Que Sera Sera, or… by Yvonne Lehman

Posted on June 14, 2013 by yvon63

Que Sera Sera
Or as Doris Day (back in my day!) sang it, “Whatever will be, will be.”

I’m not sure that’s theologically sound, but that’s not the point of this anyway. What I’m getting at is, some things just seem meant to be…even if it seems we sometimes are waiting…forever.

lori_b (2)

Lori Marett

That’s how my daughter, Lori Marett, felt through the years as she dabbled in writing while working and raising a family. A few of her articles were published in Focus on the Family but her interest lay in screenwriting. She said, “Mom, I’m going to write a script adapted from your novel, In Shady Groves.”

My eyes were stuck on her and my voice choked my throat and I couldn’t say what I was thinking, which was, “That’s impossible. You don’t know anything about scriptwriting.”

Fortunately, I couldn’t get the words out and she began to read books, teach herself, and wrote the script which placed and then won in contests, but was told it would be too expensive to produce. That just wasn’t meant to be.

Daunted but not defeated, she continued. She met faculty at writers conferences who were involved in movies. Then she began to think somebody should start a conference to bring all those in the arts together—writers, scriptwriters, producers, actors, musicians, etc.

But who? Well, after much praying and pondering and encouragement it seemed meant to be that she and her husband, Rodney should give it a try. I didn’t tell them how difficult it is to be founder and director of a conference. After all, I had started the Blue Ridge Writers Conference over 25 years ago and God showed how he could use a willing person, who didn’t have enough sense to know they couldn’t do it, and make it a success.

Her and Rodney’s efforts seem meant to be since they’re now in their sixth year of directing the Gideon Media Arts and Film Festival, held in Orlando, FL this year. http://www.gideonfilmfestival.com.

After years and years of trying, maybe it just wasn’t meant to be that she’d ever get a movie produced. But she continued learning, writing, networking, entering contests, and lo and behold, this year her first DVD was produced.

This is what Dove Worldwide had to say about it: If you want to see a powerful drama about abortion and one which features compassion for the young girls making life-changing decisions, this is the one to see. … The viewer will experience a few surprises along the way. … Due to the sophisticated theme, we are recommending this movie for ages twelve plus. This one entertains and makes one think, a pretty rare combination.”

Viewers have said this is not like most movies about abortion, but has that twist and difference which makes it unique. It’s now being used as a ministry in organizations and churches.

After years of trying and seemingly no results, it’s beginning to look like Meant to Be was…meant to be.

Yvonne latest novels are three Harlequin Heartsongs set in Savannah, GA. The Caretaker’s Son (April 2013), Lessons in Love (August) and Seeking Mr. Perfect (November).

Meant to Be - MV5BMTQxNzUzNzE0M15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNzIyNzA1OA@@._V1_SY317_CR2,0,214,317_

 

 

Posted in Uncategorized, Yvonne Lehman | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Are You Reading? by Elizabeth Goddard

Posted on June 13, 2013 by bethrachg

ImageSince I turned in my novel at the first of this month, I have a little extra time to catch up on reading. Funny that reading voraciously is what drove me to write, and now with writing, I hardly have time to read!

Finished reading Submerged by Dani Pettrey, and immediately downloaded another book that someone recommended—Susan May Warren’s You Don’t Know Me. Just got my copy of Rachel Hauck’s Once Upon a Prince. We won’t even talk about what is already on my Kindle and overflowing on my bookshelves and next to my bed that I haven’t read yet.

I’ve mentioned this before but nowadays I often read the sample chapters first to decide if I want to buy the whole thing. I can’t tell you how many novels I’ve started that I wished I hadn’t bought because I just can’t keep reading. Can’t finish.

I read the sample chapters of You Don’t Know Me and was immediately pulled in by the writer’s voice and attention to detail. I totally related to this character. I read that book in about two sittings and cried my eyes out at the end. It’s one that resonates with me for a lot of reasons, particularly the whole mother/daughter teenager angst thing. Now, to start on Once Upon a Prince this week. I love Rachel Hauck’s writing as well, and I’m looking forward to the journey.

What are you reading this week in June of 2013?

Elizabeth Goddard is the award-winning author of Riptide and North Dakota Weddings, new July releases.

