Sandra Byrd's Blog, page 25

Wounded Brides

"Can I ask you something?"  a friend recently asked me. "I'm considering  de-churching.  I know you've had your own struggles with the church. What do you think?"  She went on to describe her legitimate concerns. In fact, I have talked with many Christians who have been hurt enough over the years that  they simply dropped out of church.

Some left when the theology was not true to scripture. Others were badly hurt by other church members, or worse yet, by pastors, shepherds helping themselves to a leg of lamb or using their power to pronounce but not their ears to listen nor their arms to hug. Others left churches which overlooked hurting people like so many bags on the side of the highway while they pushed forward with building programs. Some, both clergy and laymen, were used up, overworked, underappreciated and burned out. Some left for what we'd consider trivial matters.

My friend is a godly woman who is tenderhearted and seeks to see the best in everyone and every situation so I knew that for her to come to this point was difficult. Indeed, as she knew, it was a way station I had visited several times myself. I'd been tempted to de-church, too.

I talked it over with my husband, a man who deeply loves God, was called to ministry to the church as a child and has pursued it, and God, with an unflinching affection and devotion ever since. "Sometimes," he said, "my faith in Jesus is very strong at the same time that my trust in the church is not."

And yet, we churchgoers are not free from fault, either. Sometimes we are the ones who are so rushed we don't take time to offer a bit of love to someone who desperately needs it. Or we find petty, nitpicky things to be irritated about with the pastor, or the music, or the person in the next pew, whereas scripture exhorts us that love is not easily angered.  We don't jump in and get involved but then complain that no one knows us.  We don't speak to the pastor, or a brother, when things don't seem quite right, choosing to gossip instead. We don't reach out to the divorced, the recovering, the lonely, or those who appear different from us. There's work to do on both sides and oftentimes our perspective is colored by what we've experienced most.

If you're privvy to several crumbling marriages in which the wife constantly complains about smallish things, a chubby hubby or an ignored to-do list,  you may be inclined to believe that there are too many seeking divorce over trivial matters. If you're friends with a handful of women whose husbands ignore, hurt, use, or degrade them, you certainly wouldn't advise looking on the bright side and ignoring it all.  So it goes with the church, and perhaps our perspectives on de-churching.

I sought the Lord, and He directed me to a tiny little ebook I'd downloaded onetime called, "A Primer on Evil" by T.  In it, the author shares a pithy truth that "The Evil find out what you want and then (they try to) take it away from you."

It struck me, then. Who is the Chief of Evil? Satan. And whom does he hate most? God. And what does God want?  A loving bride, the Church.  He tells us, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Satan cannot remove us from God's hands, but he can drive us so far apart from one another that the church can become a very dysfunctional marriage indeed, harming one another till we divorce ourselves from it for good. And that would hurt God, whose bride is then separate and suffering.

Because some spouses behave badly does not mean that the institution of marriage is wrong. When it's working correctly it's a beautiful, holy thing. That is true with the church, too. Yes, some in the church have hurt me. And yes, I've hurt some in the church. But the church has also loved me. Only recently a friend who knew my wounds took time to become a bridge between my family and a church where the pastor is a true shepherd who took time to listen, love, and welcome. She is the church, too.  As is he. There are hundreds of thousands, millions, like them.

I won't pretend that there aren't bad churches; there are. I've attended some, and if you're at one, it's okay to leave. But let's not ignore that there are good churches, too; I've attended some of those as well and when you've left the bad you need to lick your proverbial wounds and then press on till you find the  (imperfect) good. They're there. Do like State Farm exhorts – ask your friends.

I don't want to be a tool to be used to hurt God and take away what He loves. My prayer is that I can become more like those who have reached out to me and then stretch myself to enfold other wounded brides.

Freed

Following the financial and epicurean indulgences of December, New Year's Day often brings a firm commitment, or a commitment to making ourselves firm, and a lengthy scroll of promised to-dos, do-overs, or make-overs.  No more cheese corn. No more cheesecake. Hey – no more carbs at all!

The beauty of a January 1st in each year, or a Monday in each week, is the opportunity to start fresh.  But sometimes in our zeal to begin again, we reach too far, too fast, or have expectations that are not in line with what we can actually accomplish. We are a "doing" culture, and when we fail to meet our new goals we fall off the wagon and, discouraged with ourselves, tuck away the scroll of good intentions and slide back into old habits.

But the good news of Christianity has always been the good news that we don't have to, in fact, we cannot, regenerate ourselves. We couldn't do it spiritually at the start – we had to be born again by the Spirit – and we can't continue or provoke new growth along the way. Only God can do that. And He will – if we step aside and let Him lead.

He says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

He says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."  Romans 12:2a

He says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19

Here is the freedom offered: If we remain in Him, God will bring the fruit.  If we remain in the Word, He renews the mind - the essence of the man himself - and will change us, as God always does, from the inside out. If we watch and yield we will observe that He is doing the new things – not us – we simply need to open our eyes and see them and then follow his leading. He does not bring new life and change only in simple cases, but to stubborn, long-lasting problems, wilderness, wasteland, places many of us have given up on as year after year our New Year's resolutions and human endeavor have failed to bring the peace and success we'd hoped for.

I can't wait to follow.

He says, "Behold, I am making all things new." Revelation 21:5b

The King's Speech

Last night my husband and I heartily enjoyed The King's Speech, a movie which is, in the words of Princess Margaret, splendid. I'd read that the director had asked the Queen Mother for permission to make the story and she'd agreed – but only if he did so after she passed away. We speculated on that on the way home. Perhaps she felt awkward that the movie would show her husband, Bertie (George VI) , in his moments of greatest anxiety and struggle, and reveal some of the hidden difficulties of his life.

But these very things, and his courage and perseverance against them, make him so endearing.

A constant cinematic undercurrent revealed how often many of those around Bertie – his family, his nanny, those who were supposed to work for him, even his spiritual leader (the Archbishop of Canterbury) treated him with condescension and derision due to his "weakness". Rather, it may be the moral shortcoming of much of the human race, as much inside the church as outside it, to turn like a pack of jackals upon the perceived weakest member of the herd.  It's bullying behavior, and in human life, when a bully chooses a victim to gossip about, deride, smear, harass, attempt to control, or make fun of, all of which happened to Bertie, others around him or her either join in or ignore the behavior, which only abets it. One supposes these silent partners or new recruits are simply glad that they themselves are not the target.  But as orator Edmund Burke famously said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

I won't share how the movie ends in hopes that you may want to see it for yourself, because although it is rated R for some language (within his stammer training) the movie is, well, splendid. The hero, both heroes, were men of ultimate humility.

As for me, I will be thinking upon Jesus, who came to save the least of these – the woman at the well – and then I'll speak up against those who use their tongues and influence to inflict thousands of painful paper cuts upon the souls of others.  We are, after all, human, made in and to reflect the image of God. Not jackals.

Novel Teen's Top Ten Books of 2010

Thank you to Novel Teen, not only for ranking Asking For Trouble as #1 but allowing me to repost the list. Please check out the other wonderful book suggestions if you have a tween/teen you buy for! For more on Novel Teen, click link below!

As Listed On Novel Teen

It's that time of year again. If you are looking for a book to give to a friend or family member, we hope this list will give you some inspiration. Click on the title or picture to view each book on Amazon.com. Merry Christmas!

#1 – Asking for Trouble

(Book one in the London Confidential series) by Sandra Byrd (A contemporary series for girls. All four books in the series are now available.)

Review by Jill Williamson:

Savvy Smith and her family recently moved to England to live. Savvy misses her best friend from Seattle. She's trying to make new friends in London, but it seems no one has room for a new friend in their life, especially a weird American.

An opportunity arises for Savvy to work at the school newspaper. She has always wanted to be a journalist and she hopes this might be a way to make some friends. She applies for the position, but her lack of experience makes her a paperboy instead of columnist. If only she could find a way to prove that she is a good writer. But how?

Sandra Byrd always tells a good story. I love her Friends for a Season books, so I was excited to read her new series. Asking for Trouble did not disappoint. I enjoyed Savvy's character, how she thought things out and how she struggled to understand all the differences in British culture and language. Sandra did a great job with her British accents and lingo in the other character's dialogue. It was fun to read. I also liked Savvy's determination and drive to make her own future, rather than mope about what she didn't have or try to follow someone else. This was a fun read that made you think and I highly recommend it.

Age Range: 12 and up

Genre: Contemporary

Part of a Series: London Confidential, book one

Pages: 216

Publisher: Tyndale

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#2 – Final Touch

(Rayne Tour, book three) by Brandilyn Collins (Great for girls who love mystery and suspense. All three books in the trilogy are now available.)

