Julie Arduini's Blog, page 135

Sabbath Sunday: Beyond the Woods

 

Each Sunday I take my own amateur nature photo and share a thought or two about God’s love.

Fairy tales are a popular theme these days and I’m a fan like everyone else. There’s Once Upon a Time, Maleficent, Cinderella is coming out, and right now, Into the Woods.

But real life hasn’t shown me a carriage or a fairy godmother.

And when life is hard, going into the woods is not full of music and dancing.

It stinks.

Probably why wilderness is named that and not rainbows and sprinkles fun time.

Thing is, the wilderness is where I’ve grown the most. It’s isolating by choice. Not only did the Lord put me there to have me to Himself, to prepare and teach me, I had to surrender to it. At first I fought the wilderness tooth and nail. Who signs up for that kind of torture? Not me.

But I realized that once you’re into the woods, there is a destination. Beyond the woods. There will be a clearing. The sun will shine. And I emerge stronger, taller, and because of my trust in Jesus, I’m a force to be reckoned with.

And that’s something to sing and dance about.

Can you relate?

My favorite verse about the wilderness is Hosea 2:14. May it encourage you today.

 

Tags:  Beyond the woods, Cinderella, fairy tales, Hosea 2:14, Into the Woods, Jesus, Julie Arduini, Maleficent, nature, Once Upon a Time, photo, trusting God, wilderness, woods




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 Character Confession: I Swear to God  COTT: Summer Reads---Which Novel Would You Choose First?  It's That Time of Year---Looking for YOUR THANKFUL Posts!  Saturday Confession: Wait, I'd Like to Break Up With You  Character Confession: Thankful to Relax with Coffee Syrup as I Clean my ToiletCopyright © Julie Arduini [Sabbath Sunday: Beyond the Woods], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Saturday Confession: The Brave Earmuffs

Growing up, I believed a lot of things.

I was fat and lazy and of no worth to anyone
I was meant to stay in the background and have little to no voice
I would always be the smart one, good for an answer, but never the option for the opposite sex

After awhile, I shut down and used all my dreams for my characters. I wore the colors I was told I should adopt and the length of hair and style suggested for me.

Deep down, way deep down, I wanted to be the bold one.

The girl with fire-engine red hair and spunk to match
The one who could be counted on for a smart answer and a smart man by my side
The one who could embrace color in everything about me

I’ve come a long way since then and God has really transformed me. My hair has the red and I definitely have a spunk about me. As I’ve watched the so-called pretty girls find man after man, marriage and then divorce, I’m closing in on twenty years with the same man. Something I never dared dream.

But more than that, God gave us a child that doesn’t have the fears I was shackled by. Even in the womb she had sass, moving everytime the doctor tried to get a heartbeat. Refusing to reveal herself until she was ready to debut her gender. At five days old she pushed me to a better position for nursing. She has her own drum, and she’s not afraid to use it.

She’s also had to fight for things I never had to. Like her very life. School isn’t easy for her. But even as I’m watching her evolve into a young lady where she’s paying more attention to her hair and overall appearance, she’s got that flair for boldness I wanted so much as a kid.

Like the earmuffs.

She wanted earmuffs over Christmas break when it was in the 50’s. She knew we were going to have a cold spell and she looked between Upstate NY, PA and Ohio in our travels for a pair. There weren’t any. We return home and she went to the local Justice store and there they were.

The boldest, most confident ear muffs I’ve ever seen.

They draw attention, let me tell you. And I’m watching those that see her with them on.

They aren’t smiling out of mockery.

They applaud her boldness and confidence.

And dare I assume, I think they want a pair, too.

Looking at those ear muffs, I realized how much she’s changed me. I now look for things that sparkle and have some pizazz. I too looked for ear muffs but came out with a little more mainstreamed look. But honestly?

I can feel it deep down, just like I did as a kid.

I want to wear her ear muffs.

See what it’s like to wear cat, furry ears in bold colors.

Do a little cat walk with bravado.

Will I?

Probably, but most likely you’ll never see it.

But it will be my little victory, and I’m going to savor it.

Meow.

