Captain's Log, Stardate 03.22.2006
Blog Book giveaway:
My Thursday book giveaway (DIE BEFORE NIGHTFALL) is here.
My Monday book giveaway (QUEEN ESTHER AND THE SECOND GRADERS OF DOOM) is here.
You can still enter both of them. Just post a comment on those blog posts.
On Thursday, I'll draw the winner for DIE BEFORE NIGHTFALL and post the title for another book I'm giving away. Stay tuned.
MARY G!!!: Am I totally cool or what? Mary Griffith agreed to do a guest blog post! I didn’t even have to bribe her with chocolate. Can I hear ya say Yeeeeeaaaaahhhhhhh!
During the month of March, I’m giving away a copy of her latest book, PINK. Go to my website to sign up for the giveaway!
Here’s Mary!
Pink. It's the title of my latest book and often the hue of my faith. Bright and bold and sometimes a little hard on the eyes (ears). Like the character in the book, I spent the first few years of my Christian life trying to beige myself down, trying to cultivate that meek and quiet spirit I so longed for.
It was at a women's conference with 1000 women that I realized, every shade of faith is necessary and "quiet" looks different on different people. I spent the ride to the hotel concentrating on being quiet. (I still do this. If you're ever at a conference with me, you'll see my little warning notecards. They never work, but making them is fun). The facilitator told us to break into our discussion groups and go over what the speaker had said in the morning session. Elisabeth Eliot was the speaker so I had quite a bit to say, but I sat there quiet and quaking like a pressure cooker, waiting for someone to say something.
Not even a hello. Not a sigh. Nothing. Women looked at one another and turned away with coy smiles all while I'm seconds from spontaneous combustion. Would we ever meet one another again? What if God wanted to heal someone's heart? Touch someone's body? Were we all just going to sit here and be quiet after a teaching like that?
Nope. We weren't, not if my inner pink could help it. Like a balloon hit with a dart, I broke my silence.
"Can I at least pray for somebody or something? This is killing me!"
Across the table, another woman slumped to the table in relief. "Please, go ahead. Start the questions. I was about to pass out over here. I so wanted to discuss this, but I'm so afraid to talk in front of people. At my father's funeral, I almost had to be revived after speaking."
I looked at her in shock. Not want to talk? My family started demanding speeches of its members as soon as a person could speak. Being the life of the party and the leader of the band were expected. Did this dear lady really feel that nervous about talking? Her flushed cheeks and sweaty palms as we opened with prayer told me yes. It was also the beginning of God showing me that He needs Christ reflected in every shade. So I laugh loud and wear sparkly shoes. I love Jesus and He loves me back.
And He loves you too, whether your personality is fierce and fuschia or gentle and jade. Whatever shade your style is, the world is waiting for it.
:)
Camy here: Thanks, Mary! Okay, people, what's your shade?
Blog Book giveaway:
My Thursday book giveaway (DIE BEFORE NIGHTFALL) is here.
My Monday book giveaway (QUEEN ESTHER AND THE SECOND GRADERS OF DOOM) is here.
You can still enter both of them. Just post a comment on those blog posts.
On Thursday, I'll draw the winner for DIE BEFORE NIGHTFALL and post the title for another book I'm giving away. Stay tuned.
MARY G!!!: Am I totally cool or what? Mary Griffith agreed to do a guest blog post! I didn’t even have to bribe her with chocolate. Can I hear ya say Yeeeeeaaaaahhhhhhh!During the month of March, I’m giving away a copy of her latest book, PINK. Go to my website to sign up for the giveaway!
Here’s Mary!
Pink. It's the title of my latest book and often the hue of my faith. Bright and bold and sometimes a little hard on the eyes (ears). Like the character in the book, I spent the first few years of my Christian life trying to beige myself down, trying to cultivate that meek and quiet spirit I so longed for.
It was at a women's conference with 1000 women that I realized, every shade of faith is necessary and "quiet" looks different on different people. I spent the ride to the hotel concentrating on being quiet. (I still do this. If you're ever at a conference with me, you'll see my little warning notecards. They never work, but making them is fun). The facilitator told us to break into our discussion groups and go over what the speaker had said in the morning session. Elisabeth Eliot was the speaker so I had quite a bit to say, but I sat there quiet and quaking like a pressure cooker, waiting for someone to say something.
