Blog Entries for: Ramblings

Hands for Soldiers and New DVD!

Since this is July 4^th week, it's only fitting that we talk about our military. But instead of talking generalities, I want to tell you about my young friend, Janey Turner and her Hands for Soldiers ministry. Janey does more than talk.

Janey has always had a heart for helping others, so when the eight-year-old wanted to send care packages to soldiers in foreign lands, her parents weren't surprised. She stood in the middle of her kitchen, holding a list of names. "I can only pick one soldier? But what about the rest of them?"

Read full entry »

July 5, 2010 | 6 Comments | View or add comments

To Blog or Not To Blog? By Guest Blogger Jean Matthew Hall

Well, today is a fifth Tuesday, which means it's Guest Blogger Day! Jean Matthew Hall is Coordinator of the planning team for the Write2Ignite Conference for Christian Writers of Children's Literature. I've had the joy of teaching and keynoting at Write2Ignite and highly recommend attending if you're interested in writing for children. Jean's credits include essays and poems published in Mature Living, Sasee, The Vision, Bible Advocate, The Christian Communicator; devotions published in Open Windows; and personal experience essays published in anthologies such as The Embrace of a Father, Whispering in God's Ear, Chicken Soup for the Chocolate Lover's Soul, The Ultimate Gardener, and Christmas Miracles.

Please join me in welcoming my friend and fellow writer, Jean Matthew Hall.

Read full entry »

June 29, 2010 | 16 Comments | View or add comments

Food Fight? by Guest Blogger Jill Baughan

It's Guest Blogger Day and today's guest is Jill Baughan, an author and speaker who helps people unleash the power of play in their lives. Jill was born in Bluffton, Indiana, where she learned to laugh and throw up at the same time while riding the Tilt-A-Whirl at the annual Bluffton Street Fair!

Jill is no stranger to painful experiences, such as the sudden death of her father when she was ten, and a long battle with infertility as an adult. But even though the challenges of life have changed her, her innate wildness remains unshaken. "Though there are times when part of me mourns what's lost, sighs at what's here and trembles a bit at what's to come," she says, "I still want to hop onto a Harley, swing like Tarzan from a vine, and toilet paper somebody's house." (Jill sounds like my kind of girl!)

Read full entry »

March 30, 2010 | 5 Comments | View or add comments

Looking Out for Number One

In today's world, it's all about me . . . and it's all about you. It's all about what we want and what we need and what we'll do to get it. While game shows demonstrate how to wheel and deal our way to financial freedom, reality TV delivers a one-two punch of alliances and backstabbing. It's done in the name of entertainment, but if we're honest, we all secretly dream of being the top dog. Numero uno. The big cheese.   

Well, I hate to brag, but, well, I've been number one, and . . .let me tell you . . . it feels good! When I was ten years old, I won first place in the 4-H Talent Show for my rendition of the song, "Side-by-Side." My partner, an upside-down broom with a construction paper face, shared the spotlight. We won ten dollars together. It was a heady experience, and I was hooked.

Read full entry »

February 2, 2010 | 7 Comments | View or add comments

Encouragement from Guest Blogger Linda Greer

Can you believe this is the last blog entry of 2009? I don't know about you, but for me, this year has flown by!

In addition to being the last blog post, this is a fifth Tuesday, meaning it's Guest Blogger Day, too. Please join me in welcoming Christian Writer's Den reader, Linda Greer, as she shares her thoughts with you. And be sure to check out Linda's blog, Spiritual Heartbeats.

Read full entry »

December 29, 2009 | 4 Comments | View or add comments

This Isn't What I Signed Up For!

Gary and I married young, right after my high school graduation. It was during the days of Viet Nam and Gary was in the Air Force. A year and a half later, we were anticipating the birth of our first baby. As a mature nineteen-year-old who had helped raise three younger siblings, I had a keen sense of maternal instinct. And that maternal instinct told me natural childbirth was the way to go.

Now, let me say right here and now, I know natural childbirth can work. As a matter of fact, I delivered our second baby naturally with the help of Lamaze breathing and relaxation techniques. But with this first pregnancy, I'd never heard of Dr. Lamaze. I didn't practice breathing-I mean, what was there to practice? I'd been breathing all my life without anybody's help, thank you very much! So, after minimal consideration and absolutely no preparation, I announced to Gary and the world that I was going to have a natural childbirth.

