I watched a rerun of Beth Moore today. I think it was a message that God has been trying to get through to me. He is present with me all the time. I learned this long ago when my children were small. I hated ever leaving them, even if I had to. I remember coming across the words in the Bible that God is Omnipresent. Most of the time I just blew past that word but that day the word came alive. God is present with me. He is present with those I love even when we are apart.
Some people like to look at the moon and know that their loved one who is far away is looking at the same moon. It makes them feel closer. Better than that is looking at the moon and knowing that the same God who made the moon is with you AND your loved one.
He is with us. He is with me. This is a simple concept. I think some people who have been Christians a long time fail to chew on the simple and profound things that we are blessed with. The God of the Universe is WITH each of us. He wants to be there for us. We don’t have to find a map or guide book with a lot of formulas to get His attention. Whisper His Name and He shows up.
This week I am interviewing Grace Kao Ong .
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
Dear Future Husband by Grace Kao Ong.
2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
My book consists of 12 years of letters written over time as I waited for my future spouse. It includes my thoughts and ideals for my lifelong companion as well the stories along the way as I walked the path from youth and adolescence to young adulthood.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
I have loved writing from a young age and always wanted to be an author since elementary school.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
Generally, my strengths are that I write from life experiences and aspire for authenticity and realness in my story or stories. Some of the entries in the book are from when I was younger so it might be apparent that my style has evolved and matured over time.
5. Are you a reader?
Yes.
6. What are you reading right now?
Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication? Tell about it. No.
8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them?
I think my biggest obstacle is knowing where and how to start. I have a hard time writing beginnings but once I get going, the words will then start to flow. Another obstacle is not ever feeling finished. I will write and rewrite and change and modify and edit aand still not be satisfied. Overcoming it means resting in contentment once a particular passage is decided upon. I believe there are times when it can be overdone if I fiddle with it too long.
9. Please put a description of each of your books here.
She didn't know him at the time, but she trusted that she would one day. So Grace Kao began her letters as a young adolescent and continued into adulthood—years of writing and wondering and waiting for the man that God would bring into her life. Journal entry after journal entry entitled Dear Future Husband reveal the journey of author Grace Kao Ong from an impulsive, love-struck girl to a beautiful, beloved woman, from Miss to Mrs.
Every girl eagerly awaits the day when she will find the man of her dreams. In Dear Future Husband, readers will be blessed to discover, along with Grace, that God's timing is always perfect. It is not an easy road, but it is a love worth waiting for.
10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here.
My blog and website: http://www.dearfuturehusband.com .
I am hoping to build an interactive community with the site by having people submit their own Dear Future Husband (or Wife!) letters as well as any stories and testimonies that may encourage others in their singleness or life journeys. There's an area on the site for submissions; I would love hearing from anyone willing to share.
My facebook group is: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=280132920417 . You can also follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/DearFH and view the book trailer on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj7S0Y2D76U
Showing posts with label marriage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marriage. Show all posts
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Face Book Tate Authors Group
A few weeks ago I started a group on Face book for the authors of Tate Publishing and Enterprises. From doing the interviews with authors on this newsletter I have learned a little about each one of them who have contacted me about doing an interview. It started out with an email plea from me to them. Thank goodness most of them have wanted to share their vision for their books with me here.
Honestly, if you are interested in having your interview here, just go to my website and contact me. http://elainelittau.com I will email you the questions and schedule your interview. (clean books only)
If you are a book lover and not an author...yet, give us unknown authors a try. There are some very good books out there by people who are not house-hold names...yet. Tate does have a few authors who have movie contracts so it can happen.
This week I am interviewing Craig Gleerup:
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
My name is Craig Gleerup and I authored the book, “The Type of Marriage that Endures.”
2. What is the one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
Most people want to know how long I have been married. I guess they want to make sure I have enough experience to be able to write about a successful marriage. They can relax, I have been married for over 25 years. I am still passionately in love with my wife and we act as if we are still newlyweds.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
I don’t know if I can pinpoint a time when I knew. I still struggle to call myself an author. I was never good in English classes in school and still struggle with diagramming sentences. It would have to be a God-thing for me to write. My dream is to write fiction as opposed to non-fiction. However, I will have to work on my creative writing skills to get that one down.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
I work to make my book conversational in style. The topic I write about can be a little academic, but if I write it that way I will lose readers. So I work hard at making the book come across more conversational by using stories to illustrate points. I have always been called a storyteller.
5. Are you a reader?
Yes, most definitely! I have a mini library at home. I am running out of shelf space, but that won’t stop me. I generally read fiction. I seem to learn more from fiction than non-fiction. For example, I’ve learned more history from Jack Cavanaugh’s books than from text books.
6. What are you reading right now?
I just finished a Terri Blackstock novel. She’s one of my favorite authors. I am reading Road to Nowhere by Paul Robertson and Relentless by Robin Parrish.
7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn’t been submitted for publication?
Actually, I am working on a couple of books for the Christian market. They are taking subjects that we have let church tradition get in the way of truly understanding God’s purpose and plan.
8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them? Time in 2 different ways. One is just finding the time to write when life keeps getting in the way. The other is the amount of time actually spent on the book. I have to confess that after a while I begin to get tired of the book. After you spend so much time with the book and you have to keep reading it for each rewrite, it gets monotonous for me.
