Beth K. Vogt's Blog, page 86
February 17, 2013
In Others’ Words: Dreams
I know what you’re thinking: This is not the first time I’ve posted about dreams.
You’re right.
And it won’t be the last.
Dreams add an almost magical depth and breadth to life. And when your dream is prayed over and blessed by God, it is eternally expanded. Add the necessary perseverance and you may one day embrace a dream come true.
But, no matter how wonderful dreams may be, we can lose sight of them — or even worse, hand them over to someone else.
To the naysayers — the ones who doubt your dream in the first place.
To the interrupters – The people who say, “Would you be willing to do (fill in the blank) because you’re so good at it/no one else will/it’s so important?”
To the celebrities — Say what? You don’t have any celebrities in your life? Oh yes, you do! What about all the voices coming at you through your flat screen TV? The actors and actresses who are pursuing — achieving — their dreams? You’re sitting on the couch, ignoring your dream, watching them live theirs!
In Your Words: You’ve got a dream … I know you do. We all do. Who is stealing yours? And what are you doing about it?
Congratulations to Susan Gibson Snodgrass, who won the first Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of Catch a Falling Star! Three more copies to give away during the next three weeks.
If you’d like to help share the news about the giveaway, here’s a possible post: Author Beth K. Vogt is giving away advanced copies of her book Catch a Falling Star, which releases in May. Stop by Beth’s author FB page for your chance to win!
February 14, 2013
In Others’ Words: Laughter of Friends
Lest you think I’m a diva — or that my office is in the Colorado wide open spaces — let me explain the above photo:
Where: Ute Park, about 10 minutes from my house
When: 8:30 AM on a cold, windy, ultimately rainy, Saturday morning in December 2012
Why: Authors need to update their pro photo every two to three years. (Awkward moment: Meeting an author you’ve only seen via a back cover photo and thinking, “Wow. He/She is really not in high school.”)
Who: Me, the kind of person who dodges cameras. LisaAnne Meeter, photographer extraordinaire. Kevin Meeter, the “brains” who constructed my outdoor office. My Colorado BFFs, Sonia Meeter & Shari Hamlin, who are there to ensure that I stay in front of the camera. And smile.
What happened:
Did I mention it was early?
Did I mention it was cold and windy and rainy?
Did I mention my BFFs helped me coordinate my outfits (and change in the back of Sonia’s van)?
That Sonia’s husband thought up the whole “outdoor office” concept and then stood behind the door and held it steady?
That whenever I froze and got that look on my face — the kind you don’t want for your pro photo — Sonia and Shari went into action and did silly, ridiculous things to make me laugh?
That yes, my BFFs were all about my hair — and really, I am so not about my hair. I’m a “scrunch and go” kind of gal. Not that day. My girlfriends were gonna make sure my hair looked good.
Laugh? Oh, yes, we laughed. The kind of laughter where Lisa had to wait, camera in hand, until we could stand back up and I could be a little more, um, professional.
Was it healing?
Yes, yes it was.
Because there have been times when I’ve looked in the mirror and seen anything but beauty staring back at me.
But that day — surrounded by my friends and the music of our laughter woven together into a splendid kind of music — beauty was all around.
In Your Words: When has the laughter shared with a friend been healing?
It’s time for a little celebrating of my upcoming release of Catch a Falling Star (May 7, 2013). I’m hosting a Rafflecopter giveaway for the next four weeks — giving away four (4) Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) of Catch a Falling Star!
February 12, 2013
In Others’ Words: Strength
I used to hate change.
I was all about things staying the same. Me. The people around me. Life in general — and in specific.
I’d grit my teeth, close my eyes, dig my heels in … pick your clichéd reaction to change and I did it.
Things staying the same seemed safe. I felt safe. I felt strong.
It took longer than you might expect for me to learn that no amount of teeth gritting or eye closing or heel digging stops things or people from changing.
I learned to unclench my fists from all my expectations — and let go.
You know what? I discovered real strength in facing forward with my eyes open, even daring to walk toward whatever was coming my way, instead of weaving and dodging.
It’s only in the letting go that I was able to embrace what God had waiting for me.
In Your Words: When do you feel strong?
It’s time for a little celebrating of my upcoming release of Catch a Falling Star (May 7, 2013). I’m hosting a Rafflecopter giveaway for the next four weeks — giving away four (4) Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) of Catch a Falling Star!
