Shellie Neumeier's Blog, page 17
January 10, 2011
January 7, 2011
Being Mismatched
Have you ever been mismatched?
Not the socks kind, but people kind. Mismatched with your boss? Mismatched with a friend? Mismatched with a career? Bet they didn't last long if you were. Mismatches happen all the time. Even in marriage we succumb to the idea that we're mismatched. And family? Well, don't we all have someone in our lives who feels like a mismatch?
The other day, I had a well meaning professional tell me I was a mismatched mom. Oh yeah, they went there. If I'm honest, I'd say it's true on many levels. I'm indoorsy and reserved; I have children who are HIGH energy and outgoing. They want to hunt; I want to nap. They want to ski; I want to read. So, where does that leave us? Did God make a mistake when He assembled our family. I don't think so. I believe God doesn't make mistakes, so there must be some master plan. We certainly compliment each other in many more ways than we conflict. But her comment made me think. . .
If I'm totally honest, I'm a mismatch with God, too. We have more differences than similarities the biggest being the number of times I mess up compared to the number of times He does (that's like none). But here's the great part–He loves me anyway.
So if you're feeling a bit mismatched today, just remember God loves those best.
"Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven." (1 John 4:10 CEV)
Where are you mismatched?
January 5, 2011
Resources for Teen Writers/Readers
From time to time I am asked to share any websites or mentors for young adults who have the writing itch. Well, enough have asked so here's my answer. Below you'll find the best of the best (at least as far as I have found). If you know of others, please add them in the comment section below. In the meantime, hope you enjoy.
Caleb Breakley's Teen Writers Community
Teen Writer's Critque Group led by Diana Sharples
Stephanie Morrill's Go Teen Writers
Clash Entertainment by The Raney family
Donita K. Paul's Monday night discussions.
If you're interested in this article, you might also be interested in this and this.
January 4, 2011
The American Patriot's Almanac (A Book Review)
The American Patriot's Almanac: Daily Readings on Americahttp://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa... : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
January 3, 2011
And the Winner is. . .
The winner of the 12 Pearls of Christmas has been announced, but before I give anything away, I wanted to say thank you to all who participated. Nearly 2900 people signed up for the giveaway through blogs all across the blogosphere. And the guest posts were inspiring across the board. So without further delay **drumroll** the winner of the pearl necklace set is Karen M. (More about our winner here).
Tomorrow we'll be back on track and ready to roll out a new year of blogsense and some nonsense, but in the meantime, please check out the classes that are new for this year (tabs above and linked here and here). And if you have been away for the holidays, you can now sign-up for the first chapter of Driven (FREE) by clicking the underlined "Click here" note on the right-hand side of the page (right under the words "Get the first Chapter of DRIVEN Free!" 
. Or email your request to neumeier(dot)shellie(at)gmail(dot)com.
Just curious, what blogs do you read?
December 30, 2010
Coming Soon
Did you know you can now get the first chapter of Driven on your computer? On the sidebar to your right is a link to get your free copy. Check it out!
After you've signed up for the first chapter, take a look at the two new classes offered by Hartford, WI's Park and Rec. I'm excited to teach both classes which are geared for young adults with interests in reading and writing. If you know of someone who fits that bill, check out the new tabs above. YA writing YA and YA Book Clubs. Both are happening soon, so sign-up now. Contact information can be found by clicking those tabs and below.
Image captured from the Harford park and rec.
Don't find a writing or reading class that catches your eye? Then tell me what you would like to learn about?
To find out more about YA writing YA click here. For YA Book Clubs, click here.
December 29, 2010
What Caption would You Write. . .
Love to share a few of our more. . .interesting Christmas pictures. If you could caption them, what would you write?
A
B
C
I'll post a few clues as to the origin of these photos later in the week. So don't forget to check back. Feel free to leave your caption in the comment section, below. And have a wonderful Holiday Week!
December 24, 2010
12 Pearls of Christmas, Day 14
This is it. Last day for the Pearls. Next week we'll be back to plain old me. Hope you enjoyed the journey.Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! 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.