9. Please put a description of each of your books here.
I currently only have the one book and it’s best if I just give you the description from the Tate website. "The Type of Marriage that Endures will open up new avenues of insight on your spouse, as well as yourself. Based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Craig Gleerup will guide you to understanding the wonderful gift of personality that God has given each of us. You will also develop the knowledge to understand God's gift of your spouse to a whole new level. Armed with this knowledge, The Type of Marriage that Endures will help you develop strategies that will build the type of marriage that endures a lifetime of challenges and leaves a legacy of love for our children to carry on."
10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books?
They can purchase them through Tate and any online bookseller. They can also order them through any bookstore. Currently, many LifeWay stores have copies on the shelf. One of the cheapest ways to purchase is Christian Book Distributors. They have it listed for $3.00 off the list price. Here is the link: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=67836&item_code=WW&netp_id=486237&event=ESRCN&view=covers
Honestly, if you are interested in having your interview here, just go to my website and contact me. http://elainelittau.com I will email you the questions and schedule your interview. (clean books only)
If you are a book lover and not an author...yet, give us unknown authors a try. There are some very good books out there by people who are not house-hold names...yet. Tate does have a few authors who have movie contracts so it can happen.
This week I am interviewing Craig Gleerup:
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
My name is Craig Gleerup and I authored the book, “The Type of Marriage that Endures.”
2. What is the one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
Most people want to know how long I have been married. I guess they want to make sure I have enough experience to be able to write about a successful marriage. They can relax, I have been married for over 25 years. I am still passionately in love with my wife and we act as if we are still newlyweds.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
I don’t know if I can pinpoint a time when I knew. I still struggle to call myself an author. I was never good in English classes in school and still struggle with diagramming sentences. It would have to be a God-thing for me to write. My dream is to write fiction as opposed to non-fiction. However, I will have to work on my creative writing skills to get that one down.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
I work to make my book conversational in style. The topic I write about can be a little academic, but if I write it that way I will lose readers. So I work hard at making the book come across more conversational by using stories to illustrate points. I have always been called a storyteller.
5. Are you a reader?
Yes, most definitely! I have a mini library at home. I am running out of shelf space, but that won’t stop me. I generally read fiction. I seem to learn more from fiction than non-fiction. For example, I’ve learned more history from Jack Cavanaugh’s books than from text books.
6. What are you reading right now?
I just finished a Terri Blackstock novel. She’s one of my favorite authors. I am reading Road to Nowhere by Paul Robertson and Relentless by Robin Parrish.
7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn’t been submitted for publication?
Actually, I am working on a couple of books for the Christian market. They are taking subjects that we have let church tradition get in the way of truly understanding God’s purpose and plan.
8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them? Time in 2 different ways. One is just finding the time to write when life keeps getting in the way. The other is the amount of time actually spent on the book. I have to confess that after a while I begin to get tired of the book. After you spend so much time with the book and you have to keep reading it for each rewrite, it gets monotonous for me.
9. Please put a description of each of your books here.
I currently only have the one book and it’s best if I just give you the description from the Tate website. "The Type of Marriage that Endures will open up new avenues of insight on your spouse, as well as yourself. Based on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Craig Gleerup will guide you to understanding the wonderful gift of personality that God has given each of us. You will also develop the knowledge to understand God's gift of your spouse to a whole new level. Armed with this knowledge, The Type of Marriage that Endures will help you develop strategies that will build the type of marriage that endures a lifetime of challenges and leaves a legacy of love for our children to carry on."
10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books?
They can purchase them through Tate and any online bookseller. They can also order them through any bookstore. Currently, many LifeWay stores have copies on the shelf. One of the cheapest ways to purchase is Christian Book Distributors. They have it listed for $3.00 off the list price. Here is the link: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=67836&item_code=WW&netp_id=486237&event=ESRCN&view=covers
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Scheduling
The past few weeks I have been hitting the marketing trail hard and scheduling events for the Fall season.However, the best events are the ones that occur when a coordinator of an event phones me and sets it up. I love that. No begging...no pleading...no sweating and getting up the nerve to call...I move heaven and earth to do those events.
Honestly, if you have need of someone to do a program for you group or company, I can do it. My needs are simple: I need to be able to have my books available for sale. That is it. Give me a call or contact me on my web page. http://elainelittau.com
This week I am interviewing Joy Bowser.
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
Joy Bowser - A Wife and a Witness
2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
That I am a real person with real problems and real struggles.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
Not sure, it just kind of happened.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
I write like I talk. I'm straightforward and terribly honest, be it good or bad.
5. Are you a reader?
Yes!
6. What are you reading right now?
I like Inspirational Romances and I love history also.
7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication?Tell about it.
I'd like my next book to be A Mom and A Mentor but I'm still living that one!
8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them? Time and study!
9. Please put a description of each of your books here.
But in all things we overwhelmingly conquer through him that loved us. Romans 8:37
Because she fell in love, Joy Bowser chose to marry a man who was not a Christian, and in the uplifting A Wife and a Witness, she provides insight for other Christian wives who face the same challenge. A Wife and a Witness is the story of one couple’s struggle to follow Christ together. Join Christian author Joy Bowser as she fearlessly shares her marital experiences in order that readers might be encouraged and inspired by her candid vulnerability. Whether you are a Christian whose husband isn’t a believer, or a wife desiring to improve your relationship with your spouse this book is for you! A Wife and a Witness outlines specific Biblical concepts to help build a stronger marriage especially if your spouse is not saved, and profound insight into what is necessary to keep your trust in the Lord, allowing him to work in your day- to- day life and in your home.
