Weaving Stories on Woven Wednesdays with Ruth Logan Herne

"Jesus was not a theologian. He was God, who told stories." Madeleine L'Engle

Some folks call prostitution "the oldest profession".

They're wrong, of course.

The oldest profession is story telling. From the beginnings of time, folks have told stories. Shared stories. Imagined stories. 

They made things up. They re-told history, recording it by voice and ear.

Villages, tribes and communities assigned a listener, or a story keeper, or a "teller". And so it began, a time when stories, both fact and fiction, began their patterns long before cotton or linen or flax weaving existed. When early man-- and woman-- drew charcoal patterns within caves. When rudimentary counting by slashes of burned stick... or four-legged figures depicted fierce predators. A time of few words, but still stories.

I love being a teller of stories. I love taking Biblical precepts and bringing them to life in contemporary works. I love seeing that while time marches on, people are still people. They're good, they're bad, they're strong and weak, they're tempted... oh, so tempted! 

"Yet man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward." Job 5:7, KJV

Modern times swim with temptation. It surrounds us. It's there on the street, in the subways, in the signage, in the music, on the television, in the arts, and in our homes. We are like those of old, picking our way through the difficulties, except we're so much better off than our forebears. 

We have medical help, schooling, clothing, food, and shelter. We have programs that help so many... so very many.

But with all of this, all the good fortune or plain and simple fortune, or even simply getting by, we give in to temptations all the time. Because without God... without faith... without that light of Jesus guiding our hearts and lighting up our souls... nothing is enough.

In the 17th century, Blase Pascal described a phenomena we still hear today. He described a vacancy within the human spirit, a vacancy so special, a hole so gaping inside us, that only God could fill it, although man tries valiantly to fill it every other possible way. 

But it's a God-shaped hole, and try as we might, it's meant for him. For that faith, that inner strength, the beauty of believing in times of trouble and moments of joy.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son..."

And there it is.

The Master Storyteller.

The Eternal Weaver.

The One, The Only, The Alpha and the Omega.

As we weave our way through this beautiful Wednesday, as we celebrate the joy and satisfaction of successful work by wonderful women, as we bond together in prayer and peace, let's thank God the Father Almighty for the gift of story telling, the beauty of faith and fiction, the delicacy of woven words.

For this gift, freely given, should always be appreciated. As we sculpt our stories, as we pare our words, as we bless others tales of happiness and woe, let us share the joys and pangs within us, as Christ did in his life... and on that cross.

"For greater love hath no man..."  

We search for joy and satisfaction in the physical world, when the truest faith, hope and love surrounds us in the spiritual realm. The wonderfulness that fills that God-shaped hole to bursting.

Happy birthday, lovely ladies! We share a birthday this week... your blog is young.

I am not.

But I'm not old, either, and I'll blast anyone who dares say otherwise! 

Let's have cake and coffee (or sweet tea!), and share our stories. And for this month, let's remember each and every one of those blessings, not by what others have that we covet... but by what we hold in our hearts, every single day.

And to make our hearts beat a little faster, Ruthy is offering a copy of her newest book (and FIRST MYSTERY!)  "A Light in the Darkness", the delightful first book of the Mysteries of Martha's Vineyard series, published through Guideposts. Leave a comment and Ruthy will put your name in her prettiest chipped candy dish! :) 

And here's the brochure (and the link) for this wonderful series... 
LINK TO "A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS"

Multi-published, bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne has well over a million books in print, a fact that still amazes her. She writes in the middle of the night, when there is NO ONE around to pester her, and by day she helps care for cute kids and a busy farm, all of which appear in her delightful, award-winning romances. She writes for the heart, from the soul and loves to chat with people! You can friend her on facebook, find her on Twitter @RuthLoganHerne and see her in Seekerville (www.seekerville.blogspot.com), Petticoats & Pistols.com  , the Yankee Belle Cafe  or swing by her website to see what's up, ruthloganherne.com 

Let There Be Light with #Giveaway

Musing Monday with Special Guest, Ruth Logan Herne

“Let there be light…” Genesis 1:3

“It is better to light one candle, than to curse the darkness.”  Chinese proverb

“This little light of mine… I’m gonna let it shine!” Gospel music, Harry Dixon Loes, composer

We are surrounded by phrases of light, phrases that evoke the image of light breaking darkness.  Beautiful imagery like this is no accident.

Light brings hope. Light brings morning. Light represents new chances, new days, new beginnings! Light travels! One has only to peer up at the night sky to see how amazingly complex the universe is in its very simplicity of rock-strew wonder… because we see light that shined a long time ago…

And it comes to us today.

