Beth K. Vogt's Blog, page 72

In Others’ Words: Christmas Kiss

I love Christmas music! During the month of December, I’m sharing some of my favorite Christmas songs with you. Here’s a new favorite that captured the romantic in me: Steven Curtis Chapman’s Christmas Kiss! 

 

In Your Words: I know some of you out there have romantic stories with a Christmas theme — maybe you had a Christmas wedding or or a Christmas engagement … I’d love to hear the story! 

Christmas Kiss: What’s Your Romantic Christmas Moment? Click to Tweet 

Christmas Music: Christmas Kiss by Steven Curtis Chapman Click to Tweet 

Christian Fiction Christmas Giveaway: Win a basketful of Christmas gifts! Click to Tweet 

 

Love Christian fiction? Here’s the chance to win a Christmas gift from authors Sarah Ladd, Melissa Tagg, Cara Putman, Courtney Walsh, Kristy Cambron, Katie Ganshert & me! The winner will receive 8 novels, as well as other Christmas surprises, including: 

a Christmas in Connecticut DVD
Peppermint Twist lotion
a Heartstrings Stringed Quartet CD
a handmade ceramic hummingbird ornament
a $5 Starbucks gift card
a journal
an art print

**Just click on the photo above to go to the Rafflecopter giveaway! The winner will be drawn on Christmas Eve ( limited to U.S. residents only). **

In Others’ Words: White Christmas

I love Christmas music! During the month of December, I’m sharing some of my favorite Christmas songs with you. White Christmas — both the song and the movie — is another family favorite. We watch White Christmas every year when we decorate our Christmas tree — and we always drink hot chocolate! 

 

 

In Your Words: What are some of your treasured holiday traditions? What Christmas songs are part of those traditions? 

White Christmas and Holiday Traditions Click to Tweet

What’s Your Must-Watch Christmas Movie? Click to Tweet

Christian Fiction Christmas Giveaway: Win a basketful of Christmas gifts! Click to Tweet 

Love Christian fiction? Here’s the chance to win a Christmas gift from authors Sarah Ladd, Melissa Tagg, Cara Putman, Courtney Walsh, Kristy Cambron, Katie Ganshert & me! The winner will receive 8 novels, as well as other Christmas surprises, including: 

a Christmas in Connecticut DVD
Peppermint Twist lotion
a Heartstrings Stringed Quartet CD
a handmade ceramic hummingbird ornament
a $5 Starbucks gift card
a journal
an art print

**Just click on the photo above to go to the Rafflecopter giveaway! The winner will be drawn on Christmas Eve (limited to U.S. residents only). **

In Others’ Words: The 12 Days of Christmas

I love Christmas music! During the month of December, I’m sharing some of my favorite Christmas songs with you. This rendition of The 12 Days of Christmas by Straight No Chaser is a family favorite. 

 

 

In Your Words: What’s your favorite day of The 12 Days of Christmas? The drummers drumming? Lords a-leaping? Or maybe it’s the solo partridge in a pear tree? And do you like the updated a capella version of the song by Straight No Chaser or prefer the traditional version of the song?

Enjoy a fun a cappella version of the The 12 Days of Christmas Click to Tweet

The 12 Days of Christmas by Straight No Chaser Click to Tweet 

Christian Fiction Christmas Giveaway: Win a basketful of Christmas gifts! Click to Tweet 

Love Christian fiction? Here’s the chance to win a Christmas gift from authors Sarah Ladd, Melissa Tagg, Cara Putman, Courtney Walsh, Kristy Cambron, Katie Ganshert & me! The winner will receive 8 novels, as well as other Christmas surprises, including: 

a Christmas in Connecticut DVD
Peppermint Twist lotion
a Heartstrings Stringed Quartet CD
a handmade ceramic hummingbird ornament
a $5 Starbucks gift card
a journal
an art print

**Just click on the photo above to go to the Rafflecopter giveaway! The winner will be drawn on Christmas Eve ( limited to U.S. residents only). **

In Others’ Words: In Everything …

Two words stand out to me in Psalm 9:1 — the word whole and the word recount.

