Contest Winners and Cow Chip Classic

The Winners of the New Words Contest are:

First Place, Terri Tiffany with her guess of 1965;
and two Second place winners, Jessica and Jill, who both guessed 1969. Congratulations, Ladies! Please email me at levellies75@tigerpaw.com and send me your street address.

The actual date of publication of this Webster's NEW World Dictionary was 1962. Remember, a word must be in common usage for several years before it is considered for publication in the dictionary. So we probably won't be seeing Sherrinda's "cranky pants" or my "booger brains" anytime soon!

And now, a fun devotional to start your weekend;

When I shook Jeremy Bennett’s hand today in church I glanced down at his bright red shirt and read: “Cow Chip Classic, 2006.” Don’t get me wrong. I was not a bit upset that Jeremy wore that particular shirt. I was thrilled he chose to spend his Sunday morning worshiping God and fellowshipping with other believers, regardless of what he chose to wear. Besides, it gave me an opportunity to find out what a Cow Chip Classic is…

Being a city transplant, I envisioned guys out in a field throwing cow chips like discuses at a track meet. The one who threw the farthest got a prize, like a new milking stool or a branding iron. Is that how it was? I asked Jeremy.

“No,” he said, smiling politely (I think “POLITE” was stamped on Jeremy’s forehead when he was born). “We just raced across the field, dodging cow chips along the way.”
I wrinkled my nose as I asked, almost afraid to discover, “Did you step in any?” “A few,” he answered, still smiling.

I grinned back at him, but I couldn't help thinking: Why would anyone want to run through a field of cow chips? That’s way too much like real life!

A few days on this earth are sunny and bright. The chickadees sing sweetly in the peach trees, the smell of new mown hay tickles your nose as you drive down the highway, and the price of gas is lower than last week. No cow chips in your field. But most days are like this…
It’s raining again, all the chickadees in all the peach trees are either pouting or scrapping with each other, the only smell as you drive down the highway is a dead skunk, and gas prices are up again. Your field is full of those darn cow chips. You can’t help but step on a few.

Life stinks sometimes. No matter how deftly you dodge between the cow chips, you cannot avoid them all, and by the time you hit seventy, eighty or even as young as fifty, you’re messed up and dirty.

Jesus predicted as much when He told His followers, “In the world you will have tribulation (John 16:33).” To His credit, though, He didn’t stop there, or we may have said, “Thanks a lot, Lord. Tell me something I don’t already know.” His next words add a fragrant scent to our smelly situations: “But be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.” The Amplified version says, “I have deprived it of power to harm you.” Wow! No matter how many times you’ve tripped or fallen in those cow pies, no matter how stinky your life has become, there is hope for you. If you trust in Jesus and His amazing promises, all the cow chips in the world cannot permanently harm you. He has deprived them of their power over you. He has overcome the world. For you!

My word for that kind of love? Classic.

copyright Jeanette E Levellie, 2009

Bad Advice

Bad advice. At least once, we’ve all listened to it, then kicked ourselves for being stupid.

As serious writers, we are forever looking for ways to improve our skill and change more lives with our words. We read books, attend conferences, go on as many fellow writers’ blogs as we can, to get the best advice possible. But sometimes we come across a bit of bad advice. If we know it’s bad, good. We can spit it out like a cow spits out the worthless stubble, and only swallow the nourishing grain. If we are unaware that it’s bad, that's not good. We can go down a wrong path in our career, or at the very least, waste precious time.

A frustrated writer once told me not to read craft books, that my writing was good enough, and those books would only confuse me. Had I listened to this bad advice, I would be a much poorer writer than I am today. Notice I didn’t say I wouldn’t be as great a writer as I am--- I am not a great writer. Yet. I hope to be one someday, with the help of all the craft books I am reading, in spite of that person’s bad advice.

Now it's your turn. Have you ever read or heard some bad advice concerning your writing, or writing in general? Did you know it was bad, or did you listen to it, later realizing it wasn’t sound? Perhaps we can learn from each others’ mistakes, and avoid taking bad advice in the future. Blessings on you as you write for your Audience of ONE...

New Words Contest

If you are anything like me, you love words. Dictionaries, thesauruses and word games are some of your treasured friends (BTW, we discovered a tremendous new word game this weekend called Syl-la-bles Easy to learn and truckloads of fun).

The dictionary I most often refer to is somewhat “old.” I won’t say how old, because that would spoil our contest. Below you will find several words that the publisher included in the “new words” section of this dictionary. Look at the list, then guess what year it was published, leaving a comment in this post. The two who guess the year or come the closest win a prize, one of two cds I have left from the Write to Publish conference: Jane Rubietta and Mary DeMuth. If more than two guess the exact year, I will give another prize from a former conference.

