My best friend, Abbi, is quite the adventurer! She just climbed the 20,000-foot Mount Kilimanjaro. Located in Tanzania, it's the tallest mountain in Africa and one of the most massive extinct volcanoes on earth. Amazing how our perspective on God, ourselves, others and this exquisite planet changes when we see the world from a different vantage point.
I can't wait to get a photo of Abbi on the mountain! Makes me want to take a mission trip or an exotic vacation, too. (Not that climbing a mountain is much of a vacation!) If you've been on an exciting adventure lately and have some great photos to share, let me know at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com. Thanks!
lunes, 30 de julio de 2007
domingo, 29 de julio de 2007
17 Simple Steps to Surviving a Writer's Conference
Friend and fellow author B.J. Hamrick has written a funny article on how to survive a writer's conference. Check it out on The Master's Artist by clicking this link:
tpr.typepad.com/themastersartist/2007/07/17-simple-steps.html
Enjoy!
tpr.typepad.com/themastersartist/2007/07/17-simple-steps.html
Enjoy!
viernes, 27 de julio de 2007
FLOW Devo
Hello! I'd like to send out a hearty "Thank you" to those who have already contributed to my new devotional book, flow. If you would still like to contribute, please scroll down to the article "Go With the Flow," (posted on July 19), which contains guidelines for your submissions.
NOTE: Please use The Message or the NASB (New American Standard Bible) for your Scripture verses if possible. You may easily access these versions online and do searches on Bible Gateway at biblegateway.com. I look forward to reading your inspired, creative musings! Thanks, friends! Blessings.
NOTE: Please use The Message or the NASB (New American Standard Bible) for your Scripture verses if possible. You may easily access these versions online and do searches on Bible Gateway at biblegateway.com. I look forward to reading your inspired, creative musings! Thanks, friends! Blessings.
Free Books!
Hello! I would like to make available to you some FREE books. Each book contains over 200 pages of excellent health and lifestyle advice, as well as over 60 simple and delicious recipes. The books are an especially useful resource for caregivers, but are available to all of my wonderful readers!
To receive a book, simply e-mail me at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com or post a comment below. Please include the book title you have selected as well as your name and mailing address. I will send out your FREE book right away!
The available book titles are:
-The Recipe to Women's Health
-The Recipe to Men's Health
-The Recipe to Healthy Weight
-The Recipe to Healthy Aging
-The Recipe to a Low-Allergen Life
-The Recipe to Pain Management
-The Recipe to Healthy Living with Diabetes
-The Recipe to Mental Health
-The Recipe to Digestive Health
-Dr. Mollen's Anti-Aging Program (by Dr. Art Mollen, board-certified osteopathic physician and renowned health and fitness expert; Director of the Mollen Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona)
Enjoy your FREE book and please pass the word on to your friends! Thanks.
To receive a book, simply e-mail me at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com or post a comment below. Please include the book title you have selected as well as your name and mailing address. I will send out your FREE book right away!
The available book titles are:
-The Recipe to Women's Health
-The Recipe to Men's Health
-The Recipe to Healthy Weight
-The Recipe to Healthy Aging
-The Recipe to a Low-Allergen Life
-The Recipe to Pain Management
-The Recipe to Healthy Living with Diabetes
-The Recipe to Mental Health
-The Recipe to Digestive Health
-Dr. Mollen's Anti-Aging Program (by Dr. Art Mollen, board-certified osteopathic physician and renowned health and fitness expert; Director of the Mollen Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona)
Enjoy your FREE book and please pass the word on to your friends! Thanks.
miércoles, 25 de julio de 2007
The Power of Gratitude
In her incredible book Radical Gratitude, Ellen Vaughn describes what it may have been like to be healed of leprosy:
One day about two thousand years ago, Jesus was on the outskirts of a village… As he’s on the road, ten tattered lepers call to Him from afar. They dare not draw nearer.
“Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
Jesus’ heart moves for them. He tells them to go show themselves to the local priest.
Off they go. Faltering but hopeful.
And as they are going, the Scriptures say, they are healed.
The ten stumble along the road, ragged robes flapping. Bystanders scurry away as they see the lepers coming.
As the men hurry, the dirty rags fall from their faces. I can imagine what happened next.
“Hiram!” shouts one. “Your nose!”
“What do you mean, my nose?” says Hiram, bustling along.
“You’ve got one!”
