Monday, January 12, 2015

Living - and Writing - as a Revolutionary (+ a Giveaway!)

Welcoming author Alicia G. Ruggieri on the blog today with a guest blog post--"Living- and Writing- as a Revolutionary." Make sure to enter the GIVEAWAY at the end of her post--This is a wonderful opportunity to win one of two paperback copies of Alicia's latest novel, The Fragrance of Geraniums--a Depression-era story of brokenness and grace.  


By Alicia G. Ruggieri

“If it’s Christian, it should be better than the world’s stuff.”

My eldest sister’s offhand comment has stayed with me for years now. I’m reminded of it every time I walk into a Christian bookstore and see and hear “Christian” books and music and artwork.

Some of it is well-done – glorifying to God – crafted and presented with care.

Most of it? Just a copy of what the world has already does – but cleaned up a little, made palatable for a more sin-sensitive palate. Made more “conservative.” Not necessarily more Christian. Not necessarily even better. Not exuding the sense that it was created for the King to show His beauty.

I’m reminded of her comment every time I think about cutting corners, consider taking an easier but less productive research route, or debate whether my book’s draft really needs another round of edits.

And I recall Francis Schaeffer’s remark: that authentic Christianity isn't, at its root, conservative at all.

It’s revolutionary.

And what does revolutionary mean?

Something that has a sudden, major impact on society or on some aspect of human endeavor.

Something unusual.

Something out of the ordinary.

Something more than common stuff.

And no, I’m not saying that a Christian must achieve perfection in their art or their music or their writing. But I am saying, once again with Schaeffer, that, “Increasingly, I believe that after we are saved, we have only one calling, and that is to show forth the existence and character of God.”

And His character is not one of settling, but one of intense and eternal creativity. One of continual redemption. One of “making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5) Every sunset that His hand spins out comes forth new-born and original. Every soul that He saves has its own unique story to tell of His redemption – and that redemption reveals an aspect of His character previously unnoticed.



I pray that my writing – as my calling at this point in the life God has given to me – has that as its point: to create what is truly good for the nourishment of humankind’s souls; to show the redemptive thread that passes through all lives; to point to the One who promises us to “make all things new.”

What about you? Not everyone is called to be a writer or a poet or an artist, but everyone is called to create and to express the surpassing beauty of the Fairest of Ten Thousands, to preach the Gospel in some way – and if necessary, to use words, as Francis of Assisi tells us. Do you “settle”? Or are you embracing your truest calling within the role God has given you – that of showing forth the existence and glorious character of God in your everyday life and work?


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You might find me on these link-ups:

Strangers and Pilgrims on EarthThe Modest MomWhat Joy is Mine, Yes They Are All Ours, Missional Call, A Mama's Story, Mom's the Word, Rich Faith Rising, Time Warp Wife, Cornerstone Confessions, Mom's Morning Coffee, So Much at Home, Raising Homemakers, Hope in Every SeasonA Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Ministries, Whole-Hearted Home, A Soft Gentle Voice, My Daily Walk in His Grace, Messy Marriage, My Teacher's Name is Mama, The Charm of Home, Graced Simplicity, Children Are A Blessing, Mittenstate Sheep and Wool, Imparting Grace, Preparedness Mama, A Look at the Book, Essential Thing Devotions, Count My Blessings, Beauty Observed, Christian Mommy Blogger, Renewed Daily, Soul SurvivalGood Morning MondaysThe HomeAcre Hop

14 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed the interview. I have read this book but I read it as a-ebook copy and I would love to have a print copy for my library.

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    1. Wonderful! I'm glad that you stopped by, Ann! :-)

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  2. What a wonderful message! :) I especially loved the quote, "“Increasingly, I believe that after we are saved, we have only one calling, and that is to show forth the existence and character of God.”
    Thanks for sharing! And congrats on the sales rating!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, A.M.! I'm glad that you enjoyed her post! :-)

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  3. Hello, you have such a lovely blog. I found you a week or two ago and have been so encouraged by what I have read so far. Could you please tell me what song you have on your playlist. It is so beautiful. ~Kimberly

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    1. Kimberly, I'm glad that you've been blessed by the blog :-). The name of the song is "The Promise" by a group called Secret Garden.

      Have a blessed week! :-)

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  4. Exciting Conversation, Thanks for sharing i followed you here to read this. God Blessings to you Rebekah.
    http://purposefulandmeaningful.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks for visiting, Ifeoma! Have a blessed week! :-)

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  5. So thankful for authors who have a passion for showing off the glory of God and revealing His hand of redemption throughout history. Thanks for sharing this author and her work. I love to relax with a good story before bed.

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  6. You're welcome, Abi; I'm glad that you visited! :-)

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  7. Thanks for this great post and reminder to give God the glory in all that we do. Thanks for linking up at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings

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  8. You're welcome, Terri! Blessings to you, also! :-)

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