Image

Posted in Elizabeth Goddard, Susan May Warren, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Last night in a dream . . . by Maureen Lang

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Maureen Lang

Every day, I receive in my email inbox a lovely, colorful, compelling, or fascinating photo enhanced by a Bible verse. Although I set aside time to read the Scripture on a daily basis, this is one email I always, always open. For one thing, I just love the pictures. I’m not sure who selects them, but I do know many of the photographers (some are author friends of mine!).

However, it’s the verse that more often than not makes me stop a moment, consider its meaning, and be uplifted. It’s that one extra moment in the day I’m reminded of my creator, and that he loves me. Sometimes, like today, the theme even matched something I dreamt about last night. Here’s the story on that:

Yesterday I’d mentioned to my husband that a friend of mine who had moved away was having trouble finding the same sense of community she enjoyed while living here in the Midwest. I felt so bad for her, because the obvious result is loneliness.

Later, I read about an upcoming court hearing for the man who killed one of our neighborhood children in a boating accident last summer (alcohol + boat is never a good combination).

Obviously the two incidents made an impression on me, because last night I dreamt of seeing a large group of people laughing and enjoying each other’s company, on their way toward a boat. They seemed to be having such a great time, and in the dream my thought was the same as my lonely friend’s: I wanted to be in on their sense of community.

However, after this happy group boarded their boat, the police arrived to arrest everyone because they had too many people aboard for the size of the boat. Too much community!

It’s always interesting to me how the brain works, and I guess the origin of this dream is fairly obvious. But then this morning, one of the first emails I opened was from Clash Entertainment, my daily dose of Scripture. With a backdrop of some lovely horses, it read:

If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. (Eccl. 4:10, NIV)

The Scripture reminded me to raise my friend in prayer, and I can’t think of a better thing an email can do.

If you’d like a daily dose of Scripture, click here to sign up for Clash Entertainment’s Verse of the Day. No matter what we’re going through, it’s addressed in one form or another in the Scriptures! See how often the verse chosen for any given day goes with something God knows is on your mind.

Posted in Maureen Lang, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Recording Your Own Book is Dang Cool by James L. Rubart

Posted on June 11, 2013 by James L. Rubart

Recording the audio version of my novels is so cool, and so incredibly exhausting.

Last week I was in Nashville laying down the audio version of Memory’s Door (e-book, print, audio on pre-order now, will officially release August 6th).

memorydoor.indd

This was my fifth time (I’ve recorded my previous four novels as well) and while this time was the least tiring so far, it still felt like I’d run ten miles at the end of each day. So I slump into a chair, babble incoherently for a few hours, go to bed, and I’m ready for the next session.

 

Recording MD

 

The recording process is pretty straightforward. Most times I simply read till I screw up. The engineer backs up the recording five or six words, I hear it in my headphones and when it gets to the point where I stopped, I jump in and keep going. It usually takes four days to voice the entire novel.

 

For 3Men

Producer Gabe Wicks, me, engineer Ben Holland

Some narrators read books straight. Me? It would be a lot easier, but I’ve chosen to do different voices for each of my main characters and 90 percent of my minor characters. And I love that my publishers have me read my own books because I know where the beats go, what should be emphasized and what shouldn’t.

Do you listen to audio books? If yes, does it make a difference if the author reads them or not?

Posted in Honored Alumni, James L. Rubart, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Growth Pains by Kristen Heitzmann

Posted on June 7, 2013 by kristenheitzmann

Well, friends, I am finally revising my very first historical series that has been out of print for some time. I’ll be bringing them out as e-books, with possibly a print-on-demand option. I’m really excited, but let me tell you, when I say revising I mean seriously revising. I’m hoping in a big way that those who read the original print version will barely recognize this iteration.

I know there are those of you who enjoyed, even loved, that series as it came out. But fifteen novels later, I’m so glad they went out of print and I have a chance at a do-over. I freely admit I’m a perfectionist. It’s possible to be that while recognizing nothing you do will ever be perfect. However that drive toward perfection is what makes me grow as a writer–and what makes it painful to see where I started.

I’m enjoying the process of ripping out the “I wrote THAT?” parts and refilling the scenes with more seasoned, better crafted writing. On the Myers Briggs personality scale, I’m entirely P and void in J, which means I would process and perfect ad infinitum if we didn’t depend on my finished product for food on the table and gas in the car. Because somewhere down the road, I’m going to look at this version and say, “I wrote THAT?”

