Beth K. Vogt's Blog, page 46

In Others’ Words: Keeping Christmas all the Year

I collect Nativity scenes. I don’t have an extensive collection, but I do have a much-loved assortment that includes a hand-sewn cloth Nativity that little hands may play with. I also have a treasured olive wood set from my mission trip to Israel in 2000, when my husband and I chaperoned a high school trip that our son went on. My husband and I brought back matching Nativity sets for each of our children, including our then-to-be-born “caboose kiddo,” Christa, who arrived later that year on Christmas Eve.

And then there’s the one tiny Nativity scene I keep out all year-round, perched atop my armoire, right next to my daughter Amy’s origami bridal bouquet. I started the tradition several years ago when a pastor challenged his Christmas Eve congregation — me included — to not pack Christmas away with the ornaments and the Advent wreaths and the snowmen collections. Yes, I have one of those, too.

And so, I display this one reminder of Christmas — or, as my husband reminds the family every year: Christ-mas: the celebration of the Messiah — all year long. It’s a purposeful way to honor Christmas in my heart.  A reminder to keep Christmas all the year. I look up as I’m putting clothes away, and I remember that God is Immanuel … God with Us. God with me. Every day. All day long. All year long.

In Your Words: How do you honor Christmas in your heart? What helps you keep it all the year?

In Others’ Words: Keeping #Christmas all the Year #InOthersWords #lifequotes
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“I will honor #Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.” #CharlesDickens
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CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY!

I’m part of a wonderful group called The Grove, with several author-friends … well, we’re more like sisters, really. We’re having a GROVE GIRL CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY. Go go to this Rafflecopter form to join in the fun for a chance to win these prizes:

A signed copy of From the Start by Melissa Tagg + a $10 Amazon gift card to find something special just for you.
Signed copies of The Butterfly and the Violin and A Sparrow in Terezin, both by Kristy Cambron with a beautiful bookmark to hold your place in these great books.
Signed copy of Where Treetops Glisten by Cara Putman and candy cane ornaments because the heroine makes those in the novel
Signed copy of Paper Hearts and a hot off the press ARC of Change of Heart, both by Courtney Walsh
Signed copies of Amish Christmas at North Star and The Art of Losing Yourself, both by Katie Ganshert
A signed copy of The Bronte Plot, by Katherine Reay
A signed copy of The Curiosity Keeper, by Sarah Ladd
A signed copy of Crazy Little Thing Called Love plus an e-novella Can’t Buy Me Love, both by Beth Vogt

 

Love #Christmas? So do the @theGROVE_story girls. Join their MASSIVE #giveaway. #amreading……
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In Others’ Words: Looking for the Hope of Christmas

A thought on writing this blog, several hours after I’d already scheduled it: I realize I’ve started a conversation on looking for hope the same evening that we’ve all been watching the news reports of the San Bernardino Shooting. Less than a week after my community of Colorado Springs reeled from the shock of a man, now dubbed The Black Friday Shooter, killing three people.

But isn’t it at times like these that we need to be reminded that there is Hope beyond what we are watching … seeing, hearing … grieving about … on the news? 

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I like the gift-giving part of Christmas. It’s fun looking online to find just the right gifts for family and friends. Please notice I said looking online. I am not a fan of malls during the month of December.

Sometimes when I’m gift shopping, I’m checking a list and thinking, “I found just what they wanted.” Sometimes I’m chuckling to myself and thinking, “Oh, are they going to be surprised when they see this.”

After I read today’s quote, I realized there’s something else I should be looking for during this season: hope. 

Hope is woven all through the Christmas story. Not the story of Rudolph or Frosty or Buddy the Elf. Although, if you examine those fun fictional stories, the theme of hope is in them too.

But I’m thinking of the true story of Christmas. The first Christmas story that proclaims:

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;

And the government will rest on His shoulders;

And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6-7 NASB

So for the rest of this month, I’m keeping my eyes and heart open for the unexpected ways God reveals hope to me. Join me, please.

In Your Words: What speaks hope to you this Christmas season?