Review by Jill Williamson:

It's wedding day for Rayne O'Connor and Shaley's father, Gary Donovon. Shaley couldn't be happier. She has longed for this day all her life. But minutes before the ceremony begins, Shaley is kidnapped! She tries to do all she can to leave a trail, in hopes that the police will find her, but Shaley's kidnapper is always one step ahead. Will Shaley's life as she knows it end forever?

Just when we thought it was happily ever after for the O'Connor family. Here is every mother's nightmare in book form! Shaley is taken by a man who intends to keep her. This whole thing reminded me of the Elizabeth Smart story. I was terrified for Shaley and thrilled with how wise she was about trying to leave a trail of evidence. This book plugs right along and you won't be able to put it down until the end. Well done, Brandilyn and Amberly! Highly recommended.

Age Range: 12-16

Genre: suspense

Part of a Series: Book three in the Rayne Tour

Pages: 224

Publisher: Zondervan

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#3 – The Healer's Apprentice

by Melanie Dickerson

(A medieval, fairy tale romance.)

Review by Jill Williamson:

Rose has begun her training as the healer's apprentice. She hopes to learn the job well so that someday she can be the healer of Hagenheim Castle and not have to marry any aging bachelors. But the mere sight of blood makes Rose swoon. Still, she is determined to make this life work for herself.

One day, when the master healer is away, Lord Hamlin, heir to Hagenheim Castle, is brought in with a grievous wound. Rose is the only one who can help. As she struggles to do a good job, she cannot help but notice how handsome and kind Lord Hamlin is. But she is a mere peasant, and Lord Hamlin is betrothed to another. Rose must fight against her attraction and focus on becoming a healer. For that is her destiny, is it not?

Melanie Dickerson writes a wonderful fairy tale romance. Her characters are noble and good, yet struggle with doing the right thing and sometimes fail. She paints a realistic medieval world from the beauty of Hagenheim Castle to the laws that governed society then. I was drawn in from page one and read the whole book in one day. If you love medieval stories, fairy tales, and romance, you must read this book. I'm so excited about Melanie Dickerson's writing. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. Highly recommended.

Age Range: 12 and up

Genre: Historical romance

Part of a Series: No

Pages: 257

Publisher: Zondervan

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#4 – Kestrel's Midnight Song

by J.R. Parker

(Fantasy adventure. Great for boys, girls, and adults, too.)

Review by Jill Williamson:

Slave girl, Robbyn, is nearly burned to death in a fire set by the Marauder King. Drift, a giant, rescues her. Together they set off to warn King Darius that the Marauder King plans to attack the land of Gable. But will they get there in time? And even if they do, will anyone believe the claims of a slave girl and a giant?

Shepherd boy, Micah, embarks on a journey. He must deliver a herd of sheep to the Gable Kingdom Castle. King Darius has requested that the sheep's wool be sheared for his wardrobe. Many dangers await Micah on this long journey. And little does he know that the fate of the kingdom rests on his shoulders.

Kestrel's Midnight Song is a solid addition to the fantasy genre. Jacob Parker started this story when he was fifteen years old! This young author writes an imaginative tale, filled with adventure, mystery, and unique characters. The storylines intertwine and keep the reader turning the pages, desperate to see how it will all work out. There are several plot twists that surprised me. I can't wait to see if there will be a sequel. Highly recommended.

Age Range: 12 and up

Genre: fantasy

Part of a Series: No

Pages: 256

Publisher: Flaming Pen Press

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#5 – Manga

(Scenarios for Girls, book three) by Nicole O'Dell

(A contemporary, choose-your-own-ending book. There are four books available in this series so far.)

Review by Jill Williamson:

Molly and her friends want to find a part time job to earn extra cash and a discount on great clothes. But Molly is the only one of her trio that gets hired at Manga, the coolest clothing store ever. At first everything is going great. Molly is really good at her job and quickly gets more responsibility. But some girls at school try to bully her into giving her special deals and then her best friends ask her to do something she knows is wrong. What will Molly do?

You decide.

That's right. This is a Choose Your Own Scenario book, where you read all about Molly's life and then choose what she will do next. Then the book has two alternate endings, one for each choice Molly could make.

What an awesome idea for a series of books! And the author handled this in such a wonderful way. Whether Molly chose to break the law or stand against her friends, she was still Molly. There were consequences to both choices, and some consequences were harder to live through than others, but this wasn't preachy. This was honest. So even in the ending where Molly chose to break the law, there was still redemption, and it was neat to read how she dealt with such humbling circumstances.

So I highly recommend this series to all girls. It's a fun story to read for entertainment and a neat opportunity to see two sides of one choice.

Age Range: 8 and up

Genre: Contemporary

Part of a Series: Scenarios for Girls, book three

Pages: 190

Publisher: Barbour

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#6 – Secrets Under the Midnight Sun

by Elisa Maria Crites

(A historical story that deals with complex family issues.)

Review by Jill Williamson:

It's 1967 in Fairbanks, Alaska. Twelve-year-old Fredricka O'Reilly has a secret that she doesn't want anyone to know about. Her brother is gone off in the Air Force, so the only one she can turn to his her mother. But if she tells her mother the truth, it could rip her family apart. What's a girl to do?

This is a story about a girl who just wants to enjoy life. Her daddy makes that hard, especially when he cuts her off from her best friends. For the most part, the story is lighthearted, filled with the fun things in Freddie's life. Freddie's hopes and dreams are heartwarming and I yearned that she would have the freedom she craved. Having been to Fairbanks , Alaska , I also enjoyed the history of the town and the visits to AlaskaLand. In the end, I wanted to read more about Freddie to see what she would do next.

Age Range: 12 and up

Genre: historical/contemporary

Part of a Series: no

Pages: 108

Publisher: Westbow Press (A Division of Thomas Nelson)

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#7 – So Over It

(Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt, book three) by Stephanie Morrill

(A contemporary story for girls. All three books in the trilogy are available.)

Review:

After all the drama that went down at the end of her senior year, Skylar is ready to move on. She jumps at the chance to visit her grandparents in Hawaii. She only plans to stay a few weeks, but perhaps Hawaii would be a good place for a fresh start, where she won't run into her old friends everywhere she goes. But will she be strong enough to be who God is calling her to be?

Whew! I am thrilled with how everything came together in this third and final installment of the Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series. There is still some drama going on in Skylar's life, even though she tried to get away from it. But she's finally learning that no one is perfect and that true forgiveness is an awesome, freeing experience. I loved how everything came together, and certain characters matured and were able to do the right thing, even when they wanted to do the selfish thing. I'm being vague because I don't want to spoil it. J

This is a great series for teen girls. There is romance drama, friend drama, and what do to with my life drama, but it's fun, realistic, and entertaining. You won't be able to put them down until you've read all three. I highly recommend!

Age Range: 12-16

Genre: contemporary

Part of a Series: Book three in the Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series

Pages: 262

Publisher: Revell

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#8 – So Over My Head

(A Charmed Life, book three) by Jenny B. Jones

(A hysterical contemporary mystery story for girls. All three books in the trilogy are available.)

Review by Gretchen Hoffman:

What's better than a circus with clowns, a unicycle ballet (a skill I've been meaning to take up), and a bearded lady? Aside from a good waxing (for the bearded lady, of course), nothing! Ms. Jenny B. Jones writes yet another knee-slapping, laugh out loud, hysterical book that is a must, must, must read!

Our favorite accidental detective, Bella Kirkwood, finds herself in over her head when she stumbles across the dead body of the Fritz Family Carnival's fat (and also bearded) lady. Although another carnival member is arrested, Bella doubts his culpability, and decides to find the real murderer. Even though Bella doubts this man's guilt, there are a few things she doesn't doubt. For one, she's certain Luke's ex-girlfriend's is interested in nothing other than stealing Luke back. Bella also knows her dad's fiancée is up to no good. All she needs now is to prove it!

Expect nothing short of crazy schemes, a ride on a Ferris wheel, a creeper, and an undercover operation for Bella to bring a murderer to justice, figure out what to do with Luke's ex, and stop her dad's wedding. All in a day's work, right? Bella's friends and family are a whole cast of characters, and I love Ruthie (a kooky, crack-up), her stepbrother Budge (who works at the Weiner Palace—that alone is hilarious), her step-dad's crazy wrestler friends, and a 13-year-old trapeze artist. If you've read books one and two, book three is a requirement. And if you have yet to pick up a book by Ms. Jones, definitely check this series out!

Age Range: 12-16

Genre: Contemporary

Part of a Series: A Charmed Life, book 3

Pages: 326

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

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#9 – To Darkness Fled

(Book two in the Blood of Kings trilogy) by Jill Williamson

(Fantasy, adventure, and a bit of romance for all ages. Books one and two in the trilogy are available.)

