Total Immersion by Maureen Lang

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Maureen Lang

Do you remember the very first book that you read, the one that opened up the reading world for you? Perhaps it was a childhood book—maybe it wasn’t even a book that you read, but was read to you. Maybe your parents modeled reading and you picked up the habit that way. Or was it in school, with a teacher who introduced you to the world of books? Or maybe you fell in love with reading when you were older, when a season of life gave you the opportunity to explore what everybody was talking about from a best seller list.

I remember my mother telling me stories when I was a child, which inspired me to make up my own. But I also remember being given Nancy Drew books, and then discovering my first romance when a neighbor was selling the old Harlequin books for ten cents each. Wow! What a find. I had a dollar and spent all of it that day, then broke into my piggy bank the next day and went back to buy five more.

Do you remember how you felt when you read your first favorite book? Did your heart rate pick up because the character whose eyes you were using was in danger, or surprised, or falling in love? Did you laugh right out loud over something they said that so perfectly reflected their personality? Watching a movie can do all of that, but most readers agree that books do it better, simply because of the total immersion that happens when we’re transplanted to a story world. A movie might provide great visuals, with colors and music and costume and settings but books aren’t limited by the actors or the interpretation of directors or the dimensional separation between us and the screen—the action is right there inside our heads, touching our soul. We’re living the story we bond with.

Or at least that’s the ideal! That’s how it is for me when I’m reading a great book, one where I wouldn’t change or rewrite a word, when I’m so caught up in the story I’m not even aware that someone else made up this world I’m now inhabiting. I’m just . . . there.

How about you? Is there anything that beats the feeling of total immersion into a good book?

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

Please, Tell Your Story by James L. Rubart

Posted on January 29, 2013 by James L. Rubart

You’re a reader. You love reading powerful stories. Do you realize you have a fascinating, powerful story as well? Has anyone read it?

I hear what’s going through your head right now: “No, I don’t, Jim. There’s nothing particularly interesting about my story.”

I disagree.

file000909879658

I do branding for other authors and when we work together I start by asking them what is unique and intriguing about themselves. Often they say, “Nothing really. I’m pretty ordinary and I’ve lived a rather ordinary life.”

Not true.

In every case, once we dig down into their desires and hobbies and anecdotes from their life, I find a scintillating  person and a captivating story. My guess is it’s the same for you.

And there are people in your life who want to hear that story.

In his later years my dad wrote down all the experiences he could remember from his life starting when he was a little boy all the way through to his present. Do you realize what a gift this is to his family?

Maybe you’re not up for writing it all down. If you are, great. If not, why not simply get together with a friend and tell them your story from the beginning? Then listen to theirs.

I promise you, it will be a time of great richness.

How ’bout doing this with your children? Priceless.

Tell your story, please, there are people who need to read it.

Posted in Honored Alumni, James L. Rubart, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Unspoken Words

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Sarah Goebel
Elijah as a Puppy

Elijah as a Puppy

Do you have pets? Today, I was thinking about how much joy my dog brings to my life. I love Elijah – my large, lovable, black, soft, and fluffy standard poodle. He is smart, playful, and he makes me laugh with his whimsical mannerisms. Just by living with us, he has learned how to communicate many of his wants and needs, and he has gained a tremendous recognition of many of our commonly used words spoken not only to him, but to one another. The only problem is he doesn’t always understand our words in context. For example, I might ask my husband, “Did you go to the post office today?” Elijah, hearing the word “go,” hops up from his nap, tail wagging, and eagerly runs to Jon in anticipation that they are getting ready to go somewhere. He is confused and disappointed when he discovers they are not. But you have to admit, he is quite intelligent for an animal!

Animals do communicate, and some understand much of our communication, but as amazing as it is, they are still very limited in their ability. Actually, humans are the only creatures God made that have the ability to communicate by complex language, arranging words into sentences and sentences into expressions of abstract ideas. For most of us listening, speaking, writing, and reading are skills we use extensively as we attempt to communicate our thoughts and ideas to one another and to our God.

God was not satisfied to just communicate to us through His creation, although He does do that. He came to us in the flesh as Jesus Christ to communicate to us face to face. He has and continues to speak to us today through His written Word – the Bible which He authored but penned through the personality of several of His followers. He also uses the actions and words of our close, personal friends and faith community members. This happens a lot when we need help to interpret various things He may be trying to get across to us when we are having listening problems. Anybody, besides me, ever experience stopped up ears?  God also speaks to us through those non-personal relationships. For example, although we may not personally know the author, don’t we love to read books that display God’s redeeming love and power through the lives of fictitious characters that we can relate to? Don’t we experience God’s message through such? And, don’t we also love to attend those gatherings where our favorite Bible teacher unfolds the Word of God to us? Although God may use many different ways to communicate to us, He also speaks to us directly, up close and personal. God as Spirit communicates to our spirit impressing His thoughts within us. This level of communication is available to us because we are created in His image and made alive in Christ Jesus. What a marvelous thing it is to be in relationship with our Creator. We can enjoy His fellowship 24/7 – any time, any place.

I believe, too, that humans are the only creatures in God’s creation that have the ability to communicate on a spiritual level to God. We can communicate with Him – spirit to Spirit, without a single audible or visible word. How amazing is that! And, God always knows the intents and thoughts of our hearts. This is important, because sometimes we try to communicate and we say it all wrong. Sometimes we just don’t know how to put our thoughts – whether of extreme joy, or of anguish and desperation – into words, so we say nothing. When communicating with people or pets, this can be a problem – but not with God!  We can rest assured that God never, ever misunderstands us. We can know He always hears our unspoken words; and, He hears even that which is hidden in the deepest depths of our soul. What a great privilege and opportunity we have as children of God to be able to enjoy intimate and perfect communication with our Father.

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27).

INTERACTION:  Just for fun, if you have a pet and a story about communication as I shared about Elijah, please share it with us. Then, every time your pet does that thing again, let it remind you that God always understands you perfectly, even when you say it wrong or are unable to say it at all!

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

GRATITUDE AND CHALLENGE

Posted on January 25, 2013 by yvon63

“Look back with thanksgiving and forward with confidence.” –Nick Harrison in Magnificent Prayer – Dec 31 reading

I was praying about my daughter and son-in-law who will meet up in New York and be there when the ball drops and another year has ended and a new one begins. He is coming from Iraq and she from the mountains of North Carolina. I thought of the blessing of that. Both have done things they’d never believed possible. God has given them challenges and led them to start the Gideon Media Arts Conference. That hadn’t been a dream of theirs but they were led into it.

Through the Gideon and Writers Conferences they met Todd Starnes of Fox News. They contacted him and while in New York he has invited them to be in the studio during the TV program, Fox and Friends.

My daughter had the privilege of going to London with a friend and who sat in Handle’s chair and held the original copy of The Messiah.

As I prayed for their safety and thanked God for their blessings my thoughts went to how I would love to travel “everywhere” and do “everything.” My thoughts were checked as I wondered if I should have thought of what I wanted for myself or if that thought should have entered my mind.

It led to my remembering that God led me into starting a writers conference which I led for 25 years. I’ve been to Israel that is the Holy Land, the land of the Bible, and I walked where Jesus walked, saw where he was crucified, went into a tomb like the one from which he rose from the dead. I’ve been to Paris, the Romance City. I’ve experienced God’s spirit many, many times but in my writing of the book of my heart. Most of my books are written with work and struggle.

I wondered why I wanted “more.” Then I knew. Like Oliver Twist who was hungry and held out his bowl for more, I too am hungry for doing more, being more. If I had been content with only one great experience, then I wouldn’t have had more of them. If I had been content with Israel, I wouldn’t have gone to Paris. If I were content with that book of my heart, and didn’t want to experience that again, I wouldn’t write another book.

The devotional in the Prayer Book gave me understanding of my thoughts when they take me from the blessings others are having to thoughts about what I want for myself. It isn’t selfishness, or begrudging anything another has. It brings me to the point of remembering my own blessings, thanking God for them in the past, and looking forward with confidence to what challenges lie ahead.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Buying cheap books by Camy Tang

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Camy Tang/Camille Elliot

I have a sickness. I can’t stop buying cheap books.