Cryptic Note: Wife of “Wise Guy”: Email me please.
February 11, 2013
Giveaway: 4 Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) of Catch a Falling Star
This time last year, I was a debut-novelist-in-waiting, counting the days for the release of Wish You Were Here. Now I’m anticipating the release of Catch a Falling Star on May 7, 2013.
To celebrate novel #2, I’m hosting a Rafflecopter giveaway.
During the next four weeks, you’ll have the chance to win four Advanced Reader Copies (ARC) of Catch a Falling Star.
The editor in me shares the following reminder: ARCs are Advanced Uncorrected Proofs, which means there are typos in them. They also vary somewhat from the final version of Catch a Falling Star, since I was able to do one final edit before the book went to press. No major changes — I promise! And these books are not for sale.
So, celebrate with me and join the fun! While you’re at it, please tell others about the Rafflecopter giveaway. I’ll even make it easy for you:
Tweet: Win one of 4 advanced copies of Catch a Falling Star by @bethvogt Enter for your chance bit.ly/Y5ffVx #bookgiveaway #Christfic
Facebook share: Beth K. Vogt is giving away Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) of her upcoming release, Catch a Falling Star. You can enter to win here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBethKVogt?sk=app_228910107186452
February 10, 2013
In Others’ Words: Boxes (& Advanced Reader Copies of Catch a Falling Star Contest!)
Do you have any unpacking to do?
I know, I know. It’s Monday. You probably have a slew of things to do and unpacking a box wasn’t anywhere on the list. Besides, you’re not even certain where you stuck that box labeled “DREAMS.”
Or maybe you do.
Maybe it’s sitting right there . . . and you’re thinking: Do I? Dare I?
I love the last line in Erma Bombeck’s quote — the honesty of it. Pulling our dreams out of the box and putting them on the line — pursuing them — takes guts. Courage.
Monday … Forget the laundry. Forget the dusting. Forget the count-your-calories-eat-your-vegetables-floss-your-teeth kind of living. It’s a great day to be courageous and unpack a dream or two.
In Your Words: What dream have you packed away in a box? What one thing could you do to pursue your dream today? How could you encourage someone else to pull their box marked “DREAMS” down off the shelf, pull the tape off of it, and release a dream or two?
It’s time for a little celebrating of my upcoming release of Catch a Falling Star (May 7, 2013). I’m hosting a Rafflecopter giveaway for the next four weeks — giving away four (4) Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) of Catch a Falling Star!
February 7, 2013
In Others’ Words: Friends
It’s the end of a long week. A busy week. A good week. And I’m tired. I wonder how you’re feeling on the other end of the blog-o-sphere. How do you feel, as you look back over your shoulder at Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday . . . yep, it’s Friday again.
I found myself thinking I had nothing to say, nothing to blog about . . . but that’s the wonderful thing about quotes. It’s not about what I’ve said. It’s stumbling across something someone else has said that makes me stop . . . pause . . . and re-read the words because something rings true.
Henri Nouwen’s quote made me smile. Nod my head.
And think of the friends who’ve healed me.
The friends who’ve reminded me of God’s forgiveness when somehow, someway, I’ve lost sight of it.
The friends who’ve offered my aching heart silence–not words and more words.
The friends who’ve prayed for me when I can’t–or won’t.
The friends who’ve understood when I take just one more photograph of a tree or who’ve said yes when I invite them to take a walk along the beach with me–because that’s where I feel closest to God.
The friends who draw me closer to God because they know Him so very, very well.
Truly friendship is one of God’s greatest gifts.
In Your Words: How would you finish this sentence: A friend is that other person with whom we ____________________________.
February 5, 2013
In Others’ Words: Honesty
Honesty is one of my key values.
That hasn’t always been true.
In the past, I was all about being less-than-honest with myself. Ignoring the truth. Sometimes I shoved the brutal truth in a closet, slammed the door shut, turned my back on the banging and kicking and screaming — Hey! Open this door! — and walked away.
The essence of honesty is truth. We like to think of truth as something … beautiful. But as God walked me through a dryer-than-talc desert time in my life, I learned a bitter lesson: Sometimes there’s no prettying-up truth. This realization hit me during the Christmas season — one where the “Joy to the world” rang hollow. I remember writing in my journal: Sometimes you can’t drape truth in tinsel to dress it up. Sometimes truth is just plain, ugly truth.
At least I was being honest with myself.
And embracing that ugly but honest truth, letting it be, was a step of healing for me. One of many to come … but a step.
In Your Words: Honesty is one of my values. What’s one of yours?
February 3, 2013
In Others’ Words: Joy
My friend, Rachel, chooses joy. It’s just one of the many things I like about her — how she has determined in her heart to be all about J-O-Y! So now, whenever I see the word “joy,” I instantly translate that into the word “Rachel.”
Words are so powerful … what we set our minds on … what we speak about others and ourselves … I would dare say that choosing to anchor her life to that one word — JOY! — has changed the course of my friend’s life and the lives of those she interacts with.
Don’t get me wrong. Rachel is no Pollyanna running around hollering, “Joy! Joy!” when difficulties need to be dealt with. She lives real life, with all it’s disappointments and struggles and challenges and questions. She just refuses to abandon Joy.
I weigh my Monday posts carefully, thinking what words, what thought I want to share with you as we leave the weekend behind and shoulder the week ahead. This is my prayer for you — each one of you — today:
May your walls know joy;
may every room know laughter
and every window open to great possibility.
JOY!
In Your Words: What brings you joy?
I’m participating in author Amanda Dykes Housewarming Party to celebrate her new website! Please drop by and visit her Welcome Page for a chance to win a signed copy of Wish You Were Here, as well as prizes from nine other authors: Melissa K. Norris, Joanne Bischof, Michelle Ule, Michael K. Reynolds, Sarah Sundin, Kathy Fellure, Catherine West, and Olivia Newport.
January 31, 2013
In Others’ Words: Stand Up
I took a fall this week.
Actually, I face-planted on my blue yoga mat attempting the Crow position. The instructor comforted me by saying she’d done the same thing, calling it “Pecking Crow.” My rendition of the move was more like “Crashing Crow.” And the black and blue bruising on my face attests to the fact that my nose is not meant to bear all of my body weight — not even for half a second.
In spite of my injury — and the firm conviction that I will not be attempting the Crow again anytime soon — I don’t regret what I did, or rather, didn’t do.
Reality is, I face-planted on purpose.
Oh, yeah, call me crazy. But I was being intentional in yoga class when the facial faux pas occurred. The instructor said, “Next, let’s move into the Crow position,” and began to instruct the class on how to do just that.
And I decided to take it slowly but, also thought, “Hey, why not take the pose up a notch?” Of course, that meant I had to contort my body in a gravity-defying position and balance my legs on my arms …
My attempt? A complete and utter failure.
I have the bruises to prove it.
But while choosing to take it up a notch may not have been the wisest thing I’ve ever done, here’s the rest of the story: I finished the yoga class. In the past, I would have slunk out of the room and locked myself in a stall in the ladies restroom and whimpered, from both pain and embarrassment. But this is the year of Confidence, right? And, since I wasn’t bleeding all over my mat, why not finish the class? Yes, my nose was swelling, but that’s no reason to quit.
I fell down.
I got back up.
And I’ll be back to yoga in the next day or two — I’ll just skip the Crow, thank you very much.
In Your Words: I’d love to hear about a “fall down seven times, get up eight” experience in your life. Bruises are not required.
January 29, 2013
In Others’ Words: Incarnation
There’s such a beguiling invitation in Paul Miller’s explanation of prayer …
I’ve heard prayer described as a conversation between me and God. I’ve been taught the importance of both “letting my requests be made known” (talking to God) and “being still and knowing” (listening for God).
And then I stumble to my knees, humbled by the idea of prayer as a moment of incarnation … God with me.
Wait. Isn’t “God with me” a thought, a turn of God-speak, that we roll out once a year, when we’re decking the halls and falalalala-ing and singing about a silent night and a star of wonder and shepherds?
Emmanuel … God with us.
Oh, to think of each moment of prayer — the talking moments and the listening moments — as God-with-me moments. To stop and realize that when I pray, I’m in relationship with my Creator. Prayer isn’t about what I want … and it isn’t about what God wants — although I realize some of you may argue with me about that.
Prayer is about relationship.
Communion.
Incarnation.
It’s so much more than “Please” and “Thank You.”
It’s knowing and being known.
In Your Words: If you had to describe prayer in one word, what word would you use?