“Aaugghghh!”
Piling to a stop, slamming into one another like clowns at the circus, they stare at each other’s faces, mouths wide open. They unwind the rags from their hands, shouting because they have fingers again. They leap into the air; they land, sure-footed. They strip off their bonds and clap their arms around each others’ shoulders, laughing with joy. They can’t wait to find their families. They sprint toward town.
But one whirls and turns in the other direction, back toward Jesus. He runs fast with his new feet. Weeping, he falls and kisses Jesus’ perfect ones.
“Thank You!” he sobs. Thank you. Thank you.
Ten were rescued, cleansed, given a brand-new beginning. Yet nine ran the wrong way. Only one ran for Home base, where Jesus was.
Friends of our have a family mantra. “Be the one!” they tell their kids and each other. “Be the one who thanks Jesus. Let others go where they may. You be the one who is grateful.”
Be the one!
What are you grateful for today? Please post a comment here.
One day about two thousand years ago, Jesus was on the outskirts of a village… As he’s on the road, ten tattered lepers call to Him from afar. They dare not draw nearer.
“Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
Jesus’ heart moves for them. He tells them to go show themselves to the local priest.
Off they go. Faltering but hopeful.
And as they are going, the Scriptures say, they are healed.
The ten stumble along the road, ragged robes flapping. Bystanders scurry away as they see the lepers coming.
As the men hurry, the dirty rags fall from their faces. I can imagine what happened next.
“Hiram!” shouts one. “Your nose!”
“What do you mean, my nose?” says Hiram, bustling along.
“You’ve got one!”
“Aaugghghh!”
Piling to a stop, slamming into one another like clowns at the circus, they stare at each other’s faces, mouths wide open. They unwind the rags from their hands, shouting because they have fingers again. They leap into the air; they land, sure-footed. They strip off their bonds and clap their arms around each others’ shoulders, laughing with joy. They can’t wait to find their families. They sprint toward town.
But one whirls and turns in the other direction, back toward Jesus. He runs fast with his new feet. Weeping, he falls and kisses Jesus’ perfect ones.
“Thank You!” he sobs. Thank you. Thank you.
Ten were rescued, cleansed, given a brand-new beginning. Yet nine ran the wrong way. Only one ran for Home base, where Jesus was.
Friends of our have a family mantra. “Be the one!” they tell their kids and each other. “Be the one who thanks Jesus. Let others go where they may. You be the one who is grateful.”
Be the one!
What are you grateful for today? Please post a comment here.
martes, 24 de julio de 2007
A Promise Kept
Today I read A Promise Kept, the remarkable true story of Robertson McQuilkin's journey as a husband and caregiver. He left his high-profile job (he served for 22 years as the president of Columbia Bible College and Seminary) and withdrew from public ministry in order to stay home and care for his wife, Muriel, who had Alzheimer's disease.
McQuilkin describes one particularly compelling incident that occurred during his caregiving years:
Once our flight was delayed in Atlanta and we had to wait a couple of hours. Now that's a challenge. Every few minutes, the same questions, the same answers about what we're doing here, when are we going home? And every few minutes we'd take a fast-paced walk down the terminal in earnest search of - what? Muriel had always been a speed walker. I had to jog to keep up with her!
An attractive women executive type sat across from us, working diligently at her computer. Once, when we returned from an excursion, she said something, without looking up from her papers. Since no one else was nearby I assumed she had spoken to me or at least mumbled in protest of our constant activity.
"Pardon?" I asked.
"Oh," she said, "I was just asking myself, 'Will I ever find a man to love me like that?'"
Robertson McQuilkin kept his promise to Muriel: to love her for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. He cared for her for over twenty-five years until she passed away on September 20, 2003. His extraordinary testimony of faith has inspired millions of people to love their spouses extravagantly, kindly, selflessly, and compassionately. I pray that I would be able to do the same for my amazing husband.
Kindness is so important in any caregiving relationship, whether we are providing for a spouse, a parent, a child, or another loved one. In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon exhorts us:
Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart. (Proverbs 3:3)
What do you think of McQuilkin's decision and his sacrifice? Please post a comment here.
McQuilkin describes one particularly compelling incident that occurred during his caregiving years:
Once our flight was delayed in Atlanta and we had to wait a couple of hours. Now that's a challenge. Every few minutes, the same questions, the same answers about what we're doing here, when are we going home? And every few minutes we'd take a fast-paced walk down the terminal in earnest search of - what? Muriel had always been a speed walker. I had to jog to keep up with her!