I am uncontrollable. If I see a Nook Daily Find or a Kindle Daily Deal, I can’t stop myself from clicking to look at it, and if it’s a book I think I’d like to read, I’ll buy it because hey, it’s only $1.99 or $2.99!

Unfortunately, that adds up if I do that several times a week.

Even before ebooks, I was like this with print books. I’d love to go to garage sales and thrift stores looking for books that were all less than a buck each. You can’t beat a deal like that!

And that is how I ended up with 5,127 books. No, that is not a typo. I just looked it up on my book catalog program. 2,971 of those are ebooks. Granted, I got a lot of those ebooks for free, so I don’t feel quite that bad about that.

But that means I bought 2,156 print books! Some of those print books I got for free, but the majority of them I bought!

The numbers condemn me. I have a real problem! I didn’t really relate to the Shopaholic books by Sophie Kinsella, but then I look at my library and realize that instead of silk scarves, I’m buying books!

I have tried the library but as I mentioned in a previous post, I have a real germophobic problem with used books, which has gotten worse the older I get. I usually end up thinking more about how the book smells or how tacky the cover feels is rather than enjoying the story.

So this year, I have a BUDGET. Yes, I just used the B-word. A certain amount I can spend each month on books, and that includes those nifty ebook deals.

Let’s hope it prevents my library from going over 6000 books anytime soon …

Posted in Camy Tang, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 14 Comments

A Lesson from Nigerian Email by Julie Arduini

Posted on January 23, 2013 by juliearduini

You’ve seen the email letters.

They go something like this:

I am (insert name here) and am now rich. I am one of those that took part in the  (insert legal term) in Nigeria many years ago and they refused to pay me, I had paid over $50,000 while in the U.S, trying to get my payment all to no avail.

 So I decided to travel to (insert big city) , And I was directed by the(insert a fancy sounding legal organization) to contact Mr. (insert name of agent from above organization), assigned to Nigeria, to take care of all compensation funds from the Government of Nigeria without bonafide beneficiary been scammed again. I contacted him and he asked if I could travel down to Nigeria to see things with my eyes or if I would prefer he handle the transfer himself from their. I decided to travel down to Nigeria to see the transfer process completed myself.

 

Right now I am the most happiest man on earth because I have received my inheritance funds of US (insert millions of dollars). Moreover, Mr. (name of agent) showed me the full information of those that are yet to receive their payments and I saw your name as one of the beneficiaries, and your email address, that is why I decided to email you to stop dealing with those people claiming to have your funds, they are not with your fund, they are only making money out of you. I will advise you to contact (name of agent) immediately.

 You are advised to contact him directly through the information below.

 

Name : (insert agent name)

Email : (insert agent name and add a .com)

 Phone: (add International phone number)

 

You really have to stop dealing with those people that are contacting you and telling you that your fund is with them, it is not in anyway with them, they are only taking advantage of you and they will dry you up until you have nothing.

 

The only money I paid after I met (agent) was just $(small fee compared to the millions) for their documentation fee, take note of that.

 I will advise you to contact (agent) immediately so that he can help you to Deliver/Transfer your fund instead of dealing with those liars that will be turning you around asking for different kind of money to complete your transaction.

 Thank You and Remain Blessed.

 (Insert name of happiest man in the world)


This is an actual message I received, sent directly to my spam folder, because that is where it belongs. It is most likely a scam, and because of Dateline, I’m going to err on the side of caution and not respond.

But I do have a confession for you.

God gave me a huge eye opener through this letter.

Did you catch it?

His sign off was Thank You and Remained Blessed.

Remained blessed.

That means I’m blessed to begin with.

Mind blown.

Last year was full of broken wrists, surgery, church split, and other stresses. This year began with my mother-in-law’s passing. Next month they would have celebrated their 54th anniversary. There has been a lot of travel, tears, smiles, memories, and that fog only grief can give. In that fog I’ve done a couple dumb things that I will remember because I have a cracked rearview mirror and gouge in my car.

But that letter was a neon sign for me. As hard as these months have been for us, for my husband’s family, as careless as I was driving, we’re blessed. We always were. We always will be. The rub is whether we choose to live that way.

Mind blown again.

