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

  • Wars and rumors of wars . . .

     

    I caution you about this post. In a way it's a "rant". The reason for this is simple. Not meant to be hurtful or offensive. Simply put, it alarms me that people think this nation can withdraw inside itself and survive this world. Isolationists – or "Non-Interventionists" as some prefer to define and qualify it – and those who reject all military action will incur the destruction of the USA. So . . .

    Everyone dies. Death is inevitable. Every cop, every fireman, every soldier, every operative faces death as a possible obstacle in his day. Yet he chooses his profession because his desire to serve, protect, and catch the bad guys or enemies reigns in his/her heart. If this servant knows the Lord, they can rest in their fear that death lets them out of this earthly life and provides a better option.

    Losing loved ones is horrid for those left behind unless those loved ones have lived long full lives. It doesn't make it easy to lose them, but usually it brings more peace if they loved the Lord Jesus Christ and their eternal destination is secured. Losing soldiers in war, policemen on duty, firemen putting out infernos: no easy way to say goodbye. Heartsick loved ones wish there was some other way. But let me ask you this: Is it easier to lose people in car crashes, from cancer, or in freak accidents? Is there any solace in believing the number of our days is ordained by the Lord?  

    I share here the Lord Jesus Christ's words: "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains." (Matthew 24:6-8 NIV)

    We are all destined for physical death. Whether or not it's from the carnage of war, at the hands of a drunk driver, through our own miscalculated mistakes, or from a hideous disease, sin ushered in physical death. No getting past it, around it, or is there exclusion from it.
     
    So I fail to see the purpose of insisting that diplomacy and the bravado of keeping to ourselves will secure us from the hatred and bastions of those who desire our total elimination and demise. Along with death, sin ushered in hatred, violence, perversion, and every other kind of sin we witness in excess across the earth. No escaping it in this life.

    So do we denigrate the service of those assigned and called to protect us and our freedom? Do we really think that freedom is something we can synthesize by merely refusing to defend ourselves?

    War is not going away. Violence will not be stopped. Do we turn our heads and hearts away from weaker vessels and claim it's not acceptable for us to intervene? We cannot offer freedom to all, but we can help some. The choices are limited but they're there for wise souls to make. Where does wisdom originate? The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It doesn't come from man's philosophies or intellectual reasonings. Peace does not exist outside of Eden.

    This country remains "one nation under God" until those that hate us from within and without destroy our Constitutional values and subjugate our government for one which neither honors God nor His principles set up in a document that has survived the trials and tribulations of the war against it and this country. Christians know this future time will come as foretold, but in the meantime we pray for our country's freedom, and we fight for what is right and good because it is our privilege and duty to stand against the enemies' schemes both prayerfully and physically if we're able.

    God, please continue to bless America. We've sinned against you, but the remnant honors you and thanks you for our country. What a privilege to have our days ordained in this place where your principles were the orchestration for the Constitution of the United States of America. Thank you. In the Name of Jesus, forgive us and lead us. Amen.

  • Goal-oriented?

     

    Goals present a conundrum for me. If they're too high, failure is almost guaranteed. If they're too low, they present no challenge and perhaps no motivation because of their implied insignificance. Those who need goals to formulate motivation are often highly organized types, structured people, and/or those who enjoy the thought of school or taking classes. Planning a résumé for completing their goals inspires them.

    It's logical to assume setting goals is a necessity for career people. Progressive analysis of what it takes to "succeed" mandates taking steps to insure it. However, sometimes perceived "right" steps waste time and energy and provide nothing but clutter on the march to achieving desired goals.

    Writers will provide all kinds of goal-oriented people – and some not so much. Some of us write, watch, acquire information and formulate goals based on what we gather. Others of us write, watch, acquire information and decide what is valuable to us as individuals to pursue. These two approaches sound similar, but they're really different. At least from my perspective.

    Some insist goals are a requirement. And it could be said goals are always necessary. In fact goals are inevitable. People can't just conduct their writing practices all willy-nilly without anchoring themselves to a formula for success – or at least achievement. And really it could be just semantics in defining "goal-oriented".

    The only goal I can attest to making with serious intent is to grow closer to the Lord, to hear His voice plainly, and to do what He asks of me. That's my goal.

     

    Father, you know my heart. I want what you want for me. In the flesh that's hard to say. In the spirit it's the truth. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • Feeling . . . Frantic

      

     

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    Mike Dellosso writes what some of us call "Christian Horror". Not a popular term with CBA publishers, but those of us who read (and/or write) Christian fiction recognize exactly what this term means when it applies to Mike's writing. And it's a good thing. Frantic is Mike's fifth novel and releases in February of 2012, published by Realms, a division of Charisma House Book Group.

    Frantic feels different from Mike's four preceding novels in that there's less horror and more psychological tension. It's a borderline thriller except for the pace moves more deliberately than fast while sustaining the taut storyline of the three main characters being pursued by a clearly confused nemesis who desires to protect one of the three with no regard for anyone else. That one character to be protected at all costs is a seven year old boy named William with a withered arm and hand due to cerebral palsy. Gifted with supernatural faith, young William manages to keep his stoic calm through the worst of the chase. Gary, the man who wishes to capture and protect William, considers him to be the anointed one. Gary listens to the condemning voices of instruction which assault his mind and compel him to do anything and everything to find William once he and his older sister Esther escape Gary's charge.

    Marnin (Marny) Toogood perpetually acknowledges the curse of his difficult and tragic upbringing, knowing if he gets too close to anyone, something terrible will happen to them. His mother, his friends, and now the strangely attractive young woman in the back seat of a car with its hulking driver getting gas at the station where Marny works, glaring at him, and remaining speechless no matter how hard Marny tries to make conversation. A tattered note left on the ground for him to discover sends Marny on a dangerous rescue mission.

    The plot elements in this story keep developing through the harrowing adventures of the escape that Marny manages with Esther's and William's assistance. With numerous cold-blooded murders and plenty of imaginative supernatural events, Frantic depicts the power of darkness while contrasting a conflicting light in the same individual. Mike's creative use of the supernatural elements make this a compelling story of danger, hope, fear, sacrifice, faith and love. The twist won't be a surprise to some readers, but even so it demonstrates the extremes of a corrupted love gone wrong.

    For me there's an underlying commentary on Christianity in this novel. The harm of legalistic religion applied to the faith and freedom that Jesus brings can drive some people to extreme levels and perhaps cause irreparable damage. Contrasted to that is the clear love of a little boy who can trust and access the God of the universe, believing that He alone can solve any situation no matter how grim or threatening. His solid simple faith is an example to us all but also a reminder that the Lord chooses individuals for special giftings and honors their obedience to Him. All of this is shown organically within the confines of the story and character development.

    Technically speaking, there's some very good writing in Frantic. Mike seems to add a new dimension to his repertoire with Frantic and does it well. An interesting story with intriguing and unusual characters, major tension, some bizarre twists, and a satisfactory ending. Recommended for those who read Christian horror, enjoy thrillers and/or supernatural suspense.

     

                                

    As always, I pray for Mike's continued good health, good stories, and the time to devote to his family and callings. Please, Lord, bless this man who personifies the willing servant. Provide what he needs to continue to do that which you have for him. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • Sunday’s Offerings

     

    " . . . Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"

    " . . . But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

    Matthew 7:27;33-34 (NIV)

  • New Year’s Eve

     

    May your anticipation of the new year be filled with the faith of a child.

    May your hopes for the new year be cemented in the Lord's promises to you.

    May your dreams for the new year be inspired by the Holy Spirit.

    May your actions for the new year be strengthened by the principles of God.

    May your faith for the new year be relentless, repetitive, reinforced, and resurrected by the One True God. In Him we live and hope and have our being . . .

    In the Name, Authority, and Blood of Jesus Christ: Be Blessed by His presence, fellowship, relationship, love, mercy, and grace. Amen.

  • 2011

     

    Personally:

     

    I lost my brother. Heaven gained a wonderful man.

    Breath of Life was released.

    My family loves one another and remains intact and strong.

    Thank you, Jesus, for it all.

     

    Publicly:

     

    Into the Fire persists, remains.

    Breath of Life receives some attention.

    Thank you, Jesus, for it all.

     

    Politically:

     

    The greatest country in the world, the USA, has suffered under the administration of the past three years and is now over 15 trillion dollars in debt.

    The unemployment in the USA is over 14% including those who've quit looking and quit receiving unemployment benefits.

    The healthcare crisis continues to rage with higher costs for every area of care with ever-increasing implementation of Obama-care.

    The Attorney General Eric Holder participated in the absurd and fatal implementation of Fast and Furious under the leadership of this administration.

    Abortion expanded to include the allowance of barbaric partial birth abortions under this administration.

    Christianity continues to be assaulted by atheists in the courts. And ignored in the White House.

     

    God Almighty, save our nation we pray. Forgive us for our multiple sins. Renew our hearts and minds. Our freedom originates with you. Our hopes are in you. We rely on you for any and all righteousness. We plead for your strengthening and the cleansing of our nation. Please heal us. We wait upon you. We ask it all in the Name, Authority, and Blood of Jesus. Amen.

  • Soaked in . . . Dry As Rain

     

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    Eric Yoshida is the protagonist you love to hate. And yet Gina Holmes manages to keep just enough appeal for the open-minded and fair reader to hold out hope for him. That appeal is borne out of a character that rings so true, it's impossible (for me anyway) not to care about his pathetic situation, state of mind, and reasons for his decisions, both short term and long. Dry As Rain, published by Tyndale Fiction, is Gina Holmes' second novel, and, as with her first one, she nails it. And by that I mean she captures the nuances of so many things that go wrong when two people who love each other forget how to communicate their heartfelt desires or quit trying to understand each other's motivations.

    Eric Yoshida and his wife Kyra have managed to stay married for 20 years after falling head over heels in love. Their son Benji has joined the Navy, a lifelong dream, but is being dismissed because of a medical problem. Eric and Kyra have separated due to a discovered email between Eric and an attractive young co-worker when Kyra suffers a bit of amnesia due to a car accident. After speaking with her doctor at the psychiatric hospital to which she's been transferred, Eric wonders just how much of their current marital status she remembers.

    Written from Eric's first person POV, I'm fairly sure some women who read this novel worked up a full-on hate for the man because of his choice in Chapter Two. We follow Eric's response to his wife's amnesia filled with his fear and then hope and ending with regret. That regret spreads out and overwhelms him like a slow-moving toxic algae. He pretends to be a man of faith, but eventually he's forced to look at himself through the window of truth, and all he really sees is failure in multiple areas. Unworthiness. His vindication has always come from his success at work where he's made enough money to provide a comfortable living with the opportunity for advancement to make even more.

    Kyra epitomizes the angry wife who fails to understand her husband's motivations and misinterprets his actions and efforts for improving their lives. Eric typifies the goal-oriented, work-driven male who needs to excel to prove his manhood. When angry wife feels neglected and personally affronted by her husband's "selfish" ambitions, and neglected husband seeks affirmation and attention from the wife he loves but doesn't receive it, spontaneous combustion explodes an aching marriage into full-blown injury. The result is far too typical in many marriages.

    Gina Holmes took a huge risk when she wrote this from Eric's POV and especially since the first of the dual-climaxes in the novel really happens in Chapter Two. I don't know how anyone can't appreciate Gina's voice and insights. She's fast becoming a favorite of mine. Maybe it's because she doesn't pull any punches when constructing her characters. They're real. They're frail and flawed. In Dry As Rain Eric Yoshida suffers from a phony faith and a sometimes self-absorbed personality because of an innate struggle with unworthiness manifested as a kind of weak pride. Some of that struggle is steeped in his lack of knowledge of his father and his mother's disdain for the man who left her and Eric when he was a child. Although he has a good relationship with his step-father, the residual emptiness of not knowing the man who gave him his genes takes its toll in more ways than one.

    Besides some good characterizations of the main and peripheral characters, there's some mighty slick writing going on in this novel, perhaps especially in the dialogue. Good stuff. My least favorite character is Kyra mostly because like so many women who've experienced the unfaithfulness of their husbands, they can't see beyond his failure to take an honest look at how they might've contributed to it. And I'm not talking about a chronically adulterous mate. I'm talking about the Eric Yoshidas in this world who truly love their wives but fail them trying to find a successful life for their families without embracing the One who can truly make it so.

    Real but background faith issues addressed in this novel result in a satisfactory contribution to the meaningful ending of this story. If you want to read an honest look at the damage incurred by two people who love each other but fail themselves and each other, the importance of friendship, the value of understanding real parenthood, and the freedom of finding truth and forgiveness, Dry As Rain will bless your soul.

    Father, your love for Gina is unsurpassed. She's your girl, and you've brought her through trial and pain and rewarded her perseverance and faithfulness. Please continue to bless her with stories that people need to read. Love on her, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.   

  • Watching . . . Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

     

     

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    If you enjoyed the first version of Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law as Holmes and Dr. Watson, I cannot imagine you not liking this second episode even better. Their chemistry is perfect and the casting in this movie is filled with just right characters.  

    Getting used to Guy Ritchie's direction is perhaps the biggest challenge but once that's done, it's amazing, exciting, and quite enjoyable. The innuendo, the action, the conflict, the miniscule moments of profundity from the most unexpected sources all combine to make this a film that should be viewed more than once in order to capture all of the previously listed assets. Intense, imaginative, illustrious, inciting, inane, and intellectual, A Game of Shadows carries the viewer through impossible circumstances on the wit and whim of Sherlock Holmes and his reluctant but ever-faithful companion Dr. Watson.

    The brilliant and clever narcissist, Professor Moriarty, seems to have covered all of his bases with his new plan to aid and abet wars in general. The persistent discoveries that will lead to the destruction of Holmes' enemy's intricate scheme take his and Watson's best effort along with the additional connections from a Gypsy woman and her lot. Failing in some efforts and succeeding in others, the convoluted journey to securing safety for the planet leads to a savvy sacrifice.

    A Game of Shadows offers an entertaining, action-packed movie experience which begs for more than one viewing.  

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    Father, you give gifts for your and our blessing. Thank you for the wealth of talent only you can give. My prayer is that those who receive it will know the One who has given them their talents and gifts. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

    (Picture from Movie Poster Shop)

  • Ratings?

     

    Let's face it: ratings for films are screwed up. An idea gone awry. For those who have translated what the labels really mean when considering which film to attend, it's fairly easy to know what to expect and how many of each potentially offensive category will be present.

    And let me ask you this: is there such a thing as "clean" comedy anymore? I mean that's funny?

    What about ratings for novels? Although I can understand the basis for such a suggestion, it will only produce the convoluted, restrictive, inaccurate mess that movie ratings have become.

    Opinions?

     

    Father, help us to discern what is okay for us and not presume it's okay or not okay for someone else. Help us to look to you for our decision making and to listen to your instructions. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

  • The next day . . .

     

    In the afterglow of Christmas . . .

    Yay! Got Dry As Rain by Gina Holmes. And a Kindle. And a Seahawks hoodie. Yay!

    Probably will go see the second Sherlock Holmes film today.

     

    Lord, every good and perfect gift comes from you. It's never about physical gifts, but thank you for mine. I love them. I love you. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.