Wonderous Happenings In Spite of Technology

Live certainly is not dull & boring here in the NW.

Today was spent with multiple computer clitches, but I will not let them win!

4Him2U, the online Christian magazine I edit, is nearing its 2nd anniversary & we are adding new writers.

I have been having health concerns, but I refuse to let them stop me from fulfilling my call to write and to encourage others. Today, more than ever, I re-state my mission statement: to encourage joy in the spiritually oppressed through my written and spoken words... actions, too!

I am thankful for a new friend, who moved into my apt. complex a few months ago, she is an answer to prayer. Sandi & I share a love for the Lord and as 2 single ladies, we now can spend time together sharing that love as well as meals, shopping and movies. For those of you that live alone, you now how precious that is! And although we are in separate buildings, they are connected by a breezeway. Weather doesn't keep us apart.

Life is a bit stressful, but as Maxine says, "If it wasn't for stress, I wouldn't have any energy!"

Selah ~

Shalom,

Connie

Jumping for joy or...

I'm feeling a bit silly this evening. I have a brain that's going full speed ahead while my body is wanting to curl up with a good book under my warm comforter.
Maybe I'm not a clown... maybe I'm feeling like a bear ready to hibernate for the winter?!
Can NOT do that!
So many projects await: I'm facilitating a Bible study on Philippians, writing a study on remembering God through the simple stuff of life, preparing to edit and/or write some new e-books, returning to my network of friends now that my computer is online, learning Biblical Hebrew, attending a study on "Spirit-filled Temperaments, preparing some submissions, making healthy soup once per week for my neighbors (my reach out & touch ministry), and trying to stay away from the nasty-germ- patrol trying to pass that ole' influenza around.

Sometime, in between things, I need to clean my apartment, find a way to pay for my medicine (I fell into the donut hole!), get to the post office, do laundry, and clean out my garden box. N0-oo, I already did that!

Just the basic stuff for a retired lady with nothing but time on her hands. Right! No! This body may be tired, but the Lord has others plans, so duh, dah! I gotta get movin!

Shalom,

Connie

Happy to be Back

A new computer + DSL ---> a happy dance!

It will take me a while to catch up, but I'm committed to returning to my network of friends and favorite sites after almost a year of a dead computer.

Meanwhile, here's my quick, brief update:

• Have had 2 stories published ~ "The Calming Storm" in Hope Whispers & "Maytag Memories" in Cupcakes on the Counter (both available at Amazon).
• I am writing a Bible study ~ A Forgetful People: a study in Remembering prompted by the cantor at my Messianic Hebrew tradition church saying, "God knows we are a forgetful people."
• 4Him2u & my column in Positively Feminine are 2 years old... & I thought I couldn't do it!
• Won a regional writing contest last October (2008) but my story was rejected this year. Oh well, those rejections help the head and ego from swelling too big.
• Spent 2 weeks vacationing in Hawaii during May & fell in love with Oahu.
• Began Stone Soup night here at Pilot Butte Retirement Center (PBRC). Everyone brings something to add to the pot & I make the soup. It means one evening of healthy food & not eating alone. Around 20 seniors have participated. It is a part of my friendship building ministry as is...
• being the library & computer lady here at PBRC.
• Working on needlework projects for Hanukkah/Christmas
• Participating in the Muse Online Writers Conference this week.
• Continue to write & edit "The Encourager," a snail mail newsletter for the chronically ill.

Shalom,

Connie

You Are Not Forgotten

Just a brief note to say I am expecting to be back soon. I have been without Internet access since last October. So it's new computer time. As soon as I'm up & running, I'll be back.

9/29/09 My computer is in route. Back soon!

Book Review:

The Noticer by Andy Andrews

A small, but mighty book, The Noticer is a quick read. Andy Andrews is a good storyteller and spins a pleasant tale about a man with an old battered suitcase, who "notices things."
He appears throughout a small town sharing with folks the things he (yep!) notices, which leads people to rethink what's going on in their lives.

You can read this book superficially and just enjoy the tale
OR
you can stop and ponder what your life is all about and decide if any changes are needed.