 

Tags:  bold colors, confidence, dreams, fashion, Julie Arduini, Saturday Confession, style




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 Win a $500 Weekend Getaway Package from @ColleenCoble and Connect with Her at 8/23 Party  Win Spiritual Warfare by Giving Thanks by Ada Brownell  WFW: Love Extravagantly  COTT:Naomi Dawn Musch Wins July New Release Clash with the Black Rose  Some Fun Writing AnswersCopyright © Julie Arduini [Saturday Confession: The Brave Earmuffs], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Writers: Pens of Mystery Looking for Submissions

Pens of Mystery

Pix-N-Pens and Write Integrity Press are pleased to announce their newest line of books – Pens of Mystery. We are now accepting submissions for mystery novels between 60,000-90,000 words.

We are open to submissions for a wide range of mysteries, including:

Cozies
Procedurals
Contemporary PIs
YA Mysteries

We especially like series of three or more books.

Our books are clean and wholesome, but they can be written with or without a gospel message.

We do not accept horror, paranormal, erotic, or pornographic manuscripts.

Please follow these guidelines for submission:

You may submit your proposals to EITHER (both is not necessary or preferred – we provide two in case of technical difficulty) of the following e-mail addresses. Please replace words in brackets with symbols and delete any spaces:

editor [at] writeintegrity [dot] com

tracyruckman [at] pixnpens [dot] com

In the body of your original e-mail to us, please include

A brief cover letter, to introduce yourself and your book.
Full word count (using Word’s counter) if the manuscript is complete, or an estimated time of completion and anticipated word count.
A short bio.
Pitch – 30 words or less.
Long blurb – 150-200 words (think back cover blurb).

Then attach to the email in Word format:

The FIRST three chapters AND the LAST chapter. If the book has a prologue or epilogue, include those in addition to the required chapters.

Do NOT send full manuscripts unless we request them. Consideration will be given only to packages submitted as requested – full manuscripts that have not been requested will be discarded.

Please follow industry-standard formatting. This means:

Pages should have 1″ margins on all sides.
Lines should be double-spaced.
Font should be Times New Roman, size 12.
Use black ink only – do not use color fonts.

We will try to reply promptly to all submissions, but please allow up to 90 days to hear from us. If you haven’t heard from us by that time, please send a brief e-mail inquiry.

We do not accept submissions by snail mail.

Submissions to Pens of Mystery should not include the following:

Incest of any kind.
Murder of children; child abuse.
Vampires, witches, werewolves, paranormals, aliens, future realities, and New Age psychics as protagonists.




Tags:  authors, fiction, Julie Arduini, mystery, Pens of Mystery, Pix N Pens, Write Integrity Press, writers




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 Character Confession from an Alleged Bon Bon Eater  Sabbath Sunday: Ever-Present  10 Lifestyle Changes Our Family Made This Year to Lose Weight: Part 2  Sabbath Sunday: Freedom  Book Review: Tyler Edwards Zombie ChurchCopyright © Julie Arduini [Writers: Pens of Mystery Looking for Submissions], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Sabbath Sunday: Beyond the Woods

 

Each Sunday I take my own amateur nature photo and share a thought or two about God’s love.

Fairy tales are a popular theme these days and I’m a fan like everyone else. There’s Once Upon a Time, Maleficent, Cinderella is coming out, and right now, Into the Woods.

But real life hasn’t shown me a carriage or a fairy godmother.

And when life is hard, going into the woods is not full of music and dancing.

It stinks.

Probably why wilderness is named that and not rainbows and sprinkles fun time.

Thing is, the wilderness is where I’ve grown the most. It’s isolating by choice. Not only did the Lord put me there to have me to Himself, to prepare and teach me, I had to surrender to it. At first I fought the wilderness tooth and nail. Who signs up for that kind of torture? Not me.

But I realized that once you’re into the woods, there is a destination. Beyond the woods. There will be a clearing. The sun will shine. And I emerge stronger, taller, and because of my trust in Jesus, I’m a force to be reckoned with.

And that’s something to sing and dance about.

Can you relate?

My favorite verse about the wilderness is Hosea 2:14. May it encourage you today.

 

Tags:  adversity, amateur nature photo, Cinderella, fairy tales, Hosea 2:14, Into the Woods, Jesus, Julie Arduini, Maleficent, Once Upon a Time, trials, trusting God, wilderness




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 CHRISTMAS BONUS: The Christmas Concert Disaster by Ruth O'Neil  WFW: Frenemies are Everywhere...But that Doesn't Make It Right  Interview with Author Laura V. Hilton  Activation  Sabbath Sunday: The ChosenCopyright © Julie Arduini [Sabbath Sunday: Beyond the Woods], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Saturday Confession: Scar Tissue

It’s been awhile since I’ve confessed, and Saturday is the day I do it. For new readers it’s not to air my laundry, it’s to encourage. Because there is one thing I know—the true defeated one likes us to think we’re the defeated ones. And if I can shed light on my struggles and surrender process, chances are you can relate. Together we can surrender together and find that freedom that I KNOW exists for us.

Yesterday I shared that my word for 2015 is revive. For whatever reason, God created me as a word picture girl. I learn best that way and remember better when I have a visual. This is the scenario He gave me.

Scar tissue.

I can hear Jimmy Fallon now.

“Ew.”

But it works.

I had severe PCOS and in my reproductive years had multiple surgeries. Some were related to PCOS, some were C sections, one was a hysterectomy at age 38 to be functional because the pain was that bad. All good, legit reasons for surgery. They helped me.

But those good things gave me scar tissue.

And it took a surgeon to go in and clean me out. When he did, I was able to live at optimum health again.

Nothing horrific has come my way yet the scar tissue built. Some from grief or wounds I haven’t dealt with from years past. Some from stress. Some from awesome things that happened but I let life overwhelm and I didn’t deal with it as wisely as I could have.

So, scar tissue.

I believe 2015 for me is surrendering those areas, yes, the good, the bad, and—maybe one day—the chocolate. I want to live at the best place I can in body, mind and spirit.

And getting rid of the scar tissue for personal revival is just the thing.

Can you relate?

Tags:  2015, confession, Ew, Jimmy Fallon, Julie Arduini, PCOS, revival, revive, scar tissue, word of the year




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2015 Word of the Year

The word came to me in November. I was tired, burning the candle at both ends. Not recovered from the move or the stress of it. Off kilter from being vulnerable and dealing with some emotional ambushes I wasn’t ready for.

I was so spent I can’t say it was a prayer, but it was definitely a confession.

“I feel dead inside.”

And in that moment, the word came in a whisper.

Revive.

I’ve searched images and combed through definitions trying to figure how this word is going to play out. And in that I’ve realized I need to live it out to find out.

So, stay tuned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tell me, what’s YOUR word for 2015?

Tags:  2015, dead inside, Julie Arduini, revive, word of the year




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Julie Arduini’s Favorite Book of 2014

Each year I have fun looking back at the books I’ve read and choosing a favorite. Earlier this week I shared the favorite fiction and non fiction books I read for 2014. Today I share a book I reviewed this year, but it was released in late 2013. I wasn’t sure what it was about and I thought it was a genre I probably couldn’t relate to.

I still can’t haven’t forgotten this book.

What is it?

Fistful of God by Therese Travis

Book Description:

She’s never taken a drink, but she’s recovering from alcoholism all the same.

After the death of her father, teenager Aidyn Pierce spends all her time cleaning up her mother’s messes. So when Mom announces she’s getting sober, Aidyn doesn’t believe her. Mom has tried before, and Aidyn knows there will come a time—a day, a week, maybe even a month from now—when the cravings will be too much, and her mother will start drinking again. So, when Aidyn is encouraged to attend support meetings, she refuses. No point in wasting her time when her mother’s going to drink again, anyway.

But what Aidyn doesn’t count on is the healing power of love and friendship, and the incredible strength of God to walk both mother and daughter through the dark valley of addiction and recovery.

I read this back in March and I was blown away by how this reached beyond the YA genre. It was real, gripping and all these months later, I haven’t forgotten it.

You can read my original review here.

To purchase Fistful of God, click here.