Joy Bowser is a Sunday school teacher, wife, mother and grandmother. Joy lives in Liberty Center, Ohio, with her husband, Bill. Bill and Joy have raised three daughters together. Joy has been a Brownie leader, softball coach, genealogy volunteer, and president of various organizations.
10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here. http://www.myspace.com/490969833
Thank you Joy. This was a great interview. If you missed one of the past interviews of the talented authors I have been interviewing be sure to visit my blog and catch up. These was interesting people!
Honestly, if you have need of someone to do a program for you group or company, I can do it. My needs are simple: I need to be able to have my books available for sale. That is it. Give me a call or contact me on my web page. http://elainelittau.com
This week I am interviewing Joy Bowser.
1. What is your name and the title of your book(s)?
Joy Bowser - A Wife and a Witness
2. What is one thing you think your readers would like to know about you?
That I am a real person with real problems and real struggles.
3. When did you know that you wanted to become a writer?
Not sure, it just kind of happened.
4. What are your strong points in your writing style or methods?
I write like I talk. I'm straightforward and terribly honest, be it good or bad.
5. Are you a reader?
Yes!
6. What are you reading right now?
I like Inspirational Romances and I love history also.
7. Do you have another book that you are working on and hasn't been submitted for publication?Tell about it.
I'd like my next book to be A Mom and A Mentor but I'm still living that one!
8. What are your biggest obstacles to writing and how do you overcome them? Time and study!
9. Please put a description of each of your books here.
But in all things we overwhelmingly conquer through him that loved us. Romans 8:37
Because she fell in love, Joy Bowser chose to marry a man who was not a Christian, and in the uplifting A Wife and a Witness, she provides insight for other Christian wives who face the same challenge. A Wife and a Witness is the story of one couple’s struggle to follow Christ together. Join Christian author Joy Bowser as she fearlessly shares her marital experiences in order that readers might be encouraged and inspired by her candid vulnerability. Whether you are a Christian whose husband isn’t a believer, or a wife desiring to improve your relationship with your spouse this book is for you! A Wife and a Witness outlines specific Biblical concepts to help build a stronger marriage especially if your spouse is not saved, and profound insight into what is necessary to keep your trust in the Lord, allowing him to work in your day- to- day life and in your home.
Joy Bowser is a Sunday school teacher, wife, mother and grandmother. Joy lives in Liberty Center, Ohio, with her husband, Bill. Bill and Joy have raised three daughters together. Joy has been a Brownie leader, softball coach, genealogy volunteer, and president of various organizations.
10. How can readers contact you or purchase your books? Please put your website or blog here. http://www.myspace.com/490969833
Thank you Joy. This was a great interview. If you missed one of the past interviews of the talented authors I have been interviewing be sure to visit my blog and catch up. These was interesting people!
Monday, August 17, 2009
What's He Really Thinking? How to be a Relational Genius With the Man in Your Life by Paula Rinehart
I have read a boatload of books on marriage and how to understand your man. "What's He Really Thinking?" published by Thomas Nelson ranks among the best of what I have read. There is a lot of wisdom within the pages that I had not heard put in the way that Paula Rinehart voiced it. The principles are not only for marriage but for relationships with all the men in your life whether it be husband, son, brother, father, or boss.
One of the most profound statements in the book to me was to treat the relationship as if it were a very small fragile child that you must protect. Going at one another with cutting phrases and harshness should be withheld for the health of the relationship. Anger happens but reactions must be tempered.
"Treasure the moments" was also a phrase that arrested me. It seems that we seem to work toward the big events of our lives but the bulk of life is the small moments of each day. Those are the things we miss most after the person is gone.
The last pages are questions for discussion. These questions are unlike any that I have ever thought to ask my husband. They are a window into a man's mind and how he thinks. They are questions that are even profitable to ask yourself. I recommend this book.
Elaine Littau
author of Nan's Journey & Elk's Resolve
One of the most profound statements in the book to me was to treat the relationship as if it were a very small fragile child that you must protect. Going at one another with cutting phrases and harshness should be withheld for the health of the relationship. Anger happens but reactions must be tempered.
"Treasure the moments" was also a phrase that arrested me. It seems that we seem to work toward the big events of our lives but the bulk of life is the small moments of each day. Those are the things we miss most after the person is gone.
The last pages are questions for discussion. These questions are unlike any that I have ever thought to ask my husband. They are a window into a man's mind and how he thinks. They are questions that are even profitable to ask yourself. I recommend this book.
Elaine Littau
author of Nan's Journey & Elk's Resolve
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Our Town, Our Lives
Have you ever seen the play "Our Town"? The message of the play is one that has stayed with me ever since I first saw it when I was in Jr. High School. (I'm as old as dirt so that is a long time.) The main female character dies at the beginning of the play and asks to be able to say one last goodbye. She is granted the privilege of watching one of the ordinary days of her life. She remarks about how young her mother and father look. She watches herself as she lives through this ordinary day. One thing that she says is something like, "We aren't even looking at each other!"