Read full entry »

November 2, 2009 | 10 Comments | View or add comments

Which Side of the Coin? by Guest Blogger Ray Simmons

This is the fifth Tuesday of the month--Guest Blogger Day. Please join me in welcoming Ray Simmons. Ray resides in the Atlanta area with his wife, author Cynthia L. Simmons. He holds a BBA in business with an emphasis in accounting from University of GA and works as Chief Financial Officer for SEI/Aarons. At Grace Community Church he serves as both elder and Bible teacher. He writes poetry and studies Hebrew, Greek, and philosophy. He and Cynthia have five children. Together, Ray and Cynthia offer a weekly tea party for friends or acquaintances who have questions in apologetics, philosophy, Scripture, or politics. In February of 2008 Ray was diagnosed with encephalitis. As a result of the infection he has experienced significant brain damage. While he still recovers from the impact of his illness, doctors are amazed at his recovery.

Read full entry »

September 28, 2009 | 3 Comments | View or add comments

Writer, Fear Not!

Okay, go ahead. Admit it. You know it's true, so just go ahead and say it: You like to write. You find joy in writing. You may even feel you've been called to write. The question is, why aren't you? Why aren't you writing?

I'll tell you why. You're afraid. I know...because sometimes I'm afraid, too. The truth is you and I and every other writer in the world experiences fear at times in our writing life. But what could possibly cause us to fear putting pen to paper or, as in most of our cases, fingertips to keyboard?

Read full entry »

August 31, 2009 | 10 Comments | View or add comments

Coke, Sweet Tea, and Grace: Ingredients of a Novel

I took one last look in the mirror, then touched up my lipstick, primped my hair, and brushed my teeth...again. Everything had to be perfect! After all, I was having dinner with an editor from a major CBA house and a well-known author, also with a major publisher. I whispered a prayer for direction and discernment. I should have prayed for bigger hands.

At the restaurant, we were quickly seated at our tiny table, Major CBA House Editor on my right and Successful Well-Known Author with Another Major House on my left. Within seconds, the cute, perky waitress took our drink orders. I really wanted a good ol' Southern sweet tea, but since I was in PA, I knew better than to ask. (Just for the record, unsweetened tea and packets of sugar do not sweet tea make!) So I ordered Coke. Better to be safe than sorry.  Uh...yeah...right.

Read full entry »

August 17, 2009 | 12 Comments | View or add comments

A Diva Wannabe

I'm going to let you in on a little secret: Homemaking is not one of my spiritual gifts. Put me on a stage in front of two thousand people and I'll have a ball, but please, please, please don't ask me to pick out a rug or decorate a table. (I'm dead serious. Just ask Sandra, the former women's ministry director at my church. She made the mistake of doing that and . . . well . . . it wasn't a pretty sight--and I'm not talking about the table. I won't go into the gory details, but let me just say no one's had the nerve to suggest I be part of the decorating committee since.)

Now, for some women, this defect would drive them crazy and make them feel like total failures. And I admit, I do wish housework and organization and meal planning came easier for me. I'd love to be like my friend, Terri, who maintains a spotless, beautifully decorated home, or my friend, Carrie, who bakes homemade bread made from her own freshly ground wheat.

Read full entry »

August 3, 2009 | 17 Comments | View or add comments

Love by Guest Blogger Shelly Moran

Our guest blogger today is Shelly Moran of NC. Shelly and I met when I spoke at her church several years ago. She confessed she was interested in writing and the rest is history! I know you're going to enjoy Shelly's "...random musings and obscure scribblings as (she tries) to figure out God."

Love by Shelly Moran

Read full entry »

June 29, 2009 | 0 Comments | View or add comments

Urgent! Please Send Me Your Blue Ridge and Gideon Conference Kudos!!!

I know it's not Tuesday. But there were many award finalists and winners from our group at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and the Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival, and I don't want to miss the opportunity to let everyone know!

So, if you were any kind of winner (okay, I know we're ALL winners, but you know what I mean) at Blue Ridge or if you were a finalist or winner at the Gideon, would you please email me ASAP? I want to include them in the kudos and I'll be working on it this weekend! 

 Hope you're having an awesome week!