Review by Christian Miles:

The second installment of the Blood of Kings series will thrill, surprise, and delight readers just as much as the first. With stellar craftsmanship, the author continues to thrust her characters into a myriad of plot-driven obstacles that will have readers biting their nails late into the night.

The story picks up right where By Darkness Hid left off, with Achan, Vrell, and the Kingsguard knights fleeing into Darkness to escape the wrath of their former prince. They head north toward Ice Island in the hopes that they can free the wrongly accused men imprisoned there. Vrell continues to masquerade as a boy, but she knows it's only a matter of time before she'll either have to reveal her true identity, or abandon the party of questers. Achan, who has only ever known the life of a Stray, wrestles with the decor and responsibilities that come with his newfound authority. As they flee across Er'rets, their bloodvoicing talents and swordcraft excel, but in a world of ever-growing Darkness, how can two teens stay in the Light?

This is the best novel I've read since By Darkness Hid came out, and I'm a fairly voracious reader. I'd recommend it to anyone I know, young or old, male or female, fantasy lover or not. It's just that good.

"Williamson pens an action-packed, imaginative second installment in the Blood of Kings trilogy. All the familiar epic elements and emotions are freshly rendered, with Vrell and Achan especially memorable. The pace gallops along, leaving readers hungry for the concluding book." -Publishers Weekly

Age Range: 14 and up

Genre: Fantasy

Part of a Series: Book 2 in the Blood of Kings trilogy

Pages: 681

Publisher: Marcher Lord Press

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#10 – To Save a Life

by Jim and Rachel Britts

(A contemporary story based on the feature film.)

Review by Jill Williamson:

Jake and Roger were once best friends. They did everything together. Roger even stepped in front of a car to save Jake. But when they got to high school, and Jake got better at basketball, things started to change. Jake started hanging out with the popular crowd. Before he knew it, he didn't have time for Roger at all.

And now Roger is dead. None of Jake's new friends even know that he and Roger were once friends. They don't understand what this loss means. Jake wonders what's the point of it all? And if he had done things in his life differently, could he have saved Roger?

As Jake searches for answers and tries to find meaning in life, his friends just don't get it. But Jake can't go back, even if it costs him his reputation.

I'd wanted to see this movie, but it never came to a theater near me, not that any theater is near me…So I bought the book to tide me over. I'm totally glad I did. This book was powerful. It threw me into Jake's life, the life most every guy wishes he had: star athlete with a full ride scholarship to play for his dream school, the perfect girlfriend, fun best friends, and popularity. Then tragedy strikes and Jake starts to ask important questions. And he won't give up until he finds the answer.

This book gets into faith in an honest and ugly way. Sometimes that's what we need to see. There are a lot of "Christians" out there making Christians look bad, loving themselves more than they love others. This book shows one guy struggling to do it the right way, no matter what anyone thinks. What an inspiring story. Now I want to see the movie more than ever! I highly recommend this to all high school and college students.

Age Range: 14 and up

Genre: contemporary fiction

Part of a Series: No

Pages: 315

Publisher: Outreach

Happy Christmas!

As they say in Jolly Old England. And I hope you have a Merry one, too, if you're stateside or anywhere else in this beautiful world. The British have a lovely Christmas tradition to help celebrate the season, a Christingle. Each person at the service or gathering gets an orange, which represents the world. Around it is tied a red ribbon, which represents the blood of Christ. In the middle is a candle, which is lit at the same time as everyone else's. The light, of course, represents Jesus. "I am the light of the world." Father Christmas, too, plays an important role in my first London Confidential book, Asking For Trouble.

2011 will bring more London for your reading pleasure with my new series for adults, Ladies in Waiting. This time, we'll be travelling on horseback to the 16th century. To Die For, is the story of Meg Wyatt, pledged forever as the best friend to Anne Boleyn since their childhoods. When Anne's star begins to ascend, of course she takes her best friend Meg along for the ride. Life in the court of Henry VIII is thrilling at first, but as Anne's favor rises and falls, so does Meg's. And though she's pledged her loyalty to Anne no matter what the test, Meg just might lose her greatest love—and her own life—because of it. I'll be sending I'll be sending out teaser postcards written "by" some of the Tudor characters featured. So if you fancy hearing from Anne Boleyn next year, check your email!

