Into the Fire

         
I'm not proud of this girl (me) in the picture from so many years ago. This was my first year on the track at the now defunct Longacres Racetrack. Some of us take a long time getting to know ourselves, and when it's time to say goodbye to the person we've become, we welcome the One who can change us into who we were designed to be. Jesus makes everything new from the inside out. So grateful. 

Thank you, Lord, for rescuing me from myself. Only you could do that. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

What to do when writing takes a detour? The road's bumpy, full of potholes, and the direction changes so many times, who knows which way's north, south, east, or west since the sun's disappeared into the fog. Go back? Go forward? Read what's there. Read another novel. Read something! 

I wouldn't call it "writer's block" because . . . I don't want to. It's not like I can't write anything. Thinking of starting another novel. That worked once before when I was writing Race. This one is different, but the stoppage feels the same. 

I'll take all the prayers I can get, friends. I like this one, but something's in my way. Not sure what it is . . . 

Father, you know. Help me, Lord. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Smooth voice, great lyrics. Crystal Gayle does it just right. 

Father, thank you again and again for music. May you be exalted in voices and instruments. And may each one with talent know the One who gave it to them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

One thing I've learned in my life's journey is this: You can't hide from life's markings. Life has a way of making its marks on you. Those marks can show up as scarring over the course of time. Some scars are minimal and some scars are over large parts of the body. Scars show up physically, emotionally, and/or spiritually. No matter how we try to cover or disguise them, they show.

We wear them like clothing. Some clothing speaks of light, of energy, of style, of joy. Some clothing blares darkness, a discord, a defiance, a depression. 

Our eyes can shine a welcome, a consideration, an attraction, an interest. Or eyes express a challenge, a glare, a repellant, a disdain. Or eyes declare loss, pain, surrender.

Our demeanor speaks in silent shouts. Are we gentle or are we hard? 

Multiple life lessons contribute to who we are. The only One who can refine life's experiences, no matter how hard or how horrendous, is the Lord God Almighty. He's the only One that can turn this fickle physical body and mind into someone who is redeemed and realizes what a great gift has been given to insure this reward. 

When I met Jesus Christ, I was empty. I'd done things I was drastically ashamed of, and life was finally settling down for me, but it was also winding up with feeling a deep void inside. After some time of realizing the gift of Christianity, I was putting on my makeup one morning and when I looked in the mirror, I was shocked to see the effects of knowing Jesus had changed my demeanor. No longer did a hard expression I'd acquired look back at me. In its place was a "new" face, one that held a softness. The thankfulness I felt at that moment was immeasurable. 

There is no cure for life's experiences. But there is a cure for sin. His Name is Jesus, and He grants real life to those who seek after Him, repent for their sins, and yield their lives to Him for a new and better direction that leads to an eternity in heaven. Knowing Jesus personally is different from merely "believing" in Him. When you know Him, He truly is "that friend that sticks closer than a brother." No one, nothing like Him. We're all desperate for Him, whether we know it or not.  

Father, please keep seeking after those whose hearts are willing. Please keep asking them to meet the Savior of their souls. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

I've decided this Friday should be a day of gratitude for me. Don't misunderstand. Every day is a day of gratitude for me. However, today I wanted to be specific in my thankfulness.

I want to thank every one of you who've read one or any or all of my novels. I want to thank each one of you who've taken the time to write reviews on Amazon. I want to thank all of those who worked on my books to make them look good and read well by minimizing any errors. 

I want to give special thanks to those who've been so faithful to pray for my writing efforts, for those who've said, emailed, commented, and/or posted encouraging, thoughtful, meaningful words about what I've written. You can't know how much all of you have meant to me. Truly: thank you from my heart.

I cherish you. Thank you. So much. 

Father, thank you for those who remain or become special to us in so many wonderful and often different ways. You create beauty in people that blesses others. Thank you for so much blessing and beautiful people in my life. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

A Double Standard? posted on 05/16/18. 

