READ: Review, Blame it on the Mistletoe by Joyce Magnin
Somehow, Christmastime evokes the best and the worst. You receive that toy you’ve always wanted, but you also get the itchy wool sweater that ends up at the bottom of your dresser drawer. You look forward to Grandma’s famous gingerbread cookies, but Aunt Fannie’s prize macaroni-and-marshmallow salad? Not so much. Here in Bright’s Pond, Christmas offers the best and worst as well. A Thanksgiving spent with friends—and a Hawaiian-themed feast. The Fountain of Youth—and nursing home residents cavorting like drunken kindergarteners. A long-awaited wedding—and the potential of broken hearts. When it comes to the elements that make a great story, however, author Joyce Magnin offers up only the best. Once again, she draws readers in via her skillful presentation of awkward-but-endearing characters in situations that seem absurd and realistic all at once. Blame it on the Mistletoe pulls on some loose threads from earlier Bright’s Pond offerings (Will librarian Griselda get her pilot’s license? Can she choose between longtime beau Zeb and pilot Cliff, the new man in town?). But the twists, turns, and irregular bumps we’ve come to expect from this series find their way into this novel as well, along with an enduring message of love, faith, and the power of community. Whether you’re shopping for a Christmas gift or seeking sweet relief from the holiday madness, I highly recommend this engaging read. Buy the book. After all, you can always Blame it on the Mistletoe....
read moreREAD: Review, Freedom’s Stand by Jeanette Windle
What’s a literary fiction/romance/chick lit/YA girl like me doing in an action-adventure place like this? That’s what I wondered when I first opened Freedom’s Stand by Jeanette Windle. Its Aghanistan setting seemed as much out of my comfort zone as its characters’ lives of intrigue and adventure. In this sequel to Windle’s Christy-nominated Veiled Freedom, Amy, a relief worker, returns to join forces with Steve, a former Special Forces officer, and Jamil, her former assistant and recent convert to Christianity. No, this didn’t seem like my kind of book at all. But I kept reading. Why? First, because the characters and I share a passion for people and for the cause of Christ. Second, because this story comes direct from both headlines and the prayer letters of friends who also work in NGOs (non-governmental organizations) in that part of the world. And third, because the author’s careful descriptions, realistic dialogue, and powerful plotline compelled me. Windle pulled me into her story and never let me go. Deception, suspense, imprisonment, and persecution amid inward and outward battles for faith and freedom—this book has it all. Read Veiled Freedom first, then hurry on into Freedom’s Stand. You’ll be glad you did. Even if it’s not your kind of book. (FTC disclaimer: I received an electronic Advanced Reading Copy of this book free from the author. I was not required to post a review or a positive...
read moreWRITE: Interview, Ava Pennington (One Year Alone with God)
Way back in June, I posted my review of Ava Pennington’s devotional book. At the time, she and I decided to delay her interview until fall. I didn’t intend to wait as long as December, but I want to share her wise insights. And for all you shoppers, her book makes a wonderful Christmas gift! Ava Pennington is the author of One Year Alone with God: 366 Devotions on the Names of God (Revell). She has also co-authored a children’s picture book series, Faith Basics for Kids(Standard Publishing). The first two books in the series, Do You Love Me More? and Will I See You Today?, were released in January, 2011. In addition to her books, Ava has published stories in twenty anthologies, including fifteen books in the inspirational Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and four books in the Cup of Comfort series. She has written for periodicals such as Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse magazine, The Lookout, Evangel, Light & Life, and Haven Ministries’ Anchor devotional. Before beginning her career as an author, Ava enjoyed a successful career as a Human Resources Director in financial services in New York City. She earned an Adult Bible Studies Certificate from Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, IL, and an MBA in Executive Management from St. John’s University in NY. Ava is also a passionate speaker and teacher, and delights in challenging audiences with the truth of God’s word in relevant, enjoyable presentations. For more information, visit www.AvaWrites.com. You have contributed to a number of compilation books. How and why did you decide to write a book of devotions? In addition to contributing to compilations, I also write devotions and magazine articles for the Christian market. One of those projects was a including a thirty-day devotional on the names of God. I enjoyed writing it so much that I didn’t want to stop after thirty! One Year Alone with God has a unique flavor in its focus on the names of God. Can you tell us how this came about? I’ve been drawn to the names of God ever since I completedKay Arthur’s Bible study on this topic almost twenty years ago. But I wanted this project to be more than an intellectual survey of God’s names and attributes.I wanted it to be a devotional that intimately touches us and challenges us to apply the revelations of God’s nature and ways to daily life. And I’m honored and humbled to say Kay Arthur has endorsed it. You have a background in the corporate world. How did you transition into a career as an author? We relocated from New York to Florida twelve years ago. At that time, I chose not to return to a corporate career. The more I studied God’s Word, the more I wanted to share what I was learning. I’ve enjoyed the freedom to teach and write as a ministry, but my corporate background gave me the discipline to treat this new chapter of my life as a fulltime job, too. What do you hope readers gain from One Year Alone with God? It’s difficult to trust someone you don’t know. Many struggle in their relationship with God because they think they know who He is, but they...
read moreWRITE: The Buzz on the Bee (National Bible Bee)
SO. NOT. HAPPENING. In a previous post, I mentioned my plans to blog from the National Bible Bee in Nashville,Tennessee. Not only were my days of volunteering, judging, and collecting stories long and exhausting, but I had little to no Internet during that time. In fact, my busy month of travel and speaking has led me to dub it “No-Write November” and renew my commitment to more words, work, and blog posts as I finish out the year. In any case, I want to share a few of my reactions to the Bible Bee. I had the privilege of speaking with numerous proud parents and excited students during the event, which took place over the course of several days (November 16-19). I also heard from teachers who included Kirk Cameron and Voddie Baucham (both impressed me as articulate, godly men) and worshiped under the leadership of Keith and Kristen Getty and other gifted musicians. What impressed me most about the Bible Bee, however, wasn’t the people, place (the beautiful Renaissance Hotel and Nashville Convention Center), preparation (months of planning and coordination precede an event of this caliber), or prizes (a total of $260,000 given to winners in three divisions from ages 7 through 18). What left me in awe was the presence and power of God’s Word. It flowed across banners and huge displays throughout the expansive area devoted to the Bee. It was quoted by a series of contestants from all three divisions (up to twenty-five passages in ten minutes for the preliminary round alone). And as I spoke with those who had invested thousands of hours of time and energy, I witnessed what the Shelby Kennedy Foundation, originators of the Bee, emphasizes: every child who participates is a winner. As God’s unique creation, of course every child is a winner. But that phrase is more than Christian doublespeak. Scripture itself says God’s Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11). It is “living, active, sharper than any two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). It has the power to keep us from sin (Psalm 119:11). And because all these things are true, any child who studied or memorized even one verse has a tremendous resource in heart and hand. At the contest’s close, I had the privilege of speaking with four young ladies, all top winners of the Senior Division. In separate interviews, each told me the contest’s true value came not in the prizes but in the experience of coming to know and love God’s Word. Most of the 300 contestants who participated in the national competition went home without a huge scholarship, accolades, or prize money. But they all gained much more than any of those things could ever provide. Whether or not these young people participate in future Bible Bees, they have personal knowledge of the treasure in God’s Word. Their challenge, as more than one speaker reminded them, is to allow it to continue to work its way out in their lives and hearts. I’m grateful for an organization like the Shelby Kennedy Foundation which knows its mission is so much more than a contest of mind or memory. The Foundation’s commitment to “family discipleship—one verse at a time” has already had a huge impact on eternity. Whether or not you have experience with the National Bible Bee, how...
read morePRAY: Top Ten Reasons to Bee-lieve in the Bee (National Bible Bee)
Next week, my two youngest daughters and I set off on what we know will be an amazing adventure. We’ll join more than 300 finalists, their families, speakers, and sponsors for the National Bible Bee to be held at the Nashville Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The girls and I will volunteer in various ways including, for my part, serving as a judge for the preliminaries and collecting Bible Bee stories to share later. Our journey to the Bee began, as have so many of my others, in prayer. More than six years ago, when B.J. Higgins lay fighting for his life in a hospital bed, I kept close watch on his family’s blog, www.prayforbj.com, where I posted prayers and words of encouragement. More and more, I noticed the posted prayers of another warrior, Tammy McMahan. Could she read my mind? Or did our words flow from similar hearts? As the weeks progressed, it became obvious that we shared a heart for prayer, for our Father, and for connecting lives with His truth. Tammy and I became off-blog friends, prayer partners, and e-mail sisters. We continued our relationship as I moved into the considerable task of helping BJ’s parents share their son’s story in the book I Would Die for You (Revell, 2008). Not long after that, God moved the McMahans to my parents’ Ohio hometown where, after more months and more prayer, Tammy’s husband Mark accepted the position of CEO of the Shelby Kennedy Foundation/National Bible Bee. I hope to do a bit of blogging from the Bee itself, but for now, I’ll settle for a quick TOP TEN REASONS TO BEE-LIEVE IN THE BEE: 10. Prizes: The Shelby Kennedy Foundation gives away $260,000 in cash prizes at the National Bible Bee competition each year. Top prize in the senior division is $100,000. 9. Speakers: The 2011 National Bible Bee competition features presentations by Dr. Voddie Baucham, Kirk Cameron, John Stonestreet, Doug Philips, and others passionate for the cause of Christ-centered family discipleship, including my friend and writing partner, Dr. Walker Moore of Awe Star Ministries. 8. Family-friendly Environment: The opposite of the typical adults-only conference, the National Bible Bee offers wholesome activities and experiences for all ages and interests. The Bee’s unique curriculum also allows elementary-age students through adults to study the same passages at the same time. 7. Exposure and Experience: The National Bible Bee competition gives young people the opportunity to share their knowledge of Scripture with others in a safe, non-threatening environment. 6. Planning and Preparation: The National Bible Bee is well-planned, well-thought-out, and well-administered at every level. 5. True Fellowship: The National Bible Bee offers families the experience of building real relationships that focus on the Word of God. 4. Integrity: The National Bible Bee operates at the highest level of integrity. Financial, organizational, and competition-related decisions are all made under the authority of God’s Word and a Board of respected Christian leaders. 3. Prayer: From its founding in 2009, the National Bible Bee has been bathed in prayer. During the Bee, a dedicated prayer room will remain open for participants’ use. 2. Discipleship: The National Bible Bee’s tagline is “Family discipleship—one verse at a time.” The Shelby Kennedy Foundation and Bible Bee staff see the completion as a vehicle...
read moreWelcome
I've asked God to use my writing and speaking to count for eternity. I'm passionate about relationships and creativity.
