Peridot Parables
Official release date: May 15, 2006
(see box at left for ordering information)
ISBN: 1-4241-2691-6
Published by: Publishamerica, LLLP
Baltimore
Purchase my book online at PublishAmerica.com
http://www.publishamerica.com/shopping/index.htm
also available at:
Below are: Excerpts , How It Began, What Others are Saying, Meet the Author
Excerpts
"God, why did you give me all these rocks? You know I just wanted to garden and utilize the land a bit. You do know my age and how hard this work is, right? Was I so very wrong in thinking You had plans for my good here? Why can’t I grow anything? I had better luck gardening in dune sand, back in Indiana!"
Suddenly, I felt very much like the Israelites, complaining in the desert about all the comforts they’d left behind. Still dejected, but now unwilling to blame God for my failure, I asked again. This time with a different attitude.
"Lord, what am I doing wrong? What am I missing here? What is Your plan for me here? I just don’t get it!"
"Look harder."
I looked around nervously. Did I hear that right? "God?"
That wasn’t really the answer I’d hoped for. But something inside me knew it was Him.
From: "A Beginning"
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"Lord? What is it I need to learn here? What is it you want me to understand? The world You created or the people in it? This searching could lead me in both directions. I don’t want to get lost."
"You’ll see. Keep looking."
"But, I’m getting confused!"
"No, you’re not. Focus. Look."
Keep looking, keep seeking... This was sure turning into a lot of work to grow some beans or flowers! I was almost too frustrated to answer Him. As interesting as I was finding all this new information, I just had no clue what it all had to do with my life. I wanted to be obedient and quick about it, too. Patience and perseverance, it seems, are not my strong points.
Finally, like an obstinate child, I answered, "Okay, fine! I’ll focus!"
From: "Lord, Don’t Let Me Get Side-Tracked!"
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"I began to feel ashamed, realizing how few of those I might be likely to notice. A thought, that God might care whether or not we take note of tiny things He’s created and given to us, humbled me.
I thought of how delighted I am when someone shows an interest in what I’m doing. Even more if the interest is accompanied by honest questions about my project. Then it occurred to me, – how pleased He must be when we do show sincere interest in any part of His vast creation! When we are interested enough to ask Him for enlightenment or details about something He made, surely this must please Him, also.
His Word urges us to ask Him for Wisdom and understanding. He is not too busy to enlighten us. And I doubt He’s ever annoyed by our interest.
From: "Small Things"
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How It Began.... Nestled into the edge of a rainforest, on the gentle slopes of Mauna Loa, sits Lau Hale Lehua (Lau’s House of the Red Flower). I had a very simple plan for making myself at home in this idyllic setting: a small garden in paradise. After months of nothing going according to my plans, I was frustrated and ready to give up. I questioned the Master and my own sanity in moving here. He answered with parables that taught me more about His plans and myself than I could have imagined.
What Others are Saying:
Other reviews are pending and will be posted when received. Thank you for being patient.
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08/12/06
‘Peridot Parables’
Michigan City native writes book about a spiritual journey that began with a tiny gem. By Andrew Tallackson, The News-Dispatch
Connie Noguchi never dreamed that peridot, the gem variety of olivine consuming her garden, would inspire a spiritual journey, let alone fuel the pages of her first published book.
"Peridot Parables," released in May by PublishAmerica, reveals how the Michigan City native – briefly transplanted to Hawaii by a new marriage – learned more about herself, and what she’s capable of, through Jesus Christ.
And all because of that tiny green gem.
"It helped me appreciate what He’s created," Noguchi said, "and helped me experience Him in a more personal way.
How so?
When Noguchi (formerly Connie Hohnke) met her future husband, Jeff, on the Internet in 1998, she was divorced, the mother of one daughter, Jeni, and working for Head Start.
The relationship between Connie and Jeff, who lived in Hawaii, began as a friendship, grew stronger and became truly special when he helped her through the death of her parents: first her father, then her mother nine months later.