I read The Noticer in one afternoon, but I have been mulling it over ever since then. As I have reflected upon the lives of each character in the story, I have seen some resemblances in my own life. And that's opened my eyes and mind to see myself as not measuring up . . . not being the person that the Lord meant for me to be. I am planning on some life changes real soon!

I strongly recommend The Noticer to everyone 16 years of age and older. Get a copy and take a journey with the old man who notices things and isn't shy about sharing them!

Book Review: Through the Storm: A real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World.

from Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Lynne Spears, mother of Jamie Lynne, Bryan and Britney Spears, tells what it is really like when your children are reaching for fame and fortune. Because I do not keep up with contemporary music, Briteny Spears was only a name to me. So I felt that I would be an unbiased reader.
I found the story of Lynne's marriage and children to be told very defensively. Her challenge of telling the truth was not convincing. Nor was the faith that she claimed carried her through the tough times. It seemed like an afterthought. I don't wish to be judgemental. Her faith just didn't come through as life-sustaining, thus it was not an encouragement to me.

The more I read, the more biased I felt. I could understand how her co-dependent behaviors added to her problems being married to an alcoholic. But being victims of multiple unscrupulous managers, agents etc.? Once, maybe twice. But as a college graduate and business owner, could she really have been that naive? Blaming it on her small town, Southern upbringing was a poor excuse for allowing injustices to go on over and over again.

While I don't doubt that she loves her children, my impression is that she needs to accept more responsibility for her actions or lack of action. By the time I got to the end of her book, my main thought was that it never would have been published without the name Briteny Spears. (Thomas Nelson: was the dollar or her story the purpose of printing this book? Sorry, that's where my thoughts led me.)truth

While reading it during dinner one evening, I asked a young waitress to tell me her impression of Briteny Spears. She responded that Briteny really messed up her life, but" she's trying to put it back together again." I then asked if she'd like to read the book. "Yes!" was her quick reply, but then she reads all the tabloids, too.

So is this book much better? I'd like to think that it was more truthful. The writing itself was mediocre; but most important, there is no real take away value for the reader.

Britney fans will be disappointed, as it is her mother's story, not hers. Mothers with rising stars may appreciate a view of what's to be gained in a tabloid world. Maybe, you need to read it for yourself & decide. But his a book that I can not recommend.

Selah,

Connie

Election Thoughts

A writer friend has posted a thought provoking challenge at http://www.rtsponderings.wordpress.com. Scroll down to Oct. 8th's guest writer, Les James' thoughts "If My Bible Were..."

I must admit, I was found guilty. Of what? Of being fearful and anxious about our upcoming election. Because I live in Oregon, my ballot is on my desk waiting for decisions to be made even though I am not happy with our choices. I am concerned about the effect of rising food costs, gas prices, health care, etc.

As one of many on a fixed income, I am constantly having to find ways to survive when my medical costs take more than half of my income. I am seeking inexpensive, creative ways to give gifts to my grandchildren, family and friends. I am a writer with a zero budget... even buying ink for my printer is difficult. Life is not easy.

Then I read Les ' challenge. I am not practicing what I say I believe. My faith is the foundation of my life. Yet my mind is taking me into areas of thinking that are not compatible with that foundation.

Nevertheless, I will not give up the freedom to vote. I will sit down and read the resources I've gathered for my decision-making process. But FIRST I will ask the Lord for His guidance.

My life is evidence of God's interventions and answers to prayer. From giving me a baby to raise for Him to the basics of having enough money to buy food to eat, gas for my car, and medication to keep me from being a burden upon my family or society.

Like the Children of Israel, I moan and groan, and complain. Too quickly I forget how He has provided guidance, protection and manna.

An old song says, "Get On Board Little Children..." I am. I am getting back to my foundation of faith ~ for it has not failed me. I will fill out and mail in my ballot. And then, I'll leave the running of the USA to the winners of the election.

Why? Because it has nothing to do with campaign promises. God is in control of this world that He created. Therefore, my actions must reflect my faith and I must set aside my fears and anxiety by "Letting Go & Letting God."

Thanks Les for the wake up call!