tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74027012279822396932011-07-30T20:04:46.413-04:00Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.comBlogger521100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-15157813525012978202010-09-20T09:40:00.000-04:002010-09-20T09:40:17.370-04:00

Mom and I packed my little black Vibe (with a sunroof!) last Tuesday night and backed out of the driveway about 7:30 Wednesday morning, heading north for Indianapolis and the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference. We arrived at the Hyatt Regency Thursday evening and settled into a comfortable room overlooking a small courtyard with fountains of water shooting into the air. The

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-22620623303575469612010-09-08T10:46:00.001-04:002010-09-08T10:47:06.928-04:00

Growing in Prayer Lesson Three: The Bible's Oddest Prayers The Lord visited Gideon and called him, "mighty warrior." But Gideon protested that he was the least of his family and his tribe was the least of the tribes of Israel. It didn't matter . . . God had a plan for Gideon to defeat the invading Midianites. An odd plan, but one that worked. Similarly, we can call upon God's strength when we

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-7846389805148055672010-09-01T18:52:00.001-04:002010-09-01T18:53:42.365-04:00

Growing in Prayer: Lesson Two The Bible's Stubbiest Prayers Nehemiah quivered in fright when the mighty king of Persia asked him why he looked so sad when he wasn't ill. Nehemiah "prayed to the God of heaven" before asking the king's permission to return to Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:1-5). Nehemiah's prayer was little more than a pause, a moment to garner his courage before making his request. But 

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-41083959292746346282010-08-24T12:41:00.000-04:002010-08-24T12:41:40.931-04:00

I received a message from my young friend Windy Cobourne inviting me to a new facebook group for Established Footsteps,  a project for women to memorize Romans 12. This is the first week, so if you'd like to participate, please join Windy's group. Romans 12:1 (NIV): Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God --

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-28626758413021159912010-08-05T09:45:00.002-04:002010-09-01T18:53:15.052-04:00

Growing in Prayer Lesson One: "The Most Reluctant Pray-ers in the Bible" You know what happened to Jonah, right? He tried to run away from God and ended up in the belly of a specially-made fish! One of the most beautiful prayers in the Bible is memorialized in Jonah 2. The runaway prophet cries out in despair, but he also proclaims, "I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-75031396707547022272010-07-26T11:17:00.003-04:002010-07-26T11:22:19.025-04:00

Chapter 12: Why Bother? Why study Scripture? "We study something that is living and powerful." "We grapple with eternal truths." "We delve into the divine Word of God." "We study God's unchanging Word so that it can change us." And yet . . . 1 Corinthians 13:2 reminds us: Though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-36710175870813502852010-07-12T12:34:00.000-04:002010-07-12T12:34:40.228-04:00

Chapter 11: Soaking Soak in God's Word through study and meditation. David invites the Lord to listen to him in Psalm 5:1: Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. David sought God's favor in Psalm 19:14: May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be pleassing in your sight. Paul encourages us to focus on whatever is excellent and praiseworthy in Philippians 4:8.

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-46603128935416148942010-06-30T01:51:00.001-04:002010-06-30T01:51:00.593-04:00

Chapter 10: Themes Even though the Bible was written by multiple authors over several centuries, the theme of Redemption runs like a scarlet thread from Genesis through Revelation. Other themes weave through the Scriptures, themes of love, atonement, and sacrifice. The same resources used for word studies can aid us in our search for the themes we wish to study.

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-46065661791450703512010-06-27T01:47:00.000-04:002010-06-27T01:47:00.520-04:00

Chapter 9: Word Studies Word studies help ensure we know a word's meaning and how it is used throughout Scripture. Online resources such as Bible Gateway, Vine's Expository Dictionary, and Strong's Concordance make it so easy to find out what the meaning of a word and all the places it's found in Scripture. One of the questions in this chapter asked us to do a word study for "approved" in 2

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-2718164968115160072010-06-24T01:09:00.000-04:002010-06-24T01:09:00.457-04:00

Chapter 8: Outlines Outlining a passage of Scripture may reveal patterns we might otherwise miss. Here's my outline of the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8): Farmer went out to sow his seed Path -- trampled / eaten by birds Rock -- withered among thorns / grew and choked Good soil -- yielded a bountiful crop The meaning of the parable: the seed is the word of God Path -- Satan takes the word from

