Maureen Lang's Blog, page 26

Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along through Christmas day as Melody Carlson, Lauraine Snelling, Rachel Hauck, Tricia Goyer, Maureen Lang, and more share their heartfelt stories of how God has touched their life during this most wonderful time of the year.



AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS! You may enter once a day. The winner will be announced on New Year's Day at the Pearl Girls Blog! Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.





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Wear Joy

by Rachel Hauck



Thanksgiving day in central Florida broke warm and sunny under a blue sky. The thin fall breeze beckoned me. Taking my bike out, I rode the neighborhood feeling so grateful for all my blessings.



Joy bubbled up in my spirit. I'd been feeling it for a day, these waves of joy, but as I rode my bike and talked to God, the waves strengthened and splashed my heart the entire ride.



I'd laugh. Then tear up. And laugh again. As one who's battled and won the war on anxiety and fear attacks, the onslaught of joy was welcomed, and actually sparked a new prayer in my heart. I've endured attacks of panic, time for attacks of joy.



The journey of joy began earlier in the year while writing a book coincidentally named, " Dining with Joy ."



Sitting at my table one day, revelation hit me. "The joy of the Lord is my strength." Nehemiah 8:10. The more I meditated on it, the more I wanted His joy. I don't want my strength. I want His.



Not long after, I went to Nashville for a girl's weekend. One of my friends handed me a coffee cup inscribed with "The joy of the Lord is my strength."



Ever just know? God is calling.



During the holiday season, I turn 50. Yep, the big 5-0. Can't stop it, I might as well embrace it.



Fifty is often associated with jubilee, a time of restoration, and healing, even release from debt and slavery. It's a time of returning to property, and inheritance.



A time of rest.



A time of JOY!



This past week, a friend gifted me with a beautiful Christmas ornament. Inscribed on it? You guessed it.



JOY!



To me, the world doesn't look very joyful. There are social and economic woas. But God is speaking and offering joy.



As you go into this holiday season, ask God for a pearl of joy. Like pearls, crafted through abrasion, God's true joy is often formed in us during difficult seasons.



Here's the thing, His strength isn't doled out based on our goodness, our success or failure, or the fact the holiday season is hard or sad for you. He is ready, willing and able to overcome all your weaknesses, fears and anxiety, sadness with the power of His very own joy.



His joy. Your strength.



I've been walking into rooms, houses, outdoors, raising my arms and shouting, "Joy!" People look at me funny, but I want to spread the joy of the Lord. To spread the very essence of His strength.



How about you? Can you find the pearl of joy in your life, in the essence of God's heart toward you?



Wear joy this season.





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About Rachel: RITA-finalist Rachel Hauck lives in Florida with her husband, Tony. She is the author of Dining with Joy; Sweet Caroline; Love Starts with Elle; and The Sweet By and By, co-authored with Sara Evans. For more information please visit www.rachelhauck.com.



Oh, and be sure to enter Rachel's Dining With Joy NOOK eReader giveaway !





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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!



12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info

Hello - I'm thrilled to announce the 2nd Annual 12 Pearls of Christmas! We've lined up several authors to share their Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! Please follow along beginning today (Monday the 13th) through Christmas day as Melody Carlson, Lauraine Snelling,  Rachel Hauck, Tricia Goyer, Maureen Lang, and more share their heartfelt stories of how God has touched their life during this most wonderful time of the year.



We are also providing this series as free content for your own blogs (as 12 html posts) - if you'd like to share the 12 Pearls of Christmas with your blog readers email ([email protected]) and she'll send you the content.



AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post or any of the following 12 Pearls of Christmas posts (on any of the participating posts) to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS! You may enter once a day. The winner will be announced on New Year's Day! Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.