An attractive women executive type sat across from us, working diligently at her computer. Once, when we returned from an excursion, she said something, without looking up from her papers. Since no one else was nearby I assumed she had spoken to me or at least mumbled in protest of our constant activity.
"Pardon?" I asked.
"Oh," she said, "I was just asking myself, 'Will I ever find a man to love me like that?'"
Robertson McQuilkin kept his promise to Muriel: to love her for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. He cared for her for over twenty-five years until she passed away on September 20, 2003. His extraordinary testimony of faith has inspired millions of people to love their spouses extravagantly, kindly, selflessly, and compassionately. I pray that I would be able to do the same for my amazing husband.
Kindness is so important in any caregiving relationship, whether we are providing for a spouse, a parent, a child, or another loved one. In the book of Proverbs, King Solomon exhorts us:
Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart. (Proverbs 3:3)
What do you think of McQuilkin's decision and his sacrifice? Please post a comment here.
domingo, 22 de julio de 2007
The Grace of Catastrophe & The Catastrophe of Grace
I recently had the privilege of meeting Jan Winebrenner, who graciously gave me a copy of her book The Grace of Catastrophe. In addition to being an extraordinary woman and the author of seven books, Jan serves as the director of the Dallas Christian Writers’ Guild.
I love the title of Jan's book. I keep mulling over the paradox of it: the grace of catastrophe, and the catastrophe of grace.
Through eyes of faith, we can see God’s grace at work even in our lives’ most excruciating catastrophes. And, by the same token, God’s grace - both to us and to others - is a catastrophe, in the sense that its extravagance causes a crisis for us as human beings. In fact, this catastrophe is what causes so many to doubt God.
We Christians (and I’m preaching to the choir here!) say that we want grace, but what we really want, deep down, is justice. We want the so-called “good people” of the world to be rewarded and the “bad people” to be punished. When we see God’s grace poured out like streams of cool water to the deserving as well as the seemingly undeserving, many of us act like the miffed older brother of the prodigal son or the laborer who worked the entire day for a denarius and grew disenchanted when he saw another worker receive the same pay for one hour’s work.
The catastrophe of grace is this: For by GRACE you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. -Ephesians 2:8-9
But the grace of catastrophe teaches us that God is greater than our circumstances. It demonstrates that through our weakness, He is strong. It affirms that we can consider it pure joy that we are facing trials of various kinds, knowing that this testing produces ENDURANCE and ENDURANCE leads to SPIRITUAL MATURITY (James 1:2-4).
What are YOUR thoughts on grace? Please post a comment here.
I love the title of Jan's book. I keep mulling over the paradox of it: the grace of catastrophe, and the catastrophe of grace.
Through eyes of faith, we can see God’s grace at work even in our lives’ most excruciating catastrophes. And, by the same token, God’s grace - both to us and to others - is a catastrophe, in the sense that its extravagance causes a crisis for us as human beings. In fact, this catastrophe is what causes so many to doubt God.
We Christians (and I’m preaching to the choir here!) say that we want grace, but what we really want, deep down, is justice. We want the so-called “good people” of the world to be rewarded and the “bad people” to be punished. When we see God’s grace poured out like streams of cool water to the deserving as well as the seemingly undeserving, many of us act like the miffed older brother of the prodigal son or the laborer who worked the entire day for a denarius and grew disenchanted when he saw another worker receive the same pay for one hour’s work.
The catastrophe of grace is this: For by GRACE you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. -Ephesians 2:8-9
But the grace of catastrophe teaches us that God is greater than our circumstances. It demonstrates that through our weakness, He is strong. It affirms that we can consider it pure joy that we are facing trials of various kinds, knowing that this testing produces ENDURANCE and ENDURANCE leads to SPIRITUAL MATURITY (James 1:2-4).
What are YOUR thoughts on grace? Please post a comment here.
sábado, 21 de julio de 2007
The Golden Age
On January 1, 2011, the first of all the Baby Boomers will turn sixty-five. Before long, people who are sixty-five will be caring for parents who are eighty-five and grandparents who are 105.