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-58679531583650891022010-06-21T01:09:00.001-04:002010-06-21T10:42:06.697-04:00

Chapter 7: Back to the Basics The colored pencils are back again! This time, we looked at the first twenty-four verses of Scripture's longest chapter, Psalm 119. Here's our color code: Blue: right actions and attitudes Orange: wrong actions and attitudes Purple: what God does to/for those who obey Him Green: what God does to/for those who resist Him Yellow: the mentions of God's Word The

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-35208433373513062272010-06-18T01:59:00.001-04:002010-06-18T01:59:00.377-04:00

Chapter 6: Pitfalls When studying Scripture, we need to guard against distorting the truth of God's Word. Neither should we substitute our opinion for truth. We avoid such pitfalls through careful study of Scripture. Sure, that takes some effort. After all, even Peter said that some of Paul's writings were hard to understand (2 Peter 3:15-16)! But we have excellent translations, commentaries,

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-6860556638831684002010-06-17T12:45:00.000-04:002010-06-17T12:45:57.311-04:00

Chapter 5: Dare to Compare Break out the colored pencils! In this chapter, we colored-coded the phrases of 1 Peter 1:25 in four different versions. The visual comparisons made it easy to see how different versions translate the same verse. Which translation is the best? Generally speaking, scholarly study requires a "formal equivalent" translation, one that translates the original languages

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-60686238782604314882010-03-08T12:35:00.003-05:002010-06-17T13:01:33.363-04:00

Chapter 4: We Have a Teacher When we met last week, we dug into Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary for Hebrews 5:12-14. More importantly, we talked about Jesus' promise to send us a Teacher, a Counselor, who guides us into all truth. We begin our Christian walk as newbies, spiritual babes needing to learn the basics. But as we grow and mature, we long for solid food. "We start with the

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-71952517112606155642010-02-27T09:13:00.004-05:002010-06-17T14:03:01.436-04:00

I received my copy of Nelson’s Complete Book of Bible Maps and Charts, Third Edition as I was preparing a Bible study lesson on Biblical resources and reference books. After only a few minutes of flipping through the colorful pages, I was excited to share this book with the other women in our group. The two major sections are Old Testament and The New Testament. Each book of the Bible has its own

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-69866378648002166232010-02-17T18:54:00.001-05:002010-06-17T14:01:52.196-04:00

Chapter 3: Reading vs. Studying We explored Acts 17:10-12 on our spiritual journey this week, particularly verse 11: "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." The Greek word for "noble," eugenes, appears only four times in the New Testament:

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-82299143202669554932010-02-11T10:15:00.002-05:002010-06-17T14:02:11.723-04:00

Chapter 2: Tools of the Trade Resources, resources, and more resources. On our spiritual journey this week, we used study and topical Bibles, concordances, commentaries, and expository dictionaries to delve into the deeper meaning of 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Online references helped those of us who don't have access to all these types of reference works. We especially benefitted from Bible Gateway and

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-50296467394570243012010-02-05T07:18:00.001-05:002010-06-17T14:47:58.264-04:00

For whatever life holds for you and your family in the coming days,weave the unfailing fabric of God's Word through your heart and mind.It will hold strong, even if the rest of life unravels. Gigi Graham Tchividjian

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-55696895491942235602010-02-03T15:41:00.006-05:002010-06-17T14:02:33.624-04:00

Chapter 1: Will This Be on the Test? On our spiritual journey for the next twelve weeks or so, we're studying Knowing God's Word, a Women of Faith Study Guide (foreward by Luci Swindoll). Through studying this book, we will: understand the reason we need to learn Scripture by heart and recall it every day; learn what's important in life and what isn't; be encouraged to have goals that are not

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-8838501374639748432010-01-27T18:10:00.002-05:002010-06-17T14:47:37.156-04:00

This is a brief outline of our Tuesday night Hearts Above Bible study. “Set your hearts on things above” The verb translated “set” in the NIV is the Greek word zēteō which means “to seek.” Romans 2:7 “To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life” (NIV). 1 Peter 5:8 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-56462489309446534392010-01-09T18:11:00.003-05:002010-06-17T14:03:29.483-04:00

