Everyone has a friend, a family member, or someone with whom they can talk about meaningful topics. That relationship is important. It’s a connection with someone who cares enough to listen and share their experiences.
But is it an eternal connection?
My dad’s father didn’t spend a lot of time with just the two of us talking about important matters while I was growing up. I’m one of his thirty grandchildren, so I had a little competition for Papaw’s knee. I remember laughter around the dinner table and him requesting that we all sing Amazing Grace at family reunions, but being a part of a large family meant I didn’t get much personal time with him. I’m sure we’ll get a chance to catch up when I see him again in heaven because I’m sure we’ll both be there.
Can I be sure all of my family will join me in heaven?
Some, yes. Some, we won’t find out until we get there.
If I’m not sure a friend or family member is headed to heaven, how can I bring up the topic with them?
The first thing I’d do is pray. Then I’d work on having conversations with them that will build the relationship into a relationship of trust. After that, you’ll be able to tell how to turn the conversation toward eternal things.
If you see that they’re agitated about where the discussion is heading, back off and listen for God’s guidance. Don’t lose the trust you’ve built.
I know I don’t have to do the work of changing hearts. God will do it. All I’m in charge of is speaking truth in love.
The habit of meaningful conversation will help your efforts to improve your relationships with your friends, family, or anyone you love. Mary DeMuth has made available a package of 150 conversation starters as a download for $5 to help people get into deeper, more meaningful conversations with each other.
If you have trouble getting the conversation going with those you love, give Mary’s starters a try. Her web site has a FREE STUFF page where you can find NINE FREE STARTERS.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Saturday, July 05, 2008
The Heiress, 1949
Awkward young Catherine is headed for the life of a spinster if her father can’t marry her off to a decent suitor. However, for her, suitors are hard to come by since she’s without beauty and social graces. When a handsome young hero charms his way into Catherine’s life, her father disapproves of her decision to accept his proposal.
The main question was whether the handsome suitor was attracted to Catherine or to her money. Montgomery Clift acted so well I had a hard time staying on one side of the fence. I rooted for him, and I jeered at him. Clift had been in two previous successful films. With this third film, he became an established star.
The ending was not what I’d expected. And the hero didn’t do what I’d expected. I laughed and quickly rewrote the ending in my mind as soon as it was over.
Olivia de Havilland drew sympathy as hopeful, but confused Catherine. This role was quite different from her sweet Melanie Hamilton in Gone With the Wind ten years earlier. Her range of emotion had me wondering what she’d do next. Her hard work earned her a Golden Globe and the Best Actress award from the New York Film Critics Circle Awards. She also won an Oscar for her work in this film.
William Wyler saw the stage production of this story at the request of Olivia de Haviland and agreed to direct the movie. Among his film successes were Jezebel (1938), Mrs. Miniver (1942), and Roman Holiday (1953).
This movie was set in the 1840’s in Washington Square. Last Saturday, I reviewed I AM LEGEND, starring Will Smith, which was also set in Washington Square.
The main question was whether the handsome suitor was attracted to Catherine or to her money. Montgomery Clift acted so well I had a hard time staying on one side of the fence. I rooted for him, and I jeered at him. Clift had been in two previous successful films. With this third film, he became an established star.
The ending was not what I’d expected. And the hero didn’t do what I’d expected. I laughed and quickly rewrote the ending in my mind as soon as it was over.
Olivia de Havilland drew sympathy as hopeful, but confused Catherine. This role was quite different from her sweet Melanie Hamilton in Gone With the Wind ten years earlier. Her range of emotion had me wondering what she’d do next. Her hard work earned her a Golden Globe and the Best Actress award from the New York Film Critics Circle Awards. She also won an Oscar for her work in this film.
William Wyler saw the stage production of this story at the request of Olivia de Haviland and agreed to direct the movie. Among his film successes were Jezebel (1938), Mrs. Miniver (1942), and Roman Holiday (1953).
This movie was set in the 1840’s in Washington Square. Last Saturday, I reviewed I AM LEGEND, starring Will Smith, which was also set in Washington Square.
Friday, July 04, 2008
A New Magazine
While you're out there preparing for a night of fireworks (or picking up the trash in the yard from whatever came back down to earth), don't forget to come back in and check out the new online magazine... Christian Fiction Online Magazine.
The first edition is ready for viewing - and is it exciting!
There are interviews, articles, publisher's corner, an etiquette column, a marketing column, a teen column, a word from a couple of agents, and an article by Jenny B. Jones. And much, much more.
I'm going to love "Ask Ashley". This is a column written by Kristen Billerbeck as seen through the eyes of her character Ashley Stockingdale. It's a column about life, romance, fashion, and whatever else Ashley has to say.
If you love Christian fiction, fun, encouraging articles, and fun, you'll want to check this magazine out every month.
The first edition is ready for viewing - and is it exciting!
There are interviews, articles, publisher's corner, an etiquette column, a marketing column, a teen column, a word from a couple of agents, and an article by Jenny B. Jones. And much, much more.
I'm going to love "Ask Ashley". This is a column written by Kristen Billerbeck as seen through the eyes of her character Ashley Stockingdale. It's a column about life, romance, fashion, and whatever else Ashley has to say.
If you love Christian fiction, fun, encouraging articles, and fun, you'll want to check this magazine out every month.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Respect
Most people are familiar with the Ten Commandments, not the movie, the actual commandments, which were written in stone. However, not everyone who knows about them knows their connecting truth.
As a whole, they have a common purpose: to teach us how to show respect to God.
Think about how you'd feel if an enormous amount of people - people you love - started saying your name as a cuss word. How would you feel if after ten years of cooking for your family, they still wonder if you can put together a decent meal? God has provided for his people for thousands of years and we still wonder if He can help us with our needs.
Today's blog post at Seek God With Me discusses how we can turn away from our fearless disrespect for God.
As a whole, they have a common purpose: to teach us how to show respect to God.
Think about how you'd feel if an enormous amount of people - people you love - started saying your name as a cuss word. How would you feel if after ten years of cooking for your family, they still wonder if you can put together a decent meal? God has provided for his people for thousands of years and we still wonder if He can help us with our needs.
Today's blog post at Seek God With Me discusses how we can turn away from our fearless disrespect for God.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Are You Like Me?
I took another quiz!
I found out that I'm just like many thousands of others who took the quiz. Apparently, there are a lot of creative people out there. Is that why there are so many garage bands and unpublished authors?
So, here's to you! Be creative and share with your friends. Get involved with others who love to create. Encourage others. Be passionate.
Talent: 59%
Take the Talent, Lifer, or Mandarin quiz.
I found out that I'm just like many thousands of others who took the quiz. Apparently, there are a lot of creative people out there. Is that why there are so many garage bands and unpublished authors?
So, here's to you! Be creative and share with your friends. Get involved with others who love to create. Encourage others. Be passionate.
I'm a Talent!
You're a risk-taker, and you follow your passions. You're determined to take on the world and succeed on your own terms. Whether in the arts, science, engineering, business, or politics, you fearlessly express your own vision of the world. You're not afraid of a fight, and you're not afraid to bet your future on your own abilities. If you find a job boring or stifling, you're already preparing your resume. You believe in doing what you love, and you're not willing to settle for an ordinary life.
Talent: 59%
Lifer: 46%
Mandarin: 49%
Take the Talent, Lifer, or Mandarin quiz. Saturday, June 28, 2008
I AM LEGEND
Recently, I was in New York and found myself on a bus tour for the first time. When we got to Washington Square, I nudged my husband as the tour guide mentioned that this was the setting for Will Smith's movie, I Am Legend. We had just rented it so the scene was fresh in our minds.
Will Smith plays Robert Neville, the last man in NYC – since he’s immune from the disease that has turned humans into rabid monsters. These monsters, Dark Seekers, are after him and he’s done everything he can to protect himself and his dog while he continues working on a way to reverse the disease and heal the infected Dark Seekers.
The movie has many references to God, in word and idea. But the unspoken elements that show God were slipped into surprising places throughout the movie. That part of the movie kept me thinking about the movie long after I’d finished watching it.
Neville prays with his wife and has a conversation about God with another character. Many films have people praying, but when it’s done in respect and not desperation, it adds to the respect I have for the character.
The “Stay in the light” sign was a warning with a spiritual connotation. It obviously was for the people who were no longer there. They’d either been killed or infected and no longer lived a normal human life. To me, it was a reminder that those who are in the light must stay in the light to help those in darkness. Being set apart helps those in the light find help for those in darkness. This was the life Neville lived.
Neville’s life during the story was a sacrifice for the infected people. He could’ve rounded up an enormous amount of ammunition and set out to kill them all, but instead his mission was to find a cure. He methodically went through steps and considered options and didn’t give up. Since he knew he could help them, he kept trying.
The woman at the end encouraged Neville to listen to God. This is one of the themes in my stories. If people listen to God, they find more light for their journey, and they can see where they’re going. And they can follow what God says – and find success. I don’t find this theme in many films, and I was quite surprised (and pleased) to find it in this one.
The scary parts were head-turners for me. I look at shoes, fingernails, furniture, anything but the ugliness of the computer-generated creatures. I loved the dog and the hope in Neville’s attitude, but the Dark Seekers didn’t get much eyeball time from me.
I’ve seen several Will Smith movies and enjoyed them. His acting keeps me interested in the story. I didn’t really want to see this movie because of the scary parts, but the fact that Will Smith was the major part of the movie changed my mind. His heroes are smart, tough, emotional, and believable.
Will Smith plays Robert Neville, the last man in NYC – since he’s immune from the disease that has turned humans into rabid monsters. These monsters, Dark Seekers, are after him and he’s done everything he can to protect himself and his dog while he continues working on a way to reverse the disease and heal the infected Dark Seekers.
The movie has many references to God, in word and idea. But the unspoken elements that show God were slipped into surprising places throughout the movie. That part of the movie kept me thinking about the movie long after I’d finished watching it.
Neville prays with his wife and has a conversation about God with another character. Many films have people praying, but when it’s done in respect and not desperation, it adds to the respect I have for the character.
The “Stay in the light” sign was a warning with a spiritual connotation. It obviously was for the people who were no longer there. They’d either been killed or infected and no longer lived a normal human life. To me, it was a reminder that those who are in the light must stay in the light to help those in darkness. Being set apart helps those in the light find help for those in darkness. This was the life Neville lived.
Neville’s life during the story was a sacrifice for the infected people. He could’ve rounded up an enormous amount of ammunition and set out to kill them all, but instead his mission was to find a cure. He methodically went through steps and considered options and didn’t give up. Since he knew he could help them, he kept trying.
The woman at the end encouraged Neville to listen to God. This is one of the themes in my stories. If people listen to God, they find more light for their journey, and they can see where they’re going. And they can follow what God says – and find success. I don’t find this theme in many films, and I was quite surprised (and pleased) to find it in this one.
The scary parts were head-turners for me. I look at shoes, fingernails, furniture, anything but the ugliness of the computer-generated creatures. I loved the dog and the hope in Neville’s attitude, but the Dark Seekers didn’t get much eyeball time from me.
I’ve seen several Will Smith movies and enjoyed them. His acting keeps me interested in the story. I didn’t really want to see this movie because of the scary parts, but the fact that Will Smith was the major part of the movie changed my mind. His heroes are smart, tough, emotional, and believable.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Writing Fiction Right
Gail Gaymer Martin is a wonderful Christian author. I've read her words. They captured me.
She has a blog that presents lessons on how to improve your fiction writing, and you can sign up to be notified whenever she updates her blog.
Last December, Gail's non-fiction book, Writing the Christian Romance, hit the shelves. I haven't read it yet, but the writing community has agreed that there is a lot of wisdom in it.
Last September, I sat in a workshop led by Gail at the ACFW conference. She'll be teaching again this year, so don't miss it. Her continuing education session is called "Deepen Your Story And Grab Readers". I highly recommend her workshops.
If you haven't registered for the conference, go here. It will be in Minneapolis, September 18-21, 2008.
She has a blog that presents lessons on how to improve your fiction writing, and you can sign up to be notified whenever she updates her blog.
Last December, Gail's non-fiction book, Writing the Christian Romance, hit the shelves. I haven't read it yet, but the writing community has agreed that there is a lot of wisdom in it.
Last September, I sat in a workshop led by Gail at the ACFW conference. She'll be teaching again this year, so don't miss it. Her continuing education session is called "Deepen Your Story And Grab Readers". I highly recommend her workshops.
If you haven't registered for the conference, go here. It will be in Minneapolis, September 18-21, 2008.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
ACFW Conference
In September, Minneapolis will host the ACFW conference, complete with a 100 author booksigning. I've been to three ACFW conferences. They've all been memorable. The workshop leaders teach on important topics, and the keynote speakers are a delight. If you write fiction, this is where you'll want to be.
Registration has begun so if you plan to attend, visit the ACFW site to get all the latest info.
After you register, you can jump around the internet to all the blogs where people who have been to the conference are sharing their memories and conference insights.
You can start at Forensics & Faith, Brandilyn Collins' blog. She's posted pictures of last year's conference. I had an opportunity to sit at a table with her darling mother, Mama Ruth. If you go to the conference, you should visit with this very interesting woman.
Registration has begun so if you plan to attend, visit the ACFW site to get all the latest info.
After you register, you can jump around the internet to all the blogs where people who have been to the conference are sharing their memories and conference insights.
You can start at Forensics & Faith, Brandilyn Collins' blog. She's posted pictures of last year's conference. I had an opportunity to sit at a table with her darling mother, Mama Ruth. If you go to the conference, you should visit with this very interesting woman.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Testing God's Patience
When a child is determined to be disobedient, you might hear a parent say, "You're testing my patience."
Whether we admit it or not, we've all tested our parents' patience - and God's patience too. We question why we have to do something or complain about doing something that's not as fun as what we want to do.
What God wants to see is us trusting Him.
We've seen God's people being warned about testing Him in Deuteronomy 6:16 where they are reminded, "Do not test the Lord your God as you did at Massah." Warnings continue in Matthew 4:6-7 where Jesus reminded the devil, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."
Won't you be my guest at my Seek God With Me blog where I discuss this topic further?
Whether we admit it or not, we've all tested our parents' patience - and God's patience too. We question why we have to do something or complain about doing something that's not as fun as what we want to do.
What God wants to see is us trusting Him.
We've seen God's people being warned about testing Him in Deuteronomy 6:16 where they are reminded, "Do not test the Lord your God as you did at Massah." Warnings continue in Matthew 4:6-7 where Jesus reminded the devil, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."
Won't you be my guest at my Seek God With Me blog where I discuss this topic further?
Friday, June 20, 2008
One Word Answers
I often go to Camy Tang’s blog to see what she's up to. While at her blog this week, I read this meme . Immediately, I knew I had to share it here. Post your own answers if you like.
ONE WORD ONLY!
Not as easy as you might think. Now copy, forward, or post this and change the answers to yours and pass it on. It’s really hard to only use one word answers.
1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your significant other? bedroom
3. Your hair? curly
4. Your mother? home
5. Your father? home
6. Your favorite thing? peace
7. Your dream last night? weird
8. Your favorite drink? juice
9. Your dream/goal? Independence
10. The room you’re in? beige
11. Your ex? what?
12. Your fear? inability
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? established
14. Where were you last night? writing
15. What you’re not? blonde
16. Muffins? banana
17. One of your wish list items? battery
18. Where you grew up? Texas
19. The last thing you did? movie
20. What are you wearing? jeans
21. Your TV? husband
22. Your pets? dead
23. Your computer? laptop
24. Your life? love
25. Your mood? thinking
26. Missing someone? friends
27. Your car? white
28. Something you’re not wearing? watch
29. Favorite store? HEB
30. Your summer? busy
31. Like(love) someone? hubby
32. Your favorite color? blue
33. Last time you laughed? today
34. Last time you cried? movie
35. Who will re-post this? dunno
Now, go to Camy's blog and find out what she's posting today!
ONE WORD ONLY!
Not as easy as you might think. Now copy, forward, or post this and change the answers to yours and pass it on. It’s really hard to only use one word answers.
1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your significant other? bedroom
3. Your hair? curly
4. Your mother? home
5. Your father? home
6. Your favorite thing? peace
7. Your dream last night? weird
8. Your favorite drink? juice
9. Your dream/goal? Independence
10. The room you’re in? beige
11. Your ex? what?
12. Your fear? inability
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? established
14. Where were you last night? writing
15. What you’re not? blonde
16. Muffins? banana
17. One of your wish list items? battery
18. Where you grew up? Texas
19. The last thing you did? movie
20. What are you wearing? jeans
21. Your TV? husband
22. Your pets? dead
23. Your computer? laptop
24. Your life? love
25. Your mood? thinking
26. Missing someone? friends
27. Your car? white
28. Something you’re not wearing? watch
29. Favorite store? HEB
30. Your summer? busy
31. Like(love) someone? hubby
32. Your favorite color? blue
33. Last time you laughed? today
34. Last time you cried? movie
35. Who will re-post this? dunno
Now, go to Camy's blog and find out what she's posting today!
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