Into the Fire

Five things I love about my car and driving . . . 

Meet "Mitch Rapp", my black 2007 Ironman Explorer, V8, 4 X 4. I love it. (Just a picture of what he looks like, not an actual picture of mine.) 

When you drive a rig you love, you usually have a reason for loving it. You see it's a V8. Yeah. Love it.

The independence of driving is a beautiful thing. 

"Mitch" is comfortable, not too big, not too small. Both front and back seats give driver and passenger(s) room and comfort with plenty of room to load what I need.  

You can't beat a 4 X 4 – just in case you need it. 

Thank you, God, for giving me some great cars to drive. I've enjoyed them all. You've blessed me so much. More than I could ever deserve. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

The Famous One is my official second novel. It came about after I started writing the sequel to my first novel Hope of Glory, a comprehensive look at horse racing at a middle echelon racetrack in the '80s patterned after the beautiful and now defunct Longacres Racetrack. Some of you will remember the saga of 700+ pages that comprised Hope of Glory. When the sequel appeared to be growing in size to compare with its predecessor, I shut it down. Reluctantly, but I did it. The Famous One emerged. 

The Famous One is the story of Joey Parr (Joseph Calhoun Parr Jr.) who grew up the youngest boy in a dysfunctional family where the parents eventually divorced. It's written like a fictional biography of the boy who became a big movie star only to discover "having it all" in fact did not truly seem like he did. The story tracks his life, his loves, his losses, and his finally finding the answer he desperately needed to complete him.

It's a bargain on Kindle at $1.99 for a full-length novel. 

Thank you, Lord, for all you've given to me and done for me. Thank you is never enough. I'm always desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Just a reminder. Of who is really in charge. Life is tough, but it is also a gift. What we do with it is a presentation of appreciation to the One who gave it to us. Many have good reason – because of their circumstances – to struggle with belief in this loving Savior who gave His life that they could be free from the chains of sin. And, yes, even they are born into sin. However, with a Savior life starts over. Does that mean it will suddenly be free of sorrow and pain, offering only joy and happiness? No. It does not. 

Truth doesn't change because of circumstances. Truth can be counted on to be trustworthy. No matter what, truth prevails. God is Truth. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the way to God. You take Him or leave Him. Your choice. The way to heaven goes through Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the guide for the journey. It can be difficult, it can be treacherous, but the reward is eternal for this brevity of life on earth. The wellspring of life comes through God, not humanity.

Sometimes the message just needs to be repeated. As a reminder that this life is temporary. Not everlasting. Real life awaits. It goes through Jesus. 

Father, please keep rescuing the lost. Thank you for rescuing me. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

There is definitely a storm going on in this country. But God . . . is bigger, mightier, able to defeat, defend, defy, dissolve, and even destroy evil all in His time. In the Name of Jesus. Amen. 

A Reason to Live by Matthew Iden is the first book in the Marty Singer Mystery Series. 

Marty Singer, Detective with the DC police force (MPDC), was forced into retirement when he was abruptly diagnosed with colorectal cancer in his early 50s. Just about to undergo his first Chemo treatment after meeting the grown up daughter of the woman who was murdered by a bad cop who skated and disappeared 12 years ago on Marty's watch, he realizes she needs protection after she explains the untold issues of the cop (Michael Wheeler) who killed her mother (Brenda Lane) and appears to be back in pursuit of the young woman (Amanda Lane).

That's the scenario leading up to Amanda's reluctant but obedient decision to stick to the "rules" laid out for her by Singer. Little did he know the power of Chemo to make him incapable of protecting himself or anyone else. Hoping his ex-partner (Kransky) would be willing to assist him, things go as planned for a brief time as both Singer and Kransky do their best to find something, anything, to locate Wheeler. When an unlikely lead surfaces from a semi-hostile source, the source turns out to be not so hostile after all. 

Marty Singer is the cop who didn't want to retire, divorced, and now used to being alone. When Amanda approaches him with her fearful situation, that cop instinct in Marty kicks in and, though he figures he probably shouldn't, he decides to help her before Chemo takes him down. The friendship between Marty and Amanda is just one reason to keep him alive. 

There are twists, good characterizations, a seamy villain in the shadows, chapters written by the psychopath, and a melancholy finish. I found I really enjoyed Matthew's writing and storytelling, so I'm off to read yet another series as I wait for the next novel in my other series.  

Profanity present. 

Father, again and again, I thank you for those you've gifted with writing and storytelling talent. May they always know and acknowledge from whom their talent comes. Please, continue to bless Matthew in his writing adventures. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

     Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come.

     . . . 

     But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist – he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also. 

1 John 2:18,20-23 (NIV) 

What is the first activity you do in the morning?

Do you eat a full breakfast?

What is your beverage of choice in the morning?

How soon do you check your PC, laptop, phone after getting up? 

Are you a morning person? 

Do you normally get up early?

What's your favorite day of the week? 

Do you have a favorite TV show?

Have you ever stayed in a luxury hotel?

Have you ever visited Europe and/or Great Britain? 

What's your favorite sport to do yourself?

If you're a woman, do you like to dress up?

If you're a man, do you like to wear a suit? 

Do you like wearing hats or caps?

Do you enjoy snow? Rain? Summer heat? 

What seasonal clothing do you like best?

Do you have a hobby/hobbies? 

Do you like yogurt? What flavor?

Favorite genre of fiction to read? 

What do you find is the most irritating characteristic/flaw in people? 

Have fun with your answers.

Father, thank you for all the many blessings in my life, much too numerous to name. You rescued me is number one in importance. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

I will personally mourn the death of Rush Limbaugh, "America's Anchorman with talent on loan from God". No one can replace him. No one. He was appointed for the purpose as a young man and he accomplished more than he ever thought he would. Those who hated (hate) him couldn't stand his boisterous radio personality which was the exact opposite from his private person, and the fact that he was nearly always right (99.8% of the time). He was generous, kind, humble, brilliant, and so much more in his "off-the-golden-EIB-mic" private life, but with his voice for over 30 years he served the conservative movement which numbered in the millions of listeners. 

We love you, Rush. 

Please let him know how much we loved him, Lord. We will make his acquaintance in heaven. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

So. I took a break from morbid mysteries and settled on a little romance. Sounded interesting enough from an author I'd never read. 

Decent writer. Prolific. Lots of novels. And, yes, a "typical" romance. 

But here's the deal. When stupid lack of communication-slash-understanding causes drama-queen over-reaction, the story is ruined for me. Especially when anyone who's lived in the last two centuries knows enough about shall-we-say clandestine activities required in certain jobs also infers that, no, you are not going to know what those activities are because the knowledge of those could actually cost you your life – or that of the one who's tasked with doing the important but sometimes dirty work! Geez. I mean, ever heard the expression "need to know"? 

Just not what I wanted from the story. Ignorant, flighty women drive me nuts. So, no, I'm not reviewing this book or naming the author. 

Father, please help me to write real, to always glorify you, and to be the one you want me to be which I fail at continually. Please, Lord. Always desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

One of the greatest, smoothest voices of old, and one of the all-time best love songs. I chose this song as the theme for my Senior Prom (I was on the committee) – which I didn't attend because my boyfriend was in the service. A guy friend asked me to go, but I chose not to attend after talking with my boyfriend. You know how it is: young love. 

Father, you guided my life even when I went the wrong directions. You rescued me from myself. There are never words to thank you enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.