Top 5 Favorites on My Beach List

by | Faith | 1 comment

As a professed list-addict, I begin preparing for our family beach trip weeks in advance. Below are the top five favorite things you’ll find on this year’s beach list:

  1. Books: (1) Call of a Coward by Marcia Moston, won 1st Place in the Women of Faith Writing Contest. Marcia is in our Upstate Fellowship of Christian Writer’s Group and I’m proud to call her “friend”. (2) Rooms by James L. Rubart. I had the pleasure of meeting Jim at BRMCWC and look forward to turning the pages while sipping on frozen lemonade!
  2. Games: Our family loves games—card, board, outdoor—makes no difference. Cranium is a classic at our house. Where else can you see grown men acting out a blossoming flower?
  3. Gadget: I’m excited about trying out my non-glare Kindle screen, but it’s my iPod I can’t leave behind. Flashback…
  4. Edible: Stevia. Yes, Stevia. Needless to say, we’re buying groceries there, but this sweetener goes everywhere with me these days. Splenda has been banished from the Baker household! Stevia is both a sweeter (I use less) and healthier choice.
  5. Non-edible: My reading glasses—how else can I can enjoy my #1 favorites? 🙂

Suspicions Confirmed!

by | Faith | 2 comments

Visiting Mary DeMuth’s insightful & inspiring Web site is a delight to the eyes as well as the soul. While perusing her site last week, I came across this post.

Regardless if you consider yourself a writer or not, the main idea is the same: true and lasting validation comes only from the Lord—not from a job, a spiritual gift, a bank balance—or, as Mary points out, a publishing contract.

Her words helped to confirm my suspicions. 🙂

Is There A Draft In Here?

by | Faith | 2 comments

Not of the cool swift kind but rather the aerodynamic type that cyclists experience in the Tour de France.

“Drafting” is a technique where at least two cyclists closely align themselves to reduce wind resistance, allowing them to move faster and more efficiently.

While watching the Tour this morning, a few observations came to mind:

  • The drafting leader meets the wind head-on allowing those who follow to expend less energy.
  • The Christian leader also meets things head-on for the benefit of their team. Those in the pace line need to remain alert to spiritual laziness.

  • Drafting works best when cyclists cooperate. Riders take turns leading and following in order to benefit all involved.
  • The Christian life exemplifies Christ best when followers, as led by the Spirit, step out from behind their leaders and take on new responsibilities, challenges, and overnight trips outside their comfort zone.

  • If cyclists fall off the pace line it’s very difficult to catch up. Momentum is lost.
  • Christ-followers were created for community. When one becomes isolated, it’s safe to say the enemy is stalking prey. While it’s sometimes difficult for Christ-followers to “stay in formation”, it’s never impossible to get back in step with the Spirit spurring us on.

I’m thankful to be sharing this “pace line” with you. 🙂

My Friday Fave

by | Faith | 1 comment


This friend, and fellow fan of notebooks, recently shared an insightful post on how to use them as a secret weapon to help organize your life.

Breathing In, Breathing Out by Ralph Fletcher deals specifically with the writer’s notebook—and it’s quickly becoming a fave of mine. In it, he addresses:

  • the benefits of keeping a notebook
  • creative ideas as to what to record
  • where to write
  • and lots more!

Two favorite quotes from the book:

  • “Notebooks give you a place to freeze moments, insights, or stories in which you are directly involved.”
  • “Regular notebook writing acts as a wake-up call, a daily reminder to keep all your senses alert.”

I don’t know about you, but I need all the help I can get in helping to keep all my senses alert these days!

If you like the idea of exploring writer’s notebooks but would rather not invest $20.00 to do so, check out this book written by the same author. It’s targeted more towards a children’s audience but it includes much of the same basic information as the adult version. Ralph Fletcher’s entire children’s writing series is worth every penny.

So, what will you jot down in your notebook today?

Pin It on Pinterest