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Pearls of Patience

by Margaret Mcsweeney





As I write by the light of my Christmas tree on a late winter's night, I reflect upon the poignancy and purpose of this season.  The tiny white lights look like strands of pearls draped gracefully (perhaps haphazardly is a more honest description) across the evergreen boughs.  Tomorrow I will hang the ornaments and at last place the angel atop the tree



Angels carry a special meaning this Christmas.  My brother, Randy passed away on December 2nd from a heart attack at age 53.  He was feeding a stray cat on his side porch.  Randy was always like St. Francis of Asissi – animals would find him, sensing a kind soul.  And my brother was a gentle and patient soul.  He loved to fish.  He tried to teach me, but I immediately lost interest when I realized worms were involved. And I could never sit still on the banks of a river and just wait.  However, Randy could do that.  He could wait, and waiting is a true gift.  He put into practice the Scriptures.  "Wait upon the Lord."  "Be still and know that He is God."  Patience doesn't have to be passive.  Wait is still an action verb.  Part of the waiting process for fishing is seeking.  Elaine (Randy's wife of 31 years) told me that Randy said he could see the fish deep beneath the waters.  He actively waited for the right time to catch them.



During Randy's last fishing trip on earth – just a week before his death, he felt an urgency to take a picture of the clouds with his cell phone.  When he returned home, he showed the picture to Elaine.  They realized that a face of an angel was looking at Randy from the sky – perhaps waiting for God's timing to bring Randy home to heaven.  In my heart I like to think that this "angel in the sky" was part of the heavenly host that appeared to the shepherds over two thousand years ago.  A Christmas Angel.



The Christmas Angels brought tidings of great joy that Jesus, our Lord and Savior was born.  And because of that incredible gift from God that these angels announced, we all have the promise of eternity. Let us actively wait for His return by sharing our faith, offering hope and acting with love in everything we do.



May each of you be blessed this Christmas as you celebrate the purposeful promises of the Season: Faith, hope and love.   And may the 12 Pearls of Christmas be a blessing to you, too.







 ~~~





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About Margaret: Margaret McSweeney lives with her husband, David and two teenage daughters in the Chicago suburbs. After earning a master's degree in international business from the University of South Carolina, Margaret moved to New York City to work at a large bank where she met David. Charity and community involvement are very important to Margaret. She is the founder and director of Pearl Girls. For more information please visit www.pearlgirls.info. Margaret is fast at work on several fiction manuscripts and her book Pearl Girls: Encountering Grit, Experiencing Grace was written to help fund the Pearl Girl Charities. Connect with Margaret on Facebook or Twitter.





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A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is {FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!



12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info

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Greetings! From now until Christmas, my blog will be bustling along with the holiday spirit. Look for my own posts as well as those from the Pearl Girls, positive stories of encouragement for the season.

There is also a contest alert! One contest is explained in the Pearl Girl posts. My own personal contest will be explained here tomorrow (Monday) or in my Newsletter (which, if you don't already receive, you may sign up for at the right). So there is a lot going on, but for now just enjoy this bonus Pearl Girl Posting before the 12 Days of Christmas series begins tomorrow:

Here's a sneak peak post of the 12 Pearls of Christmas series that I'll be hosting at my blog for the next few weeks! Please follow along through Christmas day as each post shares heartfelt stories of how God has touched a life during this most wonderful time of the year. AND BEST OF ALL ... there's also a giveaway!!!! Fill out the quick form at the link located at the bottom of this post to be entered to win a PEARL NECKLACE, BRACELET AND EARRINGS! Pearls - a tangible reminder of God's grace to us all.

~~~

Did She Know?

by Anna Joujan

Mary, did you know . . . that your baby boy is Heaven's perfect Lamb? And the sleeping child you're holding is the great I AM

I am in the middle of a revival of my used-to-be-annual project of a Christmas card sketch. For several years, with a few years missed, I have done a sketch of some image of Mary the Mother of Jesus, something that came to my mind without complete awareness of why that particular picture was needing to be put to paper. It was originally a simple pencil sketch that, once completed, I would have printed out into a set of cards that would go out to all my friends and family. Along with the sketch, however, I have always had a verse that came to mind to signify the meaning of the drawing in my mind. And so I have had images such as "Be it unto me according to your word," as well as a more enigmatic one that went with "Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me . . ." But each one was important for that year of my life. And so I would spend the necessary costs in order to produce and mail in relatively large scales, for my general penny-pinching tendencies.

