Planting and Watering

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6 NIV

Time is so precious and so often I’m guilty of packing as much as possible in 24 hours a day. I love designing websites, but even the things God gives us a passion to do, we need to take a break to focus on Him! I overdid it earlier this summer and abruptly took a break. I came back more focused and more protective of my calendar. I’m trying to keep in mind I’m not superwoman!

I had a very restful Saturday and actually had time to update my site. Sadly, my personal sites stay poorly updated while working on other projects. Revising the pages in my portfolio gave me a chance to see all of the awesome folks God has blessed me to work with over the years. Many of them inspire me. Their emails and long distance phone calls have been welcomed in the late hours at night. I’m especially blessed to have some praying, God-loving clients!

It took me a long time to figure out what to use as a logo and a motto. It came to me last year after being inspired by a beautiful photo of a sunflower (which I use througout the site).

“You plant the seed and …

…we bring your ideas to life!”

If you know anything about a website, there is more involved than just having one. You have to put a lot of work into getting it to make sense and noticed among the millions of websites online. I have several sites online that have truly grown-up over the years. It took some time for them to mature with content and gain a loyal visitor base. Rarely do websites take off as overnight sensations.

God allows people in our lives to plant or water seeds, but the maturing process takes place with Him. It definitely is not an overnight success story, but a lifetime process. Whether you are the one who plants or waters the seeds, take time to monitor your calendar and time. Busyness can be stunting your growth. Keep ample time open for the Master Gardener.

Have a restful Sunday! If you get some surfing time, check out some great websites!

Book Brewing!

Ahhh! The smell. The aroma. The anticipation. Where do I start?

Look at all the rows and rows of bookshelves! A book lover’s paradise!

Yes, I treated myself to a rarity today!

Now I love a cup of coffee and the Starbucks section in Barnes & Noble was talking to my nose. The coffee beans were enticing, but with the weather approaching ninety degrees outside (it reached 100 degress today by the way), I just enjoyed the aroma and kept on stepping towards the first stack of books that caught my eye. Now I had no business eyeing the discount books, because I already have two or three STACKS of unread books waiting for me at home. But I looked anyway. You never know when you find a bargain!

I am an Internet junkie and over the past few years Amazon.com and Christianbook.com have become well-worn bookmarks in my browser. Various publishers have supplied me with books galore to review for them. With books always at my fingertips, I rarely enter a library unless I’m doing research for a project. Physical book stores – whether Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks or Books-A-Million – visiting these stores is a favorite pastime that beckons me.

Similar to how a sports fan gets ready for the big game, my stride is anticipatory and confident in finding a winning combination for my eyes to behold. Believe me I can spend some time in the bookstore. Patiently I drag my finger across the spine of the books. The titles call to me. Pick me. Pick me. After scanning the table of contents, I quickly flip through the pages. Turning the book over I carefully read the description. Nah! Not this one. Next. Next. Finally, I find the book that beckoned me to the store in the first place. Ok, I exaggerate! But this author may provide some insights to a situation. Better yet, this novel might be good enough to keep me up all night! Off I go to the register.

Oh, but I was good today. The books I have at home will keep me content for a while, but I did find a great one for my sister. I also found a great one for my co-worker.

Hey, an avid book lover is commissioned to pass a good book along! It’s like sharing a good pot of coffee with a friend.

Awesome Debut!

Ok, here are two novels from two first time novelist. I hope you get an opportunity to check them out!

Plenty Good Room
By Cheri Paris Edwards

It’s always refreshing to read a book from a new author, especially one that stands out from the rest. Plenty Good Room by Cheri Paris Edwards is one of those rare Christian novels that offer readers a peak inside the heart and soul of the lost. Readers will get a chance to witness how God truly never leaves or forsake us.

Tamara Britton is a child advocate who leads a quiet, lonely life. In one night her seemingly controlled life changes when fourteen year old Sienna Larson is dropped off at her home. In a matter of days, Tamara’s world is turned upside down after she agrees to let Sienna stay in her home for an unlimited amount of time. Normally a calm, controlled person, Tamara often finds herself being pushed to the edge by Sienna’s rude and endless troubles.

In the midst of her struggling relationship with Sienna, Tamara’s mysterious past slowly comes to light as she searches for a childhood friend. During her search, she learns how to open her heart to relationships. Her openness allows her to create a stable environment and an opportunity to bond with Sienna. Unexpectantly, a romance begins to stir for her with the main suitor being God himself.

Cheri Paris Edwards provides readers an eye-opening look at the disturbing consequences of poverty, drug abuse, child abuse, homelessness, and the juvenile system. Truly foster parents, social workers and childhood advocates have a special role in bringing a sense of security to a lost child. With sadness, some children are totally lost in the system. While they seem to be forgotten, Cheri Paris Edwards shows how God never forgets us. While fictional, Tamara’s story is a testimony that deserves to be read!

Choose Me
By Xenia Ruiz

Walk Worthy Press has really been turning out some good books in 2005! Xenia Ruiz is another debut novelist that offers a very “worthy” read. In Choose Me meet Eva a Puerto Rican, single mother of two college age sons. Eva is a growing Christian who has been celibate for five years. Eva is introduced to Adam who has refrained from intimacy with a woman, but not on purpose. Adam is a cancer survivor who has a new outlook on life.

Hitting it off upon their first few meeting, Adam and Eva decide to pursue a relationship with the understanding that no intimacy will be pursued until marriage. The couple begins to hit a wall as the temptation to pursue a physical relationship increases and becomes more fervent. The tricky part of dealing with the growing physical struggles comes in the fact that neither one wants to get married. Eva and Adams’ struggles threaten to tear them apart and unfortunately tragedy and heartache pushes them both to the edge.

Readers will enjoy the humor and vulnerability of the characters. The cultural richness of the novel is also an added treat as people of a Hispanic background are not often seen in Christian fiction. Tackling such issues as celibacy, forgiveness, racial profiling, adultery, Xenia weaves a tale of two people in love who learn the true art of how to love from the Master Himself.