Category Archives: Random Thoughts

Congrats to Winner of Drawing for A Novel Idea

Book Buzz, Contests, Random Thoughts

Last week I shared a special drawing for readers of my blog. Those of you who spotted the item and left a comment were entered to win a free book.

I realize there are wonderful technological ways to do a drawing these days, however I wrote out each name on a scrap of paper, mixed them up, and then drew one at random. Low tech works, too. LOL!

Drumroll please….the winner is:

Ruth!

Congratulations, Ruth, and I’ll get you the copy of A Novel Idea soon.

Thanks to everyone who played, AND for your encouraging comments about books that you enjoyed.

Have a super and blessed week!

Sharon HInck

 

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Updates and Random Thoughts

Mornings with Jesus, Random Thoughts, The Deliverer, The Writing Life

Updates(photo courtesy of Pixabay)

Some days I have small thoughts or bits of news that don’t merit a full blog post…so today I’ll gather a few updates to share.

1. A new novel and slow but steady progress.

I write every day, and long for a Handel-composing-the-Messiah sort of frenzied output. But I’m learning to be content with one sentence, one paragraph, one page at a time. I’m excited by the new world that’s shaping up in the novel I’m currently writing, and I’m finding joy in telling this story. I’ll share more soon. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you don’t miss any news.

2. The Deliverer reviews

It’s important to the algorithms for a book to hit the 50 review mark on Amazon. That increases visibility to readers who are browsing for a good read. I’m thrilled to share that so far The Deliverer has 41 reviews. If you haven’t posted a review yet, please do!  Only 9 to reach that important milestone.

3. Mornings with Jesus Bible

After contributing to Guidepost’s Mornings with Jesus devotion books over the last five years, I’m honored to have some of my devotions included in a new daily Bible.

4. Mornings with Jesus 2017

You’ll also find around 40 of my new devotional thoughts in Mornings with Jesus 2017.

5. A treat for those who follow this blog

Leave a comment here about which of my novels or devotions you’ve most enjoyed, AND your email (write it like “your name at email dot carrier” so bots can’t read it.)and I’ll draw one name to receive a free copy of A Novel Idea, a book chock full of great writing wisdom from a variety of Christian authors. Even if you aren’t a writer, I know you’ll enjoy hearing the hearts of the folk who create the books you love to read.

6.  Progress in my journaling Bible

As I shared in an earlier blogpost about my new journaling Bible, I’ve found new inspiration to linger in the Word each day. Even a book that normally bogs me down – like Leviticus – has offered new insights. I challenged myself to not just read a chapter to check it off my list, but to really dig in with all my questions and reactions. I confess Deuteronomy was long and difficult, but I found challenges and encouragement there as well. I’ll be starting Joshua next week. Onward!

7. Featured interview

In case you missed it, I did a recent interview for a site that features Lutheran authors. Mary Moerbe asked me some interesting new questions.

Okay, back to work for me. I pray God blesses you this week – in your relationships, your work, your health, your dreams!

His,

Sharon HInck

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Message in a Bottle

Random Thoughts

messageWhen I post a thought on social media, I feel like I’m putting a message in a bottle and tossing it to the waves. Where will it drift? Who will see it? In a vast ocean, my small note can seem tiny and useless, but it can also stir excitement in me. Maybe, just maybe, a few words of encouragement will reach a person who needs that today.

A Little Message for Today

Whoever reads this, please know that the same Creator who designed us and the beautiful world, the same Redeemer who died for us, and the same Comforter who lives within us is aware of our needs today. We can lean into His love.

Blessings,

Sharon

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Flowers to Lift the Heart

Devotional Musings, Random Thoughts,

I used to favor vegetable gardening, but as years have passed, I find that I enjoy flowers more and more. I still plant zucchini, tomatoes, green beans, peppers, kale, etc., but I’ve cut back a little each year, and focus more attention on a few new perennials and some hardy annuals. Maybe that shows me something about how feeding the soul is as important as feeding the stomach? I know that each time I look outside, my spirit lifts. Each bloom is a little ambassador for joy.

This spring, I marveled again at the various colors of iris, and the frilly borders of their petals. Flowers/IrisI decided to fill my window box with blues and yellows – mostly yellow petunias and blue lobelia. Flowers The yellow iris fit the theme well. FLowers yellow and blueHow about you? Do you have a garden? Do you plant more for food or beauty?

Please post a comment and tell me about the most lovely flower you spotted recently!

Blessings,

Sharon

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Journaling Bible

Book Buzz, Random Thoughts

Have you ever lost the excitement of digging into Scripture, finding new insights, being nourished by what God speaks to your heart? I’ll confess to a problem that’s been hard for me to talk about. In recent years, I’ve had a strong resistance to “Bible time.” My love for God, and my awareness of His tremendous tenderness hasn’t left. Prayer was still a joy. But because of several life events, reading the Bible was something I skimmed over quickly. I did the homework for Bible studies. Verses came to mind during the day. I mulled sections of scripture while doing devotion writing. But I struggled to settle in and let God surprise me through His Word.

For Christmas this year, my mom needed a gift idea, so I asked for the Inspire Bible. It has wide margins for journaling on every page, illustrations to color in, and it’s a translation I hadn’t read before. I hoped that all of that could stir a new love for –and interaction with–the Word.

JournalingWow, has it ever!

I’ve always kept a set of color pencils with my Bibles. In high school I created a “Bible Underlining Code” that helped me as I read. I’d underline prayers in yellow, commands in dark blue, promises in purple, praise in light blue, etc. I also wrote dates, tiny prayers, or study notes in the margins – cramped barely legible words.

