DISQUS

Taiwan, but it's the same on the mainland, too. Saying I'm in "China" gets way too political. ha! I lived on the mainland for awhile, too. But, the hill country is home and where I grew up. We'll be living in Burleson in a year.

Wonderful work, by the way. You have a real talent.

Yay. I love a free gift! I can't wait to hear it.

Blessings on this Father's Day. Here's a little factoid. Over here, Father's Day is on August 8th. You say 8 by saying "ba". August is the 8th month...so the 8th month and the 8th day is pronounced "ba (yue) ba (hao)" and the word for dad is "ba-ba." So "ba-ba's" day is on ba-ba. I always thought that was neat. :)

OK...off to read my ebook.

Fredricksburg! Now I have a picture and a geographic location. I'd stalk, but it's too far to swim. Great looking family. I think it's one thing that it's OK to say you're proud of. :)

Craver, your rubberband/hymnal comment cracked me up and inspired a post to boot. Really? You were quiet as a kid? I'm still not seeing it.

LL, you really made me think with that question, and it's a tad too early for that!

I can tell you whyI write, and I'm not a writer-writer. Just a blogger. I think at this point in my life, I've experienced a lot. So by writing, I can look back on some of the experiences and put them in perspective. Like yesterday's blog. I wrote about being keyless. It was based on a conversation I had with a friend who is going back to the states, has sold everything and now has one key to her name. I related to her in that, and the transition issues it implies.

At this point, I also am not thinking about the big picture...just events as they are brought to mind and the lessons learned. Or maybe just reflection. What I do know is that I can now go back through things I have written, and see patterns of growth, or lack of it, and it spurs me on to do better and learn more. Plus, reliving some of those experiences is just fun. :)

Why do other people write? I'd love to hear other reasons! (Sorry Mark...it's off topic from editing, isn't it?)

You guys are a crack up.

The intrinsic value in work is important as well. I like that thought. In my review of the High Calling, I had been focusing on seeing our work place as a place to live out the Gospel, but doing a job and doing it well is an important part of that, isn't it? I'll have to include that thought today. :)

LL Barkat, I find Firefox works better than Safari. And lately, my Safari gets stuck and I get that dreaded spinning beachball of death. So for me, Firefox it is!

First a personal story, then the explanation:

My brother had a blood disease at a very young age. It required him to have to have painful bone marrow tests. He had three, and that was enough. He asked God to please not allow him to have anymore.
I came home from school one day, and he was crying. He found out that he had to have another test. Later, my mom heard him in the shower. He was crying and he was mad. He finally started talking to God, telling him how mad he was, how he had trusted Him, but He didn't hear him. You know what? After that shower, my brother had a peace about his test.

All of that to say: God knows we're mad. God knows we doubt. He knows we seek, we're indifferent, we're sad, happy.... He knows. He just wants us to acknowledge it ourselves, and then He can work with us. It's one of the biggest lessons we learned through my brother's illness.

So were you blasphemous? I don't believe so. I think you were honest.

Marcus,

Thanks for keeping me thinking about how I am presenting my writing to others! I'm headed back to analyze right this minute. :)

Stacy

I know I'm a lurker commenting on an apparent work relationship, but in general I think it is good to know that you as an editor are working to glorify God. I don't see how bad can come from that!

Blessings as you all work together!

"And they need to accept that some readers will be alienated by the complexity."

Or, as in my case in re-reading some of my work, they will feel like they just need to take a breath! :)

I think you are the first non-family commentor on my blog. :) Thanks!

Looks like you practice what you preach!

Great tips, by the way, for novices. I noticed a few loooooong sentences or two in my writing. I need to rethink that.

Thanks again!

By the way, to answer your question, I think what makes a piece of work good is the way it makes me ponder and reflect the truth that is revealed in it, and the application of that truth to my life. When I write, I do try to include questions that require further thought, so that those who are seeking may look in His direction.

Do you mind if I add you to my blogroll? I have been blogging for family for awhile, and I just started this blog so that I can practice more writing. I would like to refer to your blog from time to time if that's OK.

By the way, I love the "good" quote in the top right corner. That's just funny.