There can be peace in darkness. Rest, slumber, ease. But light instigates us to get up, put on new clothes, and make the new day count!

Light inspires us. It calls to us, it pulls and tugs us. And yet, we take it for granted because there’s always been light. It’s almost mundane. It’s expected.

Today in this world, in this time, there are many who see light as a threat. Who see US as a threat. They don’t see Christ’s light. Maybe they never will.

But we can make His light, his sacrifice shine brighter. We can make ourselves shine brighter! We can be better people, kinder, gentler and more sacrificial! Christ told his people “Ye are the light of the world. A city, set on a hill, cannot be hidden.”

Let’s be that city on a hill!

There is strength in sacrifice. There is grace in sacrificial love. With every sacrifice we make we build character within ourselves, and strengthen our moral aptitude.

Being a light is good. Being a light is wholesome. Being a light unto others, forgiving trespasses, is simply marvelous.

“God, in your amazing, wondrous way, you created light and your people, and sent your son to be light among us. You sent him to show us the way through his most righteous sacrifice. Help us be sacrificial to others. Help us to be kind, to smile, to hug, to embrace. Help us to reach for the light in times of darkness. To walk humbly with our God. And to do this all like the contrite tax collector in Luke’s gospel, begging quiet forgiveness in an obscure corner.  True light makes no noise, but sometimes, somehow, creates a hum of satisfaction. Let us inspire that hum of satisfaction in others, through Christ our Lord. Amen.”

 

Born into  poverty, multi-published, best-selling author Ruth Logan Herne has a heart for the downtrodden and weary… She longs to make them happy and ease their burden. With nearly thirty titles in print and eight more contracted, she’s living her childhood dream… a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a published author touching hearts and souls with God’s word. She loves to hear from folks through her website http://ruthloganherne.com, e-mail at loganherne@gmail.com or through facebook as, well… you guessed it! Ruth Logan Herne!  

 

To celebrate the blog’s birthday, Ruthy’s offering two giveaways! She’s donated a Kindle copy of “With This Spark” a collection of historical romance novellas and either an e-copy or a paperback copy of her latest 4 ½ Star-rated book “Healing the Lawman’s Heart”. Leave a comment for Ruthy to get your name in the drawing!

 

Added Bonus: Told ya you're all winners!

GUESS WHAT!?! Our very generous guest Ruthy Logan Herne has decided to make ALL of the kind folks who commented on her post and left their email address winners of a free copy of her book The Lawman's Holiday Wish! HOW COOL IS THAT? See, I told you, you're all winners. Next time you won't doubt me. ;)

Thank you Ruthy!

So, the additional winners are:

Susan  

Heidi    

Martha 

Patti Shene   

and Natalie Monk

Congratulations!  If you commented on Ruthy's post and didn't leave your email, leave it in a comment below and I'll be sure you get a copy.

Ruthy has a new book coming out this week! You can check it out here.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IDEQW9I

We have Winners!

Of course, you're all winners in my book, but we do have a couple of giveaways to announce.

The two winners from Ruthy's generous giveaway of The Lawman's Holiday Wish are....(Drum-roll please!)

Melanie Backus

And

Elaine

AND the winner of Carole Brown's giveaway of Thicker Than Blood by CJ Darlington is:

Melanie Backus!

Wow, this lady's got some magic trick or something. Is anyone entering the lottery? They ought to have Melanie pick the number!


*Applause, applause*  CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS! You will be contacted via email to receive your prize.

We hope you'll all be back next week, because the fabulous Elaine Manders is giving away a Valentines day box of chocolates! CAN'T RESIST CHOCOLATE!!!

We'll look forward to seeing you all next week. Have a great weekend!

Author Interview and #Giveaway with Ruth Logan Herne

Today I am honored to introduce you to my friend and shero (for those of you that don't know me, that's my term for a lady hero). Multi-published author and generally fun person Ruth Logan Herne has been trapped in the throes of a very delightful, snow-filled, ice-crusted Arctic-style winter and loves it! A mother of seven and grandmother to twelve, Ruthy surrounds herself with little children, chocolate, coffee and group therapy in the form of two wonderful dogs. Married for A VERY LONG TIME (clearly a child bride!!!) she lives in upstate New York where seasons rarely blend, men are men and winter is talked about far too often.... unless it's summer, and then the words "well, at least it ain't snowin'!" are met with firm nods of agreement by many. So they're STILL talkin' 'bout winter, right? Even in July! She loves small towns and wouldn't change a thing... well an inch or two off her waistline, but that's a whole other topic of conversation!

Welcome,Ruthy! What made you decide to become a writer?

