Into the Fire

Five of my favorite childhood experiences:

My first horseback ride at age 4 in Montana when the horse I rode took off at a gallop. I loved it, but my parents were horrified. The guide rode a white horse and came after me, slowing down my horse who apparently behaved after that. 

Playing "pioneers" with my BFFs.

Putting on recitals in my back yard. 

Reading and writing stories in the summertime in either my or my friend's backyard. 

Going camping with my friend and her family in their trailer to eastern Washington, Sun Lakes State Park being my favorite place to go. 

Father, you've been so gracious to me. Such a wonderful life. I'm so sorry it took so long for me to meet your Son. Thank you is never enough for your grace, mercy, and patience. Still desperate for you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

It's October and I've been Christmas shopping! It's all I can do not to start decorating the house for Christmas. I know that just made some of you groan out loud! Christmas is my season of joy. 

So. For readers of fiction, there's nothing better than giving the gift of novels! 

For one reader of this post who dares to make a comment, I will send you one print or Kindle copy of The Famous One to either keep or give as a gift. If there are no comments, so be it. (If you prefer a Kindle copy, I will need your email address.)

Father, thank you for the beauty of Christmas, the joy of Jesus, the gift of salvation, the indwelling Holy Spirit. Nothing is equal to the amazing Truth of redemption. And, as always, thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

In Maryland.

In Massachusetts.

In Minnesota.

Fall is beautiful everywhere. Enjoy the scenic locations and artistry.

Father, thank you for beauty in all its many facets and faces. You are the amazing Creator of it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

                Ahh, back in the day with The Animals. 

Lord, you don't "misunderstand" any of us. You know our hearts and souls and nothing is hidden from you, and yet you love us anyway and sent your Son to save us. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

                    (From my work in progress: Seeing . . . )

PART THREE

Chapter 59    

     He dreaded turning into the driveway, getting home, facing the reality of more time alone. As pathetic as it felt, while he drove slowly up the asphalt, he chided himself for actually holding out a thread of hope he might still see the Honda parked there. But he did not. And the emptiness slammed him as if he hadn’t expected it.

     Packing his stuff onto the porch, he unlocked the door and walked into loneliness waiting for him like an old friend except it wasn’t. Right now it was more like an armed intruder ready to hold him hostage to his loss. Again.

Father, any words, scenes, pictures, stories, I might write that come out well, just right, moving, and/or touching is all you. Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

     Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled and alert; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 

1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV)

Okay. Totally random, a bit bizarre, and who knows what?

If you were to associate an animal with a fictional character, who and what would they be? 

My answer: Secretariat (Triple Crown Winner, amazing Thoroughbred) / Mitch Rapp (Covert operative of the highest degree)

If you had to pick a first line for your next novel even if you don't have a story to go with it – yet – what would it be? (Non-writers please chime in too.)

My answer: I was born on the first day of fall. (And, yes, I do plan to use this line. And, no, I don't have the story yet.)

If you absolutely had to tell a lie, what would be the reason?

My answer: Like Rahab in the Old Testament: to protect my family and/or men/women of God.

What are two (or more) of your most unusual favorite sounds?

My answer: My Explorer's, my husband's Lightning's, and my son's Cobra's after-market exhausts when each one starts; the eagle's and the hawk's cries as they're flying and/or instructing their young.

Your turn!

Father, you've made us alike and different in so many ways, each one unique to your unknown to us specifications. May we appreciate your creation in all its amazing beauty and differences. Thank you for it all. We honor and praise you for giving us our strengths and weaknesses and extending your divine love to us all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

(Originally posted as "Broken and . . . Unwritten" on 07/31/2014) 

I've been the straggler when it comes to reading Charles Martin's novels. Shame on me. Unwritten is my third venture into Charles Martin's work, and it seems he has yet to disappoint. A few years ago – you Charles Martin experts will know exactly when – he switched from the Christian fiction genre to the general market. Some of his devoted readers were disappointed with a book or two of his after his decision. After reading Unwritten, I can imagine he decided to do this because of the restrictions generally placed on certain language and innuendoes in Christian fiction, but that would be a guess based on this particular novel. Those who are more familiar with him probably have read or heard his explanation for making this change.

Unwritten, published in 2013 by Center Street, a division of Hachette Book Group, is a story about two individuals who have been shattered by life's experiences and have one person in common before they meet each other in the worst possible way. Their common denominator is an 80+ year old Catholic priest who goes by the name of Steady. He's in the rescuing business and has a phenomenal ability to plan the merging of two broken people, who couldn't be more different from each other, in order to save them both.

Katie Quinn is a world famous actress of the stage and screen who's carried unrelenting pain which originated in her childhood, carried over into her youth, and has intensified to a level she can no longer bear.

"Sunday" is a mystery man, a recluse, who fishes and hides out on the shores and islands off the Florida coast. Somehow he's made enough money in his younger life to sustain his minimalist existence. His friend Steady joins him to fish and visits with him when Sunday stops by the church to talk.
When Steady realizes what Katie is about to do, he convinces Sunday to go with him to see her. Once they are able to reach her, life changes for both Katie and Sunday in a huge way – a way neither of them appreciates in the beginning.

What Charles Martin is able to do throughout this interesting story with three unusual characters is to slowly develop each one and weave their lives together as their revelations sneak out from the obtrusive walls Katie and Sunday have built to conceal them. Broken by different assaults, Katie and Sunday share empathy they're slow to discover, mutually unwilling to allow trust to be a factor in their odd new friendship.

Damaged and disguised, they venture together toward a realization neither of them expects to find – or really even wants to. A tiny hope on life support flutters in each of them, neither ready for what happens when clarity strikes them.

Unwritten is a contemporary story of breaking free from those things which hold us captive and torment us with their painful prodding and terrifying threats of even more hurt. Those things that keep us bound to the pain and refuse to relinquish us to find a workable freedom enabling us to live.
Although Steady brings the presence of godly wisdom and faith, both Katie and Sunday in particular never quite embrace the fullness of God. There are still some grudges and blame placed on God which Sunday can't quite overcome, but the story leads us to believe the faint glimmer of hope recognized and experienced in the ending of this tale could lead to a recognition and amplification of faith.

I would say the appearance of God is visible but obscured by the elements of the story which features two people who haven't decided to allow Him a place in their aching hearts. Steady keeps them aware of the goodness of God and the unconditional love he and God has for them. He is the one constant in their tumultuous emotional reckonings.

Unwritten displays the unique storytelling and imaginative, lovely, and intricate prose of Charles Martin. With compelling characters precisely because of their oddities, they lead us on a journey of discovery which elicits raw and all-consuming pain with the hope that in the end they will survive its terror.

The ending of which remains unwritten.

Highly recommend the work of this gifted novelist.

Father, please continue to supply the stories to Charles and give him what he needs to write for your glory. Bless and encourage him as only you can do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

In Delaware.

In Illinois

In Idaho.

Yes, the awe-inspiring views of autumn.

Father, we thank you for beauty because we need to gaze upon it. You knew we'd need it. Thank you for it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

          Ah, the good ol' days. Fun songs from the past. 

Thank you, Lord, for all the songs that speak of good things well. I love you, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.