This year I did not expect to produce a card. The fact of my life lately as a boarding school librarian/teacher in Zambia, Africa, has made such projects feel rather far-removed from the realm of possibility.

And yet, I have had an image in my head for several months now. I started to put it to paper, and I abandoned it for a bit, figuring it was a bit frivolous with all the practical work I had to do. But then I picked it up again, and it is now nearing the stage of completion, hopefully to be completed with printing and mailing once I arrive in the U.S. for a holiday visit with family.

What I realized is that, frivolous though it may seem, it is actually quite important. For women [especially Western women of faith], the holidays carry with them great amounts of expectation and stresses. So much so that we often get swallowed up with the hectic pace and forget to soak in the meaning. What is important for each of us, I believe, is to "pick and choose." We must resist the pressure to do what doesn't not bring meaning for us. And we must cling to those traditions and activities that promote an aura of true, Christ-centered celebration for ourselves and for our loved ones.

So this year, Lord willing, I will be sending out my cards—and enjoying every bit of it; and in case you wondered, Mary did you know . . .? will be the theme

~~~

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About Anna: Anna G. Joujan was born in South Dakota, as a Canadian citizen, and was raised in Zambia, the child of missionary teachers. Since her family's move to the U.S., Anna spent her childhood and early adulthood traveling throughout the world thanks to various educational and work opportunities . . . France, China, Peru, and Jamaica being some of the stops in her journeys. Her undergraduate degree in French Literature led to a Masters in Information Sciences, and to work as a college and high school librarian, and a cross country coach. She has also returned to Zambia multiple times to teach for individual families and for local schools. All the while continuing pursuing her passions of writing, artwork, photography . . . and card-production. You can find her online at http://annajouj.wordpress.com

~~~

A three strand pearl necklace will be given away on New Year's Day. All you need to do to have a chance of winning is https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGQyNFlId1ZDUEVUMm0wZjVIYUZielE6MQ">{FILL OUT THIS QUICK ENTRY FORM}. One entry per person, per day. The winner will be announced on the Pearl Girls Blog (http://margaretmcsweeney.blogspot.com) on New Years Day!

12 Pearls of Christmas Series and contest sponsored by Pearl Girls®. For more information, please visit www.pearlgirls.info

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Chicago and almost anyone who loves baseball mourn the passing of former third baseman for the Cubs, Ron Santo. In the newspaper they talked about Mr. Santo's eternal hope and optimism. At the start of every year he brought with him hope that this would be the year his team would take home the pennant.

Which of course made me think that's what writers should have in common with Ron Santo. Eternal hope. Optimism for a bright future.

The problem is, so few of us have that. I must include myself in this group, those of us who with one part of our brain admire those with such an upbeat, positive outlook, while at the same time another part insists reality is often far different from our hopes and expectations. For aspiring writers, is it best to start each new year not just hoping, but on some level truly believing this will be the year to sign a contract? And for those more seasoned writers, should we likewise start each new year believing this will be the year one of our books breaks out to become a wildly popular blockbuster?

The answer according to Mr. Santo's outlook would be yes.

Ron Santo leaves behind many, many friends who admired his tenacious hope. He was forever cheerful and uncomplaining. He saw the best in his team. That's something all of us can hope to be remembered for—more so than as some old sourpuss who can't see the stars through the clouds.

But even as I write this, that little part of me screams caution. Oh, I know as a devoted follower of Christ I have ultimate hope. Truly eternal hope. I'm counting on that. But for the here and now, can hope set me up for disappointment if I don't have a realistic view of things?