In Others’ Words: Looking for the #Hope of #Christmas #InOthersWords
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” … keep your eyes and heart open for unexpected ways that God will reveal … the hope of…
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In Others’ Words: A New Way to Slow Down and Focus on Christmas

We’ve all heard the lyrics of a certain Christmas song: It’s the most wonderful time of the year … 

And if you’re like me, you’ve probably had times when you’ve responded with “Really?!”

Christmas comes ’round the same time every year. And sometimes, sometimes, it collides with circumstances in our lives that aren’t wonderful. I could point you to the headlines … or you could share something going on in your life or something going on in a friend’s or family member’s life that would prove no, it’s not the most wonderful time of the year. 

And that’s the truth.

But Christmas is also the truth. And the truth of Immanuel — God with us — is exactly why we can find hope in the midst of life going wrong … or going horribly wrong, wrong, wrong. We can look past song lyrics and cling to the TRUTH. 

There are a lot of ways you can make the Christmas season special. Traditions. Music. Lights. Recipes. I want to share a new way to hold onto the TRUTH of Christmas during the next 31 days. It’s a 31 Day Scripture Writing Plan. I found it on Facebook, and found out it was developed by Shannon over at her Sweet Blessings blog. Today’s quote graphic is from the Day 1 Scripture: Isaiah 7:14-17. I hope you’ll join me in a new Christmas tradition.

 

In Your Words: What tradition helps make Christmas special for you each year? 

In Others’ Words: A New Way to Slow Down and Focus on Christmas #Christmas #slowdown #faith
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” … Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”…

Try a 31 Day Scripture Writing Plan during December by @SweetBlessShan #Christmas #tradition #faith
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In Others’ Words: Why I’m Thankful for 6 A.M.

Funny thing about this blog … I almost gave up on posting it.

I’ve had trouble with PicMonkey, the program I use to design my graphics. For the past two weeks, when I try to save my images, the program freezes. Then I have to shut down my computer and start all over again. Tonight that happened not once, not twice, but three times.

Yeah, I was so done with my post on what I was thankful for. 

Funny, right?

I was also ready to send the PicMonkey folks a huffy email. But instead, I clicked on the “Can’t save photos when using Safari” line in the Help section — and discovered why I’ve been having problems. It’s not me and my lone computer. It’s them. “Them” being Apple and some sort of bug that was uploaded in their latest update to their operating system.

So something good came out of all my frustration — and I’m using Chrome for PicMonkey stuff.

Now back to my planned blog post.

I’ve had fun getting to know author Davalynn Spencer this year. She attends ACFWCS with me, which is a local chapter of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) here in Colorado Springs. In her recent blog post, Little Things Make a Big Difference, she shared how family members sometimes bring an item to the Thanksgiving dinnner table to represent what they are grateful for — like a pencil for the privilege of writing, or a fishing lure for good times with Grandpa.

Davalynn got me thinking: What would I bring to the table? I decided I would bring my alarm clock.

I’m often awake before 6 A.M., but my weekdays begin by then. And each morning is a chance to remember one of my favorite truths about God: his mercies toward me are new every, every, every morning. 

In Your Words: If we were celebrating Thanksgiving together — wouldn’t that be fun! -w hat item would you use to represent what you’re thankful for this year? 

In Others’ Words: Why I’m Thankful for 6 A.M. #InOthersWords #faith #Thanksgiving
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” … his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:23 NLT #Thanksgiving #faith
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FUN NEWS: Both the Kindle versions of Somebody Like You and Catch a Falling Star are on sale for $1.99!

In Others’ Words: Make No Little Plans

I can either plan for more or plan for less. 

I want magic to stir my blood, so I’m aiming high in both my hopes and my work. I’m releasing the little plans that clutter my life and I’m opening my hands … my mind and my heart … to the big plans.

Daniel H. Burnham got it right when he said planning big involves both our hopes and our work. Plans are a combination of our so-poweful-even-though-you-can’t-touch-them dreams, which are fueled by hope, and the hard work required to pursue our big plans. Life is never hope or work. It’s yes-and, not either-or.

