Janet Sketchley's Blog: Tenacity, page 89
November 28, 2014
On Perseverance and Writing
The ideas! The words! Sometimes writing is so exciting (pardon the rhyme) and the thoughts come so fast it’s hard to keep up.
Othertimes it’s hard work. A mountain of work. Work tainted by despair: will anyone want to read it? Most writers serve a very long “apprenticeship” learning the craft, discovering their niche and finding a way to get their words “out there” in terms of paid publication.
It gets discouraging. We start to wonder if we’re wasting our lives. I had the privilege of guest pos...
November 26, 2014
Growing and Building
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6-7, NLT*
If we truly accept Jesus as Lord and Messiah (Christ), it’s more than a head thing. By definition, Lord is someone in authority. And Messiah is our Saviour, rescuing us from the destructive power of sin.
That mak...
November 24, 2014
Review: The Patmos Deception, by Davis Bunn
The Patmos Deception, by Davis Bunn (Bethany House, 2014)
Priceless antiquities are disappearing, with no official acknowledgement of the crimes… because people in positions of power are involved in the scheme. At least that’s what journalist Nick Hennessy’s UN contact believes. Nick teams up with forensic archaeologist Carey Mathers to find the truth.
On the other side of the law, Patmos tour-boat operator Dimitri Rubinos finds himself forced to do as his ancestors have done in previous times...
November 21, 2014
Rest or Rush? 4 Links that Resonated with Me
photo credit: Janet Sketchley
It’s been a while since I’ve posted links to things I’ve read online that have encouraged or resonated with me. Apparently, there’s a name for this sort of post: curated content. I just call it passing on material that I think you might like.
I collected these links a year ago but didn’t do anything with them. It was good for me to go back and re-read these blog posts, because resting and rushing are timeless topics.
Here goes:
Ginny Jaques unpacks “four elements of...
November 19, 2014
Staying True
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
Philippians 4:1, NLT*
I was reading this verse, and praying for my family, that God would draw each one “truer” to Himself and keep us true to Him. Staying true to an invisible God is hard, if we let our personal time with Him slip. Life and busyness have a way of eroding that time, and without a vibrant, intimate connection with G...
November 17, 2014
Review: Consider the Sunflowers, by Elma Schemenauer
Consider the Sunflowers, by Elma Schemenauer (Borealis Press, 2014)
In 1940s Saskatchewan, Tina Janz schemes to win the man who fascinates her, instead of the rich-but-boring man who impresses her Mennonite parents. Tina and Frank marry for love—or at least fascination—but it’s a rocky trail. They each have insecurities, attitudes and suspicions, and Tina is keeping a secret that may come back to hurt them both.
Consider the Sunflowers is a skillfully crafted literary novel that opens a window...
November 14, 2014
Meet Frank Warkentin
Imagine yourself in 1940. We’ll visit a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada, to meet Frank Warkentin, a young man who’s a central character in Elma Schemenauer’s new novel, Consider the Sunflowers.
Janet: It’s good to meet you, Frank. I know you’ve been in Elma’s heart for a long time. Since we can’t actually see you, how about you describe yourself?
Frank: You know that new movie Gone with the Wind? I look like the leading man, Clark Gable. Actually I’m joking. I’m taller, darker, and handsomer than...
November 12, 2014
Fixing Our Thoughts
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8b-9, NLT*
It’s so easy to dwell on the negatives. The hurts or injustices. Sometimes we do it because we’re sulking or just plain cantankerous, but I think it’s often out of f...
November 10, 2014
Review: Blind Trust, by Sandra Orchard
Blind Trust, by Sandra Orchard (Revell Publishing, 2014)
This is not a book to read at bedtime, because Sandra Orchard is too good at motivating readers to turn “just one more page.” The tension is high, in part due to Kate’s tendencies to seize whatever opportunity she sees to get to the bottom of the mystery.
Blind Trust is book 2 in the Port Aster Secrets series, and if you jump in here you’ll understand all you need to know, but I highly recommend starting at the beginning with Deadly Devot...
November 7, 2014
New Release and Giveaways
Secrets and Lies released Nov. 5, and a huge thank you to everyone who bought a copy or spread the word. Because of you, the novel hit a few of Amazon’s “hot new release” lists, which helped more people find it.
Two giveaways are happening now:
at author Deborah M. Piccurelli’s site
at author Emilie Hendryx’s site
Print copies are available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble (for Halifax-area readers: Miracles Christian Store will also be carrying them). Canadians, Amazon.ca says the book “usually...