Our parents’ golden years were meant to be just that: golden. This period of later life is not simply a "waiting station" between this world and the next. As children and caregivers, we can encourage our parents and grandparents to live with purpose, passion, and prayer. We can listen to their teaching and their wise advice. We can help them get outdoors more often, eat healthfully, interact with friends and family, tell their stories, record their memories, and create a powerful legacy to pass on to others. Most of all, we can communicate God's love through our own love and care for them.
If you're a hardworking caregiver who needs a dose of spiritual refreshment today, please take a few moments to meditate on this uplifting passage of Scripture:
My son , do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you...
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:1-2, 5-8)
For a list of excellent resources on caregiving, please click on the "Parenting Your Parents" link at the top of my front page. I'll include many more tips and resources for caregivers in the forthcoming book Parenting Your Parents with Grace: The Christian Caregiver's Compehensive Guidebook, coauthored with Darlene Ankerberg. More information will follow soon!
Our parents’ golden years were meant to be just that: golden. This period of later life is not simply a "waiting station" between this world and the next. As children and caregivers, we can encourage our parents and grandparents to live with purpose, passion, and prayer. We can listen to their teaching and their wise advice. We can help them get outdoors more often, eat healthfully, interact with friends and family, tell their stories, record their memories, and create a powerful legacy to pass on to others. Most of all, we can communicate God's love through our own love and care for them.
If you're a hardworking caregiver who needs a dose of spiritual refreshment today, please take a few moments to meditate on this uplifting passage of Scripture:
My son , do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you...
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:1-2, 5-8)
For a list of excellent resources on caregiving, please click on the "Parenting Your Parents" link at the top of my front page. I'll include many more tips and resources for caregivers in the forthcoming book Parenting Your Parents with Grace: The Christian Caregiver's Compehensive Guidebook, coauthored with Darlene Ankerberg. More information will follow soon!
jueves, 19 de julio de 2007
Go with the Flow...
I'm working on a book called flow that contains inspired devos for creative Christians. I'm excited about this project! God truly has opened the floodgates of blessing when it comes to this book.
I am currently accepting submissions of creative devotionals for possible inclusion in flow. If you would like to write a devotional for consideration, please let me know by e-mailing me at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com. You may send your devo to me as an e-mail attachment. I have eleven sample devos written and can send you those at your request. I'd like to receive your devo submissions by AUGUST 17, if possible.
I've already received quite a few submissions, and they're amazing! I love seeing how the landscape of each person's spiritual walk combines with his or her life experiences and writing style to produce a completely unique, thought-provoking devotional.
Structure: Begin with a Bible verse or a creative quotation. Then expand on that in 3-4 paragraphs. You may also use a personal story or an illustration from a book in the body of the devo. (Please be sure to send me all bibliographical information from any books, websites, or other sources used.) Then, tie it all up with a compelling ending, which could include a powerful application point or quotation, a short writing exercise, or a thought-provoking question.
If possible, please use the NASB (New American Standard Bible) or The Message. See biblegateway.com to access these versions online.
Thanks, creative friends and colleagues! I look forward to reading your submissions. Blessings!
I am currently accepting submissions of creative devotionals for possible inclusion in flow. If you would like to write a devotional for consideration, please let me know by e-mailing me at marla_alupoaicei@yahoo.com. You may send your devo to me as an e-mail attachment. I have eleven sample devos written and can send you those at your request. I'd like to receive your devo submissions by AUGUST 17, if possible.
I've already received quite a few submissions, and they're amazing! I love seeing how the landscape of each person's spiritual walk combines with his or her life experiences and writing style to produce a completely unique, thought-provoking devotional.
Structure: Begin with a Bible verse or a creative quotation. Then expand on that in 3-4 paragraphs. You may also use a personal story or an illustration from a book in the body of the devo. (Please be sure to send me all bibliographical information from any books, websites, or other sources used.) Then, tie it all up with a compelling ending, which could include a powerful application point or quotation, a short writing exercise, or a thought-provoking question.
If possible, please use the NASB (New American Standard Bible) or The Message. See biblegateway.com to access these versions online.
Thanks, creative friends and colleagues! I look forward to reading your submissions. Blessings!
Pottermania Redux
I received an official invitation to the "Grand Hallows Ball" at Borders bookstore, which was held on Friday, July 20. The ball was a celebration of the midnight launch of the so-called "Biggest Book of All Time" (!) - the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series.
I also noticed a sign yesterday at a different bookstore that asked, "Will you be with Harry in the end?"