May you remain blessed. I’m sorry I don’t have millions of dollars waiting for you. 🙂

photobucket image

Posted in Julie Arduini, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Don’t Fence Me In…Or Should You? By Hannah Alexander

Posted on January 22, 2013 by alexanderhodde

2012-08-16 17.11.58I’ve always been a bit of a rebel, and I’ve never understood why. It isn’t that I don’t believe in rules, because I do. Logic tells me that abiding by good rules is the smart way to live. Having discipline in our lives can make us much better people and give us abundant success, and since I’m a logical person, it would stand to reason I would abide by the rules, discipline myself, and be a success in whatever I choose to do in life. After all, this beautiful river retains its beauty because it follows the riverbed that’s been carved out over thousands of years. If not for the guidance of soil and boulders, the depth and quality of the water would be shallow, filled with sludge, useless. But do I always think about that before I rush into life headlong without a guide?

Nope. In fact, among novelists, I would be called an SOTP person–Seat of The Pants–even though I don’t typically write that way. Right now I’m baking a gluten-free, low carb blueberry-peach cobbler. I have no idea what it’ll taste like, because I didn’t first look for a recipe, I just made it up as I went with the ingredients I had at hand. My poor husband has learned to smile and say “yum” no matter what comes out of the oven. Thanks to experience and knowledge of foods and baking, I even get it right sometimes. Just not always. I tend to be spontaneous.

Do you ever find yourself doing that? Rushing into a situation without stopping to think of the consequences? Do you occasionally like to be spontaneous? Have you ever hopped into your car without the GPS turned on or a map spread across the seat, and just driven to see where the road would take you? Even more dangerous, have you ever taken a hiking trail, then veered from the main trail onto a place less traveled? Throughout my life, I have tended to take that trail less traveled. At times, I’ve been disappointed. At times, I’ve been lost (more times than I’d like to recall).Often, however, I’ve found new vistas I’d never dreamed were there, encountered fresh valleys, wild animals, trickling brooks of pure beauty I wouldn’t otherwise have seen.

Our pictured river, after all, originally made its own way through the mountains, following the path of least resistance. I’m sure the formation of the banks changed over the years, and it’s different from what it once was. So even a river, especially during flood season, enjoys some spontaneity.

I still believe in following the rules, and as I’ve matured I’ve learned to do that more consistently. Still, at heart, I love it when I give in to a spontaneous spirit and explore life, trails, roads, cooking in a new way. I encourage you to try it. Live a little more often, forget the map and wander from the road once in a while. You might be surprised at the new discoveries just around an unknown corner.

 

Posted in Hannah Alexander, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 3 Comments

About a month ago, my 81 year old mother had a surgery she hoped would take care of all the problems resulting from radiation treatment in 1975. Some friends took her to the new doctor whom she had pinned her hopes on and scheduled the radical solution before my brother and I could click out heels and turn around. Because she is normally sloooow, I felt she must be very certain about this, and in truth she never wavered.

I gladly spent the days in the hospital with her–she sprang back wonderfully from the anesthesia–and brought her to my home to convalesce. Thus has proceeded–minus man-eating plants–the Little House of Horrors. Did I mention the surgery is a colostomy? I can’t think of a better demonstration of the perfect way God designed the human body, than that particular alteration. The equipment alone is like that scene in Apollo 13 when they dump the parts on the table and order the team to find a way for them to fit together and do something they weren’t intended to do. Then there’s my poor mother’s scoliosis, protruding rib cage on–yes THAT side–and the fact she now weighs eighty pounds, skin and bones. Thank the Lord, he blessed me with an unflappable spirit and a stomach of steel. I have deep compassion to handle the–um–equipment failures. But there’s no way, she’s doing this herself, nope, none, nuh-uh. Not ever.

Over the last few days, I think she’s realized she can’t go back to her house and yesterday we redecorated her room. (During the fire, I’d packed up the handmade things collected at folk art festivals and shops.) She exclaimed over each one and delighted in the process, never saying “I have to get home”. One thing especially touched her, something my daughter bought me years ago. I pulled it out and told her to read this every day. The calligraphy says: A rose of lasting beauty is my mother’s love to me. I cherish our time together and your sweet company. 