The two were married in 2001, and in 2002, she moved to Hawaii to join her husband. It was a tough, emotional decision. Her daughter, who was pregnant at the time, was still here. And, she’d lived in Michigan City all her life. She attended Elston High School, but graduated from Rogers in 1972, part of the school’s first graduating class.
When she arrived in Hawaii, everything went wrong.
Adapting to the cultural changes was challenging. A bad reaction to Vicodin after undergoing dental work resulted in health troubles for Connie. Jeff, a federal contractor, lost his job amid the fallout of the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
Turning to gardening for solace, Connie discovered even that came with hurdles. There were small, colored gems littering the area, making it tough to get any work done. But instead of giving up, which she considered doing, she investigated the tiny treasures. Her research led to information on peridot, and their ties to the volcanic land on which she now lived.
mailto:atallackson@thenewsdispatch.comWith such knowledge, Connie began writing down ideas, facts, revelations.
"Bible verses would come to me," she said. "The analogy would just be there."
Connie soon realized her research had increased her vocabulary, her knowledge of the world around her. And, instead of putting her faith solely in science, she found her belief in Christ deepened, more meaningful.
A passage in the chapter "Secrets" in "Peridot Parables" relays her sentiments:
"Some argue that science and seeking knowledge can be detrimental to a faith belief of our Creator. While it may be true that some of the researchers do not share my faith, their findings only serve to convince me of the Omniscience of my Lord.
"I believe that God may delight when we show interest in the many things He has lovingly created and given to us. The wonder of finding these semi-precious gems all around me was amazing. Thinking of how God created all things, including peridot, leaves me awe-stricken."
Connie returned with Jeff to Michigan City in spring 2004. By then, "Peridot Parables" had taken form. Jeff had released a book through PublishAmerica and eventually recommended it to her.
The 107-page book contains brief chapters, each written like daily devotions found in publications like "The Upper Room." Individual entries begin with information about peridot, and Connie’s personal experiences, before relaying the parables she associates with the gems.
And now that "Peridot Parables" has been published, Connie is talking to local bookstores about selling it, as well as possible book signings.
She hopes the book will inspire those who read it.
"I hope it reminds people that God loves them," she said. "I want them to feel good about God."
More about the book...
"Peridot Parables" is available at:
www.publishamerica.com www.Amazon.com www.Barnes&Noble.com www.Waldenbooks.comLocally, it is available at Higher Ground Books & Gifts.
Contact Andrew Tallackson at atallackson@thenewsdispatch.com
07/01/06
Peridot Parables, Connie Noguchi
How does a scholarly study on rocks become an inspirational devotional? Author Connie Noguchi takes us on a journey of discovery of the rocks in her garden. Sounds weird? Well, only a woman whose heart is surrendered to God can glean such gems of wisdom as she found in her study of peridot, the gem variety of olivine, one of the most common minerals in the earth.
Why on earth would someone even want to study the rocks in her garden? Well, it seems that a very frustrated gardener finally releasing to God her inability to bloom flowers would. And when she does, the very obstacle and its formation is metaphorically transformed into an instrument of teaching and learning about God and the transformation of the believer.
Connie manages to be both scholarly and sensitive as she punctuates each ‘lesson’ she learns with a heart-felt prayer at the end of each lesson. The reader enters into her journey and is able to identify with different obstacles that we all face. Both the peridot and the author share a common denominator, submission. While the peridot passively submits to the forces of nature to become the gem, the author actively submits her will to her Creator to be taught by him and be transformed at the same time. Certainly, Connie has shown that for her first book, she is a shining gem!
Sita Henerson, Toronto
NA Review of Peridot Parables
by Connie Noguchi
In Peridot Parables, Connie Noguchi reflects on the inner meaning and beauty of life on earth that reveals God's presence--a gem in a rock, the heart within the body, the Word in Creation, the Father in Christ and Christ in each one of us! Each chapter begins with a verse of Scripture and ends with a prayer, while in between, like tiny dots of Periodot, are gems of everyday wisdom, brilliantly conceived and sparkling with meaning, gently leading one to contemplate God's unlimited love, power or mercy.
Connie sees each one of us being slowly and intimately prepared as a precious jewel by a loving God for an eternity we cannot even imagine, in the same way the Peridot gem is slowly perfected out of its surrounding liquid or at times, intense heat.
As the author struggles to bring forth flowers, fruit or vegetables from the hard, rocky Hawaiian soil, out of frustration she begins a conversation with her Creator, much in the way Adam may have done while rendering the earth for planting. God answers Connie in her mind and soul and encourages her to write down her thoughts about what her search has uncovered in the soil--something she has often thought about, but hasn't as yet accomplished.
Thus, Peridot Parables reveals not only the tiny green peridot gems she finds and collects, but meditations on many Scriptural verses as reflected in her daily life--while chapters on faith, humility, joy, truth, patience and others begin to form, just as the gems are formed in the rocks.
In the Parables, we also experience Connie's spontaneous joy in meditating on the Word, allowing us to contemplate our own moments of grace.
Peridot Parables is a well researched and scholarly book, as well as a spiritual resource. I picture it as being read in a reading group, or alone as meditations that lead to a closer union with God through prayer.
Joyce Ann Edmondson
The Listening Tree
Falling Petals
In the Arms of the Shepherd ew review by author Joyce Ann Edmondson!
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Connie, I am still reading but I want you to know that I love your book. I will give you a review shortly. When it comes out I want to buy it. I really love it and I appreciate what you are doing in it, and that is revealing the Love and Devotion you have to God and what He means to you in your life and what He can mean to others if they will give their heart over to Him. It is a book to be proud of Connie. Mary E.
03/22/06
REVEIW:
Peridot Parables by Connie Noguchi
Connie Noguchi has written a beautiful book titled Peridot Parables. Why Peridot? Well, you will see as she reveals in each chapter a story that reveals the secrets of this gem and the secrets in the gems that she has taken from verses in the Bible.
Connie lived in beautiful Hawaii and in an effort to plant a small garden of vegetables (one would think that would be a breeze, but not so!) found the task overwhelming. Not only did she have thick grasses to deal with in clearing the small plot of ground, but also clay muck and mud. Not to mention rocks upon rocks to separate from what good soil she could save. It seemed a hopeless dilemma.
In her quest for a garden, she talks to God and listens as He reveals little things to her that keep her working at, what seems to her, a nonproductive task.
God has a gift in store for her and it came in the form of green crystals and small dots. Peridot, to be exact. Embedded in the rocks that she had hated having to deal with in her garden, were beautiful little gems just waiting to be discovered. Now, upon her research of the rocks that were native to the Hawaiian landscape and the correlation they had with volcanic lava, she discovers them to be peridot, a gem often mistaken for emeralds but not nearly as precious and valuable. At least, not in the commercial aspect of it. But, for Connie, these little gems gave her revelations that not only helped her in her walk and talk with God, but gave her something to write and share with us, the readers. In each and every chapter Connie reveals a new parable and each and every one is new and refreshing to the human spirit.
This is not a frivolous book void of meaning or long-lasting effect, but rather a book that we can all take something from and come away knowing that we have made ourselves a little better by having read it. Connie did extensive research into the making of this little gem over the centuries and how God's creative process is an all wise quest for man to discover and revel in His omniscience. It is a beautiful book, well edited and well written, fast and full of knowledge. Although just a small book of 107 pages, is enough to change your life for a lifetime.
I really loved it and I appreciated what she is doing in it, and that is revealing the Love and Devotion she has to God and what He means to her in her life and what He can mean to others if they will give their heart over to Him. It is a book to be proud of.
I feel priveliged and honored to have read it. I think it would be good for everyone to read. I sincerely hope that Connie ( Pika to all her friends online) gets the recognition she deserves with this book and I feel she would want God to have all the Glory for it.
