Two book ideas

Lately I have been thinking about two book ideas and I am looking for a place to drop articles, research, etc. in conjunction with these two books.  One book is about the early roots of mainline denominations in America and where they are now.  I am of the belief that mainline churches had a big influence on the American religious scene in the early days of the republic, but have lost their force for good due to the fact that they have become so secular and liberal.  I want to trace early statements of belief and contrast them with today.

The other idea deals with a 30 day devotional aimed at high school/college Christian music students.  I want to address their everyday struggles with trying to get an education in music - sort of a halfway guide to how to live your life as a student and still maintain your Christian faith and also address the spiritual struggles that go along with that life.  I might want to reach out to students in this particular life and ask them about how they get along with their fellow music students and teachers.  Do they participate in campus fellowship groups?  Do they attend church and find it meaningful for their spiritual walk?  Are they familiar with the old spiritual disciplines - prayer, fasting, lecto divina or a prayer rule, working with a spiritual director?  Do they have ideas about what they want to do with a music degree and do they tie this into their spiritual practice?  I work with high school students right now and very few of them are vocal about their faith.  They deal with the same issues all music students deal with - time to practice, working on ensemble music and academic classes.  How do they deal with the temptations that might be peculiar to students of this age and stage in life?

My husband Jon and me

This post is a result of trying to find a picture on my computer that I could post to this blog. This picture was taken before Jon and I got married so it is at least 14 years old! We are older, wiser(?) and not as good looking as this picture! At least my glasses are not so big now!

Welcome to this blog!

As an avid blog reader for the past several years, this is a quite a stunning realization that I am also entering the world of the blogosphere! I hope that this "journey" into academia (for the third time for me) will be stimulating and enjoyable.