 

My dears, I don’t know how much time I’ll have with her, but I can assure you, in spite of every pending disaster, every smell, every inconvenience, I will cherish these moments and her sweet company.tea with Nana

 

 

Posted on January 18, 2013 by kristenheitzmann | 4 Comments

Perfect Reading Weather by Elizabeth Goddard

Posted on January 17, 2013 by bethrachg

vegetable stewLazy summer days or warm cozy evenings beside the fire. Which would you choose for enjoying a good read?

It’s been raining here for days, and our backyard is a lake. Though snow is a rare event in central Louisiana, I love gray skies, whether they bring rain or snow. I’m sure I’m in the minority, but my preference probably stems from the fact that I work from home and don’t have to drive in inclement weather.

How I love a rainy day, cold or not. To play up the ambiance brought on by this week’s weather, I tried a new vegetable stew recipe and baked a fresh loaf of bread—all good smells filling my home.

What better to go with a rainy day and good food than a good book?

I began my hunt for just the right one. When I couldn’t find anything to fit my mood in my over-sized TBR (to be read) pile or on the shelves, I started searching on my Kindle, and then finally went to the Kindle Store. We have so many choices these days! Seeing a few good candidates, I then downloaded reading samples.

Do you download and read samples before you buy?

I’ve mentioned reading samples before, and that it’s even more important for authors to catch readers’ attention quickly. But we should already know that. Even in a bookstore readers can peruse as far into a book as they want until they make that final decision to buy.

But I don’t want to waste a good rainy day trying on books to see if they fit. So I eventually settled on a romantic suspense by one of our very own Christians Read authors. As I write this article the rain is coming down  harder, and I’m looking forward to settling into a comfy chair with my bowl of stew, bread and my good book.

Have a blessed day!

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

On Predictability

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Maureen Lang

TheShadowOfTheWindI’ve been reading through this book for the last week and a half (long book + slow reader [me] = 2 weeks). It was billed as a mystery when it first came out a few years ago, and although I’m not a die-hard fan of the genre I do enjoy an element of mystery in all kinds of books, including romances.

Since I haven’t yet finished it (20 pages to go!) I’m not here today to give it a review, although I can safely say I’ll be giving it a mostly positive one. It’s certainly held my interest, and the translation is excellent. But few books can satisfy every reader, so I’ve noticed a few nit-picky things that I’ll save for my GoodReads review.

Instead, I’ll talk about the element of predictability. I must admit that when I figure out what’s going to happen next, I have a very mixed reaction. One hand is busy patting myself on the back for my own brilliance while the other is either scratching my head wondering if the writer meant for me to figure it out or else is pointing an accusing finger at said author for not doing a good enough job at surprising me.

Well, as an author myself I must admit I don’t mind if a reader figures out one my twists ahead of time. I purposely include foreshadowing, or hints, along the way so whatever happens in the future won’t seem to come from outer space (i.e. anything outside the bookworld that I’ve created). I like to direct the reader to a satisfying conclusion.

But I’m not a mystery writer. I know critics will pan a book that’s “predictable” but as I’ve said this isn’t always bad in my estimation, if it’s satisfying. (This book, by the way, enjoyed critical acclaim and best seller status.)

Part of my generosity over predictability may be because I’m such an avid romance reader. I’ve been trained to expect the HEA (happily ever after). Maybe if I’d raised my reading self on mysteries I would join in the critic’s chorus and boo any book with a predictable ending.

But somehow I doubt I’d be very vociferous against most predictable endings – because of my preference over that for a satisfying ending.

What about you? Can you be satisfied with a predictable ending? And what do you consider predictable? For example, I didn’t figure out what would happen next in The Shadow of the Wind until a short time before each twist happened – so it wasn’t predictable from the start. Does that make a difference in a story’s success for you? Or, like this book for me, if the characters are interesting (even if not entirely likable) and the writing style engaging enough, does the element of being predictable matter as much?

Something to think about the next time you pick up a book billed with an element of mystery!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Kindle or Nook? by James L. Rubart

Posted on January 15, 2013 by James L. Rubart

I’m just about there … ready to pick up an e-reader. (Yeah, I know, I’m behind the times.)