Maybe today’s quote whispered to my heart because my restless heart is responding to God’s soul-deep command of “Come follow me into the ‘more’ I have waiting for you, child.” 

These past few months I’ve waited and waited, asking “Where are we going, God?” Yesterday I took my first steps in following Him, knowing I was moving into the BIG, even though I don’t quite know what it is yet.

I’m calm … excited … hope-filled … and ready for the work ahead.

In Your Words: What big plans are you pursuing that stir your blood with magic ? 

In Others’ Words: Make No Little Plans #InOthersWords #quotes #aimhigh
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“Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s souls …” #quotes #DHBurnham #dreams
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In Others’ Words: Choosing Action Over Sentiment

Have you ever stopped to consider the weight of your act of kindness toward another person?

That “No, you go first” wave that allows an unknown someone to step ahead of you in line at the grocery story? It just might be the force that turns a weary mom’s day around.

Your decision to pay for the Starbucks drink for the driver in the car behind you in the drive through line? You just might have shoved the blues away, helping someone you’ll never meet believe that good still exists in this world.

That note you wrote to a friend that arrived in the mail on the exact right day? Your words of love and affirmation might have lightened another person’s unseen burden.

The times you posted a word of encouragement or a favorite verse on Facebook? Maybe that truth silenced a lie that was shouting down someone else’s courage.

Today’s quote reminds me that sentiments can end up being nothing more than should haves. But if I want to make a difference in someone else’s life, I need to act on my inclinations.

In Your Words: What recent “single lovely action” has blessed your life?

In Others’ Words: Choosing Action Over Sentiment #InOthersWords #quotes #beablessing
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“All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action.” #quotes…
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In Others’ Words: Finding the Good in Failure

Isn’t it funny how pursuing success can end up teaching us a lot about failure?

I dreamed about being a writer for a long time. Postponed it for years while I focused on being a wife and a mom — and facing my failures there. And my successes. There were those, too.

And then one day I stopped dreaming about writing. I stopped saying, “I want to be a writer” and I started doing the things that I needed to do to make my writing dream come true.

I attended conferences. Met with editors. And agents. Pitched article ideas. Submitted articles. Dealt with rejections and acceptances and deadlines and hopes and disappointments.

And my dream came true, just as I hoped … and in ways I never imagined.

Greater success than I’d hoped for and yes, more disappointing failures than I imagined too.

I discovered that the failures were the making of me more than the successes. 

A dream coming true doesn’t mean life is perfect. Oh, it may feel like that for a few fleeting moments. And it’s so very important to hApPy DaNcE whenever the opportunity arises. And a dream come true helps you realize your own imperfections as you wrestle with the “less than” moments that inevitably appear while you’re living the dream.

A dream come true such as … oh, a book contract, for example … is an opportunity for you to discover who you are when your dream is everything you ever hoped it would be … and when it’s not. When the applause is deafening … and when not a single person claps for you. When your efforts pay off (royalty check, anyone?) and when there seems to be no return on your efforts, either in dollars or stars (readers’ reviews).

Yes, I consider myself a successful author — and by that I mean I’ve been contracted since 2011 and I’m teaching and mentoring other writers and I’m surrounded by a wonderfully supportive writing community. But the best thing about pursuing this dream? I don’t fear failure like I used to.

In Your Words: Which do you fear more: success or failure? Why? And what good has come out of failure in your life?

In Others’ Words: Finding the Good in Failure #InOthersWords #quotes #success
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“Something good always comes out of failure.” #quotes #AnneBaxter #pursueyourdreams
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FOR A FEW MORE DAYS: My novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, is on sale for $1.99! It’s available on all e-tail sites. 

Crazy Little Thing Called Love by @bethvogt on SALE for $1.99 for a few more days!…
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In Others’ Words: If We Have Not Peace …

Perhaps you’ve struggled with inner turmoil … the unrest that chafes your soul, wearies your mind, and exhausts your heart. 

