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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

If I Had a Mantra…

by Chautona Havig · 2 Comments

It’d be simple (mantra in the definition of a “truism” rather than some Hindu type religious thing).

Life is short; live it fully.

This is the essence of Thoreau’s words in Walden.

“I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately, I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, To put to rout all that was not life and not when I had come to die Discover that I had not lived.”

Gotta love old Henry David– Ever notice that if you spell his name like it sounds rather than correctly, it could be spelled “thorough?”  I love that.  Live life thoroughly or… Thoreau-ly.

Life is a gift and yet how much time do we spend existing rather than living.  So often I hear people say things like, “I’m just passing through” like the old hymn says.  Ok, I agree that the world isn’t our home.  I get that this is temporary–fleeting.  Contrary to a few opinions people assume I have, I am not dreading death or the end of this life.  I simply see it as something to embrace.  If someone sends you on a tour of Europe, you don’t just ignore what’s around you and say, “Oh, I’m just passing through.  This isn’t important.  I’ve got better things coming.”  Well, I should hope you don’t.  You enjoy it!  You savor the experience because most people don’t get to do it.

Why can’t that be the same in my little desert town?  Why must I “suffer” through a monotonous repetition of days passing because I don’t live in Italy or Switzerland?  Why is it ok for me to revel in the experience of visiting the Sahara Desert but I’m supposed to plod through life in the Mojave?  Hogwash.

I try to add this into my writing.  In most of my books, somewhere, I have someone exemplify this idea, state it, or do the opposite–never seem to care.  It’s my “thing.”

Look.  You get one life on this earth.  I know better is coming for those belonging to the Lord.  I am thrilled to know that.  But you just don’t ignore the gift He gives you today because you want better.  What would you say if your kid did that.  “Nah,” stuffs the gift in a box and shoves it in the back of the closet, “I’ll wait for the good one you promised.”

Embrace God’s gift of life HERE today.

Some people think I’m nuts, but my goal is to love living the life He has given me so much, that I ALMOST regret having to leave it for better.  I want to hover near that almost as close as I can.  I want to “suck out all the marrow of this life.”

Live–to the maximum.  I dare you.

 

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Comments

  1. Dawn says

    May 13, 2012 at 4:48 pm

    Chautona,
    I agree 100%! Live fully and make the world a better place as you go! :0)

    Reply
  2. Jo says

    May 13, 2012 at 3:45 pm

    There are a lot of gifts in this world, and if we spend all of our time waiting and wishing expectantly for what lies beyond, we miss the gifts we’ve been given for the NOW. I’m not saying that what comes next isn’t great. I believe it is. But, the things we have now are pretty cool too… why waste it?

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
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Episode 217: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Terry Garner
byChautona Havig

Terry Garner joined me tonight to chat about his fascinating Biblical Fiction series, Magi Journey. Starting way back in Assyria, through Babylon, and into Persia, the series chronicles two timelines–first that of the Israelite kings, and then of a fascinating family back in Persia… Listen in to see the hope this Magi family found in Scripture and how it led them to Bethlehem. 

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

This isn’t just another “traveling to Bethlehem with gold” story of the Magi. No, Terry Garner links the Israelite kings from Ahaz through the destruction of the temple and into captivity with a family who discovers that God has promised redemption for those outside Israel as well. Follow a physical and a faith journey across the ages all the way to the hope of an age.

With extensive and meticulous research, Terry Garner looks at Scripture and compares it with historical secular accounts. Even more exciting, however, are the things he discovered along the way. He talks about Jewish historians discounting Scriptural accounts of historical events to explain away the supernatural as if God Almighty… isn’t!

And then, Terry explains how he’s also writing a nonfiction book to help readers pull all the pieces from Scripture and see what God has promised us… so that we may know His plans. I’m excited about that book, but I confess, learning he’s working on a spinoff of the Magi series excited me even more. EEEP!

Terry Garner has all his books on sale right now!

The paperbacks are on sale for 9.95 and the box set (also available on Kindle Unlimited) is on sale for 4.99!

Magi Journey by Terry Garner

A sweeping historical saga from the courts of Tiglath-Piliser III in Assyria to the sleepy town of Bethlehem. History is seen through the eyes of the Magi as they journey from 734 BC to -0- AD.

Explore with the Magi the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel. Witness God’s judgment on Israel, Assyria, and Babylon. And rejoice in the redemption of Israel and the coming of the Messiah.

Join the Magi as they answer the question that is critical to every man and woman, “Who Is This Messiah?”

Learn more about Terry on his WEBSITE.

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