MY BLOG POSTS

I used to think I should read the Bible because that would make God happy. Like God was a moody teacher: “Do what he wants or he’ll make your life miserable.” But, as I grew in my faith, I started wanting to read my Bible, loving to study it. It is full of Truth. It is full of hope. It is full of God’s instructions for how I should live.

The Bible allows me to know God – his heart, his passion, his holiness, his power. The Bible shows me who I am and helps me see who I can be.

Yes, it can be confusing. Yes, it can be difficult. Yes, it is controversial. So what? Study it anyway. Read it for yourself. Don’t let other people tell you what it says. Check what they say to make sure it’s true.

James gives us great advice: “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” (James 1:5). I have found this verse to be true over and over again. I have asked God to help me understand what his word says, and he has answered those prayers time and time again.

So in this age of words, words everywhere, don’t neglect THE Word.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, But  the word of our God stands forever.” Is. 40:8

The version of First Date that is out wasn’t the first version. It’s more like version 5.0. I am grateful for the amazing people who spent time reading it and making the suggestions that ultimately led to the novel that (I hope!) you have now.

So I thought I’d share some of the changes it went through (don’t read this if you haven’t read the book, yet – there are some “spoilers” in here):

• The original title was Get Real
• Addy’s name was originally Haddy
• Uncle Mike’s name was originally Morty
• Kara’s name was originally Amy (apparently, I really like names that end with “y” :))
• Jonathon’s original last name was “Jones”
• Addy was voted off of “The Book of Love” halfway through, but was put back on due to Jonathon’s pressuring Hank
• Addy spent time at a retirement home between the time she was voted off (above) and the time she returned
• Addy had no friends in Tampa (Lexi was a later add-in)
• Hank was putting together an expose about Christianity that would have done major damage to the community of faith
• Addy got prideful when she returned home and was given so much attention
• Addy got sucked into reading some of Kara’s racy romance novels
• Spencer was a later add-in
• Bull was a later add-in
• The horseback riding scene was a later add-in, as was the water-skiing

There are more, but you get the idea. Lots of changes, lots of help, lots of <control> “A” (deep breath, don’t cry) <delete> to get this idea from my head to my computer into your hands.

But seeing it – in print – is TOTALLY worth all that. And hearing that people like it, that they are encouraged by it…wow! It helps make pushing that delete button for the next book that much easier.

I like books. Real books. Books made out of paper.

I like the way they smell. I like bending the binding and writing notes in the margins. I like seeing the big pile of them on my nightstand, beckoning me to lay down, relax, and read for a while. I like the sense of accomplishment that comes from closing a book and seeing all the pages that I have read. I love a stuffed bookcase, books piled sideways and crammed into too-small spaces. I love walking around bookstores and libraries, looking at book covers and reading blurbs on the back to find just the right book to take home with me that day.

Books have been my friends for as long as I can remember.

This is my favorite book. I have had this copy since college. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve read it. It’s full of notes and highlights and coffee stains. It has traveled the world with me. I use it to teach my AP Literature students. The pages are yellowed and the binding is falling apart, but I refuse to get a new copy. I almost stopped breathing last year when I couldn’t find it (it was tucked away in my file cabinet, so I wouldn’t lose it).

And yet, I am beginning to consider getting an electronic reader. My nightstand could be clear, my shelves could house decorations, my heavy bookbag could be replaced by a stylish clutch.

But reading on a screen? Can I stand that? Won’t it make what should be pleasure feel like business? And how will I take notes and highlight? And does a list on the homepage (or whatever it’s called) bring as much satisfaction as a pile on my nightstand?

Help me out, those of you who have made this switch. How did you do it? What are your thoughts? Am I crazy to even be considering leaving my paper books behind?? Oh, the toils and turmoils of life in the 21st century!

As an English teacher, I hear this question every year. Words are words, right? Why do people make such a big deal about certain ones?

Here’s what I think:

1. As Christians, we are told, “Let your speech always be  with grace, as though seasoned with  salt…” (Col. 4:6). I have never, in my lifetime, heard someone curse graciously.

2. Many curse words include the name of God. That name is holy. It should be used with the utmost respect. (Ex. 20:6-8)

3. There are millions of words in the English language. We should look for those words that best explain what we are thinking and feeling.

So if you’re upset and feel like cursing, try saying this instead:

• Your choleric outburst has left me perterbed
• Cease your nugatory interactions
• Your boorish behavior is bedeviling
• I do not anticipate ever being required to utilize this information
• I am distressed at your incongruous behavior
• My penurious sibling has refused to compromise

What do you think? Let’s change the world, one big, unoffensive word at a time 🙂