Julie Arduini's Blog, page 139

Sabbath Sunday: Muddy Road

One of my favorite poems is Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken. Probably because I can relate. The wide path everyone else takes? I was never one to follow. I was the pioneer taking the narrow way rarely understanding why I wasn’t like everyone else.

Thing is, the path God gives you, it’s not going to be laden with golden brick.

That’s heaven, and you aren’t there yet.

Life is muddy. There is change. Loss. Challenges.

Enough to consider, if only for a moment, about taking an easier route.

Thing is, those muddy moments produce growth.

The valleys brought me way more wisdom than the mountains.

My faith in Christ and His track record moves forward because He moved me in the hardest of times.

If you’re stuck in the mud, don’t despair.

The road you’re taking isn’t an accident and not meant to destroy.

In fact, it’s the fast trek to faith and trust with the One who created your road.

Tags:  amateur nature photo, challenges, Julie Arduini, life, muddy road, Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken, trusting God




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 Margaret McSweeney's Mother of Pearl Facebook Party September 4  Sabbath Sunday: Ever-Present  Sabbath Sunday: Blazing Love  My Two Cents About the Ice Bucket Challenge  Book Review: Your Heart's Desire by Sheri Rose ShepherdCopyright © Julie Arduini [Sabbath Sunday: Muddy Road], All Right Reserved. 2014.

The post Sabbath Sunday: Muddy Road appeared first on Julie Arduini.

Saturday Confession: My True Self

I’ve been helping out with youth ministry the last few months and our pastor has been sharing a video series on issues that we need to get real about. Anger, guilt, that kind of thing. He said something that stuck out to me, that our true self comes out with our reaction to a stubbed toe.

Well, I handle a stubbed toe pretty well. I whine like a girl, but I don’t curse or get angry.

But that doesn’t mean I should be wearing a halo.

My true self comes out when my goals are blocked. When I’m sleep deprived, and hungry.

I’m not from the south, so I’m not going to respond with a “Bless your heart.” I’m going to most likely get overly dramatic, complete with sighs, talk to walls because no one with a sound mind wants to be near me. Negative? I invented emo. I could probably enter the Oscar consideration pool if it were theatrical.

It’s just me being my true self.

My true self hates when things don’t go my way. I have a list, written or in my mind, I need to check stuff off that list or I lose it. I don’t enjoy having three dogs that at times need me just when I’m getting stuff done. A spill that comes not long after I’ve cleaned everything, something that takes me away from writing and marketing. I often resent the homework I know I need to check on because I know this work is smarter than I am and the way they want the answers is pure bunk. (I’m looking at you, Common Core.) I don’t get giddy when a child needs a ride with little notice because again, I’m a planner. I’ve come absolutely undone when I’m making a meal and realize I’m out of a key ingredient.

My true self has spewed some pretty ugly things from sarcasm with the intent to bite to discouraging words that Jesus girls shouldn’t be repeating. It’s been happening a lot lately, and I’m a thinker. It started at an event where I didn’t plan on anything that went down that night happening. I didn’t plan on it being busy. I didn’t think I’d have a rough go of it on many levels. I didn’t put on my list that I would stew about it. I didn’t pencil in the added time needed to prepare two kids for two plays. A child struggling and needing extra help. A child having a setback in health and losing days of peace, sleep and sanity in a fight to get her back on track.

The anger that this child had to suffer in the first place.

And on and on I could go.

My true self was screaming at the dogs for getting tangled around my legs in a trip to the their bathroom that shouldn’t be so complicated. I was threatening to send them away and yelling for them to hurry up. Slamming doors when they wanted out again and again and again.

My true self at the core is selfish and mean. Angry. Tired. Burned out. Dependent on lists and toddler insistent that I do it my way, myself.

It’s not pretty to admit this, but I know there’s someone else out there beating themselves up for reacting to anything from a stubbed toe to a sick child. Thing is, it’s not just you, although that accusatory voice hissing in your ear would like you to believe that. And you don’t have to stay in that pit. Yep, we were born sinful, but we don’t have to stay that way. I’m visual and thanks to Christ’s work on the cross and my friendship with Him, I picture every day as a new slate. Whatever happened even an hour ago, I can confess it and the slate is clean. It’s not my license to act like an idiot, that’s not a fruitful life. But who I am, truly am in Christ can come back and live free.

I’m still tired and I’m fighting the bah humbug of the season. A late Thanksgiving is too much pressure for a list maker like me, so I need to be intentional about enjoying it all. I need to say no to things, as good as they are, to make sure I get rest. To push away the emails and get back in Bible study. I can’t coast without these things for long. Trust me, you don’t want me to.

So, that’s my confession. I’ve felt dead inside most of this year and my true self is pretty horrid.

But, I’m not alone. I have hope, a future, and a promise.

And so do you.

 

photobucket

Tags:  angry, Bible study, burned out, confession, Julie Arduini, meltdown, reaction, revive, tantrum, true self




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 COTT: A Place in His Heart by Rebecca DeMarino  Character Confession: That Comforts Me  COTT: Giveaway Tuesday!  Celebrating My Blog Anniversary with a Book Giveaway  Character Confession: What Desperation will DoCopyright © Julie Arduini [Saturday Confession: My True Self], All Right Reserved. 2014.

The post Saturday Confession: My True Self appeared first on Julie Arduini.

Five Golden Days

Are you playing Christmas music yet? Is the tree up? Started shopping?

I’ve had the music going for a couple weeks and my favorite version of the Twelve Days of Christmas is the Muppet one. I love when Miss Piggy belts out the Five Golden Rings. Love her sass.

Well, starting Monday and running throughout out the week, the authors with Write Integrity Press (I’m one!) and Pix N Pens will be celebrating Christmas throughout cyberspace with the Five Golden Days.

Look for special blog posts, fun, food, fellowship. Giveaways.

Then, on Friday, December 5th from 7-9pm EST, we gather around and party on Facebook. There will be more fun, party favors, author chats and more. Drop in as you can, or stay the whole time. It’s going to be a blast. I will be chatting at approximately 8:30 and I’d love to connect with you.

To learn more, visit Write Integrity or Pix N Pens.

Tags:  authors, Christmas, Facebook Christmas Party, Five Golden Days, Julie Arduini, Pix N Pens, Write Integrity Press




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 Saturday Confession: I'm Glad I Listened  Instead of the Snow I See the Cardinal  Book Review: Tricia Goyer's Beyond Hope's Valley  COTT: Vote for Your Favorite Winter Release  Today, I'm Thankful by Carole BrownCopyright © Julie Arduini [Five Golden Days], All Right Reserved. 2014.

The post Five Golden Days appeared first on Julie Arduini.

Ruth and the Comfort Zone

I’ve been enjoying Ruth’s story from the Bible with a twist—Jennifer Slattery is facilitating this study on FB and her blog sharing against the backdrop of her own contemporary romance Beyond I Do.

Last week she was kind enough to open up her blog to allow me to share insights.

It’s a chapter in the Book of Ruth I’ve read several times but I saw received fresh insights that I really could relate to as I compared my story to Ruth’s and to Ainsley, the heroine in Beyond I Do.

I’d love for you to read what I wrote.

Click to read about Ruth and the Comfort Zone.

Tags:  Beyond I Do, Bible study, Boaz, comfort zone, guest blogger, Jennifer Slattery, mother-in-law, Naomi, Ruth, Ruth 2




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 Sabbath Sunday: Your New Normal  A Writer's Thanks by Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers  How Would You Handle It? Tot Mom Shows Up at YOUR Church Edition  Character Confession: I'd Drag My Feet but I'd Probably Have to File a Claim  Interview with Author Eileen RifeCopyright © Julie Arduini [Ruth and the Comfort Zone], All Right Reserved. 2014.

The post Ruth and the Comfort Zone appeared first on Julie Arduini.

COTT: A Miracle of Hope by Ruth Reid Wins Laurel Award

[image error]
On October 22, 2014, A Miracle of Hope won Clash of the Titles’

Laurel Award. During a six-week period, the novel’s first 3,500 words were

read and judged by avid readers of Christian fiction who determined it to

be the worthiest to receive the 2014 Laurel Award.

Clash of the Titles extends a heartfelt congratulations to author Ruth Reid

for her commendable work. We wish God’s abundant blessings on her future

projects.

 

“A Miracle of Hope quickens a reader’s heart in hope that one child’s faith

will be miracle enough.” –Alan Daugherty, News-Banner columnist

[image error] About A Miracle of Hope

Lindie Wyse thinks an arranged marriage is the only way to preserve a

future for herself and her unborn child. Josiah Plank is certain he’ll

never love again, but he needs someone to care for his deaf eight-year-old

daughter, Hannah. The two take on their arrangement tentatively at first

but soon realize they are each in for more than they imagined. After a

short time, Lindie experiences a breakthrough with Hannah when she

recognizes the child’s special gifts, but a risky pregnancy and serious

health issues threaten to demolish the foundation Josiah and Lindie are

building—and the love that is growing between them.

Will their marriage survive their struggles, or will their hearts become as

cold as the northern winter?

PURCHASE

YOUR COPY

“A beautifully written love story, A Miracle of Hope is both heartwarming

and heartbreaking and features believable, charming characters who are

willing to do whatever it takes for love.” 4 stars, RT Book Reviews

[image error]

Listen to Cynthia L.

Simmon’s” Heart

of the Matter” radio interview of Laurel Award Winner,

Ruth Reid!

[image error] About Ruth:

Ruth is a CBA and ECPA best-selling author of the Heaven on Earth

and Amish Wonders series. When attending Ferris State University School of

Pharmacy in Big Rapids, Michigan, she lived on the outskirts of an Amish

community and had several occasions to visit the Amish farms. Her interest

grew into love as she saw the beauty in living a simple life. Ruth resides

in Florida with her husband and three children.

She can be reached HERE.

“…Ruth’s descriptions of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula during the winter are

vivid and almost hauntingly beautiful—yet the hardship and “cabin fever”

element are very real. But it’s character depth that is this story’s

strength…” –Carole Jarvis, Amazon Review

Ruth’s Upcoming Projects:

Her

Christmas Pen Pal, a novella in An Amish Second Christmas collection

released

October 2014.
A

Woodland Miracle will be released in January

2015
She is currently

working on book three of the Amish Wonders Series (untitled at this

time; release is planned for 2016).

****

 

OLYMPIA OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS!


 
Authors, take note!

 

Clash of the Titles has opened its doors for

submissions to the 2015 Olympia.




[image error]

 

The

Olympia is COTT’s yearly contest for unpublished writers. The

submissions are judged by their audience—readers well versed

in

Christian fiction yet not associated with the CBA industry.

Authors write for readers, so why not have readers be

the judges?

Finalists in the contest will also have their work read and judged

by three industry professionals!

 
With a submission fee of only $15, easy electronic submission, a

bevy of prizes, and judges devoted to Christian fiction and author

encouragement, the Olympia is a contest like no other.

 

But

once our doors are open, you’ll need to act quick! Slots are limited. To avoid overburdening our volunteer

judges, we are limited in the number of submissions we can

accept.
 

Submissions:
Oct. 31, 2014-Dec 12,

2014

For more details, please visit our

site.


Stay tuned for updates by
subscribing

to COTT’s blog and “liking” our

Facebook page .

(function() {
var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript';
ga.async = true;
ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : '
http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js';
var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s);
})();
// ]]>

Tags:  A Miracle of Hope, Clash of the Titles, COTT, Julie Arduini, Laurel Award winner, Olympia award, Ruth Reid




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 A2Z Meme: I Used to Wish Life was Easy  Labor Day: So Why Do You Have the Day Off, Anyway?  My Gift to the King by Sheryl Giesbrecht  A2Z Meme: But I Got the X In!  Wishing You a Safe and Happy Holiday!Copyright © Julie Arduini [COTT: A Miracle of Hope by Ruth Reid Wins Laurel Award], All Right Reserved. 2014.

The post COTT: A Miracle of Hope by Ruth Reid Wins Laurel Award appeared first on Julie Arduini.

Thankful: Jill Fortriede’s Road to Salvation

I’m thankful that 6 years ago, I gave birth to the beautiful baby boy who change my life. You see, if it weren’t for him, my husband and I would have never come to Christ. We found out in September of 2008 our baby was going to be born with multiple birth defects. Looking for answers, we walked into the church behind our house. And even though we have switched which church we attend, we have never turned away from our faith we gained during the 10 months of our son’s life. As hard as it was, I wouldn’t trade that time for anything.

 

 

Jill Fortriede

I live in central Indiana with my husband and the two beautiful daughters God has blessed me with. I’m fortunate to be a stay at home mom and will be homeschooling my daughters, when they get old enough.

Tags:  birth defects, church, faith, Jill Fortriede, Julie Arduini, loss of child, thankful




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  2 comments on this itemTake a look!  
 COTT Survey: What Summer Book Would You Read First?  COTT: Blind Trust by Sandra Orchard Wins Clash  COTT: Announcing the Laurel Award  COTT: Betrayal by Anne Patrick  My 2013 Word of the YearCopyright © Julie Arduini [Thankful: Jill Fortriede's Road to Salvation], All Right Reserved. 2014.

The post Thankful: Jill Fortriede’s Road to Salvation appeared first on Julie Arduini.

Sabbath Sunday: The Muddy Road

One of my favorite poems is Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken. Probably because I can relate. The wide path everyone else takes? I was never one to follow. I was the pioneer taking the narrow way rarely understanding why I wasn’t like everyone else.

Thing is, the path God gives you, it’s not going to be laden with golden brick.

That’s heaven, and you aren’t there yet.

Life is muddy. There is change. Loss. Challenges.

Enough to consider, if only for a moment, about taking an easier route.

Thing is, those muddy moments produce growth.

The valleys brought me way more wisdom than the mountains.

My faith in Christ and His track record moves forward because He moved me in the hardest of times.

If you’re stuck in the mud, don’t despair.

The road you’re taking isn’t an accident and not meant to destroy.

In fact, it’s the fast trek to faith and trust with the One who created your road.

Tags:  amateur nature photo, challenges, Julie Arduini, life, muddy road, road, Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken, trusting God




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 A2Z Meme: Gimme a Break This Summer Vacation  Book Review: Heather Munn/Lydia Munn Deliver with How Huge the Night  Character Confession: The Independence Day Injection  12 Pearls of Christmas | Day 5 - Will They Know What It Cost? by Glynnis Whitwer  Character Confession: Rebel with a CauseCopyright © Julie Arduini [Sabbath Sunday: The Muddy Road], All Right Reserved. 2014.

The post Sabbath Sunday: The Muddy Road appeared first on Julie Arduini.

Saturday Confession: I Surrendered the Fake and Got Real

Apparently God’s got a theme for the season and it isn’t raking leaves and turkeys.

It’s fake vs real.

Masking vs transparency.

Prison vs freedom.

Not long ago I posted about My Fake Family.

After that went live people started to comment about my necklace. I’d clutch it and blurt, “It’s fake. It’s a knock-off of Origami Owl. I paid $20 and that includes the chain and four charms.”

And no one could tell the difference.

Including one woman who bought the original at three figures and wasn’t happy with her deficit.

I’ve done the same with the ring I wear on my wedding finger. My original wedding rings are packed somewhere because they don’t fit and I really struggled with them. At the time I was so low in self worth I didn’t want a ring. I didn’t feel that I should have one. As we married and grew in size and faith, the rings didn’t fit and I still didn’t feel right about them. It was the old me that had those rings.

The ring I wear now is from our anniversary cruise to Mexico. To me it represents the real me, a daughter of the Lord who has fought hard for everything we have. I don’t mean things, I mean prayers. Life’s battles. And to be at fifteen years (at the time) and not only still married but growing closer, that was cause for victory.

Hello, cruise jewelry sale.

My husband is mortified at what he paid for that ring. I mean it was under $100  $50  $45. It’s Mexican gold, I think, and I don’t care. It’s a sparkly thing with as much sass as I have. Surrounding it are 14 small diamonds. Add them up and you get 15 for our anniversary.

When I take care of it and remember to wear it, it looks like the real deal and again, I can’t help but blurt it out. “It’s fake.”

Something changed a couple weeks ago. I blurted, “It’s fake. But I’m real.”

And then the Holy Spirit download began.

That answer wasn’t always the case. I lied through my teeth, in church, especially in church, telling everyone I was fine. I wasn’t. I was wounded, lost and in desperate need of a spiritual and emotional healing. It didn’t come until I surrendered the fake and got real.

I can’t speak for the guys but us women, it’s a temptation. The name brand purse. Top of the line shoes. Fancy jewelry.

The lies we tell when asked how we are. The mail we hide because it exposes the sham of a perfect home. How? It probably contains bills we can’t pay. Legal documents ending what we pretend is the best thing in our circle. School letters spelling out what we don’t want to face.

It made me think of reality celebrities. Everything Kim Kardashian wears to an event is probably top notch, name brand, real stuff. But let’s be honest–she’s a reality star on a show. Sorry, but the show is scripted. Sorry again, her life is scripted. Not much about her is real. And I don’t envy her.

For this topic to come up again gives me the inkling someone out there read the first post about the fake family and shoved their issues further away praying that nudge was anything but the Godly hey, let’s work on this they deep down know was happening. Well, this post is for you.

Not to condemn you.

But to encourage you.

I was the queen of masking. I know all the pat answers, sincere expressions and token cliches. I also know how hollow I felt living that way.

Surrendering the fake answers, phony lifestyle and pretend happiness was one of the best things I’ve ever chosen for my life and the people who love me. There is a freedom I promise you money can’t buy or people can’t get for you. It’s for you to decide.

Don’t let my shiny fake jewelry be what gets you to confront whatever it is God’s trying to help and heal you with.

Let my real love for you and the prayer I lifted up writing this be that instead.

 

photobucket

Tags:  Christ, confession, diamonds, fake, freedom, healing, jewelry, Julie Arduini, real, self-worth, transparency




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 Pain, Healing, and Coming Undone  COTT: Sensational Releases  Praying for Boston: This Time Feels Different  Sabbath Sunday: I Got This  Character Confession: Real Words with FriendsCopyright © Julie Arduini [Saturday Confession: I Surrendered the Fake and Got Real], All Right Reserved. 2014.

The post Saturday Confession: I Surrendered the Fake and Got Real appeared first on Julie Arduini.

Video of the Week: Charisse by Fay Lamb

Each week I put a video in the right sidebar of my website (new and improved, by the way) and use it to promote book trailers. This week is Charisse by Fay Lamb.

Book Description:

Charisse Wellman’s husband has been gone a year, and she’s about to lose the only home her son, V.J., has ever known. She’s quit law school but the money just isn’t there. Her only option is to work as a law clerk for her ex-friend, Gideon Tabor. The only problem: Gideon is the judge who let her husband’s killer go free, and Gideon doesn’t know the connection. Gideon Tabor can’t believe that the woman interviewing for the job is the girl he loved in high school. Charisse is hesitant about accepting his job offer, and when she does, Gideon makes every attempt to apologize for his relationship-ending blunder in high school. Charisse accepts his apology, but she keeps him at a distance. When Gideon learns that Charisse’s anger actually stems from his release of the man who ran down her husband, he tries to explain, but Charisse doesn’t want Gideon’s excuses or the love he has to offer. She wants her husband’s killer to pay.

To purchase Charisse, click here.

 

Tags:  author, book trailer, Charisse, Fay Lamb, fiction, Julie Arduini, video of the week




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 12 Pearls of Christmas | Day 3 - Who is Mr. Carbunkle? by Debora M. Coty  COTT: Londonderry Dreaming by Christine Lindsay  Sabbath Sunday: No Matter the Waves  Sabbath Sunday: That Brilliant Light  The Dandelion PerspectiveCopyright © Julie Arduini [Video of the Week: Charisse by Fay Lamb], All Right Reserved. 2014.

The post Video of the Week: Charisse by Fay Lamb appeared first on Julie Arduini.

Entrusted as a Jigsaw Puzzle

As I work on promoting Entrusted and creative ways to let readers know this book exists, I come across new websites. One of them was Jigzone. I played along and thought I’d share the front cover of Entrusted with you as a puzzle.

Click on the link and the puzzle should open up.

Have fun!

Entrusted FRONT Cover edited Jigsaw Puzzle

Tags:  author, books, Entrusted, jigsaw puzzle, Jigzone, Julie Arduini, marketing, social content




Del.icio.us





Digg



StumbleUpon




Comments:  0 (Zero), Be the first to leave a reply!Take a look!  
 Saturday Confession: The Bird Poop Perspective  COTT: Announcing Clash Winner Laurie Alice Eakes and Flight of Fancy  COTT: Summer Reads  Clash of the Titles, COTT, Celebrates Anniversary with Games and Prizes  Featured Video of the Week: The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman by Carole BrownCopyright © Julie Arduini [Entrusted as a Jigsaw Puzzle], All Right Reserved. 2014.

The post Entrusted as a Jigsaw Puzzle appeared first on Julie Arduini.