As I thought through Psalm 9:1, I wondered: Do I ever give half-hearted thanks to God? Or do I ever forget to thank him altogether?

And then there’s that idea of recounting … when I took a closer look at what the Hebrew word caphar means it encompasses the idea of counting things (think math) and declaring things (think speech class).

When I recount God’s wonderful deeds I don’t lose track of all he’s done for me — even going so far as numbering them (and now I’m thinking of Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts) and also telling others about them.

I’m intentionally grateful.

To be honest, 2013 has been a challenging year to be thankful in everything. Don’t get me wrong … I have more than a 1,000 gifts to be thankful for. But it hasn’t been a difficulty-free year. And there has been one heartache that I’ve had to turn over to God … that I’ve left in his hands each and every day … sometimes many times a day.

I know I’m not alone in this — the choosing to be grateful in everything.

And that’s what I’m thankful for today: that faith allows us to be real … to come as we are to God’s throne of grace and receive mercy and grace in our times of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Just for today:  Know that you are one of the reasons I am thankful in everything. You bless me with your insights. You encourage me. You expand my view of the world, of God, of others … I’ve changed because of you.

Yes, you.

Choosing to be Whole-Hearted in Gratefulness Click to Tweet

The Counting and Declaring Parts of Gratitude Click to Tweet

Thankful … in Everything — Yes, Everything Click to Tweet 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I’ll see you on Monday — Dec. 2! Which reminds me:

Have you selected your favorite quotes for my 2014 downloadable calendar of quotes? My newsletter subscribers will receive a PDF version of the calendar  – and 5 subscribers will receive a customized calendar and a copy of one of may books. Go here for more information. 

In Others’ Words: Talent

There’s something to be said for talent. 

I do believe talent counts for something — a lot of things. Talent is the first thing that opens doors for us — the first thing that catches someone’s eye.

You join a choir or an art class or write a short story for middle school English class … and someone — a teacher, perhaps — takes notice. They encourage you.

Talent lands you a solo. Or a blue ribbon in a regional art show. Or a position on the school paper.

But Stephen King is right too. (What? I’m going to argue with Stephen King? Well, maybe someday — but not today.) Look around you: You are surrounded by lots of talented people.

The question is: How are you going to move from the talented crowd to the successful crowd? 

That’s where the hard work comes in. And if you look closely at the definition of hard work the words “never quit” are tucked in the small print.

In Your Words: How has talent open doors for you? And how has hard work helped you achieve your dreams? 

Talent or Hard Work – Which One Leads to Success? Click to Tweet

Do You Want to be Talented or Successful? Click to Tweet

Pin 12 for a Chance to Win 12  Click to Tweet

Pin 12 to Win 12! 

Want to win 12 novels from 12 award-winning authors? Here’s your chance.This giveaway is for all you Pinterest fans out there. All you have to do is pin all 12 of the books in the Grateful for Readers Rafflecopter contest for a chance to win these books!

In Others’ Words: Choice

Was anyone else surprised that Groucho Marx said something this insightful? No disrespect meant towards Groucho — but I think of him as the wisecracking guy with the ginormous eyebrows and the cigar.

I admire Groucho’s focus on each new day as it came — his realization that he couldn’t change yesterday or control tomorrow. And I like that he chose to be happy.

Each morning when I wake up, I say something too — usually reciting it out loud with my husband and youngest daughter: This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 ESV)

By reciting that verse, we are reminding ourselves that God is in this day — and that we want to discover the reasons to celebrate waiting for us as CJ heads to middle school and Rob heads to work and I delve back into writing or edits.

In Your Words: How do you like to begin your day? Any special mottos — words or phrases or verses or songs — that help you center yourself?

Today: Choose to be happy in it. Click to Tweet

Yesterday – Tomorrow – Today: Which one do you have the power to change? Click to Tweet

Have you selected your favorite quotes for my 2014 downloadable calendar of quotes? My newsletter subscribers will receive a PDF version of the calendar  – and 5 subscribers will receive a customized calendar and a copy of one of may books. Go here for more information. 

