My Reading Plan Was Random; God’s Wasn’t
April 23, 2012 by Lillie
This year for Lent I gave up reading all fiction (Christian and secular) and all secular nonfiction and read only Christian nonfiction. I did not have a reading plan of specific books or topics. I simply read free Kindle books in the order I downloaded them, as follows:
- The Disciplined Life (Ebook Short) by Calvin Miller
- The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask: (With Answers) by Mark Mittelberg and Lee Strobel
- Not God’s Type: A Rational Academic Finds a Radical Faith by Holly Ordway
- The Rule of St. Benedict by St. Benedict
- Philippians: The Fellowship of the Gospel (Preaching the Word) by R. Kent Hughes
- Suffering and the Sovereignty of God by John Piper and Justin Taylor
- What Is the Gospel? (9Marks) by Greg Gilbert and D.A. Carson
- Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? by Philip Yancey
- Craving God: A 21-Day Devotional Challenge, based on Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food by Lysa TerLeul
- Raising the Dead: A Doctor Encounters the Miraculous by Chauncey W. Crandall
- Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt
- Hell Is Real (But I Hate to Admit It) by Brian Jones
- God’s Story, Your Story: When His Becomes Yours by Max Lucado
- Why, O God?: Suffering and Disability in the Bible and the Church by Multiple Authors
- Listening to God (Life Principles Study Series) by Charles F. Stanley
- Friendship with Jesus by David L. Miller
Considering that I chose the books simply because they were free, it would seem that the readings would be random and disconnected. But even when my choices are random, God’s plan isn’t. There were a few overriding themes among everything I read:
- God blesses us so we can bless others, not so we can live the American dream.
- We can communicate with God through prayer, reading His Word, listening to the Holy Spirit, and learning from other Christians.
- God is sovereign—He is in control of everything. He can heal physically if He chooses, but if He allows us to suffer, He doesn’t explain Himself to us. Even if physical healing doesn’t come in this earthly life, spiritual healing is always available.
- The heart of the Gospel is the substitutionary atonement of Jesus on the cross. It is all about Him, not about us.
- God’s Word is true—He means what He says, and His Word tells us that Heaven and Hell are real and that accepting Jesus Christ as Savior is the only way to end up in Heaven and not in Hell.
- Each of us as Christians has an obligation to witness to others so they have the same opportunity we do to spend eternity with the Lord. If we loved unsaved family and friends, we will be more concerned about their eternal life in Heaven or hell than being embarrassed about taking about faith.
- Christians should expect to suffer and experience trials and tribulations as Jesus Himself told us we would, but sufferings are part of His perfect plan working together for our good, even when we can’t understand.
- We need to show compassion and God’s love to others who are suffering, both individually and corporately.
Of course, there is much more to learn from these books, but I was struck by the unity of themes among so many disparate and seemingly random titles.
You can read my reviews of all of these books on Goodreads.
The Pattern of a Story
April 20, 2012 by Lillie
Recently, I gave some advice to an author whose manuscript I am editing. I thought other writers might find it helpful, so I’m posting the message here (modified slightly to change references to his story).
The hero’s journey, or monomyth, is a basic pattern of stories from around the world through history, identified by Joseph Campbell in The Hero with a Thousand Faces 
There are several other variations of the monomyth developed by other writers.
What follows is my own simple adaptation of the stages of the journey that can be applied to most genres of writing:
- The protagonist begins in her normal world,. A young woman teaches school, but her real passion is running marathons—the only thing that makes her feel competent and complete.
- Something dramatic happens that propels her on her journey. Her best friend and running partner dies unexpectedly. Although the death is officially deemed to be due to natural causes, the teacher suspects something more sinister has happened.
- The protagonist resists the calling. Busy with her teaching and preparing for an upcoming marathon, she doesn’t have time to investigate her friend’s death. Taking time away from training to find out what happened to her friend might result in her losing the marathon she’s set her heart on winning. Besides, she’s not qualified—she has no experience or training as an investigator. In addition, she is afraid for her own safety.
- Finally, she realizes she is the only one who can fulfill her destiny. She accepts her calling and begins her journey. The teacher realizes that everyone else believes the official version of her friend’s death as a heart attack while running in the heat. She is the only one who suspects murder, and thus is the only one who can bring the killer to justice. If she doesn’t take action, her friend’s murderer will go free, possibly to kill again.
- Along the way, the protagonist encounters obstacles and a lot of conflict—physical, mental, and/or emotional. She has some setbacks and failures—the teacher goes down many blind alleys trying to find what really killed her friend. Medical professionals and law enforcement personnel won’t cooperate in providing evidence. Her friend didn’t seem to have any enemies who would have wanted her dead. Leads that seemed promising fizzle out.
- Then there is “Black Moment” when it seems that all is lost. There does not appear to be any way out, and she is destined for failure. A doctor produces a medical record that shows the friend had a heart condition that would make running dangerous, but she kept it secret so she could participate in marathons.
- The protagonist finds a solution to the crisis and achieves victory. The teacher finds that the medical record is a forgery, and discovering why the record was forged reveals the motive for murder. Finding out who created the forged record leads to the solution of the crime—proof that her friend’s death was murder and arrest of the killer.