Review: by Mary E. Preece author of In This Valley I Grew ISBN 1-4137-9399-1
and the soon to be released Poems, Prayers, and Promises of an Appalachian Woman
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Just sat and read the book. Beautifully written Pika. I think you truly have a gift from God, because I wouldn't have thought a thing of Peridots (in fact, I had to google to see what they are, and I love how you put the verses with the chapters. Ok, I loved everything about it!!)--yet now, I want to actually see them, ya know, like a real one, ROFL......
So much I want to say and yet, I don't quite know what to say.
My Review:
Peridot Parables is a very easy book to sit and read in one sitting. The short chapters make it easy to read even if you don't consider yourself to be a reader. The author brings alive her frustration of trying to garden, and how the rocks were in the way, yet how God shows her the beauty in these very rocks that are frustrating her so. He shows her how even the tiniest of these Peridots can shimmer and amaze the soul. Though the garden still doesn't grow, the awe and amazement of the Peridot does. The author weaves Scriptures and prayer into this book, but it is done in such a way that it never leaves you feeling as if you've just been preached too, but rather that you are sharing her awe in God's handiwork and the beauty of His creation. She takes you along on her journey with God and the Peridot, one that you won't want to miss.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone, and I dare you to not go do a google search to see just what a Peridot looks like!!
*reviewed by earthangel
Posted April 21, 2006 "God’s Chosen People", Peridot Parables discussion
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Posted by: Mandy on April 20, 2006, "God’s Chosen People, Peridot Parables discussion
I got it today!
WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOO!
Let me tell you girl! I got home at 6:30....and with dinner, cooking, and laundry...I am on page 45!
I love it!
In no time....I was laughing, crying...and being ministered too! Pika...some of these chapters seem like they were written just for me!
I got to page 33...and you won't believe it but, I just felt like....how to explain...lol....
I was taking it all in....I could feel a change in my spirit....I could FEEL the light of God shining through me....
I was like...God, wow! LOL!
It's a book!
And it's like....no, not a book...it's the change I've been wanting you to make...and you finally see it!
And you wanna know why...because I was reading it with my heart, my mind, my soul and my spirit.....
I NEED..NEEDED A CHANGE! And I received it...
Thank you Pika....JEWELS...is my chapter! LOL!
It was soooo what I needed to hear...and it was so straight from the Lord....
God bless you...and you can bet...I have comments on almost every chapter....and I have grasped..the gems inside of each!
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Pika,
I just want you to know how much I am enjoying your book. I am reading a few chapters at a time and then forcing myself to put the book down so I can savor what I read.
Sending you many hugs.
Blessings and Hugs,
Dallas
Posted April 22, 2006, God’s Chosen People, Peridot Parables discussion
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Meet the Author, Connie Noguchi
I was born , 1953, in northwest Indiana, near the shores of Lake Michigan. I never dreamed of living in Hawaii, or even visiting there, for that matter. But I happened to fall in love with and marry a resident of Hawaii, my Jeff. After moving to his home there in 2002, I was blessed to pursue a desire of my heart, – writing.
Some of my titles are: Wife, Mom, Grandma, Sister and Fiscal Specialist for a non-profit agency. Attending classes at community college to enhance my career, I am also a Student. Some know me as "Pika" from online Christian forum participation. Interests aside from reading and writing are cooking, sewing, paper crafting and gardening. (Please note: I said "interests", not skills.)
I am a Christian and I believe the Word about words. Jesus said, "...on the day of judgement men will have to give account for every (idle, inoperative, non-working) word they speak. For by your words you will be justified and acquitted and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced." (Matt 12:36,37 Amp.) Words...have power and do things. God’s written Word has empowered my own faith and relationship with Him. It has also given me strength to deal with health issues including fibromyalgia and Jeff’s thyroid cancer and treatment.
My prayer is that my word choices each day are uplifting, inspirational, or words of good humor. Words of operative and working power, reflections of Christ in me.
bravenet.com