But there is pleasure in having a better way to word something, in recognizing gaps in the plot and details that add richness. There is satisfaction that at this point of my journey, I’m not groping along (as much). In writing, as in life, I rarely wish I could go back. It’s that thrusting toward perfection that drives and inspires me. The knowing that He who began his work in me is completing it, that God will perfect in me not only my skills and talents, but my faith and my future.

I’m giving the work on this series the attention it deserves, because these tales were a gift to me. I honor that gift, and most of all the Giver, by making them the best they can be now. It seems a good way to approach anything. Learn from the past, find joy in the present, and anticipate what comes. And when a chance comes to polish up the past, grab it with both hands and run.

Posted in Honored Alumni, Kristen Heitzmann, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Finished Manuscript by Tara Randel

Posted on June 6, 2013 by tararandel

There is nothing more rewarding to an author than sending the finished manuscript to the editor. After months of living in the world I’ve created, agonizing over word choices, scene placement, pace, creating believable characters, and reading the manuscript through a dozen times, I finally let it go. Sure, there is an editorial process that continues until the book is released, so there will be more work to do in the future, but the book is written. I get a break. For now.

So, do I go back to real life afterwards? Hardly. Just as soon as I send the finished project to my editor, I’m already thinking about my next story. But before diving in, I take a little break.

Whoever thinks the life of a writer is glamorous, keep reading!

First, I decompress. Writing is exhilarating, but exhausting work. Usually, sleeping in a couple days helps get my energy level back on track.

Next, I clean the house. Yikes. Time to sort through the accumulated clutter that collects about the last month before the deadline date. Then I need to go grocery shopping. What a crazy time for the family, but everyone survives.

Optional activity, yard work. This is actually nice, getting outside for a few hours to enjoy the sunshine I haven’t seen for months.

Activity not an option, catching up with friends. My friends and family are awesome, but I have to admit I miss them after months of working on a book. Believe it or not, I have them trained not to call me until after the deadline. Well, the last two weeks before submitting the manuscript anyway.

Once all the above is done, I start the next book. No rest for a storyteller. I may take a week to rest and catch up on life, but then I dive back in. New story. New characters. New adventure. I can’t wait!

Posted in Tara Randel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Three Suggestions for Graduates

Posted on June 5, 2013 by juliearduini

In NE Ohio, many high school graduations already took place, or will this weekend. There are days my own commencement seems like yesterday, and then the calendar reminds me the day I threw my cap so high I never found it again was in 1988.

I thought I’d share the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Whether you’re graduating or not, I hope these tips encourage you.

1. Be Intentional. I remember after college graduation the job market was much like it is now. Jobs were scarce and going to people with more experience. I had to be intentional and not only be persistent in sending resumes, but follow-up with each company. I sent thank you notes to every person I met during an interview (don’t forget the administrative assistant, they are key.) Even after I landed the job, I had to be intentional in communication both with my work and my home life. When I moved from Upstate NY to Ohio there was a Mothers of Preschoolers group that visited every day our first week with meal delivery. When I asked why did they go out of their way for a virtual stranger, the response was, “We promised as a steering team to be intentional.” I’ve adopted the same attitude.
graduate photo: college graduate student_happy_about_graduating_lg_clr.gif
2. Be Forgiving. No matter what path you take, people are going to wound you, even unintentionally. I took so many things personally after graduation. Whether it was adjusting to living with others in college or coming to terms with a job or relationship rejection, my attitude got in the way. Even as a married adult when I had a miscarriage, my own lack of forgiveness held me back for an entire year. The best definition I ever heard was that forgiveness is “letting go of the fact the other person didn’t meet your expectation.” Want a key to moving ahead faster than most? Forgive.

3. Be like Jesus. Sounds easy and even cliche, but I didn’t choose a relationship with Christ until after college, and even then, I was too new and unmentored to know any better. Being Christ-like means you will serve others and throw self-entitled thinking out the window. People will define you as a great listener, team player, fair worker, and a person that stands out for all the right reasons. I interact with a lot of Christians who aren’t sharing their faith as much as living it, and their peers know there is something about them. The world wants you to be about yourself, to cut corners, and receive more than give. Be salt and light.

What advice do you have for graduates?

If you are a graduate, what plans do you have?

photobucket image

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Do You Ever Take a Chance on a Different Genre? by James L. Rubart

Posted on June 4, 2013 by James L. Rubart

I did. On Sunday.

I was winging my way to Nashville to record the audio version of Memory’s Door (sequel to Soul’s Gate) when I powered my my Kindle and looked through the hundreds of free e-books I’ve downloaded but never read.

I came across my friend, Kristin Billerbeck’s novel, Perfectly Dateless: A Universally Misunderstood Novel

41-LNoTCxcL._SL160_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-dp,TopRight,12,-18_SH30_OU01_AA160_

I figured, that’s a genre I’ve never tried. Why not? True confession time. I loved it. Love her voice, it made me laugh out loud, I was hooked immediately.

Have you ever done that? Take a chance on a genre outside your norm? If you have, what happened? Good? Bad? Are you going to try it again? And those of you who haven’t; have you considered trying something new?

Inquiring James’s want to know.

Posted in Honored Alumni, James L. Rubart, Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Psalms: Israel’s Prayers and Ours

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Sarah Goebel

The Psalms are popular and well read by most Christians, and are often used in Christian worship. However, the Psalms can easily be misinterpreted if we are not aware of the type of writing they are. Therefore, I want to share a couple of pointers this week for all those who enjoy reading the Psalms. First, we should keep in mind that the psalms are words inspired by God that are spoken to God or about God rather than from God to His people. In other words, the psalms are not to be read primarily for doctrine or moral behavior, but to help us express our inner feelings to God. Fee and Stuart in How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth give us some additional points that will help us in our hermeneutical interpretations of the Psalms as Hebrew poetry:

  1. Hebrew poetry is addressed to the mind through the heart and involves some kind of parallelism. Therefore we must identify the type of parallelism being used. One common form is called synonymous. In this form, the second line reinforces the message of the first line and the two lines together express the poets meaning. If you try to interpret the two lines with separate meanings, you will miss the point. The psalms also include antithetical parallelism where the second or subsequent lines contrast the first line; and synthetic parallelism where the second or subsequent lines add further information to the first line [198-199].
  2. The psalms are musical poems. Although they contain and reflect doctrine, they are not intended to be repositories for doctrinal exposition. We must refrain from reading psalms as though they contain any system of doctrine but read them as what they are – musical poems created to stimulate emotional responses rather than propositional thinking.
  3. The vocabulary of poetry is purposefully metaphorical; therefore, we must be careful to look for the intent of the metaphor. Fee and Stuart tell us that we must learn to ‘listen’ to the metaphors and understand what they signify.
  4. We need to appreciate the symbolic language of metaphors and similes for its intended purpose, then translate it.

I hope these brief principles concerning good interpretation for the Psalms helps you appreciate and understand the beauty of these poetic writings found in center of our Bibles even more than you did before.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Judging a Story

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Maureen Lang
Graphic courtesy of Bing Free Images

Graphic courtesy of Bing Free Images

Every year I’m involved with judging at least a couple of different writing contests. It’s often time consuming but I always find the effort well spent because I’m reminded there are endless possibilities of stories and storytellers. It’s hard to believe there are so many writers and ideas out there!

Submissions come in from all ends of the talent spectrum, but I’m happy to report there is a deep and vast pool of wonderful writers ready to provide readers with an array of styles and expertise. The competition is fierce, but that just makes the winners better. And that should make readers happy!

So how do I judge a story? What do I look for? My title may be judge, but my role is reader.

I start with high expectations for each submission, eager to read something I haven’t seen before. First I look for clarity in the writing just as I would in any published book. Am I asking the right questions along the way? I can ask: oh, I wonder what’s going to happen next? But I shouldn’t be asking: Huh? What did he mean when he said that? What did that character just do? Why would a character do such a thing?

I don’t mind if a story takes a little while to get started, but I expect to be engaged from the get-go. The characters must intrigue or appeal to me, the setting should add texture and deepen the characters as they interact within their storyworld. I want to feel like I’m right there with them, inside their head, seeing what they see, feel what they feel. (This is, by the way, why I avoid horror stories!)

If I had to list some of the qualities I consider, it would look something like this:

  • Fresh, unique story? (There can be fresh takes on tried-and-true themes, but there must be some kind of new angle.)
  • Clarity/writing that doesn’t get in the way of the story
  • Interesting setting
  • Characters with proper motivation toward compelling goals, with plausible conflict keeping them from fulfilling their goals too easily
  • Emotional pay off – bring me in and touch me emotionally
  • A satisfying if not happy ending

Judges are nothing more than experienced readers—well, with an opinion and a vote, of course, but only because we’re involved in the business and have developed a sense to see what works and what doesn’t.