The first week of a new year is a great time to curl up in your favorite chair with How to Reach Your Full Potential for God by Dr. Charles F. Stanley. His seven essentials provide a compelling framework for those of us who can’t resist the urge to make resolutions. The book’s path to healthy hearts, minds, and bodies is paved with spiritual insights and practical suggestions. For example,

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-76711673655833944022010-01-06T17:52:00.002-05:002010-06-17T14:07:40.850-04:00

The Hearts Above Ladies Bible Study met last night to embark on our 2010 Spiritual Journey. We talked about how we completed the following sentences: I will abide in God's Word by . . . I will set my heart on things above by . . . I will set my mind on things above by . . . Several of us are abiding in God's Word by following a chronological reading plan. We're setting our hearts on things

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-8965303189512679972009-12-31T01:44:00.005-05:002010-01-06T17:40:32.413-05:00

First, it was the New American Standard Bible. A big black cumbersome book with written-upon pages and frayed edges. For the past seventeen years, it's been a smaller teal New International Version, its cracked cover now protected inside a black zippered case with a handle. My handwriting appears throughout the thin pages. The familiar words bring instruction, reproof, comfort. Both the NASB

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-51963869559684710402009-12-30T01:26:00.001-05:002009-12-30T14:20:13.738-05:00

For the year 2010, I'm following a Bible-reading plan that follows the chronological history of Biblical events. For example, the plan begins with the first eleven chapters of Genesis, switches to Job, then returns to Genesis 12.I will follow the plan, as I have before, without the dates. My intent is to read with purpose and thought, not to slavishly follow a daily regimen just so the Bible gets

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-49302574000719342742009-12-29T11:39:00.005-05:002010-06-17T14:08:08.929-04:00

The Hearts Above Ladies Bible Study begins a Spiritual Journey to set our hearts and minds on things above where our lives are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-3). We set our hearts on things above by: praying to God being still before God practicing spiritual disciplines before God serving God's people We set our minds on things above by: reading God's Word studying God's Word

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-60661938937911469982009-02-14T17:25:00.001-05:002010-06-17T14:48:21.127-04:00

Wishing everyone a very happy Valentine's Day*

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-65105858268175757832009-02-10T14:29:00.003-05:002009-02-10T14:33:52.401-05:00

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26"In every wind that blows, in every night and day of the year, in every sign of the sky, in every blossoming and in every withering of the earth, there is a real coming of

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-8493899909516998772009-02-07T10:57:00.005-05:002010-06-17T14:47:00.033-04:00

I saw an unusual sight on my morning jaunt -- a lone sand crane walking across a yard. Unusual, you see, because sand cranes are rarely seen alone. And I had passed several, heads tucked beneath wings, just a few moments before only a block or two over. Had this one not been invited to the sleepfest? Was she the same one I had watched the day before flying away from the group as a larger,

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-29808324820325827282009-02-04T12:06:00.004-05:002010-06-17T14:48:44.997-04:00

This photo was taken the first week in January. That's our undecorated Christmas tree and our just-used grill. One of the blessings of living in the Sunland!

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-66025481127704422772009-02-02T07:59:00.004-05:002010-06-17T14:05:57.407-04:00

The Scene: eating supper with Bethany, Justin, and Jeremy. Bethany: I don't know why everyone thinks Jeremy looks like Justin. He has my ears, my eyes, my hair color. Jeremy: Mommy, do you want your ears back?

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-71284461212848516962009-01-28T10:47:00.006-05:002010-06-17T14:05:39.685-04:00

We have been in God's thought from all eternity,and in His creative love,His attention never leaves us. Attributed to Michael Quoist From The Heart of a Mother is Love Perpetual Calendar That sits right next to the monitor on my roll top desk*

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-28489452017730572032009-01-26T14:00:00.006-05:002010-06-17T14:01:29.251-04:00

I have drunk the only Pepsi I allow myself this day. The heavy glass, sitting on a coaster to the right of my monitor, holds only unappealing watery soda and melting ice cubes. Will I avoid tossing fresh cubes from the freezer into the glass? Will I resist the temptation to open another twelve-ounce bottle? To pour the carbonated, bubbling, foamy beverage on top of and into the current dregs? I

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-41567943383191743452009-01-19T16:51:00.004-05:002010-06-17T14:49:14.591-04:00

