Lessons Learned From... Naomi (Part 1)

Scripture reference: Ruth 1

Ruth is one of my favorite books of the Bible, so I’m sure I’ll come back and write more articles about this book. For this article and the next one to appear on Stones on Fire, we’ll be focusing on only the first chapter of Ruth.

When Naomi went with her husband and two sons to live in a foreign land (Ruth 1:1), I’m certain she never thought all three of the people she loved most in the world would perish there in Moab, leaving her alone in a land that wasn’t her home (Ruth 1:2-5). Yet, that’s exactly the situation in which she eventually found herself. How devastating would it be to first lose her husband and then, ten years later, have to bury both of her sons as well? Her tender heart must have felt wrenched from her chest and filleted into a trillion pieces.

American Omens by Travis Thrasher

This past weekend, I finished reading an interesting book that I got for review. I've never read this author, Travis Thrasher, before, so I wasn't sure what I was in for. Turned out to be a well-paced thriller revolving around technology and the future of our country and Christianity. Here's my review of American Omens, as posted on Goodreads.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Multnomah. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts.

The prologue hooked me in with its tension, suspense, and Jason Bourne-style assassin. I knew I was in for an intriguing read, and I wasn't disappointed on that front. I liked that the computer-speak was worded in ways that non-computer-savvy folks can understand the majority of it. I never felt completely lost or confused on the high-tech end of things in this story, though I did have to reread a few sentences here and there to make sure I was catching on to the technology specific to this book's plot.

Packing My Bags - a short story

Note: This one got a little long (just under 1,800 words), because I kind of got on a roll. I hope you like it!

He was packing up clothes in our walk-in closet. Not his clothes, mind you. Mine. I watched from the doorway, my face a complete mess from the hissy fit I’d just thrown when he told me he was kicking me to the curb. My side of the closet was nearly empty now, and I still didn’t know what I’d done to make him mad enough to talk of a separation, to force one upon me so suddenly.

Did it really matter what I’d done, what he hadn’t done, which mistakes the pair of us had made, how often, how big, how messy…?

Our life was a wreck from the moment we got back from our honeymoon and he stopped in front of his parents’ house. When he turned and said, “Honey, we’re home,” I thought I’d die of mortification. Live with his parents? I’d rather melt into the car seat like a crayon on a summer day in the Lone Star State.

Characters Who Are... Artists or Musicians

Thanks to Hannah Gridley for inspiring this month's reading challenge.

I love getting ideas for new challenges, so if anyone has something they'd like me to incorporate at some point, feel free to leave me a comment about it.

So, March's reading challenge will be to read books that feature... 

Whether they are leading or supporting characters, if they are artists or musicians, their stories count.

Lessons Learned From... Mourners and Flute Players

Hello, friends. I have some exciting news to share today. My friend Hannah Gridley has begun a new blog, and she’s invited me to contribute once a month. We’re thrilled at this fresh opportunity to share God’s Word and expound on truths we learn from our daily walks with Jesus.

For my part, I’ll be starting a blog series called “Lessons Learned From…” This series starts right here, right now (well, technically in a minute, after this introduction). My current plan is to write a pair of articles dealing with the same section of Bible verses, taking two different perspectives. The first of the pair will appear right here on Writing to Inspire on the next-to-last Monday of each month, while the second article will arrive on Stones on Fire—Hannah’s new blog—on the first Sunday of each month.

Another way to find a full list of this blog series’s articles will be the “Lessons Learned Blog Series” tab at the top of this blog. (This tab will be developed over the next week or so, as this weekend has zoomed beyond my reach.) Each article will be added to the list as they are prepared to go live, so check back monthly for the newest articles on both blogs.

One more thing about this blog series… the theme picture will be the same for each article. The picture of the campfire goes along with the theme of the new blog, of being stones on fire for Jesus. Also, campfires are welcoming, inviting. They provide an intimate setting for sharing the thoughts that are on our hearts. That’s what I want this blog series—and both blogs—to be: articles that share our hearts with each other and help us to better discover the heart of Jesus.

Without further ado, let’s begin this new journey!

To best appreciate this article, please first read these Scripture references. If you only have time to read one, please see the account in Mark’s Gospel.

Matthew 9:18-26

Mark 5:21-43

Luke 8:40-56

What do we do when a loved one dies?

We mourn. We hold funerals and wakes. We weep and wail. In ancient days, and perhaps in some modern-day cultures, professional mourners and musicians would be hired to make sure the loved one was mourned over properly.

Live Without You by Sarah Grace Grzy + Giveaway!

Beautiful Debut

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Victoria Lynn Designs. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts.

What’s worth risking your heart?

That’s a powerful theme in Sarah Grace Grzy’s debut book, Live Without You. The characters face it many times throughout the story, but the reader does as well.

One of the things I enjoyed the most about Piper’s and Ezra’s journeys was the faith thread. For each character, it was a little different, but both grew well into deeper belief. That, in a story, always gives me great hope that such incredible spiritual growth is possible each day. Sometimes it feels like my own growth is by inches; other times, it feels bigger, stronger. It’s especially nice to read books that deal with faith conquering fears, because I’ve personally lived that out and know just how strengthening it is – not because of my own strength, or the characters’, but because of God’s strength working in us. That was beautifully displayed in this book.

Kind - a WWII Christmas story - by Kellyn Roth

Have I told you yet that I love a good WWII story? It's my favorite genre right now.

Recently, I had the pleasure of reading a delightful short story that highlighted the compassion of the era.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reveries Co. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts.

Here's the review I left on Goodreads:

A charming, quick story, Kind touched my heart with its thoughtfulness and depth. I love a great WWII tale, and this little shorty fit the bill nicely. The characters were realistic and the compassion, tangible. I adored the German setting and felt the Christmas spirit throughout. My emotions were swiftly drawn in with the witty banter and then swept up in the bustle of the Slade family’s trials. While I didn’t cry (this time, at least), I did get the good sort of chills, which is just as good as tears in my book.