Beth K. Vogt's Blog, page 52
May 12, 2015
In Others’ Words: Change is … Changes
Every time I read Leo Buscaglia’s quote “Change is the end result of true learning,” my response is always the same. I read it and I think, “He’s right.”
You learn something, you change.
And then I start mulling over the words. And I ask questions like:
Have I learned a good lesson … or a bad one?
Have I learned something I wanted to learn … or been forced by circumstances beyond my control to learn a life lesson I’ll never forget?
Have I changed in unexpected ways so that I no longer recognize myself?
Have I become a better person because of how I’ve changed?
Are the changes lasting ones?
Can I teach someone else what I’ve learned so that they can change too?
And now you know one of the reasons I love quotes: Because sometimes you can take them at surface value and they’re good … but then you read them again, and turn them this way and that, and you discover that a simple quote can really get you thinking.
In Your Words: What’s the last thing that you learned that changed you in some way?
In Others’ Words: Change is … Changes #inotherswords #lifequotes #change
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True Learning Leads to Change #quotes #change #life
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May 10, 2015
In Others’ Words: Don’t Forget to Remember … You
You should see me trying to get out the door.
I slip on my shoes, gather my bottle of Sobe Lifewater, grab my purse, and head for the garage. Once I get to my car, I remember something I forgot to bring with me — my car keys maybe, or a manuscript I need to read, or my checkbook. So I head back inside my house and grab what I forgot.
Sometimes I repeat this process two or three times, telling my husband or kiddos, “I’m really leaving this time!” and try to ignore the sound of their laughter as I head to the car for the last time (I hope).
And then there are the days I forget who I am …
The days I let how-did-this-happen circumstances overhwelm me and bend me into someone who I don’t want to be.
The days when I let someone else’s expectations squeeze me into a corner and push and prod me into becoming someone I don’t recognize . . . someone who I’m not sure I even like.
The days I let lies scream louder than the Truth … and I listen to them and say, “You’re right … of course, you’re right.” And I look in the mirror and tell myself all manner of things that are enough to make a grown woman cry … and forget who she is.
It is a tragedy to forget who we are. To forget that inside of each one of us — yes, you and yes, me — there is a spark of the eternal that only we can reflect to the world.
It’s Monday. If you do nothing else today, remember who you are.
In Others’ Words: What helps you remember who you are? Who helps you remember who you are?
In Others’ Words: Don’t Forget to Remember … You #inotherswords #lifequotes #selfworth
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It is a tragedy to forget who we are. #lifequotes #truth #henrinouwen
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Click here to find out more about the Spine Poetry Challenge. Click the image to enter the Spine Poetry Challenge.
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May 7, 2015
In Others’ Words: Beautiful Things and Joy
You’ve heard the saying just as often as I have: Stop and smell the roses.
This week I stopped and looked at the roses sitting on my kitchen counter … over and over and over again.
In the midst of the busyness, not to mention in the midst of the dirty dishes cluttering my sink, and the need-to-look-at-it pile of mail, and my daughter’s book bag and laptop …
… there were the roses. A definite “thing of beauty” that brought me, and anyone else who saw them, moments of joy all week long.
Beautiful things. How often do we rush by them and miss the joy they offer us?
In Your Words: What “things of beauty” were in your life this week? Share the joy with us!
In Others’ Words: Things of Beauty and Joy #inotherswords #lifequotes #beauty
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What things of beauty were in your life this week? #beauty #joy
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Don’t forget about the Spine Poetry Challenge! Join in the fun and have the chance to win books and other fun prizes! All the information you need to enter is here!
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May 5, 2015
In Others’ Words: Trading If Only for Next Time
It’s amazing the difference two words can make.
If only … two words that hold you back, trip you up with regret, refuse to let you begin again because you’re still caught up in something that’s over and done with.
Next time … two words that say “go ahead, try again!” and promise there’s more to life than your mistakes or disappointments.
I know life isn’t all about being happy, but this quote offers an important lesson on how to offer yourself grace, how to offer yourself a second chance — or as many chances as you need: Don’t look back with regrets. Look forward with anticipation.
In Your Words: How do substituting the words “Next Time” for the words “If Only” change your perspective? How else would you encourage someone to not look back with regret?
In Others’ Words: Trading “If Only” for “Next Time” #inotherswords #lifequote #perspective
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If Only vs. Next Time: the power of #regret and #anticipation #perspective
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Don’t forget about the Spine Poetry Challenge! Join in the fun and have the chance to win books and other fun prizes! All the information you need to enter is here!
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May 3, 2015
In Others’ Words: Behind the Title & Spine Poetry Challenge Contest
I often have the title of my novel before I write the opening line of chapter one, scene one. With just a few words, titles capture the essence of a novel. By the time I begin writing, I know enough of my story to encaspulate it in a title — even if that title before the book goes to press.
For my destination wedding series, I decided to research song titles for potential book titles, thanks to the advice of one of my wise mentors best-selling author Susan May Warren. There are approximately a gazillion song titles to research — yes, I counted — but even with so many choices, it wasn’t easy to find just the right song title for my upcoming novel.