Ready? Here are the “new” words:

Brunch
Bulldozer
Corny
Doodlebug
Emote
Electronics
Foxhole
Gizmo
Global
Manpower
Microwave
Mugger
Phooey
Rookie
Telecast

You have until Thursday at 4:30 p.m to guess. I will post the winners Friday morning. Please include your email address if I don’t already have it. Thanks for playing and blessings on your week as you write for your Audience of ONE,
Jen

Why am I Crying?

Imagine a spunky, joke-a-minute redhead sitting at her computer crying. Why do you think?

A) Because she ate taco salad for lunch and her gall bladder is punishing her.

B) Because her twenty-pound cat is shedding on her new love seat.

C) Because two of her blog buddies, Jill and Wendy, gave her awards today, and she is awed and thankful for their kindness and love. Also because she's had a rough year and God is giving her a hug and kiss through these two friends. If you have not stopped by these two blogs lately, do yourself a favor and drink of these ladies' literary talents today. Oops! Was that a dreaded alliteration?

If you guessed C, you are right! Thank you oodles and boodles, Jill and Wendy. I am humbled to receive these. I know I put the pictures in backwards, but i'm still new at this...

For the first, the Honest Scrap, awarded by Jill (an awesome writer and fellow cat lover), I have to tell eight honest tidbits about myself you may not have guessed:

1. In my freshman year of high school I lived with my uncle’s family on Saipan, a tiny island in the South Pacific, near Guam.

2. I never wanted to marry a preacher because I thought you couldn't’t be rich and a pastor’s wife at the same time. Had to change my definition of "rich."

3. I love cheese so much I once hosted a cheese party where the entire menu consisted of various cheeses. Well, maybe a few crackers and some ice tea thrown in there, too.

4. I have three darling grand kids (I know I’m too young—I married at age five)

5. I own four cats; wait, I have the privilege of serving four cats.

6. In high school I studied to become an opera singer.

7. On an aptitude test I took when I was in my thirties, the counselor told me I should become a farmer.

8. While working at the front desk of a bank several years ago, I forgot my name when answering the phone. I thought it was hilarious, but the man on the other end was not amused!

For the second, the Superior Scribbler, awarded by Wendy (a superior writer herself), I am supposed to do a ton of things, but Wendy took me off the hook when she heard I was crying. I would like to adhere to one of the rules and pass this award on to some deserving fellow bloggers, however:

Susan Reinhardt at Christian Writer Reader Connection, a true woman of God with a heart for our nation;

Karin Beery at There Has to be a Beginning, who makes me laugh with her wacky stories;

Amy DeTremp, who has a heart to help other writers succeed;

Diane at That's What I'm Here for, who makes me think-- a good thing!;

Karen at Karen R. Evans, who is full of grace and wisdom.

Blessings and Love in the Lamb,

Jen

Do You Go Back?

Since coming aboard the Face Book train, which I am enjoying BTW, my blogging time has been curtailed. I hate that. Blogging is one of my favorite pastimes. I only hop around you guys’ sites for about an hour a day, but I would do more if I didn’t rely on this silly paycheck to fund trips to my grandkids, my writing career, and my four kitties. I need a solution, one that will allow me more time to visit your blogs and comment on them without forcing me to arise at 4 a.m. The only thing I can think of is to not reply to everyone’s comments on my own blog. But that seems too rude and ungrateful. So you tell me:

How many of you go back and look at the replies to your comments which you’ve posted on others’ blogs?

Would you feel slighted if I did not respond to your comments?

I want to reply to everyone who takes the time to comment on my posts, because I realize you could be spending your time elsewhere. It is an honor to have you here. However, if I don’t comment, that will free more time for me to visit your blogs and talk to fascintating you. What do you think? I value your input. And Thanks! I appreciate you all.

Goals and A Song I Wrote

Eileen, Andrea, Jessica, Sherrinda, Larie, Terri and Katie, did you accomplish your weekend goals? As of this writing (Sunday afternoon) I finished one goal so far, but not both. I submitted an article I hadn’t planned on this weekend, so that was a bonus item, and those are always fun. Thanks for sharing your goals with us, ladies. Somehow writing them down helps keep us on track.

Eileen asked that I share the words to a song I wrote and mentioned in a blog recently. If you are currently going through rough seas, I hope it encourages you:

Your mighty peace
Will comfort me
When all around the storms besiege
I will hide
Beneath Your wing
And rest my soul
In Your mighty peace.