Yesterday is not a day that I would want to come back to for an ordinary day in my life. Terry and I were busy. We were not at home. We were working on his mother's house finishing up the remodelling we have been doing. We were intent on the work and did not really talk at all. Terry was in one room and I was in another. Part of the day, for me, was broken up with visiting with Viola. I think she is really ready for the process to be over so that she can settle into this life changing move.
Although no terrible words were said. No arguments ensued. Nothing notable happened. When I pulled the covers up to my chin to sleep, I felt that something very important was missing in the day. We didn't even look at each other! On the hour-long ride home we didn't really speak. Terry was so tired he just couldn't carry on a conversation. My heart squeezed and I felt sad.
I opened this page of my life to urge you to not waste your days. I would be very sad if this were to be the last day we spent together. What a wasted last memory. We have had so many good memories and days. I think about the hurry and stress we all are in these days. If you take anything from reading my words, please remember to take time to "look at each other." I intend to wrap my arms around my weary husband when he comes in from work and tell him that he is a good son to his little mother and also a sweet husband to me. I want to look into those sky blue eyes and memorize his face one more time and see that incredible smile flash across his handsome face. He probably is too busy to realize that he misses me too, but I have to remind him...right?
Yesterday is not a day that I would want to come back to for an ordinary day in my life. Terry and I were busy. We were not at home. We were working on his mother's house finishing up the remodelling we have been doing. We were intent on the work and did not really talk at all. Terry was in one room and I was in another. Part of the day, for me, was broken up with visiting with Viola. I think she is really ready for the process to be over so that she can settle into this life changing move.
Although no terrible words were said. No arguments ensued. Nothing notable happened. When I pulled the covers up to my chin to sleep, I felt that something very important was missing in the day. We didn't even look at each other! On the hour-long ride home we didn't really speak. Terry was so tired he just couldn't carry on a conversation. My heart squeezed and I felt sad.
I opened this page of my life to urge you to not waste your days. I would be very sad if this were to be the last day we spent together. What a wasted last memory. We have had so many good memories and days. I think about the hurry and stress we all are in these days. If you take anything from reading my words, please remember to take time to "look at each other." I intend to wrap my arms around my weary husband when he comes in from work and tell him that he is a good son to his little mother and also a sweet husband to me. I want to look into those sky blue eyes and memorize his face one more time and see that incredible smile flash across his handsome face. He probably is too busy to realize that he misses me too, but I have to remind him...right?
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Today's Wild Card author is:
and the book:
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
Publisher: FaithWords; Lrg edition (November 12, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
JOYCE MEYER is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, she has written more than seventy inspirational books, including The Confident Woman, Look Great, Feel Great, and the entire Battlefield of the Mindfamily of books. She has also released thousands of audio teachings as well as a complete video library. Joyce's Enjoying Everyday Life® radio and television programs are broadcast around the world, and she travels extensively conducting conferences. Joyce and her husband, Dave, are the parents of four grown children and make their home in St. Louis, Missouri.Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $16.99
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: FaithWords; Lrg edition (November 12, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0446509396
ISBN-13: 978-0446509398
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Introduction
Everyone has them: those days where nothing seems to get done, except maybe what you’ve added to your already lengthy to-do list. Are you tired most of the time? Are you spent? Do you find yourself wish- ing for a better day—a simpler day? Too many things compete for your limited resources of attention, energy, and time. You may be suffocat- ing and not even know it. If you feel like this, you’re not alone.
Most people today live complicated lives that leave them frustrated and confused, weary and worn out. But I have good news: your life does not have to be that way. You can choose a life of simplicity, fruitfulness, fulfillment, peace, and joy. I want to warn you, however, unless you are determined not to, you will do what everyone else does. You will get sucked up in the system and spend your life wishing things were different, never realizing you are, in fact, the only one who can change things. Unless we are resolute and remain undaunted in our quest for simplicity, we are destined for complication and frustration.
I recall a time when I was complaining to God about my schedule being absolutely insane. How could anyone be expected to do all I had in front of me? Then the realization hit me that I was the one who made my schedule and nobody could change it but me. You can spend your lives wishing things were different, but wishing won’t change anything. Smart decision making and decisive action is what changes things. If you picked up this book looking for change, are you willing to make a decision and follow it up with action?
I wasted many years hoping life would change and things would calm down until I finally realized life itself doesn’t change; in fact, it has the potential to get worse. I understood my only real option was to change my approach to life. I had to say no to another day of rushing around and feeling frustrated. I didn’t want the doctor giving me another pre- scription to mask another symptom of the real problem—stress.
In my search for simplicity, I have come to believe life can never be simple unless I learn to approach all things simply. It is my attitude toward each event in life that determines how easy or complex each situation will be. Perhaps life is complicated because people are compli- cated. Is it possible that life is not complicated, but rather, individuals complicate life in the way they approach it?
I discovered it wasn’t really life or circumstances or other people as much as it was me that needed to change. My problem wasn’t the problem—I was the problem! When you spend your life in frustration trying to change the world and everyone in it, you fail to realize it could be you just need to change your approach to life. It can be very easy for someone to live an entire lifetime and never entertain the notion that the way they do things is the real problem.