In Others’ Words: Cure

We’ve all heard how an apple a day keeps the doctor away.

I’m not sure that’s true, but I do think there’s some truth to the healing power of laughter and sleep.

It’s been said that a cheery heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22) — and I have to believe laughter’s included there. And more and more studies reveal the importance of sleep — and how a lack of sleep impairs our ability to think.

Now I’m curious: Would you rewrite the proverb, given a chance?

A __________ and a ____________ are the best cures in a doctor’s book. 

In Your Words: What about you? What do you think are the best cures, along with laughter and a long sleep? How would you rewrite the proverb — or would you?

A good laugh + a long sleep = best cures in the doctor’s book  Click to Tweet 

Good Medicine: Laughter & Long Sleep Click to Tweet 

Readers Giveaway: Pin 12 for a Chance to Win 12

 

Want to win 12 novels from 12 award-winning authors? Here’s your chance.

This giveaway is for all you Pinterest fans out there. All you have to do is pin all 12 of the books in the Grateful for Readers Rafflecopter contest for a chance to win these books!

The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate

Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck

Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter

Stars in the Night by Cara C. Putman

Catch a Falling Star by Beth K. Vogt

Rosemary Cottage by Colleen Coble

Silver Bells by Deborah Raney

A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander

Beloved by Robin Lee Hatcher

Keeping Faith by Hannah Alexander

Take A Chance on Me by Susan May Warren

Alaska Brides Collection by Mary Connealy

One winner will be drawn at random after 12PM Noon on Wednesday, November 27. Just in time for Thanksgiving!

Don’t have a free Pinterest account? Get one here: http://www.pinterest.com

How do I find the URL once I pin the image? Take 30 seconds to read this and then you’ll be ready!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/instructions-pinlink/

Due to postage costs, only U.S. Mailing addresses, please.

Pin 12 for a Chance to Win 12  Click to Tweet

2013 Grateful for Readers Giveaway Click to Tweet 

In Others’ Words: Perfect

I want to expound on Thomas Merton’s quote — but really, he’s spoken the truth so eloquently.

Love is letting others be.

It’s not some twisted you-look-like-me-and-I-look-like-you relationship where there’s no emotional breathing space.

And sometimes we don’t understand the truth that love begins when I’m me and you’re you until we’ve spent too many years pretending to be someone we’re not.

There’s freedom in loving you because you’re you — not because you’re a reflection of me. Anything else is some twisted version of “Mirror, Mirror.”

When you are being you — you’re perfect. You’re being who God created you to be — and you’re reflecting His image.

And that, my friend, is eternal.

In Your Words: Where are you able to be perfectly yourself? How do you avoid twisting your image to reflect someone else?

“The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves.” Click to Tweet

Love is Letting Others Be  Click to Tweet

I’m ready to celebrate 2014 — but I need your help creating a downloadable calendar of quotes. My newsletter subscribers will receive a PDF version of the calendar  – and 5 subscribers will receive a customized calendar and a copy of one of my books. Go here for more information. 

In Others’ Words: Insight

Creativity takes a certain kind of insight.

Insight that sees beyond the blocks of marble — or snow — and recognizes the angels or warriors waiting to be revealed.

Insight that looks beyond the blank pages and imagines the stories waiting to be told … with words that become sentences … that become paragraphs … that become chapters … that become Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After.

Creativity demands vision that sees more than. 

A what if becomes a startling, unexpected and beautiful reality … because someone looked beyond what was and saw what could be.

In Your Words: When have you looked … and seen more than what others saw? 

I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. Click to Tweet

Creativity & the vision of “more than.” Click to Tweet

Looking Beyond What Is and Seeing What Could Be Click to Tweet

I’m ready to celebrate 2014 — but I need your help creating a downloadable calendar of quotes. My newsletter subscribers will receive a PDF version of the calendar  – and 5 subscribers will receive a customized calendar and a copy of one of my books. Go here for more information.