I have the Nook app and the Kindle app on my computers and iPhone, but I don’t have the real McCoy yet.

images

So help me. Which one should it be? K or N? Or maybe it’s Kobo or even another.

I can read what the experts say, but I want to know what the ordinary people like me say.

So which one should I choose O fellow readers of various tomes? Inquiring Jim’s would like to know.

Posted in Honored Alumni, James L. Rubart, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 13 Comments

The Love-of-Words Connection

Posted on January 14, 2013 by alandkathi66

Have you ever noticed that when you put two readers and/or writers together, it doesn’t take long until they’ve made that love-of-words connection and have become forever friends? I know that’s true for me. In fact, a love for books is right up there under “love for Jesus” in my priority list of friendship requirements.

It started when I was little, even before I started school. I was already in love with words, reading everything I could get my hands on. When I did start school and met others who shared my passion, I was thrilled! Wow, now I had someone to go to the library with me on Saturdays when all the other kids were wasting their time playing games or riding bikes. (Hey, I didn’t know we were considered nerds, so who cares, right?)

To this day I still gravitate toward word people. Conversely, when I meet someone who says, “I’ve never been much of a reader,” I think, Whoa! What a wasted life! Sure, we can still establish some sort of relationship, but it’s going to be limited.

All of this came to the forefront recently when my husband and I decided that, beginning this year when he retires, we are no longer going to spend our summers sweltering in the SoCal desert heat. Instead, when the temps hit triple digits, we’re heading somewhere cool. This summer it will be the Pacific Northwest where our youngest son and his family have a guest apartment. (We also have other relatives and friends there, so we have promised not to hang out there the entire summer!) But then I realized that being there for an extended period gave me an opportunity to meet other book lovers in the area. I contacted a couple of my author friends who live in that vicinity and soon found myself with several speaking engagements for readers/writers groups. And you know what? I know I’ll feel right at home when I go there because, in addition to the fact that they are Christian groups and we will therefore have that forever connection, we will also share that love-of-words connection.

It’s a family thing, don’t you think? And I’m so pleased to be part of this love-of-words family here on Christians Read. You are all a blessing!

 

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

New Year’s Reading resolutions by Camy Tang

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Camy Tang/Camille Elliot

I know some of you detest New Year’s resolutions, so I hope the title doesn’t throw you off. 🙂 But I personally LOVE New Year’s resolutions because I feel like I have a game plan for the year, which makes me feel organized even if I’m really not.

For this next year, I’m hoping to focus my reading more. I’ve always read for one of several reasons:
1) whatever I feel like at the time I’m choosing a book
2) I need to read something for an endorsement or a review
3) I need to read a book I’ve borrowed from the library or a friend
I need to read for market research

This year, I want to be more focused on my choices, and I also want to start making a dent in my TBR pile. So here’s my plan:

1) I’m going to start reading more of my older print books so I can slowly start to clear my bookshelves.
2) If I want to read an ebook, I’ll read first the ebooks I’ve had the longest.
3) If I need to read a book for endorsement, review, the library, or market research, then rules 1 and 2 go out the window. 🙂

Any New Year’s reading resolutions for you?

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

What’s Your One Word for 2013? By Julie Arduini

Posted on January 9, 2013 by juliearduini

What’s your one word for 2013?

The last few years I’ve seen a new trend eclipse the new year’s resolution. I think people realize their resolutions often result in a pass/fail concept, and they walk away the second week in January feeling as if they failed. Instead, they are seeking God and asking Him to give them a word or theme for the year.

I’ve done this for quite some time, and He’s so faithful to answer. There have been years I had my answer in October, so I had months to study the word and prepare for what changes I wanted to make to ensure I was being a good steward with that word.

Here are a couple examples:

-Surrender

-Obedience

Last year was opportunity. I felt like 2012 was more about setbacks, but as I reflected on everything, I realized even when I broke my wrist and after it was supposed to be done healing I had to go in for a re-break and surgery, I had the opportunity to be bitter or better. The same choice was in front of my family when our church went through a split last fall. They weren’t fun opportunities, but that word helped me be aware and I believe walk in His wisdom as those circumstances played out.

