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!

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

News that won't reach the local newspaper, but keeps me "happy dancing" & wanting to share my joy with you:

COWG's* Contest Winners--to be read at Fall Literary Harvest October 17th:

First Place: Mike Rettig, Last Run

Second Place: Cameron Prow, See, Hear, and Speak No Evil

Third Place: Suzanne Burns, Casting Call

Selected to be read at Fall Literary Harvest:

Elsie Rochna, Split Decision

RaeAnn Proost, Cupcakes Cooling On The Counter

Alex Weiss, Wild Life; Rumble Ponies; Rootsteps; I Remember; Enough

Constance Gilbert, Dandelions of Life

Jo Ann Senior, Revenge of the Devilish Donut

Bill Baber, The Innocence of Summer; Next Nowhere; Your Blues

Carol Brian, How Canada Geese Behave; High School English Teacher; Standing in Line at the Post Office; Virtual Reality; Why Are You Weeping?

I am in great company as several of these writers are published authors.

* Central Oregon Writers Guild

Troubles Chosen

I recently was honored to have a story chosen for inclusion in volume 2 of Quilting Patches of Life by Lori Wagner.

While it truly makes me happy to have my story published, I was re-blessed as I went back to an awful time of my life, and saw how God blessed me and helped me to grow closer to Him.

Although we don't choose the bad experiences of our lives, they are often turning points along our life's journey. When we return to them, we are then able to see the ripple effects ~ how God has used them for not only ourselves, but for others also.

Would I choose the bad times? No, but in retrospect, I am thankful for each one as they represent the patches on my life's quilt. I know that I just see the underside with its knots and tangles, but God sees the finished topside. He will show it to me someday. Then I will see the silver and gold threads that piece it all together. In the meantime, I am satisfied knowing I'm a work-in-progress.

Selah ~

Shalom,
Connie

Bunny Slippers & PJs

It's getting close... this year's Muse Writers' Conference will be held in mid-October for one week.

I'm excited to return ... to learn more about writing, publishing, editing, marketing, & (breath) just being with other writers from around the world for a whole week!

Don't ever let anyone tell you that nothing's free! Because this conference is totally free. And I can attend in my pj's wearing my bunny slippers. (Yes, I do have them!) It's online Monday through Sunday... and it begins at 6 a.m. (my time). You thought I was kidding about the pj's... umhm... I wasn't!

I am also pleased that some of my writer friends will be attending, too. We're in the process of signing up for the sessions we wish to "attend." Some will be live using a chat room. Some will be taking place via ongoing e-mails posted on the conference site... sort of like blogging with comments. Some have assignments to work on.

I love learning! My little gray cells are already getting stirred up in this blender brain of mine. By conference week they'll be on high speed!

Meanwhile, I am pleased to announce that a story of mine, "God's Healing Laughter" has been selected for Patches of Life, Vol. 2. I'll let you know when it's published.

I hope I do as well with the articles I'm currently working on. One is for an ezine (my monthly column: Connie's Coda at www.positivelyfeminine.org) and 3 contest submissions. My local writers' group is publishing a chapbook; I'll have 3 short stories in it.

"My" ezine: 4Him2u is already posted and is loaded with encouraging stories and poems. The snail mail newsletter, I write & edit, will be going out next week.

I may be wearing those bunny slippers, but I'm hopping... duh, I'm mean I'm madly writing. "Til the next time I've a moment to chat, be sure to share an encouraging word & a smile :) with someone today!

Connie

Obama: a Book Review

Book Review: The Faith of Barak Obama
by Stephen Mansfield
Thomas Nelson Publishing, 2008

Mansfield offers an understanding of the Religious Right vs. the Religious Left, a comparison of Hillary Clinton and former Presidents' personal religious influences, and the basis for Barack Obama's faith.

He contends that Obama has gone through a journey of self-discovery, which was complicated due to being biracial and the conflicting religious upbringing by his parents and grandmother. A man with intellectual curiosity and doubts, but “dedicated to discovering his (God's) truth.”

Looking for a “vessel” for his beliefs, praying to “take stock of himself,” and “battling a lifestyle of detachment,” Obama finds religious commitment and an affirmation of his African heritage through Reverend Wright's mentoring and church. Thus, Obama states that he is “unashamedly black and unapologetically Christian.”

At the end of the book, Mansfield discusses the healing of our nation saying that Obama can distance himself from our country's history that affects the previous generations. But Obama's words that Christianity is “but one religion tree” and that he cannot impose his religious views on another, cause me to question, as others have, whether this is the “required religious dance” of all politicians or not.

For Barack Obama, or anyone in leadership, the knowledge of other belief systems in order to function within the world's diversity, is commendable and wise. But Obama's search for a vessel for his beliefs vs being a willing vessel for God poses more questions for me. I wonder whether St. Augustine's words are still unfulfilled in the life of Barack Obama: “You (God) have formed us for Yourself, and our heart's are restless till they find their rest in You.”

The Faith of Barack Obama is a worthwhile read in that I am able to articulate my concerns better. However, I didn't find the answers I was seeking. Maybe, you will.