Invitation to join Daisy Chain blog tour

Daisy Chain releases March 1st. Tina at The Blog Tour Spot will be organizing a blog tour March 9-13.

My desire for this blog tour is to expose folks to Daisy Chain as well as invite people to share their family secrets at My Family Secrets blog. (The book deals with family secrets; the blog is a place for folks to share their family secrets anonymously. It officially launches February 1st, but you can take a sneak peek there today.)

If you have a well-trafficked blog, particularly one that reaches folks my blogs don’t reach, I’d love for you to be a part. Simply email Tina at info@blogtourspot.com and let her know you’re interested. You’ll receive a complimentary copy of Daisy Chain to read or give away for your efforts.

Here’s a review:

“DeMuth’s coming-of-age story . . . has all the charm and grace of true southern storytelling. Readers will be hooked from beginning to end. DeMuth writes her characters and their problems with flair, and readers will be sad to reach the end!” Romantic Times

Thanks so much for considering hosting the book on your blog!

With joy,
Mary

Cool News!!!

(Note: for my part of the news, scroll down to the large, bold text.)


2009 Christian Book Expo
Feature Controversial Panel Topics, Bestselling Authors:
Christopher Hitchens, Lee Strobel, J.I. Packer, Donald Miller,
Don Piper, Randy Alcorn, And More

Visit www.ChristianBookExpo for the scoop on this first-ever show.

Check out the social networking links (MySpace, etc) at the CBE website. Bloggers can join group/s and tell friends about CBE.

Blog about the idea of a Christian Book Show for the public, the panel topics and panelists, etc. The first 200 people to publish a CBE blog post of 100+ words will receive complimentary admission to the show! Send the link to your post to be eligible.

Interview Mark Kuyper in advance of the show for a blog post.

NOTE: Press registration is for professional members of the press only. However, coupons for $5 off admission are available at Family Christian Stores in the DFW area.

Dallas/Fort Worth, TX—The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has announced five discussion panels and confirmed panelists for the 2009 Christian Book Expo held in Dallas, Texas. The panel discussion sessions are included with admission to the 2009 Christian Book Expo, but seating will be limited. Christianity Today magazine is sponsoring the panel discussions and providing moderators. The panels are scheduled for Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21. The panel discussions will be videotaped by GodTube.com, the official webcast partner of the 2009 Christian Book Expo, and posted at their website.

Christianity Today magazine, which offers complete news coverage of the church in the world today, is the official sponsor for the 2009 Christian Book Expo panel discussions. Christianity Today editors and ECPA jointly selected the panel topics as well as the panelists. The panelists for each discussion were chosen for their special knowledge of the topic and their ability to communicate that information. The final panel of the weekend (“Does the God of Christianity Exist, and What Difference Does It Make?”) is expected to attract special attention since panelists will include nationally bestselling authors Christopher Hitchens (anti-theist, journalist), Lee Strobel (Christian apologist), Douglas Wilson (Christian apologist, co-author with Hitchens), William Lane Craig (professor/Christian philosopher) and Jim Denison (pastor/Christian apologist).

“The discussion panel topics and panelists selected are sure to garner the attention of book lovers and media alike,” comments ECPA President Mark Kuyper. “We expect a full house for these panels and urge attendees to arrive early.”

“Christianity Today’s goal is to give followers of Christ intelligent, thoughtful coverage of today’s issues and trends,” said Stan Guthrie, the magazine’s managing editor, special projects. “That’s why we’re so excited to sponsor these panel discussions. They bring together top authors to examine some of our day’s most important topics, from multiple angles. We expect these unique sessions will be highly informative and enjoyable.”
Following is a description of each of the five 2009 Christian Book Expo panel discussions. All panels will be housed in the Dallas Convention Center; exact room locations to be announced soon.

What is the Gospel?
Friday, March 20 / 9:00 - 10:30 AM CT
Moderator: Darrell Bock, Jesus According to Scripture (Baker Academic)
Panelists: Richard Stearns, President, World Vision International and author of A Hole in the Gospel (Nelson); Mark D. Roberts, Can We Trust the Gospels? (Crossway); Tullian Tchividjian, Do I Know God? (Multnomah); Justin Taylor, The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World (Crossway)

A Guided Tour of Heaven and Hell
Friday, March 20 / 1:00 - 2:30 PM CT
Moderator: Mark Galli, Christianity Today
Panelists: Don Piper, 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life (Baker); Sam Storms, The Hope of Glory (Crossway); Randy Alcorn, Heaven (Tyndale); J I Packer, Knowing God (Inter-Varsity Press)

Living Christianly in a Post-Christian Culture
Friday, March 20 / 3:30 - 5:00 PM CT
Moderator: Andy Crouch, author of Culture Making, editor at Christianity Today
Panelists: Donald Miller, Blue Like Jazz (Nelson); Ruth Haley Barton, Sacred Rhythms (Inter-Varsity Press); Randy Frazee, Making Room for Life (Zondervan); Mary E. DeMuth, Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture (Harvest House)

The Emerging Church
Saturday, March 21 / 9:00 - 10:30 AM CT
Moderator: Mark Galli, Christianity Today
Panelists: Scot McKnight, The Blue Parakeet (Zondervan); Tony Jones, The New Christians (Jossey-Bass); Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck, Why We’re Not Emergent (Moody)

Does the God of Christianity Exist, and What Difference Does It Make?
Saturday, March 21 / 1:00 - 3:00 PM CT
Moderator: Stan Guthrie, Christianity Today
Panelists: Lee Strobel, The Case for the Real Jesus, The Case for a Creator (Zondervan); William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith (Crossway); Douglas Wilson, Is Christianity Good for the World? (Canon Press); Christopher Hitchens, Is Christianity Good for the World? (Canon Press) and God Is Not Great (Twelve Books); Jim Denison, Wrestling with God (Tyndale)

The inaugural Christian Book Expo will be held in Dallas, Texas, on March 19-22, 2009, at the Dallas Convention Center. ECPA has invited publishers, ministries, authors and booksellers to exhibit in this open-to-the-public event. Activities at the three-day Expo include workshops, seminars, panel discussions, mini-events and evening programming—all led by authors. Many author groups will be represented at the show (Chi Libris, American Christian Fiction Writers, Advance Writers and Speakers Association, the Christian Writers Guild), as well as self-published authors and literary agents. More than 200 authors have registered to date.

For more information on the 2009 Christian Book Expo, contact Pamela McClure at 615-595-8321. More information, including press registration, is available online at www.ChristianBookExpo.com .

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization, comprised of nearly 200 member companies worldwide, representing a combined revenue of nearly $2 billion. Founded in 1974, ECPA is dedicated to serving the Christian publishing industry through equipping its members through cutting-edge technology, meaningful data, dynamic educational opportunity and unprecedented access to markets. For more information about ECPA, contact us at: 480-966-3998 phone, 480-966-1944 fax, 9633 South 48th Street, Suite 140, Phoenix, Arizona 85044, info@ecpa.org www.ecpa.org

Ava Torvalar
New Media Specialist
atorvalar@tbbmedia.com

The B&B Media Group
www.tbbmedia.com



The Mount Hermon Head Start Mentoring Program

First off: No, I'm not going to make a career out of writing conference promotional videos!

But, I am really passionate about this mentoring program, offered right before the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. If you're a beginning to intermediate writer and you'd like some one-to-one and group mentoring prior to the conference, consider signing up for this clinic. It's not often you get to have a professional critique your work, help guide your career, and learn from other writers. This is a unique opportunity.

For more information, go here. Click on Web Packet vs. 8 for all the instructions you need to register. By the way, I'm one of the nonfiction mentors, so if you're writing nonfiction, there's a good chance we might get to work together!

A Slow Burn cover

Here's the cover of book two of the Defiance, TX trilogy, entitled A Slow Burn. It will release in October. What do you think?

And a cool thing happened yesterday: I received my first hot-off-the-press copy of Daisy Chain. It's always a thrill.

Encouragement across the pond

I received this email on a day I needed to hear it:

Message: Dear Mary,

Just wanted to send you a few lines and let you know how much you've encouraged me as a mom.

I was at an all time low end of last year...living in Ireland, away from family, burdened by ministry,...I was racked with failure and guilt every day! It was just before Christmas 2008 that I finally cried out to the Lord to be my Encourager and to give me the strength and resources to, not just carry on but be the mom I really want to be.

Within 24hrs He landed your book "Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God" in my lap! Mary, I read the first few chapters and wept...it felt so good to realize the things I battle with are normal and need not be overwhelming. Every time I got discouraged, I'd pick up your book and read a little bit...it felt like sitting down with a friend over coffee and having a much needed chat. You've kept me company these last few weeks!! I wish I could meet you in person!

