Sunday, April 20, 2008

My Life In Only Six Words

Xandra tagged me for this fun meme, a six word memoir. There's a book out called Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure. Apparently, it is a based on the legend that Hemingway was once challenged to write a story in only six words. His response? “For sale: baby shoes, never worn." There’s a video on Amazon with examples from the book.

I first heard about this back in February on Angela Hunt's blog. She asked some of her author friends to come up with their own memoirs and posted them. You'll enjoy reading the offerings of authors such as Colleen Coble, Randy Alcorn, Hannah Alexander, Brandilyn Collins, Terri Blackstock, Deborah Raney and many more.

One of my favorites that I saw somewhere that's in the actual book is "Always keep the candy dish full."

When I came up with mine to comment on Angela's blog, I wrote "Wife/Mom - many hats, one Purpose." I still like that one, but I can think of a couple of others that fit. The way my life has been lately: "Stay At Home Mom? An oxymoron!" And in the fun category: "Chocolate is a girl's best friend!"

But probably the greatest story of my life these last 4 years has been this:
"Shedding Legalism/Grasping God's Merciful Grace"
So. . . . .what about you? I'm not going to officially tag anyone (because I couldn't limit myself to just 5 of you!) but I'd love for you to play along! Put your six-word memoir in the comments, and/or take the meme to your blog so your friends can join the fun as well! Just let me know so I can enjoy them too!

Just one caveat: The book is not a Christian book. In my perusing of various websites that had excerpts, there were definitely some memoirs of some heartbreakingly empty and even risque lives. That's why I enjoyed the Christian authors' versions so much!

Looking forward to reading your "stories"!

(Word geeks like me can't stop!)

Photobucket
at

21 comments:

  1. Kelly @ Love WellApril 20, 2008 at 10:39 PM

    I love that, Linda. I share that creed.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Xandra@Heart-of-ServiceApril 21, 2008 at 7:41 AM

    I like the one you posted here the best! That point of view is so life-changing and liberating. Glad you played along!

    Xandra

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousApril 21, 2008 at 11:34 AM

    Wow. I'll have to think on this one for a while. Using just a few words is not my gift:)

    Kelli

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lisa SpenceApril 21, 2008 at 12:33 PM

    Like Kelli, brevity is not my strong point...

    But I'm impressed with yours! My testimony as well, to the praise of God's glorious grace!

    ReplyDelete
  5. NatalieApril 21, 2008 at 2:02 PM

    Tough one...I'll have to do some thinking.

    ReplyDelete
  6. A Stone GathererApril 21, 2008 at 3:42 PM

    Oh I'm so not good with word! I'll have to think on that one!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousApril 21, 2008 at 6:11 PM

    Love the shedding legalism!! Amen to that:)
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  8. MelanieApril 21, 2008 at 8:39 PM

    I love the last one you shared "Shedding Legalism/Grasping God's Merciful Grace". Particularly the part aboug God's merciful grace... it IS so wonderful what God has done and continues to do for each and every one of us.

    This is a fun meme... thank for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. TracyApril 21, 2008 at 11:52 PM

    I'm with many above...loving the "Shedding Legalism/Grasping God's Merciful Grace." A friend from church got me thinking about these a couple of weeks ago...the one I've come up with (for myself) so far is "I Could Ask for No More" because God's gracious blessings in my life are truly unnumerable and a constant source of great joy.

    Thank you for giving us the chance to take part!

    Blessings,
    Tracy

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lisa @ The Preacher's WifeApril 22, 2008 at 9:14 AM

    Chasing Hard After God - And Kids.

    Does that work? :))

    ReplyDelete
  11. Mocha with LindaApril 22, 2008 at 9:48 AM

    It absolutely works! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  12. TonyaApril 22, 2008 at 11:02 AM

    Linda, THANKS for the history on the "Amazing Grace Movie." We've had it for a while now, but have yet to see it. It's always a NEAT thing to know the story behind a song isn't it??

