Into the Fire

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. 

     Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 

Colossians 4:2 (NIV) 

Friday is just another day when you work seven days a week. Racetrackers can identify. But the glorious day does have its "happy" vibe because for some it's the end of a work week and two days off lie just ahead.

What comes to mind for you when Friday shows up. Anticipation? 

Anything special this Friday?

Father, thank you for each day of my life. You rescued me and put genuine value in my life. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

In keeping with the "selfies" before they were selfies. Rather a self-portrait such a long time ago. Remembering.

Man, I loved that camera – it was my favorite. Many years later, it was stolen. 

Father, thank you for rescuing me from myself. Thank you is never enough. Keep working on me, Lord. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

It's here! Can't wait to read this one from Don Bentley (creator of the Matt Drake Series). He's taking the next run in the Mitch Rapp Legacy and has put Mitch back in time before 9/11. 

Don's a great thriller writer, and I'm anxious to see how he handles Rapp in this time frame. 

Big congratulations to a truly good writer. 

Father, you know Don from the inside out. Please continue to shine your face upon him and bless him big time in this new endeavor. Encourage him as only you can do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

I loved America's music, their lyrics, their amazing songs. Enjoy. 

Father, thank you for your amazing musicians. May each one find you who gave them their talent. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.