Posts
Not so many years ago, I embarrassed myself during a conversation with a friend and fellow church member, a learned pastor and medical doctor who served many years as a missionary in Africa. “Sometimes I just want to throw the Bible out the window!” I blurted. His startled expression made me realize what a strong statement I had uttered and how open it was to being interpreted as sacrilegious. I hastened to explain. “There’s so much to know about the background and context and original language of any given passage. How can we find meaning without an interpreter’s resource constantly at our side?” He cautioned, “Don’t count out the Holy Spirit.” Oops. Yes, the Holy Spirit, always present to guide us as we read and search. And this humble servant gave witness to believers in Africa who had no other source than the Bible itself whose insights upon reading it were amazing and life-giving.
That conversation humbled me and made me think, reminding me always to invoke the Spirit when I study the Scriptures. Nonetheless, the conversation did not dampen—nor was it meant to—my enthusiasm for spirit-led, faith-fed exegesis. When I first heard the word exegesis I thought it was exe-Jesus. (I think I’m very brave to admit that!) But if you are a mathematician, you know that you exegete the root of an equation. And if you are a student of the Bible—and how can you not be a student of the Bible if you consider yourself a serious Christian?—you know that exegesis is the “exposition, critical analysis, or interpretation of a word, literary passage, etc., especially of the Bible” (Webster’s).
Recently, through exegesis, I learned about the significance in John 19, verse 20, of the King of the Jews inscription posted on the cross being written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. The gospel writer was signaling that Jesus died for the whole (known) world, not just the original chosen people. Also, the trilingual caption expressed Pilate’s contempt.
Since I have engaged in exegeting biblical stories and passages—largely for the purpose of writing the Sunday by Sunday series—the material has come alive with meaning and is far more interesting as well as sensible. In the next blog, I’ll tell how study and reflection and pondering have helped me come to positive terms with one of the most troubling stories of the Old Testament, the command to sacrifice Issac.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
The reading habit
Remember that Twilight Zone episode with the extreme book worm, a diminutive fellow who appears to be legally blind without his thick-lensed glasses? He lives to read and hides in the vault every lunch hour at the bank where he works. One day, he comes out to find that nuclear holocaust has wiped out everybody but him. After a brief period of shock, he runs to the library and is running up the steps excited and delighted when he trips and falls and his glasses shatter. Remember that one?
And another avid reader – I have this vivid, dear memory of my 10-year-old daughter marching into the dining area with an armload of books—nine of them, I think—plunking them on the table, and methodically reading a chapter in each until she’d worked through the whole stack.
Probably not ever nine, but I’m often reading three books at a time: something of a devotional/spiritual nature for early morning, a novel for evening, and a biography for fitting in as possible. At the moment: Christology by Hans Schwarz, Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford, and Nature’s Storyteller, The Life of Gene Stratton-Porter by Barbara Olenyik Morrow.
Isn’t it a pity that one lifetime can never be long enough to read all the books we would like to read? My list has at least 50 titles on it right now, works that I’ve heard reviewed or discovered on blogs or heard about from others. This passion for reading that so many of us share has me thinking about my reading habits and interests—and just for fun, I’d love to hear about yours, too. Please.
And another avid reader – I have this vivid, dear memory of my 10-year-old daughter marching into the dining area with an armload of books—nine of them, I think—plunking them on the table, and methodically reading a chapter in each until she’d worked through the whole stack.
Probably not ever nine, but I’m often reading three books at a time: something of a devotional/spiritual nature for early morning, a novel for evening, and a biography for fitting in as possible. At the moment: Christology by Hans Schwarz, Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford, and Nature’s Storyteller, The Life of Gene Stratton-Porter by Barbara Olenyik Morrow.
Isn’t it a pity that one lifetime can never be long enough to read all the books we would like to read? My list has at least 50 titles on it right now, works that I’ve heard reviewed or discovered on blogs or heard about from others. This passion for reading that so many of us share has me thinking about my reading habits and interests—and just for fun, I’d love to hear about yours, too. Please.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Back on track with early morning walk
Back on track with the first early morning walk through the hood in months, I am filled with gratitude and hope and sense of purpose. Very cool, and not to be taken for granted, this feeling.
A few blocks from my house there is a huge expanse of Rosemary banking a front yard, and in a sidewalk conversation, the woman who lives there had issued a standing invitation to partake. So, I broke off several big branches with bright purple blossoms, now gracing my living room with its fragrance and freshness, arranged in the cut glass vase given several Christmases ago by daughter two. And now, I’m thinking of a lovely woman named Rosemary, who I am so glad I got to know, who died a couple weeks ago.