Though Satan lie
And tempt me sore
Within Your Word I am secure
I will stand
Forevermore
Your mighty peace
Will win each war.
©2004, Jeanette E Levellie

Cruise, Anyone?

Whether you write your goals and post them on the wall or simply have them in your head, they are helpful in spurring you along your writing path. I have daily goals I write in two planners (work and home); summer writing goals; and one, five, and ten year goals. Then there are those monumental lifetime goals.

Somehow telling others our goals aids us in achieving them. Let’s share some goals for this weekend and beyond:

I would like to write one chapter for my WIP and send out an article to “Birds & Blooms" magazine this weekend. One of my lifetime goals is to go on a cruise. I don’t care where it takes me, as long as it’s warm and I don’t have to cook or clean!

What about you?

Facebook and Before the Throne of God

First, I signed up for Face Book yesterday. It was a happy moment in an otherwise sad day, after we said goodbye to our baby, who moved to faraway California. Sniff and snuffle!

Foremost, the words to a song that I hope will encourage you as it did me:

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great high Priest who Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
NO tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb
My perfect spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I AM
The King of glory and of grace.
One with Himself I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God!
With Christ my Savior and my God!

Vikki Cook, Charitie Bancroft copyright, PDI Worship

I love you guys!
Jen

3 Things I Will Never, Ever, Ever Say

When we were first married over thirty years ago I read a book that said, “No matter how angry you become with your spouse, there are certain things you should never say, things you know will hurt them to their core.” That principle was taken from God’s Word, where it says, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue (Prov. 18:21).” With that in mind, there are a few things I will never, ever, ever say. Some of them are:

1. I’m getting Alzheimer’s—I cringe every time I hear people jokingly say this. It’s not a funny disease. You may have forgotten where you put your car keys for the tenth time this week, but that does not mean you are going senile. Instead say, “Lord, help me! Bless my brain and help it retain!”

2. I hate you (or them). Hate is a deadly emotion. It translates into wishing a person dead. No matter what another has done to upset or wrong me, even if I think the world would be better withought them, I refuse to speak these spiteful words. They are poison that will corrode my own heart and turn me bitter.

3. It’s hopeless. In the past, I said this about a situation I saw no way out of, and God made a way. Shows you how smart I am! He has ways and means up His sleeve that all of us put together could not fathom. He is good, His plans are good, and He knew this was going to happen to you before you did. He’s already planning your rescue, and it’s probably something you never imagined. Trust Him and His heart of gold. He is on your side. And I love you, too.

God came through-- again!

Snoopy Dance and shouts of praise to God taking place here today. While husband and son were out last night I finished the two proposals and sent to Hartline Agency. Yippee Dippee and thank you, Jesus! Chocolate, anyone?

That's Outrageous!

This week’s posts are going to be short. I am nearly done with the two proposals to send to Hartline, our son is moving to CA Wednesday to try and find a job, and I’m working under a deadline for some magazine articles. So…

Let’s start the week with prayer. What are some outrageous, “above and beyond” things you are asking God to accomplish in your life, or for someone you love? Share them here, and I will agree with you for the Lord to bring them to pass. He is the God of the impossible, the improbable and the insurmountable. When we ask for something way out there, we KNOW it’s Him when it happens. Then He gets all the praise!

I will start: I’m asking for an excellent job for my son, Ron, my friend, Susan J Reinhardt, and everyone else who is unemployed right now. Your turn:

Learning New Words to Take Your Writing to a Higher Level

The First Five Pages by Noah Lukeman is the amazing word craft book I'm currently reading. Thanks to Julie Dearyan at the Write to Publish conference for recommending it.

One of the exercises Lukeman suggests is to learn new words, so we’re not relying on the same vocabulary every other author uses. He suggests buying a set of index cards, then writing new words as we come across them, but not immediately using them in our writing until we make them our own. This involves using them in conversations and thoughts for several weeks until we become fluent with them. Then and only then can we call them ‘ours’ and use them in writing.

I have always loved words (when I look up a word in the dictionary, my heart actually pounds faster as I approach the word on the page). So this exercise was an easy one for me. Here are a few I’m learning:

ODIOUS: "Deserving of hatred; offensive, abhorred; appalling, disgusting; dreadful."

EXECRATE: "To call down evil upon; curse; condemn."

IMPERVIOUS: "Impenetrable; secret, mysterious."

Have you learned any new words lately? What are some of your favorite words?

Happy Weekend,
Jen

Wonderful Words

When our son, Ron first learned to write, he cut a square of cardboard, folded it in half and wrote, “Holy Bible” on the outside. Inside he wrote, “Get your life from Jesus.” As he handed it to Kevin he said, “Here’s a Bible for you, Dad.” We stared at each other, amazed that Ron had summarized the gist of the Bible in four words. Don’t you think kids often have a fresher understanding of spiritual things than we adults?