Read full entry »

June 13, 2009 | 2 Comments | View or add comments

What is My Motive?

As you know, the first week of each month we take a look at a spiritual truth and its application to our writing lives. Last month the question was "Who Is It About?" This time we're asking, "What Is My Motive?" And oh, what a booger this is for us as writers!

The answer to that question is often complex, and I hate to admit it, but the battle is a life-long process. Even after years of evaluating my heart, I continually struggle to know my motives.

Read full entry »

May 4, 2009 | 4 Comments | View or add comments

Fellowship with the Word by Guest Blogger Jean Davis

Well, this is the fifth Tuesday of the month, so you know what that means--Guest Blogger Day! I'm thrilled to introduce you to writer and Christian Writer's Den reader, Jean Davis. Jean and I met several years ago when I was teaching at the Delaware Christian Writer's Conference. While we were getting to know each other, we discovered that both of us had stories about our dads in the anthology, Embrace of a Father. (How cool is that?) Jean's devotionals have been published in Devo’zine, The Upper Room, and Cup of Comfort Devotional for Women. She also has stories included in The Heart of A Mother and Whispering in God’s Ear. I hope you'll check out her blogs at www.iwitnesslife.com and www.writersadvance.blogspot.com. And if you'd like some copies of Embrace of a Father for Father's Day or for any man in your life, please visit my Bookstore! ;-)

I know you're going to enjoy Jean's blog today. It's a message we all need to hear!

Read full entry »

March 31, 2009 | 4 Comments | View or add comments

Interview and Book Give Away with Author and Speaker Jo Franz

Hi Gang! Please help me welcome Jo Franz. Jo is an award-winning author and national speaker for women's conferences, retreats, banquets, etc., and a speaker for colleges, universities, and association and business events. She has inspired audiences since 1984, and she gives God all the glory! She has stories in numerous books and contributed to the writing of several others before writing her memoir. Her newest book is for college students and high school seniors. I had the joy of meeting Jo several years ago at her booksigning at the International Christian Retail Show in Atlanta. I'm blessed to call her my friend!

You can reach Jo and read more about her and her ministry through these links:

Read full entry »

March 23, 2009 | 10 Comments | View or add comments

It's a Wonderful LIfe?

(This is a picture of my mother, my sister, Laura, and my sister, Gail, taken at my mother's 75th birthday party.)

Read full entry »

March 2, 2009 | 9 Comments | View or add comments

Interview and Book Give Away with Author and Speaker Dianne Neal Matthews

What a joy to introduce my friend, Dianne Neal Matthews! Dianne has written numerous devotionals, magazine articles, and newspaper features and her work has appeared in Focus on the Family, The Quiet Hour, LIVE, The Christian Communicator, and websites, including CBN.com. She is the author of The One Year On This Day (which won her the 2006 Writer of the Year Award at the Write-to-Publish Conference--Way to go, Dianne!), and The One Year Women of the Bible, both published by Tyndale House. Dianne is a 2006 CLASS graduate and a member of Advanced Writers & Speakers, Christian Authors Network, and Toastmasters. She and her husband, Richard, have three grown children, a son-in-law currently serving in Afghanistan, and a gorgeous granddaughter. For more information, you can reach Dianne at her website.

Now listen, you don't want to miss an opportunity to win Dianne's book, The One Year Women of the Bible--and it's easy! Simply leave a comment for Dianne or me and you'll automatically be in the drawing for your own personalized copy!

Read full entry »

February 23, 2009 | 16 Comments | View or add comments

Encouraging Words

I love to sing. I admit, I'm not all that good at it-certainly not recording artist material-but I love it. You should hear me in the car when I'm all alone and the music is turned up loud. I sing with abandon, and praise God with my whole heart. I know He thinks my voice is beautiful!

But it's a different story when I'm in front of the church. I want to sing with abandon, I want to praise God with my whole heart. But instead, my throat tightens, my voice trembles. And even though I know I shouldn't, I remember the day they laughed.

Read full entry »

February 3, 2009 | 1 Comment | View or add comments

The Best Laid Plans

Okay, here's the scoop. My life of caring for my sister has taken over. I praise God for the opportunity to show her my love and the love of her Savior during this time. But I'm also realizing I can't keep up with everything I need to do. Most things related to my writing and speaking ministry are currently delayed. Some things are even falling through the cracks. But I'm learning--yet again--that God is in control and I'm praying that He will protect what He truly has for me to do. (Photo taken at my mother's 75th birthday party, 8-9-08. Mother, sister Laura, and sister Gail.)