And when I saw a pink dressing table cast to the curb, I thought of my sis in CA, wondering if she would have carried it back to her house. She has great talent for renovating such stuff. Even with its missing drawer and shadowy mirror, she could transform it into an artistically funky piece of furniture.
‘Twas chilly enough for gloves and headband and winter jacket, yet the ground under tulip trees is littered with their lavender flowers, an atypical sight for February. With the warm weather we’ve been having, daffodils and tulips are in full bloom and all manner of green sprouts are pushing through the dirt at least a month early. What in the world?
A smile exchanged with a commuter at a stop sign and friendly greeting with a dog walker I see at community meetings was pleasant for my soul.
“i thank You God for most this amazing day,” beginning in stark contrast to the one before. Yesterday I awoke with "damnable ennui "(see poem below), claustrophobia of the soul, acedia. The good and Holy Spirit interceded with weapons and the strength to use them. Physical activity, delicious food, communicating with friends, space and time for listening in prayer and meditation turned things around.
I wish for each of you, my friends, a day filled with that which you need.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Unwilling Spirit
Energy abounds.
“Let’s go!” the body says.
“Time’s a-wastin’ and if we hasten,
we can change the world a bit.”
But heartless energy only sputters
like a willing motor with loose connections.
“Rest for awhile,” comes the spirit’s hopeful whisper,
but “No!” says flesh.
“Forget duty and logistics
and indulge in long postponed pleasure,” the spirit weakly exhorts.
Even this temptation dies away
into a blue dream sky whose beauty
seems too distant to behold.
Damnable ennui sets in and, unabated,
holds body and soul alike
in a vice of nervous idleness.
Finally, nightfall gives cover for the fleshly defeat,
and unwilling spirit sleeps, too,
with dreams of no more tortured days.
Copyright © 2010 Cristy C. Fossum. Create in Me Enterprises, 1215 Beaufort St.,
Columbia, South Carolina 29201. May not be reproduced or transmitted in any form
whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief
quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
A few blocks from my house there is a huge expanse of Rosemary banking a front yard, and in a sidewalk conversation, the woman who lives there had issued a standing invitation to partake. So, I broke off several big branches with bright purple blossoms, now gracing my living room with its fragrance and freshness, arranged in the cut glass vase given several Christmases ago by daughter two. And now, I’m thinking of a lovely woman named Rosemary, who I am so glad I got to know, who died a couple weeks ago.
And when I saw a pink dressing table cast to the curb, I thought of my sis in CA, wondering if she would have carried it back to her house. She has great talent for renovating such stuff. Even with its missing drawer and shadowy mirror, she could transform it into an artistically funky piece of furniture.
‘Twas chilly enough for gloves and headband and winter jacket, yet the ground under tulip trees is littered with their lavender flowers, an atypical sight for February. With the warm weather we’ve been having, daffodils and tulips are in full bloom and all manner of green sprouts are pushing through the dirt at least a month early. What in the world?
A smile exchanged with a commuter at a stop sign and friendly greeting with a dog walker I see at community meetings was pleasant for my soul.
“i thank You God for most this amazing day,” beginning in stark contrast to the one before. Yesterday I awoke with "damnable ennui "(see poem below), claustrophobia of the soul, acedia. The good and Holy Spirit interceded with weapons and the strength to use them. Physical activity, delicious food, communicating with friends, space and time for listening in prayer and meditation turned things around.
I wish for each of you, my friends, a day filled with that which you need.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Unwilling Spirit
Energy abounds.
“Let’s go!” the body says.
“Time’s a-wastin’ and if we hasten,
we can change the world a bit.”
But heartless energy only sputters
like a willing motor with loose connections.
“Rest for awhile,” comes the spirit’s hopeful whisper,
but “No!” says flesh.
“Forget duty and logistics
and indulge in long postponed pleasure,” the spirit weakly exhorts.
Even this temptation dies away
into a blue dream sky whose beauty
seems too distant to behold.
Damnable ennui sets in and, unabated,
holds body and soul alike
in a vice of nervous idleness.
Finally, nightfall gives cover for the fleshly defeat,
and unwilling spirit sleeps, too,
with dreams of no more tortured days.