Have you established criteria for what you expect to find when reading Christian fiction? I think it’s safe to say many readers do so. The expectations vary according to the genres, but they also vary based on readers’ favorite authors and a formulated general standard assessed by individual readers. “Standards” which often result in requirements by these readers. Standards which when not met cause the complaints we discussed not too long ago here.

I know some of us who read a Christian novel by an author we’ve never sampled hope to find an organic approach to spiritual occurrences. There aren’t any requirements necessary other than an authentic approach to any faith elements within the story including those addressing the unseen factors when they materialize into the physical realm. (A note here to fantasy fans: I’m not discussing your genre here.)

What I don’t want to experience in a supposedly Christian novel are token Christians whose faith is marginal at best spouting Christian-ese and uttering quick prayers in crisis. I guess you could say this is a requirement for my reading pleasure.

Christianity demands a certain boldness. However, that boldness shows itself in so many variations because our Creator doesn’t use monochrome in designing his characters (us). We can see ourselves in others but dissected we’re different. We can share similar emotions, desires, talents, and skills, but somewhere our individualism will separate us and make us unique. That unique approach to portraying Christianity in literature is what can make a story sterling, satisfying, even superb.

So, are you as tough on general market fiction as you are on Christian fiction? Do you apply a double standard to your assessments? 

Lord, may we write as you have gifted us, being obedient to what you set before us. May we listen and be directed by your Spirit and no one else. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

In the rubble, He lives, He saves, He knows what truly happened on this day. A reminder of the tragic losses, the unspeakable sorrow, the deviant plans fulfilled. 

Never forget the battle rages. Good versus evil. Sometimes when it looks like evil wins, good rises up to defeat it once again.

"Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."  Galatians 6:7 (NIV) 

A great group, The Fifth Dimension had some great hits in the late 60s. Enjoy. 

Father, thank you for your singers and musicians. Thank you for music. Please help each one find you, the One who gave them their talents. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Beneath the Bones by Candace Irving is Book 3 in A Hidden Valor Military Veteran/K-9 Suspense Series. 

When a skull is discovered by a local sandbar, Sheriff Sims, "Kato" (Kate Holland), and the other deputies begin the task of discovering how the male's head turned up there. A new deputy has suddenly been added to their midst and the sheriff isn't being very talkative about why this particular guy has been hired. He wants the new guy partnered up with Kate and that isn't sitting well with her, especially without a reasonable explanation, since he's obnoxious and arrogant. 

In this story, things happen fast with that skull swiftly identified along with cause of death, but without a lot to go on, other than discovering her best friend's father (Carl Vogel) was the therapist to the man whose disappearance, then death, was labeled a suicide by none other than Kate's father when clearly upon examination it was murder. Being unable to justify that history, another murder occurs that seems to connect to the first man.

In all of this, there are connections to a couple of other men from a particular military unit. However, because of Carl Vogel's connection to the first found victim, Kate goes to visit Vogel to see if the man can add any information about him. Knowing Carl has dementia, it's going to be tricky to talk with him, but what she doesn't expect is her best friend Liz, Carl's daughter, to be there and to greet her with hostility and an unwillingness to allow Kate to speak to him. What Liz reluctantly volunteers is that she knew the victim and liked him. From there, things get weird and Kate is basically forced to leave without a brief interview with Carl.

Candace is terrific at making her plots in this series puzzling and complex, bringing new characters that contribute to the story but also can add confusion. Plus, there's something very strange going on with this new deputy and the animosity between them elevates to a boiling point. 

There's so much happening in Beneath the Bones that I'm laboring not to post spoilers. It's an excellent addition to this series with noticeable growth in Kate's psyche and real diligence to overcome her extremely difficult history. Her relationship with Detective Moradi is finally moving forward, and Ruger is excelling at his potentially new career. This is definitely a series worth reading with a strong heroine and some wonderful peripheral supporting characters. Highly recommend it. 

(Some profanity.)  

Father, only you know hearts and minds. Only you save souls and nourish each one. We're desperate for you, Lord, whether we know it or not. Please bless Candace in all her writing endeavors and continue to provide those stories you have just for her to tell. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.