Babbling about Books--Thursday--Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner

Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner
By Wendy Blight
Non-fiction
(2009)

Today I have the honor and privilege of highlighting Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner, written by my friend and colleague, Wendy Blight. I serve alongside her in Proverbs 31 Ministries.

When I first met Wendy, I knew there was something special about her. Her spirit shone brightly, and she carried herself with a simple grace and quiet self-confidence. Later, I discovered that she was a former attorney. “But she’s so quiet!” I thought, dispelling my notion of loud mouth lawyers.

I had never heard her “story” until she became a published author. After reading her book Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner, I understood why she was able to carry herself with such assurance—it is her complete trust in Jesus. I will not give away her harrowing story, the fear and the emotional struggles that she faced for years. However, I will tell you it has a happy ending—the Wendy Blight that I now know. I highly recommend the book. I couldn’t wait for it to be released and I could not put it down once I started. Plus, if you are a Kindle reader, it is available on Kindle.

Wendy is holding an online Bible study for her book this summer. Check it out at http://www.wendyblight.com/.

Until tomorrow,

Summer Time Bible Study

For several years I attended Bible Study Fellowship to learn about the Bible and fellowship with friends. This program runs from September to May every year. Every summer I would determine to keep on with some type of Bible study, but usually about the third week in June it would fizzle.

By the time September rolled around, I was out of sorts with myself and feeling spiritually dry. Over the course of about five years, I finally found the answer. Stay plugged into some type of organized Bible study or small group.

So how do you find one? I have the answer. I would like to share with you an online study starting on June 17th. The leader will be Proverbs 31 Ministries own Wendy Blight. The study will be on her new released book, Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner. Check out her blog (http://www.wendyblight.com/) to find out all the details. It's the perfect place to land for the summer until your regular Bible study returns in the fall.

On Thursday I will be highlighting Wendy's book on Babbling about Books. Hope to see you then to learn more about Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner.

Memorial Day in Minnesota!

Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree

I looked out the window and what did I see?
Popcorn popping on the apricot tree.
Spring has brought me such a nice surprise!
Popcorn popping right before my eyes.
I can take a handful and make a treat.
A popcorn ball that smells so sweet.
It wasn't really so, but it seemed to be
Popcorn popping on the apricot tree.

After the Happy Birthday song, this is the first song I remember learning as a child. Well, this morning, I looked out my window and this is what I saw!

Remember those who gave their lives for our country. Celebrate our national freedom.

Friday--The Writers' Porch

The Wonder Words

Writers love the wonder of words and ideas. One of the best tips I can give on the path to publication is for the writer to keep a notebook or file folder (that’s what I use) with great words, ideas and Scriptures. Although you think you will remember—there is a good chance you won’t. My favorite way to record those “unforgettable moments” is on an index card. I carry them in my purse and my Bible case. But the most important place is on my nightstand. Because for some reason, those moments, minutes, or hours before I fall asleep seem to be my most creative. Why? I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I am relaxed and my to-do list is put to bed. Whatever the reason, I come up with my best writers’ thoughts at night.

After I scribble down the overheard conversation, the perfect verse, or just a wonderful word, I put it in a file folder with a topic heading. When I wrote my Bible study, Perplexing Proverbs, I had 12 fat folders stuffed with ideas, stories, etc,--one file folder for each chapter. I do this for my devotionals, articles and books.

I even jot down great words that I hear or read. Author Brandlyn Collins posts a creative and intriguing word each day, complete with definition, on Facebook. Fun stuff. (Also, find a great thesaurus to help you discover the perfect words as you write.)

I am not the only one who says so. Here’s a quote to substantiate today’s view of wonderful words.

"I keep little notepads all over the place to write down ideas as soon as they strike, but the ones that fill up the quickest are always the ones at my nightstand. " ~Emily Logan Decens

Babbling about Books--Thursday

March
Geraldine Brooks
Fiction (2006)

One of my all time favorite books is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I read it as a young girl and several times since. Of course, I related to Jo March, the young aspiring writer. I so wanted to be like her when I grew up—I still do. (Smile).

Because of my well-known love for Little Women, a friend recommended that I read March. It is the story of the elusive Mr. March. The book March chronicles the missing information and history of the father of the little women, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy.

Geraldine Brooks makes this book come to life with the Civil War details and the emotions that Mr. March experiences. It is evident that Ms. Brooks did her research for the era. Her imagination created a character that is complex. As the reader, at times I liked him, at other times I did not.

I must warn potential readers that it is not a sweet follow-up to the classic of Little Women. It deals with racism, cruelty, and the loss of idealism of Mr. March. The book explains the cause of the March family poverty. It also may change your view of the sweet and noble Marmee. It is a gritty, moving novel intended for adult readers.

So on that note, I am off to sharpen my own writing skills. I do not think I will ever write the next breakout novel, but I sure am going to have fun trying.

See you tomorrow on The Writers’ Porch,

Farrah--My Thoughts

I watched the Farrah Fawcett documentary last week. It brought back memories of Charlie’s Angels and my dreams to be beautiful like Farrah. All right, I admit 30 years ago I was a Farrah Fawcett wanna be—I especially longed for her blonde, layered locks. However, I did not have the poster that sold millions of copies hanging on my wall, though.

But life and time is a great equalizer. As I watched her struggles, it was a reminder that no matter how golden a person’s life seems to be, in the end we are all just human. Only God controls our lives and our destinies.

I lay in bed last night and read from the book, Jesus Calling. (I highly recommend it.) As I read the Scripture verses and the devotional thoughts it brought such peace to me. For all of us, Jesus is only a prayer away. He speaks comfort that only He can give. I think of the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Although the battle against death is terrible here on earth, the promise we have as followers of Christ is that in eternity it will be better than we can imagine.

I do not know where Farrah is spiritually. But I pray that Farrah has found true peace in our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bohemian Skirt

I knew the world was seeing a flash of white thighs and cellulite. Somehow in the gust of a whirlwind, my long gypsy-like skirt flew straight up and over my head. I tried to bat it down, but it stood stubbornly straight up like a corn stalk. It seemed the garment had a mind of its own. The more I struggled to keep it down, the higher it flew. (At least my face was covered and no one would know who owned those stocky dimpled legs.)

The skirt was my favorite attire. I adored the fabric. The colors displayed in the fabric were bright and varied. Dark rusts, velvet black, and fireman red circled around the turquoise satin. Golden metallic threads highlighted the colors like trees on an autumn day. The skirt’s bohemian qualities tickled my eccentric personality. That is, until the day of the whirlwind, because the skirt continued to behave badly.

Later the same day, I was attempting to go through security at McCarran International Airport. For some reason, I set off the metal detector—twice. The security personnel sent me to the “wand and pat down area”. The wand floated across the lower part of my body. "Beep, beep, beep," it warned. I was completely flummoxed. Why was I setting off these metal detectors?

After much wand waving, hand patting, and scrutinizing it was determined that the metal threads in my skirt were the cause of the security breach. What? My unruly skirt seemed intent on deliberately ruining my day. The security guards suggested I not wear the flagrant fabric again to the airport. I agreed whole-heartedly.

Honestly, I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.