Copyright © 2010 Cristy C. Fossum. Create in Me Enterprises, 1215 Beaufort St.,
Columbia, South Carolina 29201. May not be reproduced or transmitted in any form
whatsoever without prior written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief
quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Oops. I forgot I had a blog.
Since I finished writing the series on my book tour (last entry on January 11), I’ve not even thought about blogging. After five months at a feverish pace to complete and publish Sunday by Sunday III and then the tour, I have not been in a writing mode, not even much in my personal journals. Lining up income and then working to procure said has been my primary endeavor in this new year, and I am happy to report that income is lining up in ways both interesting and gratifying.
So rat-a-tat-tat, the beat goes on. I’m not sure what I’m even writing about here, just trying to get back in the routine, I think. Modest book sales in January are a pleasant surprise, with several readers catching up by ordering both II and III. Also encouraging are a few invitations to speak and lead retreats that have been extended for later in 2012.
If you are on my email subscriber list, stay tuned for an update focused on the “word of mouth” dynamic and its importance for writers. I’ll be expressing gratitude for the impact many of you have already made on my behalf and making suggestions about more ways to help me in my writing and marketing enterprises if you feel so moved.
So rat-a-tat-tat, the beat goes on. I’m not sure what I’m even writing about here, just trying to get back in the routine, I think. Modest book sales in January are a pleasant surprise, with several readers catching up by ordering both II and III. Also encouraging are a few invitations to speak and lead retreats that have been extended for later in 2012.
If you are on my email subscriber list, stay tuned for an update focused on the “word of mouth” dynamic and its importance for writers. I’ll be expressing gratitude for the impact many of you have already made on my behalf and making suggestions about more ways to help me in my writing and marketing enterprises if you feel so moved.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Book Tour 2011--Next Steps
ADVISORY: If you’re seeing the blogs about my book tour for the first time, your reading may be enhanced by starting at the beginning. To do so, click on Older Posts at the bottom of the page and go to December 9, 2011, "Book Tour 2011"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I have now been home 26 days from my 26-day book tour. Re-entry should certainly be over—and pretty much is. Energy level back to normal. House back in order and housekeeping routines resumed. Thank you notes mailed. Finances tabulated. Ms Malibu cleaned, inside and out.
Top priority for next steps is finding a job with a regular paycheck. The process has begun. Ideal would be part-time, flexible hours, few responsibilities, high pay. I’m joking, obviously. But seriously, I do hope to piece things together in such a way that I can have time and creative energy to keep writing. Wish me luck—and be in touch if you have any suggestions, contacts, or relevant information. The areas that interest me are clerical, tutoring, and writing. I have an interview this week and have submitted one other application. I need to get busy; mortgage payments wait for no man!
“What will you write next?” is the most common question I am asked these days. The short answer is a straight novel, not tied to the Revised Common Lectionary. (While grounding the Sunday by Sunday trilogy in the RCL was the right and proper framework and worked well if not easily, I eagerly anticipate being free from that regimen.) The longer answer is that I plan to wait a year before beginning another book, noting ideas and possible characters and plot lines, and allowing all that to simmer and ferment and sort itself out a bit. One tiny little thought needling me is that the story will be set in the mid- to late- 1800s. But don’t hold me to that… Between now and then, I may resurrect some short stories and query/submit them vigorously. Also, I will keep blogging and writing for my congregational newsletter and, if opportunity develops, write some magazine articles.
Sunday by Sunday is most certainly not relegated to the past, though. I will continue to promote and market, seeking invitations to speak and present programs, which is where I sell most of my books. I’ll continue sending complimentary copies, hoping for positive reviews and recommendations. And I’ll try to enlist my fan base—I have one of those now! a couple hundred devoted readers—to make the word-of-mouth impact significant. In fact, my next message to my email subscribers will focus on how they can help, such ways as: #3) get my books placed in local libraries and independent bookstores; #2) invite me and encourage others to invite me to speak—and I need to create a smart and glossy flyer to help in that regard; and, #1 – talk the books up with friends and strangers who might be interested.
Indeed, there are plenty of next steps to take. Get officially available on Amazon. Check out christianbooks.com as a possible outlet. Approach Martin Doblmeier about making his first fiction movie out of Sunday by Sunday. Hey, doesn’t hurt to ask. Anyone have his contact info? I’ll find it. Who do you think should play Rose? Oh, and yes, I will now copyright books II and III through the Library of Congress. Been meaning to do that…
I have other dreams, as well, about future writing endeavors. If you’d like to keep up with them, please email me at cfossum@sundaybysunday.com and tell me to add you to my subscriber email list for periodic updates.