I'm recommending the book to all fellow christian moms in Dublin and around.

Thank you for what you do!

In Christ,
Julie (mum of Emily-Faye, 4, and Caleb, 20mths)

Why I Love Soul Per Suit (and teenage girls)

Responding to the narrow gate passage of the Sermon on the Mount. I'm struck by just how narrow the path to follow Him really is. This now sits next to my keyboard.

This is in response to Matthew 5:12. I am bewildered at times by persecution, but Jesus says here to rejoice and be glad. Lord, help me rejoice!

***

I have the privilege of discipling/teaching five tenth grade girls (including my daughter.) We eat chocolate, share our hearts, and pray. Sometimes we worship. We have great discussions. Right now we're studying the Sermon on the Mount via Sandra Glahn's excellent study Mocha on the Mount. If you're looking for a deep, amazing, and life changing study, pick one up today.

The really fun part of the study is that Sandra and the gals at Soul Per Suit have created a companion study using small-scale art projects. You can see the studies here.

The girls and I responded to what we read by creating wee little art projects on playing cards. You'll see my artwork above. Responding to Scripture by creating something is one of the most amazing ways I've learned to connect with Jesus. I strongly encourage you to take a look at the Soul Per Suit galleries and be inspired. I promise you, your devotional life will be changed.

What's Age Got to Do with it?

I just finished What's Age Got to Do with it? yesterday and enjoyed it. I love Robin's conversational style and her ability to draw the reader into her life. She doesn't act like a prima donna, nor is she afraid to tell the truth, unadorned.

There's plenty to like:

• It's fun to see behind her professional life, realizing she's a mom and a mother-in-law and a wife.
  
• The chapter on hormones was extremely helpful. Hmmm, maybe men should buy this book too so they'll understand! I learned a lot about perimenopause, something I hadn't really researched yet. (And to be honest, I really don't want to know, but the inevitable looms. Oh how it looms. Get me some chocolate.)
• I appreciated her tenacity and her commitment to overall health.
• Once again, I realized how important it is for women to take care of themselves. Robin's story about her mom who always gave, but ignored her stress and her symptoms, is a sad one. She lost her mother young--a painful wake up call for those of us who put Mom as the last on the list.

What didn't work for me (but keep in mind I am not a girly girl who wears a lot of makeup.)

• Since I don't have thick hair, there has never been a time in my life when I've blow-dried my hair for fifteen minutes. So I couldn't relate to this.
  
• I can't imagine spending so much time putting on my makeup. Seriously, from shower to out-the-door-ready, it takes me fifteen minutes (including drying my hair and breakfast too). I completely understand that if I were to appear on a TV show every day, this would change.
  
• High heels kill me. Maybe it's because I'm 5 foot 8 and don't "need" them. Or maybe it's that I never learned to walk in them, even after that stint at Barbizon school of modeling. (Slogan: Be a model, or just look like one!) I can't relate. I am so not a shoe horse. I have maybe ten pairs of shoes.

That being said, it was an informative book written in a conversational style. I enjoyed the read. I hope I look as lovely as she does when my clock ticks 55.

23 Reasons why you should go to Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference

It runs April 3-7, 2009 and is near San Jose, California. You can find out more here.
I'll be doing a nonfiction mentoring track prior to the conference April 1-3, as will many other mentors. Then I'll be teaching Writing Boot Camp for the duration of the conference.

Struggling with Materialism?

I'm over at the Hearts at Home blog today with a post entitled Struggling with Materialism. Drop on by and leave a comment or two. There's great stuff there!

If you haven't read this book, you need to. Now.

If you want to see the gospel played out in the lives of ordinary (and extraordinary) folks, get this book. It's life-changing. It's one of the few books I've read this year that I cried through, loving the prose, reveling in the beauty of the story.

I don't want to give away the farm here by restating the story, but suffice to say it's about an unusual friendship forged by a woman with an ability to see beyond a homeless man's facade. And it's about the woman's husband who tentatively steps toward a relationship with the same man.

Although it's a true story (which makes for amazing heart impact as you read), it reads like a novel. I will never look at people the same. And as I've prayed this year that I'd be receptive to God's still small voice, I hope I can reach out to the hurting the way these people did.

Because I know my life is only as rich as the people I allow in. If I'm too busy or too into my agenda, I'll miss God's best. Keeping messy people at arm's length does that to my soul, stagnating it.