This year my word is abundance. I’m excited to see how Jesus will use this word to draw me closer to Him in 2013. My main writing goal is to secure an agent. My overall ministry goal as I serve women and girls is to love as Christ does. I don’t dare define how abundance could play out. I’m on the lookout, and already got excited when I ran to the drive-thru as a treat for the family and all the orders were wrong. I returned and was kind about it, and they upgraded everything and let me keep the wrong food. Talk about abundance. My family ate like royalty!

Julie Arduini's word for 2013.

Julie Arduini’s word for 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary DeMuth blogged about the word theme last week with a meme of sorts called #Pic4Year. The Linky is still open, so I encourage you to read her post and share your own picture and word for the year. If nothing else, take a look at the photos and words already submitted. I was inspired by all the themes and visual take on them.

Whatever your word is, I pray 2013 is a year full of God’s joy, and yes, abundance!

I invite you to share your word here in the comments.

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

God’s Grace is Greater than Our Failures

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Sarah Goebel

I don’t understand how it is that time passes by more rapidly each year, but I bet some of you reading this post will testify along with me that, indeed, it does! 2012 has come and gone. Already, we find ourselves at the beginning of a new year.

For me, as 2012 drew to a close, I reminisced of a work I believed God had called me to, that I have yet to fulfill. I thought about all the mistakes I had made over the years since I had received that assignment; and all the wrong turns I have taken. Yes, these regrets turned into a pity party. I believed I had ruined it for myself. I have sometimes acted like someone with asperger syndrome (maybe I actually have that), not picking up on social cues and lacking inborn social skills, such as being able to read body language or speaking tones. Several years ago, in my naiveness concerning the politics found in the Christian life, and not knowing when to be quiet and when to speak up, I felt I had most likely messed up the plan of God for my life. After all, God opens opportunities through people. Then God brought to my mind, as He has done so often when I begin to lack faith, that whatever we have messed up in the past He uses for good in our lives and the lives of others around us (Romans 8:28). And, I thought about the ways I was aware that He had clearly done that. For example, He has made some major changes in the way I think. He has made some character tweaks here and there as well. And, my social skills are improving daily. He reminded me that regardless of our failures, as His children, His gifts and calling are unchanged. He reminded me that every day is filled with grace, power, and new beginnings because that is the kind of God and Father He is!

After I left the pity party, refocusing on God instead of self, I began to set some goals for 2013 while reminding myself that my life belongs to God; therefore, I must hold them loosely in wide-opened hands. Should God want to change any of my plans; should He allow something unexpected to mess up my plan; or, should He allow me to stray away from my plan, I should remember He will use it for good because I am His, He loves me and I love Him (Romans 8:28). I don’t know if any of you have brought your regrets with you into the New Year, but if so, I want to encourage you to do what I did. Give them up! Remember, it isn’t about your mistakes; it is about who God is and that you are His!

praise_001Should you fail or fall any time in 2013, remember you don’t have to wait until January 1, 2014 to start over again. Every day is a new day filled with God’s grace for you. Every day you have the opportunity for new life because God is a God of new beginnings. He is a God who redeems the time and restores what is lost. Even when we have sinned or failed God desperately, it is not too late for us. God is always ready to restore us to Himself. His desire, ability, and will to bless us is always present. Every day we have the opportunity to start anew with a totally clean slate.

The Apostle Peter had made some hefty mistakes as had the Apostle Paul. Jesus did not forsake them, but loved them, and moved through them to change the world.  Each day of this year, whether it is a day we have done it all right or done it all wrong, by the grace of God, let’s keep moving forward. Let’s say and do as the Apostle Paul did: Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

In 2013, let’s live like God’s grace is stronger than all our faults and failures! Let’s live like His love is deeper than our hearts can fathom! Can we live like that? Yes, I believe we can! And when we do, together we could change the world!

I hope you will have time to listen to and enjoy the song by clicking on the link at the end of this post. This is my prayer for us all for 2013!

Prayers for a grace-filled 2013 – May it be your happiest yet with an ever increasing sense of God’s presence!

Song: http://blogwithsarah.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/08-we-could-change-the-world.mp3

With Sister Love,
Sarah Goebel

Posted in Sarah Goebel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments