Into the Fire

Passionate thoughts about the world of writing and the Power of God

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Passionate: right or wrong. Writes love stories with a passion. Raw Romantic Redemptive

  • Disingenuous?

     

     
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    http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=757475

    No one in his right mind would recommend the TV Series Criminal Minds to everyone. The series is about FBI Profilers in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) who take on some of the nation's most heinous serial criminals and their crimes. Profilers learn to think from a criminal perspective and if you crawl inside the skin of the most demonic types of killers, you aren't going to find, feel, or fake something attractive or even remotely normal. The main premise revolves around a particular group of analysts in the FBI who are asked for their help by individual law enforcement groups in cities across America that are being plagued by a series of (usually) grotesque and increasing serial killings.

    Please tell me how an otherwise intelligent actor of stage and screen could misunderstand what the series will tackle if the only thing he knew about the show was that it involved FBI Profilers – of which he would be one on a team – going wherever they elect to go to help local law enforcement capture serial offenders. With a grim and grisly description would it be difficult to misconstrue how much potential perversion, violence, and looks at the worst of human depravation this series might entail? You think?

    So, if this pacifist/utopian sounding actor kept to his basic principles, why did he take a role that seemingly would offend his emotional and philosophical makeup? He is quoted as saying: "I thought it was something very different. I never thought they were going to kill and rape all these women (in storylines) every night, every day, week after week, year after year… It was very destructive to my soul and my personality. After that, I didn't think I would get to work in television again." And concluded with this statement regarding his current TV Series Homeland: "A show like 'Homeland' is the antidote. It asks why there's a need for violence in the first place." Really?

    There's a certain amount of naiveté in his response. And a certain amount of ignorance. Not to mention pious outrage.  

    Believe me, it's not his sensitivity to violence and depravity I'm criticizing. It's his feigned "unknowing" that doesn't sit well with me. C'mon. You didn't research the role of "Gideon" or ask questions of the producers and writers? Are we to assume they prettied it up for you in their description of the series?

    No question Criminal Minds is dark and sadistic and spares few limits in depicting the worst of serial killers. The crimes are not all against women but predominantly as is the case in this world. Women and children are the most vulnerable targets for a multitude of reasons. Each one of the profiling team has his/her personal breakdowns, wonders how long they can continue to do their jobs where all they get to see is evil. Of course not everyone can watch a series like this. And not every actor can tolerate roles like those asked of these actors. But, after two seasons in a high profile role (pun intentional) and doing it very well, it seems disingenuous to come out and call it "The biggest public mistake I ever made . . ."

     

    Father, you love the lost and found. You hold out forgiveness for all of us who choose to repent. It's unfathomable to us, but you do it. You restore us, give us "newness" like we've never known. We can't comprehend the depths of your love – at least I can't. The meek thank yous never seem enough, but I am. So. Thankful. Jesus, thank you. Judgement waits. Justice prevails. Even when we don't see it. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.    

     

     

  • Sunday’s Offerings

     

    "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers!

    "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of the righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berakiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation."

    Matthew 23:29-36 (NIV)

  • ****Political Update****

     

    A country and a world gone mad:  

    http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/316379/democrats-gm-fiction-editors

    http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/Hayden-Libya-Stevens-killing/2012/09/12/id/451581?s=al&promo_code=100BC-1

    http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2012/09/defending-the-dream-why-income-inequality-does-not-threaten-opportunity

    From the ACLJ:

    Laws designed to shut down pro-life pregnancy centers are being passed in cities nationwide.

    The laws – that abortion businesses are exempt from – dramatically increase the cost of operating a pro-life center and limit their free speech rights.

    We are in court this week to have the law passed in New York City thrown out and have a critical amicus brief due in Baltimore in a few days.

    More from the ACLJ:

    As radicals attacked the U.S. Embassy in Egypt, they chanted “Obama! Obama! We are all Osama!” – a message to our President of their support for al-Qaeda’s former leader.

    Our flag was then torn down and set ablaze.  When assistance arrived, a black flag used by Al-Qaeda was flying over our embassy.

    In Libya and Egypt, on the anniversary of September 11, four Americans were murdered and our embassies attacked.

    We send billions of dollars in taxpayer funds to these countries.

     

    Father, we come before you in the Name of Jesus. We acknowledge our evil ways and bow to you in repentance. We do beg for your mercy. For your grace. Not for our sins but because your remnant knows how fallen and disgraced we have become. Please forgive us. We are and always have been desperate for you. Please. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     

  • The End . . .

     

                                         
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    Two words that provide amazing exhilaration when scrawled upon the final page of a manuscript – be it longhand or via keyboard. A solid table slam. Or tears. A shout. Or a deep inhalation. Those two words bring all kinds of responses from authors and readers.

                          
    The Famous One

    A common reaction to the end of The Famous One elicited tears from almost everyone who read the novel, and that includes the male readers.

                          
    Breath of Life
     
    The responses to the end of Breath of Life brought mixed reactions from various readers. Some were saddened for reasons I can't tell because of spoilers to the story, and others reacted to the seeming abrupt conclusion. As the author, I can explain the ending, but I can't change the reaction to it. What I might say could soften a negative response but not necessarily.

    The question remains concerning endings. Is a strong reaction a good thing? Yes and no. If the ending causes the reader to immediately dislike the story, perhaps the author gambled and lost. If the ending causes the reader to wish it could've been different for the characters but the reader understands the conclusion, then it could be said the author was successful in creating a realistic ending. If the ending is "too good to be true", that might annoy some readers and please others.

    Authors must decide what they think truly fits the story. Whether the ending is vague, pleasant, sorrowful, or happy, it must work with the characters and situations. It must retain the validity of leading the sum total of the story to its viable conclusion. And that choice remains with the author.

     

    Father, thank you for inspiration. Those of us who write to honor you know where any and all talent and gifting originate. Again and again I say: Apart from you, I can do nothing. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

  • Will you visit me here?

     

                                   
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    Actually, I'm not there. I'm here today. Will you visit me?

     

    Father, thank you for the opportunities only you can arrange. I'm so grateful. Please bless those who bless me so much. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • Seriously?

     

                             
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    Can we ever look back at ourselves and smile?

    Writing is serious business. Those of us who've committed a significant portion of our lives to doing it in novel form will tell you it's no easy ride. While it can be astoundingly fun, it can also be difficult, tear-jerking, vacant, and even humiliating.

    Some authors come off as joyless artists chained to their talent and desperate for their heart to be set free in words.

    Others seem to flit through it like it's pure pleasure, incomprehensible fun all the time, and about half easy to accomplish writing story after story after story.

    Most of us reside somewhere in between extremes – except at certain times during the construction of a story when our characters turn mute and vacuous and refuse to enter into the games. Or when they're so busy cracking jokes when the mood is dour that we're embarrassed to have created them. Or when they're as shallow as the kiddie pool, and we want to exterminate them like hideous bugs.

    But, seriously speaking, can we look back at our early creations and smile at some of what we wrote? And I don't mean laugh. I mean look back with a hint of pleasure at our writing chops barely exposing themselves in a few rather brilliant paragraphs here and there that we still truly do like.

    To keep going in this rather uncooperative venture, I think we have to be able to enjoy our work. To see the gemstones shining through the rocks. If we can't like our work, who will?

     

    Father, apart from you, we can do nothing. Nothing. Seriously. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.   

  • 9/11

     

    WE WILL NEVER FORGET . . .

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    Cross4a

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    Father, we are desperate for your mercy. Please hear us as we repent and seek your cleansing for our many sins. We love you, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
                 

     

  • Spot Light

     

    Sometimes ya just gotta pass the ball:

     

    http://www.jasoncjoyner.com/blog/organic-church-challenges/

     

    Please, if you take the time to read this, give Jason an "'atta boy" and bless him.

     

    Father, what we do in your Name is ultimately all that matters. Help us to be obedient in all things. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • Figuring out those . . . Opening Moves

     

                                   
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    Opening Moves by Steven James is the prequel to the Patrick Bowers Series (The Pawn, The Rook, The Knight, The Bishop, The Queen; The King is due out in July 2013). Published by New American Library, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., Opening Moves has been released in Mass Market Paperback.

    Steven James tells readers in the first sentence of his foreword that he had nightmares while writing this novel. He'd have to be one cold-hearted beast not to have had some kind of adverse reactions while composing this work. This is the introduction to the young Patrick Bowers, homicide detective, the one who can't escape recurring nightmares of his teenage discovery of a young female victim of a terrible killer in a tree house and that of another little girl buried alive by the same man.

    If you've read this series, you're well acquainted with the talented Steven James. The master storyteller, the complex plots, the literary prowess . . . and the dark natures of the savages he portrays so vividly. This is the story which gives us a less cynical Patrick Bowers, a man who still considers and contemplates things like heaven and hell, justice and reckoning, love and hate, good and evil, God and . . . He examines his own demons clawing at him to escape their boundaries when certain situations arise and he wants unmitigated justice and wants it immediately. Opening Moves blows off all restrictions on the evil of villains. Readers are methodically guided into the darkness of multiple characters which will chill most souls. The TV series Criminal Minds has nothing on Opening Moves. Steven connects all the dots in this masterful plot. 

    It seems there is a killer who kidnaps victims and threatens to kill them if their loved ones refuse to follow precise acts which require them to deposit others at specific markers in the city. These markers are significant because they note the locations of crimes committed by some of the worst serial killers. Even though the instructions are followed, one of the victims experiences a gruesome mutilation.

    Detective Bowers is joined by the gigantic Ralph Hawkins from the FBI, and as they bicker and joke about who's leading the investigation, they cement a solid trust and friendship. Those who've read the series will note this is where we meet the astute Dr. Werjonic who implements the geographic profiling into Patrick's repertoire and is added to the investigation as a consultant leading Patrick to the location of another terrible crime and killer.

    Most of the time we're in Patrick's head as his first person accounts of the goings-on in the investigation keep us on edge. Alternating with Patrick's growing knowledge and perspectives, we listen to the demonic logic of the killer, learning of his demented childhood, his "normal" double life, and his compulsion to do what he does while wondering if redemption can cover his deeds.

    Plus we are introduced to the brilliant and excoriating young nemesis who has gained the dubious and infamous nickname of "Maneater" in the most literal sense of the word. It's a familiar character to readers of this series, and now we know his origin.

    A true crime thriller novelist, Steven James has written his darkest novel yet. Recalling true stories of evil serial killers and adding fictitious ones to the mix, this is not a book for the squeamish. However, for devoted Steven James' fans, prepare for a harrowing ride through the pages of Opening Moves, a portrayal of the darkest threads of humanity, contrasting them to those who struggle to do right and good in the midst of horror. A quick, pulsing read with sinister philosophical implications, a touch of faith, and a cast of dedicated pursuers of incredible evil: some to embrace it and others to extinguish it.      

     

    Father, you have given us all a purpose in our writing. Please watch over Steven as he goes to the depths to expose evil for what it is. May he honor you in all he does and all he writes. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

     

  • Sunday’s Offerings

     

    Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside will also be clean.

    Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

    Matthew 23:25-28 (NIV)