Welcome Dear Readers! Today we want to welcome Author Joe Breunig on today's Author Spotlight!
Joe has been so gracious to join us for an interview! Welcome Joe! Thank you for hanging out with us today! Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a displaced I.T. (Information
Technology) professional with 30 years of work experience from the great State
of Maine; in November 2006, I published my first book and presently have enough
notes to write 10 more manuscripts of Christian poetry. To date, I have 10
completed manuscripts of unpublished material.1: Tell us about your book.
To
date, I’ve published one book of Christian poetry called: Reaching Towards His Unbounded Glory
Instead
of me describing my work, here’s what New York Times best
selling author Ellen
Tanner Marsh thought of it:
Any Christian surveying the current state of modern poetry
could easily become discouraged, given that much of that poetry can only be
categorized as nihilistic. At worst, such poems seemingly promote despair and
violence—against society, the church, or even against oneself. At best, they
consist of self-centered whining and overdramatic emotionalism, completely
devoid of spiritual muscle and ethical backbone.New author Joseph J. Breunig 3rd, in his fine debut collection Reaching Towards His Unbounded Glory, takes a fresh stride in the opposite direction, in a poetic compilation that should delight anyone who enjoys reading Christian literature as well as poetry. The book comprises over 100 poems of various lengths, although they generally do not exceed one page. In a slight concession to modern poetic style, some of the stanzas are unrhymed, yet all of them speak to Christian themes, such as faith and its testing, seeking a higher road, the state of grace, error and sin, biblical people and events, and personal redemption through God's word.
A common thread that runs throughout the majority of the poems is that individuals —regardless of any mistakes they may have made in the past— can still turn to Christ as their Savior and begin the slow, sometimes painful, but always positive process of redeeming themselves, in developing a new life filled with abundance and spiritual serenity. By reaching for this new and uplifting collection of Christian poems, readers can indeed begin reaching towards God's glory.
2: What can you
tell us about your recent writing projects?
Last
year, I completed two full manuscripts of poetry, with each containing 125
original poems; this year, I plan to write another 375 poems. Presently, I’m
toying with the idea of publishing them in one volume.
3: Do you have a
favorite time of the day to write or a favorite place?
My
favorite time to write is when I’m alone with God; when there are no pressing
or daily interruptions, I can focus more easily on the work at hand. It doesn’t
matter where I am; I carried a clipboard with me when working on the first
book.
4: What is your
favorite scripture and why?
One of
my favorite Scriptures is Phil 4:13, which states: I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me.
It
serves as a gentle reminder that my dependence is always on Him and that
whatever, I put my hand to, must be in alignment with His Word (to be
successful).
5: Is there any
aspect of the writing process you dread them?
I have
the tendency to write the current manuscript’s background last. For me, it’s an
unpleasant task- at times, it feels like I’m trying to justify my latest
collection of poetic content. Some people are truly interested in the
back-story of a book, while others could care less.
6: What is the
quirkiest thing you’ve done?
I had
the rare opportunity to go to a Christian, social gathering at a friend’s home.
While there, my wife sent me to the car to retrieve something insignificant. On
my way, I was intercepted by 2+ dozen children playing outside- who wanted some
hands-on attention. For the next 30+ minutes, I wrestled with the children on
the front lawn, stacking bodies into a human pyramid, amid the delightful
squeals and screams of unadulterated joy. Once I was back inside, the only
person who noticed my absence was my angry spouse. Why is this quirky to me?
I’m not a parent and yet I enjoying interacting with others’ children.
7: Is there
anything you’d like to say to your readers?
We are
all uniquely made; since the roles of others have been determined, we should
learn (and enjoy) just being ourselves. We need to embrace our identity in
Christ, and understand our personal combination of gifts and talents to serve
God to the best of our abilities. People without dreams are the first to
criticize those that have a vision. If God has given you a dream or vision,
then go after it wholeheartedly (while ignoring the naysayers). In the end,
only His opinion will really matter.
8: Feel like
sharing an example of your poetry?
Poem: His Love of
Words
He will make a way for
me,
but I’ve got to do my
part.
I must keep moving
forward…
with His promises in
my heart.
Staying in faith, not
worried
about who’s holding me
back;
I continue to press
ahead
in His supply, without
lack.
Everything is simple
for God
and it’s a fact I’ve
accepted;
this kinship persists,
seeing…
that we are divinely
connected.
Heaven’s Husbandman
grafted me
into the sacred Vine
for Himself;
His Love of words
flows from me,
poetry made… for His
bookshelf.
Author Notes
Inspired by:
Prov 3:6; John 15; Eph
2:10
By Joseph J.Breunig 3rd, © 2014, All rights reserved.
Give Joe a round of applause! Thank you for joining us! Contact Joe:
·
Website: http://amzn.to/1ffo9YZ
·
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jjbreunig3