But this version with its artwork and ample margins has coaxed me into lingering much longer…filling the lines with my prayers, questions, and doodles.

DoodleBible (1)

I call it my “Doodle Bible” – and that’s not meant to disrespect the Word. In fact, I’ve realized that the new popularity of art in our Bibles traces back to illuminated manuscripts–carefully hand-penned and illustrated with great reverence and love.

What tools or strategies have aided your study of the Word?

 

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Clavo Tea Now Available

Random Thoughts, The Sword of Lyric Series,

Clavo teaClavo Tea

I’m delighted to share that I’ve created a “fandom” blend of tea at Adagio teas.

Friends know that my blood is about 50 per cent tea, and I get loose teas to brew from Adagio. My favorites from Adagio are Darjeeling, English Breakfast, Golden Monkey, and Irish Breakfast.

A reader of the Sword of Lyric series suggested that I create some “fandom” blends. I’ll be creating more soon (orberry, anyone?) The first blend is, of course, clavo. If you’ve read The Restorer and the other books, you know that this brewed drink is a favorite in the clans.

I had to pick from standard “our world” flavors, and it may not be as rich in clove flavors or as spicy as I imagined. But it’s got some cinnamon bark and ginger flavors in a strong black Ceylon tea, so it should be as strengthening and fortifying as clavo in the stories.

You can also try making Susan Mitchell’s adaptation of the clavo recipe if you want to make your own.

If you have suggestions for various clan flavors, feel free to let me know. Besides a fruity orberry herbal tea, I’m thinking of other blends that fit various nations or clans in the story. As I add more, you can find Sword of Lyric flavors under their “fandom blends.” Have fun!

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Coloring Books for Grown-ups

Faith and Arts, Random Thoughts,

Coloring PencilsColoring Conflict

My agent recently blogged about trends in publishing and mentioned the sudden surprising popularity of coloring books for adults.

I confess to conflicted feelings.

Years ago, I taught workshops on using rubber stamps to create homemade cards, scrapbook pages, and gifts. I still use my supplies to make cards, and part of the fun is stamping an outline image and coloring it in. So I understand the stress-relief and fun of coloring.

On the other hand, I hear the voice of my college art teacher, who encouraged us to never give a child a coloring book. He urged us to give generous pads of paper to children and to encourage them to create, not to “stay inside the lines.”

I see his point. So why have so many of my creative friends embraced coloring books?

Perhaps after struggling to be creative all day, it’s relaxing to enjoy someone else’s efforts. The picture is provided. The only decision to make is which colors to use, and there really are no mistakes – so no pressure.

Plus, some of the images are so appealing, it’s fun to linger with them. I’ll admit that I put a few coloring books on my Christmas wish list and am now enjoying filling small spaces and seeing the art unfold–art as a collaborative effort. The design of the line artist join with the color and medium choice of the colorer.

Color the Psalms

What do you think? Should those of us who are enjoying coloring books instead doodle and create on blank paper? Would that offer the same relaxation while stimulating more creativity? Have you dipped a toe into the trend? Why do you enjoy it?

Blessings!

Sharon Hinck

 

 

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Superbook

Random Thoughts, , ,

superbook

My son recently told me he’d bought Superbook DVD’s for his three-year-old daughter.

“I want her to learn the Bible stories the way I did–with time travel and robots,” he said.

When I read him Bible stories, there were also Arch Books involved, and other great children’s Bibles.

Beginner's Bible

 

 

But I digress.

(When I was three years old, I was learning the Bible stories via flannel-graph boards. Anyone remember those?)

On a recent visit my granddaughter asked me to tell her the story of Adam and Eve. I started with creation, and told about the beautiful garden and the tree that Adam and Eve weren’t supposed to eat from. I got to the entrance of the snake, when she stopped me.

I thought she was concerned about the dark story unfolding as sin enters the world, and I was quick to reassure her that God already had a plan to save us.

She shook her head. “No Grandma. Tell me the part where the two children arrive with the robot.”

Ummm… yeah. Her parents are going to have quite an adventure teaching her.

However you dig into the Word, I pray it will strengthen your walk today!

Blessings,

Sharon Hinck

 

 

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Seven Things My Grandson Taught Me

Random Thoughts

grandsonGrandson Wisdom

Several years ago, I wrote about seven things my granddaughter taught me.

My hubby and I have just returned from a wonderful visit to get acquainted with our new grandson. Once again I found that a baby’s perspective on life has a lot to teach me. When I observed my granddaughter, she was five months old. Our grandson was only two weeks old, so his perspective is a bit different. Here are a few bits of newborn wisdom:

  1. People won’t always understand what you need, but your voice still matters
  2. Sometimes you just need to scrunch your face up and cry
  3. Music always makes things a little better
  4. No matter how distressing life is, there are always arms to hold you
  5. The world is full of amazing wonders everywhere you turn
  6. There is no such thing as too much snuggling
  7. You don’t have to be productive to be cherished

If your day feels particularly painful or difficult, I pray that you can know the truth that you are cherished by the One who made you, and that He will send arms to hold you, music to soothe you, and wonders to delight you.

Blessings!

Sharon Hinck

 

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Reflected Light

Random Thoughts

My room is bathed in light because of sun reflecting off the snow outside. I need that light today. Reminds me that God’s love and grace can rebound off even the sad and cold parts of life that blanket the landscape.

(P.S. – the photo isn’t today’s snow, but from a years-ago trip to Lake Superior in winter)

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