Things I consider when choosing a book title:
Main characters – In Crazy Little Thing Called Love, my hero and heroine met in high school. Eloped during spring break during senior year. Divorced. And meet up again eight years later.
Genre – I write contemporary romances, so I browsed love songs. I Googled lists like “top 100 love songs” and “classic love songs” and “movie long songs.”
Overall plot – It’s crazy for two teens to elope. It’s crazy to run into your first love when you’re planning your destination wedding for your second marriage. It’s crazy to deal with a hurricane at the same time you’re dealing with mixed up emotions.
Crazy. Crazy. Crazy.
Crazy Little Thing Called Love — the title of the first novel in my destination wedding series. It works. And it doesn’t hurt that when people hear 
the title they also hear the song in their heads too. I like the Michael Bublé version.
*Spine Poetry Challenge*
The task:
Simple.
Grab your favorite books and create a “poem” or loose “limerick” from the titles. Something as simple as:
All your favorite authors in one stack
Similar titles
Similar spine colors for a lovely mosaic
Titles that when placed in a stack tell a simple story or rhyme
All of one author’s books in one stack
IMPORTANT: Be sure to post a link to your spine poetry in the PromoSimple form for your entry to be counted!
Ready for step two?
Take a picture and post it on social media, tagging one or all of our authors: @PepperBasham, @KCambronAuthor, @CarlaLaureano, @BethVogt, @CathWest
Want extra credit?
Visit each of the blogs (listed here: ) Pepper Basham, Kristy Cambron, Carla Laureano, and Catherine West and build a spine poetry entry for each author. You can enter as many times as you’d like!
The prizes:
You didn’t want to do this just for the fun of it? Well, okay then. :- ))
Each spine poem is entered to win a prize basket with a copy of each of our author’s books:
The Thorn Bearer by Pepper Basham
A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron
London Tides by Carla Laureano
Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Beth K. Vogt
Bridge of Faith by Catherine West
If you create a Spine Poem with any of our authors in one collection, you’ll be entered to win this mother lode:
Hand-crafted journal
Hand-crafted Swarovski crystal bracelet
Pride & Prejudice DVD
Signed copy of The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron
Yesterday’s Tomorrow by Catherine West
Signed copy of Somebody Like You by Beth Vogt
Downton Abbey inspired tea spoon and tea
Ready??
Join the #SpinePoetry challenge & win books, prizes & giftcards from your favorite…
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In Others’ Words: Behind the Title & #SpinePoetry Challenge Contest #giveaway #chrisfic
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April 30, 2015
In Others’ Words: Playing It Safe
For too long I believed failure was only negative — something to be avoided at all costs.
Now I’m more accepting of failure. It may take me down for awhile, but it doesn’t defeat me or define me.
Don’t get me wrong: I like success just as much as anyone else. Bring it on! But I know to achieve success, both personally and professionally, I have to take risks. I have to try new things, realizing that my efforts may or may not work. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said, “Won’t know if it’ll work until we try it.” (Usually I’m discussing a book marketing idea.)
I’m getting more and more comfortable outside the safe zone. That’s where the fun happens — both failures and successes. That’s where new ideas are birthed and where I grow most as a person. Yes, sometimes an idea bombs. But that’s okay. A failed attempt doesn’t mean I’m a failure. It just means I get another chance to try something else — I get another chance to succeed!
In Your Words: How do you feel about failure and playing it safe? What’s been your most recent failure on the way to success?
Playing It Safe Won’t Lead to Success #lifequotes #failure #risk
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In Others’ Words: Playing It Safe #inotherswords #failure #success
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April 28, 2015
In Others’ Words: Prayer, Not the Court of Last Resort (Guest Post by Edie Melson)
“So here is what I say to you. Ask, and it will be given to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9
I’m a doer.
If I see something that needs fixing, I’m the one rolling up her sleeves to make it happen. I don’t like sitting around waiting. Our oldest son’s decision to go straight from high school to Marine Corps boot camp and then on to Iraq as a frontline infantry Marine changed all that.
I went from being an active, involved mom, there when my son needed me, to feeling utterly helpless. Events came at us at the speed of light and we didn’t even have the ability to get out of the way. I watched as he left for parts unknown, knowing every day there would put his life at risk.
I don’t cope well with this state of helplessness. But life with a loved one in the military is categorized by waiting, and that frustrates me beyond belief. It was during those times that I was frequently known to complain that all I could do was pray.
For me, prayer was the court of last resort. It was the place I turned when I ran out of things to do.
Our son’s deployments taught me that this couldn’t be further from the truth. Prayer is not an afterthought activity.
God showed me that prayer is powerfully active. He never intended it as a last resort. As I was forced to spend more time pouring my fears and stresses out to him, He showed me the peace that can only come from an active relationship with him. More than that, he showed me how my prayers could affect my Marine Corps son.
As I sat at home, praying, God showed me how He was a God of action, taking those prayers and moving in a powerful way. He provided my son with protection, comrades to keep him from loneliness, and the wisdom and spiritual insight to anticipate and avoid danger.
Even though my son is out of the military and once again home safe, I no longer refer to prayer as an afterthought. No matter the situation, it’s the first thing on my to-do list.