My husband and I talked about this very thing over the weekend. More than anything, we hope for a cure or treatment for our son who suffers from Fragile X Syndrome. Not long after he was diagnosed, I read a pamphlet stating they thought it possible for researchers to find a cure in the next ten years or so, because it's a single-gene disorder. That was thirteen years ago. Somewhere along the way, I realized that pamphlet was penned by fundraisers, not researchers—two groups with decidedly different perspectives. Eventually hope for a cure almost seemed like an enemy to me, a sure setup for disappointment.

And yet that can't be the way to think, either. The Bible teaches hope, so surely God doesn't want us calling hope an enemy.

Certainly Ron Santo didn't, and perhaps even with disappointment along the way he had a better quality of life because of his hope. He never saw his beloved Cubbies win the world series, he suffered from diabetes, had both legs beneath the knee removed because of that disease, at one point he had a quadruple bypass, and eventually died of bladder cancer. Yet he wasn't known for complaining, even about any of that. He lived in reality but never lost sight of hope that tomorrow would be better.

I think we all can learn something from that . . .

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Recently my husband watched an old favorite of his, the first of the Terminator movies. Thankfully, I was otherwise occupied. However, he later told me one of the reasons the movie is re-watchable because he likes the single-mindedness of the Terminator. He's on a mission, and nothing, absolutely nothing, will stand in his way.

Single-mindedness is what we should have in common with The Terminator.

Of course, having such single-mindedness comes with a price if it isn't tempered with the rest of life. We can't ignore our families, friends, jobs that actually pay something, or our responsibilities. We can't be so focused on getting published that we set aside all that, nor can we set aside our values to get what we want. But to be healthily focused, we're willing to work hard at our craft. We're willing to read voraciously, study the craft, hone it, risk rejection, start over if necessary, and be unbelievably determined despite the odds against us.

But single-minded focus isn't enough. The Terminator was programmed for success—in other words, he had the talent needed for his mission. (Setting aside for the moment that, at least in the first movie, he was the bad guy and—spoiler alert—failed, but I hope you see where I'm taking this.) So it is with us. We need to be focused, which means we must work hard, but we also need talent.

How do we know if we have the talent it takes?

We must put ourselves to the test.

We have to get out there, not hide our work under a bushel. For a new writer, it means allowing others to read your work, entering contests for unbiased feedback (entering not with a hope of winning, but with the hope of learning something).

Feedback is the only way to get a glimpse of whether or not we have talent. We can and should ask others for feedback on our work—but we can't stop with friends and family members who might have a bias. We must put our work in front of others who have no vested interest in making us feel good. It's through the reaction of others that we can see if we have talent or not.

So we join critique groups and learn to read the reaction of others to see if our words invoke the kind of response we desire. We also join multiple contests that pit our work against others—multiple because all contest judges come with their own biases and tastes, so we need to take the average, not rely on one or two contest results. And we withstand the rejection period in order to gain whatever feedback we can from professionals in the industry. That's putting ourselves to the talent test.

For published writers, our talent has been proven because the industry has invested in that talent. Awards, sales figures, and reader feedback are all measurements of talent in this competitive market. But even with all that, published authors should keep their focus on improving the craft, making the next book better than the last.

Single-mindedness with passion makes any task less daunting. Passion makes the learning process worthwhile, the work seem lighter, the burdens bearable, the results more satisfying.

Maybe next time that movie is on, I'll watch it.

Nah…

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But here, today, I thought I'd explore the hard stuff instead.

The Bible tells us we're to be thankful in all things. That's a tough one. I mean, really—everything? Last week was a challenging one for me. I visited a facility for disabled kids and adults—the kind of place my son will live in someday, when I can't take care of him any more. I cried all the way home. Am I supposed to find something in this to be thankful for?

The answer is yes, even though I didn't want it to be.

That's when I have to remember some of God's promises. Like not allowing something to come my way (or my son's) that's beyond our endurance. Or that He can work everything—all things—toward a good result, because my faith in Him is proven by my love for Him. Somehow, even if only out of pure obedience, we're to thank Him in all things. Even for the disappointments in this life.

