Credere

CREDERE COVER SPRING 2015

The great Ernest Hemingway once poetically said: “The first draft of anything is sh*t.” What if our life on earth is our first draft? What if heaven is our second chance to relearn missed lessons, reconnect to love’s possibility, and to grow in the depth of our individuality?

Credere’s heaven examines how characters with twenty-first century problems  and challenges find their way home in a space of complete love – the type of love the inspires, encourages, and seeks the truth.

This story is written from a non-religious perspective.

Writer’s Digest called it “Indeed, a story that could launch social movements.”

We call it a story written for the heart showcasing what it means to Credere: Latin, To Believe….in the beauty of our life’s unending story.

The most commonly asked questions about Credere…

1) How do you pronounce Credere?

Credere is Latin for ‘To Believe’ – pronounced ‘Cre-dare’ (I like to use the French-inspired pronunciation since it’s closer to English). What’s more important for me, besides the correct pronunciation, is that the word’s connotation is understood – a word meaning that we believe in the beauty of our life’s unending story.

2) What can I expect from Credere’s story?

One reader described Credere’s story as: “You will laugh, you will cry, and you will be inspired.”

It’s a novel about the afterlife from a perspective of complete love. It’s not a religious work, yet it showcases what it means to live with Higher Intent from a perspective of imperfectness.

The story starts when four strangers arrive in heaven just to discover that it doesn’t match their vision of the afterlife. Now what?

They quickly learn that faith is like buying a one-way ticket to a place that you haven’t seen before. Yet, all isn’t lost when they rediscover what it means to Credere, Latin for ‘To Believe…’

H. L. Balcomb

“Throughout the book, I thought of Plato’s quote, “Every heart sings a song, incomplete, until another heart whispers back.” That whisper may be your true passion, another person, or just a moment in time. Balcomb explains that creativity and personal expression are the greatest ways of achieving this moment, and peace” Mill City Press.

Susan, May 26, 2016: “I won this book in a Goodread’s Giveaway. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect by the name, but after reading just the first few pages I was hooked. The story follows four individuals as they progress up to the fourth phase of heaven, learning much about themselves and about heaven during each phase. Following each character’s journey was fascinating. I especially enjoyed reading of their visits back to earth and the perspectives they gained from that experience. It is a well told, interesting story that I truly enjoyed.”
Credere Book Cover Credere
H.L. Balcomb
Spirituality
Two Harbors Press
January 15, 2013
Paperback, Kindle
344

5.0 out of 5 stars Alleviating 'death' trepidations!

By Barbara Rousseauon February 3, 2013
Format: Paperback
I just finished reading "Credere" and am pleased that this novel offers readers a provocative view of what potentially lies beyond our 'transitions' into the 'other side'. I specifically liked the points regarding how we take our 'propensities' with us for additional reflection and hopefully resolution. I loved the metaphor of demolishing and then rebuilding a more resilient and sturdy school--which included each character reflecting on their personal shortcomings. As a Colorado native, I also liked the reference to the Ute Mtn Ute tribe later in the story. I noted strikingly familiar themes and even direct parallels from "The 5 People You Meet in Heaven" and the poignant 1990's comedy-video with Meryl Streep "Defending Your Life" (which included multiple life-reviews when reaching 'heaven'). The lessons the 'Credere' characters learned in the story offer an expanded, more heart-felt way to deal with one another and most importantly with themselves. I noted just about every vice, short-coming, and addiction was addressed in the story. Spiritual writing--even fiction--is a powerful, transformative opportunity for the author to explore personal beliefs. It's exciting because often the writer, if paying close attention, can experience an epiphany in philosophical awareness even while writing! My spiritual perceptions are different from the author's (i.e. mine are more aligned with Anita Moorjani's non-fiction, near-death-experience account, "Dying to Be Me", which dissolves retribution of 'hell' in the consciousness of pure Love.) However, I truly feel we ALL are expanding our perceptions of the nature of personal reality--and that EVERYONE is correct...for themselves.