In Others’ Words: Finding the Right Place and Standing Firm

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, lifequotes, quote about choices 16 Comments

  I remember the first time someone called me “narrow-minded.”  Now, when I say “the first time,” please don’t get the idea that this happens often. It doesn’t. As a matter of fact, I can’t remember the last time someone called me “narrow-minded,” but I do recall the first time. I was shocked. Me? Narrow-minded? I called my good friend …

In Others’ Words: A New Way to Slow Down and Focus on Christmas

Beth VogtChristmas, In Others' Words, Scripture 8 Comments

We’ve all heard the lyrics of a certain Christmas song: It’s the most wonderful time of the year …  And if you’re like me, you’ve probably had times when you’ve responded with “Really?!” Christmas comes ’round the same time every year. And sometimes, sometimes, it collides with circumstances in our lives that aren’t wonderful. I could point you to the …

In Others’ Words: The Need for “This I Knows”

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life, quote about life 12 Comments

So Monday’s blog post was about reframing impossibilities. Today’s post is about certainties. I have to admit I kept tripping up over the phrase “The thing about getting older is … “ because, well, while I am getting older, I like to ignore that reality. Overlook the wrinkles. Highlight and lowlight my way past the gray. Celebrate my birthdays, sure, but …

In Others’ Words: Wrestling Match

Beth VogtUncategorized 21 Comments

It’s not a question of if we’re going to face suffering. It’s not even a question of when or what kind of suffering we’re going to experience. In the end, it comes down to this: Who is going to win the wrestling match? The suffering? Or you? When I first began to wrestle with the stark reality of abuse in my …

In Others’ Words: Truthful

Beth VogtFaith, In Others' Words, Life, Quotes 42 Comments

Discouragement has stalked my heels of late. And even as I write those words, I want to back up, hit the “delete” key until that sentence disappears. Start again. But I am determined to be honest . . . not to garner sympathy, although you all — yes, you, if you are reading this blog — are amazing encouragers. I …

In Others’ Words: Honesty

Beth VogtIn Others' Words, Life, Quotes 26 Comments

Honesty is one of my key values. That hasn’t always been true. In the past, I was all about being less-than-honest with myself. Ignoring the truth. Sometimes I shoved the brutal truth in a closet, slammed the door shut, turned my back on the banging and kicking and screaming — Hey! Open this door! — and walked away. The essence …

In Others’ Words: Gifts

Beth VogtFaith, Life, Quotes, Reality 26 Comments

  “A wonderful gift may not be wrapped as you expect.” ~Jonathan Lockwood Huie, author For the past 11 months, daily episodes of vertigo knocked my life off-kilter. Pardon the play on words. I’ve learned to throw humor at something that made me wonder if putting my mascara on is going to cause the world to rock-n-roll. The first episode …

Contemporary Romance Writers: Telling the Truth

Beth VogtReality, Romance, Writing 9 Comments

I love the characters I run into when I read a novel. It doesn’t matter whether I’m reading a romantic suspense, a la Susan May Warren, a low country romance, a la Rachel Hauck,  an historical a la Siri Mitchell, or even a contemporary romance, a la … well, all three of those authors (and even my upcoming debut novel, …

In Others’ Words: Small Things

Beth VogtQuotes 16 Comments

“Be faithful in the small things, because it is in them that your strength lies.” ~Mother Teresa, founder of Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta Such a simple quote. All of fifteen words. And then, the question: What are the small things? If you’re going to be faithful, if these things are your strength … what are these oh-so-vital small things? …