Because that's just it. It's all happening in this life, this side of Heaven. Which leads me to the obvious question: Do people who live without faith have a harder time with the feeling behind Thanksgiving than those of us who know this life isn't all there is?

If I thought this life was all there was for me, that at the end of it I'm just going to turn to dust, then I'm not sure I could be thankful for anything, least of all the disappointments in my life. At least knowing God loves me, that He plans some good result from even the bad things, that even while I'm going through the worst of my disappointments, I can take comfort that this life isn't all there is. Maybe I'm supposed to go through some heartache so I end up not only depending on Him more, but looking forward to spending eternity with Him—where tears won't exist, and even the most festive Thanksgivings here will pale in comparison to the ones we enjoy there.

So, with a grateful heart, I wish you a very thank-filled Thanksgiving. Yep, for all of it.

Here's a popular book for the season from bestselling author Cindy Woodsmall - Enjoy!

The Sound of Sleigh Bells

Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store, and serving as contact of sorts between Amish craftsmen and Englischers who want to sell the Plain people's wares. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart everyday as she still wears the dark garb, indicating mourning of her fiancé. When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth's soul responds and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work–including Lizzy's dry goods store. But she doesn't know if her bishop will approve of the gorgeous carving or deem it idolatry.

Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after Lizzy hunts down Jonah, the artist, she is all the more determined that Beth meets this man with the hands that create healing art. But it's not that simple–will Lizzy's elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she's always dreamed of and a second chance at real love–or just more heartbreak?

2010 Inspirational Readers Choice Contest winner
CBA and ECPA Bestseller

To read the first chapter and/or for purchasing info, go to http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/books/sound-of-sleigh-bells_excerpt.php

Bio ~

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal.

She is also a veteran homeschool mom who no longer holds that position. As her children progressed in age, her desire to write grew stronger. After working through reservations whether this desire was something she should pursue, she began her writing journey. Her husband was her staunchest supporter as she aimed for what seemed impossible.

To visit Cindy's Web site, go to http://www.cindywoodsmall.com

For information on how to receive free bookmarks and autographed bookplates, go to http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/bookplates.php

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In a recent Associated Press interview, John Carucci asked John Mellencamp why he's had such staying power in the music industry—30 years is a long time in any business, let alone one as competitive as music. So how did John Mellencamp do it?

For one thing, he never gave up. He said he actually enjoyed the struggles – he liked rolling the rock up the hill. For him, it's never been about getting to the top as much as enjoying the journey along the way.

That answer stood out to me as something wonderful, something anyone in the arts should grab onto. Struggles are bound to come along on any path, but if we love what we do enough not to care about getting to the top – love it enough even to enjoy the inevitable challenges that come along the way, then the reward is already found, isn't it?

So, for this writer anyway, I strive to continuously have this in common with Mr. Mellencamp. I want always to remember that writing is its own reward, and the rest — the publication or the rejection, the awards or the disappointing reviews, the fans or the competition, good sales or bad – if we remember why we love what we do, even when others may see us rolling a rock up the hill like Sisyphus, all we know is that it's part of the journey, one we've chosen and want to be on.

John Mellencamp finished his answer to this particular question by saying "people think it's a God-given right to be happy; it's not." That's a philosophy I've long held to be true, too, even though I know God loves me and that He's a good God. Not that I haven't doubted those facts; I first doubted them many years ago when I was a lonely single parent whose mistakes led me to that loneliness. I doubted Him again about twelve years ago, after learning my first son would never be able to take care of himself, when my roles as wife, mother and writer would all suddenly be shadowed by the role of caregiver. When we're pushing that rock up the hill, it might not feel like God is watching out for us, but I have to believe if life were always easy, if we never had to push or struggle, then most of us would probably never give God a second thought. And that would be worse than not having the struggles to begin with.

Hat's off to Mr. Mellencamp for all the wisdom he's learned while rolling that rock up the hill…

Photos from Bing Free Images. To read entire Q&A article on John Mellencamp click here

Wednesday means we talk about new fiction around here! Get in the holiday mood with the latest from author Roxanne Rustand:

Winter Reunion
November 2010
Steeple Hill Love Inspired
978-0-373-87633-4

Here's the back cover blurb:

Home to heal...and reconcile?

When wounded Marine Devlin Sloan comes back to Aspen Creek, he's surprised by his late mother's will. His new business partner for the next six months will be Beth Carrigan. His ex-wife.

This might prove to be Dev's most difficult mission yet. He never stopped loving the sweet bookstore owner, but his military career broke them apart. Now, as they work together at helping others get a new start in life, he hopes he can break down the walls between them....and explore the possibilities of renewing the life they had with each other.


The book is available at bookstores everywhere and at
www.steeplehill.com
www.target.com
www.christianbook.com
www.barnesandnoble.com


About the author

Roxanne Rustand has written seven inspirational romantic suspense novels for Steeple Hill. This is her first romance for the Love Inspired line, and is also the first in her Aspen Creek Crossroads series. Each book stands alone, but readers wanting to revisit the scenic St. Croix River Valley area and the quaint town of Aspen Creek can come back in Second Chance Dad, which will be out on June, 2011, and in another book which will be out in December.

Roxanne was nominated for an RT Bookclub Magazine Achievement Award in 2005, and one of her books won a RT Bookclub Magazine Reviewer's Choice Award in 2006. END GAME is a 2010 RT Bookclub Magazine Reviewer's Choice Nominee for Best Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense of 2010.

You can find her at her blogs and website at:

www.roxannerustand.com
http://roxannerustand.blogspot.com
www.shoutlife.com/roxannerustand

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My husband is a science teacher. More specifically, he's a Physics-Is-Phun Engineering Geek (a PIPEG?). One of the classes he teaches is called Engineering Physics, where the current project is assembling and programming a small, robotic vehicle. My husband shared his thoughts with me about how his instruction to his students was similar to what he's seen me doing as I put together whatever book I'm working on.

First, he said to his students, you must have a basic, overall plan in mind before you start putting together what will become your vehicle. If you just willy-nilly assemble something that resembles a vehicle, you might have to disassemble much of it to adjust for details that will be important later. For example, the robot must include light sensors, since ultimately it'll have to follow a pattern or perform a task. It must be able to pick up a weight and maintain a center of gravity above the drive wheels. Taking apart what you've spent so much time assembling so that it will actually be a working robot will feel like a waste of time.

While he advised them to plan ahead and fill in the stylistic details later—those building pieces that might actually be fun to work with once the challenge of the programming is allowed for and addressed—it occurred to him that I do the same thing when I design a story.

I can see the wisdom in that even as I readily admit I am, for the most part, a seat-of-the-pants writer. I don't heavily outline. I do, however, have a plot in mind. I start with an opening dilemma, I'm familiar with at least the major obstacles along the way, and I have a pretty good idea of a black moment—when everything seems lost for my hero and/or heroine. Following that I have a logical, satisfying resolution in mind. Details will be filled in along the way. But I'm not such a detailed outliner that, before I get to know my characters and what they're doing, I might have to start over on the characterization just to fit a strict plot or vice versa. Because let's face it, kids aren't the only ones who don't want to have to start over.

Someone once told me that if they don't do a thorough plot outline, do character "interviews" for at least all of their important characters, have an extensive understanding of the justification for nearly every scene, they're afraid they'll waste a lot of time going off on rabbit trails. Well, as a fellow seat-of-the-pants writer also told me, she might spend more writing time outlining, plotting or character interviewing than just exploring unnecessary rabbit trails, and at least she'd have fun. The result will likely be the same. It's just a different approach to the same goal: getting to know our characters and the story they'll populate.

I hold nothing against extensive plotters, but I'm not so far on the other end of the spectrum that I don't understand the value of putting together a shell and having a plan—but allowing room to fill in those details along the way.

And this is the miracle of marriage. Science and the arts, who'd have thought they have so much in common?