I've been keeping a secret from my daughters for about three weeks now. But when I called Bethany from my car just before pulling into her driveway, the truth came out! When I say that I was calling Bethany from my car, I mean exactly that . . . I was calling her from the phone number assigned to my 2009 Pontiac Vibe by OnStar. As fun as it was to make a call, that's not my favorite feature of

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-6649270645765453042008-09-03T20:27:00.009-04:002010-06-17T14:49:35.495-04:00

The tag clerk asked for a phone number and Nate gave his cell phone number instead of our home number The title is in his name . . . and only his name. The insurance clerk "moved" him from my car to his own vehicle. He'll be getting his own E-pass account for the toll roads. The threads that bind a child to his parents continue to unravel and today it unraveled into a long loose string of

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-67387620302788171852008-08-27T18:19:00.011-04:002010-06-17T14:49:56.386-04:00

Yep! That's me -- a field mom. As in "track and field." Nate doesn't participate in track. He participates in field. This means that, for more years than I can tell you, we have collected dicuses (or would that be disci?). Let's just call them discs. Who knew there could be so many differences between one discus and another? Things like balance and rim thicknesses. A couple of discs have taken

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-65593065843571561402008-08-23T20:47:00.004-04:002010-06-17T14:50:30.755-04:00

My writers' group, the illustrious Kindred Heart Writers, are giving away a copy of Mark Batterson's new book, Wild Goose Chase: Reclaim the Adventure of Pursuing God. To be eligible for the drawing, all you need to do is go to http://www.kindredheartwriters.com/ and leave a comment on the post that reviews the book. That post will be on the site beginning Monday, August 25. The winner will be

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-75964753477513614542008-07-22T16:13:00.021-04:002010-06-17T14:50:56.147-04:00

Jedidiah William Jett entered the world on July 15th at 10:32 a.m. Here he is with his beaming parents, Justin and Bethany, and his big brother, Jeremy. But our celebrating had just begun. July 17: our new son-in-law Jacob celebrated his birthday July 18: my dad's birthday And yesterday, July 21st, we celebrated Nate's 18th birthday with a cookout. The celebrating isn't over yet, though.

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-48366770958923567452008-07-09T18:14:00.006-04:002010-06-17T14:06:42.851-04:00

"Do you remember what we were doing last year at this time?" I asked my daughter and son-in-law as we ate grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, and all the other traditional 4th of July cookout cuisine. It took a moment . . . but then the reminiscing began. On July 4, 2007, we were at the Watermelon 5K Run at Winter Park. It was my first 5K and I'm proud to say I ran the first two miles

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-9566248193551114242008-06-11T13:46:00.003-04:002010-06-17T14:51:16.603-04:00

You are so cute. I sexy. You're sexy? Natalie says me that. I got in her truck with my suit. ***** Why are you so adorable? Because I'm picking my nose.

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-24684281842647851612008-06-10T10:38:00.003-04:002010-06-17T14:51:35.388-04:00

I sleep good. That means Jeremy has awakened after enough sleep to be smiling and cheerful Where's Malize? He wants me! I love you. Self-explanatory.

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-62194629841565540262008-06-07T18:24:00.004-04:002010-06-17T14:46:30.166-04:00

We have an adorable, energetic, cute-as-a-button toddler staying with us for several days. We get to play with Jeremy while Bethany and Justin are on a youth group trip to the Florida Panhandle. Today Jeremy told me how baby brother Jedidiah, whose planned appearance is mid-July, pushed against his hand. He thought it was pretty neat. And he's excited about "going on the airplane with Daddy to

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-50716948402777414072008-06-01T21:44:00.003-04:002010-06-17T14:51:58.512-04:00

Yesterday morning, I made the two-hour drive to Palmetto for the Special Saturday Tour of the Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. I haven't been there since I interviewed Helen Arnold, an SEGD graduate and staff member, for my master's thesis on the human-canine bond in 2003. Helen was greeting the visitors so it was great seeing her and her smooth-coated collie, Corky, again. A highlight of the tour

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-73441419030847574812008-05-19T11:13:00.003-04:002010-06-17T14:52:17.047-04:00