Please forgive me if I've let you down. That is never my intent! If you've emailed or called with a request, please resend it. I promise to get to everything as soon as I can. And if it's truly urgent, please write "Urgent" in the subject line and I'll try to get right on it. (I'm serious about that!)

Read full entry »

January 21, 2009 | 16 Comments | View or add comments

Smoke Signals

I hate tobacco smoke. I hate the way it smells, the way it permeates my clothes and hair, and especially the way it kills. But in this season of my life as a caregiver, cigarette smoke has taken on a new and positive role-as a way to communicate with my terminally-ill sister, Gail.

The doctor gave us the bad news six days before Christmas. There was nothing more they could do and my sister had "weeks to months" to live. Three days later my sister and mother moved in with my husband and me. Together, we would love Gail and care for her and make her final days as comfortable as possible.

Read full entry »

January 6, 2009 | 27 Comments | View or add comments

What Will You Do With Your Gift?

December 1, 2009

Merry Christmas! Yes, I know it's only December 1, but I couldn't wait to give you a gift of encouragement from writer and speaker, Mary McKenzie. So what makes Mary so special? Well, besides being a devotional writer, novelist, and speaker, Mary is only 18 years old!

Read full entry »

December 1, 2008 | 5 Comments | View or add comments

And the Beat Goes On...

November 11, 2008

Ahhh...the melody of words. Don't you love it? Melodic writing truly is music to the ears.

Read full entry »

November 10, 2008 | 10 Comments | View or add comments

God and the Telemarketer

November 4, 2008

You may not believe this, but I know it for a fact: God talks on the telephone.

Read full entry »

November 3, 2008 | 3 Comments | View or add comments

Are You Running on Empty?

October 7, 2008

Two weekends ago I was in the Atlanta area where I had the joy of teaching at the Christian Authors Guild Writers' Conference. By the time I left, I was emotionally and spiritually full to the brim! Yes, I was full...but my gas tank was nearly empty. And there was no gas anywhere around. That was Saturday evening. It was Monday before my husband and I were able to find gas and get back on the road. It was not a good feeling.

Read full entry »

October 7, 2008 | 3 Comments | View or add comments

The Window: A Glimpse of God's Calling

 

September 30, 2008

Read full entry »

September 30, 2008 | 1 Comment | View or add comments

The Writer's Fruit of the Spirit

September 2, 2008

There's a saying that goes something like, "The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree." Hmmm...

Read full entry »

September 1, 2008 | 12 Comments | View or add comments

Have No Fear!

July 1, 2008

I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest--I would flee far away and stay in the desert; Selah Psalm 55:6-7

There have been times in my life when I could have written that verse. I have a feeling you know what I'm talking about. I have a feeling you're like me, and you know what it's like to want nothing more than to fly away and be at rest. And we wouldn't even need wings or an airline ticket. A moped would be fine . . . just as long as it could take us away!

Read full entry »

July 1, 2008 | 5 Comments | View or add comments

Interview and Book Give Away with Author Shellie Tomlinson

June 24, 2008 

I knew I'd found a friend the day I found Shellie Rushing Tomlinson. She's not only the owner and publisher of All Things Southern, a website that celebrates "...the charm and heritage of the South," but she's also NOT a girly-girl. And that makes us practically sisters!

Read full entry »

June 24, 2008 | 17 Comments | View or add comments

The Red Pen

June 3, 2008

Well, it's been a little over a week since I returned from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, and my inbox is full. The response has been everything from "Now I know how to make my writing better" to "I quit--I must not be a writer."

I can't help but smile. I could be reading my own words, spoken at different times in my writing journey. Of course, most of you are much better students than I was when I started out! I hate to admit it, but when I first began this journey, I thought anyone who saw a need for improvement in my writing was just . . . well . . . wrong!

Read full entry »

June 2, 2008 | 4 Comments | View or add comments

Hello from Blue Ridge!

May 19, 2008 

Hello from the beautiful mountains of North Carolina where the skies are blue, the trees are green, and the hills are alive with music! Okay, maybe that's taking it a little too far, but I can tell you, I could get lost in the joy of writing up here.