Thank you for reading my books. I wish you a blessed 2011 with friends, family, and the Light of the World.

Devos for the New Year

I don't know about you, but I am a woman who likes structure and it helps me to build God into my day if I have a guide: In 2011 I plan to read through the Bible in a year, and will also be spending some time each day in a devotional. Tyndale House has an excellent series of "One Year" devotionals with so many offerings and angles that you're sure to find something to engage  just about anyone you know. Two I've found, and love, in particular, are the One Year Book of Inspiration for Girlfriends and the One Year Devos for Animal Lovers.

As the title suggests, the Girlfriends book isn't so much a deep devotional as a clever, thought-provoking way to see God at work in little snippets of daily life.  The author, Ellen Miller, is down-to-earth and has life stories that resonate with everyone. I appreciate that she focuses not only on home, family, and friends but also on the worklife, which, for many of us, is an important place to look for inspiration. One friend told me that when she missed a day's reading, she always went back and read it later. I do, too. I can't think of a better endorsement than that.

My daughter, an animal lover, will be getting the Animal Devo under the tree this year. Author Dandi Daley Mackall, well-known for her charming horse stories, opens up the animal world to include everything from family pets to killer bees and dustmites. And she makes it work!  These devotionals delve a bit more deeply into a spiritual analogy and include a simple, but effective, idea to do each day.  Anyone from 6-16 who loves their pets, a zoo, or even Animal Planet, will enjoy working through them in 2011.

As it says in James 1:5: "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking." These devos are wonderful places to be pointed to that wisdom each and every day.

Thankful

When I was a girl I took great delight in writing a Thanksgiving poem or prayer to be read at the table. Somehow, even though I write a part of each and every day, my poetry skills have waned rather than waxed over the years.  So I won't be writing a poem today, for which we are all thankful! But I could hardly let the day pass without noting a few of the many things I am grateful for this year besides Lord of the Rings on Blu Ray, King Arthur Flour Company, and Lavazza.

I am thankful for my amazing husband, who not only makes a mean gravy, something he couldn't do 25 years ago when we celebrated our first Thanksgiving together, but is a godly man of principle, strength, and fidelity. We have grown closer than ever as the years go on and continue to laugh a good part of every day as well as share both the joys and griefs that are part and parcel of life on earth.  Inexplicably, he's grown even more attractive with age!
I am thankful for my children, who continue to grow in wisdom and stature, and, I hope, favor with the Lord.   Their company and companionship is even more delightful as (young) adults than it was as children; their intellectual discussions, their spiritual seeking, their tender hearts and their fierce loyalty are something any mother would be proud of and we are, if anything, more tightly bound than ever.  We still play family games, have movie marathons, and make meals together even as they now navigate the worlds of academia, dating, work, and what the future holds for them.
I am thankful for the many people God has brought into my life.  People who email and write to tell me how they have enjoyed my books will never know how meaningful that can be on a day when I just don't want to write another word. Because of them I will be more mindful to thank those who affect my life in consequential ways, too.  I'm so grateful for extended family and the friends, old and new, that God has generously gifted me with and I hope to be a good friend in return. I am surrounded by many talented professionals that I am blessed by: my agent, my editors, the marketers and sales staff and publicists and cover designers, my web designer, the writing students who have welcomed me into their worlds.
Mostly, I am thankful for Jesus Christ, who makes all things possible here on earth as well as in heaven.  

"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."         Colossians 1:15-17

Thank you, too, whomever you are, for stopping by. May the year to come bring to you many things to be thankful for.

The Clay and the Teapot

Lydia Pate shares a fantastic illustration with a gentle exhortation.  Brew a cuppa and read along …

The lid of my teapot—shattered in pieces. It wasn't just any teapot—it was a Brown Betty, a symbol of the English teatime tradition I had grown up with. I stared again at the fragments on the floor, willing them to meld.

Dark brown, glazed to a high shine and blessed with a round, pot-bellied shape, the Brown Betty's plump contours provide the perfect vessel for brewing a brisk, full-bodied cup of tea. One of its distinguishing features is that it is made from English red clay which retains heat better than any other teapots.

During my childhood years in Africa, an English lady had admonished my mother on one of the finer points of making the perfect potion: "Take the kettle to the teapot, not the teapot to the kettle." I have always followed her sacred advice.

The kettle on the stove whistled, oblivious to my distress. Nearby, cooling on the baking sheet were raspberry jam cookies rolled in crisp almond slivers. And there on the counter, lidless and forlorn, sat my Brown Betty.

As I poured the water I watched the swirl of tea leaves. I found a small coffeepot lid, placed it on top of my Brown Betty, and then followed with a stylish accessory—a crocheted, green-and-gold cozy. Dressed in all its finery, my sidekick seemed to say: "Cheer up! I say, how 'bout a cuppa tea?" It wasn't the end of the world. I could always buy another replacement.

Words began to simmer in my heart. Isaiah 64: 8, NIV, says: "… We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." Like the Brown Betty, I am a vessel of clay. Day by day, God seeks to mold me into His image. Sometimes, life's circumstances blow my lid off and I break, but God lovingly takes the fragments, places me back on His potter's wheel and begins the remolding.

A sip of the hot tea, laden with milk and sugar, awakened me with a jolt. It was a brew made in heaven, one of the sweetest, most invigorating cups I had ever tasted. Despite its mishap, my refurbished Brown Betty was still a star, and held a special place in my heart.

So it is with my life. God looks beyond my earthen imperfections to the divine potential in me. Although His sculpting is sometimes painful, He never gives up on me but continues to lovingly shape me into His likeness, into a vessel fit for His use.

The Sound of Sleigh Bells

It's with great excitement that I've heard we're to have a cold, snowy winter in the Pacific Northwest. Christmas is always more fun with snow. So I'm eager to get a head start on setting that mood, and one way I'm going to do it is by reading Cindy Woodsmall's new book, The Sound of Sleigh Bells. Read a bit more, below, to see if you'd like to set the mood soon, too!

About the Book:

Beth Hertzler works alongside her beloved Aunt Lizzy in their dry goods store, and serving as contact of sorts between Amish craftsmen and Englischers who want to sell the Plain people's wares. But remorse and loneliness still echo in her heart everyday as she still wears the dark garb, indicating mourning of her fiancé. When she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth's soul responds and she wants to help the unknown artist find homes for his work–including Lizzy's dry goods store. But she doesn't know if her bishop will approve of the gorgeous carving or deem it idolatry.

Lizzy sees the changes in her niece when Beth shows her the woodworking, and after Lizzy hunts down Jonah, the artist, she is all the more determined that Beth meets this man with the hands that create healing art. But it's not that simple–will Lizzy's elaborate plan to reintroduce her niece to love work? Will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she's always dreamed of and a second chance at real love–or just more heartbreak?

2010 Inspirational Readers Choice Contest winner

CBA and ECPA Bestseller

To read the first chapter and/or for purchasing info, go to http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/books/s...

About Cindy:

Cindy Woodsmall is a New York Times best-selling author whose connection with the Amish community has been featured on ABC Nightline and on the front page of the Wall Street Journal.

She is also a veteran homeschool mom who no longer holds that position. As her children progressed in age, her desire to write grew stronger. After working through reservations whether this desire was something she should pursue, she began her writing journey. Her husband was her staunchest supporter as she aimed for what seemed impossible.

To visit Cindy's Web site, go to http://www.cindywoodsmall.com

For information on how to receive free bookmarks and autographed bookplates, go to http://www.cindywoodsmall.com/bookpla...

Where Hearts are Free

I'm now writing about Tudor England, but I've gotta tell you, I've missed the French, too. And yet I'm a patriot at heart. So it was a delight to find Golden Keyes Parson's novel, Where Hearts are Free. It bridges the Atlantic from France to the new World and takes you along for a rewarding ride and read. This is the third in a trilogy, so you may want to pick up In the Shadow of the Sun King and A Prisoner of Versailles, and just make a delightful week of it.

About the Book:

Amid the liberty and promise of the New World, Bridget Barrington and Phillipe Clavell fall in love. But nothing about their love seems possible.

To pay for the Clavell family's passage from France, Philippe, a former member of French royalty, worked as an indentured slave to the Barringtons. Bridget is the heiress of the prominent plantation.

When Bridget's parents discover the budding Romance between their daughter and their servant, they quickly orchestrate her engagement to an older, more advantageous match.

But Edward Moorehead has a secret. And he's anything but a good match for Bridget.

Separated from her true love and in danger from her betrothed, Bridget must rely on God to deliver her from darkness into light.

About the Author:

Golden Keyes Parsons is an author as well as a popular conference and retreat leader. Her first series is the highly acclaimed Darkness to Light trilogy. She and her family live in Texas.