Well first I was kidnapped by aliens at age seven. When they sent me back I longed to tell about my experiences in the 17^th Galactic Quadrant #47242, star date 1703-04-99 

J

You know, for real, I have always made up stories, have always loved to write stories and always knew that if God gave me time, I’d be a published author someday. Mostly that’s because I never, ever, ever give up on anything. In fact, the tougher the challenge, the more I smile and work harder to meet it. So knowing I wanted to do it… and then being patient while raising six kids until I could work on a writing career without messing up time with them…. Was my forward thrust. And once I started, oh my stars, Amber!!!  I just love it!

Where did the inspiration for your latest book come from?

My upcoming book is about a young woman who is carrying twins as a single parent. She lost her husband to a convenience store hold up and they had two in vitro eggs still in storage. Her former pregnancy attempts had ended in miscarriage, but as time went on, she realized the magnitude of what they’d done. They’d created life and now it sat frozen in cryogenic limbo… and to what end? Should she stop paying the storage fee for the two tiny clusters of genetic material? Or should she give those two embryos their one and only chance at life?  It’s a beautiful story that gently examines the good and bad of scientific exploration and opportunity and how life should be respected at all times. The name of it is “Loving the Lawman” and I’m sending you the cover so you can see just how charming  it is… And how sweet are those babies???? I love me some babies!!!!  J

Wow, that is a fascinating plot! How does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing?'

Faith and spirituality are intrinsic in my life. Having said that, I am still sometimes a first class jerk, especially when I think I’m funny…. But I like wearing my love for God on my sleeve, to let God’s light shine through my smile, except when I’m making fun of people in Seekerville… J  A girl’s got to have a little fun now and again! I believe in God’s timing, while having doubted it many times in my life. I believe in the glory of unanswered prayers while ranting and wailing about God forgetting to answer mine. I believe every child is a miracle and I have so much fun putting kids in my stories that it’s just kind of expected now. Ruthy stories = cute kid alerts! And hot heroes, of course!

I’ve always wanted to be a champion for women. Women have traditionally been more victimized, taken for granted, used and abused than men for various reasons throughout history. The whole “little woman at home” scenario is a rare reality in modern times. And disrespecting women is huge throughout the world.

Well, that needs to stop, and one way of helping achieve that goal is to show women taking charge of their own lives, growing in faith, hope and love, grabbing those reins and hanging on for the ride God intended. The more that women are empowered with a vision of their worth through God’s eyes, the stronger our gender becomes. When I look around the world and see so much despair for women, so much lack and heartache, I realize that every life I touch, every soul that smiles and believes they can go farther, work harder, believe more fully is one step closer to the goal of women believing God created them in a special way, a spirit-filled light. And that makes me happy.

So...we're all dying to know: What are you working on next?

Right now I’m working on a Christmas story for Love Inspired. It’s the story of a soldier who’s been away, he’s been careless about his family life, and now he’s back home to help while his father fights a grim cancer prognosis. The heroine is biding her time to get out of town, she’s had enough of the town, her broken family, and her lost dreams. She’s had her heart broken twice, she had a great business going until an arson fire took it to ashes, and now she’s helping her friends run their hardware store while the owner goes through a long process of chemotherapy. And of course, the owner’s son is there in the store, also helping. Two kind of lost souls, finding each other in God’s timing, at Christmas. LOVE IT!!!!

I am so excited about being able to host you! Thanks so much!

Oh my stars, the pleasure is all mine! Amber, I’m so glad to be hear and chat with all o’ youse!!! We New Yorkers love hangin’ out in coffee shops… and blogs…. And sharing a cuppa and some chick chat! Thank you!

 

Ruthy's newest book is now available for pre-order!

Widowed and pregnant, Gianna Costanza comes to Kirkwood Lake with her world in pieces.  She’s determined to put her life back together after her cop husband’s death, and romance is definitely not part of the plan. But when she meets her new landlord and neighbor, she knows she doesn’t stand a chance.

Deputy Sheriff Seth Campbell is strong and kind and more supportive than she ever imagined a man could be. Soon he’s sweeping Gianna off her feet. But she doesn’t know if he’s ready for an instant family… or if she’s brave enough to love another lawman.

B&N

Amazon

AND....

Our friend has been so generous as to offer a giveaway! What's in the drawing today, Ruthy?

Here is the cover of the book we're giving away, The Lawman's Holiday Wish.... 

to two people who leave a comment about how wonderful your blog is, or life is, or God is.... :)

Thank you so much for being with us Ruthy! And for the fantastic giveaway! 

Go for it guys! The winners will be announced here on the Stitches Thru Time blog next Sunday February 9th.