    Now, about your 6 word memoir,

    "Shedding Legalism/Grasping God's Merciful Grace"

    That could be mine as well. I've learned that so much of the way I thought and felt was because it was something someone else taught me. (Mostly something related to "church doctrine" and not the Bible) Take for instance, "You MUST go to church EVERY time the door is open or you're not "spiritual enough."" (Where does it say in the New Testament that there's a set number of times we should meet per week??) Does the Bible not say that where 2 or more are gathered HE is in our midst? If that's the case, then every time we're talking about GOD and what HE'S done (or doing) in our lives with another believer, then we ARE "having church." No, I'm not saying we shouldn't assemble, WE ABSOLUTELY SHOULD... just saying that most of what I've done ALL MY LIFE was because of rules made by MAN.

    Isaiah 29:13
    The Lord says: "These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is made up only of rules taught by men.


    All of that to say that I was basing my relationship with CHRIST on what our preacher said. Since we lost our son I started questioning GOD and EVERYTHING I'd been taught about HIM. JESUS isn't all about legalism. HE'S about GRACE, LOVE, and RELATIONSHIPS. (Yes, about obedience too, but it's all summed up in the command to love one another)

    Romans 13:8
    [ Love, for the Day is Near ] Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

    If I've learned anything in the past year it's that MY relationship with CHRIST depends on MY time spent in the WORD... I can't love HIM and FULLY KNOW HIM based on what someone else teaches me. If I want to TRULY GROW as a Christian, I need to STAY in fellowship with my LORD.. not just do it once or twice a week.

    Deuteronomy 11:18-20 (New International Version)
    18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 20 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates...


    Thanks SO MUCH for the reminder that legalism leads NOWHERE and that there is LOVE & GRACE in JESUS!

    Obviously, I'm not a woman of "few words" either.. LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Andrea @ Mommy Snacks.netApril 22, 2008 at 11:07 AM

    Hey Linda - I've tagged you for a memes that just hit me. Share "7 random and weird things about myself."

    ReplyDelete
  14. DeborahApril 22, 2008 at 2:45 PM

    Hi... I'm new to your blog! I love it...you have my favorite verse in your header.
    Six words...I'll have to think about that, and come back for another visit!
    Nice 'meeting' you.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Mrs.Naz@BecomingMeApril 22, 2008 at 6:18 PM

    I love these Linda. I was tagged for this meme too and have yet to completed. Brevity is so not my strong suit. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousApril 22, 2008 at 11:21 PM

    I LOVE: "Shedding Legalism/Grasping God's Merciful Grace" With regard to doctrine, I'm Baptist, but in these times, I just can't attend a Baptist church (in my area). There's so much focus on (what I believe to be) "symptoms" instead of the condition of the heart. I strive to give God glory, but I always fail (in some way). I can wallow in failure or self-condemnation . . . or I can get up, get dressed, and TRY AGAIN! God's grace gives me that hope.

    p.s. I've actually said: "Stay At Home Mom is an oxymoron!" MANY times!

    ReplyDelete
  17. saraApril 23, 2008 at 8:10 AM

    I was blogged on this subject here: http://thebowyers.blogspot.com/2008/02/your-life-in-six-words.html

    It was very fun!! Here is my six words:

    Not my plan and I'm THANKFUL!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Mrs.Naz@BecomingMeApril 23, 2008 at 3:57 PM

    Friend, you have made my day :-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. GennyApril 23, 2008 at 6:31 PM

    Linda,
    I found your blog through Becoming Me. Funny, one of my favorite things to do is talk with friends over a cup of coffee too...one of the reasons I started my blog (mycup2yours)! Anyway, just wanted to let you know I like your blog.
    Best,
    Genny

    ReplyDelete
  20. Joanne@ Blessed...April 24, 2008 at 9:15 PM

    I just found you through the blog "becoming me" which I love. Your writing is such a blessing to read as well.

    Oh to be able to tap into some of the writing wisdom so many of you gals have!

    I will be back.

    Warmly, Joanne

    ReplyDelete
  21. Lisa SpenceApril 30, 2008 at 7:38 PM

    I did it! Check out my memoir(s) at my site!

    ReplyDelete