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Margaret Feinberg
Margaret Feinberg is a journalist and speaker, and has penned such books as TWENTYSOMETHING: Surviving & Thriving in the Real World, JUST MARRIED: What Might Surprise You About the First Few Years, GOD WHISPERS: Learning to Hear His Voice, and her latest offering, WHAT THE HECK AM I GOING TO DO WITH MY LIFE? In this interview, Feinberg describes writing as fulfilling her calling and encourages others to pursue what they've been called to do as their contribution to the Church. She also discusses how her spirituality has shifted over time, shares her spiritual and professional mentors, and reveals a cute family tradition.
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Margaret Feinberg Answers The Faithful Fifteen
MAY 2006
Writing
FaithfulReader.com: Could you give a brief summary of your latest book?
Margaret Feinberg: WHAT THE HECK AM I GOING TO DO WITH MY LIFE? is a practical, insightful guide to helping readers discover what they were uniquely created to do. It's designed as a resource to help those in their twenties, thirties and forties navigate through some tough decisions regarding what to do next --- professionally, relationally and spiritually.
FR: What role does faith have in the book? What inspired you to write it?
MF: Faith is a cornerstone of the book in regard to the fact that the one who knows what you're supposed to do with your life is God. He's the one who created you. He's the one who gifted you. He's the one who equipped you. And he's the one who called you. So, a relationship with him is a huge part of figuring out what the heck.
I was inspired to write WHAT THE HECK AM I GOING TO DO WITH MY LIFE? because like so many others, I've struggled through this issue time and time again. I don't think it's a question that ever really goes away. There are so many twists and turns in life. Even people who have been in careers for 10 and 20 years often find themselves wondering if they should try something new.
FR: What do you feel your calling is as a writer?
MF: My calling is simply to make sure any talents that I've been given, no matter how small, aren't buried. So I write, write and keep writing, slowly honing the craft, growing and enjoying the journey.
FR: Who are your favorite authors and mentors? How have they influenced your work?
MF: I'm a huge fan of Ron Mehl, who lost a long battle with leukemia, as well as Ajith Fernando, a Sri Lankan pastor and author of JESUS-DRIVEN MINISTRY. Both remind me that the Bible is always fresh --- all you need is to shift your perspective.
FR: Do you have any favorite stories of encounters with readers?
MF: The letters and e-mails from readers are one of the big highlights of being a writer. Some of my favorites are those from abroad --- like a South African pastor who stumbled on my work and now we visit each other's blogs.
Spirituality
FR: Tell us about your personal faith journey.
MF: I grew up with a Messianic Jewish father and Christian mother so there are rich hues of both religions that colored my growing-up years. I have known Christ for as long as I can remember, accepting Him as a kindergartner, but the relationship with him went through a natural growing stage in college when my faith more officially became my own.
FR: Who are your spiritual mentors?
MF: My friend Tracee Hackel, who is also an associate pastor at our church, is like a C.S. Lewis in my life. She's amazing. After our afternoons of tea, I have enough to think about and write about for weeks.
FR: What is your current church community involvement?
MF:: Goodness. It includes everything from organizing and hosting a small group to baking cookies to delivering meals to volunteering at a local agency that helps the poor.
FR: What are your Scripture reading habits? Prayer habits?
MF: I like reading Bible commentaries and I'll alternate reading those along with reading the actual scripture. I use lists to help me remember who needs prayer among family, friends and the community.
FR: If you had one message for Christians today, what would it be?
MF: Do what you're called and created to do. Life is very short. The biggest thing the church --- meaning the collective assembly of those who follow Jesus --- needs today is people stepping up and doing what they were created to do. That may mean designing webpages, painting, singing, organizing, leading, speaking, administrating or developing some innovative idea that's never been tried before. But whatever that thing is: We need you. You are the plan.
Life
FR: Tell us about your family. Spouse? Kids?
MF: I'm joyfully married to a 6'8" Norwegian who has stolen my heart. We have a 4-month-old chocolate Poodle puppy named Hershey.
FR: Do you and your family have any special traditions?
MF: We nickname all of our rental cars.
FR: What are some of your favorite hobbies and activities?
MF: Travel is a definite passion. Also, kayaking, hiking, cooking, and hanging out with friend.
FR: What are your media habits? Television? Movies? Music? Etc.?
MF: We've been cable-free for more than a year. We do own a television, but we use it for DVDs --- where we watch all kinds of movies and television series like "Lost." We subscribe to somewhere between one and two dozen magazines --- everything from Rolling Stone to Popular Mechanics to Psychology Today to The New Yorker.
FR: What excites you about life?
MF: Life is an amazing adventure. You never know what is around the next bend. I love the texture and depth and color of life. It's so rich with encounters and experiences and people and, of course, God, who gives us this incredible gift.
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Bibliography
- THE ORGANIC GOD (2006)
- WHAT THE HECK AM I GOING TO DO WITH MY LIFE? (2006)
- EVERYTHING TWENTYS (co-author, 2006)
- TWENTY THINGS YOU SHOULD READ (co-author, 2006)
- FIVE-STAR LIVING ON A TWO-STAR BUDGET (co-author, 2006)
- JUST MARRIED (2005)
- HOW TO BE A GROWN-UP (co-author, 2005)
- TWENTYSOMETHING (2004)
- CHEAP WAYS TO... (co-author, 2003)
- GOD WHISPERS (2002)
- I AM RELEVANT (co-author, 2002)
- ENJOYING GOD (co-author, 2001)
Simple Acts Series:
- SIMPLE ACTS OF HOPE (2005)
- SIMPLE ACTS OF FRIENDSHIP (2004)
- SIMPLE ACTS OF FAITH (2003)
Redefining Life Series:
- FOR WOMEN ONLY (2006)
- RELATIONSHIPS (2006)
- CAREER (2006)
- PURPOSE (2005)
- IDENTITY (2005)
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