Don't Be Sad For Me

So many people who learn that my Christian bookstore is closing down have said, “I am so sad for you.”

Although I appreciate your sentiments, my sadness goes out to the elderly lady who came in twice this week near tears saying, “What am I going to do without you?” It’s those wonderfully faithful few who came in often browsing for books that would meet their need that week. Those who live on a fixed income and have grown to depend on my availability and low prices.

My most faithful customers are those on fixed incomes, elderly, students, Mom’s with young children… most of whom don’t even own a computer, never mind ordering on line or buying an ebook for a contraption called a Kindle (Nook, Ipad, whatever).

Those are the loyal customers who have made me delight in my ministry at “A Cup of Cold Water” Pre-owned Christian Books. Those are the ones who we are sad for.

What makes me grieve is that I am going to miss seeing the many who loved my store. They have become my friends. I will never forget any of them.

Thank you for 7 years of loyalty and for the blessing of knowing you.

Book Events and Authors

I was asking a dear group of authors why book signings and events tend to not be well attended. Why after working hard to promote an event, only a few show up? They said… jokingly, but maybe not so much… “bring in a big name!” At first, I thought that must be the answer, but later after praying and contemplation, I thought NO! The “big names” don’t need a humble bookstore in Lacey, WA to find a corner to show their life’s work. They already have their platform. I am here to give opportunity for those who God has called to write, to have a place to bring their masterpiece to the public to share.

Did you know that behind works of fiction or non-fiction there is a person who writes because they can’t NOT write? That God fills them with stories, ideas, poems, songs….
That name on the front of the book is a person with a family, a career (trying to make a living), and struggles, just like the rest of us! They need our support to share their message. Just like any ministry we need to lift each other up. We need to encourage each other to press on!

Do we have book signing events to put a particular person on a higher level because they happened to have written a book? Do we have book events because these authors are more important or special than other laborers for the Kingdom? No. We do these book signings to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ who write. To help get the message of their writing to those who would benefit from it. We do these events to help a fellow Christian earn a living as they minister to our souls with great words.

Authors are amazing individuals. I have had several author events, and know many authors and I consider them my friends. They are some of the kindest people I have ever met. They aren’t prideful people, as some might assume, but quite the opposite. They are humble and grateful.

So the moral of this story is… consider supporting and encouraging an author today! Email the author of that great book you just read and let them know you were blessed by their words. Find an author on Facebook and “friend” them… and watch their lives. Go to book signings and events when they are in your area. Buy a book! And best of all, PRAY for these writers that God will continue to bless and inspire them, as they bless and inspire us!

The Anatomy of a Book Event!

Months of projection … weeks of preparation … days of anticipation.
That’s the anatomy of a Book Event!
I enjoy books, I enjoy selling books, but LOVE book events!
I have several up-coming book events that involve hard work (projecting, preparing, yes, even the anticipation is hard work! :)
But it’s the heartbeat of my ministry here at “A Cup of Cold Water” Pre-owned Christian Books.
I can’t explain it. Words escape me. Not good for the writing of a blog…( I never admitted to being a writer! Just a “best friend” of those who do!)
I hope that you will join us on Facebook to see all who will be at “A Cup of Cold Water” this summer.

First of all, on July 8th there will be 8 authors joining us to support the USO! We are collecting gift items for USO Welcome Home Baskets for our returning-from-deployment singles.

Secondly, and very close to my heart is The Voiceless Many Book Tour! Michael Paul Miller wrote The Voiceless Many. It is the book he “had to write”. Written from his own first hand knowledge of the pain of being bullied at school his whole life.
Please give this book a read and visit with Michael at one of the locations of this great tour.

On August 8th from 2-5 we will be having a Book Signing Event with Larry Peabody. Larry’s ministry is to those in the workplace. His latest book is called “Job Shadowing with Daniel”. We hope you will come meet Larry and hear his passion.

I think that brings us through the summer and it's Book Events. Join us!! And stay tuned for many more in the future at “A Cup of Cold Water” Pre-owned Christian Books! For dates, times and locations see www.acupofcoldwater,biz

What is your personal anti-bullying law?

The State of Washington’s anti-bullying law takes effect this week requiring every public school to have a policy for dealing with bullying. Those plans need to go to the OSPI by mid-August. It is an expansion of existing school anti-harassment laws.

I am glad that this law is going into effect, but my question to us all is
"What is our own personal anti-bullying law??"
There are so many ways that we as students, parents, teachers, grandparents, youth leaders etc. can do our part in implementing our own “anti-bullying law”. Because the truth of the matter is, it begins inside each of us. It’s as simple and as complex as obeying the Golden Rule.
The Golden Rule or the ethic of reciprocity is found in the Bible in Matthew 7:12.
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.” ESV

Contemplate on that, and I will be back with some other thoughts in upcoming blogs on a subject that hits so close to home.

It's amazing how much I work on my "day off"!
Do you ever feel like you can't separate yourself from your work? That it's like breathing? You'd die if you quit?
I feel that way often. I want to be able to relax mind and body, but it seems like I always have something I have to do, as the inspiration hits me or... it's gone! And that just isn't acceptable!
So, alas... I forget to rest. Or I don't know how. Or I don't want to.

Bookin' & Bloggin'

I have been in the "book business" for 12 years, collectively. I love books and love those who God has gifted to write them!
I got a new appreciation for those who write this past weekend when I had the privilege of going to the Northwest Christian Writer's Renewal. What a wonderful conference!
Why did I attend a writer's conference when I don't see myself a writer, you ask? Well, of late I have been dubbing myself as "the writer's best friend". I want to be of support and encouragement to them. I want my bookstore ("A Cup of Cold Water" Pre-owned Christian Books, Lacey, WA) to be a platform for author's to meet their readers and for readers to meet the authors.
I have had the privilege of having several authors in my store for booksignings and other events, over the years, and it's always a joy. There will be many more in the days ahead. Stay tuned!