So with the next book you read, how would you judge it? What are some of the qualities you look for when reviewing a book?

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Reflecting on Reputation by Julie Arduini

Posted on May 22, 2013 by juliearduini

As I type this, updates continue to come in from Moore, Oklahoma.  My Facebook list isn’t huge by any means and I’m seeing several friends checking in and reporting on the devastation. Chances are there is someone here at Christians Read affected. My prayers are with you.

***

Speaking of Facebook, a funny thing has been happening on my personal page lately. I’ve been tagged by friends who saw a chocolate image or quote and thought of me. Not only do I find it humorous, I think it’s confirmation I’m on the right track. Not so much building a reputation (although as a chocoholic I’m guilty as charged) but growing a brand. As a writer and speaker I want them to see my name and think surrender and chocolate.

Something else happened recently that made me think of how people view me. Last week I left a room and a woman ran out after me. She explained she had a prayer request and asked that I pray. The she said, “I had to tell you because you’re a prayer warrior.” That’s certainly not something I put on business cards or where on my clothes. Through my actions she felt that was an accurate depiction. That’s character.

One of my favorite quotes is by Charles Spurgeon, “May your character be inscribed on a rock and not written in the sand.” After the exchange with the woman I reflected on what she said.

written in sand photo: jesus lobs u jesus-loves-you-written-in-the-sand.jpg

In the different places I go, am I the same person? You know the type, the one that quotes Scriptures with you in church but curses a blue streak in the bowling alley? That’s not how I want to be. The more I thought of it, my answer went back to Facebook.

A few years ago I was one of thousands hacked in a concentrated attack by a radical religious group. It made the news, and it was reported that Christians were targeted. When I was hacked, I knew right away. How? Because people were reading my lewd and belligerent status updates and responses to friend’s walls and realized they couldn’t be from me. It was the total opposite of what they were used to reading. Whoever had my account even argued with one of my pastors regarding Deuteronomy and I joked he had to know immediately it wasn’t me, when would I ever know enough about Deuteronomy to argue a pastor?

Friends called and texted me, readers went to my page to defend me and call the hacker out. When I re gained control I decided to use my reputation to fight back. I wrote a new status update claiming for those who truly understand me, I’d never be at the store the hacker claimed, any money I had would be spent on chocolate. Then I wrote a blog post letter to the hackers letting them know by targeting Christians and making my account one of the compromised, that was a blessing. It meant the true defeated one must be desperate, and I must be making an impact for the Kingdom of Christ. It only fueled me to keep writing for Him.

How about you? Have you ever thought what reputation you have, and does it line up with what you want it to be? I don’t mean you’ve lost a good name over a bad day, but if you think people are defining you in a way you’re not comfortable with, there’s time to change it. Not sure what your reputation is? Ask people in various parts of your life. A spouse, child, co worker, the check-out person at your favorite store–you’re sure to learn what about you is inscribed on rock, and what about you needs to get thrown in the sand.

Photobucket image

Posted in Julie Arduini, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Miracles do Happen (by Hannah Alexander)

Posted on May 21, 2013 by alexanderhodde

Much of the country has been watching and praying as Oklahoma City and surrounding towns dig out of the debris and devastation caused by a monster tornado attack last night. Many of us prayed for a friend of mine who was stuck in the path of the twister, had no shelter, and didn’t know if her children or husband were safe. But my friend, though often attacked by disaster in her life, is also blessed by miracles. Last night, as we watched live coverage, we saw the tornado skip over her house as all around her lay devastation. This was the second time. Years ago, she had the same thing happen–a tornado jumped over her house. Her friends all rejoiced when she found her husband and children safe, though she grieves today for her church family and friends as they dig out of the debris.

My husband, Mel, was working in ER yesterday here in Missouri and preparing to come home. A tornado was sighted heading in the direction of the hospital, so he was not allowed to leave. We prayed, the tornado missed the hospital, didn’t touch down, and he just made it home a little late. Living in tornado alley sometimes becomes routine.