#Prayer is not the court of last resort – from former military mom @EdieMelson on @BethVogt…
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While My Soldier Serves
by Edie Melson
Thousands of families send loved ones off to fight on a daily basis. These families spend a lot of time living in a world out of control. This kind of stress can take an incredible toll, but there is hope. When we feel helpless, we can take our fears to the One who loves us more than anything and holds the universe in His hands.
In this book you’ll find the words to usher you into His presence. These prayers are a place to visit again and again as you take your own fears to God. They’re just a starting point, written to help you find your own voice as you call out on behalf of the one you love.
BIO:
As the mother of a frontline infantry Marine, Edie Melson lived this book before she wrote it. Edie understands what it is to face adversity and come out triumphant on the other side. Her 
years as a wife, mother, and ministry leader have given her a unique perspective to reach out
to others facing the same struggles.
She’s the Military Family Blogger for Guideposts.org, social media director for several writing websites, and a popular ministry and conference speaker. Connect with her on her blog, The Write Conversation, Twitter, and Facebook.
April 26, 2015
In Others’ Words: Teams and the Power of Game Changers
Yes, I love football.
And yes, I am a Denver Bronco fan — and a Peyton Manning fan too. And, in an exercise of full disclosure, I am also thrilled that Tim Tebow is getting another shot at the NFL.
But despite the beginning of this blog, today is not about football. Nope. Today’s post is about teams and about being a game changer. Teams happen all sorts of places besides sports fields. And being a game changer can happen anywhere too.
Families are teams. Friends can become teams. There are ministry teams and work teams and we’re-pursuing-the-same-dream together teams.
I love when a team:
is led by a strong leader — but not a dictator
has a “one for all, all for one” mentality
allows each member to discover both their weaknesses and their strengths — growing out of former and developing the latter
And game changing? You never know when or how a game might change … or who might change the balance of power. My husband often tells me that more points are scored in the last two minutes of a football game than all the time before thatany other two-minute segment of the game. It’s amazing the power of a ticking clock, isn’t it? And there’s also something to be said about never giving up . . . and never thinking you won’t be the one who will change things. We’ve all seen a defensive player intercept a pass and run for a game-winning touchdown, right?
In Your Words: Who is on your team — and whose team are you on? When was the last time you were a game changer? (And just for fun: What’s your favorite football team?)
In Others’ Words: Teams and the Power of Game Changers #InOthersWords #lifequotes #PeytonManning
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“Anybody on a team can be a game changer.” #InOthersWords #PeytonManning #NFL
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April 23, 2015
In Others’ Words: Where Dreams May Go
Last night, I held a dream come true in my hands.
My son Josh received the first copies of his debut fantasy novel, Forge of Ashes — a long-awaited dream, now a reality. Holding his book in my hands was every bit as wonderful as the moment I held my debut novel in my hands — possibly even more exciting. There’s something about seeing your child’s dream come true that is both exhilarating … and indescribable.
There’s a lot to be said about dreams. The necessity of them. The perseverance demanded by the pursuit of them. And the cost exacted by them too.
But the one thing I would say about dreams is this: To be fully alive, we must dream — and therefore, we are wise to guard our dreams.
This life we live is a dream-stealer. Circumstances … trials … disappointments … all of these experiences seem to demand that we offer our dreams up on the altar of defeat. Why go on dreaming when what we long for remains just beyond our grasp, or worse, seems to move farther and farther away?
Why?
Because God made us to dream. God made us as a reflection of Himself … and He dreamed big when he made us in His image and decided we were worth loving with an everlasting, sacrificial love. He dreamed big when He decided we were worth all He had to give — Himself — and never abandoned the dream of reconciliation, no matter the years and years of rebellion.
If God can dream like that … so can I. Can you?
In Your Words: What are you dreaming today? And whose dream are you cheering on?
In Others’ Words: Where #Dreams May Go #inotherswords #lifequotes
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“To be fully alive, we must dream … ” #inotherswords #daretodream #risk
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April 21, 2015
In Others’ Word: More Kindness Than Necessary
It is kindess that is so often remembered.
Not necessarily the grand gestures — although those are appreciated and valued and yes, even marveled at.
But the little kindnesses can often be just what is needed to get us through those terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad days.
The kindness of:
a card that shows up in your mailbox at just the right time.
an unexpected phone call on the day when you’re feeling so very alone.
a stranger who motions for you to go ahead and take that parking space … or to go ahead of them in line at the grocery store.
a spoken word of affirmation — something as simple as “good job” or “thank you” — that really translates as “I see you and appreciate you.”
a hug
a prayer — you know how we like to say, “I’m praying for you?” Yeah — really doing that.
showing up at a friend’s with their favorite drink or treat “just because.”
And the greatest “little kindness” we can show one another? Just giving someone else the benefit of the doubt … assuming not the worst about them, but the best … being merciful rather than harsh.
In Your Words: When has someone been a little kinder than necessary to you?
In Others’ Words: More Kindness Than Necessary #inotherswords #lifequotes #kindness
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When has someone been a little kinder than necessary to you? #kindness #relationships
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