So, get this book. Devour it. And determine, by God's grace, to never be the same.

What if?

Yep, I had another weird dream. In it, I traveled back in time to visit people who I'd met later in life who had really messed up their lives. I visited them at their initial point of decision. (You know how each addiction, bad life choice, etc. usually starts with one little decision?)

I warned each person, told them what I saw them doing to themselves in the future, how they destroyed their lives and devastated those they loved. I implored. I begged. I tried to make them see. But they kept on the same trajectory.

I woke up sad.

Then I realized how God must feel. (No, I'm certainly not equating myself with Him!) He, through His Holy Spirit, sees the future of us. He sees which way our decisions which seem small at the time affect us into disaster later. He whispers warnings, tells us to reconsider our decisions. Why? Because He loves us and knows us from birth to death. He is not confined by time and space.

But so often we turn away.

Once, a friend recounted a harrowing journey down sin's trail. It started with one bad decision. "I kept hearing God's voice beckoning me away, but I didn't listen. Now I have to live with the fact that I kept saying no to God, kept ignoring Him."

Through this conversation and the dream I had last night, I keep thinking about the narrow road. The Bible says FEW are those who find it. Not only does it apply to those who choose to follow Him or not to follow Him toward eternity, but I also believe it's an apt metaphor for us as believers. When we shrug off the voice of God, we walk in a wide path.

But His voice beckons us down the narrow one.

OK, this officially cracks me up!

Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it) from Joe Nicolosi on Vimeo.

An Ode to Mac by Mary

Oh steadfast Mac
How I love thee
You do not succumb
To the Blue Screen of Death
You do not shutteth off thine self
In the midst of my ruminations
You steadfastly work
Surreptitiously fending of viral foes
You hold my life securely
In your digital hands
I thought I adored my former lover
Dell was his name
Until I flung myself in hope
At your apple-beckoning self
You have opened my eyes
To Dell’s sneaky, clunky ways
And I am forever indebted
With every megabit of being.

A Fun Adventure with a Writing Friend

Want to read a cool story about a husband who gave a surprising gift to his wife this Christmas? And how Rockwall Christian Writers Group was involved? And a plane ride from the East Coast to Dallas? Curious, yet? Read here.

Be blessed: Jesus sees. He came for you.

Beautiful words. True words. Are you broken today? Jesus knows.

The Trinity on my run

This morning while the sun helloed the dawn
I spied in morning's kindling light
A tree, dark-limbed, crouching to the earth
Branch kissing erect grass, brown and brittle
And in that blessed intersection
A bird flitted in between

A picture of the Trinity--
The wintered earth, the Creating One
The stooping tree, the Savior fair
The bird in its midst, the Spirit's wings
And I the bracken grass ever reaching
In the great in between.

I would grow no root had the Creator forgotten earth
I would not feel kissed had the tree not stooped
I would lack flighted delight had the Spirit not flown

Oh blessed Trinity!
The stooping, the kissing, the flying--are all Yours
And now mine.

Flash Review: The Unseen

The Unseen by T.L. Hines made me rethink what I thought was my own privacy. Are people lurking behind my walls? He uncovered a segment of society I’d not known before, mixing it with a mysterious protagonist with a sketchy past. Although I found him somewhat creepy, I wanted to root for him as he uncovered layers of secrets. Intelligent, quirky, and innovative, folks who like espionage novels with a tinge of the supernatural will love this book.

My books, His Glory

Today in church we were singing about the glory of God. I know it may seem simplistic, but I stopped in the midst of the song and marveled at His glory. Singing, raising hands, and surrendering, I gave my career to Him and told Jesus, “It’s all for You. Please, please bring glory to Your name through my books.” It was a sweet surrender, a needed readjustment. Not that I’d run off and become a narcissistic megalomaniac (oh how I hope not), but I’d let my fear and worry about this business overtake the simple joy of writing for His renown.

There is joy in the relinquishing.

And there is peace when I stop fretting in lieu of gritty trust.

It reminds me of the worship song Your Renown by Shaun Groves. The chorus says:

Lord, it's Your renown, Your eternal fame
That I live for now. It's Your name. It's Your name.

You can watch it here.

The Birth to Five Book

If you're a new parent, I'd like to highlight a new book called The Birth to Five Book by Brenda Nixon.

