Into the Fire

     "What should we do then?" the crowd asked.

     John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."

     Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should  we do?"

     "Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them.

     Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?"

     He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely – be content with your pay."

     The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.

Luke 3:10-18 (NIV)

Tremendous sadness when you have to go to a Hollywood movie to get close to the truth on such a traitorous tragedy. See it.

God in heaven, we long for your beauty and justice in our depraved society. Please expose those who have allowed their flesh and godlessness to overcome anything good you built into them. May they find you, Jesus, before they're forced to breathe their last in a far more merciful way than they forced upon these honorable men. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Sibella Giorello’s three prequels in A Raleigh Harmon Mystery series take the reader back to the youthful Raleigh before she’s grown into FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon. Designed for the YA market, these novels appeal equally to adult readers who embraced the five books in the original A Raleigh Harmon Novel series. Stone and Snow is Book Two.

Young Raleigh exists in a world of a mentally ill mom who insists Raleigh (who she’s taken to calling “Ray”) is not her daughter, a rebellious older sister (Helen) in college who comes home for breaks but escapes as often as possible to hang out at bars, a father (who is a Judge) devoted to his wife and striving to stabilize their home life in the midst of total chaos. Adding to the sadness and instability, Raleigh’s best friend Drew endured a terrible ordeal in Stone and Spark (the first novel in this series) and has never fully recovered, exhibiting severe OCD tendencies. Mix in the angst and drama of first love and Raleigh’s life is extreme.

When a school friend dies in a car crash that is ruled a suicide, Drew will not accept it. Not wanting to placate Drew, Raleigh’s loyalty to her friend leads her to geology, where her interests and knowledge have proven helpful to her and others. Learning something new about their deceased friend spurs Raleigh on in her daring investigation.

Sibella captures the abject sorrow, the gutsy determination, and the extreme loyalty of the young Raleigh Harmon. Life’s blows have given her a bit of a cynical attitude, but she pursues what she believes is right in spite of potential consequences. She’s a brave, tender-hearted girl who’s been forced into an emotional survival mode which makes her defiant among those who view themselves as superior.

There is real sadness in Raleigh’s life, and it’s difficult to watch what happens to her. Sibella knows just when to lighten up and give the reader a dose of laugh out loud humor or a romantic moment. Superbly written with deeply constructed characters and a complex plot, Stone and Snow is a near flawless read.

Father, you know the heartbeat of our souls. I pray you would continue to direct Sibella to where you want her to go, show her exactly what you want her to do, and keep her safe from all harm along the way. Bless her, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

CBS Films, which owns the movie rights to Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series, announced today that Michael Cuesta, who has directed and produced television series including Six Feet Under, Dexter, Blue Bloods and Homeland, will direct the film adaptation of American Assassin. Stephen Schiff, who has served as a writer and producer on the acclaimed FX television series The Americans, and whose screenplays include Lolita, True Crime, and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, will develop the screenplay.

The film will begin shooting later this year.

Updates on casting will be sent as soon as they are available.

Terrific news for Vince Flynn fans.

Father, we're all desperate for you. We know there is great evil in this world and you have called some to be warriors. We honor those who serve and pray they understand from whom their hope, their abilities, and their courage originates. Thank you, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

            Elegant and gorgeous. I do like this one. Really do.

Father, we love beauty in all of its forms and recognize only you can create true beauty. Thank you for every glimpse of it. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

We all know what disappointment feels like. And it ain't a good feelin', is it? Nope. Sure isn't. Football season is over with a thud, a dud, and a certain sadness that accompanies sports fans into that familiar oblivion of disappointment and emptiness. What now, we ask? The long wait. With uncertainty. It's over for the first time in two years. It. Is. Over. Wow.

Father, you know my heart. I pray for all the players and coaches that they would know you if they haven't yet, that they would be strengthened and made stronger in you for those who've known you, and that you would minister to the severe and slight injuries providing healing in bodies, souls, and spirits. Apart from you, we can do nothing. Thank you for a great team of individuals who played for each other and many of them for you. Bless and heal, I pray in the Name of Jesus, Amen.
           

     John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."

Luke 3:7-9 (NIV)

Sometimes a story writes itself. It lingers in the mind of the author, distilling. Pushing itself to the front of thoughts, it demands a time to be told. This is either a long process or a quickened one. The writer chooses his method of operation – is he an outliner, a spontaneous combustion type, or a combo of the two styles? Over time, some of those choices change or combine themselves depending on the complexity of the story.

Sometimes an ending is the impetus for the story. Sometimes a character forms and reveals the plot. Sometimes a location sparks awareness and intrigue. Sometimes a timeframe calls "Remember me." The story originates in whispers or shouts, climbs around the mind of the author, demands exposure, and declares the plan.

Sometimes the perceived notion of the story takes a turn, dips, dives, and surprises the writer forming the words. It feels supernatural. Like it's writing itself.

Sometimes the author is only the vehicle, taken captive by the story.

Father, I know apart from you, I can do nothing. I thank you for every story idea, every word, every turn, every direction of every story I've ever written. The flaws are mine, the beauty and creativity is all yours. As always, thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

I have to admit I am not a Honda fan. Really not. But this is a great commercial with a good tune and lots of imagination and terrific graphics. Hope you enjoy it.

Father, thank you for it all. In every good and perfect thing and gift, you are there. Always. Thank you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

I like the design but it's a bit too "white" for me. This one is made for a serious cook. What do you think?

Father, you provide for needs of all kinds. Your designs are based in beauty and truth. Thank you for all of the uniqueness. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.