Friday, July 31, 2009

Fun with Constant Contact



In an effort to publicize and promote LWS, I've recently been introduced to Constant Contact. (I don't get any $$ if you hit the link, by the way. I'm just promoting them out of the goodness of my heart!) It is amazingly simple to use. Years ago, when I published Timely Words, I sent a weekly email out for awhile. It wasn't an easy task - especially managing the list. I was glad when I decided to can the weekly TW email.

If you are interested in promoting your book, ministry, family, hobby, etc. I would strongly encourage it. Their free 60 day trial is legit. You can use it without any obligation or credit card number.

If you would like to receive my Constant Contact mailings, you can subscribe in the box on the right.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

An Idiot's Guide to Idioms



As a writer, I'm fascinated with words. I recently purchased A Dictionary of American Idioms. I know, I know, B-O-R-I-N-G!

An idiom is language peculiar to a people or culture. Many times an idiom has a meaning that can't be determined by the individual words themselves. For example, "Sunday week" means a week from this Sunday. I recently discovered in a staff meeting that this is apparently a Southern idiom. Other examples are: cool cat, fly off the handle, like a breeze, and kick the bucket.

The reason I bought this dictionary is because it's a thought-provoking, writer's block-curing, interesting book to thumb through when you're a little bored. It's also full of great book and article titles. For example, imagine the following as books or movies. (They may already be out there.)

At the End of Her Rope
Lion's Share
Means to an End
Out Cold
Drop in the Bucket
Dead Ringer
Devil to Pay

Books/Movies/TV Shows with idioms as titles:

Sixth Sense
Duck Soup
Facts of Life
Fall Guy
Growing Pains
Half-Time
Helter-Skelter
Rush Hour

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Book Review - Same Kind of Different as Me



There are only a few books that I've read in two sittings. Same Kind of Different as Me is now on that short list. I read the first half of it last Saturday on the plane from Guatemala City to Atlanta. I read the second half last night.

What an incredible story!

It's a true and unlikely story about a wealthy Texas art dealer and his wife, passionate to show God's love to the homeless, and a hobo who spent most of his life as a modern-day slave (sharecropper) in Louisiana. The initial thought is that the story is about how the rich Texans would change the homeless man's life - and they did. But Denver, the homeless man, changed them much more.

Same Kind of Different as Me is a touching and powerful story about God's grace and mercy and the value of relationships. I highly recommend it. 5 STARS!

Friday, July 17, 2009

Out of the Dark (Again) and into the Whirlwind


I've spent a lot of time in the "dark" so far this summer. No or little internet or cellphone access has been kind of a nice relief. Beth, Bailey, and I left with 8 others from TNC for a week in Guatemala. We had a great mission trip last week. (I posted more details about the trip on www.tncblog.com.)

On Friday of last week, we visited Aqua Viva Children's Home. Pictured with us is Bailey's friend, Flor. They became buddies when Bailey spent a week at the home in March. It was a sweet reunion.

This week has been crazy busy. Lots going on. We arrived back in town late Saturday night. Sunday was a full day. (I haven't had my Sunday nap in 2 weeks!) Monday, the first day back in the TNC offices, was a big day of catch-up. Everyday this week has been full. Add to that a visit to the migrant camp Wednesday night. A late night phone call and visit regarding a crisis situation. Wedding rehearsal last night, funeral out of town today, and wedding tomorrow night. Whew!

But it's all good (minus the grieving situation, of course). God has been doing a neat work in the lives of our Guatemala mission team and He's cooking up something special for TNC this fall.

When I get a chance to sit down and take my time, I'll try to post something meaningful. Right now, I'm still trying to catch my breath!