For a child’s newborn and infant years, Nixon covers the challenges of:

• How to soothe a baby’s separation anxiety
• Nursing and when to start solid foods
• Encourage a love for reading, even now
• Instill self-esteem from a young age

During the toddler years, she speaks to issues such as:

• Effectively addressing the issues that give “the terrible twos” its name, including temper tantrums, being disobedient, and biting
• Breaking a child from bottles and pacifiers
• Healthy methods of discipline
• The best ways for fathers to bond with their children

When a child reaches preschool and kindergarten age, new questions crop up:

• Why your child needs to play—and the best ways to encourage it
• How to handle fears, like monsters in their closet
• Ways to teach your children to be grateful, not greedy
• Creative ideas to help your kids get excited about going to school
• What happens when grief strikes? How to guide your child through sad times

Finally, Nixon offers resources and creative tips that every parent will appreciate:

• 10 tips to make parenting less stressful
• A guide of suggested gifts for children at every stage
• Creative crafts and ideas for cutting household costs—and bond with your child, in the process

Brenda Nixon has been a speaker for MOPS International, MOPS groups, and the Hearts at Home national convention. A member of the National Speakers Association, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and a CLASS graduate, Nixon is a contributing author to dozens of books and has a long background in childhood education and parent training. She lives in Mount Vernon, Ohio.

Jesus is not an American?

I read an interesting blog today by author Ted Dekker entitled, The Challenge of Being Gay. It's not about homosexuality; it's about language and how folks label each other, particularly Christians. I wrote a response to Ted, and I'd like to share it here. First, read his post, then read below.

My response:

Maybe we should look at why the labels have become distasteful (both inside and outside the church). Part of the blame comes from distortions by others bent on disfiguring the name of Christ. And part of the blame comes from Christ followers who don’t follow Christ well. I’m one who prefers the term Christ follower. As I study the Sermon on the Mount with a group of high school girls, I’m struck at how easily we dismiss Christ’s admonitions. Do I really turn the other cheek? Do I consider it cool to be weak or meek? Am I that interested in making peace? Have I considered those who are starving and suffering in the world as more important than me?

The way is wide for those who don’t follow Christ, but the gate is narrow for those who do. My hope is that my life reflects that narrow gate in a winsome, invitational way. As I read the gospels, I’m struck at how irresistible Jesus is, how folks flock to Him, can’t get enough of Him. Why is it that Christ followers on earth don’t always have that same irresistible quality? What is it in my life that reflects the mundane? How, as an image-bearer of God, do I misrepresent Him? (Oh how I could count the ways, and I’m sure you could count my ways too).

Instead of worrying about blanket statements, I am throwing the blanket off myself, wondering what it is that is cultural about my Christianity (that I’ve wrongly assigned to the Gospel) and what is genuine. Having had the experience of living overseas and then returning to the United States, I had the unique privilege and agony of seeing just how much of my Christianity was wrapped in a red, white and blue flag. And as my eldest daughter said when we moved to France, “I am learning that Jesus is not an American.”

I believe folks who are without hope are looking for Jesus—the irresistible, sacrificial, out-of-the-box, holiness-with-skin-on Jesus. The more we as Christ followers reflect that, the more folks will see Him. (An aside: I’m thankful God is big enough and powerful enough to enact His plans despite us. For me it’s a matter of what Randy Alcorn taught me through his books: eternal perspective. Yes, God can do it all by Himself in His sufficiency, but He mysteriously allows us to be a part of His plan on earth. And how we coincide with His plan is how rewarded we’ll be in heaven for a life well-lived.)

My hope is that the labels of Christianity will be a non-issue as we genuinely seek to follow Him down surprising and hard paths.

Laura Dern and Me. Twins. Seriously!

OK, so I'm not as famous as George Clooney (whom my hubby gets mistaken for . . . and it happened again last week). But I do have one claim to fame. Folks stop me and tell me I look like Laura Dern. This has happened on several occasions, enough to make me smile and wonder.

But here's the ironic thing. I looked up Laura on the Internet only to find out SHE HAS THE EXACT SAME BIRTHDAY. Same day. Same year.

Sure, she SAYS she was born in LA, and my birth certificate says SEATTLE, but who's to say we weren't separated at birth by some CIA clandestine plot? I know it's true. And if you dig deep into your soul, you'll agree with me.

I say Laura and I should get together and compare notes. And, of course, we should throw an amazing joint 42-year-young (I call it 21-21) birthday bash on February 10th. So, all of you who are BFFs with Laura, would you do me a favor and let her know of my party plans? Thanks. I appreciate it.

Signed,
Laura's Twin Mary

Happy Birthday, Susan Meissner!

She's the sweetest, loveliest, smartest novelist. And I'm blessed to call her friend. If you haven't read her books, you're missing out on stunning prose, beautifully wrought stories, and authentic humanity intersecting redemption. How about starting a conspiracy of kindness today in honor of her birthday? Buy one of Susan's books! If you do, place a comment here. Here's a list of her books (with some random ones thrown in by Karen Kingsbury and Ann Tatlock).

Rest: You Need It!

Today I'm so thankful to have Keri Wyatt Kent, the author of Rest, here with me. I endorsed the book by saying:

“Keri Wyatt Kent has woven a beautiful tribute to resting and pays great homage to the Sabbath we so often ignore and misunderstand. Practical, intelligent, and winsomely inviting, Rest will change the way you look at your hectic life and instill in you a longing to set aside precious time to simply be.”

Keri graciously agreed to answer some of my burning questions:

Why do you think we disdain the idea of rest in this culture?

We truly believe that our value is based on our accomplishments. And that makes sense, because we get a lot of admiration for accomplishing things. If we are resting, we are not accomplishing anything. We're not productive, and we think that means that we don't have value. We believe "if I'm busy, I must be important." so if I'm not busy, then does that mean I'm unimportant? Who would want that? What we don't realize is that "If I'm busy, I must be important" is a lie.

What three benefits has sabbath had on the dynamic of your family?

Well, first, my kids realize that they have value whether they accomplish anything or not. I think Sabbath has allowed us to experience peacefulness, and the unconditional love of God. It's also taught us to live at a sane pace all the time. We choose carefully what to say yes and no to. It's also brought us closer, because it is a day when I am available to my kids, to listen, play or pray. It's the day I'm not too busy for them.

What advice would you give to a stressed out mom?

this may seem strange, but my advice is: delegate. When we try to do it all, we get stressed. One of the most important steps in my Sabbath journey was telling my family that I was no longer going to do all of the househo ld chores. I taught my children (then ages 11 and 13) and my husband, to do their own laundry. We each have a chore (such as vacuuming, doing the dishes, etc.) each week. I wish I'd started this much earlier--like as soon as the kids were able to reach the buttons on the washing machine. I see a lot of women who are really angry, and I think it's because they are doing too much. Running a house is a full-time job, and everyone who lives in that house should contribute and pitch in.

Limit the activities your children are signed up for. Substitute family activities for things you have to drive them to. Just because they want to be in four sports doesn't mean that's a good choice for them, or for you.

My other advice is to take an unflinching look at your schedule. Write down all the things you've said yes to, and see which ones you can cut out. Ask about each obligation on your list--am I doing this to please people, or serve God? Does this line up with my gifts and my calling? If your life has no margin, it's going to be difficult to take a day off. Say no more often when people ask you to do things. And read my book--it gives very practical advice on how to live at a sane pace.

Fun Review of Daisy Chain

Rachel Rigdon posted this review of Daisy Chain today over at her blog. She's given me permission to post it here:

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Daisy Chain

I love to read novels. However, although I am a Christian, I have never been much of a fan of Christian fiction. Why? You know why. Don’t make me say it.

But the ugly truth funny thing about me is, I make snap judgments. As in, I’ll eat one bite of something off-the-beaten-path that my husband orders at a restaurant, not love it, and vow to never eat it again. And I don’t. I guess I sank my teeth into some Christian fiction that was yuck to me once upon a time, and I gave up. Come to think of it, I’d never let my kids get away with that….

Recently, I stumbled upon an author whose personal history was so shattering and humbling, and her blog so full of sentence I wish I had written, that I knew she could never write a crappy book. Without further ado, I made a decision: I would buy and read some of her books.

Let’s just say that that is one snap judgment I’m glad I made. After stalking contacting her, she allowed me the privilege of reading and reviewing her soon-to-be-released new novel Daisy Chain. As I suspected, it is a Let-Your-Laundry-Mildew, Ignore-Your-Kids, Make-Your-Husband-Sigh-Loud-On-Purpose kind of book. That is, you won’t be able to put it down. Please go check out my blog, In Sum, for the scoop. Do it. Seriously, go do it right now.

Posted by Rachel at 1:18 PM

The Best Posts of Each Month Here at RelevantBlog

January 6th: Am I brave enough to live? At the crossroads of grief, God whispers a challenge: Will I choose to live this year, really live?