Have you ever attempted to have friends over for what you initially intended to be a simple afternoon of food, fellowship, and fun, but somehow, it turned into a complicated nightmare? I remember those days vividly. I’d be at church on Sunday and, without much forethought, invite three couples over for the following Sunday to a barbecue. My initial thought was hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, baked beans, potato chips, and iced tea. My motive was fellowship and fun, but by the time the guests arrived, I didn’t even want them there. Fun was not going to happen, at least not for me. Why? I turned my simple get- together into a nightmare of preparation, expensive food, and fourteen people instead of the original six. My complicated approach to life and my complicated thought process convinced me hot dogs and hamburg- ers weren’t nice enough so I bought steaks we could not afford. My potato chips turned into a huge bowl of homemade potato salad. The simple baked beans became four side dishes I labored over.
Insecure and wanting to impress everyone, I had to spend the week cleaning and getting everything in the house to the point where I thought it would be impressive. Of course, the lawn chairs were old, so I bought new ones. I got angry at Dave because I thought he wasn’t help- ing me enough, and by the time our friends arrived, I resented them, wished they hadn’t come, and had a miserable day of pretending to be the happy hostess when in reality I was frustrated and miserable.
I could not figure out why I wasn’t able to enjoy much of anything in life until God revealed to me I was killing my joy with complication. For years, I prayed God would change the people and circumstances around me when, in reality, He wanted to change me and my approach to life. He wanted me to simplify so, ultimately, He could be glorified.
Let me share with you 100 ways to approach living that can simplify your life and, in turn, release and increase your joy. I believe they will dramatically improve the quality of your everyday experience if you incorporate them into the way you do things. Jesus said He came so we might have and enjoy our life in abundance (see John 10:10). His prin- ciples are simple. Faith is simple! Trusting God is simple! A childlike approach to Him is simple! The plan of salvation is simple!
Jesus offers us a “new way of living,” and I believe it is a simple, yet powerful way that enables us to enjoy everyday life. Are you ready to simplify your life? Are you ready to say good-bye to the complexities you’ve allowed to take over? Let’s get started.
Do One Thing at a Time
When we do things without truly focusing our minds on them, we immediately decrease our strength to do the work before us and do it well. By putting our hands to one thing and our mind to another, we divide the muscle behind our abilities and we make the task much more difficult. It’s like removing an egg yolk from the egg white—both can be used separately but the result isn’t as effective (or tasty) as it would be if we leave the egg whole. However, by directing all of our faculties to the one thing we are doing on a particular day, at that hour, at that moment, we find it much easier to do. The ability to concentrate and stay focused can only come from discipline.
The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 to be anxious for nothing. Anxious people are always trying to live ahead of where they currently are. They spend today trying to figure out tomorrow and the result is the loss of simplicity. God expects us to trust Him with tomorrow just as He instructed the Israelites to do when they crossed the barren wil- derness, pressing toward the Promised Land.
Practice living one day at a time; give yourself—your thoughts, your conversation, your energies, every part of you—to the day at hand.
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
1. Develop an ability to give yourself to what you are doing. You will sense an awareness enabling you to enjoy the current activity, instead of going through each day in a blur of activity and confusing thoughts which leave you drained and exhausted.
Do you fear you will not accomplish as much if you try to live this way? It’s true you may not do as much, but you will also enjoy what you do a whole lot more. One key to simplicity is realizing that quality is far superior to quantity.
Everyone has them: those days where nothing seems to get done, except maybe what you’ve added to your already lengthy to-do list. Are you tired most of the time? Are you spent? Do you find yourself wish- ing for a better day—a simpler day? Too many things compete for your limited resources of attention, energy, and time. You may be suffocat- ing and not even know it. If you feel like this, you’re not alone.
Most people today live complicated lives that leave them frustrated and confused, weary and worn out. But I have good news: your life does not have to be that way. You can choose a life of simplicity, fruitfulness, fulfillment, peace, and joy. I want to warn you, however, unless you are determined not to, you will do what everyone else does. You will get sucked up in the system and spend your life wishing things were different, never realizing you are, in fact, the only one who can change things. Unless we are resolute and remain undaunted in our quest for simplicity, we are destined for complication and frustration.
I recall a time when I was complaining to God about my schedule being absolutely insane. How could anyone be expected to do all I had in front of me? Then the realization hit me that I was the one who made my schedule and nobody could change it but me. You can spend your lives wishing things were different, but wishing won’t change anything. Smart decision making and decisive action is what changes things. If you picked up this book looking for change, are you willing to make a decision and follow it up with action?
I wasted many years hoping life would change and things would calm down until I finally realized life itself doesn’t change; in fact, it has the potential to get worse. I understood my only real option was to change my approach to life. I had to say no to another day of rushing around and feeling frustrated. I didn’t want the doctor giving me another pre- scription to mask another symptom of the real problem—stress.
In my search for simplicity, I have come to believe life can never be simple unless I learn to approach all things simply. It is my attitude toward each event in life that determines how easy or complex each situation will be. Perhaps life is complicated because people are compli- cated. Is it possible that life is not complicated, but rather, individuals complicate life in the way they approach it?
I discovered it wasn’t really life or circumstances or other people as much as it was me that needed to change. My problem wasn’t the problem—I was the problem! When you spend your life in frustration trying to change the world and everyone in it, you fail to realize it could be you just need to change your approach to life. It can be very easy for someone to live an entire lifetime and never entertain the notion that the way they do things is the real problem.