I just pulled up another clip in which a lonely older lady had dug her way out of the debris of her home after the twister hit. She’d been huddling in the bathroom with her little dog. She was bleeding and cut, but alive and grieving the lost of her dog when all of a sudden they heard a whimper beneath some of the debris, and saw the frightened eyes of her dog. The lady and reporter dug the pup out as the lady suppressed tears. She’d had two prayers–one was that she would live through the tornado, and the other was that her doggie companion would. Both her prayers were answered.

Amongst all the destruction and loss, miracles seem to be more prevalent than at other times. Perhaps it’s the contrast between pain and relief that makes the miracles more obvious. I’m not sure what it is.

I do know there are many miracles taking place today in Oklahoma. As I experienced here in my hometown when a tornado destroyed our main street, Salvation Army and Samaritan’s Purse were on their way as soon as they heard. Locals prepared meals daily for those working to find people who were lost and clear out the debris. In Oklahoma, huge semi trucks will be parked as close as possible to the devastation where they can reach people who need help, food, water, shelter, basics for survival.

If you want to help, please pray, and then send a check to one of these organizations that do so much good during times of disaster. Salvation Army and Samaritan’s Purse are the two I can personally vouch for. They send kind and caring volunteers to help heal the hearts of those with losses, and they use the money they get to do all they can to help clean up the debris and help people.

You can be a part of the miracles. What you do matters. Your love and compassion can help lives devastated by loss find hope again.IMG_2628

Posted in Hannah Alexander, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sad Stories

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Maureen Lang

Have you ever shied away from reading a book because you know it’s going to have a sad ending? Or have you been in the mood to seek out such a book? What if a book has a sad ending, only you weren’t expecting it?

I remember years ago I was determined to read a couple of the books recommended by Oprah. I told myself I really should be reading what is guaranteed to become a best seller, just because so many people follow her advice.

But I honestly couldn’t get through the books she was talking about. I made it about half way through the first, skimming the rest. It was very well written, but the characters were largely unlikeable and went through one horror after another. I don’t recall many details, only that a woman was asked by her neighbor to babysit her kids, and one ended up drowning in their pool or pond. The woman then went to prison for child endangerment and while incarcerated her husband had an affair with the mother of the child who died. Revenge? I couldn’t read it, no matter how masterful the prose. It was just too downright depressing.

Right now I’m reading Still Alice, the best-selling story of a brilliant, confident woman suffering with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. It’s not a book I would have chosen, but it won the majority in my book club so it’s a must-read if I want to participate in this month’s meeting. Again, it’s well written, but it has a guaranteed tragic end. It’s not a book I’ll likely keep on my shelf.
23905_471484842904154_1032611548_n
When I was younger, sad endings didn’t bother me so much. The first sad movie I enjoyed was Old Yeller, and as a teen I flocked to the theater along with other girls my age to see Love Story. And then The Way We Were. But as I get older, such sad stories just don’t hold any appeal for me—even if, as the quote goes, the story is well done. Of course, there are stories that have satisfying ends that don’t necessarily end happily. Gone With The Wind seemed to have the right ending, even if it wasn’t happy. And the first Academy Award winning movie, the silent film Wings, is one of my absolute favorites even though it has a bittersweet ending.

But I confess I write stories with happy endings—maybe because I hear about enough sad stories on the news. Why make up more sad endings, when it’s just as easy to write a story with a happy one?

 

What about you? Do you prefer happy endings, or sad?

All_In_Good_Time_Screen_ShotSpeaking of happy endings, the e-book version of my newest title, All In Good Time, is being offered by my publisher at the special price of only 2.99 for any electronic version (Kindle, Nook, etc.). So if you prefer happy endings, this one’s for you!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

I Need Your Help by James L. Rubart

Posted on May 14, 2013 by James L. Rubart

A friend of mine posed a question to a group of authors last week I think is intriguing. Why do we buy the books we buy? Or put another way, what is the path you take when buying a book?

He posits there are three phases before someone buys a book:

  • Stage One- Learning the book exists
  • Stage Two- Becoming interested in the book once you know it exists
  • Stage Three- The trigger that causes us to purchase the book

If you’d like to play, tell me the name of the last book you bought (not one of those free downloads) and what led you to buy it.

money

I’ll go first to show you what I mean: 

I was at a marketing seminar in Austin, TX in early April. While at the seminar, a guest speaker came and told about his journey of publishing. He showed his latest book, THE ONE THING, and explained the cover design and why they did the back cover copy the way they did it. It looked intriguing so I put it on my Wish List.