February 28th: 83 dollars. A brief story about my son’s ability to give away his treasure for the sake of wells in Ghana.

March 28th: Envy. Here I expose my own envious self and hold up a friend as a different kind of encouraging example.

April 2nd: Introverted Extrovert? Extroverted Introvert? Here I expose all my inner angst about who I am, then I let my readers decide.

May 28th: Well, it happened. I feel weird. A little piece about finding my books tucked into the corners of Half-Priced books. A surreal experience.

June 4th: Declaring an IHBD (I Hate Bras Day). Enough said…I even wrote a poem.

July 14th: What I Learned in Ghana. My twelve-year-old son Aidan and I had the trip of our lives. Listen to what God did.

August 29th: When Hope Wanes. My life and grief spilled on the page, tinged with the kind of hope only God can infuse.

September 4th: Wrestling with Customer Service. One of my more controversial posts about whether customer service feeds our narcissism.

October 25th: Crabby Sue. Sometimes you just have those kind of days where you’re crabby, crabby, crabby.

November 21st: The Way Friendship Twists. We’ve all had broken friendships. I explore what happens and why.

December 1st: The Slippery Slope of Selfishness: Am I more selfish this year than last? Enough said.

Remodels: Me . . . and Julia's room

Here's the new hairdo. Thanks to Michelle, the hairdressing wonderwoman!

Julia's room was the color of the fuzzy pink pillow. We had to prime her room first, then do two coats of the blue. It's a really nice blue, not jarring. I made the curtains, the pillows and the duvet. The opposite side of the silky green is blue fuzzy fleece.

Her desk is now brown with ice blue circles and glass handles. We received this from Mrs. Mox before Sophie was born. I think it's been painted twenty times!

We replaced our chandelier, so we had it to work with. We painted it apple green, then added beads. So fun!

Response to Gilead

I wrote an article for Christian Fiction Online magazine entitled "Response to a Pullitzer." It chronicles my response (oh how it took my breath away) to Gilead by Marilyn Robinson. Wow. You can read the article here.

Ah, the New Year. New Things from Jesus!

I love how the Lord moves and shakes and messes with me. He is very good, very just, very amazing. And He often gives me a word for the year (or words). Last year it was:

1. Prayer
2. Patrick
3. Put Others First

I don't know how well I did on those three things. It's hard to gauge whether I prayed more effectively, or whether I loved my husband better, or consciously ALWAYS put others first. Because of my own narcissistic nature, that's a hard one for me. But I'd like to think the Lord did some refining of my heart last year. I am surely not perfect, but some strides were made.

This year God's words to me seems to be about provision/stress and obedience (saying yes) to His voice. Here are the Scriptures He's given me:

"The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting; do not forsake the work of Your hands" (Psalm 138:8).

In a particularly stressful moment when I worried about provision, He said: "I will unfold My plan. It's not up to you. It's not on your shoulders."

"The voice of the Lord is powerful, the voice of the Lord is majestic" (Psalm 29:4)

"Your ears will hear a word behind you, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right or to the left" (Isaiah 31:21).

"For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us--by me and Sylvanus and timothy--was not yes and no, but yes in Him. For as many as are the promises of God, in Hm hey are yes; therefore also through Him is our amen to the glory of God through us" (2 Corinthians 1:19--20).

In response, I say: "Compelled by Your Spirit, I am going to say Yes to You."

There have been a few times already in the genesis of 2009 where I've heard the gentle nudging of the Spirit. I didn't really want to, but I chose to respond . . . once to apologize for something and once to let someone know I was praying for her. Both instances, I felt immediately happy that I obeyed and had the privilege of seeing God work. The encouragement was mutual.

And as for worrying about that goofy thing called money, it will be a faith battle for me. I work hard; that's a given. It won't be sloth that makes for low "paychecks." Just the battle of being a freelance writer and the sporadic nature of publishing--which makes me nutty, but it's a reality. So, if you would, please pray for me as I learn to trust God for provision? I can't make it all work, and I may need to find outside employment soon. I'm at that place where I am wondering whether this call to write means I stay home and write full time. Maybe it means something else. I don't know. God, what are You up to?

Sweet Provisions

I'm over at the Hearts at Home blog today with a post entitled Sweet Provisions. Drop on by and leave a comment or two. There's great stuff there!