One of my crazy ideas over the years, included writing a book. And I did. It started out as little devotions, which I sent out via e-mail. Then I began self-publishing on xanga, and then blogspot. In 2011, when I was graduating from college, I decided it was time to self-publish a little book, as a graduation gift to myself.

Having collected the devotions over many years, I began to edit and compile them. While participating in a literary publication class during college, I learned how to format a book. From research, and joining a local self-publishing group, I networked with a local printer to publish it. By December 2011, I had a batch of 100 books printed, and I introduced my first book to my friends and family, and even a few strangers.

Now six years later, I’ve decided to move the manuscript over to createspace.com, and see if I can distribute it again. It’s in review at the moment, and I am excited to see how it circulates this time.

This trial run with createspace.com is giving me experience and confidence to consider a new writing project. So maybe, a new dream is on my horizon. Writing can be a satisfying, creative adventure, but also a lot of work to bring the crazy idea into being.

I’ve created a preview page, and would love you to click over there and see if it really works. Ha! And stay tuned for when it goes on sale! In the meantime, I have a couple vintage, first editions that I’d like to giveaway. So comment below, and I’ll pick some winners this Friday, November 10th!

What are some of your defining moments? Do you have a dream?

. . . to know the word that sustains the weary. (Isaiah 50:4 NIV)

Most of my life, I fought to avoid failure. And alongside that quest, I sought approval from others. I wanted someone to tell me I was succeeding, that my pursuits and accomplishments were gaining me some kind of merit or accolade.

My choices looked good from a moral perspective, but often they were made to reduce risk and protect myself from rejection. For many years, I believed it was my job to gain approval by my deeds. Do this. Don’t do that.

Over the years, I vacillated between rating myself highly because of my successes, and feeling sheepish about sharing my accomplishments. But neither of those extremes really defined me.

When I learned that I was created to be loved by the Creator of the Universe, my tendency to avoid risk diminished, and I was more likely to embrace crazy ideas. Even the crazy idea that it was okay to succeed. To honor my values and to create space for others to experience a safe place to fail or succeed, as needed, became my new pursuit.

But every once in awhile, I still doubt my approval rating with God or with others.

What if, you and I were born pre-approved? What a relief that would be! I read a passage in the book of Ecclesiastes recently, which I never noticed before. It was like the Creator of the Universe knew that I needed to read these lines:

Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has long ago approved what you do. (Ecclesiastes 9:6 NRSV)

If you accepted this pre-approval, what crazy idea would you pursue?

It’s so easy for me to criticize others, to point out the down side of a situation, or to complain about my discomforts. But one crazy idea that always brings sunshine to my dreary days is to be on the lookout for goodness. I call them “goodness sightings.” You might liken these to a gratitude list.

But goodness sightings are a little different, because the occurrences, while they usually could evoke thankfulness; they are more about a perspective shift.

Like this weekend, I went away with a friend for some time of refreshment, which was very good. But I easily could have been overwhelmed by the crowds, the genre of music or the ladies in the hotel room next to ours, who talked loudly until midnight, but instead I focused on the goodness.

The company of a good friend, a nice hotel within walking distance to the conference, balmy autumn weather, incident free travel, lovely singing of timeless hymns, laughter and tears, memories and fresh moments of insight, free breakfast and coffee, and a surprise gift of a word on a bracelet.

A very bubbly lady asked if we wanted to win a free prize. I reluctantly said yes, pulling my friend over with me. The lady asked us a question and I looked to my friend to answer. She won a bracelet with the word “loved” etched on it. Later, she told me, she really needed that word. The lady asked me another question, and even gave me the answer, so I could “win” too.

I looked at the word on my bracelet, and immediately knew it was a goodness sighting.

My word was “dream.” I hadn’t thought of that word for some time. In a way, most of my dreams and aspirations have been fulfilled or attained by this season of my life.  In another way, my desire to dream has faded, obscured by an overcast, brooding heart, a gray attitude of reluctance and dreary bout of  cynicism, which pervades my imagination most days. I am hesitant to admit it, but I’m not sure what to dream or hope for anymore.

I wish I could say that by the end of today’s musings a new dream had broken through, but instead a small token on my wrist reminds me that I can dream. I can look for sightings of goodness. And today’s messages reminded me that goodness is looking for me, too.

What does it mean to you to be on the lookout for goodness? Do you notice goodness pursuing you?

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life . . .  (Psalm 23:6 ESV)

Quotes are one of my favorite things to collect. They don’t take up much space. You can use them in art. You can use them in writing. You can repeat them to yourself for inspiration and motivation.

I came across the above quote one day, when I was wondering how my creative life informed my praying life. My first concern centered around the possibility that creativity hindered my prayers, but then I banished that thought. I knew from experience that creativity definitely has been and continues to be a form of prayer for me, and a simple way to connect with the Creator of the Universe!

And in the serendipitous ways of Creator GOD, this quote affirmed my pondering.

… the artist prays by creating… (Flannery O’Connor)

Ahhh . . .

and this quote brought to mind prayer quotes, which I have mulled over many a time .  . .

“pray with out ceasing”

“ceasing striving, and know”

“a prayer to the God of my life”

or this version: “My life is God’s prayer” (Psalm 42:8 MSG)

What is one of your favorite quotes? Have you ever looked up quotes about quotes?

Here’s a few, just for fun: