Into the Fire

Many years ago, I had just received that Konica 35mm camera and would soon be on my way to Great Britain and Europe after working for a year to save the money to go. I'd just turned 20 and a friend and I would be leaving soon for our great adventure that lasted for nearly 3 months getting us back just a few days before Christmas. Amazing trip. 

Father, you protected me in spite of me. I didn't know your Son at that time and yet you watched over me. I can never thank you enough for that and for rescuing me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

The Terminal List by Jack Carr is the first book from this SEAL-turned-thriller-author's cache of five in the James Reece Series. 

Yes, there is profanity as one might expect from a general market thriller, but it's not exorbitant. Yes, there is a lot of violence and death as one would also expect in this revenge-motivated thriller. No, there is no biblical reference to "Vengeance is mine," says the Lord. But there is enough horror to at least understand how a top-tier Navy SEAL might decide he was the only man left standing to exact that vengeance on those who perpetrated the horrific losses he (James Reece) endured and is tapped to be the fall guy for them by those who engineered it all. 

An operation which hasn't gone through the obvious channels is thrust upon Reece and his Team, and Reece has a bad feeling which he can't quite quantify about the mission. Something's not right, but until he can pinpoint it, it's a go. As he and another member of his Team watch everything erupt into complete and abject death and destruction at every level of the op, the overwhelming sense of guilt, helplessness, and utter sorrow envelop him. But there's more. As the evidence trickles out, the destruction of everything Reece has ever treasured is lost. 

In his mind revenge is the only option. And it will be extreme. And hopefully he'll complete it before his end is due. 

Carr writes with authority, and the reader can tell he's creating from real-life experience as a former SEAL. In his Preface he states that he is not James Reece, but if nothing else, he writes from a kindred spirit to the character. The first paragraph in his Preface is an absolute WOW.  He never dumbs down the terms for the readers which is why there's a Glossary of Terms in the final pages of the book.

Carr's hero is broken from his losses, but he's focused and will do anything to complete the list he's made of those who designed and directed the hellish deaths that have motivated Reece to design and direct his own version of hellish deaths for them who believe they are above the law, the Constitution, and whose objective is pure power and untold wealth at the expense of anyone who gets in their way. Reece calls in all his favors from those who owe him and those who care for him. They are as devoted to him as he is to his cause. And of course there will be a Judas in his midst. 

The Terminal List is a novel written by a man's man. For a first novel, it's exceptional. I shook my head at the couple of 1-star reviews on Amazon. They clearly held a different viewpoint from the author's and didn't realize how whiny they sounded in their assessment of the story, unable to apparently see what real corruption can do and that it does exist in parts of our government. Not to mention how that ugly political corruption can affect those who wear the uniform and risk their lives on missions that once kept our country safe. We are indebted to the real military, and those who wilfully ignore or denigrate in any way what our elite military does and sacrifices should never be allowed a place in the government of the United States of America.

As a Christian, it's always difficult for me to see characters who have no faith, who assume their fates, and who act accordingly. It's the tough part of reading general market literature. I root for the heroes but in the end that vacancy from the spiritual always leaves a void. Reece did acknowledge God once, deciding it might be wise to pray once he was almost done with his vengeance mission. Not unlike "foxhole religion", God is the last resort. Just one of those things . . . 

I do recommend this novel for those who appreciate the military, who desperately want to see our Republic cleaned up and honored, and for those who admire genuine manhood. I'm looking forward to the second in the series. 

Father, only you know our hearts and minds. Only you save souls. I thank you for Jack Carr and all that he's accomplished with the gifts and talents you've given him, all that he's given to and for this One Nation Under God. Please continue to bless him in every possible way and make your presence and direction known to him all along the way. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.   

Such a great old song. Love this. And here's a great commercial using this beautiful song:

Father, we can't speak of love without being aware that "God is love." You are the definition, the demonstration, the deliverer of Love. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

I don't know if it's a factor of the arrival of the new year or if it's just that the compelling scenes to be written in my latest novel await to bring it to a conclusion . . . but I once again wonder about who I am as an author. 

It took a long time to call myself an author even as I'd finished more than one book. It wasn't difficult to say I was a "writer" but somehow confessing to being an author implied some sort of recognition from a good number of book sales and reviews – all that stuff. 

Fact is: I am an author (self-published) of eight novels with two more remaining finished but unpublished and one that will be published when I finish it. 

I have some good reviews but not nearly enough for anyone to take special notice. I have far more readers who have commented to me personally with their love of one or more of my stories. Either way, for me, huge blessings that I appreciate immensely. 

Maybe my first sentence above is not quite accurate. I know who I am as an author. I know why I write the way I do. I know there are elements of my novels I won't compromise. I know without the Lord giving me a storyline and characters, I've got nothing to write about. I know my books will always depict redemption and portray both spirituality and worldliness accurately. 

It's January 3rd, 2022, and this is what I'm musing about this Monday . . .

Father, as always, I know apart from you, I can do nothing. So grateful for it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

See, I am doing a new thing!

   Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the desert 

   and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) 

New Year's Eve is perhaps the biggest party night of the year. Or it used to be. What it is, what it's become, all a matter of opinion and practice, tradition and celebration, or . . . whatever. To each his own.

This year we are doing something rare for us. We've invited a small contingent of wonderful friends over for a potluck evening with no plan other than to enjoy each other's company and the food everyone decides to bring. 

Usually, I'm in bed at my usual time. No big deal. Just another night on the calendar of life. 

But this year, for whatever reason, it seems the Lord had other plans for December 31st, 2021, and I'm looking forward to whatever we discover about His plans for the evening. I'm a willing participant and anticipating a meaningful evening. 

Of course I'll have to be geared up with extra doses of Spice Chai and Coca Cola to make it into a new year, but, hey, I can do that. 

I don't make resolutions, but I am resolute about getting closer to Jesus, using the power of the Holy Spirit at His direction, and deeply experiencing whatever God wants of me. That's the crux of it all for me. 

You? 

Father, as you lead us into a new year, only you know what will happen, what you've designed, allowed, or will ordain to come to pass. We place our hearts' trust in you and ask that you increase our faith to do what you have for us to do. And to do it well. Thank you for it all – although that deeply meant thank you is never enough. Rescue us always and lead those hearts to you that have been opened to your Spirit's leading and conviction. May it be a grand year, a year of rescue and restoration. Ordained by you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Christmas commercials from all over the world illustrate the love underlying what some only see as a holiday. But Christmas is so much more than human love and longing. Christmas gave us a Savior, a way to redemption. His Name is Jesus. 

As we end the season and slide into the new year, we face the same struggles, the same challenges, the same fears, the same sins. 

As this new year begins, make yourself face the beauty of life, the strength of hope, the reality of the supernatural, and the Love that is God. Only He can make a way through the potential ugliness, the potential harm, the inevitable hurt, and cause you to come out victorious in spite of it all. Once again, remember Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." He still makes that same offer. And the Holy Spirit still puts that hitch in your heart that draws you to Him. 

Take a chance on salvation. Be saved from all the stuff that makes things ugly and embrace a life submerged in the beauty of the One who gave it all that you might have life and have it abundantly in Him. You won't regret it. 

Father, help those who don't know you to see Jesus as He is, was, and will always be: the Savior of the World. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

I don't know how or why I missed Her One and Only written several years ago by Becky Wade. No excuse for it. This is "Dru's" story, the only daughter amidst three older brothers in the Porter family (Bo, Ty, and Jake). I acquired it in Becky's Christmas book exchange, and my sincere thanks go to Gloria for sending me this novel. It's a great read – possibly my favorite from Becky's Porter Family Series. 

Dru Porter, former Marine, now works for a private security firm. Pro-Bowl Tight End Grayson, aka Gray, Fowler, has been receiving threatening mail and has noticed a particular maroon pickup in enough places where he's been to mention it when it's decided he should have protection. The hatred and threats in the letters have escalated to the point where his organization wants to hire 24 hr. security for him when he's not traveling for games with the team. 

Enter Dru into Gray's life. His first evaluation is of her as a woman, a gorgeous woman, but not a big-honkin' security guard. She notices he isn't short on looks himself, a sculpted hunk, with a rep for womanizing and short-term "relationships". His personal chef and homemaker is a sweet, pretty thing (Ashley) who he appreciates but has no romantic feelings for and is the polar opposite of his new mid-afternoon to evening shift bodyguard Dru Porter. They spar almost immediately, argue profusely, but over time they learn to appreciate each other with something that surpasses their physical appearances. Gray decides Dru should pose as his new girlfriend to throw off the perception of him having a bodyguard and makes up a preposterous story about who she is. 

That only works until she, Gray, and Ashley go to a restaurant, and Dru is thrown into ultra-professional mode, erasing any fallacies about who she is. When they're all safe, some of what's going on is shared with the scared Ashley.  

Dru and Gray do not trust easily or maybe at all. But, because Becky Wade totally gets romance and excels at writing it, these two characters begin to realize there is pain in their histories and neither of them feel capable of tackling real romance which will lead to relationship and ultimately to love. Although somewhere deep inside each of them, they might want that, they can't perceive of it for themselves. And yet . . . here it sits on the fringe of what develops between their moments of bantering and Dru's intense commitment to protecting her client. 

Change is inevitable and when it happens, both Dru and Gray experience the upheavals of their emotions. When danger strikes unexpectedly, the nitty gritty of who they are and what they want hits them square in their hearts. 

I loved this story, Dru and Gray are done especially well touching upon deep-seated pain, fears, longing to belong, and finally finding that place where trust is allowed. Along with love. This is where the One who is Love does His bet work. Becky does it right and well. Highly recommend this one. 

Father, you continue to give stories to Becky and I ask for your continued blessing on each of them. Drench her in your Spirit and keep her grounded in your abundance. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

It's said the Wise Men came when Jesus was about two years old to the place where Joseph and Mary were living in Bethlehem. The incredible actions and obedience of his earthly father Joseph and his mother Mary following the miraculous instructions delivered to Joseph by God's chosen methods led them to safety before Herod could have the baby Jesus killed. When Herod died, the family returned to Israel and settled in Nazareth. 

It's a privilege to hear from God, His chosen servants, the Holy Spirit, the voice of Jesus. This is the wonder of knowing Jesus as your Savior and friend. Nothing compares to this miraculous transformation of our spirits. Being born again is real. Welcome Him into your life as this new year approaches. You won't regret it. 

Father, thank you for each one who uses your giftings and talents to further your kingdom. Bless them all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.  

This is not a picture of our property, but it could be. We've got about 9 inches and counting at 26 degrees. Not our usual weather. 

We didn't exactly have a white Christmas. Flurries began on Christmas night, but by morning there were 4 inches and it just kept adding to them. 

So. It's very white around here and we don't exactly have the overall "conditioning" driving-wise of those states where this is considered the norm for this time of year. We shall see . . . 

Father, please protect my guys as they must traverse the roads to work tomorrow [today]. Please guard them and give them safe passages for all their different destinations. Please, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.