Have you ever attempted to have friends over for what you initially intended to be a simple afternoon of food, fellowship, and fun, but somehow, it turned into a complicated nightmare? I remember those days vividly. I’d be at church on Sunday and, without much forethought, invite three couples over for the following Sunday to a barbecue. My initial thought was hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill, baked beans, potato chips, and iced tea. My motive was fellowship and fun, but by the time the guests arrived, I didn’t even want them there. Fun was not going to happen, at least not for me. Why? I turned my simple get- together into a nightmare of preparation, expensive food, and fourteen people instead of the original six. My complicated approach to life and my complicated thought process convinced me hot dogs and hamburg- ers weren’t nice enough so I bought steaks we could not afford. My potato chips turned into a huge bowl of homemade potato salad. The simple baked beans became four side dishes I labored over.
Insecure and wanting to impress everyone, I had to spend the week cleaning and getting everything in the house to the point where I thought it would be impressive. Of course, the lawn chairs were old, so I bought new ones. I got angry at Dave because I thought he wasn’t help- ing me enough, and by the time our friends arrived, I resented them, wished they hadn’t come, and had a miserable day of pretending to be the happy hostess when in reality I was frustrated and miserable.
I could not figure out why I wasn’t able to enjoy much of anything in life until God revealed to me I was killing my joy with complication. For years, I prayed God would change the people and circumstances around me when, in reality, He wanted to change me and my approach to life. He wanted me to simplify so, ultimately, He could be glorified.
Let me share with you 100 ways to approach living that can simplify your life and, in turn, release and increase your joy. I believe they will dramatically improve the quality of your everyday experience if you incorporate them into the way you do things. Jesus said He came so we might have and enjoy our life in abundance (see John 10:10). His prin- ciples are simple. Faith is simple! Trusting God is simple! A childlike approach to Him is simple! The plan of salvation is simple!
Jesus offers us a “new way of living,” and I believe it is a simple, yet powerful way that enables us to enjoy everyday life. Are you ready to simplify your life? Are you ready to say good-bye to the complexities you’ve allowed to take over? Let’s get started.
Do One Thing at a Time
The feeling of being hurried is not usually the result of living a full life and having no time. It is, on the contrary, born of a vague fear that we are wasting our life. When we do not do the one thing we ought to do, we have no time for anything elseówe are the busiest people in the world.
ÓERIC HOFFER
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].
—Hebrews 12:2
When we do things without truly focusing our minds on them, we immediately decrease our strength to do the work before us and do it well. By putting our hands to one thing and our mind to another, we divide the muscle behind our abilities and we make the task much more difficult. It’s like removing an egg yolk from the egg white—both can be used separately but the result isn’t as effective (or tasty) as it would be if we leave the egg whole. However, by directing all of our faculties to the one thing we are doing on a particular day, at that hour, at that moment, we find it much easier to do. The ability to concentrate and stay focused can only come from discipline.
The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6 to be anxious for nothing. Anxious people are always trying to live ahead of where they currently are. They spend today trying to figure out tomorrow and the result is the loss of simplicity. God expects us to trust Him with tomorrow just as He instructed the Israelites to do when they crossed the barren wil- derness, pressing toward the Promised Land.
Practice living one day at a time; give yourself—your thoughts, your conversation, your energies, every part of you—to the day at hand.
100 Ways to Simplify Your Life
1. Develop an ability to give yourself to what you are doing. You will sense an awareness enabling you to enjoy the current activity, instead of going through each day in a blur of activity and confusing thoughts which leave you drained and exhausted.
Do you fear you will not accomplish as much if you try to live this way? It’s true you may not do as much, but you will also enjoy what you do a whole lot more. One key to simplicity is realizing that quality is far superior to quantity.
The Blog Tour for "Nan's Journey" Begins July 23
It is time to play a Wild Card! Every now and then, a book that I have chosen to read is going to pop up as a FIRST Wild Card Tour. Get dealt into the game! (Just click the button!) Wild Card Tours feature an author and his/her book's FIRST chapter!
You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:
and his/her book:
Tate Publishing & Enterprises (January 2, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Littau is a life-long resident of Perryton, TX. She met husband, Terry at the Apostolic Faith Bible College in Baxter Springs, Kansas in 1974. They married March 1, 1975 and reside on a small acreage near Perryton where they enjoy spending time with their family and friends. They raised three sons and now have three daughters-in-law and four grandchildren added to their family. They also enjoy visiting with their extended family located in Perryton, Clear Lake, Laverne, and Amarillo.
Author Elaine Littau is a busy woman who by profession is the church secretary for Harvest Time First Assembly of God Church in Perryton. Among other things she has led women’s groups and taught preschool, and was a mentor for the M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Preschoolers) group in her community. She has been active in Toastmasters and enjoys painting, crafts, and playing piano and organ. She was recently appointed to the Campus Education Improvement Committee for Wright Elementary in Perryton. She belongs to Christian Storytellers and Faith Writers writing groups.
“Nan’s Journey” was written over the course of several years. “A salvation message is at the core of the book.” Littau says. “If it weren’t for the Lord, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. I truly enjoy meeting new people.”
Littau is currently working on two other books that are continuations of “Nan’s Journey.” Book signings and speaking engagements are currently set up for venues in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Oregon.
Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $12.99
Paperback: 188 pages
Publisher: Tate Publishing & Enterprises (January 2, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1602478325
ISBN-13: 978-1602478329
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Chapter One
It was late. The moon had risen and the night symphony was in full force. Crickets chirped at their rivals, the frogs, and dominated the night chorus. Only one sound in the forest was foreign—a whimper from under the ferns. At the base of the largest pine in the woods was a small form crying, moaning, and whimpering. Black hair, matted and dirty, hung in long ropes down the front of the tiny girl. She had been in this spot for hours. At least that is what it felt like to her. Stretching, she cried out in pain. The blood-covered welts burst open to bleed again. Her back was wet with blood, and her dress was torn and useless.
Why had she dared to speak to the woman that she was obliged to call mother in that way? She knew that talking was not allowed from children before chores were finished. The accusations being made by “Ma” were totally false and she could not let Elmer take the blame for something she herself had forgotten to do. She shut her eyes tight against the memory, but it intruded anyway.
She had just gotten up to take the water off the stove to make up dishwater for the supper dishes. Ma had stepped outside the room to turn down her bed and prepare for sleep. When she reappeared in the kitchen, she realized that the wood supply next to the stove was low. Elmer was standing next to the table gathering the plates for washing. “Elmer, where is the wood you were supposed to bring up to the house?” Before he could answer, a hand had slapped him across his face. Getting back onto his feet and standing as tall as a five year old can stand, he looked her in the eye and said, “Ma, I was sick today, ‘member?”
“So, Elmer, you’re going to play up that headache trick again. Nan, didn’t your good for nothing Mama teach you people how to work, or are you just lazy?”
“Our Mama was good! Don’t you say mean things about her!” Nan yelled as her heart raced at the assault against her real Mama’s character.
“What about it, Elmer, are you like your weakling Mama or what?” Elmer’s eyes became very large and filled with tears. He could barely remember his real Mama, but when he did, he remembered soft kisses and sweet singing and a beautiful face. “I’m sorry; I’ll get the wood now.”
“No, Elmer, don’t. I promised you I’d do it today when your head was hurting, but I forgot. I’ll get it after I do these dishes.”
“Listen here, Nan, I’m the boss around here and Elmer will do what I say, when I say, and you will respect me.”
Nan’s eyes widened.
“Don’t look at me like that, little girl.”
Nan held her breath.
“Well, I guess you will be making a trip to the wood shed…with me!” Ma had grabbed her by the arm and jerked her along behind the shed. The strap was hanging there, waiting. Whippings were becoming more and more frequent. After Ma’s husband left, they had taken on a more cruel form. The last whipping was more like a beating. It took days for the marks to scab over and heal. Little Elmer had come in that night and brought some horse medicine from the barn and applied it to the oozing marks.
The next afternoon when the schoolteacher came over, Ma had already formulated a story. “Mrs. Dewey, we missed Nan and Elmer today at school. Are they sick?” Ma lied the first time in her life and said, “Well Miss Sergeant, since Mr. Dewey is going to be gone for another four weeks, I need more help around here to get things done. I’m holding the kids out until he gets back.” Week after week went by, and Mr. Dewey still hadn’t come home. Everyday Ma grew more and more angry. It became more and more impossible to please her. When she began hitting Elmer, it was too much. Nan had to do something— right or wrong; things couldn’t stay the way they were.
The coolness of the earth had settled into Nan’s bones. She stood silently for a minute and carefully crept up to the farmhouse. As she opened the door, she saw that Elmer was in the pallet at the foot of the stove next to her bedroll. Ma was asleep in her room. The door held open with a rock. Slowly she began peeling off the dress and the dried blood stuck to it. She reached for the old shirt she normally wore over her wounds and under her dress. She had washed it today. It had bloodstains on it, but it would keep her from ruining another dress. She retrieved the old work dress that she wore when chores were messier than usual; it was the only one left. She put it on swiftly and shook Elmer awake with her hand over his mouth. “Baby, we must leave. Do you understand? Stay quiet and I will get some stuff to take with us.”
She found large old handkerchief and began looking for food supplies. There was one sourdough biscuit and about a cup of cold brown beans. She located her tin cup and another rag. She would probably need that. Three matches were in the cup on the stove. She would just take two. Suddenly she heard a sound from Ma’s room. A scampering sound… just a rat. Ma turned over. Her breathing became deep and regular. For once Nan wished that Ma snored. She tied the handkerchief in a knot over the meager food supplies, grabbed their bedrolls, and slowly opened the door.
“Come on, Elmer. Can you carry this food? I’ll get your bedding. That’s a good boy. We must hurry!”
The cold air bit at their faces, but they walked bravely on.
“Elmer, we must go tonight so we can get as far away as we can before Ma wakes up and sees that we are gone.”
For the next half hour the pair walked in silence through the familiar woods past the graves on the hill. In one, a mother dearly loved, in another, an infant who had died the same day as his mother, and the third, a father that only Nan had memory of. Elmer was only two years old when Pa died in the logging accident. Nan snapped out of her reverie and urged Elmer on. Molasses, Pa’s good old workhorse, stood in the pasture. He skidded the logs Pa cut with his axe. His legs hadn’t healed quite right, but Mama hadn’t let Mr. Dewey kill him because he was all she had left of the husband of her youth. Molasses was a faithful friend to Nan and Elmer. He stood there and waited for them to mount him.
“Molasses, take us to…” Nan realized then that they had nowhere to go. Mrs. Dewey had said that they were ungrateful little imps who didn’t realize she and Mr. Dewey were taking care of them out of kindness, and they could easily be put into an orphanage. Nan didn’t know anything about orphanages except what Mrs. Dewey…uh, Ma had told her. “Molasses, just take us out of here.”
