Into the Fire

The writing is supposed to entice you, draw you into the experience which will take place through the pages of that novel you're reading. It's an invitation to share in the goings on, the troubles, the emotions, the resolutions.

So what happens when you're not drawn into the pages of the book? Do you quit? Do you persevere waiting for it to improve? What is it you're hoping to find in those words?

One thing I've decided over the years of reading and writing is that one person's junk is another person's favorite tome. It never ceases to amaze me what different people like.

For me, give me enticing characters and some well-put-together words to lead me on their journeys, and I'm hooked. I like a variety of styles. From Vince Flynn to Brandilyn Collins to Robert Liparulo to Steven James to so many more – they rarely disappoint, but they're all different.

What draws you in?

Father, help us writers to draw in our audience, to do our best, and to bring you our gifts of words and stories. Thank you, Lord, for it all. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

The late, fabulous, Vince Flynn explains the origin of his famous one-of-a-kind character Mitch Rapp.

The expected date for the release of The Survivor is October 6th, 2015, as Kyle Mills will continue Mitch's story. Mr. Mills is contracted for three books in this amazing series created by Vince Flynn.

Father, please continue to bless the efforts of Kyle Mills as he attempts to do justice to this important series. You're the only one who can provide the right inspiration. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

It's a popular phrase, reignited by multiple references to living in the moment by those who are trying to stay tuned to this time right now which requires all of the focus and attention to the here and now.

You'll hear it from professional football players this time of year as those who are in the playoffs do their best to concentrate on the present opponent, nothing beyond that.

Living in the moment is not an easy thing to do. It's an acquired taste and requires training oneself to stay in today. We've discussed goals, plans, and a bit of spontaneity, but in professions of many kinds, workers are asked to present long-term goals, visions, lists, and plans – even dreams for the future.

However, much hard work and determination can produce the realization of some dreams, and when they do, it's time to "live in the moment". But not only then. During the pursuit of those dreams, it is also the optimum hope to remain in the moment. If an individual can do that, come what may – and we all know there are plenty of those times - staying in the moment will produce direct solutions.

Spontaneity can be a fun thing. It can also be a serious thing. Sometimes an immediate response to an unexpected plight or an enjoyable occurrence can bring lasting practical and emotional satisfaction. It's about being prepared but also being aware that life is definitely unpredictable and tests and trials await us all.

In the moment is just that. Regardless of that current challenge, the "handle it" attitude prevails.

Much can be said for the positive aspects of good planning, training, and superior organization, but if that's what drives a person or asserts a rigid schedule into their lives, they lose an element of living in the moment and with it the beauty and fun of spontaneity.

Father, you know what's best for each of us. Rigidity stifles me, but your order is freeing. Help me to be the one you designed me to be. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.   

Like a good portion of the male gender, my man likes a plan. At some point in the morning of work days and off days, he formulates a plan. It's his nature. It's what he does. When plans are foiled, he adapts, usually devising an alternate plan that will go with the flow, so to speak.

When people go to events, on vacation, to interview for a job, or anything else that requires some organization, they usually formulate plans to achieve the best possible results. It's wise to do so. Leaving room for spontaneity satisfies those with a less restrictive mindset and accomplishes just the right amount of order.

I have experienced many different kinds of results from planning in all aspects of my life. Since some of those experiences and results have produced fully desired or less than beneficial options from that planning, I tend to keep it loose regarding the structure of plans.

I've read about the packed agendas of different authors for the new year, and I wonder if all we plan is worth the work. In the sense of not standing by and ignoring the consequences of laziness or poor planning, of course the efforts made can be worth a great deal. But if we're not careful, "the best laid plans" falter and fail because they're based on human aims without the important – actually critical – inspiration and organization from the Holy Spirit.

As you form your goals and establish your plans, make sure the One who can truly make them happen is at the base of everything you attempt. With God all things are possible. If He makes the plan, it's attainable.

Father, please don't let me go my own way in my attempts at planning. Give me the inspiration and stamina to do as you wish. It's really all that matters. Period. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parens saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."

"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Luke 2:46-52 (NIV)

          God Bless You and Yours!

Many times when the old year is ebbing away, the goal-setters make their lists for the coming year. From increasing this or that to decreasing this or that, to starting something new or revamping something old, to shed unwanted pounds to firming up the current pounds, to renewing pledges or changing pledges, there are umpteen ways to reestablish goals. From simple to complex, detailed to sparsely defined, goals are a common commodity for the onset of a new year.

My naturally rebellious streak refuses to set goals for the New Year. I plant my feet and stop the notion(s) that something new will be required to move forward or to succeed. I know me. I'm a person who needs purpose, not ways to attain a purpose. I'm also a person who tends to wait for the spiritual directive because without it I find myself stymied in purposeless activity. No point.

I applaud all those who set goals and work diligently to attain or achieve them. Whatever motivates an individual to make strides in their private or public life and gives them positive incentives to accomplish anything can't be bad. It simply doesn't work for someone like me. Having said that, my way doesn't work for others.

I wish you all growth in the New Year. There are always thousands of obstacles to thwart our aims, but for those of us who believe in the divine directive: Nothing is impossible with God. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Over and over, through all the adult years of my life, I've had to remind myself of this truth. Not always an easy task. Being difficult doesn't negate its truthfulness.

Our beloved country is in a terrible mess. Corruption, cover-ups, and lies permeate an administration bound for destruction. We wait upon God's hand to discipline the nation and those who are perpetrating evil.

