Welcome

Why a blog from me, someone who has never been a writer, someone who has never been articulate or had a solid grasp of the grammar world. Because God told me to write. Several years ago a life storm invaded my family. God kept telling me to write it all down. I argued, but He would not let up. This went on every day for a couple of weeks until one day out of frustration, (I'd like to say it was out of obedience), I picked up a pen and paper and wrote for 7 hours straight! Do you think maybe I needed therapy and God knew it?

I've been writing ever since and have learned to love it! I started out sharing my stories with friends and family. I've now been published in a Nashville church paper, Our Daily Journey (a devotional site of RBC Ministries), PCCWeb Daily Devotional, Ruby for Women Ezine Magazine, and I am a contributor in the book Alabaster Jars, Life in Abundance Collection 2.

Why Ponderings? During this life storm, God led me to a pond in the woods behind my home. There He met me each time, teaching new lessons, reminding me of old ones, showing His presence and allowing me to feel His love through the surroundings of that pond. I found myself returning over and over to ponder, pray and praise. A healing of my heart took place and out of the experience came my first book, Ponderings From the Pond, then a second book, Ponderings From My Porch, and now a third book is in the works along with a memoir about my storm.

Why am I making myself so vulnerable? Because God has done so much that I cannot keep quiet. I have to share. Jesus's last words to his desciples were, "Go,tell." We are his disciples too and this is just one of my ways of telling.

I'm no scholar but I have heard God's voice in my spirit, experience His love daily, and have a desire for others to experience this also. I would love to share with all who visit and I would love to hear from you. If my sharing gets just one to ponder, to be quiet with the Father, to see and hear from Him or to be reminded of something from Him, then this is worth my vulnerability.

As you visit me, sometimes we will be at the pond, sometimes we will move to the front porch, and sometimes we will just be here, there, and yonder. Thank you for coming and please feel free to come back anytime, you are always welcome here.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

*****EXCITING NEWS*****

My first book, Ya Know What I'm Say'n, has been released.


Ponderings

Ponderings

Monday, July 15, 2013

OH MY!



My phone rang the other night. I picked it up. . ."Hello."

"Is this Kristin Bridgman?"

"Yes, it is."

This is  _____from West Bow Press Publishing. We would like to talk with you about your book. How's it going?"

Something started to flutter in my stomach. I got hot. . .(that could have been one of thousands of hot flashes though)

She proceeded to ask lots of questions and I gave lots of answers. She said my book was right up their alley and were very interested in talking with me more. I gulped. Oh my!

This was making it seem all the more real...as real as I have prayed for it to be...and now to hear someone from a publishing company, a child of Thomas Nelson no doubt, calling me about my book!

Oh my! Oh dear!

I don't know if they are the ones or not. But it was exciting to have someone act interested.

For over a year I have written thousands of words, moving sentences, changing titles, dreaming of what it would look like. My husband has come in to help revise, we have a proofreader who is teaching us much.

And the prayers!  Oh my! So many prayers for the right words, the right chapter titles, the right title for book, the right picture for front, to just be able to finish it, and most importantly, that the message would come across the way God had put it on my heart.

I'm not only writing my story, I'm writing other's stories. I'm taking their life and putting it out there for others to see. I take this responsibility very serious and I am so grateful to all who were brave enough to share their stories with me.

I'm still working on the book with my husband and proofreader, but I pray it will be done by the end of the year. But I know the best time for it to be finished is in God's time. I have placed this book in God's hands. It has been there from day one. And I will release it when He says too.

Oh my! May my ears always be listening, ready to hear from the Author of Life Himself.
 
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I never thought in a million years I would write a book. It seemed out of the realm of possibilities. But with God, all things are possible.
Do you believe that?

Is He calling you to do something that makes you go, "Oh MY!"
Two words of advice from me. . .
"DO IT!"

No only will you go "Oh My" but "WOW!"
It's fun to see God make what seemed impossible into possible.

       I would like to share what I have so far as to what to put on the back cover of the book. . .would this make you interested?
 
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Come journey with me into the world of the homeless, a world I first stepped into during the winter of 2009. It began with a big, dark man on a park bench who stole my heart. Sit with me as I visit with a registered sex offender who became changed by grace. Listen as I visit with a man who took the blade to his entire body and with the young man who took the ink tool to his skin to tell his story. Meet the lady who had all ten fingers broken by her abusive father and the young lady whose father beat her across the back with a 2x4. Come, meet these and others and discover as I did when I opened my eyes and peered into the lives of the homeless through the eyes of Jesus, that there was something more than what the earthly eyes see. . .sweet souls buried beneath the outer self.
 
God gave me a glimpse of what He sees. At times, it was overwhelming and other times, inspirational. I found my neighbors at the downtown park and under the bridge; the lives of so many unseen, unnoticed, forgotten. I have experienced love from those others have shunned. I have witnessed beauty, grace and strength in places I could not have imagined. I heard of redemption, restoration, and forgiveness.
 
Please join me and let me introduce you to my new friends. Stand ready for your heart to change when you see through the eyes of Jesus.

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To be changed by Him. . .
OH MY!


Did anything make you go OH MY recently. . .or at anytime?
Do share:)
 
 
 

10 comments:

Joy said...

This is wonderful. I am so happy for you. Im am going to buy the book when it is published. Bless your heart and the people who told you their stories:)

Shakin' the Foundation said...

OH MY!!!! I am so excited for you and proud of you!!!! So blessed to have you as my friend!!! And I love watching God work his love through you!!!!!!

Blessings!!!!
Stacey

Denise said...

Congrats, so happy for you.

Floyd said...

Good for you!!! I'm happy for you! I know you have a heart for God and His less fortunate children. May He use you and your book to do great things!

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

I like what I read and it sounds like a great book. I'd read it. You touch people with your love them all because of Jesus. You see them as someone who needs help.
I had a big wow in Nicaragua. I will be sharing that in my next post when I get it done, hopefully this week. You'll have to read it. keep on writing and sharing!

Pam said...

How exciting! Congratulations! I'm wondering how they heard of your book? Had you submitted something to them? Your post lifts me and encourages me in my own writing today! Thank you for sharing! God's blessings to bringing it to fruition in ways beyond your imagination...

a joyful noise said...

I was wondering the same as Pam, how they heard of you. We have so many bloggers with friends in high places, that I am sure a little bird took the message to the publisher. Thank you for sharing your exciting news here at "Tell me a Story."

Kristin Bridgman said...

I had written another book, Ponderings By The Pond and submitted it into a contest 4-5 years ago sponsored by West Bow. I didn't win, but they kept my name and have called a couple of times. Each time I had been working on a different book. But never sent one in as I kept getting other ideas. But this book on the homeless I am very passionate about and I am going to pursue going all the way with this one.

Ceil said...

Wow! Congratulations Kris! God is always surprising us, isn't he? I am so happy for you and all the hard work that you are doing. Writing is not for sissies, that's for sure!

Keep us updated on your special journey!

Happy Friday,
Ceil

Jenifer Metzger said...

So excited for you Kris!!