How often do we think listening to someone is all about hearing what they said? Consider for a moment those conversations when the unspoken words were the most important part of of the dialogue. You’re talking or you’re listening — communicating — but the most important words that need to be said by you or the other person go unspoken. Maybe if the other person …
In Others’ Words: Pay Attention!
Pay Attention! We hear those words a lot, don’t we? Maybe someone says them to us … or maybe we’re the ones trying to get someone else to listen up, to focus … to pay attention to what we’re saying or what we’re doing. We give our attention to what — and to who — is important. And so I think José Ortega …
In Others’ Words: Dream Come True
So yesterday … yesterday was about a dream coming true. I sat in my office with my daughter, CJ, and watched the 2016 Christy Awards, which were presented online this year, and my novel, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, won for the Contemporary Series category. I’m still grinning about that moment … and still not believing it. And what’s even …
In Others’ Words: Come on, Get Happy
Happiness isn’t about stuff, is it? I’m not denying that some of my stuff makes me happy. There are photos all over my house — of family and friends and of favorite quotes and Scripture verses — and seeing those creates a sense of happiness inside of me. And then there are gifts I’ve received that I treasure because they …
In Others’ Words: Trusting God Whether You Fall or Fly
Trusting God has been a major theme in my family’s life this year. I know we’re not the only people choosing to trust God as we face challenges. Some of you — dare I say all of you — could share “do I trust God or don’t I trust God?” moments. My daughter CJ chose the word “trust” as her One …
In Others’ Words: Speak Up
There are times when the truth you try to speak faces opposition. Your voice is drowned out by someone else’s voice — or by a clamoring of voices. Rather than being encouraged to speak up, you’re told to sit down. To be quiet. You’re told you’re wrong … or that you’re truth is unwanted. These are the times when you have …
In Others’ Words: Dogs and Cats and You and Me
I’ve never done a double quote blog post before. But tonight I wanted to write about pets and if I only chose a quote about dogs I’d be alienating all of you cat lovers. Likewise, if I only chose a quote about cats, I’d offend all of you dog lovers. So yes, I straddled the virtual fence and chose two quotes. I …
In Others’ Words: Are You Interested?
You know how you get to the end of a day and you don’t remember what you did? Or is that only me that happens to? Sometimes I’m busy, busy, busy … and yes, I’m doing things. But sometimes what I’m really doing is not paying attention. I’m juggling several things at one time, which in a way is saying …
In Others’ Words: Who Do You Think You Are?
Envy is an ugly two-way emotion. In one direction, I throw doubt at myself, splattering thoughts of “I can’t” and “I won’t ever be that good” all over my self-confidence. At the same time, I toss an equal amount of “Why you instead of me?” and “I want what you have” at someone else — and that someone can be a …
In Your Words: Fear is a Liar
Look at the picture above. That’s me. My name is Christa, and I’m Beth K. Vogt’s daughter! I hope you guys don’t mind me writing this post today. As a 15-year-old girl going through high school, fear is not an uncommon thing. Fear of messing up on a test. Fear of not having that cute boy like me back. …