Read full entry »

May 19, 2008 | 2 Comments | View or add comments

God's Good, Pleasing and Perfect Will

May 6, 2008

I can't tell you how many times I've begged God to give me a clear sign so I'd know His perfect will for my life--you know, something really Biblical, like a message written across the sky, with fireworks exploding around it. But when I gaze up into the vast blue beauty, all I see is a white puffy cloud that looks like a hamburger. Am I supposed to give up this writing thing and work at McDonald's? (Don't laugh. I'd certainly make more money flipping burgers!)

Read full entry »

May 6, 2008 | 18 Comments | View or add comments

Going Fishin' by Guest Blogger Renae Brumbaugh

April 22, 2008

Vonda here: Welcome, friends! As promised, we're pretending today is the 5th Tuesday. After all, we're writers, and writers can make it whatever day they want, right? Next week we'll have a wonderful interview and book give away with author Allison Bottke and we'll pretend it's the 4th Tuesday. Totally confused? Good! That means I'm not alone! ;-)

Read full entry »

April 22, 2008 | 5 Comments | View or add comments

Waiting in the Fast Lane

April 1, 2008

Waiting is hard for me. I read of Sarah waiting for Isaac, Anna waiting for the Messiah, and Elizabeth waiting for John, and I'm amazed. I mean, can you believe Sarah waited about thirty years for a baby? Thirty years? I have a hard time waiting for my nails to dry!

But God's Word is clear that we're to wait, to be still, to remain in Him.

Read full entry »

April 1, 2008 | 10 Comments | View or add comments

Have You Failed...to Write?

March 11, 2008

In 1993, long before I ever tried to write for publication, I attended a writing seminar. I had never traveled alone out into the big, bad world, so I was scared to death. I made my reservation, packed my suitcase, and drove two hours away. This was my big chance.

Read full entry »

March 11, 2008 | 9 Comments | View or add comments

Begin at the Beginning

February 19, 2008

I knew I wanted to be a writer after I wrote my first poem in first grade. In high school I worked on the newspaper and the literary journal and in college I knew that one day I would write a book. The next thing I knew, I was forty.

Read full entry »

February 19, 2008 | 11 Comments | View or add comments

Three Little Words

February 12, 2008

Okay, be honest--you think this is just another sappy essay about Valentine's Day and the meaning of love, right? Wrong. Believe me, I'm not writing about dating, marriage, or conversation hearts. The three little words I'm talking about today are powerful.

Read full entry »

February 12, 2008 | 9 Comments | View or add comments

DON'T Write What You Know!

February 5, 2008

If you've been writing for any length of time, you've probably heard the adage, "Write what you know." I understand the reasoning behind the statement, but I'm afraid I have to disagree. Now, before you post nasty comments and threaten to cancel your RSS feed, please hear me out.

Read full entry »

February 5, 2008 | 6 Comments | View or add comments

A Positive Rejection

January 29, 2008

In order to protect the not-so-innocent, we'll call him John. He was tall, handsome, and athletic. The desire of every eighth grade girl. Oh, if only he would chose me as his partner--my life would be perfect!

Well, you know the story. I lined up, alongside three-fourths of the female eighth-graders, and applied for the role of John's girl. But he said I wasn't a good fit. I wasn't his type.

Read full entry »

January 29, 2008 | 8 Comments | View or add comments

Things are never as simple as they seem...

January 16, 2008 

Well, things are never as simple as they seem for people like us. "It's easy," they say with a yawn . . . and we believe them. It's not that they're lying or anything. It's just that we're from different worlds. They're iPods, Blackberries, and Wii's; we're transistor radios, typewriters, and Atari.

We just don't speak the same language.

Read full entry »

January 16, 2008 | 2 Comments | View or add comments

The Christian Writer's Den is now open and ready for you!

January 15, 2008 

Okay, those of you who know me personally are probably asking, "Is she crazy? She doesn't know anything about maintaining a blog!"

Well, you're right--I don't! But my handy-dandy, A-plus, top dog webmaster, Steve, says I can do it, and I'm gullible enough to believe him. So here goes...(GULP!)

Read full entry »

January 15, 2008 | 18 Comments | View or add comments

Top of Page