Actually, my hope is to be with God in the end. How 'bout you?
I also noticed a sign yesterday at a different bookstore that asked, "Will you be with Harry in the end?"
Actually, my hope is to be with God in the end. How 'bout you?
lunes, 16 de julio de 2007
Are You Sandwiched?
America boasts almost 80 million Baby Boomers, a group otherwise known as “the sandwich generation.” Rather than having the empty nests they expected, many of these adults have found that their responsibilities have doubled; they are still rearing their young adult children as well as caring for their parents.
“Sandwich” caregiving presents a Herculean task for even the most loving son or daughter. Many caregivers agonize over such important questions as, “How will our marriage and family dynamics change if Mom moves in with us? Will we be able to support Dad financially and still pay our own bills? What about our kids? What about our jobs?”
If you or someone you know is “sandwiched,” I‘d like to recommend an excellent resource for caregivers—a ministry called SomeOne Cares, which was founded by author and caregiver Carmen Leal. Carmen began this ministry after spending twelve years caring for her husband, who suffered from Huntington’s disease.
SomeOne Cares holds an annual conference hosted by LifeWay Christian Stores. This year’s conference features a variety of amazing speakers who are also caregiving experts, including Robertson McQuilkin, Cecil Murphey and Cheryl Kuba. The conference will be held from October 25-28, 2007, at the LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center in Ridgecrest, North Carolina.
The conference schedule is split into two parts. The first portion is a caregiver symposium that provides focused training for church, staff and lay leaders. The second portion of the conference is for Christian caregivers themselves. Because there are over 52 million caregivers in the U.S. today, wouldn’t it be an excellent idea to receive training on this topic for yourself and your church leaders?
Believe it or not, the cost for each portion of the conference is only $69 ($138 for the full weekend conference). I am planning to attend the full conference if possible. For more information or to register for the conference, please see someonecaresonline.com. Blessings!
“Sandwich” caregiving presents a Herculean task for even the most loving son or daughter. Many caregivers agonize over such important questions as, “How will our marriage and family dynamics change if Mom moves in with us? Will we be able to support Dad financially and still pay our own bills? What about our kids? What about our jobs?”
If you or someone you know is “sandwiched,” I‘d like to recommend an excellent resource for caregivers—a ministry called SomeOne Cares, which was founded by author and caregiver Carmen Leal. Carmen began this ministry after spending twelve years caring for her husband, who suffered from Huntington’s disease.
SomeOne Cares holds an annual conference hosted by LifeWay Christian Stores. This year’s conference features a variety of amazing speakers who are also caregiving experts, including Robertson McQuilkin, Cecil Murphey and Cheryl Kuba. The conference will be held from October 25-28, 2007, at the LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center in Ridgecrest, North Carolina.
The conference schedule is split into two parts. The first portion is a caregiver symposium that provides focused training for church, staff and lay leaders. The second portion of the conference is for Christian caregivers themselves. Because there are over 52 million caregivers in the U.S. today, wouldn’t it be an excellent idea to receive training on this topic for yourself and your church leaders?
Believe it or not, the cost for each portion of the conference is only $69 ($138 for the full weekend conference). I am planning to attend the full conference if possible. For more information or to register for the conference, please see someonecaresonline.com. Blessings!
viernes, 13 de julio de 2007
Pottermania
Evidently, the fifth time is a charm. The fifth Harry Potter movie, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," released recently to huge audiences, conjuring up a total of $140 million during its opening weekend. The seventh and final book in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, is set to be released on Saturday, July 21.
CNN.com asked readers and viewers to submit their comments and photos on the new movie and on the Harry Potter craze in general. Check out this comment from the article:
"Michelle Hillison of Cary, North Carolina, compares the books' current popularity to the timeless appeal of author Roald Dahl's classics like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She said she enjoys seeing her daughter interested in reading these books, adding that with all of the distractions available to today's kids, Harry Potter stands out from movies and other forms of entertainment they are exposed to. 'You just don't see a lot of dark mystery in movies these days,' Hillison said. 'It's all animated and chipper. It's all so sanitized. ... You don't inspire imagination if you lay everything down in front of kids.'"
As a child, I loved books like A Wrinkle in Time, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Little Princess, The Secret Garden, Oliver Twist, and the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mystery series. Yes, they were "magical," in a sense, but not in the same dark way that the Harry Potter books are.