As I finally end this record of Book Tour 2011 (in 2012--it's time to end!), I say once again, from the bottom of my heart and soul, thank you, thank you, thank you all.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I have now been home 26 days from my 26-day book tour. Re-entry should certainly be over—and pretty much is. Energy level back to normal. House back in order and housekeeping routines resumed. Thank you notes mailed. Finances tabulated. Ms Malibu cleaned, inside and out.
Top priority for next steps is finding a job with a regular paycheck. The process has begun. Ideal would be part-time, flexible hours, few responsibilities, high pay. I’m joking, obviously. But seriously, I do hope to piece things together in such a way that I can have time and creative energy to keep writing. Wish me luck—and be in touch if you have any suggestions, contacts, or relevant information. The areas that interest me are clerical, tutoring, and writing. I have an interview this week and have submitted one other application. I need to get busy; mortgage payments wait for no man!
“What will you write next?” is the most common question I am asked these days. The short answer is a straight novel, not tied to the Revised Common Lectionary. (While grounding the Sunday by Sunday trilogy in the RCL was the right and proper framework and worked well if not easily, I eagerly anticipate being free from that regimen.) The longer answer is that I plan to wait a year before beginning another book, noting ideas and possible characters and plot lines, and allowing all that to simmer and ferment and sort itself out a bit. One tiny little thought needling me is that the story will be set in the mid- to late- 1800s. But don’t hold me to that… Between now and then, I may resurrect some short stories and query/submit them vigorously. Also, I will keep blogging and writing for my congregational newsletter and, if opportunity develops, write some magazine articles.
Sunday by Sunday is most certainly not relegated to the past, though. I will continue to promote and market, seeking invitations to speak and present programs, which is where I sell most of my books. I’ll continue sending complimentary copies, hoping for positive reviews and recommendations. And I’ll try to enlist my fan base—I have one of those now! a couple hundred devoted readers—to make the word-of-mouth impact significant. In fact, my next message to my email subscribers will focus on how they can help, such ways as: #3) get my books placed in local libraries and independent bookstores; #2) invite me and encourage others to invite me to speak—and I need to create a smart and glossy flyer to help in that regard; and, #1 – talk the books up with friends and strangers who might be interested.
Indeed, there are plenty of next steps to take. Get officially available on Amazon. Check out christianbooks.com as a possible outlet. Approach Martin Doblmeier about making his first fiction movie out of Sunday by Sunday. Hey, doesn’t hurt to ask. Anyone have his contact info? I’ll find it. Who do you think should play Rose? Oh, and yes, I will now copyright books II and III through the Library of Congress. Been meaning to do that…
I have other dreams, as well, about future writing endeavors. If you’d like to keep up with them, please email me at cfossum@sundaybysunday.com and tell me to add you to my subscriber email list for periodic updates.
As I finally end this record of Book Tour 2011 (in 2012--it's time to end!), I say once again, from the bottom of my heart and soul, thank you, thank you, thank you all.
Book Tour 2011---Luxury
I am compelled to write briefly about this topic because I enjoyed so much of it while on tour!
There was luxury of time as I drove long distances and in the two weeks I spent in home territory, with more and longer-than-usual visits. There was luxury of food, too, with hosts cooking special for me and family feasts. Even though this was a working vacation, there were times of luxurious idleness, unencumbered by routine tasks.
And I indulged in luxury accommodations one night toward the end of the trip. ‘Twas a gray and rainy Sunday when I left Auburn, Indiana heading for Knoxville, Tennessee. Fatigued after three events the day before and stressed by driving conditions—and having enjoyed several financially successful events—I decided to splurge. Night had fallen when I reached Berea, Kentucky and checked in at the historic Boone Tavern. The hotel was richly adorned with holiday décor. Right outside my window, across the street, a huge evergreen in the town center decorated with lights twinkled at me through the mist. After a tasty supper at a local Italian restaurant, I luxuriated in the high bed with its thick mattress and feather tick, and admired and enjoyed the fine furniture crafted by Berea College students. Students from the college also served me a scrumptious breakfast in the elegant dining room. And on my way I went, pampered and refreshed--and so very grateful.
There was luxury of time as I drove long distances and in the two weeks I spent in home territory, with more and longer-than-usual visits. There was luxury of food, too, with hosts cooking special for me and family feasts. Even though this was a working vacation, there were times of luxurious idleness, unencumbered by routine tasks.
And I indulged in luxury accommodations one night toward the end of the trip. ‘Twas a gray and rainy Sunday when I left Auburn, Indiana heading for Knoxville, Tennessee. Fatigued after three events the day before and stressed by driving conditions—and having enjoyed several financially successful events—I decided to splurge. Night had fallen when I reached Berea, Kentucky and checked in at the historic Boone Tavern. The hotel was richly adorned with holiday décor. Right outside my window, across the street, a huge evergreen in the town center decorated with lights twinkled at me through the mist. After a tasty supper at a local Italian restaurant, I luxuriated in the high bed with its thick mattress and feather tick, and admired and enjoyed the fine furniture crafted by Berea College students. Students from the college also served me a scrumptious breakfast in the elegant dining room. And on my way I went, pampered and refreshed--and so very grateful.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Book Tour 2011 -- Family and Friends
The trip was half about the books and half about people. Many wonderful moments with family and friends...
- For the first time, my mother took her walker outside of her place, to Thanksgiving dinner at my sister’s house—and took pleasure in her adolescent grandchildren sitting on the seat of the walker and zooming around Taking the walker typifies for me Mother’s proactive stance towards the considerable challenges of aging. Rather than fighting change, she’s been proactive vis a vis, for example, using a cane, getting a hearing aid, and moving into an assisted living facility. Her determination to remain as independent as possible while asking for help as needed is a huge gift to us kids. Her world shrinks as her energy and strength decline, but how I admire her as she meets the daily challenges of institutional living, melancholy, and so forth.
- I’m so glad I had a couple of special times with my brother, another person I admire greatly as he battles “incomplete paraplegia,” a shocking outcome of back surgery last March. “The paralysis is nothing,” he states, compared to the agony of bladder dysfunction that’s gone unrelieved for months now, one procedure or medication after another failing to solve the problem. But his determination to persevere and overcome, spiked with humor (sometimes, understandably, of the gallows variety) and counting the blessings, has a beauty of its own.
- ‘Twas great staying for a couple nights with my cousin and his wife, and I treasure our reminiscences about our Grandma and Grandpa Cristy. Our childhood memories complimented each other, while apocryphal stories brought both laughter and pondering. I never had heard the one about Grandpa greeting my cousin’s wife, then fiancée, with “Well, hi there, er, uh,—Adam’s Apple!” upon one of their first meetings when he couldn’t remember her name. And Grandma’s mortification over it. Very cool seeing many family photos and pieces around their house, including both the painting (in pastels, I think) of the farmhouse with the dog on the porch and the aerial shot of the whole farm. Oh, my, so long ago.
- Other familial high points – Hide-and-go-seek with my nephew’s little ones, the youngest at that stage of screaming out when the seeker gets close. Ongoing conversation with a sister about our wasbands and life after divorce. Mom’s 88th birthday party, her sitting there smilingly, reveling in the generations and looking about 75 or so. Driving through the village of Ringwood, surprised again, at how much smaller our big old house looks to me now than it did then. Never did get by the cemetery to visit Dad, and Polly and Grandma and Grandpa and the rest; too busy with the living...
And some quick notes about friends...
- A fabulous friend from Ringwood IL—growing up in that unusual little village was, indeed, a bonding experience—came to the signing in Woodstock. After a great chat, she went to the coffee shop next door and brought me a steaming cup of pumpkin spicy coffee as she took her leave. Man, that drink was sweet and tasty!
- Visit with a high school classmate now in Kenosha. We worshiped at her church, then a rich afternoon of catching up at her house with lunch from Tenuta’s, the best supplied Italian deli “this side of Italy,” and hanging out with one of her daughters, a very impressive young woman home on college break.
- More catching up over coffee and the most delicious pumpkin roll I’ve ever tasted with a devoted fan who bought a bunch of books! I’ve known this special person, and her twin sister who lives in Kansas, since middle school days. And then she delighted me again when she turned up at my event at McHenry UMC.
- Soup supper in Kendallville IN at the home of a former teaching colleague. Two other buddies from my time there came and the four of us talked non-stop, more about what we’re doing now than what we did then.
And many other special times with friends and family, alluded to in earlier posts. Wow. How grateful I am for the blessing of loving, caring, interesting and interested people in my life!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)