The world as always is in chaos until that same hand of God decides to put a stop to all of it. We wait.

In the meantime the hope in Him leads the forefront of all progress. Goals, purpose, divine directives – all of them – belong to Him and His ultimate decisions.

May the Lord Himself grant you a closer relationship with Him. May you pursue Him above all else and all others. May Jesus be your best friend, the Savior of your soul, the King of your heart, the lover of your soul. May the Holy Spirit be the real Counselor and Comforter to you. May the fullness of God keep you safe from all harm as you travel the ordained direction of your calling in 2015. In the Name, Authority, and Blood of Jesus, Amen. 

As you've observed, December has been a month of spotty and splotchy posting. Reruns, blank days, and very few new posts. I apologize for not working harder on creating new material. As I mentioned in the prior warning to these posting practices, there were extenuating circumstances which required my attention.

As a matter of fact, I don't know how long these habits will take place, but I'm hoping to return to my normal procedures before too long.

I hope you all had a joyous Christmas celebrating Jesus. There's no greater purpose in this time of year than to realize God sent the Savior of our souls to endure 33 years of a fallen earth and people who were desperate for Him whether they knew it or not. Just as they are today.

I wish you the pure understanding of the miracle of Christmas and the celebration of the Risen Christ. He changes life and lives. And it continues to be amazing.

Here's to all of you who stop by here and are a part of Into the Fire. I love you, my friends.

Father, please bless each one who stops by this blog. Give them something of yourself – something no one else can provide. Please continue to show your miracles, your intense love, your divine callings, and all that you are. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

     The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too."

     There was also a prophetess Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after ther marriage and was then a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

     When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.

Luke 2:33-40 (NIV) 

The desire to attach a human definition to Love is rampant. As if humans can even remotely understand it. As if humanity can truly attain such an ethereal definition. Christians adhere to the biblical definition of love. Simply stated in 1 John 4:16: God is love. That single scripture opens up such a huge realignment of thoughts on love as to be indescribable. Because God being love encapsulates enormous qualities which include things like mercy, grace, forgiveness, discipline, judgment, and punishment. Singular factors which capture the softer side of love are all courtesy of human attempts at showing their potential aptitude to embrace the "unlovable". Another exercise in defining love immediately leads us to this scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 where the perfection of love is outlined and described, leading us to an understanding of what's desirable but certainly not attainable in our human state, and pointing us to a perfect Lord who holds and embodies the true definition of Love.

The utter tragedy in the Connecticut school shooting is being blamed on all kinds of explanations, not the least of which is the procurement and use of guns. The gun-control enthusiasts are quick to point out how disastrous it is for citizens to have access to guns, completely ignoring the fact that non-law abiding citizens will always have guns to threaten others' lives.

This isn't about guns. It's about the inherent evil in our souls. It's the earthly struggle between good and evil. It is defined not by the lack of love but by the nature of Sin. Sin with a captial s. Sin that runs through our bloodstreams with all the other chemical elements, both healthy and unhealthy, inherited not only from our biological parents but from the origin of the human race. From the fall of man to the present time, we carry around this inheritance of evil and it requires us to sin.

Of course the world will have none of sin. Sin is "old-fashioned". Biblical, therefore arguable and worth mockery. Even in the church sin is being redefined right alongside the new definitions of love. No wonder. Without a new definition of love, we couldn't okay sinful behaviors. And let's not forget to renew a fake grace which enables those sins.

Here's the thing about sin from a Christian perspective. Sin immediately flooded the earth at the first couple's disobedience of God's simple order, law, rule. Just one. Do not eat from a certain tree. That's all. Why? It's for your own good. And isn't that the reason for not giving in to sin now? For our own good? Aahh, but when sin's conduct wobbles around with rearranged definitions established upon the wicked whims of the human heart, we have all kinds of mayhem. Evil. Increasing as the Lord foretold. One day He will put an end to it. After the last heart that's willing to turn to Him cries out in shame and repentance, He will say, "Enough!" 

You can hide or destroy or eliminate every pistol, rifle, rocket launcher on earth. Man will invent something equally as lethal and execute others with it. Why? Because man is sinful. Sin. Full. Without Jesus there is no cure, no remedy. No stopping sin. And still we humans will fight to extricate it from our conscious lives with the assistance and counsel of the Holy Spirit.

Which brings us to "Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men". The peace is Jesus. He has made this peace available to all of mankind: by His birth, death, and resurrection He alone provides peace with God. That peace which was broken at our first disobedience, that peace that eludes us because of our inherent sin, has been reestablished between God and His creation through His Son Jesus Christ who wrote Paid in Full in His sinless blood across the Past Due requirement for the ills of the human race. The payment brought us to the place where angels proclaimed, "Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men" approximately 33 years before it came to be.

The best example of God's defining love is that He can love us in our sin. That He can warn us there are always consequences for sin: death being the primary result. He does not overlook sin, understand sin, okay sin, and redefine sin. Repentance and the acceptance of His Son's sacrifice are the only pardons for sin. Without His definition there is hell to be paid for sin. His love encompasses a huge definition, one that man likes to rearrange and redefine. Can't be done – except in the minds of men.

As Christmas approaches, realize the truth of Jesus. He brought and continues to bring "Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men".

Father, God of all Creation, we ask for your Truth to permeate our lives. We're truly desperate for you. We need you in every way in every aspect of our lives and at all times. Jesus, thank you for saving us. There are no words to say enough. Holy Spirit, we want to always hear your voice. Day in and day out. We know: apart from you, we can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.