A few weeks later, my wife asked if I’d buy her a book. I went online to order it, and took a quick look at my Wish List. There at the top was THE ONE THING. I read a few reviews, liked what I saw and decided to order it.

Your turn, I’d love to hear from you!

Posted in Honored Alumni, James L. Rubart, Uncategorized | Tagged | 9 Comments

Jesus: The Revolutionary with His Upside-Down Ideas

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Sarah Goebel

Have you ever thought about the many ideas that Jesus brought into human history? I was thinking about this, and it is clear that Jesus brought ideas that are upside down from the world’s way of thinking. We could call Jesus a revolutionary!

One of the major ideas Jesus brought into human history is that the one who serves others is the greater versus the greatest is one served by others. And, how about the idea that everyone is equal in the Kingdom of God regardless of race, gender, or social standing. That was a revolutionary idea that many did not like.  In the US today we see this idea played out for the most part, but in some areas of the world you still see women, children, and slaves horrifically abused. There is no equality. We should ask ourselves, how we perceive others. Do we look at people through a lens of inequality in various situations? Do we treat everyone as true equals? Still, another idea Jesus brought to the world is that those who give away, receive more. How many people actually live by that principle? I would guess, few. I looked at my life and asked myself, am I living as though this idea is truth to me? How about you? Do you believe this idea to be true? Are you living it out in your life? Really, all of the Beatitudes are ideas that are contrary to much of the world then, and now.Just take a look at them.

For instance, Jesus said those who are gentle and lowly are blessed and that the whole earth would belong to them. In the world then, and today we see all kinds of striving between people and nations. People fight to gain more power and position. This is seen in the workplace and even in the church.  People strive for control over more people and to gain land. We see governments and men in powerful positions and groups such as the Palestinians who desire to obtain land that belongs to another. Jesus characterized the lowly with humility, self discipline, and submission; whereas, the world’s attitude is one of self-exaltation and lust for control and position. Jesus said those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled (satisfied). In the world all around us we see people thirsting for self gratification and yet they are left unsatisfied. We should ask ourselves, what are we looking to for fulfillment. Is it Jesus’ life being lived through ours or are we trying to find satisfaction in people, position, things, honor, etc.?

Jesus said the one who cares for others (charity) will be cared for. Most of the world is concerned to seek justice only for themselves, with no concern about justice for the weak and broken who cannot help themselves. Again, we can ask ourselves if we are more “me” focused or are we “other” focused. If we are not other focused, is it because we don’t believe in Jesus’ idea?

Jesus said that those who are peacemakers will receive the Father’s blessing and will be called a child of God. We see, even inside of the church, many who pursue peacekeeping instead of peacemaking. They do what they need to do in order to avoid rejection and to keep the peace. They fail to be transparent in relationships and sometimes fail to offer forgiveness although on the outside they wear a smile. This is the same idea promoted in the world – keep the peace at any cost. They pretend that there is no break in the relationship when there really is and they move on without the other person, who may even be unaware of what caused the break. This leaves that person in a hurting condition. But the one moves on unconcerned with how their actions affect them. They are just happy to look like they are keeping peace and happy that they themselves are protected from rejection. The peacemaker Jesus spoke of pursues peace at risk of rejection and is open and transparent, desiring a true unity in the spirit. They are quick to forgive others as they see themselves as ministers of reconciliation.

Jesus said that those who are persecuted for His name would receive the Kingdom of Heaven. We see believers in countries such as Iran and Afghanistan persecuted for their faith in Christ. There is a pastor who is imprisoned in Iran right now because he will not deny Christ. The world doesn’t understand why he and others like him would go through such suffering when they could be freed of it by renouncing Christ. These Christians choose to entrust themselves and their life circumstances to God knowing that as they share in Christ’s sufferings, they will also share in His glory. They are committed and faithful to God and empowered by His Spirit to stand. All of us who call ourselves Christian should ask ourselves would we follow the world if we were in this situation or would we stand. The key to standing is developing an attitude of commitment and faithfulness now in the small things concerning the Christian life. This will prepare us to stand committed should this type of persecution be in our future.

Jesus Christ was definitely a revolutionary! Please feel free to comment on the few ideas I have shared that Christ brought to us. Or, share another idea that He brought into human history that is upside down from the world’s way of thinking.

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments