Monday 27 June 2011

RAY ON MONDAY: The Team From Texas

Last Saturday I picked up six Texans from Launceston airport. They had managed - well not them but the pilots - had managed to beat the Chilean ash cloud and safely drop down onto Tassie’s soil. They are here for two weeks to share the Good News of Christ Jesus with Children and Youth especially. We older young people are not forgotten with special functions, coffees and barbeques to meet, share and listen.

Chris and Heather Horton have been with us the past two years at this time. Last year their children, Dempsey and Jason, came and are here again. They have all been appreciated and their return visit has been eagerly anticipated. They left a blazing hot Texas and came to a wet, windy and cold Tasmania. However things have brightened up and the first service and Fellowship Tea was great. As it has stopped raining, the youth bonfire tonight has gone ahead.

One young man, Ben, came to their first meetings in 2009. He made a commitment and was baptised in Bass Strait. He has undertaken a Fusion training course and hopes to work with them at the U.K. Olympics. Ben arrived today from his practical training with Fusion in Victoria and will be with us for the next few weeks which is wonderful.

Mary and I had a book signing day at Koorong last Friday. Whilst not crushed under the press of the crowd we did sign a good number and had a marvellous time talking to people on a whole range of topics. We have another in Hobart in July 22nd.

Last week I was interviewed by phone by a Christian radio presenter from Toowoomba. Being so far away we missed it, even when we tried their webpage. Isn’t technology great! Unfortunately it is neutral and therefore subject to the heart condition of those pressing the keys. For those with the knack and opportunity, use it for good, for God and for grounding people in the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Have a great week and I’ll ‘blog’ you next week.

Ray.

Tuesday 21 June 2011

RAY'S MONDAY: When is a launch not a small boat?

Sounds strange to call a book event ‘a launch’. In our minds the word may conjure up images of sleek, fast moving motor type boats. However Mary and I had a book launch without slipways and the smashing of a bottle over the keel. (A pagan offering to the sea god anyway.)



Children: God’s Special Interest, my first 31 Day Devotional, was introduced by Pastor Craig Spaulding, associate minister at the Door of Hope. He commented on how relevant the devotions were in our present moral climate of either ignoring or exploiting children. He recommended people read them to understand God’s heart for the young.

From Eden with Love is a 31 Day Devotional on the Biblical presentation of Marriage. The speaker introducing it was Mark Brown, Tasmanian Director for Australian Christian Lobby . He pointed out the easy understandable and uplifting daily readings on this important theme is especially valid in today’s confused thinking about Marriage.

As well as other pertinent comments, in response I mentioned that all royalties from these books go to two Christian enterprises. One is the Churches of Christ Children’s Home in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The other goes to Australian Christian Lobby - and you don’t have to think hard as to which goes where.

Mary’s latest and final (mmm... or is it? She hinted there was another idea bubbling about another minor character!) in the Baragula series, Justice at Baragula was last but not least to be launched.

We were very grateful to Mrs Ann Fair from the bookshop at Door of Hope in Launceston (a Church of Christ) for helping to organise and promote the book launch. She also skilfully introduced Mary's book and read some of the first scene in chapter one. Mary then gave some insights into this book about two young people, a policeman and farmer’s daughter, seeking to deal with their past hurts and brokenness. She mentioned briefly how the characters in this book emerged from out of the previous two in her Baragula series. Their  story had to be told.

The readers were reminded that while this story is written as fiction, there are many broken-hearted folk, including Christians with deep hurts from the past that need healing. There is help available, including from the organisation Careforce Lifekeys as mentioned in the "Authors Note" at the end of this book.

One of the things I enjoy about serving God is how He ties things together. In the morning church service Sandy Hart spoke on overcoming issues from the past, an apt introduction to Mary’s book. Craig is going with Compassion International (a Children’s Ministry) to the Philippines and Mark’s wife Sue is a long time friend of our children from NSW.

Today (Tuesday as I’m running late with this) I was interviewed by a Toowoomba Christian radio station, Voice 92.9FM. This will be played on Thursday morning around 9:00-9:30am on their Catching Up programme. Thos in the viewing area should check the radio for details but folk anywhere in the world should be able to listen live on the internet. Website:

You can buy all our books from any Australian Christian bookshop, Even Before Publishing/Wombat books in Brisbane, or direct from us. See our website - Mary Hawkins Australian author - for details and we have PayPal available there also.
Don't forget:-  Clicking on blue underlined words in the blog will take you to the websites!

Winner of giveaway

Congratulations to Narelle Nettlebeck! As soon as you email your choice of Ray's book and your postal address, your book will be in the mail - and trust that ash cloud still from Chile's volcano does not stop Australia post getting through.

Friday 17 June 2011

RADIO INTERVIEW - AND MORE

Well, I’m late again but I think I do have a few more excuses.
Things are still very busy here with trying to get the word out about Ray’s two books – as in the last post here – and my book, Justice at Baragula.
Yesterday Ray had an appointment in Launceston and I had a lovely time with a great lady, June Younger, who made me so welcome at a Know Your Bible study group she led nearly eight years ago when we first moved to settle in Tasmania. She had rung me asking for my book which I was able to deliver to her yesterday morning. I did enjoy fellowship again with this Godly woman until I suddenly realised the time had gone and I was late already picking up Ray from his appointment!
Mmm...being punctual has always been a problem for me – as my followers on this blog already know. Fortunately, Ray and I still had time to have lunch and be on time for our radio interview appointment at Launceston’s Way FM105.3. www.wayfm.org.au
After other books of mine hit the shelves, over the years I have had the experiences of a few radio interviews in different cities. Ray also has done some stints on radio stations during our years in ministry, including being rostered on minister’s fraternal devotional spots and since moving to Tasmania being a presenter for a while on another northern Tasmanian FM community radio station. But this was a new experience for both of us! One thing that had never happened to me before was the presenter praying with us before the interview. Awesome!
Then Ray and sat side by side speaking into our individual microphones while Steven Weeks interviewed us. It was pretty nerve-wracking in some ways and I have to confess feeling inadequate and ill-prepared.
Steven had read Ray’s two devotional books and so had some good questions which I thought Ray handled very well about his reasons for writing devotional books of God’s heart as revealed in the scriptures about Children and Marriage.
Then it was my turn. Fortunately Steven’s wife had read my book – and enjoyed it very much. This well known “talker” still found it all rather difficult and it was with some trepidation I listened to the interview over the airwaves a few hours later.
Sorry readers, the interview is not available on the internet, so you will have to take my word for it that I believe God will use the airwaves as HE wills in all of this. However, you will have another opportunity to meet with us face to face at the launch of our books at Door of Hope church in Glen Dhu, Launceston this Sunday at 11.45am for a start at 12 midday.

AND A REMINDER: DON'T MISS OUT ON THE DRAW FOR ONE OF RAY'S BOOKS.  See HIS POST - last Tuesday and LEAVE A COMMENT to be in the draw.

Tuesday 14 June 2011

Ray on Monday - and a book giveaway!


Well, as hard as I try to post every week, there have been too many weeks lately when I have found having enough time to do this very difficult. So, what does a wife do who has a husband who also writes? She coaxes him to spend some of his precious time helping out! I will still try to post here each Wednesday and Ray will try to write a post for me to publish here each Monday. Oops, so this is Tuesday but hopefully next week will be on Monday!
And there is Ray's first giveaway here - more at the end.

Book Pile Up
The disillusioned old preacher thought he had a problem with his library. “Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.” Ecclesiastes 12:12b. We think we have problems storing our books but it is nothing compared to the ancient’s dilemma.
Imagine trying to write on wet clay then baking it for reading purposes. They may last through untold ages, but storing them, what a nightmare! Scrolls would be easier but a burden to read in bed.
These thoughts arose as I contemplated our recent book launches. Mary’s latest book ‘Justice at Baragula’ and my 31 Day Devotionals ‘Children – God’s special Interest, plus ‘From Eden with Love’ got a kick start at Ringwood Church of Christ. It was a great time as speakers introduced the books and especially in Mary’s book, certain characters came to life that reminded hearers of well loved friends.
Writing is a privilege wrapped up in serious responsibilities. Whether to help us relax or inform, to challenge and motivate through fiction or fact what is written has a purpose. As the preacher said, study wearies the body, but a book can also refresh one’s faith, stimulate desire, correct an injustice and show the way to God’s realm and pleasure.
I’ve so many books. Most I’ve read. Others may remain unread because I’m so slow at reading and yet have a compulsion to write (whether or not others read what is written). What encourages me as a reader/writer is that many of the books on my shelves, in drawers and dare I say it, in the garage, will catch the eye of others after I’ve gone to glory. So I guess I’ll probably be buying books until the day I die because there may be something in one of them which makes me appreciate my Lord more and more. It also means it may grab someone else later on.
Books pile up…isn’t that a great problem!
Yours between the pages.
Raymond N Hawkins

We have just had a successful launch of these books in Melbourne and have our Tasmanian one in Launceston this Sunday at the Door of Hope church, 12 midday. If you would like a copy of one of Ray's just released 31 Day Devotional meditation books, please leave a comment, your email address and which book you would like. Here is a little more from the cover blurbs about each book to help you choose. You might like to check out more on the publisher's website http://www.evenbeforepublishing.com/

CHILDREN: GOD'S SPECIAL INTEREST
Ray Hawkins has a heart for children. In these devotions and studies he uses scripture and ideas to help us focus and meditate on God’s heart for children.
Designed for parents, teachers, grandparents and anyone who has the pleasure of being around children.
Rediscover God’s Word about children.
Refresh your heart with God’s love for Children.
Rekindle passion to be their example for Christ’s honour.
Reflect on God’s Special Interest: Children.

FROM EDEN WITH LOVE
Thought provoking, challenges to married couples and those preparing for marriage.
Meditate on God’s Heart for Marriage.
Discover the Heavenly mystery underpinning the meaning of the Christian Marriage.

So...what about your thoughts on that pile of books you have! The draw will conclude next Sunday and the winner announced on Monday - hopefully as long as my pile of books is not too tempting for this bookworm!

Wednesday 1 June 2011

Getting ready - and resting

I am trying to type this on our daughter's laptop - and trying to get used to the mouse on it. Ray and I drove our car onto the Spirit of Tasmania ferry for our time in Melbourne. It was good to be able to throw things in the car and not worry about plane travel restrictions - especially those boxes of books. And being away from the computer at home all day has been a real rest! Gaylene takes her computer to work during the day and I have been enjoying a book-worm's delight - reading books!

This is going to be just a brief post this week - and already late. Too reasons for this - strange computer and except to mention shopping, going to the cinema tomorrow and getting nervous about the book launch here in Melbourne on Saturday, I can't think of much to tell you.
Oh, yes, I should mention my website has been updated so do have a look. The family page is now a photo one and some of family but many of writers here in Australia and also overseas. Do let me know what you think. I am so grateful to fellow romance author, Paula Roe, for doing the updates for me.

Sorry, no photos on this post tonight but do return next week - on Thursday and will have to tell you about our book launch event this Saturday.