Beth K. Vogt's Blog, page 50
July 9, 2015
In Others’ Words: What Grounds You?
Yesterday ended rather abruptly with me crawling into bed — admitting that the lurking migraine had won the day. It wasn’t the worst migraine I’ve ever had, brought on by the weather, but it was stubborn. I finally said, “Uncle” around 8:30 PM.
Then this morning as I’m taking my walk, refreshing my mind, body, and spirit, I think: You didn’t post a blog last night, did you?
No, I didn’t.
That realization kicked up my pace a bit.
Today’s quote is one I’m pondering this week. Here’s the full quote from Charles H. Spurgeon:
“Your salvation is only because Christ offered a full atonement. You are complete in Him and have nothing of your own to trust in. Rest only on the merits of Jesus, for He is the only ground of confidence.“
I am a writer. I run around in the publishing world, where it’s possible (dare I say probable?) to place my trust — draw my confidence — from a lot of other things besides my faith. Besides what God did for me through Christ. Besides what God says about me.
I can ground my confidence in reviews, awards, sales … or the lack of all that.
You might call all of that “circumstantial evidence” of who I am.
But grounding myself in my faith? Solid ground, my friends. Solid ground.
In Your Words: What do you find is shifting sand for your confidence? And what grounds you?
In Others’ Words: What Grounds You? #InOthersWords #lifequotes #faith
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My novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, has hit the bookshelves! I’m celebrating with a Beach Bag Giveaway. Enter to win lots of fun stuff worh $200, including:
a Nikon CoolPix Camera
a Lands’ End canvas bag
2 beach towels
a Contigo water bottle
a copy of Crazy Little Thing Called Love
a copy of Somebody Like You
Celebrate @bethvogt’s new release Crazy Little Thing Called Love! Enter the #beachread #giveaway…
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July 6, 2015
In Others’ Words: The Riches of Love
When my husband and I were first married, we had very different views when it came to money. If the bills are paid — and they always were — and there was no money left in the bank, as far as Rob was concerned, we were fine. Nowadays, there’s always money left in the bank. When we were first married … well, that was another story.
Me? I would watch the bank account total decrease and my anxiety level would rise. As the money disappeared, so did my security. One day Rob asked me, “How much money do you need left in the bank to make you feel secure?”
I looked at the pre-bill paying total and said, “Just a little bit more than what’s in there right now.”
Back then I equated our financial status with being rich or being poor. And I wasn’t even aiming for super-rich. I just wanted to be comfortable. I wanted to not worry . . . I didn’t want to come close to feeling poor.
I’ve learned being rich or being poor has nothing — absolutely nothing — to do with the bottom line of your bank statement. That kind of status is based on monetary ups and downs that sometimes we don’t even have control over.
T ell me who your friends are — not how many friends you have — and I’ll know what kind of wealth you have in your life. Tell me who loves you … and we will both begin to see the true riches of your life.
In Others’ Words: How do you define wealth? Who adds richness to your life?
In Others’ Words: The Riches of Love #InOthersWords #lifequotes #love
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“Who, being loved, is poor?” #lifequotes #OscarWilde #love
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My novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, releases today! I’m celebrating with a Beach Bag Giveaway. Enter to win lots of fun stuff worh $200, including:
a Nikon CoolPix Camera
a Lands’ End canvas bag
2 beach towels
a Contigo water bottle
a copy of Crazy Little Thing Called Love
a copy of Somebody Like You
Celebrate @bethvogt’s new release Crazy Little Thing Called Love! Enter the #beachread #giveaway…
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July 1, 2015
In Others’ Words: Defining Love of Country
I know the exact moment I became a patriot.
My husband was in the U.S. Air Force and “Uncle Sam” sent us to Turkey for two years. At that time, “us” included my husband, me, our five-year-old son, two-year-old daughter, and three-month old daughter.
Yes, the move overseas was quite the experience — and that’s another blog post.
Our first 4th of July in Turkey was not a typical celebration. Yes, we barbecued with friends. But the Turkish fireworks were, well, duds. And when the Explosive Ordinance Division (EOD) decided to use plastic explosives to create some big “BANGS!” they caught the grassy area on fire.
Yeah, that was fun.
But the moment the U.S. fighter jets took to the air — the sound of freedom, as Air Force families like to say — and a recording of “The Star Spangled Banner” played over the base intercom, I rose to my feet … and cried.
Standing there on foreign soil, far away from so much that was familiar, that was home … I was so, so proud to be an American. The passion of patriotism took root in my heart and has never left. Now, whenever I hear the “Star Spangled Banner,” I go back to that time, that place, and I remember when my husband was the military member serving overseas … and we were the military family … and I thank God for the military men and women — and their families — who are serving today.
In Your Words: What do the words “Love of Country” mean to you? What July 4th memories do you hold close to heart? Who do you know that is serving or has served in the U.S. military?
In Others’ Words: Defining Love of Country #InOthersWords #lifequotes #July4th
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What do the words “Love of Country” mean to you? #USA #July4th #lifequotes
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My novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, just released! I’m celebrating with a Beach Bag Giveaway. Enter to win lots of fun stuff worh $200, including:
a Nikon CoolPix Camera
a Lands’ End canvas bag
2 beach towels
a Contigo water bottle
a copy of Crazy Little Thing Called Love
a copy of Somebody Like You
Celebrate @bethvogt’s new release Crazy Little Thing Called Love! Enter the #beachread #giveaway…
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June 29, 2015
In Others’ Words: Cherishing Childhood Memories
Childhood memories … let’s sift through the good ones today, shall we?
I know for some, the pile of happy memories is small. But we all have a childhood memory or two that we cherish.
A day at the beach.
An evening around the campfire, savoring S’mores.
Wandering the bookshelves in the library and adding yet another book to the To Be Read pile waiting to be checked out at the front desk.
Friday night movies with popcorn and rootbeer floats.
Family vacations to visit relatives, with echoes of “Are we there yet?”
I don’t know if carrying our childhood with us keeps us from becoming older … but treasured memories have a way of keeping our hearts young. Our outlook hope-filled. Childhood was always about today … and today seemed to last forever.
What a way to live: embracing today … believing in forever.
In Your Words: What’s one of your favorite childhood memories? I’d love for you to join the conversation today and share it with us. Maybe it’s a vacation memory … or a favorite book … or a time spent with a childhood friend … what came to mind as you read today’s post?
In Others’ Words: Cherishing Childhood Memories #InOthersWords #lifequotes #childhood
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What’s one of your favorite #childhood memories? #lifequotes #remember
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My novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, releases today! I’m celebrating with a Beach Bag Giveaway. Enter to win lots of fun stuff worh $200, including:
a Nikon CoolPix Camera
a Lands’ End canvas bag
2 beach towels
a Contigo water bottle
a copy of Crazy Little Thing Called Love
a copy of Somebody Like You
Celebrate @bethvogt’s new release Crazy Little Thing Called Love! Enter the #beachread #giveaway…
Click To Tweet
June 25, 2015
In Others’ Words: One Step Forward …
I believe that being courageous happens at the same time you are fear-filled.
You don’t wait for the fear to vanish, gather courage in your fists, and advance. No, true bravery manifests when someone whispers, “I’m scared” and then doesn’t back down from whatever enemy stands before them.
I also know that winning the day doesn’t always mean total victory. Sometimes it’s holding the ground you’ve already won. Or risking one … step … forward … and saying, “Tomorrow I will try again.”
I hang around a lot of courageous people. Some of my closest friends and I like to sing “Brave” by Sara Bareilles — it’s a vocal reminder to be brave, be ourselves, to step up, step out … to go for it, to go forward.
In Your Words: How’s your week been? What opportunity (or opportunities) did you have to be brave?
To my friends who follow In Others’ Words: I’m making a change to the blog and implementing a Tuesday-Thursday schedule. This will help me as I manage my writing deadlines. I will start next week, Tuesday, June 30. I hope you’ll stay with me as I transition to two days a week. I love when you join the conversation!
In Others’ Words: One Step Forward … #InOthersWords #lifequotes #courage
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#Courage … and One Step Forward #lifequotes #bebrave
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June 23, 2015
In Others’ Words: Choosing Between Love and Understanding
Loved or understood? Do we have to choose between the two?
I don’t think so.
When we take the time to understand someone else, isn’t that a form of loving that person? Understanding someone demands concentrated effort. Sometimes we must set aside prejudices and preconceived ideas about a person. Understanding happens when we listen. When we consider someone else more important than ourselves — when we let their story take precedence over ours.
It’s not so much which came first: loving or understanding? It’s more that you can’t have one without the other. If you understand someone, you can’t help but care for them in at least some small way. And if you love someone, then you are willing to put in the effort to understand them — to ask who are you and why are you who you are?
In Your Words: If you had to choose, would you want to be loved or understood? Why? And what do you think of George Orwell’s quote? Is it a matter of choosing one or the other — or are being loved and being understood intertwined?
#InOthersWords: Choosing Between Love and Understanding #lifquotes #GeorgeOrwell
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Must we choose between love and understanding? #lifequotes #relationships #GeorgeOrwell
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June 21, 2015
In Others’ Words: If You’re Happy and You Know It …
There is a time and a place to be dignified. But there are so many more times and places to be happy.
Early in my novel writing journey, I met a wonderful group of women at a My Book Therapy writing retreat. We became friends, dubbing ourselves the MBT Ponderers — after author Susan May Warren warned us not to use the word “ponder.” Not that we were boundary-pushers. No. Not us.
Since that time 5 years ago, we have celebrated one another’s success with HaPpY dAnCes — both literal jump around the room and shout for joy dances, as well as virtual online dances using Snoopy emoticons or the words “HaPpY dAnCe!”. It’s all about being happy for one another and with one another.
The llama photo above? A trio of llamas — Pacha, Kuzko and Banzai — showed up in my debut novel, Wish You Were Here, and I featured that photograph at my book launch. Now when a writing buddy has something to celebrate, oftentimes the llama makes an appearance online for a virtual HaPpy dAnCe with me.
Lots of happy … very little dignity. And I’m good with that.
In Others’ Words: What makes you so happy that it makes you want to get up and dance? Laugh? Celebrate? How do you celebrate a friend’s or family member’s success?
In Others’ Words: If You’re Happy and You Know It #inotherswords #lifequotes #CharlotteBrontë
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“I would always rather be happy than dignified.” #quotes #CharlotteBrontë #happiness
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June 18, 2015
In Others’ Words: The Exhaustion of Insincerity
I remember the first time I heard someone teach about insincerity. I was in a teen youth group, and a boy who I liked — a boy who a lot of the girls liked — spoke on being sincere. I thought he was witty and brilliant — and yes, really cute.
A year or so later, I dated the guy. When I went away on summer vacation, I came back to find out that he’d been dating another girl in youth group, all the while he’d supposedly been missing me. His words lacked a certain sincerity once I found out about his second girlfriend.
Was he insincere? Yes, I think so. But I also think he was a teenager who wasn’t ready to tie himself down to me or any other girl. Of course, I’m older and wiser now. Back then, I was just a very hurt teen girl.
Sincerity is a demanding blend of being true to yourself and beng honest with others. That kind of person-ality takes maturity, and maturity takes time — and it usually comes with a few mistakes a long the way. At it’s core, sincerity is real — there’s no faking it. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, being someone you’re not is exhausting. Pretense is intense.
In Your Words: What helps you be sincere? Who has taught you how to be sincere? What would you tell someone is the value of sincerity?
In Others’ Words: The Exhaustion of Insincerity #inotherswords #lifequotes #AnneMorrowLindberg
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“The most exhausting thing in life … is being insincere.” #quotes #AnneMorrowLindbergh
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June 16, 2015
In Others’ Words: The Love of God and Our Limited Vision
I cried when I heard that Elisabeth Elliot died on Monday, June 15. I know I am one of thousands mourning her death even as we smile at the thought of her passing “through the gates of splendor.” Elisabeth Elliot’s 1957 bestselling book Through the Gates of Splendor told the story of how her husband Jim and four other missionaries, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Pete Fleming, and Roger Youderian, were martyred as they tried to make contact with Huaroni in Ecuador.
Elisabeth Elliot’s writing influenced my life as a young believer, trying to grow in her faith and her understanding of God. One of my favorite books written by Elliot was Keep a Quiet Heart, a devotional based on excerpts from her newsletter. There were many quotes I could have shared here today to reflect her heart, her wisdom, her intimate walk with God … but I chose this one.
Why?
Because God does say he is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. (Psalm 46:1) God does say to call upon him in time of trouble and we shall be saved. (Psalm 50:15) God does promise to protect us from harm. (Psalm 121:7)
And yet, bad things happen. We are harmed. We are hurt. We suffer. And sometimes we say “That’s life” and sometimes we say “Why, God?” and sometimes … sometimes in the dark of night our faith fails us.
My friend “Wise Guy” and I have discussed this. (I call him Wise Guy because that is what he is: wise.) And he said something profound: Yes, God does promise to keep us safe. But his definition of safety must be different than ours because of all the things we face in our lives.
Elisabeth Elliot put it this way: [God] will not necessarily potect us — not from anything that makes us like His Son.
Her vision of God was clear. She didn’t blink in the face of adversity. Didn’t waver in her trust of God.
In Your Words: How do you reconcile Gods will in our lives and His promise to protect us? What has God used in you live to change you, to transform you — to make you look more like His Son?
In Others’ Words: The Love of God and Our Limited Vision #inotherswords #faith #ElisabethElliot
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Wrestling with the truth “God will not neccessarily protect us … ” #faith #ElisabethElliot #quotes
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June 14, 2015
In Others’ Words: When Moments Become Memories
I live in Colorado — a landlocked state of mountains. And yes, I love it here. I remind myself on an almost daily basis to look up and see the beauty around me. The sunrises. The sunsets. The Front Range. Pikes Peak.
But oh, how I savor a walk along the beach. The sand shifting beneath my bare feet. The waves splashing against my ankles. The breeze kissing my face with it’s salty breath. I feel so close to God when I walk along the beach.
Always have. Always will.
I’m back from a week in Bermuda where my husband and I visited friends. And I have seven full days’ worth of memories tucked away in my heart. Sights. Sounds. Smells. Tastes. And yes, the feel of sand beneath my feet … of waves splashing against my ankles …
I took hundreds of photos, transforming moments into memories … and I have just as many moments-turned-memories replaying through my mind.
Snippets of conversations.
Laughter.
The quiet of sitting alone on the balcony outside our bedroom as the sun rose over the ocean.
Relaxing on the beach while my husband Rob swam in the ocean, and watching a family body surf the waves … remembering doing the very same thing when I was a young girl and my family vacationed at the beach — and then remembering how Rob and I taught our children how to body surf the waves in Destin, Florida, where we lived for eight years.
Moments turned memories. Long after the souveniers fade or break or get sold in a garage sale, the memories remain.
In Your Words: What moments-turned-memories do you treasure? Are you making any special memories this summer? I’ve found the simplest things — like a family water balloon fight — can become one of the best memories. What about you?
In Others’ Words: When Moments Become #Memories #inotherswords #lifequotes
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Discovering the value of a moment #quotes #DrSeuss #memories
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