Why had she dared to speak to the woman that she was obliged to call mother in that way? She knew that talking was not allowed from children before chores were finished. The accusations being made by “Ma” were totally false and she could not let Elmer take the blame for something she herself had forgotten to do. She shut her eyes tight against the memory, but it intruded anyway.
She had just gotten up to take the water off the stove to make up dishwater for the supper dishes. Ma had stepped outside the room to turn down her bed and prepare for sleep. When she reappeared in the kitchen, she realized that the wood supply next to the stove was low. Elmer was standing next to the table gathering the plates for washing. “Elmer, where is the wood you were supposed to bring up to the house?” Before he could answer, a hand had slapped him across his face. Getting back onto his feet and standing as tall as a five year old can stand, he looked her in the eye and said, “Ma, I was sick today, ‘member?”
“So, Elmer, you’re going to play up that headache trick again. Nan, didn’t your good for nothing Mama teach you people how to work, or are you just lazy?”
“Our Mama was good! Don’t you say mean things about her!” Nan yelled as her heart raced at the assault against her real Mama’s character.
“What about it, Elmer, are you like your weakling Mama or what?” Elmer’s eyes became very large and filled with tears. He could barely remember his real Mama, but when he did, he remembered soft kisses and sweet singing and a beautiful face. “I’m sorry; I’ll get the wood now.”
“No, Elmer, don’t. I promised you I’d do it today when your head was hurting, but I forgot. I’ll get it after I do these dishes.”
“Listen here, Nan, I’m the boss around here and Elmer will do what I say, when I say, and you will respect me.”
Nan’s eyes widened.
“Don’t look at me like that, little girl.”
Nan held her breath.
“Well, I guess you will be making a trip to the wood shed…with me!” Ma had grabbed her by the arm and jerked her along behind the shed. The strap was hanging there, waiting. Whippings were becoming more and more frequent. After Ma’s husband left, they had taken on a more cruel form. The last whipping was more like a beating. It took days for the marks to scab over and heal. Little Elmer had come in that night and brought some horse medicine from the barn and applied it to the oozing marks.
The next afternoon when the schoolteacher came over, Ma had already formulated a story. “Mrs. Dewey, we missed Nan and Elmer today at school. Are they sick?” Ma lied the first time in her life and said, “Well Miss Sergeant, since Mr. Dewey is going to be gone for another four weeks, I need more help around here to get things done. I’m holding the kids out until he gets back.” Week after week went by, and Mr. Dewey still hadn’t come home. Everyday Ma grew more and more angry. It became more and more impossible to please her. When she began hitting Elmer, it was too much. Nan had to do something— right or wrong; things couldn’t stay the way they were.
The coolness of the earth had settled into Nan’s bones. She stood silently for a minute and carefully crept up to the farmhouse. As she opened the door, she saw that Elmer was in the pallet at the foot of the stove next to her bedroll. Ma was asleep in her room. The door held open with a rock. Slowly she began peeling off the dress and the dried blood stuck to it. She reached for the old shirt she normally wore over her wounds and under her dress. She had washed it today. It had bloodstains on it, but it would keep her from ruining another dress. She retrieved the old work dress that she wore when chores were messier than usual; it was the only one left. She put it on swiftly and shook Elmer awake with her hand over his mouth. “Baby, we must leave. Do you understand? Stay quiet and I will get some stuff to take with us.”
She found large old handkerchief and began looking for food supplies. There was one sourdough biscuit and about a cup of cold brown beans. She located her tin cup and another rag. She would probably need that. Three matches were in the cup on the stove. She would just take two. Suddenly she heard a sound from Ma’s room. A scampering sound… just a rat. Ma turned over. Her breathing became deep and regular. For once Nan wished that Ma snored. She tied the handkerchief in a knot over the meager food supplies, grabbed their bedrolls, and slowly opened the door.
“Come on, Elmer. Can you carry this food? I’ll get your bedding. That’s a good boy. We must hurry!”
The cold air bit at their faces, but they walked bravely on.
“Elmer, we must go tonight so we can get as far away as we can before Ma wakes up and sees that we are gone.”
For the next half hour the pair walked in silence through the familiar woods past the graves on the hill. In one, a mother dearly loved, in another, an infant who had died the same day as his mother, and the third, a father that only Nan had memory of. Elmer was only two years old when Pa died in the logging accident. Nan snapped out of her reverie and urged Elmer on. Molasses, Pa’s good old workhorse, stood in the pasture. He skidded the logs Pa cut with his axe. His legs hadn’t healed quite right, but Mama hadn’t let Mr. Dewey kill him because he was all she had left of the husband of her youth. Molasses was a faithful friend to Nan and Elmer. He stood there and waited for them to mount him.
“Molasses, take us to…” Nan realized then that they had nowhere to go. Mrs. Dewey had said that they were ungrateful little imps who didn’t realize she and Mr. Dewey were taking care of them out of kindness, and they could easily be put into an orphanage. Nan didn’t know anything about orphanages except what Mrs. Dewey…uh, Ma had told her. “Molasses, just take us out of here.”
Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Westminster CO
Great book signing in Colorado!
Mardel Bookstore in Littleton, CO
Booksigning - Elaine