cedarhavenbooks' Blog

GRACE
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A TRIP WITH FRIENDS

Published: 05-15-2012 10:16am
Posted In: Weekly Blog
I spent the weekend with my twin sister and hubby. Their daughter, Ann, accompanied me to their summer home on the Keweenaw Peninsula of upper Michigan. The warmth and wind prompted us to check out the Gratiot River beach, where we took dozens of photos of the waves, woods, and other wanderers like ourselves.The trip home offered more eye-appealing pleasures in the form of trillions of Large-flowered Trillium. The beautiful flowers, growing along a twenty-mile stretch of forest, carpeted the woods and roadsides like a blanket. The three-petaled blooms remind me of the Trinity. Regal. Pure white. Each petal equal in size to the other. The word Tril... » Read More

BEST FRIENDS FOREVER

Published: 05-15-2012 10:14am
Posted In: Eternal Perspectives
ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES  by Sally BairBest Friends Forever If you’re like I am, you’ve had many friends throughout your life, but only a handful of best friends. You know the kind—a Best Friend Forever (called a BFF in the social media world) with whom you can share your deepest secrets and feelings without fear of betrayal. A best friend is someone who will be there for you when you’re hurting and when you’re rejoicing. A best friend will even put their reputation or life on the line to defend you.Changes happen, however, that can jeopardize our relationship with a BFF. Let’s face it, we all mess up sometimes. Maintaining any close rela... » Read More

WHAT'S YOUR WRITING WORLD LIKE?

Published: 05-11-2012 08:21am
Posted In: BACKYARD BOWL
Do you plan your writing schedule ahead? Or like many writers, do you put pen to paper only when the muse strikes? Can there be a combination of such writing habits?I say Yes. I try to keep a schedule—that is, write every weekday morning from generally nine till noon. That loosely-planned schedule, however, becomes airborne easily. Too easily. You know the scenario well, I presume. The phone rings. The call must be important, so early in the morning. You await an e-mail answer with such eagerness, you can’t put off opening your mail. Since you’re online, you might as well keep reading. Read, delete, re... » Read More

BLADES OF GRASS

Published: 05-07-2012 06:57pm
Posted In: Eternal Perspectives
ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES  by Sally BairBlades of Grass While mowing the lawn for the first time this season, I zipped through some areas of grass as sparse as an old man’s whiskers. Other areas, thick as the hair on a bear’s forelegs, caused me to push for all I was worth with my battery-operated mower that is not self-propelled. The sparse area looked like it hadn’t even been mowed. Conversely, the thick grass looked luxurious and inviting.Our lives work that way, too. When we work hard at something, it brings us a deep sense of satisfaction for having done a job well. When we fly through a task, the result is often boredom or the sense of bei... » Read More

FOCUSING ON THE THICK, NOT THE THIN OF LIFE

Published: 05-07-2012 06:54pm
Posted In: Weekly Blog
I attended a writer’s conference this past weekend and, as usual, came home enriched with inspiration, instruction, and the inclination to start a new project. Frustration reared its ugly head, however, over a glitch in the timing of conference agenda items. By nature, I’m impatient and therefore I felt ready to walk out. Christian sense prevailed, however, and I stayed to enjoy the best part of the conference. I must remember that in this world, nothing is perfect. ... » Read More

HOW MANY BOOKS ARE YOU WRITING?

Published: 05-03-2012 04:04pm
Posted In: BACKYARD BOWL
Variety is the spice of a writer’s life. If you’re like I am, too bored and impatient to work on one project at a time, you have several stories going at one time. Of course, much can be said for staying focused on one project until it’s finished.One way you can manage to do both is to manage your writing time. For instance, plan to write on your current book 30 hours a week, or whatever you choose. Add a few hours for another shorter project or two. Or, schedule your days for different projects: Monday through Wednesday write on your book; Thursday can be for another project; Friday for yet another.It takes time to perfect a writing plan. I... » Read More

MEMORY WRITING BRINGS BENEFICIAL EXPOSURE

Published: 04-30-2012 02:27pm
Posted In: Weekly Blog
Out of my memory writing workshop grew two new writing groups, “Tapping Our Roots” and “Memory Caretakers.” We’re learning, laughing, crying, and finding emotional liberation. We’re viewing our past from the perspective of a new time. Try it! Grab a notebook or journal and start recording snippets of your life. Show through your words how your mom’s special casserole tasted, how your brother’s teasing brought angry heat to your face, how the horsehair car seat felt on your bare legs in the hot summer. Memories are meant to be preserved, even as they were throughout the Bible. ... » Read More