This morning was the first day of my third week in my running program. It's spitting rain. What I learned: Even when it starts raining harder, Nate will not come looking for me in the car. ("I didn't know it was raining," he said when I got home.) Rain is a good motivator for faster running, especially when it gets harder than "spitting." Other news: Jill came home and is now having fun in Tampa

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-57731055405542071832008-05-02T21:14:00.003-04:002010-06-17T14:52:42.747-04:00

Nathaniel's photo was in the paper again this week -- this time the Varsity section of the Orlando Sentinel. The photo is an action shot taken at last Saturday's state meet at Showalter Field in Winter Park. Nathaniel placed fifth -- only a mere three inches behind fourth place and a foot behind third! We're so proud of his accomplishments: a 10-0 season; Orange Belt Conference champ for the

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-29764637938703904892008-04-08T13:50:00.003-04:002010-06-17T14:53:04.734-04:00

My friend Carol Anne and I met just before 11:55 on Sunday afternoon at the doors to the AMC Theaters at Pleasure Island. Quickly we bought our kids meals of popcorn, drinks, and these strange gummy treats and settled in our stadium seats to watch Under the Same Moon/La Misma Luna, an engaging and tender movie about a nine-year-old boy's search for his mother. We were deeply touched and wiped

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-68661880108299117612008-04-03T19:22:00.003-04:002010-06-17T14:53:36.436-04:00

That means "search engine optimization," a term I only learned in the past couple of weeks. On March 3, I prayed for a specific financial goal for my writing and, though it was a modest amount, I wondered how I would ever reach it. Less than two weeks later, I applied for and got a position as an independent contractor writing SEO-type articles for a Christian website. By fulfilling my monthly

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-788225039124700082008-03-11T09:58:00.004-04:002010-06-17T14:54:44.740-04:00

Tonight the ladies of the Hearts Above Bible Study meet to discuss John 9. For the fourth time. Now the ninth chapter of John is not an especially long chapter, nor an especially difficult chapter. But for some reason, we find other things to talk about. This is not typical for this wonderful group of ladies. Of course, we chat, but we know why we've come together and we get into God's Word.

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-42015129415285309272008-03-03T08:37:00.005-05:002010-06-17T14:55:03.540-04:00

The past four exhausting, overwhelming, stimulating, hope-filled, glorious days are over and I'm home again eager to embrace all that I learned. God is gracious and the WordChicks (my online critique group that met at last year's conference) have a great deal to "cluck" about. One of us, Jeanie Wise, our only not-in-Florida member, won the Writer of the Year Award sponsored by Winepress

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-31990535943395846572008-02-24T18:03:00.003-05:002010-06-17T14:55:26.246-04:00

The writers conference begins Thursday and I'm still working on the submissions I'll take with me for an editor to review. This afternoon I picked up the article I revised two days ago for one last going-over. A going-over that turned into still another revision as I re-wrote the opening, combined two paragraphs into one, and changed phrases here and there. Sometimes it seems like a never-ending

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-62491109146744072332008-02-20T12:02:00.003-05:002010-06-17T14:55:51.861-04:00

. . . a precious little boy! Yes, we're expecting our second grandson in July. My daughter Bethany and her husband Justin invited me to go along to the ultrasound on Monday. We counted tiny fingers and marveled that we could have this glimpse into such a dark and private world. Jeremy is going to be a big brother. Though he announces it with great pride, we're pretty sure he has no idea that a

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-63534787039370564042008-02-12T16:09:00.002-05:002010-06-17T14:04:31.049-04:00

The deadline for mailing manuscripts to the Florida Christian Writers Assn. conference is February 20, a mere twelve days away. So why am I on blogspot instead of WordPerfect? Good question! I have a book proposal for my novel to revise, an article to write, and a nebulous idea to develop for a second book proposal. I take strange solace in knowing I'm not the only one in imaginative and creative

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7402701227982239693.post-48863688221008350332008-01-27T00:33:00.001-05:002010-06-17T14:08:34.221-04:00

It's Saturday night and grandson Jeremy, who's almost two, called a little while ago to sing me a song. When I was a younger gal, I couldn't imagine being a grandmother. That was for old people! But here I am, loving every phone call, hug, and cuddle from that sweet little boy. And in July, he'll have a sibling! Life is too good and we are so blessed. Not only are we adding a new grandchild to

Johnniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05579456085122829964noreply@blogger.com2