~~~
An Unforgettable Gift
by Karen O'Connor
On Christmas morning, 1912, in Paducah, Kentucky, fourteen-year-old Charlie Flowers and his three brothers and two sisters huddled in their beds, fully dressed, trying to keep warm as the wind howled outside their small frame house.
It was a desperate time for the family. Earlier that year the children's father had died. And their mother had not found work. The coal had run out and there was little money––none for gifts. Their scrawny tree with decorations made from scraps of colored paper had been given to them the night before by a local merchant.
"Can't sell this one," the man said with a nod of his head before handing it over to the eager children.
To pass the time, the siblings joked and shouted stories from their bedrooms across the hallway from one another. Then suddenly a racket from the alley at the rear of the house broke into their games.
"Charlie," his mother called, "would you see what's going on out there?"
Charlie pulled on his shoes, grabbed a thick overcoat from the hook by the door, and ran out back.
There stood a man in a wagon bent over a load of coal, shoveling it into the shed as fast as he could.
"Hey Mister, we didn't order any coal," Charlie shouted. "You're delivering it to the wrong house."
"Your name's Flowers, isn't it?" the man asked, still shoveling.
Charlie nodded yes.
"Well then, there's no mistake. I've been asked to deliver this to your family on Christmas morning." He looked the awe-struck boy square in the eye. "And I'm under strict orders not to tell who sent it," he teased.
Charlie ran into the house, his coattail flapping in the cold morning wind. He could hardly wait to tell his mother and brothers and sisters. God had provided––just as he had on that first Christmas morning so long ago when He sent his only son to a needy world.
Charlie Flowers died in 1994 at age 96. And right up to the last year of his life, not a Christmas went by that he didn't tell the story of that sub-zero Christmas morning of his boyhood when two men gave his family an unforgettable gift.
It wasn't the coal that was remembered or cherished, Charlie often said––welcome as it was––but rather what two men brought to his desperate family. One, for his gift of recognizing their great need and taking the time to do something about it. And the other, for being willing to give up part of his own Christmas morning to deliver it.
That gift of so long ago has continued to warm the Flowers family from one generation to another, as Charlie's son––my husband, Charles––calls to mind these two unknown men each Christmas morning and whispers a prayer of thanks.
~~~
About Karen: Karen O'Connor is an award-winning author and writing mentor living in Watsonville, California with her husband, Charles Flowers. Karen's latest book is 365 Reasons Why Gettin' Old Ain't So Bad (Harvest House 2010).
For more information, please visit Karen on the web at www.karenoconnor.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 {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
12 Pearls of Christmas, Day 13
Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! 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.
~~~
All I Want for Christmas…
Is to be able to have Christmas this Year
by
Melissa Mashburn
This is a simple request, isn't it? In the previous years, we had great big bountiful Christmases with our family. Gifts, goodies and general Christmas cheer but this year it was different. The year before has been chock full of disappointments, failing businesses and severe cutbacks for our family.
Sitting with my husband one night we hammered out the bare minimum that we could spend that year for Christmas and even still the total was four hundred dollars. It does not sound like a whole lot compared to what we've spent on Christmas before, but this year it could have been four thousand dollars because we just did not have it.
We prayed, I cried, we prayed some more and decided that we would cut back anything else that we could that year so we could have Christmas for our kids. We did not know how we would make this happen, but we knew that we needed to step forward in faith that it would happen.
Answer this question: Does the God who lavishly provides you with his own presence, his Holy Spirit, working things in your lives you could never do for yourselves, does he do these things because of your strenuous moral striving or because you trust him to do them in you? Don't these things happen among you just as they happened with Abraham? He believed God, and that act of belief was turned into a life that was right with God. Galatians 3:5 the Message
Not even two days later, we hear a knock on our front door. We open the door to see some friends of ours from church. With tears in their eyes, they handed us an envelope and said that the felt they needed to give us this. We opened the envelope and inside there was four hundred dollars cash.