Tags:  2014 reads, alcoholism, favorite book of the year, fiction, Fistful of God, Julie Arduini, Therese Travis, YA novel




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Julie Arduini’s Favorite Reviewed Non Fiction Book 2014

Each year I enjoy looking back at the books I’ve reviewed and choosing my favorites. I choose a fiction and non fiction book that I’ve reviewed plus a Kindle or paperback read I enjoyed as a reader that I was under no obligation to review.

Today is non fiction.

The book I chose took a contemporary look at God’s Word and I was mesmerized the entire time. I’m always looking for fresh ways to be challenged without watering down God’s Word and this book not only delivered, the entire series this year has.

What book?

What series?

Amazed and Confused by Heather Zempel.

The inScribed series.

Book Description:

Most people have prayed for something or someone in earnest, seeking God’s will, only to be left confused by God’s response. Sometimes we ask, “Why would a good God allow bad things to happen to good people?” In Amazed and Confused, Heather Zempel tackles this question head-on by exploring the book of Habakkuk.

When the prophet Habakkuk prayed that God would bring change to the backsliding nation of Israel, this issue came to the forefront. Habakkuk begged God for revival and that He would turn the hearts of faithless people back to Him.

God’s answer to Habakkuk was, “Take a look at the nations and watch what happens! You will be shocked and amazed” (1:5, The Voice). The vision God gave Habakkuk was one of warfare and exile. How do you respond when God answers your prayers in a way that seems out of line with his character and promises?

Amazed and Confused proceeds systematically through the book of Habakkuk, exploring the prophet’s prayer, God’s response, and the prophet’s journey from confusion to worship. This interactive Bible study is the perfect choice for those who are hurting and confused about God’s responses to their prayers.

Features include:

Helpful guidance on a question without an easy answer

Practical tools for studying the Minor Prophets

Easy-to-understand, accessible language

This is just one of many Bible studies in the series. I’ve also enjoyed Living So That and Dive Deeper.

To purchase Amazed and Confused, click here.

To learn more about inScribed Bible studies, click here.

Tags:  Amazed and Confused, Bible study, book review, favorite book, Heather Zempel, inScribed Bible study, Julie Arduini, non fiction, non fiction book of 2014




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 Encouraged by Scaffolding  A2Z Meme: Opportunity  I Recommend: If My People 2012  Character Confession: Imagine the Timing  Get Some Couch Time with Jeannie Campbell, Character TherapistCopyright © Julie Arduini [Julie Arduini's Favorite Reviewed Non Fiction Book 2014], All Right Reserved. 2014.

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Julie Arduini’s Favorite Reviewed Fiction Book 2014

Each year I look over the books I reviewed and choose the ones I enjoyed most and remember even after I finished the book.

Today I choose the fiction book.

I chose this one because it was more than a romance. It was a message, an invitation by the author to draw into a relationship with meaning. She went even further and on Facebook created a Bible study that not only re visited her book, but walked readers through the story of Ruth.

The book?

Beyond I Do by Jennifer Slattery.

Book Description:

Marriage . . . it’s more than a happily ever after. Eternally more.

Ainsley Meadows, raised by a hedonist mother who cycles through jobs and relationships like wrapping paper on Christmas morning, falls into a predictable and safe relationship with Richard, a self-absorbed, socialite psychiatrist. But as Ainsley’s wedding nears, a battered woman and her child spark a long-forgotten dream, a hidden passion. One that threatens to change everything, including her fiancé. If she wants to embrace God’s best and find lasting love, this security-seeking bride must follow God with reckless abandon and realize that marriage goes Beyond I Do.

Even though it’s been a couple months or so since reading, I’m still thinking about the story. The message. The Bible Study she had on Facebook.

If you need a book to see you through Christmas vacation, I definitely recommend my favorite fiction reviewed book of the year, Beyond I Do.

To purchase Beyond I Do, click here.

Tags:  2014 book of the year, Beyond I Do, Bible, book review, favorite book, fiction, Jennifer Slattery, Julie Arduini, Ruth




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Sabbath Sunday: Christmas Season Rest

 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28, NIV

Julie Arduini photo

Tags:  Christmas, Julie Arduini, Matthew 11:28, rest, Sabbath, Sunday




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