Not even a hello. Not a sigh. Nothing. Women looked at one another and turned away with coy smiles all while I'm seconds from spontaneous combustion. Would we ever meet one another again? What if God wanted to heal someone's heart? Touch someone's body? Were we all just going to sit here and be quiet after a teaching like that?
Nope. We weren't, not if my inner pink could help it. Like a balloon hit with a dart, I broke my silence.
"Can I at least pray for somebody or something? This is killing me!"
Across the table, another woman slumped to the table in relief. "Please, go ahead. Start the questions. I was about to pass out over here. I so wanted to discuss this, but I'm so afraid to talk in front of people. At my father's funeral, I almost had to be revived after speaking."
I looked at her in shock. Not want to talk? My family started demanding speeches of its members as soon as a person could speak. Being the life of the party and the leader of the band were expected. Did this dear lady really feel that nervous about talking? Her flushed cheeks and sweaty palms as we opened with prayer told me yes. It was also the beginning of God showing me that He needs Christ reflected in every shade. So I laugh loud and wear sparkly shoes. I love Jesus and He loves me back.
And He loves you too, whether your personality is fierce and fuschia or gentle and jade. Whatever shade your style is, the world is waiting for it.
:)
Camy here: Thanks, Mary! Okay, people, what's your shade?
Camy, great job of getting Mary to TALK!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd Mary, this subject (what is our color) has always been my favorite topic. I have to say I'd never thought about being 'pink' or 'organge' or whatever until that famed Denver conference when all our colors just seemed to mesh to form the most beautiful picture. It changed my thinking...
Love ya,
Staci
Hi, Mary, I guess I'm a lot like that lady. I hate to speak in front of a group or even try to break the ice in a circle of people. But then, when I was young, my father's dictum was, at least at the table and that's about the only place we ever saw him, "Children should be seen and not heard." As a result, I never learned to argue properly, to talk to a Bible study group, etc. especially if there were people there that seemed to be more knowledgable about the subject than I was--that authority principle. I was a teacher for about 7 years and that wasn't too bad because there, I was the authority--at least of the subject matter.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I like wearing red, which is not exactly a quiet color either, in my personality I'm more an olive green or dark brown like my favorite colors.
Like Staci above, I've never thought of my personality in terms of color but the theory is definitely workable and for me definitely goes with the colors I like to actually wear. Parts of me are bold red or orange or bright green, others more muted though I can definitely say that I'm not a lover of pastels.
I'd have loved to hear Elisabeth Eliot. I have all her earlier books, the ones she wrote after her first husband and several other missionaries were murdered by the Auca Indians. I can still remember when we first heard about the tragedy. And what a testimony those deaths were and then her own in going back to minister to these people. A remarkable Christian woman and writer. She must be getting on in years now too.
Thanks, Mary. That was very thought-provoking. You must have put the blog on when I'd finally given up on seeing one there yesterday. I'm on EST.
Well color me pink! And I just thought I was the un-holy one of the bunch. Thanks for the attitude boost!
ReplyDeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteI have to say that I'm a red who has been playing it safe in pinks lately. I want to live life with a passion as I used to, but fear what may happen. I'm starting to get my red ways back though. Slowly. But the red is starting to show through.
By the way, I read "Pink" and loved it. It was a great read, a lot more grittier (in my opinion)than "Made of Honor" which I also loved. You also touched on the whole issue of chastity/purity which is important to me. I want to write a story about trying to stay pure in a dirty world, but haven't come up with the characters to carry it off yet. You gave me something to think about...
I love this discussion about our shades of color. As a young child, I was very bold and bright, but due to some harsh life trials in childhood and my teen years, I hid my true spirit behind a wounded and fearful mask.
ReplyDeleteGod is finally stripping my mask and letting my bright and bold color shine forth again. Wooohooo!!!
If you think about decorating or accessorizing, it is always a success to put a bright, bold pattern or color against a softer, quieter shade. We truly do need all shades of spiritual/personality color don't we? :)
I have no idea what shade I am. I have been trying so hard to be the gentle, gracious, graceful (and no laughs from those that know me, the clutz) person that I thought God wanted me to be. I thought I talked too loud, and too much. Laughed too frequently and at a volume not ladylike.
ReplyDeleteNow that I see that God does need all shades, I may be in the sparkly shoe department with you, if you don't mind. And maybe by the conference, I'll know what shade I am, but I'm leaning towards royal purple because God has given me a vibrant amount of faith.
Thank you for stopping by, Mary. It's always a blessing to read your words.
Hugs!