Are “dark mystery," demonic power and the casting of spells what today's kids now need to inspire their imagination?
I'm also troubled by the article's mention of Harry Potter Easter baskets containing magic cloaks and "cockroach clusters," supposedly brought over from Merry Ol' England by the Easter Bunny himself.
What do you think about the whole Harry Potter gig? Is Harry Potter harmless for kids or not? Let me know your opinion by posting your comments here. Thanks!
My brother-in-law, Dillon Burroughs, also posted some comments on the CNN.com site. To view them, please click on this link and then check out “Sound Off" at the bottom of the page. Read the article!
CNN.com asked readers and viewers to submit their comments and photos on the new movie and on the Harry Potter craze in general. Check out this comment from the article:
"Michelle Hillison of Cary, North Carolina, compares the books' current popularity to the timeless appeal of author Roald Dahl's classics like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. She said she enjoys seeing her daughter interested in reading these books, adding that with all of the distractions available to today's kids, Harry Potter stands out from movies and other forms of entertainment they are exposed to. 'You just don't see a lot of dark mystery in movies these days,' Hillison said. 'It's all animated and chipper. It's all so sanitized. ... You don't inspire imagination if you lay everything down in front of kids.'"
As a child, I loved books like A Wrinkle in Time, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Little Princess, The Secret Garden, Oliver Twist, and the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mystery series. Yes, they were "magical," in a sense, but not in the same dark way that the Harry Potter books are.
Are “dark mystery," demonic power and the casting of spells what today's kids now need to inspire their imagination?
I'm also troubled by the article's mention of Harry Potter Easter baskets containing magic cloaks and "cockroach clusters," supposedly brought over from Merry Ol' England by the Easter Bunny himself.
What do you think about the whole Harry Potter gig? Is Harry Potter harmless for kids or not? Let me know your opinion by posting your comments here. Thanks!
My brother-in-law, Dillon Burroughs, also posted some comments on the CNN.com site. To view them, please click on this link and then check out “Sound Off" at the bottom of the page. Read the article!
viernes, 6 de julio de 2007
Smart Marriages
Got a message yesterday from Deb Strubel, the Director of Foundation Relations for the Institute for American Values. She found out about Leap of Faith and wanted to recommend several sites for my readers.
One is smartmarriages.com. This website contains a wide variety of excellent resources! SmartMarriages is dedicated to helping strengthen marriages of couples around the world. They also hold an annual conference. Check out their website for more info.
Deb also recommended the following sites:
americanvalues.org
center.americanvalues.org - This site contains free family-oriented materials for download.
familyscholars.org
betweentwoworlds.org - This site includes research by Elizabeth Marquardt on the negative effects of divorce on children's moral and spiritual development. She has published a book on the subject titled Between Two Worlds. Her findings are both fascinating and sad. I'm a child of divorce myself, and I still experience the painful aftereffects. Thankfully, God's grace is sufficient! One of His Hebrew names is Yahweh Rophe-"The Lord is My Healer."
I hope these resources are a help to you. Blessings!
One is smartmarriages.com. This website contains a wide variety of excellent resources! SmartMarriages is dedicated to helping strengthen marriages of couples around the world. They also hold an annual conference. Check out their website for more info.
Deb also recommended the following sites:
americanvalues.org
center.americanvalues.org - This site contains free family-oriented materials for download.
familyscholars.org
betweentwoworlds.org - This site includes research by Elizabeth Marquardt on the negative effects of divorce on children's moral and spiritual development. She has published a book on the subject titled Between Two Worlds. Her findings are both fascinating and sad. I'm a child of divorce myself, and I still experience the painful aftereffects. Thankfully, God's grace is sufficient! One of His Hebrew names is Yahweh Rophe-"The Lord is My Healer."
I hope these resources are a help to you. Blessings!
jueves, 5 de julio de 2007
This One Goes Out to The One I Love...
Great R.E.M. song. One of my favorites!
However, today's post is actually about us being "the ones God loves." About you being that person. About me being that person.
Author Philip Yancey writes:
"I know how I respond to rejection letters from magazine editors and to critical letters from readers. I know how high my spirits soar when a larger-than-expected royalty check arrives, and how low they sink when the check is small. I know that my self-image at the end of the day depends largely on what kind of messages I have received from other people. Am I liked? Am I loved? I await the answers from my friends, my neighbors, my family - like a starving man, I await the answers...
If John were to be asked, 'What is your primary identity in life?' he would not reply, 'I am a disciple, and apostle, and evangelist, an author of one of the four Gospels,' but rather, 'I am the one Jesus loves.'
What would it mean, I ask myself, if I too came to the place where I saw my primary identity in life as 'the one Jesus loves'? How differently would I view myself at the end of the day? How would my life change if I truly believed the Bible's astounding words about God's love for me, if I looked in the mirror and saw what God sees?"*
For many writers, artists, musicians and other creative types, life seems like a roller coaster. When others are applauding, publishing, reading, and admiring your work, you're on cloud nine. You feel encouraged, blessed, and happy. But when you receive a rejection or a project doesn't turn out the way you had hoped, you feel discouraged and may even question your giftedness and calling.
Thankfully, God isn't a roller coaster God. He loves us because of who He is, no matter what we say or do. He doesn't love us more when we get the big book contract. He doesn't love us less when we read a negative review of our work in the paper.
It's time for us to get off the spiritual roller coaster and say, "I am the one Jesus loves."
*From What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997, 68-69).
However, today's post is actually about us being "the ones God loves." About you being that person. About me being that person.
Author Philip Yancey writes:
"I know how I respond to rejection letters from magazine editors and to critical letters from readers. I know how high my spirits soar when a larger-than-expected royalty check arrives, and how low they sink when the check is small. I know that my self-image at the end of the day depends largely on what kind of messages I have received from other people. Am I liked? Am I loved? I await the answers from my friends, my neighbors, my family - like a starving man, I await the answers...
If John were to be asked, 'What is your primary identity in life?' he would not reply, 'I am a disciple, and apostle, and evangelist, an author of one of the four Gospels,' but rather, 'I am the one Jesus loves.'
What would it mean, I ask myself, if I too came to the place where I saw my primary identity in life as 'the one Jesus loves'? How differently would I view myself at the end of the day? How would my life change if I truly believed the Bible's astounding words about God's love for me, if I looked in the mirror and saw what God sees?"*
For many writers, artists, musicians and other creative types, life seems like a roller coaster. When others are applauding, publishing, reading, and admiring your work, you're on cloud nine. You feel encouraged, blessed, and happy. But when you receive a rejection or a project doesn't turn out the way you had hoped, you feel discouraged and may even question your giftedness and calling.
Thankfully, God isn't a roller coaster God. He loves us because of who He is, no matter what we say or do. He doesn't love us more when we get the big book contract. He doesn't love us less when we read a negative review of our work in the paper.
It's time for us to get off the spiritual roller coaster and say, "I am the one Jesus loves."
*From What's So Amazing About Grace? by Philip Yancey (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1997, 68-69).
miércoles, 4 de julio de 2007
Create a Rejection-Proof Pitch!
I recently finished reading a fantastic writing resource called Making the Perfect Pitch, which features the collective wisdom of a plethora of well-known literary agents, editors, and publishers. The chapters on "pitchcraft" and "nichecraft" are particularly insightful. Editor Katharine Sands writes, "Your pitch is the passport that you carry into the literary marketplace... It's the pitch and nothing but the pitch that gets an agent's attention."
One agent, Sarah Jane Freymann, offers writers these excellent tips:
1. Write, don't call. Pitch your work by way of a query letter.
2. Do your research first. Read Literary Marketplace or Jeff Herman's Guide to Literary Agents to see which categories each agent represents before you query an agent. Some accept only certain genres of fiction; others accept only nonfiction.
3. Don't use gimmicks. This would include sending ostrich feathers, scented candles, cute stationery, snake oil, magic wands, cat pawprints, dried flowers, family photographs, potpourri, or artisanal cheeses.
4. Be confident and personable, but not boastful. Make your query powerful, and the agent will ask for your manuscript; then, let him or her tell you how wonderful your book is.
5. Seek a powerful one-liner that encapsulates your idea. These can be especially evocative for a work of fiction. Let your imagination run wild.
6. Be authentic. Authenticity is the assurance and dgnity that comes from being genuinely knowledgeable and truly intimate with the subject you are writing about.
7. Be honest. (However, if your book has been rejected by other agents, you don't have to mention this.) Be professional and positive with each new agent that you address.
Fellow writers, I hope these tips will be as helpful to you as they were to me. (I promise they'll work better than snake oil, a magic wand and artisanal cheeses!)