- At the end of the journey, the protagonist has changed. She is no longer the person she was back in her normal world before he received her calling. The teacher realizes that doing the right thing is more important than winning marathons. She has gained a new-found confidence in her abilities other than running. She has developed a passion for friendship and justice equal to her passion for running.
A good story includes conflict and change. If everything goes smoothly and the hero encounters no obstacles, the story will bore the reader. If the hero is exactly the same person at the end, the story will not satisfy the reader. So, for a story that keeps readers’ attention and satisfies them at the end, make your hero’s life difficult and challenging, and in the process help him to grow and develop character.
Blogging Milestone: 1200 Posts
April 17, 2012 by Lillie
When I started blogging in June 2006, I didn’t envision that in less than six years, I would write 1200 blog posts. My blog has evolved in ways I couldn’t imagine. I thought I would be writing about writing and editing and publishing, and I didn’t expect interactive communication.
The blog has always been primarily a hobby for me, although I do hope that people will learn about my books and my services and that those who are interested will buy my books or use my services. My first goal, though, is to write what I want to write about the subjects I want to write about. Looking through my archives, I see that there are far more Christian posts than posts about writing. I’ve shared more personal information about my stroke and my husband than I anticipated, and I’ve written about causes that are important to me.
Perhaps what surprised me the most has been the interactive communication that has developed in the comments section. I have loyal readers who comment every month, and I have people who drop by to read one post. My 1200 posts have generated more than 11,000 comments from readers as well as an equal number of responses from me. I enjoy and appreciate reader comments and look forward to many more.
Thank you for reading some of my posts. My associate, Jan McClintock, and I are beginning a redesign of my website and blog. I’m excited about some new additions but some things will stay the same. What do you like most about my blog that shouldn’t be changed? What would you like to see improved or updated? I’d appreciate your feedback. After all, my blog wouldn’t be much fun if I just talked to myself—I can do that without a blog! Although I blog for fun, my goal is to provide inspiration, education, and entertainment to my readers. The blog—content, appearance, and functionality–is all designed for YOU.
Thanks to March 2012 Commenters
April 14, 2012 by Lillie
Thank you to the 79 commenters who left 103 comments in March. Your comments extended the conversation and added value and interest, and I enjoyed replying to every one of them.
Every month when I post thanks to commenters, I get questions about how I compile this list. I have explained my system in detail in Compiling Thanks to Commenters.
National Library Week 2012
April 10, 2012 by Lillie
April 8-14, 2012 is National Library Week, with the theme “You belong @ your library.” If you haven’t been to your local library lately, you might be surprised to see everything available there.
The special week is sponsored by the American Library Association and celebrated by libraries across the US. Public libraries offer a variety of events, such as the displays, stories, trivia challenge, and other activities planned by the San Antonio Public Library.
According to the Campaign for America’s Libraries:
National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use.
Do you visit the library regularly? Do you plan to participate in any special events for National Library Week?
Easter 2012
April 8, 2012 by Lillie
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” ~ John 3:16-17
He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!
O GOD, who for our redemption didst give thine only-begotten Son to the death of the Cross, and by his glorious resurrection hast delivered us from the power of our enemy; Grant us so to die daily from sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through the same thy Son Christ our Lord. Amen.
photo credit: bsabarnowl
Devotion for Holy Saturday 2012
April 7, 2012 by Lillie
After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. ~ John 19: 38-42
Heavenly Father, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus believed Jesus but were afraid to let it be known they were His disciples until His death. Give me boldness to declare He is Lord at all times and in all places. In His name. Amen.
Who Am I?
April 6, 2012 by Lillie
Listen to the powerful words of this song, especially meaningful during Holy Week.
Devotion for Good Friday 2012
April 6, 2012 by Lillie
Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head and arrayed him in a purple robe. They came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. Pilate went out again and said to them, “See, I am bringing him out to you that you may know that I find no guilt in him.” So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” When the chief priests and the officers saw him, they cried out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no guilt in him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” When Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid. He entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.” From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.” So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha. Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!” They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.” So he delivered him over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two others, one on either side, and Jesus between them. Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but rather, ‘This man said, I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate answered, “What I have written I have written.” When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took his garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also his tunic. But the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be.” This was to fulfill the Scripture which says, “They divided my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.” So the soldiers did these things, but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home. After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.” A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.” ~ John: 19:1-37
Lord, when Jesus said “It is finished,” it sounded like the end—all was over. But the “it” that was finished was Your perfect plan to save us from our own sins. Jesus took my sins and the sins of the whole world and bore the punishment for us—even the punishment of a cruel and tortuous death—so I and all who profess His name may have eternal life with You. Forgive me of the sins that caused Jesus’ sufferings; help me to do Your will in the future; and thank You, thank You, thank You! In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Almighty God, we beseech thee graciously to behold this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ was contented to be betrayed, and given up into the hands of wicked men, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
Devotion for Maundy Thursday 2012
April 5, 2012 by Lillie
Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. ~ John 13:1–15
Heavenly Father, may I serve others as Jesus served His disciples. In His name. Amen.
