Paperback
ISBN: 0446370290
Pub. Date: August 1986
I’ve noticed when I go through the drafts of my manuscripts, that I have a huge problem with repetition(using the same words over and over). What’s helped me a lot when I do second and third drafts is a book entitled The Synonym Finder. It’s great! It think it’s a must-have for all writers!
Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com
Rick Warren ends this chapter with a very thought-provoking question:How should the fact that life on earth is just a temporary assignment change the way I am living right now?
In this chapter, Warren talks about how we should not focus so much on earthly things since our time here is limited, and it’s just a temporary stop before we go on to eternal life.
It’s hard for me to think that way, I’ll admit. He also mentions focusing on riches and money, and about how that is a downfall. I focus on money and riches a lot. I’m working on not thinking about money, but it’s hard for me to change that. I know that since me and my husband have had a son, finances have gotten tighter, and it’s hard not to wish for more dollars to put into the bank, and for that next book contract so that we can get a hold of some extra money from that advance.
I don’t think about everlasting life all that much. It crosses my mind occasionally, but I have to admit that I spend more time thinking and reflecting upon the here and now and the immediate future.
Warren is right about us being here on a temporary basis, the stop before eternal life. I just have to learn to refocus my thinking, which can be a battle at times!
On to another topic, a family member sent me the following link which has an interview with Shelley Bates, author of The Sounding Brass, which I reviewed a few days ago. Interesting article and it gives background information about how she came to write a three-book novel series about a cult. Here is the link below:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=1406120&sp=67484
I would also like to point out that I enjoyed posting yesterday’s interview with the authors of Larkspur Dreams. I will be posting more interviews from various authors in the future. Look out for them. Authors are known for giving great writing tips as well as great publishing tips!
Peace,
Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com
In chapter five, Warren talks about tests from God. God watches how we react to certain situations, testing our belief in him. He also talks about how we treat our possessions and our money. He left us with this question to ponder: What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?
I made a marble cheesecake this weekend and it tastes great! The recipe is below, however, I would not recommend baking it as described in the recipe! I am placing the original recipe here since baking times vary by oven. I’ve made this cheesecake two times, with two different ovens and both times when I baked as recommended, the cheesecake was not done! I had to place it back into the oven for at least another 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees. I recommend baking the cheesecake at 350 degrees and to check it periodically to make sure it’s done.
Marble Cheesecake
Graham Cracker Crust-to make crust combine one cup of graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/4 cup melted butter. Press mixture onto bottom and 1/2 inch up side of 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes; cool.
3 packages of cream cheese(8 ounces each), softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla(I only use real vanilla extract. I never use imitation)
3 tablespoons flour
3 eggs (eggs usually work better when they are at room temperature)
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Prepare graham cracker crust. Set aside. Combine cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, the sour cream, and 2 teaspoons vanilla in a large mixer bowl; beat on medium speed until smooth. Add flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, blending well. Add eggs; beat well. Combine cocoa and 1/4 cup sugar in small bowl. Add oil, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and
1 1/2 cups of the cream cheese mixture; mix until well blended.
Spoon plain and chocolate mixtures alternately into prepared crust, ending with dollops of chocolate on top; gently swirl with knife or spatula for marbled effect. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes without opening oven door, decrease temperature to 250 degrees and continue to bake 30 minutes. Turn off oven; let cheesecake remain in oven 30 minutes without opening door. (Be sure to read my comments above about baking time!) Remove from oven; loosen cake from side of pan. Cool completely; chill throughly.
10-12 servings.
Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com
I read chapter four of The Purpose Driven Life last night. Warren basically says we should focus on the fact that our life here on earth is limited. It is a stepping stone to our eternal lives with God. Then he also preached the gospel, basically saying that each of us needs to accept Christ in order to enjoy an ever-lasting life with Him. I enjoyed reading the chapter. Because of my busy life with working full-time, making dinner each night, and taking care of our young son, I haven’t been able to read a chapter a day of The Purpose Driven Life as Warren recommends. So, it’ll probably be well over forty days before I finish the book.
Last weekend, I made another pound cake. Below, you’ll find the recipe:
No Fault Pound Cake
6 eggs
3 cups sugar
3 cups flour – NOT self-rising
1 cup Crisco(I used butter-flavored Crisco)
1 cup milk
2 sticks butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
1 teaspoon lemon flavoring
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3 tablespoons rum
Blend Crisco and butter. Then blend in sugar. Then add eggs blending one at a time. Then add milk and flour by thirds. Then add flavoring and rum and last the baking powder.
Note: bake in a cold oven at 350 degrees for one hour and fifteen minutes. (You may need to bake a bit longer, depending upon your oven.)
I did not get this recipe from a cookbook. One of my husband’s relatives gave me a handwritten copy of this recipe. We tried it last weekend and I was pleased. The cake was high and very moist.
Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com
I read Warren’s chapter 3 last night. From what I recall, he basically said that we need to have a purpose in life. We can’t just aimlessly live our lives, that makes us feel worthless(or something like that.) Our purpose has to be Godly, though, in order for us to feel happy.
Tomorrow or tonight, I’m going to blog about soap operas. They can be pretty stupid, but I’m going to blog about them anyway!
Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com
I read chapter 2 of this book a couple of days ago. Warren basically says that we’re not accidents. God knows about our birth and death even before we are conceived. Of course, there are unplanned pregnancies, but no unplanned people on this earth(or something along those lines.)
I realized that this book was widely read, and was a bestseller for a long time. However, I didn’t realize it was so controversial! I did an internet search for the book to try and get other people’s thoughts and was surprised! I’m still planning on finishing the book and posting my thoughts as I go along.
On the fiction front, I started reading Simply Divine, a young-adult novel by Jacquelin Thomas. So far, I think it’s a great! She did an awesome job of creating Divine, the main character in the novel. I’ll post a full review of this novel once I’ve finished reading it.
Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com
The Purpose Driven Life
Author: Rick Warren
Hardcover
ISBN: 0310205719
Pub. Date: October 2002
Also available in paperback. There are also Purpose-Driven Life journals available.
Most of you know that I read very little non-fiction (Christian or otherwise). This book has been sitting on my shelf for about two years now. When we joined our church, this book was given to all of the new members. I’ve only read the first of the forty passages. You’re supposed to read a passage a day for forty days. You’re not supposed to read it all at one time. Rick says that you need to digest the information given in each passage. The information relayed in the first passage, I’d heard before(where, I don’t know.) When thinking about our purpose, we shouldn’t think about ourselves, we should focus on what GOD
wants us to do. Why did He place us here on this earth? He also mentioned that self-help type books usually focus on our gaining earthly riches(or something similiar to that), trying to succeed, etc. He said that we shouldn’t focus on that, but just focus on God and His purpose for us.
I’ll probably blog about this every so often. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to read a passage a day, as Rick recommends.
Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com