Lexical Light

Thin Place Thursday: 6 yr Old Esther Heard God

Esther's Thin Place story, God in School, brought tears to my eyes, not because of the bad stuff Esther experienced, but because God spoke to her. It reminded me to pray that the Holy Spirit will minister to my children when & where I can't. I'll do my best to parent, but I'll fall short. Thankfully, God can fill in the gaps. 

(Thin Place Thursday at MaryDeMuth.com features reader submitted stories about God meeting them in a thin place, a place where heaven and earth meet. It's the theme of Mary's memoir, one of my favorite books. Because I like the book and helping others share their stories, I help get the stories online.)

Hey, Writer Friends, It's Third Thursday at the Writers' League of Texas

"Build a Book"  is the theme for this year's Third Thursday program, sponsored by the Writers' League of Texas. It's a free event at Book People in downtown Austin.  

Tonight's topic is "The First Draft: Let the Words Rip!"  For more info of the four panelists, check out the Writers' League website. 

Have a book in your brain waiting to get out? Come get inspired. Just curious about the process? Come learn something. Hope to see you there! 

Thin Place Thursday: Josey Tried, but Couldn't

Try and try again. That's what Josey did when she wanted to end her life. God didn't let her.  Read what happened before and after her suicide attempt in this week's Thin Place Thursday at MaryDeMuth.com. 

 

(Thin Place Thursday at MaryDeMuth.com features reader submitted stories about God meeting them in a thin place, a place where heaven and earth meet. It's the theme of Mary's memoir, one of my favorite books. Because I like the book and helping others share their stories, I help get the stories online.)

Truth in posting: I didn't finish this until early Friday a.m., so I backdated it. :)

Favorite Friday: Mr. Rogers' Book

 What would Fred do? 

I've found myself asking this after listening to this book for the second time. Hearing the interactions between Mr. Rogers and author Tim Madigan inspired me to be more gracious to myself and my kiddos. (Probably need to do that for my hubby also.)

The book chronicles the remarkable story of how an interview for a newspaper article resulted in a life changing relationship. Thankfully, Tim Madigan used his gifts to share a glimpse into this friendship.

 

Thin Place Thursday: Laura & Les Miserables

Laura's struggle to accept grace almost killed her. God used the musical Les Miserables to give her a glimpse of the hope available to her. She shares her story on MaryDemuth.com today. 

(Thin Place Thursday at MaryDeMuth.com features reader submitted stories about God meeting them in a thin place, a place where heaven and earth meet. It's the theme of Mary's memoir, one of my favorite books. Because I like the book and helping others share their stories, I help get the stories online.) 

 

22 Books

Before I install the external hard drive, I needed to clear a spot for it on the desk. Clearing a pile of books is a place to start. Of course, I couldn't just take them upstairs. I had to enter them in my Library Thing account first. Some may not understand the satisfaction of such a thing, but some of you may empathize.

For an added dose of nerdage, I have two Library Thing accounts, one for books I own and one for books I've read. (I have the "read" books in the left sidebar of this blog. I'll add the "own" books on the right later.) Books make me happy.

What & Where I'm Reading

I have to read more than one book at a time. I used to get uptight about it, feeling like it was some form of ADD or lack of character. Today it dawned on me one reason read several books at a time is because toting the same book from place to place doesn't work for me. Because I have to grab snippets of time to read, I've strategically placed books so I can pick up a current read whenever I can. I've found I actually finish books if they have a designated spot. So, here's a quick rundown of what & where I'm reading:
(Note there are two "other libraries". If I had three bathrooms there would be another.)

Downstairs bathroom: One Tough Mother: It's Time to Step Up and Be the Mom by Julie Barnhill. An easy read with a balance of a kick in the pants, empathy and practical advice. I've jokingly said I want to grow up and be a black grandmother because I admire the truth in the stereotype of Madea. Two things will prevent that - I'm not black and I'm not tough. There's no pigment changing procedures in my future, but I do need to step up certain aspects of my mom role.

Upstairs bathroom:  Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas, by Michka Assayas. Bono's one of my favorite lyricists, though he doesn't pass part of the Bill Gothard criteria (examine their lifestyle) for musicians.

Swimming pool: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. Definitely not an easy read, for me at least. Not being one to finish a book if I don't like it, I'm determined to finish this one. In between the apparent rabbit trails is a powerful story.

Kitchen Table: Usually whatever is reserved for the downstairs bathroom. I've learned to keep that book on a bookcase outside the lavatory instead of on the back of the commode.

Van: Nothing right now. Definitely needs to be an easy read.

Generally I don't read before going to bed, but if I do, I grab the current selection from the upstairs loo.

Is there a list of books in this book of lists?

I'm quite the list maker. Not that I finish doing things on my list, but I like making the list. I guess it makes me feel a bit in control - at least on paper. Now I can read a book of other people's lists, Sasha Cagen's 2nd book, To Do List.

Sasha first did a magazine of lists from 2000 - 2003. In 2005 she started a blog collecting people's to do lists. On November 6 of this year she released a book of 100 TDLs. No doubt her publication of the book was influenced by the success of the blog.

BTW, if you want to contribute a list to Sashas' blog, she's still accepting them.

Maybe Dave should do a Top Ten List compiled from Sahsa's book.

HT: Blogger Buzz, the blogger.com blog.

Different Books - One Message

Household chores, postmodern culture and a PBS show for preschoolers. Different topics, one underlying theme - follow, imitate, cling to and know Jesus. How does that happen? It starts with reading His Word and praying. Three of the books I've been reading lately are all pointing me in that direction, though I didn't read them for that purpose. I hear you, Daddy.

Book Tour: Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture

Mary E. DeMuth was one of the first blogging writers I discovered, way back in 2005. Upon finding her blog, Relevant Blog (I think it was Relevant Girl back then), and her Relevant Prose news letter because both contain easily digested info for writers. Now, I'm thrilled to help spread the word about her latest book, Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture.

Don't let the phrase "postmodern culture" scare you. Mary gives a quick explanation of the idea and how it has influenced American culture and American churches. Additionally, the subtitle, "Practical Help for Shaping Your Children's Hearts, Minds and Souls," assures you it's not merely a lofty, idealogical book on parenting. Instead, it's quite user friendly. I've been reading it over breakfast the past few days and it's a lovely compliment to my Berrylicious Oatmeal. For more a bit more about the common sense parenting approach Mary conveys, read this Practical Tips post. 

You can go to Amazon for more info about the book and check out Mary's site, Relevant Prose, for more info from her and about her.

About the blog tour:
I've received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher in return for writing a few posts about it. For a list of other blogs on the tour, go here.