jerry B. Jenkins — In Part Two of each pair, I’ll get the author to share their tips and tricks — how and when they write, where they get their ideas, etc.
  • Jerry and his agent, Alex Fields

Web maestro, Steve Raquel, and I have been working overtime to get these features ready for you. We pray you will enjoy and be enriched by them. And, if so, we hope you’ll recommend the blog to your friends, family, and those in your faith community.

2) “Ask Dr. Walt” column in this month’s Today’s Christian Living

I enjoy being able to answer questions from the readers of Today’s Christian Living magazine in my “Ask Dr. Walt” column.

Click HERE for my Q&As from the March 2023 issue. I hope you’ll consider getting a subscription:

• • What are the health risks of getting a tattoo?
  • Is reverse osmosis water healthy?
  • Does all tuna really contain mercury? If so, how much tuna is safe to eat?
  • Are there any health risks to wearing a smartwatch or fitness band?
  • Do magnetic or copper bracelets have any health benefits?

3) At First Light to be a featured book at the Louisiana Book Festival in October

SAVE THE DATE: I’m over the moon excited to let you know that I’ve been invited to be a “Featured Author” at the 2023 Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge this fall. If you live in the area, I’d sure love to see you there. The 19th Annual Louisiana Book Festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 28, 2023. The Festival will be featuring my 2022 book, At First Light: A True World War II Story of a Hero, His Bravery, and an Amazing Horse.

Information on the Louisiana Book Festival is available online HERE. They are advertising, “The daylong celebration featured an exceptional lineup of poets and writers of fiction and nonfiction discussing their books in the Louisiana State Capitol and other settings such as the State Library of Louisiana and the Capitol Park Museum.”

I’ll either be sitting on a panel, or perhaps giving a short talk, about your book. I’ll also be scheduled to sign copies of my book following the program. I’d love to meet and greet all my friends and fans who live in the Baton Rouge area.

4) Article: “Author Memorializes His Father’s Heroism”

North Magazine had a short feature on At First Light. You can see it HERE.

5) Latest Reviews for At First Light: A True World War II Story of a Hero, His Bravery, and an Amazing Horse

I’m so grateful that my WWII book continues to receive such nice reviews from readers. Here’s the latest: I’m delighted that the book has received ~94% (406 of 431 reviews) 5-star ratings on:

• • Amazon (166 ratings [158 are 5-star]),
  • Barnes & Noble (67 [66 5-star]),
  • GoodReads (102 ratings [91 are 5-star]),
  • Walmart (51 ratings [49 are 5-star]), and
  • Target (42 ratings [all 5-star]).

If you’ve read the book, and not submitted a rating on at least the top three sites above, please do. It would be a great favor to me and to others considering the book.

6) “Living a Balanced Life” Podcast

I enjoyed sharing some time and thoughts with Kevin East on his “Following To Lead Podcast” recently. To listen, click HERE and scroll down to Episode 126. Our 30-minute discussion was wide-ranging, as you’ll see in the graphics below. I hope you enjoy listening in.

   

Again, you can listen to the podcast HERE — just be sure to look for “Ep. 126 Living a balanced life with Dr. Walt Larimore” on 03/06/2023. Here are a few items we discussed:

1. 1. What is your recommendation for leaders and families if they want to stay healthy?
   2. Is there any correlation between physical and spiritual health?
   3. What does it mean to be fit mentally, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually and how are these connected? How can we fashion our bodies and spirits into the best possible shape to enjoy our health and serve our King?
   4. How can parents, leaders, and families overcome stress and depression and stay mentally resilient?
   5. How does the relationship between a parent and child affect who the child becomes? How do our parenting styles affect a child’s future? How can a parent balance between parental warmth and receptiveness and parental discipline and discipleship?
   6. Do you think it’s a mistake for parents to emphasize what not to do instead of what to do?

7) Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

Barb and I have just returned from a 10-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land. After long flights there (10 hours from Denver to Frankfurt and 4 hours to Tel Aviv), we were off and running during 14- to 15-hour days. We went with a group from our church and one of our teaching pastors, Dave Erickson. We caught a bad bug on the way home and are just recovering from that, so maybe next month I’ll share a few more pictures and some heartfelt impressions, but below is an outline of our activities. Suffice it to say, we’ll never read Bible passages about the Holy Land or the life of Christ the same way again.

Day 1 – DENVER – We departed from Denver to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Dinner and breakfast were served on board. We both were able to get some sleep.

DAY 2 – TEL AVIV – Upon our evening arrival at the Tel Aviv airport, we transferred to our hotel in Tel Aviv for dinner and overnight. Already we began to feel the spirit of this land enchanting us.