HIDING PLACES

Published: 04-30-2012 02:26pm
Posted In: Eternal Perspectives
  by Sally BairHiding Places Mrs. Wily Coyote can’t resist the scraps in my compost pile. She comes often, sneaking behind one tree or shrub after another to avoid detection and harm.Sometimes we act like Mrs. Wily, trying to hide from situations and people we’d like to avoid. Besides the fear of harm or change, there are many other ways we hide ourselves from detection.  The abused or mistreated person might escape through alcohol, drugs, perverse habits, or fantasy. A father may hide behind his pride in the belief that he can pull himself up by his bootstraps and everyone else should, too. A child handicapped in some way may hide behind hi... » Read More

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE HARD TO ACHIEVE

Published: 04-26-2012 05:54pm
Posted In: BACKYARD BOWL
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22)Longsuffering means patience. Of the list Paul gives in his words, I find patience hardest to achieve. I can’t wait for things to happen. I don’t like to stand in line. I want to finish things in a hurry. I make quick decisions so rashly they plunge me into troubled waters. I keep asking God to give me patience, “But hurry,” I tell Him.I’m in the midst of deciding what picture to use for my second book, Trouble at Fish Camp. I’ve been perusing photos all week, testin... » Read More

WEEDING OUR SPIRITUAL GARDEN

Published: 04-23-2012 04:53pm
Posted In: Weekly Blog
How is your spiritual garden growing? Bad habits and sin can destroy the beauty and value of God’s work within us as easily as dandelions and other invasive plants can take over a beautiful lawn or garden. It requires diligence to grow into the bloom of God’s desire—diligence in Bible reading and meditating, prayer, and obedience. He is our perfect gardener.    ... » Read More

DANDELIONS

Published: 04-23-2012 04:51pm
Posted In: Eternal Perspectives
ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES  by Sally BairDandelions My pretty yard has its first dandelion in bloom. Because last year’s crop far exceeded my efforts to eradicate them, I’m resigned to letting them spread their prolific seeds to their hearts’ content. I don’t like to use chemicals, and there are far too many dandelions to dig out individually. I’ll simply enjoy my yard while it sparkles in golden beauty for a time and then watch the slow demise of the grass as the plants smother it. I look at that dandelion and think about the sin in my life. No, I’m not a thief or murderer or an adulterer. But sometimes I harbor critical thoughts about som... » Read More

PERSEVERANCE-The Weapon for Attacking a Writer's Angst

Published: 04-19-2012 09:51am
Posted In: BACKYARD BOWL
I’m finished! My second book in the Winds of the Williwaw series, “Trouble at Fish Camp,” is finally in the publisher’s hands.“Trouble …” gave me trouble from the start, almost as much trouble as the Main Character, a major bully, did for the others in the story. After writing an entire first draft, I decided to change the Point of View to another character. I chucked version 1 and started version 2. I plodded my way through a new beginning and became sick of it fast. Hence my procrastination. My labor of love had become a labor of lackadaisical, lukewarm effort. But there’s lots to be said for determination so I kept going.As I ma... » Read More

A CAPRICIOUS APRIL

Published: 04-16-2012 02:22pm
Posted In: Weekly Blog
We received an unexpected snowfall today after record-breaking temps soared two days ago. Sunbathing one day, shoveling 48 hours later. Ah, capricious spring! The robins are huddling, hunkered down until the sun beats down on their brows once more. I thank God for the much-needed moisture.... » Read More

THE VALUE OF SONG

Published: 04-16-2012 02:19pm
Posted In: Eternal Perspectives
ETERNAL PERSPECTIVES  by Sally BairThe Value of Song I grew up in a Minneapolis home where little music was heard. We had a radio that my dad used for listening to the news and weather report. I took lessons on our old, upright piano for a short time but practiced little. Most of the music I did hear came from Saturday matinee movies at the local theater.When my sixth-grade class attended a symphony youth concert, I heard classical music for the first time. Enamored with its beauty, I began listening to it every weekend on a public radio station. Although it’s still my favorite type of music, I began to enjoy popular songs, some country music, ... » Read More

PECKING AWAY

Published: 04-12-2012 09:40am
Posted In: BACKYARD BOWL
The old, white birch in my Backyard Bowl received some new holes today. A pileated woodpecker drilled through its rotting bark, up and down and around and around, for beetles and bugs. I enjoyed watching him peck away with efficiency and precision.I’ve been pecking away at my second book, “Trouble at Fish Camp,” for almost two years, to get the bugs out. Unlike the woodpecker, I’ve started and stopped, unsure of my words and phrases. After writing the entire book, for instance, I decided to change the point of view. That meant rewriting the entire manuscript. How daunting a task! But it’s finally finished—almost. Three more days of pol... » Read More

LOOK HARD

Published: 04-09-2012 09:50am
Posted In: Weekly Blog
If we look hard enough, we can find facts and lessons about God in just about anything. Take a puppy, for instance. Its faithfulness and loyalty give us a glimpse into God’s character. Watch a doe as it hovers over its fawn while it eats, protecting it from danger. More insights about God’s love and mercy. Be sure to look for your lesson about God today.... » Read More
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