Friday, March 30, 2012

Admissions




Why is it so hard to admit our mistakes? Over the last 30 or 40 years of my life I’ve watched society take on a general attitude of looking for someone to blame when things go wrong. I’ve seen it taught to our children in school. I’ve seen the government teach it from congress and the executive office. I’ve even seen it taught in church and perhaps that’s the place where it’s most distressing.

You see this lack of ownership in mistakes everywhere. In the parking lots at the supermarket for instance – there’s a sign that says, “NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY GROCERY CARTS.” At the laundromat there’s a sign that says, “NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST LAUNDRY.”

At the playground there’s a sign that says, “NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS.” It seems just about everywhere I turn – there’s a sign declaring a lack of responsibility.

What happened to owning our mistakes? What happened to being willing to admit to fault? The Bible tells us to confess our sins to each other, but the world would suggest you put out a disclaimer instead.

When I was little, my mother taught me that making mistakes was a part of living. She told me that when I made mistakes things would go much better for me if I would just own up to it and apologize, take responsibility and start over. She told me she expected me to ALWAYS own my mistakes, but on the flip side, she NEVER wanted me to cover for someone else’s wrong-doings. She said that Jesus was the only one who was able to do that, and He did it at the cross. She told me that in owning my mistakes, people would be more inclined to believe me when something went wrong and I declared that I had no part in it. Believe me – that saved me more than once as a child and as an adult as people in authority dismissed me as being responsible because I was known for my honesty in owning my mistakes.

It seems sad to me and more than a little bit irritating that people are so unwilling to admit fault. Worse still is the lack of strength, character or moral fiber in the man, woman or child who purposefully seeks to find someone else to blame. The days are short, because life is short. Even if Jesus tarries another thousand years to return, our lives are just a handful of years long. So do yourself a favor - live life in liberty.
Do good. Speak kindly. Love fiercely. Admit your mistakes and seek forgiveness. Take responsibility!

Friday, March 23, 2012

Spring Fling


So it's spring in Montana. You know how you can tell? The snow feels warmer.
This week we got 9-12 inches of the great white stuff after a winter with very little water of any kind.

The kids in the neighborhood got out ice skates and sleds and many a snowman was built. Those of us who were sane - stayed indoors and drank hot chocolate and read a few good books.






The cats went in and out - trying a different door of the house from time to time in the hopes that maybe the snow was limited to one side of the house. Here's Calvin J. Whiskers outside looking in at Safari basking in the sun.





And though the deer were annoyed, they didn't let it stop them from looking for good grazing ground.










I managed to read The Vow which I thought was very inspiring, and to finish Autism's Hidden Blessings. I can recommend both books!





Today the high is supposed to reach the upper 50's and the snow is gone. My mother's purple crocuses are out and there are a bevy of red breasted robins flitting around our leafless aspen trees. And yes, the gophers are out.

Oh and I got a nifty note from Bethany House that a few of my back list books are in the process of or have become Kindle books. Here's that list for you.

Framed – active on Kindle
Controlling Interests – active on Kindle
A Slender Thread – active on Kindle
Silent Star – active on Kindle
Entangled – should be active any day now
Long-Awaited Child - in process
Tidings of Peace – in process

It's so much fun to see that those old books will get new life through digital technology. Barbour Publishing is also preparing to put my old Heartsongs on Kindle as well, so those of you who have asked me in the past where copies of those books can be obtained will soon be able to get them in digital form.

So now I need to get back to researching granite and Minnesota. I think I'll sit outside and read a bit - upper 50's is a heatwave and it might be my only chance before the next snow comes in.

God Bless You!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

CONTEST TO ENTER

THE BOOKCLUB NETWORK is giving away 10 copies of CHASING THE SUN. For your chance to win here's the link.

http://www.bookfun.org/group/bethanyhousepublishers/forum/topics/chasing-the-sun-by-tracie-peterson-10-book-giveaway




The Last day to enter is March 22nd.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Matter of Heart




Did you ever have one of those situations where your actions or words were misjudged? You meant one thing, but someone else decided you must have meant another? It always comes down to a matter of heart.

Something happened in my life about a month ago. Some of the things I had said and done were called into question. Harsh words were spoken. My heart was misjudged. Painful betrayals took place and the sorrow of it all laid me quite low.

But as He always does, God met me in the midst of the conflict and ugliness, and I was reminded of some very precious things that He gave us in the Word.

1. This world will hate you - because it hated me.
2. People will misjudge you - guess what - they misjudged me.
3. The devil will blind people from the truth.
4. People will call evil, good and good, evil.
5. God will never leave you nor forsake you.
6. It's all a matter of heart and no one knows your heart...but God.

You can back each of those things with Scripture - in fact you could find dozens of Scriptures on each one. Throughout this time, however, God showed me over and over that this world...this very flawed world...is not my home.

I'm just here to serve Him. I'm just a guest passing through. The day will come when I will pack up and go home, and none of the stupid, painful, miseries of this world will matter. The only things that will matter are the things I've done for Him. It's the same for all of us.

So if you're going through difficult times. If someone has betrayed your trust and let you down -- if someone has wounded you with slanderous words or misjudgments--if you feel all alone and forgotten, just remember...God sees and hears. He knows your heart and you aren't alone. Jesus, too, was abandoned by friends and loved ones. He was ridiculed for trying to show people love and hope. Jesus was condemned by His religious leaders and scorned by people who accused Him of all manner of evil.

But Jesus calls us to remember, "In this world we will have trouble, but take heart...I have overcome the world."


Walk in victory. Live in His love. Minister truth boldly.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

WINNERS FROM BOOK BANTER



Here's a list of those who won a free copy of CHASING THE SUN on our Book Banter last night. Please email Noelle Buss at Bethany House with your address and we'll be getting a book off to you soon. Noelle's email is: noelle.buss@bethanyhouse.com

CONGRATULATIONS
Beth Gillihan

Kandi Turner

Stephanie Landsem

Carla Olson Gade

Shondra Weatherton Brown

Jenny Albrittain

Christy Matson Marro

Mary Oxford Koester

Cynthia McCord

Heather Groening

Thanks for making our book banter so much fun!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Join Me For Book Banter - Wednesday March 7th

I'll be at Bethany House's Book Banter from noon to 8 pm tomorrow March 7th talking books and writing and just about anything else that come up. I hope you'll join me there with your questions and comments. Here's the link:

http://www.facebook.com/events/106569149466766/
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