You seek to assuage the dissastifaction by tuning into your favorite TV show or watching that movie that never fails to entertain you. Or you exercise. Go for a walk or a run or hit the gym for a spin class. Maybe you seek solace in the kitchen, attempting a new recipe or a tried and true one.

But all those distractions merely muffle the inner agitation until it is nothing more than a murmur … but the unrest is there, all the same.

Inner peace isn’t found by ignoring the longings of our hearts while we entertain ourselves. Or by stifling the chaos that is waging in our souls while we stay busy with activities that are good … but are not the best. And believe me, when I write these words, I am saying what I need to hear even as I share these thoughts with you.

Sometimes I think to find the peace I desire I have to do more, when it’s a matter of doing less … and waiting on and listening to God, who establishes peace. (Is. 26:12 NIV) The embarrassing truth is, I too often let my To Do list take precedence over spending time wih God — as if anything I have to do could ever matter more than God. Where that misguided thought came from I have no idea, but it does not produce inner peace.

In Your Words: What are some ways that you sometimes search for peace from outside sources? What helps you find peace within? 

In Others’ Words: If We Have Not Peace … #InOthersWords #quotes #innerpeace
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“If we have not peace within ourselves, it is in vain to seek it from outward sources.” #quotes…
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FOR A FEW MORE DAYS: My novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, is on sale for $1.99! It’s available on all e-tail sites.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love by @bethvogt on SALE for $1.99 for a few more days!…
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In Others’ Words: Stepping Out From the Shadow of Worry

If I let myself, I could spend a lot of hours worrying.

About people I love.

About decisions I’ve made … or have to make … or about decisions others’ might make that affect me.

About finances. Isn’t there always a reason to worry about finances?

About my writing career.

About the future … in so many ways. 

Worry, in the moment, feels oddly productive. I’m doing something. But in reality, I’m only pondering mights and maybes — all the future possibilities that cast a looming shadow over right here and now. I waste time and emotional energy conjuring up all sorts of negative scenarios instead of anchoring myself to the present — and to the very real trustworthy presence of God.

Someone once said you can choose to either worry or to pray — but you can’t do both. Ever since then, I’ve tried to pray when confronted with both the little things in life that trouble me, as well as the big things in life that bring me to my knees. Oftentimes, I hold on to an anchor verse like: In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. Psalm 56:11 NASB

In Your Words: How do you stop worry from gaining control in your life?

In Others’ Words: Stepping Out From the Shadow of #Worry #InOthersWords #LifeQuotes
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“Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.” Swedish Proverb #quotes #worry
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My novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, is on sale for $1.99! It’s available on all e-tail sites.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love by @bethvogt on SALE for $1.99! Load to your e-reader!…
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In Others’ Words: When Walking Away is the Wise Choice

I’m all for staying and finishing the tough conversation. Or the seemingly unsolvable argument. Or the why-did-I-ever-commit-to-this project.

But there are times when the best thing to do is to walk away. Take a time out. Not forever … but for a time. A day or two. Several weeks, if need be.

If you’re in conflict with someone else, this walking away isn’t a time to re-arm yourself so that you can come back and prove yourself right. No. It’s a pause to reconsider avenues for reconciliation.

If you’re facing a problem that seems greater than you … that seems to be winning the day … then as today’s quote says, the problem will still be there when you get back. But you’ve taken time to regroup. To pray. To gather wisdom and insight from others who’ve been where you are now and won the battle. You’ve gathered the strength to try, try again.

Walking away isn’t always quitting. Sometimes walking away is the wise choice — the way toward strength.

In Your Words: When has walking away been the best choice for you — helping you to ultimately resolve a problem or better face a challenge?

In Others’ Words: When Walking Away is the Wise Choice #InOthersWords #lifequotes #challenges
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“Walk away from it until you’re stronger.” #quotes #challenges #LadyBirdJohnson
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My novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, is on sale for $1.99! It’s available on all e-tail sites. 

 

Crazy Little Thing Called Love by @bethvogt on SALE for $1.99! Load to your e-reader!…
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