Online Book Club

Week 4: The Guest Book by Marybeth Whalen

Page: 1

No Tags

User

Post

5:38 pm
July 28, 2012

laurap

Admin

posts 451

Print this Post

I’m sad for more reasons than one to wrap up this month’s
book. First, I LOVED it, and don’t have anything else lined up to read yet
(though I’m listing next month’s book today). Second, this will be THE LAST
BOOK that I’m reading with you all as the Online Book Club Coordinator for She
Reads.

Some of you may know that I’m an aspiring author. Thankfully,
that part of my ministry is moving forward, and I am currently progressing with
two of my books. I need more time to focus on that as it grows. No contract
yet, but my agent is working hard. So, cross your fingers!

Also, there is a ministry that has been on my heart for
quite some time. This past month I felt God nudging me to move forward in it. In
my own life, one thing that has haunted me for years is the fact that so many
fail to get to know Jesus because of misunderstandings in faith, disappointment
in other Christians, or simply the insecurity they have in taking the first
step to investigate and ask questions.

So, starting in September, I’ll begin leading Bible studies
and question/answer sessions on facebook for women at all levels of faith over at Rookie Sisterhood. I pray that it becomes
an open forum for faith seekers of all levels and backgrounds.

I’d love it if you’d take a moment to stop over there and “like”
the page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Rookie-Sisterhood/162650743859464
so that you can keep up with all that we’ll be doing there.

This week's questions:

As Macy raced to discover who the artist was, it
occurred to her that she might not want to know. “The truth was, she’d
found an odd sort of comfort in the not knowing, in the standing still.”
How does our search for The Artist sometimes mimic this thought pattern?
Were you surprised to discover who the artist in
the Guest Book was? Did you seriously consider this person before he was
revealed, or were you convinced it was someone else?
How can looking at life as a series of pictures
that The Artist has drawn for you, change your perspective on life?

I
wish all of you the best as you move forward with She Reads. It has been my
great pleasure, and an immense blessing, to be a part of it all.

Love
to you all,

Laura

8:42 pm
July 28, 2012

teresasthoughtsfortoday

Evansville, Indiana

Member

posts 39

Print this Post

Wow, Laura, thanks for leading the book discussion club. Looks like God has some big plans for you. Praying that you find joy, excitement, and many blessings in being obedient to His calling.

1. When searching for God, some people don't want to give up what they have thinking that in the giving up they lose, but in reality they win–salvation and eternal security. We want to be in control and our pride keeps us from allowing God to be in control which is a much better way to live life.

2. Yes, I was very surprised it was Dockery. I had initially considered him. I also considered Nate and Wyatt and as the book went along, I was thinking it was Wyatt more and more or else it was someone completely out of the blue (or that we wouldn't even find out!).

3. By seeing where God has been in our life and looking over those past events, it helps us to see His effect on our life and the good He has done for us. I also think when we are going through something, it helps to see how God was with us in other tough situations. That helps us to know we can get through the current situation because God is with us and has always been with us.

This was an AWESOME book. I wish Mary Beth Whalen would have chimed in on things once in awhile. I like when the author's post and share too.

Thanks again Laura!

Now to check on the August book Laugh

6:23 am
July 31, 2012

ShellySCantrell

South Carolina

Member

posts 181

Print this Post

Awesome Laura! Sweet Blessings ; ) for your next steps! I am grateful for your service to us! Thank you!

1) We are afraid His plans will be "too much" for us, we won't live up to His expectations, and we'll fail. Plus, I do find that us humans often think we know best. Why do I need God if I have it all together and figured out? * I ask that as a thought that might occur… not expressing my current thoughts here… but you might guess I asked that question at one time. How else would I know it? : )

2) I'm right there with you, Teresa!

I considered that we wouldn't find out who the artist would be… because The Artist was the one wooing her all along… and that was really the point of her searching for the artist… leading her to The Artist. And, so while it did do that… I do like that we got to see who the artist was.

When it was obvious that Macy's daughter was so attached to Dockery, it gave me a gut feeling that he would be the one (if he was even revealed). Even when we found out he had a girlfriend (or was it fiancee?), I knew that would be no obstacle and there was a strong possibility it was Dockery. I didn't know for sure but had a strong hunch.

I ruled out Wyatt first and early b/c of Brenda's obvious attachment to her new flame ; ) That would just be too wierd for Macy to be in love with her soon-to-be step-brother. Now, don't get me wrong, it could have made for some interesting drama/plot development; but I wouldn't expect that from a MBW novel. I'm glad she didn't go there. That kind of drama could have really distracted from the real deal at stake/at heart.

I ruled out Nate next b/c it was clear to me that his purpose was to help Macy's brother. It would have been too easy for him to be the artist. He already had an important role and didn't need any extra responsibilitites.

I honestly was still half expecting/maybe wishing it would be Chase. What I did try to stay away from the whole time was ruminating on who it was (althought that was very hard to do).

So… for the most part… I was expecting no earthly artist to be revealed… but if he was… that it would be Chase or Dockery. It was VERY EXCITING to see how everything unfolded, and I LOVE that MBW used the real-to-life elements that just had to especially connect with Lovers of Sunset Beach, such as me.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!!!!!!!!!!!

3) I'm gonna spare me and you the writing and many many minutes it would take you to write/read my whole response here and just give you the Cliff Notes version (okay, that's totally old school… how about the RSS version ; ) ? *This is a GREAT writing prompt for a journal : )

We look at our eartly lives through the lens of a very lengthy, always there kind of perspective.

God looks at our lives through the lens of a very temporal, vanishing vapor-like perspecitve.

If we would take the advice of James (4:13-15), we might be able to tap into the heavenly perspective:

¹³Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴Why,
you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You
are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

Is it any wonder that I studied this exact passage just this morning while I was having Breakfast with God? Laugh

6:46 am
July 31, 2012

Linda A.

Northwest, Wisconsin

Member

posts 171

Print this Post

Oh Laura, you will be missed. I have enjoyed you so much here, but I wish you God's blessings as you follow His leading.

I'll have to answer the questions later.

1:37 pm
August 2, 2012

Beni

Member

posts 15

Print this Post

Laura, blessings to you in the new things the Lord has for you to do.

1) The odd sort of comfort in the not knowing might be because that way our dreams stay intact; it feels like there's a risk in finding out the truth. Now, relating this to discovering "The Artist", if we find out who He really is we fear it might not only challenge our perceptions but require change. In that respect, it's more comforting not to know and avoid our insecurities and sense of responsibility.

2) Very surprised. A thought fluttered through my mind but I dismissed it immediately, especially when I discovered he had a girlfriend, but mostly because I really wanted it to be Nate or Wyatt!

3) It's life-changing to see things from God's perspective, to know He's always with me, that He has all things under His control. It's comforting to know that His love, His presence, His plan and our relationship is so tangible.

3:38 pm
August 5, 2012

cammih

Siloam Springs, AR

Member

posts 66

Print this Post

Just wanted to post that I read the book and really enjoyed it! A great light read for the Summer! I have been so busy I haven't had time to participate in the weekly discussions but hope to get more time soon! :) Still reading and following though!~!

No Tags

Page: 1