Shocked, stunned and with tears flowing down our face we just sat there in a state of crying and laughing at what God had done. We never shared with anyone that year what we needed, how bad it was, what was going on or what that number was for us to have Christmas for the kids, but God knew.
"And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." 2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT
He took a willing servant, led them to our front door and changed Christmas for us that year. After many years of being in full time ministry we knew that God would provide, but when He shows up just at the right moment, you know that it was all a part of His plan to show how much He loves, provides and cares for His people.
Father God, thank you that after all the years of serving and loving you in ministry that you continue to teach, guide, love, shepherd and care for us. You, Father, are abundantly gracious and kind, thank you for showing up for us at just the right moment every time, forgive us when we forget that. In Jesus name, Amen.
~~~
About Melissa: Melissa is the founder of the blog Mel's World Ministry, co-founder of the Praise and Coffee Nights Ministry with Sue Cramer, Kids Ministry Director at her church. Just last year she launched a new weekly series called Godly Gals ~ Real Women, Real Life, Real Faith where we meet new women each week who are "Taking their everyday, ordinary lives and placing it as their offering to God." Romans 12:1 the Message. You can find her on twitter and at her blog. She loves encouraging women to live with an authentic faith by being transparent, renewed and transformed. ~ Romans 12:2.
~~~
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
December 22, 2010
12 Pearls of Christmas, Day 10
Look Up! There'll be a new page up there soon. . .Welcome to the 12 Pearls of Christmas! Enjoy these Christmas "Pearls of Wisdom"! 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.
~~~
What's the best thing about Christmas?
by Maureen Lang
The answer to that question will undoubtedly be different depending on the age and the faith of the person being asked. Most children will say it's all about the gifts. Adults, even if they secretly still enjoy the gifts, will probably strive to sound more mature and say the holiday is all about friends and family. Still others might say it's about tradition, or memories or the music or even the special food we connect to this time of year. The scrooges among us might say this season is just another marketing gimmick, or materialism gone awry. The faithful will say it's all about Jesus, a reminder of why He shed the glory of Heaven to step into human skin and frailty.
I'm not here to defend or attack any answer to this question, but rather to ponder those possible answers.
Gifts: They touch us in personal ways, as tangible evidence of someone else's thought and affection. Even if we don't get exactly what we hoped, there's something to be said about the thought behind a gift being the important part. Why wouldn't gifts be an important and valid part of this holiday in which we celebrate God's gift of salvation?
Holiday Gatherings: Parties might be a lot of work, forcing some out of their comfort zone, but at the core they're all about human connection. Isn't that what most people want?
Traditions and memories: They remind us of the past, of who we are, with the hope that even as we look forward to an unknown future we still hold some things worthy enough to repeat every year. We might find ourselves letting go of some traditions, or we might want to start some new ones.
The music: This is the only time of the year when even secular radio stations welcome songs about a baby born in Bethlehem. As a nation we may be getting stringent about separation of church as state, but the lines blur just a bit with old favorites that reflect this season.
Scrooges: The holiday season is probably a time to endure rather than enjoy, but even the scroogiest-scrooge might admit the lights of the season are pretty to behold. They're free to look at, after all.
As for the food, the busyness, the expense and all the other things that make up this season: keep in mind that it's all temporary. This, too, shall pass. Until next year, of course.
I'll leave you with this thought: we are all made in God's image, whether we believe that or not. Part of that image is the ability to give—and to receive. So here's my thought for the day: stop a moment and dwell on all the gifts of the season. From the little mementos that say we haven't forgotten someone or been forgotten by others, to the costliest gift of all: what God did for us in the form of Christ. As you enjoy the sounds, the sights, the scents and the tastes of this season, may your only trouble be in choosing just one thing among so many best things about Christmas.
~~~
About Maureen: Maureen Lang is the author of ten books, her most recent from Tyndale House is The Great War Series which are full of romance, adventure and spiritual journeys. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, two sons and their lovable Labrador Retriever.
For more information please visit Maureen at her website, www.maureenlang.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 {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