One agent, Sarah Jane Freymann, offers writers these excellent tips:
1. Write, don't call. Pitch your work by way of a query letter.
2. Do your research first. Read Literary Marketplace or Jeff Herman's Guide to Literary Agents to see which categories each agent represents before you query an agent. Some accept only certain genres of fiction; others accept only nonfiction.
3. Don't use gimmicks. This would include sending ostrich feathers, scented candles, cute stationery, snake oil, magic wands, cat pawprints, dried flowers, family photographs, potpourri, or artisanal cheeses.
4. Be confident and personable, but not boastful. Make your query powerful, and the agent will ask for your manuscript; then, let him or her tell you how wonderful your book is.
5. Seek a powerful one-liner that encapsulates your idea. These can be especially evocative for a work of fiction. Let your imagination run wild.
6. Be authentic. Authenticity is the assurance and dgnity that comes from being genuinely knowledgeable and truly intimate with the subject you are writing about.
7. Be honest. (However, if your book has been rejected by other agents, you don't have to mention this.) Be professional and positive with each new agent that you address.
Fellow writers, I hope these tips will be as helpful to you as they were to me. (I promise they'll work better than snake oil, a magic wand and artisanal cheeses!)
lunes, 2 de julio de 2007
Authentic Parenting Blog Tour
It's here, folks! Mary DeMuth's long-awaited book Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture has just been released by Harvest House Publishers.
All of you parents out there will definitely want to snap up this insightful book to help you in your quest to raise godly kids in a culture that's decidedly "ungodly." Mary approaches the topic as a hardworking author-mom who was not raised in a Christian family. She's honest, funny, spiritually grounded and authentic in her approach as she explains how she and her husband, Patrick, have struggled to raise kids that know and love God.
This excellent book is only $13; pick up one for yourself and a few as gifts for friends and family. On Mary's website, relevantblog.blogspot.com, you can order the books and have them personally autographed by Mary at no extra charge!
I'm thrilled to be participating in the blog tour for this book. My week for posting further info, reviews, detailed info on the book, and interviews with Mary will be August 18-25. Please stay tuned! Thank you for your support, and enjoy the book.
All of you parents out there will definitely want to snap up this insightful book to help you in your quest to raise godly kids in a culture that's decidedly "ungodly." Mary approaches the topic as a hardworking author-mom who was not raised in a Christian family. She's honest, funny, spiritually grounded and authentic in her approach as she explains how she and her husband, Patrick, have struggled to raise kids that know and love God.
This excellent book is only $13; pick up one for yourself and a few as gifts for friends and family. On Mary's website, relevantblog.blogspot.com, you can order the books and have them personally autographed by Mary at no extra charge!
I'm thrilled to be participating in the blog tour for this book. My week for posting further info, reviews, detailed info on the book, and interviews with Mary will be August 18-25. Please stay tuned! Thank you for your support, and enjoy the book.
Mad Church Disease
One of my best-loved "blog friends" is Anne Jackson. Even though I've yet to meet Anne in person, I'm always moved by her authentic, funny, compelling writing. Her blog, flowerdust.net, is one of my absolute favorites. And she posts every day - what an inspiration!
Now, Anne is launching a blog tour for her new book Mad Church Disease: The Church-Wide Burnout Epidemic. As a staff member of Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, Anne understands that the hard work, responsibilities, and disappointments of ministry (combined with the sometimes-impossible expectations of others) can cause severe spiritual disillusionment and burnout among Christian ministry workers. In her book, Anne gives an honest assessment of this problem within the church and what we can do about it.
As someone who has been active in church ministry since I became a Christian at age 11, I understand the desperate need for the message of truth that Anne shares in this book. Would you like to help Anne spread the word about her book? If so, you may find more info at flowerdust.net.
Now, Anne is launching a blog tour for her new book Mad Church Disease: The Church-Wide Burnout Epidemic. As a staff member of Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, Anne understands that the hard work, responsibilities, and disappointments of ministry (combined with the sometimes-impossible expectations of others) can cause severe spiritual disillusionment and burnout among Christian ministry workers. In her book, Anne gives an honest assessment of this problem within the church and what we can do about it.
As someone who has been active in church ministry since I became a Christian at age 11, I understand the desperate need for the message of truth that Anne shares in this book. Would you like to help Anne spread the word about her book? If so, you may find more info at flowerdust.net.
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