Good Summer Clickin’

Hello, friends…

I’ve been in a bit of a blogging fog lately, between post-show blues and general family recovery from the life-upheaval of putting on a musical–plus just life itself. But I wanted to share with you some wonderful summer “clickables” by other bloggers that have been blessing me lately. I hope they bless you too!

First, one of my wonderfully gifted critique partners, YA writer Sarah Tipton, has begun a delightful serialized story on her blog. That’s right–you can follow and enjoy The Two Worlds of Sydnee Cameron absolutely for free! Not often a writer is willing to give away a story, so hop on over and enjoy. (And if you know any teens or pre-teens who love to read, direct them to meet Sydnee Cameron too!) I especially enjoyed the Fourth of July episode, which leads me to…

Mark Charles‘s thoughts on “The day after the Fourth of July.” Mark’s posts at  Reflections from the Hogan rarely fail to challenge me and make me think, and this one was no exception. I’ve often struggled with just how to feel on the Fourth of July as I’ve become more and more aware of the dark sides of our nation’s history, especially regarding the native host peoples of our land. This year I found it helpful to remember what I read somewhere once–it might have even been Mark’s blog–that love for one’s country is much like love for one’s family. You know their mistakes, their faults and ugly sides, and you want them to become better. But you still love them because you came from them, and they are a part of you. It helped me to think of loving America that way–as well as to be grateful for all the good things and blessings that do go with our country. Mark’s post reminds us that the quest for liberty and justice for all was only begun, not accomplished, in 1776–and that it continues still in our country today. Do check out his ponderings as a Navajo-Dutch American leader and follower of Jesus in the 21st century.

Though I’ve still yet to finish Ann Voskamp’s One-Thousand Gifts, her words and life have already impacted me. Recently I’ve discovered her blog, A Holy Experience. As the title might suggest, it isn’t a blog I just randomly click any old time–between the depth of the words and images there and the beside-still-waters music it plays, my heart has to be ready to be still a bit, to be quiet and listen and read and be touched. Amid a lot of stress we’ve been dealing with in our family this week, this post touched me and needed sharing–first on facebook, now here. Maybe you’ll find perspective as I did in “How to Keep Up the Fight for Joy.” 

Well, that’s all for now, folks! Happy clicking…and amid the busyness of summer, may He keep you in His peace.