DAY 3 – GALILEE – Today began visiting sites from the Bible and sharing the experience of walking in the footsteps of Jesus. We took a scenic drive up the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea Marina, built by Herod the Great in 22 B.C. We visited the amazing Roman Theater, the Aqueduct, and Herodian Port.
It was here that Cornelius was baptized by Peter (Acts 10:24-28) and Paul was brought to trial (Acts 25). We then proceeded to Mucharka, the location of Elijah’s altar during his confrontation with the false prophets of Baal. We continued through the “Valley of Armageddon” to the excavation site at Tel Megiddo. Then to our hotel in Tiberius for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4 – GALILEE – We started our day with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and then visited Ginnosar to view the fishermen’s boat, found on these shores, dating back to Jesus’ time. We continued to the Mount of Beatitudes, the traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount to reflect on the serene beauty and that incredible sermon. On to Tabgha, the traditional site of the Miracle of the Fishes and Loaves and the Feeding of Five Thousand, to see the chapel built over the rock commemorating the primacy of Peter. We then visit Capernaum, the city of Jesus and Peter to see the house of Peter and an ancient synagogue, where Jesus preached and gathered his disciples. We then drove across the Jordan River via the land of Gaderenes. Lunch was at a restaurant that served the traditional “St. Peter’s fish.” In the afternoon we drove north to Caesarea Phillipi, now called Banias, where Peter made his confession of faith, and identified Jesus as the Messiah. And Jesus said, “Thou art Peter. Upon this rock I will build my church” (Matt.16:17-18). Then we trekked through the Golan Heights and back across the Jordan River to return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5 – GALILEE – This morning our first stop was in the ancient city of Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene. Here we toured around the remains of a first-century town and synagogue where it is believed that Jesus himself visited, taught, and preached at this synagogue. At a church called Duc in Altum (in Latin “Launch into the deep” — the words of Jesus in Luke 5:4, fishers of men) we saw beautiful mosaics and frescos honoring the women of the Gospels. Then to Yardenit, a Baptismal Site on the Jordan River where many of our friends were baptized or re-baptized. It was emotional for us all.  Then a drive down the West Bank of the Jordan River to Jerusalem. We stopped on Mount Scopus to view the impressive home of the Hebrew University, overlooking the old city for the first time from the Mount of Olives. It was an outstanding view. Then to our Jerusalem hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 6 – JERUSALEM – This morning we started at the top of the Mount of Olives. As we walked down the slope of the Kidron Valley, we visited an ancient Jewish cemetery, the Chapel of the Ascension, the traditional Garden of Gethsemane, and the Church of All Nations. We saw the Tombs of Absalom, Zechariah, and James before entering the Old City through St. Stephen’s Gate visiting the Pool of Bethesda, the Chapel of the Flagellation, and the Ecce Homo Arch. We continue through the Bazaar through the stations of the cross along the Via Dolorosa. The last four stations were in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. After an amazing lunch, we continued to the Jewish Quarter visiting the Cardo, the “Wide” wall built by King Hezekiah, and the Herodian mansion. Then to the Temple area and Mt. Moriah, to see the Dome of Rock, visit the Western Wall, and then the Ophel Archaeological park and Museum. We returned to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 7 – MASADA – This morning we left Jerusalem and drove past the Inn of the “Good Samaritan” to arrive at the shores of the Dead Sea — the lowest point on earth. We drove along the Dead Sea to Masada, the fortress where Jewish Zealots held off the armies of the Roman Empire for over 3 years before choosing suicide over surrender. Then we visited Ein Gedi, where King David found shelter from the wrath of King Saul. After lunch, were to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947 in a cave. Then a late afternoon “float” in the Dead Sea before returning to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

DAY 8 – JERUSALEM – We spent the morning at Israel’s stunning Yad Vashem, The World Holocaust Remembrance Center. A most memorable moment was coming across the original typed Schindler’s List. That afternoon we walked around Jerusalem on the ancient walls, spent time praying at the Western Wall, and then did some shopping before returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 9 – JERUSALEM – We drove by the Knesset to the Israel Museum to visit the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are housed, and to see an amazing model of Jerusalem at the time of the Second Temple. We continued to Mount Zion to visit the Room of the Last Supper and King David’s Tomb. We end our day and our Pilgrimage with a visit to
the Garden Tomb where we have an orientation beside a possible site of Calvary and also where we all participated in an amazing Communion service next to the empty tomb. Then back to the hotel for a farewell dinner and overnight.

DAY 10 – DENVER – Today our journey ended with good memories as we boarded the flight for a long, long trip home. We arrived the same day. — but the total travel time was nearly 20 hours. Whew!!!

8) Last Month’s Happenings

• Mar 6, I had the privilege of speaking at a Men’s Steak and Ribs Dinner at my church, Academy Christian Church(ACC) about my WWII book. I’ve titled the talk, “At First Light: The Resilience of a Teenager Who Became a World War II Hero.” The evening was a fabulous success. I sold and signed all of the books I brought with me, but the most gratifying part of the evening was lifting up the service, sacrifices, and success of the men who fought on the “Forgotten Front” in Southern Europe during WWII.
• On April 1, I had the privilege to address an International Easter Celebration that will be telecast around the world. I’ll be talking about the purpose of Easter, the purpose of our Christian faith, the evidence of the resurrection of Jesus, and the opportunity to provide an invitation for people who are ready to come to Christ for salvation. You can view my 2019 video presentation at my April 9, 2023 blog (yesterday’s blog) here.

9) Upcoming Events

• April 13-17, Barb and I will drive to New Mexico to spend a few days of R&R in Santa Fe and Taos.
• Of course, we’ll continue our ReEngage Marriage Ministry at Academy Christian Church.

10) Past Editions

February 2023

• At First Light honored at the National WWII Museum
• The Best Book Review Ever
• 12 Steps to Spiritual Training and Nutrition — “Ask Dr. Walt” in Today’s Christian Living
• “Vaccine News You Can Use” from Colorado Family Physician
• Recent PR for At First Light interviews or reviews

January 2023

• Annual Update
• At First Light to be honored at the National WWII Museum
• At First Light featured on the Stephen Ambrose History Happy Hour
• At First Light nominated or submitted for nine book awards
• Readers continue to dish out love for At First Light
• Recent At First Light interviews or reviews

December 2022

• Order signed and personalized copies of my books
• Mark your calendar: At First Light to be featured on the Stephen Ambrose History Happy Hour
• Mark your calendar: At First Light to be honored at the National WWII Museum
• At First Light wins an international book award
• Readers continue to dish out love for At First Light
• The successful public relations campaign for At First Light continues
• “Ask Dr. Walt” in Today’s Christian Living

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