One of my favorite words of encouragement from the Word is Isaiah 30:18:
“Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.”

Do you have a favorite Scripture, one you turn to again and again when you need to “get some life from Jesus?” If so, please share it, and lift someone up today with some wonderful words of life...

Thanks!
Jen

Celebrate the Outhouse?

“Did you see that?” asked Kevin. We were travelling home from a trip to St. Louis.
“No, what was it?”
“A billboard for an Outhouse Festival!” He hooted. “I can’t believe it!”
“Are you serious?” Now I was laughing, too. “What is there to celebrate about outhouses?”
I’m all in favor of celebrating the Honey Bee, Covered Bridges, Popcorn, and Raggedy Ann & Andy. The times I have been forced to use an outhouse, however, I was not thinking of parades, lemon shake-ups, and ice cream cones.
I suppose they are a great invention if you’re stuck in the middle of nowheresville and can’t find a bush. But to have an entire weekend dedicated to them? How desperate must you be for something to party over?
If you really want to celebrate and be in high spirits, I have a few ideas you might try:

Celebrate living in a nation where you have a free education, can criticize a political candidate without being arrested, are allowed to vote, and can worship whatever god or God you choose.

Celebrate being rich, even if you have only one set of clothes and food for just today. Most dogs and cats in this nation live better than millions of people in the world.

Celebrate if you had parents who loved you and taught you right from wrong.

Celebrate your friends. My Dad used to tell me, “If you get to the end of your life and can say you have one faithful friend, you are a rich person indeed.” His memorial service overflowed with people who attested their friendship. May I live as worthy as he, making a positive difference in the lives I touch.

Celebrate a God who loves you so much that He gave you trees, flowers, stars, oceans, birds and animals simply for your enjoyment.

Celebrate a Savior who willingly gave His life that you could be friends with God and live with Him in eternal bliss, One who has already forgiven all your past and future sins.

Celebrate a loving Heavenly Father who will never turn His back on you, no matter how many times you blow it. That’s called unconditional love.

I’ll bet you can come up with a few more reasons to celebrate, things we all take for granted and fail to notice until we are forced to do without them. Come to think of it, next time I go camping, I may have to reconsider celebrating the outhouse!

Will You be My Friend?

Okay. Kevin read all the comments—thanks, you guys, for the time and thought you put into these lovely arguments—and he chose two winners:

Wendy, because you told about witnessing via Facebook, and he was impressed with using it as an evangelism tool, and
Angie, because you were honest and said you were still resisting the whole thing. He loves integrity in a person.

I was won over by these three:

Timothy Fish, because you found your kindergarten teacher on Facebook and because you connect with church members,
Eileen, because you want to “partner” with me so I can learn, and I think that’s sweet, and

Leslie, because you said Mary DeMuth signed up to be your friend, and I think that's cool.

These are the prizes to choose from. First come, first served. Email me at jeanettelevellie(at)gmail(dot)com with your street addy and your choice of a prize, and I will mail them out to you next week:

A signed copy of Authentic Parenting in Postmodern Culture book by Mary DeMuth

“Right Tight” CD by Rick Steel of AMG Publishing

“Solving Pesky Point of View Problems” CD by Tim Shoemaker, freelance writer & speaker

“You: a Word Carrier for God’s Kingdom” CD by Jane Rubietta

"You can Write Humor" CD by Jerry Brecheisen

The bottom line is, Kev says “Okay” to Facebook! Please pray I don’t get sucked into the black hole, and never write again! I will sign on sometime this month, after I finish my two proposals and send them to Hartline; will you be my friends?

A Different Kind of Contest

I’m starting to warm up to the idea of Face Book and Twittering, but Kevin is not convinced. “Honey, you just don’t have the time. You barely get everything done now, without adding more,” is his argument. So, I thought of something…

This will be a contest, with NO LIMIT to the prizes. All who enter will be eligible to win! The prizes will be cds and books from the Write to Publish conference, including people like Jane Rubietta, Mary DeMuth and Rachelle Gardener.

Post a comment to Kevin, stating why you think Face Book, Twitter or both will enhance my life (and his?) rather than stress me out. You have three days to post. On Friday night I will read the entries to him, leaving out the names. Whichever ones--- even if there are ten or twenty—convince him, will be winners. If no one convinces him, I will choose the top three that I feel presented the best argument, and give prizes to those. BTW, he knows about this, so you don't have to worry that I am manipulating him...