2013. Simply

I used to be more fervent about celebrating that moment when one year ended and another began—sometimes with a kiss, a prayer, or a bang on my pots and pans, (a practice my children and the neighborhood dogs failed to appreciate). 

But since there is a strong possibility I will fall asleep in one year and wake up in another, I’ve been preparing for how I want to start 2013.

Simply.

My visual: Clear pages of a new Moleskin. Tidy blank squares on my calendar. Creamy white rose petals.

A life uncluttered, presentable as a living sacrifice.
A heart ready to receive a word from the Lord.

I’m not so much a collector of things as I am a hoarder of information—study notes, snippets of this or that which I might use someday but haven’t yet, stacks of books I’ll consume and forget.  However, in my end-of-the-year zeal to simplify, in the process of throwing my desktop ballast overboard, I dumped some files and bookmarks that I meant to save.

One such file was an interview I did with Jeff Goins a while back about his book Wrecked. Jamie, his assistant, graciously resent a copy of the interview, which I am delighted to present next week.

Wrecked is a call to action for those seeking to make a difference, seeking to find their place in the life story. Dismantling the idea that purpose can be found in the pursuit of self-fulfillment, Wrecked puts a face on Jesus’ words that “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

It is a challenge to do the hard things, the messy things, the things that don’t necessarily feel good when they’re over. A challenge to become undone in order to be reconnected with the purpose God wants to work through you.

Fear isn’t the enemy—inaction is.

Seems like a good way to start a new year, when we’re full of resolution and determination, to “present [our] bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is [our] spiritual worship.”

So stop on by Wednesday, January 2, to hear what Jeff has to say about living the life you were meant to live.

And meanwhile, dear friends, wherever in the world you are, whatever 2013 holds, may you stand fearless in the knowledge that your life is hidden in Him, Jesus, Messiah, the Lovely One, Mighty Warrior. 

Blessings,

Marcia

Photo credit Kozzi.com

I was tagged in a blog hop and asked some questions about my Next Big Thing (!) So here goes:

What is the working title of your book?

  One idea I am playing with is called Going South: The God of my Mistakes. It’s about trusting God’s mercy and grace when you feel as though you’ve blown it once again, or when your plans don’t turn out the way you expected.

Where did the idea come from for the book? It all started with a swimming pool. When we planned our move to the South a few years ago, I was supposed to go on ahead and buy a modest, no-nonsense house that would leave us free for the next part of our life journey. But I was beguiled by a thirty-six foot, newly refurbished Grecian pool. Problem was, it was attached to a horrible, broken-down old house that sucked our money, time, and dreams. Coupled with having no jobs and being strangers in a strange land, we wondered if the Lord would save us from our (my) mistakes before we were too old to go forward again.

What genre does your book fall under? Nonfiction, Christian living

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
 Well Chevy Chase and Madolyn Smith did a terrific job as a couple whose dream move to the country turns into a (temporary) nightmare in the 1988 film, Funny Farm.  But, I kind of like Liam Neeson as my Bob. Me? Dunno.

  

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

 When we planned our move South, we didn’t expect our plans to go south too. (Well, for now, anyway.)

  

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? I do have an agent, and I have had one book published traditionally, so I hope to go that route.

 How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

 Haven’t gotten that far yet. This year, maybe in six months.

 Who or What inspired you to write this book?
 The response to my first book reinforced to me the need people have for hope, for the Living God’s interaction in our lives—especially when times get tough and things don’t happen the way we expect.

What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?  It’s fun, personal and relatable.

Now to work!  Please stop by next week for my interview with Jeff Goins, and meanwhile, check out these other Christian writers:

Lisa Carter, author of romantic adventures: 

Lynette Eason, who says, “If you love mystery, forensics, a bit of law and order, suspense and a touch of romance, then you’ll enjoy my books.”.

Mary Elizabeth Hall for Romance

When I forget, may I remember

When God’s time seems to overlook mine, and my prayer flutters to the floor, a discarded scrap of hope unanswered.  Like Mary and Martha who send their desperate message to Jesus: “Lord, the one whom you love is sick,” and yet, though Jesus hears, He remains where He is two days more.—John 11:6

May I remember

He is the One who gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that do not exist, the One with whom all things are possible. The faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments— Deut.7:9

When I am in a desert place, like Hagar, empty of options and provisions, with nothing left to do but lie down and die, and yet He asks, “What aileth thee?” 

May I remember He is the One who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man

what is his thought, the LORD the God of hosts is his name—Amos 4:13. The Living One Who Sees Me—Genesis 16:13 

When I’ve given my all for the Lord, it has cost me everything, but I’ve not seen the One on whom I’ve pinned my hope, nor received the promised reward, when like the two on the road to Emmaus who have watched Jesus die, I say—“but we had hoped that he was the One who was to redeem Israel…”

May I remember He is the One who promises, "Did I not tell you if you believed you would see the glory of God?"-John 11:40

Dear friends, May we hold fast regardless of what shakes us and remember the One whom the world hates us to celebrate. A blessed and merry CHRISTmas to you all. Thank you for being a part of my journey. And those of you in other countries--I so long to know your faces and hear your voices, and I so appreciate your stopping by.